Part two
More questions than answers
That familiar face was all pale, the eyes staring at him like he was…a ghost.
He supposed he was in a way. The beard was gone and the grease that had darkened his hair had washed away, but he'd lost weight and condition over the thirteen months on board that ship.
That only thing that had kept him going was the possibility of seeing his beloved Hawaii again.
When he'd heard Hawaii was to be their next port it had awakened something within him. He'd thought though when he felt the impact of the shot that he was dead.
Thirteen Months had gone by that was why he'd asked who was head of 5-0, he wasn't sure his old boss would still be in charge.
"Danno you died", spluttered Steve , still wide eyed with shock.
Danny just nodded. "But how, what happened, why", all Steve's words jumbled together as he struggled to come to terms with this development.
"To answer that I guess I have to know how I umm died", Danny responded sitting on the bed next to Steve but not attempting to touch him.
"You were killed saving a child from a fire", Steve reported.
"Where there's smoke there's not always fire, at least not to start with. " I didn't die Steve", the intense blue eyes stared at Steve then looked away
"Obviously not", Steve remarked beginning to recover. He was thankful the rooms door was firmly shut and the guards outside. He didn't want anyone to see his moment of weakness.
"Tell me what happened Danno", begged Steve slowly moving his hand forward and touching Danny's shoulder. Yes it was firm, real.
"I went to interview Mr. Rogers at his home. He said though that he didn't want to unduly upset his wife and could we go to a café. I agreed and he chose the café.
We'd only been sitting there for about 10 minutes when I heard this scream.
It was the type of scream that instinctively told that something bad was happening.
I got up from my seat and went in search of the sound.
There was smoke billowing out of an old 2 level apartments top window, a woman was running about underneath screaming her child was inside. I told her to phone the fire department and ran inside. Reaching the second door apartment I literally ran the door down . Inside was just a mass of thick smoke I couldn't see much, getting down on my knees I crawled ,calling for anyone to come.
It was only when I reached the middle of the room that I saw what had caused the smoke, one of those smoke bomb things.
I was just about to stand up when I felt something hit me. I was lying there dazed by not fully out when I heard voices arguing. One was a woman's, she was begging someone to let me go, that she didn't want to be part of a murder. The other a man, said it'd never be murder, people had seen smoke and within seconds a real fire would start. He reassured the woman he'd even make it look like I died a hero.
She was still crying but not protesting. The guy came closer to me saying sorry cop but Mc Garrett's going to have to do without his little sidekick.
Within seconds I could smell smoke again, though I guessed real this time. I wanted to get up, leave, or shout for help but the blow had left me fighting to keep conscious. As the smoke got thicker my senses faded away and I guessed I would never waken again.
You can imagine my surprise when I did regain consciousness. I was tied up lying at the bottom of this huge metal cage. This Captain called Montard came in and told me I would be taking a long trip. He said he knew who I was but that if I wanted to survive I better forget that I was Danny Williams the 5-0 detective. He said he carried passengers who'd cheerfully kill me. If I behaved he would keep around a little longer.
I shouted at him to let me go, let me talk to the authorities. It was then the he came into the cage and told me he'd show me what happened if I didn't behave.
The first touch of the wet rope sent agony through my back. He hit me 5 times, any more and he said I might develop an infection and die.
As I laid there bleeding, he told me I would probably never see Hawaii again.
I soon found out what he meant by not telling his passengers I was a cop.
The Captain transported criminals who wanted to escape justice.
Steve nodded that supported his theory.
I only found out because the guys boasted about their crimes, anything from theft to murder. Here I was 5-0 cop and I was powerless to do anything".
Danny's voice sounded mocking and angry
"What could you do Danno, if you'd have tried anything you'd have been killed". Steve kept his grip firm on Danny's shoulder.
I need to know how this plan of there's worked Danno, I've managed to hold the ships Captain but I need to be able to tie Sommers to the ship.
Sommers?" Danny looked puzzled. "Oh yeah I forgot, you've been…out of touch".
