Judgment in Paradise, page 8
He could change back to a coyote to check for suspects scents, but his instincts said he needed to hurry if he was going to catch any magical scent before it faded away. David transformed to his Were-Jaguar form.
As a Were-Jaguar, he was part human and part jaguar, and looked like an ancient Aztec or Mayan shaman. Unlike other Shapeshifters, when David shifted what he was wearing shifted with him and took on the same state as he last was in that form. In this case, the last time he was a Were-Jaguar he was in a fight to the death with a Windigo and was wearing the armor of his spirit guide Jaguar as the shaman of old would. A jaguar inspired helmet was on his head, a kilt wrapped around his waist, and a jaguar fur cape on his back along with a wooden sword. Thinking back, this wouldn’t have been too different from what Ali‘i might have worn centuries ago here on the island. Even the sword on his back wasn’t that far removed from the wooden weapons set with shark teeth Ali‘i would have used, only his was set with obsidian. Each using what was available to a pre iron-age culture.
Ali‘i gasped then laughed. “Now that’s what I’m talking about! You look all native and would have given me stiff competition as tribal chief.”
“Sorry for the surprise. In this form, I can see magical trails much better than I can in any other way. The last time I was like this was in a fight for my life.”
“I can assume your foe is dead.”
“Have you had Windigos here?”
“No, was that what you were fighting?”
“It was an ancient one and I don’t think I could have survived without the armor of an old one.”
Ali‘i had a knowing grin on his face. “Remind me to never cross you.”
David smiled and let the room flow over him. It was no surprise that the largest magical aura in the room was Ali‘i. The bed was still a large hot spot of magical energy, both Rolf’s and Mizuki’s. He continued to examine lighter spots of energy and found traces of Fiona and Tyra in the room. The balcony contained both traces of Rolf and Tyra.
“Ali‘i, all of our suspects other than Niamh and Kenji have been in this room recently. There are also faint traces of both Rolf and Tyra together on the balcony.”
“It seems like there are questions to be asked.”
David suffered a bit of vertigo as he shifted back to his human form.
Abby, we found where Rolf was actually killed. It was the guest room next to the elevator on the second floor. Most all of our suspects have been here. Anything new on your end?
I finished with Fiona. She’s a suspect with motive but we might find stronger ones.
I’ll be down soon for the next suspect.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Monday 1pm-4pm HST
Abby waited for David to arrive, so they could go over each other’s information before calling Mizuki Saito in for an interview. They decided Abby would do all of the talking.
Mizuki was a young looking, slim Japanese woman with brown eyes and long black hair done up with a long silver hair stick. She wore a long tight black dress with red accents.
Abby waved at a chair. “Please sit, Miss Saito.”
“Please, you must call me Mizuki.”
“I take it you came with Mr. Mori?”
“Kenji is an old friend of the family. I’ve made this trip a number of times on holiday and for some reason my family thought he should come this time.”
“Did you know Mr. Lucas?”
“Rolf and I met several years ago. I was delighted when he showed up. I’m deeply distressed over his death.”
Abby nodded and connected to David’s mind to provide her insight.
She doesn’t looked distressed in the least.
“When was the last time you saw Rolf?”
“I saw him in the bar about half eleven. He wanted to meet up at midnight.”
“Where was that?”
“He wanted me to meet him in the room next to the elevator.”
“Not his room?”
“He shared his room with Fiona and it wouldn’t have been polite to kick her out at that time of night.”
“You didn’t have problems sleeping with him when he was already with another woman?”
“It was only sex between us, nothing more.”
I don’t believe it was only sex. I think it was a competition between them.
“Did you bring the rum?”
“What rum?”
“You didn’t see it when you were there having sex?”
“I didn’t actually make the meetup.”
Another lie…
“I know you’ve been in that room and on the bed. Both you and Rolf’s magical auras were strong there.”
“I never said I hadn’t been in the room, I checked it out earlier including the bed. I wasn’t there that night.”
David, would her aura have lasted that long?
Not at all… both auras were intertwined and equal in strength fueled by high emotions.
“Mizuki, why would you stand him up?”
“I wanted to make him work for it.”
“What do you know about wolfsbane?”
“Only that Werewolves don’t like it.”
“You expect us to believe that is the extent of your knowledge?”
Mizuki squirmed in her chair. “I don’t care what you believe.”
“How did he handle your break up with him?”
“He was fine with it. It wasn’t serious for either of us.”
“What did you do the rest of the night?”
“I left the bar right after Rolf did, but went to my room and got some sleep.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“Let’s see… Niamh and the bartender Rangi saw me up until I left the bar. I saw Fiona in the hall moments before I went into my room. I spent the rest of the night alone.”
