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Traw has allowed me to post another story of hers. This story was originally posted to ff.net.
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Dangerous Liaisons
Taking a sip of his drink, Danny Williams casually glanced around the bar. The man he was looking for had not yet arrived
and Dan felt a little uneasy. The weight of the small .22 he had tucked under his shirt gave him a small sense of security.
He had also driven the company LTD to the meet, giving himself access to backup up if things went sour. He knew Steve was
not going to be happy about not being informed of what was happening but there just hadn’t been enough time.
Sammy had insisted that Danny met him here alone and that time was of the essence. He had sounded frightened and hinted that
he was in some sort of trouble, but refused to say anymore over the phone. Whatever information Sammy had, Danny knew it would
be important as Sammy was his most reliable snitch and had never let him down yet.
Finally the door opened and a small, thin, shabbily dressed man entered the bar. He stood near the door for a moment, his
eyes darting around searching for someone in the dim, smoked filled room. Locating the person he was searching for, the man
scurried across the room and slid onto the seat beside the young, sandy haired detective. Danny ordered another drink for
himself and one for Sammy from the bartender who had immediately approached at Sammy’s arrival. When the man moved away
to fill the order, Danny turned and asked, “O.K. What have you got for me?”
Sammy eyed the bartender as he placed the drinks down and waited for the man to leave before taking a large swig of the drink
that had just been placed in front of him. Glancing around nervously, Sammy said, “It’s big, Mr. Williams, real
big pilikia1”
“How big?” Dan asked, casually taking a sip of his drink, masking the signs of adrenaline that was beginning to
surge through his body.
“I overheard them talking, they didn’t know I was there until it was too late but I managed to get away!”
“Who did you overhear? What were they talking about?” Dan asked impatiently, fearing that Sammy was going to get
drunk before giving him the information.
“The President,” Sammy whispered timorously, “They’re planning to assassinate the President when he
visits Oahu!”
Dan stared at the man in disbelief, uncertain if he had heard the little man’s words correctly. “Did you say the
President? President Nixon?”
Sammy nodded slowly, his hand shaking as he lifted the glass to his lips and swallowed the rest of the drink.
“When? Who?” The words tumbled out as fast as Danny tried to process all he was told. Police training kicked in
and he drew a deep breath to settle himself. Lowering his voice and quickly glancing around to see if anyone was watching
them, but finding nothing amiss, Danny continued, “Who is planning to assassinate the President?”
Biting his bottom lip in fear, the older man fearfully looked around before he leaned closer to Dan and whispered. “Wong,
Charlie Wong.”
“Wong? Charley Wong?” Danny repeated the name surprised that the small time mobster and racketeering boss would
be involved in such a plot. Wong had been a thorn in both HPD and Five-O’s side for the last few months trying in his
attempts to extort several small business for protection money but so far none of the owners were willing to lay charges.
“Do you know how? When?”
“Hey, I’m not saying anymore not until I get a guarantee of protection from Five O. That’s the deal!”
Sammy snapped anxiously, “Without it I’m a walking dead man. You guarantee me protection or else you get nothing!”
“Okay, Okay, I’ll talk to McGarrett about giving you Five O protection, Sammy, but he’s going to want to
know everything you know, so you better be playing it straight with me.”
“I am, Mr. Williams, I am.”
Dan nodded, “I hope so, Sammy.” Glancing around again, Danny gently touched Sammy’s arm, “O.K, let’s
get out of here, my car’s in the parking lot. I’ll contact McGarrett and have him meet us at the Palace.”
Sammy nodded and watched Dan throw some notes onto the bar before he rose from his seat and followed Danny out of the door.
Guiding Sammy towards the sedan, Danny was acutely aware of the three men quickly approaching them from the shadows. Urging
Sammy to hurry to the safety of the car, Danny positioned himself between Sammy and the men as he reached for his gun and
spun to face the men as they rushed him. As Dan brought the gun around, his arm was struck with a blackjack, the gun dropping
from his grip as the bones in his arm snapped under the impact. Crying out in pain, Danny instinctively grabbed his injured
arm, as he stumbled towards the men, shouting to Sammy to run. A heavy blow to the back of his head sent an excruciating explosion
of agony through his head before he tumbled to the ground unconscious. He did not feel the viscous kicks or punches that rained
down upon his body as he lay on the ground.
Terrified by the horrific attack being inflicted upon the man he had believed would be able to protect him; Sammy froze uncertain
of what to do. He stood for a moment watching in shock, before turning and running towards the safety of the shadows. His
escape was blocked abruptly as he was grabbed roughly from behind and with his arms painfully twisted up behind his back,
was forced to turn to face the largest of the attackers. He whimpered quietly as he stared into the man’s insane face,
cringing as the man smiled, revealing rotten teeth. ”So Sammy, you thought the Great Five O could protect you, hey?”
Sammy attempted to pull back as the man leaned in menacingly close, his fetid breathe caused Sammy to gag as he continued,”
I’m sure Mr. Wong would like to know what you told Five O.”
“I didn’t tell him anything, Mr. Owens, I swear I didn’t!” Sammy whimpered as he tried desperately
to pull free of the other man’s grip.
“Well, we’ll let you tell that to Mr. Wong won’t we? I’m sure he’ll believe everything you say!
Get him in the car!” The man sneered as he roughly pushed the old vagrant into the arms of his partner.
“What about the cop?” The third man asked looking down at the motionless figure on the ground.
“I’ll take care of him.” Owens grinned evilly as he walked over to the prone man and kicked him over onto
his back. Reaching down, he began to search through Danny’s pockets, removing his wallet and police I.D folder. Opening
the wallet, he removed the money and credit cards before dropping the wallet back down onto his victim and counting the cash.
“80 bucks!” he hissed angrily, kicking the unconscious man hard in the ribs, “A lousy 80 bucks! Hardly worth
my time to rob you, Pig!” Slipping the money, cards and I.D. into his pocket, Owens lent down and picked up the gun
that had fallen from Danny’s hand, “Aloha Williams enjoy Piggy Heaven!” Owens said, laughing as he aimed
the gun at the downed man and squeezed the trigger. Williams’ body jerked with the impact of the bullet and then was
still.
A woman’s terrified screams from somewhere near the bar startled Owens. He turned and fired the gun towards the ear
splitting scream before fleeing back to the safety of the waiting car. Jumping into the front seat, he yelled, “Let’s
get out of here!” The car’s tires squealed on the slick pavement before they gained traction and the car sped
out onto the quiet streets of Honolulu.
Hearing the sounds of squealing tires on the slick, wet pavement, Paul Wilmott rose from the ground where he had thrown himself
and his screaming wife. He watched as the small dark colored car swerved out of the parking lot and disappeared into the darkness
of the narrow street. The smell of gunpowder hung heavily in the air and he cautioned his wife to stay down as he carefully
looked around.
“Be careful Paul,” implored the frightened woman. He nodded silently to her, before he slowly crept out of the
shadows. On the ground near a dark sedan, he saw the crumpled figure of the man he had seen attacked. Looking around to assure
himself that the area was safe, he approached the downed man and knelt down, pressing his fingers against the man’s
cool neck as he desperately tried to find any signs of life. It took him a few seconds to realize that the faint thump against
his fingertips was the pulse he sought and not movement caused by his own trembling fingers.
Quickly removing the handkerchief from his pocket, he pressed it against the bleeding wound in the young man’s chest
before he glanced back up at his wife who stood anxiously watching a few feet away. “He’s alive. We need an ambulance!”
His wife give a small nod before she turned and ran to the bar and he returned his attention to the man on the ground, muttering
soft reassurances to the unconscious man as he desperately listened for the sounds of approaching sirens that would announce
that help was on its way.
------
Charlie Wong sat behind a large oak desk and studied the trembling man who had been dragged in front before him. “You
know I’m very disappointed in you, Sammy. I thought you had been raised with better manners then you have displayed
tonight. Did your parent’s neglect to teach you that eavesdropping was impolite?”
“I didn’t tell Williams anything, Mr. Wong, I swear I didn’t!” Sammy sniveled as he fearfully watched
the man behind the desk
Frowning with exaggerated disappointment, Wong rose from his seat and sauntered around to where Sammy stood surrounded by
the three thugs who had escorted him here. “Well Sammy, I’m afraid that you have placed me in a most difficult
dilemma. You see, I would like to believe you when you say that you didn’t tell Williams what you so unfortunately overheard
but in light of your rude behavior, I find that I am unable to trust you!”
