Wo Fat knew it would take a lot more than his word to make McGarrett believe that Danny Williams was dead. He could easily make good on his words, but right now he could not take the chance on angering The other members of The Yakuza. Not that he really feared them, but there were those in the organization that would not think twice about taking him out.
He stood with his back to the house, watching as a sleek black car pulled into the driveway and stopped within an inch of the steps leading up to the verandah that encircled his home. He waited for the driver to open the passenger doors and watched as four men climbed out of the back and looked around.
"It is good to see you again, Jae-Sun," Wo Fat greeted the newcomer with a slight bow.
"This is not a social call, Wo Fat. I am here at the request of several of our more prestigious clients," Jae-Sun Pong said reluctantly. He'd known the other man since they were boys begging for food, and had stood by him through the years, even after he'd been taken in by his uncle's family. Now he owed loyalty to his family, but he would never turn his back on this man.
"Would you care for a drink?" Wo Fat asked, clapping his hand as a signal for the pretty young servant to bring the tray to the table.
"Something cold would help. Where is he?"
"Where is who?" Wo Fat asked and accepted a glass before passing a second glass to his unexpected guest.
"Do not attempt to play games. You know who I am speaking of. He is too high profile for this type of revenge."
"What I do in my home is my business. You would do well to remember that Jae-Sun."
"You are wrong, Wo Fat, what you do in your home is just as important to The Yakuza as what you do in public. People remember and you know as well as I do that memories and revenge run deep in our inner sanctum. My uncle wanted to come here, but I convinced him to let me handle this. There are those who still believe 'The Old Man' died under mysterious circumstances and many also believe that you were behind it."
"He died because he was old. Do not make accusations that have no merit," Wo Fat warned.
"Why are you keeping him alive?"
"He has information that concerns only me."
"Personal problems should not interfere with your new position in the organization."
"It does not."
"It is not me you have to convince, My Friend. There are many who do not trust you and think you are much to young to keep The Yakuza strong."
"Being young is why I am the only choice to run The Yakuza. I am not afraid to do what has to be done," Wo Fat said and refilled both their glasses.
"You know that and I know that, but there are those who will challenge you."
"Then they will find out the hard way that I do not take betrayal lightly. As should you."
"You and I have worked too hard to form an alliance for me to throw it away just because others do not like what you are doing. I am a firm believer of an eye for and eye, and will defend your right to vengeance where the Steve McGarrett is concerned. I just hope you can keep that part away from our business dealings," Pong told him.
"Tell our associates I will see them in Hawaii in two days," Wo Fat told him.
"Will you bring McGarrett?"
"He goes wherever I go," the head of The Yakuza said.
"Are you sure that's wise? His people will be looking for him."
"Yes, they will," Wo Fat said, and smiled. "I doubt they will search for him under their very noses. I will require the use of your home while I am there."
"My door is always open for you, My Friend," Pong vowed and shook hands before finishing his drink. "Can I see the man who shares your blood?"
""Why?"
"I want to see how two men with the same father could be so different."
"He is weak, while I am strong," Wo Fat said and led the man toward the back of his house. A set of steep stairs led down to the cell where he kept McGarrett and he knew the man would be disoriented when the door was opened and they shone the light inside the small room. When the house built it had once doubled as a wine cellar and cold storage area, but with the modernization of the world and refrigeration readily available it was now simply used for 'special guests'. "Did you bring what I asked?"
"Of course, but why the false newspaper?"
"I want him to believe Danny Williams is dead. To do that I need something I can show him," Wo Fat answered and took the newspaper from the other man. It was a major paper from the city of Honolulu with today's date at the top. The stories were the same, except with one addition. A picture of Danny Williams holding his daughter took up most of the upper page with the headline stating that Danny Williams had succumbed to gunshot wound after a shark attack.
"My people do good work," Pong said as Wo Fat's second in command opened the door.
"Yes, they do," Wo Fat agreed and folded the paper in half before stepping into the brightly lit room. He smiled as McGarrett's head came up and the eyes focused on him. "I'm glad to see you're awake, Brother Dear. My colleague has brought something you might be interested in."
Steve didn't bother acknowledging the man behind Wo Fat. Whoever it was, he'd made a bad choice in friends. His eyes remained fixed on the man standing before him until he unfolded what looked like a newspaper and held it in front of his face.
"Such a fitting way for a pig to die...feed for the sharks," Wo Fat said softly and saw the change in McGarrett before the man could mask the pain his words caused. They'd struck home ,even if the prisoner didn't allow it to show. "Shall I read you the story, Brother Dear?"
Steve swallowed convulsively in an effort to keep from betraying just how much Wo Fat's words had struck home with him. The newspaper was one he'd read many times and he new it was real. The headline shot out at him and he closed his eyes as the words were repeated.
