STILL FRAME
by Jackie Edwards
Nicole Wylie exited the plane at
Honolulu International and headed for baggage claim. First she planned to stop
at her hotel, then renew her acquaintance with Steve McGarrett, head of
On another part of the island, Steve McGarrett was making hasty explanations to his lunch date Margo Cooper. Margo was a photojournalist who had recently slipped into the lush career of travel guide. She and McGarrett had a history, albeit stormy, of dating that Margo tried to reinstate whenever she happened to be in paradise.
"Margo, you know what happens. You of all people know -- "
"Steve why can't you just take a few hours off?"
"Because," he told her, has voice taking on an edge. "This case is starting to break and I need to keep on it." McGarrett could almost hear the silence on the other and of the phone.
"Well, call me when your case breaks, will you?"
"I will. Have fun, Margo."
McGarrett replaced the receiver, shaking his head. As many times in the past as he and Margo had had that conversation, he would have thought she'd have it memorized by now. But, he reflected some people just never stop hoping. He grinned. Or start listening, in Margo's case. As attracted as they were to each other, their personalities and expectations for a mate were too different to ever make it work.
*****
Nicole looked around at the koa
stairway with its carved balustrade and at the etched glass panels of the
McGarrett had exuded such a feeling of safety that Nicole had never felt frightened as long as he was with her. McGarrett, taking has job as seriously as he always did, assumed responsibility to provide their star witness with that feeling of security as often as he could. Nicole smiled as she climbed the curving stairs, her hand sliding along the polished banister. That dedication had led to a casual courtship over the years. Whenever either had been in the other's backyard they had managed to get together and spend some very enjoyable time. Now she hoped the Irish cop wouldn't be tee wrapped up in a case to spend some long overdue time with her.
She walked into the Five-0 offices and stood at Jenny Sherman's desk.
"May I help you?" Jenny smiled up at her.
"I'm here to see Steve McGarrett," Nicole told her. "We have a lunch date."
"I'm afraid Mister McGarrett is on a long-distance call right now, but if you'll give me your name, I'll let him know as soon as he's available."
"Nicole 'Wylie."
In his cubicle, Dan Williams raised has head at the name and rose to join her at the secretary's desk.
"Nicole?"
She turned, a smile lighting her face. "Danny!"
Jenny watched the exchange, puzzled; then the light dawned. Of course! Nicole Wylie. Jenny hadn't realized she'd kept in touch with the Five-0 team.
"It's great to see you," Dan was saying, looking her over admiringly. "Are you here on vacation?"
Nicole nodded. "Yes. I'm trying to get some new shots for my portfolio. I'm a photographer now."
"Steve mentioned that," Williams said. "Come in and talk to me while you wait for Steve to finish has call."
Nicole followed him into the small office and sat on the edge of the desk. They began catching up on the years that had passed when Margo breezed into the outer office, bypassed Jenny, and entered McGarrett's office without knocking.
Nicole's eyebrows rose. "Potential Mrs. McGarrett?" she asked, not entirely in jest.
"No," Dan grinned. "That's Margo Cooper, the photographer. She and Steve have known each other for a long time."
"Really?" Nicole murmured, eye's on the closed door. "I've seen her work. She's brilliant. I hear she's going to be doing a series of travel pieces for PBS."
"That's why she's here," Dan confirmed. "That and a little catching up with Steve, I think."
"Oh." Nicole slid off the desk. "Well, I think maybe I'll make a tactful retreat --"
"Hey!" Williams protested. "I thought you had a lunch date."
"So did I but --"
Dan made a sound resembling disgust and got up. "Jenny!" he called. "Is Steve off the phone?" Jenny glanced at the instrument on her desk. "Yep. All clear."
"I'll tell him you're here." Dan started for the door.
"Danny -- " Nicole caught his sleeve.
The young man chuckled. "It'll be fun." He winked. "Be right back." He strode to the door, giving a perfunctory tap, then stuck his head inside. "Nicole's here for lunch, Steve."
Steve looked decidedly uncomfortable as he glanced from Williams to Margo. He smiled gamely. "That's why I can't have lunch with you, Margo," he explained. "I already have plans."
"I thought you were so busy with this case." Margo's eyes narrowed.
"I am." Steve cleared his throat, his eyes pinning his second-in-command with a glacial glare.
Dan smiled wickedly at his boss and hastily withdrew before Steve could retaliate. From the expression on Steve's face Dan knew he'd pay later for this moment of enjoyment, but it had been worth the risk. Rare were the times he could really have fun at his friend's romantic juggling and many were the times Steve teased him about his love life. Turnabout was fair for now.
He returned to his office, grinning at Nicole. "He'll be right out." Nicole shook her head, but it was difficult to hide her amusement. "You are terrible," she scolded. "Taking advantage of an awkward situation like that."
"Every chance I get."
Margo breezed out of the office without glancing at either of them.
Williams indicated the door to Steve's office. "He's all yours."
Nicole rolled her eyes heavenward. "If only that were true."
Dan laughed as the brunette disappeared inside the boss's office.
*****
The next afternoon, McGarrett was working at his desk when he answered a call. He motioned for Nicole to sit down since she had just arrived for an impromptu lunch date.
"Good afternoon, governor."
Nicole watched has face as he listened, and knew her lunch to have just been terminated by a higher power. His Iook of regret when he replaced receiver confirmed it.
"Sorry," he said softly. "I don't suppose you're free for dinner tonight?"
"No, regrettably not."
"How about tomorrow?"
"Great. Call me at the hotel." When she rose from her chair he could see her disappointment.
"Nicole--"
She turned back to him. "Yes?"
"I had a great times at lunch yesterday. It's good to be with you again."
"As good. As it is to see Ms. Super-photographer?" Nicole heard the edge to her voice and knew he'd heard it, too.
