Maui Madness (Zoe Donovan Mysteries Book 7) by Kathi Daley Read Free Book Online

as well as investing in new development.”
    “Has he ever invested with Anton?”
    Zak shrugged. “I’m not sure. We don’t talk specifics when we get together.”
    “ How did you meet him?”
    “Years ago , after I started my business, he asked me to bid on a software program for a security system that was going to be included in a high-rise on Oahu. I got the job and we became friends.”
    The path wound through the foliage and toward a sheer cliff overlooking waves crashing onto the rocks below. The water hit the rock wall with such force that it sprayed moisture onto the path.
    “Wouldn’t want to fall from here,” I commented as I navigated the slippery walkway.
    “ That wouldn’t be fun at all,” Zak agreed. “Maybe we can go for a swim when we get to the pond.”
    “Sounds nice . It’s such a fantastic day. Not too hot, not too cold.”
    “Every day in Hawaii is spectacular . I was here during a tropical storm that was pretty gnarly, though. I’d never seen waves that high before in my life.”
    “I’d love to see the really big waves.” I stepped over a narrow gully that had been washed away by a hard rain with heavy runoff.
    “We’ll come back in the winter. The waves on the north shore of Oahu are something else. Not as big as the ones I saw during the storm, but awesome all the same.”
    I stopped walking. “What’s that sound?”
    Zak listened. “I’m guessing we’ve disturbed a wild boar.”
    “They have wild pigs here ?”
    “Yeah, quite a few. They can be dangerous , so if we happen to come across one, don’t approach it.”
    By the time we got to the waterfall and the pool beneath it , I was hot and sticky. The Islands were a lot more humid than I was used to. The feel of the water in the crystal-clear pool as it caressed my naked body was probably the most sensual thing I’d ever experienced. Zak and I laughed and played in the waterfall as we swam beneath its gentle flow. After we swam, we laid on a rock to dry off and then dressed and headed back through the jungle toward the house.
    “Those cave paintings on the wall be hind the falls were really interesting,” I commented as we walked through the tropical jungle.
    “Yeah,” Zak agreed as he swatted at a bug that had landed on his arm. “They looked old. I know a native tribe lived on Maui long before it was inhabited by Europeans.”
    “Malie mentioned that the island is the source of several fables , including a very romantic tale of an English sailor who became shipwrecked on the island and a beautiful Hawaiian princess.”
    “I’ve heard that one , and while it’s sweet and romantic, it doesn’t end well,” Zak warned me.
    “Don’t tell me. Malie said something similar, and Ellie and I decided we’d rather imagine that the couple lived happily ever after and had many children and grandchildren to comfort them in their old age.”
    Zak laughed.
    Malie had hinted that the tale was actually quite tragic, but I for one didn’t want to dwell on tragedy at this particular moment.
    “I can hear the drummers,” Zak said as we neared the house.
    “I hope Anton and Pono have shown up. I can’t imagine what Leia must be going through. To let something like this happen on the day of her engagement party makes me think less of both men.”
    We ’d almost reached the main part of the property when we saw the large group gathered on the lawn, watching as drummers beat a rhythm for dancers who moved in tune to the music. There were several men stationed at the pit the pig was being roasted in. Zak and I came up to it from behind.
    “It ’s time to uncover our meal,” Keoke announced. “I need to go to make a speech, but feel free to stay and watch, if you’d like.”
    I was about to decline when Zak announced that he’d like to watch.
    Several men began the process of removing the layers covering the pig. Once the dirt was swept away, the tarp that had covered the whole pit was removed. Several rocks were set