By
AS
Mulling around the
tennis courts near where the body had been found,
McGarrett watched the crime scene team gather as much evidence as they
could. A gnawing feeling entered the pit
of his stomach – the thought that this case was going to end up being more
trouble than he wanted or needed. His
mind wandered.
‘A high society murder - The heat has begun
already. I’m
grateful though that we might have an inside track with this one. Danno knows the victim. Not intimately, mind you. Socially, casually. She’s a friend of
his girlfriend. What’s
her name again? It escapes me.
Walking onto the tennis court, I was relieved to
see him there already. Momentarily, I forgot that he had been at this club for a
wedding rehearsal. Hopefully,
the quick discovery of the body and our presence will aid in a speedy
resolution. Although I
agree with Danno. I don’t like that plural ‘Sisters’ any more than he does. Maybe it is not significant.
It is good to know I can leave Danno in charge
of the murder scene, that he will take care of the
people at the club while I coordinate with Che Fong. He’ll handle things the way they need to be
done and in a case like this that is exactly what we need.’
****
Moving from the
tennis courts back inside, McGarrett’s young second in command looked over the
room at people that he knew socially.
His eyes automatically found a young, dark beauty and he felt as if his
brain was split in two as he watched her.
‘I feel torn.
Knowing I should be in two places at the same time, occupying two
different roles in this, yet not knowing how to do so. Jane is in tears. I want to hold her, comfort her. Yet at the same time there are details I need
to know, facts that need to be handled.
She wonders how I can sound so detached, so
clinical. I’m a cop – investigating a
crime is what I do, it’s part of who I am. Can she understand that part of me? Can I be both a cop and her comforter in
this?
And then there’s Steve. I
could feel the pressure already; the way he moved and talked earlier. He’s going to be
pushing hard on this one. Hopefully, we
can solve this quickly with no other victims.’
***
‘The case is progressing but slowly. It’s to be expected I know. There are simply those cases where you wish you could snap your fingers and the solution is there. I have a feeling that this case is going to be one of those. The phone is ringing – hopefully we will get a big break on this.’
***
Later the next morning,
the Five-O team was assembled in McGarrett’s office
going over the case when Steve’s phone rang.
Listening to his secretary, he could barely conceal his amusement.
Danno’s girlfriend is in the
office – Miss Jane Michaels. How could I
have forgotten her name yesterday? I
turn to look at my second in command and can’t quite
keep the grin off my face. His eyes,
actually his whole face lights up when I tell him she’s
here. Oh, he makes an excuse about a
week old lunch date and assures he’ll break it. To which I simply nod my head. I can’t help but
smile at him a little and then sneak a glance at Chin Ho as Danno hurries out
the door. Chin’s face is imperceptible,
however, I feel he is probably thinking the same thing that I am. Something tells me I might actually have to
remember this girl’s name. Something
that has been in Danno’s face of late tells me this name, this girl, is going
to mean something to my friend.’
Part concentration on
the case and preoccupation with Jane’s arrival caused Danny to miss the look on
Steve’s face as he hurried out the office door to the reception area. His mind felt like it was racing.
‘I’m concentrating so hard on this case that I
don’t even notice the expression on Steve’s face as he talks to Jenny. Then he says that Jane is here. Why? What have I forgotten? OH!
The charity luncheon – I agreed to go with her over a week ago. I need to break it. She’ll
understand.
I’m almost out the
door. For some reason, even though I’m about to break the lunch date, I can’t wait to see
her. I’ve
turned to assure Steve that I’m breaking our plans. If I didn’t know him
so well, I’d swear he was laughing at me!
I’ll deal with him later.
Jane is so beautiful in her suit with her lively
eyes and bright smile. I’ve thought a lot about us over the last few weeks and
especially after what happened to Linda.
Awful as it is, I’m wondering if this case is
the test that will tell whether Jane could handle being a cop’s wife. She has taken the news that I can’t go with her very well, like she knew it before she
stopped by. She understands that right
now we both have commitments that are taking us in different directions.
