O'Brien knew he was taking a chance meeting with the two men, but he needed them to get what he wanted. He'd called Sheffield and told him they needed to meet or a certain file would find its way into the governor's hands. He knew it was a partial bluff, but it was a well thought out one since he knew Higgins and Sheffield didn't have clean hands.
David watched the entrance to the shady bar near the edge of the city and spotted the two men enter and look around. He knew they probably wouldn't recognize him since he'd allowed his beard to grow and kept a hat pulled low over his face. Any other place in Hawaii he would have stood out like a sore thumb, but in this place he looked just like any other patron.
O'Brien lifted his head and gestured for the two men to join him, but didn't offer to buy either of them a drink. "So nice of you to join me. For a minute there I thought I'd have to make good on my threat."
"A threat is all you have, O'Brien. Now why the hell did you call this meeting?" Higgins snapped.
"I assure you it wasn't to answer your questions," O'Brien spat and looked from one man to the other. "If I'm not mistaken nothing's changed."
"Oh, really, then the APB out on you means nothing?" Sheffield asked and ordered two beers.
"I would if I let them catch me, but I assure you I have no plans to do that."
"How do you know we're not here to arrest you?" Higgins asked.
"Because you may not be a genius, but you're not stupid either," O'Brien answered as the waitress delivered the beers and walked away with a small tip. "Now we all know why we're here so lets talk shop."
"Just why are we here?" Higgins snapped.
"You still want McGarrett out of Five-O...preferably disgraced and in jail," O'Brien offered.
"What about you?" Sheffield asked.
"I want Williams to pay for his betrayal and I figure the best way to get to him is through his daughter," O'Brien answered.
"Men like us shouldn't have families. They can take us down," Higgins said.
"Only if we let them," O'Brien told him.
"Why did you ask us to come here?" Sheffield asked.
"Ask, Paul? I don't believe I asked you to come out here. I'd say it was more like an ultimatum and we both know that I've got nothing to lose, but you two...well, that's a different story isn't it?"
"No idea what you're talking about," Higgins snarled.
"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, Charlie. If you didn't we wouldn't be sitting here. If you thought I had nothing on you then I'd be wearing cuffs and sitting in the back of a squad car right now. The fact that I'm not tells me you're as dirty as I am so just shut up and let me have my say."
"I don't think so..."
"Really, Charlie, are you going to get all pissed because you know I'm right or are you going to get with it and help me get rid of McGarrett and Williams?"
"We're listening," Sheffield told him.
"Good," O'Brien told them. "I know there's no love lost between IA and the other divisions, but I think you two are seriously out to get Five-O. Since I want McGarrett and Williams I figure we have a common goal. It's just a matter of how we accomplish it."
"We?" Higgins asked.
"Yes, if we work together we can have what we both want. Once that happens I can leave the country and you two can go back to being cops who spy on cops," O'Brien said.
"How do you propose getting to McGarrett and Williams?" Sheffield asked.
"That's where you two come in," O'Brien said and leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head as he smiled. "As IA agents I'm sure you know some lowlifes..."
"Besides the one we're sitting with?" Sheffield spat.
"Touche'," O'Brien said. "Be that as it may why don't we cut the insults and figure out the best way to get our hands on Grace Williams."
"You want to kidnap his daughter?" Higgins asked, suddenly very interested.
"What better way to get to Williams," O'Brien offered.
"He'll go ballistic," Sheffield observed with a grin.
"Probably, does that scare you?"
"Not at all," Sheffield said and ordered another round of beer. "I may know someone who'll take the job, but it'll cost a couple of grand."
"That's not a problem," O'Brien told him.
"Once you have her how do you propose getting McGarrett and Williams?" Higgins asked.
"Are you kidding?" O'Brien said sarcastically. "We get Grace Williams then her father will jump through hoops to get her back."
"What about McGarrett?" Sheffield asked.
"We tell Williams if he wants his daughter back then we want him to bring his boss with him. Preferably bound and gagged and in the trunk," O'Brien answered, growing quiet until the waitress left their beer and went back to the bar.
"They're both in the hospital...when do you want to move on this?" Sheffield asked.
"It'll take a few days to get everything ready and find a place to hold the child and make damn sure she doesn't see you because I'd rather not have to kill her," O'Brien said.
"Don't tell me you're squeamish?" Sheffield asked.
"Not at all, but why kill her when she's not at fault for what her father does," O'Brien said. "Do you trust the person you said would be willing to go after Grace?"
