STALKED
                                                                                                     BY
                                                                                                   TOOKI
                            ​

                                                                                            CHAPTER ONE

"Hello?" Starsky mumbled into the phone. It had woke him from a deep sleep. He had finally fallen into bed at 2 a.m. after an eight hour stake out. "Hello?" Starsky repeated into the phone. He looked at the clock..it was three thirty. "Damn it is anybody there?"
CLICK
Starsky slammed the receiver down rolled over and was instantly asleep again. The next time the phone rang it was nearly ten in the morning. Starsky yanked the covers from over his head and snagged the receiver with out opening his eyes. "WHAT!"
"Is that anyway to answer the phone Starsky?" The voice of his best friend and partner was on the other end.
"Hutch?" Starsky asked sitting up in the bed. "Sorry man."
"What’s up?" Hutch wondered.
Starsky sighed, "Oh someone has been calling two or three times a night walking me up but never saying anything.
"Probably just kids," Hutch suggested. "Hey you want to meet me at Huggy’s for lunch before we head into work?"
"What time is it?" Starsky asked still sleepy.
"Ten," The reply came.
Starsky groaned. "I think I’ll pass buddy."
Hutch laughed, "Okay, you get some sleep. I’ll see you in the office at two."
Starsky finally rolled out of bed at one, after a few slices of cold pizza, he shower and dressed. He was thankful that his phone hadn’t rung anymore and was seriously thinking of getting an answering machine. Realizing he was running late, he grabbed his shoulder holster, gun and jacket as he dashed out the door. But he stopped short as he saw a single red rose under his windshield wiper. Gently he lifted up the wiper blade pulling the flower free. Starsky glance around the street then opened the car door and tossed the flower into the back seat. He didn’t see the pair of eyes staring out at him from the bushes across the street nor the grinned that spread over the face as he had picked up the flower.
Hutch was out in the hall when the elevator doors slid open and Starsky stepped off. "Get caught up on your sleep?" Hutch questioned.
"I guess," Starsky answered grumpily.
"I thought you and Linda broke up." Hutch asked as they walked down the hall toward the squad room.
"We did a month ago." Starsky answer. "Why?"
Hutch pushed open the door and pointed toward Starsky’s desk, a large vase of flowers adorned the middle of his desk. "Secret admirer then?" Hutch laughed.
"What did the card say?"
Hutch looked wounded, "How would I know? I don’t read your stuff."
"Since when?" Starsky asked as he looked at the vase of red roses before him.
"Besides there is no card."
"You know this is really weird, " Starsky said. "There was a single red rose on my windshield when I left for work."
Hutch frowned and was about to comment when the phone rang, he picked it up. "Hutchinson. Sure thing Cap." Hutch hung up. "Dobey wants us in his office."
"I gathered that. Probably wants to tell us we are on stake out for the rest of the week."

A young woman dressed in a long ran raincoat and wearing a scarf over her head slowly walked up the sidewalk to Starsky’s door. She was carrying a brown paper grocery sack. After looking around she opened the door with a key, she took from her pocket. She entered the apartment then turned to see if anyone was around that might have seen her. Assured no body was in sight she closed the door.

​
"Nice of Dobey to let us have the rest of the day off since the case was closed." Starsky commented as they emerged from the building. "Wish we could have been in on the action though. Went down right after we left."
"Nice my ass," Hutch shook his head. "He just wants us in the office bright and early tomorrow morning that’s all."
"Well at least we won’t get stuck with all the paper work from the bust," Starsky said looking on the bright side. "And we have the rest of the afternoon to mess around."
"Ok boy sun shine what do you want to do then?" Hutch asked eyeing his partner.
"Uh…uh," Starsky thought for a moment. "We could…uh."
"Great idea Starsky. Glad you came up with it." Hutch teased.
"Well if you are so smart then you think of something." Starsky snapped. He was still a bit out of sorts from being woken up several times a night by phone calls.
"Take it easy buddy," Hutch said putting his hand on his partner’s shoulder. "How about we just stop get some beer and go back to your place. Maybe there’s some old movie on the tube."
Starsky shrugged, "Sure maybe I can catch a nap with out that damn phone ringing."
Hutch flopped on this partner’s couch as Starsky went to put the beer they had bought in the refrigerator. Hutch flipped on the television and began channel surfing looking for something decent to watch. "Man nothing but cop shows," Hutch said disgustedly. "They make us look like all we do is run around and shoot people or beat them up."
Starsky came back into the living room still carrying the beer. "Hey Hutch you didn’t bring by beer earlier did you?"
Hutch gave his partner a strange look, "I have been with you when would I have done that?"
"Well there is a twelve pack sitting in there I and I know I didn’t put it there. I wouldn’t have stopped and got this." Starsky scratched his head, "I feel like I’m loosing my mind."
"Lack of sleep," Hutch interjected as he flipped to another channel. "Ah now this is better a nice horror movie. Vampires no less my favorite."
Starsky sighed at Hutch’s lack of concern as he started back toward the kitchen the door bell rang. "Hey Hutch would you mind getting that?"
Hutch frowned it was just getting to the good part, the vampire was getting ready to sink his teeth into his unsuspecting victim. Hutch went to the door still looking over his shoulder at the television, when he opened the door a young man was standing there holding a large pizza. Hutch called over his shoulder, "Starsk you order a pizza?"
"No why?" the reply came.
"Well there is a kid at the door holding one."
"WHAT?"
Hutch turned back to the boy. "How much?"
"Been paid for," he said shoving the box in to Hutch’s hand and taking off.
Hutch stood there watching the boy jump in his car and drive away. There was a magnetic sign plastered on the side of the car. It was from Starsky’s favorite pizza joint. "Are you sure you didn’t order this? Maybe before we left the station?"
Starsky came out of the kitchen shaking his head. "I wouldn’t have done that I knew we were stopping at the store on the way home. At least I don’t think I did. Man I am losing it Hutch. I think I’m going to go lay down if you don’t mind."
"What about the pizza?"
"Just save me some, I think I need sleep more." Starsky went into his bedroom. "HUTCH!" Starsky yelled.
Hutch jumped up from the couch and ran to see what Starsky was yelling about. When he reached his partner, Starsky’s face was as white as a ghost. All he could do was point toward his bed. There lying on his pillow was a single long stemmed red rose.
​

                                                                                               CHAPTER TWO

"What in the hell?" Hutch said seeing what Starsky was pointing at. He walked in the room and stood next to the bed looking down at the flower. "Any ideas?"
"No." Starsky answered coming to stand next to his partner. "Nobody has a key to my apartment except you."
"No girl friend’s?" Hutch asked.
Starsky shook his head, "I stopped giving out my key to girl friends, to hard to get back and I got tired of getting my locks changed."
"Cleaning lady?"
"Does this apartment look like I have a cleaning lady?" Starsky asked looking around at the clothes strung on the floor.
"You got a point there." Hutch looked around the rest of the room. "Any thing else out of place or missing?"
Starsky pulled his eyes from the rose and looked around the room. "No…no looks like everything is here, nothing else strange laying around. I don’t want to sound like a wimp Hutch but this is starting to creep me out. Somebody has been in my apartment."
"I wish I could find somebody to stock my fridge with beer and leave flowers on my pillow." Hutch quipped.
"Not funny," Starsky said as he went back to the living room. He went to the front door and opened it. He examined the lock. "No forced entry."
"You leave a key out side? Under the mat, in a flower box?" Hutch asked looking around the front door.
"That’s your bag, not mine. I keep my key right here in my pocket. Starsky said patting his jeans.
"Hey I stopped putting my key over the door after that last time I got my apartment ransacked. Even went out and bought me a key chain. See? Hutch pulled out the key chain and dangled it in front of Starsky’s face. Hutch’s face suddenly went as white as Starsky’s.
"What?" Starsky asked noticing the look on his partner’s face.
"Your key…it’s gone." Hutch said.
"Gone? What do you mean gone?" Starsky demanded.
"Gone you know like not here." Hutch said staring at the keys in his hand.. He examined them carefully, all the other keys were there, the ones to his apartment, car, safe deposit box even an old suit case key. But Starsky’s apartment key was gone.
"When was the last time you used it? Starsky asked.
"Well," Hutch thought for a moment. "I don’t think I have ever used it. I’m always with you, you open the door. You gave it to me for a just in case and there as never been one of those moments."
"So you are telling me you have no idea how long my apartment key has been missing?" Starsky asked staring at Hutch. "Thank God I didn’t give you my car keys, my car would have been gone by now."
"Calm down Starsk, how could any one have gotten my keys?" Hutch asked.
"How about a couple of weeks ago at The Pits when Huggy handed them to you. Remember he said some woman turned them in? Found them laying on the floor?" Starsky glared at Hutch.
"You know I thought that was kind of strange then. I hadn’t even had my keys out, I rode with you that day over to Huggy’s." Hutch said puzzled. "Let’s sit down and figure this thing out I’m sure there is a logical explanation for all this."
"Yeah like somebody is letting themselves in to my apartment stocking my fridge with beer and leaving roses." Starsky said flopping down on the couch.
"Don’t forget the pizza," Hutch said pointing to the box still sitting on the coffee table. "I tried to pay for it but the kid said it was already paid for."
"Well there is a start. I’ll just call down there and find out who sent it." Starsky said as he flipped the lid open. "Ok this is getting scary, it’s even my favorite one." He got up going into the kitchen, he got a plastic garage bag from under the sink. He opened the refrigerator door and place the beer left in there in the bottom then carried the bag to his bed room.. Starsky picked up the rose by a leaf and tossed it in the bag. Then he moved on into the living room where he stuck the pizza in. He tied up the garage bag, opened the front door and tossed it outside.
"Feel better?" Hutch asked as he had watched his partner’s actions with out comment.
"NO!" Starsky said flopping down on the couch. He grabbed the phone and placed a call to the pizza place.


