Jersey 5-0 chapter 19
Heloo guys. Thank you for the support. Here's another, i hope you enjoy it.
After the team set their chairs around the long picnic table and then filed through the kitchen. Cutlery,
condiments, straws and drink cans on ice were on the countertop for the team members to gather.
Along with paper plates and paper bowls for fruit or salad. There was Jell-O with fruit, cole slaw, potato
salad, macaroni salad as well as green and fruit salads for side dishes along with corn on the cob and
baked beans.
"There are baked potatoes out on the grill. Salad dressings, butter and sour cream are out of the table.
Please cover up the stuff when you're done." Danny asked politely. "Take what you want and out to
the grill." He was putting on an apron that boldly proclaimed: Kiss the Cook.
As the team filed through, Danny noticed the steaks were all but gone. He reached between Steve and
Junior and snagged a couple of steaks. "Hey Steve, thanks for bringing these. Glad you could come. I,
ah, I am sorry about my daughter…"
"Why? She's adorable." Steve smiled and 'played dumb'.
Danny smiled back, grateful the naval officer was holding a grudge. He realized his baby girl hit another
milestone: eavesdropping. Now she had to learn the difference between literal and petty sarcasm. He
was both relieved and grateful McGarrett didn't hold a grudge. They had just gotten on friendly terms,
Grace repeating his vented exaggerations could have really soured their relationship. He should learn to
trust Rachel; she kept telling him to keep his voice down.
"I like how you brain storm, Detective Williams." Junior said as he happily scooped some potato salad
on his plate.
"Well, it's been a week from hell. Nothing like down time to get the brain working; to think of small
details that may mean a lot that would have been overlooked. Like the makeup, you proved your
commander's theory: the manager, Ms. Downey, IS involved by coercion. Now, that we know she is
under duress, we have to proceed cautiously. We are making an educated guess it's the bartender who
is brutalizing her. This team has a murder to solve and extract Ms. Downey, IF we can; IF she trusts us."
Junior nodded as he handed the serving spoon to Steve with a grin. "She trusts Commander
McGarrett."
Steve narrowed his eyes at Junior as he took the spoon but held his tongue.
Danny smiled at the senior officer's discomfort. Looking toward the window so Steve wouldn't see,
Danny spied Lou Grover flipping burgers - on HIS grill. He hastily put his paper plate into Junior's empty
had and went to the window. He unlocked it and slammed it open. "What the HELL are you doing,
partner? THAT is MY grill!"
"Well, partner, people were out here with raw meat and you were in there, flapping your gums. People
are hungry and didn't want people getting hangry. Boss."
"Daniel." Rachel was standing in the doorway, a child's hand in each of hers. Her voice was barely
louder than a whisper but spoke volumes. "Gracious host. Lou is helping and you were making your
friends wait while inside talking with Steve and Junior."
"Thanks Lou." Danny said with a wave. He closed the window and reclaimed his plate. "Okay guys, see
you out there." He almost fell over his own feet in his haste to get out to his grill.
Rachel just watched, shaking head and smiling her tolerant wife smile. She watched Steve finish
prepping his plates.
Steve was aware he was being watched. He piled his plates, raw food on the bottom and handed them
to Junior. "Scope us out a place. I'm going help Rachel with the kids' plates."
"Ok." Junior took the plates. "Should l remind whoever is grilling you want your steak rare?"
"Please do." Steve turned to Rachel. "If you tell me what to put on their plates, l'll prep them."
"Oh, that would be lovely Steve. Thank you kindly." Rachel smiled in such a way, Steve instantly knew
what captured Danny's heart years ago.
"Ok." Steve got two paper plates ready. "Young ladies first. What would you like from the grill?"
"Go ahead, Gracie. Tell him." Rachel encourage.
"I would like a hamburger with cheese, please. And a corn cob please."
Steve prepped her plate. "Any side dishes for you, my lady?"
"Yes, please. Jell-O!"
"Ok." Steve piled the plates to take outside. "And what does the little man want to eat?"
