FIVE-0 /MAGNUM CROSSOVER
Takes place within the time frame of Part Two - Ghost of the Dragon
December 1979
Pulling along the curb
under a wide shade tree, Dan Williams parked the Mustang and stared at the
high-rise condo. Not intending to come here, it seemed almost an involuntary
instinct that he found himself in his old neighborhood on
Sorry the condo was
gone (it had been his best apartment ever), he determined not to look back.
Life was different now and while he still missed Five-0 [TALONS OF THE DRAGON,
GHOST OF THE DRAON], he felt living conditions were improved with his temporary
relocation at Steve's beach house in Aina Haina. The beach location was a great place to live, but as
he continually reminded his friend, he could not remain a leech forever. One of
these days he would have to find a job, get back on his feet, and go on with
life.
Sighing, he put the
car in gear and drove down the tree-lined, quiet street, pulling into the
driveway of the KING KAMEHAMEHA CLUB. Years ago his schedule at Five-0 became
too busy to continue coaching kid's baseball teams. As a replacement diversion
he joined the club for a variety of reasons -- proximity to his condo, sports
activities, clientele (many of
In the parking lot
he stopped, self-consciously checking himself in the mirror. The gray hair aged
him, no doubt, but his friends would remember him. Pushing the light hair
forward to conceal more of the scar on his right temple, he felt a little more
confident. Taking a deep breath, he pulled up to the front door.
A valet came around
to the driver's side. "Good morning -- oh, Mister Williams, good to see
you again." The greeting, the smile of welcome, was genuine. "I shoulda recognized the car."
Dan exited and shook
the hand proffered by Lani, the parking attendant.
"Good to be back, Lani."
"You been away,
den? Thought so. Can't stay away too long from the moana
and wahini."
Laughing, Williams
wondered why he had been so worried. Lani didn't know
a thing about the ugly intrigue which left him wounded and exiled from Five-0.
Others inside would know, would wonder, would stare at him and whisper
speculative gossip. The regular guys he surfed or played volleyball with would
probably know, but wouldn't care. To Lani, and the
others, life meant more than idle scandal.
After being released
from intensive therapy after the shooting, Dan slowly returned to mingling with
people outside his immediate circle of friends. Having just returned from a
nice Christmas with Aunt Clara on the mainland, Dan felt prepared to take this
next step in his social progress. Aina Haina was a picture-postcard place to live, but it was a
little isolated for his taste. Naturally gregarious, Dan felt ready to get back
into some fun interaction.
"Your smooth car
still lookin' good, bra." Lani
ran an appreciative hand along the dash.
The valet would be
surprised to know the Mustang just came out of the shop that morning, thanks to
Dan injudiciously taking his anger out behind the wheel last month.
"One o' da best
cars here. Except for Magnum's, course."
Dan glanced at the
flashy red Ferrari parked near the front. Thomas Magnum, a local PI, owned the
hottest car in
Almost sounded like
his own life, Dan mentally winced. Except for the detail about cars, the roles
were all too similar. He would really have to do something about a job. While
Steve McGarrett remained his closest and truest friend, he could not live off
Steve's generosity for much longer. Pretty soon he needed to find a decent job.
So far, finding one that met McGarrett's exacting standards seemed impossible.
Dan handed the young
man the keys and went inside. The club, an old rock exterior set of buildings,
stood at the end of
Inside were comfortable
conversation areas, a formal dining room and meeting rooms. Open to the back
lanai fronting the beach, were a cafe/bar. More casual near the sand, swimwear
was acceptable attire for the outside tables. Within sight of the relaxation
area were volleyball courts, tennis courts and a strip of beach for surfers,
swimmers and sunbathers.
