Aloha, Gary Hobson
by TerriRuth

Disclaimer:  Early Edition and its characters and situations are the property of Sony/Tristar.  This fanfic is for entertainment purposes only; no infringement is intended and no profit is being made.  This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rated:  G

Spoiler:  Occasionally Amber

Summary:  An article in the paper sends Gary to Hawaii, but it's no vacation.

Author's note:  Since the Navy is moving us from Hawaii to my husband's next duty station, I thought it'd be fun to send Gary to Hawaii for a visit.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aloha, Gary Hobson
by TerriRuth

At McGinty's less than a week after Chuck and Jade's Wedding

Gary sat in the kitchen drinking his morning coffee while he leisurely flipped through the paper.  There didn't seem to be too much going on.  Maybe he'd get a break today and the cat had made himself scarce.  Marissa was already working in the office. He wondered how he'd ever get along without her.  Suddenly he stopped mid-sip as he noticed a small headline hidden between some sales ads.  'Chicago newlyweds injured by rogue wave.' What the heck?  He read out loud.

"Chicago newlyweds were injured by a wave yesterday afternoon below the shoreline at the Makapu'u lighthouse.  A Honolulu Fire Department helicopter airlifted the couple to an area near Sea Life Park, and then they were taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center.  According to witnesses, Charles and Jade Fishman were apparently checking out the tidal pool area when a rogue wave came in and hit them.  Mr. Fishman suffered a broken arm while his wife sustained a neck injury..."

"Marissa!"  Gary yelled as he slipped off the stool and walked to the office.

"What's the matter?"  Marissa asked with some concern as Gary walked in.

"Did you know Chuck and Jade were going to be in Hawaii for their honeymoon?"  Gary asked.

"I think Jade might have mentioned something.  Why?"  Marissa replied.

"Because they're in the paper.  Injured by a rogue wave.  Broken arm for Chuck and a hurt neck for Jade."

"Oh, dear.  You have to do something."  Marissa told him. "Do you know which hotel they're staying at?"

"No.  She didn't say.  Can't you call information?  Get the police on the phone?"

"And tell them what?  Two people are going to be injured..."

Gary stopped and looked at the article again, "Near the Makapu'u lighthouse?"

"Yes."  Marissa said matter-of-factly.

"They'll think I'm making a crank call."  Gary warned her.

"From Chicago?"  Marissa asked.

"That makes it worse.  They'll probably call the police here and report me."

"You have to try something.  I know.  Go there."

"To Hawaii?  I'm not going to Hawaii."

"Gary, the paper must want you to go."

"Why?"

"I don't know why, but there's got to be a reason it would run a story about some tourists being injured, some tourists named Fishman.  Let me call a couple of airlines, see if they can get you on a flight this morning."

"You know how expensive that's going to be?"

"So."

"So?  So it's going to be a lot.  Not to mention it's probably a ten hour flight."

"Gary, go pack."

***********

Marissa had gotten him a flight at 9:00 a.m.  He'd only been able to throw in a change of underclothes with his shaving kit. That was okay; he was only going to be there a day.  With the time change, the flight would get him into Honolulu at 1:00 p.m. Hawaii time.  The article said the injuries occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m.  He'd take a taxi from the airport directly to Waimanalo where the tidal pools were located.  Stop Chuck and Jade and then get back to Chicago.  Simple.

"Mahalo."  The flight attendant said to Gary as he slowly shuffled off the plane with the rest of the 400 people on his flight.  He'd tried to sleep but couldn't.

"Say what?"  Gary asked.  He didn't understand what she'd said.

"Mahalo.  It's thank you in Hawaiian."  The flight attendant told him.

"Oh, right.  Mahalo."  Gary said.  He was mildly amused. Earlier the flight attendant had asked him if he was 'finished' with his meal tray by asking if he was 'pau'.

The crowd was moving too slowly for Gary's purposes.  He maneuvered around a family of four and three elderly ladies in matching straw hats.  He was slowed again by the professional greeters with leis for the deplaning tourists.  Outside of the terminal he noticed the Wiki-Wiki shuttle bus parked for service to baggage claim.  He stopped to ask the driver where he could get a taxi.

"You need to go to baggage claim?"  The driver asked in his Hawaiian accent.

"No, I need a taxi."  Gary said.

"You got to go to baggage claim, then out for taxi."

