HOLD-UP
By Becky Blankholm and Tooki
Starsky did as the two masked hold-up men said. He laid face down on his stomach, his hands near his head. As did the other bank patrons, who were laying various places on the floor. The two gunmen were dressed in black ski masks, black gloves and black trench coats. The taller of the two carried a sawed-off double-barreled shotgun, the smaller man carried an automatic.
Starsky lay there hoping the bank teller had time to press the silent alarm. By now though, the Calvary would have shown up... but no sirens. No indication that the alarm had been activated. Starsky watched as the taller man grabbed a ladies purse; dump the contents and taking the money from her wallet.
"Shit," Starsky said silently knowing that if the two gunmen made the rounds checking everyone's wallets; they would find his badge. And his gun!
"Why aren't they taking the money from the teller and leaving? Where the hell are the squads?" he thought to himself. He calculated that the bank robbers had about five minutes to pull the job and escape. That is if someone had hit the silent alarm.
The smaller gunman harassed the teller into moving more quickly to get the money, while the taller gunman moved from person to person, dumping purses and extracting wallets. Starsky admired the fluidity and the speed in which the taller gunman did his business.
When he was finished with the five other people, he moved toward Starsky. Starsky's panic rose but he fought to remain calm, knowing there was nothing he could do to get out of this situation. He sincerely hoped that neither of the two would think of killing a cop. When the taller man reached Starsky, he bent down, placed the barrels of the shotgun to Starsky's lower back, then reached down in the back pocket of Starsky's jeans.
Whispering to the prone figure, the masked man said, "Almost done. Don't try anything stupid." Plucking the wallet from his pants pocket, the gunman didn't see the gun bulging from Starsky's leather jacket. Holding the wallet in one hand, the shotgun against Starsky's back with the other, the man noticed something-shiny in-between the folds of leather. "Shit, what's this?" He said as he flipped open the wallet, revealing the L.A.P.D. badge and his picture ID. "Hey we got ourselves a cop!"
The smaller man was cooling his heels while holding the bag of money when the taller man yelled to him from across the bank lobby. "What? A cop?" asked the smaller man.
"El Aye Pee Dee's Finest! We got a ticket out the door man!"
Starsky's heart sunk he was reminded of the danger when he felt the double barrels pressed hard against his back.
The masked gunman pocketed Starsky's ID quickly, then nudged the cop on the floor with the shotgun. He ordered Starsky to interlace his fingers, placing his hands on the back of his head. The smaller man joined his cohort, as the taller gunman pushed Starsky's leather jacket up in the back with the shotgun barrel, searching him, then extracting his gun from the holster.
The smaller man saw fit to insist that his partner in crime hurry. "Come on man; let's get outta here before we're surrounded."
The taller man searched Starsky thoroughly, finding a pair of handcuffs in the leather jacket pocket. "Keep your head down and don't move if you want to stay alive," the gunman told him. Starsky kept silent, but was uncomfortable as the masked gunman's hand continued to search him for more weapons.
The taller gunman then ordered the dark haired cop to bring his arms around behind him. In doing so, the masked man slipped the cuffs around Starsky's wrists. "Okay, now you're going to get up. We're goin' for a ride," said the gunman.
Starsky attempted to move, but couldn't get the leverage, so the masked man grabbed his left arm and hauled him to his feet. Starsky was now facing the taller gunman. As he looked hard into the dark eyes he took notice of the white skin that showed from around the holes of the black ski mask.
Soon he was being hustled roughly toward the bank doors, ever wary of the automatic weapon that the smaller masked man beside him held in his right hand. Before the three men went though the door, the taller man jerked Starsky by his arm. "Do exactly as I say and you'll stay alive."
"You're making a big mistake kidnapping a cop." Starsky bravely stated.
"Keep your mouth shut cop, and MOVE!" Starsky was then hustled to the bank robbers get away car and pushed into the back seat, followed by the taller gunman. The smaller man jumped into the drivers' seat and roared the engine. As the car pulled out of the driveway, Starsky could finally hear sirens now approaching the bank. He guessed that the whole incident had taken between 10 and 15 minutes, but much too long for help to arrive.
"Too late," he thought silently, depressed.
The get away car took the corners sharply, as the gunman held Starsky's own gun to his abdomen. "You're making a big mistake," Starsky told the gunman.
"Get down on the floor!" he shouted at Starsky. Starsky didn't move. His gun was pointed at his face now as the masked man hissed, "I told you to keep you mouth shut! Get your head down!" He then reached up and grabbed Starsky by the back of this neck, forcing his upper body down between the seats. He felt the cool metal of this gun against his cheek and the remaining pressure of the masked man's grip at the back of his neck. "I'm not foolin' around cop. One wrong move and I'll blow your head off."
"Hey," came the voice from the driver.
"What?" the taller gunman said tightly.
"What's his name?"
"Name? What do you want to know his name for? Shut up and drive!"
The driver pulled the mask off of his head and tossed it on the floor in the fount of the car where he had put the bag of money from the bank. "What're we gonna do with the cop?" the driver called into the back seat.
"Use him if we get in a jam. I'll give you more details when we get there."
The taller mask man continued to keep the hand gun pressed against Starsky's cheek, but the hand that was holding the back of his neck had moved to grip the collar of his leather jacket. Still the position was to intimate for Starsky, as he was fold over next to the man sitting next to him, his head wedged between the front seat and the man's knees.
"Get there? Get where? How far are they going to drive? Does anyone know where I am?" Starsky wondered silently, as more panic set in.
Hutch shoved open the squad room doors angrily and headed for his desk. Even before he could sit down, Dobey yelled for him. Hutch sighed, "Now what!" He was already having a bad morning. Starsky was suppose to have picked him up an hour ago and didn't show, so now he was late.
Captain Harold Dobey sat at his desk, a woman in a three-piece suit sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Dobey in his late forties was a large black man, with dark eyes, hair and mustache. He rarely smiled and today was no exception, in face his face was almost pale and his eyes worried.
The blonde detective stepped into this Captain's office, "What's up Cap?" Hutch asked bracing himself for Dobey's wrath at him being late. Then he noticed the young woman sitting in the office.
Dobey motioned for him to have a seat next to the woman. She smiled at Hutch briefly and nodded at him. "This is Anderson McLaney, from the FBI," Dobey said introducing her. "And Agent McLaney this is Detective Ken Hutchinson."
Hutch reached over and shook her hand. "FBI? He said with raised eyebrows. He wasn't sure if he was surprised by the fact that the FBI was sitting in Dobey's office or that it was a woman, and a beautiful one at that.
She smiled at him again, "Detective Hutchinson." She had light brown hair that was braided with it wrapped tightly around her head. Her eyes were green with brown flecks in them and she had a killer smile.
"Agent McLaney," Hutch said then looked curiously at Dobey. "What's going on Cap?" He noticed for the first time the sober look on his captain's face.
"There has been a bank robbery," Dobey said slowly. "There was an LAPD officer kidnapped during the hold up."
Hutch nodded, now he understood why the FBI was there. "Do you have any idea who it was?"
"Detective Hutchinson," the Agent said. "We have reason to believe it was your partner."
Hutch just looked at the woman with his mouth hanging open. Dobey said to his detective, "Hutch is the bank up the street from your apartment. Starsky's car is sitting out front and no Starsky."
"Are you sure?" Hutch asked finally closing his mouth.
"Hutch, Starsky's car is kind of hard to miss," Dobey said. "I thought that you and Agent McLaney could work together."
Hutch nodded numbly, "Sure anything I can do Agent McLaney."
She laid her hand on his arm, "Well the first thing you can do is call me Andy if we are going to be working together."
He gave her a small smile, "I guess we should get to the bank."
She nodded, "I think that's the only place to start Detective Hutchinson."
"Call me Hutch," he said standing up. He walked over to the door. Hutch opened the door and looked at Starsky's desk. There was a bag from the local donut shop sitting there with a couple of stale donuts in it. Surely that would have been Starch's breakfast or a least a mid morning snack.
Hutch shook his head, he hated what Starsky ate and told him countless times he was going to rot his stomach. But at this moment he would have given anything to see his partner with his feet propped up on his desk digging in the bag.
"Hutch?" Said a female voice behind him. Hutch turned to look at Andy, who had her topcoat over her arm. "You okay?"
"Yeah," he said around the lump in this throat. If the bank robbers did anything to Starsky there wasn't a hole deep enough for them to hide in.
"Hutchinson," Dobey called as his detective was leaving. "I'm going to reassign all of your cases to other officers until this is over. Now get out there and find Starsky!"
Hutch led Agent McLaney to the parking lot where his beat up brown Ford awaited them. He opened the passenger side for her then ran around to the driver's side. As he opened the door the horn blared loudly. He slid in behind the wheel and slammed the door quickly, the horn stopped.
The silence was almost deafening. Andy looked at him. Hutch shrugged his shoulders, "I've been meaning to get that fix." With that he started the car and pointed it in the direction of the bank.
There were several squad cars still at the bank when Hutch and Anderson McLaney arrived. Starsky's red Tornio sat a few parking spaces from the entrance of the bank. The bank was still closed, the bank manger stood out side with two uniformed officers. He was short, rather large with a balding head and looked not too happy.
"When can I reopen the bank?" The man demanded.
"Look Mr. Duncan," one of the officers explained for the fifth time. "We are waiting for the FBI and one of our Detectives. An officer was kidnapped here."
"I know that," the bank manger stormed. "But when can I reopen the bank?"
The officer looked at his partner and shrugged his shoulders. He glanced down the street and was relieved to see Hutch walking toward them. He had a very pretty woman with him and a worried look on his other wise handsome face.
"Hey Tom," Hutch said when he reached the trio.
"Hutch," the officer nodded, he offered his hand to the woman.
"This is FBI Agent McLaney," Hutch informed them "Are you sure...?"
He didn't get to finish Mr. Duncan interrupted. "When can I open the bank?"
"Mr. Duncan, an officer has been kidnapped," Hutch said in a strained voice.
"I have told him that." Tom said in a low voice.
"There are several business hours left. Our busiest time of the day is coming up," the manger stormed.
"Listen," Hutch said in an almost too calm voice. "You can reopen when we have every shred of evidence and have interviewed every witness."
"That has been done," Duncan snapped.
"Not by me!" Hutch shouted, finely loosing his cool. "It very well may be my partner that was taken!"
Andy put her hand on Hutch's shoulder. Then pulled out her badge, "I'm FBI, now if you don't shut up I will put your ass in jail for obstruction of justice."
The hefty man looked like he might object but instead turned on his heels, stalking back inside the bank.
"Brother what a jerk," Tom said when the man was out of earshot. "Hutch we are sure it was Starsky. You see his car is there and from the description we have gotten of the officer taken, it has to be him. I'm sorry."
Hutch looked up and down the street half expecting to see Starsky bounding down the sidewalk, candy bar in hand. "Let's go talk to the witnesses."
The two officers remained outside the bank as Hutch and Andy went in. There were about ten people standing around not counting the tellers and the bank manger, which was still steaming.
An old gray haired lady sat in a chair close to the front door. She looked up and smiled as they entered the building. Hutch returned her smile then crouched down next to her. He took her wrinkled hand. "You okay Edna?" he asked her. Mrs. Edna Simpson lived a few doors down from Hutch's apartment building. She was a kind lady who was always bringing Hutch goodies such as homemade cookies or cake. "To put meat on his bones" as she would say.
"I'm fine Ken, but they got Davy," she said sadly. "He was so brave."
Hutch's heart sunk, his last hope dashed that it wasn't his partner. But he smiled at her calling Starsky Davy. He knew that Edna had a soft spot for both of them. She was one of the only people that dared to call him Davy. "It's going to be fine, I'll find him." Hutch assured her.
Edna smiled and kissed his cheek, "I know you will honey. Now who is this pretty lady?" She was always trying to fix them up.
Hutch stood up, "This is Andy, she is with the FBI."
"My, my," Edna grinned widely and took her hand in her wrinkled old one.
Andy knelt down next to her. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Seeing that Edna was in good hands he proceeded to the next person. Hutch knew it was probably a waste of time but he didn't want to take any chances in case someone remembered something. He also knew that as they were in the bank the gunmen along with Starsky were getting farther away. The robbers still had Starsky or he would have called in by now. That was unless Hutch greatest fear came true and they had killed Starsky dumping his body somewhere.
After interviewing everybody and getting many different descriptions of the gunmen. There wasn't much to go on. The only thing that everybody agreed on was that they had ski masks on but after that the color of the mask to the kind of guns they carried changed from person to person. And so far no one had come forward with a description of the get away car.
Hutch walked up to where Mr. Duncan was leaning on his desk watching the detective. "Anything you can add?"
Duncan shook his head and almost kindly said, "Everybody was pretty scared." Hutch nodded. As he started away the manger called out, "Wait!"
Hutch stopped and turned around. "You remember something?" he asked with out much hope.
Mr. Duncan slapped his hand to his forehead. "I totally forgot! We have film of the robbery. The camera's!" He said pointing to several cameras around the room
Hutch was mad, not at the manger, but at himself. Why hadn't he though of that? He motioned for Andy to join them. She had been back talking to Edna, who she found to be a delightful woman. Edna was already insisting that they have dinner with her when this was all over. After promising she would see what she could do. Andy joined her temporary partner.
"What's up?" she asked. Hutch explained. Andy couldn't believe that none of them had thought of it.
Mr. Duncan led them to a small room to view the film. They watched silently as the gunmen enter the bank, collected the money from the tellers and customers. Hutch could almost see Starsky holding is breath hoping that they wouldn't discover his badge and gun. But they watched as the tallest of the gunmen found his badge then his gun. Hutch watched as they handcuffed his partner with his own cuffs and hauled him to his feet.
"Can we get a hard copy of these men?" Hutch asked staring at the screen.
"Sure thing," the man answered and began going frame by frame to find the best pictures. "It will take a few minutes."
Hutch and Andy left the room; Edna was still sitting in the same chair by the door. She smiled at the two of them as they crossed the room toward her. "That little weasel find anything for you?" she asked.
Hutch and the Agent just looked at each other and grinned. Hutch nodded at the older woman. "Yeah we have pictures of the gun men."
Edna stood, "Good then you'll find Davy. He's OK you know," she said as she turned to leave. "I can go right?"
Andy nodded in amazement, the woman sounded so sure of herself. "You were free to go when I finished talking to you."
Edna smiled again, "I know dear, but I was waiting to hear about Davy."
After the old woman left Andy give Hutch a puzzled look. "Don't ask me but if she said 'Davy' is fine then he is."
Mr. Duncan appeared next to them holding out a hand full of photos. "I sure hope these help."
"Thank-you, Mr. Duncan, you can reopen your bank now," Hutch told him.
Duncan shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sending everyone home," he said. "I'm sorry I was being so difficult earlier."
"I'm sure being held at gun point was very stressful," Andy offered as she looked at the photos Hutch was flipping though.
He nodded, "I hope you find your partner."
"So do I," Hutch said as he and Agent McLaney walked out into the bright sunshine. It was a beautiful day; they should have been at the beach or anything but this. Hutch looked down at the last photo and caught his breath.
"What?" Andy asked taking the photo from his hand. It was a picture of the curly headed man with blue eyes and a pained expression on his face. "Starsky?"
"Yeah, I hope Edna is right."
