REALITY 
                                                                                       BY TOOKI

                                                                                                            

                                                                                     CHAPTER ONE


“Choke up on the bat Davy,” Starsky yelled to 15 year old Davy Hutchinson.
Davy did as he was told and hit the ball out of reach of the last player in the field. “HOME RUN,” Hutch roared as he jumped to his feet.
Starsky and Hutch high fived each other and then cheered Davy when he crossed home plate.
Susan stood beaming proudly at her son. It was a miracle he was even able to play ball let alone hit a home run. They had come along way in just two years. With two broken legs he had received from being hit by a car it had taken a lot of physical therapy to get him to the point he was now. He still had a slight limp when he was tired and he had to keep his legs exercised but other than that he was thankfully living a normal life. She had been fearful of his kidneys also, one of which he lost and the other that Starsky had given up in order for Davy to live. All their lives had been turned up side down that faithful day.
Susan watched as two of the men in her life did a little dance on the bleachers, she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Mom,” Jesse breezed past her mother with out further conversation, the young woman preceded to the stands where she demanded on being caught up on all the action.
Susan looked after her daughter longingly wondering how Jesse had been able to forgive Starsky but not her. It had been two years since everybody had found out that Davy was actually Starsky’s son and not Hutch’s. The accident had sealed all their fates. Jesse was barely cordial, the tight mother-daughter bond they had once had was all but lost.
Jesse who was now twenty-three and living with her best friend Cassie rarely would visit her mother unless it was to drop her brother off at the tiny two bedroom apartment Susan had moved into after things had come to light. Starsky had wanted her to move in with him but Susan couldn’t do that to her family, especially Jesse. She said she needed time and now that two years had passed Starsky had given up asking her to move in with him or even to go out. Susan always came up with an excuse as to why they couldn’t be together.



One night nearly a year ago his frustration had come to a head when he had dropped over to see if she would go out to dinner with him. “For Christ sakes Susan it’s just dinner.”
“I know that,” she yelled at him and then dissolved into tears.
Instantly Starsky’s anger was gone and he was holding her in his arms. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He has softly smoothing her hair.
“I-I’m sorry. I know I promised you that we would be together once things had gotten back to normal.” Susan sobbed on his shoulder.
“Its Jesse isn’t it?’
Susan nodded without speaking.
“She is going to come around.” Starsky said.
“That is easy for you to say,” Susan said looking up at him. “She has forgiven you.”
“I don’t know if I would say that.”
“I would, Jesse hardly speaks to me. She drops Davy off and stays in the car. If I go out to talk to her she grunts one syllable words at me. I bet she hasn’t said a complete sentence to me since we were in the hospital with Davy two years ago.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“No,” Susan grabbed him and said quickly fearing it would only make things worse and perhaps make Jesse mad at Starsky again. “I guess I’m the evil one.”
“Yeah you seduced me.” Starsky teased.
Susan smiled up at him. “You are rotten you know that?”
“Okay if you won’t go out with me than at least let’s order something in. I miss you,” he said looking longingly into her eyes. “I saw more of you when nobody knew.”
Susan sighed and released him. “I know, alright dinner here.”
Starsky smiled and grabbed the phone. “Pizza or pizza?” he asked her.
“I guess we are having pizza since that is the only place close that delivers.”
“You should have moved to a better delivery area.” Starsky teased her again.
“That is always what you want to consider when finding a place. Forget the crime rate or how good the schools are.” Susan said flopping down on the couch to wait for their pizza.
Starsky joined her, his mood turned serious. “Have you heard anything about the divorce yet? It’s been a year.”
The smile slid from Susan’s face. “The papers are over there on the desk. I haven’t signed them yet.”



A year later the papers still remained on Susan’s desk unsigned. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to sign them. Hutch never pressured her but Starsky on the other hand had asked her daily for months until he had finally given up. Susan always has some excuse as to why she couldn’t sign them at that moment.
“Mom did you see that?” Davy yelled at her through the fence.
“I saw kiddo that was great! We will have to celebrate after the game.” Susan told her son.
“Cool mom, can everybody go?”
“Sure thing,” Susan said not wanting to rain on her son’s day. She wondered what Jesse would say. Susan slowly made her way over to the bleachers and climbed up until she reached where her family was sitting. “Davy wants us all to go out to dinner to celebrate.”
“No problem,” Hutch smiled at her.
“I don’t have any plans,” Starsky chimed in.
“Cassie and I are going to a movie.” Jesse said without looking her mother’s way.
“Invite Cassie to come with us then you can go to your movie later.” Susan begged, “It’s not for me it’s for Davy, please?”
Jesse rolled her eyes; Hutch shot his daughter a look, “Ok fine!” She huffed getting up, “I have to call Cassie, where are we going?”
“Why don’t you ask your brother?” Susan snapped at her daughter as she made her way back down the bleachers. She was getting tired of trying with her daughter. Susan didn’t bother to look back she went to where she had been standing.

“Jesse,” Hutch asked. “Would it kill you to be nice to your mother?”
“Yes it would, I’m never going to forgive her.”
“I did, it’s time for you to let go.”
“I’m not going to discuss this here.” She said, “I came here to watch my brother play ball. I have to call Cassie and change our plans now.” She hopped off the end of the bleachers.
Starsky got up and followed her, before Jesse had time to dial Cassie’s number he grabbed her by the arm. “What is up with you?”
She jerked her arm from his grasp. “I’m making a phone call.”
“That is not what I’m talking about and you know it.”
“Like I just told Dad I’m not talking about this right now.” Jesse said glaring at him.
“You said you will never forgive Susan then why did you forgive me?” Starsky wanted to know.
“Who said I forgave you?”
“You sure treat me much nicer than you do your mother.”
Jesse shrugged, “You saved my brother.”
Starsky stared at her. “But Susan is your mother, she needs you.”
“She needs YOU or at least I thought she did. Looks like we are all screwed now. I don’t think she needs anybody.” Jesse replied as she turned on her heels and walked away. Then she tossed over her shoulder. “Hey tell Davy I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.”
“Jesse,” Starsky called after her. “JESS!” Starsky stood there thinking about what Jesse had said. It struck a cord in him that he didn’t like. They could finally be free to see each other if Susan would just sign the papers. Hutch had all but given them his blessing saying what ever made them happy.
“What happened?” Susan wanted to know as she watched her daughter get into her car.
“I guess I picked the wrong time to have it out with Jesse,” Starsky said casting Susan a sideways glance. He knew she would probably be mad that Jesse wouldn’t be joining them.
Knowing what he was thinking she put her arm around his shoulder. “It’s alright; I wasn’t really looking forward to an evening with Jesse shooting me dirty looks across the table anyway.”
Hutch joined them; Susan dropped her arm from Starsky’s shoulder and put some distance between them. Both men noticed the move but neither of them said anything. “Jesse take off.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“I’ll think of something to tell Davy,” Susan offered.
“I really don’t think that is necessary. He’s not a child anymore Susan he knows the score these days.” Hutch answered, he watched his daughter pull out of the parking lot leaving a cloud of dust behind. He could even feel a distance forming between the two of them these days. He felt Jesse was angry at him for not standing up and taking his family back. Hutch glanced at Susan and wondered if he asked her to come back if she would.



                                                                           CHAPTER TWO


It was nearly two a.m. when Hutch pulled back into the parking lot of the ball field. Davy was asleep in the back seat leaning heavily on Susan; Starsky was in the front with him. They had decided instead of taking all the cars they would just go in one.
Starsky got out and headed to his car. Susan carefully slid out from under her sleeping son allowing him to lie in the seat. He curled into a ball and mumbled something that only a mother could understand. “I love you too kiddo.”
Hutch got out of the drivers side and walked Susan to her car. “Nice time.” He said then looked up at the sky, “Nice night too.”
“Yeah,” Susan said looking up also.
Hutch leaned on her car; he wasn’t ready for the night to end. It had been along time since they had spent an evening out even though they had Davy and Starsky with them. “I miss you.” He said softly still looking up.
“I miss you too.” Susan said looking at him. “I miss this.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, you know you can.”
“Why haven’t you signed the papers?” Hutch asked tearing his gaze from the night sky to look at her. He was surprised to find her staring back at him.
Her eyes dropped to the ground. “I-I don’t know. I have started to a dozen times but every time I pick up a pen my hand starts shaking and I just can’t do it.”
“Do you still love me?” Hutch asked.
“Yes,” She said simply. “But do not trust to hope.”
“You need to sign the papers Susan,” Hutch said, his heart breaking. “We can’t keep our lives on hold forever.”
“Have you met somebody?” She asked wondering if he wanted to be free.
“No and I’m not looking.” Hutch said. “I’m just not interested.”
“You will be someday,” She said as she covered his hand with hers.
“I don’t think so.” Hutch answered softly.
“How could everything have gotten so screwed up,” Susan said tears in her voice. “I have ruined everybody’s life.”
Hutch pulled her into his arms, “You need to sign the papers and get on with your life, Starsky has waited a long time for you.”
“How can you be okay with all this?”
“I’m not; I have just learned to live with it.” Hutch said, he put his hand under her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. “You know it’s funny I now know how Starsky has felt all these years.”
“Nobody should have to feel that way.” Susan said staring into his eyes. She reached up and pulled his face toward her and kissed his lips.
His embrace tightened on her and their kiss became more passionate. Suddenly he gently pushed her away. “I can’t do this.”
“I’m sorry,” Susan stumbled backward horrified at what she had just done. “I shouldn’t have done that.” She pulled her keys from her purse and unlocked her car door. “I’ll sign the papers and put them in the mail in morning.” She got in the car and drove off leaving Hutch to stare after her.
Hutch had wanted to tell her not too, for once the papers were signed there was no hope. She would then be gone from his life for real. He headed back to the car and his sleeping son. Susan had made no attempt to take Davy from him. He had been thankful for that. He had to wonder that if Starsky and Susan got married if they would want Davy after all he was their son. He dreaded thinking of that day but he knew once again he wouldn’t fight them on it either.

