Table of Contents
Starsky and Hutch are just about to start at the Bay City Police Academy. They make some new friends and, when an event happens part way through their training, Hutch finally gets loose of the hold Vanessa has had over him and take charge of his life.
Sequel to ‘Lost and Found.’ Alternate Universe idea for how they met and became partners.
Written and first published in 2020. Slightly updated 2024.
(If you haven’t read Lost and Found, you may need to know that Vanessa drove Hutch to attempt suicide – that’s when he met Starsky – and Starsky has helped him put the pieces back together and change direction in life.)
Chapter One
They were about to start at the Police Academy, fulfilling a long held ambition for them both.
“In just over two weeks’ time, we will officially be police cadets and there’ll no stopping us. Look out criminals!” Starsky thought to himself as he jumped out of his car and headed up the steps to home. He didn’t think anything could spoil his good mood but he was wrong.
He knew as soon as he walked in the door that something was off. The apartment was in darkness, even though it wasn’t that late, and Hutch was lying on the sofa with his arm over his face. Assuming his friend had fallen asleep; Starsky hung up his jacket as quietly as he could and slipped off his shoes. Walking softly on his toes, he made his way towards the kitchen to get a drink. He was startled when Hutch suddenly spoke.
“It’s all right, Starsk. You don’t have to be quiet. I’m awake.”
His friend’s voice sounded strained to Starsky’s ears. “You got a migraine or something?”
“Mmm.” The response neither confirmed nor denied the suggestion.
“I’m getting a beer. Want anything?”
“Water, please.”
Once in the kitchen, Starsky turned on a small lamp so that he could see what he was doing but left the main light off in case it would bother Hutch. A few moments later, Starsky came back into the living room with his beer, a glass of water, a large bag of chips and a bowl of Hutch’s favourite nibbles: a weird, to Starsky’s mind, mix of dried fruits, nuts and sunflower seeds. He deposited the items on the coffee table and then sat down next to Hutch, who had just struggled into a sitting position to accommodate his friend. As he handed Hutch the glass of water, Starsky looked him over and grew worried when he could see it looked like Hutch had been crying.
“What’s going on, pal?”
Hutch reached down and picked up a screwed up ball of paper that Starsky hadn’t even noticed. He flattened it out and handed it over to Starsky, who held it up so that the light from the lamp would illuminate it enough for him to read. When he’d finished, Starsky let out an angry puff of air and then re-crumpled the piece of paper before tossing it towards the waste paper basket.
“Thought we’d seen the last of her. Hoped we had, anyways.”
“Me too. Why can’t she just leave me alone?”
Starsky took a couple of sips of beer and then put his bottle down firmly on the table. The action made Hutch jump and look at him with concerned eyes.
“I wasn’t going to say anything but…you gotta stop opening her letters, Hutch. Every time you read that nonsense, you’re letting her have control and power over you again. It’s gotta stop. You gotta send ‘em back unopened then she’ll get the message…and another thing, buddy, why haven’t you started divorce proceedings yet?”
Starsky turned to look at his friend and was horrified to see he was biting his lip and had tears welling up in his eyes again. He reached out and put his hand comfortingly along the back of Hutch’s neck.
“Sorry, pal, I didn’t mean to lecture ya. I’m not angry with ya. I’m mad at her for making you so miserable.”
Hutch sighed with relief then nodded. “I know you’re right, Starsk…She’s trying to push me back into victim mode…I can’t seem to think straight when she…I just can’t think straight when it comes to Vanessa.”
Starsky looked into Hutch’s troubled eyes and tried to fill his own with reassurance.
“I know it’s hard for ya. She’s a bloodsucker. She oughta be done for mental cruelty for the way she treated ya…for the way she’s still trying to treat ya.”
Hutch blanched at the words and started to tremble.
“What is it, buddy? What did I say?”
“I c-can’t do that…I can’t…I c-can’t s-stand up in c-court and tell p-people what she d-did.”
“Shush, pal.” Starsky pulled his frightened friend into a loving embrace. “Ssh.” He rubbed Hutch’s back until the trembling subsided. As he pulled away from him, he asked, “Is that what’s been stopping you filing for divorce? ‘Cause you thought you’d have to go into details?”
“C-can’t start at the academy if p-people are going to find out what she did. W-What I let her get away with. They’ll think I’m w-weak. Not fit to be a p-police officer. It’ll make life unbearable.”
Starsky shook his head and gave Hutch a wry smile. “Why didn’t you talk to me about any of this?”
Hutch shook his head. “Ashamed, I guess.”
“One: you got nothing to be ashamed of: Vanessa’s the one who should be ashamed. And two: California passed a no-fault divorce law a couple of years ago. In ’69, I think. Didn’t you know that?”
“No.” Hutch sat back and a look of relief spread over his face. He sounded more like his normal self as he asked, “You sure about that?”
“Yeah, a friend of Aunt Rosie’s was one of the first women in Bay City to take advantage of it. I remember Uncle Al being scandalised about it but Aunt Rosie soon set him straight. She’d listened to enough horror stories from her friend to know that she needed to get away from her husband before it was too late.”
Hutch let out a long sigh. “Starsk…I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’ve taken a weight off my mind.”
Starsky grinned and picked up his beer. “That’s what friends are for, buddy. Look, we’re both free this Friday. Why don’t we go down to the courthouse and find out what paperwork you need to fill in to get Vanessa out of your life for good?”
Hutch nodded agreement.
“Good.” Starsky thought it was time for a change of subject. “We only got two weeks then we’ll be cadets. I’m excited. How about you?”
“Yeah. Can’t wait.”
“We’ll have to do something special next Friday to celebrate our last day as civilians. Whaddya think? Beach? Park? Trip somewhere?”
“Anywhere, with you, is good with me,” Hutch said, earning himself a huge grin from Starsky.
*****
A week later found Starsky on his way home from his last shift as a cabbie. He frowned as he pulled up outside his home and saw a car he didn’t recognise parked outside. It was a shiny, deep blue Chevrolet Corvette. That year’s model, no less. Starsky ran an appreciative eye over it and thought that Hutch clearly had a visitor with money to spare.
As he walked up the steps, he could hear raised voices and froze as he realised one was female.
Next second, he was running up the last few steps and shoving the half-ajar door fully open. The scene that greeted him was not a pleasant one. Hutch’s yucca plant was lying on the floor, along with a chair, and one of Starsky’s paintings…and Vanessa was…well, she was stalking Hutch like he was her prey. That was the only way, Starsky could describe it. She was holding a riding crop and Hutch was backing away, looking panicked.
Before either of them registered he was there, Starsky grabbed Vanessa from behind and dragged her arms down, forcing her to drop the riding crop.
“What the hell are you doing here, Vanessa?”
“Collecting my husband and taking him home.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Starsky exclaimed. “When are you going to get the message? He’s not coming back.”
Vanessa screeched at him and tried to wriggle out of Starsky’s hold but he was having none of it. Abruptly, he let go of her arms but picked her up before she could react and carried her towards the door, only letting her go when he deposited her on the doorstep.
“Get out of here. Stay away from my home or next time I will call the police.”
“Who do you think you are? You’re a nothing, a nobody. I don’t know how you poisoned Ken’s mind against me but I’ll find a way to get him away from you. You can’t be with him 24-7, Mr Starsky. I will get my husband back.”
Vanessa’s voice had risen and become more and more screeching as she shouted at him.
Starsky looked at her in disbelief but responded as calmly as he could: “He’s not your husband anymore. He’s started divorce proceedings. You must know it’s over. What are you doing here?”
“He can’t leave me. What will people think? I’m not having him ruin everything I’ve worked so hard for.”
“Lady, you never worked a day in your life! You’re a spoiled rich kid who thinks she can take people and treat them how she likes. He’s a person. He’s not a plaything. Get out of his life.”
Starsky slammed the door in her face and locked it. With deep concern, he turned round to see how Hutch was doing and heard him stumble into the bathroom and start vomiting. He stepped carefully over the upturned yucca and headed towards the bathroom. The door wasn’t locked so he walked in. He dampened a wash cloth over the bath and handed it to Hutch, who sat back on his heels on the floor next to the john.
“Thanks.”
Hutch’s voice was a shaky whisper and Starsky blinked back tears. All of Hutch’s progress over the last few months – dragging himself out of depression, setting aside anxiety and finding out who he really was – seemed to have been destroyed in a few seconds by that woman. Damn Vanessa. What was her problem, anyway? What kind of sad fantasy world was she living in where she thought she could get Hutch back? Starsky held a hand out to his friend.
“Hey, buddy. Can you get up for me?”
Hutch took a deep breath and grabbed the offered hand, allowing Starsky to pull him to his feet.
He swayed unsteadily and looked horribly pale as he whispered, “Starsk? What if you hadn’t come back?”
“I did and you’re okay. Don’t dwell.”
Starsky put an arm around Hutch’s shoulders and led him out of the bathroom and along to the kitchen where he made him sit at the table. He poured him a shot of whiskey and told him to stay there. Then he went to check Vanessa had gone. There was no sign of the Corvette and he breathed a sigh of relief.
He set about repairing the damage Vanessa had done. First he picked up the riding crop and threw it in the refuse bin outside. Then he checked on the picture lying on the floor. It was his watercolour scene: the one he’d painted of the beach he and Hutch had gone to earlier in the year. It was covered with soil from the yucca. When he gently brushed some of the earth away, he found the glass was cracked but the frame was still intact. He should be able to restore it if he was careful. He set it to one side: turning the scene to face the wall in the hopes Hutch wouldn’t notice it.
Then he righted the yucca and went to get a dustpan and brush to sweep up the soil and put it back in the pot. The yucca was a tough plant: he was sure it wouldn’t think twice about its ordeal. He couldn’t say the same for Hutch. When he was sure he’d made the place look tidy again, he went back to the kitchen. Hutch was staring miserably into his empty glass.
“Hutch? You feel up to getting out of here?”
Hutch raised a blank face to him. Confusion followed blankness then panic.
“Go out? Where? What if…”
“Hutch. You trust me, right.”
“Y-Yes.”
“Come on then. Get your jacket. We’re going to the beach for a walk. I won’t let anything bad happen, I promise. Okay, pal. Trust me.”
“O-Okay.”
Hutch slowly got up and followed Starsky to the front door. Starsky handed him his jacket and then unlocked and opened the door. After he made sure the entrance was securely locked behind them, he placed a comforting hand on Hutch’s back and led him down to the Torino, which was their only mode of transport at present. Hutch had gotten rid of his old wreck a week ago. With them about to start the academy for six months, there was no point running two cars.
Starsky drove the couple of miles to the beach and parked near their usual spot. They walked in the warm evening sunshine along the length of the beach, listening to the cries of the gulls and the crashing of the waves. It was a lovely evening and quite a few joggers were out. A few families had lingered and a bunch of college age students were lighting a barbecue and dancing to music coming from a portable radio. Starsky steered them away from everyone, down towards the less popular end of the beach.
He knew Hutch had recovered a bit from his shock when he suddenly asked, “Starsky, buddy, where are you taking me? You planning on murdering me and hiding my body in the dunes?”
Starsky was startled into laughter. “Well, the thought did cross my mind,” he joked. “Nah, just thought we needed to be away from people to do some yelling,” he went on by way of explanation.
“People from my part of Duluth don’t yell,” Hutch responded with a wry smile. “That would be uncouth.”
“Yeah, well, you’ve been couth long enough, my friend. Time for some yelling.”
Hutch thought about pointing out there was no such word as couth but decided to let it slide.
Starsky stopped at the top of a dune and looked around. “Perfect spot.” He turned to Hutch. “Right. I want ya to take a deep breath and yell at the top of your lungs.”
“What am I yelling?”
“How about ‘I love yuccas’ to start off with?”
Hutch wrinkled his nose. “This is stupid. I feel stupid.”
“Nobody here. Nobody cares. Just you and me. Go for it.”
“You first,” Hutch challenged.
“All right.” Starsky took a big breath, threw his arms open wide and yelled. “I LOVE MY TORINO!”
A few startled seagulls took flight. Hutch chuckled. He faced the ocean and took a deep breath then closed his eyes.
“I LOVE MY YUCCA PLANT!”
“That was good, pal, but nowhere near as loud as me. I think ya can do better.”
“Nobody’s as loud as you, Starsk!” Hutch pointed out.
Starsky punched his arm. “My turn again…I HATE VANESSA HUTCHINSON!”
Hutch stiffened. Starsky looked at him: it almost looked as if Hutch had stopped breathing. Starsky sighed and shook his head.
“I know your Lutheran upbringing probably frowns on hating people but if you’re gonna hate anyone, she deserves it, and you need to acknowledge it. Stop letting it eat at you from the inside out,” Starsky advised in a gentle voice.
Hutch swallowed. “I hate Vanessa!” Hutch tried but it came out as little more than his normal talking voice.
“Come on buddy, once more with feeling. Let’s say it together after three…1,2,3.”
“I HATE VANESSA!”
Starsky looked at his friend with an approving smile. “That’s more like it…Okay, my turn again…I WANNA BE A COP!”
Hutch grinned and shouted straight away: “I WANT TO BE A COP!”
Starsky grinned too. “How about we shout the last one together? I think we should let the universe know we’re going to be the best partners in Bay City.”
Hutch nodded and, again, Starsky counted them in on three.
“WE’RE GOING TO BE THE BEST PARTNERS BAY CITY HAS EVER SEEN!!!”
Starsky clapped his hands together in delight. He did a little dance in the sand that had Hutch chuckling again.
“Right, jackets off.” Starsky ordered, as he took his own leather jacket off and laid it down on the sand.
“What are we doing now?” Hutch asked, mystified.
“Something we should have done months ago. I’m going teach you some self-defence.”
“We’ll get taught that at the academy,” Hutch said, as he shrugged out of his jacket.
“Yeah, I know that.” Starsky paused, not quite sure how to get his message across. “Lookit. You’re perfectly capable of defending yourself. You’re strong. You’re a confident person most of the time. You’ve got good reach. But when it comes to Vanessa, you’re hesitant. She’s like a cobra. She fixes you with her eyes and you can’t look away. You’ve got to be able to react automatically to defend yourself, not freeze.”
Hutch looked away from him and ran a hand over his face. Still facing away, he said, “She used to make me freeze…now it’s more like I feel panicked by what I might have to do to stop her.”
Starsky laid a hand on Hutch’s arm. “I understand what you’re saying. I think you’ll be a lot happier, pal, and more confident, if you know how to disarm her. That’s something I can help with. Today, she had that horse whip thing-.”
“-Riding crop.” Hutch corrected him automatically.
“Yeah, well, whatever it’s called you need to be able to stop it without even thinking about it. So I’m gonna teach you. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Over the next hour, Starsky ran Hutch through some basic self-defence drills until he felt Hutch could do them in his sleep. The sun was starting to go down as they picked up their jackets and started the walk back along the beach. Hutch flung his arm over Starsky’s shoulders and Starsky reciprocated.
“Thanks, Starsk.”
“’S okay. You feeling better?”
“Yeah, much better.”
“Good. Let’s grab a pizza on the way home, cook up a batch of popcorn and watch a movie.”
“Sounds just like what Doctor Starsky ordered,” Hutch said with a grin.
Chapter Two
Starsky thought long and hard as to whether he should mention Vanessa to his neighbours; he had asked the couple next door to look after his home while he was away. He decided that it would be better if he did warn them about her. He didn’t trust Vanessa not to show up again and try to inveigle her way into the apartment on some pretext or another. If she got in, heaven only knew what she might do to his and Hutch’s stuff. If her last visit had been any indication, she wasn’t above breaking things and making a mess at the very least. To his thinking, she seemed to be becoming more and more unstable with every passing week.
Starsky remembered how Hutch had tried not to let anyone know where he was the first few weeks after he moved in with him. At first, it was because Hutch didn’t think he would be there that long, not just because he didn’t want anyone from his old life knowing where he was and letting Vanessa know.
Within days, Starsky realised that Hutch had trouble accepting that Starsky really was okay with him moving in and that the offer for him to stay as long as he needed was genuine. Hutch just couldn’t seem to believe that anyone could like him for who he was and would be happy to help him without expecting anything back. Starsky had to reassure Hutch a lot those first few weeks.
After nearly two months living with Starsky, Hutch felt obliged to ring his mother and let her know where he was. Starsky had heard half of that conversation and it had not been a happy experience. Hutch’s parents didn’t seem to care how their son was doing, they just cared about what he was doing, and told him that he was ‘letting the side down’ as far as they were concerned. If Hutch had let him take hold of the phone, Starsky would have given them a piece of his mind. Although Starsky didn’t live in the same city as his own mother, he knew she would worry about him if he was unhappy – she only wanted what was best for him. He wished Hutch’s parents were more like that but they weren’t so there was no use wishing for it. Starsky had done his best to support and nurture his new friend any way he could think of until Hutch started to get some confidence in himself.
A few weeks later, Vanessa had found out where Hutch was – either from his parents or from the HR person at his old job that he had informed so that he could receive his last pay check. A short time later, the letters from Vanessa started arriving. At first, these had been full of apologies and romantic words trying to remind him of all the good times they had had together and making promises that everything would be better if he came back. Hutch answered the first one with a short note, writing that he wouldn’t be coming back and to please get on with her life without him. He was happy for her to keep their apartment and wished her well. Vanessa ignored his wishes and kept on writing.
Very quickly, the letters graduated to a bullying tone and included threats against him as well as Hutch. Starsky had not been perturbed by Vanessa’s threats but Hutch had been really upset and kept apologising for having caused Starsky trouble. Then it had gone quiet for a couple of weeks and they had hoped that Vanessa had finally got the message that Hutch had no intention of ever seeing her again, let alone moving back in.
But it wasn’t in her nature to accept defeat gracefully – hence the vituperative letter two weeks ago, quickly followed by her visit last week and her trying to threaten Hutch in person. She was vile, Starsky decided. There was no other way to describe her. If she showed up again, he was going to report it and see if he could get some legal advice on how to stop her coming around. Hutch had got himself in a good place now and Starsky didn’t want him ever going back to where he had been. They’d become good friends over the last few months and he wanted to do everything he could to protect him.
On the afternoon before he and Hutch were due to register at the Bay City Police Academy, Starsky popped around to his neighbours. He handed them his spare key and gave them Hutch’s instructions for watering his plants. Evelyn and Fred were both keen gardeners so they were more than happy to look after Hutch’s ‘babies’ during the weeks he was away training.
Then Starsky briefly told them that Hutch was going through an unamicable divorce and that they weren’t to let anyone into the apartment without Starsky’s permission. He impressed upon them that they shouldn’t let anyone inside even if they said they were from the Gas Board or some other legitimate company. They promised to tell anyone who called that they would have to come back on another occasion; and that they would contact him to check with him before allowing anyone entry.
On the morning of registration day, as he packed for the first few weeks at the Police Academy, Starsky felt much happier knowing that someone was going to be keeping an eye on his home. He hoped that Vanessa wouldn’t be able to cause any trouble or bother Hutch while they were training but he had a sinking feeling that they hadn’t seen the last of her.
He locked the door behind him and walked down the steps towards Hutch, who was waiting, leaning up against the side of the car. The trunk was open and Hutch’s bag and guitar, a box of kitchen items, and another bag of Starsky’s were already inside. Starsky shoved his case in and slammed the trunk door shut. He was starting to feel very excited about the new chapter of life they were both about to start. It was time to forget about Vanessa and concentrate on the future.
On the ride over to the Academy, Starsky noticed that his companion was very quiet. “You nervous, Hutch? What you thinking about over there?”
