Steve could hear muffled voices, but he really didn't feel like talking until he heard one that always brought a smile to his face. He sat up a little and turned to see Grace watching him closely. "Hi, Grace."
"Hi, Uncle Steve, Danno said you were sleeping…I told him you were awake. Does it hurt?" the young girl asked with a frown.
"A little," McGarrett answered and smiled at Rachel when she joined her daughter. "Hello, Rachel."
"Hello, Steve, how do you feel?"
"Not as bad as I look," the SEAL answered and sat up a little more as Williams snorted.
"Danny said they are going to put you in a safe house until they catch whoever did this," Rachel observed.
"I know…she was after me…"
"The explosion was a bit of an over kill," Williams added and shifted his injured leg to ease the throbbing. "Grace brought us some malasadas."
"She did…you know there's only one thing better than malasadas," McGarrett said conspiratorially. "Pizza with…"
"Pineapple," Grace said and smiled when her father groaned. It was a running joke whenever they were together and she loved that she could tease her father about something like this.
"Steve, you're a bad influence on my daughter."
"Oh, I don't know, Danny…I tend to agree with Steve and Grace when it comes to pineapple on pizza."
"Good Lord, I really am in pineapple hell," Williams said and smiled at his daughter as she approached his bed.
"Don't worry, Danno, I'll pick off the pineapple for you."
"That's my girl…thank you, Monkey." Williams looked up as the phone beside McGarrett's bed began to ring and nodded that he should answer it.
"McGarrett."
"Hello, Steven, are you enjoying your visit with the Williams family? Oh, don't worry; unlike you I won't hurt them unless you make me. You're not going to make me are you, Steven?"
"What do you want?"
"You dead of course, but not until you pay for what you've done…I will see you soon, Steven, but if you hide, then I'll have to rethink whether I'm going to hurt the people you care about. Goodbye for now, Steven."
McGarrett knew there was no chance of tracing the call and dropped the phone to his chest. He could hear Grace and Rachel talking, and felt Danny watching him closely. He found the energy to move and hung up the phone before nodding at Williams.
"Danny, we have to meet Stan at the harbor, but if you need anything just call me," Rachel said.
"I will…thanks for coming to visit, Rachel," Williams said and smiled at his daughter. "Thank you for the malasadas, Monkey. I'll share them with Steve."
"Okay, Danno, I love you."
"Danno loves you too, Monkey," Williams said and hugged her. He smiled as she went to his partner's bed and hugged her before leaving the room with her mother. "I take it that was her?"
"It was," McGarrett said.
"What did she have to say this time?"
"She told me if I tried to hide from her then she'd go after the people I care about. I'll call Denning and tell him to forget about the safe house."
"Steve…"
"Danny, I'm not putting any of you in danger because someone is looking for revenge."
"You don't even know who or why, Steve. A safe house…"
"Isn't going to help…she knew Rachel and Grace were here."
"What? How the hell could she know that?"
"I don't know, but she did and that means she'll make good on her threats. I won't hide and let her get to you…any of you," McGarrett vowed.
"Then tell me what we're going to do."
"Danny, you've only got one leg…"
"And you don't have a spleen any more. Does that mean you're going to stop doing what you do best? I don't think so and no matter what the governor said I knew damn well you weren't going to hide out. Now quit trying to come up with a new face for me to name and let's talk about what this woman wants and why?"
"She wants revenge for something she thinks I did, but until I find out who and why there's no way to trace her," McGarrett reluctantly answered.
"You really don't recognise her voice?"
"It's distorted, but I've been thinking about the flowers…the black rose. There was someone who used to send those as a signature before he killed his target."
"Oh, God, another assassin," Williams said and shook his head. "Do you know the man's name?"
"It wasn't a man. It was a woman."
"The same one that's been calling you?"
"No, that's not possible."
"Why?"
"She's dead."
"How do you know?"
"Because I killed her. I made sure of it, Danny. The woman was an assassin, but she was more than that. She sent a vase of flowers to her intended victim and killed everyone that person cared about before she killed him. Her targets were men, but she didn't give a damn if she killed children or maimed them. She preferred her victims to have young children just so she could make him suffer with their deaths. It didn't matter whether they were innocent or guilty as long as she was paid she did the job."
"Until she met you?" Williams asked, and saw his friend nod slightly. "What happened?"
