Chapter 4
Danny sat among a cluster of palm trees and breathed in the warm air of his native land. He was so grateful to be back on Oahu and alive. But he knew it wasn't all over yet - not by a long shot. Dan carefully separated the money Steve had given him and tucked one pile into his shoe, keeping only a few spare singles for his pocket. He carefully looked around and then buried the remaining pile of cash. If he was ever recaptured he knew they would confiscate his money, and should he be lucky enough to escape once again, he wanted to have some money available without having to return to Steve's place. Then Dan got up and headed back towards the small road that led to the north leeward coast beach of Makaha. It was a place popular with locals and Dan doubted the feds would be anywhere nearby. If they were, they would stand out like a sore thumb. His only worry was bumping into someone he knew. But then he doubted anyone outside of Five-0 knew of his dire circumstances. Having ditched the jacket and tie at Steve's the night before, Dan looked no different than any casual daytripper out enjoying the sunshine.
As he walked along the beach road, Danny pondered his next move. He knew he needed to find a place to stay. Sleeping out in the open was too dangerous. He had many friends on the island, but he was reluctant to contact any of them, he knew it would place them in danger. But he had to find someone he could stay with, he couldn't remain out in the open for long. Otherwise he would surely be caught. As for his fellow 5-0 officers, that would be too obvious - the CIA was certain to have them watched. There were old friends from his days at HPD of course. Law enforcement guys who could take care of themselves. Danny reviewed a mental list of possibilities. Suddenly a name popped into his head, and a smile crept across his face. It was perfect! The man was reliable, unquestionably honest, and was the type who would be willing to take a risk. Danny was certain the CIA would not view him as a possible contact, if they even thought of him at all. To top it all off, the man could easily get a message to Steve without creating a hint of suspicion. It was just what he needed. Dan diverted from his path and headed over to a nearby bus stop. There he waited in the warm sunshine for the vehicle that would take him to his next waiting point.
*******
Chin sat on the leather chair in Steve's office looking at the blackboard while Kono paced the office. Steve eyed them hopefully. Maybe something written on the board would spur a thought or create a link in their minds. Steve had made his usual columns listing all the evidence they had found so far. In the far right column was a list of information that could have only been provided by Danny himself. Items such as what had happened on the Marine base and where Danny had been held. Steve had not directly told either Kono or Chin that he had met with Danno - it would have required them to lie were they ever questioned. But he knew they were smart enough to draw that conclusion for themselves.
Steve looked carefully at Kono. He wondered if Danno could be staying with him. 'Not likely' he thought. Kono lived in an extended family situation, with too many family members roaming about. There was too great a chance that someone would inadvertently mention Danno's presence. Besides, Danno would never put that many people at risk. Still, it had been two days since the meeting at his apartment, and Steve wondered where his officer was staying. He couldn't shake the apprehension he felt. Danny had promised to stay in contact with him, but he also knew that Danny wouldn't try to reach him unless he had something solid to report. Wherever he was, Steve hoped Danno had chosen wisely.
"Steve", called out Chin suddenly. "We getting nowhere. Rock's dried up faster than you can say 'heat wave.' Nobody gonna talk to us. These intelligence guys – they scaring our witnesses!"
Kono nodded in concurrence. Steve sighed. "All right gentleman, what about the ship's manifest? Come up with any leads yet?" Through his Navy contacts Steve had managed to obtain the personnel list of the ship that the dead naval officers had sailed to Hawaii on. Kono had been spending the last several days tracking down junior officers that had been aboard in the hopes that they might have information on the dead men. Most of the interviews had been by phone, since these had been mostly young men returning from Vietnam and just passing through Hawaii, but Kono had managed to speak to a few face-to-face who had remained in the islands.
"Just one so far – maybe," said Kono thoughtfully. "A Navy pilot named Garrity. Jonathan, I think. According to a few guys I spoke with, he was supposedly hangin' with the other three on the boat. Like they was all buddies or something. But he's not on the ship's list."
