AN: My huge thanks to The_Dog_In_The_Manger for the beta!
Thanks for the reviews, alerts, and favorite stories Really makes me happy and want to go on !
Black Friday 8: Look who's talking ?
Where is it? Kekuhi Ailani Kone was sitting in his favorite patio chair, next to his infinity pool on the heights of Honolulu. He didn't turn to look at the man he was talking to. Yoni Kojiro was barely a middleman, not worthy a second thought worrying about, whose only task right now was to find the person who had witnessed the Reed murder. Kone knew he had to find the witness before he or she left Hawaii for the mainland, or all his organization would go down in flames. The trial would expose his operations to the law enforcement and destroy the organization he had worked hard to source within HPD did not yet confirm the existence of a witness, as it was well above her clearance level. Kone had to use other means to find out this information.
He didn't become the head of the Kanakula gang by mistake. Kone was a cold blooded killer, who had made his way through the hierarchy of the gang by murdering, bribing, threatening, and molesting. In his dirty hands, the Kanakula went from a small drug dealing organization to the most powerful mob on the archipelago, dealing in prostitution, money laundering, contract killing, extortion, as the most known.
The gang had its hands at all the important institutions on the islands, from HPD to the office of the Assessor, but this time, he just couldn't find the person he was looking for. And that made him angry.
And nobody on the island wanted to have to deal with an angry Kekuhi Kone.
He was ready to turn every single stone up and look behind every leaf of grass to find out if there was a witness. And to eliminate him or her, definitely.
"I asked, where is he?" the voice was a drier than the first time Kone asked. He didn't like waiting. "Were you able at least, to confirm there was a witness? And if so, why wasn't he or she taken care of on the spot? I think that's why I pay you. To take care of details. So?"
Kojiro took a deep breath before starting to answer. He cautiously weighed his words, not wanting to upset his boss any more than he already was.
"The details have been taken care of. They won't make any mistakes anymore. And our source at HPD is almost certain there was a witness. There wouldn't be such a fuss around the case if not."
"And we're back to my question. Where is the witness? You'd better find her before the DA puts him in witness protection."
"I will, Ailani."
And Kojiro silently left the beautiful patio, still wondering how he could get the information his boss wanted. But he needed to figure it out, or, he was sure he wouldn't have any problems left to solve. Now wasn't the time to think of it. He had phone calls to make.
Kone stood up from his chair, taking in the wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean in front of him. He knew there had been a witness. He could feel it in his gut. And if he couldn't find him or her, and have him dealt with this problem, the gang would be taken down.
So, as a precaution, his jet was ready to leave. Maldives were beautiful at this time of the year.
-o-o-
"Marshall Mann! What are you doing here?" The words seemed to echo in the lobby of the hotel. Mary's hand went straight to her right hip, where her holster usually was – only to remember a bit late that it actually was right now in the suitcase at her feet. She could feel her heart rate speed up – they both had expected trouble, but not so soon. And definitely not this kind of trouble. She looked at her partner, who was turning from astonished to embarrassed, and seeing no sign of danger in the lanky posture she knew so well, Mary started to relax. Maybe it was just a little thing, nothing important, that they could get rid of in a few minutes.
"Marshall, come on here, my boy! It's been ages since I've seen you last. When was that? Last Christmas?"
"Mrs. McCausland! What are you doing here? " Marshall could barely talk, he was pulled into the embrace of the large woman, who was all smiles.
"I'm on vacations, honey. Your mom didn't tell you? I decided not to mourn over Bill, God rest his soul, any longer, and to have a good time, while I still can. And you? What are you doing here? Lynn didn't tell me anything! It's such a coincidence that we are at the same place at the same time!"
Marshall shared a look with Mary. This encounter could ruin their extraction, and all the careful plans they had made in Albuquerque. But it could also allow them to remain under the radar. No doubt, the big guys at the airport had friends in the island, who were possibly much more discreet. At Mary's nod, he understood she was, as usual, on the same train of thought. They had to take this chance.
