CHAPTER 10
It was getting late in the evening but with no more leads at the office Chin left Kono tracking down any information he could whilst he headed back to the hospital to check on their only witness – Williams. He was tired, as was Kalakua and the mantle of responsibility weighed heavily on both men as they worked feverishly to locate their boss.
Standing just inside Danny's hospital room Chin was becoming more and more frustrated with the good doctor who had taken it upon himself to become William's spokesperson and protector since Steve was not there. Doctor Francis may have looked like a university drop-out but he took his chosen career very seriously indeed. Chin was half way through arguing for admittance to Williams and losing his battle.
"Doc I'd like nothing better than to let Danny sleep like a baby, God knows he deserves it, but we have a serious situation on our hands. The head of Five-0's life is in jeopardy and he is the only one who might have a clue as to where they may have taken our boss. Can you wake him up or not?"
"The answer is not!"
"I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation – a man's life is at stake!"
"And I don't think you understand how ill this man is! His well being is my responsibility. Have you heard nothing I've said detective? Complete rest for at least twenty-four hours – at least give the poor man a chance to get over the operation!"
Chin looked to the bed where Williams lay sleeping, he was gray and wan, dark circles left deep impressions around his eye sockets and he was dead to the world. He knew how unwell Danny was but he had to weigh up the options and for now Dan was the only hope they had of finding Steve until something else came up. He knew that any interrogation of the second-in-command would drain him more but it was imperative that they found out whatever information Williams might have retained from his time in captivity. The oriental detective didn't like to consider the possibility that Dan would be of no use to them, he couldn't – he needed to have faith that somehow Williams was the key to finding McGarrett.
"Look, I promise to make it quick. Ten minutes – just give me ten minutes to find out what Danny knows and we will leave him in your care. I promise."
The trendy doctor squinted, trying to read the very scrutable man before him. Kelly obviously cared about his patient, of that the doctor was certain, but he'd also read a desperation in all of their eyes when Williams had been brought in, like they had more to worry about than simply their friend's injuries which, in and of themselves, were bad enough.
He was disinclined to give in to Kelly's request on purely medical grounds but he knew McGarrett's reputation and there was little doubt that Hawaii would be a worse place to live were it not for man who led Five-0. Weighing up the options, but knowing he still had the practical side of caring for his patient to think about, he finally agreed to compromise.
"Ten minutes, no more – but you WAIT until he wakes up. I'll get a nurse to call you when he does, I don't want to come in here and find you badgering him. Do you hear me?"
How could Chin get it through the man's skull that Steve was in terrible danger, "But that could be any time! Every minute we wait is a minute too long – he could be dead for all we know!"
"Then it won't matter will it?" The doctor said callously and it was that, as much as anything, that made Chin Ho say what was on his mind. "Williams and McGarrett are like brothers, not just colleagues, they are ohana – family. Now if you don't wake him up and something happens to Steve how do you think he is going to feel knowing that you said it didn't matter if he was dead? You want that on your conscience doctor? It could make life very difficult for you."
"Are you threatening me detective?" Francis replied, folding him arms to enhance his stand.
"Absolutely not, merely telling you that Dan Williams can be as hard as they come when he needs to and if something happens to McGarrett it's Williams who will be in charge!"
Doctor Francis huffed, "I've heard how difficult you Five-0 men can be – don't think Bergman hasn't warned me because he has!"
"With all due respect if you took his advice you would cease standing in the way of our investigations."
"Of all the days to be on call – why today!?" The young man sighed and added, "Very well, let's see if we can arouse him."
It took a few goes to wake Dan up and when they did he was disorientated, unsure of time or place until Chin, resting a gentle hand on his arm, brought him back up to speed, embarrassed to admit to the injured young man. and technically his superior, that basically they had nothing.
"Help me sit up," Danny asked and the doctor eased the bed into a slightly elevated position so he could see his interrogator properly. Dan winced as his damaged ribs shifted within the strappings and his face paled even more, stomach lurching and for one awful moment he thought he was going to be sick – he wasn't sure how well his broken ribs would cope with that scenario.
As he closed his eyes and fought the flip-flop of nausea the doctor placed a hand on his forehead to see how warm he was and looked at him earnestly, "Now mister Williams if you don't feel up to talking just say the word and this interview stops."
