Vengeance Will Be Mine V

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. I will learn to live with that truth and be happy with the triple treat of having the show on Saturday through Monday this weekend.

Since I had last week off I was able to write ahead a bit and this was ready to post faster than I expected it to be. So I decided to post and then keep working to find a regular posting day. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 5

The three men separated to take on their searches. Danny headed out to the airport, ready to show Salter's photo to every cabbie and shuttle driver working. This was his least favorite part of the job but he didn't know how else they could get a lead on this slippery character.

Chin went to his office to run a check on any purchases of homes on the island in the last four months. After that he would begin with the large rental companies and work through them to see if Andrew Salter or any other person who resembled their quarry had rented an apartment. It was a large area to cover and Chin knew that he would have to enlist the help of HPD if he didn't get any hits quickly. There was no way he could cover all the businesses on the island by himself. He hoped that Salter had tried to lose himself in a big complex.

While his team tackled housing and transportation from the airport, Steve was running the program to see who had applied for a driver's license, bought a car or rented one in the time frame since Salter had been spotted at the airport. He was coming up empty and was beginning to think that Salter may have manufactured his own driver's license along with his fake credentials. While the program continued to search the data bases, McGarrett began to review the file of the Westbrook case, hoping that he could catch a clue from it.

Seven months ago 5-0 had been alerted to a group of methamphetamine producers and distributors. Following a tip from one of the group's buyers, the task force closed in on the home that was supposed to house this operation on the outskirts of Punaluu on the windward side of the island. They knew that a couple from the mainland was the head of this lab as 5-0 and HPD surrounded the property where there was a modest house on the land along with an oversized garage. Believing the lab was in the garage, the police closed in on it.

Once they announced their presence and ordered the dealers to come out, they were met with gunfire. Thomas Westbrook made it very clear that they had no intention of surrendering peacefully. Not wanting to do more time in jail, Thomas charged out of the side door discharging his weapon. Danny took him down before he could shoot any of the police who were in the line of fire. Chin was backing him up as they headed toward the garage door.

McGarrett and Kono went around to the back of the garage when they heard breaking glass. With Kono taking the lead, they rounded the corner and surprised Abigail Westbrook exiting a window at the back. When she saw Kono, she fired causing Kono to dive to the ground to avoid the bullets. McGarrett reacted instinctually and fire twice before Abigail could shoot Kono on the ground.

Chin was right; the Westbrooks had forced their hand. They didn't want to surrender and were determined to take out as many cops as they could. Steve had no idea how Salter was funding this revenge of his but clearly he had the funds to arrive on the island and go underground without using his real identity. There was no doubt that this man had been plotting his vengeance since he had been informed that his sister was dead.

Danny Williams returned from the airport in a foul mood later in the day. No one had recognized the photo of Andrew Salter, Norman Jakes or anyone resembling their target. He encountered Chin as he left his office, massaging the back of his neck.

"Any luck Danny?" Chin enquired.

"Needle in a haystack. I'm beginning to think the guy altered his appearance before leaving the airport or he walked," Danny groused.

"Or he had a contact all ready on the island and they picked him up," Chin suggested.

"Well that is a lovely thought," Danny groaned. "That gives Salter every chance to become a ghost." He glanced at Steve's office where McGarrett was staring at his computer. "I take it Steve hasn't had any luck either."

"If Salter has a contact here on the island then he isn't going to show up on any car registrations or rental agreements. This haole is one smart dude. He is letting someone else make the purchases," Chin stated.

"What has Steve said?"

"He is preoccupied with the Westbrook case. I think he's trying to find a reason behind what started all this," Chin answered.

"Steve went by the book on that raid for once. He's not to blame for her death," Danny protested.

"You know it and I know it brah. But if Salter is blaming him for his sister's death, then Steve will try to rationalize his actions," Chin said.

Danny noticed the strain on Steve's face and shook his head.

"Then let's convince the big guy that the rational thing to do is call it a night. We aren't learning anything more and I doubt that the computer search is going to find something if it hasn't by now. Are you heading over to see Kono?" he asked.

"She's at Adam's place. I don't need to check on her," Chin stated guardedly. He didn't want to express his displeasure but Danny could read his mood.

"She's a big girl Chin. I'm thinking she'll be safe at Adam's," Danny commented.

"I agree, but that doesn't mean that I have to like her being so tight with the heir to the Yakuza in the US," Chin sighed.

