AN: Thanks to all my readers who read, reviewed and/or sent PMs voicing their thoughts on my story so far and offering encouragement.

Thanks to my beta for her research into amnesia. I have made an attempt to incorporate the elements of amnesia that are commonly utilized in fiction of various mediums with that of real life symptoms into my story.

Thank you.

Chapter 8

SFPD, Bureau of Inspectors, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco, 1972

Mike Stone downed his coffee and wrinkled his nose as the luke-warm, caffeinated beverage traveled down his esophagus. He discarded the empty Styrofoam cup into the waste paper basket beside his desk. The Lieutenant then donned his reading glasses and picked up the pile of photographs sitting in front of him. He scanned through each picture; his eyes taking in every detail from the crime scene which were shot from multiple angles to the two murder victims. The phone rang interrupting his thoughts and holding the photos in one hand, he picked up the receiver with the other, greeting the caller.

"It's Dr Murchison. I've got the autopsy results on our John Doe. We also have dental records that just came through. The deceased is Johnny Wayne Barker, age 21. Massive hemorrhaging was the cause of death as a result of three bullet wounds from a .38 caliber, fired at close range in the back. I have all the medical details here in the reports."

"Thanks Doc. I'll be right over." Stone ended the call. Slipping the photos back into the beige envelope and depositing it into the top drawer of his desk, Stone got up from his seat and grabbed his coat. Exiting his office, the seasoned cop passed by Keller who had his head bowed over paperwork and barely noticed his partner was nearby. "Let's go, buddy boy." Stone called back and Keller looked up to see the Lieutenant already leaving the floor. He jumped out of his seat and pulled on his jacket, before running after the older man.

…

Montgomery Street, San Francisco, 1972

The black haired police officer bent down and lifted the lid off the crate that lay on its side. The crate was filled with yellow packing straw but the sun shine reflected off a shiny object hidden within the shredded paper contents. He reached inside with a gloved hand, his fingers closing around the heavy but small, metal object. Pulling it out, Officer Cardenas brought it up closer to his face and inspected the item. It was a dragon statuette, ornately modelled and unique in appearance. Its pronounced eyes stared back at the man holding it and rows of sharp teeth protruded from the gaping mouth. Turning the object slowly in the sunlight, Cardenas could see the rusty, copper-colored stains flecked over the spikes which ran the length of its curved back. There was no doubt in his mind, this was the very instrument used to inflict the injuries that Danny Williams sustained. He had first discovered it yesterday as they collected forensic evidence from the scene but didn't tell his superiors what he had found. The police officer bagged the item and took a quick look at his surroundings. No one was in sight. Straightening up, Cardenas walked out of the alley, stepping over the crime scene tape that roped off the area and climbed into his car. He placed the bagged item on the passenger seat beside him and started the engine. He knew what he had to do. What he was paid to do. It was a job that went against everything the uniform he wore had stood for. Gotta get rid of the evidence! His mind whirled with possible places where he could dispose of the metal dragon statuette as the tyres of his marked car squealed and sped the scene.

…

Coroner's Office, San Francisco, 1972

The seasoned cop held out his hand to receive the envelope from Dr Murchison's grasp. "Thanks Doc. I'll have the boys run Mr Barker through the computer. His family members have to be notified. Mind if I use your phone?"

"Not at all, Mike. I'll come back in a few minutes." The coroner replied then left the room, closing his office door.

Stone opened the envelope and pulled out the dental records. Picking up the phone receiver, the Lieutenant dialed head quarters.

"Inspector Tanner, SFPD." The voice answered.

"Tanner, it's Mike. I need you to run a name in the computer for me. I have a Johnny Wayne Barker. See if you can get his home address and notify his family of his death." Stone instructed.

"Sure. He's the John Doe from Montgomery Street, right?" Inspector Tanner asked, familiarity hitting him.

"Yeah that's right. Thanks." Mike Stone ended the call and turned to face Keller.

"Let's go to General. McGarrett probably will want to know about this, first thing."

Stone and Keller left the office and waved the doctor good bye before making their way outside to the parking lot.

…

General Hospital, Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, 1972

As Lieutenant Stone and Inspector Keller walked down the corridor toward Dr Moore's office, they were met by the very man they sought.

"Dr Moore. Any change to Detective Williams condition this morning?" Stone asked the doctor who closed his clipboard and came to a halt in front of him.

"He's still asleep. I had to give him something to relieve the head aches and to help him sleep last night shortly after you left." Dr Moore answered with a sigh that spoke of more he wished to say.

"What is it Doc? Something troubling you?" Keller piped up upon seeing the frown on the physician's face.

"You could say that." Dr Moore began, then at the inquiring looks of both men, he decided to continue. "Mr McGarrett is here if you gentleman wish to see him."

"Oh. He's early. I thought I told him we'd call him first." Stone replied, puzzled.

"Lieutenant, he's been here since before dawn. I received a phone call from one of the night duty nurses about him requesting to stay in the waiting room in case Williams woke up with a memory. I told the nurse to inform Mr McGarrett, that unless it were a state of an emergency I couldn't allow him into the hospital wards outside of visiting hours." Dr Moore continued.

"I guess he wasn't going to accept a no for an answer. Am I right Doc?" Stone queried.

"Let me put it this way, I could hear Mr McGarrett in the background causing quite a stir. I wasn't pleased but allowed him to stay in order to restore peace and quiet to my sleeping patients." Dr Moore finished, his normally calm outlook appeared frazzled.

"I see, Doctor. Where is he now?" Stone asked.

"He's in the waiting room. Look, I don't want anyone pressuring Williams to try to remember what he has forgotten. He's distressed enough as it is and questioning him every waking hour of every day is only going to do more harm than good. Now, this type of amnesia is very unusual. Normally patients can still remember who they are and mostly they are simply confused and suffer memory loss from recent events but not long term memories. I've called in a neurologist from Los Angeles who is well experienced in this field." Dr Moore relayed to the two men.

"We understand Doc but Danny Williams's life could be in grave danger if we don't know the identities of the men who were trying to silence him. He's the only one who can tell us. No one will be pressuring him, I assure you, but we have to speak to him. It'll just be small talk, nothing more until his memory comes back on its own." Stone gave Dr Moore a reassuring smile.

"First, we need to see McGarrett." Keller intercepted and Stone nodded in agreement.

"Alright. I'll let you gentlemen know when Williams wakes up. If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I have other patients to attend to." Dr Moore sighed and brushed past the Lieutenant and his young partner.

"Let's go see if McGarrett recognizes the name of our latest victim." Stone clapped Keller on the back and together they made their way to the waiting room.