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LUCKY LADY

The Hawaiian night sky twinkled with stars under a full moon. The moonlight gave a yellow hue to the white yacht as it bobbed up and down with the ocean tide. The cabin lights added to the moonlight as a woman opened the cabin door and stepped out onto the deck.

The sequins on her evening dress glistened in the available light. The remains of a martini were in the small glass she held in her hand. Slowly she made her way to the bow of the vessel and sipped the drink as she gazed out at the night. The night air was cool and refreshing and she breathed in deeply the salt air. It was a nice change from the smoke filled cabin where the meeting was taking place.

Moments later the cabin door opened. A stocky man in his fifties stepped out and approached her. "Kay, come back inside. Quan Lee wants to see you."

She glanced over at Julian then back at the star filled sky. She detested the man that walked toward her. "I know what he wants and I'm not going to do it." She replied cynically taking a sip of the martini.

"Quan Lee is a very important man and I want to make a good impression tonight. Please, come back inside."

"No." She bluntly responded. "I will not stand by and be subjected to his or anyone's lewd behavior. And you can go back in there and tell him I said so."

"Kay," Julian said in a curt tone as he grabbed her arm to lead her back inside. "I insist."

"Let go!" Wrestling her arm from his grip she threw the remains of her drink in his face. "I came along this evening because you wanted a hostess, but that's all!"

Enraged as the liquid dripped from his face onto his expensive suit Julian slapped her face with the back of his hand. The empty glass hit the deck and broke as her head jerked from the impact.

Holding her hand to her cheek she turned and looked indignantly at Julian. "You won't change my mind."

"Very well Kay," He growled glaring at her, "I won't forget this," he mumbled, as he returned to the cabin.

Watching as Julian closed the door she sighed in relief. He had asked her to accompany him to this meeting as hostess to his guests. He also told her that her presence could ease the tension of the negations. She had returned to the islands two weeks earlier because she was suspicious of the circumstances in which her fiancé was killed.

Turning her face to the night sky her thoughts were of Michael. It's been three long months since his death and she missed him dreadfully. They were to be married a few weeks earlier, but then he was dead. Maybe she should have first gone to the police with her suspicions, she thought to herself, instead of striking out on her own. It was hard for her to believe that he died in a car accident. On weekends he raced cars on the local track. There was no way he would lose control, on any road.

She began now wished she had gone to the police with her suspicions about Julian Brazzo. Julian Brazzo owned a warehouse in Honolulu along with a small staff of workers that he used for various moneymaking schemes, was leading this meeting on his latest venture on the rented yacht that night. From what she had overheard he was finalizing agreements with three other men to start importing and distributing heroin from China. The comments they made regarding a car accident three months earlier was enough and she left the cabin and went out on deck. But what would they think of her motives if she went to them now? Probably put her in jail for acting stupidly and putting her life in danger she thought. She wrapped her arms around herself to ward off a chill as she pondered her predicament. If the time she spent with a certain cop that she still had fond memories of, taught her anything, it was not to purposely endanger one's life needlessly. What would he think if he knew what she was doing? Tears welled in her eyes. Perhaps it was too late to go to him and seek his help.

As she gazed out into the darkness not another light could be seen, not even another boat out this time of night. Suddenly she felt quite alone.

The last clear memory the woman had was a loud boom. She had vague images of covering her face with her arms and ducking as fragments of wood and glass that were propelled in all directions. But not before she was knocked her off her feet and hitting her head as she tumbled over the rail into the ocean.

Shuddering, the vessel lurched upward from the force of the explosion as a larger explosion immediately followed as the fuel in the tanks blew the sides out of the hull. A voluminous fireball rose high lighting up the night sky.

Debris rained down as the woman broke the surface of the water gasping for air. She struggled to keep her head above the water as blood from the cut on her forehead blurred her vision drifting her closer to unconsciousness. With the extra light provided by the fire from what was left of the hull of the yacht she could make out a life ring floating nearby. With all her remaining strength she wildly reached for it. Her fingers just brushed it and it floated out of reach.

She tried to swim closer to the ring, but she wasn't a good swimmer and didn't close the distance much. She thought about yelling for help but the yacht was so far from shore, she was sure no one would hear. She tried again to grab the ring. As her strength grew weaker she knew if she didn't pass out first she couldn't stay afloat much longer. Saying a short prayer, she tried again. This time she grabbed the nylon rope on the ring. With both hands she pulled it toward her and locked her arms around the life-giving support. And then her world slowly faded to grey and then black. The light slowly dimmed as the burning hull slowly slipped below the waters of the Pacific Ocean leaving behind only the moonlight and scattered burning debris on the water surface.

A long figure stood at the water's edge and gazed toward the western horizon through a pair of binoculars. When he saw the explosion in the distance he lowered the field glasses and a sinister smile grew on his face. A deep satisfaction filled the man as he watched the light fade in the distance before returning to his car and drove back to Honolulu.

***

The next morning two joggers were out for their morning run along a stretch of Wiamanalo Beach. As they made their way along their shore they began to see pieces debris in various sizes and remnants of burnt fabric. Some of the debris showed signs of being burned and others just scorched. Further down the beach they saw what looked to be a larger piece of debris lying at the waters edge. The closer they got they saw that it was the body of a woman. Her sequined dress was torn and burned. Her black hair was filled with sand obscuring her face and burns were evident on her upper body and arms.

The first jogger gasped at the sight, his first thoughts were that she was dead.

The second jogger stood in shock and swallowed hard at the sight. "Is she dead?" He finally said as he looked at his companion.

"I don't know." The first jogger replied as he cautiously bent down for a closer look. His curiosity got the best of him and he slowly he reached out and placed his fingers on her wrist. He felt a pulse, but it was weak. He turned to his companion and said. "Better call for an ambulance."

***

Danny Williams, Hawaii Five-O's second-in-command, exited his car and strode over the sand to where a doctor tended to the woman on the beach. Danny wasn't a tall man, more on the stocky side with wavy light brown hair sighed to himself as each step sifted sand into his shoes. He saw that a small crowd had assembled on the beach and watched like groupies as the ambulance attendants went about their work.

The attending physician pushed the woman's hair away from her face exposing a large bruise and cut on her forehead and her arms and face showed signs of burns. He winced at the sight of the extent of the injuries and watched as the attendants lifted the gurney and loaded it into the back of the waiting ambulance.

"Will she make it?" Danny asked the doctor as he walked past him on his way to the ambulance.

"I don't know yet." The doctor curtly said as he followed the gurney inside the ambulance. "Excuse me I need to get this woman to the hospital." One of the officers at the scene closed the back door of the vehicle and the siren announced its departure as it left for Queens Hospital.

A KGMB TV van drove up and parked just down the road. A man with a microphone followed by a second man with a shoulder-mounted camera exited the vehicle and approached one of the officers. They had been covering a race that was taking place not far away when the police call went out.

Everyone's troubles on the evening news Danny mused as he watched them approach.

Sergeant Duke Lukela, the liaison officer for Five-O was the officer in charge of the scene when Danny arrived. "Hi Danny," He said as he walked up. "Where's Steve?"

"He's in Hilo testifying at a trial." Danny replied. "He'll be back tonight. What do we have?"

"Those two joggers over there," Duke said as he pointed across the scene to two young men who stood there nervously, "found the victim."

"Any ID on the victim?" Danny asked as they walked over to the young witnesses.

"No." Duke replied shaking his head. "I have someone going to the hospital to take a set of fingerprints. We'll run them through the computer and see what we come up with."

"Good." Danny replied.

"I'm Danny Williams, Hawaii Five-O." Danny said as he displayed his badge by way of introduction as he approached the men. "Which one of you found the victim?" He asked as he put the badge away and brought out his notebook from his inside jacket pocket.

"I did." The first man, the taller of the two, replied nervously. "We were jogging along the beach and found her just lying there. At first I thought she was dead."

"Do you usually jog on this beach?" Danny asked.

"No," The first jogger replied, "the one we usually use was crowded due to the race today. Lucky for her we did, huh?"

"Yeah, very lucky." Danny replied solemnly. "Do you live near here?"

"Yeah," The second jogger replied, "about two miles up the beach."

"Did you hear anything last night or see anyone else on or near the beach this morning?" Danny continued.

"No, didn't hear anything," the second jogger answered, "didn't see anyone either. The beach was deserted this morning. I hope that lady's going to be all right." He added softly.

"So do we." Danny replied. "Is there anything else you can remember that will help?"

Both men shook their heads.

Returning his notebook to his jacket pocket, Danny said, "Thank you. That will be all for now."

Danny went back to the place where the victim had been found. A life ring lay on the sand near where the woman was found. He knelt down to examine it. His first impression was that it looked as if it had been exposed to some kind of heat. Besides the dark burn marks on the ring the attached nylon rope was melted in places, reinforcing his suspicion that it had been near some kind of intense source of heat. Taking out his pen he carefully lifted the ring and turned it over. The name Lucky Lady was printed in blue lettering on the styrofoam. It wasn't lucky for this lady he thought.

"What do you think, Danny?" Duke asked as he saw that Danny showed great interest in the life ring.

Lifting the ring with his pen so he could examine both sides, Danny asked. "What does this look like to you?"

"Looks like its been burned." Duke guessed as he knelt down next to Danny. "By a fire maybe?"

"That's what I was thinking, or maybe an explosion." Danny answered as he sniffed one of the burn marks. His forehead furrowed at the slight detection of an odor. "Check the marina's and see where this boat came from. And see that Che gets this along with the rest of this debris for examination." Danny said as he handed the life ring to Duke and gestured to the bits and pieces of debris that lined the water's edge. "Check the neighborhood to see if anyone saw or heard anything last night."

As he stood he scanned the beach in both directions and gazed out over the ocean. His initial thoughts were that this could be just the result of a simple boating accident.

"I'll let you know what I find out." The veteran officer said as he took the ring from Danny.

Danny returned to his car and left the scene. As he drove into town he didn't dwell on the evidence at the beach. It was HPD's jurisdiction he thought, and nothing about it would prompt Five-O's involvement.
                                                                    ***

Duke started his investigation by visiting the marinas in the area to find out where the Lucky Lady had been moored. He began at the Wiamanalo Bay Marina, since the debris had washed up just a few miles away. His conversation with the harbormaster revealed that the boat was not from there.

Thanking the man Duke returned to his car. Once seated, he took out his notebook and with a pencil drew a line through that marina on his list. Starting the car, he drove to the next location on his list and proceeded to work his way around the island.

After crossing five marinas off his list he began to wonder if the Lucky Lady was even moored on Oahu. The likelihood that it was moored at one of the neighbor islands was becoming a better possibility. It was late afternoon when he reached the Ilikai Boat Marina at Waikiki, the last name on his list. Emitting a deep sigh Duke got out of the squad car and approached the harbormaster's office and walked up to the receptionist.

She looked up from her work when she saw the uniformed salt and pepper-haired Hawaiian officer step up to her desk.

"I'm Sergeant Lukela, may I see to the harbormaster please."

"Just a moment officer," she replied politely as she picked up the phone punching the intercom for the office behind her. "A Sergeant Lukela of the Police to see you."

It didn't take long before the office door opened and the harbormaster stepped out and approached Duke. "Hello Sergeant, I'm Douglas Kalama, the harbormaster." He said cheerfully. "How can I help you?"

"Mr. Kalama, I'm looking for a boat by the name of Lucky Lady, was it moored here at your marina?"

"Just a moment Sergeant let me check my records." The Harbormaster said as he turned and asked the receptionist for list of vessels in the marina. She handed him a clipboard and he flipped through the pages until he stopped and his eyes scanned down the page as he read the names. "Sergeant," he said. "Lucky Lady is moored here. It was taken out late yesterday afternoon and was supposed to return this morning. But it's not logged that the vessel ever returned."

"Could you give me a description of the vessel and who owns it?" Duke asked as he prepared his pencil to write the information down.

"The marina owns it, Sergeant," Kalama replied as he closed the papers on the clipboard. "It's strictly a rental. It's a white fifty-five foot cabin cruiser."

"Can you tell me who rented it then?" Duke asked.

"That I can do." The harbormaster replied assuredly as he walked over the file cabinet pulled open the top drawer and retrieved the file that contained the rental agreement. He opened the folder and read from the contract. "It was rented by a Mr. Julian Brazzo. His address is forty-five-ten Ahakea, Kahala."

"Did he have any passengers with him?" Duke continued.

"He did, matter of fact." Kalama replied.

"Do you have their names?"

"We require the names of any and all passengers with our rentals," the harbormaster said as he returned his attention to the contract, "only as a precaution."

Finally a break Duke thought to himself as the harbormaster thumbed through the agreement file. It had been a long day driving all over the island looking for this marina. Logically he should've started here first being that it was the closest to the accident site.

"He had four passengers." Kalama stated. "Besides himself there was Quan Lee, Jackson Alapaki, Joe Colby and a woman by the name of Kay Kingston."

"Did they also hire a driver for the yacht?" Duke asked.

"Yes, Mr. Brazzo requested a captain." The harbormaster continued to read from his file. "Skip Tyler. He's one of our more popular captains to pilot our larger yachts."

"One more question Mr. Kalama, do you have the addresses for the passengers?"

"I'm sorry Sergeant," Kalama regretfully replied, "I don't."

"Thank you Mr. Kalama, you've been a big help." Duke replied as he closed his notebook. "Could I have a copy of the rental contract?"

"Sure." The harbormaster replied and stepped over to the copy machine and activated it. "Have you found the yacht? He asked as he handed the officer the copy, "I'd hate to think that our most popular rental is lost."

"No Mr. Kalama, we haven't found it yet," Duke replied as he took the paper, "but we think what's left of it washed up on Wiamanalo Beach early this morning."

The harbormaster stood speechless as he watched Duke close the office door behind himself.

As Duke walked back to his car, he looked at the names on the passenger list. He began to think that they seemed familiar, but he needed to consult the computer to be sure.

When Duke returned to HPD he went directly to his desk where he found a file neatly centered on his blotter. Flipping it open, he discovered it contained the fingerprints taken from the woman who was found on the beach. He picked up the file and with the passenger list in hand he headed for the computer room.

After several hours he had the retrieved as much information from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database as he could get on the names from the passenger list. It was almost ten that night when he submitted the last inquiry, a request for identification on the fingerprints from the woman from the beach.

What he got was not what he expected. Leaning back in his chair he read the screen. The reply stated that the information requested was not found. He checked the Bureau of Drivers Licenses and the utility companies. There was nothing to be found under the name Kay Kingston. It was like she didn't exist or didn't live on the island.
                                                                                ***
After picking Steve up that evening at the airport Danny drove back to town. "What's been happening since I left?" Steve asked.

"Not much Steve." He replied. "Except that a woman was found this morning on Wiamanalo Beach barely alive. Looked like she was hurt in some kind of boating accident. But there was one odd thing about it though."

"Like what?" Steve asked as he looked at the young detective.

"There was an strange odor on the life ring." Danny replied. "So I had Duke take the debris to Che to run some tests on. She had some burns on her face and arms and the debris that washed up with her showed signs of some kind of fire." He added as he made a left turn onto Steve's street.

"And the victim?" Steve prompted.

"In Queens Hospital," Danny answered as he slowed the vehicle, searching for a space between the parked cars. "She was still unconscious when the ambulance drove away."

A moment later he eased the car to a stop at the curb in front of Steve's condo.

Steve opened the door and then stopped. Turning back to look at his second-in-command he commented. "You have quite a bit of information for something that isn't a Five-O case."

"Well, I was in the area when the call went out." Danny said with a smile, "So I thought I would at least check it out."

Steve opened the door and then turned back to look at his second-in-command and said, "Thanks for the lift, Danno." Opening the rear door, he grabbed his briefcase. "See you in the morning." And shut the door.

Danny waved goodnight to his boss as he pulled out of the parking space. He was finally headed for home.

Entering his apartment he tossed his car keys on the end table and switched on the television to catch the evening news. The anchors had just begun to report on a woman that was found on the beach that morning. As he listened he mused, they'd cover anything, and tried to dismiss the whole thing as just a simple boating accident. HPD could handle it and went into the kitchen to start his dinner.
                                                                           ***

The next morning Duke rechecked the fingerprints for identification and got the same result, no information found. He felt Danny should know about this as soon as possible so he got up from the computer. It had been nearly forty-eight hours since the last time any of these men had been seen. And the yacht Lucky Lady was definitely overdue back at the marina. With the possible disappearance of the yacht and burnt debris on the beach, the evidence began to point to the fact that the yacht was indeed sunk and all those on board just might be dead.

Duke Lukela had been the HPD liaison for Five-O for several years, with complete access to the agency detectives, he considered them friends. He went directly to Danny's cubicle with four file folders. "Danny, you need to see this." He said. "Remember the debris that washed up with the woman over on Wiamanalo yesterday?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Danny still had thoughts that it was just an accident. But Duke's demeanor led him to more seriously consider that possibly it wasn't.

"I found out the boat was a yacht called the Lucky Lady." Duke began. "It was a rental out of the Ilikai marina. I got the passenger list from the harbormaster." And handed him the file. "It's required for all rentals. And look whose name is on the rental contract."

"Julian Brazzo." Danny said aloud as he read the name.

"Look who was with him." Duke added indicating the additional names on the contract.

Danny flipped one of the pages of the contract and read over the names listed. His eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped. "Are you sure about this?"

"A passenger list is required when yachts are rented." Duke replied and saw Danny's reaction to the list.

"You know them?"

"Yeah." Danny replied. "I've heard of these guys. They all have arrest records for drug trafficking, but no convictions."

"Here's what I got from NCIC computer." Duke said handing Danny the folders that contained the information from the NCIC computer database on the names from the passenger list. "The harbormaster vouched for the captain but I couldn't find anything on the woman Kay Kingston."

"Nothing at all Duke?" Danny asked surprised that one didn't have a record. "You check for a drivers license or a local address?"

"Danny, I double checked, nothing." He said as he shook his head. "Do you think these guys were competition for the local crime syndicate?"

"Most likely unwanted competition." Danny replied as closed the folders and stepped away from his desk. "Steve needs to see this." He knocked on the big mahogany doorframe before walking into McGarrett's office.

Steve was reading over the previous day's blotter from HPD but looked up as his subordinate walked in. "What is it Danno?"

"Steve, remember what I was telling you about that girl that was found on Wiamanalo Beach?

"I remember Danno, what about it?"

"The life ring that was on the beach next to the her had the name Lucky Lady on it. Duke did some checking and the Lucky Lady is a rental yacht from the Ilikai Boat Harbor, and guess whose name is on the rental contract."

"Tell me." Steve replied, intrigued.

As Danny handed the folders to the Five-O chief he replied. "Julian Brazzo."

Steve took the folders, his face showed little surprise with the discovery. "So our friend Brazzo came up for air huh?" Flipping open the file containing the rental contract he began to read through the pages.

"He had four passengers with him." Danny continued.

"Joe Colby, Quan Lee, Jackson Alapaki and a Kay Kingston." Steve read aloud. "That's a fine lot." Then opened the other files Danny handed him. He felt that it was odd that all these men were in the same place at the same time. "What happened to the yacht?"

"The yacht was supposed to have returned to the marina yesterday morning." Danny answered. "And I detected a strange odor when I inspected the life ring."

Steve took a few moments to digest Danny's explanation before he glanced up from the file, "You think this wasn't an accident?"

"At first I didn't, Steve, on the outside chance it could've been an accident." Danny replied shrugging his shoulders. "But then to have all these characters on the same boat and have it sink from some suspicious cause?"

"Too much of a coincidence. Is that what you're saying Danno?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, it is."

Steve thoughtfully looked at Duke for a moment then at the young detective. He didn't discount Danno's hunches very often because most of the time they were right on.

"Steve," Duke put in, "I ran the woman's fingerprints for identification twice, she has no local address or driver's license, at least not in the State of Hawaii."

Steve grew more and more interested as Duke continued. "When I checked with NCIC the reply I got was that nothing was not available."

"Not available?" Steve replied curiously.

Just that moment the phone rang and Steve grabbed up the receiver and spoke his name into the receiver.

The voice of their forensics man Che Fong came over the phone. "Steve," Che said, "I've just finished my preliminary examination that debris Danny had HPD bring in yesterday. I found residue of an explosive on several of the objects."

"Explosive?" Steve answered as his interest in the case just tripled in size. "Can you tell what kind of explosive?"

"My best guess right now would be dynamite." The lab man said. "The debris has an odor that smells like toluene, which is a residue of dynamite, and sulfur. But I won't know for sure until I do more tests."

"Thanks Che. Let me know what you find out." Steve said and hung up the phone. "Danno, your hunch was right. Che found dynamite residue on the debris you had him examine."

"That would explain the odor." Danny thought out loud. "So it wasn't an accident."

"Apparently not," Steve answered in agreement setting his jaw. Rapping his knuckles on his desk as he stood. "Julian Brazzo was a banker, and a shady one at that. So what was he doing on same boat with Joe Colby," He referred back to the file, "and Jackson Alapaki and Quan Lee. All these men have rap sheets for trafficking drugs. What do we have in common here?"

"Well…," Danny began as his brow knitted in thought, "there's Colby's flight charter service…, Alapaki's import company… and a known Chinese heroin supplier, they all could be combined to create a new drug pipeline into the islands."

"Right Danno." Steve agreed, and went on to theorize. "Try this on for size, Quan Lee would ship the stuff, which most likely would be heroin, from China. Alapaki would import it into the islands under the ruse of a legitimate shipment of goods, and Colby would distribute using his charter service. And with Julian Brazzo and his money at the helm of this little operation, that makes it very likely." Steve looked at Danny. "And I bet you, that's why all four of those weasels were on that yacht."

"That sounds pretty wild Steve." Danny commented.

"Yeah it does sound wild. But what if it's true Danno?" Steve asked as he moved from behind the desk sat on its corner. "They could've flooded the island with heroin from a source we hadn't counted on. That bomb may have saved us and the courts a lot of work." He looked at Danny and Duke. "But that still leaves us with five murders to solve and one attempted murder, if your lady from the beach is the same one on the passenger list.

"Okay gentlemen, this opens up some big questions," Steve continued as he counted off on his fingers. "One, why were these men together on the same boat? Second, who would benefit by removing these key players? And third, who knew about this trip enough in advance to plant an bomb on board the yacht?"

"Duke, talk to your informants," Steve requested, "Somebody has to know something about what those men were up to."

"Will do, Steve," Duke replied and promptly left.

"Danno," Steve continued, "check who on the island has access to dynamite. Start with the construction sites. There's a lot of building going on right now. Have them check their inventories and see if they're missing anything."

"Right, Steve." Danny replied.

"What about this Kay Kingston." Steve asked. " Do you have anything on her?"

"Nothing, Steve." Danny answered. "Duke wasn't able to find anything on her at all, not even a local address."

"Danno, is she the woman who was found at Wiamanalo?"

"She could be Steve." Danny replied.

"Where's she now?" Steve asked.

"Queens Hospital."

"What's her condition?"

"She was unconscious when the ambulance drove away." Danny replied. "She was hurt pretty bad Steve."

"I'll go to the hospital and look in on the lady." Steve said as he closed the files and buttoned his jacket closed. "Danno, talk to the dock workers at the marina, other boat owners and fishermen. Somebody had to have seen somebody get on that boat two days ago with a package and leave empty handed sometime before it sailed."

"Will do, Steve." Danny replied as he followed his boss out of the office.

***

Steve maneuvered his big Mercury through the early afternoon traffic and turned onto the driveway of Queens Hospital bringing the car to a stop at the front door. He exited the vehicle and strode into the building, walking up to the patient information desk he presented his badge to the nurse seated behind the desk. "McGarrett, Five-O. I would like to speak to the doctor in charge of the patient that was brought in from Wiamanalo Beach yesterday morning."

"Do you have a name?" The nurse asked as she picked up her patient list.

"She may have been brought in as a Jane Doe." He answered returning his ID to the inside pocket of his jacket.

"Mr. McGarrett," She replied as she scanned the list, "we do have a Jane Doe, and she was brought in around the time you mention. She sustained a head wound and some second degree burns. Is she who you are looking for?"

"Could be." Steve replied.

"I can page the attending doctor if you like Mr. McGarrett." She offered.

"Please." Steve answered. "Thank you."

The nurse picked up her phone and dialed a number and requested that Dr. Ashford come to the information desk. Returning the receiver to its cradle she said. "The doctor will be here in just a moment Mr. McGarrett."

"Thank you." Steve replied and stepped away from the desk to wait. While he waited he casually watched the activity of the hospital staff.

"Mr. McGarrett," Said a middle-aged man with graying hair wearing a white lab coat as he walked up and extended his hand to the Five-O chief. "I'm Doctor Ashford."

"Doctor." Steve said as he acknowledged the physician and shook his hand.

"I understand you're interested in one of my patients."

"Yes, I am." Steve answered. "A woman, probably brought in as a Jane Doe yesterday morning from the windward side of the island."

The physician dropped his hands into the deep pockets of his coat. "I do have a patient that was brought in by ambulance from that side of the island." He replied. "She was unconscious when she was arrived."

"She could be the one I'm interested in Doctor." Steve said. "I'd like to know her condition."

"The woman has a deep laceration and a contusion on her forehead and has sustained numerous cuts and second degree burns on her face and arms. And from the severity of the head wound I suspect she suffered a concussion. Not to mention the amount of seawater she swallowed." Ashford added as he shook his head slowly. "I won't know for sure until she wakes up Mr. McGarrett."

"Why's that Doctor?" Steve asked curiously.

"With a concussion as severe as I suspect she has, there is the possibility of some type of memory loss." Ashford answered. "The proper name for it is retrograde amnesia. It develops in people who have sustained brain injuries."

"Retrograde amnesia?" Steve asked as his brow furrowed. "So what you are you telling me Doctor, is that she may not remember what happened to her?"

"That's exactly what I am saying." The physician replied. "She might not be of any help to you when she does wake up."

"Doctor," Steve said, "I need to ask her some questions. I suspect that what happed to her may not have been an accident."

"Not an accident…hmmm." The physician replied as he rubbed his chin. "Now that you mentioned it Mr. McGarrett, that could explain the bruises I found on the woman's upper arm and left cheek."

"Bruises?" Steve asked intrigued, "What kind of bruises?"

"Well, Ashford replied, "they're not in pattern with the rest of her injuries. There's one on her upper arm resembles something like hand print."

"And her cheek?"

"Your guess is as good as mine Mr. McGarrett, I'm just a doctor," The physician concluded, "solving puzzles is your department. I can call you when she wakes up, if you like."

"I would appreciate that Doctor, thank you." Steve answered bringing his badge wallet out and removing a business card and handed it to the physician. Returning the wallet to his jacket pocket he said goodbye and drove back to the Palace.

***

The next morning Joey Aresco walked up to a newspaper vending machine taking a coin from his pocket he dropped it into the slot and removed a copy of the Honolulu Advertiser, tucked it under his arm and continued down the sidewalk. His black hair wafted in the breeze as he walked along. He felt pretty good, a slight smile was on his acne-scarred face and his stride had a different beat to it.

Removing a pack of cigarettes from his pocket he took one out, stuck it between his lips then returned the package to his pocket. Stopping long enough to cup his hands around the flame, once it was lit he took a deep drag and continued to his car. The outlook for his new venture looked bright.

As Joey drove to his bungalow in the Pacific Heights district of Honolulu he hummed along with the music playing on the radio and tapped his hands to the beat on the steering wheel. Parking his car in the driveway, he went inside. It was a less than stellar place with old wood paneling that was beginning to warp from the constant humidity. Green carpeting that was worn thin in the high traffic areas, a sofa and chair occupied the small living room. On his way to the refrigerator to get a beer he dropped the paper on the kitchen table. He pulled the tab off and took a long drink as he walked back to the table and sat down to read the paper. Some of the news items he read others just the headlines until a small article on the third page caught his eye.

The article said that a woman barely alive had been found the previous morning on Waimanalo Beach. It went on to say that she had been taken to a local hospital, still unconscious. Also that debris found on the beach showed signs of a possible fire at sea.

Quickly he put the beer can down, snatched up the phone and dialed a number. Extreme anxiety showed on his face, he tapped his fingers nervously on the table as he waited for the connection.

"Manny!" He almost shouted into the phone when the line was picked up. "Have you seen the morning paper?"