Marshall finally turned back to Elizabeth McCausland – one of his mother's friends. "We are here for the weekend... but please, don't say anything to mom, she doesn't know yet…" Looking at Mary, he reached for her hand, awaiting for her to play along. This wasn't the first time they had played a couple, but this time it was different. Too much was at stake.
Mary grabbed Marshall's hand, intertwining their fingers, and held out her right hand to shake Elizabeth's.
"I'm Mary. Please to meet you. How do you know Marshall?" As soon as her last words were spoken, she felt a pressure in the hand her partner was holding. Obviously it was something he didn't want to talk about.
"Oh, I've known him forever! Lynn and Seth were neighbors to me and Bill's – William, my late husband. They settled in Mesquite when Seth was transferred to Dallas, and the Cowboy here was, oh, 4 years old or something? He was friends with my son Thomas, you should have seen them, two of a kind!" Elizabeth turned to Marshall, going on: "And how are your brothers? Will they come home for Christmas? Teddy's little girl must have grown up a lot since the last time I saw her! But… oh, I shouldn't be asking you that, you must have other things to do." She winked, making an understanding face, "but... would you like to join me for dinner tonight? It's our last evening here with the group, and we're having a … oh, I don't remember the name, Marshall please? You know that festive event in Hawaii?"
"Luau, Mrs. McCausland, I think that's the word you're looking for... and, well, I don't know... Mary, honey, what do you think? " Marshall didn't want to drag Mary into an evening full of family memories without her agreement. He was really hoping she would turn down the invitation under the pretext they both had so little time together, and he could escape the luau. But it seemed Mary had her own idea.
"Sure, Mrs. McCausland, but only if you're sure we won't disturb you. I'd so love to hear about Marshall's childhood, you know… But before," she added, looking at the older woman's smile, who was already dragging Marshall to the patio outside, "We have to bring our luggage to our room. And remember, cupcake, I have to call Dad to let him know we landed and everything is under control?" Mary knew she didn't need to elaborate, as Marshall had instantly understood the reference.
"Of course, of course. Take your time, the both of you! I'll be waiting for you here in say, one hour ?"
"Okay, we'll be there, Mrs. McCausland. Shall we, honey?" Marshall offered his arm to Mary, who took it, and they both headed to the elevator, waving their hands at Elizabeth, who was fondly looking at them.
As soon as the doors were closed, Marshall let his head rest on the wooden panel of the elevator.
"We are cursed. What are the odds that we meet someone we know around here, Mare ? And don't tell me, I can do the math. This is too important, we can't let Lucy down. Fuck. And it has to be this old witch. I have to call my mom first thing, to have our story covered. I'm sorry, Mare… "
"Whatever. While you play mama's boy, I'll call Stan to update him. Have Delia run a standard check on Mrs. McC, to see if she's clean, and have Stan decide whether we stay on the operation or not. And I have to say I kind of like her. I bet she has a lot to tell me about you… unlike your father!"
They headed to their room as soon as the doors of the elevator opened, both of them reaching for their phones. They had an hour to sort things out.
"Stan, this is Mary. Yes, everything is fine. But we ran into someone Marshall knows... Yeah, I don't care, but the Brainiac does know the odds. It's an Elizabeth McCausland from Mesquite… and tell the Water Cooler to move her ass on this... I don't think so, but it's up to you... yes, we spotted guys both at the airport and in town, looking for something… We have an hour. A what? You're kidding, right? Jesus, I'm never going to be able to look her in the eyes. I know I can't tell her Stan," Mary roller her eyes at what her boss said, "who do you think I am? Charlie? Okay. You tell us. Bye Stan."
Mary hung up with Stan, to realize Marshall was still on the phone with his mom in the bedroom, and she couldn't help but to come closer to listen.
"Yes mom, please, do not tell her about Abby. It's important. Of course she will call you, after I told her explicitly not to call you. You know I can't tell you why I'm in Hawaii, Mom. No, I can't come in January, you know that I have to work... And I'll already come home for Christmas. I don't know yet, Mom. Okay, thanks, Mom. Bye".
