Jesse rubbed his forehead. “I’m pretty busy, Steve.”
Kaia wondered what Steve had done to Jesse. The awkwardness between the two men was as obvious as the fragrance of the flowers.
Steve smiled uncertainly. “I’m going to work on Mom. The breach needs to be healed between all of us. Maybe when she comes for Christmas, we can all get together.”
“Good luck with that. I doubt you’ll have much success with it.”
Steve reached out and gripped Jesse’s hand with sudden strength. “It’s good to see you again, Jesse. I’ll keep in touch.” He and his wife moved on toward the door.
“I wish I knew what he was up to,” Jesse muttered as he guided Kaia down the aisle to exit the church.
“What makes you think he’s up to anything? He seemed very nice.”
“He hasn’t wanted anything to do with me for three years, then he calls to apologize and shows up here. It just seems weird to me.”
“Maybe he’s sincere.”
Jesse shrugged. “Maybe.”
As they were leaving, Kaia noticed Jenny Saito go by in the passenger seat of an unfamiliar black SUV. She stopped and stared at the man driving the Durango. It looked like the big Hawaiian who had grabbed her on the beach. The man with the birthmark. But what would Jenny be doing with him?
“What’s wrong?” Jesse asked.
“Remember my assistant, the woman we found trapped in the sea cave? Jenny Saito?”
Jesse nodded. “What about her?”
“She just went by with that big Hawaiian guy. The one with the birthmark that Lindy said was Jonah’s diving partner. Nahele called him Kim.”
His brow furrowed, and he was silent a moment. “You think Jenny’s involved in this somehow?”
“It looks suspicious. I think I’d better talk to her.”
“The Durango looked like it was heading toward the beach. Maybe she’ll be there.”
Kaia nodded and got in the Jeep with Heidi. The keiki chattered all the way to Po’ipu Beach Park. Heidi had enjoyed junior church and had made several new friends. Kaia listened with half an ear. Her thoughts whirled. Maybe Jenny didn’t realize what the big Hawaiian was up to. Though she and her coworker weren’t close, they’d been friendly, and Kaia couldn’t imagine Jenny being part of such a sinister organization.
There were only a few people on the beach when Jesse parked, and they got out. By the time they’d changed in the bathhouse, the beachgoers had gathered in a circle to the right of the tombola, on a narrow strip of sand that ran out to Nukumoi Point.
“Looks like we’re just in time to see the monk seals,” Jesse said. He’d changed into blue shorts. His snorkel and mask hung around his neck, and he carried a pair of fins in his hand.
“I want to see!” Heidi ran forward, her red suit a bright splash of color against the golden beach.
Kaia followed her and watched a monk seal flounder up onto the beach. A lifeguard had already strung up a yellow rope to keep gawkers from getting too close to the seal. The endangered mammal was found only in Hawaiian waters, and the fine for disturbing one could run as high as twenty-five thousand dollars. They were interesting to watch from a distance though.
Her gaze wandered around the circle of people watching the seal’s antics. A flash of bright blue caught her eye, and she saw Jenny standing almost directly across from her. She had an animated smile on her face. She talked with her hands as she chattered to the man beside her.
Jenny’s companion turned and saw Kaia watching them. His gaze narrowed and darkened as he looked at her. Kaia knew he’d recognized her. Her heart pounding, she shrank back into the crowd. She didn’t know why the guy scared her so much. There was so much menace in his face. He couldn’t do anything to her here though, not with all these people around.
“Are you all right? You look a little pale.” Jesse studied her face.
“Jenny and the Hawaiian guy. They’re here.” She tried to find them again in the crowd, but she’d lost them.
“I don’t see them,” Jesse said.
“Me neither.” She turned and looked toward the parking lot. “There they are!” She pointed at the two of them getting into the black Durango.
Jesse started to go after them, but Kaia grabbed his arm. “They’ll be gone by the time you can get there.” The SUV spit gravel as it pulled away and disappeared among the condos around the beach.
Kaia couldn’t remember when she’d enjoyed a day more than she’d enjoyed yesterday with Jesse and Heidi. After a full night’s sleep, she was ready to take on the world. She glanced at her watch. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to Mano since she and Jesse had spoken to Lindy, and there would be no time today. She wanted to work with Nani for a few hours before heading to the base.