Hello, again. Thank you for returning. You. Are. Great. Thank you all for your reviews and your help. We now got a working title, thanks to SpnHemelLass, but I'm still open for suggestions, so don't hold back.
Now, another thing for this second chapter, still unsure about the trueishness of the characters. Other (unknown and unimportant) characters has been left very vague, so they are created by yourself. As a fun little experiment, please send me a PM/review with how you envisioned the two paramedics.
Enjoys this chapter, and please leave a review.
MAGNUM
Katsumoto had already delegated the jobs and menial tasks to the first officers that had rolled up. Securing the perimeter, guarding the body, searching the grounds, dog sitting and so on. He found himself down at the end of the driveway, which was now clogged with police cars and personnel, waiting for the two aforementioned friends of the private investigator. Within minutes, the little silver sportscar came to a halt from a neck-breaking speed.
"How are they?" Rick asked already before having shut the door. TC clambered around the hood of the car to listen in. They began walking towards the house.
"Higgins got some bumps and bruises, nothing serious, as far as I know. Magnum was nicked by a bullet. Says it's just a couple of stitches," the detective replied.
"Of course, he does," TC mumbled. "Do you know what happened?"
"Nothing more that you guys, I imagine," Katsumoto answered and let out a breath. "Four men in a white panel van. Disabled the alarm, overrode the gate and tranquillized the dogs. They were dragging Higgins out the front door, when Magnum caught up with them. One dead, the three others got away, one of them with a bullet in the shoulder."
"Can we do anything to help?" Rick asked as an officer raised the yellow tape at the gate for them to duck under.
"Just… keep an eye on them, would you?" Katsumoto asked and stopped with the two men before they rounded the corner of the ambulance. TC nodded and Rick gave the detective a reassuring pat on the shoulder as the two of them continued.
He had issued an APB on the Econoline already before he had arrived, but no one in the vicinity had spotted anything close to the van yet. He trudged back to the dead body where the CSU were just setting up.
MAGNUM
"Sir, please, sit still," the paramedic admonished as Magnum yet again moved uncomfortably.
"I would, if you would stop attacking me with that acid," said man replied. Though he sounded grumpy, it was all a show he put on for Higgins. She seemed to think it was funny, that he squirmed around like a kid. He had kept a close eye on her when he had directed her to sit in the back of the ambulance, but then the other paramedic ordered him to sit on the gurney, they had rolled out.
"If he's too ticklish, then you have our permission to knock him out cold," Rick said with a grin when he came around the corner.
"Very funny, Orville, I'm not ticklish," Magnum replied and writhed away to prove the man's point.
"Hey, guys, are you alright?" TC asked and took in the scene before them.
"I really need to clean this wound," the paramedic insisted.
"Just get it over with," Magnum grunted.
"We'll be fine," Higgins replied the pilot while getting her second wrist bandaged. She was already sporting a butterfly band-aid on her eyebrow which had taken a dark purple shade. Crusted blood was still visible under her nose. She was somewhat delighted about Magnum's uneasiness.
"Rick, I need you to hit up Kawika about the van, maybe he knows something. And find out if dog sedatives are easy to come by," Magnum said between clenched teeth and the occasional hiss of pain.
"Sure thing, why don't I start by finding you a shirt, huh? You look a little cold, man," the man replied with a quick pat on Magnum's shoulder.
"I'm fine," came the response. Same as usual.
"You were shot, Magnum. For normal people that is not considered 'fine'," Higgins said as she was allowed to hop down.
"Ms. Higgins is right, Sir," the paramedic agreed when the last piece of tape was attached to the square patch of gauze, securing it tightly over the wound. "Given your condition, I would like to bring you back to the hospital, if not for treatment, then at least to get a few stitches and a check-up."
"My condition?" the investigator parroted. "I'm feeling fine," he repeated again.
"Prove it. Walk in a straight line over to your friend," the paramedic challenged and gestured to TC. It was barely six feet, he could cover that in two strides and yet a brief glance of hesitation passed his eyes before the decisiveness appeared. Surely, it couldn't be that hard. What could go wrong?
"No problem," he said and scooted down from the gurney. One step securely forward, and then his world tilted and the next second, he was looking up at the stars, with Higgins, Rick, TC and both of the paramedics hovering above him. Thanks to Rick's quick reflexes, he had been carefully lowered to the ground.
"Hospital it is," the second paramedic declared.
MAGNUM
An hour later Magnum had been situated between curtains with two IV's. One for fluids and a little dose of painkillers and another to replenish the loss of blood. He also sported a new dressing with five stitches underneath. Rick and TC had finally agreed to go see Kawika, but only because Higgins had taken up the post of a sedentary sentry, who had vowed to keep him in the hospital. Rick had been kind enough to fetch shoes and some more comfortable clothes for both her and Magnum. They had lapsed into silence and Magnum was on the verge of nodding off, when Higgins's voice pulled him back to being awake.
