Helen made her way to the other school, having heard that drugs had also surfaced there. The break would start soon, and Helen hoped to find someone who knew what was going on at the school. She arrived just in time for the break and mingled with the other students. She observed the small groups that typically formed but didn't notice anything unusual at first.
When the bell rang for the next class, Helen stood uncertainly in the schoolyard. Should she go inside or come back during the next break?
She decided to go inside. The hallways quickly emptied, and Helen began to worry about being caught by the teachers. Passing by a restroom, she quickly opened the door, slipped inside, and closed it behind her. She leaned against the wall and slid down, her dizziness returning. Perhaps it was a mistake to come out today.
"What are you running from?"
Helen jumped; she hadn't noticed the girl leaning against another wall.
"Biology."
"With Snake?"
Helen just nodded.
"Yeah, that's definitely worth running from. You look a bit pale. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks."
"Otherwise, go see Ritchie and get some of the yellow ones. They'll perk you up a bit."
"Ah, thanks for the tip. I could use something. Where can I find Ritchie?"
"Check by the fountain during the next break."
"Alright, thanks."
Helen stood up, feeling steadier. She cautiously peeked out of the restroom and made her way back outside. She needed to find this fountain. Looking around the schoolyard, she couldn't see a fountain. Damn, maybe she should have asked for more details, but then it would have been clear she wasn't from the school.
Helen retreated to the edge of the schoolyard. She hadn't given up hope of finding the dealer. Soon, students streamed back onto the yard. Helen watched the activity from her spot. Finally, she noticed a drinking fountain near another building that looked unused. She headed in that direction, trying to blend in. Many students were standing around. How was she supposed to identify Ritchie? She didn't dare ask. Helen pretended to drink from the fountain, inspecting the boys standing nearby. The bell rang for the next class, and Helen was no closer to finding the dealer than she had been in the morning. She pressed deeper into the corner to avoid drawing attention for not returning to class. Today, she would likely have to leave without any results and try again another day.
Just as she was about to leave, she noticed a boy who wasn't going back to class but was heading off the school grounds toward the city. On impulse, Helen decided to follow him from a distance. Eventually, the boy turned onto a path leading to the beach. It was now or never. Helen caught up and walked alongside him.
"What class are you skipping?"
The boy jumped slightly but relaxed when he saw Helen was alone.
Helen continued, using the information from the girl in the restroom.
"I can't stand Biology with Snake. What about you?"
"Physics with Hedwigs."
"Oh yeah, I've heard she's terrible. I'm Helen."
She held out her hand.
"Ritchie." Hesitantly, he took her hand. By now, Helen was unsure if the information from the girl was accurate. Ritchie didn't seem like a dealer at all. He was rather reserved and shy; she had expected someone like Raúl. A brief wave of anger surged within her as she thought about how Raúl had humiliated her. She refocused on the boy in front of her and took a shot in the dark.
"Hey, I heard you have something to help with bad moods."
Ritchie's expression changed instantly. He stared at her warily.
"Who says that?"
"I didn't get her name, but she told me to meet Ritchie at the fountain and ask for the 'yellow ones.'"
"And how do you know I'm him?"
"Aren't you Ritchie?"
Helen pulled a crumpled bill from her cargo pants and held it out to him.
"Is this enough?"
"Are you crazy? Not here. Come on."
He pulled Helen behind one of the old kiosks that hadn't been in operation for a long time. He grabbed her money and handed her a small bag with five yellow pills. A unicorn was printed on the bag. She quickly stuffed the bag into her pocket. Just as Ritchie was about to turn away, Helen stopped him again.
"One more thing. My stepdad is keeping a close watch on me. I'd like to earn some extra cash. What do I need to do?"
Helen could see Ritchie pondering; he probably didn't want her interfering with his business, but then he relented.
"The 'Excalibur' at the old container port. Nico always needs people. But you didn't hear it from me."
With that, Ritchie walked away for good. Helen also headed back. She needed to hurry before anyone realized she wasn't at home. Kamekona wouldn't be fooled by the decoy pillows forever. She threw the drugs into the nearest trash can. If Steve found them on her, she'd be in real trouble, and she didn't want to risk that.
