A/N: Hello everyone! I promise that the case is going to be wrapped up in this chapter. I'm thinking that this fic is going to around 10 chapters total. That's what I'm aiming for right now. I hope you enjoy!
Around 9 o'clock the following evening, Juliet was standing in the back lot of the precinct with Tani, Junior, and a few other members of the robbery task force who were accompanying them on their mission to catch Ivan.
She had to admit to herself that she was a little nervous, despite having been on many operations like this in her career. Perhaps it was because she had convinced herself that they would catch Ivan for sure, and that with any luck, she'd be calling a certain new friend soon.
"I'm so ready to catch this guy." Tani huffed. "He's been escaping us for months. I just hope that dough boy over there won't blow it for us."
"Hey!" shouted Jin from the next van over where he was currently being fitted with a wire and body camera, "I'm a valuable asset to this team! Without me you wouldn't even know where he was gonna be tonight!"
Junior chuckled, "I guess he has a point there."
"Do we have everything that we're going to need for tonight?" Juliet inquired, "Guns, ammunition, the bluetooth earpieces so we can listen to what's going on?"
"Relax, Higgins," Tani replied, "Our team has made sure that everything's in place. The only wild card in this operation is our new friend, Jin."
"I'm going to slay this operation." Jin said confidently, "When it's over, not only will the judge cut me a break, but HPD will want to hire me as an agent for sting operations!"
The whole group rolled their eyes at that statement, and proceeded to load the remainder of their gear into the police vans and headed off to Jin's meeting with Ivan.
"Heyyyy! Ivan! Long time no see buddy!"
Juliet, Tani, and Junior were in one van listening to Jin through the bluetooth and watching what was unfolding on Junior's laptop screen while the rest of the task force was in the other van, ready to strike at the perfect moment.
As Jin was attempting to make some lighthearted conversation with Ivan and a few of his armed associates, Juliet was watching how Jin was becoming surrounded by scary-looking men with guns.
"I don't like this," Higgins whispered, "He's a sitting duck!"
"Give him a minute," replied Junior.
Before Tani could chime in, they heard Ivan speak through their audio.
"I know you'd like your money, Jin, but where are my paintings? A few of my other associates checked on our warehouse earlier this week and found nothing there. Don't tell me you've gone and sold them on your own; or worse, informed the police of their location when they arrested you."
The officers watched as Jin faltered a little and tried to play dumb, "What? You think I sold them? That's crazy! I wouldn't have the manpower to move all of those by myself!"
"Did Magnum help you? Although, he seems like too much of a goody two-shoes to go behind my back and make a deal. You on the other hand-"
"No! No! I haven't heard from Magnum in weeks! Not since we were at Candler's penthouse! I swear, I have no idea where the paintings are!"
"I don't think I believe you, Jin. I think your sorry ass sold me out to HPD in order to get yourself a deal. And in that case, I think we have a loose end to tie up."
"Now guys, come on! I just came here because you promised me my share! I had no clue that the paintings were gone. I left them right where you told me to!"
Ivan still didn't seem to be buying it, and he nodded at one of his armed men who clicked the safety off on his gun.
"We need to move! Now!" Tani shouted into her radio, causing the tactical team to sprint out of the other van and down towards the hanger, guns drawn.
Juliet grabbed her own weapon, and she, Tani, and Junior also descended upon the meeting.
When they got there, the tactical team had neutralized most of Ivan's men and had the others in handcuffs. Ivan himself was cuffed and being led out of the building by 2 of the tactical officers.
"Where's Jin?" Higgins asked.
"I found him!" called Junior over by a large crate. Jin was hiding behind it in the fetal position, shaking like a leaf.
"Come on, up you get," said Higgins, grabbing his arm.
"So Jin," added Tani, "You still want that position as a sting agent?"
"Hell no! Not on your life!"
The group laughed a little and all headed back towards the vans.
The next few days had been a blur of paperwork, phone calls, and finalizing the case. Higgins had spoken to the DA on the case about the cooperation of both Jin and Magnum. The judge lowered Jin's charge down to a misdemeanor theft and sentenced him to a year of parole. Juliet thought it was astonishing that he had avoided jail time given his prior record.
As for Magnum, the judge had seen that he had no prior criminal history, and since Juliet had told him about Magnum's secret military service, the judge had only given him 50 hours of community service. Juliet was elated. She had never seen such a lenient judge in her career, but she supposed if anyone deserved a smaller punishment it was Magnum.
The fact that Ivan and his top associates had been caught had probably been a plus, given that they were the main targets in the first place and they were getting extremely long sentences.
"You know what, Higgins?" said Katsumoto, bringing her out of her fog, "I think you should take some time off. You deserve it, especially after this case, and you haven't used a single vacation day since you've been with HPD."
Juliet thought of his suggestion. For the first time in probably her whole life, she was on board with taking a break.
Juliet looked up from a file and smiled, "Gordan, I think I just might."
Later, as Juliet relaxed in the bath with a glass of wine, she contemplated what she would do with her two weeks of vacation that Sargeant Masters had been happy to grant her.
You will go out, you will meet people, you will get involved… she told herself. Maybe meet someone special…
As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she immediately thought of Magnum. She could call him now after all. Butterflies swirled in her stomach at the thought of seeing him again after so long, although she felt as though she would be starting from scratch in terms of her confidence levels.
You've got this. He wants to spend time with you.
Taking a long sip of wine, Juliet called him up.
This time, Thomas knew exactly who was calling him.
"Hi Higgy! How has your week been? Hopefully as great as mine!"
"It's been decent, Thomas. I presume you're happy about your sentence?"
"Happy doesn't even cover it," he replied, "My record is staying clean and I got off pretty easy. I couldn't ask for anything more, and it's all thanks to you."
"Well, I saw a good man who just made a poor choice. I believe in second chances. I know that you have a more promising future than sitting in a jail cell."
"You're amazing, Juliet. Really. I can't thank you enough for being so kind and putting in a good word for me."
Juliet smiled into the phone, "You're quite welcome."
"So," he continued, "My friend TC told me about this great Luau festival that's happening on Waikiki Beach this weekend. I know it's a little short notice since it starts tomorrow, but I was hoping you'd want to come along with us? They will have music, traditional dancing, and some great food. Are you in?"
"Wh-who else is going?" she asked nervously, "I don't want to inconvenience your friends."
"Relax Higgy, it's just Rick and TC, my military buddies I've been telling you about. I've told them about you as well and they'd like to meet you. Plus, I can tell you about my awesome new job! Trust me, it'll be a great time."
You are going to make some friends and experience some local culture she told herself. This is a 2 for 1…
"Ok, I will come along. What time should I meet you all tomorrow?"
"How about 5? That way we can get some good seats and food before the big lineups."
"Perfect," Juliet replied, "I will see you gents then."
"Have a great rest of your night, Higgy. I'm excited to see you."
"As am I, Thomas." she said, failing to contain the smile that broke out across her face. "Goodnight."
After she hung up, that giddy schoolgirl feeling was back again. Maybe there could be something there with Thomas, and apparently he had found a job that he seemed excited to tell her about so that was a plus.
As Juliet tucked herself into bed that night, she couldn't help but feel excited about the possibilities that the next day could bring.