"Man killed in shark attack well know to the police in Honolulu and Newark...what a shame you won't be able to be there to deliver the eulogy for him. Let me see, what else does it say. Detective Danny Williams was a remarkable officer and a father. He leaves behind his ex-wife Rachel and their daughter Grace. The funeral arrangements will be kept secret until the family says goodbye in private."
"Too bad you won't be in attendance, Commander," Pong said with a smile as Wo Fat continued to read from the fake article.
"Amongst those expected to attend the private services are Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua. Commander Steve McGarrett is listed as unavailable for comment. So, reporters really do lie," Wo Fat said. "Or do you think Kelly and Kalakaua are keeping your disappearance a secret?"
Steve's head was filled with images of Danny Williams and how many times they'd saved each other's lives since they'd met. If the news story was true, Danny had paid the ultimate price for being a cop. God, help him, but he had to know. Had to find out if it was true and make damn sure Wo Fat never had the chance to hurt anyone else he cared about.
"Wo Fat, are you sure you should bring him with you?" Pong asked.
"I need him where I can keep an eye on him. He will not cause any trouble, will you, Brother Dear?"
"I'll kill you," McGarrett ground out, and swallowed the bitter pill that had threatened to choke him.
"I'm sure you would if you had the chance, but since I am a smart man..."
"Coward..."
"I will not make that mistake," Wo Fat said and smacked the folded paper against McGarrett's chest. "Tell me what Detective Williams' favoorite flower is or should that be was and I'll send a dozen in your name."
Steve refused to answer and cried out when the chains hold him up were released and his legs gave out. He hit the floor hard and found his arms chained behind his back as Wo Fat towered over his prone body.
"I wouldn't want your lungs to be damaged from being strung up like a side of beef. Don not think me soft, Brother Dear, I am just not ready to kill you yet," Wo Fat warned and left the room.
Steve lay on is side and waited for the pins and needles to stop before trying to move. His upper body had been freed, but his ankles were still locked to something embedded in the floor. The light had been left on and he shifted his body until he could lean against the wall opposite the door. There were no windows in his cell, and no furniture. There were several hooks in the ceiling above his head, and two metal hoops in the floor.
McGarrett tested the cuffs around his wrists, but they were too tight for him to slip out of and anything he might have used to pick the lock had been removed after he'd been knocked unconscious. He tried to pull his legs free, but the hoop they were locked in was solid and held him captive. Steve knew he had to escape and take care of Wo Fat, but for now there wasn't much he could do. He let his eyes close and listened for any sound that would tell him his enemy had returned.
5050505050
Chin and Kono walked into Danny's hospital room to find the man seated in the chair by the window. He didn't acknowledge their presence and seemed to be lost in thought. An untouched breakfast tray sat on the table next to him.
"Danny," Kono said the name softly and wasn't surprised when Williams turned toward them with sadness in his eyes.
"Did you find anything?" Williams asked.
"I'm sorry, Danny, but so far we're coming up blank," Chin advised.
"Damn it, Chin, we need to find him. Wo Fat...he hates Steve. Blames him for everything."
"Did he say that?" Kono asked.
"He didn't have to," Williams said. "I saw it in his eyes, Kono. I've seen hatred before...hell I've felt it myself, but I don't think I've seen it that strong. He's going to kill Steve, but not until he breaks him."
"Steve's a SEAL, Danny, it's next to impossible for Wo Fat to break him," Chin said.
"Maybe, but he'll take Steve's strength and use that against him," the Jersey native observed and slammed his fist on the arm of the chair. "He's a madman, Chin, and he wants Steve dead. We need to find him before he succeeds."
"We'll find him, Danny," Kono vowed.
"Go find my doctor...I need to get out of here," Williams snapped.
"Danny..."
"Look, Chin, I know my limits and I know I'm not super-SEAL material like McGarrett, but right now there's nothing they can do for me that I can't do at home. I need to help find Steve and I need to talk to my lawyer...find out about my rights."
"Do you think you're the baby's father?" Chin asked and saw the bitterness in Williams' eyes.
"I don't know, Chin, but I need to find out. I need to...I won't let her keep me out of his life if he's mine," the Jersey native said.
"Why don't you wait until you've had a chance to talk to her?" Kono asked.
"Oh, I'm going to talk to her, Kono, whether she wants to or not. I just want to keep my bases covered in case she decides I have no rights like she tried with Grace," Williams snapped. "Get the doctor or I leave on my own."
"All right, Danny, but I think you've been hanging around Steve way too much," Chin said.
"Maybe, but at least I'm getting an insight on what makes him tick," Williams said as Kono left the room.
"Danny, you need to eat if you expect the doctor to agree to releasing you," Chin said.
"It doesn't matter if he agrees or not, Chin," Williams said, but reached for the toast and coffee.
5050505050
Catherine looked at the monitors and wished she could use them just for the search for Steve McGarrett. There'd been several messages to the skipper and although she wasn't privy to the exact contents, she knew they'd had to do with the missing SEAL. There were more people involved in the search than she knew, and she hoped someone would be able to find him before it was too late.