She wants to go out to dinner. We make plans for me to pick her up at
eight. She’s
not even out the door to the office and I’m already missing her. She tells me she loves me. I can’t wait for tonight so I can see her
again. This feels so right. We need to solve this murder quickly so that Jane and I can plan our life together.’
***
Arriving back at the
country club, McGarrett and Chin Ho Kelly hurried up the stairs to the office
where yet another body awaited them.
Visibly affected by the identity of the body, Chin watched as McGarrett
moved to the phone, rapidly making several calls. Kelly noted that the first call was to Danny,
requesting that he meet McGarrett at the club.
Chin gulped down the lump in his throat as he dreaded the scene that was
to come.
‘Steve and I just arrived back at the country club. There’s been another
murder. This time it is worse,
infinitely worse. It is Danny’s
girlfriend. Steve has called him and
asked him to meet us here. He won’t tell him why though.
I hope Steve will tell Danny. I
could do it if I had to but this is going to devastate Danny. He is going to need Steve to be close by this
time. I wonder how many of us knew how
close Danny was to making this relationship permanent. I wonder if Danny even knew.
Steve is on the phone right now, convincing the lab of
something as usual. Oh well, I better pick
up the money and put it back in the basket.
Did I just hear Dan’s voice by the door? Oh no, I did.
He knows. I can tell from the
shock on his face that we did not have to tell him. He’s figured it out
by himself. He’s
going to run. I’ve got
to go with him. Steve is still on the
phone but I’m pretty sure that he saw Danny. He needs to hang up now. The investigation will have to wait for
now. Danny is more important.’
Phone glued to his
ear, McGarrett paced back and forth as he only partially
listened to the voice on the other end.
His mind was whirling with thoughts and scenarios.
He’s on his way
here. Asked why I wanted him to come
by. I couldn’t
answer him. It would have been so easy to just tell him over the radio, to not have to deal with
the emotions. But
he deserves better than that. He’s always been there for me whenever something has
happened – professional or personal. I
hope I can do the same for him now. Reaching out emotionally to someone. I usually stay as far away from that as I
can. Yet I need to do that for Danno
now. I wonder if I can. I hope I can.
I think I can. For him, my
closest friend, I know I can. Can I?
While I wait for him though I can spearhead this investigation. The killer made a mistake this time choosing Jane Michaels. It’s personal now.
Sometimes you would think that as the head of
Five-O I wouldn’t have to bargain so much to get what
I need. Yet here I am on the phone
trying to get …OH NO! I know that voice
I think I just heard. I blink – hoping
that when I turn I’m not going to see Danno standing
there. That I’m
not going to see my friend and know that by being on the phone,
I missed him and he walked in and figured out for himself why I wanted him
here. But I do,
he is and he did.
I know Chin has also spotted Danno because he
rose and is now by the door. I’m not sure if he’s waiting for me or simply watching Danno
though. Suddenly I can’t
get off the phone fast enough. If he doesn’t stop talking, I’m going to hang up on him.
Finally! I’m
able to get off the phone. I need to
find Danno. Chin must have been waiting
for me because as soon as I throw down the phone and start to run out the door
he also heads down the hall.’
****
Parking the company
LTD near the Mercury, Danny looked around, perplexed as to why he had been asked back to the scene of Linda’s murder.
‘Steve wants me to come to here, to the
club. No, he basically
ordered me over, but wouldn’t say why. He’s usually fairly direct so this is odd.
There are quite a few squad cars here. Maybe Steve has a lead on the murder. That would be wonderful news to pass on to
Jane tonight at dinner. Most of the
activity seems centered around the accounting office. I wonder why.
Chin is kneeling by a covered lump. He’s picking up
money and placing it in a basket. Oh NO! There’s been another…It’s …No…Not – NO!
I gotta get out of
here! Need to run, but I can’t move. Yes, I
can…
I need to get away from
here. Then it won’t
be real. I’m
looking down off that cliff into the valley.
Jane is there – running and laughing.
