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The Other Guy (1/1)

"Hey, Jenkins. Long time no see. What brings you out to an actual crime scene?" Ken Holmes, lead crime reporter for Oahu Today asked. "I heard you got a cushy courthouse gig with The Legal Register."

"I wouldn't call it cushy," Ray Jenkins replied, "But to be perfectly honest, I sure don't miss getting dragged out of bed to go to a crime scene at 5:00 in the morning."

Holmes snapped a few pictures as Max and his team arrived. "So why are you here then?"

"I'm writing a piece on one of the task force members for this month's edition," Ray replied. "I wanted a chance to see him in action before we talk later this week."

"You got an interview with McGarrett?" Ken gave an appreciative whistle. "How'd you manage that? Everybody I know that's tried got shot down."

Ray shook his head. "I'm not writing about McGarrett. I'm writing about Danny Williams."

"That explains it then." Holmes took a few steps to his left to get a better view of what was going on. "Probably a lot easier to get a sit down with him. Probably be a tougher piece to write though."

Ray looked confused. "Why?"

"You have all those built in storylines with McGarrett," Ken said. "Naval Academy, Navy SEAL, task force commander, wife who's the governor's chief of staff. The article practically writes itself."

"Maybe," Ray agreed.

"I guess when you can't get your first choice you have to settle for number two." Ken shrugged. "What're you gonna do?"

"Williams wasn't my second choice," Ray said with a slightly defensive tone. "I watched him testify last month at the Pekelo trial and it was a masterclass. No question in my mind the guy would have walked free on three murders without Williams's testimony."

"Putting bad guys away is part of his job, isn't it?" Holmes asked dismissively.

"Maybe." Ray pointed his camera towards the scene and snapped a couple of pictures as Steve and Danny came into view. "But Pekelo's lawyer was a shark. A highly paid one at that. I know I could never have held up under that kind of cross-examination."

As Steve and Danny started to move towards the Camaro the assembled reporters moved forward and Steve suddenly found himself with multiple microphones in his face.

Ray Jenkins looked up just in time to see Danny open the passenger side door of the car and climb in with a small smile on his face.

Ray showed his press credentials to the woman sitting behind the cluttered desk at the front of the public records room at the courthouse.

"You don't need to show me those." The woman said. "These records are open to anyone with the time and patience to go through them."

Ray flashed her a pleading smile. "I was kinda hoping you'd take pity on me and help me find what I need. I'm on a deadline." He pulled a bag from behind his back. "I brought cinnamon rolls."

The woman grinned. "How did you know those are my favorite?"

"I might have heard it through the grapevine," Ray admitted.

The woman, whose name was Ingrid Phillips, barked a laugh. "Helping people find what they're looking for is actually part of my job. But if you reporters think bringing me treats will grease the wheels …" She gave him a wink. "Who am I to say no?" She looked at his credential again. "How can I help you, Mr. Jenkins?"

"I'm writing a story on one of the 5-0 team members," Ray started.

Ingrid cut him off. "McGarrett?"

She started towards the section with the task force records.

"No," Ray said. "Danny Williams."

She looked over her shoulder. "Really? That's a switch."

"Danny Williams gave a masterful performance in court last month," Ray said. "He deserves to be recognized for it."

"You don't have to tell me." Ingrid arrived at her destination and pointed to several shelves of files. "I know Detective Williams well. He's a great cop and an even better man. It's just that usually when reporters come around here they're looking for information on the commander."

Ray's eyes twinkled. "Well I'm gonna change that. Even if only for this one article."

"You let me know if you need any more help." Ingrid patted his forearm before heading back to her desk. "And make sure you send me a copy of that article," she called over her shoulder. "I can't wait to read it."

"Thanks for talking to me, Commander," Ray said as he took a seat on the couch in Steve's office.

"I wish I had more time but my son has a little league game tonight and he wants to get in some extra hitting practice before we go," Steve said as he took a seat behind his desk.

"I'll be brief," Ray promised. "As I said in my message, I'm writing a piece for the Legal Register spotlighting Detective Williams's testimony in the Pekelo case."

