The pill popper Killer- A serial killer with a very special distinction, Steve Mc Garrett and 5-0 had failed to catch him the first time. Now he's back and this time it's going to get personal.
Epilogue
It just couldn't end like this, it wasn't fair. His head rested against the window of the car glad he didn't have to drive tonight. Doc's hands on the wheel were steady but his eyes were haunted, "if I could spare you this I would", he whispered.
Doc turned the car into a parking spot by the beach and climbed out. He opened the passenger side door and waited anxiously for his passenger to exit, then hand firmly on his arm they walked along the beach.
He could see the body lying where the surfers had found it, on the cold damp sand, it was covered with a towel. This had to be the worst moment of his life about to be shown the body of his colleague and friend. He cursed the label of the man who had done this and vowed to catch him. Doc was reaching for the towel and looking at him, "are you ready", he asked. What a stupid question of course he wasn't ready to see that, his mind was already tracking back to the moment when this had begun….
CHAPTER 1. I'm back
The sky was cold and gray as Steve Mc Garrett tooled the Mercury to its location, siren blazing. His hands gripped the wheel with a fierce savagery. They had only been simple words that HPD officer Henry Morgan had uttered but they had made Steve's Mc Garretts plans come crashing down. "Steve, I'm afraid it's him, he's back".
Now as Steve parked the car and went running to the scene he knew some dark history might be about to resurface.
There it was, the abandoned car that had sparked the call, its four doors open as though it was inviting someone to come inside. In a way it was a taunt, a gesture that said firmly "come get me if you can". There on the seat was the small bottle of pills he'd hoped he wouldn't see. "Did you check the beach", Steve asked the HPD officer.
"Yes sir got the dogs down there right now", Steve nodded and moved away. "It looks like him, doesn't it Steve", that was Chin, grave and unsmiling joining him in staring at the car. "Why now Chin", Steve stormed. "He's playing games with us" Kono stated as he appeared out of the darkness. "Yeah well I hate this game", Steve remarked with a scowl.
A screeching of tires made Steve look up, their newest and youngest colleague had arrived. Steve watched him stride determinedly to where they stood. Up close though Danny Williams looked pale with lines under his eyes. Steve should be telling him to go home and rest, to get over the flu that had gripped their youngest detective. But now Danny was needed. "What's up Steve", Danny stood straight trying to give the impression he was fine.
"It looks like we have a problem Danno", Steve gestured toward the car. Danny looked at the empty vehicle and back at his colleagues wondering at their graveness .
"Was there a body or something", Danny figured they'd all got called out for a reason.
"No Danno not yet", Steve turned an appraising glance on their newest colleague.
"Where were you about 18 months ago", Steve asked. Danny thought back. "I was over in California Steve on that conference with HPD."
"Oh" ,Steve stated understanding why Danny had drawn a blank when he looked at the car. "Well Danno roughly 18 months ago a car was found with all its four doors open and a bottle of pills on the front seat. HPD at the time thought it was just an abandoned car. However a couple of hours later a body washed up on the beach, doc determined the victim had been rendered unconscious then dumped into the sea.
The victim was the same as the name on the pill bottle, James Maddison, 20 years of age. He'd been under medical car due to a severe stomach bug. His friends and family hadn't seen or heard from him in two days but didn't think that was unusual because he'd been ill. He also hadn't been in to work for three days. Hence it was very hard to track Mr Maddisons movements.
We naturally investigated his office workers, friends and even the doctors he attended, everybody had an alibi for the time of death.
With not a lot to go on the case was closed. Approximately two weeks later another car was found and later another victim. The papers labeled the killer the Pill Popper he somehow knew his victims were single, sick and unable to fight back. He killed a total of 4 people over a period of 4months." An extensive investigation followed where we tried to find how the murderer targeted his victims. My main line of thought
was that the killer had to be someone in the Medical field. Someone knew all the victims were both single and on medication. However no link could be found through the medical or any other history", Steve wound down his voice carrying a trace a tone of deep frustration."
Danny had been thinking over what Steve had told him, suddenly something came into his mind. He remembered hearing some talk from some of the HPD detectives.
"Mc Garrett failed this time" was one of the comments he remembered. He looked over at Steve understanding the tension in his body and the urgency in his voice.
