I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Notes: seriously. thank you for reading and reviewing! ;-) I even managed a bunny reference (sort of for the astute reader).

Chapter 32 - Epilogue

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As with many high-profile cases, there were times when the cunning schemers and deceptive connivers made themselves known. These crooked opportunists could be anyone from a bottom-dwelling runner thrice removed from the main cartel, or even a more prestigious middle-weight criminal just biding his or her time to make their own industrious move completely at the expense of those whom were now out of the picture. As the authorities cleaned up, others took their places to take their own chance for criminalistic fame and fortune. Like sharks scenting blood in the water, it was their chance for a solid fifteen minutes in the limelight. If they were lucky, they could parlay that chance well beyond a fleeting moment and into something much greater.

Juan Marquis was one such individual. Originally a scrawny, unassuming lower-end runner, he had appeared to be content with his lowly station. No one saw him coming as he slowly climbed the ranks and then one day, his name was simply on Five-0's radar and they were stumbling over themselves trying to find out where exactly he had come from.

This latest thorn in the authorities' side had a growing entourage and was doing well for himself as the cartel broke up and became more splintered. What came with his unlikely success though was a great deal of attention: with the infighting, not all was considered to be good. Various rumors on the street indicated that Marquis seemed to be ignorant of some of these potential threats which could soon challenge his newly acquired throne. Mocked behind his back by some for being too short-sighted, others were in line just waiting for the right person brazen enough to gut the rising star and end his short reign.

It was Danny who thought, while there could be some truth to the infighting, the situation regarding Juan Marquis' rumored ignorance could possibly be more contrived than anyone realized.

The anonymous call came into Five-0 Headquarters late on a Tuesday morning. Demand on the streets was higher than ever for glow and despite his proposed lack of polish and business acumen, the truth was that the unlikely Marquis had become a major player. One day, he had what seemed like a better than decent toe-hold in the rise of what could be a powerful new faction. The tip came when the team was anxious for a break in the never-ending case. Kono took the call and immediately tried for a trace expecting and then confirming that it was being made from a burner.

"Juan Marquis." The voice was mechanically robotic. "I know you want Marquis. There are plans for a major deal. This week."

None of them were ignorant to the potential for prank calls or the proverbial dead-end. However, the call had a foundation of sorts because other parts of their investigative work indicated that a tête–à–tête was being planned soon between Marquis and an as yet, unidentified wealthy overseas connection.

"What's your proof?" Kono demanded. "We hear things like this all day; every day."

"I will be sending you something. A thumb drive." The caller was brief although the information which he then left Kono was specific and very concise. The time and date of the meet was confirmed for that coming Thursday at a construction site for a new hotel. Kono was advised to expect the delivery of the thumb drive with additional images, names of associates, and useful details critical to substantiate their case against Marquis. With a sharp laugh, the caller hung up when she asked what was in it for him.

That same day, the thumb drive was left oddly at Kamekona's shrimp truck sometime during his most busiest of lunch hours. Finding the small object left in an a thankfully clean and empty paper shrimp boat, Kamekona hadn't seen a soul. The note left with it and the drive itself were both untraceable; but as the anonymous informant said, the drive did contain the depth of data promised.

"We take this one seriously." Steve confirmed eighteen hours later once additional intelligence revealed the accuracy and apparent legitimacy of the pending meet's players, the date and the time. Five-0 knew that they were merely trading one current problem for another future issue which may or may not be just as big, or even larger. But they would take what they could if it kept even some of the terrible drug off the streets in its many forms.

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"This was too easy." The complaint came from Danny after their much coordinated sting operation done with the assistance of H.P.D. SWAT and other hand-picked H.P.D. personnel. Of which, Officer Moore was also in attendance.

"Did you want to run around a little bit more, Danny? We could let one or two go again just for kicks." Grinning from ear to ear, Chin taunted him about the few criminals they'd literally had to chase or cut off from attempted points of escape. While somewhat out of breath from a few minor attempts, there were blessedly no injuries, casualties or single toe stubbed in the well-orchestrated operation. Their one major disappointment though was that Juan Marquis was not actually in attendance.

"Ha, ha. Very funny." Danny smirked as he stowed his weapon and turned before jogging over to help his partner. "This proves my point that something else is going on and that this was some sort of ploy. I'm not sure why or how yet, but it feels totally wrong. That anonymous tip was a carrot."

Chin made a face as they cleared the scene. "Could be. But we didn't do too badly all things considered."

"Exactly!" Waving his hand at the corralled group of drug dealers, Danny claimed that made his point. "We didn't do too badly considering who was here, but we didn't get our main target .. Marquis was stuck under our very noses like a carrot."

Instead, they had the man's clear second in command and younger brother, Alvaro. Chin and Kono were now flanking Steve and Danny who had the younger Marquis brother between them. Steve had one hand around the man's bound wrist with the other fisting his shirt as if he held him by the scruff of his very thick neck. The younger brother was the antithesis of his elder brother in every way. Where Juan was more preppy, slender and tall, Alvaro looked like a heavy-weight boxer with the meaty neck and hands to prove it. Built like an ox, the man was undeniably strong.

"He set me up!" Alvaro was straining stupidly against the tightly applied zip-ties and nearly swinging off his own feet as Steve and Danny thrust him forward. "I trusted him and my own damned brother set me up!"

