By Tooki

                                                                                 2022

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                                                                               ​​Chapter One

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    A figure crept down the dark alley carrying what looked like a gas can. It was 3 a.m., bars had closed and it wasn’t time for early morning deliveries. The figure stopped at a back door, it had ‘The Pits’ stenciled on the door. A dark hooded sweatshirt obscured the person's face but the hand that grabbed the door knob was male. He twisted the knob back and forth, he wasn’t surprised the door was locked and had come prepared. Slipping a lock picking kit from his pocket pocket the man made short work of the lock and was in the back door in record time. Just before closing the door he looked back into the alley to make sure he was still alone.

  Once inside he unscrewed the cap to the gas can and began splashing gas over the bar, tables, and up the stairs. When the can was empty he went out the way he had come in, pausing just outside the door, he lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, then tossed it inside and slammed the door. Flames roared to life. He didn’t run but strolled down the alley and back out on the street. He looked both ways, the street was empty except for a drunk sleeping in a doorway two buildings down. The man turned to his left, walking by the drunk. He stopped and looked down at him, dropping the pack of cigarettes next to the sleeping man he continued on down the street.
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                                                                                    §§§

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  Detectives David Starsky and Ken Hutchinson sat in Hutch’s brown clunker on a stake out, it was their third night and it was getting old. “This is a waste of time,” Starsky groaned, he was slumped in the passenger seat with his feet resting on the dashboard.

  “Get your feet off my dash would ya?” Hutch grumbled. He picked up the thermos that was between them and shook it…empty. “What time is it?”

  Starsky dropped his feet then looked at his watch, “Nearly one.”

  “Let’s pack it in.” The blonde detective yawned. “Megan has forgotten what I look like.”

  Starsky wasn’t going to argue, he wanted to be home with Teddy. He smiled thinking about her, she had moved in with him six months ago. Teddy Carlisle was also a detective and they had met when she had been Starsky’s temporary partner while Hutch was recovering from being injured.

  Hutch had moved in over a year ago with Megan Lawrence, her two children, Lucy who had just turned ten, Sam nearly seven and their friend Kim.

  Both the detectives had put their bachelor lives behind them and were happier than they had ever been. It hadn’t always been easy, they had all survived a mad man that had shot Teddy in the head nearly killing her.

  Giving the area one final look, Hutch started the car, pointing it in the direction of home which was only a block from Starsky’s apartment. “I told Dobey we would be in late.” Captain Harold Dobey was a large, all-business, black man who had been their captain from day one. He would do anything for his detectives as they would do anything for him.

  “I feel like I could sleep for a week.” Starsky mirrored his partner with a big yawn. He ran hands through his curly dark hair and over his face. “You want to stop for something to eat?”

  “Seriously? We have eaten nothing but fast food for three nights.” Hutch sighed, “I’m going home.”

  Starsky wrinkled his nose, “But I’m hungry.”

  “You are always hungry, pal.” Hutch stopped at a red light and looked over at his partner. “Just what is open this time of night?” Starsky opened his mouth to speak when Hutch added, “That is on the way home.”

  Starsky closed his mouth and turned to stare out the window. “You, my friend, are no fun.”

  “This friend is tired and wants to go home to bed.”

  “You are getting old.”

  “If I’m getting old then so are you.” Hutch retorted.

  They rode the rest of the way home in silence which Hutch was thankful for. He didn’t feel like listening to complaints about being hungry especially after his partner had polished off two large hamburgers and a double order of fries. Oh yes, and a large chocolate shake, Hutch’s stomach flipped over just thinking about it.

  Pulling up in front of Starsky’s place, Hutch noticed a light on, Starsky smiled, “Teddy leaves a light on for me.”

  “It’s nice to have someone to come home to.”

  Starsky nodded in agreement, he got out of the car then leaned back in, “Not too early, huh?”

  Hutch laughed, “I’m sure I won’t get to sleep in. Sam likes to see me before he goes to school, especially if I wasn’t home in the evening.”

  “Not too early,” Starsky repeated, closing the door.

   Starsky quietly opened the door to the apartment, he turned the light off in the living room as he headed for the bedroom. Teddy was laying on her stomach, arm slung across his side of the bed. He quickly shed his clothes, picked up her arm and slipped in next to her.

  Teddy rolled over on her side facing him. “Hi,” she mumbled as she snuggled against him. He kissed the tip of her nose and was out like a light.

  Hutch let himself into the house, he went to the kitchen for a glass of water. He felt something brush against his leg, “What are you doing up Whiskers?” Hutch bent to pet the cat which belonged to Kim but had become the family feline.

  He put the glass in the sink then made his way up the stairs. Hutch peeked in on the kids, Sam’s stuffed dinosaur had fallen on the floor. The detective retrieved the dinosaur, tucking it in bed with the little boy. Sam opened one eye and looked at Hutch, “G’night daddy.”

  “Night buddy,” Hutch ruffled his hair, then went to check on Lucy. He pulled the covers over her, and kissed her forehead. If someone had told him that he would become so attached to a couple of kids that weren’t even his, he would have never believed them.

  He left the room, closing their door behind him. Whiskers followed Hutch to their bedroom door. “No you don’t.” Hutch said to the cat as he tried to scoot though the open door. “Go sleep with Kim.” Whiskers stuck his nose up in the air and trotted off down the hall.

  “Any luck?” Megan asked, as Hutch closed the door.

  He jumped at the sound of her voice, “What are you doing awake?”

  “Whiskers bounced off the bed when he heard you come in.” Megan smiled in the darkness at him.

  “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “It’s okay,” Megan glanced at the bedside clock, “I’m off today.”

  “It is today isn't it?” He yawned and stripped his clothes off. “Oh, and to answer your question, no luck. I think we are going to have to give up on this case. It’s a waste of time, at least until we get more to go on.”

  Megan patted the bed, “You need sleep.”

  Morning came much too soon for both detectives. Starsky’s sleep was disturbed by Teddy’s alarm going off, they usually got up at the same time unless one of them had been working a late night case. He smiled as he watched her get out of bed wearing one of his T-shirts, her favorite sleeping attire, that he found sexier than any frilly nightie. “Go back to sleep,” she whispered as she went into the bathroom and closed the door.

  Starsky thought about following her but sleep won out and he drifted off a smile still on his lips.

  Hutch wasn’t having any better luck as Sam climbed in bed with him half dressed. Megan was right behind him holding his shirt and shoes. “Sam,” she hissed in a low voice trying not to wake the sleeping detective.

  A smile played on Hutch’s face before he opened his blue eyes. “I’m awake.”

  “No thanks to Sam,” She looked at her son, “You have to finish getting dressed and have breakfast before school.”

  Hutch sat up and held out his hand for Sam’s clothes, “Let me help.”

  Sam bounced on the bed as Hutch slipped the shirt over the moving target. “Will you take me to school, Hutch?” Sam went back and forth between calling him Hutch and daddy.

  “Sure.” Hutch agreed, he was awake now. With his shirt finally on and shoes in hand Sam ran out of the bedroom, “Put your shoes on buddy!” But Sam was already on the stairs headed to the kitchen to wolf down his breakfast.
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                                                                           §§§
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  The fire crept up the walls burning everything in its path. The bar was filling with thick black smoke, there was popping and cracking as bottles heated up and shattered. Tables began to burn while the booth seats melted. The front window blew out and smoke billowed into the street.

  Huggy Bear Brown, owner and barkeep of The Pits, was sound asleep in his small two room apartment above his burning business. He was good friends with Starsky and Hutch, informant at times, on the right side of the law, although at times he had ridden the line which made those who were on the wrong side trust him.

  The smoke was beginning to curl under the apartment door causing the black man to cough in his sleep. Huggy rolled over, still not waking, the door was beginning to scorch, flames licking around the edges.

  There was a loud pop, probably the light bulb in the hall, it was enough to rouse Huggy from his sleep. He sat up looking at the room filling up with thick smoke. He jumped out of bed, the door was clearly not an option. Huggy looked around frantically for an escape route. There was one small window that looked out onto the alley, he was sure he could fit his skinny frame though the window if it wasn't painted shut. But then what? It was a long drop to the hard road below, but a broken leg would be better than being burned to death.

  The smoke was growing thicker by the moment. Huggy was having a hard time getting a breath. The room was growing almost too hot to stand. He had to make a decision, Huggy pulled on a pair of pants and slipped a shirt over his head, then crammed his feet into shoes. Maybe being dressed would offer him a little protection when he jumped.

  Huggy went to the window and tugged on it, just as he feared it had been painted shut. He was going to have to break the glass to get out. He kept a baseball bat under his bed in case he needed to defend himself. Keeping low, Huggy made it back to his bed and grabbed the bat. That was when the door seemed to evaporate leaving nothing but a wall of fire.

                                                                                 §§§§

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   Isabella and Grayson Lawrence, both in their mid sixties, stood on the sidewalk staring up at the house. They were a wealthy, influential couple from New York City. The woman had a disapproving look on her face, she pulled her fur wrap up around her neck even though it was in the mid 70’s. She had on an expensive dark green suit with a matching hat perched on her head. Isabella clutched her purse as if someone was going to steal it from her.

  Grayson Lawrence, better known as Gray to his male friends, stood next to his wife. He was wearing an equally expensive dark black suit. His silver hair peeked out from a black hat he wore on a slight angle. He had a dark cane with a gold handle, which he was leaning on waiting for his wife to make her move.

  “Grayson, this is unacceptable,” Isabella swept her arm out in front of her to indicate the house.

  “Isabella, please try to be pleasant,” Grayson sighed. He had wanted to telephone instead of just showing up but his wife had insisted they come directly from the airport.

  Hutch pulled Megan’s Ford Pinto into the driveway. They had just dropped Lucy and Sam off at school. “Who is that?” Hutch asked spying the well dressed couple at the front door.

  Megan peered out the windshield then sucked in her breath. “It’s Mark’s parents.” Mark Lawrence had been her husband who was killed in the line of duty. He had worked for the NYPD. She had been a nurse in one of the hospitals there.

  “You have never said anything about them.” Hutch turned to look at her.

  Megan’s face was pale as she got out of the car. She made her way up the sidewalk, Hutch followed closely. “Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence.” She addressed them.

  The phone started ringing, Starsky pulled his pillow over his head. The phone just kept ringing, “Dammit, Hutch,” He growled, reaching for the phone. “WHAT?”

  “Starsk,” It was Teddy on the other end.

  He sat up in bed, wide awake at the sound of her voice. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Huggy. You need to get Hutch and head to The Pits.” Teddy tried to steady her voice but Starsky could hear her distress.

  “Is Huggy okay?”

  “The bar burned early this morning.”

  “Shit!” He said under his breath then repeated, “Is Huggy okay?”

  “I don’t know, it's not safe for the firefighters to get into the building yet.” Teddy explained, “As far as I know nobody has seen him. I’m heading over there now.”

  Starsky threw on his clothes, grabbed his car keys and headed out the apartment door.

   It could be called nothing but a stand off between Megan and Isabella Lawrence. The older woman gave Megan a piercing look as she said, “Finally, we found you!”

  “I wasn’t hiding, I moved.”

  “Without one word as to where you were taking our grandchildren!”

  Megan gave a short laugh, “You didn’t give a damn about those kids until Mark was killed!”

  Mark had been in the police academy and Megan in her last few months of nursing school when they met in a small all night diner. It had been packed with no seats open, Megan was about to leave when Mark asked her to join him. The rest as they say was history.

  Having lost both her parents several years before and no siblings, Megan was excited to meet Mark’s parents but was immediately disappointed when his mother looked down her nose at the young woman, then turned to her son and wanted to know if he was still in the police academy. Both Isabella and Grayson had wanted Mark to join his father in the family banking business but he wasn’t interested.

  The couple rarely saw Mark’s parents, they hadn’t come to the wedding and even after Lucy and Sam were born there was still no interest. Megan, at least Isabella’s eyes, wasn’t good enough for their son. And Mark was a total disappointment.

  “You had no right to take the children away from us!” Isabella said haughtily.

  “They are MY children! And I can take them anywhere I wish!” Megan stood toe to toe with her former mother in law.

  Hutch stood back watching, not sure what to do. Finally he stepped forward, extending his hand toward Isabella, “I’m Ken Hutchinson.”

  Isabella looked at the detective as if he had leprosy. “Another cop, I see you have a type.”

  Grayson stepped forward to take Hutch’s hand, “Grayson Lawrence.” Isabella shot her husband an angry look.

  “We want to see the children,” Not once had the woman said their names, making Megan wonder if Isabella even knew what they were.

  “Sam and Lucy are in school.” Megan said, making a mental note to call the school to confirm the office would not release

the kids to anyone but her, Hutch or Kim without permission from her.

  “We want to see them,” she said again.

  “Fine! After school.” Megan said coldly. She knew it was no use denying her request, it would only get ugly.

  Starsky roared up the driveway in his red and white Torino. He didn’t even get out, just shouted for Hutch.

  Isabella was horrified by the car, and the dark haired man shouting.

  Hutch ran to his partner's car, “What’s up?”

  “Get in, I'll explain on the way,” Starsky commanded.

  “I need to get my gun and badge.” Hutch sprinted to the house and returned quickly slipping his jacket over his shoulder holster.

  Megan was standing at the car when Hutch crawled in, Starsky had already told her about the fire. “Let me know.” She told them both. Starsky screeched out into the street and the pair were gone.

  Megan walked back to where the Lawrence’s were standing. Isabella looked at Megan with accusing eyes, “This is the environment you are letting Mark’s children grow up in?”

  “It’s a damn sight better than a boarding school.” Megan tossed at the woman. Mark had spent all his time in boarding schools until college. “There is nothing wrong with their environment. They are loved and cared for.”

  Isabella didn’t respond, “Grayson let’s go.” Then she turned to Megan, “We will return later to see the children.”

  “I have no doubt,” Megan tossed over her shoulder as she walked toward the house.

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                                                                           Chapter Two

   Huggy, using the bat, broke the glass out of the window. He stuck his head out and looked down. He was two stories up. As luck would have it, a dumpster sat almost directly under the window and was full so it would break his fall. He hoped there was nothing in it that might impale him when he hit. The smoke was boiling around him trying to escape the room.

  The black man put his hand on the windowsill and felt a sharp pain, he had missed scraping a piece of glass from the window. Blood began to flow but he didn’t have time to worry about it, the heat was nearly unbearable and breathing was impossible.

  Huggy took one last look below him and jumped. He landed in the dumpster, bumping his head on the side of the metal wall. He felt a pain in his left arm and thought he heard a snap of a bone breaking as he fell unconscious.

  Huggy didn’t hear the sirens in the distance as they sped toward his ruin business, too late to save it.

  As Huggy began to regain consciousness he heard voices of the firefighters yelling instructions to each other. Then running footsteps, they were coming toward the dumpster. He tried to call out, but it was only a soft croak followed by coughing, until he lost what little breath he had left.

  One of the men pointed up to the broken out window then at the dumpster. “Looks like someone might have jumped.” The fireman hoisted himself up on the side of the waste receptacle and peered in, “I’ve found someone!” He crawled in next to Huggy, the black man’s eyes opened for a moment then slid shut. “Get the ambulance down here!”
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                                                                               §§§§

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   When Teddy arrived on the scene the fire was out, all that was left was the smoldering wet ruins of what had been their favorite haunt. The firemen were rolling up their hoses and packing away gear. She made her way to the Fire Captain and flashed her badge at him. “Was anyone inside?”

  “There was one victim but he managed to escape out a window alley side.”

  “How badly was he hurt?” Teddy wanted to have all the information she could when the guys arrived.

  “Not sure, I didn’t see him.” The Captain said. “He was taken to the hospital. This might be arson, there was a strong smell of gasoline.”

  Teddy nodded, she pulled a card out of her pocket and handed it to the Captain, “Can you let me know for sure? The owner is a friend.”

  “No problem.”

  As she was finishing up with the Captain, Starsky screeched to a halt and both detectives got out of the car. “Huggy?”

  Teddy shrugged, “There was a male that escaped out the upstairs window. It has to be Huggy, but he wasn’t identified. He was rushed to the hospital.”

  “Why don’t we head to the hospital.” Hutch suggested. There wasn’t anything they could do but look at the burnt building.