"She was sent to kill a senator from California who was all set to change the course of history with a ground breaking bill. I won't go into the details, but suffice it to say he was working with the leader of several small countries to end the drug cartel's that were using people to smuggle drugs into the States. The bill would never have passed without this man and that's why the cartels singled him out. They wanted him dead and would have succeeded except for a young woman. She came forward and told someone who told someone else and I ended up as part of the SEAL team sent in to protect the senator. She was killed before we took out the assassin, but because of her we were able to protect the senator until the bill passed."
"I think I read something about that," Williams told him. "They tried to cover it up so nothing could put a damper on that bill."
"Exactly," McGarrett said and rubbed at his throbbing temples. "It can't be her."
"Did she have any relatives?"
"Not that I know of. According to her file she was an only child and grew up in a wealthy family. She had everything she wanted handed to her on a silver platter. She had her father so fooled that he hired lawyers and detectives to prove we were wrong about her, but the proof was insurmountable and we took her down. I think it probably killed her father…he died of a heart attack not long after."
"What about her mother? Where is she in all of this?"
"Last I heard she was travelling in Europe and remarried."
"Maybe it's her?" Williams offered.
"I don't think so. She wasn't really happy with her life and was one of the reasons we found her daughter. She's been in the news a few times because she married some Duke or other," McGarrett explained.
"Okay, so maybe she had uncles or aunts or cousins that have taken up the gauntlet," Williams said.
"Not according to the mother. She didn't have any living relatives and neither did her husband," McGarrett told him.
"What about children? Could she have had any?"
"I guess, but if she did it was kept secret from her own family," McGarrett answered.
"We should get chin to check her out?"
"Chin's on downtime just like the rest of us, Danny," McGarrett said.
"Are you really going to let someone else work this case, Steve?"
"Right now I don't have a choice," the SEAL told him and motioned to the IV lines.
"Oh sure, a Super SEAL like you is going to let a little needle keep you from going after an assassin?"
"Danny, sometimes even I know when to say when," McGarrett observed tiredly.
"No, Steve, I don't think so. Not now…this is too easy and I won't let you take the weight of this on your shoulders."
"She sent the Black Rose to me…the explosion happened because of me. Two people died because she wanted me dead."
"Then I suggest we make damn sure she doesn't get what she wants. You're too good a cop…"
"You forget I'm not a cop…"
"Maybe not, but you are Five-O. Without you this task force never would have happened and I may not always agree with how you do things, but I'll damn well stand beside you when push comes to shove. We're needed, Steve…even if it's just to take down people like Hesse and Wo Fat! We can't start second guessing what we do just because some bitch with a dead SEAL complex is making it her goal to take us down…because that's what happens if you give up, Steve. Five-O ceases to exist and people like Wo Fat and The Yakuza figure they're above the law again."
"What was the assassin's name…the one you killed?"
"Anastasia Kwiatkowski," McGarrett answered.
"That's a mouthful…Russian or Polish?"
"Mother was Russian….father was Polish," the SEAL answered and felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Could this new threat be related to the black rose assassin who had more victims than he could count on both hands? She was cold-blooded and methodical and he had seen the people she'd killed or maimed in her efforts to kill her target.
Steve turned away from Danny and thought about the woman he'd met only once. Her hair was shoulder length, blond and starkly cut, yet it framed a face that was exotically beautiful with the greenest eyes he'd ever seen. She was slightly shorter than he was and her voice was as soft as a summer breeze. He'd known who, or what she was almost instantly, and he'd killed her because she'd wanted to complete her assignment even though there were innocent lives at stake.
Danny watched his friend for a couple of minutes and hoped he could let someone else take the lead in this case. Steve was a stubborn SOB and thought his SEAL training could help him overcome every obstacle, and, to be honest, most times it did. The problem was Steve was not invincible and no matter what training he had, sooner or later some injuries were insurmountable. Surgery to remove his spleen would keep a normal person off their job for several weeks, but with McGarrett the doctors would be lucky if he took a couple of days.
Williams looked down at his leg and knew there wasn't much he could do to stop McGarrett if the man decided to go after an assassin of this caliber. Kono was out of commission as well, and Chin wasn't exactly up to the task of searching for the woman. Yet, there was no way they could just push it aside, not when the woman had singled out one of their own and tried to take out the whole task force as collaborate damage.
