Maui Mysteries - The Characters - Angela Beyers and Linda Carroll
I introduce Sergeant Angela Beyers and her housemate Linda Carroll in Eyes of the Beholder but their importance to the Maui Mysteries series will grow with each new book. Keone’s first encounter with them in this book is at a favorite hangout in Lahaina, Lahaina Coolers, which is owned and run by the bartender Max.
Linda Carroll’s voice was unmistakable, as was her arm snaking around Keone’s shoulder. Angela Beyers, her housemate and Keone’s fellow MPD sergeant and friend, sat down opposite Keone at the table and Linda plopped into the chair next to Keone.
“I was just thinking about you two,” Keone said.
“How sweet,” Angela said.
“When were you going to tell me about the accident, Keone?” Linda asked. “I am your insurance agent, you know.”
“I’ve been a little busy. As a matter of fact, that’s why I’m here, to follow up on the guy who hit me.”
“No problem, Big Guy. I’m just playing with ya. I’ve contacted the Morgan people and the other guy’s insurance company. The former will start building you a new Boyd-mobile as soon as you reply to their letter, confirming you want ‘em to. And the latter has already accepted responsibility.” She grinned like a Cheshire cat.
“That’s the best news I’ve received since the crash. You may be a blonde wahine from the middle of the mainland, but you’re ‘ohana to me…you two are still living in that cool house you bought in Ka’anapali…, yeah?”
“We are,” Angela answered. “But I spend four days a week in an apartment in Hana.”
“I figured making that drive every day would be a challenge. Even Wailuku would be better… Did you manage to take that detective exam, I suggested, Ange?” Keone was always encouraging his friend to tackle new challenges.
“She took it and aced it, like she does everything.” Linda answered for her housemate. “You guys got any openings for her?”
This put Keone on the spot, but he didn’t mind. He would love to help Angela with her career. “I knew you could handle that exam, Ange. I knew it when I first met you in California.”
Linda held up a hand. “Wait a minute. I never knew you met before Keone joined the force. We’re you two an… item?”
“No Lin. He came to one of my criminology classes at UC Irvine. He was working with LAPD at the time and gave a talk on chain of evidence,” Angela responded.
“She knew I was from Maui, because my brothers gave her horseback riding lessons when she was in high school. We had a nice talk after my lecture and reminisced about home,” Keone added.
“Sounds pretty innocent. Too bad.” Linda looked like she was about to say more when Max came back to the table to see what the ladies would have.
“Order anything you want on the menu,” Keone said. “I’m buying.”
Movement at the corner of his eye pulled his focus as a fit young woman jogged past, bounced up the stairs, and unlocked the doors to Resorts Unlimited…
“Ladies, I’m afraid I have to scoot, but let’s get together again soon, on purpose next time.”
“Catch ya later Keone.” Angela stood up and hugged him around the waist. “And thanks for encouraging me to take that test.” Her head only came up to the middle of his chest.
About the pictures:
These pictures were taken in October of 2015 in Lahaina, Maui during the Halloween celebration, an event I memorialized in Pele’s Fire. In the top picture my favorite member of the Maui Police Department, then Sergeant, now Lieutenant Audra Sellers with my wife Christy. I am forever grateful to Audra for all the help she gave me in writing each of my Maui Mysteries, helping me to keep things real. In the eyes of this beholder she is the image of Angela Beyers.
With the bottom picture, I just provide an idea of the fun to be had on Front Street in Lahaina on Halloween.