Blood Brothers- a story in my crossover series between Hawaii 5-0 and Kojak
Danny finds himself living a nightmare as his brother Bobby Crocker becomes a killers most recent victim. But as bad as things are looking Danny has no idea just that this nightmare is just beginning and things about to get a whole lot worse.
Chapter one- Nightmare on a lonely road
"We have to stop this guy" Steve Mc Garrett banged his fist down hard on the desk
making his colleagues jump. "That's the third tourist he's killed in three weeks."
Steve was referring to the taxi driver that was robbing and murdering unsuspecting tourists. It'd started two weeks ago with Lyle Martin a businessman from New York, who'd been found dead from a stab wound in a ditch at the side of the road. Luggage containing clothing was littered around his body.
They traced him back to the airport where witnesses had definitely seen him enter a cab . Their enquiries though could not specifically pinpoint which cab company Lyle had used as nobody had taken particular notice. Forensic couldn't find much to go on either. The assailant had evidently used gloves, as there were no prints.
.Three days later came another victim, this time a guy purely here on a holiday.
Again there was no specific information as to which cab he'd taken when he left the airport. Steve thought they might get a break when victim three was found 2 days ago.
An eye witness had definitely identified the cab company used. But a check of drivers and cabs found they all had alibis. Steve wondered if a bogus cab was being used.
We have no real way of anticipating this guys next victim", he stated banging down a list on the table. "I got this from the airlines, today's list of flights and accompanying passengers".
"On one plane alone there were 50 people coming in who were by themselves". Some are here for business others on holiday, either one could net this killer a lot of cash."
It's like the perfect crime", Chin acknowledged. "You wouldn't' suspect a taxi driver, just climb blindly into the cab. Then he takes you off some dark back street and kills you". "Yeah well that's one pattern, he only strikes at night", Danny stated, "he hasn't tried his game during daylight hours yet." "We have a lead at also in the type of cab used", Kono chipped in. "Do we", Steve challenged , "there is no definite evidence the same cab company picked up the other two victims. It is possibly our killer is using a fake cab and changing the companies so he won't get caught."
"Yes and it's a huge manpower job to check each cab arriving and leaving the airport on any one night", Danny acknowledged. "Which means so far it's working to the killers advantage', Steve growled. "We have already asked each cab company to check on its cabs and drivers reporting any that are unfamiliar", so far that hasn't yielded any results.
He hasn't got a particular pattern to the day or time he chooses", Danny remarked, "though all victims were killed in the same manner."
"So nothing to definite to pin on him there either, Steve sighed," usually a serial killer will begin to have a definite pattern but this guy just seems to be your straight out murderer, killing for financial gain."
"Why don't we try a set up", Danny asked Steve. "You know plant some rich businessman on a plane and hope the guy chooses him for a target".
Steve nodded, "yes I had thought of that Danno, but we have no way of knowing how this guy chooses his victims. He may just decide on the first solo traveler he sees."
"As most visitors have money he'd at least always get something."
"He is a coward though, Danny stated firmly, "not someone who'd try to take on two tourists." But his victims haven't fought back to any great extend", Chin stated.
"He took them by surprise Chin and it only took one stab to kill them", Steve affirmed.
"So what else do we do", Danny looked at Steve.
"We get out their gentlemen", Steve stated firmly. "We got out on the streets and ask questions.
Steve didn't say specifically what to ask. Kono, Chin and Danny all nodded though knowing Steve wanted them to think up new angles that would hopefully nail this killer.
Danny for his part had other cases that needed his attention in addition to this one.
He'd head out in his car soon to do some questioning and would probably be out all day.
Returning to his own office Danny opened one of the files on his desk searching for the information he required. He memorized what it said then put the paper back.
Opening his drawer to retrieve his pen and notepaper Danny saw the letter sitting snuggly in his draw. Looking around covertly he got it out and read it again. "A position is currently available at this precinct. If you could give us a decision by…
"Danno", Steve called. Danny hurriedly shoved the letter between the files.
Steve walked into his office. "We haven't had much time to socialize lately Danno, Steve acknowledged, "I thought you might like to join me tonight."
Danny swallowed, "ah normally Steve I would but…" he wound down looking at his bosses disappointed gaze. "A wahine Danno", Steve guessed a girl would be more important than him. "No, I was actually going to spend some time talking long distance with Aunt Clara and Bobby", Danny reported.
