Disclaimer: I don't own anything that is a proper noun. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: So sorry this posting was delayed. I am finally getting back to it. Thanks for the favs and follows and a special thank you to Rijriz, grannyv3, Elise Deschat, stefrosacarnevale, Irene Claire, Sabine68, Tracey450, Empress Akitla, Phoebe Miller, rewob17, Kiwikaren, Long Live BRUCAS, Cubit2, and guest reviewer. You make me smile. :-)
He didn't know if it was regret or uncertainty that was bugging him. There were so many ways this could go wrong. He had started down this road, though, and he'd have to follow it through.
Steve was escorted by Lucky into the credit union. The threat they had made to keep him in line loomed within. Lucky had a direct link with one of the men back at the mansion. Danny's life would be the price paid if anything untoward happened. They had made sure Steve thoroughly understood that.
They had barely gotten a few steps in the building when Steve was met face to face with a former commanding officer.
"Steve? Steve McGarrett? Well how the hell you doing, son? It's been a long time." The older man shook Steve's hand as he slapped him on his upper arm.
"Captain, good to see you. Yes, sir, it has been a while. Captain Sutter, this is my… friend…"
"John," Lucky chimed in. "John Simmons. Nice to meet you." He, too, took the Captain's hand in a pleasant greeting.
Turning his attention back to Steve, the Captain continued, "I see you on the news now and again. Sounds like you're staying busy in the civilian world. Proud of ya."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." He wanted to tell him, give him a clue, a sign, but he couldn't. "Um, I'm in a little bit of a hurry." He sheepishly scratched his head and used his hand to point to the tellers.
"Oh, of course. Say, are you alright? You look a little pale."
"I'm fine."
"Guess you just need to get out in the sun a bit more. Hey, why don't you look me up sometime? We'll go have a drink."
"Yes, sir. That sounds good. I'll… I'll do that."
"Good, good. Well, take it easy. Good to meet you Mr. Simmons."
Lucky gave the man a smile as he watched him exit, then he turned back to Steve. "Good job, now let's go."
As they approached the vault doors where the safe deposit boxes were stored, a man was finishing at the teller's counter and turned to head back to his office.
"Excuse me, I'm needing to get into my box," Steve addressed the man. "Can you help me with that?"
Not too keen on being interrupted, he answered, "Here, let me see if I can get someone to help you. If you'll wait right here…"
Lucky gave Steve a nudge.
"Uh, look, we're short on time. We really don't have an extra minute," Steve strongly encouraged.
The man looked around and didn't see anyone free at the moment so he begrudgingly conceded. "Please, gentlemen, follow me."
They made their way to the table outside the vault door. "So, what's the number? And I'll need your ID."
Steve handed over his ID and pulled his keys from his pocket. He found the right one as he read off the number. "Thirteen twenty-two."
"Thirteen twenty-two," the man repeated as he wrote it on the ledger and signed his name. "Thirteen twenty-two. Oh, yeah, I thought that sounded familiar." He turned the form to Steve, pointing at the spot for him to sign. "Popular box. A little lady came in the other day for that same one." Steve felt a rush of lightheadedness with the broadcast of information. If he had looked pale before, he was sure he had the pallor of a ghost now.
Lucky spoke up. "Is that right?" he singsonged as he glanced to Steve. He then positioned himself beside Steve so he could see the ledger. As Steve signed, he tried to casually cover the names above his with his other hand, but Lucky boldly grabbed his arm and pulled it away. He followed the box number column up a few lines until he saw the same number, and then over to… Ellie Clayton.
The enlivened bank manager eagerly shared his experience. "Quite a looker, if you know what I mean. Well," he chuckled, "stupid me, I guess you know her… if you're sharing a box and all. No offense." The manager adjusted his ignoble facial expression and backtracked from his awkward statement. He glanced to Steve's left hand to check for a ring and was met with a modicum of relief at not seeing one.
Steve immediately moved the man to the top of the McGarrett make-his-life-difficult list. He'd revisit that later. They had gotten to the box and both keys were inserted. The manager didn't bother to ask about a room or privacy. Even though he wasn't positive, he felt what Lucky had concluded, they'd find nothing in the safe deposit box. Neither was wrong.
Steve now knew the box would be empty. He had been hoping that Ellie hadn't been there yet, that his perceived timing was wrong. And if not that, he was hoping to bide his time and figure a way out. He had not anticipated them finding out about the package being recently picked up and especially did not count on them getting Ellie's name. There was nothing for him to say at this point. He could have played dumb once again if the brainless manager had kept his busybody mouth shut, but now he was caught and there was nothing to say.
Lucky checked for himself to make sure and at finding nothing in the safe deposit box, made his apologies to the manager for wasting his time.
~~~~~H50~~~~~
Steve stumbled forward when he was pushed through the door of the now familiar basement room. He steadied himself by grabbing the back of the nearest chair. His attention immediately went to the place Danny had been lying when he left. A stain of blood was evident but blended nicely with the pattern in the carpet. He was not there, so he quickly took in the rest of the room. "Where's Detective Williams?" he demanded of Gino Leone who was sitting at the bar at the back of the room sipping a dark liquid on ice. He appeared to be awaiting his arrival.
"He's resting comfortably. Don't worry." Leone finished off the last of the drink in one gulp and set the glass down with a clink on the marble top before descending to the lower level of the room.