  Teddy grabbed Starsky’s arm, “The Captain said it might be arson. Who would burn The Pits?”

  “I’m sure there are plenty out there he snitched on that might want to have a little revenge.” Hutch said. “Let’s go check on him.”

  “I’ll head over later, I have to pick up Lori.” Teddy said and walked toward her car. Detective Lori Chapman became Teddy’s new partner when Duke Jamison retired. They were the only female detective duo in the BCPD.

   Huggy was banged up but would survive, he had just been wheeled into a room when Starsky and Hutch arrived. Starsky let out a low whistle when he saw their friend. Huggy’s left arm was in a cast, his right hand was wrapped in a white bandage from the cut he sustained getting out the window. He also had a bandage on his head. The smoke inhalation was the worst making it for him to breathe.

  “How ya doin buddy?” Hutch asked, lightly touching the cast.

  “As good as anyone can losing everything they have,” Huggy responded hoarsely.

  “The arson inspectors are going over your place.” Starsky said, knowing that would be of little comfort.

  “Good thing my insurance is paid up,” Huggy gave a grim smile.

  “Do you remember anything?” Hutch asked.

  “I woke up with flames lapping at my door. If I hadn’t woken up when I did, I wouldn’t be talkin to ya.”

  “If this is arson, we will find them.” Starsky assured him.

  Two uniformed police officers Sims and Wright, appeared in the doorway, Wright approached the bed. “Mr. Brown, you are under arrest!”

  “Hold on a damn minute.” Hutch was instantly in the officer's face. “He is the victim, not the perp!”

  Starsky was on the other side of the officer, “What is he being charged with?”

  “Counterfeiting, money laundering and arson.” Officer Sims said as he stepped forward, handcuffs in hand.

  “Just hold on.” Hutch looked at Huggy who shrugged. “What makes you think Huggy is a counterfeiter?”

  “The bag of counterfeit cash we found in the trunk of his car.” Sims said.

  The detectives looked at each other. The case they were working had to do with counterfeiting. In fact the building they had been staking out was thought to be where the money was being made, but with no activity for three nights they thought the counterfeiters had moved locations or they had gotten bad intel.

  “We are under orders to handcuff the suspect to the bed and stand guard.” Sims moved closer to the bed.

  Hutch held out his hand for the cuffs, “Sorry about this Huggy. Starsk and I will get to the bottom of this.” Hutch promised as he snapped one cuff around Huggy’s wrist and the other to the hospital bed.

  “Well, if I have to be arrested, glad it was a friend.” Huggy croaked sarcastically.

  “Hang tight, we’ll be back,” Starsky said, then turned to Officer Wright pointing his finger in his face. But he had no words. He dropped his arm and stormed out of the room.

  In the parking lot the detectives ran into Teddy and her partner who were just getting there. Teddy could tell by the look on their faces that Sims and Wright had arrived. “Dobey wants to see you in his office.” She told them.

  “This is bullshit!” Starsky finally exploded.

  Hutch was livid, “Do you two know what’s going on?”

  Lori looked at Teddy who looked at the ground. Starsky could read her too well and she didn’t want to lie to them. They needed to talk to Dobey. “Go talk to Cap.”

  “I’m talking to you!” Starsky said more forcefully than he intended.

  “Take it easy buddy, it’s not Teddy’s fault. Hutch tried to calm his partner.

  Starsky took a deep breath. “Hey, I’m sorry.”

  If anyone else had talked to her like that she would have let them have it but she knew he was only frustrated. “The FBI are in Dobey’s office. They think Huggy is into counterfeiting, laundering, and torching his own place.”

 “Why would you burn down the business you were laundering money in?” Starsky threw up his hands.

  “That’s not the half of it,” Teddy looked at both of them, “The FBI thinks you and Hutch are involved.”

  “What the hell?” Hutch stared at Teddy hoping she was kidding.

  Starsky fumed. “This is ridiculous!”

  “Ridiculous or not, the agents are sitting in Dobey’s office.” Lori said, she nudged Teddy, “Why don’t we go see Huggy, I’m sure he could use a friendly face right now.”

  “Let’s go face the music,” Hutch said, climbing into the Torino.

  Starsky planted a kiss on Teddy’s cheek, “We will catch up with you two later.”

  FBI agents Foster and Bridges were sitting in Dobey’s office waiting for the detectives. Starsky knocked on the door but waited for Dobey’s gruff response before opening the door.

  The two agents stood when they entered, all business no greeting, the detectives felt like they had already been prosecuted.

  Dobey stood, “Detectives Starsky and Hutchinson.”

  The agents stared at them, “What’s going on?” Starsky finally asked, he did not like feeling like a bug under a microscope.

  “What is going on Detective Hutchinson is…” Foster looked at Starsky.

  Starsky interrupted, “I’m Starsky, he's Hutch.” He jerked his thumb at his blond counterpart.

  “As I was saying, the only reason the two of you aren’t in cuffs already is because we don't have enough evidence…yet!”

  “Just a damn minute!” Dobey slammed both his meaty fists on desks.

  “This is out of your jurisdiction, Captain.” Bridges said.

  “These are MY men!” Dobey exploded.

  “And your men, are at the very least, covering up a counterfeiting ring.” Bridges eyed the detectives.

  “We have been staking out a warehouse we got a tip on for three nights.” Hutch said.

  “Where did you get that tip?” Foster asked.

  Hutch opened his mouth then closed it and looked at his partner. It had been Huggy who had given them the information.

  “Detective Hutchinson, who was it that gave you that tip?” Foster asked again.

  “Hutchinson?” Dobey looked at his detective.

  “It was Huggy.”

  Foster glanced at his partner, neither of them looked surprised. “The man in the hospital that burnt down his bar.” It was a statement not a question.

  “He did not burn anything down!” Starsky said angrily.

  “Are you sure about that?” Bridges asked.

  “The warehouse you have been watching was raided this morning. The building is empty and it was obvious it has been for some time.” Foster told them.

  The detectives looked at each other, at the moment they weren’t sure of anything. “Can we go?” Hutch asked.

  “Take a few days, I’m taking you both off the roster.” Dobey said.

  “Do you want our guns and badges too?” Starsky asked snidely.

  “I’m not the enemy here.” Dobey said. “You keep’em for now.”

  The agents looked as though they were going to disagree but instead Bridges said, “Don’t leave town.”

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                                                                       Chapter Three

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    “Don’t leave town,” Starsky snorted as they headed to his car, “Where the hell would we go?”

  “Right now we need to go see Huggy and find out what is going on.” Hutch said, “Damn!”

  “What?”

  “I meant to call Megan before we left the squad room.”

  “Something wrong?” Starsky asked as he started the car. “Who were those people at your house this morning?” He had been meaning to ask.

  “Megan’s former in-laws.”

  “In-laws,” Starsky echoed. “What did they want?”

  “To see the kids, apparently Megan didn't bother telling them she was leaving town.”

  “That was two years ago.”

  “I don’t have any details.” Hutch said they had more pressing things to worry about.

  “Do you want me to drop you home? I can talk to Huggy.” Starsky offered.

  “I’m good, I want to hear what Huggy has to say.”

  Teddy and Lori had already left the hospital when they arrived back in Huggy’s room. Officer Sims was standing in the hall, Wright was gone. Starsky put his hand on the door knob, “Are you going to stop us.” Sims shook his head no, and stepped aside to allow the detectives access to the room.

  Huggy was half asleep, Hutch sat down next to the bed, “Huggy we need to talk.”

  The black man opened his eyes and looked at his friend. “I’m in deep trouble aren’t I?”

  “We all are unless we can figure this out.” Starsky said standing on the other side of the bed.

  “You two are jammed up over this?” Huggy wanted to know.

  “Afraid so. The FBI seems to think we are, at the very least, looking the other way.” Hutch leaned back in the chair. “Who gave you the tip on the warehouse?”

  “Man if I tell you that nobody will trust me again.” Huggy frowned.

  “I don’t think it will matter much if you are in prison.” Hutch told him.

  Huggy sighed, “Wilbur.”

  “Wilbur?” Starsky asked. “That’s a new one.”

  “He’s my man. I get a lot of good stuff from him.” Huggy said, “I don’t think he would do me wrong.”

  “Well, someone is doing somebody wrong, and Starsk and I are caught in the middle.”

  “You don’t think it’s me? I swear on my mama, I would never double cross you guys.” Huggy’s eyes were wide as he looked between his two friends.

  “Who would want to set all of us up?” Starsky pondered his own question but came up with no answer.

  “Where can we find Wilbur?” Hutch asked.

  Huggy shrugged, “He’s homeless, Wilbur finds me when he has information or sometimes he’s just hungry. I help him out, he helps me out.”

  “What does he look like?” Starsky asked, taking a pad of paper and a pencil from his pocket. Huggy gave a description, but it could have been any number of homeless men on the street.

  “He’s not going to talk to you.” Huggy said

  “We can be pretty persuasive.” Hutch looked at Huggy.

  “Be gentle my man, you know that whole thing about catching flies.”

  Hutch patted the black man on the arm. “We’ll take it easy on him, if we can find him.”

  “Don’t talk to anybody,” Starsky advised, “The FBI will be around at some point.”

  Huggy made a zipping motion across his lips.

  As they were walking to the car, “What now?” Starsky asked.

  “I guess we need to look for Wilbur.” Hutch answered, but he had a feeling there was going to be trouble at home. When he left, Megan was holding her own but her former mother-in-law looked like a formidable opponent. He needed some answers, whenever he asked she always said she had no family back in New York.

  After all their years together he could read his partner like a book. “Why don’t we take a break?” Starsky knew Hutch wanted to check in with Megan. “I’ll drop you off at the house, we can meet up later.”

  This time Hutch took his partner up on his offer, he was relieved to see the rental car was gone. Hutch wanted to talk to Megan to find out just what was going on.

  She was sitting on the couch when Hutch opened up the front door. Megan jumped up and rushed to him, he wrapped his arms around her. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, I think so anyway. Just surprised Isabella and Grayson showed up like that.” Megan went back to the couch, Hutch joined her.

  “I thought you told me you didn’t have any relatives.” Hutch didn’t want to sound like he was accusing her of lying.

  “They are NOT my relatives!” Megan shook her head. “Isabella is a horrible woman, when Mark didn’t go into the family business, she pretty much disowned him. Then when he married me, all hell broke loose. It wasn’t pretty. She blamed me for his choice to become a cop even though Mark was already in the academy before we met.”

  “But the kids are their grandchildren.”

  Megan gave a harsh laugh, “They have seen Lucy twice and Sam once when he was a baby. Isabella didn’t send them as much as a card for their birthdays or Christmas. It didn’t cross my mind to inform them we were moving.”

  You keep talking about Mark’s mother, what about his father, Grayson?” Hutch asked.

  “Grayson is alright, his only problem is he won’t stand up to his wife.”

  “So what do you think they want?”

  Megan thought for a moment then shook her head, “I don’t know, but I’m sure it’s nothing good.”

  Starsky walked into the squad room looking for Teddy, but she and her partner were not there. He sat down at his desk, “What are you doing here?”

  Starsky turned to see Dobey standing behind him. “I was looking for Teddy.”

  Dobey didn’t look happy, “When I said I took you two off the roster, that meant I didn’t want to see you in here for a few days. Where is Hutchinson?” Dobey asked, looking around.

  “Home.”

  “That is where you need to be! Or at least not here.”

  Starsky started to tell his captain about Huggy’s contact, then thought better of it. If Dobey didn’t know, he couldn’t tell them not to search for the man. “Do you know where Teddy is?”

  “Carlisle is with the FBI.”

  “What?” Starsky jumped to his feet, “She doesn’t have anything to do with this.”

  “Maybe not, but you two live together. Guilt by association.” Dobey then ordered, “Go home!”

  “Where are the vultures? Your office? Is that why you are out here? You left her in there, alone with them?” Starsky headed toward his captain's office door.

  “STARSKY!” Dobey yelled.

  Starsky threw open the door, the two agents, along with Teddy and Lori jumped. “What is the meaning of this?” Agent Bridges shouted, leaping to his feet. “We can arrest you right now!”

  “For what?”

  “Impeding an investigation.” Foster approached Starsky as he pulled out his cuffs.

  Teddy jumped to feet, she put her hand on Starsky’s chest, “I don’t need a knight in shining armor. I can handle this. I have nothing to hide, none of us do.” She looked intently into his eyes.

  The stormy look on the detective's face didn’t change but he turned and stalked out of the room without further words. Starsky walked by Dobey, not looking at the man.

  “GO home!” Dobey called after him. “If I see you or Hutch back in here before I call you, I’ll take your badges and guns.”

​​

                                                                           Chapter Four

​​

  Hutch was fixing coffee when there was a knock on the front door, he heard the door open. He pulled his gun and stepped back against the wall. “Hutch, are you here?”

  Sliding his gun back in it’s holster, “In the kitchen, Starsk.” Hutch pulled a second mug from the cabinet, “Coffee?” He asked as his partner walked into the kitchen. When he didn’t get an answer Hutch looked at Starsky. He could tell something was wrong. “What is it?”

  “Bridges and Foster are questioning Teddy and Lori.”

  “Why?” Hutch asked, handing Starsky coffee.

  “Why? Because she lives with me, so she is under suspicion, Lori too since they are partners.”

  “Shit,” Hutch said under his breath. “Any luck locating Wilbur?”

 Starsky shook his head no. “Dobey pretty much threw me out of the office, he said if he sees us there before he calls us to come in he will take our guns and badges.”

  “What did you do?”

  “What makes you think I did something?” Hutch hiked his eyebrows at his friend. Starsky sighed, “I interrupted the FBI while they were questioning Teddy and Lori.”

  “I’m sure that went over well.”

  Starsky snorted, “Almost got myself arrested by the F-B-I. Teddy stopped Foster from slapping the cuffs on me.”

  Hutch rolled his eyes, he was about to comment when there was a knock on the door, “Come in,” He shouted and then looked at Starsky, “You need to learn to be invited in, so you don’t get yourself shot.”

  Starsky looked startled, “What are you talking about?”

  Hutch ignored Starsky, “Hey, Teddy!”

  She smiled at Hutch then looked at Starsky angrily, “What the hell was that? Barging into Dobey’s office? I can take care of myself! I don’t need you to save me” Teddy said hotly.

  “It’s not fair.” Was Starsky’s only excuse.

  “There are a lot of things that are not fair in the world.” Hutch handed her coffee which she took gladly. “And because of that little stunt, Lori and I were taken off the roster too. The agents demanded it until the investigation is completed.”

  “That’s not…” Starsky began.

  Teddy interrupted, “Don’t you dare say it’s not fair!”

  Starsky looked ashamed. “Sorry.”

  “Well that doesn’t help much does it?” Teddy asked. “Who is going to be on Huggy’s side with all of us sidelined?”

  “I guess it’s still up to us. We will just have to stay under the radar.” Hutch said.

  Again there was a knock on the door and again he yelled for them to come in. But nobody entered, Hutch sighed as he left the kitchen to open the door.

  Isabella and Grayson Lawrence stood there. She was still wrapped in her fur even with the afternoon temperatures soaring into the 80’s. She looked Hutch up and down, then asked, “Are the children here?”

  “Megan is picking them up from school.”

  Brushing past the detective she said, “We will wait.”

  Grayson tipped his hat to Hutch and gave him an apologetic smile.

  Isabella stood in the middle of the living room surveying the room with a disapproving look. The coffee table was littered with Sam’s Hot Wheel cars and his Stretch Armstrong was on the floor.

  “Have a seat, they should be here any minute. Would you like coffee? I just made a pot.” Hutch offered.

  “I’ll stand.” Isabella sniffed.

  “I’ll take some coffee if it isn’t too much trouble.” Grayson said, as he sat on the couch. His wife gave him a disapproving look.

  Hutch returned to the kitchen. “Wow, I think the temperature just went down to freezing,” Teddy commented.

  “The mother-in-law is a piece of work, but he seems okay,” Starsky said, stepping backward so he could see into the living

room. Isabella was still standing, staring at everything.

  “I hope Megan has told the kids,” Hutch said, pouring coffee into a china cup and placing it on a saucer, no mug for Mr. Grayson.