The guy that escaped with you was wanted for armed robbery. But the ship was at sea when he committed his crime. So I need to know how he got on board," Steve explained.
"You haven't asked the others", Danny was curious as to why Steve was asking him all these things surely he would have found the other criminals aboard the ship.
"Others Danno, I'm afraid I don't understand?", Steve wondered how clear Danny's thoughts were after being held captive for over a year.
"There were 4 other criminals aboard Steve, they were all due to disembark at the ships next port." Danno told the 5-0 boss.
Steve was stunned they'd never found a trace of the other prisoners.
"I take it they weren't there", Danny could see Steve was shocked by something.
"No", Steve told Danny.
"Oh", Danny had this horrible feeling those guys would never be found.
"Does the Captain call himself a different name now," Steve asked remembering Danny had used the name Manton.
"No, I guess that was where I got lucky. Manton loved taunting me, denying me food and beating me. He said that when we made port he'd take me somewhere real 'special'. At the next port he disembarked telling me he'd be back and to prepare for my new life. He had this horrible grin Steve and I had a feeling I was going somewhere really awful.
Anyway he never came back and I learnt he'd been run down by a car.
The replacement was the current Captain. He seemed to have no idea who I really was.
But since the others paid for there passage and there was no money for me, he said I could work as crew but that if I tried to escape anymore he'd throw me overboard.
So I became Will and worked amongst the crew hoping for the day we'd come back to a US controlled port", Danny finished his report and closed his eyes revisiting the desperation and pain of the last thirteen months
"Did you know the real names of any of these illegal passengers, Danno", Steve asked gently.
"Nobody was supposed to use their real name, I suppose it was a protection against blackmail. Most of the passengers expected to be kept in luxury like on some cruise liner. They found though they were expected to work, kept below deck and locked up.
We were never fed that well. I suppose the crew didn't want a rebellion on there hands. Not that any of us would have known what to do with a ship even if we had taken it over."
Steve didn't hold much hope in getting names on the ex passengers, Danny was unlikely to remember what each one looked like.
So how did they get on board Danno, did you see?
"Some got on board in the guise of crew, they even had proper papers, and others, I think were dropped off by helicopters delivering goods."
Steve sighed. " I guess I can't expect you to remember dates."
Danny actually smiled, "they didn't quite kill the cop within me Steve, I managed to steal a pencil and a small note book. Each time one of the 'passengers appeared I wrote down the date and his description. At least the crew let us keep a calendar as most of the others liked to mark down how many days left until they could get off the ship."
"That book wasn't on you when you were sent here Danno." Steve had this horrible feeling he knew exactly where that notebook was.
"I didn't know whether I'd actually make it off that ship alive Steve, plus it was too risky to have the book on me because we were regularly searched. They would have thrown me overboard if they'd known what I was doing."
"See Danno, you did do something", Steve patted his friends back but quickly stopped when Danny winced
"I was pathetic Steve, Danny told him sadly." Once the press get hold of this what will the public think of me. Most will think I should have somehow single handedly overpowered everyone on the ship, arrested them and brought them into Port."
Steve was about to deny Danny's statement when it occurred to him that he was probably correct. Danny had supposedly died a hero. But that reputation would take a blasting if it was known that he had been on a ship involved in criminal activity.
The cold crept into Steve's spirit further when he realized that report would probably spell the end to Danny's career. Here Steve was hoping it could all be put back together, that Danno could be by his side again.
"For the moment I'm not releasing your name to anyone Danny."
Steve had to protect his friend for as long as possible.
"But you have to Steve, if you want to stop that ship, I know my notes alone won't be enough," Danny knew in his heart that he'd have to testify against the ships Captain and crew.
"Danny your supposed death has all the earmarks of a set up. From what you heard someone wanted you dead. How or why you turned up on that ship I don't know but I want to find out."
