Chapter 9: Ala Moana Boulevard. Oahu, Hawaii.

Danny and Steve sat silently in the car as Steve headed down the familiar stretch of road that led them back toward HQ. Lokua had turned out to be a victim, and of very little help, but Steve had not yet told Danny what he and Chin had learned from Kat. The silence had lasted for half of the drive when Steve finally spoke.

"I know what you are going to say Danny, so just leave it alone."

"What…what was I going to say Stephen?" Danny asked sarcastically.

"You're going to tell me that this is just another dead end in my pursuit of answers for my father's death. Then I'm going to go on the defensive and you're going to pout the rest of the day." McGarrett stated.

"For the record, you started this fight. I was content to just sit here in silence; it was pleasant, I was enjoying it. Why can we never have a nice, quiet drive to think? Second, I was not going to say that at all. I was, maybe, mulling over the possible connections for you; making my own connections to our ongoing investigation into your father's last case. I may have remarked at some point along the way that if this does involve the Tekiya then you may find some answers, but not to get your hopes up. It's going to take more than tying up a few loose ends to take down the Yakuza in Hawaii. Thirdly, and probably most importantly, I do not pout!" Danny stated his volume and his tone rising with every sentence. "I think you should turn this car around and head back to the ring where Kat can maybe knock some sense into that thick scull of yours!"

"You haven't noticed Danny, but we still have nothing to go on!" Steve stated angrily.

"You and Chin got names, files, and general connections, and I'm assuming more than you are willing to tell me at this time. We were given the name of this Olani girl. How is that nothing?" Danny asked. "All we can ask for, for now, are leads and that's what we got. Not to mention we are not looking to take down the Tekiya, we want to solve these murders and prevent more from occurring. So we are technically doing our jobs as set forth by the governor of Hawaii and the code of conduct and ethics of the HPD. I'm a detective, if you haven't figured that out yet, and as such I put pieces together. It's the job and I've been doing it long enough to know that we're on the right track."

"What if were missing something?" Steve asked. "What if this case leads us right back to Chin and his case? Then what do we do?"

"Then we clear our friend of all wrong doings, take down the key players in this drug ring, clean up the streets of Hawaii while were at it, and then move on!" Danny stated, emphasizing his point with angry hand gestures.

"There, you've done it. You think I'm too attached to this case; that I make it personal, that I just can't move on." Steve yelled.

"Did I say that?" Danny asked angrily. "I did not, Stephen; in fact, I would hope you take this personally for Chin's sake and that of those women who are DEAD now. Chin is our friend and partner. We trust him and believe that he is innocent. Lakele and Kina are dead. They were sisters, wives and children to people who, I would assume, are taking their passing very personally. For their sakes, and the sake of the people who are still alive and with us, I would hope you make this case very personal."

"So what is this, Danny, a murder investigation or a stab in the dark at a mob related drug ring?" Steve asked sarcastically.

"As of right now it would seem like both, but I'll point out which is which when I see the light at the end of the tunnel." Danny stated throwing his hands in the air.

"Fine…" Steve said and fell silent once more.

The rest of the drive was spent in an awkward silence, as both men cooled down and organized their thoughts.

Chin, who had been following behind Steve and Danny on his motorcycle, had witnessed the altercation that passed between his partners and he knew what they had been talking about. This case was all over the place; leading them to things and people that could turn out to be very dangerous. He had seen these signs before, the first time he had investigated these suspects. Chin was still keeping his own information to himself. He knew Olani and her girls, and knew just how involved with the Tekiya they were. He sighed to himself knowing that he would have to give, the whole team, all of the particular regarding his case or, he believed, the other girls would be next to die. Chin returned his thoughts to the road as he realized the fight in the car in front of him had come to an end. He was glad to have been alone on his drive back to HQ. His mind was full of his own thoughts.