SHELL GAME OF THE DRAGON
Epilogue to Murder: Eyes Only – Steve and Dan deal with Wo Fat in a terrifying turn of events
Murder: Eyes Only
recap:
A letter bomb kills a Naval Officer while McGarrett is on Reserve Duty. He calls in Dan as well as Chin and Five-0's newest officer, Duke Lukela, to investigate. Bombings, Wo Fat, attempt on Steve's life, hostages and brainwashing ensue! Dan is used as a test subject in narco-hypnosis. Shockingly, he attempts to kill McGarrett – with an empty gun - because he is susceptible to the drugs! (foreshadowing of events to come!)
SHELL GAME OF THE DRAGON
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Confucius
September 1975
He really hated spies, Dan Williams silently reiterated to himself for the dozenth time. In the weaponry bay of a Coast Guard Sikorsky helicopter, gripping onto the hefty machine gun, his mission had been a vital play in the final checkmate of Wo Fat.
This part in the bring-down of the enemy was important. He WAS the designated liaison between the Coast Guard and police since he was a veteran of CG. Besides, Steve entrusted his participation here. He would have preferred to be on the ship next to his boss as Steve finally laid hands on the Red Chinese spy. AKA the dreaded nemesis of America, Hawaii Five-0 and particularly McGarrett.
Check. All pau for the Communists!
So glad this was finally over! All of it!
One of the worst fragments of his personal role in this dirty business haunted him. Steve had asked and naturally he had agreed to be a test subject of narco-hypnosis by the Navy shrink. To prove a loyal American COULD betray his country and kill under hypnosis. He didn't like the idea, yet Steve needed someone he could trust and wanted him to go through with it. Apparently he was perfect – which was disturbing – because his boss assured it solved the case! And provided endless blackmail opportunity for Steve to tease him for whatever unknown act he pulled off under the drug! One day he was sure Steve would tell him – then there would be more rounds of teasing!
Anything was worth it to arrest Wo Fat! Finally! The gratification of literally collaring the enemy operative now the pleasure of Steve McGarrett. What a satisfaction! Wishing he would be there for that penultimate moment, Williams knew his superior had ordered him personally to oversee the vital job of stopping the Red spy's hydrofoil Seaflite.
Pleased to use his skills of marksmanship to support his friend's quest to finish the ongoing games with the archenemy agent, Williams nonetheless felt a bit left out. However, he performed his role as ordered and did play a key part. Which he had done with deadly force. Damaging the fancy Seaflite with a grenade, stopping it dead in the water so the Navy ship could seize it and McGarrett could board.
This joint Navy-Coast Guard-Hawaii Five-0 operation had started when Steve – as Commander McGarrett on reserve duty – had been asked to investigate covert activities at Pearl Harbor. The labyrinthine plot had, of course, turned out to be the convoluted brain-child of Wo Fat!
Detecting the complexities in time, Steve had turned the tables. The fat Chinaman would be under the lock-and-key of the US government, and his compatriots heading back to China with fake plans!
Ships and aircraft of the US Seventh Fleet were the main thrust of this operation, but Coast Guard assistance was welcome. CINCPACFLEET was overloaded evacuating thousands of US citizens and refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as those countries fell to the Communists.
Mission accomplished, Williams gripped the machine gun as the Sikorsky hovered, providing air cover for the CG Cutter Cape Corwin, still tethered to Seaflite. With the optimum high vantage point Williams, the pilot, and copilot remained sentinels for any surprises that might pop up. Awaiting confirmation of the capture and arrest of Wo Fat, anxious doubts started to creep into his nervous thoughts. What was taking so long? A jubilant McGarrett should have called him by now.
II
Sizzling with anger that Wo Fat had tricked him again McGarrett could not speak to anyone! Livid! The Chinese bald man they had pursued - a decoy-double! Infuriating! The enemy slipping through his fingers again!
Five-0 nabbed the tall henchman/second of the lethal Red spy, Mr. Chong, but not the prize! Wo Fat had eluded him again! He wanted to throw something! Rail against the cruel and unjust universe that his nemesis and once-torturer was still free! If Danno was here he could have his own stalwart ally to vent to and release his venom. Even that small solace was denied!
According to the Navy the mission was a success. Yes, they provided fake plans for the Reds to steal! Yes, they would derail Chinese Intelligence! Yes, they discovered the Navy mole! Yes, they saved lives!
No, he did not capture Wo Fat!
Only the assistant, Mr. Chong! That would have to be good enough! This time! Consolation prize.
What he wanted more than anything – the real prize! His hands clutched onto Wo Fat!
III
The helo was angled with the cargo doors open, Williams' machine gun still targeting the disabled hydrofoil. Was Steve still on the vessel with Wo Fat? Had they transferred over to the CG ship Cape Corwin? Steve should have radioed by now that the fat spy was in cuffs. Why weren't they heading back to base?
Williams' headset crackled. "Something suspicious on our starboard side," came the voice of Lieutenant Carson the copilot. "Check out your two o'clock."
Grabbing a nearby set of binoculars, Dan directed his gaze at the location indicated by the officer.
Captain Tanaka, the pilot, identified over the comm, "That's a submarine! And not one of ours! Not with that con tower!"
Now Williams had it in sight! It was a submarine! Not a familiar design of the boats frequently seen around Pearl Harbor! His imagination instantly jabbed the supposition that this was where Wo Fat had been heading! A rendezvous with the Chinese submarine! This close to shore? They were barely off Waikiki and Diamond Head! The intruder was not in International waters, but Hawaiian!
This could get nasty! Just how badly did the Chinese Communist government want their master spy back? They were about to find out apparently!
The Chinese didn't know McGarrett captured Wo Fat!
As if this case was not complicated enough already!
He hated spies!
Orders? Chase the sub out of Hawaiian territory? Or board? What were the CG orders?
The captain radioed Barber's Point control, Oahu's Coast Guard base, and received permission to investigate. Williams nearly objected. He had no word yet from McGarrett. Was the head of Five-0 back aboard the Cape Corwin? Well, his boss had a whole crew of Coasties to watch his back. Dan's new target would require his complete attention.
The big chopper circled around headed toward the sinister black pencil-shape starkly visible amid the rolling surf. A dark blot emerging from the blue and white foam of the Pacific.
Captain Tanaka's voice again crackled through the earphones. "Bogey coming fast nine o'clock port side!"
Unhooking his safety lines and switching over to gaze out the port cargo doors, Williams spotted a speedboat flying above the waves! In a direct course for the submarine!
Someone meeting with the sub? Some high-ranking confederate of Wo Fat's? That didn't make sense! The corpulent Red agent was the only high-value target who could call up enemy rescue within United States waters! Wasn't he? Not Wo Fat's tall, lanky sidekick/Wo-Fat-shadow Chong – who should be in custody, too. He would not leverage that kind of dangerous support! Another spy?
Orders were given for the chopper to drop closer and investigate. Williams hung on as they swerved into a banking dive headed for the sub. Moments later, the black shape submerged, disappearing within seconds!
"Look, Cap'n," the co-pilot Carson told his leader. "That speedboat just changed course! Heading out to sea!"
Control at Barbers Point ordered the chopper to stick close to the speedboat. The US Navy was going to handle the renegade submarine.
Williams' headset crackled again. A direct link to McGarrett on the Navy ship.
"Danno, what is going on? Did I hear right? There's an unidentified submarine out there?"
"Yeah, Steve, non-US confirmed. Navy is on the case. Looks like there was a small speedboat heading toward the sub but it veered off! We're in pursuit."
"We're following your course! Keep this channel open!"
Why would McGarrett want to chase the unknown boat? He had captured his prize - Wo Fat! Why worry about any other Chinese agents?
The chopper dipped suddenly!
"Did that guy just fire at us!" Lieutenant Carson yelped. He reported the extraordinary surprise development as the helicopter veered around the stern of the fast craft.
Williams shifted to aim his weapon as the pilot maneuvered within firing range. They came up behind the speedboat making its way to the deeper ocean. Now, though, it was headed right for a cabin cruiser!
"Is he going to ram that stopped boat?" the co-pilot wondered.
"Distraction!" Williams shouted back! "If we try to save that innocent boater we lose the speedboat! I'll keep them away from the stalled craft!"