Steve frowned.
.Danno never seemed to have much time to socialize with him anymore. Steve had often considered himself Dannos big brother the one who looked after him and who enjoyed spending time with him. Now though Danny had a real big brother. Crocker though thankfully lived and worked in New York
"Well if you feel you must", Steve stated
Danny smiled weakly, "well I better get out there and talk to some of these witnesses I have lined up", Danny squeezed past Steve and left the office.
Steve sighed heavily as he watched Danno disappear.
Sometimes he could cheerful throttle Crocker though that was a little hard long distance.
Moving into Danny's office, Steve decided he needed to retrieve some information about one of their shared cases. He rifled through the neat piles of files on Danny's desk cursing as he knocked out an envelope.
Picking it up Steve couldn't help noticing the return address. Looking around carefully he made sure Jenny looked occupied before he opened the envelope.
Steve heart constricted as he read the letter. Danny had asked about a job in Manhattan south and Lt. Kojak had offered him a position.
Damn it Steve thought, it just wasn't fair.
He stomped out of Danny's office and into his own slamming his door hard behind him. Jenny looked up in shock wondering what on earth could cause Steve to behave like that. She hoped what ever it was he'd get over it soon a grumpy Mc Garrett was sometimes unbearable.
The day turned rapidly into night and all 5-0 officers were doing various non work related tasks. Steve had parked the big black Mercury and was now entering his favourite Irish bar. "Good evening Steve", the barman greeted. "Evening Ian", Steve acknowledged. The tall barman looked behind Steve expectantly, "well where's your boy", he asked referring to Danno. "At home talking to relatives, Steve sighed.
Ian raised his eyebrows, "Must be important if he's passing up a chance to go out", he replied. "He's talking to his half brother in New York", Steve reported unable to help the bitterness in his tone. "Sounds like you don't think much of the half brother", Ian observed. "I have relatives like that sometimes I could quite cheerfully ship them off to a war torn country." Steve gulped down a whole glass of alcohol, "yeah, he said firmly, only Danny would definitely find a way to that war torn country to talk to his brother."
Ian looked curious, "if they're that close, why do they live in different states, he asked.
"Circumstances", Steve didn't elaborate just downed another glass of booze. "So will the brother come and live here", Ian asked. Steve shook his head that had hit a nerve, "No it's more likely Danny will go there", he said sadly. "You couldn't stop him", Ian asked.
"I wish I could but there isn't anyway I can see", Steve acknowledged. Ian nodded,
So what's the brother do in New York anyway". "He's a detective like Danny', Steve told him. "Hmph well it's dangerous being a detective, anything could happen to him", Ian stated. "Yeah I'd should be so lucky", Steve mumbled then stopped in horror at what he'd said. Ian though smiled, "don't worry Steve I won't tell Danny what you said and believe me I understand there are times when I wished the ex wife would conveniently get run over by a truck". Steve looked at his empty glass and got up embarrassed again, imagine the chief of 5-0 talking like that. He was thankful Ian was discrete. "Look I think I'll go", Steve told Ian. He got up and hurriedly left the bar not noticing Ian staring after him intently.
Steve settled back into the Mercury started up the engine and drove off, he headed away from the night spots onto quieter roads where he could do some thinking.
Danny was chatting away to his Aunt Clara talking about some of the things he'd been doing recently. "How about girls", Clara interrupted ,"met anyone nice lately".
Danny sighed loudly causing Aunt Clara to laugh, "sorry, she apologized, I just wish you'd find someone nice like Robert has.' Clara liked Bobby's girlfriend Elizabeth Morton a great deal and wished the two would commit to a marriage. "Well it's not that easy Aunt but I keep trying. "I know you do dear", Clara replied. They finished the conversation shortly after that and Danny dialed Bobby's home number. He was disappointed when nobody answered. He guessed though that perhaps Bobby had been called to work.
Putting down the phone Danny debated trying to find Steve he ,knew roughly where he'd be. But part of him just wanted to have a bit of peace and quiet tonight. So he turned on the television and settled down with a drink. He hoped no crisis would interrupt this quiet night.
He felt tired as he carried his suitcase and briefcase out of the airport. Briefly scanning the row of taxis he threw his luggage into the back of one not really taking much notice of the cab driver.. "Where to sir", asked the driver. He named a hotel then sat back with his eyes closed as he felt the swaying of the cab. Soon he was napping peacefully. The driver looked into the mirror observing his passenger. With a small smile he pulled his cab off the main roads and headed for a quiet location.
