McGarrett looked at the darkness outside the window and felt it invading his senses as he tried to make sense of what had happened. Could Danny really believe he didn't trust them? His head pounded, and his stomach churned as he sat up ad slid his legs over the edge of the bed.
Steve held his hand tight against his side and walked the few steps to the window. It felt like he spent more time staring down at the area below than he did in bed, but he knew this was better than lying awake and staring at the ceiling. He sat down on the chair, wincing when the move reminded him why he was here in the first place.
Steve heard footsteps nearing his room, but kept his eyes averted in hopes the nurse or doctor would move on, but the sound of a familiar voice brought a smile to his face.
"Hey, Brah, you look like that bird I found up at Kailua Beach, but it had been dead at least a week."
"Thanks, Kamekona, gotta love your bedside manner," McGarrett said, smiling at the big man who stood in the doorway.
"You want bedside manners there's a pretty little nurse at the desk I could send in," Kamekona told him.
"Thanks, but I don't think so," McGarrett said.
"Why the long face...only saw that once before when my mama told my papa to take a hike after she found him flirting with my teacher."
"Kono said your mama and papa were always happy."
"They were...still are, but you know me...never could stand happily ever after. So I say again, why the long face?"
"Just trying to figure out how to face the truth."
"The truth about what?"
"Myself."
"Oh, Man, that's tough."
"Tell me about it."
"I would, but it would take a lifetime and I've already lived close to half of mine, so let's just say facing the truth about yourself could put you in therapy and that gets expensive. Do what Kamekona does and just live with what's in here," the big man said and made a show of pointing to his heart.
"Maybe I don't want to face what I'll find there," McGarrett said.
"They must be putting some heavy drugs in there to make you talk like this."
"It's not the drugs," McGarrett whispered and sighed tiredly. "Look, Kamekona, it's not that I don't enjoy your company, but right now I'm tired and..."
"I hear you, and believe me you look like you need sleep," Kamekona reached out to steady the injured man when McGarrett stood up. "Easy, Brah, you sure you're okay?"
"I'm good," the injured man said and sat on the edge of the bed. "Thanks for coming."
"A man has to visit his friends," the big man said and placed a box on the table.
"What's in the box?"
"Something from that little bakery...just in case you get hungry for real food. Take care, Brah."
"You too," McGarrett said and shook the man's large hand before laying back on the bed. He heard the other man leave and looked disinterestedly into the box before getting up and makin his way to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and didn't like what he saw there. It wasn't the physical appearance, but what he saw in his eyes that drove home the reality of how much Danny's words bothered him.
Steve knew he should sleep, but there was no way he could let go of what was happening outside this room. David O'Brien was dirty, there was no doubt of that and the fact that Danny seemed to trust him more than his team...more than he trusted him, was tearing him apart inside. He remembered the scene at HPD...of Danny watching while O'Brien read the prisoner the riot act without going in to full Danny rant. Why did that hurt as much, or more than hearing Danny call him a dictator with delusions of Godhood.
"Commander, are you all right in there?"
"I'm fine," McGarrett lied.
"I need to get a set of vitals on you and start your antibiotics," the nurse said.
"I'll be right out," the head of Five-O told her. He wet the cloth and washed it over his face before exiting the bathroom and making his way to the bed, and smiled when the woman introduced herself as Paulina. He sat down and waited for her to finish taking his vitals.
"Commander, are you hungry?"
"No," McGarrett answered simply.
"I checked your chart, Commander, and the day staff noted that you hardly touched anything today," Paulina said.
"Guess I'm just not hungry," McGarrett told her.
"I could get you some soup..."
"Thanks, Pauline, but right now I'm more tired than hungry. Think I'll just get some sleep."
"All right, Commander, but you need to eat to get your strength back."
"I know, I'm just not hungry," McGarrett said and lay back on the bed. He closed his eyes as she pulled the blanket up over him and softly thanked her when she was done. He heard her leave the room and glanced at the clock over the bed, noting that it was only a little after nine o'clock. There was no way he was going to sleep, not when his mind was working overtime and he angrily looked at the IV in his arm. It wouldn't take much to remove it and leave the hospital, but to do that would simply prove to Danny that he was right. His frustration mounted as he fought the urge to ignore the doctor's warnings and go home where he could at least rest in comfort. He closed his eyes, ignoring the need to leave until he drifted into the nightmares that waited for him.
5050505050
Danny glanced at the man in the driver's seat as they headed out of the parking lot and drove in a northerly direction. He hadn't been surprised when David had asked to see his phone before they left and dropped it on the table next to the sofa. O'Brien told him he wouldn't be needing his phone where they were going because they would not want the interruptions. Then his partner had taken his own phone and called someone. While Danny only heard one side of the conversation, he was pretty sure whoever the other man was he wasn't happy with the change in plans.
Danny had found it hard to hide his disgust when his one-time friend had shown him a picture on his own phone. In spite of the low level lighting and the pale features, Danny recognized the young woman as Tao Pham and any thought of his friend being innocent quickly left him. He knew he had enough to bring charges against David O'Brien, but right now he had to go along with the plan and hope Chin was able to follow them. Otherwise the women would either be moved or killed and they'd be back where they started.