Through the binoculars Williams could see three men in the fleeing boat; pilot, passenger, and a man with an automatic rifle aimed at them! He fired harassing shots in front of the bow. The suspects (what Williams decided to label them since they were fleeing!) were deterred by Williams strafing in front of the boat.
An expert pilot, Captain Tanaka buzzed the speedboat in a dangerous sea-bound game of cat and mouse. When the swift craft veered too close to the cabin cruiser the big Coast Guard chopper was there to dissuade them! Finally, the quick little boat turned from harrying the cabin cruiser and jetted south toward open waters.
The gunman on the boat repeated shooting, but Tanaka kept dodging out of the line of fire. This kept Dan at a disadvantage as well, though. He could not take out the engine or otherwise damage the small boat without a steady shot. Nor did he have permission to strafe the passengers. They had no idea who was onboard! Now it was a zigzag pursuit until other support ships arrived to deploy a pincher maneuver.
IV
When he was notified of the unknown submarine and craft vying to rendezvous McGarrett instantly believed the obvious! Wo Fat's escape plan was the sub! The Chinese Navy was not covert enough, though and had been spotted by the chopper overseeing the operation! Choosing the better part of valor, the sub left. Ditching Wo Fat – he had to believe that was who was in the speedboat – desperate for escape.
Perhaps a rendezvous farther out if they could elude the Navy and Coast Guard? Not a chance! Knowing the spy, there were probably triple or quadruple bolt-holes for hiding. Rat lines for him to escape Oahu. However, those depended upon others to succeed! With Chong, his faithful accomplice now arrested maybe Wo Fat's avenues had been blocked!
Livid, McGarrett paced on the walkway alongside the bridge. His concentration was on scanning the surface of the glittering-blue Pacific with high-powered binoculars. Searching for the sub. Wo Fat was heading toward that Chinese craft and he would stop that escape!
A fleeting comparison to Ahab and the white whale intruded to his wrathful intensity. Perhaps he WAS Ahab. Wo Fat certainly qualified as the white whale! This time, the whale could not be allowed to escape!
Focus was difficult. Anger intruded. He could not push aside the moment of failure. He had barely restrained from strangling the impostor of Wo Fat! He had been so close! The enemy agent had tricked him again! The old shell game routine. Distract, switch, move pieces while the opponents (McGarrett) watched another piece! Maddening! Infuriating! How he wanted to pummel the smirk he knew was fixed on that – distant now - bald, fat face!
V
The helo suddenly jolted, a terrifying metal crack/scream filling the bay! Dan lost his balance and tumbled against the hull.
"We're hit! Rotor's hit!" the captain yelled through the headset.
The co-pilot was calling in a mayday as the big helicopter groaned and lurched to the side!
"We're going down! Jump!" the pilot ordered! "Get out, Williams!"
The cockpit crew jumped out!
Staring at the ocean below the detective had only seconds to calculate the conditions. Leap into the arms of the sea he knew so well. Swim clear of wreckage! Don't get caught under the hulk of the downed chopper or in the powerful vortex! Try to help the crew . . . .
He sprang, hoping his arrow-like plunge would save him from a harsh impact and broken bones as he dove into the waves from an unsafe height. As he fell he took a final, deep breath, expanding his lungs as full as possible, closing his eyes as shrapnel rocketed around him.
VI
At the rail of the bridge, Steve McGarrett was chasing waves through the binoculars trying to spot the submarine. Partial attention was on the radio as the pilot of the Coast Guard chopper reported on their pursuit of the speedboat.
Gunfire!
That shock brought him inside to listen and simultaneously watch as the chopper swung low, chasing the boat, harassing it to keep it clear of shore and other craft. Was that Danno firing on the boat? Was Wo Fat in the boat trying to reach the sub?
In an instant the chopper tilted, the rotors stopping! Mayday!
Steve's breath caught in his throat! No!
Suspended for an eternal moment, the chopper hovered dead-in-air, then tipped down! Flame spurted from the top of the helo! No! In a moment of horror the craft plummeted!
Shock was complete! Blindsided! Completely! Gasping for air, his immobility and utter, abject devastation froze him.
As if it would afford him more clarity, a closer vantage to the tragedy, Steve raced to the outer walkway. Gripping the rail he allowed the whipping sea-mist wind to blast away the gasps that pounded in and out of his numb lungs!
NO! Danno! Not Danno!
Steve had not foreseen this! Laser-beam focus had been on his enemy! Wo Fat! The cunning dragon! The double, the switch, the shell game, the submarine, the escaping boat – all consuming obsession! His white whale! How could he ever imagine Danno would be in danger in the chopper!
A swing in the deck shifted his mind out of shock. He rushed back onto the bridge. "We have to rescue them!"
The captain assured they were already changing course for search and rescue since they were the closest vessel. Naval craft and air support had been alerted to the submarine pursuing that mission.
The report of the vital chase from only moments ago was brushed off without acknowledgement. McGarrett dashed back to the walkway and trained his binoculars on the sinking wreckage of the downed helo. Where were the crew? Where was Danno? No life jackets visible! Had they been hit with gunfire before they even dropped? The bay doors were open, Williams firing out – exposed. Was Danno wounded? Trying to survive amid falling debris – a plunging Sikorsky atop his head! Caught in the whirlpool of tons of aircraft sinking to the bottom of the ocean . . .
Hands trembling, he dropped the binoculars to his chest. Fists pounding the rail, taking in deep breaths, he strained to spot any sign of survivors. He was beyond reason – pushed to the edge! The rippling emotions from the last hour had been excruciating! A roller-coaster of excited anticipation, utter failure, furious at being duped – again –and losing Wo Fat! The chase, the sub!
Roiling rage.
Crash!
Yes. That explained his state. Crashed.
Spies! Red Chinese! Submarines! None of that mattered now!
Moments before he felt he had lost the game and held only the consolation prize. Perspective shift to a completely different trophy! He took all that back now! What he wanted more than anything now – the real reward! What he wanted was his friend back. Alive.
His personal course adjusted, he trained the binoculars on the undulating waves of the Pacific. Struggling to make out anyone in the water around the nearly-sunk chopper.
One of the forward lookouts shouted sighting a life jacket!
YES! It had to be Danno! Experienced swimmer, surfer, his friend was in his natural element out here in the welcoming arms of his Hawaiian moana. If he was not injured. If he was still alive . . .
Scanning the glittery waves he spotted – yes – one man, orange flight suit. No. Danno had been in a blue and white aloha shirt – plainclothes detail . . . second orange flight suit. Coasty waving with one arm – maybe injured . . . A sandy-topped head bobbing behind the crewman, helping him stay afloat!
Relief bubbled out in a gasping laugh! Danno!
"You made it! You're alive, aikane! Mahalo!" he whispered.
His detective must be all right. Well enough to be aiding the CG officer! Steve leaned on the rail for support until his nerves steadied. Then he raced down the ladder to the lower deck where the rescue teams would bring the survivors aboard.
VII
The injured co-pilot was hauled up first in a basket. Then Williams under his own power. McGarrett was there, in the way, as he grabbed onto his friend's arm and pulled him aside, an arm wrapped around his soppy form.
"You all right, Danno?" He gave a sweeping visual inspection. All seemed well. A scrape on the side of the head. A bit out of breath. Steve pulled away, still holding onto Williams, assuring the officer was at least able to stand on his own. "You're okay?"
Nodding, taking in some air, he nodded. "Yeah, Steve."
McGarrett snagged a blanket one of the sailors had brought. He wrapped his detective up tight. "Let's get you out of the wind." He pointed in the direction of the chopper pilot and captain who were already heading down to sickbay.
Assuring he was fine, Dan suggested they just go somewhere and sit. McGarrett directed him to a forward conference room and along the way ordered a sailor to bring a mug of coffee. Settled next to his second-in-command, McGarrett waited, keeping the blanket tight on the yet-trembling, soppy shoulders. Noting the scalp scrape was bleeding he repeated that they should be in sickbay. Dan brushed it aside.
McGarrett grabbed the towel that came with the ordered coffee. He pressed the cloth to Williams' head. "Well, we're headed back to Pearl," the boss grumbled. "I'm taking you straight to Bergman – "
"Really, Steve—"
"No argument."
Leaning his head against the hull, Williams gave a curt nod. "All right. But don't you have better things to do than babysit me? Don't you want to book Wo Fat yourself?"
Steve realized Danno didn't know anything of what went on!
No they did not catch Wo Fat!