Susan was still in tears when she arrived home, she immediately went to her desk and pulled out the divorce papers that had been stashed there for so long. She grabbed a pen and quickly signed them before she could change her mind. She stumbled to bed and cried herself to sleep.
The next morning she saw the envelope sealed lying on the table next to the door ready to be mailed. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands then held it to her chest. Susan knew that once she stuck it in the mail box everything would change instantly. She would no longer be able to keep Starsky at arms length; she wasn’t even sure why she wanted to. She was hurting the only two men she had ever loved. She didn’t deserve either one of them.

Starsky hadn’t been unaware of the looks that had being past between Hutch and Susan last night. He had been reluctant to leave them in the parking lot. He knew exactly how Hutch was feeling but what worried him was how Susan was feeling. She had been distant, he hadn’t expected her to fall in to his arms the moment she moved out of the Hutchinson home but they were barely seeing each other. If she wanted to go back to Hutch then so be it but he needed some answers.
He stood out side her door for a long time before he finally knocked. When Susan answered the door he could tell she had been crying. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” She sniffed embarrassed at being caught crying. “Just one of those mornings ya know?”
“No actually I don’t know you don’t exactly talk to me anymore.” Starsky said shutting the door. He instantly noticed the letter lying on the table. “Did something happen last night?”
Susan shrugged as she led him into the living room and sat down. She sighed heavily then said, “I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot again so I’m just going to tell you. I kissed Hutch last night.”
Starsky looked at his hands; he was not surprised by her admission. “Why?”
She gave a short laugh, “I don’t know. We were standing in the parking lot, the stars were out it was a perfect night…”
“So you kissed him?”
“I don’t have to tell you how much history there is, you have lived though it.”
“I thought it was over between you and Hutch, at least on your side. But I just don’t know what to think anymore.” Starsky said, once the words started they just poured out of him. “We are never together; you hardly talk to me except for the every day stuff. We were more of a couple when you and Hutch were still together. I think you are just using Jess as an excuse not to get close to me. If you don’t want me around then just say the word.”
Susan leaned back in the chair, “Do you know how confusing this all is?”
“I can’t even believe you are asking me that.” Starsky said is voice rising. “I have known Hutch longer than you have, he has been my best friend forever and by the grace of God I think we still are why I don’t know. He should have kicked my ass.”
“Baby I know it’s hard, it’s hard on all of us.”
“But it doesn’t have to be. All of us need to move on. We can’t until you sign those damn papers. You have had them two years now. They do nothing but sit and collect dust. Do you really think you are being fair to Hutch hanging on to him like that?”
“I signed them last night.” Susan said softly. “I’ll mail them today.”
“And then what?”
“What do you mean?”
“What happens to us?” Starsky asked. “Will we finally be a couple or are you still going to hold me at arms length?”
“Starsky I really need to get to work.” Susan said getting up.
“And how is that?” he snapped at her. “Do you enjoying sitting behind a desk day in and day out, what a waste of a good cop.”
“I’m going to be late,” Susan said as she picked up her purse. She turned and looked at him before going out the door. “I do love you, you know.”
Starsky didn’t reply as she closed the door. He got up going to the table where the envelope was lying; she was going to mail it. “Yeah right” he thought to himself. He picked up the letter and tucked it inside his jacket. If she didn’t have the guts to do it then he would do it for her.

Starsky pulled up in front of the house and honked the horn. Hutch came dashing out pulling on his jacket. It was unusual for Hutch to be the late one. “Sorry,” Hutch said as he jumped into the red Torino. “Davy was having a hard time getting up this morning, too late of a night.”
“For all of us,” Starsky said with no humor in his voice. He glanced at Hutch wondering if he would tell him what had transpired between him and Susan the night before.
“You alright pal?” Hutch asked noticing that the normally cheerful Starsky was rather sullen.
Without speaking Starsky pulled the envelope from his jacket and handed it to Hutch.
“What’s this?” Hutch asked as he read the mailing address. “She signed it.”
“Finally,” Starsky said as he pulled away from the curb. “How do you feel about that?”
“I told her to last night.”
“You did?”
“It is time to move on for all of us.” Hutch answered then asked, “Did she give this to you to mail.”
Starsky hesitated for a moment then shook his head. “She told me she was going to mail it then left it lying on the table by the door. I picked it up.” He held his breath waiting for Hutch’s reaction.
It came quickly, “Then I guess we need to mail it for her don’t we?”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“You were going to.”
“Yeah but…”
“Let’s stop at the post office on our way to work uh?”

When the partners finally rolled into the station Dobey was waiting for them at their desks. “You two are late!”
“Sorry Cap, my fault,” Hutch said. “What’s up?”
“We have a kidnap case I would like your full attention on.” Dobey said handing them a file. “The daughter of the commissioner is missing.”
“When did this happen?” Starsky asked taking the file from Dobey.
“He’s not really sure. There was a ransom note waiting in his mail box when he got up this morning. His daughter is twenty-three and living on her own.”
The information instantly struck a cord with both the detectives. She was the same age as Jesse. “What is the ransom demand?”
“They want a million by midnight tonight and they say they will kill her if it’s not there.” Dobey said, “It’s all there in the report.”
Starsky opened the file and Hutch read over his shoulder. Deb Taylor was a twenty-three year old law student. A photo showed she was a beautiful blonde with crisp blue eyes that showed spirit even in the photo. She had last been heard from three nights ago when she had dinner with her parents at their home. Then nothing until the ransom note arrived at the house early that morning. A black and white had been sent to the girl’s apartment to make sure it wasn’t a hoax. It was apparent by the condition of the apartment that she had put up a good struggle.
“How about if we check out the apartment,” Hutch suggested.
“It’s already been gone over but it sure couldn’t hurt.” Starsky said. He found the girl’s address on the report and they headed out.


                                                                                   CHAPTER THREE


Jesse Hutchinson was just coming out of her apartment when two men approached her. She wasn’t worried as they were both dressed in nice suits. She nodded a greeting to them and preceded to her car, it wasn’t until she felt the jolt of a taser that she knew she was in trouble. But she didn’t have time to react as she fell unconscious to the ground.
Rosie Dobey, the Captain’s daughter had just arrived at her high school where she taught English when she was also approached by two men, one of which hit her with a taser, Rosie went down without even knowing what had happened to her. The two men picked her up leaving her book bag and purse on the sidewalk.
Cally Anderson, daughter of the desk chief Allen Anderson was coming out of an office building where she was a legal secretary going to get a quit lunch when a van pulled up next to her. Two men again in suits stunned her with a taser and dragged her into the van.