“I’m just wondering if it will make a difference us being a bit older than the other cadets. I’m a bit nervous I won’t be able to keep up.”
“Hutch, you make it sound like you’re an old man. We’re only a couple of years over the normal entry age. Anyway, we got life experience. That’s going to make us better than kids that have come straight from college in loads of ways.”
“You really think so.”
“Trust me, pal. We’re going to do fine.”
“So you’re not anxious about anything at all?”
“Well,” Starsky admitted, “I guess I’m nervous about learning all the rules and regulations and having to do written exams…just ‘cause it’s a long time since I’ve been at school.”
“Well, I’ll help you all I can, buddy.”
“I know you will, pal, and I’ll help you too. So we’ll be fine. Me and thee, remember?”
“Yeah,” Hutch said with a smile, “Me and thee against the world.”
*****
“Hey, schweetheart,” Starsky said to the female administrator, who was ticking off the cadets on her accommodation list and issuing them with keys to their rooms, “Any chance me and my buddy can share a room?”
“All rooms are assigned in order of sign up. If you signed up on the same day, you’ll probably find you’re in the same block anyway. What are your names?”
“I’m David Starsky. My buddy over there is Kenneth Hutchinson.”
He pointed to where Hutch was stood, leaning against a wall surrounded by their bags, the box and his guitar case.
The administrator looked through her list. “Yes, here we are. Both in Block B. You’re in Room 12, he’s in Room 7.”
“Could you swap one of us? I mean, have either of the other guys in 7 or 12 checked in yet?”
“Well, no, they haven’t, but I’m not really supposed to swap people around.”
Starsky gave her his most charming smile and then leaned in conspiratorially. “But you could do it, couldn’t you, please? See, my buddy has just had some bad family news and I think he could do with a bit of friendly support for a while. I’d be really grateful.” His wheedling tone had the desired effect.
“All right, Mr Starsky. I’ll move you into Room 7 but please don’t tell anyone or I’ll get into trouble.”
He grabbed her hand and kissed it, saying, “You’re a doll and I swear I’ll keep this a secret between me and you.”
The woman blushed and smiled then handed Starsky two sets of keys. Wearing a triumphant grin, Starsky walked over to Hutch and picked up his case full of clothes, the box and a smaller bag of comics and snacks he’d bought the previous day.
As they headed across the campus, Starsky said, “Block B and we’re sharing room 7.”
“Is that what all that hand-kissing was about?” Hutch asked.
“Yeah, the old Starsky charm worked a treat. I got her to swap me to be your roommate.”
Hutch pretended to frown. “What if I was looking forward to a different roommate? How much do you think it would cost to swap you back?”
Starsky punched his arm. “You know ya love me, Blintz!”
Starsky led the way into Block B. They entered through a central door and then turned right, through a set of heavy fire doors to get to rooms 7-12. Hutch smiled as he followed his friend. He was relieved that they would be able to share a room. Starsky was a known quantity and Hutch was glad he’d have his best friend close by during what he was sure were going to be some hard months of training.
They passed through a communal kitchen area and then into another corridor, which had two doors labelled as bathrooms and six numbered doors. Starsky unlocked the door to room 7 and they stepped inside. The door opened into a shared study space – there were two desks, two chairs, one bookshelf, one trolley with a small plug-in kettle on it, and a small sofa that had seen better days. Behind the threadbare seat was a large window, which showed the view across the campus. To the left and right, there were doors, which led to the bedrooms. Hutch went to investigate one room while Starsky unloaded the box of kitchen stuff.
Hutch reappeared in the doorway. “It’s not too bad. You couldn’t swing a porcupine in it but…” He shrugged.
Starsky looked at him enquiringly. “Do a lot of swinging porcupines in Minnesota, do you?”
Hutch laughed and said fondly, “Nitwit.”
Starsky grinned and went to look in the other bedroom. There was a single bed, a chest of drawers and a small wardrobe. He dumped his suitcase on the bed and went back into the shared living area.
“I see what you mean.”
“Which side of the room would you like?” Hutch asked.
“Don’t mind…I’ll probably spend all my time on the sofa anyway!” Starsky said, as he sat down in a sprawl.
Hutch shook his head and pulled out the chair from the desk on the left-hand side of the room and sat on it.
“That is supposed to be a shared sofa, you know.”
Starsky grinned. “We’ll work out a timetable for it later!”
“We’ve got half an hour before orientation. You want to make a drink or unpack before we go?”
“Let’s leave the unpacking until later. I think we should try out that kettle. What snack do you want?”
Hutch shook his head at the sight of Starsky already digging into his emergency supply of snacks.
“They will feed us, you know.”
Starsky shrugged as he opened a packet of salted chips. “I’m hungry. I can’t help it.”
“I know, Gordo – you’ve got multiple stomachs.”
It was an old joke and made them both feel at ease.
Hutch picked up the kettle. “I’ll go fill this up in that kitchen we came through.”
“All right. I’ll get the mugs ready. Don’t get lost on the way back.”
“Ha ha!”
*****
At orientation the first afternoon, the pair of them had been handed a pack containing their study timetables; assignment and exam timetables; reading lists; library and dining cards and advice on setting up or joining study groups.
Now, on the first full day, they were given an introduction to the instructors; an overview of the course; snippets of information about each of the units they would be studying; a tour of the library; and an idea of what was expected of them. There were twelve subjects to be covered in twenty seven units over the length of the course plus sessions of Physical Training each week. The core subjects were all run as three unit courses and included: Introduction to Law Enforcement; Administration of Justice; Patrol Procedures; Criminal Law; Criminal Evidence; Criminal Investigation; Juvenile Procedures; Narcotics and Vice Control; and Traffic Control. In addition to these, there were one unit courses on Firearms; Defensive Tactics; and First Aid. Three core subjects plus one non-core would be studied in each of three blocks plus there was an extra unit of PT in every block.
When Starsky and Hutch compared timetables that evening, they found they were together for Traffic Control but nothing else during the first block.
As he went off to his first class the next morning, Hutch looked a bit anxious. Starsky slapped his back and told him he would be fine. They arranged to meet up at lunch time and Starsky reminded him that they had Traffic Control together in the afternoon anyway.
*****
Hutch made it through his first session of ‘Introduction to Law Enforcement’ and actually found he enjoyed it and seemed to understand a lot more than some of the younger members of his class, who asked questions about things that seemed obvious to him. He felt a glimmer of confidence that he might do all right at some of the subjects. His next class was the unit on ‘Defence Tactics’ and he felt his nerves returning as he entered the gym and sat down.
“So, how many of you think you know some defence techniques already? Anybody had self-defence lessons?” the instructor asked. He was a short, bald-headed man with a no-nonsense voice, who looked like he’d been born a physical training instructor.
Three hands shot up out of a class of twenty. A second later, Hutch tentatively put his hand up. The cadet sat next to him looked surprised. He’d seen Hutchinson trip over twice on the way to the class and had marked him down as a bit of a klutz. At the very least, the demonstration should be good for a laugh.
“All right. Let’s have the four of you up. See what you’ve got.”
The instructor told the first cadet to stand on the mat in the middle of the gym floor. “Now, I’m going to come at you and I want you to defend yourself. Neutralise me if you can.”
He lunged at the young cadet, who sidestepped him and tried to block the smaller man’s arm as it headed towards his chest. He was successful the first time but quickly found himself on his back on the mat. The instructor helped him up. “Not too bad. We can work on that. Next.”
The second cadet, who was about the same height as the instructor, tried to anticipate which way the instructor would go and miscalculated, ending up in a heap on the floor. The instructor laughed and clapped the cadet on his back as he sent him back to his seat.
As the third cadet stepped forward, Hutch started to feel sick. What on earth had he been thinking? He should have known no good would come from volunteering to do something like this. He was bound to make a fool of himself. That was all he had time to think as the third cadet had ended up on the mat at his feet. Hutch helped him up. The young man whispered, “Good luck.”
Hutch tried to block all thoughts from his mind and concentrate on what Starsky had taught him. “The assailant moves, block with your arm. He tries again, block again. Step out of reach; keep out of the conflict zone. Raised knuckle ready. Aim for the chest or neck.” Hutch went for the chest and found the instructor was staggering backwards.
“Woah!” The shorter man grinned at Hutch and said, “That’ll do, cadet. Well done.”
Hutch blinked in amazement and went to sit down. He couldn’t believe that he’d not only lasted longer than the others, he also hadn’t ended up on his back. His neighbour on the bench nudged him and nodded. Hutch sat up a bit straighter. Okay, so he was a couple of years older than most of the cadets but he wasn’t totally useless. Maybe, he was going to be able to get through this after all.
*****
Starsky quickly made his way across the cafeteria and sat down next to Hutch, who was already there. He was sitting next to a young lad, who looked younger than his twenty-one years but had a friendly, open face.
“Starsky, this is Hank Gordon. Hank, Starsky.”
“Pleased to meet ya. You guys in the same class?”
“Yeah, we just had our first session of Defence Tactics together.”
“How’d it go?”
Hutch smiled. “All right…thanks to you.”
Starsky raised an eyebrow. “How’s that?”
“The instructor asked if anyone knew any self-defence. A couple of us put our hands up and had a go. I managed not to make a fool of myself ‘cause of your coaching.”
Hank chipped in. “Hey, Hutch did all right. He was the only one left standing on his feet.”
Starsky grinned. “Way to go, buddy.”
They concentrated on eating for a few minutes. Starsky suddenly stood up and waved at somebody and sat down again. A moment later, an African-American man and a Hispanic woman were standing next to the table.
“Mind if we join you?”
“Nah, ‘course not,” said Starsky. At tables nearby, there were murmurs – some of disapproval, some of interest, some of inappropriate innuendo. Starsky ignored them all.
“Hutch, Hank, this is Cadet Evans and Cadet Gonzalez. They’re in AOJ with me.”
As soon as introductions were over with, Starsky tucked into his burritos and had soon polished them off. He sat back with a contented sigh.
“You keep inhaling your food like that, you’ll have chronic indigestion,” Hutch observed.
Starsky shrugged. “I got a cast-iron stomach.”
“I thought you had multiple stomachs? Or are they all cast-iron as well,” Hutch teased.
“Cast-iron multiple stomachs…sounds about right.”
Starsky grinned at Hutch, who grinned back. Then he turned to the cadets sat next to him.
“Whaddya think of the instructor, Martin? I think he’s gonna be tough to please.”
“Yeah, he seemed as if he expected a lot,” Gonzalez agreed.
Evans nodded. He looked between Starsky and Hutch. “You two already know each other?”
“Yeah, we’ve been friends a while,” Starsky said.
“What did you do before you came here?” Gonzalez asked. “You both look a bit older than the most of us…just a bit, not a lot,” she hastened to add.
Starsky smiled at her. “Well, most recently, I was a cabbie, before that odd jobs, before that…I was in the army.” The tone of the last announcement didn’t invite further questions.
Hutch said, “I’ve been a cabbie for the last few months, same company as Starsky, and before that I was an accountant but I’ve wanted to be a cop for a while and so has Starsky…We sorta decided we’d try it together so here we are. What about you? Where have you all come from?”
Hank had studied pre-law before deciding to train as a police officer. Evans had majored in English and was the first member of his family to go to college. Gonzalez had majored in Economics and minored in Business Studies.
“What made you want to become a cop?” Starsky asked all of them.
Gonzales shifted in her seat. “My family’s been on the rough end of authorities in this city a few times. I…Well, I want to be a cop to help people and I want to improve how the police deal with members of my community.”
“That sounds commendable,” Hutch said.
“Good for you,” Starsky added.
Gonzales looked at both of them with an expression they couldn’t fathom.
“What?”
She smiled. “It’s just refreshing to be treated as an equal. You don’t seem to care that I’m a woman. There’s so few women training, I know I’m in for a hard time, but it’s nice to know not everybody thinks I shouldn’t be here.”
Starsky stopped himself from making an inappropriate comment and just gave her a wide smile. Hutch, who knew what his friend was probably thinking, was relieved. Gonzalez was very pretty and Hutch was pretty sure Starsky was attracted to her.
“What about you, Evans?”
Evans looked down. “My Daddy was killed when I was twelve. No-one was ever brought to justice…I-I want to help get justice for other families.”
Starsky spoke quietly to the youngster. “My Pop was a cop but he was killed in the line of duty when I was young. I still miss him.”
Evan looked up and cast a grateful look at Starsky. They nodded at each other.
Hank said, “I’m afraid my story’s just plain boring. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, my grandfather was one. I started the course but it didn’t sit right with me and then, one day, I just thought I would prefer to be on the front end of the justice system so here I am.”
“That’s not boring at all. Everybody here has come for different reasons, all valid ones hopefully. Yours is a good enough one,” Hutch said.
Starsky looked at his watch. “Well, time’s up. Hutch and I have got Traffic Control next, what about you guys?”
The three cadets all had different classes to go to.
As they left the table to go clear their trays of food, Starsky said, “Anyone want to meet for dinner? About seven?”
All the cadets nodded in agreement.
“Great. See you all later.”
As he and Hutch headed off to their next class, Starsky observed, “Think we seem to have picked up some waifs and strays, buddy. They seem like a nice bunch.”
Hutch agreed and couldn’t help thinking to himself that Starsky just seemed to naturally draw people to himself. It wasn’t that long since Hutch had been a ‘waif and stray’ himself and he was so thankful that he’d met Starsky. Without him, he definitely wouldn’t be here at the academy, getting started on a new career. “Thank heavens for Starsky,” he thought with a smile.
Chapter Three
It had become a regular thing on a Thursday night; everyone piling into Room 7 in Block B for a study session, followed by a short session in the campus bar, drinking beer and playing darts. As there were classes the next day, none of them could risk drinking too much; it was really just a time to let off a bit of steam after studying and a chance to get to know each other better.
Somewhere along the way, they had managed to draw another two cadets into their group – one was Gonzales’s roommate and was called Erica Dawson; the other was Hank’s roommate, Ted Myerson. Hank, Ted and Rick Evans all lived in Block B too so they brought chairs with them for the session and the girls took over the sofa, with only a little grumbling from Starsky. It was a squeeze getting all seven of them into one room but they managed it and soon some close-knit friendships began to develop. For Rick, it was a welcome relief to be away from his roommate, who for some reason seemed to dislike him intensely.
It took about three weeks for Gonzalez to confess her first name was Valentina; she hated it and preferred everyone to call her by her last name. For about a week afterwards, Starsky burst into song every time they met and sung to her, “Be my valentine, Valentina,” which both irritated and amused her. By the end of the next week, he was calling her Be-My-Valentine as if it was all one word, by the end of the following week, he was calling her Bee and it stuck.
Starsky loved those study sessions; it not only made learning the course material easier, it also made it fun, and he loved seeing the way Hutch’s confidence grew with each passing week. Hutch was a natural born teacher and the younger cadets quickly began to defer to his better knowledge in lots of subjects. Starsky took great pleasure in sitting back and watching his friend blossom into the person he was supposed to be. While Hutch had absolutely no patience with himself and was his own worst critic, he seemed to have endless patience when talking through and explaining any of their course work, particularly with Evans who, like Starsky, was finding the assignments quite a challenge.
Hank was also an asset to the group; with his pre-law knowledge he was quick to give them a clearer picture of how the legal system worked and was able to keep them all up to a good level of understanding of the Administration of Justice unit.
One Friday afternoon in their seventh week, Erica and Bee asked Starsky if he’d help them get to grips with the assault course ahead of the next PT assessment. He was happy to oblige and helped them by suggesting different techniques that might help them tackle the various sections.
It was as both women were attempting the monkey bars that something happened. They were on their third attempt – Starsky had twice lifted them up and caught them when they were about to fall. Finally, Erica made it to the end and was climbing down the other side as Bee started. Bee’s hand slipped and she looked like she was about to fall so Starsky stepped up and grabbed her. As she slithered down his body, they both felt a momentary frisson. Bee blushed and tried to step away. Starsky, caught completely off-guard, held on to her for a second before reluctantly letting her go.
“I can’t believe I made it!” Erica said, as she landed on the ground. She had completely missed the moment, which both Starsky and Bee were relieved about.
“Well done,” Bee said. “I’ll get it next time. I think I’ve had enough for today.”
Erica came over to the two of them and beamed at Starsky. “Thanks so much for your help, Dave.”
“You’re most welcome,” Starsky said, adding a little bow to his words. “I’m happy to help anytime.”
They started walking back towards the accommodation blocks. As they neared Block A, Bee said, “I think I left one of my notebooks behind last night. You go on ahead, Erica. I’ll catch up with you.”
“All right. I’ll hit the shower then you can have it after me.”
Erica headed off and Starsky and Bee walked in a slightly uncomfortable silence to Block B and on to his room. He opened the door and held it open for her as she passed through. Bee went straight to the sofa and sat down. Starsky hung awkwardly near the door.
“I think we better talk about what just happened before things get any weirder,” Bee said with a rueful smile. “Come and sit down.”
Starsky came over, with all sorts of thoughts buzzing around his head – Should he apologise? Did she think his reaction had been inappropriate?
“So?…”
“I like you,” Starsky decided to stick with what was simplest. It was the truth.
“I like you too, Dave…a lot…but I’m not looking to get involved with anyone.”
“Why not?”
Bee took his hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can afford the distraction at the moment. I really want to do well here. I’ve got to come out near the top if I’m going to stand any chance of being taken seriously. I really want to be a detective and as a woman I’ll have to work extra hard for it…Maybe in a few years…but right now, I gotta stay focused…Do you understand?”
Starsky nodded. “I’m sorry about it. I wish things were different but I do understand.”
“Thanks. I-“
Just then the door opened and Hutch came in. “Oh, sorry, am I interrupting? I can come back.”
Bee stood up, quickly letting go of Starsky’s hand. “No, that’s all right. I’m just on my way out.” She spoke to both of them but looked at Starsky. “See you for dinner, as usual?”
He grinned at her with his usual bright smile. “Sure, see you later, as usual.”
“Good.” Bee nodded to Hutch and left.
As soon as the door closed, Starsky’s face fell and he stood up. He went into his room and Hutch heard him throw himself onto his bed. He followed him and stood in the door way, looking at his friend. Starsky was lying face first with his head buried in his arms.
“You okay?”
Starsky moved his head slightly so Hutch could hear him as he said, “No…Something happened between us and then I asked her out and she said ‘no’.”
“I’m sorry, buddy.”
“Thanks…Don’t worry. Just leave me be for a while. I’ll be bright and breezy later.”
Hutch frowned and went and sat on the bed next to Starsky. He placed a hand on Starsky’s ankle – a gesture he had learned from Starsky and still found oddly comforting.
“You know you don’t always have to be upbeat around me, don’t you? This me and thee thing’s supposed to be two-way…I know I’ve needed a lot from you since I’ve known you, and you’ve given and given, but I don’t want you to think it’s always gotta be one-way.”
Starsky rolled over onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow. He regarded Hutch with a quizzical look.
“Never thought it was one-way, pal. You and me – everything is straight down the middle, fifty-fifty. I know you’ve got my best interests at heart and you know I only want what’s best for you.”
“Yeah, I know that. Just wanted to be sure you know it goes both ways.”
Starsky nodded and smiled. “Message received.”
Hutch smiled back. “Good.”
Starsky sighed and his smile lost some of its brightness. “I really like her, Hutch. She’s pretty and smart and funny. I really like her.”
“I know. I’m sorry she wasn’t interested.”
“She said she likes me but she wants to focus on her studies.”
“So, it wasn’t a no-never?”
“Nah, it was a maybe in about a hundred years,” Starsky said, with a chuckle.