Dan licked his lips, appearance alone testifying to how much he felt like doing anything at present. His hearing was better and his fever had abated somewhat with the antibiotics rushing through his system but now he was awake so was his dynamic headache. Even though he was exhausted and woozy his main concern was Steve – inwardly he cursed his weakness, his place was with Five-0 tracking down the criminals who were responsible for all this carnage not lying in a hospital bed trapped by his inadequacies.
"It's okay Doc, mahalo but I'll be fine." He said weakly and the doctor tutted. It was fruitless hoping the patient himself would be sensible – Bergman specifically warned him about Williams and he couldn't help but agree with the crusty M.E.; these men were hopeless.
Kelly turned to the doctor, "Can we have a few minutes to talk alone please? Police business, I'm sure you understand." That earned him a snort of disgust but the doctor retreated to the other side of the room, ostensibly out of ear shot although keeping a watchful eye on his charge. As soon as he moved, Chin asked, "How you feeling now bruddah?"
"Terrible." Dan said honestly but softened the impact of the truth with a half smile. "I'm more worried about Steve than myself Chin."
"Yeah Danny, it was definitely a hit but what we can't figure is if the same person that set that trap took him why haven't we found Steve's body? Why not simply take him out when they exchanged hostages?"
"They wanted Steve alive - for now at least - and that's got to count for something. Get me a list of possibles, I want the name of everyone likely to order a hit on Steve."
"You shouldn't be over taxing yourself Danny, let us handle things."
Williams was exhausted from the mere effort of talking but he was still determined, he shifted the bed clothes off his legs, "I have to get out of here!"
As he made a move to get up Kelly put a firm hand on his shoulder, "Steady Danno, doc says you're not going anywhere for quite some time. He wouldn't even let me question you without a fight!"
Temporarily resigned, Dan eased himself back against the pillows, even their feather-softness unable to cushion his throbbing head, "Question?" he asked confused.
Chin nodded, "We were hoping that you might have a clue as to where Steve might be now that your head has cleared?"
With McGarrett missing and Dan incapacitated It was like the glue between everyone had come unstuck. Danny realized it wasn't anyone's fault that they were getting nowhere but felt guilty nevertheless – he was responsible for Steve walking into the trap and it was his duty to get his closest friend out alive, even if it cost him his health. "Chin I want out of here." He said seriously and wish fervently that his head had truly cleared.
"Uh-uh Danny – doc says no way and I'm not messing with your health bruddah."
"You have to! You're right, I may have clues – or at least a way to narrow down the possibilities of where he might be but I can't do it here – I need to be out there on the streets. Something will jog my memory but not lying here in a hospital bed feeling sorry for myself!"
"You're way too sick bruddah, Steve would kill me if he knew I let you risk yourself."
Dan grimaced and held his ribs as a wave of sudden pain washed over him – the anxiety wasn't doing him any good and despite the painkillers he was beginning to feel every ache and twinge in his body. With McGarrett missing it seemed his nerves were frayed. "I don't give a damn about that! Plenty of time for rest and recriminations when Steve's safe!" On seeing Chin's look Dan added softly, "Tell me what options we have Chin?"
One look at the younger man's earnest blue gaze and Chin knew Danny was right, they had nothing – HE was their only hope at present.
Williams sighed, "Jameson. He knows Steve is missing doesn't he?"
"Yes but…"
Dan weakly gripped the other man's forearm, almost pleading, "But nothing Chin – if these people won't let me out of here maybe between myself and Jameson we can make them. I'll sign anything they want – absolving the hospital of all responsibility. I know it's against medical advice but you need to get me out on the streets, assuming they still have Steve where they kept me I just might be able to get you close. My mind's foggy but I know it will come back to me, I just need a prompt – I have to get outside. I can't walk out on my own Chin! Come on my friend – it's got to be worth a try – this is Steve's LIFE we're talking about here!"
Behind them the doctor strode purposefully up to the bedside, rudely oblivious to the fact that a discussion was taking place, "Time's up! You need to get some rest."
"Please doc, this is important – just give us a while longer." Chin asked even though he knew the doctor was right – he could see Danny fading before his eyes, despite the young man's determination to do his best for his friend his eyelids were getting heavier by the second and he was perspiring from the effort to stay conscious. Chin wished there was more he could do to help his li'ili'i kaikaina.
