So at least this chapter did not take nearly as long to write. I do hope you enjoy as the plot hopefully thickens.

Danny was irritated by Steve's apparent good humor; somehow he knew it was at his expense.

"Steve, please." Danny ground out. "I am not in the mood. Just tell me what the hell is going on?"

Steve shifted his stance a bit so that Danny could see over his shoulder and into his partner's office. He saw the backs of two men. One was wearing a suit jacket and the other one a Hawaiian shirt. There was something about the stockier one that Danny recognized. He was busy racking his brain for an identification when the man turned around.

"Oh, Damn," Danny swore when he saw the florid, handsome face of Derrick Akeona. "Who's the suit with him?" Danny asked fearing that he already knew the answer.

"C'mon," Steve said. "I'll introduce you."

Taking a deep breath, Danny followed Steve into the office; he tried to ignore the looks from the rest of the team which ranged from simple curiosity to almost overt amusement. "This is not going to be a good day," Danny thought.

As soon as Danny walked into Steve's office, the man in the suit rose an extended his hand; Derrick remained sitting. "I'm Richard Allen," the suit said. "Of Ginsberg, Smith, Allen, and Mahelona." He paused a moment to let this sink in, then just to emphasize, "I'm than Allen."

Against his will, Danny reached out a hand and shook the lawyer's very soft one. "What can I do for you, Mr. Allen?"

"Well. Its actually what you can do for my client. It appears that there was…," he paused dramatically, "…a misunderstanding.

"Really?" Danny could not help sounding combative. This guy was already getting on his nerves and Derrick…he had momentarily forgotten about Derrick. This day was just getting better and better.

Allen continued unperturbed. "My client," he gestured at Derrick whose smug look made Danny hate him even more. "My client," he repeated, "was assaulted by Detective Williams. He was forcibly removed from his domicile. He was humiliated in front of his peers and was detained unlawfully for forty eight hours." Danny had opened his mouth, but he felt Steve's hand firmly on his shoulder. Something in the hardness of the grasp made Danny shut his mouth with a snap.

Steve stepped forward, his blue eyes blazing. If Danny was annoyed, Steve was down right belligerent. "Mr. Allen," he started, his voice ice cold. "Your client was drunk and trespassing. He battered his ex-wife. He threatened to do her further harm. And then he made the very poor choice of actually attacking a police officer. I would say that your client was lucky that he was taken into custody, permitted to sober up and was promptly released." Steve continued to glare at the attorney, daring him to contradict.

Derrick shifted. "How's Denise doing," he asked. "I heard that she had a little accident."

Allen threw a look a Derrick. "Mr. Akeona, I would suggest that you refrain from speaking at this time." Derrick glared, but subsided.

"Commander McGarret," Allen continued with exaggerated reasonableness. "I realize that you would like to cover for your officer, but the truth remains, that such charges, whether true or not," he permitted himself a knowing smirk, "would not reflect well on Five-O. At this point, your reputation is not exactly sterling and I am not certain that the governor would like to receive notification of further complaints."

Steve made a move toward the man his larger bulk actually causing the man to step backwards. His voice, however remained deathly calm. "I'm sorry Mr. Allen," Steve said with painful politeness, "are you threatening me and my team?"

Allen, having regained some of his equilibrium retorted, "I do not threaten. Ever. I was merely attempting to explain the current situation to you so that you may properly weigh the options that are open to you."

"Options?" Steve's voice was completely flat.

"My client was at his house…"

"Actually the house now belongs to his ex-wife," Danny interrupted. "I believe this was made final in the divorce settlement."

Allen continued as if he had not heard. "My client was at his house to claim certain property that his wife…,"

"Ex-wife," Danny corrected.

This time Allen condescended to agree, "…that his ex-wife has been keeping from him. All he wishes at this time is to collect those items. If you would see fit to assist him in this, I am sure we would be able to lay this entire misunderstanding to rest."

This time Danny got in ahead of Steve. "So you are not threatening Five-O. You are actually trying extortion instead. How does that work with your oath to uphold the law?"

"Do not presume to tell me my job," Allen sneered at Danny attempting to look down on the shorter man. Danny being used to such a ploy ignored him and did not give ground.

"We will not interfere in any divorce proceedings," he said firmly. "If Mr. Akeona needs to get something from Miss," he stressed the word staring into Akeona's eyes with his own eyes hard and cold as sapphires, "Evans' house, I know that there is a process to make that happen." He returned Allen's sneer with interest. "You're a lawyer. I'm sure you can figure it out."

"Now gentlemen," Steve's voice did not welcome any debate, "I believe we are finished. Detective Williams and I have a busy day."

Allen and Akeona both rose to leave. "I do think that you are making a huge mistake Commander," Allen said. "This could be so easily resolved if you would only be reasonable."

"I believe I have been reasonable," Steve responded. Nobody could miss the threat in his words and his voice. "If I had been any less reasonable, I would have your client up on charges and there would already be a call to the governor and the State Bar about your behavior here today. I think the best thing is for both of you to get the hell out of here and we can lay this entire misunderstanding to rest." The last words were ground out between clenched teeth as Steve threw the attorney's words back at him.

"Very well, Commander," Allen said lightly as if the entire discussion was a meaningless chat on a golf course. "Mr. Akeona, I believe we are finished here. If you are ready to go."

Derrick rose, albeit a bit unsteadily causing both Steve and Danny to wonder if he had been drinking again. However, instead of following his lawyer to the door, Akeona turned to Danny. He approached him in what would have been a threatening manner, if he was not weaving and seemed to have trouble keeping his balance. "You think she is so innocent," he growled. "So clean. Perfect. Did nothing wrong…ever. Ask her….," his eyes met Danny's challengingly. "Ask her about the inquiry into her breach of her vidu…," he stopped to focus, "…her fidacia…"

"Her fiduciary duty," Allen finished for him in some exasperation.

When Akeona saw the blank look on Danny's face, he smiled maliciously. "So she didn't tell you everything, did she? Ask her. Ask her about the inquiry into her failure to prevent the security breach last year. The one that cost the bank two million dollars. Ask her how she is still being investigated as a suspect in the embezzling of this money. Ask her about the disciplinary action currently planned for her." The look on his face was triumphant. The look that Danny desperately wanted to wipe off his face – with fists if necessary.

With one more self-satisfied look at Danny and Steve, Allen made a cursory little bow while not quiet clicking his heels together. "Have a good day, gentlemen," he said as he walked out.

Akeona followed him, but just before he exited the door of Steve's office, he turned once more and mouthed, "Ask her," before pivoting and walking away.

What do you think? What does Derrick know about Denise? What is she hiding? Has she been lying to Danny or is this a misunderstanding. What is Danny thinking and what is going to do? Stay tuned. I will do my best to update more regularly. As always, I love your reviews and humbly and gratefully welcome comments, thoughts and ideas.