Chapter 2- tugging on the heartstrings
"But Steve, it can't be Bobby", Danny protested as he listened in horror to what Steve was telling him. "Bobby's in New York, he never said anything about coming to Hawaii . Steve took a deep breath, "Sorry Danno but I made the ID myself",.
The phone went quiet and Steve hoped Danny hadn't fainted on him. "Danno you there", he begged. "Yes", Dannys voice was barely audible and sounded grief stricken. "Where'd they take him", Danny managed to ask.
"Queens", Steve reported. "I'll, I'll", Danny stuttered obviously still in shock,
I'll go straight away", he managed to get out. Steve grimaced at the thought of the obviously distressed Danny racing to the hospital by himself. But he needed to try and get the investigation under way straight away. "I'll inform HPD not to pull you over if they see you speeding", Steve told him. "I'll have to stay here ,find out what I can about whoever did this". "Alright", came the faint reply then slam the phone was put down and Steve could visualize Danny racing madly out the door.
Steve turned back to the HPD officers who'd cordoned off the area where Bobby had been stabbed. It was time to see what sort of evidence they could gather. Steve walked over to the white faced woman who waited at the side of the road. "That guy, will he be alright", she asked tentatively. Steve sighed, "it looked bad" ,he replied softly.
Lisa nodded numbly. "what can you tell us Ms James," Steve prodded his thoughts turning away from Danny and to the business at hand.
"Not much", Lisa replied. I was lost ad trying to find my way back to the freeway.
Anyway my lights pick up this car stopped in the road. I was thinking how dangerous that was when the lights of the car snapped on and blinded me. I couldn't see for several minutes. Then when my eyes cleared I saw the stabbed guy", Lisa explained.
"What can you tell us about the vehicle", Steve prodded. "It was a dark colour, but then I suppose everything is at night, a big car. I'm afraid I don't know what sort".
Lisa responded. Steve sighed that told them absolutely nothing. "What type of cab was it", he asked. "A cab, Lisa sounded puzzled, "It didn't look like a cab."
Steve bit his lip maybe his theory about a bogus cab was holding up.
"So you can't tell us much about the car', Steve confirmed. "Not really, I only got the first two letters of the plate before the headlights blinded me", Lisa told him. Steves eyes widened, "you got a partial license', he repeated, "Yes, Lisa nodded. "Alright you can give the details to the HPD officers", he stated. "Now how about the driver",Steve asked swiftly moving the questions forward.
"I didn't see him at all. When my lights hit the car it looked empty . Then the headlights snap on and I can't see anything at all", Lisa confirmed.
"Alright thank you Ms James I'll get some officers to escort you home, Steve acknowledged. He turned to the HPd officers, "get in touch with the DMV and get a list of all possible cars with plates starting with the same letters".
Steve knew that with only the beginning of a plate the list would be huge. But they may be able to eliminate some unlikely candidates like trucks.
He returned to his car and radioed for Chin and Kono to be contacted and meet him immediately. He was certain there was going to be no sleep for any of them this night.
Danny frantically ran into the hospital hoping some horrible mistake had been made.
The ER room nurse informed him that Bobby had gone straight to the OR and that Doc Bergman was attending him. "Doctor Bergman was here when your brother was brought in and insisting on attending him. He said to tell you he'll do everything he can', the nurse stated.
Danny nodded numbly, "How bad is it', he asked nervously.
The nurse looked down the took a deep breath, "he had a knife sticking out of his chest", she stated. "It looked life threatening to me".
Danny found himself walking robot like to the waiting room. He could scarcely believe all this was happening. It was like a dream or rather a nightmare.
Rigidly sitting himself down in the chair Danny twisted his hands together with worry. Seconds later he jumped out of the chair as his thoughts shifted to the other people in Bobby's life that should be told about what had happened.
He knew his Aunt Clara would be distressed over the news and would want to fly straight to Hawaii. He guessed the same would be true of Liz and Bobby's mother Harriet.
He didn't know the phone numbers of either of them though. Then his thoughts shifted to Bobby's boss Lt Kojak, he'd definitely know the contact deals of the others.
Excusing himself from the waiting room Danny made his way to a phone.
