THE IMPOSTOR
                                                                                             BY
                                                                                         TOOKI



                                                                                 ​CHAPTER ONE




A battered brown Ford pulled up in front of a stone building, the words Venice Place were insculptured across the top of the building. The first floor was a restaurant, on the second floor was a small one bedroom apartment.
The driver of the car, Detective Ken Hutchinson, turned off the ignition but didn't get out of the car. Hutch as he was better known by had blond hair, blue eyes and stood six foot one. In his early thirties he looked more like a playboy than a rough and tumble cop. Next to him sat Detective Susan Carlston, in her early twenties she had long hair, hazel eyes, and was a good eight inches shorter than her partner. They had only been partners for a short time.
Detective Dave Starsky rounded out the trio but he wasn't with them tonight. It had been their day off. Susan and Hutch had one of their rare "real" dates, they had gone to dinner then dancing. Most of the time their dates consisted of a hot cup of coffee on an all night stake out.
Hutch smiled at Susan in the darkness, "Have fun?"
"Yeah," she said stretching lazily, "I forgot what it was like to date like normal people."
He laughed, "I know what you mean. Do you want to come up?" Hutch asked as he opened his car door. Susan's blue Mazda was parked in front of Hutch's car.
"Sure," she also got out of the car or tried to, but the door stuck. Hutch ran around the car, kicked the door, and pulled on the handle; it opened with a loud creak.
Looking rather embarrassed he said, "Gotta get that fixed one of these days."
Susan hopped out of the car smiling to herself. Hutch's car was a constant source of amusement, she and Starsky teased him endlessly, especially when the horn blared when he opened the driver side door. On the other hand Hutch hated Starsky's car and called it a red tomato. And since Susan's car was small and not equipped with a police radio they were stuck with the heap or the tomato.
Hutch looked at her wondering what she was smiling about as he put his arm around her shoulders. They climbed the stairs to Hutch's apartment, he felt for his key on the doorframe above the door. He frowned, the key wasn't there.
"Something wrong?" Susan asked, noticing the expression on his face.
Hutch put his finger to his lips to silence her, he put his ear to the door but no sound came from inside. Hutch put his hand on the doorknob, it was unlocked. Opening it slowly, he motioned for Susan to stay behind him.
There was a huge man sitting in the middle of Hutch's couch, the word ugly didn't even began to describe him. There was a gun lying across his knees. In a gravely voice the man said, "Come in Hutchinson." His close cropped gray hair made him look even meaner, he had steely gray eyes and his nose looked like it had been broken more than once, which it had.
Hutch stepped into the room wishing he had his gun, this was one of the rare times he was without it. He glanced at the closet door his shoulder holster hung over the door but it was empty. The man pointed at the end table next to the couch, Hutch's Colt Python lay there.
Susan came in the door behind her partner the hit man looked startled, "Get out of her sister, I've got some things to discuss with the cop in private."
Hutch turned looking her right in the eye, "Go on get out of here," he said almost under his breath.
Susan didn't move. The man heaved himself to his feet, he was at least four inches taller and out weighed Hutch by a hundred pounds. There was no fat on the man it was all muscle, he held his gun down at his side. Hutch pushed Susan back into the hall.
"You had better listen to him honey," the man growled. "I don't kill anyone I'm not paid to kill unless I have to, so get moving."
"Go on," Hutch said and closed the door in her face but didn't latch it.
Susan stood in the hall not knowing what really to do, she didn't have time to go for help. Opening her purse she pulled out a small gun she carried off duty or when she was under cover. She looked at the gun and shook her head it would be like trying to take down an elephant with a peashooter.
Meanwhile inside Hutch faced his killer, "Come on Lou, let's talk."
"Talk?" The man chuckled, "I don't talk, you should know that."
"Isn't this a strange place for a hit?" Hutch asked. "And you just let a witness walk out the door."
Lou shrugged, "Feeling generous today besides it would be a shame to off such a looker. I'm leaving the country as soon as I do you."
Hutch looked around the room desperately; he would be dead by the time he reached his gun, and it would be too late by the time anyone Susan called got there.
About that time the door flew open with a loud bang. Susan stood in the doorway holding her gun. Lou took one look at her and started laughing. Hutch turned around and stared at her.
"POLICE!" She yelled, "DROP YOUR WEAPON!"
Lou laughed even harder, tears began running down his face, "You have got to be kidding me." He made no move to bring up the gun he was holding.
"Are you crazy?" Hutch hissed at her.
Susan ignored her partner, instead concentrating on the hit man. She aimed the gun at the ceiling and fired one shot, which finally got Lou's attention, "You aren't kidding are you?" Lou said in amazement, "You really a cop?"
"Yes, I'm really a cop so please drop your weapon before I shoot you," she said in a deadly voice.
"With that?" He pointed at the gun she was holding, he started to chuckle again.
"Lou this is my partner," Hutch said glaring at Susan. "My not to bright partner."
"Hey," Susan snapped. "I came back to save your ass."
Lou shook his head, "What happened to Starsky?"
"He's around," Susan said, as if he would pop out of the bedroom.
"Yeah right," Lou growled, "Games over, I win, you lose."
Hutch made a dive for his gun laying on the end table. Lou stepped forward clubbing the detective with the butt of his gun. Hutch went down falling between the couch and coffee table. Susan let out a small cry.
Lou advanced on her with his gun raised, he backed her up against the open door. The hit man pressed the barrel of the gun to her chest. Susan closed her eyes waiting for the blast that didn't come.
She opened her eyes slowly, Lou was looking down at her smiling, "Count yourself lucky girlie," he said. "I'm in a good mood today." Then he turned back to look at Hutch lying unconscious on the floor.
"Please don't," she whispered looking at Lou with pleading eyes.
"Another day," Lou said taking the gun from her chest, he ducked out the door and was gone.
Susan stood there shaking, she slowly slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor. Her legs were to weak to hold her, so Susan crawled over to where Hutch lay. There was a big bump rising on the back of his head. The phone was sitting on the end table next to Hutch's gun. She grabbed the cord and pulled the phone toward her.
She thought for a moment, then dialed Starsky's number. After the fifteenth ring, she hung up sighing. Then she picked up the phone again and dialed another number.
"The Pits," said a familiar voice.
"Huggy," Susan said relieved.
"Hey Susan, how's it going?" Huggy Bear said. Huggy was a tall thin black man in his early thirties, he wore some of the most outlandish clothes Susan had ever seen.
"Huggy is Starsky there by any chance?" she asked hopefully.
"Sitting right here," Huggy said handing the phone to Starsky.
Starsky was also in his early thirties and had blue eyes but there the resemblance to Hutch stopped. He was two inches shorter than his blond partner and had black curly hair, "Susan?"
"Starsky," despite herself she began to cry, "I'm at Hutch's, we need you."
That was all she had to say. Starsky was already headed for the door, "Something is wrong at Hutch's," he called to Huggy.
"Hold on, I'm coming with you" Huggy slammed down the receiver, grabbed a bright green jacket that matched his slacks, and ran after Starsky.
Starsky jumped in his red Torino, it had a white stripe that ran over the top of the car tapering to points at the front. Huggy climbed in next to him. Starsky slapped a red light on the top of the car and sped off.

Ten minutes later they arrived at Hutch's apartment, the front door stood open. Starsky stopped suddenly causing Huggy to run into the back of him. Susan was sitting on the floor with Hutch's head in her lap. She was softly talking to him, she didn't hear Huggy and Starsky come in. Starsky gasped thinking that Hutch was dead. Susan grabbed Hutch's gun, which she had retrieved from the table earlier, she pointed it at them before she realized who it was.
"Hey!" Starsky shouted. "It's us."
"Thank God," Susan said lowering the gun.
Starsky ran to her side, Huggy closed the door as he looked around the apartment, nothing was out of place. "Is he . . ., " Starsky couldn't even say the word.
"No, just unconscious," Susan leaned on Starsky who had joined her on the floor.
"What the hell happened?" Starsky ask looking around as Huggy had.
Hutch started to moan his hand went to his head rubbing the lump. Without opening his eyes he asked, "Am I still alive?"
Susan began to laugh through her tears, and Starsky grinned, "If you ain't alive then we are the most awful bunch of angels I have ever seen," Huggy said as he sat down on the couch.
Hutch got to his feet with the aid of his two partners. They guided him to a nearby chair. Susan went for some ice. By the time she got back Hutch was explaining what had happened, at least up until he was knocked out. Susan put the ice on the bump, Hutch flinched away from her.
"Will you hold still," Susan ordered.
Reluctantly, Hutch allowed her to hold the ice on the back of his head. "You going to tell us the rest?" Starsky ask Susan. She picked up where Hutch left off.
When she finished Huggy said, "You two are lucky to be alive. Lou Lawson is one mean cat."
Starsky nodded in agreement, "You got that right."
"I don't understand why he just walked out," Susan said completely confused, "We would have been so easy to take out."
"I think we should call Dobey." Starsky said reaching for the phone.
"It'll wait until morning," Hutch said, he took the ice away from Susan. "That's enough, I'm going to bed."
"I don't think that's such a good idea," Susan said taking back the wash cloth and melting ice, she then took it to the kitchen. "You could have a concussion."
Hutch made a face at Susan, "So am I suppose to stay up all night?"
"No dummy, but I think someone needs to stay with you," Susan said.
"Don't look at me," Starsky said, "I'm going to track down Lou."
"At this hour?" Susan raised her eyebrows. "And without back up, I don't think so."
"Didn't he say he was leaving the country?" Starsky ask, Susan nodded. "If I don't find him tonight, it might be too late by morning."
"You can't go alone," she persisted.
"Lou isn't known for leaving a job undone," Huggy said. "I don't think he's going anywhere yet."
"I'm coming with you," Susan said to Starsky.
"No you are not," Starsky ordered. "You stay here with Hutch."
"Starsky!" Susan protested, looking at Hutch for help.
"Just wait until tomorrow buddy," Hutch told his partner.
Ignoring both his partners, Starsky said, "You two have fun." Then to Huggy, "You need a lift back to the bar?"
The black man nodded following the detective out the door. Susan jumped down from the edge of the kitchen sink where she had been sitting, and she went in the bathroom. Coming back with aspirin and a glass of water, she said, "You were a lot of help."
"There is one thing about Starsky you have to learn," Hutch informed her. "He is going to do things his way."
"Even if it gets him killed?" She stood behind Hutch holding the aspirin and water, he had his head back and eyes closed. "Here take these," she said leaning over him.
Hutch jumped knocking the glass of water out of her hand, most of it landed in his lap. He stood up, his pants were soaked, and Susan started laughing. He grabbed her holding her tight against him, "Now you're all wet, too," he smiled at her. Suddenly, he felt faint and almost went down. Susan grabbed him just in time, "Man, Lou really hit me a good one."
Susan steadied him, "Maybe we should get you to a hospital."
"No hospital," Hutch groaned, "I'm O.K."
There was a screech of tires then a loud bang just out side the apartment. Susan jumped looking around, she smiled sheepishly, "Let's get out of here and go over to my place."
"I'll go for that, just let me change."
It was almost midnight by the time they arrived at Susan's apartment. She left Hutch sitting on the couch while she went to shower and changed. When Susan returned, Hutch was no where in sight. She glanced into the kitchen, he wasn't there. She went to her bedroom and peered in. Hutch was laying crossways in the bed sound to sleep. Susan pulled off his shoes, put a pillow under his head, and covered him with a quilt that was lying at the foot of her bed. She stood smiling at him for a few moments then grabbed another pillow and blanket from the closet. She didn't want to bother him, so Susan went out to the living room to sleep on the couch.





                                                                              CHAPTER TWO



When Starsky arrived at Lou Lawson's apartment, the front door was hanging off its hinges blocking the entrance. He moved the door, holding his gun in front of him. Starsky carefully stepped in the apartment. Lou was lying in the hallway in a pool of blood, it was obvious he was dead. Starsky looked around the room, deciding no one else was around he put away his gun. With his shirttail the detective picked up the phone and dialed police headquarters.
In a matter of just thirty minutes two squad cars, the coroner, an ambulance, and the Crime Lab arrived. Sam Walters along with his assistant Kat Wallace began the task of looking for evidence. They went over the apartment with a fine toothcomb.
"Find anything?" Starsky ask.
Sam who was in his mid forties with thinning hair shook his head, "Looks like the hit man was hit. There is nothing out of place except for the door."
Kat came up next to her partner, "There is a cash of guns under the bed hidden in the floor boards," she flashed a bright smile at Starsky, who returned it. Kat was a beauty, in her late twenties she had long shapely legs and a killer figure, she could have been a fashion model. She and Hutch had dated for a short time but they ended up just friends. Starsky had asked her out several times, but she always turned him down.
"Let's take a look," Sam said following Kat out of the room.
Starsky started to tag after them when a police officer called him. Sighing he said, "What do you need Dickerson?"
"They want to know if they can get the body yet," Dickerson said pointing at two ambulance attendants.
"Ask the coroner if he's done," Starsky growled. He had missed his opportunity to talk to Kat some more. He went out to his car and put a call into Hutch's apartment. When there was no answer he told control to try Carlston.
"Hello?" said a sleepy voice.
"Susan?" Starsky ask.
"Starsky is that you. What time is it?"
"Around two," Starsky said glancing at his watch. "Decided to go to your place?"
"Yeah, it was kind of . . . . weird being at Hutch's with what happened. We were jumping at shadows," she said yawning. Susan turned on the light next to the couch, "What's up?"
"Well I don't know if this will make you feel any better or not, but I found Lou dead."
"What!" Susan exclaimed loudly, she jumped up and peered into her bedroom. Hutch was still sleeping soundly. She closed the door softly then returned to the couch.
"The consensus around here is that it was a hit," Starsky explained, he watched Sam and Kat come out of the apartment and pack their equipment away in the Crime Lab's station wagon.
"This whole thing is totally weird," Susan said nervously looking at her front door, the chain was securely in place. Not that it would stop anyone who really wanted in, "I don't like it."
"Me either," Starsky agreed with her. "How's Hutch doing?"
"He's asleep. He'll be fine but he'll have a hell of a headache when he gets up in the morning," Susan said glancing at the closed door, "You call Dobey?"
"It'll keep till morning."
"It is morning," Susan smiled into the phone.
"OK smarty pants, we'll tell him when we get to work," Starsky shook his head. She always gave him a hard time, but it was all just in fun. "I'm done here, going home to get a little sleep if you need anything."
"I'll call, don't worry."

