LET IT BE

March 1970

"Police officers, open up!"  The stocky officer pounded on the door yelling, while standing clear of the door.  HPD had the small house surrounded and the music was nearly deafening.  Knowing a second attempt would bring no more reaction from those inside the house than the first one, Sgt Coi'kua decided to give the order to break down the door.  Officers at the back and front doors barged into the house simultaneously and stopped cold in their tracks.  For several seconds all that could be heard was the music which somehow seemed to increase in volume without the stereo ever being touched.  Quickly coming back to reality Sgt Coi'kua finally found his voice, "Snap out of it guys!"

"Sgt, they're all over the place!" the officer in back of him observed.

"I know..."  Sgt Coi'kua couldn't hide the sickening desperation in his reply.  No one in the house was moving, no one seemed to be alive.  A few of the bodies even lay on top of each other.

"Check the other rooms," Coi'kua ordered.

Slowly some of the officers began to work their way past the bodies to check other rooms.  In some cases they were even forced to step over bodies.

"They all seem to be dead, Sarge," an officer standing in the entrance to the kitchen commented.

"Sgt Coi'kua!  In here, in the bedroom!  Hurry!" 

Sgt. Coi'kua and two other officers ran into the bedroom from where the plea came.  In the room were five other bodies.  A teenage girl, and four men.  The girl was naked and appeared to have been hit in the face several times.  Her arms and legs were tied to the bed posts.  Coi'kua knew for certain she had been sexually assaulted.  Three of the men were also naked, two laid on the floor beside the bed, one laid across the bed face down at the girl's feet.  The fourth man was fully clothed and appeared to have been very severely beaten.  He was half sitting on the floor leaning against the wall, his hands were cuffed in back of him through a decorative wrought iron gate like ornament built into the concrete wall which faced the bed.  The ornament reached from the ceiling to the floor and it was the only thing keeping the fourth man from collapsing completely to the floor.  Upon closer inspection Sgt Coi'kua saw that the man had also been stabbed.  Sgt Coi'kua looked around the room and saw a knife with blood on the blade and handle near a night stand.

"I think he's still alive, but I'm not sure!"  came the anxious voice of the officer kneeling over the unconscious handcuffed man. 

That snapped Coi'kua into action.  He leaned back over the bloodied body and pressed his fingers against the man's neck. "We have a live one! Get an ambulance NOW!"  As one officer hurried to one of the cruisers outside to call for an ambulance and the coroner, Coi'kua turned to another officer next to hem.  "Help me get these cuffs off."  Coi'kua ordered with urgency.  Reaching behind the man Coi'kua saw that the cuffs had torn through the skin of the man's wrists and the cuffs were saturated with blood.  Finally able to free the man, Coi'kua slowly laid him on the floor and for the second time that night froze.  With shocked disbelief, he took his handkerchief out of his pocket and carefully wiped at the man's face, not sure where the blood was coming from.  With enough blood wiped away the man was identifiable and his fears confirmed.

"It's one of McGarrett's boys, from 5‑0." He commented quietly.  Looking up at the officer who had helped him, he noticed the young man was pale.  "You know him too?"

"Yes sir, he's a friend."  The young officer replied trying to hold back his emotions.

"You need to call Steve McGarrett, or have someone else call.  Let him know what's going on.  Do you understand that officer?"

"Yes sir...yes I understand."

******

Steve McGarrett raced through the halls of the hospital.  He was frantic after receiving the call that Danno had been hurt.  Not stopping to call Danny's family, Steve instead placed the call while he raced in his car to Queens Medical Center. 

When he arrived he approached the emergency admission station and flashed his badge.  "Looking for Williams."  He said curtly.

"First name."  Was the unimpressed clerk.

Steve couldn't believe that there could possibly be more than one Williams in the emergency room and at that time of night!  In a forced controlled tone he replied, "Dan...Daniel!"

The clerk noticed on her chart that a Daniel Williams had just arrived minutes before and was now in the trauma unit.  Compassion filled the woman as she looked up and saw that this wasn't just a police inquiry, but a personal one.  "I'm sorry for the delay sir.  Please let me get someone for you."

'Why wouldn't she just tell him where Danno was, unless...' fear gripped Steve at the direction his thoughts were headed.  Before they could take him further a nurse was in front of him talking to him in a hurried tone.  "I'm sorry. I didn't hear you."

"Mr. Williams is being seen in the trauma unit.  By any chance are you Steve?"

"Yes, Steve McGarrett," he replied, confused.

"Please follow me Mr. McGarrett, quickly."

The nurse directed Steve into a series of emergency rooms.  They entered another area and he could hear the weak muffled cries from Danno calling for him.  When the nurse pulled back the curtain to where Danny lay, all color washed away from Steve's face as he looked at his friend.

