TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
By
Tooki
CHAPTER ONE
The church was beautifully decorated, white satin bows hung on the end of each pew. Bouquets of white and pale pink roses sat round the sanctuary. Soft organ music played as guest filed in. Most of the guests were polices, this was the wedding the whole department had been waiting for.
Detective Kenneth Hutchinson and Detective Susan Carlston were finally getting married. They had been engaged for the last two years. Susan hadn't wanted to get married right away, there was always that nagging doubt of being married to a cop even thought she was one herself. But she realized that she couldn't live with out Hutch, she had tried that once and was miserable. When Hutch had given her a diamond ring she had put it in the top drawer of their dresser. She had told him when she was ready she would put it on.
Hutch wasn't happy, but in fear of losing her again let it be. It had taken her two years to put that ring on her finger and it was their three-year-old daughter Jesse who first discovered the ring and pointed it out to her daddy. Hutch had been over joyed and was ready to drag Susan to a justice of the peace before she changed her mind. But she said that if they were going to do they were going to do it right.
So now the church was ready, the guest was in place and the groom was impatient. Hutch stood tall and proud at the front of the church, his blue eyes smile as he waited for his bride. Detective David Starsky stood next to his partner, he was a few inches shorter than Hutch's six one, had the same blue eyes but had dark curly hair where his partner had blond. Hutch, Starsky and Susan had been partners for years now and friends. There wasn't much that they didn't do together and now Starsky was proud to be the best man at the wedding, even if he did wish it were him Susan was walking down the isle to instead of Hutch.
Jesse who was three and half stood out in the hall dressed in a pale pink dress carrying a small basket filled with white and pink rose petals. She had her mothers long brown hair and her fathers sparkling blue eyes. She was so excited that her parents were getting married, it was all Mrs. Gray could do to keep the little girl quiet and clean. Mrs. Gray was a godsend to Susan, she had taken care of Jesse from the moment she was born. Mrs. Edna Gray was a lovely woman, in her early sixties she still had the energy to keep up with the child. When Susan and Hutch moved in together Mrs. Gray went with Susan and Jesse and took over the household while the detectives worked.
The detective's Captain was also in the hall waiting. Harold Dobey had been speechless, which was rare for him when Susan had asked him to give her away. Dobey was a plump black man in his late forties. To people whom didn't know him, he seemed gruff but his detectives knew it was only because he cared a great deal for his detectives.
The wedding was suppose to start at ten a. m., it was now ten after and no Susan. The guest were beginning to look around, Hutch was fidgeting. Starsky finally left his place by his partner and walked down the isle.
"Where is Susan?" Starsky asked when he saw she wasn't waiting in the hall.
Both Mrs. Gray and Dobey shrugged their shoulders. The bridesmaids were all there except Libby Standford, Susan's best friend. Starsky was getting worried, it was unlike Susan to be late for anything especially this day. Hutch had spent the night with him at his apartment while Libby stayed at Susan and Hutch's townhouse with the bride. Starsky went to find a phone, he dialed the number he knew by heart. The phone ran a dozen times before he finally gave up. Starsky turned around almost running into Hutch.
"What's going on?" Hutch looked worried, it was very apparent that his intended wasn't there yet.
"I was calling your place," Starsky said, he put his hand on Hutch's shoulder.
"And?" Hutch asked impatiently.
"No answer," Starsky responded as the two detectives went back down the hall to join the rest of the wedding party.
A tall skinny black man dressed in a bright purple tux entered the hall from the sanctuary. "What's holding up the show?" Huggy Bear inquired. "The natives are getting restless."
Jesse giggled and ran to hold Huggy's hand, next to Starsky he was her favorite person. He bent down, tickled her tummy then picked the little girl up. "Mommy's not here." Jesse informed Huggy. Then she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Takes her forever to get ready, just ask Daddy."
"I'm sure she will be here soon. Maybe she got held up in traffic." Huggy suggested. Huggy had close his bar to the public and was having the reception at his place. "Anybody check outside?"
"Don't you think she would have come in?" Hutch snapped as he looked toward the door willing it to open and Susan being there.
"Hutch," Starsky said softly putting his hand on his back.
Hutch sighed, "Sorry Hug, I'm just really worried." He apologized to his friend.
"Don't sweat it man," Huggy said sympathetically. "Why don't I run over to your place and see what's what?"
Hutch nodded, giving the black man a half smile, "Thanks."
Before Huggy could leave, Libby came running down the hall. She was dressed in blue jeans and a blue tank top. Her reddish blond hair flew out behind her as she dashed toward them. There were tears streaming down her face.
Hutch was the first one to her he grabbed the officer by both shoulders, "What happened, is Susan alright?"
"She is gone," Libby said though her tears.
Hutch let his arms fall to his sides and just stared at her speechless. It was Starsky that broke the silence. "What do you mean she's gone?"
"I thought she was just sleeping in," Libby said in-between sobs. "I didn't want to bother her. After Mrs. Gray left with Jesse I went to check on Susan. Her dress was still hanging on the door but her purse was gone. Her car is gone too."
Hutch looked at her blankly then mumbled, "Could someone tell the guest there's not going to be a wedding?" He started for the church doors. "I've got to get out of here." Starsky started to follow his friend but Hutch just shook his head and left the church alone.
Dobey grabbed an officer that was leaving, "Dickerson, I want you to put out an APB on Detective Carlston."
Dickerson looked at Dobey puzzled, "Why?"
"Just do it!" Dobey ordered.
An hour later the wedding guests were gone, the church cleaned up. The wedding party showed up at the townhouse. Starsky knocked on the door but there was no answer. They knew Hutch was there, his car was out front. Mrs. Gray stepped forward, handed Starsky Jesse who she had been carrying. Then she opened the front door, Starsky slipped passed her going into the living room. Hutch was sitting in an over stuffed chair. His head was lying on the back of the chair his eyes closed. Jesse wriggled free of Starsky's arms and went to her Daddy.
She climbed up into Hutch's lap, putting her little arms around his neck. "Where's Mommy?" she asked.
Hutch put his arms around her. "I don't know honey," he said with out opening his eyes.
Mrs. Gray went to the kitchen to make a pot coffee. Dobey and Libby joined the detectives in the living room.
"Did anything strange happen last night?" Starsky asked.
The night before the wedding party they had all gone out to dinner then Hutch had left with Starsky. And the girls went to the townhouse where they had put on their nighties, popped popcorn and watched movies. Hutch didn't want to be away but Susan had insisted that it was 'bad luck' for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.
Libby thought for a moment, "well she did get a phone call about 2 two a.m." Libby told them. Jesse left her father's lap going over to stand next to Libby. She pulled the little girl into her lap before she continued. "I just thought it was you Hutch."
Hutch shook his head, "It wasn't me."
"Did she sound upset?" Starsky asked.
"No," Libby paused, "but I fell back asleep before she finished the call."
Mrs. Gray came in carrying a tray with a pot of coffee and mugs, which she set on the coffee table. She looked sadly over at Hutch, she poured a cup and took it to him. Hutch opened his eyes looking up at her, he shook his head no. "Come on Ken, drink a little coffee."
"Where is she?" Hutch said in a sorrowful voice. "Who the hell called her in the middle of the night? What was so damn important that she blew off our wedding day?"
"I have the force out looking for her, there is an APB." Dobey said. "There has been no reports from any hospitals in the area."
"Just what makes you think she's still in the area?" Hutch spit out. "You know it wouldn't be the first time she took off."
"What makes you think she would leave?" Starsky asked.
Suddenly Jesse squealed, "Mommy!" She jumped off Libby's lap and ran to Susan.
Susan stood in the doorway, she looked more like a sixteen year old out too late on a date than a twenty-eight year old cop. With her long dark hair hanging down her back, one of Hutch's shirts and a worn pair of Levi's she looked like a child.
Everyone turned and stared at her. Susan bent down and picked up her daughter. "Just where the hell have you been?" Hutch shouted jumping up from his chair. "Just what was more important than our wedding?" He hurled the words at her.
"Hutch," Susan took a step toward him.
"You just stay there," he ordered, holding up his hand.
Dobey got up, "I think its time to leave." He walked over to Susan and kissed her on the cheek, "I'm glad you are OK."
"I'm sorry," she whispered softly to him.
Libby came over talking Jesse from her and disappeared into the kitchen along with Mrs. Gray. Huggy got up and after patting Susan on the shoulder followed the Captain out. Starsky kept his seat, he wasn't about to go anywhere.
"I'm really sorry," she began, "I thought I would be back in time."
"Back from where?" Hutch walked toward her rubbing his forehead like he had the worlds worst headache, which he did.
"A friend called last night in trouble, I had to go."
"What friend?" Hutch asked, he was now only standing inches from her. All he really wanted to do was pull her into his arms and hold her. He was so relieved to see her, but his anger and pride wouldn't allow him the luxury.
It had been two a.m. when the phone rang. Susan had only been in bed a few minutes, she and Libby had just finished getting her dress ready for the next day. Susan was excited, she had finally done it, finally agreed to marry Hutch. She knew he had been patient for a long time and she wanted everything to be perfect.
Sure that it was Hutch calling to say good night Susan rolled over snagging the phone. "For heavens sakes Hutch, it's only for one night." She teased laughing.
"Susan?" Said a familiar voice.
Startled that it wasn't Hutch she said, "Who is this?"
"It's Eddie." Came the reply.
Susan set up in bed, "Eddie? Where are you?"
Eddie Campbell had really been a good friend to her when she needed one the most. When she had moved to the Midwest after leaving Hutch he had befriended her. He looked out for her and then Jesse after she was born. She didn't think she would have made it if it hadn't been for Eddie. But when Hutch had turned up, Eddie was crushed, he was so in love with her. He had hoped that someday she would forget Hutch would be his. After realizing that would never happen Eddie when back to his hometown to face his demons.
"I'm here in LA. I need your help." Eddie sounded a little desperate.
"What's wrong?" Susan asked.
"Not on the phone. Can you meet me somewhere?" He as hopefully.
"Eddie, it's two a.m. and I'm getting married in the morning," she told him.
"Please," he whimpered.
"Alright, there's an all night coffee shop. I'll meet you there." She finally agreed. After giving him the address Susan got up and dressed. She peeked in on Jesse who was sleeping soundly then slipped out of the house. She thought about leaving a note but figured she would be back before any one was up.
As soon as Susan pulled up in front of the coffee shop she saw Eddie through the plate glass window. He glance out just as she got out of the car, he nodded at her.
Susan slipped into the booth, "what's going on Eddie?"
He smiled at her, she still looked the same. His heart did flips as he remembered how much he had loved her and Jesse. She had been as much as a comfort to him as he was to her. Susan had been so understanding when he had told her about how his wife had been killed in a car wreck only days after their marriage.
"Susan I'm in big trouble. I didn't know where else to go. You are still a cop aren't you?" he asked.
"Yeah I'm still a cop," Susan sighed looking at her watch, "listen Eddie lets cut to the chase."
He took a deep breath brushed his red hair out of his eyes and said. "I'm wanted for murder." He watched the expression on her face.
Susan just stared at him for a few minutes. "Eddie I'm not a lawyer. You shouldn't have come to me it's my job to arrest you."
"Are you?" Eddie asked looking around nervously. Two uniformed cops came in and sat down at the counter.
"Why don't you tell me what happened, then I'll decided if I'm going to turn you into those cops over there." Susan jerked her head toward the cops at the counter. She wondered just how 'wanted' Eddie was as she watched the two cops. Then making a decision she might live to regret she said, "Let's get out of here."
Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, he thought there for a moment she was just going to turn him in any way. They slowly got up, Eddie tossed some bills on the table and left the coffee shop. He turned to see if the officers were following them but they were sipping coffee unaware that they had just missed a big bust.
Susan drove to the beach, either of them spoke a word until she pulled up and parked. She turned off the engine then looked at Eddie. "OK Eddie, lets have it."
"I was arrested for killing my wife." He said looking out at the water, he had never seen an ocean before.
"But that happened years ago." Susan said frowning. "I thought that had been ruled an accident."
"Not Jill," he said slowly. "Her name was Nancy. I got remarried about three months ago. Two days ago she was killed in a car wreck. The police hauled me in, started asking a lot of questions about Jill's wreck then about Nancy's."
"But why would they think you had anything to do with it?" Susan asked shocked. She knew Eddie pretty well or at least she thought she did. She didn't believe he had killed anybody.
"Nancy's brakes lines where cut. Both of the wrecks were single car accidents. So I guess the police started wondering about Jill's wreck too. But he car was junked so there was no way to examine it.
"But why you?"
"Both were very well off. I guess the police thought I killed them for the money. I didn't get anything from Jill's estate. I wouldn't take it even when her parents offered me money. I didn't want money it wouldn't bring my Jill back." There was a sob in his voice. "Nancy did leave everything to me. She had no other family. I guess you could say I'm a very rich man. But I did not kill Nancy!"
Susan sat looking at him in the darkness. "What do you want me to do?"
"See if, you can find out something. I think I'm being framed." Eddie stated. "I also think someone is trying to kill me too."
"But why would anyone want to kill you? You said that she had no family." Susan asked, it was getting more complicated as the story unfolded.
"She doesn't, that's why I escaped from jail and ran." Eddie explained. He pulled down the neck of his shirt. "Turn on the lights."
Susan reached over turning on the overhead dome light. The light revealed black and blue marks all around Eddie's neck. "What the hell?"
"The first night they arrested me, while I was asleep in my cell somebody came in and tried to strangle me." Eddie let go his shirt. "You have got to help me. If I go back to Montana I'm a dead man. Who's going to care about an accused wife killer?"
"I would care," Susan said gently talking his hand. "I believe you Eddie and I'll see what I can do. But I can't make any promises, if it had happened here it would be easier but Montana is a long way."
"Hide me!" Eddie pleaded.
"Do you know what you are asking me to do?" Susan asked. "I could lose my job not the mention ending up in jail myself."
"I know I'm asking a lot, but this is my life." Eddie looked at her with wide eyes. "You said you believed me are you going to let somebody kill me?"
Susan closed her eyes sighing, she knew what she was about to do was very unethical but she owed Eddie. Maybe she could find out something. Susan had the perfect place to hide him too. Bo Hartman an ex-con she knew would do her this favor she was sure of that.
Bo had been one of Mel Roffman's men and had helped him kidnap her and Hutch. But Bo ended up saving their lives and almost lost his. When the detectives got back to LA they talked to the DA and got Bo off since he was the only reason they were still alive.
It was beginning to get light, Susan check her watch it was almost six thirty. She drove to Bo's apartment building, told Eddie to wait in the car and went into the building. His apartment was on the second floor in a very nice building. Just as Bo had promised he went straight, go a got job and a steady girl friend. Susan knocked on his door three or four times before he finally answered. He was a huge man in his late twenties. Bo stood in front of her his brown hair tousled, dressed in nothing but pajama bottoms.
"Susan?" Bo asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He was more than a little shocked to see her standing there. They had talked on the phone a couple of times but this was the first time he had seen her since he had been back in LA.
"Hi Bo," He opened the door wider so she could come in. "I need your help."
"Sure anything for you." Bo grinned at her. "What's up?"
"I want you to hide someone for me." Susan said.
Bo hiked his eyebrows up at her, "You go to the other side?" he teased.
Susan shook her head and quickly explained what little Eddie had told her. "You are the only one I can trust."
Bo shook his head, "If we get caught we are both in hot water. Hey I have been in trouble before but I’m not sure I want this kind of heat again. And do you know what they'll do to you?"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here. The last thing I want to do is get you into trouble, you have really pulled your life together. I didn't know where else to turn." Susan opened the door and started out.
"Hold up, I didn't say I wouldn't to it." Bo gave her a boyish grin. "If it wasn't for you I would be in jail right now."
"But Bo you are right. There is no need in both of us going down if this goes bad. I'm not sure how much trouble Eddie is really in, this could be dangerous." Susan said looking up at him. He was six foot five and she was only five-four so he towered over her.
"You have more on the line than I do. Does Hutch and Starsky know about this?"
She shook her head, "I'm not planning on telling them either, this is my mess."
"I sure hope you know what you are doing," Bo sighed. "Bring him up but I'll tell you what if this dude is lying I'll throw him out on his ear."
"Thanks Bo," Susan said went to get Eddie.
The female detective introduced the two men to each other. Eddie retold his story to Bo. While they talked Bo cooked breakfast, he sat steaming plates of bacon and eggs on the table in front of them. Bo also believed Eddies story and offered to do what he could. He still had a few contacts in the under world.
Susan glanced at her watch it was ten thirty, "Oh my God!" she exclaimed jumping up from the table. "I was suppose to be at the church getting married at ten."
Bo looked at her horrified, "You missed your own wedding?"
"Hutch is going to kill me!"
"You go on, I'll see to Eddie, he'll be safe here," Bo assured her.
Susan pulled up in front of the church, jumped out of her car and ran up the steps. She pulled open the wooden double doors and was greeted by an empty church. The minister was coming down the hall. "Can I help you?"
"The Hutchinson wedding?" she asked.
"Oh, well….uh" He stammered. "I'm sorry to tell you this but the bride didn't show up."
"Yeah I know," Susan said shamed faced. "I'm the bride."
The minister just looked at her, "Oh."
Susan stood outside their town house. She knew everyone was there from the cars parked in front of the house. She was almost afraid to go in and face everyone. What was she going to tell them? Certainly not the real reason she had missed the wedding. Taking a deep breath she opened the front door to face the music.
