Kailua Beach was full of tourists searching for that perfect wave, but Steve and Chin had no interest in either as they made their way toward the little surfboard shop. Mikhail Carmalov had been involved with the Russian mob at one point in time, and probably still had ties to it, but the man seemed to have a legitimate business in Hawaii and kept his nose clean. There were times when he would feed information to Steve or Chin, but never anything that had to do with his former activities.
Steve nodded to several people he recognized before reaching the shop and waited for the older man to finish with a middle aged couple who seemed intent on learning how to surf.
"Gentlemen, what brings you to my beach this beautiful afternoon?" Mikhail asked in heavily accented Russian.
"We were hoping you could answer some questions for us," McGarrett answered.
"It would depend on the questions would it not?"
"Was Danny here yesterday?" Chin asked.
"He was here just before the big party at the end of the beach. Big group of kids...big money...parents spoiled them too much," Mikhail explained.
"Was Danny alone?" McGarrett inquired.
"Yes."
"Did you speak to him?" Chin asked.
"I was too busy with those kids and their parents. Made very good sales, but too busy to talk."
"Did you happen to notice what time he left?" the SEAL asked.
"No, sorry, my friend, but his car was gone when I left for the day."
"What time did you leave?" Chin asked.
"I left at around seven," Mikhail answered and smiled as two young men made their way toward him.
"I am sorry, but I must get back to paying customers."
"Thanks for your help, Mikhail," McGarrett said.
"If you remember anything else give us a call," Chin told him.
"I will," the big man said and walked toward his customers.
"Okay, so we know he was here, and that his car was gone before Mikhail left, but we need to find out what happened once he got home," McGarrett observed.
"How do we know he even made it home?"
"His keys and cell phone were there and his car was parked in his spot," the SEAL answered worry evident in his tone.
"If someone took him they could have done that."
"Maybe, but why go through all that trouble?" McGarrett said as they reached his truck and got in and Chin's phone began to ring. He took it out and looked at the number. "It's Kono. I was supposed to call her once I reached Danny's place."
Steve nodded and drove out of the parking lot as Chin updated Kono on what they had so far. He knew it wasn't much and wished they had better news. Chin finished speaking with Kono and placed the phone back in his pocket as McGarrett drove back toward Williams' apartment building.
5050505050
Danny curled into a ball on the damp floor of his cell and rubbed at the marks left by the cattle prod. A bare bulb above his head cast a dim light across his small prison and he watched as a spider worked its magic by weaving a web in the far corner. He briefly wondered if the spider was poisonous, but right now that seemed to be the least of his worries. He had no idea what Wo Fat had planned for Steve, but understood it wasn't good. What was it about McGarrett that set the man off?
Danny chuckled at that thought because he could understand why someone would get pissed at Steve McGarrett. The man had a way of making enemies, and, although he didn't always agree with the way he went about getting information, he had to admit Steve got the job done. The sharp cage was one of his favorite and Danny had to admit they got what they needed without really putting the man in danger.
The rooftop experience was a different matter, but Steve seemed to have mellowed some since that time. Danny had grown used to Steve's antics, and there'd been a few times when he'd done things he didn't think he was capable of, but it came with the territory.
Williams heard a sound outside his cell and sat up, with his back against the wall as he waited to see who his visitors was. It surprised him when the door opened and a man stood there with a bottle of water and a plate of food. He didn't say a word, but placed it on the ground just inside the cell before closing the door behind him. Danny listened and silently cursed when he heard the locking mechanism engage.
Danny tried to stand, but decided it wasn't worth the effort and crawled toward the food. He was surprised to see a plate of rice with mixed vegetables and meat. The smell was enticing and made his stomach rumble. How long had it been since he'd eaten anything? For that matter he had no idea how long he'd been here or where the hell here was.
Williams picked up the plate and bottle of water and moved to the back of his prison. He sat down and realized he had no utensils to eat with, and silently cursed the man who imprisoned him. He knew Rachel had probably called Steve when he didn't show up at the airport and hoped they'd be looking for him, but something told him he wasn't in Kansas anymore.
