Chapter 14
After picking up their colleagues, the NCIS team with 5-0 augmentation headed for the hotel in two cars. A quick stop at a market yielded a bag of canned nutrient supplements and beer. Before the car continued on a can was opened and pressed into Williams' hand.
"Drink!" McGarrett commanded. The taste of artificial strawberries filled Danny's mouth. He was touched that Steve remembered his preferred flavor. Gibbs glanced in the rearview mirror at the two men.
"Chinese tonight," he said tersely.
"Tony seems to have picked up the ability to search for restaurants on the internet," Tim added with a small smile. They continued on and were soon in the elevator going up to their rooms.
Steve was stiff with irritation. He'd much rather be going to his own home and his own bed. He glanced at his partner and instantly his focussed shifted. Danny looked horrible. Exhaustion was clearly etched on his face; the drooping eyelids and dark smudges under made him look far older than he was. Even his body seemed to have shrunk, hunched shoulders, lowered head.
"Hey, Danno," he said quietly as his arm found its way over and around his friend's shoulder. He was rewarded with a quiet hum and a tired body moving in closer for warmth and comfort.
Even DiNozzo refrained from comment when the two men walked in together. It was so apparent that Williams was at best tenuously holding on to sanity that conversation was turned to anything but the case.
Cajoled into eating Danny managed to eat more than the past few meals. He quietly wielded his chopsticks and ate what was placed before him. Dismissed from cleanup the two 5-0 men went to bed.
^-,-^
The phone buzzing woke all three men. Glancing at the clock, nearly 8 am, surprised both Steve and Jethro. Danny just groaned and curled up tighter with his pillow.
"McGarrett," the man answered and he listened for a long moment.
"You sure he's missing? When did his shift start?" these questions caused Gibbs to get up and Williams to sit up, pushing unruly hair out of his face.
"Ok, we'll get on it," Steve disconnected the line. "Seems the on-duty officer of the day for the weapons depot didn't show up at 0700. He's never been late in the three years he's been assigned there."
"Any other intel?" Gibbs asked. Danny got up and headed for the bathroom intent on getting ready while they reviewed the information.
"Single, car's gone from his off-base apartment," Steve said. "Went out for a drink with some friends. Said he left about 8:30."
"What bar?" prompted the NCIS boss.
"Same one we were at," Steve spat out in disgust.
"Before we left," Jethro said angrily. "F***ing right under our noses!"
"But we had eyes on!" McGarrett picked up the pace. "McGee and Chin had cameras in place!" He stomped out and entered the bathroom without knocking. Tony watched from the table sipping coffee.
"Ok, that's really BFF's" he commented but stopped from going on when he caught the look on Gibbs' face. Ziva looked over from the kitchenette.
"What is wrong, Gibbs?" she asked.
"Another sailor was taken," he ground out.
"Where?" Tim asked as he entered the common area. Gibbs glared at him.
"From the bar we were at! Around 8:30!" he snarled. "From the area where YOU had eyes on!"
"We didn't see him!" McGee insisted drawing additional glares from his comrades. All hell was about to break loose when Williams walked in dressed and ready to go.
"You wouldn't have seen him," Danny said. "He's too savvy. Knowles has avoided being caught on camera during any of the abductions. Last night was no exception."
"But we did see him!" Tim stressed. "When he shot Gibbs."
"Yes, and we saw him running away," Ziva added.
"We tracked the van, but lost it. Chin and I are going to pull up more footage from traffic cams today," Tim continued.
"You're going to go over the tapes from the bar," Steve suddenly entered the conversation. The air sparked with tension and anger.
"You won't find me," Danny said, drawing everyone's focus. Darkened eyes looked around, not seeing. "Never find me! Nosy nosy nosy people!" He rocked in agitation. McGarrett came closer and the motion increased.
"NO NO NO! Stay away," the pseudo-perp shrieked. "Perfect perfect..." Steve caught him before he hit the floor.
"Get me the kit," he asked no one in particular as he tried to calm his friend. Soon a dose of medication was injected. The NCIS group secured the suite while Williams slowly centered himself.
"Sorry," he muttered to his friend.
"No problem, Danno," Steve soothed him. "We're going in to review the videos. Then we need to figure out where Knowles took the victim." Danny shivered. Another kidnapping. Another day he had to find the perp.