Manny Rizzo was a recent arrival to the islands, a man with high ambitions of heading his own drug importing business. With his head for business and Joey Aresco to back him up he knew his plan would work. Joey had opened some doors for him and with the destruction of the yacht with his competition on board… the results exceeded his expectations.

Leaning back in his desk chair, he replied unconcerned. "No, why?"

Joey nervously said. "I think we may have a problem with that job two days ago."

"What do you mean?" Manny replied somewhat puzzled as to what he was referring.

"It's in the paper, man." Joey replied tapping the article with his finger. "It says that a woman barely alive was found on Waimanalo Beach yesterday morning."

"Joey," Manny said reassuringly, finally realizing what Joey was talking about, "this woman could be totally unrelated. Have you thought about that? She could have been out for an early morning swim and got into trouble. So don't get yourself all worked up, it could be nothing."

"How can you be so sure, Manny?" Joey replied not entirely convinced.

"Calm down will you?" Manny told him. "They're all dead. I watched from the beach through binoculars. No one could have lived through that. You did a good job."

"That boat was over a mile off shore man," Joey replied, "how could you tell if anyone got off before it blew?"

"Joey," Manny said trying to convince his friend otherwise, "that woman in the paper wasn't from the yacht. Okay?"

Joey wasn't as sure about the success of the bomb as Manny was, but one thing did occur to him. "Manny, didn't Julian have a girlfriend? As I remember, she went everywhere with him. Now that he's dead, has she been seen around town?"

"No," Manny replied nonchalantly. "I haven't noticed, maybe she's in mourning. You have got to get a hold of yourself. This is going to work."

"Okay," Joey replied hesitantly, still reluctant to accept Manny's assurances at this point, "but I want to look into this just to make sure that we're in the clear."

Joey replaced the receiver and rubbed his unshaven chin nervously as he read the article again. Manny is taking this way too lightly he thought. This whole thing could crumble around their ears if this wasn't looked into. He tried to remember if he saw anyone around the marina that day he planted the bomb aboard the fifty-five foot cruiser. He shook his head after a few moments, he was sure no one saw him.

But Joey felt he needed to find out for himself if this woman was indeed Julian's girlfriend, even if Manny didn't think so. He felt it would be in their best interests to check this out. It was too much of a coincidence that this woman was found on that particular beach on that particular morning.

Manny's man inside Brazzo's organization had told him about this meeting and that it would take place on that yacht. His plan was to assume control of the new heroin pipeline that was being established among those men. It was a bold stroke to eliminate the all the organizers at one time would leave a power vacuum where he would then step in and take control of the new drug importing operation.

The plan sounded great to Joey and most of all, it seemed fairly easy to carry out. He had wanted to be a big shot in his own right, and this was his chance to do that in the role of Manny's right-hand man. Now the whole plan may be in jeopardy because of the possibility of a survivor from the yacht.
                                                                     ***

Manny's brow furrowed as he as he hung up the phone. Leaning back in his chair he thought for a moment. Could Joey be right?

Recent experience told him Joey wasn't one to jump to conclusions besides; their plan wouldn't be this far along if wasn't for him.

After a few more moments Manny reached for the phone and dialed a number. As he waited for the connection he continued to consider Joey's suspicions until the line was picked up. "Coco, its Manny."

"Hey man, you can't call me here." The nervous voice of Coco Peralta said. Manny had bought Coco's cooperation with a lot of money three months earlier to provide him with information on Julian Brazzo's upcoming business venture. "Things are really uptight here now."

"I well aware of how things are right now, but I need to ask you a question." Manny said. "Do you know if that girlfriend of Julian's went with him on the yacht the other night?"

Coco's eyes went wide in shock. "You got to be kidding!" He replied as he looked around the room to he see if anyone might be near enough to overhear him. "Man, she went every where with him. It was like they were attached at the hip or something. Why you asking?"

"Just curious," Manny answered. "Something's come up that may need dealing with, that's all."

"Whatever it is, count me out." Coco sternly said as he tried to keep his voice down. "Accusations are being thrown around at just about everything that moves around here and I don't want to be in the line of fire." Not ready for problems he slammed the receiver down, disconnecting the call.

***

Also that morning Steve McGarrett walked into his office as he always does and set his briefcase down on his desk just as his phone rang. "McGarrett," he said into the receiver. The caller identified himself as Doctor Ashford. "Yes, Doctor, what can I do for you?"

"Mr. McGarrett," Ashford said, "you wanted to be informed when your Jane Doe woke up. She is still groggy but you can try to talk to her."

"Thank you Doctor," Steve replied, "I'll be there as soon as I can." And hung up the phone.

His morning calendar full, Steve did not arrive at the hospital until the afternoon. He introduced himself to the nurse on duty, and asked her to page Doctor Ashford. As he waited he studied the faded pictures on the wall of the lobby. Tired after a morning in court followed by a somewhat shorter meeting with the Governor, he was weighing his priorities when his thoughts were interrupted by Doctor Ashford’s arrival.

As they walked toward Kiana's room, the doctor reported on her condition.

"She had sustained some memory loss." He told the Five-O Chief. "As I suspected."

Stopping at the woman's room. Ashford went on to describe that Kiana's head injury was like whiplash. "The initial impact was on her forehead and the brain was thrown forward then back very quickly. As to her memory loss," he went on to say, "it could last a few days, a week or maybe longer, or it could be permanent. It's hard to say." With that said he pushed the door open.

Steve nodded that he understood the information and followed the doctor into the room. The bed was slightly raised with two pillows supporting Kiana's head and shoulders. A large bandage was on her forehead with gauze wrapped around her head. An IV bottle hung at her bedside with its end inserted into her forearm. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be dozing. The closer he got to the bed the more visible were the extent of the burns.

The left side of her face was swollen distorting her features and the burns had reddened her light brown skin.

Ashford touched the woman on her shoulder and said pleasantly. "You have a visitor."

The woman slowly began to stir as he increased his gentle pressure on her shoulder. Slowly her eyes fluttered open and looked up at the doctor.

"You have a visitor." he repeated with a smile.

The physician moved aside and Steve stepped into her view. "I'm Steve McGarrett, Hawaii Five-O."

As Kiana slowly blinked her eyes, it was apparent to Steve and the doctor she was having difficulty focusing her eyes.

"Are you a doctor too?" She said in a weak voice.

"No," Steve replied in a soft voice, "I'm a policeman."

"Policeman?" She replied as she squinted her eyes at the Five-O chief.

"Do you remember what happened to you?" Steve asked as he continued to observe her appearance.

The woman looked blankly at the blue blur as a confused look grew on her face. Her mind was still too groggy for any clear thought. "No." she slowly replied.

"Do you remember your name?" Ashford asked trying to see if there had been any improvement since earlier that morning when she had first woke up.

"Name?" She replied.

"Yes, " the physician asked again, "can you tell us your name?"

"My name?" she mumbled softly.

"You don't remember your name?" Steve's voice was soft with concern as he leaned closer to the bed.

She slowly shook her head. It seemed to be a simple enough question, she thought. Why couldn't she remember her name? Maybe it was because of the tremendous headache, with just the slightest movement the pain surged in intensity.

Doctor Ashford, seeing the look of concern in the eyes of the Five-O chief, stepped back from the bed. "Mr. McGarrett," he said softly as he touched Steve's arm, urging him to step back too. Speaking in a near whisper, the doctor said, "I told you that amnesia was a possibility with the degree of concussion she has."

Steve looked empathetically at the woman for a moment. Her face reflected the confusion that must be going on in her mind. If this woman had indeed been on the yacht that night he thought, she would be the only one that could tell him what happened. "Is there anything I can do Doctor?" He asked.

"Well…" Ashford murmured as he thought for a moment, "it would be good for her to see things that are familiar to her, something with her name on it for instance. Something she could associate with, stimulate her memory."

"Doctor, we may have a possible name." Steve replied. "If she is who we think she is, her name is Kay Kingston."

"Kay Kingston." The doctor repeated and looked back at his patient. "Well, that's better than Jane Doe."

Steve silently agreed with the doctor's comment. It's a beginning; they had a name for the woman. He looked back over at the bed and saw that the woman had gone back to sleep. "How soon do you think she will be coherent enough to question?"

"Give her a couple days Mr. McGarrett." He replied. "Concussion patients need at least that long to regain some ground."

"Thank you Doctor, please keep me informed on her progress." Steve said as he turned to leave but stopped. "Oh and Doctor, I would like to place a guard on this room while Miss Kingston recovers, just in case this wasn't an accident."

"Sure Mr. McGarrett," Ashford replied, "I have no problem with that."

"Good. Thank you." Steve answered as the men left the room. Using the phone at the nurse's station he requested an outside line from the hospital operator then dialed Central Dispatch and requested an officer to be stationed outside room three-eleven at Queens Hospital as soon as possible. With rotating shifts every four hours. "Doctor," he said after he finished the call, "for the time being this woman is to officially remain a Jane Doe, for her own safety, so please inform you staff."

"Of course Mr. McGarrett." Ashford replied.

"Thanks again Doctor, I'll be in touch." Steve said as he extended his hand to the physician and the two men shook hands.
                                                                          ***

It was late in the afternoon when Danny returned from the field. He had removed his jacket and slumped into a chair facing Steve's desk draping it over his leg and asked Steve about the woman's condition. Steve repeated what the doctor had said. Their investigation would have to continue without her. At least, until she recovered enough to be of help.

"Did you find the source of the dynamite?" Steve asked as Danny retrieved his notebook from the jacket pocket.

"I talked to the foremen at several of the construction sites in town. So far all explosives are accounted for. I still have some to cover tomorrow. Went to the marina looking for any witnesses and no one I found saw anything. Most weren't even in the immediate area where the yacht was tied up at the time in question. With the exception of one worker, a part timer who's scheduled to be on the job in the morning. I'll go back and talk to him then."

Steve felt a little encouraged by the report. Their case so far has had nothing but dead bodies and dead ends. They needed a break and soon.
                                                                           ***

Joey wandered about the corridors at the hospital and listened to the staff as they casually chatted about the patients in their wing. He strained to hear anything that might help in determining if the woman from the beach was there on that floor.

He paced back and forth until a nurse stopped him. "Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for somebody…" he stammered, "she's sort of a friend of a friend, I think she was hurt in a boating accident."

"What's your friend's name?" She asked as she walked back to the nurse's station and picked up a clipboard.

"Her name is Kay Kingston." Joey replied following the nurse.

"Okay, let me see…" The nurse said as she scanned over the list for the time frame. "No, there isn't anyone here by that name. I'm sorry sir."

Joey said in his sincerest manner said before he turned to leave. "Oh, thanks anyway, sorry to have bothered you."

The nurse continued to scan the list for the time frame he had asked about. "Wait!" She called out.

Joey turned around quickly anticipating an answer.

"You said your friend was hurt in a boating accident?" She asked.

Working hard to contain his excitement, Joey returned to the desk. "Yes."

"There was a Jane Doe brought in that morning from the windward side."

"She could be the one." He nodded. "How is she?"

"Well sir," the nurse said with a smile, "you'll be glad to hear that she woke up this morning. She has a concussion and some memory loss, but her prognosis looks good."

"She can't remember anything?" Joey replied, surprised. This he didn't expect, but it could work to their advantage. Manny would be interested, he thought. "Nurse, do you know how long is this is going to last? The amnesia I mean."

"That's hard to say sir." She replied.

"Thanks Nurse, you've helped a lot." Joey said and quickly left for Manny's office just as the nurse was about to ask him something.

Joey burst through the front door of the business front building and rushed to the inner office that led to Manny's office. He opened the door without knocking and quickly strode in. Manny was seated behind a desk but didn't notice the two men seated opposite him.

"It's her Manny! It's her." Joey blurted. "In the hospital, it's Julian's girlfriend."

Manny looked up at Joey, rage showed in his eyes at the interruption and said in a cold tone. "Joey, what the hell are you doing here! Can't you see I'm in a meeting?"

Joey stopped. He had not noticed the two men seated in the room with their backs to him. He caught his breath as a cold shiver went through his body. Manny usually was alone in his office, he thought. He quickly apologized, turned and left closing the door behind him. He could feel Manny glaring at him all during his retreat. He felt he had screwed up big time by barging into the room, sighing deeply he looked back into the room. He hoped he hadn't ruined the meeting as he closed the door.

This must be the next step in Manny's plan Joey thought as he returned to his car.

Manny can't be bothered with stuff like this Joey thought as he started the engine, he's got bigger things to worry about. If Joey was to be a right-hand man he will have to do things on his own initiative. And now is a good a time as any to begin. At that thought he put the car in gear and gunned the engine. The tires squealed in protest as he sped out of the parking lot.

As Joey drove away from the office he went over in his mind what he was going to do about Julian's girlfriend. It was unfortunate she survived he thought but curious on how she managed that. One question did bother him though, what about this amnesia, was it temporary or could it be permanent? Would Manny still see her as a threat if it were permanent? But what if she did remember something about being on the yacht.
                                                                             ***

Steve and Danny were involved in conversation when Che knocked lightly on the doorframe to Steve's office. "Steve, here's my report on the debris from the beach." He said as he entered the office and handed the file to the Five-O chief. "My tests confirm the residue on the debris is dynamite. There were traces of diesel fuel, as well."

"How can that be when all the dynamite on the island is accounted for?" Steve wondered out loud as he read over the pages in the file. "You would think that construction sites would top the list where someone could obtain explosives."

Danny had been deep in thought as he listened to the conversation. How could this be done? He thought. Then it occurred to him and added. "The Black Market."

"That could be Danny." Che commented.

"That could explain why the construction site inventories checked out Steve." Danny said. "You can get just about anything on the Black Market."

Steve looked at his subordinates and tossed the open file onto his desk, leaned back in his chair and frowned, silently displeased by the plausible source for the explosive.

***

That evening Joey was home watching a baseball game on television. He still couldn't understand why Manny didn't seem to believe him about Julian's girlfriend. Somehow she survived the bomb he had placed on the yacht. There was a knock on the door just as his favored team scored a home run.

When he opened the door Manny walked right past him and into the middle of the room. The scowl on his face showed that he wasn't happy. He suspected why his friend was here but he hoped it was for something else. "Manny, what's up?" He cautiously asked.

"Joey," Manny's voice filled with anger as he turned and glared at his friend, "you nearly cost me big today with your bungling, barging into my office like that with that ridiculous news. If I'm going to fill the void left by Julian, I need to impress, not distress. I had to calm those men down by apologizing for you. Joey, Julian's girlfriend is dead."

"I didn't know you had someone in your office Manny, I'm sorry." Joey said in a sincere tone knowing now why Manny was there, he had never seen him this angry before.

"No one could've survived that blast." Manny said as he stepped closer to him and placed his hands on Joey's shoulders. "Believe me Joey, she's dead."

Joey noticed that Manny seemed to calm down as he continued. "This will work Joey." he said assuredly. "And it will be the best thing we've ever done." Looking for agreement in Joey's eyes. "Stick with me and we can do this. Okay?" But before he turned to leave he moved his hand to the back of his friends' neck and started to squeeze as he said with almost a murderous tone. "And if you ever do that again, I will kill you. You got that?"

The look in Manny's eyes had become cold and frightening. Joey gave him his best look of agreement through the pain from his grip, nodded his head in such a way that Manny smiled and believed him and left.

As Joey watched the door close he slowly rubbed his neck. He shuddered at the thought that Manny would kill him if he screwed up that bad again. At that moment he decided what it was he had to do. Although he didn't like the prospect of killing someone outright, but Manny believed she was dead. It would be a big chance he thought, but this was something he felt he had to do.

***

Late the next morning DEA Agent Russell Sandberg walked into the Five-O offices, a middle-aged man with severely short graying hair, who wore interesting gray suits. His face was a roadmap reflecting all of the twenty years he had worked for the agency.

After nearly three months of surveillance his investigation stalled out two days ago, and to make matters worse, he hadn't heard from his undercover man in over thirty-six hours. And now NCIC notified him that the Honolulu Police Department's computer had accessed his man's planted criminal record. HPD had referred him to the State Police Agency Hawaii Five-O as the entity responsible for the inquiry.

Agent Sandberg was curious as to why the State Police had an interest in his man. There had to be a good reason for Five-O's interest he thought to himself. He had heard about Steve McGarrett's reputation since his arrival on the island. He was a no nonsense cop who could stare down an active volcano if he had to. Just the kind man he thought he could work with. He removed his ID wallet from his jacket pocket as he stepped up the secretary's desk and displayed it so she could see it and said in a gruff voice. "I want to see Steve McGarrett."

Jenny Sherman, Steve's secretary, looked at the picture ID and then at the man holding it. When she was satisfied the man was who he said he was she picked up her phone and buzzed the intercom for the Five-O chief.

"McGarrett" Steve said into his phone.

"Steve," She said, "Agent Sandberg from the Drug Enforcement Agency is here to see you."

Curious as to the reason for the unexpected visit Steve told her to send him in. He closed the file he had been reading and didn't have long to wait before the door opened and Agent Sandberg entered.

"Mr. McGarrett, Russell Sandberg." The man said as he introduced himself swapping the envelope he carried to his other hand extending the empty one to the Five-O chief. "DEA."

Steve stood and took the offered hand and shook it and gestured to one of the chairs that faced his desk, inviting his guest to have a seat. "What can I do for you?" He asked as he settled back down into his own chair.

As Sandberg took his seat he quickly surveyed the office. An office can tell a lot the person who occupied it he was told once. This one said its occupant was efficient and orderly. A bulletin board was set up in the corner by a window and had five photos pinned to it. The longer he gazed at it the more he recognized the faces it displayed. The far right one was Julian Brazzo, one of the men they had under surveillance and three others, and the one in the center was his undercover man.

"Mr. McGarrett," he began, hiding his surprise at the amount of information on the board. "I'm here because NCIC notified me this morning about recent inquiries made on behalf of your department."

"Oh?" Steve commented as he leaned back in his chair and eyed his guest attentively. "Five-O uses that information base frequently. You need to be more specific Mr. Sandberg."

"Julian Brazzo." Sandberg said bluntly as he thumbed over his shoulder in the direction of the bulletin board. "I see you have an interest in him too. This is a Federal case Mr. McGarrett. And as such, it is my case." Sandberg said as he unbuttoned his suit jacket. Crossing his legs he dropped the large envelope that he had with him on his lap, "I want to know what your interest is in him and the other men."

"Mr. Sandberg," Steve began, "my interest in Mr. Brazzo and his friends are not part of any ongoing Federal investigation, I assure you. It also might help," Steve suggested, "if you tell me what it is you're investigating then perhaps Five-O can be of assistance. Since it appears we have a mutual interest in the same men."

Sandberg mulled over McGarrett's offer. He was accustomed to working with local authorities who gave him automatic deference. It was apparent he was not going to be so lucky with the head of Five-O. The man was waiting for an answer. An answer the DEA agent was unwilling to give at the moment. Instead, he gave the truth a 'harmless' spin. "Joe Colby is who we are mostly interested in. With his flight charter service makes him the most mobile in the island for transporting drugs to the neighboring islands."

"I've read his rap sheet," Steve commented as he nodded his head. Something didn't feel right. The DEA agent looked restless. True, he had read Colby's entire file and there was nothing there to grab the interest of the DEA. Either the file has been 'cleaned' or his visitor was being less than forthright. "He's been a busy boy, he's been charged numerous times for transporting drugs on the mainland but convicted only on two occasions. Interestingly enough, he's done very little time."

"That's why we were watching him, Mr. McGarrett," Sandberg said, "especially when he hooked up with Julian Brazzo and Quan Lee a few months ago. Since we were aware of Brazzo's plans to establish a new pipeline for heroin, we increased surveillance him and Brazzo."

"I've heard rumblings about what Brazzo was concocting." Stated Steve sitting up he folded his hands on his desk. "But not one street informant is willing to testify to it."

"Joe Colby is of special interest to me," Sandberg stated. "My information is that he's expecting a major shipment of drugs, soon. He will distribute it throughout these islands using his charter service. I'm sure of it. This could be the first shipment from this new pipeline. He'd been seen meeting with Jackson Alapaki of Hawaiian Imports."

Steve leaned forward and his eyes narrowed as he looked at Sandberg. "Why is this the first I've heard of this?" he asked. "When is this shipment expected?"

"That's just it, I don't know yet." Sandberg remarked. "I had Colby under surveillance and had his phone tapped so I could find out. But there has been no sign of him for the last three days. He was last seen boarding a yacht at the Ilikai Boat Harbor with Julian Brazzo. We've gotten no hits on any of the phones listed on our warrant." Adjusting his shirt sleeve he added, "Without him using his phone to arrange his meetings I won't know when that shipment is coming."

Steve began to get the impression that this man didn't know what happened to the yacht that Colby was seen boarding. "The importing of drugs into this state is very much my problem as it is yours." Steve stated rapping his finger on his desk for emphasis." Mine more so because the O.D's and murders that result occur right here on my doorstep."

"Mr. McGarrett, I understand your position," Sandberg stated, "However, I'm primary on this case, and I don't have time enough to be concerned about hurt feelings. I have a job to do."

"And so do I." Steve replied. "This rock is my jurisdiction, and anything that goes on here is very much of interest to me. And I'm not above sticking my nose into Federal matters, if I have to. Besides, I don't have to look for him or his friends, I have a very strong suspicion on their whereabouts right now."

Sandberg's jaw tightened when he heard Steve's last statement. Contact was lost with his undercover man ever since the yacht sailed from the marina. He desperately wanted to know where his man was. "Mr. McGarrett," His voice fell short of sounding demanding," would you care to share that piece of information?"

Steve paused for a moment when he realized that the DEA man definitely didn't know what happened to the yacht. Putting him in the position of relaying the bad news. "Mr. Sandberg," he began slowly as he stood and moved to the front of his desk and perched himself on its corner, "the yacht that Julian Brazzo and his friends rented… we suspect was destroyed by a bomb that had been placed aboard sometime before they sailed."

Sandberg's expression went blank as he banked his surprise. He had assumed it was still afloat somewhere since it hadn't returned to the marina.

"…And what was left of it washed up on Waimanalo Beach three days ago along with a possible survivor." Steve finished.

Sandberg, stunned by the news was slow regaining his composure. 'Oh my God' he mouthed without any volume. "Who's the survivor?" He finally asked in hopes it was his undercover man.

"We have possible ID from the passenger list." Steve answered. "Her name is Kay Kingston and neither Brazzo or his friends have been seen in their usual hangouts since that night." He added. "So we're going on the assumption that they' are all dead, lying somewhere on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. That's mass murder Mr. Sandberg, and it happened in Hawaiian waters which makes it my jurisdiction."

Sandberg heard Steve's words, but he was seeing his investigation slipping away. He had invested to much in this case, to much time, effort, money and his partner, and he wasn't about to let it be taken away from him… by anybody. "How soon till I can question this woman?"

Steve looked at the impatient DEA man and replied sternly. "Miss Kingston is in no condition to be questioned by you or anyone. What's her involvement with Brazzo anyway?"

"She's his broad." Sandberg fired back. "She started hanging out with him a few weeks ago, she went everywhere with him. But I have a newsflash for you," he added with a crooked smile. "I had her checked out. And if she's the same woman that was with Brazzo, her name isn't Kingston, it's Van Zandt, Kiana Van Zandt."

Steve stiffened and his brow furrowed as he stared back at the DEA Agent. The name Van Zandt was familiar to him. But how odd, if she was Kiana, why use an assumed name for the passenger list. What did she have to hide?

Steve's silence was warming to the DEA agent. Obviously he had stumbled on something before Five-O. "I've had a man following Brazzo." Sandberg replied. "He reports to me everyday on the man's every move, where he goes and who he sees. I have pictures that were taken of the two of them together all over town." Then cynically added. "Real cozy those two."

"I'd like to see those photos." Steve stated.

"I thought you would so I brought them along." Sandberg said as he handed the envelope over to the Five-O chief. "Take a look. I wonder what she knows of his operation."

Steve opened the envelope and removed the black and white eight by tens as he returned to his chair. He looked at each photo with interest, there were about eight of them. It was then he was able to put the name and the face together. He had dated Kiana Van Zandt a few years ago and had a fond regard for her. The hair of the woman in the photos had a white streak running through it, just as Kiana had. But what was she doing in Hawaii when she swore never to return after her fathers' funeral?

The pictures had been taken at several spots around town. The last ones were at taken at the Ilikai Boat Harbor where she, Brazzo, Joe Colby, Quan Lee and Jackson Alapaki were boarding the yacht Lucky Lady. He laid the photos down on the desk with the last one he looked at he left on top. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he studied the photo then looked at the DEA man. "Did your man happen to get any photos of any activity around this vessel before Brazzo and his friends arrived? Perhaps someone with a box or a case of some kind that left empty handed?"

"No." Sandberg replied after he thought for a moment. "I don't think so. Why?"

"If your man had," Steve stated, "we might be able to find the individual responsible for planting the bomb on the yacht for starters. In the meantime Mr. Sandberg, this is more than your surveillance operation now, it's a murder investigation. So any information you get from now on will be greatly appreciated."

"Wait a minute McGarrett," Sandberg exclaimed springing from his chair. "I started this investigation four months ago, and I will continue with or without your cooperation! This is my case. And if that survivor of yours is the same woman that's in those photos, I would really like to know why she's still alive when everyone else who was on that yacht is dead."

"Mr. Sandberg," Steve stated bluntly, his resentment for this man had taken root. Quickly stood with a sense of the man's growing bad attitude. "Miss Van Zandt is a material witness to a multiple murder and can be considered in my protective custody. And you will not speak to her without my authorization."

Sandberg said dryly as he stood and started to leave. "Your lack of cooperation will be highlighted in my report."

"You do that." Steve replied flatly as he glared at the agency man.

"Thank you for your time Mr. McGarrett." Sandberg stated unemotionally and strode out of the office.

Steve followed the agent to the door and opened it for him. "Goodbye Mr. Sandberg."

As the DEA agent stepped through the doorway Danny Williams walked up to Steve. He looked after the man with a puzzled look on his face. "Who was that?"

"Russell Sandberg, DEA." Steve replied in a monotone as he pushed the door closed hard enough that it slammed shut. He moved over to the lanai doors and pushed them open, leaned against the doorframe and gazed out over the palace grounds. His thoughts were on the photos that he had just seen, as reminisces of the woman entered his thoughts. Breathing in the sweet island air he couldn't chase from his mind what Sandberg had said, and the woman in the photos that he knew a few years earlier. He found it hard to believe that she was involved as much as he said she was.

"What is it Steve, you look like you've seen a ghost." Danny said as he noticed the man's somber demeanor as he followed him to the lanai doors.

"I just might have Danno." Steve finally replied, his voice distant.

"Huh?" Danny replied curiously. "Do you want to run that past me one more time."

"Your lady from the beach," Steve said quietly, "her name isn't Kingston, it's Van Zandt."

"Van Zandt?" Danny replied surprised. "Wow. That's a name out of the past."

"Yeah." Steve remarked in agreement as he to face the young detective. Tucking his hands behind his back he leaned back against the wall. "Remember that case about four years ago? The theft of that million dollar donation to the university?"

"Yeah, I remember. Old man Van Zandt had donated the money, and the next day it was stolen." Danny recalled. "It was an inside job as I remember."

"Stedman Van Zandt." Steve stated as he recalled the case.

"He had a daughter didn't he?" Danny asked then remembered that Steve had dated her for a short time. His mouth dropped open and his eyes grew wide when he realized what Steve was getting at. "She's old man Van Zandt's daughter?"

"That's right Danno. The DEA's surveillance photos are on my desk. Take a look." Steve said as he thumbed over at his desk.

Danny stepped over to the desk and picked up the photos and looked at them. Steve was right about the woman in the photo, it was Kiana Van Zandt and she was with Julian Brazzo and three other men that he recognized as well. "That's her all right. What is she doing here? Doesn't she live on the mainland now?"

"She does." Steve replied. "And vowed she would never return to the islands. Said the they were too confining."

"Then why is she here, and why the assumed name on the passenger list?" Danny asked.

"I'm wondering that too Danno." Steve said introspectively. "But she's here. And according to Agent Sandberg, she's been in the islands for at least two weeks." Returning to his chair, he sat. Danny placed the photos in his outstretched hand. After a moment of studying the images, Steve said. "And now she's lying in Queens Hospital and she can't even remember her name."

