Fatal Bloom

170

Starsky thinks he’s found Hutch the perfect birthday present, and for once he might just be right. The only problem is it brings a whole lot of trouble.

 

A special thanks to my friend  Lapfordlass for encouraging me to write and being my beta reader.

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Chapter 1

Hutch ducks down, pretending to look in his drawer as Starsky glances over to him. He doesn’t want him to see the triumphant smile he is struggling to hide. Starsky might realise that he’s been played. In a week’s time, they’ll be spending a week off at Dobey’s cabin. Quite different from the beach holiday Starsky wanted. “You coming over to watch the match later?”

“You’re cooking!” Starsky’s sharp tone tells Hutch he knows what has happened. But Hutch’s opinion is, as it’s his birthday trip, he gets to choose where they go. If Starsky only wants a good meal for payback for Hutch’s slight manipulation for the decision, it is worth it.

“Yeah, sirloin steak, partner.”

It will be worth it. Ironically, Hutch knows his birthday is more important to Starsky than to himself. It is always Starsky’s personal mission to get his friend, what he considers the perfect present.

“Cooked medium rare, as you like.”

“Make sure it is, buddy boy!” It is a rare occasion, but Hutch isn’t quite sure if Starsky is being serious or not. But he has two steaks in the fridge from last night’s cancelled date and is not risking it.

Starsky finishes his coffee. “I’ve got an errand to run first.”  Whatever it is, Hutch can see it’s brought a smile to Starsky’s face.

“I’ll cook the steak when you arrive.”

“Yeah, see you later.”  Starsky puts the empty mug on Hutch’s desk with a grin and leaves.

 

Chapter 2

Starsky parks up behind the florist van. It’s not the usual van Eddie drives to deliver to the Bay City Plaza. He hopes he’s on shift with the gift he ordered.

“Hey, no Eddie today?” Starsky calls out to the man returning to the van.

“Sorry, don’t know him. Just go where I’m told,” the man explains.

“Oh…did he mention a special delivery I’m collecting today?” Starsky asks hopefully.

“I wasn’t told, but I’ve got something left that may interest you.” The man pauses. “As it’s already in flower, my buyer didn’t want it.  I’ll do it for a fair price.”

Starsky wonders what sort of person getting plants wouldn’t want one in flower. Then again perhaps they just used that as an excuse. There is something about the man he  isn’t keen on, but they  don’t know each other. After being played by Hutch, he’d be suspicious of a rabbi today.

The man strokes the plant lovingly as he brings it over to show him. “You good with plants?”

“No,” Starsky admits. “But my partner is. Talks to ‘em more than me some days.”

Starsky happily buys the unusual flower and leaves. As he drives away, he notices in his mirror the man is already talking to someone else.

 

Chapter 3

Hutch hears the distinctive sound of the Torino. He sets out the cutlery and gets two beers out of the fridge.

He waits. And waits.

Looking out the window, it’s too dark to see anything. But he knows it’s old Mrs Wingham’s time for walking her little old dog and he smiles, imagining her almost holding Starsky hostage for a good chat.

After another minute, Hutch sighs. Knowing his partner, if Starsky’s been caught by her, he’ll be too nice to make an excuse to leave her out there on her own.

A passing car headlight lights up the street momentarily.

The Torino’s back door is wide open. And he can see something dark on the ground. Is that Starsky?!

Hutch rushes out. “Starsky!” He drops to his knees beside his partner who’s sprawled out on the pavement. What the hell?!

Pulse is strong. “Come on, buddy…wake up.”

He hears a weak groan. “That’s it. C’mon.”

Starsky blinks. “Uutch…?”

“Yeah. I’m here. Don’t move.”

“H’hit…from behind.” He moans outs weakly. “Didn’t…see it coming.”

“Yeah, even you don’t have eyes in the back of your head.”

Starsky inhales sharply. “Man…my shoulder hurts.”

“It’s your head that’s bleeding.”

“Nah…didn’t get hit there.”

Hutch raises an eyebrow. “Then explain the goose egg.”

