Chapter 45

I must have drifted into sleep but in a strange oozy semi-conscious state. If you’d asked me, I’d have said I didn’t sleep a wink, but there was Willoby shaking me awake. “Api, Api, wake up!” He was at the foot of my bed fully dressed as if he had gone out. He was holding up a few sheets of paper in his hands. The sun was halfway across the sky. It was 10:30 a.m.

I scrambled to get dress. Over coffee, he revealed that he’d visited the library to check their archives while I was still asleep. Apparently, the original Yellow Hibiscus was a prestigious hotel, that was frequented by VIPs, the rich and famous of that era. It had burnt to the ground more than thirty years ago, killing twenty-six people. Among the dead, were Ann-ana Futtimoo, whose body was found in the rubble, and Tara Futtimoo, Ann-ana’s daughter. Whose body was never found and was also presumed dead. Now it all made sense why Paul had been at the house at Kupikipikio Point. More than thirty years before, it was the residence of Tara and Ann-ana Futtimoo. John and Luann Vacado purchased the home over ten years ago.

“The old man!” We said, as our thoughts linked. “Live before you, die before you,” I said. Willoby looked at me cockeyed and begged me to hurry and finish my coffee. Five minutes later we were heading out. We hopped a cab in front of the hotel and was at the hospital in less than five minutes. I was eager to hear what Paul had to…