Walk-around surveillance

» Hawaii Kai

Lu Wi chained the moped to a light pole near a bus stop and walked the last couple of blocks. As he approached the house where the little Buddha girl lived, he took on the gait of a guy out for a bit of exercise, silently patting himself on the back for another bit of good spycraft. Not bad for a house boy.

But he almost stopped in his tracks when he rounded the corner and a big, muscular male was in the driveway, shirtless, kneeling beside a bright red motorcycle with a screwdriver in one hand.

Lu Wi forced himself to keep up the pace.

There were two basic ways to surveil -- go completely invisible or make yourself a comfortable, normal part of the scenery. Lu Wi chose the latter.

As he passed the house, the guy glanced up with that defensive homeowner's look -- who's this guy, what's he doing in my neighborhood?

Lu Wi smiled, nodded, chin moving up.

So far so good.

But then Lu Wi opened his big mouth.

"Beautiful motorcycle," he said.

Problem was, he said it with a serious Chinese accent, and it came out "Bootufuh motolseekel."

Quinn Ah Sun wasn't just any homeowner doing a chore. He was a cop, purposely doing work in the front of the house so he could observe everyone who passed by. He was specifically on the lookout for a wannabe Chinese agent who intended to kill the second Lama Jey Tsong Khapa, as well as little Elizabeth Resurreccion, who just yesterday realized her Buddhahood. Lama Jey was on his way out for lunch.

"Thanks," Quinn said, standing, slapping the screwdriver handle against the palm of his hand.

This was a tall, strong guy, not someone Lu Wi wanted to take on alone.

Lu Wi felt his eyes following him as he continued down the street. It was, as he knew from his visit last night, a dead end. He walked to the end, came back on the other side of the street, walking briskly.

The guy was back at his motorcycle, but had moved around to work on the other side of it so he could watch Lu Wi. Passing by, he noted a walkway on the side of the house, leading to a gate. The three-car garage was open, revealing the teal BMW he'd followed here from Waikiki and a large, black pickup truck. The door from the garage to the house was closed, as was the front door. Somewhere in there was the girl he intended to kill.

The big guy was watching him, making no secret of it. Lu Wi just nodded and continued across the intersection and up the street, wondering what the hell he was going to do now -- just walk around all day?

Behind him, Quinn reached for his cell, dialed Detective Sherlock Gomes.