Chapter 4- You're not serious
Steve was staring at the others hoping this was some sick joke.
"Surely you're not serious. How could Crocker's blood get into my car", he begged.
"Well if you have an explanation Steve, now is the time to give it to us", Lt. Myer confirmed holding off on cuffing Steve.
Steve desperately tried to think of an explanation.
"Perhaps if you tell us where you where at the time Bobby got stabbed", Chin asked hoping Steve could come up with an alibi.
"I started off in O'Reilly's bar, but I only stayed there for two drinks. Then I just went for a drive", Steve explained beginning to feel sick as he realized he had no alibi for the time Bobby was stabbed.
"Whereabouts did you drive Steve, I hope it was somewhere well populated", Lt Myer was hoping for a miracle.
Steve shook his head, "I was on this deserted road all by myself just thinking. In fact I was just a few minutes away from where Crocker was stabbed".
Lt. Myer sighed heavily, "then I'm afraid I have no choice Steve, turn around please".
Steve numbly turned then felt the cold steel of hand cuffs slap against his wrists.
"We'll take him downtown and he can contact a lawyer there", the Lt. told Chin and Kono.
The two detectives watched with a sense of disbelief as Steve was taken away.
"Don't worry we'll sort it all out", Chin called after Steve.
But as soon as their boss had gone both detectives sat heavily down in the office chairs, "just how did Steve get Bobby's blood in his car", Kono demanded.
"That's not the worst part of this ",Chin told his colleague.
"It's not", Kono sounded disbelieving
"No, one of us is going to have to tell Danny", Chin stated
Kono looked horrified, " maybe we don't have to Chin. It's all a mistake after all. If we rush through an investigation maybe we can clear Steve before Danny finds out".
Chin nodded slowly, "okay let's look at things in Steve's favour. "Firstly none of us had any idea Crocker was even coming to Hawaii".
Kono smiled then suddenly looked sober, "wait a minute Chin", he said.
Moving forward to Steve's desk Kono picked up the list.
"He got this list of all incoming flights and passengers from the airlines and immigration. " Kono looked over the list swearing seconds later.
"Crocker's name is there Chin. Any prosecution is going to ask why Steve chose yesterday to get a full passenger list. He hasn't done that before."
Chin looked depressed, "alright let's talk motive Steve hasn't got one",
Kono looked down, "would you testify that he liked Crocker", he demanded
"No, but not liking him and killing him are two very different things", Chin said firmly. "I suggest we go and check out any evidence ourselves soon. Once Steve's arrest is common knowledge I have a feeling 5-0 will be off the case".
"We are the best qualified to undertake this case Chin", Kono protested.
Kono, think about it. The head of 5-0 has just been arrested. So in normal conditions the second in command would take over. However his brother is the person who Steve's supposed to be responsible for hurting. Danny won't be allowed to take over the case", Chin told his colleague firmly.
"Alright, I'm going to see if I can talk to the barman at O'Reilly's maybe he can help give us more information", Kono told Chin.
Chin looked at the clock, "I'm going to have to go to the airport and pick up the rest of Crocker's friends and family. Naturally I won't say anything about Steve."
Kono looked sympathetic.
The two five O officers took one last look at each other then left.
Danny ate a bowl of cereal without really tasting it. He knew the rest of the family would be arriving soon and wasn't looking forward to that. What would Bobby's mother say to him. He hoped it wasn't anything contained the word bastard.
An exhausted looking Doc came through the curtains. "I can stay with him if you want to grab a quick shower", he told Danny.
Danny shook his head, "no Doc I'll just stay here", he stated.
"Not looking forward to seeing Mrs Crocker", Doc stated insightfully.
Danny sighed loudly, "she really doesn't like me and we'll be meeting for the first time in the worse circumstances".
Doc looked worried, "do you think there will be trouble", he asked. "I hope not but she doesn't seem the sort to just sit here and not say something impolite to me", Danny replied. "Well impolite is one thing but screaming or yelling won't be allowed in front of my patient. I think I'll make it clear right from the beginning that if she can't control herself she's out. Normally I wouldn't let three people in with a patient that ill", Doc looked over at Bobby.
Danny closed his eyes, "I've been sitting here talking to him and hoping for some type of miracle Doc, but I guess I should just face reality", the pain in his voice spoke volumes. "What you are feeling is normal Danny and I really wish you could get your miracle ", Doc placed his hand firmly on top of Danny's.
Doc departed through the curtains again stopping to lean himself against the wall.
Maybe he should give Steve a ring and tell him to come down and see Danny just for a short time. Danny needed the presence of someone who wasn't family and who was not as emotionally involved in this.
Liz helped support Harriet Crocker as they looked about the arrivals lounge. Clara Williams started off toward a smart suited Chinese officer, leaving the others following in her wake. "Chin Ho", Clara called, where's Steve".
"He's dealing with a crisis at the moment", Chin stated smoothly looking with a frown at the tall man accompanying the party. "I'm Lt. Kojak", Theo told him holding out a hand.