She had seen the two detectives open the front door and look at then the blonde one, Hutch had looked around on the ground. They had stood there talking a few minutes, then Hutch had taken out his keys. It had been so easy that night. The pair had come in after their shift, she knew that more times than not they ended at The Pit’s. It was easy enough to figure out their schedule, they were such creatures of habit. They usually went to the bar unless one or the other of them had a date. She could careless it Hutch dated but it angered her when Starsky went out. She had seen to it that his latest girl friend was out of the picture and he hadn’t seem interested in dating since "Linda" had just up and left with out a word..
She figured they had a particularly bad shift that late afternoon since both of the men had downed a beer in the first ten minutes of their being there. Then they had several more before the barkeeper had brought them their meals. They had been rather drunk when Starsky had suggested that they play a game of pool but before going to the table headed toward the bathroom. Hutch had gotten up to follow his partner when he had stumbled in to a young woman. He hadn’t felt her hand sneak into his pocket and pull out his keys, he really didn’t notice her at all just enough to mumble an apologize and make his way to the bathroom.
She slipped the keys in her pocket unnoticed by anyone in the room then crept out of the bar. She knew she had at least a couple of hours to get the keys copied before they would be going anywhere. There was a key maker only a couple blocks away and even after having to stand in a line she was back with in the hour. She stood out side the Pits and began put all the original keys back on the ring. She had gotten two on when a drunk old man bumped into her causing her to dropped the remaining keys. She had cursed under her breath and scrambled to pick up the keys, but she missed one that had bounced under a trash receptacle. Being in a hurry she didn’t notice that one of the keys was missing.
Both men were still playing a drunken game of pool. The woman walked up to Huggy and handed him Hutch’s keys. "I found these laying on the floor over there by that table." She had said pointing toward where the detectives had been sitting. Then she was gone before Huggy could so much as say thank you.
She wanted to see what was in the trash bag Starsky had tossed out the door but she didn’t dare as long as they were both in there. It wouldn’t pay to get caught now. She had been working on this several months now and she was getting too close to making Starsky hers to slip up now.
She was sure that he would remember her once she introduced herself. After all he was the that had saved her life pulling her from the burning car. If he hadn’t happened have acted quickly she would have been French toast. He had been so kind to her asking if she were all right and wrapping her in a blanket that, the paramedic had given him. She had been shriving, not from the cold but from fear. She hadn’t even seen the car that had broad sided her, it had was being chased by the two detectives and had just slammed into her as she went through the intersection.
He had then given her his card and told her that if she needed anything to please call. However, she hadn’t called, at first she had just watched and waited. At first she would sit herself out side the station just so she could see him come and go then she got bolder and followed him home one night. That was when she got the idea of getting a key to his apartment. She had tried posing as his sister but the landlord didn’t go for it and told her to get lost or he would tell Starsky. Then as she got to know him and his partner better she deducted that Hutch would have a key to his apartment although she had never seen him use one.
Then Linda had come on the scene, it was alright in the beginning they would see each other once a week or so usually meeting at The Pits. But after a while it became more serious and when she had seen Linda come out of Starsky’s apartment early one morning she had blown a fuse. She had followed Linda home, forced her way into the woman’s apartment, knocked her unconscious then smothered her with a pillow. It had taken her nearly all day to get rid of the body and clean out the apartment but her rage had carried her through. She knew that Starsky would be heart broken when he found she had left town. Hoping to ease his pain, she had typed a note on the dead woman’s typewriter and stationary to the detective and had taped it to his door.
Starsky had been down in the dumps for a few weeks but then had seemed to snap out of it. But to her delight he hadn’t found anybody new to date. Maybe he was thinking about her, maybe she was almost ready to make her move.


                                                                                            CHAPTER THREE
​
The pizza parlor was no help, they didn’t really care who ordered pizza as long as it was paid for. The deliver boy had remembered that the woman had given him a big tip though. Starsky had thought of ordering a pizza since he had tossed the one that was delivered but it just didn’t sound very good to him.
"You think who ever this is could be my night time caller?" Starsky said. He was almost dreading bedtime.
Hutch shrugged, "Could be and I’m betting its a woman,"
"Why do you think that?" Starsky asked clearly distracted.
"I sure hope it’s not a man sending you roses." Hutch said jokingly trying to try to ease some of Starsky’s concern. Nevertheless, Hutch was beginning to feel some of his partner’s worry. The flowers, the beer, all of it was falling in the creepy category. He himself had been stalked by a mad woman once, she had almost killed him and if it hadn’t been for Starsky he wouldn’t be walking around. It was time to return the favor; it was time to find out what was going on.
"Very funny Hutch," Starsky said smiling for the first time that day. "At least I’m not get dead rats in the fridge. Who ever it is wants me well feed."
"Can you think of anything else strange that has happened lately?" Hutch asked.
Starsky thought for a moment. "I guess the strangest thing is how Linda just took off leaving me only a note. Who knows how a woman’s mind works."
"You don’t think this could be Linda do you?" Hutch inquired
"I don’t think so, why would she do something like this?" Starsky asked but how well did he really known Linda.
"Why don’t we see what we can find out about her? Maybe this is her idea of a joke." Hutch suggested.
"Has to be the worlds longest running joke then. The calls have been going on for weeks." Starsky sighed as he closed his eyes and laid his head on the back of the couch.
"Hey I have an idea, why don’t you come stay with me tonight. At least you can get a good nights sleep." Hutch said patting Starsky on the shoulder.
"Sure sounds like a plan to me. I just don’t think I could sleep knowing somebody has been wandering around in here." Starsky said as he got up to toss a few things in a bag.
"I think you need to call and get your locks change too." Hutch suggested. "At least that would slow them down."
"Good idea but tomorrow. I have had it today."
As they started to leave, Starsky spied the trash bag. "I better get that Old man Crammer will have a fit if I leave that out here."
"I’ll get it buddy," Hutch said grabbing the plastic bag. He walked around back and tossed it into a Dumpster.
After they left, the woman drove around to the back of the building and with a bit of searching found the trash bag that Hutch had dumped. She was filled with rage when she saw the contents. How could he just have dumped her gifts to him? How could he? No…no it wasn’t him it was his partner, Hutch wanted him all to himself. He didn’t want to share Starsky with anybody. She should have known that Starsky would never throw her gifts away. She wondered how Hutch had talked him into leaving with him. But it made no difference she knew where he lived also.
When she was sure they weren’t coming back she let her self into Starsky’s apartment again. She looked around at the mess. "Well David when we are married I’ll pick up after you all the time." She began cleaning Starsky’s apartment. It was well past midnight when she was finally finished, the hold place sparkled, she had even gone out and done his laundry. Plus stopped at the store on the way back to his place to pick up some food which she prepared and left in small plastic containers in his refrigerator and freezer. She smiled as she surveyed her handy work, she was tired but it was well worth it. She knew that he would be pleased when he returned home the next day.
It was nearly one a.m. when the first call came; Starsky was sleeping soundly on the couch. Hutch fumbled for the phone, "Hello?" There was silence on the other end. "Hello" Anybody there?" After a few moments, Hutch hung up going back to sleep. Thirty minutes later the phone rang again. "Yeah," Hutch didn’t bother with the pleasantries this time. Still no answer from the other end. "Listen who ever you are. I’m a cop I can put a tap on this line and trace it so I suggest you stop calling." This time he heard the other party hang up.
Hutch got up and walked in to the living room, Starsky was curled up on the couch his head cradled on his arm dead to the world. Hutch pulled the blanket up around Starskys neck. "I’m going to get to the bottom of this pal, I promise." He just had a feeling that the calls had to do with Starsky and who ever had been calling knew that now Starsky was there. That meant that the person had been out side Starsky’s apartment when they left. A chill ran up his spine as he thought about Diana coming after him with the knife. At least he didn’t have to worry about her any more, the woman had committed suicide only weeks after being put in a hospital for the criminally insane.
Hutch wandered back to bed after making a detour to the kitchen to get a drink of water. He had a hard time falling back to sleep this time and the phone had to ring several times before he was awake enough to answer it. It had rang enough to wake Starsky this time. Hutch turned on the lamp at his bedside as he picked up the receiver. "What do want? Don’t you have the guts to at least say something?" There was dead silence on the other end, he couldn’t even hear anyone breathing.
Hutch slammed the phone down and when he looked up he saw Starsky in the doorway. "For me?" he asked without a hint of a smile.
"I’m think so. They know you are here." Hutch said. "I think we need to get both of our phones tapped. Maybe we can find out where the calls are coming from."
Starsky came in the room and sat on the edge of Hutch’s bed. "This is staring to drive me crazy. At first I didn’t think anything about it. It’s all starting to add up and I don’t like it. Who ever this is knows too much about us. I move and they know your phone number I bet they know where you live too."
"Maybe it’s somebody we work with?" Hutch suggested.
Starsky nodded but didn’t really think so. He had a very bad feeling about this, very bad. "I think in the morning I’ll do some back ground checking on Linda. I don’t like this if they know where you live and your phone number what’s to say they didn’t know where Linda lived. If this is woman fixated on me then…." Starsky let the sentence hang in the air the rest of the words unsaid.
"There is nothing to make us think this person is dangerous. So far are they have done is try and feed you." Hutch said trying to reassure his partner.
"Let’s hope so." Starsky said. He walked over to Hutch’s bedside table and took the phone off the hook. "We are going to sleep the rest of the night."
Early the next morning Hutch dropped Starsky at his place so that he could pick up his car. Hutch had insisted that he come in with his partner, Starsky protested but not to loudly. He was glad to have the company although he would never have admitted it. He slowly put the key in the lock and turned it, then pushed open the door like he was afraid something or someone would jump out at him. The first thing that caught his attention was the odor, it was like someone had been cooking something. He stepped further into the room with Hutch right behind him, that was when he noticed that the living room had been cleaned. Starsky pulled his gun, Hutch followed suit as they crept toward his bedroom, the door was closed. Hutch grabbed the doorknob and turned it slowly then Starsky kicked it open they both trained their guns on the spotless room.
"Son of a…" Breathed Starsky. He opened his drawers and his closet, his floor and hamper were empty of clothes they were all clean and hung or folded neatly in their proper places. Starsky grabbed a shirt from a hanger and tossed it on the floor then another and another. Then he moved to his dresser and one by one tossed his things to the floor. He swept the top of his dress clear of the photos and bottles of cologne; it all went crashing to the floor. He stormed into the kitchen like a mad man, it too was spotless. He opened the closest cabinet and noticed it had been stocked. Starsky pulled out a box of cereal and tossed it to the floor, then he opened the refrigerator. His mouth fell open when he saw all the food in containers, labeled just ready to be warmed up. He pulled those out dumping their contains on to the freshly waxed floor.
"Starsky," Hutch called to him as his friend began to empty the freezer. "Starsky will you stop!"
The sound of Hutch’s voice finally perpetrated his rage. He slammed the freeze door and leaned against the refrigerator breathing heavily.. "What the hell is going on?"
"I don’t know but destroying the evidence sure isn’t going to help us find this person," Hutch said calmly. "Sit down and let me call the crime lab, maybe they can raise some prints.
"Prints? After Holly homemaker got done in here? This place wasn’t even this clean when I moved in." Starsky said in a stricken voice. "She has touched all my stuff, washed my clothes, cooked food for me, who the hell is this?"
"I don’t know buddy but we are going to find out. At least she hadn’t tired to hurt you." Hutch said picking up the phone.
"Yet."
Thirty minutes later the crime lab arrived. She was across the street watching, waiting. She had gotten up early that morning hoping to beat him home so she could see his reaction when he entered his apartment but her alarm had failed to go off. She knew they were already there when she saw Hutch’s old heap parked out front. She was alarmed when the crime lab arrive fearing that something had happened, little did she understand that she was what had happened. The crime lab was there almost an hour when a nondescript car pulled up behind the crime wagon and a plump black man got out and went into Starsky’s apartment. She made a note to find out just who this was.
Ninety minutes later several officers came out carrying black plastic garbage bags, which they loaded in the back of the crime, wagon. Then the black man came out followed by her man and Hutch, they talked for a few moments then the black man got in his car and left. She could see the two detectives discussing something but she couldn’t hear from that distance and didn’t dare move closer. But she could tell that Starsky didn’t look happy, he was waving his arms about and every once in a while she could hear an angry word. What could have made him so upset? Well she would get to the bottom of it and make who ever was hurting him stop.


