Ka Pio IV
Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. Just because I don't own it doesn't mean that I don't like playing with it.
Thank you for the continued support. Knowing that last Monday's episode was coming up is what gave me the idea for this story. I hope that I can keep it different enough to not seem like I am stealing from the show's writers.
Chapter 4
Chin rolled his eyes as Kono groaned at Danny's A Team proclamation. Steve just chuckled and let it go as he pulled his phone out of his pocket to call Catherine.
"Hello Steve, what's the favor?" Catherine asked the moment she answered.
"I can see we have fallen into a rut," Steve said lightly. "And yes, I do need a favor Cath. We've caught a sensitive case and if you're off duty soon we could really use your help," he explained, becoming serious.
"What kind of help do you need?" she asked, recognizing the change in tone in Steve's voice.
"We have a kidnapped child. I can't go into detail on the phone," he replied. "We need you to work with Kono. I need someone I trust on this. Should I speak to your CO for you?"
"Not necessary, I'll handle it," Catherine assured him. She knew that her CO would have no issue the minute she mentioned there was a child involved. "I'll be there shortly."
"Thanks Cath," he said in relief. "I owe you."
"You always do," she said with a light laugh and clicked off the phone.
Steve was smiling as he returned his phone to his pocket and then noticed the grins on his teammate's faces. Danny's smirk was priceless and he could see that his partner was dying to make a comment.
"Danny?"
"I do hope Catherine is keeping score of all the favors you owe her. At this rate she should be able to eat free for the whole month," the blonde quipped.
"Who says I pay all my debts off with food?" Steve responded, enjoying the shocked look that appeared on Danny's face at his words. "Get your mind out of the gutter Danno; there are other ways to pay off a debt. How do you think I ended up sitting through "The Notebook" a while back?"
Chin and Kono's laughter echoed in the room as Danny's expression became disgruntled.
"So now you are a comedian," he muttered darkly.
"Back to the matter at hand," Chin spoke up. "Kono, check out Kwan's phone history and see if we can learn who called him. Danny, since this is your plan, what do you want the ladies asking the neighbors?"
Danny looked relieved to have the attention switch back to important things.
"Well, they should ask if the neighborhood is safe. If there is a lot of traffic on the streets….sort of like they want to know if a pet might get hit if it escapes the house. They need to ask if there is a lot of strange traffic in the area," Danny suggested.
"Maybe it would be wise to ask what delivery services are in the area," Steve added. "How frequently trucks and vans come by."
"Sure, like if the dry cleaners deliver, are there diaper services and things like that," Kono said from where she was working at the table. She frowned at the screen. "Gentlemen, I think we've come up empty on the phone. The call to Kwan yesterday afternoon was from a burner. I can't trace it."
"Should have known that wasn't going to pan out," Danny grumbled. He noticed Steve was staring silently at the map of the Kwan's neighborhood. "What is bugging you partner?"
"I think that Kono is on to something. Whoever did this was familiar with the neighborhood; they studied the activity levels for the best time to grab Lili. When school lets out is a busy time but there are also more watchful eyes, too many parents at the building looking for their children. On the street near Lili's house would have to be the smarter place to grab her. Fewer eyes on what is happening," Steve said waving a hand over the map. "See, they live on a corner…..more room to wait for the child to arrive."
"What do we know about the housekeeper?" Danny asked.
"Sherry Topher is a woman in her late thirties with a clean record," Chin replied as he tapped the table. The woman's driver's license appeared on the screen. "She's worked for the Kwans for seven years. When she noticed Lili wasn't home at her usual time she called Patricia Kwan at her job at the oral surgeon's office. I checked her financials; there are no red flags on any of her accounts. There is no reason to believe she is involved with this."
"Kono, start with the homes closest to Kwan's and work your way back towards the school. We'll be in a van listening in on your interviews. Maybe the sight of our van will jog someone's memory. I just wish we had traffic cameras to check but the residential part of the neighborhood doesn't have them," Steve said in frustration. "The school cameras didn't show anything suspicious."
"No…..we caught a glimpse of Lili walking away from school but then she went out of camera range," Chin answered.