Chin swallowed, he'd heard about the Lt. from Danny and Steve and knew it'd be hard to keep him away from this case. "It'd like to meet with Mr Mc Garrett later and have a chat about the case", Theo requested.
Chin desperately wondered what to say for a split second. "why don't we get everyone down to the hospital first', he finally replied swiftly maneuvering the conversation away from Steve.
They all made their way out the cars and began their tense trip to the hospital.
Kono sat down on a bar stool beside a disgruntled Ian O'Reilly, "I've only been in bed a short while", the bar man complained, "this had better be important."
"We're investigating an incident that happened yesterday evening ", Kono stated.
"We'd like to know who was in your bar around 10pm". Kono was avoiding all specific references to Steve as he didn't want Danny to read about this in the papers.
Ian frowned, "well we only had a few patrons in at that time", he proceeded to name them all and Kono wrote them down. "Then of course your boss was here", Ian stated.
"He normally would have stayed longer but he was too busy feeling down about Danny leaving".
Kono just about dropped his pen, "excuse me did you say Danny is leaving", he confirmed.
"Yeah Mc Garrett felt it was likely he was going to work in New York with his brother."
Ian moved closer and smiled in a secretive way, "there was obviously no love lost between your boss and Danny's brother, he practically said he wished something bad would happen to him." Don't worry I won't go around telling anyone".
Kono swallowed nervously, he'd hoped for something he could use in Steve's favour, not more ammunition for the prosecution. He guessed it was only a matter of time before Ian's comments were public knowledge.
Steve looked up as his cell door opened and a tall man walked in," Morning Steve", lawyer Addison Paige, greeted smoothly, "let's talk about this predicament you've got your self into." Steve sat down, "it's all totally ridiculous", he fumed.
Addison looked grave, "you may feel that Steve but attempted murder is a serious charge and don't forget that will be upgraded to murder 1 when the victim dies".
Steve's eyes widened, he stood up and paced, "that victim you are talking about is my second in command's brother", he stated firmly. "Yes, Steve but I'm here to talk firm realities to you. Now your second in command, will he be a good witness for the defense or prosecution", Addison asked.
Steve went white and sunk into the chair, "they wouldn't put Danno on the stand to testify against me", he demanded soberly. "Does he have anything to testify about Steve", Addison asked. Steve bit his lip, he could well imagine the scenario , "detective Williams can you describe the nature of Mr Mc Garrett's relationship with your brother". He could see Danny's eyes as they swept him in an accusing way, "Mr Mc Garrett, didn't like my brother", Danny replied, looking at Steve like he was something disgusting stuck to the bottom of his shoe.
Snapping back to the room, Steve looked up at his lawyer, "thanks for reminding me of reality Addison", he stated sarcastically.
"Just so you have no illusions about where this is leading Steve', Addison replied.
"Now let's talk about this blood and how it could have got into your car".
Steve shrugged," I have no idea", he replied.
Addison frowned ," that's not helpful Steve", he chastised
Steve frowned in thought, "well I was at the scene not long after the stabbing had happened. If I'd done it why didn't I have blood on myself. "
Addison wrote that down, "good Steve that's better".
"Now about the victim did you get close enough while at the scene to get blood on yourself "
Steve shook his head, "No", he replied.
Addison nodded, "this one piece of evidence is the most damning for you Steve. The car identification is easily dealt with, it was dark and the witness was probably afraid. So we can cast doubt upon her memory."
Steve frowned, "alright how do you explain the fact Crocker was definitely picked up by a taxi and not my car, we can prove that".
Addison thought, "alright scenario one, the taxi is genuine and was taking Crocker to his destination when you intercept its passage. You invite him to join you he climbs in and then you take him somewhere and kill him."
Steve actually smiled, "well if the prosecution try that scenario it won't hold water.
"If I had offered Crocker a ride he would have got in the front seat, not the back. Plus even though he knew me, he'd still put up a fight if I tried to hurt him. Doctor Bergman stated it looked like there hadn't been any sort of struggle."
"Alright one scenario down", Addison stated, "but I actually prefer that one".
Steve looked at him in shock, "you'd prefer that one", he repeated
"Yes, because another scenario might be that it was the killer who picked up Crocker and took him to a pre arranged destination where you met him. " Perhaps it was the taxi driver who killed him and somehow blood got into your car," Addison stated.
"That scenario is more ridiculous than the first", Steve grumbled.
"As I said Steve, I'm just preparing you. It will be the job of any investigation to find any evidence to support any likely scenario. Without a firm alibi you will only have your word and any contravening evidence to offer the jury", Addison reminded him.
"My word should be enough, Steve claimed furiously , "I've served Hawaii in one capacity or another for years".
"Now you're just another suspect Steve', Addison stated.
To Steve the comment was like an icy bucket of water right in the face. He sat down on a chair trying to think of what he'd say once this got out. How would the Governor react, what would the people of Hawaii say, all of that went through his head. Then suddenly his mind thought of the most chilling point, what was Danny going to think.
Surely he wouldn't believe he was guilty. Suddenly the whole situation came crashing down upon Steve and he had this wish to suddenly run away, not from the Governor or even the press, but from the look in Danny's eyes when he heard the news.