Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. Crazy does not even begin to describe this last week. Once again, thank you all for the reviews. They keep me writing. MATT- don't worry, Danno will get his chance. I'd just felt a little neglectful of Chin and Kono at the time and thought they deserved some action. Don't know yet if Grace will make an appearance. In answer to other questions (nas2439): Yes Joe knows Eliot (more will be revealed on that later) Don't know about Catherine yet… still developing various aspects of where this will take me. Honestly I don't know sometimes. For example when I started this I had no idea some of the stuff that happens in this chapter would occur and yet here they are! And again in response to some of the reviews: I have thought about maybe making this a 2-parter; with the Leverage crew not showing up again until part 2. But I haven't decided for sure yet. And so without anymore rambling on my part-
here is the next chapter:
Several hours later the Five-0 task force and Eliot gathered at their headquarters to share what they had found.
"Samuel Keller, AKA Matthew Hilts, Franklin Jones, and a host of other identities." Chin began as he pulled a photo up on the screen for the team. "Believed to have been born in South Africa and to have received Special Forces training there, although neither has been confirmed. That being said, he can and has passed himself off as any number of nationalities and backgrounds. As Eliot said, he is featured on Interpol's most wanted as well as being wanted in quite a few countries on suspicion of theft, kidnapping, and murder for hire. He is the main suspect in the kidnapping of the son of a South American diplomat last year. It didn't end well."
Steve, arms folded across his chest, nodded and asked, "Kono, what've you got on our kidnapping victim?"
Pulling up another image, this time a driver's license photo of the smiling face of their kidnap victim, Kono began, "Melina Orson, 35, native born Hawaiian, went to the mainland for several years where she studied jewelry manufacturing and became a master goldsmith/bench jeweler. Other than that she's lived her whole life in the islands. Neither she nor her family has any significant sum of money or assets that would make her a target for kidnapping. Which supports the theory provided by the store manager, that Keller wants her for something."
"Which is good news for us, it means she's probably still alive." Steve commented.
"Do we have any ideas about what Keller's plan is?" Danny asked
"From what I've been able to get so far, it seems like this guy only goes for jobs with big payouts. That being said, I'm still working on coming up with a possible end game here." Chin responded. "We have BOLO's out on both Keller and Orson, but we've yet to get any hits."
"You're right about the payouts; Keller's full of himself and wouldn't do a job without a take of $250,000 or more." Eliot added. "Figure in the cuts for the crew and expenses and you're looking at a target worth somewhere upwards of a couple mil. Check places with the latest security where a public event is scheduled. He likes adding to his reputation by hitting hard targets, but hitting them during an event means there are more holes in security. I'd also look into places related to jewelry, due to the kidnapping."
"That's good and all, but we need to find Melina before he finishes whatever his plans are or he won't need her anymore!" Danny pointed out.
"That's the plan Danny," Steve said confidently. "Speaking of which, Kono, I want you to talk to Melina's family. See if you can get anything useful that might help us find her or find out what Keller wants with her. Chin, tag along with Eliot. He's been able to set up a meet with a source that may be able to help."
"No, offence but I don't need a baby sitter, man." Eliot complained to his friend.
"No, but Chin knows the island and he's got a badge. So he's going with you. My task-force, my rules buddy. Sorry." Steve smiled as he made the apology he really didn't mean. "Danny and I will go talk with Max, see if he can give us any leads."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooo
"Nice bike," Chin said appreciatively as he and Eliot headed out into the parking lot.
"Thanks man." Eliot responded. "Hey, no offence about earlier. My contacts just really aren't the type to welcome cops, ya know?"
"That's understandable. I have my own CI's that are skittish about associating with law enforcement. So, where are we meeting this contact of yours?"
"Umm," Eliot checked a slip of paper in his pocket. "Boathouse 23, Waikiki Boat Club."
"Good, it's not too far."
"Not bad!" Eliot said in appreciation of Chin's bike as they both slung onto their respective vehicles and started them up.
"Mahalo bro. D'you know the way or do you want me to lead?"