Starsky reaches up, then winces. “Huh…guess gravity took a shot at me as well.” Now moving slightly.  “No hospital,” Starsky mutters as Hutch helps him sit up. “Yah promised me steak.”

Hutch exhales slowly. “I find you unconscious, bleeding, possibly concussed. And you’re worried about food!”

“Medium rare,” Starsky adds. “Lock my car an’ help me up.”

“Why I worry about you, I don’t know. Your priorities are food and your car!” Hutch pats down his partner’s jacket trying to find his keys.

“Er…er, I dropped them.” Starsky stammers remembering. “Just as I got hit.”

Hutch looks round and finds them. “I think we…” Starsky interrupts Hutch before he can finish.

“No hospital.” Starsky is a little shaken but manages to sit up.

“No promises, not until I get you inside and get a better look at you,” Hutch says, concerned for his partner.

“Hope you don’t use that line with the ladies,” Starsky jokes, as Hutch helps steady him.

“Humph…let’s get you up.” After a few yards, Starsky’s more steady on his feet and they get inside the apartment.

Starsky immediately picks up the beer off the table. “Boy I need this.”

But Hutch quickly takes the beer from him as Starsky sinks into the settee with a silent protest. Reluctantly but obediently, he allows Hutch to clean up the cut on his forehead and graze on his face.

Hutch assesses the injuries and agrees it’s not necessary to go to hospital on the condition that Starsky spends the night so he can watch out for any signs of concussion.

 

Chapter 4

It takes Starsky a moment to remember why he’s in Hutch’s bed as he wakes up to the smell of fresh coffee brewing. Swinging his legs out of bed, his back protests with the movement, causing him to shuffle slightly as he goes into the lounge in just his shorts.

“Morning. Sleep, ok?” Hutch asks, knowing the answer.

“Like a log, once you stopped checking on me.” Starsky shuffles into the kitchen.

Hutch sees the bruising across Starsky’s back. The old bullet scar was more noticeable now, raised and pale against the dark spreading bruises round it.

Starsky reads Hutch’s silence. “You know, for a guy who talks plants you’ve gone very quiet.”

Hutch exhales. “You’re not fine.”

“I will be. Shower, coffee, and food is what I need.” He looks reassuringly at his partner.

“Your gift’s in the car,” Starsky adds happily. “You’re gonna love it.”

Later, the car door slams.

“Figures! I finally nail it and it gets stolen.”

Hutch steps forward and puts his hand on Starsky’s upper arm. “Hey.”

“Terrific.” Starsky grumbles, stepping away from his partner.

“I don’t need a present,” Hutch says genuinely. “I need you in one piece.”

“Humph that makes me feel a whole lot better!”

 

Chapter 5

It’s nearing the end of their shift, and Starsky seems in better spirits. But Hutch notices the way he keeps shifting in his seat and rolling his shoulder.

The radio crackles. “Zebra 3, come in.”

Hutch answers immediately. “Zebra Three, responding.”

“Zebra Three, this is Central. We’ve got a 187 found at Douglass Gardens, Bay City Plaza entrance.”

Hutch grabs the mars light and slaps it onto the roof as Starsky throws the car into the next sharp turn. “Zebra Three, roger that. En route.”

Arriving at the crime scene, Hutch joins an officer talking with a woman. He recognises the look on her face immediately. She’s the one who found the body. It’s a sight he knows will haunt her.

“…regular at the cafe. Bit of a loner but harmless,” she tells the officer.

Hutch steps forward, showing his badge and introducing himself.

“He gave me a rose last night. Beautiful yellow bud with pink stripes. He had it in his buttonhole and I commented how pretty it was,” she continues quietly.

Hutch asks a few more questions and lets her leave the scene. The café where she works is close by, and the officer walks with her. She’s clearly shaken by the ordeal.

Starsky is talking with the officers securing the area around the body when a young cop lifts the cover just enough to expose the victim’s head and shoulders. Starsky hesitates, recognising the man immediately. The cause of death is obvious.  His throat had been cut. Judging by the amount of blood at the scene, it would have been a quick death.

