Steve's phone rang within minutes as Jerry's name popped up on the Caller ID.
"Jerry, what did you find out?"
"Bad news, Commander. It seems Carl Matthews somehow walked out of his facility two days ago completely undetected."
"What the hell?" Steve said as he tried to keep his voice quiet. "How does that happen without anyone noticing?!"
"I don't know…..but from what I could gather, they think he may've acquired a security badge before somehow finding scrubs and pose as a staff member. "
Steve's palm ran down his face in frustration. "So you're telling me he was able to get by all security checks because he got someone's badge and a uniform?"
"They won't say for sure, but that seems to be what happened."
"Son of a bitch!" Steve spat. "And then what? They let it go without letting anyone know? I mean they know what a security risk he is!"
"I know, Steve…..and I brought all of this up to the Director. The only thing she would tell me was that they notified the FBI and were assured it would be handled from there."
"Well, someone definitely dropped the ball. Do me a favor and call everyone in to HQ. I'm going to get someone here to stay with Shauni and I'll meet all of you there. We need to find him ASAP."
"Agreed," Jerry said. "I'm on it. You take care of her and the babies and we'll meet you here whenever you get in."
*****************h50*********************h50******************h50
After a brief conversation with Kamekona about what was going on, Kame agreed to come over to stay with Shauni and act as a stand in "bodyguard" until Steve could figure out what was going on. Steve had already dispatched HPD to get a unit watching the house and, Nahale would come over later if needed.
With Cappy at his heels, Steve walked upstairs to awaken his wife and give her the bad news. Shauni was understandably upset at the news of Carl leaving the facility. Steve also saw the fear in her eyes as she remembered what had happened during their last encounter with Carl, so he knelt down in front of her and put his hands on her thighs.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you or our babies. Okay? I'm calling everyone in to the office and we'll figure it out."
Shauni shook her head.
"In the meantime, Kamekona's coming to stay with you until I can get back."
"That's not necessary," Shauni protested. "With the security system you've set up and Cappy here with me, we'll be fine."
Steve leaned up to give his wife a quick kiss. "Not arguing about it, sweetie. This is how it's gonna be. Kame's on his way now."
Steve left a slightly disgruntled Shauni at home with Kamekona and Cappy before making his way to the office. This was one time he wasn't going to budge; She could stay at their house with "protection" OR go to her parent's house. Those were her only choices.
She reluctantly gave in and said she would stay at home with Kamekona and Nahale rather than going to her parent's house simply because all of the babies' supplies were at their house and it would be too much of a hassle to pack things up to leave.
************H50*******************H50********************H50
Steve walked into HQ with a familiar look of resolve on his face.
"Okay, so what do we have?" he asked his team.
The expressions on the faces of Danny, Chin and Lou were concerning, but Steve tried to remain positive.
Danny sighed. "I hate to tell you this…but Carl Matthews is off the grid."
"Danny's right. Not only is he out, but no one knows where he is right now." Jerry confirmed. "We just got confirmation from the local FBI field office today that he walked out two days ago…Undetected. They didn't realize it until they checked beds and saw he was gone."
The muscles on the side of Steve's jaws twitched which was a sure sign of how pissed he was even though he was trying to maintain control.
"So it's just like you said? He got someone's security badge and uniform and literally walked out of a maximum security mental hospital without anyone knowing about it until hours later?!" His voice got louder with each syllable. "Seriously…how does that happen?"
Danny took a step forward, "We don't know."
"And the other question is, why weren't WE notified ASAP when it happened?! I mean, how does this happen?"
Danny took another step forward until he could put a supportive hand on his partner's shoulder.
"Look, buddy…I understand. Honestly, I do. But let me say…..respectfully….We need to focus. If Carl IS out, we need to find him. AND, while we do that, we need to protect Shauni and your babies."
"Already on it," Steve said. "Kamekona is at the house with her now and Nahale will be there later if this takes a while. I have units around the house as well."
The guys knew how Shauni was about having constant protection around her since they'd all dealt with it before. In short, she was not a fan of it.
Danny's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "She was okay with that?"
Steve's expression was grim. "What do you think? You know how she is...but I didn't give her a choice. It was either that or I was taking them to her parent's house. She's more comfortable having Steven and Savannah at home right now, so the decision was made."
Steve looked at Jerry. "Any leads on where he might be?"
"Nothing yet, Commander. But I have found an alias he used at times. I'm searching that name as well as his given name to see if anything pops up."
Steve headed towards his office, "Keep me posted. In the meantime, Lou, I need you to call the hospital and find out how the hell this happened. Chin, check with the FBI and see why we weren't notified the minute they knew he was out. I want answers!"
Then he turned to Danny, "Danny, you and I are going to Derek and Olivia's house to tell them what's going on. I don't want them to find out about this over the phone…or God forbid, when the press finds out and starts non-stop coverage on it."