Another day of hell.
^-,-^
Chin and Kono had already pulled up footage from the night before and had it displayed on the table and large screen.
"Hey, Boss, Second Boss," Kono called out.
DiNozzo's phone rang and he stepped aside.
"We've been going over the tapes and Knowles only shows up on one section, where he shoots Gibbs," Chin chimed in.
"What about the naval officer?" the NCIS Boss growled. Tim blocked off part of the table and pulled up the information.
"Lieutenant James Hicks," McGee reported. "In charge of the weapons depot at Pearl Harbor Naval Station." He moved through screens detailing service record and duties.
"That was Lieutenant Taylor, Hicks' friend," Tony said as he moved back to the table pocketing his phone. "They'd gone out for a drink and Hicks left about 8:30. He had an early shift and wanted to get home."
"Which is off base," Tim filled in.
Kono pulled up the surveillance beginning just before 8:30. She sped forward until Hicks showed up walking out the door. He proceeded out into the parking lot and just out of view. Whatever happened to the lieutenant was outside their field of view.
"See if there are any other cameras," McGarrett directed. "Danny, let's go over some possible places Knowles may have gone." With a tight nod the Haole followed his friend.
Tim, Chin and Kono began filtering through all the video they could access. Tony and Ziva were dispatched to check the area around the bar and parking lot.
Gibbs fumed silently for a moment before going to join the duo looking over street maps of Honolulu.
Chin pulled up another video. The van had been left abandoned two blocks from the bar. But they had no idea of what vehicle Knowles took next. Rubbing his eyes he began viewing the footage.
His phone began to vibrate then ring the general tone he'd set for unknown callers.
"Detective Kelly," he huffed into the mouthpiece.
"Um, Detective? This is Maka Kerr," a very hesitant voice replied.
"Maka, hey man, good to hear from you," Chin turned on his calm, benevolent, voice. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, me and Frank, we were collecting cans and stuff," the nervous street person started, "and we saw that guy you were after." Chin immediately straightened and put his phone on speaker, set it on the table, and waved to everyone there to be silent.
"Yeah, you did?" Kelly tried to draw the man out. "Was he with someone?'
"Uh, he went into that building again, the one we showed you?" Maka reported. "Frank said he took a guy with him, but we didn't go over to see, you know? He freaks me out."
"How long ago?" the location of the pay phone lit up on the screen. Kono ran out to get the bosses.
"He got in last night, kind of late," Maka said. "He just left so I thought I should call you."
"You did the right thing, Maka," Chin said warmly. "We'll be there soon." There was a shuffling sound on the phone and muttered voices.
"Will Detective Williams come, too?" the homeless man asked. "He was real nice last time." A small smile broke out on the newly arrived McGarrett's face.
"He will and I'm sure he'll get you something hot to eat," the detective said sincerely.
"Ok, we'll wait on the stairs like last time," a happy voice chirped. Food was always welcome.
They divided up into two cars and ran silent to the same intersection as before. The three men were waiting on the same stoop. Tim and Danny went over first and were warmly greeted.
"Hey guys! How're you doing?" Williams smiled as he greeted them.
"Better now you're here, Bro!" Maka grinned. "That dude is even scarier than you were the first time we met."
The detective and NCIS agent sat down with them. No way Steve or Jethro would let Danny near the perp's hideout! They got the homeless men to give them more details and determine what they wanted to eat.
Which left the rest of the teams to go check out the deserted warehouse. Again they split up into three teams and began the search.
"This seems surreal," Tony mumbled to Chin.
"I'd go with deja vu," he replied. "Too similar to the last time." Grunting his agreement the two men kept on towards the rear of the building and the hallways beyond.
Carefully nudging the door open Kono stood aside as the Seal leapt forward. The room was dusty and empty and McGarrett gave a negative shake of his head.
"What are the odds he's using the same room?" Kono asked. She'd joined the Bosses' team when they arrived at the hallways.
"Probably felt he'd be safe here, given we'd already found his nest," Steve replied as he stealthily moved to the next door. Where the previous victim had been.
"Our side is secured," Ziva was announcing over their earbuds. "We're coming to back you up."
