Chapter 10 – No regrets

Steve had to flash his badge and put on his best flinty glare to get admitted to the hospital. Once inside he made his way quickly to Danny's room only to find him gone. He marched to the desk, 'where's Danny Williams", he demanded. The nurse glared at his tone ." He's in his room sir, she stated firmly. "No he's not, Steve yelled.

The nurse frowned, "well he should be in his room", she stated ,"he hasn't got any tests listed.' The nurse looked into Danny's room just to reassure herself that he wasn't there. "I'm sure he's somewhere sir", she told the angry Steve. Steve glared at her until she lowered her eyes. "I suppose if he couldn't sleep he might have gone to the garden", the nurse mused. "Which way", Steve demanded. The nurse pointed and Steve not really knowing why found himself racing down the corridor. "Sorry", he collided with a staff member coming from the garden. The man looked up and him and Steve's heart jumped, it was Kyle Simmons.

Kyle had stood on the garden room for a few moments enjoying his triumph. He had heard the crash as the wheelchair hit bottom and felt satisfied that he not longer had to worry. Mc Garrett might suspect his involvement but he had no solid proof of anything. Kyle figured he'd make a good head of Morrissey's organization when the time came. Feeling totally relaxed Kyle sauntered out of the garden only to collide with his worst nightmare.

"Mr Simmons I didn't know you moonlighted as an orderly", Steve took the man in a firm grasp. "I umm I", Kyle felt himself go pale. "Just what are you doing Mr Simmons", Steve glared. "Nothing", Simmons explained weakly. He was interrupted though by a nurse and doctor running down the corridor, "there's a wheelchair smashed on the ground outside. It looks like it fell from the garden roof," a nurse explained. Steve began to feel sick, "Danno", he yelled and ran out onto the roof letting Simmons go. "Someone hold him", he shouted as he ran.

Entering the roof top garden Steve slowed at the gap where the railing was nonexistent. He didn't really want to look down but steeled himself.

Below was the mangled wreck of a wheelchair but no body. "Steve", the words were faint but held an air of quiet desperation. Steve looked directly down at what he had missed before, a small area where roofing jutted out. There lay Danny holding on desperately with what strength he had left .Steve quickly yelled for help and soon doctors and nurses we present ready to rescue Danny.

Kyle Simmons made the most of the distraction to escape. It looked like Williams had got lucky again and would probably hang him out to dry. So he ran.

Steve saw Kyle disappear and quickly went after him. The legal advisor was running fast and quickly disappeared through a fire escape door. Steve sped after him in pursuit. Kyle found himself puffing Mc Garrett seemed mightily determined to catch him. He ran faster pounding down the stairs. But suddenly his legs seemed to slip from under him and he fell. Steve sprung jumping onto Kyle. "Why'd you try to kill my officer Simmons ,"Steve growled. Simmons wrestled with Steve awhile but the 5-0 boss held tight. "It was such a good plan", Simmons finally moaned. "Morrissey was already thinking the worst of everyone. So all I had to do was prod him a little. I called him and told him about the mole in his organization."

Naturally I disguised my voice so he couldn't tell it was me." "Was it Morrissey's idea to make Detective Williams fall", Steve tightened his hold on Simmons.

Kyle just smiled no longer caring what he said, "Sure it was my plan, Williams always was a cocky little brat Mc Garrett". If he fell off the stairwell and it looked like another cop was responsible then 5-0 and HPD would tear each others throats out and the crooks could all celebrate."

But I'd honestly like to see you prove it Mc Garrett", Kyle grinned wider and in a move born of desperation launched himself up and out of Steve's grasp. Then he ran again but not down the stair. He aimed himself for the railing, 'if that brat of yours can do it", he stated as he jumped.

Steve stood frozen in a type of horror and heard a sickening noise as Kyle Simmons hit bottom. He moved and looked over the railing grimacing at what he was. There was no doubt in his mind that the large blood stain indicated Simmons was dead.

He went down the stairs just to make sure. Minutes later he returned feeling vaguely sick. Unlike Danny Kyle Simmons had broken just about every bone in his body.

Steve hurried back up the stairs out into the corridor and towards his second's room.

Doc was present prodding Danny. "Well your young friend here managed to bang himself up some more but nothing too serious", Doc concluded. Steve smiled in thanks glad that Danny's luck seemed to be holding. Doc departed telling Dan he'd bring him some pain relief.

