Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

“I’m not her mother. I’m her guardian. It’s a long,
complicated story that is almost unbelievable. This girl is
incredibly resourceful and she’s scared, but she would never
admit it. She is probably with a boy. His name is Billy Zuni. If
they’re together it’s better than if they’re apart,” she said. “It
would all be absurdly ridiculous except that it’s very serious.”
“Truth is often hidden under a mountain of ridiculousness.
You just have to know where to put your hand in the pile of
manure to find it.”
Stephen raised his glass again only to stare sadly into the
abyss when he saw there was nothing left but ice. Josie noted
the pinky ring. There was no stone and no engraved initial, just
an exquisitely fashioned oval of gold. At his throat was a
necklace of Puka shells, on his right wrist a stack of braided
leather. His nails were manicured. He was master of all he
surveyed. He put the glass on the bar and splayed his free hand
on the wood.
“I haven’t heard of anyone by that name on the island.”
“Do you know everyone on Maui?” Josie asked.
“I do,” he answered. “If by some chance I have forgotten
who someone is, they know me.” Then he changed again, the
happy host was back as Aolani emerged from the back room.
“Isn’t that so my darling? Is there a soul I don’t know on
Maui?”
Josie looked as Aolani came back in the room. A crown of
flowers circled her head and sat low over her brow. She wore a
long skirt but carried a grass one. Her midriff was bare and
buff and under her open work shirt she wore a bra made of
fake coconut shells. She looked into a mirror framed by pink
shells as she adjusted the straps on her costume but she spoke
to Josie’s reflection.
“Yes, it is true. Everyone knows Stephen.”
“There you have it,” Stephen cried. “If I haven’t heard of
Hannah coming to the island, then she hasn’t. The question is
why do you think she has?”