Paul's Island
A Kit and Kat Mystery
Volume 1
by
Chuck Antone, Jr.
© 2011 Chuck Antone, Jr.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.
Hearten Publishing
P.O. Box 4404
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
United States of America
[email protected] Table of contents
About the Book
Dedication
About the Author
Books by Chuck
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
The Prayer
Dedication
To my wife, Doni, for her encouraging words that have helped me to venture into fiction. How many times can I say thank you and I love you? Never enough, I'm sure.
To our four beautiful grandchildren, Rachel Mehana Larson, Erica Noela Smith, Nadia Francisca Antone and Andrew Scott Antone. And also to our great grandson, Elijah Aslan Ikaikaokeakua Smith.
And of course, to my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, for giving me the ideas and the gift of story telling. Thanks for coming to this earth to save a wretch like me.
From the Author
Aloha Dear Reader,
The book you're holding in your hands is the introduction to the new Kit and Kat Mystery series. This first book is to acquaint you to these two sleuths.
The next book, "High Seas Murder," will follow soon and takes place on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. It involves stolen jewelry and murder.
In the future, Kit and Kat will be caught up in blackmail and murder in the beautiful state of Hawaii.
These books are written for the whole family to enjoy, from dad and mom to the teenager who loves reading mysteries.
I hope you enjoy this novel and that you'll be looking forward to more of the Kit and Kat Mystery series.
Mahalo,
Chuck
About the Author
Chuck and Doni have been missionaries since 1981. They live on the Big Island of Hawaii.
They have two children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
They have helped start churches in the Philippines, Hong Kong, So. Africa and also Taiwan where Chuck ministers four months each year.
They have also done outreaches in Japan, Indonesia and in the mainland USA. They have smuggled Bibles into mainland China and have hiked up mountains in the Philippines while being watched by the New Peoples' Army, a Communist group that lives and hides in the mountain areas.
Chuck was also arrested in a third world country and faced a year in prison for teaching a seminar on how to be a witness for Christ. After three weeks he was deported and sent back to his home in Hawaii.
He says, "Being a Christian is only boring when one makes it be boring."
Chuck is the Pastor of the Kona Coast Chaplaincy on the Big Island of Hawaii, and he along with Doni are the Directors of Go Spread His Word Ministries, Inc. founded in 1990.
You can contact Chuck at:
[email protected] or write
P.O. Box 4404, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
Chuck's paperback books can also be purchased through major Internet sellers, and some titles are available as e-Books..
Acknowledgements
As always, to Doni for doing the first, second, third and many more proofs. And as I've said so many times before, you are amazing, M.B.W.
And many thanks to Donna Kahi, our dear friend, for her first proof reading.
To Chris Wright, my editor, for going over the manuscript with a fine tooth comb; sorting out points of view, suggesting better wording and coming up with great ideas. You've made the story better. How fortunate I am that you'll be working on the Kit and Kat Mystery series. I am always amazed at what you come up with....thanks so much.
Books by Chuck Antone Jr.
Lord, Send Me
The author’s feelings and emotions while facing a one year prison sentence in a third world country.
Paperback only
You’ve Got to be Kidding, Lord. You want me to tell WHO about You?
Share the Gospel? Does the thought make you want to hide in bed with the blankets over your head? If it does, you’re not alone, but help is at hand. Here is what Chuck Antone, Jr. says in this exciting book written with great humor and much understanding:
Are you ready to experience sharing Christ with the lost? Does one name keep popping into your mind? Has God been whispering in your ear? If so, be challenged, make that contact and see what God can do.
Be encouraged by just being available. Just be the instrument, the tool. Let God do the work. He is much better at it than we are, for He has had a lot more experience in bringing someone to His Son, Jesus Christ. After all, He is God, the Mighty One, the Powerful One, the Creator, Our Savior, Our Father, the One and Only God.
Paperback ISBN 978-1-9350-7934-7
Also available as an e-Book in most formats
You’ve Got to be Kidding, Lord
(See previous book for details)
This edition is in Chinese.
Paperback only ISBN 978-1-4818-2238-1
You Can’t Be Serious, Lord. You want me to love WHO?
This book is written to encourage you to love one another. Not always easy, but it’s a command from our Lord Jesus Christ. Has God ever told you or commanded you to love someone you find hard to love? Have you ever heard yourself say, "You can't be serious, Lord, you want me to love who?" And then when you give in and love that person, he or she can become your very good friend.
This book will help you to understand God's special love that He has for each of us. By reviewing 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, and Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit, we not only see His love, but the love we should have for one another.