"I know, but go ahead and let's get this show on the road."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooo
"Sooooo," Danny started as they walked down the hall toward Max's office.
"Soooo? What Danny?" Steve asked his partner.
"Eliot's interesting. Don't you think it's odd how quickly he recognized Keller?"
"Come on Danny! It's his job to know things like that. And besides, he said he'd run into the guy before."
"Yeah, about that. What exactly is his job again? I mean, he has security specs memorized in his head and he recognizes hitmen by their aliases. In what kind of 'security' job do you need to be able to do that?"
"Danny. Do you trust me? Well, I trust Eliot. With my life, and I have on more than one occasion. And he's saved my ass and I've saved his more times than I can count. I may not know all the things he's done, but I know he's a good man. I know he helps people. That's what his job is. He helps people who have nowhere else to go. And I know I can count on him. Happy now?" Steve asked.
"Fine. I trust you, I'll let it go. But that doesn't mean I don't still think it's weird. What's he doing in Hawaii anyway?"
"He's going to be helping me out with something when I go out of town next month."
"OH! Right! That super secret ninja 'thing' you won't tell me about cause it's 'classified'. Right, well enjoy your secrets!" Danny finished with a huff and stepped into Max's office.
"Ah! Gentlemen, thank you for coming down." Max greeted them. "I believe I have some information that may prove useful in your investigation."
"What have you got Max?" Steve asked.
"Well, firstly, I believe you might find it interesting that, in addition to forming strong water resistant bonds, cyanoacrylate is quite useful as a forensic tool in discovering latent prints."
"Max? The point? Cyano-what?" Danny asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose, head in hand.
"More commonly known as Super Glue." Max clarified. "With its help I have been able to recover prints on the left forearm of our first subject, James Nickels."
"I thought the robbers wore gloves?" Steve questioned.
"Indeed they did. However, it seems that one of Mr. Nickels' assailants favored a glove leaving the palm area of the hand open. Thusly I have been able to recover a partial handprint. Sadly, no finger prints were to be found due to the presence of the glove. However, if the partial does not appear in the system, this can still be used to positively identify the assailant once you have a suspect."
"Now, moving on to the second reason I called you down here." Max continued. "The toxicology I ran on both guards provided me with the information that they had both been dosed with small quantities of a muscle relaxant. Neither guard received a high enough dose to induce sleep, but their movements would have been sluggish and delayed. I have already alerted the doctors treating the third guard so that they can take the appropriate measures."
"Good work Max," Steve told him. "What about ballistics?"
"As confirmed by the surveillance and witness statements, backed of course by sound forensic evidence, I can tell you that the assailants used 9mm handguns. The lab is processing the bullets I removed and will hopefully be able to provide you with more information that will allow you to trace the origin of the weapons in question."
"Thanks again Max, let us know if you get anything else." Danny thanked him.
"You have my assurances that I will."
"All right then, catch you later." Steve said as they headed out the door leaving Max to his work.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooo
Eliot pulled up a few blocks from their destination and parked by the curb. Chin pulled up beside him. They had taken turns on point for the ride over.
"Why are you stopping? We still got a couple blocks to go." Chin asked.
"Always have an exit strategy and never let them see you coming." Eliot told him. That said, he stepped off his bike and started walking in the direction of their destination. Chin followed.
"So, what's the plan?" he asked.
"We get a look at the place, find the backdoor, and make sure there's no surprises' waitin' for us. Then we go in. You let me do the talkin' and follow my lead, got that?"
"Got it."
When they got closer to the Club they circled around to the back, staying out of sight of the front entrance. Eliot quickly scaled the fence with Chin right behind. They walked discretely across the back corner of the parking lot and headed in the direction of the boathouses and away from the main building. Instead of heading down the row with the boat enclosures Eliot headed down the open dock lined with fancy boats. When they were about half way along Eliot stopped and pulled a small pair of binoculars from his pocket. Using these, he surveyed the row of boathouses across the way.