He dialed the Manhattan south precinct number and hurriedly asked to urgently speak with Lt Kojak. Seconds later the Lt's voice boomed down the line.
"Detective Williams", I was told this was an urgent call", Theo remarked wondering why Danny would say that if he'd just rang up over the job offer. "It is", Danny croaked unable to keep the grief out of his voice. "Bobby was stabbed not long ago", he rushed out. Theo Kojak almost dropped the phone he knew Bobby had been making a surprise trip to Hawaii but had never expected to hear anything like this.
"This killer he…Danny sobbed then took a deep breath, "he stabbed Bobby in the chest." Danny brokenly continued. "I'm ringing because Liz and Bobby's mother should be told and I don't know their numbers."
Kojak was sure the hand holding the phone had turned numb, "Why don't I contact them both Danny ,then I can get them both on a plane and out there as fast as possible" Danny thought about saying no, that he should be the one contacting Liz and Harriet. Yet what Theo Kojak said made sense. He could get things in motion a lot quicker. "Alright", Danny agreed. "It's serious so please get them here as soon as possible".
Danny hung up after that then dialed the next number bracing himself for the moment he had to tell his Aunt.
Theo Kojak was staring into space when Frank Mc Neil came into his office, "Well Theo we've closed the…he broke off staring at his Lts white face, "What is it Theo", he asked moving closer to his Lt side. "Bobby's been seriously injured in Hawaii", he told the stunned Captain.
While Mc Neil sat heavily in a chair Theo looked up two phone numbers and began to try to get his thought in order as to what exactly he was going to say. He heard laughter coming from the squad room and swallowed, very soon he was going to have to tell his men. Then none of them would be laughing for a long time to come.
Roughly one hour later three upset woman converged on the airport. They'd been given priority on the next flight to Hawaii. Liz sought out Clara Williams knowing she'd feel isolated at this moment. She had to give the appearance of flying to Hawaii for Danny's sake not Bobby's. Liz though knew she was in fact also Bobby's aunt but couldn't acknowledge that fact in front of Harriet Crocker. No matter what condition Bobby was in he still wouldn't want his mother finding out that she had no actual physical ties to him .Liz found herself in the position of being the buffer between Harriet and Clara as she begged them all to get on for Bobby's sake.
Theo Kojak was numbly driving his car home. He stopped on the way at a little church. "Theo", the priest sounded surprised to see him. Theo nodded his sister regularly came here, but not him, today though was different. "I was wondering Benson if you'd say a prayer for me" he asked. Benson nodded. "It's for my Sergeant, he was seriously wounded in Hawaii". Benson nodded and the two proceed to pray.
After the prayer Theo slipped back in his car and headed home. Only somehow his car didn't seem to be going toward home instead it went toward the road stating 'airport'. Theo snatched up the radio and got through to Frank. "I'm going to Hawaii', he said. Frank Mc Neil didn't even sound surprised.
Kono and Chin listened gravely as Steve told them about Bobby. We owe it to Danno to get this guy", he stated passionately. "Chin, Kono get some HPD backup and go and talk to all the dispatchers of cab companies. Find out which drivers picked up passengers from the terminal around the time Bobby's plane landed.
When you find out go interview them ,see if you can get them to id the cab and driver that picked up Crocker. Also find out the names of their passengers they also may be potential witnesses. Concentrate on the passengers off the same plane for a start it is likely they left the terminal same time Crocker did."
Kono and Chin nodded, "what will you be doing Boss", Kono asked.
Steve grimaced, "I'll be going to the hospital to see what condition Crocker is in and making sure any evidence goes straight to Che"
Danny almost fell asleep then forced himself awake. He couldn't fall asleep now no matter how tired he was becoming.
"Here Danno", looking up Danny saw Steve standing there with a coffee in his hand.
Danny took it barely feeling the warmth through his fingers, "how could this happen Steve, Danny cried, "why'd that maniac have to choose Bobby".
Steve didn't answer just awkwardly patted Danny's shoulder.
"I want to find the guy and pull his arms and legs off', Danny suddenly stated furiously. "Me too Danno", Steve acknowledged softly keeping his hand on Danny's shoulder. "How much longer will it be before I know", Danny asked fearfully.
