Danny awoke to the sound of rain on the window and sat up with a soft hiss of pain. He glanced toward the open door to the balcony and sat up, cursing himself for falling asleep on the sofa. He stood, holding his arm tight against his injured side as he walked across the room and onto the balcony. He glanced at his watch, noting the early hour and heard the sound of sirens in the distance. Someone, somewhere was in trouble and he briefly wondered if it would end in tragedy for a family and silently prayed it wouldn't.
Williams knew he should have spent the night in his bed, instead of on the sofa, and was paying for it as the rain fell heavily on the streets of Honolulu. His thoughts turned to Rachel and the children and a hint of a smile was born. Rachel was still with Stan, and there was no chance they would get back together even if she did leave her husband. He still loved her, but he didn't like her and you needed to like someone if you were going to live together as husband and wife.
Grace and Charles were different matter altogether. Rachel had a greed to do a paternity test on the baby and God help him he silently prayed Charles was his. It would mean Grace and Charles were full siblings and shared the same mother and father. It also meant that he had a son and daughter, a millionaire's family on a cop's salary. Not a good idea, but right now it sure as hell seemed like the greatest gift of all.
Williams leaned against the railing and thought about Steve McGarrett. His partner was out there, somewhere, in the hands of a madman and on his own. Wo Fat wanted him dead, but somehow Danny knew Steve was alive. He looked toward his phone and willed it to ring, but it was still early which meant Chin and Kono might be sleeping.
Danny walked back into the apartment and sighed tiredly before stretching out on the sofa once more. He reached for the remote, turned on the television, and flipped through the channels until he settled on the morning news. It wasn't long before the report turned to the reason he'd heard the sirens as the camera panned the accident scene and the paramedics trying desperately to extract the driver of the vehicle.
Williams closed his eyes, and listened to the reporter's voice as she gave out the information cleared through the newsroom. The woman's name was being withheld until next of kin was contacted. Danny knew this was procedure in accident cases and opened his eyes. He reached for the bottle of pain medication on the end table and popped two tablets into his mouth. He took the bottle of water and drank most of it before placing it next to the television remote.
Danny knew he should get something to eat, but didn't have the energy to do so as sleep reached out for him again. It wasn't long before the soft sound of snoring joined the soft voice of the news reporter as she talked about Steve McGarrett.
5050505050
Chin and Kono had met at the office at a little after seven, but found nothing new in the search for McGarrett. Kono had stopped to pick up coffee while Chin had gone to speak with Kamekona. Their cousin had nothing new to tell them, but promised that he'd keep checking with his sources. Catherine was also searching for the missing man, but she would be out of touch for the next few days while The Enterprise was on maneuvers near Japan.
Kono manipulated the apps on the desktop until everything they had so far appeared in front of them. It wasn't much, but now they were dealing with members of The Yakuza who live in Hawaii. They knew it was a long shot, but if Emi was right about what she'd overheard, Wo Fat should soon be in the state. If so, it was quite possible Steve would be with him.
"There are eight known members of The Yakuza with estates in or around Honolulu," Kono said as she continued to manipulate the screen until a map of Oahu showing the locations of each property in question.
"They might not be coming to Oahu, Kono," Chin said. "We can't take that kind f a chance, not where Wo Fat is concerned. Bring up a map of The Big Island and run a comparison with the names we already have. Make sure you include Lee Chen and Kin Hato when you do that search."
"I will," Kono said and expanded the search to include anyone who was a known associate of members of The Yakuza. "This could take some time."
"I'm going to check in with Danielle...maybe she's figured out what's wrong," Chin said and took out his cell phone. He keyed in her number and walked into McGarrett's office as he waited for his call to be answered.
"Kono, is Chin around?"
"I'm right here, Duke, what's wrong?" Chin asked upon hearing the familiar voice.
"Don't you know a woman named," Lukela looked at the notebook and read off the name. "Danielle Marceau?"
"Yes, I do. Why?" Chin asked and placed his phone on the table.
"There was an accident this morning involving her vehicle. She hit a tree not far from her home."
"Was she hurt?"
"She's in stable condition at Queens. Not sure of her injuries, but I figured you'd want to check it out," Lukela offered.
"Thanks, Duke...Kono..."
"Go, Chin, I'll keep working on this," Kalakaua answered.
Chin hurried from the building and crossed the parking lot to his vehicle. He drove toward Queens, silently praying the woman would be all right. Traffic was light and he made it to the hospital without mishap. He pulled into a visitor's spot and hurried inside where he waited in line at the information desk. Once he had her room number, Chin took the stairs to the third floor and followed the signs until he found the one he was looking for.
Chin took a steadying breath as he pushed open the door and looked at the woman lying on the bed. She lay on her back, her head turned slightly toward the window. A piece of white gauze covered a wound above her closed right eye and she looked paler than the sheet she lay on. He let the door close gently behind him and walked the short distance to the room.
