“Mano is with them,” Bane said.
That wasn’t much comfort. Mano was still under suspicion, and while Jesse didn’t think he’d harm his own sister, he wouldn’t put it past the man to allow Heidi to be taken.
He strode past the other men and looked out the window. He could see three heads in the waves, and the sound of Heidi’s laughter floated to him on the wind.
“They are fine,” Oke said. “No need to worry. Mano will guard them with his life.”
Jesse turned back to the other men. Maybe it was time for a heart-to-heart talk.
“How much do you know of what your grandson has been up to lately?” he asked Oke.
“I believe in my grandson,” Oke said. “I doubt there is anything you could say to shake that faith.”
Jesse winced. He wished he’d had someone who trusted him like that. It was a shame he was going to have to shatter that confidence.
“Mano has been attending meetings at Pele Hawai′i. He seems to have become a zealot for their cause.”
Oke’s white head bowed. “He’s young and impetuous. He’ll soon see past their rhetoric.”
“I’m afraid it’s gone beyond rhetoric. I believe the agency is behind the deaths and security breaches at the base, and I’m positive the men who tried to kidnap Heidi last night were Pele Hawai’i flunkies.”
“You’re saying you believe Mano is part of this conspiracy?” A slight smile touched Oke’s lips. “You don’t know my grandson. He has a strong streak of justice and compassion for those in need. He would never harm a child.”
“He might not have known about this particular ploy,” Jesse admitted. “But he’s deeper into this conspiracy than I think you know.”
“Let’s ask him,” Oke said. “My grandson has never lied to me.” He rose and went toward the door.
Jesse sighed and stood. His gaze met Bane’s. The other man shrugged. “I have to agree with my grandfather. I’ve been upset with Mano for getting involved with them, but he’s no murderer.”
Jesse hoped they were right. Confronted with his family’s concern, maybe Mano would help them.
He trailed behind Oke and Bane down the path to the sea. The salty air brushed his face and lifted the fatigue that still dogged him.
Kaia was laughing as they played keep-away with a beach ball. Heidi and Nani were in the middle while Mano tossed the ball back and forth with Kaia. The dolphin jumped in the air and nosed the ball over to Heidi.
Jesse’s gaze lingered on Kaia. Her face glistened with water, and her sleek black hair lay plastered to her back with the line of her face fully exposed to the golden sunshine. The curve of her cheeks and lips enhanced her dark eyes. He’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life. An ache he’d never felt tugged at him.
What he was beginning to feel for Kaia was different from the love he’d felt for Christy. Christy’s love had been gentle and comfortable. This was as wild and unpredictable as a Kona wind.
There was no time to analyze it though, because Oke called to his grandson. “Mano, can you come here for a minute?”
The young man tossed the ball Heidi had just thrown him to Kaia. “Be right there.” Striding from the water, he looked like a young King Kamehameha. Stocky with thick muscles, Mano looked confident and in control.
Dripping with water, he stood in front of them and looked at Jesse then back to his grandfather. His eyes were filled with trepidation. “Is something wrong?”
His back erect, Oke advanced toward his grandson. “Mano, you have never lied to me. I want to know about Pele Hawai′i. Are they involved in the break-ins at the base?” Oke’s voice was stern.
Mano looked down at the sand. His lips tightened and he glanced at Jesse. “Is this your doing, Matthews? Have you come here with your lies to turn my family against me?”
“That was not my intention,” Jesse said. “But I need to protect my niece. And your sister.”
Mano frowned. “I’ll protect my sister. No harm will come to her.”
Jesse noticed Mano said nothing about Heidi. “What about my niece?”
Oke interrupted. “Did you have anything to do with the kidnapping attempt on Heidi?”
Mano tossed his head in a proud gesture. “You would believe this haole ?”
“Watch how you say that. I was born on Kaua’i.” Jesse said. He tried to keep his voice mild. Mano was cornered, and it would be easy to provoke him to a fight.
“Do not evade my question, Mano.” Oke reached out and gripped his grandson’s arm. “Tell me the truth.”
Mano gave Jesse an angry look then gently pried his grandfather’s fingers from his arm. “I can’t talk about it now, Tutu kane. I have an appointment.” He strode off toward the house.
Jesse saw disillusionment in Oke’s face. He wished he could reassure the old man, but Mano’s behavior spoke for itself.
“I’m going to the meeting tonight, Tutu kane,” Bane said. “If Mano is involved, I’ll find out.”