Find Your Way Home

67

Hutch goes missing. Can he find his way home?

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Chapter One

From his hiding place, Hobbs watched as the railway night watchman checked each wagon as he walked the length of the train through the gathering twilight. He waited. He knew he needed to time his run perfectly. When the guard reached the last wagon and the locomotive started to roar, he darted out. Dashing across the tracks to the wagon directly ahead, he leapt up, sliding the door back and slipping inside. His heart raced as he closed the door behind him and listened for shouts. So far so good. He looked around slowly, allowing his eyes to adjust to the gloom.

The train began to pick up speed and he crept his way carefully between the crates until he found a spot that looked solid and safe. He lowered himself carefully to the ground and leant his still pounding head back against the wooden frame. He reached into the tatty cloth bag for the bottle of water he had stored there earlier and drank gratefully. His stomach growled. Fingers touched the small home baked loaf of bread. Should he eat it now or later? It might be a while until he was able to get some food again. His stomach tightened and he decided to eat half.

As he ate, he wondered what he would do when the train reached its destination. Would he continue hiding or seek help. Getting away from this town was definitely a good idea – even though he had been hiding for a week, someone might still be looking for him. But would he be any safer in Bay City? Or did his captors have a long reach? He would have to be very careful until he found safety – either in the hidden places of the city or with the authorities there. He still wasn’t sure what to do for the best.

Vernon had given him directions from the freight yard to the edge of the business district, using the hidden paths through the city. He’d also told him where to head to find a friend, who might help him find shelter, in case he chose to stay hidden for a while longer. Vernon had been his help and guide and it had been a wrench to leave him but Hobbs knew he couldn’t stay.

Hobbs needed to work out who he was. He wanted to know why he was on the run and from whom. Vernon had said he was one of the good guys and it would be safe to go to the authorities for help. But it was hard to know who to trust when you didn’t know who you were. Maybe Bay City would provide the answers he needed. Maybe it wouldn’t. All he knew was the mention of Bay City corresponded to a warm feeling in his chest and he felt drawn to go there. He felt like he was being called home. Maybe once he got there, things would become clearer. He closed his eyes and drifted into a light sleep.

Jumbled dreams returned, as they had every time he slept: half formed images of people, places, laughter and fear. Images of a man with dark, curly hair and a wide grin who filled him with a sense of safety and belonging.

The train juddered across a set of points and the wagon rocked and woke him up. The dream images spun tantalising in front of him and then faded. A word floated onto his lips. Stars. He whispered it to himself and wondered what it meant.

 

Chapter Two

Seven days earlier…

The call came through in the early hours of Monday morning. Harold Dobey tried to take in what was being said to him and give answering instructions quietly. Trying not to disturb his wife, he dressed hurriedly and went out to get the keys to his car. He debated whether to ring Starsky first but opted to speak to him in person and then take him with him to the scene. Bad news was best delivered in person. He took a deep breath and headed out.

Reaching Starsky’s apartment, he knocked and then knocked again. A light was turned on inside and there was the sound of movement. Dobey heard grumbling.

“This had better be…” Starsky’s voice traied away as he saw who it was. “Cap? What’s wrong?”

“Son…I think we’d both better sit down.”

Starsky’s face lost its colour. He motioned Dobey towards the armchair and settled on the couch.

“Nothing definite yet,” Dobey said quickly.

Starsky placed his hands on his knees, not in relaxation but in tense anticipation of bad news.

“Hutch’s car has been found at the side of the road two miles before the outskirts of San Juan Capistrano. No sign of a gun fight or an accident,” he was quick to assure, “but just the car abandoned and no sign of your partner.”

“So he never made it to San Diego?”

Dobey shook his head.

“I spoke to him before he set off yesterday. We talked about what we were going to do as soon as he got back. His part in the court case was supposed to be simple. He’d hoped he’d be called as first witness and then be released. Thought he’d be back on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest…The case against Brooks is clear cut. His gang scattered when he was arrested. Who’d care enough to snatch Hutch to stop him testifying?”

“Beats me. But you’re right that it looks like this has to be connected to the Brooks’ case. The timing and the location of the kidnapping is too coincidental. Who else knew where Hutch would be travelling last evening? Only people connected to the court case…Let’s get out there and see what we can come up with to find a way to get Hutch back.”

Starsky nodded and hurried to get dressed then the two men made their way to Dobey’s car and set off to San Juan Capistrano. As they drove, Dobey reminded Starsky that they would be guests in Orange County and would have no jurisdiction there but added that his friend in the local police department was more than happy to co-operate and include them in the investigation.

“So best behaviour, Starsky,” Dobey added. “You catch more flies with honey…”

