No Rest for the Wicked | | E. Buckley

1

Nicknamed the "Gathering Place," Oahu is the most visited Hawaiian Island. A perfect slice of paradise, it's best known for its state capital of Honolulu, historic Pearl Harbor, North Shore surfing mecca, and world-famous Waikiki Beach. Honolulu is the largest city in the state of Hawaiʻi and is also home to the State Capitol. Honolulu, which means sheltered harbor or protected bay, is believed to have been founded as early as 2,000 years ago. It is the largest city in Hawaii.

The beautiful building where headquarters are located in historic downtown Honolulu.  Outside the front entrance stands the majestic statue of King Kamehameha. The glass doors and desks on the inside are unused.

Waimea Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches located on the island of Oahu. Waimea has also known all over the world for its gigantic winter waves. The bay is like a lake during the summer months, however, in the winter months Waimea Bay can be very dangerous with waves sometimes reaching thirty feet high.

Although in this case the beach is known for disaster.

Walking across the beach a man with slicked-back blonde hair is currently in an argument with his partner. His partner standing just below 6'1", taller than the other man argues back. His hair was chocolate brown and his eyes emerald green.

You would think with their constant bickering they'd be an old married couple.

"Oh come on, I'm not that bad!"

The blonde man stops walking straightening up. His glare could burn holes into the man's skull. "That bad? Steve, you ran through three red lights and skidded through a stop sign acting like Vin Diesel in Fast and the Furious."

Steve smiles innocently, "you're still alive, aren't you?"

"Barely," he grumbles as he walks on, "I don't feel like having a heart attack before Grace graduates, okay? You got that?"

He rolls his eyes coming up on the crime scene. "Listen, Danno, if you wanted to drive, all you had to do was ask."

Danny gives him an incredulous look waving his arms in the air. "I did! You stole the keys from me! And if you have a brain in the big head of yours to remember... THAT'S MY CAR!"

"I think you're being a bit dramatic." He stops a think Hawaiian woman walking his way. Sunglasses fall over her eyes as the wind sweeps through her hair. Her badge rests on her belt. "Kono, what do we got?"

The woman sighs peering down at the dead man in front of him as the men do. "We're not sure yet. A male in, his early thirties, was found by a couple of tourists walking around the area. This beach is pretty secluded, not surprised nobody found him sooner."

"Any ID?" Danny asks.

She shakes her head with pinched lips. "Nothing on the body. In fact, there's nothing in the body indicating who he is. We found a slip of paper in his pocket, otherwise nothing."

Coming to her side a darker male with black shirt hair. "Still no ID. Tani is running the paper, it looked like it had two LA addresses on it. Grover is waiting for the prints to come back and Chin is interviewing the ones who found him."

"I don't get it," Danny starts folding his arms tightly over his chess, "sucks for the dead guy but why are we here?"

Kono reaches into her back pocket pulling out a small evidence bag. "This was folded in the paper, it seems legit to me."

She hands it off to Steve who stares at it in awe. The metal shifts in his hand as look it over. "Purple Heart. Wow."

"Yeah, whoever this guy is he's military."

He nods, "you guys stay here, finish up. Make sure Max checks him out properly. If he got the Purple Heart then he's something." He looks down at the body observing how the body is laid out in from of them. "Has anybody moved him?"

"No," the darker man, Junior, says, "we've been waiting for Max to arrive."

Steve shrugs, "his face is torn apart, it looks almost burned."

"That's what we thought. I don't know what could have done that much damage. Face ID will not work but we're hoping when his fingerprints get back we'll be able to check dental records," Kono tells him.

"Good. We're going to head back to HQ and wait for the results. Tell the others when you see them meet us back there."

"You got it, boss."

The two head back to headquarters as Danny still complains despite being able to drive his Camaro. As they walk in they come into contact with Tani.

Steve ignores Danny's rants and focuses on Tani. With a subtle nod, they greet each other. "Anything?"

Tani gives her head a shake. "Only thing we have are the addresses on paper. I ran them while I was waiting for you to come back. They are the locations of the LAPD S.W.A.T team and the LAFD Fire Department, specifically the 118."

His brows knit together familiar with the names. Danny asks, "why would some guy have addresses to those places in Los Angeles? Trying to contact someone?"

"I don't know, but we'll find out."

"Guys!" They spun around from the screen seeing Grover and Chin stride up to them.

"What'd you got?"

Grover hands him a file. "The prints came back. They belong to a Nathan Ross. He's a former SEAL just like you, commander."

His face pales at the name. Flipping open the file he sees his name. "Is Max back yet?"

"Yeah but he hasn't—"

He doesn't give him a chance to finish his sentence as he's running for the door. Skipping the elevator he runs down the flights of steps till he hits autopsy. By the time he arrives, he's panting.

Max turns to him about to slice open his chest. "Commander wasn't expecting you for a couple of hours."

"Max, I need you to check his jaw. Has he had jaw surgery within the last couple of years? Left side."

He puts down his scalpel silently agreeing to his request. Adjusting the man's head he opens the scarred mouth. He hums, "yes it appears he does. Does that... help you?"

Steve stares at the lifeless body laying on the slab of metal. He inches closer to the naked body looking over the tattoos that litter his body. A curious burn on the back of his arm raises his suspicions. He looks to Max who gives a nod of approval. Steve raises his body ever so slightly to see the back. His jaw tightens seeing burned flesh.

"I — uh, I gotta make a call. Thanks, Max."

He walks out fast looking at the floor. Siding to take the stairs again he pulls out his phone dialing a number. He leans against the wall closing his eyes. "Sir, we might have a problem."