The Greatest of These by Greg Wendleton (booksvooks txt) 📕

We arrived at a modest, three-bedroom house with a carport that I was directed to pull into. The FBI agent pulled his car in behind the BWM. The four of us entered the house directly from the carport. We walked into a spacious kitchen and Special Agent Mears closed and locked the door behind us.

“He’s a good man.”

I turned around to face the Special Agent, “Excuse me, were you talking to me?”

“Yes. Well, actually all three of you. Special Agent Presley is a good man. I’ve worked with him for twelve years. I trust him with my life. He’s doing all of this for your protection.”

Chad spoke first, “We appreciate it all and thank you for your reassurance.”

“Yes, I want to thank you for that as well.” I said.

“We will keep you safe and safeguard your families, or die trying.”

Jamie finished this conversation by saying, “Let’s pray that it doesn’t come to that.”

We wandered about the comfortably furnished, single story house. The living room was at the front of the house with a large picture window that actually had a view of some rolling hills in the distance. It was connected to the kitchen and dining room. I guess it’s what they call an ‘open concept’ floor plan. Down a hallway were two bedrooms on the front of the house with a bathroom between them. At the end of the hall was a third bedroom, with a king-size bed and attached bathroom. The master bedroom, and Chad and Jamie’s domain for the next ten days.

What none of us had noticed when we pulled into the carport, because a solid wall blocked the view, was the full ocean view that this property offered. From the master bedroom windows you could see, literally for miles and miles. The sunset would be truly spectacular.

“Babe, this is amazing. I want us to live here, in Kihei, full time, when this is all over. We could have a fresh start, and what a great excuse for the kids to come visit!”

Chad nodded his head and smiled at his lovely wife, “Let’s get through this and we will figure it all out with Scott Crowley.”

I walked out of the bedroom, leaving Chad and Jamie staring out the over-sized window, and returned to the kitchen. I pulled back the vertical blinds that had been closed to find a six-foot sliding door that opened onto a patio. I would soon learn, it was called a lanai, in the islands. I walked onto the covered lanai and sat in one of the four cushioned, wicker chairs that were spaced out on the twelve-foot by twenty-four-foot lanai. I could get used to this.

Special Agent Mears joined me on the lanai, pulling me out of my daydream and back to reality.

“Is everything okay?”, I asked with some trepidation in my voice.

“As far as I know, everything is okay. Special Agent Presley just called and said everything was good at the Inn. Pat understands the importance of keeping his mouth shut about what he really knows. You’ve all been checked out of your rooms and your luggage has been packed into one of the agent’s cars. They should be here within the hour. Jerry can’t get ahold of Captain Pang at the fire station in Kula, but it might be his day off.”

Was that a simple coincidence, or a potential loose end? The FBI didn’t believe in coincidence and sure didn’t like loose ends.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Before the sun had disappeared into the Pacific Ocean in a blaze of burnt orange and red, Chad and Jamie had joined Special Agent Mears and me on the lanai. It was the most spectacular sunset any of us had ever seen. A few minutes earlier, one of the Kahului field office agents had dropped off our personal effects and luggage from Mama’s Fish House. Included in the personal effects was a hand written note from Pat.

Please accept our prayers for your health and safety. I am sworn to secrecy and have not told any of the other staff of your situation.

Included in the envelope is a zero balance for your cottage and for Mr. Cooper’s suite. I felt it was the least we could do. You have been wonderful guests over the years and are like family to us.

When the news breaks tomorrow, we will mourn your status and our loss.

God bless you and we will look forward to seeing you after this situation is resolved.

Pat

“Mr. Cooper, you didn’t tell me that you had a weapon here on the island.”

Startled by the comment, I jumped at the pronouncement by Special Agent Presley.

“Um, no sir, I didn’t. It is legally registered in Texas, and I have a permit to carry it in my wallet.”

“I believe that you do. I just don’t like surprises.” The comment was made with the veil of a threat involved. “Don’t let it happen again. The case is in your luggage. I’d prefer you keep it locked in that case, please.”

“Yes sir, I don’t intend to use it.”

“Good.” Changing his focus, the Special Agent added, “It’s a beautiful site, isn’t it?

Jamie spoke for the group, “Spectacular!”

“Your real estate agent, Scott Crowley, owns this house. He uses it as a vacation rental. He was kind enough to offer its use for the next ten days.”

“That was very kind of Mr. Crowley”, said Jamie. “He’s such a kind man.”

“Yes, I agree. I met him, and his wife, yesterday morning. My gosh, I can’t believe that was only thirty-six hours ago!”

Special Agent Presley replied, “Right? That’s exactly what this has been, an absolute whirlwind.” Turning to speak to his peer, he said, “Joe, I’ve got the security detail for tonight. If you want to drive down the road to Pizza Madness, I ordered a couple of pizzas for pick up.”

“Sure thing Jerry. I’ll be back in a flash.”

“Oh, and if you’d grab a liter of Coke, we should be set for tonight. Mr. Crowley promised to deliver some groceries first thing