"About as much as I trust anyone who breaks the law," Sheffield answered. "She owes me a favor...more than one if you catch my drift."
"Good. Make sure she waits until you give her the go-ahead."
"I see one problem...actually two problems with this plan," Higgins offered. "Kelly and Kalakaua won't sit back and allow this to happen."
"I've thought of that too," O'Brien said. "Once they're out of the hospital I'm guessing they'll probably stay at McGarrett's home while they recuperate. Chin or Kono will probably stay with them at night, but during the day they'll have to go to work during the day. We just need to make sure they're busy once we set things in motion."
"I'm sure we can come up with something," Higgins told him.
"Good, now let's go over exactly what we need to do," O'Brien said and leaned back ass he listened to the two men. No matter what happened, Sheffield and Higgins would be facing some real jail time if they lived through this. He'd make damn sure they took the blame for Williams and McGarrett's deaths.
5050505050
Steve opened his eyes and looked across the room, surprised to see the bed was empty until he heard the water running in the bathroom. He thought about Danny and silently cursed the fact that he couldn't get past the scene he'd witnessed at the hospital. That alone wouldn't bother him so much, except that he kept seeing Williams with O'Brien.
Steve Looked at the bulletin board on the wall across the room and knew instinctively who the artist was. Grace Williams was showing a talented hand already and he smiled at the scene in both pictures. He heard the bathroom door open and closed his eyes, cursing the fact that he didn't want to face his friend right now. How would Danny react if he found out his partner was jealous?
"Steve, I know you're awake...can we talk?"
McGarrett knew there was no point in trying to ignore the other man and sighed as he raised the head of his bed and looked at Williams who was seated in the chair beside the window. "I thought we already did."
"Not about everything. Something's bothering you..."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't give me that...I know you and i know when you're avoiding me."
"Hard to do that when you're in the next bed," McGarrett observed, hating how the meds were effecting him and the emotional tidal wave that threatened to drown him.
"Hard to ignore it when you pretend you're sleeping instead of talking to me," Williams said. "I can't fix it unless you tell me what I did."
"I...it's stupid, Danny."
"What's stupid, Steve?"
"Me...I just...look, Danny, I'll get past it."
"No, you won't until we talk it out. Tell me what I did."
"I was there...at HPD."
"When?" Williams asked, confused by the look on his partner's face.
"The day you and O'Brien were interrogating Fugata," McGarrett answered.
"Fugata?" Williams repeated the name and frowned. "You mean Jason Fugata?"
"Yes," the head of Five-O answered.
"I had to be there and at the time David was my partner because you were on sick leave..."
"I know," McGarrett told him and ran his fingers through his hair. "I saw you and O'Brien with Fugata."
"Okay," Williams said and frowned as McGarrett grew quiet. He tried to remember the interrogation, but could not grasp why it had affected his partner so much.
"Danny, why was it okay for O'Brien to do what he did and yet when I do the bad cop routine I get nailed to the wall?" McGarrett asked.
"What?"
"O'Brien got in Fugata's face and made threats and grabbed in and you just sat back and watched. You never said a word to him..."
"Steve..."
"I know...stupid, right?"
"No, it's not," Williams said and realized McGarrett was right about the scene he'd witnessed in the interrogation room. It had seemed natural to let David do the bad cop routine and for him to stand back and watch. Now that he'd been called on it he could understand how that must have looked to McGarrett.
"Danny, look I'm sorry..."
"No, don't be, Steve. You're right about what I did and I don't know why it seemed right. I wish I could tell you I won't fly off the handle at you again, but I'd be lying if I did."
"I'm not asking you to do that, Danny, but there are times when a little show of anger gets the answers."
"Agreed, but I still draw the line at using a hand grenade to open a door," Williams said.
"Shark cages okay?"
"Maybe," the Jersey native told him and saw a hint of a smile on McGarrett's face. "Somethings are just fun to watch."
"What about..."
"No."
"You didn't let me finish."
"I know what you were going to say and the answer is...no hanging a perp off a roof by his ankles," Williams said.
"I think I can manage that...most of the time," McGarrett told him and turned toward the door as Chin and Kono entered the room.
"Everything okay in here?" Chin asked.
"Is it, Steve?" Williams asked.
"I think so," McGarrett said and gave a slight nod toward Williams who returned the gesture before Steve turned his attention to the newcomers. "Okay, let's have it."