Starsky nodded. “Sure, Cap. I’ll do whatever it takes to find Hutch and bring him home.”

~~~~~

Starsky peered into the ‘Squash’ and wished he could see his partner sitting in the driver’s seat, wished he could give him grief over his terrible car. But there was no trace of his partner. The keys sitting in the ignition were a sign that Hutch had thought he’d be right back, not spirited away. Starsky felt the absence of his partner keenly. He walked away, five yards forward to a small oil spill and a set of heavy tyre imprints on the muddy verge of the highway.

“You stopped to help someone. Only it turned out it was a trap set for you…Oh Blintz.”

He looked around, grateful that the local PD seemed to be doing an excellent job. They had set up a road block within hours of Hutch’s disappearance and were checking with drivers, who drove this route regularly, whether they had seen anything last evening. Maybe something would turn up.

Dobey was talking to the local Captain, a man named Wilkes, and nodding. Starsky started walking towards them. Suddenly, there was a hail from a uniformed officer. He had pulled a small truck over to the side and was now beckoning the two captains that he had something. Starsky hurried to join the group.

“This is Senor Gutiérrez. He drives this route most days. He came through last night and saw Detective Hutchinson. Tell them what you told me.”

“Si. That car was ahead of me on the road. I see a truck stopped with its hood up, engine trouble, I think. I think about stopping to help but the car, he pull over. The man he got out. Tall man, blond hair. He went to talk to the driver. I drove on.” Gutiérrez shrugged.

“Can you describe the truck?”

“Si, dark green, dark windows. Sliding door on the side. I notice the plate was a Baja California one. 1974, I think.”

“Did you get any of the letters or numbers?”

Gutiérrez scratched his chin. “Si, SR. It made me think of my home town, Santa Rosalia. The rest I don’t remember.”

“What about the driver? Did you get a good look at him?”

Guiterrez shook his head. “A white man in his thirties. Shorter than the blond man. Dark hair. That’s all I see.”

“Thank you for your help,” Captain Wilkes said. “My officer will take your contact details. If you think of anything else please let us know.”

The three men moved away a little. Wilkes turned to Dobey and said, “I’ll send men to ask at the gas station and roadside diner on the way into San Juan. It’s a long shot but maybe they stopped for fuel. I’ll get an APB out on your detective and the van so all patrols in the city can keep an eye out. We’ll get our detective services working finding a match to the partial licence plate. That’s all we can do for now.”

“What can I do? Where can I help?” asked Starsky, desperate to do something to help find his partner.

Dobey placed a hand on his shoulder. “I think Captain Wilkes’s men will have the local search covered. They know the area better than we do but we can do our bit. We need to go to the courthouse in San Diego and report what’s happened to Hutch to the prosecution team and the judge in the Brooks’ case. I expect the case will be postponed for twenty-four hours. We need to get permission to talk to Brooks himself. See if he can shed some light on what’s happened.”

“Give me five minutes alone with him, he’ll talk.”

Dobey held up a hand. “Now, you know how I feel about private parties and Hutch wouldn’t want you breaking the law even to try and help him. We’ll talk to Brooks together.”

Reluctantly, Starsky nodded.

“Now, should we leave Hutch’s car here and collect it later or drive it into San Juan and leave it somewhere safe, like at the local gas station?”

“I’ll drive it to the gas station. Hutch wouldn’t want it left here.”

“I’ll follow you,” Dobey said.

Starsky nodded and walked back to Hutch’s car. He sat in the driving seat and felt a pang in his chest. “Should be you driving this heap, Hutch, not me,” he whispered. He turned the key in the ignition and pulled out onto the highway. He looked in the mirror and saw that Dobey was right behind him. As he drove, he prayed that the partial registration plate would lead to something or that the van would be spotted on the streets of San Juan Capistrano. Maybe they’d even find Hutch later that day. He could only hope.

~~~~~

“What did you hope to gain by kidnapping a witness?” Starsky asked, as he leant over Brooks in a threatening manner.

“What witness? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“We know you got your henchmen to snatch a witness right off the street thinking it might delay the case and then what?”

“Detective. I don’t know what you’re talking about…Look, snatching one witness out of the several the Police Department have got lined up against me wouldn’t do me any good. I know I’m facing prison time. Why would I make things worse for myself by snatching some junkie or whore so they don’t testify against me? What would be the point?”

Starsky exchanged glances with Dobey. “If you didn’t do it then who did?”

Brooks frowned. “Maybe someone who wants to make sure I go to jail for a long time? I have rivals.”

“Any suggestions as to who would be at the top of that list?”

Brooks shook his head. “No. I have no interest in helping you. As it is, I’ve said enough.”

Starsky looked at Dobey, who nodded and then called for the guard to come and take Brooks away. Once he’d left the room, Starsky leaned heavily against the table.

“Still no closer to an answer,” he growled in frustration.

Dobey laid a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll find him, Dave. Let’s go speak to Detective Maine. See if he can shed some light on who the other players might be in the area.”

 

Chapter Three

After discussions with Detective Maine, Starsky and Dobey had been forced to head back to Bay City. Dobey needed to check in with his department and Maine didn’t need Starsky’s help in questioning local gang leaders. Starsky knew he had to leave the investigation to the local PD but it didn’t mean he was happy about it. He felt like he was abandoning his partner by heading back to Bay City.

Not knowing quite what else to do with himself, Starsky drove Hutch’s car towards The Pits. He was unsettled, angry and feeling a dozen different emotions that he couldn’t begin to put into words. The hour long drive back, alone, to Bay City hadn’t helped his mood. Too much time to dwell on what might be happening to Hutch, wherever he was. He parked around back and slipped in the rear door, quietly making his way to the bar. The owner of the establishment was nowhere in sight so he sat on a stool, ordered a beer and waited. He knew he should eat something but his stomach was churning with worry. Where was Hutch? Was he even still alive?

“I’d know if he was dead, wouldn’t I? I’d feel it in my soul if he was gone. He’s alive but he’s in trouble. He needs me and I don’t know where to start looking for him. Hutch, buddy, you gotta send me a message, a clue, anything. You gotta find your way home.”

Huggy appeared from the kitchen, carrying a large tray of meals. He nodded to Starsky before moving to deliver the food to his customers. Then he hurried over to join his friend.

“Any news on Blondie?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Starsky said.

Huggy looked sombre. “The Bear has the ear of Bay City. His reach doesn’t extend as far as San Diego…I wish it did,” he added sadly. “I feel useless.”

“I know how you feel. All we got is a possible motive, a maybe. Seems the guy Hutch was going to testify against has enemies who would like to make sure he goes down so they can take over his territory.”

“What was Hutch doing getting mixed up in a case that got tried in San Diego anyway?”

“You remember when I got shot last year and I was off work for a few weeks? Hutch assisted some San Diego Detectives in arresting Brooks. He’d ventured out of his own area for a big drug deal. Hutch had a minor role. His testimony isn’t even that important to the case. None of this makes sense.”

“I see.” Huggy polished a glass and avoided saying what he was thinking out loud.

