Aumakua 7 of 10
Disclaimer: Hawaii 5-0 and characters belong to CBS, only the story is mine.
Continuing adventures of Steve, Danny and Grace
Ho'opakele
The trio rested for about a half an hour. Steve didn’t want to rush things, but he wanted to see if they could be picked up before nightfall. It took them a little over an hour to reach their destination.
Steve stopped and started taking off his pack. “I’m going to call Alan. Grace, I can see some of that Lilikoi fruit you liked and a Macadamia tree. Why don’t you show Danno how to pick it and we can have some while we wait.” Steve chuckled as he watched Grace drag a sputtering Danny to the fruit. He pulled out his phone and a small GPS device before calling Alan.
“Alan Jennings.”
“Alan, it’s Steve.”
“Steve, are you guys ready for pick up?”
“Yes, we’ve made it to the coast. An inflatable boat or a smaller motor boat should be able to land easily.” Steve relayed to his friend.
“Gotcha Steve. We have just the boat for pick up.”
“When do you think that you and Mark can get here?”
“We made good time. We should be there in a couple of hours. I’ll give you a call when we’re ready to launch the small boat.” Alan responded.
“Great. We’ll be waiting.” The two men hung up and Steve joined Danny and Grace. “We should be rescued in a couple of hours Danny. It looks like you picked enough fruit so why don’t we sit down to enjoy it.” Steve gave Chin a call to update him on their situation. The only news was that the DEA were also trying to bring the Cameron brothers to justice. This was definitely interesting news.
Less than two hours later, Steve received a call from Alan. “McGarrett.”
“Steve, we are closing in on your position. Can you see us?”
Steve stood up and using his binoculars searched for Alan’s boat. Once he spotted it he told Alan. “I see you. You’re getting close enough to send in the smaller boat.”
“K’den. See you soon.”
“Thanks, we’ll be waiting.” Steve disconnected the call. “It won’t be long before Alan and Mark get here. We should take care of business and then make sure our packs secure.”
“Okay Steve. Come on Grace, let’s hit the bushes.”
Smiling Grace took her father’s hand as they headed for some concealing trees and bushes.
Steve chuckled as he headed for some different bushes.
Steve was checking his pack when Danny and Grace came back.
Grace skipped over to Steve holding out some Java Plums. “Look, I found some Java Plums. I thought your friends might like them.”
Steve looked at Grace’s find smiling. “I think they will like them. That was very thoughtful of you Leia. Why don’t you put them here on this relatively flat rock so you can check your pack?” The three heard a motor approaching and looked toward the ocean. “It looks like Mark is here to pick us up. I’ll help him get the boat secured while the two of you finish checking your packs.”
Danny and Grace grabbed their packs and made sure that they put everything in them, including the trash as Steve instructed them that morning. They could clean them out later.
Steve sat on a nearby rock to remove his boots and socks, and then rolled up his pants. He waded into the water to meet the boat. Mark tossed him the tie line. Steve caught it and helped maneuver the boat onto the beach.
Once the boat was secure, Mark jumped out and hugged Steve patting his back (you know the manly hug). “Good to see you in one piece Steve.”
Steve stepped back. “Thanks Mark. Let me introduce you to my partner Detective Danny Williams and his daughter Grace. Danny, Grace this is an old friend Mark Jennings. We grew up together.”
Danny shook his hand. “It’s good to meet you Mr. Jennings. Call me Danny.”
“Pleasure’s mine. Please call me Mark.” He held his hand out for Grace smiling. “Hello Grace. Steve told me that you were beautiful, and smart. I can see that he was right about the beauty part.”
Grace looked up at Mark wide eyed. He wasn’t as tall as Steve, but he was still big. “Thank you Mr. Mark.”
Mark laughed. “Okay, you’re smart too. Well, let’s get this show on the road. I imagine that the three of you are ready for some civilization.”
“Absolutely. Steve is the nature nut here. I’m a city boy and proud of it.” Danny said as he grabbed his and Grace’s pack.
He looked at the two men who were smiling at him, before looking at Grace. She had her mouth covered trying not to giggle. “What? I want a shower and some coffee. No, I need coffee.”
Grace’s giggles were infectious. The three men joined her. Steve grabbed his pack. “Alright Danno. We can go now. Oh, wait.” He stopped Mark from climbing into the boat. “Grace, why don’t you give Mark your gift now, that way he can take it onto the boat with him.”
Mark looked at Grace who held out the plums she picked. “I found these for you and your brother. I thought you might like them.”
Mark bent over smiling as he accepted the plums. “Well thank you Grace. Alan and I love Java Plums.”
Grace smiled brightly. “You’re welcome.”
