AN: Thank you very much to all my readers for reading! Special thanks to my beta for taking the time out of her hectic schedule to edit my story - you are wonderful!

Chapter 24

Residence of Father Joseph Scarne, 1972

Grabbing his coat, Father Scarne decided to head over to the Hotel where his young friend was staying. He couldn't shake the uneasiness he felt after the unexpected visit by the stranger several minutes earlier. Just as he opened his front door, he was met by a familiar face. The face of a friend. Mike Stone of the SFPD Homicide department stood at the door with one hand raised ready to knock on his front door. A smile on the aging Lieutenant's face was quickly replaced by a look of professionalism. Two other men stood flanking Mike. The younger of the two, he recognized as Inspector Steve Keller; Mike's partner.

"Joe, I'm sorry to drop in like this but we need to talk. It's urgent. Would you mind if we came in a moment?" Stone asked, feeling like he was barging in at an inconvenient time.

"Not at all. In fact I'm glad you came. Maybe you can help with something that's been troubling me." Scarne moved aside and pulled the door open wider to allow his guests into his home. "Take a seat"

"No, no we won't be staying long. Thanks anyway. This is Detective Steve McGarrett of Hawaii Five-O." Stone introduced the man in the dark blue suit who shook Scarne's hand.

"What can I do for you, Mike?"

"Joe, did you give a young man a ride today? He's about five eight or nine and short sandy blond hair."

"As a matter of fact I did and I wanted to talk to you about him. He told me his name was Danny and he was from Hawaii but what he was doing in San Francisco, I really couldn't say. Is he in some kind of trouble with the law?"

"No, nothing like that – " Stone began but was cut off by McGarrett.

"Can you tell us where he is? Please, it's vital that we know." The detective interjected.

After a quick glance in the Lieutenant's direction and seeing the man nod in encouragement, Scarne met the detective's gaze. "He's staying at the hotel on Essex, just around the corner from here. You can't miss it. If he's not in trouble with the law, then would you mind me asking why you boys are looking for him?"

"Joe, given the highly dangerous circumstances of a case we're working on, I think the less you know the safer it will be for you. All I can tell you is this young man has been gravely hurt and his life is in danger if we don't get to him." Stone explained solemnly.

"Thank you Father for your information." McGarrett added before turning for the door.

"There's something you should probably know before you go, detective." Scarne called out then continued when McGarrett turned back to face him. "Someone else was looking for him just before you came here."

"Did you tell him where Danny is staying?" McGarrett demanded edgily.

"No but he knew I had given the young man a lift. He also knew who he was."

"Did he tell you his name? What did he look like?" Keller interposed.

"He didn't give me his name but he was young, maybe early twenties to mid-twenties, well-built kid, blond wavy hair. He was about your height." Scarne gestured toward Keller. "Look, I was on my way to the hotel to check up on Danny. This kid looking for him says he was his cousin and left in a real hurry. Since he asked if there were any hotels nearby, something tells me he's out there checking out the guest lists in all the hotels around. That won't take long since there are only three."

"Let's go!" In his haste, McGarrett neglected to thank the priest as he flew out the apartment door.

"Thanks, Joe. We'll take it from here." Stone nodded his gratitude as did Keller before they both dashed out after the detective leaving Scarne in a state of confusion and concern for the young man he befriended.

…..

Hotel on Essex, San Francisco, 1972

Dan awoke with a start at the sound of knocking on the door. He slowly rolled off the bed and waited until the vertigo subsided before rising to his feet. A low growl came from underneath the table and Dan saw Raven had his head raised above the ground, his teeth bared in a mask of savagery. Dan recalled that the animal had been docile since his arrival and taken no interest in him or in Walt who had visited earlier. Whoever was at the door was someone Raven sensed as a threat. Dan looked around the bare room for something he could use as a weapon to defend himself if he needed to. A flashlight sat on the bedside table. Retrieving it, he made his way to the door and slowly opened it. The door was forced open by the person behind it, sending Dan stumbling back expectantly. Gripping the flashlight in his hand like a baton, Dan lunged at the intruder who dodged with little effort. The man grabbed Dan's shirt and swung him against the wall. Dazed, the injured officer dropped to his knees. A loud growl followed by a cry of pain sounded behind him and Dan jerked his head back. A knife fell from the intruder's outstretched hand as Raven's jaw clamped down tightly on the intruder's arm. Dan rose to his feet in time to see the man hit the animal with his fist and free himself before drawing out a small pistol and aiming it at the stunned creature. Anger pulsed through Dan and he dove into the gunman, in an attempt to wrestle the weapon out of his hands. An elbow to the jaw sent Dan reeling backward. Hackles raised, teeth gnashing, Raven crouched low, ready to pounce. The blond hood swung his gun around and fired a round into animal causing it to yelp shrilly in pain before it collapsed in a whimpering heap. Breathing heavily, the gunman sought the one he came to kill only to find he was no longer in the room. Cursing, he ran out the open door and caught sight of Dan fleeing down the hall toward the hotel entrance. Running after his quarry, the young man ignored the overweight man behind the reception desk who called out to him.

Dan's heart pounded as he ran out into the street with his attacker at his heels, pointing a gun at his back. Dizziness washed over him once more and his feet tripped over the curb as he tried to cross the street. His pursuer caught up to him as he fell and he lay still as the barrel of the pistol pressed against his back. "Get up and do as I say!" the voice growled breathlessly. Dan swallowed then complied and slowly climbed to his feet aided by the man behind him who had a handful of his shirt. "Who are you?" Dan asked in fear, anger and confusion.

"You really don't remember me do you? Just keep quiet and get moving!" the gunman commanded as he gave Dan a shove toward a car parked nearby.

Riley Griffin had originally planned to subdue the detective in the hotel room before driving him out to the bay but he hadn't anticipated a dog getting in his way and screwing up his plans. Now he'd have to do things the hard way. The gunshot and the chase that followed were starting to attract attention from curious onlookers. Not wanting to murder Dan in front of witnesses, he pulled his sleeve over the pistol and kept it hidden from view as he ordered Dan in a low voice to get into the car.