Lurking in Paradise: A Pari Malik Mystery, #3

By Van Argan

No means. No motive. No opportunity.

No camera.

 

The last time celebrity photographer Antoine Talon was in Oahu he left under a cloud of suspicion after a tragic death at one of his photo shoots. This time he's leaving in a body bag.

 

Discovered at a wedding rehearsal dinner on a dark rooftop, confusion abounds. Everyone says they have an alibi, there is no clear weapon, and no one had a reason to kill him. But one thing is obvious, his camera is missing and it may hold the key to unraveling the mystery.

 

To solve the murder, Pari Malik must uncover the deep secrets and clever lies of the victim and the guests before the killer strikes again.

 

"Lurking in Paradise" is the third novel in the Pari Malik mystery series, following "Lurking on the Tightrope: Mystery at Diamond Head" and "Lurking on the Precipice." It can be read as a stand-alone book or as part of the series. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Van Argan
• Release date: May 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386095323

Book preview

Chapter 1

I s Abby finally ready to go through with this? Pari Malik asked, in a jovial tone of voice, after jumping into the passenger seat, hugging her friend, locking the car door, and latching her seatbelt.

They are just two simple words—'I do'—but we'll see if she can bring herself to say them, Campbell Vaughn answered.  I would put the likelihood of another postponement at about fifty percent.  But Abby has two very famous people on hand to improve the odds.  You are about to meet them both, if we can avoid traffic delays and catch the tail end of the wedding rehearsal dinner.

Pari had endured a flight delay from the mainland that jeopardized her attendance at the celebration.  Shrewd and wise at twenty-two years of age, she had keen eyes, unblemished honey-brown skin, long dark hair, and, as usual, a face free of any makeup.  The bride-to-be, Abby Goodwin, before her divorce and relocation to Hawaii, had watched Pari grow up on the Eastern Seaboard, in Maryland, and played a godmother-like role in her life. 

Campbell, Abby's next door neighbor, and also a close friend, began driving Pari across the island, from the Honolulu International Airport to the northern shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  He was a retired military officer with salt and pepper hair cleanly styled in a flattop crew cut.  His heterochromatic eyes (one blue, one tan) revealed warmth and intelligence.

Abby Goodwin's marriage to Kawaii Hale was scheduled to take place the following evening, alongside a mountain stream on a historical island park preserve. 

We know Abby loves Kawaii, Campbell said.  No matter how many times I ask her for the reason for her cold feet, she evades giving me a direct answer.

Her hesitation to tie the knot again is probably related to her first husband and his philandering behavior, Pari replied.

I don't know that the comparison is any good.  By all accounts, Kawaii has settled down and become monogamous.

Who are the two famous people attending the wedding?

Isabelle Jade, the film and television actress, and Antoine Talon, the controversial photographer, Campbell answered.  Whew, the egos on these two!  Our beloved island is not big enough for both of them.

Campbell explained that Isabelle Jade was attending to support Abby and Antoine Talon had attended college with Kawaii.  Isabelle Jade had fallen in love with Oahu while filming her futuristic action and adventure film at Moe'uhane—the Oahu nature park preserve where Abby served as the park's volunteer coordinator.  Instead of returning to Hollywood immediately after filming wrapped, Isabelle had chosen to remain on the island and befriended Abby while volunteering at the preserve.  Further, by renting the large manor at the heart of an exclusive compound with four bungalows, Isabelle had become a neighbor to Abby, Campbell, and Kawaii.  Tonight, it was in the enclosed courtyard of this mystifying gothic-style house, so seemingly out of place in Hawaii, that Isabelle was hosting the wedding rehearsal dinner.  Antoine Talon, estranged for many years from Kawaii, had recently tried to make amends for a betrayal during their youth and offered to photograph Kawaii's wedding ceremony and rehearsal dinner celebration without compensation. 

What was his betrayal? Pari asked.

I can't get a straight answer on that, either, Campbell answered.  First, Abby implied it had something to do with Kawaii's college sweetheart, who would later become his first wife.  But Kawaii told me it revolved around Antoine trying to deflect scrutiny after a model was harmed during a photoshoot.  This was during their university days and Kawaii declined to talk about it in any depth.

I am familiar with some of Antoine Talon's work.  He is the one who exclusively photographed the assassination of the presidential candidate in Missouri, right?