Chapter Two
"Well?" Hutch demanded still waiting for an answer. "What friend was more important than us? You could have at least called."
Suddenly Susan was just as angry as Hutch. She pushed past him, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to miss the wedding. Time got away from me, it was important. Do you really think I would leave you standing at the altar unless I had a very good reason."
"I don’t know, you won't even tell me what's going on!" Hutch shouted grabbing her arm.
"You let go of me Ken Hutchinson. I don't have to explain every move I make." She said jerking out of his grasp, she ran up stairs slamming the bed room door.
"Let's get out of here," Hutch growled as he jerked open the front door.
Starsky stood in the middle of the living room. First he looked up the stairs then out the front door that Hutch had left standing open, he was torn. He knew that Susan had Libby and Mrs. Gray so he ran to catch up with Hutch.
Libby came into the living room everyone was gone. Mrs. Gray poked her head out of the kitchen, "What's going on?"
Libby shrugged, "I don't know."
"Oh dear, this doesn't look good." Mrs. Gray shook her head.
"Is Hutch gone?" came a soft voice from the stairs. Susan appeared, her face was tear streaked and her hands shaking.
"I think so," Libby came toward her. Susan wrapped her arms around her friend and began sobbing. "What happened, where did you go last night?"
"I'm sorry I can't tell you either." Susan sniffed. "I just had to help a friend."
"Who?" Libby guided Susan to the couch and sat down with her.
"Please don't ask me that," Susan looked at her best friend. "I made a promise."
Libby sighed, "Susan you made a promise to Hutch too."
"This has nothing to do with Hutch!" Susan said getting up.
"Hutch is your partner and will be your husband, you owe him an explanation."
"Listen I don't need you telling me that, don't you think I know I broke his heart when I didn't show up?" Susan snapped.
Jesse came running into the room with Mrs. Gray right behind her, the older woman gave Susan an apologetic look. Susan picked up her daughter giving her a big hug, then she smiled at Mrs. Gray.
"Where's daddy?" Jesse asked looking around. "Did he go with Uncle Starry?"
Susan nodded with tears in her eyes. "Yeah," she said hoarsely. "He'll be back later." But Susan wasn't so sure this time. She was afraid their relationship couldn't get through this. But she was not going to betray Eddie. She knew that her partners would stand behind her but they didn't all need to go down.
"Where were you?" The little girl asked. "Can we get married now?"
Susan shook her head sadly. "I think we'll have to wait a little while honey."
"Come on Jess, lets go make those cookies," Mrs. Gray said holding her had out to the child.
After they had gone Libby looked at Susan. "What are you going to do?"
"What would you do?" Susan asked.
"Well since I have no idea what is going on it's hard to say." Libby frowned at her friend.
Susan took a deep breath, "what if a friend called you, a friend you really owe. Said that they were in trouble, a lot of trouble. What if they said they were arrested for murder and that they escaped from jail because they thought someone was trying to murder them. What if you totally believed their story and the only way to help them was to hide them out until you could get some answers?"
Libby stared opened mouthed at the detective. "What the hell have you gotten yourself into Susan? You realize you are not only putting your job on the line but your life? What happens if this all back fires, you could end up in prison?"
"Don't you think I have thought of that?" Susan moaned. "But I don't want to drag Hutch and Starsky down with me. Somebody has to be here with Jesse if it all goes sour."
Libby put her hand on Susan's arm, "are you sure this friend is worth losing Hutch over?"
"I already made the promise." Susan said. "What am I going to do?"
Libby shrugged, "Let me help you."
"NO!" Susan said. "I'm not putting you at risk. I'll try and get this over with fast. And I do have some help."
"Who?"
"Libby listen you already know to much. Just forget what I have told you, please." Susan tried to smile at her. "I promise if I get in too deep I'll ask for help no matter what it costs me."
"If you ask me you are already in too deep." Libby said bluntly.
Hutch stormed around Starsky's apartment. He hadn't said a word on the way there, Starsky had tried to talk to him several times but to no avail. Starsky went to the refrigerator and grabbed a couple of beers. He handed one to Hutch who took it absently. "What is going on with her?" Hutch wondered out loud.
"Hutch, you never really gave her a chance to explain," Starsky took a drink of his beer.
"You taking her side pal?" he huffed.
"What side?" Starsky asked. "I don't even know what the hell is going on."
"I'm going to work," Hutch said as he slipped his tie over his head, he still had his tux on as did Starsky. "You got something I can wear?"
"You're off for the next two weeks, remember?" Starsky said following him into the bedroom.
"Not any more, no reason to be. Are you going to let me borrow something or not?"
Starsky open his closet tossed Hutch a pair of jeans and a shirt. "Talk to her this is crazy."
"You talk to her, I'm going to work!" Hutch said taking the clothes. He went into the bathroom slamming the door.
Starsky flopped down on the bed, he had decided that both of his partners were crazy. He knew how much Susan had hurt Hutch but he also knew that she must have had a very good reason. Hutch came out of the bathroom Starsky had to smile the jeans where to short, he still had on his dress shoes and the shirt just wasn't Hutch.
"What's so damn funny?" Hutch grouched. "You coming?" Quickly Starsky changed his clothes wondering if Susan would show up at the station too.
Everyone had heard the news at the station by the time that the detectives arrived for their shift. No one made direct eye contact with Hutch, the whole place was unusually quiet.
Starsky knocked on Dobey's office door, "Come!" Dobey growled he looked up from his paper work as Starsky followed by Hutch came in. "What the hell are you two doing here?"
"We work here," Hutch said sitting down in front of his captain's desk. "Besides I thought you had the day off too?"
Dobey didn't answer but shot Starsky a look, the detective just shrugged sitting down next to his partner. "Hutchinson you are off for the next two weeks."
"Well I'm back on," Hutch said. "Anything we need to know about?"
Dobey looked at Starsky again then said, "Well, this just hit my desk this morning." He rifled through some papers on his desk and pulled out a wanted sheet. "We are to be on the look out for a man named Eddie Campbell. He's wanted for murdering his wife in Montana. For some reason they think he might be headed this way."
Starsky took the paper looking at the photo of the wanted man then read his description. The name or face meant nothing to Starsky but to Hutch the name rang a bell. He took the paper from his partner and studied the face. The suspect didn't look familiar so he passed the flyer back to his captain.
"Why do they think he's headed this way?" Starsky asked.
"I don't know, the police in Montana didn't say. But his guy killed his second wife and they are thinking now maybe his first one too." Dobey dropped the paper back into the pile on his desk. "Are you sure you want to be here Hutchinson?"
Hutch who had been staring out into open space snapped his attention back to his captain. "Yeah Cap, got not where else to be. That names sounds familiar to me but I can't seem to place it."
"It doesn't ring a bell with me," Starsky said looking at Hutch with a worried expression. He was trying to figure out a way to get Hutch to at least talk to Susan that was if she even wanted to talk to him.
"If that's it I guess we'll hit the streets," Hutch said quietly as he got up and left.
Starsky got up to follow his partner, "Starsky," called Dobey. Starsky turned around to look at Dobey. "What's going on with Hutchinson and Carlston?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, they aren't speaking as far as I can tell. I plan on finding out what's going on though before it's too late."
"That bad?" Dobey asked with concern. Starsky nodded. "Well you keep me informed."
Starsky nodded again then went out into the squad room finding Hutch sitting at his desk sipping a cup of coffee. He stood there for a second or two watching his partner. Hutch could feel Starsky's eyes on him, they knew each other do well. They didn't need to talk to communicate, just a look or a touch on the arm said it all sometimes.
"Starsky if you want to go talk to her, be my guest. But I just can't take this anymore," Hutch said without even looking up.
"You make her sound like some kind of a flake. I know she had a good reason for what she did. Susan loves you, she would never hurt you on purpose." Starsky pleaded her case.
"Go talk to her," Hutch said as he finally looked up at his partner. "Tell her to meet me at Huggy's for dinner."
"You got it," Starsky beamed at his friend. "I'll be back soon."
Susan sat on the couch holding a picture taken of her and Hutch. She had finally convinced Libby to go home and sent Mrs. Gray out with Jesse to the park. She needed time to think with out worrying what everyone else was thinking. Once she got everyone out of the house she called Bo to make sure everything was fine. Bo and Eddie were getting along fine, the more Eddie talked the more Bo believed him. Bo had already started making some calls to see if he could come up with some information, which might be helpful. But it was slow going the small town Eddie lived in wasn't exactly LA.
Susan jumped at the knock on the front door. She glanced in a mirror by the door before she opened it. She looked awful, her hair was a mess, she had no make up, her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Susan tried her best to smooth down her hair then opened the door.
Starsky stood there smiling at her. When Susan saw who it was she broke down crying again. He came in closing the door and took her in his arms. She cried on his shoulder as he guided her to the couch.
Sitting down with her Starsky asked, "You OK?"
"Do I look OK?" she gave him a ruthful smile, through her tears.
"Well actually you look like hell," he grinned at her.
"Gee thanks a lot you really know how to make a girl feel good," Susan said giving him a real smile.
"Tell me what is going on. Where were you this morning?" Starsky asked looking directly into her eyes.
"I can't Starsk, I really can't." Susan looked down at her hands. "Please don't ask me again. Is Hutch really mad?" Susan asked changing the subject.
"Yeah, but he wants to meet you this evening at the Pits for dinner," Starsky said.
"What makes you think that I want to see him?" She said trying to sound indifferent.
"Because I know you as well as I know Hutch. You two are nuts about each other thats why you drive each other so crazy. You are meant to be together."
Susan shook her head at him, "What time?"
"I guess dinner break,"
"Dinner break? Hutch went back to work? Susan asked in surprise.
"He's not worth a damn, I left him staring into a cup of coffee."
"Maybe I should just go in too." She said getting up. "Will you take me?"
"Maybe," Starsky said. "You should just wait until this evening."
"I have no reason to be off," Susan said, if Hutch could go to work then she could too.
Starsky rolled his eyes, his partners were so damn stubborn. "You still haven't told me where you were."
Susan dashed up the stairs to change with out answering him. She jumped in the shower, dressed and was back down stairs in record time. She left a note for Mrs. Gray and Jesse, strapped on her shoulder holster and was ready to go.
Hutch was surprised when he saw Susan enter the squad room with Starsky. The whole squad room went dead silent as if they were expecting a fight between the two officers. Susan walked over to their desks and stopped, "Hi," she said.
"Hi yourself," he said back. "What are you doing here."
"Same thing you are, working. Sorry I'm late." Susan sat down at her desk. "Anything going on?"
Hutch just stared at her. "We need to talk," he said abruptly as he got up.
Susan followed Hutch to one of the interrogation rooms, it was quiet there and no one could hear what they were discussing. She sat down at the well-worn table, the room was bare except for the table and two chairs. There was a one way mirror across one wall. Hutch got the second chair that was against the wall and pulled it up to the table across from her.
"What's going on?" Hutch asked her as he reached across the table talking her hand. "If you are in some kind of trouble, please let me help you."
Susan sighed, "Hutch I can't tell you. It would be better if you and Starsky stay out of this. I can handle it by myself."
"Handle what?" Hutch demanded his anger returning. "We don't keep secrets from each other, we never have. Why now?"
"Please try to understand." Susan pleaded. It had been a mistake for her to come she knew that now. Hutch wasn't going to give up and she loved him too much to drag him into the mess she had gotten herself in. Susan knew that she could end it by just going to Dobey and telling him where Eddie was. But she was afraid he would be dragged back to Montana. Then there would be no way she could help him.
"You aren't going to tell me are you?" Hutch asked standing up. He slammed the chair into the table. "I thought that was why you showed up here instead of waiting until this evening."
He opened the door to leave, "Hutch," she called out to him with a catch in her voice.
Without looking back he said, "Don't bother meeting me for dinner. I'll be by tonight to pick up some clothes. I'll stay with Starsky until I can fine a place." He slammed the door behind him.
Susan sat stunned for a few minutes he was leaving her. She wanted to run after him but why bother. She couldn't tell him the truth and that's all he wanted to hear. Slowly she got up, she knew what she had to do at least for now. Maybe when this was all over ad she explained it to him they could work things out. But she really doubted it now. Susan couldn't really blame Hutch for walking away, she would have probably felt the same if things were reversed.
Susan pushed open the door the squad room. Hutch wasn't any where in sight neither was Starsky. She went to Captain Dobey's office door and knocked.
"Come in," he called. Susan opened the door. Dobey jumped up when he saw who it was. He came around his desk giving her a hug. "Everything alright?"
She shook her head sadly. "Cap I want a transfer."
"What!" he grunted. "Why?"
"Hutch and I can't work together anymore," Susan said softly.
"Why don't you just give it some time," Dobey said sitting back down at his desk.
"I think our time as run out." She sighed.
"You have two weeks leave, take it. Maybe things will work themselves out."
Susan reluctantly agreed for Dobey's sake but she was sure she would be handing in her resignation when she got back. That is if she isn't in jail by then.
As soon as Susan left Dobey got on the phone calling Libby Standford to his office. He told her to find Hutch and Starsky, he wasn't used to getting involved in personal problems but he was getting the feeling that this was more than a lover's tiff.
About twenty minutes later Libby entered Dobey's office followed by the two detectives. The two men sat down in front of their Captain's desk while Libby leaned on the doorframe. Dobey cleared this throat, "I don’t like getting involved in my detectives personal lives but I want to know what the hell is going on here!" he barked at them. "And right now!"
The detectives looked at each other, Hutch said. "To tell you the truth I don't know what's going on with Susan, she won't tell me or anyone else."
Libby glanced down at her feet avoiding Dobey's gaze. He had been watching her ever since she had come into the room. The Captain figured that Susan might not tell Hutch or Starsky but might tell a girlfriend.
Dobey shifted his gaze from Libby to Hutch, "Well unless you plan on losing her permanently you had better work what ever this is out." Dobey advised. "Carlston was just in here a while ago asking for a transfer.
"What!" Hutch sat back in his chair shocked. "Did you give it to her?"
Dobey shook his head. "I told her she had two weeks leave, and to take them."
"Did she take the time?" Starsky asked, he looked at Hutch, who had told him of the argument he and Susan had.
"She took it," Dobey said. "Now get this mess straighten out."
The two detectives got up and left, Dobey motioned for Libby to stay. She sat down in the chair Starsky had vacated. "Now why do I get the feeling that you know more than you are telling?" Dobey asked her.
Libby looked at him, "I guess because I do know a little."
"Would you care to share it?" Dobey asked staring at her intently.
"Are you ordering me to tell you?" Libby asked. She was almost hoping he would.
"No but if Carlston has gotten herself in trouble you had better tell Hutchinson what you know." He advised.
Libby got up slowly reluctant to leave, she very much wanted to tell the captain what she knew. "Maybe I'll talk to Starsky."
"I think that would be a good idea."
Starsky was waiting out side the squad room door for Libby. "What was that all about, "he asked the moment she opened the door.
"I've got to talk to you," she said taking his arm. "Let's get out of here."
They left the building arm in arm, "Let's walk," Starsky suggested. Libby nodded. "Susan has told you what's going on hasn't she?"
"Kind of," Libby admitted. "She was kind of vague but Starsky she can get herself into big trouble. She's hiding a felon."
"She is what?" Starsky stopped walking staring at her. "Who?"
"I don't know," Libby started walking again. Starsky ran to catch up with her. "All Susan told me was a friend she owed a lot to was being framed for murder. And that someone was trying to kill this friend. She also said someone was helping her but she didn’t say who."
"Huggy maybe?" Starsky asked.
"I don't think so. If she isn't willing to get us involved I don’t think she would involve Huggy either."
"I think you are right about that." Starsky agreed. Then he looked at her, "what about you?"
"Me?" Libby frowned at him. "Do you think I would be telling you this if I had something to do with what is going on? Hell I had to drag out of her what I did get."
"Let's go talk to Hutch." Starsky said starting back to the station.
"Do you think he'll even listen?" Libby as wondering just how mad Hutch was.
"Oh he'll listen even if I have to sit on him." Starsky said determined. "It sounds like Susan is in way over her head."
Hutch sat at the bar in the Pits, Huggy had put a beer down in front of his friend but it had gone untouched. The barkeeper had tried several times to talk to Hutch but it was apparent he wasn't in the talking mood.
About an hour after Hutch arrived Libby and Starsky entered the bar. They came up on either side of Hutch. The curly headed detective grabbed Hutch by the arm. "We got to talk."
Hutch jerked his arm away. "I'm finished talking. Just leave it alone Starsk."
"Will you listen to us," Libby said grabbed his other arm. "Susan maybe in danger, big time."
That got his attention, "What are you talking about?"
"Just come over here and listen," Starsky said taking Hutch's other arm and guiding him to a back booth. As they were crossing the room Starsky called over his shoulder, "you might as well come too Hug, we might need you."
Libby slid into the booth and moved over to make room from Huggy. Then she began telling them what she knew. Hutch listened intently without saying a word. Starsky studied his partner but for the first time in their friendship couldn't read his thoughts. Starsky just hoped that Hutch wasn't beyond caring, everybody had their breaking point and Hutch's was badly bent.
When Libby was done they sat in silence for a few minutes then Hutch finally asked, "Why didn't she just tell me?"