Blood soaked bandages were wrapped around a brace and his head.  The brace was obviously being used to keep Danny from moving his head.  His face was barely visible due to an oxygen mask, bandages, the brace and blood.  Danny's clothes had been removed from his blood soaked body and nurses were trying to clean him to see where he was injured.  Danny regained consciousness during that process and became combative.  The only thing that helped the medical staff was the fact he was extremely weak from the blood loss, so they had no trouble controlling him.

Steve got as close to Danny as he could and began to call out to him repeatedly,  "I'm here Danno!  Danno, it's me Steve....I'm here!" 

Within minutes Danny calmed as he appeared to try and reach for Steve but couldn't.  One of the doctors noticed he was also trying to open his eyes, but even that attempt was useless because of the blood that had crusted over.  The doctor moved over some and motioned for Steve to come closer.  As he did, Steve bent down and spoke calmly into Danny's ear in an attempt to reassure him. 

The chief trauma surgeon quickly took advantage of the calm which he knew would only be temporary and gave Danny a sedative.

"So. you're Steve?"  The surgeon quickly said as he nodded for Steve that he now needed to get out of their way.  "Look it'll work better for us if you went back to the waiting area.  We'll let you know what we have, but we don't have any time to waste."

There was no waiting for a reply as Steve was abruptly pushed to the side and the trauma team continued to work on his friend.  The nurse who had come to him earlier was now taking hold of his arm and not to gently pushing him back out of the area, closing the curtain in front of him.

            ******

"Steve?"  Chin put his hand on Steve's shoulder and gently shook him.  He had called him several times but received no response. Finally noticing that Chin had arrived along with Kono he apologized. 

"No problem Boss.  How's Danny?  We got a call from Sgt Coi'kua, he said Danny was in a bad way." 

The concern etched on Steve's face answered the question.  "He's with a trauma team right now.  I saw him for a few minutes."  Steve fought his emotions and did his best to forget the scene he saw earlier.  "He was just about covered in blood Chin.  Even his head and face."

Chin abruptly sat down next to Steve.  Kono closed his eyes tightly and walked over to the window trying to allay his fears.

"I called the Punana's, but not Clara.  I was hoping that we would know something later, then I could call with more news."  The thought of calling the elderly woman with this news was overwhelming.  He had called her before with news that her nephew was gravely injured, several times.  Each time he thought it got harder and this time was no exception.

Very little time had passed when a doctor came out to talk to Steve.  His steps were hurried and his manner serious.  Steve recognized him as the chief trauma doctor from earlier.

"Mr. McGarrett?"

Steve, Chin, and Kono all braced their selves for the news.  They could tell from the doctor's demeanor that it couldn't be good.

The doctor was to the point and matter of fact.  There was no compassion in his voice, but you could see it in his stance, "Mr. Williams has been taken to surgery.  Our immediate concern is the significant loss of blood.  He was stabbed in the abdomen, but it appears that vital organs were missed.  We can't tell if damage was caused for certain by the x-rays, but I feel confident that the injury will prove to be superficial.  We'll know more during the surgery.  Once the blood loss is under control we will have one other battle on our hands.  It appears that he was badly beaten and has several abrasions on the head and face.  Skull and facial x-ray's reveal a hairline fracture to the skull and their does appear to be some trauma to the brain.  At this point, we don't know the extent or degree of the head injury.  We have a neurosurgeon with him and he will begin as soon as we have the bleeding under control."

"I don't know what to say?"  Steve said in shock.  "Will he...will he make it?"  Steve forced.

The doctor took a deep breath and shook his head.  "We are doing all we can for him.  We really won't know more until after the surgery."

"Will he make it?"  Steve pronounced each word individually.  Kono came up to him and put his hand on Steve's back.  He knew Steve had reached his limit and wanted answers.  All this doctor had given him were more questions.

"I can't answer that Mr. McGarrett.  We won't know what exactly we're dealing with until we have him in surgery!"  The doctor regretted his outburst as soon as the words were spoken.  "Mr. McGarrett, I'm sorry.  It's been a long day and I'm exhausted.  My whole team did their best with Mr. Williams.  But I can't tell you he'll be OK, because I just don't know at this point.  Right now with what we know I would say he is in a life threatening situation.  You must understand that the surgeons with him are our best.  He's getting the best medical attention available in Hawaii."

Steve sat back down and thanked the doctor for his time. As the doctor turned to leave Chin noticed the Punana family arrive.  "Steve." 

Steve looked up as they hurried to him.  The look on Steve's face told them more than they wanted to know.  It was David who spoke first for his family. 

"How is my brother?  What's happening to him?"