When Hutch opened his eyes, he wasn't sure of anything except it was morning, and he had a hell of a headache just as Susan predicted. The sun was streaming brightly into the bedroom window, he knew he wasn't in his bed. As Hutch started to get up, his head began pounding harder. He lay back in bed trying to get a handle on what had happened. Then the detective remembered the events of the previous night, he was at Susan's apartment. He looked next to him, that's when he realized he was laying crossways in the bed fully clothed, and she wasn't there.
Hutch carefully sat up looking at the clock on the bedside table, nine thirty. They were an hour and a half late to work, and he hated to be late anywhere. He noticed a glass of water, a bottle of aspirin, and a note sitting next to the clock. Hutch picked up the note, "Take two aspirin, I'll call you later," Hutch read out loud.
Sighing Hutch got up, went into the bathroom and showered. His head was spinning by the time he emerged from the bathroom, maybe he should have gone to the hospital like Susan had wanted him to last night. After taking the aspirin she had left for him, he went to her closet. Hutch hoped he still had spare clothes there. He found a shirt with a pair of slacks handing under it. When he finished dressing, he went to the kitchen and make some strong black coffee.

"Where the hell is Hutchinson!" bellowed Captain Dobey as soon as the two detectives entered his office minus one. Dobey was a plump black man in his early forties, he had close-cropped black curly hair and a black mustache. He rarely smiled and yelled a lot, but it was only because he cared greatly for all his detectives, "And don't tell me he had a late date."
"I was his date, Captain," Susan said sitting down in front of his desk, "He's at my apartment. . . ."
"What is he doing there?" Dobey interrupted.
"Cap, if you'll just let us explain," Starsky said, also taking a seat.
The two detectives explained to their captain what had happened the night before. Dobey was almost speechless, almost, "Why the hell didn't you call me?" his already plump face seemed to puff out even more.
"Cap it was the middle of the night," Starsky said. "It was handled."
"Anything concerning one of my detectives I want to know about immediately," Dobey blustered. "Is that understood?"
"Calm down Cap before you pop something," Susan said softly.
Dobey glared at her but relaxed slightly, in a calmer voice he said, "OK, you two hit the streets. See what you can find out, and tell Hutchinson to be in my office this afternoon."
Both detectives sat down at their desks in the squad room glad to be out of Dobey's office. Susan picked up the phone and dialed her own number, the phone rang several times before Hutch picked up.
"Hello?"
"'Morning Hutch," Susan smiled into the phone. " How's the head?"
"It's still here, I think," he said rubbing the back of his head painfully. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You just looked so darn cute. I just didn't have the heart to wake you," Susan teased, "Besides I thought you could use the rest."
"Oh brother," Hutch rolled his eyes, "What's going on?"
Turning serious Susan said, "Lou's dead, looks like it was a hit." Hutch was too stunned to speak. When he didn't say anything, Susan asked, "You O.K.?"
"Yeah," he mumbled, "So what does that mean for me?"
"I've been wondering that myself." Susan frowned, "Maybe you should stay at my place for a while. If Lou didn't know who I was, maybe who ever hit him doesn't know either. "You'll be safe there."
"All right, I'll stay for a few day's but I'm not hiding," Hutch said. Then changing the subject he asked, "Now just how am I suppose to get to work?"
Susan laughed, "Starsky and I'll be out to get you. Dobey is about to have a coronary."
"Isn't he always?" Hutch said pouring himself another cup of coffee. "I'll be waiting."
Starsky and Susan stopped at The Pits before picking up Hutch. The bar was fairly empty, a few customers sat around eating breakfast. Huggy was just coming out of the kitchen carrying a plate of bacon and eggs, he sat the plate down in front of an old man at the bar.
Huggy had traded his loud clothes for a black turtle neck and jeans, he looked tired as he approached the detectives, "Hi guys," he said yawning, "Where's Hutch?"
"He's at my place," Susan said looking closely at Huggy. "What's wrong with you?"
Huggy waved away her concern, "Late night, there was a lady friend waiting for me last night when I got back," he grinned, "You talk to Lou, Starsky."
"He's dead," Starsky said sitting down on one of the bar stools, "looks like it was a hit."
"Lou hit?" Huggy looked as stunned as Hutch had. "Who would take out a hit on a hit man and who would be dumb enough to take it?"




                                                                                CHAPTER THREE





Alex Devon sat behind his desk, he was in his late forties but looked much younger. Devon always dressed stylishly in three piece suits, his light brown hair was on the longish side but styled and he had a killer smile. The ladies flocked around him whereever he went. Devon never had a problem finding a date. Marilyn his latest lady was sitting next to him buffing out his fingernails. He thought he was lucky to be dating a manicurist, at least for the time being.
Devon gave her one of his smiles, his green eyes flashed at her. She returned his smile as she finished up, "All done love," she said in a sultry voice, Marilyn tossed her mane of blonde hair over her shoulder, "anything else?"
"Yeah but it will have to wait until later," he said, swatting her on the butt. "Now be a good girl and tell Johnny I want to see him."
Marilyn giggled, kissed Devon on the cheek and left the room, he watch her as she closed the door. Devon leaned back in his leather chair, everything in his office was the best, he ate the best food, drank the best wine and hired only the best.
There was a light tap on the office door, then it opened, a young man poked his head in. Devon motioned him in, "Did you hit Lou, Johnny?"
Johnny nodded as he entered the office, "Piece of cake." Johnny Harris was no where near as good looking as Devon. He looked like a seedy character, which he was and Devon made sure he was never seen with Johnny, they always met in his office after hours. The only person that knew there was any kind of connection between the hit man and the businessman was Marilyn.
"I was hoping Lou would do Hutchinson, now it's up to you," Devon sighed, "I didn't want that kind of heat on you."
"No one will know who killed the cop," Johnny strutted across the room then flopped down in a chair in front of his boss's desk. "I haven't been here long and I don't have a rap sheet in L.A.."
"I still would have liked Lou to have done his job." Devon paced the room, "No body would have looked to hard for the killer of a dead hit man, especially one that just killed a cop."
"I still don't understand why you hired me to kill Lou after he killed Hutchinson."
"I'm paying you enough not to ask questions," Devon said stopping in front of Johnny then began his pacing again.
Sighing Johnny ask, "What about now, will the cops investigate much?" He picked up a very expensive looking vase from Devon's desk.
Devon crossed the room, he took the vase from Johnny and carefully sat it back on his desk before he spoke, "Starsky was there last night he's the one that found Lou," Devon gave Johnny a pained look, "Starsky and Hutchinson aren't known for giving up."
"When do you want me to finish the hit?" Johnny ask as he started to pick up a crystal paperweight, Devon cleared his throat, the hit man ran his hand through his hair instead.
"Just as soon as possible," Devon ordered, he went over to his desk opened the center drawer and pulled out plane tickets, he tossed them to Johnny. The man looked up at his boss.
"What's this?" he asked as he opened the ticket folder and read the destination of the ticket, "England, just what the hell am I suppose to do there?"
"Take a vacation for about six months," Devon looked at him, "that is unless you want to end up like Lou Lawson. I can't afford to have the cops trace you back to me."
"What's your beef with Hutchinson any way?"
Devon glared at Johnny, "Like I said before, I'm paying you enough not to ask questions. Just take care of the hit O.K.?"
"Sure," Johnny shrugged, getting up, "how do you want me to do it?"
"I don't care," Devon snapped, "you're the hit man."

Johnny had pumped Lou for information about Hutch before he had put a bullet in the old man's chest. Lou had been very helpful but he had left out the part about Carlston, he didn't see any since in giving the young up start all the information, let him find out on his own. Besides Devon had crossed him and he wasn't about to help them now, how ever he did tell Johnny where Hutch lived.
The hit man arrived at Hutch's Venice apartment about mid night. After slipping on a pair of black leather gloves, he felt along the top of the doorframe where Lou said the key would be. Johnny couldn't believe anyone would leave a key there especially a cop.
He eased the key in the lock and opened the door, the apartment was dark, silently he looked around letting his eyes get use to the darkness. Clearly Hutchinson wasn't home even though his car was parked out front, maybe he had gone for a walk or the all night market down the street.
After an hour of sitting in the dark Johnny flipped on a light, he went into the kitchen and began going through drawers until he found what he was looking for. Johnny pulled out a large butcher knife, he ran his gloved hand over the blade.
The hit man started with the bed, he dug the knife into the mattress several times until the springs popped through, he tore into the pillows slinging feathers everywhere. He then moved on to the couch, by the time he was done with Hutch's apartment it looked like it had been hit by a freak snow storm.
He went to a roll top desk that sat against the wall by the front door and pulled out the middle drawer. He dug around looking for paper, not finding any he dropped the drawer on the floor then searched the rest of the desk dumping drawers as he went. Johnny mumbled to himself as he worked, there wasn't a single piece of paper in the whole desk, by this time Johnny was totally exasperated. He looked around the room, spotting the telephone on the end table by the couch, he smiled, everyone kept paper next to the phone.
Blowing feathers from the table he was rewarded with a small scratch pad and a pen. Johnny plopped down on the couch, feathers flew everywhere, waving them away from his face he began to write. When he was finished he ripped the top piece of paper from the pad, picked up the butcher knife and went to the front door. He held the paper up the door then used the knife to hold the note in place. He turned out the light, shut and locked the door then replaced the key on the doorframe.

After leaving Huggy's, Starsky and Susan drove to her apartment, she opened the door and went in with Starsky right behind her. Hutch was no where in sight, Starsky banged his shin on an end table causing a candle to tip over and crash to the floor. The detective grabbed his leg and began hopping around the room. The bedroom door swung open suddenly, Hutch was standing in the doorway pointing his gun at his partners.
Susan who had been trying to help Starsky spun around, "Jesus Hutch," she exclaimed.
Hutch lowered his gun giving them a sheepish look, "Sorry, I heard a noise and thought. . . "
"Lou was back?" Susan finished for him.
Hutch nodded, "I guess last night kind of spooked me."
"I'll feel better when we find Lou's killer," Starsky said as he painfully rubbed his shin.
"Get anything from Huggy," Hutch asked slipping his gun into his shoulder holster.
"Nothing yet," Susan said holding Hutch's brown leather jacket out to him.
"He had a very late night," Starsky said, giving his leg one last rub. Hutch raised his eyebrows at his partner, "Lady friend."
Hutch smiled, "Must have been Leanne, she's the only one I know that keeps him up all night."
"When you two finish discussing Huggy's love life maybe we can get to work," Susan snapped.
Both men looked at her, Hutch put his arm around her, "Hey take it easy, we'll get to the bottom of this."
"I'm sorry guys," she said softly, "all this has kind of put me on edge."
"You and me both," Starsky smiled at her also putting an arm around her.

Back at headquarters they began going through Hutch's files. Dobey even helped, but nothing popped out at them. Most of the felons were still in jail or Hutch felt they weren't a threat. Since it didn't seem that Starsky was part of the hit they concentrated on the files before Hutch and Starsky became partners or cases where Starsky wasn't involved.
Giving up on the files the three detectives made a trip over to Lou's apartment. There were bright yellow strips of tape over the door telling the curious to keep out. Hutch removed the tape and stepped into the living room. There was a large patch of dry blood in the hallway.
"This where you found him?" Hutch asked Starsky, indicating the spot on the floor.
The curly headed detective nodded, "He was still warm when I got here. I must have just missed the killer."
Hutch looked thoughtful for a few minutes then ask, "Do you think that maybe Lou was killed because he didn't kill me?"
"Now there's a thought, if that's true then you are in big trouble," Susan said uneasily as she looked around the room.
"I guess the Crime Lab has been over everything," Hutch said stepping over the blood stain and peering into the bedroom."
"Yeah, Kat and Sam went over everything. Why don't we go back to the station and see if they got anything." Starsky suggested.
His two partners agreed, so they headed to the Crime Lab. Kat was the only one there when they arrived. She was studying something through a microscope when the three detectives entered the lab. Kat looked up and smiled when she saw Hutch but it faded when Susan appeared.
"Hi Hutch, Starsky," she completely ignored Susan, "something I can do for you boys?"
Hutch thought her rudeness was due to the fact that she didn't know Susan well but it was still unlike Kat, "You remember Susan," Hutch said casually.
"Yeah sure," but she didn't bother to say hello, "I guess you guys are looking for the stuff from Lawson's."
"You get anything last night," Starsky ask, flashing her one of his award winning smiles.
Kat didn't smile back, "Didn't get much. There were a few guns under the floorboards in the bedroom but nothing to indicate who murdered him. There were no prints, nothing out of place except for the door being broke down. We have the guns if you want to take a look."
Hutch shook his head no, "do you know if the coroner is finished yet."
"I doubt if he's even started. They are really backed up over there," she smiled at Hutch, "You know how they are if you don't stay on them."
"Thanks, if anything turns up let us know." Hutch said as he followed his partners out.
Susan was about to ask Hutch what Kat's problem was. She had been very nice to Susan on her first assignment before she became a detective. But Susan decided it wasn't worth worrying about.
The three partners were standing outside the lab talking when Sam came whistling down the hall, he always had a disheveled look about him. Sam's shirts always needed ironing, his slacks pressed and his hair combed. Everyone in the department teased him about needing a wife but Sam always good naturally waved them away saying he was a confirmed bachelor. There was more than one speculation going around the station that he had the hots for Kat. Sam was happy in his work, which took up most of his time.
"You guys need to see me?" Sam asked stopping next to Starsky.
“We talked to Kat," Starsky said, slinging his arm around the older mans neck. "How's things going Sam?"
Giving them a halfhearted smile, "OK I guess. Kat is acting so peculiar lately.
"Oh?" Hutch asked glancing at the closed lab door.
Sam shrugged, "She was always so dedicated, now I'm lucky if she shows up on time."
"Kat?" Hutch was perplexed, "she spent as much time here as you do."
"She rarely puts in a full day any more," Sam shook his head sadly, "I'm going to have to let her go if her work doesn't improve. It's like she doesn't have a clue of that's going on."
"Maybe I should talk to her," Hutch said putting his hand on the doorknob.
"Maybe," Starsky advised, "you should just leave it alone."
"Really," Susan grunted.
"It's getting late, let's pack it in for the night," Starsky said, then patting his stomach, "I could go for one of Huggy's burgers."
Hutch looked doubtfully at the door, then at Susan who wasn't very happy at the prospect of Hutch having any thing to do with Kat. She tugged on his arm, "Let's go."
"OK," Hutch sighed, "See ya Sam."