"Good Kono, good", said Steve, suddenly coming to life. "Let's follow up with that. From now on use his name directly in your interviews. Let's get the word out that we know someone's disappeared! I'll try to locate our missing friend's service record. Chin, I need you to get over to Doc's. He's been calling here all morning trying to get me to come see whatever he's got over there. Take a look will ya?"
"Right, boss," said Chin, and he headed out the door. Kono followed behind. Steve walked over to his desk. He buzzed the outer desk and asked Jenny to get him the Department of Naval Records.
*******
Chin Ho Kelly was a seasoned veteran of police work. Through his years at HPD and 5-0 he had seen it all. Murders, robberies, kidnappings, and even espionage games were nothing new to him. But there was something about this particular situation that especially bothered this usually unflappable cop. 'Maybe it's because it's one of us this time?' he mused. But he knew that couldn't be all there was to it.
Many times before there had been fellow cops missing or injured. 'Perhaps it's Danny?' he thought. There was definitely something special about 5-0's newest member. He was a thoroughly likeable guy. He was also an excellent cop, deserving of the second-in-command title. Chin hoped Steve wouldn't string him along for too much time more, and would get around to making the title an official one soon. That thought brought a stab of sadness to Chin, 'Maybe Steve waited too long already? Maybe there's no Danny any longer?" That thought was especially foreboding as he knocked on Doc Bergman's door.
"What can I do for you Chin?" greeted the affable coroner.
"Steve sent me over to see what it is you got for 5-0."
Doc shook his head. "Nope Chin, not for 5-0, for Steve."
Chin rolled his eyes heavenward. Doc was always playing these little semantic games with him. "Okay then, what have you got for Steve!"
Again Doc shook his head. "It's for Steve, and Steve only."
"You mean I walk all the way over here and you ain't gonna show me what you got?" Chin asked in exasperation.
"That's right," answered Doc with a friendly smile. "You tell Steve to come on over and see for himself. And as soon as possible if you don't mind, I'd like to head out and get some lunch."
Chin sighed as he headed towards the door. "You stay away from Uncle Lee's take-out," he called over his shoulder. "I'm gonna tell him not to serve you, you make me come all the way here for nothing."
"I didn't know you were related to Uncle Lee?" Doc responded with surprise.
"We all related, don't you know that?" answered Chin with a wink. He then turned and exited. The friendly coroner sat down on the edge of his desk shaking his head and laughing.
*******
It took less than an hour before Steve knew he was onto something. The official phone request for Lt. Jonathan Garrity's record had apparently caused some sort of stir. His phone call was being passed up the chain of command, and now he sat waiting for the return phone call from some Washington D.C. bigwig. He knew what would happen, of course. He would be told once again to back off. But this time Steve had a name, and he hoped that maybe he could use it to as leverage for further information.
"Boss, have a moment?" Chin peered in from around the heavy oak door.
"Sure Chin. What have you got?"
"Me? Nothing. But Doc's got something. Insists he can't show me. Says you gotta come take a look yourself."
Steve sat back and grimaced. He liked Doc. A lot. He was the best coroner he had ever seen. Efficient, accurate, and detached. And he was a nice guy to boot. But Doc Bergman had this annoying habit of insisting on sharing every detail of his macabre work with Steve – and the visuals were usually stuff Steve could have done just fine without. "All right Chin. If it is so important maybe I had better go there now. Before I eat my lunch anyway." The stab at humor was his first since this fiasco started. It wasn't lost on Chin either, who responded with a hardy laugh. "If any one calls while I'm gone," Steve continued, "tell 'em I'll get back to them this afternoon." Steve retrieved his jacket from the back of his chair and headed to one of his least favorite destinations – the morgue.
He found Doc sitting at his desk reviewing the contents of a manila folder. "All right Doc," said Steve. "What's so important to see that Chin isn't good enough?"