"Yup, he's there. Got at least two guys with him. Idiot." Eliot huffed in a slightly amused tone. "Come on, let's get this over with."
He headed back the way they'd come and started towards the boathouse where the contact was waiting. When they stepped inside the man waiting turned nervously towards them. The two thugs with him stepped forward to stand between the man and the two approaching.
"Well now, Decker, I'm hurt!" Eliot called amusedly to the man as they approached. "Long time no see, and this is how you greet me? Your memory must be bad if you think two guys is gonna be enough. I think I should be insulted."
"Spencer!" the man, Decker, nervously bit out. "What do you want?"
"Ah, come on now man, YOU owe me." Joking tone leaving as Eliot growled out the last word. "Remember?"
The man swallowed convulsively and repeated, "What do you want?"
"I'm looking for Sam Keller. Heard he was in town, thought a little reunion was in order." Eliot responded.
Decker choked, his eyes darting nervously around, "Sam Keller? What makes you think I would know how to find him?"
"Don't play with me Decker." Eliot growled his arms folded as he glared at the man. "You are the second best black market mover in the Pacific. You know when things are going down; you make it your job to know. SO TELL ME WHERE HE IS!"
"I can't do that Spencer." He bit out, slightly angry now and considerably less nervous Chin noticed worriedly. Decker flashed a slightly twisted smile all of a sudden and pulled a gun out of nowhere to point at them. Chin reached for his weapon but stopped when he realized there were three more thugs behind them. The two in front hadn't made any moves yet but that was looking to change any moment now.
To Chin's surprise Eliot simply smirked at the man pointing the gun at them. "Really?" he asked clearly unfazed. "So, not as much of an idiot for bringing more guys, but clearly a complete imbecile for thinking that you'll get away with pointing a gun at me."
"OH COME now Spencer! You're unarmed and your buddy here won't be any help to you. Since when did you have a sidekick anyway? You work alone. Anyway, I am the one with the gun!" Decker shouted.
"You owe me. I'm giving you one warning and this is it. Tell me where to find Samuel Keller, NOW." Eliot stated in a seriously threatening tone.
"NO WAY! I have a gun! I don't have to do anything you say! GET HIM!" Decker shouted at the thugs.
As the thugs moved in Chin stepped up to meet them. He almost didn't need to. Before he could even swing his fist at the first thug two of them were on the ground writhing in pain. Eliot had moved lightning fast, kicking out the knee of one while swinging a hard right straight into the jaw of another. Both collapsed, one holding his knee and moaning while the other just lay stunned. Before they had even hit the ground though, Eliot had already moved on to the next two. An elbow to the face of the one coming from behind and a hard hit to the solar plexus of the other had one down gasping for air and the other bent over clutching a nose that was now spouting blood. A knee to the head and that one was down too.
It was as the third thug hit the deck that Chin's fist connected with his target. By his second swing the fourth thug was down and Eliot was headed toward Decker who was holding the gun in shaking hands and trying to back away.
"Stay down" Eliot growled at the moaning thug as he advanced on Decker. Chin had his opponent down and stepped towards Eliot just as he knocked the gun out of Decker's hand and grabbed the man by the throat. He was terrified and in shock. Apparently things hadn't gone quite as he'd planned. Chin could relate. As he took in the scene around him he couldn't help but be impressed.
"Damn, you got skills bro," Chin said appreciatively. Eliot smirked and then turned back to Decker, serious once again.
"Now, is that any way to repay a debt?" Eliot growled as he pushed Decker against the wall of the boathouse. The trembling man clutched at Eliot's hand and feebly tried to free himself.
"Ahhh, ummmm... ahh….." Decker struggled to form words but between the hand at his throat and the vivid anger in the face of the man that hand was attached to he was finding it a bit difficult.
"Now, I'm gonna ease up a bit and then you're gonna tell me what I want to know. Right? Cause I seriously doubt you'll like the alternatives…." Eliot trailed off suggestively as he did as he'd said. Decker gulped in air
"KkkkkKeller is holed up in a vacation house in Moana Valley…..but that's all I know, I don't know his plans or anything!" he shakily exclaimed.
