EPILOGUE TO:

BEAUTIFUL SCREAMER

JANE

by

Melisa Dillard

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Danny felt the blood rushing to his head. Heart pounding so hard, he thought he was going to faint. He kept thinking back to the phone call from Steve.

"Danno, I need you to come to the country club. Now!"

Danny had asked why but Steve just begged him to come to the club, to the Accounting Office. As he was driving to the club all Danny kept doing was praying it wasn't her. He should have been with her, but he had begged off lunch because of the investigation. She always understood when he had work . . .

Racing into the club and down the stairs to the office, he saw the officers there, the crime lab tape and stopped at the door. He stood transfixed. The crime lab was dusting for prints. He saw her lying in a heap on the floor. Steve was on the phone, Chin was picking up the money that had fallen when she was -- when she was -- murdered.

He whispered in a hoarse tone, "NO!"

Steve and Chin both turned and looked in his direction. Danny took off running. Steve and Chin ran after him. When he couldn't run anymore he stopped and remembered how beautiful she was. He remembered her laugh and her last words to him at the office this morning -- "I love you". He'd lost the love of his life in the most hideous way possible. His legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground crying.

A few moments later Danny felt arms go around him and someone talking to him softly. He realized it was Steve.

Steve held Danny like a brother and talked to him in soothing tones. Steve ached to see Danny like this -- had ached since the phone call he received at the Governor's office from Chin.

"Steve there has been another murder at the Country Club, ah, I need you to come down here, PLEASE!." Steve knew there was something more and asked Chin what else wasn't he telling him. "Steve" Chin said with a choked voice, "its Jane Michaels."

"Oh dear God," Steve cried helplessly.

Steve told the governor and then called the office and asked for Danny. All Steve kept thinking when he was driving to the Club was how am I going to tell my best friend that the woman he planned to marry was murdered?

As Steve cradled Danno in his arm he thought back to two months ago when Danny came bustling in full of energy, a little late and whistling to beat the band with a grin a mile wide. They all teased him about being late. He looked at them with a gleam in his eyes.

"Its worth it though. I asked Jane to marry me last night and she said YES!"

Everyone congratulated him, Jenny their secretary who was like a mother to them all said "its about time" and planted a kiss on his cheek. Now all Steve wanted to do was get him out of there and away from all of this.

Danny finally stopped crying. He sat on the ground staring straight ahead, his lips trembling. Kono found them and looked like he wanted to throttle someone. Steve and Chin helped Danny up.

To the big Hawaiian, Steve asked, "What's going on Kono?"

"Steve the press found about the killing and that the person who was killed was Danno's girlfriend and they have swarmed all over the place."

When Danno heard Jane's name he started to cry again. McGarrett held him tightly, quietly urging him that it was time to leave. They were finally able to get Danny to Steve's car. Steve turned to Kono and Chin and told them to get all the evidence and materials needed to add to the investigation.

"Chin, if you need me I'll be at Danno's".

Steve started to get into the car the reporters surrounded him like vultures. One had the gall to ask, "How does Williams feel about his girlfriend being murdered?"

Steve looked at the reporter with the utmost contempt said in a quiet tone, "How would YOU feel if the girl you had planned to marry was MURDERED? Think about it you stupid fool!"

Two hours later Steve was still with Danny. The younger detective hadn't said one word since Steve brought him home. Danny just sat on the couch with a drink in hand. Steve sat there and studied him, afraid to leave him alone. Remembering how Danny stayed with him, helping him when his nephew died. While Danny sat there starring straight-ahead Steve asked his friend if he wanted to call anyone. When Dan negatively shook his head, McGarrett offered to call New York and break the news to a lady that Williams loved like a mother.

Mutely, Danny gave a slight nod of assent.

"Hello."

"Hello, Clara Williams?"

"Yes."

"Hello, this is Steve McGarrett. I'm a friend of -- "

"Yes, Danny's friend. Aloha, Mr. McGarrett. Is -- " Her tone grew grave. " Is something wrong? Is Danny all right? You wouldn't be calling me unless something has happened to Danny. Has he been hurt?"

"No," he replied quickly, then amended. "He's -- Danno's not injured." He looked over at his friend, knowing his statement was not entirely correct. Sadly he clarified. "In a way yes, he has been hurt, Clara. I don't know how to tell you this but, Jane Michaels was murdered this afternoon."

