AN: A smaller chapter but I hope you will enjoy it nonetheless. Thank you to all my readers for giving my first cross-over a go. I didn't expect to receive many or any feedback and I am grateful to those who had a chance to review.
Chapter 7
General Hospital, Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, 1972
The SFPD Lieutenant and Inspector eyed the neatly dressed detective as he made his way over to their table. Unsmiling, McGarrett returned the gaze as he drew nearer.
"Lieutenant, do you have the identification of the latest victim in the shooting?" McGarrett asked grimly.
"Not yet, but we should have it confirmed first thing tomorrow morning. I'm sorry we can't tell you who he is right now. The lab boys checked out his prints but our young John Doe is not in the books." Mike Stone replied.
"Is there anything you can tell me?" The sarcasm in McGarrett's question was not lost on Stone and Keller who gave fleeting looks at one another before diverting their attention back to the irate man.
"Look, McGarrett, the victim was a young Caucasian male, possibly in his early twenties and armed with a semi-automatic. He was gunned down in an alley off Montgomery Street this morning. Your undercover detective was found, unconscious, nearby with a 22. Caliber handgun in his hand. The clip was still fully loaded. That's all we know so far. How is Mr. Williams?" Stone deliberated his reply in an attempt to keep the peace. He could see from the detective's bearing that he was teetering on the edge of impatience.
"Danny Williams can't even tell me who he is, much less who I am. Does that answer your question Lieutenant?" McGarrett knew he was stepping over the line with his attitude but his concern for Dan over ruled his better judgment.
"Now wait a minute…" Keller started in low tones but quieted when his partner gave him a warning glance.
"McGarrett, my men are working around the clock to find the murder suspects and whoever put Williams in a hospital bed. We also have two guards outside his room on alternating shifts. You've had a long day and flight, why don't you go get some rest and we'll call you first thing in the morning when the autopsy results are complete and dental records checked." Mike Stone reasoned.
For a brief awkward moment of tense silence, McGarrett considered further arguing his point that he didn't need rest but after taking several deep breaths, he decided against it. "Alright. Here's my number. I'm staying at The Inn on South Van Ness Avenue." The detective tore off a page from the note book he took out of his pocket. He scribbled down the number to the hotel and handed it to Stone who nodded.
"We'll call you as soon as we get more information." Stone looked at the number written on the piece of paper before folding it in half and slipping it into his coat pocket.
"Thank you." McGarrett replied stiffly before he turned around and walked out of the cafeteria.
"Nice man." Keller mumbled almost to himself when the sound of the detective's footsteps faded away in the corridor.
"He's definitely on edge but he has every reason to be." Stone deflected calmly.
"Mike, the guy's like a volcano waiting to erupt!" Keller breathed a heavy sigh of frustration.
"Listen to me hotshot, I know McGarrett doesn't sound like the most patient person you ever met, but you need to keep a level head. We're all on the same team and he needs us as much as we need him to find those criminals and put them away where they belong. We have the forensic evidence to work on and he has Williams who has inside information." Stone's tone became stern as his eyes locked on his younger partner.
"Yeah, but Dan Williams can't remember anything." Keller countered.
"There's a chance he'll recover his memory. When he does, we'll be here to listen," replied Stone and he lifted the sleeve of his coat to check the time on his watch. "It's getting late and Doc will be throwing us out if we don't get going." Stone rose from his chair and Keller followed suit. The two stepped out of the cafeteria in silence and headed for the elevator.