Chapter 6- an unexpected break
Danny was exhausted his mind whirling with all these idea about how a bomb made by a fake David Morrison could end up in Steves desk drawer.
Chin and Kono had joined him now both taken off their mutual cases because of the seriousness of this one.
He'd left them at the Hotel and taken again to the streets determined to find the fake David. There was an APB out on him but his actual description was still shaky, he resembled but was not an exact double to the real dead David. After hours of marching around in the increasing darkness asking questions Danny felt frustrated by the lack of leads. He was feeling exhausted as he made his way back to the hotel where he found Steve had joined the others.
Steve stared steadily at him for a whole five minutes without saying a word, Finally though Danny heard a huge sigh and, "here I was thinking I'd be giving you an easy case Danno, it's turning out to be rather more complex than anticipated and obviously you're taking it to heart." He shook his head, "you look exhausted". Danny managed a weary nod and slid beside Steve in the Mercury. "Well I don't think there is much more we can do tonight, I'll drive you home Danno, we can pick it up again in the morning", Steve reached for the ignition key. Danny was jolted by the word morning.
"N"o, he stated loudly then cursed as Steve jumped then turned a cool appraising blue eyed stare upon him. "Danno there's nothing more we can do", Steve repeated. We've put an all points on the fake David, warned all the stores selling any type of electronic goods and all those with any sorts of explosives. In all likelihood the fake David will give up even thinking of doing something to the Governor".
Danny nodded and saw Steve relax and start the car. Sitting back in the seat Danny tried to prevent a smile breaking out when something occurred to him, "maybe the fake David's bomb has something to do with that threat you received ", Danny said softly. Steve was silent for awhile ,a sure sign he was thinking over what Danny had said.
"How can there be a connection Danno", came the answer, So far this case seems to point to someone trying to get to the Governor. Heck you know what it's like for us , not a day goes by when we don't get threats about being shot, stabbed or blown up.
Plus the fruit cake hasn't phoned back.".
Danno swallowed, note to self, ring up and make another threat, he thought.
The Mercury pulled up outside his apartment building. "Danno try and get some rest. I'll come by and pick you up in the morning." Steve fare welled as a extremely tired Danny made his way inside, and undressed putting on his pajamas . He thought he'd possibly stay up all night worrying over what was going to happen but the minute his head hit the pillow he fell asleep.
Beep, Danny rocketed out of bed as he realized his alarm must be going off. However when he looked over at the clock it didn't seem to be making any noise.
Beep, Beep, Danny listened intently to the sound realizing it actually didn't sound at all like any sort of electrical appliance. Running to the window Danny looked out, there was an annoyed looking Steve honking his horn.
Hurriedly dressing in record time Danny sped downstairs and climbed into the Mercury. He expected an explosion but strangely Steve didn't say anything until they were almost back at the Hotel where David had been murdered.
"Danno we need to have a talk", Steve said as Danny went to exit the car. Eyes wide Danny nodded slowly. "Do what you can here and then come to the Palace say around 4pm," Steve ordered. Danny realized he must have looked scared by Steve's order because Steve reached out and touched him on the arm, "It's alright Danno, it's just a little chat", he reassured . "Right 4pm, see you then Steve", Danny quickly catapulted from the car and rushed into the hotel aware of Steve's eyes burning into his back as he went. No doubt Steve wanted to know why he was behaving so strangely and Danny had a couple of hours to think of a good answer. He knew he couldn't tell the truth because Steve would probably pull him straight of the streets if he did.
Sighing deeply Danny met up with Kono,' the court issued its approval for us to interview the top floor residents", Kono stated. "Good, Danny quickly slipped into cop mode. "Let's split up the list and get the interviewing under way".
Danny could see the manager's gaze burning with disapproval as they made their way to the lift. "Do you reckon David was knocked unconscious in the lift then dragged to the laundry shute ." Kono asked as the lift rattled upward. "Che couldn't find signs of a struggle , not blood or anything in the lift or corridor. No drag marks showed on the floors. But I suppose that is what must have happened", Danny conceded.
