Vengeance Will Be Mine IX

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. I make no profit off this little writing venture but reviews are always appreciated.

I love everyone's interest in my story and I hope that you enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 9

Outside of HPD, Andrew Salter watched Danny Williams leave the building with Duke Lukela at his side. The blonde detective looked stressed and tired and that pleased Salter tremendously. If Williams was upset then so was McGarrett and the photos had produced the desired effect. He felt a rush of power surge through him as he considered the pain he was inflicting on the 5-0 task force. Revenge was sweet. It amused him that Williams wasn't making a move without either McGarrett or an HPD officer covering his back, clearly McGarrett was worrying about his friend's safety. With a satisfied nod, he headed to his new residence to rest up before leaving for his job at the warehouse.

*H 5-0*

Steve headed to Makakilo City with a list of boarding housed to investigate. Perhaps he should have taken some backup but Danny was right, he didn't like having someone tagging along with him. While Steve trusted his team completely, he felt he could cover more ground without a shadow. And he truly didn't think that Salter would move against him until he had made an attempt on Danny.

With a short list, he hit pay dirt on the third stop when he interviewed a sweet older woman named Momi Onakea, owner of a small boarding house. He showed a photo of Andrew Salter to the woman after she had invited him inside.

"Do you know this man Auntie?" he enquired.

"That is Chris Jennings, a former tenant," the older woman said with a smile. "Such a sweet young man but he moved out yesterday." She looked at him curiously. "He didn't do anything wrong, did he?"

"We are just looking to ask a few questions," Steve said smoothly. "Do you have a forwarding address for him?"

"No….I am afraid he didn't give me one. He just said that he would be house sitting for a friend. He really didn't get much mail delivered here so I didn't need a forwarding address," Momi explained. "He was such a nice man that I didn't ask many questions."

"Could you tell me where he was employed?" Steve asked and the older woman blushed deeply.

"I'm sorry Commander, I really didn't ask for a job reference when the tenant pays in cash. As long as he paid on time I didn't ask too many questions. I know that may be irregular but I only rent out four rooms…I didn't feel the need to know more," she answered looking distressed.

"It is okay Mrs. Onakea," Steve assured her. It frustrated him not to get enough information but he didn't want to frighten the woman. "Did you notice what type of vehicle he drove?"

"Oh yes, it was a small, older pickup. I think it was a foreign model but I really am hopeless with all the different kinds. It was dark, either black or maybe blue," the woman said apologetically.

"Thank you ma'am, if I have any more questions I will call. And if Mr. Jennings gets back in touch with you would you please call 5-0? It really is important that we speak to him," he asked the lady.

"Of course Commander, I would love to help you," Momi said beaming at McGarrett. She was very impressed with the handsome law enforcement agent.

Steve left the boarding house and dialed Danny's number.

"What do you have Steve?" Danny answered quickly.

"I found the boarding house where Salter was staying. He was using the name Chris Jennings. We know he is driving a dark, small pickup. Not much to go on, the landlady was lax with the background checks on her tenants," Steve reported.

"And he has moved on then?" Danny asked to clarify the situation.

"That's right and he left no forwarding address. He charmed the landlady, paid in cash so there is no paper trail. He is always one step ahead of us. What have you learned?" Steve responded.

"Kamekona really doesn't know anything about the Westbrooks but he's agreed to ask around and see what he can learn. I almost feel guilty for pushing him to do it," Danny told him. "I know that having people believe he is a snitch cuts off his information network. He did tell me…and I quote, "Fools who play with those dangerous drugs are lolo. I stay away from that element." He did say that meth was more likely to kill you than make you rich," Danny added. "I've dropped Duke off at HPD and I am heading to Rachel's to take her and Grace to the airport."

"Okay," Steve replied as he got into Chin's Traverse. "You be careful. I'm going to stop by the hospital and check in on Chin. I want to make sure that security is keeping their eyes open."

"Watch your back Superman, Salter isn't following a pattern so we don't know if he is after me first. He may go after you just to spite us," Danny warned. He paused for a moment and then spoke. "Have you spoken to Catherine recently?"

"Not since this morning," Steve admitted, thinking of how upset she had been to have a police detail following her around. Worry flipped his stomach. "I'll call her now."

"Good plan babe, I'll call you after I get Rach and Grace safely on the plane," Danny responded. "I will breathe easier once they are in the air."