"We had a deal – ten minutes – those are up." Francis said with authority.
"Back off doctor, please. Don't think I'm ungrateful but I'll rest later. I just need to talk to Chin."
The doctor stood back a little and neither man saw him prepare a syringe until it was too late. "Doc what are you doing!?" Danny asked in a panic as he finally saw the swab and felt the prick of a needle as it was inserted into his vein. The sedative pushed coldly through his bloodstream taking effect almost immediately. Bergman had told Francis to keep a sedative handy, citing his prior experience with Williams and earlier run in with McGarrett as reason enough to do so. Doctor Francis now understood the value in such sage advice and was acting upon it.
"Just doing my duty mister Williams." He said seriously.
Dan knew he had around a minute before the sedative took effect; no matter how hard he fought he would never tell Chin what he need to in time, "No! Please – I need…Chin…when I was in that trunk I… I…heard and smelled…. I counted…"
"Danny! What did you hear? Danno…talk to me,"
But Dan's eyes were closing fast and he gripped Chin's hand, trying to formate the words he needed to get past his numb lips, "…must find Steve…" and with a last bemused look of betrayal, was asleep.
Still holding his friend's hand, Kelly turned on the medical man, "Dammit doctor why did you do that?! I told you this is life and death! I could have you for interfering with police business – you had no right!"
"I had every right detective now if you will excuse me, I have to take his blood pressure." The doctor moved around Chin and bent down to his patient.
"When will he wake up?" The irate detective asked as he clenched his unoccupied hand into a fist. Normally a very even-tempered man Chin Ho was feeling the effects of the same desperation Danny was.
"When the sedative wears off! Look, it depends on the patient but the dosage I gave him combined with his exhaustion means he should sleep through the night."
"I want to know the minute he comes to!" Chin said angrily. Francis nodded his compliance. With one last look at Dan, Chin relinquished the young man's hand to the comfort of his bed and stormed out of the room.
As he stepped out into the hallway and rounded a corner, still seething at the swift termination of his interview with Williams, he walked headlong into Kono who was hastening to find him.
Both men jumped as they clashed but Kono recovered first, the weight of what he had to report too import for trivial apologies, "I was coming to find you and Danny. Trouble Chin; a source says that Steve's life is being sold to the highest bidder!"
Chin pulled him over to one side as two attendants came swiftly down the corridor with an insensible patient on a gurney. They waited until the small group was out of the way before Kalakua continued, "The boss's enemies are being give the chance to outbid each other for the privilege of killing him. We have to find him - the deadline is six pm Friday!"
"Oh bruddah, that's all we need! Small compensation but least we know Steve is still alive until then. Any news on who's running the game?"
The solid detective shook his head, "No – anonymous insider working for one of the bidders – no names – just that Steve's life is on the line."
"You think it's on the straight?"
Kono shrugged, "Maybe – they mentioned the explosion so yeah I'd say so."
"Can we trace the information?"
The Hawaiian detective thought of the sheer number of places to start and realized that it was no good, they needed to narrow the field, "Ain't no way, not without serious man hours. We got no time."
"Damn!"
"How's Danny, can he help?"
Kelly shook his head, "Not well. Doctor put him out, could be for the night. Danny thinks he might be able to help but the pupule kid says he needs to get out on the street to jog his memory!"
Kono looked sceptical, "Danny's stubborn alright but you think they're gonna let him bust him out?"
"Not according to his doctor but you know Danny - when it comes to Steve he doesn't care about how sick it could make him. Might be our only chance Kono, he may have to. He wants me to get the Governor to spring him, Danny figures between them Doc Francis will give in to the pressure. I dunno Kono if the hospital says no, even with a signed release form, then we might lose the boss."
"Awue!"
"We've pulled out all the stops and every available man is working on finding Steve but it may not be enough. I don't like it any more than you do but what choice does any of us have?"
"At this point none at all but with Danno out for the count, we gonna be cutting it real fine."
"Let's get to a phone, at least we can set the wheels in motion."