Starsky knew what he was thinking because he was thinking the same thing. “If it is enemies of Brooks…Well, they got no reason to keep Hutch alive. A homicide would…” Starsky choked on his own words.

“Hey,” Huggy said softly. “Hutch is alive. You gotta hold onto that thought, brother. He’s tough and he’s resourceful. If anyone could escape from a bunch of thugs, it’s Hutch.”

Starsky nodded tightly.

Huggy looked him up and down. “When did you last eat?”

Starsky shrugged.

“I’ll get you a Starsky Special.”

“Don’t feel like eating.”

Huggy reached out and squeezed Starsky’s arm. “I know you don’t but if you’re going to find Hutch and bring him home, you’re going to need all your strength. So eat for him if not for yourself.”

Starsky sighed and then nodded. While Huggy went to place the order, Starsky went and found a booth to sit in towards the rear of the bar, a place where he could sit and hopefully be undisturbed. He looked across the tables at all the happy diners and felt even more miserable. Hutch should be here, moaning about his poor food choices, challenging him to a game of pool and laughing at his own jokes. Starsky wiped a hand over his face and prayed that there would be some miracle and Hutch would be found alive and well. And soon.

 

Chapter Four

He came to abruptly. The dim light showed him he was in a barn of some sort, albeit one that didn’t look as if it was in constant use; old tractor parts nestled next to half-used bags of feed and a musty pile of hay bales. It also meant it was day; but what time of day? Which day? He had no idea. His head hurt badly. And his feet. Before he could investigate the cause of either or both pains, he felt a wave of nausea and turned on his side to vomit up what little remained in his stomach. He shivered as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Suddenly, he heard a sound like a breath and froze.

“You’re awake at last. Thought you might be dead when I first saw ya.”

“W-who are you?”

“I’m Vernon.”

A figure came out of the gloom and crept closer. In the dim light from the small window above, he could see it was an older man in his fifties or maybe sixties.

“Now you’re finally awake, you’d better let me take a look at your feet.”

He sat up straighter and tried to peer at the end of his legs. He could see he was wearing no socks or shoes. “What happened to my feet?”

“Don’t you know?” Vernon asked as he knelt down next to his bare feet.

“N-no. I don’t remember.”

“Well, looks like you had to kick your way out of something wooden. You’ve got some cuts and splinters. Nothing too deep, but they could get infected if I don’t clean you up.”

“No…wait…Don’t touch me. Who are you?”

“Easy boy,” the man said, as if soothing a frightened animal. “Like I said, my name is Vernon. I was a medic in the army for many years. I know how to clean up a wound.”

“Okay, but…why are you here? Here in this barn. Where is here? How did we get here?”

“This is one of my safe spaces for a night or two’s sleep. I travel around a lot but I come here regularly. Folks around here are a little kinder than most places. They turn a blind eye to me sleeping in their barns. Sometimes they slip me some food. One or two slip me a couple of dollars when I need it. Good folks…I figure the least I can do is help out a fellow traveller on the road. Looks like you done some walking on those feet even with them being painful….but you don’t remember anything about it?”

“No. Where are we?”

“You mean: what town?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, we aren’t in town exactly. Capistrano Niguel is a tiny place. A church, a diner, a few small businesses and a few scattered properties. Lots of farmland and woodland. It’s a car ride away to San Juan Capistrano.”

“San Juan…” He frowned, trying to remember what he knew about the name. “That’s still in California, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. You from around here? From San Juan or maybe San Diego?”

The man shook his head and then put his hand to his forehead and winced. “I don’t think so but I don’t remember for sure.”

“Well, don’t worry about it now. Let’s get those splinters out and clean you up. You’re gonna need your feet when you want to travel on. Right now, I don’t think you could walk anywhere…Ready for me to take a look?”

The man hesitated then said, “Okay…Thank you.”

Vernon reached into the bag slung over his shoulder and pulled out a bottle of whiskey and a small first aid kit. He poured a little whiskey over a pair of tweezers and looked at the man.

“You need something to hold onto. This might hurt.”

“No, I’ll be okay.”

“Brave man.” Carefully, Vernon cleared each foot of splinters, cleansed the wounds, applied a layer of strong smelling cream and then wrapped them with strips of cloth that he pulled from his bag. As he worked, he talked, “These feet also tell me you’re a brave man. You did what you had to do to escape.”

The man tried not to moan as Vernon worked, but the odd hiss of pain escaped his lips. He was relieved when Vernon finished. Quickly, he wiped away the moisture from his eyes.

“What was that you put on my feet?”

Vernon proffered the small pot of green, herbal ointment for inspection. “All natural healing balm. Family secret as to what’s in there but it works.”

The man sniffed the ointment. It wasn’t unpleasant. “Smells nice. Thank you.”

Vernon reached into his bag and pulled out a pair of thick, woollen socks, which he passed to the man. “Put those on. They’ll keep the bandages clean and warm you up…You got a name?”

The man frowned then shook his head. “I can’t remember.”

“Well, how about I call you Hobbs until you find your own name. I had a friend once called Hobbs; blue eyes like you. He was good people.”

Hobbs nodded and pulled the socks on slowly.

“Okay, Hobbs. If I help you, do you think we could get you to sit over on those hay bales?”

Hobbs nodded.

Vernon pulled him on his feet and steadied him as he tottered then helped him hobble over to the bales situated near the small window. Hobbs settled with a small groan and hung his head.

“That’s better. I can take a look at your head now.”

Before he started his examination, Vernon noticed that Hobbs had turned pale and was shivering. He pulled a neatly folded poncho from his bag and helped Hobbs put it on.

“That should warm you up. Okay, let’s take a look…Nasty bump…Two of them actually. No wonder you were sick. Several small cuts, not bad, don’t need stitches. That’s good…You got a few bruises on your face. Looks like someone hit you.”

“I don’t remember,” Hobbs said, gingerly exploring his face with his fingers and wincing as he touched his tender chin.

