Vengeance Will Be Mine XIV
Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. I sure wish that I did but I guess I can live with the reality that I don't.
Thank you all for reading and special thanks to those who commented on my story. This chapter was one that the muse really wanted to do so I let her go wild. I hope you find it interesting.
Chapter 14
McGarrett moved quietly, shortening the distance to the block buildings. The background of one of the photos of Danny had shown a block wall that matched the walls of these two buildings. A wave of relief ran through him as he figured this was where Danny and Catherine were being held. The chance of freeing them was now more realistic and he didn't have to discover where they were. His attention centered on the larger structure which seemed the better choice to hold hostages. He checked the area and prepared to make his move.
*H 5-0*
Fifteen minutes or so before McGarrett arrived at the chop shop, Catherine Rollins regained consciousness. As the fog cleared, she found she was lying on her side facing a wooden door with her wrists bound behind her. Trying to move her legs, she discovered they were also secured. In frustration she fought the ropes with no success.
"I don't think that method is going to work Sleeping Beauty," a familiar voice spoke from behind her. Twisting her head around, Catherine got a glimpse of Danny Williams secured to a chair.
With great effort Catherine managed to roll over and face Danny. She observed that Danny's legs and torso were wired to a metal chair, his arms pulled behind him either wired as well or cuffed. His shoulder was stained with blood and a cut on his cheek was still oozing blood as well.
"Danny, are you okay? What the hell has happened?" she panted from the effort to roll over.
"I'm okay. And since we are trussed up like a pair of turkeys, I'd say Salter is using us as bait," Danny replied dryly.
"Bait for Steve," Catherine agreed unhappily.
"Bingo, give the lovely lady a prize."
"I was called and told you and Steve were shot. They implied Steve was dying. I checked, the call came from Queens," she said in irritation.
"And I got a call from HPD saying my landlord saw someone breaking into my place. The call came from an HPD issued phone. Salter is clever, I will give him that," Danny told her.
"He'll let Steve know he has us."
"He all ready has," Danny informed her. "He sent him pictures of us in here."
Angrily Catherine tugged at her bonds.
"We can't let him use us. Steve will come," she growled. Not able to loosen the ropes she looked at Danny and noticed that the shoulder wound was still bleeding. "How bad is your shoulder?"
"Just a scratch. Even when McGarrett is not with me, he still manages to get me shot," Danny grumbled.
"I'll tell him to apologize," Catherine said as she arched her back and bent her knees to try and reach her ankle bonds with her fingers. Danny watched her in amazement.
"You really are like McGarrett, aren't you?" he commented. "Do you really think you can make that work?"
"I can only try," Catherine gasped, struggling to get her fingers on the knots. She paused to rest her aching muscles.
"Is there a plan B?" Danny questioned.
"Do you have a better idea?" she demanded.
Danny glanced around the room which was barren except for a metal shelving unit that was fastened to the wall on his left.
"I think I might have a more practical solution," he said with a grin. "Not that I doubt that you will eventually loosen those knots."
"What?" she asked as she ceased her struggles.
"That shelving unit, the metal leg on the end is rough. It might help cut through the ropes," he suggested.
"You are brilliant," Catherine beamed and wiggled her way over to the unit. Positioning her feet on either side of the leg, she began rubbing the ropes against the rough surface of the metal. In short order she had freed her ankles and got to her knees and backed against the leg, pressing her wrist bonds to the jagged metal. This angle was more awkward and by the time she freed her wrists she had bloodied them on the rough edge. She got to her feet and hurried to Danny, checking his cuffed wrists.
"They took the key," Danny told her.
"Well they didn't search all my pockets," Catherine smirked as she pulled a hair pin out of her shirt pocket. "Hold still," she instructed as she worked the lock. She quickly released his wrists.
"I can see why the big guy loves you. Not only are you a good cook but you can pick locks too," he said massaging his wrists. "You are one handy woman to have around."