Now if I release your name you might have two parties wanting to shut you up that ships captain and who ever was involved in your supposed death"
"There has to be a link somewhere, someone must have known about that ships activities and decided to dump you on board." Steve was getting excited, he could keep Danny's name out of this a bit longer. Long enough to at least find out who was responsible for wanting his former second dead.
"I'll get recognized by someone", Danny nodded toward the closed door. That Steve supposed was true enough. Even Steve hadn't recognized the bearded dark haired Danny, but now things were different.
"That's why I'm going to get you out of here Danno, without anyone knowing", Steve Mc Garrett decided to take extreme action and to heck with the consequences. He wasn't taking the risk of losing Danno again.
Danno gasped. "You're going to break me out Steve, that's career suicide ".
Steve looked into those stunning blue eyes , "I know Danno, but it doesn't matter."
"It does to me", Danny made a move toward the door, he couldn't let Steve sacrifice his career for him.
Steve stepped into Danny's path and easily stopped him.
"Danno trust me", he simply told his friend.
Danny swayed, even though his injuries weren't severe he was still weak.
"All right Steve, but I do want to bring that ships Captain to justice", he agreed.
"So do I Danno, but not at the cost of your life, I won't lose you again."
Danny felt all misty eyed his death then reappearance obviously had a profound affect on Steve.
"What's
the plan then" Danny asked nervously.
"Nothing for now but
soon a little hospital break" Steve smiled reassuringly at Danny.
Steve left Danny sitting on the bed and went outside to talk to the guards.
"The guys asleep, he whispered. I've got all I can out of him. Make sure he's not disturbed." The guards nodded.
Steve made sure he was noticed leaving the hospital climbing in his car and driving away. He stopped though a short distance from the hospital and entered a café.
It was lunch rush hour so it was hardly noticed when Steve bought sandwiches then went out the back way.
He returned to the hospital on foot . Danny's room was on the ground floor, he had only a small window in the bathroom. Steve would never be able to get in that window but Danny would be able to get out. Now all Steve needed was a little diversion to make sure the guards watching the front of the hospital went away and that nobody else noticed the escape.
Steve took out his wallet. He had about 500 dollars in there, payment for a nearly overdue bill. The bill would have to wait . He got out the money and dropped bills all over the place. Satisfied that the main passageway looked like a mini bank had exploded Steve hid in the small bushes underneath Danno's room and knocked on his bathroom window.
Danny immediately opened the window, "come on out Danny", Steve coaxed.
It was obviously painful as Danny grimaced as he slid out the window, he didn't cry out though. Finally he landed next to Steve. "Where is everyone?" he asked the entrance seemed deserted. "People just discovered a money tree" Steve explained as shouts of "hey that's mine", and no its not" became clearer. "Here ",Steve handed Danny a sweatshirt with a hood and also a sandwich. Danny put on the sweatshirt and grabbed the sandwich. The two then strolled toward Steve's car looking just like two men eating lunch on the run.
Danny climbed in the car beside Steve and tried to calm himself as Steve drove off.
"Where are we going Steve", Danny gasped out his shoulder still throbbing from climbing out the window.
"My place Danny, you'll be safe and comfortable there until I can work something out.
"You'll get the notebook, Danny asked. "We've already searched the ship once Danno. To get a warrant for a second search I'd certainly have to reveal your information and your identity to the DA."
At the moment I'm going to try the angle of investigating your supposed death
If I can find out who put you on the ship then that person may be a potential second witness", Steve thought that plan was the best way of keeping Danny's name out of things."
"How are you going to investigate my death without anyone knowing ",Danny asked .
"Very carefully Danno, just leave it in my hands."
Steve parked his car in his garage and used the private entrance to his apartment. He didn't see anyone and hoped nobody had seen him.
Danno quickly sunk onto his couch. "Stay here Danno, don't leave for any reason.
"I don't want to hear on the news that the supposedly dead Danny Williams was seen in Hawaii."
Danny didn't argue but privately wondered how he was going to come back to life.
