Chapter 9
Danny circled the cab looking in at the dead occupant. The blood that covered him was probably not all his, pointing to the fact he was definitely the killer.
"I'll get Che down here to look over the scene ", Danny told the others.
Theo Kojak boldly stared at the body. "He's been dead a while I'd say possibly since after the attack on Bobby."
"Well that definitely points to the possibility of an accomplice", Chin remarked.
Kono was looking at the blood that splattered the back seats. "Well this car definitely looks like the one involved in the killings, so that excludes Steve's Mercury," he stated with a smile.
Theo Kojak was still staring rather coldly at their dead killer, "now he'll never pay for what he did to Bobby", he grumbled. Danny knew how he felt but diplomatically replied, "he's already paid with his life."
Chin nodded in agreement, "yeah but dead men tell no tales", he reminded them.
"I think Che and Doc should be able to tell us something", Danny said hopefully.
Steve Mc Garrett was getting used to looking through bars. He was also getting used to the looks of the police officers, some of who he had known for years, looks of horror, betrayal, disappointment and disbelief. He knew some of them didn't want to believe he was guilty, others though were possibly secretly glad he was in here.
Steve hated not knowing what was happening in the investigation and wished one of the others would give him a report. Well not just one of the others but Danny himself.
Steve had heard he'd been allowed to take over the case. So why didn't Danno come and share his thoughts, ask for advice . Surely he doesn't really believe I'd do anything to Crocker, Steve thought.
His dark thoughts were interrupted by his lawyers arrival. "New developments Steve", Addison reported. "it looks like they've found the cab and taxi driver."
"Good", Steve remarked hopefully. "Addison shook his head, "no, bad Steve, he's dead". Steve sat down, "this case is just getting worse", he complained.
"Indeed Steve, Addison remarked soberly. "I have to discuss your line of defense, as now there are two witnesses who can link your car to the scene of the crime", Addsion told him.
Two', Steve mused, "who's the second.' Addison looked at him, "Crocker", he replied. Steve paled. Sure Bobby Crocker did have reason not to like him but he wouldn't invent a story to get back at him for nasty comments.'
"He identified my car", Steve remarked weakly shock evident on his face.
"Indeed he did Steve, naturally though his testimony can be called into question because of the seriousness of his injuries. We can say he was hallucinating or something." But his testimony will still hurt you", the lawyer told Steve solemnly.
"So we will have to discredit him as much as possible. Now I get the sense there is information you are holding back related to Crocker. If it can be used in your defense then I need to know what that is.", Addison pressed.
Steve immediately shook his head, "no, its not relevant", he insisted.
"Steve you are facing a long prison sentence", Addison remarked firmly. "It's not relevant Addison", Steve repeated in a no nonsense tone.
Addison nodded, "alright Steve but don't forget the prosecution will use what ever information they can to try and convict you."
Steve scowled at him. No way was he telling the whole world Bobby was actually illegitimate and not even related to the woman who believed he was her son.
Bobby was reliving the moment of his attack . The Taxi driver seemed ten foot tall in the nightmare with teeth like a vampire. Even in this dream he felt helpless and inefficient as his weak arms grabbed at the guy. "I wonder how long they'll give Mc Garrett if he's convicted", Bobby heard that comment as he surfaced from the nightmare ,realizing his two guards were talking about the case. "He'd get years after all this guy only got lucky he wasn't actually supposed to live.' "Maybe it'll be the end of 5-0". "No Williams will carry on".
"Will he, I heard he was going to live in New York with this one.". Yeah but that might change now, I mean will this guy ever be a cop again.'
"I don't understand how Mc Garrett could ever do it." "Mc Garrett is accused of hurting me", Bobby interposed causing both guards to jump.
Bobby glared at the two guards who shifted uncomfortably in front of him. "didn't anyone ever tell you unconscious people can still hear, "he growled.
"There's evidence against Mc Garrett", Dale Martin stated truthfully.
"Evidence I gave", Bobby closed his eyes feeling rather upset. "Don't worry there was lots of other evidence", Guy Patrick said reassuringly. That just caused Bobby to become more agitated and the heart alarm to beep in protest. Doc Bergman came running finding his upset patient in full blown argument with the two HPD guards. "Get out", Bergman yelled causing the guards to go running.
Doc, is it true about Mc Garrett", Bobby gasped. "Yes, but it's not your fault and you need to calm down", Bergman insisted. Liz appeared through the curtains gripping her fiancés hand and talking soothingly to him.
"Doc can you get Danny for me", Bobby demanded. Doc shook his head, "he does need to continue interviewing you but in light of what just happened I 'm going to give you a sedative so you can get some more rest."
"No", Bobby insisted his voice forceful. "Honey", Liz protested, "you need rest".
"Because I nearly died", Bobby stated. Doc nodded, "yes, you should have died young man and I hope that ends this particular disagreement over a sedative.'
Bobby still shook his head, "Doc I might be able to help Danny get Mc Garrett off the hook", he told him. "Bobby I know you want to help your half brother but Danny is an intelligent man I'm sure he can handle things well enough without your help.'