Vernon took some ointment from his pot and very gently layered it over the small cuts on Hobbs’ head. Hobbs bit his lip but stayed silent.

“You hungry, Hobbs?” Vernon asked as he sat down beside him.

“Yeah. Thirsty too.”

Vernon handed him a well-used bottle of water and a slightly wizened apple.

“I’ll fill up again later. Eat the apple. I’m going to go into town soon to get a free meal. There’s a small chapel down the road. The pastor’s wife knows me and offered me a meal today…You wanna come in with me? She probably wouldn’t mind.”

“No, I…I don’t know if it’s safe to be seen out.”

“Someone still after you, huh?”

“I think so…I don’t know for sure.”

“And you can’t remember why?”

“No…Maybe I…? I don’t know.”

There was a long silence.

“Maybe you aren’t the good guy? Maybe you’re a felon? Is that what you were going to say?” Vernon asked.

Hobbs hung his head. “Maybe. I mean why else would I be on the run?”

Vernon patted his arm. “Hobbs, my friend, last time I looked the cops use handcuffs. Those marks on your wrists are rope burns. Reckon you’re the victim in whatever happened and you managed to escape.”

Hobbs looked at his wrists, noticing the marks on them for the first time.

“But you’re right we don’t know if it’s safe for you yet so I’ll go get my meal and I’ll ask for some food for you.” Vernon reached into his bag and pulled out the pot of ointment. “Reckon you ought to rub some of this on those wrists while I’m gone…Don’t go anywhere now, will you? You can trust me.”

Hobbs nodded. “I believe I can, Vernon. You wouldn’t have bothered helping me if you were going to tell anyone about me.”

“Law of the road. Help a fellow traveller whenever you can. You never know when you might need help yourself.” Vernon stood up. “Get some more sleep. I think that’s going to be the best thing for that head of yours. I’ll only be gone an hour at the most.”

“Thanks Vernon.”

“And don’t sit there trying too hard to remember what happened to you. It’ll all come back. Your brain just needs time to heal.”