Charlie needed no motherly encouragement. "Hot Dog!"
"Ok. Anything else?"
"Fuit"
"Fruit coming right up." Steve put a child's portion of the fruit salad and Jell-O on the boy's plate.
"Fuit!"
Steve looked at Rachel. "Did I misunderstand?"
"No. He's up from his nap and he's hungry. He hasn't quite mastered his R's yet."
Steve set those plates aside. "Danny took steaks for you and him. What sides would you like?" He
stood ready.
"A small portion of everything and a cob of corn please."
While Steve did so, Rachel asked, "Did I hear correctly? You're having your steak rare?" She glanced out
the window towards the grill and saw Junior was next. "Steve, would you mind terribly if I go outside
now?"
"Not at all, I'm right behind you. Close the screen door?"
"Yes, please." And she was gone.
Steve covered the containers and closed the screen door with his elbow. He approached the grill after
delivering the children's side dish plates to them at the kid sized table. Danny was quite animated and
he wondered what pushed the detective's buttons now.
"Since when, Rachel? I have never known you to like steak tar-tar! What the hell?!"
"I grew up eating Steak tartare. I only quit after l learned you didn't like it. But this is steak, rare. Not
tartare aller-retour, "
"What the hell is the difference?"
"Tartare aller-retour is usually ground meat, seasoned and quickly seared on each side to seal the patty.
Then sauce of choice is added. Rare meat, is a cut of meat the gets a light searing on each side to keep the
natural juices in the meat. So Love, may l too, have my steak, rare?"
"Whatever." Danny threw both steaks on the grill with Rachel and Steve watching.
After about a minute, "Flip it, please." Rachel requested.
Danny did as directed, trying to mask his dislike of the entire matter. He sighed heavily.
"Okay, done to perfection." Rachel held out her plate with a big smile.
"Here, get it off my grill. You too, Popeye." Danny said in his mock sour tone.
"Thank you Danny. Looks fantastic and smells even better." Steve smiled and held his plate out.
Danny threw the steak on the plate. "You and l are going to have a serious problem if l have to watch
my wife eat raw meat. And don't correct me. Get outta here, you navy bum." His mannerisms and his
words were brusque but his eyes were smiling.
Steve played along. "Yes sir. Thank you sir." He turned and made his way to his place at the picnic
table. Sitting down, Junior handed him a steak knife. "Thanks." Looking across the table, he saw
Rachel, enjoying her steak. His grinned as he cut into his.
"Thank you so much for reminding me of this pleasure." Rachel said as she sliced another tidbit to
devour. "Danny made it very clear on our second date what he thought of rare meat. I liked him so
much l abandoned my love for rare steaks and burgers. When I heard you ask for it, l got a serious
craving. I'm so glad l did." She popped the tidbit in her mouth.
"Hey Rachel? Can you please come grab the kids' plates?" Danny called from the grill.
Rachel got up and grabbed the plates for the kids. Danny followed with his plate to the adult table. He
sat down as she served the children and settled them down to eat. She returned to the table.
Danny scooted over and resettled. "I just want you to know I'm raising our children 'civilized' and not
'animal style'."
Steve just smiled as he chewed.
Rachel just rolled her eyes as she popped another tidbit in her mouth. She elbowed Danny in the ribs.
He jumped as her sharp elbow caught him unprepared. Danny decided to ignore her and continue
brain storming. "Steve, tell me: do you think you can get closer to Lynn Downing without being disloyal
to your intended?"
Steve looked up at the detective, "Sounds like you have a plan in mind."
"Well, yes and no. I want to make the bartender jealous, off balance. Force him out of his comfort zone
so he makes a mistake."
Steve thought a minute. "OK, l see that. What did you have in mind? I have two conditions: one: I will
not under any circumstances betray my Cat, and two: I will not shirk my teaching duties. The sooner l
finish this, the sooner l get rotated home." He looked down and whispered, barely audible, "I hope."
