Chapter 13

13

The Hana History Museum’s wooden steps creaked under my still damp slippers. Through the window, I could see the warm glow of Christmas lights reflecting off the glass display cases. The door was unlocked, but the “CLOSED” sign was already turned; it was just after five p.m. when I arrived.

“Aunty Leilani?” I called out, stepping into climate-controlled coolness inside. The fresh scent of the pine tree in the middle of the room mixed with the familiar museum smell of aged wood and history. “Ms. Akana?”

A ‘woof!’ and the click of toenails on hardwood announced Poi Dog before I saw him, his tail wagging as he padded over to greet me. Behind him, Leilani emerged from a back room, wearing a green and white blouse and black slacks, and carrying an empty ornament box.

“Perfect timing, Kat,” she said. “I just finished decorating the Hawaiian Monarchy exhibit. Come see and tell me what you think?”

I’d barely glimpsed inside that area on our previous visit to notice the low-key display area, but the transformation was stunning. Ti leaf garland wrapped with tiny white lights framed the cases, and delicate Hawaiian quilt patterns had been projected onto the walls using a light box. A small Christmas tree stood in the corner, decorated with traditional Hawaiian ornaments including dried orange ‘ ilima blossoms, miniature lauhala angels, and hand-painted wooden fish.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, watching Poi Dog settle onto a bed beneath the tree. “But there’s one ornament missing.”

Leilani’s hands stilled on the garland she was adjusting. “The Queen’s Ornament.”

“Did you know about Dr. Hale’s arrangement with Artie’s father? That the ornament was supposed to come to the museum?”

She set the box back into a larger cardboard container. “I’d heard rumors.”

“I talked to Artie today. He claims he never knew about the arrangement.” I moved closer to the monarchy display, studying Queen Lili?uokalani’s portrait. “But someone must have felt strongly about where the ornament belonged. Strongly enough to take action.”

“What are you suggesting?” Leilani’s voice was carefully neutral.

“A museum is the ornament’s natural home. It’s a piece of Hawaiian history that should be shared with everyone, not kept for one family.” I turned to face her. “Do you know anyone who might have felt the same way? Someone who might have wanted to . . . ensure it ended up where it belonged?”

The Christmas lights cast shifting shadows across Leilani’s face as she turned to adjust an ornament on the tree. “Many people in Hana care deeply about preserving our history. But that doesn’t mean any of them would steal it.” Her words said one thing, but there was something in her voice, a hitch that made my investigative instincts tingle.

Leilani knew something.

“What if,” I said slowly, watching her reaction, “Artie agreed to donate the ornament to the museum? Voluntarily?”

Leilani’s hand paused on a lauhala angel. “Why would he do that?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do. And because . . .” I smiled, a plan forming as I spoke, “. . . we could make it a special event. The fundraiser part could be a voluntary bidding by donors to ensure its place in the museum with whatever was raised. At the end of the auction, we’d make an official donation of Queen Lili?uokalani’s Ornament. We’d make sure it was on the front page of the Maui News. A real Christmas miracle.”

Poi Dog lifted his head, sensing a shift in energy as Leilani turned away, straightening a strand of lights that didn’t need straightening. “That would be . . . amazing,” she said carefully. “I bet the ornament would turn up in time for the event if that were the situation.”

“Yes, I bet it would.” I moved toward the door, noticing my long, wet hair had left a few droplets of seawater on the floor. “In fact, I think I’ll go talk to Artie about it right now.” I paused and turned back. “You know, the funny thing about lost treasures? Sometimes they have a way of finding their way home. Especially at Christmas.”

The bells on the museum door jingled as I left, but not before I saw Leilani’s face in the reflection of the glass cases. Her face wore an expression of relief that told me everything I needed to know.

The Queen’s Ornament would reappear in time for the event.

Christmas lights in the museum window cast colorful lights on the wooden sidewalk as I headed to my SUV. Somewhere in the distance, I heard the chatter of mynah birds settling in their sleep tree. I would talk to Artie about the ornament’s ultimate donation location . . . and then we’d see if someone came forward with the missing ornament.

Because someone would. Of that, I was now certain.

I was buckling my belt in Sharkey when my phone buzzed with a call from Dr. Hale, whose number I’d entered into my contacts. I picked up right away. “Hello, Dr. Hale.”

“Please, call me Sheldon, Kat.” The professor cleared his throat. “Any chance you could come by the house this evening? I’ve come across important documents relevant to the Queen’s Ornament.”

“As a matter of fact, I’m right here in Hana.” I didn’t want to go to the older couple’s house wearing my wet bathing suit and a cover-up, though. Maybe Keone was home from work, and I could get a quick shower, then we’d both go over. “Give me half an hour, and maybe Keone will be with me.”

“That would be great. My wife fully intends to foist more baked goods on the two of you.”

“We’ll be there, with bells on!” I exclaimed. He ended the call with a chuckle.

I fired up Sharkey and called Keone using voice command. “I just got home from work. All systems go,” he affirmed. “I’ll warm up the shower and I’m definitely coming with you.”