One Less Angel
By
Tooki
It had been exactly three months to the day of the shooting of Scotty Printness. Starsky had his good and bad days and Hutch still feared in a bad moment that his partner might put that gun to his head. But Starsky seemed to be dealing with it in his own way. Hutch had noticed that calls to Mrs. Starsky were more often than the usual once a week now. Some of the sparkle was gone from his partner's eyes and the banter was more subdued. Hutch missed the old Starsky but he would take this one rather than not have his friend around at all.
Starsky was sitting at his desk working on some paperwork when a woman pushed open the squad room door. She stood gazing over the room for a moment before proceeding toward the detective's desk. Hutch who was up getting them coffee spotted her just before she reached Starsky. He sucked in his breath when he recognized her and he wondered what she could possibly want. Immediately he went back to their desks leaving the coffee mugs sitting near the pot. If this was going to get ugly he wanted to be by Starsky's side.
"Where's the coffee?" Starsky asked with out looking up from his writing when he felt Hutch near his side.
Hutch put his hand on Starsky's shoulder and cleared his throat. Starsky looked up at Hutch then in the direction his partner was looking. A woman stood a few feet from him just looking at both of them. She wasn't overly tall had shoulder length hair, she had a sadness in her eyes that few understood unless it had happened to them. She had a purse slung over her shoulder and she was twisting a tissue in her hands.
"Mrs. Printness," Hutch addressed her tentatively ready to jump to Starsky's defense. "May we help you?"
She gave him a weak smile and then looked at Starsky. "I would like to speak to Detective Starsky."
Starsky visibly blanched when he heard Hutch say her name. "Sure, get Mrs. Printness a chair Hutch."
As Hutch went to retrieve a chair she said, "Please call me Joannie."
"Joannie, what can I do for you?" Starsky said. He took a deep breath and he could feel Hutch still hovering near him unwilling to leave.
"Detective Starsky…" She began.
"Please call me Dave," he said giving her a small smile.
She returned the smile and started again. "Dave, I have been wanting to speak with you for a while now. But I have been well…uh under a doctor's care for the last few months. This is the first time I felt like I could face…" She trailed off wondering if she could really do this but her doctor had told her until she was able to face the detective and speak with him nothing would get settled in her life. "I-I-I wanted to apologize to you." She finally got out in a rush of words.
Starsky sat back in his chair, this wasn’t what he had expected from her. He had killed her only child and she was apologizing to him? "I have been wanting to talk to you too. I just didn't know if you wanted to see me."
"For a long time I didn't, I couldn't face you. But not because I blame you but just because I didn't want to have to think of Scotty." She looked up at him there were tears standing in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," Starsky said softly, tears also standing his eyes. "I would give anything to take back what happened. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of your son."
She nodded, "I wish you could have known him he would have loved you. I think his interest in the police was what made him take the gun. He loved to play cops and robbers with his friends and he always had to be a cop. And he told me that was what he wanted to be when he grew up."
'"He was seven?" Starsky asked.
"Yes he would have been eight this month." She said with a catch in her voice. "I came here because I want you to know that I don’t blame you. I'm ashamed of the things that I said to you that day in the pool house. I don't really remember what I said or did but I know it wasn't something I was proud of."
"You had just lost your son, I understand." Starsky said taking her hand. "I felt like I deserved it and worse."
She shook her head. "You were only doing your job Dave nothing more and nothing less. You had no idea there was a child in that room. I should never left him home, we should have never had that damn gun."
Hutch had now moved away content with knowledge that she wasn't there to hurt his partner but hopefully to heal.
Joannie took another deep breath and squeezed Starsky's hands that were clasp in hers. "I know I have no right to do this but I have a favor to ask you."
"Of course anything."
"In Scotty's school I have started a gun safety awareness program, they are never to young to learn as I have found out the hard way. And I would like it if you and your partner would come and talk to the children and parents. I want us to tell our story. I want them to know it could happen to them." Joannie dropped her eyes from Starsky's face. She knew she was asking a lot. This had to be as hard on him as it was on her. It might have been different kinds of pain but they were still in pain.
Starsky looked over his shoulder to Hutch who nodded his head in support. Then Starsky hooked one finger under Joannie's chin and lifted her eyes to his. "We would honored to help out any way we can."
She smiled at him and felt her heart lift just a bit. If her tragedy could help just one child live then maybe Scotty's death wouldn’t be in vain. "Thank you so much."
"How does your husband feel about this?" Starsky asked hesitantly.