Steve left the apartment and wandered back to his car. Who could he safely share this information with, he wondered. Danny's reappearance was potentially big news. He doubted even his own men would be able to keep it quiet. They'd feel they had to tell someone in HPD because, hey they're one of us. Next minute it would be common knowledge.
Steve decided to keep the information to himself for the time being.
The nurse walked past the guards on the door flashing a friendly smile. It was time for Will's meds. She noticed he seemed to be asleep, the lump under the bed covers unmoving. "Come on sleepyhead, pill time", she stated moving closer. It was then she discovered pillows under the blanket., Will had done a runner.
Steve walked back into five -0 to the news "I'm afraid your John Doe went AWOL Steve.". Steve composed his facial features carefully into angry. "How did that happen there were guards outside his room and outside the hospital."
"Well Steve , reported Kimo," apparently the guards on the main door were assisting in breaking up this disturbance when Will escaped. Some money had been dropped in the main corridor and people were fighting over it." Kimo raised his eyebrows and his voice dripped with suspicion. "You think that was planned", Steve said carefully his face giving nothing away.
"Well it was a little coincidental for my taste." Kimo replied "Did the guy give you his name". "Only Will no second name." He claimed he wasn't wanted but that a rival had set him up and dumped him on board the ship,"Steve thought that story was good and almost true.
"Ha, really", Kimo sounded disbelieving, "you didn't buy that pathetic story."
"Well there's no come back from the fingerprints so it could be our Will doesn't have a record. " Steve told his team levelly.
"If his story is true", Truck interrupted," then we have a problem. If he's a criminal then we could have offered a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony. But if he's just some unfortunate then he's likely to be too scared to testify."
"You're right Truck, Steve flashed his detective a smile, that's why I think we should hold off on an APB for now. I obviously scared the guy and he's gone to ground somewhere. Now he has no ID or money plus he's only just had surgery, I think he'll surface quickly. If we supply a photo to HPD patrols and main businesses we should locate him."
"What if this money thing was a diversion and somebody is helping him", Kimo pointed out.
"He hadn't made any calls and seems scared about people knowing his identity, I'd say the money thing was just a coincidence", Steve smiled reassuringly.
He was telling lie convincingly and if he got found out, his career would end rapidly. He was doing to for Danno, nothing else mattered.
His 5-0 team thought it was a bit strange that Steve Mc Garrett smiled during his report, just like he was happy about something.
"Oh, the guy claims there were other criminals on board that ship", Steve looked into the faces of his team searchingly. 'There weren't any hiding places Steve", Duke stated, "we had experts on smuggling on our search teams."
"I know Duke, Will claimed they were kept in a cage."
"Like the one we saw", Duke mentioned thoughtfully." Well nothing got dumped overboard, we checked."
"What other duties went on?" Steve asked. "The normal ones, cleaning, food preparation", Duke listed all the operations.
"Yeah they had this giant mince making machine. It was busy at work when I checked", Kimo told them, "there was blood everywhere", he grimaced.
"Blood," Steve queried. "Yeah the hand stated they were mincing meat from the cold storage", Kimo reported.
"Kimo frozen meat would not bleed a lot", Steve reminded him.
Kimo went pale then green, "You mean they were…" he looked like he was going to throw up.
"Mincing those other criminals", Steve just had to go ahead and say what was on Kimo's mind.
"So how are we going to prove that? Lori asked.
"Why don't we see if we can get a dinner offer from the Captain", Steve told them.
The rest of his team promptly looked bit green as well.
Steve arranged for a picture of Will to be made up. He smiled inwardly as the dark haired bearded face began to take shape from his descriptions. No way would anyone find Danny, using that picture and that would give Steve more time to work on the case.
He ordered Kimo to make dinner arrangements with the Captain and for Truck to distribute the photos to HPD. Lori was to look into missing person files to see how many people with records had gone missing over the last year or so.
Leaving the paperwork to Duke Steve decide to make a visit to the archives to look into Danny's ' death'.
"Is it my imagination or is the boss acting just a bit…weird ",Lori ventured tentatively when Steve had gone.