Looking at Chin then to Kono, Steve repeated what the doctor had just said.  He didn't go into details of what happened at the house or how Danny was found...only that he was found by HPD and they were investigating what happened.

******

Danny was in surgery for several hours.  For those in the waiting room it seemed more than an eternity.  It was three o'clock the next morning before two surgeons walked into the room.  All eyes went to the doctors and the rise in the anxiety level was instantaneous. 

"Mr. Williams is out of surgery, he's in recovery right now then he will be taken to ICU.  As you know, blood loss from the head injury and the stab wound was severe but I feel comfortable that we will have no complications from that.  The stab wound only served as a source of bleeding, and that was all.  No damage has been done and it only required a few stitches.  I expect him to recover quickly in that."  The doctor turned to the other doctor with him, giving him his full attention.

"I'm Dr. Branson and the Chief Trauma Neurosurgeon here at Queens.  I was on duty when they brought Mr. Williams in so I was called due to the severity of his wounds.  As you know we did an x-ray prior to surgery and it showed a hairline fracture in the skull. We did not find any  foreign matters in the brain because of the fracture.  However, there is considerable swelling."

"What do you mean foreign matters, and what swelling?"  Steve asked alarmed.

Looking at everyone around he wanted to be sensitive, yet he knew he needed to answer their questions.  "Well, by foreign matter that would be hair, bone fragments or splinters, dirt, fibers from the environment...any matter that doesn't belong."  He knew what he said was disturbing to them, but he felt satisfied he answered compassionately.  "We found nothing like that and that's good.  As for the swelling...that is our main problem right now.  If you sprained your arm or ankle from an injury, they would become swollen as a result.  The brain can be injured in the same way.  Because of the trauma to his head, it caused trauma to the brain.  As a result of this trauma, his brain is swollen.  However, unlike an arm or ankle, there is no way the brain can expand because of the skull.  This creates pressure inside the skull and if that pressure isn't released...it can cause massive damage to the brain.  It could even possibly kill you.  As for Mr. Williams, the pressure was at a very dangerous stage.  We had to go into the skull surgically, to try and relieve the pressure there."

"And..."  David asked impatiently before the doctor had a chance to finish.

"And, we won't know for certain what damage...if any...was caused until the swelling goes down.  I'm afraid it's a waiting game, but I feel confident that within the next 24 to 48 hours we will know more.  It's just going to take time I'm afraid."

Steve was more than familiar with the waiting game.  Every aspect of his life involved waiting.  But it didn't make things easier.

Once Danny was settled in ICU everyone was allowed to go back and see him.  He was not conscious and was on a respirator which alarmed Steve.

"The respirator is a result of the surgery.  We will begin to wean him from it tomorrow.  Right now he is initiating the breathing, the respirator is only assisting."  The nurse volunteered after  noticing the concerned looks on the faces of the visitors.  "Most of the IV lines will be gone within the next 24 hours if he continues to improve.  He's really doing great, his vital signs are strong and he is stable."  ICU was intimidating, and she always felt the families were her patients nearly as much as the person in the bed.  She smiled knowing that they wouldn't be happy until her patient was well, but she hoped she calmed their fears a little.

Dr. Branson walked in the room and advised them their time was up and they needed to leave.  After everyone left the room Steve went to the other side of Danny's bed and pulled the chair in the corner closer to the head of the bed.

"I'll be staying."  Steve advised without even looking at the doctor.

"Mr. McGarrett, he really needs to rest.  I'm afraid you..."

Steve looked up at the doctor and stared at him with icy blue eyes.

"Danno is resting.  I will not interfere with your duties or that of the nurses.  And in case you didn't notice, I told you I would be staying...I didn't ask."  Steve kept his eyes on the doctor for a few more minutes then looked back down at Danny.  "Check his chart Dr. Branson, you'll see that I have Power of Attorney should Dan Williams not be able to make his own decisions."  Looking back at the doctor he continued, "And I take that charge seriously.  I'm staying."

Dr. Branson knew there would be no compromises here.  He also knew that even if Steve McGarrett didn't have Power of Attorney, he would still remain by his patient's side.  He could call security, but then how can you ask security to remove the top law enforcement officer in the State?  He also felt that from the Power of Attorney, the patient obviously wanted Mr. McGarrett involved.  Dr. Branson looked at the nurse and shook his head.  She merely smiled back then continued on with her work.

Once in the waiting area, Joey noticed Steve wasn't with them.  He took his wife's hand and squeezed it.  "Our Danny will be fine now."  Understanding that Steve remained behind and what her husband meant, Mei put her head against her husband's shoulder and nodded in agreement.

******

The nurse slightly touched Steve's shoulder.  He woke noticing the bright morning sun and to the sound of the respirator in the room.  Removing the blanket that someone had placed on him, he looked over to Danny who still lay unconscious. 

