Note: Well after the major whump in my last story, I decided Danny needed me to be a bit kinder in this one. Only a bit mind.
Thanks to Wenwalke for proof reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own H50. Just doing this for Fun.
Chapter One.
It was just after lunch, and Danny was in his office working on a budget report when Steve returned from a meeting with the Governor. Steve walked straight in to join him, throwing the keys to the Camaro onto the desk.
"Hey, the Governor said thanks for getting the firearms protocol in on time. He said it was really good work. Far too sensible to be my work and that I owe you a steak dinner." Steve said perching on the edge of Danny's desk and smiling.
"Ha, busted." Danny replied leaning back in his chair. "Does that mean you're gonna finish this budget report then, seeing as it's supposed to be your job?"
"Hell no. You know I can't do those things. I persuaded the Governor to give you a small pay raise instead, so I think the steaks are on you." Steve replied.
"Really? You got me a pay raise? How the hell did you manage that?" Danny asked shocked.
"I had to promise not to blow anything up for at least two months. So where are you taking me for dinner tonight?"
"Ok, firstly, we're not going anywhere tonight. It's Amber's birthday and I'm taking her out for the evening, and secondly, you still owe me that steak dinner the Governor ordered 'cos I've been doing these damn reports and protocols for the past four years." Danny explained waving his hands around.
"Fair enough, but you're buying the beers." Steve smiled, and held out his hand.
"Deal." Danny replied taking Steve's hand and shaking it. "And thanks, a pay raise will come in handy, but watching you try not to blow anything up will be the icing on the cake."
"Come on, I've got a new case I need to brief everyone on." Steve said walking out of the office smiling.
Calling the others over he waited 'til everyone was around the smart table and then started to explain. "The Governor has a new case he wants us to look into. HPD have had several reports of people being mugged at knifepoint, and then having their cars jacked. All the cars are sports car types, worth a lot of money. Eye witness reports all give different descriptions of the attackers, so HPD think they are working as part of a carjacking ring."
"Sounds like HPD have a good handle on this, so why does the Governor what us in on it?" Danny asked.
"Because the latest victim was a good friend of his." Steve explained as the others rolled their eyes at the probable misuse of their time.
"Ah, now it makes sense." Danny replied an air of sarcasm to his voice.
"Do we have the witness reports?" Chin asked equally unimpressed with their new case.
"Sure do." Steve replied pulling out a USB and loading it into the smart table. "All the muggings take place after 10pm, usually by two guys. The victims are held at knife point, and some have been made to hand over phones, wallets and jewellery, while others are just made to hand over the car keys and the thief's drive off in the car."
"So nobody's been hurt so far?" Kono enquired.
"One guy tried to put up a bit of a fight, and he was punched in the face and pushed to the ground. No serious injuries, all the others just handed over the stuff like they were instructed." Steve explained.
"So what's the plan?" Lou asked, looking to Steve to take the lead.
"I want you, Chin, and Kono to go speak to the victims, see if you can get anything helpful from them." Steve instructed.
"Ask if they noticed anything suspicious in the days leading up to the thefts." Danny added. "We need to work out if these were planned, cars stolen to order, or if they are just out trolling the streets looking for suitable cars."
"Good point." Chin nodded as he brought up the witness reports so they could divide them up and get the contact details.
"So what are we gonna do?" Danny asked.
"We are going to go speak with some of the shipping companies. These cars have to be leaving the island somehow." Steve said holding his hand out expectantly for Danny's keys.
Danny sighed and handed them over. "I don't know why you even bother giving them back to me," to which Steve just smiled.
5-0-5-0-5-0-5-0
Three hours later the team had re-grouped around the smart table. "My vics weren't much use." Lou explained. "They couldn't add any more than their original statement, hadn't noticed anything suspicious before being jumped."
"Same with mine." Chin explained.
"And mine." Kono added.
"So these cars are more than likely just opportunity thefts." Steve summarised.
"Unless they are just that good at what they do." Danny countered while glancing at the clock. "I don't think we can discount stolen to order just yet, even if it does seem unlikely."
"How did you two get on with the shipping yards?" Lou asked.
"We didn't get much, they all said they'd be on the lookout for the cars, but said they don't do checks on what's in the containers they ship." Steve explained.