Stepping out into
the sun, Dan scanned the people at the lanai tables. Some were familiar, most
were not. He never knew a lot of the patrons of the Club, his Five-0 schedule
keeping him too busy to mix with many of the rich and influential. Most of the
times he came were nights after work, sometimes early mornings, or on an
occasional day off. Timing never seemed quite right for the rich beauties of
Crossing to the bar,
he was greeted enthusiastically by Keoki, the
bartender. Also there was the manager, Rick Wright, his Vietnam Vet pal TC
Calvin, and his other Vet pal, Thomas Magnum. All seemed sincerely happy to see
him again.
"Heard you left
the islands for a while. Glad you're back, Dan." Rick made room for the
newcomer.
Short, slight, Rick
Wright packed a street-savvy attitude when things became tough. Casual
acquaintances, Dan came to respect and like the manager of the Club over a year
before when Tony Alika's son, Alekema,
tried to extort protection money from the Club. {fanstory
-- ASPECTS OF FALLING STARS}Wright, raised in the mean slums of
"Yeah, I've
been away for a while." Vague greeting, obscure rejoinder. The three gave
nods of acceptance. As easy as that. Meaningfully, Dan concluded. "I'm
back now."
Theodore Calvin
seemed the opposite of Wright. Big, muscled, black ex-Marine that flew rescue
choppers in
Thomas Magnum seemed
the enigma of the group. Former Naval Intelligence, former POW, decorated
combat officer, now a private investigator in
Dan understood the
resentment from his friend, but during the Alekema
investigation he also came to appreciate Magnum's courage, tenacity and
cunning. Now that Williams had been on the rough side of the coin of life, he
better understood Magnum's lifestyle. He didn't know why the PI turned out like
this, but he knew life's trials could change a promising future forever. Dan
was in a unique position to understand that perfectly.
After a round of
handshakes, and an order of his preferred beer (on the house, Rick insisted) he
sat down next to the three men.
"Hey, we were
just discussing our volleyball team." Magnum pushed over a bowl of
"Yeah, we need
some good players. That new resort in Kaanapali,
they've challenged us to a match." Rick leaned in closer. "Besides
bragging rights, winners get a free weekend at the defeated Club. And we'd all
like to go over to
TC corrected in his
deep voice. "And check out the classy wahinis.
But there ain't no way we'll win, they're going to
kick our behinds and we'll end up with the bill."
Williams smiled,
feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time. After leaving the March
Foundation where his mind was restored after the brainwashing and the shooting,
life had been strained trying to readjust.
Fitting back to a normal life
was a challenge.
Christmas Eve with McGarrett
had been a little tense, both on edge from coping with Dan's separation from
Five-0, the melancholy of enormous changes in the past year, and Dan leaving
the protective sphere of McGarrett's influence for the first time since the
March Foundation. Usually a happy time, this holiday season was strained.
Christmas with Aunt Clara had been good, but emotional. The first time seeing
each other since the shooting incident, the few short days were rife with
fervent highs and lows.
Upon his arrival home this morning, he'd called McGarrett at work to let him know he was back in one piece. They were meeting for lunch and Williams knew McGarrett remained concerned about the still-recovering ex-detective.
Coming to the Club
was the smartest thing Dan had done in a long time, he was certain. The biggest
controversy -- a volleyball match, the greatest stress -- losing a bet. It had
been too long since he thought about how simple and fun island living could be
on the beach.
"I know the guy
who runs security over there and he's a good player," Dan contributed.
"They're probably a good team."
"You're playing
again, right?" Magnum urged. "You're our most consistent
server."
Incredibly cheered
at the sincere invitation, Dan felt like his life was really coming back
together. He modestly reminded he might be good at serves, but he couldn't
spike worth anything. Patting the husky pilot, Magnum reminded that was what TC
did best. Together, they would make a great team. Smiling, Dan accepted the
invitation. What else did he have to do?
"Hey, Higgins!
Look who's back!"
Wright waved to a
short man with a thin mustache and thinning dark hair. The staid gentleman in a
sports coat bearing the Club emblem came over and shook hands with the former
detective.
"Mister Williams,
good to see you again."
"You too,
Mister Higgins."
"Dan's going to
be on the volleyball team again," Magnum supplied.