"So what do we do?" Danny asked, as he saw the expression on his boss's face. He knew Steve would need his help on this one.

Steve saw the look on Danny's face and he knew he could count on his young aid. "We keep up our investigation into Julian Brazzo's activities." He said. "Up to and including the time he boarded that yacht."

Danny, taking notes, missed the look that crossed Steve's face. The Five-O chief found himself in an unexpected dilemma. Any personal feelings he might have for this woman had no place in this investigation. He had to remain objective even after he talked with her. Steve paused for a moment as he considered their next step.

"Did you get to talk to that part time worker at the marina?" Steve asked to change the subject.

"Yes I did." Danny replied. "Name's Ernie Salvo. Said he saw a guy named Joey Aresco hanging around the marina that day. Seems they were friends up until four months ago. Seems Joey started associating with a guy named Manny Rizzo. Salvo said he wanted nothing to do with him. When he saw Joey that day he didn't see anything in his hands but acting real uptight."

"Uptight… huh…?" That could mean something Steve thought. "Who's this Manny Rizzo?"

"According to Salvo, real bad news." Danny answered. "Says he's heard a plenty about him. Rizzo's been working to start a drug importing business without much luck. The local syndicate doesn't want the competition I guess."

"What do we have on this Joey Aresco?"

"What I have right now Steve is that he's small time." Danny answered. "Been in and out of jail over the years, minor stuff mostly."

"I want the book on these two characters Aresco and Rizzo," Steve stated, "Run those two through the HPD computer and see what comes out. Then I want Aresco picked up. I want to talk to him and see if he can tell us something that HPD doesn't know about."

"Will do Steve." Danny answered.

"Is Chin and Duke in?"

"They came in just after I did."

"Send them in when you leave will you?"

"Sure." Danny answered. Standing, he glanced at the head of Five-O as he reached for his jacket. Steve was slowly flipping through the photos again. Danny could see that Steve was affected by this latest development. "You going to be all right with this?"

His eyes still on the photographs, Steve's voice was distant when he replied. "Yeah Danno, I'll be all right." Looking up at the young detective he smiled faintly. "Thanks."

"Okay." Danny answered and quietly left.

As Steve flipped through the photos for the third time, he couldn't help but focus on the woman's face. He first met Kiana Van Zandt four years before when he investigated the theft of the million-dollar donation her father made to the university. The old man was philanthropist and wanted to leave a legacy he supposed. As Steve was interviewing the gray-haired patriarch she walked into the room. The expression on the old man's face showed that he was proud of his daughter as he made the introductions.

Steve half smiled when he visualized the spirited woman. The silver streak at her forehead hairline of her dark hair framed her face accenting her soft Hawaiian features. Her dark eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at him, eyes a man could get lost in if he wanted to. He found her manner quite intriguing and had asked her out for dinner and dancing a couple nights later. He continued to see her for several weeks until she finished her visit and returned to Los Angeles, where she had been working as a fashion model. He was sad to see her leave as he drove her to the airport.

Steve's reminiscence was interrupted when Chin lightly knocked on the door and walked up to his desk.

"Yeah, Chin," Steve said as he put the photos down. "Check with the airlines and see if Kiana Van Zandt arrived by any regular flight from the mainland in the last few weeks. Also check with the FAA and see if she has a pilot's license and maybe own her own plane. And call the airports on the island and see if there is an airplane parked somewhere with her name on it."

"Right Steve. Anything else?" Chin replied before he left.

"Yeah." Steve answered. "Also check under the name Kingston. If she used an alias for the passenger list, she may have used it to park an airplane."

"On it," the veteran detective said as he turned and left.

"Duke," Steve continued to give orders, "talk to your street sources and find out what Kay Kingston was doing with the likes of Julian Brazzo and his friends.

"I'll get right on it Steve." He answered and followed Chin out of the office.

***

Two days passed before Doctor Ashford phoned to let Steve know that his patient was awake and finally coherent. The doctor approved his visit.

Hoping to get some answers about what happened that night on the yacht, Steve was moving toward the door when Chin, with his ever-present notebook entered the office.

"Steve, I checked with all of the airlines for Miss Van Zandt's name, it wasn't on any of their passenger lists."

"How far did you back did you check." Steve asked.

"I had them check back four weeks." The veteran detective replied. "Found nothing under the name Kingston either."

"What about the local airports?"

"Nothing yet, but I'm still checking." The Chinese detective replied.

"Keep on it Chin, she arrived on the island somehow." Steve replied.

"Right." He replied as he left the office.

Steve had signed off on a recently completed case was taking it to Jenny for filing on his way out. His eye caught the photos Agent Sandberg had left with him. He frowned as he looked at them again wondering what was Kiana doing with Julian Brazzo. But then only she could answer that question he mused. He slid the photos back into the envelope and set it at the corner of his desk and started to walk out of his office when he saw John Manicote, the State's District Attorney enter the outer office with Agent Sandberg right behind him.

Manicote extended his hand to the Five-O chief and greeted him warmly. "Hi Steve."

"Hello John." Steve replied surprised to see the District Attorney in his office as he shook hands. And scowled when he saw Sandberg with him.

Noting the expression on McGarrett's face, Manicote said. "I see introductions won't be necessary."

"Yes, I've already had the pleasure John." Steve stated.

The District Attorney arched a brow as he observed. "Then I don't need to go into the details of why I'm here."

"No, John, you don't." Steve answered as he placed the file in Jenny's in-tray and motioned for the men to follow him into his office. "I'm very much aware of Mr. Sandberg's position and his request." Steve said as he closed the door, crossed the room and circled his desk. Facing his visitors, he eyes steeled themselves. Sandberg was playing a dangerous card. Five-O was his organization, given to him with extraordinary freedom. Neither the DA nor the DEA agent were going to interfere in a Five-O investigation. The expression on his face spoke volumes of what was on his mind.

Manicote rested his hands casually on the back of one of the chairs in front of the desk as Steve spoke. The DA had known McGarrett for many years. While one couldn't have a better ally, in the end, McGarrett was his own man. Manicote felt himself drawn into taking a bad position. He was about to see that steel will once again. Steve was not going to like the conversation that was about to come.

Sandberg stood near the DA with his arms crossed in a defiant manner, because he knew that his authority would take precedence and he would get his way. He felt that this meeting would seal who would have jurisdiction in this case. He liked the idea that the mighty McGarrett would have to report to him as long as he was on this case.

"Steve," Manicote began, "Before you say anything, I know what you're going to say."

"Do you?" Quipped Steve his anger sizzling just under the surface. "Then you would have known what my reaction would be. John, this is my jurisdiction and my murder investigation." Shifting his gaze between both men. "Five-O should have been notified that the DEA was conducting a surveillance of Julian Brazzo's activities. If Agent Sandberg had informed Five-O on their investigation, and maybe prevented five murders and Miss Van Zandt wouldn't be lying in the hospital."

"I agree Steve," Manicote replied, "as head of Five-O you should have been involved from the beginning. I only was informed of Agent Sandberg's investigation just yesterday afternoon when he came to my office to file a complaint against you for interfering in a Federal investigation."

"Interfering?" Steve vehemently replied. "John, Five-O has been aware of Julian Brazzo and his friends for some time now and the fact that he was looking to establish a new heroin pipeline into the islands. But what we lacked was solid evidence for a conviction. Plus, no one was willing to testify against him. Now Mr. Brazzo apparently gets himself blown up along with four other men on a yacht a few nights ago."

"It's very apparent to me that both of you are working on the same case," Commented Manicote, "but from different ends. Why don't you work together on this? That way the case could be solved that much sooner." Their expressions didn't change as the DA's suggestion was considered. McGarrett showed signs of not budging from his position. Neither did Sandberg for that fact. The DA smiled to himself because he saw that both men were equally stubborn.

Assured he would get his way Sandberg stood smugly as he waited for McGarrett's decision. The expression on the DEA agent's face slowly slipped from smug to stunned when he heard McGarrett's answer.
                                                                  ***

As Steve drove to the hospital he tried to keep his mind on the case at hand but he found himself reminiscing about the time he spent with Kiana. The day he took her sailing on his boat on a rare occasion he was able to take a day off was especially memorable. She had packed a picnic lunch with gourmet goodies that she admitted she had made herself. Which he found hard to believe, but she had assured him that she had prepared the lunch herself. Smiling he could still remember the look on her face when, later she confessed that she wanted to try out a new recipe. It was not recommended, of course. All recipes should be tested before serving to guests. She couldn't resist. She admitted there were two or three things she could have made better.

As she chatted, he found himself increasingly fascinated.

They had laid anchor off Makapu'u Point and watched as the waves crashed against the rocky shore. They talked for several hours, and with the sounds of Hawaiian music from the radio danced in the small space that was the foredeck of his modest sailboat. Her laughter and smile made him feel that this was a very desirable woman, and later they watched the sunset that Hawaii w

