Molokai Reef Read Free Page A

retrieved a folder from a daypack that he carried. “According
to our records, Gybe of no last name, you have worked as a computer
programmer and have sold freelance articles to several magazines.”
Detective Kane looked up from the folder. “When did you
become a sushi chef?”
    Gybe
explained his theory about answering don’t need to know type
questions. Besides, he could be a sushi chef. When a mahimahi
latched onto the hand-line fishing rig that he trailed behind Ferrity , he often carved off a piece of sashimi, dipped it in
shoyu sauce, added a dab of wasabi, and downed it while the remainder
of the fish lay trembling on the cockpit sole.
    “ Gybe.
It is a serious offense to give false information to a police
officer. I suggest that you bear that in mind as we continue our
conversation.”
    The
interview continued for another hour as Detective Kane created,
revised, and re-checked his notes against Gybe’s responses.
    Gybe
learned that both victims worked in the biotechnology field. The
male victim worked for SynCorn, Inc. and the female victim worked for
GeNesRus, Inc. Like a calf in a steer-roping contest, he felt the
rope land around his neck. Less than two weeks ago, he had accepted
an assignment to write an article about the genetic research
activities on Moloka‘i.
    “ Any
suspects?”
    “ It’s
early, but I have a couple of ideas. The coroner thinks the bodies
had been in the water between one and two days when you found them.
When he runs more tests, I suspect he will narrow it to the night
before you arrived.”
    “ I
think that’s all for now, Gybe. We would like you to stay in
the area for the next couple of days.”
    “ Are
you ordering me to stay?”
    “ It’s
not an order. Here’s my card.”
    Gybe
nodded.
    Detective
Kane turned to the other officer. “Wait for me in the boat?”
    As
the officer moved to the police boat, Detective Kane stood and
motioned for Gybe to follow him to the bow. Lowering his voice, the
detective continued. “Gybe, I know about the business in San
Francisco. I’m sorry. There is no excuse for what happened
between you and that officer. But, you are in Hawai‘i now.”
    Gybe
nodded.
    “ I
also know how you, shall we say, irritated a couple of officers here
on Moloka‘i last week. I have only their side of the story.
As a fellow police officer in the same department, I tend to support
them. However, there have been other incidents with one of those
officers. I operate on evidence and reason.”
    “ What
are you saying Detective Kane? Those officers last week were way out
of line. If I hadn’t stepped in when I did, I hate to think
what they would have done to Mongoose. They shouldn’t be on
the force.”
    “ Mongoose
a friend of yours?”
    “ He’s
over on that schooner.” Gybe tilted his head towards Makani .
“I met him ten days ago. Co-worker or not, your steroid
enhanced, IQ-challenged officer needs to be shutdown.”
    “ That
a threat?”
    Gybe
shrugged. “No threat, just feedback from a citizen.”
    “ OK,
noted. Back to my earlier comment, you saved an innocent man’s
life in San Francisco from an overzealous enforcement coalition. I
respect that. Now, I’m asking you to respect me. Give me a
call if you think of anything else.”

    Gybe
watched the police boat motor back towards the launch ramp. A large
pickup, maybe a Ford 250 with crew cab, backed a trailer down the
ramp and prepared to load the police boat.
    A
buzzing noise to his left drew Gybe’s attention to the incoming
dinghy. Red and blue light beams reflected from the mouth of
Mongoose sitting at the throttle. Gybe waved him alongside.
    Ashore,
the other officer – Gybe had forgotten his name – stood
alongside the ramp and scanned Mongoose’s approach with
binoculars.
    5
    Still
closed eyes sensed the emerging light of dawn while his subconscious
mind scanned for unusual sounds. Gybe awakened in the vee-berth.
Ferrity rode at anchor in Kaunakakai Harbor. He heard