She managed to sneak back into her room unnoticed. Exhausted, she collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep shortly after. She was still sleeping when Steve came home an hour later. He had left work early because he was still worried about Helen. He knocked and entered Helen's room. Sitting on the edge of her bed, he stroked her forehead, which felt less warm. Groggily, she half-opened her eyes.
"Hey, sweetheart, hungry? I brought your favourite food."
He placed a bag on the nightstand, from which the delicious smell of satay sauce wafted.
"Thank you" Helen sat up.
"If you need anything else, let me know."
"Thanks, Dad."
She hugged him briefly and then pulled the food bag closer. Smiling, Steve left Helen's room. She looked much better and seemed to have an appetite.
The next morning, Helen appeared at breakfast as usual and shoveled cereal into her mouth. Steve and Catherine exchanged glances and had to stifle a smile.
"What?" Helen looked from one to the other.
"Just that the way you're devouring that cereal, you must have a lot to catch up on from yesterday."
"Well, I didn't have breakfast yesterday…."
"Got it." Steve drained his coffee cup. "Ready to go?"
Helen took the last spoonful of her cereal. "Yep."
Steve dropped Helen off as usual and then drove on. As soon as she arrived, Helen pulled Grace aside and led her to the far end of the schoolyard, where no one could overhear them. Grace looked at Helen curiously.
"What's up?"
"You wanted to help find those responsible for Aliya's death, right?"
Grace nodded.
"Yeah, but Danno won't let me. He doesn't tell me anything. I only know about the other death at another school from you."
"I went there yesterday."
Grace looked at her, puzzled.
"I thought you were sick?"
"Yeah, that too. But I used the time to go to the other school. I wanted to find out who's dealing there. And as luck would have it, I did. I also found out where the dealer gets his supply."
Grace stared at her wide-eyed.
"Why don't you tell Steve?"
"Last time, they got away before we could catch them. I want to make sure they're really there before we call in our dads. Are you in? We'll skip the last two classes; that'll give us enough time."
Grace nodded.
"Alright."
The two girls then hurried off to class. The first period had already started, and they needed to be quick. The next few hours were restless for them, but finally, they had the opportunity to leave.
At the harbor, Helen was to introduce herself to Nico while Grace waited outside as backup, ready to call Danny if things went south. With a queasy feeling, Helen stepped onto the gangway of the 'Excalibur.' She glanced back, but Grace had already retreated to her hiding spot.
Suddenly, a hulking man stood before her.
"Hey, little girl, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?"
Helen straightened her shoulders and stood a bit taller.
"I want to talk to Nico."
"Who wants to talk to Nico? And why?"
"I'm Helen. I was told that Nico needs more people."
"You're bold, I'll give you that. Come on."
He opened one of the doors and let Helen in.
"This way."
The man pointed down a corridor, and Helen had to walk ahead.
"Stop."
The man knocked on one of the doors on the right. After a muffled voice answered, he opened the door and pushed Helen inside. She heard the door close behind her.
Helen swallowed hard. Nico was not alone; two other grim-looking men flanked him. The man at the desk, who Helen assumed was Nico, looked at her curiously.
"What do you want here?"
"I heard you need new people, and I really need some cash. My stepdad is barely giving me anything right now."
"Which school do you go to?"
Helen named her school, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He was about to speak again when there was another knock, and the big man pushed a pale Grace into the room. Helen's eyes widened, but she tried to keep her composure.
"I found this one up on the pier. If I'm not mistaken, she's the daughter of that Detective Williams or whatever his name is."
Nico nodded, recognizing her face.
"Is everything ready?"
The man nodded.
"Yes, boss."
"Good, then get out of here before the police show up. We don't want this detective's daughter calling her daddy."
He turned to Helen and Grace.
"And you two lovely ladies are going on a little trip."
The man bound Grace and Helen and locked them in a neighboring cabin without windows. The girls heard the door being locked from the outside, and then all went quiet.
Helen was angry.
"Damn it, Grace, what was that?"
"Don't yell at me, I don't know how he found me. He just appeared behind me. Maybe the whole plan was just stupid."
The girls were silent for a moment. Helen finally relented.
