She stepped out on the dock, turned left and walked past several boats where deckhands were cleaning after morning cruises, preparing for their next passengers to arrive.
Kimo stopped in front of a boat with a similar sign to the one over the dive shop: Jako’s Diving Adventures. A man worked inside, positioning scuba tanks, BCDs, regulators, masks, snorkels and fins.
“Captain, permission to come aboard,” Kimo called out.
The man set down the tank he held a little harder than was necessary. The shadow inside made his face impossible to read. “That you, Kimo?” he asked.
“It is,” she responded, shading her eyes to peer into the darker interior of the dive boat.
Jako stiffened. “Get in here,” he commanded in a rough tone.
Rex bristled and whispered to Kimo. “Maybe he should come out here.”
“It’s okay,” she assured him and started toward the gangway.
Rex got there first and crossed onto the boat. He turned and held out a hand to Kimo.
She laid her hand in his palm and let him steady her as she crossed the same gangway.
Sure, she could do it on her own, but Rex wasn’t taking any chances.
Once she was on the deck, he moved with her into the covered area.
“Jako, this is Rex Johnson, my...friend. He’s been a big help to me after what happened last night.”
“Jesus, Kimo, you’re the last person I expected to see here.” Jako took a step toward her.
Rex moved, positioning his own body between Jako and Kimo.
Jako glared at Rex and then turned his glare on Kimo and lowered his voice. “What the hell happened out there? I’ve heard everything from you and Alana crashing the boat into a reef, to you smuggling drugs using my boat. The Coast Guard showed up as I was opening, informing me that my boat had been reported missing. They asked if it had shown up here at the marina. Then, some detective with the Maui PD interrogated me like I’d murdered someone. Is it true that Alana is missing?”
“Oh, Jako.” Kimo’s eyes filled with tears. “Alana is missing. So, is your boat.” She sat on a bench, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Jako sank onto the bench beside her as she told him what had happened.
“Why didn’t you call me? I had to hear it all from the authorities. I was completely blindsided this morning.”
“I’m sorry,” Kimo said. “I should’ve called sooner. I’m really sorry about your boat. I hope they find it soon and that it’s undamaged.”
Jako shook his head. “Damn the boat. What are they doing about Alana? And why couldn’t they find that container when you gave them the coordinates?”
“The detective said they’re looking into her disappearance.” Kimo touched the man’s arm. “I don’t think they’re moving fast enough. Worse, the Coast Guard reported that the container wasn’t at those coordinates.”
“You still using that dive watch I sold you?” Jako asked.
Kimo nodded. “I’ve never had a problem with it.”
“It has the best ratings for its GPS capabilities.” Jako shook his head. “Come to think of it, the Coastie and the detective didn’t mention the container. They were all about the missing boat and then Alana.”
“They probably think I was making it up, especially since they didn’t find the container. I need to get out there and look for myself,” Kimo said. “And I need to find the camera I was using. I took pictures of the container and what was inside.” She shivered. “Jako, I need a favor.”
Jako started shaking his head even before Kimo said, “I need a boat and dive gear.”
Jako frowned. “Kimo, you know I’d do almost anything for you. We’ve been friends for a long time, but I can’t give you a boat or gear.”
Kimo’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? I’ll pay you for it—and I’ll pay for your missing boat. I’ll have to take out a loan, but I’ll make it right.”
He shook his head. “I can’t rent you a boat. Before I had a chance to call the insurance company to file a claim, they called me. They threatened to drop my coverage.”
