Chapter 23
"Promises"
Nate watched as the darkened landscape and houses passed by the car window. He had spent the day hiking with Mr. Hamilton, a spur of the moment idea suggested by the older man to help Nate keep his mind off his problems with Steve. For the most part the hike hadn't helped, but Nate thought it had been good to be outside.
They were down the road from Mr. Hamilton's residence when Nate remembered to turn on his phone. It had been off all day because cell reception had been spotty. He was greeted by eight messages. Nate listened to the first one as Mr. Hamilton pulled into the driveway. It was Danny.
"Hey, Nate, give me a call. We need to talk. It's...really important."
As the car came to a stop, Nate opened his door and stepped out while listening to the next message. The content was similar to the first, but Danny's voice sounded tense. Nate grew concerned, but before he could listen to the next message something caught his eye.
A figure stepped out of the shadows. It was Keller. "Hamilton, I had no idea your mystery guest was McGarrett's little brother. How did you sink your claws into him?"
"Where's Lynch?" Mr. Hamilton demanded, his face lined with irritation.
"I put him to bed hours ago," Keller responded, his tone casual. "I needed a little me time, and that wasn't possible with him always whining and following me around." Keller glanced from one man to the other. "Did you hear the news?"
"Anything else you have to say can be kept to yourself," Mr. Hamilton ordered.
Keller put his hands in his pockets and strolled over to them. "But I'd like to have a chat with little Nate. I've been wondering who the mastermind behind my escape was. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He extended his hand, but Nate ignored it. "I see you have your brother's manners. Does big brother know about your clandestine activities?"
Nate looked away.
Keller shook his head. "Oh, you didn't tell him. That must cause problems. I guess that's why you're here and not helping him in his time of need."
Mr. Hamilton's anger flared. "You've said enough."
"What are you talking about?" Nate asked.
"I don't suppose Hamilton let you listen to the news?" Keller smirked. "Your hike was the perfect diversion to keep you in the dark about what's going on with your brother. I just can't figure out how you knew it would happen, old man."
Mr. Hamilton grabbed Keller's shirt and dragged him up the front steps.
Nate dashed after them, positioning himself between the men and the door. "Liam, stop!"
"He calls you, Liam?" Keller said, sarcasm evident in his voice. "I married your daughter and you wouldn't let me call you anything but sir."
Mr. Hamilton shoved him backward. Keller fell onto a rattan bench, knocking over a potted plant, and spilling its contents onto the floor.
Nate studied his boss. "What happened to Steve?"
Keller couldn't contain the triumphant smile as it spread across his face. He stood, straightening his rumpled shirt, and smoothing back his hair. He glanced at Mr. Hamilton. "Do you want to tell him, or should I?" Receiving no reply, Keller readily answered Nate's question. "I'm very sorry to tell you," there was no trace of remorse in his tone or expression, "but your brother murdered the Governor of Hawaii."
* * * * * * H50 * * * * * *
Danny sat in his Camaro outside the Reilly's home contemplating the last twelve hours since Steve's arrest. He had spent a good portion of the night trying to gather evidence that might help Steve, but since he technically was an unemployed detective, he didn't make much progress. To make matters worse, Kono was under investigation by Internal Affairs, and Chin had gone back to HPD.
Danny hadn't slept all night, but sleep was overrated. Or at least that's what he kept telling himself. And from the conversation he had thirty minutes earlier with Alex, he didn't think she had slept either.
Alex had told him her mother had taken the news of Governor Jameson's death very hard, especially after hearing Steve had been arrested for the murder. In her grief, Hannah Reilly had made a grievous statement concerning Steve's character, which Natalie had overheard. The little girl defended Steve and after that she hadn't spoken a word. Natalie even refused to be in the same room as Hannah, which was one of the reasons Danny was at the Reilly's home.
Stepping out of the car, he made his way to the front door. Alex answered, exhaustion evident in her features, but she was clearly relieved to see him. "Thanks for coming, Danny."
"No problem. At least this is something I can do," he replied, stepping inside. "Any change with Natty."
"No. She's in the living room. Maybe you can talk to her while I throw the rest of our things together."
"Yeah, sure. Your mom any better?"
Alex crossed her arms and glanced up the stairs. "A little. She's feeling badly about what happened with Natty last night, but she's still angry at Steve."
"He's innocent, and I promise you I'm gonna prove it one way or another."
"I know, but if he was framed by this Wo Fat character as you said, it seems that's gonna be easier said than done."
"We'll figure it out. For now let's get you and Natty settled at Steve's house."
"I'll just be a few more minutes." Alex turned and disappeared up the stairs.
Danny walked into the living room. Natalie sat on the couch, clutching a fuzzy striped blanket. She didn't acknowledge him, even after he sat next to her. "Hey, Natty," he said.
Danny rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together trying to think what he should say to the little girl. Maybe something funny would break her silence, but he couldn't think of anything. He sighed. It seemed when he needed words the most they deserted him. But it wasn't words this little girl needed. She needed her daddy.