“Alright let’s get this show on the road.” Mark climbed back into the boat carefully with his gift. He put them in a bag before grabbing life jackets handing them to Steve. Steve handed him his pack in exchange. “Give Mark your packs Danny and put on the life jacket. Here’s a Navy special life jacket for you Grace. I sent them to Mark and Alan a few years ago because they are the best life vests out there. Here, let me help you put it on.” Steve helped her adjust the jacket so it was snug. “Alright Danny, it’s time to get in the boat. Leia, could you grab my socks and boots please while I put on my jacket?”
Grace grabbed the socks, stuffing them in the boots and then picked up the boots bringing them to Steve.
He took them with a smile handing them to Mark. “I’m going to lift you into the boat Leia.” He looked at Danny who was going to try and help Steve with Grace. “No Danny, stay still. You don’t want to unbalance the boat. Ready Leia?” She nodded and he lifted her easily into the boat. He untied the boat, tossing the rope to Mark. Once the motor was started, he helped to get the boat off the sand. Once the boat was loose he climbed in and sat next to Grace.
Mark slowly backed the boat out to where he could easily turn around. Once he was sure that he was away from any possible obstacles, he opened up the motor more and headed for the larger boat that was waiting for the foursome.
It didn’t take them long to reach the larger boat that had brought the two fishermen within easy reach of shore. Once all passengers had been safely transferred to the larger boat Steve made final introductions.
“Alan, I’d like you to meet my partner Detective Danny Williams and his daughter Grace. This is my old friend Alan Jennings.”
Alan shook hands with Danny and Grace. “It’s nice to meet the two of you, I’m sorry it had to be under these circumstances.”
“Same here Alan. Thanks for coming to help us.” Danny said. Grace just smiled at him.
Mark walked over to Alan showing him the plums. “Grace picked these for us, she thought we'd like them.”
Alan bent down so that he could look Grace in the face better. “Mahalo Grace. We love our fruit. Now, Steve has told us that you are a very smart girl. Would you like to help me navigate a boat?”
Grace looked at Danny for permission. He nodded resignedly. She smiled brightly. “I’d like that. 'Anakala says that it’s important to learn new things when you can.”
Alan looked a little confused so Steve explained smiling. “I consider both Danny and Grace family. So Grace wanted to know what uncle was in Hawaiian.”
“’Anakala Steve calls me Leia.”
“Ah. Well, that is certainly a very nice nickname. Alright Grace let me show you what to do.” Alan and Grace headed to the wheelhouse for her lessons.
Danny looked at Steve. “You’re really pushing the teaching Grace new things you know. I don’t see why a little girl needs to know how to steer a boat.”
Steve huffed. “So she’s a girl Danny. We both know that girls can do many of the things that boys can do and still be a girl. Look at Kono. Dad used to say that growing up is about learning new things and not worry about whether they are for ‘boys’ or ‘girls’. Look at her; she's enjoying herself and feeling useful instead of being afraid.” He pointed to the wheelhouse where they could see Alan and Grace talking and she was smiling.
Danny slumped knowing Steve was right. “How afraid do you think she’s been?”
Steve sat next to his friend. “All things considered, not too bad. While we were picking fruit she told me that she was scared.” Danny looked at Steve sharply ready to read him the riot act for not telling him. Steve continued before Danny could start. “I told her that it was okay to be scared. I was scared. She had trouble believing it because you told her that I was one of the bravest men you knew.” Danny looked down embarrassed. “Thanks for that by the way. I explained that being brave didn’t mean that you weren’t scared, it means that you do what needs to be done in spite of being scared.”
Danny looked at Steve impressed. “Did you use an example?”
Steve nodded, understanding Danny’s need to know that Grace was okay. “I used Disney’s Beauty and the Beast that we watched recently. Belle was scared when she entered Beast’s castle, but she still did it. Grace seemed to understand.”
Danny stared at Steve, amazed and a little jealous. He was amazed that Steve picked such a good example, though he really shouldn’t have been. Steve had gotten very good at talking with Grace. He was jealous because Grace went to Steve instead of her Danno. He pushed the jealousy aside, since it was uncalled for in this situation. All that really mattered is that his Grace was okay. “Sorry. I keep forgetting that you are getting better at speaking with Grace in a way she'll understand. Thank you for being there for her.”
Steve bumped Danny’s shoulder. “Anytime Danny, you know that.”
Danny smiled. “I do know that. Mahalo.” Danny turned to Mark. “How long will it take us to get back to Oahu?”
Mark thought about it for a moment. “We should be back sometime tomorrow. This boat is a good reliable boat, but she’s not one of the fastest boats out there.”
Danny nodded. “That’s fine. I just wanted to know what to expect.”