She frowned again. "I’m sorry to say that Rob and I are no longer together."
"I'm terribly sorry." Starsky said.
"We were too busy blaming each other to even begin to heal. I finally left I couldn't stand being in that house any longer anyway." She said. Then she pulled out a slip of paper from her purse and handed it to Starsky. "That's my address and phone number. Also the name and address of the school."
Starsky took the folded paper and opened it. "Hey you only live a few blocks from me." He exclaimed.
That evening at Huggy's Starsky's mood seemed a bit lighter than usual. He was cracking jokes and flirting with the waitress some thing Hutch hadn't seen in a long time. Huggy even noticed the difference in the detective.
"What's up with curly?" Huggy asked sitting down two bottles of bar on the bar. They both looked over at Starsky who was checking out the selection in the candy machine.
"That boy's mother came to the squad today." Hutch told Huggy. "She apologized to Starsky and asked us if we would help with a gun awareness program at her sons school."
"Starsky ready for that?" Huggy asked.
"I think so, just look at him." Hutch said watching Starsky teased Sara as she delivered some drinks to a table. "It's like the weight of the world has been lifted off his shoulders."
"Forgiveness goes a long way." Huggy smiled at Hutch.
Starsky sat on the couch in his living room Hutch had just dropped him off and for the first time Starsky didn't feel that Hutch was reluctant to leave him. He knew that his partner was still worried about him. There were times that he was worried about himself but tonight he felt different. Talking to Scotty's mother and made a world of difference to him. He suddenly remembered that she had given him her phone number and address. He fished the paper from his pocket and looked at what she had written there. Starsky started to reach for the phone then stopped himself. What would he say to her? Then he remembered that she wanted Hutch and him to help her.
He picked up the receiver and dialed the number. The phone rang several times and he was just about to hang up when she answered. "Hello," she sounded out of breath.
"Mrs. Printness?" Starsky asked.
"Yes, who is this?"
"Dave Starsky."
"Oh Dave!" She exclaimed in a surprised voice.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn’t have called," he said sorry that he had.
"No, no it's fine," Joannie answered. "I just walked in the door from the store."
"I'll let you go," he said ready to hang up.
"I do need to get this stuff put up before it spoils." Joannie said then she after a moment. "Hey have you eaten yet?"
"I just got home from work. I haven't gotten that far yet."
"Why don't you come on over. I got a couple of steaks I was wondering what I would do with the other one." Joannie offered.
"Are you sure?" Starsky asked. The idea did appeal to him. She had made him feel better just being close to him.
"Yeah come on over, just give me about twenty minutes to get this stuff put away."
After Starsky hung up he took a quick shower and changed his clothes. Then he stopped and got them a bottle of wine before heading to her apartment. Starsky sat out side her building for nearly twenty minutes before he got the courage to go to her door.
When he finally knocked Joannie opened the door. She had her hair up in a ponytail and was wearing shorts and a tank top making her look much younger than her twenty-nine years. "There you are, I thought you had decided not to come."
He gave her a sheepish grin as he handed her the bottle of wine. "Well to tell you the truth I have been sitting out front trying to get the courage to come in."
"I know," she admitted. "I started to call you back a couple of times and beg off."
They both laughed. "Guess we both got a case of the nerves uh?" Starsky smiled at her.
Their meal was wonderful and they talked easily about every thing but they both avoided the topic of Scotty. She told him about her childhood and going to college and he told her about New York and his mother. Joannie had never been out of California and found his description of New York fascinating. Then she told him how she and her husband had meet and he of his friendship with Hutch.
It was nearly two a.m. when they finally pushed themselves from her small kitchen table. He offered to help her to the dishes but she wouldn't hear of it. Instead she just left the dishes where they were and lead him out to the tiny balcony. The night was clear and the stars were shinning brightly.
"You know," she began, "It's nights like these that everything seems perfect, that everything is right with the world, and then I remember. In the blink of an eye my whole world was turned up side down. I lost everything, my son, my husband and my home."
Starsky turned from her suddenly unable too look her in the eye. She put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
Joannie made him turn and look at her. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I don't blame you honestly I don't please don't think that." She looked into his face and saw the torment there that was even greater than her own. Joannie wrapped her arms around him hugging him tightly to her. Slowly Starsky put his arms around her returning the hug.
He buried his face in her hair squeezing his eyes tightly shut trying to make the memory of Scotty laying lifeless on the floor go away. "I would give anything to take it back," he said tearfully. "I see him all the time laying there. I can't get the image out of my head no matter how hard I try."