"Nicole, she's an old friend."
"I know. Talk to you later."
Dan came in as Nicole turned to leave. "Not ring to lunch?"
McGarrett shook his head. "Not today, Danno. That was the governor on the phone. He got a tip that a bomb's been planted at the Cock's Roost. I'm going to check it out."
"You want me to come?"
"No, you stay here and hold down the fort, Danno. I'll let you know if I need you." He paused, then added with an inquiring smile. "Maybe you could fill in for me at lunch?" Without waiting for a response he headed for the door.
Dan turned to Nicole with a sheepish smile. "Settle for second best? Lunch at Uncle Lee's?"
Nicole grinned at him and hooked her arm through his. "Never second best, Danny. Uncle Lee's it is."
*****
McGarrett rolled over, hand groping for the phone. "Hello?" he muttered, receiver pressed against the pillow. He glanced at the clock -- six-thirty-six AM. He'd overslept. "Hello?"
"Steve?"
"Danno?" He propped himself up trying to clear his fuzzy brain. "What's wrong?"
"Sorry to wake you, Steve, I thought you'd be up. I think you should see what arrived for us this morning."
McGarrett smoothed his tousled hair, trying to organize his questions. What was the mystery arrival? Nothing could have come by mail this early. What was Danno doing at the office already? First things first. "What is it?"
Clear hesitation from the other end of the line. "I think you should see this for yourself."
Steve nodded. "Okay, Danno. I'm on my way." Hanging up the phone he got out of bed and hurried to the shower.
*****
Forty-five minutes later, McGarrett sat at his desk going through a packet of photographs given to him by his second-in-command. Each photo showed Steve and Nicole Wylie, arm in arm, walking down Honolulu streets. In one picture they were laughing, in another window shopping, in a third sitting at a fountain at the mall. In each photo, Nicole's face was circled in red with the accusation "cheater" written across the bottom of the photo.
"You say this package was shoved under your front door this morning?" Steve studied each photo again. "These were taken the day Nicole arrived when we went to lunch."
"Yeah." Dan tapped a manila envelope on the corner of McGarrett's desk. "Similar size and shape. I think you got one, too. And I've already dusted yours for prints and called the lab guys in early."
Steve picked up the envelope and tore it open. He slid three 8X10 photos out onto the desktop. Again, the photos were of Nicole, this time with Williams. In the first the two ate hot dogs, the second they browsed in a bookshop, the third Nicole was doubled over with laughter, Williams supporting her with his arms. As in the previous photos, Nicole was circled in red, the word "cheater" in red grease pencil along the bottom.
Dan tapped the pictures of Nicole and him. "These were taken yesterday when I took her to lunch for you. And before you get the wrong idea, nothing happened between us, it was all innocent fun." The denial was meant as a joke but it was delivered half-heartedly.
"I know, that Danno, don't worry. But this doesn't make sense. Who would send this?"
Dan shrugged. "I don't know. Why Nicole?"
McGarrett shook his head. I don't' know, but we're going to find out."
He picked up the phone and asked the operator to connect him to the Outrigger Hotel. When he connected to the hotel he asked for Nicole's room. A number of rings echoed emptily in his ear before the Outrigger operator clicked in and asked if he wanted to try later. He asked to talk to the manager on duty and interrogated the man, discovering Nicole had already left, renting a car earlier that morning.
McGarrett growled his irritation when he hung up the phone. "She's gone. Let's get over to the lab and see what Che Fong can come up with."
Williams picked up the evidence and came to his feet, standing almost toe to toe with his boss. Puzzle, McGarrett stood still, regarding him for a moment. "Danno, do you find it odd that Nicole's suddenly turned up in Hawaii?"
Danny shrugged as he considered. "No more than anyone else. Why?"
Steve shook his head, not having a concrete suspicion himself. "I don't know, but something -- I just don't know. She and Margo showing up at the same time . . . " He shrugged.
"I thought Margo was doing a travelogue?"
McGarrett nodded. "I know." He waved it away. "Nevermind. It's probably nothing." He grinned. "I've just got a suspicious mind."
"We all know that."
McGarrett pulled a face. "Well, in Margo's case, I have good reason. That article she wrote about Toni Walker's wedding and the subsequent death of her husband Marty while they were under Five-0 protection was a little on the unflattering side." [THANKS FOR THE HONEYMOON]
"Unflattering?" Danny echoed. "I'd say vindictive was more like it." He noted the hurt look on McGarrett's face and backtracked tactfully. "But then, I don't really know her."
McGarrett snorted. "Consider yourself fortunate at times, Danno. " He shook his head. "After all this time, it still grates on me that those hoods were able to get poisonous gas into the Kuilima right under our noses and kill Marty."
"It wasn't your fault, Steve." Dan recognized the old wound. "You were off duty."
McGarrett shot him a look. "On a case like that, I'm never off duty." Then, trying to lighten the mood, he said, "I don't know how you do it, Danno. Juggling two woman at once." Steve shook his head in admiration and amazement.
"I'll be glad to give you a few pointers, Steve." Dan smiled and winked, then beat a hasty retreat as McGarrett picked up a book as if to heave at him.
Following his officer, Steve ruminated about the situation. Rationally, he knew there should be nothing strange about two women from his past, both photographers, arriving in Hawaii at the same time. Still, he couldn't eliminate the suspicious nagging in the back of his mind. He had never liked coincidences.
*****
The intercom buzzed and McGarrett reached out to press the button without looking up. "Yeah, Jenny?"
"Nicole Wylie's on line one, Steve."
"Thanks." He hit the lighted button. "Nicole? Where have you been?"
"I got an early start this morning and flew to Molokai for some great stuff. Should be enough for a feature."