Yes, it was the governor of Missouri, about five years ago.  Antoine is famous, though, for much more.  His career exploded in Los Angeles with cutting-edge celebrity portraits.  He also dabbled in the paranormal and boasted of recording visual representations of auras and ghosts.  Most notorious of all, he claimed to have captured the only high resolution image of the Loch Ness Monster while taking pictures of the Urquhart Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

You suggested they are acting like divas—both Isabelle and Antoine—and overshadowing Abby's wedding? Pari asked.

Well, not yet, Campbell answered.  I made that comment because their reputations precede them.  They are known for being difficult.  So far, having just met them briefly, both are being charming and minding their manners.

You don't expect that to last?

Of course not.  Campbell laughed as they reached the northern coast and veered in a northeastern direction on Kamehameha Highway for the final stretch of the drive.  Eventually, true colors always shine through.

Is there any other news since I have been gone? Pari asked.

No, it has been quiet this past year.  No more murders, at least where we live.  Katerina, Abby's maid of honor, is eager to see you.  If your plane had arrived on time she was going to join me in picking you up from the airport.  Katerina also feels responsible for the house, since Isabelle is renting it from Miguel and Camila, her brother and sister-in-law.  Miguel and Camila are spending the rest of the year in their hometown in Puerto Rico helping family members and others homeless due to Hurricane Maria.

They are modern day saints.  Conditions must still be horrendous in Puerto Rico for them to miss this wedding.

Yes, our neighborhood—Apapane Ring—remains a tight-knit community.  I understand Katerina has implored Isabelle Jade to keep the manor a secret.  Isabelle reportedly replied that its privacy and tranquility are the primary reasons she chose it as her temporary retreat.

Turning onto an unmarked road, they curved along the drive and Pari saw the familiar sign that simply stated, Apapane Ring and No Trespassing.  But flashes of blue and red lights ricocheted through the breezing leaves on the trees.  By the time Campbell and Pari reached the cobblestone lane surrounding the tiny neighborhood park, they counted three police vehicles and an ambulance in front of the center manor, which was flanked by two bungalows on each side.  A slender woman in her mid-thirties with lengthy blond hair raced toward them and thumped her palms on Campbell's driver-side car window.

What's wrong, Katerina? Campbell asked, slamming on the brakes and rolling down the window.

We found his body on the roof! Katerina Rivera answered, grasping the car door.  We think he's dead.

Who?

Antoine.  Our photographer.  Antoine Talon.

Chapter 2

The rehearsal dinner guests reassembled in the neighborhood park directly in front of the manor, which had been taped off by the police.  They were individually and privately interviewed by the officers, and then a detective arrived and took over the questioning. 

The bride and groom's chief lieutenants—Katerina Rivera and Gabriel Beaumont, Kawaii's longtime friend and best man—set lanterns on the park benches and served tea, water, juice, cookies, and crackers.  Campbell tried to comfort Antoine Talon's assistant, Dee Lamar, who was inconsolable and sobbing quietly in his arms.  Isabelle Jade's bodyguard, Vicky Pearson, attempted to block people away from her client, looking at each person suspiciously, appearing ready to lunge to prevent an attack. 

Kawaii, seated on a park bench with his face in his hands, was too shocked to speak.  Abby wrapped her arms around her fiancee's broad back and rested her head on his shoulder while she spoke to Pari beside her in a soft voice.  Abby's pink dress complemented her rosy complexion, blue eyes, and medium-length ginger hair.

At first we thought he must have fallen asleep or fainted, Abby said.  When they announced he was dead, we thought he had a heart attack.  But now the police are inquiring about bludgeoning instruments and whether we heard loud or unusual noises.  I don't know whether I am in shock or denial.  I cannot fathom that he was murdered, if that really is what happened.  Right up there on the main rooftop, below the central tower, while we were all down below, oblivious, and enjoying drinks and devouring fancy food.  It's really . . . unconscionable.

Pari took her hand.  I'm so sorry.  How can I help, Abby?

Let the others know we are postponing our wedding.  Obviously, it won't be tomorrow, after all.  Also, Kawaii and I would prefer the other guests don't speak to the media.  The press will be swarming our quaint little corner of the world as soon as Antoine's death is announced.  Speaking to the media could sensationalize this and make things only more difficult for the police.

Pari stood to leave and carry out the tasks, but Abby requested that she sit down again.