"Thank you, Thomas, for saving my life," she said quietly. Magnum turned his head and gave her a soft smile. Her eyes let him know just how grateful she was.
"I'm pretty sure we're even, but you're welcome. Anytime, Juliet," he replied, equally quiet.
"If you hadn't been there," she began, visibly disgusted by the thought.
"You would have gotten the upper hand eventually. All you needed was the distraction I provided with you with," Magnum said before she could say another word.
"Getting shot is a hell of a distraction," she agreed with a hesitant smile.
"But it worked, didn't it?" he asked, a smug grin spreading over his face. A few moments passed. "Any idea who or why?" he didn't exactly have to elaborate on the question, but her eyes became a little distant.
"The answer is yes, I have made some enemies through my career. It might take some time getting through the list, though," she replied to the unasked question.
"That many, huh?" Magnum asked with a small grin as the curtains parted.
"It might not take long to shorten the list," Katsumoto said when he entered the little cubicle. "How are you doing?" he asked, when he took a seat in the empty chair next to Higgins.
"Fine," Magnum was quick to respond.
"Which translates to minor blood loss," Higgins explained with a pointed look at the PI, who sighed dramatically.
"You were saying?" Magnum prompted the detective, who in turn offered them a manila folder, which Higgins grabbed first. She angled it, so that Magnum could read over her shoulder without aggravating his wound. Like she also did, when helping him with the tech-stuff he was utterly useless at.
"The man you killed is local muscle for hire. His name is Makani Iona, records going back to his childhood, everything from shoplifting to violence, possession of firearms and drugs. Duke's got a team tearing through his house, right now," he said while the two of them were reading the man's rap sheet.
"Any hints on who his employer is… was?" Higgins asked.
"No, but it's still early. The guns you recovered are untraceable, serial numbers have been filed off, but they're high quality and look fairly new. They might be connected to one of Five-0's current cases, so they're running point," the detective continued. Seeing that both of them was about to interrupt, he held up a hand.
"They're not taking over the case, and no, you may not assist in any way, what so ever," he said with a very stern look, pinning both Magnum to Higgins. "The two of you are too close to this, and as soon as possible I'll have a unit transport you back to the Robin's Nest and have you both on house arrest with multiple cars in the area. For your own safety," he said and could literally feel the glower coming from Magnum. Higgins seemed to deflate at that last jab.
With the major subject out of the way, Katsumoto found his notebook and a pen from his pocket. Normally, any subjects would have been interviewed alone, but these two people weren't exactly considered normal.
"From the beginning, please," he asked gently.
MAGNUM
Daylight was beginning to shine and with it, it brought a personnel change in the hospital. As if on cue Magnum and Higgins finished their storytelling when a doctor joined them and checked Magnum's intake and numbers. Katsumoto stood and pocketed his notebook and pen.
"Guys, you were extremely lucky tonight. Might not be so the next time. Think about that, before you do anything, and call me if anything happens. I'll keep you updated," Katsumoto said and nodded at the two of them as they muttered their vague 'thanks'.
The events of the night were catching up with them and Magnum had been visibly tired out, yawning for the past twenty minutes. Higgins were not faring much better, but she had gone uncharacteristically quiet, mulling it over again and again. It didn't take long for the doctor on the dayshift to clear Magnum and soon after they were being chauffeured back to their home in an unmarked car.
There was still a good amount of police present as they walked to the front door in silence. The dead man, Makani Iona, had been removed and was probably on the way to Noelani for autopsy, though cause of death was pretty obvious. The blood had not yet been removed as CSU were still sketching, measuring and taking photos.
"Come on," Magnum said quietly as he gently pulled Higgins away from the front door and around the house. The guesthouse was empty and quieter without the bustling of officers, the squabble from their radios and the occasional woop-woop of sirens from coming and going cars. Their entrance was timed perfectly with the automated coffeemaker and Magnum headed straight for it. He returned with a mug for Higgins as she sat down on the couch.
"You alright?" he asked when he sat down next to her.
"Yes, I'm sorry. Just got a lot on my mind," she said and sipped at the steaming hot beverage. She really needed to do some yoga or unwind in a chair on the beach with her bare feet in the sand. Magnum nodded silently, sensing she needed some time he stood, but hesitated.
"I'm gonna make some calls. If you need some sleep, you can take my bed. I'll be around if you need anything," he said and when she didn't reply he walked to the lanai and sat down in a chair with his phone and coffee.
"Everything alright?" Rick asked after one ring.
"Yeah, we're back at the guesthouse. Anything from Kawika?" Magnum asked, looking out over the grounds.
"No, but he's put word out to his boys. Also, I reached out to Captain Greene and Josie, they're both on standby," Rick said, not wasting any time.
