The next morning Chin arrived early and after they all ate they headed out for the day.
Danny gave Gracie one more lecture on listening to Uncle Steve and then he buckled her into the seat next to him.
"Steve, you call if you need anything you hear me?"
"Danny, I'm fine….please don't worry and remember cell phone service up there is really sketchy"
Danny chuckled, "How can I forget" He remembered their last trip to the caves and how after Steve's fall from the cliff he had to run almost a mile uphill to obtain a signal to call for help.
Backing away from the truck he stood next to Chin and waved to his excited daughter as the Silverado backed out of the driveway.
"You okay Danny?"
"I'm fine….I don't know why but I've got a gut feeling that something's wrong"
Chin squeezed his shoulder, "Don't worry, you're just nervous. Steve's fine, the Doc said he was up for this. They're going to have a great time"
The men then got into Chin's truck and headed towards Halawa Prison.
Steve and Gracie were singing songs and laughing as they made their way down the Pali Highway towards the jungle.
Steve was smiling and happy, counting his blessings and totally unaware of the car that was following him at a safe distance.
They arrived at their destination about forty minutes later and after helping Gracie out of the truck and slinging a backpack holding their lunches and bottles of water over his shoulder they began walking.
The car carrying two large, young Asian men had stopped a safe distance back to avoid detection and one of the men watched the two figures through binoculars.
Dialing his phone he said, "Boss we're ready to move but he's got the girl with him. What do you want us to do?"
Without any hesitation the man on the other end said coldly, "Bring them both to me"
The young man responded unemotionally, "Yes sir"
After relaying their bosses' response to his partner, they drove slowly towards Steve's parked truck.
As Steve and Gracie walked, the little girl told him about an upcoming Aloha Girls camping trip.
Steve replied enthusiastically, "GREAT, can Danno and I chaperone again!"
Gracie laughed, "All the girls are asking for you to come, but Danno said no"
"Oh he did, did he?"
"He got shot last time so he says it's too dangerous for him"
Steve smiled at the child as she skipped alongside him, "I'll have a talk with him"
"YES!, Thank You Uncle Steve!" She had turned to face him and was walking backwards, swinging her arms wildly back and forth.
He chided her, "Hey little lady you better turn around and watch where you're walking. I don't want you tripping and hurting yourself"
She giggled as she said, "Because Danno says you can't carry me!"
Steve smiled as Gracie reached out and took hold of his hand.
They walked on, unaware that the two men following them were quickly closing in.
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At the prison, Danny and Chin were led into a room where Ricky Norman waited nervously.
Sitting across from the convict, Danny asked "You look nervous Ricky? Are you ready to tell us why you killed Louis Romono?"
Setting his handcuffed hands flat onto the table in front of him Ricky grinned, "That depends on what you're willing to offer me"
Danny smirked, "We don't cut deals with murderers, you know that"
"So you're not interested in what I've learned about your leader?"
Danny's expression became stone-faced and Chin asked, "What are you talking about Norman?"
"I'm not telling you anything until I get something from you first"
Danny pushed away from the table, "Let's go Chin. This is a waste of time"
As Danny turned towards the door, Norman spoke and the detective's blood ran cold, "They're going to get him...….in fact, it could be happening right now…"
Danny turned back to face the prisoner and Chin stood quickly, grabbing him around the chest saying softly, "Relax Danny"
Turning back to the table Chin stated firmly, "No games Norman. McGarrett has the Governors ear. You tell us what you know and he'll make things right"
"I've heard that about McGarrett….." He paused briefly before adding "Word is that he ain't gonna be alive by Monday"
Chin continued as Danny drew in a deep breath and turned towards the wall, "Tell us what you know"
"I was in the yard yesterday and overheard a conversation. They were talking about McGarrett and 5-0 and that once the hit went down none of us would have to worry about him anymore"
Danny was terrified as he raced from the room dialing Steve's cellphone.
It rolled straight to voicemail as Danny mumbled frantically, "Come on Steve. Damn it, pick up man" He exited the building and leaning up against Chin's truck he continued to dial over and over again.
A few minutes later Chin ran from the building and they jumped into the truck and raced from the scene.
Chin glanced over, asking "He's not answering?"
"No…..did Norman say who was behind this?"
Sighing deeply, Chin replied "Wo-Fat"
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Steve and Gracie reached the large rock formations and after taking a moment to drink some water Steve led her towards the caves. The excited child began to run ahead and Steve hollered, "Hey kiddo wait for me!"
As Gracie turned Steve saw the look of horror instantly cross her face as the butt of a gun struck the back of his head.