McGarrett paused. Suddenly the things he'd been thinking seemed ridiculous and more than a little unfair. He'd felt a special kinship with Nicole almost from the first time they'd met and she'd done nothing to dispel that feeling.
"Steve?"
He heard the puzzlement in her voice and came to an impulsive decision. "Are you free for dinner?"
"Lunch if you want." She laughed. "Not to appear desperate, you understand."
"I'm -- I have a lunch -- appointment."
"Oh." Nicole's voice fell. "Margo Copper?"
"I didn't say that."
Nicole sighed. "You didn't have to. It's very hard to compete with rich, beautiful and famous."
"Oh, you don't do so badly," he encouraged in a soft tone.
"Charmer." Nicole cleared her throat. "What time tonight?"
"Around eight? I'll call before I leave here."
"Okay, see you then."
McGarrett hung, his thoughts lingering on their conversation. Nicole resented Margo that was obvious -- it didn't necessarily mean anything. Women competing for a man's attention were as old a scenario as the reverse. "Listen to me," he chidingly muttered to himself. "I sound like I think I'm Cary Grant or something." Shaking his head he reached for the phone. "This whole little incident is probably nothing more than a bad joke."
Still, he couldn't dispel the niggling in the back of his mind as he dialed Margo's number to cancel their lunch date due to an unexpected meeting with the governor.
*****
"Steve." Dan poked his head into the office. "It's almost seven-thirty. Weren't you going to dinner with Nicole?"
McGarrett pushed his paperwork aside and stood away from the desk. "Right." Straightening his tie, he studied the mess on his desk. "I should really stay here and -- "
"But you won't because you haven't eaten a decent meal today. Plus, this will make the third date in as many days that you've broken with Nicole." Danny grinned. "You know what they say about all work and no play."
"And you should know. All right, I'll go take the pretty girl out for a good dinner. Satisfied?"
"Yeah." Dan retreated back to his own office. "Have fun."
*****
McGarrett rode up the elevator to Nicole's floor at the Outrigger Hotel. He got out and, checking the legend on the wall, started toward her room.
"Who is it?" Her voice seemed strained behind the door.
Steve thought she was playing a game. "Who do you think it is?"
"Oh. Hold on, Steve."
The chain dropped and the door opened to reveal Nicole, fully dressed in a red chiffon outfit, smiling at him with charm and satisfaction at his appreciative reaction.
"Very nice." His voice nearly a sigh. "I thought maybe you weren't ready." He placed a light kiss on her cheek.
"Why? I'm a prompt girl."
"Why else would you be careful about who was outside?" He searched her face, curious at her tense expression. "Is everything okay?"
Nicole shrugged. "Sure. Of course. This is paradise, right? What could be wrong?" She smiled thinly at him but knew it wasn't working. She was too transparent, she knew, and with McGarrett that was deadly. Her pretense faltered.
McGarrett gestured at his watch, his demeanor crisp. "We have reservations for The Haven at eight and unless you tell me what's wrong we're going to be late."
"The Haven! Steve, I hate that restaurant! They serve bean sprouts and tofu and --"
Steve played along and replied with a twinkle in his eyes. "Better than the junk you eat when you're working."
"I hate The Haven."
"I know. That's why we're going to Lau Yee Chi's for Szechwan."
"You are -- impossible!" She smacked him as he took her arm and led her out the door.
"On the way you can tell me what's bothering you." It wasn't an invitation, but an order.
It wasn't until dessert that Nicole finally confessed. "It's probably nothing, but he's called twice now."
"Who called?" McGarrett's cop instincts kicked in immediately.
Nicole gestured lamely. "I don't know! That's what was so creepy. He didn't say anything threatening, really. She met McGarrett's concerned gaze. "He just said he was watching me and I'd better watch the company I kept." Her companion was silent. "Steve?"
"He's called you twice?"
She nodded. "Once this morning and once last night. He woke me up this morning. Told me not to go out with you tonight."
McGarrett felt fear prickle him at the knowledge that whoever it was knew her schedule so well. "What did he say exactly
Nicole ran fingers through her hair. "I don't remember -- he said -- he said that I should be more careful about who I was seen with. That he'd been watching me and then this morning he said I should cancel my dinner date." She raised fearful eyes to meet McGarrett's. "What's happening?"
McGarrett shook his head. "I don't know. Obviously, someone's got your phone number and is playing a practical joke. Are you sure it was a man? Old man? Young?"
Nicole shook her head. "I couldn't tell. I think he'd recorded his message, though, and then played it over the phone really slow, like they do in the movies."
McGarrett snorted. "Why you? Why a visiting tourist in a hotel room? Why not a resident single woman? And how does he know so much about you
"I don't know, but you're scaring me." Her voice trembled.
Steve realized he'd been thinking out loud. It was a slip he would not normally make in an investigation with a victim. It meant he was too close to this emotionally and he needed some objectivity.
He reached across the table to take her hand. "I'm sorry. Let's go. I'll take you back to the hotel." They rose, McGarrett taking her arm. As he led her toward the door she balked. "Steve."
McGarrett looked down into dark eyes that fought to keep her panic from showing.
"Steve, I don't want to go back to the hotel. Not at night."
He kissed the top of her head, giving her a quick squeeze. "Well, I think the McGarrett Hilton has a vacancy."
Silently, Nicole allowed herself to be led out of the restaurant and to McGarrett's car.
*****
The next evening, McGarrett pulled into the parking garage of his apartment building and parked his car. He took the elevators to his floor and started down the carpeted hallway. Nicole had returned to her hotel during the day.
Steve smiled at the pleasant memory of the night before. His steps slowed as he saw Margo waiting by the door for him. He chased away the image of Nicole.
"Margo."
"It's about time you got home." Her reprimand was playful. "I thought I was going to be standing out here all night."
