Chapter two It's tough at the top
"Danny waited by his car for awhile hoping that some how Steve would magically appear and everything would be alright. But as time went on and Steve didn't appear it seemed more likely that the Pill popper has somehow mixed up his targets.
"Steve would have fought him off surely", Chin stated as he waited by Danny's side.
"Yeah, he would unless he didn't see it coming ",Danny's voice was deeply distressed. "I suppose I should.." Danny tried to get his thoughts in order. He now had to try and take over the case. "Alright, Steve was going to Queens, we need to establish if he actually made it." "I'll go talk to Doc Bergman," Danny stated. "Chin keep working on Steve's contacts. Then follow up with forensic on the car. Get me something Chin", Danny voice broke as he walked back towards Kono's car.
Danny's hands were shaking on the wheel, please, please, he told himself let this be some awful mistake. Let Steve appear alive and well. The journey to Queens seemed to go on forever but finally Danny pulled into the car park and exited Kono's car.
Doc Bergman was in the morgue working on a body when Danny entered. He looked up and immediately went to Danny's side. "Danny, you look even worse, sit down, I'll get my bag and give you…"No, Doc", Danny knew he sounded awful, "I need to know if Steve came here last night to get a medication refill for me." "Danny you should be at home", Doc held on tight certain the young detective was going to collapse on him. "Steve shouldn't have let.. Doc tried to continue. "Steve's gone Doc", the horror of it all finally got to Danny and he sunk to a chair. "They found my car with all its doors open on the beach just a short while ago. My Pills were on the front seat. The last person to use my car was…" "Doc why?" Danny silently sobbed into his hands.
"Danny how awful", Doc sat in a chair next to the young detective and put a steadying hand on his arm. "Steve was here last night around 930pm. He got a refill for your medication and then we sat and talked about the Pill Popper case for awhile.
He was mainly venting his frustrations over a lack of progress. Steve finally left about 1030pm." Danny nodded. "I fell asleep Doc and didn't wake until Kono busted into my place looking for clues to investigate what they thought was my disappearance."
"It's not your fault Danny, you've been sick and sleep is the best medicine for that."
Doc looked into the young mans tortured eyes. "In a few hours we might find him…".Danny choked and coughed for several minutes until doc handed him a glass of water. Doc wanted to suggest a light sedative or something to ease Danny's pain and suffering but knew Danny would refuse.
"Danny if you need me just call", Doc squeezed his arm tight. "Thanks Doc, Danny lifted his head. "Can I ask around the hospital see if Steve spoke to anyone else."
"Of course Danny but Steve never mentioned any other plans. I think he was just going to return your pills and call it a night", Doc reported. Danny nodded an acknowledgement and drifted away unable to look back into Doc Bergmans worried eyes. His investigations at the hospital only netted him the information that Steve had not talked to anyone else, leaving the hospital straight after obtaining the pills.
Danny climbed into his car intending on going to Steve's apartment next.. "Kelly to Williams", Danny's radio demanded attention. "Yeah Williams", croaked out Danny.
"Danny the press have been down here and the news is out. I umm had a call from the Governor ,he wants to see you right away."
Governor Jameson paced his office. He'd been woken by a member of the press who'd phoned him for a comment on the fact the pill popper had seemingly killed Danny Williams. Putting through an emergency call to 5-0, he'd got rerouted to Chin Ho Kelly who had filled him in on the true state of affairs. Now the Governor waited in his office with DA John Manicote by his side for the appearance of 5-0's new leader. "I'm thinking of where to go for help on this one John", the Governor stated to the DA. "So you're going to supersede Williams authority and take him off the case" John looked angry. "John the leader of our State police had become the Pill Poppers next victim. This case is obviously too much for 5-0 to handle right now", The Governor explained. "With all due respect sir, you didn't pull Mc Garrett off the case, even though he had failed to catch the guy the first time. Why do you assume Williams won't be able to make a break through", John was going to stick up for Danny. "He's only 28 John, that's too young to take on such a big responsibility as the head of 5-0", the Governor stated firmly.
"You agreed to let Steve promote him Sir. Didn't it ever occur to you that something could happen and Danny could be left in charge", John was in full DA defense mode.
"Well Steve seemed kind of indestructible John", Jameson sighed. "You know I feel sorry for Williams. All eyes will be on him now. If he doesn't get anywhere on the case people will say exactly what you have been, that's he's too young. The public will conveniently forget that Mc Garrett also failed to catch this killer" , John Manicote stated sadly. "Why not give him a chance Sir, if he manages to pull it off then everyone will accept him as the new head of 5-0."