"I take it you two have been partners for a while?" Andy asked as she opened the door to Hutch's car. Then she braced herself for the horn as Hutch got in. But for some reason it didn't sound.
"Hutch!" called a voice from outside the car.
He rolled down his window. The officer from the door came running up. "Tom."
"What should we do with Starsky's car?" Hutch fumbled with his key ring for a moment then tossed a set of keys to the officer.
"Could you take it back to the station for me?" Hutch asked. "We really need to get going."
"Sure thing," Tom said. As he started to walk away he stopped and come back to the car. "Hutch, you'll find him. Surely they aren't dumb enough to kill a cop."
"Let's hope not," Hutch said as he started the car. He then looked at Andy to answer her question. "We have been together forever."
Andy nodded, "Where to now?"
"To see Huggy Bear," Hutch answered as he pulled out into traffic.
"Huggy who?" Andy asked looking at Hutch with raised eyebrows.
After driving on-from what Starsky could tell-was the freeway, by the speed and the non-stopping, for what seemed to be an hour, the get-away car slowed, then turned on to a gravel road. He had to assume that they were arriving at the hold up men's hide out. He certainly didn't feel assured by this at all. Anything could happen. Although he still hadn't seen the men's faces, he didn't hold much hope that he would get out of this alive.
The car stopped, but nobody moved for a minute. Starsky's panic set in once more when a thought came to him. "Oh, God, they could be planning on killing me and dumping me here. Oh please...I just need a little more time for Hutch to find me!"
The smaller unmasked man got out of the car with the bag of money, while the taller man took the gun away from Starsky's face. "Keep your head down," he told him.
Starsky heard the car door open behind him. He didn't move. He felt hands on his arms, then his shoulders, and finally his head was lifted slightly as a piece of dark cloth was placed over his eyes and tied at the back of his head. He was then pulled from the car and pushed up a few wooden steps. Relieved that he actually was being taken to the gunmen's hideout, Starsky felt he could breathe al little easier.
The three men entered a rustic cabin set in a clearing of trees, mostly hidden from the main highway. Once inside, the blindfolded Starsky was taken into one of the bedrooms and pushed to the floor.
The two men left the bedroom and stopped in the small living room of the cabin. The taller man, Kurt Johnson, removed the ski mask from his head. "Now what?" asked the smaller man, shedding his coat.
"I'm thinkn' about what we're gonna do with the cop. I figure we'll take him with us until we're ready to leave the country. Then we'll dump him."
"Look, I don't wanna drag a cop around with us. Let's dump him now and get the hell out of here," advised the smaller man.
"We may run into problems with the cops. And if we do, we'll need him for bargaining."
"I'd say we already ran into trouble with the cops," gritted the smaller man, who went by the name of Wayne Burns, as he gestured with his hand toward the bedroom. "Fine," he added. "Do it your way. Just make sure he's tired up good."
While Starsky was left alone in the bedroom, he managed to get himself up on his knees and in an up right position. Still blindfolded, he listened for the two men in the next room. He had been able to move the blindfold a little by rubbing his head on the carpeted floor, but he wasn't able to push it away from his eyes. He guessed that a bed was next to him on his right side. He leaned slightly, until he was met with resistance, knowing now that there was a piece of furniture there.
What are they doing in there?" he whispered out loud to himself. Starsky bet down and pressed his head against the cool wood of the unknown piece of furniture; he was able to move the blindfold with some effort by rubbing it on the wood frame of the bed. Uncovering enough to see what he was doing, Starsky moved his body around to find something he could catch the blindfold on. While the two men in the other room were taking the time to count the money taken from the bank, Starsky noticed a nearby wooden bedpost; he was able to push the cloth up to his forehead.
Now able to see, Starsky looked around the small bedroom for a way out. "I'm sure the hell ain't going' out the front door past those two idiots. There's gotta be a way out of here." He spotted a window at the other side of the room. It was partially covered with wooden panels, daylight peeking though.
"If I can just get my fingers up there, pull the boards away I can climb out the window and make it to the road." Starsky moved over to the window and turning in his still handcuffed hands to one of the boards, he managed to get a hold of the bottom edge of one. Pulling at it, the board gave a little, he continued to pull and the board loosened more. Shifting his grip, he pulled the board of the window. It landed on the floor with a thump. "Damn", he whispered, stopping to hear if the men in the next room had heard the thump.
He could hear the two beginning to argue over their loot. Starsky laughed to himself, thinking what a nice diversion it would be if the two gunmen got into a fight. Starsky turned his attention back to the window. The lower portion of the window was broken, and the screen was torn a little. Starsky calculated that once he pushed out the screen he could fit thought he boards.
Turning and reaching a leg up, he kicked the screen opening it fully. Then listening to the men who were still arguing in the next room, Starsky decided he could get away. First one leg, then the other, his butt balancing on the edge of the window, he took the chance and dropped down, feet first. Swaying then stopping himself as he leaned against the wooden railing on the porch of the cabin, Starsky felt his adrenaline increase he headed for the gravel road. Running with his hands still cuffed behind him, Starsky had made it to the edge of the two-lane highway.
Wayne, the smaller gunman, had heard something outside the cabin and went to investigate. Seeing that their hostage had escaped, Wayne set out after him, armed with detective's handgun. Starsky stopped running when the two-lane blacktop appeared in front of him. The traffic had been sparse earlier, but now the road was deserted.
Wayne quietly approached the handcuffed detective from behind. Starsky had heard movement behind him, then felt the barrel of a gun at the back of his neck. "Stupid cop. Real stupid." The gunman then jerked Starsky backward by the collar of his jacket. "How far did you think you were going to get while handcuffed? Huh?" Starsky heard as he was jerked again by his jacket, feeling the gun poke into the back of his neck. "Come on pig, get movin'" Wayne said as he shoved the dark haired detective back toward the cabin.
Kurt Johnson was standing on the porch of the cabin as Wayne shoved Starsky up the steps. "He's seen our faces…" pointed out Kurt.
"Just get him inside," gritted Wayne. Once back inside the cabin, Starsky was hard pressed to predict what the two would do next. Kurt tuned to face his hostage, then landed two blows in quick succession to Starsky' abdomen. Starsky gasped and fell to his knees.
Hutch pulled up in front of a place called 'The Pits'. After checking traffic he got out of the car. Andy was already out looking doubtfully at the storefront bar. It wasn't much to look at from the outside. It was fairly dark inside and it took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. There was a thin tall black man behind the bar serving a drink to a man who looked like he had already had one too many.
"Hey Huggy," Hutch said as he sat down on one of the barstools. Andy sat between him and the drunk.
The drunk leaned over and looked at her with half closed eyes. Then he put his head on her shoulder. "Sammy take it out side," Huggy ordered. He reached over the bar and pushed the drunk off the young woman.
But I'm not done with my drink," Sammy slurred, as he picked up the glass of beer spilling some of the contents on the wooden bar.
Huggy took the glass from his hand. "You are now." The man looked at him then slide off the stool and staggered for the door.
"Sorry about that," Huggy apologized as he poured the remainder of the drink in the sink behind the bar. Then he mopped the spilled beer from the bar with a white rag.
"I've had worse done to me," Andy laughed. She extended her hand, "I'm Andy."
"Nice to meet you. Hey where's you other half, Hutch?" Huggy asked as he looked around the bar for Starsky. "You trade him in on this lovely lady?"
Hutch looked at his friend in shock. "You mean you don't know?" Huggy usually knew what was going on in the streets before the cops did. He had been friends with the two detectives for years and helped them out when ever he could.
"Know what?" Asked Huggy sitting a beer in front of Hutch. "What would you like Hon?"
"Huggy, Starsky has been kidnapped. There was a bank robbery down the street from my apartment, they took him," Hutch said in a tight voice.
Huggy looked at Hutch for a beat or two then asked, "You got any idea who?"
Sadly Hutch shook his head. "That's why we came to you. We have pictures, but they are wearing ski masks so it's impossible to tell who they are." Hutch pulled the photos from inside his jacket and handed them to Huggy.
Huggy studied the pictures for a moment and shook his head. "Sure can't tell from this."
"Mr. Bear," Andy asked. "I understand that you are an informant?"
Huggy smiled, "Just Huggy. Well I guess you could say that. I just help out with information when called upon. Informant sounds, uh…"
"Kind of seedy?" Andy offered. Huggy nodded in agreement of her use of words. She looked over at Hutch who was staring at the photo of Starsky. "Listen we are going to find him. Edna said he was OK remember?"
Hutch gave Andy a weak smile. "Yeah she did say that didn't she?" Then he looked at Huggy. "You haven't heard about a pair of bank robbers in the area?"
Huggy thought for a moment then shook his head again, "Can't say as I have but I'll keep my ear to the ground. You know people just can't keep their mouths shut. They love to brag or someone else talks about them. I'll let you know the moment I hear anything. And you let me know too."
"Thanks Huggy," Hutch said. He got up with out touching his beer. "Let's check in with Dobey before we hit the streets." Andy shook Huggy's hand again, and thanked him for his help then followed Hutch outside.
Hutch pushed open the squad room door then stopped. It had only been this morning that he had been so angry with Starsky for not picking him up. He hadn't known then that only a few blocks away his partner had been in danger.
Andy spoke behind the detective, "You okay?"
"Yeah, just thinking." Hutch moved on, several men in the room spoke to them giving words of support.
Andy knocked on Dobey's office door. "Come," growled a voice from inside. She turned the knob opening the door. A young woman dressed in a waitress uniform sat in front of the captain's desk. The girl turned a tear stained face toward the FBI agent. She couldn't have been more than eighteen, her blond hair was in a net and she was clutching a wet tissue.
Andy and Hutch stepped into the room, Dobey looked at them grimly. "This is Miss Thomas; she is a waitress at the restaurant across the street from the bank.
Andy knelt down next to the girl. "Did you see something honey?" The girl nodded. "What's your fist name?"
"Sally," she said softly
Hutch sighed and flopped down in the chair next to the girl. This was all moving much too slowly for him. He could feel time slipping away. And Starsky's time could be running out if it wasn't already too late.
"Sally, I'm Andy, can you tell me what you saw?" the agent asked kindly. She glanced at Hutch; he was slumped in the chair.
The girl nodded again. "I was waiting on a table in front of the window. I looked out and saw two men wearing ski masks and long costs. They had guns and were pulling a third man in handcuffs with them.'
Hutch sat up, "Did you see where t hey went?"
"They got in a car. One man in front, the other man with the guy in handcuffs in the back." She said a little louder.
"Can you tell us what the car looks like?" Hutch said perking up. Dobey sat posed ready to write as he gave the description.
"It was a dark blue, for door, with dark tinted windows." She said proud of herself that she remembered. "But it was real dusty. On the side of the car someone had written 'wash me'. Probably some kid, you know how they are."
Hutch took the girls hand, "Than-you, this is the only lead we have had. But why didn't you say something before now?"
The girls eyes filled with tears again, he was sorry he had said anything. She had been so helpful and now he had made her cry. "I-I was scared." Sally stammered. "I-I'm sorry."
"Honey you did a terrific job, you should be proud of yourself." Andy said softly.
"I'm sorry," Hutch said ashamed. "You have been lots of help."
"Really?" She asked brightening. She couldn't help noticing how handsome he was.
"Really!" he exclaimed and kissed her hand. "Because of you we will find my partner." He sounded more self-assured than he felt. There were probably hundreds of cars matching that description in LA, even down to the 'wash me'.
Hutch got up and looked at Andy. "Let's go punch this in the computer and see what we come up with."
Sally jumped up. Don't you want to know the license plate number?"
Both officers turned and stared at the girl. "Of course," Hutch said.
"Now let me get this right," she thought a moment with her eye s closed. "Juice, toast, eggs, 286."
"Excuse me?"" Dobey growled putting down the phone he had picked up to place a call downstairs with the information. This was no time to be playing games.
"JTE, Juice, toast, eggs. JTE286!" She grinned shyly. "That's how I remember things I have been a waitress for a while."
"JET286," Hutch repeated. Then he hugged the girl to him and kissed the top of her head. "California?"
She nodded blushing slightly. "I'm glad I could help. I’m sorry I didn't come forward when tall the police were out there."
"You did just fine," Andy smiled at her.
Dobey was on the phone relaying the information they had gotten. The girl left after giving them her address and phone number. Impulsively Andy hugged Hutch then stepped back embarrassed. He just smiled at her.
"Stolen," Dobey said dropping the receiver into its cradle. "Damn, it's stolen."
That's not a surprise," Andy said. "I sure wouldn't do a heist in my own car."
"You got an owner?" Hutch asked his captain.
Dobey looked at a not pad he had written the information on. "It's a woman named Marie Carson." He ripped off the paper and handed it to Hutch. "Her address is on there too."
Hutch pulled up in front of an old but well kept brick apartment building. He consulted the paper to see what apartment Miss Carson lived in as they got out of the car. In the alcove of the building there was a series of numbers with buttons under them. Andy went down the row until she came to #7.
She pushed it, they both waited. Suddenly there was a crack and a voice said, "Yes?"
"Police," Hutch said. "We need to talk to you."
The voice sighed, "Come on up."
The door buzzed, Andy pushed it open. They climbed the stairs to the second floor where a petite woman stood holding open her apartment door. There was a black number seven nailed to the door. "Come in," she frowned at them. "What's up?"
"Your car was used in a bank robbery earlier this morning," Andy told her. "I'm FBI Agent McLaney, this is Detective Hutchinson."
"I'm Marie Carson but I guess you already know that. Have a seat." She said making a sweeping motion toward the couch.
Without moving Hutch said. "An officer was kidnapped."
"That bank robbery? It's all over the radio." She pushed her short brown hair out of her eyes. "Shit, I knew this would happen."
"Knew what would happen?" Hutch asked. "Do you know something about this?"
"Well uh…" Marie stammered suddenly looking nervous.
"Listen, if you know something, you had better tell us and fast." Andy said advancing on the woman.
"Look I over heard my boyfriend talking with is friend the other night." Marie twisted a piece of hair. "I didn't have anything to do with this."
"Okay, we believe you," Andy said. "But please tell us what they said."
The woman sighed, "Kurt, that's my boyfriend and Wayne were talking about doing a job. I wasn't sure what job, I didn't ask. We are from out of town, only been here a month. We were supposed to get a new start that's the only reason I came with he. He promised me he would get a real job and we would have a life. Then Wayne showed up about a week later." Marie broke down and began to cry.
Hutch pulled out the photos. "Can you tell if this is them?"
Marie took the pictures and studied them; she looked up at Hutch and Andy. Two big tears rolled down her face. "It's them?"
She nodded, as she started to hand the pictures back she stopped, the photo of Starsky caught her eye. "This the kidnapped cop?"
"Yeah, and my partner," Hutch said looking at the photo she held.
"I'm so very sorry" Marie sniffed. "I should have called the police when I heard them talking."
"It's all right," Andy said handing her a tissue. "So you have any photos of him?"
She shook her head no, "He didn't like having his picture taken."
"Then can you come down to the station and do an artist drawing of them?" Hutch asked her.
"Sure, anything," she said grabbing her purse off a chair. "I'm done with him."
Hutch and Andy arrived at the station with Marie Carson just as the car radio went off. At the same time an officer was knocking on the passenger side window. "What the hell is going on?" Hutch asked reaching for the radio. Andy rolled down the window.
"Hutch," the officer almost yelled in the window. "A body has been found."