They spent a few hours at The Pits unwinding. Starsky and Hutch played pool while Susan perched on a barstool talking to Huggy who hadn't come up with anything new.
"Do you know Kat Wallace?" Susan asked Huggy as she took a drink of her beer.
The black man shook his head, "Can't say that I do, she works with you?"
Susan nodded, "Yeah, I just get this feeling that something went on between her and Hutch."
"Hey don't worry about it," Huggy smiled at her, "Hutch is totally hooked on you."
Susan grinned, "That's not what I'm worried about, I just don't understand why Kat's so . . . oh I don't know."
"Maybe she's jealous,"
"What are you two so intently talking about over here," Hutch ask, he and Starsky had just finished up their game.
"Nothing," Susan said looking over at Huggy.
"Let's get out of here, I need to get some clothes from my place," Hutch said picking up his jacket from the bar stool, "Coming Starsk?"
It was almost two a.m. when the detectives called it a night. Starsky headed for home while Susan drove Hutch to his apartment. She pulled up behind Hutch's beat up car, they both got out, Hutch looked up and down the street then up at his dark apartment window. Silently the two detectives climbed the stairs, Hutch tried the doorknob, it was locked. He glanced over his shoulder at Susan who had her gun drawn just in case. He retrieved his house key from the doorframe, unlocking the door Hutch opened it slowly and reached in flipping on the light switch. They both gasped when they saw the apartment, a few feathers sent air born by the opening door floated to the floor.
"Damn," Hutch said under his breath as he stepped into the room.
Susan slipped passed her stunned partner and checked out the other rooms. Coming back in to the living room, she said, "Well who ever did this is long gone."
Hutch angrily slammed the front door. Susan's mouth gaped open at the sight of the speared note. He turned to see what she was staring at. Hutch's blue eyes widened when he saw the note, "Hutchinson, you are dead," he read aloud. He stood there for a few minutes staring at the note.
Susan went to the end table and picked up the phone and dialed Starsky's number. It wrung several times before Starsky picked up the phone, "Yeah?" he mumbled.
"Starsk," Susan said into the phone.
"Yeah,” he had just gotten into bed, "what's wrong?"
"I think you had better get over here," Susan said, "We're at Hutch's."
"I just got in bed," Starsky groaned but he was already getting up.
"Just get here," Susan said and hung up.
When Starsky got to the apartment he found his two partners sitting on the feather covered couch, "What the hell?" Starsky ask in amazement, "you guys have a party with out me?"
Hutch got up without saying anything and shoved the front door closed. The butcher knife and note were still in place, Starsky turned and stared at the note then looked at Hutch, "I guess somebody took over for Lou."
"Apparently so," the blond detective nodded grimly, "We called the Crime Lab and Cap. Sam should be here any minute."
Sam arrived surprisingly with Kat, who was carrying a metal box containing their supplies. The first thing Sam did was remove the knife and note placing them in bags held open by Kat. Starsky stood watching them hoping he would get a chance to talk to Kat when they were done. Kat glanced in the kitchen at Hutch and Susan. They were softly talking, he had his arm around her, their heads almost touching. Feeling eyes on her Susan looked in Kat's direction but the woman quickly looked the other way.
Sam and Kat finished collecting evidence, Kat flashed a bright smile at Hutch, "Sorry Blondie we didn't find much," she purred, "Maybe the knife will have some prints.
"Thanks you guys," Susan said.
Sam nodded, "Anything for you hon." Kat just gave her a cold stare. "We'll have prints in the morning if there are any."
"We'll be there," Hutch held the door open or them. Starsky followed Kat out.
After they had gone Susan ask Hutch, "What is with Kat? She acts like she hates me."
Hutch just shrugged as he grabbed a broom and began trying to sweep up the feathers which was an impossible job.
"You might as well tell her," Starsky said from the doorway. Kat had shot him down once again and returned just in time to hear Susan's question, "She's going to find out anyway."
"Find out what?" Susan shot a puzzled look at Starsky. Then she turned to Hutch, "What is he talking about?"
"It's no big deal," Hutch sighed, he finally gave up trying to sweep. He sat down on the back of the couch in a puff of feathers.
"Then why don't you just tell me?"
"I dated Kat for awhile."
"I kind of had a feeling, did you dump her for me?" Susan asked raising her eyebrows.
"No, no, nothing like that," Hutch rubbed the back of his head which was starting to ache again, "We haven't dated in over a year and we agreed together to just be friends."
"I think she's changed her mind." Susan said, "I think she wants you back. If looks could kill I would be as dead as Lou."
"Don't worry about it," Hutch got up, "Let's get out of here, I can't handle this tonight."
"You know Kat is acting kind of strange," Starsky said flipping the light off and closing the door. He tossed Hutch the door key. Hutch started to put it over the door then thought better of it and dropped it in his pocket.
"Let's take care of one problem at a time," Hutch said starting down the stairs, "And right now Kat is the last thing on my mind."
"Good," Susan exclaimed swatting Hutch on the butt.
It was almost dawn by the time Susan and Hutch reached her apartment. Susan went to take a shower, when she came out Hutch was sprawled crossways in the bed again. She stood watching him for a few minutes then sighing grabbed a pillow and blanket, "I've got to stop taking showers," she mumbled to herself. Just as she sat down on the couch the phone began to ring. Grabbing the receiver Susan whispered, "Yeah?"
"Hi!" Starsky said, "I just wanted to make sure everything's OK there before I get in bed."
Everything's fine," Susan assured him, "What are we going to do, it's apparent Hutch is in a lot of danger."
"We'll get who ever it is," Starsky said sounding more confident than he felt.

Johnny tapped lightly on Devon's office door then pushed it open, Devon was sitting at his desk, a small lamp cast a green glow around his head. He looked up as Johnny entered the room.
"Well?" Devon laid the pen he had been writing with down.
The hit man shrugged, "I waited for hours, he never showed up so I tore up his apartment and left a note."
"You idiot!" Devon exploded, jumping to his feet, "Now instead of thinking the hit man is dead, Hutchinson is going to be on guard making him even harder to hit."
"Did you get the information on his girl friend?"
Devon tapped a manila folder lying on his desk in front of him, "Some girl friend, she's a police detective and his partner along with Starsky," Devon handed the folder to Johnny.
The hit man opened the folder scanning the first page, sitting down, he turned the page and studied it then went on to the third and last page, "Very complete, but no picture?" Devon shook his head, Johnny dropped the file back on the desk, "Maybe I need to pay Detective Susan Carlston a visit."
"I'm only paying for one hit," Devon informed the hit man.
"I'm not going to kill her, just. . . . " Johnny stopped, Devon had held up his hand.
"I don't want details just results and I want them soon. The longer you wait the more likely you are to get caught."
"I'm not going to get caught," Johnny said firmly, "You hired me now let me do the job, my way."
The phone rang, Devon picked it up, "Yes?" he listened for a minute then said, "I know what time it is, I'm not coming home tonight." Devon scowled, "Listen Marilyn . . . . " he replace the receiver, apparently she hung up on him.
"Trouble?"
Devon shot a dirty look at Johnny, "I may have another job for you if she doesn't cool it."

Susan turned restlessly on the couch inside her apartment as a lone figure stood just outside her door. A shadow fell across the numbers on the door as the figure checked to make sure he had the right place. Little did he know that his real target was asleep inside.
Johnny had arrived shortly after Susan and Hutch, he was surprised to see lights on at that time of the morning and was about to leave when the lights went out. It was very close to sunrise and Johnny knew he couldn't wait long. He glanced at the picture window, then knelt next to a gym bag he had brought with him. Pulling out a good size rock, he zipped the bag shut then pulled a note out of his picket and secured it to the rock with several rubber bands.
Picking up the bag he carried the rock to the center of the yard then heaved the rock with all his might through her front window and took off on a dead run.
The rock smashed the window landing almost on the coffee table in a shower of glass. If Susan had been laying the other way she would have gotten a face full of glass. The detective rolled off the couch staying low until she could sort out what was going on. Susan groped for her gun, which was laying part way under the couch. Once she realized no one was in the apartment she jumped to her feet and dashed to the door throwing it open so hard it crashed into the wall. Susan stood holding her gun out in front of her straining to see in the early morning light.
"What is going on?" Hutch called to her from the bedroom door rubbing his eyes. He hurried across the room with he saw Susan had her gun drawn. He looked down at the glass-covered floor and her bare feet, "God you're bleeding."
He picked her up carrying her into the kitchen, he gently sat Susan on the counter. Hutch raised her right foot up looking at the bottom, he winced when he saw several pieces of glass protruding from her foot, and her left foot was just as bad.
"Ow" Susan exclaimed as Hutch pulled out the biggest pieces of glass, "Somebody threw something through my window."
"Let's take care of you first," Hutch said as he looked for something to wrap her feet in. He finished getting all the glass out then wrapped her feet in the gauze he found in a drawer. He helped her down from the counter, Susan gingerly put pressure on her feet, "Are you OK?" Hutch asked grabbing her arm to steady her.
Finding the pain not too bad she nodded and hobbled into the living room avoiding the broken glass. Susan stood looking sadly at her broken window and the mess that had to be cleaned up. Hutch disappeared into the bedroom and returned wearing his shoes. He stepped carefully in the glass and retrieved the rock, slipping the rubber bands off the note he quickly read it.
"What's it say?"
Hutch made a face as he read the note out loud to her, "Don't get in the way or you'll go with Hutchinson."
"To the point," Susan sat down on the end of the couch. The hit man had been right outside her door, a chill ran down her back. This was the first time she had been truly afraid, it was different when the bad guys were after you.
"Are you OK?" Hutch asked looking at her pale face. He put the rock and note on the glass-covered coffee table then sat down next to her putting his arm about her shoulders, "You don't look so good."
"I'm OK," she said not wanting to admit that she was scared, "This is just too much."
"I think I should go back to my place. I don't want to put you in danger."
"Hey, Hutch I'm a cop remember and your partner we are in this together," she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
He hugged her tightly saying, "Thanks, I had better call Starsk and let him know what is going on."
The phone rang at least a dozen times before the curly headed detective picked up, "What!"
"Starsky, it's Hutch," he said, "you better get over here."
"What is it with you people don't you ever sleep?" Starsky groaned rolling over to look at the clock, it was six thirty one, "You still at Susan's?"
"Yeah, we would sleep if people weren't throwing rocks through the window."
"What?" Starsky exclaimed as he pulled the phone into the bathroom with him. "You two OK?"
"Susan got her feet cut up but she is all right."
"Give me a few," Starsky said tossing the phone on the bed then he turned on the shower.
By the time Starsky arrived at Susan's apartment Hutch had cleaned up the glass and the manger had placed plywood over the window. Starsky found his partners sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Susan had her feet propped up on a chair, Starsky bent over to examine them.
"You're sure you're OK?" Starsky said looking at her worriedly.
"My feet aren't as bad as they look," she flashed him a smile, "Coffee is on the counter if you want some."
Starsky went over and poured himself a cup then joined them at the table, "You guys call the Crime Lab or Dobey?"
Hutch shook his head, "We'll just take in the rock and note. I didn't see any reason to bother Cap at home with it being so close to reporting in."
"Man Hutch who do you have mad at you?" Starsky said soberly.
"I wish I knew," Hutch sighed, "I wish I knew."




                                                                                CHAPTER FOUR





Johnny realized that the rock through the window was childish and unprofessional but after all he was just a street punk at heart. At almost thirty he had spent most of his life on the streets, he had been arrested for the first time at the tender age of seven for trying to burn down his grade school. From then on he was in and out of reform schools and jails, mostly for petty stuff. He found that he was a good killer, he had a boyish face and although he wasn't what you called handsome Johnny got by.
Killing came easy, like his mother had said when he was twelve as she was throwing him out of the house, "You got no soul Johnny," that was the last time he saw his mother. Johnny truly believed that maybe he didn't have a soul. Nothing fazed him, no matter how hard his victims cried or pleaded it didn't matter he was a killing machine. Not as fancy or classy as Lou Lawson but he always got the job done.
Johnny had been surprised when Alex Devon had contacted him, usually his customers were small time hoods or a mob hit once in a while when they didn't want to draw attention to themselves. There were also a few husbands wanting to get rid of wives or mistresses. But Devon was different, he was rich, sophisticated and professional.
Johnny didn't like the fact that he was now expected to kill a cop and he almost didn't take the job at all when he found out that his target was one of the best hit men around. But he was intrigued by he thought of offing a fellow hit man, maybe making a name for himself.
After he hit the cop, Johnny had planned to blow town and go back to New York, he didn't like L.A. much anyway. But now Devon was insisting he go to England. Just what would a two bit hit man do in England? Johnny decided to go along with Devon's plan, then sneak back into the country and disappear, Devon and the cops would never find him.
Johnny had finally figured out the best way to hit Hutchinson and he wouldn't even have to be there. Lou had been easy, he was an old man ready to retire. Devon had complained to Johnny that Lou's heart just hadn't been in the hit from the start. Lou had stalled two weeks before he finally went to Hutch's apartment.
Johnny had a nice talk with Lou before he shot him and for the first time he almost felt sorry to have to kill the old man. Lou seemed to know why Johnny was there and made no move to protect himself. Just before Lou Lawson breathed his last breath he thanked Johnny which left him stunned, he had run out of the apartment. Later that night Johnny drown himself in a cheap bottle of whisky before he could face Devon.
The hit man had the makings for a simple bomb in a brown paper bag hidden under his bed. It would be a safe easy way to kill the cop if Johnny didn't blow himself up first, he had very limited experience with explosives. But he figured it was worth a try since he could be long gone when the bomb went off. As soon as he was sure Hutchinson was dead he would be on that plane to England just like Devon wanted.