“I swear Mr. Wong, I’m telling you the truth!” The little man pleaded, glancing towards the three thugs
desperately in the hopes of confirmation but the three men remained mute ignoring the plea.
“I’m sorry Sammy but I just don’t believe you are.” Wong sneered viciously before he turned his back
and loudly instructed. “You know what to do, get rid of him.” Ignoring the sounds of Sammy pleading and struggling
as he was dragged away, Wong added, “Owens, I would like you to remain, please.”
Owens stood quietly as Wong eased himself back into the chair, studying the nervous thug. “This cop, Williams, I hope
you have taken care of him.”
“Yes Sir, I made it look like a mugging. He was dead when we left.” Owens quickly reassured his boss.
“And you’re certain that he contacted no one after he spoke to Sammy?” Wong pressed watching the thug’s
reactions carefully.
“I’m positive Sir, he spoke to Sammy at the bar and then they left.” Owens answered emphatically, “The
cop didn’t have time to talk to nobody else!”
“Good. Good. You can leave now. That will be all.” Wong watched as Owens nodded and left before approaching the
man in the next room.
“Are you positive he can be trusted?”
“Positive!” Wong answered. “He wouldn’t dare lie to me!”
“I hope for you sake that you are correct, Comrade. We have our orders from Peking and I do not intend to fail!”
the fat Chinese spy murmured as he gently stroked his mustache.
------
Steve groaned as he rolled over and picked up the phone before the third ring. “McGarrett,” he answered, running
a hand over his face in an attempt to wipe the remnants of remaining sleep from his mind.
“Steve, its Duke. I’m down in the parking lot of The Tropical Whispers Bar in Waikiki. There’s been a violent
mugging here.”
“What does that have to do with Five-O, Duke?” Steve demanded, annoyed that an experienced HPD officer had interrupted
his sleep over a mugging. “HPD should be able to handle it!”
“Steve,” Duke’s voice dropped as he struggled to think of an easier way to break the news to the often stern
boss of Hawaii Five-O. Drawing a deep breath, Duke rushed on, “Steve, the victim is Danny.”
“Danno?” asked Steve, his voice rising as the feeling of dread tightened his chest, “How bad?”
“He’s being taken to Queen’s Hospital. It doesn’t look good Steve. I think you should get over there.”
Duke answered softly as he watched the ambulance pull away, its lights flashing as the sirens echoed through the silent streets.
“I’m on my way Duke. Contact Chin and Ben.”
“Already have Steve! Chin’s on his way to the hospital in the ambulance with Danny and” he was interrupted
by a car rocking to a stop nearby and a tall Polynesian man jumping out and sprinting towards him, “Ben’s just
arrived. Che and the lab boys are here too.”
“Good, good, Duke,” Steve said, as he attempted to dress while keeping a tight grip on the phone, “Keep
me informed!”
--------
Exploding through the doors of Queen’s Hospital Emergency Department doors with the speed and ferocity of a hurricane,
Steve charged towards the admissions desk intent on finding his injured detective. “McGarrett, Hawaii Five-O,”
he barked at the young Asian nurse, who sat behind the desk, “I understand that one of my detectives, Danny Williams
has been admitted here a short time ago. Which room is he in?”
The nurse quickly scanned the clipboard on the desk in front of her, before looking up into the blue piercing eyes of the
tall, dark haired man who stood impatiently waiting for her reply. “Dan Williams, gunshot victim. He was admitted to
ER 1 about ten minutes ago. The doctors are examining him now. If you...” McGarrett turned and ran towards the room,
leaving the stunned woman to call out, “Hey, you can’t go in there!”
Ignoring the nurse, Steve headed for the Emergency Room, his pathway blocked temporarily by a technician who attempted to
stop his charge but McGarrett merely shoved the man aside. He wouldn’t allow any interference as he sought his objective.
Hearing the commotion just outside the ER waiting room, Chin Ho jumped from his seat and ran out in time to witness his boss’s
near maniacal charge through the ER Department. “Steve!” Chin shouted trying to divert Steve’s attention
as the head detective reached the closed door of the ER room. Steve hesitated a moment in response to his name being called,
before pushing open the door.
The sight of the bloodied figure on the gurney stopped him cold. Even from the doorway he could hear Danny’s gurgled
respirations as he fought for each shallow breath. Blood trickled from beneath the oxygen mask snaking its way down Danny’s
cheek in a steady stream. Bruises covered his swollen face. The young detective was virtually surrounded by the hard working
medical team and equipment. .
Standing just inside the room, Steve watched in stunned shock as the side of Danny’s bloodied chest was wiped clean
with solution and a plastic tube was swiftly inserted into his chest cavity. “Danno?” The quiet, anguished whisper
escaped Steve’s lips as he unconsciously stepped toward the gurney.
Doc Bergman looked up from securing the chest tube into place. “Not now Steve! Someone get him out of here, now!”
The brusque tone of his shout left no doubt that his command was not to be argued with. His own heart mirrored the anguish
so evident on McGarrett’s face but he was also acutely aware that any precious seconds lost could literally cost the
life of the young man he was fighting to save.
“Steve, let the doctors do their job.” Chin softly but firmly admonished the distraught man gently as he grabbed
his boss by the shoulders in an attempt to lead him from the room.
Startled by Chin’s touch, Steve glared over his shoulder at the older, portly detective, before angrily shrugging out
of Chin’s firm grip. “Leave me alone!” he snarled as he continued his forward momentum towards the gurney.
The medical staffs’ attention was diverted briefly towards the commotion but refocused quickly back to their patient
as a nurse hurried to help intervene.
“Steve! No!” The no- nonsense tone of Chin’s voice caused Steve to pause long enough for Chin to reach him
again. “Steve, you have to let the doctors do their work. Danny needs their full attention now and they aren’t
able to give it if you’re in the way.”
All the fight dissipated within Steve as he stared at the prone body on the gurney. He did not notice the nurse’s approach
until she lightly touched his arm.
”Please Mr. McGarrett...Mr. Williams is in the best hands. We will take care of him but I do need you to wait outside
for the moment.” She said quietly as she helped Chin guide him to the door. “I promise, I will be out with his
belongings soon and the doctors will give you an update of his condition as soon as they are able.”
Steve nodded woodenly allowing himself to be led out of the room. He heard the nurse again try to reassure him that the doctors
would give him an update when they could before she turned and re-entered the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Leaning back against the wall, he closed his eyes, trying to control the uncontrollable trembling that now shock his body.
He felt sick and dizzy as the adrenaline rush that had fuelled his behavior since Duke’s phone call, left him. He had
hoped that this was just a bad dream or Duke had been mistaken of the seriousness of Danny’s injuries. The reality of
the situation threatened to overwhelm him. He swallowed a sob that caught in his throat as a single thought continually replayed
itself like a broken record in his mind ‘Danno’s dying and there’s nothing I can do about it!’
Chin stood warily watching him, uncertain if the boss would attempt another dash into the ER or if Steve’s impulsive
actions had passed. His chest tightened in empathy as Steve collapsed almost as if defeated against the wall. The normally
strong, stoic facade that the lead detective of Five-O presented to the world was crumbling and Chin easily read the strong
emotions of fear and hopelessness in his friend’s face.
“It could be a while before the doctors can tell us anything Steve.” Chin said quietly. “How about we grab
a coffee in the waiting room?”
Nodding slowly in agreement, Steve pushed himself away from the wall and followed Chin Ho across the corridor into the small
hospital waiting room.
-------
Ben Kokua sighed deeply as he studied the lighting in the parking lot. From where he stood, he had an uninterrupted view of
where the attack had taken place. The only witnesses to the assault, a married couple who called 911 and given Danny first
aid until help arrived, insisted that it had been to dark to see the attacker well enough to give any real sort of description.
Ben sighed again. The parking lot lighting was dim but he was still able to identify Che and the HPD officer standing near
Danny’s LTD. He could understand the couple being frightened after the attacker had fired a gun at them but didn’t
they realize the attacker knew he had left witnesses; their own safety was now in jeopardy.