"We're going to remove the respirator so I need for you to leave for a few minutes.  The cafeteria usually has fresh brewed coffee at this hour and it's better than the coffee we serve here in ICU.  Why not take a walk and by the time you get back, we should be finished with Mr. Williams."

Steve really preferred to wait right outside the door, but her friendly face told him what he already knew...he needed a break.  Steve began to fold the blanket as he stood and looked longingly at Danny.  "How is he doing?"

"He's doing very well.  We'll put him on oxygen for the remainder of the day at least, but the respirator really isn't needed any longer...and that's always a good sign."  She said as she took the blanket from Steve and folded it for him.

"Then why hasn't he awaken?"

"He suffered an extreme blow to his head.  It may take a while, Dr. Branson will be in within the hour and he may be able to tell you more."

Steve took Danny's hand and leaned close to him.  "I'll be right back Danno, you're not alone OK."

"You talked to him almost all night long." 

"I felt he needed to know I was here.  I know Dr. Branson said he needed rest, but I know Danno better than he does.  He needs to know he's not alone in this."  Steve patted Danny's arm and left.

******

By the time Steve returned Mei and Joey were in the ICU waiting room.  "The doctor is with Danny now."  Joey offered.  "He said he would be out to talk to us as soon as he's done examining him."

"Were you able to get in touch with Clara?"  Steve asked.

"Well, I wasn't sure how to."  Mei replied with a worried look on her face.  "She is in Japan with friends from her acting troop.  Danny had given me her number to the hotel she would be staying at, but they haven't checked in yet."

"So why the worried look?"  Steve asked gently with a smile on his face.

"I didn't leave a message because I didn't want her to be frantic.  I feel so bad that this is going on and she doesn't know.  It would hurt me deeply knowing something was wrong with one of my children and I never knew."  Mei was near tears by this time.

Joey put his arms around his wife's shoulders and hugged her.  "Mei, we do the best we can.  Imagine how Clara would be if we left a message that Danny is hurt but couldn't give her more information.  Besides, what if she calls and can't reach us...it'll only cause her more worry."

Steve was about to agree when Dr. Branson appeared.  Years of reading people and their body language told Steve something was wrong, no matter how much the doctor tried to hide it.

"Mr. Williams is progressing very well.  Though he hasn't regained full consciousness, he is responding and appears to be trying to open his eyes.  Unfortunately, I can't tell you how much longer it will be before he is fully awake."

"How much longer will he be in ICU?"  Joey asked excited that Danny was doing so well.

"It's hard to say.  Definitely not until he is awake.  It will be a daily decision.  Do you have any other questions?"

Joey and Mei both shook their heads, smiling broadly.

"Why don't you go in and visit with him then.  I'll be here for a few more hours in case you should think of anything."  Dr. Branson said as he patted Mei on her back.

"Steve?"  Joey asked.

"I'll be right behind you.  Need to check in at the office real quick." 

Once the Punana's were out of hearing range, Dr. Branson turned to Steve.  "You have questions you didn't want to ask in front of them, don't you?"

"Yes I do.  My first question is, what are you not telling us?"  Steve asked not sure he wanted to hear.

"Detectives!"  Dr. Branson smiled.  He guided Steve to a private area within the waiting room so the two could talk undisturbed.  "I'm concerned with the fact he doesn't seem to be trying to wake up."

"But you said he was trying to open his eyes?  And why would that concern you?" 

"He is trying to open his eyes, but he isn't fighting.  I heard you talked to him last night.  I also heard there was no response."

"He is unconscious and on a respirator...of course there was no response!"  Steve was becoming agitated.  'Why don't doctors just come out and say what is going on...they always have to go in circles!'  Steve thought to himself.  "Dr. Branson, what do you think is the problem?  I know you have an opinion and I want to know."  Steve's voice was demanding, his mind determined.

Dr. Branson knew Steve wouldn't be put off by the usual answer given by doctors.  He also understood that Steve could see right through him so there was no way he could mask his thoughts or opinions.  "This is highly unorthodox Mr. McGarrett.  You know there are a number of things that could be wrong.  There may not be anything wrong at all..."

"Don't pull that on me Branson!"  Steve's voice was quite yet forceful as he scooted up in his chair and his face was directly in front of the doctor.

Raising his hands up to try and back Steve away, Dr. Branson conceded.  "Anything could be the problem.  I believe he was conscious enough to have responded to you last night.  I'm afraid I'm inclined to believe he may have some damage to the brain."

Steve could feel his body go ice cold.  There was no way he could accept what he was hearing, "How severe do you suspect the damage to be?" 

"There is no way of knowing right now.  It could be slight damage, or it could be very significant."