“That might all be true, but you don’t have an alibi for the actual time of the murder.”
“Everyone you ask here won’t have an alibi for the time while they were sleeping.”
“Fiona did say Rolf came here to see you.”
“I let him know I would be here, but joining me was his idea.”
“So tell me again why you were joining separately at the room and not go up together?”
“We were trying to be discreet.”
“If Fiona knew about his activities, then why did it matter?”
“I didn’t want Kenji to know.”
Finally something with a ring of truth.
“Why would they care?”
“Because I’m a Kitsune and he was a Werewolf.”
“I’m sorry what’s a Kitsune?”
Mizuki smiled and transformed into a silver fox and let out a little bark. She was a beautiful creature. With a couple of wags of her tail, it fanned out into nine tails!
Abby gasped. “Mizuki, you are so beautiful.”
Mizuki transformed back into a woman. “Thank you. I expect you know why a fox and a wolf being together would be a bit of a scandal.”
David nodded. “Is the fox your natural form, or is this?”
“The fox is.”
Abby could tell David was getting really excited by that tidbit.
“That must be amazing. I’m a Shapeshifter, but I can only imagine what it must be like for you. Is Kenji also a Kitsune?”
Mizuki laughed in a way that sounded like bells. “Oh no, he’s a Inugami which is more of a dog and would be insulted if called a Kitsune. In a way he’s the family’s guard dog protecting our honor.”
“Thank you for explaining that.”
David, get a hold of yourself.
Sorry.
Abby looked Mizuki in the eyes. “That’s a nice silver hair stick I saw you wearing earlier. Silver doesn’t affect you like it would a Werewolf?”
She smiled. “Thank you for noticing. It was part of a set, but the second one went missing a couple of days ago. Ask Ali‘i, I checked with him to see if someone turned it in.”
“Do you know any of Rolf’s victims?”
“I don’t know who he conned, but I understand Rolf and Tyra had a heated conversation. I have no idea what it was about. Rolf looked worried afterwords, but Tyra looked happy for once. ”
Abby looked over to David. “Unless David has any other questions, I think we are done here.”
David shook his head. “Thank you for your help, Mizuki.”
She stood made a low bow and left the room.
“David, the murder weapon was her missing hair stick and we only have her word on it being lost. She also told us more lies than truth.”
“Fiona also had motive and could have killed him for her pelt and freedom.”
“I don’t get why he would drink the laced rum and why he was naked before being killed.”
“He must have thought he was about to get sex. We should also talk to the bartender to see if one of the guests bought the rum.”
“David, I will see if I can find out more about the wolfsbane.”
“Why don’t we interview the rest of the guests who might also have motives.”
Abby winked. “You’re only saying that in hopes your little fox is innocent.”
***
Abby had Kenji brought in for his interview.
“Thank you so much for coming, Mr. Mori.”
“It’s not like you gave me much choice, dear lady.”
“Please call me, Abby.”
“If I must, Abby.”
“Can you tell me your whereabouts the evening of the murder?”
“Mizuki and I had dinner and then I returned to my room. I was on international calls to Japan until late.”
“Did you leave your room at any time before morning?”
“I most certainly did not.”
“Did you hear anything that night?”
“There was a lot of going up and down the hall and knocking on doors.”
Abby leaned forward. “Do you remember what time that might have been?”
“It seemed like it was going on all night until about two in the morning. Don’t you people ever sleep?”
“Did you know Rolf Lucas?”
“I met him, but I didn’t really know him.”
“Did you noticed Rolf having problems with anyone?”
“He goes out of his way to try and charm everyone. It’s the people that know him for what he is that hate him.”
“Do you hate him?”
“I told you, I don’t know him well enough to hate him, but I don’t trust him.”
“I understand that Mizuki has been here a number of times. Was there a special reason why you came along with Mizuki this time but not on her other trips?”
“Her family had been worried about all of her trips here and sent me to make sure everything is proper.”
“Is everything proper?”
“It is now.”
“You mean it’s proper now that Rolf is dead?”
He seems genuinely happy Rolf is dead. Do you think he came here to kill Rolf and now was happy that he didn’t have to?
“Are we done here?”
“A couple more questions. What would you have done if things hadn’t been proper?”
“I guess we will never know now.”
Abby nodded. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Mori. If you remember anything to help, please let us know.”
David waited until Kenji left before making a comment. “Yet another person with no alibi. It was a good idea to ask about the noises. We should ask the others as well. I don’t think he was telling the truth about things, but I didn’t sense he had been in the room where Rolf was killed.”