The blond detective stopped with the microphone in hand. "Body?"
"A body was just found on the beach. The call just came in," he explained. "A guy walking his dog found the body. We have squads on the way. The guy said it was a man, dark hair, jeans…"
Marie looked fearful in the back seat; she saw the look on the detectives face. "Can you take her to Dobey's office?" Hutch asked jerking his head toward the back seat.
"Sure thing," the officer said opening the door so the woman could get out. After giving Hutch the location of the body he took the now crying woman to Dobey.
Hutch sped to the scene, Andy tried several times to talk to him but Hutch's face looked like stone. He was intent on getting there. If it was Starsky…if it was Starsky…
"What is it?" Andy asked.
Hutch looked at her startled he hadn't even realized he had said anything out loud. He just shook his head unable to speak.
"It's probably not him." She said hoping to make him feel better but she knew that was impossible until he saw for himself. Finally they were at the beach, Hutch pulled up and stopped. There were four police cars and two others were pulling in. He got out of the car on a dead run not even bothering to close the door. Of course the horn picked this moment to sound. Andy went around the back of the ca, closed the door then ran after Hutch.
There was a man with a large dog sitting on a piece of driftwood. A couple of officers were talking to him. They looked up as Hutch came running up.
"Is it Starsky?" Hutch breathed.
"We were waiting for you," one of the officers said.
Hutch closed his eyes. "Where is the body?"
The man with the dog pointed down the beach. "Down there a little way, he's almost in the rocks."
By this time Andy caught up with Hutch, "Well?"
"Let's check it out," Hutch said taking a deep breath. Andy reached out, took Hutch's hand and squeezed it. They walked down the beach hand in hand until they saw the body.
All they could see at first was blue tennis shoes and Jeans. Hutch was afraid to move any closer. Finally he forced himself to take a few more steps closer. The body was face down, but it was clearly a man. H had on a pull over shirt and dark curly hair that was plastered to his head from being wet.
Slowly Hutch bent over, he took another deep breath and held it as he rolled the body over. Hutch went limp with relief; it wasn't Starsky but could have almost passed for his twin.
"It's not him," Hutch said to himself, then yelled loud enough to be heard down the beach, "It's not Starsky!" Hutch searched the man's pocket but turned up nothing.
Andy hugged Hutch tightly but this time she didn't let go of him. In just the short time she had known him she had become very fond of Hutch. And she knew that he cared very deeply for his partner.
With in minutes the beach was crawling with officers. EMT's, even Dobey had left his office to come down. Dobey stopped in front of Hutch trying to catch his breath. He glanced over at the body. "Thank God," Dobey said still breathing hard.
"Marie being any help?" Hutch asked about the woman he and Andy had dropped off.
"She's with Stu doing up some drawings. They should be down by the time we get back." Dobey said patting Hutch on the back. He didn't know what he would have done if the body had been Starsky.
"Try that again cop and you're dead!" Starsky heard in his ear. Soon he was being hauled to his feet again by his arm. "I'll make sure he doesn't escape again," gritted Kurt.
"I told you to make sure he was tired up good!" yelled Wayne at his accomplice.
Kurt pulled the dark haired detective toward a narrow door inside the cabin. Before Kurt could open the door, Wayne approached the pair with a length of rope. Starsky's immediate reaction was to panic at the approaching man and he struggled as much as he could. Kurt held him by his arms tightly as Wayne bent to tie their prisoner's ankles.
"Look, its not too late to let me go…turn yourselves in and I can talk to t he judge…" Starsky said, almost pleading.
Wayne had stopped what he was doing and stared hard into the cop's blue eyes. "Everyone is looking for me, my partner, the whole police force, the FBI. You've said more than enough cop," Wayne said as he reached out and wrapped his hand around Starsky's throat for a moment.
Kurt reached around the captured detective and opened a small door that was a closet. Starsky looked into the tiny room, stricken. "There's not enough room in there for a cat!" he yelled. Kurt ignored him and attempted to shove him into the closet. "Wait, could I have something to drink first?" Starsky added, trying to buy some time.
Wayne stepped back and said, "Well, okay. But I don't want to hear another word out of you!"
Wayne moved to the kitchen while Kurt moved Starsky to the couch and shoved him down on it. Wayne paused for a moment in the kitchen. On the floor sat a case of warm beer. He bent down and took out a can. Fingering the top of the can, Wayne paused and smirked a little. He then reached into the pocket of his jeans and produced a plastic bag of small pills containing Quaaludes that he had become so fond of. He carefully crushed two of them and spooned them into the warm can of beer. "This will keep him quiet for a while," whispered the shorter gunman.
Kurt sat slightly hunched in a chair handling Starsky's handgun, near where he had left the detective sprawled on the couch. Wayne came into the front room carrying the beer. Starsky looked up and tried to cross his fingers for good luck while asking the man holding the beer. "Could we lose the cuffs? Can't very well drink a beer with my hands behind me."
Kurt rolled his eyes then stood, and walked over to the detective. "You have the key to these?" he asked as he attempted to slip his hand inside the detective's leather jacket pockets.
"My left pocket," Starsky said, helping, while at the same time hoping he could make another move to escape.
Kurt produced the key and bent down to the dark haired man's cuffed wrists. Freeing Starsky's right wrist, Kurt had set the handgun to the right on the cushion next to where the other was sitting. Wayne stood nearby, fidgeting. As soon as Starsky could move his right arm, he moved it, pushing Kurt's hand away from the gun and making a grab for it.
Kurt acted swiftly in response and made a snatch for the4 gun, meeting Starsky's hand. Kurt then grabbed the butt of the gun with his left hand while Starsky gripped the chamber with his right. Both men began to struggle with the gun. Wayne had set the beer he was holding on a nearby coffee table and happened to look toward the two men both holding the gun. Wayne was stunned for a moment as Kurt brought his right hand up to grab Starsky's throat. Starsky in turn was struggling to keep the barrel of the gun away from his chest and found it even harder when Kurt wrapped his right hand around his throat, cutting off his air.
Wayne finally jumped into action when he saw the detective pull his left arm from behind him. Wayne reached out and grabbed Starsky's arm, starling him enough to allow Kurt some control over the gun. Kurt accomplished in bringing the gun and the cops arm down so the barrel was pointed away from Starsky's chest and now was pointed at this right thigh as the gun went off.
Wayne jumped back, startled, while releasing Starsky's left arm that had now gone limp. Wayne looked down to where the gun had gone off, watching as the detective clutched his now bleeding thigh. Kurt stepped back still keeping the gun pointed at his injured prisoner.
"You, you shot him," Gasped Wayne, wide eyed.
"Shut up, shut up, I know that!"
"Why'd you shoot him?"
"The damn gun went off!"
Starsky slumped back into the couch, gritting his teeth, giving his best effort to not pass out. The red spot of blood was spreading over his thigh, soaking his jeans, as he tried to apply pressure to the wound. "Please help me," Starsky pleaded. Wayne jumped into action, turning and leaving the front room in search of something to stop the bleeding.
"I ain't never shot a cop before. Man are you lucky I brought your arm down," said Kurt.
"Just help me dammit," Starsky said angrily.
Wayne appeared with towels and approached the detective, kneeling down he pressed one of the towels against the wound. "That's not gonna do it!" yelled Starsky.
"Okay, okay…uh, give me your belt." Said Wayne. Starsky paused then reached to unbuckle his belt, while Wayne applied pressure with both hands.
Starsky thought for a moment about losing his temper, yelling something at them, but he felt himself growing weaker. Wayne took the now free belt and attempted to lift the detective's leg. "Don't! I'll do it myself," he gritted, wrapping his belt around his own leg.
Wayne continued to apply pressure with the towel as Starsky brought the ends of the leather belt around to meet. He was sweating and shaking as Wayne took control and tightened the belt around his thigh and the blood soaked towel. Pain shooting though him, Starsky jerked as the smaller gunman tied the ends of the belt. Kurt had stepped back and lowered the gun as Wayne administered the first aid.
Starsky sunk back against the couch as Wayne moved and took Kurt by the arm. "What are we gonna do with him now?" Asked Kurt as the two men moved into the kitchen.
"Just leave him on the couch, he ain't going anywhere." Was the answer.
"What are we gonna do? We can't take him with us like that!" asked Kurt again.
"Okay. Uhm, we can leave him in the woods. By the time someone finds him, we'll be long gone. We'll get started at sunrise. Then we do your next job," Wayne said as Kurt nodded his head.
Kurt disappeared into one of the bedrooms as Wayne went back into the front room. "Still alive cop?" he asked the still form on the couch.
"No thanks to you, idiot!" Starsky shot back.
Wayne bent and picked up the forgotten handcuffs and approached the dark haired detective. Holding the cuffs up, he stood over the prone form. "Best to keep our mouth shut. And just so you don't try to do anything stupid again, I'm cuffing you to the sofa here," Wayne advised as he bent down and grabbed Starsky's left wrist.
Darkness had already descended on the little cabin in the woods, marked by the quietness of the woods, Starsky tried to lie very still on the couch and not shiver. Every movement made pain jolt thought his leg. Checking the towel and the tourniquet with his right hand, he could see that most of the bleeding had stopped but the wound looked deep. He knew he wouldn't be able to walk on it, even if he wasn't handcuffed.
Thirsty as he was, he doubted either gunman would give him something to drink. Just getting them to give him a blanket had been difficult. He felt himself growing weaker by the hour. The throbbing in his thigh had let up enough to allow him to fall in to a fitful sleep.
"Hey cop! Wake up!" Starsky responded to the unfamiliar voice by opening his eyes and attempting to focus on the man standing over him. The sun was just creeping over the horizon, though darkness still filled the main room. Kurt yanked the blanket off the injured detective. "Come on Cop!" Starsky heard again as Kurt bent and nudged his shoulder.
"What? What do you want?" e said weakly. He felt even worse this morning than he did last night. He automatically moved his hand down to the blood soaked towel on his leg.
Wayne approached him also and stood near his feet. "It's time to go," Wayne said as he pushed Starsky's feet off the couch.
He cried out at the movement. "Please, don't!" Starsky pleaded.
Wayne then bent down and removed one of the blood soaked towels. "Looks like it's started bleeding again," he said as he dropped the towel on the floor.
Kurt uncuffed his left wrist, then said. "Come on Cop, uh," as he grabbed the front of the injured detective's leather jacket and pulled him into an upright position.
"No please, I can't." Starsky gasped.
"We gotta go, come on," Wayne said as he lifted Starsky's right arm and put it around the back of his neck. Kurt then did the same, draping the man's other arm over his shoulder.
"Hurts," Starsky mumbled as the two men pulled him to his feet. "Where are you taking me?" he asked between deep breaths.
"You'll find out," was the answer
Starsky was helpless to stop the two men from hauling him out the front door of the cabin. The two men then gently hoisted him down the wooden stairs. The sun was still barely over the horizon as the men turned around the right corner of the cabin toward the dense wooded area, half-dragging, half carrying the injured detective.
Starsky grew more fearful as they approached the woods. The wound in his leg sent jolts of pain thought his body every time he was moved. Beads of sweat had rolled down his face, but once outside he notice how cool the morning air was. The further into the woods he was dragged, the more cool air penetrated his leather jacket, making him shiver. "Hutch?" Where the hell are you? Come on partner. I need you," he pleaded silently.
The three of them stopped several yards from the cabin, near a large tree. Kurt and Wayne eased Starsky down to rest at the foot of the tree. "Wait, please!" Starsky attempted.
"We're leaving you here. Maybe someone will find you." Kurt said as he looped a length of rope around one of Starsky's writs, then pulling his arm around the base of the tree.
"Then again, maybe they won't," Wayne said as he helped his partner in crime tie the detective's arms behind him, around the tree.
"You can't!! Wait!" Starsky yelled with as much effort as he could muster at the departing pair. "Tell someone where I am! Wait!"
Energized by the fact the body had not been his best friend Hutch burst though the squad room door with a smile on his face. He had been so sure that it had been Starsky. Andy had to run to catch up with him. It was the first time since meeting Hutch she had seen him smile.
Marie Carson was sitting at Hutch's desk looking very distressed, a box of tissues sat well used in front of her. Hutch walked up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. She turned red swollen eyes toward him. "Was it…?" Marie began but couldn't finish.
Hutch knelt next to her and took her hand. "It wasn't Starsky." He said then handed her a tissue. "Do you think they would hurt him?"
She shrugged. "I don't think so…oh I don't know. I guess someone who would rob a bank and kidnap a cop would do just about anything." Marie looked at Hutch sadly. "God what did I ever see in him?"
"Did Kurt or Wayne have a record where you use to live?" Hutch asked her.
"They got arrested a couple of times but nothing like this. He promised it would be different if I came to California with him. We were going to get married, settle down, have kids. I’m leaving, going back home."
"We'll need you to hang around for a while," Hutch said. He looked around the room for Andy, she was no where to be seen.
"Oh you can count on it," Marie said angrily. She wiped hard at the remaining tears on her face. She had just shed her last tear over Kurt Johnson.
Hutch grinned at her, "Thata girl!"
Andy appeared at Hutch's side carrying a box containing three cups of coffee and sandwiches. She set it on Starsky's desk. "Thought you guys might be hungry."
Hutch shook his head, "I'm going to talk to Dobey about getting this information on the air waves."
Andy grabbed the sleeve of his leather jacket. "You need to eat; besides Dobey isn't in his office. I just saw him at the candy machine out in the hall."
"But…"
"No buts, you sit down and eat!" She commanded.
Reluctantly Hutch sat down at his desk, took a cup from the box and a sandwich. He began to eat slowly with out much appetite. Andy struck up a conversation with Marie, leaving Hutch to his own thoughts.
He wondered what he would do without Starsky if something had happened to him. They had been together for so long they knew what each other each other were thinking without speaking. But he had a strange feeling that his friend was still alive, at least for the time being.
"Hutch…Hutch?" Andy called to him. "Where are you now?"
He gave her a sheepish grin. "Sorry just thinking."
"You sure do that a lot," Andy grinned back, teasing him.
Hutch laughed, it was kind of a relief to joke. Things had been so intense since Starsky was kidnapped. Dobey pushed the squad room doors open with his ample backside. He had a cup of coffee in one hand and an open candy bar in the other.
"Nice lunch Captain," Andy said smiling up at him.
He just grunted at the agent as he walked up to the desk. "Need to talk to you Hutchinson," he said around a bite of candy.
"Shoot," Hutch said taking a sip of coffee.
"In my office," Dobey said. Andy started to get up. "Why don't you keep Miss Carson company, Agent McLaney?"
"Sure Captain," Andy said giving Hutch a puzzled look.
"Bring your food," Dobey ordered as he went into his office.
Hutch sighed as he gathered up what was left of his food. "Why is everyone so worried about me eating?"
"We just care about you." Andy giggled as she swatted at him as he passed her on the way to his captain's office.
"What's up Cap?" Hutch asked as he entered the office.
"Shut the door," Dobey said. After the detective closed the door, Dobey tapped on a thick manila folder lying on his desk. "Rap sheets for Johnson and Burns."
Hutch raised his eyebrows. "Miss Carson said they had only been in trouble a few times."
Dobey shoved the folder toward Hutch. "Take a look at that. I don't think she knew her boyfriend very well. He not only has been in trouble more than a few times, he ahs been in prison before. Eight to ten but was out after only two."
"What did he do?" Hutch asked picking up the folder.