"Just in time
for the meet against the Kaanapali guys."
Rick's coup seemed
to impress Higgins none at all. "Mister Williams, during your absence, I
am afraid your membership has lapsed."
While the
constrained, British member of the King Kamehameha Club board of directors
delivered the news in his clipped tone, it was neither condemning nor curious.
Jonathan Quayle Higgins held several prestigious posts around the islands. In
numerous boardrooms and committees he represented interests for the
millionaire, reclusive author, Robin Masters. Dan, grateful for the continued
anonymity and ease of acceptance, promised to pay the annual fee that very day.
"No need,"
Higgins insisted. "Our bookkeeper can send you the paperwork. Are you
still at the same address?"
"No, I'm out in
Aina Haina now."
"Oh, man,"
Magnum complained sourly. "I thought you were still just down the beach. That
was so convenient for last minute practices."
"Which could be
avoided if you would only plan ahead, Magnum."
Thomas grimaced at
the Brit. "Higgins, with my schedule -- "
"Your
schedule?" Higgins laughed in ridicule. "I was unaware you had any
agenda whatsoever except consorting with jealous husbands on wretched divorce
cases."
Insulted, Magnum
passionately defended himself. "Hey, I perform important work in divorce
cases, Higgins. Besides, I have lots of other work I do besides divorces."
TC hooted.
"Yeah? Like what?"
"Well, it just
so happens I'm on a case right now. And I can't tell you anymore about it
because it's strictly confidential."
"Yeah, until
you need our help," TC refuted. "Which you never pay for."
"I give you gas
money! And what about all those referrals I give you, TC --"
"All right, all
right," Rick interrupted. "We were discussing volleyball."
Higgins corrected.
"No, we were discussing Mister Williams' membership. "Where shall we
send your dues? To your new house, or to your office?"
Dan didn't allow the
discomfort of the coming explanation to reach his expression. "Well, it's
not really my house, I'm just staying there . . . . " He looked to Magnum,
who appeared completely sympathetic. "And I'm -- uh -- between jobs at the
moment. Anyway, I'll give you the address of the Aina
Haina house."
Higgins' manner
became perceptibly more formal. "Perhaps we should discuss this in my
office, Mister Williams?"
Rick jumped to his
defense. "Oh, come on, Higgins. After all Dan did for us with that Alika trouble, you're not going to hassle him about not
having a job, are you?"
"I don't need
favors." Williams' tone cut sharply into the debate. "I can pay for
the entire year's dues today."
Higgins came closer,
lowering his voice. "I have no problem with that, Mister Williams. No
doubt you are good for the membership fee. And we are not so ungrateful as to
forget the service you rendered this Club last year. I merely meant, due to
your -- notoriety -- I thought you might wish to move this conversation to the
privacy of my office." He glared at the others, daring them to comment.
"Thanks, Mister
Higgins." Dan felt suitably chagrined. "Sometimes I get a little
defensive. I guess you heard a lot of rumors about my leaving Five-0."
Higgins gave a nod
of his head, acknowledging the apology. "Rumors mean very little when
compared to the truth. We know you to be a man of integrity, Mister Williams,
and that is the basis of membership here, not gossip." Ever so slightly,
he smiled. "And you are an excellent volleyball player. Good to have you
back."
With a reminder to
stop by the office before he left, Higgins went on his way.
Confidentially, Rick
repeated his indebtedness to the former Five-0 officer, and offered to find
something around the Club for Dan to do to hold him over 'till he found a
regular job.
"No thanks, I'm
doing okay," Dan assured the concerned trio. They may be casual pals and
drinking/sports buddies, but these guys were still friends he could count on in
a fix. "At least for a little while my finances are all right."
Wryly, he assured, "I can afford the membership fee for this year. But I
do need to find a job. I'll wear out my welcome at Steve's before long."
TC was practical.
"Can't be easy for an ex-cop to find a job." Left unspoken were the
details of Dan's messy departure from law enforcement.