"No way, Toto," he thought and knew there was no choice, but to used his fingers if he was going to eat what was on his plate. The first taste was strange, with a spice he couldn't identify, but after the initial shock to his taste buds, the food went down well. He ate every last bite, opened the bottle of water and took several small sips. He had no idea how long it would be before they gave him anything else and wanted to make the water last as long as possible.
Danny recapped the water bottle and leaned his head back against the wall. He closed his eyes and listened for any sound that would tell him they were coming for him, the problem was he also heard the sound of movement in the far corner. He opened his eyes and looked toward the area and spotted a large rodent stick its head through a hole in the wall. God, he hated rats and hoped this one would lose interest in his cell, but it came all the way int the room and Danny found a small rock with his right hand. He threw it toward the creature and sighed thankfully when it retreated through the opening.
Williams thought about his partner and hoped the man wouldn't do anything stupid, but he knew Steve McGarrett well enough to know if he did come alone, he would have a contingency plan. The man was too smart not to realize it would be a mistake to come here without back up. Danny closed his eyes and felt his mind drifting toward sleep and smiled as a picture of Grace followed him into his dreams.
5050505050
Wo Fat stared at the file in front of him as anger raged inside. How many times had he asked his mother about his father, but she'd refused to tell him anything except that he was someone she had once loved. He'd grown up in the streets with only his mother to help him until he'd learned that begging got you no where, while being smart got you everything you wanted.
He'd climbed his way out of the gutter, literally and figuratively and now his mother lived in a community where she got everything she needed or wanted. He hadn't done it out of love, but out of duty and even that could only go so far. He blamed his mother for the coldness in his heart, but he embraced that coldness now because it made him the man he was now.
Wo Fat knew the pictures he'd taken of Williams would show McGarrett he was serious, but the one thing he'd learned about him was that he wasn't stupid enough to go it alone. No matter what happened, the commander would have back-up, it was simply up to him to make sure the back-up never made it past his security measures.
Security features on his laptop and server would ensure what he sent was untraceable until he was ready to give McGarrett a location. For now he would simply enjoy making Williams suffer in McGarrett's place. After all, what better way to make his half brother miserable with guilt.
5050505050
Steve and Chin knew there was no point in returning to Williams' apartment until the crime scene team was through with it. They knew there was nothing else they could do until they had something to go on. Steve knew that Danny would want him to make sure Grace and Rachel were okay so he drove toward Rachel and Stan's home.
"I just don't get why Danny would suddenly go for a swim. I thought he didn't like the ocean."
"He doesn't," McGarrett observed. "But he proved he could so I'm guessing he wanted some time to think. He's had a hard time of it since the baby was born."
"I know, I saw the way he looked at them the day Rachel went home."
"He felt like an outsider, yet he was the one who was there to help Rachel when she went into labor."
"Danny feels like an outsider every time he wakes up in Hawaii," Chin observed.
"I know he felt that way, but lately he's been feeling like this could really be his home. He didn't even complain when I ordered pineapple pizza during the game the other night," McGarrett said with a hint of a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Chin knew McGarrett was worried, hell, so was he, but Danny and Steve had become friends since that first meeting and they'd been through a lot. Even some of the locals had finally accepted Danny for what he was...a damn good cop who protected the rights of the people of Hawaii in spite of being a haole.
"What are you thinking about, Chin?"
"Just how much Danny's changed in the last year and how many people have stopped calling him a haole."
Steve nodded and turned onto the street where Stan and Rachel were raising their family. He waited for the guard to open the gate and drove up to the house. They exited as Rachel opened the door and held it for Kono to follow her out.
"Have you found him?" Rachel asked, worry evident in her words.
"Not yet, Rachel," McGarrett said and knew, in spite of her being with Stan, her feelings for Danny ran deep.
"Rachel, when did you last talk to Danny?" Chin asked.