"How many guys he's got?" Eliot asked him.
"I don't know! Maybe six, maybe a dozen…. I've got no clue! Please just don't kill me!"
"I ain't gonna kill you," Eliot grinned savagely and as Decker sagged visibly in relief added while nodding his head at Chin, "but he's gonna arrest you."
"He's a cop! Ahhh… crap!"
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooo
Kono sat on the couch across from Mr. and Mrs. Orson, Melina's parents, a glass of lemonade held in her hands.
"I am really very sorry to be bothering you right now; I know this is a hard time for you. I just want you to know that we are doing everything in our power to make sure that Melina gets home safe." Kono told the grief stricken couple.
"She's our baby girl, why would anyone want to take her?" Mrs. Orson asked as she cried into her hands.
"You said you had some questions for us Officer Kalakaua? Anything we can do to help you find our girl." her father stated strongly through his obvious pain.
"Please, it's Kono." She told them. "And I was just wondering if there was any reason you might know of why your daughter might be taken? What can you tell me about her work, her personal life? Anything that might help us find her or the people who did this."
"I don't know. She's always been a good girl. I know work has been busy lately, but there's been nothing out of the ordinary as far as I know. I don't know why someone would do this!" Mrs. Orson answered.
Mr. Orson added, "She is very talented at her job. She can make almost anything! She's probably the best on the island. You think this has to do with her work?"
"It looks like that." Kono told him. "Don't worry though; we'll bring her back to you."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooo
The task-force reassembled once again at the Five-0 headquarters.
"So, you not only managed to get a possible location for Keller but while you were at it you also managed to arrest five hired thugs and a black market smuggler?" Danny asked Chin incredulously.
"What can I say? Apparently the man knows how to make stuff happen." Chin said as he confirmed Danny's question. Eliot simply stood there smirking, yet again.
Kono emerged from her office at that point and addressed the group. "Fong finished the ballistic report. The rounds match those from a string of convenient store robberies believed to have been committed by members of the Samoan gang."
"So, they got the guns from the Samoans" Steve said as he too joined the group, putting away his cell as he did. "That was HPD. They finally got the vault at the jewelry store open. Apparently the manager was dirtier than we thought; there was a whole host of stolen goods stashed there. No wonder he didn't want us going in there. That, plus the fact that it was probably him that drugged the guards means he's in for a whole lot of jail time."
What? Some three or so hours later and they only now had the vault open? Eliot thought to himself as he remembered a thief he knew who could have gleefully had it open in under four minutes, timing herself on a stopwatch while she did it. NO, stop going there man! He scolded himself. They're gone. Get your head back in the game! And with that he forced himself back to the conversation going on around him.
"There are hundreds of vacation homes though out Moana Valley," Chin was saying. "However, I was able to narrow it down to about 30 possible locations when I factored in lease dates, the need for privacy, and security. We have some plain-clothes doing drive bys to some of the more accessible ones to see if they can ID the spot Keller is staying."
"Decker couldn't give us anything else to help narrow down the search some more?" Steve asked.
"Nah, he didn't know exactly where he was staying. Just the area." Eliot responded.
"Well, maybe we can try a different approach." Kono suggested. "We find the Samoans who sold those guns to Keller, maybe they can give us a lead."
"Right. Kono, you and Chin keep trying to narrow down the search. Danny, let's go pay a visit to Kamekona. You're coming too, Eliot. I think you'll enjoy this one." Steve said with a grin.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooo
A short time later the three pulled up next to the shrimp truck. "How much cash you got on you?" Steve asked Eliot.
"Ninety-three dollars. Why?" he responded.
"Cause your gonna need it. This contact…. likes to be appreciated."
"So, why am I footing the bill with your contact?" Eliot asked slightly irritated.
"Cause I forgot my wallet and you'll really like the shrimp!" Steve responded as he got out of the car. With a slight growl Eliot followed and Danny climbed out after.