Doc looked up and greeted Steve with his usual disarming smile. "Just follow me", he said rising from behind the desk. "It's nothing much, but I thought only you could appreciate this piece of art!"
"Doc, why is every corpse you show me 'a piece of art'?" Steve replied as he followed Doc down the hall to one of the rooms in which he practiced his disconcerting craft.
He opened the door and allowed Steve to go on in ahead. To Steve's shock, there on the metal table in the middle of the room, sat Danno! With legs dangling over the side of the table and munching on a sandwich. Danny appeared amused by the look on Steve's face. "Hi Steve," he said with a grin. "Surprised you didn't we?"
Steve was about to answer when Doc's gruff tone interrupted. "Danny, don't eat on my table!"
Danny looked down at the crumbs that had fallen and wiped them off. "There's no where to sit", he protested. "Except the floor, and that's not clean." Realizing the ridiculousness of what he had just said in light of where he was sitting, made Danny break out in a laugh. A moment later the others joined in. Dan hopped off the table and walked over to Steve. "I've been staying with Doc", he said. "He brought me in this morning in the wagon. Figured that's one place those government boys wouldn't be looking!"
"I'll leave you two to discuss matters," said Doc as he turned to leave. The coroner exited the room shutting the door softly behind him. As Steve watched him go he knew that from now on Doc would no longer be just a damn good coroner in his mind, he had now been elevated to the rank of Five-0 family.
As they leaned against the wall of the autopsy room, Steve explained to Danno the progress they had made. When he mentioned the name of Garrity, Danno's eyes grew wide. "What is it, Danno?" Steve asked. He knew they had stumbled onto something.
"There was a letter Steve. Damn! I almost forgot about it. The dead Navy officer, the one staying in the hotel - he had called up the bellboy to take a letter down to the desk and mail it for him. He was afraid to go out I guess. Anyway Steve, the bellboy had put it with the other letters to go out but they hadn't been picked up yet. When I showed up the bellboy remembered it and gave it to me."
"That may prove useful Danno. But what's the connection to Garrity?"
"That was the name the letter was addressed to! Not Jonathan, some other first name, but I am sure of the Garrity part." Danny was growing excited now. Perhaps there was a way out of this mess after all. Maybe this letter held that key.
"Where is the letter Danno?"
Dan thought for a moment. "In the top drawer of my desk. I was going to get a search warrant to open it."
Steve shook his head. "Never mind the search warrant Danno, this is way past legality now. You stay here. I'll go to take a look at the letter. I'll let you know what I find." Just before he headed out he turned towards his friend. "Hey Danno, watch the crumbs will you. Too many germs aren't good for those dead people!" He saw the rising smirk on Danno's face as he shut the door.
********
By the time he got back to the office the frenzy had already begun. Three phone calls, all from the CIA headquarters in Washington DC, had come in trying to reach McGarrett. Steve smiled to himself. 'Let them sweat a bit now.'
He entered Danny's cubicle and glanced around. It was slightly disheveled, almost like Dan himself. But it was a functional place, with folders strewn over the desktop and pens laid out for easy reach. It was exactly how Danno had left it 5 days before. Steve walked over to the desk drawer and removed the small letter size envelope with the name "Roger Garrity" written on the front. The address was an unknown town in Indiana.
Steve sat down in Danno's chair and opened the letter carefully. He took out the contents and unfolded it. He began to read. It was a quick read, written in simple terms, but the message came through loud and clear. Lt. Jonathan Garrity had been recruited to help aerial mine the North Vietnam harbor of Haiphong. He directed a team of pilots and their crews, their targets pinpointed with the help of Soviet Air Force officers. He had no way of knowing that what he was engaged in was being specifically repudiated at home by the President of the United States as against US public policy. That was until one of the young Russian officers with whom had become a drinking buddy told him. When Garrity complained to his superiors, he was immediately pulled off the assignment and told to keep quiet. He did not. He continued to complain up the chain of command. Eventually Garrity began to experience 'accidents' of which he was suspicious. On the ship home from Vietnam he had a near fatal experience, a piece of falling equipment nearly knocked him overboard, and he began to doubt he would ever make it home. Garrity chose to confide in three young officers who had become his friends on the voyage, and asked them to please pass on the story to his family should something happen to him.