"What are you doing here?" Steve unlocked the door, standing aside for her to enter.
"It seems the only time I can catch you. I thought I could talk you into taking me to dinner."
"Not tonight, Margo. I'm beat and tomorrow's going to be another early day."
"Come on, Steve." Her urging emphasized by rubbing a hand along his arm. "Just a quick dinner." She pouted eyes seductive. "I'm lonely. I've hardly seen you this trip."
McGarrett sighed. "All right. Let me get a shower and we'll go out." He glared at her, not entirely in jest. "For a quick dinner."
"Fine." Margo held up her palms. "I'll be here when you're ready."
Shaking his head, McGarrett went down the hall to his bedroom.
Left to her own devices, Margo sat on the sofa and picked up a magazine from the coffee table. "Why in the world would Steve have a copy of PHOTO JOURNALIST?" Thumbing through the magazine -- the current issue -- she noticed one article in particular was marked with a handwritten marginal note: 'Who would have thought, eh, Mr. Collins?'
Curiosity piqued, Margo scanned the article. It was about a relative newcomer to the photography scene -- Nicole Collins. But the photo that accompanied the text was of the woman she'd seen in Steve's office, Nicole Wylie. Frowning, Margo tossed the magazine on to the table and started toward the back of the apartment.
"Steve?"
She heard the water running in the shower and sat on the edge of the bed to waiter. Beside her on the spread lay McGarrett's key ring. "He won't miss this if I make a copy." She smiled as she dropped the key into her shoe. "I'll return it in the morning."
Leaning back on her elbows, Margo let her eyes travel the room, coming to rest on two large framed photographs that adorned tone wall. Rising, she went over for a closer inspection. They were both scenes of Los Angeles, one by day, the other by night. And the name on each was the same -- Nicole Collins.
Margo felt angry jealousy rise like bile in her throat. Her eyes narrowed with hatred. "Where does that little upstart get off, moving in on my territory again?"
"What?" Steve emerged from the bathroom toweling his wet hair.
"Nothing." Margo forced a smile. "I was just admiring your pictures."
"Oh, yeah." He looked slightly uncomfortable. "I -- A friend sent them to me."
Margo nodded. "I'll be in the living room."
"Great." McGarrett watched her go, breathing a sigh of relief. He didn't know how Danno did it, juggling more than one woman at a time. He felt as if he were drowning.
*****
The next day found Margo going through the files at the Honolulu Advertiser. It took several hours but she finally found what she was looking for -- front page coverage of the trial of a Hawaiian mobster named Ravasco, and the star witness who put him away -- his ex-girlfriend, a former hooker named Nicole Wylie. Steve McGarrett, the chief of Hawaii Five-0, had gone to Singapore -- alone -- to bring Wylie back to testify against the mobster. Nicole became a special witness for the State, one who McGarrett personally guarded during the weeks before the trial and at whose elbow he'd stayed during the trial.
Gathering up the article and photos she wanted to cry, Margo made her way to the front desk.
*****
Nicole looked at her watch for the nth time. She hadn't wanted to meet Margo cooper for drinks and was seriously considering leaving the bar before the other woman arrived. After all, what did she hope to accomplish? A friendly rivalry as opposed to the one they had now? Not likely.
Nicole reached for her purse intending to leave, when Margo came through the door. "Damn," she muttered, waving unenthusiastically.
"Hello, Miss Collins." Margo slid into the chair across from Nicole. "Or should I say Miss Wiley?"
Nicole's eyes locked with her opponent's.
"Oh, I know all about you, Miss Wylie." Margo's smile held malice and contempt. "More than you can imagine."
"I can imagine quite a lot."
"And there's a lot to know. Isn't there?"
Nicole's expression hardened. "What do you want?"
You off this island and out of Steve McGarrett's life. Forever." Margo spoke the words simply, but there was ice in her tone and in her gaze.
"Just like that?"
Margo pulled an envelope form her oversized purse. "Just like that," she agreed, tapping the manila envelope. Onto the table spilled copies of articles and photos Margo had found in the Advertiser's archives.
Nicole stared at the pile of paper before her, resisting the urge to reach out and sweep the damning evidence to the floor. The headline on the tope page screamed at her. Below it was a picture of her and Ravasco.
From somewhere far away Nicole heard Margo's voice taunt her.
"How do you think Steve would like a few choice photos of him and his hooker, accompanied by the proper disclosures, or course."
Nicole lifted her gaze to meet Margo's. "Bitch," she hissed, hands clenching into fists. "You'll ruin his career."
Margo shrugged, a smile pulling at her tight mouth. "Then he has no reason to stay on this rock, and I win." Her smile grew. "Well, will you leave now, without seeing Steve? Or do I take these to the local rags?"
Nicole bit her lip, then swallowed hard. She couldn't let Margo release those clippings. It would ruin Steve if the press got wind of the fact he was romantically involved with a former hooker and had been for some time.
Slowly she nodded. "All right, you win."
"I thought you'd see things my way." Margo rose to leave then turned back to Nicole. You can have these as a souvenir. I have another set." She turned and left the bar with Nicole still staring at the blackmail evidence in a state of shock.
*****
McGarrett shuffled one stack of papers into a neat pile and slipped them into a file folder. With a decisive snap he slapped the folder into a stack of manila-colored files at the end of the desk. Tie and collar loosened, jacket off, the4 chief of Five-0 was focused on getting through the administrative tedium of paperwork.
"What's nest?" he asked briskly.
Also in shirtsleeves, Williams was comfortably perched on the desk corner nearest McGarrett. Dan pushed a few papers around on the desk until he found the correct item. "The Gerard embezzlement. HPD is still on it. I'm in contact with Taisho -- he'll let me know if anything breaks."