"Oh no!" After a moment she asked, "Steve how is Danny?"

"Well Clara, he has really been stunned by all of this, he hasn't said anything since I brought him home almost three hours ago and I thought maybe if he heard your voice it might help."

"Let me speak to him, please."

Steve took the phone over to his friend.

"Danno, there's someone on the phone that would like to speak to you."

Danny looked at Steve and saw the pleading look to take the phone.

"Hello?"

"Danny sweetheart this is Aunt Clara. Steve called me and told me what happened. Do you need me to come?"

Danny looked at Steve and mouthed a thank you.

"Aunt Clara do you think you could come maybe in a couple of days?"

Clara knew that he was talking about the funeral. "Yes, sweetheart I will be there in a few days. You take care. I love you. Will you put Steve on the phone please? Oh and Danny let Steve help you, and listen to him."

"Yes I will, Aunt Clara." A ghost of a smile traced his lips. "Thanks."

Danny handed the phone to Steve saying she wanted to talk with him.

"Hello."

"Steve, thank you for calling. Please watch over him. This is almost like when his parents were killed during the bombing of Pearl. I don't know how he is going to fully react to this."

"Clara, you know I will take care of him. Let us know when you will be flying in so we can pick you up. Bye now"

Steve stayed with Danny for a little while longer, ordering him to take the next couple of days off. Danny begged not to be sacked out on this, explaining he needed to work on the case. Steve appeased him by vaguely promising they would talk about it later, then he left.

Danny was all alone. It was just too quiet. He took a shower then sat down to watch TV. All the news was talking about the murder and Danny started crying. He kept whispering over and over, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Memories kept returning: her smile, her laughter, when he first met her almost two years ago at the country club. That day she had been looking for a tennis partner, she had heard he was good and asked him to play. They did. After a few sets they sat down and had a few drinks and talked about their lives. Danny had never felt that comfortable with a girl before. They started dating, feeling like he had known her all his life.

Of course she was from the "rich" side of town. They talked about that and how her parents practically abandoned her after they divorced.

"I'll never leave you, I promise," he told her one day after they had been dating about five months.

About that time he finally decided he wanted her to meet his "family" one afternoon when she came by to get him for lunch. Jenny who was like a mother to the Five-0 staff checked her over. She approved. Her "boy" had good taste. Steve and the rest of the guys met her. Then Dan and Jane walked out of the office hand in hand. When he came back after they left they teased him but he didn't care.

Later, when Steve and he were alone, he admitted, "I love her. She has changed my life so much."

Steve asked him, "Are you going to marry her?"

"I don't know yet, there are some things that have to be worked out first, but once they are resolved, maybe".

Steve didn't ask for details, seeming to know that when Danno was ready he would tell him.

*****

It had been an extremely long week. Steve thought back to yesterday, the funeral. All he could he remember was the look that Danny had on his face when they lowered the casket. The girls that Jane had gone to school were there. The one girl that was closest to Jane was Sally Gregson. She and her husband (who unknown to everyone at that time was the murderer) stood near Danny and his Aunt Clara. Jane's parents had died sometime ago.

Steve couldn't get over the sadness and guilt consuming Danno. The toll was taking too much out of his best friend. He was mildly surprised that he let Danny talk him into working on the investigation.

"If I don't work on it it's going to work on me. PLEASE!" Danny stood up and practically pleaded. McGarrett caved in, against his better judgement, and allowed his friend to stay on the case.

Now he was mulling over what Kono had told him a little while ago. Danny had beaten the crap out of Pete King their suspect in the case. He told Steve how it took both he and Chin to pull Danny off Mr. King.

"Steve after he realized what he had done, he looked at his hands, looked at Mr. King then sat on the floor and just cried."

Steve sent Danny home and told him to take some days off then asked to see Mr. King. Chin brought him and then asked to speak to him alone.

Pete King promised, "YOUR cop is going to pay for what he did to me!"

Steve stood up and with a soft tone, with some sadness responded, "Mr. King did you know that Miss Michael's was Dan William's girlfriend and that they had planned on getting married soon?"

Pete sat down in the chair totally stunned. "I didn't know, I won't press charges, I am very sorry for what happened to her, she was a beautiful person."