Governor Jamieson looked at the DA, " I guess your right John I should at least give him a chance, Steve would", the Governors voice broke, "want that", he managed to stutter out.
"Good Morning Hawaii we bring you breaking news. Last night the Pill Popper added another victim to his ever growing hit list. An abandoned car was found in the early hours of the morning presenting the killers signature. Shockingly police were immediately able to identify the car as belonging to 5-0s own second in command Danny Williams. He has not been on the Pill popper case due to illness. However subsequent reports indicate Williams has been sighted at the crime scene and that the victim of the attack was the 5-0 chief himself. Yes Hawaii Steve Mc Garrett has become the latest victim of this crazed killer. Now we are of course attempting to interview 5-0's new chief Danny Williams. The burning question viewers is are we going to see some progress on this case since the victim is himself a police officer.
When we find Detective Williams I'm sure you will be interested in hearing his reply". This is Rupert Davis investigative reporter signing off, for now"
Danny cringed, that was all he needed a film crew following him around and analyzing his moves. He pulled up outside the Governors building and strode inside.
"Danny I'm so sorry to hear the news", Governor Jameson shook Danny's hand and looked into his pale shocked face. "Thank you sir, 'Danny rasped.
"Any ideas what could have happened to Steve", The Governor was getting straight to the point. "I last saw him at about 920 when he left my place to fill a prescription for me. He traveled to Queens and spoke to Doc then left about 1030pm. His whereabouts after that are up for debate sir", Danny hoped nothing unpleasant was running out of his nose as he spoke.
"Did you talk much about the case", Governor Jameson hoped Danny was reasonably up to speed on what was happening. "Yes, he pretty much told me everything", Danny stated twisting his hands together. "Good, so you feel confident you can effectively take up this investigation", the Governor evaluated the new young commander of 5-0. What a blunt question thought Danny, of course he didn't feel confident ,Steve was dead and all he felt was numb. However what he said was "yes".
"Fine Danny, fill me in on your next move", The Governor wanted to see if Williams had thought any further on this case. "Establishing Steve's movements after leaving Queens should hopefully tell us something Governor", Danny's brain was in gear and his eyes widened. "The Log book", he stated out loud. "What Danny", Jameson hoped Danny wasn't so upset over this case that he was now talking to himself.
"There's a log book hidden in our 5-0 cars, we are supposed to record where we go and what we do" Danny's face lit up with excitement. "I hope the killer wasn't smart enough to find it".
"I hope that Steve filled it out", Jameson stated. "Go find out Williams and keep me informed". "Right Sir", Danny left relieved the Governor hadn't suggested taking him off the case. He was completely unaware that if it wasn't for the wisdom of a certain DA he probably would be at home forbidden anything to do with the investigation.
Chin was waiting in the Forensic lab when Danny arrived. "We found your prints and Steve's in the car, Che Fong reported. "But no other prints". "Did you find the log book", Danny asked hopefully. Che smiled, "yes, most of the entries are in your hand, but here, Che lifted up the book, "the last entry is in Steve's writing". Danny looked at the mileage Steve had written down and the times. "What did the odometer on my car read Chin", he had a theory going and hoped it'd pay off. "Chin rattled off some numbers. "Ah," Danny surmised ',if we add another couple of kilometers from my place to the beach that brings us up to say 20 km but there's an extra 2km on the dial."
"The killer could have driven the car around", Chin stated. "Yeah Chin but would you risk it, a high profile stolen car. I'd go straight to the beach with no stops."
"So we have extra
kilometers unaccounted for that Steve didn't record", Chin
pondered the meaning of that. "He stopped somewhere Chin", Danny
stated, "perhaps not intentionally ".
"This might be the
breakthrough we need ." Yes but when did he drive that extra 2km
Danny, after Queens or before, we have no way of knowing that."
"Well if he'd stopped for Gasoline he would have recorded that so it wasn't to fill up the car." Danny's brain was moving smoothly. "Maybe the killer targeting Steve was a mistake in more ways than one. We can track Steve's movements, canvas every possible place he could have gone within a two km radius.
"That's still a lot of ground Danny and as I said it could have been before Queens or after so that's two different lots of ground to cover", Chin was thinking of the enormous amount of manpower they were going to need.
