BROKEN BOARDS, CHAPTER 6
BROKEN BOARDS, CHAPTER 6
A Jake Jansen Mystery.
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CHAPTER SIX - ISLAND VINTAGE SURF SHOP
Mike Mitchell opened Island Vintage Surf during the big surf boom of the 1960s after moving to O’ahu from Huntington Beach, California in 1962, in an attempt to take advantage of the latest craze. The longboard movement was increasing in popularity, and people were coming to the islands to surf the warm waters of the North Shore and take on the big waves at surf breaks like Makaha and Waimea Bay. But those dangerous locations were only frequented by the most skilled surfers like Greg Noll and legendary Hawai’ian lifeguard, Eddie Aikau.
Island Vintage had been very successful in the early years, initially as a small shop, making custom boards before the business began to expand. Mike could not keep up with demand until he started hiring more store employees, charging more for higher quality boards, and increasing the size of his warehouse staff. He was able to open shops on Kaua’i, Maui, in addition to the Big Island, while continuing to ship the surfboards from the main warehouse on O’ahu.
He ran an efficient, successful business through the years, eventually becoming one of the most successful board makers in the industry. He had successfully sustained during challenging economic times due to positive word of mouth while continuing to develop and produce high-quality products. It was only after he passed away in the late 1990s, leaving the shop to his less business-savvy, 19-year-old son, Ken, that the business started to have issues. Ken got away from the business of making boards altogether and instead chose to start outsourcing for lesser quality, mass-produced boards from various locations worldwide. Not only was the business move less financially successful, but the shop’s reputation began to suffer, especially on the islands.
Ken had eliminated the warehouse and reduced the number of shops, which reduced employee overhead, rental lot fees, and other expenditures. The O’ahu shop had moved from its standalone building to the Kahala Mall, which made for low costs and high traffic.
For Rabbit, growing up in a poor family, a beat-up, second-hand board provided his only method of wave riding. Rabbit’s friends and the local neighborhood kids would use their boards without an extra to spare, frequently leaving Rabbit without a board altogether. Before his mother left and prior to moving to Maui with his father, Rabbit had scraped together enough money from odd jobs for his own board. He looked no further than Island Vintage as the most affordable option. Rabbit was able to get a used, albeit dinged, surfboard that required some tender loving care. He spent time learning what was needed for the upkeep of a board and worked hard to take care of the one he owned. It wasn’t until he started working part-time around the island, eventually becoming a more trusted employee on some of the under-the-table construction jobs, as well as saving money from his time as a lifeguard, that he earned enough for a new board. Then another, and then another. Rabbit had put together a collection of boards for most occasions, conditions, breaks, and wave styles. He just felt it was time to find something new. He had the itch. He was returning to the old reliable Island Vintage Surf shop.
Rabbit walked into the store. “Home sweet home,” he thought to himself with a smile. He’d been here thousands of times. The shop’s bright blue walls were decorated with signed posters, pictures, and surfboards, many of which were anchored to the ceiling. Surf music came through some speakers placed in each corner of the shop. Board shorts, shirts, shoes, and other accessories filled racks and tables throughout the store. A teenage girl was working near the shoes and accessories, attending to some customers, while another employee at the front counter waved a shaka as acknowledgement to Rabbit.
Rabbit made his way through the maze of racks and tables to the long wall in the back that held all the various surfboards. He took the time to look at all the sizes and shapes, even though they weren’t what he was specifically looking for. He looked around, carefully examining the boards and their details. He had some ideas of what he was interested in buying but wanted to get a feel for newer products, look at the fins, compare weight, and determine what would help him improve his surfing. He wondered which board would be different from the ones he already had. In the old days, the shop would let you take the board out for a test drive, like a loaner. But since Rabbit wouldn’t have the time to use it, and he certainly couldn’t take it home to Maui, he would have to trust his gut instinct.
“I sure wish you guys didn’t close the Maui shop,” he said under his breath.
Rabbit glanced at the clock, then motioned for the employee at the counter. A taller, high school-aged kid walked over, his hair cut short, wearing a shop tee and shorts.
“Yeah, man, what’s up?”
“What time you close, brah?”
“You’ve got a few hours. Need help with any of these?”
“Still looking, brah. I’ll definitely be buying one, but still trying to pick out the right board. I got five at home on Maui but want something different, right?”
“Take your time, man. I’ll be here,” he said as he wandered back to the front counter.
Rabbit continued to look around. Using his phone, he took a handful of pics of various boards and sent them to Jake but wasn’t getting a reply. “Jake, where you at when I need some help, brah?” Rabbit narrowed down his choices to a couple of surfboards that were almost identical. He liked them both, but one felt better. Both had clean designs, with orange and blue colors that popped and all the familiar branding decals. But there was something different about the surfboard that he liked - the brand of the board wasn’t familiar. He wasn’t sure what to think. He motioned for the employee, who returned to where Rabbit was standing with the boards.
