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A Wrinkle in Time
by Sam and Cokie
Chapter 4 – Assembling a team
"Captain Grover," Steve called out, standing and reaching out to shake the other man's hand. "Thanks for meeting me on such short notice."
Grover shook hands and then looked around. "I was at the fifth hole when I got the call from my wife that you asked to meet with me. I gotta say, I'm curious," he replied as they sat back down in the cafe area at the Hilton.
They were at a corner table next to wide-open veranda doors that allowed the breeze to flow. A table that was strategically chosen by Steve.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Steve asked.
"Well, it's a little early for any of my favorites, so how about one of those fresh-squeezed papaya juices."
"You got it," Steve said, signaling for the waitress. "One papaya and one mango juice, please."
"So, you wanna tell me what this is all about?" Lou asked. "I remember you saying 'we might meet again', but I had no idea you had something in mind."
Steve leaned back in his chair. "I do have something in mind. I would like to make you a job offer."
"Huh." Grover stared at him and slowly shook his head. "Gotta admit I'm surprised. You don't look like one of those 'get-rich-quick-scheme' kind of guys. Do you tag me for a poor schmuck from the mainland who wants to buy into a pyramid scam?"
Steve smiled. "Not at all. I have something totally different in mind."
"Then enlighten me."
Steve placed his hands on the table in front of him. "I just finished working a job in Naval Intelligence that ended up here in Hawaii. The governor learned of the outcome of that op and asked to see me."
"The governor of Hawaii asked to talk to you? Just like that?"
Steve grinned. "I walked out of HPD and he was in his car on the street. Opened up the door and asked me to get in. I have to say, it was kind of weird."
"Scary weird if you ask me."
"He offered me a job as head of a task force to fight crime in the islands. Gave me means and immunity and told me I could pick my own team. I have been doing that and I would also like to pick you."
"You know, I applied for SWAT captain. Not for a job with you and your merry men."
"I know that. But Captain Kelly at HPD handed me your jacket. Hear me out, please," Steve said in the hope to convince the captain to join them. "This job is brand new, we can make our own way, work it like we want and just maybe make a difference here. I know it isn't the job you applied for, but I think you are a good candidate for this. Kelly said the chief is looking at you and one other for the job at SWAT. Chin thinks you would be a great SWAT leader, but he felt your personality and skill-set would be suited much better for this job. And if you take this position, the other guy can move into SWAT. You would have the same benefits, comparable salary and a lot more lee-way in the job."
"What kind of people are you recruiting?" Grover asked, sounding marginally interested.
"My first recruit was Lt. Catherine Rollins with Naval Intelligence. There is no one I would trust more to have my back. She's been a lifesaver a couple of times when I've been out in the field. Next, I pulled in my dad as a consultant. He is retired from HPD and has vast contacts on the island. Something that I don't have," Steve added. "But something that is needed. You interviewed with Captain Kelly. Last night, he gave me his resume and asked to become part of the team."
"Say what? He's quitting his job just like that?" Grover asked in surprise.
"He said he isn't ready to stay behind a desk. He's a great guy. I remember him when he was a rookie working with my dad when I was just a kid and I jumped at the chance to have him on this team."
"Sounds like you've thought this through."
Steve shrugged. "Yeah, it's about all I've thought about the last couple of days. But in order for this to work, I need to have people I can rely on. I think you would be a perfect complement to the others. You have a lot of experience under your belt and a viewpoint that is different from others on this team. If you think you might be interested, stop by and talk to Captain Kelly; he set aside some time this afternoon to meet with you."
Grover looked out the open door. "Lots of opportunities for my family here," he said.
"Lots of golf opportunities," Steve reminded him with a grin.
"There is that. Do you play?"
"Not well," Steve admitted. "In high school, football was my sport and then… well, the Navy doesn't give you too many golf weekends."
"I hear that," Lou shook his head. "So, you don't think I would be chosen for the SWAT position?"
Steve shrugged. "I have no idea about that. But I do know that your expertise is perfect for this job. That is, if you and your family are truly interested in staying in Hawaii."
"Guess I'd better have a family meeting before I answer."
"Please think about it and let me know. Are you at least willing to do that?"
"Of course. How can I get in touch with you?"
Steve gave him a card with his number written on it. "Business cards," he muttered.
"Sorry?"
"Oh, nothing," Steve said with a grin. "Lt. Rollins is making a list of everything that we need. I just realized we need business cards."
"Do you have an office?" Lou asked.