The Pill Popper Killer was a legend in one main way, he was the one the got away, a man or woman Steve Mc Garrett had failed to catch.
Steve sighed audibly. "I suppose we have to go over familiar ground again. Try and find out how he targeted these people." Chin I want you to find out everything about" Steve bent down and stared at the bottle of Pills, "Alice Morgan"." In all likelihood we are going to find her body very soon and when we do the papers and everyone else will be over this like hungry sharks. We had better have as many answers as we can by then."
He looked over at the people milling about on the beach. There was the glorious leader, Steve McGarrett, getting them all to run around doing his bidding. "You can't catch me Mc Garrett", laughed the man. Then he strolled away through the crowds that had already begun whispering.."didn't this happen before….What did they call the killer. "The Pill Popper, he said to himself, that's me". "What shall I do next", he muttered to himself. "Hmm got to be something even better", he looked over at the people combing the beach. "Ah Mc Garrett be prepared I'm about to choose my next victim."
"There's always been one problem with this case Danno", Steve explained as he walked the shore line with his second. "Nobody had seen any of the victims for a least 2 days because of there various illnesses." Appeals to the public have not netted us any useful information as to any of the victims whereabouts."
"You are thinking that sometime over that 2 day period the victims met the killer somewhere.", Danny stated, then stopped as he broke out coughing.
"That is the only thing that makes any sense Danno. None of these victims shared doctors, pharmacies ,friends, work mates, bars or anything. Yet someone knew they lived alone and had been ill."
"Why does he kill them Steve and do that thing with the car doors", Danny had once studied psychology and was trying to get around this killers mode of thinking.
"Who knows Danno, we did check psychiatry patients for a likely candidate but as with everything else we got back zip." The doctors I consulted just said the car door thing was a signature, the killer telling us that he can get ultimate access to anything.
The killer preys on the weak, people who at the time don't have anyone to stand beside them. He hasn't made a slip up yet Danno and killed a married person or someone who's perfectly healthy. This is the worst sort of killer Danno, a clever one."
Danny could tell by Steve's tone ,he was worried. "Until we find the body and doc can go to work on it we don't know for certain it is him." Steve demeanor was reserved and quiet. This meant clearly one thing not for a second did he believe that this was a copy cat or someone else.
It was a tourist who found the young woman floating lifelessly in the waves just one hour later.
Steve and Danny sped down to Queens's lights flashing to hear docs report on the body.
Doc was bending over the young woman as Steve and Danny approached. "I presume you are looking to tie this into the others" Doc stated as he turned toward them. His gaze deepened as he surveyed the pale Danny.. "Yeah doc I need to know the cause of death ASAP," Steve got close to the body as Doc pulled back the covers. "Well she was definitely alive when she went into the water, Doc determined as he made some cuts. "From the skull xrays it looks like she was hit on the head hard enough to render her unconscious", Steve sighed. "So that's makes it certain it's the same killer Doc", he stated. Doc sighed in tune, "She only looks about 25 Steve ". Yeah" ,Steve's voice was forced, angry. "Now comes the unpleasant part, notifying next of kin, Danno I want you to…" Steve took a deeper look at his young colleague. Danny had been pale before but not he was almost white. Doc seemed to become aware of Danny's condition about the same time he had and thus was the first to catch the young detective as his legs buckled.
"You look awful Danny", Doc stated as he pulled the young detective toward a chair."I don't think it's just seeing the body that made you almost faint." The doc reached for a thermometer . "I'm fine doc", Danny protested from the comforting chair where he sat. His protest though lacked certainty.
"You have the flu", the doc stated frowning at the thermometer. "Steve you can hardly let him run around in this state. Next time someone might not be around to catch him when he falls flat on his face."
Steve looked into his seconds face. He knew some tough times were ahead as 5-0 faced the storm of angry reporters and public who would rehash failures.
It was a time he needed everyone to be at their best. Danny had stood resolutely back up determined to aid his boss. "Danno go home and rest", Steve decided. "You can't be of use to us in your current state." Danny's face fell "Steve", he began to protest, then a cough broke out and his eyes watered. "Young man I'll fix you up some antibiotics", Doc stated, "now go home." Danny looked reluctant then nodded. He knew that he was not really up to what would be a particularly punishing investigation.
Doc gave Danny some pills then saw him out of the office with a gentle smile.