"Hutch she knew you would stand by her. Susan didn't want you and Starsky to get dragged down with her if it went sour."
"This friend is so important to her that she is willing to risk everything for them?" Hutch mulled the thought over in his mind. Suddenly he knew who it was, it was the only person that it could possibly be. "I know who she is protecting!"
Starsky looked at his partner startled. "Who?"
"Remember that flyer Dobey showed us on that man from Montana wanted for murder?" Hutch turned in the booth to look at his partner.
"Yeah," Starsky nodded.
"Well I remember who Eddie Campbell is now. I knew that name sounded so familiar to me. I never met him." Hutch smiled, he felt like the world had been lifted from his shoulders. "Eddie helped Susan out when she took off for the mid west." Susan had never talked much about that time in her life to anyone. Her friends in LA knew very little about what happen while she was gone except for that fact she had Jesse.
"We've got to find her," Starsky said urgently. "This guy could be dangerous."
"Susan believes he is innocent or she wouldn't be hiding him," Libby said she still wasn't sure if she had done the right thing. But one look at Hutch's face made her feel better.
Hutch nodded in agreement. "She would be the first one to turn him in if she felt he was lying to her."
"Ok now what?" Starsky ask. "Should we go to Dobey?"
"Let's find Susan first," Hutch suggested then looked at Huggy Bear. "Libby said she had a friend helping her out."
Huggy held up is hands, "don't look at me."
"Then who? Who would she trust enough to go to? It would have to be someone with connections that could find out things for her" Starsky said. "She wouldn't go to another cop, and if she didn't come to you Huggy who is left that she would trust?"
Hutch snapped his fingers, "Bo Hartman."
Both Libby and Starsky looked at Hutch, "Bo?"
"Who else better than an ex-hood that thinks he owes you the world?" Hutch exclaimed. "I'm sure he still has a few connections here and there.
"It's worth a shot." Starsky said. "Let's get his address."
Chapter Three
There was a knock at the door, Bo jumped up from the couch motioning Eddie back into the bed room. Bo opened the door a crack peering out. Susan was standing there suit case in hand. He threw the door open, "What are you doing here?"
"Got room for one more?" She asked giving him a smile.
When Eddie heard her voice he came back into the room. "What's going on?" he asked seeing the suitcase.
"I just thought until this is over, it would be easier to stay here. Then I don't have to keep avoiding questions that I can't answer.
"What about you and Hutch?" Bo said looking down at her.
"There is no me and Hutch anymore, it's over." Susan said softly as she sat down her suitcase by the door.
When Susan left the station she went straight home and packed. Mrs. Gray was fixing dinner for Jesse and Susan joined them. She explained to her daughter that she had to go away for a few days. But she would be back very soon and then they would do something special.
Mrs. Gray had watched Susan with a worried expression on her face. When Susan got ready to leave the older woman asked her where she could be reach in case something happened. But Susan just told her to call Hutch at the station or Starsky. She left before Mrs. Gray could ask any more questions.
Susan had called a cab to take her to Bo's leaving her car in the driveway. She didn't want to give her partners any leads on her whereabouts and she knew the first thing they would do would to put another APB out on her. As she stood on the curb waiting for the cab she glanced back at the house that she had shared with Hutch and wondered what was going to happen with their lives.
"This is all my fault," Eddie blurted out. "I shouldn't have come here."
"It's not your fault," Susan said soothingly.
"Sure it is," Eddie stormed. "If it hadn't been for me you and Hutch would be married by now and off some where on a honeymoon."
She couldn't disagree with him on that one. "What's done is done. Let's concentrate on getting you out of this mess."
"I think maybe I could make a trip to Montana, it's slow going doing this long distance." Bo suggested.
"Let's give it a few days," Susan said. "I want to see if I can get some information from the station first."
"Alright," Bo agreed. "But the longer Eddie stays the more danger he is in."
Starsky, Hutch and Libby pulled up in front of the townhouse and ran for the front door. The moment Susan had left Mrs. Gray had called them. The older woman was sitting in the living room when the officers burst into the room.
"Where did she go," Demanded Hutch.
"I have no idea," Mrs. Gray told him. "She came in packed her bags, had dinner with Jesse. Then told me if I needed anything to call you at the station or at Dave's"
Mrs. Gray was almost in tears as she looked up at Hutch. He leaned over and kissed her wrinkled cheek, "Don't worry," Hutch smiled at her. "We think we know where she is."
"Then things are alright?" She asked hopefully.
"Well I wouldn't go that far," Hutch said. "But we are pretty sure we know what is going on and why Susan did what she did. I'll explain late or Susan will. Now you take care of our girl."
"You know I will," Mrs. Gray said getting up and giving Hutch a big hug.
Hutch turned to Starsky and Libby, "I'm betting she went to Bo's."
They all piled into Starsky's red Torino, it had a white stripe that ran over the top of the car and tapered to points at the front end. He pulled up in front of an apartment building that matched the address they had gotten on Bo.
"Nice place," Starsky mused. "Guess he's doing well for himself."
"As far as I can tell he has gone straight just like he said he would," Hutch said as he thumb through paper work he had on the man.
They found Bo's apartment easily Starsky stepped forward and knocked on the door. They waited a couple of minutes then he knocked a little harder and said, "Come on Bo open up."
Bo opened the door slowly, he gave an Oscar winning performance of looking shocked. "Hutch, Starsky, what brings you here?"
"Is Susan here?" Hutch asked skipping the pleasantries. He tried to look around Bo's massive frame, hoping they wouldn't have to try and push their way into the apartment.
"Susan?" Bo questioned. "No, why would she be here?"
"So I guess you aren't hiding Eddie Campbell either, right?" Starsky asked also trying to get a glimpse into the apartment but it was hopeless.
"It's OK Bo," said a voice from inside. He stepped aside Susan was just sliding her gun into her shoulder holster. "What are you doing here?"
As Hutch stepped past Bo he looked up at him and smiled. But Bo didn't return the smile but instead glared at the detective. It was apparent that he knew what had been going on between him and Susan. Hutch stopped in front of Susan, after looking at her for a minute or two he pulled her into his arms. "Why didn't you just tell me?" he whispered into her hair.
"I didn't want you going down with me," Susan said holding onto him tightly. "Someone needed to be there for Jesse. Are you still mad at me?"
Hutch held her at arms length. "No I’m not mad, I just wish you would have trusted me."
"It wasn't a matter of trust." Susan said looking up at him.
Hutch looked over at Eddie who was sitting on the couch. "Hey Eddie."
"Hi Detective Hutchinson." Eddie said carefully. He wouldn't blame the man if he punched him out. Eddie stood up, "I'm really sorry about all this. I didn't mean to cuz so much trouble. But I didn't know where else to turn."
"It's alright Eddie, I should have trusted Susan." He said looking down at her. "I'm sorry."
"And I'm sorry I put you through all this," She said softly. "It was really bad timing. I was sure I would be back in time."
Hutch answered her so quietly no one in the room could hear them. They carried on their conversation with their foreheads almost touching oblivious to the room full of people. Finally Starsky cleared this throat the two detectives looked around. Susan blushed furiously, Hutch even redden slightly.
Starsky went over and put an arm around each one of his partners and said. "This is really sweet guys but we have a problem here. We are harboring a fugitive from justice."
"I think the first thing I need to do is get back my two weeks vacation," Hutch said.
"Bet I could get Dobey to let me off too." Starsky said.
"I want to help," Libby offered. "I have some vacation time coming."
"The best thing you can…." Starsky began.
"I know, I know," Libby interrupted downheartedly. Libby never saw much action, she mostly worked in the computer room. "Stay out of it, let you guys handle it."
"That's not what I was going to say." Starsky smiled at her. "I was going to say it would be helpful if you went to work. You could find out things for us, use the computer, keep your eyes and ears open. I have a feeling this is going to be a tough one."
"But…" Libby protested, "Dobey knows that I know something. He's going jump on me the minute I go back to work."
"Just tell him to be patient," Starsky said.
"Dobey patient?" Susan laughed, "I don’t think those two words go together."
"We need someone on the inside." Starsky said
There was a sharp knock on the door, once again Eddie ducked out to sight. The three detectives drew their guns. Bo opened the door, Huggy stood there grinning at them. "God Huggy you scared the crap out of us," Susan breathed her adrenal running high.
"I thought you could use the extra help," Huggy said stepping into the apartment. He glanced at Hutch and Susan they were standing with their arms around each other, he smiled at them.
Hutch winked at him, "I thought you were through with us after what happened in the mountains."
Huggy chuckled, "I'm a gluten for punishment."
Eddie came creeping out of the bedroom. Bo's apartment was getting full. "Is there anyone else who doesn't about this?" Bo asked sarcastically. "It's getting kind of crowded in here."
Everyone moved into the living room so that Eddie could tell his story one more time. Susan made notes as he talked. When Eddie was finished there wasn't a non-believer in the room.
"Do you think your first wife was murdered?" Hutch asked.
Eddie closed his eyes rubbing his hands through his hair. "I really don't know at this point, anything is possible I guess. Maybe who ever killed Nancy knew about Jill. Maybe they thought if they kill her in the same way fingers would start pointing at me."
"I have the million dollar question," Starsky said, "why?"
"I have no idea," Eddie said, "Augusta Montana is a very small town. Quiet, very little crime, nothing ever happens there."
"Until now," Susan smiled at Eddie ruefully.
"How long did you know Nancy?" Hutch asked.
"About two months, she came from…" Sudden Eddie stopped talking, he looked around the room at all his new friends. They waited for him to continue. "She came from here."
"You mean she's from LA?" Susan asked. "Why in the world didn't you tell us that before?"
"I really didn't think about it until just now." Eddie's face had gone completely white. "I came here because of you Susan not because Nancy was from here."
"Why don't you tell as everything you know about Nancy?" Bo said as he got up to put on a pot of coffee. It looked like it might be along night.
As it turned out Eddie didn't know much about his new bride. Nancy Ellis had just turned up in Augusta. Eddie was working at the gas station where she stopped to get directions to a small boarding house in town. He ended up taking her to dinner that night and every night after that.
Nancy didn't talk much about herself, all she would say is that she was starting over. She also seemed to have a lot of money. She paid two months up front at the boarding house and never made any attempts to find a job. Nancy was overly generous with Eddie, once she had taken him on a shopping spree in one of the larger cities. Even with him protesting she bought him more clothes than he needed. Eddie never asked many questions, after his track record with woman he was just glad to have someone to love him
After the two months that Nancy had paid for had run out Eddie asked her to move in with him and be his wife. As a wedding gift Nancy put a down payment on one of the nicest houses in Augusta. Eddie told her that he couldn't afford the payments on such a house but she just waved away his concerns. T hey were very happy until the night she turned up dead.
"What exactly happened that night?" Susan asked.
"Well it was about seven p.m. when the phone rang. Nancy answered it, she talked a few minutes then said she had to go out. I could tell she was upset even though she was trying hard to cover it up." Tears welled up in Eddie's eyes, "She said a friend was sick and needed someone to watch after the kids. It's didn't dawn on me until after she left that we didn't know anyone with kids. In fact Nancy kept mostly to herself, she wasn't close with anyone. Maybe if I hadn't been so tired that night I would have paid more attention, asked questions."
Susan put her arm around him, "It's not your fault Eddie."
"Anyway next thing I knew he police were pounding down my door telling me that Nancy was dead." He shook his head. "Just like Jill."
"Were the accidents similar?" Hutch asked.
"Other than them both being car accidents no," Eddie said. It was pouring rain the day Jill died, she skidded off the road. She was coming back from seeing her parents. I had come down with a bad cold the day after our wedding or I would have been killed with her." He hung his head. "I wish I had been."
"Eddie don't say that," Susan said then leaned close to him. "If you would have died then you wouldn't have been there for Jesse and I."
He looked at her and smiled, "When this is all over I want to see Jesse."
"You bet." Susan got up from between Hutch and Eddie where they had been sitting on the couch. "I think our first order of business is to find out who Nancy Ellis is. Do you have a photo?"
Eddie nodded and took out his wallet, pulled out a photo and handed it to Susan. Susan looked at it and smiled, it was a picture of from their wedding day. Nancy was dressed in a cream colored lacy dress, her hair was up with little ringlets hanging around her face. Eddie was dressed in a dark suit and smiling widely.
"You know that is the only photo I have of her. Anytime someone would get out a camera she would disappear with an excuse. She had to power her nose, or make drinks it was always something. She wouldn’t even let my folks run this picture in the newspaper announcing our marriage." Eddie explained. "And you know I never thought anything about it until now. I guess I was just too much in love and didn't care.
The three detectives looked at each other. It seemed that Nancy was hiding from something or someone. But who? And why? Susan looked at the photo again studying Nancy's face, she had long dark hair and brown eyes. The young woman didn't look very comfortable even though she was smiling. Something just didn't fit, she looked out of place. Susan passed the photo on to the rest of the group.
When it got to Huggy he studied it closely, he closed one eye then the other. He covered up her hair with his hand, suddenly he said, "I think know her." Eddie's head snapped up. "If you put blond hair on her and green eyes she looks just like Shanna."
"Who?" Starsky asked talking the photo from the black man. He looked more closely at the photo. "You know she does look a little familiar especially if you stick blond hair on her."
Susan had gone into the kitchen to help out Bo make coffee and sandwiches. There was something nagging her about Nancy's face. Hutch made a call to Dobey asking for his two weeks back, then he appeared in the kitchen door way. Susan was standing there deep in thought a knife full of mustard in her hand.
"Hey you are going to drip," Hutch laughed as he took the knife from her. "What are you thinking so hard about?
"Nancy, I swear I know her," Susan said slapping a slice of bread the top of the ham Hutch had just spread the mustard on.
"Everyone feels that she looks familiar. Still some blond hair on her, Huggy says he thinks he knows her as a blond." Hutch suggested.
"I'll look in a sec," Susan said getting out more bread. "Bo I think we are going to owe you some groceries."
Bo just shrugged, "no biggie."
"Well I'm set with Dobey," Hutch said. "He didn't even ask, just said take as much time as I need. Guess he's afraid I'll quit again."
"If you quit, I quit!" said a voice behind Hutch. They both turned to see Starsky standing there. "I'm not going though that again."
"Nobody is quitting," Susan said firmly. "And if this all back fires I'm taking the heat you two got that?"
"But…" Hutch began.
"No buts," Susan said. "There is no sense in all of us going down."
"Susan, Dobey would never buy that Hutch and I weren't in on this from the beginning anyway."
"I think we have bigger things to worry about right now." Hutch said taking the platter of food Susan was handing him.
Everyone left the kitchen going back into the living room. Eddie looked awful, he was pale with dark circles under his eyes. Susan went over and stood in front of him. "Just how long has it been since you have had any sleep?" She asked him ruffling his hair.
"Oh I don't know," he said almost inaudibly. "Three days I guess."
"Come on," Bo grabbed Eddie by the arm. "You are going to bed."
"But…but," Eddie protested looking around.
"They are the best. You get some rest and I bet when you wake up they will have some answers for you." Bo guided the exhausted man toward his bedroom.
Susan gave Bo a grateful smile. She had a feeling that Nancy Ellis wasn't going to turn out to be a girlscout. Eddie didn't need to hear the blow by blow details of his bride's life. "Now who do you think she is?" Susan said studying the photo once again.
"Stick blond hair on her and green eyes." Huggy said getting up to look over Susan's shoulder.
"Oh my god, its Shanna!" Susan exclaimed she hadn't heard the conversation they had earlier. "What the hell was she doing in Montana?"
"Who is Shanna?" Libby asked. She hadn't recognized the young woman at all.
"Well, she was into just about everything," Huggy explained. "Prostitution, porn movies, selling and using drugs."
"And that was just what she was arrested for," Starsky said. "Who knows what else she was into. In fact I think she even dated your buddy Duke, Bo."
Bo looked at Starsky startled, he hadn't gotten another look at the photo yet. He snatched the picture from Susan. "You're right, oh brother what has Eddie gotten himself into?"
"We need the corners report on Nancy Ellis," Susan said. "Maybe Sam can help us with that."
"You know Sam," Starsky smiled at her, "he'll do anything for you."
"But I can't go to the station," Susan said. "If I show up asking questions Dobey is bound to find out."
Libby got up, "I'll go talk to him. Anything else you need me to find out?"
"Yeah see what you can get on Shanna." Hutch said.
"You guys got a last name on her?" Libby asked.
Huggy thought for a moment. "I think its Marks. But I'm not sure, who knows what she told the cops when she was arrested. I'm sure she has a dozen alias's."
"I'll see what I can do." Libby said. "I have to avoid Dobey, I'm sure he'll try and pump me for what I know."
"I'm coming with you," Starsky said. "I want to talk to Dobey see if he'll let me off a couple of days, that should keep him busy while you get what you need Libby. We might need to make a trip to Montana."
CHAPTER FOUR
Susan stood on the balcony of Bo's apartment looking out at the moon lit sky. The stars were twinkling, a perfect night for a romance walk along the beach. She wrapped her arms around herself sighing, she and Hutch should have been on their honeymoon. Starsky and Libby had left to go to the station, Eddie was still asleep and Huggy went back to the Pits before his help quit talking to him. Bo and Hutch were inside moving furniture around everyone was planning to meet back at the apartment to pull an all nighter and get Eddie's problem resolved quickly. Hopefully Libby would be able to get some information that would be helpful.
