**Dark are the Waters*
Don't own Mpi, just playing in the sand box.
Chapter One.
Magnum VO:
**I need a favor, I will pay you back" had probably become my mantra of survival. I came to realize there were people like Robin, who did favors never expecting paybacks, but rather pay it forwards, that when someone needed a favor it was just something that was done. with out cost or expectation. It was just good to know they knew you had their backs.
Thats why when Noelani called asking if I could meet her for lunch my gut told me something was seriously wrong, and I would do anything to help her:**
Noelani had said she would be in the park around 11, giving me just enough time to chill a bottle, grab a wicker basket from the pantry toss in some cheeses, fruits, a quick stir fry. and a selection of cheese cake slices. half way out the door with a blanket over my arm I discovered the path to my favorite transportation blocked by the two hell hounds.
"just where do you think you are going with that?" Higgins eyes narrowed with irritation.
"oh come on Higgy! It's just a picnic basket. I am going on a picnic."
"Magnum, that is a vintage Lewis Comfort Tiffany wicker. Just Whom are you having this lunch with?"
"If you must know, its for Dr. Cunha. " Thomas confessed. He could tell that news surprised her as he watched her eyes narrow further.
"Are you trying to bribe her again?" She asked , her hands moving to her hips.
"No." He didn't flinch.
Sighing she stepped aside.
"Alright, go on. " She snapped her fingers for the dogs to follow. Higgins knew the lads were hungry. Striding to the kitchen she opened the refrigerator and sucked in her breath trying to breath calmly. Magnum had decimated a large selection of the refrigerator contents which had been designated for the Hawaiian cultural center exhibit in two days. and exactly how much cheese cake could two people eat? Higgins heard the dogs whine. Their steak was missing though the lingering aroma of the cooked meat still filled the air. "Steady lads its Noelani after all."
Magnum found Noelani sitting on one of the park benches her arms wrapped around herself looking very forlorn. She had a small unopened bag of chips from the vending machine that was past its sell by date sitting on her lap. Drawing in a breath he popped the trunk withdrawing the basket and fluffy blanket. She hadn't moved from the time that he parked and he wondered if shed fallen asleep where she sat from being so overworked. Walking up to her he tilted his head before nudging her with the soft blanket.
"Oh no no no. Chips just will not do for lunch. Save those for later. " He teased. Grinning he lead her to a level area under a circle of fossil trees . He spread the blanket under the trees, then extended his hand to assist her to sit.
"Thomas, I.."
" Lunch first" he said gently taking a seat beside her . Thomas was glad there was a serving tray to balance the wine glasses on. He carefully unpacked the dishes and napkins laying a set out for her before lifting out the simple rice beef stir fry. the fruit and individually wrapped cheeses.
"Does Higgins know about this? "
Thomas had chosen a lovely peach wine that had a tiny alcohol content. As he worked the cork and poured two. servings into the elegant fluted glasses he nodded.
"Yes, she knows, and approved."
He handed the glass to Noelani before placing a stopper in the bottle.
"I... I ... Thomas... I'm in trouble"
Noelani stammered her eyes filling with tears.
Chapter One * Part 2*
Magnum vo: I l know what you are thinking. A womans tears are a mans kryptonite, something women use to get their way. Lets face it, I had my charm and puppy eyes. Noelani wasn't one of those women. She'd cried at her uncles funeral. but in her profession, that type of sentimentality wasn't really allowed. it would eat her up. what ever was going on, it was serious.:*
Carefully Magnum cupped her cheek with his hand and brushed his thumb against her tears.
"I know. Time for that later, you need to eat something first. "
"It's important!" she continued with more tears spilling onto her cheeks.
"Are we late?" The question had not come from Magnum, rather from Gordon Katsumoto who had approached them with Shammy. from the parking lot.
Magnum felt her blush as a startled look crossed her face.
"No, we just sat down..." Magnum said as Shammy slid from the chair.
Gordon waited until Shammy was settled before joining them.
Shammy had already leaned over the basket taking plates and forks out then eyed the smaller juice tumblers noting there were only two fluted wine glass.
Gordon lifted the bottle regarding the lable. His eyes flicked to Magnum then back to the bottle before pouring a scant inch in the tumblers.
"Trust me, you will want to sip this."
Turning to Noelani Gordon leaned forward. "Shammy filled me in, we used friend finder to track you here. "
Noelani let out the breath she was holding. "thank you." she said finally.
"Let's get some food into you while its hot." Magnum said shooting a worried glance in Gordons direction.
The stir fry was sweet, salty and savory all at the same time with a tiny kick of spice when joined with the peach wine. Gordon watched Thomas edge over during the main course until Noelani was leaning against him. It was between the fruit and cheese course that Shammy started to explain the events.
