Thank you for all your comments so far. I'm so sorry that it's taken a few days to post, but my 'real-life' has been unbelievably busy. Here we go, I hope you like it...
****** WARNING - this chapter contains scenes of torture and graphic language ******
Steve and Duke were minutes away from HPD headquarters when Steve's cellphone beeped alerting him of an incoming text. He read the message and opening up the attached photo he said, "Oh God"
Duke asked, "What is it Steve?"
Without speaking, he handed the phone to the Lieutenant. Duke sighed as he read the message 'Commander McGarrett, the game has begun. You took my friend, now I've taken yours. I will contact you again soon'
Duke looked at the picture of Danny lying naked and strapped to a steel table as Steve said, "We have to find him soon Duke"
"We will Steve"
Steve called Chin and instructed him to send Kono to meet him at the station to attempt to trace the text, and a few minutes later Steve was pacing nervously in Duke's office as he waited for the Lieutenant to return with Eaton's lawyer. He stared at the photo of his bound partner and re-read the mad mans words, 'You took my friend, now I've taken yours...' After several minutes Duke re-entered the room with Attorney Curtis Sajanni.
As the men shook hands Steve said, "We don't have any time to waste here Mr. Sajanni, I need to talk to Derek Eaton. He needs to tell me who his partner is and where I can find him"
"Commander McGarrett, my client has no 'partner' and he cannot help you"
Steve's steely gaze cut through the lawyer and he held his phone out in front of him, "Look at him Sajanni! This is my partner and the my best friend"
Sajanni turned his head and Steve screamed, "HEY, don't you turn away, you look at him! His name is Danny Williams and he is a hell of a good man. He's been a cop for fifteen years...FIFTEEN YEARS he has put his life on the line keeping people safe from scum like your client..."
Sajanni interrupted him, "He is innocent until proven guilty Commander and you know that! I'm sorry about your partner but it is my job to protect my client and I have instructed him not to talk"
"Danny is a Father and I AM NOT going to tell his little girl that he died at the hands of these animals"
"Then we need to talk, don't we?"
Steve ran his hand through his hair and said, "I need a few minutes"
Duke then spoke to Sajanni, "Why don't you come with me"
As the men reached the door Steve called out, "Duke...I need you to send a unit to guard Rachel and Gracie. I'll call her in the morning but we need to make sure they're safe"
Duke nodded, "Got it Steve. I'll take him to the Conference room at the end of the hall"
"Okay, thank you" As the door closed, Steve dialed Governor Denning.
Duke re-entered the room as Steve was finishing up his call.
The Lieutenant spoke first, "I have a squad on their way to Rachel's now. What's your play Steve?"
"Denning's given me some leeway...let's go"
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Danny listened to the demented laughter of the mad man holding him captive. His hand was throbbing horribly and he felt his blood dripping down his side from the long gash to his chest.
Several seconds passed before Tomlinson began to chant evilly, "Danny, Danny...oh Danny..."
Danny's mind raced, 'He can't hurt you...Steve will find you soon...no pain, no pain'
Suddenly his upper right arm burned as the blade of the knife entered just below the skin and was slowly pulled down to just above his elbow.
Tomlinson cried out "GOD THIS IS SO MUCH FUCKING FUN!" He laughed and chanted Danny's name over and over again as he methodically cut his victim. He was skilled with the use of the knife as his cuts to Danny's flesh were not deep enough to kill him, but just deep enough to cause intense pain. Danny sucked in his breath and held it as the knife then sliced through his chest and abdomen.
The monster taunted him "DANNY MY BOY, You're so quiet! Talk to me"
'Don't let this fucker win Danny...'
Danny's voice shook slightly as he spoke defiantly, "What do you want me to say you sick son-of-a-bitch?"
"YOU DON'T KNOW ME! Why do you call me such names detective? I told you my name is Mark"
At that moment Danny knew his next move as Steve's words again came to him, 'No one is more dangerous than a man who can harness his emotions, to use that to fuel him' He had to control himself because he had to control this bastard. He had to buy time. Steve would find him, he knew Steve would find him...he just had to give him time.
Danny looked directly into the eyes of the monster standing over him and he said softly, "You're right Mark, I don't know you...tell me about yourself"
Tomlinson grinned evilly and walked from the table. Danny heard the clinking of metal on metal as the man placed the knife onto the table and then there was silence. He closed his eyes and thought of Gracie, beautiful little Gracie...'Oh God please give me the strength to do whatever I have to do to survive. I need to see my Monkey again. Shit I hurt and I have to stop him from cutting me again or I could bleed to death. How do I do this Steve... how do I shut out the pain?'
