The team fed off Steve's newly found energy. Even though they didn't quite understand the source of this energy, his confidence was contagious. Feelings of dread and hopelessness had to take a back seat. Danny had given them information from which they could finally build. And even though they didn't truly know Danny's condition, they were going to put everything they had into finding him. There were no other options.
They were back at Five-0 headquarters and were once again attacking their new data. The trace on the burner phone had not yielded a distinct location but it had held long enough to triangulate an area north of Honolulu in the central part of the island.
The forensics lab had been able to clean up the museum video footage. Facial recognition had now identified the man believed to have left Danny's phone as Ben Jacobs. Kono filled in the group with the information she had acquired. "He has several small priors. Three years ago, Jacobs was dishonorably discharged from the Army. He had been a medic and served a tour overseas. However, according to his Army buddies, when he got a "Dear John" letter from his fiancé, he turned to alcohol and gambling. He threw away his promising career and went into a lot of debt. His last known address had put him in Texas... Houston area."
The name "King" had turned up twice on their museum list. A Cheryl King had attended the gala with her sister who was visiting from the mainland. A background check and brief in-person interview by Kono and Lou, with Mrs. King and her husband, had satisfied the team that this was a dead end.
A Sebastian King had been on the invitee list but did not attend. He was a young entrepreneur that made a better-than-a-good living in the export and dock loading business. He had a reputation of being a generous philanthropist. Chin sent a photo to the large screen. Steve's interest was piqued. As Chin read off the info they had on this King, Steve recalled Danny saying the main guy has lots of money and flaunts it.
"Kono, have we found any connection between Jacobs and King?"
"Nothing definite yet... however... King has had business dealings in the Houston area in the last year."
"Chin, let's bring in this guy, Sebastian King. I have a funny feeling about him." Steve took a moment to stare at the eyes of the amiable countenance on the image in front of him, then turned and headed toward his office.
"On it." Chin began typing on the smart table. "Steve, I've found something interesting. This King has several warehouses on the island, including one in our triangulation area."
Steve stopped short and turned back facing Chin. "That could be it. Did you get an address?"
"Yeah, it's coming up as…"
Steve's phone rang. It was a blocked number and he held up his index finger to stop Chin from continuing. "McGarrett," Steve answered, speaker on.
"Commander, sounds like you and your people had a successful outing. Now you're in possession of my property, and I want it. I believe it's time we meet for an exchange."
Steve let out a deep silent breath of cautious relief at hearing the word "exchange". This was the first hint that Danny was in fact alive. He proceeded guardedly.
"Okay… I know something went down yesterday. You should expect I'll need proof of life. Let me talk to Detective Williams."
"You'll get what you need later. For now, your instructions are to come alone and unarmed, with no wire and no phone, to the parking area for the Kaili'i trailhead at 1600 hours. There will be a dark gray truck there with keys under the mat. Get in the truck and you'll get more info then. Bring the gems, and remember, alone… and unarmed. If anything is amiss, you won't be getting your partner back… ever."
The call ended.
The relieved team let the comments sink in. "So, should we get our hopes up? What do you think he means about getting 'what you need later'?" Lou asked.
"I think if Danny's okay, we'll hear from him before the exchange." Steve sounded encouraged and revived.
"That's just an hour and a half from now," Chin informed the rest.
"Yeah, and you're not going alone, right boss?" Kono added.
"You heard him. I have to go alone. Our first priority is Danny. But… that doesn't mean you can't be nearby. Here's what I'm thinking…" Steve set about imparting his plan to his team.
~~~~~H50~~~~~
Sometime in the night, the unconscious state Danny was in morphed into a pain-filled sleep. The sound of the bolt on the door slamming open brought him out of that state. The pain that his entire body had been feeling throughout his sleep, but that had failed to waken him, finally erupted into an overwhelming surge of agony.