Steve got out of the Mercury and went for a walk in the dark. There was little traffic about so he wouldn't get hit. The dark was a good thinking place. What would he do once Danno was gone. Who would he get to take his place, all those thoughts went around in his head. He stopped angry at himself, Danno wasn't indispensible he was just another detective on the 5-0 team. Steve could easily find a replacement.
He headed back to his car but a thought kept on intruding, no matter what you think things will never be the same again. Climbing back into the car Steve drove off through the lonely streets.
The cab driver pulled over onto the side of a quiet back road. He bent down and pulled the knife from under his seat and held it lovingly in his hand. Then he got out and went to the passenger door and opened it. His victim was still sound asleep, a perfect victim. He studied him for a few seconds then raised his knife up and plunged it downward into his victims chest.
A burning fire penetrated his slumber and he lashed out hitting a shape in front of him. His effects seemed to carry now power though. Then he felt himself being dragged. He tried to force his eyes open to see who was doing this but his body seemed not to be obeying his commands. Then everything went black and he felt nothing at all.
The man dragged his victim out of the car and left him for a minute. Grabbing the guys luggage he threw it onto the grass. He pulled the guys wallet from his pocket and stuffed it into his own .Then he dragged his victim over by a ditch and bent over him gloved hand on knife ready to pull the instrument from his body. Then suddenly light pierced the darkness.
A car was coming. Panicking the man left the knife in his victim and ran back to his car.
Lisa James was lost having no idea where she was. It was so dark here even with her lights on. Deciding she'd better stop to consult her map she began to slow her car down. She glanced away from the road for a few seconds then jammed on the brakes in fright as she glanced back at the road and noticed a car, parked almost straight infront of her. What a stupid thing to do she thought, the car had no lights on, had someone just abandoned it there. Her eyes sought the license number and she'd begun to memorize it when suddenly bright light pierced her vision as the car turned on its head lights and blinded her.
She sat still waiting for a crash and blinking the light from her eyes. No crash happened though and Lisa breathed a sigh of relief. She looked back across the grass by where the now departed car had stood and gasped as her head lights picked up the fallen body of a man, a knife clearly visible sticking out of his chest.
Starting back up her car Lisa drove searching for any sign of help.
Barely 10 minutes later she returned with a patrol car. The HPd officers quickly jumped out and raced to the body. Noting the suitcase lying on the ground Officer Walton stated, "looks like our taxi killer got another one". Indeed, he left the knife behind though this time", his partner stated kneeling down beside the blood soaked man. Seconds later officer Walton heard him gasp. "What", he demanded
"Mike this guys still alive' Officer Tyne reported in stunned amazement. The other officer quickly radioed for an ambulance.
"Has he got any id", Mike Walton asked. "No", looked like he was probably robbed as well just like the others". "Right we'll have to print him then to get id. We also better inform 5-0 about this."
Steve's radio sprung to life and he listened to the requests for an ambulance for a stab victim. He noted he was only minutes away from the location so hurriedly put his foot down on the accelerator for extra speed and turned on his siren.
Minutes later bright lights of a patrol clued him into where to go. He hurriedly parked beside it and jumped from the Mercury. "Looks like your taxi guy Steve", Mike Walton told him. "Only this time he didn't quite finish the job, guys still alive. Though by the look of him I don't know how long he'll last." The killer left his knife in his chest. "
"What about ID any idea who he is" Steve asked as he strode closer to the body. "No killer took that we'll have to print him to discover his identity. "
Steve reached the victims side focusing on the blood stained shirt with the knife sticking out of it. "Well you'd' better", Steve broke off as his eyes moved to the guys face. "Move that light a bit closer will you", he requested to the HPD officer.
A torch was then shone in the victims face causing Steve to gasp audibly.
"Do you know him Sir", Officer Wilton asked softly noting the look of surprise and horror on Steve's face. "Steve nodded, "Yes I do, his name is Robert Crocker, he's a New York City detective and Danny Williams half brother."
Steve stared at Bobby, feeling fear grip his heart. The young detective was fairly blood soaked and the knife stuck firmly into his chest. To Steve the injury looked more than just life threatening, it looked like it would definitely be fatal.
He walked slowly back to his car where he picked up his radio in preparation to tell Danny the worst news he'd ever received in his life.