Susan was deep in thought when a manila folder was dropped in front of her on the desk. Looking up she saw Kat standing there, hands on hips scowling down at her.
"There's the report on Lou Lawson," Kat said with an edge to her voice.
Not even giving the folder a second glance Susan stood and confronted Kat, "What is your problem with me?"
Kat stared at Susan for a few moments, then she dropped her gaze, "I'm sorry, its just hard to see Hutch interested in someone else."
Susan raised her eye brows, "Surely I'm not the first he's gone out with since you two broke up, I understand it's been a year."
Kat nodded, "But you are the first one that I have had to work with."
"Listen Kat I can understand how you feel but we will have to work together sometimes," Susan said putting her hand on Kat's shoulder. The detective had the feeling Kat wanted to shrug off her hand, "I didn't steal him form you."
"I know that," the edge returning to Kat's voice, she took a step backward to relieve herself of the unwanted hand. Then she gave Susan a strained smile, "Hutch is really a great guy, maybe a little too dedicated to his work but a great guy."
Susan smiled back at Kat, "Dedicated is putting it mildly, if we didn't work together I would never see him. Before I make detective I hardly . . . . " Susan stopped when she saw the pinched look on Kat's face.
"Yeah, well anyway like I said there's the coroners report on Lou," Kat started toward the squad room door.
Susan grabbed her arm, "Kat, I'm sorry, I didn't mean . . ."
Kat waved he apology away, "Don't worry about it."
Susan gave her a warm smile, "Thanks for the file," she sat back down at her desk hoping things had been resolved between her and Kat. But the detective had a feeling there was more to come.
Just as Kat shoved open the squad room door she turned and glared at Susan's back so caustically that the detective glance toward the door but Kat had already let the door slid shut and was on her way back to the lab.
Susan stared at the door for a few minutes then went back to reading. The exchange between the two women had been so quiet that no one else in the room had heard them.
Susan glanced at the squad room door again then down at the report Kat had brought, she picked up the file and flipped it open she began reading the coroners report. It had taken a couple of days to get the autopsy done on the hit man. Things were so backed up that if the three partners hadn't called five and six times a day they still wouldn't have had the report.
Susan was totally engrossed in Lou's file when Starsky and Hutch entered the squad room. They had taken the rock and note down to the Crime Lab. Hutch walked up behind Susan to see what she was so intently reading, "Interesting?" Hutch asked poking his finder in her ribs.
Susan almost knocked Hutch down. If it hadn't been for Starsky who grabbed Hutch's arm he would have landed on the floor.
"What's with you?" Starsky ask steadying Hutch.
"You scared me," Susan said sheepishly, "You OK?"
Hutch nodded, "Since when are you so jumpy?"
"Since I have had rocks thrown through my window and visits from your ex-girl friends," Susan said perching on the edge of the desk, "leaning more toward the girl friend."
"Which ex-girl friend?" Hutch frowned.
"Which?" Susan looked at him perplexed, "just how many ex's do you have that hate my guts?"
"Oh Kat," Hutch glanced over at Starsky who was trying not to laugh, "shut up Starsk,"
"Hey I didn't say a word," Starsky said breaking out into a grin.
"Just what did she say?" Hutch asked Susan but giving Starsky a look of warning. Starsky held up his hands and leaned back against the wall waiting to hear Susan's story.
Susan was in the middle of explaining to her partners about Kat when Dobey's office door swung open. He had an angry look on his chubby face as he shouted, "Where the hell is the report on Lou Lawson, the coroner says it's gone," Both male detectives gave their captain a blank look.
"I've got it," Susan said softly. All three men turned and stared at her, "It's a long story Cap, I was going to bring it in as soon as I was finished."
"That's the file Kat brought to you!" Hutch exclaimed, "That's not her department, what was she doing with it?"
"I told you she was acting weird," giving him a 'I told you so look'.
"Do you two mind," Dobey growled, "I would like to take a look at that report if its not too much trouble."
Susan scooped up the folder and handed it to her captain, "Cap, Lou was dying."
Dobey stopped in the motion of slamming his door, "What?"
"Lou had cancer," Susan explained, "he only had a few months to live if that long."
"Must be why he was acting so strangely that night," Hutch said, taking the file out of Dobey's hands and flipping it open.
"He must have discover the meaning of life," Starsky said leaning over Hutch's shoulder so that he could read too.
In one swift movement Dobey grabbed the file from Hutch and slammed the office door. Starsky opened the door and the detectives joined their captain.
"What else does the report say," Starsky ask.
Dobey sighed at being followed into his office but didn't say anything about it. He scanned the file then handed it to the curly headed detective, "You're right Carlston, looks like Lou didn't have much time left."
"But then why would someone put out a hit on a dying man?" Starsky ask puzzled.
"Like I said before maybe it's because he didn't do the job he was hired to do," Hutch said, "somebody wants me dead awfully bad."
"We have been over your files, we are either missing something or maybe it doesn't have anything to do with you being a cop," Susan said slumping down in her seat.
"Not related to work?" Hutch was intrigued, "but all I do is work."
"Why don't you three check out Lou's back ground," Dobey suggested, "Get Libby to run some stuff through the computer, find out who he's worked for in the past, maybe a name will ring a bell.
"Good idea, we'll get on it right after lunch, Cap," Hutch said getting up, "I want to see if Huggy has come up with anything yet."
Dobey nodded, as the three detectives started out the door he called, "Hutchinson!"
"Yeah Cap."
"You be careful."
Hutch grinned at his boss, "You bet."

The Pit's was jumping, it always seem that it was very busy or dead. Huggy had a huge lunch crowd, which was completely different from the nighttime crowd. During the day there were a lot of suits that came in for a quick bite. Huggy Bear was not only a colorfully dresser he was also entertaining and hustled more than change out of a few customers with his witty bets but they were always good natured about it.
Huggy had done just about every job imaginable from selling gold crosses on the street to running mouse races in an old meat packing plant. Starsky and Hutch were very fond of their friend and would sometimes looked the other way if everything wasn't totally on the up and up. But the tall black man was a good source of information which more than made up for anything he had ever done. And out of respect for his friendship with the detectives Huggy never got into anything too heavy.
When Susan came on the scene, Huggy quickly excepted her, he found out from the first day they met that she didn't take crap from anybody especially her two partners, which Huggy greatly admired.
When the three detectives entered the bar, Huggy saw them immediately, he had been saving a back booth knowing that they would be there for lunch. Huggy told Cindy to take care of them and that he would be there in a few.
Cindy had long blond hair put up in a pony tail, crystal blue eyes and she had on a white tank top that said 'The Pit's' printed in black that was almost stretched to its limits. Huggy always managed to get the prettiest waitress but could never keep them as they moved on to bigger and better things.
Cindy flashed a blinding white smile at the detectives, "Huggy is saving you guys a booth in the back."
"How's life treating you Cindy?" Starsky ask giving her a huge smile back.
"OK," she signed, "but I want on nights, that's where all the action is and tips. Hug said maybe in a couple of weeks one of the night girls might be quitting."
"Anything special today?" Hutch asked as they followed her through the throng of people.
"Angie is still on vacation, his replacement needs to be replaced." Cindy said glancing at the kitchen, "I would stick to the burgers and fries."
"Sounds good, make it three," Hutch said holding up three fingers, "Beers too, that OK with you guys?"
"Fine with me," Susan said, "But you lost Starsk."
Hutch looked across the room knowing right where he would find his missing partner. Sure enough, Starsky was battling it out with the candy machine, which he claimed didn't like him. It either gave him what he didn't like or nothing at all.
Susan and Hutch were sipping their beers when Starsky returned with a triumphant look on his face, "Got it!"
"Ya know Starsk maybe that machine is trying to tell you something," Hutch said shaking his head at his partner.
"Like what?"
"Like maybe you should give up candy," Hutch teased.
"Hey I got what I wanted," Starsky took a big bite of candy, chewed a minute then made a face, "Stale."
"See I told you."
Huggy slide in next to Starsky, "Hey guys."
They all greeted their friend, Starsky complained about the candy then Susan asked, "Any news?"
"Lou was dying," Huggy informed them, not knowing that they already knew.
Cindy brought the food at that moment and sat it down in front of the hungry detectives. Before Huggy continued he slipped a fry from Starsky's plate and popped it into his mouth. Rolling his eyes he called after Cindy, "Tell that so called cook to turn up the grease these fries are awful." He looked at his three friends sorrowfully, "If Angie doesn't get back soon I'm going to be out of business.
Starsky picked up a few of the greasy limp French fries and shoved them in his mouth. As he was chewing and reaching for the ketchup, he said, "Taste fine to me."
"I'm in more trouble than I thought," Huggy grunted as he started to get up. He was going to tell that cook a thing or two.
"We just found out about Lou," Hutch said making a face at the greasy potatoes, "the coroners report said it was cancer."
"Yeah," Huggy said settling back into the booth, "Why would anyone hit a dead man?"
"That's what we have been asking ourselves," Starsky said around a mouth of food.
"I have never seen anything kept so quiet," Huggy shrugged, "I've been nosing around for days and zip. It's not that people are scared to talk they just plain don't know anything."
"So do you know any of Lou's old clients?" Susan asked Huggy also avoiding the French fries. Starsky was in the process of cleaning Hutch's plate of the limp fries then stared on Susan's, she pushed the plate closer to him.
"Sorry guys," Huggy said standing up, "I draw the line there, you can't guard me twenty-four hours a day. You look hard enough you'll find out." With that Huggy disappeared into the kitchen.
"Well how do you like that!" Starsky exclaimed.
"Hey Huggy lives with the streets we only patrol them," Hutch said in defense of his friend.

When the detectives got back to the station Susan went to talk to Libby about Lou Lawson. Starsky and Hutch went up to the office to talk to Dobey for a few minutes then Starsky took Hutch to his apartment in Venice to pick up the rest of his things.
Libby was on the phone when Susan arrived at her desk. Libby held up one finger to tell her to hold on, "Sorry Sam, I haven't seen her," Libby Standford said into the phone, "sure I'll keep trying her at home." Libby hung up and turned to Susan. "Hi, you look like a detective on a mission."
Susan smiled, "you're right, I need info on Lou Lawson."
"The hit man that was murdered," Libby nodded, she handed Susan a piece of paper and pen, "Write down his name making sure the spelling is correct or who know who we'll get."
"Kat didn't show up for work again?" Susan asked casually as she wrote down the hit man's name.
"That's the third time this week, she's either been late or didn't show. I can't get her at home," Libby explained taking the paper and pen from Susan, "I just can't figure her out, we use to be really good friends, now she acts like she doesn't even know me."
"Everyone has been commenting on how odd she has been acting the last couple of weeks and Hutch is totally ignoring any thing said about her," Susan said thoughtfully, "I don't know her but she's really a giving me a hard time about Hutch. And he just brushes it off telling me not to worry about it."
Libby looked surprised, "Why is she giving you a hard time about Hutch?"
"I guess because we are going out. She is really mad at me, I get this feeling that it wouldn't take much for her to just stab me in the back and I mean literally."
"Kat? She's the one that broke it off with him you know. It was a little over a year ago, I remember when it happened," Libby leaned back in her chair, "She was upset about doing it but she wouldn't tell me why. Kat said it was just something she had to do."
"I guess she has changed her mind." Susan frowned at her friend, "I just wish she would get off my back."
"This just doesn't sound like the Kat I know, she's such a sweet girl," Libby said.
"If I hear that one more time I'll throw up," Susan made a face, then getting back to Lou, "How long do you think that will take?"
Just then the phone rang, "Shouldn't been too long, I'll get right on it." Libby told her then answered the phone.
"I'll be down later to get the print out," Susan whispered as Libby was talking on the phone.

Hutch stood outside his apartment door fishing around in his pocket for his key. He was mumbling to himself when Starsky came up the stairs two at a time. Finally Hutch snagged the key, he turned it over in his hand then gave it to Starsky and motioned for him to unlock the door. Starsky took the key, unlock the door but didn't open it, Hutch toed open the door, they both peered in, everything was just as he had left it. They entered cautiously guns drawn, but the apartment was empty.
Hutch sighed as he put his gun in its holster. Starsky did the same, he sat down on the back of the couch while Hutch went to pack, "Think you'll ever get this mess cleaned up?"
"I don't know," Hutch said in a disgusted voice from the closet. "Do you know how many times my apartment has been destroyed?"
"Well lets see, there was the time . . . " Starsky began.
Hutch appeared in the living room, "Please Starsk, don't run them down. You know how hard this is to explain to an insurance company?"
Starsky laughed, "I guess it would be kind of hard to explain," he got up and went to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator he took out two bottles of beer. He went back to the living room, Hutch was sitting in a feather-covered chair. Plopping down on the couch Starsky handed one bottle to his partner.
"Thanks," Hutch said, he pulled a feather from the lip of the bottle and took a drink. "Starsk?"
Starsky looked at the serious expression on his friends face, "What's on your mind?"
"If something happens to me," Hutch began slowly, "promise me you'll look after Susan."
"Hutch," Starsky stared at Hutch wondering who would take care him if something happened to his best friend, "nothing is going to happen to you."
"Just promise me," Hutch persisted.
"You know I'll watch after her, you don't have to even ask," Starsky gave Hutch half a smile, "You know if Susan could hear this conversation she wouldn't like it."
"I know," Hutch smiled thinking about her, "She doesn't think she needs anyone to take care of her. But she's not as tough as she pretends."
"You ready to get out of here?" Starsky ask draining his bottle, he looked around for somewhere to throw it, finally he just sat it on the floor.
Hutch shrugged and tossed his bottle on the floor too, "Yeah lets go but I want to get my guitar out of the trunk of my car."
"What is your guitar doing in there?" Starsky ask following Hutch outside.
"Well it didn't get broken this time did it?" Hutch grinned at Starsky and tossed him his suitcase.
Starsky caught the suitcase, going to his car he threw it in the back then leaned on the Torino parked three spaces in front of Hutch's car to wait. Hutch went around his car, slowly he put the key in the lock but before Hutch could even turn the key the car blew up.
The explosion started at the front of the car ripping it's way toward the back, the force of the blast through Hutch twenty feet behind the burning car.
Starsky just gaped at the fiery car, he couldn't believe his eyes. Leaning in the car he grabbed the radio called for help then began running toward the burning car yelling, "HUTCH!" All Starsky could think of was Hutch asking him to take care of Susan.