The ire swept through his bloodstream like a flash-fire! Undoubtedly it showed. Straightening, Williams lost what was left of his color.
"What happened?"
Staring at his friend, who seemed more upset that their plans had failed than his own near-fatal crash, Steve gained perspective.
"The old shell game, Danno." He sighed, still livid, yet fatigued relief settling his electrified nerves. "Wo Fat was not on the hovercraft at all! Only Chong! That slippery old goat got away!"
"Oh, no!" Williams shook his head, thought better of it and leaned back again. "Steve, I'm so sorry you were distracted! If we hadn't been downed you wouldn't have lost him! He must have been on the speedboat! By now he hooked up with that sub for sure!"
Gazing at his soppy officer, who was taking this as hard as he was, his system slowly reset to a different vista. Yeah. Perspective. For days, all he wanted was that fat Chinese spy. Until a while ago. Then all the Communists and lies and traitors meant nothing in the shadow of true terror. He thought he'd lost Danno.
Smiling, he moved closer to his friend, placing a secure arm around the wet shoulders. "No, Danno, it was a shell game. I took my eye off one ball so I could keep my eyes on a more important one.
Was that a blush? "Mahalo."
Laughing, he patted the arm, sending little splashes of rain onto both of them. Another deep, grateful, relieved laugh.
THE EYES OF THE DRAGON
The late afternoon sunlight glinted off the white jet with sharp intensity. From behind dark glasses, Dan Williams averted his gaze from the private aircraft to catch a glimpse of the tall man next to him. No reaction from Mr. Chong (still no first name after two days of interrogation). Five-0 had lost paperwork and shuffled Chong around for as long as possible, but Jonathan Kaye, representing unspecified government shadow-alphabets in DC finally applied enough pressure to force Chong's expulsion from Hawaii.
Glancing at the man on the other side of Chong, he was not surprised to see Steve McGarrett's jaw muscles working overtime, teeth grinding with silent, fuming frustration and anger. It was bad enough that Wo Fat slipped out of their fingers - again - two days ago. Now, courtesy of the Federal government, Wo's henchman was getting a private jet transfer out of McGarrett's reach.
The loss of both Chinese spies after the case involving Navy treason, selling US secrets, an attempt on Steve's life, was almost unbearable for McGarrett. Difficult to live with these past few days, Steve would calm down after Chong left. Then they would return to the routine business of protecting Hawaii from mundane criminals. For a while, the recurring nightmare of Wo Fat would recede from his boss' focus.
Getting through the next few minutes would be tough, but once the official transfer (which Steve insisted on completing himself) ended, things would settle down. If Steve were a drinker, Dan would take him out for a hearty round of beer consumption. So, bar hopping was out, but maybe he'd kidnap Steve and take him to the target range. They could paint little images of Wo Fat on the ten-ring and blow a few boxes of shells obliterating the Chinese spy in effigy.
The jet rolled to a halt and almost immediately the door opened and swung down as steps. A lanky man in a black suit emerged.
'Must be right from DC,' Dan smirked to himself. 'No one but a Dark-Coaster would wear a black suit to Hawaii in September.'
"Mr. McGarrett." The Slender-Fed gave a nod of his head, never removing his sunglasses. "I think you'll find all the papers in order."
The lean man (with an odd accent that Dan couldn't place - Boston, maybe? - handed McGarrett some official documents.
No effort attempted to take the documents. For a moment, Dan wondered if there was going to be a confrontation - Steve refusing to surrender the prisoner and Slender-Fed (glorified courier) stymied. The Slender-Fed would regroup, and lose another bit of time in the custody battle.
Williams found no humor in the comparison to the spy-chess-game always in motion between McGarrett and Wo Fat. Move, countermove, capture pawn, lose Bishop, jeopardize Knight.
The Fed could only make one play. A minion could not leave Hawaii without the prisoner. Maybe call DC for guidance? To an agitated politician? Then the enraged head cop finally surrendering? Eventually, the win must go to the DC-powers.
Steve was just being belligerent. He earned it after this horrible affair. The spy intrigue; moles, bombs, attempted murder on McGarrett. Wo Fat!
He wouldn't put it past his stubborn friend to kick some good old-fashioned Hawaiian lepo – dirt - in the DC-faces – figuratively. The Five-0 detectives knew it was just a momentary stall - Steve wrestling with internal demons until giving in to the inevitable.
This was so hard for the defiant chief of the state police to forfeit his only link to Wo Fat. Dan sympathized, but didn't make a move to intervene. Slender-Fed could stand to bake in the topical sun for a few more minutes while McGarrett came to terms with the sour duty.
With a glance, McGarrett looked at Dan. Nothing was readable behind McGarrett's dark glasses, but Dan could tell from the jaw muscles, from the facial features, from the taut shoulder-set, that Steve was ready to move on. This was just a temporary setback, not a defeat. There would be other opportunities to catch Wo Fat.
McGarrett grabbed Chong's arm. "We'll see him secured aboard."
Okay, maybe Steve wasn't ready to give up just yet. He was going to drag this out to the last minute. They better take four boxes of shells out to the shooting range tonight to blow away the residual anger still simmering inside the boss.
Naturally, Slender-Fed balked. "Not – authorized."
The spokesman was a man of few words and McGarrett even less. Without waiting for permission Steve pushed Chong by the arm and hustled him toward the jet, Dan dropping in behind as a rear guard in case Slender-Fed wanted to start something. Always willing to join in a scrap against the red-tape government types, the younger officer was mildly relieved the stunned agent did not make any overt actions against Steve's end run.
Once aboard the jet they removed their sunglasses and the detectives exchanged surprised glances. As transportation went, this bordered on luxurious! A wide, comfortable private jet, the seats were arranged in little conversation groups instead of rows. Probably borrowed from some congressman, or even Johnathan Kaye? NSA? Who had the biggest spook budget?
There was an average-built, slim man aboard, ironically Chinese. Interpreter, Dan figured, not giving him more than a glance.
"Danno, take care of the paperwork." Steve none-too-gently shoved Chong over to a set of seats. "I'll secure – our - prisoner."
Dan moved forward to a nearby table, motioning for Slender Fed to bring him the papers. The Interpreter, a young man a little slighter than Dan hovered, while Slender Fed stayed at his elbow.
Uncuffing the tall, thin Chinaman, the Five-0 chief shoved him into a seat, and menacingly loitered nearby. Barely glancing at the Feds, he turned and asked where the restraints were located.
Glancing over to McGarrett, Dan caught a rippling wave of expressions play across his friend's face. Anger, impatience, confusion - surprise - as he looked at the Slender Fed who still wore sunglasses.
The reactions never had time to register for Dan. In the next instant his right arm was wrenched behind his back with painful force and the cold metal of a gun barrel placed in his right ear.
"There are two theories about Americans, Mr. McGarrett. I believe you will act out one of those scenarios now." The man's voice was as chilling as the pistol.
Frozen with throat-numbing fear, Dan was certain he had stopped breathing, stopped thinking - immobile except for the wild pounding of his heart. McGarrett looked at him, eyes quickly darting to the close, open door, just behind him, then back to Dan.
The still-available escape route jarred Williams' mind into overdrive, leaping ahead, beyond the petrified alarm of the cold steel in his ear - to the realistic fear of Steve's safety. One of them had a chance to get out of this trap and his desperation spilled out into a strained, hoarse voice.
"Go."
The barrel dug into his bone, eliciting a hiss of pain.
Another fractional second ticked by as McGarrett weighed his options.
Slender-Fed's smooth, snide voice filled the cabin again as if Dan had never said a word. "Theory one, the soft school, thinks you Yankees are weak and pliable. The other school of thought is that you are wild cowboys waiting for a chance to take over the world."
The initial fear subsiding enough for Williams to think, he noted McGarrett wasn't looking at him, but at the gunman. Signals were no good. Maybe Steve was gauging his chances of getting out the door. No way for Dan knocking this guy off balance or anything to give his friend an edge at escape. If he moved, the bullet had nowhere to go but into his brain. The barrel dug deeper into Dan's ear and he winced. That got Steve's attention.
Dan was going to make it count. "Run!"
Twisting Dan's arm until he sank to his knees in agony, Slender-Fed pulled back the hammer on the pistol. "Which are you, McGarrett? Cowboy or sentimentalist?" He laughed a brittle, arrogant cackle. "Shall we have a shoot-out? Or will you surrender yourself to save the life of a fellow American?"