Later, Danny was back at the office after having been visited by Pete King. Pete apologized to him. That was something he couldn't get over, but Pete had told him something that would help in the case. Then Che came in with some pictures he developed. Then they all realized that Walter Gregson Sally's husband was the possible killer.

McGarrett would never forget that moment. Danny stood transfixed with tears in his eyes after the bank manager left. He looked from Chin to Steve and realized, with tears in his eyes, that Jane had been killed so Walter wouldn't be suspected when Sally was murdered.

"He killed her just for Sally's money? NO! NO! NO!"

Steve didn't know what to say or do for his friend. He ached inside for Danny with every fiber of his being.

*****

When Walter made his move to kill Sally, Danny was the first to arrive at the cliff. He saw with sickening fear and extreme anger that Walter had his hands around Sally's throat. He jumped on top of Walter, refusing to let him kill Sally. He and Walter fought. Danny started getting the best of Walter. When Walter tumbled over the side and held on to the rock for dear life, Danno just stood there with more contempt and hatred on his face than anyone had ever seen. But the cop instincts came through. He couldn't let Jane's death be in vain. He helped Walter up and pushed him over to a rock and slapped handcuffs on him. By that time Kono and two police officers were beside him. The police officers escorted Walter to the Black and White. Kono was beside Sally making sure she was alright. Danny walked over to them.

Kono asked, "Are you ok bruddah?"

Danny replied in a very tired tone. "Yeah".

After Danny made sure that Sally was okay he had Kono take her home. Danny stayed were he was for a long time just starring off into space. Finally after awhile he left.

*****

Steve had been informed of what happened with Walter and that he was now in custody and charged with two counts of first degree murder plus first degree assault with intent to commit murder.

Steve could only imagine what happened on that cliff. He looked everywhere for Danny. Finally he found him sitting at Jane's gravesite. Steve walked over to him and put his hand on his shoulder. He knew that now was not the right time to say anything, but he wanted Danny to know that he was there for him.

After awhile Danny looked up at Steve with tears freely flowing. "I should have been with her that day. It's my fault. She would still be alive." Over and over again he repeated how it was his fault.

Steve put his arm around him and tried to convince him otherwise.

Danny looked at Steve. "I promised her I would never leave her or let anything happen to her. I broke my promise."

With the utmost compassion Steve replied, "Danno, you could never have foreseen this. You showed her love and compassion and she returned that to you. Even though she is gone you will always have a special place in your heart for her. Don't blame yourself. Nobody could have predicted this." His voice thick, his eyes moistened. "You got to see her that morning before it happened and she told she loved you. At least you were able to, in your own way, say goodbye to her."

Danny sat there and thought about it and thanked Steve. "I loved her so much, I am going to miss her for the rest of my life."

Steve was gratified to see that Danny, even in anguish, coming to terms with the tragedy while grieving for the most precious gift that was lost to him forever.

*****

After a few days Steve was finally able to convince Danny to taking a few weeks off and go stay with Aunt Clara in New York. Danny knew Steve was right. After being in New York for almost two weeks he called the office. He asked Steve when Walter's trial was going to be. He was told the end of the following week it would begin. Danny informed Steve the flight he and Clara would be coming on and to please pick them up and Steve promised he would.

On Tuesday evening Steve met their flight. He gave Clara a hug and shook hands with Danno, not commenting on how exhausted Danno looked. Clara gave Danny their baggage tickets.

As soon as Danny was out of earshot Clara looked at Steve? "Thank you so much for everything you have done to help my boy during this trying time. He has told me everything."

He just smiled and gave her hug telling her, "Danny is like a brother to me and I ache inside seeing how much this has hurt him."

Clara told him as they walked to the baggage counter that Danny was acting pretty much the same way after his parent's death after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Even though he was a young child at the time, he grieved their deaths. Now he would need time to get over this tragedy.

*****

The trial was big news in Honolulu. Every night it was the top story of the newscast. It was tense to say the least. All the evidence had been put forth to the jury. The day that Danny testified John Manicote mainly asked straightforward questions dealing with the capture and arrest of Walter, how did they come to the conclusion it was him, things like that.

Williams was absolutely drained. Clara was worried about him. She sat between Steve and Jenny. Of course Chin and Kono were also there. Jenny held Clara's hand giving her strength and support and especially understanding of the situation. They were all worried about Danny. The defense attorney only asked a few questions. Then the judge asked if the prosecution had anymore questions of the witness.