   He had just served Grayson when the front door opened and Sam came barreling in hitting Hutch like a ton of bricks. He scooped up the little boy, “How was your day buddy?”

  “Great!” Sam exploded with excitement, “Billy peed his pants, it went all over the floor!”

  Hutch smiled as he set Sam on his feet. “I’m not sure that is something you should be excited about.”

  Sam finally noticed the two strangers in the room, “Who are you?”

  Megan was mortified as she looked at Isabella. “Sam!” She put a protective arm around Lucy and tried to grab Sam, but he avoided her hand and flopped on the couch next to Grayson.

  “Hi!” Sam didn’t know a stranger.

  “Hello young man,” Grayson smiled at his grandson looking so much like his father at that age. It made him miss Mark more acutely than he ever had before.

  “Do you like to play with cars?” Sam slipped from the couch to the floor and began running his Hot Wheels around the coffee table. Grayson leaned over to inspect the little cars. Sam picked up one of the cars holding it for the man to see, “This one is my favorite, it’s a Ford Torino like Starsky’s, but this one is green.”

  “Very nice.”

  “Kids, these are your grandparents, daddy’s mother and father,” Megan told them. She hadn’t told the kids yet. She figured once they got home she would explain about their grandparents. Megan wasn’t expecting the Lawrence’s to be waiting for them but she should have known better.

  Lucy didn’t move from her mother’s side, but Sam grabbed a car taking it to show Isabella. The woman glanced down at her grandson and made a face. “Don’t you like cars?” Sam asked innocently.

  “I’m sure you could find something better to do with your time.” Isabella said, she then turned her gaze to Lucy, “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  Lucy stepped forward, “Hello, Grandma.”

  “You will address me as Grandmother,” Isabella commanded.

  Lucy shrunk back against her mother as she stared at the strange woman.

  Grayson got up and approached Lucy, he smiled at her, “It’s nice to meet you my dear.”

  Lucy smiled back but didn’t move, she was afraid to speak. She looked up at Megan, “Can I go do my homework?”

  “We came to see the children,” Isabella said.

  “Yes, and take your brother.” Megan ignored her former mother-in-law. Once the kids were upstairs, she turned to Isabella, “What do you want?”

  “I told you, to see the children.” The woman answered. “I wanted to see how you were raising Mark's children.”

  “They are my children, Mark is dead.” Megan didn’t mince words. By this time Starsky and Teddy had come into the room.

  “You are living with a man you aren’t married to, the children share a room, there is also a woman living here.” Isabella pointed at Starsky and said, “And this hooligan, driving that hot rod like a maniac, do you let the children ride with him?”

  Starsky looked at Teddy and silently mouthed, “Hooligan?”

  Teddy smiled at him but whispered, “I’m still mad at you.”

  “How do you know the kids share a room and that Kim lives here?” Megan asked, her voice got a little higher as she defended Starsky, “He is not a hooligan! David Starsky is Hutch’s partner and Kim is a good friend!”

  “We hired a private investigator to track you down!” Isabella informed Megan.

  “How dare you!” Megan finally completely lost her cool. “Get out! And don’t come back!”

  “You can talk to our lawyer!” Isabella said as she walked toward the door, “Grayson, we are leaving.”

  “Lawyer?” Megan asked.

  “We are suing you for custody.”

  “On what grounds?”

  “For being an unfit mother!”

  When Huggy woke up he was surprised to find Captain Dobey sleeping in a chair next to his bed. After Dobey put on a big show of kicking Starsky out of the office, he decided it was up to him to get to the bottom of what was going on. He knew his men well and nothing would stop them from investigating. But they needed to stay away from Huggy, and even though he wasn’t a big fan of the man he didn’t want to see him railroaded into prison.

  “Captain,” Huggy called softly to the sleeping man.

  “Huh?” Dobey grunted, he opened his eyes a crack and looked around, then he looked at his watch. Edith was going to kill him, Huggy had been asleep when he had entered the room so he sat down and had fallen asleep himself.

  “What are you doin’ here my man?” Huggy asked, concerned something bad had gone down.

  “I know you and I aren’t each other’s favorite people, but Starsky and Hutchinson can’t be seen visiting you. So we are going to have to trust each other.”

  “I hear ya.” Huggy nodded, “Did they locate Wilbur?”

  “Wilbur?” Dobey shook his head, “I haven’t talked to them, who is Wilbur?”

  Huggy quickly filled Dobey in. “Maybe if you can find Wilbur you get some answers.”

  Starsky and Teddy laid silently side by side in bed. They barely had spoken all evening, Teddy was still angry. Starsky didn’t blame her, he had been out of line and knew it but his instincts had screamed to protect the woman he loved.

  As if knowing what he was thinking Teddy laced her fingers in his but still did not speak. Part of her loved that he wanted to protect her but the cop in her hated it, she could take care of herself. Now there was no one at the station that had Huggy’s best interest at heart, or to get to the bottom of why Starsky and Hutch were being set up. Sure they could all work under the radar but it wasn’t as easy. At least they hadn’t been stripped of their badges.

  Teddy felt sorry that Lori had been dragged into the middle of the mess. Lori Chapman had made detective only a few months ago and Dobey thought she would be a good fit for Teddy, who could show her the ropes and how to navigate a male dominated career.

  “Hey,” Starsky said softly, squeezing her hand, “It won’t happen again.”

  “Yes it will, you can be a bit of a hot head.” Teddy smiled in the dark, her anger subsiding.

  “I really am sorry, I hate the Feds, they are nothing but trouble.”

  “So yelling at them is going to make it better?”

  Starsky swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat there. He put his head in his hands, “We can’t even see Huggy.”

  “But we can still dig around, you should let Lori and I do that.” Teddy scooted close to him and put her arms around him.

  “What are Hutch and I supposed to do, sit around doing nothing?” Starsky asked miserably. Their lives was going to spin out of control and there was nothing they could do about it.

  “You and Hutch never sit around and do nothing, even when you have been told to.” Teddy said, pulling Starsky back into the bed.

  Megan paced back and forth in the kitchen. “How dare THAT woman call me an unfit mother!” Megan fumed. “And she hired a private detective? She doesn’t give a damn about the kids!”

  “I wonder, why now?” Hutch tried to take her hand but Megan wouldn’t let him and kept pacing.

  “Judging how we live? So what if we aren’t married? So what if the kids sleep in the same room? So what if Kim lives here?” Megan shouted.

  “STOP!” Hutch stood in front of her. He grabbed both of her hands. “Marry me!”

  Megan looked up into his blue eyes that were filled with sincerity. “No.”

  “No? Just no? I thought this is where our relationship was heading. If it’s not, then what am I doing here?” Hurt was written across his face.

  Megan felt her heart break for him, but this wasn’t the way she wanted to marry him. “I am not being forced into marriage by that witch!”

  Without speaking Hutch disappeared for a few minutes, returning with a small dark green velvet box. Not even Starsky knew that weeks ago he had bought Megan an engagement ring.

  “Nobody is forcing me to ask you to marry me.” Hutch opened the box holding it out to her. “Bad timing maybe, but I want to marry you.”

  Megan stared at the beautiful marquise diamond ring, her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. “I don’t want to marry you like this.” She turned and ran out the room.

  Hutch stood rooted in place until he heard the bedroom door slam. He snapped the box shut, grabbed his jacket and walked down to Starsky’s. His friend's apartment was dark, Hutch looked at his watch and realized it was late but he didn’t have any place else to go.

  He knocked softly on the door, he had a key but didn’t like using it since Teddy had moved in. Hutch knocked a little louder when no one came to the door. Finally, he heard grumbling from the side of the door and it opened a crack.

  “Hutch!” Starsky exclaimed as he threw the door open. “What’s wrong?”

  Hutch tossed Starsky the velvet box as he walked past his friend.

  Starsky caught it, “What’s this?”

  “Open it,” Hutch said sullenly.

  He slowly opened the box and stared at the brilliant ring, “Sorry, but I’m already spoken for,” Starsky joked, then looked at Hutch who had flopped down on the couch. He sat down next to him, “Megan said no?”

  “Megan said no.”

   “Well what did you expect?” Teddy had come into the living room. “No woman wants to be proposed to like that, you big dummy.”

  “I know, I blew it.” Hutch sighed.

  “You didn’t blow it, just bad timing. You can’t just spring that on her.”

  “He wasn’t exactly springing.” Starsky said, holding the box over his head for her to take.

  Teddy took the box and opened it, she let out a low whistle, “WOW!” Was all she could manage, she handed the box back. Teddy went back to the bedroom returning fully dressed.

  “Where are you going?” Starsky asked.

  “I think Megan could use a friend.”

  “I’ll walk you down,” Starsky started to get up from the couch.

  “You’re kidding me, right? It’s a block away. I think I’ll be okay.” Teddy shook her head at him, clearly annoyed.

  “It’s late, it’s dark.” Starsky protested.

  Teddy sighed, “You can watch me walk down the street mom, but you aren’t coming. You either,” She looked at Hutch. The blond had started to get up. “You stay here tonight.” Teddy ordered and quickly left before either of them could object further.

  After a few seconds Starsky opened the door and looked out, he could see Teddy jogging down the sidewalk, once she was at Megan’s door he closed his door and looked at Hutch. “I still blame myself for Williams kidnapping her, I guess that is why I’m so over protective.”

  “That wasn’t your fault buddy.” Hutch kicked off his shoes and propped his feet on the coffee table. “Guess I’m spending the night.” Starsky joined his friend on the couch again.

  “Don’t think anyone is getting much sleep the rest of the night.” Starsky said as he flipped the TV on.

  Teddy barely knocked and the door flew open. Megan stood there her eyes were red from crying, and she was holding a tissue. She looked slightly disappointed thinking it was Hutch. “He’s with Starsky,” Teddy said.

  “I figured,” Megan walked into the kitchen, Teddy followed. “Coffee?”

  “Why not,” Teddy leaned on the counter, like the guys, she didn’t figure there would be any sleep. “Are you okay?”

  “No, everything is falling apart,” Megan sniffed, “And on top of it all, Hutch asked me to marry him with the most beautiful engagement ring.”

  “I saw it,” Teddy told her.

  “Did you know he had a ring?”

  Teddy shook her head, “Starsk didn’t know either.”

  “I blew it, I told him no.”

  Teddy laughed, “You sound like Hutch, he said the same thing.”

  “That he blew it? Not hardly I would marry him in a minute. He caught me off guard and I was so upset by Isabella.” Megan poured them coffee. “But I don’t want to marry him because she is making a big deal out of the way we are living.”

  Teddy grabbed Megan’s hand, “That woman can’t take your kids from you. She has no grounds. You have a great job, a home for your children, they are loved and cared for and you have a support system.”

  “I killed a man in this kitchen!”

  “You were defending your family.” Teddy stressed, “You killed

a monster!”

​​

                                                                         Chapter Five

​​

  The man in the dark hooded sweatshirt banged on a door, he looked out of place in the upscale apartment building. The door opened and a tall man with sandy colored hair poked his head out, anger filled his face, “What are you doing here?”

  “There was a man in that building! I don’t mind torching a place but I’m not into murder!” The hooded man hissed.

  “Did he die in the fire?”

  “No!”

  “Then what’s the problem? It was your job to make sure the building was empty! Did you stash the money in the car?”

  “Everything is going as planned. The FBI is involved, they had the barkeeper arrested.”

  “What about the cops? They are who I’m interested in.” The tall man said.

  “They are under suspicion, Starsky and Hutchinson were taken off the roster but they still have their shields. Starsky's detective girlfriend and her partner are off the roster too.” The arsonist told him.

  A smile spread across the man’s face, “Even better. Now get out of here, you have been paid. I don't want to see your face again.”
​

                                                                                 §§§§

​​

   Dobey sat at his desk looking at the two FBI agents sitting across from him, “So you're telling me there is no counterfeiting ring?” The captain barked at them. “What about the cash?”

  “Oh that’s counterfeit,” Agent Bridges said. “The cash found in Mr. Brown’s car is from a counterfeiting ring that was busted in San Francisco last year. It disappeared from the evidence room sometime within the last month.”

  Dobey looked like he was about to explode. “So, Huggy and all my detectives are in the clear?”

  “Well, not exactly,” Foster said, “Who took the money? How did it end up in Mr. Brown's car? Why was the building torched?”

  Dobey rubbed his hands over his face. “You know,” he pointed at the agents, “If you let my best detectives investigate, you might get to the bottom of this mess.”

  “FINE!” Foster said, “But if they step out of line, do so much as one questionable thing, we will throw them in federal prison.”

  “What about Huggy?”

  “You can release him from custody but he can’t leave the city.” Bridges pointed at Dobey, “You are personally responsible for him.”

  Dobey rolled his eyes but agreed. “We need to keep this under wraps. If someone is setting my men up we don’t need them thinking we are onto them.”

  “Can we trust Starsky and Hutchinson?” Bridges asked.

  “You don’t need to trust them….I DO! Now get the hell out of my office!”

  Dobey’s first stop was the hospital to see Huggy again and make sure he was released from custody. There was still an officer at Huggy’s door. Dobey held out his hand, “Give me the key to the cuffs.”

  “Sir?” The officer questioned.

  “The key!”

  “Yes sir.”

  “You can go, Mr. Brown is no longer in police custody.” Dobey informed the officer as he opened the door.

  Huggy had just finished his breakfast, “My man,” he greeted the captain.

  Dobey grunted as he walked over to the bed and took the cuffs from Huggy’s wrist. “Tell me you haven’t been in San Francisco in the last few months.”

  “No man! Don’t think I have ever been there.” Huggy looked at Dobey quizzically, “What’s goin’ on Boss?”

  The captain made a face at being called boss. “Seems the FBI thinks they might have made a mistake.”

  “They decided I didn’t try to burn myself alive?” Huggy grunted. “And what about the counterfeit money?”

  Without answering his questions, Dobey asked, “When are you getting out of here?”

  “Doc said if my breathing is okay, later today or tomorrow.”

  “Do you have somewhere to go?”

  “Well, I thought I was going to jail but yeah, I got somewhere.” Huggy said.

  “You let Starsky and Hutchinson know where you are. And don’t leave the city, you won’t be the only one with your ass in a sling.”

  Dobey’s next stop was Starsky’s apartment; both men had fallen asleep on the couch. The morning news was on with the weatherman talking about unseasonably high temperatures for spring.

  The Captain was huffing and puffing as he reached Starsky's door, he mopped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief as he knocked on the door. Starsky rolled off the couch and opened the door rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He was surprised to see their Captain, “What’s going on Cap?”

  “Get Hutchinson over here, I don’t want to have to repeat myself.”

  Starsky stepped aside so Dobey could see Hutch still asleep on the couch. The detective walked by the couch kicking his partner's foot, “Rise and shine buddy.”

  Hutch groaned, he felt hungover but had only had one beer. “Starsk, go away.”

  “Hutchinson!” Dobey yelled.

  The sound of his captain's voice brought him fully awake. “Is Huggy okay?” It was the only reason he could think Dobey would be standing in Starsky’s apartment.

  “He’s fine and released from custody. As soon as he is out of the hospital he’s going to contact you.” Dobey informed them.

  “So what’s up?” Starsky asked.

  “Seems like the FBI agents are regretting their actions,” Dobey mopped his face again.

  “Have a seat Cap, can I get you a glass of water or something?” Starsky asked, walking toward the kitchen.

  Dobey nodded, sat down then continued, “The money they found in Huggy’s trunk was from an old counterfeiting collar that was made in San Francisco last year. The money disappeared from their property room a month ago.”

  “How did it end up in Huggy’s trunk?” Hutch asked as he put on his shoes.

  “Million dollar question.” Dobey nodded his thanks to Starsky as he handed his captain the water.

  “Why burn down Huggy’s?” Hutch mused.

  “To get our attention?” Starsky perched on the arm of the couch.

  “This whole thing smells,” Hutch saw the ring box sitting on the table. He reached over and grabbed it then shoved it in his pocket. The move didn’t go unnoticed by Dobey, who looked up at Starsky. The dark headed man shook his head indicating for the captain not to ask. “So what do we do?”

  “I convinced the agents to put you two back on the case but under the radar.” Dobey looked at his men. “We need someone to go to San Francisco.”