"You've been there Thomas. Free care for vets and no vet wants to go there. "
"People die all the time though in hospitals. " said Gordon unwrapping a tiny wedge of cheese. its rich wood aroma made his mouth water.
"The medical center isnt just any VA hospital, its a rehab and long term facility. Your not sent there to die. its not a nursing home. " Shammy said with an edge of bitterness in his voice. "everyone raves about how good the place is and that its a place of healing. there is something very wrong with a place that is supposed to support vets and ends up having otherwise perfectly health people die for no good reason." Shammy hung his head. "That place is just evil"
Noelani nodded. "It's privately owned by its own insurance company but receives state and federal funds for its care of vets. The facility also is the only accredited teaching hospital on the islands. Every doctor and nurse in training has to do an internship. You can't believe the political... power... a place like that wields." she said with a shudder.
"So what happened?" Magnum asked curiously.
Sammy pulled a mountain apple from the basket and picked up a paring knife. "I went in to see my friend Murph and he was really upset. Said the Miss sent Angel had taken his room mate Freddie and then the following day Eldon his other room mate. no reason for it. I go back two days later and Murph is gone. Three dead in three days from the same room. Then Miss Elian starts saying she saw death walking down the back stair case. I mean ok, she had advanced dementia and would stand naked in the doorway saying she was a bad girl but her heart was in the right place. She ended up dead a few days later. Then Hal nearly choked to death in the dining room and the nurses save him to find Clara who had been sitting in the hallway waiting to go back to bed was found dead and Lucky Eddie who lived across the hall from Murph ... well... he escaped some how, even though the bracelets they put on you lock the doors. They said and they only just found his body on the rocks by the ocean on the north shore."
Noelani had been quiet the whole time.
"thats alot of people." magnum said softly.
Noelani nodded." I didn't see cause of death beyond cease to breath in any of them. They just died. it wasn't until Luckys death that I started going back through my autopsy records and found discrepancies. I took my concerns to the AMA and the Lt, who ... who... said I wasn't a detective and it wasn't my job...and I was so ... angry... I .. "
"Oh it was glorious!" chortled Shammy who recieved a disapproving look from Katsumoto before he tried to school a grin himself.
"Shammy had come in to the bullpen to ask about the report on Murph when Noelani went toe to toe against the Lt, she popped him right between the eyes and busted his nose. Kicked him pretty hard too before she stomped out. Even Johnson didn't want to follow her."
"But you did."
"After Shammy informed the Lt. that 42 people had died at that facility in a month he calmed down. We never caught the pattern because the death certificates all were marked at the place where they were pronounced dead, usually the ER. "
"And I missed the cause of death in all of them." Noelani said sadly.
"Which was?" Thomas inquired wrapping his arm around her for support.
"I haven't a clue. I just know more people are going to die..." she laid her head on his shoulder. "And there is nothing I can do to stop it."
Chapter two
Part One.
Magnum VO:
* I can't say Higgins was happy with the unexpected slumber party and she ended the call to her with a turse "'When this is over we will need to have a long discussion."
Higgy knew I trusted my gut, and I had come to depend on it to get me out of tight spots. Right now it was screaming Noelani was in trouble, and if the body count was any indication, Noelani was right, the body count was going to get higher.**
Gordons move was pensive as he slid in the passenger seat. Noelani's go bag had been stored in the trunk and in a moment they were on their way back.
"Something else is going on Thomas. I've known Noelani for years, shes always been professional."
"Rick said after that convenience store attempted robbery, she asked Junior to teach her self defense. Is she going to lose her job over this?"
"The Lt. put her on disciplinary leave, officially. Unofficially, shes in protective custody . Is Juliet alright with us staying there? Isn't that cultural thing this weekend? Unless shes stock piling cheese futures? You dont eat like that all the time do you?" Gordon inquired curiously.
"Higgy might. I am usually a mac and cheese in the microwave type of guy. " Thomas admitted. "but its Noelani and my gut is telling me she's in far more trouble than she is telling us. "
45 miniutes later with Noelani curled up on the study sofa and the lad keeping her company Magnum and Gordon carefully hand washed the plates repacking the wicker basket for storage with Kumu supervising.
Shammy was with Higgins at the kitchen table praising the virtues of smoked apple wood gouda verse the fruit stilton. " The cheese cake, that was outstanding... The picnic meant alot to Noelani, Juliet. Thank you. "
Higgins glanced into the next room where Zeus had managed to climb onto the sofa next to a reclined Noelani who was now sleeping.
"She's part of our family, " She replied taking Shammy's hand in hers.
Later Gordon regarded the books in Robins library. "If I didnt know Robin so well as a cop, I would be defiantly worried. Greys anatomy, Talbots... Murder and Murderess ink.. Every day poisons..."
