Chapter 12
I
"We gather here today to bid farewell to our friend, daughter, and sister, Jayna Catherine Berringer …"
The minister stood before the flag-draped coffin, with heaps of pink, white, and red roses; pink carnations, yellow dahlias, red poppies, red and white hibiscuses, and purple bougainvillea surrounding. The colorful display was a contrast to the solemn occasion. The crowd that gathered, mostly dressed in black and dark blue, sat amongst gravestones going back one hundred years. There were Jayna's parents and her two sisters sitting next to Susie and Alia Kelly, Chin's daughters. The four girls sobbed bitterly into crumpled tissues and handkerchiefs.
Steve McGarrett sniffled, tears falling down his cheeks. Governor Jameson sat on his left, Danno on his right, each trying to console him. Steve was not going to hide his emotions on this day. The purple bruise on the side of his forehead had darkened, and Steve's fingers tugged at the cast on his left wrist. Danno gripped Steve's shoulder and sniffled continuously while his face turned pink from the tears streaming from his blue eyes. Governor Jameson remained calm and kept his grieving inside. Walter Stewart was expressionless. Duke Lukela's eyes watered, and he looked on angrily, probably wishing he could get his hands on Jayna's killers. Ken Nishimura was stoic as always but deep inside, he was holding back tears.
Chin, his wife, Kono, Jenny, Che, Doc, and John Manicote, the district attorney, were at the end of the front row. Jenny could not hold back her tears at all. Her handkerchief was sopping wet. Chin's wife was stronger than most in her handling of grief. Even now, she held her head up high. She put her arm around her husband, and looked straight ahead. Kono remained as stoic as the Governor and Mrs. Kelly. His thoughts flittered from one memory of Jayna to the next: How she would always give him the French fries from her lunch, knowing how much he liked them; the jokes she would play on him every April Fools' Day, and when she would always jab him about his weight, though she would end her comments with a smile and a wink to let him know she was only playing. Aside from the kindness and devilish sense of humor, Kono remembered that she was one of the most dedicated policewomen he knew.
"Into your gentle arms we commend her gracious spirit. Take her to yourself and give her safe haven. Though she struggled in life, now she knows your blessed peace." The minister spoke in a peaceful, yet powerful tone, trying hard to deliver his message while everyone else was in the midst of grief. Despite being outdoors, with a rushing wind sweeping about, he could be heard yards away.
Steve choked against tears. He was trying to control himself, but he had suppressed his grief for too long. He was only human, and it was a matter of time before his emotions would be tested. He bent over slightly, buried his head in his hands, and sobbed. The Governor patted his back gently. Danno handed his boss a handkerchief, and Steve started to wipe his eyes and cheeks.
He was glad that the reporters were being respectful and not snapping photos right and left. A select bunch was invited, provided they kept a low profile. They sat in the last row and kept silent.
"For all that question will find answers, and all that love will find contentment, joy, and peace eternal. For now we see as through a glass darkly, but then we shall see clearly, face to face," the minister went on.
Steve stared at the coffin. He thought of the girl lying inside, the life that was cut short, the dreams that will never be fulfilled, and the grief that would never end. Was it all over some crummy gangster and his illegal drug sales? Was that why Jayna had to die? The thought made him weep more. He could feel Danno leaning on his shoulder, drying away tears. The Governor kept his hand on Steve's back. Jayna's parents were emotionless. Steve was not surprised. Jayna said that she was not close to them.
The wind was settling down, and the minister started to speak of Jayna's life, her kindness, and her dedication to law, order, and the people of Hawaii. Steve had experienced that dedication firsthand, and hoped he would have the same in finding her killer. He clenched his fists, trying to control the rage he was feeling. They would pay, they all would. Everyone who was responsible, Steve promised, thinking silently.
"For as much as it has pleased Almighty God to take out of this world the soul of Jayna Berringer, we therefore commit her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, looking for that blessed hope when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord, wherefore comfort one another with these words," the minister continued.
Comfort, Steve thought, what comfort?
Two police officers folded the flag that covered the casket and presented it to Steve, who accepted it while holding back tears. He was told before the ceremony that Jayna had made a request some time ago that should she ever be killed in the line of duty, that the flag that covered her coffin would be given to him. Steve was not in any condition to question that now.