“Mickey,” he murmurs softly. “We’ll get ‘em, promise.” He checks Mickey’s pocket and finds his wallet with the money still inside. This wasn’t a robbery unless the murderer was disturbed.

“You know him, detective?” the officer asks, lowering the cover again.

“He’s known to us. Didn’t deserve this. Coroner’s wagon and the crime team been called yet?”

“Yes, they’ll be here shortly,” the officer confirms as Hutch joins them.

“Any ID?” Hutch asks.

“It’s Mickey,” Starsky says sadly.

“Mickey?!” Hutch crouches down and has a look. “Who’d you cross this time?”

The crime team arrives, and Starsky and Hutch sign off for the night. They head to The Pits. Mickey wasn’t exactly popular on either side of the law, but if he’d crossed the wrong person, word would be on the streets and Huggy would know.

In the past Hutch had been abducted and forcibly pumped full of heroin but had managed to escape. Mickey had left a message to meet up with Starsky, but he had missed it and Hutch went. It was then that Monk’s men snatched Hutch for a second time. Starsky had never forgiven himself.  Or Mickey for his involvement, although he’d sworn he’d been played. Starsky knew it wasn’t his style, but Mickey was known to play both sides. The ‘what ifs’ had haunted Starsky for a long time. What if Hutch hadn’t managed to break free the second time? What if he hadn’t reached him fast enough? Even so he knows Mickey may have been a small time rogue, but he hadn’t deserved what had happened to him.

Huggy sees his friends enter the bar. “Anita, take the bar.” He nods towards their favourite booth, and he joins them with two beers.

“Heard about Mickey. Man, that hurt to hear. Brother been sober, keeping his head real clear. After you…well Mickey turned over a new leaf,” Huggy says, giving Starsky a knowing look.

“You know what he’s been up to lately?” Hutch asks, aware of his partner’s racing   emotions.

“That’s just it, makes no sense.  He’s been keeping his nose clean. No hustling, no shortcuts, man was honestly trying.”

They eat and stay for another drink. Hutch doesn’t say anything, but he knows his partner too well not to pick up on his pain. Starsky is supporting his shoulder when he thinks it  won’t be noticed.  His smile’s a little forced. So, Hutch makes an excuse to leave and gets them moving before Starsky sees through his actions.

 

Chapter 6

They spend the morning checking Mickey’s usual hangouts, but nobody’s seen him in weeks. What they do find out is that Mickey’s been staying sober and keeping clear of the places that might drag him back down. One barmaid even tells them how Mickey sat over half a pint for three hours, just nursing it, smelling it, never taking more than the smallest sip.

As Starsky drives, Hutch thinks back to the waitress’s statement from the night before.

“You know,” Hutch says, looking out the window, “I never figured Mickey for a man who’d appreciate flowers.”

Starsky glances over. “Flowers?”

“The waitress at the café. Said he usually wore one in his buttonhole when he came in for dinner.”

Starsky grins. “Yeah? I got a pretty good idea where he’s been getting ’em.”

They pull in at the florist depot, where Starsky knows Eddie works. He usually does the hotel run over by Douglass Gardens.

“Starsky!” Eddie calls, surprised and pleased to see him. “You here for your plant? C’mon.”

“Actually, maybe you can help us out,” Starsky says.

They walk over to Eddie’s van, and Starsky shows him a photo of Mickey. Eddie recognises him right away. He says he used to give Mickey a flower now and then.  Usually, one that had fallen from a display. They’d talked a few months ago, when Mickey was trying hard to cut down on the booze. Mickey told him even the smell of beer could set the craving off. After that, whenever Eddie saw him, he’d give him a flower and ask how he was doing. He gives them the name of the support group Mickey had been attending. Mickey had changed so many things in his life all to keep away from temptation, where he ate, drank, and even moved apartments.

Eddie apologises for missing Starsky the other evening. The office had cancelled his round at the last minute. He explains it doesn’t happen often, but he never minds as he always gets paid anyway.

