He spent enough time in Jersey that there were things he missed, Sal's, Manny's plus some very good talk radio, so when Bobby Raines started broadcasting in Honolulu, he tuned his radio in. He'd never say it out loud, but he was one of the statistics that helped Raines "smokin' " the competition with static, not that he'd admit that to his team. He caught enough ribbing about being homesick without adding fuel to the fire. This case wasn't going to be easy.
Tony Archer reminded him of his father, his real dad, not his uncle who pretended to be his dad. The guy was full of sass and vinegar as his grandma would say. Not many people try to bluff McGarrett. Danny couldn't help but like the older cop. After sharing some authentic pizza, Danny dropped Steve off, declining the beer offer and went home. He had something he needed to do.
Dialing a number he couldn't forget, he waited for the call to ring through.
"Hello, Malloy residence." Words wouldn't come out. "Hello," the annoyed voice said again. Still not getting a response, his mom's voice became slightly distant. "It's that prank caller again, you wanna try?"
His dad replaced his mom on the line. "Listen, you little punk. You stop calling here, you hear me? I'm gonna put a trace on this phone and then I'm gonna call the cops."
"Hey, Pop," Danny squeaked, finding his voice.
"Who is this?" his dad's angry voice demanded.
"It's me, Pop."
"Turk? That you, boy?"
"Yeah, it's me."
The silence was oppressive. Finally his dad spoke again. "Well, what ya know. You wait all these years to call and now you have nothing to say. Thought your momma raised you better than that."
"I just wanted to make sure you and ma are okay."
"Course we're okay. Why wouldn't we be, but you already knew that didn't you?"
Danny was stunned, "What do mean?"
"You don't think your ma and I don't know about your monthly calls to Virgil? We may be old, boy, but we ain't stupid."
"I didn't think he'd tell you."
"He didn't have to. We knew. You're still our son," his father stated as if that would convey everything the man was thinking.
"Thanks, Pop."
"Yeah, well… you take care of my granddaughter, you hear?"
"I will."
"And,Turk."
"Yeah, Pop?"
"Take care of yourself and keep in touch." His father hung up before he could reply.
Danny sat staring at his phone for a few minutes before he hit speed dial.
"Hey, partner, what's up?" a somewhat cheerful Steve answered.
"Uh, is that offer for a beer still open?"
"Anytime, buddy."
"See you in a few." He wouldn't tell Steve about the conversation with his dad, but he just needed some company right now.