"Alright let's get inside this guys brain for a minute. If I was the intended target then he's been following me." Danny recalled his strange feeling of the day before. "I had one of those feelings I was being watched the other day". It was while I was out shopping. So I say we take that 2km from my place, canvas all shops, businesses, toilets , anywhere. I'll give you the name of the specific places I went, maybe someone noticed somebody watching me". Danny coughed loudly. 'I'm going to get him Chin", he stated resolutely. Chin looked at the pale leader of 5-0 and wondered how much longer Danny could stay on his feet. The grief of Steve's loss had to be hitting him harder than his cold. Chin didn't say anything though, all he could do was be by the side of Danny Williams, to do what Steve would want, catch him if he fell.
Doc Bergman listened to the various comments on the radio as people expressed their opinions about Steve Mc Garrett and 5-0. "The Pill Popper is probably just some poor unfortunate Mc Garrett pissed off. Maybe he wanted Mc Garrett all along and just taunted the rest of us. Who knows he might be satisfied now, I hope so."
"Ohh Danny Williams is so cute, titter ,titter, I've seen him surfing, I'm sure he'll be a good leader of 5-0. He can come and arrest me anytime, giggle".
Doc shook his head . Steve was the type of person that left a permanent impression of some sort or the other on people. It was a major blow for Hawaii, not that criminals or even some everyday people would think so. Doc's phone rang. "Morgue, Doc Bergman speaking", he felt himself go cold, "a body", he repeated, "Where".
"Alright thanks I'll come straight away. Doc slowly put down the phone. A swimmer had found a mans' body lying face down on the sand. He was over six foot and dark haired from the mans' shaky description. Doc swallowed, it would be better if he took Danny with him to the beach, better to know straight away than to wait in agony.
Bergman picked up his phone and began to dial, he could be making the phone call that would change Danny Williams world forever.
So here they stood on the beach awaiting that awful moment
Doc stepped forward and took hold of the towel, then lifted it up.
Danny was staring at the body and everything was swirling around, "Danny, Danny", Doc was staring at him in concern. Then he bodily grabbed Danny and dragged him back to the car. "Easy, sit down", Doc went to rattle around in the car.
Danny though was already feeling better, "It wasn't him Doc", he stated," but I suppose Steve could still be dead". He glanced back down toward the body, "that guy doesn't look the type for an early morning swim, you had better see if you can ascertain the cause of death." ""Sure Danny", Doc had taken a syringe out of his bag. "What are you going to do with that Doc", Danny attempted to slide out of the car but Doc was in his way. "Danny I'm going to be a bit blunt here, you look dreadful . Things can't be easy for you at the moment and I know you want to do as much as possible to find this killer. That includes all the long hours you are going to put in .. Doc wound down as Danny gave him a "don't say I can't stay on this case stare". Bergman almost smiled, Danny had picked up a few facial expressions from Steve in the short time he'd worked for him. "Look Doc, I admit I do feel terrible but I have to find answers on this case, Steve and all the other victims deserve my best shot", Doc put away the syringe. "Alright Danny, he relented ,"but if you get brought into hospital at any time over the next couple of days I'm going to make you stay. Now I'll take our friend here down to the hospital and see what I can find out. I'll ring you with anything definitive."
Danny acknowledged Docs words and turned to the HPD officers also present indicating he was ready for a ride back to 5-0 HQ. "Danny reporters incoming", warned Officer Hayes as a group of people approached with cameras and microphones.
Danny made haste into the patrol car and got driven quickly away. He really wasn't in the mood for dealing with the press.
Back at 5-0 HQ Danny surrounded himself with all Steve's records on the Pill Popper investigation. Surely there would be something in there that could help him make some sense of the whole thing. "Do we know how HPD are going with canvassing the area around my apartment", Danny asked Kono as the big Hawaiian came into Steve's office. "Nothing much on Steve's photo Danny, but the Saleslady at the department store remembered you because she thought you looked awful. She didn't think anyone was taking particular notice of you though. Danny hit the papers on the desk with his hand." Steve must have stopped somewhere Kono". Danny got up and looked at the map featuring all the pins. It outlined where each victim lived and where their body had been found.
"All the deaths happened within quite a small radius Kono", Danny mused," how likely is it that all the victims visited the same place on the day of their death."
"We did check 24 hour medical centers, doctors, pharmacies and clinics in the general area 18 months ago We have traveled much the same path this time around but still came up with nothing", Kono looked truly sorry to reveal such news.
"Where else would they go Kono", Danny slapped his hand down hard on the desk then winced," dammit it doesn't make any sense."
"Steve said that the first time around Danny", Kono was trying to be reassuring.
Danny though felt frustrated his wiped his nose and eyes as they streamed, "if Steve never found the link how am I supposed to work it all out", he moaned.