Che glanced up at Duke after examining the area where Danny had fallen. “Danny’s wallet is empty, no cash, no
cards but I think we have a good chance of lifting the mugger’s fingerprints from it if he didn’t wear gloves.”
“I hope so, Che. Who ever did this is vicious! We need to him off the streets before he can do this again!” Duke
stared down at the pool of blood at his feet. “The witnesses said Danny was shot as he lay on the ground. He didn’t
have a chance.”
---------
It had been just over an hour since the nurse had bought in Danno’s blood stained clothes and gun holster. Staring at
the clothes and empty holster, he quickly snapped his attention back to the young nurse. “Excuse Nurse...” He
quickly glanced down at her nametag before he continued, “Nurse Peck, is this all of Mr. Williams’ belongings?”
She nodded, “That’s all his clothing and the belongings that he was carrying. There was no wallet or any other
ID found in his possession. Mr. Williams has been taken into surgery. Dr. Bergman instructed me to inform you that both Dr.
Killen and he will speak to you after the surgery.”
“Dr. Killen?”
“Dr. Killen is our hospital’s finest Thoracic Surgeon. Mr. Williams could not be in better hands. Now if you Gentlemen
will excuse me.” She turned to leave the room.
Reaching out and gently grabbing her arm, Steve stopped her exit. As she turned back towards him, he asked, “Please,
can you tell me how Danny is doing? How seriously is he injured?”
She cast a sideward glance towards Chin before returning her attention to this man whom so obviously cared for the injured
man. “I’m sorry,” she answered, “all I can tell you is Mr. Williams’ condition is presently
listed as extremely critical. As for his injuries, I’m afraid you will need to discuss that with the attending doctors.
Excuse me but I really must go.”
“Thank you!” Steve said softly and he stood watching as the door slowly closed after she left the room.
After the nurse left, Steve questioned Chin over the whereabouts of the .22 gun that the holster usually held but the detective
was uncertain if the gun had been retained by HPD at the scene. For the first time since the initial phone call from Duke,
Steve received his first report of the attack from Chin. The initial investigation indicated that Danny resisted during a
mugging and was shot by the assailant, who had then shot at witnesses before fleeing in a car.
McGarrett’s gut instinct screamed at him that this was far more than a mugging turned sour. He had to admit that Danno’s
temper, when pushed into a corner was explosive. That and his resistance could possibly be the catalyze that turned a violent
mugging into a shooting. It was a theory he rejected. Danny was too good a cop not to know the risks of resisting a mugging.
If this was indeed more than a mugging, then Danno could still be in danger from the unknown assailant.
After instructing Chin to get Danno’s belongings over to the lab for Che and then to oversee the progress of the investigation;
Steve finally turned walked to the nurse’s desk. After apologizing to the young nurse for his earlier behavior, he requested
the use of a phone for official police business. Appeased by his apology, she offered him the use of the phone at her desk,
before leaving for a moment to allow him to make the call in privacy. Contacting the desk sergeant at HPD, McGarrett arranged
a police guard to be placed on Danny after his surgery.
--------
Ben spoke quietly to the bartender who remembered serving Danny in the bar. The man informed him that Danny appeared to have
been waiting for a man who arrived a few minutes after Danny’s arrival. He believed they had left the bar together not
long after. The bartender proved more helpful than the two witnesses, giving a detailed description of the man Danny had met.
He was now accompanying a HPD officer back to HPD to look through mug shots.
Duke slowly approached the tall Five-O detective. “We’re getting names, addresses and statements from everyone
in the bar, Ben. Most of the customers saw or noticed nothing unusual but hopefully someone may have noticed something.”
“Thanks Duke,” Ben said quietly as the two men walked slowly out of the smoke filled bar. Pausing at the door,
Ben stared angrily at the parking lot that now seemed crowded with police, lab techs and curious spectators. “I don’t
understand what Danny was doing here Duke. He was exhausted when he left the office tonight. I suggested that we go for a
couple of drinks to unwind but he decided he just wanted to go home to sleep. It just doesn’t make sense!”
Duke lightly patted the younger man on the back. “That is something only Danny can tell us, Bruddah. Until he is able
to, how about we concentrate on finding who did this to him and why.” Ben nodded and walked with the Hawaiian HPD sergeant
over to where Danny’s LTD was parked.
Both men silently watched as Chin eased the Five-O company car into the parking lot and slowly emerged. He stood for a moment
observing the scene before he walked slowly towards them. “How’s Danny?” Ben inquired anxiously as Chin
reached the two men.
Chin shook his head sadly, “Not good. They had just taken him into the OR when I left. Steve’s taking it hard.”
The other two men nodded in silent agreement. Although the normally aloof boss regarded his entire small group of detectives
as ohana, a deeper, brotherly relationship had developed between him and the youngest member of the team. It hurt Steve deeply
to see any one of his men injured in anyway but the four men knew such a brutal and senseless attack on Danny would be tearing
him apart.
Returning their attention back to the investigation, Chin asked if anyone had recovered Danny’s gun. Receiving a negative
response to his question, Chin instructed a grid search be carried out for the missing weapon. After being brought up to date
with the investigation, Chin placed the scene investigation and clean up into Duke’s capable hands. He then accompanied
Ben to meet the witnesses and escort them back to the Palace for a formal interview and statement.
-----
Grimacing at the taste of the syrup tentatively called coffee; Steve McGarrett paced back and forth in the small room. Although
Chin had left, he was not alone in the room. A young man dressed in a dark, conservative suit occupied on of the other chairs
in the room. Casting a quick glance as he paced by, he contemplated briefly if the young man was in the military or involved
in a government position, his clean-cut features and crossly cropped hair were indicative of both types of jobs. His waiting
room companion seemed to be also waiting for word about a patient being treated in the busy emergency rooms.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Steve waited for word on his injured detective. Phone calls and personal updates by his
detectives to help keep him on top of the investigation were grateful distractions from the agonizing monotony of waiting.
His young waiting room companion occasionally glanced up from the magazine he held and watched the anxious pacing of the lead
detective, before returning his attention back to his magazine. Neither man spoke a word as each anxiously waited for word
on patients being treated in the Emergency Unit.
After an agonizing wait of four hours, the waiting room door finally opened, admitting an exhausted Doctor Bergman, accompanied
by a young but serious looking doctor whom Steve assumed was the Thoracic Surgeon the nurse had mentioned. Before Steve was
able to ask the one question he so desperately wanted an answer for, Doc made brief introductions before suggesting moving
to a more private room to talk.
The small doctor’s office they entered was located near the recovery room where Danny now lay, as the three men settled
into seats facing each other, Steve asked, “How’s Danno?”
“Steve, Danny’s condition is critical. The bullet tore his left lung and caused it to collapse. We were able to
repair the damage but we encountered serious complications during the surgery.” Doc began to explain.
“Complications? What type of complications?” Steve asked quietly, his chest tightening in anticipation of what
could only be bad news.
“Mr. Williams was shot at extremely close range with what appears to be a .22 calibre bullet.” the Thoracic Surgeon
continued with the explanation, “Although the bullet missed his heart, the shock waves it produced caused Mr. Williams
to suffer a cardiac tamponade.”
“Cardiac tamponade?” Steve asked, “English Doctor?”
“The heart is surrounded by a sac which holds a small amount of fluid to help lubricate the heart as it beats, Steve.
This sac is called the pericardial sac.” Doc began to explain, “If the heart is damaged or bruised, it may begin
to bleed into the sac. Unfortunately as the blood builds up in the sac, it begins to squeeze the heart muscle causing the
heart to lose the ability to beat efficiently. If too much pressure is built up the heart is no longer able to beat. Although
the bullet missed Danny’s heart, the shock waves it caused severely bruised his heart and caused it to bleed.”
Seeing Steve pale as the seriousness of the situation was explained, Doc hurried to reassure him. “We were able to drain
the blood from the pericardial sac, but we have sedated Danny and placed him on a ventilator to allow his heart to rest and
heal.”
Steve allowed himself a breath of relief as Doctor Bergman glanced at the surgeon before continuing. ”There’s
more Steve,” he said quietly,
“There was also extreme blood loss that has compromised Danny’s condition as well as the injuries he suffered
during the beating.”
“How serious are the other injuries?” Steve asked softly, bracing himself for more bad news.