Danny released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "OK, should be easy. Shower Ms. Downing
with romantic gestures, a few dinners, flowers. That big Russian doofus has a short fuse and a big ego.
Jealousy is one of the seven deadly sins for a reason."
"Maybe that's the motivation. She had a boy toy and his ego couldn't take it." Rachel offered.
Danny stopped chewing. "Huh?"
"'If I can't have her, no one can,' 'you will do what I want – or else.' You know, more women are
murdered by men they are on intimate terms with in some way then stranger on stranger.'' Rachel
resumed eating
"She's right." Steve looked at Danny with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, she is." Danny looked at Steve. "That may be that's what happened. A lover's spat and he tried
to play for keeps.''
"Do you think he had planned to off her all along? Just leave her body there? She would have gone
missing or a new guest would have found her. Either way it brings in police interest. I'd think he'd want
to avoid that at all costs. No?" Chin was close enough to listen in. "Or did he have a disposal plan?"
"Don't forget they need Ly, ah, Ms. Downing to make their skimming operation work. I think he was
threatening her and somehow the gun went off."
"Maybe she pushed it away. I bet they didn't know that room was occupied.'' Everyone in hearing
range stopped eating a looked at their host. "I mean the bullet damaged the room. Someone would
have to repair it. Seeing it went through the wall, they would know damage done to the next room. I
got the call right after I dropped Grace off at school. School start at 8:30 so l caught the call just before
8:30. The manager starts around 6:00 so all jobs are assigned and covered. Let's look at the
maintenance man's work orders for that day and if it's there, find out who ordered it. The maid came
on at 8:00. She must have started the day on that floor and Wyler's room."
"But how would she know to go to 713 but not next door?" Junior asked.
"Chambermaids get a list from the front desk, usually with day of arrival and day of departure. She
would have known that room 713 was occupied." Rachel interjected.
"Chamber maid? Is that a fancier word for maid?" Junior asked.
"Yes." Danny and Steve said at the same time.
"It is a more process title. A chambermaid cleans and prepares a room. A scullery maid does kitchen
work, etc. So if she started there that morning, I bet she was working from a prepared list." Rachel
explained.
"Then it stands to reason, the maintenance department would get their work the same way. Hey Jerry."
Steve called down the table to the police computer analyst.
"Yo Commander." Jerry called back. "What can I do you for?"
"Those reports you managed to print, were there any work schedules of any kind?"
"All kinds: Bar work schedules, same for the coffee shop, gift shop, garden and maintenance. Why?"
"When you finished your lunch."
"10-4" Jerry resumed his lunch.
"Thanks for getting beer. I guess it wouldn't be a party if something important wasn't forgotten. I
mean, I bought the ice and the tubs but forgot the beer?'' Danny shook his head and took long drink
from his bottle. "Tell me Steve, ever pay football?"
Steve nodded. "Pee-wee up to college. Why?"
"Oh good, so you know the rules to touch football."
"Yes."
"Shall we pick teams? Me and Lou against you and Junior?"
"Okay."
Danny got up and called for quiet. Rules were established and teams chosen. It was Steve, Junior and
Chin against Danny, Lou and Jerry. Kono would serve a reserve in case someone got hurt. But until
needed, she would serve as referee.
Once boundaries were set, Rachel and Kono moved chairs for themselves and a blanket for the Williams'
children to a semi shady area at the midline and sat down to watch the fun.
Chin looked to Steve. "You were born at Tripler, right"
Steve looked impassive. "Yeah, so?"
"Well, it's us Hawaiian guys against mainlanders."
Steve broke into a wide grin. "You two speak pidgin?"
Chin and Junior nodded.
"Well, I suggest we use it. I seriously doubt a Jersey boy and a Chicagoan know any
Hawaiian/Creole/English. So, we call our plays that way."
"I think you should be our quarterback and play caller." Junior said. He could see Chin agreed.
Steve accepted graciously. "Ok. I haven't used pidgin in years so be forgiving. Please."