" A poison would show up on a tox screen. " Shammy said from the other sofa. "
Noelani chimed in as she sifted through Talbots medical encyclopedia. "What ever killed them had to have only taken a second to react. What ever our killer used, it was an on hand item."
"Who is this Miss Sent Angel you spoke about Shammy?" inquired Kumu.
"When some one dies unexpectedly, especially if there are people who are on deaths door who dont die, they say a miss sent angel took them"
Chapter Two
Part Two.
Magnum VO:* As a kid I had a chemistry set. I didn't really understand the principal of it until later But I always wondered about the warnings in the set. "may cause death if used improperly. No one in my circle of friends ever died misusing their sets, but a couple of them got pretty sick from the fumes. It got me thinking about the periodic table which while the wall one Robin owned was missing some of the newer elements had given us a chance to go over some of the chemicals that were in the medical center pharmacy.*
They had oxygen of course, carbon, potassium, sodium, nitrogin and enough basic chemicals to create any cocktail medication protocol they needed. There were strict black box guidelines the resident pharmacists followed. Every thing was checked in, counted in the morning, and before last shift.
Thomas looked up from the perodic table , his travel mug now empty in time to see the concerned glance Gordon was giving Noelani as she slept. Looking down at the empty travel mug Thomas's eyes widened. He strode to the sofa where she slept unmindfull of the deep growl Apollo was giving him.
"I think I know how they were killed. Noelani... hey, Tita... wake up." Thomas said as he gently shook her shoulder.
Chapter Two,
Part Three.
Kumu had made a fresh pot of coffee as the books were being replaced. Magnum paced across the library floor holding his empty travel mug.
" You actually did give the correct cause of death Noelani, they did stop breathing. hypoxia. it happened so quickly the body didn't have a chance to develope any significant clues." Said Magnum stopping long enough to allow Kumu time to refill his cup.
"I checked for pressure marks on the lips, and dusted for prints on the body. There was no sign of a struggle." Noelani frowned. She knew her job and had worked hard to advance in a male dominated world.
"Thats because the victims were asleep and the killer didnt need to. touch them." He twisted his coffee travel mug closed and inverted it. Thomas found everyone looking at him curious. he turned the mug upright. "Oh come on! your saying none of you have ever dove before?"
"You know I am terrified of being under water Magnum." scoffed Shammy.
"My insurance policy says I cant do that or skydiving. " Gordon shrugged.
"Divers use alot of different gas depending on the depth, all of them are in the medical center dispensary. The reason why you couldnt discover the cause of death was because what killed them was already within the body Carbon dioxide and nitrogen. They just poured the heavier than air mix over their heads. They breath in a couple of times and the Nitrogen replaces the o2 in their lungs and they die. "
"And the carbon dioxide?" asked Kumu.
Gordon spoke up. "Its heavier, both are non reactive to each other so when mixed, it will keep the Nitrogen heavier than air and able to be poured over the face. The little oxygen there is in the mix prevents the reflex to not breath from happening."
"So how are we going to capture this person?" Ask Juliet. She was none too chuffed about risking any ones life."I doubt very much if once we catch the murder he will just blurt out the confession to us meddling kids."
"You would just be risking your lives I can't allow that." Noelani rose from the sofa striding from the room.
Gordon put the book down sighing "It's alright, I'll go speak with her."
Chapter Three
Part one:
Magnum vo.: *When I was little my parents said I had an irrational fear of my closet. During the day I was fine with it. 10 minutes after bed time I would start to carry on until my parents relented and allowed me to sleep with them.
Finally, my father went to the hardware store and brought home what he called a monster trap and set it up in the closet that afternoon
I slept with them that night and we were all awakened by horrible angry monster noise. There was so much screaming concerned neighbors called the police who also heard the shrieks from the dead coming from my room. Backup was called for and with guns drawn the police investigated discovering some how a very angry squirrel and her kits had somehow managed to get into our attic and made a nest. It was the first time I had followed my gut instinct.
Right now Noelani reminded me of the one kit who hadn't followed the mother squirrel into the cage, looking very lost and forlorn.
Shammy rolled up beside Magnum. "Higgy was able to hack into the medical center data base for the patient roster. We think we found a pattern."
Magnum nodded, watching Gordons expressions as Noelani and he spoke quietly. There was concern, compassion, sadness. Gordon hugged her a while before kissing her forehead.
Higgins had also discovered the floor plans to the building and with Shammys help placed them in their rooms.
Chapter Three
Part two.