"He really would push himself to the brink for you Steve", Doc stated as Danny left.
Steve Mc Garrett nodded knowing he'd recruited a passionate and determined young detective 6 months ago. He enjoyed having Danny's input and on cases and would miss his insight over the next day or two. "The press is going to have a field day over this Steve", Docs blunt tone snapped Steve like a slap. "Yeah Doc I know what they will say. Mc Garrett's greatest failure comes back to haunt him". "Some people might even think I'd be better off this case". Steve had already had many scenarios regarding what was going to happen when the news hit running through his mind.
"Nobody's perfect Steve", Doc looked sympathetic. "I haven't given you any answers either." "Dammit Berg it has to be a medical person, how else would they know about the illness, get access to the pills and know they were single. I thought up this crazy idea that the victims could all go to singles clubs or something. But why would someone who feels so sick go out at all. The most likely place they would go was a doctor," Steve began to pace the room.
"Yeah well nobody is admitting to seeing any of them but it doesn't mean someone didn't give them something and not record it", Bergman was trying to be helpful.
"No visitors were logged into the last victims apartment building. Which leads me to believe all our victims did go out on their last day alive. But where and why?
"If you can establish that Steve ,you'll probably find the answer to this case," Bergman turned back toward his patient. "If I find anything else I'll let you know."
Steve nodded and strode out of the hospital into the late morning sun. Anytime now Hawaii would hear the news and everything would change.
"Don't get sick Hawaii because he's back. Yes the serial killer labeled the pill popper decided to reappear after an 18 month absence. His victim is 25 year old Alice Morgan who was born and raised right here in Honolulu. Ms Morgan had been off work for two days due to side effects from a car accident. Steve Mc Garrett is currently investigating the circumstances of Ms Morgan's death. Now you may remember that Mr Mc Garrett was assigned to the case 18 months ago and failed to catch this killer. The question I have for you today listeners is should 5-0 and Mc Garrett be given another chance or should be look somewhere else for our protection needs. Listeners the phone lines are open now and I'm taking your calls".
Danny listened in growing horror as several listeners responded to the radio stations request. "Look Mc Garrett failed us once, so why should we give him another go. 5 people are dead now, what kind of testimony to success is that. Get rid of Mc Garrett I say and put someone else in charge who can catch this …beep. Listeners the last word has been censored.
Most of the callers seemed to blame 5-0 and Mc Garrett for the killer being on the loose. Danny could stand it no longer and rung the station himself. "Look do you realize how hard policemen work to try and solve cases. Sometimes we don't sleep or eat, see our wives or children. We rely heavily on the public for information and in the case of the cough ,cough pill popper there has been no help. Doesn't any one care when there loved one and friend is sick. Why did nobody check on these people or offer to look after them. Why did they have to die before someone asks how that could happen. Then 5-0 gets the blame. Somebody must know something about this case and I beg them to get in touch with the authorities."
Danny thought his speech was good and his cold made his voice almost unrecognizable. He didn't leave his name figuring the last thing Steve wanted to hear was that he'd been ranting on some radio station. Feeling exhausted by his efforts Danny closed his eyes wondering how Steve was progressing with the case.
"At least somebody is on our side", remarked Kono as he sat behind his boss's chair his note book in hand listening to the radios reports. " The last person to hear from Ms Morgan was Natalie Paul who works with the deceased. She rang Ms Morgan yesterday evening at 830 pm and talked to her for about 20 minutes. Ms Morgan was apparently thinking of coming in to work today. " Ms Paul didn't recall Ms Morgan mentioning meeting anyone or that's she was planning to go anywhere." Steve nodded and turned to Chin. "Her doctor was Henry Yale who has not had any contact with any of the previous victims. He was with a client at the time of Ms Morgan's death. The pharmacy is also a different one to all the previous victims and there are no employees in common either."
Chin snapped his book closed hard. Steve though it sounded like an angry crocodile or the hisses of the public or press. Even the Governor wasn't impressed telling Steve he'd better come up with something. "What are we missing here gentlemen. Someone has had contact with all of these people." He tapped his pen on his desk hard.
Chin and Kono traded looks. "We can go through it all again Steve, maybe we might come up with something." "With what gentlemen, no one saw a stolen car get driven by someone else other than the victim, down to the beach where the body is dumped into the sea.'