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"Thank you Governor, we'll do our best. We'll let you know the moment we have anything on Steve and keep you abreast of developments. Apologies once again for disturbing you at such a late hour, Mahalo." Chin replaced the receiver and went into Danny's office where a strained-looking Duke Lukela had taken up temporary residence during the investigation and even now, at just past nine pm he was beavering away at the case. The distinguished Hawaiian HPD sergeant was very much at home within the Five-0 team and was a welcome secondment during this time of crisis.
"Duke, it's a go, the Governor is going to call the hospital in the morning and see if they will co-operate with Danny's temporary release if he's well enough."
Normally nothing seemed to fluster the seasoned officer but with Williams injured in hospital and McGarrett's life hanging in the balance even Lukela looked distressed, "I hope Danny is okay to do this – there's a lot riding on him recalling something of use."
"I know bruddah, but Danno will come through, particularly when it's the boss's life on the line. Ain't no way he'll let Steve go without a fight – you can bet on it!" he changed tack, "So how's that list coming along?"
"From the work you did earlier I've put together all of the major names with grudges in a separate file. That goes back a couple of years but I've weeded out low-lifes who have something against Steve but wouldn't have the balls to pull a job like this off. We can bear those in mind but I think our A-list is going to prove the most useful"
"Good, let's you and I compare it to financial records. If we can put together a list of possibles who have want McGarrett dead, AND enough money to see it happen, then we're in business. We just need to find the lynchpin. Someone masterminded this and that someone has to have Steve."
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Being in the dark was the hardest thing for McGarrett. He had no idea how long had passed since they checked on him last although his previous visits' he calculated at roughly thirty minutes apart so he presumed he hadn't been out for long. His head was still groggy from the blow he had taken and he cursed even the smallest amount of time he had been asleep. Concentrating now on planning an escape, his vision narrowed to the sickly strip of light emanating from under the door and he strained his eyes to see if shadows passed outside. Anything to distract his mind from worrying about Williams.
The withdrawal of light was merely a show of power from the disturbed Thomas Barlow, his way of telling McGarrett he was in charge. It was a ridiculously childish thing but then, as Steve recalled from crossing the man's path before, Barlow was an extremely petty-minded but vicious criminal with a penchant for hurting people; something that he had the misfortune to hear first hand when Barlow had tortured Danny over the phone to get his attention. Steve clenched his jaw so tightly he thought it would break as he thought of his friend's agonized screams and his brave and selfless plea for McGarrett not to give himself up.
He had to believe that his Second was safe and fervently prayed that Kono and Chin had reached him before the fire took hold. He had to trust he was alive, he couldn't think otherwise – to do so would be to give himself up to whatever the future held with uncaring abandon. With slime like Thomas Barlow there was no question of him giving in. But with Danno dead…how would he would feel then if his best friend was truly gone?
Williams was the one who pulled them all together as a unit, not that McGarrett didn't have a major hand in it but he sometimes felt that Dan, with his easy smiles, ready wit, courage and intelligence, was the one that kept them all going when their job dictated they ran on empty. When times were low (as they frequently were) Danny picked them up and dusted them off and when his friend had no more to give he freely gave even more. Steve knew he commanded respect and loyalty but Danny commanded more than that – he was the softer public face of Five-0 – the one that people empathized with rather than the stiffer, demanding, McGarrett. It wouldn't be the same without his detective by his side; his right hand and confidante and most importantly - his close friend.
Mentally slapping himself for not having better emotional control, Steve went back to testing his bonds. In the darkness he tried stretching the ropes as far as possible in the vain hope that something sharp was within reach. His wrists were chafing badly but the pain helped him to focus on the task. The pipes were thick and with a combination of momentum and effort he slid the ropes up them looking for the bracket that secured them to the wall. Breathtaking pain shot through his midriff but after several abortive attempts he managed to locate what he was looking for. Since they ran down through the floor boards there was no hope of pulling the pipes free. The lip of the brackets were tightly bound around the metal but with any luck the edges would be rough and might provide a way to cut through his restraints. The difficulty was maintaining his balance whilst rubbing the tough ropes painstakingly back and forth – the brackets weren't high enough for him to stand or kneel and his back, knees and ribs strained. McGarrett was just grateful he didn't have his handcuffs on him when he was taken – there would be no way out of those short of biting his wrist to shreds and even he drew the line somewhere.
Gritting his teeth against the discomfort, he finally got the rope to catch on the bracket and began working away to dislodge the fibers, one by one. He didn't have a clue what he would do when he finally got free, he just knew he had to try.