The mourners filed past her coffin to lay flowers on it and offer their condolences to her family, and then they went to Steve. They told him how sorry they all were, shook hands with him, Danno, and the Governor, and made their exits. Danno gently urged Steve to get up, taking his right arm. The Governor supported him on the other side. The reporters started to approach. Knowing Steve was in no mood to talk, they directed their questions at Governor Jameson and Danno.
"Governor," one reporter spoke directly, "have there been any developments in the case?"
"Nothing other than what you already know," he told them kindly and sincerely.
"There are no new leads as of yet, but Five-O and HPD are working around the clock to find the killer, along with our other cases," Danno said, adding "our other cases" to ensure Jayna's murder wasn't being given top priority because she was a detective, all so that the reporters who might hear won't accuse Hawaii Five-O of giving special treatment in solving murders.
The photographers were given permission to take photos, provided they didn't get in anyone's way and invade the privacy of the mourners. Steve wiped his tears and tried to put on a brave front, so all of Hawaii didn't see him breaking down on the front page of the newspapers that afternoon and the following morning. Amidst the flashes of light from the cameras, Steve could see the other mourners walking through the cemetery gates, till the crowd dwindled down. Now it was just him, Governor Jameson, Danno, Chin, Kono, Che, Doc, Manicote, Stewart, Duke Lukela, Ken Nishimura, and a few HPD officers.
"Mr. McGarrett?" one young reporter asked. Steve turned to see a freckle-faced boy in glasses holding a notepad and pencil. The boy looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen. He was probably from a high school or college newspaper.
"Yes, son?" Steve asked.
"My name is Andy Baxter. I'm from Farrington High and I'm covering the funeral for our newspaper. I'm sorry for your loss," the boy began.
"Thank you."
"I wanted to know if you had anything to say about finding Miss Berringer's killers. We …" the boy was trying to overcome shyness and was searching for the right words. "We remember her from when she came to our school on Career Day. She talked about joining the police force, and my older sister decided to become a policewoman because of her."
For the first time in a while, Steve smiled. Knowing that Jayna made an impact on someone made the pain easier to bear.
"Andy, Jayna was one of the finest human beings I ever had the pleasure of knowing," Steve told him. "She was a dedicated and devoted police officer who always put the safety of others before her own. If it takes me the rest of my life, I will find who killed her, and that's not a threat, that's a promise."
Andy wrote every word down fervently. The kid thanked him, told him he would send him a copy of the newspaper the minute it was printed, and walked away. The rest of the press corps made their exits as well.
Steve stared back at the coffin. Two cemetery workers then set about lowering it into the ground. Good-bye, Jayna, Steve said to her, silently. Steve thought about Andy, his sister, and the other kids like them who were living in a world where so much violence and cruelty can exist. All that people like he could do was to catch the depraved souls who caused the misery to go around, and prevent others from following in their footsteps. However, there was always going to be a price to pay.
Jayna's father, sisters, and another woman walked up to them. Mr. Berringer extended his hand.
"Thank you, Steve," he said, shaking Steve's hand. "I know you did all you could. Jayna always talked about you. You hung the moon, as far as she was concerned." Steve was stunned. He never knew that Jayna really felt that way about him.
"She told us you were the finest man that ever lived," Jayna's older sister, Yvonne, said through sniffles.
"Thank you," Steve said, kissing her extended hand. Jayna's youngest sister, Patty, could only nod her head through tears, but she managed to wrap her arms tightly around Steve. They all walked away, a sad group, but no worse off than he. The other woman remained. Steve noticed her sitting behind Jayna's parents and sisters, but didn't pay much mind to who she could be. There were so many people at the cemetery, because Jayna was loved by so many.
She had red hair, like Jenny, cut short so it fanned out from her head like flaming rings. Her makeup was simple but not invisible, and she waited till Jayna's other relatives walked away before speaking. She introduced herself as Jayna's aunt. She expressed her condolences, to which Steve thanked her, and she walked away.
He felt a tap on his shoulder. "Are you alright, Steve?" Danno asked. "We can stay a while longer, if you like."
"No, that's all right. I'll come back later," Steve told his second-in-command softly, "when they've all gone." Danno nodded, patting his boss on the shoulder. "So help me, Danno, if it takes me the rest of my life, I'll find the people who killed Jayna, and make sure they pay."
Danno had no doubt that his boss was serious and was going to make good on that threat. "Just let me at them when you're through with them," he replied grimly.