"Yeah, after
being a cop for my whole career, I'm not qualified for much else."
Magnum brightened.
"I could use you, Dan. With your experience --"
Rick and TC both
laughed uproariously. "What, following divorcees?" Rick warned,
"Experience -- he means your contacts at HPD and Five-0 to get insider
information. Just make sure he pays you first."
Magnum glared at
Wright. "Hey, my work is important. And right now I have a tricky case --
not a divorce -- that Dan could really help out with."
TC was skeptical.
"Yeah, like what?"
"Confidential.
I can only tell Dan -- if he wants the job." Imploringly, Magnum asked if
he would consider the offer. "The pay on this will be pretty good. You'd
get a percentage --"
"A small
percentage." TC added his warning from experience. "Get it upfront,
Dan."
Dan agreed to think it
over. Noticing the clock over the bar, it was already past
"Look, I've got
an appointment, I've got to run."
"Fine."
Rick asked if he
should hold onto the paperwork until the next day.
"Yeah, please.
I'm already late for lunch."
Steve hated waiting,
and Dan's punctuality lately hadn't been notable. Also, Steve would be anxious
to meet after Christmas -- over-protectively concerned about the whole holiday
season affect on the recovering Williams. Steve would probably want to talk,
maybe even impulsively take the afternoon off to catch up on things. Williams
would shelve the Club business until later.
"I'll give you
an answer tomorrow. Is that too late?" Magnum said that it wasn't.
"How can I reach you?"
"He's always
here," Rick supplied.
With a wave, Dan
left, making a hasty get-away and driving over the speed limit to Aina Haina. Encouraged by the
good reunion at the Club, Dan felt like his life really was moving forward
again. Assisting a PI. Not the best work -- certainly not something he could
ever admit to Steve -- but something where he could use his skills and
experience in a probably questionable cause. He'd have to see about that.
Pulling up at the beach house, he waved to a rather stern-faced McGarrett,
pacing the beach. Jumping over the door, he smiled at his friend, determined to
cheer up the sober (a frequent mood lately) cop. Steve looked like he could use
some light conversation.
****
Winding his way
through the tables and chairs on the lanai of the Club, Dan observed his future
boss, who was sipping a beer, admiring the bikini-clad girls on the beach.
Outwardly, Thomas Magnum seemed to have it all: handsome, tall, intelligent,
driving a fast car and living on an estate in the most beautiful spot in the
world. Envied by most, Magnum held those desirable qualities people yearned to
possess in one way or another. Why did he settle for a meager living as a PI?
In many respects,
Dan recognized the parallels between them and subconsciously felt people must
think similar things about him. After being on top of the world, how could he
stand to be at the bottom? Perhaps he and Magnum would find those answers
together.
"Nice
scenery."
Magnum turned his
attention from the beach and kicked out a chair. "Have a seat." He
waved at Keoki and the bartender came over with a
beer.
Dan watched the
girls and guys in the surf testing a narrow, flat, one-man kayak-type board.
When seated on the top of the board, feet were placed in scoops in front of the
passenger, with an oar used to paddle.
"What is
that?"
"A surf-ski.
You've never seen one?"
"I've been out
of touch."
Magnum shrugged, not
asking for more of an explanation. "Well, did you think it over?"
"Yeah."
Dan recalled the previous afternoon. Steve and he had enjoyed a good lunch, then taken a drive up the coast for heavy discussion. Deliberating deep, heart-cleansing forgiveness and reaffirming their friendship, the day had resolved a lot of Dan's insecurities about his brainwashing and suicide attempt, about Steve's role in his life. Briefly, McGarrett had laid down the law about Dan straying too far away either through a new job or new location. Determined to protect Dan, McGarrett discouraged any work he felt demeaning to his friend.
Williams appreciated
the friendship and commitment of McGarrett, but practically speaking, knew he
needed a job. [fanstory - GHOST OF THE DRAGON] Weighing the pros and cons of PI
work, Dan had come to a conclusion just that morning. The bottom line: he
needed to earn some money and get more meaning -- even excitement -- in his
life again. Helping Magnum seemed a combination of all those items.