“Where are these from, brah? Don’t seem familiar.”
“Aye, hmm. You know, that’s a good question, man. I don’t know. I think they’re new. Let me look if there’s any information on the computer, and I’ll let you know.” He slipped over to the front counter and started to use the PC. He looked back over at Rabbit. “We don’t seem to have any information other than the price. Should be on there.”
Rabbit spent a little time looking at the fin designs, checking the rails and runners, and then finally decided on the board he wanted.
“Hey, brah, want me to bring it to the counter?”
The employee made his way back over the surfboards as he pulled out a key, then reached down to unlock the fixture at the leash base near the traction pad. Rabbit picked up the board, holding it in one hand, and tucked it under his arm.
“Nice, brah. Has a great feel. Seems like a perfect tube riding board.”
The employee smiled, motioning for him to follow to the counter as they once again navigated the obstacle course of items that decorated the store. Rabbit leaned the board against the counter, dug out his wallet, pulling out his debit card.
“$775 is your total for today. Do you have an ID?”
Rabbit showed the employee his driver’s license before returning his debit card and ID to his wallet and then dropping it into his pocket.
“You’re all set. Enjoy the surf, bro.”
“Mahalo, brah,” Rabbit replied, throwing a shaka to the employee. He picked up the board, tucked it under his arm, navigated through the clothing racks, and left the store. He was careful to watch in front of him. Bumping someone with the point on the front of the board could be a painful experience. He was whistling the last tune he heard coming through the speakers in the store. He paused momentarily and flirted with the idea of a food court dinner since it was right next to the shop, but he suspected his aunt would have some dinner ready for him to heat up in the microwave.
Rabbit was making his way through the food court when the infamous Santos’ henchmen took notice of him. In an effort to blend in, both were dressed modestly, appearing to almost be tourists. Jose was facing toward Rabbit, wearing his familiar white cap, a basic white tee shirt, blue jeans, a red sports watch on his right arm covered in tattoos, and white tennis shoes. He motioned to the shorter and heavier Rodrigo, dressed in loose-fitting cargo shorts, a red tee shirt, and tennis shoes, sitting next to him, facing the opposite direction, indicating for him to turn around. Rabbit was unaware he was being watched. Both men quickly got up and, keeping their distance, started following Rabbit.
Rabbit wandered his way through the mall. He was very familiar with the maze of stores and hallways, having spent many Saturdays and Sundays here with Jake, whistling at girls and having harmless fun.
Rabbit headed toward the mall’s main exit as the two henchmen continued to follow from a safe distance as he carried the surfboard through the sliding glass doors. The two men made a focused effort to stay near Rabbit but also not let him know he was being followed. Rabbit made his way to one of the cabs waiting at the curb. Immediately, Jose grabbed Rodrigo, pulling him close to say something in his ear and motioning toward their car in the parking lot. Rabbit noticed a blur in his peripheral vision and glanced to see Rodrigo bolting through the parking lot.
“Holiday tourists,” Rabbit said with a chuckle as he shook his head.
The driver hopped out of the cab and opened the trunk, allowing Rabbit to carefully place the board in the back and secure it for the ride to Rabbit’s aunt’s house. At the same time, Jose hurried to the cab that was parked directly behind the one that Rabbit was climbing into. Once Rabbit was in the backseat, the cab driver pulled away from the curb with a destination of his aunt’s house in Wilhelmina Rise. Rabbit relaxed on the short drive home as the cab driver worked his way through the heavy Honolulu traffic and narrow residential neighborhood streets. Rabbit was still completely unaware that he was being followed. In the cab behind Rabbit, Jose was on the phone, giving directions to his partner.
The cab drove up to Rabbit’s aunt’s house and slowly pulled into the driveway. The other cab slowed down a few houses away. Jose paid the driver, then watched as the cab pulled a carefully executed, tight U-turn on the narrow street and headed back toward the mall. He was still on the phone, and in the distance, could see the car, driven by Rodrigo, approaching a few houses away. As it approached, it slowed up near the curb, turned off the lights, and Jose climbed into the passenger seat. They waited.
The two men watched as Rabbit paid the cab driver, then slowly exited their vehicle. They knew the cab driver would be gone in just a moment, and this would be their chance. They started quickening their pace as they walked across the street. The car backed out of the driveway, started down the hill, then quickly disappeared. Both men jogged up to Rabbit as he picked up his board to head inside.
“Excuse us, please, friend, yes,” Jose said in an accent unfamiliar to Rabbit as he tipped up his white cap. Rabbit turned around to greet the two men.
“Howzit, brah? Not from around here? Need directions?” Rabbit asked, noticing the foreign accent, unsuspecting of any trouble.
“There appears to be a mix-up. Board reserved for us, please, yes,” he stated, pointing at the surfboard.
“The shop didn’t say anything to me, brah. They had a similar board that was the same size and price. It’ll probably still be there tomorrow. Have a good night, brah.”
