Chapter 6

"Cuz! Maleko!" the Hawaiian detective called. "It's me, Kono. I wanna talk to you guys."

Silence

"Maleko!" Kono tried again. "I know what you're trying to do. You want to save our `aina, our home. But this ain't the way. We gotta talk."

"Go `way, Kono." The voice was full of anger. "You really want to save our home? You're a cop! You one of them. We got hostages and unless the Haoles and the governor do what we want, we gonna kill them!"

"Maleko," Kimo looked at his older brother, fear blossoming in his eyes. "Talk to Kono. Yeah, he's a cop, but he's kama'aina. He understands. Let him in."

"You getting' soft, kid?" Maleko snarled. "I let Kono in, McGarrett's right behind him."

"It sounds like he's alone. Tell him to drop his gun and keep his hands up. Worst thing is we'll have another hostage."

The other man thought for a moment. "Yeah, bruddah, with the Gov's wife and two of his men here, dem Haoles will have to listen." He paused and then called out, "Kono! Leave the gun and come with your hands up. Come alone, no police backup. You hear?"

"I hear," the big cop answered. "No gun, hands raised. Now, let me in."

o-o-o-o-o

"Danny," Patti Jameson turned toward her fellow captive, "What's happening out there?"

The young detective winced as a stab of pain lanced down his wounded arm. He replied softly, "It sounds like Kono's trying to negotiate with Maleko. Steve must be here, waiting somewhere outside."

Hope filled Mrs. Jameson's voice. "Maybe we can . . ."

"Shut up you two!" The door slammed open as an angry Maleko continued, "No talking. I'm running this. You got no power here." He waved his gun at both hostages, stopping at Danny. "One word and McGarrett loses a cop." He took a breath, and called, "Kimo! Come in here and watch these two. They try anything, shoot him," he ordered, pointing to Williams. The outlaw handed his brother the gun, and went to admit his cousin.

o-o-o-o-o

Steve watched as Kono entered the old barn. He could feel the tension building in his shoulders. Mrs. Jameson and two of his detectives-his ohana-now hostage to Maleko's angry scheme. He began to pace. Thirty minutes. He'd given Kono thirty minutes. He looked at his watch. Thirty minutes to resolve a life or death situation.

Chin watched as his boss stopped and stared at the barn. "Steve," he began, "Kono knows these people. If he can reason with then . . ."

"And if he can't? McGarrett broke in. "We could lose more than Danno, Kono, and Mrs. Jameson. It could start a blood bath." He clenched his fist in frustration.

o-o-o-o-o

"Kimo," Danny spoke softly. "Do you really want to become a murderer? If you kill us, that's what you'll be. An outlaw like your brother, hunted with no place to hide. Is that what you really want?" He noticed the young man's hesitation, saw the glimmer of frightened tears in his eyes.

"I don't wanna kill nobody, not you, not this lady. But I gotta do what Maleko says." Kimo's hand shook and his hold on the gun wavered.

"Why? Danny asked. "You're old enough to make your own decisions and choose your own path. Don't let Maleko choose for you."

Kimo grew even more agitated when he heard Maleko's angry voice arguing with Kono from the adjacent room. He turned from the two hostages to the door and back. Feeling like he was as much a captive as the two sitting on the floor, he looked at Danny with desperation in his eyes.

"What should I do? How am I gonna get outta this? I'm in too deep already!"

Danny was becoming concerned about Kimo's panicky state, especially since the kid had a loaded weapon pointed in his direction. The detective knew that his first priority was to protect Mrs. Jameson. He had to think of something that would minimize the risk to her life.

"Kimo," Danny whispered. "You can help us. Take the bullets out of the gun and hide them. Then keep the gun pointed at me. Maleko will never know the difference."

The young Hawaiian continued to stare wide-eyed at Danny.

"Come on, Kimo, do it! If that gun is loaded when Maleko comes back, he or Kono could be hurt or killed. You don't want that, do you?" Danny's strained whispers were becoming harsher.

