Lurking in Paradise

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The rehearsal dinner guests reassemble in the neighborhood park directly in front of the manor, which has been taped off by the police. They are individually and privately interviewed by the officers, and then a detective arrives and takes over the questioning.

The bride and groom's chief lieutenants—Katerina Rivera and Gabriel Beaumont, Kawaii's longtime friend and best man—set lanterns on the park benches and serve tea, water, juice, cookies, and crackers. Campbell tries to comfort Antoine Talon's assistant, Dee Lamar, who is inconsolable and sobbing quietly in his arms. Isabelle Jade's bodyguard, Vicky Pearson, attempts to block people away from her client, looking at each person suspiciously, ready to lunge to prevent an attack.

Kawaii, seated on a park bench with his face in his hands, is too shocked to speak. Abby wraps her arms around her fiancee's broad back and rests her head on his shoulder while she speaks to Pari in a soft voice. Abby's pink dress complements her rosy complexion, blue eyes, and medium-length ginger hair.

"At first we thought he must have fallen asleep or fainted," Abby says. "When they said he was dead, we thought he had a heart attack. But now the police are inquiring about bludgeoning instruments and whether we heard loud or unusual noises."

"I don't know whether I am in shock or denial," Abby says. "I cannot fathom that he was murdered, if that really is what happened. Right up there on the rooftop, while we were all down below, oblivious and enjoying drinks and devouring fancy food. It's really unconscionable."

"How can I help, Abby?"

"Let the others know we are postponing our wedding. Obviously, it won't be tomorrow after all. Also, Kawaii and I would prefer the other guests don't speak to the media. The press will be swarming our quaint little corner of the world as soon as Antoine's death is announced. Speaking to the media could sensationalize this and make things only more difficult for the police."

Pari stands to leave and carry out the tasks, but Abby requests her to be seated again.

"Wait, please, there's more, Pari. For Antoine and for all of us, I want you to figure out what happened. There is a cloud of suspicion over all of us. Our lives won't be the same until we know what happened. I know that nobody at our dinner is a murderer. This was done by an outsider—a stalker or someone who took advantage of our festivities for their evil. Please stay in my bungalow until you solve the case, or until the police solve it. I will reside with Kawaii in his bungalow so that you will have mine, and even my car, all to yourself. Will you please do this for us?"

"Certainly, I will do everything I can for you."

When Pari departs to notify the others of the wedding postponement and Abby's wishes regarding the media, Isabelle takes her seat and hugs Abby. Pari welcomes Campbell's offer to assist her with the private investigation. When Detective Kai Kamaka finishes questioning the guests, Pari briefly takes a minute of his time to notify him of her assigned role, at the bride's request. Pari politely pledges cooperation and all reasonable steps necessary to avoid interference with the detective's own investigation.

Prior to dispersing, the guests take care in assuring emotional support for each other. Katerina invites Dee to stay with her. Gabriel escorts Abby and Kawaii home and continues consoling them. Isabelle and Vicky check into a nearby beachfront resort.

Pari meets with Campbell on his backyard deck. She learns that Campbell is acquainted with Detective Kamaka, who he describes as being sensible and professional. Pari designates Campbell to be their liaison with the detective and police and tasks him, based on his recollections, with preliminary outlines of the guests' seating order and arrival times. She also asks Campbell to jot down his own observations from the rehearsal dinner prior to leaving for the airport to pick her up. Campbell, smoking his pipe and sitting sufficiently far enough away that the fumes don't invade Pari's personal space, writes down her comments and directives.

"We don't have much to start with," Campbell notes. "No time of death. No weapon. No threats, at least none that we are aware of, and no hostilities expressed at the dinner, as far as we know."

"I have no doubts that facts and clues will begin to reveal themselves," Pari replies. "One on one encounters will bring hidden things to the surface."

"Abby repeatedly said Antoine's killer was an outsider, not one of the dinner guests. What did you think about that?"

"That is a possibility. We'll look into every consideration."

"I don't think it's likely, either," Campbell chuckles. "Everyone always assumes an intruder or stranger is the culprit."

"Do you think Antoine's camera tripod is a realistic weapon choice?" Pari asks.

"It was, essentially, the only thing up there, besides roof ornamentation."

"I have doubts that the tripod was used. Antoine would have to be struck in just the right spot, without the risk of noise from the smashing metal pieces."

"I agree. It looks like his killer arrived and departed with his or her own weapon."

"This person took risks," Pari says. "Yet, evidence of planning diminishes the likelihood that this was murder triggered by a moment of rage. Did Dee, Antoine's assistant, speculate about what happened?"

"No, she did not go that far," Campbell answers. "She was consumed with how unjust it was. She repeated, in murmurs, that Antoine had turned over a new leaf. He had become a better man."

"A new leaf? I want to know exactly what she meant by that."

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