Manicote stood, his arms folded, looking away silently and sadly. Che Fong and Doc stared the ground, digging the toes of their shoes into the soft earth. None of the team wanted to depart separately. They all stood around together, silent, reflecting, and sad. Steve looked back at the casket as it was lowered into the ground, knowing that a part of his life was over forever.
II
Wo Fat stood on the bridge, admiring the pink lotuses floating on the surface of the pond. His reflection dispersed with the rippling water, and the Chinese spy laughed. He turned to see Xiaotong come hurrying up the bridge.
"Berringer's funeral was today," the assistant said. "McGarrett was not injured that badly when the car hit him."
"That was the intention," Wo Fat replied, turning to his aid.
"Perfect timing," Wo Fat replied. He turned to look back at the water, and throw some bread crumbs to the giant carp that were swimming around the lotuses. The golden fish scurried, gobbling up the breadcrumbs as though it was their last meal. He poured some more crumbs into the water. "We still have one more murder to commit, Xiaotong." Wo Fat flecked the last bread crumbs from his fingers into the pond. "Not really a murder, per se, of a living person, but a further attack on someone who is already dead."
Xiaotong nodded. "I'll make sure it is done within the day."
"Not yet. We should allow for a suitable period of mourning to pass, but as long as Mr. McGarrett doesn't find out on the day of the funeral, it will be fine. Let him have some peace the day he buries Miss Berringer." Wo Fat turned back to feed the fish, retaining his somber look from before.
III
Steve sat in the cream leather armchair in front of his desk. On the table next to him was a tall glass of water, filled to the brim with ice cubes, and small bottle of painkillers. He was supposed to go back to the hospital in a few hours, but nothing could keep him from working. He couldn't just sit still and grieve. He could not put Jayna's death out of his mind. He went back to his office to think.
These thoughts went spinning around and around in Steve's mind, creating a web of confusion and pain. He bent forward, holding his face in his hands, and sobbed. He tried to stop the tears from falling, but it was no use. He stared up into space for a few minutes, clearing the never-ending tears and trying to collect his thoughts. Through the blur, he could see Jayna Berringer's face. They were back on the beach in Waikiki, on the night of a full moon similar to this. They were doing surveillance work on a drug pusher. It was a long and uneventful night, but they had to keep their watch. Jayna started talking, about her past...
She was from Southern California, raised on the family's produce farm. Her parents were from two opposite ends of the world. Her mother was an Indian-Mexican from Southern California. She met Jayna's father, an American of German and English extraction from New Jersey, when he came to California to look for work. He was smitten with her from the moment they first locked eyes. From having seen a photo of Jayna's mother in her younger days, Steve was not surprised. Mrs. Berringer had the same raven hair, chocolate eyes, and enchanting smile.
They were married in August of nineteen thirty-six. Jayna was born five years later, after her older sister, Yvonne. World War II was starting to spread all over Europe, and Mr. Berringer, once his number came up in the weeks after Pearl Harbor, joined the air force and was sent to England. When Lt. Berringer's tour of duty was over, he went back to California. Their farm was not too far away from where Steve grew up in Van Nuys, and he recalled going there with his parents as a child, so they could buy fresh strawberries and oranges. He also remembered one day when he was around fourteen years old, that he heard his mother congratulate the Berringers on their baby girl who was born a few weeks earlier. Steve's teenage interests of sports and girls his own age meant his trips to Berringers' farm were over, and then came the Naval Academy, and his career in military intelligence that lasted till nineteen sixty-one, when Governor Jameson asked him to lead Hawaii Five-O.
The Berringers were a distant memory, one that was tucked away in the deep crevices of his mind, till one day, he was assigned an intelligence case, which Five-O would be working on with Intelligence. He walked into Jonathan Kaye's office to see a pretty, dark-haired girl in a green dress sitting in a chair in front of Kaye's desk.
"Steve McGarrett, meet Jayna Berringer," Kaye said. "She's one of our best operatives and she'll be working with you on this assignment." Steve was beguiled, but not amazed. Jayna proved to be an asset to him on that case, but also proved herself to be worthy of working with him. She focused on her job but not to the point of engaging in a power struggle like some of the women Steve worked with before had done. For Jayna, it was not about asserting herself as a woman by denigrating the men around her, but by finding doing what she needed to do and knew how to do in order to survive.
"I'm just a girl earning a living," she told Steve. Three years and a stint in HPD later, Jayna was wearing a Five-O badge and working out of Iolani Palace.