“Extremely serious. Danny also has suffered a concussion from a blow to the back of his head, which required stitching,
several broken ribs which could make him prone to pneumonia if we’re not careful and severe internal bruising to several
organs which we will need to monitor for any internal bleeding which may occur. Also, Danny’s right arm is fractured
in two places, probably caused by a blow similar to the head injury. We set the arm in surgery.”
Doc paused a moment to allow Steve to digest the information he had just been given and to ask any questions but Steve remained
silent. “I’ve sent the bullet we removed over to Che, Steve, but I think he will confirm it’s from a .22.
By the angle of the bullet and the damage it caused, I believe Danny was shot as he lay on the ground unconscious from the
blow to the head.”
Steve nodded slowly, Doc’s words helping to confirm his suspicions that this was more than a mugging.
“Danny is being settled into the ICU Steve. As I have told you, he will not be awake while on the ventilator but I’ll
take you to his room.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
“Have you any questions Mr. McGarrett?” the surgeon, asked. At Steve’s negative shake of his head, he turned
to Doc; “I’ll be up in a little while to check on Mr. Williams,.” Turning to McGarrett, he accepted the
handshake offered, “Please feel free to ask me any questions at any time, Mr. McGarrett, I understand that you are listed
as Mr. Williams’s next of kin.”
“I am and thank you, Doctor, for all you has done for Danny.”
The surgeon smiled and gave a nod of acknowledgement as the three men walked to the door before parting company, Steve and
Doc heading to the ICU and the surgeon back to the ER.
-------
As the surgeon passed the waiting room, the young man who had waited in the waiting room stopped him. The two men spoke quietly
for a minute before the surgeon continued on his way back to the ER and the young man walked over to the public phone located
near the waiting room. Glancing around to check that nobody would over hear his conversation, he dialled a memorized number.
He waited a moment before speaking softly to the person on the other end. “Williams has just been bought out of surgery.
I’ve spoken to the surgeon who says he’s in critical condition... No we can’t talk to him today. They plan
to keep him sedated for at least 24 hours... The cops think it was a mugging... OK, I’ll be back soon.” Hanging
up, the man cast a last look around before wandering out of the ER.
------
Owens angrily screwed up the morning paper, cursing the headlines that blazed the news he had not expected to read; - FIVE
– O DETECTIVE CRITICALLY INJURED IN VIOLENT MUGGING.
He turned and savagely kicked the chair he had just vacated; causing it to shatter as it smashed against the wall.
‘What’s wrong?’” asked his companion, terrified of the violence Owens displayed when something didn’t
go his way.
“That Pig, Williams is still alive! Those bloody do-gooders that interfered last night apparently saved his life after
we left!”
‘So, what are you going to do? If Mr. Wong finds out, he’ll have a fit.”
Owens swung round and grabbed the smaller man by the throat, lifting him off his feet. “What am I going to do? Is that
what you asked, you Idiot! What am I going to do?” He threw the man to the ground before leaning down and snarling an
answer, “I’m going to make sure that that Pig will never talk to anyone and then I’m going to take care
of some unfinished business with those do-gooders. That’s what I’m going to do!” Giving the downed man a
sharp kick, Owens turned and stormed from the room.
-------
Chin spoke quietly to the HPD officer guarding the door before entering the hospital room to check on Danny’s condition
and to bring the Boss up to date on the investigation. Walking over to where Steve was seated next to the bed, Chin looked
down worriedly at the bruised and battered face of his young friend. “How is he?”
“Doc says he’s critical but stable. They have decided to keep him sedated for a while to give his heart a chance
to rest and begin healing. So, what have we got?” Steve glanced up at his detective.
Chin pulled a small notebook out of his coat pocket and opened it before he answered. “The bartender said Danny came
into the bar about 11 p.m., ordered a cola and sat at the bar by himself. He was joined by another man about a quarter of
an hour later.”
“Do we know who the other man was?”
“No, the bartender was able to give us a description and possibly a first name. He thinks he heard Danny call the man
Sammy. We have him down at HPD going over the mug books now, so far nothing.”
“Sammy?” Steve asked, not recognizing the name, “Maybe one of Danno’s snitches?”
“Maybe, I don’t recognize the name though,” Chin answered thoughtfully, “anyway the bartender said
this guy was acting nervous, real nervous. They spoke for a few minutes and then they left.”
“Together?”
“That’s what the bartender thought.”
“Did anyone else notice them?”
“Ben’s still checking. I’ll let you know what we get. HPD are taking names, addresses and statements from
everyone there but there are a lot of people to get through, it’s a popular place.”
“Get an APB out on this Sammy!”
“Already done, Boss.”
Rising from his seat, Steve walked to the window and watched the sun’s rays bake the city streets. Turning back to face
his detective, he asked, “What else do we have?”
“The couple who witnessed the attack and shooting, Paul and Sarah Wilmot are tourists from New York. They were leaving
the bar when they saw someone being assaulted in the parking lot. They admitted that they realized it was a mugging but were
scared to become involved. After robbing Danny, they saw the assailant pick something off the ground and shoot Danny. Mr.
Wilmot said that he fired the gun at them when Mrs. Wilmot screamed.”
Steve shook his head, amazed and angry that someone could stand back and watch an assault take place but not do anything to
avoid becoming involved. “Could they give us a description?”
“Claims it was too dark to see the attacker clearly.” Chin shook his head in disgust at the witness’s reluctance
to co-operate.” They gave us a vague description – tall, heavyset man dressed in dark clothing. The description
doesn’t match with the one the bartender gave us of Sammy. Mr. Wilmot thinks the car he was driving was a small, dark
colored sedan, possibly blue, but isn’t positive. Mrs. Wilmot believes she heard a second car sped away just seconds
after the shooting.”
“A second car, interesting, maybe another witness?”
“If there was, we have no way of tracing them.” Chin said quietly.
“Any sign of Danno’s gun?”
“No, we think that who ever shot him probably took it with them.” Chin silently studied his boss for a moment,
before asking, “You don’t think it’s a mugging gone badly, do you?”
Steve stared at him intently, “Do you?”
Chin shrugged, “I’m not sure. It is possible Danny resisted when he was robbed and it went sour.”
Stepping back to the side of the bed, McGarrett silently studied the still form of his youngest detective. The bandaged head
and chest, the heavy white cast that encased his arm and the dark, swollen bruises that marred his face and body was a silent
testimony to the brutality of the attack. Drawing his eyes away slowly from his young friend, McGarrett returned his attention
to the question. “I think that Danno was set up.
I think that he was lured to the bar by Sammy and then led into a trap. I want to find this Sammy; Chin and I want to find
him fast! Check with all your snitches; get Ben to do the same. Squeeze them, and squeeze them hard! I want to know everything
they know! Tell them we’ll tear this island apart until we find this scumbag and anyone harboring him will have me to
deal with.” Steve’s voice rose to nearly a shout as the anger within him welled up. Consciously forcing himself
to calm down, Steve glanced at Danny before looking back at Chin. “We will find him Chin. I swear we will find Sammy
and anyone else involved with this!”
Chin nodded, understanding the volcanic reaction from his boss; he felt the same intense anger. “Ben and I are on it
Steve. We’re also checking Danny’s cases, recent parolees, anyone who has threatened Danny but it’s going
to take time.”
Leaning over the unconscious man in the bed, Chin gave the young man’s arm a fatherly squeeze and murmured, “Rest
easy, Bruddah.”
Straightening up, he turned his attention back to his boss. “We’ll check in soon.”
Steve nodded and watched Chin leave before returning his attention to Danny. “Who’s Sammy, and why were you meeting
with him? I don’t understand what you were doing. You took your .22 and the LTD, so you knew there could be trouble.”
Steve’s hands tightened their grip on the bedrail as his anger and frustration rose. ”Dammit Danno, why didn’t
you contact me and let me know what you were up to?” Steve’s voice dropped and he lightly touched Dan’s
uninjured arm, “You know I would have backed you up. Aikane. Why did you go alone?”
Only the soft hiss of the ventilator and the quiet, rhythmic beeps of the heart monitor answered his questions.
Sighing deeply, Steve gently squeezed Danny’s shoulder, “I’ll be back later, Danno, hang in there”
He quickly spun around and left the room, determined to find some answers.