"Good, they might come in handy at one point," Magnum replied.
"Let me guess, Katsumoto, strictly told you to stay out of it, right?"
"Yeah, but when has that ever stopped me?"
"Magnum, TC and I actually agree with him on this. You and Higgy are to stay put and let us do the job this time," Rick tried and Magnum briefly looked at the screen, thinking he was speaking to the wrong Rick.
"Rick…" Magnum began, but his friend interrupted him.
"Listen, Thomas, let us take care of this. I've reached out to someone I know, who might be able to help. His name's Langford and he's MI6, really nice guy. I also spoke with Clayton, the DDA, to explore the options… listen, I've got an incoming call, we'll swing by later, man. Be careful, Thomas," Rick said and ended the call. Magnum was left starring at his phone again before he searched his contacts for the ME's phone number.
"You should stay out of this case, Magnum. Detective Katsumoto all but gave me a finished script for what I should tell you if you called me. And it wasn't nice words," Noelani said before Magnum could even say hello.
"I'm that predictable, huh?" he asked and rubbed his forehead in part frustration, part exhaustion.
"I'm sorry, even if I would, there's nothing to tell yet. The body just landed at my table a minute ago," the medical examiner confessed.
"It's alright, Noelani, I get it. I'll catch you later," he said and ended the call, this time before she could even say bye. He tossed the phone on the little table to his right and leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes for a moment.
When he had been so rudely woken up four hours ago, never in his life had he expected things to turn out the way they did. He could literally feel all the energy leave his body with the rest of the adrenaline as he sat there, listening to the waves. Coffee in one hand and the other resting atop his newly dressed wound, he dozed off and saw glimpses of his newest nightmare again.
MAGNUM
This time it was the loud crash of the mug splintering on the ground, that jolted him awake from his slumber and nearly gave him a heart attack as he flew up from the comfortable chair. He rubbed his face and sighed deeply before bending down and picking up the pieces. He would take care of the spilled coffee later, he thought as he walked inside and threw the mug in the trash.
Half an hour had passed since he'd fallen asleep and Higgins wasn't on the couch anymore. Her coffee was still on the table, though empty. He walked to the bedroom and pushed the door open until he caught a silhouette of her on the bed. For a second, he stood there, enjoying the peaceful state of her face and the relaxation of her body. He stepped inside and found a blanket in the dark that he shook out and draped over her, causing her to stir.
"Magnum?" she asked in confusion and raised her head from the pillow, almost pushing herself up on her elbow.
"Everything's alright, Juliet, go back to sleep," Magnum hushed and gently guided her back down before retreating to the door.
"Magnum…" she said, her voice now clearer. He paused and looked over his shoulder, waiting. "Thank you," was her only words.
"Get some rest," he said quietly and pulled the door shut behind him. It felt weird that she thanked him, even more so because this was the second time today. Which was probably about to change with some much-needed sleep. So, he ambled to the main house and retrieved her laptop and phone. She would probably need them when waking up. Also, maybe he could learn a few things from the officers still at the scene.
MAGNUM
"Mr. Magnum, how are you feeling?" a voice called after him when he was heading for the study. He turned around to the officer standing at the door to the lanai.
"I'll live… You're Pua, right?" he asked and the young officer nodded, practically beaming with pride. "Maybe you can help me out," the investigator said.
"Sure thing, Mr. Magnum, whatever you need," Pua replied.
"Updates on Makani Iona's house, Five-0's progress on the recovered weapons and the ME's report. Can you get me that? Katsumoto said he would, but he's so busy I wouldn't want to trouble him by demanding he'd come down here," Magnum said and flashed him a friendly grin.
"I just spoke to Tani Rey from Five-0, actually. She said that Kamekona knows a guy who knows a guy that deal with that merch, so they're about to roll up on the dealer any minute now. That's why she called, she wanted to ask if I was available for the take down, but I have to stay here, that's Duke's orders," he said, proud of the fact that he had been called by the task force.
"Great. Anything else?" Magnum asked. He felt the need to go investigate for himself, but for the moment he would stay put. At least he got some intel.
"We found five thousand dollars in Iona's mattress. Really, the mattress is so cliché," Pua commented. "I can't help you with the autopsy report, though. The body was removed just an hour ago," he finished.
"Thank you, Pua. Would you give me a call, if you learn anything else? I think, it's better than bothering Detective Katsumoto all the time, don't you?" Magnum asked and handed his new friend a business card.
"Sure thing, Mr. Magnum. He's really busy at the moment," Pua agreed and put the card in his chest pocket. He gave a last nod and turned back to work. Magnum walked back to the guesthouse and left Higgins's things at the table before he headed for the small stretch of private beach.
MAGNUM
So, let me know what you think. And don't forget about your 'assignment'.
/kwueenie.