"So the main entrance is on the ground floor, the staff entrance is in the back parking lot. The security code for the door is taped on the inside window. Everyone coming in to visit has to sign a log book with who they are and what patient they are visiting, or, register at the desk for the doctors appointment. If your a new patient you need your military ID and drivers licence, but dont count on seeing any real doctor, its all interns and PAs. " Shammy said with a note of disgust. "Three floors, depending on the level of care you are getting, top floor private insurance has one wing, dedicated dining room and one to one nursing staff. Usually reserved for Generals, Admirals and Robin Masters. Security up there is really tight. Ground floor you have rehab, pharmacy, all the doctors and admin offices, reception, a front social area and patients who need the most care with a 5 to 1 ratio. Second floor is where most of the deaths have happened. its long term treatment with a 20 to 1 ratio unless its intern rotation month. "
"20 to 1? how do they get proper care?" Gordon asked.
Shammy shrugged. "They get care, and if the state is inspecting they call in the part timers. Second floor is where most of the deaths are happening"
Magnum glanced through the door frame at Noelani again. She was sleeping on the sofa again hugging Zeus who had refused to leave her alone. She just didn't want to place any of her friends at risk and see them on the slab. Gordon had spoken with her, reassuring her it was something they all faced but without that risk, worse would happen.
Juliet and Shammy had found blueprints of the building and were marking the security camera location.
Magnum leaned over the blue prints "You said Miss Elian said Death walked down the back staircase, where does that connect to?"
"The nurses station on the third floor, they have to use their key tag, its in between two wings on the second floor and on the first floor it between the pharmacy and the administrative office." Shammy answered yawning unexpectedly. "Dibs on the love seat." he said yawning again.
Gordon nodded stifling a yawn himself. "It's one am. A couple of hours will do us better than more coffee." He said grabbing an oversized pillow from the floor and moved it in front of the sofa where Noelani slept. He sat down next to Apollo who leaned against him.
Higgins and Kumu gathered the few stray coffee cups while Magnum made sure the estate was secure. He would have loved to snuggle into his own bed at the guest house and he knew both Kumu and Higgins had their own beds, but he knew they wouldn't be using them tonight.
It only took a moment to turn off the lights before rejoining the group.
Higgins and Kumu had claimed the 2 recliners. Shammy had moved on to the love seat using a pillow to recline his legs on over the arm rest and was snoring gently.
Grabbing an oversized pillow Thomas walked to the sofa and put it down beside Gordon and sat wordless leaning against the sofa. He was aware both of the dogs were giving him the stink eye, and hoped they might sense, his concern for Noelani outweighed any terror he might have over the dogs.
"Is this what being a dad is like?" Thomas asked Gordon quietly.
Gordon raised his eyebrows, turned his head and regarded Magnum. "Where is this coming from?" He watched Thomas shrug in the dim light pointing to his chest.
"Its a feeling there is something else going on, and I want to do everything I can to keep her safe... I know they broke up."
""Did she tell you that?"
Magnum sighed. "He hasn't called, hasn't stopped by. It's not like her to break noses or kick people... there. "
" Maybe she needs to do it more often.." Her voice said quietly behind them.
Magnum leaned his head back against her legs.
"Only if it makes you feel better."
Chapter three
Part three...
Noelani woke to voices outside. Sitting up she realized it was just dawn and someone had moved her to an upstairs bedroom. Zeus lay at the foot of the queen sized bed with Apollo. Their heads resting on her feet.
Glancing to the window she saw the reflection of red, amber and blue lights. "Oh guys... what did you do?" She murmured softly. Turning her gaze about the elegent bedroom she saw a 8x10 paper taped to the large mirror that had written "STAY PUT! SHHH!" on it. Carefully she slid up in the bed straining her ears to catch what was being said but it was mixed with radio tones from dispatch.
She heard the Lt's voice downstairs asking if he could look around.
Carefully Noelani slid out of bed giving the covers a tug, moved her go bag with her and the paper into the bathroom and hid in the furthest corner. She heard Higgins warn him it was the dogs room a half second before he opened the door. Both of the lads bolted from the bed snapping and snarling as they lunged for him.
"Sit!" she said firmly. Lhe lads sat but continued to growl.
"I am sorry Lt, usually they are better behaved, but with the unexpected amount of people here, they've become a bit more agressive..."
The Lt. didnt question it. Instead he backed out watching the dogs return to the bed as she closed the door.
it would be sometime soon after that Higgins came back to the room to praise the lads as they sat by Noelani on the bed.
"Grab a shower and join us downstairs so we can fill you in."
15 minutes later the clatter of toenails prompted Higgins to pour Noelani a mug of hot cocoa and hand it to her. She glanced at the study as she sat at the kitchen nook table where research had been spread out now was a poker table with chips cards and half finished Coops beers. The three men were missing.
"Juliet, what did they do?"
Katsumoto pushed Shammys chair and overnight bag into the admitting area through security. He had tossed on a HPD t shirt, wearing his full belt and badge as the ambulance wheeled Shammy in on a stretcher.