"Then this canvassing will have to get us what we need. It is a good idea Danny," Steve said.
"And just what did that cost you?" Danny grinned.
"What? I'm only stating the truth," Steve said not reacting to Danny's jibe.
Danny just grinned as he felt he made his point.
A short while later Catherine strode into the office in civilian clothing and was met by Steve who noticed her entrance first. The other three joined them at the smart table.
"So tell me what is happening. Why do you need me to help find a kidnapped child? I've heard nothing on the news, there isn't a Maile Amber Alert."
"Someone has taken DA Michael Kwan's daughter Lili in an attempt to manipulate the Kekoa Newalu trial," Steve explained as Kono brought up all the information on the screens once more. "We have not made this news public because Kwan has been warned that any investigation will lead to Lili's death. We want to send you and Kono to talk to the neighbors quietly, not setting off alarms."
Catherine absorbed the information feeling sick by the situation.
"Okay, tell me how we do that," she said determinedly. "How do we present ourselves?"
"We are going to say we are saying that we are house shopping in the area. We are just asking about the neighborhood and if there are any perks like delivery services and things like that," Kono filled her in.
"We will have you wired and will monitor your interviews," Chin added. "We are hoping that someone saw something without realizing it. We need to know if there were any suspicious vehicles that we can then track on a traffic cam once it left the neighborhood."
"So when do we start?" Catherine asked. She smiled up at Steve. "We'll get you what you need."
"I know you will," Steve answered as he hugged her close. "Thanks for helping with this. We just felt that two women would set off fewer alarms."
"Come on girlfriend," Kono said with a smile. "Let's get wired up and then we can use your hot ride to head over to the Kwan's neighborhood. That way if anyone is keeping an eye out, they won't recognize my Cruze as 5-0. I'll brief you more on the ride over."
"Yes ma'am….I am ready to get to work," Catherine responded quickly.
"Get set, we'll be right behind you," Chin told them.
When they emerged from Kono's office a few minutes later, they waved as they headed for the exit.
"Just make sure you have your mikes turned on," Chin reminded them.
"I've got it Cuz," Kono assured him as they left.
"So now we follow them and hope they spark some memory," Steve muttered.
"We can only hope that someone saw something that they don't realize," Chin commented.
"Then let's not let the ladies get too far ahead of us," Danny suggested. "The sooner we get a lead the sooner we rescue Lili. I would like this over before Monday."
"I'm with you on that one Danny," Steve said as he turned to the door.
They had barely crossed the bullpen when Danny's phone began ringing. He groaned as he saw Rachel's name on the caller ID.
"What now Rachel?" he snapped.
"Daniel, why would someone from the District Attorney's office call here and tell me to pack bags for Grace, Charles and me? They said we were to go to a safe house. What is happening Daniel?" Rachel demanded. Danny could hear the touch of panic that was mixed in with anger in her voice.
"I don't know anything about a safe house Rachel," Danny said stopping dead and looking at Steve and Chin in confusion. "Who called you?" he asked as he switched his phone to speaker.
"Someone from the DA's office. I forgot the name. She just said that we needed to be taken to a safe house for the time being. What did you do Daniel?"
Steve was instantly on his phone, calling the DA's office to confirm this. Chin placed a quick call to Kono and Catherine to advise them that they were delayed slightly.
"No one has told me anything about a threat to you or the kids Rachel," Danny said trying to calm her down. He struggled with his own panic that was building inside him. His worst nightmare was coming true. "Listen to me closely Rachel; do not let anyone through your gate until I get there. Lock your house down and I will come there immediately." He glanced at Steve. McGarrett had ended his call and shook his head at Danny.
"No one from the DA's called Rachel," he confirmed.
"Did you hear that Rachel? The call was a fake. This is not official business. I am coming right over, do not let anyone else inside," Danny instructed.
"Okay Danny. I will do that," Rachel confirmed her voice shaking. She now sounded more frightened than angry.
"I will explain everything when I get there."
"When WE get there," Steve insisted.
"We are on our way Rach," Danny promised.
End chapter.
The muse wanted a twist. Thank you for reading.