Bobby stared him down then looking around to make sure his mother wasn't present said, "doc Danny's not my half brother, he's my full brother and I have something very important to tell him so get him for me now.'
Doc's mouth dropped open and he cast a glance at Liz who nodded soberly. "Alright young man", Doc agreed, "I get him but this conversation is not over', he warned.
Danny arrived 20 minutes later accompanied by Theo Kojak. The Lt. smiled warmly at his sergeant. "Good to see you kid", he greeted. Bobby didn't protest about the address just remaining focused on Danny, "Doc said you were upset and insisting to talk to me", Danny remarked sliding himself down onto the bed.
"Yeah I heard what happened to Mc Garrett", Bobby told them. "Well it's not your fault Bobby", Danny repeated Docs words. "You don't really think it was him", Bobby studied his brother carefully. Danny shrugged causing Bobby to look surprised.
"Is the evidence against him that bad", he remarked. Danny nodded
, "so far there's not much in his favour', he told Bobby. Bobby looked at him, 'maybe there is", he said softly. Danny stared, "what are you talking about Bobby", he insisted. "I grabbed my assailant", Bobby told them. 'You may have done that but it was without enough force to leave any tissue under your nails or elsewhere', Danny told him. "I pulled a button off his jacket', Bobby told them . "Are you sure", Danny asked knowing that nothing had been in Bobby's grasp when he'd been brought to the hospital. 'Yes, I remembered it while I was asleep", Bobby told them.
Danny pursed his lips, "it could have got missed in a search of the area, I'll have HPD go over the ground again".
Theo Kojak was anxious to ask his own questions, "Kid, do you remember what you told me about Lyle Martin". Bobby looked puzzled for a second then nodded slowly. "The first victim. Yeah there was this notation at the bottom of a report on the Gilmore case." Theo Kojak, turned to Danny. "Geoff Gilmore was someone another precinct interviewed in relation to the homicide of his girlfriend. He had an alibi though so charges were never brought against him. Nobody else was ever arrested and the case remains open." Theo turned back to Bobby "how'd Martin come into it", he asked.
"Gilmore had a lot of money go out of his bank account around the time of his girlfriend's death. It could have been a payoff for a killing but Gilmore said it was a donation to a charity. This was confirmed by Lyle Martin who is the head of the charity. It was checked out and everything was legitimate", Bobby told them.
Danny sighed, "this doesn't seem to hold any relevance to the killings here."
Bobby shrugged causing him to wince.
"We should still check it all out", Theo prompted. Danny nodded, "yes, we will".
"Right young man", Doc had a steely eyed expression on his face as he looked at Bobby.
"I suppose it's nap time again", Bobby sighed. Liz came up to hold his left hand, "Honey the doc's only doing what's best for you." Bobby smiled weakly at her, "it's best for you if you find someone else", he stated. Liz stared at him, "don't say things like that honey", she insisted. "Yeah well I won't be able to work to support us, will I? ,"Bobby attempted to move his right hand and failed. "You'd better employ another sergeant ", Bobby told Theo before closing his eyes and waiting for the injection Doc was about to give him. Doc injected him then led the others away. "what he's feeling is natural considering the gravity of his injuries. Just stay by his side and try to ignore the attitude.", Doc advised. Danny looked solemn, "I 'd like to stay but unfortunately this case is not going to solve itself. Doc I'll need to look over the taxi driver."
Doc agreed leaving his now sleeping patient and walking with Danny in the direction of the morgue. "How does Crocker get to be your full brother", Doc asked. Danny told the story. Doc looked startled but soon sobered, " I daresay it's hard for him to lie to his mother", he observed. "Yeah", Danny responded softly.
The entered the morgue where doc made his way to the prone sheet covered form.
"I haven't started the autopsy yet, only just got his things bagged up to give to Che"
Doc looked around the morgue in puzzlement. "I swear I left his things right on that table." Maybe they've already been picked up", Danny guessed. ".It's possible though someone should have cleared it with me first." Doc pulled back the sheet and Danny gasped. "That's not him Doc", he muttered. Doc looked at Danny in shock then quickly checked the other bodies. They quickly discovered the corpse was nowhere to be found. Why do I have the strangest feeling Che doesn't have the clothes", Danny said to Doc. The coroner faced Danny his expression solemn, "Danny someone seems to be making an effort to keep us in the dark about this case", he mused. Danny sighed, "yeah and left Steve as the prime suspect, with no way to clear his name".
Doc looked seriously at Danny," there's something else Danny. I didn't want to say anything in front of Bobby but I removed the taxi drivers clothing and I'm sure there were no buttons missing."
"Bobby was lying", Danny was surprised. "He feels guilty about Steve's arrest it's not surprising that he might think he pulled off a button". I doubt he was consciously making up a story", Doc assured Dan. Danny looked sadly at doc before walking away. He didn't want to be the one that told Steve all the evidence that might save him from conviction had gone missing.