Kimo suddenly opened the barrel of the gun, emptied out the bullets and stuffed them behind an old storage box. Danny breathed a small sigh of relief. He could still feel his .22 strapped securely to his ankle, which gave him a small measure of comfort, though it was useless unless he could free his hands. He glanced over at Patti Jameson who also appeared somewhat more relaxed at Kimo's choice.

o-o-o-o-o

"What's wrong with you, man?" an angry Maleko shouted at Kono. "You siding with dem Haoles! Our ancestors gotta be ashamed of you!"

"I agree with you about da land," Kono said, trying to remain calm. "Da problem is way bigger than just dis bill. It go way back to da olden times. Da governor is an honorable man, Cuz. He don't deserve dis."

Maleko started to speak, but Kono cut him off.

"And I gotta tell you something else, man – dat Haole you got tied up in dere? He's my bruddah, my kaikaina, sure as you standin' dere! Saved my neck more den once. I can't let you or Kimo kill him."

Maleko was so enraged he spat in Kono's face.

o-o-o-o-o

Steve continued to pace next to his black Mercury, glancing from the barn to his watch and back to the barn. Ten more minutes. Chin looked at his boss sympathetically. He felt the same anxiety and fear for the lives of his colleagues, but was able to endure the tension more privately. The radio in Steve's car buzzed.

"McGarrett," he barked into the receiver.

"It's Duke, Steve. The governor is requesting a status report."

"In other words, he's out of his mind with worry."

"You said it, Bruddah!"

"He's not alone, Duke."

o-o-o-o-o

Slowly, Kono reached up and wiped the spit off his face and continued on as if nothing had happened. "Maleko, I know dat you don't like what I do or dat some of my closest friends are Haoles but know dat you are ohana; nothin' can change dat. I came to help you. Believe me when I say dat McGarrett ain't far behind."

"Because you told him where to find me!" Maleko shouted.

"No," Kono lied, "because when I left da office Steve ordered Chin to make up a list of the places you frequent and dere checking dem all. It won't be long before Steve finds ya and I don't want to see ya in jail and I don't want to see Danny hurt."

Maleko snorted. "You wanna help?"

Kono looked toward the direction that he guessed the captives were being held in order to convince his cousin that he was nervous about the hostages overhearing. Switching to Hawaiian, Kono pressed, "I have a plan to get you out of this mess and off the island without Steve ever knowing."

Maleko carefully considered Kono's words before answering in the same language, "Tell me."

"I spoke with our Uncle Kanunu. He took his fishing boat out this morning and told everyone that he'll be gone for a couple of days. He'll sneak back to shore tonight and take you and Kimo to Maui. Just tie me up before you go and Steve will never know I helped you and I'll make sure Steve doesn't look in the right direction. After a couple weeks he'll give up looking. But know this: if Danny or the lady dies, Steve will never stop looking."

"That doesn't give me what I want."

"Steve doesn't make deals. He'll never give you want you want. You have to trust me."

Maleko scowled but it looked like Kono's words were getting through. "Kimo, come out here!"

Kono could immediately tell that the stress of the situation was not treating Kimo well. He was jumpy and pale. Maleko held out his hand for the gun and Kimo quickly handed it over

"Brother," Maleko said, "Kono says he will misdirect the cops so that we can sneak off the island as long as we don't kill our hostages."

Kimo replied, "I think we should listen to Kono."

"Fine," Maleko agreed. "On one condition. Kono comes with us."

"What?" The word slipped out before Kono could stop it.

"If you want us to trust you, give up Five-O and come with us."

Kono debated the best way to respond but his hesitation must have shown on his face because Maleko became suspicious. "Ya can't give it up, can ya, Fuzz?"

"No," Kono said, "I'll come."

It was too late; Maleko's suspicion had erased any chance this had of working. "You coconut! Ya look Hawaiian but ya nothin' but Haole on da inside!"

Then Maleko raised the gun and pointed it directly at Kono's head and the detective knew that he had failed.