"What happened to him?"
"The seat slipped, then he slipped. Took 2 plumbers and the FD to extract him. Screwed up his back pretty bad. Must have hit his head too, kept yelling about deaths miss sent angels , what ever that is... Any idea what room hes going to be in?"
"He will have an xray and bloodwork first, then 247 D, thats a private room until his pain management is evaluated. Take these elevators up and then go down the hall to the waiting room "
Magnum found Gordon in the 2nd floor lunchroom sipping coffee and munching on string cheese. He slid one over to Thomas.
"You spoiled me on the good stuff..."
"That was all higgins shopping. " he said ripping open the package.
Gordon nodded to the nurses station.
"12 to 16 cameras all on this floor, one monitor, cycles through all cameras every 4 miniutes. " katsumoto took a breath. "I want you to watch the screen and let me know what you see." Gordon walked to the corner as if he was getting coffee. He waited until the main screen had begun its cycles before stepping out. Magnum watched the screen intently but for the life of him couldnt see Gordon go down the hall and he was back in the same position when the screen cut back to 12 views.
"wow... how did you figure it out?
"The nurse times her coffee breaks around the same way."
Chapter Four
Part one.
* Magnum vo:
on a scale of one through ten, a care facility typically won't prescribe medication for pain unless the pain is over a five, or if there is alot of loud yelling. In Shammys case, he handled pain differently. Going very pale and sweating, trying to control the pain through breathing techniques and the tears. The thing about back injures is they are nearly impossible to prove there isn't any pain. Especially, when the spine has already been damaged, or, when someone like Higgins has used hypnotism to have someone like Shammy remember the pain of first few hours after the mine exploded. The blood work would show hed been taking his meds correctly, but his pain plus the added ramblings regarding seeing death take his friends hopefully would be enough bait to catch our killer.*
Gordon Katsumoto's brows furrowed with concern as he held Shammys hand. In typical medical wisdom the drs had decided to hold all of Shammys medications and then prescribed a "super pain killer" placebo to trick Shammys brain into believing it was going to work. It was a general trick that usually would work if an addict was looking for more and stronger narcotics. That wasn't the case with Shammy. The suggestion Higgins had given him over road what the pharmacuticals were and until exhastion took him he would be in pain. The staff quickly realized the placebo was not going to work and gave him his normal doses. The relief was enough he could finally drop off to sleep.
Gordon had seen people in pain before. His wife during childbirth, his parents burying Kimmy, his divorce, finding his partners bones. sitting with Dugan when he was going through withdrawl. He thought at first the nurses were going to kick them out after visiting hours were over. They were short of help and it was evident Shammy needed more care than they were able to give.
Shammys pain really got to Magnum though. It sent him pacing the halls, stopping at the large windows that overlooked the bay.
A couple of times Gordon could have sworn he felt someone watching them, but he wasn't sure where the feelings were coming from. pulling his cellphone out he put the camera on record and moving to the window he pretended he was speaking to someone as he glanced at the rooms on the other side of the courtyard. Most of the other rooms were dark. He could make out the empty drs offices, patient rooms and physical therapy.
And there it was.
A shadowy figure standing just inside by the window watching what was going on in Shammys room.
He watched as the figure step bach, vanishing. Gordon sent the file to Higgins hoping she would be able to enhance the image.
Magnum came back into the room with two large coffees. Handing one to Gordon, Thomas said softly "Marcie at the snack bar said they are short, a couple of the staff were fired because they were un professional, they all swore they saw death roaming the halls
chapter four
part two.
"You, are staying right here Noelani." Kumu instructed Noelani firmly.
Higgins had left the two women to join Thomas and Magnum at the medical center bringing Thomas a change of clothing.
Higgins chest felt tight as she saw the front entrance blocked by police cars and from the back of the building she could here more police radios. Letting out the breath she was holding she entered the line of people who were being screened going in. Duke recognized her and the moment she cleared the check point the Lt. was at her side.
"Where is he?" he growled softly.
Higgins gave him a perplexed look and noticed they were being observed. She opened the paper bag digging through it. "Which he?" she inquired, worried what rule thomas was bending now.
"Gordon. He was supposed to stay with Noelani at his home. Now this happens, shes not answering her phone and his car is in the lot."
"Shammy fell yesterday, its...pretty bad. .. Thomas and Gordy are with him. Noelani is with Kumu, Rick , TC and the lads. We thought it best if her phone became untraceable... we're being watched..."