McGarrett stared at the Chinaman. "Don't shoot."
"Remove your weapon. Slowly."
"Go!" Dan admonished one more time.
Ignoring the plea, with his left-hand McGarrett cautiously opened his suit jacket. With fingertips he brought out the .38 Colt Police Special. The Chinaman spoke to the other Asian in their native tongue. The Interpreter moved forward to snatch the revolver from McGarrett.
The barrel of the pistol dug deeper into his ear. The gunman leaned close. Sunglasses no longer shielding his face it was obvious he was Chinese. More foreign language orders and the door of the jet was slammed shut.
Dan muttered the beginnings of a protest. Slender-Fed barked at him and snapped something in his hand. Sharp pain shot all the way up to his neck, his entire limb throbbing. Slender-Fed released him, shoving him to the floor, pushing a shoe against the side of his neck.
Chong protested in their native tongue and Interpreter shouted at the assailant. The protest caused defiant Slender-Fed to smash harder on Dan.
The gunman ordered, "You will take a seat, McGarrett."
More commands, then Interpreter backed away and Slender-Fed, obviously not from Boston after all, pulled Dan to his feet. Now he could see Steve was seated away from Chong, in another conversation area near the flight cabin. Slender-Fed removed Dan's revolver and handcuffs then shoved him over to sit on McGarrett's right.
The pistol pointed at McGarrett's forehead.
Slender-Fed barked, "You are now prisoners of the People's Republic of China. Obey my orders and you will be delivered to Peking in good condition. Disobey, and you will suffer." The pistol shifted to aim at Dan. "I need only you, McGarrett, for my purposes in China. Your subordinate is here purely as leverage. When he outlives his usefulness he will be disposed of. Are we at an understanding?"
"I suppose we have Wo Fat to thank for this abduction?" McGarrett snarled back with livid animosity. "You think we won't be missed? You'll never make it out of Hawaiian airspace!"
The pistol backhanded into the side of McGarrett's before either detective could react. Recoiling in pain, Steve nearly fell out of the chair.
Instantly Dan lunged for the gunman, throwing him to the floor and grabbing for the pistol. His right hand still wasn't functioning, still throbbed with pain from whatever jujitsu move the Oriental had put on him. Dan fought for control. Then a blinding pain smashed into the back of his neck and all his senses plunged to black.
II
Observing the argument across the cabin, McGarrett could, for seconds at a time, lose himself in the distracted pleasure of dissention among the Chinese ranks. For split seconds his searing rage could abate slightly, his self-failure decrease and his guilt fractionally subside.
In those instances he could see his enemies' conflict to his advantage and hope to turn that to his favor. Then the pulsating pain in his face – the dread at his companion also in captivity - the terrible peril - would come to the forefront of his thoughts and the spell would be broken. The reality of the situation would sink in and his chest would tighten with regret and fear.
The ease of the trap still stunned him. That he had played into their hands so easily was beyond embarrassment. How could Wo Fat be such a master strategist that he could predict McGarrett would come aboard the jet for the transfer and invite himself into the snare? The only thing more shameful than the simplicity of the capture was the complete blind-siding of the scenario in regards to his friend. Wo Fat wanted him a prisoner, fine; Steve longed to go face to face with the fat spy. As usual, the Communist had hedged his bets and added a price that was too high for McGarrett to pay.
Next to him, Williams moaned and Steve, handcuffed to Dan's left hand. automatically reached over to place a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.
Danno. Perhaps focusing on his rage at Wo Fat Steve could push away layers of terror vying for attention in his thoughts. His aikane was in mortal peril now because of the hopefully-not-fatal McGarrett stubbornness. If Steve had not insisted on bringing Chong aboard personally . . . .
Enough of the rearward focus. He had to think ahead. Somehow he had to save their lives. Future . . . .
Danno. Skin chilled with horror at the nearly unimaginable fate which awaited them in China. Steve had endured captivity and torture from Communists in Korea. The battle against this Red Chinese master spy was personal. He didn't want to think what was ahead for him. For his friend it could be even worse.
Guilt was not an emotion that preyed on him often. Regret, yes. McGarrett was feeling both of those in weighty aches. To discover the mole at Pearl Harbor Steve thoughtlessly had used Dan as a test subject. The Naval Doctor implemented a frightening method of narco-hypnosis against Williams. The combination of chemical manipulation and mind control was all too effective. Perhaps there was a weakness there in Danno's makeup for such drugs, such as some people were more susceptible to being hooked on alcohol or heroin? Daunting thought!
The doctor had convinced the second-in-command of Hawaii Five-0 that McGarrett was a traitor and should die! Although the revolver was empty, Danno had pulled the trigger! Convinced his closest friend and mentor was a traitor - which would never happen!
Kill him? Danno would sooner turn the gun on himself!
As if this situation was not enough! What would Wo Fat do to Williams in China? What could/would the Chess-master make Danno do if he wanted to play nasty games?
The inconceivable horrors could not be allowed to play out. McGarrett had to do anything to get them out of this in one piece.
Williams groaned again, louder and longer this time. Steve shifted, holding his left hand onto Dan's neck, whispering soothing words to ease the return to consciousness for his second. The best he could manipulate, in the awkward position, Steve managed to press a handkerchief on the right side of Dan's head where the scalp was bleeding. Leaning the unconscious detective against his right shoulder, he'd kept an anxious watch on his friend.
The Chinaman's vicious and startling violence sobered the reckless McGarrett. Alone, he would have made a break for freedom, would have given more of a fight to the enemy agent. Knowing Danno suffered for his brashness, Steve backed off and simmered, thinking, plotting, but careful now not to ignite the Slender-Fed 's cruel temper.
Danno's impulsive, sometimes hot-headed nature would have to be quelled as well.
Right now Slender-Fed abused his 'leverage' over McGarrett, but if pushed, he might kill Dan as a show of force. Or accidentally. Either way, there was no way back from dead, and Steve wasn't going to tempt the anger. It was Steve's fault Dan was a captive and it was his responsibility to get them out of this mess.
"Ooohhh - man."
"Shh." McGarrett pressed Dan's head firmly to his shoulder. "Don't make any sudden moves, Danno, you got a real bell-ringer. You've been out for a while."
"I feel like I got hit by something a lot bigger than a bell."
Slowly Dan moved, blinking his eyes open. "Ohhh. Maybe I should have stayed out." Reflexively his hand went to touch his head and he winced and sat up. "That Fu Man Chu pinched a nerve or something," he hissed. Raising his left hand he came up short, snapping the cuff tight with McGarrett's hand.
"They don't trust us." McGarrett's hand balled into a fist and he jangled the cuffs.
Darting a glance at the Chinese, still engrossed in a debate across the plane, Dan whispered muttered curses. "What a time for me to not bring my extra piece!" His snarl turned into an excitable choke. "This was supposed to be a milk-run."
"It's all right. We'll figure out something." The tone was amazingly calm and controlled - as if he really believed they would triumph from this black pit of danger.
Inspired by the confidence, Dan tried to think beyond the illness born of fear and residual effects of the injuries. The only way out was for both of them to think clearly and coherently - use their police training - and keep up their courage.
"Keys?"
"Didn't bring any. They're your cuffs," McGarrett sighed in irritation.
"I've got the keys in my pocket. We can unlock them -"
"And what? Rush across the jet and get shot? Not yet, Danno."
Nonplussed, Williams protested. "We can't just sit here and accept this, Steve!" Glancing at the captors, he leaned closer, his face and voice desperate. "The sooner we move the sooner we can force them back to Honolulu. If we land in Peking we're dead. Better to make our move now."
Between the livid anger, guilt and concern for his friend, McGarrett's mind had flitted over the terrors ahead. Briefly held as a POW in Korea, Steve could only imagine what fate would await him with Wo Fat in the heart of Communist China. The horror was nearly numbing and overwhelming. Better to die trying to escape than succumb to the unknown tortures of captivity.
Except for one problem: Danno.
When Slender-Fed held the gun to Dan's head and offered a choice, McGarrett took the only course possible. He could not stand by and be the cause of his friend's cold-blooded murder right before his eyes.
His chest constricted at the most recent memory of peril; the CG chopper crashing into the drink – Danno's fate unknown for too long. Past dangers were never far from his dread-memory. No, he was not ready to relive those hazards. Not yet.
