Maui Mysteries - Myths and Memories
I kept my word and got back to work on Book 2 of the Maui Mysteries Series, Myths and Memories. I thought you might enjoy a little teaser. Here’s the current version of the prologue:
How’d I ever get so lucky?
The shooter slogged through the `Īao stream to a point where he could climb out onto rocks instead of mud. He scaled the hillside to a lone palm tree that provided an excellent vantage point, quietly climbed to the crown of fronds, and created a sniper’s nest. Despite concern that the target might decide to move, he carefully prepared the site, assembled his weapon, and assumed a supported and balanced position.
The valley was so lovely and quiet at sunset. The rifle’s noise suppressor would prevent anyone in the park from hearing the shot. He could see the target with his naked eyes. The man in the flowered aloha shirt stood calmly on the stage between the stream and the imu pit near the taro pond exhibit. Gazing through the scope, he lined up a kill shot. The target turned away from the stream to gaze at the stunning green expanse of the `Īao Needle. This change in position determined the location for the bullet, the base of the man’s skull.
Though exhausted from the frantic scramble up the stream, the hillside, and the tree, the shooter concentrated on drawing a slow, gentle firing breath. The squeeze on the trigger was also slow and gentle. Handling the recoil, he looked back through the scope to see the figure fall to the ground. Mission accomplished.
BLAM...BLAM...BLAM.
A single shot reverberated off the valley walls.
What the hell?
The shooter hadn’t made that noise. Who had?
Looking down, he saw the bushes move on his side of the stream. A small form fell out, juggling a rifle a lot like his.
What’s he doing here?
About the pictures:
These pictures were taken in July of 2015 at the ‘Iao Valley State Park. In the top picture is a palm tree that figures in this story as a sniper’s nest. In the bottom picture I’m demonstrating where the sniper’s scope is pointed.