Glad to Help

When Starsky goes missing during the Simon Marcus’ case, Huggy wants to do anything he can to help.

Huggy’s POV during a scene from the episode and a missing scene. First published 2022.

Things are desperate, man. Des-per-ate. Time ticking down and no clue in sight.

Hutch looked like he’d been hollowed out when he stopped by to see me earlier. The yin to his yang’s been kidnapped by followers of that madman, Marcus. His heart is missing a piece, ya dig. A piece that will only be replaced if we can find Curly, alive and in one piece. I’ve seen the papers covering the trial: I know the chances are slim. That Marcus honky is all kinds of dark, if you know what I mean. He makes the devil look like a charity worker. He seems to be able to turn the whole world upside down just with his voice and words. Push mere mortal men through the looking glass door until down seems up and right seems wrong.

Why else would I be walking in here? Walking into the Metro Building? This ain’t a place a guy like me belongs. I can see the men in blue watching me carefully, like I can’t be trusted, like I should be locked up. Well, I may dance a little close to the line sometimes, but I ain’t never hurt no-one. In my book that makes me one of the good guys.

“What do you want?” a gruff voice asks.

With a confidence I don’t really feel, I ask for Captain Dobey or Detective Hutchinson and tell the man behind the desk that they’re expecting me.

“Yeah, right!”

I’m saved from having to argue with this small minded goon by the sound of footsteps behind me and a voice I know well, saying, “Huggy? Thanks for coming. Follow me.”

As quick as I can I follow Hutch. His long legs are moving fast and it’s hard to keep up as he dashes up a flight of stairs and through a maze of corridors until we come to the Captain’s office. The thought of going in there makes me feel even more nervous, but I do my best to hide it.

“What’s he doing here?” Dobey demands gruffly.

I’m wondering that myself…but then I remember Starsky is my friend and that’s why I’m here.

“I thought he might be able to help,” Hutch says. The Captain looks unconvinced but his face softens when Hutch adds, “Starsky needs all the help we can give him.”

Dobey nods and invites me in. And so the three of us wrack our brains for any sense amongst the madness of Marcus’s dreams, for any clue as to where Starsky might be being held. Towards dawn, desperation begins to tell in all three of us. Dobey snaps at me and I can’t think of a witty reply. I’m only trying to help and his words cut, even though I’m quick to hide the pain in my eyes.

Hutch remonstrates with Dobey though and that makes me feel better. I will always remember that. Hutch has always been fair with me, but right now it feels like he’s stepping over the boundary between colleague and friend and our relationship will be the stronger for it. He knows I love Curly too and would do anything to help him.

I’m tired. I take a look at the clock and draw the others’ attention to the fact it’s morning. I make a phone call to collect some more information and come up with nothing. I tell them this in my usual colourful way.

“Nada, zip, zero, nothing.”

Dobey sounds irritated when he says, “Why don’t you just say ‘nothing’? We get your message.”

I know he’s tired and that’s why he’s snapping, but I can’t help responding with: “Captain, some of us like to use more colourful speech.”

Out of the blue, Hutch says, “Synonyms.”

The two of us look at him blankly. It seems our conversation has fired something in that brain of his and once again we are off and running, trawling through Marcus’s words again to find any meaning.

I pour another coffee and try to shake the cobwebs out of my fatigued brain. When Hutch mentions Stony and Rex, I suddenly think of the place they used to do their cooking – the old zoo.

And just like that it seems I’ve cracked the code for where Starsky’s probably being held. Hutch and Dobey are up, grabbing their jackets and heading out of the door before I’ve finished pouring my coffee. Then there’s just resounding silence.

“Don’t thank me,” I mutter.

I suppose I don’t really need a big song and dance about my contribution. I’m glad to have helped, but just an acknowledgement that I have done so would have been nice. Oh well, I guess my thanks will be seeing Starsky back at the bar sometime soon. I really hope he’s okay. Hopefully, Hutch will let me know how he’s doing later.

I drink my coffee and, in the early morning light, make my way out of the building and back home.

*****

It’s midday before Hutch calls and I’m starting to get a little worried.

“Hey Huggy, it’s me.”

“Hey, how’s Curly doing?”

“He’s been through quite an ordeal, but he’s alive. They want to keep him overnight at the hospital for observation. I don’t know if he’ll let them.”

“Tell him I’m glad he’s alive and I’ll see him soon. Call if you need anything.”

“I will…and Huggy?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. We couldn’t have found him without you.”

I feel a little burst of pride in my chest as I say, “I’m glad I was able to help.”