Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

CHAPTER 13
Stephen Kyle put on his Sunday best to keep their date with
Amelia Francis. His head and face were freshly shaved, his
nails were buffed and the faint scent of coconut and mango
clung to him. A shark’s tooth dangled from a gold chain
around his throat. There was another slim chain on his wrist
and he was decked out in a purple silk Tommy Bahama shirt
emblazoned with yellow hula girls that set off his white shorts.
Josie had changed into a short t-shirt dress and traded her
gold studs for hoops, but still wore the flip-flops Stephen had
given her. She felt better for the two hours she’d spent at the
hotel. Showered and rested, she had searched the Internet for
mention of Ha Kuna House and found none. Finally, Josie
rested because there was no sense trying to devise a strategy
before she heard what Amelia Francis had to say. She caught a
cab back to Stephen’s house.
“Don’t you look elegant,” he crowed when she arrived.
“Even the bandage on that hand seems chic.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself.” Josie returned the
compliment.
“I can already see the desire in your eyes and we haven’t
even had our evening cocktail. Do try not to lose your head,
Josie.”
“I’ll try to restrain myself.” She raised her voice when he
went to close up the house. “I talked to Archer.”
“And what is he making of all this?” Stephen called back.
“He was pretty surprised. He’s going to stay where he is and
run down the missing persons report for me on my mom. That
will have an official description of her, times and dates. He’s
also going to get a copy of her birth certificate and mine. That
should be enough for Reynolds and anyone else who’s
interested.”
“Ah, Josie, men at your beck and call. Between the two of
us we should be getting your mum back to you in no time.”