Hostages? Prisoners bound for Red China? Those choices were nearly as unpalatable as death. Almost. Just a year ago Danno had been held hostage by terrorists. Nearly executed. The fear that he had lost his friend then had been excruciating. Too close! McGarrett would not allow a repeat of that terror! He would do anything he needed to prevent this extending to an exit beyond Hawaiian airspace.
By nature both of them were fighters. Now they were forced to repress angry impulses and cool the recklessness. Steve would fight for his life if he were alone. And Danno – oh Danno could be impetuous and dangerous – to himself!
For now Steve would watch and wait and hope for an opportunity of some kind and temper his friend to do the same. And there would be a chance later, he was sure. There had to be because Danno was right. Once they landed in China at least Williams would be killed - there was no reason to keep him alive. Wo Fat only wanted McGarrett as his vengeful prize. Maybe the idea to fight now was their only defence as a strong offense. They had nothing to lose.
After a slight nod, McGarrett gave a hushed warning. "Follow my lead. Go ahead and grab your key."
Cringing against the pain, Dan shifted his right hand over to his pocket. Casually leaning into McGarrett he gave off a nonchalance far removed from the rippling anxiety coursing his nerves.
This had to work. McGarrett would have been free if not for the gun at Dan's head. No doubt the Chinese would kill him and keep McGarrett a captive for whatever miserable life was left for his mentor. Flinching at the dried blood at the side of Steve's neck, he was reminded that, by nature, both of them were scrappy combatants and would damage themselves more than necessary when pushed to the wall.
He resolved not to let anything else happen to Steve. He had frozen in that unforgiving instant that the pistol was placed in his ear. The chilling terror had immobilized him and now, in retrospect, it might stem from some residual fear left over from his hostage experience last year.
When captured and imprisoned by the Peoples Attack Group, Dan had expected to die in that bunker. McGarrett had rescued him, but the lingering trauma of that experience had leaped to the forefront of his mind in that second of crisis when the Slender-Fed had him dead-to-rights. That mistake would probably cost him his life but he would do anything to keep it from costing Steve's.
Fingers hardly responding to mental commands, he slid his hand into his jacket pocket and felt the cool metal of the handcuff key. Folding it inside a trembling fist, he slowly withdrew the hand.
Extracting the key, he brought the trembling limb close to McGarrett. "You'll have to do this, Steve. Whatever Fu Man Chu did to my arm is still working. I can hardly move it."
"All right. Let me -"
"Silence!"
Both jumped. Dan closed his fist and leaned back.
Slender Fed stood next to them. "What are you saying?" The pistol was aimed at McGarrett's face.
If nothing else this obnoxious twit was effective. He knew overt displays of persuasion with which they couldn't compete. He wouldn't kill McGarrett, but wounding him seemed no problem for the heartless captor.
Dan distracted him with a taunt. "We were just complaining about no in-flight movie."
Slender-Fed was too sharp to fall for the glib distraction. He narrowed his eyes on Dan's fist. "I am surprised you can move that arm at all, detective. Obviously I did not damage it enough. I shall remedy that for you."
Closing in, the young man made a grab for Dan, who kicked out, buckling his opponent's knees. The detectives both lunged, McGarrett tackling Slender-Fed and Dan gritting his teeth, forcing his right hand to grab for the loose pistol. Almost touching the weapon, Dan was stopped when Chong stood on his wrist. Yelping in pain, he was captive under the considerable weight of Wo Fat's assistant. Chong bent down and retrieved the pistol, pointing it at Williams.
"No!" McGarrett instantly shifted from his tackle of Slender-Fed, to a protective shield over Williams. "Don't kill him!"
Williams gritted his teeth. McGarrett held his breath. The two Chinese started arguing again. Slender-Fed, now on his feet again, delivered a resounding kick to McGarrett's knee. Chong had some sharp words for the younger man and physically pushed him away, halting another attack.
The face of Slender-Fed was twisted with malevolence as he stared at McGarrett. "You are MY prize! I will not surrender you!" Glancing at Chong, then back, he chortled. "The question is answered, McGarrett. You are both cowboy and sentimentalist. You are reckless concerning your own life, and weak trying to save the life of an unworthy." He nearly spat at the two Caucasians. "It is a wonder Wo Fat has failed to kill you!" An icy glare at Chong was a condemnation. "Something my uncle will hear about." To McGarrett he sneered, "Your weakness is pathetic. Any Maoist would have sacrificed a lesser comrade to safeguard the esteemed leader. You are at my mercy as long as he is alive to use as a hostage." He stepped closer.
Cautiously, Steve came up on his knees even though one throbbed in agony. Wary of what the young foe might do he helped Williams up, ready to fight off another attack if necessary.
Chong had something to say about it in their native tongue and it sent the younger man away in a rage. Chong, holding the weapon on the detectives, waved for them to return to their seats.
Worn and hurting, the Five-0 men reluctantly obeyed, Steve holding his tender knee, Dan cradling his hand.
"There will be no more violence."
McGarrett snorted incredulously. "You kidnap us, threaten our lives, manhandle us and we're supposed to believe you?"
Chong's impassive face displayed no emotion at the flippant remarks. "Quon Li's impulsive decision to abduct you was an unfortunate spurt of spontaneous assertiveness on his part." The tall man's lip curled ever so slightly. "He has a powerful uncle in Peking he wishes to impress. Quick promotion instead of measured stride under the tutelage of my master."
Leaning his head back in the seat, Steve almost laughed. "This is some power-play by junior over there? To sidestep Wo Fat?" His tone hardened. "I didn't see you correcting him before we took off."
Chong shrugged. "Unwise to act prematurely. You are my master's enemy. Perhaps some good will come of this after all." The plane shifted, veering downward. "Place on your seatbelts."
McGarrett and Williams exchanged glances, Steve staring again at the Chinese.
The thump of extended landing gear rumbled under their feet.
"We're landing? We've been in the air a short time."
"Seat belts." Chong turned to take his own advice. The tall Chinaman walked away to secure himself in a seat.
"We can't be out of Hawaiian airspace." Dan tried to catch a glimpse out the window across from them.
"We were headed south. Big Island?" Steve stared across at the implacable Chong. "What better place to hide a fleeing spy than in our own backyard?"
Dan whispered, "Wo Fat must have been in the speedboat that got away from us!"
Bitterly, Steve reminded it was all a shell game. The enemy submarine must have left. Too hot for them with the Navy crowding the waters. Shivers ran along his skin as he thought of the Coast Guard helicopter crash where he could have lost his friend. The successful, yet costly distraction designed just to divert attention! It sickened him!
Their corpulent enemy had taken refuge on the Big Island! This elaborate ruse engineered for all of the spies to escape! Sophisticated, cunning and ruthless. Typical of the machinations of Wo Fat. It was no small operation. Fraudulent instructions supposedly from Washington DC for Chong's release and Wo Fat's escape! No bigger than some of the other plots from the Red Chinese!
Still shaking from the close call, Dan's face brightened. "Man, this gives us a fighting chance." He drew in deep breaths to calm his frayed nerves. Steve leaping over him - willing to take Chong's bullet - had rattled the younger detective. Not yet able to deal with it, he was glad to move along to something more immediate. "They might transfer to another jet. This one had to drop down out of radar. FAA will be looking for it."
Snarling, Steve observed, "Another distraction in the shell game. I will bet you anything," he viciously spat, "Wo Fat personally coming back for his second banana."
Williams frowned at the vengeance-lust in the voice. "Steve -"
Releasing a pent-up breath, the leader shook his head. "Don't worry, Danno, my first priority is survival." His tone shifted. Pondering. "But I wouldn't mind nabbing Wo Fat if we could manage it."
Shaking his head, Dan refrained from saying anything about the madness seeming to affect everyone around him. It was a big chess match between Steve and Wo Fat. Take a hostage, kidnap a scientist, kill a spy . . . To Dan, the game didn't seem very appealing right now. All he wanted was to see them survive.
Banking sharply, then the jet dipped low. Close, black cliffs in the fading dusk were barely visible out the window. They were coming up along the windward coast of the Big Island. There was lots of open land there. Up on the north shore were isolated airstrips big enough to accommodate a small jet.
"Keep your eyes open, Danno. The first chance we get we'll make a break."
