Moonlight Cocktail: A Jack Sullivan Mystery by William Cassidy

Author:William Cassidy [Cassidy, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Discus Books
Published: 2019-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Jack decided to return to Waikiki the long way, driving north along Kamehameha Highway, past the famous North Shore surfing beaches at Waimea Bay, the Banzai Pipeline, and Sunset Beach. During the winter months, these beaches confront Pacific swells that start to build thousands of miles away, sometimes off the coast of Alaska. They march unimpeded across the Pacific, increasing in height and strength until they break as monstrous waves on the reefs that protect the northern coast of Oahu. These are the most famous surfing beaches in the world and they gave rise to the unique culture and language that marks surfers around the world.

When Jack reached Kahuku Point at the northern tip of Oahu, he followed the highway as it turned south past Turtle Bay and the ruins of sugar mills and drove toward Laie Bay, made famous by the traditional Hawaiian song called the Hukilau. The ultramarine Pacific sparkled and seemed to flow into the azure sky at the horizon, making Jack feel as if he were inside a blue silk tent whose sides and top were billowing in the wind.

Reflecting on what he had learned from Papa David, Jack concluded that he had to do more research at the Bishop Museum. He remained puzzled at the inability of toxicologists to identify the source of the fluid that had poisoned Derek Reynolds. These plants have been poisoning people in Hawaii for a long time, and medical doctors as well as herbal medicine practitioners were familiar with their properties. Why couldn’t they identify this particular plant?

Jack passed the island that looks like and takes its name from a Chinaman’s Hat and saw a military jet landing at the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay in the distance. As he approached the peninsula where the base is situated, Jack realized he was passing the place where Kulani had been run off the road near Lanikai. The road ran right next to the beach, and it was clear that one car could easily push another off the road and onto the sand.

He drove along the beach road for a while and then cut over to Kalanianaole Highway, which meanders along the southeast coast of Oahu, known as the Windward Shore because the prevailing tradewinds blow toward that side of the island. Rounding Makapuu Point, Jack headed west toward Waikiki and marveled at the green-covered volcanic mountains, lush with vegetation, that spilled down to the sparkling blue sea a thousand feet below. Like a mirage, they presented an image that no camera lens could capture. Looking at the expanse of green on his right, Jack realized that he had a daunting task ahead of him — trying to identify one plant among the thousands that covered this island.

It was close to five o’clock when he turned into the driveway of the Royal Hawaiian and walked over to Katherine’s dress shop.

“Hellooo,” he said as he opened the door to the light ring of the bell.

Katherine responded with a big smile as she walked quickly toward him.

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