"Chin, call Max." Steve said as he pulled a pair of latex gloves out of his back pocket.

"Are those from our victim this morning?" Danny asked.

Steve shrugged. "Let's hope so. Otherwise we've got a second victim."

Kono pulled out her phone and snapped a picture as Steve reached inside and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Danny looked over his shoulder and read.

"Hello again, Commander. I see you've gotten my second gift. The first, of course, being my first victim. Doubtless you will run DNA on these ears, and will consequently discover that these belong to my second victim. Happy hunting."

"Well that answers that." Danny said angrily.

Steve remained quiet, set the letter down on the smart table and glanced back into the box, looking for any other clues. There was nothing other than the pair of severed ears sitting on a small piece of tissue paper.

Shortly Max arrived and after extensive photographing, removed the package and the letter and left the members of five-0 to discuss the mysterious appearance of the box. Chin and Kono asked the other offices and the administrative assistants if anyone had seen anything, but it appeared that the package had just materialized. No one knew anything helpful.

The atmosphere was tense as the team returned to their offices to work on other cases. Steve idly sifted through past cases, searching for anyone with a vendetta who had the means and opportunity to make threats against his team. The reality was that since its inception, Five-0 had hundreds of people that would like nothing better than to get revenge against the task force.

A knock startled Steve out of his musing and he looked up. Danny stood in the doorway, a concerned look on his face.

"Can I come in?" He asked.

"Of course, buddy. I'm surprised you still have to ask." Steve moved to clear Danny a space on one of his chairs and then perched on the edge of his desk, noting Danny's lack of a sarcastic comment that began or ended with use of the word "animal."

"What's up?"

Danny cleared his throat. "What do you think this is, Steve? We've had threats before, but not directly tied to a body. He's playing with us. I hate it. I'd rather face threats head on, not wonder where the next one is coming from."

Steve shook his head. "I'm right there with you. I hate the thought that innocent people are dying to send a message. I'd almost rather he just walk up and pull a gun. That way at least I'd know how to handle it."

Danny chuckled. "Of course you would, you neanderthal animal. You'd probably pull some ninja SEAL move and disarm him, have a snack, and do the paperwork before he even realized what hit him."

Steve laughed, glad that Danny seemed to be snapping out of whatever dark mood he was in when he walked through the door.

"Whatever, Danny. You know you're glad I'm on your side when we run into trouble."

"You kidding?" Danny scoffed. "That's the only reason I keep you around. You're like a super annoying talking guard dog. Someday I'll actually get you trained."

Steve feigned offense. "After all we've been through together? All I am to you is a guard dog? I would think I'd at least rank sidekick by now."

Danny shook his head. "First you have to prove you can have an adult conversation that doesn't revolve around guns or techniques for conducting raids."

Steve shook his head. "Why is that a necessary skill?"

Danny rolled his eyes. "Is it sad that I don't know if you're kidding or not?"

Suddenly, Steve's cell phone rang to life. "McGarrett."

Steve was quiet, but Danny saw his face darken. "Where?"

Danny gave him a look. "What's going on?" He mouthed.

Steve shook his head and held up a finger. "Thanks Duke, we'll be right there."

Steve hung up and shoved his phone back in his pocket. "We've got to go."

"What happened?" Danny asked.

Steve sighed. "They found a scalp with a note pinned to it."

Danny paled. "Let me guess. It's for us."

"You guessed it. Let's get Chin and Kono."

After stopping briefly to get the rest of the team, Five-0 headed out the door, anticipating the macabre scene they were headed for.

The killer did not disappoint. Blood smeared down the sidewalk, forming an easy trail for Five-0 to follow. Danny swallowed hard, steeling his stomach for whatever they were about to see. Duke Lukela spotted the team approaching and met them outside the police tape.

"Duke, what do we got?" Steve asked.

Duke shook his head. "I'm not sure I can even describe this to you. You just need to see it."

The four followed Sgt. Lukela through the crowd that gathered and waved their badges at the officer assigned to direct traffic. Once they were waved through they ducked under the tape and followed the trail of blood smear. Looking up, Danny immediately groaned.

A long stake had been driven into the ground at the edge of the sidewalk. The shaft was smeared with more blood, but the most disturbing image was the human scalp draped over the top. Bloody dark hair hung down, gently swaying in the breeze coming off the ocean. The blood had coagulated, causing the hair to clump up and look disheveled.

"Where's the note?" Steve asked.

Duke frowned. "Note?"

"The killer has been leaving us notes at every scene. Have you found one here?"

Duke shook his head. "Maybe this isn't connected."

"They're connected. They have to be. The first scene had a victim whose eyes, nose, ears, and scalp were removed. It's no coincidence that we got a package with two human ears in it earlier and now this scalp turns up."

Duke nodded. "Have we determined if this is all one victim?"

"The killer claims they're not," Danny spoke up. "But we haven't gotten DNA back to confirm that."

Steve nodded his agreement just as his cell phone started ringing.

"McGarrett."

"Hello again, Commander."

Danny watched his partner's face grow murderous as he turned and gestured frantically to Chin to trace the call before carefully composing himself and turning his attention back to the unknown caller.

"Let me tell you something." Steve kept his voice neutral, but Danny could sense the sharp edge to the threat Steve was about to make. "I will find you. I don't know what you're doing, and I don't know why you're doing it, but when I find you, you're a dead man."

The voice on the other end laughed. "Perhaps. Unless I find you first."

Steve glared into the distance. "Come to headquarters and we'll see about that."

"Oh I don't think so, Commander. I'll come to you, sure enough, but it will be when you least expect it, and it will be on my terms."

"You don't scare me." Steve said, ice in his voice.

"I should." The caller ended the call.

"Did you get it, Chin?"

The older man shook his head. "He wouldn't be stupid enough to let us trace the call."

Steve turned back to the rest of his team. "Okay, listen to me. Everyone be careful. Don't go anywhere without at least telling somebody where you're going, and do your best to never be out alone."

The rest of Five-0 nodded solemnly.

"I don't know what this guy wants, but he's already proven he will kill for it, so let's not take any chances. In the meantime, let's catch this son of a bitch."

The team nodded and headed out to do just that.