  “Can’t the Feds do it? They seem to have it figured out.” Hutch said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

  “I’ll go.” The three men looked toward the door, Teddy was standing there, hands on her hips.

  Starsky got up and went to Teddy, “Babe, that is not a good idea.”

  “And why not?” She wanted to know, ready to do battle with her over protective boyfriend.

  “They treated you like shit.”

  “You don’t think I can handle myself? Is that it?” Teddy angrily wanted to know. “You are treading on thin ice buddy!”

  Dobey heaved himself from the chair, handed Starsky the empty glass. “I’ll let you two sort this out, just let me know what you find out.”

  After the Captain left, Teddy picked up the phone and called Lori to tell her she would pick her up, they were heading to San Francisco. Teddy looked at Starsky, daring him to say something. Then she went into the bedroom to shower and change, slamming the door behind her.

  Hutch got up, “I guess I better head home.” He patted his pocket, the ring box would go back in his sock drawer where he had it hidden. He hoped the next time he asked she would say yes. The next time he would have a plan.

  Megan wasn’t anywhere to be seen when Hutch opened the front door. Kim was in the kitchen making breakfast for the kids. Lucy was dressed and ready for school while Sam was running around holding his shoes in his hand, and his shirt was nowhere to be found.

  “Megan sleeping?” Hutch asked Kim.

  Kim flipped pancakes from a skillet onto a plate which she sat in front of Lucy. “No, she is getting ready for work,” Kim answered, then she turned to Sam, “Finish getting dressed young man.”

  Sam started to dash off but Hutch scooped him up, “Let’s find a shirt.” He carried the boy upstairs and into the kid’s room. Hutch found a shirt which he slipped over Sam’s head, “Now go eat your breakfast and get your shoes on.”

  After Sam scampered down the stairs, Hutch opened the bedroom door to find Megan putting her hair into a bun in front of the mirror over the dresser. He stood watching her, she looked tired but she smiled when she saw his reflection in the mirror.

  “Listen…” Hutch began.

  Megan interrupted, “I’m sorry, I totally overreacted. I was an emotional wreck last night. That woman has always been able to push my buttons.”

  Hutch held his arms out to her, Megan went to him wrapping her arms around his waist, and burying her face in his chest as he held her close. “I love you,” he whispered in her hair.

  “I love you too,” she answered back, clinging to him. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would ask her again to marry him. If he did, she would say yes this time, she didn’t care when or how he asked.

  Hutch turned loose of her, kissing her lips before he did. “I gotta get showered and changed. Starsk and I are back on the case. Teddy and Lori are going to San Francisco, I’ll tell you about it tonight.”

  Megan nodded, “I’ll check on Huggy when I get to work.”

  “He isn’t in custody anymore.” Hutch told her. “If he gets released make sure he has a place to go.”

  She nodded, grabbed her nurse's cap and was gone. Hutch stowed the ring box back in its hiding place.

  Teddy and Lori arrived at the SFPD in the early afternoon. Teddy’s first stop was her former Captain’s office. Captain Nicolas Holder leaped to his feet when she entered the office. “Teddy, how are you? Looks like Captain Dobey is treating you right.”

  She extended her hand, “Yes Sir! I’m enjoying working for him. This is my partner, Detective Lori Chapman.”

  Holder shook Teddy’s hand, then Lori’s, “Sit down Detectives, I am assuming this isn’t a social visit.”

  “No, we are here about the counterfeit money that disappeared out of the property room.” Teddy said, watching the captain’s face closely.

  “I'm afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Holder said with a confused look. “We busted a counterfeiting ring a while back, but as far as I know the confiscated cash is still locked up.”

  “Apparently, that confiscated cash turned up in a friend's trunk after his business was torched.” Teddy said, leaving out the details about dealing with the FBI and the four detectives being sidelined.

  Captain Holder got up from his desk, “Well let’s go take a look.”

  As they exited the Captain’s office Teddy didn’t miss the snickers coming from several of the detectives. She looked around the room full of men, “I see nothing has changed here.”

  “Get back to work,” The Captain yelled, he gave Teddy a guilty look. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “But not sorry enough to make changes?” Lori asked, she knew about the trouble Teddy had when she first made detective. “Times are changing, Captain.”

  “I think change for some is hopeless.” He said, shaking his head.

  The group proceeded down to the evidence room. Teddy was surprised to see her ex fiancé, Officer Allen Parks, behind the wire cage. He had kicked her to the curb the moment she had made detective. She presumed he was jealous since he couldn’t manage to pass the detective’s test.

  “Teddy!” exclaimed the tall sandy-haired officer.

  Teddy nodded, “Allen.” She hadn’t seen him in over six months when he showed up in her hospital room after she had been shot in the head. She had lost some of her memories, but she had remembered him.

  “We need to see the evidence log.” Captain Holder said, he had little use for the man and was glad Parks was not under his command.

  Parks grabbed the spiral bound log and handed it to the captain, “Can I help you find something?”

  “I think we got it.” Holder said as he began flipping the pages. “There is nothing here about the money being signed out.” He looked at Parks, “I’m going to need to see some older logs.”

  “They would be in the filing cabinets.” Parks indicated a row of metal cabinets along one wall. “Do you have a year? It would be helpful.”

  Captain Holder looked at Teddy, “We need the books from last year, not sure of the month.” She said avoiding Parks' gaze.

  “Give me a sec.” After what seemed like an eternity to Teddy, Parks came back carrying a stack of log books. “Here you go. If you tell me what you are looking for I can give you a hand.”

  As if sensing Teddy's dislike for Parks, Captain Holder said, “Thanks Officer Parks, but we will take the books back to my office.”

  “I get off in less than thirty minutes, I can come up.” Parks said persistently.

  “We are good,” Lori said over her shoulder as they were leaving.

  “Teddy, can I talk to you for a minute?” Parks asked.

   She sighed, and looked at Lori and her former Captain, “I’ll see you upstairs.”

  “Are you sure?” Lori eyed the officer, there was something about him she didn’t trust.

  Teddy nodded, then turned toward Parks, “What do you want Allen?”

  “Are you going to be in town long? I thought we could go to dinner.”

  “This isn’t a vacation, I'm here on business.” Her eyes narrowed, “And I have a serious boyfriend, you know that!”

  “It’s just dinner.”

  “Why would I want to have dinner with you?”

  Allen came out of the cage to stand in front of her, “To talk, I don’t like the way we left things.”

  Teddy gave a short laugh, “The way we left things? You broke up with me! No explanation no nothing! Just get out. Are you still taking the detective’s test?” She knew she was pushing him and didn’t care. “Still can’t cut it, huh? You’re stuck in that cage, because you aren’t smart enough.”

  His face contorted with anger, “Does that boyfriend of yours know what a bitch you are?” Teddy raised her fist ready to deck him. Allen caught her arm. “You don’t want to do that.” “Let go,” She commanded as she tried to jerk away from him.

  Allen pulled her up against him, “You will have nowhere to go if you burn your bridges.” He whispered in her hair.

  Teddy struggled to get away but he held tight, “What the hell are you talking about?”

   He tried to kiss Teddy, she had finally had enough and brought her knee into his groin sending him to the floor. “YOU BITCH!” Allen screamed. “You are going down too!”

  Teddy turned, walking out of the room, she didn’t start shaking until the elevator doors shut and she was on her way up. She mulled over his words, she had no idea what he was talking about.

  The elevator doors slid open, Teddy stood there for a moment trying to compose herself before joining her partner and Captain Holder. Taking a deep breath Teddy stepped out of the elevator and walked to the Captain’s office.

  Starsky and Hutch spent the day cruising the streets looking for a homeless man named Wilbur. “This is hopeless, do you know how many homeless men are wandering around?” Starsky asked, peering out the windshield hoping to see someone they hadn’t questioned.

  “I wish Huggy could point us to where we might find him.” Hutch also was scanning the street and doorways. “We could hit some of the shelters this evening.” He suggested.

  “I can do that,” Starsky said, “I doubt if Teddy and Lori will be back tonight. San Francisco is a long drive. You go be with Megan.”

  “Have you heard from Teddy since they left?” Hutch asked.

  Starsky shook his head, “She isn’t very happy with me right now.”

  “Seems like the theme of the day.”

  Starsky smiled, “Hey, why don’t we swing by The Pits, we haven’t been since the fire.”

  They pulled up in front of the ruined building. It was nothing but a brick shell. The pair got out of the car and stared at their favorite watering hole, the front window and door were boarded up. “Let’s check the alley,” Hutch said, leading the way. He looked up at the small window Huggy had escaped from, “Man, he’s lucky to be alive.”

  Noticing Huggy’s car was gone Starsky said, “Must be in impound. We can check that out tomorrow.”

  As they were leaving Hutch noticed a man curled in the doorway two buildings down. Hutch elbowed his partner and pointed toward the man. “Let’s check him out.”

  “Hey pal,” Starsky called to the man, “Do you know a man named Wilbur?”

  The old man sat up eyeing the detectives, “Who wants to know?”

  “I’m Detective Starsky, this is my partner Detective Hutchinson, we are friends of Huggy Bear. He told us about a man named Wilbur that helped him out sometimes.”

  “Huggy? You knew Huggy?” The man stood slowly, unsteady on his feet, his voice sounded tearful. “I sure didn’t mean to get him killed. He always treated me right.”

  “Are you Wilbur?” Hutch asked, holding out his arm to the man.

  “I am.”

  “Wilbur, Huggy isn’t dead. He is in the hospital but wasn’t hurt too bad.” Starsky grabbed the man’s other arm. They guided him toward the Torino.

  “Are you arresting me?”

  “No, but we would like to talk to you.” Hutch said, opening the car door. “How long has it been since you had a decent meal?”

  Wilbur shrugged, “A few days, Huggy always made sure I had something to eat. Sometimes he would let me sleep in the back if the weather was bad and kept some extra clothes there.”

  The detectives looked at each other. There was more of a friendship to Wilbur than Huggy had let on. As they drove to a nearby diner to get the man a meal, Hutch looked over the seat, “How long have you known Huggy?”

  “Ahhhhh, long time, since he was a boy.” The man took off his hat, smoothing his thinning gray hair. He looked at Hutch, “I knew his daddy until he passed on, then I helped out his mama until I couldn’t work anymore.”

  Once the three of them had full stomachs, Wilbur and Starsky had dug into slices of peach pie which Hutch had passed on. Hutch asked the man, “Can you tell us what happened? You seem to think you had something to do with the fire.”

  Wilbur put his fork down and looked Hutch in the eye, “A man approached me, oh I guess, over a week ago now. He wanted me to tell Huggy that I knew about a counterfeiting ring operation in some old warehouse. He gave me a hundred bucks. I shouldn’t have taken it and told Huggy.” The old man’s eyes were teary again.

  Hutch reached across the table and patted the man’s wrinkled hand. “It’s alright, just tell us the rest.”

  Wilbur nodded, blotting his eyes with a napkin. “The night of the fire the man came back. Asked me which car was Huggy’s, seemed like a simple thing so I told him. He gave me another hundred and told me to get lost. I went two doors down where you found me and went to sleep. I woke up when the fire trucks got there.”

  Finishing the last bite of pie Starsky asked, “You wouldn’t still have one of those hundreds would you?”

  Nodding Wilbur pulled out the two bills, “Somehow I just didn’t feel right about spending them.”

  Starsky took the bills looking at them carefully, “I’m no expert but I’m betting these are counterfeit.” He handed the hundreds across the table to his partner.

  “Do you mind if we get these checked out?” Hutch asked.

  Wilbur vigorously shook his head, “You can keep'em. I don’t want any part of what that man did.”

  “Did you know he was going to torch the bar?” Starsky asked.

  “NO SIR!” Wilbur said loudly, then lowering his voice, “I would have told Huggy.”

  Starsky looked at Hutch, “Why burn the building?”

  Hutch shrugged, “I guess we will never know unless we can find this guy.”

  “Wilbur, what did the guy look like?” Starsky asked.

  “He had on a jacket with a hood that he kept pulled around his face. He had some kind of accent I didn't know. About your height. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, it was dark both times he talked to me.”

  “You haven’t seen him again?” Hutch asked.

  Wilbur shook his head back and forth. “Hope I never do.”

  “Can we get you a room?” Starsky asked.

  “That is kind of you, but I prefer the street.” Wilbur started to get up, “Can I go?”

  “You can, where can we find you if we have more questions?” Hutch asked, also getting up.

  “Right where you found me today.” Wilbur started to leave, he reached in his pocket, stopped, turned around pulling out a half a pack of cigarettes. He handed them to Starsky, “I don’t know if this means anything but these were laying next to me when I woke up the night of the fire.”

  Starsky took the pack, “Thanks Wilbur, we will be in touch.” The package was yellow with the brand name ‘Fatima’ printed on the front.

  He handed it to Hutch, “Never heard of the brand.”

​​

                                                                           Chapter Six

​​

  Still in San Francisco, it was late by the time the two female detectives checked into a hotel room not far from the precinct. Teddy tossed her overnight bag on one of the beds and sat down and reached for the phone, she needed to hear his voice. Even though it was late, the phone only rang once before he picked up, “Hi, beautiful.”

  Teddy laughed into the phone, “How did you know it was me?”

  “Who else would be calling this time of night?” Starsky smiled into the phone.

  “Hutch.”

  “Well, he’s pretty but not as pretty as you.” He joked then he turned serious. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “You sound tired.”

  “I am, we spent all afternoon and evening going over evidence log books.” Teddy explained, but she wasn’t just tired, she was exhausted. The confrontation with Allen Parks had taken a lot out of her.

  “Did you find anything?” Starsky asked.

  “Yep, the counterfeit cash went in last year in June but nothing that showed the money was ever signed out. But it’s missing from the evidence room. Captain Holder is going to look into it.” Teddy said.

  “That’s your former Captain isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you trust him?”

  “I do, he dislikes Allen as much as I do.” Teddy actually hated Allen.

  “What does this have to do with Parks?” Starsky’s brow furrowed.

  “He is working in the evidence room.”

  Starsky began to pace, “Do you think Parks took the money?”

  “I don’t know what to think, I’ll talk to you about it when we get back. We are leaving first thing.” Teddy said “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  When Teddy hung up, Lori was standing next to her, hands on her hips. They hadn’t been partners that long, but long enough that Lori knew when something was going on with her friend. “What’s up?”

  Teddy looked up at her partner, “Just tired.”

  “So you keep saying, I’m not buying it, something happened after Captain Holder and I left evidence.” Lori sat down on the bed next to Teddy, “You have been acting weird since you got back to the office. Tell me!”

  Teddy sighed as she laid back on the bed. She recounted what had transpired between her and Allen.

  Lori looked horrified, “You should report him!”

  Teddy shook her head, “I just want to be done with him,” But she had a gut feeling that wasn’t going to happen.

  “Are you going to tell Starsky?” Lori wanted to know.

  “No and neither are you. Starsk already doesn’t like Allen. If we end up working with the SFPD we don’t need those two going toe to toe.”

  “You shouldn’t let Parks get away with that.” Lori persisted as she got up going to her bed.

  “I know, but it’s over.” Teddy mumbled half asleep.

  Megan and Hutch were laying in bed when they heard a soft knock on the bedroom door, “Come in,” Megan called. Lucy opened the door but didn’t come into the room, “What is it sweetheart?”

  Lucy didn’t move, “Is that mean woman taking Sam and me away?”

  Megan felt her heart break, of course the kids heard, it wasn’t like they were keeping their voices down. She patted the bed between her and Hutch. Lucy jumped in between them, snuggling down.

  “You and Sam aren’t going anywhere.” Hutch said firmly as he took the little girl's hand.

  “I’m sorry you heard all that,” Megan kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “You don’t have to worry.”

  “She is scary,” Lucy whispered.

  Megan thought about defending the woman but what would she say. Isabella never gave a damn about anyone but herself. “She is, she didn’t have a good relationship with your father.”

  Hutch looked over at Megan and smiled, she knew he had her back. “It’s going to be okay,” He said to both of them.

  It wasn’t long before Sam hit the bed like a ton of bricks giggling and Whiskers wasn’t far behind. “Are you sure you are ready for all this?” Megan laughed.

