Chapter 12
Sparks
Akamu stretched out. His bed creaked under him, and his eyes sprung open. Excitement rushed through him as he remembered what had happened that day. It was late Saturday, and he and Emily had a breakthrough.
The sister, the one who seemed to be acting suspicious, had truly been overcome by grief. Informed of both her sister, brother-in-law, and husband dying so closely together had driven her to the edge. Police found her body, hung from her back porch, earlier in the day. Suspecting the suicide note had been written admitting to her crimes, they found one instead reinforcing that she had nothing to do with the murders.
Her husband's death, although tragic, truly was just an accident. A deer had run out in the road, and he had spun out and died. Looking for a murderer had taken precedence.
Akamu padded out to his kitchen in his socks.
1 message from Emily. His phone blinked at him from the counter. He put on the coffee. He looked at the new machine. Emily had complained about the coffee machine in the office as well, so Akamu had removed it, doing his civic duty, and implemented it in his own house instead. He had coffee quickly now, and was rather pleased with the arrangements.
He opened the message, and scrolled through it.
I always find reviewing our facts helps, she had written. I didn't know if you wanted to see, but I wrote down:
Killer wanted control—possibly restrained husband and wife/threatened them?
Bruises on husbands arm suggest a struggle, but no defensive wounds, so he was either taken by surprise, or he was held back by threatening Jessica
Killer has changed his MO, possible evolving/devolving?
We think the same man has targeted family reunions.
How does he find out?
All families ate dinner at the same place; the Hilton's restaurant. Possibly a waiter?
Akamu read over the message, and sighed. It was his day off, and he did not want to think about the murder. He grabbed the phone.
Murder? Boring. Coffee? With me? Tomorrow morning? He texted quickly. A smiley face was quickly returned.
Aren't you a little young for me? She replied, fast as lightning. He winced.
No. He grasped for something else to add, but nothing came to mind. He could imagine her smile, her indulgent look, as if he were a child, denied candy. Akamu pouted. He would just have to bide his time. As if sensing his disappointment, his phone chimed again, announcing the arrival of another text.
I never date on the job.
As if that was supposed to make him feel better.
H
5
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Danny looked out over the ocean. Grace curled up next to him, and his family hovering around anxiously. Kono, Chin, and their parents had left soon after the Naval Officer, with a sympathetic look from Chin and a hug from Kono. Danny then sat Grace down.
'No, honey, he's not dead. They just can't find him.' He had tried to reassure her. Her lip trembled more, a tear spilling down her cheek.
'Then why did you say that, Danno?' Her voice was small, and Danny felt like burying his nose in her hair and holding her. Holding onto his daughter to try and remember that there was still good left, that there was someone to stay strong for.
'I just wanted to make sure, Monkey.' Danny told her, his voice rough.
'Can I send a prayer for Uncle Steve?' Grace had asked, wide brown eyes showing her sorrow. Danny thought back to the days when he used to go to church with Rachel and Grace. With no wife pressuring him, Danny did not go anymore, but he remembered how they would send prayers, and everyone would desperately hope that they were answered.
'I think that would be nice, Gracie.' He said quietly. His own private beliefs did not matter. Only his daughter. 'I think Uncle Steve would like that.'
Grace took a shuddering breath in her sleep, and finally Casey stepped forward.
"Put her to bed, Danny. She doesn't need to sleep on a chair all night." She said firmly. Danny nodded, standing up, handing his daughter to his mother. He then followed the rest of the family inside and sank down on the couch. Paul and Melissa sat next to him, while Lindsay, Jonathon and Casey drew up chairs. Jonathon pulled the armchair closer for his mother-in-law when she returned.
The tension in the air was clear as Ella delicately sat.