"I know you didn't mean to you were protecting your partner and me." She said gently. "I hate my self for leaving that drawer unlocked for leaving him home alone. I know better than that. But I thought I would only be gone a few minutes.
They were both crying in each other's arms trying to forget the pain. Starsky pulled away from her and looked down into her face. Then he kissed her lips gently at first, he had only meant it as a friendly kiss but she kissed him back drawing him into her. The kiss became more passionate and when they parted they were both breathless.
"I-I-I'm sorry," Starsky stammered.
She gave him a small grin, "I think it was a two way street."
He smiled at her, "Yeah I guess it was." He glanced at his watch it was nearing three a.m. "I think it's about time I go home."
She took his wrist and looked at the face of his watch. "Yeah it is getting late."
Starsky started toward the front door, "Thanks for dinner and the evening I had a really good time."
She followed him to the door and as he was about to go out she grabbed his hand. "How about tomorrow night? We could discuss out presentation to the kids." She suggested.
"Yeah that would be great!" he said. "I know Hutch will be free."
"Would you mind if it was just us for now?" she asked.
"No I wouldn't mind at all," he said as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Let's go out to dinner."
"I'll be waiting."
The next morning Hutch found himself standing pounding on Starsky's front door. A wave of fear pass though him. He had been worried about Starsky after he had dropped him off. Sure Starsky seemed OK but once he was alone and things began to sink in who knows what his partner would do. Hutch wished that the boy's mother had just stayed away. He had tried to call Starsky several times the night before but never got an answer. He pounded franticly on the door and he was about to kick it in when Starsky opened it.
"It's about damn time." Hutches blustered not because he was angry but frighten. Then he got a good look at Starsky, he was still in his pajama bottoms his hair was a mess and his eyes were sleepy looking. "What the hell happened to you, you look awful."
"Come on in, I over slept." Starsky said rubbing a hand over his curly hair. "I'll be ready in a second." He disappeared into the bathroom.
Hutch walked around the apartment looking…he wasn't sure what he was looking for. He just wanted to make sure things seemed in place. He pulled open the closet door Starsky's gun hung there on a nail. Hutch felt him self physically relax a bit. Everything seemed in place.
Starsky emerged from his bedroom dressed he walked over to the closet to put on his gun. He noticed the door was standing open. "Checking up on me?"
"What?" Hutch said trying to act innocence.
"I always keep this door closed." Starsky said as he slipped on his holster.
"Sorry Starsk," Hutch said hating that he had been caught checking up.
"You don't have to be sorry buddy." Starsky said putting his hand on his shoulder. "If it weren't for you I would have never made it."
Once they were in the car and on their way to work Hutch asked casually, "Where were you last night, I know you didn't get to bed early by the way you look."
"Had dinner with a friend." Starsky said without taking his eyes from the road.
"Really, and I thought I was your only friend." Hutch teased.
Starsky grinned. "You don't know all my friends."
"So who was it? One of those cute little secretaries from up the street?" Hutch quizzed.
Starsky sighed he knew if he didn't tell, Hutch would just keep needling him until he did. "I was with Joannie."
"Joannie, Joannie," he said turning the name over in his mind. "I don't remember a Joa…NO NO Starsky. You aren't taking about that kids mother are you." Starsky didn't answer just kept on driving. "Come on partner tell you aren't talking about Joannie Printness."
"Ok I won't." Starsky said.
"What the hell are you doing with her?" Hutch demanded. "You can't ease your conscious like that."
"Like what?" Starsky said. "She asked me over for dinner."
"What was she waiting on your door step when you got home?" Hutch snapped.
"I called her if you must know." Starsky said he was beginning to get angry.
"Starsky why did you call her?" Hutch wanted to know.
"We are suppose to help her with that gun awareness project remember?"
"Yeah the key word being WE," Hutch growled. "Not just you."
"For heaven sakes Hutch I'm not going to marry her, we just had dinner." Starsky stormed.
"And what time did you get home?" Hutch asked. "I called at midnight and got no answer."
"Don't you think that’s a little late to be calling some body?" Starsky glared at his partner. He was tired of this conversation. Hutch just looked at him. "OK, I got home about three thirty! Anything else you want to know?"
"Three thirty? Good Lord!" Hutch huffed. "Are you nuts?"
"Can we not talk about this anymore. We had dinner, talked and I came home end of story." Starsky said.
