Danny acknowledged Kono with a slight head toss as she passed him with a distraught Kari and Casey in the car. He approached Steve hesitantly and watched him pace back forth in the same spot with his hands clasped behind his neck, not sure which emotional state he was experiencing at the moment, anger, dread or complete panic. He assumed all three, but hoped that anger was building over the other two. He hated to admit it, but Steve was most proficient when he was angry. His mind seemed to be able to take in details, calculate them and more often than not spit out the equation they were looking for when he felt under pressure. A mental trait Danny knew came from the training when he was a Seal. It drove him crazy most days, but today he was counting on it.
"Steve," he said firmly but with a hint of gentleness, knowing this was quite possibly the worst day of his life. He turned to him and Danny was right on cue, all three emotions were staring right back at him. Danny couldn't help but flinch at the obvious panic that was most apparent on his face. Steve was his partner on most days, but today what they were experiencing was personal, so at that moment the person standing before him was his best friend, more so than his partner.
"Danny?" he said his name in the form of a question, not asking him for answers but more for direction. His hands came from around his neck and cupped over his mouth, closing his eyes trying with everything he had not to lose it right there. He was relying on Danny to talk him down.
Danny came up, putting his hand on the back of Steve's neck, gently squeezing it, "Listen too me!" he said firmly and then continued in a more placid tone, "You need to pull yourself together. These guys were sloppy. I can visually see fingerprints on the outside of the car door where JD was sitting. There are tire marks. The driver had exposed tattoos. There are so many clues we have to work off and we haven't even had a chance to interview the woman yet." He let go of him and stepped back, "So let's stop wasting time and go talk to her."
Steve nodded, letting everything he said soak in.
"Do you hear me?"
"Yes," Steve took a deep breath, rubbing his hands over his face as if he was wiping away all the distractions from what he needed to focus on. "Yes, I got it."
"Ok then," he pointed toward the SUV, "let's go talk to Mrs. Caldwell."
Natalie Caldwell wiped her eyes as Steve and Danny approached her.
Bobby sat on the curb behind her watching the activity. "Can we go home now?" he whined.
"Sit still," she scolded, not understanding why he wasn't more upset over his friend's disappearance. 'He's turning into his Father,' she thought sadly.
"Mrs. Caldwell," Danny said, "I'm Detective Williams." He motioned to Steve, "This is Commander McGarrett." He paused, seeing the look on her face become mortified.
"JD's Father," she gasped. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry!" she cried putting her hands over her mouth as fresh tears welled in her eyes.
Steve could see she was visibly shaken and traumatized by the event. He ruled her out as a suspect, for now. He wanted to feel sorry for the obvious guilt she was feeling over the entire event, but he just couldn't bring himself to forgive her, it was all too fresh. "Why was JD with you?"
"Kari was running late after a doctor appointment," she took a deep breath, wanting to make sure she told him everything she knew, "JD was there at the school when I picked up my son Bobby, so we used my cell phone to call her. We agreed that I would take him home."
Steve knew that name, Bobby Caldwell. He was the kid that teased JD and Parker. He glanced over at him sitting on the curve. "Is that Bobby?"
"Yes," she sniffed, wiping her nose with the tissue.
Danny flipped through his notes from the officers who had already interviewed her. "Did you recognize the two men that took JD?"
"No!" she shook her head, "No, I've never seen them before."
Steve walked over and squatted down in front of him, "Hi Bobby. I'm Steve, JD's Dad." His voice didn't reflect the typical greetings to a five-year old. It was monotone; this kid had bullied JD to the point where he hated school. He didn't blame Bobby, he was only five, but wondered where the bullying instinct came from. Even so, Steve's loyalty lay with his son at that moment, and anyone who had caused him any pain was on his short list, even a five-year old.
Bobby looked from Steve to the gun on his hip. He reached his hand out to it, "Do you shoot people with that?"
Steve grabbed his wrist before he could get his hand on it, "I use it to defend myself against criminals." He held onto him gently, yet firm, getting his attention. "Did you see who it was that took JD?"
Bobby tried to pull his hand away, but Steve held on, "No. I was picking up my game."