"Dear." She grabbed Danny's hand as he stared studiously at his knee. "Love, it has become quite clear to us that something is the matter." Danny didn't even twitch. "With the revelations made tonight, I think it would be fair to assume, possibly, it has something to do with your...friend." Ella scowled at the last word. She clearly had judged Steve, from the early stories Danny used to tell her about the crazy SEAL who tried to get him killed, and who had large tattoos, and drawn her own conclusions. The disdain she and Paul showed for his missing friend, never having even met him, bothered Danny.
"Look Danny. This has gone on too long. I know you don't want to bother us with your troubles, or whatever. But talk to us. We want to help you."
Danny sighed.
"Fine. Look, three months ago, Steve had to leave the island. He's MIA. That's all." Danny snapped.
"Daniel, that is not all. You've been depressed all week, you're mopey, and looking down. This is obviously why. I don't know why your...friend...left, but he shouldn't have gone in the first place. Don't feel bad about this! You used to complain about him," Ella reminded him.
"Mom! He had to go!" Danny snapped, abruptly standing, his hands starting to move erratically. "He went because he loves Hawaii, he loves his country, and he wants to protect people. He went because it's his duty and because no matter how loyal he is to Five-0, the Navy had him first. They call, he answers. You don't understand. He can't pick and choose where to go. He didn't want to leave Hawaii, Five-0, his home, the life he made, his friends, Kono, Chin and I, and Grace. God, mom! He loves that little girl too. He's a Navy SEAL, and he's out there risking his life so that we stay safe. He's a Neanderthal animal, with absolutely no social skills because for years—years!—he was out there fighting for God and for country. He's a good person. Doesn't leave anyone behind, and always makes sure that we're safe. He's an idiot, but he's a good idiot, and he's my best friend. Grace was why I came to Hawaii. Before, if she left, I was gone. Nothing could make me stay.
"But that changed. He barged into my life without even asking, and now it's different. Now Hawaii is worth it for Grace, and for Steve. He's my best friend mom, and they think he's dead. They think he's dead because he did the right thing, and saved whoever he could. I'm sorry if that makes me 'mopey' all week, but there is no way—no way, I am just moving on. I can't. I can't give up on him. Not now, not when it's his fault I call Hawaii home."
H
5
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Casey stared at her brother. Red face, trembling hands, and blonde brows pulled together. He sat back down with a huff. Ella stared at him, eyes wide.
"Okay. Okay, Daniel. I understand." She reached forward hesitantly. "I'm sorry, honey. I didn't understand. Not then. But I do now. And I'm so sorry."
Danny allowed her to embrace him gently.
"Danny, you seemed so happy talking about your work."
"I am happy. Five-0 does great work. Kono is a spunky, fun person. She's serious, but she can kick serious ass. She's smart, and she's loyal. Chin is always the calm person, the one who we all can talk to. He's smart, a technowizard, but he's a badass as well. The two of them are two of the greatest people I've ever met."
"What about Steve?" Casey leaned forward. "Danny, we've met Kono and Chin. I want to hear about Steve."
Danny gave his first genuine smile since they had seen him. For a moment, the darkness lifted, and he seemed younger.
"Steve? Well, Steve is a threat to my safety and sanity practically every day—nay! Every hour—"
"Nay, Danny, really?"
"Shut up."
H
5
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Steve held his arm tightly against the man's throat, and he slowly suffocated. Dropped the body to the ground, he snuck over to where Charles was.
"They left just a couple of guards," Steve reported breathlessly. Charles held up the lighter that was in his hand.
"We're ready." The two SEALs shook each other's hand, and lit the trail of gasoline leading to the compound. They turned, and headed back into the forest. Rustling leaves, and a quiet hum of the night air accompanied them. Everything was peaceful, and serene.
An explosion rocked the air. Flames licked at the darkness of the night, and the two SEALs moved faster towards the abandoned body of their comrade. Smaller explosions sent sparks wheeling into the night sky.
"Message sent." Steve grinned. "I hope it is received." He patted the radio in his pocket to make sure it was still there. "We'll give them 30 hours. Then we'll attempt contact."
TBC