A/N: Going back a bit to tag 5.08. Was anyone else intrigued by the thought of the implications of Steve holding key evidence against a dangerous New York mobster? Something about it kept bothering me so I thought it was the perfect recipe to flesh out some hurt, comfort, and angst.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to the memory of my sweet, little mama that passed away just a few weeks ago, on May 3. She was my H50 watching partner. She always enjoyed watching H50 with me when I visited. She'd point at Danny with her little crooked, arthritic finger and say, "That's the one I like. He struts like a banty rooster."
Reading/writing FF is my escape and I've needed some escape lately. I wrote a portion of this story during down times, sometimes in the middle of the night, while I stayed with her at the hospital in her last few days. "That's the one I like too, Mom. This one's for you."
If anyone is so inclined, consider a donation to Alzheimer's Association or BrightFocus Foundation.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that is a proper noun. No copyright infringement is intended.
The Box
The heels of the black patent, designer pumps made a soothing, rhythmic sound as she walked across the tile floor of the Navy Federal Credit Union at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The manager was sitting at his desk behind the glass walls of his corner office with his head propped against his finger and thumb. It was obvious he was deeply ensconced in his work.
The distinct sound made its way through his open door and he instinctually looked up. He was more than willing to take a break from the paperwork he was poring through, when the pretty blond in the rose-colored blouse and perfectly tailored skirt that hit all the right curves, bypassed the queue of people waiting for tellers and went to the not-so-successful attempt at a comfortable waiting area. Instead of taking a seat, she opted to stand. As the manager came out of his office, he held up his hand to a reacting employee to let him know he had this covered. The perceptive woman quickly read the charade of nonchalance coming from the tall man and reined in her desire to roll her eyes.
"Yes, ma'am. What can I do to help you today?"
She held up a small key for the manager to see. "I need to get into a safe deposit box." The Australian accent added to the man's attraction and he hoped a flush of color didn't betray him as he quickly turned away.
"Of course. Right this way."
He looked over his shoulder as she followed him to the desk outside of the large vault door. "What is the number?"
"Thirteen twenty-two."
"Alright. I'll need to see your ID."
She passed it over as she was prepared and had it ready. Her aversion to willingly handing over her personal information to the obvious, but inept, skirt chaser was trumped by her desire to follow through on her promise.
"Everything looks in place." He signed his name on the form and rotated the ledger to accommodate her. "Just sign on this line and I'll get you right in."
She smiled disingenuously and put her signature on the line next to his. When they arrived at the deposit box, they each took their turn with their respective keys and he opened the small door. He pointed to a door at the back of the vault. "Would you like to use the private room?"
"No. That won't be necessary."
"Then I'll be right outside. Just let me know when you're ready and…"
"No. You don't have to leave. I'll just be a minute. I just need to retrieve something and you can lock it right back."
The man shrugged and stepped back as she pulled out the metal box and opened it. She removed the five by five by ten inch package wrapped in nondescript brown paper. Its appearance was deceiving as it was heavier than she had expected. She stashed the package in the floral satchel that complemented her blouse.
"This will do it. Thank you for your time," she stated politely with a smile as she hastily walked out.
The manager realized he had probably paused a second too long as he watched her leave and glanced around to his employees to see if they noticed before heading back to his office with a sigh. If they had noticed, they hid it well.
~~~~~H50~~~~~
Steve pulled into one of the parallel parking spots that was available along the one-way street that ran adjacent to the storage building.
"Let's go see what this guy knows, if anything." Steve got his door open before Danny, but his ringing phone stopped him.
Danny took his cue from his partner and also waited before he climbed out. He glanced down at the phone, then looked over at Steve, assuming he'd be informed of the caller's identity as well.
"It's Mary. You go on. I'll be there in a minute." As if getting the confirmation of his own decision, Danny got out of the Camaro without a word or gesture and started for the door.