Hutch knew from the look on his partner's face that the conversation was over. So he sat with his own thoughts until they got to the station.
The day passed uneventful for the two detectives and any conversation between them seemed a bit strained and Hutch didn't bring up Joannie Printness again but he sure thought about her. What in the world did Starsky think he was doing? Why was he going her? Hutch was willing to do anything to make his partner feel better but this wasn't one of them. He knew that he had to talk to Starsky about this again and make him see that this wasn't the road he should be going down.
After their shift on the way to Starsky's apartment Hutch asked, "Hey buddy how about dinner? We could go to that little Italian place you like so much I'll treat."
Starsky smiled over at him, "Nice offer Hutch but I already have plans how about a rain check."
"What kind of plans?" Hutch asked suspiciously.
"If you must know I'm taking Joannie out to dinner." Starsky braced his self for what he knew was coming.
"For Christ sakes Starsk!" Hutch exploded. "You can't keep seeing this woman."
The light went red and Starsky turned in his seat. "Listen Hutch," Starsky began. "It's been a long time since I have felt better about my self. You don't know what it's like you have never shot and killed a child but she knows how I feel. Her and I both had our finger on the trigger. She might not have pulled that trigger but she put that gun in his hand. We are both equally to blame. I need somebody that understands how I feel."
"Then go to a support group," Hutch snapped. "This will get you no where quick. You can't form a relationship over a dead child."
"Who said anything about a relationship? I'm taking her to dinner to repay her for last night." Starsky said trying to remain calm.
Thankfully he pulled up in front of his apartment behind Hutch's car. Hutch got out and slammed the car door enough to make it shake. Starsky glared at him. "Starsk please…" Hutch began.
"Tonight...that's it I promise Ok buddy. Then the only contact I'll have with her is us helping with that project." Starsky gave him one of those half smiles.
Hutch sighed, "Fine just watch your self uh?" He stalked to his car and was gone.
Starsky made a mad dash for his apartment to shower and change he was late. Just as he was ready to step into the shower the phone rang. "Damn Hutch," Starsky said to the air. He went out into the living room to answer the phone. "Come on Hutch," he said into the phone. But laughter greeted his ears. "Joannie?"
"Hi Dave," she said still giggling. "I'm not Hutch but will I do?"
"You will do just fine, what's up?" He asked.
"Well…now I feel stupid for calling." She said hesitantly. "It was getting late and I thought maybe you changed your mind."
"Not a chance, I was just hopping in the shower I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
"I can't wait," was the reply.
Since her place was only several blocks away, Starsky decided that he would just walk instead of driving. When he reached the end of his block he saw a young man selling flowers. "Hey Bud how about that bouquet of red roses?" Just as the guy started to reach of them Starsky changed his mind. "Make it the carnations." He knew if Hutch found out, he was taking Joannie red roses he would implode.
With the flowers in hand he climbed, the stairs to her second floor apartment. He knocked softly but there was no answer, he knew she was home because he could hear the TV playing. He knocked a bit louder but still no answer. Finally he tried the doorknob, it was unlocked so he slowly turned it and pushed open the door.
Joannie was standing in the middle of the living room her eyes riveted on the television tears were streaming down her face as she watched a live report. There had been a shooting at local playground two young girls were dead a third had done the shooting. The details were sketchy but reports coming in were saying that the girl that had done the shooting was angry with them because they had not included her in their game.
Starsky stood behind her watching also, the smile faded from his face and his hand holding the flowers dropped to his side the stems forgotten. He knew just how she was feeling because he felt it too. He gently put his hand on her shoulder. "Jo?" he said shorting her name.
Joannie swung around to look at him she had been totally unaware that he had entered her apartment. She didn’t even speak just threw her arms around him and hung on. Starsky brought his arms around her, "It’s going to be alright," he cooed to her as he stroked her back with his free hand. He guided her to the couch and they sat down together, he picked up the remote and flicked the TV set off.
"I’m sorry Dave," she sniffed. "I guess that report just got to me. Why are these parents so careless with guns?"
Starsky shook his head he had seen so much death from guns that had fallen into the wrong hands and he still had no answer for her. He knew it wasn’t really the right time but he held the flowers out her. "Here I got these for you."
She took the flowers and smelled them. "Carnations, how did you know it was my favorite flower?"
"Just a lucky guess," he said glad now that he had gotten them instead of the roses.
She got up to put them in water, she was a bit unsteady on her feet at first and Starsky reached up to balanced her. Joannie looked down at him. "No body has called me Jo since my kid brother."