As they approached Kamekona saw them coming and came forward to meet them. "Well! If it isn't my favorite customers who always pay so nicely! I've got a new special going today! Spicy pineapple shrimp! Will that be three orders?"
"Not just yet Kamekona," Steve addressed him. "Kamekona, this is a friend of mine, Eliot Spencer. Eliot, Kamekona; the best shrimp truck and best intel guy on the island."
"Spencer huh?" Kamekona leaned back slightly. "That name have some serious weight in the underworld bra. Whatchu doin' with these two coppers?"
"Don't spread it around, but you could say I've turned over a new leaf."
"Ho! Them Robin Hood rumors true then?"
"How'd those rumors get out to this spec in the water?"
"I got a buddy with a friend, spend some time in the joint in LA. Said he was innocent and Robin Hood come along and prove it."
"Ain't that something." Eliot said noncommittally.
"Anyway," Steve interrupted bringing them back to the issue at hand, "We need your help Kamekona. We're looking to find a girl that's been kidnapped. We think we might be able to get a lead by tracking the guns. The guns were probably sold to the kidnappers by the Samoans who've been hitting the convenience stores all over the island. Think you can point us in the right direction?"
"Let me get you some shrimp" the big Hawaiian said then headed back towards his truck. The three men sat around at one of the picnic tables and waited for him to come back.
"Is shrimp code for 'location of Samoan gangsters'?" Eliot asked.
"Hopefully it means both shrimp and a location." Steve responded optimistically.
"Why do people on this island have to put pineapple in everything? It's seafood! Not a fruit salad!" Danny complained.
"Danny, it's like a part of Hawaiian culture. Pineapple is one of the main sources of revenue for the island." Steve said, defending his island.
"Yeah and lunatic tourists being another." Danny retorted.
Just then Kamekona returned bearing a tray. "Three baskets of freshly made spicy pineapple shrimp coming up! Let me know what you think, eh?" He said as he placed the tray on the table.
"Wow, this looks fantastic!" Steve said.
"Yeah, pineapple." Danny said unenthusiastically as the other two both reached for a taste. "So, about those Samoans?"
"Yeah, I think I may have something that will help you… You gonna pay for these shrimp?" Kamekona asked.
"These are good man," Eliot said as he reached for his wallet. "You ever think of adding some Tabasco for a little more kick? It pairs nicely with the cayenne." He handed over a twenty and Kamekona rubbed it between his fingers.
"D'is a little lonely bra…" he said and as Eliot handed over two more bills he smiled and replied, "Yeah, I'll try that next time. Good suggestion."
"Now, about those Samoans?" Danny reminded him.
"Yeah, I think you probably find them at a bar in Aiea. There a place some of thems hang out sometime."
"Thanks man," Steve told him. "Sorry we can't stick around to finish, great shrimp though!" As he finished speaking they'd already slid off the benches at the picnic table and were headed back towards the car.
"I'll save these for you for later!" Kamekona called after them.
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They pulled up across the street from the bar Kamekona had directed them to a short while later. It was grungy looking and conveniently (for the Samoans) located in a bad looking neighborhood. There was a rather large, heavily muscled, Samoan covered in tribal tattoos sitting in a chair outside the door.
"Well, I guess we know we're in the right spot!" Danny observed sarcastically.
"Let's go say hello." Steve climbed out of the car. As the three of them approached the door, the Samoan stood arms crossed and glowered at them.
"Dis a private place. No howlies. You best be headed out a'fore your car disappears."
"Yeah, see, about that…" Steve said as he pulled out his badge. "Five-0. We wanna talk to your boss. So we gonna do this the easy way or the hard way?"
"Please say hard way." Eliot growled in anticipation.
"You cops? You gotta warrant?"
"You see, this is a public facility. You know how I can tell?" Danny asked him as he pointed, "That sign, right there. So, no. We don't need a warrant. But what we can do is arrest you for interfering in a police investigation. SO, why don't you move out of our way and we'll go see your boss."