"Hey, Mare. What's up? Is everything okay? Joannie?"
"Can you give me a minute to answer? You're such a worry freak. Yes, Joannie's okay. I'm okay. Everything's okay… I think, but I did get a weird call today. Someone asking about Deb and Leonard."
"Leonard?"
"Mm, hm. Wouldn't anyone that knew Leonard, know that he's passed?"
"Well, did they say who it was?"
"He said a 'Mr. Laney', or something like that, I'm not sure, wanted to know where he could find them."
"Laney… Laney." Steve rubbed his temple as he thought if that name rang any bells. "Mary, where's Aunt Deb?"
"She's at a spa in Arizona. I just talked to her before I called you. She sounds really good. She seemed to be in much better spirits and was feeling good."
"Good. I'm glad to hear she's doing well. Did she know who this caller was?"
"No. She said it must be an insurance salesman or something. She says she gets a lot of those calls here lately. I just thought it was odd they called me."
"Yeah, it was probably nothing. Hey, let me know if you get any more of those calls. So, when are you and little Joannie going to be back on the island?"
"Maybe next month. I'll see if I can work it out. I miss you, big brother."
"I miss you too, sis. Take care, Mary, and I love you."
"I love you, too."
As soon as he hung up from Mary, Steve called Chin.
"Hey, Steve. Any luck with the Barrister lead?"
"Still working on it. But, hey, Chin, didn't you say you have a friend on the force in LA?"
"Yeah, what's going on?"
"Do you think you can get a protection detail to check on Mary and Joannie for me?"
"I'm sure I can. Is something wrong?"
"I don't think so, just want to be sure. Also, can you use my Aunt Deb's number to locate her phone? She should be at a spa in Arizona but I didn't want to worry Mary and ask for more details. I'll tell you more when I get back to the office."
"Sure thing. I'll get right on it. See you guys later."
"Thanks, Chin."
For the next few minutes, Steve was lost in his thoughts. Even though his gaze had been fixed on the mural of the Ka'a'awa Valley painted on the side of the new four-story storage building, he did not see it. The muted click of the car door opening interrupted Steve's thoughts as he processed his conversation with Mary.
"Hey, sorry Danny, I got caught up on the call. How'd it go in there?"
"Not Danny…"
Steve turned to his right to see a gun pointing at him. The man holding the gun on him climbed into the passenger seat.
"…and I'm going to need you to remove your weapon." Steve's slight reactive movement caused the man to augment his first command. "Eh, eh, keep your right hand on the wheel and reach over with your left… slowly, and hand it over." By now, the muzzle of the man's gun was against his temple, daring Steve to resist.
"Okay. Just take it easy." He complied and removed his gun from its holster slowly, just holding it with two fingers as he offered it to the man.
"Now your phone."
He reached his phone over as he glanced back to his left, to the door that his partner had walked through moments before, not sure if he was wanting him to come out or to stay inside.
"He won't be coming. Now start the car."
"What do you mean? Where's Danny?" He chanced another peek toward the door… nothing. Steve felt the muzzle press harder against his head.
"I said start the car and drive."
At that moment, the echoing clap of a gunshot reached his ears. "Danny!" The stimulus caused him to grab the door handle. His body reacted and he had every intention of going in after his partner.
"You do it and he won't be the only one dead."
Steve's eyes narrowed in confusion as he processed the ominous statement and then his face contorted into a scowl. He slowly pulled his hand away from the handle and then both hands went up in submission.
"You son of a bitch. I'll kill you." He stared down this man… this man that would give Danny a run for his money in the realm of hair product. The black shine in his hair and dark suit, in Hawaii no less, reminded him of a young Pacino.
"I don't doubt you'd try, given the chance. Drive! … Now!"
Even with the threat, Steve hesitated and ventured a longing look toward the building. With a sigh and his grimace firmly set, he did as he was told and pulled out into the traffic.
~to be continued~
\,,,/
