CHAPTER 3
Big Kahuna Bottling Plant
105 Ilamoku St.
1:25 PM
"We're Agents Mulder and Scully, with the FBI." Fox
Mulder's voice was cool and confident as he and his partner flashed their ID's to
the security guard stationed at the front desk of the Big Kahuna bottling
plant. At the sight of the badges, the guard immediately became wary.
"What can I do for you?" he asked cautiously.
"We'd like to speak with the supervisor," replied
Scully.
"Uh, okay, sure. No problem." The guard picked up the
phone on the desk and pressed a number. After a brief conversation with the
person on the other end, he hung up and told the agents, "His office is
right down the hall, second door to the left."
"Thank you." Mulder and Scully walked down the hallway
until they came to a door with a sign that read: Ted Ahua, Head Supervisor.
Scully reached out to knock on the door. A voice inside replied,
"Come in." The two agents opened the door and stepped inside. The
office itself was big, but sparsely furnished; a desk, three nondescript
chairs, and a single picture hanging on the wall was all that the room
contained.
Scully was surprised that the picture - when she got a good look
at it - was the same as the one she had seen earlier that day at the Pali Lookout.
The man sitting behind the desk rose as they walked in.
"Hello, I'm Ted Ahua," he said, shaking the agents' hands. Judging
from his dark copper skin and white hair, Scully figured he was most likely
Hawaiian. A small black pendant hung from his neck, with the image of a heart
pierced by a spear in the center. Though she was curious about it, Scully
refrained form asking him what it was.
Mulder reached inside his coat and pulled out his badge and ID.
"We're with the FBI, investigating a murder recently committed, and would
like to ask you a few questions."
Ahua gave him a bewildered look. "Have I done anything
wrong?"
"No, Mr. Ahua," said Scully. "The man murdered was
named Roy Tanaka. He was found dead at the foot of the Pali Cliffs, just below
the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout. Traces of LSD were found in his system, and we found
a half-empty water bottle at the crime scene."
"And?" Ahua asked, mildly annoyed.
"Big Kahuna Water was the label printed on the bottle. We
assume that he contracted the drug through drinking the water. We should know
for certain anytime now." At that moment, Scully's cell phone rang.
"Excuse me," she said, and went out into the hall to take the call. A
few minutes later, she returned, saying, "The water test came back - they
found LSD."
"Are you saying that I was involved?" Ahua exclaimed.
"I haven't done anything to anyone, much less kill a person!
You have no right to accuse me!" Mulder put a hand out.
"Hold on a minute, sir. We're not accusing you of anything.
We just want to ask you a few questions."
By now Ahua was red with anger. He started swearing and muttering
curses. Mulder could see that they wouldn't get anything out of him, at least
not today. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Ahua. We're sorry to bother
you." He turned and headed toward the door, Scully following him.
Once outside, Scully asked, "What was that about?"
Mulder shrugged. "I don't know, but there's something he's
not telling us." He glanced down the hallway. "Come on.
We're not finished yet."
They began walking down the hall, Mulder glancing at every door
they passed, until he stopped at one that read: Records. He tried the door,
surprised to find that it was unlocked.
When he and Scully stepped inside, they found a room filled with dozens
and dozens of filing cabinets stacked wall to ceiling, each in order according
to years and months. Mulder strolled up to a cabinet marked 1999, and pulled
out the drawer labeled SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER.
"Mulder, what are you doing?" said Scully, peering over
his shoulder.
"Looking for... Looking for... Ummmm..." Mulder's voice
trailed off as he thumbed through the files, pulling one out marked OCTOBER
SHIPMENTS. He opened it and began to scan the page, and then pointed to a line,
saying, "Look at this Scully." Scully craned her neck to see what her
partner was pointing to. Her eyes widened at what she read:
Big Kahuna Shipments: October 1999
Number of Bottles Date
Shipped Destination
1200 10/1/99 Kailua
1000
10/4/99 Waianae
1300
10/5/99 Waikiki
500
10/7/99 Waipahu
1600
10/8/99 Pearl City
1300 10/11/99 Haleiwa
1500*
10/13/99 Aiea
1100
10/14/99 Nanakuli
1800
10/15/99 Honolulu
* LSD contaminate found. Shipped by order of Head Supervisor
Ted Ahua.
"Mulder, over 1500 bottles were contaminated - it appears
*deliberately* contaminated, with LSD. You're right. Ahua's our smoking gun.
Should we go back and arrest him?"
"No. Let's wait. I want to monitor this guy - see what
does."
Scully nodded, though she did not relish the idea of sitting in a
hot, stuffy car the rest of the afternoon, and probably a good portion of the
night. *I'm definitely going to the beach when this is all over,* she told
herself.
~X~
After the agents had left his office, Ted Ahua picked up his phone
and dialed the front desk. "Are they gone?" he asked
the guard. "Good. And the records room was unlocked, so that
they could get in? Yes, very good. Are you are sure they
found the right files? Good, good. You have done well. Do not
forget- the ceremony is tonight. We already have the two
victims, or will have soon. The sacrifice must be made tonight. Be
there." Ahua hung up the phone, and leaned back
in his chair, smiling in contentment. All he had to do now was
wait.
