Adam

20

Starsky and Hutch are out for the evening when they see something suspicious.

 

Thanks to Cheryl for the prompt: Something was moving in the shadows. Thanks to Nancy who asked what happened about Adam’s parents.

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They were walking along the street towards Angelo’s. Starsky had insisted on Italian and Hutch couldn’t summon up the energy to disagree. Angelo’s was a popular place on a Saturday night so there had been no spaces left in the lot and they’d had to park further down the block and walk back. As they passed an alleyway, both of them were suddenly alert; a sense of something or someone present but out of sight.

They slowed and peered into the alleyway. There was someone moving in the shadows. Keeping their eyes fixed ahead, they murmured to each other.

“Think we should check it out?” Hutch asked.

“Yeah,” Starsky answered, his left hand automatically moving close to his gun.

Cautiously, they took a few steps forward and Hutch called out, “Is someone there? Are you okay?”

The figure froze and slid backwards, trying to dissolve into the darkness.

“We’re not going to hurt you. We’re the police.”

There was no response.

Hutch glanced at Starsky. He nodded. Hutch stepped forward; Starsky hung back, covering his partner and ready to act if necessary.

“Why don’t you step out where I can see you,” Hutch encouraged. “We just want to see that you’re okay. Then we’ll move on.”

The figure stayed still for a moment and then stepped forward. In the dim light of the distant street lamp, it resolved into a teenage boy and beside him a funny looking dog.

“Hi, I’m Detective Hutchinson. This is Detective Starsky. What’s your name?”

“Adam.”

Starsky came closer and eyed the dog, who seemed friendly enough. “And who’s this?”

A slight smile registered on Adam’s face. “Herman…after the Munsters. I like that show.”

“I like that show too,” Starsky said.

“You can pet him if you like, he won’t bite.”

Starsky let the dog sniff his hand and then tickled his ears and patted him.

“Why are you both hanging around here?”

Adam shrugged.

“Where’s home?”

“I’m not going back!” Adam exclaimed, looking as if he might bolt. “My step dad threatened to get rid of Herman. I can look after myself and him.”

Starsky shared a look with Hutch. If the kid was under legal age they had an obligation to return him to his home or contact social services if home wasn’t safe…which it sounded like it wasn’t. They briefly consulted without words. Starsky raised an eyebrow. Hutch nodded.

“You hungry, Adam? I am. We were on our way to the Italian along the street. Care to join us?”

Adam looked torn. Hunger won out.

“Thanks.”

They walked out of the alleyway and along to the restaurant. Adam pulled a piece of string from his pocket and tied Herman to a lamppost. The dog sat down obediently. Then the three of them headed inside.

They chose from the menu and made small talk about animals and baseball until their food arrived. Adam was clearly hungry, eating very quickly to start with and then gradually slowing down. Hutch handed him his ciabbatta and the boy took it with a grateful nod.

When Adam asked if he could go to the toilet, they agreed but made sure to keep the dog outside in view, figuring Adam wouldn’t run away without his companion.

The two detectives discussed the problem.

“A shelter?”

“Dog might be a problem.”

“Social services?”

“He’ll run away.”

“Home?”

“Same thing and he looks like he’s nearly of age.”

They were silent for a moment then Hutch said, “Reverend Steve?”

Starsky raised an eyebrow then nodded. “Worth a try.”

Just then Adam reappeared at the table. He looked from one to the other uncertainly.

“What now? Can I go?”

“Sit down for a moment,” Hutch said.

Adam stayed standing.

Starsky hid a smile as he said, “Sit. We got an idea. It may help you out.”

Adam hesitated then sat.

“How old are you? The truth.”

“Eighteen…well, eighteen in three weeks.”

Hutch nodded at Starsky, who looked relieved and explained, “We know a guy who runs a kinda short-term half way house. He usually takes people aged eighteen and above. You’re close enough. If you’re prepared to get a job and work, he’ll house you till you got enough saved up to find your own place. And they don’t mind pets. Interested?”

Adam’s eyes widened with surprise. He nodded.

“Okay, let’s go see him. Go get Herman and we’ll take a ride in my car. It’s just a few blocks over.”

And so within fifteen minutes, Adam was being introduced to Reverend Steve and his wife Mercy.

Mercy took an immediate shine to Herman and he to her. They had two other lodgers of a similar age to Adam, who greeted him warmly. Mercy excused herself while Steve took him to see the room he could have and the communal lounge that he was allowed to use. Meals would be taken with the family. Mercy reappeared with a bag of toiletries and spare clothes, promising to take Adam to get some more clothes tomorrow and help him with hunting for a job if he needed their help.

Adam looked overwhelmed as he thanked first Steve and Mercy and then Starsky and Hutch.

The two detectives left him happily heading with Mercy to the kitchen to find some food for Herman.

As they drove away, Hutch sighed with contented satisfaction and Starsky said, “It’s nice to solve a problem before it begins for once.”

*****

The next day, the two of them checked whether a Missing Person’s Report had come in and found it hadn’t.

“Welfare check?”

“Welfare check.”

Starsky picked up the necessary paperwork and then they drove around to see Adam’s mother, Lacey. Her new husband, Mike, answered the door and reluctantly let them come inside to speak to his wife.

Starsky and Hutch both noted an old bruise on Lacey’s cheek.

“We’re here about Adam,” Starsky said.

“Uh, that boy is nothing but trouble,” Mike grunted and looked as if he was going to say more but subsided when Hutch gave him a long, hard look.

Lacey spoke up with a quivery voice, “Is he okay? Is he in trouble?”

“He’s all right, Ma’am,” Starsky reassured her. “Adam’s been accepted into a shelter, which will house him while he finds a job and saves to afford a place of his own. All we need from you is to sign this paper saying you give permission as he’s underage.”

Lacey nodded and took the paper, signing it quickly.

Starsky took the form back and then handed Lacey a card. “These are the contact details for your son. You can contact Adam anytime.”

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome…What happened to your cheek, Ma’am?”

“Uhm…I fell over a while ago. Just me being clumsy.”

“I see.”

The two of them nodded at her then Hutch turned to Mike, saying, “Why don’t you walk us out?”

When they reached the front door, Hutch said quietly but with a dangerous edge, “We’ll be checking in from time to time…just to make sure Lacey doesn’t have any more falls.”

Silently, Mike closed the door behind them.

“Did you give her your number?” Hutch asked.

“Yeah.”

“Think she’ll use it?”

“I hope so.”

Knowing there was nothing more they could do for now, the two of them drove away. All they could do was their job and hope that when Lacey reached out for help, someone would be there, maybe even them.