Chapter 4

"I was wrong. You and Higgins are equally annoying." – Gordon Katsumoto

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True to his word, Katsumoto came over to Robin's Nest just after breakfast the next day, driving into the estate once the front gates were opened.

"How's he doing?" he asked when Higgins met him outside the guesthouse.

The majordomo paused at the front door, and Katsumoto could tell that she was considering what information to share with him. Finally, she said, "From what I gathered from the guys, last night was a little rough but overall, he's okay."

Katsumoto nodded, following her inside. He was glad to see Magnum moving about, albeit a little stiffly, in his small kitchen. Taking into account what he knew now, the detective couldn't help but wonder if the man should be in the hospital instead of at home. A review of the CCTV footage from Beck's house yesterday had him wincing in empathic pain during Magnum's short but brutal fight with Beck's bodyguard. Despite the odds, however, he wasn't surprised that the PI won in the end. What the former Navy SEAL lacked in build, he more than made up for it in technique, form, and quick-thinking improvisation.

Taking a seat at the counter, Katsumoto accepted a cup of coffee and took a sip of the hot beverage as he gave Magnum a quick once over. The private investigator looked better than the last time he'd seen him, though not by much.

"Nice panda eye," he remarked, taking in the extensive bruising on one side of Magnum's face that stretched from his cheekbone to his jaw.

"You should see the other guy," Thomas grimaced, long fingers absently playing with the handle of his own mug.

"I did and, trust me, he looked a hundred times better than you right now," Katsumoto replied. "Shouldn't you still be in the hospital?"

Magnum tilted his head to one side, a look of absolute innocence on his face. "I got discharged."

"Against medical advice doesn't count," the detective countered blandly.

Thomas' eyes lit up. "Gordy…!"

"Don't call me that."

"…I didn't know you cared!" he finished in delight, as if the other man hadn't spoken.

"Keep dreaming, Magnum," came the quick retort. "I just don't want you dropping dead before I get the case wrapped up. I've enough paperwork as it is."

Higgins bit her lip to stop herself from smiling as her business partner gave the detective a lopsided grin. "I'll be fine. And I promise not to die on you."

"I'd get that in writing if I were you," Rick spoke up from behind and Katsumoto turned to see Magnum's former military buddies walking into the guesthouse together.

"Just don't forget to get us a copy," TC added as they joined their friends in the small kitchen.

Juliet raised an eyebrow. "Well, there are two of you... more if you count the rest of us, including Robin."

"Higgy's right," Rick quipped. "Copies then. Framed copies would be better."

Katsumoto snorted. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Hey," Magnum protested. "No ganging up on the injured guy."

"Ooo… now you're injured," TC couldn't resist pointing out.

"Yeah, Tommy," Rick teased as he leaned against the counter. "What happened to I'm fine?"

"What?" Thomas said with a nonchalant shrug. "I am."

Katsumoto's mouth twitched and Juliet was sure the HPD detective was fighting a smile. Allowing her own amusement to show, she asked, "Would you gentlemen like some coffee?"

"Thanks, Higgy," TC answered, beaming widely. "But I've got to go. Have a few clients lined up later this afternoon."

"I'm heading out, too," Rick chimed in, giving Magnum a light clap on the shoulder. "We're holding a karaoke competition at La Mariana tonight. Got to make sure they got everything set up or I may just have a riot on my hands."

"Thanks," Thomas said to his brothers. His eyes spoke volumes. "Especially, you know…"

"Hey," TC interrupted gently. "It's what we do for family."

"Yeah, TM, it's nothing you haven't done for us," Rick stated matter-of-factly. "Listen, you call if you need anything, okay?"

Magnum nodded and then said with a smirk, "Favours count too, right?"

Rick burst out laughing. "I don't think we'll ever have to worry about you calling us up for those."

"Good to know that some things will never change," TC added with a grin.

It didn't take Rick and TC long to say their goodbyes and once they were gone, Katsumoto turned to Magnum. "You sure you're up for this? I heard you had a pretty rough night."

"It, uh… it wasn't that bad," Thomas ducked his head, avoiding eye contact. "Having the guys around helped."

It was obviously an uncomfortable subject so Katsumoto said instead, "Okay, tell me about yesterday."

"What would you like to know?"

From his tone of voice and the way he relaxed, Katsumoto could tell that Magnum was grateful for the change in topic. Opening his pocket notebook, he leaned forward. "Why don't you walk me through what happened from the beginning..."

~O~O~O~

Seated next to Magnum, Higgins listened to his account of what took place, starting from when he was hired three days ago. Not only did it clear up some of the questions she had, it also gave Juliet an invaluable insight into how he used to work his cases before he roped her into helping him with them.

She couldn't help but be impressed by his tenacity and approach. Since she wasn't around to lend a hand, he'd conducted the investigation using mostly old school methods – lots of questions and boots on the ground – along with some basic tech know-how. Surprisingly, he also did all that without asking for any favours from Rick or TC, which explained why his best friends had no clue that he was working a case.

While she would often chide Magnum for being an immature man-child, and on occasion, tease him about his talents as a PI, there was no doubt in her mind that he was a first-rate investigator. Not that she was going to share that insight with him – he was cocky enough without knowing exactly what she thought of his investigative skills.

Every now and again, Katsumoto would turn to her for her version of the events. But since she wasn't actively involved in the case, Juliet could only tell him what she knew before she left for her friend's wedding and what she witnessed when she'd arrived at Beck's compound yesterday.

