A/N: This story has its roots in a friend's review saying that the ending of S12E13 For Old Times Sake is "sucky." The biggest problem is lack of context. This is an attempt to add context.
Takes place during and in the aftermath of S12E13 and fits into my "Crises of Conscience: A Five-O Story" (Chapter 6).
Thanks to honu59 for beta-reading.
Hawaii Five-O (1968) does not belong to me, I'm playing in the sandbox again. No copyright infringement intended.
Hale Maluhia
The door closed quietly as the older man slumped his shoulders. He walked into the formal dining room where his wife, an older woman with bright blue eyes and graying brown hair pinned in a bun, was placing the finishing touches on a tropical floral arrangement. It was just before dinner when she noticed her husband.
"What's the matter, Paul?" Claudia Jameson asked as he kissed her on the cheek.
He smiled slightly, "Oh … nothing."
"Don't give me a line." She gazed at him with concern as he stepped back. "I know you much better than that. Something is weighing on your mind."
Sighing heavily, he relented. "It's Hale Maluhia."
"The girls' school?"
He nodded sadly. "It owes a great deal of money to the State of Hawaii." He pulled out a chair from the dining table, sat down tiredly and loosened his tie. "Dolly Simmons is a pillar of the community helping these girls who have gone astray. But she, her school actually, owes $15,000 in back taxes."
"What can we do?"
"I talked to Steve earlier today." He sighed again. "The gardener, Willie, is none other than the infamous counterfeiter Monty Pearson. And he's now sitting in jail taking a plea for turning state's evidence against a gangster he once worked for."
"Paul," she began, placing her hand on his, "you're not answering my question."
He looked at her with tired eyes. "I've been able to give them a reprieve but I'm afraid it won't be enough."
"Hmm." Claudia gazed over her arrangement while the wheels turned in her head.
He furrowed his brow. "It only buys them time … and only a week, at that. But I don't know what else to do. I wish there was a way we could help them and in a hurry."
Claudia smiled and nodded. "I think I know some people who can help."
The sun shined brightly in a cloudless sky when the green LTD drove into the governor's residence at Washington Place.
Danny felt nervous as he parked the car. "You have any idea how long it's been since I've been here!?"
"Calm down," Anne advised, grabbing her bag at her feet after the car had stopped. "Claudia asked us here. Everything is on the up and up."
Danny looked at her. "I know. It's just … weird."
Anne cocked her head. "Why?"
He shrugged. "I dunno. You don't think it's weird that she would call out of the blue?"
Anne scrunched her nose at him. "It's not exactly out of the blue. You know she's big on history and she is a fan of mine."
"Yeah." He pondered a bit. "You've photographed quite a few volunteers during the last several months." Danny took a deep breath. "But we've been looking at old property deeds for the last three days at her request. And she didn't even tell us why. … And our only leads were my memories as a kid, which isn't much, and your book. Your book gave us better clues, but still …"
"We found what we needed." Anne smiled. "You're just not used to seeing her or the governor as a civilian." She leaned over to straighten his tie. She chuckled slightly, as it had been weeks since he wore a suit and tie.
"I'm not exactly a civilian."
"Yes, I know. You're in the HPD Reserves. But you're not on duty today." She gave him a pecked on the cheek. "So, let's go."
Danny gave her a sideways glance.
Still smiling, Anne opened the door and climbed out of the car.
Claudia sat in the study surrounded by books. Her hair was in a bun, her usual style. She perused the photography book in her hands. It covered everything imaginable on Hawaii, including Hale Maluhia. She bookmarked the page she wanted: the beginning of those specific photos.
An usher interrupted with the couple standing behind him. "Ma'am."
Claudia looked up, "Of course, John. Please show them in."
The usher motioned for Anne and Danny to enter and Claudia stood to greet them.
Claudia couldn't help but be happy to see them, especially Dan, because it had been several months since she had seen him. She had read the stories in the newspaper and received bits and pieces from her husband, but never really knew the full story about Dan's resignation. Perhaps one day, she'd discover all the details, but that day wasn't today. "Dan," she walked up to the pair and offered her hand, "it has been a long time."
"Yes it has," he shook her hand.
"Anne," Claudia greeted her warmly with a hug, "I'm so happy you could help us."
"Our pleasure." Anne smiled before stepping back.
"Can I offer you anything to drink?" Claudia motioned for the pair to fully enter the study.
"Uh, sure. Tea would be great." Anne smiled again when she noticed the book Claudia had put down before greeting them.
"Dan?" Claudia prodded him.
"Sure, coffee, please."
Claudia motioned to the usher, "John, two teas and a coffee, please."
"Yes, ma'am." John nodded before leaving for the kitchen area.
Anne walked over to the book Claudia had perused earlier and picked it up. She noticed the bookmarks. "I remember this place. After you called, I pulled my copy off the shelf and went back to my notes. It was such a beautiful place."
"It is. And it's been used as a girls' school for several years now." Claudia joined her.
Danny nodded as he walked to the pair. "It would be nice if it stayed. From a law enforcement perspective, it's better to straighten out these kids before they become hardened criminals."
Claudia looked at him intently. "I understand you knew something of the property, Dan?"
"Yeah," Danny sighed. "When I was a kid, I remember being told that it was part of the old Dillingham properties."
"We were able to verify that," Anne agreed as she ran her fingers over a photograph showing the house with a teacher and several teenage girls on the lawn. "The house was so beautiful." She closed her eyes for a minute and sighed. "Flowers were everywhere. The air smelled so sweet."
John returned with a tray of three cups and saucers as well as the condiments for tea and coffee. He set the tray on a table in the middle of the room.