------
Disturbed, Charlie Wong mulled over the night’s events as he sat down in the small-aired dining room. Oblivious of the
heady aroma of the nearby Plumeria’s drifting into the sun warmed open aired breakfast nook, a copy of the current Honolulu
Star-Bulletin, neatly folded near his coffee cup caught his attention.
FIVE-O DETECTIVE CRITICALLY INJURED IN VIOLENT MUGGING
He stared in disbelief as he unfolded the paper. Damn! After tearing the cover sheet off, Wong tossed the rest of the paper
back onto the table as he read the article. Infuriated, he wadded the sheet up into a tight ball and threw it across the room.
Those fools! Enraged, his arm swept across the table, sending everything onto the floor.
For several minutes, he mentally digested the headlines, which said Williams had survived the attack and was now in a drug-induced
coma.
The article indicated the police had theorized the attack on Williams as a mugging gone sour and that Five-O was currently
interviewing several witnesses.
Wong’s eyes narrowed as he contemplated the complications brought by Williams’ being alive.
“Where’s that bumbling idiot, Owens?” he snarled, his face twisted with rage as he turned towards his bodyguard,
who stood impassively watching his boss.
“He left earlier, said he had to take care of some unfinished business.”
“Unfinished business? I know what unfinished business he has to deal with! When he returns, tell him I wish to see him
immediately.” Pushing abruptly away from the table, Wong ignored the chair as it clattered to the floor. “Ensure
that idiot understands that it is not a request!”
The bodyguard nodded silently as Wong turned and stormed out of the room.
---------
The crowd of reporters surged towards McGarrett’s car as he exited. His jaw flexed in annoyance and anger as he shouldered
his way through the crush of bodies, cameras and microphones towards the palace stairs. Ignoring the shouts about the ongoing
investigation of the violent assault and Danny’s condition and injuries, he entered the palace and trotted up the stairs.
Standing near Jenny’s desk, Chin, Ben and Duke were studying a composite picture as their irate boss swept into the
anteroom. Glancing apprehensively at each other at the unexpected arrival, the three men were aware of the small gasp of fear
that escaped softly from Jenny’s lips as they turned their attention back to the boss.
Steve’s halted his charge through the office as he noticed the distressed looks of his staff. Realized the heart wrenching
assumption they had jumped to at his arrival, he quickly reassured them, “Danno’s critical but he’s holding
his own. He’s heavily sedated at the moment, so I decided to get up to speed on the case.”
Seeing the looks of relief on their faces, he continued, “O.K. Gentleman, bring in everything you have. Jenny, can you
bring in some coffee, please?”
Entering his office, Steve crossed to the lanai doors, opening them to allow the warm, fragrant laden breeze to blow gently
through the room. He leaned against the doorframe a moment, his thoughts wandering back to the young man fighting for his
life in the hospital room. Conflicting emotions of anger and fear surged through his soul as he again found himself wondering
why Danno had not contacted him about meeting with Opella.
The entrance of Chin and Ben both carrying their notebooks and files, followed closely by Jenny who balanced steaming cups
of coffee and a plate of Macadamia nut cookies in her hands, interrupted his thoughts.
He waited a moment for the two men to settle into the white, high back chairs that faced his desk and Jenny to place the mugs
down and leave the room before he crossed to his chair and sat down.
“Ok, what have we got?” he asked, getting straight down to business.
“We got lucky, Steve, the bartender was able to pick Sammy out of the mug books.” Passing his boss a thin folder
to peruse, Ben continued, “Sammy Opella, strictly small time, mainly breaking and entering, hustling etc. Danny was
the arresting HPD officer on a couple of his busts.”
“So, he might be one of Danno’s snitches.” Steve speculated, lightly tapping the table with a pencil, as
he studied the contents of the folder. “That could explain why Danno was meeting with him. We got an address on him?”
“No current address, he drifts around staying at various friends’ places for a couple of days before moving on.
We’re checking out all his recent haunts, so far nothing.”
“Did Danno mention anything about meeting with Opella last night?”
Both men shook their heads in reply.
“Danny was headed home when he left last night. He was planning to crash for the night.” Ben informed his boss.
“He didn’t mention Opella at all.”
Steve nodded, “So we can assume that Opella contacted Danno at home and lured him to the bar.” Both of his detectives
nodded silently in agreement.
Rising from his chair, McGarrett walked to the open door overlooking the city. Leaning against the doorframe, he stared unseeing
at the view beyond. Why did you meet with Opella, Danno? What did he say to make you agree to meet him alone? His fists tightened
with frustration and anger at Danno’s secrecy and the lack of trust. DAMMIT DANNO! WHY DIDN’T YOU CALL ME? WHY?
The two detectives sat silently, watching as frustration and anger flittered across the face of their boss, before the inscrutable
mask he normally wore returned.
Drawing a deep breath to calm himself as he turned back towards the two waiting detectives, McGarrett instructed, “OK,
get Opella’s description into the media and an APB issued. Ben, I want you to keep on top of it. Get together with HPD.
Keep checking all of Opella’s usual haunts, question all his acquaintances. Someone must know where he is! I want Sammy
bought in as soon as he’s located. What else do we have?”
“Danny’s gun is still missing. We carried out a full search, but no luck. We’re still running with the assumption
that the attacker took it. We were able to locate the bullets fired at the witnesses. Che’s examining them now; they
appear to be .22 calibers, probably fired by Danny’s gun. He’s also comparing them to the bullet Doc removed from
Danny in surgery. He should have something for us soon.” Chin informed him, taking up the rest of the report.
“Che also managed to lift some prints from Danny’s wallet. We’re running them through CNC now.”
“Good work, I want to know as soon as anything comes in!”
Closing his notepad, Chin looked at his tense friend, “Steve, if you want to go back to the hospital to be with Danny,
we can handle things here. We’ll keep you abreast of the investigation. Danny needs you!”
“Mahalo,” he acknowledged quietly, “I might go home and change and then go back to the hospital.”
The two detectives nodded in acknowledgement as Steve stood and grabbed his coat before leaving the office.
--------
Opening the curtains in an attempt to better lighten the room with the sun’s dying rays, Wong placed the briefcase onto
his desk, quickly checking for the important sheet of information he knew it contained. Unable to locate it, he emptied the
contents onto his desk, again desperately searching through the scattered papers and notes. It was definitely missing!
Dread tightened his chest as he realized the person most likely to have stolen it. What if he had managed to pass it to that
cop? It would only be a matter of time before the plot would be uncovered. A short matter of time before his own shark molested
body washed up on one of the perfect beaches that encircled the island.
Rubbing the nervous sweat from his face, Wong straightened, unconsciously chewing on his bottom lip as he tried to decide
his next move. He could not allow Wo Fat to become aware of the theft. He needed to find out through his contact precisely
what the cops knew.
Quickly shoving the papers haphazardly back into the briefcase and snapping it closed; Wong picked it up and grabbed his coat
before hurrying out of the door. He could not risk his next phone call being overheard.
------
Settling into the chair next to Danny’s hospital bed, Steve picked up the forensics report. Che confirmed that the bullets
fired at the witnesses and the same gun had fired the bullet removed from Danno. Che also validated the theory Danny’s
gun had been the weapon used by comparing the bullets fired at the crime scene with records on Danny’s .22 caliber gun.
A blackjack found at the scene had traces of hair and blood, proved to be the weapon used to bludgeon Danny. Smudged fingerprints
on the jack indicated that one of the attackers wore gloves.
Sighing, Steve placed the report on the small table that held witness statements and the HPD report. Resting his head against
the back of the chair, he allowed his eyes to close as he listened to the gentle swoosh of the ventilator and the slow hypnotic
beeps of the heart monitor.
A sudden noise within the room woke him with a start. Looking around quickly, he watched as Dr. Killen approached the bed.
Slowly easing himself into a more upward position, he watched as the surgeon examined Danny.
“How is he, Doc?” Steve asked anxiously as the surgeon finished the examination and began to write notes on the
chart at the end of the bed.
Dr Killen smiled warmly, “He’s definitely improving! I’ve just ordered a reduction in the amount of sedation
he is receiving. He should be conscious enough by midday tomorrow for us to remove him from the ventilator.” Seeing
the look of relief on Steve’s face, the surgeon gently reminded him, “As I have said, Mr. Williams’ condition
is improving but he is still a very sick young man. He will not be up to any type of questioning for another two to three
days! He will still require complete rest and definitely no stress!”
