Wo Fat's words had a damning impression on Steve McGarrett and he vowed to take the man apart with his bare hands before this was over. To do that, he knew he'd have to keep his wits about him and not antagonize the man. It went against everything he'd trained for, but if it was the only way to get the bastard than he would swallow his anger and wait for the right time to attack.
The man with Wo Fat had said something that stuck with Steve and he wondered what it was in reference too. He'd asked Wo Fat if it was wise to take Steve with him. That meant he was planning a trip, and that meant there were three questions he wanted answers to. Where was he going, when he was going, and whether he really was planning to take him along. If he did, then there might be an opportunity to take the sonofabitch down for good.
McGarrett had no idea how long he'd been imprisoned, but if the growling of his stomach was any indication it had been more than 24 hours. His thirst wasn't so bad yet, but he'd give anything for a cold beer. He might even be tempted to try one of Kamekona's tofu shrimp if they didn't feed him soon. As if someone had heard him the door opened and a man and woman entered. The man held a gun in front of him, while the woman carried a tray and watched him with sorrow filled eyes.
"Try anything and I'll put a bullet in your leg," the man holding the weapon said. "Tiko, put the tray down and unlock his cuffs, then come back to me."
Steve smiled at the pretty young woman when she placed the tray on the floor and moved to unlock his cuffs. He could tell she was afraid, and wondered what her story was. Did she willingly work for Wo Fat or was she as much a prisoner as he was. "Thank you," he said and moved his hands around in front of his body.
"Save it...she don't understand a word you're saying. Put the cuffs back on your wrists, McGarrett!"
Steve knew he didn't have a choice and did as he was told. For he moment he'd be able to rotate his shoulders and work the stiffness out of his upper body.
"You have one hour before we return for the tray," the man said and motioned for the woman to leave the room.
Steve watched the duo leave and pulled the tray closer. He searched for anything he could use to unlock the cuffs around his wrists and ankles, but there was nothing. Th meal was a simple fair of soup in a metal bowl, a sandwich, and a cup of water. There were no utensils, and Steve picked up the bowl containing some kind of spicy smelling sauce and tentatively took a sip. The meat in the sandwich had the same spice as the soup and Steve knew he'd probably be extremely thirsty as time went on.
McGarrett glanced at the cup of water and knew he should save it for last and turned his attention to finishing the spicy meal. It didn't take long to finish what they'd brought him and he took a sip of the water, surprised to find it was cold and soothed his throat. He laid his head back and closed his eyes as his mind began to wander over what had happened in the last few days.
"I'll kill the bastard, Danny, you have my word on that," McGarrett whispered.
5050505050
Jae-Sun Pong looked at Wo Fat as McGarrett whispered a vow that sent a chill through him, yet his friend seemed unfazed by the threat. These two men were so different, yet so much alike. McGarrett had a strong sense of loyalty for his family and friends. So did Wo Fat, but that's where the similarity ended. Where Wo Fat may be loyal, he was also coldly calculating and if he thought someone betrayed him, he would tear them apart. On the other hand McGarrett would give the person another chance, unless that person had hurt one of his family. He was pretty sure McGarrett would gladly kill Wo Fat if he had the chance.
"Would it not be wise to kill him now?"
"Perhaps, Jae-Sun, but he still has something I want."
"Shelburne?"
"Exactly. He knows something, but he may not even know he knows it," Wo Fat said and touched the screen as McGarrett drank the last of the water and smiled. "A man must have water too survive, doesn't he, Brother?"
"Did you put something in his water?"
"Just a little something that will keep him docile. I need to keep him from using his wits during our trip."
"Don't you think he'll realize there was something in the water?"
"Possibly, but by the time he makes the connection it will be too late," Wo Fat answered.
"I spoke to the others and they want you to finish this business with McGarrett or set him free," Pong explained.
"They do not have the power to make that call. Perhaps it is time I sent them a message."
"What kind of message?" Pong asked.
"They need to know I am in charge and I require their trust and loyalty as did The Old Man," Wo Fat answered.
"How do you propose to do that?"
"Lee Chen."
"What about him?"
"He has two daughters does he not?"
"Yes, he does."
"It is time to make his financial life easier. Kill the older one and make sure Lee knows his younger daughter will be next if he does not give me his full support."
"That'll get his attention."
"Yes, it will. Be sure he tells the others that I am not a man to be taken lightly. I require their loyalty whether it is freely given or not," Wo Fat said.
"When should I have her killed?"
"How old is she?"
"20...I believe her family is having a party for her tomorrow. She is turning 21."