"Affirmative," Jethro tersely replied. Once again Kono nudged the door open and let the Seal go first.
"Damn," McGarrett ground out as he continued to secure the room. Kono was scanning as well leaving Gibbs to go to the latest victim.
The lieutenant was positioned slightly differently, spread eagle in four point restraints. The cutting had begun, but it was less than the previous victim probably because they located him so quickly. Still, it was upsetting to see the unblinking eyes and the blood slowly dripping down.
A huge crash sent all three people turning around and holding guns up towards the door.
"It's ok! We're all fine," Tony's voice came through the open door. "Not like anyone tripped or fell or any..."
"TONY DINOZZO GET BACK HERE!" a truly exasperated Ziva yelled. Gibbs moved to the door to take care of his agents.
He was greeted by the sight of both David and Kelly lying twisted together on the floor.
"You shoved me! What were you thinking!?" If she had her gun Tony's life would not be worth much. As it was it was on the concrete and she could not reach it.
"Damn it, DiNozzo, what did you do now?" Gibbs growled as he moved out the door. He scanned the fallen and noted Kelly was not conscious and David was cradling her elbow. Fortunately Kono had called in the EMTs to care for the downed sailor.
Then she called for backup for Chin and Ziva.
McGee came in next. He immediately knelt by the two downed officers.
"DiNozzo, go watch Williams! Try not to break him too!" Jethro barked.
As the scene was secured and CSU came in and two of the wounded wounded were bundled up on various stretchers and carted out. With McGarrett at her side David managed to walk out. DiNozzo sat on the stoop shoulders hunched. He'd muscled past his colleagues but he didn't realize the temporary wall was so weak. In fact was that plywood even secured? It really didn't matter as it seemed Kelly was down for the count and David was broken.
"I'm going with Chin," Kono called out as she climbed into the back of the ambulance. Steve waved her off as he moved over to his partner. Ziva was helped into the second ambulance. McGee was walking with the original victim holding the IV bag aloft.
"Go in with the lieutenant and David," Gibbs growled. Tim nodded his agreement. This left the foursome and the three homeless men who were happily eating huge sandwiches.
"You two ok to follow me and DiNozzo?" the older NCIS agent asked. "And by follow I mean you stay on our bumper!"
"Yeah, on your six," McGarrett smirked. He watched as Danny slipped some money to Maka before coming to his side. He seemed somewhat relaxed and in his own skin. DiNozzo got up and joined his boss. The keys to the car were passed over to him.
"We're going to the hospital first," came the orders. "Think you can do that without taking us out?"
"On it, Boss!" Tony said smartly. Soon the two-car caravan was underway.
Glancing over at Danny Steve noted he was squirming slightly. Concerned, he touched his friend's forearm.
"Hey, what's up?" he asked.
"Nothing, Super Seal," came the terse reply.
"Uh huh, right," the SS said sarcastically. "Give me!"
"I have to, you know," Williams made several gestures none of which imparted any information to McGarrett.
"You know what?" he asked.
"I had a lot of coffee, and the water you made me drink," he said, a slight flush of pink painted his cheeks. Steve chuckled.
"Oh, you need to tinkle!" he teased. Danny huffed and crossed his arms.
"I do not 'tinkle', you neanderthal! I need to, you know, go to the bathroom," he grouched. Suddenly the car lurched to the left and darted down a side street.
"HEY!" Danny complained as he braced himself.
"We're a mile or so from my place," Steve explained. "I need to get my mail. You can tinkle." The Haole just glared but didn't retort as his phone was ringing.
"Williams!" he growled.
"What the hell are you doing McGarrett!?" the angry voice of Jethro Gibbs filled his ear and he quickly put it on speaker.
"McGarrett! What. Are. You. Doing?!" the voice ground out.
"Danny has to tinkle!" he sing-songed. Danny punched him. Hard.
"WHAT?!" the exasperated NCIS Boss asked.
"I need to use the bathroom," the 2IC admitted, now very red. "And the idiot here decided he could pick up his mail. So we're heading to his house."
"Address," Gibbs demanded and he put the information into the GPS. Tony quickly turned as directed and headed back to the Seal's home.
As Steve continued to tease his friend, neither noticed a small white suv trailing behind the Camaro.