                                                                                               CHAPTER FOUR

​​
It was nearly lunchtime by the time the two detectives made it to the station. Dobey had put a rush order on everything that was taken from Starsky’s apartment. Soon after arriving at work Hutch came up with an excuse to leave, he had a hunch he wanted to play out before saying anything to Starsky.
"Hey Mary," Hutch said to a woman sitting in front of a computer. He was in the morgue, what if this person had killed Linda to get her away from Starsky. It was clear this stalker knew too much about both of them.
"Hutch," she nodded looking up from her work. "What can I do you for?"
"I was wondering if you have any Jane Doe’s that have come in, oh say in the last month?" Hutch asked.
"Let me see," she replied and punch the information into the computer. "Sure do, two in fact. We don’t usually keep them around this long. Most of the time they are homeless, no families so we send them for burial but these two I don’t think were homeless."
"Can I take a look?" Hutch asked.
"Sure thing, you and Starsky working on a case?" Mary asked as she led Hutch to the room where they kept the bodies.
"Kind of," he answered vaguely. The last thing he wanted was to get Starsky’s trouble spread all over town.
‘Hummmm…let’s see," Mary looked at a scrap of paper where she had written down the numbers of the vaults they were stored in. "Okay here is the first one. She was found last week, dumped in an alley."
Mary pulled open the slab and pulled back the sheet coving the body. Hutch grimaced as he looked at the corpse, looked like something out of Night of the Living Dead. "You can cover this one up." Hutch said barely above a whisper.
Mary nodded, replaced the sheet and slid the slab back into the wall. "The other one is down here. I remember this one, she was a pretty one. She is due for burial in a few days. Not a mark on her did the autopsy myself. It was murder all right suffocated and dumped."
Hutch shook his head, "Didn’t somebody work her case?"
"Oh come on Hutch," Mary replied. "You know how many bodies turn up in here that didn’t die of natural causes? There was some paper work, officers came around to look ask questions. But there was no ID, no missing persons report, no criminal record, the case was close as fast as it was opened."
Hutch nodded knowing what she was saying was sad but true. Mary pulled open another slab and pulled down the sheet. Hutch’s breath caught in his throat. "Dear God." He had hoped that this hunch of his was wrong.
"You know her?" Mary asked looking at the devastated look on Hutch’s face.
"Yeah," he said softly. "Her name is…was Linda Kingsly, she was dating Starsky up until a month ago when she just left town or so we thought.."
"She in some kind of trouble?" Mary asked making a note on her clipboard as to the woman’s name.
"No," Hutch whispered. "But my partner might be. Look Mary do you have the name of the officers that handled this case?"
"Sure they are in my records." Mary shoved Linda back into the coldness in the wall.
Hutch took a deep breath trying to calm himself. Starsky’s stalker had just taken at turn for the worse, a deadly turn.
All the way back to the office he wondered how he was going to break this to his partner. He knew Starsky was going to blame himself and if he could figure out a way around it, he wouldn’t even tell Starsky. The moment Hutch entered the squad room his partner knew there was something wrong.
"Where ya been Hutch?" Starsky asked. He had seemed to calm down from his early morning rage but Hutch knew that was about to change. "You don’t look so good."
"Starsky sit down," Hutch said perching on the edge of his partner’s desk. Starsky sat down and gazed up at his partner. Hutch opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words he knew that Starsky was going o be overwhelmed with this news.
"Oh come on Hutch it can’t be that bad. My stalker put to much starch in my shorts?" Starsky asked.
Hutch closed his eyes. "Starsky I know where Linda is."
Starsky felt like all the oxygen had left his lungs, from the look on Hutch’s face he knew she wasn’t vacationing in Florida. "W-where is she?" Starsky asked not wanting to know but needing to at the same time.
"I had a hunch, I just got back from the morgue, Linda is there." Hutch said slowly.
"She’s dead?" Starsky said incredulous.
"I’m afraid so buddy." Hutch said laying his had on his friends shoulder.
"How?"
"Mary said she was suffocated," Hutch told him then relayed the rest of the information.
"NO!" Starsky jumped up from his chair, which went crashing to the floor.
Dobey’s office door flew open, "What in the hell is going on out here." He demanded. "In my office both of you, NOW!"
Hutch pulled Starsky’s arm but he jerked away from him, grabbed his jacket from the fallen chair and ran out of the squad room. Hutch looked at Dobey, ‘Cap," he pleaded.
"Oh go on but I want an explanation when you get back." Dobey stormed as he went back into his office slamming the door.
Hutch had to run to catch up with Starsky, he was just getting on the elevator. "Come on Starsk, this is not your fault. You didn’t even know this nut existed a month ago."
"This is just too much," Starsky leaned against the elevator wall. "Why me? What did I do?"
"Think, is there any woman you have had contact with over the last several months?" Hutch grilled his partner. "Anybody at all?"
Starsky thought and then shook his head. "I hadn’t dated anybody steady before Linda. We went out for a month before she disappeared and I haven’t seen anybody since then."
"Okay let’s start with the ones you dated before Linda. Maybe it’s one of them." Hutch suggested.
"I really don’t think so it was like one movie or a dinner or a beer at Huggy’s, real casual." Starsky said trying hard to think if any of those girls seemed like the stalker type.
"I still think you need to make a list," Hutch said. "We can check them out."
Starsky nodded, "I guess we have to start some where."
They were headed to Starsky’s car when a young woman dropped her purse almost at Starsky’s feet. He bent down to retrieve it as he stood up he was greeted with a beautiful smile. "Thank you, detective." She said.
"No problem," Starsky said as he started to follow Hutch.
"You don’t remember me do you?" she asked taking a step closer to him.
Starsky looked at her again, she did look vaguely familiar. "I’m sorry."
"You saved my life a few months ago. I was broad sided in the middle of an intersection?" At first, she sounded a bit disappointed but then her voice lifted.
"Oh sure," Starsky smiled at her and offered his hand. "How are you?
She shook it and grinned, "Oh I’m just fine just a little shook up that day."
"Well I’m on duty so I got to get going, my partner over there is waiting for me." Starsky said releasing her hand. "It was nice to meet you again uh…"
"Rebecca Collins." She supplied him with her name. "And you are David Starsky right?"
He nodded, "Right you are Rebecca."
"I sure don’t for get the name of the man that saved my life." Rebecca purred.
"I didn’t save your life I just was doing my job." Starsky could see Hutch looking at his watch so he suggested. "Well maybe we can get together for a drink sometime uh?"
"That would be great, when." Rebecca jumped at the offer.
"Well right now my partner and I are working on a pretty heavy case but after it’s wrapped up I’ll call you." He said as he started walking away.
"But you don’t have my number." She called after him.
Starsky pulled out a note pad from his pocket, "Shoot." She rattled off her number, he wrote it down then got behind the wheel of the Torino.
"What the hell was that all about?" Hutch asked as they pulled out of the parking lot.
Starsky shrugged. "Some girl from a stop we made."
Rebecca Collins stood in the lot staring after Starsky, she had finally made contact. She had been a bit hurt that he hadn’t remember her at first but then he had. Plus he had made a date with her. She wondered how long this case he was working on would take to wrap up. She had waited this long a few more days wouldn’t matter.


