Thank you for Irene Claire's continued support! Also thank you for all the reviews. I've tweaked chapters so I'm behind on replying to them again. But I love reading them all!.
We're getting closer. There are 4-5 chapters left to go and after this one things are going to heat up. Poor Steve.. It's his mother for goodness sakes.
Steve could see the Camaro was gone before he even pulled in the driveway. Groaning, he wondered what had transpired and hit Danny's cell number. Not receiving any answer, he carried the pizza and ice cream into the house.
Doris was watching a movie and with a smile jumped up. "Here, give me the ice cream and I'll get some paper plates."
"Where's Danny? How long ago did he leave and why?" Steve demanded.
"Oh, he left right after you did. He said he had something to do and he would see you tomorrow." Doris said coming back into the room.
Steve was angry and didn't care that it showed. "He wouldn't have just left like that. What did you say to him?"
"Now why would you think that I said anything to him?" Doris replied. "As a matter of fact, Steven, you know he doesn't like me so how do you know he didn't say something hateful to me?"
"Because I know Danny and he wouldn't do that. I don't like the condescending way you talk to him. And since we're on the subject of my friends, why do you think you need to butt into my life after being gone the majority of it?" Steve asked loudly. "I heard you even tried to talk to Catherine about our relationship and I don't appreciate it. Cath and I know what we're doing. I got along fine without you and I..."
"Steven, how dare you talk to me that way. I'm your mother!" Doris said putting her hands on her hips. "I told you I had to leave to protect the family."
"Protect nothing. Mary is a mess because the family broke up. I've spent more time in the Navy than I ever spent at home." Steve was wound up and couldn't stop himself. "Dad died. He was murdered because he was trying to find out who supposedly killed you."
"I know dear and I don't know how many times I can say I'm sorry." Doris said going to him and putting a hand on his arm.
Steve shrugged her off. "I want to know what you said to Danny. Now!"
"If you want to know so bad the horrible things he said to me, why don't you just ask him? But I'll tell you one thing, I hope I taught you enough manners that you would never insult his mother." Doris sat down and opened the pizza box. With a soft smile she patted the seat next to her and said, "Now come on and have some."
Steve stalked upstairs to his room feeling like he was fifteen again and slammed the door shut. He pulled out his phone and tried Danny's number again but it went to voice mail. "Damn it Danny, pick up the phone would you?"
Steve was torn. He wanted to rush out and find Danny since they didn't know who tried to poison him. On the other hand, he knew whatever happened Danny was probably furious and would want some space to calm down.
Thirty minutes later Steve received a text message from Danny. Leaving no room for discussion, its simple announcement stated he was home, going to bed and would see Steve in the morning.
But Danny didn't go to work the next day. He left Steve a voice message explaining that he was fine, just a little tired and was going to relax at home. The fact that Danny said he was alright didn't keep Steve from calling every few hours just to make sure though.
The first time his cell rang, Danny had just located a very interesting photograph in the file his friend sent. As the In The Navy ring tone began, he absently picked up the phone as he gazed at the photo. "Yes Steve? Yes, I'm fine. No, I do not want to discuss it now. I'm just sitting on the couch watching reruns." He said, leaning forward to look closer at the grainy picture. "What? There is no sound coming from the television because I turned it down to answer your call. Okay, I'll talk to you later."
The second time the phone vibrated, Danny was sitting in his neighbor's black Saturn one half block from the McGarrett home with binoculars.
"Yes Steve, what now? Is there a crisis going on?" He asked as he slumped down to avoid being seen. He watched as a black Mustang turned in Steve's driveway. Seconds later Doris appeared and got in.
"Yes, I'm fine. No, I still don't want to talk about it. I'm just laying here trying to take a nap. What birds? Oh, those birds? It's a show about wildlife. Faking a yawn he added, "Talk to you later."
The third time the phone vibrated, Danny was parked near the Royal Hawaiian Hotel watching Doris and her companion as they stood outside the car obviously waiting for someone.
"Steven, have you gotten any work done today at all?" Danny questioned impatiently.
"Yes, Daniel, I've gotten some work done. I just thought I'd call and see if you want to go grab a pizza later? Steve asked hoping the promise of food might be an incentive so they could go somewhere and talk.
Just then a black SUV pulled up and the same couple who was sitting next to him at The Seashell Grill got out and joined the other couple before they all walked inside.
Lifting the camera, Danny smiled as he said softly, "Gotcha."
"What? What was that?" Steve asked even though he clearly heard the word. At that moment a horn from one of the Waikiki sightseeing tours could be heard in the distance. "Danny…where are you and what are you doing?" he demanded.
"Pizza? I'd like to, but can't tonight." Danny said quickly. "I just, ah, picked up Chinese takeout. Okay, gotta go before it gets cold. See you tomorrow."
Steve fumed as the call disconnected. What was Danny up to?
Danny arrived early to work the next morning. Steve had left word that he had a meeting with Governor Denning at eight and would be in afterwards. When Chin and Kono came in they cornered him and demanded either Danny tell Steve that day or they would. Knowing it had to be done even though he knew it would crush Steve, now that he had discovered something, he promised them that he would tell his partner after work. Then he opened a file on his computer and told them what he'd found out.