"Danny, I'm going out on a limb with this."
"So am I, David," Williams said, but kept his eyes forward as he continued. "If the merchandise you have is worth it and you're as good as you seem to think you are we'll put Wo fat out of business and take over the island."
"You really do have big dreams."
"They're not dreams, David, my bank account..."
"The one Rachel doesn't know about?" O'Brien asked.
"Of course...a man needs to keep a little something to himself."
"I know what you mean...for women it's bling-bling...for a man it's beer money..."
"More like champagne," Williams said with a grin. "The expensive stuff, nor what they give you at those little cheap bars."
"Sounds good, Danny," O'Brien said and glanced at his friend before returning his attention to the road. There was something about Danny Williams that made him trust him, but a small part of him screamed that this was a set up. If it was then he'd lose the best partner he ever had, but at least he'd know the truth.
5050505050
Chin knew he had to stay back and glanced at the little dot that continued to be his only link to Danny Williams and David O'Brien. The streetlights were on when David had driven his car out of the visitor's spot and Chin was glad he'd placed a tracking device on both cars. Danny would have called him if he'd had the chance, but Chin understood the need for caution where O'Brien was concerned.
They drove north, away from the city and he tried to remember exactly what they would find. He knew there were several homes within a couple of miles, then further out there was an old hotel that had yet to be bought by one of the bigger ones. It was a nice little piece of prime real estate, but it had a bad reputation and until people got past that it would remain unsold.
Chin wondered if that could possibly be their destination, but when the blip on the monitor told him the other car was now driving in a north westerly direction, he knew it had to be one of the homes along the dirt road. They were secluded enough to give the owners privacy and Chin knew they were sometimes rented out by the owners.
5050505050
Cole Howard didn't like the idea of bringing in a newcomer, especially another cop, but O'Brien was the man in charge and that meant bowing to his wishes. The business they were in, not only human trafficking, but drug and small arms was a lucrative one, but it was also extremely dangerous. So much so that one mistake could end with years in prison or a death penalty, not just because of the law, but because of the people they were involved with.
Cole ran his fingers through the long strands of dark hair, enjoying the way the woman's body responded to his touch. He knew it was the drugs, but it didn't really matter since her body was his to do with as he pleased, as long as she was ready when the client wanted her.
"Are you angry with me, Cole?"
"No, Sweetheart, I'm just tired and need to make sure everything is ready when David arrives."
"I don't like him...he's mean," Tao Pham said.
"Then be glad he doesn't seem to have any interest in you," Howard said and stood up when he heard a car approaching the house. He refastened the cuffs that kept her from leaving the bed and smiled when she pouted at him.
"Why do you always put them on me?"
"Because you're a cagey little slut, and I don't have time to deal with it when you get it into your pretty little head that you might escape," Howard told her and left the room. He knew better than to believe she was as complacent as she let on, but at least she didn't need to be drugged as deeply as the others, especially Sandra McMillan. The woman had bitten two of his men, and he hoped O'Brien could convince their client they could do without her. Maybe she could be the first to star in a 'snuff film' and save them all a lot of trouble.
Cole hurried to the main door and opened it just as O'Brien and a second man exited the car that was parked next to his vehicle. He held the door for them to enter and spotted two of his men watching the surrounding grounds. He considered himself a cautious man, and didn't like leaving things to chance. When O'Brien had called to tell him he was bringing Williams he'd doubled the guards and made sure they understood they were to watch for anything suspicious.
"Cole, how are the ladies?" O'Brien asked.
"Hot, but that's why we chose them isn't it," Howard said.
"True, the client tells us what he wants and who are we to argue with them. Danny, this is Cole Howard...he's the man I go to when I need something done," O'Brien offered and watched as Williams reached out to shake the newcomer's hand.
"I hear you've got unique tastes," Williams said when the introductions were over.
"You could say that, but I'm willing to change my tastes when the need arises," Howard said.
"Danny needs to let off some steam, Cole, and I figured since I'm out here anyway I'd visit the lovely Mrs. McMillan," O'Brien said.
"She's more trouble than she's worth," Howard said and followed O'Brien when he walked into the kitchen. He watched as the man pulled out the bottle of expensive champagne they'd been saving for when the women were taken off their hands and they were paid in full.
"I'll get another bottle," O'Brien answered the unspoken question as he reached for three glasses. "Danny likes the good stuff and I want to prove to him that he's not the only one with good taste...in alcohol as well as women. Danny's wife is beautiful..."
"Ex wife, thank you," Williams said, fighting to keep the disgust from his voice when O'Brien handed him the glass of champagne. He took a small sip and gave a slight nod of appreciation before looking around the interior. "Nice place."
"It belongs to my uncle," Howard told him.
"How much is it worth?" Williams asked.
"More than you'd make in your lifetime as a cop," Howard answered.
"So what does your uncle say about what you do here?" Williams asked and sipped the champagne, hoping Chin had been able to follow them.