Danny heard footsteps outside the door and listened as whoever it was spoke to the guard before opening the door. He recognized the man standing there and motioned for him to keep his voice down as he pointed to the man in the other bed.
"How are you, Danny?" Lukela asked softly.
"I'm okay, Duke," Williams answered. "Did you find out anything new about the explosion?"
"Not much, but I've got someone checking into it for me. He's not tied down like we are so if there's anything to be found he'll find it," Lukela answered.
"What about headquarters? Is it salvageable?"
"No, the whole place is probably going to be condemned and the governor has already put out feelers for another building," Lukela told him.
"The governor seems to be taking this personally," Williams observed.
"He doesn't like the idea that someone could take HPD down so easily. He wants a better building where it's easily defended and a place that has modern conveniences. He also mentioned something about better detectors for explosives and weapons and mentioned having a specialist who works with dogs."
"A K-Nine unit?" Williams asked.
"I think that's what it's called. They'll be able to sniff out drugs and explosives," Lukela told him and motioned to the other bed. "How's he doing?"
"You know Steve…he's blaming himself and he's not going to let it go. He's…"
"Awake and can hear you," McGarrett interrupted.
"How are you, Steve?" Lukela asked.
"Considering I've got one less organ and feel like I'm high half the time I'm good," McGarrett answered. "Tell me you've talked to Mana."
"Who's Mana?" Williams asked.
"Mana Kāne…he's an explosives expert," McGarrett answered.
"Can he be trusted?"
"I trust him. He lost his legs in an explosion a few years ago and no one knows whether it was one of his own jobs that went wrong or if he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His specialty is liquid explosives," McGarrett told him and looked at Lukela. "Did you talk to him?"
"I did and I showed him what little we do have. He's going to check into a couple of things and get back to me," the police officer explained.
"I want to…"
"Sorry, Brah, but the governor doesn't want Five-O involved in this investigation."
"We already are, Duke…"
"It's too close, Steve…too personal."
"That's just it, Duke….she made it personal and I'm not going to sit this one out."
"What choice do you have? You and Danny are out for the count because of surgery. Chin's got a bum leg and Kono has a serious concussion. Five-O is out of commission, Steve, let us do our jobs," Lukela said.
Steve knew the man was right, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the assassin wasn't going to let it go that easy. She wanted him dead and had already proven she would do anything and everything to see it done. He wasn't going to let her hurt the people he cared about, no matter what it took.
"Look, I've got to get back to the office, but I'll do what I can to keep you up to date on the investigation…as long as you let us do what we're trained to do," Lukela told him.
"Right now I don't have much choice," McGarrett said. "Tell Mana to look at female assassins that specialize in liquid explosives and tell him to ask about Anastasia Kwiatkowski."
"Who is she?"
"She was an assassin…one of the best," McGarrett answered.
"Let me guess…she specializes in liquid explosives?"
"She used to…before I killed her," the SEAL told him.
"Then she can't be behind this," Lukela said.
"No, she can't, but I have a feeling the woman behind this is a relative of hers," McGarrett answered.
"Do you have a name?"
"No, I'm not even sure it's a relative, but the things she said make me think she is."
"All right," Lukela said and made a note of the name McGarrett gave him. "I'll run it through the data base and see if there are any red flags."
"Mahalo, Duke," McGarrett said. He looked at the IV running into his arm and cursed the fact that for the time being he was tied down.
"Anytime," the officer said and left the two men alone.
Steve sat on the edge of his bed and could feel Danny watching him. He knew Williams was worried, hell, he'd be crazy not to, but right now there wasn't much he could do. The ringing of the phone brought him out of his thoughts and he reached for it with a heavy heart. "McGarrett."
"Hello, Steven, how are you feeling? I know you must be angry about the mess I made of your office, but I should tell you I'm just as angry that I didn't finish my job…"
"Maybe you should come down here and we can talk about Anastasia Kwiatkowski…"
"Who?"
McGarrett heard the slight quiver in her voice and understood he was on the right track. He held up his hand when Williams went to ask him something. "You're not as good as she is, but the black rose was a dead giveaway…just like her…dead I mean."
"You bastard! You have no idea…"
"Oh, I have a few ideas…was she your mother…sister…lover maybe?" McGarrett asked, hoping he could keep her on the line long enough to get a trace.
