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this house. She turned off the air conditioning and opened the windows. The sweet scent of mock orange blossoms drifted into the car. She willed herself to breathe more slowly.
    “Your destination is on your right.” The voice from the GPS sounded inappropriately neutral.
    Ellie turned on her blinker and slowed to a crawl.
    That’s it.
    She braked and backed up a few yards to where a short driveway led to a large metal gate with embossed bamboo shoots. She pulled the car in front of it, got out, and inserted the key Devora had given her into the grimy lock. The gate creaked loudly as it swung open into the property.
    Ellie wiped her hands and jogged back to the car.
    I’m here. This is so awesome.
    Her grip on the steering wheel tightened as she eased the car forward. The house came into view on the right.
    “Oh my God.” Ellie jerked the car to a stop and laid her hand across her mouth. She closed her eyes and then opened them again. The house was still there. “Viv, that mother of yours is a piece of work.”
    Her gaze ranged rapidly over the large, overgrown structure that would be their home.
    “She sent us to live in a dump.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
     
    Ellie parked the car in the middle of the overgrown drive. Tropical vines encroached on all sides, covering much of the asphalt. She removed Viv from his carrier and let him wander, leashed, at her feet while she absorbed the dilapidated property.
    “I bet the last time anybody called this home, people still went to Blockbuster.”
    The garden that lay between Ellie and the ocean evidenced former organization, even beauty. Overgrown floral bushes flowed along the edges in a pattern reminiscent of waves. A dry fountain lined with lava stones supported a life-size Hawaiian woman gracefully captured in mid-dance, her hula skirt billowing around her tapping feet, her arms raised to the sky. A small cream-colored guesthouse stood to the left of the fountain against the border of hedges. Beyond that, the ocean sparkled blue and clear, with two islands, one small, and one large, visible in the distance.
    The main house stood back from the drive with a view of the garden and water. It was an expansive one-story structure with a red tiled roof that arched into Asian-looking peaks. Vines squeezed the massive square pillars of the wide wooden porch and clambered across the floor, where a lone deck chair lay on its side, sprawled like a parched traveler left to desiccate.
    Ellie pulled a reluctant Viv up the steps.
    “Welcome to the Maui Bates Motel.”
    Floor to ceiling windows shone with reflective one-way glass. Ellie stuck her tongue out as she passed. Devora’s second key fit the tiny lock of the massive carved door that swung open noiselessly to Ellie’s push. She inhaled the musty air.
    Viv yanked free. She watched him chase something scuttling along the wide hallway.
    “Don’t even think about bringing that back to show me.”
    Ellie walked into the corner living room to her left and flipped each of the many switches by the door. Recessed lights illuminated the large, empty room. Overhead ceiling fans turned noiselessly. Blinds retracted.
    At least Devora came through. The electricity is on.
    Ellie turned the latches on the windows closest to her and slid them along their runners until they clicked into place. A fragrant breeze wafted through the screens and stirred her blouse. She sighed.
    “Viv? Where are you?”
    Muffled meows led her to the kitchen at the back of the house where the cat sat on the counter, the corners of his mouth curved around a struggling gecko. When he spied her, he jerked his head toward the ceiling and gave her a leer that said, See what I’ve got?
    Ellie lunged for his leash, but he dashed away before she could catch him.
    She leaned on the dark granite counter.
    “You little monster. Don’t let that thing go.”
    She felt something crawling up her arm.
    “Eek. Ants.” She swiped at them viciously, turned