AN: Special thanks to my readers as always for continuing to read my story and for their support and to my beta.

Chapter 26

China Basin, San Francisco,

For Detective Steve McGarrett, time seemed to be at a stand-still as he rapidly performed CPR on his young protégé, Dan Williams. The Lieutenant who knelt beside him could only watch, feeling helpless and at a loss for words of encouragement. With every passing second, McGarrett felt Dan's life ebbing away. Come on, breathe! Don't die on me. His silent prayers were answered when the young detective's body jerked and he began to cough and splutter.

"Easy, Danno, easy." McGarrett croaked as he helped Dan onto his side with Stone's assistance. For a fleeting moment the seasoned detectives' eyes met and relief was painted on both their faces. When the coughing spasm subsided, Dan lay on his back and looked up into a familiar face. He wanted to say his name but the pain in his oxygen deprived lungs caused him to squeeze his eyes shut. As he lay gasping, darkness closed in on him and before he could fight it, the darkness dragged him under.

"Danno! Danno!" McGarrett called out as Stone pressed his fingers against Dan's neck, feeling for his carotid artery.

"I think he's just passed out." Stone declared then he turned his head as an ambulance pulled up and two medics hurried toward them.

McGarrett nodded and sighed when he saw that though Dan had lost consciousness, he was breathing. The tall detective rose to his feet and allowed the medic to work on his friend. After a moment he asked the medic how Dan was faring.

"His vitals are strong but we can't say how serious his injuries are until we have him checked into the ER." One of the medics replied.

"Lieutenant! We just got a report on that Mustang. It's cruising down Mission Street near 4th Street," an SFPD officer informed Stone.

"I want this area cordoned off as a crime scene and I want road blocks placed at strategic locations across the highways leading out of town. I don't want that car stopped but I do want to slow him down enough so I can tail him." Stone instructed the officer before turning to McGarrett, "You go on ahead and ride with Williams. I'll go find whoever did this and bring him in," Stone assured the detective who looked down gravely at his injured partner as he was moved onto a gurney.

"No, I can't let you do this on your own." McGarrett shook his head in disagreement. "Let's go, Lieutenant." It pained the detective to his very core to leave his friend's side but he knew there was nothing useful he could do for him. Dan's life was in the hands of qualified doctors and nurses. The best thing he could be doing for Dan was to find the culprits who did this to him while the trail was still hot to follow. After one last look at the young man who lay on the gurney with a blanket pulled over him, McGarrett forced himself to move away from the tableau. Together he and Stone made their way to the black LTD and entered the vehicle with the big cop behind the wheel.

…..

Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, 1972

It didn't take long for the black sedan to catch up to the blue Mustang. Finally the car turned into Van Ness Avenue. Its driver seemed unaware he was being followed. It took the detective's entire professional standard to keep his head on straight and remain patient by not closing the distance.

"He's turning off into Pine Street." Stone observed. The radio crackled to life and he picked up the mike from under the dash. It was Keller.

"Go ahead buddy boy,"

"Mike, I've got everything covered here at the hotel. I'm just leaving the scene now." Keller responded.

"Good. We just turned into Pine Street. It looks like our suspect is heading someplace in particular so we're going to hang loose and see where he takes us. Do me a favor will you? Contact General Hospital and have a man standing guard outside Dan Williams' door. A second attempt has just been made on his life. We found him in the water at China Basin."

"Okay, I'll get right on it. Do you need back up?"

"No, not right now. Whoever this guy is, he may lead us right to the source of all our problems. If he sees a cavalry with flashing lights behind his tail, he'll panic and we'll be back to square one."

"Be careful."

"10-4." Stone broke off the connection and replaced the mike.

McGarrett pulled the car over and watched the Mustang ahead turn into a driveway then disappear.

"Doesn't look like an apartment block." Stone commented as he leaned forward and peered out the windshield.

"There's a sign below the awning. I can't make out what it says. It's too dark." McGarrett frowned and sighed. "There's only one way we'll find out."

"Now hold on a minute McGarrett. We've got to think this through before we go barging in there. We don't know what or who we'll be dealing with and more importantly how many. Let's sit it out for a little while. Stake the place out." Stone rationalized. He had no doubt that under normal circumstances the Five-O detective would not be so hasty to enter what could very well be the lion's den. The attempts on the top cop's young partner and the injuries that resulted had obviously affected his better judgement.

McGarrett turned to look Stone in the eye and saw his misjudgement mirrored back at him. "You're right."

…..

Kajukenbo Dojo, Pine Street, San Francisco, 1972

Riley Griffin's heart hammered in his chest as he ran into Sean Tate in the hall way of the dojo. "I killed him, Sijo! I did it!" Trying to hide the fear in his eyes, Riley's eyes avoided Tate's.

"Good. Did you leave anything behind that can be traced back to you or to me?" Tate's eyes narrowed as he studied the young man before him.

"No, I threw him in the bay." Griffin replied in a less than confident voice.

"What about the priest? Did you cause any trouble?"

Riley shook his head, "No he was just a dumb priest. He tried to warn Williams' I was looking for him but didn't realized that he led me right to the cop!"

"You did well. Tomorrow I'll send Charlie to keep an eye out on the priest and make sure he minds his business."

Just as Griffin opened his mouth to respond the buzzer for the front door alerted them of unexpected visitors.

"Were you followed?" Tate demanded.

The young hood swallowed before he answered in a weak voice, "N-no. I swear I didn't see anyone…"

Tate grabbed a handful of his student's shirt and pulled him closer. "You better not have brought the fuzz here!"