"I’m sorry," Starsky apologized. They seemed to do a lot of that to each other.
"Don’t be sorry, it brings back wonderful memories." She said as she disappeared into the kitchen. Returning with the flowers in a vase, she sat them on the coffee table. "We were very close."
"Where is he now?" Starsky asked then wished that he hadn’t what if something horrible had happened to him?
"He lives in Montana with his wife and three kids. I haven’t seen him in over ten years." She said sadly. "We were both so busy with our lives that we just never took the time to visit. He doesn’t even know about Scotty's death. I just haven’t been able to write and tell him yet."
"Maybe it’s time you go and visit him. Might do you good to get away." He suggested.
"Not a bad idea I just might to that."
"You still up for dinner?" Starsky asked as his stomach rumbled.
"Yeah, just let me freshen up my makeup. I think I should just boot this TV out in the yard." She joked.
There was a small restaurant not far from her apartment so that was where they went. After dinner they walked arm and arm back to her place. It was another beautiful perfect night. He walked her up to her door and then turned to go. "You want to come in? I still have some of the wine you brought last night." She asked taking his hand.
"I don’t know I was here pretty late last night. I got to work in the morning." He said. Starsky wanted to stay but Hutch’s words kept ringing in his head ‘don’t get involved’.
"Sure I understand," she sounded so dejected that it broke his heart.
"Well one glass," he relented. To hell with Hutch.
Her face broke out into a smile as she opened the door, "Have a seat it will only take me a moment to get a couple of glasses."
They ended up finishing the bottle and it was nearing one a.m. when Starsky finally got up to leave. Joannie followed him to the door in her bare feet he looked down at her and smiled. He hated to leave he felt so comfortable when he was with her. She wasn’t always asking how he felt because she knew. "I guess I had better get home." He said softly.
"Yeah," she whispered. "Thanks for dinner."
"Any time." He said. "Come by the station and we’ll get together with Hutch and see what we can come up with for the program."
"Ok…" she didn't want him to leave.
"I'm sure we can find…" he trailed off. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
She melted into him not wanting to ever be anywhere but in his arms. For there all her pain was gone. Suddenly he scooped her up and headed toward the bedroom. Starsky laid her on the bed Joannie looked up at him. "Are you sure?"
Instead of answering him she grabbed the front of his shirt pulling him down on top of her. Feverishly they undid each others clothes soon they were both naked laying in each others arms their legs entwined. She ran her hand down his chest as she looked into his eyes. He caressed her back working his way to her breasts. And not once did they think of Scotty or Hutch or the hundreds of others who had been killed needlessly.
After Hutch left Starsky he headed over to Huggy's to drown his sorrows in a glass of beer. The bar was just beginning to fill up and Hutch got the last stool at the bar. Huggy waved to him from across the room and quickly made his way toward the detective.
"Hey man where's your better half?" Huggy asked as he wiped the bar in front of Hutch and poured him a beer.
Hutch rolled his eyes and took a long drink before he answered. "With Joannie."
"Joannie?" Huggy asked not recognizing the name.
"That kids mother" Hutch answered.
"You mean they are dating?" Huggy asked surprised.
Hutch squinted and looked at the barkeeper. "Not according to Starsky. But he was with her until 3 a.m. last night and they are having dinner tonight. What would you all it?"
"Maybe they are discussing the program you were telling me about." Huggy suggested.
Hutch made a disgusted noise. "Maybe that's what they are calling it but I bet the topic of gun control didn't come up once. I'm sure the subject of self control didn't either."
Huggy hiked up his eyebrows. "I take it you don’t approve of this little blooming relationship?"
"Huggy he is just setting himself up for more heartache. For God sakes she is still married. They separated after the kid was killed." Hutch said. "I can't let this happen. He's been hurt enough."
"You can't live his life for him no matter how much you want to." Huggy said wisely.
"I don't want to live his life. I just want him to move on get past all this and he can't when he's seeing that kids mother every night."
"Maybe you are making more out of this than there is."
"I sure hope so Huggy I sure hope so."
On his way home that night Hutch made a detour past Starsky's apartment, he was happy to see that his partner's car was parked outside. It was still early and he thought of stopping but his windows were dark. Hutch figured that he had gone to be early since he had been up so late the night before.
It was the sunlight streaming through the parted curtains in Joannie's bedroom that woke him the next morning. She was snuggled next to him with her head on his chest. He stroked her hair gently as he watched her sleep. It was the first time in three months that he hadn't had a nightmare. He wondered if Jo was tormented in her sleep too, he was sure she was.