Steve smiled, “I understand, Doctor. Thank you for all you are doing.”
The surgeon nodded, “All part of the service, Mr. McGarrett, now if you will excuse me, I must get back to the ER as
I’m on call tonight. I’ll be back to check on Mr. Williams in the morning.”
Steve watched the surgeon leave before turning back to his friend, Gently squeezing Danny’s arm, he murmured, “You’re
going to be fine, Aikane, you’re going to be fine.” Wiping the moisture that threatened to fall from his eyes,
Steve left a hand gently resting on Danny’s arm and settled back into the chair, allowing himself to doze back into
an exhausted sleep.
-------
Dropping the sheet back over the body, Chin straightened and nodded to the two attendants to remove the gurney.
“Sammy Opella.” Ben commented quietly, joining his colleague.
“Probably a professional hit. Looks like he was killed elsewhere and the body dumped here. Che’s taking some casts
of fresh tire tracks could belong to our hit man.” He glanced towards the head of forensic team who was carefully pouring
plaster over a section of tire tracks in the fine red soil near the ditch surrounding the cane field. “I guess who ever
dumped the body didn’t count on this field being prepared for harvesting this morning.”
Chin nodded silently, watching as the body was loaded into the back of the coroner’s car before he turned his attention
back to his younger colleague. In his hand, he held two clear plastic evidence bags. One contained a well-worn wallet and
the other a sheet of paper.
“I think this was more than just a hit, Bruddah, I think we have big pilikia.” he said distractedly as he examined
the bag containing the sheet of paper before passing it to Ben. “I found this in Opella’s pocket.”
Accepting the bag, Ben quickly perused the page, which appeared to contain times, dates and places. “What do you think
it means?”
“It’s a copy of the President’s itinerary for his visit to Oahu.” Chin explained quietly, “I
saw a similar copy of it in Steve’s office a few days ago when Steve and Danny were discussing the security problems
associated with it.”
Staring down at the evidence bag he held in his hand, Ben murmured, “Then how did Opella manage to get a copy of it?”
“That’s something we need to find out Bruddah, and fast!” Chin answered softly as he handed the second evidence
bag to Ben. “Tell Che, Steve will want these to have the full treatment. Tell him, we need the results yesterday! Also
let him know that this evidence is top ecurity. I’ll let Steve know what we have.”
------
Gently pushing open the hospital room door, Chin quietly entered the room. He stood a second; observing his boss who sat in
a chair, close to the bed, talking to Danny, urging him to wake.
“Steve,” Chin said softly as he walked over to stand near the bed, “We have trouble.” Steve attention
immediately focused on the Chinese detective as Chin continued his report. “Sammy Opella’s body was found in a
cane field near Waialua about a couple of hours ago.”
“Damn!” Steve muttered.
“He was killed by a bullet to the back of the head. Looks like a professional hit. Doc Bergman is giving a preliminary
time of death of thirty six hours.” Chin continued.
“That makes it a short time after Danno was hit.” Steve said, glancing towards the young man in the bed. ”Maybe
Opella was used to lure Danno out and then killed to keep him quiet.”
“Steve,” Chin interrupted his boss’s theorizing, “When I did a search of Opella’s pockets I
found a copy of the President’s itinerary for his visit to Oahu.”
The statement caught Steve’s full attention. “Are you certain?”
Chin nodded, “It was a complete duplicate of the one I saw you and Danny working on the other day. I gave it to Che
for examination. He’s aware of the security level it holds.”
Rising out of his chair, Steve began to pace the small room, clicking his fingers in time with his steps. “What would
Opella be doing with the itinerary and more importantly, how did he obtain it? Why was he meeting with Danno?”
Steve suddenly stopped his pacing and swung around to face Chin. “Any word on who Opella may have been in contact with
before his death?”
“Word on the coconut wire is that Opella was running with the big league - Charlie Wong -in way over his head and frightened
of Wong’s newest enforcer- a guy by the name of Owens.
Owens’s prints matched the prints found on Danny’s wallet. I’ve put out
an APB ” Handing Steve a file, Chin continued, “Owens has a string of arrests on the mainland for assault, assault
with a deadly weapon and extortion, He has also been indicted in several murders but the charges were dropped.”
“Dropped – why?” Steve asked, studying the file as he listened to Chin.
“Missing witnesses, evidence being misplaced.” Chin explained. “Anyway, the coconut wire says that Sammy
was scared about what he had got into and wanted out.”
“Maybe he got involved with a plot involving the President. Maybe that’s why he was meeting with Danno.”
Steve glanced across at the bed at his young friend, “Maybe that’s the reason why Danno and Opella was hit.”
Chin nodded his agreement as his boss continued, “But I can’t understand why Charlie Wong would be have any interest
in a political hit, if this is indeed what he is involved in. Wong is more a drugs and extortion man. This is definitely out
of his league! There has to be bigger brains behind this, but whom? Why?”
Walking to the window, Steve stood staring out at the scenery, his fingers snapping as he thought of who might have the desire,
the motive for wanting the President’s itinerary. “I wonder where our friend Wo Fat is?” he said quietly,
“Maybe I should give Jonathon a call!”
“What about the Secret Service, Steve? Do you want me to give them a call?”
“No Chin, not yet. The Docs say that Danno should be waking soon. I want to have a quiet talk with him first, see if
he can fill in some of the blanks.”
Chin nodded, aware that once the Secret Service became involved in the case that they would assume complete control and that
could extend over any interviews that Steve could have with Danny.
“I want 24 hour surveillance placed on Charlie Wong. I want to know about everywhere he goes and everyone he sees! I’ll
arrange extra men power with Chief Dann. Let’s see if we can find out who is whispering ideas into Charlie’s head.”
“On it, Boss!” Chin said, hurrying out of the room as Steve picked up the bedside phone to make the arrangements
for the surveillance.
-------
Slouched down in the chair, Owens sipped coffee as he eavesdropped on the conversation of the nurses sitting at the table
beside him. He smiled to himself as the conversation turned to the assault on Williams and the police guards that now protected
the young detective in the ICU. He discovered that only medical personal and police were being given assess to the room.
Placing the now empty cup back down on the table, Owens grinned as a plan formulated in his mind. This is just going to be
too easy! Stifling a laugh, Owens rose from his chair and went in search of the articles he needed. Shuffling the papers scattered
across the small, rolling bedside table, McGarrett listened absently to the tinny sound of the phone ringing at the other
end of the line. His attention was immediately snapped back to the instrument he held next to his ear as he heard the deep,
authoritative voice of the C.I.A chief's snap, "Kaye."
"Jonathon, its Steve, I have a serious situation brewing, which I'm going to need your assistance with. I can't give you any
details over the phone but I need to meet with you and discuss it as soon as possible." Capping a hand over his other ear
in an effort to hear Kaye's voice a little better through the static of the long distance phone call, Steve McGarrett nodded
grimly, "I'll explain everything when you arrive in a couple of hours, Jonathon, Mahalo. Aloha."
Sighing as he hung up the phone, Steve McGarrett turned and walked over to the side of the bed. It had been several hours
since the doctors had began to reduce the amount of sedation Danno was receiving but he still showed little, if any signs
of awakening from the drug induced coma the doctors had placed him in after his surgery. The nurses had reassured Steve that
Danny was indeed beginning to show signs of emerging from his enforced sleep and was now fully initiating breathing on his
own, the ventilator was now merely assisting his breathing.
Steve stood a moment studying the immobile face of the young man whom he considered as his kaikaina. Gently squeezing Dan's
arm, Steve whispered, "I really need your help on this, Aikane. I need to talk to you. I need you to wake up." Glancing up
as the door opened, Steve watched as Doctor Bergman and a small petite nurse carrying a medical tray entered the room.
Doc glanced at the exhausted man standing guard over his protégé' as he walked to the foot of the bed and picked up the patient's
chart to study. Casting another quick glance at the lead detective, he shook his head in obvious exasperation at Steve's stubborn
refusal to rest or even leave the injured detective's side for more than the few minutes it took him to freshen up. Deciding
now was not the time to confront the man; he returned his attention to the patient in the bed, glancing at the heart monitor
and then Danny before asking, "Has our boy shown any signs of wakening up yet?"