"Yesterday...around noon. He said he'd be at the airport to pick us up, but he was busy and couldn't talk," Rachel answered. "He said he was with Steve searching a cave."
"He was, and he went home once we found the couple. I knew he wasn't coming in until late this morning so I didn't think anything was wrong when he didn't show up at the office," McGarrett said as Rachel motioned for them to come into the house. "Where's Grace?"
"She's at her friend's house and won't be back until after dinner," Rachel answered and took the baby from the young woman Stan hired to help her out. "God, what if...what if something's happened to him? What if he never knows the truth?"
"What truth, Rachel?" McGarrett asked and knew instinctively what she wasn't telling them. His anger intensified, but he knew now was not the time or the place to have this conversation. Once he found Danny and brought him home, he'd make damn sure the woman came clean about who the baby's father was and explain why she'd lied.
"You have to find him," Rachel said.
"We will," McGarrett vowed and stared into her eyes. "Why didn't you call him to confirm this morning?"
"I did, but it went directly to his answering service," the woman answered. "I just thought he was busy and then the baby got fussy and we were landing and I had to get everything together and deplane."
"Well, we have a time line to go on, but we need to narrow it down and talk to everyone Danny spoke to," Chin said.
"Rachel, did Danny say anything else when you spoke to him?" McGarrett asked.
"No, just that he'd be there and couldn't wait to see Grace. He was supposed to take Grace for the day...I didn't know what to tell her so I just said he'd been caught up in a case and had to cancel for now."
"Rachel, we need to get back to the office and see if the crime scene team is through. Will you be all right here?" McGarrett enquired.
"I'll be fine. Stan should be home tonight," Rachel answered and reached out to take his arm. "Please, Steve, call me as soon as you know anything."
"I will," the SEAL vowed before they left the house.
"Steve, I'll get a ride back with Kono," Chin said.
"Thanks, Chin, I'm going to have a talk with Kamekona...maybe he's heard something from his people," McGarrett said and got into his truck. He drove away from Rachel's home and headed toward Kamekona's shrimp truck. He drove into the parking lot and spotted the big man talking to a couple of young women and showing them his latest t-shirt design.
"The shrimp is the best on the beach and I will guarantee it's spicy," Kamekona said and spotted the man walking toward him. "Just as my friend here...he was one of the first to sample my cuisine."
"The Shrimp Jambalaya is the best," McGarrett told them.
"We'll take two," the blond said and smiled appreciatively as she eye Steve before moving to the truck.
"You are one lucky man," Kamekona said and realized McGarrett was the true definition of a chic magnet whether he knew it or not. "So, why are you here? You hungry?"
"No, I need you to put some feelers out."
"For what?" the big man asked.
"Danny's missing."
"Maybe he just went back to Jersey?" Kamekona said, but grew serious when he noticed the look on McGarrett's face. "What do you need from me?"
"Check with your sources. Maybe someone knows what happened to him."
"How long has he been missing?"
"Since sometimes last night. He went for a swim out at Kailua Beach yesterday..."
"Danny went for a swim?" Kamekona asked incredulously.
"I know...he's full of surprises lately," McGarrett observed. "I need you to do this ASAP."
"I'll check with my people and call you if I hear anything. You think something happened to him?"
"Yes," McGarrett said and told him everything they knew so far. Five minutes later he left Kamekona with his customers, headed back to his truck, and sat inside. Steve could hear laughter from the people on the beach and leaned his head back with his hands on the steering wheel. His phone beeped, signifying an incoming message and he reached for it. The number was blocked, but he frowned when he saw his name and a brief message that followed.
Steve-check your e-mail.
"What the hell," McGarrett said and signed onto his e-mail. He waded through them until he found one that simply said...Danny.
Taking a deep breath, Steve opened the email and was surprised to find no message, but an attachment. He leaned back and opened the attachment, cursing when he recognized the man whose wrists and ankles were bound to the chair he was in. The second shot was focused on Danny's face and Steve cursed when he saw the signs of pain and the tightly clenched jaw. The last one was a shot of Williams' upper body and there were marks that McGarrett recognized and unconsciously rubbed his chest.