Hutch smiled. “At least, you can smile about it. You gonna be okay with her still being in our group? Is it going to be awkward?”
“Nah, I just gotta try to think of her as friend and carry on like we have been. It’ll be okay.”
*****
Before they knew it, the long weekend break at the end of the first block of training was around the corner. There would be exams on the Wednesday and Thursday and then they would have a long weekend off. Everybody was due back on campus the following Wednesday. Bee was going home to see her family as she had lots of younger brothers and sisters who were missing her; she invited Erica to tag along. Ted was heading home to Phoenix for the break. Hank and Evans were going to stay on campus but arranged to meet Starsky and Hutch at The Pits over the weekend.
All of them got together as usual on the Thursday night but went straight to the bar as they were allowed a break from studying. They all talked about the exams and how they felt they had all done.
“I’ve definitely failed AOJ,” Evans moaned into his beer.
“What with all the coaching you’ve had from the Guru here?” Starsky said, pointing at Hutch. “No way, Ricky. You’ll have done fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“You think so?” Evans looked at him for reassurance.
“Yeah, kid, you’ll be fine. Come on. Let’s have a game of darts.”
Starsky led the young man over to the dart board and quickly managed to divert him from brooding over his imagined failure.
Hutch watched and wondered: “How does he always stay so positive?”
He wasn’t aware that he’d spoken out loud until Erica spoke: “Yeah, he sure is amazingly positive. Nice guy.”
Hutch turned to find that he and Erica were the only ones left sitting at the small table in the corner. Hank, Bee and Ted had gone up to the bar to get more drinks.
“How’d you guys meet?” Erica suddenly asked. “Was it when you were driving hacks?”
“Er, no, a bit before that.”
Erica’s eyebrow invited more information.
“We met at the beach. Starsky used to go there to paint and I used to go fishing. We sort of got to know each other over time.”
“Oh, I see…You seeing anyone, Hutch?” she suddenly blurted out. “Only if you’re not…I…that is I…”
Hutch held up a hand to stop her saying anymore. It was done gently and he smiled at her to try to soften what he was going to say. “I-I’m flattered…It’s just I-I’m going through a messy divorce and I can’t think about getting involved with anyone at the moment.”
Erica sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that…But you didn’t say never…so…you won’t mind if I ask again some time?”
Hutch smiled and blushed slightly. “No, I probably wouldn’t mind…but maybe not for quite a long time.”
“Okay…Hey, the boys have finished playing darts. Fancy a game?”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
*****
Starsky drove the few miles to his apartment and he and Hutch unloaded the car and headed up the steps. A few minutes after they arrived home, Evelyn and Fred came around to see them. Starsky invited them in for a coffee. As they sat down on the sofa, Hutch thanked them for looking after his plants.
“Oh, it was no trouble,” Fred said, “We’ve enjoyed doing it, haven’t we, Evelyn?”
“Yes, no trouble at all and Fred found your broken picture and fixed it for you. Hope you don’t mind but it’s such a lovely painting you’ve done, Dave, it seemed a shame not to have it hanging up because of the crack in the glass.”
Starsky came over and placed a tray of coffees down on the table. “That’s kind of ya, Fred. Thanks. I didn’t get chance to go for glass before we started at the academy. I was planning on going out for some tomorrow but you’ve saved me a job. How much do I owe ya?”
“Oh, we wouldn’t dream of charging you for it. Just one neighbour helping out another. You’ve helped us plenty in the past.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate it.”
They chatted for a little while about how the two of them were getting on at the academy and what things had changed in the neighbourhood while they were gone. Evelyn was a regular source of information on all the comings and goings of the neighbours but she was sweet about it and kept tabs on them in a friendly way not a nasty one.
As she finished her coffee, Evelyn said, “We saw that car you told us about a couple of times.”
Starsky instantly looked alert. “When was that and how often?”
Fred looked thoughtful. “About three times I reckon and all in the first couple of weeks after you left. Haven’t seen it since.”
“And nobody tried to ask you questions or tried to get in here?”
“No, dear, it’s all been fine.” Evelyn turned to Hutch and patted his knee. “Hopefully, that young lady has understood that it’s time to leave you be. I’m sorry it didn’t work out between you but you can’t force someone to love you, can you.”
“No, you can’t,” Hutch said. He squeezed Evelyn’s hand.
“Well, never you mind, Ken. You’ll find a lovely lady who will be just what you need and you’ll be just right for her and then you’ll be as happy as my Fred and me.”
Evelyn stood up and Fred followed suit. As his wife headed towards the door, Fred winked at both of them and said, “Evelyn’s quite right…as usual.”
Once the elderly couple had gone, Hutch went to do the washing up. Starsky grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and came and sat at the kitchen table.
“We need to make a list of food we need for the few days we’re here,” he said. “I know we’ll be well fed tomorrow but we need to get some supplies in.”
“Good idea,” Hutch said. He placed the last mug in the rack and came and sat down opposite Starsky. “That was sweet of Fred to mend your picture. I’m sorry it got broken but I’m glad it’s mended now.”
Starsky waved the pencil at him. “Stop that straight away.”
Hutch looked surprised. “Stop what?”
“That guilt thing you do. It’s not your fault. Anything Vanessa does is on her, not you.”
Hutch nodded and held his hands up. “Okay, okay.”
“That’s better.” Starsky added a few items to his list and passed it to Hutch. “Anything else you can think of?”
“No, think that will do.”
“Now, before we go out…I want to know what happened with you and Erica last night.”
Hutch blushed. “You don’t miss a thing, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you and your welfare, no,” Starsky thought. Out loud, he said, “No. So tell me what she said and what you said…although I think I got the gist from your hand saying stop to the poor girl.”
“She asked me out. I told her I couldn’t even think about it at the moment because of the divorce.”
“How’d she take it?”
“Okay…she said she might ask again sometime.”
“What did you say?”
“Okay but not for a long time…I was trying to let her down gently.”
“You don’t like her then?”
Hutch frowned and shook his head. “I don’t know if I do or not…I just don’t think about it.”
Starsky put his elbows on the table and leaned his chin on his hands. He contemplated Hutch for a moment. “Don’t think about what exactly?”
Hutch struggled to order his thoughts and feelings. “I can’t think about…I don’t think I can be with someone again…not for a long time, anyway.”
Starsky sighed. “I understand…You’ve been badly hurt and it’s going to be hard to trust someone new…but…just don’t completely close the door on finding happiness. Not everyone is a psycho like Vanessa. Just promise me, you will give someone a chance one day.”
Hutch swallowed. “I just want the divorce finalised and I want Vanessa to stop showing up here. Then maybe I can finish my training and get settled in my new job…and then maybe eventually I can think about that other stuff.”
Starsky nodded. “Fair enough…I’ll have to vet anyone you go out with, of course.” This was said with a wink so Hutch knew he was trying to make him feel better. “Or better yet, I’ll get Evelyn to find out all about anyone new. She’d be better at getting the low-down than asking for a criminal check on her.”
Hutch couldn’t help smiling at that. “Yeah, definitely. I’ll run any potential girlfriends by Evelyn then if she says okay I’ll know she’s bound to be all right.”
*****
Hutch woke up early and lay staring up at the ceiling. He could feel a little knot tightening in his stomach as he again went over the conversation they had had with Starsky’s neighbours last night. Why did Vanessa keep turning up? Why couldn’t she just leave him alone? She had to know that they could never be happy together now.
Their marriage hadn’t started off badly. They’d both been young and thought they were in love. Hutch was beginning to realise that, while he’d found Vanessa attractive and fun to be with when they were dating, his feelings really hadn’t got much deeper than that. He’d thought that they would get closer as time went on, that they would become friends as well as lovers, but it hadn’t happened.
At first, he had been so busy with his medical studies that he was happy enough coming home to Vanessa, who seemed to be proud of him for his hard work, but that gradually started to change. Vanessa insisted that they went out a lot for dinners and parties – she liked being surrounded by people and wasn’t one for hanging out at home. He had met her at one of his parents’ parties and he wondered why it hadn’t occurred to him that she loved that lifestyle -it seemed obvious now. He’d just wanted to find someone he could make a home with, someone to help him get away from the life his parents had forced him to take part in – one from which he longed to escape – but living with Vanessa was more of the same.
Hutch craved a simpler life; he longed for the chance to cook together at home or cuddle up on the sofa after a long day of studying. To be fair, Vanessa had helped him study for his exams and at the time he had been pleased that she wanted to help him achieve his goals. Now he could see, it wasn’t so much that she wanted to support him, it was that she was excited about the prospect of him being a doctor and the lifestyle she imagined they would have eventually.
When he’d started expressing his doubts that practising medicine was something he really wanted to do, she had brushed away his anxieties and pushed him to carry on. Finally, when he decided he had had enough and wanted to leave the course, she had been angry and accused him of being selfish, of throwing away all her hard work in supporting him, that he was throwing away their future. She couldn’t seem to grasp how miserable he was. He hated knowing that he wouldn’t always be able to help those under his care; and he didn’t like the pressure from his parents and friends to go into any area of medicine that was well-paid rather than picking a field that meant something to him and fitted with his desire to help people.
In a mixture of stubbornness and rare rebellion, Hutch had quit and announced that he was going to become a police detective. Vanessa had gone ballistic. His parents, whom he mistakenly thought would want what he wanted if it made him happy and fulfilled, had reacted almost as badly and had taken Vanessa’s side in badgering him. Eventually, after several unpleasant weeks, he had allowed himself to be talked out of applying to train to be a cop and had been pushed towards learning accountancy in a firm in Bay City run by a friend of his father’s.
For a while his relationship with Vanessa settled back to an amicable one although it wasn’t brimming with happiness. Vanessa didn’t like Bay City, although she was pleased enough with the salary he was bringing home. He let her choose the apartment they bought, in the hopes of pleasing her. It wasn’t to his taste and it never felt like home to him but she was happy decorating it and then throwing parties for his work colleagues and the friends that she made at the Bay City Tennis Club.
He had entertained thoughts that he had done enough to make her happy but it seemed that since his decision to leave medicine, nothing was good enough for her. She was always looking at possessions, holidays, lifestyles that other people had and wanting to make changes to their house, to their life together, and to him. He felt like who he was just wasn’t enough for her.
She started to make snide comments to observations he made; there were little put-downs that became bigger as time went on. Somehow sensing that he was unhappy at the accountancy firm and probably worried that he might quit again and carry out his original plan, Vanessa had systematically set about squashing his confidence every opportunity she got. He could see now what she had done to him and the cause of it – at the time he hadn’t been able to recognise what was going on or just how bad it had gotten. The last few months, they were together, she seemed to get pleasure from causing him emotional and physical discomfort as if punishing him for letting her down.
Part of him regretted that he had put up with it for so long, part of him was appalled at how he had let her get away with her treatment of him for what he hoped would be a ‘quiet life’. He shook himself – there was no point second-guessing the decisions he should have made in the past. If he hadn’t got low enough to want to end it all, he wouldn’t have been rescued by Starsky and ended up with a best friend in his life and, at last, the chance to fulfil his dream of being a cop. There was no point looking back – it was time to move on. He just wished Vanessa would move on too.
Hutch looked at his grandfather’s vest watch and decided he might as well get up. He felt like going for a run before the day got underway. He crept around the apartment, getting dressed, having some juice and tidying away his bedding from the sofa before he went to look in on Starsky. He ought to wake him up so he’d be ready for breakfast when Hutch came back.
“Starsky?”
“Mmm.” The reply indicated that Starsky was not really conscious.
“I’m going for a jog around the block. I’ll be about half an hour and then we can get breakfast started.”
“Mmm, ‘Kay. I’ll get…up…in…”
Starsky’s answer ended in a snore – Hutch didn’t think it likely his exhausted friend would be up when he got back from his run. He shook his head and smiled fondly at the sleeping figure. If Starsky needed sleep, it was very hard to rouse him but he’d have to try waking him up on his return as they were going to visit Starsky’s Uncle Al and Aunt Rosie today and Rosie would be disappointed if they were late. She wanted a full day with her nephew and was, no doubt, going to ply them with lots of comfort food.
Hutch went out, locking the door carefully behind him. He walked down the steps, turned left and broke into an easy loping jog. It was early and there was hardly anyone else around on what was a bright, crisp Fall morning. Hutch breathed the cool air in with pleasure and smiled.
He didn’t notice the beige sedan parked a few hundred yards away. If he had turned around, he might have seen a man in dark clothing and a low hat get out of the car and quickly make his way across the road in the direction of Starsky’s apartment.
As he pounded along the pavements, Hutch found himself relaxing. The gentle exercise was helping to clear his mind and allowed the unwanted thoughts about Vanessa to slip away. As he turned left for the third time, bringing himself back towards home, he heard sirens and saw a fire truck go whizzing by. He felt a shiver run down his spine and unconsciously quickened his pace.
At the corner he turned left again and could see the truck had stopped not far from Starsky’s apartment. He heard more sirens and an EMS unit came speeding past and came to a halt beside the first vehicle. Hutch swallowed as he noted the position of the trucks and broke into a run. He came to a horrified stop as he sighted the apartment – flames were licking one side of the building and smoke was pouring out of the front door and one window. The pump had already been connected to the water hydrant and fire officers had begun spraying the building.
Hutch moved forward but was stopped by a fireman.
“Sir. You need to keep back.”
“That’s my house! My friend’s inside!”
He tried to push past the officer but was prevented by strong hands.
“We’ve got two officers searching the building. They’ll find him.”
Hutch swallowed and kept his eyes locked on the front door. He heard his name being called and found Fred and Evelyn standing to one side. He moved closer to them but kept his eyes looking up at the house. Fred put a hand on his shoulder.
Fred said, “We called the fire service as soon as we saw the smoke from our kitchen window.”
“Thanks.”
“Is Dave still in there?” Evelyn asked with a voice that trembled slightly.
Hutch could only nod a response.
“Oh my.”
It seemed like an eternity but suddenly two figures wearing breathing apparatus came out of the building. As they emerged, Hutch could see that the second one was carrying Starsky over his shoulder and Starsky was clearly unconscious. He was handed over to the paramedics, who began checking his condition. Hutch moved as close as he could, without getting in the way, and looked down at his friend in shock. Starsky’s face was pale and streaked with deposits of ash. At first, Hutch wasn’t sure he was breathing but then he saw the paramedics place an oxygen mask over Starsky’s face and knew that he must be breathing on his own.
Sensing his presence and interest, one of the paramedics started asking Hutch questions about Starsky – his name, age, general fitness and any known medications. Hutch could barely think but he tried to answer as best he could. He watched as the paramedics started to load Starsky onto a trolley and headed towards the back of the ambulance. Abruptly, Hutch broke out of the trance he had been in and followed them over to the truck. “Can I come with you?”
“Are you family?”
“I-I’m his friend. W-We’re roommates. Please, I want to stay with him until I know he’s all right.”
The paramedics exchanged looks and decided to take pity on Hutch. His distress was obvious.
“All right. Hop in.”
He climbed in the back and strapped into the seat indicated by the paramedic. The other man closed the doors and went around to the front and got in the cab.
“All set, Bill?”
“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Bill replied.
Within seconds the unit was rushing through the early morning streets on its way to Memorial Hospital. Hutch placed a hand on Starsky’s arm and looked at his friend’s pale, still face. He noticed his hand was shaking. Not sure if he still believed in a God he hadn’t talked to in a very long time, he nevertheless started praying for the silent figure lying in front of him and continued his silent pleading all the way to the hospital.
Chapter Four
Hutch was stopped by a strict looking nurse at the Emergency Room doors and not allowed to go any further. He hovered outside forlornly, waiting for news. After forty-five minutes, a doctor finally came out and spoke to him.
“Family of David Starsky?”
“Yes.”
The doctor looked at him with a slight question in his eyes but decided to accept Hutch’s answer. “Mr Starsky is just going for a chest x-ray then we’ll move him into critical care.”
Hutch blanched at the words ‘critical care’ but the doctor was quick to reassure.
“It’s just so we can keep an eye on him, Mr…?”
“Hutchinson.”
“Well, Mr Hutchinson. Mr Starsky doesn’t have any burns. We’re treating him for smoke inhalation. He’s started coming around, which is a good sign, and his first set of blood gases aren’t too low so I’m hopeful there’s been no permanent damage to his lungs. We’re sending him for a chest x-ray just to be sure. He will have to stay in for at least a couple of days and probably need to rest for a good week afterwards, depending on how much pain he is in and how much damage has actually been caused.”
“When can I see him?”
“After the x-ray’s done. Why don’t you go get a coffee and then come up to the third floor in about half an hour to an hour?”
Hutch nodded and the doctor went back through the double doors and left him standing alone. Hutch suddenly thought of Starsky’s mother. He ought to ring her and let her know that Starsky was in hospital. And Starsky’s Uncle and Aunt. He looked at his watch. They were late for their visit to Al and Rosie’s. Hutch could imagine them trying to ring Starsky’s apartment and getting no answer. Trouble was he’d left the apartment without his wallet or change when he’d gone for his run. What could he do?
Hutch went back down to the registration desk at the front entrance to the hospital. He smiled his most winning smile at the nurse sitting behind the wooden counter top and explained his situation. She felt sorry for him and lent him enough money to call Huggy and get himself a coffee. He promised to pay her back as soon as he could; taking her name from her in case he wasn’t able to arrange getting some money that quickly. If his wallet had gone up in smoke, it would be Monday before he could get to a bank and make a withdrawal.
Huggy appeared while Hutch was still sat in the critical care waiting room, watching out for Starsky to come back from the x-ray department.
“My man, what’s happening?” Huggy asked as he sat down next to Hutch.
“I don’t know how bad he is yet, Hug. I’m waiting for him to get back from x-ray. The doctor, who spoke to me earlier, seemed quite hopeful that there isn’t any permanent damage from the smoke. He didn’t get any burns, just suffering from smoke inhalation.”
“Well, that’s something I guess. What happened?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been wracking my brains as to whether I left something on that could have caught fire but I don’t think I even turned anything on this morning. God, I wish I’d still been there when the fire started.”
Huggy patted his arm. “Hey, might have been nothing you could have done anyway. Might be both of you in here instead of just Starsky.”
“Yeah, I suppose so.”
“You had anything to eat yet today?”
“No.”
“I thought as much.” Huggy reached into the bag he’d brought with him and handed Hutch a sandwich. “Eat that. You won’t do any good to anybody if you starve yourself.” As Hutch bit into the sandwich, he said, “I got some change for you so you can make those phone calls. I got Starsky’s Mom’s number in this bag if you need it and a few other things you might need. Let me know later when you’re allowed back in the apartment, I’ll come with you and see what we can rescue.”
“What about The Pits?”
“I’ve got Anita and Sam on standby to cover for me. You need me, I’ll be there.”
Hutch swallowed. “Thanks, Huggy, I appreciate the offer.”
“Make sure you call me.”
Hutch nodded.
“Where are you sleeping tonight? Want to crash at my place? Or I got a room above The Pits you can use.”
Hutch frowned. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. Can I let you know later?”
“’Course, brother.”
Just then, the doors at the end of the corridor opened and two orderlies appeared wheeling a bed down the corridor. It took only a second for Hutch to realise that it was Starsky and then he was up on his feet, hurrying to his friend’s side. He was relieved to see that Starsky was awake but noted that he still looked very pale and was wearing an oxygen mask; a portable tank was attached to the bed while he was being wheeled from x-ray to critical care.
Even with his friend’s face hidden behind a mask, Hutch could tell Starsky was smiling reassuringly at him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he walked alongside the moving bed, grabbing Starsky’s hand when it was offered and giving it a squeeze.
