Chin knew he had to stay out of sight, but he'd managed to follow Sheffield and Higgins from a safe distance. The two men were over confident, and hopefully that would be their downfall, he just hoped it wasn't at the cost of Danny Williams life.
Danny was playing a dangerous game, with little backup and it could go wrong without warning. He needed to be close enough to help should that happen, but he also needed to give Danny enough line to reel in O'Brien and the IA agents if they were bad. He knew where Williams was headed and pulled his bike to a stop in the nearby parking area before making his way to the bar.
Chin made his way to the bar, but he knew there was no way he could get close enough to Williams to over hear whatever conversation he had with the three men. He shook his head when the waitress asked if he wanted anything and calmly moved out of sight as she walked off in a huff. He kept an eye on the front of the bar and spotted Sheffield and Higgins made their way inside. One way or the other he would be there to watch Danny's back even if the other man was unaware of his presence.
5050505050
"Mind if we join you?" Sheffield asked.
"Would it matter if I said yes I do," Williams spat, noting that O'Brien had put the file out of view of the two men.
"Not really, but maybe we could at least be civil," Sheffield observed.
"You're IA. You investigate fellow cops...why the hell would we want to be civil with you?" Williams snapped.
"You know IA has a bad reputation," Sheffield said.
"With agents like you that's to be expected," O'Brien commented.
"What's that supposed to mean, Detective?" Higgins asked, anger evident in the way he stared at the man.
"Why don't you tell me?" O'Brien countered.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Higgins said.
"Don't you? What about the last conversation we had?"
"You guys had a chat? What about?" Williams asked.
"It seems Higgins and Sheffield share our mutual dislike of Steve McGarrett," O'Brien answered and leaned back in the chair. He could see both men were slightly nervous and turned to see Williams' reaction, surprised to see the hint of a smile on his face.
"Guess we're all in the same boat," Williams said softly, barely containing the anger raging through him. He knew it would be so easy to strike out now, but he needed more proof, needed to make damn sure he brought the trio down before they hurt his Ohana.
"Are you saying you want McGarrett out?" Higgins asked softly.
"I didn't say that," Williams said and knew the man was testing him. "I'm just saying we all have our reasons for wanting someone on the inside. David's reasons are easy to see, but yours I'm not so clear on yet."
"Why does he want someone on the inside when he's already a member of Five-O?" Higgins asked.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Williams observed.
"I may be a member of Five-O, but I'm not exactly accepted by the other members of the team," O'Brien offered. So far they were skirting the real issue, and that was fine by him as Williams seemed to be in control. He'd been watching his friend closely through the whole conversation and wondered just how well he knew the man.
"Hell of it is we'll never really fit in here, but there are always ways to be comfortable without worrying about the job," Williams told them and ordered another beer.
"Is that why you step outside the box, Detective?" Higgins asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Higgins," Williams spat.
"I know you're living in a small place, but because of the location it's expensive and you also have an ex-wife and a daughter. I took the liberty of checking into it and she really hit you where it hurts when it comes to child support. How do you afford to live given what you're paying for your daughter's..."
Danny reached across the table and latched on to Higgins shirt, twisting it so the man couldn't breathe as he spoke. "You'd be well advised to stay out of my private life or you..."
"Or what, Detective?" Sheffield asked and tried to help his partner.
"Or you'll find out where the expression 'dead men tell no tales' comes from," Williams answered and released the other man.
"Is that a threat?"
"Are you that stupid, Sheffield?" O'Brien asked softly and shook his head as the man stared at him. "I've known Danny a long time and I can promise you he doesn't make threats...he makes promises."
"Look, I think we're all on the same page here and I don't think any of us are stupid enough to wear a wire."
"Oh, I don't know, Sheffield, you and your partners are cops who investigate cops so wearing a wire seemed like something you'd both do," Williams observed.
"I'm not wearing a wire," Sheffield said.
"Neither am I," Higgins offered.
"And we're just supposed to take your word for that?" O'Brien asked, growing quiet when the waitress returned with their drinks, surprised when Sheffield paid the tab with a generous tip that made the woman smile. "IA must be paying well if you can afford to tip like that."
"You'd be amazed how well IA pays," Sheffield told him. "Look, I can assure you we're not wearing wires and as a show of good faith I''ll tell you there's an investigation going down we're you're both concerned."
"That's not news, Sheffield," Williams said.
"Maybe not but what if we could make damn sure the heat is off you two?" Higgins told them.
"How do you plan on doing that?" O'Brien asked.