                                                                                   CHAPTER FIVE





As Susan got off the elevator she could tell something was wrong with Officer Standford, who was talking on the phone. Libby was pale and shaking, tears were running down her face. Susan came up behind her and placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder, "Libby what's wrong, are you all right?"
Libby spun around starring at her friend in horror, this was one job she didn't want. She thanked the person on the phone for calling and stammered, "ah . . . ah," tears were just streaming down her face.
Susan grabbed her by both shoulders and gently shook her, "What has happened?" the detective demanded.
"That was Starsky on the phone," Libby managed to get out.
"Something has happened to Hutch," Susan cried out tightening her grip on Libby's shoulders but the police woman didn't seem to notice, "What happened?"
Libby sunk down in a chair pulling the detective with her, "Starsky will be here soon," Libby choked out.
"Libby tell me now, I'm not waiting for Starsky," Susan pleaded, "What has happened to Hutch."
The woman sighed with a shudder, she looked directly into Susan's eyes and slowly said, "Hutch's car exploded."
"Exploded?" Susan murmured, "Where is he, what hospital I've got to get there." The detective jumped up, but Libby pulled her back down into the chair.
"Susan," Libby said evenly, "Hutch didn't make it."
"What?" she said like she didn't understand.
Libby took a deep breath, "Listen to me, Hutch is dead, I'm so sorry."
"No, he can't be dead, we were . . . were," Susan stopped talking then got up suddenly, "I've got to get back to work."
Before Libby could stop her Susan ran down the hall and got on the elevator. It seemed like forever before the elevator reached the fifth floor but finally the doors parted and Susan went into the squad room. No one looked up to see her deathly pale face, it was apparent no one else knew what had happened. She went over and poured herself a cup of coffee, then sat down at her desk. Susan picked up the file that was lying on her desk and flipped it open, she looked down at the words but she couldn't see them for the tears in her eyes. Angrily she brushed a single tear that had rolled down her face away, trying very hard to read the report, she was not going to allow herself to cry.

Captain Dobey came out of his office, a sandwich in one hand and a stack of papers in the other, "Don't you and your partners ever pick up your messages?" Dobey grunted tossing them in front of her. When she didn't look up or respond Dobey said, "Carlston?" Still she didn't answer, the captain put his hand on her shoulder, Susan finally looked up at him with a grief stricken look, "Susan what's wrong?"
"Hutch is dead," she barely whispered, "His car blew up."
"What?" The black captain bellowed, the whole squad room looked up from their work.
"It just happened," Susan continued softly, "I found out from Libby down stairs."

Dobey's phone began ringing in his office, he tossed his half eaten sandwich in the trash and rushed to get the phone. Susan couldn't remember when she had ever seen him move so fast. The room held their breath waiting for Dobey to return and tell them it was a bad joke. But it wasn't a joke, Dobey returned to the room with a heavy heart, his eyes sad. There were a few cries from the squad room but mostly everyone was silent.
No one moved or said a word, suddenly there was a loud crash as a soot covered Starsky thrust open the squad room door causing it to strike the wall. He could tell by the look on everyone's face that they knew.
Susan leaped from her desk and ran toward her partner, "Don't touch me I'm filthy," Starsky told her, but Susan didn't care, she threw her arms around him and finally began to sob. Starsky wrapped his arms tightly around her he gave Dobey a sorrowful look over the top of Susan's head.
Starsky guided Susan into Dobey's office, the captain shut the door behind them, then sat down at his desk, "What in the hell happened!" he demanded.
Starsky sat down on the couch with Susan who was trying very hard to get her emotions under control, "I took Hutch over to his apartment to pick up a few things. He went to get something out of the trunk of his car and the whole thing blew. Hutch was blown twenty feet, he's . . . " Starsky trailed off.
"Damn," Dobey said putting his head in his hands.
"We need to get to Huggy's," Starsky said, "you give Susan and I a few minutes then meet us up stairs at Huggy's apartment."
"What has Huggy got to do with this?" Dobey ask infuriated.
"Just do it!" Starsky ordered, he pulled Susan to her feet, she gave him a puzzled look. Dobey was so astonished by the force of Starsky's words, the captain just nodded.
"Give us about ten minutes," the detective told his captain then left with Susan closing the door behind them.
Everyone in the squad room tried to talk to Starsky but he just ignored them as he propelled Susan toward the elevator. Several times she tried to ask him questions but all he would say was wait until they were at Huggy's.
Starsky and Susan were standing out side the door to Huggy's apartment when Dobey arrived slightly out of breath from the climb up the stairs, Huggy was right behind the captain.
"All right I'm here," Dobey puffed. Starsky opened the door and ushered them in. Huggy closed the door and leaned on it, "Starsky I've just about had it, one of my . . "
Starsky put a finger to his lips and opened the door that lead to Huggy's bedroom, he peered in, then swung the door open wide. Both Dobey and Susan stepped in the doorway, "And back from the dead," Starsky announced in a grand voice.
Hutch was sitting propped up in Huggy's bed, there was a bandage on his forehead, his right hand was wrapped up and he had a few cuts and bruises but other than that he seemed fine.
"Hi," Hutch said tentatively bracing himself for what was surely to come from both Dobey and Susan.
"But . . ." Susan looked from Starsky to Hutch with a mixture of joy and anger.
"If you just give me a sec, I'll explain," Starsky said quickly.
Susan advanced on him angrily, "How could you let me think he was dead," she drew her hand back to slap him.
Starsky grabbed her wrist just before her hand made contact. He spun her around holding Susan against him pinning her arms to her sides, "Will you just listen?"
"This had better be good or I might just slap you myself," Dobey grumbled, but he was very relived that his officer was still alive.
Starsky slowly released Susan ready to grab her again if she decided to try and slap him again. But instead she went to Hutch and sat down on the edge of the bed gently.
"Are you really OK?" Susan asked, delicately touching the bandage on his head.
"Yeah, I'll be sore a few days. I've got a couple of bruised ribs and I burned my hand but the doctor said it was nothing to worry about." He assured her, "I was just lucky the bomb was planted in the front of the car and I wasn't getting in to drive."
"Hutch and I talked it over and decided that it would be better if he played dead for a while," Starsky looked from Dobey to Susan, "He'll stay here with Hug until we find the hit man."
"I don't like hiding," Hutch said slipping his arm around Susan, "But Starsk convinced me that it would be easier with out me around."
Dobey nodded in agreement, "Starsky and Carlston can concentrate on catching this guy instead of watching your butt."
"I'll see Hutchy is well taken care of," Huggy winked at Susan, "Don't you worry."
"But don't you think the hit man will disappear if he thinks he's done his job?" Susan asked.
"Maybe not if we get on it soon enough," Starsky said.

As usual Devon was sitting at his desk, bathed in the green light from his desk lamp, he was busy doing paper work. Johnny opened the office door without knocking, he was holding a newspaper behind his back.
Devon looked up startled, scowling he snapped, "Next time knock." Johnny didn't answer he just threw the morning edition of the newspaper down on Devon's desk. He picked up the paper a smile played across his face.
"Is that what you wanted?" the hit man ask, flopping down in a chair.
The headlines on the front page screamed, 'Detective Murdered No Clues', Devon read the article slowly, then dropped the paper on his desk, he opened his desk draw and pulled out a gun. Keeping the gun out of Johnny's sight, Alex Devon stood up, "I want to pay you in full," he said calmly as he brought the gun up pointing it at the hit man.
Johnny jumped to his feet stunned, "Hey," he shouted, "What's going on here."
"I don't want any loose ends. Lou would have gotten the same payment if he would have finished the job, that was what you were for."
"Listen I'll take the tickets to England. I'll stay six months, hell I'll stay a year anything just don't kill me." Johnny pleaded.
Ignoring Johnny, Devon reached into his desk again but this time he pulled out a pad of paper. Keeping the gun trained on the hit man Devon pushed the pad across the desk along with a pen. He motioned toward the chair Johnny had been sitting in, "Sit," commanded Devon. Johnny looked at his boss doubtfully. Slowly he sat down, "Good, now I want you to write a note saying how very sorry you are that you blew up that blonde cop and you just can't live with yourself.
Johnny stared blankly at Devon for a few moments, when he didn't reach for the paper Devon cocked the gun. With a shaking hand Johnny reached for the pad.
At that moment Devon's office door flew open, Marilyn stormed in tossing her blond hair over she shoulder, "I'm really getting tired of this every night Alex, you promised that . . .," she stopped in mid sentence, her mouth dropped open and her blue eyes widened.
Devon's attention was drawn away from the matter at hand, Johnny took the intrusion as his last chance for life. Lunging across the desk the hit man made a grab for the gun but Devon was too quick, he took on step backward and fired.
A look of surprise registered on Johnny's face before he fell dead across Devon's desk. The businessman shoved the dead man from his desk then turned the gun on the screaming girl. For a second time he pulled the trigger dropping Marilyn in mid scream. The beautiful girl crumpled to the floor like a rag doll. A bright red stain spread across the front of her pink dress.
Sighing Devon sat down at his desk, pulled the pad of paper toward him and began to write. There was a knock on the open door, two huge man came in stepping over Marilyn's body. Both glanced down at the woman then at the body in front of the desk.
Bo turned and looked at his partner, "No one said anything ‘bout two bodies, Jake," the first man said.
Devon stood up, "Sorry guys couldn't be helped, "I'll double your payment," he offered.
The two men looked at each other and shrugged, "No problem," Jake said.
"A couple of things, first I want their bodies dropped as far apart as possible and I want this note put on his body, some where so that it will be found," Devon hand the note to Bo who was looking down at Johnny's body.
Bo took the note stuffing it in his pocket, "Sure thing."
"When you are done clean this place out. I don't want so much as a nail left in the wall," Devon ordered, "I'm moving my offices to a new location."
"Where?" Jake asked.
"Don't worry about it, you'll get paid tonight but if you screw up," Devon warned, "you'll end up like these two."
The two men gave Devon a wary look, "What do you want us to do with all this stuff?" asked Bo.
"I don't care, dump it, burn it, give it to your friends. Just make sure any stains are clean up."
He filled a small card board box with a few personal things then without saying anything else he walked out slamming the office door. The two men stared after him for a few minutes then sighing began the task at hand.




                                                                                CHAPTER SIX





As the faiths would have it Johnny and Marilyn's bodies were discovered at almost the same time even thought they were fifty miles apart. Starsky and Susan would have never known about the murders unless they had the morning paper except for the fact both victims happened to live in their jurisdiction.
Johnny's place of residence was a seedy hotel called 'The Royal' which was anything but and Marilyn's address was the nail salon where she worked. She didn't want anyone to know about Devon because that was the way he wanted it. The girls knew Marilyn lived with a rich guy but they didn't know who he was or where he lived. Marilyn only talked about him in general terms never saying a name.
There was no connection made between the two bodies until the files landed on Dobey's desk. Dobey study both files, something was nagging at him but he couldn't place his finger on what it was. The male Johnny Harris washed up on the beach with a gunshot wound, Marilyn Anderson was found slumped on a park bench also with a gunshot wound.
Dobey laid the reports side by side studying them carefully, suddenly the ballistics report jumped out at the black captain. It appeared the same gun killed both victims. Dobey knew that Starsky and Susan were busy with Hutch's case but they also knew the streets better than anyone else and it looked like this was a double murder and someone was trying very hard to make it look unconnected. He picked up the phone and began dialing Susan's number.


Detective Carlston slipped her key into the lock then opened her apartment door slowly. The room was dark because of the boarded up window everything looked in place. Susan held open the door wider allowing Starsky who was carrying a suitcase under one arm and a box of pizza in the other hand come in. Susan took the pizza from him, and put it on the kitchen table. Starsky sat his suitcase down next to the couch.
"What do you think Hutch will say when he finds out I'm staying with you," Starsky joked flipping the lid of the pizza box open.
"Nothing," Susan smiled sitting down at the table. She handed Starsky a plate and a napkin, "I'm sure he's already made you promise to take care of me, right?"
"I'll take the fifth," Starsky grinned, taking a couple pieces of pizza.
Susan was about to protest when the phone began ringing, she scowled at her partner as she grabbed the receiver, "Carlston?"
"Carlston, this is Captain Dobey," he said, "You know where Starsky is?"
"Sure, he's right here," Susan motioned for Starsky to join her. She covered the receiver and whispered to Starsky, "It's Cap."
"Hey Cap," Starsky said, Susan held the phone so they both could hear, "What's up?"
"A couple of murders," Dobey said into the phone, "The files just hit my desk a little while ago. I want you two to check it out."
"What about Hutch," Susan asked anxiously, looking at Starsky.
"Listen, I want to get that hit man as much as you do but I think this is important," Dobey explained, "Can you get down here now?"
Sighing Starsky said, "We're on our way." Susan hung up the phone. Starsky looked at the pizza laying on the table, "Why is it that we always get calls when we are eating?"
Susan shrugged as she held the door open for her partner, "Let's get going, Cap sounded . . . I don't know kind of funny."