"We will have. Hey," Steve reached for the card again and wrote an address on it. "If you want, we are meeting at this address tomorrow at three to look at what will be our HQ space. If you are interested, or if you have questions, drop by. I know the others would like to meet you."
"Let me have a talk with Renee and the kids and I'll get back with you," Lou told him.
"Thank you. I hope you have good news."
"You interviewing anyone else?"
"Yes, a couple. One is a detective I worked with when I arrived here. He's a transplant from New Jersey but we worked well together on the case. And the last is a sergeant at HPD that I've known forever. He's been one of my dad's closest friends and we could use him in the office and as a consultant, too. Not sure if he is interested in leaving HPD, but all I can do is ask."
Grover looked out and saw his family at the pool. "There's Renee now. Let me go have a chat with her. I gotta say, this is an interesting carrot you're dangling in front of my face."
"Then I hope you like carrots," Steve said as he stood. "Get back with me if you have any questions."
"Oh, trust me," Lou said, pointing toward the pool. "That one's gonna have questions. Mark my words."
H50 – H50 – H50
SideStreet Restaurant
"Thank you for coming, Danno," Steve McGarrett said after Detective Williams sat down across from him.
"Free meal? Of course I'm coming," Williams replied laughing. "But I thought you said you were shipping out the other day?"
"Yeah, I will in four days. Staying at my dad's for a few more days."
"Ah, I see. So, what is it you wanted to see me for?"
"Let's order first," Steve said and waved the waitress over. "What's good here?"
"Everything," Danny said. "I'll have the chicken burger with extra cheese. And a coke please."
"I'll take the same, but no cheese and a salad instead of fries. Oh, and a sparkling water, please."
"Coming right up."
"Thank you," Steve said and looked at his companion. "What?"
"No cheese. And salad? Really?"
"I had a big breakfast this morning," Steve explained. "Anyway. Why I called you."
"Yeah?"
"You asked if I might be interested in working in law enforcement. Remember, when I left?"
"Of course, I remember. What, you think I suffer from dementia or something?" Williams called out. "What about it?"
"Well, this is probably not what you had in mind, but…"
"But what?"
"Geez, will you stop interrupting? Are you always like that?" Steve asked slightly irritated.
"Sorry. Please, go on," Danno said with a wave of his hand.
"Thank you. As I said, probably not what you had in mind, but have you heard that the Governor is forming a special task force?"
"Ha, don't fall for that rumor. I heard that months ago… nothing to it," Danno said, again laughing.
"Well, trust me, it's more than a rumor," Steve assured him.
"OK. And now you want me to ask the Captain if maybe he can get you into it?" Danny continued. "I'll be honest with you; I don't see that happening. I'm pretty sure they are looking for experienced officers… if there really will be a task force."
"You don't think I would be a good police officer? It was you who asked me, remember?"
"Yeah, but, you know, I mean you have no idea about police work," Danny stated.
"Hmm. Do you know anything about what I'm doing with the Navy?" Steve wanted to know.
"Ehm, no, not really. Just that you are some kind of Ninja, or something," Williams said laughing. "Ah, our lunch," he called out when the waitress was back with their order.
Steve looked at his new friend, if he could call him that at this point. The conversation wasn't at all going like he had hoped.
"So, what do you do with the Navy?" Danny asked between bites.
"I'm a special investigator with Naval Intelligence. Like an international cop."
"Oh." Detective Williams looked up. "Huh. I didn't mean any offense, you know?"
"None taken," Steve assured him. "I was actually wondering if you would be interested in that task force?"
"Me? Why would I want to do that? I'm happy with my job. I guess at some point I might get a promotion, but frankly that is not really my goal," Williams said.
"What is your goal?"
"Going home to my wife and kid after a slow day at the office. Look, I'm a homicide detective, and I'm good at my job. It's a relatively safe job. This task force sounds like danger, you know."
"So, you enjoy your work?"
"Yeah, I do. I have great partners, I have a good success rate. Why would I want to change all that?"
"Maybe to be even better at a job. To make a difference, to create something new," Steve pointed out. "To have a great opportunity to do something special."
He looked at Danny, trying to see if he would even be remotely interested in joining a task force lead by him. It seemed that Detective Williams didn't think too highly of him.
"Why are you so interested in learning if I would want into this hypothetical task force?"
"Because I wanted to offer you a job," Steve answered.
"A job? With the Navy?" Danny said and then paused. "With the task force?" Williams slowly said, and then it dawned on him. "You took a job with it?"
"Governor Denning appointed me head of his task force," Steve simply said. "But I guess you are not interested in working with me on a regular basis. I'm sorry I wasted your time, but hey, at least you got a free lunch out of it."