"By shifting suspicion to someone else," Sheffield said.
"McGarrett?" O'Brien observed.
"He seems to be the best candidate considering we're already investigating him for the Jacob's murder and drug use with possession of enough illegal substances that we could also add intent to sell," Higgins told them with a smile.
"McGarrett was in the hospital when Jacobs was killed," O'Brien said and missed the look that flashed across Williams' face.
Danny had found it hard not to react to what O'Brien had said, but he kept his head as he reached for the bottle of beer. How could O'Brien know so much about Jacobs' death when the report hadn't even been released to the department heads. For that matter why was IA involved so quickly and he cursed when he realized Sheffield and Higgins were planning on pinning that on Steve as well. God help him, but this was really starting to stink and he silently prayed the smell wouldn't rub off on him or his Ohana.
5050505050
Steve heard someone enter his room, but kept his eyes closed until he hear their footsteps retreat. He opened his his eyes and noted his untouched tray had been removed and sighed tiredly. Food held little or no interest for him, just the thought of it made his stomach churn. He turned on his left side, ignoring the pain the movement caused and stared out the window.
The sun no longer shone into his room, but he could see the clear blue sky that marked this as another perfect day in Hawaii. Perfect that was if he could ignore the words that kept pounding his skull like a ricocheting bullet. Danny's words were tearing him apart while he tried to make sense of what his partner had said.
Shut up, Steve, just shut the hell up and stay away from me. I'll put in for a transfer back to HPD as soon as this case is over and you're back to being a fucking dictator with delusions of godhood.
Those damning words were only a part of it, a minor part, the worst was that he was sure Danny had not been having one of his rants. The words he spoke seemed to come straight from the hip and shot point blank where they belonged.
Steve moved to the edge of the bed and called on every ounce of strength he had left to sit up and drop his legs over the side. A muffled cry escaped his dry throat as he was again reminded of the wound in his side and the injured ribs that had yet to heal. He looked at the tubing leading into his left hand and touched his fingers against it, tempted to just pull it out, but he learned from his mistakes and left it alone for now.
Steve's feet touched the floor and he stood up, fighting to stay on his feet when a wave of dizziness washed over him. He reached for the IV pole and closed his eyes until the room righted itself and slowly made his way to the window. Down below he could see several patients and family members seated at picnic tables, totally oblivious to the fact that they were being watched.
God, he felt so damn tired, and knew only part of it was due to is wounds and the medication. He'd been dressed down before, and learned to take whatever was said for what it was designed for. To make him better at what he did, yet Danny's words seemed to do just the opposite and took that bond of friendship, of family from him.
Steve silently cursed himself for allowing Williams to get under his skin. Why the man had managed to rattle him, he'd never know, but once this was over and his head was clear he'd make damn sure he didn't let it happen again.
Steve knew a sane man would get back into bed and let the medications lull him into a drug induced sleep, but he'd never considered himself a sane man, at least not in the literal sense of the word. His mentor had once told him that sanity was something a man like him never had, because you had to be certifiably insane to go after the terrorists who dared to try to destroy their country. Maybe he was insane, but no matter what happened he would always fight on the right side, the side that cared what happened to innocent people who had no clue what went on in the real world. The world outside their quiet lives was far worse than most people knew.
Steve thought about Nick Taylor and how wrong he'd been about his friend. Danny had seen right through Taylor, and tried to warn him, but he wanted nothing to do with it right up until they'd nearly been killed by Taylor and his men. Was it possible that he misjudged David O'Brien simply because he was angry Danny had been right about Nick Taylor.? His head pounded as he tried to make sense of everything that happened, but there seemed to be no easy fix to any of this.
Steve heard the sound of the pump kicking in and knew the morphine would soon ease the pain in his side, but it would do nothing to rid him of the pain left by Danny's words. Cursing his own need to have the man's approval, McGarrett turned away from the window and began the tedious walk across the room and back. He did this, ignoring every twinge of pain, and fighting the nauseating dizziness until his legs felt on fire, then he did something he'd done so many times in the past, he went beyond the pain to a place where the agony was simply another enemy to be taken down and defeated.
"What are you doing, Boss?"
McGarrett turned to find Kono standing in the doorway. She looked pale, but he knew Keanna had told him the drug was out of her system and she was fine to go back to work. "Hey, Kono, you look better."
"And you look like you were running a marathon," Kono observed and moved to help him when he wavered slightly.
"Only if walking across the floor is considered a marathon," McGarrett told her and sat on the edge of the bed. "You should take a couple of days off."