The lift stopped and Danny and Kono got out. Danny saw the guard quietly waiting, "we have a court order to question people up here about whether they saw the deceased', he explained. The guard nodded soberly , "yeah well you can try talking to them. These guys are big spenders often spending long periods away buying stuff. It's unlikely any of them would have been home. I certainly didn't see anyone come out", he added.
"Surely you must leave some times", Kono prodded, "you know lunch break, or toilet stops". The guard nodded, "yeah but I know these guys well enough to know when they go away". Danny nodded, "we'll give it a try anyway', he stated.
Kono took one side and Danny took the other. About twenty minutes later Danny got thrown out of one apartment and saw a distinct smirk on the guards face" told you they don't know anything", he stated. Danny scowled and knocked on another door.
An elderly lady of about 70 opened the door and smiled at him. "My , my, this is a pleasant change from my usual visitors", she said. Danny flashed his badge and asked if he could come in. "Sure honey come on in", Danny walked inside noting the guard winked and smirked at him some more. "Mrs James", Danny began, "we just want to know if you saw this man on this floor or in the Hotel anywhere over the last day or so", Danny flashed David's photo. Mrs James took it and studied it seriously. "Is this the one who was killed", she asked. "Yes", Danny wasn't surprised she knew, it was probably all over the Hotel by now. She looked awhile longer, 'no honey I can't say I have", she told Danny. Danny nodded ,'we were just hoping someone saw him, he came up here for some reason just before he died, the guard told him to leave and he went down to the sixth floor, Danny told Mrs James.
She frowned, "what time was that", she asked. For some reason Danny began to get excited sensing she had a reason for asking. He told her.
"Well that's mighty strange that old grumpy face out there saw him", Mrs James explained. "I was the last one to leave the floor that day. We all know each other well up here so I know the others weren't home. Anyway I told old grump I wouldn't be back until the early hours of the morning. He wished me a good day and I left.
I'd been gone say ten minutes when I remembered I'd left my small coin purse up here so I returned. Grumpy out there wasn't anywhere to be seen."
Danny felt a small thrill, now why had that never occurred to him. Maybe the person David had visited on the top floor was the guard. They could have gone back down together and the guard could have killed him That could definitely explain why there'd also been no struggle David would not expect a security guard to kill him.. Danny frowned, but then why admit to seeing David up here at all..
The guard had sparked off a search of the 6th floor and the recovery of the body. Maybe though the guard thought that admitting seeing David would remove suspicion off him as the police would think he'd have to be stupid to admit seeing him if he was the killer.
Thanking Mrs James Danny quickly made his way out of the apartment. The guard was still there leaning against the wall. "I want a word with you", Danny stated seriously. Something changed in the guards eyes and he straightened. He then turned and fled quickly through the fire escape door that he was conveniently right next to him. Danny quickly went after him guessing the man had been prepared just in case.
The guard was fast sprinting down the flights of steps then bang exiting at the bottom floor. Puffing slightly Danny reached the bottom of the stairwell. He opened the door and quickly went out. This fire escape lead to a back alley but Danny could not see any body present. Slowing his pace Danny carefully surveyed the surroundings the guard had not been so far in front that he'd have time to disappear completely therefore he was hiding somewhere. Drawing his gun Danny began to search the alley.
Kono had just finished getting no help form another resident and came back out into the corridor. He immediately noticed the absence of the guard and after a few minutes of waiting began to worry about Danny's absence as well.
He hurried to the side of the Hotel Danny had been checking and began knocking on doors. About ten minutes later Kono had discovered what Danny obviously already knew, the guard was a definite suspect. Danny was probably off chasing him this very minute. Worried what Steve would say if he didn't back his colleague up quickly Kono quickly sped down the stairs figuring that was the only avenue for a quick getaway.
Danny slowed his pace walking gracefully he made little noise as he inched forward.
The guard was hidden somewhere he was sure and probably hoping he'd rush past his hiding place. His ears were attuned for the slightest sound so the soft scrape registered.
Creeping forward Danny leapt toward a tower of stacked crates. At that very moment the hidden guard pushed the crates forward and they came crashing over heading right for Danny.