The orderlies wheeled Starsky in through a doorway into a room with a big glass window and swiftly transferred him into the bed. Then, as they were walking out, two nurses suddenly appeared from nowhere and began moving the leads from Starsky’s mask over to the larger oxygen tank, already standing ready in the room. Next, one of them took a blood sample and then the other inserted an IV into his arm near his wrist.
Starsky pulled his mask down and asked, “What’s all this for?”
At least that’s what it sounded like he was trying to say. His voice was just a raspy wheezing sound. He began coughing. One of the nurses quickly took hold of the mask and put it back up over his mouth and nose.
“Tut, tut. Keep that on, please, Mr Starsky. You need to wear it. We have to get your oxygen levels back up to normal.”
Hutch asked a question: “What’s the IV for?” Starsky gave him a grateful look.
“It’s an antibiotic drip but the doctor will be in shortly to explain everything about Mr Starsky’s treatment,” one of the nurses informed them.
“If you feel any discomfort, press the call button,” the other nurse added, as she moved it within Starsky’s reach.
With that, both nurses breezed out of the room, taking Starsky’s blood with them. As soon as they were gone, Huggy slipped into the room to join Hutch at Starsky’s bedside.
“Starsky, man, I’m glad to see you’re awake and breathing,” Huggy said. “How are you feeling?”
Starsky went to move his mask down again but Hutch stopped him. “Starsk…Keep it on. You heard what the nurses said. Just give us a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down.”
Starsky put his thumbs half way between vertical and horizontal.
Huggy laughed. “I guess that’s means so-so.”
Starsky nodded. He looked at both of them, frustration clear on his face. Then he mimed writing.
“Good idea. I’ll find you some paper and a pen.” Hutch hurried out to the nurses’ station and was back within a few seconds. “Here you go, buddy.”
“What happened?” Starsky wrote in large scrawly writing.
Hutch shrugged. “I don’t know, Starsk. I went out for a run. Do you remember that?”
Starsky nodded slowly as if he wasn’t sure.
“I swear everything was fine when I left. By the time I got back, the place was on fire and Fred and Evelyn had called the fire service. Thank God they saw it! Two guys with breathing apparatus had to go in and get you out. There was an awful lot of smoke. That’s why they’re taking your blood – they’re checking your oxygen levels. The IV is pumping you full of antibiotics to make sure you haven’t picked up an infection in your lungs and they’re just waiting on a chest x-ray to see if your lungs have any damage. Although,” Hutch quickly added, “the doctor I spoke to earlier said he didn’t think it was too likely that there’s been any permanent damage done.”
“Quite right, Mr Hutchinson,” a voice behind Hutch said, as the doctor came into the room. “I’m afraid there is only one visitor allowed at a time in critical care.” He looked pointedly at Huggy.
Huggy patted Starsky’s arm. “Look after yourself, man. Get better real quick.” He turned to Hutch and handed him the bag he had brought with him. “Call me later about what we discussed.”
“Thanks, Huggy, I will.”
Huggy gave Starsky a grin and a wave and then left the room.
The doctor picked up Starsky’s chart and scanned it. Then he looked at the man in the bed. “You seem to be a lucky man. Your blood gases are coming up quite quickly and the x-ray showed that your lungs are completely normal. As Mr Hutchinson says, we’ve got you on antibiotics just in case of an infection.”
Starsky pointed to his throat.
“Yes, I’m afraid you will be without your voice for a couple of days but there’s no permanent damage. You may also have stomach ache – if that happens, please let us know and we’ll give you something for the pain.”
Starsky wrote on his pad: “How long?”
“You need to stay in critical care overnight so we can keep checking your blood gases every few hours. We’ll move you down onto a general ward tomorrow and then the day after you can probably leave. You will need to take a week off from your place of work – I can write you a note to that effect.”
“We’re training to be police officers at Bay City Police Academy. We’re on a long weekend break between courses and not due in till Wednesday,” Hutch informed him.
The doctor nodded and turned back to Starsky. “Well, Mr Starsky, you will need to take the rest of the week off. I think you could go back to your studies next week but I think you should be excused from all physical activities for at least a week. More if you need it. I’ll get a letter typed up for you.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Hutch said gratefully.
“Well, I’ll check back on you a little later today. Please try to rest, Mr Starsky. Your body has had a shock and it needs to recuperate…and keep that mask on until the nurses tell you otherwise.”
Starsky grimaced as Hutch added, “I’ll see that he does.”
The doctor nodded to both of them and left the room. Hutch grabbed a chair from against the wall and set it next to Starsky’s bed. He sat down heavily and breathed a sigh of relief.
Starsky scribbled on his pad. He held it up. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Hutch ran a hand over his face. “When I saw the fire truck go past me, I just got a feeling something had happened and when I saw the flames…I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life…I thought I’d lost you, buddy.”
Starsky locked eyes with him for a moment then started scribbling furiously. He handed the pad to Hutch, who took it and read out loud: “Still here, buddy. Take more than a fire to stop me and my cast iron multiple stomachs!”
Starsky had hoped to make Hutch smile and he succeeded. Hutch shook his head fondly.
“Dummy.”
Starsky mimed wanting his pad back.
“Uh-huh. This way I get the last word!”
Starsky frowned and tried to grab the pad. Hutch pretended to fight him to stop him getting it. Then he stood up, leaned over Starsky and ruffled his hair.
“Get some sleep, buddy. I’ll keep watch for a while. If I’m not here when you wake up, I won’t be far away. I have to make a few calls.”
Starsky’s eyes widened. The way he looked at Hutch made him relent and he handed the pad back to him.
“Ma? Al and Rosie?”
“Yeah, don’t worry, I’m going to ring them and let them know you’re here and you’re all right.”
Starsky wrote a note: “Tell Ma I said that I love her and I’ll speak to her on Friday as normal – then she’ll know I’m okay.”
Hutch sat down. “I’ll do that. Now, you get some sleep.”
Starsky put the pad down and did a thumbs up then he settled back against his pillows. He figured he’d just close his eyes for a little while until Hutch relaxed and thought he was asleep then, once his friend had gone off to make the phone calls, he’d sit up and jot down messages he might need for later. He was sure he’d never be able to sleep with the mask on his face anyway. Within two minutes, he was sleeping soundly.
Hutch watched the frown on his friend’s face gradually soften and his breathing become regular. He stood by the bed and brushed a few of Starsky’s stray curls away from his face and gave silent thanks that Starsky was alive and well. At the back of his mind, he was starting to wonder just how the fire had started but he put those thoughts aside and went to make his calls.
*****
“Mrs Starsky? It’s Ken Hutchinson.”
“What’s happened? Is Davey all right?” the voice in his ear was breathless with worry.
“Yes, he’s going to be okay but he’s in the hospital.”
“How can that be? I only spoke to him last night,” Mrs Starsky said.
“There was fire at the apartment. I don’t know how it started yet. I’d gone out for a run, I wish I hadn’t. When I came back, the fire truck was there trying to put the fire out. David’s okay. No burns, just a bit croaky from the smoke.”
“Ken?…Or should I call you Hutch like Davey does?”
“Ken’s fine,” Hutch assured her.
“Ken? You would tell me if he was bad, if I needed to come see him, wouldn’t you?” Mrs Starsky asked.
“Yes, I promise. David asked me to tell you that he loves you and he’ll ring you on Friday as normal.”
He heard Starsky’s mother sigh with relief then she said, “How are you, dear?”
“I-I’m all right.”
“Well, you’ve had a shock from the sounds of it. Look after yourself, too. How bad is the apartment? Will you be able to go back there?”
Hutch shook his head even though she couldn’t see him. “I don’t know yet. I’m going to check it out later and see how bad the damage is. I guess it’s good we’ve got accommodation at the academy. At least we’ve got a roof over our heads while Starsky’s place is being cleaned…or gutted…or whatever needs to happen. Could you give me Al’s number? I don’t have it on me and I need to let them know why we didn’t turn up today.”
Mrs Starsky gave Hutch Al’s phone number and then said, “Ken, please ring me again tomorrow and let me know how Davey’s doing. Will you do that for me?”
“Of course.”
“You’re a good boy. My Davey is very fond of you…When am I going to meet you?”
Hutch was startled by the unexpected question. “I don’t know.”
“This Christmas,” Mrs Starsky said, “When Davey comes for his vacation. You come too.”
“I-I’ll see if-“
“No excuses, I shall expect you. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for Davey.”
Hutch swallowed. “I haven’t really done anything. If anyone’s done something, it’s-”
“-You’ve been his friend, dear. That’s an important thing. He lost a lot of people in ‘Nam. He’s found it hard to let people in again. It’s wonderful he’s found you and you’ve been such a good friend.”
“Thank you,” Hutch said, totally humbled by her words. “He saved me, you know,” he admitted.
“Yes, dear, but you’ve done more for him than you’ve realised. Now, I’ve kept you talking long enough. Ring me tomorrow, my dear boy. Bye.”
“Bye.” Hutch put the phone down and wiped his eyes quickly before picking the handset up again to call Starsky’s Uncle and Aunt.
*****
Later that day, Hutch was once again sat by Starsky’s bedside. Starsky had been awake for a couple of hours and then drifted off again into a restless sleep. His colour was better and his blood gases seemed to be improving a little each time they were checked. He had complained of stomach ache about an hour ago and had been given some pain killers which had probably contributed to making him sleepy.
The doctor appeared at the door; he was followed by two police officers.
“Mr Hutchinson, these detectives would like to talk to you and Mr Starsky. I’ve said they can have a few minutes but they are not to wear him out.”
The doctor gave Hutch a look that sent the message to call him if he needed help to get them to leave.
Hutch stood up and introduced himself to the two detectives, Bennet and Moores, who showed him their badges and said they’d like to ask a few questions about the fire. Starsky came to with a start at the sound of voices and Hutch hurried to his side.
“Hey, Starsk. It’s okay. These two detectives just want a quick word with us.”
Moores said, “How are you feeling, Mr Starsky?”
Starsky gave him a thumbs-up.
Bennet said, “We need to inform you that the Fire Investigator believes the fire was started deliberately. They were traces of an accelerant used. It seems that it was probably dripped through a small open window on the west of the property and then set alight.”
Hutch sat down, looking shocked.
“Have either of you got reason to believe that someone would want to harm either of you?”
Hutch looked at Starsky and they telegraphed their thoughts. Hutch shook his head. “She wouldn’t go this far, would she? Even Vanessa wouldn’t go this far,” he said out loud.
“Who’s this Vanessa?” Bennet asked, holding his pencil poised ready to write notes in his pad.
“My ex-wife,” Hutch said then corrected himself, “My nearly ex-wife. I’m just waiting for the final legal document to come through.”
“And you have reason to believe that she wants to do you harm?”
“Not exactly…It’s complicated…She sent some threatening letters…We didn’t have a happy marriage but she says she wants me back…She was angry when I moved in with Starsky.”
“I see. Would you say she’s capable of violence?”
Hutch shook his head but Starsky nodded vigorously.
“Not like this, Starsk…I mean she wouldn’t do something like this.”
Starsky looked at him and Moores picked up on the look. “But she has shown violent tendencies in the past?”
Hutch squirmed. He spoke softly, “She’d gotten quite physical the last few months of our marriage.”
Moores nodded and Bennet wrote on his pad. “Has she been seen hanging around your apartment?”
“We haven’t been there for a while, not until this weekend. The neighbours who were looking after the place saw her a couple of times in the first three weeks but they haven’t seen her recently. I didn’t see her around this morning.”
“Can you give us her full name and address? We’ll check through the canvass reports of your neighbours as to whether anyone saw her, or anyone else, hanging around this morning.”
Hutch wrote the details down for them.
“And there’s no one else you can think of who would like to cause either of you harm?” Moores asked.
“No,” Hutch said, while Starsky shook his head in answer.
“Where will you be, Mr Hutchinson, if we need to get hold of you tonight or over the next few days?”
“I think I’ll go back to the academy and sleep there,” Hutch said.
“Academy?”
“We’re training to be police officers,” Hutch informed them.
“You are?”
As both of them nodded, Starsky and Hutch felt a glow of approval coming from the two detectives.
“Well, we’ll see if we can get to the bottom of this for you? Would you like us to inform the Academy Chief of what’s happened? He’ll want to know, I’m sure.”
Hutch hadn’t even thought about doing that. “That would be kind of you, thanks.”
Moores said, “The Fire Service said it would be all right for you to enter the building tomorrow sometime late morning and recover what you can. They’ve spoken to your landlord. He’s going to inspect the damage tomorrow at 11, I believe.”
“Thanks, that’s helpful to know,” Hutch said.
The officers left, not before wishing Starsky a speedy recovery, and Hutch sank into his chair and closed his eyes. “It can’t be true, can it? Vanessa couldn’t have arranged for the fire or set it herself, could she? How would setting a fire help her get me back? Unless, in some warped way, she thought if I didn’t have somewhere to live, I’d have to come back to her? No, even she couldn’t be that crazy!…But what if she is?…What if she really tried to destroy Starsky’s place? With him in it? Was that intentional too? At the very least, she’s ruined his home. Oh God, this is all my fault. If I’d stood up to her a long time ago, maybe none-”
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft blow to the head. Startled, he opened his eyes to find he had been hit by a screwed up piece of paper. When he looked at Starsky, his friend was frowning and shaking a finger at him.
Starsky held up a note: “Not your fault. Don’t do the guilt thing. Please.”
“But it is my fault. I should-”
He was hit by Starsky’s pad of paper.
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop wallowing. Who knows what you’ll throw next?” Hutch tried to smile.
Starsky held out his hand and Hutch took it. Starsky slipped his mask down.
“Me and thee. No matter what,” he whispered before putting his mask back up.
Hutch squeezed Starsky’s hand and nodded. “Yeah, me and thee all the way.”
Chapter Five
At Starsky’s insistence, Hutch went back to spend the night at the academy. He phoned Huggy from a payphone in reception and arranged to meet him the following day to check out the apartment and see what they could recover from it. Then he went to find Hank to tell him what had happened. He found him playing pool with Evans in the campus bar.
“Hey, Hutch, what are you doing here?”
“It’s a long story,” Hutch said wearily, as he sat down at a table near the darts board.
Hank took in the tired lines on Hutch’s face and said, “Let me get you a beer and then you can tell us all about it.”
The young man went to the bar and was back in short order with beers for all three of them.
“Thanks.” Hutch took a sip before he said, “Starsky’s in the hospital.”
“What happened?” Evans asked.
“There was a fire at Starsky’s apartment. It was set deliberately. Whoever did it waited until I went out for a run and then started the fire. Starsky was still asleep in bed. He’s suffering from smoke inhalation. Luckily, his neighbours must have seen the flames and smoke almost as soon as it started, and called the fire service straight away, or it could have been much worse.”
“That’s awful!” Hank said. “Who do you think started it?”
Hutch looked at him with an angry expression. “I think it was my ex…but there’s no proof yet.”
“Oh boy. Really. You think she would really do something like that?”
Hutch sighed and drank some more of his beer. “I don’t know. I can’t think of anyone else who’d want to hurt me or Starsky.”
“How long has Dave got to be in the hospital?” Evans asked.
“They’ll probably let him out on Monday. He’s not allowed to go to lessons this week and no PT next week. He’s hardly got any voice and he keeps coughing but the doctor says there’s no permanent damage to his lungs.”
“Well, that’s good it’s not worse,” Evans said.
Hutch took another sip of his beer and then said, “I’m afraid we might have to cancel our plans for tomorrow. I’m meeting a friend at Starsky’s place in the morning. We’re going to see what we can salvage and how bad the damage is. I don’t know even know if I still have a wallet. If not, I haven’t got any money for eating out until I can get to a bank on Monday and, anyway, I want to spend as much time at the hospital with Starsky as possible. He’s very bored!”
Evans and Hank chuckled. Hutch finished his beer and then stood up. “Think I’ll go get some shut-eye. I’m beat.”
“Hutch?” Hank’s voice stopped Hutch from leaving. “We’ll come with you tomorrow. You’ll need suitcases and bags to put your belongings into – we’ve got ours that we used to come here. You might be glad of some extra pairs of hands. I reckon it’ll be a messy job.”
“Thanks, fellas. That would be really great. Meet you at reception around ten tomorrow.”
Hank and Evans nodded as Hutch went off to get some rest, ready for what he was sure was going to be an emotional morning.
*****
“Oh brother, that looks bad, real bad.” Huggy was the first to speak, as the cab pulled up outside Starsky’s apartment. Even from the sidewalk, they could see the damage was pretty extensive. Huggy paid the driver and then the four of them clambered out and collected the suitcases and bags they had brought with them from the trunk of the cab. Once they’d slammed the trunk shut, the cabbie sped off.
They made their way up the steps and Hutch opened the badly burned door. The scents of damp furnishings and the smell of lingering acrid smoke were very strong and all of them tried not breathe too much in. One side of the apartment was pretty much destroyed. The sofa Hutch had been sleeping on was a melted, black mess filled with holes where the foam had been burned away. Fortunately, the flames didn’t seem to have reached as far as Starsky’s bedroom, Hutch noted, so some of their clothes and other belongings might be salvageable.
Huggy spoke: “Reckon we start with the easy stuff first. Evans, Hank, why don’t you see what clothes you can find and bag up. Everything’s gonna need a wash or two to get rid of the stink of smoke. I’ll see to that…Hutch? How about you and me see what’s left in the kitchen and in here?”
Hutch nodded and he and Huggy set about opening what was left of the kitchen cabinets. Most of them on one side were destroyed. The one on the farthest right was still in reasonable condition and Hutch was relieved to see Starsky’s monopoly box appeared undamaged. He took it outside and added it to the small pile of items that could be put into boxes and stored away at Huggy’s.
Most of the kitchen utensils and equipment were melted or burned, they bagged up some things in black sacks and made a pile of bags to be thrown away. That was about it for the kitchen so they headed into the living room. Huggy checked the long thin cabinet by the door and Hutch was relieved to see his jacket with his wallet and watch was still intact and didn’t smell too much. Evans came in with Starsky’s wallet and Hutch put it into a small bag of things he was collecting to give to Starsky at the hospital.
The shelving unit where Starsky kept a lot of his books, collectible items and records had partially burned and collapsed. Huggy started pulling out pieces of Starsky’s record collection from underneath the collapsed unit. He pulled out disc after disc, only to find that nearly all of them were cracked or melted. He heard a sound from Hutch and looked up to see he was standing in the middle of the room, glaring at the devastation. He was white-hot with fury. Huggy thought he looked like he was about to bolt and do something reckless.
Huggy walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm. “Hutch? You okay? Only Starsky ain’t gonna like it if I let you lose it over this, man. Just things, brother. Starsky’s all right. All this can be replaced.”
Hutch gradually calmed down. “Thanks, Huggy. I’m okay.”
Evans and Hank came into the room, carrying bags of clothes and holding out a leather wallet.
“Is that Starsky’s Dad’s police badge?” Hutch asked.
“Yeah.”
“Thank God…That would have been impossible to replace,” Hutch said, with relief. He looked around the living room and shook his head. “I’ve just realised something. If Vanessa is responsible for this, she’s going to have to pay.”
Huggy looked at him uncertainly. “You’re not going to do anything foolish, now, are you, my friend? Don’t let that crazy woman make you do something that will affect the rest of your life.”
Hutch smiled reassuringly. “No, that’s exactly right, Huggy. She’s the crazy one. Maybe she’s the criminal one, too…and I’m going to be a cop. That’s the thing, I’m going to be a cop.”
Huggy looked at him with one raised eyebrow.
Hutch tried to explain what he was thinking. He looked at Hank and Evans. “Just between us?”
