Chapter 8- finding the truth
Steve had slept badly his mind going over and over Drakes story.
Finally he'd dragged himself out of bed and went to the hospital to find Doc.
The coroner looked almost as tired as he did leaning heavily on his desk.
"Morning Doc, Steve greeted, I've come to talk more about Morrissey, namely his medical condition." Doc frowned , "what do you want to know Steve", he asked.
"Well how his cancer would affect his thinking, whether he'd be rational , that sort of thing", Steve stated. "Well the cancer was significant Steve and he would have definitely been in pain", if I knew more about what specifically you want to know", Doc queried. Steve filled him in on the case, "So you think Morrissey actually did cause Danny to fall", but can't actually prove anything", Doc shook his head.
"I guess I want to know Morrissey's state of mind whether he'd be actually mentally capable of planning something like that", Steve asked.
Doc appeared to be thinking. "if we look at the areas of his brain affected Steve then it is possible Morrissey had some personality changes." Perhaps though his own doctor would be a better person to talk to", Doc suggested. "Do you know who that was Doc", Steve asked. Doc looked up the records, "he appears to have changed doctors several times in the last couple of months Steve, the latest one was a doctor Lester".
I'll give you the details of the other doctors also, they may be of help." Steve thanked doc and while he was waiting for the information went to see Danny.
His second really didn't look like he was getting any better, in fact he actually looked worse. Steve sat beside him noticing Danny was barely even looking at him.
"Did he confess then", Danny growled his face twisting into an almost scary visage.
"Did who confess Danno", Steve asked curiously. "Drake", Danny muttered.
Steve's eyes widened in surprise, "and how exactly do you know it was Drake", he challenged. Danny actually blushed, "I umm I…" he came to a halt. "You what Danno", Steve pressed. "I figured whoever was innocent was at home so I rang them both up, Edwards answered, Drake didn't", Danny explained. "So what exactly were you planning to do with this knowledge Danno", Steve asked seriously. "I wanted to get him and punch him hard", Danny admitted," unfortunately when I tried to walk out of here I fell over and ended up being carried back to bed."
Steve could certainly understand Danny's feeling as all of the others at 5-0 had felt more or less the same. "Well I admire your brilliant detective work Danno", Steve responded lightly, 'unfortunately if you had hit him you might have been striking an innocent man". Danny's wide eyed look in response actually made Steve smile.
Steve told Danny about the interview.
Danny sat there trying to digest it all, "so what next", he finally asked.
"I am going to talk to the doctors Morrissey has been to ,see if they can tell us something", Steve responded. Danny nodded feeling his sprits lift over Drakes innocence. Second later though he felt depressed again as he thought about Drake possibly being imprisoned for something he hadn't done. "I really wish I could remember more", Danny told Steve. Steve smiled at Danny, "Danno don't worry about it ,"Steve assured, 'you just concentrate on getting better." Danny looked grave, "They'll want me to testify", he stated sadly. Steve nodded slowly, "yes but if we can find other evidence then we can prove Drake innocent and your testimony won't be damaging toward him." Doc partially opened the door and stood in its entrance, Steve I have that information", he stated. "Right thanks Doc", Steve reached forward and in an act of pure affection ruffled Danny's curls. "Don't worry Danno I'm going to work it all out", Steve stated. Danny looked at him and nodded feeling strangely comforted by his words.
Steve decided to talk to Morrissey's original doctor first. Doctor Reid had been Morrissey's doctor for almost twenty years. The doctor welcomed Steve into the office and Steve sat in one of his hard chairs. "Dr Reid, I was wanting to know about Mr Morrissey's cancer and what effects it might have had on his thinking", Steve explained. "Jackson had been suffering headaches for a few weeks and finally came in for a checkup. He was never really keen on doctors and even though he'd been my patient for years I'd only ever treated him a handful of times, usually when he was really sick. Once he told me that he'd have to be dying before he consulted me again."