"Bank robber." Dobey said. Hutch looked at his captain. "Guard was killed."
"What!?! Hutch exclaimed. He got to his feet. He was going to have a little talk with Marie Carson.
"He wasn't the shooter, that's why he didn't get much time. Johnson was the driver." Dobey told him. "Where are you going?"
"To talk to our Miss Carson," Hutch said angrily.
"Sit down!" Dobey yelled. "If I wanted her to know about this I would have told you out there. I don't think she knows about his past."
"What makes you think that?" Hutch asked sitting back down.
"I talked to her for a little while. They have only been together for two years. This happened over ten years ago. He has been in trouble since he was fourteen."
"That poor girl. And she has on idea." Hutch shook his head feeling sorry for her.
"I honestly don't think so." Dobey said finishing up his candy.
I think we should broadcast their description, the car, everything we have on them," Hutch said.
"Dobey thought for a moment. "They might kill Starsky if they hear it."
"Cap I have a feeling that he's going to be dead no matter what we do unless we get this out there and someone has seen them." Hutch said hoping he was making the right decision. "Maybe someone will come forward and help us."
Dobey thought some more then agreed. "I'll get the ball rolling."
"Do you think I should tell Marie about her loving boyfriend?"
"That's up to you." Dobey told him. "But I think it's all going to come out anyway. It might be better coming from you."
Hutch agreed with him. "Can I have this?" He pointed at the file.
"Sure," Dobey said handing it to his detective, then picked up the phone.
Hutch opened the office door. Andy and Marie were just finishing eating. He walked out closing the door behind him and handed the thick file to Andy. She looked up at him with questioning eyes. "Just read it." Hutch told Andy then turned to Marie. "We gotta talk."
It had been over two hours since the description of Burns and Johnson along with their car and Starsky had hit the airwaves. There wasn't a TV or radio station in LA or surrounding areas that weren't broadcasting the news. Several reporters showed up at the station wanting to speak to someone.
Hutch wasn't to keen on talking to the press. He found them troublesome in dealing with most cases but this wasn't just any case. Starsky's life was on the line.
Andy watched as hutch slipped on his leather jacket. He knew that a news team was waiting for him. They were on the elevator on their way downstairs. When the elevator numbers it one, Hutch took a deep breath, the doors lid open. A lobby full of reporters and cameras greeted him.
A microphone was shoved in his face. "Do you have anymore information on the where abouts of this missing officer?" A reporter shot out.
"Just how dangerous are these men?" Came another question.
"Do you think they will pull another job?" Came a third.
"How are you involved in this case?"
Hutch held up his hand. "I'm Detective Hutchinson. The Officer taken was my partner Detective David Starsky. I would consider these men very dangerous. We have not had any new leads, that is why we have come to you."
"Do you think they will pull another job?" The same reporter repeated the question.
Hutch looked at them perplexed. "Now how would I know that?" he growled. "I'm a cop not a mind reader. All I am concerned with right now is finding my partner."
After the reporters left, Hutch went back to the squad room. Marie Carson was still sitting at Starsky's desk trying to sort out her feelings. After Andy had read the files on Kurt and Wayne she simply gave them to the young woman. She had a right to know, Hutch had nodded in agreement with what Andy did.
Hutch slammed his chair into his desk angrily. Marie jumped looking up at Hutch. He looked as though he was about to cry. "No news?" She asked softly.
"Nothing." He said hoarsely. "Are you sure there isn't anything you have left out?"
Slowly she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I would tell you anything…you know that."
"I know." Hutch tried to smile at her but he just couldn't. He was beyond worried, he was almost frantic. Huggy hadn't even turned up anything. It was like these guys robbed the bank then just disappeared into thin air.
Andy came out of Dobey's office. Hutch had wondered where she had gone. "There are calls starting to come in." Andy informed him. "But don't get excited they have all been pranks so far."
"Are you sure?" Hutch said following her back into his captain's office.
"Unfortunately yes." She said. "It's mostly kids playing games."
"Damnit!" Hutch shouted as he slugged Dobey's office door. Instantly he regretted doing it. "Shit!" Hutch shook his hand, his knuckles already turning a pale shade of purple.
"Hutchinson!" Dobey yelled. "That is not helping."
Andy slipped out of the room. Hutch sat down in front of Dobey's desk rubbing his knuckles. "What are we going to do Cap?" Hutch asked hopelessly. He had never felt so utterly useless in all his life.
"We have every squad car on the lookout for Johnson and Burns. It's all over radio and TV, there's not much more that we can do except wait for a break."
"I can't accept that!" Hutch stormed. "Starsky maybe dead or dying somewhere out there."
Dobey's office door opened, Andy came in with a big of ice wrapped in some paper towels. "Here, put this on your hand."
Hutch shoved the ice out of Andy's had. It hit the floor, ice went everywhere. You are the damn FBI, do something!" Hutch slammed out of the office so hard that the pictures on the walls rattled.
Silently Andy bent down and began picking up the ice. "Andy." Dobey said, she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "He is not mad at you."
She nodded and continued to pick up the ice. Andy was afraid to speak for fear she would cry. She felt as useless as Hutch and it was like a slap in the face when he had yelled at her.
Finally she stood up, dropped the ice in the trash. "Captain Dobey, I'm going to ask to be resigned. Maybe another agent can do a better job."
"Don't do that," Dobey said. "Everybody is doing the best that they can."
Andy grabbed her jacket off the back of the chair. "Tell Hutch I said goodbye and that I'm sorry. I hope you find Starsky." She said with a catch in her voice. She then fled through the door that opened out into the hall instead of the squad room. The last thing she wanted to do was face Hutch right now.
As one door closed the other one opened. Hutch poked his head in. "Andy? Where is she?" Ask the detective looking around the room.
"Gone," Dobey growled. "She is asking to be resigned."
Hutch closed his eyes as he rested his forehead on the door. "I really blew it, didn't I?"
Dobey nodded then pointed toward the other door with a pen he had been writing with. "She just left."
Hutch ducked back though the door and ran through the squad room. And was standing at the end of the hall waiting for the elevator.
"Andy," called Hutch. She looked at him just as the doors slide open. She stepped in the elevator; Hutch reached it just before the doors closed. He jumped in. "Andy I'm so sorry, I don't know what else to say."
Andy leaned on the back wall of the elevator. "Hutch it's not you. I lost a partner in a situation not much different than his one."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Hutch asked looking at her intently. "What happened?"
"I didn't tell you because I didn't you need to hear it right now." Andy explained. "My partner Danny was taken hostage at a post office. He traded himself for a woman who went into labor. Danny didn't make it out. The gun man killed all the hostages then himself."
"God Andy, I'm so sorry." Hutch said as he put his arms around her. "You still should have told me. This has to be really hard on you."
She nodded, "I thought I could handle it but I guess I was wrong."
"I understand if you don't want to stay but I wish you would." He said not wanting to see her go. Then he used logic on her, it wasn't fair but for some reason he couldn't bare the thought of going through this without her especially now. "Besides you already know the case. I would have to brief another Agent and that would be wasting time."
Andy took a deep breath and smiled slightly. She knew she was being snowed but she did like Hutch a lot and wanted to see this case through. Maybe that he now knew the truth it would be easier for her. "Alright, I'll stay for you."
When the elevator door's slid open they were in the lobby but the reports were now gone. Hutch glance at his watch and sighed, his shift was over. They were no closer to finding Starsky. Somebody had to have seen something. Who knew if they were even in the same car or the same state for that matter. They could have killed Starsky and be Gods knows where by now. Maybe Kurt would try to contact Marie. Hutch just hoped that he didn't sweet-talk her into helping him.
"You hungry?" Andy asked.
Hutch shook his head. "I'm going back up to the office. Why don’t you go home and get some rest.
Andy started to protest but after the emotional day she had had a bath along with a cup of hot tea sounded good. She knew that she wouldn't get any sleep but she could at least rest. "You call me if anything happens." She said sternly. She scribbled down her phone number and handed it to him. "I mean it, any word no matter how small."
"You got it," Hutch promised. He took her hand. "Thank-you."
"For what, I haven't done a thing." She said looking into his blue eyes. He was so handsome, if things were different, if she wasn't on the job.
"You are helping, just by being here." Hutch said leaning closer to her.
For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. "I had better get going." She said looking away. Hutch was still clinging to her hand. She knew how he felt, she had been there. At least she had known where her partner was.
"Yeah I guess you better." Hutch said finally releasing her hand.
Hutch went back up stairs to his desk. He sat starring out into space. Dobey came out of his office with his suit coat over his arm. "You leaving?" Hutch asked in surprise. He couldn't believe his captain would leave with one of his detectives missing.
"Just going to get something to eat, want anything?" Dobey offered.
Hutch shook his head. "Not hungry."
It was well past two; Hutch was still sitting at his desk half asleep. "Hi!" said a voice beside him.
Startled Hutch sat up, "Starsky?" he called.
"Sorry just me." Andy said. She was holding out a sack from a burger join. "I was betting you hadn't eaten."
"Andy Hutch shook the fog from his head. He had been thing or maybe even dreaming about Starsky. "What are you doing here?" He looked at his watch, it was ten until three.
"I couldn't sleep and I knew you would still be here." She said blushing. Andy had tried everything she could think of to sleep. But all this had brought back all those memories of Danny. The one ting that she had left out when telling Hutch about him was that she and Danny had been engaged.
She pulled up a chair and sat down next to him as he dug into the bag. "Thanks." Hutch said. He hadn't realized how hungry he really was. Even one of Starsky's donuts sounded good.
Starsky watched as the two men walked farther away from him, then disappeared around the corner of the cabin. He struggled against the restraints, pulling his hands within the ropes. "Dammit." He whispered as he fought the ropes with as much strength as he could muster.
He felt the ropes around his writs loosen a little and felt his mood lift. "Shit, come on." He swore at the ropes while continuing to pull at them. He kept his eyes on the cabin and watched as the two men exited, carrying a couple of small duffel bags, which they put in the trunk. Wearing the black trench coats they had worn in the bank robbery they got in the car and drove away. Starsky felt a little relieved that they were leaving, but unsettled at the thought of being left alone in the woods with a bullet wound. He continued to struggle against the ropes until his writs were raw. Finally, he was able to squeeze his left hand out of the ropes. With a huge sigh of relief he then attempted to move his body to release his other wrist. Starsky sagged back against the tree when a jolt of pain went though him at his attempt to move his leg. The cool air penetrated his skin since the sweating of earlier had stopped, gradually the chills set in. Starsky gathered what strength he had and jerked at the ropes, finally freeing his left wrist. He sat against the tree for a while as he contemplated his next move.
When the call came in Andy and Hutch were sleeping sitting up against each other on the couch in Dobey's office. Dobey was leaned back in his desk chair sound asleep. The phone on his desk rang. Dobey snapped out of his sleep and grabbed the receiver. Andy and Hutch leaped to their feet.
"Yeah!" The captain almost yelled into the phone. "Where? We are on our way!" Dobey slammed down the phone, as he grabbed his jacket he said. "Bank hold-up, the men are trapped inside."
"Is it our guys" Hutch asked as the three of them rushed thought the door.
"I don't know, we'll find out when we get there." Dobey said over his shoulder. "Let's hope that it is."
The street had been cordoned off but Hutch drove his car thought the roadblock followed by Dobey in his. As soon as Hutch pulled up Officer Jack Morton ran up to the car. I think it's them. Same description, long coats, ski masks. They hit the bank as soon as it opened just like the other one.
"Have you seen Starsky?" Hutch asked looking toward the bank.
"Sorry Hutch, no sign of him." The officer said. "Their car is parked over there." He pointed about half a block down, where a dark blue car with tinted windows was parked.
"Did anyone check out the car?" Andy asked.
"Not yet." He said.
Hutch jumped out of his car heading toward the hold-up men's car at a dead run, Andy was at his heels. When he got there he tried the handle, it was locked. "Get me something to break this window with."
Andy ran to one of the cruisers and came back with a jack. "Stand back." Hutch warned, then smashed the window. "Starsky you in there?" Hutch reached thought the dark tinted glass and pulled up the knob. He jerked open the car door. No Starsky. The Trunk!"
As Andy carefully crawled into the car Hutch ran around the back of the car. After a few tries with the jack he popped the trunk lock. He held his breath as the lid flew open. But again no Starsky.
"Hutch!" called Andy as she was backing out of the car. She held up a brown wallet.
Hutch took it from her, he opened the wallet, it contained Starsky's ID and badge. "Shit!"
"Do you think he is in the bank with them?" She asked.
"I don't know but I’m going to find out." Hutch said. He slipped Starsky's wallet in his jacket pocket for safekeeping, then started for the bank.
Hutch walked right up to the front door, Dobey caught sight of him and yelled. "Hutchinson, what the hell do you think you are doing?"
Ignoring his captain Hutch grabbed the door and started to pull it open. "Hutch NO!" Andy screamed. He was going to walk in there making himself a hostage just like Danny had. Andy knew she was being very unprofessional but she didn't care. She didn't even care if she lost her job. "Please don't go in there." She was almost in tears.
He stopped and turned to look at her. Then he was suddenly covered in shattered glass. Several mall cuts on his face and hands started to ooze blood. Hutch started away from the doors just s the second door exploded. One or both of the men inside were firing shoots out the door.
Andy rushed to his side. Oh my God are you all right?"
Slightly shaken Hutch nodded. "Yeah, I’m okay."
"Hutchinson!" Dobey growled standing over the detective who was now sitting on the sidewalk. Hutch's knees had been shaking so badly he had to sit or fall down. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"Cap I just wanted…" Hutch began.
Dobey cut him off. "I know what you wanted. But we don't know if Starsky is even in there. And you sure can't help him if you are dead!"
The officers outside were now returning fire. Hutch, Dobey and Andy got behind one of the police cars. Assuming that the hostages would be laying o the floor in the bank, the officers tried to keep their shots aimed high.
More shots came from inside the building, everyone out side ducked. The Swat team arrived and began setting up. Hutch looked at them with worried eyes. He knew they were very good but accidents did happen.
IN moments it was over. The Swat team rolled in tear gas and with masks in place the team rushed in. There were several minutes of gunplay then silence from inside the bank. The Swat team came out; one man was hit in the shoulder. He was being helped to one of the many ambu8lances standing by.
With the aid of the police the hostages were being directed out of the building coughing with tears running down their faces, a paramedic who guided them to safety met each one.
The tear gas was beginning to dissipate as the last hostage was brought out. Then two stretchers were brought in, the gunmen had both been killed.
Hutch rushed up to the first stretcher that was carried out. He uncovered the face of Kurt Johnson. "Dead?" Hutch asked fearfully.
"Sorry, the other one too." Said the paramedic holding the front of the stretcher.
"What?" Hutch yelled. "No they can't both be dead! Is there anyone else in there?"
The paramedic shook his head no. "Nope, everybody is out."
Hutch raced to the next stretcher as it was being brought out. He jerked the sheet from Wayne Burn's face. "Tell me where my partner is!"
Hutch started to grab the dead man by the collar but two arms stopped him. Andy had come up behind Hutch and wrapped her arms around him. Andy laid her head on his back. "Hutch, he's dead."
Hutch dropped his arms to his side defeated. "How are we going to find him now?" He turned in Andy's arms hugging her tightly to him. "How are we going to find Starsky?"