"In the early hours of morning on a weekday there aren't many people down at those locations Steve. Our killer chose well", Kono reported with frustration.
"Too damn well Kono. Why do I get the feeling that the next thing we are going to get on this case is another body".
Hmm the perfect victim, why not …The pill popper smiled 'wouldn't that just put the cat amongst the pigeons. It would also make this a whole lot more dangerous. He grinned they didn't have a clue, so why not make this move. The Pill popper watched his victim intently. He'd keep watching and when he was ready he'd strike.
"Here", Steve handed Danny some of the Chinese. Danny gingerly ate looking like it was an effort to swallow.
"It's been a rough day Danno" Steve told his second as he perched on the side of his bed. "Yeah I heard the radio reports", Danny croaked.
"Yeah everyone's pretty merciless. ,Steve acknowledged." But I suppose that's too be expected, the guy did get away the first time."
"Why wait 18months to reoffend Steve", Danny asked. "I've been wondering myself Danno. I even have Chin checking with immigration to see if we can get a list of people who left Hawaii 18months ago and have just returned. You never know that might be what we need to break this case."
Danny nodded. "I'll be in tomorrow", he rasped.
Steve smiled. "Danno I appreciate the gesture but you still look and sound terrible. Give yourself another day. To be honest we are not making much more progress on this case so there's nothing much you could do right now anyway." Steve squeezed Danny's arm. "Now is there anything I can get you Danno".
"No thanks anyway Steve," acknowledged Danny around a cough. Steve smiled and departed into the evening. Another hard day at the office was looming.
Danny spent the next morning in bed then finally managed to get up and have a light breakfast. He refrained from turning on the radio not wanting to hear any more reports on Steve's shortcomings. Danny turned on the TV, "We still are get no progress on this case, what else in your opinion should 5-0 be doing?". Danny quickly turned off the set again. Why did these cases always turn up a raft full of 'experts' who all had ideas on how to catch the killer. Why where none of them out on the streets getting the guy if they thought they knew 'the type of person who commits this crime'.
Danny sighed and decided to go down to the shops. At least in his present condition he probably wouldn't get recognized. With that in mind Danny changed out of his PJs
and made ready to venture out.
Ah there was his target, the pill popper smiled. It was going to happen today he decided. All he needed now was to wait for the right moment.
The shops hadn't really been a good diversion for Danny. Part of the problem was that he wasn't well enough to enjoy looking at the displays. His nose threatened to drip on the suits and all the food smells made his stomach roll. Deciding he was better off with a good book Danny headed back to his apartment.
Danny stopped enroute feeling a tickle up his spine. He turned to look behind him.
Nothing there so his "somebody is following you tickle" was obviously also effected by his cold. Danny's strides lengthened until he was almost running. Finally he was in the security of his own home. His phone was loudly ringing as he entered. "Yeah", he panted into the receiver. "Danno, you alright", Steve sounded concerned. "Yes Steve, Danny acknowledged. "I just went out and felt a bit sick so hurried home", Danny didn't want to tell Steve about his imaginations.
"Okay, just ringing to see how you were Danno". "How's the investigation going Steve," Danny asked. "A lot of frustrating dead ends Danno, just like before. Chin checked on the possibility that the 18 month gap could be because of the offender leaving Hawaii. But no likely suspects have re entered Hawaii in the last couple of months." None of our victims friends were much help either. Our appeals for information from the public have yielded nothing so far. The Governor is yelling in my ear but apart from that Danno, my day is going well", Steve's voice dripped sarcasm. "I'll be in tomorrow Steve, I want to get to work on this case" Danny restrained the cough that threatened to explode from his mouth. "I'll look forward to that Danno I'll come by later and we'll share dinner in the meantime ring me if you need anything." "Right Steve, Danny acknowledged. He put down the phone and finally let out the cough he'd been holding in. Feeling tired after his bout of coughing Danny Williams went to lie down on his bed.
Night fell over Hawaii it's darkness comforting to all those sound asleep in their beds.
The Pill popper drove the car carefully to a remote location by the beach." Time for a dip, he told his unconscious victim." Placing his gloved hands around his victim he dragged him toward the waves.