Hobbs nodded and, as Vernon slipped out of the barn, he settled himself into a more comfortable position so that, once he’d attended to his wrists, he could rest while he waited for his new friend’s return.

~~~~~

The creak of the barn door alerted Hobbs to the fact that someone was coming inside. With relief, he heard Vernon’s assurance that it was him and he was alone. Hobbs struggled into a sitting position. His head was throbbing in a way that made it hard to think and he ached all over.

Vernon sat down beside him and placed something wrapped in tin foil down on a convenient hay bale. He then handed Hobbs a fresh bottle of water and some tablets.

“Take these. They’ll help with that head of yours.”

Hobbs gratefully took the pills and drank them down with some of the water. Then Vernon handed him the covered plate. Curiously, Hobbs opened the tin foil, eyes widening at the sight and smell of meatloaf and green beans. All of a sudden, he realised how hungry he was. Vernon handed him a fork.

Without needing to be told, Hobbs tucked into the meal. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten but, judging from the empty feel of his stomach, it had been a while. Vernon sat back, watching him with a small smile. After a moment, he pulled a piece of fruit cake out of his bag and began to eat it slowly, savouring every mouthful.

“Mrs Harris is a good cook…and a very kind lady.”

Hobbs nodded, still eating albeit more slowly now.

“I told her I’d made a new friend and that he was hurt…She offered for you to rest up in their spare room for a couple of days…if you want to.”

Hobbs looked at him with a mixture of anxiety and longing

“You could get cleaned up, get a proper night’s sleep, rest your head till you feel better…What do you think?”

“I…I don’t know…” Hobbs put the empty plate to one side and looked down at his dirty hands and clothes. “It would be nice to get cleaned up…but what if people are still looking for me?…I don’t want to put anyone in danger.”

Vernon lit a cigarette and contemplated the barn wall.

“Mrs Harris and the Reverend know how to keep a confidence. They wouldn’t talk to anyone. I think you should take her up on her offer.”

“Vernon?”

“Yeah.”

“What about you? Will you still be around?” Hobbs sounded anxious, not wanting to be left by the only person he could trust right now.

Vernon smiled at him. “I’ll stick around. Till the weekend anyway. Then it’ll be time for me to move on. I have my regular routine. Don’t do to wear out a welcome. Folks can be kind in these smaller places but you can’t push your luck.”

“What day is it anyway?” Hobbs asked, leaning back wearily.

“Wednesday.”

“Wednesday,” Hobbs repeated without expression. Days meant nothing when you didn’t know what you normally did with them.

“Do you think anyone is looking for you? I mean family, friends.”

Hobbs frowned. “I was dreaming before you came back. There was a guy, a friend I think. Maybe he’ll be looking for me.”

“Hmm. Don’t know how anyone’s going to find you if we need to keep quiet about where you are.”

Hobbs sighed. He felt sleepy again. Vernon looked at him with a concern.

“Maybe I should find a doctor for you?”

“No, no doctor.”

“All right…But Hobbs, I’m going to tell Mrs Harris that you’d like to take her up on her offer. You need to rest somewhere quiet and comfortable until you’re back on your feet and you can decide what to do about finding your way back to your folks and your home.”

Hobbs looked uncertain. He mulled over what Vernon had said then asked, “You trust them?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, maybe it would be best. I don’t feel so good and maybe lying low for a few days somewhere quiet will be enough time for people to stop looking for me.”

Vernon nodded. “Good. The Reverend Harris has a car. Reckon he’ll come collect you if I tell him you can’t walk too far on those feet.”

Hobbs nodded. “Thanks Vernon. You’ve been very kind.”

Vernon shrugged. “You rest up. I’ll be back shortly.”

 

Chapter Five

Starsky felt like he was losing his mind with worry. So far the investigation and searches in San Diego and San Juan had thrown up a big fat zero. There had been no sightings of the van and no sightings of his partner. On the plus side, there had been no body of a John Doe discovered either. But every day with no word meant it less and less likely that he would see Hutch ever again. He couldn’t sit still any longer waiting for news. He needed to be out there looking for his partner.

He stalked into Dobey’s office without knocking. Dobey bit back the reprimand, knowing that the man in front of him was going through his own personal hell and needed as much encouragement as he could provide.

“Cap? I can’t stand around here waiting for news. I gotta go look for him.”

“We don’t have any jurisdiction-”

“I don’t need jurisdiction to look for my partner,” Starsky voice rose.

It carried through to the outer office, where Simmons and Babcock exchanged glances and then nodded at each other. Simmons lifted the handset on his desk and placed an internal call.

“Look, Starsky,” Dobey was saying, “The area’s too big for one man to drive around randomly, hoping to pick up a lead. If the local police can’t find that van, what makes you think you can?”

“I’ve got to do something. Search the areas they aren’t checking. Something.”

There was a knock on Dobey’s door and Simmons and Babcock walked in.

“We couldn’t help overhearing,” Simmons said. “We’ve just finished a case. Before we get assigned another one, how about we go with Starsky and do a grid search on the rural area between San Juan and San Diego…If that’s where you’re thinking of looking, Starsky?”

Starsky nodded gratefully. “How about it, Cap?”

There was another knock and Minnie came in, carrying a map.

“Here’s that map you wanted, Simmons.”

Dobey wiped his face with his handkerchief. “All right. I’m authorising the three of you to go. Keep me posted.”

“We will. Thanks Cap.”

As the three detectives went to leave, Minnie said, “Good luck.”

“Thanks Minnie.”

The three detectives headed down to the parking lot.

“What’s the plan?” Babcock asked.

“We take two cars. That way we can cover more ground. We’re looking for barns and outbuildings where a van could have been stashed. They probably swapped to another vehicle and moved onto somewhere else but you never know: maybe we’ll get lucky. Let’s meet at the roadside diner just on the outskirts of San Juan. We can look at the map and decide who’s going to check which area.”

Simmons and Babcock nodded and hurried over to their car. Soon the Torino was heading out of Bay City with Simmons and Babcock following. Starsky felt a little better now that he could take some positive action.

“Hold on, Hutch, I’m coming. Let me know where you are, buddy. Can you do that?”

 

Chapter Six

Hobbs woke up to sunshine streaming through unfamiliar, blue-striped curtains. He looked around, wondering where he was. Slowly, memories of being helped to a car by Vernon and another man came back to him. He recalled the man and a woman helping him into their house and half-carrying him to small bedroom on the ground floor. After that, he couldn’t remember anything. Was it the same day? Or had he been asleep all night? He swung his feet out of bed, noting that he was wearing striped pyjamas that were too short for him and that his feet were still covered by Vernon’s socks.

He winced as he stood and hobbled to the window to pull back the curtains and look out. It seemed to be morning from the light and feel of the day. He must have slept right through. He looked around, now wondering where his clothes were. There was a gentle tap on the door and a kindly looking woman peered in. She smiled at him.

“Oh good, you’re awake.”

She came fully into the room and laid a pile of clothes and a pair of green sneakers on the bed. On top of the pile, there was a toothbrush and a wash cloth.

“You obviously needed the sleep. Hope it’s done you good. There’s a wash room next door. I’ve left a large blue towel in there ready for you. Borrow whatever you need: soap, toothpaste. Why don’t you get dressed and come join me in the kitchen? I’ll have breakfast waiting for you.”

“Thank you. You’re very kind to take in a stranger, Mrs Harris.”

“Call me Hannah and it’s no trouble at all.”

Hannah left the room and Hobbs picked up the items and went in search of the bathroom. The first thing he wanted to do was clean his teeth. He had never gone so long before without cleaning them and they felt horrible. He cleaned them twice for good measure and started to feel a bit more like a human being.

Once he was dressed, Hobbs went and found the kitchen. Mrs Harris smiled at him and invited him to pour himself a coffee. Then she poured the batter she had prepared a little while earlier onto a griddle and began to make a pile of pancakes.

“I see the clothes just about fit. I’ve got your t-shirt and pants on the line. They should be dried soon. I mended the hole in the knee. It’s not perfect but they don’t look too bad.”

“Thank you.”

She brought a plateful over to Hobbs and passed him a bottle of maple syrup. She indicated two covered dishes on the table, which contained bacon and a mixture of fruit.

“Help yourself.”

Hobbs filled his plate, thanked her and began eating.

“While you’re with us, feel free to spend time in the living room and kitchen. I would ask that you don’t disturb my husband’s study, but otherwise make yourself at home.”

“Thank you. You’re being very kind and…very trusting. I could be anybody. How do you know it’s safe to have me here?”

Mrs Harris put her head on one side and regarded him quizzically. “I think I’m a pretty good judge of character and something tells me that you’re a good person. Plus Vernon says you’re okay and I trust Vernon’s judgement.”

“How long have you known Vernon?”

“He’s been coming around here regular as clockwork for years now. I’ve got to know him a little over time. He was an army medic. He’s mentioned his wife a few times. I think she died a few years back and that’s what led him to travel. I try to do what I can to help keep him fed and in warm clothes when he visits us but Vernon’s a proud man and he likes to keep on the move.”

“I’m very grateful that he found me.”

“Vernon says you can’t remember why you’re in our neighbourhood. You can’t remember anything about your life?”

“No, I can’t. It’s very frustrating.”

“Well, I guess a bad knock on the head can have that effect. How is your head feeling today?”

“Better, I think.”

“Good.”

“Mrs Harris…Hannah…It worries me that I might be putting you and your husband in peril. I don’t know who is after me or why they took me captive. Please don’t mention me to anyone. I wouldn’t want to put you in any danger.”

“We won’t talk about you. You have my word. I do think though that my husband should make some enquiries and see if anyone has been reported missing in the region. I’ve been watching the local news but I haven’t seen anything.”

Hobbs shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t want to run the risk of them finding me before I know who and what I’m dealing with.”

“All right. We’ll leave it a day or two. Finish your breakfast.”

Mrs Harris stood up and began to clear up the kitchen. When he’d finished eating, Hobbs took his plate over to the sink and washed it in the soapy water that was ready in the bowl.

“I’ve got some housework to do but feel free to watch the TV or there are some books in the living room if you’d like to read.”

“Can I do anything to help earn my keep?” Hobbs asked.

Mrs Harris patted his arm. “No, you need to rest…but maybe you could help me cook dinner tonight. How does that sound?”

“Yes, I’d be happy to do that…Uhm, will Vernon be around later?”

“I’ve invited him to join us for dinner,” Mrs Harris said. “I figured a friendly face would do you good.”

“Thank you.”

Hobbs hobbled his way into the living room and looked at the bookshelves. There were a mixture of books; period romances, cowboy stories, theological tomes, books on wildlife and practical guides on various topics. He found his fingers reaching for a book of photographs of wild places across California and settled down to read.

 

Chapter Seven

Starsky pored over the map on his desk and marked off the areas that he, Simmons and Babcock had explored already. The two detectives had been assigned a case and wouldn’t be free to go out again today. Dobey was being very understanding and allowing Starsky to work a few hours and then head out at midday. He hoped he’d be able to cover quite a large area. He looked up at the sound of feet in the corridor and several officers he knew came into the squad room. They were all in their own clothes.

“Starsky,” Officer Mike said. “We heard that you’re going out again today to look for Hutch. We figured you could do with some help.”

Starsky looked at each man and nodded his thanks to them.

“Gather round and I’ll show you which areas have already been checked off.”

As he pointed out the areas he wanted to check out today, Starsky felt a small ray of hope. Surely with so many people looking for Hutch, he was bound to turn up?