One of the henchmen wrapped Steve's arms behind his back and secured them once again.
"Tony? You got anything on this Ellie Clayton yet?"
"Still working on it, boss. Shouldn't be much longer."
Steve bristled at the casual mention of the tracking down of his friend. Leone saw and enjoyed his uneasy look.
"Guess you're wondering what's next for you and your buddy. Right?"
"I want to see him. He needs medical attention."
"He got it. Like I said, he's resting. No need to disturb him now. So, am I right? Are you interested in what's next?"
Steve didn't answer. His brow knitted as he stared the man down.
"Okay… well, I'll tell you. We're gonna wait. If this lead doesn't produce the goods, then you and I… and your partner… have some more discussing to do. If it does produce the package, as I expect it will since you're not too keen on what we found out, then… well, let's just say we'll part ways… permanently."
"Oh, we'll part ways, but it's not going to be the way you're thinking."
Leone raised one side of his face in an entertained smirk. "You're so predictable, Commander. I wouldn't expect anything less."
Leone's phone buzzed. "Lucky? Anything? … um, hm … I see. Where's she heading? … You got someone on the way to the airport? … If you don't make it in time, contact Oscar and get the boys to LaGuardia to intercept. … Okay, good then. Thanks, for handling this, Lucky." He put his phone in his pocket and returned his attention to Steve.
"So, as you may have gotten from that, we found Ms. Clayton. She's scheduled on a flight to my hometown. Interesting? Huh?"
"Look, let me give her a call. If she's got the box, I'll have her leave it at the will call desk for you. You'll have what you want. She can go ahead and make her flight. Then you can do whatever with me. Come on."
"With you? You didn't mention our other guest."
"You can let him go too. He's oblivious to what's going on. There's no way he's going to know who you are or how to find you. I'm the only one who knows. Do what you want with me, then you can get off the island."
"Hmm." Leone turned his back to Steve with his hands on his hips. After his swim, he had changed into a bit more compatible attire for the island. The seafoam linen jacket his arms were holding back, paired agreeably with straw colored slacks and loafers. Still a bit dressy, but he was getting closer. He thought a moment then turned back. "You may be right. That may work."
Steve hesitantly smiled, thinking he had possibly gotten through to the wiseguy.
"…but, that's not my style. If you knew me better, you'd know I didn't get where I'm at leaving loose ends behind."
Steve's heart sank. Had he actually believed this man was going to accommodate his request? Things looked bleak and he didn't know his next move.
"Look at the bright side, if this all works out, your sister and aunt won't be hearing from us. They'll be mourning you and your partner… along with Uncle Bru… eh, Leonard, but they'll be left alone to live their lives and won't know any different."
"I'll tell you what. If you do anything to harm Ellie, my sister, aunt or anyone I love, you're gonna live to regret it. Do you hear me?"
"Yeah, yeah, tough guy, I hear ya." Leone waved his arm in dismissal as he left Steve to fume.
~~~~~H50~~~~~
Not long after Leone had left, Tony and another of his unnamed men approached Steve. Tony grabbed his arm and commanded, "Let's go."
"Where're we going?"
"Boss said you can see your friend."
Steve felt a rejuvenation mixed with a little trepidation. Was he showing a benevolent side or was he just giving them a chance at saying goodbye? He was led to another room down the hall, still in the basement. Tony opened the door and released his hold on Steve, allowing him to go in.
The windowless room was large and was obviously made for storage. Fluorescent lights were already turned on and made the room bright and easy to see the contents. Metal shelving lined three of the walls and was fully stocked with nonperishable food items, cases of water and other drinks, paper products, office supplies, and cleaning products. There were stocks of diapers, toys, and other child friendly necessities and there was even pet food of all kinds, probably to accommodate guests' beloved animals if they accompanied their owners on their holiday to the islands.
An obvious adaptation to the room was the addition of a cot, stretched out in front of the back row of shelves. The temporary bed was not unlike the rest of the residence, very plush and comfortable looking with a thick mattress and high quality, sturdy frame.
Predictably, Danny occupied the cot and looked to be asleep, resting comfortably as Steve had been told. He was no longer wearing his shirt and there was a sheet covering him to his chest under his arms that were still bound by a cable tie. His injured arm had a gauze bandage wrapped around it and the gunshot wound below his shoulder had been bandaged and covered over with medical tape. There was also one butterfly bandage above his eyebrow. Bruising had set in over his face but Steve was thankful because he thought he looked to be pain free and peaceful.
"Danny?" he whispered.
"He's been given pain killers and sedatives. He won't wake up for a while," Tony informed.
The other man stepped around Steve and approached Danny. He pulled out his gun from under his jacket and pointed it at Danny's head.
Steve's eyes widened in fear. "Whoa, whoa, what 'cha doing? You didn't bring me here to watch you shoot him! Come on, man!" Steve begged. He then felt Tony grab his hands behind his back and he felt a jerk as his arms fell free. The man with the gun watched Steve carefully, daring him to make a move while Tony reaffixed Steve's arms in front of him. Once he was secure, the threatening stance was relaxed and the man put away the gun. Before leaving, Tony hooked his foot around the leg of a chair that was against the wall, dragging it closer to the cot. Steve and Danny were left alone.
~to be continued~
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