ch3 pg 17-18

THE elevators the employees took to move from floor to floor were located adjacent the the guest elevators, they were just hidden from view. Instead of opening to a plush lobby, they stopped at a service landing located on each floor. There, the maids kept their carts and stored towels and linens used in the rooms.
The Down arrow glowed as the bell rang. I got into the empty car and pondered my next move. I thought back into the past and tried to think of someone who could help me. Some old doors would be opening today and being out of touch for five years didn't leave me with too many options.
The stainless doors opened up on the sub basement. Kua Stephens was there, waiting for me next to the Rover. He was smiling.
The sub basement was not like the other floors of the parking lot. Most of the employees parked there, so the bright lights and patrolling guards were non existent. Yet it was one of the most secure floors on property. Vince and his family lived there.
The gleeful cries of young voices filled my ears. Two bleached blond bronze skinned ragamuffins came rushing out to meet me. They got hold of my legs and refused to let go. Vince's kids had been adopted by the whole hotel.
Vince came out of this stall and threw me a nod. His overalls were covered with grease and a couple of wrenches bulged out of his pockets.
I bent down to give the two elves a hug. They reminded me of miniature versions of a beach bunny and a surfer.
"Uncle, how is Santa going to come? We don't have a chimney."
"Didn't I tell you? It depends on what you wished for Christmas. If it's too big, he has to send it down the laundry chute."
That earned me a skeptical look. Vince's boy hit his sister on the shoulder.
"Uncle Kua, is that true?"
Kua looked at me for help.
"Eh, no bother Uncle Dee and Uncle Kua," said Vince as gathered up his children and ushered them into his home.

Kua stood a compact six foot one and carried about two hundred pounds, all solid muscle. That's not the reason I hired him. He possessed a degree in criminal science and was a former police officer.
"What's planned for today?" he asked, opening the door for me.
"Just a couple of stops," I said as Kua got in the Rover. "What did they give us to eat?"
He handed me a woven basket. The first package contained a ham and egg sandwich.
"That must be yours," Kua said chuckling.
"What did you get?"
"Well they told me we were taking a little road trip, so I got me six cheeseburgers. Something to eat while driving."
I handed him a burger and watched him take a large bite. A sound came out of his mouth that sounded like: "Where to?"
"The Hilton."
More sounds: "You got it."
I handed him a napkin as we drove out of the garage and into the rain.
Kua Stephens was not of Caucasian decent. He was a large Polynesian, half Hawaiian, half something or everything else. I met him one day while walking along the beach. He was playing beachboy and was looking for something better. He explained to me how he had resigned from the department feeling frustrated and useless.
His warm smile and easy disposition made him perfect for his job. Hotel security was almost all P.R. The guests always liked to associate with the locals and being out in the open and around people was easy for him.
I preferred to be out of the spotlight.