Hutch and Starsky had just entered the squad room; they had checked out Deb Anderson’s apartment finding nothing that the officers before them hadn’t found, which wasn’t much. Dobey’s face was pale and he had a note in his hand.
Both detectives went to his side. “Another note from Deb’s kidnappers?” Hutch asked.
Dobey shook his head and handed the note to them. The note read: A million dollars by midnight or Rosie Dobey dies.
“What the hell,” Starsky exclaimed as he read the note. “Where was she taken?”
Dobey answered, “Outside her school this morning. One of her fellow teachers found her things lying on the side walk.”
“And you are just now finding this out? It’s nearly two.” Hutch said.
“I don’t know why this teacher didn’t call it in. I’m not sure of anything at this point.”
“Don’t worry Cap we will get Rosie back.” Hutch assured him.
“I don’t have a million dollars,” Dobey said almost beside himself. He turned distractedly. “I have to call Edith.”
As the detective started to leave the squad room Hutch grabbed Starsky’s arm. “Jesse.”
Starsky’s brow furrowed, “You don’t think somebody would kidnap her do you?”
“I don’t like the pattern I’m seeing, first the commissioner’s daughter, now Dobey’s?” Hutch went back to his desk and picked up the phone. He tried Jesse’s apartment knowing she probably wouldn’t be there. Then he tried the book store where she was working, he was told that it was her off day. He looked at Starsky helplessly. “I have got to find her.”
“We will, where does Cassie work? Maybe she knows where she is or even Davy.” Starsky suggested.
“I want Davy in protective custody until we find out what is going on.” Hutch said.
“I’ll make a call and get a squad car to his school and have him picked up.” Starsky said. “You need to go tell Susan what is going on.”
Hutch nodded and dashed to catch the elevator. He found Susan typing a report; she was back in uniform and working in Police Chief’s office.
Susan looked up surprised to see Hutch standing before her. She could tell by the expression on his face that something was wrong. “What is it?” She asked getting to her feet. Their family had been through enough tragedy to last a life time.
Hutch began slowly telling Susan first about the commissioner’s daughter and then about Rosie. Horror dawned on her face when she realized why Hutch was there. “Jesse?”
“I can’t find her at the moment. I called her apartment and then work, she is off today.” Hutch answered her.
“I’ll get an APB out on her car.” Susan said picking up the phone. After making the call Susan grabbed her purse and scribbled a quick note as to where she was going.
As she and Hutch were about to leave the office Chief Anderson entered he held a note in his shaking hand. His face was ghost white, “Somebody has taken her.” He said in a quivering voice.
“Who?” Hutch asked.
“Cally, my daughter and the kidnappers are demanding a million dollars delivered tonight.” He said handing the note to Hutch.
“Christ,” Hutch exclaimed and quickly explained about the other two kidnappings and their fears for their own daughter. “I think we need to let everybody know who have children that they might be in danger.”
Chief Anderson nodded. “I’ll get on it. Hutch, find my daughter.”
“Try not to worry, we will do our best.”

Hutch and Susan met up with Starsky in the parking lot. “A black and white just picked up Davy.” Starsky informed them. “They are bringing him here.”
“Thank god,” Susan breathed a sigh of relief. So far no male children had been kidnapped but there was always a first. “We will check back in here when we track down Jesse. We can talk to him then.”
“I’ll take Jesse’s apartment, why don’t you head to our house Starsk. Who knows maybe she is there.” Hutch said pulling his keys out of his pocket. Susan stood looking at both of them unsure of whom to go with. They hadn’t done any police work together for two years.
Sensing Susan’s dilemma Starsky said, “Why don’t you go with Hutch we will meet back here.”


“I don’t know what I’m going to do if something has happened to her,” Susan fretted.
Hutch reached over and put his hand over hers, “She is fine.” Hutch said but the feeling in his gut didn’t tell him what his words were telling Susan.
When they reached the apartment building where Jesse and Cassie shared an apartment they saw Cassie running down the sidewalk. Susan sprung from the car and ran to a clearly upset Cassie. “What’s wrong?” But Susan didn’t even need to ask. Cassie clung to a note that looked identical to the one that Chief Anderson had.
“My God somebody has Jesse.” Cassie said tears coursing down her face.
Susan grabbed the note from her. “Get in the car Cassie; we are taking you down to headquarters. Where did you find this?”
“It was taped to the door.” She answered.
“MO is different in this one.”
“MO? This one? What are you talking about?” Cassie wailed more scared than she had been before.
“Hutch,” Susan called to him, “Get the crime lab out here. You got any evidence bags in the car before this note gets anymore prints on it?”
Hutch ran up a bag in his hand, “The bastards have Jess don’t they?”
“Looks that way,” Susan said she was thankful that her cop instincts had taken over or she would have fallen apart.”
“Come on Cassie,” Hutch said putting his arm around the girl’s shoulders. “Why don’t you sit in the car until we can get this check out okay?”
Cassie nodded numbly and followed Hutch to the car. “Mr. H what is going on?”
“We aren’t exactly sure hon, Jesse is just one of four cops kids that were snatched today.” Hutch said. “You lock the car doors until Susan and I get back.”

Hutch found Susan inspecting the apartment door. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah I’m fine. Where is that damn crime lab?”
He smiled at her, “Nice to have you back.”
“Well our daughter being kidnapped is not the way I wanted to come back,” Susan said grimly then gave him a small smile. “But thanks.”
“I better call Starsky and let him know Jesse has been taken.”
“He is going to go ballistic.” Susan said, “You got some gloves on you?”
Hutch handed a pair to her, “Grabbed them when I got the bag.”
Susan slipped them on and grasped the door knob it was locked, “Has Cassie been in here yet?”
“I don’t know.” Hutch answer, “But if I was to take a guess I would say she read the note then left with out going in.”
“Why don’t you go ask her.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“Are we back to this again?” Susan shook her head. “I haven’t been off the streets that long I can handle myself.”
“With what?” Hutch asked knowing her gun was at home locked in a box sitting on the closet shelf.
Susan’s hand when to her side, “Crap.”
“Let’s just let the crime lab handle this.” Hutch said, “My gut is telling me they didn’t take her in the apartment.”

Starsky met them at the station; Susan took Cassie to the squad room while Hutch filled his partner in. Davy was sitting at Hutch’s desk when Susan and Cassie walked into the room. He jumped up running to his mom. “What is going on mom?” He asked. “Where is Jess?”
“Honey she was kidnapped,” Susan started to explain him. “Didn’t Captain Dobey explain anything to you?”
“He just said that you were going to check on her.” Davy said his forehead crease with worry. Since his accident he and his sister had become very close.

All the notes had been through the lab and were now pinned to a board. Dobey, the commissioner, Chief Anderson and the Hutchinson’s were staring at them. Starsky was on the phone to Huggy to see if there was any word on the street about the kidnappings.
“They are all identical, as if they were written all at the same time.” Hutch said. “And no prints on them. Who ever is doing this is good.”
“What do we have in common?” Susan asked. “We are all different levels with in the police force.”
“And they got two for one with Jesse?” Starsky observed.
“What do you mean?” Hutch asked.
“Well they have the commissioner’s daughter, a Chief’s daughter, a Captain’s daughter, a detective’s daughter, and a uniformed officer’s daughter. Jess is a two for one.”
“Do you think who ever took them knows that?” Susan said a chill running up her spine thinking they could be looking for a fifth girl.
“Everybody has been warned to keep and eye on their kids, no matter how old.” Dobey said.
“Depends on why they were taken. Was it random or planned like it seems?” Commissioner Taylor asked.
“What cases would you all have in common?” Davy asked he had been sitting at Hutch’s desk studying the board containing the notes.
“Good thinking Davy,” Chief Anderson said. “What kind of cases are you detectives working on? That would be the most obvious place to start. None of the rest of us are out on the streets.”
“Bigger question is where do we get four million dollars by midnight?” Susan said.


                                                                                CHAPTER FOUR


Jesse struggled against the ropes that bound her hands and she had tape across her mouth. There were two other girls in the room with her. They were locked in a small office with the windows painted black. It was dark in the room except for a small lamp that was sitting on a desk in the corner. There were four chairs in the room, only one remained empty.
“Let me go,” Said a voice out in the hall. The door to the room open and a man drug a young woman in.
“Sit down and shut up,” he growled at her. Then he tied her hands behind her and taped her mouth shut.
After he left Jesse glance over at the new arrival her eyes went wide as did the other woman’s, when they recognized each other, the new addition was Rosie Dobey.
Jesse struggled to get the tape from her mouth she wanted to talk to Rosie finally she caught the corner of the tape on the collar of her blouse and ripped it off. She grimaced as a layer of skin came off with it but at least it was off. “Rosie.” Jesse whispered to her. They didn’t know each other well only seeing each other occasionally when they were younger at get togethers. Jesse had still recognized her immediately.
Rosie’s eyes were terrified as tried to get her tape off in the same manner as Jesse had. Finally after much effort she ripped hers off also. This spurred the other two girls to work on theirs. “Jesse Hutchinson?”
“Yep it’s me,” Jesse said in a low voice. She had no idea if the men that had grabbed them were still around or not. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know those two goons grabbed me as I was going into work this morning.” Rosie informed her.
Callie was the next to get her tape off. “You two know each other?”
“Yeah Rosie’s dad is my dad and mom’s captain.” Jesse said.
“Captain? Like police captain?”
“Yes they work for the Bay City Police Department.”
“My dad is the Chief over that precinct.” Callie said surprised. All three girls looked over at the fourth young woman who had just pulled her tape off. “How about you?”
“My dad is the Commissioner.” Deb answered.
“What is going on here?” Jesse asked.