Hutch paced Huggy Bear's apartment restlessly, he picked up a magazine that was laying on the coffee table but tossed it back to the table. He had read it cover to cover, twice. It had only been three days and Hutch was going crazy, he couldn't call the station. He didn't even dare call one of his partners at home for fear of someone finding out he was alive, so he waited. Hutch ran his hand through his blond hair as he flopped down on the well-worn couch, leaning is head back the detective closed his eyes.
The apartment door flew open, Hutch jumped to his feet pulling his gun from his shoulder holster. Huggy almost dropped the tray of food he was carrying, "Lunch?"the black bar keeper ask hesitantly.
Hutch holstered his gun, "Hey sorry man," Hutch took the tray from Huggy. He looked at the food, "Aren't you eating too?"
Now wouldn't it look a little strange, lunch for two?" Huggy joined the cop at the kitchen table, "I hope your buddies find this crazy soon or I'm going to starve. Cindy is already wondering why I'm eating up here all the time."
"I've got news for my partners," Hutch said taking a bite of the sandwich Huggy bought, "they have until the end of the week then I'm coming back from the grave."
Huggy looked at him doubtfully, "Starsky and Susan ain't going to like that."
"I can't hide for ever," Hutch grumbled.

When Starsky and Susan reached headquarters they stopped long enough to grab two cups of coffee. Starsky knocked on the captains door then went in followed by Susan.
Dobey was behind his desk, a hamburger was sitting half eaten along with a cup of coffee that had gone cold. The Captain looked up, "Well at least you knocked but I don't remember saying come in," he smiled slightly to let them know he was just giving them a hard time. He motioned for them to take seats.
Once his two detectives were seated Dobey tossed the files across the desk at them, "What do you make of these?"
Susan picked them both up handing one to her partner. Starsky flipped it open, a picture of Johnny Harris's body greeted him. Susan opened Marilyn Anderson's file, there was also a picture of her body. Susan looked up at her Captain, "any connection?"
"Look at the ballistics report," Dobey said, "These two bodies were found fifty miles apart. Look at the time of death on both, almost the same time, looks like the same gun too."
"The man uh. . . Johnny Harris was killed almost point blank, the woman Marilyn Anderson further away but still close, maybe the length of the room." Starsky said after he glanced over at the file Susan was holding, "Maybe it's a domestic."
Dobey shook his head, "I don't think so." The captain was saving the best for last, he pulled out another folder, "I just got this from R and I, something has been nagging at me about these two cases. I just didn't know what it was until I got this. Johnny Harris is a two bit hood and hit man from New York."
"Hit man?" Susan leaned forward with growing interest, "Do you think this has something to do with Hutch?"
Starsky took the file from Dobey and scanned it quickly, "It does seem a little odd that two hit men would turn up dead in one week."
"Cap, did you know who Harris was?" Susan asked, Dobey shook his head, "Then how did you make the connection?"
"We don't know if there is a connection yet," Dobey smiled at her, "But I just had this gut feeling these cases were different."
"I hope you are right," Starsky said doubtfully.
"The bodies still at the morgue?" Susan asked slowly.
"As far as I know," Dobey picked up the phone, "I'll call if you guys want to see them."
Susan made a face, Starsky nodded, "Yeah I guess we had better."
"I hate this part," Susan whispered to Starsky as Dobey made the call.
After looking at the bodies the detectives next stop was the Crime Lab to examine the clothing and any personal effects. Susan stopped out side the lab door not wanting to go in.
Starsky turned and looked at his partner, "You coming."
The female detective sighed, "I guess so," Susan looked through the window on the door of the lab.
"She might not be there ya know," Starsky said putting a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"I just can't deal with her right now." Susan said in a barely audible tone. She leaned her head on Starsky shoulder.
"All of this has been hard on you, hasn't it?"
"On you too," Susan looked up into his blue eyes, she hugged him tightly, "You love him as much as I do. It's hard knowing some body out there wants him dead."
Nodding he hugged her back, "Let's get this over with and go see Hutch," he said in her ear. No one in the department knew Hutch was alive except for Dobey, his partners and of course Huggy Bear.
Fortunately Kat wasn't in the lab, Susan breathed a sigh of relief. Sam was alone, Kat hadn't shown up for work again. Sam found the evidence bags then grabbed a large metal pan, he dumped the contents of one bag in the pan, "This one is nasty, he was washed up on the beach." Then he opened the second bag dumping it on the table next to the pan. "It's all been gone over you don't have to be real careful."
"Thanks Sam," Susan smiled at him.
"I've got to get back to work, with Kat not here I'm up to my eyeballs." Sam said as he started to walk away, he turned back to the detectives. "I'm really sorry about Hutch, everybody really misses him."
"Sam . . . . " Susan began, Starsky touched her arm, she looked at her partner, he shook his head knowing what she was about to do, ". . . . thanks we miss him too."
Starsky pushed the pan of stiff clothes toward her, "Lets get started." Susan made a face as she touched the clothing.
"Here try these," Sam said handing her a pair of rubber gloves, he handed another pair to Starsky.
"Thanks," she put on the gloves, then picked up a pair of worn jeans, Susan searched the pockets then dropped them back into the pan. Starsky went through Marilyn's effects, there wasn't much, a dirty blood covered pink dress and a pair of ripped panty hose. Susan sifted through the change, a watch and there was also a necklace, not much left to tell what kind of man Johnny Harris was.
Susan pulled out a plaid shirt, it was stuck together and sand was still clinging to it. She searched both pockets, finding nothing she started to stuff the shirt back into the bag. But for some reason she felt in the left pocket a second time, something was stuck to the inside. Susan turned the pocket in side out, a folded piece of paper was stuck to the shirt pocket. Gently she pulled it away from the shirt and carefully unfolded it. The ink was blurry but readable, what was written there shocked Susan speechless, all she could do was tug on Starsky's arm.
He turned around to see what she wanted, wordlessly Susan held out the note. Starsky took the paper holding it up so that he could read the note. "My God," Starsky said under his breath, "This is the guy that tried to hit Hutch."
"You guys find something?" Sam ask looking over Starsky's shoulder.
"I think we found Hutch's hit man." Susan said slowly, she began to cry from relief.
Sam thinking she was upset gave her a sad look, "I guess it's over now."
"Guess so," Starsky began, "Sam. . . . "
Susan put her arms around Starsky and began crying in earnest, her partner looked at her like she was crazy.
Sam looking embarrassed said, "Hey I'm going to grab some lunch, just lock up when you leave." He almost ran for the door, things like that always made him uncomfortable.
"What was that all about?" Starsky ask puzzled, "I thought you wanted to tell Sam."
"I did but I want to do some checking first before we let any one know Hutch is alive," Susan said drying her eyes.
"You could win an award for that performance," Starsky smiled as he hugged her tightly to him.
The lab door banged open suddenly, Kat stepped in, "Well isn't this sweet. Hutch isn't in the ground yet and you two are going at it.
The two detectives looked at each other stunned, then quickly stepped apart which made things look even worse. "Ah . . ah," Starsky stammered, "We just found Hutch's killer."
"Celebrating?" Kat snapped.
Before Susan even realized what she was doing she stepped up to Kat and slapped her hard across the face, "Don't you ever say anything like that again," Susan seethed, "Starsky and I are good friends and partners that's it, so just keep your nasty comments to yourself. Maybe if you had been doing your job you would have found the note."
"Susan," Starsky put his hand on her shoulder.
She jerked away, "You have been on my case since day one, I'm sorry things didn't work out for you and Hutch," Susan was so angry her face was bright red, she glared at Kat, "Hutch is dead all that I can do now is close this case so he can rest in peace and I can maybe sleep at night," With that Susan slammed out of the Crime Lab.
Starsky just shrugged his shoulders at a stunned Kat and ran after his partner. He found Susan down the hall leaning against the wall she was still shaking with rage, "Are you all right?" he ask putting his hand under her chin and lifting her head so he could look into her eyes.
Susan nodded, "I'm sorry but I had all I could take from her."
"Don't worry about it," Starsky planted a kiss on her forehead.
"You better watch that stuff," Susan smiled slightly, "You know who might be watching."
"You know what?" Starsky ask her, "I really don't care."
"I really need to see Hutch," she said still a little shaky. Starsky held out his arm Susan looped hers through his and they walked off down the hall.

When the two detectives arrived at The Pits, Huggy was over joyed to see them. Hutch had been threatening he was leaving and it was all the bar keeper could do to keep him there. Susan left her curly headed partner in the bar talking to Huggy, she make the trip up the narrow dark stair case to the small apartment. Starsky had pocketed the note Susan had found and gave it back to her to show Hutch.
She stood out side the door clutching the note, Susan knew Hutch would be out the door if she showed it to him now. Slipping the paper in the back pocket of her jeans she rapped softly on the door.
"Yeah?" came a voice from inside.
"Hutch, it's Susan," she said smiling at the sound of his voice. He opened the door slowly peaking out, "Are you going to let me in?"
He smiled slyly back at her, "Are you going to let me out?"
Susan shook her head at him, Hutch opened the door wider to allow her to enter the apartment. He grabbed Susan hugging her tightly and kissed her, she pushed the door shut with her foot, "I really miss you," she said softly in his ear.
"Then are you getting me out of here?" he ask again, "I like Huggy but he's not me idea of the perfect room mate."
"Then who is?" Susan grinned at him She sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to her.
Joining her, Hutch looked into her eyes and said softly, "You are."
Susan smiled at him then snuggled close to him putting her head on his shoulder. He held her hand and that was the way Huggy and Starsky found them thirty minutes later when they entered the apartment.
"You two are sickening," Starsky said unable to suppress a gin. He really liked seeing them together, he hadn't seen Hutch this happy in a long time. And the fact that they were all great friends made things even better. He only hoped he could find someone he could be that way with some day, "You tell Hutch the news?"
Susan sat up suddenly giving Starsky an irritated look but it was too late now, Hutch was already looking at her waiting for the news. She got up slowly and pulled the note from her back pocket and handed it to Hutch.
He opened the folded note carefully, "I can't live with myself after killing Detective Hutchinson, please forgive me," Hutch read out loud, he turned to look at Susan, "Where did you get his?"
"In the pocket of a man named Johnny Harris, he washed up on the beach," Starsky explained, "Dobey ran his name though R and I, he's a hit man from New York."
"Looks like you are out of here," Huggy said.
"But there are things that just don't make sense," Susan said taking the note from Hutch and holding it up, "This is a suicide note but who would walk out into the ocean and shoot themselves."
"Someone who really wanted to die," Huggy interjected.
"Isn't that over kill?" Susan said, "Besides according to the coroners report he was dead when he went into the water. Somebody wanted his death to look like a suicide."
"What about the woman?" Starsky ask suddenly remembering her.
"What woman?" Hutch ask. Starsky explained about Marilyn, "Let's get down to the station, we can't do anything from here." Hutch grabbed his jacket and started for the door.
Susan grabbed his arm, "No!" she said a little more forcefully than she intended. The three men stared at her, Susan looked at the floor embarrassed, softly she continued. "Let Starsky and I check out a few things first."
"We have the hit man," Starsky replied.
"Yeah but we don't have the one who ordered the hit. Hit men don't usually run around killing people for the hell of it, somebody hired him," Susan said desperate to make her partners understand her concerns, "If who ever it is has gone to this trouble to hire two hit men what's a third?"
"You know she's got a point," Starsky looked at Hutch, Susan gave Starsky a relieved smile, "We need to find out who ordered the hit and why."
Hutch sighed deeply, "All right but just until the end of the week. If you haven't found out anything by then I'm coming back from the dead, agreed?"
"Agreed," Susan nodded, then to Starsky, "Let's get going."
Susan started to follow Huggy and Starsky out when Hutch grabbed her hand pulling her back into the apartment, "You weren't going to tell me about the note were you?"
She shook her head slowly, "I knew if I did you would want out and I've got a really bad feeling about all this, something just isn't right."
He kissed the tip of her nose, "Don't get excited I told you I'll stay put until Friday."
"Saturday morning," Susan said stubbornly.
"I plan on spending Friday night with you," Hutch said softly, "Just you."
"Can't argue with that," she put her arms around his neck, looking up into his face, "I just don't want anything to happen to you. I've already had a taste of that when I thought you were dead."
He looked at her lovingly, "You better get going, Starsky is going to wonder what happened to you."
"No he won't," she kissed him and slipped out the door.
Hutch closed and locked the door behind her. Then he went to the window, pulling back the curtains, he watched as his two partners got in the white striped Torino and sped off. He shook his head, “I must be going stir crazy Starsky’s red tomato even looks good to me,” Hutch said to himself then looked around the room to make sure he was alone, if Starsky ever heard him say that there would be no living with him.