Steve and Jayna's relationship was more of a deep friendship – deeper than mentor-protégé, but not romantic, though that did not stop Steve from having strong feelings for her. He had an intuition that she felt something more for him as well. Because of their official positions, though, Steve had to keep his feelings in check and keep things on a professional level. They became nothing more than the best of friends of colleagues. Steve started to tear up again when he heard a knock from the door.
"Who is it?" he called out.
"It's me, Steve," came Danno's reply. "May I come in?"
"Yes, Danno, come on in," Steve took a sip of the ice cold water. It did little to soothe him, having already taken a painkiller, and he hoped Danno's company would help more. His curly-haired second-in-command entered, closing the large door behind him softly. He didn't want to make too much noise, knowing how that could play on Steve's nerves. Steve got up, managing a look of relief when he saw his young partner. Danno offered one of the two Styrofoam coffee cups he was holding.
"Milk and sugar, the way you like it," he said.
"Thanks, Danno, what would I ever do without you?" the Five-O Chief said.
Danno smiled at his boss as he handed him the cup. The two men sat down and sipped the coffee. Steve rested his head back in the armchair, looking at the ceiling.
"None of us could get any work done today," Danno said. "Chin went home. His children were very fond of Jayna, especially Susie and Alia." Danno thought back to the Easter picnic, which all the Five-O and HPD crew and their families attended. He remembered Jayna and Chin's two older daughters engaging in a volleyball game ended with Susie hitting the ball into a banyan tree several yards away, and Jayna climbed in to get it out. Danno smiled to himself a little as he pictured the scene, still hearing the girls' laughter.
"Why, Danno," Steve began, speaking softly and looking into space. "What was she doing out there?"
Danno didn't have an answer, though he wished he did. He wished he knew what was happening, wished he was there to go with Jayna that morning. Maybe then, she wouldn't have been killed …
"Only she knew," he said.
Steve clenched his teeth and his fist. He pounded the armrest. "She didn't tell me! She didn't tell me … that's what hurts … she never kept a secret from me! The FBI knew all about what she was doing, but I didn't!" He swallowed hard and tears started to form at the corners of his eyes. Danno handed him some tissues. After wiping his face, he went on. "He has to be found … that scumbag that killed Jayna!" Steve's voice rose with every sentence.
Danno went to his boss's side and put his hand on his shoulders. "Calm down, Steve." With one arm and one leg in a cast, Steve was in no condition for an outburst. He stared at the wall, seething. The anger was not directed at his assistant, but Danno hurried his words along.
"There is some good news, though not a huge comfort. It's not going to bring Jayna back, but the grand jury just indicted Frank Prather for illegal gambling, extortion, and illegal sale of firearms. Manicote says they're trying to tie him to Jayna's murder, but we need evidence. So far, the only way to link him is through Jayna's investigation."
"Good work, Aikane." Steve opened and closed his fist, clenching it tightly. "Whoever is responsible, we'll nail him." His tone was colder than the ice in his drinking glass. It made Danno shiver, and made him thankful that he was on Steve's side.
IV
People went about their business. It was just another day in their lives. Cars drove up and down the street, and children walked home from school. Housewives with grocery bags – complete with French bread loves sticking out – hurried home. There was a knock on the door, and it opened. A red-haired woman in a pink dress came in, clutching a grocery bag.
"Hiya, sweetie," she said, making her way into the kitchen and putting groceries away. "I hope you like honey roasted turkey and provolone. The store was out of Swiss."
"It's fine, Penny," the girl who opened the door for her replied. "Did you go by the Punchbowl Cemetery?"
Penny put the milk bottle in the refrigerator. "I sure did. It was a grand affair, twenty-one-gun salute and all. I told Steve I was your aunt. He bought it. They gave the flag to him as you asked …" She hesitated. "The poor thing broke down as he took it and the governor and Danno had to hold onto him."
The girl sighed. She picked up the newspaper. There was an article on the bottom of the front page about the search for Jayna Berringer's killer, and how Five-O was still interviewing witnesses. The girl shook her head sadly at the article and put the paper on the table. She put her head down and closed her eyes.
"Listen, kid," the redhead said to her. "The security of Hawaii and the world depends on us. In the end, you'll find it was all worth it."
"Nothing is worth making Steve McGarrett cry," said Jayna Berringer.