McGarrett closed down the files and headed for the office and hoped Chin and Kono were still there. His phone began to ring and he used the hands free device to answer it. "McGarrett."
"I hope you took the time to check your email. Detective Williams' life depends on it."
"I'm going to kill you, Wo Fat!"
"I am sure you would like to try, but since I am holding all the cards, you will do exactly what I say."
"Why Danny?"
"He's simply a means to an end. I knew you would be waiting for my next move, so it seemed easier to go after you from another direction."
"What do you want, Wo Fat?"
"I want everything you know about Shelburne, and I want to finish our last conversation. Now I know there is no point in telling you not to bring the others into this so I will not waste my breath by doing that, but eventually you will realize there is only one outcome in this..."
"Your death," McGarrett said and slammed his hands onto the steering wheel when the phone went dead. He cursed the man and vowed to make him pay for what he'd done. No one touched his Ohana, not without retribution, McGarrett style. He pulled into his parking spot and made his way to the office in time to find Chin and Kono going over several files on the overhead.
"The crime scene team didn't find anything at Danny's," Kono told him and frowned when she saw the look on his face.
"I know what happened to him," McGarrett said, his soft tone belying the anger he felt.
"Kamekona knew something and didn't call?" Chin asked incredulously.
"No, I had a call after I left him. Wo Fat took him," the SEAL told them.
"What? How?" Kono snapped.
"I don't know how, but he sent me pictures," McGarrett said and connected his cell to the computer. He quickly accessed his email and opened the one that held the damning evidence that Williams was in Wo Fat's hands. It didn't take long to have the three pictures side by side and Steve herd Chin's softly muttered curse.
"What does he want?" Kono asked.
"Me," McGarrett answered simply.
"We need to find out why he's so fixated on you...there's got to be more than the Shelburne issue," Chin said.
"Do you know what Shelburne is?" Kono asked.
"Just what Joe told me and that doesn't make sense. Why would Wo Fat think I knew what Shelburne was if it had to do with Joe? I think it goes deeper, but right now I don't give a damn about Shelburne. We need to get Danny back even if..."
"It means exchanging you for him?" Kono said with her hands on the desk.
"If that's what it takes. Wo Fat wants me and I have a lot less to lose than Danny," McGarrett said.
"No, you don't," Kono said angrily.
"Danny's got a little girl who needs him, Kono," McGarrett said and thought about the newborn, but didn't say anything as he angrily looked at the pictures.
"Yes, he does, but how do you think he'd feel if he knew you valued his life more than your own?" Chin observed.
"I'll do what needs to be done," the SEAL vowed.
"We all will, Steve, but we need to keep our heads about us if we're going to find Danny and make Wo Fat pay for what he's done," Chin told him. "Did he tell you what he wants you to do?"
"No, he hung up when I told him the only way this ends is with his death."
"Well, that's a given," Kono told them. "So what's our next move?"
"Contact Kamekona and ask him to check with his sources and find out if they have any information on Wo Fat...where he's staying? Who his contacts are? Does The Yakuza know what he's up to and do they condone it?" McGarrett said and knew it was a long shot. Even if The Yakuza didn't condone what Wo Fat was doing, the man had their power behind him because the former head of the organization had given him his blessing before he died.
"What are you goin to do?" Chin asked as Kono made the call to Kamekona. He knew McGarrett had already decided to trade himself for Williams when the time came, and understood there was no point in arguing with him about it.
"I don't know, Chin, but I'm not letting Danny pay for my involvement with Wo Fat," McGarrett said and walked into his office. He sat in the chair and ran his hands through his hair, silently cursing Wo Fat as he listened to Chin and Kono in the outer office.
TBC
Author's Note-Thanks to everyone for the wonderful reviews, alerts, and favorites. You guy are great.