"I'd like to
take you up on the offer."
"Great."
Magnum beamed. "You won't regret it."
Ignoring what
sounded like 'Famous Last Words', Dan forged ahead. "So, is it a
divorce?"
"No. It's a lot
more complex than that. I usually ask Rick or TC to help, but since you
probably need the money more than they do, I'm offering you the chance."
Initially
appreciating the gesture, Dan took it as a kind of backhanded compliment. While
he wasn't hurting for money, he required some kind of job. He also doubted the
veracity of Magnum's opinion about his friends and Williams' needs. From the
conversation the day before, he figured Rick and TC did not want to help the
PI, so Magnum was stuck with whatever sucker came along.
"Okay."
Dan agreed, feeling that he was figuratively jumping into the unknown
blindfolded and with hands and feet tied. "What's the case?"
An older British gentleman
named Arthur Terrell had retained Magnum's services, the PI explained. The
Brit, a travel writer turned novelist, lived in Kahala. His assistant, a Ms
Anna Fujita, recently acquired a flashy boyfriend named Buddy Anders. Terrell
wanted Anders investigated to see if he was worthy of Ms Fujita's affections.
Dan groaned.
"This is worse than a divorce. A jealous old man -- "
"Come on, he's
not jealous. He has an honest regard for Ms Fujita --"
"Yeah,
right." Dan shook his head. What had he gotten himself involved with?
"Translation -- he's paying you big bucks?" Dan thought he was
catching on pretty fast.
"Look, we can't
assume anything. We're private investigators and we have to believe our client,
especially when he's wealthy. Did I mention he's a pal of Higgins? Higgins
would have an attack if he knew his buddy was hiring me. Anyway, now here's
what I need you to do, Dan. Get with your friends at HPD and Five-0 and let me
know the scoop on this Buddy -- "
"Oh, no."
Dan flatly refused the first assignment. "Five-0 is off limits."
"I'm hiring you
for your expertise and background, Dan, and -- "
"I don't have
dealings with Five-0 anymore." Williams' glared intently at the
investigator to underscore his point. "If you expect that, then you can forget
me working with you."
"Okay, okay. I
didn't now it was such a sore spot. I thought you and McGarrett were still
chums."
Still wary, Dan
sternly corrected. "We're friends. It has nothing to do with cop
business."
More cautiously,
Magnum backed off, explaining he would just have Dan follow the girl, Ms
Fujita, while Magnum followed the boyfriend. Not that he minded, but Dan
wondered why he should follow the girl?
Magnum's reply was
simple. Because he might trust the employer, Terrell, but he didn't know
anything about the other players. Everyone, including Terrell, would be
scrutinized. Besides, he reluctantly admitted he was not too sure about the
whole set-up anyway.
Dan laughed. "I
could have told you that. An older man, a younger secretary -- I don't need a
PI's license to know something else is going on there."
"Private
investigator," Magnum corrected.
"All right.
Private Investigator. So when do I start?"
"This
afternoon." Magnum handed him a paper. "Here's the address of
Terrell's place, and Ms Fujita's apartment in Hawaii Kai. She meets her
boyfriend every day for lunch. You can pick them up at the Regent towers."
Dan's eyebrows
elevated. "Pretty pricey for daily lunches."
"Yeah, Anders
lives like he's got money behind him. Then be at Terrell's again at
Dan pocketed the
paper. "I'll meet you back here tonight and let you know what I
find."
*****
Ten minutes before
Anna Fujita and
Buddy Anders arrived. Mei gave Dan a small booth within
sight of the couple. Mei told him Anders discussed
business - investments-- paid with a company credit card (Pacific Trades Inc.),
and never came to the restaurant except for lunch with Fujita. Ms Fujita also
talked job, discussing Terrell's latest novel about East/West trade.