Hutch staggered back to his car with Andy at his heels. Silently, both got into the car. Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, Hutch let his forehead rest on the steering wheel. Andy regarded him as she sat silently staring out the windshield. She turned sideways a little in her seat when she heard a muffled sob coming from the blond man next to her. Hutch still rested his head against the steering wheel.
Andy reached out and placed her hand on Hutch's shoulder, then said. "We'll find him Hutch."
Hutch raised his head but stared straight ahead. "I don't know what to do! We're not any closer to finding him now than we were last night! And now the only tow people who knew where he is are DEAD!" Andy took noticed of the tears that head streamed down Hutch's cheeks as she felt tears building in her own.
The radio went off; Hutch rubbed his hand roughly across his face then reached for the microphone. "Yeah?" He said hoarsely.
"Patch though from a Marie Carson, she says it's very important." Said a voice.
"Put her though. Marie?" Hutch looked over at Andy. They both wondered if she knew about Kurt.
"Detective Hutchinson?" Marie sounded very excited. "I remembered something!"
"What?" Hutch exclaimed, mentally crossing his fingers that it was something that they could use.
"Kurt and Wayne have been going to some cabin in the woods." Marie told him. "I just happen to think of it because I found some of his fishing gear."
"Do you know where?" Hutch asked as he looked out the windshield to see if Dobey's car was still there, which it was. He then looked at Andy and whispered. "Get Dobey." Andy slipped out of the car with out questioning Hutch.
"No, but I don't think it's too far out side LA" She said. "There must be a lake close by too because there is all this stinky fish gear. I'm terribly sorry I can't be more help. I want you to find them and your partner."
"Marie I don't know how to tell you this but Kurt and Wayne were just killed." Hutch said softly then went on to explain what had happened.
"Oh," was all Marie could get out. She hated them both for what they had done but she didn't really want to see them dead. Then after a minute or two she asked. "Did they leave any leads as to where your partner might be?"
"No." Hutch said sadly. "But hey you have been a lot of help. At least now we kind of have an idea where Starsky might be."
"Is it all right if I leave town now?" She asked as she threw a few more things into a suitcase.
"Yeah sure, but could you leave your name at the station just in case we need to contact you." Hutch asked. He could see Andy and Dobey coming toward the car.
"Anything, I want you to let me know about your partner." Marie told him. "I'm really sorry all this happened."
"I'll let you now, thank-you." Hutch hung up the microphone just as Andy and Dobey got to the car. "I need a map Cap." He said to the captain who was looking a little worse for wear.
"Map?" Dobey puffed as sweat streamed down his face. Andy had found him in side the bank talking to some of the members of the SWAT team. Dobey had trotted to the car.
Hutch quickly explained to his captain the conversation he had with Marie Carson. Within five minutes an officer showed up with a map. Hutch spread the map out on the hood of his car, everybody gathered around to study it.
There were several forests around that Wayne and Kurt could have been staying in a cabin at. There was no way they had enough man power to search, even in the park rangers joined forces with them it would still take days. Hutch knew that it was critical that they find Starsky and fast. He was now out there in the woods by himself in who knew what kind of condition.
Hutch pounded his fist on the hood of the car. "Damn it!" he shouted. "Just how the hell are we suppose to find Starsky!"
Hutch ripped the map from the hood of the car and began folding it up. The street was clearing out of police cars and things were beginning to get back to normal. "Get in the car Andy." Hutch ordered as he opened the driver's door. He tossed the map in the front seat and slid behind the wheel. Andy ran around and jumped in the car. She had a feeling if she didn't move fast Hutch was going without her.
"Just where the hell are you going?" Dobey demanded though the open car window.
"To find my partner!" Hutch exclaimed. "I'm not sitting on my ass anymore. We have a lead even if it is a small one."
Dobey nodded slowly, he knew there was no sense in trying to talk him out of it. I'll get a hold of the Forest Rangers. Who knows maybe we'll get a break. Good luck and keep in touch."
"You bet Cap." Hutch said as he started the car and pulled away.
Hutch headed out of LA and hopefully toward his partner. There were four National Forests close to LA and Starsky could be in anyone of them. He knew it was going to be impossible to find his friend but at least he was doing something.
Andy sat silently next to Hutch, she glance at him sideways every so often. She was really beginning to worry about him. His jaw was set and he looked straight ahead. Hutch hadn't said hardly anything since they had hit the road.
Andy wasn't the only one worried about Hutch. Dobey sat in his office drumming his fingers on his desk. Starsky had now been missing over twenty-four hours. Dobey had never seen Hutch in the state he was in. At least Andy was with him.
Hutch got on Interstate 5 heading north. He looked down at the gas gage after they had been driving a while. It was almost sitting on empty. "Shit!" Hutch grumbled.
"What?" Andy had been slumped in the seat with her eyes half closed. She sat up and looked out the windshield. The lack of sleep was creeping up on her.
"Need gas," he said shortly.
"I think we are coming into a town," Andy said pointing to a small sing that proclaimed Castaic, population 900.
A small run down looking gas station with a greasy looking diner appeared at the side of the road. Hutch pulled into the station; dust billowed around the car and into the window. Andy coughed as she covered her nose and mouth. Hutch got out after the dust had settled a bit. He looked at the rusty pump doubtfully.
"It works, don't let its looks fool ya," came a voice from the station door.
Hutch looked up to see an old man standing there. He was dressed in a dirty pair of overalls with a plaid shirt underneath. He had a battered straw hat jammed on his head. The old man pulled a bandana from his back pocket, blew his nose then shoved it back in its place.
"Ya sure stirred up enough dust," he drawled. "Damn, it never rains our here. Hutch started pumping gas; the man came out to the car. "You and the Mrs. Going camping?"
"No," Hutch said not bothering to explain that Andy wasn't his Mrs.
The old man nodded, the big city folks never wanted to talk, in fact most of them just blew past his join for the fancy gas stations. But his wife made the best apple pie in the state; they didn't know what they were missing.
"Jeb," Called a female voice from the diner next door.
"What ya need Doris?" he yelled back.
Hutch glanced at the man who had just yelled in his ear. The pump clicked, the nozzle shut off, he replace it back on the pump and looked at the grimy display. Hutch pulled out his wallet and extracted a twenty-dollar bill, which he handed the man.
Jeb peered at the numbers on the pump. "Hold on, you go some change coming," he said as Hutch was getting back into the car.
"Jeb!" the gray haired woman called again.
"Old woman I'm busy, hang on." He yelled back at her. He walked up to the car. "But you go about five dollars in change coming and I didn't even pump it for ya."
Hutch sighed. "I said to keep it."
"Jeb!" she was now practically screaming. "Those guys on TB, you know the bank robbers we saw, they're dead."
"Gezz," he sighed and headed toward his wife.
Hutch and Andy looked at each other to see if they had heard correctly. Then they both jumped out of the car at the same time and followed the old man across the dusty lot.
"Change your mind?" Jeb asked when he noticed that they were following him
"Your wife said something about bank robbers?" Hutch asked looking up at the diner but the woman was now gone from the door.
Jeb laughed, "The news has been interrupting her show for two days with those broadcasts, she is fit to be tied.
"But she said those bank robbers we saw," Andy said grabbing the sleeve of his shirt. "They were here?"
Jeb stopped and turned to look at the pair of city folk. "Yeah, they were in here yesterday. Got gas like you all."
He turned and started walking again. Hutch pulled his badge from his pocket, "Mr.…uh Jeb," he called. "I'm Detective Hutchinson; this is Agent McLaney, FBI."
Jeb stopped again. Hutch expected some kind of reaction from the old man but instead Jeb said. "Nice to meet ya. Want some pie? Doris makes the best." He then went in the diner holding open the screen door for them.
Hutch looked at Andy totally exasperated. She could tell from the look on his face he was about ready to lose it. "Jeb," Andy said as she steeped into the diner.
"Have a seat Miss," Jeb pointed to a sparkling counter. The stools were worn as well as the booths, tables and floor but everything was unbelievable clean considering the dust rolling around just out side the door. "Doris, couple of pies." He called into the kitchen
"Listen," Hutch snapped, he had completely lost his patience, and the clock was ticking.
Andy put her hand on his shoulder. "Jeb we need to talk to you." Andy said. "You and Doris."
The old man turned and looked at the pretty young woman standing in front of him. "Doris come'er."
The gray haired Doris appeared in the kitchen doorway with two plates of pie. "Fresh from the over," She informed them as she put the plates on the counter. She was as short as her husband was tall and had a white apron tied around her plump middle.
"Okay, shot youn'ns." Jeb said sitting down at the counter. Doris placed two forks next to the pie and poured a couple of cuts of coffee.
"Jeb, Doris you said something about the bank robbers on TV."
"Yeah they were killed this morning." Doris said pointing at a small black and white TV sitting behind the counter.
"Yes we know," Hutch said talking a deep breath to calm himself. "We have been looking for them. They kidnapped my partner yesterday morning at the bank robbery."
"Partner?" Doris asked looking at the blond detective.
"They are the police." Jeb explained to his wife.
"Why Jeb!" she scolded. "You should have said something. So you are looking for that young police officer."
Hutch nodded, he couldn't help but smiled at her calling Starsky young. "Yes ma'am. Did you see him with the two men?"
"Well I can't say for sure if it was your friend but there was someone lying in the back seat. Only the driver got out, the other man stayed in the back seat but Jeb saw someone lying in the back with him.
"Do you think they were headed for the wood?" Andy asked.
Both Jeb and Doris nodded their heads yes. "We have seen them a least a dozen times. They go to Castiaic Lake to fish. We know that because we also sell fishing permits too." Jeb explained.
"Well at least they are honest about something," Andy said under her breath.
Hutch smiled slightly at her comment then asked Jeb. "Do you know the area?"
"Sure do," Doris smiled. "We spent a lot of time there when we were younger." She grinned at her husband, he patted her wrinkled hand. "We took the kids there every summer."
"So there are cabins?" Hutch asked hopefully.
"Not a whole lot, maybe a dozen or so scattered around the lake. You can rent them at the ranger station," Jeb informed them. "But this is the off season so there aren't too many folks around. The rangers have a little trouble with poaching. Wouldn't surprise me if those two did their fair share."
Andy kissed the man's weather beaten cheek. "Thank-you so much Jeb, you may just have saved an officers life."
"I guess we should have called." Doris said. "But to tell you the truth I was afraid of them two. There was something scary about them. We are out here pretty much alone and…"
Hutch leaned over the counter and planted a kiss on the cheek. "You don't have to explain, we understand."
As Andy and Hutch started out of the diner, Doris called after them. "Hey what about the pie?"
"You keep it warm for us." Andy said smiling at her. "Hopefully we'll be ordering a third piece."
Hutch almost ran to the car, Andy hurried after him. He hoped that they would find Starsky before dark. Hutch refused to think that his partner would be dad when they found him.
While they were driving Andy called Dobey to let him know what was going on. The Captain said that he had contacted the Rangers; they had already begun to search. But he promised that he would call back to the station they were headed toward and let them know that Starsky very well might be at their location.
Finally a large sign appeared on the side of the road. It said 'Now Entering Angele's National Forest'. After driving a little further there was a second sign but smaller, it said 'Castaic Lake’ with an arrow that pointed off to the right of the road.
Hutch turned onto a smaller road that led deeper into the forest. He stopped at a crossroads a pole with several little signs shaped like arrows pointing in different directions proclaiming places to visit. One said Rangers Station, another picnic area, a third said camping grounds. But it was the fourth and fifth sign that caught Hutch's attention. They said Cabins and Lake pointing in the direction they were headed.
As Hutch proceeded toward the lake Andy asked, "Hutch don't you think we should stop at the rangers station first?"
"I'm not wasting another second. My partner is out there and I'm not relying on anybody else." Hutch said.
"But Jeb said there are a dozen or more cabins plus all these woods. Starsky could be anywhere." Andy said. "He might not even be here at all." Instantly she wished that she could take back her last statement.
Hutch jammed on the breaks bringing the car to a screeching halt. "Don't even think that!" He yelled at her. He was angry because he had just been thinking the same thing. "He has to be here…somewhere."
"I'm sorry," Andy apologized. "We'll find him, let's get going."
Hutch took a deep breath, "No I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. You are only saying what I'm thinking.
They drove several more miles and finally the lake came to view. It was beautiful, the water was a bright blue that matched the sky and the sun sparkled on the waster as it lapped the shore. Ducks soared above the water occasionally landing to scoop up the food floating in the water. Andy could see why Jeb and Doris had spent their summers here.
Hutch pulled up into a crude parking area, he got out and looked around. "I guess we can start here." He said.
He started across the grass toward a little stone building that was sitting part way between where they were and the lake. Andy looked around her; there was nobody around, nothing. "Hutch!" She yelled. She ran to catch up with him. "Hutch don't you think we should call for help? What if we get lost?"
He turned to look at her. "Are you afraid of the woods?"
"Uh...well," she said looking around again. Hutch was looking at her with amusement. "Well shit Hutch, I'm a city girl. Camping to me was throwing a blanket over the dining room table."
He put his head back and laughed. "You and Starsky are going to get along real well." Hutch put his arm around her. "Come on, I won't let anything get you."
Andy rolled her eyes, "how long is it until dark?"
"Will you stop worrying? We will find him way before dark." Hutch said and this time he believed that he was truly going to find Starsky. He just felt that his partner was here and they would find him soon.
Hutch and Andy stood at the edge of the lake. They had checked out the small building, which turned out to be restrooms. He bent down, picked up a rock and skipped it across the water. A small path caught his eye; it started at the waters edge and disappeared into the thick forest.
He stood up and pointed to the narrow path. "I bet if we follow that path we'll end up at one of the cabins."
Andy looked to where he was pointing. She couldn't see anything but tall grass, bushes and a few wild flowers sprinkled in. "Path?"
"Come on," Hutch said tugging on her arm as he plowed through the tall grass.
Andy looked down at the clothes she was wearing thankful that she had slipped on jeans and sneakers instead of her customary suit and heels... This wouldn't have been fun in them. She had her long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. "I'm coming," she said glancing at the sky. The sun was getting lower in the sky; darkness would be setting in before too long.
Carefully the Agent picked her way thought the weeds until she had caught up with Hutch who had moved on ahead. Hutch took her hand and they followed the almost invisible path. After about ten minutes the path opened up into a little clearing. A small cabin sat there, it looked totally empty. But Hutch dropped Andy's hand and ran toward the building.
"Starsky!" he yelled as he jumped onto the porch. There was a padlock on the door. He went to a window next to the door, it was grimy with dirt. Hutch rubbed the window with the palm of his hand and tried to look in without much success.
As Hutch ran around to another window, Andy walked up onto the porch. She reached under the back of her jacket and pulled out a small handgun. She pointed it at the lock as she turned her head and pulled the trigger.
"Andy?" Hutch shouted as he came full circle around the cabin. "What the hell was that?"
"I'm getting us in," She exclaimed as she holstered her gun. She pushed the door open with her foot. "You coming?"
Hutch just gaped at the Agent. It just had never occurred to him that she carried a gun. He followed her into the dim dusty cabin. With only a glance it was apparent no one had been there for a long time. Hutch looked into the two bedrooms just to be safe but there were cobwebs hanging undisturbed. "Damn it!" Hutch shouted as he kicked a near by chair sending a cloud of dust into the air.
Andy left the cabin, there was no use wasting time there. "Hutch that is not doing any good. We have more cabins to search; you didn't really think you would find him in the first one did you?