They leave the depot. Hutch sits with his Peace Lily birthday present carefully propped up in the foot well. Hutch is quite happy with his new addition to his plant family. He knows how much thought his partner would’ve put into picking out the gift. But he can tell Starsky still isn’t happy with it.

After a while, Starsky admits that even though the Peace Lily was his original gift, it wasn’t as nice as the one he bought from the van. The flower that got stolen from his car. He describes it to Hutch, but his description of a bright spotted flower, with an open hungry mouth is not a flower description that Hutch relates to. Only Starsky could make a flower sound like it ought to be fed. Hutch says he’ll look through his books later to identify the plant.

They’re on their way to Mickey’s support group when Dispatch calls them. Another body has been found with the same M.O. as Mickey.

The screech of the Torino makes the man look up at the car as he is walking. But it’s the driver that grabs his attention.

What he did, passed through Bay City without anyone looking twice. That was the point, everything on the quiet. Even the people who saw it, didn’t know what they saw. It was a perfect crime that went overlooked.

But murder changed that. Murder brought attention, detectives, questions. People behind him, up the chain do not want that sort of attention.

He must clean things up fast, then disappear before the whole thing turns on him. Before someone up the chain decide he is a loose end to cut. No witnesses or evidence to be left behind. And he already knows where to start looking.

He must move fast. The man, who’d signed his own death warrant by telling him Curly was a cop, had clearly slightly feared but respected the man.

For a moment, Starsky feels the distinct prickly feeling that they are being watched or followed. He checks the mirror but sees nothing. The feeling quickly passes but leaves him uneasy. He keeps alert, checking for any tails until they arrive at the hotel.

 

Chapter 7

They speak briefly with the hotel manager who gave them the victim’s name. They decide to speak with the maid who found the body after they have looked at the crime scene. Stepping out of the lift, they see two uniformed officers standing guard outside room 426, both looking grim.

The room itself is neat, too neat, apart from the king size bed where the victim lays. Starsky notices one of the bedside tables is clear. No lamp or ash tray, nothing. Hutch is looking round the victim’s personal stuff as Starsky walks round to the clear bedside cabinet. As he walks round the bed, he finds the bedside lamp and an ashtray on the floor. He notices there’s also some loose potting soil, like Hutch uses. It hadn’t been brought in on shoes, as it hadn’t been trodden into the carpet. He crouches down looking at the soil and finds a large single flower. The same flower he’d bought for Hutch.

“You got something?” asks Hutch, approaching his partner.

“Yeah,” Starsky murmurs. “Soil and a flower, but no plant.” He hands the flower to Hutch.

Hutch studies it, then glances toward the bedside cabinet, where he’s already found the victim’s wallet, a gold watch, and a botanical reference book. He flips through the book until he finds a matching picture.

“An orchid,” he says. “Never saw one quite like this before.” His eyes skim the page, and his expression changes. “Paphiopedilum.”

“What’ja say?”

Hutch keeps reading, uneasy now. “It says here they’re protected orchids. Endangered. Rare. Highly vulnerable to extinction because of illegal poaching.”

Starsky stares at the flower. “You’re telling me this man and possibly Mickey were killed over a damn flower?” Starsky’s disbelief is more than clear. “The same plant I bought you?!” The flower no longer seemed so beautiful.

They return to the hotel manager and the maid, who confirm the victim, Dr. Alexander Kellman, had checked in three days before. Kellman was a plant hunter and member of the Botanical Society of America. His reputation was well known, with stories of searching jungles for new species. The maid explained there had been several plants in his room. Dr Kellman had given her instructions not to touch them or alter the thermostat.

Clearly Kellman’s murder was connected to the plant’s disappearance. Someone wanted those orchids bad enough to kill for them.

The hotel manager explains Dr. Kellman was a regular, well-liked guest. He had been coming to the Hotel for the past three years. He usually requested specific floral displays in his room. The hotel was always keen to accommodate his request with the help from the hotel’s florist supplier.