"Thank you, John." Claudia motioned for her guests to sit.
Anne sat on the couch, placing her bag beside her. After Danny sat beside her, she dug into it, removing a folder. "I think this is what you wanted, Claudia."
Claudia took the proffered folder. "What's this?"
"Copies of the records we found after some digging at the library and the state archives," Danny answered as he put his arm around Anne. "It helped that her notes are meticulous." He chuckled, "Worse that police reports."
"Despite some opinions," Anne poked Danny in the ribs, "they gave us a good lead to track down the information."
Danny gave Anne a sideways glance as Claudia opened the folder.
Claudia laughed quietly as she scanned the pages. "Oh!" She looked at Anne with a big smile. "This is exactly what we need! … May I keep this for now?"
"You can keep it forever. We made two sets of copies and we have the other set at home." Anne picked up her cup. "In case we might need the information sometime in the future."
"Thank you." Claudia smiled.
Anne set down her cup. "And there's something else," she looked to Danny who nodded. Anne then proposed an idea to Claudia.
Claudia smiled broader and let out a long breath. She knew this would change everything.
The governor sat at his office desk, studying the form before him. He smiled as he signed the paperwork. At long last, a wrong would be righted. Hale Maluhia would be designated an historic landmark, making it a tax-exempt property. It made Paul Jameson almost giddy. A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts as the ink began to dry.
"Come in," he called out.
Steve McGarrett walked through the door.
"Ah, Steve," the governor happily greeted his friend as he walked around his desk to shake McGarrett's hand.
"Paul," McGarrett returned the greeting, noting the governor's light mood. "What can I do for you?"
"Well," Paul motioned for McGarrett to join him at the conference table in his office. "It's not so much what you can do for me, but for Dolly Simmons."
McGarrett sat, his expression reflecting his confusion. "I don't understand."
The governor gestured excitedly, "Hale Maluhia sits on historic property that can be traced back to the Dillinghams. I just signed an order designating the home an historic landmark. On top of that, the $15,000 owed to the state has been paid in full."
"What? … Wait a minute …"
"A generous benefactor donated the amount to pay the back taxes and because of where the house sits, it can be designated as an historic landmark and become a tax-exempt property." He poured himself a cup of coffee, "In short, Dolly Simmons will be able to continue her work at Hale Maluhia, giving second chances to wayward girls."
"That's wonderful news. How did this all happen?" McGarrett leaned toward the governor.
"Some research had been done recently and the discovery was made about the property." The governor poured a second cup of coffee. "I was hoping I could talk you into breaking the news to Dolly for me." He pushed the second cup to McGarrett.
"No need to talk me into it. It would be my pleasure." McGarrett smiled as he accepted the cup.
The Mercury Marquis stopped in the driveway. McGarrett climbed out and strolled to the front patio. It was only a couple of weeks ago when he admonished three girls for their attempted shoplifting escapade and Dolly had teased him about missing his true calling of being an actor.
He smiled thinking of their conversation and found himself drawn to the plight of Willie McPhee, the home's gardener, who in a former life was Monty Pearson.
Pearson had turned his life around and had only gone back to counterfeiting in desperation to help Dolly and the home. McPhee pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him last week and was currently serving his sentence in Halawa. He had agreed to testify against Tony Balsani and his hit men on what he knew. In return, Willie would be able to continue his hobby of crossbreeding hibiscus flowers.
"It's a beautiful day," Dolly commented as she stepped out, disrupting McGarrett's thoughts.
He noticed that Dolly wasn't her usual cheerful self and how the latest adventure had worn on her. "Hi, Dolly. You look like someone who could use some good news."
"I can always use some good news." She stood by the porch railing gazing out to the girls who were working on various crafts. "I did receive some good news a couple of days ago."
"Oh?" His interest was immediately piqued. "What news was this?"
"Well," she blushed, "it's somewhat embarrassing but I submitted Willie's 'Dolly' to a competition and it won a gold medal!" She looked down trying to keep tears at bay. "It even comes with a $200 cash prize and an invitation for next year's competition."
"And you're unhappy?" McGarrett lightly touched her shoulder.
"Two hundred dollars doesn't do anything for our debt." Dolly burst into tears and McGarrett pulled her into his arms.
"Oh, Dolly," he patted her shoulder as she cried for a moment. "That's why I'm here."
Dolly wiped her face and stepped back. "What are you talking about, Steve?"
McGarrett smiled broadly, "You don't have to worry about the back taxes."
She stood in stunned silence.
"The governor has declared Hale Maluhia an historic landmark and thus, tax-exempt." He nodded slightly as Dolly looked at him with skepticism, "He signed the order this morning. … As well, an anonymous donor paid the owed taxes. The slate has been wiped clean."
Dolly felt her heart in her throat. "How? … Why? …"
He shrugged, "I don't know who the donor was but what I do know is that you're a very special person, Dolly. Your work here is important and the community knows it. You have no idea how much you're appreciated."
"I … I can't believe it." Dolly continued to gaze out. "We're staying and …"
"You're staying. You're giving these girls another shot and there's something to be said about that." McGarrett put his hands on his hips and looked out at the girls. He turned to Dolly, "I'm happy for you, more than I can say."
"Thank you, Steve." Dolly inhaled a shaky breath, overwhelmed by the good fortune. "I should tell Willie."
"I was planning to pay him a visit next."
Dolly smiled at him, "Please tell him he's very much missed."
McGarrett smiled at her, "I will pass that along and I know how much he is missed. … Rest assured, I'm working on that, too."
Dolly hugged him again.
After several minutes, McGarrett took his leave. His next stop was Halawa Correctional Facility.