McGarrett sighed. Now he knew why the CIA was so eager to stop the three naval officers and Danno. Not only did they fear the backlash of the American public if this was brought to light, but the Soviet's would be none to pleased to have their name dragged into this mess. Steve figured the Russians were involved due to their willingness to stymie the Chinese in any way possible, but a backlash in their own country for working with the Americans would be considered a destabilizing factor to the present regime. All this was secondary to Steve however. World politics was not his foremost concern now. What he needed was a way to use this information to insure Danno's safety. It took only a few moments to formulate such a plan.
Steve picked up Danno's phone and returned the phone call of the Assistant Director of Covert Operations at the CIA, one Louis Gerbert. It was decided that they would meet in two days at the Kapiolani Park bandshell at 7:00am. Steve knew that would give the CIA man enough time to put his local spies into operation, and it would also give Steve enough time to put his own plan into action. Next he dialed HPD. He was going to need a few good men.
*****
The next two days Steve spent canvassing the island. He visited nearly ever post office, no matter how small, and at least half the banks on Oahu. Just for good measure he went into several courier services and printing houses too. Each time he brought a few large envelopes with him and left empty handed. He was careful to drive slowly, those CIA fellows didn't have as much practice in following people as policemen did, and he wanted to be sure they didn't lose him. The following morning he awoke early and headed to the bandshell. Arriving 20 minutes before the appointed time, he climbed onto the stage. Everything was eerily quite. But as he had several nights before, he knew Danno was already there. His officer emerged from behind a piece of scaffolding off on the left. "Morning Steve. I sure hopes this works."
Steve nodded. "It will Danno, it will." He inwardly hoped that his confidence would transfer over to his detective. He strongly believed that confidence transferred into the ability to react quickly to changing situations - something they might need this morning. Steve also knew that their lives were on the line here. That's why he had not informed either Chin or Kono of this meet. Their presence here along with their connection to 5-0 would have made them targets too if Steve's plan failed.
The two men stood and waited in the silent, cool morning air. A midst was blowing in from the ocean and the clouds hung low overhead. The somber weather seemed a fitting backdrop for this meet. Danny was growing nervous but he tried to hide it. He felt himself running his hands through his hair and he quickly jammed them deep into his pockets. Steve leaned against the edge of the performance shell, his eyes carefully scanning the grounds. Together they waited for the moment that would determine both their fates. For Danny knew that Steve had now involved himself so deeply in this that whatever fate held in store for Dan, would also be the fate for Steve. 'Perhaps it had been a mistake to return to Hawaii', thought Danny. But he also knew that without Steve he would not have stood a chance against these men. It would have only been a matter of time until they caught him. And then what?
Two cars screeched up from the backside of the shell and came to a halt at the bottom of the stage. The drivers of the cars were completely unmindful of the damage they had just rendered to the grass below their heavy tires. A total of 5 men jumped out, small automatics pointed at the two 5-0 men on the stage. "All right McGarrett, gigs up!" barked a small older man who Steve took to be Assistant Director Gerbert, the man to whom he had spoken on the phone two days ago.
"For you, yes", was McGarrett's steady response. With a slight nod of his head, the 5-0 chief gave the signal that brought nearly a dozen HPD officers with rifles out from behind their hiding spots. Every last weapon was trained directly on the government men.
The director peered around him in disbelief. He had not noticed a single man a moment ago. He snarled, and then abruptly smiled. "Well done McGarrett! I see Navy Intelligence taught you well. Perhaps it is now time the two of us talk a deal."