“I could tell he was holding back. I don’t think anyone has been telling us the complete truth. Maybe he knows who the killer is.”
“I could see him protecting someone that solved his problem for him.”
***
The next of the resort guests to be called in was Niamh Lynch. She was slim, about five-foot four with dark red hair. When she spoke, her voice had musical elements to it. As before, they decided Abby would ask all of the questions.
“Thanks for coming. I’m Abby and this is my husband David.”
“It’s nice to meet you, or so I hope.”
“Did you know Rolf Lucas?”
“Not very well. I’m friends with Fiona.”
“The day he died, Rolf and Fiona were heard having an argument over you. Do you know anything about that?”
“Fiona told me about it. She said Rolf was jealous about our friendship.”
“You’ve been friends for a long time?”
“Long before Rolf stole her pelt. You know about that, right?”
“Fiona told us about Rolf and her pelt. How did you meet Fiona?”
“I was sunning myself and a beautiful seal kept swimming up to join me and after time she felt comfortable enough to take her pelt off with me. We had many good times swimming in the ocean and I care for her very much.”
“I assume you’re not a Selkie like Fiona.”
“I’m a Mermaid.”
“What did your family think about you and Fiona.”
“They didn’t care about it. They knew I’m not into men and felt whatever I did was my own business.”
“It’s nice your family is so accepting. Can you tell me your whereabouts the night Rolf was killed?”
“After dinner, I decided to take a walk along the beach and a swim. When I was done enjoying the ocean, I went back to my room for the night. Can you believe how nice the rooms are here?”
“The rooms are great. Did anyone see you?”
“There were people in the bar and I waved at Ali‘i before heading upstairs. If you mean later in the night, then no.”
“Did you hear anything from your room?”
“I can be an uneasy sleeper when staying indoors. The sounds of knocking and doors slamming woke me.”
“Do you remember what time that was?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t look at the clock.”
“Did it surprise you that the moment Fiona got her pelt back, she ran for the ocean and didn’t try to take you with her?”
Niamh turned a little pale and started to answer then closed her mouth. She then answered, “No, as long as she got away, we could meet up later.”
“Did you have a place planned to meet up if she got away?”
“No, I had assumed she would contact me once she settled someplace.”
David, she was surprised by Fiona’s actions.
“Did you notice anyone having a problem with Rolf?”
“Fiona was starting to hate him for what he did to her, and I took a dislike to him as well. But Fiona and I aren’t killers. I don’t think I could kill a Werewolf on land if I wanted to.”
“But you could kill a Werewolf at sea?”
“Yes, silly, it’s easy. Their body doesn’t have any buoyancy like humans do and can’t swim.”
“Why do you think she was only now starting to hate him?”
“You really should ask her, but if I were to guess, I think Rolf was like an abusive boyfriend that women can’t leave. I think his control of her through the pelt would also have clouded her feelings. I don’t think he’s been using it as much recently. As she appeared to accept her role in his plans, he had allowed her to gain back some will of her own. I think that made her more useful to his plans.”
“More useful in what way?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I think with more of her own will, she was less robotic and more human.”
“Do you know of anybody else who might have a grudge against Rolf?”
“Nothing I know of for certain.”
“Why don’t you tell us what you think?”
“It’s nothing really. It seems like everyone here has something against Rolf. He screwed over a lot of people in this world. There have even been whispers you’re behind it and will be using one of us as a scapegoat.”
“We had no knowledge of Rolf before meeting him here. We’re on our honeymoon and have nothing against any of you.”
“Right honeymoon … and Veiled never go missing when the Marshals are around.”
“Thank you for your help. We might have some follow up questions later.”
***
It was finally time to interview the last suspect, Tyra. She was also the only guest that was her on her own. When she walked in the room, she was absolutely stunning. She was wearing a pale white gown with green embroidery, five-foot seven with lily white skin, ice blue eyes, and golden hair. All she needed were some pointed ears and she could have been Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings. There was a sense of power about her. She seemed much larger and more imposing than her body suggested.
“Sorry for taking time away from your vacation. We will try to be quick about it, Miss …”
“My name is Tyra, just Tyra.”
“Tyra, did you know Rolf Lucas?”
“I’ve never met the man before coming here.”
“What brought you to this resort?”
“A client told me about it and I thought it would be a nice holiday.”
“A client? What is it you do for work?”
“You might say I’m a finder.”
Abby tilted her head and then nodded. “A bounty hunter?”
“Sometimes my work could be described that way.”
“Walk us through the night Rolf died. What did you do?”
“After dinner, I worked out at the health club and then went back to my room for a while. I found I couldn’t sleep and I went out for some star gazing.”