*** The medication in the IV made Kiana sleep through most of the day. During the times she was awake she felt like she was in a fog and the headache she had felt strange. Although she lay in a bed, she felt dizzy, like she had gone a dozen trips on a merry-go-round at high speed. She hardly noticed the comings and goings of the nurses who tended to her. With her vision blurred, much of her surroundings were unidentifiable and everything she tried to look at looked like a big fuzzy blob. Even when she squinted the light hurt her eyes and the blob was no clearer. Much of the time she lay still with her eyes closed. After Steve and Agent Sandberg entered the hospital, Doctor Ashford was paged to the hospital lobby to meet Steve and Agent Sandberg. After introductions were made, with Steve emphasizing the word 'observer', the doctor led the men to his patient's room. While on route to the woman's room Steve informed the doctor that he now had a positive ID on his patient. Kiana Van Zandt was her name he told him but advised that she remain a Jane Doe officially for the time being. He had reluctantly let Sandberg come along, with one condition, that the agent not interfere with his questioning of Miss Van Zandt. He felt the woman didn't need any additional emotional distress than she already had. From what he ascertained from his first meeting with the DEA Agent, he felt sure that the man would be on the offensive if he were allowed to freely ask questions. The HPD officer stationed outside the room saluted as the Five-O chief, the doctor and Sandberg entered the semi private room. Doctor Ashford took the lead once inside the room and approached the woman's bed. Her bed had been elevated to a forty-five degree angle for additional comfort. She looked to be dozing so the doctor gently spoke to her. "You have visitors." The woman muttered some indiscernible words as she slowly roused from her nap. Turning her head toward the doctor she opened her eyes. "You have visitors." The physician repeated softly. "Oh." She uttered weakly as she became more alert. "Do you remember Mr. McGarrett?" Ashford asked. "He came to visit you the other day." Steve observed her as she looked up at him. He suspected she was still having difficulty focusing because she was still squinting. "Miss Van Zandt." Steve said as he saw that her face was still swollen and her skin still showed the burns. The gauze wrapping had been removed from around her head leaving only a bandage on the wound. He could now see the streak of silver in her hair. This confirmed the identification of the woman. It was Kiana. "Do you remember me?" He asked. "No." She replied weakly as she shifted her gaze to the other blurred figure in the room. Steve slid over a chair so he could sit. "I'd like to ask you some questions, if you feel up to it." "Yeah, sure." She replied unconsciously adjusting the sheets about her. "But I can't guarantee the answers." "Let me be the judge of that all right?" Steve replied. "I'll start with something simple. Do you know where you are?" Kiana managed a grin at what seemed to her to be a very obvious question. "Mr. McGarrett, I'm in a hospital." A small smile slowly made its way onto Steve's face. She had a quick wit when he had dated her and was pleased to see that it was still there. Even under current circumstances, the thought. "Of course. Let me try again. Do you remember what happened to you? How you got hurt?" Kiana reached up and touched her forehead, fingered the bandage for a moment as she stared past the Five-O chief as she thought. The fog that had impaired any recollections was still too thick to breach. After several moments she replied. "No -- I can't." Steve tried not to show how badly he felt seeing this woman this way. "Let's try a different approach." He suggested. "What is the last thing you do remember, before you woke up here in the hospital?" "The last thing I remember…" Said Kiana her voice trailing off as she tried to think. Slowly a faint picture began to form in her mind. "It… it was a dinner party, I think." "Do you remember when it was or perhaps where?" Steve prompted. "When?" Kiana answered biting her lip as she struggled to remember. As if something was a little clearer, she began to smile. "It was the Fourth of July. I remember there were lots of red, white and blue… streamers I think." Encouraged by her response, McGarrett glanced at Dr. Ashford. When the physician nodded, Steve returned his attention to the woman in the bed. "You're doing just fine," he assured her. "July fourth was only three weeks ago. Just the last three weeks are missing." "Three weeks?" Kiana replied in disbelief and slumped into the pillow as she looked at the fuzzy figure that was the Five-O chief. "So you mean to tell me that I've lost three weeks of my life?" "Looks that way." Replied Steve as he watched her expression grow grim. "Give it time, your memory will return. Let's try something a little harder." he suggested. "Do you remember how you traveled to Hawaii? There's no reservation under your name on any regular airline. We checked." "Well…" She hesitantly answered as she stared at her lap and tried hard to remember, but the fog proved impassible. The fear and uncertainty she began to feel made her shudder. "I can't remember." She hesitantly replied trying not to show how scared as she was. "What are you getting at?" "Do you own an airplane?" Steve asked. Before Kiana could answer she visibly jumped at the sound of an irate voice and gripped the sheets. She could see that McGarrett didn't like the interruption either. "McGarrett!" Snapped Sandberg having grown impatient at the slowness of his questions. "Stop beating around the bush will you? Get on with it." It was apparent he was certain the woman was a murderer who had found amnesia as a way to avoid her guilt. There was no reason for McGarrett's obvious coddling of the woman. That and the fact that his investigation was taken away from him fueled his anger. "Why did you blow up the boat?" He barked. "Was it because you wanted the drug business all for yourself?" "What is he talking about?" Kiana uttered clutching the bedding. Steve glanced toward the physician. Kiana's renewed anxiety as the one thing he wanted to avoid. Sandberg had deliberately disregarded his request to let him question the woman. He angrily stood and faced the DEA man. "Mr. Sandberg, you are here as a courtesy. And I recall asking you not to interfere." "I can't just stand by and listen as you handle this woman - who is obviously lying to you - with kid gloves." Sandberg said aggressively. "She's guilty, and this amnesia stuff has got to be a fake. I've done some research and I don't buy ninety-nine percent of it." Before Steve could reply to Sandberg's accusation. Dr. Ashford cut in. "I can assure you Mr. Sandberg that this woman's condition is true, and has been corroborated by two other doctors." "They're just covering up too." He remained unconvinced. "I want to question her." By now Steve was completely annoyed. "I thought we settled this back in my office. You are not to interfere with my handling of this investigation. Tell me, how can you discount three medical opinions with your own?" "Because she's guilty." Sandberg confidently answered. "And I've got the pictures to prove it." "Those pictures you showed me?" McGarrett replied sharply. "They only prove she had been with Brazzo and was with him when he boarded the yacht. If she is guilty like you say, is this your proof? "He gave the agent a piercing glance but not enough time to respond. "Since you are relying so heavily on those pictures," he continued, "where's the one showing her planting the bomb? That's the one I'd really like to see, only then would I agree with you. In the meantime I would strongly suggest that you give this woman the benefit of the doubt." "No!" Sandberg shouted, "Not until I question her." "Gentlemen!" Ashford's outcry was filled with growing irritation at the officers, brought both men to silence "You need to leave now. My patient needs to rest." Steve was about to object when he saw a slight tremor in the burned hand resting on the bedding. Too much information fed too quickly into a mind trying to cope with a blank screen. She had been presented with two conflicting interpretations of actions and motives she could not remember. He needed more information, but one look at the shadows beneath her eyes said it all. The doctor's concern was well founded. Kiana needed rest. Besides which, the agent had made any further questioning impossible, for the moment. Setting his jaw Steve glared at Sandberg. He didn't want him along on this interview in the first place, his outburst only proved the correctness of his concerns. He wanted to tell Sandberg exactly what he thought of him but decided that would be counterproductive. The DEA man turned on his heel. His anger was apparent as he opened the door with a jerk. His back stiff as he left the room. Steve turned to face a very tense Kiana. He could see how upset she was over Sandberg's accusation. "My apologies," He calmly said, "that won't happen again if I can help it." She nodded her head hesitantly as she looked at the Five-O chief. Still frightened from the DEA man's outburst she said. "What did I do that was so horrible to make him say that?" Steve looked over at Ashford and saw that he was not about to back down from his request that his patient's visitors leave. As much as he wanted to continue to question her, the doctor was right. Besides which, he needed to find Sandberg. It was obvious he still did not understand the rules governing his continued involvement in the case. There would be no further interruptions. *** "What the hell do you think you were doing in there!" Said Steve to the DEA man after they got back to his car. "I specifically remember telling you I was going to ask the questions." "McGarrett," Sandberg shot back equally heated, "You were being too easy on that woman. If you had let me do the questioning we would have more by now." "I don't agree." Stated Steve. "That woman in there is so disoriented right now you wouldn't get anything out of her, even if she is guilty as you say." Pointing in the direction of the hospital. No sooner did he finish his statement his radio crackled to life. "Central calling McGarrett, come in Car One." The Dispatcher said. Steve glared at the DEA man as he reached inside the car and grabbed the radio mic from the dash and brought it to his lips "This is McGarrett." "Steve." It was Chin. "I found an airplane registered to Miss Van Zandt." "Good, Chin. Good." Steve said. They might finally a lead he thought. "Where is it?" "Dillingham Air Field, north shore." The veteran detective replied. "It's a restored PBY Catalina registered to Miss Kiana Van Zandt. Registration number is N six-two-eight-nine. Spoke to the manager of the flight school there, name of Frankie Kamekoa. Says Miss Van Zandt is a friend and hasn't seen her in several days." "Tell him no one goes near that airplane until I get there." Steve replied into the mic. "I'm on my way, with a warrant." "Right, I'll tell him." Replied the Chinese detective. "Anything else?" "Yeah, I want to see all the flight records." "They'll be ready when you get here Steve." Chin replied then signed off. "McGarrett," Sandberg said, "you're not leaving me out of this. I started this investigation and be damned I'm going to finish it. I'm going with you to search that airplane and you're not stopping me." Steve's dislike for this man grew stronger the longer he was exposed to the agent's arrogant behavior. But, as the DEA agent assigned to the parallel case, Steve knew he was stuck with Sandberg. It was not a pleasant thought. "Mr. Sandberg," He said sternly jerking open the car door. "I don't like this arrangement any more than you do, so lets just make the best of it. Now get in." With the search warrant in his jacket pocket that he picked up from Manacote, Steve and Agent Sandberg drove out to Dillingham Air Field. The DEA man was surprisingly quiet during the trip. As Steve maneuvered the Mercury through the afternoon traffic on Kamehameha Highway he was thankful for the silence. He had questions that could not be answered until they executed the search warrant. Perhaps this would be a red herring and nothing useful would be found. He did not want to believe that the search would result in incriminating evidence. From what he remembered from the time he spent with Kiana Van Zandt, she spoke openly about what was on her mind. Steve had been a cop for a long time. Could Kiana have changed over the years to a woman with secrets? He knew the odds no matter which way the dice came up. And he didn't like either choice. Hopefully, he would have his answers after her plane was searched. When Steve turned off the main road and approached the airfield he saw the glistening white aircraft parked next to the only hanger there. Such a great old bird he thought as he approached it. Steve parked his car on the asphalt next to the dark blue sedan that belonged to his colleague. He saw Chin standing under the huge wing along with a younger man. Stepping out of the car he scrutinized the aircraft from nose to tail. The nose art was that of a woman. The garment the figure wore was long and flowing making it look like she had wings. Above the figure written in large script letters was "Sea Nymph." Red and silver stripes ran the entire length of the fuselage and up the tail fin. The hull was painted a turquoise blue. The wing floats were in the up position and the silver propellers reflected the sun into his eyes. Shading his eyes from the sun he looked up at the cockpit windows visualizing Kiana at the controls of what looked to be a very special aircraft for her. "Steve," Said Chin interrupting Steve's musings to hand him the flight records. He then introduced the young man standing to his left, "this is Frankie Kamekoa, the flight school manager. This is Steve McGarrett, head of Five-O." Leaning forward, the young man clad in only shorts and a tank top, extended a hand. "Mr. Kamekoa." Steve said shaking the young man's hand introduced the agent at his right. "Russell Sandberg, of the DEA." Reaching into his jacket pocket Steve produced the search warrant and handed it to the young man "Mr. McGarrett,"  Frankie said accepting the folded document, "this isn't necessary. I would have let you in the Nymph without it." Steve scanned over the records briefly before replying. "Just the same Mr. Kamekoa," folding the pages he placed them inside his jacket pocket, "I rather I did." "Okay then, right this way." Frankie gestured as he led the group to the aft hull. Reaching up to a finger opening he pushed a button unlatching the stairs that slowly descended to the asphalt. They were narrow and covered with red carpeting leading up the cabin that was furnished like a luxury yacht. Steve slowly ascended the steps. Inside turquoise carpeting and white leather upholstered bench seating lined both sides of the cabin. His gaze traveled back and forth across the compartment as he entered. The blister windows on each side of the fuselage allowed ample light inside. He noted that the place was neat and tidy. Sandberg entered behind him scanning the cabin as if the proof he needed was something obvious. Viewing the cabin with a critical eye, he pushed past Steve as Chin entered the cabin. "Drug money bought this I bet." Said Sandberg cynically as he observed the expensive luxury of the cabin that surrounded him. "Sandberg," Steve stated turning to face the agency man, "we are here for a search not to critique the décor." Steve was about to enter the next compartment when he noticed a framed photograph on a small table. In the picture were Kiana and a man. The man's arms were about her waist and both were smiling. Boyfriend, he guessed. Picking up the photo, he modified his guess. Someone had placed a substantial diamond ring on her left hand. Smiling to himself he was pleased that she had found someone. Putting the picture down he stepped into the next cabin. The galley table was the first thing he saw and on it was clipped newspaper articles. Taking a seat he removed his pen from his jacket pocket and used it to move the clippings around as he scanned over them. One of the clippings was an obituary from the Los Angeles Times newspaper dated three months ago for a Michael Turner, complete with a picture of the deceased. Sandberg stepped over to the table after his own search of storage drawers in the aft cabin. "Who's the stiff?" He asked in what had become his usual cynical tone. "Michael Turner." Steve replied without looking up as he continued to read the clipping. "Says here he died in a traffic accident here in Hawaii." Sandberg had been reading over McGarrett's shoulder when he saw the photo in the obituary. "Hey, wait a minute "I know this guy." The agent snatched the clipping from the table. "He met with Brazzo just a few days before he died. I remember, because I had asked your police department for a complete report on the accident." Steve realized he had also seen that face before, and not too long ago. Due to the minimal space in the galley, Chin stood at the bulkhead between the two cabins. He asked him to hand over the photo from the table behind him so he could look at it again. With both the clipping and the photo in his hands he saw that the same face was in both photos. Steve paused when he saw local newspaper clippings on the activities of Julian Brazzo. His brow furrowed when he saw that several lines in the article were underlined. The information ranged from police interest in him to his social activities. Why the interest? He wondered as he read over the articles. Sandberg sat across the small table from McGarrett scanning over the articles on Brazzo. He wasn't surprised that they turned up. It only reinforced his idea of the woman's motivation. "Look," he blurted "she was after him for his business and his money." "This could mean anything." Steve replied as he studied the clippings. "There could be another reason for all this." "Isn't it obvious? McGarrett, she wanted to get into the drug business and Julian Brazzo was her meal ticket." "You want to talk theories Mr. Sandberg?" Steve said definitively as he held up the framed photograph. "I've got one for you. Here we have a couple that is engaged, Kiana Van Zandt and Michael Turner." Then held up the LA Times clipping. "And here we have the obituary of the intended groom. Now you told me that you saw this man meeting with Brazzo just days before he died in a traffic accident. "My guess is that Miss Van Zandt didn't believe the reports on her future husband's death and came here to find out more about what happened. She researched her fiancée's activities that help could explain his death. That could explain all this." Sweeping his hand over the table. "Then I have a question for you that will bust that theory of yours wide open." Said Sandberg. "Why was she shacking up with him?" Steve tightened his jaw as he looked at the agency man then back at the clippings. His desire to know what Kiana was up to increased substantially, plus his theory didn't have an answer for that question. "Miss Van Zandt is the only one who can answer that question I'm afraid." "I would love to hear her explanation." Replied Sandberg crossing his arms across his chest. Steve motioned for Chin to wrap up the news clippings to take with them then continued the search. The cabinets in the galley revealed the standard foodstuffs, so he proceeded to the cockpit and sat in the pilot seat. He surveyed the panel as he ran his hands under and around the seat until his fingers found a hard object. When he pulled it out he saw it to be the flight logbook. He opened the book and thumbed through the pages. Pilots must log their flights so their hours can be verified. As he reviewed the pages noting that all the entries so far were for flights on the mainland, until he reached the last page. The last notation was for a flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii dated four weeks ago. "Well this confirms that Miss Van Zandt has been in the islands for the last four weeks, it matches what's on the flight records." Steve said showing the book to the agency man. At that moment Chin stepped up to the cockpit and stood behind Sandberg because that was as close as he could get. "Steve," he said grimly, "I think you should see this." Steve turned to see what the veteran detective wanted. His eyes narrowed and he lightly sighed when he saw that his colleague held a thirty-two-caliber pistol in his hand. A quick glance at Sandberg showed him wearing an almost jubilant expression. *** By the time Steve dropped Sandberg off at his office and returned to the Palace the sun was going down. It had been a long day and it looked like it was going to be an even longer night. Danny, Chin and Duke followed Steve inside his office with their reports in hand. Loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top button of his shirt he slumped into his chair. Danny was first to approach the desk. "Joey Aresco wasn't home when we went to pick him up, Steve. I have HPD watching his place. They'll call when he shows up." Handing Steve two file folders, he explained. "And here is the information you requested on Joey Aresco and Manny Rizzo." "Thanks Danno." Answered Steve sitting forward he took the files. Flipping open the one on Joey Aresco and began to read. He had been in and out of jail over the last three years convicted from everything from lifting wallets to petty larceny. "What's this?" He said pausing. "Dishonorably discharged from the Army in nineteen seventy. Do we have his military record?" "No." Danny replied. "Call Fort Shafter and request a copy of his service record." Steve ordered as he opened the file on Manny Rizzo. "There wasn't much available on Rizzo, Steve." Danny added. "What we could find only dates back a few months." "You're right Danno," Steve commented as he began to read through the file. "Applied for a driver's license only three months ago. About the same time he leased office space on McCully Street." "It's the same for most everything else," Danny added, "telephone, utilities, bank accounts, all began around the same time." "Any criminal record?" Steve asked without looking up turning the page. "Nothing there either," Danny replied, "not even a parking ticket. The guy's clean." Sighing Steve leaned backing his chair, rubbing his chin he looked at his men. "There has got to be more to this guy than what we've uncovered so far. That marina worker said that Rizzo was looking to make a name for himself in the drug trade here in the islands. And if he's 'bad news,' what we got here doesn't tell us anything." He tossed the file onto his desk. "We need proof gentlemen. Proof that Manny Rizzo and Joey Aresco are involved in criminal activity." "If Rizzo wanted to move in and take over this new pipeline," Chin speculated, "how far would he go to eliminate the competition?" "Like putting a bomb on a yacht that had the key players onboard that were planning their own pipeline into the islands." Danny added. Steve vaulted from his chair and pounded his fist on his desk. "Those are the questions we need to answer." Recalling that Sandberg said he requested HPD's report of their investigation of Turner's accident. "Chin, call HPD and get me a copy of the Michael Turner's accident report. I want to see what it says." "Sure Steve." Chin replied then left to make the call. "Whadaya got Duke?" Steve asked. "I went over to Julian Brazzo's business. They're all pretty tight lipped over there right now, Steve." Duke opened his notebook and began to read from his notations. "I did talk to a Carl Chang. He said Brazzo first met Miss Kay Kingston just over two weeks ago. He had brought her into the office after meeting her at the Ala Wai Country Club." "Kingston?" Steve leaned forward in his chair. "Same name she used on the passenger list." He thought out loud. "One thing he did tell me that was that she asked a lot of questions." Duke added. "What kind of questions? Did he say?" "No he didn't." Duke replied. "What are you looking for?" Danny asked curiously. "Something that might explain why Miss Van Zandt is in the islands Danno." Steve said as he paced behind his chair. "When she left the islands after her fathers funeral three years ago, she swore never to return. But yet here she is. The framed photo on the Catalina shows her wearing a diamond engagement ring. So it's safe to assume that she was going to marry the man in the photo, Michael Turner. Then Turner comes to Hawaii for… whatever reason… has a meeting with Julian Brazzo then dies in a car accident shortly after that meeting." "Do you think she didn't believe the reports of her fiancée's death?" Danny added. "And came here to check it out herself…could be Danno. But why wait three months if that's the case." Steve asked he walked to the lanai windows and gazed out. "But I sure wish I knew what she's been up to these last two weeks." Mulling the information over and over again in his head one thing seemed too coincidental, that Manny Rizzo showed up in Hawaii about the same time Michael Turner died in that car accident. Steve turned from the window realizing no more progress will be made tonight. "It's late gentlemen, let's call it a night. We'll get a fresh start in the morning." "What about you?" Danny asked. "I'll be all right Danno." Replied Steve. "Go home and take Duke here with you." He added with a tired smile. Chin walked back into the room just in time to hear Steve dismiss his colleagues for the night. "A copy of the report will be ready in the morning." "Thanks Chin." Steve replied moving over to his desk and stared at his blotter. "Tomorrow I want you to go back over to Brazzo's company and talk to the employees again. Duke spoke to a Carl Chang when he went over there. Talk to him again. I want to know what exactly Brazzo was in to. Somebody has to know something. It's been a few days since he was killed. Maybe somebody is ready to talk. Now go home." "Ok will do, Steve." Chin answered and left and went home himself. *** Chin stopped by HPD and picked up the file on Michael Turner's accident on his way to work. The report contained photos of what was left of the car along with the typed accident and coroner reports. Everything read quite routine. "Their conclusion was that a tire blew and Turner lost control and rolled down an embankment off of the Liki Liki Highway and caught fire." Steve read aloud. "The body was badly burned and unrecognizable. Identification of the body was determined on a remnant of a rental contract that was in the glove compartment. It showed that the car was rented to Michael Turner. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma as a result of the crash." Danny had followed Chin into Steve's office and presented his report along with Joey Aresco's military file. "They didn't use dental records for the ID? I thought it was routine to request dental records in a case like that." Handing the folder over to his boss. "It is." Steve replied thoughtfully as he accepted the file. "They usually are more thorough." Flipping the file open and scanned the pages. Danny commented as he took a seat in one of the chairs in the room. "You wanna bet they had help with that conclusion?" Steve looked up from the report and at the young detective as he considered what he inferred. "You think Agent Sandberg had a hand in that conclusion? Enough to have it say what he wanted it to?" "Don't you?" Replied Danny. Steve eyed Danny considering what he said. Having only met Agent Sandberg just the day before, it would be a big assumption if he thought the man had anything to do with the conclusions of the report. But Danny's hunches have not been far off when he had them. "Danno, have a chat with the investigating officer," Handing the file to Williams, "see what he remembers about the accident." "Right." Danny replied as he took the file and left. "Chin," Steve said as he handed the pistol recovered from the plane to him. "Take this to Che in the lab and have him run a ballistics check on it and also check the registration." "Okay." He said as he took the bag containing the weapon and headed out of the office and continued on to Julian Brazzo's company offices. *** It had been almost a week since Kiana was found on the beach and she had become more alert. She dozed off and on most of the morning. While she slept fragmented images invaded her dreams waking her abruptly leaving her with the oddest feeling. As hard as she tried, she couldn't quite put her finger on the reason why she felt the way she did. Settling back against the pillow she looked out the window at the sun as it filtered into the antiseptic room. What that one man had said greatly disturbed her and she didn't know what to think. It was bad enough that he accused her of something so horrible as blowing up a boat, it was worse when she couldn't remember even doing it. Her brow furrowed as she thought, perhaps this was what she had heard once was a 'good cop bad cop' routine. But the 'bad cop' sounded so sure that she had done this awful thing. There was one odd thing, there was something familiar about the 'good cop.' But just wasn't sure what it was. She did however; remember that his name was McGarrett from the last time he visited. As she gazed out the window she tried to clear her mind. Maybe this way she hoped she could remember something, anything about herself. If she didn't focus on any specific thing something might come through. But as the minutes turned into hours, nothing became clear, although her head hurt more than it did before. She looked down to see her burned hands move along the reddish skin on her arms. The longer she looked at her skin the more afraid she became. Reaching up she touched the bandage on her head. It was very tender. She quickly withdrew her hand. The tinge of pain she felt made her wonder how her body could absorb so much damage and leave not trace of memory of how it happened? Her frustration growing, she threw back the bed sheets and cautiously pushed herself to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. She was a little dizzy, but she had expected it. No longer restrained by the IV, she slowly slid over the edge the bed until her feet touched the floor. Both legs wobbled as she put her weight on them. With a good grip on the rail she slowly took a step. If it weren't for the rail she would have collapsed to the floor. It took a few moments before she tried again to take a step. She tightly held onto the bed rail, and step-by-step she made her way to the bathroom. Pausing at the sink she stared at the mirror for several minutes. The face she saw looking back at her was unfamiliar. With one hand firmly on the sink to steady herself, she slowly raised the other and touched the bruise on the side of her face. It had taken on the usual coloring of a combination of purple and yellow, and then the bandage on her forehead. Her hand quivered as she slowly reached out to the image touching the surface of the mirror. "Who -- are you?" she asked the reflection. *** It was midday when Steve arrived at the nurse's station. Doctor Ashford had called earlier and on condition that only Steve visit, suggested his patient would be ready for Five-O around noon. Steve had brought with him the photos from the DEA surveillance, as well as some of the evidence from the place. Doctor Ashford was not happy about the framed picture and the newspaper clippings from the plane nor the ballistics report on the gun that was found on her plane. But Steve assured him that he had a feeling that time was running short. He could not give a rational explanation, but the physician had encountered Five-O hunches in the past. Steve resisted a small smile as he remembered his barter. He pointed out that Agent Sandberg was duly absent. The physician had no further objections. Steve returned the officer's salute and pushed the door open entering the room. He saw Kiana was more alert than the last time he visited. Walking up to the bed he said. "Hello, how are you feeling today?" "Okay." Kiana replied unemotionally because her mirror image still disturbed her. She looked at the Five-O chief curiously as he brought over a chair to sit on. "I remember you." Steve briefly caught his breath as she spoke. "That's good." Maybe she had regained some of her memory since the last time he was here. He hopefully thought. "You're that policeman that came to see me yesterday. McGarrett, isn't it?" She said. "And that awful man was with you." Steve let go the breath he held, it wasn't what he had hoped as he adjusted himself in the chair. "Yes, it's McGarrett, Steve McGarrett." He replied. "Do you feel up to answering some questions?" "I can tell by the look on your face that you have many questions." She answered as she got into a more comfortable position in the bed and adjusted the sheets around her in preparation for the interrogation. "Let me start by saying that we have found out who you are." Smiled Steve. Kiana stared at the Five-O chief. It was apparent her excitement was being smothered by her fear. She sat quietly waiting. "Your name is Kiana Van Zandt." Steve said. "Kiana Van Zandt." She repeated aloud. "Your father was Stedman Van Zandt." he added. "Does that bring anything back?" Asked Steve hoping it might stimulate something in her memory. Kiana thought for a moment saying her name over and over to herself. But to no avail, the fog she had experienced earlier was still there and just as thick. "No," she sadly replied, "it doesn't." "I have some photos that were taken of you in the weeks before your accident, one was taken the afternoon of the accident." Removing the surveillance photos from the envelope he handed them to her. "Do you remember being at any of these places?" A perplexed look grew on her face as she looked at the photos one by one. "I don't remember any of these places." She said. "Not even the yacht?" Asked Steve. "What about the faces in the photos?" She shook her head and flipped through the photos again. Nothing looked familiar. "The yacht sailed shortly after this photo was taken." Steve said as she stared at one of the photos of the sleek hull. "The passenger list had your name as Kay Kingston, do you remember why you did that?" She looked at the photo with the yacht again. "No." She replied quietly as she began tapping the photos into a neat stack. Steve was aware Kiana's hands were trembling. "Please look at that photo again," Steve urged softly. "Try to focus on the other faces, perhaps the name of the yacht." Kiana wanted to object to the request, but she sensed something about gentle encouragement from the Five-O chief that induced her take another look. She looked at the photos again but only the misty wisp of recognition was elusive. Nothing was familiar. Steve wanted to push and stress the importance of her remembering something, but allowed her time to study the photos. "What about this?" He asked as he handed her the framed photo from the plane of her and her fiancée. Kiana stared at this photo for a long moment before she touching the surface with her fingers tracing the woman's face. It looked familiar since she saw the same face in the mirror earlier. This is me," she whispered. Her fingers stilled as she looked at the man in the photo. The woman in the photograph appeared incredibly happy. The woman in the bed felt her despair grow. She could not remember the man who had made her happy. Steve noticed a different reaction as she looked at the photo, as if she remembered the man in the picture. "What is it Miss Van Zandt?" Steve asked responding to her reaction. "Do you remember who that man is?" Kiana slowly and hesitantly shook her head. "I don't know." She replied hesitantly. "These newspaper clippings were found on board your airplane." Steve placed newspaper clippings on the bed table. "My airplane?" Kiana replied slightly puzzled. "I don't understand Mr. McGarrett." "A PBY Catalina flying boat is parked at Dillingham Air Field, on the north shore. The registration number was traced to you." Steve told her. "When we searched the plane we found these newspaper clippings on the galley table." Kiana's brow furrowed as she as she began looking at the articles. One of the clippings drew her attention more that the rest. She picked it up gave it a closer look. Steve watched her closely as she looked at the clippings. He saw her hand tremble slightly as she picked up the obituary for the man in the previous photo. Her expression grew sad as she put the clipping down and moved on to another. Some of them included photos of Julian Brazzo, while the rest were only the article. After she had looked at all the clippings, some more than once, she turned to the Five-O chief. "I'm sorry Mr. McGarrett." She said as she moved the clippings around with her hand glancing over them. "None of this is familiar." "Are you sure?" Steve asked. "Something drew you back to the obituary, any particular reason why? Do you remember him?" Kiana picked up the obituary and looked at it again. There was something about the man's face she thought to herself, one that she couldn't quite identify. It bothered her that she couldn't remember what it was and slowly shook her head and replied that she wasn't sure. With Sandberg breathing down his neck wanting her arrested on what he deemed as circumstantial evidence, he had to get some answers. As anxious he was for her to remember something, anything, he kept his voice calm. "Why aren't you sure?" "I don't know." She answered with a frown and settled back against the pillow. It's been five days since the accident and Steve was hoping she could recall something by now. Leaning back in the chair he considered changing his tact. "Do you own a gun Miss Van Zandt?" "Of course I own a gun, a thirty-two." She replied. "How's a woman defend herself without one." Steve quickly sat forward in his chair at her response scrutinizing her response for a moment. "Where do you keep it?" "I keep it at home in the drawer by my bed." She replied. "Why?" "Do you know where it is now?" "It's at home." She replied confidently. It was obvious she was surprised and more than a little pleased that she remembered something. It was isolated with nothing connected to it, but she had remembered. "Kiana, your gun isn't at your home." He told her. "A thirty-two gun was found on your plane, we had it checked and it's registered to you. It has your fingerprints on it, but it hasn't been fired recently." Watching her expression change to one of fear and disbelief he leaned forward. "My question to you now is… what were your intentions when you brought it with you?" Kiana stared back at the Five-O chief but didn't answer, but shuddered. She didn't couldn't answer that question. Her eyes began to well up with tears. This more than the photos scared her the most. The gun always stayed next to her bed. Why on a plane she was told belonged to her? "Oh God." She sighed, feeling that this could only get worse. Steve felt she had to know the gravity of her situation so he laid it out as plainly as he could. "That man that was with me yesterday is a DEA Agent." He began soberly. "He wants to charge you with four counts of murder. Based on just those photos and clippings he would say that you researched your target, one Julian Brazzo, studied his activities and arranged to conveniently meet him somewhere. Charm your way into his life so you could kill him and take over his business." Kiana shuddered as McGarrett told her what could happen to her if Sandberg had his way. "That can't be true." She said as tears ran down her cheeks. "I couldn't have." She looked over