Turning his attention to his young friend, Steve shook his head slowly, the tension he felt evident in his tone, "He's still
unconscious, and he hasn't shown any signs of coming around at all."
Doc smiled reassuringly at the Five 0 Boss, "Well, let's see if we can wake him up."
Steve moved closer to the bed as Doc gently grabbed Danny's shoulder and shook him firmly, "Danny! Danny! It's Dr Bergman,
I want you to open your eyes." Receiving no response, Doc shook harder, his voice louder and more insistent. "Danny! It's
time to wake up! Open your eyes!"
With a soft protesting moan, Danny weakly pulled away before gagging on the tube in his throat. The room suddenly echoed with
the shrill sounds of the ventilator alarm and the racing beeps of the heart monitor. Danny's unfocussed eyes opened wide in
fear as he struggled to draw a deep breath. Raising his hand, he made a weak attempt to grab the tube protruding from his
mouth but the attempt was thwarted as Doc grabbed the hand and gently pushed it back down.
The nurse quickly silenced the alarm as Doc leaned over the critically injured man. "It's ok, Danny, you're safe. You're on
a ventilator, just relax and let it help you breathe. You are in the I.C.U at Queens Hospital."
The young man's panicked struggle eased as the blurred shapes above him sharpened to reveal Steve and Doc Bergman's concerned
faces. Frowning, he moaned softly, voicing an apparent objection to the offending tube in his throat.
Giving a small chuckle at his patient's obvious complaint, Doc patted the young man on the shoulder. "Now you have finally
decided to wake up and join us, I think I can finally take you off this ventilator. I'm going to count to three, when I reach
three I want you to cough as hard as you can. Do you understand?"
At Danny's small nod, Doc quickly counted to three, removing the offending tube as Danny coughed. Supporting Danny's head,
Doc gave him a small sip of water to moisten his dry throat, before slipping an oxygen mask over Danny's face to assist with
his breathing.
With his head resting back on the pillow, Danny slowly panned his eyes around the room, noticing some of the medical equipment
connected to him. Both Steve and Doc noticed the look of confusion as Danny turned back to them.
Stepping closer to the bed, Steve gently placed his hand on Danny's arm. "Hey, Danno," he said softly, smiling affectionately
at his Second-In-Command, "how are you feeling?"
Danny closed his eyes as he tiredly took a mental inventory of himself and his injuries. Slowly reopening his eyes, Danny
murmured, "A little... sore, ...tired."
"Do you need something for the pain, Danny?" Doc asked quietly.
"No." he whispered weakly before lifting his head to stare at the bandages that encircled his chest. A tube snaked out the
side of the bandages and disappeared from his sight down the side of the bed, his right arm was encased in a heavy cast. Dropping
his head back down onto the pillow, exhausted, Danny struggled to keep his eyes open as he turned back towards Steve. "What...happened?"
Quickly glancing questioningly at Doc and receiving a small nod of assent, Steve asked, "What do you remember, Danno?"
Danny closed his eyes in concentration as he struggled through the fog and exhaustion that seemed to cloud his mind, making
thinking difficult and slow. "I remember... I remember...being at home, "he began breathlessly, his voice distorted by the
oxygen mask upon his face, "I was...tired...Wanted to... sleep."
"So you were home?" Steve quietly encouraged Dan to continue, "Then what?"
Struggling to focus on his boss, the detective whispered, "Sammy. rang... sounded... scared. Said he... had...s...something...big."
"Sammy Opella?"
Dan nodded weakly. "Met ... him at...a bar... Waikiki. Want...wanted ...protection said ...heard ...threat...Nix..." The words
trailed off into a sigh as the exhaustion and medication caught up with the young detective and his head lolled gently to
the side, his eyes sliding closed as sleep reclaimed him.
"I'm sorry Steve, but that's all you'll be able to get for now. He needs to rest." Doc said gently as he examined the sleeping
man. "And so do you!" he admonished.
Steve smiled at the gruff doctor who, although was the coroner, was also the official medical practitioner to the small band
of detectives.
"I will Doc, but first I have a meeting to attend." After giving Danno's arm a quick squeeze, he murmured to his friend, "I'll
be back soon, Danno."
Doc smiled as McGarrett turned and silently asked to be informed when Danny woke again. "I know, let you know when he wakes
but I think he will sleep for a few hours. If there is any change I'll let you know."
"Thanks doc, I'll be…"
"At the office." Bergman finished for him. "Steve, I wish you would get some sleep. I believe that Danny has an excellent
chance of recovery. So, PLEASE get some rest."
Steve nodded, "I will Doc, but first I need to go back to the office." Glancing back at the bed as he reached the door, he
again reiterated, "If he wakes"
"I'll call you" Doc answered, shaking his head as he watched the man leave.
------
Wong slowly hung up the phone and woodenly walked back to his car. He felt dizzy and sick and it took him a moment to remember
to breathe. After several attempts, he managed to get his trembling hand to open the door. Finally sliding behind the steering
wheel, he rested his head on the wheel. The words of his contact echoed through his head.
"McGarrett suspects this is more than a mugging gone wrong! He's called a top security meeting in his office! NO, I don't
know what he knows but your man must have blown it! Look I have to go! I'll contact you later."
His contact confirmed his worst suspicions. Had Opella slipped the cop the itinerary? God, what am I going to do? With his
thoughts swirling, Wong started the car and drove back to the house. The last thing he needed was suspicious Wo Fat.
------
The slamming of the outer office door heralded the arrival of the Five0 boss. Jenny looked up apprehensively as her boss approached;
unshed tears glistened in her lashes. He smiled as he answered her unspoken question. “The docs are confident that Danno’s
going to make it. He is off the ventilator and was awake briefly. He’s not up to visitors yet, but I’m sure in
a day or two, he will love to see you.”
Jenny smiled brightly at the welcomed news. Her chest tightened as she realized how close tragedy had came too close to the
little ohana of detectives. “The Governor’s office called, he wants an update on Danny’s condition and progress
in the case. Several reporters have left messages, all wanting exclusive interviews with you on the case."
“Damn vultures!” McGarrett muttered hotly, “Give them our standard answer.”
Jenny grinned, “Already have!”
“Also, contact HPD, I want those news crews moved away from the palace stairs, they’re blocking the entrance.”
As Jenny reached for the phone, he continued, “Has Kaye and Agent Mills arrived for our meeting?”
“They’re waiting in your office.”
Steve nodded. Although he had only spoken to Agent Mills on the phone, he had met Burton in person before. The middle - aged
Secret Service agent had not impressed McGarrett at all. The man was rude and arrogant, treating the detective as the leader
of a little band of hick hillbilly’s cops. Grinding his teeth in irritation that Burton was included in this meeting,
McGarrett snapped, “We don’t want any interruptions, anything urgent, have Chin handle it.”
“Will do, Boss.” Jenny answered, picking up the phone as McGarrett turned and entered his office, closing the
door behind him.
------
The three men waiting within the spacious office rose out of their chairs and warmly shook hands with Steve in greeting before
settling again into their chairs. Seating himself in the chair on the opposite side of the desk, Steve made brief introductions
between the men before quickly explaining the reasons behind the high security meeting that had been called at such short
notice.
The men listened intently as he gave details of Danny’s memory of the phone call he received and the late night meeting
with Sammy Opella at The Tropical Whispers Bar. Unable to remember much of the meeting, Danno remembered that Sammy was agitated
and wanted protection in exchange for information he knew about the presidential visit. Steve than described the witnesses’
accounts of the brutal attack and shooting of his second in command as he left the bar in the company of his informer. Although
it had not been fully confirmed that Opella had left with the Five 0 detective, it was an assumption that Steve felt fitted
the scenario.
Uncertain if Opella had been snatched or fled the scene, Steve informed the men Opella’s body had been found in a cane
field thirty-six hours later. Pulling a sheet of paper from the folder in front of him, Steve said softly, “And this,
Gentlemen, is what was found in his pocket by one of my officers.”
Accepting the piece of paper, Kaye studied it silently before handing it to the Secret Service Security Chief and his agent.
Returning his attention back to Hawaii Five 0 chief, Kaye inquired, “So, Opella managed to get a copy of the itinerary
of the presidential visit! Any leads on how he might have obtained it, Steve?” As he leaned forward, he studied the
man opposite of him. “Did Danny have full access to this information?”
