CHAPTER 12

The drive back to headquarters was once again silent and awkward. Steve drove, sitting on a yellow towel he had borrowed from Kono. Their suspect was wrapped in a bright pink towel in the back seat, hands cuffed behind his back and sniffling like he had a bad cold. With every sniffle, Steve's hands tightened around the steering wheel in agitation.

Danny glanced over at Steve. He was still wet and pissed. Danny knew it would be similar to suicide if he tried to broach the subject of their little fight. He also knew if he let it fester for any longer than a day, the damage he caused may be irreparable. Glancing behind him, Danny decided not to do it now, given their suspect was within hearing range.

Another sniffle from their miserable suspect and Steve tightened his grip once again. This time, he gasped as though in pain. Steve began unconsciously rotating his left wrist, leaving his right hand on the steering wheel.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Danny asked quietly.

Danny saw the tumble his partner had taken down the stairs. He could have bruised any number of body parts, or even broken a bone. It was only seven steps, but hit one of those wrong, and one could be in a world of hurt. Landing in the lake must not have helped things either. If he wasn't sore now, Danny knew his partner would definitely be feeling it later.

"Fine," Steve said shortly.

"Okay. Just make sure you ice that when we get back to the office," Danny said while trying not to sound too concerned or overbearing.

Steve sighed in frustration. "You really want to do this now?"

"I don't know what you are talking about, Steven," Danny said, keeping his voice calm.

"Damn it, Danny. I can take care of myself," Steve said in a low, borderline angry, voice.

"I know that," Danny said, holding his hands up as though they could stop the anger of his partner's words.

"Okay, then back off," Steve said bluntly.

Steve's face portrayed nothing but a blank portrait. Danny couldn't be sure what his partner was feeling underneath the facade, but he suspected that due to the tense posture, it was anger and maybe…embarrassment.

The silent awkwardness returned to the interior of the car. It had almost become suffocating to Danny. Danny couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Look, I'm sorry," Danny said.

"What?" Steve said, keeping his eyes firmly on the road.

"I said, I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said…It wasn't true," Danny said. "I was wrong."

Steve frowned. "What wasn't true?"

"What I said about you not going to therapy. About you being more messed up than normal. About not being able to trust you," Danny said quietly.

Steve sighed, this time in acceptance. "You were right."

Now it was Danny's turn to be confused. "Huh?"

"What you said, you were right. I should have told you I stopped going to therapy. There's a lot of things I should have told you. Right now, I'm not functioning my best. I know that…And you were right. I may not be fit to be commanding the team if I can't even find it in me to tell you something like that."

Danny thought about what Steve had just said. "Why did you stop going to therapy?"

"That first appointment, it was a disaster. I was so anxious about the whole thing. The doctor was completely useless and just made it worse. He said that I had to make peace with what happened and move on. Like it was that simple. I felt like the walls were closing in on me and I just had to get out of there. I left in the middle of the appointment and never came back," Steve explained.

"I wondered why you were back so early. You told me that it was a preliminary appointment, that it was just a quick, get to know you, sort of thing. Why did you lie to me?"

"I was…embarrassed. I failed at something so simple. And it was just another failure in a long line of failures. Besides, talking to you was so much easier," Steve admitted.

Danny sighed. Now he understood. "You know you could have just told me the truth."

"I tried. You were so far into your rant that I couldn't get a word in edge-wise," Steve said bitterly.

"I mean before it became an issue. I've told you before not to bottle things up," Danny said.

Steve eyed Danny before turning his head back to the road. "You and Kono tag-teaming me now?"

"Let me guess, she said the same thing?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Well then, maybe we know what we are talking about, huh?"

Steve smiled. "Yeah, maybe…I've only had myself for a very long time, Danny. It's hard for me to understand there are people out there who care about my wellbeing. I've never had that before."

"I get that, but putting all your energy into looking after everyone else first is not the answer to your problems. You can't push us away because you are afraid something might happen. It's no use playing the 'what if' game. Besides, if you don't look after yourself, you won't be able to look after everyone else like you want to."

Steve thought that over for a moment. "You're right."