"I could hope couldn’t I?" Hutch growled.
They went on to the next cabin then the next and even a fourth. They were all in the same shape. Hutch was starting to lose hope thinking maybe Kurt and Wayne didn't bring Starsky to the woods after all. He wouldn't allow himself think that they had killed him and buried Starsky some where in the forest. Starsky hated the woods so much that it would be the last place he would want to be buried.
The day was creeping away from them it would be impossible to find the cabins in the dark let alone Starsky. Hutch wished he had thought of bringing along a flashlight. But he hadn't been thinking of anything except finding his partner. He also should have listened to Andy and stopped at the Rangers station.
"Don't give up," Andy said in what she hoped was an encouraging tone. But to be truthful she was beginning to get a little scared as the darkness was starting to settle in.
They kept pushing forward. The two walked almost thirty minutes before they found the next cabin. It seemed deeper in the woods but if they stopped and listened they could hear cars passing just on the other side of a thicket of trees.
There were also tire tracks in the dust, Hutch knelt down looking at them closely. Then he turned and looked at the cabin. "Starsky!" he bellowed. "You in there?" He ran to the door of the cabin, this time there was no lock. In fact it was standing open a crack.
Hutch got on one side of the door, Andy on the other side both with their guns drawn. They didn't think there was a third gunman but they weren't taking any chances that maybe Kurt and Wayne left someone else to guard Starsky. Hutch nodded then kicked the door open.
The sight that greeted them was none to comforting. Empty beer cans littered the floor; a half a loaf of bread lay on the kitchen table along with some lunchmeat that was going bad. Hutch picked up a plastic bag of pills that was lying on the coffee table and looked at them. But the blood soaked towel was what propelled Hutch into action. He ran to the first bedroom, then the second. He looked wildly around. The cabin was empty; he could only assume that all the blood belonged to Starsky. Hutch went totally pale.
"He has to be somewhere close by if he's hurt that bad." Andy said starting for the door.
Hutch as almost afraid to look any more for fear he would find Starsky dead. There was just too much blood but he followed Andy outside. She had started off toward the woods away from the car sounds.
"Starsky?" she called loudly. "Starsky!"
Hutch went into the woods a little distance from her but still close enough that they could see each other. "Starsk!" the detective yelled. "It's Hutch, answer me!"
They pushed farther into the forest, calling, stopping every now and then to listen. But the only sound that met their ears were birds and small animal scurrying under foot.
Finally Hutch crossed over to Andy. The look on his face was almost unbearable to her. They had been looking for an hour and still nothing. It was getting dark and cold, neither of them had notice until now.
"Maybe we should go back to the car." Hutch said defeated. He looked around the darkening woods hoping he knew the way back.
"Why don't we just hold up in the cabin?" Andy suggested, trying to comfort Hutch. "At least we will be closer to Starsky."
He looked at her; tears were standing in his eyes. "I think we are too late if he was here Starsky would have answered by now."
"Detective Hutchinson." Andy scolded. "We are not giving up. Maybe he is unconscious or gagged or maybe we are’t close enough for him to hear us."
Hutch nodded but at this point he was ready to think the worse. "All right." He heaved a heavy sigh. "But are you sure you want to stay out here all night?"
"It's better than trying to find our way back in the dark." She said not really looking forward to spending the night in the cabin where Starsky might have been murdered.
They turned and started back toward the cabin, when they heard a low moan off to their right. "Did you hear that?" Hutch asked. But he could tell by the wide-eyed look on Andy's face that she had heard the noise too.
"Over there." She whispered pointing in the direction of the sound. It hadn't sounded like an animal it sounded human. They listened carefully again and again there was a low moan followed by a rustling noise.
Hutch took off at a loping run toward the sound calling, "Starsky," Andy followed him as best she could. He stopped suddenly and she plowed into the back of him. He put a finger to his lips as he listened, this time he thought he heard a voice but very faint.
"Hutch?" came a call so soft that if they hadn't been listening they both would have completely missed it.
"Starsky, I’m here," Hutch called. "I'm coming!"
He took off in the direction of the call. Hutch caught his foot on a root that was sticking out of the ground falling flat on his face. But as he looked up he saw Starsky sprawled on the ground almost arms length from him. His eyes were closed and he was deathly pale. His right leg was blood soaked and Starsky's belt was tightly around his thigh. Hutch didn't even bother getting to his feet, he crawled the rest of the way to his partner. Starsky was so cold as Hutch touched his hand. Then he touched his face and Starsky opened his eyes a crack…..
After resting for what seemed like a half-hour, Starsky decided he had to try to move toward the road. Pulling himself away from the tree, he sensed someone or something looking at him. Feeling light headed at the movement, he opted to lie on his side on the forest floor, hoping to gather strength. Looking toward the densely wooded area in front of him, he spotted what looked like a dog in the distance. Starsky tried to rouse wariness of the now approaching creature over the worsening pain in his thigh. As the animal approached, he could see that it was not a bog, but another animal distinctive in its coloring and features as a wold. Starsky sucked in his breath as the animal came even closer.
"Oh man, that's a wolf! Even I know that is a wolf, what the hell is a wolf doin' around here? On no…" he said to himself, holding his breath and thinking the worst. "He must smell the blood from my leg. Have to stay still; maybe it'll go away…Hutch told me that wolves are more scared of people than people are of them. Come on Nature Boy, where are ya when I really need ya. Any time now Hutch…"
The wolf came closer than Starsky had hoped, but he remained still, trying to avoid direct eye contact as to avoid a confrontation. "Come on you stupid wolf, get outta here…this is the last thing I need." The wolf stopped a few yards from the prone detective. Keeping his head low and eyeing the injured man, the animal abruptly turned and bolted back the way it had come. Starsky sagged in relief, then brought his arms up in front of him head rested his head there.
He dozed into an almost unconscious state. He drifted in and out for a few hours, awakening when the shivers stated again. During one time that he was awake, he thought Hutch was there, then became disheartened when he realized that he had only been dreaming of his partner. It was during this time that he noticed how much weaker he felt, but still aware of his throbbing thigh.
"Gotta wait for Hutch…he should be coming. Thought I heard him say my name… Hutch?" He fought to stay awake and tried to shift his body when he thought he heard his partner's voice calling him. A low moan, part in pain and part in answer, was all he was able to evoke.
"My God Starsky," Hutch whispered as he cradled his partner in his lap. Andy knelt next to them taking Starsky's limp hand in hers.
"Hutch?" Starsky whispered, barely audible. His eyes slid shut.
Hutch leaned in close, placing a hand on the back of his partner's neck. "I'm here." buddy, hang on."
"C-cold," Starsky whispered.
"I know, we'll get you warmed up," Hutch said while he inwardly cringed at the sight of Starsky's leg wound.
She looked at Hutch in the dim light. "Now what?" she mouthed.
Hutch shrugged his shoulders as he looked around. They had to get Starsky out of there now before it was too late, if it wasn't all ready. He had lost so much blood, and he looked so weak.
"We can't carry him all the way back to the car. The cabin first. Gotta get him warmed up." Hutch said while rubbing the back of his partner's neck. Hutch turned his attention to his partner. "You hit anywhere else?" Hutch asked as he opened Starsky's jacket and ran his and over his partner's torso checking for other bullet wounds. Hutch stared worriedly at his partner's pale face as Starsky gave up trying to keep his eyes open and lead his head back in Andy's lap. She had positioned herself under his head while Hutch had been checking him out.
"No." he whispered. "Just my leg. Hutch?"
Hutch leaned in close a she could barely hear his partner's voice. "Right here," he said.
Starsky shivered a little and Hutch moved into action. After moving to Starsky's right side, he gently slid his arm under his partner's shoulders, lifting his head from Andy's hands and then gently sliding his other arm under Starsky's knees. He carefully hoisted the limp, injured man it to his arms. Starsky gave a gasp of pain when his legs were lifted.
Andy jumped to her feet quickly, seeing how weak and frail the detective was from blood loss and exposure. She dashed ahead of Hutch toward the cabin. "I'll get the door." She called to Hutch.
Andy bounded up the wooden steps of the cabin and flung the door open. Hutch stumbled as he was going though the door, almost dropping Starsky. He fell against the door jam; a hot wave a pain shot though his shoulder. But he willed himself not to drop the already injured man. Once in the cabin Hutch gently laid Starsky down on the couch with Andy ran into one of the cabins two bedrooms and pulled the blankets from the bed. Hutch quickly took the blankets from the female agent's arms and spread then out over this partner.
Tucking the blankets in and around Starsky's shivering body. Hutch said softly to him "Stay awake for me, huh? Tell me what happened to your leg…"
"S-still c-cold," Starsky stammered. Andy stood back and watched the blond detective hover over and care for his partner. She was fascinated by the attention Hutch was giving the other man, but she also felt a little like a third wheel observing their friendship.
Hutch knelt next to Starsky and pulled the blankets away from the injured thigh. The wound was oozing blood and the surrounding area was swollen. Seeing that the leather belt was stopping the flow of blood, he was reluctant to interfere with it. Hutch pressed the blankets back against the wound. Starsky was in very bad shape and needed to get to a hospital fast.
Rising from Starsky side and turning to the agent, Hutch asked, "Do you want to go for help alone, or would you rather stay here?"
Andy looked at the dark woods; she knew she would never find her way back alone. And she was almost reluctant to stay with Starsky for fear he would die on her. "I'll stay and see what I can do you him. I don't think I would make it out there."
Hutch nodded in agreement, he was torn between wanting to be with Starsky and getting help for his partner. "I'll be back just as soon as I can.
As he started out the door Starsky fought to open his eyes. "Hutch," he whispered.
Hutch came back to his side, "I'm here but I'm going for help. We have to get you out of here."
"Wolf…in woods," Starsky managed to get out before falling unconscious once again.
"Did he say wolf?" Hutch looked at Andy.
"That's what it sounded like." She answered.
Hutch reached out and gently touched Starsky's flushed cheek with the backs of his fingers. Then he drew away and stood. He turned to Andy placed his hand on her arm. "I'll go for the car now; you do your best for Starsk."
She nodded solemnly and handed Hutch a flashlight she had found in the kitchen. "You be careful out there."
Hutch nodded and was gone. Andy turned her attention to Starsky. She bent over, feeling his forehead, finding it clammy. She knew he must be in shock. Andy went into one of the bedrooms and returned with a couple of pillows. She very gently lifted Starsky's feet and placed the pillows under them. Moving into the kitchen, she found a clean towel, which she wet, and brought that along with a glass of water to Starsky's side.
Hutch followed what he thought was the path back to the other cabins. He moved as quickly as he dared in the dark, it wouldn't do Starsky any good if he fell and injured himself. He thought he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He cocked his head to one side.
He called out, "Andy?" Panic swamped him. What if it was Andy trying to catch up with him to tell him…NO. He pushed the thought away and told himself that his partner was going to make it. "Andy?" he called again, but when no answer came, he was relieved.
Hutch continued to hear the noise every now and again. He pushed on knowing he had to get to the car. Suddenly Hutch heard a low growl. He spun around and was confronted by two glowing yellow eyes.
Andy sat on the floor next to Starsky. He had seemed to be warming up and she had hoped to give him a small amount of water. She couldn't rouse him from his sleep, she uncovered his nearest hand and picked up his limp wrist attempting to feel for a pulse. It was weak and thready she did like what she felt at all. A wave of fear passed though her, she wondered where Hutch was as she glanced at her watch. He had been gone an hour, there was no telling how long it would take him to get back to the car and find them again.
"Hold on Starsky, hold on, Hutch is coming back for us." She held his hand and for the lack of anything else to do began telling this stranger her life story. Then she told him something that she hadn't even realized up until this very moment, that she cared very deeply for Hutch. She knew that they had just met but she felt that she knew him so well.
She looked at her watch again and out at the black night, "Come on Hutch, he needs you, I need you."
Hutch backed up slowly, drawing his gun from his shoulder holster. The wold advanced on the detective, its lips curled back in a snarl. A growl came from deep with in the animals' throat.
Hutch took another step backward finding himself up against a tree. The wolf took another step also, its body tense ready to leap at any moment. Hutch cocked his gun, and aiming carefully he pulled the trigger. The bullet whizzed over the wolfs head, striking a tree directly behind the animal. At first Hutch thought the wolf was still going to charge him. He didn't want to kill it unless he had to. At the last moment the wolf turned and ran back the way it had come. Hutch slumped against the tree with relief. His shaking hand replaced the gun in its holster, then he turned and began to run in the direction that he hoped the car was in.
Andy told Starsky about Danny, how they had gotten engaged and how he had died. Some how it made her feel better just telling him the story even if she wasn't sure he was hearing her. She held his hand tightly, every now and then wiping his face. Andy looked out the window, it was so dark. Then she heard the howl of a wolf and once she even thought that she heard a gun shot. She glanced at Starsky once again; he just had to hang on.
Suddenly Andy felt Starsky grip her hand. She got up on her knees and leaned close to him, "Starsky?"
His eyes were open a crack, "Hutch?" He barely whispered.
"He's getting help," she said softly. "I'm Andy, you just rest."
Starsky tried to push himself on his elbows but fell weakly back on the pillows Andy had placed behind him. "My…leg…hurts." He said gritting his teeth.
"I know, I know," Andy said soothingly as she put a cool cloth on his head.
"Thirsty," he mouthed but no words came out.
Andy grabbed the glass sitting on the coffee table. She held it to his lips but the water dribbled down his chin, he was out again. She wiped up the spilled water. Tears formed in her eyes. "Damnit Hutch where are you," she said to no one. Starsky was not going to hang on much longer.
Hutch finally ran by the first cabin they had found, he knew the car couldn't be much farther now. Finally he broke thought the trees and sprinted to the car. Hutch fumbled with his car keys but finally got the door unlocked. He jumped in the car, jammed it into gear and sped out of the parking lot. He grabbed the radio and began calling for help.
"This is Detective Hutchinson of the LAPD." Hutch almost shouted into the microphone. "I need help!"
"This is the ranger station at the Angele's National Forest," said a female voice almost at once. "What is your problem?" Hutch quickly relayed the information she needed. "Oh yes," she exclaimed. "There is a note here. A Captain Dobey called, said that you were looking for a missing police officer."
"I'm on my way to get him; we found him in the woods and have him in a cabin." Hutch told her and described where the cabin was.
"I'll have a Ranger meet you there," she said. "It will be faster if you just took your partner into Santa Clarita. There is a good hospital there that can handle this."
"Thank-you," Hutch said as he hung up the microphone and pressed harder on the execrator. He was so relieved that Starsky was finally going to get some help.
It took twenty minutes for Hutch to find the cabin, when he screeched up out front Andy was out the door and running toward him. The look on Andy's face scared him.
"Starsky?" Hutch asked not wanting to hear the answer.
"He's still with us." She said throwing her arms around his neck. "Is help on the way?"
Hutch hugged her back for a moment then released her and opened the car door to the back seat. "I talked to the ranger’s station." Hutch explained. "They are sending a ranger to meet us. We are going to drive him to the hospital; it will take to long for an ambulance to get here."
Andy nodded, "He was awake for a while and asking for you but he's out again."
"Thanks," Hutch said as they entered the cabin.
"For what?" Andy asked as she knelt next to Starsky, he felt so hot.