“Of course,” the youngsters said.
Hutch took a deep breath and tried to put into words everything he was feeling; all that had gone before and what the future now held.
“You know I’m waiting for the divorce papers to come through, and you’ve heard me say that my marriage didn’t end well, but I’ve never mentioned any specifics to anyone except Starsky…While I was training to be a doctor, it was all right. Vanessa was happy but she got very angry when I quit and it all went downhill from there. She wanted everything her way and blamed me for cheating her out of a lifestyle she wanted and expected to have. She systematically set out to undermine my confidence. She ground me down to where I didn’t know who I was anymore. Starsky rescued me…And now I’m doing what I wanted to do all along, training to be a cop.”
The three men nodded.
“If I got called to a scene like this as a cop, I wouldn’t hesitate to do my job. I’d investigate and help bring the responsible person to justice…but I’d keep to the law. What I’m trying to say is, I think I’m finally stronger than Vanessa. I know who I am, what my job is and nobody is going to make me lose sight of that. Nobody’s going to make me operate outside of the law…even Vanessa. She doesn’t have any power over me anymore.”
Huggy patted his arm. “That’s good, brother, that’s good.”
Hank and Evans nodded in agreement.
Hutch breathed a sigh of relief and said, “That realisation has been a long time coming but I’m finally there.”
There was a knock on the door frame behind them, making them all jump slightly. It was Starsky’s landlord, Mr Hayes. Hutch introduced everyone to him and then they walked around the outside and the inside of the building, assessing the damage and what would need to be done to make the place habitable again. When they were finished, they piled all of the bags of clothes and few possessions they had rescued into the trunk of the Torino and Hutch drove them all to Huggy’s, where they offloaded nearly everything, and then he took Hank and Evans with him to go and see Starsky at the hospital. They enquired at the front desk and found that Starsky had been moved down from critical care to a room on a general ward.
*****
“Hey fellas, thanks for coming to see me and thanks for helping Hutch deal with things,” Starsky rasped out after Hutch explained that Hank and Evans had been helping him clear the apartment before coming to visit him.
“No problem,” Hank said. “Glad to help.”
Evans nodded in agreement.
“Why don’t you both sit down and I’ll go get some coffees?” Hutch suggested. “Starsky, what are you allowed to have? Want anything?”
“Something cold, please,” Starsky whispered back.
Hank settled on the chair and Evans sat himself carefully on the edge of the bed. Only Starsky noticed that Evans had winced slightly.
“How bad was it?” Starsky asked.
Hank and Evans exchanged looks before Hank said hesitantly, “The bedroom wasn’t too badly damaged. We managed to rescue lots of clothes and some photo albums and other stuff you had in there.”
Starsky nodded and gave them a thumbs up. “Living room?” he croaked out.
“Pretty bad. Hutch can tell you more.”
Starsky leaned back, feeling pretty tired from the effort of that small bit of conversation. He leaned over and grabbed his pad. He wrote: “Records?”
“Sorry, I’m not sure,” Hank said.
Hutch returned with the drinks and handed them around. Starsky held up his pad to him. Hutch winced as he read the question.
“Sorry, buddy, I’m afraid those are all gone.”
Starsky shook his head and wrote: “Never mind. Just things.”
He leaned back and sipped the orange juice Hutch had given him. Suddenly, a look of panic crossed his face. He grabbed the pad and pencil. He wrote two words and shoved the pad at Hutch.
“Pop’s badge?”
Hutch reached for a small bag, that he had left by the bedside cabinet, and pulled the badge out and handed it to Starsky, who took it with a huge sigh of relief and closed his eyes for a moment.
“Thanks, buddy,” Starsky croaked to Hutch as he reopened his eyes. “Now, the truth…how bad?”
Hutch sat down on the bed next to his friend, facing him. “Structurally, it’s mostly okay but the landlord says he’ll have to gut the place and re-plaster most of it and then redecorate. It will definitely be out of action for a couple of months. Hopefully, it will be all done by the time we finish training.”
“What have you hhh-hhh done with all the hhh-hhh things you recovered?” Starsky had started coughing again with the effort of talking.
“We dropped them at Huggy’s. He’s storing everything we managed to save. He’s going to get a friend to help him wash our clothes for us. Some of them were pretty smoky but hopefully a couple of washes will see them right…Now, stop talking for a bit and get some more rest.”
Starsky rolled his eyes. “Okay, Mom!”
Hank and Evans chuckled then stood up. Evans said, “We’ll leave you to get some sleep. See you later, Hutch.”
Starsky waved a hand to attract their attention.
“Ricky? You okay?” he whispered.
Evans kept his face neutral as he answered. “I’m fine. You get well.”
Starsky nodded and did a thumbs-up as he settled back against the pillows. The two of them left the room and Hutch looked enquiringly at Starsky.
Starsky grabbed his pad and pen again. “Keep an eye on him. Something’s not right.”
“Like what?” Hutch asked.
Starsky shrugged. “Don’t know. Just something’s off,” he wrote.
“All right. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Hutch settled into the chair next to Starsky’s bed and they sat for a while in silence; Starsky dozed a little; Hutch read through the newspaper Starsky had left out for him. Starsky came to and shifted into a more comfortable sitting position. Hutch looked up.
“Wallets?” Starsky asked, as practicalities started to occur to him.
“Luckily, yours was in your bedroom. Mine was in my jacket. Smells a bit smoky but it’s okay.”
Hutch took Starsky’s wallet out of the bag and handed it to his friend, who stashed it in the top drawer of the bedside cabinet.
“Your grandfather’s watch?” Starsky asked with a worried look.
Hutch pulled it out of his jacket pocket. “Same thing. For once, I hadn’t left it out on the coffee table!” he said with relief.
Starsky nodded and appeared to be doing a mental inventory of the apartment. He suddenly asked, “Hutch?…The little cabinet hhh-hhh near the front door?”
“Sorry, that was pretty badly damaged, buddy. The boxes inside all seemed to be melted into one big mess by the heat of the fire. We couldn’t save any of it.”
Starsky swallowed and placed one arm across his eyes. Hutch saw him swallow again and thought he saw a tear roll down one cheek. He moved to sit on the bed next to Starsky. He felt a lump form in his throat. He’d never seen Starsky upset before – angry, yes, but not sad like this.
“What was in there, buddy?”
Starsky grabbed his pad and pointed to the note he’d written earlier: “Never mind. Just things.”
“But they were your things. It’s okay to feel bad. I’m so sorry for all of this.”
“Not your fault,” Starsky whispered. “Things can be replaced.”
“What was in there, Starsk?”
Starsky bit his lip and then wrote slowly on his pad. He filled the page while Hutch waited patiently for the answer to his question.
“Christmas decorations. Ma and me got this tradition. I buy her one new Christmas dec every year and she buys me one. Sentimental worth – not important really.”
Hutch hugged him and said, “Sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”
Starsky shrugged. He wrote again: “Never mind. Least I got Pop’s badge – most important possession. Everything else can be replaced.”
“Yeah…and you’re still here…which is the most important thing of all,” Hutch said, mentally starting a list of all the things he was going to try to help Starsky replace. Whatever Starsky said, he was at least partly responsible for his friend’s belongings being destroyed and his home made temporarily uninhabitable. He owed him. Big time.
As if he could read his mind, Starsky shook his pencil at him and echoed an earlier conversation: “Stop that.”
Hutch couldn’t help smiling. “Okay, I’ll stop. For now. Get some more rest.”
“I can’t, I’m starving. How long to dinner?”
Hutch looked at his watch. “At least an hour…Want me to get you a candy bar?”
Starsky grinned at him and wrote on his pad: “Best friend award goes to you!”
“Goof ball.”
Hutch chuckled all the way to the candy machine and back.
*****
Starsky was fed up. He had been given permission to come back to the academy on Monday by his doctor; but only on the understanding that he attended no sessions at all for the first three days of the new block of training and that he missed all of his PT sessions for the following week at least. Hutch was taking all the orders from the hospital very seriously and hadn’t even let Starsky out of his room for meals on the first two days. He and Hank had taken it in turns to bring Starsky a meal, go have their own and then come back for his empty plates. By Wednesday, Starsky was starting to feel like a prisoner.
While Hutch’s mother-hen act was getting on his nerves, Starsky had been amazed at the transformation in his friend. The confidence he had been gradually building over the last two months of their training had quadrupled; Hutch was completely at ease talking to the doctors and nurses at the hospital about Starsky’s treatment, as the medical training he had done years ago meant he understood the terminology they were using; Hutch had also taken charge with dealing with Starsky’s landlord and rescuing any of their belongings that could be salvaged from Starsky’s apartment. He wouldn’t let Starsky go to see the damage yet and maybe that was just as well. In addition, Starsky could tell Hutch was enjoying looking after him – he realised that Hutch probably felt like he was re-paying Starsky for saving his life, giving him a home, and allowing him time to heal from his toxic relationship with Vanessa.
Vanessa. Starsky didn’t know what to think about Vanessa. He and Hutch seemed to have swapped views on the matter. At first, Starsky had been sure that she had been behind the fire, now he wasn’t so sure. Surely, there was a difference between controlling someone by emotional or physical discomfort and attempting murder? On the other hand, Hutch had refused to entertain the idea at first but now he seemed convinced that she had been behind it. There was a cleansing flame burning through Hutch; when he spoke of her, it was clear he wasn’t in her thrall anymore; he was out from under her spell and determined to bring her to account one way or another.
For the moment, Starsky didn’t have the energy to think about Vanessa, the future or anything else. He was bone weary – whatever he might have said to anyone who asked him. Although he’d grumbled loudly to Hutch about being treated like an invalid, secretly he was quite glad of the respite from training. He knew getting through the teaching sessions next week was going to be hard work and he wasn’t quite ready to attempt PT as well – even if he was only willing to admit that to himself for now.
At least Hutch had agreed to let him out for dinner tonight. He needed to get out from staring at the four walls of his room or he’d go crazy. Maybe he could persuade Hutch to let him go have a beer afterwards but that might be pushing it. His train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door and he reluctantly dragged himself from the bed and went to answer it. The movement caused him to cough a little and he sighed with frustration. He opened the door to find the head of the Police Academy, Chief Stewart, was standing in the corridor.
“May I come in Cadet Starsky?”
“Of course, sir.” Starsky’s voice was still croaky, although it had improved a lot from the whispered squeak he had been making at the weekend.
Starsky pulled out a chair and offered it to Stewart and then sat down on the sofa.
“How are you feeling today? You sound a little better than when I saw you on Sunday.”
“Yes, thank you, sir. I’m feeling…hhh-hhh…much better.”
Annoyingly, his assurance was interrupted by a cough and the Chief raised an eyebrow. Starsky shrugged and tried to smile reassuringly.
“Well, see, you don’t rush back to physical training until you’re really ready,” Stewart advised.
Starsky nodded.
Stewart pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. “As you know, the results of exams for block one are published today. I thought you wouldn’t be up to standing in line to find your name on the board so I’ve brought your results to you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Starsky took the proffered paper and unfolded it. He blinked and then grinned. He’d placed in the top ten for Traffic Control, in the top twenty for both AOJ and Introduction to Law Enforcement. He’d done better than he ever thought possible. Not bad out of a hundred cadets. For Defence Tactics, he’d been awarded Honours.
“Very well done, Cadet Starsky,” Chief Stewart said. “You should be very proud. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, sir, I will…and thank you for coming to see me at the hospital and again today. I appreciate it.”
Stewart stood up. “Well, I try to keep an eye on all of our cadets. We don’t want to lose any if we can help it, especially not the promising ones.”
Starsky went to stand up but Stewart waved his hand at him. “I’ll let myself out. You get some more rest.”
Starsky settled back onto the sofa and nodded. Stewart went out and closed the door behind him. Starsky looked at his results again and grinned. He thought about calling his Mom two days early to tell her the good news but he didn’t want to worry her with how croaky he still sounded. Hopefully, by Friday evening, his voice would be much better.
As he made himself a drink, he wondered how Hutch had done in the exams. He couldn’t wait to find out; he was sure his friend would have done well and it would hopefully cement his new confidence in place. Half an hour later, there was another knock at the door and, when Starsky opened it, he was surprised to see Bee.
“Hi.”
“Hi yourself,” he managed to say without coughing.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes, of course. Sorry, I was just surprised to see you.” He tried not to cough but couldn’t help it. “Hhh-hhh….Are you skipping a session?”
“No, I’ve got a study session. I’m supposed to be in the library researching Patrol Procedures.”
Starsky ushered Bee to the sofa and sat down next to her. She took his hand and looked at him intently.
“I was really worried when I got back last night and heard about the fire and you having been in hospital. I saw Hutch this morning – he says you’ll be back to all sessions except PT next week. He says you say you’re improving. How are you…really?”
“I’m nearly good as new,” Starsky said, then coughed again.
Bee raised an eyebrow at him.
“Honestly, I’m okay. The doc says my lungs haven’t suffered any permanent damage…Hhh-hhh…It’s just my voice is still croaky. He’s just told me…hhh-hhh…not to do PT just as a way to get me better faster, really, I’m okay.”
“I’m glad. I was really worried about you.”
Starsky squeezed the hand that was still holding his. “You said that already.”
“When I heard, I…”
Bee swallowed and then bit her lip. She looked at him and leaned forward, her gaze dropping down to his lips. Starsky leaned towards her and brushed his lips against hers. When she responded, he moved his hands to the side of her face, threading his fingers through her hair and pulling her in closer. Bee wrapped one arm around him and buried her other hand in the short curly hair at the back of his neck. After a few breathless seconds, they pulled apart.
“I should probably leave you to rest,” Bee said, sounding unsure as to whether she was thinking of him and his health, or trying to escape from beginning what she had told him she deemed a distraction.
“Stay,” Starsky said.
“I…I’d like to but-“
“No ‘buts’, just stay.”
Starsky caressed Bee’s face gently, willing her to accept what was happening between them, and she closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she seemed to have made a decision. She stood up and Starsky felt a wave of disappointment. Then he realised that Bee was offering him her hand and moving towards his bedroom. He stood up quickly, took her hand in his and then kissed her as she walked backwards into the room. After he passed through the doorway, he pushed the door firmly shut.
*****
Later, they lay wrapped round each other. It was a bit squashed in the single bed but neither of them minded. Starsky kissed Bee’s shoulder and she snuggled against him even closer.
“This can’t change anything,” she said, sadly. “I’ve still got to focus on my career.”
Starsky kissed her shoulder again and then held her tighter. “I know.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not being fair, am I? I shouldn’t have let this happen.”
“I’m not sorry,” Starsky said. “I like you. You like me. I know you’ve got to concentrate on your studies and your career. You told me that at the start. We’ll just be a bit more than friends but I won’t expect anything more for now. Maybe we can work on this being something more one day but, if not, I’m happy just to have this time with you and stay friends. Okay?”
Bee turned her face so she could kiss him.
“I really like you, Dave. I care about you. If you still like me once we get through our rookie year, maybe we could see what happens? Would you be willing to wait till then?”
Starsky nodded and kissed her again.
“I won’t hold you to it – like it’s a promise or anything,” Bee said. “If you meet someone else, that’s okay, just tell me. If you don’t…”
Starsky smiled at her. “I can’t see me meeting anyone I’d like more than you but agreed…and same goes for you…You meet someone you like better, just let me know, okay. Don’t keep me holding out for you if there’s no hope.”
They kissed again and then gently held each other. Starsky tried not to cough. Bee pulled away from him.
“I really better go and let you rest now. I’ve got to get to my next lesson anyway.”
Reluctantly, Starsky let her slip from his arms and get out of bed. “I’ll see you tonight at dinner?”
“Yes, of course, everything will carry on as normal. Or as normal as we can be.” Bee climbed out of bed and slipped into her clothes and tried unsuccessfully to straighten her unruly hair. She laughed. “I’d better go brush my hair before I go to class.”
“I think you look beautiful just as you are,” Starsky said.
Bee blushed. She lent down and kissed him then said softly, “See you tonight.”
Starsky put his arms up behind his head and smiled at her. “See you tonight.”
Bee hurried out and Starsky heard her close the study area door behind her. He gazed up at the ceiling and couldn’t help smiling.
Chapter Six
By the end of Starsky’s first week back doing full sessions of everything, excluding PT, he was sure he was back at one hundred percent fitness and told Hutch, in no uncertain terms, to stop being a mother-hen or to be prepared to face the consequences. They decided to forgo studies that Thursday evening so they could have a belated celebration of all of their exam results. Hutch, to his surprise but no one else’s, had come first place in Introduction to Law Enforcement and like Starsky had placed in the top ten for Traffic Control and in the top twenty for AOJ. He’d got a merit in Defence Tactics, which he was more than happy with. Only Starsky knew that Hutch harboured a twinge of regret that nobody in his family cared how well he’d done. He hid his disappointment well and Starsky made all the more fuss of him to try to make up for his family’s shortcomings.
Hank and Bee had placed in the top fifteen in all three core subjects and Erica had come second in AOJ much to her surprised delight. Erica, Myerson and Evans had mixed results but they had passed everything so they were all able to continue with their studies. Evans had done the least well of all of them and Starsky wondered why he was struggling so much, given all the extra coaching he had been given by Hutch and Hank. He worked so hard – it seemed a shame his scores didn’t reflect his determination and perseverance.
Once he was back to normal, Starsky started noticing more of what was going on with everyone else around him. What Hutch called his ‘radar’ was now tuned in to their whole group of friends as well as Hutch. For instance, he could tell when Myerson had had a bad phone call from home, before he said anything about his brother being in a traffic accident; he noticed when Erica started to develop feelings for Hank and when Hank finally cottoned onto her overtures; and, of course, his sixth sense was particularly strong around Bee – he knew when she was having a good or bad day, when she was worried, feeling happy, sad, excited, frustrated or determined.
So he was the first to really notice how subdued Evans seemed to have gotten since the start of the second block of training. The young man seemed to be struggling even more with his course work and had trouble concentrating at their study sessions. Starsky tried to talk to him about it a few times but Evans assured him he was okay. He discussed his concerns with Hutch and they both decided to try to keep a better eye on him.
One night in the fourth week of term, Starsky was already eating his dinner and chatting to Hutch and the others in their group when Evans came in looking harassed. He went and got his dinner choice and then came and sat down next to Hank. Surreptitiously, Starsky watched him as he ate slowly and shifted uncomfortably on his chair. Every so often, he drew in a pained breath.
“Ricky? You all right?”
“I-I slipped over in the showers, banged my back. It’s a bit bruised but otherwise I’m okay.”
“D’ya want Hutch to have a look at it for ya. He did medical training for two years. I know he could check you haven’t cracked a rib.”
Hutch nodded. “Sure, happy to.”
Evans shook his head. “Thanks but I’m fine, really…Can I study in your room tonight, guys? I’ve got a test tomorrow and I’m worried about it.”
“Yeah, sure, no problem,” Hutch said.
Starsky caught Evans breathing a sigh of relief and wondered about it but didn’t know how to get him to open up about what was bothering him.
*****
At the beginning of December, Hutch was called into Chief Stewart’s office, just after his last session of the day. He was shown in by the secretary and found Bennet and Moores sat inside. The detectives stood up when Hutch entered and shook hands with him.
“We’re really sorry but we seem to have hit a brick wall with the investigation,” Moores informed him. “There are no witnesses to your ex-wife being anywhere near the scene. A strange car was spotted on the morning in question but it was beige, not the colour of Mrs Hutchinson’s car, and we still haven’t any leads as to who it belonged to.”