* * * * * * H50 * * * * * *
Danny left the Reilly's house carrying two suitcases, while Alex followed with a suitcase and a backpack. Natalie carried her blanket, rolling her Batman suitcase behind her. None of them noticed the silver Corvette parked down the street behind a landscaping truck.
Nate had been there for almost thirty minutes, watching the house as he tried to convince himself to visit Natalie. He had gotten out of the car twice, only to climb back in and shut the door. He wondered if any of the neighbors were growing suspicious.
His opportunity to see Natalie slowly disappeared as she climbed into the Camaro. Sure, he could follow them, or even hurry over and stop them from leaving, but he wasn't sure they would want to see him. He didn't know if Natalie was angry at him for leaving without saying goodbye.
Nate wanted to find out if Natalie was all right. He knew he wasn't. And this situation had to be harder on a kid. But in the end it was the thought of Natalie rejecting him that kept him in the car. It wasn't as if she really needed him. She would be better off without him. Just like everyone else.
* * * * * * H50 * * * * * *
Steve's hands pressed against the cool, concrete floor of his prison cell as he worked on another set of push-ups. He tried to concentrate on counting to distract himself from the thoughts tearing at his mind.
...fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five, Natalie... He squeezed his eyes closed. Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine, Nata-
Steve collapsed, slamming the side of his face onto the floor. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't rid his mind of Natalie's frantic screams on the day he ran out of headquarters. Sucking in air through his clenched teeth, he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. He lifted himself and positioned his back against the wall, letting his eyes close. His body felt as if it were made of the same concrete as the walls surrounding him. He wasn't sure he could move now that he had stopped. Throughout the night, he had been doing push-ups, sit-ups, anything to keep moving because idleness meant thinking. And he didn't want to think.
This was his second day behind bars, and even though Danny had tried to be optimistic during his visit the previous day, Steve knew his tenure here wasn't over yet. He was concerned about his present situation, but he was more concerned about Natalie and how she was handling all of this. Danny had been hesitant to give him information at first, but then he confessed Natalie was upset. Actually, beyond upset. She wasn't speaking. To anyone.
Steve wiped a hand over his face as his thoughts moved to Alex. He imagined she was angry with him for keeping so many things from her. That's probably why she hadn't come to see him. To be honest, he wasn't sure he wanted Alex to see him in his bright orange prison garb. It didn't matter that he was innocent because he felt guilty for not being honest with her. And right now that's what he cared about.
"Hey, McGarrett," a guard called. "You've got a visitor." Steve looked wearily at the man opening the cell door. "Let's go." The guard motioned for him to exit the room.
Despite the screams of protests from his tired body, Steve pushed himself off the floor, and preceded the guard to the visiting area. He wasn't in a rush, he knew it had to be Danny. Steve appreciated his partner coming to see him, but he wished Danny would spend his time looking for Wo Fat.
Steve entered the visiting area and walked to the last booth on the left, but it wasn't Danny waiting for him. It was Alex.
He stared at her for a long moment, unconsciously smoothing his prison uniform. Alex finally picked up the phone on her side of the glass and raised it to her ear. Steve sat down, running his hands through his hair to make it more presentable. He picked up his phone, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Orange is certainly a different color for you," she said with a hint of a smile.
He looked down. "Does that mean you don't like it?"
She shook her head and wrinkled her nose. "I wouldn't fill your closet with it."
He gave her a half smile. "How's Natty?"
"She's keeping to herself."
"She hasn't said anything?"
"No. She sits on the couch, or on your bed. She's quite attached to your pillow. She actually threw a fit when I tried to change the sheets."
Steve would have laughed if it wasn't so sad. His sweet little girl had been through more misery than any eight year old deserved.
They fell silent and his eyes drifted to the ring on her left hand. At least something was where it should be.
Alex noticed his gaze. "Did you think I'd take it off?"
Steve leaned forward, resting his elbows on the ledge in front of him. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not telling you...everything."
"Well, I guess next time I need to know something I'll just ask Danny. He's very forthcoming with information." She leaned toward the glass. "I could have helped you."
"That's why I didn't tell you." He looked over his right shoulder. "My dad died because of this and my sister almost got killed. I wasn't going to let that happen to you."
Alex ran a hand through her hair, trying to quell the frustration she felt. She had always known it was Steve's nature to be protective, but now he was more protective than ever. "So, this was a better plan?" She looked around. "You getting thrown in prison?"
"It's better than people I care about getting hurt."
"How many years do you think I would get for killing you for that idiotic comment?"
Steve frowned. "I'm trying to keep you safe and you're mad at me?"
"You spend so much time trying to keep everyone safe you forget about yourself. Of course, you don't like seeing people you care about getting hurt, who does? Did you ever think what it's like for us to see you get hurt? So yeah, I am mad at you for being selfish and trying to do this on your own."
"Selfish?" Steve looked away for a moment. "I'm selfish because I care what happens to you?"
