Chin had taken both Steve's and Danny's cell phones and as he was talking to Duke, a text message came to Steve's phone. Chin opened it up and his blood instantly boiled...Kono's beaten and bloodied face appeared before him along with a message, 'You will be contacted soon McGarrett'.
Chin showed the message to Duke. "Okay Chin. What do you want to do? The lap top, gun and cell phone are being tested for prints but until the kidnappers tell us what they want..."
"I know...I know...we can assume it has to do with the drug bust. We're still searching for four known cartel members. Is HPD any closer to finding them?"
"Yes, we captured Sakari Makani and Aaric Ka'Hiwa a couple of hours ago"
"How were they captured?"
"In a sting operation at a casino"
"How come we weren't notified of this? Why wasn't McGarrett called?"
"I was notified of the arrest only minutes before getting this call. I just hadn't gotten around to it yet"
"I understand…I'm sorry, I'm just a bit edgy….we should start with them, see what they know. What about the others?"
"Nothing on Baxter or Onakea, they're obviously in hiding"
"Or they've gotten extremely aggressive and have caused all of this…let's get to the station and interrogate Makani and Ka Hiwa"
The men then made their way to the police station.
Chin waited in the interrogation room and Duke first brought in Ka'Hiwa. He had decided to offer him a plea for information. He was the twenty two year old nephew of Quintana's second in command. The elder Ka'Hiwa had been killed a month earlier by a rival drug cartel and Chin hoped he could get him to turn on the cartel.
"Can I get you some water Aaric?"
"Yes, please"
Duke left the room to fetch a bottle of water as Chin took a seat across the table from the young man.
"Aaric, we need to talk. You're facing fifty years in prison…your uncle brought you into this life of crime and I'm going to give you a chance to get out and start over"
"I'm my own man. My uncle gave me opportunities…."
Chin interrupted, "Opportunities? Opportunities to what…ruin your life?"
"My uncle loved me and I loved him. I would never betray his memory"
"I'm sure your uncle did love you Aaric and I would hope that he would want you to LIVE…..You're young Aaric, we brought down the cartel yesterday, you know that. Everyone is going to jail"
Duke returned with the water and then he stood in the corner.
"And if I testify against Quintana, I'm dead…..you know that"
"I can get you a pardon of your crimes with the Governor. We can get you into witness protection, you'll have to move to the mainland but you'll be given a new identity and a new chance at life. You have to give us an answer now though"
"Why do you need an answer so quickly? What's happening? I know you don't have any pull with the Governor, where in the hell is McGarrett?"
Chin looked into Ka'Hiwa eyes, not speaking.
Ka'Hiwa smiled slyly…"They got him didn't they? Those crazy sons of bitches got McGarrett"
"Who Aaric? You need to tell me what you know now! If McGarrett dies I swear I'll see to it that you never have another day of freedom unless you help us now. Think about it and I'll be back in ten minutes. This is a one time offer only"
Chin left the room and he and Duke watched him through the one way mirror.
Duke looked at the young detective, "Chin, do you think the Governor will agree to a pardon for him?"
"Duke they're holding Kono hostage. I will do anything to find her. I'll worry about that later. Please Duke, go with me on this….Kono's life is at stake"
"Chin we have to do this the right way. You're not thinking clearly. Call the Governor first"
Chin ran his hands through his hair and sighed deeply. He walked behind Duke and taking the Sargeant by surprise Chin grabbed him from behind and choked him to unconsciousness. He then handcuffed the officer to a pole in the room and handcuffing Aaric he led him out the back door of the police station unnoticed by the skeleton overnight crew. He placed the young man into the back seat of his truck and drove from the station.
He began driving towards the hospital and once he was several miles from the station he pulled behind a gas station garage and walking from the truck he dialed Rachel.
"Rachel, have you heard anything yet?"
"Yes, the Doctor just left me. Danny is still in surgery but they have Steve settled in a room now"
"How bad are his injuries?"
"The Doctor said he's very lucky. He has a fractured sternum, bruising on his heart and lungs, two broken ribs and a broken wrist. The bullet hit no vital organs but he lost a lot of blood"
"Rachel if you had seen the car…he is lucky. If you can wait for news on Danny, I'll stop by and check on Steve in a few minutes. Thank you Rachel"
"You're welcome Chin"
Chin had to move fast. It was almost five o'clock so he probably had no more than an hour before Duke would be found and the entire HPD would be after him. He had acted impulsively and now he had to find Kono before he was captured and thrown in jail. HPD would also be searching for Kono but he knew in his gut that Aaric was the key, but he would need Steve's help. He pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and pulling duct tape from the back of the truck he covered Aaric's mouth and bound his feet. He pulled an untraceable burned cell phone from a supply kit and quickly moved into the hospital. After obtaining Steve's room number from the front desk he took the staircase to avoid being seen and he made his way towards room 202.
Chin moved quietly making sure he was not seen. Steve's room was four doors from the staircase. As Chin slipped into the room Steve was sleeping. He had a nasal cannula assisting his breathing and he was quite pale. The sheets came to his waist allowing Chin to see that he was wearing a chest brace and sternal pad which were wrapped tightly to his body. His face and neck had several bandages covering cuts many having been stitched. His left arm was casted from the fingers to his mid forearm.
Chin took a deep sigh and moved to his friends' bedside. As gently as possible he placed the phone into Steve's hand and turned to leave the room. He had only taken a few steps when his boss' voice stopped him. "Chin….I'm awake brother" As Steve became more alert he looked at the phone in his hand, "What's this for? Chin, what's going on?"
He did not turn immediately as he tried to compose himself. Steve again spoke, "Chin…."
As he turned Steve instantly knew something was very wrong and his voice trembled as he spoke, "Talk to me Chin. Is it Danny?"
"No….no Steve, Danny is still in surgery"
"Okay…then what in the hell is going on? What's this for?" He held the phone up.
"Steve, they've got Kono" Chin's eyes watered as he spoke those terrifying words.
"What are you talking about?" Steve's mind was still hazed and foggy as he tried to process what he was being told.
"Whoever is responsible for running you off the road has kidnapped her"
"Have they contacted you?"
Chin pulled Steve's cell phone from his pocket and showed the text and message to him. Steve McGarrett's eyes burned with anger as he looked at his rookie subordinate, beaten and bloodied. He looked to Chin, "Grab my clothes will you?"
"Steve…..you can't leave here, you're in no condition"
"Chin don't even go there with me. Get me my clothes so we can find her before its too late"
"Steve?"
"Chin…you're either going to help me or I'll go on my own…please, get my clothes"
As Chin moved to the closet Steve pulled the nasal cannula out as well as the IV from his hand. As Chin returned to the bedside, Steve was pulling the blankets back exposing bandaging over the bullet wound.
"Steve before we do this there's something you have to know"
Chin told him about Aaric and the plea he offered him, and he told him about Duke. "Steve, I've got the entire HPD looking for me. I'll be going to jail. That's why I gave you the burned cell phone. You can stay here and I can keep in touch with you"
Steve grabbed Chin's arm, "Hey, we'll deal with all that later. You're not doing this alone brother, we're family. Let's go we have to find Kono now"
Chin shook his head, "Here, let me help you boss" Leaning over the bed Chin put his arms under Steve's armpits and pulled him upright. Steve gasped as the pain shot through his chest and back. Chin helped him dress and then looking at him one last time he asked, "Steve are you sure you're up to this?"
"I'm fine, let's go" Chin helped him to his feet and steadied him. In moments the men had entered the stairwell unseen and they slowly made their way to the truck.