Willis put the paper in a stack on the far end of the desk. He glanced at his watch. "Almost five, Steve. Your flight leaves in two hours."
"I know." McGarrett acknowledged distractedl6y.
Williams grinned. "It's not like this is the first weekend you've left the office, Steve. Take it easy. Go home, get ready, and have a great trip."
"Just trying to finish up. Trying to get rid of me, Danno?"
Mischievously Williams smirked. "No. But if you'd rather stay here and work I'll trade you places."
This elicited a glare from the boss. "Not a chance, aikane." The delivery -- deadly calm -- spoke more eloquently than the words.
Dan laughed. It wasn't often he had the chance to pull a joke on his boss. Usually he was the one at the other end of merciless teasing. He was going to enjoy and prolong this to the most extreme degree possible. "Then get going. Everything will be fine here, Steve."
With a sheepish nod McGarrett dropped the files in his hands and leaned back in his chair. "I guess I have been a mother hen, huh?" He studied his companion, smirking slightly at the obvious affirmative expression from his friend. "All right, Danno, message received loud and clear."
"Good. Now get out of here." Dan's order was kind, but firm. "Since I AM on duty all weekend, let me get started. You're depriving me of my seat of power."
"All right." McGarrett sighed in capitulation. "Remember, I'll be -- "
"At the Naniloa Surf." Williams sighed, too. "And I don't expect to hear from you until Monday morning." He seductively raised his eyebrows several times. "Forecast is rain all weekend for Hilo."
"Nicole picked the Big Island. She's never been there. And you nave a dirty mind, Officer Williams."
The phone rang and Dan reached over and answered. "Five-0."
"Danny, this is Nicole. Is Steve still there?"
"Sure." Williams responded hesitantly. Although he didn't know Nicole well, he knew when someone was upset. He mentally flinched. 'There goes Steve's weekend, I bet.' He handed the phone to his friend. "Nicole."
McGarrett took the phone. "Hello."
"Steve, you're going to hate me for this, but I have to cancel the weekend." She rushed ahead, blurring the words in haste. "A fantastic job has just come up in Santa Barbara and I just can't pass it up."
Their adventures together in Singapore had shown McGarrett the many faces of Nicole Wylie personality. Fear and lying under duress had been two sides of her prism-like nature. From the tone in her voice he could recognize those traits now. They seemed so misplaced in hits non-threatening environment that McGarrett was confused by the obvious deception.
Neutrally he gave her a chance. "Are you sure?" He hoped she would take the offer to change her story.
"Yes, Steve, sorry, but I'm sure." Her voice was husky and coarse, as if she were about to break into tears.
"Can I drive you to the airport?"
"No -- no -- I just -- I have to leave. Sorry -- Steve -- sorry. Bye."
The loud click on the other end broke the connection. For a few seconds McGarrett held onto the phone, then slowly handed it to Dan.
"What's wrong with Nicole?" Dan had clearly heard the distress detected in her voice. He picked up on Steve's confusion from the one-sided conversation. "Something's up."
"She's lying." McGarrett was certain. Distractedly he chewed his lip, disturbed by the inexplicable actions. "She's very upset and wouldn't tell me why."
Williams shrugged. "Go ask her."
McGarrett looked at his friend for a moment. He pondered the mystery, silently sorting through his options. 'Leave it to Danno to come up with the most clear-cut answer to problems with women.'
The intercom buzzed. Dan answered it. "Yeah, Jenny?"
"Ms Cooper here to see Steve." Jenny's announcement held clear disapproval in her cool tone.
McGarrett rolled his eyes. Margo was the last person he wanted to see right now. He replied that he would be out in a minute.
Dan ruefully stated the obvious. "You still have one too many girls on your hands, Steve."
"Yeah, and I'm going to take care of that right now." McGarrett stood, shouldered into his jacket and fixed his tie. "You offered to take one of them off my hands, remember? Still game?"
Williams shrugged; knowing the offer came with an automatic catch. "Okay, I'll bite. Am I shark bait for Margo?"
"No, I'm cutting it off for good with her. I need to do that myself. Will you please go over and talk to Nicole and keep her from leaving until I can get there?"
Dan jumped off the desk. "Sure." Good-naturedly, with some sarcasm he complained. "Give me the cry-on-the-shoulder assignment. The Outrigger, right?"
"Yeah. McGarrett placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, guiding him toward the door. "I'm saving you from the claw marks, remember." Taking a deep breath for fortitude, he opened the door.
*****
On the short drive to Waikiki Williams pondered the tricky pinch-hitter substitution he had been pressed into playing. Dealing with distraught women was not a favorite pastime. Both he and Steve had a chivalrous weak spot for weeping ladies. This would be even dicier since Nicole was Steve's girlfriend. The situation was awkward at best. There was no option, however, because Steve needed the favor. And Nicole was too good for him to let her just slip out with a lie between them.
By the time Williams reached the Outrigger he had still not formulated a plan. He would have to wing it, he decided, as he knocked on the door.
"Yes?" The answer was timid, muffled by the barrier, but recognizably wary.
"It's Danny, Nicole. Will you let me in?"
"No! No -- go away -- I'm busy! Packing! I can't talk!"
Uncomfortable with calling through the door, Williams played his best pitch. "Steve was detained, Nicole. I'm not going back to him without talking to you first. So you might as well open up." There was no response. Sighing, he tried again, figuring Steve really owed him big time for this. "I'm not leaving until we talk, Nicole. Wouldn't you rather do it in there than me shouting through the door?" Falling back on police intimidation techniques Ws a rude move, but he was getting desperate.
The latch clicked and the door swung open. Nicole was already crossing the room, back to an open suitcase on the bed. W9illiams closed the door behind him. Palpably he could feel the tension emanating from the woman. Every experienced sense -- years of reading people -- told him Nicole's emotions were so brittle she was about to break apart.