                                                                         CHAPTER SEVEN


Alex Devon stood surveying his new office, he pulled out his leather chair and sat down. Opening his briefcase he took out that days newspaper and spread it out in front of him. "Hit man found in Detectives murder," Devon read out loud to himself, he smiled. No one would track anything to him. Maybe now the cops would stop looking.
There was a loud knock on his office door, he jumped and stared at the door. It opened with a bang, Kat stood in the doorway, Devon leaned back in his chair relieved.
"Hey Alex," she said stepping into the room, "You see the morning paper?"
He tapped the paper in front of him, "Right here. What's going on at the station Carly?"
"Not much, Carlston and Starsky are running around trying to make something out of Johnny's death."
"Does anyone suspect you aren't Kat?" Devon ask, eyeing his sister. If they could get a load of her now they would have known. Kat and Carly may have looked physically alike but there personalities were nothing alike. Carly was very out going, wore low cut short dresses and bleach her hair, which at the present moment was its natural red. Kat was always stylish but more reserved than her outlandish twin.
Everybody thinks I'm Kat, even that clown Sam, he worked with her for three years, you would think he would notice. But he's too busy with those little plastic bags, samples of hair and blood, it's disgusting." Carly strolled across the office until she was standing in front of Devon's desk, "I guess I can quit now but I would love to knock off that Carlston bitch!"
Devon shook his head, "NO! We got Hutchinson, she had nothing to do with Kat's death."
"I know but I can't stand her." Carly sat down crossing her legs showing more than her brother cared to see.
Devon shifted his gaze from her legs, "We can't afford to have any more dead cops on our hands. If she turns up dead we'll get caught for sure."
"I know that big brother. Just because Kat got the grades and I got the guys doesn't mean I'm stupid," Carly snapped, rolling her eyes, "But damnit that cop slapped me."
"I'm sure she was provoked." Devon said shaking his head, "You have a way of getting under peoples skin."
"Oh cut the crap," Carly fumed, crossing her legs the other way, "I've been little miss goody two shoes long enough, it's time to have some fun."
"You leave Carlston alone, you hear me? I don't want to land in jail." Devon warned, watching his sister wishing she would dress a little more like Kat had.
"Yeah, yeah I hear you," Carly said in an annoyed tone, "But I showed up at the lab and Hutchinson's partners were in there practically making out."
"And you just had to say something didn't you. That's why Carlston slapped you, isn't it? Devon ask, his sister nodded, "Who cares what they do, we got the man responsible for Kat's death."
"So you keep telling me." Carly sniffed, "I just can't understand how anybody could be that hung up on any one man."
"I'm sure you can't," Devon said disgustedly, "You never dated a man more than a week."
"So many men so little time" she smiled, Carly got up and walked to the window, "I've wasted three weeks of my life."
"It was for Kat," Devon swiveled his chair around to watch her.
"HA!" Carly snorted, "You know I only went along with this for you big brother, besides I thought it would be fun. I would never let a man get the best of me. I would still like to get that Carlston broad but ya know in a funny way I kind of admire her. She doesn't take crap from anybody, she really stood up to me, more than once.
Devon sighed, he looked past his sister at the city lights, he was glad all this was over. He could send Carly on her way, she had always been a thorn in his side, where as Kat had been the perfect sister. When Kat had killed herself he had wanted to die right along with her.
She had seemed so upset after that cop had dumped her. But she appeared to be over him until about three weeks ago. Devon had gone to visit Kat, he hadn't heard from her for a few days and couldn't get her on the phone.
Once he had arrived at her apartment he spent the next five minutes beating on her front door. Finally he got the manger and after ten more minutes and a fifty dollar bill the manger let him in. The living room was dark, the shades were still drawn even though it was one in the afternoon. That in its self was unusual because the first thing Kat always did was to go around opening all the curtains. She loved to see out, that was why she took an apartment on the top floor.
Devon called out to her, getting no response he started down the hall toward the bedroom. The door to the bathroom was closed, he tapped lightly on the door, when there was no answer he opened the door and was greeted by darkness. Devon continued on down the hall to the bedroom, this room was also dark but he could make out a figure laying in the bed.
He called softly not wanting to startle his sister but she didn't respond. As Devon moved closer he could see Kat was fully dress in her favorite outfit, her make up was perfect as was her hair.
Devon sat down on the edge of the bed and touched her arm, that was when he realized she was dead. He turned on the lamp beside the bed and stared at her not really sure what to do. Looking wildly around the room his gaze finally came to rest on a note propped up against a glass of water, there was an empty bottle of sleeping pills too. Carefully he picked up the note, there was nothing written on the out side of the folded piece of paper. He flipped it open as he held his breath, all that was written on the inside was 'Hutch will understand', she didn't even sign it.
Rage welled up inside Devon, a rage he had never felt before, he shoved everything off the table, the lamp shattered plunging the room into darkness again. Devon ripped open the curtains allowing sunlight to pour into the room. He saw a photo of Kat and Hutch sitting on top of her dresser, he picked up the photo, stared at it for a moment then threw it though the mirror on Kat's vanity. Spent he flopped down in an over stuffed chair in the corner of her room. He rubbed his hands across his face they came away wet, Devon hadn't even realized he had been crying. He sat in the chair for hours, day became night then day again and by then Alex Devon had devised his plan to make everyone think Kat was still alive and how he would kill one cop named Ken Hutchinson. Devon realized that he had lost some of his sanity but he didn't care he had also lost his Kat.
Devon made two phone calls that morning before he kiss his sister good-bye for the last time. One was to Kat’s twin Carly and the other to a couple of guys he knew that would take Kat's body back to Michigan without asking questions.
"Devon where are you?" Carly snapped. He looked up at his sister, he shook his head to clear his thoughts, "I'm leaving for New York tomorrow."
"Have a good trip," Devon said absently, he turned around and faced his desk, he kept his head down so Carly wouldn't notice the tears in his eyes.
"I'll see ya sometime," she waved leaving the office without looking back.
Sam was muttering to himself when Libby Standford entered the lab, Kat was late again. He liked the girl, even more than liked but he couldn't run his lab on feelings, he had to have help. And even when Kat did see fit to come to work they were short handed. He looked hopefully when he hard the door open. When Sam saw it wasn't Kat he went back to work.
"Kat around?" Libby ask as Sam put something that looked like a scalp into a plastic bag and sealed it.
Sam shook his head as he stored the bag in a large refrigerator making Libby really wonder what he had been studying, she felt her stomach turn over, "She didn't show up again this morning, I'm letting her go."
Libby frowned, "Sam do me a favor, hold up on firing her. Let me see if I can talk to her first."
Sam agreed, he didn't really want to fire Kat, they had worked together three years and still he had never gotten up the nerve to ask her out. The one time he had come close she had just started dating Hutch.
"You tell Kat that if she wants this job it's hers but if she can't show up I have to replace her." Sam sadly shook his head.
"You like Kat don't you Sam?" Libby said, she had noticed the look on his face when he said Kat's name.
Sam looked startled then he blushed, "Yeah," he said softly, "but I'm to old for her."
"Don't be ridiculous, age has nothing to do with anything," Libby smiled, "if I were you I would just go for it, all she can say is no."
Sam gave the officer a hesitant smile, "Well maybe, if she ever gets her can back into to work."
Libby left the lab promising Sam that she would let him know what she found out from Kat. Libby also promised not to let on how Sam felt about his partner.

Libby Standford stood in the hall of Kat's apartment building pounding on the door. The door across the hall opened a crack and a woman with curlers in her hair peered out.
"She's gone," the woman said touching the pink foam curlers self-consciously.
"Gone?" Libby turned to stare at the woman, "Where?"
"I really don't know," the woman started to shut the door.
"Hey wait," Libby exclaimed and crossed the hall, a look of fear crossed the woman's face, "I'm Officer Standford, I work with Kat at the station."
Libby held out her badge for the woman, "Please come in, I'm sorry, you just have to be so careful these days."
"You are smart to be cautious Miss . . . " Libby had an idea that if she could get this woman talking the officer would find out what Kat had for dinner every night.
"Name's Sally," she extended her hand which Libby shook, "Come on in have a seat, could I get you something to drink?"
"No thanks, I really don't have that much time," the officer smiled at Sally as the woman ran her hand over the curlers again, "So you don't know where Kat went?"
"It's not so much that she went, she moved!"
"Moved?" Libby was totally stunned and sunk down in a near by chair, Sally also sat down.
"About two o'clock this morning," explained Sally, "I heard all this bumping and banging in the hall. I looked out and there were these two big guys moving all of Kat's stuff. I ask them where she was but they didn't stop."
"This is getting so strange," Libby said more to herself than to her hostess.
"Tell me about it," Sally said, "you know Kat and I use to be good friends. Every Tuesday we had dinner and we went shopping at least once a week. Then suddenly it was like Kat didn't even know me."
"Did this happen about three weeks ago?" Libby ask.
"You know as a matter of fact it did," Sally said thoughtfully, "It's like one day we were best friends and the next day we were total strangers."
Libby stood up, "Thanks for your help."
"Officer Standford, if you find out anything, if Kat is in some kind of trouble please let me know I really want to help."
Libby patted the woman on the arm, "I'll be sure to let you know."
Once back at the station Libby pulled out her address book, flipping to the back of the book she found Kat's address in Michigan. She dialed the phone number listed next to the address, after severally rings the phone was picked up.
"Hello?" said a woman's voice.
"May I please speak to Mrs. Wallace?" the officer said into the phone, "This is Officer Libby Standford from the L.A.P.D."
"Speaking," Mrs. Wallace's voice turned cold, "What do you want?"
"I'm calling about Kat," Libby said slowly, "You wouldn't happened to know where she moved to, would you?"
"Is this some kind of a joke?" the older woman choked out.
"No, Mrs. Wallace," Libby was taken aback by her response, "I'm a friend of hers and . . . "
"Then you should know she's been dead for three weeks," Mrs. Wallace interrupted with a sob in her voice and slammed down the receiver.
Libby sat looking at the dead phone opened mouthed. She hung up the phone then picking it up again dial three numbers.

Susan was at her desk in the squad room going over Johnny Harris's files when the phone rang. She was alone, Starsky was with Hutch, he had taken copies of Lou's and Johnny's and Marilyn's files over to him. Susan picked up the receiver on the second ring, "Carlston."
"Susan it's Libby."
"What's up?" Susan ask laying down the folder she had been reading.
"Well I know you aren't one of Kat's biggest fans but something really strange is going on," Libby said in a rush of words, "Can you come down here?"
"Sure, I'm off duty just waiting for Starsk to pick me up.
Five minutes later Susan was seated next of Libby's desk. As the officer began telling the detective her story Susan sat there stunned.
"Kat is dead!" Susan gasped, "Then who's been coming to work?"
"You've got me but is hasn't been Kat," Libby frowned.
"You don't think her mother is protecting her, lying for her," Susan ask unable to believe that Kat could really be dead.
Libby shook her head, "You didn't hear that woman's voice she was grief stricken. I've heard that tone to many times in this line of work."
Susan stared at Libby a few minutes, then said, "Can you keep a big secret?" Susan ask leaning closer to her friend. The officer nodded gravely sensing it was something serious. "Can you get off right now?" Again Libby nodded.

Hutch and Starsky were sitting at Huggy's kitchen table, files were spread across the table. Hutch was reading Harris's file when there was a knock at the door. They both looked at each other, Huggy would just come on in and Susan was at the station. Starsky pulled his gun from his holster, Hutch grabbed his gun from the end table. They stationed themselves on either side of the door.
"Yeah?" Starsky called.
"It's me!" Susan said impatiently, "Open the door!"
Both male detectives went limp with relief, Starsky opened the door, seeing Libby he started to slam it but Susan stuck her foot in the door. They entered the room, Hutch was still behind the door, Starsky was giving Susan a quizzical look. Ignoring Starsky, Susan closed the door, Libby's mouth dropped open when she saw Hutch. He waved at her grinning sheepishly, Hutch had been dreading when people began finding out he was alive, there was going to be a lot of questions.
"Hutch," Libby squealed, giving him a big hug. She looked over at Susan, "So this is your big secret."
The female nodded smiling, "My secret,"
Starsky was now glaring at Susan, "Would you mind telling us what the hell is going on?"
"Nothing good that's for sure," Susan said sitting down in a near by chair, everyone else also took a seat. Huggy came in carrying a tray of glasses and beer. He sat the tray on the coffee table and perched on the arm of the chair Susan was sitting in.
When everyone was settled in and had a drink Susan took a deep breath and said, "Kat is dead."
"What!" Starsky exclaimed.
"Damn," Hutch sighed as he looked down at the floor, "When?"
"Three weeks ago," Libby said softly.
Hutch's head jerked up, "What?"
Libby nodded, "I talked to her mother a little while ago, Kat has been dead three weeks."
"OK, so then who have we been talking to for the past three weeks," Starsky ask completely confused.
"Well it sure hasn't been Kat," Susan said looking over at Hutch who looked pale and shaken.
"I guess this explains why Kat wasn't acting like herself," Starsky said, "So who is the girl saying she is Kat?"
"Hutch are you all right?" Susan ask getting up from her chair. She knelt in front of him, "What's wrong?"
"There are some things I didn't tell you about Kat and I," he said slowly he looked over at Starsky then back to Susan, "I think I gave everyone the impression that it was my idea to stop seeing Kat but it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't hung up on her or anything we were really more friends than anything else. Kat wanted to break it off before it became more."
"Why?" Susan ask softly not sure she really wanted to know.
Hutch touched Susan's face gently, "Kat found out she was dying," Hutch paused to let it sink in then continued, "She had a malignant brain tumor, she had maybe a year left. Kat was very afraid of pain, she didn't want to just waste away. So she made me promise that I wouldn't tell anyone about her illness and when she couldn't take the pain anymore she would take enough sleeping pills to 'put her to asleep' as she put it." Hutch hung his head, Susan put her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Everyone in the room was silent for a few minutes then Huggy said, "Do you think this could have something to do with the hit on Hutch?"
All eyes turned toward the black man, feeling uncomfortable he shrugged, got up and went to look out the window, "What makes you ask that," Starsky ask.
Huggy shrugged again, "Neither situation makes any sense, so maybe they are related."
"At this point I'll try any idea," Hutch said, "Let's call Dobey and Sam Walters, get them over here, maybe Sam knows more about Kat."
"Are you sure you want someone else to know your alive," Starsky ask picking up the phone.
"Starsky it's about time we get to the bottom of this," Hutch said, "I'm not hiding any more."
Thirty minutes later Dobey and Walters arrived, after getting through Sam's shock of Hutch being alive they got down to business. Hutch and Libby filled in the two new members of the group along with Huggy's idea.
"Did you know Kat had a sister?" Sam ask the group.
"No!" Hutch said shocked, "She never talked about any family, the one time I ask she ignored me."
"She didn't talk about them because she was embarrassed, her twin was well lets just say nothing like Kat. Her brother is Alex Devon, ever heard of Devon Corp?"
"Twin?" Susan echoed.
"Devon Corp?" Hutch said, "Isn't that some kind of land development company?"
"You got it," Sam noticed everyone staring at him, "We spent a lot of time together, lot's of long hours, we talked all the time. But you know it never dawned on me that it was her twin, Carly lives in New York and Kat never let on she was sick."
"I knew she had a mother in Michigan," Libby said looking a little shaken, "I never really knew her at all."
"I wonder why she didn't tell you she was sick? Dobey ask Sam.
Hutch got up to pace around the room, "Probably because she didn't want to be treated any different. Kat kind of avoided me after that last date we had. We never talked much just work related stuff. I never called her, she never called me."
"God, she must have been really lonely," Susan said suddenly feeling sorry for the young woman she met only once, a year ago.
"You know Devon Corp hasn't always been on the up and up," Huggy interjected, "In fact Devon himself was jailed once or twice for land fraud."
"Maybe we need to pay Mr. Devon a little visit," Susan said, "Seems to me that him and his sister are up to something."
"But why would Carly impersonate Kat? They had to have worked fast, Carly stepped in with out missing a beat," Sam said, "I knew she wasn't acting quite right and her work was suddenly sloppy, sometimes she just wouldn't do it. You know that I think back on it there were a lot of things she did that didn't make sense."
"I'm going to talk to Devon in the morning," Susan said, "See if I can find out what's going on."
"First thing in the morning," Hutch said getting up, he grabbed his gun and shoulder holster and began slipping it on.
"Just where to you think you're going?" Susan said standing up in front of him.
"I'm getting out of here," Hutch told her as he looked around for his jacket.
"No you're not, you are staying right here until I talk to Devon." Susan said sternly.
"I'll drive you," Starsky said.
"Let me go alone," Susan pleaded, "Devon may know who you two are but possibly doesn't know me."
Dobey sensed a fight brewing between his detectives, "All right you three this is how it's going down. Hutch, you are staying put at least for tonight. Susan you will wear a wire and Starsky you will drive her and wait in the car listening, got it?"
Hutch sighed sitting down, Susan nodded in agreement, "Fine but we are taking my car if we show up in that red tomato, the whole city will know we are there." Starsky glared at his partner but didn't say anything.


