Part 20 (1/2)
”Yeah. We're good.” Lei's face moved from interesting to truly beautiful with her big smile. ”We've sure been through some hard times. I'm hoping they're going to come to an end soon. One way or another. Thanks for coming by.”
”I'm glad I did. Hang in there.” Sophie stood up, headed for the door. Lei followed.
”You know, everyone keeps saying that. I just don't know what I'm hanging in there for anymore.”
”That sounds ominous.” Sophie petted the dogs' heads and they trotted with her to the gate.
”I have more than just work on my mind these days. I'm thinking of making some changes.”
”I bet, with a guy like Stevens. I'd be happy to just have a dog at this point.”
”You should get one. Go by the pound; they'll all be begging for you to take them home. I can't go there at all myself. I'd be overrun. Thanks so much for coming over.”
”I'd like to be friends,” Sophie said impulsively, feeling a flush in her cheeks at her awkward words. She was so bad at this.
”Of course. I've wanted that for a while.” Lei smiled. ”So next time you and Marcella shoot pool, count me in. Better yet, we can just go.”
”For sure.” Sophie went through the gate, clicked it shut, and stopped for one last touch of Keiki's broad nose, pressed through the bars.
Yes, a dog would be a good place to start.
That night, Sophie's new companion, a two-year-old yellow Lab named Ginger, refused to stay in the laundry room. The dog employed a variety of behaviors from scratching to howling to convey the message that she wouldn't be separated from her new mistress.
Sophie ended up with company in her bed in the cool dark cave of her room. While not exactly what she'd had in mind, Ginger was most definitely warm and hairy, and Castellejos's hypnotic eyes were banished from her dreams.
Chapter 33.
The next day Stevens drove Lei in his old Bronco from Kahului Airport toward his place in Kuau on Maui. Lei gazed out at the wind las.h.i.+ng the sugarcane fields in a familiar dance off of Hana Highway. Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out, frowning at DR. LASOTA in the little ID window. ”Special Agent Texeira.”
”Dr. LaSota here.” The psychologist's voice was crisp. ”Just wanted to inform you that the investigation into Healani Chang's death has been ruled a suicide.”
”Okay. I guess.” Lei glanced at Stevens and met his concerned eyes.
”Yes. And furthermore, our Internal Affairs investigation has come back with no evidence of wrongdoing on your part. You are in the clear.”
”Thank you.” Lei gave Stevens a thumbs-up sign.
”We are, however, entering a note in your personnel file that you are not to be involved with any further investigation of the Chang family.”
”Great. I don't want anything to do with them, either.”
”Good. Also, I'm personally sorry if this investigation added stress to your injuries.” The doctor's voice had softened. ”I didn't like the direction things took.”
”I didn't either. Thank you.” Lei clicked off the phone after the psychologist hung up. ”Looks like I'm in the clear over Healani Chang's suicide.”
”Thank G.o.d,” Stevens said. ”We can really relax and enjoy our weekend together now that the Kwon thing and that investigation are over.” He reached over to squeeze her leg. ”I hope you like my apartment.”
He turned into the small parking lot of a condo complex outside the beachfront town of Paia and parked the truck in front of a three-story tan cinder-block building facing the turquoise sea. Coconut palms gyrated in the wind around the sides of the building, and the parking lot was trimmed in plumeria trees and brilliant magenta bougainvillea.
Stevens lifted Lei's stuffed carry-on backpack out of the backseat of the Bronco while Lei opened the tailgate and unlatched the door of the big dog crate where Keiki lay, expressive brown eyes anxious. Angel had gone to live with Consuelo at her group home, and Lei missed the little dog already.
”C'mon out, girl.”
The big Rottweiler jumped down from the Bronco, and Lei clipped the dog's leash on, letting her sniff and investigate the lot. Maui really did have something uniquely wonderful about it, and it was in the wide-open s.p.a.ces and warm breeze that tossed her hair.
Lei thought she could smell the salty tang of the ocean just on the other side of the complex. Her chest was tight with excitement-she was finally here.
”I scored a unit on the bottom floor,” Stevens said. ”Come see.” He carried the backpack along the cement walkway to a teal-green apartment door marked 101. He set the backpack against the wall. Stuck the key in, turned it, gave the door a little push. It swung inward.
Lei could hear the sound of surf echoing through the sliding door at the front of the apartment. The rhythmic swish was amplified by the walls like the song in a sh.e.l.l. A lance of sunlight reflected off the ocean, bounced off the ceiling, and lit the way in.
He stood still for a long moment, then slowly turned to face her.
”What? Is something wrong?” Lei felt her chest tighten. Was he regretting this? She'd finally learned what she needed more than any job, and she wasn't going to let any more time go by without telling him so. There were big steps ahead to take, but she'd made up her mind to get through them one by one.
Keiki gave a happy bark, trotting ahead of them into the apartment, leash trailing. The sunlight from the sea reflected off the floor, lighting Stevens's eyes. There were flecks of white in that crystal blue like ice floating in an Arctic sea. She could stand there, in the doorway, looking into those eyes all day. He seemed to feel the same, looking into hers.
”You're here,” he said. ”You're really here.”
”Yes.” Lei felt tears well up. She was so happy and so scared. ”I have something I want to ask you.”
”What?” His dark brows drew together in confusion as she dropped to one knee, hands twisted together.
”Will you marry me?”
She'd broken his heart so many times. She'd deserve it if he broke hers. She shut her eyes, bracing herself.