Jo stirred and rolled to where she could see his face. "Morning," she said sleepily.
"Morning you self."
"What time is it?" she wondered out loud.
Starsky glanced at the clock, "Oh brother it's nine. I'm late to work, Hutch is has probably put out an ABP on me."
"I was suppose to be to work just about now," Jo said but made no attempt to get up. She just snuggled back against him.
"I should call Hutch and tell him I'm going to be late." But like Jo he made no move to get up. Instead he kissed her lips that she had turned toward him. She kissed him back and the passion between them exploded again. It was nearly ten a.m. when they finally untangled themselves from the sheets and headed for the shower. That was their second mistake of the morning, they ended up making love for another hour.
It was noon by the time they finally emerged from Jo's bedroom. She started to toss some bread in the toaster but Starsky stopped her. "Why don't we just go grab some lunch?"
"Sure," she agreed. "The day is shot anyway."
He grinned, "I don't know if I would say that. Let's walk down to my apartment so I can change my clothes and get my car."
When Jo and Starsky arrived at his apartment hand in hand a very angry Hutch was sitting by the front door. Hutch hadn't been worried at first when Starsky didn't show up at seven to pick him up. But when the hands of the clock neared eight, Hutch began to worry. He had tried numerous times to call his partner. Finally he got in his car and drove over to his apartment. Starsky's car was still parked in the same place it had been the night before. He banged on the door but he knew that Starsky wasn't there. He was with her. Hutch finally went on to work, knowing that Dobey would be fit to be tied.
Hutch went to the DMV to try to get Joannie's address but apparently she hadn't changed it since she moved out. He was given her house address. So all that was left for him to do was wait. He was enraged when he saw them coming up the sidewalk hand in hand whispering together like a couple of high school sweethearts.
"Where the hell have you been?" Hutch stormed jumping to his feet. "I have been going out of my mind!"
"Hi ya Hutch," Starsky said
"Hi ya Hutch?" Hutch repeated. "You are five hours late for work and that's all you can say?"
"I think I should just go home," Jo said softly. But Starsky wouldn't turn lose of her hand.
"I think that is a wonderful idea." Hutch snapped.
Starsky was totally taken aback by Hutch's words. He knew that his partner was just trying to protect him but he was going too far. "Jo isn't going anywhere."
"Jo? So it's Jo now." Hutch said furiously. "Isn't that sweet."
"OK Hutch that's enough," Starsky said firmly.
Hutch closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're right I'm sorry. Please accept my apologize Mrs. Printness. But I have been going out of my mind all morning."
Jo smiled at Hutch, "Please call me…Jo." She loved the fact that Starsky had started calling her by her childhood name. "I understand you were worried. Must be nice to have somebody care that much about you."
Jo's response to Hutch totally took the air out of his sails. He had put an inference on the word Mrs. but they chose to ignore it or didn't notice it. Here he was being so nasty and she was being sweet to him. He looked at Starsky who was positively glowing, it had been ages since he had seen him that happy. Hutch grinned at them, "I really am sorry." He said in a kinder voice.
"Why don't you join us for lunch," Jo suggested. "We could discuss the program."
"Some of us have to work for a living," Hutch quipped.
"This is a community project and we serve the community so we will be working." Starsky said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I am awed by your logic Starsk." Hutch said shaking his head. "Fine but I have to call Dobey, he's about to have your head on a platter."
Starsky, Hutch and Jo stood on a small stage in front of the whole Elementary School that Scotty had attended. Most of the children knew Jo since she had been a regular fixture at the school, helping on picture day, photo coping, giving extra help when ever needed. The school had brought in a counselor when Scotty had been killed to help them deal with the loss of their classmate. Now almost four months later the officer who killed the boy and his mother stood on the same stage together.
Hutch started out explaining what had happened that day. Then Starsky told his part of the story and then finally Jo. They had feared it might be too intense for the younger children. Permission slips had gone home to be signed and to also invite the parents to join them. Every child attended along with most of the parents. The weapon's unit came along with them and had a display of guns to show the children, most were real but some were toys that looked so real that the police couldn't tell the difference unless they handle them. They explained that even pointing a toy at some one could get them shot.