~~~~~

It was Thursday when a call came into Dobey’s office. Starsky heard his captain answer the phone and saw him slump a little in his chair. He was up and out of the squad room like a shot. He waited in agonised worry as Dobey said, “I see…I see…Yes, I understand. Thank you. I’ll send someone to collect them. Thank you for letting me know.”

“What is it? What have they found?”

“The van was found abandoned on the edge of farmland, just outside a small village called Capistrano Niguel. The tyre tracks indicate another vehicle was waiting but they have no way of knowing what type…Hutch’s jacket, badge and gun were left inside.”

Starsky swallowed. “Anything else…any indication of…?”

“No. No blood. Nothing to indicate Hutch has been harmed.”

Starsky sat down abruptly.

“W-well, I guess that’s something. But where do we go from here? No clue as to where Hutch is. If they put him in another vehicle, he could be anywhere! Over the border even!” Starsky wiped a hand over his face. “The trial is postponed till Monday. It won’t take long for the evidence to be given or for the jury to convict Brooks…If the person who planned this wants Brooks freed then they’re going to be pretty upset when he goes down…If like Brooks seems to think, it’s one of his rivals…then he won’t need Hutch once the verdict comes in. Either way…”

Starsky looked at Dobey; his eyes showing his fear for his partner.

“Go collect Hutch’s things. Take a look around. See if you can spot something, anything that might help. Keep me informed. You spot anything, I’ll send you back-up.”

“Thanks Cap.”

Starsky stood and headed out of the door. Dobey could see the weight Starsky was carrying in the way he walked. He could only imagine what Starsky was feeling right now. The collecting of Hutch’s badge and gun had an unsettling quality about it. A finality that he knew would get to Starsky. He had never seen the man look so pale, tired and broken-spirited. He knew that he didn’t look much better. He didn’t know how Starsky was going to cope if the worst happened. He stilled the dark thought. He had to stay positive. Closing his eyes, he prayed that they would hear some good news soon. Hutch, please find your way home.

~~~~~

With an aching heart, Starsky placed Hutch’s jacket, badge and gun in his car and locked the door to the Torino. He followed the officer, Detective Maine, as he showed him the van and the tyre marks nearby. The two of them checked out the buildings around to see if there was any evidence that someone had been held there. They found nothing.

As Starsky was about to take his leave and continue on with his own personal grid search, a call came into Detective Maine. He hailed Starsky to stop him from leaving.

“What is it?”

“A local farmer has reported damage to one of his outbuildings and evidence of a vehicle parked up nearby. It’s a longshot but why don’t we go take a look?”

Starsky nodded. “I’ll follow ya.”

Starsky followed Maine through the maze of roads that grew steadily higher and led to a tucked away farm property. They parked at the end of the farm road and walked across a sloping field to where a farmer stood waiting by a collection of outbuildings.

“This way.”

He led them into a structure that looked like a disused stable. In one of the stalls, light was pouring in at floor level from a hole in the wooden wall. The slats had been kicked out, leaving splintered wood and a gap just big enough for a man to squeeze through. Starsky moved the dusty straw aside and found some hidden length of rope, long enough to have bound someone’s wrists. The edges were frayed – probably from where someone had rubbed them against a metal stud that was sticking out of the wall. The rope was discoloured, indicating blood from the wrists they held.

“You escaped. But why haven’t you made contact, partner?” Starsky said to himself.

Maine laid a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s take a look around outside, Detective Starsky. If this is where your partner was and he escaped, let’s see if we can work out which way he went.”

He didn’t add, “And find out how far he made it.”

He didn’t have to. Starsky knew the odds were long and tried to prepare himself for what they might discover.

They made their way around to the back of the building and found the broken boards. These also had traces of blood on them. Were Hutch’s feet bare? Had his captors taken his shoes to try to stop him escaping? That would make it more difficult to find marks showing the direction he had gone in. They looked around, trying to decide which way Hutch might have gone. To the east stood a small grove of trees.

“If it was me, I’d aim for cover,” Maine offered.

Starsky nodded.

The farmer who’d been watching them said, “That way leads to the river eventually. There’s quite a drop down to it and it would be a long walk to any neighbouring properties or roads.”

“Hutch wouldn’t know that. He’d just want to get away and hide before they came back, whoever they are.”

Maine nodded. “I’m going to call in what we’ve found and tell them we’re going to explore further. Starsky waited impatiently for Maine to contact his captain and then the two of them hurried down the hill towards the trees.