It was nearly 8 p.m. and they were no closer to figuring out the connection. Hutch paced the squad room racking his brain trying to think if there had been an arrest gone wrong lately. Starsky didn’t have any luck with Huggy. Who ever had done the kidnapping kept it quiet or maybe they hired out of state help.
Davy was curled up on the couch in Dobey’s office along with Cassie. The detectives were afraid to let them out of their sight. They had held their collective breaths waiting for another girl to be kidnapped but the kidnappers seemed to have who they wanted.
Officer Callen opened the squad room door, “Hutch there is a call on line two you might want to take it.”
Hutch grabbed the phone and punched the line. “Hutchinson.”
“Midnight,” Said a machine altered voice.
“Where?”
“You’ll get another call.”
“We know you have four girls.”
“Aren’t you the rocket scientist?” the voice said. “No discounts, a million each.”
“We can’t raise that kind of money this fast.” Hutch said trying to keep him on the line so that it could be traced.
“Then you will start finding dead cop daughters on your door step.” There was a click.
“Did you get it?” Hutch yelled.
“Yeah, it’s a payphone.” Callen said handing Hutch a piece of paper with the address of the phone.
“Let’s roll Starsk,” Hutch said tugging on his partner’s jacket. Susan started to follow them. “You are staying, no argument.”
Susan glared at him but stayed where she was. Dobey but his hand on her shoulder, “Let’s us keep digging. There has got to be some connection.”
Jack Callen stood in the hall watching the goings on in the squad room. He had just given Starsky and Hutch wrong information, when they arrived at the address he had given them they wouldn’t find a pay phone there. Just who did they think they all were, denying him the promotion he had deserved? They said it had been because of his anger management issues that he hadn’t gotten the promotion. He had put in a lot of hours to be promoted to detective. They were all going to pay one way or another. It was either going to be money or their daughters lives. Personally he would rather have the money but getting even with them by killing their children was almost as good.

“Are you sure we got the right address?” Starsky said squinting at what was written on the paper.
“Right place, no phone.” Hutch said looking around. “Maybe Callen transposed the numbers or something. Let’s drive and see if there are any pay phones on these two streets.
After wasting thirty minutes they came to the realization that they had been misdirected. “Could have been a glitch in the system.” Starsky said.
“Or a glitch in Callen.”
“What?”
“Don’t you remember him?” Hutch asked as Starsky pointed the car in the direction of the station.
“Callen, Callen,” Starsky repeated running the man’s name over in his head.
“He was the one that went ballistic and just about beat a witness unconscious. He was on administrative leave for three months and wasn’t allowed back until he had anger counseling.”
Starsky screwed up his face, “Happened last year right?”
“Yeah.”
“I remember that now, didn’t he go off again earlier this year when he was denied making detective?”
“Same guy, he is a piece of work.” Hutch said, “Gives good cops a bad name.”
“You don’t think…” Starsky left the sentence hanging.
“I don’t know but we sure the hell are going to find out.” Hutch said picking up the mic. “This is zebra three patch me through to my desk phone.”

Susan grabbed the phone as soon as it rang. “Carlston.”
“Is Jack Callen still hanging around?” Hutch asked.
“I think I saw him out in the hall a moment ago.” Susan said, “Did you find anything at the phone booth?”
“Yeah that it’s not there.” Hutch said. “Can you some how get a hold of Callen with out looking suspicious and make sure he sticks around until we get there?”
“Why?”
“Just do IT!” Hutch ordered. “We will be there as fast as we can.”
Susan put the phone down and looked around the room, then went out into the all. Jack Callen was no where to be found. She poked her head into another room asking about Callen but nobody had seen him. Susan decided to see if he had perhaps gone to the cafeteria. She could use a cup of coffee anyway. The room was full and she scanned every table but didn’t see the officer she was looking for. As she was paying for her coffee she asked the woman at the cash register if she knew him.
“Yeah I know him,” Kate said. “What a bastard.”
“Oh?”
“I dated him for like fifteen minutes.” She elaborated. “He slapped me on our first date; I never spoke to him again.”
“Sounds like a great guy,” Susan said sarcastically.
“That Freddie isn’t much better no wonder he is the only one that will hang out with Jack.” Kate dropped change in Susan’s hand.
“Freddie?”
“Yeah Freddie Sanders, he works the same sift as Jack use to be his partner until that incident a couple of years ago. Freddie and Jack aren’t allowed to ride together.”
“For somebody that only dated the guy once you sure do know a lot about him.” Susan said
The woman sighed, “Ok I’m a glutton for punishment, and we actually dated for a few months. You know that old story he smacks me, apologizes and then like a dummy I believe him and we go out again,” Kate blushed. “I didn’t mean to lie, it’s just embarrassing.”
“Don’t worry about it, we all make mistakes.” Susan said. She thought of the divorce papers she had signed the night before. She was glad that she hadn’t mailed them on her way to work. Susan dropped the coffee in the trash container as she exited the cafeteria.
When Susan arrived back at the squad room Hutch and Starsky were talking to Dobey, Taylor and Anderson. “Where were you?” Hutch asked the moment the she opened the door.
“Looking for Callen like you asked.” Susan answered.
“You find him.”
She shook her head.
“Now that Carlston is here would you please fill us in,” Dobey growled at them.
“Jack Callen gave us a phony address, have any of you had direct contact with him?” Hutch asked. “I testified against him in his assault case two years ago.
Chief Anderson nodded, “Yes, I turned him down earlier this year when he wanted to be promoted to detective. Hell I didn’t even want him on the force but since he willingly took that anger management course I had no choice but to keep him on. But I didn’t have to promote him. He was very angry.”
“He came to me,” Commissioner Taylor interjected. “He wanted me to over ride Allen’s decision. When I didn’t he threaten me and I had to have him escorted out of my office.”
“And I refused to let him in my squad.” Dobey said.
“It looks like we have our connection.” Starsky said. “There is no way he could do all this by himself. All the girls were taken in too short of a time period and I’m betting if we check we will find out he was here. So who are his friends?”
“How about Freddie Sanders,” Susan answered. She quickly explained her conversation with Kate in the cafeteria.
“He’s a trouble maker too. He was in on the civilian beating with Callen. Nobody ever saw him throw a punch but he never stepped in to stop Callen either.”
“Ok we have two is there anybody else?” Hutch asked.
“Maybe we should check the records and see if there are any other disgruntled cops or ex cops that are pissed off enough to help Callen.” Starsky suggested.
The Commissioner picked up the phone, “Sir if I might make a suggestion,” Susan said, “I think we need to do this ourselves. He might have ears in the department; we don’t want him to know what we are up too.”
“Smart thinking Carlston,” he said to her. “I guess it’s up to us to save our children.


                                                                          CHAPTER FIVE


The door to the room banged open all four women jumped. A man came in dressed in a police uniform. Jesse was the first one to speak, “Oh thank god you found us.”
“Can it sugar,” he snapped at her.
“I know you,” Jesse said to him. She has spent enough time at the station that she had gotten to know many of the officers.
“Shut your trap.”
“Let us go,” Jesse demanded she realized he was not there to save them.
“Christ don’t you know what shut up means?” Callen yelled at her. “I’ll just kill you now and put both of us out of our misery.”
“Listen to him Jess,” Rosie begged.
“Yeah listen to me Jess,” He mocked Rosie. “You privileged rich girl’s geez.”
“Rich? What the hell makes you think any of us are rich? You are a cop you know what a cop makes.” Jesse said incredulously.
“Well her dad is rich,” Callen pointed at Deb Taylor. “He’s good for the million.”
Deb cringed, “Not a million dollars rich.”
“You are full of it; I know how much your daddy is worth. He married some rich little socialite, he could have that money with the snap of his fingers and you know it.” Callen snapped his fingers as if to prove his point.
“A million, you are asking a million dollars for us?” Callie Anderson asked.
“Yeah sweet thing a million each.”
“What? My dad doesn’t have that kind of money,” Callie cried. They were barely scraping by as it was. Her dad made good money but her mother who had died six months ago of cancer had nearly depilated their savings.
“My dad doesn’t have that kind of cash either.” Rosie said horrified.
“Then it looks like only one of you will be going home.” He snarled at them.
“You don’t have the balls.” Jesse snapped at him.
“Honey sounds like you have the balls for all of us.” Callen laughed. “You are a tough bitch just like your mother.”
“My mother is not a bitch, she is a good cop.”
“Yeah so damn good that she was making it with her partner while married to your dad.” He squinted at her evilly.
“You are a bastard,” Jesse said with hate in her voice.
“So I have been told.
The door opened and another police officer entered the room. It was Freddie Sanders just as the detectives had deducted. “It’s almost time.” Freddie said to Jack Callen.
“Time for what?” Jesse demanded to know.
“Don’t worry about it sweet thing.” Callen leered at her.
“You sure they will be found before its too late right?”
“Sure sure,” Callen said, “When we get the money we will tell them where they are.”
“Even if we don’t get the money we are telling them where they are.” Sanders said. “Right? I’m not going up on murder charges.”
“I should have never brought you in on this.” Callen growled advancing on Sanders. “If you don’t have the stomach for this then why don’t you take off?”
“We’ll get the money right?”
Callen walked over to Callie and pinched her face between his fingers, “Wouldn’t you pay for this face?”
The door opened a third time, this man Jesse didn’t know. She wondered if he was a cop also. He was carrying a gym bag with him. “You guys about ready?”
“Yeah, I’m going to make the call you two get the girls ready.” Callen said as he left the room.
“R-ready for what?” Rosie stammered.
The new man tossed the bag on the floor, unzipped it and pulled out four pairs of handcuffs and leg irons. He handed two sets to Sanders. “Don’t chain them together yet. Too hard for them walk and we are going to have to move quickly.
Jesse gave Rosie a worried look as the man bent to snap the cuffs around her wrists. “Come on you aren’t like Callen, let us go.”
“Like Callen?” Sanders said from across the room where he was putting cuffs on Deb. “If you mean screwed over by the police department then yes I have been.”
“How is kidnapping us going to help your cause?” Jesse said “If you were done wrong then going through the right channels is the way to do it.”
“What the hell are you a lawyer?” the unnamed man asked. “Shut up.”
Jesse fell silent; she looked at the other three girl’s terror written on their faces. At the moment Jesse was too furious to be scared, and she knew that her parents and Starsky would be looking for them. They had to know that they were all missing if there had been a ransom demand.
“Ok on your feet,” The door had opened and Jack Callen stood there, he had a set of car keys in his hand. “It’s dark lets get them down to the van. Tape their mouths we don’t want anybody screaming.” They were in a deserted area but there was no telling who could be snooping around and might hear one of the girls scream.
Sanders jerked Callie and Deb to their feet. “Move it,” he said to them as the other man got Rosie and Jesse to their feet.
“Where are you taking us?” Deb asked.
“Somewhere that they will only find you if we tell them where you are.” Callen said. “And if they don’t come through with the money then I guess the fish will get a sweet treat.”
A shiver of fear ran through Jesse.

