The crime scene tape remained around Danny and Steve's vehicles and around the area of sidewalk in front of them as the ambulance pulled up in front of the Palace. Nurse Karen stepped out of the back of the ambulance and quickly saw the blood stain on the sidewalk which she correctly guessed was from Steve's head wound. Steve slowly stepped out as well with Kono right behind him.
Steve also looked over at the spot on the sidewalk and then over at Danny's car. A foggy memory surfaced as he looked at the car. "We got here together this morning."
Kono nodded, "Did you see anyone else?"
Steve squinted in concentration, "That's all I can remember. I remember pulling in and next thing I know I'm waking up in the ambulance."
"Memory loss is common in head traumas. It should clear up in a few days." Karen explained.
"I don't have a few days." Steve ground out between clenched teeth. "We have to find Danny now."
"We will, Boss." Kono assured him. "Let's go see what Chin has."
5-0 Headquarters was busy with activity as McGarrett and Kono walked in with Karen following closely behind. There were half a dozen HPD officers sitting around the room with computer work stations set up in various areas and a few evidence boxes scattered about while Chin was busy in the center of the room speaking with someone on the big screen via webconference.
"Keep us informed. No matter what time you hear anything, we want to know," the man on the screen said.
"Thank you," Chin hit the button and the man's image disappeared from view. Chin turned to the others, "That was Danny's lieutenant in New Jersey. They're looking into his old cases to see if someone with a grudge has found him or anything."
"Good," Steve stopped short of nodding as his head was starting to not pound so much, he didn't want to start it up again.
"They've got a whole squad room of detectives ready to come down and kick some ass."
"They'll have to stand in line." Steve said without a hint of humor. His face was grim. "We don't know anything else?"
Chin gestured around the room, "HPD is looking into all of Danny's cases since he came, and any the two of you have worked on."
The conversation was interrupted by the doors opening to admit the governor trailed by two aides. The governor strode over to the 5-0 group, "Commander McGarrett, good to see you up and about. After my initial report this morning, I was afraid I was going to need a new head of the task force," he gestured to Steve's bandaged head, "How is your head?"
"It's fine, Sir." Steve glanced over at Karen. "Besides, apparently I have my own watchdog to make sure it doesn't fall off."
The governor nodded at the nurse, "Good. I may have to think of assigning her here permanently for all the trouble you people tend to get into. Any idea what's going on?"
"We're working on that sir," Chin gestured around the room. "We're looking into Danny's old cases both here and in New Jersey."
"So you're going on the assumption that Detective Williams was the target? Even though the commander here was shot in the head and the shooter presumably believes him to be dead?"
"But it's Danny that is missing, sir." Chin pointed out. "Why take Danny if you think you've already killed Steve?"
"It's probably best they don't know that I'm alive," Steve pointed out. "No telling what they'd do to Danny then... We don't even know what they're doing now."
During the conversation, Karen had been observing the activity around her while trying to concentrate on Commander McGarrett since she had been entrusted with his care. For as much pain as he must be in due to his injury, she didn't think he even noticed it as he concentrated on finding his partner. The worry that passed through his eyes when he spoke of what his partner's captors may be doing was almost enough to make her cry and as she noticed the look in his eyes that followed, she almost felt sorry for those people when the commander caught up with them. And then she thought that anyone who would cold-bloodedly shoot someone in the head from behind didn't deserve her pity.
Steve began to pace and glance at the smart table and what little information was displayed on it, "Who is behind this? And what do they want?"
Chin and Kono had taken up positions around the table but neither of them knew the answers their boss was seeking. They, too, stared at the table, willing it to give them answers.
"It's been how long since they grabbed Danny?" Steve looked at Chin.
Without looking at the clock Chin said, "Going on four hours."
"Too long," Steve muttered. "Too long. If someone grabbed him, why haven't they been in touch yet?"
"Commander, if you and your team will excuse me," The governor glanced around the room. "I believe you have the situation under control to the best of your ability right now. Please keep me informed of any developments."
"Of course, Governor." Steve acknowledged.
The governor turned as he started to walk away, "And, Commander, please make sure you take care of yourself and get some rest."
"I will, Governor." Steve watched as the governor strode out the door, trailing his two aides, "right after we get Danny back." he muttered.
As if he heard the muttered remark, the governor came back through the doors and headed straight for McGarrett. At first, Steve thought he had heard his remark and he was about to get taken off the case, but then he saw the governor had his phone to his ear.
Chin and Kono started working on the smart table as Steve pointed at it and mouthed "trace" while the governor approached. Steve stepped to the side and let the others work while he listened intently to the governor's half of the conversation. He motioned for Karen to come stand by him out of the way.
"... I understand that, but you have to understand the position I am in. You've already killed the head of my task force," a brief glance and raised eyebrows at Steve, "and taken a detective hostage. How do I know you can be trusted and that Detective Williams is still alive?"
Steve watched as the governor pursed his lips and nodded and then handed the phone to Chin.
Chin listened for a moment and then said, "And how do we know this isn't a trap? ...Yes, I understand... Yes... I will let him know... Yes"
As Chin disconnected and handed the phone back to the governor, Steve practically pounced on him, "What did he say?"
"He gave me an address. Says there's proof that Danny's still alive."
"He won't be there," Steve pointed out, "but take SWAT anyway."
"You're not coming?" Kono was surprised.
"Chin's lead. We can't run the risk that the guy's watching and this is just a test to see if I show up. We can't take the chance that he'll kill Danny if he knows I'm still alive. We don't know his game yet."
Chin nodded, "SWAT's been on stand-by since this morning so we're ready to go once we're suited up."
Steve handed him his op gear. "I"ll keep patched in from here."
Chin nodded and took the gear which included the necessary electronics so Steve could hear and see the raid as it happened. He attached his earpiece and microphone and made sure everything was connected. "I've rigged it so Jersey can watch and listen as well. They can't talk to us, but they can see what's going on."
Steve nodded his approval and watched as his team left the room.
"Commander, I really think you should sit and relax for a little bit." Karen urged him.
"Not yet," Steve looked at the large monitor. "Can't."
Karen nodded. She hadn't known the man long, but she thought she was starting to figure him out. He wasn't going to rest until he had some answers. If they weren't the answers he liked, she had a feeling that she'd have to force him to rest. She sensed that might be easier with the help of his team.
Steve reviewed the map of the area around the address they had been given by the kidnapper. It wasn't too far from Five-O Headquarters which made sense if he was trying to get Danny out of sight as soon as possible before they had a chance to react to the attack. That was one of the reasons Steve knew Danny wouldn't be there. Not if he was still alive.
The ten minute wait felt like hours to Steve as he tried not to imagine all the worst case scenarios. Problem was that he had seen a lot of horrible things in his years in the Navy and was trained in how to withstand torture so he knew what sorts of devastating things people were capable of doing to each other. And since he had no idea who this kidnapper was or what he wanted, he couldn't rule out that Danny was being tortured for information.