Steve reached his hand down and helped Gerbert on to the stage. In a low whisper, heard only by the three men, Steve outlined the agreement. "I have proof of your North Vietnam mining activities with the Russians," he began, eyes fixing his target with an icy stare. "Lt. Garrity left enough evidence to prove conclusively to any Senate committee what you've been up to. But I am not going to trust this evidence to the Congress. Oh no." he continued, shaking his head for emphasis. "I have addressed multiple letters to every major news organization in the country. They have been sent to numerous third parties for safekeeping. If anything – and I mean ANYTHING, happens to either Dan Williams or myself, those letters will get mailed." Steve paused for emphasis. "Do I make myself understood?"
"Of course" the older man answered. A smile graced the director's face. But Steve was certain he saw the underpinnings of real fear in the man's eyes. Apparently the spy feared what would become of him if this evidence ever made its way to the press. Inwardly Steve sighed in relief. His plan had worked. He had not a shred of real evidence of course, but the CIA man obviously didn't know that. And the subterfuge of the last few days would make his story of 'letters in the hands of third parties' completely believable. No one ever had to know that he had done nothing more with those empty envelopes in all those post offices and banks, than dropping them into various wastebaskets. "In return," Steve continued, "Williams and I will drop our investigation into the deaths of the three naval officers here in Honolulu, and keep what we know about the illegal harbor mining to ourselves." Steve thought he saw Danny's mouth twitch angrily when he mentioned the dropping of the investigation.
"Very good," said the assistant director, "It is agreed then." He stuck out his hand towards McGarrett to shake on it. Steve looked at him disgustedly, then turned and walked a few steps away ignoring the outstretched hand. The man next turned his attention to Danny. "How about you then Mr. Williams?" he asked with the same congenial tone. Once again he extended his hand.
Steve saw it coming, and made a half-hearted attempt to grab Danny's arm, but he was too slow. Danny's fist landed solidly across the jaw of the CIA man. His blow carried all the power of righteous anger that had built up over the last fifteen days. Gerbert attempted to protect himself by lifting his hands towards his face, but Danny landed a second blow, this time to the gut. Gerbert now leaned forward, but again Dan's fists were too quick. Two more blows caught the assistant director in the solar plexus. Gerbert in turn attempted to ram his shoulder into Danno. But Danny was too fast. He moved decisively to the right, and as Gerbert lunged past him, Dan delivered another sharp blow to the side. As Steve stood watching he noted with amusement that not one of the government agents made any attempt to help their boss. Nor with all the years in the field the CIA man had racked up, was he able to successfully defend himself against a street trained young cop.
Finally Steve decided he would need to intervene. Steve walked the few feet between himself and the combatants as slowly as possible. He wanted to give Danno as much time as he could. Finally he grabbed both his friend's arms, and with a solid grip, pulled Danny away from his target. The young officer made a few unenergetic attempts to break Steve's grasp, but Steve held tight. "Enough Danno," Steve whispered into his ear sharply, "Enough!"
Of course the 5-0 boss knew it was not really enough. It could never be enough for all the suffering this man had unleashed in his ruthless cover-up operation. Dead servicemen practically littered this spy's path. And then there was the fear he had visited upon Danno. Fear of death, fear of failure in Dan's own misguided mind. Steve angered at the mere thought of what Danno had been through these past two weeks. But still, Steve held his officer fast and would not allow him another blow. An angry and powerful agent with his pride ruffled could bring repercussions at a later date. And it was not good for Danno either to be allowed to unleash like this when angry. Steve knew that the 5-0 officer would need to learn to hold that anger in until the proper time, no matter how much the desire to hurt an offender burned inside him. For a cop, it was an essential skill.
After a few tense moments, Dan allowed his arms to drop and for Steve to lead him off the stage to a waiting HPD car. Danny never looked back at the cause of his torment. He kept his eyes fixed only on his destination. Steve on the other hand shot the assistant director a warning glare as he left that could have frozen the inside of Kilauea. He wanted the man to return to Washington DC hoping never again to set foot in Hawaii. From the look on the spy's face, Steve guessed that the message had gotten through.
