Good Guy

Starsky and Hutch discuss good role models.

The squad room was quiet. The detectives working the night shift had just gone out on patrol leaving Starsky and Hutch on their own to fill in the paperwork for their latest case. Neither of them was enjoying it. Neither of them wanted to talk about it yet. Hutch sighed as he pulled the finished report from his typewriter.

Starsky looked up and caught his eye. “I’m almost done. Huggy’s?”

“Definitely.”

Hutch sat back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling, contemplating the horrible fact that some people just shouldn’t be allowed to have children. Starsky pulled his paper from his typewriter and handed it to his partner, who slipped it into the file.

“Some people shouldn’t be allowed to have children,” Starsky said.

“Exactly what I was thinking. I just wanted to take that kid home and show him some kindness but…”

“But we can’t. Can’t rescue all of them.”

“Can’t rescue any of them!” Hutch said with frustration.

“Hey!” Starsky waited till his partner was looking at him. “We did a good job. That kid’s gonna be okay in the long run. His father’s going down for a long time. He’ll be an adult by the time his father gets out.”

“But what kind of adult with that guy as a role model?”

“Hopefully, he’ll find a good foster home and someone will show him how to grow up to be a good guy.”

Hutch wasn’t sure he believed it but he nodded anyway.

“You’re going to make a great father one day,” Starsky said unexpectedly. “You’re so good with kids.”

Hutch swallowed. “Thanks.”

Starsky leaned back. “You think it’s possible to have kids and still be a cop?”

“People seem to be able to manage it,” Hutch said, as he slowly stood, worked out the kinks in his back and then started putting his jacket on.

“You figure we’ll still be detectives in ten years’ time? Or are you thinking of going for a promotion one day?”

Hutch shrugged. “I don’t know. Why do you ask?”

“Just thinking I don’t know how Dobey manages to run this department, always be there when we need him and still be a great father to his kids,” Starsky observed as he stood and put his jacket on.

“He manages because he’s a good guy,” Hutch said with feeling.

Starsky nodded. “The best.”

They both knew they could do no worse than to emulate their captain.

“I’ll just put this on his desk.”

Inside his office, Dobey speedily made his way out of the other door and then made it look as if he was just coming into the room as Starsky appeared.

“Oh Cap, you’re working late!”

“I could say the same of you,” Dobey said gruffly. “I’m just about to head home. I hope you are too.”

Starsky placed the report on the desk. “We’re just heading out now.” Starsky hesitated. “Care to join us for a drink?”

Hutch had appeared behind him and nodded his invitation.

“That’s very kind of you but I need to get home. Edith’s got dinner waiting for me and I promised Rosie I’d read the next chapter of her book tonight.” He pretended not to notice the fond smiles on his detectives’ faces. He grabbed his jacket and walked out of the room, saying, “Goodnight.” Internally adding, “Take care of yourselves, boys.”

“Goodnight,” both of them echoed.

“Let’s go get that beer,” Starsky said.

“I think it’s your turn to buy,” Hutch stated.

“Let’s put it on our tab.”

Hutch chucked as he followed his friend out of the squad room.

As Dobey made his way out to his car, he wiped at his face with his handkerchief, hoping that nobody he passed noticed him dabbing his eyes. Later, he would pass onto Edith what his boys had said about him and tell how his heart was bursting with pride and affection.