She’s so beautiful. I’m crying now. I hear footsteps behind me. Can’t they just leave me alone?’
Sighting his fellow team
member as he stood at the doorway, Chin glanced over at the boss, who appeared
to be caught on the phone. But then it looked
like Steve turned and saw Williams because he appeared to almost cut the caller
short or hang up on him. A little slower
than the boss, Kelly rose & followed McGarrett in his pursuit of his second
in command. As he moved down the hall he wondered if they would be able to catch up with him
since they did not know where he was headed.
‘There’s Danny. On that hill. I can’t even begin to comprehend how badly he’s hurting right
now. But I know
that I hurt for him.
He’s going to collapse.
I can tell by the way that he’s standing. My hand grasps his arm. But thankfully Steve
goes down to the grass with him. Steve’s holding him.
I’ll let Danny know I’m here too by holding his arm but Steve is the one
he needs right now.’
Steve’s mind was
racing as he ran down the hallway. The
last thing he’d wanted was to be on the phone when
Williams arrived. He wanted to be there
for his friend in the same way that Dan had been there for him when his nephew
had died a few years prior.
‘Danno – staring off that cliff into the valley. I don’t know what to
do for him. Oh
no he’s going to collapse. All I can do
is act on instinct. He’s
my friend. I don’t
think I’ve ever seen him quite like this before. I’ve always kept my
walls up – protecting myself even with friends.
Holding pain, joy and grief always inside
myself. But
holding on to Danno seems so natural. I’m leaning close towards him. I hope he knows I’m
here and that I want to help him get through this.
We need to get him out of
here. Away from this
place. Somewhere where he doesn’t need to think.
I look at Chin. He will have to
coordinate things here. I’m taking Danno home.
If something comes up, I can be…I need to stay with Danno. He’s concerning me
right now. The scream – the noise – he
made as he fell. I’ve
never heard anything like that from him.
He sounds almost ill.’
In Danno’s apartment,
trying to appear relaxed but still very much on edge, McGarrett sat in a chair
near Williams. Offering comfort was so foreign to his
nature. He blatantly eyed his friend not
sure if he should talk or remain quiet.
‘Danno’s been quiet for too long now. He was almost stoic
in the car. And now
he just sits there, across from me, with the drink I poured. Not touching it though just holding it. He hasn’t said a word in a long
time. He’s
scaring me. Talk to
me. What are you thinking? Say something, Danno!
This has hurt him worse than I
ever thought. That big brother
protectiveness is flaring again. – Only Mary Ann and
Danno can bring that out in me. For some
reason I find myself admitting how little I feel I can do, how helpless it
feels to just say words. I assure him that there isn’t
anything in this world I wouldn’t do for him and all he has to do is name
it. That gets a spark from him, a flash
of gratitude. He even tells me he’s OK when I tell him to take it easy and take some time
to himself. Sure, Danno, sure you’re all
right.’
Danny stared straight
ahead but saw nothing. Aware that he was
not by himself, he felt numb and wished his brain was
devoid of any thought.
‘Steve hasn’t left me alone since I ran from the
club. He stayed with me out on the hill
– Chin too. But
it’s the Mercury that is now parked outside this building. Steve physically put me in his car and
brought me home. Now it looks like he won’t leave. What is
he waiting for? What does he want me to
do? Get blind drunk? No, he doesn’t
expect me to drink the drink he poured.
I don’t know what he wants. I tell him I’m
OK. He acts like
he believes me.
Steve, leave already! Leave me alone so I can think. I need to figure out how much of this is my fault. If I had only been with her today…
TIME OFF?? No, Steve, you can’t
do this. What does he think…? Doesn’t he
know? Doesn’t
he understand? I can’t…This
is all I can do for Jane now – find out who killed her! He can’t! I won’t let
him. Steve is finally leaving. Good.’
****
Early the next
morning, McGarrett strode into the Palace and up the stairs, his mind
pre-occupied with the murder investigation that was now far more than just an
ordinary case. As he pushed the door
open to the Five-O suite of offices he heard voices
and he immediately checked the time on his watch. Gratified that his detectives understood the
emotional importance of this case, he started forward and then noticed that the
conversation was coming from an office that he had expected would be silent
today.
