Act 3

The sound of barking drew Mike and Scarne to a cubicle near the back of the ER. "Norton wouldn't come unless we brought his dogs, too," the harried paramedic explained. "That guy's loco!"

"You would be, too, if you'd had his experiences," the gruff-voiced priest made his point as Mike pulled back the curtain and approached the disheveled young man sitting on the edge of the exam bed.

"Mack," the detective said in a gentle, fatherly tone, using Norton's real name. "Tell me what happened. Just take your time."

"Assassins," Norton sniveled. "After me, their Emperor." He was determined to play the part.

"Where were you when the assassins attacked?"

"In the alley near the Jade Tiger. I was always welcome there, until the other man came. He refused to treat me with the respect due my position." He looked around in confusion. "Where is Inspector Williams? He needs to go to there. He needs to arrest that man."

"Other man?" Mike questioned. "Can you describe him for me?

"Chinese, older, heavy. He was bald and had a mustache." Norton's agitation grew. "Where are my associates? Bummer and Lazarus? They saved my life." His voice grew forceful. "I wish to go home. No more questions." He tried to slip off the bed, then swayed dizzily. Scarne steadied him.

"I'm sorry, Mack," Stone broke in. "It isn't safe for you to go home tonight. The assassins might know where you live. We'll find you other suitable accommodations." He waited a few minutes for the vet to become calm before finishing, "If you feel up to it, I'd like you to come to headquarters and meet with a police artist. You could help him get a sketch of that man. Is that all right with you?"

Norton indicated his agreement adding, "I will expect Mr. Williams to offer me dinner in recompense." His regal bearing once again in place, he and his canine companions followed Stone and Scarne to the car.

Mike radioed ahead. "Inspectors 8-1. I've got Norton. Have Dan Williams get one of our artists. We may have a lead for McGarrett."

o-o-o-o-o

"Danny!" Norm Haseejian pushed the office door open. "Mike's on his way. He's got the Emperor with him. He'll need a sketch artist."

"Better get back to work," Dan laughed. "Mike must have something for us." He made a quick call. "Hank Allen is on the way. He's the best we've got. If anyone can get through to Norton, he can." He added in a more serious tone, "I wonder if this incident has anything to do with Chen and Wo Fat? I'll go meet Mike."

When Williams returned several minutes later, his worried look alerted McGarrett: Wo Fat.

Dan confirmed the Hawaiian cop's guess. "From Norton's description, it could only be Fat. We'll know for certain when Hank finishes his sketch."

The sketch was unmistakable.

o-o-o-o-o

Mike asked Haseejian to drive Scarne and Norton back to Old St. Mary's; the Emperor would stay at the Seamen's Center. He called a meeting with Steve and Dan.

"So this is Wo Fat," he said, studying the sketch. "And he's here. Why?"

"Any number of reasons," McGarrett responded. "He could be setting up a new base of operations."

"After he kills you, Steve." Williams finished the thought. "And it's very likely he knows you're here. If he's been here for any length of time, he'd have heard about Vashon and Nardini. He knows you have to testify."

"Possibly." McGarrett sounded skeptical.

"There's more, Steve. Norton got a good look at you. It's almost certain he described you to Wo Fat."

Mike nodded. "Norton never forgets a face. Unfortunately, he's not very careful about sharing information with whoever pays him. I think that whole business with Chen Yu was a set up. They're setting a trap somehow, Chen and Fat." The craggy-faced detective looked at his watch. "Danny Boy, what time did Pete Wong say he'd be here?"

"After five. We've got time to get something to eat. Norton took my donut."

Mike laughed. "Our cafeteria's not the best, but it's real cop food. My treat." Steve didn't notice Dan's smirk.

o-o-o-o-o

Detective Pete Wong sauntered into the back room of the Jade Tiger and greeted a couple of members of the gang. "I hear you guys got that loco Norton. Someone wanted him hit?"

"Just a flesh wound," one of the thugs affirmed. "Chen wanted him warned to stay away. Grapevine says he went with Scarne."

Wong shrugged. "Norton can't shut up. Why didn't you just . . ." He aimed a finger at the other man's heart and pretended to pull the trigger.

"Chen wanted him alive. Something about catching some bait. Something big's going down." He looked around as if he didn't want anyone else to hear. "There's a new head man in town. Chen's working with him." He shrugged as he pulled out a deck of cards. "How about a few hands of pai gow poker?"

"Why not?" Wong pulled up a chair. You could learn a lot in a card game.

o-o-o-o-o

"Sekulovich brought me in. Loitering," Pete Wong greeted Stone. He turned to Mike's two companions. "Hi, Danny. Good to see you. And you must be McGarrett." He studied the imposing Hawaiian officer. "I've been hearing your name off and on this afternoon. Someone wants you dead."

Steve's expression tightened. "Who? Can you describe him?" The dark blue eyes bored into the undercover cop.

"New boss, works out of Jade Tiger. Rumor has it he's fishing for bait and using Norton to get it." Wong met Danny's eyes. "You. He knows you're McGarrett's associate."

"Is this the man?" Stone unfolded a copy of the sketch. Wong nodded.

"Wo Fat." Steve's anger was palpable. "I want him."

Danny spoke quietly. He knew the risks involved in what he was about to propose. "He wants bait to lure you, Steve. What if we give it to him? Me."

"NO!" Two forceful voices spoke in unison. "Not you!"

"Why not?" Wong interjected. Wo Fat may not know you've identified him. If you send Dan in with a wire, you could get enough to book him here. You'll have him on conspiracy to commit murder. The Feds can take over after that."

"I still don't like it," McGarrett thought out loud. "It's dangerous, but it might be the best option, if Danno's willing to risk it."

"As long as the three of you back me up," the younger officer replied.

"You can count on that, Danno. Be careful." I don't want to lose you Another unvoiced thought.

"Always." Dan read the thought behind the words.

o-o-o-o-o

"This is supposed to be just a routine assignment." Williams thought. "Make it look like one." He noticed Pete Wong loitering down the block, cigarette in hand, part of a group of young thugs. Mike, Steve, and Father Scarne were a couple of blocks away, at Old St. Mary's.

Dan felt the skin on the back of his neck prickle as he entered the dark interior of the Jade Tiger and glanced around. No one there. He stepped further in and stopped as a voice from the shadows inquired, "What can I do for you?"

"Inspector Williams, SFPD. Just a few questions about yesterday's shooting."

"Just a vagrant," the soft voice responded. "Some of our young men having some fun. Things got a bit out of control. You know how it is. If you will come with me, there is someone here who may have more information." The man stepped into the dim light, motioning the officer to follow.

Dan had no choice. He had to play this out. Steve, Mike, I hope you're getting this.

o-o-o-o-o