Too Hot Four Hula: 4 (The Tiki Goddess Mystery Series) by Jill Marie Landis

way.
    “Do the Maidens have anything to do with that warm welcome? Are they driving you nuts already?” He glanced over at the dancers. “I didn’t know they were coming.”
    “Louie and I didn’t know either until the night before we left. Did you catch the news last night?”
    He shook his head no. “We had a late call time.”
    “You’re the writer. Do you really have to be there?”
    “Until this thing really gets off the ground, I like to be on the set in case they need any last minute re-writes.”
    “We were only here a few hours when the girls were hauled off to jail.”
    “Why am I not surprised?” His gaze strayed back over to the performance. “You want to stay and watch this? Or would you like to get away for a few minutes? I’m starving.”
    “Are you kidding? I can see them dance every night. I’d like to be back for the Shake Off press conference, though.”
    “Then let’s go to CJ’s. It’s a New York style deli right here in the hotel.”
    “Lead the way,” Em said.
    Once they were seated Nat changed his glasses and leaned back. “Better?” He handed Em a menu.
    “Much. Nothing to eat though, thanks. I’d love an iced tea.”
    Nat ordered two iced teas and a kalua pig Reuben sandwich with grilled onions and barbecue sauce. When the waiter walked away, Nat gave Em his full attention.
    “So aside from the crazy makers showing up, howzit going? Is Louie excited?”
    “I’m afraid the Maidens aren’t our only problem. We weren’t here an hour when Louie announced his Booze Bible had been stolen.”
    “That’s terrible. I know what that notebook means to Louie. I’ve always thought he should have it published. Are you sure it’s not misplaced?”
    Em nodded. “I thought maybe that was the case. I hoped maybe he left it on Kauai, but less than an hour ago he received a ransom note. Whoever has his Booze Bible wants one hundred thousand dollars for its safe return.”
    “Are you kidding?”
    “I wish.”
    “When was the notebook stolen?”
    “Right after we checked in. Louie left his room for some ice and left the door propped open.”
    “Have you gone to the police?”
    “The extortionist said if we do that he’ll destroy the notebook. An HPD officer basically told me they have bigger crimes to solve, and they can’t be worrying about a missing notebook that belongs to an old haole from North Shore Kauai.”
    Nat was appalled. “He said that?”
    “He didn’t come right out and say it, but I got the drift. The Hilton security officer I’ve dealt with let me watch the video recorded by our hallway camera yesterday. I saw the thief go into Louie’s room and walk back out before Louie got back. In fact, they passed each other in the hallway. The guy was in a hoodie and had a bag in his hand the whole time, so the Booze Bible was probably in it when he left.”
    “What about the extortion note? Did someone slip it under the door? Maybe he’s on the hallway video again.”
    “No. A porter delivered it from the front desk.” Em sipped some tea.
    “Was it mailed?”
    “No, there was no postage. Just Louie’s name on the front of the envelope.”
    “They must have surveillance in the reception area. Whoever dropped it off there might be on video.”
    “ If the camera recorded it. They’re having trouble with playback on that one. I already stopped by.”
    “I think an extortion note would get HPD’s attention. A hundred thousand is serious stuff.”
    “Louie’s terrified that the thief will destroy the notebook.”
    “Do you think you’re safe?”
    “From pretty much everyone but the monkey.”
    Nat spit ice tea down his shirtfront. “What monkey?”
    “The one locked in Louie’s bathroom. He didn’t bring Letterman. Someone rented him a Capuchin monkey that is a cocktail taste-tester. Trouble is, the thing gets furious if it hates a drink, and it’s pretty much disliked everything Louie’s given it. It also hates women. It tried to snatch Kiki bald.