"I'm sorry, you're probably right. We should've told Steve and Danny right away. We're definitely in trouble now."
"I'm sorry too. Do you still have your phone?"
Helen shook her head.
"Me neither."
Nervously drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, Steve glanced at Danny, who stood tapping on the driver's window. Steve rolled it down.
"Has Helen shown up yet?"
Steve shook his head. They watched as the last few students trickled out of the school, but neither Grace nor Helen was among them. An uneasy feeling gnawed at Steve's stomach. He got out and walked with Danny into the school. They encountered the girls' physics teacher, whom Steve recognized from a parent-teacher conference.
"Detective Williams, Commander McGarrett? Is something wrong?"
"No, not really, we're just looking for our daughters."
The teacher adjusted her glasses.
"They weren't in their last classes, but it seems they had an excuse."
Steve's face darkened. Danny quickly interjected.
"Must've been a miscommunication at home. Thank you, have a nice afternoon."
He pulled Steve outside. Steve snorted.
"Miscommunication? They skipped class, and since they haven't shown up, I bet those two went investigating the drugs on their own."
Danny looked surprised.
"Why do you think that?"
"Helen's been bothered ever since she wasn't allowed to talk to Raúl and kept asking about the case. Aliya's death hit her hard."
Danny's face darkened too.
"Grace kept asking as well. I thought if I didn't tell her anything, she'd eventually give up."
"Looks like our daughters have more from us more than we'd like."
They stood by the cars, thinking.
"Alright, how do we find them now?"
Steve pulled out his laptop and entered the girls' phone numbers. Shortly, they saw a steady signal blinking at the harbor. After some quick research, they found that the 'Excalibur' was docked at that pier and was set to sail in 15 minutes.
"Damn it!"
Steve threw the laptop into the Silverado, locked it, and ran with Danny to the Camaro. On the way, Danny tossed him the Camaro keys. The men jumped into the car, and before the doors were fully closed, Steve sped off with tires screeching and the blue lights flashing.
When they arrived at the harbor, they saw the freighter just leaving. Frustrated, Steve pounded the steering wheel and looked around frantically.
"Over there."
Danny nodded, and they sprinted toward a motorboat that was about to depart.
"Stop, Five-0, we need to use your boat!" Steve shouted.
Danny flashed his badge.
The men on the boat looked at them and then throttled down the motor. Steve and Danny jumped aboard. Steve immediately drove off.
Steve radioed the freighter, requesting it to stop. The Dutch skipper was displeased but eventually slowed down enough for the motorboat to pull alongside. Steve asked the men on the motorboat to wait and then he and Danny climbed onto the freighter. Along with the skipper and another crew member, they searched the ship. They were about to give up when Steve found the girls' backpacks in one of the cabins. Grace and Helen had been there.
"Steve!"
Danny pointed to another door with a bolt across it. Steve carefully slid the bolt back and opened the door.
"Danno!"
In two steps, Danny was in the room, pulling his daughter into his arms. Relieved that the girls were unharmed, Steve followed him and untied Helen.
Helen hugged her dad tightly. He returned the embrace, but she sensed his anger. After thanking the skipper, Steve and Danny led the girls back to the motorboat and returned to the harbor without speaking a word to them. At the dock, Steve thanked the boatmen and headed to the car. Danny, Grace, and Helen followed him.
Steve's silence hurt Helen more than any scolding. He held the door open for the girls to get in and then drove back to the school. There, he handed Danny the Camaro keys, said goodbye, and got into the Silverado, waiting for Helen to join him. She hugged Grace and Danny briefly before getting into the passenger seat. Steve didn't speak to her the entire way home. She could feel his anger and disappointment, but he didn't let it out. When they got home, Steve got out and walked inside without a word. Helen got out too and stood by the car, feeling lost. She had never seen her dad like this. Tears streamed down her face, and she felt like she had broken something precious. Then Catherine was beside her, hugging her tightly.
"He's in the garden."
Sniffling, Helen nodded and walked around the house.
Steve stood with his back to the house, looking out at the sea.
Helen slid her hand into his from behind.
"I'm sorry, Dad."
He looked at her sadly, then pulled her into his arms. Helen knew it would take a lot of work to regain his trust.