Page 23 of Maliea's Hero
“We had to leave her car seat in my vehicle to get her out of the apartment complex without being detected.” Maliea glanced back at her daughter. “Maybe we could meet up with Tish and get that car seat or have her drop it off somewhere we can find it.”
“See what you can arrange,” Reid said. “I need to inform my boss of our additional requirements.”
Maliea gave a fleeting smile. “Me and Nani?”
He nodded and pulled out his cell phone, selecting the number at the top of his list.
The call didn’t even ring on his end when Jace Hawkins answered, “Reid, you and the guys wrapping it up at Kualoa Ranch?”
“Not quite.” Reid shifted into drive, checked both ways and pulled onto the highway. “Camera equipment glitches slowed them down today. If they get it fixed, they hope to finish up tomorrow.”
“Good to know,” Hawk said. “I had a request come in from a man on Kauai. Fortunately, he’s flexible and can wait a couple of days.”
“Had a text from Tish Jenkins this morning,” Reid said.
“The woman you guarded while she was in a coma?”
“Yes, sir,” Reid answered. “She sent another client our way.”
“Fill me in.”
While Maliea texted Tish about the car seat, Reid laid out the situation for Hawk.
When Reid was finished, Hawk said, “I can send one of our guys from Maui to look out for Ms. Kalieopu’s safety. In the meantime, I take it you’re running interference for her?”
Reid’s gaze went to Maliea’s pretty face and the frown of concentration denting her brow. “Yes, sir.”
“Two men on Kualoa Ranch duty is enough?” Hawk queried.
“It’s pretty quiet,” Reid said. “One more day, and they’ll be done, barring any technical glitches.”
“Good to know. I’ll get one of the guys on a plane this evening to take over with the woman and her child.”
“Maliea and Nani,” Reid said.
“Right.” Hawk hesitated. “Kalea uses the legend of the pirate attack during the story-telling portion of the annual Luau here on Parkman Ranch. I thought it was all some mystical fabrication. It would be interesting if it turns out to be based in truth.”
“Maliea’s father chased clues for years. He thought he had the final pieces of the puzzle and was on his way to Niihau when his plane went down.”
“Had he documented his findings and the information that led him to believe the stories?” Hawk asked.
“Maliea thinks so,” Reid said. “She indicated that her father kept a journal of his detailed interviews with other island folk.”
“Has she found the journal?” Hawk asked.
“Not that I know of.” Reid stared down at Maliea’s silky dark hair, wanting to sink his fingers into the soft lengths and pull her closer.
She tucked her phone into her pocket and looked at him, catching him staring down at her.
“I’ll be with Ms. Kaleiopu through the evening. Let me know who you’re sending. If you give him my number, we can arrange a meeting location and hand-off.”
“Then you’ll head back to Kualoa Ranch to conduct the out brief with the production company?” Hawk asked.
“Logan and Rex are fully capable of conducting the out brief. I can be available if they need more help.”
Hawk chuckled. “Fair enough. Get some rest. We’ll be in contact tomorrow morning, bright and early.”
As Reid ended the call, he thought about the “hand-off.” His gaze went to Maliea in the seat beside him and then Nani smiling happily in the back. He couldn’t picture meeting up with one of his team, handing over the reins and walking away from them. They’d come to him for help. If something happened to them after he’d stepped back from the case, could he live with himself?