When they got to Sherwood Beach, Sara discovered that Steve had ordered a platform like they had for their wedding. Kawika and his men were already there and had carried the canoe in which he would take them out to sea onto the beach. In addition, some surfboards were stuck in the sand, most of the members of their ohana were already there. She saw Kamekona, who had a basket with a lot of white leis, which he was handing out, and the large shell. Liam, who had Zoe and Mama Lu on board, parked next to her car. Rachel sat in the sand and watched Charlie play with his ball. Alika Keahi just pushed his surfboard into the sand next to the others. She had barely taken two steps towards the beach when Nahele reached her. "Come with me, then Steve can change and carry his board down."
"Thank you." She took his arm and together they went to the others. When they reached the platform, she saw Kawika waving to one of his men who was standing by the canoe, then he came up to her.
"Aloha, Sara. You do not have to worry. My men form a wide circle around us when we go out, nobody will come too close to us and disturb the ceremony."
"I thank you, Kawika. I really appreciate what you are doing for us. Steve too, but I'm sure he'll tell you again himself."
"You're welcome." He hugged her, then went back to the canoe. As she got closer, she could see the small urn on the middle bench. She looked around. Rachel and Mama Lu would stay ashore with Jerry and Kamekona and look after the children. On the edge of a small group, she spotted Steve's mother talking to Lou Grover. Everyone else was ready to paddle out. She almost winced when Steve took her hand. He took her to the canoe and helped her in. It was strangely quiet on the beach, they only heard the waves rushing when Kawika got into the canoe with her. Steve and Danny pushed them into the water before they got their boards and they all left with them.
The sea was calm, her ohana formed a circle with the boards, Steve was right next to her. From the beach she heard Kamekona blow on the shell. Kawika started praying in Hawaiian. When he paused for a moment, she heard the noise of an engine and turned her head. In the distance she saw a motorboat. Two of Kawika's men rowed towards it and appeared to be talking to the people on board, but she could not see any details. Shortly afterwards the boat turned away. Still, she found it difficult to keep calm. The ceremony was registered with the authorities and the locals knew how to interpret the signs and usually kept a respectful distance, also so as not to endanger the people in the water. It wasn't until Steve took her hand and squeezed that she looked at him. Kawika continued, then held the urn out to them. Together they scattered the baby's ashes before she and Steve, then everyone else, put their leis in the water. They paused for a few moments, everyone had taken hands, then they started their way back. Kawika's men kept their distance until they reached the beach. Their boss jumped out of the canoe, pulled it onto the sand, then ran over to them. Sara stayed where she was.
Steve hurried to get his board ashore before heading to the canoe. Kawika was on his way to meet his men, who had disembarked some distance away. Sara sat silent and rigid on the bench. The look on her face raised his concern. He crouched down next to her and looked into her pale face. "Sara, honey? Shall I help you out?"
Her answer did nothing to reassure him. "Can you take me to the beach? I don't trust my legs right now. "
"Okay." Gently he picked her up, carried her to the dock and set her down there so that she could sit comfortably on the edge. "Do you have cramps?"
"No. On the contrary. Where do you have your cell phone?"
"In the car," he replied. "Why?"
"A suspicion. That has to stop. I'll bet my next month's salary that was my mother in the motorboat. Ask Kawika. Where's Keahi?"
"I'll send him to you and talk to Kawika."
Steve looked worriedly at his wife again, then jogged down the beach to meet his friend. On the way he passed Keahi and sent him to Sara.
Steve's wife closed her eyes for a moment, then she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up. Rachel. "Do you want anything? Something to drink?"
"Thank you, Rachel, I'm fine for now. I will let you know. Thank you for being there."
Danny's ex-wife smiled at her. "Nothing to thank for." She continued walking as Sara's assistant approached.
"Ma'am." Keahi was still wearing shorts, but had pulled on a t-shirt.
"Sit down. Where's your phone?"
He plopped in the sand in front of her and replied: "In the car. Should I..."
"No." She glanced at Steve and Kawika, who were still talking to each other. The expression on her husband's face was hard to misunderstand. "Do you have anything else to do today?"
"Well, it's Sunday ... But if you need me ..."
"I'm sorry if I cut your family time. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. You will get time off for it as soon as possible. I need your technical expertise." She briefly outlined her thoughts for him. Finally she looked at him waiting.
He nodded thoughtfully. "Sure, it is possible. But that would be ..."
"Typical for her. You have just experienced it."
"A scandal, I wanted to say. And definitely a reason to postpone my Sunday to put an end to it."
"Thank you. Then please got to the base and first check your own telephone and our offices. Then take the device case and the notebook and we'll meet at our house at three. And be careful who you talk to."
"For sure. Ma'am. "Keahi jumped up, brushed off the sand, and hurried to the parking lot. She looked around. Mama Lu, who was talking to Rachel, nodded encouragingly. Then she discovered who she was looking for. As she was trying to get on her feet, Danny appeared next to her. "May I help you?"
"I would like to get up."
"OK."
"But please don't let go of me until I tell you. I'm not quite sure yet ... "
"Take yourself all the time you need," Danny interrupted her understandingly. He walked behind her, took her under the arms and slowly pulled her up. She shifted her weight carefully.
"I think it works. You can let go."
"For sure? I don't want Steve to strangle me with his bare hands ... "
Sara laughed softly. "Pretty sure. Thanks, Danny."
He let go of her, but she could still feel his hands as she took the first step. Slowly she put one foot in front of the other and went to Kono, who was standing with Adam and Chin. Her friend came towards her and offered her her arm. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you."
"A nice ceremony."
"Thank you. It's nice that you were there. I have to talk to you."
"All of us?" Asked Chin, who had come closer with Adam.
"Yes," Sara confirmed after looking around. "When are you flying back?"
"Chin and Kono tomorrow at noon. I'm staying a few more days, I have a few things to do, "Adam reported.
"That's good, I need your help." Her explanation was met briefly with incredulous looks, then Chin nodded. "That would be possible. And it would explain a lot. We are in. At seven at headquarters. If you need us earlier, let us know."
"Thank you. And remember, watch your words when your cell phones are nearby."
Kono winked. "I really wanted to go to Ginos."