“The pattern still bothers me,” Sophie said suddenly, needing to voice the thoughts spinning in her head.“Three thefts, three different types of institutions, but all were important Hawaiian cultural artifacts.”
“Private collector?”Marcus suggested, signaling to change lanes.“We’ve seen it before.Rich person decides they want to own a piece of history.”
“Maybe,” Sophie said.“But the technical sophistication, the plumerias, the level of planning ...seems like something more than just acquisition.”
“You think there’s an endgame we’re not seeing,” Pierre said.
“Yes.Maybe someone’s sending a message,” Sophie said slowly.“I just don’t know what it is yet.”
3
SOPHIE
Iolani Palace rosefrom its manicured grounds in downtown Honolulu like a Victorian dream trapped in tropical amber.Sophie had scanned a historical search on her tech pad on the drive, quickly absorbing as much background information as she could.
Built in 1882 by King David Kalakaua, Iolani was the only royal palace on American soil, however wrongfully claimed that soil had been.
Once they had parked, Marcus produced their authorization at the security checkpoint—a modern addition.Sophie paused at the palace’s entrance, taking in the American Florentine architecture that had cost the Hawaiian Kingdom $340,000 in currency of that era, nearly bankrupting the nascent nation in its bid to prove itself equal to any European monarchy.
Gentle trade winds carried scent from the plumeria trees King Kalakaua himself had planted, their white and yellow blossoms cascading over a wrought iron fence—the same type of blossom they’d found at this morning’s crime scene.Sophie noted the Iolani Barracks to her left, a smaller but similarly designed building where the Royal Guard had once been housed, which now served as the visitor center.
The grounds were still empty, the first tour groups not scheduled until eleven a.m.“We have to finish before they arrive,” Marcus said.“Since this is just a follow-up visit.”
They climbed the broad steps where Queen Lili?uokalani had been arrested in 1895, passing between four Corinthian columns that supported the wide lanai.Sophie touched one of the etched glass doors imported from San Francisco, thinking of all the history the fragile panels had witnessed.
Inside, the Grand Hall stretched before them, its gleaming koa wood staircase ascending gracefully to a second floor.The walls displayed portraits of Hawaiian royalty in European dress; the kingdom’s response to the colonizers’ language of power had been to match it.
Crystal chandeliers hung from coffered ceilings, their light dancing across walls that had witnessed both glittering state dinners and the illegal overthrow of a sovereign nation.
“The throne room is this way,” Marcus said, leading them through a reception hall where a plaque denoted the name Blue Room, describing King Kalakaua receiving dignitaries here from around the world.Sophie noticed an alarm system discreetly integrated into the crown molding—one of many modern updates necessary to protect what remained of Hawaii's royal treasures—not that it had worked.
Truth was, nothing in the world was safe from a determined and tech-equipped thief.
The throne room itself took Sophie’s breath away with its luxurious, traditional appearance.Twin elaborate golden chairs sat on a raised dais beneath a scarlet canopy, empty now but still radiating dignity andmana.One had been King Kalakaua’s, the other his queen Kapi?olani’s.Behind them hung the royal coat of arms with its motto:“Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ?Aina i ka Pono”—The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
“There.”Marcus pointed to an empty pedestal beside the throne platform.“That’s where the stolenkahiliwas displayed.”
Sophie studied the empty pedestal where the feather standard had once stood.Kahiliwere symbols of royal authority, made of thousands of feathers from native birds, some of which were now extinct.This particular one had belonged to Kamehameha I himself, its red?i?iwiand yellow?o?ofeathers worth far more than gold.
“Same MO as the other burglary.”Marcus gestured to the security camera mounted in the corner.“That was disabled.The burglars knew exactly where every camera was, every motion sensor.”
Sophie crouched beside the pedestal, examining the base.Thekahilihad been mounted using the same system installed in the 1960s during the palace’s restoration.“No tool marks.They knew which screws to remove, in what order.This was likely an inside job, or at least directed by someone with inside knowledge.”
Raveaux emerged from examining the entrance points, having checked the staff entrance near the basement kitchen where King Kalakaua had once hosted poker games.“The windows show no signs of forced entry.They came through the main doors, which means?—”
“They had access and knew the alarm codes,” Marcus finished.
Sophie’s phone buzzed.Another message from Connor appeared on the screen:My operative will arrive tomorrow.He’s my best.
Sophie deleted the message without responding.She had more pressing concerns than Connor’s unsolicited interference.
“Dr.Yoshimura mentioned an inter-museum loan program when we were talking,” Pierre said.“Artifacts move between institutions for special exhibitions.The palace loans items to Bishop Museum, the Hawaiian Mission Houses, even mainland institutions.Sometimes private collectors participate.Perhaps we should look at?—”
A loud creak, as if from a footfall, came from the floor above and interrupted him.The sound had come from the second floor—the private quarters where the royal family had actually lived.
“No one is supposed to be in here.”Marcus pulled his weapon and Sophie matched his movement.They whirled to face the doorway.“Building’s supposed to be empty.Let’s check it out,” Marcus said.They moved as a pair toward the grand staircase, footsteps muffled by the crimson carpet runner as they ascended, weapons ready.Pierre, unarmed, brought up the rear.
Sophie’s heart rate stayed steady despite her alertness as she reached out to touch the koa wood banister.It was smooth under her hand, polished by thousands of visitors and, before that, by the hands of Hawaii’s last monarchs.
