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WARNING – this chapter contains graphic violence - (MAJOR Danny whump ahead)
Back at the computer Steve barked out, "Kono, get an address on Senator Tomlinson"
As Duke joined them Steve phoned Governor Denning.
Denning answered groggily, "Steve?"
"I'm sorry to wake you Governor. What do you know about State Senator Mark Tomlinson?"
"Not much. He's in his second term...what's this about?"
"He's the killer Governor"
"What? Are you sure?"
As he watched Kono pulling information off the computer he told Denning about everything they had found out.
Denning replied, "Do whatever you have to do Steve... put an end to this nightmare"
"I will Sir"
As he hung up the phone a beep alerted him of an incoming text.
As he opened up the message Chin asked, "What is it Steve?"
Steve read the message out loud, "He thinks you're going to save him Commander, but he's wrong...open this link to see that your partner is not so tough after all"
Kono opened the link and Duke said, "What in the hell?" as Danny's naked and bloodied body appeared on the screen and the group watched as the masked killer moved to his captive's side.
Danny snapped back to reality as his tormenter whispered into his ear, "Wake up Danny...it's time to play some more"
Danny's eyes popped open and he cried out in pain as he struggled against his restraints.
His eyes darted back and forth and watered as the bright lights beating down blinded him. His voice shook with pain as he called out "Why don't you untie me you fucking animal? You murder young, defenseless women and you keep me tied up? You're a weak, pathetic piece of shit you know that?"
"You call me weak Danny? I AM FAR FROM WEAK! I told you that I would destroy your family and friends and I MEANT IT!" Facing the camera he screamed, "DO YOU HEAR ME MCGARRETT! YOU TOOK MY FRIEND AND NOW I'VE TAKEN YOURS!"
Danny's mind raced....'Is he was talking to Steve? Is this bastard filming this?'
He decided in that split second that he had to cry out to his partner, "STEVE, HIS NAME IS MARK...HIS NA..." His screams stopped as Mark Tomlinson plunged a large knife into his abdomen.
Steve and the others watched on in utter horror as the scream of maniacal ecstasy coming from the madman terrified them all.
The entire event lasted only a couple of minutes and as Tomlinson moved in front of the camera holding the knife dripping of Danno's blood, Steve's eyes watched as his beloved partner's clenched fist relaxed and dropped limply onto the table seconds before the screen went dark.
Steve didn't waste any time, "Kono what's the address?"
"3443 Mala Way...he's married and has two teenage daughters"
As they all began to race from the building, Duke called for back-up units to meet them at the address.
Steve's stomach was in knots as he sped down the Pali Highway with Chin and Duke following close behind. He spoke quietly to himself, "Hang on Danno, I'm on my way"
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Danny woke a few minutes later to find himself again in the backseat of the car. He was scared. He literally felt the life ebbing from his body as blood oozed from his abdomen. He was dizzy and growing light-headed from blood loss and as images of Gracie filled his mind a tear slid down his cheek. His last thought before losing consciousness was 'Please take care of my baby girl Steve...don't ever let her forget me'
A short time later Danny was left lying unconscious off the same path where the killer's life had last changed, where he had met and teamed with Derek Eaton.
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The 5-0 team arrived at the darkened home of Senator Mark Tomlinson and knowing that the man's wife and daughter's were likely inside, they approached with caution.
A short time later after the rooms had been searched, the team sat with Mrs. Lola Tomlinson in the front sitting room of the large home.
The middle aged woman asked nervously, "What is this about Commander? Is my husband alright?"
Steve spoke calmly, measuring his words "Ma'am, there's no easy way to say this but your husband has been leading a secret life"
"What do you mean by that?"
"We believe that Mark is the serial killer that we've been searching for on the Island"
Snickering incredulously she said softly, "That's insane! My husband has been a dedicated public servant for almost twenty years...there's no possible way"
"We have to talk to him Mrs. Tomlinson. Where is he?"
"On nights that he has late Senate votes he stays at the cabin so he doesn't wake us"
"The cabin?"
"Yes...my parents owned a remote cabin home just outside of the city. When they passed away several years ago we kept it as a get-away"
"I need the address Ma'am"
"Commander, you're wrong about Mark...he could never do these things"
"I hope you're right but we need to find him fast. He's holding my partner hostage"
Still defiant she said, "This can't be. I've known Mark since high school...there is no way..."
