Molokai Reef Read Free

the remains into the police boat.
    As
Gybe watched the police boat accelerate out of the harbor, the senior
CG officer spoke. “Captain, we’ll escort you back to
Kaunakakai Harbor. The Maui Police have taken over jurisdiction
since it doesn’t appear that the deaths occurred on a vessel or
in federal waters.”
    “ Wasn’t
planning to go there. Tell them I’ll be in Hale o Lono harbor
if they need to talk with me.” Gybe’s words were lost as
the boat’s coxswain fired up the twin outboards.
    4
    “ Permission
to come aboard Captain.”
    Only
one other anchor competed with Ferrity ’s anchor as it
rested on the bottom of the small harbor.

    With
neither sense of humor nor sense of respect, the Coast Guard had
suggested – strongly – that Gybe comply with the Maui
Police request to return to Kaunakakai Harbor.
    Taking
his time getting underway yesterday afternoon, Gybe stowed the
fate-altering Bruce anchor, retrieved the CQR anchor, and motored
away from Kolo Wharf. Feigning engine problems, he raised sails and
tacked upwind to Kaunakakai Harbor. The frustrated CG crew tagged
along for thirty minutes before receiving a call to search for a
missing windsurfer off Kihei on Maui. They motored alongside Ferrity which was sailing southeast on a port tack at six knots, and reminded
Gybe that he was required to
sail to Kaunakakai Harbor. With both throttles hard forward, the CG
crew sped off towards Maui.
    By
the time the sun had dropped to within two diameters of the horizon,
Ferrity rode to anchor in Kaunakakai Harbor; her sails stowed; and
her hatches open. Gybe sat in the cockpit, cold amber ale in hand,
and reviewed the day while watching the sun close on the distant sea.
    Shoreward
of Ferrity , music drifted from Mongoose’s schooner - Makani . Windward, or to the east, lay the half-mile long
causeway connecting the town to the only commercial pier on the
island. There was room for an interisland barge to tie alongside the
west side of the pier. The interisland ferry terminal occupied a
corner of the pier near the causeway. From his previous visit, Gybe
knew that there were a dozen or so sailboat slips on the far side.
Shoreward of the pier, on the near side of the causeway, fishing
boats rocked in their slips. A small floating dinghy dock rested
between the fishing boats and a launch ramp for trailered boats.

    “ Aboard Ferrity , permission to board.” The voice projected over
the idling outboard of the Maui Police boat, now less than five yards
away.
    “ Come
aboard.”
    Gybe
hung two ten-inch diameter inflatable fenders from the lifelines as a
cushion against the police boat. The officer on the bow handed him a
line and Gybe wrapped it around the midship cleat.
    Choosing
cooperation over confrontation this morning, Gybe offered coffee to
the two officers who now sat in the cockpit. From yesterday, he knew
the younger officer.
    “ Gybe,
this is Detective Kai Kane of the Maui Police. Murders are very rare
on Moloka‘i, so Detective Kane has come from Maui to lead the
investigation. As you know, the island of Moloka‘i is part of
Maui County.”
    Gybe
nodded to the detective.
    “ Gybe,
I know you’ve told your story several times. I’ve read
the reports and I have some questions. But, it is important for me
to hear it directly.”
    The
mantra was cooperate. He must cooperate .
    Detective
Kane began the questioning by asking about his name. Gybe told the
officers that Gybe was Gaelic for ‘the place where one breeds
horses.’ The small talk continued for a few minutes.
    “ And
your last name?”
    Gybe’s
“Don’t have, don’t need one” met arched
eyebrows of Detective Kane.
    During
the first half hour of the police interview, Detective Kane listened
intently as Gybe answered his questions. The questions mirrored,
more or less, the ones Gybe had answered yesterday.
    “ Gybe,
yesterday you listed your occupation as sushi chef. Care to
elaborate on that?”
    Gybe
shrugged.
    Detective
Kane