Doctor Reid shook his head, "unfortunately that came true".
"So there was nothing you could do for him", Steve asked. "Actually there was Mr Mc Garrett, we could have operated and removed the tumour but because of the position in the brain it would have left him paralyzed down one side and even then there was a high chance the cancer would return." He seemed to think I was lying about that and basically told me money was no object. If I could bring him back to 'normal I could name my price." I told him of course that I couldn't". He ranted and raved at me and then began to make threats. Finally I told him he could seek other medical advice and that's what he did", Dr Reid concluded
"What sort of threats did he make", Steve asked. "The usual, have me struck off, that type of thing, he was angry but bearing in mind who he was I did have to think that he might actually do something", the doc told Steve seriously. "What about the mental effects doc", Steve asked. "When I saw him Mc Garrett he was in the early stages of cancer but naturally I warned him that his condition would deteriorate if he didn't have the operation. He would probably suffer blackouts memory loss and maybe other things as well. He still ignored me though", the doc stated ruefully.
Steve thanked him and left to see the next doctor. He told Steve much the same thing as the first. Only adding that Morrissey's condition was already worsening when he left his treatment as he was suffering mood swings, being angry one minute and fine the next. That left the last doctor and it was here Steve began to see an uglier picture of Morrissey.
"Yes Mr Mc Garrett, it was affecting his mental state". At times he suffered almost paranoia believing everyone was out to get him. He'd get angry but he could also be what I'd describe as quite and calculating. " Steve thought this was definitely sounding promising. " I basically told him there was nothing I could do for him and to start winding up his affairs. Perhaps he could even see this as an opportunity to do things he'd never have thought of before." I thought for a minute he was going to yell at me but then he goes all quiet and says "yes maybe there are things I need to settle".
That was the last I heard from him.", the doc explained. "So he was in your opinion quite capable of say planning a campaign of revenge against people who he saw as his enemies.", Steve asked. "In his paranoia state he probably couldn't help but think of everyone as his enemies.", the doc replied . "Do you think he was capable of organizing his own death doctor. " Steve wanted to know. "He was in pain Mc Garrett despite the medication and by rights he should have been in a hospital. But Mr Morrissey was not a man who you could boss around." I think perhaps in his lucid moments that yes he wanted to die to escape the pain.", The doctor told Steve.
"Well thanks Doc, Steve stated , "you've helped a lot."
The doctor looked seriously at Steve "is this related to his death Mr Mc Garrett."
"Yes Steve affirmed, "we believe he might of wanted to cause a lot of problems for the police department." "The Doctor sighed looking down, "you are right Mr Mc Garrett he often spoke about getting even with the police and you in particular" Steve's face darkened, "and you never thought he might just carry out his threats", Steve demanded. "he ranted about everyone McGarrett, the doc replied, "the men he worked for, police and even me. But in my opinion if he did something he would have had help" Steve looked quizzically at the doc, "why'd you say that ", he asked.
"Because at times he was quite lucid and other times he wasn't. When he wasn't he could hardly even keep track of what he was doing. If you are thinking of him as masterminding some deed, then yes he had the attitude but sometimes not the thought."
Steve nodded thinking seriously about the doctors words. In a way it was a break for them that Morrissey possibly had a partner because that person could then be used as a witness for the defense in any trial against Drake.
He thought again about the docs comments, Morrissey believed most people were out to get him and the doctor has specifically mentioned his men. Morrissey had also taken care of them by making sure they were present at the raid. So who did that leave. Steve's eyes widened as he reached the logical conclusion. Morrissey had gone to his legal advisor Kyle Simmons for help. Perhaps the legal advisor had known what Morrissey was going to do and helped him either willingly or through threats to carry out his plan. Hitting his accelerator Steve headed for Simmons's office.
Kyle looked relaxed and comfortable inviting Steve inside then offering him a coffee.
