BROKEN BOARDS, CHAPTER 9
BROKEN BOARDS, CHAPTER 9
A Jake Jansen Mystery.
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CHAPTER NINE - THE INVESTIGATION BEGINS
The TV in their hotel room had the local surfing channel on. The bags of junk food and soda cans overflowed the room trash bin. Jose, relaxing in board shorts with his white cap tilted back, was propped up against the bed, leaning against the headboard, watching the TV, as he glanced over at his partner. He was thinking as he rubbed at the brightly colored octopus tattoo on his arm.
“I told you, Rodrigo, swapping out the car wouldn’t be a problem, yes. And showing them back compartment to explain the accident, well, now we don’t seem like a problem, no?”
Rodrigo nodded in agreement.
“Tomorrow, we have more work to do to get things back on track.”
***
Partway across town, Jake was waking up after tossing and turning through the night but sleeping soundly, thanks to the capsules his dad had provided the night before. He had slept through his alarm, getting roughly 10 hours of sleep for the first time in years. Jake woke up and looked at the clock, thinking he hadn’t slept that long since the rugged two-a-days of football during his senior year of high school. Though his dad was military at the time, he appreciated Jake’s hard work in school and athletics, which resulted in his scholarship. Jack occasionally thought rewarding Jake with a good night’s sleep was fair. This time, it was more than necessary.
Jake dragged himself to the bathroom and into the shower. The water felt good. He showered until the water ran cold, letting it cool him and refresh him, though he hoped more than anything it could wash away his sadness. He returned to his room and sorted through his drawers, pulling out the first pair of briefs and shorts he found before throwing on a t-shirt. He sat down on the edge of the bed as the dog sat between his feet and looked up at him.
“Thanks for staying with me, boy. I needed you last night, but you knew that, huh?”
Jake grabbed his phone off the nightstand and opened it up to find a couple of text messages from Liz – ANY WORD? ARE YOU OKAY? Jake sorted through his brain about how he wanted to reply. He wasn’t ready to break the hard news to anyone yet. He’d wait until the timing was right and he was ready. It was going to be even worse to break the news to Rabbit’s family if they hadn’t already heard. News can occasionally travel fast around the islands. He was going to have to be tough. Telling her via text might hide his emotions, but it also didn’t seem right. Liz had known Rabbit for a while, so it was going to be a shock. Jake sent off a text – NO, NOT YET. WORKING WITH DAD TO FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN.
Jake sat staring at the floor, petting Laird. At this point, he would typically already be out at the North Shore. Never did he imagine how drastically things would change in such a short period of time. He made his way into the living room and found his dad sitting on the couch reading the paper.
“Morning,” Jake said calmly. Jack dropped the paper he was reading, looking at his son, before grabbing the folded newspaper next to him on the couch. He handed the folded section to Jake. Highlighted was the very brief article summarizing the accidental death of a local surfer whose name was yet to be released. Jake read the news article multiple times, combing it for details, but there was nothing.
“I’ve got a few calls in with the department trying to get details, but they’re keeping quiet, trying to avoid an uproar due to the surf competition,” Jack stated. “I’ll do whatever I can, son. I promise you.” Jake sat down in his chair, continuing to read the article, before looking at his dad.
“Robert’s parents most likely have already been informed, Jake,” his dad said solemnly.
“Something isn’t right, Dad. Something is definitely not right. There’s just no way. No way.” Jake’s denial was overflowing. He rubbed his temples as if it would manufacture a thought to help him solve this mystery.
“Jake, accidents happen around here all the time, especially in the surf community. You know this,” Jack said. Jake shook his head in disagreement.
“It doesn’t make sense. None of it. A highly experienced surfer. A former lifeguard. And in the harbor? I’m not buying it. There has to be an explanation for this! My gut tells me that something is really, really wrong here, Dad!”
“Listen, Jake, I’ve got some calls in this morning. I’ll talk to some people, and we’ll go from there. Take Laird for a walk. Get out and get some fresh air. Maybe go to the corner and get some breakfast. By the time you get back, I’ll maybe have some more to go on. But go get yourself some fresh air.”
“I need to call Rabbit’s aunt and let her know.”
“Jake, take Laird outside,” his dad said sternly. “Get some fresh air. Calm your nerves, and then call who you need to call. You need to get some fresh air,” Jack said.
“Right. Fresh air. Got it. You said that. Four times, actually,” Jake said. He looked at his dad and just nodded in sad resignation before looking down at Laird, curled up at his feet.
“Come on, boy, let’s go get some fresh air. How’s that sound?”