                                                                                                CHAPTER FIVE
​

It was nearly six p.m. when the detectives arrived at The Pits, Huggy was on their "to do list". They had checked out Linda’s background and found she had no family, the reason nobody had reported her missing. Starsky had known that her parents were dead but he hadn’t realize that she had no other family. This made him feel even guiltier. Hutch had spent most of the day trying to cheer up his partner but to no avail. Starsky was already dreading going home, he had pretty much trashed his apartment in his rage and he had a feeling that "she" might be calling again tonight. They were both pretty convinced that it was a woman. What man would clean that spotlessly especially another man’s apartment?
The Pits was quiet when they arrived, a light rain had begun to fall, many people just headed home instead of coming to their favorite bar. Huggy was talking to one of his waitresses when they entered but he left her side when he saw this friends. "What’s up?" Huggy asked.
"Nothing good," Starsky said sullenly. Hutch quickly explained what had been transpiring over the last few days.
Huggy let out a low whistle, "Man sounds like some bad action. Any thing I can do to help?"
"You could start by telling us what the woman looked like that found my keys." Hutch replied.
"Well let me think," Huggy said rubbing his chin as he thought. "She was about five-five, dark hair, slim, green eyes."
Starsky’s eye brows shot up, "You remember that much about her?"
Huggy grinned, "I always remember the ladies."
"Have you seen her around since?" Starsky inquired.
Huggy thought again then shook his head, "Not that I recall. But if she is your stalker she might not want to be seen if you know what I mean."
"True," Starsky answered looking uneasily around the bar wondering if she were there some place watching…waiting. "If she turns up give us a call uh?"
"Sure thing," Huggy said. "Can I get you two anything?"
Hutch looked at his partner Starsky shook his head. All he wanted was a night of peace with out phone calls, with out wondering what would come next. "I guess we’ll head out thanks Hug."
"Any time my man," Huggy said.
The two detectives drove in silence to Starsky’s apartment both in their own thoughts. Starsky pulled up behind Hutch’s old car and turned off the ignition but didn’t get out. He didn’t want to face the mess in his apartment but even more he didn’t want to face it if it were miraculously clean either.
"Want me to come in with you?" Hutch asked sensing Starsky’s reluctance to get out of the car.
"You mind?"
"Of course not." Hutch said opening the passengers side door and getting out. The rain had gone from a drizzle to a steady downpour. He dashed to the front door and waited for his friend.
Starsky soon followed, he stood with key in hand for a few minutes. "You know this is stupid to be afraid to open your own door." He said jabbing the key in the lock and turning it. Slowly he opened the door and went in just far enough to turn on a light.
Unnoticed by Starsky Hutch had drawn his gun. He wanted to be ready since they didn’t know what to expect. If she would happen to be in the apartment when they entered no telling what she might do. Once again Diana crossed his mind he shook his head trying to remove the thought. It had been a long time since he had thought of her but all this with Starsky was bringing the memories back in a flood..
Nothing seemed disturbed as Starsky crept further into the living room, he reach in a flipped on the kitchen light. Food as still on the floor, he felt himself relax a bit. She hadn’t come back. Then he went to his bedroom, it was still a wreck, clothes tossed every where. He flopped down on the edge of his bed and looked up at Hutch who was just holstering his gun. "What am I going to do?"
"We are going to catch this nut," Hutch answered. "You want to come stay with me again tonight?"
Starsky shook his head, "I can’t keep running besides she will know where I am anyway no need in both of us being kept up."
"Just take it off the hook," Hutch suggested as he picked up a shirt from the floor and handed it to Starsky.
"I guess I had better get this mess cleaned up." Starsky said signing.
At one a.m. Rebecca picked up the phone and dialed Starsky’s number, she knew it by heart. It was busy, who could he be talking to that late at night she wondered. Probably that partner of his, they were together most of the time but that would come to an end once they were married. If it didn’t she would take care of Hutch too. Nobody was going to stand in the way of her and her man. She dialed again, still busy, hanging up Rebecca quickly dial Hutch’s number. She was surprised when it rang, she slammed the receiver down after the first ring. Again she tired her man’s number the busy signal angered her, instead of hanging up the phone she shoved it the floor.
"Who are you talking to?" She stormed to no one. Rebecca crawled out of bed and jammed her arms in to her robe then slipped a pair of tennis shoes on her feet. She grabbed her car keys and left in the pouring rain.
The alarm clock went off at seven, Starsky rolled over and turned it off. He stretched, finally he at gotten a good nights sleep. He had no idea if she tried to call during the night or not but now maybe he could face the day better with a night of uninterrupted sleep.
Starsky got of bed and started to the bathroom when he stepped in a wet spot on the floor. He looked down, there was a rather large wet spot not to far from his bed. His first thought was "damn dog" but he didn’t have dog. A chill ran up his spine and he wished that he kept his gun in his bedroom instead of the closet by the front door. Starsky stepped out into the living room and looked around, everything was still the same, even the trash bag sitting by the front door with the food from his refrigerator. As he rounded the couch he stepped in another wet spot this one much smaller more like a foot print the saw another and another he followed them right to the front door. He yanked the door open and looked out, it was still pouring. Starsky looked up and down the street hoping to catch a glimpse of somebody. He knew that she couldn’t have been gone very long for the floor was still too wet.
Sudden he realized what he had been thinking. She had been standing next to his bed watching him sleep, his knees went weak and he barely made it to the couch before collapsing. With a shaking hand he reached for the phone and dialed his partners number.
"Yeah," the reply came when the phone was picked up.
"Hutch she was here last night," Starsky said unsteadily into the phone.
"When?" Hutch said as he finished buttoning his shirt.
"I’m not sure but she was standing and watching me sleep. The floor is wet right by my bed and there are foot prints from the front door."
"You hang on I’ll be there as fast as I can. Don’t touch anything."
Rebecca watched from her car as Starsky had opened his front door and looked out. She smiled to herself she had been so close to him this time. It had been all she could do to keep from reaching out and touching him. She had been so please when she had arrived at his apartment and found it dark. Once she had let herself in she had found the phone off the hook. He must have accidentally knocked it off, she replaced the receiver in its cradle then looked down at him. He was sleeping so soundly he was so beautiful. She stood there much longer than she had intended and only the brightening of the sky out side alerted her that she had been there too long. Quickly and quietly she let her self out of his apartment and had only been in her car ten minutes when his front door had opened. She had almost been caught, but would that have been so bad? Then he would know and they could get on with their lives together.
She saw Hutch’s car coming down the street and slid down into her car as not to bee seen. After he parked, she sat up just in time to see him enter the apartment. Why did those two have to be joined at the hip? This would be so much easier with Hutch out of the picture. "Yeah," she said aloud. "Out of the picture." Starsky would be so distort that he would come to her she could comfort him. An evil grin spread across her face as she watched the front door of her man’s apartment. "Soon Darling soon."
Starsky showed Hutch the wet spots on the floor, the path that led directly to his bed. "She was standing there dripping and from how wet the floor is I would say a while too." Starsky said looking at Hutch. It was like looking for a ghost. They had a description from Huggy but that described half the women in LA.
Hutch felt the floor. "Starsky I think we need to find you some place else to stay. She could have killed you last night." Hutch said worriedly.
"I don’t usually sleep that soundly but I guess from the lack of sleep I just conked out." Starsky said. "I feel so…so"
"I know exactly how you feel buddy," Hutch said sitting down on the bed next to his partner.



                                                                                       CHAPTER SIX

"Detective Starsky?"
Starsky turned around to see a young woman standing behind him. "Yes?"
"It’s Rebecca," she said smiling at him. "Rebecca Collins, remember I gave you my phone number the other day?"
"Oh, yes I remember," Starsky said smiling at her. "I’m sorry, there has just been a lot going on."
"That’s alright." Rebecca stepped closer to him. "I was just wondering if you would let me buy you a drink? I really want to thank you for helping me."
"There is no need for that I was just doing my job," Starsky said modestly.
"That maybe but I was very scared and you stayed with me until help arrived, it really meant a lot to me." She sent him a dazzling smile.
Starsky thought for a moment, he had been so distracted by the stalker that he had barely thought of anything else. Maybe having a drink with a beautiful woman would take him mind off his problems. "Okay sure but I’m not off duty for another two hours, how about if we meet at The Pits? Say around six?"
She started to balk at going back to The Pits, what if the barkeeper recognized her. She didn’t want to put Starsky off since he was so willing to go with her. "Okay that would be great, see you at six."
Starsky went on into the building. He had been to his favorite Mexican place to pick up a few tacos. Hutch had opted to eat at the cafeteria where he could get some fresh fruit and yogurt. As Starsky walked into the squad room all eyes turned toward him and Hutch was waiting next to his desk.
"What is going on?" Starsky asked looking around the room at his fellow officers. "Somebody die?"
Hutch stepped away from Starsky’s desk, there was a small package sitting here. "It came just after you left."
Starsky stood and stared at the brown wrapped package. Then he looked to Hutch. "Who brought it?"
"Some kid, said a lady paid him fifty to bring it up here." Hutch answered,, he had grilled the teen before allowing him to leave. "Why don’t you open it."
"You open it I don’t even want to touch it, in fact I don’t want to know what it is and really don’t care. Just toss it." Starsky said making no move toward his desk.
"Let’s get the lab guys up here maybe they can lift some prints off it." Hutch suggested as he picked up the phone.

Rebecca let herself into Hutch’s apartment she was carrying a brown paper bag with her. After looking around to make sure she was alone she went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. After surveying the contents, she took out a carton of goat’s milk. It was almost full so she poured most of it out until there was just a glassful left. She opened the paper bag she had set on the counter and pulled out a box of rat poison. Then she searched the draws until she found a teaspoon, Rebecca opened the box of poison and put several spoonfuls of the poison in the goats milk. After stirring it up she added a bit more then replace the carton back into the refrigerator. She carefully cleaned up the counter of any of the white power that had spilled, washed and dried the spoon then replaced it. Rebecca looked around the kitchen; content that there was no trace that anyone had been here she quickly left Hutch’s apartment. She was smiling to herself as she drove off, she had just enough time to shower, dress and get to The Pits.
Peter the guy from the lab carefully went over the wrapped box before he set to the task of unwrapping it. Using tweezers, he carefully pulled the tape from the box. Some times fingerprints showed up on the tape, he placed each strip on to a glass slid. Then he peeled back the paper to reveal a small velvet hinged box. He looked up at Starsky who nodded for him to go ahead and open it. Slowly with gloved hands, Peter opened the box. In side lay a gold ID bracelet, "Wow!" Peter exclaimed.. "Who ever this chick is she has some expensive taste. He gently took the bracelet from the velvet-lined box and turned it over. On the back was inscribed "To My Greatest Love"
A chill ran down Starsky’s back as Peter replaced the bracelet. "I’ll take this down to the lab and see what I can get off it."
"Thanks Peter," Hutch said patting the man on the back. "Let us know if you get anything." Peter nodded and was gone.
Starsky fell into his chair and ran his hands through his hair. "Hutch what the hell is going on? I have been racking my brain trying to think of who this could be but I have totally come up empty. I have checked out all my girls friends from this past year. They all seem to be dating other people or aren’t even in the area any more."
"Well maybe Peter can come up with something." Hutch said reassuringly. "You about ready to go home?"
Starsky nodded then snapped his fingers, "I have to meet somebody at The Pits at six. I almost forgot."
"Who?" Hutch asked as he slipped his jacket on.
"Remember that girl from the parking lot the other day?" Hutch nodded. "Well she asked me out for a drink to thank me for staying with her after the accident."
"You want me to go with you?" Hutch asked.
Starsky shook his head. "We are just going to the Pits for a couple of drinks then I’m going home and taking my phone off the hook and getting another good nights sleep."
"You sure?" Hutch persisted.
"Yeah you go ahead home. I’ll call you before I take the phone off the hook." Starsky said. "It will do me good to get my mind off this crap."
"You’re right." Hutch said but he just had an uneasy feeling. At least Huggy would be there to keep an eye on Starsky.
It was ten minutes after six when Starsky finally arrived at the bar. The traffic and been terrible since it was a Friday night. He looked around when he entered to see if he could spot her but none of the woman in the place looked familiar, so he just took a seat at the bar. She might have gotten help up in the traffic also. He was hoping that she would show up soon, he just wanted to get this over with and get home.
Marie was tending bar and asked Starsky what he wanted to drink. "Beer would be fine," he answered. Then asked, "Where’s Huggy?"
"Got a phone call just a bit ago and had to leave, he should be back soon." Marie said setting a beer in front of him.
"Thanks," Starsky said taking a drink.
"Sorry I’m late," said a voice behind him.
Starsky turned around, Rebecca was standing there. She was dressed in a long black dress, her hair was done up in ringlets and she was wearing a mink coat. "Don’t worry about it I just got here myself. You look lovely."
Rebecca blushed, "Thank you Detective Starsky."
"Why don’t you call me Dave," He said smiling at her. "Let’s go get a booth." She nodded and followed him to the back booth where he and Hutch usually sat.
She slid out of her coat and laid it in the seat then slid in next to it. She wanted more than anything to sit next to him but she didn’t want to be too forward. Rebecca waited for Starsky to take off his jacket she wanted to see if he was wearing her gift. Instead, he just sat down without removing it.
"Aren’t you warm?" she asked trying to sound causal.
"I’m fine," Starsky answered.
Rebecca had been late because she had stopped at phone booth several blocks away to call The Pits. She some how had to get Huggy out of there just in case he remembered her. She had placed the call and was still uncertain of what to say even when he had answered the phone.
"Pits."
"Huggy?" she asked.
"Yeah you got the Bear what can I do for you?" Huggy said as he pour a beer and slid it down the counter to a waiting customer.
"Ah… this is Kathy at the station. Detective Hutchinson asked me to call you. He would like you to meet him here." She lied.
"Did they find the stalker?" Huggy asked.
"Stalker?" she repeated. "I’m not sure."
"Tell him I’ll be there in a few." Huggy said and hung up. He hadn’t bothered to tell Marie where he was going or why but just said that he would be back soon.
Rebecca knew it would take that barkeeper a while to get to the station and back so she had to work fast. She had wanted to be there before Starsky was but just like he she had been stuck in the evening traffic. She had to figure out a way to have a quick drink and then get Starsky out of the bar before Huggy got back.
Hutch opened his apartment door and flipped on the light. He paused a moment to look around, the stuff with Starsky was starting to unnerve him. H e wondered if this woman had been in his apartment, clearly she knew his number and most likely, where he lived too. He shook the thoughts away convincing him self he was being silly. She was after Starsky not him. Hutch took off his jacket then his shoulder holster and hung them both in the closet. He sat down on the couch and turned on the TV after a few minutes he decided that he was hungry and went into the kitchen.
The detective opened the refrigerator door and stared into the box. Nothing much appealed to him but he didn’t feel like going out again so he just grabbed the carton of goats milk on the told shelf. Hutch got a glass from the cabinet and poured the contents into the glass. He frowned as he emptied the carton. He could have sworn he had just bought a new half-gallon the day before. Hutch shrugged and took his glass into the living room after tossing the empty carton into the trash. He flipped through a few channels until he found the news, just as he settled back and was going to take a drink of milk the phone rang.
"Damn," he said aloud. Then thought it might be Starsky although it was only six-thirty. "Hello?"
"Hi my name is Dawn and I’m selling magazine subscriptions so that I can take a trip to Europe." said a young enthusiastic voice on the other end.
"I’m sorry Dawn but I’m not interested." Hutch said.
"But I have all kinds mister," she persisted.
"I’m sure you do but I just don’t have time to read magazines." Hutch said. "Good luck." He hung up before she could answer.
Hutch again started to take a drink when there was a knock at the door. Signing Hutch sat his glass of milk on the coffee table and went to answer the door. It was Alex his paper boy, "That time of month again Alex?"
"’fraid so Hutch," Alex said with a grin. "I almost have enough saved up for that bike."
"Good for you," Hutch said taking out his wallet and fishing out a ten. "Here ya go."
"I’m not sure I have that much change yet Hutch." Alex said taking the ten.
"Don’t worry about, put it toward that bike you want." Hutch said smiling at the boy.
"Wow thanks Hutch!" he exclaimed and he stuffed the money in his pocket. "Here’s your paper, see you next month."
Hutch took the paper and tossed it on the coffee table as he walked back into the living room, it slid in to the glass of milk dumping its contents to the floor. "Shit," Hutch mumbled under his breath as he went to the kitchen to get a rag to clean up the mess.


