Circumvent by S.K. Derban

Author:S.K. Derban
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TouchPoint Press

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - SAME AIRPLANE – SAME ROW

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Kanaeholo

Nighttime in France meant morning in Hawaii, and Keahi Kanaeholo was on his office telephone listening to some unpleasant news from Sterling Kennedy. “Nikki has to be involved,” Kennedy told Kanaeholo.

“I just don’t see it that way,” Kanaeholo argued respectfully.

“Detective, I understand you are closer to the situation, but let’s review the facts. Thanks to your tech, we pulled two guys out of the house in Los Angeles.”

“And, in turn, they gave you Peter Safin’s name.”

“Yes, the same Peter Safin who sat in the same row of the plane as Nikki Delémont.”

“That doesn’t prove her involvement,” Kanaeholo insisted.

“Looking suspicious is enough for me,” Kennedy countered.

“Tell me about Peter Safin. Why is he under such intense scrutiny?”

“Because Mr. Safin is always up to no good. We know he brokers everything and anything that is illegal. The unfortunate part is that we have not been able to connect him directly to a crime.”

“That is exactly my point.” Kanaeholo slapped at the top of his desk. “Unbeknownst to Nikki, somehow he must have used her.”

“Then, why travel alongside her? Why would he be that obvious?”

Kanaeholo slowly turned his head from one side to the next. “At this point, I have no idea. Who knows, maybe he was smuggling something he wanted to monitor.”

“That is still a maybe. Another maybe is that the two of them are working as a team.”

“Yes, that’s also a maybe,” Kanaeholo agreed. “But, it’s not what my gut says.”

“I can appreciate your feelings, detective. Although I still need to follow up, I do respect your instincts.”

“You respect the instincts of an island boy like me?”

Kennedy chuckled. “Ha! Don’t give me that island boy routine. Remember, I’ve read your jacket. You, Keahi Kanaeholo, ran security intelligence for the Navy in Honolulu.”

Kanaeholo released a soft whistle. “That was a long time ago.”

“Somehow I don’t think you’ve forgotten a thing.”

“You know, I checked out Nikki Delémont’s work,” Kanaeholo announced. “She did have an assignment in Lyon. If, in fact, France was their target destination, Safin’s computer geeks could have searched for any female traveling alone.”

“Very possible,” Kennedy agreed. “But, Nikki Delémont could have also initiated the assignment to France. Writing about the grape harvest is a great cover.”

“Oh, I see you checked her out at well.”

“Of course we did. Coincidently, she was also traveling directly to Lyon.”

“Interpol is in Lyon.” Kanaeholo acknowledged the connection.

“Yes, it is. Now, do you understand why we need to tear her house apart?”

“I’ve always understood why,” Kanaeholo said. “I just hate to see it happen.”

“If you would like to lead the search, it can be arranged,” Kennedy offered.

“That would be great. How close are you agents?”

“They should be there in less than two hours. You can meet up with them at the Delémont house.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it. Do you mind if I alert Ruggiero in France? If one of the neighbors has a key, it will save us having to break in.”

“I hate to run the risk.” Sterling Kennedy sounded hesitant.

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