As Susan was looking up at the sky a star streaked across the darkness. She wished the only wished that she had that she and Hutch were really all right. It was clear that he didn't total trust her and feared that she might take off like she did before. She wished there were a way she could reassure him that she would never do that again.
She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear Hutch push open the sliding glass doors. Susan jumped when he put his arms around her. "What are you doing out here?"
"Just thinking, " Susan smiled in the darkness, she always so safe with his arms around her.
"About what?" Hutch said hugging her tighter.
"Us," Susan turned and looked into his face.
"What about us, we're fine."
"Just like that?" She asked. "Earlier today you were moving out. Now everything is great? I think we really need to talk."
"What's there to talk about?" he tickled her ribs.
"Hutch stop! I'm serious," Susan said stepping away from him. "I didn't realize that you trusted me so little. I don't want you thinking I've run out on you every time I'm late. I know I was wrong before, leaving with out even discussing with you first. I’m not even sure why you took me back."
"It's simple, you are the only one." He looked gravely into her eyes. "I don't want anyone else."
"But if you don't trust me what kind of marriage are we going to have?" She asked tearing forming in her eyes.
"This was a little different it was our wedding you missed not dinner." Hutch said holding his arms out to her, she came to him and he folded her into his embrace. "Just tell you won't ever leave me again and I won't worry."
"Hutch I promise that I won't do anything with out taking to you first," She couldn't promise that she would never leave him just like he couldn't promise her that and truly mean it. Neither of them knew what the future held.
He thought for a moment then said, "OK I can deal with that." He bent down and kissed her, "you want to get married?"
"God you are impossible," she laughed. "Let's get out of this mess first then we'll talk."
He rolled his eyes, "if you insist."
Bo was tapping on the glass door trying to get their attention. Finally he slid open the door, "Hey you two."
The two detectives turned around, "Starsky back yet?" Hutch asked.
"He just called," Bo said holding the door open for them. "He said to tell you he got the time off and that he should be back soon."
Dobey sat at his desk, it was very early in the morning. It seemed that was the only time he could get any work done. He picked up the flyer on Eddie Campbell and studied it for a few minutes. Then went on to his other paper work.
Starsky had come in the night before asking for time off. It didn't surprise the captain; he gladly gave his detective time off. Dobey hoped that Starsky could help his partners straighten out their problems. He hated to think of breaking up such a wonderful team.
Dobey picked up the phone and called down to the front desk. "Could I please speak to Officer Standford?"
"I'm sorry Captain but Office Standford isn't in today." Said a voice.
"Thank you," Dobey sat with a perplexed look on his face. He ticked off on his fingers, Hutchinson, Carlston, Starsky and now Standford. Something was going on, he could feel it in his bones. He reached for the phone and dialed Hutchinson's number.
"Hello?" Mrs. Gray said.
"This is Captain Dobey, I'm sorry to bother you Mrs. Gray but is Susan around?"
"Sorry Captain but she's not here," she told him.
"How about Hutchinson?"
"Sorry."
"Then where the hell are they?" Dobey blustered. His detectives were beginning to unnerve him.
"To be quite honest with you I don't know." Mrs. Gray said and explained Susan's departure then her two partners showing up with Standford looking for her.
"Damn," Dobey said slamming his fist down on his desk. "I knew it, something is going on and I plan on getting to the bottom of this. Mrs. Gray if you hear from any of them please contact me."
"Will do Captain," Mrs. Gray assured him then ask, "should I be worried?"
"With those three I'm always worried," he snorted. "But no need for you to worry I'm sure everything is fine."
Dobey then made a third phone call to The Pits in hopes of finding Huggy Bear. But Huggy wasn't around either and the young woman he talked too was none too happy. Seems he had left them short handed. Dobey hung up the phone with a deep sigh, he knew from past experience that he wouldn't know what was going on until they were ready to tell him.
It was nearly nine am before the crew at Bo's apartment began to stir. People were sprawled all over the entire living room, Bo was the first one up and was in the kitchen making coffee when Susan joined him. "Hey Bo," she said rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Hey yourself," he said and bent to kiss her on the cheek. "How's it going?"
She smiled up at him knowing that he meant with Hutch. "OK, think things are going to be fine."
"Good, well if you can hold down the fort I think I'll get a quick shower," he said handing her the coffee can he was holding.
Bo opened his bedroom door softly as not to disturb Eddie. He took off his shirt grab a towel and started for the bathroom when he realized that Eddie was not in the bed. "Shit," he mumbled under his breath. He jerked open the bedroom door and hollered, "Eddie is gone."
Everyone sat up looking around blinking and Susan came out of the kitchen. "Are you sure?"
"Well do you see him out here?" Bo snapped. "He sure isn't in the bedroom."
"Great just great," Hutch exclaimed. "Where would he have gone?"
Susan shook her head, "He knows nothing about LA, he called me as soon as he got into town."
"Well we got to find him," Bo said putting on a clean shirt with out bothering to shower. "He's a dead man if we don't."
All eyes turned toward the ex-hood, "what are you talking about?" Hutch asked.
"I think I have figured out what is going on." Bo said running his fingers through his hair.
"Want to enlighten us?" Starsky asked.
"Eddie said that his bride had a lot of money right? Now where would a street walker get that kind of money?" Bo said. "I think she has taken off with some mob money."
"You got a point there," Hutch said. There was a knock at the door, Hutch being the closest to the door pulled it open.
Huggy stood there with a shame faced Eddie. The black man poked Eddie in the back forcing him into the apartment. "I found him out front."
"God Eddie you scared the shit out of us," Susan said.
"I just wanted a little air and some time to think."
"That's all well and good," Bo said, "But next time let somebody know where you are. Plus you are a wanted man, the cops are looking for you."
"I got some information for you," said a voice behind Huggy. Libby stood in the doorway of the apartment. She was holding a thick file in her hand. "You want to know what Eddie's bride has been up too?"
Eddie held out his hand for the file, Libby looked at the detectives. "Give it to him." Susan said, "He has a right to know why somebody is trying to kill him."
Eddie took the file and sat down on the couch, he began going through it page by page. His eyes filled with tears as he read about the woman he had known as Nancy. She had been in jail numerous times; she had been arrested for prostitution at least ten times, twice for selling drugs, one for running numbers. She had also been picked up for attempted murder but the charges were dropped. After he finished reading Eddie laid the papers on the coffee table and looked at Susan mournfully.
She sat down next to him, "Honey it wasn't your fault, you didn't know."
Bo picked up the reports, "I'm going to see if I can get some leads. I'll be back by noon, I hope."
It was just before noon when Bo came back to the apartment carrying several large bags from a local deli. He had a grim expression on his face as he handed the bags off to Susan and Libby. "I think it's time to let your boss know what is going on."
"That bad?" Starsky asked.
Bo nodded then explained, "Danny Saints has been running numbers for the mob for years. He hires the runners, they bring the money to him then after it's all collected he brings it in. Well from what I can tell Shanna or Nancy took off with about two million dollars of the money Danny was suppose to turn into the mob. It's Danny's ass that is on the line not hers, he knows he's a dead man unless he can find her and fast. Since it took him a little while I have no idea what he was telling the mob to keep them from killing him. He might have been hiding out until he could find her."
"So were is this Danny?" Eddie asked.
"Good question, that's what our cop friends are for." Bo said smiling at the detectives. "To be honest with you, I think you should come clean with Dobey and see if you can find Danny Saints. I'm betting he was the one that killed Shanna/Nancy, then tried to pin it on Eddie."
"But why?" Eddie asked. "Why pin I on me?"
"To get you out of the picture," Hutch theorized. "He probably figured that either you had the money or that she had hidden it some place."
Eddie nodded in understanding. Then asked, "Why didn't he just come in and kill us both?"
"The police would have started looking for the killer that way. But if he made if look like you he got you out of the house plus casting suspicion on you."
"So do you think he is the one that tried to kill me in jail?" Eddie exclaimed a bit confused.
Starsky shrugged, "Who knows, maybe we went to the house and couldn’t find the money right away. You said that he was scared off right?" Eddie nodded. "Maybe he was planning on asking you were the money was and didn't get a chance."
"At any rate I think Bo is right, we need to talk to Dobey," Starsky said.
Thirty minutes later, the three detectives, Libby and Eddie were standing in Dobey's office, they had just explained all the details to their Captain. Dobey was pacing behind his desk his hands clasp behind his back, muttering to himself. Finally he stopped and looked at them. "Just tell me one thing?"
"Sure anything Cap," Starsky said.
"How the hell do you three get yourselves in so much trouble?" Dobey exploded.
"Just lucky I guess," Susan grinned.
"Damn!" Dobey dropped his ample weight into his desk chair and picked up the phone. "This is Dobey get me all the information you got on a Danny Saints, now." He slammed the phone down and glared at the group in front of him. "I should throw the whole bunch of you in jail. Where the hell have you been hiding out?"
None of them had brought up Bo's name. They weren't sure how this was going to turn out and didn't want him to go to jail if it went bad. "We were around," Hutch said vaguely.
"I'm guessing with Huggy Bear?" Dobey stormed.
"No we weren't with Huggy," Susan said
Dobey was getting ready to fire his next question when the phone rang, he snagged the receiver, "Yeah!" He listened for a few minutes, grunted a few times then said. "Get me that phone number."
"What's up Cap?" Starsky asked.
Dobey held up one finger to quiet Starsky, the captain scribbled down a number, depressed the button to get an open line and dial the number he had written down. "Yes can I please speak to a Detective Harry Thompson, this is Capain Dobey LAPD it's about your Eddie Campbell case.
After a few moments the detective came on the line, Dobey spoke to him for several minutes then hung up. "Seems our Mr. Saints is in jail." Dobey told them.
"Jail?" Eddie said his face falling. It wasn't him after all, he now knew for sure he was going to jail and taking his friends with him.
"In Augusta Montana, seems he was ransacking a house that belong to you Mr. Campbell." Dobey allowed a small smile to form on his face. "Saints admitted to killing your wife to get the money that she had stolen from him. Apparently he couldn't fine it and just fell apart spilling his guts to the police there and begging them to lock him up so the mob can't get to him."
Eddie looked at the captain stunned, "You mean I'm free?"
"That's what it means," Dobey said, then he turned his eyes on his detectives. "But I can't say as much for you three. And you especially young lady," he wagged his finger in Susan's direction. "Next time you have a problem you get help, I’m not as hard ass as I sound sometimes."
Susan smiled and went around the desk to hug her captain, "You still going to give me away?"
He looked at her startled, "You mean the weddings back on?" Susan glanced Hutch's way, he was beaming at her, she nodded. "You know I will," he said as he hugged her back.
CHAPTER FIVE
The day had dawned sunny and blue, a perfect day for a wedding. Susan stood in her long white dress in front of a full-length mirror in the Dobey's bedroom. Her hair was pulled up on top of her head and was surround by little white baby's breath. She glanced out the window that looked out into the back yard, she could see chairs set up and people milling around, she thought that she had even caught a glimpse of Hutch.
Susan was so glad that they had decided to for go the church and take the Dobey's up on their offer to have it in their back yard instead. This felt right, she had no doubts about what she was about to do. The detective turned so that she could get a better view of the back of her dress, it was so pretty, it was lace covered with tiny little pearls. Her train laid on the bed waiting for someone to help put it in it's place.
As she turned toward the door she was startled to see her captain standing there watching her and grinning. "How's it coming?" he asked stepping into the room, he looked very handsome in his tux.
"I'm wonderful Cap," she exclaimed happily as she came across the room to hug him. "Thanks for offering you house to us, it's perfect."
"No thanks needed, " he said hugging her back tightly. "You, Dave and Ken are family to us. Edith couldn't be more excited if it were Rosie getting married, she is running around making sure everything is just right."
Susan frowned for the first time that day, "I didn't want her to go to a bunch of trouble, either of you."
"Don't be silly," said a voice from the hall. Both Dobey and Susan turned to see Edith standing there in a pale blue dress. She was a beautiful black woman on the tall side, she had her hair swept up in a french twist. Her dark eyes flashed at her husband, "You go on now Harold and let us ladies put on the finishing touches."
Dobey gave Susan a final hug and disappeared out the door. Edith entered the room mumbling something about men. She held out a long velvet covered jewelry box to Susan. The detective took the box and opened it slowly. Nestled in more black velvet was the most beautiful strand of pearls that she had ever seen. Susan's eyes widen and she looked at Edith, "They are wonderful," she breathed.
The older woman smiled, "Harold gave these to me wear on our wedding day. I thought they could be your something borrowed."
"Oh Edith, I can't Rosie should be the first ones to wear them not me." Susan said handing the box back.
Edith took the pearls out to the box, "Honey Rosie came to me and asked if it was alright for you to wear them. She would be crushed if you didn't and so would I. Like Harold said you are like a daughter to us." Tears shined brightly in the detective's eyes as she allowed Edith to place the pearls around her neck.
There was a wolf whistle from the doorway, Starsky stood there in his tux and of course tennis shoes, a red rose on his lapel. His blue eyes twinkled as he entered the room. He took Susan by the hand and spun her around then grabbed her by the waist and dipped her. As he was leaning over her he did his best Cagney, "It's your last chance to dump that bozo and marry me sweet heart."
Susan giggled, "It's tempting," she teased back.
"Is the party in here?" Another voice asked as Huggy Bear came into the room, he was also dressed in a tux but instead of a white shirt like Starsky's his was bright orange.
Dobey stepped in behind the taller black man, "Well looks like everyone is here but the groom and the maid of honor."
Starsky hiked his eyebrows at Susan then winked. She shook her head, "Oh Starsk you have a dirty mind."
"Excuse me," Called Libby from the hall, she pushed her way into the room carrying Susan's bouquet. "You about ready, Mrs. Gray is having a heck of a time keeping Jesse clean."
"So this is where everyone went," Hutch said trying to come in the bedroom.
Edith hollered, "You just stay right where you are young man. You can't see the bride before the wedding. Now out, all of you get out!"
Libby and Susan giggled, "She rivals Dobey," Libby whispered.
"Who do you think taught him to yell?" Edith laughed. "You ready hon?"
"Just need my train and then I'm ready to go." She replied.
Libby picked it up from the bed and handed it to Edith, "You do the honors."
Edith smiled at Libby then placed it around Susan's hair allowing it to drape down her back. "You are so beautiful," tears were standing in her eyes, Libby's were brimming too.
"Oh come on you guys lets not ruin our makeup jobs." Susan said smiling through her own tears.
All the guest were seated in the back yard, a red carpet had been laid in the grass leading up to the minister and groom. Dobey waited to escort Susan down the aisle; Jesse and Rosie had on matching dresses and little baskets of flowers. Cal had been proud to show the guest to their seats and Mrs. Gray, Bo, Eddie and Huggy Bear beamed from the front row.
Susan stepped out the back door followed by Libby and Edith who walked to the front and took her seat next to Mrs. Gray. Then the two little girls began their way up the aisle tossing the rose pedals as they went, and then Libby followed. Finally with their arms linked Dobey and Susan made their way toward the waiting groom.
Her eyes meet and held Hutch's as she moved toward him. He smiled at her and held out his hand for her to take when Susan finally arrived by his side. Dobey gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and joined his wife. Before she took Hutch's hand Susan moved to Starsky, she hugged him tightly then bushed his cheek with her lips. Then she took Hutch's hand he squeezed it and smiled down at her, he looked back at Starsky who winked at his partner.
The ceremony was short but memorable and there wasn't a dry eye in the yard by the time Hutch and Susan had finished saying the vows that they had written themselves. Finally the minister pronounced them man and wife, everyone cheered and tossed rose pedals that had been place in little bags under their chairs in the air. Jesse ran to hug her mother and father, Hutch picked up the little girl just as somebody snapped a picture of the happy family.
Libby linked her arm through Starsky's as he was wistfully watching the happy couple. "Hey you." She said.
Starsky smiled at her, "Hey yourself, lets get something to eat." He said pulling her toward a food-laden table that Edith had set up with help from Mrs. Gray. After a few more pictures Susan and Hutch joined Starsky and Libby at one of the small tables that had been set up. They were in the midst of eating when the newly married couple sat down.
"Well how does it feel," Libby grinned at them.
"I'll let you know after the honeymoon," Susan said whispering in her ear. They both giggled and looked innocently at the two men.
Starsky stood and clinked a spoon on his champagne glass. Everyone turned to look at him, "Now I'm not one for making long winded speeches but I want to wish my two partners all the luck and happiness in the world." He smiled at Susan and looked at Hutch, "and you had better take good care of her because if you don't I will."
Hutch stood and hugged his best friend, "You know I'll take care of our girl," Hutch said softly by Starsky's ear.
Starsky just nodded for he could no longer speak around the lump in this throat, he knew now that things would be different between the three of them. He didn't regret one moment telling Susan to go after what she wanted but he had did regret that it hadn't been him.
Susan looked up at Starsky as he was hugging Hutch and saw the tears standing in his eyes. She smiled at him and he returned her smile. Then she mouthed, "you'll always be a part of us."
Starsky nodded at her, slapped Hutch on the back then grabbed Libby dragging her out to dance as the band began playing. Hutch looked down at his new bride just in time to see her wipe a tear that had rolled down her cheek then followed her gaze. She was watching Starsky and Libby dance. "He'll be fine," Hutch said pulling her to her feet.
"I know," Susan said as she went out on the dance floor with her husband.