Chin didn't want to wake her and looked at the monitors above her bed. He knew a little about what he was seeing and hoped the readings he saw were an indication that she would be fine. He smiled when she turned her head, opened her eyes and looked up at him.
"Chin," she whispered, her voice hoarse as she shifted slightly on the bed.
"How do you feel, Danielle?"
"Put through...meat grinder," she answered truthfully.
"I bet, do you remember what happened?"
"Some id...idiot on a motorcycle decided to cut me off. Rain made it hard to stop...hit a tree. I don't recommend you try it," Danielle told him.
"I won't," Chin offered.
"Has there been any word about McGarrett?"
"No, nothing at all. Kono and I are checking a few leads, but so far no luck," Chin answered and saw the grimace on her face. "You should rest...I'll check in on you later."
"Thanks, Chin, hope you find him," Danielle said.
"Me too," Chin said and kissed her forehead before leaving the room and heading back to the office.
5050505050
Wo Fat stood on the back deck with his hands clasped behind his back. Ten hour had passed since they'd arrived at Serena Lewis' estate and he'd spent the time speaking with several members of The Yakuza. Lee Chen was conspicuously absent, but he hadn't expected to see the man since he was mourning the death of his daughter.
Serena advised him that at least twenty members of The Yakuza would be in attendance for tonight's festivities. He had a list of names and knew most of the men and women who would be arriving throughout the day, but had little interest in them. Right now all he wanted was to check on his prisoner and make sure he kept the man angry enough to make a mistake.
Wo Fat could hear voices behind him and knew some of the guests had already arrived. He had little interest in plying host to a bunch of cowards who would eventually bow to his wishes or find themselves on the wrong end of his anger. He made his way toward the path that led toward the entrance to the cavern that housed the cage and the cells where prisoners, such as Stave McGarrett, were kept.
The head of The Yakuza listened to the sounds around him and instincts told him there was nothing more dangerous than the birds in the surrounding trees. He moved quickly along the trail until he reached the large gate where an unfamiliar guard watched him closely.
"Can I help you?"
"You have my prisoner inside. I am here to see him."
"Ms Lewis left orders to keep everyone out until tonight," the man said.
"She did not mean me."
"Who are you?"
"You would be well advised to speak with Ms. Lewis," Wo Fat's anger was evident in his tone as a second man joined the first.
"Hell, Jake, open the fucking gate!"
"Why?" Jake Wiley asked, suddenly fearful.
"That's Wo Fat!" Hiro Adachi snapped and knew the other man recognized the name.
"I'm sorry, Sir, I didn't know," Wiley said and opened the gate. He swallowed convulsively as he pulled back the gate and allowed the man to enter the cavern. Before he had a chance to speak, a hand lashed out and grabbed him around the throat. He tried to pull away, but the fingers tightened until the edges of his vision blurred and his lungs felt ready to collapse from lack of oxygen.
"Never question me again," Wo Fat warned and released the man just before his eyes rolled back in his head. He turned to the second guard, with no change in his expression, as if he'd simply been speaking at a social gathering instead of nearly killing a man. "Where is Commander McGarrett?"
"I will take you to him as soon as I secure the gate," Hiro Adachi told him as Wiley scooted across the floor and leaned against the cavern wall as he rubbed at his bruised throat.
Wo Fat stood with his hands behind his back until the gate was back in position and Adachi motioned toward the door. Hiro knew how important Wo Fat was to Serena Lewis and understood that the rewards for doing a good job were well worth sucking up to this particular man.
"Has he given you any problems?" Wo Fat asked.
"No, Sir, we pumped the gas in and he's been sleeping ever since," Adachi answered and opened the door to McGarrett's cell. "May I speak freely?"
Wo Fat simply nodded as he looked at his half brother who was sprawled across the narrow cot.
"Why him?"
"He is my brother."
"Then why fight him?"
"Do you have brothers?"
"Two."
"Did you ever fight with them?"
"When we were kids."
"Did you ever use your fists?"
"Not really. I'm the youngest, but I was also the biggest so that might be why we never fought."
"Did you ever wonder if you could take them?"
"Sometimes," Adachi said as Wo Fat moved closer to the man sleeping on the cot. "I think I could take them, but I guess I'll never have the chance to find out. I'd sure like to see you fight him."
"Perhaps I will arrange for you to be at the cage," Wo Fat said and reached out to touch his hand against his brother's chest. He felt the steady rise and fall and smiled when a soft moan escaped the slack lips. He knew McGarrett was waking up and wanted to see his eyes, to feel the anger and rage he knew burned in his brother's heart and soul. He pressed harder, watching as the change came over the prisoner and made sure he kept just enough pressure on his ribs to bring him back to consciousness.
