Chapter 2

Kono paced the hallway outside the treatment room at Queen's Hospital. Normally Steve would have been there, but the boss had his hands full tightening security for the governor now that there had been an attempt on the man's life. This time it was Kono who had accompanied Danny in the ambulance and now anxiously awaited word on his friend's condition. Replaying the morning's events in his mind, the large Hawaiian silently cursed himself for losing sight of the gunman. Everything had happened so quickly. His thoughts were soon interrupted by Bergman's appearance in the hall.

"How is he, Doc?" Kono asked quietly, his voice betraying his concern.

"Lucky," Doc replied, shoving his hands in the pockets of his white lab coat. "The bullet was easily removed. There's muscle damage, so he's going to be sore for a while, but he didn't lose too much blood, fortunately. Where's Steve?"

"With da governor," Kono said; his relief apparent. "Are you keeping Danny overnight?"

"No, you can take him home, but I want him to rest. He'll probably sleep the rest of the day anyway while the pain meds wear off."

"Okay. Thanks for taking care of him, Doc!" Kono said sincerely as he turned and entered Danny's room.

o-o-o-o-o

"Steve, what you're suggesting is out of the question!" Governor Jameson stated emphatically. "I will not go off and hide. I can't run this state that way!"

"Please be reasonable, sir," Steve said, taking care not to raise his voice. "I don't have the manpower to protect you at the Capitol Building; you're just too much in the open there. You'll have to conduct business from a safe house."

"Alright, Steve, but on one condition – I'm giving you a time limit. You have one week to straighten this out, then I will be back to my usual routine. That's my final word."

The big detective sighed. "Okay, sir, one week. I'll make the arrangements for your transportation."

"Thank you, Steve," the governor replied as they shook hands.

Steve took that as a sign that he was dismissed but when he reached the door Jameson called out, "Wait."

Steve turned and saw a face he rarely saw, the face of the man behind the politician, the face of tired, worn and yet concerned public servant who had almost lost his life two hours ago. The anger was gone and replaced with worry. "What is it, Sir?"

The Governor hesitated as if he was carefully choosing his words before he spoke. "I realize I'm asking a lot of you but I need you to use the time I'm giving you to find the shooter and figure why he did this before the week is over."

"That was my intention," Steve replied. "Why the concern?"

"This law… it passed the legislature two days ago. I have to sign or veto the bill within ten days of that date or it becomes law even without my signature."

Not entirely sure what the issue was, Steve suggested, "If that's your concern, I can get one camera in here and you can give your speech before you leave for the safe house."

"No," Jameson declared. "I can't make my decision known now. I haven't changed my mind but the media has already caught wind that the shooter was Hawaiian. If I sign the bill, I'm caving in to the threat against my life. If I veto it, I'm allowing my anger to influence my decision. If I do nothing and let the bill become law, I'm a coward. That's what the public will think and my opponents will say."

"Sir," Steve said, his voice full of concern and conviction, "no one can ever accuse you of being a coward."

"Steve, the only way I govern successfully is if the public knows the truth. Only then can I explain my actions to the public."

Understanding the Governor's position, Steve decided to press for information he didn't currently have. "It might be easier if you told me what your decision was. I can't discount the possibility that your intentions were leaked."

"I can't do that. Very few people knew and while I trust your team, I can't risk it."

"Sir…"

"My mind is made up, Steve. You're not the only one with a stubborn streak."

Steve chucked which caused the Governor to grin and for a brief moment the seriousness of the situation was forgotten. Then remembering his duty and the sight of his second-in-command throwing himself in front of a bullet, Steve vowed, "I'll find the truth, I promise."

Leaving the Governor with his guards, Steve exited the room and walked toward a group of HPD men. Sergeant Duke Lukela broke away from the group and approached Steve.

"Everything is ready; just like you ordered."

Steve looked in the eyes of the officer he handpicked to lead the group of men who would guarding the Governor until the threat passed. "Take good care of him, Duke."

Duke nodded. "You know I will."

o-o-o-o-o

Kono unlocked the door of Danny's apartment and helped his younger colleague to the couch. "You heard what Doc said, Kaikaina. You gotta rest today and maybe tomorrow. No talking Steve into letting you back to work until Doc says so."

"But Kono," Danny sputtered sleepily, "that leaves you short-handed and the Governor . . ." He yawned as the pain meds continued to work. "Steve's gonna need all of us!"

"Not you, not today. Steve will be here later, you know that," the big Hawaiian broke in. "Now you gonna stay here and behave or should I get someone to watch you, like maybe Carter's bird Toby?" Kono smirked.

Danny shuddered. "I'll behave," he said with another yawn as he drifted off to sleep. He had too many memories of the havoc that big, overly excited cockatoo could – and did – cause.

o-o-o-o-o

Duke Lukela and the HPD escort pulled up to the safe house on the North Coast, a cottage owned by a friend of McGarrett's. "This way, Governor," the veteran cop motioned. "You'll be safe here. Someone will be with you at all times and patrols will be checking the area to keep unwanted visitors away."

"I almost feel as if I'm in protective custody," Jameson chuckled. "I'll be kept informed of developments in the case, I presume."

"Steve will definitely keep you updated," Duke answered. "We'll be checking out the radical groups for connections to the attack. I know you're facing a deadline and we want to find out who is behind this as much as you do."

"Thanks, Duke. I know Five-O and HPD will do their best. Steve always seems to make the impossible possible." He paused for a few seconds. "I presume my wife will be under guard as well?"

"She'll be joining us shortly," Duke replied. "Ben Kokua is picking her up at the Mansion."

o-o-o-o-o

Danny woke with a start, then flinched as the bullet wound in his arm achingly reminded him of its presence. Something about that shooter, the man in the brown jacket, teased the edges of his memory. He'd seen the guy before today, but where? He leaned back against the couch pillows, cradling his injured arm.

"Think, Williams, think!' he muttered. He remembered a beach, surf, a big guy on a brown and yellow board. A competition? Sunset Beach? Maybe, but when? And who was the guy hanging out with? The memories teased, but his groggy mind refused to follow them any farther. Sleep again overpowered him . . . but he had to tell Steve . . .

o-o-o-o-o

"McGarrett," the head of Five-O barked into the phone. "What?" he said, anger coloring his voice. "When? Any witnesses?"

He slammed the phone back into its cradle as he roared "Chin, Kono! My office!"

The two detectives came on the run, questions easily readable on their faces. "What's wrong, Boss?" the Chinese officer asked.

"Mrs. Jameson's been kidnapped. Witnesses report a man in a brown jacket forced her into a car."