"Well he has a lot riding on this case, Duke stated calmly," the Governors pressing pretty hard and with that witness gone it might be hard to break the case."
Kimo tried not to smile but his eyes wandered to Steve's desk and chair.
His face must have given something away though because Duke gripped his arm hard.
"We are all going to support Steve as much as possible", he told Kimo firmly.
Kimo felt angry but quickly smoothed his features. "I don't have any problem with helping him Duke, but no way am I eating any mince on that ship."
Duke actually grimaced and Kimo felt relieved he successfully turned any conversation away from his attitude.
"Look I'll help Truck with those photos, he offered." I'll take them round the hospital and clinics, if this Will guy needs bandages or medicine he might go to one of them."
Kimo offered getting another smile from Duke.
Danny had slept for awhile though everything still felt like it was moving. Then he padded restlessly around Steve's apartment. For the first time in ages he actually had nothing to do and inactivity made him think. On the ship his hands had been constantly busy and he'd tried to focus his mind on his task and not on his previous life.
He picked up an old newspaper hoping something to read would get his mind off his thoughts.
"Move over Mc Garrett Kimos on the case" Danny grimaced as he read about Steve's high flying second.
Why would Steve even want him back ,Danny mused. He had no money, no identification, no where to live, no car and no job. What was he going to do he asked himself.
Inwardly he laughed when he thought he'd have the perfect qualifications for working on the docks or aboard a cargo ship, might be hard to get references though.
How was Steve even imagining he could sort it all out, he couldn't not without help.
Danny wanted to go out there and help with the investigation but he'd made a promise to Steve and he wasn't about to break that promise. Sighing Danny went to Steve library and looked for a book, something to occupy his mind.
Kimo entered Queens hospital and gave the photos of Will to some of the staff to distribute. "I doubt he'll get far", an attractive nurse told Kimo. Kimo looked her over in interest. "He'll be fairly sore", she continued. "Were you the nurse in charge of his treatment", Kimo asked, she seemed to know a lot about Will.
"Yes, I know he was probably a criminal but he seemed pretty quiet. Though hearing that Mr. Mc Garrett was due to visit shook him up somewhat,"
"Yeah Steve has that effect on people", Kimo stated ironically. "How long after MC Garrett left did you notice him missing," Kimo asked assessing in his head how far the guy could get. "Oh about 30 minutes", the nurse replied accepting one of the photos from Kimos hands. She looked at it closely and frowned. "Is something the matter?, Kimo asked. "Yes, well , maybe," she looked uncertain now, wary.
"What is it, Kimo demanded. "Will requested an electric razor before the arrival of Steve Mc Garrett", the nurse replied.
Kimo frowned Steve hadn't mentioned the guy had shaved off his beard.
"Did he definitely use the razor" Kimo replied. "Well I definitely heard a razor going, but he can't have used it, Mr Mc Garrett would have mentioned he was beardless."
The nurse looked like she'd convinced herself
Kimo though decided to check for proof." Show me to his room", he requested
He followed the nurse to the room which was in the process of being cleaned.
"Have you done the bathroom yet? Kimo enquired, getting a negative headshake he entered the bathroom.
There around the sink were the remains of whiskers and also a sticky black substance.
He rubbed some on his fingers and sniffed, grease he determined.
Kimos heartbeat began to speed up. Steve Mc Garrett had lied about the description, it looked like the guy had no beard and perhaps his hair was not as dark as everyone originally thought.
Kimo began to feel angry ,was this the way it was going to be now, a competition.
The only reason he could
see for a deliberate concealment was that Mc Garrett wanted the glory of an arrest for himself. Perhaps he even knew who Will really was and was keeping quiet. Kimo's eyes widened as he took his thinking a step further. What if Wills helper in the 'escape' had been MC Garrett himself.
Kimo smiled if Mc Garrett had helped the guy leave the hospital he was going to find out and when he did, well nothing would then stand in the way of him becoming the head of 5-0.