A/N: Posting the last two chapters this week. I really hope you enjoyed this story and thank you so much to everyone who has been reading and commenting! You are all wonderful! Thank you!
Chapter 26: A Moment Alone With Mitchel
As the sun began to set on the fourth day of the bizarre case, Steve and Danny pulled to a stop outside Rosetta's Cafe and Bake Shoppe in down town Honolulu. The back-up was in place, certain vehicles and license plates had been identified and were watched or intercepted as the area was closed down. And all the while, Mick stayed in his place, seemingly oblivious to what was going on.
Kono and Chin were called in as well, away from one scene to cover what could become another. She was posted on a rooftop, as was generally her post and Chin was around back with another pair of HPD plain clothed officers playing chess in the park behind the building, and watching the parking lot and other businesses behind the cafe with eyes to intercept if Mitchel decided to flee through the back. Other officers walked the block in plain cloths and kept an eye on the perimeter, SWAT was moved in as well, but stayed out of sight of the shop's windows.
Danny and Steve walked in and walked right to the countered without looking at the people in the cafe.
"What can I start for you?" The young lady at the till asked.
"I'll have a large coffee, black, and a muffin," Steve ordered.
"And you?" She asked Danny.
"Triple red eye," Danny answered with a sigh of exhaustion.
"You want to give yourself a heart attack?" Steve criticized as he paid the lady for both orders.
"You are more likely to cause my heart attack with your antics than the coffee will," Danny countered. "You know how insane this plan is?" He asked a little louder.
"Last thing I needs is you wired and jittery," Steve continued in his criticism, while ignoring his partner's jabs.
"I'm just trying to stay awake for you. You've had me running in circles for days, and until this case is wrapped up, I don't get to sleep. So yes, the triple espresso is warranted," Danny said as the girl handed him his coffee. "Thank you darling," he said and sipped at the steaming hot brew. "So good!"
"You always bicker like an old married couple?" She asked with a giggle as Steve tipped her and took his own order.
"Always," Danny said with a wave and moved to leave until Steve plopped himself down at the table in the corner with Mitchel Frape.
"Not interested in your foolishness," Mick said without looking up from his book.
"Then maybe you'd be interested in this," Steve said as Danny sat and slip his phone across the table as the sound of the recorded phone call blared at full volume for the whole cafe to hear.
"P.S. We found your missing merchandise. They are being catalogued and impounded as we speak. They are bound to be destroyed," Danny added as the man looked up and the recording ended.
"Do you deny that that was you?" Steve asked.
"Because it was this recording that helped us to identify you. Technology is amazing, I hate it, but it's amazing," Danny added when the man did not respond, only folded his news paper with pristine accuracy and placed it on the table. Danny continued, "So, let me tell you the story about how Gus Stanton was always out to screw you."
"Leave me be and I'll clean up this whole mess for you Detective," Mitchel spoke at almost a whisper. "And Gus Stanton will never bother you again."
"Well, the thing is that Gus is already dead, so is Joe and Sarah, and Marcus Brestlin. And we found the guns and the explosives, so I think we've cleaned it all up fairly well. You're the last loose end on our list," Steve commented.
"The Californians are dealing with your people there. The explosives have been apprehended and also destroyed by the bomb squad. The weapons are also off the game board now and Gus Stanton never actually planned to turn those weapons over to you. Did you pay him in advance?" Danny asked as the anger seemed to grow in Mick's face but he stayed calmly in his seat. "They were always meant to be used to kill Five-O to prove to you, an old mob style boss, that he was a better player of this game than you were. That the game has changed, and that your way is an old way. Why do you think your guy Marcus, yes we know he was supposed to be your inside man on the truck, and in with Gus, didn't call you directly when they detoured the weapons to the house Marcus was sharing with Sarah Stanton?" Danny asked.
"Because he was a double agent this whole time," Mitchel said with a shake of his head.
"Yes, he was. If it's any consolation he died in a firefight with Five-O about three and a half hours ago," Steve said and sipped his coffee.
"So what are your plans for me?" Mitchel asked.
"Well, we've uncovered just how deep and into the smuggling game that you are and just how many charges you're accused of, or soon will be, so we do have a warrant for your arrest. The rest is up to you. We have this cafe surrounded. You can either surrender and come quietly…"
"Please choose that option," Danny said as he interrupted Steve.
"Or you can try to fight, but for every goon you have in here we have a cop posing in plain cloths and more in the back kitchen who've already incapacitated your guys back there. So do you want to live or do you want to be the final casualty in this case full of tragedy?"
"I'll go quietly," the man before them said and placed his hands palms up onto the table. "Let the record show that I am cooperating with the police and that I am a victim as well in this case."
"Oh thank you, at least someone has some common sense today," Danny said and placed a pair of handcuffs on the table. "Would you mind wearing these?" He asked and unassisted the man handcuffed himself. "And yes, you may be just another pawn in this case but you're accused of some pretty major stuff."
"I always am, it's the old mob way. You know this Detective, you've dealt with it enough in your younger days on the East Coast," the man said and though he was under arrest, he seemed cheerful and almost nostalgic. "All good things must come to an end," he added with a wink.
"I don't miss you old mobsters," Danny said with a shake of his head. "And there is nothing good that could come from what you do. Weapons and explosives; these cause mass casualties and you are responsible for that."
"No, I'm responsible for selling them. The men who use them are responsible for what happens when they use them, or at least that's what my lawyers will argue."
"So you'll still go to prison," Danny countered.
"But not for life," Mick said. "And when I'm out, I'm sure I'll see you gentlemen again."
"Or you could clean up your act," Danny offered.
"Where's the fun in that, Detective?" Mick said and smile.
"The game is over," Steve said, sighed and leaned back in his chair. "For now at least."
"For now," Mick said.
"I guess I really don't need this," Danny said and motioned to the coffee he'd barely touched. "I mean, this did end surprisingly calmly. Not exactly what I expected."
"What would be the point in risking my life now?" Mick asked. "You've got me on tape. A desperate man may have acted out of instinct and distress, but I am not a desperate man."
"We shall see about that," Danny said as he stood and left the coffee behind.
"Yo, I bought it, you drink it!" Steve scolded. "Let's just sit here a second and finished our coffees," he added and nodded at Mitchel. "You want anything, my treat, seeing as your being so cooperative."
"No thank you," Mick answered. "I'm finished with the news paper if you're interested," he offered.
"Can we just go?" Danny asked. "It's been a long week."
"All right, we can take these with us," Steve said and stood. "Come along. Drink your coffee," he added as Danny took the up and the fugitive by the arm and together they left the cafe.