“Mrs Hutchinson did take a large sum of cash out a few days before the fire but taking out large sums of cash seems to be something she does regularly even though she doesn’t seem to have employment,” Bennet said.
“She’s got a small trust fund from her grandmother, which she used to use as her ‘mad money’. I guess she’s nearly through the lot if she’s still spending like she used to.” Hutch sighed. “In one sense, I’m relieved there’s no absolute proof it was Vanessa. I mean, it’s horrible to think that she would do something so awful. Maybe I’m completely wrong…but…”
“You’ve got this instinct says it was her,” Chief Stewart suggested.
“Yeah.” Hutch shrugged.
“Well, we won’t give up but obviously as time goes on it gets more difficult,” Bennet said.
“I understand,” Hutch said.
“We just wanted to give you an update and ask how Cadet Starsky’s doing,” Moores said.
“He’s absolutely fine now, thanks,” Hutch answered. “And thanks for taking me seriously about Vanessa.”
“No problem. We’ll let you know if anything else turns up,” Moores said, before shaking Hutch’s hand and saying goodbye to Chief Stewart.
Hutch went to follow the detectives out but Chief Stewart asked him to stay behind.
“Sit down, Cadet,” Stewart said. Once Hutch was seated he continued: “I haven’t had chance to congratulate you on your results. Well done. You should be very proud of yourself.”
“Thank you, sir,” Hutch said. A hint of colour rose in his cheeks.
“Have you thought much about what division you want to apply for in January?”
“I’m not sure, sir. Starsky and I both want to be detectives, maybe in homicide or robbery. We’d be happy anywhere we can get good rookie training and a chance to take the detectives’ exam.”
“You’re hoping to be partners, is that it?”
“Yes, sir. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
Stewart nodded. “If your hearts aren’t set on a particular department, I may know a captain who would be glad to have rookies with more general skills. You two seem to be doing well across the board and I’m told you have a mixed study group – male, female, different ethnicities. I think you would both be an asset to my friend. If I can get him to come in on match day, would you be happy to meet him.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“May I ask you a question about one cadet in your study group? Cadet Evans? He doesn’t seem to be doing as well this block as in the last one. I notice he’s had three demerits this term already.”
Hutch frowned. “Yes, Cadet Starsky and I are concerned about him. He seems to be very pre-occupied but we can’t seem to discover what’s bothering him. We are keeping an eye on him, sir.”
“Should it be a matter that requires my attention, you will bring it to me, won’t you?” It was phrased as a question but Hutch was certain it was more of an order.
“Straight away, sir. You have my word.”
Stewart looked down, pulled his desk drawer open and lifted a letter from inside. “This came for you, today, Cadet Hutchinson. It looks official.” He handed it over.
Hutch took it and noted the court stamp and realised it must be his divorce decree. He was flooded with a mix of emotions that he couldn’t begin to put into words.
“Thank you, sir. Is that everything?”
Chief Stewart looked kindly at the obviously perturbed young man sitting in front of him. “Yes, that’s everything, Cadet. You may go. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, sir. I will.”
Hutch hurried out and went to find Starsky, hoping that he would still be in their room and not have left for dinner yet. He almost bumped into Starsky coming out of their door as he returned.
“Starsk, can you hold on a minute?”
“Sure, buddy, where ya been?”
They both sat down and Hutch filled Starsky in on what the detectives had reported, what Stewart had said about their rookie training, and his concerns over Evans. Starsky was pleased with Stewart’s offer and grinned at Hutch.
“We’re making it, buddy. We’ll be partners before you know it!”
Hutch smiled back but then his face darkened as he looked down at the envelope still in his hands.
“What’s that?”
Hutch took a breath. “I think it’s my divorce papers.”
He ripped the envelope open and carefully drew out the paper from within. He stared at it, a mixture of emotions racing across his face. Starsky stood up. He knew Hutch would be feeling; relieved; sad; probably judging himself as a failure seen through his parents’ eyes; excited by the prospect of freedom; and a whole host of different emotions.
“I think we need a night off and lots of beer,” he said. “Not to celebrate, just to mark the moment and then move on. What d’ya think?”
Hutch stood up, placing the paper back in the envelope and then shoving it under a pile of books on his table.
“Thanks buddy. I think that sounds like a great idea. Let’s eat and then go to the bar.”
Starsky clapped him on the shoulder and followed him out of the room. As they walked over to the cafeteria, Starsky simply said, “Fresh start, pal. It’s all there waiting for you and it’s going to be t’riffic.”
*****
It was the second week of December and they were supposed to be studying for their exams, which were coming up soon. Hutch was still diligently making notes but Starsky had already given up and was reading the sports section in the paper he’d managed to prise away from one of the evening security staff. Somehow, he seemed to have gotten on first name terms with most of them and regularly traded chocolate or other snacks for a look at the most recent newspaper.
“Hey, Hutch? What are your plans the Christmas weekend?”
The cadets were allowed almost a week off over the Christmas period and Starsky was really looking forward to it. Hutch could hear the excitement in his friend’s voice. He shrugged and didn’t look up from his text book.
“I haven’t planned anything. I’ll just catch up on some studying, I guess.”
Starsky frowned. “You’re not visiting your family then?”
“No, it’s not worth it for a long weekend. It’s too far.”
“New York’s further,” Starsky countered, “And we’ve got almost a week off.”
After knowing Hutch for almost eight months, Starsky had realised that Hutch was more than reticent when it came to his family. While Starsky had problems with his own family – he and his brother, Nicky, didn’t get on that well – he couldn’t imagine not going to see his Mom at Christmas. As far as he’d been able to glean from telephone conversations he had overheard, both of Hutch’s parents were alive and well, and he had recently let slip that he had a sister to boot. Even though, he knew Hutch wasn’t on the best of terms with them, he had just assumed that he would spend time with them at Christmas. Why wouldn’t he want to see them? Why wouldn’t they want to see him? It all seemed very odd to Starsky.
“Don’t you want to see them and spend time with them at Christmas?”
“My folks don’t do Christmas like normal people…and I-I don’t really do Christmas. I’ll be quite happy here on my own.”
Starsky shook his head. Sometimes he wondered how he and Hutch had become friends. He didn’t think he’d ever met someone who openly admitted they didn’t do Christmas before. It was just weird.
Hutch lifted his head and looked enquiringly at him. “I’m surprised you’re into Christmas, Starsk. I mean…You’re Jewish. You have a menorah in your bedroom.”
“Yeah, well, I ain’t strict or nothing and I happen to like Christmas. Food, gifts, time with family. It’s great.”
Hutch sighed.
Starsky thought back to something Hutch had said. “What do ya mean they don’t do Christmas like ‘normal’ people? What’s that mean exactly?”
Hutch squirmed. “Well…they are…involved in lots of charities and the country club and stuff like that so they tend to throw parties for other people, so-called important people. It was never just family growing up.”
Starsky put his head on one side and said, “I can’t see that suiting you. No wonder, you don’t want to visit.”
Hutch breathed a sigh of relief. As usual, Starsky seemed to understand him better than his own family.
“So you’ve never had a fun Christmas, stringing popcorn, making cookies, that sort of thing?”
Hutch thought back. “Well, it used to be like that when I went to stay with my grandparents. They would just cosy up in front of the fire and keep everything simple…but they’ve both passed away now.” He sounded wistful.
“I’m sorry.”
Suddenly, Starsky jumped up from the sofa, scattering text books and paper everywhere. He made a half-hearted grab at some papers and threw them back on the sofa.
“Well, it’s Friday night. I’d better go ring Ma and then we can go for a beer. See you at the bar in half an hour?”
“Yeah, all right. See you there.”
Starsky headed out to use one of phones available in the campus reception. He waited for his turn then slid the money in the slot and asked the operator for the New York number.
“Hello?”
“Hi Ma, it’s me.”
“Ah Davey, thought it would be you. How’s that youngster doing? Ricky, isn’t it? The one you told me broke a rib falling.”
“Yeah, he’s doing better. Less sore now. I’m still worried about him though. Me and Hutch are keeping an eye on him. I’m sure something’s not right.”
“Well, I hope you can help him…and how’s your week been, darling?”
“It’s been good. I’ve got an exam tomorrow but it’s one of the subjects I’m pretty good at so I’m not worried.”
“That’s great, darling. I’m very proud of you and all you’ve achieved so far. Your Pop would be proud, too.”
“Thanks, Ma, ‘Course I wouldn’t have passed if Hutch hadn’t helped me study.”
“I’m glad you’ve got Hutch there with you. He’s a very special person.”
“Yeah, he is.”
“I spoke to Al and Rosie today. They’re missing you.”
“I’ll try and visit them before Christmas.”
“Good. I miss you, too, Davey. I can’t wait to see you at Christmas.”
“Me too. Listen, Ma, I’ve got a free day on Saturday so Hutch and I are gonna get my ticket sorted to come see ya.”
“Lovely. And Hutch too, of course?”
“Well, he said he’s going to stay here and study. I don’t get it. He says he doesn’t do Christmas and he’s not visiting his family.”
“Well, Davey, some people do find Christmas difficult.”
“Yeah, it sounds like it wasn’t much fun at his house when he was growing up. I think it’s put him off.”
“Well, I did ask him to come here for Christmas. It was when you were in the hospital – we chatted a few times and I told him I’d love to meet him. I asked him to come with you at Christmas and I told him ‘no excuses’.”
“You did?”
“Yes, I did. You remind him.”
Starsky thought for a minute. “Thanks, Ma. I will. I don’t like to think of him being on his own at Christmas.”
“Well, you remind him he’s invited and I’m expecting him. Hopefully he’ll say he’ll come.”
“I’d better go, Ma. I’ll call you same time next week. Love ya.”
“Love you too, my darling boy. Take care of yourself.”
*****
They were walking up the street to the Travel Agents when Starsky said, “Hutch? Ma said she’d asked you to visit at Christmas. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Hutch stopped walking and looked surprised. He didn’t know what to say. “Oh…Well, I thought she’d probably forgotten – that it was just a suggestion because she was worried about you when you were in the hospital.”
“So what do ya think about spending the Christmas weekend at my Mom’s house?”
“Does she still want me to come?” Hutch asked, “I mean I don’t want to intrude on a family time.”
“Hey, ya wouldn’t be. Ma always says there’s a place for friends at our table and she wants to meet ya. She said so again last night.”
“She did?”
“’Course. You’ve got to meet her. You’ll love her. Come on, say you’ll come.”
Hutch chewed on his lip for a minute then said hesitantly, “Well, I guess I could come.”
Starsky beamed at him and slapped him on the back.
“That’s great, pal. Come on! Let’s go get the tickets arranged.”
Hutch allowed himself to be dragged into the shop and was soon writing out a check for his ticket. As they went back outside and headed in the direction of the park, Hutch began to wonder if he was making a mistake – spending Christmas with someone who seemed to embrace every aspect of it might be a bit much to handle – but it was too late to change his mind now.
*****
Erica was running late for this week’s Thursday night study session. She’d been to phone her sister to wish her a “Happy Birthday,” and ended up chatting for forty minutes; catching up on all the family news. She hurried along and quickly reached Accommodation Block B. Rushing, she pushed through the door that led to the kitchen area but came to a sudden stop. Evans was sat on a chair in the middle of the room and he was shaking all over. His normally glowing coffee brown skin was dulled to a listless grey tone.
“Rick?”
He seemed completely unaware of her presence. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and said his name again. He lifted his head and looked at her. The expression in his eyes was one of shock gradually turning to one of anguish as he recognised her.
“Rick, what’s happened?”
He shook his head at her and Erica decided she needed to get help to deal with whatever was going on.
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
She hurried through the fire door and opened the door to room 7. The group smiled at her but continued chatting.
“Dave. I need help. Something’s wrong with Rick.”
Starsky was instantly on his feet. “Where is he?”
“He’s in the kitchen. He was obviously on his way here, bringing his chair as usual, but he’s just sitting there. Something’s happened.”
Everyone looked concerned as Starsky followed Erica back out to the kitchen. Evans looked up as they entered. Starsky leant down to the young man and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Ricky? What’s going on, pal?”
Evans grabbed onto Starsky’s arms with trembling hands.
“I think he’s really going to hurt me,” he whispered. “You gotta help me. I don’t know what to do.”
Starsky was shocked by the fear in the whispered words. He pulled Evans up off the chair and into his arms, giving him a reassuring hug.
“We’re not going to let nothing happen to ya. Come on. Come with me and you can tell us what’s going on.”
He gently led Evans into his and Hutch’s room. Erica followed along behind with the wooden chair in her hands. As he led Evans over to sit on the sofa, Starsky told Hutch to put the kettle on. He disappeared into his bedroom and came back with a blanket, which he wrapped around Evans, who was still shaking. Hutch made him a mug of hot tea and placed it carefully in the trembling hands. Evans sipped his drink and gradually his colour improved. After a while he pushed the blanket down and smiled wanly at everyone.
Erica took his hand in hers and said, “Tell us what happened?”
Evans looked down at his feet.
“He came back just as I was about to leave for our study group. He was angry about something. Don’t know what…he wouldn’t let me past…then he grabbed me…he threw me against the wall…When his hand pushed against my spine…I think he was holding something metal…or he was wearing – knuckle dusters, maybe?…” Evans opened his mouth a couple of times but couldn’t seem to say any more about what had happened.
“This is your roommate, Skinner, you’re talking about?” Hutch asked.
Evans nodded.
Starsky pulled his chair closer to Evans so that their knees were almost touching.
“Ricky? The broken rib a few weeks ago…Was that Skinner?”
Evans shook his head but then said, “Friends of his, I think…They surrounded me in the showers, called me names and then threw me against the wall.”
Hutch let out a disgusted puff of air and Starsky shook his head, looking very angry.
Gently, Hutch asked, “What else has been going on? There’s more isn’t there?”
“This has been going on a long time, hasn’t it?” Starsky looked at Evans for confirmation. “All term, I think. The missed assignments, the demerits?”
Evans nodded miserably and then slowly, hesitantly, started to tell them what had been happening; how he’d come back to his room just before the first block ended and found his belongings had been rifled through – how this had happened every couple of weeks since and items had been taken; how one time his key had been hidden and his roommate had locked him in, making him late for a class and earning him his second demerit; how assignments had been hidden and then turned up the day after they were due in, earning Evans his first and fourth demerits; how one day, one of his dress shoes had been taken, earning him his third demerit for being out of uniform; how he’d been beaten, not once, but twice in the showers, following a late running PT session when there weren’t other cadets around to be witnesses. He told them about the name calling and the attempts to trip him up on the way to classes; how his roommate left disgusting notes on his desk, saying what he thought he should have done to him and suggesting he leave the academy before he got what his ‘kind’ deserved.
By the time he’d finished speaking, his friends were outraged on his behalf. Myerson was all for going to Evans room and giving his roommate a piece of his mind and the beating he felt he deserved.
Hutch spoke across the outraged babble. “What we are going to do is write down every incident that’s happened with dates and times as best you can remember, Rick. Then tomorrow morning, we’re going to make an appointment to see Chief Stewart and, tonight, you are sleeping here on the couch and not going back to your room until Skinner is kicked out of the academy. If for some unfathomable reason, Chief Stewart sees fit not to kick him out, Starsky and I will insist that you get a new roommate at the very least.”
Erica squeezed Evans’ hand again. “We’ll all insist. He’s not touching you again. No-one is.”
Evans closed his eyes. “Thanks.”
Starsky patted his knee. “You’re safe here. We’re your family on campus. Ya shoulda told us what was going on but, now we do know, we’re gonna protect ya and get it sorted out. You’re not alone, ya hear me?”
Everyone made noises of agreement and Evans opened his eyes. He looked at all of them and swallowed. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I don’t know what I’d do without all of you. I’d have given up before now, for sure. I thought I could ride it out by myself. I didn’t want to seem weak but it’s got too big to handle on my own. I need your help.”
“You got it. Whatever you need,” Myerson said. “We’re all here for you.”
Starsky stood up. “Give me your key, Ricky.”
Evans pulled his key out of his pocket. “W-What are you going to do?”
“Hutch and me are going to pack up all your stuff and bring it down here for safe-keeping. Just in case Skinner gets any ideas.”
Evans looked relieved. “Thank you. A lot of my stuff is already packed in my cases in my bedroom. I was trying to make sure he couldn’t get at my things so easily.”
“Well, that’ll make it much easier,” Hutch said. “Hank, give us a hand. You can bring Rick’s bedding down for him.”
The three of them headed out of the room, leaving Myerson and the two women to look after Evans. They quickly made their way up to his room on the fourth floor. The door was locked so they went in using Evans’s key.
“I kinda wish Skinner was here,” Hank said, angrily.
Starsky patted his shoulder. “I know how you feel, buddy, but it’s probably best that he isn’t or we might get into trouble. We gotta be straight as an arrow on this so Ricky stays blameless and Skinner and his friends get what they deserve.”
The three of them quickly packed up the rest of Evans’s belongings, his study guides and papers and his bedding and then headed back down to the ground floor. When they got back, they stowed everything in Starsky’s room for the time being.
“How about we forget going out to the bar tonight and hang out here instead?” Hutch suggested.
“Yeah, I got a pack of cards. We could take it in turns to play pinochle or something else,” Starsky suggested.
They all packed their books away and set about playing several rounds of cards and then Starsky persuaded Hutch to get his guitar out and they finished the evening singing songs that they took it in turns to request. Evans looked much happier by the end of the evening. After a long chat with Starsky and Hutch, when everybody else had left, he felt less anxious about the prospect of seeing Chief Stewart in the morning and even managed to get some sleep on the threadbare old sofa. It was the first night for about ten weeks that he hadn’t slept with one eye open.
Chapter Seven
The three of them sat in silence as Chief Stewart read through the notes they had written down about all the instances of bullying against Evans. When he’d finished, he looked up directly at Evans – his face was unreadable.
“Cadet Evans, can you give me the names of the other cadets in the alleged incident where you broke your rib?”
In a trembling voice, Evans reeled off three names and Stewart wrote them down. He frowned as he looked at the names. Then he looked up and smiled reassuringly.
“Cadet Evans. Thank you for coming forward about this. I will not tolerate bullying in any form and I do not think bullies, or racists, make good police officers. Will you trust me to deal with this? It may take some time as I will have to interview each of these cadets, their tutors and the infirmary staff who dealt with your injury.”
Evans nodded.
“In the short term, I believe we have a couple of empty rooms on campus. I will ask the accommodation secretary to look into it and let you know by the end of today. If she doesn’t find you in class, I assume you will be with Cadets Starsky and Hutch in their accommodation?”
“Yes, sir.”
Stewart looked thoughtful. “Cadet Evans. How much has this affected your studies? I want an honest answer. Are there any of your exams, you would wish to re-take? It would be difficult but I could make it happen.”
Evans thought for a moment. “I haven’t done my best but I was struggling anyway. I probably wouldn’t have got the best marks.”
Starsky interrupted, “That’s nonsense. The amount of work you put in, you should have done much better than you did.”
Evans shrugged. “Maybe…The lowest mark I got was in AOJ and I know I could have done better in that subject. If you could arrange it, sir, I would like to redo that one…just to prove to myself I can do it.”
Stewart nodded. “I’ll see it’s organised for you. Would you be prepared to take it the day before commencement of block three?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be ready.”
“Good…Regarding the demerits you have received this term, I will expunge all of them from your record. You had a good record last term. The circumstances you have outlined certainly explain all of the instances.”
Evans swallowed and couldn’t speak.
Hutch patted his shoulder and said to Stewart, “Thank you, sir. That’s been really worrying, Rick.”
