Murder on Easter Island by Gary Conrad Read Free Book Online

to.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Koreta.”
    “O te aha no — you’re welcome. And please call me Alame.”
    As Daniel rose to leave, he felt Alame’s hand on his arm, and her ever-present smile had disappeared.
    “One more thing,” she added. “Be careful — watch your step. You are being watched.”
    “By whom?” Daniel asked.
    “That, I do not know.”
    Daniel nodded and walked across the lawn to his room. After he closed the door behind him, he checked it twice to make sure it was locked. Then he checked it again — just to be sure.

Chapter 7
September 3, 2014
    T he morning brought a chill in the air as Daniel shouldered his navy-colored backpack and walked from his room. A green, manicured lawn spread out before him, divided by a stone walkway. As he strolled down the path to the building, which doubled as reception and breakfast areas, he enjoyed the sweet aroma of flowering shrubs.
    He entered the indoor dining area, which was surrounded by large glass windows. The outside was beautiful, and the inside equally attractive. The dining room was well lit and offered tables covered with bright blue tablecloths, while the decorated walls were a brilliant green. Two wooden statues, which represented moai, stoically guarded each side of the entranceway. He sat down at an open table and looked forward to another delicious breakfast.
    Daniel was served by a pleasant young Rapanui woman, and he couldn’t help but smile as he noticed a pink flower in her hair. A short time later, as he sipped on a cup of Earl Grey tea, he was presented with a large cheese omelet, toast and fresh pineapple, and a matching pink flower adorned the plate. Daniel had just started to eat when Alame arrived to greet him.
    “Good morning, Daniel, I trust you slept well?”
    “Like a log,” Daniel lied. After the warning she had given him, he had slept with one eye open.
    She chuckled and said, “Somehow, I believe that’s not true. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the pickup has been arranged, and Jack will be there to meet you today around seven p.m. at ‘Anakena.”
    “Great.”
    “Also, last night I placed a call to the elderly woman I had mentioned, and she said she would be happy not only to tell you the history of our island, but also to teach you our native language. You know how older people can be — they love to talk about the past.”
    Daniel couldn’t help but think of his grandpa, and how much he wished he was still around to tell him stories about his Cherokee ancestors.
    Alame paused for a moment, as if she could read his most precious and personal thoughts. “Anyway, I believe you’ll find her most interesting. Her name is Tiare Rapu; Tiare means flower in the Rapanui language. I think you’ll agree that her name suits her quite well. She is as colorful of a person as you’ll ever meet.
    “I’ve written her name and telephone number on this piece of paper. Give her a call at your convenience; she is anxious to meet you. By the way, I know a little about Native American culture. Is Fishinghawk an Indian name?”
    “It is.”
    “That’s what I thought. When I shared my suspicion with Tiare, she said she would like to know more about your heritage.”
    As a large group entered the breakfast room, Alame said, “I must go. But before I do, I have one more suggestion. Spend some time sitting before the moai when you have the chance. You may discover that they will speak to you — as they speak to me.” She smiled. “And do have a good time in your explorations.”
    “I will,” Daniel said. He took his time and leisurely enjoyed the rest of his breakfast. As he was eating, he looked over at one of the expressionless wooden moai and thought:
    Speak to the moai ?
    Daniel hiked up the gentle slope toward the highest point in Rapa Nui, Mount Terevaka. He had read that the word Terevaka meant “take out canoes,” and it was so named because the early settlers harvested wood from the area to make canoes.
    Most of