"I still think that second guy was ruffled by us turning up." Danny said remembering how the manager of one of the companies had paled upon seeing them and looked hot under the collar.
"Danny we can't arrest the guy just 'cos your gut told you he looked shifty. It was a hot day, and the guy was obviously stressed, and you were probably just hungry."
"Whatever." Danny replied. "Just remember you said that when we're reading him his rights 'cos I'm gonna have a big I told you so coming your way."
"Whatever, buddy." Steve smirked.
"So we don't really have much to go on, do we?" Kono asked. "The Governors not gonna be happy."
"We'll just have to wait for another theft and hope we get more leads." Steve sighed.
"What if we don't wait?" Danny asked, an idea forming in his head. Seeing he had the others attention he continued. "What if we try and tempt them? Lay a trap."
"You mean a stinger car?" Chin asked liking Danny's idea.
"Yeah, could we get hold of that car we used a few years ago? With Lori, it worked well enough for us to shut down that car ring."
"I can make some calls." Chin said looking to Steve to confirm their new plan of action.
"Do it." He nodded, and Chin moved away to make the call. "At least I can tell the Governor we're trying to track these guys down. It's a good idea Danny." Steve admitted.
"Of course it is, I thought of it." Danny joked, which earned smiles from the rest of the team.
"I like the plan, but I think we're forgetting something." Lou stated. "These guys like to jack people for the car keys."
"Which is why you will be going under cover" Danny said patting him on the back.
"Me? Why me?" Lou responded.
"As the newest member of the team, it's simply your turn." Danny smirked.
"He's right." Steve laughed supporting his partner's idea. "Make sure you look scared when they demand the keys, let's see how good an actor you are."
"Oh don't you worry, I can act your ass under the table." Lou bantered back at Steve.
Chin returned to the group. "All set, we can have the car from tomorrow."
"Great. Let's call it a day for now and tomorrow we'll decide where to place the car." Steve decided.
"I won't say no to an early finish." Lou smiled.
"Of course not, buddy. Means you can go home and practice making shocked faces into the mirror." Danny teased.
"Actually, I figured since you have been clock watching all afternoon, you'd appreciate getting off early. Danno has a hot date with Amber tonight." Steve explained to the others.
"Oh, really?" Kono said giving a smug smile.
"Get you minds out of the gutter." Danny scolded. "It's her birthday and I'm taking her out for a meal."
"Really, how old is she now? 21? You gonna treat her to her first beer?" Lou joked, knowing that Danny was a little self conscious about the age difference.
Danny's cheeks flushed red. "If you're all done joking about my love life, I'm gonna head off. I still need to wrap her gift."
"Oh, what did you get her?" Kono asked trying to get the boys minds away from teasing poor Danny. She didn't see anything wrong with the age difference, how could she, Adam was a good few years older than herself.
"A bracelet, Grace helped me pick it." Danny replied.
"Have a good night, and say happy birthday from me." Kono said as Danny made his way to his office, to shut down his computer.
"I will. See you in the morning guys. Oh and don't bother phoning if something comes up, I won't be answering." Danny said exiting the office, leaving four smiling team mates behind.
5-0-5-0-5-0-5-0
Danny thanked the waitress as he settled the bill, and waited for Amber to return from the toilet. They had had a nice meal, and Amber had loved her bracelet, putting it on straight away, admiring the Amber stones set in white gold. Now they were headed back to Danny's where he had a surprise of Champaign and strawberries waiting in the fridge.
Smiling, as she returned to Danny's side, Amber slipped her hand into his and they left the restaurant. The Camaro was parked just down the road from the restaurant in a small side street, and they started heading towards it. As they walked along chatting, Danny felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, and a feeling of being watched flashed over him. Stopping dead, Danny looked behind him then scanned around him.
"Are you ok?" Amber asked confused by the abrupt halt.
Taking a second to look around once more, Danny replied, "Yeah sorry, I just felt like we were being watched. I'm just being paranoid. We picked up a new case today, and now I'm imagining things. Come on let's get home, I have another surprise for you."
"Danny Williams, you are spoiling me." Amber smiled.
"Sure am." Danny replied leaning in and tenderly kissing her. Momentarily distracted, he failed to see the shadow moving behind them as they entered the side street, and drew closer to the car.
TBC