Danny watched Steve begin to pace restlessly then stop right by his head. "Kyle Simmons is dead Danno", he said. "Can you tell me what he was doing here", Steve asked. "He came to kill me Steve", Danny replied, his eyes though didn't remain fixed on Steve they wandered about. Steve noticed, it seemed like Dan was a little nervous about something. "Why'd he come to kill you Danno", Steve demanded

Danny felt himself colour and remained silent. "I asked you a question detective", Steve snapped. Danny coloured more at the tone." "I called him", Danny admitted softly, "and told him that I remembered Morrissey saying Simmons send his regards as he stamped on my fingers".

Steve glared shaking his head," and did you hear that Danno. Danny didn't dare speak he just shook his head slowly.

"Danno, I hope you realize how stupid and dangerous that was",Steve chastised. Danny looked ashamed. "All I could think of that maybe he'd get away and Drake would be found guilty", I'm sorry", Danny began to look tearful. Steve patted his shoulder, "well I suppose you were right Danno, he goaded Morrissey into this whole plan. But now he's dead we need physical evidence to prove that. He was conveniently wearing surgical gloves when he was pushing that wheelchair so there won't be prints. But I'll still get Che to go over things."

Steve sat on the bed suddenly remembered why he'd come here in the first place. "Danno I was going to ask you about the door noise can you describe it for me again. "Steve asked. Danny closed his eyes, "whosh", he replied, "the sound the door makes when it opens then a soft thud as it shut". "So you heard that twice", Steve asked. Danny just looked puzzled. "If Morrissey went out the door saw Drake asleep then came back in, the door would have opened and closed twice", Steve explained.

Danny frowned at him, obviously thinking. "I swear I only heard it open and shut once", he stated. "What does that mean", Danny asked.

Steve began to pace, "alright so Simmons cooks up this plan to get rid of Morrissey before he has an act of conscience and leaves all his money to an illegitimate offspring." Danny raised his eyebrows but didn't interrupt. "So how does Simmons know his plan is going to work" Steve asked. "If he intends Morrissey to run and get killed how can he insure this is going to happen."

Danny thought, "they'd be no way of absolutely certainty , he responded," I mean you'd have to be there if you wanted…Danny wound down as Steve stared at him.

"That's it Danno, I think Simmons was there."

"But why take the risk Steve", Danny shook his head, "if he got caught how could he explain himself.' "Maybe he had a cover story Danno", Steve was thinking hard.

"Simmons admitted to being the anonymous caller so he must have had some information about when Morrissey was collecting those drugs. Perhaps we can tie him to that runner Jake. So it follows he knew there'd be a raid and he primed Morrissey to run. But don't forget about the fact he ran up the stairs first. Simmons must have told him to do that. So now Morrissey in grips of his paranoia knows it's a trap. He hears you coming after him and fights you. Now you fall over the railing. So Morrissey runs down the stairs goes out the door, sees Drake asleep then returns to stomp on your fingers", Steve ran down his thoughts. Danny frowned, "you know that doesn't sound quite right Steve, if he was angry when he was fighting me it follows that he'd probably stamp on my fingers straight away not run down and out the door then return." "Exactly Danno", Steve stated. "I never thought much about that gap of time before, when we suspected Drake it kind of fitted but it doesn't really fit in with Morrissey. Yes he knew Drake was asleep but he could wake at any time why go back and stomp on your fingers."

Steve paced back and forth, "you know when we start thinking about noises we should also consider what Drake heard. He said a crash woke him up. But what was that crash." He also saw someone running in the distance but that person was not close enough to identify as Morrissey, Drake just assumed it could only be him.'

Danny was beginning to understand where Steve's thoughts are going, "are you thinking it wasn't Morrissey after all", he asked. Steve nodded, "what if Morrissey despite everything couldn't actually cause you to fall Danno. If Simmons was present and watching over things he could have easily done the deed himself. He told me he didn't like you and you've certainly butted heads a few times over the years".

"But Kyle Simmons never has been a killer", Danny protested. "I think maybe he rationalized his act Danno , even convinced himself it was Morrissey who did it and not him", Steve responded. "I think you only heard the door open once because Kyle sneaked in quietly, he must have known Drake was asleep and didn't even want the slightest sound." He stole Drakes shoes to keep to the plan of getting rid of Morrissey and causing embarrassment for us, then he came and took care of you and silently crept back. I think he deliberately knocked something over in his flight so Drake would awaken and see him running away. The assumption would be that it was Morrissey ."

