Chapter 55
Hey guys, thank you for the support as usual. Here's another one, i hope you like and review.
Rich Greenley was restless; he hadn't heard from George for a couple of days. Lynn hadn't needed him
for odd jobs either. In fact, since George was arrested, she wouldn't even take his calls. He tried to
ingratiate himself to Adam Noshimuri but the arrogant man acted like he wouldn't even give him the
time of day.
He flipped through the TV channels absentmindedly. If Lynn or Adam knew how much he knew about
the business at the Traveler's Oasis, they would treat him with respect. It would serve them right if he
burned the place down. He stopped on an old TV show about firemen and paramedics. Thinking of
watching the building burn just excited him no end. Better than porn.
His phone rang. He picked it up lazily, "Hello?"
"Richard?"
"George!"
"Shh. I'm in jail. Come see me."
"State police?"
"Da."
"I'll be there in the morning."
88888888
Danny burned his fingertips. "Mine is done."
"I finished mine a minute ago." Steve sighed. "Good cigar, thanks for sharing."
"Hey, we got the Russian S.O.B. behind bars. Worth a little celebration." Danny frowned. "Even if it is
short-lived."
Steve nodded. He looked at the starry sky. "The ocean sounds wrong."
"Wrong? What?!" Danny was dumbfounded. "Are you high? Or stupid?"
Despite himself, Steve chuckled. "I grew up in Hawaii, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean."
"You are high but thanks for the geography lesson." Danny rolled his eyes. "How often are you popping
those pain pills anyway?"
"I'm not, just aspirin. The Pacific was named that because it was peaceful. The Atlantic is more ah,
active. Sounds different."
"Is that a navy thing?"
"Probably a sailor thing."
"Fascinating." Danny said dryly. He rolled his eyes again as he went to get up. "Another Hawaiian yo-
yo." He muttered under his breath." He looked at Steve innocently. "Ready to have pie?''
Steve heard the detective's belly aching and got up. "Sounds great. Thank you for the cigar. It was a
great smoke; best cigar I've ever smoked."
"Tuscany's best, babe"
"Italian? Wow. How did you get them?"
"My sister went to Italy a few years back. She brought them for me." Danny explained proudly. "You
can buy them here. Just ask for a Toscanello, grappa infused."
The men went inside. The women were sitting at the cleared dining room table, enjoying coffee. Danny
spied pie plates with blueberry stains.
"Aw, man. We missed pie?" Danny asked.
"You lads wanted to smoke. We cleaned the kitchen and decided to have coffee."
"And I wanted pie." Catherine added, smiling mischievously. "We got tired of waiting."
Rachel had gotten up and returned with clean dessert plates, utensils, and the pie. "No worries, there is
plenty more. Would you like vanilla ice cream?"
Both men nodded like children.
Catherine was on her feet. "Where do you keep your ice cream scoop, Rachel?"
"Top drawer by the left sink." Rachel cut two hearty pieces of pie and placed a plate in front of each
man.
Steve's slice was a tad bigger than Danny's. The sailor quickly exchanged the plates.
Danny was so busy watching Rachel scoop the ice cream that he missed Steve's swap. Catherine saw
and smiled but said nothing.
Rachel had the ice cream scoop at the ready. "Steve? Ice cream with your pie?"
"On second thought, no, thank you." Steve grinned. "Too much of that magnificent dinner."
While both men literally attacked their pie, Rachel poured coffee for both. "So, what were you
discussing out there? How lucky you lads are for having such understanding women?"
Danny and Steve exchanged looks. "Where are the kids?" Danny asked quietly.
"In bed. Tucked them in about a half hour ago. Why?" Rachel glanced at Catherine, puzzled.
"We both feel we aren't through this yet." Danny said in a lowered voice. "One shoe dropped. Now,
we wait for the other shoe."
Catherine looked at Steve and realized he was letting Danny tell as much as he was comfortable with.
The commander would tell her all the details of their thoughts later.
"I'm betting I'll have a few more long hours to put in on this one." Danny finished.
"I am sure you'll puzzle it out, you always do." Rachel reassured him.
Danny and Steve exchanged another look. "Yeah, I'm just concerned about the fallout."
88888888
Lynn turned down her new bedding. Kimba jumped up and staked out her place and waited for her
human to join her.
The hotel manager had her bedroom repainted in shades of blues and purples. A new bedroom set,
rearranged along with a new bed. Memories of Commander McGarrett's horrible ordeal at the hands of
George Federchuk were blurred by the remodel. At least she could resume sleeping in her room again.