"Have what?" Chin asked.
"What's happening with the case? Any word on O'Brien's whereabouts?" McGarrett asked.
"You're supposed to be on sick leave, Boss," Kono said with a hint of a smile.
"That may be, but let's have it," the head of Five-O told them and left no room for argument.
"There's no sign of O'Brien," Chin answered and sat on the edge of McGarrett's bed. "There's a statewide APB out on him and his picture's been circulated through the papers and on the news updates. The man must have had a plan in motion in case things went south."
"David always was resourceful," Williams spat. The fact that he'd trusted the man with his life had left a bitter taste in his mouth, one that would not be dispelled until he locked the man away for the rest of his life.
"He might be resourceful, Danny, but we have you on our side and you know him better than anyone else," McGarrett said. "Does he have any friend in Hawaii?"
"Not that I know of. He wasn't here long enough," Williams answered.
"What would he do next?"
"He'd lay low and lick his wounds. Probably find a bar somewhere and drink beer...maybe try and figure out a way to strike back at the people he thinks are responsible for his mistakes," the Jersey native told him.
"He wanted Steve's job and he probably blames both of you for not getting it," Chin offered. "That mans you're probably both in his sights."
"Then we should let him think he can get to us," Williams said and frowned when Chin and Kono laughed. "What's so funny?"
"You've only been roommates for a little over a day and Steve's already rubbing off on you," Chin answered.
"Ha ha," Williams said, but as serious as he looked at the rest of the team. "It may be the only way to bring David out in the open."
"Danny's right, Chin," McGarrett observed.
"Mark that one down," Williams teased.
"He's drugged to the gills, Danny, so it doesn't count," Chin offered with a smile. "Okay, so we're seriously thinking about setting two injured men up as bait?"
"Not just bait, Chin...fish-bait and this time we'll catch the shark before it bites us," Williams said. "We need to set a trap for him...force him to make a mistake that will net us a big fish."
"We can't do anything while you two are in here," Kono observed.
"Then we find out when they're releasing us and set up shop at my place," McGarrett said. "What about the McMillans? How are they coping?"
"They're talking and that's a good place to start," Kono answered. "Sandra refused to see him at first, but when he showed up in her room she took that olive branch and I think they'll be able to work things out with the help of his family."
"That little olive branch must have come from someone we know," McGarrett said and looked pointedly at Kono as he smiled.
"Kono missed her calling. She could have given Dr. Phil a run for his money," Chin said.
"I didn't know you were a Dr. Phil fan," Williams said.
"I'm not, but he's good for a laugh when you're laid up," Chin told him.
"I'd rather shoot myself," Williams said.
"Well, there might not be much else you can do once you're released," Kono said.
"Oh, God, shoot me know. I'll be forced to watch those judge shows or talk shows during the day and reality crap during the night. Like I said shoot me now," Williams spat.
"Chin, is there anything new on the IA investigation?" McGarrett asked.
"Funny you should ask, Boss," Kono said. "It seems Higgins and Sheffield have backed off, but I still don't trust them."
"Just be careful around them, Kono. Trust isn't the issue, I don't like their tactics and I think they're dangerous. When this business with O'Brien is finished I'm going to talk to the governor about doing an under the radar investigation into they're affairs," McGarrett said and sighed when the nurse came into the room and started the antibiotics for both him and Williams. He knew it wouldn't be long before he would be sleeping again and realized Williams wouldn't be far behind him as he made his way back to his bed.
5050505050
David O'Brien leaned back against the pillows and again cursed Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams. Sheffield would speak with his contact and find out exactly what sh would need to go after Grace Williams. It wouldn't be any easy task, but sometimes money got you what nothing else would. He''d earned that the hard way in his dealings with the criminals running the show in Newark.
O'Brien glanced at the clock next to his bed and knew he should sleep, but he kept replaying the last few days in his mind. Where had it all gone wrong? How had Williams figured out what he was doing? He would regret the loss of that friendship, but he'd learned to live with losses before and let it make him smarter and stronger.
David grabbed the bottle of whiskey and poured himself a stiff belt, downing it before laying back on the bed and closing his eyes. It was time to sit back and wait for McGarrett and Williams to be released, once that happened then he would take his revenge and then leave the country without regret. At least that's what he kept telling himself as sleep finally reached for him and he surrendered to the welcome release.
Author'sNote—- Sorry for the delay in posting. RL is being pain...Winnie