“But that board is ours, paid for,” Jose said as Rodrigo moved toward Rabbit to block any quick exit.
“I bought and paid for this one. Look, brah, got the receipt right he…”
Before he could finish speaking, Rodrigo had put on gloves, slipped up behind him, and grabbed Rabbit from under his arms and up around the shoulders and neck. Jose moved forward and threw a punch to the gut. The other man placed a gloved hand over his mouth, pushing a rag into his mouth.
“You will give that board, friend, yes,” Jose said firmly.
Rabbit gave a kick to the man in front of him, but it wasn’t enough. In a quick flick of the wrist, Jose pulled out a knife. Rabbit saw the blade glinting in the faint streetlight. Rabbit’s eyes grew wide.
“You had your chance, friend,” as he moved and made his attack. Rabbit attempted to scream out in pain, but it was muffled by the rag and heavy hand over his mouth. Rabbit’s legs kicked and pushed at Jose, causing him to lose his cap, and knocked the knife loose, sending it into the hedge in the side yard. The shorter man slipped an arm around Rabbit’s throat and squeezed tight, cutting his air. It was just a moment before Rabbit passed out.
Jose picked up his white cap, cleaned it off, and quickly moved over to the hedge, looking around and moving through the branches. He opened his phone and used the flashlight to see if he could locate the knife.
“No time! Pick him up! Let’s get out of here. We need to go now,” Rodrigo said in an urgent whisper. “Let’s go, Jose!”
Jose picked Rabbit up, put him over his shoulder, and carried him to the car. They moved quickly since the neighborhood wasn’t asleep yet. They didn’t want to risk any chance of this going more wrong than it already had. Jose popped the trunk of the car, and they lowered Rabbit’s body slowly into the vehicle and quietly closed it up.
Inside the house, Rabbit’s aunt sat in front of the TV, watching her evening game show and laughing, unaware that her nephew would never be seen alive again.
***
Jake and his Dad were coming out of the Hang 10 movie theater in Kapolei. Jake pulled out his phone to see a series of missed texts from Rabbit, only to look and see that it was various pictures of surfboards. Jake laughed as he replied with his thoughts on which board he would have picked and put his phone back in his pocket.
“Sorry, that was Rabbit. Was buying a new board today. Wanted my feedback. I’m sure I’ll get to hear all about it tomorrow. Well, what did you think? Did you like the movie?”
“You know, it’s not as good as the early ones, but it wasn’t bad. This was more special effects, bells, and whistles. I want a good story. That was the whole thing with the earlier ones, Good vs. Evil and how good always wins.”
“You’re such an idealist, Dad,” Jake said with a laugh. “Did you know they made a sequel to Deep Sea Warriors?”
“You don’t say? That’s the one with that one guy and the girl, right?”
Jake looked at his Dad with an expression that said, “how am I supposed to answer that?”
“To be honest, I don’t think I saw it.”
“What? It might be the most famous Navy movie ever!”
Jack Jansen laughed at his son’s comment as they strolled through the parking lot.
“I was a little busy at the Naval Academy. That and trying to get your mom’s attention. She was playing hard to get in those days.” Jake laughed. It was the first time in a while that his Dad was willing to talk about his mom in a way that made them both smile. Jake looked at his Dad and smiled. Jack unlocked the car, and they both climbed in and headed home.
***
Elsewhere, down near Pearl Harbor, the two men rolled through the darker part of the industrial area in Honolulu, down past the airport near the Wastewater Treatment facility. They were careful to watch for other people in the area. But most of the businesses were closed and dark at this time of night. Jose was behind the wheel, driving along slowly, looking around for options so they could get rid of the evidence that they were carrying in the trunk of the car. They needed to dispose of the body as quickly as possible. A spot drew his attention between two long shipping containers that would allow for the car to be unnoticed as it backed toward the water.
“Perfecto,” he exclaimed, snapping his fingers and pointing. He put the car in reverse and backed between the two containers, stopping right before the edge of the harbor wall. He parked the car, and they both climbed out of the vehicle. Popping the trunk, Jose lifted Rabbit, holding him under his arms as his partner grabbed his feet. They set him on the ground for a moment as they looked around.
They discussed the best possible way to dispose of their victim.
After a few moments of searching the area, Rodrigo found an old bungee cord hanging on the rear door of one of the containers. Jose scavenged around the dark parking lot and found a broken piece of cinder block near the rear of one of the containers. He grabbed it and shook it as if to measure its weight. They threaded the bungee cord through the loops on Rabbit’s shorts and fastened it through the block. They then lifted his body over the side, quickly looking around, lowered him as far as they could, and let go. His body hit the water with a splash and started to sink. They watched for a moment to ensure it wasn’t coming back up. After a brief conversation, they got in the car and drove away.
Moments later, after the men had driven away, beneath the full moon, Rabbit’s lifeless body, minus his shorts, floated back to the surface.
***
At home, Jake was sending off another text to Rabbit – 4:30. CU2MRW.