"I know. And as for the whole 'not being able to trust you' thing, you know I didn't mean that, right?" Danny asked, uncertainty in his voice.

"I understand that now, Danny. But like with Gracie, it's going to take me some time to believe it," Steve said sadly. "I would never put the team in a position where my actions would mean consequences for you. I know I have some issues to sort through, and I will once this case is done."

"Maybe you just need some time off?" Danny said.

Steve smiled. "I already told you I was going to take some vacation time once this case was solved. I meant it."

Danny was silent again. "So, are we good?"

Steve laughed. "Yeah, Danny. We're good."

Danny let out a relieved breath. "Thank God."

"Kono said you were miserable. I'm sorry for that," Steve apologised.

"I only made myself miserable. It's because of my big mouth that we even had that fight."

Steve raised his eyebrows. "You call that a fight? I thought it was more of a disagreement?"

"No, it was definitely a fight," Danny argued.

"Dudes, how long have you two been married?" the suspect in the back seat piped up.

"You, shut up and stop sniffling," Danny said.

"But…"

"I believe Detective Williams told you to shut up. I'd listen to him. Otherwise he might have to get the duct tape," Steve said, eyed their passenger in the rear-view mirror and smirking malevolently at him.

Ano Kapule gulped nervously at the dangerous look in the Commander's eyes. He wisely closed his mouth and pretended the conversation he had just overheard never happened.

"You smell like wet dog," Danny announced as soon as they entered Five-0 headquarters.

Steve took a sniff of himself. He had to agree with his partner. He did indeed smell like a damp dog after having fallen into the lake. If he admitted it to himself, his entire body felt like one big bruise after that tumble. A hot shower wouldn't go amiss.

"Fine, I'll take a shower and then we'll interrogate Kapule," Steve replied.

"And ice your wrist," Danny said.

Steve sighed exasperatedly. "Danny."

"Just go and shower already," Danny said, ignoring his partner's whine.

Steve turned abruptly and headed in the direction of the changing rooms. Chin and Kono, who were waiting by the smart table, grinned at the familiar banter.

"Looks like things are back to normal," Chin said, his face not betraying his amusement.

"Don't remind me," Danny muttered.

"So I take it you two made up?" Kono asked.

"Yeah. We did," Danny said with a sense of relief.

"So how come he ended up taking a swim and you didn't?" Kono asked, eager to know the answer.

"Well, Kapule knocked Steve over, but Steve grabbed Kapule and took him into the drink with him," Danny summarised. "I just happened to not be in the way."

"Did he hurt himself?" Chin asked. "He looks a little stiff."

"Other than his pride, I think he hurt his wrist. But, being typical SuperSEAL, he refuses to acknowledge it."

"I thought you said you two made up?" Kono asked.

"Oh, we did. That doesn't mean he's going to change his ways overnight," Danny said, slightly annoyed.

"That's true. He can be very stubborn," Chin said knowingly. "His father was the same."

Danny rolled his eyes skyward. "Great. There were two of them."

"Four, if you count Mary and Mrs McGarrett," Chin reminded him.

Danny shook his head at the ridiculousness of it. No wonder Steve had so many issues when it came to his family.

At that moment, Steve returned, having showered and changed into dry clothes. He was attaching his badge back onto his belt as he walked in.

"Much better," Danny announced as he sniffed the air theatrically.

"Feels better too," Steve said with a smile. "Let's go talk to Kapule."

Danny held up his hands to stop his partner. "Not before we take care of your wrist."

Steve glared at Danny and Danny glared back, not backing down. Steve relented.

"Fine. Make it quick."

Danny grinned triumphantly at the cousins and led Steve into his office, sitting him down on the couch.

Steve sighed. "It's just a mild sprain, Danny. It can wait."

"It's a sprain that's going to get dealt with right now. Kapule can wait," Danny argued.

Steve huffed in annoyance. Danny glared at him.

"I know you said you are not used to people looking out for you, so think about it like this. You would do the exact same thing for me. So deal with it," Danny said sharply as he wrapped Steve's wrist carefully.

Steve nodded mutely.

"Did you hurt anything else?" Danny asked.