                                                                                        CHAPTER SEVEN

​​
Rebecca looked at her watch, time was growing short Huggy would return soon she had to get Starsky out of there. "Are you hungry?" she asked smiling at Starsky.
He looked at his watch it was almost seven. Starsky thought for a moment, he had been pleasantly surprised at how delightful this young woman was. He had almost forgot about the last few days. "I’m sorry you must be starved. They make up a mean burger here."
Rebecca coughed then smiled at him again. "Would you mind too much if we went some place else. The smoke is beginning to bother me."
"Not at all I know several places close by we could go," Starsky said as he slid out of the booth. Rebecca got out holding her coat. He took it and held it for her to slip into.
"Thanks," She said sliding her arms in then they headed for the front door. "Hey how about if we go back to my place? I got a couple of steaks in the fridge. I could toss a couple of potatoes in the oven, whip up a salad?"
At first he hesitated, this threw a scare into her. If he didn’t come willingly to her apartment there was no way she could force him with out causing a scene. "Sure why not."
"We could take my car then I could just bring you back later," Rebecca suggested breathing a sigh of relief.
"I’ll just follow you, I don’t want you to have to drive me back." Starsky said going to his car.
This wasn’t in her plan either now she would have to somehow get rid of his car.

As Rebecca was going to her car she saw Huggy coming up the sidewalk, he looked none too happy. The whole trip to the station had been a waste of time. Hutch hadn’t even been there. He had seen Starsky standing in front of his place talking to a woman when he had driven by. She looked up as Huggy got closer and he furrowed his brow, he knew her from some place but couldn’t remember. Starsky was in his car just starting the engine, then he put out his arm to wave the woman ahead of him. She jumped in the car, as Huggy was about to say something to her and sped off with Starsky following behind.
Huggy stood and watched as the cars disappeared around the corner. He started to go in the bar then stopped and sucked in his breath, he remembered where he had see her. She had been the one that had handed him Hutch’s keys. Huggy dashed back out to the street and half way down the block. He knew he couldn’t catch them, they were long gone. Huggy ran inside, he had to call Hutch.
Rebecca had Starsky park in the parking garage of her building. That way his car would be harder to spot. At first, he had objected saying he didn’t mind parking on the street. Rebecca said she had heard it was going to rain again and didn’t see a need for him to get soaked going to his car when he could just park in the garage. He had finally agreed. This was not as easy as she had thought it would be. Starsky had given her several breathless moments already that evening.
As soon as they entered her apartment Starsky asked, "Rebecca you mind if I use your telephone? I need to call my partner."
She paused a moment then went on hanging up her coat. She held out her hand for his as she said. "I’m sorry Dave it’s not working. I have been battling it out with the Phone Company for a week. They say it is my telephone but I keep telling them it’s the line. I went out and bought a new phone when they told me it was my phone and it still doesn’t work."
"You want me to take a look at it?" Starsky asked handing her his coat. She was a bit startled by the gun he had strapped on. He noticed the look on her face. "I’ll take this off too." He slipped off his shoulder holster and placed it on the hanger with his coat.
"That’s alright, I really don’t want to mess with it tonight. If you really need a phone you could use my friends next door." She offered crossing her fingers he wouldn’t want to bother and she was rewarded with the response she wanted.
"Nah that’s okay." Starsky said sitting down on the couch. "Nice place you have here Rebecca."
"Please just call me Becca all my friends do." She said sitting down on the far end of the couch. Rebecca was trying to get a look at his wrist to see if he was wearing the ID bracelet. His shirtsleeve was in the way.
"So Becca, what do you do?" Starsky asked looking around the apartment. It was clear from the nice furnishings that she had a very good job.
"Do?"
"You know what do you do for a living…a job?" Starsky looked at her.
"I..uh…" she stammered. All the things that she had planned this conversation was not among her any of them. He had caught her so off guard that she blurted out the truth. "I don’t work, I-I have a trust from my father."
"Oh, that must be nice," Starsky answered wondering what her father did.
"Yeah," Rebecca said getting up. "I’ll go and see to dinner. Would you like some wine?"
"Sure, sounds good," He said starting to get up. "You need any help?"
"You just sit there and relax. I know you must have had a hard day." She answered from the kitchen. Rebecca took down two glasses and pour wine into both but one of them she opened a couple of capsules and let a white power fall into the wine. She stirred it with a spoon then took it into Starsky. "Here you go."
"Thanks," Starsky said taking the glass. "You sure there isn’t something I can help you with?"
"I’ll just toss the potatoes in the oven then come talk to you while they bake." Rebecca smiled.
Minutes later she returned with her glass of wine and the rest of the bottle. Starsky’s glass was almost empty so she refilled it. "What does your father do?"
She looked sad for a moment. "Can we not talk about him we are…well estranged. He is very generous but we haven’t talked in over a year. He is up set I don’t want to still live with him and Mama. I told him I would get my own job and support my self but he still insists on playing for everything."
"Then what do you do with yourself all day?" Starsky wanted to know. "If I didn’t have my job I think I would be pretty bored."
"Well I do some volunteering here and there keeps me busy." She couldn’t very well tell him that she spent all of her time following him around.
"Where do you…" Starsky stifled a yawn. "I’m really sorry. I haven’t been sleeping very well lately."
"Why don’t you just take a little nap and I’ll go finish up dinner." Rebecca suggested.
Hutch was napping himself when the phone ran. It took several rings before waking him. He leaned over and picked up the receiver, "Yeah."
"Hutch!"
The frantic way Huggy said his name brought Hutch fully awake. "What’s wrong Huggy?"
"She was here," the barkeeper blurted out.
"You mean the girl that had my keys?" Hutch asked.
"Yes and Starsky left with her," Huggy croaked out. "By the time I realized who she was it was too late they were gone."
"Was she making him go with her?"
"No he was following her in his car," Huggy answered. "My guess is they were going to her place."
"Shit, thanks Huggy. I’m going to get an APB out on Starsk’s car. Maybe a patrol will spot it."
"I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them."
"Hey don’t worry about it man." Hutch said. "I’ll let you know what is going on."
When Rebecca returned the living room Starsky had his head laying on the back of the couch and was totally out. She walked over to him and touched his shoulder. "Dave?" There was no response, she leaned closer to him, his breathing was regular, he was just in a deep sleep from the sleeping pills she had given him. She leaned even closer and brushed her lips to his. Rebecca then stood back and looked at him. She couldn’t believe he was finally there in her apartment…he was now hers. She pulled up his shirtsleeve and looked at his wrist, the ID bracelet wasn’t there. She jerked up the other sleeve not there either. "Damn kid," she said under her breath. "He must have kept it for himself."
She had to get him into the bedroom before he woke up. She figured that she had plenty of time though. She would get him in there then go and dispose of his car. Rebecca tugged Starsky from the couch, he fell to the floor, she hadn’t thought about him being so heavy. Finally, after much struggling she got him into her bedroom and up on the bed. Then she pulled ropes from her bedside table and tied his wrists and ankles securely to the bed. Rebecca sat down on the edge of the bed out of breath and tired. She felt sleepy herself and decided to rest for a moment before she went out to dispose of his car. She scooted up on the bed and lay down next to Starsky. She touched his face gently then reached up and kissed his lips again.
It wouldn’t be long and he would love her as much as she loved him. She would take good care of him. After all, she was all he had now that his partner was dead. She would be his best friend, his lover and his wife. He would be hers forever.
​