"I can walk there, can't I?  I don't have time to wait for this thing to fill up."

"Yeah, just follow those signs."

"Mahalo." Gary replied.  He walked quickly down the sidewalk dodging the other tourists on their way to baggage claim.  He took the escalator two steps at a time and gave the amnesty bin a quick glance.  No, he didn't have any fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds or dirt on him.  He'd had to fill out a form stating as much before the plane landed in Honolulu.  He raced past the luggage carousels and out to the street.  Several taxis were waiting and he grabbed the first one.

"Where you going?"  The cabbie asked.  Gary had the article memorized now and said, "Waimanalo.  The Makapu'u  lighthouse." Gary looked at the palm trees and suddenly realized he was sweating profusely.  He stripped off his black leather jacket and then his flannel shirt.  His gray t-shirt was already sticking to him.  He hadn't thought about how hot it was going to be.  He asked the cabbie, "You think you could turn up the air conditioning?"

"Not used to this nice weather, yeah?  So where you from?"  The cabbie asked.

"Chicago."

"Oh, cold, yeah?"  The cabbie said.

"Yeah."  Gary replied.

***********
Honolulu Next Morning

Gary heard a thump and meow.  He had to be dreaming.  Sleepily he looked at the clock on the hotel nightstand, 6:30 a.m.  It couldn't be, could it?  Throwing off the sheets, he stumbled over to the door and opened it.  Sure enough, there sat the cat on the Chicago Sun-Times.

Half surprised and half annoyed he bent over to pick up the paper.  The cat darted into the room making a b-line for the bed.  "Can't I even get one day of vacation?" Gary asked as he pulled the door closed.  He walked over to the bed and stared down at the cat and continued, "I hear a luau is not to be missed.  You wouldn't be planning on going to one, would you? Because I think ya gotta make reservations."  The cat settled into the twisted sheets giving Gary a meow in reply.  Gary shook out the paper and noticed sand sprinkling to the carpet.  "For Pete's sake.  At least you're on Hawaiian time."

Gary started leafing through the paper.  He stopped at the Metro Section.  Crumb's picture appeared with the caption, 'Local Private Eye missing at sea.'  Gary started reading to himself.

'Marion Crumb, a retired Chicago police detective and Private Eye, was reported missing along with friend Peter Matsumoto, a retired Honolulu policeman.  Mr. Matsumoto's fishing vessel, Tina's Ring, failed to return to the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor after a one-day excursion.  The two men were last seen leaving the harbor aboard Tina's Ring at approximately 8:30 a.m. yesterday. The boat is registered to Mr. Matsumoto and...'

"Crumb?"  Gary asked as he gave the cat a disapproving look. "Who's going to show up next in Hawaii, my parents?"  The cat didn't answer him.

Gary sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the phone to call Marissa.  It was already 11:30 a.m. in Chicago.

"Marissa, it's me."

"Gary.  Did you find Chuck and Jade?"

"I found them.  They're fine.  They're flying to the Big Island this morning."

"Good, I was getting worried.  I thought you'd call before now."

"Well, when we got back to the hotel, they wanted to see the Don Ho Show over at the Waikiki Beachcomber."

"Don Who?"  Marissa didn't know what Gary was talking about.

"You know, tiny bubbles in the wine.  Don Ho."

"No, I don't think I know that one."  Marissa answered.

"Anyway, by the time I was able to call it would have been two o'clock in the morning for you."

"So when's the flight back?"

"It's not."

"The paper is there?"

How did she know that?  He answered, "It's here.  Along with the cat."

"Interesting."  Marissa mused out loud.

"You want to know what else is interesting?  Crumb's in the paper."

"Crumb?"  That was interesting Marissa thought.

"He get's lost at sea."  Gary told her.

"Crumb's in Hawaii?"

"Apparently.  I've got to get down to the yacht harbor."

"Okay.  Good luck.  By the way, what hotel are you at?"

"Hilton Hawaiian Village."  Gary answered.

As an afterthought Marissa added, "Don't forget sunscreen."

"Thanks.  I'll call you later when I get some flight information."
 

Down in the hotel lobby

"Good Morning, may I help you?"  The desk clerk asked Gary sweetly.  She was part Hawaiian and part Filipino.  Gary read her nametag, Lani.  "I'm going to need to stay another night, Lani.  Will that be a problem?"  Gary asked as he glanced around the lobby.  Gary did a double take at the sight of an 80-year old woman strolling by in a black bikini.  People were walking around in various states of undress, and what they did have on for clothes was certainly colorful.