HPD officer Phillip Lawton had only been on the job a few days. As he cruised with his more experienced partner he began to wonder if this night would yield more than drunks . "Let's cruise along the beach access roads one more time", suggested Phil's partner a seasoned HPD veteran Lyle Harris. He turned the car into one of the quieter roads.
"There's nothing to be seen down here but…Phil's voice trailed up as the car lights hit something that had definitely not been there the first time, a car. They stopped the patrol car and torches in hand marched toward the car . "Lyles light picked up the eerie scene of all the car doors open. "Oh it's him again the Pill Popper", Phil hung back as Lyle strode to the car. "NO", the older man voice was anguished as he reached the drivers seat. "What is it Lyle", Phil had never seen his partner loose his cool. "Do you realize whose car this is", he actually put his head in his hands.
Phil caught up to his partner and looked into the open front door of the car. He could clearly see the radio and the small bottle of pills resting on the drivers' seat. Bending over he shone his torch on the name.. Danny Williams. Phil felt his own sense of horror build, the Pill popper had chosen his ultimate victim, one of their own.
Lyle was standing there as though unsure what to do. "We'll have to phone Mc Garrett", Phil stated his voice indicating he wasn't relishing that task. Lyle swallowed, he knew Mc Garrett had a close knit team and was especially fond of his young second. The news he was about to bring him would not be at all welcome.
"Do you want me to phone him", Phil felt for his partner. "No I'll do it", Lyle walked robot like to his radio.
The scene changed barely minutes later as patrol cars and two 5-0 cars screamed to the destination. Chin was pale as he examined the car and it's contents. "Say it isn't true", Kono moaned looking at the bottle of pills. "I hate to think of what Steve will say when he gets here."Yeah he's gonna need us", Chin sighed. To loose their newest recruit like this after such a short period of time was a severe blow to 5-0.
"I'm gonna got to Danny's apartment and look for clues". We might as well get the ball rolling while we wait for Steve." Kono strode off to his car. Chin knew he was bailing because he couldn't bear to see the look in Steve Mc Garrett's eyes when he arrived. "I'll wait for Steve", Chin offered.
Kono dried his tears as he strode to Danny's door, keep it professional , he told himself. He used the key held at 5-0 HQ to enter Danny's apartment. Kono turned on the lights and scanned the place looking for anything untoward. "Don't worry bruddah I'm gonna find who did this and turn them into chop suey", Kono stated loudly as he flung open Danny's bedroom door and turned on the light.
"Kono, what are you doing?". The big Hawaiian almost jumped through the roof at the sound on the voice. He turned disbelieving toward the bed and regarded it's occupant, a disheveled and pale Danny Williams.
"They found your car bruddah, all four doors open and the pills on the front seat", Kono explained his voice indicating relief. Danny however went even more pale." When Kono", he demanded. "Just about 15 minutes ago now Danny. I left the scene to come check here while Chin waited for Steve to arrive."
"Steve wasn't there when you left", Danny slid out of bed his posture tense. "No we thought it was a bit strange but he's been working real hard lately and probably had trouble waking", Kono determined. "Take me to the scene Kono, now", Dannys voice indicated distress. Kono nodded and waited for his work mate to throw on some clothes.
Minutes later they arrived back on the scene. All of the Patrolmen turned to stare as Danny exited Konos car and approached his own. "Mc Garretts not arrived," announced Chin beaming as he saw their young colleague. "Seems they are having trouble getting hold of him". Danny in response slipped to his knees and put his head in his hands. "What is it Danny, Chin crouched beside him arm touching him in concern. 'Steve was at my house last night, we had dinner together. I accidentally got my pills all wet and he promised to shoot over to Queens and get me a refill. He borrowed my car Kono. I got ready for bed while he was gone and then read a book, I must have fallen to sleep though."
Kono and Chin realized what Danny was saying at the same moment. "You mean the pill poppers victim wasn't you it was…."
"Steve, Danny concluded, "the pill popper made a mistake and chose the wrong victim.'
Kono and Chin stood stunned hoping that by some fluke their young colleague was wrong. Danny stood warily back up, "We had better check all his contacts", he told Kono and Chin. "Sure boss", Kono's eyes widened as he realized what he had said. He'd been acknowledging Danny's instruction but inadvertently he might have stated the truth. If Steve Mc Garrett had been killed Danny Williams was now the head of 5-0.