~~~~~

“We couldn’t see that he had could have taken any other route for fear of being seen. But if he jumped down into that ravine…Well, he’s got to be hurt. So where is he? If he was hurt bad, he’d have ended up in a local hospital, wouldn’t he?” Starsky sat down abruptly, running out of energy. He carried on speaking but at half the volume: “What if he was hurt so bad, he couldn’t make it anywhere to get help? What if he’s lying somewhere…?”

Dobey wiped his face with his handkerchief and wondered how to give Starsky hope when he was wondering the same thing. Was Hutch still alive? After four days of Hutch being lost, hope was getting a little thin.

“All we can do is keep looking, son. Hutch has got out of tough situations before. He wouldn’t give up and we won’t give up.”

 

Chapter Eight

On Friday morning, Hobbs waited in the garden for Vernon to arrive. He was tucked out of sight of passers-by and enjoying the feel of sunshine on his face. His feet were feeling a lot better and hardly hurt when he walked. His head was getting better too although he still needed pain relief at night to help him sleep and a nap during the day. He heard the garden gate open and Vernon wandered into view. He came and joined Hobbs on the bench.

“Hey Hobbs, how are you feeling?”

“A lot better. It’s been days since I escaped. I think I need to try to find out who I am.”

“And you still think those answers are in Bay City?”

“Yes, I do. I don’t know why but I can’t shake the feeling.”

“Well, the safest way to get there would probably be a ride on the rails.”

“The people that took me might be watching the railway stations. Besides I don’t have the money for a ticket and I don’t want to ask any more of the Harris’s. They’ve been kind enough as it is.”

“Well, there’s a freight train leaves at dusk from the San Juan freight yard and runs to Bay City. I’ve ridden it once or twice myself. Ask the Reverend to give you a lift over there and then you can get on your way. Will you go to the police when you get there?”

“I’m thinking about it…Probably.”

Vernon patted his knee. “You need to find out who you are. I reckon they’ll be able to help you.”

“Will you be moving on soon? Will I see you again?”

“Yeah, tomorrow, I’ll move on towards San Diego and beyond. If you can, drop me a line here at the Reverend’s house. Let me know how you get on…And if you’re ever back this way at the beginning of the month, I’ll be around. Maybe our paths will cross again and next time you will know who you are.”

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”