Steve looked at the clock. "Might be awhile yet Danno", he reflected. He didn't want Danny to know he'd come for evidence, so said instead," I'm just going to the bathroom, I'll be back soon. Then he slipped away in the direction of the operating theatres.
Doc Bergman came out of the operating theatre and wiped his face. He watched as his patient was wheeled past and leaned against the wall for a moment. As bad as the surgery had been he knew the worst was yet to come. "Send Danny Williams to my office" he called to a nurse as he went by. Looking up he saw the tall form of Steve Mc Garrett and felt angry. Trust Steve to use his influence to get this close. The 5-0 chief saw him and came over. "Doc, I came to see how Crocker was doing and get the knife and anything else rushed to the lab."
Doc looked grim, "Steve I'm afraid I have some bad news to deliver to Danny".
Steves heart lurched. "Oh", was all he could say. Docs hand reached out and clamped onto Steves, "Dannys going to need all your support Steve., he stated firmly.
"He'll get my support Doc, but I'm also head of 5-0 and have to lead this investigation. We need to find out who did this not only for Danny's sake but for any other potential victims", Steve told Doc in a passionate manner.
Doc nodded, "I understand Steve it is hard when one of your own officers family is involved in this." The knife, Crocker's clothes and what's left of his special effects are all bagged up for you in OR 2" Doc told him pointing a finger toward a door."Doc do you want me to be with Danny when you tell him', Steve asked as he stepped toward the theatre.
"No Steve go do what you have to I wont leave Danny's side until everything is over".Doc told him firmly as he walked toward his office.
Danny was sitting there fear clearly in his eyes as he watched the doctor sit down at behind his desk. "Is he dead Doc, he forced out. Doc shook his head and Danny's spirits began to lift. "He survived the surgery Danny, but…Doc paused took a breath then continued, "I can't be anything less than honest with you."
The odds are against Bobby living much past tomorrow."
Danny went white causing Doc to come around from behind his desk to sit by him.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you that Danny", he stated to the distraught detective.
Danny could feel hot embarrassing tears fall down his cheeks, "can I…see him", he asked brokenly. "Yes, see him and stay with him until..well until the end", Doc told him compassionately. Helping Danny up Doc led him to the recovery room.
Danny entered the curtained off portion then stopped still at what he saw.
Doc cursed as Dannys legs buckled. He quickly caught the young detective dragging him over to a chair. Doc chastised himself for not warning Danny about what he'd see.
Danny looked at ghastly things all the time but it was always different when it was a relative.
Putting smelling salts under Danny's nose Doc revived him.
Danny stared over at what he could see of his brother. There were so many things present, a heart monitor , a respirator, IV tubes , drains, he looked more machine than man. The heart monitor bleeped erratically graphically showing Danny the state of Bobby's faltering heart. "'I'll get you a chair Danny', Doc offered slipping out of the curtains.
Danny carefully approached Bobby, tears dropping from his cheeks to fall on his brothers skin.. He reached out his hand and delicately grasped Bobby's. "I'm here Bobby", he stated softly as he squeezed the hand, "I'm here and I won't leave you'.
Doc managed to catch Steve as he was leaving. "I told Danny that his brother probably won't live past tomorrow evening", he confirmed. Danny will be sitting with Bobby until the end", Doc said sadly.
"Will he live long enough to see his girlfriend and mother", Steve asked.
Doc shrugged, "maybe sometimes people hang on for things like that".
"Once Danny's grieving is over I imagine he's going to start feeling very angry", doc reported. Please make sure he stays well away from this case, for his own sake."
Steve nodded gravely, "don't worry Doc Danny's now on indefinite leave and I'll ensure he stays that way". Doc nodded and turned to leave. "Thanks for staying with him Doc', Steve said as he departed feeling guilty for having to put business over his friends needs.
Danny sat by his brother's side, "there are so many things I have never told you", he stated brokenly." I'm sorry now is the only time we've got left."
"Where to begin, well let me tell you about why I decided to be a cop".
Danny held onto his brothers hand and began to talk telling him all about his life. Tears mingled against the words and Danny cursed life for being so unfair.