"Just a few bruises that will be sore for a few days. Other than that, only my pride," Steve said quietly.

"If it makes you feel any better, I don't think Kapule expected to be taking a swim either. You certainly caught him by surprise. I don't think he's finished crying yet," Danny said.

Steve grinned. "You know what? That does make me feel better."

His wrist now supported, Steve left his office with Danny in tow. The two headed down to the rendition room where Ano Kapule was waiting for them. Danny stopped Steve before they entered the room.

"Wait, Steve."

"What now Danny?" Steve asked, exasperated.

"What's the game plan here?" Danny asked.

"We ask him questions, he gives us answers," Steve replied simply.

"That's not what I meant and you know it. I need you to clue me in on what you're thinking," Danny said earnestly.

"Let's just say I have a hunch," Steve said.

"That Kapule isn't our guy and someone is framing him?" Danny guessed.

"Maybe. I just think it's too neat. All the evidence led straight to him when we haven't had any tangible evidence for weeks. Why now? Where's our third victim? Where's the gun? Where did he kill Perry? If he did kill Perry, why go to all the effort of deleting him from the NCIS archive? There are too many unanswered questions. Plus, look at the size of him. There is no way he could take on two six-foot tall guys by himself. I think someone else is pulling the strings."

"Okay. You may have a point there," Danny conceded.

"Of course I do. Let's see what he knows," Steve said, opening the door to the rendition room. "After you."

Danny entered the room first, followed by Steve who slammed the door behind them. The sight before them was pitiful. In the centre of the room was their suspect, Ano Kapule. He was cuffed to the only chair in the room, the water dripping off of him and into the drain by his feet. He was still sniffling.

"Ano Kapule. You're in a lot of trouble," Danny began.

Ano looked up at the two cops. He was shaking. It was unclear whether that was due to the cold from being wet or fear. Kapule knew the reputation Five-0 had around the islands. That was enough to instil fear in him regardless of the circumstances.

"You have been arrested twice in the past for animal cruelty. Before that, it was breaking and entering. You've been very busy, my friend," Danny said, his face giving nothing away.

"Add in assaulting an officer of the law, resisting arrest, impeding a criminal investigation…I wonder how many more crimes we can add to your rap sheet," Danny continued as Steve stood in the corner, glaring at Kapule.

Kapule looked at Steve before turning his fearful eyes to Danny. "I didn't do anything, man. That guy," he said, looking at Steve, "just came after me. I tried to get away, but he just kept coming."

Steve smirked as Danny continued. "Why did you run when all we wanted was to ask you some questions?"

"I'm on my third strike. I don't want to go back to prison," Kapule said, looking down at his feet.

"So, you thought running away from some cops was the best thing to do?" Danny said to the idiotic criminal.

Kapule shrugged. He didn't have a good answer to that.

"Why did you push my partner here down the steps?" Danny asked.

"He wasn't going to stop until he caught me. I was afraid he would kill me," Kapule answered. "He's crazy."

Danny snorted. "Don't I know it. Did you know he once hung a guy off a roof by his ankles?"

Steve grinned when Kapule's eyes grew wide in disbelief.

"Have you ever been to 3 Kalaka Place in Kailua?" Danny asked.

"No." Kapule's voice quivered slightly.

This time Steve spoke. "Then why did we find your fingerprints there?"

Kapule stuttered before answering. "I-I-I don't know. I've never been there before."

"Try again," Steve said, his voice dangerously low.

"I swear."

"Wrong answer," Steve said as he walked behind Kapule so he had to turn his head to keep his eyes on Steve.

Steve placed his hands on both of Kapule's shoulders before whispering in his ear. "Here's the thing, Ano. I don't think you murdered anyone. I mean, animals are more your thing, right? I think someone is setting you up to take the fall. I want to help you, but I don't help people who don't help me."

Steve patted Kapule on his head and returned to his original position in the corner. Kapule gulped, considering his options.

"Where's my lawyer?" Kapule asked with false bravado.

"Look around you, Kapule. You know who we are? We're Five-0. That means you don't get a lawyer until we say so," Danny said.

"I know my rights," Kapule said, sitting up straight.

