Unwilling Accomplice.
The girl was pretty and the night was warm and Danny Williams was in no hurry to get home. He wasn't in the mood for drinking and the floor show was pretty good, so he stayed, nursing a single beer. He was pretty sure the girl thought he was a tourist, but he didn't mind. As long as she didn't try to fleece him; then he would put her straight.
In this crowd, he was just another guy having a drink at the end of a long week, or a tiring day's sun bathing or sight-seeing. Elena seemed interested in him and he was between relationships at the moment, so he had nothing to lose. It was a pleasant way to spend an evening, even if Elena did jokingly complain that he wasn't earning her many tips with his drinking habits.
Her shift finished about 11.30 and she and Danny left arm in arm. He had to be at work early the next morning, but it was nice to be walking and talking with a pretty girl. While he didn't tell her what it was he did, he did say he lived on the island. After some flirting, Elena said she had better be getting home or her family would worry. "I'll walk you home," Danny offered and was pleased when Elena smiled.
It wasn't far to her home from the club, but the area was not the best. The housing was of the poorer variety that was often seen among the workers who earned the bare minimum. Danny wondered that her family let her walk home alone to this district, but it was none of his business.
She stopped by a small house. A light burned in the window. "This is it," she smiled. "Thank you for walking me home. I enjoyed it."
"I did, too," Danny agreed. "Perhaps I could see you again?"
The quick glance she cast at the house told him that her family might not be too pleased that she was going out with a Haole. He felt a slight twinge of regret, but nothing more. "I'd like that, but…"
"It's all right," he assured her. "I understand." He glanced at the window, but could see no one looking. He bent his head and gave her a gentle kiss. She returned it with enthusiasm. "Good night," Danny smiled.
"Good night," she echoed and hurried up the path. Danny watched her go, then turned and started to retrace his steps.
As Elena closed the door a hand fastened around her arm with bruising force. "What do you think you're playing at?" her older brother hissed.
"What do you mean?" she stuttered.
"Him!" Kanani gestured to the street. "Why did you bring him here?"
"He just walked me home," Elena replied, perplexed.
"You stupid girl! Don't you know who he is?" Kanani looked furious and behind him she could see one of his friends.
"His name is Danny and I met him in the club tonight," Elena retorted. "So what? What is it to you?"
Kanani shook her. "He's the second in command at 5-0, that's all!" he spat.
"So what?" Elena repeated.
"I've got to go out," Kanani declared. "Go to bed. You're never to see him again, do you hear?"
"I hear," Elena replied and watched as her brother beckoned to his friend and the pair disappeared outside. She heard the pickup's engine start and then they drove away. Kanani was often out at this time of night and she didn't know what he was doing. Elena didn't want to know; it was safer that way.
It was a nice night for a walk, which was just as well as Danny had a bit of a trek to reach his car. He smiled ruefully at the gallant gesture that had caused the walk. It was a shame he wouldn't see Elena again, but there were plenty more pretty girls on the island. His thoughts drifted as he walked. The streets were pretty much deserted of both people and traffic. Danny had seen one drunk staggering down the street a short time ago and had received a cheery wave, which he returned, smiling.
From somewhere behind him, a rough car engine impinged on his peace, but Danny didn't glance round. The engine sounded as though it needed some serious work done to it, but that was none of his concern. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost 12.30am. He wasn't going to get much sleep that night, but he was young and sleep was often over-rated by the young.
The car he had heard stopped just beside him and Danny was just glancing round to look at it when a dark figure leapt from the car and something struck him a solid blow on the side of the head. He staggered, seeing stars, and crumpled to his knees, not knocked out, but seriously dazed. His hand fumbled for the gun he carried even when off duty, but his fingers weren't receiving the proper messages from his brain.
A piece of fabric was dropped over his head and before Danny could start to rally and defend himself, he felt hands searching his pockets and his gun was lifted from the holster and his handcuffs were securing his hands behind his back. He tried to get to his feet, but it was a hopeless task. His assailant allowed him to get so far up, then punched him heavily in the stomach. He folded in half and a blow to the back of the neck ended his resistance. When he was next fully aware, he was lying in what felt like the trunk of a car, with the hood over his head, his hands cuffed behind him and his feet tied.
And he had no idea who had grabbed him or why.