"Your name?"  Lani asked.

"Gary Hobson, room..."

"Just a moment please."  Lani said as she punched a few keys on the computer's keyboard.  "I see you're paid up for the week. Did you want to change that?"

"Paid for the week?"  There was a hint of confusion in Gary's voice.

"Yes, a Mr. Fishman made the arrangements.  Did you want to change that?"

"No. No.  That'll be fine."  Leave it to Chuck he thought.  "How hard is it to get a taxi around here?  I need to get to the….."His voice trailed off, he wasn't quite sure how to pronounce the name.  He placed the paper on the counter and pointed to the name of the harbor.

"All-ah-why.  That's how that's pronounced."  Lani said.

"All-ah-why." Gary repeated.

"It's not hard to get to."  Lani said.  "You could walk it, but a taxi would be faster."

"Thank you."  Gary said.
 

At Ala Wai Yacht Harbor

"Do you know which slip Tina's Ring is in?"  Gary asked.

The big Hawaiian pointed down toward the end of the dock. "It's the third row, yeah?  Can't miss it."  The Hawaiian told him.

"Mahalo."  Gary called back as he ran down the dock.  Sure enough, the Hawaiian was right, there she was.  Gary could hear the boat's engine running.

"Crumb!  Crumb!"  Gary called out as his eyes searched the surrounding area.  Crumb emerged from the starboard side of the boat.  He made his way along the boat's edge and jumped a bit clumsily into the stern.  Decked out in a loud Hawaiian print shirt, black knee-length shorts, and flip-flops, Crumb stood looking with disbelief at Gary and said, "Hobson!?"

Gary suppressed a laugh but he couldn't stop the huge grin that was spreading over his face.

"It's called an aloha shirt."  Crumb replied to Gary's obvious amusement.

"Is that what they're called?"  Gary's question was rhetorical. He grinned again, only this time he was thinking about his dad who wore those shirts.

Crumb spoke in an annoyed tone, "Do I even want to know what you're doing here?"

"Who's your friend?"  Pete Matsumoto was asking as he came out the door to the cabin.

"He's no friend.  He's a nut case." Crumb answered.

Gary's grin disappeared and he turned serious.  "Crumb, this boat is going to get lost at sea."

"Lost at sea?"  Crumb asked incredulously.

"That's right."  Gary said.

"Hobson, go home."  Crumb said.  He was definitely annoyed.

"Don't worry, this is a very sound vessel.  I've been sailing round this island my whole life.  We won't get lost."  Pete said as he gestured toward Crumb to untie the lines.

"Crumb!"  Gary yelled.

"Aloha Hobson."  Crumb said with finality in his voice.  Gary's mouth opened to protest, but Crumb held up a free hand to stop him saying, "Aloha also means good-bye."  With that, Crumb turned his back on Gary, finished untying the lines, and followed Pete into the cabin to the wheel.

Gary pulled the paper from his back pocket and flipped to the Metro Section.  The headline hadn't disappeared.  The boat was starting to pull away and Gary decided he had to be on that boat.  Putting the paper back into his pocket, he took a quick hop, skip and jump.  Gary's less than graceful half gainer caused him to hit the deck of Tina's Ring spread eagle.  His chin slammed hard against the fiberglass deck and he bit the left side of his tongue.
 

Later that day on Tina's Ring

"How about a beer Gary?"  Pete said as he handed him an open bottle.

"Thanks."  Gary said, grateful for Pete's hospitality.  He took a long pull on the beer bottle and gazed across the water at  Diamond Head.  Introductions had been made while Pete applied antiseptic and a band-aid to his scraped up chin.  Gary worked his jaw; it was going to be sore.  With his free hand, he felt the band-aid on his chin and winced.  His tongue felt swollen. He squinted against the glare of the sun and it's reflection off the ocean.  The sky above them was clear and he could feel his forehead starting to fry.  His nose was probably already burned. As if he had been reading his mind, Crumb handed Gary a tube of sun block.  "Here, use some of this."  They were the first words Crumb had said to Gary since his less than Olympic effort. Gary took it without comment.  He set his beer down and opened the tube.  He squirted the lotion into his hands and rubbed them together.  He 'washed' his face and then rubbed his arms with the sun block.