the clippings again then back at the Five-O chief, the look in her eyes reflected that she was almost panicked. "Kiana, I want to help you." He said. "Do you remember something, anything that can help?" "Mr. McGarrett," she pleaded her reply, "I wish I could. But none of this makes sense. The harder I try to remember anything the more my head hurts." Unconsciously she reached up and rubbed the side of her face, but stopped abruptly and her face took on a faraway look. The motion and her expression didn't escape the watchful eye of the Five-O chief. "What is it? Do you remember something?" "That was odd," she commented as McGarrett leaned forward with increased interest, "there was a sharp pain there just now." "Could it be from the accident?" He asked noticing where she rubbed her face… it was on the bruise. She looked over at the Five-O chief and stared at him for a moment. The pain she felt was gone now but felt more disturbed than before. "I don't know." She hesitantly replied as she looked at McGarrett. His face began to seem vaguely familiar to her, but couldn't remember why. Sensing her frustration, Steve couldn't help but feel for her. But he had a murder investigation to conduct. His conversation with Kiana went for another hour as he tried to prompt her memory to recall something, anything. *** Joey Aresco sat on the bench in the shadows at the far end of the waiting room. He was headed for the nurse's station when he saw Steve McGarrett's arrival. Joey was surprised at the amount of time the cop spent in the woman's room. The Five-O chief had walked right past him as he made his way to the elevator on his way out. Joey raised a magazine in front of his face so he wouldn't be seen, and peered around it to see him step into the elevator. Joey stepped out of the waiting room and carefully peered into the corridor. Sighing in relief he waited as the doors closed. The big cop was gone. He watched the elevator doors for a few minutes just in case they open again and McGarrett would step out because he forgot something. After several minutes when the Five-O chief hadn't reappeared, only hospital staff exited and entered now, he felt fairly sure the cop the wouldn't be back too soon. Joey's hands started to sweat as he turned to walk down the corridor toward Kiana's room. The officer stood like a sentinel at the door. As he slowly approached the officer he acted as if he was lost. He could tell the officer had seen him and eyed him intently. As he neared the officer asked. "Can I help you?" "No officer." Joey answered as he tried to inconspicuously peer through the circular window in the door. "Then please Sir, move along." Joey stepped away to leave motioning to the officer all was cool. Then it was almost as if he planned it, the alarm went off for an emergency in another room. The officer glanced in the direction as medical staff rushed to the room. The officer dashed off to offer his assistance. This was his chance, he thought as the officer followed the emergency staff into the room. Joey eased into the room and quickly closed the door. He peered through the window to see if he was seen. The only people he saw were rushing to the emergency just down the hall. With a sigh of relief he turned and saw his impending victim dozing in the far bed. Nervously flexing his fingers, Joey kept his eyes on the woman as he slowly approached the bed. All it would take is a quick lunge and grab her neck he thought as he weighed his options. A gun would be too noisy and besides he didn't have a silencer, plus he didn't have a gun. How pleased Manny would be of him if he pulled this off he thought. Then there would be no survivors from the boat so no one could say anything against him. Moaning softly, Kiana moved restlessly, her head rolling back and forth on the pillow. Joey found he couldn't take his eyes off the woman as she settled back into a fretful sleep. Just a few more steps, he said to himself as he stared at her that would be all it would take and he would strangle her. He hesitated when he felt that his heart was about to beat through his chest. Never had he felt so scared. Even after their talk the other night Manny still didn't believe him that she was still alive, nor did he know what Joey was about to do. Joey took another step toward the bed pausing again when he heard the emergency bells stop. The sensation that this may not be such a good idea came over him. That cop would be coming back real soon now he thought. As much as he felt this needed doing he didn't want to stick around and be caught red handed in the room and get arrested. He backed away from the bed and his intended victim and with just a few quick steps was at the door with his hand on the knob. He opened the door slowly and peered out into the corridor, the cop was nowhere to be seen. Better split now while the coast is clear he told himself opening the door further slowly stepping out into the corridor. He had taken only two steps into the hall when the officer turned the corner and paused as he saw the man exiting room he was assigned to guard. Joey quickly spun around and quickly ran in the opposite direction. "Hey!" The officer shouted began to chase after Joey. "Halt! Police!" The officer closed some of the distance as Joey turned a corner only to be faced with several members of the hospital staff in the corridor. Dodging around them he headed for the nearest exit. An orderly approached the corner of the corridor pushing a medicine cart, as the officer rounded the corner he collided with the cart dumping him and its contents to the floor with a loud crash, scattering medications across the floor. The officer quickly got to his feet and continued the chase seeing his quarry turn toward the stairwell door. Joey raced down the stairs not looking behind him, he didn't want to see how close or far the officer was as he made his escape. The back exit door burst open clanking against it stopper as Joey burst through jumping down the short set of stairs and ran around the side of the hospital to his car. Jerking the door open he had the engine revving before he closed the door and quickly sped out of the parking lot. Drawing his pistol the officer slowed as he approached the exit door quickly looking through the small window. Opening the door he went outside and scanned the area, the guy must be long gone he thought. All he heard was the sound of screeching tires coming from the front parking lot. The officer returned to his post and phoned his lieutenant. He had admitted that he didn't get a very good look at the man he saw leaving the room. Although he had no identification, he was certain the man was not a member of hospital personnel. Joey was six blocks away before he backed off the accelerator allowing the car to slow, but not stopping until he reached his bungalow. Shutting down the motor he slumped in the seat sighing in relief. In his mad dash away from the hospital he never considered that he could've been followed. He was just relieved he got away. The first beer he grabbed from the refrigerator was quickly downed and the second was half gone before he collapsed into a nearby chair. *** Danny had contacted Officer Kuilima, who was the investigating officer of Michael Turner's car accident, arranging to meet him at a lunch stand near Waikiki to discuss the Turner accident. It didn't take much for him to remember the investigation, because DEA Agent Sandberg made it almost impossible for him to do his job. "I told him to let HPD handle the investigation." said Kuilima as he took a bite of his sandwich. "And that I would give him a copy of the report." "Do you think he may have had any influence in the final report?" Danny asked as he sipped his soda. "Like how Danny?" "How about a different conclusion on the results of the investigation? Could he have influenced the results to support his own conclusion as to the ID of the body in the car?" Kuilima paused in mid chew and looked at Danny surprised he would even suggest such a thing. "Danny, that's some serious stuff you're throwing around." "Yeah, I know." Danny replied, "I'm not exactly comfortable with the idea either." "But you know what," Said Kuilima, "he was 'real' interested in who it was in the car." "How interested." Danny replied picking up on the emphasis. "He wanted positive ID right then and there. Didn't want to wait for the coroner's report. I told him that wasn't procedure." "And what did he say?" Asked Danny intrigued. "He insisted that I confirm the ID of the body as Turner's right then and there. Without waiting for the coroners report, which is procedure." He said as Danny nodded his agreement. "He was real hot for what was left of the rental contract. I told him that it had to go to the lab first but he didn't want to wait." "Did you show him the contract?" "I had to Danny. He said he would report my lack of cooperation to the DA. I'm sorry now that I knuckled under to that crazy haole." "What did he do after he saw the contract?" Asked Danny. "Copied down the name on the contract into his notebook, took pictures of the wreck and the body and left." "After all the noise he made?" Said Danny surprised. "Yeah. Weird huh." Kuilima said. "He used the DA like it was a trump card." "Yeah." Danny agreed recalling the demeanor the other day of the man when he left Steve's office. Thanking Officer Kuilima for his time he left. When he got back to his car the dispatcher's voice was calling his name. He grabbed the mic and answered. "This is Williams." "Have a message from the stake out at the residence of Joey Aresco," the Dispatcher said, "they report the subject is home." *** Thirty minutes later there was a knock on Joey's door. Startled he jumped out of the chair. Who could that be? He asked himself as his breaths returned to panicked deep gasps. He didn't want to answer the door. He was afraid it could be Manny because he found out that he had tried to kill Julian's girlfriend and he didn't want him to know about that. The door was knocked on again and a voice called out. "Joey Aresco, this is Five-O." Joey gasped. The cops! Could they have found out about the hospital already? He considered splitting through the back door until he heard knocks on that door too. There was no way out. He was surrounded. Damn, he swore under his breath. The knocks on the front door turned to pounds as the voice shouted again. "Police! We know you're in there, your car engine is still warm." Joey took a deep breath and reluctantly went over and opened the door. Standing on the porch was a short stocky man in a green suit accompanied by two uniformed officers, "Joey Aresco?" Danny said as he displayed his badge and ID. "Come with me please." "Why?" Joey asked suspiciously still fearful that he was identified from the hospital. "Steve McGarrett wants to talk to you." Danny told him. "What does he want with me?" Joey replied trying to suppress his growing sense of panic. "I haven't done anything." "I'll let Steve McGarrett answer your questions." Danny said as he gestured for Joey to walk ahead of him. "Lets go." Joey hesitated for a moment as he looked at the officers trying to figure a way out of his command performance for the biggest pig in Honolulu. "You mean now?" He said as he tried to stall. "Right now." Danny replied. "Let's go Mr. Aresco." Joey's stall didn't work as he had hoped. Besides, he thought, it could be nothing at all. "Since you put it that way." He said grabbing his baseball cap slapping it on his head he headed out the door.                                                                   *** After returning to his office Steve placed a call to Agent Sandberg and invited him to come to his office saying he might find the visit enlightening. The man reluctantly accepted the invitation. Before Danny arrived with Joey the DEA man was briefed on what had been uncovered so far in their investigation in regard to the two men in question. And Steve had requested that he remain silent during his little talk with Joey because he may clam up if both of them were talking to him. By time Danny arrived with Joey, both men were ready. Danny knocked on the office door then opened it escorting Joey inside accompanied by Duke. Joey nervously entered the office but stopped when he saw a man seated off to the side of the room. The one sitting behind the big black desk wore a grim expression and was reading from a file he held in his hands. "Sit down." Said Steve authoritatively without looking up. Danny steered Joey to one of the chairs in front of the desk to sit down. Joey could only guess what the cops wanted with him, he couldn't chase from his mind that they somehow knew about what happened at the hospital earlier. "So what do you want with me McGarrett, I haven't done nuthin you can hold me on." "Mr. Aresco," Steve said as he continued to read over Joey's arrest record then looked dispassionately at the man seated across from him. "What gave you the impression you had been arrested?" "Well… when cops knock on my door they aren't sellin' Girl Scout Cookies ya know." Replied Joey as he settled into the chair noticing that the name on the file was his. "I just kinda thought…" "With your record I could see how you would feel that way." Commented Steve closing the file and laying it down. Joey's record consisted of numerous jail sentences over recent years for petty theft and a variety of misdemeanors. Standing, he walked to the front of his desk and perched on the corner and looked down at his guest. "I had you brought in because I want to talk to you." Joey was surprised and as well as relieved that this wasn't related to what he tried to do earlier. "I don't know nuthin McGarrett." "Oh, I think you do Mr. Aresco. " Steve said. "You're a pretty smart guy aren't you? Smart enough to know when its time to get out of what he's involved in. Because you're in way over your head my friend." "What you gettin at McGarrett?" Asked Joey unconsciously shifting in his seat. "Manny Rizzo." Said Steve noting Joey's reaction. "You're a friend of his aren't you?" "Don't know what you're talking about." Snipped Joey looking at the Five-O chief. "No?" Replied Steve not surprised by the man's answer. "We have a signed statement by an eye witness that can put you and Manny Rizzo together on several occasions over the last three months. In fact, the two of you are real pals aren't you?" Joey fidgeted in the chair and avoided the Five-O chief's gaze. He didn't want to say anything that would give the cops any cause to suspect Manny. "That's not true, I don't know this Manny Rizzo." He lied as his eyes darted about the room only to stop at the bulletin board only to recognize Julian's and his girlfriend's photos along with the others pinned there. His reaction didn't escape the watchful eye of the Five-O chief as he played his hunch. "How long have you and Manny Rizzo been planning to take over Julian Brazzo's operation? And whose idea was it to put a bomb on board his rented yacht?" "How many times do I have to tell you cops I don't know what you're talking about." Said Joey defiantly trying to hide the fact he was nervous. "And I don't know nuthin about a bomb." "Is there any particular reason for you to be nervous Mr. Aresco?" Said Steve noting the increased amount of sweat on the man's face, the flick of his eyes from his face to the floor, and sensed a lack of conviction in the man's voice. "I'm not nervous." Replied Joey quickly beginning to wonder how much this cop knew about the plan. Steve eyed the man's reactions as he continued. "We know that Manny Rizzo has been working to establish his own drug importing business. Did you know that Mr. Aresco?" He said. "Your crimes so far have been minor, petty theft and assorted misdemeanors, if you continue your association with Rizzo it will lead to major crimes, even murder. Maybe that's already happened." Did you know that it's a felony to be an accessory to murder? And a felony arrest would change everything for you wouldn't it? In this case it would be five murders." Said Steve holding up as many fingers as well as watching for any kind of reaction from Joey. "You will go to prison for a very long time." Silence fell over room as he let his words sink in. "Now, do you want to change your statement?" Joey shook his head restating that he didn't know what McGarrett was talking about. Picking up the service record Steve went in for the kill. "I had a copy of your military service record from Fort Shafter sent over, and in it, it states that you served one year in Vietnam and was dishonorably discharged in August of nineteen seventy. Do you want to tell me what you did while you were in Vietnam?" Joey tried not to squirm in his seat and avoided the intense gaze of the Five-O chief, but still didn't say anything. "It says here you were in demolitions." Steve said as he stood and returned to his chair continuing to read from the record. "Goes on to say that you showed exemplary ability to work with explosives under fire. Your field commander gave high marks for bravery on one occasion, but you received a dishonorable discharge. Why was that?" He asked already knowing the answer casually closing the file placing it on his blotter. "Was that because you were suspected of stealing explosives from the base arsenal?" Joey watched as McGarrett put the file down unsure of what to say he shifted his eyes away from and didn't reply. "The base commander at Fort Shafter," Steve went on reciting from the service record, "noted that the explosives were never recovered. Was that what you used to destroy the yacht Lucky Lady six nights ago murdering five people?" Joey looked at McGarrett sharply but remained silent, although a picture of what the Five-O chief was painting began to take shape… he's after an admission and he didn't want to give him one. It probably didn't matter if he said anything or not -- he surmised he would see jail again. With Joey remaining silent Steve took another tack. "You know who those men were, don't you?" he said suggesting the pictures he had posted on his bulletin board. "By creating a void at the head of this, I will loosely refer to as an organization, your friend Manny Rizzo could set himself up as head of the newest drug pipeline into the islands. But you didn't count on a survivor did you, someone who could perhaps identify who placed the bomb on board. That was you wasn't it?" Joey didn't reply to anything McGarrett was saying fighting every urge to bolt for the door. The information the Five-O chief had on Manny's plans was too close. He didn't want to say anything that would intensify the man's interest in him. Having said all he planned, planting the seed of distrust he wanted, Steve shifted his gaze away from Joey to Duke. "Okay Duke, take Mr. Aresco home, he has a lot to think about." As Joey stood, he added. "If I were you Mr. Aresco, I'd seriously consider changing friends. Because this association won't be a lasting one, believe me." Joey gave McGarrett a last look of resistance mixed with self-contemplation as he turned to leave the office. The expression on Joey's face was exactly what Steve wanted to achieve, got him thinking about his future or lack of one. Danny remained in the office as Duke escorted Joey out. "Danno," Said Steve, "I want you to follow our friend there. I want to know where he goes and if he sees anyone. "You think he knows something?" Replied Danny. "Yeah, I got a hunch he does. I've seen the type before, if he's scared enough he'll do anything to save his own neck." "Even turn on his friends?" Asked Danny. "Oh yeah," Stated Steve with certainty, "so don't let him out of your sight." "Right." Danny replied and left. Sandberg stood clapping his hands sarcastically. "That was such a great performance I should've bought tickets. What did you expect to achieve with that little drama?" "Don't you ever tire of being indignant?" Asked Steve as he observed Joey escorted out into the hallway and out of the office suite. "And lose my hard earned charming personality?" Retorted Sandberg as he started to leave. "McGarrett, I came, I listened, and I still remain convinced that Miss Van Zandt is guilty. And I will see her arrested." Chin passed Sandberg and Danny as he entered the office where Steve looked at him with anticipation of hearing his report from his visit to Julian Brazzo's company offices. The Chinese detective removed his notebook from his inside jacket pocket and flipped it open and said. "Brazzo owned a legit import export company since nineteen sixty-five and was working on expanding to include specialized imported merchandise from Japan and China. The night he was killed he was meeting with his new business associates to iron out the details." Steve leaned back in his chair when Chin finished contemplating the information. It was interesting how the report from the warehouse manager differed yet was similar to the information from their street sources, only the type of merchandise changed. "I can just guess what that specialized merchandise was." *** As Kiana's recovery continued she repeated her name to herself in hopes that it may help clear away some of the fog. As her headache slowly subsided she had strange recollections combined with even stranger sensations. The images in her head were distorted but seemed to be the faces of people, and each one prompted their own sensations or feelings. Some made her afraid while others did not. One sensation that truly frightened her was a floating feeling where orange and red lights flickered dimly in the darkness. What disturbed her most was that Steve McGarrett's face began to faintly appear in her dreams but she couldn't understand why.                                                                        *** Shortly after Danny left Jenny buzzed Steve's intercom and informed him that Doctor Ashford was on the line. The Doctor informed the Five-O chief, as per his instructions, that he was preparing to discharge Miss Van Zandt as early as tomorrow. He said in the week since she was admitted to the hospital her physical injuries have been healing nicely, but still he couldn't speculate on when her amnesia will subside. He added that the side effect of concussions such as amnesia is a gray area, there's just no way of knowing, it could come all at once or in bits and pieces. He reiterated that to aid in her full recovery she needed to be around familiar surroundings. Steve thanked the good doctor for the call saying he would be there to pick her up when she was ready to leave. Leaning back in his chair he recalled one day in particular. They had made plans to meet for lunch, but due to a development on a case he couldn't make it, so she surprised him by bringing lunch to his office. Instead of the usual picnic fare of fried chicken and potato salad she had Chinese food and green tea from a favorite restaurant. The brightly colored sleeveless dress she wore was enough to brighten up any sour disposition, with a smile to match, all under a big floppy hat accented by a scarf. Being that this was the first time in his office she strolled casually around the room afterwards looking at his décor as he kindly looked on answering all her questions. The buzz of the intercom interrupted Steve's recollection and Jenny informed him he had a call from the Governor.                                                                         *** After Joey was returned to his house he grabbed the phone and dialed Manny. But before he said anything his friend's voice blared from the receiver. "Where the hell have you been! I've been trying to call you for over two hours!" Surprised that Manny was upset enough to yell. "What do you mean Manny?" Replied Joey. "I mean, where have you been!" Joey hesitated before answering not sure how to say that he had been with the cops, but tried to sound like he was annoyed. "Oh… McGarrett had me picked up, he wanted to talk to me." "McGarrett…. Who's this McGarrett?" Demanded Manny. "He's some high and mighty cop." Replied Joey as nonchalantly as he could. "The cops? You were with the cops!" Manny's voice could be heard across the room. Joey had to hold the receiver away from his head at Manny's explosive dialog. "Don't worry, I didn't tell him nuthin, he did all the talking." Said Joey wondering about his friend's almost paranoid attitude. "Hey, there was a survivor from the boat man, he said so. He also knew your name and what you're trying to do and the bomb on the yacht… He knows the plan Manny, what do we do? " "He's just fishing," Answered Manny beginning to grow somewhat suspicious about the meeting, "he's got nothing and he knows it. He's just trying to get a reaction out of you." "He asked me if I knew you," Said Joey in a growing nervous voice, "I told him I didn't but he said he had a statement from some guy that said he had seen us together. I don't think he believed me." Joey's words began to disturb Manny's usually calm demeanor. If this McGarrett really got Joey in a corner and pressed him he may just blab the whole plan, that can't be risked, not at this stage of the operation. Musing that Joey might eventually need to be dealt with then replied in a low voice. "So you think this survivor McGarrett mentioned is Julian's girlfriend?" "Yeah, its gotta be the same woman found that morning on the beach. What we gonna do?" Joey asked almost finding himself telling Manny that he saw the girlfriend at the hospital earlier. But then he would have to explain why he was there. Not a good idea he told himself. As Manny spoke he began to detect a difference in his voice, it seemed to take on a threatening tone and this made him shudder unconsciously. "Joey calm down." Urged Manny attempting to control his temper. "Leave this McGarrett to me." And slammed the receiver down on its cradle. The abrupt disconnection cut off Joey's last words. His doubts about Joey reluctantly took root as he sat back mulling over his options. Since McGarrett knows who Joey is and has talked with him, he'll be watched, where he goes and who he sees. It wouldn't be surprising Joey's phone was tapped too. *** Late the next morning Steve arrived at the hospital to take Kiana home. The swelling had gone down revealing the beautiful face that had graced so many fashion magazine covers, although her eyes showed she was still troubled. He drove her to her father's beachfront home in Kahala and arranged that the former housekeeper of the Van Zandt household, Mrs. Tanaka resume her duties, which she was more than happy to do. The home had been closed ever since Stedman Van Zandt died two years earlier. It was stated in the will that the house not be sold in hopes his daughter would return to the islands someday. As Steve maneuvered his car through the gate and down the steep driveway to the house the hillside was covered with assorted overgrown weeds and dead flower plants due to neglect since the funeral. Kiana looked forlornly at the landscaping as they drove past and on to the front door where Mrs. Tanaka waited and cheerfully escorted her guests inside the large house. After the reacquainting tour she served a light snack. Steve and Kiana sat at the patio table while they consumed the food. From his jacket he produced the envelope that contained the photos and clippings he had shown her before. Hoping that her memory had improved since the last time she saw them he asked she try again to remember something urging their importance. As she slowly sorted through the clippings, although the sun was warm on her skin she shivered when she saw Julian Brazzo's face frightening her in a way she wasn't sure why. There was also slight glimmer of something in her memory but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. But it felt familiar. Steve watched for any reaction as she looked at the clippings. When he saw her shudder he asked. "What is it? Do you remember something?" "I'm not sure." She replied still shaken as she stared at the picture. "Is this one of the men that man wants me arrested for killing?" "Yes he is." Replied Steve, "And four others, one being the yacht's captain." Kiana sighed closing her eyes and leaned back in the chair wearily rubbing her face. As she ran her fingers though her hair as she began to realize her predicament. Suddenly her movements stopped and a blank look grew on her face. Steve noticed the change in the woman's expression and watched her intently hoping for a breakthrough. The doctor had said that her memory could return at anytime, all at once or in bits and pieces but didn't say on how long it would take. It's been nearly two weeks since she awoke in the hospital. Kiana visibly shuddered slowly lowering her hand and touched her face; although she looked in the direction of the Five-O chief she didn't see him. Steve hadn't seen such a blank look on anyone's face in recent years he became concerned, it was like she was looking right through him. "What is it?" He asked. After several moments she slowly focused on the Five-O chief replying in a voice that sounded distant. "I'm not sure." Steve saw fear in the woman's eyes as she looked at him, it seemed like she was almost pleading for his help to get her away from what ever it was that frightened her. With Agent Sandberg breathing down his neck for an arrest in this case he needed some kind of proof that Kiana was not responsible for the destruction of the yacht Lucky Lady and the deaths of the men on board. He asked again. "What is it?" "A strange feeling." She admitted hesitantly. "Men's faces… jumbled together… and a feeling that I was terribly frightened." Steve covered her hand with his and told her in a reassuring voice. "Kiana it will be okay, please look at the photos again." Kiana looked at the photos again, this time the faces and places began to look slightly familiar. In one of the photos she was with one of the men that frightened her most, and worse she was with this man willingly, or at least it looked that way. "It could be him," She replied after studying the photos, "I can't be sure." Picking up on the singular reference 'him' Steve looked at her intently. "Him? You said him, not them, which one of these men are you referring to?" Kiana shot Steve a sharp look. Not sure what prompted that question but looked at the photo again anyway. The feeling of fear that had being growing inside overwhelmed her and she vaulted from her chair quickly walking away from the table to a nearby palm tree and half hugged it. Tears began to well in her eyes as she placed her face against its trunk. Quickly following her to the palm tree Steve carefully put his hands on her shoulders only to find they were shaking as she lightly sobbed. "Kiana," He calmly said knowing his insistence that she look at the pictures again caused her emotional outburst, "please, it's going to be okay." At that moment Mrs. Tanaka called out to the Five-O chief from the house, he had a phone call and directed that he could take it in the living room. Excusing himself from Kiana's side he left to take the call. When he returned she was still standing by the palm tree wiping the tears from her face and sniffling. He apologized saying that he had to leave, but assured her that he would return so they could continue their talk. *** Agent Sandberg stormed into the Five-O offices after he had learned that his prime suspect had been discharged from the hospital and McGarrett had taken her to her home. He strode past Jenny's desk without stopping bursting into his office. Jenny tried to stop the aggressive agent but wound up following the man into the office apologizing to Steve for the intrusion. With his usual lack of tact Sandberg approached McGarrett's desk bellowing. "Why haven't you arrested the Van Zandt woman!" Steve was in the middle of a discussion of the case with Chin and didn't appreciate the interruption told Jenny it was all right and eyed his visitor sternly as she left the office pulling the door shut behind her. "Mr. Sandberg, I don't appreciate people who barge in and disrupt this office." And dismissed Chin saying they would continue later. "And I don't appreciate being pushed aside in your rush to protect that woman either." Said Sandberg. "I'm not rushing to protect anyone." Steve stated defensively as he stood to face the DEA man. "In this state a person is innocent until proven guilty. All I've seen so far from you is circumstantial evidence. Nothing solid enough to warrant arresting Miss Van Zandt." Sandberg almost laughed. "Circumstantial?" In his mind the woman's guilt was undeniable and any suggestion the evidence against her was circumstantial was absurd. "McGarrett, she was collecting articles on Brazzo's activities, and she became his girlfriend, plotting when to spring her trap and enact her revenge on him for killing her boyfriend. That sounds pretty concrete to me, what else do you want?" "Proof Sandberg, conclusive proof." Steve firmly stated trying to suppress his desire to tell this man what he really thought of him. "Because I don't see any solid evidence that Miss Van Zandt was involved in the bombing. If she had placed the bomb on board, why would she willingly go aboard and risk dieing along with the others? I agree there was a power grab, but not by her." "Yes, she was!" Sandberg blurted almost losing control of his composure, "She planned it all can't you see that! She's manipulating the truth and I don't believe she has this amnesia she claims she has!" "Look!" Barked Steve and pounded his fist on his desk. "Miss Van Zandt is no more involved in this case as you think." Quickly striding to his board that had numerous photos pinned he rapped his knuckles on the photos of Manny and Joey. "There is more evidence against these two than against that woman. First we have Joey Aresco. A demolition expert, who spent one year in Vietnam in the Army, dishonorably discharged on allegations of stealing explosives that was never recovered. Then we have Manny Rizzo. Everything we have on him shows that he never existed prior to three months ago. The street says he is heavy into wanting his own drug business and didn't care who heard him. And lastly, witnesses say Brazzo and Aresco are real pals and probably hatched this whole plot to take over the new business. And to top everything off, Joey was seen hanging around the marina the day the yacht sailed with Julian Brazzo and his party on board." Sandberg's face grew red with anger; the last thing he wanted to hear was the responsibility for destroying the yacht was someone other than Kiana Van Zandt. He was so convinced that she played a role in it and nothing would sway him from that belief, blurted through clenched teeth. "Because of that woman's thirst for revenge my partner is dead." "Your partner?" Steve's eyes narrowed as he glared at Sandberg in disbelief. "What about your partner?" Sandberg sighed deeply as his face went long, he really didn't want to reveal that information but he supposed maybe it was time McGarrett knew, he had to know eventually. He pounded his hands on the back of the chair in front of him and dropped his head for a moment. "Yeah." He somberly said raising his head to face the Five-O chief. "My partner was on board that yacht that night." He stepped over to McGarrett's board and looked at the pictures there. "Stan Johnston was my partner. He was working undercover as Joe Colby, owner of a shady operation called Aloha Charters. He was about to get conclusive evidence on the new drug pipeline so it could be shut down before it could deliver its first kilo. From what he told me the deal was to be finalized that night." Steve backed off after hearing what Sandberg said and sighed with dismay, this explains the man's hostile attitude. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier." "I felt it wasn't necessary at the time." Replied Sandberg. "Now I realize I may have been wrong. Now that you know, I repeat, I want that woman arrested for the murder of a Federal Agent. So, as you so eloquently stated the other day, do your job. If you won't, I will." Turning on his heel the DEA man left before Steve could respond jerking open the office door and nearly colliding with a deliveryman standing at Jenny's desk on his way out. Chin watched as Sandberg storm out of the office. "Talk about a man with a attitude." He said entering the office and saw Steve wearily sit in his chair. Leaning back in his chair Steve said. "In a way he's right. We can't put off an arrest for much longer while we search for evidence that someone else was responsible for bombing the yacht." "What we have against Manny Rizzo and Joey Aresco is not much better." Said Chin. "Yeah I know." Said Steve thoughtfully. "The circumstantial evidence is incriminating for Miss Van Zandt Chin, and Joey knows more than he was saying. And this Manny Rizzo has to be involved in this somehow or Joey wouldn't be trying to cover for him." "So what do we do now?" Asked Chin. "We need to meet this man for ourselves." Said Steve with determination. Opening Manny Rizzo's file, and confirmed the address of Manny's office he opened the middle desk drawer. In an often-made movement he grabbed his pistol from the drawer, popped out the cylinder to check the bullets then snapped it shut and shoved it in its holster. "Let's go." He said and strode out of the office. As Steve maneuvered his car through the flow of afternoon traffic to Manny Rizzo's leased office, he went over in his mind what information he had on the man. It wasn't much but there had to be more to him that what was in the file, like what was his association with Joey Aresco? Expecting a visit from McGarrett after learning of his earlier conversation with Joey, Manny was seated comfortably behind his desk in a leather chair. He was in his late thirties and wore his hair long with a full but neatly trimmed beard, was prepared when Steve followed by Chin walked in. "McGarrett -- Five-O." Steve said identifying himself as he approached Manny displaying his badge. "And my associate Chin Ho Kelly. " Surveying the interior of the office he concluded on the man seated behind the desk as he replaced the badge to his jacket pocket. The office was furnished with the basics; just enough to show there was a business there. "What did I do to warrant the interest of Five-O Mr. McGarrett?" Manny innocently said as he watched the two detectives sit in the chairs in front of the desk. "Mr. Rizzo," Steve began, "what kind of business do you run here?" "As you can see," Manny answered gesturing to his office, "I run a humble import export business. Why would Five-O be interested in me?" "Do you know a Joey Aresco?" Asked Steve. Manny sighed realizing that his question won't likely be answered leaned back in his chair and feigned a hurt look. "What's he done now?" "So you do know him." Said Steve. "I spoke to him earlier today and he claims he doesn't know you. Why is that?" Manny didn't want or need any more interference from the cops so he tried to steer the conversation away from Joey. "Joey kinda came with the place when I leased it." With the circumstantial evidence Steve had on these two he decided to run a bluff and watch for any reaction. "What do you know about the destruction of the yacht Lucky Lady two weeks ago?" "I heard about that, "Manny replied in a pained tone of voice, "such a terrible tragedy. I don't see how I can help you. All I know is what I read in the papers just like everyone else." "Mr. Rizzo, I think you know a lot more than the papers do." Said Steve as he leaned forward in the chair resting his elbows on his thighs. "But everyone else wouldn't be the only one benefiting from the death of Julian Brazzo and his colleagues." "Oh really?" Manny replied with raised eyebrows not taking what he saw as obvious bait. "Mr. McGarrett, if I were a suspicious man your statement could be considered slanderous." "It could," Steve said not breaking his eye contact, "I suspect that you wanted to set yourself up as the head of Brazzo's new business venture… the importation of heroin into the state." Manny tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I wouldn't know anything about that. You see I'm just a small businessman trying to eek out a living in this depressed economy on your beautiful island." "I see." Said Steve not buying any of what he was hearing but continued to probe. "What kind of importing and exporting do you do Mr. Rizzo?" "Trinkets and other cheap souvenirs for the tourists. Sometimes I get lucky and find some real good stuff from various sources." "Imported from where Mr. Rizzo?" Detecting where McGarrett was headed with his questions, Manny hesitated a moment, but quickly concocted an answer that could possibly satisfy the nosy cop. "From the Far East Mr. McGarrett. China, Japan, places like that." Picking up an obviously cheap-looking hula dancer figurine off his desk he held it up so the Five-O chief could see it. "Like this." Wiggling back and forth on its spring she looked like she was dancing. Steve eyed the wobbling figurine debating if he should continue. All he had was suspicions on this man about his involvement in the destruction of the Lucky Lady. He didn't have one shred of concrete evidence against him, but he was sure there was more to this man than he saw. This visit was just a fishing trip and now he knew he needed better bait in order to hook him. "Thank you for your time Mr. Rizzo, sorry to have bothered you." he said and stood to leave but not before noticing the smug expression on Manny's face. "I may want to talk to you again, so don't plan any sudden trips." "He knows more than he's saying Steve." Said Chin as they reached the car. "Yeah, I can feel it too." Replied Steve as he got in his car and started the motor. "The problem is proving it." Grabbing the radio mic from off the dashboard he requested a patch to Danny Williams at Five-O headquarters. After a moment Danny's voice came over the speaker. "Williams." "Danno, I want you to dig deeper into Manny Rizzo." "What do you suspect?" "Just a feeling, but I think he knows more than he's saying." *** After Steve left Mrs. Tanaka came out of the house and led Kiana back inside with an offer to fix her some tea. She tried to stop shaking but it was hard, something deep inside, something she couldn't identify wouldn't let her. Although it was early the housekeeper sent her to bed telling her rest was the best thing since she was still recovering from her injuries. But sleep didn't come easy to Kiana, with the help of the tea she eventually dozed off. The few hours she did sleep were restless ones. The images that invaded her dreams before were increasing and the fog that had clouded her memories since she woke up in the hospital were close to parting. But that didn't stop the fear she felt when she saw the expression on Julian Brazzo's face just before he walked away and entered the cabin. The sound of an explosion made her vault up in bed gasping for breath. Her eyes wide open in terror the image of the explosion and the feeling of being in water became horrifically clear. Oh God! She uttered realizing she had remembered something. With no chance of going back to sleep now Kiana got out of bed. Still trembling from the nightmare she put on her house robe and made her way through the big house. Not noticing a clock she didn't know what time it was but assumed it was late because it was dark outside. Mrs. Tanaka could be in bed she thought because she wasn't around. The house felt stuffy and longing for some fresh air she headed for the back door. Along the way she approached the portrait of her father the hung in the main room. The moonlight streamed through the windows lighting the room enough to see the painting without turning on a light. The longer she looked at it the more she remembered who he was. Feelings of regret grew within her as she gazed upon his face. Tears streamed down her face as she lightly touched the surface near the man's hands. "I'm sorry daddy. I've done so many things wrong lately, please forgive me." She lingered at the painting gazing at her father's face is if he was going to respond to her. She knew now how badly she treated him and how she must have hurt him when she left the islands four years ago; he so wanted her to stay. Now regretting in more ways than she could count the choices she had made. That breath of air was needed now more than ever, with one last look at the painting she went outside. The grass felt good on her bare feet, even the sand as it sifted between her toes. Even better was the cool water as it washed over her feet and the sea breeze felt good upon her skin as she strolled along the water's edge. As she gazed out over the moonlit ocean so lost in her thoughts she didn't notice how far she walked from the house. Her steps began to waver as a headache started to grow and images from her nightmare also grew in intensity. Voices began to echo in her head seeming to emanate from all directions. She turned around looking for where they could be coming from, but all she did was make a circle. No one was there but the voices continued. The faces from the photos flashed in her mind so quickly that they seemed to blur together. Shutting her eyes tightly she covered her ears to block out the torment but it didn't help. No! She screamed sinking to her knees as the headache became excruciatingly painful. The only calming image during all this was the face of Steve McGarrett. She still had that odd feeling that she knew him…. from different time, but the feeling was short lived for moments later she collapsed on the sand. The only sound remaining were the waves crashing against the nearby rocks.                                                                        *** The desk lamp that sat at the corner of Steve's desk offered the only illumination in the room as he studied the file on Manny Rizzo Danny had prepared for him. Over the last couple hours he hadn't uncovered anything that hadn't already been reported -- that he's only been on island only three months and had a small import/export business and apparently doing well in that short period of time. He stared at the photos of both Manny Rizzo and the late Michael Turner that were tacked to the bulletin board. In the dim light he saw something similar in the faces of both men. Something about the eyes and the nose drew his attention. The more he stared at the photos the more he questioned what he thought he saw. Was there really a similarity or was it because he was tired. Taking his coffee cup with him he went over to the board for a closer look. There has to be more to this guy he thought examining each face. Was it because he didn't want to believe Kiana capable of such a thing fueling his need to prove that someone else was responsible for blowing up the Lucky Lady? Or has Agent Sandberg been right all along about her. That question irritated him more that anything the man had said. Taking a sip of his coffee he found it had cooled, sighing he looked into the half empty cup and considered calling it a night and going home when he heard a knock on the doorframe of his office. Turning to see who it was in the doorway he was able to recognize Agent Sandberg in the dim light. Tiredly he returned to his desk and sat in his chair noting the time on his desk clock, it was ten-thirty, not before offering the DEA man a chair. "What brings you to my office at this late hour Mr. Sandberg?" "Mr. McGarrett," he began with almost an air of satisfaction in his voice as he sat down in the offered chair. "I have allowed you plenty of time to prove to me that Miss Van Zandt wasn't involved in the bombing of the yacht. So, what have you come up with?" "Nothing concrete, not yet." Replied Steve closing the file he'd been reading. "But its there, I just haven't found it yet." "So the mighty Five-O can't disprove my evidence, I find that most exhilarating Mr. McGarrett." Said Sandberg rather pleased with himself as he adjusted himself in the chair tugging at his jacket. "That's just what I need to go ahead to have Miss Van Zandt arrested now doesn't it." Steve leaned forward in his chair placing his elbows on his blotter with what seemed to be renewed energy. "You really think the D.A. will hand down an indictment against Miss Van Zandt on the circumstantial evidence you have?" "Yes I do, and it's not circumstantial." Replied Sandberg assuredly. "I'm going to your D.A. in the morning to get the warrant." "You're wrong Mr. Sandberg." Said Steve as the DEA man stood to leave. "I'll be there at eight sharp if you want to be there." Steve stood glaring at the DEA man in the dimness of the room. "You can count on it." He stated and watched as Sandberg left the room. He felt his deadline had just been advanced and now time was running out to possibly prove Kiana's innocence. A new wave of tiredness came over him as he turned off the desk lamp and went home. *** The next morning Steve met Sandberg in State District Attorney John Manicote's office, who sat behind his desk, in his hands were the surveillance photos and a grim expression was on his face. "Agent Sandberg, you want me to issue an arrest warrant on such insubstantial evidence? I was under the impression you had a stronger case against Miss Van Zandt." Steve smiled to himself because it didn't look like Sandberg was going to get what he wanted, but a difficult job still lay ahead. He had to find better evidence against Manny and Joey, and soon, before their plan, whatever it is, is fulfilled. Dropping the photos on his blotter Manicote continued, "I can't go to Judge Mali'i with this, he would throw me out of his courtroom. I need stronger evidence." Sandberg seemed to deflate at the DA's response; he was so sure he would get his warrant. Countered the D.A.'s answer. "You're taking his side aren't you?" Pointing at the Five-O chief who stood by casually watching the conversation. "Mr. Sandberg! Barked Manicote vaulting from his chair aghast at the implication glared at the agent. "I am not taking sides here! My answer is based only on the evidence, in your case the lack of it. You want this woman arrested? Then bring me something I can take into court. Until then, get out of my office so I can get some work done." And handed the photos back to the DEA man. Sandberg snapped the pictures back and sneered at McGarrett before storming out of the office. *** Mrs. Tanaka went quietly about preparing breakfast for Kiana as the as the morning sun rose above the Ko'olau Mountains. She didn't want to awaken her because the young woman needed her rest but also wanted breakfast ready when she did wake up. But unknown to her, her charge was not in bed, nor was she even in the house. *** As the sun warmed the sand around where Kiana lay she began to wake up from her faint. The sound of the pounding waves on the shore were a confusing sound at first as she oriented herself squinting her eyes at the morning sun. A headache pounded away as she looked around, the obvious question 'Where am I?' crossed her mind but was quickly disregarded when she saw she was wearing her nightgown. *** Checking her watch Mrs. Tanaka wondered why Kiana wasn't awake yet. She was known for sleeping in but would normally be up by now. A quick look into her bedroom to see if she was all right wouldn't hurt she thought. Quietly opening the door to the bedroom she walked in and over to the windows opening the drapes allowing in fresh air and light, it was then she saw the bed was empty. Curiously she went to the bathroom. The bath was vacant. The housekeeper's curiosity began to change to worry as she searched the big house. She even went outside and looked in the garden and elsewhere on the property. Kiana was nowhere to be found. Almost on the verge of panic Mrs. Tanaka ran back inside the house grabbing the phone she dialed the Five-O office. "Mr. McGarrett, please." She said when Jenny answered the phone. Steve had returned from the DA's office minutes earlier when his intercom buzzed. "Mrs. Tanaka for you Steve, on line one." Said Jenny. Punching the lighted button on his phone he took the call. "Mrs. Tanaka, what can I do for you?" "Mr. McGarrett!" Blurted the housekeeper in broken English, "Miss Kiana, she is gone! She not in her bed, not anywhere in the house! Mr. McGarrett, she is not well." "Calm down Mrs. Tanaka." Said Steve concern in his voice. "Do you know how long she's been gone?" "She here last night." Replied the housekeeper. "But gone this morning." "All right Mrs. Tanaka," Said Steve, "I'll be right there, don't worry." Dropping the received on its cradle he quickly walked out of his office headed for his car without saying a word to anyone on where he was going, leaving Danny at a loss as he watched his boss bolt from the office. As Steve drove to the Kahala district of Honolulu he couldn't chase from his mind of what kind trouble Kiana could be in. Not being completely recovered from her injuries she could have wandered off during the night. He hesitated on issuing an all points bulletin until he knew for sure she was missing. Traffic was light at that time of morning arrived at the house in no time at all. Mrs. Tanaka anxiously waited at the front door immediately leading the Five-O chief to Kiana's bedroom. And stood by nervously as he surveyed the room and inspected the windows. "Were these windows open like this all night?" He asked. "No Mr. McGarrett." Answered Mrs. Tanaka shaking her head. "I opened this morning when I come in to check on Miss Kiana. That when I saw she was gone." Placing his hand on the housekeeper's shoulder Steve said. "Don't worry Mrs. Tanaka, we'll find her." And left the room to search the rest house. *** Kiana had no idea what time it was as she stood on wobbly legs, her head swirled from the change of position making her dizzy as she began to head back to the house. Her steps were slow on the deep sand and stumbled a few times making her way across the sand. *** As Steve searched the house the likelihood of someone breaking in kidnapping her didn't seem possible, there was no sign of forced entry. It made no sense. He did not think she remembered anyone. Why would anyone kidnap her? Without forced entry, it was possible that she let someone in who then forced to go with them. But how would anyone get past Mrs. Tanaka. No, Steve had a feeling that Kiana left of her own accord, trying to remember something, anything. Maybe she remembered something about the bomb on the yacht. There was another possibility that he wanted to ignore. It was possible someone found out that she survived and feared she could identify them. This made him consider again making that call for the ABP. Mrs. Tanaka followed the Five-O chief into the main room worriedly glancing about clutching her hands together. She felt responsible for Kiana and now she was gone, maybe hurt. Without further answers, Steve found himself reaching for the phone to call Central Dispatch to issue the alert. He was in the process of identifying himself while still looking out the window watching for Kiana when he noticed someone slowly staggering up the beach. As he gave Kiana's description his eyes narrowed as he saw a woman approaching from the beach. The more he watched the more familiar she became. The dark hair, the white streak…it was Kiana. As she passed the hedge and onto the grass her steps were shallow and she appeared to be in a daze. Steve cancelled the APB and slammed down the receiver and bolted through the back door reaching her just as she collapsed. Mrs. Tanaka was startled by the Five-O chief's quick movement hesitated for a moment before she too saw Kiana in the yard, only then did she go outside. Scooping Kiana up in his arms he took her inside putting her on the sofa. Her face was flushed and covered with sweat. Putting a pillow under her head he asked the housekeeper to bring cool water and a cloth. Kiana was groggy but when she felt the cool cloth on her face she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was still fuzzy and couldn't see who it was next to her clearly. Thinking it was Mrs. Tanaka she asked. "What happened?" "You passed out." Steve said gently wiping her face and neck with the cool cloth. Surprised to hear a man's voice Kiana tried to sit up. "Mr. McGarrett?" "Yeah." He replied keeping her from sitting up. "Take it easy. Just lie back and relax." Seeing the Five-O chief clearly now and Mrs. Tanaka hovering behind him she sighed and placed her hand on her head feeling totally embarrassed. Steve was relieved that Kiana was unharmed as he wetted and wrung out the cloth replacing it on her forehead. "Would you mind telling us where you've been young lady?" He asked. "I had a nightmare last night," Kiana began, "and couldn't get back to sleep. So I went for a walk on the beach. I guess I passed out, because that's where I was when I woke up a little while ago." "Miss Kiana I was worried about you." Said Mrs. Tanaka with concern. "What kind of nightmare?" Inquired Steve. Kiana hesitated for a moment before she answered. "Mrs. Tanaka, could you make me some of your wonderful herbal tea? I would really love some right now." "Of course Miss Kiana," Replied Mrs. Tanaka smiling broadly, "I go and start the water." And left for the kitchen. Bringing her attention back to the Five-O chief, her expression grim, she answered. "There was this face, it frightened me then I heard an explosion, it sounded so real, and so close, it woke me up." Steve saw her shudder. "Then there was this feeling I was in water but it wasn't a pool. Dim lights were all around me that flickered." Steve wanted to take full advantage of this opportunity; this was the first time she'd remembered something from that night the yacht Lucky Lady blew up. He hoped now he could find out exactly what was her involvement. "Whose face is was it," he urged," Do you remember?" Kiana hesitated, closing her eyes she answered. "Julian Brazzo." Steve recalled the surveillance photos taken of her and Brazzo, suspecting her reaction was because of him. Taking her hand in his he asked hoping this information could help her case. "Do you remember what you were doing on the yacht that night?" "Not exactly." She replied shaking her head. "Just parts of it. Mostly the explosion and what happened just before." "What did happen just before the explosion?" "I had gone out on deck." Kiana said softly. "I don't remember why exactly, but I was outside when Julian came out of the cabin. We had words and he went back inside. The look on his face was one I'll never forget. Then there was this big explosion." "Do you remember what you talked about?" Asked Steve. "No." Replied Kiana. "Just that he was really angry when he left." Mrs. Tanaka returned at this time carrying a steaming teapot and cups on a tray that she set down on the coffee table. "That will do it for now Miss Van Zandt." Steve said standing to leave handing the cloth to Kiana. "Are you going to be all right?" Kiana nodded her head and slightly smiled. "Sure Mr. McGarrett, I'll be fine. Mrs. Tanaka will most likely prevent me from wandering off again." Mrs. Tanaka was smiling. Steve grinned touching Mrs. Tanaka's shoulder. "See that she gets some rest. She's under house arrest until further notice. If you need anything call me. Goodbye." And he left. Kiana watched the Five-O chief leave feeling a little puzzled. The attention she was receiving seemed far above and beyond the call of duty for standard cop interest. But all during her recovery over recent weeks, the image of his face had always been there in her head. She found it curious that his image didn't frighten her like the other images did. Was there something more to him that she couldn't remember? Maybe. But at the moment it was elusive. Deciding it will come to her in good time she dismissed her feelings and accepted a cup of tea from Mrs. Tanaka. The housekeeper spread a blanket over Kiana saying. "Miss Kiana, you stay here and rest, just like Mr. McGarrett say. I will open windows for fresh air and you no move from this spot." Nodding her head Kiana accepted the blanket and the scolding from the elder Chinese woman. "I'll stay right here Mrs. Tanaka, don't worry. I've had enough adventure already for one day." Pulling the blanket up under her arms she sipped the tea. Stretching out on the sofa she got comfortable and before long was sound asleep. *** When Steve returned to his office Danny and Chin followed him inside. "What happened Steve?" Danny asked "I saw you take out of here like you were headed for a fire, what's up?" Steve walked directly to his desk with the intent of getting back to work but paused long enough to change his direction to the lanai doors. Sighing he leaned against the doorframe gazing out upon the grass that were the palace grounds. "Kiana wandered off last night. Mrs. Tanaka called me in a panic when she couldn't find her this morning." Danny joined him by the doors. "Did you find her?" "Is she all right?" Chin added. "Yeah." Steve replied. "She came wandering back from the beach exhausted and disoriented shortly after I arrived and collapsed in the yard. Mrs. Tanaka is looking after her now." "Is there anything I can do?" Danny asked. Steve turned from the window and looked amicably at the young detective. "Thanks Danno." He said placing his hand on Danny's shoulder. "I'll be all right." And returned to his desk picking up a case file. "Have you been able to dig up anything new on our friend Manny Rizzo?" Both detectives saw the change in Steve's demeanor and it was back to business. "Whatever it is he's doing Steve," Danny answered, "he's doing it off the record. I couldn't find anything new, nothing that dates past three months ago. It's as if he didn't exist until then, like he dropped in from thin air." As if Steve had a revelation he grabbed the envelope that contained the newspaper clippings. Dumping the paper on his desk he immediately began searching through them. "What is it?" Danny asked. "It just hit me." Steve said as he continued his search. "Like you said, its like he didn't exist until three months ago. Where is that obituary." When he found it he handed it to Danny. "Miss Van Zandt was engaged to Michael Turner in Los Angeles, right?" Danny nodded his head agreeing. "Yeah, but he was killed in a car accident here in Hawaii." "Right, exactly three months ago. Also the obituary said that Michael Turner's hobby was racing cars." Finding the clipping he was searching for he held it up so Danny could see. "His obituary was published in the Los Angeles Times." Steve handed the clipping to Danny. "Send an inquiry to the LAPD and have them do a background check on Michael Turner and see if they can turn up anything, and Danno, I mean anything. Filafax the picture too. What if Danno --" Steve began as he snapped his fingers methodically, "what if Michael Turner faked his death then relocated here in Hawaii as Manny Rizzo? Starting a new life as a drug dealer wanting to take over someone's operation." "That's pretty wild, Steve." Danny replied. "Would take someone real cocky to attempt that." Steve stared at Danny "That's the exact feeling I had the other day after talking to Rizzo." "He is cocky Danny," Chin added, "real cocky. But he hides behind the guise of a simple businessman." "And just the kind of person who would attempt such a takeover," Steve concluded, "by killing the competition." Danny followed where Steve was going with his theory. "The bomb on the yacht." "Yeah, the bomb on the yacht." Said Steve with finality. "What about Miss Van Zandt?" Asked Danny. "Did she plant the bomb?" "I wish I knew Danno." Steve replied. "She's remembering bits and pieces from that night but its still not enough to go on. Get that off to LAPD as soon as possible so we can start getting some answers." "Right Steve." Replied Danny quickly leaving the office with the clipping. "Chin, you hang loose, just in case the LAPD comes through with something." "Okay Steve." Said the veteran detective and left for his desk. Steve returned to the window and gazed out over the expansive palace grounds again wishing he knew why Kiana was on the yacht with Brazzo. She didn't fill in many blanks when he spoke with her earlier. His mind wandered as it has done time and again since this case began, remembering how good it was when they were together when the ringing of the telephone interrupted the memory. Returning to his desk he picked up the receiver. "McGarrett." He said into the handset. "Yes, Mrs. Tanaka, what is it? Is Kiana all right?" "Mr. McGarrett," The Chinese woman said nervously, "a man is here, Sandberg his name, he is upsetting Miss Kiana terribly." Steve detected how upset the woman was. "Russell Sandberg?" "Yes, that his name." She replied. Steve's grip on the handset tightened angrily. That man wants his pound of flesh at whatever the cost he thought to himself. "Mrs. Tanaka, tell that man I will be right there. Don't let him leave, do you understand?" "Yes, yes, Mr. McGarrett." Replied the housekeeper. "I understand." Steve practically slammed the handset down as he headed for the door. That man is going to age me he grumbled as he passed Danny's cubicle. Danny looked up as his boss passed his desk then quickly rounded his desk. "What's up Steve?" Steve stopped and turned to face his colleague. "Our friend Agent Sandberg is at the Van Zandt house apparently attempting to interrogate Kiana. A puzzled look grew on the young detectives face. "What does he expect to gain by doing that?" "Proof most likely that she was involved in the bombing of the yacht. Revenge for the death of his partner." Steve replied. "Lets go." The drive to the Kahala District of Honolulu was a quick one, and before long Steve was maneuvering his Mercury through the iron gates and down the steep driveway to the Van Zandt house parking next to the car already there. As assured by Mrs. Tanaka, Agent Sandberg was still there and seemed rather anxious for yet another confrontation with the Five-O chief, waited just inside the door when Mrs. Tanaka let the detectives in. "McGarrett," Blurted Sandberg annoyed motioning to Mrs. Tanaka, "This woman here wouldn't let me leave after she called you and to remain until you arrived, insisting that I wait for you." "Thank you Mrs. Tanaka." Steve said to the housekeeper who proudly bowed before excusing herself to the kitchen. Gesturing for Agent Sandberg to walk into the living room to where Kiana, seated on the sofa sat staring blankly out a window. Steve walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder and asked if she was all right. Nodding her head Kiana looked up at the Five-O chief. It was clear she'd been crying. "What do you expect to accomplish here Mr. Sandberg?" He asks turning his attention back to the DEA man. "McGarrett," Sandberg shot back. "I want her to tell me what she knows about what happened that night on the yacht, and why she alone survived. And why my partner died and she's allowed to walk around free!" Before Steve could reply Sandberg continued raving. "Since your illustrious District Attorney decided I didn't have sufficient evidence for an arrest, I have to do what I feel is necessary for the successful conclusion of my investigation." "Are you finished?" Steve said, his annoyance clear in his voice. "What do you want? Have Miss Van Zandt confess to the crime?" "A confession would be a great start!" Snapped Sandberg. "That woman is guilty of killing my partner, no one else. Not even those alleged conspirators of yours." "Are you being just a little narrow minded?" Steve retorted. "There is more here than just the death of your partner, there were four others on that yacht, you forgetting about them?" "There is no one else responsible McGarrett!" Sandberg argued. "That's what I've been telling you." "Mr. Sandberg!" Steve barked clenching his fist. "This is my jurisdiction… my rock! And don't think for one minute that I will let those who bombed that yacht go unpunished." Sandberg glared at the Five-O chief. "Okay. Okay." The agent said pointing his finger at McGarrett. "I will give you forty-eight hours McGarrett. If you don't have someone jailed for killing my partner I want you to arrest that woman for murder." The agent stomped his way to the front door slamming it closed behind him. When the door slammed Steve turned and looked toward it and frowned. He never appreciated working on someone else's timetable but this time he really didn't have a choice. He had to prove his suspicions of Manny and Joey and soon. Steve turned to look at Kiana who was cradling her head in her hand softly sobbing. Helplessness was not one of her favorite emotions. Danny watched as the irate DEA man leave and slam of the door. "I can give him one credit," Danny said sarcastically, "he sure knows how to make an exit. What do we do now?" "Turn up the heat on our friends Manny and Joey. I'm sure they have something to hide; I just don't know what it is. Danno, when we get back to the office I want to stake out Manny Rizzo's business. Maybe we can make them alter their plans enough that they will do something we can use." Steve took a seat next to Kiana on the sofa. "You okay kiddo?" he asked as he handed over his handkerchief. Nodding her head, she took it and dried her eyes. "I'm sorry I have to do this," Steve's apology was very soft, "but I have to know what happened that night on the yacht. What more can you can tell me?" Kiana fingered the damp hankie. "Just what I've told you." "Are you sure?" Steve said allowing the severity of the situation to show in his voice. Nodding her head she looked at the Five-O chief, tears rolled down her face. "I'm scared Mr. McGarrett, I know it's important to you and I want to know what happened too, but I don't want to know." "I know." Steve said patting her hand. Kiana began to sob uncontrollably and Steve gently embraced her assuring her everything was going to be all right allowing her to cry on his shoulder. Memories flooded back to him as he held her. He so wished he could make it all go away for her so she wouldn't be in such emotional pain. Mrs. Tanaka returned to the room since hearing the door slam and found the Five-O chief still there "Mrs. Tanaka," Steve asked. "Do you have any of that tea left?" "Of course I do Mr. McGarrett." She answered with a smile and returned to the kitchen. "Thank you." Steve replied as Kiana recovered from her sobbing and sat back. "You going to be ok?" Nodding her head she answered. "Yeah." "Is there anything I can get you?" "No Mr. McGarrett," Kiana replied shaking her head wiping her tears away with his handkerchief, "I think I'll be okay." "Good." Steve answered. "Get some rest and I'll check back with you later." Kiana smiled weakly at the Five-O chief as he stood and motioned to Danny to leave just as Mrs. Tanaka returned to the room with the tray of tea placing it on the coffee table. *** As Steve and Danny got into the Mercury Danny asked, "How do you suggest we turn up the heat on Manny and Joey? We only have forty-eight hours." "I want Rizzo's office staked out." Steve firmly replied as he brought the big engine to life still annoyed at Sandberg's time frame. "And in plain sight Danno. I want him to see that he's being watched, maybe he'll do something stupid." "I like that idea Steve." Replied Danny smiling as Steve steered up the steep driveway to Kahala Avenue and returned to town. "Chin will take the first shift then you take over from him." *** Kiana did stay home the rest of the day although the night was another restless one. She also knew that Mrs. Tanaka didn't get much sleep because she was constantly checking making sure Kiana didn't take another midnight stroll.                                                                       *** The night was a quiet one for Chin Ho who was parked outside Manny Rizzo's office. Chin's wife had sent with him a thermos of his favorite coffee for his stakeout shift. As he sipped it he watched the storefront office, always with an ear tuned to the radio. With all his years as a cop, between HPD and Five-O, stakeouts always made the nights seem long, especially during the summer months when it was hot and humid than other times of the year. All during the night the suspect office was quiet, which was good he thought to himself. By the time the sun was rising Danny was parking his car behind the veteran cop. He walked up to Chin's car and was informed the night was quiet. Danny thanked him and he drove away headed for home for some much needed sleep. Taking his place on the street Danny continued the vigil outside the storefront office.                                                                 *** Kiana awoke feeling pretty good. Most of the aches from what she called the 'accident' were almost gone and Mrs. Tanaka had prepared a scrumptious breakfast. A beautiful sunny morning beckoned to her as she sat back sipping her coffee in the dining room. "I feel like going shopping today Mrs. Tanaka, I need some new clothes." She said looking at the caftan she had on. With most of her clothes somewhere she couldn't remember, there wasn't much of a choice in the closet in her room. "Miss Kiana," Replied Mrs. Tanaka as she cleared the table, pleased that she feeling better and remembered her from years earlier, "child you beautiful already. Mr. McGarrett told me to take care of you, how do I do that if you not here." "Father always said you were possessive." Said Kiana. "Your father not here now, " Said the housekeeper, "I am, have instruction to take care of you." "Aw come-on Mrs. Tanaka," Pleaded Kiana playfully, "I don't think I've shopped at all that I can remember since I arrived on the island. And what's in the closet in my room looks to be four years out of style. Besides I've been cooped up in this house for days now and I want to go to town." The housekeeper only smiled at Kiana before going to the kitchen with the dirty dishes not acknowledging her last comment. Kiana sighed in disappointment as she watched housekeeper disappear into the kitchen, she wanted to go to town and do something today, anything. Leaving the table she went to the living room and gazed out onto the back yard and the ocean horizon beyond. She remembered how it used to be around the house before she left for the mainland and her modeling career; Mrs. Tanaka really hadn't changed at all, she was the same sweet little woman she knew, maybe a little sterner now. But there were ways she had used to get around her rules, flattery always seem to work in the past. She smiled as an idea took shape. Remembering her father kept a car around as a personal toy, Kiana headed for the garage to see on the off chance it was still there. Once there she found a vehicle covered with a sheet. Grabbing a handful of material she threw the sheet up. It billowed up throwing dust up into the air revealing a dark blue Mercedes convertible. Whistling in amazement it was still there, and the fact she remembered it was there she excitedly stared at the car. Dropping the sheet from her hand she opened the driver's door. Squeaking its way open she saw that the interior was still in good shape, she slid behind the steering wheel while her eyes soaked up the sight before her. The keys she thought, where would they be? She searched in the glove box, over the visors, under the seats and under the dash; they were nowhere to be found. On an offbeat thought she released the hood latch. It would just like father to hide an extra set of keys under the hood. Finding a flashlight she clicked it on and shined it on and around the engine compartment. The keys have to be somewhere she thought as she leaned in over the engine with the flashlight. She chuckled at the thought that the keys were probably still in his pants pocket and he's been dead over three years. Clicking off the flashlight she considered other places to look --- his study. Stedman Van Zandt's study was like a museum, the room had been untouched since his death. Pictures of seascapes adorned the white walls, with a bookcase that held dozens of books on Hawaiian history, business and philanthropy plus various souvenirs from his many trips abroad. A framed picture of her mother was on the corner of the desk, a woman of Hawaiian decent married an anglo man who became one of the most respected men in the Hawaiian business community. Sitting in her father's leather executive chair Kiana paused and reflected. He was quite a man and the islands benefited greatly from his influence and was sorry now that they argued the last time she saw him, and began to wish he were around now. As she searched the drawers she began to realize that surviving that accident presented her with a unique opportunity not a lot of people get. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to make changes in one's life and make it better from this point on. She knew she had made some bad decisions in recent years; and this second chance is perhaps a way to choose to lead a better life. At that thought she slowly closed the last drawer, sat back in the custom-made chair staring out into space considering her options. Before long she dozed off. *** After finishing in the kitchen Mrs. Tanaka went about her duties around the house. As she walked to the laundry room she passed the study, glancing in she saw Kiana asleep in the chair. Without stopping she walked on past smiling. Having worked for the family for many years before Mr. Van Zandt died and to see his daughter apparently reconciling with him after all this time pleased her. A short time later Kiana awoke with a start realizing she had fallen asleep in the chair. She looked around the room like she was searching for something. Rising from the chair she went to the bookshelf and reached for a small antique box from a high shelf. Her father purchased the box while he was in the Philippines many years ago. She had admired it for a long time. Inquisitively she opened the box and was surprised to find the car keys. "Thanks Dad." She said gratefully as she gripped the keys in her hand with tears growing in her eyes. Replacing the box to the shelf she went to change clothes. What she found that still fit were jeans and a tank top. When she was ready to go she went to find Mrs. Tanaka. The little Chinese woman was a back room doing ironing. "Miss Kiana," She said when she saw the young woman in the doorway, "you look beautiful." "Thank you Mrs. Tanaka." Replied Kiana smiling, "and so do you." Kissing the Chinese woman on the cheek. "You are a gem and I will bring you something nice when I get back." The housekeeper was so stunned she didn't utter a word as Kiana raced out of the house. The Mercedes' engine roared to life when Kiana turned the key. Backing out of the garage she flipped the switch that dropped the convertible top down then sped up the driveway to Kalaha Avenue. The breeze blew through her hair as she drove giving her a feeling of freedom she hadn't felt in a long while. Instead of going directly to the mall she opted for a drive into town. A cruise through Waikiki is just what the doctor ordered she thought as she slipped her sunglasses on and pressed down the accelerator. The warm mid-day sun felt good on her skin as she maneuvered through the streets of Waikiki and on into Honolulu then stopped at one of the stores at the Ala Moana shopping center. As Kiana browsed the store she was amazed at the variety of items displayed. She found some items to buy that she could not resist, in particular an antique jade jewel box for Mrs. Tanaka. When she stepped up to the cashier to pay for the box, the cashier smiled at her customer as she always does, but this time she recognized an old friend. "Kiana? Is that you?" she asked excitedly. Startled by the cashiers comment Kiana looked at the woman and said. "Excuse me?" "It's me Wanda," The cashier said, "Wanda Murphy, don't you remember me?" Kiana studied the woman's face for a moment as she delved deep into her memories for the name. As the cashier reminisced their college days she began to remember who the woman was. They were good friends from college. "Wanda!" she exclaimed. "Of course I remember you. It's been a long time. How are you?" "Been great." Wanda replied smiling broadly. "Even got married two years ago." Holding out her hand to show off her wedding ring. "What ever happened between you and your boyfriend?" "Boyfriend?" Answered Kiana puzzled, she didn't recall having any boyfriends here in Honolulu. "Don't you remember?" Wanda went on as she saw Kiana shake her head slowly. "How could you forget that handsome policeman -- Steve McGarrett would've been quite a catch. With him being top cop on the island and all." She said coyly. Kiana was stunned at what Wanda said that she and Steve McGarrett were an item. Wanda finished ringing up her purchase and said goodbye. Walking out the door slowly she repeated her mind, Steve McGarrett and me? It was just as hard to believe but the more she thought about it did make some kind of twisted sense. Why the image of his face was comforting during all the recent nightmares. And why he has shown such concern for her ever since she woke up in the hospital. Kiana walked back to her car deciding she wanted to see McGarrett and talk to him about this development. Joey exited a fast food restaurant across the parking lot still sipping on his coke when he saw Kiana walking to her car. He stopped suddenly surprised to see her. What a stroke of luck he thought. Manny will have to believe him even if he had to stand her right in front of him as proof. Tossing the cup to the ground he surveyed the lot for any witnesses as he started walking in her direction. Kiana's mind was still preoccupied on how she would approach Steve McGarrett with these questions as she opened the driver's door when Joey grabbed her from behind thrusting a gun into her side. "Scream and I will kill you right here, understand?" He sneered. Kiana gasped when Joey grabbed her. He pressed the gun muzzle into her side until he saw her wincing in pain. "Leaving the bags, " he ordered. Without another word she dropped her bag into the back seat. "There's someone who needs to meet you." Said Joey taking Kiana back to his car. "He doesn't believe you're still alive so I'm gonna take you to him. Prove to him I'm not crazy. Lets go." Kiana's mind reeled, first learning that Steve McGarrett was her boyfriend and now being forced at gunpoint from a parking lot. She wanted to scream and run but feared this man would kill her. "What do you want with me?" She asked fearfully. "I haven't done anything." "Just shut up. It's what you're gonna do." Replied Joey pushing her toward his car. Keeping his gun discreetly pressed between the two of them, he opened the driver's door. "Get in and slide over." Following her inside he started the car and drove out of the parking lot and toward Waikiki and Manny's office.                                                                       *** It had been a few hours since Danny noted Manny Rizzo's arrival at his office, but perked up when saw a blue sedan drive up to the import/export company. His eyes narrowed when he saw Kiana Van Zandt being roughly pulled from the vehicle and pushed toward the office door. Reaching for his radio mic he brought it to his lips. "Central this is Williams, patch me through to McGarrett." *** "Where are you taking me?" Protested Kiana as Joey grabbed her arm pulling her from the car. "Let go! Who are you anyway?" Her protests abruptly stopped when she was pushed inside the office and saw a bearded man seated behind the desk. She glanced around the room rubbing the soreness from her arm. The man behind the desk looked up from his work and focused on Joey. "Joey, what is the reason for this interruption!" His words stopped when he saw who he had with him. "I wanted you to meet Julian's girlfriend." Said Joey proudly. "See I wasn't making it all up. She survived the bomb." "Well… well…" Said Manny standing, he slowly walked around the desk and approached Kiana. "My we do get around don't we?" Circling gazing harshly at her, he said. "When Joey first told me that Julian's girlfriend survived the bomb on the yacht, I didn't believe him. And to see now that it was you…" Stopping he looked her square in the face, his voice took on a sarcastic tone. "Do you know who we have here Joey? We have in our presence the esteemed Kiana Van Zandt, socialite and debutante of Beverly Hills." "Who are you?" Kiana exclaimed looking fearfully at both men. "And how do you know my name?"                                                                   *** Jenny buzzed the intercom to inform McGarrett he had a visitor. Agent Sandberg was demanding to see him. Steve's brow furrowed at what he wanted this time. "Send him in Jenny." Remaining seated, he waited. When the door opened, he asked. "What can I do for you Mr. Sandberg." "McGarrett I…" Sandberg began just as the phone on Steve's desk rang. "McGarrett." Said Steve into the receiver. "What is it, Danno." "Steve" Danny began, "I just saw Miss Van Zandt being dragged from a car and taken inside Manny Rizzo's office." Steve's brow furrowed and looked up at Sandberg. "What?" He exclaimed. "Yeah," Danny replied, "and our friend Joey Aresco did the dragging." "How did that happen?" Steve replied from the news of the kidnapping, because according to the time he saw her she was at home in Kahala. "Are they still inside?" Sandberg's interest piqued due to the Five-O chief's reactions to the phone call, leaned in closer. "Yeah, they're still inside Steve." Answered Danny. "What do you want to do?" "Stay on them Danno. If they leave, dog 'em, I'll get HPD for backup." "Okay Steve, Williams out." At the same moment Chin walked in with a teletype printout in his hand. "Got the response from LAPD Steve." He handed over the paper adding. "Michael Turner has a record." Steve took the paper and began to read it with interest. "Says here he was arrested six months ago for drugs. Then goes on to say that he disappeared shortly afterward. Probably his business trip to Hawaii where he allegedly killed in that auto accident." "That jives with the time Manny Rizzo rented that office space." Commented Chin. Steve placed the printout on his desk, hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his trousers and thoughtfully said. "Unfortunately that still doesn't give us solid proof that they are the same man." "What now?" Asked Chin. Picking up his phone Steve dials HPD and requested backup for the McCully Street office of Manny Rizzo and he will meet them there. Making sure Sandberg saw his expression he continued. "Danno reports that Miss Kiana Van Zandt was forced from a car by Joey Aresco and taken inside Rizzo's office." Ending the call he motioned to Chin Ho. "Lets go." "I'm coming too." Said Sandberg. "Why?" Asked Steve. "Why would this be of any interest to you? You've had your mind made up that Miss Van Zandt was guilty all this time, why change it now?" Sandberg stood, adjusted his waistband and took in a deep breath and said. "My investigation isn't finished yet." Steve sensed that the DEA man might be changing his mind about Kiana's involvement in the bombing but wasn't quite convinced yet, motioned. "After you." *** "You know her?" Joey asked with a surprised look on his face. Kiana stared back at the bearded man trying not to show how frightened she was. His voice sounded familiar but his lower face was hidden behind the beard. Desparately she searched her memory for anything that could help in identifying the man in front of her, but no answers came. "I surely do Joey," Manny replied not taking his eyes off Kiana, "She and I go back, don't we? How convenient it was that you survived our little bomb." The longer he gazed at her he began to wonder why she hadn't recognized him? Was it the beard or could it possibly be something else? Kiana's mind raced and thoughts whirled about as the circled her as he spoke. Not wanting to hear his words yet needing to hear them, only if just to clarify some of her more disturbing questions. As he continued she heard more than she wanted to. "I'm not going to help you." She replied defiantly. "Wouldn't that change things?" Asked Joey. "I mean, since you know her and she survived the bomb…" Joey's words were hardly heard as Manny focused on Kiana. He leaned close to her and asked. "Do you know who I am?" Kiana didn't say anything just slowly shook her head. As Manny sat back on his desk and crossed his arms Joey said. "Remember the newspaper article I told you about? It said the woman that was found on the beach was badly hurt." "You mean she could have amnesia?" Manny speculated as he looked at Joey then back at Kiana. "That's real interesting Joey. If that's the case I wonder how much does she remember?" The man's voice began to sound familiar as Kiana tried desperately to remember more from that night. Although she could recall a little but it probably wouldn't answer the man's question. She finally replied. "I don't remember." "Ah, the famous Van Zandt stubbornness." Said Manny coldly taking a cigarette from the pack on the desk gripping the cylinder between his lips flicked his lighter and touched the flame against its end. Slowly blowing smoke out his through his nose he looked at her. "I don't remember." He mimicked in disgust. "Do you really not remember or are you lying to me?" "What do you with me want anyway?" She asked nervously. Thinking that the cops could be on to him along with Joey's little surprise, his venture seemed to be in jeopardy he had to plan an escape, something he didn't think he would need. "Well…since you are here and on this island," Manny went on, "so is that big beautiful airplane of yours that you fly everywhere you go. And you will get us past any police roadblocks that will likely be in place by now, and take us to it." "I won't help you." Kiana shakily answered. "Oh, but yes you will my dear." Replied Manny his voice cold like ice. "Because if you don't, you will die right here, like you should've on the yacht with Brazzo and his… associates. See I didn't count on there being any survivors, because witnesses can be so bothersome. If you know what I mean." Kiana's eyes went wide at the threat, and the bits and pieces of the nightmarish images she had experienced over the last several days… the explosion, the water and the burns, all made sense now. "What if I tell you I don't remember how to fly." Stated Kiana trying to look bravely at the man in front of her but was seemingly unsuccessful. "You can fly with your eyes shut if you have to." Answered Manny waving his finger in her face. "See I know you Kiana Van Zandt." "I have amnesia." She stated struggling to keep her face bland. "You said so yourself." The fog began to dissipate she began to recognize her captor. His face was the same as the man's face in the photo from the airplane and in the obituary. Stunned at this revelation she blinked her eyes in quick succession as her memory cleared. Under the long hair and neatly trimmed beard was the man she was to marry. "Michael?" She slowly said in disbelief. "You're dead." Michael laughed at Kiana's response, finding it to be ironically funny. "Dead? That's exactly what I wanted everyone to believe." "Why?" She asked. "Why make everyone think you're dead?" "You wouldn't understand." Michael replied with a sneer. "You and your rich daddy taught me the power of money. All I had to do is listen to you talk about your father. So, on one of my trips here I happened to meet Joey here." He made a general gesture toward the man who had long since lost the thread of the conversation swirling around him. "In his own awkward way he put me in contact with some people and a way to put into motion my plan to make a lot of money, in heroin. And here in the middle of the Pacific would be the ideal place to tap into that golden triangle. Unfortunately, I had to take him on as a partner." Michael said sighing and taking a long drag on his cigarette. "But he does have his uses." "What about your family?" Kiana asked. "Do you realize what you put them through? They were devastated when they got the news of your… death." "So what." He answered curtly. "My family never liked what I did, regardless of what it was, besides… they were a yoke around my neck." Walking away from Kiana he looked through the blinds that covered the front window. That same car that had been parked across the street since early morning, he thought the cops were watching him, this only proved it. After a moment he looked back at his captive, his mind whirring on a way to get away from the cops. "What were you doing on the yacht with Julian Brazzo anyway?" Asked Michael offhandedly. The look in Manny's eyes made Kiana shudder. However, she was desperate to control her feelings and really did not want Michael to know how truly afraid she was. "I have amnesia, remember." She replied, nervously brushing her hair away from her face. Hey Manny," Joey cut in, his face showing the beginnings of worry. "I've seen her with McGarrett. He's probably knows we have her and is lookin' for her right now." "McGarrett." Michael said quietly, concern etching lines between his eyes. "My bet he's on his way right now. That pig has bugged me long enough." Returning his attention to Kiana, "Where's your plane?" Shuddering she looked away from Michael. "I don't remember." Knowing time was running short before the cops would show up Michael didn't want to waste any more time, stepping up to Kiana he stated angrily. "I insist you tell me where your plane is." Seeing anger in the man's eyes Kiana shuddered again while struggling to keep her knees from buckling. "I told you I don't remember where it is." Michael's patience was running thin; he took one last drag on his cigarette then threw it down crushing it into the frayed carpet with his shoe blowing smoke at Kiana. "I'm going to ask you one more time, and this time you better give me the answer I want." He spat pulling a switchblade knife from his pocket snapping the blade out he held it to Kiana's throat looking viciously at her. "Where is your plane." Sucking in a deep breath Kiana closed her eyes in fear as cold blade pressed against the skin beneath her chin. There was no way out of this she thought to herself. Softly she named the location in a shaky voice. "Dillingham" "Good. See how easy it is when you cooperate." Said Michael removing the blade from her throat. "We'll have to go out the back since your cop friends are out front." Handing the knife over to Joey. "Joey, you drive and I'll take care of Miss Van Zandt here." Michael again peered through the blinds looking for the cops he knew were out there. "I know you're out there somewhere, McGarrett." He mumbled to himself as he surveyed the parking lot and the street. "Manny," Joey said with urgency growing in his voice, "maybe we'd better clear out and head for that airport before the cops surround the place. Like you said they gotta be on their way." Michael looked at Joey with a tight smile. There were times when Joey actually made sense. "Okay Joey, this is what we'll do, we'll take the little darling with us as insurance against interference from her friend McGarrett. Get the merchandise loaded in my car." He added. "It's parked out back." Michael looked intently at Kiana as Joey left for the back storage room to collect the half dozen boxes that contained heroin. "What are you going to do with me?" Kiana asked growing increasingly uncomfortable under the unwavering gaze of her captor. "You, my dear, will keep McGarrett off my back while I escape in the plane that you have conveniently provided." "What will you do after you get away?" Asked Kiana. "Get back into business." Michael replied nonchalantly. "You're not going to get away with this, the cops will catch you." "We'll see about that, won't we?" Michael quipped just as Joey returned dusting off his hands. "All loaded Manny." He said. Michael smiled at their progress, "Did you see anyone out there Joey?" Joey shook his head. "Good. I have to get some papers from my desk. Take our guest to the car and keep her out of sight until I get there." Michael returned to behind his desk, opened a side drawer and retrieved his semi automatic pistol. Quickly he popped out the clip and checked the bullets, seeing that it was fully loaded snapped it back in place and shoved it into his waistband. Pulling open a file cabinet drawer he fingered through the folders removing only two of the files and tossed them into his briefcase then snapped it shut. A quick look out the window blinds Michael checks on the car across the street; it was still there, and no additional cars either. 'Good' he said to himself as he made a hasty exit out the back door. As he approached the car all he could see was Joey inside. His brow furrowed as rage began to grow as he jerked the door open and climbed in on the passenger side. But stopped short of biting Joey's head off when he saw the scratches on his face and torn shirt. "Where's the girl?" he asked surveying the man's condition. "Back there." Commented Joey thumbing over his shoulder to the back seat. Michael looked at the back seat and saw the semi conscious form of Kiana, the growing bruise on her face and the disheveled condition of her clothes. "Not bad Joey." Judging from the Joey's appearance and the girl's present state, he surmised that she had tried to get away. "You gonna be all right?" "Yeah," Answered Joey as he started the motor and shifted the car into gear, "after we get outta here I will." Maneuvering the car out of the parking lot he turned onto a street and steered in the opposite direction away from the detective in the car across the street. *** At the same time a big black Mercury sedan came to a stop next to Danny's car, the young detective got out of his car to meet with his boss. Steve McGarrett bolted from the car and walked over to him followed by Sandberg. Behind him were two HPD squad cars with additional officers. "Whadagot Danno?" He said. "There's been no activity since Joey arrived and took Miss Van Zandt inside." He reported as Steve surveyed the storefront office contemplating his options. Steve's tension grew with the knowledge that a life was now in danger. With Kiana kidnapped and possibly being held inside, he could be justified for kicking the door in. But this had to be done by the book and his personal feelings need to be kept out of any decision. The officers assembled behind him awaiting his instructions to move in. The blue sedan that belonged to Duke drove up and stopped in front of Steve's car and he got out joining Steve and Danny just as Steve gave his order to move in. "You two men come with me the rest go around back." With all guns drawn the detectives and officers began their approach. Sandberg stepped up to McGarrett and said. "I'm going with you." "I'd rather you wait here Mr. Sandberg, but we could use the assistance." Replied Steve. "Join Dukes men." Sandberg nodded his head; drawing his gun he stepped over to Dukes men. Three of the officers flanked the building on their way to the back while the rest made the direct approach. The detectives ran across the parking lot closing on the front door. Cautiously they made the final advance. Standing up against the wall Steve quickly peeked through the windows. Seeing that the room was empty he removed his walkie-talkie from his pocket and hoisted the antenna. "Mokie what's your position?" Officer Mokala's voice was heard over the radio. "In position at the back entrance." "The front room appears empty," Reported Steve, "on the count of three I'm going in. Make sure no one gets out." "Yes Sir." Replied Mokie taking up his position with his colleagues. "Ready Danno?" Steve asked as he looked at his second in command then at Duke who was at his elbow, and the officers on the opposite side of the door. Both Danny and Duke nodded their answers that they were ready as well as Sandberg and the officers. With two shots fired from his pistol into the lock Steve stood back and kicked the door in and entered with his weapon level. The door banged against its stop as he quickly scanned the room; the troops followed him inside and spread out to search the premises. Sandberg separated from the officers and went his own way, mostly in McGarrett's direction. Steve radioed Mokie for his report. "No one had tried to leave." He said. "All was clear. Frustrated Steve pushed down the radio antenna as Danny called him to come to the office. Inside were signs of what looked like a hasty departure, a desk drawer was not closed all the way, chairs in disarray. In the center drawer Danny found a sheet of paper that had handwritten notes referring to Julian Brazzo's operation. Duke walked into the office followed by the officers that entered with him. Holstering his pistol he reported that all was clear. By this time Officer Mokala and the officers with him had entered the office from the back and were awaiting further instructions. Danny handed Steve the paper who quickly read it over said. "This pretty much confirms that Manny Rizzo's responsible for the bombing of the Lucky Lady doesn't it?" "It sure does Danno." Steve answered as he thoughtfully looked around the office where he had spoken with Rizzo just the other day and thought for a minute. "Danno, put yourself in Manny Rizzo's shoes for a moment. You've just kidnapped the only witness to the bombing of a yacht that killed four men, what would you do now?" "Let me see that." Ordered Sandberg holstering his gun and stepping forward. Steve handed over the paper to Sandberg who read it with great interest. Danny's forehead furrowed as he thought for a minute. "I'd try to get away, unobserved, but not by any usual means." "Usual means? You mean not by boat or by the airlines?" "Yeah, areas easily blocked by the police." Danny added still thinking. "That leaves…" "Private aircraft Danno." Steve put in finishing his thought. "The Catalina! That's it! They'll take Miss Van Zandt's plane at Dillingham. They're going to try to get off the island using her plane! Lets go." First out the door was Steve, followed by Sandberg, Danny, Duke and the officers. Tires squealed as each car made u-turns and headed for the freeway and the north shore. *** The drive to the North Shore was an uneventful one for Joey and Michael, although Joey's body began to ache from the fast tackle he made when Kiana tried to escape. But rather pleased with himself that he was finally able to prove to Manny Julian's girlfriend survived the bomb on the yacht. But he had no idea that Manny knew her and wondered why he hadn't mentioned it before. Perhaps there were reasons why he didn't let him in on his little secret he thought while keeping a watchful eye on the rearview mirror. What really began to bother him was learning that Manny or Michael, or whatever his name was, had faked his death to pursue this goal. Joey had heard of going to certain extremes to get what you want, but this was a little over the top. Hearing rustling from the backseat, Michael turned in time to see Kiana slowly open her eyes as she sat up. Removing the pistol from his waistband he casually pointed it her. After she had looked around to see where she was she froze and caught her breath when she saw a gun pointed at her. Looking apprehensively at the business end of the pistol she asked. "What are you going to do with me?" "Well, golly gee," Michael sneered, "maybe we could have a little fun before I decide, what do you think Joey?" then broke into a vicious smile. Joey glanced over at Manny but returned to watching the road, made some sounds of indecisiveness but didn't say anything. What McGarrett had said to him earlier began to gnaw at his subconscious. Kiana's heart pained at the thought that she once was in love with this man. Seeing what Michael had become made her ill and the last thing she wanted was to have him anywhere near her. "You just sit there nice and quiet and you won't get hurt." Said Michael adjusting his position on the seat so he could more comfortably point the gun at Kiana. "We're almost there." Joey slowed the car to make the left turn onto the road that led to Dillingham Airfield. The road was paved but in bad need of repair. The car bounced over the broken pavement as they drove to the hanger where the Catalina was parked. The big white plane glistened in the noontime sun like a giant swan. Kiana watched as the plane grew in size, as they approached it she began to remember more of what she put herself through those weeks. All because of a love she had for Michael who had lied to her the entire time they were together. Suddenly she felt soiled, dirty and used beyond imagination. She wanted out of the car and away from these men but with the gun pointed at her that will have to wait for a later chance. Joey stopped the car next to the gray hanger on the west end of the airstrip. Michael motioned with his pistol for Kiana to get out of the car. As she stepped out of the car she attempted to run but Michael grabbed her arm. Twisting it he leaned in close and whispered. "One false step and I will not hesitate to kill you, so don't try my patience." Kiana tried to look defiant at her captor and show she was not afraid of him. But to no avail, her fear was quite visible. Manny handed over the gun to Joey and said gesturing to the hanger. "Put her in the back room and tie her up. I'll go preflight the plane and make sure it's gassed up." Joey took the gun and motioned for Kiana to walk toward the hanger. Their footsteps echoed in the large expanse of space as they crossed the floor to the workroom in the back where he pushed her through the doorway to into the room. The workroom could hardly be considered tidy place, a bare light bulb in the ceiling was a bleak source of light. A window coated with dirt allowed in a minimal amount of light revealing a cot in one corner and a workbench with engine parts on it on the opposite wall. Wooden shelves laden with boxes and other aviation paraphernalia lined the other wall. Joey pushed Kiana again and she landed on the cot. He wrapped the rope he found twice around her wrists and tied the knot in front of her where she couldn't reach then tied the other end to one of the legs of the cot. "You know he's crazy don't you?" Kiana told Joey as the realism of her fate became clearer. "Lady, I don't care what you say." Joey said making sure the ropes around her wrists were tight. "Manny's got a good thing going and you ain't gettin in the way." "You're a fool if you believe that." Kiana said. "McGarrett will stop you. And if you kill me, you'll never get off this island." "Oh, yeah?" Joey replied. "Thanks to you we have an airplane that can get us off the island." "If you are looking for me to fly it out of here," She said curtly, "you're sadly mistaken. I'll never help you." "We'll see about that." Joey said as he tightened the knots. With one last look at their hostage he left the room and closed the door. The expression Kiana saw on Joey's face was one of a man that had doubts. Sighing she leaned her head against the wall as the door shut and closed her eyes for a moment. Michael had really changed; he was no longer the same man she used to know. Pulling against the ropes she found herself wishing Steve McGarrett was there. Not one to accept circumstances, Kiana twisted her wrists about in an effort to loosen the knot but all she succeeded in doing is abrasion her skin enough that it almost bled. Joey had tied the knot so tightly it wouldn't loosen. She looked under the cot to see how he tied the rope; maybe she could loosen it instead. Keeping an eye on the door in case Joey or Michael returned, she got down on the floor to get a better look at where the rope was tied. There was nothing that she could see that would prevent the rope from being slid off the leg. With her fingers she worked at moving the knot down to the floor then lifted the cot and slid the rope right off. *** Michael had entered the hanger and placed his briefcase on the desk that was there. Picking up the phone he dialed the manager of the flight school requesting clearance for takeoff for the Catalina in the next forty minutes as Joey returned from the back room. "Manny," Joey asked, "what if she's not going to help us fly that plane outta here." "She'll change her mind." Michael replied. "Women are like that." "What if she still won't?" "If she won't," Michael stated, "then she dies like she should have in the first place. This time we won't use a bomb, we'll use our finest product." He flashed Joey an evil grin. *** Kiana stepped quietly to the door and listened to see if she could hear anything. When she heard faint voices say something about her dying she gasped. This is really not good she thought as she looked around the room for way out. Her eyes stopped at the window. It was several feet above the floor and big enough for her to climb through but the cluttered workbench was under it. Giving the door another look she listened again for voices then went to clear the workbench. Grimacing at the amount of dirt and dust, as quietly as she could began to clear space so she could climb onto it, which was made more difficult with her hands still tied together. She thought about trying to find something to cut the ropes but discounted that idea because it would take too long. These guys could walk back in at any time, get away first then take care of the ropes later she told herself, as long as her feet were free that's all she needed to run. As quietly as she could she started to work the latch of the window. She thought to herself it must have been some time since this it had been last opened, because the latch was stuck. The window was the type that pushed out from the bottom with a frame that was made of metal. She looked for something to pry the latch with on the workbench, a crowbar or maybe a screwdriver. She saw jabbed into the wood at a corner of the bench a screwdriver. Pulling it out she placed it under the latch and pulled. It took nearly all her strength in her arms to get the latch to release its grip.                                                                     *** Joey couldn't help but think about the possible death of this woman. His smile faded when he thought about their escape. "Then who will fly the plane if you kill her?" "I'll fly it." Michael said assuredly. "I've done a little flying in my day." *** With the latch opened Kiana sighed with relief and began to push the window open. Her plans for a quiet escape quickly vanished when a loud squeak came from the long unused hinges. Her heart skipped a beat when the squeak broke the silence of the room. Damn! She muttered and quickly looked back at the door.                                                                        *** "What was that?" Michael said as he looked at Joey. "Don't know." Joey replied as he looked around the room. When his eyes fell upon the door to the workroom. "You don't think…" and turned to Michael with a puzzled look on his face. "That broad has gotten loose." Michael finished Joey's sentence and quickly rushed the door. When he burst into the room he saw Kiana halfway out the window. "She's getting away!" He shouted. "Joey, go outside!" He rushed the bench and tried to grab a leg before she was entirely out the window. But his grab fell short as she hit the ground outside the hanger. Leaping onto the workbench he stuck his head out and saw Kiana get to her feet and started to run away from the hanger. "Joey! She's headed around the rear of the hanger!" He shouted and pointed after her as Joey passed the window. "You bring her back here!" Joey was fast on his feet and closed the distance quickly. If she gotten away and managed to call the cops, he thought, this whole plan could be flushed and he didn't want that to happen. With her hands tied Kiana couldn't run very fast but ran as hard as she could. But her efforts were not good enough. Joey caught up to her and again tackled her from behind. She hit the hard ground with a thud with her pursuer on top knocking the breath out of her. 'That wasn't very smart' he told her as he roughly pulled her to her feet. "You shouldn't have done that." Joey said sternly grabbing her arm and dragged her back to the hanger where Michael waited. "Manny's not going to like it." Michael directed Joey to take her back into the room. "This time make sure she doesn't get away." He said as Joey led and deposited their hostage back on the cot. This time Joey tied the rope to the side of the cot and gave the new knot a final tug. If she were to get away again she would need to take the cot with her. "This will prevent another escape." Michael said with an air of assurance in his voice when he entered the room. Joey curiously looked up as he opened the small box he had in his hand. "Hold her down." Kiana's eyes grew wide as the box was opened. Inside she saw a length of rubber tubing, a syringe and a small package containing a powdery substance and a candle. Michael proceeded to light the candle then poured the white powder into a spoon he found at the coffee station in the hanger. Once the heat liquefied the powder he took the syringe and sucked it inside then casually blew out the candle. "Hold her still Joey." Michael said in a cold voice holding the syringe upright to check the amount that was inside then squeezing the plunger slightly until the drug squirted out. Kiana began to struggle against the rope that restrained her. "'No! No! You can't do this!" Joey wrapped one arm around her neck and the other locking one arm behind her as Michael tied the tubing around the bicep of the other, completely immobilizing her. "No!" She cried again as tears began to roll down her face as Michael slapped the top of her arm to find a vein. When he found one he took the syringe and carefully inserted it into the vein and plunged the drug into her. "How much you giving her?" Joey asked as he watched the syringe being emptied. "Enough so she won't be a problem anymore." Michael replied dryly as he withdrew the needle and untied the tubing. He watched Kiana as her screams became whimpers and her struggles weakened as the drug worked its way into her body. "You can let go of her now, she won't be going anywhere." He said as he replaced the empty syringe and tubing to the box and closed it. Joey released his grip on Kiana and she lay back against the wall. Michael picked up her legs and put them on the cot. Joey began to hate what he had just seen. Maybe this time Manny had gone too far he thought. Maybe it would have been better if he had not even pursued the idea of locating this woman like he did. The bomb on the yacht was one thing, seemed impersonal, but this… this was down right cold-blooded. Perhaps it would've been better if he had not satisfied his curiosity as well as proving to Manny that there was a survivor. As he began to leave he looked back at Kiana as she lay on the cot. He began to feel a little sorry for her as he closed the door behind him. "Manny, how much did you give her?" "Oh, about two c.c.'s." Michael replied casually putting the box back in the briefcase. Joey looked a Michael for a moment, a slightly puzzled look on his face. "Wouldn't that be an overdose for someone not used to the stuff?" Michael turned around and gave Joey another evil grin. Joey stood there digesting the expression on Manny's face. He had never seen him like this before, if he can change like that now, he thought, his attitude toward him could change too. Joey watched Michael walk toward the door of the hanger and light a cigarette. Looking back at the door to the workroom, he resolved he didn't want to end up being so callously eliminated, so he had to decide how he would deal with this turn of events, if anything for the sake of his own neck.                                                                        *** Steve raced the Mercury, siren blaring out of the parking lot toward the highway. It was a good thirty miles to the airfield. A twenty-minute drive on average, but this time of afternoon the traffic was heavier. Dillingham Airfield was popular with glider pilots and private aircraft owners who wanted to avoid the commercial air traffic of Honolulu International. He just hoped he could get there in time before anything happened to Kiana. Or before she prompted her captors into doing her harm with her attitude. "McGarrett," Sandberg said as Steve maneuvered the Mercury through the traffic, "I need to call my people. I want them at the airfield too." "All right Mr. Sandberg." Steve replied as he handed the radio mic to him. "This is DEA Agent Sandberg." He said into the mic. "Connect me with the DEA office. The number is five five five, six one seven one." "Just a moment." The Dispatcher responded. After a moment a man's voice answered came over the speaker. "Agent Bickford." "Harvey," Sandberg began. "I need some men to meet me at Dillingham Airfield. Our perps are on their way there now and may try to get off the island. I'm on my way there now with McGarrett." "Right Russ." Bickford replied. "Will assemble a team and be there right away." "Thanks Harvey, see you there." Sandberg said and handed the mic back over to McGarrett. *** Michael and Joey began to unload the trunk of the car and carry the boxes of heroin to the Catalina stowing them under the cabin seats and any other spaces they could find. On the second trip to the Catalina the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance as Danny and two HPD blue and whites made their way up the road the airfield. Michael called for Joey to get inside the hanger, then ran inside himself pulling the gun from his belt and discreetly watching as the cars approached. Both men watched intently as the police cars crossed the tarmac and came to a stop not far from the hanger. A few minutes later another siren could be heard as a black sedan made the turn onto the road to the airfield. McGarrett maneuvered his Mercury in behind the parked blue and whites. As he got out of his car Danny and Duke walked toward him. "It's quiet Steve." Danny reported. "No sign of Rizzo so far or his pal Aresco. We think they're still in the hanger. Looks like they were preparing to leave, the stairs are down on the Catalina." Steve carefully surveyed the airfield then focused on the hanger as he contemplated a plan of action. "They're in there Danno, you can count on it. Miss Van Zandt has got to be in there too, so we can't go charging in there. Got to find another way." "Yeah." Danny agreed. "So what do you suggest we do?" "We could try to talk them out." Steve theorized. "But I got a feeling about Rizzo, he wouldn't go for it. He'd shoot his way out first." Furrowing his brow his mind worked on a possible plan. "Danno, Duke, work your way around the back of the hanger." Steve said as he pointed in the direction he wanted them to go. "Cut off their access to the plane, prevent their leaving. Take what HPD men you need." "Right Steve." Danny said as he and Duke left. Duke motioned for four officers from the police line to come with them and all trotted off to side the hanger closest to the Catalina and any potential escape route. Just as Duke took up his position behind some fifty-gallon barrels another car drove up and stopped nearby the police line. Agent Bickford and four other DEA men exited the car; Bickford was a large barrel-chested man and waddled slightly as he walked up to Sandberg and hungrily asked. "Russ, where are our suspects?" Sandberg motioned to the hanger. "In there. Get the men ready to go in. I'm not going to let this local cop take our collar. This is for Stan." Harvey's expression grew solemn at the thought of their dead colleague. "For Stan." He repeated then returned to the other DEA men. After a short discussion they dispersed toward the hanger. Michael and Joey watched the activity as the officers took up positions behind their cars and the four suited men disappeared out of his line of sight. Since Michael's meeting with McGarrett he sensed the man wouldn't let him leave without some kind of fight. He needed something to hold this cop off while he made his escape, he thought. But what could that be? McGarrett grabbed the bullhorn from his car and had taken a position by one of the squad cars and lifted it to his mouth. "Manny Rizzo, Joey Aresco." His voice blared from the horn. "This is McGarrett, Hawaii Five-O. Release your hostage and come out with your hands up and no one will be hurt." Joey tapped Michael on the shoulder. "What are we going to do? Those cops ain't gonna to let us just waltz out there and into that plane." "Yeah, I know." Michael snapped as he thoughtfully rubbed the barrel of the gun across his chin. "Let me think will you!" "What about the girl in the back room? What are we gonna to do with her?" Manny stopped the metal massage and turned to Joey and looked at him like he was going to bite his head off, but smiled instead. "She'll be the leverage we need to get past the cops and to the plane and fly out of here." On his way to the back room he stopped at his briefcase and removed his back up gun. Shoving it into his waistband he opened the door to the workroom where he found Kiana still tied to the cot, lethargic because of the drug. Untying her he pulled her to her feet. Kiana groaned weakly. Still lethargic from the drug she tried to struggle from Michael's grip. With her remaining strength, she managed to break free briefly until her captor smartly placed the barrel of his gun against her head. "You try that again and I'll kill you right here and now. You understand?" Michael growled as he wrapped his arm around her neck in a chokehold and dragged her out of the room and toward the door of the hanger. As he neared the front of the hanger he handed the gun he had in his hand to Joey and pulled the other one from his belt and cocked it. Joey looked at the gun in his hand as if he wasn't one hundred percent behind this change in plans. "Hey McGarrett!" Michael yelled out the hanger door. "I've got a hostage! One move from you or any cops and I'll kill her right here! Now Joey and I are heading for that airplane over there and you're going let us pass." McGarrett clenched his jaw and his grip on the bullhorn handle when he saw that Rizzo did indeed have Kiana as a hostage. From what he could see, she appeared to be limp in the man's arms. "Not a chance Rizzo." McGarrett replied through the bullhorn. "You're not getting off this island. Release your hostage then we'll talk." Michael laughed to himself as he took steps toward the Catalina. Joey cautiously kept step right behind Michael and his hostage. Sandberg kept an eye on where the other DEA men had taken up positions. They were on the opposite side of the hanger door from Duke and his men. This activity was unknown to McGarrett because his attention was on the suspects that were slowly making their way to the Catalina and naturally Sandberg didn't alert him to his actions. This was a chance to reciprocate for what happened to his partner. Steve saw that Danny, Duke and the officers had taken up positions at the side of the hanger behind a stack of fifty-gallon barrels. Their weapons aimed at the drug traffickers. Both Michael and Joey surveyed the airfield around them and saw the officers with their guns trained on them. Michael increased his grip on Kiana who was becoming a dead weight as the drug increased its affects, hefted her up but kept his gun against her head. His voice tight, he shouted. "McGarrett, tell them to put their guns down or she's dead!" "Don't be stupid." Steve said. "Look around you. You're not getting any closer to that airplane." Then directing his comments to Joey, he added. "Wise up Joey, staying with Rizzo will only get you dead. Think about it." Joey nervously glanced around at the police line and to his left then said to his friend. "I don't like the odds here man. This ain't worth dying over. Doing time is better than being dead." Michael jerked his head around and sneered at Joey, his eyes red with anger. "What? Are you gutless all of a sudden? You backing out on me? We can still do this. They won't shoot. The hostage is too important to them. Just hang in there a little longer." Joey shuddered when he saw the look in Manny's eyes; he'd never seen such a look before. Manny had changed and all of a sudden, he didn't know him anymore. He looked again at the officers around and began to realize that his plan of being a big man in the drug business on the island wasn't going to happen. With all the firepower pointed at them he began to feel prison would be the better option. It would be crazy to continue with this, he thought. Looking at the gun in his hand and then at Manny, who was two steps ahead of him, he said. "Manny, I'm not going any further." Michael whirled around and faced Joey, with the now cumbersome hostage in his arms. "What are you saying!" He barked. "You're quitting?" "Yeah." Joey replied sullenly as he looked at McGarrett and around at the officers. "It's not worth it to me." And tossed the gun to the ground. "Goodbye Manny or Michael or whatever your name is." And began to walk away from him in the direction of the police line. "Don't shoot, I give up!" He shouted raising his hands into the air. Michael watched Joey walk toward the police line. Growing more infuriated with each of his steps and with a snort of anger he trained his gun on Joey and pulled the trigger. The report of the gun surprised both McGarrett and Sandberg sending the contingent of officers ducking behind their cars as Joey collapsed to the ground just yards from the Catalina. Danny and Duke stiffened when they saw Manny shoot Joey. "Rizzo, drop the gun!" Danny shouted from behind the drums. Michael pointed his gun in Danny's direction and fired several rounds in rapid succession puncturing the drums and oil began to drain onto the ground. The officers resisted returning fire because of the hostage. Michael held Kiana fiercely in front of him, but, groggy- she was rapidly becoming a hindrance. He could see that his situation was deteriorating. Looking at the body of Joey, he felt he was in too deep to back out now, mentally he did a quick count of how many bullets he had. He really didn't want to go to prison, so in a last ditch effort to escape he heaved his hostage away from him. Kiana landed only a few feet away with a thud. He spun back toward the drums and fired twice at the officers, then fired at the police line until it clicked empty before making a dash for the Catalina. But he was not to reach the airplane. In a flurry of bullets from the officers and the DEA men, Michael was stopped in his tracks. He fell sprawled on the asphalt with his gun still in his hand. Now McGarrett noticed the DEA men. His eyes narrowed as he darted a look at Sandberg before he dashed out from behind the car with Sandberg on his heels, hurried to where Joey lay. He had seen the man move and knew he was still alive. Kneeling down he carefully turned Joey over. Joey sucked in a pain filled breath and moaned. "Call an ambulance." Steve yelled to one of the officers who immediately went to one of the squad cars to make the radio call. "McGarrett, it's my fault," Joey moaned, "help her… Manny o.d.'d her." "Overdose?" Steve said anxiously gripping the man's collar with both hands. "Overdose of what?" "He--- Heroin." Joey slowly answered. Steve glanced at Kiana's motionless body lying on the asphalt, his anguish growing. "How long ago?" Joey couldn't reply as he took his last breath and died. Steve was motionless for a brief moment as he watched Joey die, 'my god' he said to himself as he stood, and in four quick steps was at Kiana's side. The impact of her head on the asphalt left her dazed, and between the heroin and her hands still tied she didn't have any strength to move. Kneeling beside her he took a deep breath fighting against his emotions and cradled her in his arms. "Come on kiddo," He said hoping she could hear him, "let's get you to a hospital." Danny approached the body of the man they knew as Manny Rizzo, his gun trained on the bloody once wannbe drug dealer. Moving the gun from the motionless hand with his foot he knelt beside the body and felt for a pulse on the man's neck, but there was none. Kiana moaned as she fought against the drug to keep her senses. She slowly opened her eyes and saw through a bleary haze who it was that held her. "Steve… is that you?" "Yeah, its Steve. You're going to be all right kiddo." He said with assurance as he began to untie her hands. It was then he saw the tiny needle mark on her right upper arm where she was given the drug. He knew that time was critical with heroin overdose victims; she needed to get to the hospital quickly. A glance around the airfield didn't offer much in the line of quick transportation. The ambulance might take too long to get here and an equal amount of time to get a hospital. These options he didn’t like. Kiana's life was at stake now. Danny and Duke walked over to Steve and told him that Rizzo was dead. Also told him that an ambulance was on its way. "I… I'm sorry." Kiana mumbled awkwardly rubbing her head. It hurt worse than it did before. "Sorry?" Steve replied smiling weakly through his emotion and tightened his grip on her shoulder. "Honey there's nothing to be sorry about." "I caused so much trouble." She said as her vision began to blur and found it hard to hold her head up and let it fall against Steve's shoulder. "What trouble, you haven't been any trouble." He replied as he grit his teeth and looked skyward and prayed against the possible inevitability. Through the grogginess Kiana managed to say. "Steve… that man, from the picture, he… that was Michael." "Michael?" Steve thought fast as he correlated the name and its relation to her. "Michael Turner? The man in the obituary?" "We were to be married." She said sobbing softly. Steve glanced over at the still form of Manny Rizzo aka Michael Turner. What a waste he thought, it always eluded him why people turn to crime instead of living a normal life. Steve tried to keep Kiana conscious but as each minute passed she was losing the battle against the drug. He looked around the airfield again, this time with an air of desperation and still no sign of the ambulance. He feared her chances of survival lessened each passing second. He was considering putting her in his car and driving to the hospital himself when he heard what sounded like the motor of a helicopter starting up, which gave him an idea. "Danno, call that chopper. Stop it from taking off." Steve said unaware that he was shouting. "Tell them it's a police emergency." Danny looked in the direction of the engine and then back at Kiana who was almost passed out in Steve's arms. He too knew that victims of drug overdoses need quick medical treatment if they are to survive, ran to his car and radioed Central Dispatch connect him with the Dillingham Airfield manager. "This is Williams, Hawaii Five-O, you have a helicopter that's taking off right now. We have a police emergency, tell the pilot to come here at the west end of the field." "Ten-Four Mr. Williams." Frankie replied quickly, he had been watching the events unfold through his binoculars. Shortly a Hughes Five-Hundred helicopter rose above the hangers then hovered for a moment. Danny's grip on the mic increased as he thought the pilot might refuse to come to their assistance. Then it turned and came in their direction landing not far from the police line. Throwing the mic down on the seat he ran over to the egg shaped craft as it settled on the ground and shouted 'thank you' at the pilot over the sound of the engine. Danny went to help Steve with Kiana, but saw that the Five-O chief had already picked her up and was on his way to the helicopter. With Danny's help they were able to get Kiana into the rear seat of the helicopter. Steve climbed in and sat next to her, leaned forward and shouted over the motor for the pilot to fly to Queens Hospital, and hurry. The sun-glassed pilot gave a thumbs up signaling that he understood what was being asked of him. "You're in charge here Danno. I'll be at the hospital if you need me." Steve said settling back in the seat and put his arms around Kiana in an effort to keep her warm. He was painfully aware that her skin had become pale and her breathing was shallow. They had little time and that was getting shorter. "Okay!" Danny shouted as he closed the door and secured the latch and stepped back. The pilot raised the collective and lifted off the ground and swung the aircraft toward Honolulu. Danny watched the helicopter as it rose higher into the air when Duke walked up to him. "Do you think she'll make it?" He asked as he too watched the helicopter fly away. "I don't know Duke." Danny replied still watching the helicopter disappear over the mountains. "She survived the bomb on the yacht." Then looked at Duke. "Maybe somehow she'll survive this too." "Well gentlemen," Sandberg said with an air of smugness as he joined the detectives, "that wraps up the case for me." Danny angrily glared at the DEA man unable to believe the casualness he expressed about the case. "Is that all you care about?" He said sharply. "Your case?" "Well, yeah." Sandberg replied with a shrug of his shoulders diving his hands into his trousers pockets. "That drug pipeline has been effectively shut down before it could be put into operation. Saved a lot of lives I'd say." "But at what cost?" Danny snapped back. "Look around you Mr. Sandberg." Pointing at the bodies of the traffickers. "Six people are dead, and another may die. I call that lousy math for your precious case." And curtly walked away. Agent Sandberg watched Danny walk away then looked at Duke. "What's his problem? The case is over. The good guys won." Duke watched Danny as he walked away then looked at Sandberg. He felt like telling the DEA agent what he meant but decided against it. All he could manage to say was, "Go home Mr. Sandberg." Walking away he left the DEA man standing alone on the tarmac. The other agents had collected around their car congratulating themselves on the end of the case. *** Once the helicopter landed at the hospital Steve followed the gurney into the emergency room where Doctor Ashford waited. Steve informed him that she had been overdosed with heroin almost an hour earlier. "Let's hope we are in time." Ashford said as he started to give orders to the attending nurses as the treatment room doors were closed leaving Steve alone in the corridor. Pacing the floor Steve waited hoping Kiana would survive. In the last few weeks she had been through the wringer. A truly lucky lady, first her fiancée was killed under suspicious circumstances, and then blown off the deck of a yacht by a bomb and now a drug overdose. The more he thought about it, he realized that back at the airfield she remembered him because she called him by name before passing out. A long thirty minutes went by before Doctor Ashford emerged from the treatment room. He looked around the corridor for the Five-O chief only to find him at the nurse's station on the phone. The physician walked up to him as he finished the call and hung up the phone. Steve looked up as Ashford approached. "How is she Doctor?" "Well, Mr. McGarrett." The physician began. "I commend you for getting Miss Van Zandt here as quickly as you did after she was drugged. You just may have saved her life. I've given her a counter agent, but we won't know anything for a couple hours yet." "Counter agent?" Steve inquired not knowing what the doctor was talking about. "Narcan, Mr. McGarrett." Ashford replied as he clasp both hands onto the clipboard he held. "It's a drug administered to overdose patients. It binds with the body to block any unwanted drugs from being absorbed, heroin in Miss Van Zandt's case. I just hope that not much of the drug had been absorbed already to threaten her life. The fact the she had recently suffered a concussion might work to her benefit." "How's that Doctor?" "When the brain has been injured as in Miss Van Zandt's case, a concussion it reacts differently." Ashford explained. "The brain's reaction time to chemicals is slower than it would be if it was not injured." "And if not?" "I try not to think about that Mr. McGarrett." Ashford replied. "I'm hopeful, but for right now she's a very sick girl." "So Miss Van Zandt has a good chance of recovering?" Steve asked with a deep sense of hope. "Yes, there is a chance, but she's far from out of the woods." Ashford replied. "It's going to be a long night for her, and you too from what I see. I'm having Miss Van Zandt moved to a private room now." At that moment the gurney with Kiana was pushed out of the treatment room and down the hall to the elevator. "If you come with me Mr. McGarrett I'll take you to her room." "Thank you, Doctor." Steve replied as he followed the physician to the elevators. As the men entered the room the orderly's were settling their patient into the bed in a private room. The I.V. bottle was hung and the oxygen mask was checked for the proper position on her face. One orderly gave the sheets and blanket a final tuck, gently fluffed the pillow and left. "Her vital signs are low but stable," Ashford continued as he made notes on the chart before he hung it on the hook at end of the bed, "but not unusual in cases like this. We just need to wait it out. Hopefully we caught the heroin in time." "Thank you Doctor." Steve stated as he extended his hand to the physician. "Would it be all right if I stayed a while?" "Sure Mr. McGarrett." The physician replied responding to the gesture. "She'll probably sleep the rest of the night. It might do some good if she wasn't alone right now, she might respond to that." Saying good-bye to the Five-O chief he left. Once alone in the room Steve brought over a chair and sat down and took Kiana's hand in his and held it firmly. With his other hand he stroked her forehead and played with the silver strands of her hair. He didn't know quite what to do in a situation like this. As he looked at her, he saw that her skin was still pale and cool to his touch and the bruises on her face were almost gone and the burns healed from the accident but did notice a new bruise on the side of her face. He spoke softly to her about the day he first met her. Although it had been four years, he spoke of that day he met her at her father's home like it happened yesterday. The room seemed to get brighter when she walked in. Her playful demeanor and her smile were so refreshing he admitted he almost asked her out right there. But being there on business it would've been very unprofessional. He went on to tell her of the day after they met when she unexpectedly came to his office. The coyness of her voice and the way she strolled around the office looking at his outrigger model, his awards and shelves of law books convinced him she was up to something. The way she talked around the topic of dinner. He suspected she wasn't going to come right out and say she wanted to have dinner with him. So he took the bait that she obviously was dangling for him and asked her out for dinner. The date was better than he had ever expected. The conversation was delightful and they talked the night away. She told him of her travels to Europe. The sightseeing squeezed in between modeling assignments. What a carefree lifestyle that must be he speculated, unlike his job where most of the time he is unable to take any time off due to his responsibilities. He went on to say that those three months they were together were the best he'd had in a long time. And after she returned to the mainland even missed her a little. When Steve finished reminiscing he checked his watch and noticed it had been over an hour since he began. Kiana hadn't moved at all since he started to talk to her. He let go of her hand and stood to stretch his legs. He went over to the window and watched the sky as it put on its daily red and orange light show as the sun began to set, another day was over. A nurse silently entered the room, checked the IV bottle and took Kiana's pulse, checked the oxygen flow noting the results in the chart then left as quietly as she came. Steve had loosened shirt collar and his tie while opting to leave the room lights off so Kiana could sleep without the imposing glare. Before too long there was a light knock on the door and Danny stepped inside carrying a large styrofoam cup filled with coffee from the cafeteria. "Here Steve, thought you might want this." He said quietly as he handed over the cup. "How's she doing?" "Thanks Danno." Steve said gratefully accepting the coffee and taking a sip. "Okay I guess. She's still out of it. Whatdaya got?" "We searched the car and the Catalina." Danny began, "We've found six boxes of heroin and some money. Half the boxes were already loaded on the plane, the rest were still in the trunk of their car. Apparently they had plans to fly off the island. We also found a briefcase in the hanger that contained the files of their operation and a drug kit." "How much money?" Steve asked as he sat down glancing over at the bed. "Preliminary count is about fifty thousand dollars in cash," Danny answered, "and twelve kilos of heroin." "What an escape plan." Steve sighed. "How far could they get in an airplane with an airspeed of less than two hundred miles per hour? The Coast Guard would have caught up with them easily. Where could they go?" "No one ever gave these guys points for being smart." Danny said with a small grin. "They must have kidnapped Miss Van Zandt to fly the plane for them." "Yeah, probably. I bet she turned them down too." Steve replied as he looked over at Kiana. "What about the hanger, you take care of that?" "Yeah, the lab boys are going over the inside of the hanger, besides the briefcase they're coming up empty." Danny answered. "Looks like the airfield wasn't their base of operations, just their escape point." "What about the office on McCully Street?" "Lab boys are just getting started there." Danny replied. "Looks promising though." "So case closed eh Danno?" "Yeah, I'd say so." "It's diabolical isn't it?" Steve said with introspect. "For someone to have such a complete disregard for human life that eliminating so many lives at one time so they could purposely kill uncounted more with drugs." Danny sensed that Steve was indeed mourning the deaths connected with the case. He knew well how passionate his boss was about looking out for the people of Hawaii, and this was no exception. "Are you going to be all right?" He asked. After a moment of reflection Steve replied. "Yeah Danno, I'll be okay." "Do you want me to stay in case you need leave to take care of anything?" Steve looked at the young detective leaning back in the chair. "Thanks Danno, but I think I'll stay. I want to be here in case she wakes up." "Sure Steve." Danny said consolingly. "If you need anything, just call." "Thanks Danno." Steve replied as he stood and placed his hand on his subordinate's shoulder. "I appreciate that. Now go home." "Okay Steve. Goodnight." He said and left. Steve settled back into the chair and watched Kiana as she slept. He recalled the pleasant memories of the dinners they shared as he sipped the coffee. It wasn't very often he'd sit in a hospital room with anyone, but it was different, this time, it was personal. His job didn't allow him the pleasure of many lady friends, but relished the ones he did manage to have. As the time wore on he began to doze off. He didn't know how much time had gone by when he heard a murmur come from the bed. Being a light sleeper he quickly awoke and glanced at his watch, it well past midnight. He leaned toward the bed and took Kiana's hand and caressed her head again. "Kiana? Can you hear me?" He said softly as he watched the subtle movements of her head and felt her fingers move slightly. Her eyelids fluttered and slightly opened. "Hey there." Steve said with a smile, as he looked at her half open eyes. The mental fog that Kiana found herself this time seemed worse than the one she experienced before. She saw what looked like a shadow near her and heard a voice call her name. Her whole body felt so heavy she couldn't move, but did manage to barely squeeze the hand that she felt on hers. "That's right kiddo." Steve said encouragingly as she weakly gripped his hand. "Hold on." With his other hand he pushed the call button. A moment later Doctor Ashford entered the room, a nurse trailing behind him. Ashford was encouraged that his patient was awake. He took Kiana's pulse then used his stethoscope ad listened to her breathing. Removing the device from his ears he looked at the Five-O chief and smiled. "Mr. McGarrett, I think she's going to make it. Her pulse is stronger and so are her respirations." "Thanks Doctor." Steve replied with relief and looked at Kiana. She was asleep again. "She'll most likely sleep the rest of the night and much of tomorrow." Ashford said. "Why don't you go home and get some rest yourself? You look like you need it just as much as she does." "Yeah, maybe your right." Steve replied as he wearily ran his hand over his hair. "It's been a long day." "I'll call if there is any change." Ashford offered as he made a motion to chase the Five-O chief out of the room. "Thanks Doc." Steve replied as he turned and tiredly opened the door and left. *** After three days Kiana was completely recovered from the near fatal overdose and was discharged from the hospital. She immediately drove to Dillingham Airfield to see the Catalina. She had been away from it for some time and wanted to reacquaint herself with it. As she drove up the road to the airfield she could see the big bird sitting there. The white paint glinted from the Hawaiian sun as she approached. What a beautiful sight she thought as she parked her car next to the aircraft; the big engines loomed from the high wings. She caught her breath as she slowly touched and caressed the aluminum fuselage as she walked around the entire aircraft. She couldn't believe she had forgotten about this old warbird the last few weeks. This aircraft had been her first love since her father had purchased it at an auction and set out to have it restored to flying condition. She stopped at the nose of the aircraft, the name Sea Nymph was painted on the nose of the aircraft in script over a figure of a woman wearing a long flowing gown, her arms outstretched like she was flying. As she stared at the artwork she began to miss her father, the plane had been their pet project before their falling out and her departure for the mainland. And has since been her only connection to him since his death. She walked down the side of the plane to the rear of the cabin and reached up to the fuselage and pushed the button releasing the stairway. As the red-carpeted steps lowered she couldn't help but gaze into the spacious interior. It always amazed her that the restoration made the cabin livable, unlike the bare necessities that were present during the aircraft's production run during World War II. When the steps were down she slowly ascended them relishing each step as she entered the cabin. The turquoise carpet and white seating ran the length of the compartment filled her eyes, the view from the blister windows had always amazed her, especially from ten thousand feet. She touched and looked at everything lovingly including the framed pictures of her family that hung on the bulkheads, only to stop when she saw the photo of her and Michael that had been returned by the police. She sat down and sighed staring at the picture. The face of Michael haunted her now. After a few moments she took the photo out of the frame. She paused briefly before ripping it in half and in half again tossing the fragments aside then stepped into the next compartment. The shiny stainless steel galley counters reflected her image as she gazed at them. Entering the cockpit she sat in the left-hand seat and surveyed the instrument panel. She ran her fingers over the control yoke then realized how much she had missed flying. Her fingers toyed with the switches on the instrument panel when she heard a faint voice coming from the radio headset that hung from the overhead. "Welcome back Kiana." Unaware that her arrival and entrance into the aircraft had been watched from the building down the field she put on the headset adjusting the microphone to her lips she nervously said. "Hello?" "Hi cutie." The voice said. The voice sounded familiar. She tried hard to place where she knew it from, then she remembered who it was. "Frankie! Is that you?" "No one else." He said cheerfully. "How you doing?" "Fine." She replied as she looked out the window at the building down the tarmac and waved at the figure inside. "Do you want to take her up?" Frankie asked. "You have the clearance if you do." "Thanks Frankie." She replied. "Not right now. I'm just reacquainting myself with the Nymph, it's been a while." "What better way to get reacquainted than to fly her." Came Frankie's response. Frankie could be right she thought as she slowly reached over and flipped the starter switches to start one of the big Pratt and Whitney engines. It whined first as the silver propeller slowly began to rotate, coughing to life it belched out a cloud of exhaust smoke and propeller began to spin rapidly. She closed her eyes listening as the engine as it settled into a smooth idle. She then reached for the other starter switches and flipped them on. Soon both twelve hundred horsepower engines were idling smoothly. The sound of the engines as the propellers beat the air was music to her ears. She looked up through the plexiglas canopy and watched the big propellers beat the air. She looked out the window and said. "You're right Frankie, this is better." "That's my girl." He said as he watched her through his binoculars. As she looked in Frankie's direction a black sedan entered her field of vision. She recognized the car. It belonged to Steve McGarrett. What's he doing here? She asked herself as the car approached the airplane and came to a stop. Steve stepped out his car and walked to the front of the vehicle and perched himself on the hood and admired the Catalina as well as its pilot. When Kiana saw he seemed to be waiting for something while watching her wearing that same goofy grin he did on their first date she shut down the engines. Over the last few days while she was recovering in the hospital she had remembered more about what she was doing with Julian Brazzo and more about that night on the yacht Lucky Lady. She and Steve talked at great length about that including the relationship they had. Smiling she got up and left the cockpit and exited the cabin down the stairs. Steve walked to the aft of the aircraft when he saw her get up from the cockpit and met her as she came down the stairs. Kiana stopped halfway down and squatted low enough that her head cleared the underside of the aircraft. "Hi Steve, it's good to see you." "And remember me too, I bet." He stated with a grin. "Good point." She answered with a smile. "I came out to see how you're doing." "As you can see, I'm doing pretty okay." She said with a smile as she made a broad gesture with her arms. "Don't kid me, I know you." Steve said as his grin faded. Kiana sighed and sat on the narrow steps. "I can't get anything past you can I." "How are you handling it now that you know about Michael Turner and what he did." He asked. "Steve, I don't remember much of what it was like with Michael," She began, "nor do I understand why he did what he did, probably never will. But I'm okay with it. Maybe this amnesia is a good thing after all." She shrugged. "How can I feel something for someone I hardly remember?" "What about his family?" Steve asked. "What are you going to tell them when you get back to the mainland? They knew you were coming here to get answers about his accident, they're going to want an answer." Kiana frowned and thought about what Steve had told her. The police killed Michael, only a few days ago. "I'll tell them that he died in that car wreck, just like the report said." She replied as she looked at him. "You're not going to tell them the truth?" "And tell them what he'd become? And what I did?" Kiana said as tears started to well in her eyes. "Steve I prostituted myself over the love I had for a man who tried to kill me, twice. Better for them to believe the lie than the truth. It would destroy them further if they knew how he really died." Slumping on the steps she sighed and tiredly ran her hand through her hair knowing what she had done was wrong. Steve stared at her for a long moment before he spoke. "Why didn't you could come to me, I could have helped you." "Help me?" She asked as she quickly wiped the tears away with her hand. "Steve I had thoughts of killing the person who killed Michael if his accident wasn't really an accident. It would be against your nature to help that way." "Kiana," Steve said as he leaned in close. "I'm a cop, and cops have ways of finding answers to the most impossible questions. You wouldn't have had to prostitute yourself." Handing her his handkerchief from his jacket pocket Kiana smiled and patted down her face and regrouped herself. "Are you through talking business?" "For now." He replied. "I have a confession to make." She said piquing the Five-O chief's interest. "I remember that you and I were an item before I did a real stupid thing and leave these beautiful islands, lured by the bright lights of the big city. "Oh really." Steve smiled. "As confining as I said these islands were, they are not as confining as being in a crowd of people all the time that you don't know, fussing over you all the time, saying that you're too this or too that." She admitted. "I've missed you." Steve smiled seeing what she leading up to. "Ah, I see. So you're saying that Hawaii isn't that bad after all?" "Well…" She said coyly as her smile returned and drew her finger slowly down his tie. "I know this great place over on Molokai where we can have dinner." "Dinner?" He replied and scanned the sky. The sun was still fairly high. "It's too early for dinner." He replied suspecting she wanted something and leaned on the handrail chain for the stairs and waited. "Oh yes, this place is very exclusive. It's by invitation only." She said thinking of her favorite getaway. An isolated cove on the windward side of the island where she anchors the Sea Nymph and swims in the cool water and sunbathes on its broad wings. "And where on Molokai is this place?" Steve inquired intrigued with her idea. "The Nymph can get us there in an hour." She continued avoiding his question. "And one other thing McGarrett…" she said as she wrapped her fingers around his tie. "And what's that?" He answered noticing what she was doing and watched her face. "There are no ties allowed." She replied. "Do you think Hawaii would be safe from criminals if you took some time off?" "Criminals don't take time off." Steve replied unable to suppress his smile. "Well, tell them to for me." She cooed. "Hawaii's top cop needs some R and R sometime. He can't work all the time." "Who says the criminals will listen to a cop, especially this one." "Well…. My father had a tactic in his business dealings that made people listen to him." "I'm not your father and I'm not in big business. Just a lowly cop." "Then I'll tell them. Then you could have dinner with me." Finding the temptation to great to argue further he said. "I could put Danno in charge." "Great idea." She smiled. "Just a minute." He said as he touched her nose with his finger and walked back to his car and picked up the radio mic and raised it to his lips. "Central Dispatch, patch me through to Danny Williams at Five-O headquarters." "Yes Steve." Danny said when he came on the line. "Danno, you've got the store. I'm taking a the rest of the day off." "What?" The surprise in his voice was well faked. "You take time off? I don't believe it." Steve could tell in the young detective's voice that he was enjoying this. "Yes Danno, I'm taking some time off." "I hope it's with Miss Van Zandt." Danny said. "If not she'll be real unhappy." "Don't worry Danno, Miss Van Zandt is quite happy about it." Steve smiled as he looked back at Kiana. "See you tomorrow." "Bye Steve. And have a good time!" Danny replied. Steve placed the mic on the dash of the Mercury, pulled off his floral tie and tossed it on the seat then walked back to the plane. When Kiana saw the tie come off her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't sure Steve would accept her invitation but all the signs said that he did. Getting up from the stairs she went inside the cabin. It wasn't but a few moments later Steve came up the stairs and entered the cabin only to stop her in the main cabin. He gazed at her face, touched her hair he brushed it away from her eyes remembering the first time he saw those eyes. Those dark pools were so inviting. He slowly traced his fingers along her face as he took in each and every lovely feature. "Hello pretty lady." He said as he tenderly caressed her face with both hands and leaned in and kissed her lightly on the mouth then after a short moment kissed her again. This time more deeply and embraced her tightly not until just this moment did he realize how much he missed this woman. All the feelings Kiana had before she left Hawaii came flooding back as if she never left rekindling her passion. The past four years just simply vanished like they never existed. When they parted she reached behind him and flipped the switch and the steps began to rise and locked into place. Not wanting to take her eyes off of Steve she slowly turned and headed for the cockpit. Strapping herself in she began to start the engines up again. Steve entered the cockpit and sat in the co-pilot seat as Kiana got the first engine running. When both engines were idling smoothly Kiana put on the radio headset and heard Frankie's voice. He had been watching her and jokingly said. "Now Kiana, you bring McGarrett back in one piece you hear me? The state needs him." Kiana looked over and smiled at her passenger who was fastening his seat belt. "Now Frankie, would I do such a thing?" "Yes you would Kiana Van Zandt." Teased Frankie. "You forget I know you." "You tell too many secrets." She said grinning. "Dimples eight two requesting clearance to taxi." Frankie suppressed a laugh and waved to her. "Dimples eight two, you are cleared to taxi." Kiana reached over her head and slowly pushed the throttles forward increasing the big engines rpm's and the old warbird lurched forward and she steered toward the runway. When the plane was in position she set the brakes and tuned the engines. "Dimples eight two ready to take off." "The runway is all yours Dimples eight two." Frankie replied. "Thanks Frankie, see you later." Kiana replied as she pushed the throttles forward almost to their stops and the Catalina rumbled down the runway. Nearly at the end of the runway the old plane lumbered into the air, the afternoon sun glinted off of its broad wings as it gained altitude and banked to the east on route to Molokai.

as so famous for.