                                                                                    CHAPTER EIGHT

​​
Hutch called the station as soon as he hung up from taking with Huggy. Huggy had also given him a description of the woman’s car although he didn’t get the license plate number. Hutch put a APB out on Starsky, his car, what the woman looked like and a description of her car. Then he called Dobey to inform his captain as to what was going on. Unable to just sit and wait Hutch went to the Pits to see if Huggy had any more information.
The bar was packed when the detective arrived and Huggy was in the back opening a Gin box. Hutch stood in the door way watching for a moment then he asked. "Need some help Hug?"
Huggy looked up, "Hey man I’m really sorry about Starsky."
Hutch shook his head, "There was nothing you could do."
"I was just going to call you after I got this box unpacked. You need to talk to Marie, she saw Starsky and your mystery woman." Huggy said going to the door of the storeroom. "Hey Marie come here."
Marie finished mixing a drink and joined the two men. "Yeah Huggy?"
"Tell Hutch here what you saw when Starsky came in," Hutch told his waitress.
"Well Starsky came in and sat at the bar. He kept looking around as if he was waiting for somebody. Then this woman came in. She was dressed to the hilt, looked more like she was going to a show than coming in a bar. They went and sat in that back booth you guys always sit in. They had a couple of drinks and then left together. Looking pretty chummy too."
"Starsky didn’t look like he was being forced?" Hutch asked.
"Hell no," she answered. "They were laughing, he helped her on with her coat and they left."
Hutch shook his head. "He was suppose to be meeting this girl from an accident we worked a few months ago. She talked to Starsk the other day and then he ran into again today and she…" Hutch stopped, the color drained from his face. "Holy Shit, it’s her! The girl from the accident is our stalker."
"What’s her name?" Huggy asked.
Hutch shrugged. "I don’t know or don’t remember that accident was a two months ago and I never really had any contact with her. Starsky didn’t tell me what her name was the other day."
"There must be records of the accident," Huggy suggested. "You should be able to track her down from that."
"Thanks Hug," Hutch said and took off to the station.
Rebecca jerked wake; it was pitch black in her bedroom except for the clock on the bedside table, which read one a.m. At first she couldn’t think and was startled to find someone in bed next to her then it all came back in a floor. Her dreams had finally come true; she had her man at last. She sat up and turned on the light; she wanted to see him. Starsky was still sleeping; Rebecca felt his forehead and listened to him breathing. She was afraid she had given him to many sleeping pills.
Suddenly she remembered the car it was still in the garage. It was much too late now to drive and dump it some place. She would have a hard time getting a cab back home and the cabby might remember such a late fair. She would just have to wait until tomorrow to evening to do anything about it. Then another thought struck her why get rid of it at all. Rebecca knew from watching him that Starsky loved that car. She would just leave it in the garage and cover it up. Many people did that, in fact there were a few in her building that kept fancy sports cars covered unless they were driving them. That was what she would do. First thing in the morning she would go out and buy one of those covers and that would take care of everything.
Satisfied that her problem was solved she turned off the light, snuggled against Starsky and fell back to sleep. Starsky woke her up at dawn moving around.
When Starsky awoke, he had no idea where he was or what had happened. The last thing he remembered was sitting on Becca’s couch drinking a glass of wine and feeling very tired. He tried to move but was unable to. It took his several minutes before he realized that he was tied up. Then next thing he was aware of was a body laying next to him..
"Hey," he called. "Wake up, what’s going on."
Rebecca sat up sleepily and rubber her eyes. "Good morning Dave." She said smiling at him.
"What the hell is going on?" Starsky asked again. "Why am I tied up?"
"I didn’t want you to go any place." She said simply getting out of bed. "Now what would you like for breakfast?"
"Breakfast?" Starsky stormed. "I don’t want any breakfast. I want you to untie me. My partner is going to come looking for me."
"No he’s not," Rebecca said as she left the room.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Starsky yelled.
Rebecca came back into the room. "You are going to have to stop that yelling or I’m going to have to gag you. I don’t want the neighbors calling the police."
"Then you tell me why Hutch won’t come looking for me?" Starsky asked.
"That’s easy," she smiled. "I killed him."
Starsky looked at her stunned. "What do you mean you killed him."
"Yesterday I slipped into his apartment and poisoned him." Rebecca said almost gleefully. "Now there is nobody to stand between the two of us."
Starsky suddenly understood who was standing before him. His stalker the woman who had been watching, sending him things and breaking into his apartment now had him. He took a deep breath to calm himself then said. "Come on Becca untie me I’ll help you make breakfast." Starsky said putting a fake smile on his lips.
She giggled, "You just relax, I want to make us our first breakfast. We’ll have it in bed then I have to go out for awhile."
She disappeared from the doorway and he could hear her in the kitchen banging around pots and pans. Starsky pulled against his restrains with no success. Finally, he lay back and wondered if what she said were true was Hutch dead? Did she poison him as she claimed? His only hope was to try and sweet talk his way free. If he could make her believe he would stay with her perhaps, she would untie him.
Thirty minutes later Rebecca came back into the bed room carrying a tray loaded with breakfast items. "I didn’t know what you liked so I made everything I had. I know you have to be hungry, you fell asleep before eating last night."
Starsky allowed her to place a napkin in the top of his shirt then she sat on the edge of the bed as if to feed him. ‘Do you mind untying me so I can eat?" he asked kindly. "I would much rather eat with you than have you feed me."
She smiled, "If I untie you, you must promise not to get away. Or I’ll have to hurt you too."
"I won’t I promise," Starsky gave her one of his award winning smiles. Rebecca leaned over and untied one of his arms. It felt like pins and needles from being stretched out so long. He flexed his arm a couple of times when she didn’t untie the other one he asked. "How about my other arm?"
Rebecca thought for a moment then shook her head, "No I don’t think so. I don’t think I trust you that much. You’ll have to earn my trust."
Starsky signed but resigned himself to the fact it might take a while in order to get her to let him go. He refused to believe his partner was dead that was the only thing that kept him from going crazy. He wasn’t sure he wanted to eat the food she prepared, what if it was poisoned also. However, she was eating it, so slowly Starsky began to eat the breakfast his captor had made for him. He had to admit it was tasty and he was starving.
After they finished breakfast Rebecca tied him up once again. After she finished the dishes, she returned again this time with tape in her hand. "I have to go out for awhile Dave."
"You don’t have to tape my mouth," Starsky pleaded. "I promise I won’t make a sound."
"Sorry sweetheart," Rebecca said ripping of a good size piece of tape. "Like I said earlier you have to earn my trust." She slapped the tape on his mouth and left the room. Starsky heard the front door slam. The moment he knew she was gone he started to work on the tape but it was stuck fast. She had tied his arm even tighter than it had been before and the ropes that held his legs wouldn’t budge. He thought about breaking the bed or trying to make enough noise to make the neighbors suspicious but if she came home before somebody found him no telling what she would do. His best bet was to just go along with her until he got his chance.
​

                                                                                CHAPTER NINE

Hutch was able to find the report from the accident, the woman’s name was Rebecca Collins. He was now standing at the front door of a rather large mansion waiting for someone to answer it. Finally, the door opened a man dressed in a black suit stood before him giving him the once over.
"May I help you?" the butler asked.
"I’m Detective Hutchinson," Hutch said taking out his Id and showing it to the man. "I would like to speak to Rebecca Collins."
"I’m sorry sir but she no longer lives here," he said and was about to shut the door.
Hutch stuck his foot in the door. "Listen I have reason to believe she might have something to do with the disappearance of my partner."
"Who is it Parker?" Said a voice from inside.
"A detective," answered Parker.
"Well let him in," came the voice again.
The butler opened the door just wide enough to allow Hutch to enter. A very distinguished looking gentleman stood in the hall. He stepped forward extending his hand to the detective. "I’m Richard Collins, you will have to excuse Parker." He turned to Parker, "Please bring us coffee in the study."
"Yes Sir," He answered.
"I’m Ken Hutchinson," Hutch said watching Parker walk down the hall toward the kitchen.
"Come into the study where we can sit down." Richard said opening a door behind him.
The room was full of shelves of books, the furniture was a rich cherry rubbed until it shown. There was a large Persian area rug under their feet. "Mr. Collins," Hutch began.
"Please call me Richard and have a seat," the man motioned toward a pair of chairs sitting in front of a huge fireplace.
Hutch sat in one of the chairs, Richard sat in the other. The door to the study opened and Parker came in carrying a silver tray with coffee and a plate of cookies. He set down the tray on a small table between the two men, poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Hutch then pour a second cup for Richard. When he was done the butler left the room.
Hutch sat the cup on the edge of the table and looked at Richard Collins. "Do you know someone named Rebecca Collins?"
"Yes she is my daughter."

Rebecca struggled to get the cover she had purchased to cover Starsky's car. "Need some help?" Rebecca jumped and turned around the building security guard was standing behind her.
"Hi Mr. Caufield," She said smiling at him. "This is a lot harder than I thought it would me." She tugged on the cover.
"Here let me help." He said stepping forward to give her a hand. "New car?"
She shook her head and beamed at him. "It's my boyfriends."
"Nice, interesting paint job if I do say so myself." Caufield remarked and he helped Rebecca pull the over down tight.
"He's really into cars. Well I better be getting up stairs. Thanks Mr. Caufield." She said going to the elevator.
"You are very welcome and I do wish you would call me Eddie," He said smiling at her. She was such a nice young woman.
"Alright Eddie," She said as she stepped into the elevator.
Starsky heard the front door open, he had actually fallen back to sleep when he found he couldn't loosen himself. He wondered what would be in store for him now. She hadn't been violent to him but she might have killed Linda.
"How's my guy," Rebecca said coming into the room.
"Hi Rebecca," Starsky said hoping to earn her trust.
"I thought you were going to call me Becca," She pouted as she came closer to the bed.
"I'm sorry I forgot. I'll call you Becca if that's what you want." Starsky smiled at her. "So what do we do for dinner?"
Rebecca sat on the edge of the bed. "I hadn't really thought about dinner yet. I'm sorry I was gone so long today, you missed lunch."
Starsky's stomach was rumbling, Rebecca had left right after breakfast and it was nearly four now. "Where were you all day?" He hoping he was sounding interested and not nosey.
"I got you something." Rebecca answered proud of her self.
"Can I see?"
"Well not right now. But I'll tell you." She waited for him to ask what it was. When he didn't she told him. "I got a cover for your car. It will keep the dust off it." And keep anyone from seeing it she thought.
"That was thoughtful," Starsky said but panic began to settle in. Dust? Just how long was she thinking of keeping him here anyway.
"I thought you would like it. I know how much you love that car of yours." Rebecca touched Starsky's hand he drew away with out even thinking. "I'm not going to hurt you."
Ignoring her comment, he asked again. "What about dinner? I'm starved. I'll take you out if you like?"
At first Rebecca looked very pleased then her eyes narrowed. "You don't really think I would fall for that do you?"
"Fall for what?" Starsky said innocently. "We didn't get to have our dinner last night so I thought…"
She cut him off. "You thought it would be a great way to get away." Rebecca got up from the bed. "I'm not stupid, I have everything all planned out. You might not love me right now but in time you will."