"Don't forget your ears."  Pete called out from his position by the cooler.

When Gary had finished applying the sun block, Crumb said,  "You know you're certifiable."

"I think you've mentioned that before."  Gary said.

"Pray tell, what are you doing in Honolulu?"

"I'm on vacation."

"That's a good one."

"I can take a vacation."

"Since when?"  Crumb asked.

Gary gave Crumb a look of resignation and took another pull on his beer.  Crumb was sitting next to him holding a fishing pole over the side of the boat.  Periodically he'd pull up on it reeling in a bit of line.  After a few minutes of silence Gary spoke.  "You want to know the truth?"

"That'd be a nice change."  Crumb said looking up from the reel to meet Gary in the eye.  They stared at each other a moment and Gary started to speak when Pete cut in with, "Anyone want a sandwich?"  He was holding out a sandwich and biting into another one.  Neither Crumb nor Gary moved.

"I'm waiting."  Crumb said impatiently.

After a long pause, Gary replied, "Never mind.  You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Probably not.  Would it make any more sense than anything else you've told me?"  Crumb said.

"No."  Gary said.  He took his eyes off Crumb and squinted at Diamond Head again.  After another long pause Crumb spoke.

"Look kid, I don't dislike you.  I don't understand you.  Let's just leave things the way they are.  Only with me seeing less of you."

"Fine by me."  Gary agreed.

"You two going to eat any lunch?"  Pete asked.  His sandwich was almost gone and he was eyeing the whole one in his hand.

"I'll take a sandwich."  Gary said holding his hand out.  Pete was the prefect host.  He even gave Gary a napkin.  Crumb's interest was directed at the reel again.  Gary settled lower into the deck chair and put his feet up on the railing.  All the energy in his body seemed to be draining way.  Gary took a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a swig of beer.  He couldn't remember the last time he'd slowed down, just sat with nowhere to go.  He took another bite of sandwich and another drink of beer.  The view was spectacular, the weather gorgeous.  He could just barely make out the tourists lying on the beach.   Waikiki's skyscraper hotels were a stark contrast to the old style light pink stucco of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.  The deep green hills beyond the city were partially shrouded in dark gray clouds. The present company may not be the best, but at least Crumb wasn't chewing him out for the moment, and Pete seemed like a pretty decent guy.  Maybe he could take a vacation.

"Hey, I've got something."  Crumb said as he straightened up in his chair.  Gary took his feet off the railing and leaned forward to look at the line that disappeared into the blue green water.

"Don't give it too much line."  Pete said as he moved from the cooler to Crumb's right side.  Crumb continued to reel in line. He'd pull back on the rod and then lean forward again reeling in more line.

"Whatever it is, it's not trying to run away."  Crumb said.

"Don't let'm fool you."  Pete coaxed.

"It's big, whatever it is."  Crumb said.  He shot Gary a sideways glance.  Whatever was hung on the line wasn't a fish. He could tell that much from the ease at which he was reeling it in.  There wasn't any tension, not like a fish anyway.  He was getting suspicious and a cold chill suddenly swept over him even though he'd starting perspiring from the exertion.  He gave Gary another sideways glance.

"What?"  Gary asked.  Now he was feeling a chill.  The look Crumb gave him made him nervous.
 

Later that afternoon back at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor

"First you give me a lost at sea story and now it's a John Doe story?"  Crumb was asking as he eyed Gary with renewed suspension.  "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?"

"No, why would I?"  Gary asked.  He was watching Pete who was talking to one of the plain-clothed policemen who'd joined them on the pier.  The coroner's vehicle was driving away through the small crowd that had gathered.

"You show up, in of all places, in Honolulu.  I pull up a dead body.  Don't tell me you don't know anything."  Crumb's voice was rising in pitch.

"I don't!"  Gary protested.  "You think I enjoy this?  I almost lost my lunch."

"Just let the Honolulu police do their job."  Crumb admonished him.

"Listen Crumb.  As soon as I can get a flight, I'm outta here."

"The sooner, the better."  Crumb said.

"Believe me, I hope sooner."  Gary assured him.

"Where are you staying?"  Crumb asked.

"I thought you wanted to see less of me?"