At the end of each chapter you will be challenged to do just that. So have your writing instrument and a notebook ready and be honest with yourself.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1505514629
Also available in most e-Book formats
Paul’s Island
Fiction. Volume 1. A Kit and Kat mystery. A mystery about eight university graduates who spend five days on the island. When one of them is murdered, the others help the Inspector solve the case. The two main characters are Christians with criminology degrees.
Paperback ISBN 978-0-6154-7577-6
Also available in most e-Book formats
High Seas Murder
Fiction. Volume 2. A Kit and Kat mystery. Kit and Kat have just set up their own private detective agency, and a
re ready to go on a Mediterranean cruise before they open up their doors for business. The cruise is meant to be a time of relaxation, but the onboard theft of a necklace worth over $3,000,000 needs their investigative skills. Soon it’s not just stolen jewelry that Kit and Kat are involved with, as theft turns to murder on the High Seas.
Paperback ISBN 978-1-4681-2356-2
Also available in most e-Book formats
Barcelona Jones
Murder on Broadway
Fiction. Barcelona Jones is a Broadway star. Her new play, Murder on Broadway is a big hit with people waiting months to buy a ticket to see it.
At one evening performance, at the end of the first act, real bullets are put into the prop gun killing one of the cast players. Were the bullets meant for him or one of the other players?
Soon, another murder occurs, as well as two attempted murders: one of them on the star, Barcelona Jones herself.
Barcelona hires a private detective to investigate the crimes, and he completely falls in love with her on their first meeting.
Will her feelings for Sam, the detective, be the same? And who is the murderer? Could it possibly be Barcelona’s friend and stage actress, Brenda Summers? That’s up to you, the reader, to find out.
Paperback ISBN 13: 978-1-4949-6945-5
Also available in most e-Book formats
The Centurion and the Crown of Thorns
A fictional story about the Centurion who, at the foot of the cross, said, "Truly this was the Son of God."
As people leave the scene of the crucifixion, the Centurion, known in this book as Marcus, stays a little longer. While he’s looking up at Jesus who is still nailed to the cross beams, a small earthquake happens. The crown of thorns falls off Jesus’ head and rolls to the feet of Marcus, where it stops.
As Marcus bends down and touches the crown he senses a strong power coming from it. He immediately feels clean and new, and a great peace comes over him. He doesn’t understand it but he enjoys the feeling.
He takes the crown home to share his story with his wife, who wants nothing to do with it. After all, she was one of the many who were in the courtyard yelling for Jesus to be crucified. On the other hand, his ten-year-old son is fascinated by what his father tells him, and is intrigued by the crown and wants to learn more.
Marcus and his son Antony become believers, and Marcus searches out ten Bible prophecies that Jesus has fulfilled. He wants to teach his son many things about their new Messiah.
The crown not only gives Marcus strength and peace, but it also has healing powers that bring him and his son Antony closer in their walk with the Lord.
As the story unfolds, Marcus learns how each of the ten prophecies was fulfilled. And because of this, he is now ready to completely give his life to his new God, especially after he has an opportunity to meet with the risen Jesus face to face, who tells him it is time to give up the crown of thorns.
Paperback ISBN 13: 978-1-4812-9390-7
Also available in most e-Book formats
Ava Montez -- Her Life and Death
Fiction. Who killed Hollywood legend Ava Montez, once known as the most beautiful woman in the world? The murder has been unsolved for over forty years. But that’s about to change, when the New York Reader’s reporter, Rae Collins, is assigned to do a story on the life and death of Ava Montez.
The murderer, who has felt safe all these years, is now threatened by Rae’s interviews with the four original suspects. And she’s already getting too close. The only way to prevent being caught and sent to prison for life is to murder again. And Rae is to be the murderer’s next victim!
Paperback ISBN 978-0-6154-4522-9
Also available in most e-Book formats
Barsabbas
Fictional love story between a man and a woman, and their love for Jesus, as He teaches them from the book of Mark.
Paperback ISBN 978-1-6157-9058-6
Paperbacks books and e-Books (where done) are available from most online retailers.
For paperback order form and information on books and CDs:
P.O. Box 4404
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
United States of America
Chapter 1
None of us have ever been to Paul's Island, that is, of course, except for Paul. He's talked about the island often and the big house that he says looks like a small castle overlooking the sea. He's told us that if you arrive there at night, you would want to turn around and go back the way you came. "It's very spooky-looking."
That always makes us laugh, and say, "We want to go!"
He'd say, "Someday," and let out a scary laugh.