He let his mind drift and heard Steve's words, 'When you're captured Danno and you're being tortured you have to be able to do one thing, and one thing only...survive. You know that your buddies are doing everything they can to rescue you, and your only job is to make sure that you survive. Your job is to make sure that your buddies won't have to live with the fact that they couldn't save your sorry ass. It's not about you Danny, it's about them...dying is easy...fighting to live is hard, damn hard. You can't forget why your fighting partner. You're fighting for your family and your brothers...you're fighting for your loved ones'
Danny mumbled softly, "I won't quit Steve...no pain babe" He then took a deep breath and concentrated on controlling his breathing. Several minutes later his mind graciously took him back to 'The Serenity Of The Pacific' a mid sized yacht that Steve had rented for a weekend a couple of months ago. The four 5-0 members along with Gracie had swam, snorkeled, fished and relaxed for two glorious days. When Steve had mentioned the excursion to him, he had at first complained about being out on the water for that long. I mean McGarrett knew damn well how much he hated the water! But, he had to admit...he had a wonderful time and Gracie was in heaven. He smiled at the memories of Steve holding her tiny hands in his as he reassured her that she would be okay in the water. The two men had sat with her between them on boat as they watched Chin and Kono dive down and resurface several times before she worked up the nerve to join them in the water. A weak smile crossed his face as he remembered the look of excitement on Uncle Steve's face as Gracie took his hand and said she was ready. Steve had then glanced over to him and smiled and kneeling in front of his daughter he had told her that Steve was the expert and she needed to keep hold of his hand at all times. She had looked at him and asked, 'But Uncle Steve is your partner. Who's going to take care of you Danno?' He had told her that he would be fine and she had replied, 'But you don't like the water Danno' Steve had then told her that Kono and Chin would watch out for her Danno, and all she needed to do was have fun. Steve told her that they were family and that they would always protect each other...
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Steve sat down in front of Sajanni and he spoke softly, but firmly "I understand that it is your job to protect your client but he knows where my partner is and I need your help"
"Commander McGarrett I appreciate your concern..."
Steve interrupted him, "You appreciate my concern? Mr. Sajanni we found hundreds of photos in Eaton's home of his victims. He's raped at least thirty women and if our assumptions are right, he's killed at least six"
Sajanni inquired, "How can you assume that Commander?"
Before Steve could respond his phone rang and holding up a finger he said, "Just a minute please" Putting the phone to his ear he answered, "McGarrett"
"Commander McGarrett, you have someone I love and I have someone you love"
"You know who I am, so...who are you?"
"All you need to know is that I am you're worst enemy"
"I want to talk to my partner"
"I don't think you're in any position to make demands McGarrett"
"I think you're wrong. You said it yourself, I've got someone you love as well"
"Alright then, you release Derek and I'll release your partner"
Without hesitation Steve replied, "Derek Eaton will NEVER see another day as a free man"
"I'm prepared to die and I can promise you that I will NEVER be taken alive. I'm willing to sacrifice my partner Commander...are you?"
Steve answered coldly, "I will find you, you son-of-a-bitch"
The monster on the other end of the line laughed, "I can see why you and Williams get along so well, you're both stubborn assholes. I think you may soon be changing your mind though. Downtown bus station, locker 28... I have a little present for you taped to the top of the locker. I'll call you back in two hours"
The line disconnected and Steve instantly dialed Chin.
"Chin, how's it going there?"
"This is one twisted man Steve. Have you talked to him yet?"
"No, I'm just about to go in now" He then told Chin about the call he had just received adding, "Chin, I need you to stop at the bus station and check out that locker...then meet us here"
"Okay boss. Is Kono there yet?"
"No. She should be here soon"
"I'm on my way"
"Chin...be careful"
"I'll be there soon"
After hanging up the phone Steve turned back to Sajanni who held his hand out in front of him as he spoke, "If Eaton helps you, what can you offer him?"
Steve answered, "Rapists are not treated well at Halawa Prison. I have the ear of the Governor and I can see to it that if convicted, he serve his time on the mainland. Also, if he cooperates and helps us find his partner, I will personally see to it that that is taken into consideration when he's sentenced. I'm not making any promises to you though Sajanni ...I'm convinced that Eaton is a serial rapist and he very well could be a serial killer as well and he needs to pay for his crimes. He should never see a day of freedom again...I am sure of that"
Sajanni extended his hand across the table and as they shook, he said "I'll advise my client to talk to you"
Steve replied firmly, "Thank You sir"
******** Much more to follow – I hope you're enjoying and I'd love to hear your thoughts ! ********