Everyone had their assignments and went to their offices to work on finding Carl Matthews.
********************h50*****************h50********************h50
Steve and Danny walked into the expansive kitchen at the Steele's house to find Olivia pulling something delicious smelling from the oven.
She gave them a warm smile followed by hugs once she'd put the cake pan onto the counter.
"What a nice surprise! What brings you by at this time of day?"
Steve kissed her cheek and smiled in return, although she noticed his smile was strained. "Is Derek here?"
Her smile faded as her eyes grew wary. "Yes. Is everything okay, honey? Is something wrong with Shauni?-Or Steven and Savannah?!"
Steve didn't answer directly. "I just need to talk to you and Derek please. It's important."
Olivia went to retrieve her husband and they returned hand in hand. Since Olivia had already alerted him that something must be wrong, he skipped his normal hug to his son-in-law and jumped right in to the matter at hand.
"What's wrong, son?"
Steve looked uncharacteristically nervous when he spoke. Danny noticed he was even wringing his hands which was a sure sign of how worried Steve was at the unexpected turn of events. "Carl Matthews has escaped."
Olivia gasped.
"What do you mean? How is that possible?" Derek's outrage mirrored Steve's initial reaction.
"That's what we're trying to find out." Danny answered.
"And what's worse is that it is entirely possible he's back on the island." Steve countered.
Derek's eyes turned dark. "Why would you say that? Has he already tried to hurt her?"
Steve sighed. "No…but Cappy heard something outside last night and woke me up. We went out to investigate and I saw movement in the side yard…..where we have the hammock…but by the time I made my way over there, the person was gone. I did find this, though." He reached into his shirt pocket and handed the note he'd found to Derek.
Derek and Olivia read it at the same time which sent Olivia's mothering instincts into overdrive.
"You need to bring her and the babies here. Right now!"
Steve knew this was coming, so he tried to keep his voice calm. "I know that's what you want, Olivia. And I can't deny that it would make ME feel much better too…..but Shauni is more comfortable at home with the babies right now."
Olivia balked, "Well, that is nonsense! You know we have a fully stocked nursery right here with everything the twins need and….."
"I know, you do," Steve interrupted, "…..but please believe me, after thinking about our options, I agree that it may be best for her to stay at home as long as we have protection there. If things get worse, I will make her come here until things are resolved. No questions asked."
When neither Derek nor Olivia answered he continued. "She's still recovering from having the twins, and even though my first thought was to bring them straight over here, I understand her need to be at home right now. I was thinking maybe you and Derek could just go over THERE instead."
"Of course," Derek said. "We'll go to her. You just find that son of a bitch and make sure he doesn't get near her again."
"One more thing," Steve said.
"Whatever you need, son" Derek answered.
"It's only a matter of time before the press is all over this."
That was all Steve needed to say for Derek to know what needed to be done. "I'll call John and let him know what's going on. His team will get a statement ready to release to the press when news gets out. We'll be ready for that."
Steve gave them both a hug, Danny shook hands…..and then got a hug from Olivia, before they left to get to work.
************h50******************h50**********************h50
Steve's phone rung and he looked to find his wife's picture on screen.
"Hello, beautiful," he answered.
"Don't 'hello beautiful' me, Steven John McGarrett!"
Steve smiled even though she sounded ticked off. He was used to the outbursts and she was so damn cute when she got mad. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"I have HPD outside of our house, Cappy at my heels, Kamekona cooking up a storm in my kitchen, and now my parents are here?"
"Baby, calm down. It was either that or they were going to kidnap you and the twins and take you to their house. I saw the look in your mom's eyes…Trust me. It was inevitable."
Shauni sighed but her voice was somewhat calmer when she spoke again. "I suppose you're right. I just feel smothered."
He heard the pout in her voice.
"This will be over soon. Why don't you take advantage of your parents being there by letting them take over with the twins for a couple of hours so you can get a nap?"
"I don't need a nap," she snapped grouchily.
"Uh huh…..Okay…..So why are you so grouchy?"
"I am not grouchy," she snapped again before correcting herself and softening her tone. "Okay, maybe I am a little."
Jerry motioned for Steve to join him at the smart table. He nodded his head in understanding.
"Hang in there, babe. I'll be there as soon as I can. Get a nap, okay?"
"Okay…..but I wish you were here."
"I do too. Be there as soon as I can. I promise."
"And Steve?"
"Yeah?"
"Please don't let him get near Steven and Savannah…I mean, I don't know what I'd do if…"
"Stop," Steve said. "Don't even think about it. I'll find him. And when I do, he's going to pray he had just stayed where he was. He's not getting near you OR our babies. I promise."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
Steve ended the call and looked out to find that Lou, Chin, and Danny had all joined Jerry at the table. They were waiting on him to join them.
"What did you find?" he asked Jerry as he emerged from his office.