THE END
By
Tooki
CHAPTER ONE
The church was beautifully decorated, white satin bows hung on the end of each pew. Bouquets of white and pale pink roses sat round the sanctuary. Soft organ music played as guest filed in. Most of the guests were polices, this was the wedding the whole department had been waiting for.
Detective Kenneth Hutchinson and Detective Susan Carlston were finally getting married. They had been engaged for the last two years. Susan hadn't wanted to get married right away, there was always that nagging doubt of being married to a cop even thought she was one herself. But she realized that she couldn't live with out Hutch, she had tried that once and was miserable. When Hutch had given her a diamond ring she had put it in the top drawer of their dresser. She had told him when she was ready she would put it on.
Hutch wasn't happy, but in fear of losing her again let it be. It had taken her two years to put that ring on her finger and it was their three-year-old daughter Jesse who first discovered the ring and pointed it out to her daddy. Hutch had been over joyed and was ready to drag Susan to a justice of the peace before she changed her mind. But she said that if they were going to do they were going to do it right.
So now the church was ready, the guest was in place and the groom was impatient. Hutch stood tall and proud at the front of the church, his blue eyes smile as he waited for his bride. Detective David Starsky stood next to his partner, he was a few inches shorter than Hutch's six one, had the same blue eyes but had dark curly hair where his partner had blond. Hutch, Starsky and Susan had been partners for years now and friends. There wasn't much that they didn't do together and now Starsky was proud to be the best man at the wedding, even if he did wish it were him Susan was walking down the isle to instead of Hutch.
Jesse who was three and half stood out in the hall dressed in a pale pink dress carrying a small basket filled with white and pink rose petals. She had her mothers long brown hair and her fathers sparkling blue eyes. She was so excited that her parents were getting married, it was all Mrs. Gray could do to keep the little girl quiet and clean. Mrs. Gray was a godsend to Susan, she had taken care of Jesse from the moment she was born. Mrs. Edna Gray was a lovely woman, in her early sixties she still had the energy to keep up with the child. When Susan and Hutch moved in together Mrs. Gray went with Susan and Jesse and took over the household while the detectives worked.
The detective's Captain was also in the hall waiting. Harold Dobey had been speechless, which was rare for him when Susan had asked him to give her away. Dobey was a plump black man in his late forties. To people whom didn't know him, he seemed gruff but his detectives knew it was only because he cared a great deal for his detectives.
The wedding was suppose to start at ten a. m., it was now ten after and no Susan. The guest were beginning to look around, Hutch was fidgeting. Starsky finally left his place by his partner and walked down the isle.
"Where is Susan?" Starsky asked when he saw she wasn't waiting in the hall.
Both Mrs. Gray and Dobey shrugged their shoulders. The bridesmaids were all there except Libby Standford, Susan's best friend. Starsky was getting worried, it was unlike Susan to be late for anything especially this day. Hutch had spent the night with him at his apartment while Libby stayed at Susan and Hutch's townhouse with the bride. Starsky went to find a phone, he dialed the number he knew by heart. The phone ran a dozen times before he finally gave up. Starsky turned around almost running into Hutch.
"What's going on?" Hutch looked worried, it was very apparent that his intended wasn't there yet.
"I was calling your place," Starsky said, he put his hand on Hutch's shoulder.
"And?" Hutch asked impatiently.
"No answer," Starsky responded as the two detectives went back down the hall to join the rest of the wedding party.
A tall skinny black man dressed in a bright purple tux entered the hall from the sanctuary. "What's holding up the show?" Huggy Bear inquired. "The natives are getting restless."
Jesse giggled and ran to hold Huggy's hand, next to Starsky he was her favorite person. He bent down, tickled her tummy then picked the little girl up. "Mommy's not here." Jesse informed Huggy. Then she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Takes her forever to get ready, just ask Daddy."
"I'm sure she will be here soon. Maybe she got held up in traffic." Huggy suggested. Huggy had close his bar to the public and was having the reception at his place. "Anybody check outside?"
"Don't you think she would have come in?" Hutch snapped as he looked toward the door willing it to open and Susan being there.
"Hutch," Starsky said softly putting his hand on his back.
Hutch sighed, "Sorry Hug, I'm just really worried." He apologized to his friend.
"Don't sweat it man," Huggy said sympathetically. "Why don't I run over to your place and see what's what?"
Hutch nodded, giving the black man a half smile, "Thanks."
Before Huggy could leave, Libby came running down the hall. She was dressed in blue jeans and a blue tank top. Her reddish blond hair flew out behind her as she dashed toward them. There were tears streaming down her face.
Hutch was the first one to her he grabbed the officer by both shoulders, "What happened, is Susan alright?"
"She is gone," Libby said though her tears.
Hutch let his arms fall to his sides and just stared at her speechless. It was Starsky that broke the silence. "What do you mean she's gone?"
"I thought she was just sleeping in," Libby said in-between sobs. "I didn't want to bother her. After Mrs. Gray left with Jesse I went to check on Susan. Her dress was still hanging on the door but her purse was gone. Her car is gone too."
Hutch looked at her blankly then mumbled, "Could someone tell the guest there's not going to be a wedding?" He started for the church doors. "I've got to get out of here." Starsky started to follow his friend but Hutch just shook his head and left the church alone.
Dobey grabbed an officer that was leaving, "Dickerson, I want you to put out an APB on Detective Carlston."
Dickerson looked at Dobey puzzled, "Why?"
"Just do it!" Dobey ordered.
An hour later the wedding guests were gone, the church cleaned up. The wedding party showed up at the townhouse. Starsky knocked on the door but there was no answer. They knew Hutch was there, his car was out front. Mrs. Gray stepped forward, handed Starsky Jesse who she had been carrying. Then she opened the front door, Starsky slipped passed her going into the living room. Hutch was sitting in an over stuffed chair. His head was lying on the back of the chair his eyes closed. Jesse wriggled free of Starsky's arms and went to her Daddy.
She climbed up into Hutch's lap, putting her little arms around his neck. "Where's Mommy?" she asked.
Hutch put his arms around her. "I don't know honey," he said with out opening his eyes.
Mrs. Gray went to the kitchen to make a pot coffee. Dobey and Libby joined the detectives in the living room.
"Did anything strange happen last night?" Starsky asked.
The night before the wedding party they had all gone out to dinner then Hutch had left with Starsky. And the girls went to the townhouse where they had put on their nighties, popped popcorn and watched movies. Hutch didn't want to be away but Susan had insisted that it was 'bad luck' for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.
Libby thought for a moment, "well she did get a phone call about 2 two a.m." Libby told them. Jesse left her father's lap going over to stand next to Libby. She pulled the little girl into her lap before she continued. "I just thought it was you Hutch."
Hutch shook his head, "It wasn't me."
"Did she sound upset?" Starsky asked.
"No," Libby paused, "but I fell back asleep before she finished the call."
Mrs. Gray came in carrying a tray with a pot of coffee and mugs, which she set on the coffee table. She looked sadly over at Hutch, she poured a cup and took it to him. Hutch opened his eyes looking up at her, he shook his head no. "Come on Ken, drink a little coffee."
"Where is she?" Hutch said in a sorrowful voice. "Who the hell called her in the middle of the night? What was so damn important that she blew off our wedding day?"
"I have the force out looking for her, there is an APB." Dobey said. "There has been no reports from any hospitals in the area."
"Just what makes you think she's still in the area?" Hutch spit out. "You know it wouldn't be the first time she took off."
"What makes you think she would leave?" Starsky asked.
Suddenly Jesse squealed, "Mommy!" She jumped off Libby's lap and ran to Susan.
Susan stood in the doorway, she looked more like a sixteen year old out too late on a date than a twenty-eight year old cop. With her long dark hair hanging down her back, one of Hutch's shirts and a worn pair of Levi's she looked like a child.
Everyone turned and stared at her. Susan bent down and picked up her daughter. "Just where the hell have you been?" Hutch shouted jumping up from his chair. "Just what was more important than our wedding?" He hurled the words at her.
"Hutch," Susan took a step toward him.
"You just stay there," he ordered, holding up his hand.
Dobey got up, "I think its time to leave." He walked over to Susan and kissed her on the cheek, "I'm glad you are OK."
"I'm sorry," she whispered softly to him.
Libby came over talking Jesse from her and disappeared into the kitchen along with Mrs. Gray. Huggy got up and after patting Susan on the shoulder followed the Captain out. Starsky kept his seat, he wasn't about to go anywhere.
"I'm really sorry," she began, "I thought I would be back in time."
"Back from where?" Hutch walked toward her rubbing his forehead like he had the worlds worst headache, which he did.
"A friend called last night in trouble, I had to go."
"What friend?" Hutch asked, he was now only standing inches from her. All he really wanted to do was pull her into his arms and hold her. He was so relieved to see her, but his anger and pride wouldn't allow him the luxury.
It had been two a.m. when the phone rang. Susan had only been in bed a few minutes, she and Libby had just finished getting her dress ready for the next day. Susan was excited, she had finally done it, finally agreed to marry Hutch. She knew he had been patient for a long time and she wanted everything to be perfect.
Sure that it was Hutch calling to say good night Susan rolled over snagging the phone. "For heavens sakes Hutch, it's only for one night." She teased laughing.
"Susan?" Said a familiar voice.
Startled that it wasn't Hutch she said, "Who is this?"
"It's Eddie." Came the reply.
Susan set up in bed, "Eddie? Where are you?"
Eddie Campbell had really been a good friend to her when she needed one the most. When she had moved to the Midwest after leaving Hutch he had befriended her. He looked out for her and then Jesse after she was born. She didn't think she would have made it if it hadn't been for Eddie. But when Hutch had turned up, Eddie was crushed, he was so in love with her. He had hoped that someday she would forget Hutch would be his. After realizing that would never happen Eddie when back to his hometown to face his demons.
"I'm here in LA. I need your help." Eddie sounded a little desperate.
"What's wrong?" Susan asked.
"Not on the phone. Can you meet me somewhere?" He as hopefully.
"Eddie, it's two a.m. and I'm getting married in the morning," she told him.
"Please," he whimpered.
"Alright, there's an all night coffee shop. I'll meet you there." She finally agreed. After giving him the address Susan got up and dressed. She peeked in on Jesse who was sleeping soundly then slipped out of the house. She thought about leaving a note but figured she would be back before any one was up.
As soon as Susan pulled up in front of the coffee shop she saw Eddie through the plate glass window. He glance out just as she got out of the car, he nodded at her.
Susan slipped into the booth, "what's going on Eddie?"
He smiled at her, she still looked the same. His heart did flips as he remembered how much he had loved her and Jesse. She had been as much as a comfort to him as he was to her. Susan had been so understanding when he had told her about how his wife had been killed in a car wreck only days after their marriage.
"Susan I'm in big trouble. I didn't know where else to go. You are still a cop aren't you?" he asked.
"Yeah I'm still a cop," Susan sighed looking at her watch, "listen Eddie lets cut to the chase."
He took a deep breath brushed his red hair out of his eyes and said. "I'm wanted for murder." He watched the expression on her face.
Susan just stared at him for a few minutes. "Eddie I'm not a lawyer. You shouldn't have come to me it's my job to arrest you."
"Are you?" Eddie asked looking around nervously. Two uniformed cops came in and sat down at the counter.
"Why don't you tell me what happened, then I'll decided if I'm going to turn you into those cops over there." Susan jerked her head toward the cops at the counter. She wondered just how 'wanted' Eddie was as she watched the two cops. Then making a decision she might live to regret she said, "Let's get out of here."
Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, he thought there for a moment she was just going to turn him in any way. They slowly got up, Eddie tossed some bills on the table and left the coffee shop. He turned to see if the officers were following them but they were sipping coffee unaware that they had just missed a big bust.
Susan drove to the beach, either of them spoke a word until she pulled up and parked. She turned off the engine then looked at Eddie. "OK Eddie, lets have it."
"I was arrested for killing my wife." He said looking out at the water, he had never seen an ocean before.
"But that happened years ago." Susan said frowning. "I thought that had been ruled an accident."
"Not Jill," he said slowly. "Her name was Nancy. I got remarried about three months ago. Two days ago she was killed in a car wreck. The police hauled me in, started asking a lot of questions about Jill's wreck then about Nancy's."
"But why would they think you had anything to do with it?" Susan asked shocked. She knew Eddie pretty well or at least she thought she did. She didn't believe he had killed anybody.
"Nancy's brakes lines where cut. Both of the wrecks were single car accidents. So I guess the police started wondering about Jill's wreck too. But he car was junked so there was no way to examine it.
"But why you?"
"Both were very well off. I guess the police thought I killed them for the money. I didn't get anything from Jill's estate. I wouldn't take it even when her parents offered me money. I didn't want money it wouldn't bring my Jill back." There was a sob in his voice. "Nancy did leave everything to me. She had no other family. I guess you could say I'm a very rich man. But I did not kill Nancy!"
Susan sat looking at him in the darkness. "What do you want me to do?"
"See if, you can find out something. I think I'm being framed." Eddie stated. "I also think someone is trying to kill me too."
"But why would anyone want to kill you? You said that she had no family." Susan asked, it was getting more complicated as the story unfolded.
"She doesn't, that's why I escaped from jail and ran." Eddie explained. He pulled down the neck of his shirt. "Turn on the lights."
Susan reached over turning on the overhead dome light. The light revealed black and blue marks all around Eddie's neck. "What the hell?"
"The first night they arrested me, while I was asleep in my cell somebody came in and tried to strangle me." Eddie let go his shirt. "You have got to help me. If I go back to Montana I'm a dead man. Who's going to care about an accused wife killer?"
"I would care," Susan said gently talking his hand. "I believe you Eddie and I'll see what I can do. But I can't make any promises, if it had happened here it would be easier but Montana is a long way."
"Hide me!" Eddie pleaded.
"Do you know what you are asking me to do?" Susan asked. "I could lose my job not the mention ending up in jail myself."
"I know I'm asking a lot, but this is my life." Eddie looked at her with wide eyes. "You said you believed me are you going to let somebody kill me?"
Susan closed her eyes sighing, she knew what she was about to do was very unethical but she owed Eddie. Maybe she could find out something. Susan had the perfect place to hide him too. Bo Hartman an ex-con she knew would do her this favor she was sure of that.
Bo had been one of Mel Roffman's men and had helped him kidnap her and Hutch. But Bo ended up saving their lives and almost lost his. When the detectives got back to LA they talked to the DA and got Bo off since he was the only reason they were still alive.
It was beginning to get light, Susan check her watch it was almost six thirty. She drove to Bo's apartment building, told Eddie to wait in the car and went into the building. His apartment was on the second floor in a very nice building. Just as Bo had promised he went straight, go a got job and a steady girl friend. Susan knocked on his door three or four times before he finally answered. He was a huge man in his late twenties. Bo stood in front of her his brown hair tousled, dressed in nothing but pajama bottoms.
"Susan?" Bo asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He was more than a little shocked to see her standing there. They had talked on the phone a couple of times but this was the first time he had seen her since he had been back in LA.
"Hi Bo," He opened the door wider so she could come in. "I need your help."
"Sure anything for you." Bo grinned at her. "What's up?"
"I want you to hide someone for me." Susan said.
Bo hiked his eyebrows up at her, "You go to the other side?" he teased.
Susan shook her head and quickly explained what little Eddie had told her. "You are the only one I can trust."
Bo shook his head, "If we get caught we are both in hot water. Hey I have been in trouble before but I’m not sure I want this kind of heat again. And do you know what they'll do to you?"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here. The last thing I want to do is get you into trouble, you have really pulled your life together. I didn't know where else to turn." Susan opened the door and started out.
"Hold up, I didn't say I wouldn't to it." Bo gave her a boyish grin. "If it wasn't for you I would be in jail right now."
"But Bo you are right. There is no need in both of us going down if this goes bad. I'm not sure how much trouble Eddie is really in, this could be dangerous." Susan said looking up at him. He was six foot five and she was only five-four so he towered over her.
"You have more on the line than I do. Does Hutch and Starsky know about this?"
She shook her head, "I'm not planning on telling them either, this is my mess."
"I sure hope you know what you are doing," Bo sighed. "Bring him up but I'll tell you what if this dude is lying I'll throw him out on his ear."
"Thanks Bo," Susan said went to get Eddie.
The female detective introduced the two men to each other. Eddie retold his story to Bo. While they talked Bo cooked breakfast, he sat steaming plates of bacon and eggs on the table in front of them. Bo also believed Eddies story and offered to do what he could. He still had a few contacts in the under world.
Susan glanced at her watch it was ten thirty, "Oh my God!" she exclaimed jumping up from the table. "I was suppose to be at the church getting married at ten."
Bo looked at her horrified, "You missed your own wedding?"
"Hutch is going to kill me!"
"You go on, I'll see to Eddie, he'll be safe here," Bo assured her.
Susan pulled up in front of the church, jumped out of her car and ran up the steps. She pulled open the wooden double doors and was greeted by an empty church. The minister was coming down the hall. "Can I help you?"
"The Hutchinson wedding?" she asked.
"Oh, well….uh" He stammered. "I'm sorry to tell you this but the bride didn't show up."
"Yeah I know," Susan said shamed faced. "I'm the bride."
The minister just looked at her, "Oh."
Susan stood outside their town house. She knew everyone was there from the cars parked in front of the house. She was almost afraid to go in and face everyone. What was she going to tell them? Certainly not the real reason she had missed the wedding. Taking a deep breath she opened the front door to face the music.