Wait, please Pari, there's more.  For Antoine and for all of us, I want you to figure out what happened tonight.  There is now a cloud of suspicion over all of us.  Our lives won't be the same until we know what happened.  I know that nobody at our dinner is a murderer.  This was done by an outsider—a stalker or someone who took advantage of our festivities for their evil.  Please stay in my bungalow until you solve the case, or until the police solve it.  I will reside with Kawaii in his bungalow so that you will have mine, and even my car, all to yourself during your stay.  Will you please do this for us?

Certainly, I will do everything I can for you.

When Pari departed to notify the others of the wedding postponement and Abby's wishes regarding the media, Isabelle moved onto the empty seat and hugged Abby.  Pari started with Campbell and welcomed his offer to assist her with the private investigation. 

When Detective Kai Kamaka finished questioning the guests, Pari briefly requested a minute of his time to notify him of her assigned role, at the bride's request.  Pari politely pledged cooperation and committed to all reasonable steps necessary to avoid interference with the detective's official investigation.

Prior to dispersing from the park, the guests continued to make overtures to assure emotional support for each other.  Katerina invited Dee to stay with her in her home.  Gabriel escorted Abby and Kawaii home and continued consoling them.  Isabelle and her bodyguard, Vicky, checked into a nearby beachfront resort. 

Minutes later, instead of going directly to Abby's bungalow, Pari joined Campbell on his backyard deck.  She learned that Campbell was acquainted with Detective Kamaka, who he described as being sensible and professional.  Pari designated Campbell to be their liaison with the detective and the police.  Pari also tasked Campbell with preliminary outlines of the guests' seating order and arrival times, based on his recollections prior to retrieving her from the airport.  She also asked Campbell to jot down his personal observations from the rehearsal dinner, no matter how seemingly trivial they might seem.  Campbell, smoking his pipe and sitting sufficiently far enough away that the fumes didn't invade Pari's personal space, wrote down all of her comments and directives.

We don't have much to start with, Pari, Campbell noted.  No time of death.  No weapon.  No threats, at least none that we are aware of, and no hostilities expressed at the dinner, as far as we know.

I have no doubts that facts and clues will begin to reveal themselves, Pari replied.  One on one encounters will bring hidden things to the surface.

Abby repeatedly said Antoine's killer was an outsider, not one of the dinner guests.  What did you think about that?

That is a possibility.  We'll look into every consideration.

I don't think it's likely, either, Campbell chuckled, sensing her skepticism.  Everyone always assumes an intruder or stranger is the culprit.

Do you think Antoine's camera tripod is a realistic weapon choice? Pari asked.

Well, it was, essentially, the only thing up there, besides gothic roof ornamentation.

I have doubts that the tripod was used for the fatal blow.  Even if Antoine was struck in just the right spot, there was the risk of noise from the smashing metal pieces.

I agree.  It looks like his killer arrived and departed with his or her own weapon.

This person took risks, Pari said.  Yet, evidence of planning diminishes the likelihood that this was murder triggered by a moment of rage.  Did Dee, Antoine's assistant, speculate about what happened?

No, she did not go that far, Campbell answered.  She was consumed with how unjust it was.  She repeated, in murmurs, that Antoine had turned over a new leaf.  He had become a better man.

Pari tapped her foot and glanced up at the starry sky.  A new leaf?  I want to know exactly what she meant by that.

Chapter 3

Pari, awake and dressed , sipping her first cup of coffee on Abby's back patio, heard a firm knock at the front door.  She opened the door to an unexpected, smiling face.  Kawaii Hale, in his mid-forties, several years younger than Abby, had deep-set eyes, short dark hair, and a large physique.

Breakfast, he said, lifting up a small cardboard carrier holding fruit smoothies and a transparent bag of bagels.

Good morning, Pari responded, please come in.

Let's eat in the backyard.

Kawaii's familiarity with the backyard extended beyond his romantic relationship with Abby.  A landscape artist, who principally worked at Moe'uhane, the same historic park preserve where Abby coordinated volunteers, Kawaii liked helping Abby and his other neighbors with their yards, gardens, and trees.  He had designed and maintained Abby's lush blend of tropical plants and flowers, and held his tongue about disapproving of her growing collection of wind chimes. 

Following him outside, Pari asked, How is Abby this morning?

She is still asleep, Kawaii answered.  He set their food and drinks on a small antique table nestled between two chairs.  Abby took a sedative last night—one of her strongest sleeping pills—and they always conk her out until at least mid morning.

"I am happy for Halo to stay in his own home