The first was the photograph he'd taken outside the Royal Hawaiian of a couple getting out of a black SUV. A second picture showed them, along with Doris and her companion going into the restaurant together.
"Ross and Annie River. They were employed by the C.I.A. the same time Doris was."
Then he clicked on an older black and white photograph. Danny pointed to a group of people seated at a table "Here they are at some sort of party and there is Doris next to them."
"Where'd you find that picture?" Kono asked as she leaned down to get a closer look.
"Steve's not the only one with contacts." Danny joked. "A close buddy who works there sent me several files hoping it might help. I remembered seeing this couple after I spotted them meeting Doris yesterday. Even though they're younger in the black and white picture, I can tell it's them. And that's the same SUV that has been following me. It's got three matching tires but the fourth is different."
"Nice work, brah. I'll see what else I can find out about them." Chin offered before the two cousins left the office.
A short time later, Steve appeared in front of Danny's desk with a large coffee and a bag bearing the name of his favorite bakery.
"Steve, what's this? A peace-offering?" Danny sighed as he closed the file in front of him. "Man, would you stop already with the kicked puppy look and the guilt treats? Danny had noticed another bag from Leonard's Bakery in the trash when he'd emptied coffee grounds in it that morning. I'm fine. You're fine. We're both fine. No problems."
"I know...I just feel bad that something happened while I was gone to cause you to take off, especially since I was supposed to be watching you after what happened earlier." Steve said. When Danny reached in the bag and pulled a malasada out without comment, he tried again. "Danny, would you please tell me what she said to you?"
"I told you it's not important. It was nothing. I just decided I felt like I wanted to sleep at my place." Danny knew what he was going to tell Steve later would be painful and he had no desire to hurt the man more than he had to. "Tell you what, buddy. How about if we go after work and have that pizza tonight?" Steve agreed with a smile and left to go to his office.
Later in the morning, Steve noticed that Chin seemed to be going to Danny's office more than usual. Observing the two from his office, they seemed to be studying something on Danny's laptop. Steve glanced down quickly when Danny sensed they were being watched.
Steve had enough. Danny couldn't tell him what was going on but he could confide in Chin? Just then Kono had the misfortune to step into his office with a file.
"Here you go, Steve. The newest police interviews are on the top." Kono turned to leave and stopped when Steve called her name softy.
"Kono, what's going on?" Steve asked. "And don't give me that innocent look. I know you and Chin talk to each other and he's been talking to Danny quite a bit this morning. I'm worried about him. Something is up. Does he know who's after him? What happens if when we're out on a case, this secret he's hiding suddenly appears. I need to know what he's involved in."
Kono looked towards Danny's office. "Steve, I agree you should know but Danny told Chin and I that he's going to talk to you after work today." Finally she slowly nodded her head and was getting ready to spill the beans about the envelopes when she noticed her two co-workers walking towards Steve's office.
Suddenly as if they felt telepathic vibes, both Danny and Chin looked up spotting Kono on the hot seat. As they each stood and made their way into the center of the office, Kono jumped to her feet. "Saved by the Calvary." She sighed.
Danny knocked once then opened the door. "We're not interrupting anything, are we?" Leaning against the door frame, he looked at Steve steadily.
"Matter of fact, Kono was just getting ready to tell me what's been going on since you won't." Steve said as he stood up and crossed his arms over his chest.
"About what?" Danny asked innocently.
"Danny, we all know you're hiding something, except several of the members of the team now seem to know what it is. I'm your partner. For safety reasons, if we're out and somebody decides to pay you a visit, I'd like to know what we'll be up against." Steve said staring pointedly at his friend.
"Cool it with the Navy death stare. It doesn't affect me now and never did." Danny slumped down a little. "Alright. I was going to talk to you after work, but how about we go grab some lunch and I'll explain."
Steve nodded and they all moved out into the other room. Chin whispered a quiet "Good Luck" as Danny passed. Once out of the building, Steve grabbed the keys out of Danny's hands as they neared the Camaro.
Pointing the vehicle towards a café close to headquarters, they were several minutes away when Steve's cell rang.
"McGarrett."
"Listen close," said a male's voice he didn't recognize. "A possible arms dealer is scheduled to meet buyers at one of the warehouses on Sand Island in fifteen minutes."
"Who is this? Where do you get this information?" Steve asked frowning.
"Never mind. I owe you a debt and this is payback. Look for the yellow Ferrari." With that the phone disconnected.
Steve whipped the Camaro around and sped the other way. As he explained what was happening, Danny groaned.
"Not warehouses again. Can't they think of anywhere else to do these things? Who do you think it was?" Danny questioned.
"I'm not sure. The voice sounded familiar but with all the people we talk to..." Steve trailed off as he phoned Chin to tell him where they were going.
Once on Sand Island, he drove quietly towards the back of the warehouses along the pier. "Danny, look up there." Steve said as he spotted the Ferrari ahead of them. Stopping the car, he turned off the ignition and got out. Danny opened his door and had one foot on the ground when suddenly the passenger window shattered and he jerked back.