Chapter 5- beginning to see the picture.
Steve looked gravely down at David Morrison, "well Danno", I guess that brings an end to one part of the case", he sighed, "but finding out who killed him and why has now become our priority."
Danny nodded looking at the dead body in front of him ,"Steve, how long would you say he's been dead', he asked. "well we won't have any indication of that to after doc has a look but most of the blood has dried up". I'd say that the sheets were only kept wet because of being in the laundry", Steve surmised. He looked at the frown on Danny's face. "what are you thinking Danno', he prompted. "I've had quite a job following David's trail upon leaving the Hotel. Here his identification was positive but out on the streets all I was getting when I flashed the photo was people who couldn't really be sure of their identification. I began to think David might be disguising himself for a purpose. " Danny looked again at the body, "but there might be another explanation, like the fact that David never left the Hotel and the person that was seen on the streets was someone who resembled him."
Steve frowned as well , "a look alike Danno ", he stated thoughtfully. "The Governor hasn't seen David for awhile so might be fooled by someone who resembles him." "Yes", agreed Danny, "but once David's disappearance was uncovered then that scenario wouldn't work. If the fake reappeared we'd want an explanation before he ever got close to the Governor", Danny concluded.
"You're right Danno", Steve acknowledged his brow furrowing further in thought, "it doesn't really make sense." We'll put some extra man power on this case". You keep up with trying to trace this lookalike. I unfortunately will have to go and tell the Governor his friend is dead."
Danny nodded solemnly watching as a grim looking Steve walked back to his car and drove away. Like any good detective Danny looked around the scene but apart from the body there was very little else. He thought through what could have happened and a number of questions sprung to mind. Why had David gone to the top floor. He didn't for one moment believe about the viewing platform . David had formerly lived in Hawaii and should have known this Hotel didn't have one of those. So was he planning on visiting someone? Maybe he was but had been unaware there was a guard.
So he got in the lift and went back down. Someone got on in from the six floor and killed him. Danny now had a huge problem, trying to interview guests of the 6th and top floors to see if any of them knew anything. He'd take the easy path first, run the guests names through the HPD computer and see if it found anything.
The manager had a slightly greenish tinge to his face and looked quite shocked.
"I'm going to need a list of all guests on the sixth and top floors," Danny requested.
"The sixth floor is fine, Mr Williams but as for the top floor, well those people pay extra money to ensure their privacy", the manager replied firmly. Danny folded his arms and stared him down, "one of those residents might know something", he stated firmly.
"Frankly I don't see how Mr Morrison was only up there a minute", the manager hedged. "Yes but he's formally lived in Hawaii and wouldn't go up there because of a viewing platform", Danny held firm. The Manager shook his head, "I'm not having those people bothered Mr Williams if you want their help you'll have to get a court order".
Danny suppressed the sigh, that was going to delay things a lot longer. "Alright, he finally relented, just give me the list of those on the 6th". The list was handed over and Danny went out of the Hotel and down to his car where he gave the list of names to HPD dispatch to be checked out.
Going back to the Hotel Danny made his way up to the sixth floor and began the process of knocking on doors.
While Danny worked Steve approached the Governors office preparing to tell him the bad news. After a short wait he was admitted. Governor Jamieson only had to take one look at Steve's face before he knew something had happened.
"Is it bad Steve," he asked in a subdued tone. 'Yes, I'm afraid so sir, Danny just found David's body, Steve reported. The Governor paled, " I was looking forward to seeing my old friend again", he said quietly. "Now I guess I never will". He looked down at his desk trying to control his whirling emotions. "What happened to him, he asked softly after a few minutes of silence. "Well I'm afraid it looks like he was murdered sir", Steve told him gravely. The Governor shook his head, "why', he demanded," he's never done anything". Steve drew in a deep breath, "it may have something to do with his relationship to you sir. It seems that there is someone going around pretending to be David and the only reason I can think of for that is so they could get close to you".
The Governor closed his eyes as if in pain, "but why David Steve, I have other friends, why pick on him." "Maybe whoever was behind this figured you might not remember your friend well so they were going to attempt to use a lookalike. However something seems to have gone wrong because once David was declared missing his reappearance would have sparked off questions".
The Governor nodded, but Steve determined he didn't really understand.
"So what are you doing to find the killer and stop this lookalike ", he demanded.
"Well it may be that they are the same person Sir, Danny is investigating plus I've ordered extra men from HPD. It might pay to beef up your own security just in case", Steve requested. "I'll do that Steve, please keep me posted about this case, the Governor requested. Do you want us to contact David's next of kin", Steve asked gently.
"I don't think David really had anybody Steve, his wife left him a long time ago , his parents are long dead and he hasn't got any siblings." It'd help if you could find out who handled his legal affairs. But let me contact them", the Governor decided.
Alright Sir, I'll do that, I'm sorry to have brought you this news.", Steve cast one last look at the despondent Governor before quietly excusing himself.
Danny was frustrated, knocking on doors was getting him nowhere fast. It seemed the guests of the sixth floor were either out or "we heard nothing Sir", seemed to be a developing trend. Sighing deeply Danny went to find Che' who was examining the laundry chute, well there's very little blood on the ground Danny, that may indicate the assailant subdued David by some method stuffed him in the shute then stabbed him". Danny grimaced, "any clues as to who did it Che". The forensic scientist smiled, 'nothing handy like a bloody footprint Danny whoever did this was being careful. Still I'll check everything out, you never know".
Danny nodded but didn't feel too hopeful then remembering the list of parts he handed them over. The fake David tried to purchase these parts Che any ideas what they could be used for". Che studied the list for quite awhile and seemed to be talking to himself, "well Danny, he said finally, "if you were really good and had access to some dynamite or other explosive substances then you could probably make a bomb".
Danny suddenly felt chilled and the vision of Steve, Chin and Kono in flames flashed before his eyes. Was there a connection, Danny didn't know how there could be, but he better find out fast because the sun was going down on this day. Tomorrow was the day he was supposed to suffer his accident. So he better be on his guard or he wouldn't be the only one who got hurt.