A Father’s Legacy

17

After the events of The Set Up, Starsky tells Hutch about Durniak and his father. 

 

Inspired by the twenty-minute fic challenge to involve a 19th-century classic novel, in this case, Les Misérables. 

Author’s Notes: It is widely written in fanfic that Starsky’s father was a cop, which is very believable but not actually stated in canon. This fic assumes otherwise. 

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Starsky stroked Hutch’s arm as he listened to the light traffic echo through the open window, a warm breeze rustling the leaves in the greenhouse. He was tired, but was enjoying the calm he found at Hutch’s side. 

“I’m glad that case is finished. I don’t envy Terry Nash and what he has ahead of him,” Starsky admitted. “He has to reconstruct his entire life and start over.” 

“That was a strange operation we discovered in that castle.” Hutch stroked the curly head nestled beneath his arm. “If I were Terry, I wouldn’t know where to begin.” 

Hutch rested his hand on Starsky’s hair and drew his head back to gauge the expression on his partner’s face. “If it’s all right with you, Starsk, I’d like to ask you a question about Durniak.”

Starsky agreed with a nod and a blink. There were no secrets between them.

“What did Joe Durniak mean when he said you didn’t know whether to love or hate him?” 

Starsky raised his head just enough to meet Hutch’s eyes before lowering it again into the comfortable crevice of his elbow. 

“There are a few details about Joe that I haven’t mentioned. You see, my father operated his jewelry shop in a really bad neighborhood. Pop was under intense pressure from the mob to pay for their protection, but he refused. He claimed that, like his own father, he was an honest businessman who preferred to keep a distance from the syndicate. His store had been broken into a few times, but he never gave in.” 

“Your father was a man of principles,” Hutch said softly. 

“Yes, he had principles. It didn’t always get him too far, though. One day, my dad was busy with another customer when he noticed a kid around thirteen years old come in and grab an expensive watch from behind the display case. The kid took off but didn’t get very far. A uniformed cop picked him up and brought him back to the store.” 

“What did your father do?” Hutch asked, playing with a stray curl above Starsky’s ear. 

“The cop asked my dad if he wanted to press charges, and you know what my dad said? He said no. He told the cop it was a misunderstanding and the kid didn’t steal the watch – it was a gift from my pop. So the cop let him go. The kid was about to leave the store when my dad pulled him back by the collar. Then you know what my pop did? He walked the kid to the bookstore on the corner and bought a copy of “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo. He gave the book to the kid and told him to take it home and read it.” 

“Les Misérables?” Hutch asked with curiosity, “A story about courage, love, resilience…” 

“As well as human dignity.” Starsk said. “When I was twelve, Pop read that book to me. He described how the main character, Jean Valjean, stole some silver from a bishop and how the bishop covered for Valjean by telling the police that he gave the silver to Valjean as a gift. That act of forgiveness changed the course of Valjean’s life, allowing him to reach his full potential.” 

Hutch nodded. “So what happened to the kid?” 

“That kid turned out to be Durniak’s nephew, Billy Walters, Joe’s sister’s kid, but my pop didn’t know it at the time. Billy grew up to be a law-abiding citizen who opposed the criminal path that his uncle and family were on. Joe Durniak was always grateful to my father for not pressing charges and admired him for it. He instructed the guys under him to leave my pop alone. That same nephew went on to become a lawyer and persuaded Joe to come clean after all those years and testify against the mob.” 

Starsky closed his eyes, his heart filled with pride for his father. He lifted his head and rested on his elbow, trying to suppress the pain that came with the next part of the story. 

“Later that year, a couple of wise guys decided to go against Joe’s orders and tried to strong-arm my dad into paying for protection. It started with the usual rough-up of the store but turned violent quickly. My dad tried to stand his ground but they took him outside and shot him. When Durniak heard about it, let’s just say no one ever heard from those two wise guys again.” 

Hutch’s face was grim, and he blinked back a tear in his eyes. “Your dad really was a hell of a guy. I’m sorry you lost him so early.”

Starsky kissed Hutch gently on the lips. “I wish you could have known him. He did deserve better than he got.” 

“He left behind a legacy,” Hutch said reverently as he kissed Starsky on the forehead. 

“Do you mean Billy Walters? Yeah, a decent lawyer who fights for justice. Who knew.” Starsky remarked with a light chuckle. 

“No, I mean you,” Hutch clarified. “You’re the living legacy. Your father’s character, courage, and respect for others shine through you daily. And I’m proud to walk beside you.” 

Starsky’s eyes became misty, and he pressed his nose against Hutch’s neck. “Thanks. I’d be honored if I could be half the man my father was.” 

Hutch’s comforting arms encircled Starsky. “Your dad would be proud you became a cop. Now you’re the one fighting for the little guy.” 

Starsky reached across Hutch’s chest and hugged him, whispering, “Thanks, Hutch. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Hutch answered, and they both fell into a deep and well-deserved slumber.