A.N. – Hawaii Five-O belongs to CBS. No copyright infringement is intended.
This story was inspired by the winter storm that we had over the Christmas holidays. Thanks to "Tanith2011" for beta reading this.
The cover image was photographed and is copyrighted by Bev Wigney. It is used here with her gracious permission. Thank you, Bev! For a link to Bev's website, please send me a PM.
Silent Approach
Chapter 1
"I really don't think I'm going to need these, Steve." Dan Williams continued to stare at the unfamiliar contraptions propped up against the bench next to him. To the curly haired island born detective, they resembled small scale rawhide-woven surfboards, one for each foot.
"Trust me, Danno, once we get into the back country, there's no other way to get around without being heard," Steve replied, strapping on his own pair of borrowed snowshoes. "Jimmy's like a trapped animal right now. We'll need the element of surprise. No motorized vehicles of any kind." Dan nodded to his boss, grabbed the first large wood framed snowshoe and eased his right foot into the bindings.
The two Five-O detectives had just arrived from Hawaii and were already gearing up to join New York state police officers in their efforts to hunt down Jimmy Snails, who was holed up in a small cabin close to the Canadian border. The notorious mobster had been on the nation-wide wanted list for years, but something had happened to him during a recent stay in Honolulu. He had snapped, for lack of a better description, and had turned vicious and deadly, taking pleasure in torturing his hapless victims, one of whom was a senator's wife.
Once Steve McGarrett had sunk his teeth into this particular case, he just wouldn't let go. He was determined to bring Jimmy back to the islands to face a multitude of charges. Danny knew that there was no point in arguing when his boss was like this. Chin and Kono were holding down the fort at home with the help of Ben Kokua and Duke Lukela, both on loan from HPD, freeing the two top cops to make the trek to upstate New York, in the dead of a cold and snowy winter, in pursuit of justice.
"Those are Green Mountain style shoes, detective," explained Ed Maguire, the large fiftyish New York cop with graying hair who was in charge of the small police station. "They're narrower; easier for beginners to handle." That comment earned the older man an annoyed scowl from Dan. "Jenny, help him out with those bindings."
The thirty-something policewoman knelt in front of Williams and cinched up the leather straps and buckled them into place. "All set, Detective Williams," she said, smiling up at the handsome cop with the clear blue eyes. Jenny had a pretty face with warm grey eyes and a raft of short brown curls. As to her figure, well, Danny couldn't tell. The woman had on so many clothes! A turtleneck and bulky wool sweater; on top of that, her police windbreaker. On her feet she wore what Dan had learned were called mukluks, which extended all the way up to her knees. "Thanks; and please call me Danny," he replied with a wink, always the flirt with any female.
o-o-o
For the south Pacific island cops, the sun set way too early in the northern latitude and the encroaching darkness was accompanied by an icy wind from across the border. Danny had never felt so cold in his life. The arctic chill cut through all the layers of clothing he wore and he could feel the moisture freezing inside his nose with every breath he took. Though Steve could remember such bitterly cold days from his childhood, he didn't care to relive the sensation. The sooner this operation was over, the better.
The only sound in the remote wooded area was the muffled swish and crunch of five pairs of snowshoes breaking a trail through the fresh powder. Maguire was in the lead followed by Tony Fabrizio, then the two Hawaii cops then Lars Erikson bringing up the rear in case McGarrett or Williams had any trouble. Tony was close to Danny's age, tough and confident. Lars was forty-five, tall, blonde, quiet, and very smart. The men shoed single file like the native people did centuries earlier in order to hide their numbers when stalking prey. But these modern men were stalking a far more dangerous type of prey: Jimmy Snails was criminally insane therefore unpredictable.
Once Dan's natural athleticism kicked in, he was fine maneuvering on the snowshoes. He didn't even notice his sniper's rifle that was slung over his shoulder, which could have thrown him off balance. Steve was also doing fine, his longer legs providing an advantage in keeping a wider stance. The men made their way in silence, their concentration dedicated to safety and the task that lay ahead of them. After a mile and a half, Ed stopped the group for a rest and a short briefing.
"From here on out, we can't talk," Ed advised. "No unnecessary noise. Any sound will carry too far and we'll be heard. Got that?"
The men murmured their agreement before Maguire nodded to McGarrett to continue. "Steve?"
"We'll surround the cabin," McGarrett instructed. "Ed and Tony, the three of us will take the front. We'll try to draw him out. Lars and Danno, you cover the back." Then Steve's tone became deadly serious. "Jimmy is completely unpredictable, gentlemen. The plan is to take him alive but in reality, that may not be an option, so don't take any unnecessary chances. Understood?" It was difficult to make eye contact with the officers in the filtered moonlight, but McGarrett knew that they were all on the same page.
Ed pulled out his walkie-talkie. "Maguire to O'Neal, come in."
"O'Neal here. How's it going, Ed?"
"Fine so far. Jenny, I won't be in contact again until this is played out. Then I'll be calling for a pick-up. Depending on what happens, you may need to call Doc."
"Call Doc at this hour? So that's why you left me behind, you expect me to handle the toughest job," Jenny quipped.
"You got me. Say a prayer, Jenny."
"Okay. Good luck, Ed. O'Neal out." Ed put the walkie-talkie back in his pack and prepared to move out.
McGarrett turned around to face his second-in-command. "Howzit, Danno?" Steve asked, knowing this might be his last chance to speak to his detective for a while.
"Fine, Steve. You?" Dan replied, looking into his mentor's eyes and feeling Steve's hand resting on his shoulder, even through his thick clothing.
"More than ready to do this," Steve answered.
"Okay, break over. Let's go!" Ed called out, and the men continued the trek to Jimmy's cabin.