Interested by the emotional outpouring of angry words, Chin raised his eyebrows towards Kono who was also beginning to smile. "I wonder if this is the game Danny meant." Chin remarked softly. It made the owner of the anonymous tips and thumb drive an even greater interesting unknown. It would be equally interesting to learn why Alvaro believed Juan would so willing set him up only to be captured by the authorities.

"There is definitely some very interesting chatter going on." She remarked softly. Nodding towards their catch, Kono elaborated just a bit more with what she had overheard.

"It seems as if Alvaro here was vying for Juan's position. Most of these people work for him and not Juan." She voiced what they were now all thinking because the possibility of familial infighting. While they would get more because Alvaro would have good intelligence, if Juan had indeed setup his own brother for a fall to get him out of the way, the older Marquis was not as daft as originally rumored.

"Is that so? Looks like big brother got you first." Steve smirked at their suspect, receiving a suddenly very ugly look in response. That one look completely negated Alvaro's earlier defensive words about trusting his brother because his goals were of the same ilk.

Over his shoulder, Danny glanced at the cousins before giving the bigger Marquis a warning shake when slightly resisted getting into the SUV for transport. "One was the carrot. But this one; this one's found himself falling down the rabbit-hole."

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Danny was silent as they returned to headquarters. One part of his brain was crunching through his belief that Alvaro Marquis had become the expendable offering by his much wiser older brother, Juan. If their anonymous caller had actually been Juan Marquis, the man should be applauded for his wily plans at having his foes essentially handed over to the authorities on a silver platter. One call, one tip and all of his 'problems' had evaporated without having so much as lifted his own skinny finger. It was brilliant in its simplicity.

However, the other side of Danny's mind was much more emotional. He was analyzing himself quietly and testing his mettle for the first real interrogation since Pete Larson had been brought in. His checklist was almost amusing as he took mental stock of his calm breathing, steady hand and level head. Squinting unconsciously, he made a face as he tried to summon something potentially very negative and failed.

The four entered the building as always, only parting ways for Steve and Danny to escort Alvaro Marquis to interrogation. Continuing in his pensive tests, Danny remained almost mute until Alvaro refused to move forward just a few feet from the interrogation room door.

"What's your problem? Get going." Danny ordered as he tried to propel the now resistant suspect the rest of the way down the hall. Rocking in place, Alvaro dug in though and shook his head in annoyance.

"No way. I want my lawyer. It's my right." The demand was a rough growl, to match the man's sheer size and breadth of muscular chest. Steve was instantly antagonistic with a voice that mimicked Alvaro's timbre.

"That would be a definite answer of no." Steve replied as he resumed his former hold on the man's neck. "We have a few things to discuss with you first. One on one, so to speak." Angry, Alvaro stiffened in anger but didn't put up a direct fight as Steve and Danny both pushed him forward.

Up until that moment, Steve's step was firm but it hid an anxiety as Danny quieted more from the hotel construction site back to their offices. Circumspect glances told Steve nothing about Danny's mood. So he toyed with insisting that they all manage the interrogation as a team, or that Danny even sit it out entirely.

Having more than two in interrogation was actually a reasonable suggestion in many ways because the man was so intimidating in his sheer size. His growing hostility in the corridor provided Steve with reason for that very request. However, the professional and emotional slap in the face to his best friend and partner would be monumental, so Steve kept the thoughts and suggestions to himself. He trusted Danny to say something or to make some sort of sign indicating he needed a change; however, neither had yet happened. Slightly uncertain, Steve did pause just outside the room, once again digging his fingers into Alvaro's muscular arms and neck as the man squirmed in his anger.

"I would cooperate if I were you." Steve warned the man. But standing just behind Alvaro, Steve was gazing openly at Danny with a sudden need for reassurance.

Only Danny could see Steve's questioning expression and even if anyone else did, it was much too subtle and broadcasting a message that only Danny would comprehend. The silent reply automatically made Steve relax for Danny only mockingly rolled his eyes as he strode forward to open the door to interrogation with a grand kingly gesture. Lights were on and Danny was already in the stark room by the time Alvaro was seated and latched firmly in place.

Then, before Steve could do more, Danny was slamming the door solidly closed causing an echo in the barren, minimalistic concrete room. His confident smirk and candid wave to the camera in the far upper corner was distinctly done for both cousins' benefit. The lively flourish resulted in a disgusted muffled curse from Alvaro who didn't understand the comic grandstanding. Steve could imagine the laughter upstairs as the two watched from the main office area because he too, had begun to smile.

"Have at it, partner." Arms folded, Danny bounced on his toes with the happiest of sardonic leers. Tapping his watch, Danny spread his arms wide with a content chuckle while Steve's smile deepened. "What are you waiting for?"

Alvaro Marquis might as well have not existed for the special shared look between the two friends. With a grin wider than he could possibly have imagined, Steve playfully punched Danny's arm before turning his gaze back to Marquis. In an instant the warmly appeased look in Steve's eyes was gone. In its stead was a brooding danger that didn't bode well for Juan Marquis' former second in command.

"Now. We begin. My way." Steve stated almost too calmly as compared to his darkly controlled expression. The smug smile grew on Danny's face as Alvaro Marquis glanced first to him before nervously studying the SEAL who now leaned so threateningly over where he sat.

~ END ~