Barely nodding to acknowledge the hushed whisper, Williams promised himself he would take this last ditch opportunity to save his friend no matter what it cost.
III
When the hatch opened it was dark. Under thick, low clouds, heavy rain pelted on the metal of the jet and sprayed in through the open door. McGarrett slipped off his seat belt, nodding for Dan to do the same. Slender-Fed-Quon Li, Interpreter and Chong, hovered near the door. With mutual, silent, understanding the two detectives launched from the seats and crashed into the men.
McGarrett, Williams, Chong and Li tumbled down the steps, landing in the mud of the dirt airstrip. Scrambling to their feet, the Five-0 men skidded on the slick, red soil fighting to overpower their captors.
Chong fumbled for a fallen pistol. Li wrestled with McGarrett. Williams scrambled in the showers for a weapon mired in the mud. Shackled together in handcuffs, the officers were losing the fight. Chong was the first to recover and took a shot at McGarrett. Steve charged, knocking the tall Chinaman down. Williams sending Li to the slippery dirt with a kick to the knees. Steve grabbed onto Dan's arm and raced toward a nearby thicket of trees.
He knew where they were! "We're in the north Kohala district, Steve!" he related on the run as they scurried for cover. "Lots of range for cattle, few people."
Directing them eastward to the rugged coastline, Dan kept low. If they could make it over there, which seemed close since he thought he heard wild, storm-driven surf, then they could hide forever. Having hiked this country before, he could keep them safe from captivity and lead them to help overnight. All they had to do was make it to the forest.
As they rapidly approached the tree line, he saw it was a narrow strip of woodland edging a sea cliff. Yes! He knew exactly where they were! Only another minute and they'd be lost in the craggy lava cliffs - hiding places impossible for their foes to discover.
Chinese shouts echoed behind them. McGarrett, limping, was breathing hard and having a tough time staying on his feet, it seemed. Even the shorter Williams could out-pace him, but only by a few steps since they were bound together. Slowing, Dan stayed astride, matching Steve's gait to lessen the strain on the impaired man.
Almost there.
A bang echoed in the woods at almost the same instant a whoosh of air zinged past them. Gunfire. Only a few more yards. Dan dropped back. Steve stumbled, nearly falling. Grabbing him, Dan mostly pushed them along as more shots cracked around them and they tumbled down the slope, past the treeline.
McGarrett rolled on his side, holding his knee, moaning.
Williams tumbled over him and tried to catch his breath. "Are you hit?"
Negatively shaking his head, McGarrett gulped in air. "Ribs. Hurt. Don't think they're broken. Knee."
The short rain-burst had subsided to a heavy mist and clouds drifted, allowing filtered moonlight to cast a blue glow over the area. They would be easier to spot now.
With agonizing effort, McGarrett leaned on one knee mired in mud. "We've got to move."
"Yeah. I know where we are, Steve. A few yards and we're over the cliffs." Catching air, he rushed out, "There are plenty of trails. We can get out of here."
Two men were running toward them, barely more than shadows, firing blind in the dusky, patchy rain. Staggering to his feet, McGarrett started jogging again. Pacing just behind, Dan directed their route to follow the narrow footpath through the thick underbrush.
Occasionally they would stumble, both flying into the bushy ferns and thick, matted vines. The shots behind them thinned and became sparser as they coursed their way through the wooded thickets toward the sea. Noticeably their stride slowed, Steve finally stopping as Williams fell against a tree.
"Come on, Danno. I can see the cliff." McGarrett hunched, fighting for breath. "We can do this."
With a trembling hand, Williams rubbed at the ache in his side; appalled he could be so out of shape. Even in the dim, clouded twilight, when he looked at his hand he easily recognized the blood on his palm. McGarrett tugged on his cuffed arm and Dan came to his feet, only to slide down again. Shaking his head, he showed McGarrett his hand.
"You're not - no - you can't be hit . . . " The weak denial came in a husky murmur.
"I can't - can't go on." On his knees, Dan pulled McGarrett closer to give quivering instructions. He knew what had to come next. This wouldn't be easy to convince his friend, but it was necessary. This meant life for McGarrett and Dan wouldn't accept anything but that. Nothing was as important as taking this second chance to save his mentor. Twice today Steve sacrificed himself for Dan's life. This was all Williams could offer in return and he would not be robbed of the opportunity. "You've got to get me out of the cuffs - I'll drag you down. You need to – to - get out of here."
"I'm not leaving you -"
"You have to!" Snarling in desperation, Williams became fierce. "They'll take you to China if they catch you! I won't let that happen to you!"
Desperate to save them both, McGarrett glanced around; assured the Chinese were not nearby. In fact, through the trees he could barely discern two sets of lights on the airstrip. A second jet? So consumed with the escape, he had not noticed the arrival of an additional aircraft.
Steve's throat went dry. Wo Fat. He must have gasped it aloud, because Williams turned and took in the scene. Three or four flashlight beams were strafing the airstrip, coming toward the trees. They had reinforcements and better equipment. There was so little time. Their chances were diminishing by the second.
"Get a rock."
McGarrett's head snapped back to closely scrutinize his officer. "What?"
"You need to get me out of the cuffs."
"A rock will not break the cuffs!"
"It will break my hand. Then we can slip it out of the cuffs."
Slouching down in the mud next to his officer, McGarrett's rueful laugh was bitter and resentful. "You think I would do that to you? And leave you here to be executed? Because that's exactly what they'd do to you!"
Williams was deadly serious. "What do you think they'll do to you if they take you back to China with them?" McGarrett didn't answer and Williams harshly rushed on. "They'll kill me anyway, Steve, because I am useless to them now. You need to take the best chance you have for life!"
Stubbornly, McGarrett shook his head.
"Do it. Or I will."
Anger so clouded his mind and voice he hardly hissed. "No, you won't.
Yanking Williams to his feet, McGarrett grabbed his friend and floundered amid the thick plants of the forest floor. Slivers of moonlight filtered through the thick trees and provided little more than a dull glow of light. It wasn't bright enough to stay on the trail and they smashed through scrubs and plants until abruptly the undergrowth cleared and they were at the edge of the cliff. Far below the sea crashed in mighty splendor, velvety ribbons of whitecaps dashed onto the black, cold lava.
Without pausing to think McGarrett slid and scrambled downslope and nearly flew over the edge of the rocky cliff. Jutting, porous a'a pumice scraped against his clothes, snagging and tearing the material, slicing exposed skin.
Dan stumbled after him and with McGarrett supporting his younger detective they scurried along a narrow dirt trail, finally collapsing under a ledge. Breathing so hard, Steve covered their mouths with his hands so they would not give away their position.
Chinese shouts echoed. Nearby some rocks tumbled down, the pursuers only a few feet above them.
One clear shout - staccato and strident - filled the air with a loathsome command in Chinese. The ruthless dragon. Wo Fat.
Steve flinched.
The subdued voice of Quon Li followed. Even through the barrier of a foreign language, McGarrett could detect the trace of defensive evasion in the cowed tone of the younger man. Two shots rang out and both officers jumped. Just past their spot a body tumbled down the cliff.
"Poor Quon Li." Wo Fat's oily voice. In English. "Another victim falls to the insurmountable Officer McGarrett. A formidable foe. A pity it was so easy for him to escape."
Chong's deep voice followed. In English. "A pity he has slipped from your grasp again."
"A pity. But, I have learned to turn disadvantages to my favor. Quon Li killed by an American policeman. I should think the price for McGarrett's head will go up in Peking now, wouldn't you say so, Mr. Chong?"
"Certainly, master."
"And the eyes of this dragon are always upon my foe."
"Of course."
"Well, I think our business in Hawaii is completed, then, Mr. Chong. Until another day."
Slamming his fist on the rock, McGarrett growled under his breath. Desperately he wanted to go after Wo Fat and stop the spy. Right here on his soil and he was again literally, only a few yards out of McGarrett's grasp! The temptation was almost overwhelming, and with effort he quelled the urge to leap away and capture the master spy.
The only thing holding him back from the desperate, probably suicidal urge to chase after his archenemy was his trembling, wounded closest friend still – literally – and more importantly emotionally – bound to him.
The only thing. The biggest reason he could imagine! What was nabbing his enemy or winning against his nemesis compared to Danno's life?
As badly as McGarrett wanted Wo Fat in a Hawaii jail, he would not sacrifice himself or Danno for that. As Wo Fat had said himself, it would wait for another day.
