Death of the Kona Man by Catherine Bruns

Author:Catherine Bruns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, romantic comedy, small town, food, recipe, island, beach read, women sleuths, mystery series, culinary mystery
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Keanu eyed Coral suspiciously. "Was that another reason you fooled with the ketchup containers? Because you knew that your father was coming in?"

Coral was shocked. "No! I had no idea he was coming to the Loco Moco that day, honest. When I spotted him at the restaurant, shortly after Carrie got there, I ran out the patio door toward the beach because I didn't want to see him. I forgot about the containers until I learned what happened." She bit into her lower lip. "Like I said before, I wanted to get you into trouble. When I found out dear old Dad ate the hot sauce, I considered it a bonus."

Keanu raked a hand through his hair. "Well, at least we've solved one mystery."

This was disturbing. Coral had no regrets about what she'd done to me or her father. I knew nothing about her life and was careful not to pass judgment. Perhaps killing her with kindness was the way to go. "I'm sorry for your loss."

She pressed her lips together in a stubborn manner. "Don't be. He never acted like a father to me. When my mother told him she was pregnant, he didn't want anything to do with either one of us. Oh, he'd send her a check occasionally, but that was all. He never gave me anything, including his love. The last time he came to the house was when I was sixteen. My mother raised me, not him." Her next statement shocked me. "I'm glad he's dead."

I shivered at the words. "You don't mean that."

Coral's face was pinched tight with anger. "Yes, I do! He wouldn't even give me any money for college. My mother can barely make ends meet, but do you think he'd offer to lend a hand? He's got plenty of money. Instead he lets that trampy wife of his have it all."

Okay, now we were getting somewhere. Coral was not a fan of Belinda's. "How do you get along with your stepmother?"

Coral clenched her fists at her side. "I don't. They've only been married a couple of years. I've never actually met her, and don't care to."

"How often did your father come to Hawaii?" I asked. "He used to live here, right?"

"He grew up in Honolulu, but he spent some time in Kauai after graduation and always comes back at least once a year for a visit. Of course, it has nothing to do with me living here." Her lower lip trembled. "When Dad started making a name for himself in the food business, he decided that he was better suited to an atmosphere like Los Angeles, so he moved there. That's where he met—her. Belinda." Coral almost spat the name out. "If you want to know the person who killed him, look no further than dear old stepmommy. I'd stake my life on it."

Keanu and I exchanged glances. "Why would she want to kill your father?" he asked.

Coral's laugh was hollow. "Isn't it obvious? Money, of course. I have to go see some dopey detective at the police station tomorrow, thanks to her.

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