Steve let go of him and looked over his shoulder at Natalie for an explanation.
"He had dropped his game on the floor in the front seat. He took his seat belt off and was on the floor trying to get it when everything happened." She wiped her hand over her forehead, still clearly distraught, "it all happened so fast. They came out of no where and then the window was broken and I saw JD being pulled out." She started to cry again as a black truck with the words Caldwell Construction on the driver's side door came up to the scene, screeching its brakes.
Two uniformed officers intercepted him before he had a chance to get out. They spoke for a couple of seconds and then let him proceed.
Steve stood up as he and Danny both watched a man get out and quickly walk over to them. He was about six feet tall and even though he wore a shirt and tie, it was apparent that at one point in his life he had worked the manual labor side of the business. His face was a leathery tan from over exposure to the sun making him look aged, even though he couldn't have been much older than Steve and Danny, and his hands showed clear signs of old calluses. His build resembled a firmer shape at one time, but the administrative side of the job had softened him.
"What happened?" He blurted out as he approached.
Natalie turned to him for comfort and Steve watched as he dismissed his wife's clear need for her husband's security. Instead of hugging her, he took her firmly by the elbow, again demanding answers, "What happened?"
In a flash, Steve understood where Bobby got his attitude.
"Robert," Natalie cried, not seeming all that surprised by her husband's brass behavior. "It's so awful!" she put her hands over her face.
He gently shook her, "Calm down! You don't look hurt." He glanced down at his son, "Bobby come here!"
The boy practically jumped to attention, not hesitating for a second, standing next to his Mother rather than his Father. Danny gave Steve a look and they both knew what the other was thinking. 'This guy was a piece of work.'
"I'm Detective Williams" Danny said, not bothering to offer him a hand. "This is Commander McGarrett." He motioned to Steve, who also neglected the friendly gesture but in return offered him a stern glare. "Your wife and son witnessed a kidnapping that involved the son of Commander McGarrett."
Robert's face became stunned, "What?" He looked at his wife, who nodded her head.
"It all happened so fast Robert. There was nothing I could do." She seemed to Steve and Danny that she was pleading her case to him, "They stopped in front of me and the next thing I knew they were taking JD from the backseat."
"Ok!" he gripped her more firmly and gave her a look as if telling her to be quiet.
"We were in the middle of interviewing your wife and son when you got here." Steve said, "We need to get what we can while it's still fresh in their mind so I can get a lead on who and why they took my son."
Robert let go of Natalie and wiped the sweat off his upper lip with the space between his thumb and index finger as if he were contemplating Steve's request, not seeming to care that a five-year-old boy was missing. "Let me call my lawyer and we can all sit down." He reached in his pocket for his phone.
Steve's anger reared hits ugly head, having no more patients for this person or the time. "Did you not hear me?" he yelled, taking a step toward him. "My son is missing! He was taken from your car that your wife was driving! He is out there somewhere with strangers and every second I stand here listening to your bullshit suggestions is time I'm wasting on finding out where he is!"
Danny reached out grabbing his arm, pulling him back, just slightly. He had had enough as well. "I don't understand why you would think your wife would need to speak in front of a lawyer. We are only gathering facts from what she witnessed. We don't suspect her as being involved. Unless maybe you seem to think she is," he focused on Natalie. "Are you hiding something from us that could hinder this investigation?" Danny asked her bluntly. He already knew Natalie was innocent, but was pushing the buttons of the husband. It was as plain as day to him that Robert Caldwell was not only an asshole but was clearly apprehensive about speaking with the police.
Natalie's expression was filled with horror at Danny's accusation, "No!" she looked at Steve, "No! I have nothing to hide! I would never do anything to harm JD or any child! I'll help anyway I can!"
She glanced at her husband for reassurance who glared at her with a silent look that she thought only she could see, but Steve and Danny both caught the intimidation.
She looked at Danny, not able to face Steve, "I," she shuddered, "I really have told you and the other officers all I know. I want to help, but I'm not sure there is anything else to say that I haven't already."
"If you give us your number," Robert interrupted, "we'll call if she remembers anything."