"I just wanted to know about Morrissey's mood on his final day, Simmons", Steve requested. "Well Mc Garrett he was simply terrified and out of breath when he handed me that letter. I did invite him inside but he said no people we after him and he had to keep moving. He begged me to give the letter to the Governor if anything happened to him." Did you know what was in the letter Mr Simmons.", Steve asked keeping his gaze on Kyles face. "No Mr Mc Garrett I didn't", came back the smooth reply. Steve tried not to sigh loudly, "did you know Morrissey was dying Simmons", Steve challenged. "Dying Morrissey, not likely, that man was made of iron.", Kyle retorted. . You did see him regularly. Hadn't you noticed any changes in his personality.", Steve kept watching Simmons. If this man knew something he was certainly good. But if he had helped Morrissey he was not likely to admit to it as he would then also face charges. "Morrissey never had a wonderful personality Mc Garrett but no I hadn't noticed anything different about the way he behaved."
, Simmons recalled. Steve thanked him and left. It was obviously not going to be easy to break Simmons. There was also no proof that he had been involved at all in Morrissey's plan. Feeling frustrated with his progress Steve began the drive back to 5-0 headquarters.
Later on Danny listened as Steve told him about the progress on the case. "Will the doctor's testimony be able to swing the case in Drakes favour", Danny asked Steve seriously. Steve looked grim, "Drake still has to over come the evidence of the shoes and his attitude toward Morrissey, they are both damning things. I don't think the doctors' testimony will help Drake all that much Danno", Steve replied sadly.
"Simmons is not likely to even confess to helping Morrissey under duress because the court would then ask why he didn't inform us straight away about Morrissey's intent", Danny remarked. "He could hardly use fear as an excuse either because Morrissey always was a scary guy."
Danny yawned. Steve smiled at him in what he hoped was a reassuring way. "We will try and get more evidence to help support Drakes story Danno", he told his second.
Then he raised himself off the bed and left the hospital room.
Danny sat in bed thinking. A crazy plan was beginning to form in his head. There was absolutely no way Steve would ever approve of what he was about to do.
Sliding himself out of bed Danny awkwardly made his way to the phone. He dialed Simmons number and when he answered Danny began to speak, "this is Williams Simmons, you know Morrissey hit me pretty hard and I've had trouble remembering everything that happened. But I seem to recall some words as I fell, 'something like Simmons sends his regards". Now that is an awfully odd thing for Morrissey to say. But don't worry I'll let Steve know in the morning then he can nail your hide to the wall." Danny slammed down the phone and returned to his bed.
If Simmons was guilty and worried then he was going to come to the hospital and try to get rid of the 'witness' that could tie him to Morrissey. Danny hoped he could handle the guy. Steve hadn't felt it necessary to place guards on his door. So he was dealing with this all alone.
He made himself comfortable and tried to stay awake. But as the night wore on his eyes started to droop until he finally fell asleep.
Not to far from where he slept Kyle Simmons was studying the hospital. Curled up with a nurse he was quietly asking her for information.
Within minutes he knew there were no police in the hospital. He believed Danny's call because he did not like the young 5-0 officer. They had crossed swords many times with Williams treating him like a criminal. Morrissey had wanted Mc Garrett to pay for his treatment of him over the years. But it was Kyle who had wanted something special for Williams. He knew that in any 5-0/HPD combined raid Mc Garrett would take the front line action with Williams at his side. The younger Williams was the more likely to be a candidate for chasing an escapee. So he'd suggested Morrissey delayed his flight just long enough to get seen by Williams.
Williams would then give chase and Morrissey in the grips of his paranoia about being hunted by 5-0 would act aggressively. Of course that was exactly what had happened. But who would believe Williams would survive falling several floors off a fire escape. But never mind Kyle now had the opportunity to finish him off.
The cocky little Williams probably thought he'd get Kyle but Kyle would turn the tables and make sure Williams paid with his life. He would have to make it look like an accident. But all it would take was a bit of artistic flair. With that in mind Kyle Simmons began to plan.