  Hutch got out of bed and went to the dresser, he pulled open the drawer and grabbed the ring box. He took the ring out of the box and turned around. Megan's hair tousled, laughing as she tickled Sam, Lucy also laughing, forgetting her fears he couldn’t think of any better time.

  “Marry me!” Hutch stood at the foot of the bed holding out the ring.

  Lucy squealed and jumped into Hutch’s arms, Sam joined his sister. Megan got up, going to stand next to him, “How can I say no to the most perfect marriage proposal?”

  “Is that a yes?” Hutch asked hopefully.

  “Yes!”

  The morning found Starsky and Hutch sitting in front of their Captain’s desk. Dobey was leaning back in his desk chair, listening to his men recount the information they got from Wilbur.

  Starsky pulled out the half pack of cigarettes and slid them across the desk toward Dobey. The Captain sat up grabbing the pack. “Why aren’t these bagged?” He asked.

  “We can take them down to the lab but the pack has been handled so much I doubt they could raise any prints.” Hutch said.

  “These are Turkish.” Dobey said after examining the cigarettes.

  Starsky mused. “So we are looking for some Turkish dude who likes to set fires and wanted to set us up.”

  “This whole thing is giving me a headache, it just doesn’t make any sense.” Hutch rubbed his forehead.

  A knock on the door interrupted them, “Come in,” Dobey yelled.

  The door opened, Teddy and Lori stepped in, they both looked tired. Starsky looked at his watch, it was 9 a.m. “Did you two get any sleep?” He asked.

  “We woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep so we started home,” Teddy answered, all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms but instead she graced him with a smile.

  “Don’t take this the wrong way,” Starsky said getting up, “But you look like you could use a seat.”

  For once Teddy didn’t argue and took the seat offered. Hutch also got up so Lori could sit. “So what did you two find out?” Dobey asked.

  The two female detectives relayed everything they had found out, which wasn’t much since they still had no idea who took the money out of evidence. Teddy finished by saying, “Captain Holder will call you Cap, he’s investigating.”

  “Good, good,” Dobey nodded, he picked up the pack of cigarettes, “Either of you know anyone that might smoke these?”

  Both women shook their heads no, “Where did you get those?” Lori asked.

  “We finally tracked down Wilbur, he found them laying next to him the night of the fire.” Hutch explained. Then he went on to tell them the rest of what they found out from the old man.

  “Not much to go on.” Teddy sounded disappointed as she stifled a yawn.

  “Ladies, go home and get some rest!” Dobey ordered. Then he looked at Starsky and Hutch, “What are you two going to do?”

  “Talk to Huggy,” Hutch said, “Megan said he is getting out of the hospital this morning.” He smiled as he said her name. He hadn’t told Starsky yet that they were engaged. They wanted to tell everyone at once.

  “Everyone out, I got work to do.” Dobey dismissed them.

  Out in the squad room Hutch said, “Megan wants you all to come to dinner tonight.”

  “You know Starsk and I will be there,” Teddy yawned again.

  “I would love to, but I need to spend some time with Ben and the kids.” Lori smiled at Hutch.

  “Bring ’em.” Hutch matched her smile. “The more the merrier.”

  “I’ll let you know. Right now all I want is a bubbly bath and some more sleep!”

  “That sounds perfect, a nice long bubble bath.” Teddy sighed.

  “Do you want me to drive you?” Starsky asked as he put his arm around her shoulders.

   Kissing his cheek, “I’m fine. You and Hutch go see Huggy.”

  Teddy wearily climbed the steps to the shared apartment, letting herself in; she dropped her overnight bag on the floor and sat down on the couch. Allen’s words were ringing in her ears, he had said ‘you are going down too.’ What had he meant by that? Too? Who else could he have meant? She hadn’t seen him in two years, except at the hospital when she had been shot.

  She shoved herself off the couch, shedding her clothes as she headed to the bathroom. Teddy looked at herself in the mirror as the water was running for her bath. She was starting to have dark circles under her eyes and she hadn’t been feeling the greatest. Teddy shut off the water and climbed into the tub full of bubbles and closed her eyes.

   Hutch hung up the phone and looked across the desk at his partner, “Huggy has been released already.”

  “Where do you think he went?” Starsky asked, putting on his jacket.

  “Where would you go if it were him?”

  “The Pits.”

  That was where they found their friend, standing in the ruins of what had been his bar and home. Wilbur was also there, they were looking to see if anything was salvageable.

  “Starsky, Hutch!” Huggy greeted the two men as they entered.

  “You should have called, we would have picked you up.” Hutch said, looking around at the charred remains.

  “Not much left,” Huggy sadly said. “I can’t get up to my apartment.” The wooden steps leading up stairs were completely gone.

  “Are you going to rebuild?” Starsky asked.

  “I hope so, I just rent the building.” Huggy sighed. “Might have to find me a new place, but I’ll have to wait til the insurance money comes in.”

  “Hey there Wilbur,” Starsky greeted the old man.

  “Hey,” Wilbur grabbed onto Starsky’s arm to keep from falling.

  “Easy there buddy. Why don’t we get out of here.” Starsky helped Wilbur through the debris.

  Once outside, Wilbur took Huggy’s hand, “You could reopen The Pits in my building.”

  “Your building, what are you talkin’ about man?” Huggy put his arm around the old man’s shoulders and looked at Wilbur like he was crazy.

  “My building,” Wilbur pointed to the doorway of the building he slept in.

  “Sleepin’ in a doorway doesn’t make it yours.” Huggy shook his head.

  Wilbur persisted telling them about his building, how it was empty and would be a perfect replacement for the burned out bar. Finally the old man pulled out a key from his old coat and walked over to the door pulling Huggy along.

  He unlocked the door, they stepped into the dusty, empty building. “Needs some work, mind you. Don’t know if the electric works, I had that turned off long ago. There are two good size rooms upstairs you can make into apartments.” Wilbur grinned at Huggy.

  The two detectives didn’t buy it, “Wilbur what’s your last name?“ Hutch asked.

  “Lookin’ out for our boy here. Last name is Curtis.” The old man nodded, “Go on, check me out, you will see I’m on the up and up.”

  Starsky headed out to the car to radio headquarters. While he was gone Hutch asked, “Why were you helping the man that approached you?”

  “I wanted to see what he was up to,” Wilbur shook his head sadly, “I should have told Huggy right away and let you boys handle it.”

  Huggy had been wandering around the building while Hutch was talking to Wilbur. He came back to stand next to Wilbur, “I don’t understand.”

  “Your daddy, asked me to watch over you and to help out if you needed it.” Wilbur explained, “You never needed my help until now.”

  “B-but why do you live on the streets when you have a building?” Huggy asked, still confused.

  “I like being free.”

  Hutch and Huggy looked at each other, neither understanding why Wilbur would want to live like he was. Starsky opened the door and stepped inside. The heat was nearly stifling in the building. “The building is his.” Starsky said, wiping his hand across the sweat on his forehead, “Can we get out of here?”

  Once back out on the sidewalk where it wasn’t much cooler, “Can we drop you somewhere Huggy?” Hutch asked.

  “Nah, I’ll stay here with Wilbur, but thanks.”

​​

                                                                            Chapter Seven

​​

  The apartment was quiet when Starsky arrived home. He went directly to the bedroom where he found Teddy sound asleep. He climbed in bed with her and kissed her cheek. Teddy’s eyes opened slowly and she smiled at him, “Nice way to wake up.”

  “How are you feeling?” He asked, kissing her lips this time.

  “A lot better.” Teddy sat up, “What time is it? We need to go to Hutch and Megan’s.”

  “You still have a couple of hours before we need to be there.” Starsky informed her as he nuzzled her neck. “I missed you last night.”

  Smiling at him, “I missed you too.”

  “I don’t like it when we fight.”

  “Were we fighting?”

  Starsky shrugged, “You weren’t very happy with me.”

  She kissed him, “That doesn’t mean we were fighting.” Then put her hands on both sides of his face and looked into his eyes. “But you can’t interfere with me doing my job, got it?”

  He sighed, “Got it.”

  Teddy smiled at him, “I love you, you dope, I could never stay mad at you.”

  Starsky slipped his shirt off as he glanced at the clock, they still had a while before they had to leave. He kissed her again, Teddy giggled as she pulled off his T-shirt she had been sleeping in.

  Megan and Kim were in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner. Kim didn’t know a thing about the big announcement Megan and Hutch were going to make. The couple had sworn the kids to secrecy and for once Sam kept quiet.

  Hutch had hidden bottles of champagne in the back of the refrigerator. Both of them were all smiles as they made sure everything was perfect.

  There was a knock on the door, Hutch opened it to find Lori, her husband Ben and their twin boys, Jack and Cory, who were just a year younger than Sam. “Come in!” Hutch said, delighted they had made it.

  “Sorry I didn’t call,” Lori apologized, “We were half way here when I realized I hadn’t let you know.”

  Hutch waved away her apology, “Don’t worry about it! We are glad you came.” Sam and the boys took off to play, while Lori joined the women in the kitchen. “Can I get you a beer, Ben?”

  “Sounds good.” Ben answered.

  “Have a seat, I'll be right back.” Hutch slipped in the kitchen and came back carrying three bottles.

  “Two fisted drinker?” Ben joked.

  Hutch laughed, “Starsk and Teddy should be here any minute.”

  Right on cue there was a knock on the door and it opened, “Is this where the party is?” Starsky kidded as the couple came in.

  Hutch held up the extra beer for his partner, “The women are in the kitchen,” Hutch told Teddy.

  Teddy hugged Lori, glad her partner could make it. She blew kisses to Megan and Kim, they were busy making a giant salad. “How are you feeling?” Lori asked.

  “I’m alright, a bubble bath and sleep helped.” Teddy smiled.

  “Lucky you, all I had time for was a quick shower and a short nap.” Lori laughed, “Ben had about had it with the twins.”

  “Are you okay Teddy?” Megan asked, concerned for her friend.

  “That bastard ex of hers.” Lori grumbled.

  “Lori!” Teddy barked

  Megan put down the knife she was using and came around the counter, “What happened?”

  Teddy sighed, “You can’t breathe a word of this to Starsk, or Hutch.” Getting a nod, Teddy, in a hushed tone, told Megan and Kim about the confrontation between her and Allen.

  “What a jackass!” Kim exclaimed.

  “You should report him,” Megan said horrified.

  “I told her the same thing,” Lori said.

  Teddy looked at her partner, “And I told you I just want to forget it. He didn’t hurt me.”

   Lori shook her head, “He laid his hands on you.”

  “Please drop it, odds are we won’t go back to San Francisco. Hopefully the Captains can handle it or the FBI.” Teddy said firmly then frowned, she suddenly wasn’t feeling well. Her face went pale and she felt dizzy.

  Megan, who was still standing next to Teddy, was the first to notice the pallid look on her friend's face. Megan put her hand to Teddy’s forehead. “Are you feeling alright?”

  “Just a little dizzy and tired, I haven’t been sleeping well.” Teddy admitted.

  “Maybe you should see your doctor,” Kim suggested as she finished up the salad.

  Looking a little embarrassed she said, “I don’t really have a doctor. I was seeing the Doc at the hospital after I was shot, but since I was cleared I haven’t seen one.”

  “I can give you some names,” Megan offered, sitting a glass of water in front of Teddy.

  “I might take you up on that.” Teddy smiled at her friend. “Don’t say anything about this to Starsk, he is so overprotective he will have me in the ER.”

  “Being overprotective isn’t the worst thing in the world,” Kim said, starting toward the dining room carrying the salad, “At least you know he cares.”

  Teddy smiled, her color was returning and the dizziness subsided. “I’m feeling better.” At least it was Friday and they were off for the weekend or at least she was.

   Teddy figured the guys would still work the case but she soon found she was wrong, as dinner finished and a large cake filled with icing flowers appeared, it was making the evening look more like a celebration.

  Hutch disappeared, returning with the hidden champagne and glasses. Megan followed behind him, carrying dessert plates, it had been her excuse for retrieving her diamond engagement ring which she had slipped on her finger.

  “So what are we celebrating?” Starsky asked.

  Hutch looked at Megan who nodded, then he looked at their friends gathered around the table. He motioned for Sam and Lucy to join them. “Last night I…” Hutch began.

  “WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!” Sam yelled.

  “SAM!” Megan admonished her son for stealing her future husband's thunder. But she couldn’t stop smiling and Hutch just ruffled Sam’s hair.

  Starsky was the first on his feet engulfing Hutch in a bear hug, then kissing Megan on the cheek and giving the kids high fives. “It’s about time!”

  There were squeals from the women as they crowded around to admire the sparkling diamond on Megan’s finger. With congratulations said and cake eaten, Lori and Ben gathered up their boys and left. Kim hustled Sam and Lucy upstairs leaving the two couples alone in the living room.

   “Do you have a date in mind?” Teddy asked as she inspected the ring again.

  Megan looked at Hutch, “We haven’t thought about it yet. I want to make sure Isabella is far in the rear view mirror before we make any concrete plans.” Megan studied Teddy’s face to make sure she wasn’t feeling ill again. She took her friend's hand, “I want you to be my maid of honor.”

  Teddy threw her arms around Megan, “I would love to but what about Kim? You have known her longer.”

  “You don’t want this old lady in your wedding,” Kim laughed as she came into the room. “The kids are in bed, I don’t know if they will stay there. Those two are very excited.”

  Megan got up and went to Kim, “I would like you to give me away.”

  Tears immediately formed in the woman’s eyes, “I would be honored my dear.”

  Starsky stared at Hutch waiting to be asked to be the best man. But Hutch was purposely ignoring his friend, enjoying watching Starsky squirm. Finally Hutch looked at him, “You know I’m going to need a best man.”

  Starsky’s face broke out into a huge grin, “You just try to get married without me!”

  “I’m going to carry the ring!” Sam announced, he had stayed in bed all of five minutes. Lucy who usually obeyed was right behind him.

   “And our flower girl,” Megan held out arms to the kids. Lucy went to her mother while Sam crawled into Hutch’s lap.

  “You will be my daddy for real now!” He threw his arms around the detective's neck. Hutch hugged the little boy.

  “Come on kids, it's late,” Kim called to them.

  “I’ll take them,” Megan said, getting up from the couch.

  “I think it’s time for us to go,” Teddy yawned, she was suddenly feeling tired again.

  After everyone was in bed, Hutch and Megan stood on the back porch looking at the night sky. “I can’t wait to marry you.” She smiled.

  Hutch took a deep breath, “I wanted to ask you something.” Megan looked up at him. “I would like to adopt Lucy and Sam.”

  “They would love that, so would I.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. You have already been a great father to them. We might as well make it official.”

  Hutch picked her up, carrying Megan into the house and up stairs.

  It was early the next morning when there was a knock on the front door. Megan had just come down to feed Whiskers who was insisting he was hungry. She made a detour to the living room, Megan opened the door. A man dressed in a jogging suit stood there holding a manila envelope, “Can I help you?” she asked, pulling her robe tight around her.

   “Megan Lawrence?” The man asked.

   “Yes.”

  He handed over the envelope, “You have been served.”

  Megan stood in the doorway watching the man scurry down the walkway. Slowly she closed the door, then went to the couch and sat down. A feeling of dread washed over her as opened the envelope, pulling out the papers she began to read.

  “HUTCH!”

  He had just dozed off after being batted by Whiskers who had been sitting behind his head. Megan’s cry brought him instantly awake. He was out of bed and down the stairs, “What’s wrong?” Megan handed the papers to him. Hutch scanned them quickly, “You have got to be kidding me!”

  “What am I going to do? I’m not losing the kids to Isabella!”

  Hutch sat down next to her, “Isabella will NOT take the kids from us. I can’t believe a lawyer didn’t tell her she didn’t have a chance.”

  “When you have enough money you can get your way.” Megan ranted, she jumped up and began pacing the room.

   Hutch caught her in his arms, “It’s going to okay, we will get a lawyer.”

  “I shouldn’t have to get a lawyer!” Megan railed.

  “No you shouldn’t!”

  “Is everything alright?” Kim stood in the doorway, Whiskers weaving around her legs wondering where his breakfast was.