"So where is your daughter?" Hutch asked Richard Collins. "Your butler said she didn't live here."
"He is quite right." Richard said sipping his coffee. "She move about two months ago."
"Before or after the accident?" Hutch asked.
"Accident? What accident?" Richard leaned toward Hutch. "My daughter isn't hurt is she?"
"No, this happened about two months ago." Hutch quickly explained about the accident and how a car had broadsided Rebecca that they were chasing. "My partner stayed with her until the paramedics came. Now two months later she turnes up in our parking lot at the station asks him out for and drink and then next thing I know my partner is missing."
"What makes you think my daughter is involved?" Richard questioned going back to his coffee.
"She has been stalking my partner, and from what we can figure it started just about the time as the accident." Hutch explained. "We also think she might have murdered my partners girlfriend."
"Just a damn minute here!" Richard shouted jumping to his feet. "She might be a little crazy but she wouldn't kill anyone."
"A little crazy?" Hutch asked. "What do you mean a little crazy?"
"She is fine as long as she is on her medication." Richard said going to the window and looking out.
Hutch got up and followed him. "What is wrong with her if I might ask?"
"Detective Hutchinson, my daughter is Bi-Polar." Richard said with out turning.
"Bi-Polar?" Hutch asked not being familiar with the term.
"Manic depressive illness," Richard said as if reciting out of a book. "She gets these grandiose ideas and plans. If what you are saying is true I am afraid she has fixated on your partner."
"Is she dangerous do you think she could have killed this other woman?" Hutch asked.
The man shrugged and looking rather defeated answered, "I guess if she felt that this woman was in the way of getting what she wanted then as much as I hate to say it yes. We have been struggling with this for years. While her mother was alive her condition was under control but after Vivian died Rebecca went down hill. She refused to stay on her medication, she would go off it from days, weeks at a time. The doctors had her on Lithium then Prozac and she was fine as long as she took them."
"How long has it been since you have seen your daughter?" Hutch was suddenly feeling sorry for this young woman but at the same time scared for his partner. He hoped Starsky was playing it smart for it sounded like if Rebecca was getting what she wanted all would be well.
"Just about two months," Richard turned and looked at the detective. "She came home one day said she was moving out, packed up and left."
"You didn't try to stop her?"
Richard shook his head, "She has done this before and was usually back in a few days. This time she didn't come back."
"And you didn't go looking for her?" Hutch said incredulously.
Richard put his hands over his face. "God help me I was glad she was gone. I'm not as young as I use to be. Caring for her, worrying what she might do next has taken a great toll on me since my wife died. I think it might even be what killed Vivian, I truly think she died of a broken heart. Becca was our only child and the sun rose and set with her. Then when she started having trouble and we found she had this disease it about killed Vivian. She blamed her self for Rebecca's illness."
Hutch put his hand on the man's shoulder. "I'm very sorry Richard, but it's time we find her before she hurts my partner. I think she is in love with him. That she took his kindness for more than it was."
Rebecca had just put the finishing touches on a their plates when Starsky called her from the bedroom. "What is it honey. Dinner is about ready."
"Becca I really need to go to the bathroom." Starsky called. He was hoping she didn't think it was a trick for he really had to go quite badly.
"Oh alright I'm coming." She peeked out side at the meat on the grill then went to the bedroom. "I guess I'm not much of a hostess am I?"
"You are doing fine but please if you'll just untie me I promise I won't get go anywhere." Starsky said.
Rebecca slowly untied him, when the last rope was off Starsky leaped off the bed and into the bathroom. After relieving himself, he looked around the bathroom. There was no window that he could escape from. He knew he could over power her if he had to but he first wanted to try to talk his way out.
There was a knock on the door, "Dinner is getting cold."
Starsky opened the door when he stepped out Rebecca stuck this gun under his nose. "As long as you behave I'll let you stay untied…for a while. We can eat at the table." Starsky nodded Rebecca practically skipped out of the bedroom unable to control her glee. "See, see how pretty the table is?"
"Very nice," Starsky complemented and it was beautiful. A white lace tablecloth covered the table, there were matching place mates and napkins. Wineglasses sat ready to be filled and a salad sat at each place.
She picked up the wine bottle that was resting in an ice bucket and handed it to Starsky, "Would you mind pouring?" she almost purred at him.
"Sure," Starsky poured wine into the glasses she was holding. He was never sure what to expect out of her. One moment she was angry and threatening the next she was caring and loving.
She took the bottle from him placing it back where it had come from then she held her glass up to his and clinked the rims together. "To us," she toasted. "May we have a long happy life together."
Starsky flinched at her words but took a sip of his wine. "Good wine," he commented for the lack of anything else to say.
"I had better get those steaks in," she said sitting her glass down. He glanced out onto the patio, smoke was pouring from under the lid of the grill.
"I think you better looks like they are burning." Starsky said pointing out the door.
Rebecca gasped and started for the door then stopped. "You better come with me."
Signing he followed her out onto the porch. She grabbed the lid to yank it up touching the side of the grill as she did. Rebecca cried out and dropped the fork she was carrying to lift the steaks. "Here let me," Starsky threw open the top, smoke poured out, the steaks were burnt to a crisp.
"Damnit," Rebecca sobbed tears streaming down her face partially from the pain from the burn and partially because she screwed up their dinner.
Starsky turned off the grill then said to Rebecca, "Let me see your hand." She held out her hand for him to look at, the whole side of her hand was turning an angry red and blisters were starting to form. "We need to get some ice on this." He led her into the kitchen and opened the freezer door. Starsky got a piece of ice and rubbed it on the burn. "You have something we can put on this?"
"In the bath room cabinet," Rebecca said taking the ice cube he handed her.
Starsky went into the bathroom, he opened the medicine cabinet. On the top shelf sat a tube of ointment that he could use, as he was reaching for it he saw a bottle of pills sitting one self down. He grabbed the bottle and read the prescription. Prozac. He frowned for a moment then replaced the bottle and got the ointment. Starsky found a box of Band-Aids and took those too.
When he got back to the kitchen she gave him a rather surprised look, "You didn't leave," she said as he took a towel and dried her hand before applying the ointment.
"I told you I wouldn't," Starsky answered as he placed a Band-Aid over the burn. "Why don't you come sit down Becca."
She nodded and allowed him to lead her into the living room. "I'm sorry about dinner. Seems like nothing ever goes right." She dropped her head to her chest and huge tears spilled on to her shirt.
"It's okay," Starsky soothed. "We'll think of something."
"We?" she asked a bit startled.
​

                                                                                            CHAPTER TEN

It was nearing midnight, Hutch was still at his desk, he had to figure out where Rebecca had taken Starsky. Her father had given him all the information that he could. The only contact Richard Collins had with his daughter was when he put money in her bank account. She was allowed to draw it out any time with out any questions asked and unless she came into the bank instead of using an ATM it would be next to impossible to find her. So far, there had been no sighting of her car. Hutch sat staring at the piece of paper he had written the name of her bank on he was planning to have it staked out as soon as it opened just in case she would show.
He signed and rubbed his hands threw his hair. There was something he was missing something that could flush her out. Suddenly he had an idea, why hadn't it accrued to him before. Hutch picked up the phone and dial Richard Collins home number.
The phone rang several times before Parker answered the phone, "Collins residents may I help you?"
"This is Detective Hutchinson, may I please speak to Mr. Collins?" Hutch said into the phone.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Parker demanded.
"Yes I know exactly what time it is. Now you put Collins on." Hutch barked.
A few moments later Richard answered the phone. "Detective?"
"Hello Mr. Collins, I'm sorry to disturb you at this late hour. Hutch apologized.
"That's quite alright did you find my daughter and your partner?" he asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not but I do have an idea," Hutch said then explained. "I want you to freeze Rebecca's account first thing in the morning. If she can't get any money she will be forced to show up at the bank to find out why. Make sure you instruct any body there to say that she has to come in to take care of the problem."
"Very good idea Detective." Richard said. "I hope they can be found soon. The longer Becca is off her meds the worse she will get. I'll be at the bank when it opens."
Rebecca woke with a start, she was curled up on the couch an empty pizza box sat on the coffee table and Starsky was no where to be seen. She looked at her watch it was two a.m.. After Starsky had fixed up her hand, he had suggested they order a pizza since the steaks had been ruined. She was leery at first wondering what he was up to but he had left it up to her to order the pizza and didn't even attempt to make a break for it when the delivery boy had come. They sat and talked as they ate pizza and drank the wine. She then remembered them talking a while and the next thing she knew here she was a wake and he was gone.
Sadly Rebecca got up from the couch and started into the kitchen, when she noticed the detective's gun was still lying on the dining room table where she had left it. She knew that he would never have left with out taking his gun with him. She had learned so much about him while following and watching. She took a deep breath and called out "Dave?"
"Out here Becca."
She was stunned, he hadn't left her he was out on the porch. Rebecca walked to the sliding glass doors and looked out. Starsky was standing there looking up at the sky. "Nice night," he commented.
"Why are you still here?" Rebecca asked. "I fell asleep, you could have left anytime, why didn't you?"
"I think you need help," Starsky said simply. "I don't just walk out on people who need help."
Rebecca broke down in tears and leaned against the door. "How can you be so nice to me? I-I killed your partner and your girl friend."
"You didn't kill my partner," Starsky said putting his hand under her chin and lifting her eyes to his. "Do you hear me? You didn't kill Hutch."
"But I did I poisoned his milk," she said softly. "I'm sorry I didn't mean too I just didn't want him to come between us."
"Becca there is no us I don't even know you." Starsky said gently.
"But you were so kind to me after the accident," she said still crying.
"Partly I was doing my job and partly I felt guilty if we hadn't been chasing that car it would never have hit you." Starsky explained. "You looked so sad and scared I couldn’t just walk away."
"Like now, you aren't going to walk away are you?" she asked.
Starsky shook his head, "No I'm not, I saw your prescription in the medicine cabinet. Are you taking your medication?"
At first she started to deny she was on any medication then slowly she shook her head. "Not for the last couple of months." She admitted. "I know I'm suppose to take it but sometimes I forget and then after I'm off it a while it's just easier not to and…" She trailed off.
"Is there somebody I can call for you? Family?" Starsky asked.
Her eyes narrow angrily and she slapped Starsky. Catching him off guard he stumbled backward in to the railing around the bouncy. He grabbed her wrists but she pulled free with unusual strength. "God you are like the rest of them. Every time anything happens you want to call my daddy." She screamed in his face she ran back in to the dining room and grabbed the gun that was lying on the table and pointed it at him.
"Come on Becca, put the gun down," Starsky said coming through the door. "Everything is going to be okay."
"NO NO," She yelled. "Things haven't been okay for a very long time. Ever since my mother died nothing as been okay. I just wanted somebody to love me, I just needed somebody to love ME!"
"I'm sure your father loves you," Starsky said calmly as he continued toward her.
"No he doesn't he blames me for my mothers death." She sobbed as she put her finger on the trigger. "He hated that she was always fawning over me, taking care of me."
"I'm sure that's not true," Starsky said edging ever closer.
"Stay back," she warned then put the gun to her own head.
Hutch had just come in the door of his apartment when the phone ran. He tossed his keys on his desk and grabbed the receiver. "Hello?"
"Hutch." After Rebecca had fallen asleep, Starsky had gone into the bedroom to call Hutch.
"Starsky, where the hell are you man? The whole police force is looking for you." Hutch said breathing a sigh of relief to hear from his partner.
"I'm with Rebecca," Starsky whispered.
"You're what?" Hutch almost shouted.
"I'm at her apartment she fell asleep."
"Well get the hell out of there," Hutch said
"Hutch, she is in trouble there is something not right." Starsky said, he knew that Hutch was right that he should just leave let the men in their little white coats have her but there was something he couldn't explain. He wanted to help her.
"There is something about her alright she is crazy," Hutch said lowering his voice. "I have talked to her dad Starsk, Rebecca is Bi-Polar."
"She's what?"
"Bi-Polar," Hutch quickly explained what Richard Collins had told him.
"Well that explains the medicine I found then." Starsky said.
"Where are you?" Hutch asked. "I'll be there."
"Let me handle this Hutch," Starsky said.
"Are you nuts too?" Hutch snapped. "She has already killed Linda."
"Apparently she tried to kill you too my friend," Starsky said. "She thinks you are dead. So there must be some kind of trap around so be careful don't eat or drink anything. She drugged me."
"Damn it Starsky tell me where you are." Hutch insisted. "I won't come in until you tell me but I want to know where you are." Finally Starsky gave in and told Hutch where he was once his partner promised to let him bring Rebecca in. "If you aren't in this station by morning or I don’t hear from you I'm coming there with a whole army."
"You got it pal, don't worry I have it under control.
​