Kaye barely blinked when McGarrett slammed the desk with a closed fist as he rose out of his seat to tower over the smaller;
grey headed agent, his steel blue eyes flashed with anger. “What are you implying Jonathon! That my Second -in -command
may have deliberately given a petty criminal a copy of the itinerary! That Dan Williams may be a traitor!”
“What do you think, Steve?” Kaye said softly, “Do you think it could be possible that Danny may, for whatever
reason, have passed on the information to Opella? He had the means of obtaining the information and copying it. He also had
the opportunity of passing the information on to Opella. You said yourself that he never informed you about the meeting.”
Leaning back in the chair as he continued to study the irate detective, Kaye continued, “Steve, I know that Williams
is your second – in – command and that the two of you are close but you also know that Williams is a suspect in
this case until proven otherwise.”
Staring at the C.I.A agent for a moment, Steve’s anger abated a little, he sat down as he answered, ”I know that
Dan Williams is a suspect in this case Jonathon, but not for a SINGLE moment do I believe that he gave Opella the copy of
the itinerary. I believe that Opella was frightened by what ever he had become involved in and contacted Danno for protection
in exchange for information about possible plots against the presidential visit.”
“O.K., Steve,” Kaye said quietly, “ I tend to agree with your theory on the meeting between Danny and Opella
but we will need to interview Danny.”
The two Secret Service men who had been silently watching the exchange between the two men nodded in agreement. “We’d
like to conduct the interview as soon as possible, Steve.” Mills insisted.
“I’m sorry Gentlemen, but that is unfortunately not at all possible for the moment. Danno is still in critical
condition in the I.C.U and although he is now conscious, the doctors have said he will not be able to be questioned for two
or three days. Also the room is an unsecured location, I’ll need time for my forensic team to sweep the room for any
listening devices.” Steve explained.
“Was there any fingerprints found on the itinerary?” Burton asked.
“Only Opella’s were identified. Che Fong, our forensic tech managed to pull up some latent; we’re running
them through the F.B.I now. We also have identified one of Danno’s attackers as a possible hit man from the mainland,
Leo Owens.” Steve pushed a file towards the men as he continued, “Owens has been on the islands for about six
months and is working for a hood by the name of Wong – Charlie Wong.” Passing a second file to the men, McGarrett
carried on with the report. “Wong is into the small stuff, more an extortionist and drugs man.
Word on the street connects Sammy Opella with Wong. Apparently Opella had been running errands for Wong but in the days before
his murder we have been told that Opella had become increasingly scared.”
“And you think that Opella might have stumbled on some sort of plot involving the president?” Kaye asked, warming
up to the theory.
“Exactly!” McGarrett shouted, stabbing the air with his finger to empathize the point.
“But what I don’t know is who is behind it.”
“Maybe the Chinese,” Mills suggested, “I don’t think that they are too happy about the talks between
the President and the Japanese. We’ll run a check on Wong, see if he has any affiliations with the red Chinese.”
Steve nodded, pleased to see that the men were taking his theory seriously, turning his eyes to the C.I.A chief, he asked,
“Where’s our friend Wo Fat?”
“I don’t know at the moment Steve but I’ll find out!”
“O.K Gentleman, I have an appointment with the Governor.” Steve said, rising out of his chair, “If you will
excuse me, I would like to meet again later and share any information.”
The three men nodded in agreement and followed the head of Five 0 from the room.
-------
Standing at the bottom of the stairs of the palace, Mills and Burton silently watched as McGarrett drove away. “I want
a full background check on Williams. Dig deep, I want the dirt on him and his family. He may have McGarrett and Kaye hoodwinked
but I won’t be satisfied until I know everything about him, even to what brand of toothpaste he uses.” Mills muttered.
Burton nodded, “What about interviewing him?”
“That may have to wait until the doctors give the O.K. But I do intend to interview him without McGarrett interfering.”
Mills said hotly. “Maybe McGarrett is not being totally honest with us about Williams’s condition; he seems to
want to protect Williams as much as possible.”
“Maybe Williams is up to an unofficial visit Boss?” Burton asked grinning.
“Maybe, but unsanctioned of course!” the Security Chief empathized.
“I’ll get Hughes to give me a hand.” Burton told his boss.
“Just get on it!” Mills growled before walking away towards his car.
-------
Making last minute adjustments to the uniform he had just stolen, Owens could hear the muted sounds of a radio in an adjoining
office. Satisfied with his disguise, he picked up the medical tray and slipped, unnoticed from the utility room. He paused
a moment near the open door of the office listening to a news report updating his victim’s condition. ‘Officer
Williams, Second –in- command of our state police unit, Hawaii Five 0, remains critically ill in Queen’s Hospital
after a mugging turned violent in the parking lot of the Tropical Whispers Bar in Waikiki on Thursday night.
Sources from the hospital are quoted as saying although Williams has not yet fully regained consciousnesses after the attack.
Doctors are quietly optimistic that Williams will make a full recovery.’
-------
Lifting the tray’s cover and quickly glancing at it contents, Owens chuckled silently to himself. The doctors are sadly
mistaken. Williams is already a dead man, they just haven’t realized it yet. He continued his way, unhurried, towards
the elevator near the end of the corridor.
Entering the elevator, he smiled innocently at the robust nurse standing in front of the elevator. “ICU please,”
he said, watching as she pressed the button corresponding with the floor where the ICU was located. He began to hum quietly
as the elevator gave a small jerk and began to rise.
------
Owens smiled as he entered the ICU. This is going to be too easy. Dressed as a lab tech, Owens calmly walked over to Danny’s
room.
“The doctor wants me to draw some blood,” said Owens allowing the officer guarding the door to examine his tray.
“Looks okay,” the officer said, glancing at the nametag Owens wore as he stepped aside.
Stepping just inside, Owens paused a moment, relishing the power of life over death he held over the man lying in the bed.
Walking to the side of the bed, he set the tray he was carrying down on the narrow rolling bedside table. Removing the tray’s
cover, he picked up a 10cc syringe and pulled back the plunger, filling it with air as he studied the medical equipment that
was attached to Williams.
Stumped at which of the three IV lines he needed, Owens fingered them. Suddenly he smiled. Two of the lines were connected
to a larger tube that appeared to be inserted into Williams’ neck.
“Well Pig, I guess this is my lucky day!” Owens laughed as he lifted the tubing and carefully slid the needle
into it, savoring the moment.
Startled by the door opening suddenly, Owens removed the needle, dropping it back into the tray, not noticing as it bounced
and fell onto the floor. He stole a quick glance at the visitors who were dressed in dark suits and had close-cropped hair.
Unsure of what to do, he continued to fiddle with the tubing.
‘Cops or FBI, most likely FBI, I know most of the cops on this lousy rock.’
Owens forced himself to remain calm as he released the tubing. He pretended to examine the other IV lines for a moment before
picking up the tray. Nodding at the men as he passed, he casually walked out of the room and the unit.
-------
The two agents stood observing the young Five-O detective as the nurse adjusted the drips. McGarrett had not been exaggerating
when he had informed their boss of the condition of his Second- In -Command; Hughes thought glumly, the young officer was
connected to a myriad of tubes and machines that surrounded the bed.
Beginning to have grave doubts about conducting this interview, Hughes waited silently for the nurse to complete his procedure
and leave, before reluctantly following Burton to the bedside.
Leaning over the sleeping Williams, Burton shook the young man and called his name in an attempt to rouse him.
Williams groaned softly and turned his head towards Burton’s voice.
“Come on, Williams, wake up!” Burton demanded, shaking him more vigorously.
“Open your eyes!” He was rewarded by another soft groan as Danny’s blue eyes slowly peered out from under
heavy lids, slowly panning around the room before focusing with glazed eyes onto Burton’s face above.
“Detective Williams, my name is Burton, my partner is Hughes, Secret Service.” he stated, flipping open his ID
case. “We have been asked by Five 0 to spearhead an investigation involving Sammy Opella and a security breach involving
the presidential visit. We have a few questions that we need you to answer. ”
Dan nodded absently, as he again slowly searched the room with his eyes, confusion evident on his face. “Where’s
Steve?” he whispere |