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him," Howard said.
"Enough small talk," O'Brien said. "Why don't we show Danny what he's been missing; just remember the McMillan woman is all mine."
Danny forced a smile to his face, but felt his gut churning at the thought of what these men were doing with their captives. Whether Chin was there or not, he was not going to let O'Brien or Howard hurt the women any more than they already had.
5050505050
Chin parked his bike in a small recess at the edge of the driveway where O'Brien's car had disappeared. He quickly called for back up and understood it would be closer to an hour before they reached the house. He knew he had to be careful not to be discovered, and carefully picked his way through the foliage until he was at the edge of a lawn close to what he thought was the back of the house. He checked the area carefully and caught sight of movement beneath a light fifty feet from his hiding place.
Chin knew he had to get rid of the guard, but first he needed to find out exactly how many he was dealing with. The back yard was big, and well cared for with a gazebo near the deck and flowers growing in such an abundance that their aroma filled the air around him. He spotted a second man closer to the house and waited to see if there were any more, relieved when there was no further movement.
Chin could see lights on in several windows, but there was no movement as he slowly crept along the edge of the foliage. He'd worn dark clothing and wondered if it had been an unconscious choice or instincts. Not that it mattered either way because he knew his life depended on whether he could get to the house undetected and help Danny before all hell broke loose.
Chin had nearly reached the first guard when the back door opened and he was forced to move back out of sight.
"Anything?" Howard asked.
"Nothing. It's quiet out here," the nearest guard answered and Chin wondered why the man didn't hear his breathing because he felt that close, that exposed.
"Good, make sure you stay on your toes and maybe you'll have your choice of one of the ladies when O'Brien leaves," Howard said before disappearing inside.
"You heard him, Kyle, make sure you keep your eyes open."
"There's nothing moving out here...not even a breeze."
"It'll get even hotter once O'Brien and his friend leave."
Chin felt his stomach churn at the way the men talked. There was no way he could mistake what they had planned, but he was going to make damn sure they didn't get the chance to act on it. He waited until the two men were quiet and the one closest to him turned away before grabbing him from behind. He wrapped his left arm around his neck and used his right arm to put enough pressure on the man's throat until he sagged against him and was still. He pulled the man into the nearby bushes and removed the weapons before quickly pulling the man's arms around a tree and placing his cuffs around the man's thick wrists.
Chin looked toward the house and saw Danny in the window of one of the rooms, but didn't think Williams saw him. He stayed low and raced across the lawn until he reached the corner of the house where he made sure he stayed in shadows as the second man turned the corner and came back into view. Chin acted on instinct and struck the man in the throat, catching him as he fell and hitting him again in the face. The man was unconscious when Chin lowered him to the ground, removed the man's belt and pulled his hands behind him. He quickly fastened the belt around the wrists before taking the gun and tucking it into the waistband of his pants.
"Sleep tight," he said and slapped the man's face before making his way toward the front of the house. He quickly took care of the two guards he found there and disposed of their weapons before making his way to the back of the house. He crept up onto the deck and listened for any sound from inside the house before staring int through the open window. A single lamp glowed in the far corner and voices drifted toward him from the hallway to his left. He reached for the sliding door and silently prayed they were well kept and would not raise any alarms with whoever was inside.
5050505050
Williams' breath caught in his throat when he was shown to a room at the back of the house where a young woman was displayed on a double bed. Displayed was the right word, and Danny fought the urge to cover her with the sheet that had been pulled back to the end of the bed.
"What do you think, Danny?" O'Brien asked with a lewd smile as he licked his lips suggestively.
"I'd say your client has good taste," Williams said.
"I thought you'd like her. She looks a little like Rachel doesn't she?"
"A little," Williams agreed, fighting to keep his emotions in check.
"I figured you'd like her...maybe you'd be able to take out your anger with Rachel on her, but don't do anything permanent, Danny," O'Brien warned. "Unless you'd rather another one?"
"No thanks, she's perfect," Danny said and made a show of unbuttoning his shirt.
"Well, I'm going to go visit my favorite while you enjoy some quiet time...then again you can make as much noise as you want because no one's around to hear them scream," O'Brien said and laughed as Howard held the door and they disappeared outside.
Danny sat on the edge of the bed and heard a soft whimper from the young woman. God, he wanted so badly to remove the bonds, but right now it would be a mistake on his part. He needed to find out if Chin had followed them, if not, he'd have to pretend he enjoyed himself at Cam Ngo's expense.
"Please...no...no more," Ngo whimpered
"Sh, it's okay, I'm just going to show you how to enjoy yourself with a man." Williams hated the effect the words had on the captive, but for now he had no way of knowing if the room was bugged or if his actions were being taped.
"Please...it hur...hurts..."
'Come on, Chin,' Williams thought as he gently stroked her shoulders, hoping to instil a sense of calm in her., but her eyes were wild with a mixture of fear and whatever drugs they were giving her.
Author's Note—-Thanks for all the wonderful Reviews and comments...Winnie