When the second call came in Starsky pounced on the phone. “Starsky.”
“Ok you ready?” the altered voice asked. “I’m going giving these instructions once.”
Starsky motioned for a paper and something to write with. “Ok shoot.”
“Four million dollars in a black back pack.”
“Ok, where?”
“There is a dumpster behind the Pits, you know it?”
Starsky’s eyes widen and he looked up at Hutch, he wrote down the information then held it up so Hutch could see what he had written.
Hutch’s brow furrowed and he moved to a desk across the room and picked up the telephone.
“Any thing else?”
“By midnight, after you drop the bag and when we are safely away and the money has been counted then we will tell you where the girls are. Any funny business they are dead, the money isn’t all there they are dead, anybody tries to catch us or follow us they are dead.” The caller was gone.
“Sorry,” Said the officer was that was tracing the call. “I guess they are blocking or something didn’t get a thing.
“Where are we going to get four million dollars in three hours?” Taylor asked. “I could probably come up with a million but not four, not this fast anyway.”
“Maybe we need to start calling in some favors,” Dobey said. “Let me make a phone call.”

“Pick up your damn feet,” Callen snarled at Jesse after she had fallen for the fifth time.
“It’s not easy walking in this sand?” She snapped back at him.
The beach began getting rock, it was getting even harder to walk and the three men had to almost carry the girls. “Christ are we almost there,” the nameless man croaked as he set Rosie back on her feet.
“Yeah yeah,” Callen answered. “What a bunch of babies. Hell these girls complain less than you too. See that out cropping of rocks?” He pointed up head. They could just barely make it out in the darkness.
“Yeah, is that the place?” Sanders asked sweat running down his face.
“That’s it, we will have to go out in the water but there is a cave, nobody will ever find them.”
“Out in the water?” Sanders squeaked. “I can’t swim man.”
Callen rolled his eyes. “We aren’t going that far out, ankle deep max. Well that is unless you hang around too long.”
“You can’t put us in there,” Jesse said, “That cave probably floods at high tide.”
“Very good.” Callen said. “And as long as your daddy pays up then they will find you before it floods won’t they?”
“This is all or nothing.” Jesse said. She knew now that if they wanted to live they were going to have to figure out a way to get them selves out. She knew that there was no way anybody could come up with four million that quickly.
“You are smart. Hope all those brains aren’t wasted.” Callen said as he pushed Jesse ahead of him and into the water. “Do anything stupid and I’ll just drown you here and now.”
Jesse waded through the water without any more comments. But her mind was in over drive trying to figure a way out of their predicament. Rosie stumbled into the water behind her followed by Callie and Deb.
The cave wasn’t overly large but they could all stand up inside. Callen struck a match and lit several lanterns that he had sitting around on the shelves of the cave. Toward the back he had imbedded several rings; he shoved Jesse to one of them and locked her to it. The other two men followed suit with the remaining girls. Then Callen put the leg iron’s on each girl and ran a chain through them hooking all four girls together.
He patted Jesse on the cheek, “Too bad I kind of like you.” He turned to his accomplices, “Let’s get the hell out of here.” Callen looked back a final time at the young woman chained to the wall. “Six a.m., high tide six a.m.”
Then they were all gone, thankfully leaving the lanterns. “Oh god what are we going to do?” Deb asked looking around the cave. “Nobody will ever find us in here.”


                                                                            CHAPTER SIX


“There has got to be somebody that knows something about him,” Susan said. “I can’t just stand here.” She left the squad room in search of she wasn’t sure of.
As Susan was waiting for the elevator the doors slid open and Kate emerge. Her face was tear stained and fresh tears started falling when she saw the officer. “I’m so sorry I should have been up front with you. I didn’t think that Jack would really go through with this.”
“Go through with what?” Susan asked although she had a hunch what the girl was talking about, she couldn’t have been much older than Jesse.
“Taking those girls.” Kate wailed. “He has been threatening to get even with the department for months now. I never really took him seriously. Then when I heard those girls had been taken and he didn’t pick me after my shift was over I just knew he was the one.”
“Why didn’t you tell us before this?” Susan asked.
“I was scared; I don’t want to get in trouble for any of this I had nothing to do with it.” Kate looked pleading at Susan.
“I think you need to come with me.” Susan said.
“Are you going to arrest me?” Kate whimpered.
“Not if you help us.”
“I don’t know anything, I swear it!” Kate cried. “I would help you if I could, you don’t know what that man is capable of.”
“Capable of?” Susan said her voice rising. They were standing out side the squad room doors. “He is capable of kidnapping four young women and probably leaving them to die some place while he runs off with the cash.”
“He will let them go if he gets the money.”
“You know that for sure do you?” Susan stormed at her.
Tears spilled down Kate’s cheeks as she shook her head, “He is a monster, they are probably already dead.”
“NO, don’t you say that,” Susan was almost beside herself.
Hutch and Starsky stepped out into the hall followed by their captain. Kate was nearly hysteria Susan not far behind. “What the hell is going on out here?” Hutch asked looking from one woman to the other.
“This bitch…” Susan began.
“Hold it right there,” Dobey said putting his hand on her shoulder. “Susan I want you to go home…”
“NO,” she interrupted.
“Let me finish,” Dobey ordered. “I want you to go home, take a shower, change out of your uniform, what ever it takes to get your head back in this. Then come back we need everybody.”
“I’ll take her,” Starsky offered. “Come on Susan lets get you out of here.” Grudgingly she allowed Starsky to walk her to the elevators.
Hutch put his arm around Kate’s shoulders and led her into the squad room. “Let’s talk in here,” He said kindly to her.


“Come on help me,” Jesse encouraged the girls. She had started working on the ring that Callen had screwed into the wall the moment the trio of men had left.
“There is no way you are going to dig that ring out of the rock and even if you could get one loose you can’t get us all by six a.m. and we are chained together.” Deb said hopelessness filling her.
“Instead of thinking that way why don’t you grab a rock, see if you can break one of the links chaining us together. You help her Cassie. Rosie you work on one of the other rings.” Jesse ordered. “I’m not dying with out putting up a fight nor am I going to sit here and wait for somebody to find us. I don’t think that is going to happen.”

Starsky flipped on the living room light as they entered Susan’s small apartment. They both surveyed the room as if they were expecting some type of clue as to the whereabouts about the girls. “You go get a hot shower,” Starsky said. “I’ll see if I can find something for you too eat.”
“Don’t bother I’m not hungry.” Susan said as she went into the bedroom and closed the door.
She stood in the shower allowing the hot water to pound on her head trying not to think that she might be losing her daughter. The last thing they had said to each other had been cross words, which were about all that had been said for the last two years. She had lost her daughter along time ago, along with her son and husband too. Susan turned off the water, dried herself quickly and dressed. When she opened the bedroom door Starsky was sitting on the couch staring out into space.
“Are you okay,” She asked softly. She knew this was as hard on Starsky as it was her and Hutch.
“Yeah, just racking my brain trying to see what we have missed.”
“And Huggy knows nothing, Christ the drop is in his back yard.” Susan said sitting down next to him.
“Callen probably picked there because he knew it was just another way to get at us.” Starsky said.
“Let’s get back to the station.” Susan said getting up. As they were going out the door she noticed the envelope was gone. She looked all around bending down to see if it had fallen on the floor.
“Lose something?” Starsky questioned.
“Yeah there was a letter laying here, I left it here last night.” Susan explained.
“I picked it up this morning and mailed it.” Starsky said. He didn’t tell her that Hutch was actually the one that mailed it.
“You WHAT?” Susan yelled at him. “Since when is it okay to mail other peoples letters?”
“I just thought…”
“You just thought what?” Susan stormed at him. “Do you know what that was?” She knew instantly by the look on his face that he did. “You had no RIGHT.”
“You weren’t going to do,” he said back angrily.
“So you took it upon yourself to do it? Susan asked.
“Why are you so upset? Those damn papers have been sitting on your desk for two years waiting to be signed. You FINALLY signed them; it was time they were mailed.”
“BY ME,” Susan yelled at him. “NOT YOU.”
“Susan look I’m sorry you are right.” A very hurt Starsky conceded. “I just want to be free to be with you is that so wrong?”
“I can’t think about this now.”
“You don’t ever think about it...about us.”
“Not now,” Susan said looking at him. “Are you taking me back to the station or do I need to get a cab?”