Chapter Two
"Well?" Hutch demanded still waiting for an answer. "What friend was more important than us? You could have at least called."
Suddenly Susan was just as angry as Hutch. She pushed past him, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to miss the wedding. Time got away from me, it was important. Do you really think I would leave you standing at the altar unless I had a very good reason."
"I don’t know, you won't even tell me what's going on!" Hutch shouted grabbing her arm.
"You let go of me Ken Hutchinson. I don't have to explain every move I make." She said jerking out of his grasp, she ran up stairs slamming the bed room door.
"Let's get out of here," Hutch growled as he jerked open the front door.
Starsky stood in the middle of the living room. First he looked up the stairs then out the front door that Hutch had left standing open, he was torn. He knew that Susan had Libby and Mrs. Gray so he ran to catch up with Hutch.
Libby came into the living room everyone was gone. Mrs. Gray poked her head out of the kitchen, "What's going on?"
Libby shrugged, "I don't know."
"Oh dear, this doesn't look good." Mrs. Gray shook her head.
"Is Hutch gone?" came a soft voice from the stairs. Susan appeared, her face was tear streaked and her hands shaking.
"I think so," Libby came toward her. Susan wrapped her arms around her friend and began sobbing. "What happened, where did you go last night?"
"I'm sorry I can't tell you either." Susan sniffed. "I just had to help a friend."
"Who?" Libby guided Susan to the couch and sat down with her.
"Please don't ask me that," Susan looked at her best friend. "I made a promise."
Libby sighed, "Susan you made a promise to Hutch too."
"This has nothing to do with Hutch!" Susan said getting up.
"Hutch is your partner and will be your husband, you owe him an explanation."
"Listen I don't need you telling me that, don't you think I know I broke his heart when I didn't show up?" Susan snapped.
Jesse came running into the room with Mrs. Gray right behind her, the older woman gave Susan an apologetic look. Susan picked up her daughter giving her a big hug, then she smiled at Mrs. Gray.
"Where's daddy?" Jesse asked looking around. "Did he go with Uncle Starry?"
Susan nodded with tears in her eyes. "Yeah," she said hoarsely. "He'll be back later." But Susan wasn't so sure this time. She was afraid their relationship couldn't get through this. But she was not going to betray Eddie. She knew that her partners would stand behind her but they didn't all need to go down.
"Where were you?" The little girl asked. "Can we get married now?"
Susan shook her head sadly. "I think we'll have to wait a little while honey."
"Come on Jess, lets go make those cookies," Mrs. Gray said holding her had out to the child.
After they had gone Libby looked at Susan. "What are you going to do?"
"What would you do?" Susan asked.
"Well since I have no idea what is going on it's hard to say." Libby frowned at her friend.
Susan took a deep breath, "what if a friend called you, a friend you really owe. Said that they were in trouble, a lot of trouble. What if they said they were arrested for murder and that they escaped from jail because they thought someone was trying to murder them. What if you totally believed their story and the only way to help them was to hide them out until you could get some answers?"
Libby stared opened mouthed at the detective. "What the hell have you gotten yourself into Susan? You realize you are not only putting your job on the line but your life? What happens if this all back fires, you could end up in prison?"
"Don't you think I have thought of that?" Susan moaned. "But I don't want to drag Hutch and Starsky down with me. Somebody has to be here with Jesse if it all goes sour."
Libby put her hand on Susan's arm, "are you sure this friend is worth losing Hutch over?"
"I already made the promise." Susan said. "What am I going to do?"
Libby shrugged, "Let me help you."
"NO!" Susan said. "I'm not putting you at risk. I'll try and get this over with fast. And I do have some help."
"Who?"
"Libby listen you already know to much. Just forget what I have told you, please." Susan tried to smile at her. "I promise if I get in too deep I'll ask for help no matter what it costs me."
"If you ask me you are already in too deep." Libby said bluntly.
Hutch stormed around Starsky's apartment. He hadn't said a word on the way there, Starsky had tried to talk to him several times but to no avail. Starsky went to the refrigerator and grabbed a couple of beers. He handed one to Hutch who took it absently. "What is going on with her?" Hutch wondered out loud.
"Hutch, you never really gave her a chance to explain," Starsky took a drink of his beer.
"You taking her side pal?" he huffed.
"What side?" Starsky asked. "I don't even know what the hell is going on."
"I'm going to work," Hutch said as he slipped his tie over his head, he still had his tux on as did Starsky. "You got something I can wear?"
"You're off for the next two weeks, remember?" Starsky said following him into the bedroom.
"Not any more, no reason to be. Are you going to let me borrow something or not?"
Starsky open his closet tossed Hutch a pair of jeans and a shirt. "Talk to her this is crazy."
"You talk to her, I'm going to work!" Hutch said taking the clothes. He went into the bathroom slamming the door.
Starsky flopped down on the bed, he had decided that both of his partners were crazy. He knew how much Susan had hurt Hutch but he also knew that she must have had a very good reason. Hutch came out of the bathroom Starsky had to smile the jeans where to short, he still had on his dress shoes and the shirt just wasn't Hutch.
"What's so damn funny?" Hutch grouched. "You coming?" Quickly Starsky changed his clothes wondering if Susan would show up at the station too.
Everyone had heard the news at the station by the time that the detectives arrived for their shift. No one made direct eye contact with Hutch, the whole place was unusually quiet.
Starsky knocked on Dobey's office door, "Come!" Dobey growled he looked up from his paper work as Starsky followed by Hutch came in. "What the hell are you two doing here?"
"We work here," Hutch said sitting down in front of his captain's desk. "Besides I thought you had the day off too?"
Dobey didn't answer but shot Starsky a look, the detective just shrugged sitting down next to his partner. "Hutchinson you are off for the next two weeks."
"Well I'm back on," Hutch said. "Anything we need to know about?"
Dobey looked at Starsky again then said, "Well, this just hit my desk this morning." He rifled through some papers on his desk and pulled out a wanted sheet. "We are to be on the look out for a man named Eddie Campbell. He's wanted for murdering his wife in Montana. For some reason they think he might be headed this way."
Starsky took the paper looking at the photo of the wanted man then read his description. The name or face meant nothing to Starsky but to Hutch the name rang a bell. He took the paper from his partner and studied the face. The suspect didn't look familiar so he passed the flyer back to his captain.
"Why do they think he's headed this way?" Starsky asked.
"I don't know, the police in Montana didn't say. But his guy killed his second wife and they are thinking now maybe his first one too." Dobey dropped the paper back into the pile on his desk. "Are you sure you want to be here Hutchinson?"
Hutch who had been staring out into open space snapped his attention back to his captain. "Yeah Cap, got not where else to be. That names sounds familiar to me but I can't seem to place it."
"It doesn't ring a bell with me," Starsky said looking at Hutch with a worried expression. He was trying to figure out a way to get Hutch to at least talk to Susan that was if she even wanted to talk to him.
"If that's it I guess we'll hit the streets," Hutch said quietly as he got up and left.
Starsky got up to follow his partner, "Starsky," called Dobey. Starsky turned around to look at Dobey. "What's going on with Hutchinson and Carlston?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, they aren't speaking as far as I can tell. I plan on finding out what's going on though before it's too late."
"That bad?" Dobey asked with concern. Starsky nodded. "Well you keep me informed."
Starsky nodded again then went out into the squad room finding Hutch sitting at his desk sipping a cup of coffee. He stood there for a second or two watching his partner. Hutch could feel Starsky's eyes on him, they knew each other do well. They didn't need to talk to communicate, just a look or a touch on the arm said it all sometimes.
"Starsky if you want to go talk to her, be my guest. But I just can't take this anymore," Hutch said without even looking up.
"You make her sound like some kind of a flake. I know she had a good reason for what she did. Susan loves you, she would never hurt you on purpose." Starsky pleaded her case.
"Go talk to her," Hutch said as he finally looked up at his partner. "Tell her to meet me at Huggy's for dinner."
"You got it," Starsky beamed at his friend. "I'll be back soon."
Susan sat on the couch holding a picture taken of her and Hutch. She had finally convinced Libby to go home and sent Mrs. Gray out with Jesse to the park. She needed time to think with out worrying what everyone else was thinking. Once she got everyone out of the house she called Bo to make sure everything was fine. Bo and Eddie were getting along fine, the more Eddie talked the more Bo believed him. Bo had already started making some calls to see if he could come up with some information, which might be helpful. But it was slow going the small town Eddie lived in wasn't exactly LA.
Susan jumped at the knock on the front door. She glanced in a mirror by the door before she opened it. She looked awful, her hair was a mess, she had no make up, her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Susan tried her best to smooth down her hair then opened the door.
Starsky stood there smiling at her. When Susan saw who it was she broke down crying again. He came in closing the door and took her in his arms. She cried on his shoulder as he guided her to the couch.
Sitting down with her Starsky asked, "You OK?"
"Do I look OK?" she gave him a ruthful smile, through her tears.
"Well actually you look like hell," he grinned at her.
"Gee thanks a lot you really know how to make a girl feel good," Susan said giving him a real smile.
"Tell me what is going on. Where were you this morning?" Starsky asked looking directly into her eyes.
"I can't Starsk, I really can't." Susan looked down at her hands. "Please don't ask me again. Is Hutch really mad?" Susan asked changing the subject.
"Yeah, but he wants to meet you this evening at the Pits for dinner," Starsky said.
"What makes you think that I want to see him?" She said trying to sound indifferent.
"Because I know you as well as I know Hutch. You two are nuts about each other thats why you drive each other so crazy. You are meant to be together."
Susan shook her head at him, "What time?"
"I guess dinner break,"
"Dinner break? Hutch went back to work? Susan asked in surprise.
"He's not worth a damn, I left him staring into a cup of coffee."
"Maybe I should just go in too." She said getting up. "Will you take me?"
"Maybe," Starsky said. "You should just wait until this evening."
"I have no reason to be off," Susan said, if Hutch could go to work then she could too.
Starsky rolled his eyes, his partners were so damn stubborn. "You still haven't told me where you were."
Susan dashed up the stairs to change with out answering him. She jumped in the shower, dressed and was back down stairs in record time. She left a note for Mrs. Gray and Jesse, strapped on her shoulder holster and was ready to go.
Hutch was surprised when he saw Susan enter the squad room with Starsky. The whole squad room went dead silent as if they were expecting a fight between the two officers. Susan walked over to their desks and stopped, "Hi," she said.
"Hi yourself," he said back. "What are you doing here."
"Same thing you are, working. Sorry I'm late." Susan sat down at her desk. "Anything going on?"
Hutch just stared at her. "We need to talk," he said abruptly as he got up.
Susan followed Hutch to one of the interrogation rooms, it was quiet there and no one could hear what they were discussing. She sat down at the well-worn table, the room was bare except for the table and two chairs. There was a one way mirror across one wall. Hutch got the second chair that was against the wall and pulled it up to the table across from her.
"What's going on?" Hutch asked her as he reached across the table talking her hand. "If you are in some kind of trouble, please let me help you."
Susan sighed, "Hutch I can't tell you. It would be better if you and Starsky stay out of this. I can handle it by myself."
"Handle what?" Hutch demanded his anger returning. "We don't keep secrets from each other, we never have. Why now?"
"Please try to understand." Susan pleaded. It had been a mistake for her to come she knew that now. Hutch wasn't going to give up and she loved him too much to drag him into the mess she had gotten herself in. Susan knew that she could end it by just going to Dobey and telling him where Eddie was. But she was afraid he would be dragged back to Montana. Then there would be no way she could help him.
"You aren't going to tell me are you?" Hutch asked standing up. He slammed the chair into the table. "I thought that was why you showed up here instead of waiting until this evening."
He opened the door to leave, "Hutch," she called out to him with a catch in her voice.
Without looking back he said, "Don't bother meeting me for dinner. I'll be by tonight to pick up some clothes. I'll stay with Starsky until I can fine a place." He slammed the door behind him.
Susan sat stunned for a few minutes he was leaving her. She wanted to run after him but why bother. She couldn't tell him the truth and that's all he wanted to hear. Slowly she got up, she knew what she had to do at least for now. Maybe when this was all over ad she explained it to him they could work things out. But she really doubted it now. Susan couldn't really blame Hutch for walking away, she would have probably felt the same if things were reversed.
Susan pushed open the door the squad room. Hutch wasn't any where in sight neither was Starsky. She went to Captain Dobey's office door and knocked.
"Come in," he called. Susan opened the door. Dobey jumped up when he saw who it was. He came around his desk giving her a hug. "Everything alright?"
She shook her head sadly. "Cap I want a transfer."
"What!" he grunted. "Why?"
"Hutch and I can't work together anymore," Susan said softly.
"Why don't you just give it some time," Dobey said sitting back down at his desk.
"I think our time as run out." She sighed.
"You have two weeks leave, take it. Maybe things will work themselves out."
Susan reluctantly agreed for Dobey's sake but she was sure she would be handing in her resignation when she got back. That is if she isn't in jail by then.
As soon as Susan left Dobey got on the phone calling Libby Standford to his office. He told her to find Hutch and Starsky, he wasn't used to getting involved in personal problems but he was getting the feeling that this was more than a lover's tiff.
About twenty minutes later Libby entered Dobey's office followed by the two detectives. The two men sat down in front of their Captain's desk while Libby leaned on the doorframe. Dobey cleared this throat, "I don’t like getting involved in my detectives personal lives but I want to know what the hell is going on here!" he barked at them. "And right now!"
The detectives looked at each other, Hutch said. "To tell you the truth I don't know what's going on with Susan, she won't tell me or anyone else."
Libby glanced down at her feet avoiding Dobey's gaze. He had been watching her ever since she had come into the room. The Captain figured that Susan might not tell Hutch or Starsky but might tell a girlfriend.
Dobey shifted his gaze from Libby to Hutch, "Well unless you plan on losing her permanently you had better work what ever this is out." Dobey advised. "Carlston was just in here a while ago asking for a transfer.
"What!" Hutch sat back in his chair shocked. "Did you give it to her?"
Dobey shook his head. "I told her she had two weeks leave, and to take them."
"Did she take the time?" Starsky asked, he looked at Hutch, who had told him of the argument he and Susan had.
"She took it," Dobey said. "Now get this mess straighten out."
The two detectives got up and left, Dobey motioned for Libby to stay. She sat down in the chair Starsky had vacated. "Now why do I get the feeling that you know more than you are telling?" Dobey asked her.
Libby looked at him, "I guess because I do know a little."
"Would you care to share it?" Dobey asked staring at her intently.
"Are you ordering me to tell you?" Libby asked. She was almost hoping he would.
"No but if Carlston has gotten herself in trouble you had better tell Hutchinson what you know." He advised.
Libby got up slowly reluctant to leave, she very much wanted to tell the captain what she knew. "Maybe I'll talk to Starsky."
"I think that would be a good idea."
Starsky was waiting out side the squad room door for Libby. "What was that all about, "he asked the moment she opened the door.
"I've got to talk to you," she said taking his arm. "Let's get out of here."
They left the building arm in arm, "Let's walk," Starsky suggested. Libby nodded. "Susan has told you what's going on hasn't she?"
"Kind of," Libby admitted. "She was kind of vague but Starsky she can get herself into big trouble. She's hiding a felon."
"She is what?" Starsky stopped walking staring at her. "Who?"
"I don't know," Libby started walking again. Starsky ran to catch up with her. "All Susan told me was a friend she owed a lot to was being framed for murder. And that someone was trying to kill this friend. She also said someone was helping her but she didn’t say who."
"Huggy maybe?" Starsky asked.
"I don't think so. If she isn't willing to get us involved I don’t think she would involve Huggy either."
"I think you are right about that." Starsky agreed. Then he looked at her, "what about you?"
"Me?" Libby frowned at him. "Do you think I would be telling you this if I had something to do with what is going on? Hell I had to drag out of her what I did get."
"Let's go talk to Hutch." Starsky said starting back to the station.
"Do you think he'll even listen?" Libby as wondering just how mad Hutch was.
"Oh he'll listen even if I have to sit on him." Starsky said determined. "It sounds like Susan is in way over her head."
Hutch sat at the bar in the Pits, Huggy had put a beer down in front of his friend but it had gone untouched. The barkeeper had tried several times to talk to Hutch but it was apparent he wasn't in the talking mood.
About an hour after Hutch arrived Libby and Starsky entered the bar. They came up on either side of Hutch. The curly headed detective grabbed Hutch by the arm. "We got to talk."
Hutch jerked his arm away. "I'm finished talking. Just leave it alone Starsk."
"Will you listen to us," Libby said grabbed his other arm. "Susan maybe in danger, big time."
That got his attention, "What are you talking about?"
"Just come over here and listen," Starsky said taking Hutch's other arm and guiding him to a back booth. As they were crossing the room Starsky called over his shoulder, "you might as well come too Hug, we might need you."
Libby slid into the booth and moved over to make room from Huggy. Then she began telling them what she knew. Hutch listened intently without saying a word. Starsky studied his partner but for the first time in their friendship couldn't read his thoughts. Starsky just hoped that Hutch wasn't beyond caring, everybody had their breaking point and Hutch's was badly bent.
When Libby was done they sat in silence for a few minutes then Hutch finally asked, "Why didn't she just tell me?"