“It’s been my pleasure, Hobbs. It’s been good to have your company for a little while. Now, let me give you some directions as to the best way to get from the freight yard to the city centre without being seen.”

~~~~~

On Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, Starsky drove to every small clinic and hospital he could find between San Juan and San Diego, hoping to find news of Hutch. With every failed enquiry, his heart grew heavier. When Sunday morning came, he checked in with Detective Maine but there were no new developments. Starsky knew that meant that the case would be closed and Maine would be assigned other duties. Maine apologised but there was nothing he could do. Starsky thanked him and put the phone down.

Starsky knew that all officers in the San Juan Capistrano and San Diego police departments would still have Hutch’s details and be on the lookout for him but he also knew there would be no-one actively searching. Starsky wanted to go on searching but he had no idea where to look. He felt despair wash over him.

In time, Hutch would be forgotten by those other departments, who hadn’t known him anyway. Until one day maybe a body would be found. Starsky dreaded the thought of this. And he also secretly hoped that at least there would be a body. He wanted Hutch home, not in an unmarked, untended resting place.

As Starsky sank down onto his couch, he realised he was crying. What was he supposed to do without his best friend?

 

Chapter Nine

In the early morning light, Hobbs walked cautiously through the network of alleyways that led from the freight yard to the edge of the warehouse district. Although he didn’t know where he was, there was certain familiarity about the layout, the brickwork, the noises and the smells. Did he work around here?

He finally reached a main thoroughfare and peered out, watching as early morning commuters drove past. On the opposite side of the street, a few hundred yards down, he could see the entrance to a police precinct. He hesitated. Then drawing himself up, he quickly crossed the street and made his way along the sidewalk. He climbed the steps into the building and pushed through the wood and glass doors. There was a little activity inside but not much. The building seemed familiar, comforting, not as alien as he thought it might.

The uniformed sergeant behind the desk looked up and said, “Yes, can I help you, sir?”

Hobbs hesitated and then walked across to the desk. “I hope you can. I think I may be missing.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know my name. I don’t know where I live. I only know someone kidnapped me and I escaped. I need help to figure out who and why.”

The sergeant was looking at him as if he was a crazy person until Hobbs lifted his sleeves and showed the newly formed scars on his wrists.

“Take a seat over there. I’ll call someone down from Missing Persons, see what they can do to help you.”

“Thanks.”

Hobbs made his way over to a bank of chairs and sat down. A couple of policemen walked into the atrium, barely glancing at him before making their way to their squad room. Men and women started arriving and going to the locker rooms to change ready for roll call. One young man, hurrying in because he was nearly late, glanced at Hobbs and then stopped and looked at him again. He came towards him.

“Hey, are you Detective Hutchinson? You look like the photo. There’s an APB out on you.”

“I’m sorry I don’t know who that is.”

“What’s your name then?”

“I don’t know.”

The young officer stared at him for a moment and then hurried over to the desk sergeant.

“Sergeant Howard, where’s the info on that missing officer?”

Howard looked at him in confusion and then with dawning comprehension. He rifled under the counter for a paper and came up with one. He looked over at Hobbs and nodded.

“I’ll call his precinct. Jones, take Detective Hutchinson through to the waiting area by Robbery. Give him a coffee, keep an eye on him. I’ll let McKinley know why you’re not at roll call.”

Jones walked over to Hobbs and said, “Detective Hutchinson, if you would like to come with me, I’ll get you a coffee and we’re contacting someone who knows you and will be able to help.”

Hobbs stood up slowly. “Hutchinson? That’s my name? I’m a police officer?”

“Yes, sir. You sure are. You’ve been missing since last Sunday night. We’ve been keeping an eye out for you but nobody really expected you to turn up in Bay City. You were kidnapped near San Juan Capistrano and that’s where the search has been concentrating. Do you remember anything?”

Hobbs shook his head. “No. Not yet. I had a blow to the head. Least that’s what I’m told.”

“Well, sounds like someone should get you checked out by a doctor. Here we are. Sit down and I’ll make you a coffee.”

“Thanks.”

Hobbs, he couldn’t think of himself as anything else yet, sat down on the proffered chair and looked around him. There was an element of familiarity about the corridors, the doors, the noticeboards and the hustle and bustle as people came and went. He was a police officer. That felt right. He wondered where he worked and on what.

He’d almost finished his coffee when he heard the doors at the end of the corridor fly open. He looked up and saw a dark-haired man halt abruptly and just stare at him. Then the man was rushing towards him, exclaiming, “Hutch!”

Compelled by something, Hobbs rose to his feet and held out his hand. He was startled when the man pulled him into a fierce embrace. He went to pull away but paused. He could feel the man trembling as he whispered, “Thought I’d lost you for good.”

A moment later, the man released Hobbs and stepped back to look at him.

“Are you hurt? Who took you? Where have you been all week? How’d you get back to Bay City? They said something about you not knowing who you are? Is that right?”

Hobbs held up a hand to forestall the torrent of questions. He frowned slightly as his head began to throb.

“I don’t remember who took me or why. I just knew someone was after me so I stayed hidden.”

“Where? I looked everywhere I could! Every day last week. I had some help but we couldn’t find you.”

Hobbs noted the tired lines and dark circles under the man’s eyes and didn’t doubt the truth of the search that he’d undertaken.

“Sorry to cause you trouble,” he said, with the hint of a smile.

The man blinked and then smiled. “You can be as much trouble as you like…I’m just glad you’re home…You remember anything?”

Hobbs rubbed his face. “I remembered Bay City…or at least it felt like home when it was mentioned. That’s why I headed here as soon as I could travel…I think I remember your face.”

The man looked hopeful.

“I see these images when I sleep and your face is muddled in there. I’ve been told I’m a police officer. I guess we work together?”

The man nodded.

“There’s a word that keeps coming into my mind but I don’t know what it means…Stars. Does that mean anything?”

The man grinned and clutched Hobbs’ arm. “That’s me! I’m Starsky.”

“Starsky.” The name felt natural on his lips. “Are people still looking for me? Is it safe now?”

“Yeah, buddy. We think a rival of Brooks took you to make the case against him stronger. Not that there was any need. The case is going ahead today and they’ve got enough to put the guy away for a very long time. They don’t even need your testimony to do it. It was just icing on the cake…Maybe in time, we can nail the guys who took you when your memory comes back but right now I think we should get you checked out at the hospital. See how long they think this memory thing is going to last for. Come on, pal, let’s go.”

Hobbs frowned but couldn’t deny that his head was beginning to throb again. “Okay.”

He followed Starsky out of the building and along the sidewalk to where a red and white striped car was parked. He climbed into the passenger side and looked around, noting the radio and the magnetic light; all familiar objects to him.

As they started driving along, Starsky picked up the radio and asked to be put through to a man called Dobey. With transparent joy, he informed him that ‘Hutch’ was alive and that he was taking him to the hospital to be checked out.

“I’ll meet you there,” Dobey said.

Zebra Three. Captain Dobey. Memorial Hospital. All very familiar words. Hobbs’ head started to pound and he felt as if he was spinning.

“Please can you stop the car?” he croaked.

“What? Are you…hang on, buddy.” Starsky pulled over to the side of the road. “You okay? You gonna be sick?”

Hobbs held his head in hands and closed his eyes. Images danced around inside his eyelids. He felt Starsky’s hand grip his shoulder, offering comfort. After a few minutes, the pounding subsided. He opened his eyes.

“I think I remember. I’m Ken Hutchinson. We’re detectives who work out of Metro. And you’re David Starsky, my partner…and my best friend.”

Starsky grinned, tears in his eyes. “Good to have you back, partner. Think I’d still better take you to the hospital for a check-up.”

“Do we have to? I feel much better now. What’s the hospital going to do for me? We’ll be wasting their time.”

“That’s my blond Blintz, but yes, we have to. Just to be on the safe side.”

Hutch sighed as Starsky started the engine and headed towards the hospital.

“After the hospital we’d better go see Huggy,” Starsky said. “He’s been worried sick.”

Hutch placed a hand on Starsky’s shoulder as he said, “I bet he wasn’t the only one. Sorry about that. If I could’ve have let you know I was all right I would have, Starsk.”

“I know…I kept hoping we’d find you…Some days it was hard to keep hoping…”

Hutch squeezed Starsky’s shoulder, knowing how he would feel if Starsky had been missing for a week. They were quiet for a moment. Then a thought occurred to Hutch.

“Where’s my car?”

“Your sorry excuse for a car is safely waiting at your place. I had to drive that thing back from San Juan. Don’t know how we made it back. You really need a better car, Hutch.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my car.”

Starsky rolled his eyes. “How about this weekend we go to Merle’s and look for a new car for ya?”

“How about we don’t?”

They both chuckled, relieved that life was getting back to normal and they still had each other to banter with and more importantly someone to trust to cover each other’s back. Hutch had found his way home.