Steve smiled and turned to Danny, winking at him before he walked out the door.

"Where's he going?" Kapule asked, suddenly nervous.

"I don't know. He could be getting some rope to tie you to the front of my car. He could be getting a boat so we can feed you to the sharks. Hell, he could be calling one of his SEAL buddies so they can practice the latest methods of torture on a guinea pig. How am I supposed to know?" Danny said sarcastically.

"You're not serious?" Kapule asked uncertainly.

"I'm very serious. Let me do you a favour. If you tell me the truth, I will try and stop him from whatever his insane brain is planning," Danny said, his pace impassive.

Kapule said nothing. Danny sighed. "Your funeral."

Danny joined Steve outside the rendition room, making sure to slam the door behind him.

"You're right. He didn't do it," Danny said.

"Yeah. He's scared, just not of us," Steve surmised.

"He knows who's behind all this and he's willing to go to jail for them," Danny said.

"Let's hand him off to HPD. Let him spend the night in lockup. We'll talk to him again tomorrow, maybe make some progress," Steve suggested.

"Good idea," Danny agreed.

The start to the weekend found the Five-0 team once again at Five-0 headquarters. With a suspect in custody, they had no time to waste if Kapule could provide them with the information they needed to solve the case. The case that was quickly becoming more intricate and confusing by the day.

However, to some, especially the Governor of Hawaii, the case was closed. News that a suspect was in custody had spread like wildfire through the law enforcement community.

"Commander McGarrett. I hear you have caught your man?" Governor Denning said as soon as he entered the bullpen.

"Good morning Governor. It is true we have a suspect in custody. Although we have yet to ascertain whether he committed the crimes, Sir," Steve explained.

"I hear you found evidence that he was at the scene where you also found blood and other evidence relating to the victims? That sounds like irrefutable evidence to me," Denning said.

"With all due respect, Sir, we disagree. There is more to this case. The crime scene was too convenient. We need to investigate more, Sir. We think Kapule wasn't working alone."

Denning held up a hand to stop Steve. "Commander McGarrett. As far as the State of Hawaii is concerned, this case is closed. You have your man. I expect the paperwork on my desk by Tuesday morning," he said before exiting without so much as a goodbye.

Steve turned to the rest of the team, noting the gobsmacked looks on their faces.

"You heard the man. The case is closed," Steve said dejectedly.

"But…" Danny said.

"We have our orders Danny," Chin reminded him.

"However, what the Governor doesn't know won't hurt him," Steve said, his eyes lighting up. "We will continue to investigate. We can worry about Denning later."

The team smiled. Steve was acting like his old self again. Going behind the Governor's back to get the job done.

"Danny," Steve called. "Let's go see if Kapule has anything to say."

"Coming," Danny said and left the cousins working at the smart table.

Arriving at HPD ten minutes later, the partners noticed there was an unusual flurry of activity in the precinct. They caught Duke, whom was rushing past them, a phone to his ear and a file in his hand. Duke hung up the phone and passed the file to another officer before talking to them.

"Commander McGarrett, Detective Williams," Duke greeted them. "I was just coming to find you."

"Hey Duke." Danny said. "Well, we just saved you a trip."

Duke sighed. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."

Steve felt his stomach clench in anticipation. "Go ahead, Duke."

"Malory Winters passed away yesterday afternoon. The artist we sent to draw the sketch found her in her hospital bed. Apparently the disease finally caught up to her," Duke answered.

Danny sighed. "Why is it everything about this case is a dead end?"

"There's more." Duke sighed. "I'm sorry, but Ano Kapule was found dead in his cell a few minutes ago. We have no idea how it happened."

Steve groaned and gave Danny a knowing look. That was no coincidence.

"Can we see the cell?" Danny asked.

"Of course." Duke led the way to the holding cells.

The furthest cell was empty except for Ano Kapule's pale corpse. His neck had been sliced open and his crimson blood covered the floor. His eyes were still open, gazing into nothing. Steve knelt by the body and sighed.

"There goes our answers," he said.

"Someone certainly didn't want him to talk," Danny concurred.

"I don't care what Denning thinks. This isn't over!" Steve vowed.