The 5-0 boss approached the HPD commander present at the scene, Sgt. Duke Lukela, and issued a few remaining instructions. Duke nodded and headed off to carry out his orders. Steve was pleased that not a single HPD man present had needed more than the most cursory of explanations when asked to assist in this venture. Nor had any of those recruited turned 5-0 down. Partly that was Danno's doing. Rumblings that Dan was in trouble had made it over to HPD. Dan had lots of friends from his time over there before joining 5-0. A mere request to help Dan and 5-0 out in a tricky situation was all that was needed to insure a response. Steve smiled at the thought. It was good to know that some areas of law enforcement still remained unsoiled by spy tactics and twisted logic. Steve walked around to the other side of the HPD car and got in next to Danny who sat staring out the window, looking at nothing. Steve closed his eyes and exhaled slowly as the car drove off. Back at the bandshell the HPD men began to disperse. And eventually, all that was left was a contingent of very much chagrined and wiser CIA men.
********
The afternoon sun shone brilliantly in a blue sky. The weather was warm, but not hot. Even the trade winds were cooperating by blowing just the slightest of breezes across the small beach that the two Five-0 men sat on, eating their bagged lunches. Steve watched Danno take a few bites and then shove the rest of his uneaten sandwich into the brown bag. His second-in-command then stared intensely out into the ocean, as if some fascinating sailing ship that Steve could not see was gracing the water.
It had been like this for nearly two weeks now. Danno seemed to be operating as if he existed in a separate world. He had arrived late for work three times this week, had little to offer in brainstorming sessions, and had failed to show up yesterday for his required yearly weapons qualification. Five-0's once enthusiastic detective was now doing no more than going through the motions of police work. That Steve could not allow for much longer. He had a department to run, and the small amount of men he was allotted all needed to have their hearts in it. Steve hurt for Danny. Steve realized the fact he was growing closer to Danny and wondered if he had the energy to fight it or deny it. He finally yielded to this acceptance the day he and Danny came face to face with Gerbert. For the first time Steve saw the raw anger, pain, fear and the despair that Danny had bottled up inside himself during his ordeal. He knew that what he had gone through was tough, even life altering, but he also needed to get Dan back on the path before he drifted too far away. He knew it wasn't just for the job, it was for Danny...and for him.
"Danno, you in there?" was Steve's half-hearted humorous attempt to get Dan's attention.
"Yeah, sure Steve." Danno shifted his focus to the sand in front of him. "I guess you want to talk to me, huh?" Danno knew he had not been a model of police enthusiasm lately, but he could not seem to find his old self. It was taking all the energy he had just to get through each day. Danny wondered briefly if Steve was going to boot him back to HPD. He doubted it. If there was one thing that Steve had shown him with this horrible mess, it was that he was as much his friend as he was his boss. Still, Steve didn't bring him here just to enjoy the scenery.
"Look Danno," Steve began. "These things take a while to get over. I know that. But you won't talk about it and you're not getting any better. Your body's at 5-0 but your head is somewhere else. I want to know where."
"How about in a holding cell in the desert somewhere!" Danny shot back angrily, surprising even himself. "Or maybe in a cemetery laying next to those dead navy guys we sold out when we dropped the investigation!" Danny leaped to his feet and began to pace as he warmed to his theme. "Or maybe Steve, my head is at the CIA, on a spike. As an example of what happens to a person's morality when they sell out everything they believe in!" With this last statement still burning on his tongue Dan could feel his face growing red with anger. He turned his head away just in case his anger made him lose control.
Steve was as surprised with Danno's sudden change in disposition as Dan was. But that was not all that surprised the 5-0 chief. Steve had just assumed that his officer was upset over being held captive. Now he realized that the anger was much deeper. Dan was not only a good officer, but a good person as well. His belief in right and wrong, and in justice, were guiding principles in his life. Seeing the worst elements of his government in action, as he had, obviously had shaken that. But the worst part of it all to Steve, was that Danno felt complicity in the cover up by having agreed to it.
