Meerkats and Murder Read online

  "Wait," I say. "What do you mean 'it's true'? Did someone tell you that?"

  The detective looks at his notes. "A Miss Leilani O'Flanagan said you'd fought with him and followed him out the door when he left."

  I shake my head. "That's wrong. I was leaving and just spotted him in the parking lot. I went straight to my car."

  Leilani—what a stark-raving loon! I know she is mean, but to imply that I might've killed Kua? That is a serious reach. Besides, Kua was a big dude. And the last time I'd seen him, he'd been a huge, angry dude. Who could've murdered him? And why didn't the killer murder Leilani instead?

  Ray Kahoalani writes something in his notebook. "No one else at the concert remembers seeing him leave."

  I think back. I was the only one heading to my car. I'd assumed the rest of the folks were socializing. Kua and I were the only ones in the parking lot before he walked out onto the beach.

  "How was he murdered?" I shiver again. It's horrible to think that someone I just saw was now dead.

  Detective Ray says nothing. His eyes are on mine, sizing me up. "We found him on the beach. He was alone. Bludgeoned."

  I stifle a gasp. "I barely knew him. And I certainly didn't kill him."

  "We were led to believe that you were colleagues." He looks through a notebook. "Miss O'Flanagan said so. In fact, she said you two were close friends. She also said you had a nasty argument at the concert."

  Of course that psycho would pin this on me. It's ridiculous, really. I shake my head, trying not to laugh. Kua would hate hearing that we were close.

  "That's not true at all. I'd seen him perform a few times. I only spoke to him once or twice. I don't know anything about him."

  Except that earlier I wished he was dead—but I decide that it's in my best interest not to mention that.

  "Can you describe what happened when you left?" he asks.

  "Seriously? I'm a suspect?" My concern starts to turn to anger.

  "Just answer the question please." Detective Ray takes another drink of tea but keeps his eyes trained on my face.

  I sigh. "I just walked out to my car, got in, and drove here."

  "So no one can confirm what time you got home?" He frowns.

  "No, I guess not." My stomach drops to my ankles. I have no alibi. But then, I hardly have any motive. I mean, wishing your competition was dead isn't a thing. Is it?

  The detective finishes his tea and sets it on the table. "Thank you for your time and for the tea." He hands me a card. "Please call me if you have any thoughts. You aren't planning on leaving the area anytime soon, are you?"

  Well, I am now…

  "No," is all I say as I follow him to the door.

  "I'll be in touch then, Miss Johnson." Detective Ray gives me a nod and leaves.

  I close the door behind him and slump against it. I didn't kill anyone.

  UKULELE MURDER

  available now!