‘The light is on in Danno’s office! Was that his hand I just heard slamming onto
the desk? Doesn’t
he EVER listen to me? Yes, I’m irritated. I
expected to find him at home.
Uh-oh…he’s still really
wound and uptight. He just nearly blew
my head off when he snapped at me. He
knows better than to use that tone with anyone!
Chin and Kono are looking anywhere but at us, no at
me. I know they are anxious about
my reply. I have to work at keeping my
voice low and even and try not to yell back at him. I need to remember how badly he was
hurt yesterday.
NO – don’t
beg, Danno. He knows I won’t be able to say no.
He knows I’ll agree. But I’m staying
close by. I need to hear where he’s going with this.
I LIKE where he’s going with this. I think he’s on the
right track. He looks at me a couple of
times. He’s
looking for confirmation, validation. I
don’t have a problem giving it to him on this.’
****
Danny walked out of
his office not looking at Jenny as she sat at her desk. A small pile of papers in hand he turned and
resolutely started for the boss’ office, stopping as he eyed the nameplate.
‘I stare at the doorknob to THAT office. How could I have done that? How could I have just tried to beat him that
way? I know that Chin and Kono have told
Steve what happened. I know he’s really angry.
Just like I know that Pete King had nothing to
do with Linda’s murder or…Jane’s. I’ve got the paper I just wrote in hand. Do I knock first? No, I need to just go
in.
I open the door with just enough room for me to
enter. Steve’s back is turned, the whole chair is turned away from the door. I see his head move. He knows I’m here
but won’t turn around. I don’t blame him. I
put the paper on his desk. He still won’t actually acknowledge me. Finally after I tell him that King is
innocent he speaks. Then he reaches back
and picks up the paper I put down.’
Hearing the door open
behind him, McGarrett did not spin his chair around to face the visitor. He couldn’t. His mind was too jumbled
with thoughts.
‘How COULD he do that? He KNOWS better! Why didn’t I send
him home? I KNEW better!
I feel like I’m at war with myself
– alternating between blaming Danno and blaming myself for this. I hear Dan come in, but I can’t
turn around to look at him. Am I
mad? Yeah, at both
Williams and myself!
HE’S RESIGNING? Oh NO, HE’S
NOT! Right now
I can’t figure out if this resignation makes me madder or just hurts. No, I won’t take
it. I don’t
want it. Besides what makes him think he should get to resign? I need to turn around and look at him. He feels bad.
I can tell just from the look I got, not to mention the drop in his
voice just now.
He turns away after I suggest a vacation. I’ve got to stop him
before he walks out of here. But all I can do is to try and assure him that I’ll do
whatever I can with Pete King. Whatever
I can – that’s the understatement of the century. Somehow I’m going to
convince King not to press charges against Danno. I’ve got to – his
future depends on it. MY future depends
on it.’
****
McGarrett eyed his
second in command and wondered when life got as complicated as it was.
‘Danno is back here –
again. It gets very frustrating when I
ask him to do something and he doesn’t listen. Even though I have to admit that he is probably on to something here with the finishing
school. And it
makes my skin crawl to know that there might be three other potential victims
out there.
We’ve pulled in the
Gregson banker. He has some VERY interesting
information. Gregson is in debt up to
his neck and beyond. If it wasn’t for Mrs. Gregson…
Danno is thinking along the same lines that I am
right now. I can see it from the
expression on his face. His mind is
clicking away as he puts the pieces together.
His emotions are running rampant too.
He’s realized that these murders have been all
about money. Mrs. Gregson’s money.
Jane Michaels was strictly a diversion.
Oh Danno – I’m SO sorry. I wish there were something I could do for
him.