By the end of presentation there was hardly a dry eye in the house. An enlarged photo of Scotty stood on an easel small photos of other children that die from gunshots were positioned around his picture. The two girls that had been killed in the playground were among those. After they were done the officers mingled with the crowd of students, teachers and parents to answer any other questions they might have. There was a table where parents could sign up for gun safety classes and a place where they could even turn in their guns no questions asked.
Over those few weeks Jo and Starsky had been come closer and Hutch had even come to except their relationship although it still bother him. Jo was able to give Starsky something that he couldn't and she had given him old partner back to him. He would be forever grateful to her for that.
A girl who couldn't have been more than ten came up behind Starsky and tugged on the back of his jacket. He turned and smiled down on the little girl. "What is it honey?" He asked gently. The girl's eyes were huge with fear as she took his hand and pulled him toward the door of the gym. "What's your name?"
"Callie," she said so softly that he could scarcely hear her.
"Where we going Callie?" he asked as he followed her.
"I got to show you something," she said. Starsky followed her to the second floor she stopped in front of a locker. "You got to promise nobody will get in trouble."
"That is what this is all about Callie." Starsky said. "We aren't here to get anybody in trouble we are here to keep you safe."
Callie nodded then undid her lock. She pulled some clothes and books from the bottom of her locker then took out something wrapped in a towel. Callie handed it to Starsky, "Please don't put my daddy in jail."
Starsky unwrapped the object in the towel. It was a .357 not much different from the one that Hutch carried. "Where did you get this?"
Huge tears welled up in her eyes. "It's my daddy's. He's a good daddy most of the time but sometimes he gets drunk. When he does he takes out his gun and waves it around. I'm afraid he might kill us."
Starsky felt his heart break for the child, how brave she had to have been to take her father's gun and bring it to school. He laid the gun on the floor and hugged her. "No body will get in trouble. But honey if your daddy gets another gun and does the same thing you need to call 911 and get some help."
She nodded her head Starsky picked up the gun and with her small hand in his big one they went back to the gym where they both turned the gun in. Hutch was standing near the table when Starsky walked up to the table. He showed the gun to Hutch who let out a low whistle. "Wow, that little girl give you that?"
Starsky nodded. "Callie I want you to met my partner Hutch."
She stuck her hand out, "Hi Hutch."
"Hi Callie," Hutch smiled at her. "You know what? That gun looks a lot like mine."
She looked almost fearful at first and then asked, "Can I see it?" Hutch pulled his gun from under his coat and showed it to her. "Have you ever killed anyone?"
"Yes I have but only when my life or someone else was in danger." He explained.
Then very very softly Callie asked. "Scotty was trying to shoot you wasn't he?"
"Yes," Hutch said honestly. "But I don't think he realized the gun was real. I'm sure he didn't want to hurt anyone."
"And you," she said pointed at Starsky. "Were just trying to save his life and Scotty's mother."
Tears formed in Starsky's eyes as he nodded his head. "I didn't know there was a little boy in that room I would have never fired my gun if I had known."
"Not even when he was trying to shoot you?"
Starsky shook his head. "We would have tried to talk to him. That is what we do whenever we are in a situation with a gun. We try to talk our way out of it first. Shooting someone is a last resort.
She took a deep breath and looked at them both. "Would you talk to my daddy?" she asked bravely.
"We would be happy too Callie," Hutch told her. "Is he here today?"
She nodded, "You won't arrest him will you?"
"Not a chance honey," Starsky said but he would have dearly loved to knock some sense into the man.
As they were looking around the room for Callie's father Starsky spotted Jo talking to a man in a suit along the back wall of the gym. She looked like she was crying, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. Starsky was about to go find out what was going on when Callie tugged on his hand.
"There he is," she said pointing to a small man sitting in the next to last row of chairs.
The man was not what the two detectives expected at all. He was just a bit shorter than Starsky and much thinner had on dress pants and a white shirt. He wore wire-rimmed glass and his hair was thinning. They both had been expecting some big burly man not this mild manner looking man.
When Hutch spoke to him Callie's father jumped about a mile and looked up at them nervously. "Officers."
"Hello Mr…." Starsky began but Callie hadn't told them her last night.
"Wright…Tim Wright." He said standing up.
"Mr. Wright…" Starsky began again but again the man interrupted him.
"Oh GOD," he blurted out. "My gun is gone.
"We know Mr. Wright." Hutch said. "Your daughter gave it to my partner."
"Callie? You took the gun?" he asked surprised.
She nodded. "I'm sorry daddy but when you drink you scare me with it."