Steve could feel someone pressing down on his ribs and opened his eyes. He stared to the cold dead eyes of the man who professed to be his brother. He could see another man behind Wo Fat, but he didn't pay any attention to him as the pressure continued and fingers reached for the collar wrapped around his neck.
"So glad you could join us, Brother..."
"Fuck you!"
"You keep talking like that and people will think you are asking for it. I have to refuse the offer although I am sure there are many who would enjoy taking you i such a way. Tell me about Shelburne."
"Go to hell!"
"Perhaps I should bring Mary in to see you..."
"You touch her..."
"Temper...temper, Brother. I have arranged to bring her here, but I'm afraid our sister will be too late too watch you die. I do believe I will have it broadcast so others will see your defeat, but only for a select few. I did manage to get some footage of Detective Williams' funeral service. If you wish to see it all you have to do is ask. Little Grace Williams put on a wonderful show for the cameras."
McGarrett remained silent, his heart aching at the thought of Danny's children and he silently vowed to kill the bastard standing beside the cot. Wo Fat continued to press down on his chest, but Steve refused to say anything.
"This collar suits you, Brother. It confirms that you are a dog and deserve to be treated like one." Wo Fat tightened the collar around Steve's neck with a hint of a smile that did not reach his eyes. "I hope you bring the audience some entertainment tonight...perhaps I should give you an advantage...then again you are a trained SEAL aren't you, Brother?"
Steve tried to pulled away from the man, but there was nowhere for him to go. He breathed through tightly clenched teeth and suddenly realized his right hand was free. He struck out, connecting solidly with Wo Fat's chin and smiled when the man released him and stood back.
"You will pay for that cheap shot..."
"The only thing cheap here is your cologne," McGarrett spat and knew he would need to use everything in his power to defeat Wo Fat, but defeat him he would because failing was not an option. He could see the anger in his half brother's body and laughed when the two men left him alone. He sat up on the edge of the bed and leaned his head in his hands.
Wo Fat's words kept replaying in his mind and he knew he had to see Grace, if only to tell her how much her father loved her and how sorry he was that Danno was no longer with them. He looked at the bottom of the door as a tray was slid through and wondered if the food was drugged. It didn't really matter if it was, because he needed the strength it would give him. He stood up and swayed dangerously before reaching for the food and taking it back to his cot.
It smelled great, but it left a bitter after taste in his mouth, one that reminded him of what he had to do, and gave him the strength to do it.
5050505050
Williams opened his eyes and felt nausea churning through his gut as he tried to sit up. He felt like hell and looked at the pills on the table, but knew if he took them he'd just be sick. He looked at the time and realized he'd slept most of the morning and wondered why Chin and Kono hadn't called. He reached for his phone and recognized Mary's cell number and knew the younger McGarrett had been unable to make her flight because of her job. She'd called several times for an update and he wished he had good news for her.
Danny called Chin and waited for the man to answer the phone.
*"Danny, are you all right?"*
"I'm good, Chin, just wanted to see if you've found out anything new?"
*"I wish we did, but right now we're still in the dark. We are checking into Kin Hato and Lee Chen and several others with known ties to The Yakuza."*
"We need to find him, Chin."
*"I know...you sure you're feeling all right, Danny?"*
"Nothing a little good news wouldn't fix," Williams said. "I need to call Mary back."
*"Let me know if she's coming and if she needs to be picked up."*
"I will, Chin," Williams said and hung up before calling Mary's number, not at all surprised when the woman answered immediately.
*"Danny, please tell me you've found Steve?"*
"Sorry, Mary, we're still working on it," Williams told her. "Where are you?"
*"I'm on a plane and should be landing around two."*
"I'll let Chin know. He or Kono will be there to pick you up."
*"Thanks, Danny. How are you feeling?"*
"I'm good..."
*"Oh, God, you sound like my brother."*
Danny couldn't help, but chuckle at the comparison and realized how true her words were. Somehow, Steve McGarrett AKA Super-SEAL, was having a bad influence on him.
*"Danny, are you there?"*
"I'm here, Mary, I'll make sure Chin or Kono picks you up," Williams said and sighed tiredly when she hung up. He quickly called Chin with an update and looked at the bottle of pills. The pain in his side was enough to make him take two and dry-swallow them before making his way into the kitchen. He looked in the fridge, but didn't see anything that interested him.
Danny grabbed a bottle of water and downed half of it, yet his thirst seemed unquenchable as a chill ran through him. He frowned and looked toward the door to the balcony and felt the breeze that wafted through the opening. How the hell was he cold when it had to be 80 degrees outside? With a soft groan. Williams moved to the couch and lay down, hoping Chin or Kono would call with good news.
TBC!