                                                                            CHAPTER ELEVEN

Hutch sat staring at the phone in his hand, was his partner nuts? Why didn't he just get out of there? He hung up the phone then picked it up again dialing Collins' number. Parker answered but this time refusing to get Collins and hung up on Hutch. All he wanted to do was go to the apartment building that Starsky had given him the address. But he had promised to wait until morning, which was approaching quickly. Instead, he decided he would go over the Richard Collins' house and see if the butler would keep him out.
Parker answered the door quickly as if knowing who was knocking. He blocked the way, "What do you want?"
"Listen, do you want me to arrest you for obstruction of justice?" Hutch growled. "You get Collins down here right now!"
"I'm here," Richard pulled open the door to allow Hutch to enter. Parker gave the detective a dirty look and stalked away. "Please don't think badly of Parker he is just trying to protect me."
"Mr. Parker, I know where your daughter is," Hutch told him. "My partner called me just a while ago."
"Called you?" Richard said. "That means he has escaped."
"Actually no he is still with your daughter and has made me promise not to go over there. He said he will bring her in." Hutch replied.
"No, you have got to get him out of there. I don't think he realizes what she is capable of doing." Richard said wringing his hands and pacing the floor.
"He knows she has killed his girl friend and from what he said she thinks she has killed me also." Hutch answered. "I'm giving him until morning then I'm going in."
"Detective Hutchinson please I'm begging you go in now. You just don't understand."
"Then explain it to me."
Richard took a deep breath. "Becca killed her mother."
"Yes died of a broken heart. You told me that."
"That isn't exactly true," Richard hung his head. "She was broken hearted alright but Becca killed her. She was off her meds and flew into a rage. Her mother had said no to her about something. Becca went wild, started screaming and shoving her mother around. I heard the commotion from down stairs, I got to the bottom of the stairs just in time to see Becca shove Vivian down. She was dead by the time she reached the bottom, she had broken her neck. I called the life squad then lied telling them it had been an accident, she had tripped and fallen."
"Mr. Collins I'm so sorry." Hutch said.
"Please take me to this apartment building let me talk to Becca," Richard insisted. "I don't want another innocent persons blood on my hands.
Rebecca stood looking at Starsky the gun pointed to her head. "Please Becca give me the gun, don't do this. You don't have to do this," Starsky pleaded with her.
"I have killed too many people," she moaned. "I don't mean to it j-just happens. I’m sick I know I am. I want to stay on my medicine but I can't."
"Hutch is fine I told you that." Starsky said trying inch closer to her.
"Yeah but what about your girl friend, my mother."
"Your mother?" Starsky asked stopping his advance.
"I killed my own mother. What daughter kills their mother. Father covered it up but I know he never forgave me. He told me it was because I was sick and it wasn't my fault but it is my fault I should be lock away some place where I can't hurt anyone." Rebecca was sobbing almost uncontrollably but she didn’t put the gun down.
"I will get you help, I promise you know I keep my promises," Starsky said softly.
"You do," She gave him a quick smile. "You are as nice as I thought you were."
"Becca if we had meet in a different situation…" Starsky began.
"Don’t, don’t say that please," she sobbed. "I'm hopeless I'm not good for anybody especially my self. I would be better off dead."
"Becca there is a reason for every life."
"Not mine," Rebecca pulled the trigger, the gun clicked, she pulled it again and again there was nothing but a click. She looked at Starsky. He held up the clip from his gun. "Damn it, just give it to me and get out!"
"No, I'm not leaving here without you Becca," Starsky walked toward her she put the couch in-between the two of them.
She held out her hand. "Give me the clip."
"How will your father feel if you kill yourself?"
"He will be relieved. He won't have to worry what I'm going to do next." Rebecca said still holding out her hand.
"I am not giving this to you. It would be the same as if I shot you myself."
"I wish you would, I don't deserve to live for the things I have done." Rebecca moved around the couch as Starsky edged closer.
"Won't you just sit down and talk to me," Starsky begged, he wasn't getting anywhere.
"There is nothing left to talk about." Rebecca said she looked toward the open patio door. With a set look on her face, she walked across the room toward the doors. "I'll just jump if you won't give me the clip then."
"Becca please," Starsky didn't know what to do. She would be out on the bouncy and over the railing before he could get to her.
Hutch stood out side Rebecca's apartment building, her father had ridden over with him. Several squad cars were also there and a life squad just in case they needed it. He knew that she probably had Starsky's gun. Hutch gave them a run down on the situation in side.
It was just beginning to get light out side as Hutch, Richard and the other officers stepped off the elevator on to Rebecca's floor. "You stay back Mr. Collins."
Hutch stopped in front of her apartment door, he rapped the door lightly. He hoped that maybe she or Starsky would just answer the door. There was no sound from inside, he put his ear to the door trying to hear any movment but heard nothing. All kinds of things ran through his mind what if Starsky was already dead? He nodded to one of the officers standing beside him who then kicked in the door.
The officers had their guns drawn as well as Hutch they stepped inside the apartment. Rebecca was standing in front of the sliding glass doors she whirled around when the door flew open training the gun at the officers.
"NOOOOOOO," yelled Starsky but it was too late, one of the men open fired on her. Rebecca dropped the gun and fell to the floor. "It wasn't loaded, it wasn't loaded!" Starsky rushed to her side and knelt to the floor. "Becca, Becca," He cradled her in his arms. "For Christ sakes just don't stand there get an ambulance!" He yelled.
Hutch went to his partners side, "You okay buddy?"
"Yeah I'm fine," Starsky said rocking Rebecca back and forth. "Just get her some help. The damn gun wasn’t' loaded" He reached in his pocket and threw the clip toward his partner. "It wasn't loaded."
"They are on their way up." Hutch assured him. "I'm sorry buddy we didn't know."
Richard enter the room, then walked to where his daughter lay, he got down on his knees. "My Becca my sweet Becca." He pushed a stray hair from her forehead. "I never wanted this to happen."
"I was going to bring her in," Starsky said looking up at Richard both men's eyes were filled with tears. "I had emptied the gun nobody was in danger."
Richard reached out and touched Starsky's shoulder. "Thank you."
"Daddy?" Rebecca whispered almost inaudibly.
"I'm here baby." He took her hand and held it.
"I didn't mean to hurt anyone," she said, "I-I just…"
"Don't talk, help is on the way," Richard said.
She opened her eyes and looked up at the two men kneeling next to her then she saw Hutch standing above them. "Don’t drink the milk," she said just before falling unconscious.
Two paramedics rushed in pulling a gurney behind them. Starsky stood to get out of their way then helped Richard to his feet. They stood by as they watched the paramedics work on Becca.
​

Starsky was sitting at his desk eating a donut when Hutch came into the squad room. He was caring a file folder which he laid on Starsky's desk. "Lab work on the residue left in the milk carton. There was enough poison in there to kill half the people in the building. She meant business."
"At least now that she is in the hospital she will get the help she needs. They'll see she stays on her medication." Starsky said.
"I glad for her father's sake that the wound wasn’t too bad. I don't think he could have lived with himself if she had died." Hutch took a seat at his desk.
Starsky finished his donut and got up, he had on a suit coat, very unusual for the detective. "I'll be back in a couple of hours."
"Where are you going?" Hutch asked his partner shocked to see the way he was dressed.
"I'm going to the hospital to visit Becca," Starsky said waiting for the explosion he knew was coming.
"What me to come with you?" Hutch asked.
Starsky hiked his eyebrows and his friend. "Really? I thought you would give me a hard time about this."
Hutch put his arm around Starsky's shoulders. "You know I admire you for how you handled all this. You saved Becca if it hadn't been for you she would have been dead."
Starsky gave him a smile and shook his head, "Just doing my job partner just doing my job."

The end