"Hutch she knew you would stand by her. Susan didn't want you and Starsky to get dragged down with her if it went sour."
"This friend is so important to her that she is willing to risk everything for them?" Hutch mulled the thought over in his mind. Suddenly he knew who it was, it was the only person that it could possibly be. "I know who she is protecting!"
Starsky looked at his partner startled. "Who?"
"Remember that flyer Dobey showed us on that man from Montana wanted for murder?" Hutch turned in the booth to look at his partner.
"Yeah," Starsky nodded.
"Well I remember who Eddie Campbell is now. I knew that name sounded so familiar to me. I never met him." Hutch smiled, he felt like the world had been lifted from his shoulders. "Eddie helped Susan out when she took off for the mid west." Susan had never talked much about that time in her life to anyone. Her friends in LA knew very little about what happen while she was gone except for that fact she had Jesse.
"We've got to find her," Starsky said urgently. "This guy could be dangerous."
"Susan believes he is innocent or she wouldn't be hiding him," Libby said she still wasn't sure if she had done the right thing. But one look at Hutch's face made her feel better.
Hutch nodded in agreement. "She would be the first one to turn him in if she felt he was lying to her."
"Ok now what?" Starsky ask. "Should we go to Dobey?"
"Let's find Susan first," Hutch suggested then looked at Huggy Bear. "Libby said she had a friend helping her out."
Huggy held up is hands, "don't look at me."
"Then who? Who would she trust enough to go to? It would have to be someone with connections that could find out things for her" Starsky said. "She wouldn't go to another cop, and if she didn't come to you Huggy who is left that she would trust?"
Hutch snapped his fingers, "Bo Hartman."
Both Libby and Starsky looked at Hutch, "Bo?"
"Who else better than an ex-hood that thinks he owes you the world?" Hutch exclaimed. "I'm sure he still has a few connections here and there.
"It's worth a shot." Starsky said. "Let's get his address."
Chapter Three
There was a knock at the door, Bo jumped up from the couch motioning Eddie back into the bed room. Bo opened the door a crack peering out. Susan was standing there suit case in hand. He threw the door open, "What are you doing here?"
"Got room for one more?" She asked giving him a smile.
When Eddie heard her voice he came back into the room. "What's going on?" he asked seeing the suitcase.
"I just thought until this is over, it would be easier to stay here. Then I don't have to keep avoiding questions that I can't answer.
"What about you and Hutch?" Bo said looking down at her.
"There is no me and Hutch anymore, it's over." Susan said softly as she sat down her suitcase by the door.
When Susan left the station she went straight home and packed. Mrs. Gray was fixing dinner for Jesse and Susan joined them. She explained to her daughter that she had to go away for a few days. But she would be back very soon and then they would do something special.
Mrs. Gray had watched Susan with a worried expression on her face. When Susan got ready to leave the older woman asked her where she could be reach in case something happened. But Susan just told her to call Hutch at the station or Starsky. She left before Mrs. Gray could ask any more questions.
Susan had called a cab to take her to Bo's leaving her car in the driveway. She didn't want to give her partners any leads on her whereabouts and she knew the first thing they would do would to put another APB out on her. As she stood on the curb waiting for the cab she glanced back at the house that she had shared with Hutch and wondered what was going to happen with their lives.
"This is all my fault," Eddie blurted out. "I shouldn't have come here."
"It's not your fault," Susan said soothingly.
"Sure it is," Eddie stormed. "If it hadn't been for me you and Hutch would be married by now and off some where on a honeymoon."
She couldn't disagree with him on that one. "What's done is done. Let's concentrate on getting you out of this mess."
"I think maybe I could make a trip to Montana, it's slow going doing this long distance." Bo suggested.
"Let's give it a few days," Susan said. "I want to see if I can get some information from the station first."
"Alright," Bo agreed. "But the longer Eddie stays the more danger he is in."
Starsky, Hutch and Libby pulled up in front of the townhouse and ran for the front door. The moment Susan had left Mrs. Gray had called them. The older woman was sitting in the living room when the officers burst into the room.
"Where did she go," Demanded Hutch.
"I have no idea," Mrs. Gray told him. "She came in packed her bags, had dinner with Jesse. Then told me if I needed anything to call you at the station or at Dave's"
Mrs. Gray was almost in tears as she looked up at Hutch. He leaned over and kissed her wrinkled cheek, "Don't worry," Hutch smiled at her. "We think we know where she is."
"Then things are alright?" She asked hopefully.
"Well I wouldn't go that far," Hutch said. "But we are pretty sure we know what is going on and why Susan did what she did. I'll explain late or Susan will. Now you take care of our girl."
"You know I will," Mrs. Gray said getting up and giving Hutch a big hug.
Hutch turned to Starsky and Libby, "I'm betting she went to Bo's."
They all piled into Starsky's red Torino, it had a white stripe that ran over the top of the car and tapered to points at the front end. He pulled up in front of an apartment building that matched the address they had gotten on Bo.
"Nice place," Starsky mused. "Guess he's doing well for himself."
"As far as I can tell he has gone straight just like he said he would," Hutch said as he thumb through paper work he had on the man.
They found Bo's apartment easily Starsky stepped forward and knocked on the door. They waited a couple of minutes then he knocked a little harder and said, "Come on Bo open up."
Bo opened the door slowly, he gave an Oscar winning performance of looking shocked. "Hutch, Starsky, what brings you here?"
"Is Susan here?" Hutch asked skipping the pleasantries. He tried to look around Bo's massive frame, hoping they wouldn't have to try and push their way into the apartment.
"Susan?" Bo questioned. "No, why would she be here?"
"So I guess you aren't hiding Eddie Campbell either, right?" Starsky asked also trying to get a glimpse into the apartment but it was hopeless.
"It's OK Bo," said a voice from inside. He stepped aside Susan was just sliding her gun into her shoulder holster. "What are you doing here?"
As Hutch stepped past Bo he looked up at him and smiled. But Bo didn't return the smile but instead glared at the detective. It was apparent that he knew what had been going on between him and Susan. Hutch stopped in front of Susan, after looking at her for a minute or two he pulled her into his arms. "Why didn't you just tell me?" he whispered into her hair.
"I didn't want you going down with me," Susan said holding onto him tightly. "Someone needed to be there for Jesse. Are you still mad at me?"
Hutch held her at arms length. "No I’m not mad, I just wish you would have trusted me."
"It wasn't a matter of trust." Susan said looking up at him.
Hutch looked over at Eddie who was sitting on the couch. "Hey Eddie."
"Hi Detective Hutchinson." Eddie said carefully. He wouldn't blame the man if he punched him out. Eddie stood up, "I'm really sorry about all this. I didn't mean to cuz so much trouble. But I didn't know where else to turn."
"It's alright Eddie, I should have trusted Susan." He said looking down at her. "I'm sorry."
"And I'm sorry I put you through all this," She said softly. "It was really bad timing. I was sure I would be back in time."
Hutch answered her so quietly no one in the room could hear them. They carried on their conversation with their foreheads almost touching oblivious to the room full of people. Finally Starsky cleared this throat the two detectives looked around. Susan blushed furiously, Hutch even redden slightly.
Starsky went over and put an arm around each one of his partners and said. "This is really sweet guys but we have a problem here. We are harboring a fugitive from justice."
"I think the first thing I need to do is get back my two weeks vacation," Hutch said.
"Bet I could get Dobey to let me off too." Starsky said.
"I want to help," Libby offered. "I have some vacation time coming."
"The best thing you can…." Starsky began.
"I know, I know," Libby interrupted downheartedly. Libby never saw much action, she mostly worked in the computer room. "Stay out of it, let you guys handle it."
"That's not what I was going to say." Starsky smiled at her. "I was going to say it would be helpful if you went to work. You could find out things for us, use the computer, keep your eyes and ears open. I have a feeling this is going to be a tough one."
"But…" Libby protested, "Dobey knows that I know something. He's going jump on me the minute I go back to work."
"Just tell him to be patient," Starsky said.
"Dobey patient?" Susan laughed, "I don’t think those two words go together."
"We need someone on the inside." Starsky said
There was a sharp knock on the door, once again Eddie ducked out to sight. The three detectives drew their guns. Bo opened the door, Huggy stood there grinning at them. "God Huggy you scared the crap out of us," Susan breathed her adrenal running high.
"I thought you could use the extra help," Huggy said stepping into the apartment. He glanced at Hutch and Susan they were standing with their arms around each other, he smiled at them.
Hutch winked at him, "I thought you were through with us after what happened in the mountains."
Huggy chuckled, "I'm a gluten for punishment."
Eddie came creeping out of the bedroom. Bo's apartment was getting full. "Is there anyone else who doesn't about this?" Bo asked sarcastically. "It's getting kind of crowded in here."
Everyone moved into the living room so that Eddie could tell his story one more time. Susan made notes as he talked. When Eddie was finished there wasn't a non-believer in the room.
"Do you think your first wife was murdered?" Hutch asked.
Eddie closed his eyes rubbing his hands through his hair. "I really don't know at this point, anything is possible I guess. Maybe who ever killed Nancy knew about Jill. Maybe they thought if they kill her in the same way fingers would start pointing at me."
"I have the million dollar question," Starsky said, "why?"
"I have no idea," Eddie said, "Augusta Montana is a very small town. Quiet, very little crime, nothing ever happens there."
"Until now," Susan smiled at Eddie ruefully.
"How long did you know Nancy?" Hutch asked.
"About two months, she came from…" Sudden Eddie stopped talking, he looked around the room at all his new friends. They waited for him to continue. "She came from here."
"You mean she's from LA?" Susan asked. "Why in the world didn't you tell us that before?"
"I really didn't think about it until just now." Eddie's face had gone completely white. "I came here because of you Susan not because Nancy was from here."
"Why don't you tell as everything you know about Nancy?" Bo said as he got up to put on a pot of coffee. It looked like it might be along night.
As it turned out Eddie didn't know much about his new bride. Nancy Ellis had just turned up in Augusta. Eddie was working at the gas station where she stopped to get directions to a small boarding house in town. He ended up taking her to dinner that night and every night after that.
Nancy didn't talk much about herself, all she would say is that she was starting over. She also seemed to have a lot of money. She paid two months up front at the boarding house and never made any attempts to find a job. Nancy was overly generous with Eddie, once she had taken him on a shopping spree in one of the larger cities. Even with him protesting she bought him more clothes than he needed. Eddie never asked many questions, after his track record with woman he was just glad to have someone to love him
After the two months that Nancy had paid for had run out Eddie asked her to move in with him and be his wife. As a wedding gift Nancy put a down payment on one of the nicest houses in Augusta. Eddie told her that he couldn't afford the payments on such a house but she just waved away his concerns. T hey were very happy until the night she turned up dead.
"What exactly happened that night?" Susan asked.
"Well it was about seven p.m. when the phone rang. Nancy answered it, she talked a few minutes then said she had to go out. I could tell she was upset even though she was trying hard to cover it up." Tears welled up in Eddie's eyes, "She said a friend was sick and needed someone to watch after the kids. It's didn't dawn on me until after she left that we didn't know anyone with kids. In fact Nancy kept mostly to herself, she wasn't close with anyone. Maybe if I hadn't been so tired that night I would have paid more attention, asked questions."
Susan put her arm around him, "It's not your fault Eddie."
"Anyway next thing I knew he police were pounding down my door telling me that Nancy was dead." He shook his head. "Just like Jill."
"Were the accidents similar?" Hutch asked.
"Other than them both being car accidents no," Eddie said. It was pouring rain the day Jill died, she skidded off the road. She was coming back from seeing her parents. I had come down with a bad cold the day after our wedding or I would have been killed with her." He hung his head. "I wish I had been."
"Eddie don't say that," Susan said then leaned close to him. "If you would have died then you wouldn't have been there for Jesse and I."
He looked at her and smiled, "When this is all over I want to see Jesse."
"You bet." Susan got up from between Hutch and Eddie where they had been sitting on the couch. "I think our first order of business is to find out who Nancy Ellis is. Do you have a photo?"
Eddie nodded and took out his wallet, pulled out a photo and handed it to Susan. Susan looked at it and smiled, it was a picture of from their wedding day. Nancy was dressed in a cream colored lacy dress, her hair was up with little ringlets hanging around her face. Eddie was dressed in a dark suit and smiling widely.
"You know that is the only photo I have of her. Anytime someone would get out a camera she would disappear with an excuse. She had to power her nose, or make drinks it was always something. She wouldn’t even let my folks run this picture in the newspaper announcing our marriage." Eddie explained. "And you know I never thought anything about it until now. I guess I was just too much in love and didn't care.
The three detectives looked at each other. It seemed that Nancy was hiding from something or someone. But who? And why? Susan looked at the photo again studying Nancy's face, she had long dark hair and brown eyes. The young woman didn't look very comfortable even though she was smiling. Something just didn't fit, she looked out of place. Susan passed the photo on to the rest of the group.
When it got to Huggy he studied it closely, he closed one eye then the other. He covered up her hair with his hand, suddenly he said, "I think know her." Eddie's head snapped up. "If you put blond hair on her and green eyes she looks just like Shanna."
"Who?" Starsky asked talking the photo from the black man. He looked more closely at the photo. "You know she does look a little familiar especially if you stick blond hair on her."
Susan had gone into the kitchen to help out Bo make coffee and sandwiches. There was something nagging her about Nancy's face. Hutch made a call to Dobey asking for his two weeks back, then he appeared in the kitchen door way. Susan was standing there deep in thought a knife full of mustard in her hand.
"Hey you are going to drip," Hutch laughed as he took the knife from her. "What are you thinking so hard about?
"Nancy, I swear I know her," Susan said slapping a slice of bread the top of the ham Hutch had just spread the mustard on.
"Everyone feels that she looks familiar. Still some blond hair on her, Huggy says he thinks he knows her as a blond." Hutch suggested.
"I'll look in a sec," Susan said getting out more bread. "Bo I think we are going to owe you some groceries."
Bo just shrugged, "no biggie."
"Well I'm set with Dobey," Hutch said. "He didn't even ask, just said take as much time as I need. Guess he's afraid I'll quit again."
"If you quit, I quit!" said a voice behind Hutch. They both turned to see Starsky standing there. "I'm not going though that again."
"Nobody is quitting," Susan said firmly. "And if this all back fires I'm taking the heat you two got that?"
"But…" Hutch began.
"No buts," Susan said. "There is no sense in all of us going down."
"Susan, Dobey would never buy that Hutch and I weren't in on this from the beginning anyway."
"I think we have bigger things to worry about right now." Hutch said taking the platter of food Susan was handing him.
Everyone left the kitchen going back into the living room. Eddie looked awful, he was pale with dark circles under his eyes. Susan went over and stood in front of him. "Just how long has it been since you have had any sleep?" She asked him ruffling his hair.
"Oh I don't know," he said almost inaudibly. "Three days I guess."
"Come on," Bo grabbed Eddie by the arm. "You are going to bed."
"But…but," Eddie protested looking around.
"They are the best. You get some rest and I bet when you wake up they will have some answers for you." Bo guided the exhausted man toward his bedroom.
Susan gave Bo a grateful smile. She had a feeling that Nancy Ellis wasn't going to turn out to be a girlscout. Eddie didn't need to hear the blow by blow details of his bride's life. "Now who do you think she is?" Susan said studying the photo once again.
"Stick blond hair on her and green eyes." Huggy said getting up to look over Susan's shoulder.
"Oh my god, its Shanna!" Susan exclaimed she hadn't heard the conversation they had earlier. "What the hell was she doing in Montana?"
"Who is Shanna?" Libby asked. She hadn't recognized the young woman at all.
"Well, she was into just about everything," Huggy explained. "Prostitution, porn movies, selling and using drugs."
"And that was just what she was arrested for," Starsky said. "Who knows what else she was into. In fact I think she even dated your buddy Duke, Bo."
Bo looked at Starsky startled, he hadn't gotten another look at the photo yet. He snatched the picture from Susan. "You're right, oh brother what has Eddie gotten himself into?"
"We need the corners report on Nancy Ellis," Susan said. "Maybe Sam can help us with that."
"You know Sam," Starsky smiled at her, "he'll do anything for you."
"But I can't go to the station," Susan said. "If I show up asking questions Dobey is bound to find out."
Libby got up, "I'll go talk to him. Anything else you need me to find out?"
"Yeah see what you can get on Shanna." Hutch said.
"You guys got a last name on her?" Libby asked.
Huggy thought for a moment. "I think its Marks. But I'm not sure, who knows what she told the cops when she was arrested. I'm sure she has a dozen alias's."
"I'll see what I can do." Libby said. "I have to avoid Dobey, I'm sure he'll try and pump me for what I know."
"I'm coming with you," Starsky said. "I want to talk to Dobey see if he'll let me off a couple of days, that should keep him busy while you get what you need Libby. We might need to make a trip to Montana."
CHAPTER FOUR
Susan stood on the balcony of Bo's apartment looking out at the moon lit sky. The stars were twinkling, a perfect night for a romance walk along the beach. She wrapped her arms around herself sighing, she and Hutch should have been on their honeymoon. Starsky and Libby had left to go to the station, Eddie was still asleep and Huggy went back to the Pits before his help quit talking to him. Bo and Hutch were inside moving furniture around everyone was planning to meet back at the apartment to pull an all nighter and get Eddie's problem resolved quickly. Hopefully Libby would be able to get some information that would be helpful.