Laird’s ears perked up, and then as if struck with a burst of energy, jumped up, danced in circles, and let out a small, anxious howl. Jake laughed as he went to the garage with Laird before heading outside into the breezy, sunny morning for their morning stroll.
As soon as they returned home, Jake filled up Laird’s food and water bowls in the kitchen and then wandered into his bedroom. He hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and picked up his phone. He wasn’t ready to make this call, knowing the anguish that lay ahead. He didn’t want to be the one to break the news to Mrs. Palakiko, but Jake didn’t want her to find out through the media. She had always made Jake feel like he was a part of their family and now came the hardest thing he’s ever had to do.
Jake picked up his phone and texted Liz a short, simple message – THERE’S BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT AND THEY FOUND RABBIT’S BODY. NO DETAILS AT THIS TIME. TALK SOON.
Almost immediately, a response came from Liz – OMG NO NO NO. WANT ME TO COME TO WHERE U R?!?!?
Jake replied, letting her know that he needed to contact Rabbit’s aunt and that he would get in touch with her as soon as possible, emphasizing that he wanted to keep her out of any potential danger. Jake waited a few moments to gather his thoughts, then took a deep breath and dialed the number, crying through the conversation. He apologized and swore he would do everything possible to discover what happened.
Jake sat down on the edge of the bed and wiped at his tears. He ran through his thoughts of what he could do, what his dad could do, and how fast they could find some answers.
Jack stuck his head into the room.
“Hey, kid, you hungry? Want to get something to eat?”
“Dad, do you have friends that can get us in the morgue? Or maybe get us the autopsy details? Any friends down there? What about the mall where Rabbit bought his surfboard? I have a feeling that it’s related to what’s going on. Maybe we can get surveillance footage? What about Chief Kalama? Is he willing to help?”
Jack held up his hands and motioned for Jake to just stop for a moment.
“Jake, slow down, son. Look, I know you want to find out things as soon as possible or whatever. I understand how important this is. I truly do. But you need to eat. Let’s go grab something. I’ll see who I can reach out to, and we’ll go from there. Deal?”
Jake just nodded in silence.
“And before you go playing Hardy Boys, you’ve got to exercise caution and good judgment.”
“Hardy who?” Jake questioned.
“They were a couple of. You know what, never mind,” Jack said with a laugh. “Just be careful, okay? Now, let’s go grab some breakfast.” Jack picked up his keys, following Jake out of the house.
“I thought everyone knew who the Hardy Boys were,” Jack said under his breath, laughing as he shook his head.
***
In the hotel across town, Jose had brought the surfboard they had taken from Rabbit into their room. He sat the surfboard on the bed and without hesitation, jumped on the board to snap it in half. Multiple, small, heavily wrapped, and tightly sealed packages fell out of the board. They pulled out the packages, storing them in a backpack they had purchased at a local tourist souvenir shop.
“We make this delivery after receiving other boards, yes. Two more boards arranged for pickup. Should be tomorrow, yes. 40 million more dollars total value.”
“Why the separate shipments, Jose? Why not all at same time?”
“Much more danger, friend. Draw much suspicion. Always be careful to package correctly due to customs dogs, and security people, yes. We put much money into gift for custom agents to allow us passage. But easier to break up shipments. We arrange to pick others up tomorrow.”
Rodrigo nodded in agreement.
“Once we have money, how do we get that home without notice? A lot of money to be not suspicious, Jose.”
“No fear, my friend. I know this is your first transport, but we always make work,” Jose replied. “Caution and follow everything I say, yes.”
Rodrigo nodded once again.
“We arrange for final delivery of shipment to meeting place to ensure final payment. Then make final arrangements home, yes. We’ll make you rich man, Rodrigo.”
Rodrigo smiled.
“We go to surf shop again as soon as opened and meet Mitchell to ensure we receive our products. We can’t have mishap like before, no. We get boards, arrange final meeting, and close the deal, yes. Our boards have this special sticker,” he said, pointing to a noticeably identifiable red X sticker, disguised among all the other surf brand decals, near the nose of the board. It appeared to be just another surf decal but carried a dark symbolism with it.
***
The Jansens sat at their table, eating breakfast. Jake was busy texting in an effort to relay information to Liz, while also working with Kona to work on ideas of what they could do to assist in getting to the bottom of what had taken place. Jack was answering as well as making calls, texting, eating, and relaying information to Jake.
“Kalama isn’t being much help right now, in spite of saying he would do everything to help. I don’t know if it’s intentional or not. I’ll keep digging at him to see if I can uncover any details. I reached out to a very trustworthy contact at the morgue. I think I might be able to chase a lead there, but I can’t say for certain.”