"Very well...kill her at the party," Wo Fat told him.
"Cruel, but it will be effective since several Yakuza families will be there," Pong said with a grin.
"Exactly," Wo Fat said as the door of McGarrett's cell opened and the woman retrieved the tray and locked McGarrett's arms behind his back while Chan-Sook covered him with a gun.
"Tell me, My Friend, have you ever wondered who would win in a hand to hand fight between you and McGarrett?"
"I believe I could take him, but I know it would not be an easy fight," Wo Fat said.
"There is a private cage fight set up for the day after tomorrow."
"I will be leaving for Hawaii then."
"I know, but I am one of the people making the arrangements for the entertainment and could easily have it pushed back a day to allow for your arrival with your 'special guest'," Pong said.
"A cage fight," Wo Fat said.
"Exactly, and just think of the respect something like this would give you when the clientele see you are willing to go one on one with a known enemy."
"It would be a good fight."
"Do you think you can take him?"
"I know I can, but it won't be an easy fight."
"And how do we guarantee McGarrett will fight you?"
"I don't think we need to worry about that. My brother will gladly step into the ring if he thinks he'll have a chance for revenge. Make the arrangements for the day after our arrival."
"I will...this is going to be the best attraction the ring has ever seen," Pong said. " At least two members of The Yakuza will be in attendance and after you defeat McGarrett they'll spread the word that you are the right man to make the organization stronger."
"It should be an interesting fight," Wo Fat said and watched as McGarrett leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He doubted that the man was sleeping, but at least with the sedative he'd been given he should be docile for a while. Turning away from the screen, he refilled his glass and moved to sit outside while his friend finished his drink and left him alone with his thoughts.
5050505050
Danny knew he should get off the sofa and go to bed, but right now he didn't think he had the energy to reach for the remote let alone get up. Rachel had stayed and allowed him time with his children...because right now that's how he saw them. He prayed when the time came he and Stand could talk it through man to man.
Rachel had left at seven, just over three hours ago and he'd spent the time working through what they knew about The Yakuza, Shelburne, and Wo Fat. Very little was known about the latter two, but The Yakuza was well known in more countries than he had fingers and toes to count with.
The Yakuza had people in high places around the world who could buy what they needed. Their main source of income came from drugs, illegal arms, and white slavery, although there was no real evidence to take them down. The organization had lost it's leader several months ago under strange conditions. No one had been able to prove 'the old man' had died of anything, but what it appeared to be...a heart attack. Yet Wo Fat had taken control almost instantly, and no one had tried to go up against him.
Williams looked at the laptop, the lid closed, but the power light still on and debated whether he should shut it down. He looked longingly toward the bedroom and glanced at the medication on the table beside him. His side was hurting, and he ached from head to toe. Reluctantly he opened the bottle, took two of the pills, and swallowed them with the cold coffee left in the cup.
A knock on his door made him frown, but he ignored the pain as he stood up and walked slowly toward it. He opened it and smiled at the woman standing there before motioning her inside. "You're up late, Akemi."
"I could not sleep. Daughter call me...tell me she afraid," the elderly woman said.
"Come, sit down," Williams told her and sat next to her on the sofa. "Did she say what she's afraid of?"
"She say something big happen soon. She want to quit her job, but she need money."
"If she's afraid, Akemi, she should quit and find another job."
"That what I say, but she say money too good."
"What good is the money if she is afraid?"
"You no understand. She have small children, but no husband to help. That why I help her...clean faster less need babysitter. She home now, but I afraid what we hear get her killed."
"What did you hear?" Williams asked.
"Yakuza ready to move someone...bug fight...someone die for real," Akemi told him.
"Did you hear any names?"
"Just one," the woman said and looked into his eyes. "I live good long life, Danny, but daughter...she still young and have children who need her. She need to be safe."
"She will be, Akemi, and so will you. We can arrange for police protection or witness protection," Williams assured her and took her hands in his when she looked into his eyes. Danny was amazed at the strength he saw in the aged orbs and wondered how much he really knew about her. What had she seen in her life that made her who she was, a kind woman with a heart of gold.
"I will tell you what daughter overheard, Danny, but you must promise she will not be hurt. You will keep daughter safe."
"I'll do whatever it takes to do that, Akemi," Williams vowed.
"Daughter heard bad name...Wo Fat."
"Did she hear what was said about him?" Williams asked, hoping and praying there was more.
"He come to town soon. Daughter say man sounded angry, but she leave before they see her," the elderly woman advised.
"Akemi..."