Catherine looked up when the skipper entered the room and knew it was time to update him on what she had so far. She knew she could have faced charges for using the equipment for her own personal issues, but right now that was a moot point. They were no officially helping in the search for Steve McGarrett.
"Lieutenant, is there anything new?"
"I've been checking into what we have on Shelburne, but so far the only thing I found is a reference to a little village in North Korea," Rollins told him.
Did you cross reference it with McGarrett and Wo Fat?"
"Yes,Sir, but some of the documents are classified and I'm unable to access the information I need," Catherine told him.
"Show me what you have and I'll see if I can get into them."
"Yes, Sir," Rollins said and brought up the information she had, plus the aerial photos of the village itself. "Shelburne was close to the border between North and South Korea and was the home of close to 200 refugees at one point. There were rumors it was a stop off point for anyone who wanted out of North Korea."
"Why would they call it Shelburne?" the skipper asked.
"One of the earliest reports say it was given the name of the man who helped many people cross the border and start new lives without going through channels."
"Do we know who Shelburne was?"
"Not yet, Sir, but I believe it was an alias," Rollins answered.
"Well, keep working on it, Lieutenant, and keep me informed of everything you find."
"Yes, Sir," Catherine said and renewed her search for the identity of the man whose name had been given to a small village in North Korea.
5050505050
Joe White cursed the knowledge he had and the fact that he couldn't use it without betraying a man's trust. John McGarrett had done some things in his life that bordered on illegal, but he'd more than made up for it in other areas. He'd once called him a Maverick, and now his son could easily wear the same nickname. The problem was, Steve was in trouble because of a bastard named Wo Fat.
Joe knew the true story about Wo Fat, but again he'd vowed to take the secret to his grave, unfortunately that was not going to happen. Not if it meant Steve McGarrett's life. He'd been searching for the SEAL on his own, but so far there was nothing to show that he'd been here and Joe knew it was time to take it a step further.
Joe sighed and looked at the path leading up to the house and wondered if the woman had changed or was she still as beautiful as the day she said goodbye to him and John McGarrett. He hadn't seen her in over thirty years, yet her vibrant beauty was always there. She'd fallen in love with his friend and had taken care of them both after a mission had gone wrong. Had she changed, and would she even recognize him?
White walked along the pathway until he reached the front door and knocked softly, not sure what he expected to find. A smile formed when the door opened and a woman, whose beauty still shone in spite of the silver in her dark hair, stood staring at him. "Min, it is good to see you again," White said in near perfect Korean.
"Joseph," the woman said as her eyes lit up and she pulled him into the small house. "Where...where is John?"
"John's dead, Min," White said and pulled her close when tears fell from her dark eyes. "I'm sorry, Min, I know how much you two shared."
"No, you don't, Joseph...no one does," Min told him. "When did he die?"
"About three years ago," White answered. "I should have come to see you then, but I didn't know how things were for you."
"He is dangerous," Min said and pulled away. "You should not be here."
"I had no choice...he's taken Steve," White told her and sat on the well worn sofa with her.
"How can you be sure?"
"He took a man named Danny Williams and gave Steve an ultimatum. Steve traded himself for Williams."
"He is so much like his father," Min said.
"Yes, he is," Joe agreed. "I need to know where Wo Fat is, Min."
"I know, but he does not visit often and I am not involved in his business."
"Do you have any idea where he could have taken Steve?"
"There are many places," Min answered and wished she could give him more. Her son had so much bitterness and she knew she was partly to blame for that, but she could not change the past any more than she could predict the future.
"He asked about Shelburne," White said.
"He asked you?"
"Yes."
"What did you tell him?"
"There was nothing for me to tell. Shelburne was between you and John and with John dead there's no reason to keep it a secret."
"Wo Fat think John McGarrett raped me."
"Why didn't you tell him the truth?"
"I tried, but he did not believe me."
"Why didn't you tell John you were carrying his baby?"
"By the time I realized I was pregnant he was back in Hawaii and was married. I did not want to ruin his life, but perhaps if I had my son would not be so bitter."
"He blames Steve for something he knew nothing about," White said.
"I know, and if I could help you find them I would. You have to believe me, Joseph...I would never hurt any of John's family," Min told him. "You should go."
"I will, but I ant you to call me if you hear from Wo Fat or find out where he's holding Steve," White told her.
"I will do as you ask," Min said and walked him to the door. How many times had she thought about calling John McGarrett and telling him he had a son? Now it was too late and Wo Fat had finally decided to make good on the many threats he'd made. Tears slipped from her eyes as she watched the man leave. So many lived had been affected by the actions she'd taken in Shelburne and now the sons of John McGarrett were facing off. God, help her, but she hoped her son would not make good on the threats he'd made through the years.
TBC!