The hotel florist supplier (where Eddie worked) was told he wasn’t needed the night that Starsky bought the flower. The same evening Starsky was attacked and his plant for Hutch was taken from the car.

Starsky and Hutch exchange a knowing glance, realising that someone at the florist depot must be involved in some way. They needed need to speak to the man who sold Starsky the flower, he could be the murderer, part of a smuggling ring or the next target. Either way this case is becoming something bigger.

 

Chapter 8

They arrive at the florist depot and see Eddie loading his van. He takes them to the owner of the company. Kevin Donovan is in his late fifties.  He’s surprised by their visit but happy to help them. He hadn’t been informed of the change to the Bay City Plaza hotel floral display order or that Eddie had been pulled off the delivery.

Starsky describes the delivery man he’d met and to Kevin’s surprise it sounds like Matthew Johnson, his office manager. However, Matthew never delivers the flowers. His role is to manage the orders, the upkeep of the vehicles, staff rotas, and salaries.

Kevin explains Matthew had called in and said he wouldn’t be in for a couple of days due to an emergency at home. He goes to get Matthew’s file for his address, but the file is missing.  Kevin rummages in his draw for an old address book and gives them Matthew’s address. He confirms there had not been a change of order request logged for the hotel and Eddie should not have been pulled off the delivery that night.

They thank him for being so helpful. Clearly he is very concerned as to what Matthew might be involved in. He trusted Matthew, and now it seems Matthew has been keeping poor records and using a van for some kind of private business he was not aware of.

* * *

Starsky and Hutch arrive at the address only to discover it is a false address. The pleasant elderly couple living there had lived there for years and knew all the neighbours in the street. Matthew, if that was even his name, is in hiding or on the run. So, they head back to the precinct.

“You know, your description of the flower wasn’t too bad,” Hutch says, holding the wilted flower. Now that he’s seen it, Starsky’s description as an open mouth and spotted petals, made some sense. “Pretty thing, considering its cost two people their lives.”

“Yeah. Matthew killed Mickey because Mickey had told him I was a cop. He had to get the plant back.”

“I reckon he thinks he’d killed you. Took the plant and went back for Mickey. As for Kellman, he knew too much,” Hutch adds.

“Now Matthew has skipped town. But we’re missing something, I know it,” Starsky says, frowning, as his stomach rumbles.

“Lunch, by the sounds of it!” Hutch teases.

 

Chapter 9

“Wholesale flowers is a sweet setup for smuggling,” Starsky says, grabbing his burrito.

“Matthew’s just the delivery boy. Somebody higher up is protecting the route of the problem.” Starsky laughs to himself having made an unintentional joke, now thinking of roots of plants.

“Yeah.” Hutch says, not amused. “You do the photo fit, and I’ll contact the Botanical Society. Find out more about our victim.”

“Terrific, I get the photo fit. You get to talk plants, one of your favourite hobbies. I get the raw deal,” Starsky responds.

“You could call Kevin to do the photo fit. It’ll take longer though.”

“Great…some choice!”

“I’d do it myself, but I never met the guy,” Hutch says as they walk back to the Torino.

Starsky closes the photo-fit box, finally pleased with the image of Matthew. Hutch is happily still on the phone with the Botanical Society, talking about orchids. Starsky gets up for a fresh coffee, hearing Hutch wrapping up the call. “So, what did you get from them?”

Hutch takes the coffee from Starsky’s hand. “They said Dr. Kellman was a highly respected member who has dedicated his life to rare plants.”

“Huh, look how that turned out for him!”

“They would never have suspected his involvement. They were disgusted. Said he’d betrayed everything he claimed to stand for. He’s arranging for the FWS to contact us.”

“FWS?” Starsky asks looking puzzled.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service investigation department. They didn’t have the details to hand.”

“Who’d’ve guessed. While we’re tracking down a murderer, there’s a whole organisation tracking fish and flowers?!” Starsky jokes.

“Smuggling rare plants is highly lucrative and a widespread problem…” Hutch starts as he is interrupted by his phone ringing. But gives his partner a stern look as he answers his telephone.