It wasn't a gradual awakening. His eyes popped open but quickly closed when the light of the room pierced into the back of his head. His hands came up to clamp over his eyes but that's when the dull ache he had been feeling in his shoulder transformed into a searing, burning pain. "Shit!" His hand that had been moving to his eyes was now on his shoulder, trying unsuccessfully to alleviate the pain. He felt the padding of bandages and his brain began to catch up. He recalled the events that led up to his blackout. He had been shot in his attempt to get away... then the beating.
He abandoned the attempted relief to his pounding head and wrapped his right arm over the ribs he believed to be fractured. This time he slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to see who was entering his prison cell even though he really didn't give a damn. He saw that it was Jacobs and turned his head back in disinterest and closed his eyes once again.
"Detective, we weren't sure you would be awake."
"You weren't sure I'd be alive," Danny mumbled with a scratchy voice. He didn't open his eyes.
"Yeah, Bre... my colleague does have a temper." Obeying orders, he stopped himself from saying the name. "You did a number on him, you know. Knocked him for a loop." Danny may have normally found that satisfying and be amused but right now he couldn't care less.
Jacobs approached Danny and pulled up the bandage on his shoulder. Danny moved his hand out of the way. He winced at the pull on his tender skin and looked up at Jacobs with one eye. He wasn't surprised when he noticed there was no gun in sight this time. It wasn't like he was any sort of threat.
"That your work?" Danny questioned.
There was no nod or gesture from Jacobs. And even though he didn't directly confirm his suspicion, Danny knew when he commented on the wound. "Doesn't look too bad. You're lucky." He reattached the same bandage.
"Yeah, that's me, freakin' lottery winner." Danny looked up at the ceiling and moved his hand back to his shoulder.
"This is ending today. The exchange is being made this afternoon."
"K… so?" Danny grimaced slightly as he again turned to look in Jacob's direction.
"Your people… they're demanding proof that you're alive. You have to make one more call." Jacobs pulled a phone from his pocket.
Danny managed a condescending smile. He thought about refusing the "request" but changed his mind. "You know what…" groaning through the pain, he let go of his shoulder. He continued to hold his ribs though as he pulled himself up to a sitting position, "…whatever speeds this up."
Jacobs dialed the number and handed the device to Danny.
~~~~~H50~~~~~
The call came as Steve and Lou loaded their vehicles. Chin and Kono were still in the HQ making other arrangements.
"McGarrett."
"Hey, it's me."
Steve leaned over and rested his free hand on his knee drawing in a deep breath of air. "Buddy, am I glad to hear your voice. You okay?"
"Eh… breathing," was Danny's only reply.
Steve could sense the difference in his voice. "We heard shots… Danny…? Danny, what is it?"
Broken?
He felt a response was not coming, so wanting to comfort his friend, he went on. "Look, the trade's happening today. We're getting you out of there."
"Steve, look, I, uh, don't want you…"
"That's enough." Jacobs pulled the phone away and disconnected the call. He turned to leave and without looking at Danny said, "We'll be back in a little while. If I were you, I'd take it easy for now."
Danny dropped to his back. He had overdone it. His vision was blurring and he felt a wave of nausea. He would gladly accept any mental escape right now that his body would effectuate. He closed his eyes and succumbed to the pull of restless sleep.
Steve had gotten what he needed. He made a quick call to Chin to let him know about Danny and then they got on the road. Steve made it to the designated parking lot five minutes early. There were only two other vehicles there, a white Jeep and a late model, gray crew cab F150. No one was around.
Before trading vehicles, he sent a quick text to Chin to see if everyone was in position. They were. He left his phone and SIG in the console of his Silverado and went to investigate the F150. The door was unlocked and he pulled up the mat and, as promised, there was the key.
There was a note lying in the seat that only said "GPS". Steve climbed in and activated the GPS. It was preprogrammed with a destination. It instructed him to drive two miles up the maintenance access road. He started the truck and headed for the access road. I'm coming Danno. Hang on a little longer.
~to be continued~
\,,,/