Stewart nodded. “I don’t think it’s fair to tarnish your record when it’s been caused by the stupidity of other people…May I advise you not to stay on campus in the holiday? There may be some fall-out from the investigation and I would like you well out of the way. ”
Stewart looked at Starsky and Hutch. “Until the end of term, can I leave you to protect Cadet Evans between you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Leave everything with me. Good luck with the exams next week, all of you, and enjoy your Christmas break.”
The three of them stood up. “Thank you, sir,” they all said.
When they got outside of the chief’s office, Evans breathed a sigh of relief.
“All right?” Starsky asked.
“Yeah, just relieved.”
They started walking to classes.
Hutch said, “Rick, you’re with me for Criminal Law first session, aren’t you? What have you got second?”
“Criminal Evidence. Hank’s in that lesson.”
“Well, I’ll walk you over to meet him. What’s third? Get Hank to walk you to that.”
Evans looked anxious. “You think I need someone with me all the time?”
Starsky reassured him: “Nah, we’re probably being over careful but Stewart said look after you and we take that seriously. So one of our group will be with you at all times until the end of term. All right?”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks.”
“Come on then,” Hutch said. “We’d better make tracks to Criminal Law or Stubbins will have a fit.”
*****
Everyone had gathered together to study for the last exam before the Christmas break. It was on ‘Patrol Procedures’ and they had quizzed each other mercilessly every week since the start of the block and felt that they could recite in their sleep all the procedures and codes. Everyone was in a good mood and they all felt ready. They quit early and played some card games and chatted.
“So what are you all doing for Christmas?” Starsky asked. “Hutch is coming with me to visit my family. What about you, Hank?”
“Yep, I’m going home to see my folks. Can’t wait. My little cousins will be there so we’ll have a ball.”
“Me too,” Erica said, “Going home to see my family.”
“Me too,” Bee said.
Myerson spoke up: “I’m going to take Rick with me to stay with my Uncle and his family. They live here in Bay City. Uncle Herb’s got plenty of space, including a room he likes to call his library, so I’ll be able to help Rick study for his AOJ retake.”
“That’s great,” Starsky said.
Evans said, “I’m really grateful to all of you. Thank you for everything.”
Everyone patted him or told him he was welcome. After another hour, the group decided they’d better call it a night so they would be ready for the exam the next morning. Starsky asked Bee if she’d stay behind for a minute. Hutch offered to walk Evans back to Block C so that Starsky and Bee could have some privacy.
When everyone had left, Bee looked at Starsky enquiringly.
“I got something for ya. Wait there.”
Starsky went into his room and came out with a little box. Bee looked at him and chewed her lip.
“Dave?”
“It’s Christmas. I just wanted to get you a little something to say Merry Christmas.”
Bee carefully opened the box and her face broke out into a smile as she saw a pair of silver earrings shaped like snowflakes.
“Thank you. They’re perfect.”
She closed the box and put it on top of her books. Then she wrapped her arms around Starsky’s neck and kissed him tenderly.
“You’re very sweet. I shall wear them for Christmas Day.”
Starsky beamed at her. “Glad you like them. Merry Christmas, Bee.”
“Merry Christmas.”
*****
Hutch’s worst fears were confirmed when Starsky asked the cab driver to take them past the Christmas lights at Macy’s before dropping them outside his Mom’s house. It cost a fortune for the detour, a fortune Starsky would usually be loath to part with, but when it came to Christmas, Starsky didn’t seem to care what he spent. Hutch couldn’t help smiling though as his friend oohed and aahed over the lights on the street and the decorations in the windows of Macy’s.
As the cab pulled up outside and waited for them to grab their luggage, Hutch felt nerves erupt in his stomach. As they walked up the steep steps to the small terraced house, the red door (smothered with a huge wreath) was opened by a dark, curly haired young man who looked very like Starsky.
“Nicky!”
Starsky gave his brother a hug and introduced him to Hutch. The two of them shook hands and Hutch smiled nervously. Nicky smiled at him but Hutch wasn’t sure the smile reached his eyes. However, the young man offered to take one of his bags and seemed welcoming enough.
Starsky dumped his bags just inside the door and jogged on ahead, calling out: “Ma?”
“In the kitchen, darling!” came the reply.
Hutch swallowed as Nicky beckoned him to follow him through the living room and on into the kitchen. Hutch noted the large Christmas tree and the dangling decorations festooning the walls of the room. There were Christmas cards on every surface and some hung up on strings on the back of the kitchen door.
When he looked in the kitchen, he saw Starsky was still hugging his mother. Her eyes twinkled at Hutch as he entered. She gently extracted herself from Starsky’s arms and walked over to Hutch, who held out his hand. She ignored the outstretched hand and pulled him into a hug.
“My dear boy, I am so pleased to finally meet you in person.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, too,” Hutch said.
“Come and sit down. We’ll have some cookies and you can tell me all about your exams and how that poor boy, Ricky, is getting on.”
Starsky sniffed the air appreciatively as his mother went and collected a tray of freshly baked cookies from the side of the kitchen.
“Your special Christmas cookies! Hutch, you gotta try these, they’re delicious.” He shoved one in his mouth and started chewing.
Mrs Starsky shook her head and smiled. She offered the cookies to Hutch and Nicky.
“Take two or Davey will have eaten them all by the time you’ve finished your first one!”
“Ma!” Starsky protested.
“I keep telling him he has to stop inhaling his food,” Hutch joked.
Mrs Starsky smiled at him. “I suppose he’s told you I think he has multiple stomachs?”
“Yes, ma’am, it was one of the first things I learnt about him.”
Mrs Starsky smiled and came and sat down between her oldest son and Hutch. She reached over and took Hutch’s hand.
“Call me, Ma. You’re part of the family and should call me Ma.”
Hutch swallowed the lump in his throat and squeezed her hand. “All right, Ma.”
Starsky grinned at both of them and grabbed another cookie.
*****
The next day, Hutch came downstairs to find Starsky had gone to huge trouble over breakfast – there were bagels of different flavours, a bowl of fruit salad, syrup, chocolate sauce, peanut butter and every other topping imaginable for both the bagels and the pancakes Starsky was in the middle of making. Mrs Starsky was watching her son with fond amusement.
Nicky staggered into the kitchen, looking the worse for wear from his late night on the town. He kissed his mother then went and poured himself a black coffee.
“Why the huge breakfast, big brother?” Nicky asked, as Starsky piled a plate high with pancakes and brought it over to the table.
“Me and Hutch need fortifying,” Starsky informed him.
Hutch looked surprised. “We do?”
“Yep, we’re going Christmas shopping and it can’t be done on an empty stomach.”
Hutch groaned. “Really?”
“Yes, really, so eat up and then we’ll get going.”
Hutch found himself being handed a plate with a pancake on it and then the bowl of fruit salad.
“Figured you’d want to eat healthy but you need some carbs to prepare you for the mad crush out there,” Starsky said through a mouthful of pancake.
Hutch sighed and spooned fruit over his pancake before he dug in. As soon as he finished the first, Starsky was plying him with another.
“Really, Starsk, one’s plenty.”
“Ah-ah-ah. Two at least or you won’t have the stamina for the department stores.”
Hutch looked at him in horror but Starsky didn’t seem to notice. He wolfed down a third pancake while Hutch struggled through his second one then leapt up from the table.
“Right, come one, buddy, let’s get going. Shopping to do and then we got to come back and make more cookies and string popcorn for the tree.”
“Davey!” Mrs Starsky remonstrated. “For goodness sake, let the poor man finish his coffee! Calm down.”
Starsky looked sheepish. “Sorry, Ma, I’m just excited. It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow. I’m here with you and Nicky.” He wrapped an arm around Hutch and hugged him from behind. “And my best friend is here, too. I can’t help it. I’m so happy I could bust.”
Hutch had to smile at that. He took one last swig of coffee and said, “All right. Lead me to the shops, but promise me you won’t let me get lost amongst the crazy Christmas shoppers.”
“I got your back, buddy.”
Starsky kissed his Mom, shoved his jacket on and his thick, red woollen hat and scarf and headed out of the door. Mrs Starsky rushed after them, grabbing a blue scarf from the coat rack by the door.
“Ken, you can borrow my scarf. I know you forgot yours and it’s too cold not to wear one!”
“Thanks, Ma.” Hutch kissed her cheek and took the proffered scarf before hurriedly following Starsky out and down the front steps and onto the cold sidewalk.
“We’ll get there as the department store opens and then we can get away before it gets too bad,” Starsky said as they marched along. “I gotta get something for my Mom and Nicky and you.”
“Hey, Starsky, you don’t need to get me a present. That’s unnecessary. You’ve invited me for Christmas. That’s enough.”
Starsky glanced at Hutch and wrinkled his nose. “I don’t need to get you a present. I want to get you a present.”
Hutch sighed. He hadn’t really thought about getting presents for anyone except Starsky’s mother to say thank you for having him. Now, it looked like he’d better get something for Nicky and Starsky as well. He started thinking hard about what he could possibly get Starsky that would live up to his friend’s Christmas expectations.
The two of them went down into the subway and took the train for three stops then they emerged back out into the grey day and walked the last few yards to the store. There was already a queue of people outside but it wasn’t as bad as Hutch had feared.
When the doors opened, he said to Starsky, “Where are we headed first? I must get your Mom something. Any ideas?”
Starsky led them to the escalators. “She likes the colour blue, she likes the smell of roses and jasmine, and she loves dark chocolate. That enough to help?”
“Yeah, I guess. What about Nicky? Should I just get him a bottle of something?”
“Maybe. He likes beer and whiskey…although Ma won’t like him drinking too much. He’s a sucker for Turkish Delight. Why don’t we look for some of that? Here, we are – the jewellery department. Come and help me choose a necklace for Ma,” Starsky said, “Then we can split up and meet at the coffee shop on the third floor later.”
Hutch helped Starsky choose his present for his Mom then Starsky helped him choose a blue and purple silk scarf and some perfume to give her. Then they split up. Starsky went off to the basement to look at the Christmas decorations so he could choose a new one for his Mom. Hutch went to look around the novelties department, trying to find something for Starsky. He couldn’t find a single thing he liked. He didn’t really know what he was looking for and then, suddenly, it became obvious – Christmas decorations.
Hutch hurried down to the basement, hoping that by now Starsky was gone from that floor. He looked around carefully to make sure his friend wasn’t around and then began scouring the shelves for something to leap out at him and say “buy me for Starsky”.
He picked up a snow globe and put it back, a dancing Santa that instantly made him grimace, boxes of brightly coloured baubles, angels for the top of the tree and inflatable reindeer. All of it was wrong. He had just about given up hope when he saw them – a set of carved, wooden ornaments in a velvet lined box. There were eight of them – a shooting star, a star in the style of the Star of David, an four-pointed star (the sort shown hanging over the stable in nativity depictions), a Victorian lantern, a piece of holly, a snowflake, a Christmas tree and an angel. Hutch knew they were just what he wanted.
He took them over to the counter to get them gift-wrapped and pay for them. As he waited in line at the counter, he saw a stand of hand-painted Christmas baubles. One caught his eye. It was quite expensive but the more he looked at it, the more he was sure that Starsky would love it so when it was his turn at the register, he pointed to the bauble and asked for that to be gift-wrapped as well. A few minutes later, he was carrying a bag filled with all his purchases and making his way to the coffee shop. Starsky was waiting for him.
“You done?” Starsky asked.
“Just need to get some Turkish Delight for Nicky then I’m done,” Hutch replied.
“Let’s have a hot chocolate then we’ll head to the second floor – they got a confectionary department there.”
Hutch nodded.
When they were settled at a table with their hot chocolates, Starsky said, “So you going to give me a clue as to what you got me?”
Hutch rolled his eyes. “No…and no peeking!”
“You’re no fun,” Starsky grumbled.
“You’ll enjoy the surprise more if you wait for it,” Hutch said.
This time Starsky rolled his eyes at him. “Now you sound like Ma.”
Hutch grinned. “She’s a wise lady. There are worse people I could sound like.”
*****
It was Christmas Eve, Hutch had just woken up from taking a nap in the bedroom. He headed downstairs to see what everyone was up to and to get himself a coffee. As he walked down the stairs, he became aware of two voices talking. He recognised Starsky’s voice and his brother’s. Nicky sounded confrontational. Hutch paused, not sure whether to disturb them or go back to his room for a few minutes.
“Well, I don’t get it,” Nicky said.
“If you don’t get it, I can’t explain it to you,” Starsky said patiently.
“But Pop died doing that job. I hardly remember him ‘cause of that. Why’d you want to do a job that could kill ya?”
“I guess it’s in my blood. I want to help people.”
“Cops don’t help. They’re just a nuisance.”
“Nicky!” Starsky sounded shocked. “Ya can’t really mean that.”
“Well, that’s how my friends feel about it. I daren’t tell them my own brother’s training to be one.”
“Well, I’m sorry ya feel that way but it’s what I want to do. Ma’s got over her initial shock and she’s supporting me, can’t you?”
There was silence.
“How ‘bout we change the subject? Got a special girl?”
“One or two I like but not ready to settle down yet, bro. What about ya?…Or has Hutch been cramping your style?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Starsky’s tone was sharp.
“Well, I don’t know, the guy moved in and you seem to spend all your time together. Now you and him are training to be cops…He’s got some influence over ya, bro. I don’t get it. Ma said he tried to kill himself and you saved him. That makes him weak-minded in my book, a coward. Didn’t think you’d let a guy like that tell ya what to-“
The sentence was interrupted by movement and Hutch got the impression that Starsky had probably grabbed his brother. “Nicky, I love ya, little brother, but don’t ya ever say nothing bad about Hutch. Ya hear me. Ya don’t know what you’re talking about. Ya ain’t seen nothing of the world or what troubles people really have. Hutch is the strongest person I know and he’s my best friend. You don’t like him – tough. Get over yourself and your own little self-absorbed bubble you live in and wake up to the fact people are complicated. Hutch don’t tell me what to do but I’d listen to anything he gave me advice on. I may have saved him but he’s saved me too. You got no idea what I went through in ‘Nam – no reason why you should at your age – but it made me cautious about making friends. Hutch is my friend and more than that he’s my brother, just as much as you are. Ma’s accepted him…I hope you’ll do the same. If not…keep your opinions to yourself. Capiche?”
“Yeah, yeah, all right…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean nothing…I just didn’t understand…You won’t tell Ma what I said, will ya?”
Starsky sighed. “Nah, ‘s okay little brother. You and me, we’re good…as long as you understand what I said…Come on, let’s go see if there’s any cookies left in Ma’s tin.”
Hutch heard them move off towards the kitchen. He swallowed and waited a few seconds before slowly walking the rest of the way downstairs and through the living room.
“Hey, Hutch, you’re just in time for cookies!” Starsky said, as soon as he spotted him.
“That’s great,” Hutch said.
He poured himself a coffee and went and sat at the kitchen table. Nicky offered him the tin of cookies and Hutch took one.
“Thanks, Nicky…Thanks for letting me come and share Christmas with you and your family. It must be a bit strange having an extra person here at a family time.”
Nicky’s hard look softened a bit. “Ma always says there’s room for one more…Guess she’s right.”
“Well, thanks. I really appreciate it.”
Nicky stood up and said, “I’m going pop out and see Freddie, wish him a Merry Christmas. Tell Ma I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“All right.”
Nicky headed out of the back door. Hutch watched him go. Then he became aware of Starsky’s eyes boring into the back of his head. He turned to face him.
“How much d’ya hear?”
“Enough to know that I’m lucky to have such a loyal friend…Thanks for everything you said.”
Starsky moved towards the table and ruffled Hutch’s hair before he sat down.
“I meant every word of it. Now, pass the cookies.”
*****
“Hutch? You awake?”
“Mmm.”
“Hutch?…Hutch? You awake, buddy?”
“I am now. What time is it?”
“Seven.”
“Why are you awake so early when we’ve got the chance for a lie-in?” Hutch asked with a yawn.
“It’s Christmas day, dummy. I want to see what presents I got.”
“You can’t be serious!”
He heard Starsky get out of bed.
“I’ll get the coffee going. Come down in a few minutes. All right. I can’t wait much longer.”
Hutch hid his head under a pillow as Starsky turned on the light and headed out of the door. Hutch sighed. No chance of getting back to sleep now. He rubbed his eyes and struggled out of bed, pulling a thick jumper on over his pyjamas, before heading downstairs. Starsky was making lots of noise in the kitchen. He poured Hutch a coffee and then made a tea in a mug.
“I’ll just take this to Ma and then I’ll make breakfast for everybody.”
Hutch nodded sleepily. Starsky was soon back and started cooking up bacon and pancakes. After a while, Mrs Starsky joined them in the kitchen and then a very sleepy Nicky appeared. Starsky waited impatiently for them all to finish their breakfasts and then dumped all the dirty plates in the sink.
“I’ll wash up later, Ma. Present time!”
The other three chuckled to each other as Starsky bounded off into the living room. They followed and settled themselves around the tree on the sofa and chairs. Starsky sat on the floor so he could pass round the presents.
Mrs Starsky thanked Hutch for his gifts and Nicky gave him a genuine smile when he unwrapped his Turkish Delight. Hutch found he’d been given a bottle of whiskey by Nicky, which he thanked him for. He opened the present from Starsky’s mother next and, inside, found a very smart book of folk tunes for guitar.
“Thank you, that’s wonderful,” Hutch said.
“Next time, you come visit, I want you to bring your guitar,” Mrs Starsky said.
Hutch noticed Starsky was undoing one of the boxes from him.
“Oh, buddy, these are t’rrific. Thank you.”
“Well, I’m glad you like ‘em. It’s a start on building up your collection again.”
“I love ‘em.”
Starsky handed around the last of the presents. He came to an unlabelled one. “Who’s this one for?”
“That’s from me for you,” Hutch said.
“Two presents!” Starsky grinned and ripped the paper off the box.
“Careful, it’s delicate,” Hutch warned.
Starsky opened the lid carefully and pushed the tissue paper aside. “Oh.”
He gently pulled the glass ornament from the box and held it up for everyone to see. The top and bottom of the round bauble were painted with red and white stripes and around the middle was a scene showing a red breasted robin in the branches of a tree, watching as reindeer pranced through the snow.
Hutch waited nervously for a reaction. He was never sure if he really understood what people liked when it came to decorations, and especially Christmas decorations. What he considered gaudy, other people adored. What he liked, other people thought boring.
“Like it?” he asked hopefully.
Starsky looked at him. “I absolutely love it, pal. It’s the most beautiful bauble I’ve ever seen. Thanks.”
Hutch couldn’t have smiled any wider.
Starsky pointed at the last present on Hutch’s lap. “Hope you like yours.”
Hutch opened the box and saw a framed photograph of him and Starsky with the word ‘family’ etched into the wooden frame. He’d forgotten Starsky had got Bee to take a photo of them together several weeks ago. He looked at his friend.
“I love it…and I believe it,” he said.
Starsky’s grin radiated enough light to illuminate the whole of Manhattan.
Chapter Eight
As the last block of study started, there were a few disgusted glances and dissatisfied mutterings aimed at Evans, Starsky and Hutch as word spread that Skinner had been expelled and three other cadets were on report and being closely watched. It lasted for the first couple of weeks, but for every disapproving look, there were two approving ones, and gradually life returned back to normal. Evans regained his cheerful attitude and settled back into learning with enthusiasm.
Everyone found out that they had passed the second block of studies with good marks. Hank gained top marks in First Aid, which was no surprise. Hutch placed fifth in Criminal Law and Starsky placed sixth, which they were both thrilled with. The biggest celebration came when Evans received a paper with the results of his AOJ retake – 87%, which placed him in the top ten.