“Detective Hutchinson…Hello Mrs Wingham…No not at all, how can I help…And he asked for Starsky…That was quick thinking…No, not at all. You did the right thing…Thank you for calling.” Hutch hangs up the phone. “Seems Matthew has a loose end he wants dealt with before he skips town.”

“Me?!” Starsky has understood the half of the conversation he had has heard.

“Seems like it. Mrs Wingham had a man asking for you.”

“We’ll set a trap. With me as the bait.”

“I don’t like it,” Hutch says although knowing it may actually work.

“Don’t see why. You’ll be there, and at least it’ll be in the comfort of your apartment. It could be our last chance to get him,” Starsky says reassuringly.

They explain their plan to Dobey. Hutch borrows a vehicle and drives home and Starsky leaves shortly after to go to Hutch’s apartment.

 

Chapter 10

Starsky sits, increasingly frustrated as he watches his partner.

“Hutch!”

“What?”

“You’re pacing. If he sees two silhouettes…he’s got to think I’m alone.”

“I…I just…”

“Considering some places we’ve had stakeouts; this isn’t the worst location.”

“What’s wrong with my apartment?!”

“There’s nothing to eat. Not a single packet of chips, no candy, nothing.”

“You can’t be hungry!” Hutch says in disbelief.

“You may as well get your head down for a while. Could be a long night,” Starsky suggests, hoping to watch the film that was starting in peace. “I’ll wake you when this ends.”

“Considering Kellman’s involvement and the murders, you’d have thought the FWS would have got back to us today,” Hutch says.

Starsky grins and shrugs. “Maybe they’re all out fighting crime with flower power.”

“This isn’t a time to be joking,” Hutch may have agreed to the plan but using his partner as bait never would sit well with him.

Starsky nods his head toward the bedroom. “Go get your head down for a while.”

“Yeah, okay.” Hutch heads to his bedroom, knowing a cat nap may help him. “I forgot to mention, your favourite ice cream’s in the freezer.”

Starsky dashes out to the kitchen as Hutch is entering the bedroom.

The early evening flies by. Hutch is now settled in the lounge, eyes fixed on the silent shadows, while Starsky is hidden in the bedroom, an outline of pillows beneath the covers serving as a decoy of his partner sleeping. Strangely, the silence of his own apartment feels wrong, too still, eerie as he’s waiting, expecting trouble. When he came home earlier, he kept out of sight of the windows, while Starsky made it easy for anyone watching the apartment to see him and know which apartment he was in.

The hours slip by slowly, darkness heightening their anticipation. They force themselves to stay alert. A faint creak outside the door breaks the silence, then the sound of someone tampering with the front door lock. Hutch tenses, hand hovering over his Colt Python. Starsky follows their plan and shifts in the shadows, ready. They agreed to trap Matthew between them. They stay hidden in darkness and silence. The shadow enters the apartment, oblivious to Hutch’s presence. The intruder raises his gun as he peers into the bedroom.

“Police! Drop it,” Hutch says firm and dangerously.

Almost simultaneously, Starsky steps forward, gun poised at the intruder. “My partner said, drop it!”

Surrounded, Matthew hesitates, weighing up his chances before his gun falls to the floor. He protests as Starsky cuffs him and Hutch reads him his rights.

“You know, some people spend evenings doing normal things,” Starsky jokes to Hutch while marching Matthew, tense and firmly held, down the stairs to take him in.

“At least we’ve got our time off coming up,” Hutch responds.

Matthew’s van is ready for his quick getaway. Hutch tries the back, and it opens. He climbs into the rear, half-turned so he can keep Starsky and Matthew in sight.

“Tut, tut, you really should lock your vehicle in this neighbourhood,” Starsky says, shaking his head at Matthew, as Hutch jumps up into the back of the van.

In the streetlight he can just about see the array of plants, the evidence they need. Starsky keeps one hand locked on Matthew’s arm, steering him along the path towards the Torino.