After lunch Dan
followed Anna back to the house in Kahala. Then, to use his time wisely, he
drove to downtown
The whole proceeding
was odd, but he couldn't put a finger on what it might mean. At the least,
Buddy Anders was not what he appeared. If still a member of Five-0, Dan would
run a check on Anders through the HPD, FBI and Interpol computer databases. Not
to be outdone by limitations, Dan considered calling Duke, but reservations
about the investigation, and the lack of more change, altered that plan.
Returning to the Mustang, he pulled away, turning at the nearest corner. Something odd flashed in his rearview mirror and he stopped at the curb, looking back at the public telephone he had just left. Two black sedans screeched to a halt. Duke Lukela, Jim Carew, Lori Wilson and two suit-men who were -- almost certainly -- Federal agents of some kind - jumped from the cars and checked the phone.
Appalled at the
implications, Williams gunned the accelerator and sped away, racing to the
freeway. Either Pacific Trades was a front for the government, or it was under
surveillance by Five-0. Either way, Dan barely escaped a nasty scene - or worse
- and felt humiliated at his compromising situation. If Steve found out he had
almost blown a Five-0 investigation - while working for a PI!!! He would never
hear the end of it. Worse, it would embarrass Steve, and Dan refused to allow
that. Especially after the debacle with Alika last
month. [episode -- GOOD
HELP IS HARD TO FIND]
By the time the
Mustang squealed into the King Kamehameha Club parking lot, Dan was livid.
Barely acknowledging acquaintances, Dan rushed through the building, going
straight to the beach side lanai where Magnum sat at a table.
"I told you I
wouldn't have anything to do with Five-0! What are you trying to do,
Magnum?" The rebuke was hissed from only a few inches from the detective's
face so as not to attract attention. Dan pulled out a chair and sat in front of
the tall PI. "You don't have any idea how bad this could have been!"
"Whoa,
whoa." Magnum held up his hands stemming more protests. "What are you
talking about?"
Taking a breath,
Dan, more calmly this time, explained the near miss with the official force of
"I didn't see
anyone suspicious at the restaurant."
"Neither did
I," Dan admitted. "I would have noticed Duke for sure. And Mei didn't mention anything about other people making
inquiries."
"Oh, you know Mei, too?"
Guardedly, Dan
admitted he'd known her for some years.
"Great
girl."
"What do you
mean?"
Magnum shrugged.
"We've dated a few times."
Williams was
unaccountably depressed. While he had hesitated to renew his relationship with
the Oriental beauty, he resented that Magnum was involved with her.
"She's too
young for you." Dan's verdict of finality surprised even him.
Magnum smiled.
"I'm closer to her age than you. You're jealous, but you're not dating
her, are you?"
"No."
"And while
we're at it, what's this big paranoia about Five-0? Bad blood? Is that why you
left? So McGarrett isn't a pal anymore?"
"No."
Irritated, frustrated, and cornered, Dan pushed out of the chair. "I mean,
he is, but - never mind, Magnum. I'm off the case. Let's just leave it at
that."
Stalking off down
the beach, a nice long walk on the sand might help get his head on straight.
All he could think of was the possible ramifications if his involvement in the
case were discovered. The Feds would have fits and put the heat on Steve. A
confrontation with Carew - somehow that worried him
and he didn't understand why. Carew was a detective
under McGarrett's authority. Carew could do nothing
to him, but the new detective discovering Dan's involvement with Magnum would
be demeaning and demoralizing for both he and Steve. He
had forgotten what a small, closed society Honolulu could hold.
Stopping at a palm tree,
he sat down in the shade and stared out at the water. Giving up and walking
away from his first real job after Five-0 made him feel like a failure. How
could such a simple little stakeout job turn so sour? It made him believe his
skills, his instincts as a cop, had been lost when he fell under the final
influence of Jin Wu. Playing at a cop, rousting Maki and trying to solve Kevin
Wilson's murder had been a waste of time. [fanstory --GHOST OF THE DRAGON] He
might as well go become a tour guide somewhere because he certainly couldn't
cut it as a cop anymore.