Steve had finally noticed that Danny had returned and left his office to join the two men by the smart table. He leaned against the table and crossed his arms over his chest.

"No one applied for a driver's license in the last four months that resembles Andrew Salter at all. Also, no one matching his description has bought or rented a car in that time frame," he said in disappointment.

"Chin and I think that Salter has a connection here on the island. No one, not one cabbie, shuttle driver or car rental personal recognized Salter from that day. Either he walked from the airport or someone picked him up," Danny informed him. "I'm thinking we didn't nail everyone who was working with the Westbrooks."

Steve nodded and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Then we have no leads, "he growled. "We are left twisting in the wind while this guy laughs at us."

"He'll make a mistake Steve," Danny assured him. "He can't cover everything, he will slip up."

"I hope so. He started with Kono; he will come after the rest of us. We have to find him," Steve swore.

"We will catch him babe," Danny responded. "I am thinking we need to call it a night and come back at it fresh tomorrow."

Steve looked between the two other men and could see the truth in Danny's words. They had run into a wall for the moment and it was time to step back for the night. Salter had had more time to prepare his moves and they were playing catch up. It would take more than two days to flush this guy out. Danny was right, Salter would make a mistake and then they would get him.

"You're right," he nodded. "Let's head home and get some rest. Everyone stay sharp, pay attention to what is going on around you."

Once outside, Chin got on his motorcycle and headed away from headquarters. He decided to take his evening ride to clear his head and see if anything came to him that would help locate this haole. Aware of Steve's cautioning words, he chose to take a route he usually didn't take, breaking his pattern. He headed north, deciding to ride along the coast.

Once he left the city congestion, Chin found himself relaxing as the fresh breeze in his face pushed the tension of the day out of him. The traffic lightened up and he could increase his speed, enjoying the feel of power the bike gave him. As he rode along the coast, a strange prickling feeling ran down the back of his neck. A glance in the side mirror revealed a large white panel van was gaining on him. Chin increased his speed but the van managed to keep pace, not getting closer but not falling back.

Keeping one eye on the van, Chin looked for a spot to go off road and make sure the van could not follow but the rocky ridge that rose to his right made that a dangerous choice. To his left was a drop to a rock strewn shoreline, not a safe choice either. Damn, he had not been careful enough and had allowed the van to catch him in a spot where escape was impossible. There was no doubt that Salter was driving the van. He opened the throttle hoping to outrun the van but at that moment the white shadow behind him accelerated and was on his rear tire in a heartbeat. It rammed into the motorcycle, launching the bike towards the rocky coast drop off. Chin hit a large rock on the side of the road and lost his grip on the handlebars. Flying over the front of the bike, Chin was helpless to stop his fall to the beach below. Trying to cover his head, his last conscious thought was that Malia had always scolded him about not wearing a helmet. After that he hit ground and felt nothing more.

*H 5-0*

Steve McGarrett entered his house after his evening swim to discover his phone ringing. Snatching it from the table, he saw that the caller ID showed him it was Sgt. Duke Lukela.

"McGarrett…. what have you got Duke," Steve answered tersely.

"Commander, I am at the scene of an accident north of town. Someone ran Lt. Kelly's motorcycle off the road," Duke reported.

A lead weight settled in Steve's stomach as he headed upstairs to get his clothes.

"And how is Chin? He isn't….?" McGarrett couldn't manage to get the rest of the sentence out.

"He's alive," Duke assured him. "He is hurt pretty bad. Fortunately he managed to miss most of the rocks and landed in an area of open sand. The EMTs said he most likely has a broken collarbone, a head injury and there are possible internal injuries. He is being taken to the hospital as we speak."

The tension in Steve eased slightly and he rubbed the back of his neck. Now he needed information.

"Any witnesses to the incident?" Steve asked curtly. They had been prepared for an attack at home or on the job but not while driving home. Salter apparently knew just where to find each of them when they were vulnerable.

"There was a car heading south on the road that saw what happened. They were the ones that stopped and called 911. They said the van deliberately hit the bike and then roared off past them. They were not able to get a license number but they said the driver had dark hair. That was the best they could give us," Duke related.

"That helps. Get their names and we can follow up later. I am headed to the hospital," Steve instructed. "Text me the location and I will check the scene after I see how Chin is."

End chapter.

Salter did it again. Thank you for reading, all comments are welcome.