Breathing near normal, McGarrett released the hands over their mouths. "How're you doing?"
"Better than Quon Li. So Wo Fat eliminates his competition and you get the wrap." A snigger threatened to burble out of the shocky officer. "Steve McGarrett - framed."
Grimly, McGarrett noted, from the moonlight, Williams' right side was soaked with dark dampness. Hardly able to move, McGarrett edged up to risk a glance around. He could see both jets powered up and taxiing along the deserted strip. Not until the sleek aircraft were in the air, reflecting bursts of moonlight, did McGarrett feel safe to emerge.
Knee pulsing with agony, ribs aching, hating to move, every muscle echoing the tumble down the cliff. It was worse for Danno and reluctantly he advised they had to find help.
Dan described a small community situated only a mile or so south. First they had to get up the cliff.
From his jacket Steve removed a key and unlocked the cuffs, massaging his lacerated wrist. "This will make things easier."
Nearly speechless, Dan stuttered out an incredulous question. "How -"
"When we were on the floor of the jet no one noticed when I slipped these into my pocket."
"Wh - you - why didn't you use those before?"
He unlocked Dan's and slipped the cuffs in his pocket. Then he removed his jacket and wrapped it over his shivering friend. "No time. No reason. We needed to escape together, Danno. Nothing else would have worked."
Accepting the reality of that statement, Dan nodded tiredly. "Yeah. But if you wouldn't mind, maybe you can just leave me here while you go for help?"
"Leave you to bleed to death?"
The younger officer's tone was somber. "I couldn't make it very far, Steve, and you're not in much of a condition to help."
Stymied, McGarrett angrily agreed with the assessment. Frowning, he knew he should keep Williams' movements to a minimum and do something to stop the bleeding. This was a dangerous, precarious spot to leave Dan, however, and McGarrett decided they should work their way up to the forest, then he could go find assistance.
With painstaking, sluggish steps they coursed back up the few yards of rough, jagged lava to the woods.
Both exhausted, McGarrett rested for a moment. Then tearing off an already ripped shirtsleeve he fashioned a makeshift pressure bandage. He put his suit jacket back on the injured man and settled him against a thick tree trunk.
He hated leaving. Logic assured this was the only way to get help as quickly as possible, but part of his superstitious doubts shadowed Steve's urgency to find help.
Assuring himself that Dan was as warm and comfortable as possible - he limped the trek south.
In less than a mile, he judged, a small neighborhood of about a dozen houses appeared over a rise. Some dogs set up a chorus of barking, announcing his arrival. Closing the distance slowly, his fatigue and pain-numbed mind kept focused on staying on his feet long enough to get help out to Danno.
From the first house, a big man and a slighter woman stood on the small lanai. Their mongrel dog bounced in the yard, barking stridently at the intruder.
Steve realized he must look awful - clothes torn and ragged, splattered with blood - no wonder the couple cringed and muttered exclamations. Quickly, he identified himself and that a wounded officer needed help - belatedly retrieving his ID. Using their phone, he called the Kohala PD and used their authorization to get a medivac chopper up from Hilo.
"You need some coffee, mistah," Mrs. Koloa insisted, handing him a huge mug of steaming brew.
Savoring the bitter, black java, he allowed the woman to wrap some cloth on his scraped arm. She was kind enough not to mention it, but she probably didn't appreciate him bleeding on her furniture. In the light of the small house he did not seem in such wretched shape as he felt. Most of the blood on his formerly white shirt and camel-tan trousers belonged to Dan.
As soon as the calls were completed, he asked to be taken back out to his officer, where they would meet the chopper. Part of his untrusting nature, the fearful part of his mind, knew that as long as he was out of sight from his injured friend there were endless possibilities for disaster for Williams.
Some objective portion of his thoughts recognized the fear stemming from his overly controlling personality - that he had to oversee and dominate important events in his life and the protection of those he was responsible for – his friends – friend. Mostly, he knew the apprehension was born of having to abandon the injured Danno. They had made it through this nightmare together, yet in the end he had, of necessity, deserted Williams. The echo of Dan's hostage experience last year remained a persistent haunting which might never disappear.
As each moment passed, the dread in his heart increased, and McGarrett urged the man to speed faster in the old truck. Panic momentarily gripped him, wondering if he could find Dan again. When Steve left, he was weary, suffering, maybe disoriented. Every minute they wasted was a decrease in Dan's chances for survival. Already in shock when left alone, Dan could bleed to death if not helped quickly.
The man, Mr. Koloa, fortunately, had some spotlights mounted on the cab of the truck and they lit the woods with broad bands of white light. Slight, misty rain was falling again. This seemed the correct area, but McGarrett wasn't sure.
"Danno! Danno!"
If Williams' condition were significantly worse he would no longer be conscious. Steve urgently called his friend's name, pacing the forest, straining to see some familiar landmark.
Koloa ordered the dog, Buster, to jump out and immediately the mutt sniffed around the familiar woods. Soon the dog stiffened, alert, barking, and set off in a run, targeting an unseen, but scented, prey. Koloa jogged after, Steve shuffling along the best he could.
Koloa's flashlight caught the movement of a tan piece of clothing. Moans and laughter met McGarrett as he came to the far side a tree. Dan, licked and pounced on by the enthusiastic Buster, tried to defend himself. Koloa reached the exuberant animal and hauled him off the injured detective.
"This is your idea of a rescue?"
Utterly relieved, McGarrett sank down in the mud next to Williams, not minding when Buster also attacked him with licks and jumps.
"A chopper's coming for you, Danno. You okay?"
Worn out, Dan leaned against his friend and wearily nodded his head. "Yeah. But I ruined your jacket."
McGarrett ruefully admitted, "I ruined the rest."
"Send the bill to Wo Fat."
Not yet in the mood to joke about the ordeal, McGarrett silently acknowledged he could lay another harrowing episode of his life at the feet of the Chinese spy. The evil mastermind had a lot to pay for. Fortunately, not as much as he had feared a few hours before.
IV
The Emergency Room experience was more of a check-in than a stay. McGarrett's knee and ribs swollen but only bruised, nothing broken. Williams' side wound was a deep graze resulting in weakening blood loss, but no vital damage. Stitches and medication were administered.
While the younger officer slept McGarrett had woken military support around the Pacific. DC spooks were rousted from their beds. Hilo PD was called in to recover the body of Quon Li. And bring some decent clothes to the officers.
Leaning on a wooden cane for support, the leader of Five-0 stepped into the hospital room adjoining his overnight ad hoc office. Sitting on the side of the bed, Williams cautiously struggled to pull a t-shirt over his stitches. His right arm was still not coordinated enough.
Frowning, the leader stepped forward and helped tug down the Hike A Volcano tourist wear. His wardrobe was better – a resort-grade aloha shirt over trousers. His friend still didn't look well after their ordeal, but his ready-to-go posture spoke of his desire to fly back to Oahu with his boss.
Detectives Chin Ho Kelly and Duke Lukela had pieced together what had happened pretty quickly the afternoon before: The private jet carrying a Communist spy disappearing from radar sent up all kinds of red flags with Chin's friend FAA Investigator Mick Windsor. McGarrett's sedan abandoned near the flight line. No word from the top two officers of Five-0. It added up to big pilikia.
By the time the injured detectives landed at the Hilo hospital pieces of the puzzle were already together. Military jets were scrambled to intercept Wo Fat's planes. To no avail. Not that the state police chief expected anything different. The Chinese mastermind had played his game well with stunning violence and efficiency.
While the fiasco seemed to be a complete triumph for the enemy, Steve remained philosophical. Particularly now, sitting next to his recovering friend. Assessing the bloody but unbowed conditions, he considered their's the victory. They were alive. They were safe on their own chessboard. They – he – did not have to pay an ultimate price for a loss to a ruthless foe.
"Aloha Air's first flight is in an hour, Danno. You still up to heading home?"
"Sure." The demeanor was not enthusiastic, but open. Typical Danno after a tough case with too little sleep and limited success. Diminished energy but still game to keep playing on the field. Bruises were visible over the shirt on the younger man's neck and disappearing into the curly hair. Fatigue dominated the wan features. "No news, I guess."
"No."
"I know this was tough, Steve. But you'll get him."
The anger and bitterness surfaced quickly, never more than a skin-scratch away. "Yeah. I WILL get him. Especially . . . " he shook his head, unable to vocalize the frustration and rage.