"For staying with him." Hutch said. He inspected Starsky's leg and grimaced, his partner had lost so much blood. Starsky groaned.
Andy didn't respond she just smiled at Hutch and touched his cheek. Then she took the rag from Starsky's forehead and went into the kitchen to wet it before the trip.
As they were getting ready to move Starsky the sound of another car pulling in stopped them. Hutch stepped to the doorway and looked out, it was a park ranger.
The ranger got out of his car and asked, "You the officer that has a shot partner?"
"Yes, he' in here," Hutch said and disappeared back inside.
The ranger stepped in, "I'm Ranger Carter."
"Hutchinson," the detective said over his shoulder. "And this is FBI Agent McLaney."
"FBI?" Carter asked.
"It's a long story," Andy told him.
He nodded, "let's get this partner of yours in the car. You got a siren?"
"Yeah," Hutch said as he and the ranger picked up Starsky.
Together they carried Starsky out to Hutch's waiting car. They slid him into the back seat. Andy ran around getting into the other side. She helped position the injured detective with his head resting in her lap. Once settled she placed the cool rag on Starsky's burning hot forehead.
"You follow me." Carter told Hutch as he ran for his car.
Hutch nodded as he got into his car. He slapped the red light on top. "Hold on Starsk," Hutch said under his breath.
Hutch followed the Ranger closely as they entered the city limits of Santa Clarita. The whole way there Hutch kept glancing over the back seat. Andy assured him that Starsky was still with them but from the little medical training she had she knew he couldn't hang on much longer. Andy took his pulse; it was so weak it scared her. She wanted to tell Hutch to hurry but she knew he was going as fast as he could.
Finally they saw the lights of the hospital. It was very early morning and it was finally quite in the emergency room. A doctor, a nurse and two orderlies were waiting for them with a gurney. The Ranger had radioed ahead and told the hospital that they were coming. The moment Hutch pulled up the orderlies pushed the gurney toward the car. Hutch jumped out and opened the back door. The men slide the shot detective onto the gurney.
Hutch looked at Starsky's pale face then grabbed his hand. "Hang in there buddy," Hutch whispered close to his partners ear. "You are at the hospital now.
One of the orderlies pulled a sheet over Starsky. He put his hand on Hutch's shoulder. "We need to get him inside."
Hutch nodded numbly knowing that this could be the last time he ever saw his friend. Reluctantly turned loose of Starsky hand allowing them to take him. The orderlies ran with the gurney toward the waiting doctor and nurse. Before they even entered the building they were already checking him out.
"Put him in room two," the doctor ordered.
Hutch wanted to follow his partner but went instead went to park the car. Ranger Carter had already parked and was walking toward Andy who was waiting for Hutch.
"Agent McLaney was it?" the ranger asked.
She nodded, "Andy." She held out her hand for him to shake. That was when she noticed how dirty she was. Her hands were dirty and there was dirt under her fingernails. She touch her hair, it was mess, she was afraid to look in a mirror. Andy looked across the parking lot a Hutch who was just getting out of the car. He didn't look much better. He had a rip in one leg of his jeans, his hair ruffled and he was covered with dirt.
"I'm Tom," he said shaking her hand.
"What?" Andy said looking at the man in front of her. She had been watching Hutch so intently she hadn't heard what the man said.
"I'm Tom," he repeated. "Can you explain what is going on?"
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "It's been a rough couple of days. I'll be glad to explain."
Hutch was now running across the parking lot toward them and caught up with them just as they were entering the emergency doors. Hutch left Andy to her explanations and went to find Starsky. He located room tow, just as a nurse was cutting Starsky's jeans off him. He already had an IV in his arm pumping new blood into his veins. An oxygen mask was strapped over his mouth and nose.
After the nurse removed Starsky's jeans the doctor loosened the belt that was around his leg. Suddenly a machine to Starsky's left began to sound. "Code Blue!" the nurse shouted. Everyone sprung into action. Starsky's heart had stopped beating, the shock and blood loss had finally taken its toll.
"Clear!" the doctor ordered as he rubbed two paddles together and applied them to Starsky's chest. His whole body jerk as a current of electricity passed though his heart shocking it back into action.
A nurse looked at the heart monitor. A little blip showed on the screen, slowly it got stronger. "We got him back," the nurse said.
"Get this man stabilized and into surgery, stat!" the doctor ordered.
When Hutch realized what was going on his blue eyes filled with tears. He was going to lose his partner and best friend. He looked around for Andy but she was still talking in the Ranger.
A nurse came out of the room. "You his partner?" She asked. Hutch nodded. "WE got him back. He is going to surgery as soon as we have some test back and he is more stable.'
"He's alive?" Hutch said softly.
She smiled at him and took Hutch's hand, as she patted it she said, "Yes he's alive. Now why don't you go to the waiting room? We'll let you know what's going on."
Hutch walked to the doorway of the room and looked in at Starsky. It was an awful sight; Starsky was even paler than before if that was possible. He hoped that this wasn't the last time he would see his partner. Another nurse approached him. She held out Starsky's money, watch and car keys. "You want to hang on to these for him?"
Hutch cold only nod as he took the things. Then he went to the waiting room. Andy and Tom turned to look at him; the look on his face terrified her.
"Is he…?" She trailed off unable to finish the question.
"His heart stopped beating but they got him back," Hutch told her. He looked at the things he held in his had. He put the watch on his own arm and slipped the keys and money into his pocket. "He is going to surgery soon. I’m going to call Dobey."
"I can do that if you want," Andy offered.
Hutch shook his head. "I want to." He then left in search of a phone.
Captain Dobey was sitting at his desk going though the motions of doing paper work but he couldn't stop thinking about Starsky. When his phone rang he grabbed it before it had even stopped ringing. "Dobey here!" he said into the receiver.
"Cap, its Hutch," the detective said. "We found Starsky; he's in emergency surgery in Santa Clarita."
"Thank God," Dobey breathed. "How is he?"
"It's touch and go. They lost him once but was able to get him back." Hutch told his captain.
"I'm coming," Dobey said standing up and grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. "I will be there just as soon as I can."
"I don't know how long it will be until he is out of surgery. I was shot in the thigh and he was left out in the woods. I have no idea how long. He has never gained consciousness enough to tell us what happened or how long he had been lying out there in the woods.
"I see," grunted the captain. "You hang in there Hutchinson, Starsky will be just fine."
Hutch slowly hung up the phone hoping that his captain was right. As he was on his way back to the waiting room the two orderlies that had gotten Starsky out of the car was pushing him to a waiting elevator.
"He's stabilized and going to surgery, should be a couple of hours before you can see him," one of the men said.
"Thank-you," Hutch said and when to the waiting room to tell Andy.
Hutch returned to the waiting room to find an apprehensive female agent. The Ranger and left to go back on duty after getting all the information form Andy to write up his report.
Hutch flopped down into one of the well-worn waiting room chairs. "Well? How is he?" Andy asked worried.
"He's stabilized enough for the doctor to send him to surgery. It will be a couple of hours before I can see him." He sighed. Andy let out a sigh of relieve as Hutch slouched in his chair. "Captain Dobey is on his way," Hutch said quietly.
"Did you tell him we almost lost Starsky?" She asked
"Yeah, I did." Hutch was quiet for a few moments while trying to sort out his emotions over what he had just witnessed. He had almost watched his partner die and there was no promise that he still wouldn't. Starsky surely had an infection from being in the woods so long with out proper treatment. The lost of blood alone was enough to kill him not even mentioning the shock.
Andy reached out and placed her hand on Hutch's wrist. "You okay? You look pale."
Hutch closed his eyes and let out a breath. "I'll be alright when I know my partner is alright,' he said a little irritated. Then he stood and started to pace the length of the waiting room
"Hutch, pacing isn't going to help. Why don't we get something to eat? You said it would be a couple of hours…" Andy began.
"Just leave me alone!" Hutch shouted rubbing is forehead with his hand. Andy sat back in her seat looking at the floor. Immediately Hutch said down next to her and took Andy's hand. "Look I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. Maybe you're right," he said trying to relax.
She smiled at him in understanding; she knew the frustration and heartache she felt with Danny. "Good, let's find out if this place has a cafeteria." Andy stood and headed for the door, Hutch followed slowly reluctant to go. They stopped at the nurse's station to ask for directions to the cafeteria. The nurse at the desk told them it was in the basement.
While there, Hutch asked how Starsky was going. "I'm Detective Starsky's partner, is he still in surgery? How is he?"
The nurse pulled Starsky's name up on her computer. "He's still in surgery. That's as much as we know right now. "We'll let you know the moment he is out."
Thanks, we'll be down in the cafeteria for a few moments." Hutch told her.
"If he comes out before you are back someone will get you." She smiled at them.
Thirty minutes later Hutch and Andy returned to the waiting room and sat down with two cups of coffee. Starsky was still in surgery, and Hutch was beginning to worry. He was tempted to start pacing again, but now with a full stomach, he felt a little groggy. It had been forty-eight hours since he had any sleep.
Andy noticed how quiet the blond detective had become. She sensed his tension. "Do you want to tell me what's on your mind?" she asked.
"I'm just worried about Starsk; it always seems to take so long. The waiting is always the hardest part." Hutch responded. He and Starsky had had their share of waiting for news about each other.
Just then a short blond nurse dressed scrubs entered the waiting room. "Detective Hutchinson?"
"Right here,' he said
"Detective Starsky is out of surgery now and in recovery. We'll be moving him into ICU in about twenty minutes. Go ahead to the ICU waiting room and you'll be able to see him."
"Where is the ICU he asked.
'Turn left when you go out this door, then follow the hallway to the end and take another left. It's right behind the double doors."
"Thank you," Hutch told her.
The nurse left the waiting room; Hutch tossed his cup in a nearby wastebasket and quickly headed for the door. Andy jumped up and followed him; she caught up with him easily, just before he entered though the double doors. The pair was met first by another hallway and a nurse's station, another waiting room was off to the right. Hutch approached the nurse's station and asked for his partner again.
"They just brought him up, it'll be a bit before you can see him, why don't you have a seat and we'll let you know," the head nurse told him.
"How is he and when can I talk to the doctor?" Hutch demanded.
"The doctor will be right out to talk to you," she said calmly.
Andy and Hutch went into the small comfortable waiting room and sat on the sofa there. "Do you want me to watch for Captain Dobey?" Andy asked the detective.
Hutch was hunched over on the sofa rubbing his forehead again. "Uh, yeah," he said without looking up.
"Hutch, the doctor is here," Andy said spying a tall man wearing a scrub suit coming down the hall.
Hutch stood just as the doctor walked thought the doorway. "Sergeant, I'm Doctor Jameson."
"How is my partner?" Hutch asked, holding his breath and saying a silent prayer.
"Detective Starsky is doing surprising well considering everything he has been though. He'll be in the ICU for a little while, as we want to keep an eye on him."
"Okay," breathed Hutch. "How's his leg?"
"He has some muscle and ligament damage, but it shouldn't affect his walking," stated the Doctor. "We are giving him some heavy duty antibiotics and some pain killers though IV's. We don't want to take a chance of any infection setting in."
"How…how long was he gone?" Hutch stammered, just the thought of machine going off unnerved the detective.
"His heart stopped breathing for less than a minute. There won't be any effects from that. Like I said, we just want to keep an eye on him for a while. He has been though a lot to trauma, if you hadn't found him when you did your partner might not have made it." Doctor Jameson elaborated.
"Can I see him?" Hutch asked anxiously.
"Sure, for a few minutes. I expect he'll be asleep right now."
"Thanks," Hutch said.
As the doctor left Andy placed her hand on Hutch's left arm. "I'm so glad he's going to be alright," Andy said.
"Thanks Andy, I can't wait for you to meet him."
"I'll go watch for Captain Dobey; you go in and see your partner." Andy smiled at him. Hutch returned the smile and patted her hand that was still resting on his arm. He had the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her but instead he drew away.
Going to the nurse's station, he said, "Doctor Jameson said I could see David Starsky now." One of the nurses stood and told him to come with her.
Hutch followed the nurse into the ICU. Standing in the doorway of the cubicle, he could see Starsky laying in the bed, the clear IV bags and a blipping monitor near him. Hutch moved stealthily toward the bed that was holding his partner. Starsky was asleep like the doctor said. Hutch stared at his chest watching it rise and fall not trusting the machines. Relief flooded him as he watched his partner breath. Hutch noted that his face had a little more color to it since they had brought him in. He had oxygen tubes attached to his nose. Hutch next watched the heart monitor just to reassure himself. Then he noted that his injured leg was sticking out some from the blankets that were covering him, a pillow popping it up.
Hutch sat in a nearby chair, seeking comfort from being just this close to his friend. The stress from worrying and lack of sleep were threatening to take its toll on him. He knew Starsky was going to need him once he woke up. Knowing he couldn't stay long with his partner before the nurses would toss him out; Hutch leaned closer to Starsky and gently took hold of his right hand. Relieved that Starsky was so much warmer now than when he and Andy had found him in the woods.
Hutch leaned closer and whispered to him. "Hey buddy, just hang in there and get better." He then looked up to see a nurse staring at him, and he knew it was time for him to go. It would be another half hour before he would be allowed in to see Starsky again, Hutch told himself he would kill time talking with Captain Dobey once he arrived.
Captain Dobey was standing in the waiting room on the ICU talking with the lady agent when Hutch returned from visiting his partner. "How is he?" Captain Dobey asked immediately.
"The doctor told me he'll be fine, they need to keep an eye on him for a while. He was asleep when I was him."
"Good, good," Captain Dobey nodded turning and watching his blond detective as he took a seat on the couch behind him. Hutch leaned his head back against the couch and closed his eyes. "Why don't you get some rest Hutchinson? How long has it been since you have eaten, slept? I'll be here in case Starsky needs something. Then later you two can fill me in on all the details."
Hutch seemed to be tuning out his Captain, when in fact he was meditating. He did hear the last part where Dobey said he would be there for Starsky. "No, that's ok Cap'n. I want to be here when he wakes up." Hutch said opening his eyes.
"I could get us a couple of motel rooms in the mean time. There must be something close by." Andy offered.
"Sounds like a good idea, Hutchinson, you tow look like you are about ready to drop. Get some sleep, I'll stay here." Dobey was almost ordering now.
Tempting but Hutch shook his head, "I want to be here, I'll just crash on the soft here." He said giving his captain that 'you know I'm not leaving as long as Starsky is here' look.
Dobey shrugged, he knew there was no arguing with Hutch or Starsky for that matter. They were always there for each other no matter what happened. Andy stared at Hutch for a moment he looked as tired as she felt. And even though she did know Starsky she wasn't about to leave either.
Dobey took Andy aside and told her to see if she could find a couple of motel rooms some place close. He was hoping that when Hutch was sure that Starsky was all right that he would then rest. Dobey then remembered a few phone calls he had to make including to his worried wife Edith. She loved the boys as much as he did.
Hutch who had been dozing on the couch opened his eyes to find himself alone in the waiting room. Both Andy and Dobey had slipped out quietly when it looked like the detective was asleep. Hutch looked at his watch, the thirty minutes were up, and he made his way back to the ICU and his partner. He returned to the chair next to Starsky's bed, willing himself to relax as he watched his partner sleep. Hutch dozed for a few moments until he heard a slight moan. He immediately jumped to his feet leaning over Starsky.
Starsky opened his eyes a crack, attempting to focus on the image in front of him. "Hutch?" he rasped.