Che Fong has just walked in. I glance quickly at him. But can’t take my eyes from Danno. I need to know that he can hold it together. ‘
****
Driving down the highway, Williams pressed himself to hurry wishing he could make the traffic around him just disappear. Finally he pulled into the parking lot and glanced around as he parked the LTD.
‘I see the children. There’s Sally and Walter. Walter and I go near the edge of the
cliff. It would be SO easy to let him
die. I hear Kono yelling at me. Reluctantly I pull Gregson up. Sally is distraught. I feel bad for her, but her husband….’
Williams stood back
and watched as Gregson was loaded into a nearby squad
car and Kono helped the children into Sally’s vehicle. He thought he’d feel
pleasure once this case was solved and didn’t.
‘It’s all over. The black and white just took Gregson
away. Kono is helping Sally get the
blind children back in her car. I could
help also but can only watch from a distance this time. Knowing the reason behind Jane’s death has
not made it any easier. ‘
Pacing the small area
by his desk, McGarrett cursed his inability to be on the street with his team
for every case. While he knew it was
impossible, it seemed to him that it should be easier to do when so much was riding
on the solution to a crime, like in this instance.
‘I’ve called Williams a few times on the
radio. He hasn’t
answered yet. Come on, Danno,
answer! Let me hear your voice! I need to know that you are all right. Central has told me that Gregson is in
custody. Kono just radioed that the
children and Mrs. Gregson were all safe but he didn’t
say a word about you. I need to know
that you will get through this, my friend.
Answer me.
There!
There he is. I can’t
point blank ask him if he’s OK so I keep it general, casual and business
like. That’s
the way it always is with us.
His voice is fairly even but a
little strained. I think he’ll make it through this.
It will take some time but he’ll make it. I glance down at my calendar. The rest of the week appears fairly clear. Good –
this way I can spend time with my friend.
We’ll go out to dinner tonight – not take-out
like we usually do. He’ll
make it. I’ll make sure of it.’
****
Having left the Palace earlier than normal, Chin hurried home as quickly as the rush hour traffic would allow. The last few days had shaken the stability of the normally calm detective and, though he was concerned for his colleague, he needed to let go of his cop persona & lose himself in his family. Pulling into the drive, he barely got out of the car before his young family crowded around. It wasn’t normal for him to be home at this time and they all clamored to know why. Exiting the house, Mrs. Kelly watched the scene for several minutes before calling to her brood. Her eyes met her husband’s and she understood the unspoken reason behind his premature arrival. Walking up to his door, Chin drew his spouse into an embrace, grateful for her silence and her warmth. He promised himself that he would explain as much as he could to her after the kids were in bed. As he turned to enter his home, his thoughts returned to the second in command and he reassured himself with the knowledge that the boss would be around to keep a close eye on Williams. Although the boss was not a typically demonstrative person, Chin Ho had been around McGarrett long enough to know that he would still remain close to Dan’s side until he felt that Williams was able to carry on without him there.
The sun was beginning
to set on the
‘I knocked. He hasn’t answered
yet. Where is he? I should have checked to see if the cars were
both in the garage. It’s
highly probable he’s out somewhere on the Pali.
He calls it opening up the Mustang.
I call it virtual suicide – especially the way he drives. Maybe I should get HPD to set up a speed trap
on him. A nagging thought tells me that
he isn’t out – he’s in there, ignoring all. I pull out the key he gave me a few years
ago. Having a spare set of my keys just
seemed natural when I gave them to him a few years ago. For some reason having him do
the same for me felt more than just natural though. It’s hard for me to
explain how it felt. I now keep a
separate key ring for my apartment keys, his apartment keys and keys to both
the LTD and the Mustang. Anyway inside his apartment is so still and quiet. Maybe he really isn’t
here. Ahhh – the lanai. The door is open. I should have known – it’s
another habit he’s picked up from me.
I can’t believe he
didn’t hear me come through his apartment, doesn’t see my shadow now. I’ve been standing
in the doorway watching him for several minutes now. Danno, Danno, your mind must be a million
miles away.