By the time they'd finished, almost an hour had passed. By then, she was a little concerned at Thomas' pallor and how stiffly he held himself at the kitchen counter. If she had to guess, she would say that he'd likely missed his scheduled dose of medication but knowing him, he'd sooner pass out than admit to it.

"You all right?" she asked softly, drawing his attention away from Katsumoto for a moment.

His dark, expressive eyes met hers and he shot her a weak smile. "I'm good, just a little tired."

"I think that about covers it," Katsumoto announced a moment later, closing his notepad. He studied the man across him with narrowed eyes. "You really look like you should get some rest, Magnum."

"I'll be okay," Thomas replied, rubbing the back of his neck. Suddenly, his face brightened and he asked, "Hey, how's Aiona? She must be happy that this is finally over."

Gordon's slight hesitation didn't go unnoticed by either partner.

Straightening in her chair, Higgins prompted, "Detective?"

When there was no immediate answer, Magnum leaned forward, his own discomfort forgotten.

"What is it?" he asked, almost warily. "Katsumoto?"

"We haven't been able to locate Ms Kealoha," the other man finally said, the reluctance heavy in his voice. "But we do have some leads–"

"Wait, hang on," Thomas interjected. "Are you telling us that you lost your main witness?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then what are you saying?" the PI questioned, his gut churning. He couldn't put his finger on it but something felt off.

Katsumoto met Magnum's eyes squarely. "Beck made bail last night."

"What?" Thomas exclaimed, aghast. "How's that even possible?"

"Easy when you have powerful friends," Gordon said gravely. "Not to mention that almost all of the evidence we've gathered so far are largely circumstantial. The judge granted bail but Beck had to surrender his passport."

Magnum frowned. "I don't think that's going to stop someone like him."

"And you think he's somehow involved in her disappearance," Higgins ventured a guess.

"It's a theory that we're floating," Katsumoto admitted with a slight nod. "Word on the street is that they're searching for someone. The photos you provided were good, Magnum, but without Ms Kealoha's testimony…"

"Any good lawyer can explain them away," Magnum finished grimly.

"We have eyes on Beck and the moment he steps out of line…" Katsumoto left that sentence hanging as he turned a stern look on the other man, "What I need, Magnum, is for you and Higgins to stay out of this. For all we know, Aiona could have decided to have no part in the case now that HPD's involved. You'll be surprised how often that happens."

"I don't think so."

Katsumoto silently regarded the other man, waiting for him to continue.

"Look," Thomas said, getting up from his seat, his movements slow and stiff. "Her reasons for doing this are personal. There's no way she would leave without seeing this through. You have to let us help."

Gordon stood up as well. "I don't have to do anything, Magnum. In any case, you're in no shape to go running around looking for someone who may or may not be missing."

"I'm fine," Magnum insisted. He indicated his partner with a casual wave of his hand. "Besides, I have Higgins."

Katsumoto glanced towards the former covert operative, hoping for some support, but only received an apologetic look from her in return. He sighed. He had a bad feeling about this but he also knew Magnum. Experience told him that there was no way the PI would stand down, not when he thought a life might be on the line. He wasn't surprised when they both followed him as he headed out of the guesthouse and towards his car.

"So you'll keep us in the loop?" Thomas asked from behind.

Gordon stopped so abruptly that the younger man almost walked into him. "And if the answer is no?"

Magnum shrugged. "I'll respect whatever decision you make."

Katsumoto stared unblinkingly at the private investigator, who stood there with both hands in the pockets of his shorts, looking as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. "You're just telling me what I want to hear, aren't you?"

"Uh…"

"You have to agree that we do work rather well together," Higgins spoke up before the other man could respond to that rather dodgy non-answer from her sheepish-looking partner. "And no one else knows the case or Aiona better than Magnum."

"Higgy's right," Thomas quickly added. He looked imploringly at the HPD detective. "The least you could do is to let us help finish what we started."

Katsumoto studied Magnum's face for a few seconds. His bruises stood out starkly against the butterfly strips on his temple but his eyes, despite the shiner, were bright and focused. He hated to admit it but they were right. He could use all the help he could get, especially if Larry Beck was somehow involved.

"Okay, fine," Katsumoto relented with a shake of his head. He knew better than to waste his breath trying to talk one, let alone two, annoyingly stubborn individuals out of a decision, especially when it was obvious that they'd made up their minds. "But you need to keep me informed of everything. And I'm serious, Magnum. I mean everything."

"We will," Thomas said with a grin. "You won't regret this."

"I already do," Gordon deadpanned as he strode away towards his car.

~O~O~O~

"He's correct, you know," Juliet observed once Katsumoto had driven away. "You're hardly in any condition to be gallivanting around looking for someone who may not want to be found."

Magnum turned towards his partner, his handsome face uncharacteristically grim. "Something's wrong, Higgy, I can feel it. We need to find her. Don't ask me how but I think she's in real trouble."

Higgins could tell from his tone that he was liable to go off on his own on this, despite what he promised Katsumoto. At this point, she knew that the only way to keep an eye on him and make sure that he stayed out of trouble was to work the case with him.

She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. "All right, Magnum. Let's go look for Aiona."

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A/N: Okay, so I started this back in July and only managed to complete the story in September because it took me forever to finish a scene in the next chapter. I was stuck so long I even considered stopping at Chapter 3 or scrapping the story entirely. I came back to it after finishing the final two chapters and it took a few rewrites before I managed to link everything together. That said, the remaining chapters are still being betaed so I'll post as soon as I get them back. :D

It'd be great if you could let me know what you think of the story so far. Thanks for reading!