Hawaii Five-O belongs to CBS. No copyright infringement is intended. Toby Cockatoo belongs to me (and Sergeant Andrew Carter of Stalag 13).
THE GROUNDHOG LIED!
"Punxsutawney Phil?" Steve could barely keep the disbelief out of his voice. "Governor, you want me to arrest a groundhog?"
"Steve," the long-suffering Paul Jameson frowned at the head of his state police. "Look at it this way. What do tourists come to Hawaii for? Sun, white sandy beaches, surfing, sightseeing, blue skies and flowers, warm temperatures, an escape from cold winters. And what have they gotten this year? Rain! Cold, chilly rain! Three months of dismal, depressing grey skies! Record snows on Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Haleakala, even a dusting now and then on Mt. Tantalus and the top of the Pali! And all because that groundhog lied about a short winter!"
Danny nudged Kono. "They could always sell 'Go Ski A Volcano' shirts at the International Marketplace!"
Steve glared at the snickering Danny who tried unsuccessfully to banish the grin from his face. Kono swallowed a chuckle and Chin – the Chinese detective's barely-restrained laughter only pointed at the humor in the situation. Arrest Punxsutawney Phil? He could only imagine the usually focused John Manicote prosecuting a groundhog! The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would have a heyday with a case like that! Besides, where would they find a groundhog in Hawaii? Even the Honolulu Zoo didn't have one. Maybe they could arrest a mongoose as a substitute! Or Toby Cockatoo. Except there wasn't a lock that bird couldn't pick.
"So, Boss," Kono volunteered, "You want us to book this here groundhog? What's a groundhog anyway? Some kind of pig?"
"It looks something like a hamster," Chin explained, "A giant hamster."
"We gotta arrest a big hamster? Can you see da headlines that would make?"
Unfortunately, Steve could. This whole situation was getting more ridiculous by the moment. Danno was laughing so hard that tears rolled down his cheeks. The usually self-controlled Five-O chief finally smiled. "With all due respect, Sir," he addressed the governor, "I don't think that' s good idea." He could just picture Kono chasing the little beast with a butterfly net, Danno getting bitten by the critter, and Chin's kids, especially Tilda, upset at what they would see as the unfair treatment of a cute, chubby furry friend!
"Governor, I think this is one case Five-O can't solve. You'll just have to do like everybody else. Blame the weather bureau!"