I should be chuckling over how
he just jumped but I’m too concerned about him. Ok, so clearing my throat that loudly
probably wasn’t necessary but I’ve been watching him
for a while now and he never noticed me.
Danno, come on. How do you think
I got in here, aikane?’
Danny turned
partially around to stare at his visitor/intruder. He didn’t know
whether to be resigned or upset when he saw McGarrett standing there. He knew he wasn’t
surprised at least not on a conscious level.
Startled, yeah….he wasn’t sure that his heart
had started beating normally yet.
‘Right, Steve, sure give
a guy a heart attack practically! I’m surprised you aren’t laughing away over there. I told you I didn’t
hear you come in. Like
I was even expecting company.
Told you earlier I was fine.
Guess you don’t believe me huh? How in the world did you manage to even get in here?
There he goes again being
funny…Bet no one knows you have this sense of humor do they, Steve? Dangling your key chain between us like
that. I forgot I gave them to you. It’s not like you
ever use them, you know. At least as far
as I know you’ve never used anything but the LTD
keys. Guess you felt you needed to use
them tonight.’
Eyeing his second in
command carefully, Steve was watching for even the smallest reaction from
him. He had realized earlier that he
missed the bit of fire that was a major part of his friend’s personality. Now came the thought
that he would do anything to bring back the spark.
‘There’s that flash! Welcome back, Danno. Looks like all I needed to do was nudge it
out of you. Aaahhhh
darn…I can tell you’re sinking into that black pit
you’ve been in. Come on, Danno, this isn’t you. Gonna have to do something to
nudge you again. There’s
no way I’m going to let you just wallow in self pity like this.
What? How can you not be
hungry? Haven’t
seen you eat in a day or so I think. Oh fine – be that way….at least that means we can go to a
place that serves healthy food instead of that garbage you eat! There that got a reaction out of you. I saw that brief grin when I suggested a
place that serves all sprouts and greens and you could just watch me eat.’
Dan sighed and rose
from his seat. He didn’t
have the heart to tell his boss that he really wanted nothing but
solitude. No, he wasn’t
hungry. He shook his head at the last
comment as he thought about his options.
‘Ok, Steve’s not going to leave
me alone tonight. Better to just go along
with what he wants than to argue with him. If I don’t
go along with him now, he might just decided to camp out over here all weekend. When he gets this obstinate about something, he’s more
stubborn than a mule.’
Reluctantly agreeing
with Steve’s plan, Dan walked a little behind Steve as they reentered the
apartment. After only a couple of
minutes, the two men left the apartment and headed down the hall. McGarrett slowed his normal breakneck pace to
match that of his companion, attempting to surreptitiously
eye Williams for some small sign that he might be returning to normal
soon. Aware of the scrutiny, Dan did not
comment but a brief smile crossed his face.
‘I’ve been so wrapped up in myself. Never noticed how concerned Steve’s been. He’s bailed me out of a mess before but this week it seems
as if he’s been on call 24/7. How am I ever going to
repay him for all he’s done? This isn’t going to
be easy because he has so much trouble sharing how he feels about stuff. That’s why he hovers
so much when something is wrong – like now with his hand on my shoulder. One of these days I
might have to tell him that I understand why he’s so overprotective. Although no matter what I say
I know he’ll just deny that he acts that way.
But that’s just another part of who he is.
<SIGH> It would
have been nice to have known what was in our future – mine and Jane’s. But I think I’m
going to be ok eventually. But for now, for a little while longer, I think I’m going to
need to lean on Steve, on his strength and will. Just for now.’
Stepping off the stairs, Steve directed Danny towards the Mercury. He didn’t want to worry about whether or not Williams could drive himself home tonight. Without a word of comment or protest, Danny got into the large, black car and stared straight ahead. McGarrett paused next to his opened door and sighed then took his spot behind the wheel. As he started the engine and pulled the vehicle away from the curb, he glanced over at his friend.
‘I’m not giving up on you, Danno. You didn’t give up on me when Tommy died and
now it’s my turn to do the same for you. You’ll get
through this. I’ll make sure of it,
aikane.’