“Let’s go.” They got in the Jeep and headed to town.
He pulled into the Latchet driveway. Heidi was still sleeping soundly when he opened the back door and lifted her out. She murmured and snuggled against his chest. He carried her to the front door and rang the bell.
Faye answered. Her tear-stained eyes widened when she saw Jesse with Heidi in his arms.
“I think Kaia is in trouble. Can you keep Heidi until I find her?”
“Of course.” She trailed after him as he carried his niece to the spare room. “Where’s my daughter?”
“We’re not sure, but we think Aki’s thugs have her.”
Her hand went to her mouth. “Oh no,” she whispered.
Curtis came to the doorway. “What’s wrong?”
His wife told him. “I’d better go with you,” he said.
“We need you here,” Jesse said. “I don’t want to leave Faye and Heidi unprotected. Do you have a gun?”
Curtis nodded. “It’s just a small pistol, but I’m a good shot.”
“Have it ready. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He dropped a kiss on Heidi’s sleeping forehead and ran for his Jeep.
Driving out to Waimea Canyon, he asked God to keep Kaia safe.
They picked up Bane in Hanapepe and left his car parked at a gas station. The storm Jesse feared had blown in, and the wind lashed rain against the vehicle as Mano directed him up the winding road toward the top of the canyon. With the heavy downpour, the night was even blacker than usual with the lights of Waimea below obscured. There was no other traffic on the road this late.
It seemed they drove forever. The storm finally began to abate.
“There,” Mano said, pointing to a nearly overgrown lane.
Jesse slowed the Jeep. “How far is it?”
“A quarter of a mile or so.”
“Maybe we should hide the Jeep and walk back. We don’t want to announce our presence,” Bane said.
Mano nodded. “I know just the spot.”
Once the Jeep was stashed behind an outcropping of rocks, Mano led the way through the mud to an imposing two-story house on top of a hill.
“It’s not as easily approached as it looks,” Mano said. “There are usually at least two guards walking the property.”
“Can you get in by just walking to the door?”
“Probably not now. I challenged Kim.” Mano’s voice was low. “You might as well know, I was investigating them undercover. My cover is blown, so it doesn’t matter now.”
Jesse didn’t know what to say. He’d been sure Mano was involved up to his neck.
“Sorry, kaikunane. I misjudged you,” Bane said.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Mano said with a cockeyed smile. “I figured if I could fool my own family, Aki’s group would believe me too. Unfortunately, they found out before the meeting anyway. They shot at you to warn me not to betray them. I was told to follow through on my orders or next time they wouldn’t miss.”
“What are they planning?”
“They intend to blow up the munitions caves.”
“That’s why the helicopter was out there,” Jesse said.
Mano nodded. “I think they might be canceling that plan now though. They know they’ll never pull it off.”
“Then why take your sister?” Jesse asked.
“Probably to keep me quiet until they can get away.”
Jesse knew all the suspicion had to have hurt. He pressed Mano’s arm. “You’re a good man,” he said. “Now how are we going to get in there?”
Twenty-four
The car stank of garlic. Kim Aki must have had the mother of all Italian meals, Kaia thought. He oozed the sharp stench. Pipe ashes littered the leather seat, and a cigarette burn marred the armrest near her left arm. Kaia had to figure out a way to escape. She sat tensed in the passenger seat as her mind whirled.
The night was black up here on top of the mountain. The stars hid behind clouds that had rolled in after sunset. Kim braked at the crest of a hill. With the motor still idling, he twisted in the seat and looked at Kaia. “Get out.”
Kaia caught her breath at the man’s growl. Her skin prickled at the intent in his voice. He was going to kill her, she just knew it. Kim Aki was too big for her to overpower, but maybe she could outrun him.