Jake nodded as he listened and shoveled in his breakfast. Jack laughed for a moment.
“What?” Jake asked through a mouthful of food.
“You act like I don’t feed you. I can’t remember the last time I watched you eat like that. Maybe Junior year of High School when the coaches asked you to add muscle for varsity football.”
Jake smiled.
“Who are you talking to?” Jack asked, motioning to Jake’s phone.
“Liz and Kona.”
Jack stopped eating for a moment, looking up from his almost full plate.
“Who’s Liz?” he asked.
“Kona is a Criminology classmate who might be able to help. He’s got certain skills that might be useful.”
“Who is Liz, Jake?” Jack asked with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
“She’s just a girl I know.”
“Is this a new girl? A long-time girl? Is it serious? Where did you meet her?”
“Dad, is now really the time for this?” Jake said with a small smile. “How about we talk about her some other time? Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll introduce you.”
“Fair enough, Jake,” Jack replied with a smile as he finished his breakfast and washed it down with some coffee.
“Kona has exceptional computer skills. He’s familiar with many police systems, at all levels, from not only around the state or the country but around the world. You can call him a genius, and you wouldn’t be far off. He’s been a bit of a computer geek since he was a kid.”
“Well, just be careful, Jake. I don’t need you getting into any trouble due to a lack of critical thinking or acting foolishly. You should also be careful about involving anyone else in what’s going on. You understand?” Jack asked, pointing his fork at Jake.
Jake went on eating before drinking his orange juice.
“Jake, do you understand? This could be a dangerous situation. We don’t know what’s going on. Right now, not a lot of information. I don’t need you risking your life as well, not to mention those of your friends. You clear things with me, understand? Before you do anything, you clear it with me.”
“Yeah, Dad. I’ll be careful.”
“No, not careful. You come to me first before you do anything.”
“Okay, I will, I will.”
“You go sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong, isn’t wanted, or chasing down leads based on an accident you know nothing about, or even worse, and you’ll find yourself on the wrong end of a bad bargain. You don’t want to be there, Jake. Trust me on this, son. Please.”
“Okay, okay, okay, Dad. You made your point.”
“Good. Let’s finish up breakfast and get back to the house. We can chase down some leads, talk to anyone who might listen or have answers, and see what else we can find out.”
“Dad, I gotta say I have a feeling it has to do with the surf shop or something. Just a gut feeling, but Rabbit bought a new surfboard. So where is it? He hadn’t been back to his aunt’s house. There was no board to be seen. He told me he bought it. He sent pictures,” Jake said as he slid his phone over to his dad. “So where is this surfboard? I talked to people back out on the North Shore. Talked to the people at the surf shop. Talked to his aunt. The surfboard is nowhere to be found. It’s like it vanished.”
They both sat in silence for a moment. Jack looked through the images on the phone. He tried to take notice of anything that might seem out of the ordinary but had no luck.
“Do you see anything odd about the boards that he sent you pictures of? Anything stand out to you? I don’t know anything about them, Jake. I need your expertise here.”
“No. I’ve looked through them 100 times. Nothing that seems odd. I’m not familiar with the brands that he was looking at. I tried to look them up online but had no luck, so I admit that does seem a little strange. I’m familiar with most brands, even the newer names, and models. And even more, most anything can be found online, but I couldn’t find a thing. I even tried to search by describing the unfamiliar decals.”
“Okay, let’s head home. It will be easier to chase some of these leads. I’ll follow up with the morgue and see if I can get any details that might put us on the right track. We can pursue the surf shop angle and see where that leads us. I might know someone who can pull security footage. I can go through channels without stepping on toes, even if HPD isn’t willing to help. Friends in a lot of places can be of good benefit,” Jack said with a wink.
The drive home was a silent one. Jack wandered through his thoughts of how he could do right by his son. He needed to follow this tragic situation to the end of the line if he was going to give Jake peace of mind and win back his trust, admiration, love, and forgiveness – all things Jack had secretly been missing.
Jake’s mind was spinning. He went from being happy about a new girl, potentially repairing his relationship with his father and another Pipe Masters event with his best friend, to a shattered world of confusion in just a whirlwind 48 hours. Life had come at him very fast. But as he sat there for a moment, looking over at his father navigating the car toward home, he was thankful that his dad was still here to help him. He found himself grateful at the moment to have his father, who had been his idol for so many years, be the experienced, guiding voice of wisdom, love, and support that he needed. He feared that this investigation might lead them into some sort of trouble, but he didn’t know what kind. It would be important to lean on his dad’s wisdom.
Little did Jake and his father know that they had barely scratched the surface of the danger that awaited.