"Right here. I’m right here buddy," he said confirmed, laying his hand on Starsky's shoulder.
"Where am…?" Starsky managed, before swallowing and closing his eyes.
"You are in the hospital, its going to be okay now," Hutch said in a quiet voice.
"Did ya get the bad guys?"
Hutch didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Starsky's question. He looked down at Starsky and shook his head. "We got'em buddy." There was on response from his partner, he had all ready fallen back to sleep.
Hutch smiled at him then settled down in the chair and immediately dozed off himself. One of the ICU nurses came in to tell the officer it was time to leave. But when she saw Hutch stretched out in the chair, his hand on the bed next to his partner and soundly sleeping she just close the door.
Andy had found a motel two blocks from the hospital and reserved a couple of rooms. She met back up with Dobey, who was standing at the nurse's station inquiring about Starsky's health. Andy slipped up next to him, "where is Hutch?"
Dobey jerked his head toward the waiting room. "In there."
Andy went into the waiting room to find Hutch stretched full length out on the couch sleeping soundly. She watched him sleep for a few moments then closed her own eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Hutch awoke with a start…for a moment he was disoriented, not remembering where he was, or if Starsky was all right. Hutch got to his feet, he glanced around the waiting room, Andy was sound to sleep in one of the chairs. Dobey was no where to be found.
Hutch dashed out to the nurse’s station, "How is he?"
"Nice nap Detective Hutchinson?" the woman in white asked. "Your partner is doing just fine, better in fact."
Hutch breathed a sigh of relief, "Can I see him?" She nodded, then smiled as she watched Hutch hurry down the hall.
Starsky was sleeping when Hutch entered the room so he settled down in the chair once again to wait for him to wake. Thirty minutes later Hutch looked up to see Starsky reaching his left hand up to rub his face.
"Man," he said, rubbing him face and attempting to stretch his shoulders.
"Easy there pal," Hutch said as he got up from the chair. "Watch out for the tubes."
Starsky looked at Hutch with a puzzled look. "Where am I?"
Hutch smiled and shook his head; they had already had this conversation once. "In the hospital, remember?"
"Oh yeah, but where?" Starsky asked coming more fully awake.
"Santa Clarita," Hutch said as he sat carefully on the edge of the bed. He rested his arm on the pillow over his partner's head, leaning in close. "In the intensive care unit where you get some intensive care from these cute nurses."
Starsky smiled and leaned his head against his partner's arm. "I didn't think I was going to make it."
"Nice and warm now?" Hutch asked.
"Yep, toasty," he replied, noticing that Hutch had pulled the blankets up higher on his chest.
"How does you leg feel?" Hutch asked looking at Starsky who was beginning to fall asleep again.
"Is it still there?" Starsky asked sleepily.
"Yep, still there."
"Feels kinda numb."
"You had me worried there pal," Hutch said smiling at him.
"Sorry, I had me kind of worried too." Starsky whispered.
"Go back to sleep now."
Two days later Starsky was quietly sleeping in his hospital room after having been moved from ICU. Hutch promised himself that he would stay close to his partner in case he needed anything. And being in a strange town didn't give him any other options but to hang around away. Starsky stirred, opening his eyes at the discomfort in his leg from shifting his weight. He looked over to see his partner sitting next to him. He smiled; Hutch had been sitting there every time he had woke up.
"How ya feeling, buddy?" Hutch asked noticing Starsky was awake.
"Mm, I'm thirsty," Starsky said sleepily, then swallowed.
"Water coming up," Hutch told him, turning and reaching for the pitcher of water and a cup. Starsky held out his hand to take the cup, but Hutch continued to hold the cup while his partner took small sips. Hutch set the cup back then turned toward Starsky and said down on the edge of the bed.
"Can you tell me what happened after you were kidnapped?" Hutch asked gently.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you a few things too," Starsky replied.
Hutch decided he would start first. "Did they do anything to you besides shoot you in the leg?"
"Apart from wanting to stuff me in a closet, no."
"Glad to hear it. When we searched the cabin we found drugs and a can of beer opened, figured they must have spiked it."
"I asked then to give me something to drink, but hey never did. Lucky for me, huh?"
"Yeah," Hutch whispered as he thought of what might have happened to his partner.
"How did you find me? And who was that lady I saw?"
"We got a couple of tips that told us to come up here, then we ran across an old couple that ran a gas station that had actually seen the bank robbers. The robbers were killed in a shot out, that's when I really panicked, they were the only ones who knew where you were or so we thought." Hutch said smiled then. "That lady is an FBI Agent her name is Andy McLaney."
"Andy?"
"Yeah, its' short for Anderson. She's a special lady; I can't wait for you to meet her." Hutch smiled again.
"Special lady uh?" Starsky asked. "Just how special is she?"
Hutch ignored his question and asked, "Do you want some more water?"
"Yeah, is that all I can have?" Starsky ask. He was hungry in face he was starved.
"I'll ask the nurse if you can have some 7UP," Hutch promised, as he reached for the cup again.
"I was kind of thinking something a little more solid," Starsky said just as there was a knock at the door.
"Knock, knock," Andy said quietly, as she poked her head in the door of Starsky's room.
"Hey Andy, come on it," Hutch smiled, as he assisted Starsky with the cup again.
Andy approached the pair sitting on the hospital bed, then set her bag down on the chair next to Starsky's bed. "Detective Starsky," she smiled.
"Please call me Dave," he said, smiling weakly. Andy offered her hand for Starsky to shake, which he did then brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you for all your help. If you and Hutch hadn't found me when you did I would have been a dead man.
Andy blushed slightly, "you look much better Davy," she said teasing him and then winked at Hutch.
Starsky rolled his eyes, "Has she been talking to Edna?" he asked suspiciously.
Both Hutch and Andy broke out into laughter. "Edna was in the bank when it was robbed." Hutch informed him.
Starsky frowned, "she wasn't hurt was she?"
Andy shook her head, "No, in fact she told us that you were just fine."
"Good I won't want anything to happen to her, she is a sweet lady." He said.
"Can you tell what happened at the bank?" Hutch asked.
"I was just going in to get a little cash, the next thing I knew these two guys came barreling in there waving guns around." Starsky said swallowing hard at the memory of it. The kidnapping had brought back fearful memories of the time Simone Marcus's goons had snatched him at the courthouse.
"Why did they take you?" Andy asked sitting down on the other side of the bed.
Starsky shrugged, "I guess because they found out I was a cop. Them shooting me was really an accident. I tried to get away and we were struggling with my gun, it went off. I was sure I was dead when the put me out in those woods."
"Yeah those bears might have gotten you, Starsk," Hutch joked. "Hey Andy here hates the woods too, you should have seen her."
"Hey I did all right!" Andy exclaimed poking Hutch with one finger.
He looked into her eyes and said softly, "Yeah you did all right."
"Hello, I'm still here," Starsky said waving his hand in-between them.
Several days past, Andy and Hutch spent most of the time in Starsky's room. Dobey after making sure his detective was fine went back to LA, telling Hutch to take as much time as he needed.
As Andy started in to Starsky's room the voice of the blond detective carried out into the hallway. "No, I'm not helping you escape! I know you want to get out of here Starsky but not until the doc says you can travel."
"Even a hotel is better than this," came a just as loud reply.
"Starsky!" Hutch huffed in aggravation.
"And you expect me to eat this food?" Starsky said, pushing the bedside table away that was holding his food tray. "I want pizza," he pouted.
"Starsky, you can't have pizza!"
Andy entered the room to see Hutch pacing back and forth at the foot of the bed and Starsky was sitting up waving his arms in the air.
"I got shot, I'm not sick! I can eat anything I want!"
Hutch rolled his eyes and said "aw come on Starsky give it up. It will be just a couple more days." Andy noticed that Hutch sounded increasingly agitated.
"Okay, a burrito then." Hutch ignored him. "Tacos, I'll take tacos." Starsky said hopefully.
"I don't know why I put up with you." Hutch yelled as he stormed out of the room, past Andy, not bothering to acknowledge her presence.
She looked worried, they had sounded really angry with each other. But Starsky didn't seem the least bit upset as he sat in his bed smiling at her. "He looked really mad when he left," Andy verbalized as she approached the bed that held the dark haired detective. She noticed that he looked quite a bit better than he had when she was in the back seat of the car with him while his partner drove like mad to get him to the hospital.
"Oh, he'll be back," Starsky said, referring to Hutch's absence. "We do that sometimes." He finished, smiling slightly at the lady agent.
Andy looked doubtfully at the door. "I don't see how they can expect someone to eat this stuff," he fussed, pushing the bedside table further away from himself.
"It doesn't look that bad to me," Andy said, looking at the plate of mostly untouched food.
"Hmmm, you haven't tasted it. It's a crime to even call it food. Looks like that crap Hutch drinks!"
Andy looked puzzled but decided to leave it alone. "Are you sure he's coming back?" Andy asked again, worriedly.
"Oh yeah, don't worry."
"So how are you feeling?" Andy asked as she walked around the bed to sit next to him.
"I'm fine, can't wait to get spring. Tried to get Hutch to get me out of here but he won't." Starsky frowned.
"Well you were just moved from ICU a few days ago. I'm sure the doctors knows best." Andy said gently, trying not to sound patronizing.
"I'll be fine. Hutch will be around to help when I get out of there."
"Can I get you anything?" Andy asked trying to change the subject.
"Food!"
Andy sighed, here they went again. "I'm going to see if I can find Hutch."
"Take your time." He said sadly. "I'm not going any where."
Andy gave him a little smile of sympathy at the sad look on his face as he departed. Thirty minutes later she returned carrying a can of pop and a glass of ice. She had just sat it on the bedside table when Hutch pushed open the room door.
"I drove all over town before I found a Mexican food joint." Hutch said still sounding irritated. "I hope you are happy!" He plunked down a paper sack on the table next to the pop that Andy had put there.
"So that's what took you so long! Remember the hot sauce?" Starsky ask digging into the bag.
"Now what do you think?" Hutch asked him as he sat down in a chair near Starsky's bed.
Andy giggled as she open the can of soda she had brought and poured it over the ice then set it in front of Starsky. "There ya go."
"Has he got you spoiling him too?" Hutch asked as he looked at Starsky and shook his head.
Andy shrugged as she went around to take a seat on the opposite side of the bed. Here she thought Hutch had been angry with Starsky when he stormed out, when he was actually out getting his partner the food he loved. She thought it was sweet of him to smuggle food into the hospital for Starsky. Hutch slouched in the chair, having propped his feet up on the bed as Starsky took three tacos from the paper sack.
"Hi Andy." Hutch said smiling at her.
"Hi Hutch." She smiled back. Hutch's irritation seemed to have dissipated now.
Starsky watch the two for a moment then said, "Hey!"
"What?" Hutch said, looking up at his partner.
"You want one of these?" he asked referring to the tacos.
"Not really," he answered. Starsky held one out to Andy who just shook her head. She leaned back against the wall and observed. She enjoyed being with the tow detectives and wasn't looking forward to the end of the case, although she was happy and relieved that Hutch's partner was going to be fine.
Hutch picked up the cup of soda from the table and took a sip, while Starsky squirted hot sauce on the first taco and took a bite. He closed his eyes and chewed slowly.
"Your partner said you wouldn't help him escape," she said, smiling.
"He did huh? Did he try his charm on you too?"
"No, actually, he didn't," she laughed. "Good thing too, I just might have broken him out."
Starsky stopped in mid bite and stared at her, "What?"
Hutch shook his head. "Don't encourage him."
"But just look at him." Andy said grinning. Starsky stuck out his lip and wrinkled his forehead trying to look pitiful. Hutch began to laugh and the other two joined in.
None of them heard the room door open; Dr. Jameson stepped into the room. He watched the trio for a few minutes before he cleared this throat. They all looked up startled. "Detective Starsky," the Doctor said.
"Hi Doc!" Starsky said, "When are you going to spring me from this joint?"
Dr. Jameson smiled, "How about tomorrow morning? I just went over your test results, everything is normal.
The IV's had long since been removed and Starsky looked good all though he was still a little week. "You'll have to stay off your leg for several more weeks to allow the mussel to heal. But I don’t see any reason you can't do that at home, provided that you have some help."
Starsky looked at Hutch pleadingly then to Andy. "Where do I have to sign?" Hutch asked making a face at his partner.
Hutch sat as his desk, he had on a gray suit and a dark blue tie. Dobey came out of his office, walking up behind his detective he said, "What's up Hutchinson?"
Hutch jumped, dropping the paper clip he had been playing with. He looked up at his captain, "not much." It was ten minutes after his shift had ended.
"How's Starsky?" Dobey asked wondering what he was still doing there; usually Hutch and Starsky beat a path out the door when their shift was over.
"He's doing great, should be back next week." Hutch informed his Captain. "Starsk is still on crutches but his leg is healing nicely."
"And how is Andy?" Dobey asked knowing fully well that Hutch was still seeing her. But Dobey hadn't seen the young woman since the case had ended.
"She's fine," Hutch said picking up the paper clip again to avoid looking at Dobey.
"You two been seeing each other?" he ask grinning.
Hutch sighed, how the hell did Dobey always know so much. "Yeah a few dates."
"Just a few, uh?" Dobey said still grinning at the back of Hutch's blond head.
"All right, all right, we have been seeing each other a lot!" Hutch snapped. "Anything else you want to know?" He was beginning to get a little edgy. Andy was now almost fifteen minutes late, it wasn't like her to even be one second late. Something they both had in common.
Just as Dobey was about to speak the squad room doors banged open, both men looked toward the doors, Starsky hobbled in on his crutches.
"What are you doing here?" Dobey demanded. "You aren't released for duty yet."
"Give me a break Cap," Starsky said as he made his way toward them. "I'm going nuts at home." Then he got a look as his partner. "Ho ho, what are you all dressed up for?"
"A date," Hutch said. "Andy is meeting me here."
Starsky looked surprised. He held up a pink envelope. 'I just saw here in the hall, she asked me to give this to you."
Hutch jumped up grabbed the envelope, dashed out of the squad room and into the empty hall. Starsky looked at Dobey who just shrugged then he followed his partner. Starsky found Hutch standing in the hall leaning against the wall by the elevator.
Hutch was reading the letter, he looked up at Starsky. "She's gone." He handed the sheet of paper to his friend. Starsky read to himself. "I'm sorry to do it this way but if I did it face to face I don't think I could leave." Starsky looked at Hutch again then went back to reading. "I just can't do this. When I lost Danny I thought I would never love anyone again. You showed me it was possible. But I don't wasn’t to be involved with someone in law enforcement again. I'm quitting the FBI and going home. I'll always love you. Andy."
After finishing Starsky looked into Hutch's face once again. "Hey Buddy, I'm really sorry."
Hutch just shrugged as he stared at the floor. "No big deal."
"No big deal?" Starsky repeated. "I thought you tow had something going?"
"Me too," Hutch said without lifting his head.
Suddenly Starsky dropped his crutches and threw his arms around his partner's neck, "Hey you still got me!"
The unsuspecting Hutch lost his balance and fell to his knees. Starsky toppled on top of him knocking him flat on the floor. Both detectives started laughing. Dobey stepped out into the hall; seeing his detectives sprawled on the floor he just shook his head as he went back into his office.
"Yeah I still got you," Hutch grinned at Starsky as he began to untangle himself from his partner.
The end