Mark smiled. “I understand. We have bunks where you three can sleep, and plenty of food. We also have a small bathroom that you can at least wash up.”
Steve answered. “Thanks Mark. We really do appreciate it. I should give Chin a call and let him know to expect us tomorrow.”
Mark nodded in acknowledgment and headed for the wheelhouse.
Steve pulled out his phone and hesitated.
Danny groaned as he noticed Steve’s hesitation. “What’s on your mind this time?”
Steve glanced at the wheelhouse then looked Danny in the eyes. “I’m just trying to think about how to return from the ‘dead’ Danny. It would be safer for Grace if we stayed incognito for a little while longer.”
“How do we do that?” Danny asked. He wasn’t going to go flying off the handle again with Steve, well at least not for awhile.
“First, we should stay on the boat until nightfall, no matter what time we arrive in port. Actually, we should be dropped somewhere other than Allen and Mark’s regular dock. That would negate having to create disguises for the three of us before we disembark. I’m sure that Chin can arrange something for us.”
Danny nodded. “Okay. What about the investigation? Will we be completely sidelined?”
Steve shook his head. “No. Chin will be able to get us computer access at least. Or better yet, your friend Toast can set us up some untracable access. He should be able to provide burn phones too.”
“Good idea. Toast will have no problem with that. How long will we have to stay dead?” Danny wondered.
Steve smirked. “Not long I’m sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chin and Kono had enough information to at least bring the brothers in as persons of interest. Then we could question them personally.”
Danny smiled wickedly. “They’ll think they have seen ghosts. And since they tried to kill Grace I will help you interrogate them your way.”
Steve stared at Danny slightly surprised, and then chuckled. He shouldn’t have been surprised, when it came to Danny’s protective nature where Grace is concerned. “I’ll be happy to let you help. There are two of them, we can each have one. For Grace I’d let you have both, but I want a piece of them for the same reason.”
Danny smiled grimly. He knew Steve would go after these men full throttle. No one threatened a member of Steve’s ohana and got away with it. “I think it’s time to call Chin to see what they have and to discuss our plans.”
Steve picked the phone back up and dialed Chin.
“Detective Kelly.”
“Are you alone?” Steve asked.
“Can you hold one moment? I have the information you need in my office.”
Steve waited for Chin to move to his office.
“Sorry about that. There are a couple of HPD officers in the main office. Have you guys been picked up?”
“Yeah. We’re on our way back now. Do you have anything new for us?”
“Oh yeah. We're sure that twin brothers, Lloyd and Liam Cameron are responsible for your predicament. They're believed to have committed similar crimes in LA. Several ‘high’ ranking drug dealers were killed for their territory as well as prominent members of LA’s anti-drug unit. They couldn’t prove it was the brothers because one of them would always be with several people so any witness to the crime couldn’t distinguish which ‘brother’ committed it.”
Steve whistled. “I hate to admit it but that's very clever. I don’t suppose there is probable cause to bring them in for questioning?”
“Maybe. The most recent killing of a drug trafficker was witnessed by two people. One of them picked Lloyd Cameron over his brother Liam in a photo line-up. Said the man who shot the dealer had a distinctive cowlick above his right eye. Lloyd had a cowlick, Liam doesn’t. When I asked her how she noticed that, her reply was, ‘I have been cutting and styling hair for twenty years, you notice things like that.’”
“That’s great. I want you and Kono to sit on this information until Danny and I get back. Make sure that witness is protected; I don’t want her killed because she can identify Lloyd Cameron. Next, Danny, Grace and I are going to sneak onto the island. We think it will be best that we stay ‘dead’ until you bring in the brothers and Danny and I can reveal ourselves then. I want to give the brothers a big surprise, but this is also to help protect Grace.”
“I understand brah. What do you need from us?”
The two men discussed Steve’s plan. Chin knew of a place that the three could stay that would be safe. He would have a car hidden in the woods near where Steve was going to have his friends drop them off. Chin would make sure that the house had clothes for the three, as well as computers and phones from Toast.
Steve hung up when they were finished. Steve told Danny about the brothers and how they were able to commit their crimes and get away with it so long.
Danny silently agreed with Steve, it was very clever.
Steve looked at the darkening sky as he continued. “Chin’s on board. I’ll talk to Mark and Alan about the drop off spot and then we can get some rest.”
Danny nodded tiredly. “Sounds good to me.”
An hour later, Steve, Danny and Grace were settling on their bunks after telling Grace the new plan. Steve explained that he wanted to be sure that the bad man wouldn’t be able to hurt them before revealing that they were still alive. Grace understood that this was to protect her, even if she didn’t understand all of the reasons for doing it. It didn’t take long for the three to fall asleep. They were tired and had another long day ahead of them tomorrow.
TBC