Nonchalantly he circuited the room, making an easy, ever-decreasing circle toward her. "Steve didn't want you to leave before he could get here."
"I can't see --I mean -- I can't wait." Shakily she drew in a breath. "I have to catch a plane."
Dan came to a stop next to her. A glance into the suitcase showed expensive clothes haphazardly thrown and crushed into the bag. Nicole was so nervous her hands shook as she fussed over folding a blouse.
Gently he questioned her. "Don't you think you'd feel better if you just told the truth?"
"No. You don't understand." The sobs she had been fighting back broke into her voice. Her shoulder shook as tears rolled down her face. She turned away. "Leave me alone."
Dan firmly gripped her shoulders. "What's wrong, Nicole? Tell me, please."
Silently she shook her head, falling heavily onto the bed.
For support, Dan kept a hand on her, torn with indecision over his next step. He could let her cry it our on his shoulder and offer silent sympathy until she was ready to talk. Instincts told him to press until she revealed the problem, which seemed perilously close to the surface. Nicole didn't seem the type to collapse like this for trivialities. There was something seriously wrong and Dan felt the urgency to find the solution. His instincts told him the problem centered on Steve McGarrett, and Dan wanted to do whatever he could to protect his friend.
"I'm here to help you, Nicole." Kneeling in front of her he held her hand in a show of brotherly support. Gently he pleaded, reasoned. "You're strong enough to beat whatever is eating you."
Shaking her head she denied his faith. "I'm not --"
"You are, Nicole. Come on. I know what you've been through." Tough, but tender, he managed the right combination of reproach and assurance. "I know you're tough. Steve McGarrett would have blown you away by now if you weren't strong enough to stand up to him."
The humor struck through her defenses. A flickering smile preceded tears streaming down her face, her resolve cracked open by sorrow. Wiping the moisture from her face she stared at him -- looking into his eyes for the first time. "It's bad, Danny. I don't know what to do."
"How bad?"
"Blackmail. She knows all about my past. She's going to give it all to the newspapers. It'll ruin Steve! I can't let -- "
"Whoa, whoa."
Now that she was talking she created a flash flood of information. As terrify9ing as it seemed to Nicole, it was a straightforward crime to Williams. Many times he had dealt with blackmailers before. That it involved his closest friend as a victim gave him personal incentive to stop the crime before Steve and Nicole's lives were ruined. Pushing his own anxieties out of the way he fell back on police routine.
"Who is blackmailing you?"
"Margo Cooper."
"Margo!" Dan whistled. "Wow." His amazement lasted only a few seconds. Abruptly, instinctively, he clicked into his role as a Five-0 officer. "Okay. What does she have?" Briskly, he moved onto familiar ground. Establish facts; find evidence to fight the criminal. "Specifically," he ordered. "I need to know everything." He crossed to the phone and called the office.
Nicole shoved under the clothes in the bag and retrieved a thick envelope. She handed it to Dan, explaining Margo's threats and her own certainty that Margo was deadly serious in those threats.
"She's a lunatic." Nicole's composure returned along with her anger. "She's dangerous, Danny."
Reaching the Fiv-e0 answering service, Williams dialed HPD dispatch and requested McGarrett be called via his car radio. As he waited, Williams leafed through the clippings and small photos in his hands. Margo had done a credible detective job at compiling evidence. The articles from the old papers, the recent photos with Steve and Nicole, gave ample, obvious proof that the head of Five-0 and a former hooker and protected witness were involved in a relationship. Hardly a crime, but damaging to someone as straight-laced as McGarrett. His many enemies would use this to crucify his career.
It made Dan livid to see his friend victimized like this. Steve deserved a decent relationship without interference from the public. Or vindictive ex-girlfriends. He'd never liked Margo, anyway. What did it matter who Nicole used to be a few years ago? Bitterly, Dan knew it Did matter. As long as they were public servants every member of Five-0 -- particularly McGarrett -- was vulnerable to attack.
There was no response to the call to McGarrett's car radio. Williams left a message to be contacted by McGarrett whenever he returned to the car. Slamming down the phone he curtly ordered Nicole to finish packing.
"What are you going to do?"
Her wary tone and expression made him realize his anger was putting her on edge. HE apologized and explained he was mad at Margo, at the situation, and did not blame Nicole in any way. She was a victim here, too.
"I'm taking you to a safe place where Margo can't intimidate you." Hastily he threw the remainder of her belongings into the last suitcase and snapped it shut. Tucking the envelope into his pocket, he picked up her bags. "Then I'm going to take care of Margo." He paused to give her a reassuring smile. "It'll be okay, Nicole. She's not going to hurt you or Steve."
More composed, Nicole impulsively hugged him. "Thank you."
*****
McGarrett took at deep breath. Margo was not in a good mood and what he was about to say wouldn't improve it any. But there was no way around it. Every time they were together the same thing attracted them -- a chemical reaction -- a primitive, physical enticement. But you couldn't base a relationship on that alone, Steve knew. He also knew that of the women he'd met in his life, the women that he might start a lasting relationship with, Nicole Wylie was the most likely.
"Steve, you haven't been listening to a thin I've said!" Margo's accusation came in a pouting tone. "I didn't invite you here to be ignored."
"Why did you invite me, Margo? I thought we were going to have dinner tomorrow night?"
"Well, since it's so difficult to tear you away from your other little friend --" She glowered at him. "I thought I'd better bra you while I could."
"Margo, Nicole's an old friend -- like you are."
Margo's gaze softened seductively. "We're more than friends, aren't we, Steve?"
McGarrett smiled. "Yes, but so is Nicole."
The journalist's gaze hardened. "She's not even a decent photographer! How can you possibly prefer her over me?"