"I don't trust you Hobson.  Where can I get a hold of you?"

"The Hilton Hawaiian Village."  Gary answered reluctantly.

"Oooh, swank."  Crumb said as he rolled his eyes.

"Well, Chuck's paying for it."

"Fishman?  What's he got to do with you being in Honolulu? Don't tell me, I don't want to know."
 

That evening same day

Crumb was staring out over a beautiful view of Honolulu.  Pete's condo was centrally located and almost on the top floor of the building.  Even as Crumb stared at the view, he couldn't enjoy it.  He and Pete had talked on the way home about the poor guy they'd fished out of the water.  Both agreed it had been a bit unsettling, but they didn't want to dwell on it.  After all, Crumb had come all this way to try and have a vacation.

"Hey Pete."

"Yeah."  Pete called from out in the kitchen.

"You still know someone at the department?"

Pete walked out into the living room holding a plate containing two fresh 'ahi steaks. "Sure.  Why?"  He said.

"You think you could call and get whatever information they might have on that John Doe?"

"It's a little soon, but the coroner might have a cause of death."

"Other than drowning?"  Crumb said sarcastically.

"What's eating you?  I thought you came to Hawaii to get away."

"Oh, it's Hobson."  Crumb said as he sighed heavily.

"You think he's involved?"

"Not exactly, but he's not leaving Hawaii, not yet anyway."

"Zeke, have a beer.  Relax.  This 'ahi is fresh.  You're gonna love it."  Pete said on his way out to the lanai to start grilling the steaks.

"What's 'ahi again?"  Crumb called after him.

"Tuna."  Pete called back.  "Yellowfin tuna."

**********
The next morning at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

Gary stood looking at his reflection and the fresh bandage he'd placed on his hurt chin.  The closet doors in his hotel room were mirrors and gave him a full-length view.  He'd purchased an aloha shirt last night in one of the myriad of shops on the ground level of the hotel.  The gray t-shirt he'd been wearing the first day was shot and his other t-shirt had taken on an unpleasant odor.  The colorful shirt didn't look half bad with his jeans and sneakers.  Wait!  What was he thinking?  "When did I turn into my dad?"  He asked his reflection.  He adjusted the collar and tugged at the hem.  He made a mental note to himself. Ask his mom next time she was on the phone, what age dad had been when he started sporting tacky aloha shirts?  If she said 35, he'd have to shoot himself.  It was 6:30 a.m. and Gary had already been up for an hour.  The local news on TV had given the surf report again and was now showing the results of Sumo wrestling.  Gary stared mesmerized for a moment at the spectacle of two very large Japanese men trying to push each other out of a circle on the mat.  He took a final look at his new shirt and picked up the sun block from the nightstand.  He'd decided to purchase some of his own in one of the seemingly hundreds of ABC Stores that dotted Waikiki.  He glanced at his watch, "Come on cat.  Are you going to show up or not?"

Meow....thump.  Gary walked to the door and opened it.  The cat darted in while he retrieved the paper.  "I hope you're getting frequent flier miles."  He called after the cat in an annoyed tone.  Gary furiously flipped through the paper looking for whatever it was that was keeping him on Oahu.  "What is it this time?  Chuck falls into a volcano?  Gets carried away by lava flow?"  The cat made no reply.
 

At Pete's condo

Crumb was trying to enjoy the view this morning.  He sat on the lanai and looked out over the city.  The dark clouds that had hung on the mountains yesterday had moved over the water.  Even with the dark clouds hiding the sun, the air was warm and humid. He took a sip of coffee.  His mind started reliving yesterday afternoon's events.  Hobson showing up here was troubling to him.  Every time that kid shows up disaster follows in his wake. According to the coroner, the body had been in the water less than a week.  The fish had started in on it and he could understand why Hobson may have gotten a bit nauseous when they pulled it into the boat.  He'd seen enough in his day that one more decomposing body wasn't going to faze him.  Hobson, now he fazed him.  He knew he couldn't enjoy his vacation until Hobson was safely stowed on a plane headed back to Chicago, preferably in the baggage compartment.  He drained the coffee from his cup and got up to refill it in the kitchen.  Pete was standing at the stove, looking like he was going to start breakfast, but instead of frying eggs he was contemplating the spatula.

"What's wrong?"  Crumb asked as he took the pot off the coffee maker and refilled his cup.