"Ok" he nodded rolling the paper bag closed and pointing to the door she was to go through to get her visitor tag. She glanced at the roster, then thought for a moment and made a show of signing the book but didn't have the pencil touch the paper. By the time she made it to the elevator she saw a man in a charcoal colored suit wander over and check who she was visiting and the puzzled expression. She shot a quick text to Gordon, and following his cue, strode swiftly down the hall unseen by the cameras into Shammys room. She handed the clothing to Magnum, aware he was covered in something - greasy. Katsumoto motioned for her to remain silent and behind the curtain. Once magnum was changed he pulled her into the bathroom, clicked off the light and pointed to the call light that was green, indicating someone was listening.
She set her phone to vibrate and texted to Gordon. "Lt knows you are here. What happened?"
It took a few seconds for him to text back " Snack bar girl found dead in AM ctb. Thomas got pushed into and locked in Mop closet just before her death. "
Higgins sat down on the shower chair. It could have just as easily been Shammy as the poor girl and they still didnt have the connections. Going on the medical centers website Higgins scrolled through the staff photos. There was something oddly familiar about the man in the charcoal suit. She half expected him to be the owner of the facility, or the ceo, or director but the entire board of directors was comprised of women, as well as the owner, a Mrs Florence Kendell who happened to also be a resident at the Medical center in the Reserved wing.
The bathroom door opened and Thomas beckoned Higgy to join them To her relief the green listen light was out. Higgins quietly filled them in on who she saw and showed Katsumoto the enhanced image shed been able to screen capture from Gordons video from last night.
"Thats the same man I saw reviewing the sign in book when I came in but I can't find him on the staff pages."
Magnum took a look at the grainy image.
"oh Thats Franklin Kendell Florances youngest son. He's ... well, hes not on staff. Marcie showed me the family portrait. He's being groomed by his mother to eventually take over the nursing home after she dies but shes a tough old bird. Rumor has it she was a madam and used her money to build this place..."
Gordon eyes widened. "Wait... Florence Kendell you said?"
Magnum nodded.
Gordon closed his eyes tightly. color rose high on his cheeks.
"Out with it already!" Magnum said curious.
" I should have recognized her... She was a fine looking woman in her day. ... Vice kept getting complaints regarding certain ahem activities of one of the residents here... Flo would take the John to the outside garden to entertain them and the staff was told to keep her in her apartment and just close the fire doors for privacy. Vice knew she was a working girl but could never make the charges stick. She retired after her stroke six months ago."
Magnum became thoughtful. " What if her stroke was a botched attempt to kill her by the same person whos been playing the Miss sent Angel?"
"Then, realistically, we don't have a shred of evidence to hold Franklin on unless we catch him in the act.
Chapter Four
Part Three.
You had to "be" someone with deep pockets to become a resident in the 3rd floor reserved section of the medical center which afforded you a private nurse, elegant dinners and several doctors who specialized in what ever ailment you might have. Goveners, Admirals and several senators enjoyed the perks that only money could buy.
You also had to be someone if you weren't staff to gain access to the reserved wing, or know someone.
The Lt. nodded to the charge nurse showing his badge before waiting patiently for the call to be placed. There was a buzz as the security door clicked open and he was escorted to visit an old friend.
Bending over he placed a soft kiss upon Flo's cheek and placed the single rose he had brought her in the bedside bud vase.
"How is my favorite girl?" Lt. Akana asked carefully taking her hand into his. A slow crooked smile formed on her face.
"Its been a while. Look at you - a Lt. now. Still as handsome as ever. "
"The years have been kind to you Flo."
"Thank you for that lie." she said squeezing his hand. "Did I ever reward you properly for when we first met?"
Lt Akana had been a rookie when he'd stopped a pimp from beating Flo to death. He'd cuffed the pimp, Walkins was his name, then held Flo in his arms until the ambulance arrived. He had testified in court against Walkins and while he didnt condone her profession, he did what he could to keep the girls safe. Fewer pimps on the streets lead to a reduction of certain crimes and stronger laws. Prostitutes became Companions, giving to the rise of legale escort services.
And Flo had lead the change.
"Seeing you safe was my reward." he grinned.
His face became serious. " Who did this to you Flo? You always took the best care of yourself and your girls. How did this happen? I know you know because you have this wing tighter than a salted knot."
She shook her head. "I should have known he would be like his father." she murmured.
Lt Akana realized she was falling asleep.
Bending over he kissed her. "You take care of yourself Flo." She nodded as sleep claimed her.
Sighing he looked around the room and walked to the window glancing at the courtyard. Movement in one of the rooms directly across caught his attention. He recognized the profile, saw Gordon sitting beside Shammy holding his hand.
Magnum was pacing in the room clearly upset. Higgins came to the window, glanced around in the courtyard before raising her eyes up to focus on him. She blinked several times before pointing to his left and pulling back the curtain.
Curious he moved the curtain. He felt a cold chill down his spine as he saw Higgins step back and get an evidence bag from Gordon and wave it.