Starsky continues leading Matthew past the van to the Torino. Hutch is still in the back of the van when Starsky and Matthew reach the space beside the driver’s door. He glances over his shoulder just as a car calmly comes down the road. Starsky notices the car window unusually wide open for the time of night. The gunfire comes fast. Starsky pushes Matthew to the ground and fires back.

Hutch is out of the van and firing. The car spins out of control and crashes.

“Starsky!”

“Matthew’s down!” Starsky replies.

Hutch runs to the car. The driver is dead. His head is at an unnatural angle. Hutch reaches in and finds the driver’s wallet. He instantly feels the metal badge shape and his gut drops. Daren Whelan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shield.

Hutch rushes back to Matthew but it’s too late. He’s gone.  Starsky’s standing against his car, calling it in on the radio. As Hutch stands to join his partner, he sees Starsky slowly slide down the Torino to the ground. His heart pounds as he runs to him.

“Hey buddy, I got ya.” Hutch’s stomach drops as he sees blood pouring from his friend’s arm. Too much blood. With the help of the Torino’s interior light, he can see it’s a through-and-through bullet wound. In and out, twice the number of holes, twice the amount of bleeding but one bullet. The backup and paramedics are fast on the scene, stabilising Starsky quickly.

Starsky’s pale and too weak to speak, but his eyes stay on Hutch.

In the emergency room, the doctor asks Starsky to move his fingers and squeeze his hand. Starsky looks at Hutch with pure relief being able to do as asked. An X-ray confirms there’s no bone damage.

“We’ve got to clean it out good and thorough, prevent infection. Bullets carry in dirt, bits of cloth, bacteria. All kinds of contamination,” the Doctor says with no bedside manner.

“Hutch?”

“I’m here, buddy.”

Hutch stands to the right of Starsky’s bed, his hand on top of his partner’s good hand, as the wound is flushed clean. Starsky grabs hold of Hutch’s hand.

It’s the only comfort he can give. The damaged skin is trimmed and packed. An antibiotic drip is set up to prevent infection.

Hutch watches as his partner drifts off to sleep. Between Starsky’s injury and a double shift, the only thing stopping Hutch from drifting off himself is his concern for his friend.

Starsky stirs and eventually wakes up. “Go home. The nurses will think you’re a patient.”

“I look that good, do I?” Their usual banter brings relief to Hutch.

“Seen you looking better.”

 

Chapter 11

Hutch arrives at the hospital early to collect his partner. “You ready to break out of this joint?”

“You kidding? I’ve been ready all day…did you do the report?” Starsky asks.

“Yes. You owe me, all you need to do is sign them.”

“Would’ve done them myself, but…” Starsky lifts his arm in its sling. “We still going to the cabin?” he asks, hopeful that Hutch may have changed his mind.

“The country air and the rest will do us both the world of good.”

“But I’m rested up,” Starsky says upbeat.

“Don’t worry about a thing. Fresh air and healthy food. Just what the doctor ordered,” Hutch says, knowing exactly what game his partner is playing, just as a nurse arrives with a wheelchair. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Oh great,” Starsky mutters.

Hutch glances at him. “What was that, buddy?”

“Er…I said great. I mean, leaving in a wheelchair when it’s my arm that’s injured.”

* * *

They stop on route at the precinct to finish the paperwork.

“All read and signed, Captain,” Starsky looks up triumphantly as Dobey looks through the report.

“Not much of a signature,” Hutch warns Dobey before he gets to the final page.

“Hey, that’s with my right hand, you know I’m a lefty.”

“My Rosie’s a lefty. Starsky, I appreciate your effort on this report,” Dobey says as he looks sternly at Hutch. Unaware Starsky is smirking at his partner, for being on the receiving end of his glare.

As they are about to leave the squad room, a man comes in asking for them. Samuel Jones is from the FWS, here to personally thank them for helping crack one of the smuggling routes. The FWS had suspected an insider was involved. Every time they got a solid lead it went cold, as if the smugglers have been tipped off. Daren had access to their investigation and had been the smugglers inside man. The FWS had made significant progress on their investigation since knowing of Daren and Matthew’s involvement.