Danny thought hard, "but Steve if that's true why'd Simmons come and try and kill me all he had to do was keep quiet."

"The answer to that one Danno is that he thought you were and I quote a cocky little brat. He knew you were lying about what Morrissey had said. But he might have feared that I would believe you. I think you proved by your words that you were indeed a cocky little brat and he better get rid of you." Of course he did try and make it look like an accident but timing was against him when I turned up."

"I think he honestly thought in his last moment that he could jump off that stairwell and survive just like you did ,"Steve stated grimly.

Danny was quiet for awhile, "well if your theory is correct maybe there is a way to place Simmons in that stairwell. If we can find any tangible evidence he was there then we can still get Drake off the hook", Danny remarked.

"Indeed, I'll inform Che to look for any evidence", Steve concluded.

Danny sighed, "both their careers are over, aren't they?, he remarked referring to Drake and Edwards. Steve thought there was really no point in being anything less than honest, "Sorry Danno but I believe neither of them will work as police officers again. Edwards shot an unarmed man and Drake fabricated evidence that interfered in an investigation." I don't think HPD would let either offense slide.'

Danny nodded, "We'll need to have a little chat about your own rashness toward Simmons", Steve stated, "but that can wait until your cleared to be released".

Danny nodded, not really looking forward to that conversation. "Didn't I do that same thing Drake did, Danny stated soberly," fabricate something that didn't happen."

"Danno the difference is you weren't trying to get yourself of the hook for doing something inappropriate. Still impulsive acts like that aren't something a experienced detective should consider", Steve's eyes seemed to darken taking on a steel like hue.

Danny went a little pale and Steve had to stop giving the full lecture. He reminded himself that Danny was only young. Maybe he had to look at himself to be a better guide for Danny to help him work out other ways of dealing with problems than playing bait. "Later Danno", Steve said deliberately lightening his tone.

Doc came in then with a syringe, "I'm going to give him some medication Steve and he probably won't make much sense after I do." That was docs subtle way of telling Steve to go.

"Can you get Che to do a number on Simmons for me Doc, see if he can find anything tying him to that warehouse," Steve asked as he left.

Steve returned to 5-0 HQ and told Chin and Kono of the developments.

Kono nodded, "if it helps any I went over the phone list and Simmons was one of the people who'd called Morrissey prior to the raid."

Steve sighed, "all that proves Kono is that he called him, not that he goaded him into that plan."

Steve got out some papers from his desk and spent the rest of the morning going through them.

He was just contemplating having lunch when a knock sounded on his door and Che entered. Steve's spirits lifted as he saw their forensic expert was smiling.

"I went and looked at Simmons body", Che stated. "In particular I examined his feet. There were still traces of red marks on both sides of his feet. These seemed to me like the start of blisters, like you get from wearing new shoes or perhaps shoes that are too tight for you. So I examined Drakes shoes again. They were especially made for his feet, which are long and narrow. Simmons would have had to squeeze in his own feet and it would have been a tight painful fit, enough for even a short exposure to create the beginning of blisters." I took a skin sample from Simmons and then analyzed the insides of Drakes shoes", Che grinned. "The shoes had particles from Simmons skin inside them".

Steve smiled, there it was proof that Kyle Simmons had been wearing Oliver Drakes shoes. Che was still grinning and Steve looked expectantly at him, "there's more', he asked. "Indeed Steve, Che stated. Simmons obviously didn't have many pairs of socks or perhaps he just didn't wash his socks because the ones he was wearing bore traces of material from that warehouse. Perhaps he walked in his socks to the fire escape then put on Drake's shoes." "That doesn't mean he was there on that day though Che' " Steve grumped. The grin just got wider, "well normally it wouldn't but I also found traces of Danny's blood on his socks. When he stamped on his fingers blood must have hit his socks. Lucky for us the man wasn't into compulsive cleanliness", Che concluded.

Steve felt a sense of release , they had foiled Simmons ultimate plan of creating friction between 5-0 and HPD by finding evidence to clear Drake. But they'd still paid a price by losing two police officers. Steve sighed loudly then thought of Danno.

He had a lot to be thankful for as well, at least Morrissey's and Simmons plan had failed to cause the death of his second.

Danno himself would be grateful Drake wouldn't stand trail for attempted murder plus he could now happily continue his friendship without a shadow hanging over him.

Thank goodness for small mercies Steve thought as he relaxed into his chair.

THE END