"Look, I appreciate the fact you love me so much that you wanna keep me safe, but if you're constantly keeping things from me because you think I'm gonna get hurt, then where does that leave our relationship?" She rubbed her forehead. "I know what not talking about something does; it tears people apart. I ended up pushing you away, and we were both miserable. I don't want to be that miserable person again."
Steve's tone was gentle, but firm. "I'm not gonna let that happen, Alex."
She smiled and shook her head. "How 'bout we don't let that happen."
"Okay."
"Just promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Don't get yourself killed in here."
* * * * * * H50 * * * * * *
Natalie noticed the adults in her life seemed to be reluctant to talk about her daddy when she was around. She didn't like that. She wanted to know what was happening. She didn't think just because she had stopped talking was reason enough for them to not tell her things. She just didn't feel like talking. What was wrong with that?
Another thing she didn't like was the fact that she was with Uncle Danny while her mommy went to see daddy. It wasn't that she didn't like Uncle Danny, she thought he was great, and this treat called shave ice that he was talking about sounded yummy. She was upset because she couldn't see daddy. Adults were strange.
Natalie, deep in thought, hardly heard the introduction Danny made. She stared up at a big man smiling down at her. She thought Danny said his name was Kamekona, or something like that, but she didn't really care.
"First McGarrett's getting married," Kamekona stated, "now he's got himself a little girl. He is a man of many mysteries."
"Tell me about it," Danny said. "Can I get some shave ice."
Natalie lost in thought again, now heard the big man asking her what kind of shave ice she would like. She wasn't going to answer, but he didn't know that. She leaned into Danny who was standing next to her.
"How about grape?" Danny asked her.
She acted disinterested.
"Watermelon?"
She looked at her shoes.
"Wait, I know, strawberry? Your mom said you like that."
She lifted her head to look at him.
The corners of Danny's eyes crinkled. "Thought so. One strawberry ice for my little friend here."
"And what about you, Jersey Boy?" Kamekona asked.
Danny waved his hand. "None for me, thanks."
"You're missing out on a culinary delight."
"Culinary delight?" Danny snorted. "It's ice with food coloring and sugar, what's delightful about that?"
"It's more than that," Kamekona protested. "It's a delicious flavor you can't get anywhere else."
Natalie listened to the two men banter about whether or not shave ice was a culinary delight. She didn't really understand what there was to argue about, and she might have laughed, but she didn't feel like laughing today or any other day. At least not until daddy came home.
Finally, Kamekona produced a bright red, icy, delight with a long spoon straw sticking out the top. "There you go. This one's on the house."
"Thanks," Danny said, handing it to Natalie.
"It's the least I can do. Keep me posted on any new developments with our mutual friend."
Natalie thought she'd like to be posted on any new developments, too, but she didn't say so, and no one asked.
* * * * * * H50 * * * * * *
Steve ran a hand over his unshaven face. It's roughness reminded him of how long he had been in prison. Four days, he thought. Four days of being stuck in this concrete cubicle.
His skin tingled as if tiny insects crawled over it. He rubbed his hands over his thighs in an attempt to calm his taut nerves. Jumping up from the bed, he walked the short length of his cell and back. He decided pacing was better than sitting because it gave him something to do instead of allowing his mind to be consumed with more questions than he had answers.
"Hey, McGarrett, you've got another visitor," a guard said. "You've had more visitors in four days than some guys have their entire time here."
Steve frowned and walked out of the cell. When he reached the visiting area, and saw who waited for him, he almost turned back, but instead he sat down. He worked his jaw, trying to hold back his anger as he picked up the phone.
"So you wait until I'm in prison to finish our conversation," Steve said, his frown deepening. "You afraid of me, Nate?"
"No."
Steve pressed his lips together and nodded. "Why are you here?"
"I..."
Steve noticed the dark circles under his brother's eyes, and his unshaven, disheveled appearance. A part of Steve felt satisfied that he was suffering. Nate deserved to suffer for betraying his trust.
"Steve, I..." Nate's throat tightened.
"Look, Nate, if you've got nothing to say I'm leaving."
"I'm sorry," Nate choked out.
"What was that?"
"I'm sorry, Steve."
Steve's eyebrows shot up. "You're sorry? And what am I supposed to do just forgive you? You lied to me more than once, and then I gave you another chance to come clean and what did you do? You ran out. What do you want from me, Nate? Why do you keep coming back?"
"Because you're the only brother I have and I don't want to lose you." Nate's face held the desperation of a man at the end of the line.
"Well, how's that going for you? Because as far as I'm concerned I lost my brother a long time ago."
"Please, don't say that," Nate begged.
Steve shook his head and glanced back toward the guard. "I'm done here."
"Steve, wait. I'm gonna fix this." Nate watched as his brother hung up the phone and got up. "Steve, please wait!" Nate dropped the phone and banged on the glass partition. "I'm gonna fix this! I promise!"
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reading.