Steve felt an unreasonable urge to defend Nicole. "She's a ver good photographer, Margo. She's won awards, gotten covers on --"
"Oh, she takes a hell of a sunset picture," Margo sneered. "When was the last time she took a picture of a bleeding soldier or a tornado bearing down on her, or a Navy ship being blown to bits by the enemy?"
McGarrett countered quietly. "Maybe she just has enough sense to stay out of the line of fire and take pictures of the world's beauty."
"I don't believe you!"
Steve looked around the small bar and grill. NO one seemed to be paying attention to them. He cleared his throat. "Margo, I think you should continue with your travelogue without me."
"Steve, there's not that much rush. If you're busy at work I can wait -- "
"No. That's not what I meant." He shook his head, searching for a kind way to say what he had to and finding none. "We're not good for each other, Margo. I'm headstrong and stubborn and what you want is someone to follow you around the world and chance the film in you camera."
She stroked the back of his hand intimately. "That's not all I --"
McGarrett pulled away. "Margo, listen to me. We'd never make it, for the long haul. We're --"
"Just remember, Steve," Margo interrupted, "I'm the one who lured you away from your duty. Not Ms Wylie!"
"O wasn't protecting you, Margo . . .." He stopped. How had she known he'd met Nicole protecting her?
His companion wasn't finished with he unfavorable comparison. "For God's sake, Steve! What is wrong with you? I'm attractive, I come from a good family, and I am successful. Why would you want that little tramp? She's a former hooker!"
McGarrett started. "How -- how did you know that? That Nicole had been a prostitute?"
The color left Margo's face for a second, then the fire flared in her eyes again. In an angry motion Margo tossed the contents of her drink at Steve's face and rose from her seat, running from the bar.
With as much dignity as he could muster McGarrett wiped the moisture form his face brushed the ice cubes from his lap and threw some money on the table to cover the bill.
*****
Williams drove directly to McGarrett's apartment. He opened the door and removed the key from his key ring and handed it to Nicole. "Don't go anywhere, but if you need to, you nave this." He shoved the bags inside the door. "Keep this locked. One of us will be in touch."
Then he locked the door and closed it behind him. He waited in the corridor until he heard the dead bolt shot into place, then he hurried back toward the elevators. When he reached his car there was a message from McGarrett, who had returned to the palace.
*****
"She's got you, Steve." Williams gave his depressing observation on the clippings laid out on McGarrett's desk. Silently, the head of Five-0 leafed through the photos and articles as Dan continued. "Big pilikia if she goes to the press. And Nicole is sure she will."
McGarrett thought back to the recent blow out with Margo. She had been so enraged at his rejection she seemed unbalanced with madness. He had no doubt she would do everything she could to vindictively ruin Nicole and him. First, she would have to get past him.
A fist slammed onto the desk. "She won't get away with it." His promise came with a snarl. "At least Nicole is safe at my place, other wise I'd be worried about her. Thanks, Danno." With quick, angry motions McGarrett locked the damning evidence in his desk drawer. "Let's go have a talk with ms. Cooper."
Steve had rounded the desk when William put out a restraining hand. "Steve, if you confront he she'd spill everything."
Too outraged for reasoning, McGarrett shoved past his associate. "I'll make sure she doesn't."
The drive out of Honolulu to the exclusive Kahala Hilton was made in record time. Margo was no in her room and Williams intimidated a young Asian from housekeeping to open Ms. Cooper's door.
The room was neat and in order. A quick search did not reveal any clue as to Margo's next move. With sharp, quick strides McGarrett coursed the room. All seemed in place.
Williams returned from the adjoining room. "Her clothes are still in the closet."
McGarrett was rifling through the contents on the top of the desk. He stopped cold at room and phone numbers scrawled on the hotel stationary. "This is Nicole's number."
Williams looked over McGarrett's shoulder. "You think she's gone after Nicole?"
McGarrett responded with a tight nod. "Let's go." The order came over his shoulder as he rushed form the room.
Heading back toward Waikiki, Williams called the security office at the Outrigger. When the arrived at the front desk of the hotel the reception manager reported that a woman answering Margo's description had come by the hotel asking for Nicole. Of course, they had reported Nicole had already checked out.
With a tight first McGarrett pounded the steering wheel. "What would Margo do now? She blames Nicole for coming between us. But she can't find Nicole now."
Williams shook his head. "I don't know. How can you figure someone who's so possessive they flip out?" He thought for a few minutes. "What did Margo say when you told her you were through with her?"
"She thought Nicole was responsible. She promised to get back at us --"
"Maybe she'll head to the office."
"It's all we've got, Danno. Let's go."
The two detectives left the hotel and walked toward McGarrett Mercury. Steve took the key ring out of his pocket and juggled the keys as they crossed the street. Once in the car McGarrett started the engine, but did not drive away.
"Something's not right." He shook his head, puzzled and concerned. "I don't think Margo's going to be looking for me at the Palace."
"No. She left you at the bar. Her next move is not going to go running back to you. You know --" Williams stopped, then reached over and jangled the keys in the ignition.
"What?" McGarrett glanced at the keys.
"You take your apartment key off this ring?" Hope Nicole doesn't leave, cause I gave her my key to your place. You won't have away to get in."
Turning off the car he pulled the keys out of the ignition. "Yeah. Weird, I somehow misplaced the key this morning after Margo . . . "
Their eyes met. Danny whispered the single conclusion bouncing between them. "Margo."
Steve started the car and made a wide U-turn, heading toward his apartment. "He's gone to my place, bet on it. She took the key last night."
"Steve, I thought it would be the safest place for Nicole! I had no idea -- "
"I would have done the same thing, Danno."
Silently he prayed for once they were wrong in their conclusions. Instinctively he knew the assessment of Margo's obsession was right on target. Which meant Nicole Wylie's life was in serious jeopardy.
