His lips twisted. “It was.”
Kimo laughed. “Now, I have to get copies of the pictures from Kiana. That’s hilarious.”
He grimaced. “Maybe to you and my supposed friends.”
“What have you done to prank them back?” she asked as she headed for the door.
“Nothing, yet. Still working on it.” He grabbed his keys, sunglasses and a neon green fisherman’s hat from a hook on the wall. He plunked the hat on his head and opened the door. “Let me check the parking lot first.”
She nodded, her floppy hat bobbing.
Rex stepped out in his outlandish getup, scanned the parking area and the bushes and trees surrounding it. Nothing moved in the shadows. No different cars had arrived in the lot since he’d parked. “All clear,” he said and turned to take her hand. “But stay close to me.”
Kimo frowned. “Do you think we’re being stalked?”
“I’d rather act like we’re being followed than be surprised,” he said.
Kimo poked her head, floppy hat and all, out the door, looked right, then left and finally stepped out. She let him slip an arm around her and hustle her out to his truck, up and in. Once she was in her seat, she scrunched low until her head barely showed through the window.
Rex rounded to the driver’s side and slipped in behind the wheel. He didn’t say anything as he drove out of the parking lot and onto the road leading to the marina at Lahaina.
“Turn here,” Kimo said. “We can zigzag through the streets in case anyone is following us. Maybe even turn around and head back a couple of streets before we continue to Lahaina.”
Rex’s lips quirked. “I like the way you think.”
“I have to admit,” she said. “The fact that if something happens to us before we find the camera affects what happens to Alana scares me even more. I’m glad I have you to protect me—for Alana’s sake.”
“And yours,” he added softly. Once on the highway, heading for Lahaina, Rex checked the rearview mirror.
Kimo turned in her seat as well. “I don’t see anyone following us.”
“Same.” He hadn’t had time to call his father while they’d been in his apartment. He wanted to ask if he knew anything about Marcus Holte. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the one number he’d saved but hadn’t used in thirteen years. He’d only saved it so that he’d know who it belonged to when, or if, it ever came across on his screen. That way, he could ignore the call and get on with his life as usual.
When his team had decided to come to Hawaii, he’d balked. He’d joined the Army to leave the islands and his father behind. Being back had been difficult at first. It took him a while to realize he didn’t have to see the man or interact with him, especially since he was on Oahu and Rex was on Maui.
Sure, he might have assignments that would take him to Oahu. With a population of nearly one million people and many more tourists, the chances of running into the man were slim to none.
If not for Kimo and her friend Alana, Rex wouldn’t bother to call his father. For them, he’d call. His father might know more about Holte Maritime Group, and in particular, Marcus Holte.
The phone rang three times before a gruff voice answered, “Who the hell’s calling and who gave you this number?”
Rex drew in a deep breath and pushed the past behind him. He needed answers.
Chapter 9
Rex sat stiffly behind the wheel, negotiating the speed and turns with one hand while he held the cell phone in the other.
Kimo couldn’t look away from him as he placed the phone call.
Who was he calling that made him so tense?
“James Johnson?” Rex asked, his voice tight. “It’s Rex Johnson. Your son.”
The air left Kimo’s lungs. He was calling his father. The man he hadn’t talked to since his mother’s death.
She strained to hear the other end of the call as Rex pushed on.
“I don’t want to bother you, but it’s a matter of life and death.” Rex paused to listen. “Yes. That’s what I said. Life or death. I remember you knew Marcus Holte of Holte Maritime Group, and I’m not talking about his life or death.” He paused and listened.