Kate was now in Dobey’s office being grilled by Hutch and Chief Anderson. Starsky leaned against the desk where Susan was sitting. Both of them were fuming. Hutch had noticed it the moment they both had walked in and refused to allow them to be part of the integration of Kate
Finally Starsky said, “How are you?”
“I’m okay; it’s just this waiting now.” Susan said. “Cap’s friend is supposed to call with in the hour to tell us if he can get that kind of money. We need to pray to god that Callen slipped up and told Kate something that we can use.”
“I just can’t believe that he can keep this so quite. There is no way that Callen and Sanders pulled this off alone. And we have check out all the disgruntled cops, ex cops, civilian employees, they are either clean or have an alibi.”
“We don’t even know where to start looking.” Susan said tears filling her eyes for the first time.
Starsky pulled her into his arms. “Look Susan I’m sorry I mailed that letter. I was wrong.”
Susan stiffened in his arms and pulled away. “I need to check on Davy and Cassie I sent them out to the vending machines for something to eat.”
Starsky watched her retreating back wondering what she was thinking. She has been so distance and the crack between them was widening as time went on.

“H-how high do you think the water will get,” Deb asked.
“Above our heads,” Rosie said.
“How do you know?” Callie asked
Rosie pointed to the wall of the cave, the lanterns gave off enough light that they could make out where the water had marked the cave. “The water will nearly fill the cave.”
Callie started crying, “We are going to die in here.”
“We have the best cops in the world looking for us,” Jesse said trying to sound strong and encouraging. But none of them were having any luck digging the rings out of the wall. The only thing they had gotten for their trouble was broken finger nails and cut up hands. Trying to break the links in the chain that bound them together was impossible too. She was certain that if Callen didn’t tell somebody where they were they would die.

Hutch pulled Starsky away to speak to him privately. They had gotten nothing from Kate except for Callen’s address which of course they already had, his apartment had been checked but it held no clues.
“What is going on with you and Susan?” Hutch asked in a whisper.
“Nothing why?” Starsky lied.
“Come on Starsk don’t lie to me. I could tell when you two came back that something was up.” Hutch said. “That was why I wouldn’t let you in the room with Kate. I was afraid Susan would go off on her again.”
“It’s nothing” Starsky said.
“Doesn’t look like nothing to me. And something tells me it has nothing to do with Jesse.”
“Hutch not now okay?”
“No it’s not okay.”
Starsky took a deep breath, “Fine if you really want to know. Susan saw that the envelope was gone and I told her I took it and mailed it. She is furious.”
“I see.” Hutch said. He walked off leaving Starsky to stare after him.

Hutch found Susan leaning against the coffee machine in the hall drinking a cup of coffee. “I heard you lost something.”
“Christ can’t Starsky keep his mouth shut about anything?” Susan said.
“I made him tell me.” Hutch said as he reached into his jacket. He pulled out the envelope and handed it to her.
Susan’s mouth dropped open, “What are you doing with it?”
“Starsky told me this morning when he picked me up that you had signed the divorce papers but hadn’t mailed them. We went by the post office; I went in to mail them…” Hutch looked into her eyes. “…but I couldn’t do it.”
Susan looked at the envelope then she folded the letter over and stuck it in her pocket. “I couldn’t mail it either. I don’t even know why I signed them last night. I guess it was because you told me too.”
“You know I love you, I always will no matter how things turn out.” Hutch said moving in closer to her.
“I love you too,” She said softly. “I’m sorry about…”
“Shhh,” Hutch said as he brought her into his arms.
Starsky’s face fell, he had been standing at the squad room door and although he couldn’t hear what they were saying the body language spoke loud and clear.


                                                                                          CHAPTER SEVEN


Callen got into his car, Freddie was shaking the sand out of his shoes, “Will you get in?” Callen yelled at him. It was getting late, nearly 11:30.
“Hey what about me?” The third man asked as he trudged up to the car.
“You lay low Pete. I’ll contact you when it’s safe.”
“The hell you will!” Pete bellowed. “You aren’t cutting me out of this deal. I took a hell of a chance for you. If I get caught I’ll be sent up for the rest of my life.”
“I said I’ll call you.”
Pete pulled a gun from his waist band he pointed it at Jack. “I want my cut.”
“You will get it,” Jack said as he slipped his gun from under his jacket. Before Peter knew what was going on Jack put a slug in his stomach.
“What the hell are you doing?” Freddie screamed. “Have you lost your mind?”
He started toward the fallen man. “Unless you want to be lying next to him I suggest you get in the damn car.” Jack warned. “We have to pick up the money and get the hell out of here.”
“And then tell them where the girls are,” Freddie said.
“That my friend isn’t in the plans.”
“They will die in that cave.”
“Get in the car!” Jack ordered.
“No,” Freddie headed away from the car back the way they had come. There was no way he was letting those girls die. He was not going to be responsible for murdering four girls.
When the shot rang out it was barely heard over the crash of the in coming tide, Freddie Sanders fell face first into the sand. Jack got into his car and sped away.

A black backpack was lying on the desk two point five million in large bills were being stuffed into it. Commissioner Tayor’s million and another one and a half million from a banker friend of Dobey’s that was all they could raise in should a short time.
Once it was packed Hutch held out his hand, “I’ll drop it.”
Dobey handed it to him. “Be careful Hutch.”
“I’m going with you.” Starsky said.
“You stay here; if Callen gives up where they girls are I want you there.” Hutch said. He patted his friend on the back. Then Hutch turned to Susan, “It’s almost over.” He put his arm around her and hugged her tightly then kissed her forehead.

Hutch arrived at Huggy’s a few minutes before midnight; he hoisted the backpack in the dumpster like he had been instructed. Then Hutch pulled his car down the alley in hopes of being able to follow Callen.
Moments later a dark figure staying close to the wall made his way to the dumpster, it was a moonless night Hutch only caught a slight moment as the lid to the dumpster was opened. He waited for what seemed like an eternity before he started his car and pulled out of the alley. As he hit the street he saw a car turning the corner a block away. Hoping it was Callen he sped after it.

“It’s midnight,” Starsky announced as if nobody else in the squad room was watching the clock.
“Dammit something is wrong,” Dobey said. “Callen should have called by now.”
“He didn’t get all his money,” Susan said a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“Get Hutchinson on the radio,” Dobey said.
Starsky picked up the phone and radioed dispatch to have them connect him up with Hutch.
“I’m sorry Detective Starsky; Detective Hutchinson isn’t answering his radio.”
“I’m going after Hutch,” Starsky said as he ran toward the doors, “He isn’t picking up.”

Callen glanced up in his rearview mirror to see a car following him. He sped up to see if the car behind him would follow suit, which it did. He unzipped the backpack to revel the money, Callen didn’t know if it was all there but it looked as if there was enough there for him to get a new start some place else. He pressed harder on the gas pedal he was too close to having everything he wanted to get caught now.
Hutch knew he had been made the moment that Callen sped up. He gave up the pretense of just being a car on the street and closed the distance between him and Callen’s car.
The accident happened so quickly that it caught both Hutch and Callen off guard. Instead of watching the road Callen was staring in the rear view mirror and he stepped harder on the gas. He didn’t see the red light or the semi truck speeding through the intersection until was too late to stop. The truck broad sided Callen’s car killing his instantly.
Hutch jammed on his breaks to keep from piling into the wreckage. He leaped from his car and dashed toward Callen’s car. The driver of the truck slid out of the cab, he had a gash on his forehead but other than that was unhurt. Hutch jerked the car door open. Callen was slumped over the steering wheel; his face was bloody from hitting the windshield. He had hit the steering wheel so hard that is was bent.
Hutch put his hand on the man’s neck to get a pulse but there was none. “Shit!”
“I didn’t even see him…he came out of no where.” The truck drive said horrified at the sight before him.
“Don’t worry about it; it’s not your fault.” Hutch said. He pulled his badge out of his jacket pocked and showed the driver. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah I think so, just a cut,” The man said gingerly feeling his head.
“Can you go to my car and call this in?” Hutch asked.
“Sure, sure.”
“Come on Callen,” Hutch said to the dead man. “You can’t be dead you bastard.” He yanked the keys from the ignition and went to open the truck almost hoping to find the girls in there but he knew it would be impossible to have all four in there. It was empty; he slammed the truck and opened the back door. Nothing. He could hear sirens in the distance.