*****
Nicole looked up when she heard a sound. Nervously she rose and went to the door. Locked. Deciding she was having an attack of nerves, she went back to Steve's armchair and the book she'd been reading. She slid sideways in the comfortable chair, legs draped over one arm, her back resting against the other.
Nicole had barely gotten involved with her story again when she heard a key in the lock and the door began to open. She felt a thrill of relief at Steve returning, which was quickly replaced by alarm when she saw her visitor was Margo Cooper.
The other woman stood just inside the doorway, key still in the lock, a look of shocked outrage on her face.
"You! What are you doing here! I thought I told you to leave the islands!" Her face flushed a bright crimson as she advanced on Nicole. "You have no right to be here! Get out! Get out of here!"
Nicole scramble out of the chair, stumbling as her feet hit the floor.
"Margo, stay away from me." She backed toward the kitchen. "I'm here by invitation, which is more than I suspect you are."
"I see there's only one way to get rid of you. Steve's too kind to 5throw you out himself, so I'll just have to do it for him. He's too good to be involved with someone like you! You'll ruin his reputation. He'll be smeared form one end of the islands to the other."
Nicole stood still, mouth open, listening to the tirade that flowed at her from Margo. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. It sounded like her childhood all over again, only with a twist: now her rival for Steve's affection was telling her she wasn't good enough.
"Miss cooper --"
Margo lunged, catching Nicole's throat in the crook of her arm.
Nicole flung herself back against her assailant, pushing them both to the living room floor. As she grappled to gain an advantage, Nicole tried frantically to remember the few lessons McGarrett had given her in self-defense last summer.
They rolled across the floor, knocking over a lamp that stood beside the couch. Finally, Nicole landed a blow to the other woman's face. Margo clutched her eye, letting go of her, kicking out viciously with her foot. The hard point of her boot connected with Nicole's ribs and she cried out in pain, collapsing to the hardwood floor, gasping for air.
Stepping out of the elevator on his floor, McGarrett heard Nicole's scream and ran the few feet to his apartment, Dan at his heels. The door stood partially open, key still in the lock. Both men ran through the living room.
"Margo!" Steve shouted at the woman who knelt over Nicole.
Nicole tried in vain to displace the hands at her throat but was still too winded from the blow to her midsection.
"She's not good enough for you Steve! Margo screamed, digging her fingers into Nicole's flesh.
Nicole shrieked, raking her nails down Margo's cheek. Outraged, Margo rose and ran for the bedroom.
Dan Williams blocked her way, sending her back to the living room. Madly, Margo bolted past McGarrett, whose attention was divided between her and his injured friend. Shouting, he ordered Dan to stay with Nicole, and he chased after Cooper.
Down the hall, the indicator over the elevator told him Margo was on her way down. He ran for the stair well and raced to the lobby. He emerged in time to see Margo bolt from the elevator through the open front doors.
"Margo!"
Oblivious, she ran across the parking lot to an opening onto a side street.
McGarrett reached to door in time to see Margo run blindly from the sidewalk into the path of an oncoming car.
"Margo!" Steve screamed, running to her. Too late.
The driver of the car, a young businessman in a suit and tie, got out of his car and knelt beside the fallen woman.
"I couldn't stop." The anguished driver cried to McGarrett, panicked. "She just came out of nowhere."
The Five-0 cop nodded. "It wasn't your fault. I saw it all." He checked for a pulse, not expecting to fine one. Then he rose and turned to Williams behind him.
Quietly, Danny gave gentle assurance. "I'll call it in, Steve. I'm sorry."
McGarrett nodded tightly. Slipping out of his jacket he laid it over Margo's face and shoulders.
A blue-and-white pulled up; one of the officers coming over to McGarrett while his partner began pushing back the crowd that was gathering around the curb where the dead woman lay.
"Did you see what happened, Mr. McGarrett?" Officer Suna pulled out a notebook.
"She ran out of the building into the path of this man's car."
The frightened looking man still stood beside his car. "I couldn't stop," he repeated. "She just came out of nowhere."
Another police car pulled to a stop. "I'll leave this to you, Suna," Steve told him. "I'll be at Five-0 or at home where you're ready for my statement."
Suna nodded, then turned to one of the newly arrived cops. "Let's get this traffic going again."
*****
"So you think the threatening calls I got were engineered by Margo?" Nicole sipped her drink and stared at her companion.
McGarrett nodded. "And the photos. She was keeping a close watch on you." Steve grinned slightly, nodding to his lady friend. "No matter who you were out with."
McGarrett, Williams and Nicole sat at a beachside seafood restaurant three days after Margo Cooper's death.
Williams' sighed, playing with his glass. "So, is the weekend still on?"
The case had been termed an accidental death; no charges had been brought against the driver of the car. And, to Steve's relief, the reason Margo had been running so blindly from his building had not been questioned. The evidence she'd gathered against Nicole would never surface.
"If you can get Steve to take another long weekend, it's on," Nicole kidded.
"I didn't get the last one!" McGarrett protested. "I was too busy saving your life!"
"Oh sure, blame it on me." Nicole's eyes belied her light tone.
Dan cleared his throat. "I think Five-0 can do without him for a few days." Dan smiled.
Nicole glanced at McGarrett, then paused to study his expression. "What's that look for?"
"I'm not sure I want to get involved with another photographer," he teased, trying valiantly to keep his voice serious. "I hear they're not the most stable -- " He broke off as Nicole's hand slapped his shoulder. "All right! I surrender!" He laughed, waving his napkin in defeat. "I'll go."
"Hmmph." Nicole muttered skeptically, but there was a gleam in her eye.
Across the table from them Danny smiled. 'Would I like to be a fly on the wall of Steve's boat this weekend!'
PAU