Steve woke only moments later to Gracie's screams, "STOP STOP! LEAVE US ALONE, PLEASE….LEAVE US ALONE!"
He opened his eyes and realized he was on the ground, his face in the dirt. Gracie's screams were coming from behind him and suddenly he felt someone tugging at his arms attempting to tie them. His instincts kicked in and he moved with lightening speed. Catching the man by surprise, Steve grabbed his wrist and while pulling him downward he swung his legs up at the same time wrapping his legs around the mans neck, snapping it in one swift motion.
He was on his feet in seconds and moving towards the second man. The man pushed Gracie to the ground and as he reached to pull his gun from his waistband Steve threw himself headfirst into the his midsection. The men hit the ground hard and they grappled with each other. The man was very strong and in Steve's weakened state he was struggling to overpower him. The man had successfully pulled the gun from his waistband and Steve slammed his hand onto the hard ground five times before he lost his grip and the gun flew from their reach.
They then exchanged several blows but Steve knew he was in trouble and he had to end this quickly. He knew this area well and lunging forward his shoulder connected with the larger man's chest and he was thrown backwards. Thankfully Steve's calculations were correct and the 250 lb man hit the soft ground near the cliffs edge and his screams echoed as the ground gave way and he fell sixty feet to his death.
Steve was on his hands and knees gasping for air and as the man's screams ceased he pushed his aching body up. He moved quickly towards his 'little angel' calling out, "Gracie, oh my God baby"
She was on her knees and the look of shear terror on her face cut through his heart.
In seconds he was on his knees in front of her and she was wrapped safely in his strong arms. "It's okay honey, it's okay...ssshhhhh, I've got you...it's okay" He comforted her for a couple of minutes before pulling back. Holding her face in his hands he said softly, "Baby, did he hurt you?"
She shook her head, "No..." Through her sobs she asked, "Are you okay Uncle Steve?"
He smiled broadly, "I'm fine Gracie...oh my God, I'm so happy you're okay"
She reached up and touched his cheek, "You're bleeding"
"It's okay...I promise you. We need to get back to the truck okay?"
"Uh huh"
He pushed the hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead, "I'm going to go get our bag and then we'll leave. You stay right here honey"
Her voice was panicked as she cried out, "NO, NO, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!"
Steve pulled her to his chest and stroked her hair, "Hey, sssshhhhhhhh…..I've got you. I'm not going anywhere"
After a couple of minutes Steve stood, lifting Gracie up into his arms, "It's okay Gracie, I've got you. You keep your eyes closed and your head down for me okay?"
"Uh huh…." She buried her face into his chest and he moved over to the gun.
He grimaced silently as he held the child tightly and bent over to pick up the weapon. He moved cautiously to the edge of the cliff and after confirming the man below was dead he then moved towards the first man whispering softly, "You're doing so great Gracie, keep your eyes closed for me now"
The man's vacant eyes stared up at Steve as he protectively cupped Gracie's head and held her against his body. After taking the dead man's wallet and picking up the weapon that he had set off to the side while attempting to tie him, Steve grabbed his duffel bag and moved behind a large rock.
Still holding Gracie tightly, he leaned back against the rock and closing his eyes, he tipped his head back.
He was horribly dizzy and he knew he had suffered a concussion but he had to get them out of there. He had to think clearly to keep Gracie safe….'Who in the hell were these guys? Did Wo-Fat send them? Why didn't they just kill me?' His head was throbbing…..he had to move, 'Are there other's waiting for us?"
Gracie's tiny voice pulled him back, "Uncle Steve? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine sweetheart" He smiled down at her, "I'm going to set you down now, but I'm right here okay?"
She nodded and he set her down onto the ground. Then keeping a comforting hand on her arm he spoke softly, "Let's try to reach your Dad and then we'll walk back to the truck. Are you going to be able to do that for me?"
"Uh huh"
He smiled warmly at her, "That's my girl. I'm so proud of you Gracie, you're very brave"
He pulled his cellphone from his pocket, but as suspected he could not get a signal. "We can't call Danno from here. Are you ready to walk?"
"Yes, but Uncle Steve your hurt"
"I got a bump on the head but hasn't Danno told you how hard my head is?"
"He tells me that all the time"
They both chuckled and he leaned in and kissed her, "Let's go" Steve placed the pistol into his waistband and threw the bag over his shoulder. Then carrying the thugs automatic weapon in his right hand, he took Gracie's tiny hand in his and they began to walk.
********* So? Are you still enjoying? Sorry for the delay in posting – between work and Christmas shopping, my writing time has been limited. More to follow and I'd love to hear your thoughts! **********