Read Moon over Maalaea Bay for Free Online

Wailea Resort. Even without the sign Lee would’ve recognized the large resort by the myriad lights coming from the tall, wide building. He parked in the first parking spot he found, a spot reserved for hotel guests. He wasn’t concerned about his car being towed because he wouldn’t be here that long.
    Shortly after entering the main entrance, Lee spotted a resort directory on the wall near an elevator. He located the Chapel Wing and took the elevator to the fourth floor.
    When he exited the elevator, a sign directed him towards Bertha Renner’s room number. He counted the room numbers up to 414 and stopped. His watch said 10:55 PM when he knocked on her door.
    No response. Had he interpreted Ramirez’s note correctly?
    He knocked again, louder this time.
    Someone was stirring inside. Soon the door moved slightly outward. Someone had pushed against it.
    He pulled his engagement picture from his wallet and held it about eighteen inches from the peephole.
    An unintelligible exclamation came from inside. The deadbolt clicked and the door swung open.
    In the doorway, wrapped in a robe, stood a middle-aged lady wearing a sympathetic expression.
    That puzzled him.
    “You must be her husband,” the woman said.
    Husband? How did she know? The Amber Alert was still in effect. No one should know Jennifer was married.
    She was frowning.
    He needed to say something. “And your name must be Bertha Renner. But how did you know she had a husband?”
    “I’ve been watching the news to see if the police caught those people and freed the girl.”
    This was not good. Too much had been leaked to the media. On the other hand, if the goons thought the alert was over and some of the pressure was off, they might try to move Jennifer. If they did, they might get caught in the process because the pressure wasn’t off. It would only intensify, and when Peterson arrived, the pressure would become incredible.
    “Young man, I’m talking to you. What’s your name?” The woman’s frown remained.
    “Sorry, ma’am. I’m Lee Brandt, and the woman you saw taken is my wife. We were married earlier today, and we’re here on our honeymoon.”
    “I am so sorry. I’ve been praying for the girl. Now I’ll pray for you both.” She pursed her lips, but the frown was replaced by a warm sympathetic expression.
    “Thanks a lot, ma’am. But there is something else you can do that might really help this investigation.”
    Her eyes widened. “What’s that? I’ll be glad to help if I can.”
    He pulled out his cell and brought up the picture of the two people in the restaurant. He stepped beside her, turned it towards Mrs. Renner, and pointed to the darkly clad man. “Do you recognize him?”
    “Oh my. Oh my ,” She exclaimed in wide-eyed horror. “I recognize them both,”
    Both? “Do you mean the girl was involved in the abduction?”
    Mrs. Renner nodded. “She stayed in the background while the man in the picture hooked your wife’s throat with his arm. He choked her and, in a few seconds, she fell. A second man helped catch her, and then the two men carried her into the dark parking lot. The girl stayed in the background, like she was watching. She looked right at me once and I thought I was going to have a heart attack.”
    The choking hold had to be the LVNR, lateral vascular neck restraint, the sleeper hold. Was that what Yagi had neglected to tell him? It was how they took Katie in Seattle. If Yagi had told Lee, it would have provided the first link to the Seattle-area traffickers, their MO. But he shouldn’t fault Yagi. The man was just doing his job and trying to be kind by sparing Lee the ugly details.
    “Thanks, ma’am. You’ve really helped this investigation. When we free Jennifer, you’ll get personal thanks from both of us.” He tried to give her a smile, but even this break didn’t alleviate the panic in his heart. But it did send it racing.
    “You’re welcome, Mr. Brandt. I’ll be right here if you wish to find