"Wow, wow, wait. Don't get all pissy on me," Danny said. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to come off like I thought you're not good at whatever you're doing. That was not my intention."
"You made it pretty clear that I wouldn't have a chance to get a job with the task force. Sorry you think that. I'm not a cop, and that is why I want experienced cops next to me. But I understand that your job is important to you, and that you're not interested in leaving. That is fine," Steve said.
"You never offered me a job."
"What?"
"You never offered me a job on your task force. You never asked if I wanted to join you."
Steve thought about that for a moment, and came to the conclusion that he did make the offer. Kind of. "I guess this interview got off on the wrong foot."
"This was an interview? I thought two friends were having lunch," Danny replied.
"This is not at all going as I hoped," Steve grumbled. "Danny Williams, are you interested in joining the new formed task force?"
"I need to talk to my wife about it," Danny answered grinning. "I liked working with you, and I think we would make a pretty good team."
"So, you'll think about it?"
"I will."
"Good." Damn, glad that's over, Steve thought. He could wear me out in no time.
H50 – H50 – H50
"How did the interview with Williams go?" Catherine Rollins asked.
"Terribly," Steve answered into the phone. "It was… it couldn't have gone worse, but he'll think about it."
"Well, that's to be expected. I mean he's married, right?"
"Yeah."
"See. Good man, talking to his wife first," Cath said laughing.
"Funny," Steve replied and closed his eyes when a blinding headache caught him totally by surprise. He had had the lingering ache for the last few days, but every time he went out into the sun it got worse. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"I asked if you were OK. You just groaned loudly."
"I'm fine," Steve assured her.
"Steve!"
"I am fine. Just a headache because I'm in the glaring sun. Listen, I'll call you back, Duke just arrived. Love ya," Steve added and ended the call when Sgt. Lukela stopped next to him.
"Steve, sorry I'm a bit late."
"No problem at all, thanks for seeing me, Duke," Steve said while he settled into the passenger seat of Sergeant Lukela's cruiser.
"I was surprised getting your call. Is everything OK, is John OK?"
"Fine. Everything's fine. I just wanted to ask you something," Steve began and watched Duke maneuver through traffic. "We are forming a new police force, the Governor's task force. I don't know if you heard about it?"
"Rumors about it, yeah. But what does that have to do with you… or me for that matter?"
"Well, Denning asked me to head the task force, and I agreed. The details are still a bit sketchy, but we're working on it."
"You're leaving the Navy? That is a surprise," Duke called out. "But I bet John is happy to have you here."
"Yeah, I think so," Steve agreed. "He will be working as a consultant for the task force, and I was wondering if you would also be interested in joining us."
"Oh. Steve, I'm honored that you think I'd be of any help. But honestly, I don't think I want to leave HPD."
"Yeah, I can understand that," Steve said and couldn't quite keep a tiny bit of disappointment out of his voice.
"Although you know, you will have quite a bit to do with HPD if you will lead this task force. Have you thought about having someone as a liaison between the two forces? One who works at HPD?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Steve grinned at his father's old friend. "Could you imagine doing that job?"
"I think that is something I would be very interested in. You know, I'm not getting any younger, and it would be nice to be in the office more often."
"We need to work out details, but I think this is a great idea," Steve
"How about I talk with John about what would be needed in this job. If he's your consultant he should be involved in this," Duke said.
"Absolutely. Thank you, Duke. You and dad working together will be a great help," Steve assured the sergeant.
"We'll see about that," Lukela laughed. "Can I drop you off somewhere?"
"Do you mind taking me home?" Steve asked, hoping to get a short nap in before Cath got home from her shopping trip.
"No problem."
Fifteen minutes later Steve said good-bye to the latest 'sorta' member of the task force, and made his way down the driveway. He felt slightly sick to his stomach and during the drive over he had experienced some light flashes, like stars exploding right in front of his eyes. If this didn't stop soon, he would need to see a doctor after all. Maybe I hit my head harder than I thought, Steve mused as he opened the door, stepping into the cool living room and taking a deep breath.
Not even bothering to go upstairs, he sat down in the recliner, got comfortable and was out like a light.
H50 – H50 – H50
"Steve? Son, come on, wake up."
Steve heard the voice but tried to ignore it; he was way too tired to heed the words. "Go away," he mumbled.
"No can do, Son. Come on, you're worrying us. You need to wake up."
Steve heard the urgency and the worry in his dad's voice and that was what made him open his eyes. "What?"
"We have been trying to get you to wake up for the last couple of minutes," his father said.