Marshall sighed, as he turned to see Mary, leaning on the door jamb of the bedroom, arms crossed on her chest, in full marshal mode.
"So, what's going on in January? Will she cover us?" she asked, her eyes narrowed. Marshall didn't tell his mom about his break-up with Abby, he didn't mention it to the woman he talked to every day. Why ? Mary couldn't help but think he wanted to put back the pieces of his relationship with the detective.
"What's going on in January? My high school reunion. I am not going. And yes, mom will cover us. And what did Stan say ? Are we leaving?"
Mary turned from her partner, putting the suitcase on the queen-size bed, and looked inside, searching for something.
"No, Stan thinks that Elizabeth McCausland, born Elizabeth Susan Royce in Austin, Texas, is clean. By the way, she was arrested some forty years ago. Elizabeth Susan, that makes her a Betty Sue, right? Betty Sue McCausland? Even in dreams, I couldn't have come with such a name… What? What do you want, doofus?"
Marshall halted Mary's moves after hearing what she had just told him.
"What? Arrested? Mrs. McCausland? The one who used to teach us at Sunday school? For what? No, don't tell me…" Marshall closed his eyes, not wanting to imagine what had happened.
"Sunday school, really? Jesus, this is funny... Okay, I'm taking the bathroom first, you'd better find a place to sleep, cause last time I had the couch..." and without another word, Mary grabbed her clothes and headed to the bathroom. In seconds, Marshall heard the water turn on in the shower.
"Mare! You have to tell me why she was arrested! Fuck !" He shouted at her lack of answer.
-o-o-
"You'd better have good news to disturb me now, Kojiro."
Kone was laying on the massage table on his patio, his back being taken care of by a beautiful woman, surrounded by the tropical smell of the hibiscus and gardenias. In the back of the garden, parrots and i'iwi were singing peacefully.
"I have, Ailani. The girl is under the protection of the U.S. Marshals in a secure place. She will be escorted by the marshals to the main land. They'll have to go through the airport. We'll intercept her there. I have Taro and his team on the move already. She should be moved tomorrow."
"You'd better not fail this, Kojiro, or risk suffering my ...displeasure."
Kojiro nodded, and headed out of the room. He was safe. For now.
-o-o-
"Come on, Mare, tell me what she did to have something on her file? It can't be that bad, else Dad would never have let us play with their kids! Shall I call Stan inst... ?"
Mary had just gone out of the bathroom, a large towel around her, hairs still damp from the shower.
The Birth of Venus, he thought. He had never been attracted to skinny women, always enjoying the softness of the curves, and Mary didn't disappoint him. He quickly turned his back to Mary, the gentleman he was, and to prevent any anatomical disorder which would most surely guaranteed if he kept staring at her.
"Yeah, Doofus, call Stan, so we know if there is a date for this incoming mess. And if we leave tomorrow, make sure we don't fly home with Betty Sue..." Mary looked up, seeing just the back of her partner. "And since when do you turn your back on me? You're watching the door in case Bad-Room-Service-Man comes in? Oh, no, I get it, you're being a gentleman?" Or it means he doesn't want to look at me…
"I'd rather stay safe and keep all my limbs attached in case you believe I look at, you know... You call Stan, while I take a shower, and then, hallelujah… to the luau. I hope you left me some hot water, Mare."
Mary did not bother answering, turning her attention to the contents of the suitcase in front of her, trying to decide what to wear. She needed something to fit in with the hotel crowd, but nonetheless allowing her to pull her gun if necessary. She finally picked a dress, the same one that she wore on the assignment with Julian and Ronnie Asshat Dallenberg. The navy blue one she took off for Julian.
Then it stuck her. Mary understood suddenly why Marshall turned his back.
He had seen her that day, in Julian's house. He had looked at her, even though he told her the contrary.
"Oh god, you lied to my face! Jesus! Marshall Mann!" Mary said, amazed and abashed. She was always surprised to find the badass under the neat, gentleman mama's boy that was Marshall most of the time.
But if he could be a bad boy, she could be too.
If you want to see what happens at the luau ... Hit the blue button :)