"I think we
need to talk."
Dan didn't look at
Magnum as the other man sat down in the sand. "I have nothing else to
say."
"Okay."
The hard edge of Magnum's tone contradicted the easy phrase. "Ignore the
problem. Maybe it'll go away." The sarcasm was dripping. "And it's
such a big island, you'll never have to worry about running into Five-0 people
again."
Sourly, Dan turned toward the PI. "Look, Magnum, you know the rumors -- most of them are true probably."
"I've heard a lot of them," the tall PI admitted bluntly. "The one about you having a break down -- couldn't take the pressure of Five-0 anymore. And another that McGarrett pushed you so hard," his voice dropped to a compassionate deeply sincere tone, "that you shot yourself."
"It was not
Steve's fault!" Dan snapped back with a growl. "You want the
real story? Okay, yeah, the rumors are true, I shot myself."
Magnum nodded his
head and allowed silence for a time. "But there's more to it than
that."
Williams gave a curt
nod. "Yeah, but I can't say more."
Magnum understood.
"Okay. I've been there."
Williams continued.
"For a cop, there's no living down a suicide attempt. Steve's stuck by me
through the whole mess, and he doesn't keep that a secret, but anything I do
reflects on him. And messing up a government operation would splash back on him
like red lava. Everyone on the island would know I blew it. I won't do that to
him."
Solemnly, Magnum
nodded. "I was in NI, remember. I've seen some dirty deals, and I know
there's details you can't talk about. No matter. You want to quit the case,
fine, you're out. No hard feelings. But, Terrell hired me to find out about
Anders and that's what I'm going to do."
"I know. I'm
sorry to let you down like this. Can you manage on your own?"
"I think so. I
had a friend at the DMV run down Anders' license and -"
"That's
illegal."
"Only if I'm
caught. Anyway, no one matching Anders' description, with the name of Anders,
owns a valid license in
As Magnum walked
away, Dan called out, "Thanks, Magnum. For understanding."
Magnum waved a 'shaka' sign and left. Dan stayed on the beach, watching the
swimmers, surfers and surfskiers, sorting out his
conflicting emotions. Now that his tirade was spent, he felt guilty at leaving
Magnum high and dry on the case. If Anders was involved in something so serious
he was under investigation, then Magnum shouldn't be working the case without back
up. To involve himself further in the case, however, would be disastrous for
himself and McGarrett. If anything happened to Magnum, however . . . Cursing
PI's and life in general, he walked back to the club and followed Magnum out to
Kahala.
*****
Now alerted to the
potential complications surrounding Terrell, Williams drove past the white,
pillared house on
"Are you having
a lapse in reason?" Magnum joked.
"Yeah,"
Dan admitted ruefully. "My conscience wouldn't let me leave you
stranded."
"Thanks. Any
thoughts?"
"Not yet.
Fujita's car is in the drive."
"That's Anders'
Benz in the drive, too. I think I might have an idea. Wait here."
Magnum jogged off
toward the Hilton. Not long afterwards he returned, in a kayak. He urged Dan to
help him. They carried the kayak across the sand, to where the canal was deep
enough for the craft. They paddled under a bridge in the park, under
"Breaking and
entering is illegal."
"I'm not
breaking anything." True to his defense, Magnum tried the sliding glass
door at the back of the house and it opened. "See." Calling into the
house, he said, not very loudly, "Hello? Anyone here?"
Magnum stepped into
a tiled breakfast area furnished with wicker table and chairs. To the right,
Dan noted a sunny kitchen decorated in bright colors. Just ahead of them were a
conversation area and a staircase. Somewhere above them an object 'THUMPED'.
"I think
someone's in trouble."