Danny reached in his wallet taking a card and handing it to him, "We're available twenty-four seven." He looked at Natalie, "If you remember anything, even the slightest thing, please call us."
She nodded, finally looking at Steve who hadn't taken his eyes off of her for a second, pleading to the Mother in her to help him. "I'm so sorry. Please let me know if you or Kari need anything."
Robert tugged on her arm, "Are we free to go?"
"Yes," Danny said in a low growl, "but the car stays, it's evidence. Someone will get a hold of you when you're able to pick it up."
"Fine," he pulled on Natalie, "let's go. Come on Bobby."
Steve watched them walk away over Danny's shoulder as he turned to him. "That son of bitch," he snarled, "he's guilty of something. We should take her in."
"On what charges? We can't hold her for being a witness. Besides," he looked over his shoulder as Robert hustled them into the car, "it would waste the time we need to investigate him. I have a feeling he knew this was coming."
Steve held his hand out to the car. "Then why don't we bring him in?"
"On what charges?"
"I don't know," Steve through his arms up in frustration, "for being an asshole, obstructing an investigation. Let's just get him in the room and get him to talk. If he knows something about JD, I'll get it out of him one way or another!"
"That's a great idea, Steve. He lawyers up, you go to jail and in the mean time we waste a whole day and all we do," he pointed at the ground raising his voice, "is end up right back here where we started!" He took a breath and motioned with his hands for both of them to calm down. "We've got a lead right over here," he pointed to the SUV, "Chin's running the prints from the car. If something comes up we'll follow that lead. If not, we go back to the station and to our second lead and start digging into Caldwell's life." He didn't fully disagree with Steve's idea, but they needed to be smart about this and not let their emotions distract them from taking the shortest path back to JD.
Steve nodded his approval. "Ok," he cupped his hands over his mouth, looking at Danny, "You're right." The panic began to set in again, "It's going to be dark soon."
Danny gently smacked him on the belly with the back of his hand "Hey! We're going to find him. In a couple of days this will all just be a bad memory." Steve nodded in agreement, but Danny knew just as well as he did that it didn't always turn out good. He loved JD as much as if he was his own son, but he couldn't show that right now. He had to keep his head and his thoughts clear for both of them.
JD dreamt of home. He sat on the couch snuggled close in between his Mom and Dad. They were all watching TV and laughing with him at his favorite cartoon. He had to pee but didn't want to get up and leave the room; afraid they wouldn't be there when he got back. He squirmed on the couch feeling it coming but still wouldn't get up. He finally looked up at his Dad, "I have to pee Dad, but I don't want to go alone. Will you come with me?" He stared up at him, seeing the only person in his small world that was perfect to him. Everything his Dad did or told him, JD took away as being the one and only way. His Dad knew everything and always had the right answers for him.
"No JD. You're a big, strong boy. Sometimes you have to be brave without Mom and Dad there to help."
"Ok Dad," he squirmed off the couch not feeling the fear anymore. His Mom smiled down at him sweetly, like she always did.
"JD?" his Dad said, putting his hand on his shoulder, "It's ok to be afraid. It's how you face that fear that really matters. Look really hard at what you're afraid of and most times it's really not that scary after all."
"Ok Dad," He laughed as his hand gripped his shoulder and squeezed, tickling him there like he always did. The tickling turned to shaking, becoming more violent until he suddenly opened his eyes, waking up. He was instantly thrown back into reality and his dreadful situation. His Dad's strong presence was still fresh as if he had been right there with him. The shaking continued.
"Hey wake up!" Lenny tormented, shaking his shoulder.
"I'm awake." JD said, feeling the urge to pee again. His pants were already soaked from the last time and he was thirsty and hungry. The dream made him miss his Mom and Dad even more. His Dad's words swirled around his head. He had said that same quote to him many times before whenever he was scared of something, but for the first time, it was as if JD finally understood what it really meant.
Lenny sat back, looking down at the little boy, not feeling any kind of threat from him. They still weren't sure what they were going to do with him after discovering he wasn't Bobby Caldwell. He slipped the knife under the plastic tie and cut it away. "Are you hungry?"