On the other side of the yard, Danny and his team were getting set as well. "I bet both you guys played
right?" Danny asked.
Both Lou and Jerry nodded. "You are the smallest and most limber of us, you should be our QB Boss."
Lou reasoned.
"Ok. We all played high school ball so we should all know the standard plays and how to adapt them
down to three men, right?"
Lou nodded while Jerry looked less confident. "I'll make do. I'll adapt.'' The analyst reassured his team
mates.
"Ok gentlemen, bring it in." Kono called out. "I need team names to referee with. You guys got any?"
"Well, stands to reason we'll be the JPD." Danny said. "They can be Navy."
"That wouldn't be fair to Chin Ho. So we'll be O'ahu." Steve said stubbornly.
"Whatever you guys want. What's an 'Ohaho'?"
"O'ahu is the island that the three of us are from in Hawaii." Steve explained. "Stands to reason."
"Oh shut up, sea dog." Danny teased.
"Coin toss. Danny, please call it in the air." Kono said then she flipped the coin in the air.
"Heads." Danny called quickly.
The coin fell on the grass heads up.
Danny grinned. "Aw, sorry Steve."
"That's ok. I prefer getting possession that start of the second half." Steve grinned back.
Danny took the football from Kono and the JPD team huddled up. "Ok, what do you think we should
open with? Pass or run? Which do you think will catch them by surprise?"
"Neither. He's military; he'll be prepared for both." Lou said as Jerry shrugged.
"Ok. Between the two off you, they will probably cover Lou. So get ready Jerry. Don't let them touch
you, it kills the play." Danny felt he better remind the analyst of the basics.
"Got it." Jerry nodded.
Team O'ahu was already lined up, waiting. Team JPD lined up and called their play. Danny fell back and
scanned the yard. Chin Ho and Junior were covering Lou, as expected. But Steve was covering Jerry,
whom he would beat with speed and height. "Damn you, Popeye." He threw directly into Jerry's chest.
Steve saw he was one step out of place. He maneuvered to be able to get Jerry as soon as he caught the
pass.
Jerry saw McGarrett running towards him and panicked. He took his eyes off the ball just before it
arrived. He slowed half a step.
Steve saw it coming. He ran just a bit faster. He locked eyes with Jerry.
Jerry swore he could feel McGarrett breathing down his neck. He flinched and missed the pass but he
did manage to block the taller man from intercepting.
The three man teams regrouped.
Team JPD:
"I don't think they were surprised." Jerry said between gulps of air.
"You think, Captain Obvious?" Danny said sourly.
"Ok. Ok." Lou tried to keep things light. "What's next?"
"Steve s all over Jerry like a cheap date. Do you think you can hold off Chin and Junior, Lou?"
"I'll try."
Team O'ahu:
"Good one man coverage sir."
"Jerry makes interception tough but breaking up the play is a piece of cake."
"Steve, I bet Danny will go to Lou now. Or run the ball. He's probing."
"I agree. Watch Danny, if he falls back, he'll most likely try and hit Lou. If he doesn't fall back, I'll wager
he'll try running it up the middle. I'll cover that and Jerry. Hawaii is an island. We don't want them on
'our' island."
By half time, no one had scored. But everyone was tired. Steve found a shady spot and laid down on
the grass. He concentrated on slowing his heart rate.
"Tired old man?"
"Who are you calling old?" Steve growled. "I bet I'm younger than you."
"Yeah, of course." Danny nodded as he too laid down on the cool grass. "About five minutes."
Steve just smiled and put his hands behind his head. "Is married with children as happy as you make it
appear? I found my one and we're happy."
"Don't worry about it. The rings change little, very little my friend. You either are committed or you're
not. How long you two been together?"
"Going on the better part of a decade."
"And you just now are getting around to it?"
"Well, we are both on active duty for the U.S. Navy. We've tried twice to get married but orders took
precedence. After this rotation, when I get back to Hawaii, we're getting married. As soon as I get
there. Before something else happens." Steve finished with conviction.