  Megan was about to explain when the phone rang. Hutch answered, “Yea, yea Starsk, we are coming.”

   “What’s wrong?” Megan asked.

   “It’s Teddy.”

   When the couple arrived at the apartment, the door was open, “Starsk?” Hutch called.

   “In here,” he called from the bathroom.

   Megan looked at Hutch, “Teddy wasn’t feeling well last night.” She stepped in the bathroom. Starsky was sitting on the floor holding a wet washcloth to Teddy’s forehead. “Here, let me take over.” Megan took the cloth from him.

  Teddy looked up at Megan, she was pale. “I feel like shit.” She croaked, feeling like she was going to throw up again. “I thought maybe I had food poisoning but this has been going on for too long. The flu?”

  “Teddy maybe…” A knock on the bathroom door interrupted Megan.

  Starsky poked his head in, “How’s it goin’?

  Megan helped Teddy to her feet, “Why don’t you take a shower, you’ll feel better.”

  “Is she going to be okay?” A worried Starsky asked.

  Megan put her arm around him as she closed the door, “She’s going to take a shower. I’m going to give a doctor friend of mine at the hospital a call and see if he has time to see Teddy.”

  “Do you think it’s serious?” Hutch asked.

  A small smile formed on her face, “No, I’m pretty sure she will be fine.”

  “I’ll get dressed and drive you,” Starsky offered.

  Megan looked at him, “Let me take her alone, it will be okay.”

  “Hey Starsky, why don’t we go check in on Huggy. We can catch up with the girls later.” Hutch suggested.

  Starsky looked at Megan doubtful, he was clearly worried. “I don’t know.”

  “Listen, Teddy is going to be fine.” Megan grabbed his arm, “I promise. We should only be gone a couple of hours.”

  “Come on,” Hutch patted his partner on the back. “Get dressed. I’ll call home and see if Kim can watch the kids.”

  Thirty minutes later the detectives stood in front of the burned out shell of The Pits. “What’s up?” They turned to see Huggy coming out of Wilbur’s building with the old man.

  “Just thought we would check on you. See what you have decided to do.” Hutch said.

  “We need our watering hole back.” Starsky added.

  Huggy looked at Wilbur, “I’m going to take him up on his offer. But on one condition. “Wilbur, I want you to have the second apartment, I want you off the streets.”

  Wilbur thought for a moment, slowly nodded, then stuck out his hand, “You gotta deal.”

   Huggy took his hand as a big grin spread across his face, “Alright my man! Now we just have to wait for my insurance to come through.”

   “You two gotta lead on the Turkey that torched the place?” Wilbur asked the detectives. They both shook their heads.

  “How is it,” Huggy began as he pointedly looked at Starsky and Hutch, “That every time someone wants to get your attention they come after ‘ole Huggy Bear.”

   “Sorry Huggy.” Starsky said as he leaned on his car. He shrugged, “We still haven’t figured out what is going on.”

  “Seems like the counterfeit cash came from the evidence room in San Francisco.” Hutch leaned next to his friend.

  “Just who did you piss off now?” Huggy asked.

  “Your guess is as good as mine.” Hutch glanced at his partner, he could tell Starsky was still worrying about Teddy. “I think we need to have a chat with our not so friendly FBI agents on Monday.”

  Instead of taking Teddy back to the apartment she brought her home. “Sit, I'll get you a glass of water.” Megan guided a still stunned Teddy to the couch.

  “What am I going to do?” Teddy said softly, dropping her head into her hands. “We haven’t talked about marriage, let alone kids.”

  Megan sat down next to Teddy handing her a glass. “Starsk loves you.”

  “I know that, I love him too, but this will change things. He might not be ready to be a father.”

  “I don’t think anyone is really ready, I know Mark and I weren’t, but we figured it out.” Megan put her arm around her friend. “How are you feeling?”

  “If you are asking if I still feel sick, no. But I’m terrified!” Teddy admitted, her voice sounding tearful. “I am finally hitting my stride after recovering from being shot. Starsky and I are in a good place. I can’t be pregnant!”

  Megan gave her friend a sympathetic smile. “You’ve got this.”

  “But I hate this, this is not me! I'm too emotional.” Teddy groaned.

  Laughing Megan said, “Honey, that's the hormones.”

  “You can’t say anything, not even to Hutch.” Teddy pleaded.

  “You have to tell Starsky! He’s going to have questions when they get back.”

  Teddy closed her eyes, “l know, just not right now. After we get this case closed. I have a gut feeling Allen is involved.”

  “Have you told the guys?” Teddy shook her head no, “At least Dobey?”

  “No, I haven’t even told Lori.” Teddy answered. “I need to make sure I'm right first.”

  The back door opened, Sam came running in, hands and feet muddy. Kim right behind him grabbing the boy just before he stepped on the carpet with his muddy shoes. “We have been gardening.” She looked at Sam, “Shoes off by the door then straight up stairs and into the tub.”

  “Where’s Lucy?” Megan asked.

  “She didn’t get mud from head to toe. She is putting the tools away.”

  After Kim hustled Sam up the stairs Megan turned to Teddy taking her hands in hers. “You have got to stop keeping all this stuff from Starsky. What Allen did to you, that you think he might be involved, and that you are pregnant, especially that you're pregnant. It’s going to blow up in your face.”

  “I know, I can’t even wrap my head around it. I really never thought about having a kid.”

  “Hi Teddy!” Lucy came into the living room, pulling a twig from her long hair. “Mom, Sam is a mess.”

  “I saw him.” Megan smiled at her daughter.

  “Why couldn’t he have been a girl?” The little girl questioned her mother while shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

  Both Megan and Teddy laughed. “Sorry kiddo, that was out of my control.”

  “Are you and Hutch going to have a baby?” Lucy asked as she perched on the back of the couch.

  Megan looked rather stunned. Teddy laughed at the look on her friend's face. “I-I don’t know, we haven’t talked about it.”

  “Well if you do, it had better be a girl, I don’t want any more brothers.” Lucy proclaimed, she hopped up and ran up the stairs.

  Kim passed Lucy on the stairs, “Sam’s out of the tub, can you please make sure he gets dressed?”

  Lucy smiled at the older woman, “Sure.”

  “You’re a good girl,” Kim complimented her and continued on down the stairs. She went into the kitchen and poured a glass of milk, then took it into the living room and handed it to Teddy.

  Teddy looked up at Kim questioningly. “What’s this for?“

  “It’s good for you and the baby.”

  Teddy started to deny it, she sighed, “How did you know?”

  Kim joined the two women on the couch. “I have suspected for a while.”

  Teddy looked at Megan, “Did you suspect too?” Megan nodded. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I thought you would figure it out on your own.” She smiled at her friend.

  “Ha! I don’t think I would have figured it out until I was giving birth.” Teddy gave a small laugh. “Do the guys suspect?”

  “Men are clueless.” Kim grinned.

  The front door opened, Starsky bounded in closely followed by Hutch. The dark headed detective went straight to Teddy who was sipping on her milk. “So?” He asked searching Teddys face for an answer.

  Teddy glanced at her two female friends before she told her lie, “It’s nothing. Just overly tired, the doc gave me a prescription for some vitamins.”

  Starsky frowned, “Being tired makes you throw up?”

  Teddy looked at Megan for help, who was not happy she wasn’t telling the truth. “She's fine.” That was all Megan would commit to. She didn’t like lying to Starsky, which in turn was making her lie to Hutch.

  Starsky’s cop senses were telling him there was more going on but he would let it go for now. There was always that fear in the back of his head he would lose Teddy. Either to death or her leaving him. Past relationships had left scars on his heart.

  After talking about Huggy and his plans for a few minutes Starsky took Teddy home to rest. Once they were gone, Hutch sat down next to Megan, “So what is really going on with Teddy?” He, like Starsky, knew there was more going on that they weren’t being told.

  “Would you accept that I can’t tell you?” Megan asked, looking into Hutch’s blue eyes. She got lost in them every time.

  His brow furrowed as he looked back at her, “She’s pregnant isn’t she?”

  Megan’s mouth fell open, she couldn’t stop herself. He caught her so off guard, she couldn’t think of what to say. Megan merely nodded. “How did you know?” She finally managed to ask.

  “I’m not a totally uninformed male.” He grinned at her.

  “Does Starsk know?”

  Hutch laughed, “Seriously?”

  Megan shrugged, “You figured it out.”

  “Starsky has been all over the place since Teddy's shooting. He goes to the worst case.”

  “So a baby wouldn’t be the worst case?”

  “Does Teddy think he would dump her? That is not Starsk, he might be shocked but he would never not be there.” Hutch assured her.

  “I know.” Megan agreed.

  “So what’s the rest of it?” Hutch wanted to know.

  “What do you mean?” Megan avoided his gaze.

  Hutch shook his head, he knew there was more, “Teddy has been acting weird since she and Lori got back from San Francisco. And since I’m guessing she just found out she was pregnant today there is something else.”

  “Did anyone ever tell you that you would make an excellent detective?”

  “Very funny. Now spill.”

  Megan got up and went into the kitchen, “Would you like coffee?”

  Hutch followed her into the kitchen. “Megan.”

  She stopped, setting down the coffee can she had in her hand. “She told us stuff in confidence.”

  “Us?”

  “Lori and Kim know about San Francisco.”

  Hutch set his jaw, she was starting to make him angry. “What happened?

  Giving up, Megan sighed. “Did she tell you they ran into her ex while they were there.”

  “Allen Parks? Yes, she said he worked in evidence.”

  “Well he kind of man handled her.”

  “I’ll kill the bastard.” Hutch growled.

  “You don’t have to worry, she took care of him.” Megan winked at Hutch.

  “Is that it?”

  “I think there is more but she didn’t say, just a feeling.” Teddy hadn’t told Megan about the threat Parks had made.

  “Maybe you should be a detective,” Hutch teased her.

  “You can’t tell Starsk,” Megan pleaded. “It’s not our story to tell.

  Hutch agreed but he didn’t like it, they did not keep things from one another and if Starsky directly asked he wasn’t going to lie to his friend.

​​

                                                                         Chapter Eight

​​

  Bright and early Monday morning Starsky and Hutch were in their Captain’s office along with the two FBI agents. “So you are saying after all this, you’re done with the case?” Hutch was incredulous.

  “You and your partner are cleared, and so is Mr. Brown.” Foster said. “The disappearance of the money from evidence will be handled internally by the SFPD.”

   “What about the fire?” Hutch asked.

  “Your fire inspectors can handle it.” Bridges answered.

  “But the money was counterfeit, isn't that in your jurisdiction?” Hutch persisted.

   “This is an old case that was closed last year. The money is back in evidence, there is nothing else for us to do,” Foster explained.

  Starsky gave his partner a confused look. They hated it when the FBI interfered in their cases and here Hutch was pushing them to continue. Starsky finally pulled his blond counterpart aside, out of earshot of the agents, “What are you doing buddy we are getting rid of these bozos?”

  Hutch had no answer, he didn’t want to have to deal with going to San Francisco and Starsky finding out about Parks' encounter with Teddy. For her sake and his, he knew that his partner would be livid with both of them. And who knew what he would do to Parks.

  Dobey, as well as Bridges and Foster, watched the two detectives whispering, their foreheads nearly touching. Finally, Foster cleared his throat. “If that is it, we will leave the rest in your hands Captain Dobey,” He looked over at the detectives, “Unless there is more to this story.”

  “No, we just need to figure out why someone was trying to set us up.” Starsky said, “Right Hutch?” Hutch nodded.

  Just as the agents were leaving the office with Starsky and Hutch close behind, Dobey’s phone rang, “Dobey.” He barked into the phone. “Captain Holder.”

  Dobey motioned for them to stop, the detectives stopped and turned, heading back into the office closing the door. They both were watching Dobey’s facial expressions. “This doesn’t look good,” Starsky commented.

  After a few more minutes on the phone, “Thanks for the heads up.” Dobey was now clearly angry, “Where the hell are Carlisle and Chapman?”

  “They were at their desks when we came in,” Hutch answered, he suddenly had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

  “Get them in here!”

  Starsky opened the office door and after getting the attention of the two female detectives, he waved for them to come into the office.

  Teddy stepped in closely followed by Lori, “What’s up Cap?”

  “You tell me.” He snapped.

  Hutch tried to push Starsky out the door but he wasn’t having it. Unless Dobey threw them out, which he didn’t.

  Both women shrugged their shoulders. “Captain Holder just called.” Dobey said crossly. “Seems Officer Allen Parks has filed assault charges against you Carlisle. You want to tell me just what the hell went on in San Francisco?”

  Teddy immediately looked at Starsky who was working on his own anger. “You said he was working in the evidence room but you didn’t say anything about a confrontation!” Starsky accused. “What did Parks do to you?”

  “Starsk, ease up.” Hutch put his hand on his shoulder.

  “Did you know about this?” He turned his anger on Hutch.

  “Starsky, SIT!” Dobey commanded, but the detective remained standing, then he looked at Teddy.

  Taking a deep breath she squared her shoulders and looked her captain in the eye. “Parks asked me out to dinner, I told him we were there on business and that I had a serious boyfriend. I guess I got a little verbally nasty with him, he called me a bitch. I went to deck him but he grabbed my fist, pulled me to him and tried to kiss me. I kneed him in the groin and got the hell out of there.” Teddy explained, “He said not to burn my bridges, and then when I walked out, he said I was going down too. Whatever the hell either of those statements meant.”

  “I will kill that son-of-a-bitch.” Starsky snarled, then he turned to Hutch again poking him in the chest. “And you knew about this?”

  “STARSKY!” Teddy shouted, “Leave Hutch alone. He doesn’t know anything.”

  But the look on the detective's face told a different story, “I just found out about what happened.”

  “Just when did you find out….WHEN?” Starsky was in Hutch’s face. “How could either of you not tell me?”

  “This right here, is why I didn’t tell you.” Teddy pulled Starsky away from Hutch. “I didn’t want you to go off half cocked. I can take care of myself.”

  “STOP!” Dobey yelled at the top of his lungs. Everyone in the room froze. “Starsky, Hutchinson out! Carlisle, Chapman have a seat.”

  Starsky slammed the door as he followed Hutch out. He yanked his desk chair out and flopped down still fuming. “Starsk,” Hutch began.

  “How long, Hutch? How long have you known that bastard laid his hands on Teddy?”

  “Megan told me over the weekend.”

  “And you didn’t think I should have known?”

  Hutch repeated what Megan had said to him, “It wasn’t my story to tell.” He had to wonder what was going to happen when his partner found out Teddy was pregnant and everyone knew but him. She needed to tell Starsky before he found out by accident.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Starsky snapped as he got up, jamming his arms into the sleeves of his jacket.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I don’t know!” Growled Starsky as he slammed through the squad room doors.

  Back in Dobey’s office he looked at his female detectives. “Did you know about this Chapman?”

  “Part of it Captain, I wasn’t aware that Parks had made threats.” Lori shot a sideways glance at Teddy, she, like Starsky, didn’t like being kept in the dark.

  “Is that all of it? Is there more you didn’t want to say in front of Starsky?” Dobey demanded.

  “No sir!” Teddy said firmly.

  “I’m sorry to do this but I need your badge and your weapon. You are suspended pending an investigation into Parks claims.”

  Teddy stood, she handed her captain the items he requested. Then she looked at Lori, “I’m sorry.” She left through the office door that took her directly into the hall. Last thing she needed was Starsky and his anger.

  Once out in the hall and alone, Teddy leaned against the wall as tears sprang to her eyes. Damn hormones, she was not a crier, never was, not even when she was little. She took a deep breath, she would have to walk past the squad room. She hoped they would be busy and not notice her.

  Hutch sat staring at the vacant desk across from him, wondering how long it would take his partner to cool down and come back, Starsky always came back.

  He didn’t realize Lori was standing next to him until she spoke. “Dobey wants to see you and Starsky in his office.” She looked around, “Where is he?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine.” Hutch answered, but of course he knew the places that his partner went to cool off. He just hoped he didn’t go to San Francisco. He got up to head for the captain’s office when he saw Teddy in the hall, “Where’s she going?”

  Lori frowned, “Dobey suspended her.”

  Hutch wasn’t surprised, it was protocol. He took off for the hall catching Teddy just before she got on the elevator. “Hey,” he called to her.

