It’s a typical gray, winter day at 221B Baker St. in London as Sherlock Holmes sips a cup of tea and gazes at the fire. ADVERTISING It’s a typical gray, winter day at 221B Baker St. in London as Sherlock
It’s a typical gray, winter day at 221B Baker St. in London as Sherlock Holmes sips a cup of tea and gazes at the fire.
Suddenly, he stands and announces, “Watson, we’re going to Hawaii.”
Dr. Watson peers up from his paper, “That’s an excellent idea, I could use a holiday.”
Holmes: “Watson, you know I don’t believe in holidays, but we do have a case. Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard has just contacted me. Apparently the governor of the state has gone missing!”
Watson: “You mean, he’s actually vanished?”
Holmes: “He hasn’t been seen in weeks. At first no one noticed since he rarely makes public appearances.”
Watson: “But now people are concerned?”
Holmes: “It seems that there is an outbreak of dengue fever on one of the islands. There have been more than 223 (as of Friday) confirmed cases and likely hundreds of unconfirmed ones. Some patients have become seriously ill. Three beach towns and a whole valley have been closed indefinitely. Holidaymakers are starting to cancel their stays. The natives are getting restless and, I dare say, they feel abandoned by their government.”
Watson: “How very odd …”
Holmes: “It appears that the governor doesn’t care much about the people on this island. He tells them to wear long pants, use mosquito repellent, and stop complaining.”
Watson: “Isn’t he being a little short-sighted. Won’t this outbreak bring down the state’s economy?
Holmes: “Indeed, but for now he doesn’t want to scare the holidaymakers. He likes the money they bring to the state of Hawaii.”
Watson: “So why exactly do the residents of the island want to find the governor?”
Holmes: “Apparently, they think more can be done to stop the spread of dengue. The governor could call a state of emergency, hire experts in mosquito control, deploy traps, offer free mobile testing for the disease, and put someone in charge who has real experience fighting a dengue epidemic.”
Watson: “What happens when the disease spreads to the capital city?”
Holmes: “I’m sure he will reappear at that point.”
Watson: So you’re telling me, the governor, who was elected to lead, and now, in a time of crisis, no one can find him?”
Holmes: “It’s a perplexing case, but we’ve had a tip. It appears that the governor has a love interest.”
Watson: “Women, the root of all problems for powerful men.”
Holmes: “Apparently, it’s not a woman.”
Watson raises his eyebrows and looks inquiringly at his colleague.
Holmes: “All clues point to ‘the budget.’ The governor is a numbers man. Rumor has it that he has run away to a romantic hideaway with his budget and is ignoring everything else. Pack your bags Watson, time is of the essence.”
Lynn Beittel is a resident of Kamuela.
My Turn opinions are those of the writer and not West Hawaii Today