"Yes your Honor I do. This will only take a few minutes."

Danny sat there and thought what else would John want to ask. Everyone from Five-O was wondering that also.

John Manicote began. "Danny I only have one question really to ask. Could you please tell the court who Jane Michael's was and what she meant to you?"

Danny took a sharp breath almost too stunned to speak. Then he realized that this was Jane's voice in the trial. He smiled momentarily and said with passion began his reply.

"She was a beautiful twenty-five year old who graduated from University of Hawaii with a Masters Degree in Child Psychology." Laughingly he commented, "Maybe that's the reason she had me around her finger." Everyone in the courtroom laughed. "She worked as a volunteer for the Junior Blind two days a week. She was involved in a lot of charity work. When I had the time I would help her out with special projects that she would be working on. I knew that Jane was wealthy but that didn't matter. Her parents had set up a trust fund so when she got married her money would be used for the Junior Blind and the needy. They would live off his salary."

Then Danny started crying when he admitted, "She brought me a level of peace to my life. She made my life complete -- on a level that I hadn't felt for a long time -- perhaps since my parents were killed during the Pearl Harbor attack when I was three years old. She was everything to me, my soulmate, my friend and was going to be my partner and lover for the rest of our lives."

Danny stopped and looked over at Walter ( who was showing no amount of remorse or guilt ) When she was murdered by that BASTARD everything I ever wanted was taken from me! I wish -- oh how I wish I let you die on that cliff, but I realized that if I did that her death and Karen's death would be in vain."

His lips started to quiver and tears started to flow. "Sometimes I feel as though its my fault she's dead because we were supposed to have lunch that day and because I was investigating her friend's death I told her I couldn't go. She always understood when my work got in the way of us being together. As she was leaving she leaned over and kissed me and said I love you. My God I should have been with her that day she would be alive."

With that Danny started sobbing uncontrollably. There was whispering all through the courtroom. Clara had her head buried in Jenny's arms crying. Several jurors were crying. The judge looked over where Steve was sitting. Steve got up and with John's help they got Danny back to his seat. His aunt put her arms around him and he just sobbed. The judge who had tears in his eyes called a recess until the following day.

*****

Two weeks later Walter was convicted of murder in the first degree two counts, plus assault with intent to commit murder. Since Hawaii had no death penalty he would spend the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole. That helped Danny some but not much.

He talked with Steve after the trial was over and asked for a leave of absence. It was granted. He told Steve " I have got to work a few things out before I decide to come back to work."

Steve told him to take all the time he needed.

Dan went back to New York with his aunt. Danny stayed away for about two months. When he returned he still looked tired and worn out and Steve asked him if he needed more time off.

Danny shook his head no saying, "I need to get back to work, because that is one of the only ways I can truly release my feelings and Jane would have wanted me to get on with my life. In order to honor her memory I need to be here where I am needed"

*****

A year to the day of Walter's sentencing Danny had a visitor at work. It was Sally. She wanted to talk with Danny. They went to lunch and talked extensively about Jane. Sally was comforted to know that Danny didn't blame her for what Walter did.

"Sally what Walter did was vicious and sickening but you are not to blame. I have finally come to terms that I am not at fault either. I realize now that certain things in life happen that can't be stopped. Due to her death I have come to understand how others feel in the same situation when a loved one is murdered."

For both of them forgiveness wasn't the answer, but a level of peace had come over them especially after one particular person had hurt them so deeply.

After they had lunch Danny promised Sally that he would keep in touch. Everyone else but Steve had gone out to lunch. That of course was nothing unusual. Steve usually brought his and would sit out on the lanai. Danny joined him out there.

Danny said, "Steve there is something I have been meaning to tell you but have never really known how to put it into words. Today I now know. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support that you have given me this past year. Without your friendship, understanding and in a sense your 'brotherly love' I don't believe I would have made it. Thanks".

Steve sat there and took a good look at Danny and realized that for the first time in a long time that Danny seemed to be his old self.

Steve patted him on the shoulder saying "Thank you."

No other words needed to be said. Steve thought to himself that maybe someday Danny would be able to find another love. He hoped so. As Steve's hand remained on Danny's shoulder he realized how much friendship and understanding there was between them. It was a good feeling. Danny smiled a real smile for the first time in a long time that was genuine. He felt blessed.

PAU

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