Steve took a moment to think his words through. He wanted them to come out right the first time. He stood up and approached Dan who continued to look away, towards the horizon. "Listen to me Danno. You did nothing, NOTHING wrong. You, we, had no choice. We had to agree to drop the investigation; it was the only way out of this mess. Besides," Steve dropped his voice to a whisper, his wariness over dealing with the CIA still strong, "we had no proof. It was a bluff – you know that Danno."
"So it was an equal trade. Is that what your saying?" asked Danno. "My life for the truth?"
Steve put a hand on Dan's back and stood next to him, joining him in his surveying of the imaginary ship on the horizon. "The truth will eventually come out Danno. In the end it always does. As for people like Gerbert, well, those type of people, those who twist right and wrong for their own ends - they get theirs eventually Danno. You mark my words."
Danny sighed and ran a hand through his curly hair. "Sometimes I wonder if there is any right and wrong anymore. Any good or bad. Or maybe it's all just the same. Just depends where you're standing."
Steve was just about to respond when the call from Chin Ho Kelley came through. They were a couple of dozen feet from the car but both instinctively turned, and within moments they were in the vehicle. "Go ahead, Chin".
"Steve," came the crackling disembodied voice "there's a report come in about an armed robbery in progress over by the Koko Head Golf Course. Sounds like it could be those same guys did the Makaha Club last month. Thought you might be up that way and want to check it out."
Steve gunned the engine to life. "Yeah Chin, we're on our way."
****
Steve brought the Mercury to a screeching stop next to a parked HPD vehicle. The patrolman who had responded first informed the 5-0 head that there had been two armed robbers, both masked; and that as far as he could tell they had already made their getaway. With the robbers had gone large quantities of jewelry and cash appropriated forcefully from the club's wealthy clientele. Steve and Danno headed inside the club's beautiful white stone main building to have a look around. They entered the central area where oil paintings of world-renowned golf courses graced the walls, and expensive white leather chairs sat next to gold trimmed glass tables. Only one person lingered in the empty room, all the remaining patrons had fled outside following the robbery, eager to tell the police of their losses. McGarrett approached the man who sat reading a magazine. He was a young man, no more than 25, and he was wearing jeans. To Steve, that in itself was suspicious. 'A country club like this would have a dress code' he thought to himself. "Can I have a word with you sir".
The young man looked up from his magazine. He leaned to the left as if to put the reading material on the table beside him. But instead he tossed the magazine at McGarrett, and jumping to his feet fled down the nearest hallway. Danno, who had been absent-mindedly admiring the surroundings, gave chase with Steve directly behind. The man led them down several empty corridors. At one point he disappeared at an intersection. Danny went to the left and Steve to the right. After a few moments Dan heard the sound of pursuit and knew Steve must have relocated the suspect. Danny doubled back and the chase began again. Through the maze of the country club the Five-0 men followed their target, the adrenaline pumping through their bodies. Both Steve and Dan knew he was armed. As of yet no shots had been fired, but as they rounded every corner they both knew that the possibility of a bullet headed in their direction was very real. Finally the suspect led them to a dead end. Unwilling to surrender he pushed open the nearest door and ran into the club's laundry. Steve and Danny followed him into the room. Once inside they spotted their suspect near the back wall, holding a gun to the head of a very scared young woman. The girl, who was of Asian heritage, was probably no more than 20 years old, and she wore the uniform of the club's workers. The two Five-0 men with their guns drawn cautiously advanced a few steps. "You've got nowhere to run," said McGarrett in a calm, but authoritative voice. "Put the gun down and you won't be hurt."