As Susan was looking up at the sky a star streaked across the darkness. She wished the only wished that she had that she and Hutch were really all right. It was clear that he didn't total trust her and feared that she might take off like she did before. She wished there were a way she could reassure him that she would never do that again.
She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear Hutch push open the sliding glass doors. Susan jumped when he put his arms around her. "What are you doing out here?"
"Just thinking, " Susan smiled in the darkness, she always so safe with his arms around her.
"About what?" Hutch said hugging her tighter.
"Us," Susan turned and looked into his face.
"What about us, we're fine."
"Just like that?" She asked. "Earlier today you were moving out. Now everything is great? I think we really need to talk."
"What's there to talk about?" he tickled her ribs.
"Hutch stop! I'm serious," Susan said stepping away from him. "I didn't realize that you trusted me so little. I don't want you thinking I've run out on you every time I'm late. I know I was wrong before, leaving with out even discussing with you first. I’m not even sure why you took me back."
"It's simple, you are the only one." He looked gravely into her eyes. "I don't want anyone else."
"But if you don't trust me what kind of marriage are we going to have?" She asked tearing forming in her eyes.
"This was a little different it was our wedding you missed not dinner." Hutch said holding his arms out to her, she came to him and he folded her into his embrace. "Just tell you won't ever leave me again and I won't worry."
"Hutch I promise that I won't do anything with out taking to you first," She couldn't promise that she would never leave him just like he couldn't promise her that and truly mean it. Neither of them knew what the future held.
He thought for a moment then said, "OK I can deal with that." He bent down and kissed her, "you want to get married?"
"God you are impossible," she laughed. "Let's get out of this mess first then we'll talk."
He rolled his eyes, "if you insist."
Bo was tapping on the glass door trying to get their attention. Finally he slid open the door, "Hey you two."
The two detectives turned around, "Starsky back yet?" Hutch asked.
"He just called," Bo said holding the door open for them. "He said to tell you he got the time off and that he should be back soon."
Dobey sat at his desk, it was very early in the morning. It seemed that was the only time he could get any work done. He picked up the flyer on Eddie Campbell and studied it for a few minutes. Then went on to his other paper work.
Starsky had come in the night before asking for time off. It didn't surprise the captain; he gladly gave his detective time off. Dobey hoped that Starsky could help his partners straighten out their problems. He hated to think of breaking up such a wonderful team.
Dobey picked up the phone and called down to the front desk. "Could I please speak to Officer Standford?"
"I'm sorry Captain but Office Standford isn't in today." Said a voice.
"Thank you," Dobey sat with a perplexed look on his face. He ticked off on his fingers, Hutchinson, Carlston, Starsky and now Standford. Something was going on, he could feel it in his bones. He reached for the phone and dialed Hutchinson's number.
"Hello?" Mrs. Gray said.
"This is Captain Dobey, I'm sorry to bother you Mrs. Gray but is Susan around?"
"Sorry Captain but she's not here," she told him.
"How about Hutchinson?"
"Sorry."
"Then where the hell are they?" Dobey blustered. His detectives were beginning to unnerve him.
"To be quite honest with you I don't know." Mrs. Gray said and explained Susan's departure then her two partners showing up with Standford looking for her.
"Damn," Dobey said slamming his fist down on his desk. "I knew it, something is going on and I plan on getting to the bottom of this. Mrs. Gray if you hear from any of them please contact me."
"Will do Captain," Mrs. Gray assured him then ask, "should I be worried?"
"With those three I'm always worried," he snorted. "But no need for you to worry I'm sure everything is fine."
Dobey then made a third phone call to The Pits in hopes of finding Huggy Bear. But Huggy wasn't around either and the young woman he talked too was none too happy. Seems he had left them short handed. Dobey hung up the phone with a deep sigh, he knew from past experience that he wouldn't know what was going on until they were ready to tell him.
It was nearly nine am before the crew at Bo's apartment began to stir. People were sprawled all over the entire living room, Bo was the first one up and was in the kitchen making coffee when Susan joined him. "Hey Bo," she said rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Hey yourself," he said and bent to kiss her on the cheek. "How's it going?"
She smiled up at him knowing that he meant with Hutch. "OK, think things are going to be fine."
"Good, well if you can hold down the fort I think I'll get a quick shower," he said handing her the coffee can he was holding.
Bo opened his bedroom door softly as not to disturb Eddie. He took off his shirt grab a towel and started for the bathroom when he realized that Eddie was not in the bed. "Shit," he mumbled under his breath. He jerked open the bedroom door and hollered, "Eddie is gone."
Everyone sat up looking around blinking and Susan came out of the kitchen. "Are you sure?"
"Well do you see him out here?" Bo snapped. "He sure isn't in the bedroom."
"Great just great," Hutch exclaimed. "Where would he have gone?"
Susan shook her head, "He knows nothing about LA, he called me as soon as he got into town."
"Well we got to find him," Bo said putting on a clean shirt with out bothering to shower. "He's a dead man if we don't."
All eyes turned toward the ex-hood, "what are you talking about?" Hutch asked.
"I think I have figured out what is going on." Bo said running his fingers through his hair.
"Want to enlighten us?" Starsky asked.
"Eddie said that his bride had a lot of money right? Now where would a street walker get that kind of money?" Bo said. "I think she has taken off with some mob money."
"You got a point there," Hutch said. There was a knock at the door, Hutch being the closest to the door pulled it open.
Huggy stood there with a shame faced Eddie. The black man poked Eddie in the back forcing him into the apartment. "I found him out front."
"God Eddie you scared the shit out of us," Susan said.
"I just wanted a little air and some time to think."
"That's all well and good," Bo said, "But next time let somebody know where you are. Plus you are a wanted man, the cops are looking for you."
"I got some information for you," said a voice behind Huggy. Libby stood in the doorway of the apartment. She was holding a thick file in her hand. "You want to know what Eddie's bride has been up too?"
Eddie held out his hand for the file, Libby looked at the detectives. "Give it to him." Susan said, "He has a right to know why somebody is trying to kill him."
Eddie took the file and sat down on the couch, he began going through it page by page. His eyes filled with tears as he read about the woman he had known as Nancy. She had been in jail numerous times; she had been arrested for prostitution at least ten times, twice for selling drugs, one for running numbers. She had also been picked up for attempted murder but the charges were dropped. After he finished reading Eddie laid the papers on the coffee table and looked at Susan mournfully.
She sat down next to him, "Honey it wasn't your fault, you didn't know."
Bo picked up the reports, "I'm going to see if I can get some leads. I'll be back by noon, I hope."
It was just before noon when Bo came back to the apartment carrying several large bags from a local deli. He had a grim expression on his face as he handed the bags off to Susan and Libby. "I think it's time to let your boss know what is going on."
"That bad?" Starsky asked.
Bo nodded then explained, "Danny Saints has been running numbers for the mob for years. He hires the runners, they bring the money to him then after it's all collected he brings it in. Well from what I can tell Shanna or Nancy took off with about two million dollars of the money Danny was suppose to turn into the mob. It's Danny's ass that is on the line not hers, he knows he's a dead man unless he can find her and fast. Since it took him a little while I have no idea what he was telling the mob to keep them from killing him. He might have been hiding out until he could find her."
"So were is this Danny?" Eddie asked.
"Good question, that's what our cop friends are for." Bo said smiling at the detectives. "To be honest with you, I think you should come clean with Dobey and see if you can find Danny Saints. I'm betting he was the one that killed Shanna/Nancy, then tried to pin it on Eddie."
"But why?" Eddie asked. "Why pin I on me?"
"To get you out of the picture," Hutch theorized. "He probably figured that either you had the money or that she had hidden it some place."
Eddie nodded in understanding. Then asked, "Why didn't he just come in and kill us both?"
"The police would have started looking for the killer that way. But if he made if look like you he got you out of the house plus casting suspicion on you."
"So do you think he is the one that tried to kill me in jail?" Eddie exclaimed a bit confused.
Starsky shrugged, "Who knows, maybe we went to the house and couldn’t find the money right away. You said that he was scared off right?" Eddie nodded. "Maybe he was planning on asking you were the money was and didn't get a chance."
"At any rate I think Bo is right, we need to talk to Dobey," Starsky said.
Thirty minutes later, the three detectives, Libby and Eddie were standing in Dobey's office, they had just explained all the details to their Captain. Dobey was pacing behind his desk his hands clasp behind his back, muttering to himself. Finally he stopped and looked at them. "Just tell me one thing?"
"Sure anything Cap," Starsky said.
"How the hell do you three get yourselves in so much trouble?" Dobey exploded.
"Just lucky I guess," Susan grinned.
"Damn!" Dobey dropped his ample weight into his desk chair and picked up the phone. "This is Dobey get me all the information you got on a Danny Saints, now." He slammed the phone down and glared at the group in front of him. "I should throw the whole bunch of you in jail. Where the hell have you been hiding out?"
None of them had brought up Bo's name. They weren't sure how this was going to turn out and didn't want him to go to jail if it went bad. "We were around," Hutch said vaguely.
"I'm guessing with Huggy Bear?" Dobey stormed.
"No we weren't with Huggy," Susan said
Dobey was getting ready to fire his next question when the phone rang, he snagged the receiver, "Yeah!" He listened for a few minutes, grunted a few times then said. "Get me that phone number."
"What's up Cap?" Starsky asked.
Dobey held up one finger to quiet Starsky, the captain scribbled down a number, depressed the button to get an open line and dial the number he had written down. "Yes can I please speak to a Detective Harry Thompson, this is Capain Dobey LAPD it's about your Eddie Campbell case.
After a few moments the detective came on the line, Dobey spoke to him for several minutes then hung up. "Seems our Mr. Saints is in jail." Dobey told them.
"Jail?" Eddie said his face falling. It wasn't him after all, he now knew for sure he was going to jail and taking his friends with him.
"In Augusta Montana, seems he was ransacking a house that belong to you Mr. Campbell." Dobey allowed a small smile to form on his face. "Saints admitted to killing your wife to get the money that she had stolen from him. Apparently he couldn't fine it and just fell apart spilling his guts to the police there and begging them to lock him up so the mob can't get to him."
Eddie looked at the captain stunned, "You mean I'm free?"
"That's what it means," Dobey said, then he turned his eyes on his detectives. "But I can't say as much for you three. And you especially young lady," he wagged his finger in Susan's direction. "Next time you have a problem you get help, I’m not as hard ass as I sound sometimes."
Susan smiled and went around the desk to hug her captain, "You still going to give me away?"
He looked at her startled, "You mean the weddings back on?" Susan glanced Hutch's way, he was beaming at her, she nodded. "You know I will," he said as he hugged her back.
CHAPTER FIVE
The day had dawned sunny and blue, a perfect day for a wedding. Susan stood in her long white dress in front of a full-length mirror in the Dobey's bedroom. Her hair was pulled up on top of her head and was surround by little white baby's breath. She glanced out the window that looked out into the back yard, she could see chairs set up and people milling around, she thought that she had even caught a glimpse of Hutch.
Susan was so glad that they had decided to for go the church and take the Dobey's up on their offer to have it in their back yard instead. This felt right, she had no doubts about what she was about to do. The detective turned so that she could get a better view of the back of her dress, it was so pretty, it was lace covered with tiny little pearls. Her train laid on the bed waiting for someone to help put it in it's place.
As she turned toward the door she was startled to see her captain standing there watching her and grinning. "How's it coming?" he asked stepping into the room, he looked very handsome in his tux.
"I'm wonderful Cap," she exclaimed happily as she came across the room to hug him. "Thanks for offering you house to us, it's perfect."
"No thanks needed, " he said hugging her back tightly. "You, Dave and Ken are family to us. Edith couldn't be more excited if it were Rosie getting married, she is running around making sure everything is just right."
Susan frowned for the first time that day, "I didn't want her to go to a bunch of trouble, either of you."
"Don't be silly," said a voice from the hall. Both Dobey and Susan turned to see Edith standing there in a pale blue dress. She was a beautiful black woman on the tall side, she had her hair swept up in a french twist. Her dark eyes flashed at her husband, "You go on now Harold and let us ladies put on the finishing touches."
Dobey gave Susan a final hug and disappeared out the door. Edith entered the room mumbling something about men. She held out a long velvet covered jewelry box to Susan. The detective took the box and opened it slowly. Nestled in more black velvet was the most beautiful strand of pearls that she had ever seen. Susan's eyes widen and she looked at Edith, "They are wonderful," she breathed.
The older woman smiled, "Harold gave these to me wear on our wedding day. I thought they could be your something borrowed."
"Oh Edith, I can't Rosie should be the first ones to wear them not me." Susan said handing the box back.
Edith took the pearls out to the box, "Honey Rosie came to me and asked if it was alright for you to wear them. She would be crushed if you didn't and so would I. Like Harold said you are like a daughter to us." Tears shined brightly in the detective's eyes as she allowed Edith to place the pearls around her neck.
There was a wolf whistle from the doorway, Starsky stood there in his tux and of course tennis shoes, a red rose on his lapel. His blue eyes twinkled as he entered the room. He took Susan by the hand and spun her around then grabbed her by the waist and dipped her. As he was leaning over her he did his best Cagney, "It's your last chance to dump that bozo and marry me sweet heart."
Susan giggled, "It's tempting," she teased back.
"Is the party in here?" Another voice asked as Huggy Bear came into the room, he was also dressed in a tux but instead of a white shirt like Starsky's his was bright orange.
Dobey stepped in behind the taller black man, "Well looks like everyone is here but the groom and the maid of honor."
Starsky hiked his eyebrows at Susan then winked. She shook her head, "Oh Starsk you have a dirty mind."
"Excuse me," Called Libby from the hall, she pushed her way into the room carrying Susan's bouquet. "You about ready, Mrs. Gray is having a heck of a time keeping Jesse clean."
"So this is where everyone went," Hutch said trying to come in the bedroom.
Edith hollered, "You just stay right where you are young man. You can't see the bride before the wedding. Now out, all of you get out!"
Libby and Susan giggled, "She rivals Dobey," Libby whispered.
"Who do you think taught him to yell?" Edith laughed. "You ready hon?"
"Just need my train and then I'm ready to go." She replied.
Libby picked it up from the bed and handed it to Edith, "You do the honors."
Edith smiled at Libby then placed it around Susan's hair allowing it to drape down her back. "You are so beautiful," tears were standing in her eyes, Libby's were brimming too.
"Oh come on you guys lets not ruin our makeup jobs." Susan said smiling through her own tears.
All the guest were seated in the back yard, a red carpet had been laid in the grass leading up to the minister and groom. Dobey waited to escort Susan down the aisle; Jesse and Rosie had on matching dresses and little baskets of flowers. Cal had been proud to show the guest to their seats and Mrs. Gray, Bo, Eddie and Huggy Bear beamed from the front row.
Susan stepped out the back door followed by Libby and Edith who walked to the front and took her seat next to Mrs. Gray. Then the two little girls began their way up the aisle tossing the rose pedals as they went, and then Libby followed. Finally with their arms linked Dobey and Susan made their way toward the waiting groom.
Her eyes meet and held Hutch's as she moved toward him. He smiled at her and held out his hand for her to take when Susan finally arrived by his side. Dobey gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and joined his wife. Before she took Hutch's hand Susan moved to Starsky, she hugged him tightly then bushed his cheek with her lips. Then she took Hutch's hand he squeezed it and smiled down at her, he looked back at Starsky who winked at his partner.
The ceremony was short but memorable and there wasn't a dry eye in the yard by the time Hutch and Susan had finished saying the vows that they had written themselves. Finally the minister pronounced them man and wife, everyone cheered and tossed rose pedals that had been place in little bags under their chairs in the air. Jesse ran to hug her mother and father, Hutch picked up the little girl just as somebody snapped a picture of the happy family.
Libby linked her arm through Starsky's as he was wistfully watching the happy couple. "Hey you." She said.
Starsky smiled at her, "Hey yourself, lets get something to eat." He said pulling her toward a food-laden table that Edith had set up with help from Mrs. Gray. After a few more pictures Susan and Hutch joined Starsky and Libby at one of the small tables that had been set up. They were in the midst of eating when the newly married couple sat down.
"Well how does it feel," Libby grinned at them.
"I'll let you know after the honeymoon," Susan said whispering in her ear. They both giggled and looked innocently at the two men.
Starsky stood and clinked a spoon on his champagne glass. Everyone turned to look at him, "Now I'm not one for making long winded speeches but I want to wish my two partners all the luck and happiness in the world." He smiled at Susan and looked at Hutch, "and you had better take good care of her because if you don't I will."
Hutch stood and hugged his best friend, "You know I'll take care of our girl," Hutch said softly by Starsky's ear.
Starsky just nodded for he could no longer speak around the lump in this throat, he knew now that things would be different between the three of them. He didn't regret one moment telling Susan to go after what she wanted but he had did regret that it hadn't been him.
Susan looked up at Starsky as he was hugging Hutch and saw the tears standing in his eyes. She smiled at him and he returned her smile. Then she mouthed, "you'll always be a part of us."
Starsky nodded at her, slapped Hutch on the back then grabbed Libby dragging her out to dance as the band began playing. Hutch looked down at his new bride just in time to see her wipe a tear that had rolled down her cheek then followed her gaze. She was watching Starsky and Libby dance. "He'll be fine," Hutch said pulling her to her feet.
"I know," Susan said as she went out on the dance floor with her husband.
THE END
