Maya knows Kailani this conversation will be a challenge. She has to find a way.

“Are you by chance Kailani Soto?” Maya stood outside the shop and watched the woman interact with other customers before tapping her shoulder.

It was an innocent approach.

It was polite to ask.

But she already knew whose space she was invading. Maya knew her name, where she lived, where she shopped, and she assumed there was a relationship with Tey.

The woman was slow to respond. Her brows lowered when their eyes met. It was the morning rush in the coffee shop, and for a moment, they were the only silent spot in the store. Maya looks closely at the woman as she turns to face her. Her smile slowly lowered, and her eyes took a full accounting of Maya.

Kailani was a well-kept Hawaiian woman. Her clothes were casual but nicely tailored. She had sleepy eyes and long brown hair framing her face, flowing over white tank-top straps and tawny bare shoulders.

“And you are?” Three words disguised as an innocent question erupted from her mouth like machine gun fire, and then she turned away to say ‘hello’ to another patron.

Maya saw this maneuver as a diversion, a chance to size up an unfamiliar woman.

She has a fear of the unknown, Maya makes a mental note. Good to know.

“I met Tey Gier yesterday,” Maya stepped closer and raised the volume. “He mentioned you and said you often come here for a morning cup.”

Kailani returns her attention. “And you are?” she says again.

“I’m sorry. My name is Maya Alvarez.”

Kailani crossed her arms, wrapping them tightly over her chest.

“You said that you met Tey, and he mentioned me.”

“Yes. He said you have many connections in the islands,” Maya said.

Kailani rolled her eyes and shook her head. She did another full scan, eyes running over Maya, from her thick bronze hair to a new pair of Asics running shoes.

“I haven’t seen you around. Are you sleeping with him?”

“Excuse me.” Maya steps closer. “No, what makes you think that?”

Kailani takes a step back. “You’re intense, wahine. You’re acting like he owes you something.”

“Nothing of the sort.” Maya laughs quietly. “May I buy your coffee? I’d like to speak with you.”

“Is it about Tey?” Kailani asked.

“No, not really.”

They order, and Kailani finds an open table while Maya pays. She remembers that Tey said Kailani was a formidable force in the islands. She could be confident and direct, although she had already unearthed a vulnerable spot.

“Tey’s a good-lookin’ guy, and he might be available. That’s if you want to sleep with him.”

“Not the type I’m looking for. If I was looking.” Maya began. “And he mentioned a girl named Kalana.”

“I’m aware of Kalana.” she laughs. “Their relationship is just starting. Ya know. I really don’t think you can pull them apart anyway,” she laughs again. “Give him a month or two.”

Pulling her hand to her mouth, Maya laughs. “No, no. You’ve got it all wrong, Miss Soto.”

“What?”

Both women laugh, but Maya’s had enough of deceptive word games. She leans across the table, eye to eye. She speaks slowly and softly.

“I’m not here looking to hook up with some guy I just met. He mentioned Kalana. Is she a real person, or was he just looking for an out?” Maya asked.

Kailani smiles and waves at a couple as they leave. “Of course I know Kalana. A lovely girl and they’re well matched.” She pulls back into her seat. “What is this about now that you’ve met me?”

“I’m an investigator and…”

Before Maya can finish, Kailani pushes back from the table and grabs her coffee and backpack. “I have to go.” 

“Please don’t, Miss Soto. I have more questions.”

Kailani stops. “Be quick. I do have a job.”

 “I’m working on a case that involves drugs in French Polynesia. There has been a flood of cocaine and methamphetamines passing through our islands.”

“Go on.” Kailani leaned closer.

“The narco super highway.” Maya began. “Have you heard of it?”

“No. Why are you talking to me? I know nothing of this, ya know.” She moves closer. “You’re not CIA or Interpol?”

“I work with the Marin Agency, an investigation firm from Barcelona. We know that drugs are being transported between Honolulu and Australia. I’ve narrowed it down to Cano Air Transport and TransPacific Air Carriers.”

Kailani smiles, her eyes staring into nothing, and Maya could see she was considering her next move. Another patron waved and said hello, and Kailani was slow to respond. She lifted her hand to wave but didn’t look.

Got her, Maya smiles to herself.

“It’s not us. Joāo Cano runs a clean operation.” Kailani said.

“They said the same thing over at TransPacific.” Maya looks at Kailani. “What about Joāo’s wife?”

“Calista?” Kailani’s laugh is blatantly counterfeit. “She can be difficult, but there are no drugs. She deals in historic Polynesian artifacts.”

“Do you know of a person or entity called Yang Tsutsui?” Maya asks.

Kailani stops again, frozen like a snapshot, and her eyes scour Maya’s eyes. “I’ve heard the name. Calista mentioned it recently.”

“There’s something odd about the name …”

“That’s because Yang is Chinese and Tsutsui is Japanese,” Kailani interrupted. “Ya know, yin and yang. In Eastern culture, it describes opposites. Black and white, sun and moon.”

“I never paid much attention to Asian cultures,” Maya laughs.

“You’re in the middle of it now. Best to pay attention.”

“Thank you, Miss Soto. I’ll be more attentive. What about this Yang Tsutsui?” Maya asked.

 “I knew it was a fake name when I heard it,” Kailani said.

“I figured the same. I know that Yang Tsutsui is an entity with a connection to a drug cartel. I also know there is a person in Hawaii who fronts for a Chinese drug cartel.”

Kailani stands, looking down at Maya. “I have to get to the airport.”

“What about Joāo and Calista’s daughter?” Maya asked.

“Susanna knows nothing,” Kailani says as she steps by her. 

Maya jumps, following her bouncing curls out of the shop. “What is your position in Cano Air Transport?”

“You’re asking a lot of questions, wahine. Who are you after?”

“I apologize for being abrupt with my questions. It’s just that families living on atolls in French Polynesia are suffering from the influx of drugs. Their communities and their culture are being torn apart. My friend, Fetia Picard, lost her husband and a son to the cartels. Now, she only has a teenage daughter.”

“Will this take long? I have a meeting at Kahului Airport.”

“Tey said that you know everything and everybody, and he said you have a good heart.”

Kailani stops and leans against her car. She tries to disguise a smile, and for a moment, she’s not running. “Tey said that about me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your friend. Where does this woman live?”

“Faaite. It’s a small atoll in the Tuamotu Islands. It’s about four hundred kilometers from Tahiti.”

“You’re in America, sweetheart. We measure in miles.”

Maya holds a laugh. “I think about two hundred and fifty miles.”

“I know a family that lives in the village of Rotoava on Fakarava atoll. Hirono and Lita Hirinaki. But I don’t know anything about this Faaite place.”