"I managed to get over to the courthouse to see a little bit of that," Steve said with a proud smile. "He was great, wasn't he? I never could have held my temper the way he did when Pekelo's lawyer started questioning our investigation."

"Is that why the PA decided to have him testify instead of you?" Ray asked.

"No." Steve shook his head. "It was because Danny led that investigation right from day one. I was busy prepping testimony for a separate case the day the bodies were found so I didn't really get up to speed until a couple of days into the investigation."

"Is that the standard practice?" Ray asked.

Steve steepled his fingers on the desk in front of him. "What do you mean?"

"If you're unavailable Detective Williams takes the lead until you get back?"

"Danny is perfectly capable of leading cases whether I'm available or not," Steve said.

"Right. Of course," Ray struggled to think of how to phrase his next question. "It's just that … well… I've talked to several people on background and when I mentioned I was doing a story on a member of the task force they all assumed it was you. When I told them it was Detective Williams quite a few of them said …"

Steve's eyes narrowed. "Said what?"

"They said, 'Oh, the other guy.'," Ray said.

"Who said that?" Steve asked, his voice suddenly lower and more intense.

"I … well … I'd rather not name them," Ray stammered. He suddenly knew exactly what people meant when they talked about being on the wrong end of Steve McGarrett's legendary glare. "I don't think anyone meant it as an insult."

"Let me tell you a few things," Steve said. "Danny Williams is the heart and soul of this task force. Without him we'd be nothing. Not only is he one of the finest investigators I've ever known, he has an amazing ability to keep us all focused on what's important and why we do this work."

Ray opened his mouth to speak but Steve continued.

"He's smart. He has an amazing eye for details. His ability to put all the pieces of an investigation together like a puzzle is unmatched. In the field, I can count on him to always have my back. I know the other team members feel the same way. Along with every officer in the HPD.

"According to the press I make some questionable choices but trust me, if Danny wasn't around they'd be a lot more and a lot worse. He makes me a much better cop. I have no idea what I'd do without him."

Ray scribbled furiously in his notebook.

"Can I tell you something off the record for background?" Steve asked.

Ray laid down his pen. "Of course."

"Aside from being a great investigator, Danny Williams is an outstanding man, the best friend a guy could ask for, an amazing uncle and godfather, and the kind of trusted friend that comes along once in a lifetime.

"He has made me a better man, a better husband, and most importantly, a better father. The day he decided to relocate to Hawaii was a very lucky day for the people of this island and a day that changed my life forever.

"So you can tell whoever thinks of Danny Williams as 'the other guy' that they have no idea what they're talking about."

Ray closed his notebook and nodded. "I think I have everything I need. Thanks for your time, Commander McGarrett. Good luck at tonight's game."

Two days later Danny arrived at the beach house early wearing a wide, Cheshire Cat grin.

"What are you smiling about?" Steve asked as he put the last of the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher.

"Ray Jenkins sent me a draft of the article he wrote about me." Danny produced a piece of paper from behind his back with a flourish.

"I managed to get him a few minutes with Leah," Catherine said as she dried her hands on a dish towel. "She was happy to talk to him about Five-0."

"She said some very nice things." Danny smiled. "Be sure to thank her for me. But I'd really like to draw your attention to the first paragraph." His eyes sparkled as he cleared his throat and read, You can call Danny Williams 'the other guy' on the 5-0 task force if you want. But I recommend you don't do it in front of Steve McGarrett unless you fancy being on the wrong end of a very intense glare. According to the Commander, the task force wouldn't be nearly as successful as they are without Detective Williams."

Steve dropped his chin to his chest and muttered, "I knew I was gonna regret talking to that guy."

Catherine rubbed his arm supportively as Danny continued.

"'McGarrett called Williams one of the finest investigators he's ever worked with'."

"What was I supposed to say?" Steve teased. "I had to be nice."

"According to Ray Jenkins what you said was that I'm," he pretended to search for the quote even though he had already memorized it. "'The heart and soul of the team'."

"I'm giving you exactly one day to gloat about this," Steve said.

"Then prepare yourself, partner." Danny grinned. "We are gonna be joined at the hip for the next 24 hours. Because I'm taking advantage of every second."

THE END

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