The Samoan glowered, but stepped aside and allowed them to walk into the bar. Eliot didn't fail to notice that he followed them inside. The inside of the bar was considerably less shabby than would be expected given the drab appearance of the outside. It was also mostly empty, not really surprising considering the time of day. There was however a group of three men seated at the corner booth as well as several others scattered about the room.
Steve made a beeline for the booth the second he cleared the door. Eliot veered towards the bar and leaned casually against it taking in his surroundings. From this position he had a clear view of the place and would be in easy striking distance to either the group of muscle at the other end of the bar or the three in the corner booth. Danny trailed after Steve, stopping a pace or so behind him to keep a clear look out. This also stopped the big guy from out front from closing in any further without being totally obvious.
"D'eys Five-0." The door guard directed at the table. The whole bar which had stopped all activity at their entrance shifted slightly at this revelation. Their attention sharpened and the tension in the bar ratcheted up another notch.
"We're looking for some guns. Guns you sold to certain individuals who used those guns in a robbery and kidnapping this morning during which two people were killed." Steve addressed the group at the table.
"Don't know what your talkin' bout." The 'boss' said as he leaned back with his arms along the top of the booth. "Who you think you are? Bunch of howlies walkin' in my place, sticking noses where de don't belong. Coppers better mind theys own business; stay outta ours."
"You see, there's a girl missing. And that makes it our business. Those guns you sold, that makes it yours. So you better help me find who you sold them too or I'll make sure you go down kidnapping and murder." Steve threatened. The 'boss' tossed a look at the gang members gathered around and the bar exploded into action.
The door guy made a grab for Danny but luck was on his side, he evaded and came up swinging. Eliot met the rest of the gang as they dove in and Steve went for those at the table. As they moved in on Eliot, he decided to clear the playing field a little. He grabbed a bar stood and swung, knocking two guys back into the others causing a domino effect. Several managed to avoid the tangled pile of limbs and stool and came swinging. He caught a fist, wincing as it tugged at his still injured arm. He retaliated with a head butt and shoved the buy back on top of the pile that had just begun to disentangle itself. Meanwhile Steve had shoved the table back into the booth, pinning the three men sitting there and winding them slightly as the force of the table rammed into their stomachs. Just as Danny bounced back from taking a swing at the big guy, Eliot ducked another aimed his way and with a quick series of jabs had his opponent tossed onto the growing and squirming pile.
"Hey guys, a little help here! It's like hitting an anvil!" Danny called as he shook out his wrist and backed further away from the advancing behemoth. He angled his retreat towards the bar and Eliot moved forward to intercept the giant. As he moved towards the much larger opponent the man grinned, picked up a table, and tossed it in his direction. Eliot swore and dove to the side, managing to miss the majority of the mass headed his way but still getting clipped enough to end up knocked flat. Steve used the giant's distraction with swinging the table to ram into the man in a move that would have had a smaller man on the floor. This time it merely shoved him back a few steps off balance as he returned the shove and Steve fell back to bump into another table.
Danny decided to pull a trick out of Eliot's book and went for a bar stool. Eliot rose, cradling his still sore ribs that did not like getting a table tossed at them, and growled. He met Steve's eyes and a silent understanding passed between the two men. They charged the giant simultaneously, forcing him roughly up against the bar, and then moving aside quickly as Danny brought the stool swinging hard. The giant was stunned but still had some fight. He tried to rise but was met with a mean right hook from Steve and was finally finished when Eliot grabbed his head and helped it make an unpleasant acquaintance with the counter of the bar.
The three left standing quickly caught their breath and glanced around to clear the area of more attackers. None were forthcoming. The whole confrontation had taken only moments. Steve grinned smugly, having thoroughly enjoyed himself.
"Think you can book 'im Danno?" he asked his partner.
"Oh damn it! Steve…." And he looked in the direction his partner had indicated.
The Samoan boss was gone.
Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed! (sorry for the mild cliff hanger, I thought I should at least get something posted). This one didn't seem to flow as smoothly as the other ones. Hope it didn't come across so much in the reading. I will try to wrestle the next one together better. Until then- Aloha!