There was no way the staff would be allowed to consume food or drink in a patients room. Carefully he placed the travel mug in a larger evidence bag and placed it aside before pulling out a small kit he always carried.
He'd be damned if someone was going to harm someone he loved.
Chapter Five
Part one.
So many loose ends.
One simple job. That was all it was supposed to be. just one.
It was out of control now and it couldn't be helped.
" What do you mean its gone?"
"She had a couple of visitors today. Any of them could have taken it, even the Janitor who was washing her window when I went by. Yes, I checked the trash. I couldn't very well look through it with him standing there.
"You need to finish it! And the one on the second floor! "
"No! the guy with him is a cop. and the other guy is a PI. If he turns up dead, there will be more questions. They never leave his side! hissed Franklin to the elderly man reclined on the geriatric lounge chair.
Wally Walker narrowed his eyes at the younger man. Some people were just greedy. some were stupid. Franklin was both.
"Look, you can use anything. Even a water pitcher and a straw. " Wally spoke smoothly.
Franklin shook his head. "I can't be carrying a water pitcher through the hall, or into the pharmacy."
Wally sighed. "Grab one from that gift shop, fill it and get it done."
"I can't just walk into the shop and buy with a credit card! And I used the last of the gas I had in the portable last night."
Wally let out an irritated sigh as he reached for the bed side night stand drawer. He pulled out two crisp twenty's and shoved them into Franklin's hand. "There. And don't forget the reciept! Get two as a time saver.
"I tell you I am not going to off a cops friend!"
"Just get the tank filled and we can wait until lunch to do him, And the old broad tonight. It will be done, you can take over and flip this place for a profit. "
Lt Akana paced in Shammys room. Shammy had been taken down to PT for whirlpool treatments before lunch. Magnum used Shammy chair to sit in noting how uncomfortable it was on his backside.
"And you didn't think to tell me?" The Lt. growled.
"Dr. Cunha tried to tell you and you told her..." Magnum started to say then stopped at the glare he was given.
"But not about endangering Civilians. Now a girl is dead, and you've painted a target on other people here."
"Lt. Who lives up on the third floor that you were visiting?" Higgins inquired curiously interrupting him.
She watched him shift.
"A friend from way back." He said glancing at the closed curtained window.
"What do you need us to do?" inquired Magnum rolling the chair forward.
Gordon raised his eyebrows as the Lt frown turned into a hard smile.
"I have an Idea."
Chapter Five
Part Two.
The police had departed, closing down the cafe and taking the young girls body with them. All the media trucks were off on different assignments and the medical center had shifted to its normal scheduled activities. 3:30 pm was quiet time for the patients. The staff would take their dinner breaks, it was just a quiet day that was winding down to evening.
Franklin fumed. His access to the pharmacy wasn't working. It wasn't a glitch in the system, the pharmacist had to ring everyone in a buddy system to safeguard the techs.
He had the small tank with the bleeder valve tucked in the inside of his jacket. All he had to do was get enough to half fill it and it would be fine.
Breathing out he headed to the loading dock. He had always stressed to them never to bleed a tank dry. That way the rental company would be able to do a leak test before they were refilled.
Smiling he turned on his heal taking swift strides to the dock, swearing to himself this was a sign. It was hard enough timing one death, but two was nuts. Come to think about it, Wally had only informed him how to do it, but never got his hands dirty in the actual deaths.
That would have to change. Franklin had assisted Wally enough.
Setting him mind to it Franklin went to the loading docks and was happy to see one nitrogen tank on the dock to be removed. He attached the bleeder hose and rocked the tank. there was probably just enough there to finish the jobs. Two at least... he would have to wait for another tank before he would meet with Wally for the last time.
By the time he had both travel mugs filled. Franklin had made up his mind.
"Look, the only way this is going to work is if both die at the same time. That way they will believe its just natural causes.I can't be in two places at once. " he handed Wally one of the sealed travel mugs.
"You have to deal with her or do you want the cops friend?"
Wally glanced at the recreations room closed door. Soft music was playing and there was the quiet murmer of voices from inside. He almost considered interrupting the festivities just to see who was getting lucky but he thought better of it as he slipped a latex glove on his hand before carefully picking up the travel mug. It would only have Franklins prints on it when the police found it carelessly left on her night stand.
Franklin watched the monitors for the third floor giving the signal to Wally the coast was clear. He'd hit record on the video tape as an extra insurance policy before studying the timing of the second floor monitors. He noted that the friends were in the lobby having coffee talking in the corner.
Grabbing the travel mug he slipped out of the door and wedged a paper wad in the lock to prevent the door from closing all the way before taking the steps two at a time. He wedged another wad of paper into the lock of the second floor door and counted the seconds before striding across the hallway into the door frame giving his eyes a chance to adjust to the light. The man was up in his wheel chair, his head to the side, the sound of soft snoring issuing from him.