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Rent Barlow whistled through his teeth as he crossed his short legs over one another and leaned back into his leather chair, pulling the notebook with him as he savored the current total on the auction'.
With two thirds of the list contacted he was gratified to see that the figures were edging up by tens of thousands with each successive bid. Once he had the highest bidder set he would start again, ringing back through the list and telling them their place in the bidding. If they wanted out then fine – he still had an awful lot of money coming in. He wished he had more like McGarrett – he would never need to work again.
"Perhaps there's something to this game!" He mused to himself and chuckled. He envisaged a string of Phantom-type clubs, prostitution rackets and gambling houses with himself as owner in a strictly hands-off manner just raking in the profits. He wanted a mansion on the beach, foreign travel and pretty girls to comply with his every whim and fancy. If he could kidnap people who had pissed someone off in the criminal fraternity, set an auction and wait for the dollars to roll in it would truly be a good life.
His thoughts wandered to his captive upstairs and he had a mind to go and check on his test case'. If capturing the great Steve McGarrett had been as simple as bartering his life for his sidekick, Williams, then Barlow would have no difficulty in the future – all he needed to do was find the right leverage for each of his victims, kidnap a loved one and everything was accomplished with ease. Perfectly organised and brilliantly elementary.
Rent rose to his feet and yawned, expanding his chest as he revelled in the feeling that everything was going according to plan. He looked at his watch and smirked, in just over forty-three hours he would be a very rich man and Steve McGarrett would be dead. Taking a last sip of his red wine he savored the mellow tannins as they flowed around his mouth and down his gullet, warming him as it went. He picked up the bottle and studied the expensive red label with its fairtale Chateau illustration – perhaps he would simply leave Hawaii with his proceeds and travel to Europe; his tastes were so much more in tune with the extravagances of the French than the bold American style he had come to detest.
The day had been a long one and although adrenalin surged through his veins from the excitement of the sale, he also knew he would need his wits about him over the next day or so.
Barlow switched off the lights in his office and went upstairs, cringing at the raucous noise coming from the club floor. The heavy beat of the music set his teeth on edge.
He opted to get some sleep after saying bon nuit' to his guest.
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As Barlow padded up the staircase he came across Brett. The tall man was half out of the Phantom's side door and attempting to extricate himself from a passionate clinch with one of the waitresses who was clinging to his lapel like a life preserver. To make sure his employees knew he was there he coughed theatrically and stamped on Brett's suede shoe, "OW!" the occupied man exclaimed as both of them jumped in surprise.
"Since when did I pay either of you to fornicate on my time or in my club?"
The young woman, a blonde girl Rent remembered was called Camomile' to her customers, hastily pulled down her short skirt and dived back inside to her duties. Brett turned on his boss but on seeing the anger flash in Barlow's face swallowed the rude comment he was about to make.
"Have you quite finished?" Barlow spat.
"Sorry boss, was just about to check on McGarrett."
"Where's your dummy partner?"
"He's inside." Brett answered, indicating the night club.
"Right well you'd better come with me, I just want to check on our merchandise and then I'm knocking off for the night. I want you and Noah to arrange a round the clock check on our mister McGarrett. He's a tricky one, tied or not and I don't trust him. Understood?"
Brett nodded and followed his employer to the top floor.
The key turned in the lock and a hand casually reached inside to find the light switch but as he switched it on Brett felt an agonising pain shoot through his wrist as something smashed down on it, he heard a bone crack and cried out. The big man was pulled roughly inside the attic and flung against the far wall where he connected with a thud and slid inelegantly down to the floorboards dazed and hurt.
Having freed himself, Steve had been waiting patiently behind the door in the blackness for someone to come up and was rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing he had injured one of the men that had tormented Danny. He had risked switching on the light briefly and found piece of discarded timber which he was now hefting menacingly at Barlow who looked disconcertingly unperturbed by the display of aggression from his prisoner.
Swivelling his glance between the semi-conscious assistant and his master, Steve had only a few seconds to react as he saw Barlow reach into his pocket and pull out a gun. McGarrett cursed himself for getting soft and swung at the weapon but was a fraction too late and, as he heard the hammer cock, he realized that he had done a very stupid thing.
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