JD felt his hands being released but his arms were sore from being behind his back for so long and his eyes were still covered. He felt a poke.
"Are you hungry or not?"
"Yes," he replied, "I have to pee. When I can I go home?"
Lenny wiped his hand through his hair. "Shut up." He leaned over taking his arm, pulling him off the bed.
"Ouch," he moaned.
"Don't be a pussy."
JD didn't know what that meant but he was pretty sure it was bad. He stumbled behind Lenny as he practically dragged him to the bathroom. He reached up with his free hand and pulled off the blindfold over his eyes. He blinked several times before his eyes adjusted to the lights.
Lenny turned the light on and looked down at him, not realizing he'd taken off the cloth from his eyes. "What the fuck!" He shook JD violently by the arm he was holding, banging his head against the door frame. "Who said you could take that off you little shit!"
JD lifted his hand to his hurt head, trying to pull his arm free from the tight grip and trying to protect another blow against the door as Lenny continued to shake him. He could feel the pee running down the inside of his pants and the tears blinded him. The shaking suddenly stopped and Lenny bent down in front of him.
"I should stick you in the oven for doing that!"
JD stared at him through his tears. The fierce look in Lenny's eyes was beyond frightening. He'd never been so afraid of another person. He stepped back and ran into the wall, trying to get away from him.
Lenny stood up and JD ran past him into the bathroom trying to slam the door on him. He looked up and saw his hand pushing it back open. He walked backward away from him, curling his hands up in his shirt nervously. "I want to go home," he cried.
Lenny mocked him in a little girl's voice. "I want to go home. Mommy, Daddy," he teased. "Maybe I'll put your Mom and Dad in the oven too."
JD knew without a doubt that his Father could beat him up without even trying. He wished he were there now so he could show him. His anger began to build from the torment and his Father's words from the dream suddenly flashed before him. This person was just mean and mean people were punished. The words came flying out of his mouth. He'd reached his breaking point and wanted to go home. "My Dad is a policeman! He puts bad people like you in jail!" Instead of stepping back, he took a step toward him, "He's going to punch you in the face and shoot you with his gun too!" All his braveness vanished as Lenny lunged at him.
Bryce came in the house with a bag from Target and food from McDonalds. He dropped everything on the table when he heard JD scream.
Lenny held JD's face under the water in the bathtub, counted to five and then pulled him back up, repeating the torture. The door flew open and he dropped him, backing away as Bryce came at him.
Bryce reached in the tub and balanced JD so he was sitting up. He stood up and clenched his fist at his brother. "If you touch him one more time Lenny, I swear to God, I'll bust your teeth out!"
"He was being a little fuck. He took off his blindfold and he stinks!"
He looked back down at JD, who sat in the tub still fully clothed, rubbing his hands over his face, trying to catch his breath. He turned back to Lenny, "What's wrong with you man? He's a little kid. He's here for one purpose; to get us the money that Caldwell owes us. That's it! He's not for your enjoyment!"
"He's not even the Caldwell kid! How are we going to get the money now? Did you know his Dad's a cop?"
Bryce's expression turned to concern. "A cop?"
"We should get rid of him."
"No," Bryce shook his head, "we stick with the plan. We still make the call. Besides, Caldwell's kid was just the insurance that he'd pay up. It doesn't matter what kid we have, Caldwell knows we got the make on him. We're the only ones that know of that body buried in the concrete. If he doesn't want to go to prison, he'll pay."
"That still doesn't help the fact that we are holding a cop's kid hostage, and he's seen our face." Lenny took Bryce by the arm, pushing him out of the bathroom. "Look, I know I fucked up by grabbing the wrong kid, but it's not like we can play this thing like we planned. He saw us!" Lenny's face switched, "If it comes down to it, I'll do it. You don't even have to be around."
Bryce pulled his arm away angrily, wiping his hand under his nose, "We stick to the plan!" He pushed past his brother and went back into the bathroom, not even wanting to consider Lenny's idea.
Lenny knew Bryce was stronger and smarter than he was, but he was also to naïve when it came to the harsh realities of life. Lenny had done time in jail for assault and attempted rape. He wasn't about to go back because of some smart ass little kid.