"You know they ID'd the body already."  Pete said.

"You told me that last night.  Some real estate investor named... what was it?  Keith Nakamura?"

"I've been wondering where I'd heard that name before, and not just reading about his missing in the paper."  Pete said.  He had a worried look on his face.  He put the spatula down and turned to rest against the counter.

"You know something about this murder?"  Crumb asked.  The cause of death was a blow to the head and then the body had been dumped.  Pete's friend at the police station had given them the information last night.  The local morning paper probably had a story on it already.

"I have an old friend from high school, Jerry Sasaki.  He borrowed my boat last week.  Said he wanted to take some clients out on it.  I remember him talking once about his investing money with some guy.  I think he said the guy's name was Nakamura."

"Whoa.  Did you tell the police this?"  Crumb asked.

"No.  I hadn't made the connection until this morning.  Doesn't mean he's involved.  It just looks like it might be suspicious. Could mean nothing.  I'm sure Nakamura had lots of associates. Besides, what would be the motive, money?  Jerry was probably investing with this guy along with a lot of other people."

"You're right.  Could mean nothing, but the police should at least check it out."  Crumb reminded him.

"Yeah.. I'd like to go to my boat first though.  See if there's anything.  Then I'll call them."
 

Back at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

Gary hadn't found anything in the Chicago Sun-Times that was going to keep him in Hawaii.  He'd phoned the airlines and had gotten on a flight back that night, but it wasn't direct.  His flight left at 10:00 p.m. with a connection through Los Angeles. He'd enjoyed a nice breakfast in the hotel's restaurant.  Now he sat by the pool sipping coffee.  A few tourists were already oiling themselves up to get a tan.  He wondered why they'd be lying at the pool when the beach was 50 yards away.  The hotel had more than one pool too.  He'd noticed a sign that stated alcohol wasn't allowed on the beach, maybe that was why.  He gave a quick shudder at the thought of drinking a Mai Tai at eight in the morning.  An elderly gentleman was taking short laps while his wife looked on.  He pulled out the paper again just to make sure nothing had changed.

"Not again."  He said out loud.

A restaurant hostess had walked over to him with a fresh pot of coffee in hand.  "Sir?"  The hostess wasn't sure what Gary had meant by his comment.  "More coffee?" She asked.

"Coffee?"  Gary questioned.  His mind was already fixed on the new picture of Crumb that now appeared in the paper with the same previous caption, 'Local Private Eye missing at sea.'  "No, thanks."  He jumped up and walked quickly to the outside lobby to catch a cab.
 

At the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor

"This boat's clean, Pete.  If something did happen, there's no evidence I can see."  Crumb said.  He stood up stiffly from his crouching position after he finished examining the paint on the railing.

"Yeah, it's clean.  I didn't really expect to find anything. Guess I was letting my imagination run away with the possibilities.  There's no way Jerry'd be involved in something like that."  Pete said.

"Something like what?"  Jerry asked.  He'd walked up on Crumb and Pete while they had their backs turned away from the dock.

"Jerry!"  Pete shouted a little too loudly.  Pete wasn't the best at hiding his emotions.  He'd been thinking some pretty bad thoughts about Jerry and now he felt guilty.  "I'd like you to meet an old friend Marion Crumb."

Crumb walked over to the rear of the boat and reached out his right hand to shake Jerry's hand.  "Zeke."  Crumb said.  "Nice to meet you.  We were just talking about you.  You borrowed Pete's boat last week?"

Pete tried not to change his expression, but inside he was cringing and it showed.  Why was Crumb baiting this guy?

"I read the paper this morning.  You found Nakamura.  Didn't think it'd take you long to put two and two together."  Jerry's voice had turned menacing.

"Maybe you'd better not say anything until you've talked to a lawyer."  Crumb cautioned him.

"I am a lawyer."  Jerry replied as he stepped into the boat. His hand reached behind his back and he pulled out a small black revolver.  Crumb and Pete both raised their hands.

"You sure you want to do this?"  Crumb asked.  He was looking for some way to distract Jerry.

"What do you think?" Jerry replied.

"Jerry, I never figured you for a murderer."  Pete said. "What's this about?  Money?"

"Isn't it always?  Keith duped his investors out of millions. I didn't kill him I just dumped the body.  I never figured someone would find him, least of all you."  Jerry said as he gestured toward Pete.