  Teddy’s shoulders slumped, she didn’t turn around right away. Finally she turned to face them and was surprised that Starsky wasn’t with Hutch. “Where’s Starsk?“

  “He stormed off, don’t worry he just needs to cool off.” Hutch said, putting a brotherly arm around her shoulders. “Lori told me Dobey suspended you.” Teddy only nodded fearing if she spoke she would start crying. “Go home and get some rest. We will figure this out.”

  Teddy's eyes narrowed as she looked at him, “What do you know?”

  “Megan did not tell me, I guessed.” Hutch admitted.

  “Shit!” Teddy said miserably under her breath.

  Hutch smiled at her, “It’s not the end of the world.”

  “Does Starsky know?”

  Hutch shook his head, “If he does, he hasn’t said anything, but I don’t think so.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”

  “Can I give you some advice? You need to tell him.”

  “I know.”

  As Starsky was making his way across the parking lot he jammed his hand in his coat pocket and came out with the crumpled pack of cigarettes. Getting in his Torino he pointed it in the direction of what used to be The Pits. Maybe Wilbur or Huggy could shed some light on where he could buy a pack of Turkish cigarettes.

  Both men were in the burned out building looking for anything salvageable which wasn’t much. Huggy held up a soot covered mug inspecting it for cracks. Wilbur was poking around finding nothing.

  Starsky stepped through the doorway, “Not much left.”

  Huggy looked at the detective, “You can say that again.” He held up the single mug. “Hey where’s your better half?”

   Starsky ignored him and pulled out the pack of cigarettes Wilbur had given them, “I was wondering if either of you knew where these are sold around here? I know it’s a long shot but I gotta start somewhere.” Maybe if he could find the arsonist that would then lead them to…who…Parks? He wasn’t sure if he thought it was really Parks or if he was just that pissed off and wanted it to be him. Starsky wasn’t sure why Parks would want to set them up, he had been the one to drop Teddy.

  “I know of a few places,” Wilbur answered.

  Starsky took out a small notebook and the nub of a pencil, “Shoot!” The detective wrote down the addresses of several bodegas.

  “There might be more but those are the ones I know for sure,” Wilbur looked at Huggy to see if he had anything to add but the tall black man shook his head.

  “Thanks!” Starsky tucked away the notebook and pencil.

  “What’s going on?” Huggy asked.

  His question went unanswered as the detective got in the car and squealed away from the curb. Huggy shrugged and went back to digging through the rubble.

   Hutch was cooling his heels at his desk waiting for his partner to come back. Lori was at her desk pushing papers around, unsure of what to do with her partner on suspension.

  Dobey’s office door open, “I thought I told Chapman I wanted to see you and Starsky,” He said to Hutch, “Where the hell is he?” Hutch merely shrugged. “Chapman, you partner up with Hutchinson for now. Get out there and find Starsky before he does something stupid.”

  Hutch pulled his jacket from the back of his chair, he looked at Lori, “Do you have a car here? I rode in with Starsk.”

  “Yep,” Lori answered, grabbing her things. “Teddy and I rarely come in together, we live in opposite directions.”

   “Let’s go.” Hutch held the door open for her.

  “You want to drive?” Lori held out the keys to him.

  Hutch laughed, “I trust you.”

  Lori had a small car, Hutch felt like he had to fold himself into the passenger seat. He banged his knees on the glove compartment, even sliding the seat all the way back didn’t help much. He felt like he was in a clown car.

  Lori gave him an apologetic smile, “My husband hates this car.” Ben was also a tall man like Hutch, while Lori was just 5’5. She looked at Hutch who was looking rather miserable, Lori wasn’t sure if it was the car or the fight he had with his partner. “Where to?”

  “Let’s try Huggy’s,” Hutch said, shifting his long legs hoping to find a more comfortable position. “I just hope he didn’t take off to San Francisco.”

  “He wouldn't, would he?” Lori looked worried.

  “Starsky can be a hot head, but I hope he thinks of Teddy and doesn’t make it worse for her.”

  Huggy and Wilbur were lining up glass wear on the sidewalk when the two detectives pulled up. They had unearthed a little more than a dozen mugs, several plates, and some pots from the kitchen. Both men were soot covered and sweating in the unseasonal heat.

  Huggy strolled out to the car, “My man!” He greeted Hutch. Your counterpart was here a little while ago. What’s going on with you two?”

  “Long story,” Hutch crawled out of the car and stretched.

  “How ya doing Lori?” Huggy gave her a big toothy smile.

  “Been better.” She got out and leaned on the car door.

  “Where did Starsk go?” Hutch asked, giving a wave to Wilbur.

  “Wilbur gave him the addresses to places that sell those Turkish cigarettes.” Huggy said.

  Hutch gave a sigh of relief that his partner hadn’t taken off to San Francisco. “Let me have them too, maybe we can catch up with him.”

   They caught up with Starsky at the second bodega on the list, he was talking to the owner. All they really knew was the man probably had a heavy Turkish accent and was about six feet tall. Hutch cautiously came up behind his partner. “Any luck?”

  Starsky shook his head, “Not yet, got a couple more places on the list.” His anger had dissipated as he fell into detective mode. Starsky knew he handled the situation horribly. And felt bad for how he had treated his partner and even worse for how he was with Teddy. He was racking brain for a way to make it up to her. She wasn’t the heart shaped box of chocolates and flowers type of girl. Hutch was easy, their friendship was so tight it only took a look and all was forgiven.

   Hutch put his hand on Starsky’s shoulder and lightly squeezed. “Let’s try the next one.”

  “I’m going to leave you in Starsky’s capable hands,” Lori said, “I won’t make you squeeze back into my car. I’ll head back and let Dobey know you caught up with Starsk.”

  Starsky thanked the clerk in the store and followed Hutch out onto the sidewalk. “What are you doing with Lori? Where’s Teddy, is she okay?“

  “Starsk, Dobey had to suspend her, you know how it works.” Hutch said, climbing into the red car. “Come on, where is the next one on the list? Maybe we will get lucky.”

  “Hutch,” Starsky looked over at his partner, he was feeling terrible even though he knew he had been forgiven.

  “Don’t worry about it, it’s over.”

  The next store wasn’t too far and they arrived ten minutes later. They entered flashing their badges to the man behind the counter.

  “What can I do for you gentlemen?”

  “We are looking for a man, he buys Turkish cigarettes, about the height of my partner here and has a heavy accent.” Starsky motioned toward Hutch. “Last seen wearing a hooded jacket. I know it’s not much to go on but....”

  The cashier glanced toward the back of the store but didn’t say anything. The detectives followed his gaze to a doorway with a curtain hanging in the opening. The curtain was moving slightly.

  Hutch moved quietly to stand next to the door, when he was in position he nodded to Starsky, who moved to stand on the other side of the door. “Police! You in the storeroom, come out, hands on your head.” Hutch yelled.

  Some scuffing noises came from the room but no one came out. “Don’t make us come in there!” Starsky warned. Then he looked toward the cashier, “Is there a back way out?”

  He nodded but said, “It’s locked, you need a key to open the door.”

  “Buddy, there is no other way out.” Starsky yelled.

  Hands poked out of the side of the curtain, Hutch grabbed them pulling the man out. He was much younger than they suspected. “What’s your name?”

  “Ahmet.” The young man answered, he looked terrified. “I didn’t know there was anyone in the building. I did not agree to that. I don’t kill people.”

   “What about the bag of money you put in the trunk of the car?” Hutch asked as he cuffed his hands behind his back.

  “Money?”

  “Let’s take this to the station.” Starsky said, grabbing the man by the arm and leading him to the car.

  “Thanks,” Hutch nodded at the cashier.

  Settled in interrogation with a cup of coffee and one of his Turkish cigarettes, the man looked at the two detectives through a haze of smoke. “I was hired to torch a building and stash a bag in a car in the alley. I didn’t know anything about money in the bag.”

  “Who hired you?” Hutch asked

  Ahmet clammed up, and he looked frightened, “Don’t know.”

  There was a knock at the door and Millie handed Starsky a file folder. He flipped open the file, scanning it quickly. “So you were arrested in San Francisco for starting a fire in a dumpster. But released with no charges.”

  “Who was the arresting officer?” Hutch asked Starsky.

  The name jumped off the page, “Allen Parks.” He handed his partner the arrest record.

  “I thought he was working in the evidence room.” Hutch said.

  Starsky looked at Ahmet, “You were arrested three months ago?”

  The man nodded, “Yes.”

 “Is Officer Parks the one that hired you?” Starsky asked, leaning across the table toward the man. Ahmet looked down, unable to meet Starsky’s gaze. “We will protect you, and you might just get a deal if you tell us everything.” It was clear he didn’t trust the detectives after his dealings with Parks.

  Hutch pulled up a chair close to Ahmet handing him another cigarette and lighting it for him, the man nodded his thanks. “Listen, Parks was using you to get to us, but we don’t know why. If we can prove he is behind all this he will go away for a long time.”.

  “Will I go to jail?” Ahmet asked as he puffed on his cigarette.

  “We can’t promise no jail time but helping put him away will go a long way with the judge.” Hutch reiterated.

  Ahmet snuffed out his second cigarette and looked at Hutch, “Okay.”

​​

                                                                                 Chapter Nine

​​

   After getting Ahmet’s statement the detectives went to their homes. It had been a long day and it was dark by the time they left the station. Starsky keyed the door open and entered quietly. The room was dark except for the glow from the television, he could make out Teddy’s sleeping form on the couch. A half eaten pizza lay in its box, an almost empty glass of milk sat next to the box. He made a face at the thought of milk and pizza.

  Starsky leaned over the back of the couch to look at Teddy, she was so beautiful, he couldn’t believe his luck in finding her. Leaning even closer to her he pushed a stray hair from her face and ran his hand down the side of her cheek. Teddy smiled in her sleep, but didn’t wake up. He kissed her forehead, leaving her to sleep. Starsky went to the bathroom shedding his clothes as he went. He turned on the water in the shower full blast and climbed in once it was hot.

   Teddy woke to hear the shower running, she got up and padded to the bedroom. Starsky’s shoulder holster and gun hung over the door, she touched it gently as she smiled. She pulled her jeans off, tossing them on the bed and went to the bathroom. Teddy opened the door, as steam poured out into the room. She pulled her shirt over her head, and stripped her underwear off.

  Starsky had his hands on the wall of the shower letting the water cascade over his tired, taut muscles. He felt Teddy climb into the shower behind him, she pressed her body to his and wrapped her arms around his waist then laid her head on his back. He turned slowly and looked into her face. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. Teddy put her finger to his lips, to stop any more words, she removed her finger and covered his lips with hers.

   Starsky lay in bed with one arm behind his head the other around Teddy, she had her head on his bare chest. Taking a deep breath she asked, “How do you feel about children?”

  “I like them,” he murmured nearly asleep. “Sam and Lucy are great.”

  Before Teddy could summon the courage to tell him she was pregnant he was asleep, she could tell by his even breathing. “Starsk?” She whispered getting no response, she snuggled closer to him, she would tell him in the morning.

   Hutch came home to find his bed full. Megan was reading a book, Sam and Lucy sound asleep, curled up next to their mother and Whiskers sprawled at the foot of the bed. He stood in the doorway smiling at his family.

  Megan looked up from her book to see him standing there. “Sorry,” she whispered. Hutch just shrugged as he strolled over to the bed and leaned over to kiss his wife to be.

  Closing her book she got out of bed, Megan picked up Sam and motioned for Hutch to grab Lucy, they carried the sleeping children to their beds. After depositing the kids, Hutch whispered to her, “We got him!”

  “Who?”

  “Parks, he is behind the fire and the counterfeit money.” Hutch said, “Starsk and I are heading to San Francisco in the morning. I can’t wait to slap the cuffs on that bastard.”

  “I hope Starsky can hold it together,” Megan had talked to Teddy earlier and knew that Starsky had found out about her confrontation with Parks.

   “I would rather have Captain Holder take care of it but Starsky is insisting on going and honestly I want Parks to explain why he targeted Starsk and I.” Hutch sighed, “I just have to keep Starsky reined in, which might not be easy.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “Who has time to eat?” Hutch grinned.

  “Come on,” Megan looped her arm through his, “I think I can scrounge up something for you. And you can tell me what is going on. Teddy said she was suspended.”

  “I want to hear what is going on with you. I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you.”

  “What are you talking about?” Megan pulled him around so she could look him in the face.

  “You got served with papers! We need to find a good lawyer!” Hutch responded.

  “I’m not helpless and you have a lot on your plate.”

  He smiled, “I know you aren’t helpless but I should be here for you.”

  “I have a meeting with a lawyer tomorrow afternoon.” She told him.

  Hutch frowned, “We won’t be back by then.”

  Megan looked at him, “I can handle it.” Isabella had thrown her, but she was back and ready to do battle.

  It was dark when Starsky got up, he was stumbling around trying not to wake Teddy when he stubbed his toe. “Shit,” he cursed under his breath.

  “What are you doing?” Teddy reached over, turning on the bedside lamp as she squinted at the clock. It was 4:30 in the morning.

  “Hutch and I are going to San Francisco,” Starsky answered as he gathered up his clothes.

  Teddy tossed back the covers and went to stand in front of him, “Why?” She demanded, fearing he was going to confront Parks.

  Starsky hadn’t told her about finding the arsonist. “To serve Parks with an arrest warrant.” He pulled his shirt over his head then slipped on his jeans.

  “Wait! What?” Teddy followed him into the living room as he was looking for his shoes he had kicked off the night before. “Starsky!”

  He sat down on the couch, “Hutch and I found the man that set the fire and put the money in Huggy’s trunk, he claims he didn’t know there was money in the bag.” Starsky explained. “He identified Parks as the one that hired him.”

  “But why?” Teddy mused out loud.

  “Million dollar question.” Starsky slipped his shoes on and tied them. “Hutch will be here any minute.” He went to the bedroom to grab his holster and gun. “I’m hoping not to be too late tonight.” There was a soft knock on the front door, slipping on his holster and grabbing his jacket from the back couch Starsky opened the door.

  Hutch stepped in, “You ready?” He addressed his partner.

  “Wait!” Teddy exclaimed as she dashed into the bedroom.

  “What’s going on?” Hutch asked, Starsky shrugged.

  Teddy emerged from the bedroom fully dressed, her purse on her shoulder. She hated she didn’t have her gun or badge but she wanted…needed to confront Allen Parks.

  “Where do you think you are going?” Starsky asked but he already knew the answer.

  “I’m going with you!” A determined Teddy answered.

  “No you’re not!” Starsky growled.

  “He is trying to wreck my life, our lives. I need to know why!” Teddy said stubbornly. “I need to look him in the eye and have him tell me what the hell he was thinking.”

  Starsky looked at Hutch, hoping his partner would give him a hand talking her into staying home. Hutch wasn’t getting involved, “Toss me your keys, I’ll wait in the car.”

  “Thanks for the help, chicken.” Starsky huffed. He turned to Teddy, “Babe, please, let Hutch and me handle this.”

   She laughed, “YOU...will handle yourself right into handcuffs.”

   Teddy sat in the back seat, Starsky silently at the wheel staring out at the dark highway, and Hutch in the passenger seat. Finally Hutch broke the silence by asking Teddy, “Do you have any idea at all what's going on with Parks?”

  She leaned forward putting her arms on the back of the seat, “After Allen kicked me out, I hadn’t seen him until he showed up at the hospital after I was shot. Why then?”

  “Maybe he just wanted to see if you were alright?” Hutch theorized. “Maybe he didn’t realize you had created a new life, maybe he’s jealous?”

  “Maybe, maybe, maybe! Too many maybes. I just want this over.” Teddy closed her eyes. She was feeling sick, between the motion of the car and not eating before they left, it was taking its toll on her. She put her hand on Starsky’s shoulder, “Pull over, I’m going to be sick.”

  Starsky pulled over, Teddy leaped from the car barely making it to her knees in the grass. “I thought she was feeling better. I shouldn’t have backed down and let her come.” He started to get out of the car.

  Hutch put his hand on his friend's arm. “Let me go.” Starsky nodded as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. Hutch got out and went to Teddy, “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah,” she took a deep breath waiting for a second wave of nausea to pass.