"I know what you're doing, Steven, but it won't work. No matter what your people do they won't be able to trace my call. I was trained by the best and she would turn over in her grave if she thought I allowed you to get the upper hand."
"She can't turn over in her grave…there wasn't enough left of her to bury."
"You really are a mean bastard, but she knew that and so do I. Good bye, Steven, I will be in touch again very soon."
"Was that her?" Williams asked and saw the truth in McGarrett's eyes as he replaced the phone. "Maybe they got a trace."
"I don't think so," McGarrett said, but checked anyway, disappointed when the female tech told him the call wasn't long enough to get more than a generalized search area.
"We'll find her, Steve." Williams said and saw McGarrett's head shake slightly.
"Will we, Danny? Like Duke said Five-O is out of commission."
"We may be down, but Five-O is never out," the Jersey native vowed, and could tell McGarrett understood what he was saying. "Look, Steve, there's not a whole lot we can do from here, but if we give Kamekona a call maybe he can do some digging for us."
"Maybe," McGarrett said and reached for the phone. He nodded to Williams as he made the call and winced when he shifted a little too quickly.
"It's your quarter…"
"No one uses payphones anymore, Kamekona, and if they do it's probably a lot more than a quarter," McGarrett said.
"What can I do for you, McGarrett? You and Williams still under the doctor's knife?"
"No, but we're still in the hospital. Look, I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
"Name it."
"Are you busy or can you come to Queens?"
"I\m already there…just walking into your room," Kamekona said and grinned at the two men.
"That's funny…ha ha," Williams said and adjusted his leg as he shifted his weight.
"I knew you'd appreciate good humor," the big man said.
"Sarcasm doesn't mean anything to you does it?" the Jersey native asked.
"Sarcasm? What's that?"
"Something you're not very good at. Okay, what's in the bag?"
"Pineapple…"
"Oh, come on…you wouldn't do that!"
"Do what?" Kamekona asked and grinned at McGarrett before opening the bag and taking out two containers. "Mama said she can't come visit, but she can send some chicken soup for the soul."
"Thanks, Brah," McGarrett said and looked at the container disinterestedly. "I need…"
"A favor…name it," Kamekona told him.
"Can you ask your people about a woman named Anastasia Kwiatkowski?"
"That's a real mouthful…what's she done? Is she the one who blew up Five-O headquarters?"
"No, she's dead," McGarrett answered and told Kamekona everything he needed to know if he was going to help them.
"So, you think she may have had a daughter?" Kamekona asked.
"Daughter…sister…maybe a lover. Don't disregard anything and tell me everything you find out about her," McGarrett ordered.
"That's not much to go on," Kamekona advised.
"She's using the same signature Anastasia Kwiatkowski used. A black rose at the center of a bouquet of flowers," McGarrett explained.
"A black rose…some say that is a good symbol, Brah."
"Not in this case…she sent the rose to her victims and their families before she acted on her assignment. Check the local flower shops because it would be a special order…"
"Didn't the police already check the flower shops in the area?" Kamekona asked.
"They probably did, but the governor doesn't want us involved so no one is giving us much to go on," Williams answered.
"Damn, the whole team?"
"Yes, we're all under orders to stay out of it because we're too close," the Jersey native told him and saw the big man smile.
"So, if I do this I might be stepping on some toes?"
"I hope you mean that figuratively and not literally?" Williams observed.
"Was that sarcasm about my weight, 'cause you know it's not my fault. I'm big boned."
"Big everything," McGarrett teased.
"That just means there's more for the ladies to love," Kamekona advised. "I'll check with my sources and let you know what I find out. Did you talk to Mana?"
"Duke Lukela did. He's checking his sources," McGarrett answered.
"I'll check with him and make sure he doesn't tell Lukela you've got me working the case in spite of the governor's orders. When they letting you out of here?"
"A couple of days," McGarrett answered.
"You sure?"
"No, he's not. I think it's just wishful thinking," Williams answered.
"Maybe for you, Danny, but I'm not the one with a bum leg," McGarrett told him.
"No, but do I need to remind you of the surgery you had?"
"Uhoh, that's my cue to leave. You two sound like an old married couple and I'm not getting between you," Kamekona said and left the two men alone.
TBC