Starsky was the first on the scene, he had already been in his car heading toward the Pits when his radio went off and he was told about the wreck. Starsky floored it not knowing if Hutch was involved, since a civilian had called it in. “HUTCH!” Starsky called as he bounded out of the car and raced toward the wreck in the intersection.
“He’s dead,” Hutch said as Starsky joined him.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
“Did you get anything?”
“No nothing.”
“What about Freddie Sanders?”
“Callen was alone in the car.” Hutch said hopelessness filling him.
“I’m not giving up.” Starsky said going around and getting in the front seat of the car. “You check the glove box?”
“I haven’t gotten that far yet. The trunk and back seat are clean.” Hutch said handing Starsky a flashlight.
Starsky opened up the glove compartment; he found a gun and nothing else. As he started to get out his foot slipped and he almost fell. He trained the flashlight on the floor.
“What have you got?” Hutch asked.
“A gun and there is sand all over the floor,” he said as he got out grabbing the bag full of money. “Let the crime lab get the gun.”
“Sand?” Hutch questioned. “Callen doesn’t live near the beach.”
“Who knows how long that has been there.” Starsky said. “But you know it’s worth a shot. Is Kate still at the station?”
“Yeah Dobey wouldn’t let her leave.” Hutch said, “I guess he didn’t trust that she was telling the whole truth.”

“Oh my god the tide is coming in,” Deb screamed. “Listen.”
The girls fell silent; they were still pounding away at the rings in the walls. “How long do we have?”
“I don’t know,” Jesse said, “Just keep trying.” She pounded at the ring she was attached to.
“HELP!” Rosie screamed.
“Nobody can hear here you,” Callie told her.
“You don’t know that maybe somebody is out there.” Rosie said.
The girls had been so concentrated on breaking their bonds that they hadn’t even thought about screaming. As on cue all four girls began screaming at once.
“Don’t stop working,” Jesse told them as the in coming tide rushed toward them.

Starsky and Hutch burst through the squad room doors, “Where is Kate?” Starsky bellowed.
“Did you get him?” Susan asked following them.
“No,” Hutch tossed over his shoulder, “Callen is dead.”
Starsky handed the backpack full of money to the Commissioner as Kate came out of Dobey’s office rubbing her eyes. She had been dozing on the couch. “What’s wrong, what happened?”
“Does Callen have a place at the beach?” Hutch barked at her.
“N-No, all he has is a crappy little apartment.” She said.
“We found sand in his car,” Starsky said grabbing her by the shoulders. “Why would that be there?”
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” Kate screamed, then she sucked in her breath. “I think I know where the girls might be.”
“Where?” Starsky shook her.
“Once Jack took me to this cave on the beach that he had found.” Kate said tears spilling down her face.
“Where is it?”
“I’m not sure,” Kate said. “He only took me there once and it was a long time ago, and it was dark too.”
“Somebody has to know where caves are on the beach.” Susan said.
“You know how many caves there are up and down the coast?” Starsky said.
“Mobilize everybody,” Tayor said. “Call all police, fire; get it on TV, radio. We need a massive search.”
“We will find them sir,” Starsky said.
Kate tugged on Susan’s arm, “You need to hurry.”
“We will find them as soon as we can.” Susan said slipping on her jacket to join the search. “Thanks for your help.”
“No you don’t understand,” Kate said, “That cave fills with water at high tide. I remember Jack kept looking at his watch, he said that once the tide starts coming in you can’t get out.”
“Christ!” Susan exclaimed. “We are going to need a dive team on stand by!”



                                                                                CHAPTER EIGHT


The water in the cave was getting deep quickly it was already past the girls knees they had tried to climb higher up on the wall of the cave but it was impossible. Suddenly they were plunged into darkness as the water reached the lanterns and doused the flames.
The girls screamed in fear, their voices had all but given out from the continuous yelling they had been doing. Jesse closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to her self. It was always said that your life flashed before your eyes before you died and she guessed that was what was happening to her. She could see Davy’s smiling face in her minds eye, she loved her little brother so much even if he did drive her nuts at times. Jesse knew that her parents would be devastated, why had she been so hard on both of them? She was so pissed at her mother for betraying the family and mad at her father for not taking a stand. She had always had the feeling if he had asked her mom to come back that she would have. Her thoughts then drifted to Starsky and as she thought of him she suddenly realized how her mom felt for she her self thought of Starsky as a second father. So it suddenly became clear as to how her mother could love him so much. He had always been there her no matter what; he had always been there for all of them. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she thought about the time that had been lost between all of them. It was her pride that had stopped her from forgiving. Now it was too late, she was going to die in a cave with three women that she barely knew.
The sobs of all four girls echoed within the cave. “I hope that at least we are found sometime,” Callie said she shivered as the cold water lapped at her legs.
“I just wish the tide would come in quicker and get it over with,” Rosie heaved a sigh, knowing her fate was sealed.
Deb could no longer feel her legs, “At least we aren’t dying alone; there couldn’t be anything worse than dying alone.”
“Why don’t we sing something,” Jesse suggested.
“Kind of like playing music as the Titanic went down uh?” Rosie said with a touch of humor in her voice.
“Nothing that sad, okay?” Callie asked. “I couldn’t take that.”
“Ok so what do you all know?” Deb said, as a strange calm washed over her.
Jesse started the first from cords of Jingle Bells; the other girls laughed but joined in the song.

It was nearly four-thirty when their first break came. The radio went off in Starsky’s car, not bothering with radio procedure, “Yeah,” he said in the microphone.
Dobey’s voice said, “Two bodies were found on the beach, one of them is Freddie Sanders the other hasn’t been identified yet both of them have been shot.”
“Are they alive?” Starsky asked.
“Freddie Sanders is barely hanging on.” Dobey answered. “Get there Starsky, he might know where the girls are. I’m on my way there myself.”
Starsky quickly scribbled down the location Dobey gave him, then swung the car in the opposite direction and sped toward the scene.
“I hope we aren’t too late,” Susan said from the back seat as she glanced at her watch.
“Jesse is a strong girl you know she will go down fighting if she has too.” Hutch said

The spot on the beach was easy to find as a crowd had began to grown even with the earliness of the hour. Only one police car was on the scene but sirens could be heard as more approached. The three detectives jumped out of Starsky’s car and headed to where the police car stood, its lights flashing. “Get these people back,” Starsky snapped at one of the officers and he approached. “Where is Sanders?”
The officer pointed several feet in front of car. The two bodies where blocked from Starsky’s view by the on lookers.
“Get these people out of here,” Hutch bellowed echoing his partner’s orders.
“Get out of the way,” Starsky said shoving one man that was peering at the bodies.
The two bodies were laying only inches from each other one was shot in the stomach the other, Sanders in the back. Gently and with Hutch’s help Starsky rolled Sanders over. His breathing was shallow, his eyes were closed. “Sanders,” Starsky said in a low voice. “It’s Dave Starsky.” The man’s eye lashes fluttered but didn’t open. “Can you hear me?”
A moan escaped the man’s lips then almost inaudibly he said, “Don’t let them die.”
“The girl’s? Do you know where they are?” Hutch asked
“Y-y-yes…cave…”
“Where is the cave?” Starsky asked.
Sanders gasped for air, it was clear he had been hit in a lung. “Beach…footprints.”
“I’m sure the prints have been washed away,” Starsky said. “The tide is coming in.”
“NO!” Sanders said loudly, startling them all. “They will drown.” Then Sanders fell unconscious after his out burst.

Susan taking advantage of the bystanders called them to her. “Listen we have four girls trapped in a cave by the incoming tide. They are going to drown with in the next hour or so if we don’t get them out.” Susan explained quickly. “Would a group of you walk in that direction,” she pointed up the beach, and another group in the opposite direction?”
“Sure, no problem, anything,” came the responses from the crowd.
“You,” Susan pointed at one of the officers, “Go with the group of people. If you find anything radio it in.”
“I’ll go with the other group,” The second officer offered.
As the two groups were leaving more emergency personally arrived, Dobey followed by Taylor and Anderson made their way to where Susan was standing. “What have you got?”
“Hutch and Starsky are talking to Sanders. He confirmed that the girls are in a cave but passed out before he could tell them where. There are two groups looking for the cave.” Susan explained quickly.
Dobey went to join his two detectives while Taylor and Anderson ran to join the groups searching. “He’s out cold Cap,” Hutch said looking up to see Dobey walking up.
“Get those EMT’s in here,” Dobey bellowed as the area started filling up with flashing lights. “Where is the dive team?”
Susan came to stand by Hutch, “I can’t just stand here I’m going.”
“Okay but which way?”
She stood there a moment looking up and down the beach then looked down at the two men lying on the ground. Then she pointed, “That way. Sanders was shot in the back and I’m going to guess he was headed back to help the girls.”
“Let’s go, Hutch said then leaned down and pulled Starsky to his feet. “This way Starsky, Sanders isn’t going to be of anymore help.”
The trio ran down the beach they quickly caught up with the search group. The tide was coming in quickly and they had to keep inching up the beach to keep from getting wet. In the distance there was an out cropping for rocks
“That’s it, it has to be,” Susan said. As they got closer they were even more sure that the possibly of the out cropping was a cave, the cave they were looking for. It had to be they had run out of time.
The search party stopped for they could go no further without wading into the water. Hutch yelled at the officer leading the group. “Get the dive team in here this has to be it.
Commissioner Taylor said, “There is a team standing by at a heliport, ready to leave at a moments notice.” He told the detectives. “Radio Dobey, he will get the ball rolling and he will want to be here.”
“Did you get that?” Starsky called the officer but he was already talking to Dobey.
Within moments they could hear the blades of a helicopter whapping toward them. Then they could see the spot light from the chopper as it was trained on the water, it got closer until the chopper was hovering in front of the cave. The light was tilted so the crew inside the helicopter could see if there was indeed an opening in the rocks. Confirming that there was a cave present five men dressed in black wet suits jumped from the helicopter into the churning ocean water.