"It's not too late to turn yourself in.  Cooperate?  Cut a deal?"  Crumb said as he looked down the end of the dock. Wasn't this about the time Hobson should be making his entrance?

"Too late for that.  Let's go."  Jerry said.

"Where?"  Pete asked.  He looked in the direction Crumb had been looking.  He wondered what Crumb was expecting.

"Out."  Jerry answered.  "Now move."  Jerry motioned to Pete to start the engine.  "You."  Jerry next motioned to Crumb to untie the lines.

"If you're going to shoot me, do it now.  Because I don't plan on doing anything to help this little trip along."  Crumb told him.

"I'm not going to shoot you.  I'm going to let nature take care of things.  Two old buddies out fishing, drink a little too much beer, run out of fuel, radio's dead, boat sinks.  It happens." Jerry said with a shrug.

"You got someone picking you up?"  Crumb asked.

"That's right."  Jerry answered above the engine noise.  "Now untie the lines.  Because I will shoot you if necessary."

Crumb started doing as Jerry had instructed.  He was on the last line when he looked up to see Hobson running toward them.  Crumb glanced around the area where he stood looking for anything to help disarm Jerry.  He shook his head no, hoping Hobson would see him and quit the charge.

"What are you doing?"  Jerry asked.  "Into the cabin, let's join our mutual friend."

"Okay, okay."  Crumb said.  He knew Hobson was going to put a wrinkle in things.

Gary had seen Crumb and the man holding a gun on him.  He stopped short and darted between boats.  He had told the cabbie to call 911.  The cabbie made a fuss; he wanted to know what he was supposed to be reporting.  Gary had made up some story about a drug deal.  He hoped the cabbie had made the call.  Gary looked around for anything that might help him.

Crumb had to be pushed into the cabin with the point of Jerry's gun.  Pete was at the wheel but he wasn't making preparations to pull out.  Jerry noticed the exchange of looks between Crumb and Pete.  "Whatever you're planning, just forget it."  Jerry warned them.

"Hey!"  Gary yelled.  He was at the cabin door holding an oar and he jabbed at Jerry hoping to give Crumb and Pete an opportunity to get the gun.

"Who're you?"  Jerry asked surprised as he turned the gun on Gary.

"I'm the nut case."  Gary told him.  Gary continued to jab at Jerry with the oar.

This was the opportunity they needed.  Crumb grabbed Jerry's arm and Pete ripped the gun from his hand.  "Down on the deck!" Pete yelled at Jerry.

Jerry knelt down and with a look of defeat placed his hands on the back of his head.  "I'm just not cut out to be a killer." Jerry said.  He hoped he'd get some slack on this deal if he turned in the real killers.  Just then the sound of police sirens could be heard.

***********

"He's a regular McGarrett."  The police officer commented as he pointed at Gary.  "How'd you know?"  The officer asked him.

Jerry was handcuffed and being led to the police car by another Honolulu officer.

"I'd love to hear this one."  Crumb said.  Gary thought Crumb was going to drill a hole through him from the way he was staring at him.

"I....well...I...I didn't."  Gary stammered.

"You won't get a straight answer from this guy."  Crumb said.

"How'd you know to come down here?"  Pete asked.

"How'd I know to come down here?  How'd I know?  Gary stammered again.  "Well, I...figured you guys were going to go fishing again since you didn't catch anything yesterday and I thought I'd join you."

"And call the police at the same time?"  Pete asked.

"Pete, don't bother."  Crumb said as he patted Pete on the back. He chuckled to himself and gave Gary a wink.  Gary laughed out loud and decided maybe he and Crumb had come to some kind of an understanding.
 

Later that same day back at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

Gary thanked the cabbie.  It was the same one who'd come through and called the police when he'd asked him to.  Gary tried to pay him, but the cabbie refused.  "It's on me brah."  The cabbie told him.  As Gary walked toward the counter to check out, he spied a site that made his blood run cold.  There at the check- in were none other than Lois and Bernie Hobson.  Bernie was checking out a bikini-clad woman when his eyes came in direct contact with Gary.  "Gary!"  Bernie shouted.

Gary wanted to bolt and find a place to hide but his mom had already turned to see him standing there in all his aloha shirt glory.  Gary gulped in air and breathed out, "Oh boy."

Email the author: Torquay@aol.com
 
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