Chapter Thirty Five - Hawaii No Ka Oui

Mornings like this are why people come to Hawaii; the leeward breeze and a relaxing stroll down Waikiki. Even the International Marketplace, crowded with tacky tourists, seemed ideal this morning.

The hellfire and brimstone guy was still at the entrance, shouting his message of damnation or redemption or whatever it was supposed to be. In the eyes of some there’s not a lot of difference but Rudy knew that he’d already been redeemed.

They found a shady table and sat with their fruit smoothies.

“I think I need some teriyaki on a stick.” Pete said and disappeared.

Rudy looked at the booth and saw the same brown eyed beauty he’d been so taken with on this first day on the island, and he smiled. Pete always had good taste in women, meaning they always seemed to have their eye on the same ones.

Raven was reading the paper. “I bet you know something about this.” She said, handing Rudy the paper. On the front page, in big headlines, the lead story of the day:

State Police Seize Record Cocaine Shipment

Leonard Azeri, head of one of the largest cocaine distribution networks on the Islands and the West Coast, was found dead at his Molokai ranch just hours after police seized a large shipment of cocaine that they believe was headed for Azeri’s organization.

Police were acting on information provided by a confidential informant when they raided a private boat dock on the east end of Molokai. They arrested several operatives believed to be associated with the feared Cali Cartel from Columbia, seizing more than six million dollars worth of cocaine in the process.

While one State Police unit conducted the raid on the Columbians, another unit raided Azeri’s ranch where they found Azeri’s body and no one else. Police now believe that the other members of Azeri’s network fled the islands, leading to speculation that they were aware of the impending raid. They have no suspects in the shooting death of the kingpin, Leonard Azeri.

Police would not identify the confidential informant, saying only that he was a wealthy benefactor working under deep cover for the last two years to bring the Azeri organization down.

In another incident that investigators believe to be related to the Azeri raid, police arrested a woman at Honolulu International Airport with a briefcase full of cocaine, estimated to have a street value in excess of a million dollars. The cocaine was in baggies stamped with Azeri’s trademark lions head.

Police said that they had received an anonymous tip several days ago that there was a briefcase full of cocaine stashed in an airport locker and that a woman would be coming to pick it up.

They confirmed the contents of the locker then set up a stake out until the woman, who fit the informant’s description, showed up with the key and retrieved the briefcase. She is believed to be associated with the defunct Azeri organization and is being held in protective custody while investigators try to determine her involvement with the organization.

“Incredible story, huh?” Rudy folded the paper in half and slapped it down on the table.

“Maybe I should just start calling you A.I.” Raven said.

“A.I.?”

“Yeah, anonymous informant.”

“I prefer C.C., Concerned Citizen.”

“Don’t you feel even a little bad about turning your ex girlfriend in?”

“Let’s see, she stole my life savings and ran off with another man. Then she shot at and tried to kill two people before dragging you and me into her greedy plot. Hmm, I’m thinking, I’m thinking.... Do I feel bad? Uh, no! Not one bit. Besides, I didn't turn her in, should could have walked away Scot free. She could have gone on her own way and no one would have been the wiser. I didn’t tell her anything about where to find it.”

“Then how did she know?”

“I don’t know, maybe the key fell out of my pocket in the Jeep.”

“Hmm. Just fell out, like a big accident, huh?”

“Exactly! Serendipity. What happened from there was all her choosing.”

“Okay, but still, you must feel a little bad for her?” Raven asked.

“The way I see it, everyone got their just desserts. In fact, I’m thinking of writing a book about it and ‘Just Desserts’ is what I’ll call it.”

Pete returned to the table, munching a Teriyaki stick. “That may be the most beautiful woman on the planet.” he said, glancing back at the Teriyaki booth.

The beautiful brown face sent a shy, blushing smile his way and he flashed his woman eating grin back at her.

“I’m thinking about selling the bar and sticking around here.” he said. “Mind if I hang at your place for a bit while I think about it? Oh, and you two are on your own tonight, I have a date.” He said before Rudy could answer.

“Hawaii No ka Oui.” Rudy said with a grin.