“Did he?”
He shrugged. “Only as far as what I could add to his company. When I went to college, he chose my degree. When I told him I’d switched my degree field to history and political science, he cut my funding, saying he wouldn’t pay for a useless degree. When I was ready to be serious about my studies, we could talk.”
“What did you do?”
His lips curved upward. “I joined the Army, worked hard and earned my way into Delta Force.”
“Was your father proud of you then?”
He laughed. “No. He cut all ties with me when I joined the Army.”
Kimo’s heart pinched hard in her chest. “What about your mother?”
“She died when I was at the end of my sophomore year of college. My mother was the only person in my father’s house who made living there tolerable. She made me promise to live my life the way I wanted, not to let anyone take my choices away.”
“Thus, the change in your course of studies,” Kimo said softly.
Rex nodded.
“Any regrets about your decision to join the Army?” Kimo asked.
“None,” Rex said. “My father disowned me. My only family, my mother, was gone. In the Army, I found myself and my brothers in arms. I learned that love and loyalty weren’t determined by the blood in your veins, but by the blood you were willing to spill for people you care about.” He glanced out the front window. “Looks like the Maui PD is here.” A frown brought his brow low. “Great, it’s Detective Sykes.”
Kimo shook her head. “Did it have to be him?”
The detective left his vehicle and climbed the steps to Kimo’s cottage.
“I’ll get the door,” Rex said.
“Thanks,” Kimo said and remained in the middle of the living room. The further away from the odious detective, the better.
Rex opened the door before the man could knock. “Can I help you?”
“I’m here to speak to Ms. Kekoa.” The detective glanced past Rex to where Kimo stood. “She called in a disturbance?”
“I called in about a break-in at her home. Are you here to dust for prints?”
The detective’s brow descended. “I’m here to help. Perhaps I could speak with Ms. Kekoa, as this is her home.”
Rex remained fully blocking the doorway, his arms crossing over his chest. “Are they sending someone who could actually help document the crime without interrogating the victim?”
“It’s okay, Rex,” Kimo said. “I’ll talk to the detective.”
For another long moment, Rex remained in the doorway. Finally, he took a step back, leaving barely enough space for the man to squeeze by.
His frown affixed to his face, Detective Sykes eased past Rex and studied the room. “Was your home in this condition when you left it...was it yesterday?”
Kimo fought the urge to roll her eyes but didn’t fight the sarcasm shooting past her vocal cords. “Of course. I’m in the process of redecorating. I’m going for a post-ransacked feel.” She shook her head. “No, this is not how it looked when I left yesterday afternoon.”
“Are there any items missing?” he asked.
“My cameras and computer,” she said.
“Were there images or data on any of your equipment that could possibly inspire someone to steal the items?”
“Shouldn’t you be asking if the equipment was expensive? The items were expensive when I first purchased them. As used electronics, they don’t hold much value to anyone but me. They’re my livelihood. Without them, I can’t operate my photography business. Replacing the items will take time and a lot more money.”
“You said you could tap into the cloud for the images you downloaded from your dive last night. Were you able to do that?”