"Thanks, Boss, but I figured I'd check on you before going to see Kevin McMillan."
"Is there anything new on the case?" McGarrett asked softly.
"Nothing yet, but Danny and...God, I'm sorry," Kono told him when she realized what she'd said.
"For what?" McGarrett asked and lay back on the bed.
"Danny had no right to say what he did, Steve," Kono said, purposefully using McGarrett's first name. She knew the next time she saw Danny she'd tell him exactly what she thought of his striking McGarrett while he was down.
"It's okay, Kono, he was...he was angry and I can't really blame him. I could have gotten you killed," McGarrett said.
I don't think so. You showed up because..."
"I didn't trust O'Brien," McGarrett interrupted and looked at Kono. "I still don't, but what if...what if I'm wrong?"
"I don't think you are. There's something about O'Brien that doesn't seem right," Kono offered.
"I know," McGarrett said and frowned when he tried to recall what had happened in the bar. There was something he was missing, but between the medication and the pain, he could think it through.
"I should let you rest," Kono said.
"Thanks for coming by, Kono," McGarrett told her and soon heard her footsteps as she left his room. Once she was gone he tried to make sense of his jumbled thoughts, but the morphine, exhaustion, and fears combined to drag him down and he fell into a nightmare that never seemed to end.
5050505050
Kono wished she had better news for Kevin McMillan, but right now they were as much in the dark as he was. She'd spoken with Chin and told him where she would be if he needed her, but after their earlier talk about Danny, it felt as if the team was falling apart. He nodded to the guard outside McMillan's room and pushed the door open in time to see the man wipe at the tears he'd let escape.
"Please tell me you found her."
"I'm sorry, Mr. McMillan, but don't give up, because we're not going to. We're going to find your wife..."
"Alive?"
"Yes, I believe we will find her alive and you need to believe that too," Kono told him.
"I'm trying, but I've seen those procedural cop shows and they always say the first 48 hours are critical if they want to find the vic...victim alive," McMillan said.
"This isn't a show and 48 hours are critical, but we've found victims alive and as long as you keep the faith we'll find her and you two can start your life together," Kono told him. "Look, I'm going back to the office, but if you remember anything else please call me."
"I will, but there's nothing...I'm trying, but it's just a blank," McMillan told her. His eyes were filled with moisture, his voice laced with pain, a pain Kono could only imagine as she watched his eyes close.
Kono turned away from the bed and bit her bottom lip as she kept her own emotions in check. Kevin McMillan had already been through so much, but he could be facing even more if what they suspected was true. She just hoped he would be strong enough to face what happened to his new wife and that their love for each other would give them the courage to face their future together.
5050505050
Danny wanted to go see Steve after the meeting with O'Brien, Sheffield, and Higgins, but he knew he needed to keep up appearances. David had left just after the IA agents, but he'd stayed long enough for one more beer before getting permission from the bar's owner to leave his car and taking a cab home.
Once inside his apartment he locked the door dropped everything outside the bathroom. Right now he needed a shower to wash off the stench of being so close to the three men who had it in for Steve McGarrett. He turned on the water, making sure it was hot before stepping into the tub and standing under the heavy stream. He reached out with both hands and leaned against the cool tiles, hoping and praying the water would ease the tension he felt.
Danny stood where he was far longer than he normally would, but finally reached for the shampoo and pouring a small amount into his hand, then added extra in the hope of feeling clean. He washed his hair and rinsed it until the water ran clear, before grabbing the shower gel. He poured some on a cloth and washed his aching body, but there seemed to be no way to rid himself of the feeling that he'd never be clean again.
Williams stepped from the shower, turning off the water and grabbing a towel from the shelf. He quickly dried off and changed into a pair of shorts before stretching out on the bed. God, he was so damn tired, but somehow his body and mind weren't ready to shut down and he relieved the scene in McGarrett's hospital room over and over until he finally sat on the edge of the bed and slammed both fists onto the mattress.
Would he ever be able face Steve again? Would his partner understand why he'd done it? He was pretty sure McGarrett would understand why he'd done it, but would he understand that the words he'd chosen were to prove to O'Brien that he really was angry? This whole case was a mess and could screw up everything he'd worked so hard for.
A knock at the door made him groan and he lay back on the bed, hoping whoever it was would leave him the hell alone. Unfortunately whoever it was had other ideas and the knock grew more incessant until he stood up and walked toward it.
"Danny...please, open the door."
Williams smiled inwardly at the sound of her voice and opened the door. "Rachel, what's wrong?"
