Pleasing the Dead Read Online Free PDF Page A

clients and set up appointments. She got back to the table as her food arrived. She’d finished off her eggs and was salivating over the toasted homemade bread. Just as she took a giant bite, her mobile rang.
    â€œStorm?” a familiar voice asked.
    â€œMmmph.”
    â€œIt’s Damon.”
    Storm washed the toast down with the remains of her coffee mug. “Hey, it was nice seeing you again.”
    â€œYeah. Hey, you want to get together later and catch up on things?”
    â€œSure.” Storm was pleasantly surprised.
    â€œI won’t get away until around six. Let’s meet at seven at The Fiddler Crab.”
    â€œIn Kihei?”
    â€œLahaina. You mind the drive?”
    â€œNo, see you then.” Storm dropped her phone into her purse.
    She tucked the newspaper under her arm and went outside. Her rented car was still parked at Lara’s shop, but there was a cute bathing suit shop around the corner, and though buying a bikini after eating was a humbling prospect, the store was enticing.
    It was about half the square footage of Lara’s shop and the walls were artfully hung with women’s beachwear. Storm picked out a handful of bathing suits and went into a dressing room. The first three were microscopic, and she took one look over her shoulder into the mirror and peeled them off with haste. The little pua‘a tattoo was supposed to be hidden. Storm suddenly felt old. She almost put on her clothes at that point, but decided to give the last one a try. This one looked good, and Storm headed for the cash register with a smile.
    â€œYou’re quick,” the clerk said. “Most women spend an hour or so in there.”
    â€œThat would be torture.” Storm handed over a charge card. “Have you been open long?”
    â€œA month.”
    â€œYou’ve got great taste. All the teenage girls are going to come. But I bet the lease rent is high in this area.”
    â€œIt is, though it’s a great location. I’m getting a lot of tourist business.”
    â€œMy friend is opening a dive shop a few blocks from here. You mind my asking what you pay?”
    â€œFour thousand a month. My step dad knows the realtor and got me a good deal.” The young woman nearly whispered, as if she couldn’t believe it herself.
    No wonder the bikini was five dollars a square inch. “It’s what, about a thousand square feet?”
    â€œAlmost. But my accountant says I can make it work.”
    â€œSell sunscreen with those Brazilian thongs.”
    The owner laughed. “Designer sunscreen.”
    â€œIn luscious scents. I’ll send some friends your way. Good luck.”
    Storm walked back out into the hot sunlight. That woman was getting a discount, and her store was less than half the size of Lara’s. Plus, Lara’s shop was more centrally located, which would make the rent higher.
    Storm headed down the street back toward Lara’s shop. On the way, her phone rang. “Where are you?” Lara asked.
    â€œA couple blocks from your shop. I got a new bathing suit. You should check out this cute store.”
    â€œI will. We could send customers to each other. Want to meet me at Dina’s for lunch?”
    â€œI’ll be there soon.” That was the place Stella and Keiko had been. This might be interesting.
    Lara’s employees were no longer there. The table Storm had eyed earlier was now in the sun, so Storm chose one inside. Lara got there two minutes after Storm sat down. She looked around the room, still wearing her big dark glasses, as if looking for someone.
    â€œIs your fiancé coming?” Storm asked.
    â€œYes, but he’s running a few minutes late. That’s good, we can talk.” She pushed her glasses to the top of her head.
    â€œYou’re opening in a week?” Storm asked.
    â€œYes, but we’re already doing PR. We’ve planned a catered party for the afternoon and some important