"Later," Steve agreed. "Watch your back." They both broke contact and Steve quickly dialed Catherine's number.

"Hello Sailor, are you checking up on me?" Catherine's warm voice answered on the second ring. "I assure you that I am fine."

"Good to know," Steve said, unable to hide his relief. "Where are you?"

"I'm on base, working. How goes the hunt for Salter?" she inquired.

"We're one step behind him. I found where he was staying but he moved out yesterday. Salter sent Danny photos of Grace and luckily he was able to convince Rachel to take her to New Jersey to visit his folks."

"Oh I am so sorry Steve. That must have been hell on Danny. Thank goodness he will have them out of harm's way," Catherine said quietly.

"And that is why I would like you to stay at Pearl," Steve gently reminded her.

"I'm not a ten year old child Steve," Catherine said calmly. "My house has an alarm and I know you have a cruiser parked on the street at night."

"I want you safe Cath," Steve said not denying her statement. He knew she wouldn't like it but he wouldn't budge on that.

"I get it Steve and the cruiser can stay," she replied warmly. "But I'm sleeping in my own bed….unless I get a better offer," she added slyly.

"I do like how you negotiate," Steve chuckled. "But I think Danny is staying tonight again. Would that bother you?"

"Danny is a big boy, I'm sure that he knows what couples do. Unless it bother you? I promise I can be quiet," she said with a low wicked laugh.

"You are killing me," Steve groaned but was unable to wipe the smile off his face. "Come over…..who cares what Danny thinks."

"I'll pick up something on the way there and we can bribe Danny into silence with some home cooked food," Cath promised.

"No, I'll stop on my way home after I check on Chin. You just head to the house after leaving the base. And keep your eyes open," Steve instructed.

"Aye, aye Commander," Catherine replied. "See you later."

Steve shook his head as he disconnected the call and then headed to the hospital. He found Chin looking better but still hooked up to several monitors.

"I can help Kono at the office," Chin insisted after Steve had brought him up to speed. "You should not be taking on Salter by yourselves."

"You need to heal Chin. You aren't going anywhere for the time being," Steve scolded. "We have a few leads and Kono is able to track those down. We have so little to go on; the guy is a slippery bastard."

"He has had the time to plan this out," Chin reminded him. "The truck might be a lead. Someone had to purchase it for him."

"He knows so much about us. He had several photos of Grace that showed her at different places and days. I am just relieved that Danny was able to get her off the island for now. This is going to get ugly," Steve sighed.

"He knows that Catherine and Danny are your weak spots. Keep an eye on them," Chin advised.

"They are staying with me tonight," Steve said with a self conscious grin.

"Well good luck with that," Chin laughed. "Keep me informed." Steve nodded as he left the room.

*H 5-0*

On his way home from his job, Salter cruised past McGarrett's home and smiled at what he saw. The fact that both Williams' Camaro and Lt. Rollins' Corvette were parked outside proved that McGarrett was scared.

"I've gotten under your skin Commander," Salter gloated out loud. "You aren't going to be able to protect them all the time."

He headed out to the mobile home he had rented to put the final steps of his plan in motion. His revenge was nearing its end and he needed to work out the final details. Steve McGarrett was going to go through immense pain before he died and Andrew planned to enjoy every minute of it.

He parked his truck outside a mobile home that sat on a piece of property between Pearl City and Mililani Town and withdrew a burner phone from his pocket. He placed a call to Keahi Amoy.

"Keahi, I'm ready to put my final plan in motion. Are you ready to earn some more cash?" he asked.

"Sure Andrew sounds good to me," Keahi answered.

"Good….very good," Andrew said. "Here is what I need from you. Get me two big guys who are not afraid of the cops or 5-0. I also need a woman who can make a couple of phone calls for me. She needs to be able to sell the message, you know, make it real. Can you do that?" Andrew asked.

"Sure, no problem."

"Okay, I also will need to use that friend of yours chop shop for all this. That is still possible, right?"

"Sure thing brah. James is doing time, he don't care if we use the shop. I know some guys who can use some large uku. Where do we meet?" Amoy asked.

"I'll call you in the morning and tell you where. Get me what I want and I promise you will be well rewarded," Andrew instructed and hung up, very pleased.

End chapter.

So there we go, things are about to start popping. The muse is happy but she lets me throw a little humor in every now and then to relieve the tension. I promise that we will get to the action very soon. Thanks for reading.