"I'm fine. Just more tired than I thought," Steve said and sat up. Glad that the headache was finally gone. "I feel a lot better."
"Does that mean you weren't feeling well?" Catherine now chimed in.
"Steve, don't lie to us. You haven't been feeling OK since you and Williams busted Wo Fat. What happened at the docks?"
"Nothing much really," Steve began and stood up, walking into the kitchen and taking a bottle of water out of the fridge. "As I told Catherine we were knocked off our feet. I kind of hit my head. Really, I am fine."
"Yeah, that is why you passed out because you're fine," Catherine said.
"I didn't pass out. I sat down to take a nap," Steve argued.
"Son, you should see a doctor if you're still not feeling better. You might have a concussion."
"I don't have a concussion, and I surely don't need to see a doctor," Steve declared.
"Really, Dr. McGarrett?" Catherine grumbled and shook her head.
"Can we end this discussion now?" Steve asked and moved back into the living room to sit on the couch. "Stop worrying, I'm fine."
"If you say so," his dad conceded. "But let me tell you, one more episode and you will go to Tripler. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sir." Steve smiled at his dad and tried the same with Catherine who didn't look happy at all. "Cath, I feel fine, really."
"Fine," Catherine huffed and went back into the kitchen.
"Son, don't do that."
"Do what?" Steve looked in confusion at his dad.
"Don't shut her out. She loves you, she's worried about you. Let her in."
"I do. Really, I do. Should I talk to her?" Steve asked his dad, suddenly worried about Cath.
"You better."
"I will, but later. Now I need to talk to you," Steve said and took a swig out of his water bottle.
"Me? What about?"
"Have a seat, Dad," Steve said and waited until his father sat on the recliner.
"This sounds serious, Son. What's up?"
"We haven't discussed Hesse and Wo Fat yet."
"What about them? I told you I have no idea who they even are."
"I know. But there must be a reason why Hesse was hired to kill you. I will interview him again, but I also need you to tell me everything you know about him."
"Steve, I don't know anything about him. I told you that I never heard of Victor Hesse, or Wo Fat."
"Can you think of any connection with Wo Fat? Anything at all?" Steve asked and took another sip of water. He watched Catherine come back into the room, sitting down next to him. He smiled at her and took her hand in his. "I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me," he softly told her.
She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. "Why do you think John knows anything about Wo Fat?"
"Which I don't."
"Dad, Wo Fat must have had a reason why he wanted to kill you."
"I thought it was Hesse's leverage to get his brother?"
Steve swallowed, thinking that he could have been the reason for his father to be murdered. "I don't buy that, Dad. Why go through all that trouble? Why not just ambush us, get his brother and be done with it? Why waste all these resources here in Hawaii? He could have gotten our position without calling me from your phone."
"Probably. But I still don't know anything about them."
"Have you investigated anyone lately?"
"Steve, I retired a few years ago. Who do you think I investigate in my free time?"
"You told me you've helped out at HPD from time to time," Steve replied.
"I'm helping out in administrative stuff. Filing, paperwork, stuff like that. No active cases, Steve."
"How about cold cases? I know you have an interest in cold cases. Anything you have worked on recently?" Steve remembered that his dad had always been interested in cold cases. That it had always bugged him not finding justice for everyone. "Dad?"
"The last case I looked into was a murder from about fifteen years ago. The detectives back then tried to pin this on Hiro Noshimuri. But without any luck."
"Who is Hiro Noshimuri?"
"He is believed to be the head of the Yakuza here in Hawaii. But again, no proof."
"And were you getting any closer to proving… anything?" Steve wasn't sure, but this could be a lead.
"No. I haven't even really begun an investigation. I just read through the files, but I didn't go out and interview anyone or anything."
"Huh, OK. Might be nothing, but we should look into it," Steve said. "Anything else you can think of?"
"No, nothing."
"OK," Steve sighed. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm hungry. How about we go out for dinner tonight?"
"You two go, I'm meeting with Kalani for dinner. Don't wait up for me," John told them grinning.
Steve smiled at his dad and then turned to Catherine. "What about you, what are you hungry for?"
"If you're up to it, how about Morimoto's?"
"Sounds good. If we can get a table," Steve said. "If not we'll find something else."
"You sure you wanna eat out, Steve? How do you feel? And please be honest."
"I feel OK. Really. Headache's gone, and I feel fine. Honestly," Steve assured her. "If I feel unwell again, I will tell you, OK?"
"OK."
"Good. Now let's grab some food."
H50 – H50 – H50