The young man did not move. He stared intently at the 5-0 chief, as if deciding what to do next. Danny meanwhile, was slowly inching his way over towards the far side of the room. All his senses were at full height. He was working on sheer instinct now, but Dan knew he could trust it.
"Just put the gun down slowly and I promise you, you won't be hurt", McGarrett repeated.
"No!" yelled the man who was becoming agitated by his limited options. "You put the gun down or I'll let her have it!" He pushed the barrel of the gun into the side of the girl's forehead.
Although frightened, the young woman had had enough. She had grown up in a rough area and had been around tough people all her short life. She knew when to make her move or risk being hurt. Suddenly she dropped her body down, allowing her dead weight to break the grasp of the man who held her. As soon as Danny saw that the gun was no longer directed at the girl's head, he wasted no time. With amazing speed he crossed the dozen feet or so between he and his target, and body slammed the would-be robber into the far wall. With the suspect sufficiently dazed from the blow, Danny let him drop to the ground. Then with a couple of quick movements he had the young man disarmed, frisked and cuffed. Steve made sure to cover Danny with his weapon, but he could see that the young detective needed no help.
Steve then went over to the woman, who now sat on the floor stunned by the previous few minute's happenings and kneeled down next to her. "You okay?" he asked with a smile. The girl could only nod, although she managed to return the grin. Steve looked back over to his officer and watched while Danny hauled his catch to a standing position and out into the corridor.
********
Outside Steve and Danny stood next to the Mercury while they watched the suspect be placed in an HPD car and the girl give her statement.
"Still think there is no wrong or right Danno?" Steve asked his companion.
Danno frowned at the question and the thoughts it brought back. For the last few minutes he had almost forgotten all of what had happened. Slowly he looked from the girl, to the suspect, and then back again. Finally he looked at Steve. He knew he didn't really need to give him an answer. "Sorry Steve, for the last few weeks. Guess I just wasn't myself."
Steve ignored the apology. It seemed Danno was always apologizing for one thing or another, it was a habit Steve wanted to break. "I have this second-in-command position back at the palace", he said with false casualness. "The guy I have now doesn't seem to want the job. Any chance you'd be interested?"
Steve's humorous, but obviously reproachful question took Danno momentarily by surprise. 'Well, here's my chance', thought Danny mentally regrouping. He took a deep breath. "That depends", he answered hopefully, "is it an official second-in-command position or just acting second-in-command?"
Steve knew when he had been had. Danno never ceased to amaze him. Finally he laughed. "All right, all right. It's an official position", he answered, shaking his head in disbelief and wondering if he was letting himself be conned. No, Steve knew this wouldn't be a mistake.
Danno was the best young cop he had ever seen. So what if he needed to work on getting all the details? He was a sharp police officer and good with both his mind and his hands. He was even showing signs of developing first rate cop intuition. Someday, with a little work and some maturity, he could easily head the unit. And as for the personal side of things, maybe they could make this friendship work. Maybe keeping too much distance from his co-workers was not such a good idea after all. Dan had showed him in this past month that friendship heightened, not dulled, his judgment. Indeed, having a friend like Danno helped him to remember the reasons he went into law enforcement in the first place.
Then for the hundredth time in the past two weeks, Steve momentarily wondered who it was that was able to order the rescue of Danno from the clutches of the CIA. He also briefly wondered if he would ever know. But the one thing he did know right now was that - whoever it was - Steve McGarrett and the State of Hawaii owed that person a big favor.
Steve smiled at his friend and motioned to the car. "Let's get out of here Danno."
"Right Steve"
The two men jumped into the car, and with the usual squeal of rubber upon asphalt, Danny Williams and Steve McGarrett found their way back onto the road that would lead them to the palace and 5-0.
The End.
Authors' Note: This was the first story that we wrote, so it has a bit of a different style. Perhaps a little bit heavy on the details and with an international crime flavor. Let us know if you enjoyed it or even just what you think. If you are not a member of fanfiction.net, you can still review by using the "submit review" button below. Thanks.