Danny smiled. "You got nothing to worry about. She sounds committed to you and vice versa. Before
you know it, you'll be an old married slob like me."
Steve laughed. "You're not a slob and I won't allow myself to become one; our women are too hot. But
you're right. I got nothing to worry about except getting to her. I honestly hope the navy has no more
surprise assignments for me. For a while."
Kono clapped her hands. "Halftime is over gentlemen."
The second half went like the first. Rachel was struggling to keep awake. The children had given up and
laid down on their blanket and fell asleep around halftime. If Kono didn't have to referee, she would
have joined the children. "This has got to be the most boring touch football game I've ever witnessed."
Rachel yawned and stretched. "This being my first one."
"I know. At this rate, this game will be called on account of audience lack of interest, I mean darkness."
Kono smiled.
"Be honest Kono, on account of sheer boredom! I won't tell." Rachel yawned again. "What's the point
of this ritual anyway?"
"In a word: testosterone." Kono said. "It's a guy thing. I guess they play football and we girls get a
coffee and get our nails done."
"I like our way better, much more civilized." Rachel yawned again.
Meanwhile on the grass, frustration was running high. Team O'ahu had the ball and with only a couple
of minutes left and none of the men wanted overtime. Steve was determined to score and end this here
and now. "Chin you fall back and throw to me, lob it high and slow. Junior, you feint ahead and keep
them off me."
Team JPD was tired and frustrated too. "We got the biggest and the tallest. Why aren't we winning?"
Danny demanded as they huddled up.
"Because we're too evenly matched?" Jerry ventured.
"I hate you, Jerry, do you know that?" Lou growled.
"Shut up both of you! I'm rushing the passer. You two block the lead Hawaiian" Danny directed.
"What about the third man?" Jerry asked.
"I don't care about the third man, he's just a diversion. Last down then we get the ball and end this
already." Danny snapped.
The play started and Danny rushed at Chin Ho.
Chin Ho back pedaled just one step ahead of Danny. He looked down 'field' and threw as directed. A
nanosecond later Danny touched Chin.
Lou and Jerry watched the pass sail. They converged on Junior, who kept them busy running a zig zag
pattern.
As directed, they ignored the third man who slowed almost to a stop to catch the 'under thrown'
football. He caught it cleanly and hit the afterburners.
Lou and Jerry realized they had been duped when the pass never arrived. Both looked around just in
time to see Steve crossing the "goal line" with the ball safely under his arm.
Kono happily yelled "Touchdown: team O'ahu." Finally, the boredom was broken.
There was no extra point in the limited space. Steve flipped the ball to Lou who grumbled a thanks.
Each team huddled up.
Team O'ahu: "Kono, how much time left?" Junior called out.
"32 seconds." She called back.
"Okay, we just got to hang tough for a half a minute. We can't go into overtime." Steve panted.
"Agreed. We'll miss the real game." Junior added.
"I don't believe in ties." Chin Ho said.
"Hang tough gents. Then all we have to worry about is the rematch." Steve encouraged as they broke
their huddle.
Team JPD: "How did Popeye get by you guys?" Danny seethed.
"You said to ignore the third man and we did. So it was the commander, so what?" Jerry panted.
"Shake it off. One or two plays is all we got time for. So what's the plan?"
"Both of you, head for opposite corners. If you're both covered, I'll run it up the middle. Be fluid. Be
prepared for anything." Danny gave a spirited thumbs up.
They all lined up. Steve rushed the passer. Danny tripped over Jerry and threw the ball off kilter. The
ball sailed wild. The tall sailor stopped to watch the ball sail overhead just above his fingertips.
Junior saw it coming and positioned himself just right. He caught the wayward pass and took a knee.
Interception.
"Game O'ahu." Kono declared.
"What?! There' still time." Danny protested.
"12 seconds." Kono declared.
"One play." Steve clarified.
"Fine." Danny grumbled.
The play started. Chin Ho fell back with the ball and took a knee. Game over.