  Hutch looked around to make sure Starsky had stayed in the car. “You haven’t told him yet.” Hutch hissed in her ear.

  She shook her head miserably, “I was going to last night when he got home but he fell asleep. Then this morning, well here we are.”

  “Teddy, you have got to tell him!” Hutch reiterated. “He’s still upset you didn’t tell him what Parks did to you.”

  “I know, I know,” Teddy got slowly to her feet with Hutch’s help. “As soon as we get back. I promise.”

  “I am not trying to force you if you aren’t ready. But I love you both and I don’t like keeping secrets.”

  Teddy hugged him, “You are a good friend Hutch. To both of us.”

   The three detectives stood in front of Captain Holder, arrest warrant in hand. Holder didn’t seem surprised as he read over the warrant. He handed it back to Starsky as he stood up, “This way detectives,” Captain Holder led them to the elevator that would take them down to the evidence room.

  As they rode, Teddy asked, “Captain, did you know that Parks filed assault charges against me?”

  “I did, I was planning on calling you today to get your side of the story.” He looked at Teddy, “I am assuming that it happened when you and Detective Chapman were here.” Teddy nodded. “Why didn’t you say something?”

  Teddy shrugged, “I thought I handled it.”

  “You must have, for him to file charges against you.” Holder smiled. He had always liked Teddy and had been disappointed when she left but he knew she would never have a chance if she had stayed.

  “It’s not going to matter now that Parks will be in jail.” Hutch interjected.

  Officer Allen Parks was doing paperwork when the captain and detectives entered the evidence room. He looked up to see who was there and was surprised to see Teddy leading the way. “Are you here to grovel so I will drop the assault charges?”

    “Hardly,” Teddy sneered at him.

    “What do you want?” He growled but instantly stood when he saw the three men follow her in. Parks opened the cage and came out to confront them.

  Teddy grabbed the warrant from Starsky and slapped it to Parks chest, “Officer Allen Parks you are under arrest.”

  He laughed, “For what?”

  “Read it.” She ordered.

  He tossed the warrant back in her face without reading it. “I had nothing to do with the missing money,” he yelled at Teddy, inching closer to her. “Or the fire.”

   “What fire?” Teddy asked innocently, but the look on her face was anything but innocent. “Nobody said anything about a fire.”

  “I…I,” Parks’ face turned an angry shade of red.

  “You what?” Teddy wanted to know. “What were you thinking? Why were you trying to set Starsky and Hutch up? Why did you pay someone to burn down Huggy’s place? You don’t know any of them.”

  Parks was now standing toe to toe with Teddy and she wasn’t backing down. Starsky put his hand on the butt of his gun in case Parks pulled his weapon.

  Hutch was ready to intercede if the officer touched her. Teddy motioned for him to stay back, thinking if she got Parks mad enough he would spill it all. And she was right.

  “We were supposed to get married,” Parks shouted in her face.

  “You kicked me out!” She yelled back.

  “YOU…weren’t supposed to make detective!”

  “What did that have to do with anything?” It was something she had wondered about for a long time.

   “I was supposed to be the breadwinner.”

  “Money? This is about who was going to make the most money?” Teddy said incredulously.

   “I thought once we were married you would stay home.” He snapped.

  “You thought I was going to quit a job I worked hard for and stay at home and be a housewife?” Teddy laughed in his face. “That was NEVER…do you hear me, NEVER going to happen!”

  Parks’ face contorted and before anyone could react, he shoved Teddy with all his strength, she slammed backward into the concrete wall behind her, her head snapped back cracking her skull. She crumpled to the floor.

  It only took a split second for the men to react, Holder and Starsky drew their guns pointing them at Parks daring him to try something else, the detective wanted nothing more than to shoot the man.

   Hutch dropped to his knees next to the unconscious Teddy, “Teddy,” he called to her softly. He felt the back of her head, it was wet with blood, Hutch looked up at Parks, “You bastard! She’s pregnant!” He screamed.

  Starsky whipped his head around to stare at Hutch and Teddy, then quickly turned his attention back to Parks. He put his gun in the middle of Parks’ chest, ready to pull the trigger.

   Holder put his hand on Starsky’s. “He’s not worth it.”

   “You are under arrest for stealing evidence, arson, attempted murder and now assault of a police officer. Turn around, put your hands behind your back!” Starsky said in a deadly voice.

  All the fight had gone out of Parks as he watched Hutch cradle Teddy in his arms. Holder snapped the cuffs on the officer.

   “For God sake, call an ambulance!” Hutch pleaded.

  Two officers came running into the room to see what the commotion was. “Get this scum out of here,” Holder ordered, shoving Parks toward them. Then he went into the cage to call for an ambulance.

  With Parks hauled out, Starsky dropped down next to his partner. He looked into Hutch’s face, “Teddy’s pregnant?” He said barely a whisper, picking up her limp hand.

  Hutch nodded, “She was going to tell you tonight.”

  It was like a light bulb went off in Starsky’s head, “Is that why she has been sick?”

  “Yes.” Hutch answered, “Teddy just found out…” He was going to explain further but the ambulance attendants came in pulling a gurney.

  They quickly checked her out then gently lifted Teddy onto the gurney and whisk her to the waiting ambulance after telling the detectives they were taking her to St Mary’s hospital.

  Hutch drove to the hospital, while Starsky sat fretting over Teddy, “How could I have not known she was pregnant?”

  “Buddy she didn’t know until Megan made her go to the doctor.”

  “That was four days ago!” Starsky was too worried about Teddy to care that he had been kept out of the loop. “Where is the damn hospital?”

  “We have only been driving five minutes, she is being taken care of.” Hutch tried to comfort his friend.

  “What if she loses the baby?”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself. She banged her head but Teddy didn’t look injured anywhere else.”

  “She hit the floor hard though.” Starsky had another thought. “What if she loses her memory again?”

  Starsk, come on.” Hutch thankfully pulled into the hospital driveway, he barely had time to stop before Starsky jumped out of the car racing into the emergency room.

   “I’m Detective David Starsky, I’m looking for Teddy Carlisle, she was just brought in.” He frantically told the nurse at the desk.

  “Detective Starsky,” Captain Holder had beat them to the hospital and had walked in with Teddy giving the doctors the information he knew about her including her pregnancy.

  Hutch, having parked the car, joined the two men. “How’s Teddy?” He asked.

  “The doctor is with her now.” Captain Holder explained.

  The three men paced the waiting room until a doctor appeared in the doorway. “Detective Starsky?”

  “How is Teddy?“

  “She is awake and asking for you.” The doctor answered. “Detective Carlisle has a nasty concussion, I would like to keep her overnight. She is not happy about it.”

  Hutch shook his head, “Sounds like Teddy.”

  Starsky still looked worried, “Doc, what about the baby?”

  The doctor put his hand on the detective's shoulder. “The baby is fine. Why don’t you go see for yourself.”

   When Starsky stepped into the exam room, Teddy was sitting up and held her hand out to him, “I am so sorry I didn’t tell you right away,” Tears stood in her eyes.

  He took her hand, then pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “I love you.”

   “You’re not mad?” Teddy question.

  “How could I be mad? If anything I’m mad at myself. Everyone figured it out but me.”

  “And me,” Teddy shook her head. “How could I have not known I was pregnant?”

   Hutch knocked as he poked his head in the door, “How’s it going in here?”

  Teddy waved him in, “The doctor wants me to spend the night for observation. I just want to go home.” She squeezed Starsky’s hand.

  “You do what the doctor suggests,” Captain Holder came in behind Hutch.

  She smiled at the Captain, “I don’t think I really have a choice. These two won’t let me go anywhere.”

​​

                                                                              Chapter Ten

​​

   Hutch went to make phone calls to Megan and their captain to bring them up to speed. “We won’t be back until tomorrow sometime.” He explained to Megan.

  “I’m just glad Teddy is alright and everything is out in the open.” Megan went on to say, “I spoke to the lawyer, he is going to contact Isabella and Grayson’s lawyer and see if we can keep this out of the courts.”

  “Babe I wish I had been there,” Hutch sighed leaning on the wall next to the pay phone. He wanted to be home but instead he would have an uncomfortable night in a chair in Teddy’s room, which they were in the process of moving her to.

  “I’m fine, you need to be there for Starsk and Teddy.”

  His next call was to Dobey, “Hello!” The captain barked into the phone.

  “Cap, it’s Hutch,” he quickly explained what had transpired, leaving out that Teddy was pregnant, that was for her to tell their captain.

  Dobey’s face looked stormy as he listened to his detective, “Why the hell was she with you? Carlisle is suspended!” He didn’t really care, it was just his way of letting off steam. Dobey knew if he had been in Carlisle’s position he would have gone.

  “We’ll be back tomorrow and give you all the details.” Hutch said. Captain Holder passed by just as he was hanging up the phone. “Captain!”

  Holder stopped, “There you are, I was going to see if you needed a place to stay tonight. My wife makes a mean pot roast and we have a guest room.”

  “Thanks for the offer but I think I’ll stick around here.” A real bed sounded much better than a chair but he didn’t want to leave his partner. “About the assault charges against Teddy.”

  “Those are being dropped, I’ll give Dobey a call.” Holder clapped Hutch on the back, “You take care, if you need anything before you leave just give me a call.”

  “Thanks.” Hutch headed back to the room he had left Starsky and Teddy in, but she had been moved to a room on the third floor. He entered the room to find Starsky laying in bed with Teddy, both were giggling like teenagers.

  “Hey buddy, guess what?” Starsky said.

  Hutch grinned and shook his head, “What?”

  “I’m going to be a dad! What do you think about that?”

  “I think it’s pretty terrific,” Hutch sat down in one of the chairs and stretched out.

  “Mr. Starsky, out of Miss Carlisle’s bed.” A large, no nonsense, nurse came in wagging her finger at them. “She needs her rest.”

  Teddy tried to suppress a smile. It was true she was exhausted and she had a splitting headache but only wanted to be with him.

  The moment the nurse left Starsky climbed in next to Teddy again. “Hey Hutch, a heads up if you see Nurse Ratched coming.”

  “Starsk, you are going to get us in trouble.”

  Three days later found Megan and Hutch, followed by the lawyer she had found being ushered into a brightly lit conference room by a secretary.

  Abe Goldman looked every bit like a lawyer in his dark pinstriped suit and crisp white shirt, he put his black leather briefcase on the rectangular table. He held his hand out for the couple to take the seats next to him.

  Hutch, sporting a tie and a brown sport jacket, held a chair out for Megan. She smoothed her flower print dress nervously before she sat. Isabella and Grayson Lawrence were sitting with their lawyer across the table.

  Isabella looked down her nose at the couple, as they sat, Grayson looked uncomfortable and almost embarrassed. Their lawyer Emerson Thompson, nodded cordially, “Ms Lawrence, Mr. Hutchinson.” Then he held his hand out to Mr. Goldman, “Abe.”

  “Emerson.” Abe shook his counterpart's hand.

  Isabella was tired of the niceties, “Can we get on with it?” She snapped, pulling her ever present fur coat up around her neck. “I want to get the children home to New York where they belong.” Thompson frowned, he had told the woman repeatedly she did not have a case. He had done his due diligence, finding Megan was an excellent mother and the children were well adjusted and cared for. There was not a judge on earth that would take the kids from their mother.

  Megan’s mouth was a taut line and Hutch squeezed her hand under the table in support. Their lawyer had advised against any kind of confrontation with Isabella.

   Isabella caught sight of Megan’s engagement ring, “That little bobble changes nothing!” She said haughtily.

  Abe put his hand over Megan’s, he could tell she was about to say something, “I am sure that Mr. Thompson has informed you that you don’t have a case. Ms. Lawrence is an exemplary mother.”

   “Ms.? Why are they calling you that? Have you forgotten my son so quickly?” Isabella glared at Megan.

  Megan took a deep breath and calmly explained, “Isabella, I loved Mark very much, he has been gone three years. I needed to move on for me and for the kids. They won’t forget Mark,” She looked at Hutch, “We will make sure of it. But Ken is a wonderful father to them, they need a male figure in their lives.”

  “But he’s NOT their father!” Isabella uncharacteristically yelled. “You cannot just replace my son. If I can’t get a judge to hear the case here, I will get one in New York!”

   Grayson suddenly stood up, nearly knocking the chair he was sitting in over. He slammed the palms of his hands on the table, “NO YOU WILL NOT!” He bellowed. Everyone in the room jumped.

  Isabella’s eyes went wide, then narrowed, “Be quiet Grayson and sit down.”

  “NO!” The older man barked, “I have been silent far too long. I let you drive our son away and said nothing. I didn’t care that he didn't want to go into banking. It’s boring and I hated it myself so why would I want that for Mark? He loved his job as a police officer and I was proud of him!”

  Isabella got to her feet, “Well I never!”

  “You are not taking Megan’s kids from her.” Grayson glared at his wife. “I should have never let it get this far.”

  “We will see about that!” Isabella snorted.

  “No, you won’t, you are done.” Grayson picked his hat up, shoving it on his head, “As a matter of fact, we are done!”

   Isabella stood staring after her husband. She glanced at Megan, then picked up her purse and walked out of the room.

  Megan slumped in her chair, Hutch leaned over and kissed her cheek, “It’s over babe, it’s over.”

  She nodded as tears coursed down her cheeks in relief. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For sticking with the kids and me!”

   “I didn’t have anywhere else I needed to be.” Hutch smiled at her. Megan playful punched his arm.

  Abe closed his briefcase, then held out his hand shaking first Megan’s hand then Hutch’s, “Take care of those kids.”

  Megan threw her arms around his neck, “Thank you Mr. Goldman.”

  “I think the thanks needs to go to Mr. Lawrence.” Abe said modestly.

  Hutch put his arm around Megan’s waist as they left the conference room. Grayson was in the outer office waiting on them. Isabella was nowhere to be seen. He stepped forward, “Megan, I want to apologize to you and Ken.”

  “Mr. Lawrence.” Megan began, she didn’t feel like she knew him well enough to call him by his first name, Isabella had seen to that.

  “Honey, please call me Grayson or Gray.” He smiled kindly at her.

   Megan thought that it was the first time she had ever seen him smile. “Grayson, would you like to come home with us and see the kids?”

  The older man’s face lit up, “I would love that if it’s alright with you Ken.”

  Hutch grinned at him, “I think it’s time you get to know your grandchildren and they get to know you.”

   Everyone was waiting at the house for Megan and Hutch to return from the meeting. Lucy was the first one to jump up when Megan opened the door but stopped short when she saw Grayson. She went and sat between Starsky and Teddy, fearful that her awful grandmother was the next one through the door.

  Hutch came in closing the door, Sam launched himself off the couch into Hutch’s arms. “Are you my daddy now?” The little boy wanted to know.

  Hutch gave Grayson a guilty look, he didn’t want to replace the kid's father. Sam had been so young when Mark was killed that he didn’t really remember his father.

  Grayson put his arm around Hutch’s shoulder and ruffled Sam’s hair, “Yes he is.”

  “And you're my grandpa,” Sam held out his arms to the older man and hugged him while Hutch held onto him.

  “I am and we are going to get to know each other, would you like that?”

  Sam nodded, delighted. All his friends had grandparents and he was excited that he finally had one.

  Lucy still sat between Starsky and Teddy, clutching his arm. She was still expecting that awful woman to appear. Megan walked over to the couch and held her hand out to her daughter. “It’s alright honey. Come meet your grandfather.”

  Lucy got up slowly and took her mothers hand, she shyly smiled at Grayson. He held his hand out to her. Lucy looked into his face. He looked like an older version of her father, she was old enough to remember Mark. Instead of taking his hand she wrapped her arms around his waist.

  Kim came in carrying a cake she and the kids had been working on, hoping they would be celebrating. “Cake anyone?”

  Hutch put Sam on his feet, the boy immediately grabbed Hutch’s hand and Grayson’s hand pulling them toward the dining room. “Grandpa did you know mom killed a bad man right over there?” He pointed toward the kitchen.

  “SAM!” Megan wanted to sink through the floor.

  “As a matter of fact I did know that. Your mother is a brave lady.” Grayson winked at Megan as they waited for the cake to be sliced.

  The End