He fell to his knees in front of his daughter. "I’m so sorry sweetie." He looked up at the officers, "I was so frighten when I found out the gun was missing I didn't know where to turn."
"You came to the right place Mr. Wright. We can also direct you some place where you can get help for your drinking." Starsky said.
"Oh yes yes any help you can give me. If one of my children got a hold of that gun and kill some body or themselves I don’t know what I would do."
Hutch took a card out of his pocket, "This is our number at work you call us there tomorrow and we will hook you up with somebody."
After they finished with Callie and her father Starsky looked around the room for Jo but he didn't see her. Several parents came up to them asking questions about the gun safety program. Starsky was beginning to worry about Jo. He could tell from across the room that she had been crying. He finally excused himself from the group of parents leaving Hutch to field the questions so he could go in search of Jo.
Finally he found her in the hallway out side the gym. She was still talking to the same man who had handed her the handkerchief. Starsky walked up to them. "Jo everything alright?"
Jo nodded, "Dave this is Rob, my husband," she said slowly. "Rob, Dave Starsky."
Rob stuck his hand out and shook hands with the man that had taken his son's life. He had accidentally found out about program going on at the school. One of Joannie's friends had said something to him in the store the day before. He was stunned to learn that Joannie was the one heading up the whole thing along with the officer that killed their son. He had gone out of anger at first but as he had stood at the back of the room listening to what each of them had to say. Rob realized he was just as guilty in his son's death as any of them. He had been the one that had convinced Joannie that they needed the gun. Then didn't take the proper care of it once he had it
in the house.
"Good to met you Rob," Starsky said.
"What you had to say up there was very touching," Rob said. "I was so busy blaming every body that I couldn't see my part in all of it."
"I think it's time we let it go," Starsky said. Finally he had realized it too. It had been a tragic accident but nothing more than an accident. "We will never for get Scotty but I don't think he would want us to remember him with sorrow."
Rob squinted at Starsky wondering just how he knew so much about his son. Then he looked at Joannie and he knew. Over the weeks that Starsky and Jo had spent together she had told him everything about Scotty, showed him albums of photos of the boy growing up. It had made both of them sad but also it allowed Starsky to know the little boy.
Jo pulled Starsky away from her husband. "I'm going to go with Rob for now. We need to talk."
Starsky hugged her, "I understand. Give me a call later if you want."
Starsky was waiting by his car when Hutch came out. "Where's Jo?" Hutch asked his partner.
"She went with her husband," Starsky said as he slid in behind the wheel.
"You ok?"
"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" Starsky asked as he started the car.
They went to Huggy's for dinner, all three of them were suppose to be there for a celebration of the day. Hutch and Starsky kind of had a let down after being so keyed up all after noon. But the final weight had been lifted from Starsky. He and Hutch had helped save a family, he smiled as he thought of little Callie and her dad.
When he went home that night he waited by the phone until almost mid night waiting for Jo's call but it never came. Someone banging on his front door wakened him the next morning. Immediately he rolled out of bed and staggered toward the door in nothing but pajama bottoms. He was surprised when he opened the door to find Jo standing there. He grabbed her hand and pulled her in the room.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi."
"Sorry I didn't call you last night," she smiled at him.
"That's ok. Missed you at Huggy's last night." He said.
"I missed you too." She looked at the floor. "Dave I don't know how to say this but Rob and I are going to give it another try."
Starsky put his hands on both sides of her face and made her look at him. "It's OK Jo."
There were tears in her eyes as she looked at him. "I love you, I do but I have to try and make it would with Rob."
"I love you too Jo," Starsky replied. "I'll never forget you or Scotty."
"Please remember him with joy not sorrow." She whispered. "And be kind in your thoughts of me. I don't want to hurt you."
"You aren't." Starsky smiled at her. "I think we got what we needed from each other and we love each other but we aren't in love."
She nodded, knowing what he was saying was true. "I'll see ya round Dave Starsky. Keep our streets safe."
"I'll try Jo, I'll try."
~~~~~~~~~
Starsky walked through the cemetery looking for the small grave stone. Finally he found it, Starsky stood for a long long time looking down at it. Then he looked across the grass at the trees and flowers. He could almost see Scotty running, hiding behind the tree and then darting to the next one. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it and looked at the contents. It was a police badge, Starsky put the lid on the box and placed the box next to Scotty's head stone. "Now you are a real police officer Scotty." He whispered.
He headed back to the car and Hutch who was waiting for him. His step was a bit lighter, he gave a finally look back before he got in the car.
THE END