"It was a good day, Kimba." She said as she slid under the covers. "With George gone, this hotel might
just make it after all."
Meow. It sounded questioning.
"Yes, baby. You are along for the ride. You are going to be our mascot."
Kimba purred happily as Lynn stroked her fur.
Inspiration hit. "Maybe Adam and I can get a cat show to convention here. Would you like that, baby?"
MeOW!
"Maybe I can find your breeding papers and enter you. Would you like that, my pretty girl? You can be
the hometown favorite." Lynn looked at the cat, who was blissfully asleep.
88888888
Danny walked slowly up the stairs next to Steve. The women were following. At the top of the stairs,
good night pleasantries were exchanged. Then, Danny and Rachel went to the left while Steve and
Catherine went to the right.
Once their door was closed, Steve wrapped Catherine in his embrace. "This might not be over, Cat. I
think we're in a blowback situation. There has got to be another player on the field, we both feel it.
George is tighter than a clam which makes no sense because what they have him dead to rights on
carries a life sentence."
"Unless he knows someone has his back." Catherine finished.
"God, I love you."
"This might not be over, Rachel. And this guy, he plays rough." He pulled the bedding aside and joined
her in bed. "He's vengeful, ruthless. I asked Steve to recover here because I pushed him into helping
with Lynn. Then he got hurt, I felt I owed him. Now, I am so glad he is here. I can go to work knowing
you and the kids are safe. Promise me if something happens that you will listen to him. Believe it or
not, that big goof is a commando."
Rachel smiled. "I believe it. If you really look at his eyes, he tries to hide it. And he hides it well, but it
bleeds through when his guard drops. I noticed it in the hospital. He's a protector, it's his nature."
"Promise me you'll take his directions."
Rachel looked at her husband's eyes and realized he was dead serious. "Okay Daniel, I promise."
Satisfied, the father instincts kicked in. "I'm surprised Gracie went to bed without me kissing her good
night." Danny sounded disappointed.
Rachel again smiled. "She knew you were talking to Uncle Steve."
Danny fluffed his pillow. "Great."
Rachel leaned over and kissed the detective's neck. "You're fooling no one, Daniel. Not even yourself."
She knew him so well and in spite of being dead tired, Danny smiled.
Steve was spent. He collapsed on his side of the bed and greedily sucked air.
Catherine rolled to his side. "You are amazing, sir. Just weeks out of brain surgery…"
"And I'm off."
"I don't think so." She kissed him deeply. "If your concerned about your hang time…"
"Sorry about that."
"Don't be. We have been apart for months. You are just a little out of practice. You'll be back to your
awesome form in no time."
"I don't like keeping so quiet." He sighed as his breathing returned to normal. "Prepare yourself for
round two, Catty Cat." His smile was in his voice. "Surrender now."
She giggled and decided to tease him. "Good thing you and Lynn didn't 'do the deed'; she would have
been so disappointed."
"Oh, if we didn't have to be quiet, I'd smack your bottom. As skinny as you are, it would hurt."
"I dare you."
He looked at his lover in disbelief.
Catherine smiled innocently. "I double dog dare you." She breathlessly whispered in his ear. She forced
herself to be quiet as he grabbed her up in his arms.
88888888
"Slowly." Catherine admonished.
Steve yawned. "If I go any slower, I'll be in reverse."
They reached the bottom of the staircase.
"Smells like someone burned breakfast." He whispered in Catherine's ear.
They walked into the dining room where Danny and Grace were eating breakfast. Catherine sat down as
Steve held her chair. Then he sat down next to her.
Morning pleasantries were exchanged.
"Can I help, Rachel?"
"If you can make the toast?"
Catherine got up. "On it."
With Catherine gone, Steve turned his attention to Danny. And his burnt eggs.
Danny noticed Steve's eyeline. "I like eggs slightly burned. You got a problem with that?"
The commander shook his head and smiled. "I hadn't noticed."
"Yeah, right. Sleep well?"
"Very well. Nice to be out of that hospital." He looked at Gracie, who was eating her cereal quietly,
watching everything. "Thank you for letting Catherine and I stay in your bedroom."
"You're welcome, Uncle Steve."
Danny watched the sailor's cool demeanor crack, almost.
The child's innocent attachment touched Steve deeply. He reached over and squeezed her shoulder.
"You are a remarkably gracious young lady, Grace. Thank you."