"Give yourself some credit Danny, you're smart, Steve knew that and appointed you as his second", Kono gently squeezed his colleagues shoulder in support.
Danny nodded but was still puzzled. He looked at the huge list of other businesses in the area, nobody in any of them had claimed to have seen any of the victims.
Where exactly did that leave him on this investigation, maybe waiting helplessly for another victim in hope that one would provide the clue he needed. He was sure the reporters would not be impressed with that answer. So Danny opened the first of the files and began to go over every detail of this case.
The office manager Mae found him a few hours later, asleep in the midst of the papers. She shook her head sadly poor Danny. He was still officially second in command but if Steve was not found soon ,he'd be declared legally dead and Danny would be sworn in by the Governor as the head of 5-0, if he survived this case ,she assumed.
Her phone ringing interrupted her gaze at 5-0s youngest member, she hurried back to her desk. "Yes Doc", Mae answered ,Danny's just … she thought she better not say asleep…"in a conference at the moment, hang on while I get him for you." Mae hurried and shook Danny awake. "Yeah Doc", Danny cleared his throat numerous times as his voice came out barely audible. Doc sighed audibly. "You are still taking your antibiotics Danny", he asked sternly. Danny had actually forgotten all about them but knew he needed to keep the peace with doc, "sure", he lied. Another sigh, "Well I might have to add to your problems Danny. I did an autopsy on our body from the beach. He was knocked unconscious and then drowned; a blood analysis indicated the presence of antibiotics in his blood stream. HPD came down and took his prints, they have identified him as Martin Davis, who is…" Danny gasped interrupting Doc, "the head of our main radio stations son", he finished for Doc. "Yes, he died around 1230pm Danny. Nothing much in his stomach contents, probably hadn't eaten for awhile before his death."
Danny didn't like what Doc was telling him. This guys death bore a startling similarity to the Pill Poppers MO. But there hadn't been a car found with Mr. Davis.
"So I have another murder investigation", Danny stated needlessly. "Yes and pretty high profile Danny, Rupert Davis is… well.. Doc paused trying to think of a delicate way to phrase his description of the man". "The shark of the airwaves", Danny was well aware of what they called the reporter. He'd also heard his blistering attacks on this investigation. "I'll assign a lot of man power to the investigation Doc", Danny told him.
Doc rung off after that leaving Danny another high profile case to sort out. He wasn't looking forward to the visit from Rupert Davis that he was sure would happen very soon. Knock, knock, "Enter", rasped Danny. An HPD officer with a very serious demeanor came and stood in front of his desk. "Sir, it's about our most recent deceased Mr Davis", the officer reported. "Yes, what about him", Danny inquired.
"Well last night about 130 am Officer Grey pulled over a car that was drag racing just off one of the beach roads. We naturally arrested the driver and attempted to find the cars owner. However we couldn't get in touch with him. " Danny frowned wondering why this patrolman was bringing him something so trivial. "The cars owner was Mr. Martin Davis, our deceased." After hearing Docs report we brought the cars driver in on suspicion of homicide." Danny smiled this had to be one of the quickest cases they'd ever solved. "He ummm", suddenly the HPD officer looked uncomfortable like someone bearing unwelcome news.
"Get to it Officer Wilton", Danny demanded though his croaky voice pretty much made the command ineffectual. "Well he claimed he and his friends found the car down on the beach, all four doors open and a bottle of pills on the front seat."
Danny went white, he now had a very serious problem. Both Steve and Mr Davis had supposedly died on the same night. Now either the Pill Popper had claimed two victims in the same night or he also had a copy cat killer on the loose.
Danny put his head back down on the papers, this case was getting a whole lot harder. "Steve I need you", Danny told the empty office. But his pleas went unheard, right now Danny was in charge and he had to work it all out or drown as the press and public increased their demands., he turned on the radio.
". This station is now in shock over the death of Martin Davis son to our own chief Rupert Davis. Now what reports we have gathered indicate Martin was also a victim of the Pill popper. So Hawaii my question is today, has the Pill Popper now claimed two victims or shockingly are there now two killers. It seems our new head of 5-0 Danny Williams has yet to make any comment on the deaths. This brings into the mind the burning question of who can we depend on, 5-0 is seemingly not meeting our needs. Maybe Mr Williams is to busy surfing the waves or is he just too young and immature to handle such a case. You can be sure Mr Davis snr will be taking these questions to the Governor. Maybe it's time for someone new on this case.
"What do you think Hawaii", ring us now.
"Steve, I need you, Danny coughed as he surrendered himself to the luxury of tears. Maybe the station was right he should just step aside.