Chapter 7
Danny shifted on the floor and swallowed hard as the heated voices in the adjacent room grew louder. Kono's in trouble! Where Steve? His eyes frantically scanned his surroundings for anything he could use to cut the tape and free his hands. He needed something sharp. Just as his head moved past the seated figure of Patti Jameson something metallic shone in his eyes. He did a double take and saw the glittering object was that of an ornament inserted in Patti's hair. Maybe if I could just give it a try. Danny struggled to his knees then took a deep breath as he used whatever strength he still possessed to push himself up to his feet. Patti looked up and opened her mouth to say something but stopped when she saw Danny shake his head slowly. He walked over to the frightened woman and stood beside her. "Mrs. Jameson? That pin in your hair," Danny whispered as he inclined his head toward Patti's hair.
"Yes?" Patti whispered, puzzled.
"May I borrow it?" the detective asked quietly.
"Yes of-of course," Patti Jameson turned her head so that the young man could reach the silver pin that held her hair in place.
With his back facing Mrs. Jameson, Danny leaned backward as he reached for the object with unsteady fingers. A fiery sharp pain radiated up his arm and he could feel warm liquid soaking his shirt, making the material stick uncomfortably to his skin. He slid the hairpin out slowly and breathed out a sigh of relief. He adjusted his hold on the metal object and could feel four sharp points that jutted out from its base. As sweat beaded on his forehead he used the sharp points to cut his way through the duct tape that bound his wrists until he could feel the synthetic material begin to give. Finally he was able to pull his hands apart and tear through the plastic tape completely. He gave Mrs. Jameson, who had been watching him nervously the whole time, a weak smile and whispered his thanks as he lowered himself to a crouching position behind her. He began to saw through the tape securing her hands.
o-o-o-o-o
Kono froze as he faced the barrel of a gun held by his own cousin. The fury in Maleko's eyes spoke more than words of the deep hatred he felt toward the people he believed were responsible for taking away the land and spirit of the Hawaiians. It was then the detective knew with a great sadness in his heart that Maleko had gone to a place from which there could be no turning back.
o-o-o-o-o
Ignoring the muscle spasms radiating down his arm, Dan continued to cut through the tape binding Mrs. Jameson's wrists. Just a few more minutes . . . I can do this. The thoughts spun through the young detective's mind as he continued to struggle. One final cut and the woman was free. Danny leaned back against the wall, his face pale and beaded with sweat. He began to shake as he struggled against the pain-filled darkness that threatened to overwhelm him. Kono! The thought of his friend's danger pulled him back. Have to help Kono! Steve, wherever you are, please hurry!
o-o-o-o-o
"Maleko!" Kono's shout carried outside the old barn. "You don't want to do this, Bruddah. Murder won't solve nuthin! What's this gonna do to Kimo? Think, man!"
Maleko's anger-filled eyes glared with irrational hate. "I kill you, it sends a message. Hawaii for real Hawaiians, not for you guys who give in to whatever the haoles want!" His finger tightened on the trigger. "No, Maleko!" Kimo's frightened yell momentarily distracted the furious Hawaiian. The big man turned quickly, knocking his younger brother to the ground. "You turning haole on me, too boy?" Kimo backed away, shaking his head. The fire in his brother's eyes reminded him of the wrath of Pele.
o-o-o-o-o
McGarrett had seldom felt so helpless. He could hear the shouts; he feared for the lives of his detectives and Mrs. Jameson. He checked his watch again. Five more minutes; he motioned to Ben and the officers with him to stand ready. He'd give Kono those final minutes. He clenched his fists again as the final moments ticked away.
o-o-o-o-o
"Danny," Patti Jameson whispered. "Danny, we've got to do something before Maleko kills someone." She gasped as she saw more blood soaking the detective's shirt.
Danny opened pain-filled eyes. "Handkerchief . . . in pocket . . . . Put pressure on the wound." Patti did as he asked, trying not to wince in sympathy as she realized the pain she was causing.
"Gun . . .," Williams continued. "Ankle holster. Get it, please." She pulled out the little .22 and examined it: loaded and ready to fire. It might be just enough to get them out and to save Kono. But they would need to take Maleko by surprise.
Danny struggled to stand. Gun in hand, he motioned for Mrs. Jameson to stay back as he moved slowly and carefully toward the door.
o-o-o-o-o
Steve checked his watch one final time. Thirty minutes gone. Time to move in. He prayed it wasn't too late.
o-o-o-o-o
Everything happened in an instant.
Maleko fired.
Danny burst into the room, adrenaline giving him the energy he needed.
Steve and Chin broke through the main doors with HPD behind them.
Kono realized that he was alive.
Maleko realized that his gun was not loaded.
The instant passed and Kono moved, running straight into Maleko, knocking him to the ground. His cousin immediately tried to sit up but Kono pinned him to the ground ignoring the curses being flung his way. Ignoring the tears that were forming in his eyes.
When Kono had become a cop never had he imagined that he would have to arrest members of his ohana. In helping Five-O find, trick. and trap his cousins, the detective had made a decision that would remain with him the rest of his life.
"Kono." Kono looked up and saw Steve standing behind him, his gun pointed directly at Maleko. "Back off, I've got him."
Grateful that Steve was taking control, Kono slowly stood up and backed away from his cousin. While Steve cuffed Maleko, Kono looked around the room and saw that Danny held a gun on Kimo and that Chin was leading a disheveled but healthy Patti Jameson out of the building.
Five-O had won but why did winning feel so much like losing?