Rosie was the one that noticed a light under the water; at first she thought she was seeing things. Or that perhaps one of the lanterns was still on but that would have been impossible as the water would have put out the fire.
The water was up to their necks and Deb being the shortest of the four had trouble keeping her head above the water if there was a surge. Singing had kept their spirits up for a while but as the cave filled with more water and their fate was sealed they gave up.
“Look!” Rosie yelled.
Jesse looked to where Rosie was pointing. “It looks like a light.”
“You mean somebody found us?” Deb asked but she wasn’t too hopeful the odds of them being found now were slim.
“There’s another light,” Callie said pointing to a second light then a third appeared. Then a fourth and fifth, “Oh my god we are saved,” tears coursed down her face.
Five heads broke the water surface simultaneously. The lights the men were holding searched the cave.
“We are over here,” Jesse yelled. Five lights trained on the girls.
“We got’em,” one of the members of the dive team radioed to dry land.
“Let’s get you out of here,” a second man said to them.
“We have a small problem,” Deb told him. “We are chained together then to this rings in the walls.”
“No problem miss.” The man turned and yelled, “Alex we need cutting gear.”
“I’m on it.” Alex put a call into the helicopter that was still hovering over the water. He exited the cave, a bag was dropped which he retrieved and headed back into the cave.
“Miss my name is Mick,” the second man said to Deb. “Do you know how to buddy breath?”
“Y-y-yes,” Deb said through chattering teeth. The water seemed to be getting colder.
“Good,” Mick said then turned to other girls. “How about the rest of you, do you know how to buddy breath?
Everyone said yes except Callie, “No I don’t.”
“Tom you take her.” Mick said.
“Don’t worry,” Tom said to Callie, “I’ll get you out of here.”
A black head appeared next to Jesse, “I’m Charlie.”
“You have no idea how glad we are to see you.” Jesse said.
“Hurry up with the torch Alex,” Mick yelled as Alex’s head broke the water. “This cave is filling fast. If we don’t get out before it reaches the top we are going to have a harder time getting the girls out.”
“I’m coming boss,” Alex said as he moved toward Rosie first. “Ok turn your head.” He first worked on freeing her hands then dove under the water to take care of the chain binding the girls together. Once Rosie was free he moved on to Jesse and with in a matter of minutes had all four girls freed. “Ok let’s get them out of here, I got the gear.”
Tom gave Callie a quick lesson on buddy breathing. “Here’s how it works, you take a few breaths, and then you hold it and I take a few. We keep doing this until we are out of cave.”
“Got it,” Callie said she was petrified, she didn’t know how to even swim let alone dive.
“Good, we’ll lead the way.” Tom said as he took several breaths of air then he put the mask on Callie’s face and they disappeared under the water.
“We are next,” Mick said to Deb. Deb nodded and they followed the diver with Callie.
“Are you ready?” Tim said to Rosie, who nodded her head; she couldn’t wait to get out of the cave and the water.
“Looks like we are last,” Charlie said to Jesse.
“Let’s get the hell out of here.” Jesse said taking the divers arm.



                                                                              CHAPTER NINE

Callie was the first to shore, she was coughing as she had gotten a mouth full of water as she and Tom had broken the surface of the water. She leaned heavily on Tom, they both dropped to their knees when they reached the sand. Chief Anderson dropped to the sand beside his daughter and embraced her.
Deb was next out accompanied by Mick, “You did well,” he commended her.
“Thanks,” Deb shivered.
“Get some blankets over here,” Mick yelled to anyone that was listening.
The Commissioner came running toward his daughter carrying a blanket. “Thank god baby.” He said to her then turned and shook Mick’s hand. “Thank you.”
Mick gave him a crisp nod and headed down the beach where he would meet up with his company.
The sun was just coming over the horizon as Rosie and Tim came out of the water. Dobey was there to greet her; he wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and hugged her tightly.
Susan, Hutch and Starsky waited tensely for Jesse to appear; just when they were starting to panic they saw two heads break the water. Hutch ran out into the water to help Charlie with Jesse to the shore.
“Daddy,” Jesse threw her arms around her neck and hugged him tightly as he guided her toward the dry sand. Starsky was waiting with a warm dry blanket.
As Starsky put the blanket around her shoulders she hugged him. Susan stood back unsure of what to do. All she wanted to do was to grab her daughter and never let her go. Jesse stopped and looked a Susan for only a second then she ran and embraced her mother.
“I love you mommy,” Jesse sobbed on her mother’s shoulder.
“I love you too baby,” Susan said wrapping the blanket more tightly around her daughter. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just cold.” Jesse said her teeth chattering.
A paramedic ran up to them. “You ladies need to come to the hospital. A chorus of protests rose from the four young women. “Seriously, you all have been in that cold water for a long time.”
Finally they relented but insisted in riding in the same ambulance together.
As Jesse along with the other girls were making their way to the ambulance Hutch grabbed Susan embracing her. “We almost lost our Jess.” He said burying his face in her hair.
“I know I know,” tears sprang to Susan’s eyes and she clung to him.
Starsky stood watching a few feet away. He suddenly realized that he and Susan could never have what she had with Hutch no matter how much he wanted it. Starsky pulled his car keys from his pocket and walked toward the couple. “Here,” he said.
They broke them embrace and looked at him. “What?”
“You two take my car and follow Jesse to the hospital.” Starsky said pressing the keys into Hutch’s hand.
“Aren’t you coming?” Susan asked.
Starsky shook his head, “Not right now. You three need to be together.”
“Starsk you are family you need to be there too.” Hutch said trying to hand his keys back.
“I’ll go get Davy and Cassie; they will be wondering what happened and will want to see Jesse.” Starsky laid out his plausible excuse.
“Are you sure?” Susan asked worry creasing her brow.
“Yeah go on. I’ll see you in a few.” Starsky said. He stood watching them drive off he felt a tug at his heart as he realized that he had lost for the final time. It had been almost easier before things had come to light, at least he could pretend that they had a future.
Susan look back as they drove away, the look on Starsky’s face was enough to break her heart. Hutch took her hand and her attention turned back to him.

It was nearly an hour before they were allowed to see Jesse. Starsky had arrived with Davy and Cassie in tow, they both fell into Susan and Hutch’s arms relieved that Jesse was okay. They were all anxiously waiting to take her home.
Susan had gone in search of a coffee machine and she has just pulled a cup of bad coffee out when Starsky walked up and leaned against the machine. “Guess it’s over uh?”
Susan looked at him quizzically unsure if he was talking about Jesse’s kidnapping or them. “Thanks for bringing Davy and Cassie,” Susan said ignoring his question.
Starsky reached into the pocket of her jacket where she had stuffed the divorce papers earlier. “You belong with Hutch,” he said as he shredded the envelope containing the papers. “You know it and I know it.”
“But does Hutch know it?” Susan asked as she watched the ripped envelope flutter into the trash can.
Starsky gave her a small smile. “He has always known it. He has just been patiently waiting for you and me to figure it all out. And I think you have always known it too deep down or you would have signed and mailed these papers along time ago.”
“Starsky I’m sorry I never meant to string you along.” Susan said her eyes filling with tears.
“You didn’t I came willingly. It was a nice dream.”
“That turned in a nightmare.”
He laughed, “It wasn’t a nightmare.”
Susan put her arms around him. “You know I care about you.”
“I know.”
“I always will.”
“I know.”
She looked into his eyes and then kissed him quickly on the lips, this time there was no passion just friendship. “You are my friend, my best friend.”
“I know that too.” Starsky said. “Now go be with Hutch and your family, they need you.”
Starsky watched Susan walk down the hall and for the first time he didn’t feel the sadness that he usually felt. He smiled as he put money in the coffee machine for one more cup of bad coffee before he went home.


                                                                                               ~~~The End~~~