"Can I come in?" the woman asked, a hint of anger in her voice.
"I'm kind of tired, Rachel..."
"I guess you are after what you did," Rachel said and forced her way inside. "How could you do that to him, Danny? I thought you were smart enough not to hit a man when he's down."
"I have no idea what you're talking about and right now my head's ready to explode so if..." Danny caught sight of someone lurking near his doorway as he closed it and knew he had to keep up appearances in case it was O'Brien or someone else checking up on him.
"Good!"
"Oh, come on, Rachel, what the hell's wrong with you?"
"What the hell's wrong with me?" Rachel snapped, her eyes filled with fury. "What the hell's wrong with you? You let Steve have it with both barrels and I'm not saying you're wrong, but to do it while he's not able to defend himself...that's just...just cowardly in my book!"
"Rachel, please, not now..."
"Have you been drinking?"
"I had a couple of beers and I took a cab home so don't worry about me losing my job. Your child support is safe..."
"Is that why you think I'm here, Danny? Do you really think I give a damn about the money? I don't need it and if yo check the statements I send you then you'd know whatever money you give me for race goes into a bank account for her. I've never touched it myself and never will!"
"Hell, Rachel..."
"Hell is right, Danny, and when you get your head out of your ass you'll find out your closer to hell than you ever thought possible. Goodbye, Danny...and don't call me."
Danny stood where he was and cringed when the door was slammed shut behind her. He wanted to go after her, to apologize and tell her everything, but it would just put her life in danger and right now he couldn't let that happen. He reached for the door anyway, but stopped just inches from the handle when he heard footsteps coming closer and someone knocked loudly. He pulled it open, not at all surprised to find O'Brien standing there.
"I just saw Rachel leave...she looks pissed."
"She's always pissed with me about something or other," Williams said and eyed the case in the man's right hand. "If you brought that to share then come on in."
"Thanks, figured you might need a drink or two. Is it over with you two?"
"I don't know...probably. Rachel's not the most forgiving woman in the world," Williams answered.
"I heard her halfway down the hall," O'Brien said. "Was she that feisty in bed?"
"A man doesn't tell," Williams said, hiding the disgust he felt. "Hand me one of those beers."
"Sure, Partner," O'Brien said and passed one over before taking a seat on the sofa. "Danny, were you serious about what you said at the bar?"
"Depends on what I said," Williams said and took a long drink from the bottle before sitting next to O'Brien and placing the cold bottle against his forehead.
"You said, and I quote you here, 'we'll never really fit in here, but there are always ways to be comfortable without worrying about the job'," O'Brien answered.
"If I said it I must have meant it," Williams said tiredly.
"What about letting me in on the deal you have going here?" O'Brien asked and stared at his friend who sat back and took another drink from the bottle held between his hands.
"Why would I do that, David?"
"Because we could help each other."
"How could you help me?"
"I have contacts in Newark and in Hawaii, Danny, maybe not as many as you do, but I'm pretty sure those I have can help you with whatever plans you have," O'Brien said.
"You have no idea what my plans are, David."
"Why don't you fill me in on them?"
"Why don't you tell me why you're really here?"
"I thought I already did," O'Brien observed. "How would you like to take out some of your frustrations?"
"What frustrations?" Williams asked.
"Danny, I heard Rachel and believe me when I say Johanna and I had our share of blowouts and more often than not I found a way to get rid of the anger without her getting suspicious."
Danny looked at the man next to him and forced a smile to his face as he finished the bottle of beer and placed it on the table in front of him. "All right, David, you do this for me and I'll put you in contact with the head of The Yakuza."
"You're involve with them?" O'Brien asked incredulously. "I thought you didn't like The Yakuza and I remember you saying something about Wo Fat and not trusting him."
"I don't trust anyone I deal with, David, it's what keeps me alive," Williams told him.
"Not even me?"
"Not even you," Williams said seriously and smiled, fighting to keep from hitting the man who he'd once called his partner, his friend.
"Smart man," O'Brien said and nodded at the picture on the shelf near the television. "So, what are you going to tell Chin and Kono once this all goes down with Higgins and Sheffield?"
"The truth, that Steve couldn't do his job and broke under the strain," Williams told him. "Now, about getting rid of the anger and frustration..."
"All right, My Friend, let's do it," O'Brien said.
Author's Note—-Thanks for all the wonderful Reviews and comments. Sorry for the delay but between finding out I'm grading for my black belt in Karate next month, watching the fantastic season opener, and buying the Season one set I've sort of been busy...Winnie