"Sorry it didn't work out this time."
"Yeah."
It took a moment for the contrite tone to catch his attention. Was that Danno's prevalent guilt?
"This is NOT your fault!" he snapped.
Dan stared out the window to the lightening sky casting muted dawn onto palm trees and hills. "I was the leverage and they used me to keep you in check."
The allegory of the white whale drifted back into his mind. Translate his Moby Dick to a Red Dragon. Instead of responding to the obvious reference to their enemy, he shifted away from obsession and defeat. Focus on the most important.
Admitting he was wrong stuck in his throat. Such confessions were never easy, although he did not shy from taking responsibility when he needed to shoulder that burden. After all the inner torture from this week - harsh memories from last year – he could not allow his friend to take on any accountability or guilt over this latest debacle.
Quietly, McGarrett asked, "Who couldn't let go of the Red Dragon? Or the white whale."
Startled, Williams snapped his head around to stare at him.
"On the Seaflite. Escorting Chong onto the jet. I could not let go, Danno." He had not confessed this after the Coast Guard helicopter crash. He should have. Things left unsaid should never be a barrier between close – his closest – friend. "I was wound up tight about losing Wo Fat the other day. Then your chopper went down. I revaluated, believe me, aikane. A renegade spy slipping away was no comparison to thinking you might be gone was all I could think about."
Gulping, Dan was still, his face paling.
"On the jet, I was consumed. Obsessed. Hating Wo Fat and hating Chong being spirited out of my grasp." Shaking his head he scoffed. A bitter remembrance emerging with a scowl. "When that coward put a gun to your head –" He drew in a deep breath. Shaking his head again he looked out the window. When he thought his voice would be steady enough he turned back, looking his friend in the eyes. Trusting eyes still after all. "Nothing else mattered but getting out alive. I would do anything to keep you safe." Ruefully, he gently touched his friend's head. "And I didn't do a great job of that."
Too much emotion saturated Williams' face. Launching away, Steve leaned against the wall and stared out at the new day beginning. He couldn't detail it anymore. The other fears floating so close to his heart. The hostage crisis a year ago with the People's Attack Group. Danno's scary susceptibility to narco-hypnosis – making capture by the Chinese an incredible time-bomb danger to the younger officer. Better wait for another time – if ever – to relate those anxieties. He joked that he would tease his friend about the brainwashing. None of it seemed funny now.
"We made it." Dan's quiet voice. Touching the taller man's shoulder, he said, "Thanks to you, Steve. Mahalo."
Nodding, the chief accepted the thanks, too choked up by the sentimentality of the personal declaration.
"And yeah, Wo Fat does look like a white whale."
Chuckling, McGarrett reached over and hugged his friend's shoulder. Williams' humor never failed to lift him.
"So I guess we better get to the airport. We have a lot of loose ends to tie up."
Settled. Confident in the path ahead, McGarrett agreed. "I have a lot to tie up. You're going home to recuperate, aikane."
"Steve – "
"No argument or I'll send Doc over to medicate you," he half-joked. "Five-0 has a lot of work to do. Honolulu criminals didn't take the day off. And I've got some long-distance wrestling to wrangle with Washington types." He faced his friend. "You're going to concentrate on getting back on your feet. I'll need back you as soon as possible."
Nodding, Williams caught the sternly affectionate message that his boss seemed to manage.
"All right."
V
Barrelling into the Five-0 office, Steve McGarrett spotted his second talking on the phone at one of the desks in the common area. The younger detective was supposed to be on light duty although he insisted he was well enough to be in the office in true McGarrett-esque fashion. Even the pinched nerve in his arm was back to normal thanks to a Japanese masseuse that Danno swore worked miracles. A comment the boss considered rich ammunition for teasing his friend.
As usual, nothing worked out as planned. After a gruelling week McGarrett had taken no time off, though he had dropped by with dinner at night to keep Williams in the loop.
Feeling guilty at the extra work put in by his colleagues, Dan had badgered the boss to take some time off – even just an afternoon! Giving in to the pressure – needing some relaxation-McGarrett-style – Steve indulged in his newest sport - windsurfing.
Typically, the criminal element of Honolulu spoiled his plans. One of Hawaii's worst mobsters, Charlie Bombay, slipped out of prison. It shouldn't surprise McGarrett that his second-in-command would cancel medical restrictions to be in on the action. Everyone, especially Dan, liked to kid his mentor about his obsession to work, but Williams qualified as a close second, proving to be often underfoot before he was cleared from recuperation.
They swept into Steve's private domain, talking about the case. Consumed with anger that their hard work was cancelled out by Bombay's tricky escape. Then an anonymous phone call directing McGarrett to the Big Island where Bombay was to land. Directing Lukela to track the container in which Bombay was using as an akamai escape pod, Steve finally calmed down.
He scrutinized his second-in-command. It had been nearly a week since their escape from Chong and Wo Fat.
""I'm going to be in Hilo as Charlie's personal welcoming committee." His harsh, mirthless laugh forebode evil for the fleeing criminal who thought he could outsmart the top cop of the Pacific.
Momentarily, the younger officer balked. Steve personally overseeing another prisoner transfer. Skin rippling with a drop in temperature at the remembrance of last week's debacle on the Big Island, he forced his expression to maintain neutral control. This was the McGarrett-method. The way Steve handled everything. From the smallest detail of a minor case to international spy capers to everything in between. Control. His friend had to have that in his tight grasp. Yes, that nearly proved fatal to both of them only days ago. There was, however, no alternative. This had to play out by Steve's methods.
Narrowing his gaze at his detective, his expressions and tone mellowed to the flip emotions of concern and affection. "You sure you're up to manning the fort?" Steve wondered as he studied his friend.
Dan seemed to move normally as he crossed the room. Over the last few days Steve had kept an eye on him and was pleased with the steady return to health by both of them. Still, he was reluctant to bring his top detective back into the rat race before it was absolutely necessary.
"Oh, yeah." The enthusiasm was met with a healthy dose of scepticism. Just by the look on Steve's face, the stern eyes, Dan smiled. "Really, Steve. I can help with this Bombay thing."
Swivelling in his chair, McGarrett turned and stared out of the open lanai doors. He didn't like to think how close their lives had come to disaster. He shivered just recalling the fear chilling his heart when the Quon Li had placed the gun to Dan's head and announced they were being abducted to China. When his detective was willing to have his hand broken to free the cuffs! Or, the moment in the drizzly forest when Dan was bleeding to death and ready to stay behind to let Steve escape.
Sitting on the edge of the desk, Dan quietly broke in to his retrospection. "It was scary, but it's over, Steve. No nasty Chinese spies lurking behind the pineapple bushes. Only a nasty gangster who is about to go back to jail."
The fears he faced were responses he didn't even want to dissect within himself. Nearly pushed to the limit, he saw what he was capable of when trying to save Dan. He also saw a glimpse of what he was willing to do to get his hands on Wo Fat. Both extremes pupule in the light of reason, but in the desperate life and death struggle of a few days ago it had seemed the right thing to do. He wasn't sure what he would have done if Dan had been executed. Or if he had been able to capture Wo Fat but not get Danno to safety. Sometimes those were questions he didn't want answered.
"Moments like those you see things inside that you never wanted to see." Deep in his throat, Steve elicited a growl/moan.
Dan shook his head. "I know I went over the top - "
"Not really." McGarrett waved away the comment before it turned into an apology. They had lived through moments they would never forget, never want to relive - and in some instances, never want to forget. The depths of terror and loyalty could - should - never be equalled. "We were both - distraught -" No words could describe the extremes.
"And you lost Wo Fat again."
For a few moments that seemed like a bitter loss. Glancing at his friend, alive and with him here at home - the defeat diminished in significance. "Yeah, but you know that irritating dragon. He'll probably be back. And one day we'll get him."
The buzzer interrupted and Jenny announced he was scheduled to catch an HPD plane to Hilo later that night. McGarrett thanked Dan for holding down the fort -shouldn't be too taxing for the recovering officer.
Dan offered, "You sure you don't want me to go with you to Hilo?"
"Recapturing Bombay shouldn't take long," Steve insisted. "Just handle things here."
"Back to the Big Island." Dan shivered. "Be careful."
"Oh, don't worry, Danno, it can't be as bad as our last visit."
PAU