Read Maui Madness (Zoe Donovan Mysteries Book 7) for Free Online Page B

home is lovely,” I offered.
    “It’s actually my grandparents ’ home, but I love it here.”
    “You live on Oahu ?” I asked.
    He nodded. “ My business is there, but I come out here whenever I can get away.”
    “We ’re really enjoying your home on Maui. The house is spectacular and the view . . . let’s just say it has to be one of the best on the island. We’re having a fantastic time and I want to thank you again for letting us use it.”
    “I’m happy to have the whole gang,” Keoke assured me. “Although I was sorry to hear that things didn’t work out with your friend. Breakups can be tough.”
    “Yes,” I acknowledged, “they can, but Ellie seems to be doing better. She’s doing things to take her mind off her problems. She even made a new friend on the island. I think you know her: Malie.”
    “ Malie and I are good friends. She is a wonderful person with a genuine heart. Your friend will do well in her care. I’m guessing she has her involved in some project already.”
    “She does,” I informed him. “How did you know?”
    “That’s Malie’s way. She adopts strays and finds things for them to do that will keep them busy and give them a sense of belonging and purpose. She really is an exceptional person.”
    “She mentioned that she was also friends with your cousin Pono. I hope to meet him while I’m here.”
    Keoke frowned . “I’m not sure where Pono got off to. I’m afraid he got into an argument with Anton early this morning before anyone else arrived and both of them stormed off. I haven’t seen either since. My guess is that they left the island, although I’m not supposed to tell anyone that until we can verify it. Poor Leia is beside herself with worry. She insists that Anton wouldn’t just take off on such an important day, but we’ve looked everywhere. I hoped the men would return before the party got underway, but it looks like they’ll both be no-shows.”
    “It ’s a shame Leia will have to attend her own engagement party alone.”
    “ I knew it was a bad idea for the elders to insist that Pono attend.” Keoke ran a hand through his black hair. “There is too much tension between the two men, and Leia is stuck in the middle of their battle. It’s hard when your fiancé and brother basically hate each other.”
    “Malie told me about the injunction.”
    “That is just one of many conflicts,” Keoke said. “If Pono shows up, I’ll tell him you were looking for him.”
    “If I don’t meet him today , I’m sure I will tomorrow. Malie invited us to go diving with her and Pono,” I informed our host.
    “That will be fun,” Keoke promised. “I’d come along myself , but I really need to get back to Oahu. Maybe we can get together another time.”
    “I’d like that.”
    “There’s a path that leads down the hill and into the jungle. I would recommend it as an ideal path for young lovers,” Keoke suggested. “It winds through beautiful flowers and ends at a cascading waterfall that flows into a freshwater pond. I doubt the others will bother to make the hike, so it should be deserted as well.”
    Zak looked at me. “You game for a hike?”
    “It sounds perfect.”
    “Before we go , is there anything we can do to help you?” I asked Keoke. “Anything other than uncover that pig, I mean?”
    Keoke laughed. “ Go ahead and take your walk. I imagine the festivities will begin at sunset, which will give you a couple of hours to enjoy some time alone.”
    Zak and I set off . It was warm but not hot, and the narrow path through dense foliage was deserted, lending an air of tropical isolation to the journey. It would have been easy to imagine we were all alone on a deserted island if not for the faint sound of music in the distance.
    “What exactly does Keoke do for a living?” I asked.
    “He’s a real estate investor.”
    “So he buys houses and stuff?”
    “More like commercial property. He ’s involved in both purchasing existing property