Well, "someday" has arrived. Paul has invited seven of us to go there after graduation. His mother and father are on a cruise in the Mediterranean, and the servants will be gone for their vacation. As you can guess, with an island and servants, Paul comes from a very wealthy family.
Everyone is excited. We are finally going to see the island. Paul's Island is the unofficial name we've given it. Its real name is Kimberly Cove, named after Paul's great, great aunt. The island has been in the family for over a hundred years, and it's Paul's parents' holiday home. His father is preparing for retirement, and his parents are now using it more and more, so five servants are usually in residence throughout the year.
When I say everyone is excited, I'm talking about our close group of friends here at college. It wasn't planned, but our group consists of four girls and four guys, and we get along great. There's Steve, Nat (for Nathaniel), Paul and myself. I'm Kit.
The ladies? There's Kat (for Katrina) and Nadia. Also Sue and Erica, who are best friends.
All eight of us have hung out during most of the four years we've attended the university, except Paul, who joined our group at the beginning of the third year.
This holiday is a last minute decision; Paul only asked us ten days ago, but we've managed to book flights to the Main Island. Paul's Island, real name Kimberly Cove, is about thirty minutes away by small boat from the Main Island. There are only two houses on the island. Paul's family home is on one side, close to the water's edge. The second home is on the other side, on top of a steep hill. Paul claims the view from there is breathtaking, but says it's a steep walk down to that house's pier and swimming cove. The island is roughly two miles in each direction, with a winding coastal path connecting the two houses. It sounds like fun.
His house, he thinks has the best swimming area by their dock. It also has a nice sandy beach. His father's sister owns the other house, but she only uses it at Christmas time and other special holidays. With no one left on the island, the whole place will be ours.
Paul once told us that it was hard for him growing up when the family was on holiday there, being an only child and his parents having him late in life. His father didn't come that frequently, as he had important work to do in his office on the mainland. So Paul was often there with only his mother. When his aunt, uncle and older cousins visited the house on the far end of the island, he'd hide there in the bushes and hear laughter. His cousins always ignored him because of his age. He says he grew up jealous of the other family, and when he was young he'd often walk around the island hoping to find someone to play with, but of course he never did. It was only later that Paul was able to take friends to stay, but they had to keep out of the way of his parents' guests.
So he threw himself into his studies and became an "A" plus student. When he went off to the university, he stopped going regularly to the island. Now, he usually spends Christmas and other holidays with one or two of his friends in our group and their families.
Paul says he's been pressured by his parents to follow in the footsteps of his father, who is a famous lawyer. Not wanting to, but because he feels obligated, Paul's going on to Harvard where his father graduated in the top ten of his class.
His parents have apparently told him many times that if he doesn't go to Harvard they'll leave him out of their will. Paul says he's not sure if they're seri
ous or not, and insists that it doesn't matter to him anyway. He knows his parents have always loved him, but I can't help thinking it's a strange kind of love.
And this explains why Paul loves our group so much. He's told us more than once, "You guys have accepted me just the way I am."
Chapter 2
When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did was look outside the window of my dorm room at a crisp day, a clear sky that was, oh, such a beautiful blue. No clouds, no sign of rain, and the sun was rising. This is just what we've been praying for: a perfect day for the outdoor graduation ceremony at our university.
I can see the football field from my window now, where the ceremony is going to be held. The tents are up and the chairs are being put in place. Some of the school janitors are bringing out pots of ferns and flowers, and placing them strategically, adorning the stage and aisle ways. While watching all of this, I'm becoming a little melancholy. After four years of hard work, the time has come too soon to put what I've learned into practice.
Our university is small, and our graduating class has only eighty-nine students. The school's reputation is outstanding. When businesses, organizations and other universities are seeking new employees, they look here first at our graduates.
To enter this university you need to have a high point grade average and maintain a "B" plus average for the whole four years. Almost all the students who attend here have an "A" average. Two in our group are "A" plus students.
The majority who come here are from above-average income families, and the university records show that all who have enrolled have graduated. There have never been drop-outs. The school is relatively new, and this graduating class is celebrating twenty years of history. Twenty years … and no drop-outs. Amazing!
If by chance a student ever considered dropping out, no matter what the reason might be, they know they will never be readmitted into the university. All students who attend are serious about graduating, and almost all graduate with top honors. We've always been happy that each one of us will be doing just that.
The eight of us who are close friends all met here for the first time and just clicked. That is, everyone except Kat and myself. We've known each other since junior high school when Kat moved in next door to where I was living. We immediately became close friends; nothing or no one could separate us. We've often confided our dreams and ambitions to each other, and it's amazing how they are so similar.