Samuel was also there to collect any evidence of the plants. He explains that he has just collected quite a stash from Daren’s elderly mother’s house, who has no idea what her son had been doing.

Hutch realises too late that Matthew’s original plants had been left in the van and may have died but takes Samuel to see for himself. As they walk to the parking lot, Samuel and Hutch talk about plants the whole time.

“Don’t suppose I can get a refund? I bought the plant in good faith,” Starsky asks. How many times had he’d been asked the same question? He knew what his response would be to that question.

“Can’t do a refund, but I could do one better, hearing your partner’s passion for plants,” Samuel replies.

When they get to Matthew’s van, as expected, all the plants had died. But Samuel ushered them to his van. “Come have a look. I seized some real beauties from his mother.”

He opens the van’s sliding door, and cool air rushes out the slightly refrigerated vehicle.

“Hey, Hutch, that’s the one I got for you,” Starsky says, pointing to a beautiful flower in front of them. “Look at its poor hungry open mouth.”

Samuel laughs. “That’s one way to describe it.” He lifts the pot and offers it to Hutch. “Here, take it.”

“Thanks, I couldn’t,” Hutch says, torn, looking at the beautiful, rare plant. “It’s evidence…illegally smuggled in.”

“Hutch, think of it more like…you’re saving its life,” Starsky says, knowing how his partner really does want the plant.

Hutch hesitates but Samuel explains he can arrange the paperwork to transfer legal ownership. With that, Hutch accepts the orchid like a new proud father, holding his baby for the first time.

“Funny thing is, that orchid isn’t just your present. It’s the root of the whole case.” Starsky grins. “Root of the case!”

Hutch groans at Starsky. “Sorry about my partner’s poor humour.” But Samuel enjoys the banter.

Back at Starsky’s apartment, Hutch places the orchid on the table, steps back, adjusts the angle, then does it again. Starsky watches, pleased and more than a little smug.

“Happy birthday, Blondie.”

Hutch glances over with a soft smile. “I love it. But next time don’t get me something that could cost your life. Don’t want to have to break in a new partner.”

“Hey it’s real special, isn’t it?!” Starsky leans back carefully, protecting his injured arm while Hutch hovers over the plant like it might vanish if he looks away for too long. “But why’d he sell it to me, knowing it was smuggled.”

“Matthew probably panicked,” Hutch says. “It was in bloom. Guess he couldn’t risk anyone at the depot see it. You came along with cash, no idea what it was, and he made a quick buck and got rid of it.”  He notices Starsky moving uncomfortably. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Hutch, go home get packed. I’ll see you later for our last decent meal before we leave.”

“We’re not leaving civilisation.”

“Yeah? I remember who we met the last time we were there. Real friendly bunch.”

Hutch laughs. “I’ll bring beer and pizza back with me and crash here overnight.”

 

Chapter 12

Hutch looks at the pile of bags by Starsky’s door. “For someone who doesn’t want to go, you sure packed a lot.”

“Wann ‘a be prepared.”

Hutch lifts one of his partner’s bags and nearly drops it. “Seriously, what’s in here, bricks?”

“Supplies. Things for emergencies. Gotta keep busy somehow, seeing as I can’t go fishing.” Starsky lifts his sling slightly for emphasis.

“There won’t be any emergencies.”

“No because I’m prepared.”

Hutch rolls his eyes in disbelief. “Your logic.”

They get in the car. “You are sure you got everything?” Hutch asks sarcastically.

Starsky pauses and makes a face as if deep in thought, while Hutch starts the car and drives off.

“I have books, first aid kit,” Starsky starts muttering, “frozen homemade lasagne, meatballs, soup, and emergency snacks…”

Hutch turns to him. “What?!”

Starsky shrugs. “I’m telling you, Cap’s one lucky man having Edith. She understands what a real man needs…decent food to recover. Came by with supplies when you went home to pack.”

“Just remember the size of her real man of a husband,” Hutch says patting Starsky’s stomach and laughing.

 

The end