Before Dan could
stop him, Magnum raced up the stairs, Dan jogging after him, but Magnum was
already out of sight in the upper rooms. A 'GRUNT' then a louder 'THUMP'
stopped him. Automatically he reached to his left side, startled, in the
adrenaline rush, that he no longer packed a gun. Following the PI at a slower
pace, he fortuitously avoided a body rolling down the stairs. A few steps above
him, Buddy Anders sprang to his feet, holding a gun on a defenseless Magnum.
Before the criminal could properly aim, Dan delivered a karate chop to his hand
and wrestled for possession of the gun.
"Magnum? You
okay?"
"Yeah. Come on
up."
Maneuvering the suspect
ahead of him, Dan joined Magnum in an office room and handed the weapon over to
the PI. The PI was just untying a white-haired man, presumably Terrell. Anna
Fujita, showing remarkable strength, shouldered the much larger PI out of the
way so she could finish the task of freeing her employer. As soon as the older
man was unrestrained, they wrapped arms around each other, falling into an
impassioned kiss.
"What
happened?"
With effort, Magnum
turned his attention to his colleague.
"Anders, or
whatever his name is, tied up Fujita and Terrell."
"Trying to
steal my manuscript!" Terrell accused.
Moving swiftly for
an older gentleman, the British novelist swept across the room and punched
Anders with a resounding right hook. Magnum moved to restrain him, but Fujita
managed by hugging him, murmuring words of gratitude.
Irritated he did not
have a handy pair of handcuffs, Dan shoved the dazed Anders into a nearby
chair. Staying near the suspect, he listened as Terrell gave an explanation.
Crowing on his astute judgment, the writer said he knew all along that Anders
was up to no good. Sure enough, this afternoon the ex-boyfriend arrived
unexpectedly. Pulling a gun on Terrell and Fujita, then tying them up, Anders
searched the room for Terrell's secrets.
"You see, my
novel is a threat to the movers and shakers in the East. I've threatened them
and they're scared."
Magnum looked to
Anders for confirmation, but the injured man was not inclined to talk. The
muted screech of tires from outside came loud and clear. Dan moved to the
window. The Feds along with McGarrett and Carew had
just pulled up in the front driveway.
"I've got to
get out of here." Over his shoulder, Magnum observed the arrival.
"I'll take Anders down to the front and head them off at the pass. You
take the kayak back."
"Thanks, I owe
you one."
Magnum smiled.
"I think that's my line."
*****
The next day at the
King Kamehameha Club, Dan bought a round of drinks for Magnum and the rest of
the group of regulars, including Higgins. Between the PI and the British
major-domo, the full story of the novelist came out.
"Terrell, the
dear old chap, really did have an inside angle on some underhanded stockmarket dealings in
Magnum shook his
head, staring into his been bottle. "And he gets the girl, too."
Dan also gave a glum
shake. "Yeah, imagine a good looking chick like her falling for an old guy
like that."
"She's closer
to my age than yours," Magnum reminded, as if it made a difference.
"Turned out you were right about them, too. Claim they loved each other
all along."
Rick passed around
another set of drinks. "So, Dan, you ever going to team up with this guy
again?"
"Bet not,"
TC predicted. "He's not that hard up for money."
Dan laughed at the
banter. "You're right on both counts." To Magnum, he admitted,
"Thanks for giving me a try, Magnum, but I don't think I'm cut out for
your lifestyle." He thought of the close call at nearly getting caught by
McGarrett. "So no one ever mentioned me to -- anyone official?"
"Too much else
going on for them to think about you." Magnum grinned smugly. "And I
impressed on them that your presence there was on a need to know basis. They
bought that hook, line and sinker."
Dan raised his glass
to the PI. "I still owe you one, Thomas."
Magnum gave a slow
nod. "All in a day's work for a fellow investigator."
"Uh, oh,"
TC warned, "watch out when he uses that tone."
"Don't try to
involve Dan in another scheme of yours, Magnum," Higgins chided.
Rick guessed,
"it's a divorce case I bet, the usual sleazy PI stuff."
"Private
investigator," Thomas corrected. "And it's not a divorce . .
."