                                                                             CHAPTER EIGHT


Susan stood outside the Devon Corp outer doors. The building was very new and the company name was freshly stenciled in gold letters on the glass doors. She and Starsky had done a check to make sure the wire was working before she went in. Susan could talk to her partner but there was no way for him to respond.
Taking a deep breath Detective Carlston pushed the double doors open, the secretary at the desk looked up and smiled, she was middle aged, stylishly dressed and very professional. The detective told the woman the story the group had concocted the night before. She was Sally a friend that lived across the hall from Kat who had gotten concerned about her friend. When she called Kat's mother she found out about the young woman's death.
As Susan was being ushered into Devon's office she prayed that he didn't know who she was and had never met Sally. Alex Devon sat behind his desk with a mound of paper work in front of him. He looked up when the young woman walked in. Standing up he stuck out his hand. Susan covered the distance from the door to his desk and shook the extended hand.
"Thank you for seeing me Mr. Devon, I know you must be very busy," Susan smiled warmly.
"You are welcome Miss . . . " he stopped and looked at her. Mrs. Peal had only given him the young woman's first name and he wasn't use to addressing people he didn't know in that fashion.
"Sally," Susan said.
"Sally," Devon returned her smile.
The file Devon had drawn up on Detective Susan Carlston had been very complete except there hadn't been a photo of the officer and as luck would have it he had never met Kat's friend across the hall although she had talked about Sally a lot. He knew that they were very good friends, she was one base he had forgotten to cover.
"Now how may I help you, Sally?"
"I'm here about Kat, I was so worried about her that I called her mother and . . ." Susan worked up a sob in her voice, ". . . she told me Kat had died three weeks ago."
Devon looked stunned, he hadn't counted on anyone calling their mother, "Uh. . ."
"You are her brother aren't you?" Susan forced a tear to slid down her cheek, "I know your names are different but . . ."
Devon sat back down at his desk and motioned Kat's 'friend' to also take a seat. Steepling his fingers together, he said, "My parents were divorced when Kat was very young, when mother remarried Kat took his name while I and my . . . I stayed with my father's," Susan nodded politely but this was getting her no where.
"I was very shocked," Susan sniffed pulling a tissue from her purse, "I could have sworn I've seen her leaving the apartment."
Devon shrugged, "Maybe it was the girl I hired to clean out her place."
"I didn't know her illness had progressed that far," Susan said hoping maybe that would push some buttons, which it did.
"I'm sorry I would have thought Kat told you."
"Told me what," Devon demanded.
But before Susan could respond the office door banged open and Kat stepped in except it wasn't exactly Kat. The face looked like Kat but the hair was bleached blonde and she had on a short, very tight red dress and high heels.
The woman stared at Susan for a few seconds then glared at Devon, "What the hell is she doing here?"
"Carly, this is Sally, one of Kat's friends. Did you know. . . " Devon began but was cut off.
Carly screamed, "Friend, hell, she's that damn Carlston bitch!"
Devon stared at Susan, "You're a cop?" Susan was hoping the wire was working and that Starsky knew she had been made.
Carly pulled a gun from her purse, pointing it at the detective, "Carly where did you get that damn thing," Devon demanded, "What are you planning to do?"
"Do you want to go to jail you idiot," Carly snapped, "We have to get rid of her. You already took care of her boy friend, what's another cop?"
Susan's mouth dropped open, she hadn't really believed that Devon had anything to do with the attempts on Hutch's life. She just wanted to find out what had happened to Kat, none of this made any sense.
"Will you shut up," Devon hissed.
Carly poked the gun painfully in Susan's ribs forcing her to stand up, seeing the expression on Susan's face she said, "That's right sweet heart, we offed your old man now it's your turn. You two can be together for ever, to bad Starsky isn't here he could join you."

Starsky was sitting in Susan's Mazda eating a donut and sipping coffee when things started to go bad. He went to reach for the radio then realized that her car had never been equipped with one. He leaped out of the car tossed half eaten donut and the coffee in a near by trash can, then sprinted to the corner where there was a pay phone.
It was occupied by a man who wasn't about to give up the booth. Starsky finally pulled out his gun, shoving it under the man's nose with out showing him his badge. The man's face went white, he dropped the receiver and backed out of the booth, he dashed down the street with out looking back.
Starsky grabbed the dangling receiver, shoved a quarter in the slot and call police headquarters for back up. Then he tore across the street hitting the revolving doors of the office building on a dead run. Once in the lobby he checked out the listing, Devon Corp occupied the whole top floor.
The detective stabbed the elevator button impatiently, the doors slid open, Starsky stepped in pushing the door closed button. When the elevator doors slid open Devon Corp doors greeted him. Starsky shoved open the doors so forcefully they slammed against the walls inside the office, Mrs. Peal looked up startled.
The detective barreled toward Devon's private office door but Mrs. Peal was quicker. She stood in front of the door glaring at the intruder, "May I help you," she demanded.
Starsky pulled his badge out of his jeans pocket and held it up in front of her face then pulled out his revolver. Mrs. Peal's eyes widened but she stepped aside with out another word. Starsky turned the knob but the door was locked, he took a couple of steps back then kicked in the door.

When the door to Alex Devon's office flew open Carly wheeled around firing a wild shot toward the door. Starsky dove into the room as the bullet whizzed harmlessly over his head splintering the door frame.
Susan used the opportunity to knock Carly off balance by ramming the woman in the back with her shoulder. Carly dropped the gun, which skidded under the desk coming to rest at Devon's feet. He looked down but made no move to pick it up.
Carly recovered from the blow, spun around punching the female detective in the eye, Susan hit the floor. Carly sunk to her hands and knees searching for the gun. Susan tired to grab her legs but Carly kicked her hands away.

"All right that's enough!" boomed Starsky as he fired a shot into the ceiling. The two women stopped their struggle on the floor. He crossed the room and helped his partner to her feet but he kept his gun pointed at Carly, "Kat or who ever you are get up and sit in that chair over there. Mr. Devon you sit too keep your hands on top of the desk."
Susan who was stunned from the blow regained her senses and grabbed her purse from the floor where it had been lost during the scuffle. The detective pulled out her gun and trained it on Devon who sat looking bewildered at his desk.
Dobey appeared in the door way of the office along with two uniformed officers, Hutch brought up the rear. He rushed to Susan's side when he saw her face which was already turning a pale shade of blue.
Both Devon and Carly turned pale when they saw Hutch enter the room. Noticing their expressions Hutch said, "you need to hire a better hit man next time."
"But . . . but," Devon sputtered.
"Put the cuffs on and get these two out of here," Dobey ordered.
"Wait!" Devon cried out, he turned to Susan, "You said something about Kat being sick."
She nodded, "Kat had a brain tumor, she only had a short time to live."
"I don't understand," the man said in a shaky voice, "Why would she kill herself over a cop if she was dying any way?"
"What?" Hutch ask, he walked over to face Devon, "What are you talking about?"
Devon started to reach in his hip pocket, the two officers pointed their guns at him. He held up his hands, "I just want to get something out of my wallet." Hutch nodded, Devon got his wallet, opened it and pulled out a piece of paper which he handed to the detective, "I found this on Kat's night stand."
Hutch took the note, slowly he unfolded it, his eyes grew sad when he read what was written. Susan was trying to see what it said but being much shorter than her partner she couldn't see it.
Finally Susan asked, "Well what does it say?" Everyone in the room was waiting for Hutch's response.
Taking a deep breath he said softly, "It says Hutch will understand." Hutch looked at Devon, "You thought she killed herself over me?" Devon nodded. "Kat told me that when the pain got too bad that she was going to over dose on sleeping pills. That's what the note means, I knew why she killed herself."
"Why didn't you stop her?" Devon moaned. Carly glared at her older brother.
"I tried to talk her out of it when she told me. But she said that's the way she wanted to go, not just wasting away in some hospital with everyone waiting for her to died. Then she cut me off, I didn't know what was going on with Kat," Hutch explained.
"Oh for heaven sakes," Carly exploded, "She's dead and gone what's the difference, if it had been me you wouldn't have batted an eye."
All the eyes in the room turned toward Carly, she looked at her feet, suddenly feeling self conscious.
"Carly that's not true. . . " Devon began.
"Oh save it," she spit out.
"Lady you are dangerous," Starsky growled, "Get her the hell out of here."
The officer holding Carly pushed her out the door, another officer snapped cuffs on Alex and started to lead him out. Susan stopped them, "Devon did you know a Marilyn Anderson?" she decided to play a hunch.
Suddenly Devon went limp almost knocking the officer holding him down, "Yes," he whispered, "She was my girl friend, I was so obsessed with Kat's death I just went off the deep end. We were very close Kat and I , we always were but Carly was so different even when she was little, never letting anyone get too close to her. I guess Kat and I weren't as close as I thought or she would have told me she was sick."
Despite himself Hutch felt sorry for this man who cared so much for his sister he became a murdered, "I don't think anyone knew about Kat except me and her doctor."
"Lou Lawson and Johnny Harris your work too?" Susan ask already knowing the answer.
Devon nodded sadly, "Kat would be so disappointed in me. I promised her that I would clean up my act after the land fraud and I kept my promise . . . until now."
After everyone had left the room except for the three detectives, Starsky patted Hutch on the back, "Guess you are back from the dead, buddy."
Hutch nodded glumly, "I just wish I could have said good bye to Kat."
Susan put her arms around him, "And I wish I could have gotten to know the real Kat."
Hutch hugged her tightly, "How's the eye," he ask looking down at her.
She gingerly touched her eye wincing in pain, "That Carly really has a left hook."
Hutch gently kissed her bruised eye, "Lets get some ice on that."
"Hey none of that you guys, you know what Dobey said," Starsky teased as he retrieved Carly's gun from under Devon's desk. He slipped the gun in the back of his jeans, "Susan you really had me worried there for a while, I didn't think I would make it. We are getting that car of yours equipped with a radio tomorrow."
"What are you talking about?" Hutch asked puzzled.
Starsky slipped his arm around Susan as he began explaining what had happened before reinforcements had arrived.

Everyone at the station was stunned but relieved to find out that Hutch was still alive and saddened at the loss of Kat Wallace.
Hutch had still not been back to his apartment and was dreading the mess he would have to deal with. Susan told him he could stay with her for a while but he regretfully declined. He couldn't put it off any longer.
The first order of business was to pick Hutch up a car. Starsky refused to go with his partners knowing Hutch would just pick out another piece of junk. Susan pulled up in front of Hutch's apartment, he was right behind her in 'another piece of junk'. This car looked even worse than the other one. She just couldn't understand how a guy so meticulous about his clothes could drive such a heap.
He got out flashing her a bright smile as he slammed the car door, it let out a loud grating sound, "I'll have to get that oiled."
Susan rolled her eyes but smiled back at him, "Well come on."
Hutch slowly joined her on the side walk in front of his building. They climbed the steps leading to the apartment arm in arm, Hutch took out his key fit it in the lock and turned, nothing happened.
"What the hell!" he exclaimed as he leaned over looking at the key hole.
"OH," Susan grinned, she pulled out a key on a beautiful leather key chain, "Here we had your lock changed. Now keep this in your pocket!"
He looked at her doubtfully then looked at his favorite place for storing his key, "If it will make you feel better."
"It should make you feel better," she shook he head at her partner, "You are the one that has had their apartment torn up how many times now?"
"OK, OK, you made your point," he slipped the key in the lock, it turned easily, the room was dark. Hutch reached in flipping the light on.
At that moment people jumped out of everywhere tossing balloons and streamers. Hutch took a step backward and looked down at Susan in surprise.
Starsky grabbed his arm dragging his friend into the room. He leaned over and whispered in Susan's ear, "What kind of car did he get?"
Susan made a face, "Don't ask."
Once Hutch got over the shock of the surprise, he looked around at all his friends, Huggy, Cindy, Libby, Dobey and Sam, all smiled at him Susan and Starsky stood behind him grinning waiting for him to notice the room.
Suddenly Hutch realized his apartment was cleaned up and his furniture was repaired. he stood opened mouthed, "You guys did all this?" The group nodded.
"Oh that's not all," Susan said leaving his side. She went into the bed room coming out with a big box with a huge red bow on top. She handed it to Hutch, "This is from Starsk and me."
Starsky leaned over to whisper in ear again, "We should have sprung for a decent car."
This time Hutch heard his partner and turned to glare at him. Slipping the bow from the box Hutch lifted the lid, inside lay a splendid guitar, he looked at his two friends, he was totally speechless. Hutch first hugged Susan then Starsky.
Finally he whispered, "Thanks guys," then a little louder, he said, "Thanks all of you. I really don't know what to say."
"Hey, isn't this suppose to be a party?" Huggy said as he flipped on the stereo, music blared loudly. The rest of the guests went in the kitchen returning with platters of sandwiches and bowls of chips and dip. Dobey carried a huge cake that said 'Welcome Home Hutch.'
Hutch carefully laid the guitar on the desk then put his arms around his two partners. Starsky and Susan looked at each other then at the same time kissed Hutch on his cheeks, he screwed up his face, then began laughing.

THE END