Chapter 20:
Danny held his breath as he watched the Governor go over everything he had just explained. The Governor was looking at papers Danny had typed and printed out.
"You mentioned a good task force as a team of four. Who were you thinking for the fourth?" The Governor asked him.
Danny smiled and glanced at Steve, who stood next to him.
Steve glanced back and looked back at the Governor. "Sir, we collectively thought Officer Chin Ho Kelly would be perfect for the job. He has shown time and again how valuable he is to me as well as to the Honolulu Police Department."
"If he's so valuable, why do you want to take him away from the department?"
"We feel his time and skills would benefit the task force. Since the state of Hawaii technically doesn't have a. . .conventional state police force, we feel that Lieutenant Kelly's skills and abilities will serve a wider range of people than his work at the Honolulu Police Department."
The Governor sat back in his chair. "Alright. . .let's test trial this. We'll form some agreement upon rules and guidelines and then I'll like to see your work over the course of three months. If I see improvements in crime stats on the islands, then we can continue this task force. Fair?"
"More than fair, sir. When can we start?" Danny asked.
The Governor thought about the question. "As soon as you get your office set up."
"Where do you want us stationed?"
"There's spare office spaces at Ali'iōlani Hale. I'd like it if you guys would 'set up camp', so to speak, over there."
Danny grinned.
"We'll furnish your offices with what we think you'll need. If you guys would like other things, make a good case for it and we'll pay for it. Alright?" He gave them a smile. "I feel like this is a good idea. . .excellent plans. . ." He gestured to the papers. "Let's go to it." He said as he stood up from his desk.
Danny glanced at Steve as the governor stood from his chair. They shook the Governor's hand, said their goodbyes, and departed from the room.
Danny could barely contain himself as they walked through the halls and out of the building. Once the doors were close, they turned to each other and let out exclamations of excitement. They hugged each other.
"Oh, my god, Steve! This-this is-" Danny couldn't think straight with his excitement.
Steve pulled from him and grinned. "I know! I can't believe this!"
Danny chuckled with him.
Steve looked at him like he was a little lost, but still immensely excited. "What now?"
Danny licked his lower lip and shrugged, looking at the ground. "I guess we call up Kono and Chin and. . .make them an offer."
Steve gazed at him. "What if we told them in person?"
Danny looked up at him.
Steve nodded. "I think the first team's meeting should be celebratory drinks. . .or dinner or something."
Danny grinned and pulled out his phone. "I'll call Kono if you want to call Chin."
Steve pulled his own phone out with a smile. "Yeah, sure." He said as he dialed the number and brought the phone to his ear.
"Where do you want to go?"
Steve thought for a quick moment. "Billy's."
Danny grinned at his response. Our first meet place. . .
Steve's eyebrows bounced as he grinned. "Hey Chin, you have a sec?"