"I tell daughter not go back. I tell her money not worth it. Maybe you talk to her...she listen."
"I will talk to her, Akemi. Where is she now?"
"Daughter at her home. I call and tell her come visit tomorrow...bring children. They good boy and girl," Akemi said. "She alone...maybe you date?"
"I..."
"I make good joke, Danny," Akemi said with a grin. "But daughter very pretty. Had her late...still young."
"Akemi..."
"You so easy to tease," the woman said, but grew serious again. "I know you need to rest. You take medicine?"
"I took it just before you came over."
"Then you go to bed. Sleep...I bring daughter in morning," Akemi told him.
"Thank you, Akemi," Williams said and walked her to the door. He watched as she made her way to her apartment and was safely inside before closing his door and calling Chin. He told him what he'd been told about Wo Fat and asked Chin if he could be there when Akemi and her daughter showed up. He finished with the call and walked slowly toward his bedroom. God, he hurt all over, yet he knew he probably wouldn't get much sleep. He lay on top of his bed and closed his eyes as the meds he'd taken finally took the edge off and allowed him to sleep in spite of the images that followed him into his dreams.
"We'll find you," he whispered and hoped he could make good on his vow.
5050505050
Wo Fat watched his prisoner with renewed interest and thought about the upcoming fight in a cage. McGarrett was strong and worked out, but it was the SEAL training that would make it a fight to remember. He knew he could take him, but he also understood it would be no easy win. The last time he'd gone one on one with another fighter was three years ago. His karate master had been angry with him for using what he'd learned to kill.
They'd fought for over an hour, battling each other until Wo Fat had landed a blow that left the man unable to draw breath. His master had stared at him, disbelief evident in his eyes as Wo Fat lifted his broken body and cradled him against him.
"Why," the man asked.
"Because I can," He'd answered and listened to the death rattle. He was saddened at taking the man's life and mourned his loss, but did not show his sorrow even when the man was lad to rest.
Wo Fat wondered if McGarrett was as strong, and took a soothing breath as the man moved in his sleep. It would not matter how strong his half brother was because he would lose in the cage. He would die, but not from a bullet or knife, but from weapons that were just as lethal. He looked at his hands and fisted them with a smile. It was a fitting end for Steve McGarrett, and one that would finally prove that he was the better man.
He wanted his half brother to know he was dying so the drugs would be stopped. Once in the cage they would face off on easy terms...until one of them was dead. Jae-Sun had promised to make sure everything was set to go in two days time. That gave him just enough time to question his prisoner about Shelburne. Something told him, McGarrett would take that information to his grave, but it didn't matter because half the fun was in the questioning. For now it was time to get some sleep.
5050505050
Catherine spent her downtime working to find out what she could about Shelburne and The Yakuza. There was plenty to be found on the latter including information that should have been used to take the organization down. The problem was it never made it into the right hands and by the time it did someone had swept it under the rug where could never be found.
If Wo Fat really was Steve's half brother, then John McGarrett had never been told. Wo Fat's mother had done her best to raise her son on her own, but there wasn't much a young, unmarried woman could do. She'd found several pictures of Min and her son, but very little on where she lived now.
Catherine looked at her empty coffee cup and moved to refill it, nodding at two men seated at another table before returning to her chair. There were several files open in front of her and she had the skipper's permission to find out what she could to help find McGarrett. She'd wondered why he was so willing to help, but who was she to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Rollins read through the files, silently cursing when she came up empty where Shelburne was concerned. There was nothing new, just that it was a small village in North Korea. It had been abandoned twenty years ago, but there were still a few families who stayed behind. Was it possible that Min was still there? If she was, would she be willing to talk about her son and John McGarrett.
Catherine leaned back in her chair and knew it was time to get some rack time. She was no good to anyone until she did. With a reluctant sigh, she closed u the files, picked them up placed her cup on the empty shelf and headed toward her quarters. It wasn't long before she was stretched out on the bed and closed her eyes.
Rollins drifted toward sleep, but kept thinking about the time spent wrapped in her lover's arms and moaned softly. She'd been with several men during her life, but none had ever effected her the way Steve did. From their first meeting there'd been a mutual attraction, but for a little while they'd pretended to dislike each other. A smile formed as she thought about the Admiral's party when his wife had introduced them and said they made a handsome couple. The woman had made it her personal goal to see them together. Little did she know that by the end of the party they were already in bed, sensually exploring the sexual tension that had built up during the night.
Catherine allowed her mind to wander and drifted toward sleep with thoughts of once more exploring every part of her lover's body.
TBC!