"You have no idea how handy," Catherine grinned and went to work on unwrapping the wire from around Danny's midsection. Once that was removed, Danny bent to undo the wire on his right leg while Catherine worked on the left leg.
As they were freeing his legs, the sound of gunfire reached them from outside the building. They paused, exchanging concerned looks.
"That was a shotgun," Catherine said tensely. It had been obvious that the last two blasts were not from a rifle or handgun. "Steve wouldn't use a shotgun….."
"No," Danny agreed tersely. "We have to get out of here now." He finished ridding his leg of its wire bonds. Catherine pulled the wire away from his other leg and stood up.
"Okay, let's get out of here," she said firmly.
*H 5-0*
Once Salter was sure he had hooked McGarrett with his photos, he gathered his three men to issue instructions. Knowing McGarrett was ex-military, Salter knew they had to be prepared. Giving each of the men a radio to stay in contact, he sent Mac out to the road to watch for McGarrett's arrival and to see if any HPD had followed. He told Keahi to wait in the block building and make sure that the Commander did not get to the hostages before they could contain him. Andrew was sure that McGarrett would not meekly surrender. He wanted Keahi in the corridor outside the room to prevent any rescue. Then he sent Noa to get up on the roof of the bunkhouse to keep watch on the whole yard and the jungle surrounding it.
Before leaving the garage to take his place with the two captives, Keahi watched Salter load a shotgun.
"Strange choice of weapon Andrew," Amoy commented as he shoved a magazine into his AK 47. "You know that McGarrett will come in armed. Don't you want something with more kick?"
"I intend to disable, not kill immediately. This is all about making McGarrett suffer. I need him injured and slowed down. As I said, you are to shoot only to injure, not kill. The more pain he experiences, the better," Andrew insisted. "I will get vengeance for Abby."
"You are aware that none of this will bring her back," Keahi stated quietly. He didn't want to set Salter off but he also didn't want to die for the man's vendetta. A wounded McGarrett just struck him as dangerous.
"I know that Keahi. But he will feel the pain I experienced when I was told that Abby was dead. It is what I want to happen and I am giving the orders here," Andrew spit out angrily.
"All right man….I get it," Keahi said quickly. He was sorry he even said anything.
"Good, go guard our leverage. I will radio you when I want them brought to the garage," Andrew instructed.
"Sure thing," Amoy replied, eager to get away from Salter. The less time he spent with the man the better. He was positive that he did not want to bleed for this crazy scheme but it was too late to get out now. He was sure that Salter would not hesitate to shoot him if he refused to do as told. "I will make sure that McGarrett doesn't get to them." He hurried away.
Andrew stayed in the garage for the moment, going to the open bay door and looking around the yard. He figured that McGarrett would come in through the jungle, trying to take them all by surprise. He knew that Noa would have a good view from the bunkhouse roof. Suddenly his radio crackled to life.
"Salter, I have found McGarrett's truck parked just off the road. It's empty and locked so I am guessing he is heading your way. Everyone look sharp. I will see if I can pick up his trail from here," Mac reported.
"Very good Mac," Salter responded. "We will keep watch. Noa, did you hear that?"
"Yes sir," Noa answered as he kept scanning the edge of the jungle. He had a big area to keep an eye on and his trigger finger felt itchy. He wanted to take action.
"Remember that I do not want him killed," Salter's voice came through the radio. "Shoot only to disable. Arms, legs whatever will slow the man down. I want him breathing."
"Yes sir," Noa stated.
He squinted through the scope, hoping to catch some movement in the brush. He saw a rustle of brush off to his left and he moved to observe the area. He could see a flash of a dark shirt and he followed the figure to where it halted on the edge of the clearing. Adjusting the scope he zoomed in on McGarrett. It would be so easy to take the man out right now but he knew there would be no payment for a dead body. With a finger on the trigger, he tensed and waited for McGarrett to make his move. This was going to be a piece of cake.
End chapter.
The muse really wanted to do a scene with just Danny and Catherine so I went along with it. There will be more of them later. It sure looks like Steve isn't going to be able to handle this alone. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it.