Franklins soft sole shoes were soundless as he stepped behind the man and slowly released the deadly mixture over the sleeping mans head. The snores quieted, then stopped compleatly.
Franklin breathed a sigh of relief. one down, and with the video tape Wally would be blamed for all of the deaths. It was really just so simple.
"You know, it was rather clever of you to continue to kill people after your botched job 6 months ago, but you forgot just one thing..." Magnum said in the darkened room as he turned Shammys wheel chair around pointing a gun at Franklins midsection.
Franklin set the travel mug down and placed his hands up on his head as he felt a second gun press into his spine.
"what's that?"
Katsumoto answered for Magnum
"We have the best county Medical Examiner in 50 states. Gordon said cuffing Franklin.
Outside was a crash of glass and a brief scream followed by a thump. Magnum rose from the wheel chair throwing open the curtains in time to see Lt Akana and Higgins with a bed jacket on looking down into the court yard where Wally lay groaning.
Chapter Five
Part Three
Shammy sat sipping from a proper fluted Champaign glass a lovely vintage that settled a warmth nicely in his chest. The picnic baskets were overflowing with cheeses, fruit, crackers, and a selection of cheese cake wedges. Flo sat to his right leaning against Lt. Karna. Noelani sat next to Magnum and Gordon, Rick, TC, Kumu and Higgins compleated the circle under the palm trees in Robins garden. It had been Shammy who had discussed how beautiful Robins nest was with Flo and she'd wanted to get out some place away from where shed felt locked up for so long.
Lt Karna was feeding Flo bite sized cheese and fruit while her good hand held the flute steady. The meal had been a slow process, but he didn't mind.
"So when did you suspect there were two people involved Lt.? inquired Kumu.
" The fingerprints on the window ledge wern't Franklins. They, did however, come up as an 12 point match for Wallace Walkins aka Wally Walker who had used acid to try and alter his fingerprints after his release from prison.
Franklin just smoothed the paper work to get him onto the reserved wing. Once I knew he'd been in Flo's room, she was a target as well. The Staff knew not to open the rec room door if there was music playing, so it was a safe bolt hole for the two of them."
Noelani had discovered DNA, nitrogen and carbon monoxide inside the travel mug the Lt had found, it pinpointed to Franklin, and trace DNA was discovered on Marcie.
"Rick and TC are the real hero's If they hadn't swapped out the nitrogen tank on the loading dock with a mislabeled oxygen tank we would have had two more." Said Gordon quietly.
Flo regarded Lt. Akana. "Did I ever reward you properly for saving my life when we first met?" Her voice seemed far away as she closed her eyes
"You did Flo... you did. " Akana set the Champaign flute aside feeling her go heavy against him.
"Flo?... Sweetheart?... oh Flo.."
Noelani moved over to where Akana now cradled Flo in his arms.
"We need to start CPR..." Noelani said as Higgins began to dial 911.
Akana shook his head. "She's DNR.. This is what she wanted... Not in a hospital bed... " For the longest time he just held her in his arms until the ambulance came. After, he sat on the rock looking out at the ocean. Noelani came and sat beside him.
"We will take good care of her..."
Akana looked at her, then back at the ocean nodding.
I saw you in my dreams
We were walking hand in hand
On a white sandy beach
Of Hawaii
We were playing in the sun
We were having so much fun
On a white, sandy beach
Of Hawaii.
The sound of the ocean
Soothes my restless soul
The sound of the ocean
Rocks me all night long
Those half hound summer days
Playing in the sun
On a white sandy beach
Of Hawaii
The sound of the ocean
Sooths my restless soul
The sound of the ocean
Rocks me all night long
Last night in my dreams
I saw your face again
We were there
In the sun
On a white sandy beach
Of Hawaii
On a white sandy beach
of Hawaii"
(c) Iz Kamakawiwo'ole
End.
Ok, for those that are curious, this story is actually only part fiction, but based on real events which happened about 1985.
Yes there really was a nursing home owned by a former madam, whos son was a bit too eager to own the place himself. yes, she did alot of entertainment on the back patio courtyard much to the embarrassment of her son
and he did murder 5 people, three in one room all 24 hours from each other.
several nurses aids were fired for no reason except they all had seen someone leaving the floor as they were returning from break.
and yes, one of the female residents did stand naked in the doorway saying she was a bad girl. She was one of the people who died.
Why did he kill the innocent people?
because he was practising killing with out being seen so he could murder his mother.
His mistake was so many deaths in a short period of time, that the county coroner took a second and third look at the deaths, and an arrest was made
Alll recounted to me by a friend who worked there.