My Kind of Town
>> 2002 Wilder Poison plans
Dr. Laurie Tang's alarm clock went off at 5:30 a.m., the sound of waves on a sandy shore combined with flute and guitar. Laurie's life in the ER was filled with enough shrill sounds, she didn't need to wake up to one. She rolled out of bed, pulling on a robe, headed for the kitchen to start some water for her tea.
Speaking of water, Laurie could hardly wait to get to Ala Moana. She'd missed her swim yesterday, working late, handling the case of the Ah Sun boy who had fallen and hit the back of his head on a curb during the hate crimes bill rally. Laurie wasn't a Christian, but she understood the symbolism of baptism. There was something about water that cleansed body, mind and soul. Today especially she needed it.
Waiting for the water to boil, Laurie checked her beach bag, made sure she had her towel, swimsuit, mask and snorkel, a change of clothes for work. She also checked her emotions. Amazing what eight hours of sleep will do for your outlook. The best medicine of all. Yes, she was still angry that her boyfriend Sen. Donovan Matsuda-Yee-Dela Cruz-Bishop-Kamaka had been out of touch for three days until last night. Yes, she was still angry that he had apparently impregnated the young woman who yesterday crashed his car off the Keeaumoku Overpass -- and who had ended up under Laurie's care in the ER, where the last thing the woman said before the anesthesia kicked in was "Please save the baby." Donovan said he didn't know anything about that, but Laurie knew better.
The tea kettle rumbled, ready to boil, and she filled the tea pot with steaming water. While her green tea steeped, Laurie sat to meditate, chanting "Nam miyoho renge kyo ... nam miyoho renge kyo ..." and for a while lost track of the world.
When she was done, the tea was ready. Despite the emotional blows of yesterday, Laurie was starting today feeling strong and balanced. She glanced at her watch. Even the thought of being interrogated by HPD Detective Sherlock Gomes in 20 minutes didn't seem so intimidating. Laurie poured her tea in a thermal cup, grabbed her bag and was out the door.
>> Makiki Heights
The first silvery hints of daylight surprised Sen. Donovan Matsuda-Yee-Dela Cruz-Bishop-Kamaka. He'd been up all night, smoking ice, refining his plan, poisoning his darts. Now it was time for action. He had to get to Sherlock Gomes before Gomes got to Laurie. If he told her that Donovan had fathered Serena's child, that would ruin everything.
Don Chapman is editor of MidWeek.
His serialized novel runs daily in the Star-Bulletin
with weekly summaries on Sunday.
He can be emailed at dchapman@midweek.com