Steve needed her help and he couldn't waste any more time so turning to Kono, he said softly "Show her Kono"
Moving to the woman's side with her laptop, Kono opened up the computer link causing Senator Tomlinson's wife to gasp, "Oh my God...I recognize the cabinets against the wall. My Dad built those years ago... that's the cellar at the cabin... behind the barn"
Steve asked again, "Please, I need the address"
After getting the address Steve took her hand in his, "We'll need to ask you additional questions. Lieutenant Lukella will take you down to police headquarters"
"Alright...alright. Commander, please don't hurt him"
After a final squeeze of her hand Steve said, "We need him alive Ma'am and I promise we'll do everything we can to make that happen. Thank you"
Seconds later they were racing towards the cabin, and to Danny.
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With his victim disposed of, Senator Mark Tomlinson returned to the cabin and sitting at the table he stared at the computer screens and waited for 5-0 to arrive.
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As they neared the cabin, both men shut off their headlights and approached slowly.
Steve phoned Chin, "Are you two ready?"
"Yes, let's find our boy"
"Chin, we need to take him alive"
"We know"
They parked near the barn and as they exited their vehicles Steve motioned to them and they all moved towards the main home. The lights were on and they they all noticed the movement behind the drawn curtains to the right of the front door. They moved cautiously yet swiftly across the yard with the many trees on the property providing cover for them. When they were about forty yards from the cabin, the front door burst open and Tomlinson stepped out onto the wooden porch firing an AK47 towards them.
They all hugged close to the trees as bullets ricocheted around them and Steve called out, "HOLD YOUR FIRE! HOLD YOUR FIRE!"
As the words left his mouth he saw Kono fall about twenty feet ahead of him. As her body hit the ground and the madman's bullets kicked up the dirt surrounding her, Steve and Chin knew they had no choice and in unison they stepped from behind the trees, firing at the killer.
As he was struck by the hail of bullets and fell to the ground Steve raced to him as Chin moved to Kono's side. Steve kicked the automatic rifle off to the side and knelt down next to the Senator. Turning him onto his back, Tomlinson smiled up at him evilly and with his dying breath he said "You ttook Derrek so I took Danny...it's tttoo late...yyou lose..." The words sent a chill down Steve's spine and cursing quietly under his breath he quickly moved back onto the lawn calling out, "KONO"
Chin had helped her up to a sitting position and he called out, "Steve, she's okay...go find Danny"
The SEAL raced back towards the barn and pulling a small flashlight from his cargo pants he scoured his surroundings searching for the cellar door.
Spotting it, he pulled open the door and shining the light downward, he slowly moved down the steps into the darkened cellar.
As he reached the bottom he called out, "DANNY...DANNY"
He shuddered as his light fell on the empty table covered with blood in the middle of the room. Moving to the table, he pulled on the cord hanging down from the light fixture, illuminating the room. His fear multiplied as his eyes scoured the empty room. The table and floor were bloodied and looking back towards the stairs he could see that Danny's body had been dragged across it. Recovering his bearings quickly, Steve raced back out of the cellar to find Chin and Kono moving towards him.
Reaching their side he reached out and touched Kono's arm, "Kono are you alright?"
"Yes, I just took a couple rounds to the vest, I'm fine. Where's Danny?"
"He's not here anymore"
Chin then asked, "But he was?"
The terror in Steve's eyes was evident as he answered, "Yes...he's lost a lot of blood. We have to find him fast"
Kono asked shakily, "Where could he be? In the house?"
Steve nodded, "I hope so. Kono, wait in the car and please call Duke"
"Is Tomlinson dead?"
"Yes, stay at the car now and we'll be right back"
"Okay boss"
The two men quickly moved to the house and after searching it thoroughly and finding it empty they returned to the vehicles.
The fear in Kono's voice was evident as she asked, "Is he in there?"
Chin replied, "No"
Steve ran a hand nervously through his hair and after several moments of silence he said, "He wasn't going to be taken alive...you took Derek so I took Danny"
Chin asked, "What?"
"Those were Tomlinson's last words...Chin, I think I know where he might have taken Danny"
"Where?"
"Where he and Eaton met...where we found the first two victims. Kono, I need you to stay here and lead up the search of the property with HPD" As the men raced to Steve's truck he hollered back to her, "We'll call you"
****** More to follow - I hope you're still enjoying - THANK YOU for reading and reviewing ! ******
