They say there are days you remember for the rest of your life…the day you get engaged or the day your mother passes away. Good or bad, there's always a reason why we remember some days over others.
Danny Williams' most recent day off was one of those days, though part of him might just as soon forget it. It was his first day off in several weeks, and he was desperate for the twenty-four hours free from work. Little did he know that it would involve a bank robbery, a ten-year-old little girl, and the most dangerous game of hide-and-seek he would ever play.
The day began like any other; Danny was up early and went for a run around the block. After a quick shower, he sat at his kitchen table with a cup of coffee and the morning paper.
Uh-oh, he thought. There's another headline about that cat burglar we've been after. Boy, I'll be glad when that case is over. Sports, sports…here we go. Let's see, who won the fights last night? Oh, wow. Too bad I'm not a gambler; I'd have made a fortune. Hmm, politics…I think I'll hold onto that section until I'm in a really good mood. That reminds me, where are the funnies? There they are…best part of the paper. Now, what about the weather?
Danny soon finished perusing the paper, stood, and walked over to the sink to rinse out his coffee cup. He then made his way over to the telephone to call Steve. Knowing his boss, he likely had slept at the office, trying to pull an all nighter.
He heard Steve pick up on the second ring. "McGarrett."
"Steve, it's Danny. Any new leads on that cat burglar?"
"No, Danno, nothing at all. You all right?"
"Everything's fine…just wanted to let you know I'll be running errands most of the day, so if something comes up, you'll have a better chance of reaching me by radio than by phone."
"Got it," Steve answered. "Thanks for the heads up. Enjoy your day off."
Danny smiled. "I plan on it. See you tomorrow."
He returned the phone to its cradle, then checked his pockets for both his keys and his wallet. As he left his apartment, Danny whistled nonchalantly.
Okay, first stop…the bank.
xXxXx
Emily struggled to free herself from her stepfather's grasp, stumbling along behind him as he walked to the car.
"Poppy, please…please don't make me go," she cried. "Poppy - ow, you're hurting me!"
He opened the car door and almost flung the child into the back seat. Slamming the door behind her, he stormed around to the driver's side and climbed in.
"Poppy, I don't wanna go. Please let me stay home," Emily begged.
Her stepfather reached back and slapped her. "Shut up! I told you, you was grounded this week. I don't want you sneaking off to Mary Jane's house, like you told her you would."
Tears ran down Emily's face, stinging her cheek where she'd been hit. "I'm sorry, Poppy; I forgot. I can call her back and tell her I can't come over. Please don't make me go with you."
"Forget it," he said as he cranked the car and put it in reverse. "With your mom and work, I'm not about to leave you home alone to maybe break the rules. You're coming, whether you like it or not."
Emily stifled a sob, deciding against trying to get him to change his mind. He'd only hit her again, and it would be much harder next time. So she sat in the back seat, crying silently and wondering what her step dad planned to do with the ski mask and the burlap bag he'd tossed into the seat beside him.
xXxXx
Danny pulled into the parking lot and looked for an empty space. He was surprised at how busy the bank was this morning, and had almost talked himself into trying again later when he spotted a car backing out of a parking spot. Danny drove his car that direction and claimed the space as his own.
As he walked toward the building, he glanced around for the bank manager's vehicle.
Danny had met the old man, Mr. Edwin, a few years before at his favorite fishing spot, and they'd been friends ever since. Every so often they would make plans to go fishing together, and though that was not the case today, Danny at least wanted to chat with Mr. Edwin, just to make sure he was doing all right.
Danny didn't see the old man's car, but he knew it was possible that he'd simply overlooked it.
Oh well, if he's here, that's great. If not, I'll just have to try and catch him some other time.
Danny walked through the double doors and up to the nearest available teller window. Even though he did all of his banking here, he occasionally had trouble remembering certain employees' names, and he had to glance at the young girl's name tag before speaking to her.
"Good morning, Joy," he said cheerfully.
She returned his smile. "Hello, Mr. Williams. How may I help you?"
"I was actually wondering if Mr. Edwin has come in yet?" He saw a brief look of worry cross Joy's face and he hurried to add, "Nothing's wrong. Mr. Edwin and I are fishing buddies, and I just stopped by to say hello."
Joy's expression changed to one of relief. "I haven't seen him, but feel free to come to the back and look for yourself."
She moved to the swinging partition and opened it from her side to let Danny in.
"Mr. Edwin's office is the last door on the left," she said as she pointed down the hall.
"Mahalo," Danny replied.
"You're welcome, Mr. Williams. Enjoy your visit with Mr. Edwin."
xXxXx
Emily remained quiet as her stepfather pulled into the bank's parking lot. He parked the car and reached over to grab the ski mask and the burlap bag, then turned to look at Emily.
"Stay in the car, you hear? Don't get out. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Emily nodded her head and watched him leave, thinking about the arguments he and her mother had gotten into over the last few weeks…something about money and expensive jewelry and giving "it" back. What was he up to, and why did he need a ski mask?
Being only ten years old, Emily's better judgment was soon overtaken by her curiosity. She exited the car and made her way to the building, hoping to find out exactly what her stepfather was doing.
xXxXx
Danny, unable to locate Mr. Edwin, returned to the lobby and was about to ask Joy for some stationary, when a man came in wearing a ski mask. In one hand he held a burlap bag; in the other was a gun.
Danny immediately ducked behind the counter, hoping that the gunman had not seen him standing there.
He was sitting by Joy's feet, and as Danny listened to the man bark orders for everyone to sit on the floor and for Joy to fill the bag, he saw Joy's foot gracefully put pressure on the trigger for a silent alarm.
Good thinking, Joy. Now just keep calm, and don't do anything foolish. The cops will be here soon, and they'll get us out of here. Danny sighed. And here I am, a cop in the middle of a bank holdup, and I don't have my gun.
That led Danny to another thought. Not only do I not have my gun…Steve doesn't know I'm here.