Grace looked at him. "You're most welcome." She said in a sincere and dignified tone beyond her years
as she returned to her cereal.
Steve looked at Danny, impressed.
Danny bowed his head in acknowledgement of the unsaid compliment. He finished his breakfast. "Got
to go, Rach. See you and the monkeys tonight." He lowered his voice. "Steve, will you walk me out?"
"Sure." He got up. "Cat, I'm going to walk Danny out."
"Okay mustang."
Danny knew his daughter had ears like a radar listening post so he waited until the driveway to speak.
"Steve, I'm going go and pursue our mole theory. Please, watch over my family." He handed the
commando his house gun. "More ammo in my nightstand bottom drawer. The drawer is usually locked.
Since you have the gun, I left the drawer unlocked. If you need me or even think you might, call me.
Immediately."
The sailor took the gun. "You have my solemn word: I'll protect your family as my own. I swear."
"Thank you. I am sure I'm being overcautious. You rest up best you can."
"Will do. Watch your six."
Danny slapped Steve's shoulder before getting in his car. He watched McGarrett check the weight of
the gun, set the safety, and tuck it under his shirt at the small of his back. Putting the car in gear, he
went to work.
Steve walked back to the house, lost in thought. He was so deep in planning defensive strategies that he
did not acknowledge Catherine's approach until she entered his field of vision.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked at him in alarm. "You're packing."
"Danny gave it to me."
Catherine nodded. "I'll excuse myself and get my sidearm."
"Good idea."
They reached the door and returned to the table. Gracie was finishing her cereal. Rachel was eating
and keeping an eye on Charlie who was eating toast and jam while waiting for mom's spoonful of
scrambled eggs.
Steve held Catherine's chair then sat down himself.
"Looks great. Thank you, Rachel."
"I hope you didn't think your breakfast would be 'well done,' did you? Danny likes his eggs burned. I
swear my mum would die if she saw me serve it." Rachel laughed. "I hope you are pleasantly
surprised."
Steve nodded since his mouth was full. He gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Catherine set her coffee down. "It's delicious."
Rachel smiled and checked the kitchen clock. "Gracie, get your coat and books together. We leave in
fifteen minutes." She looked at her guests. "You two, make yourselves at home. Charlie and I will be
right back."
Steve remembered his promise to Danny and quickly swallowed. "Gracie, how would you like to go to
school today in an official navy car?"
Rachel was about to decline his offer but then she remembered her promise to follow the naval officer's
lead. "Sounds like fun. Grace, what do you think?"
"Sounds amazing!" The little girl turned serious. "May I please be excused, mommy?"
"Yes, dear."
The little girl stood and pushed her chair in. Then she gathered her dishes up and took them to the
kitchen. After placing her dishes in the sink, she ran through the dining room and up the stairs as fast as
she could.
Rachel looked after her daughter and shook her head. "Thank you." A thought struck her. "How is a
navy car different?" She looked from Steve to Catherine.
"Not a damn thing except 'Department of the Navy' logo on the door." Steve said straight faced before
finishing his coffee as Catherine grinned. "She will be more appreciative of your car, no matter what."
"Grace will be thrilled."
88888888
Danny found himself looking for unfamiliar cars parked on his street. His nervousness diminished as he
drove on. "Lord, thank you for Steve to protect my family. Please let his assistance be unneeded." He
quietly prayed.
He arrived at the office without incident and parked in the secured underground parking structure. The
detective made his way to his office.
"Good morning, boss." Chin smiled.
"Hey boss, you look like you slept well." Lou ventured.
"Morning. I did sleep well. Well, I didn't dream so maybe I passed out." He sat down at his desk.
"Anything new to report? Please, tell me something new."
Both men looked helplessly at each other. "Not a thing, boss." They both said quietly.
"Well, damn. Steve and I were talking last night. He believes Federchuk has another accomplice and
he's worried about blowback."
"Who?"
"That's the problem. No one is standing out, so his accomplice is hiding in plain sight. So, when we take
him to the arraignment this morning, let's see if we can film attendees to the arraignment. Maybe
someone will stand out. Make sure our team members are wearing discreet body cams."
"Good thinking. Between all of us, we should get a full 360-degree view of the courtroom." Lou agreed
and left to prep the body cams.
"Do you think the accomplice will be so brazen, boss?" Chin asked.
"I'd bet on it because no one is expecting it. The accomplice figures he is invisible, which he is for all
intents and purposes. I'm hoping he'll tip his hand."