The whole group took a night off from studying and went down to the bar. Inevitably, the conversation turned to what they were hoping to do in the future, as match day was going to be on Wednesday the following week.
“I want to work in Narcotics or Vice eventually so I’ll be looking for a division with a strong department,” Bee said.
Erica shuddered. “I can’t think of anything worse.”
“Well, what do you want to do then?” Bee demanded.
“I think I’d like to work in the Juvenile department. I was thinking about it already and I’m really enjoying Juvenile Procedures.”
“You’re crazy!” Bee said.
Erica stuck her tongue out at her and they both laughed.
“You’re both nuts,” Myerson said, “I just want to stay in uniform. Maybe work up to being a sergeant and then who knows. What about you, Hank?”
Hank took a slow sip of his beer. “I think I’m leaning towards forensics.”
Nearly all of the group groaned.
“Really?” Evans said with a grimace.
“What’s wrong with forensics?” Hank asked, frowning.
“Nothing, honey,” Erica said, planting a kiss on his cheek. “It’s just not everybody’s idea of excitement.”
“Well, it’s interesting and that’s exciting enough for me.”
Hutch smiled. “I think you’ll be good at it, Hank. You’re very methodical.”
Hank raised his glass and tipped it towards Hutch. “Thank you. Nice someone appreciates my skills.”
“What about you, Dave? What do you want to do?” Evans asked.
Starsky grinned. “Hutch and me are planning on being detectives in robbery or homicide. Wherever they will have us. Just as long as we got the chance to be partners someday.”
He and Hutch clinked their glasses together.
Hutch turned to Evans and asked, “What about you, Rick?”
Evans shrugged. “I’d like to be a detective. Don’t really mind where. Just hope I get a fair shot at becoming one.”
Two shadows fell across the table and everyone looked up. Two cadets were standing there; Starsky recognised them as Lucy Haynes and Mattie Wilson.
“Hi Lucy, Mattie, what can we do for you?”
Lucy nudged Mattie, who said, “We wondered if we could buy you a drink?”
“For all of you,” Lucy added.
Starsky smiled. “Sounds good. Any particular reason?”
“Skinner and his cronies made our lives miserable. We can’t tell you how grateful we are that you stood up to him and got him kicked out.”
Starsky stood up. “Why don’t we go get a pitcher to share, Mattie? Lucy, pull up some chairs and you can join us.”
Starsky led Mattie off to the bar and the group re-arranged themselves so they could fit two more chairs in.
Erica said, “We were just talking about what kind of work we want to do. What about you, Lucy. What are plans?”
“Don’t know. Think I’ll just get through my rookie year and see how I feel then.”
Starsky and Mattie came back with two pitchers of beer.
“You won’t believe it,” Starsky said, “But we got another one here wants to go into forensics!”
Hank cheered. “Good for you, Mattie. They’ll all be relying on us when they’re detectives!”
Mattie grinned and said shyly, “Guess we’re the most important crime solvers here.”
“Quite right,” Hank said, “Nothing gets solved without forensics.”
Erica shook her head. “Come on you. How about a game of darts? Or are you too important?”
“Never too important for you, darling,” Hank said with a grin and allowed himself to be led off to the darts board.
“What’s everybody doing about finding a place to live after we graduate? Or have you all got places lined up?” Myerson asked.
Hutch said, “I’ve got to start looking for a place. I’d been staying with Starsky before we started training but I need to find somewhere of my own. What about you, Ted?”
“Well, I’m going to start looking next weekend but if I don’t get somewhere straight away, my uncle said I could stay with him for a bit.”
“Erica and I are going to see if we can find a place to share – at least for the first couple of years on the job. I think Hank’s already got a place lined up – some friend of his parents rents out apartments,” Bee said. “What about you guys?” she said, looking at Lucy, Mattie and Evans.
“I’m going to live with my sister until I find somewhere,” Lucy said. “Mattie’s already got a place.”
Evans sighed. “I need to look but I gotta save up for the deposit so I’ll have to move back with my folks for a few months, I think. It’ll be a bit crowded but at least it’s a roof over my head.”
“Why don’t you come and stay at my uncle’s?” Myerson said. “He’s got room and he loved having the company at Christmas. I’m sure he’d be more than happy.”
“Really, do you think he wouldn’t mind?” Evans said.
“I’ll ring him tomorrow and ask but I’m sure it will be fine. Then you can have time to save up and a bit of peace from your huge family.”
“Thanks, Ted. That’s really kind of you.”
Myerson shrugged. “Happy to help.”
They took it in turns to play darts and pool and then gradually started to drift off back to their different accommodation blocks until only Starsky and Hutch were left.
“I’m worried about Rick,” they both said at exactly the same time.
They grinned at each other.
“Great minds,” Hutch said.
Starsky nodded. “I’d like it if we could all get in the same division. We could keep an eye out for him then. Make sure he’s not being bullied. What d’ya think?”
“Yeah, I want to help him, too. It makes it easier that he’s got no definite plan. We should be able to get rookie places together. Let’s try anyway.”
“Good. Come on, buddy. I need my beauty sleep,” Starsky said, as he stood up, yawning.
“I’ll say,” Hutch said dryly, for which he earned himself a cuff round the ear.
Then grinning, the two of them headed back to room 7 in block B.
*****
On the morning of match day, Starsky and Hutch were invited to go along to Chief Stewart’s office for 9 am. They made sure their uniforms were tidy and then crossed the campus grounds to the administrative block. When they arrived, the secretary smiled at them and ushered them into the office. Chief Stewart was sat behind his desk; another man sat to one side. He had dark hair – although little wisps of white were showing in his sideburns and moustache – and, when he stood to shake their hands, they saw he was a huge figure; both in height and width. His chocolate brown eyes regarded the two of them with interest.
“Cadet Starsky, Hutchinson. This is my friend, Captain Harold Dobey. He’s in charge of a division working out of the Parker Centre in the middle of the city.”
“Pleased to meet you, sir,” Hutch said.
As they all sat down, Dobey said, “Mike, here, tells me you are both looking to become detectives in robbery or homicide. You haven’t decided for definite?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, my division has openings in the rookie training programme and there would definitely be the opportunity to take the detectives’ exam at the end of the year…if you can cope with the work load…The squad I have immediate care for is a mixed squad – they handle a bit of everything, mostly robberies or homicides but they can get called to something as mundane as shoplifting. That’s not everyone’s idea of a career, I know. We’re not fancy; we just get the job done. I get asked to send officers to assist narcotics and some other departments from time to time so there is variety, if that’s of interest.”
Starsky and Hutch looked at each other then back at Dobey. Starsky answered: “It sounds real interesting, sir.”
“Mike’s been impressed with your attitude and how you’ve handled yourselves during the year…especially with the Evans problem…If you want to join my division, the places are yours.”
Hutch looked at Starsky and he nodded. “Sir, how many spaces do you have for rookies? We wondered if Cadet Evans could be taken on, too.”
Dobey looked at Stewart and they both smiled. Dobey nodded at the two cadets.
“I think that can be arranged.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Dobey stood up. “Well, let’s go see my team now and get you signed up. I’ll tell them to keep a space for Evans.”
“Thank you, sir,” Hutch said. He turned to Chief Stewart and offered him his hand. “And thank you, sir.”
Stewart cleared his throat as he shook Hutch’s hand. “My pleasure, Cadet. I like to see good men placed in a division I know they will thrive in. You’ll learn a lot from Harold and I’m sure you’ll do well there.”
As they started to leave, Stewart called after Dobey, “Harold, give my love to Edith. Maria will be in touch about dinner sometime.”
Dobey acknowledged this with a wave and headed out and across the campus to the gym, where stands from the various divisions were just setting up. He got the two cadets signed up and gave orders for a place to be saved for Cadet Evans.
As he went to leave, Dobey said, “I look forward to seeing you in March at the Parker Centre for your rookie training.”
Starsky and Hutch nodded and thanked him. As they walked back across the campus to go tell Evans the good news, they smiled at each other.
“Nearly there, buddy,” Starsky said.
“Yep, nearly there,” Hutch said. “I feel like I ought to pinch myself. Is this really happening, Starsk?”
“Sure is, buddy. One step closer to being partners.”
Hutch slapped him on the back and mirrored the grin he saw on his friend’s face.
*****
A couple of weeks later, they were sat in a class on Criminal Investigations, when a security officer came to the door and asked for Cadet Hutchinson. Starsky watched as Hutch talked to the guard just outside the classroom door and then went off with him. He briefly wondered what was going on but knew it wasn’t long until lunch so he’d be able to ask Hutch then. He returned his attention to the speaker.
Hutch followed the security guard to reception with very mixed feelings. What on earth was Vanessa doing showing up at the academy? He felt apprehensive and then he started to feel anger building up inside him. He was pleased to realise that he didn’t feel afraid anymore and he certainly wasn’t going to let her make him react out of panic. He took a calming breath and tried to button down his anger.
Vanessa shouldn’t be here that was for sure – she had no right invading his world now that they were officially divorced – but the fact that she had the nerve to? Did that mean she was desperate because the arson attack hadn’t worked? Or did it mean she hadn’t been behind it after all? He was curious to see her and judge her behaviour for himself.
When he reached reception, he saw Vanessa pacing up and down. She spun around when she heard his footsteps and came walking over to him with a huge smile on her face.
“Ken, darling!”
It was clear from the slight weave and the slur of words that she was drunk. Hutch felt disgust add to his anger.
He spoke quietly, aware that the security guard was watching with thinly veiled interest, “What are you doing here, Vanessa? What do you want?”
She tried to hug him but he stepped away.
Vanessa pouted slightly and said, “Is that anyway to greet your wife?”
“Ex-wife.”
Vanessa let out an irritated breath and frowned. “Well, we were married and we had lots of good times. I think I deserve a hug at least.”
Hutch shook his head in disbelief.
“Vanessa. What is going on? You shouldn’t be here. Why are you here?”
“I need your help.”
“That’s rich, after what you’ve put me through. I am the last person you should go to for help. We’re divorced. You need to get help elsewhere.”
“Can’t we still be friends? I’m sure you still care about me. You can’t just turn off feelings, darling. I still love you.”
Hutch sighed. “I can be civil but that’s about it. You showing up here…the worse for wear…is not going to earn you any points. You need to leave. Now.”
Vanessa’s lower lip wobbled and her eyes filled with tears. “Please, Ken. I’m so worried. I’m behind on the payments for my car…They want to take it back….and I seem to have lots of bills all of a sudden. I don’t know what to do. I’m beside myself. Please, darling. Please.”
“Can’t your parents help you?”
Vanessa shook her head. “I’ve made such a mess of everything. I don’t want them to know. Daddy’s not well. I don’t want to worry him…Can you just help me? Help me work out what I need to do now, if you’re not going to come back. I promise I won’t trouble you again after this. Please, Ken, for old times’ sake.”
Trying not to fall for her sob story, Hutch was filled with annoyance, demanding to know: “Have you even looked for a job? Or have you just carried on spending and buried your head in the sand? I suppose your trust fund’s all dried up so now you’re desperate.”
“That’s uncalled for, darling…I am trying to get work.”
“Are you? Really? Because that’s what you need to do, Vanessa. And maybe think about moving somewhere smaller, as well.”
Vanessa suddenly looked sleepy and swayed as she stood. “I-I know, darlin’. I-I need to get a job…But what?…It’s a problem…’s not so easy…” She swayed again.
Hutch deliberated. He wanted Vanessa out of here; before lessons ended and there was bigger audience to what could become an unpleasant scene. Maybe it would just be easier to go with her and get her safely home, given her state, and then he could talk through whatever she wanted and hopefully never see her again.
“All right. I’ll drive you home and talk through what you need to do but then that’s it. I don’t want to see you again.”
“Of course,” Vanessa said with exaggerated slowness and waved a hand vaguely in the air.
“Stay there. I’ll be with you in a minute.” Hutch went over to the security guard. “Did Mrs Hutchinson sign in?”
“Yes. Right here.”
“Okay, I’m signing her out. I’m Cadet Hutchinson. Please let Chief Stewart know that she was here and that she was drunk. He will know what it’s to do with. Could you also inform him that I’m driving her home and then I will come back to campus?”
The guard looked even more interested. Any protest he might have made at Hutch leaving campus was subdued by the mention of Chief Stewart. He said. “Of course, Cadet Hutchinson. I’ll inform him straight away.”
“Thanks.”
The bell went for the end of class and Hutch grabbed Vanessa by the elbow and led her quickly out to the parking area where her car was waiting. He helped her get into the passenger seat and then climbed in on the driver’s side.
*****
The bell went for the end of class and Starsky gathered up his books and headed off towards the cafeteria. He met up with Myerson and Erica and collected his lunch. They sat down at one of their preferred tables, chatting while they ate, and were soon joined by Bee, Evans and Hank. Starsky looked up and scanned the line of cadets waiting for food. There was no sign of Hutch. What had the security guard needed him for? And how long was it going to take?
“Wonder what’s keeping Hutch?” he said out loud.
Through a mouthful of food, Myerson said, “I saw him leaving campus.”
“What? Who with?”
“Some woman with a blue car – only he was getting into the driver’s side.”
Starsky’s eyes widened and he turned pale. “Oh no.”
The worried tone of his voice made the other’s look at him anxiously.
“What’s wrong?” Bee asked.
Starsky stood up. “It sounds like Hutch’s ex-wife. Hank, can you go tell Chief Stewart that I’ve had to leave campus. I’m going to drive to Vanessa’s place and see if Hutch is there. She’s bad news and totally unpredictable.”
“Of course,” Hank said and headed straight off.
“What was he thinking?” Starsky muttered.
As he started walking away, Evans ran after him. “Dave, I’m coming with you.”
Starsky deliberated and then nodded. “Okay, buddy. Thanks, it might be good to have an objective witness along.”
The two of them quickly walked to the parking lot and got into Starsky’s Torino and took off in a cloud of smoke. He drove as quickly as he dared towards the smart end of the city. All the while, he was wondering what on earth Hutch had been thinking and just exactly what Vanessa was up to. He didn’t think Hutch was under her spell anymore and was sure he could handle himself if she tried anything but he still wished his friend hadn’t headed off into an unpredictable situation without him. And what if she’d made Hutch go somewhere other than the apartment? Then what?
He pulled up outside Vanessa’s apartment block. There was no sign of Vanessa’s car but it could be down in the parking garage. He and Evans rushed into the building and started to head towards the elevators. The security guard came out from behind his desk and tried to stop them.
“I’m a friend of Ken and Vanessa Hutchinson. They are expecting me. I take it, they are here?” Starsky said.
“Er, yes, sir, they arrived a few minutes ago. Shall I buzz them and let them know you are on the way up?”
“Sure. Tell ’em Dave Starsky.”
Starsky pressed the call button and he and Evans hopped into the elevator before the guard could ask any further questions. Impatiently, Starsky pushed the button for the third floor and waited for the car to arrive at level three. As soon as the doors opened, Starsky was out and walking quickly to room 303. The door was slightly open and there was an ominous silence.
Chapter Nine
Vanessa was nearly asleep by the time they reached the apartment block. Hutch parked her car in the underground garage and helped her out of her seat, guiding her over to the elevator and out into the lobby of the building. The security guard, behind the desk, nodded at him as they walked past. Once inside the elevator, Vanessa woke up a little and tried to hug Hutch, putting her arms up around his neck.
“Don’t do that,” Hutch said, as he firmly pushed her arms down and stepped away.
Vanessa looked confused and swayed a little before leaning up against the side of the elevator. She frowned at him.
Hutch was relieved when the elevator doors opened. He stepped out quickly and hoped that Vanessa would follow under her own power; he was loath to touch her again. When they reached the front door of 303, she fumbled in her pockets, then her bag, and finally produced a key to unlock the door. She walked slowly in until she came to the living room. Hutch left the door slightly open and followed her cautiously.
When she didn’t speak, he said, “Sit down, Vanessa. I’ll make you some coffee.”
He went into the kitchen and quickly reheated the pot that was usually on the go and brought a mug of black coffee back into the living room. Vanessa was sitting at one end of the white sofa and patted the space next to her. Hutch handed the mug to his ex-wife and went and sat on the armchair, well away from her. She frowned at him and then took a sip of her drink and grimaced.
“I don’t like black coffee, darling. You know that.”
“It’ll sober you up faster…What on earth are doing drinking this early in the day?”
Vanessa shrugged. “I needed a little pick me up after I got the red letter about the car payments.”
“Where’s your money gone, Vanessa? The apartment’s all paid for thanks to my grandparents…You’ve only got household bills and the car – your trust fund should have been enough to tide you over until you could get a job or sell this place.”
“I don’t want to sell this place. It’s home. I wouldn’t get anything as suitable for entertaining guests if I sold.”
“Van, you need to get your priorities right. Live like a normal person for a while.”
Vanessa pouted. “A boring person, you mean. That’s not me, darling. I have to have people around or I get bored, you know that. And I like to be called Vanessa.”
Hutch sighed. “Well, if you want to keep entertaining guests, you’ll have to get a job to pay for it.”
“Yes, all right.” The words sounded slightly annoyed. Vanessa steadied herself and then said, “Kenny, darling, you obviously still care otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Can’t we work things out so you’ll come home?”
Hutch looked at her in disbelief.
Vanessa moved along the sofa until she was closer.
“You’ve made your point, moving out and staying with that Starsky person, but now it’s time to come home. I promise I’ll be good. I’ll be everything you want me to be. I’ll even put up with you being a cop.”
Hutch shook his head. “I wasn’t making a point, Vanessa…I…You hurt me…You made me miserable and I nearly killed myself and that ‘Starsky person’, as you call him, saved my life.”
Vanessa’s eyebrows went up.
“You seem surprised, Van,” Hutch said. “Yet you systematically tried to destroy me because you couldn’t have things your way. How did you think it would end up? I had to get out, one way or another. I nearly chose the wrong way but, thank God, Starsky was there and got me back on the right way. Read my lips – we are over.”
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears of frustration and annoyance, not sadness.
Hutch stood up. “Before I go, I just want to know one thing…Did you try to burn down Starsky’s home?”
Vanessa shook her head. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Hutch tried to listen to her answer with his cop’s instincts – he still wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth or not.
“Well, I hope not…If it turns out you did, I will make sure that you get the punishment you deserve.”
He started to walk towards the door. “Good bye, Vanessa. Please don’t try to contact me again.”
He’d almost reached the door, when he heard a sliding noise and Vanessa said, “My life’s over.”
He swung round to see that Vanessa had opened the door to the balcony and was walking towards the white metal balustrade that surrounded it. She grabbed a chair as she passed and dragged it towards the side. Hutch was across the living room in seconds.
“Vanessa, don’t!”
*****
Starsky knocked on the open door loudly and called out his friend’s name, “Hutch!” before carefully easing it back and peering inside. He couldn’t see anybody.
“Stay behind me,” he whispered to Evans and slowly made his way into the apartment, along the short entrance way, which opened out into the living room. His eyes swept the room and then he looked through the glass doors onto the scene on the balcony.
“Oh!” Evans said.
Vanessa was standing on a chair, leaning precariously over the edge of the white balustrade. Hutch was standing just the other side of the doorway, eyes fixed on Vanessa, talking quietly. Starsky saw one hand move behind his back and the fingers signalled him to wait. He was glad his friend knew he was there and that he didn’t have to deal with this on his own.
Whatever was happening, Starsky knew the sight of him would probably only make it worse. He whispered to Evans for the pair of them to move slightly to the right so that they would be out of Vanessa’s line of sight, if she looked into the living room, but staying close by in case Hutch needed them.
Starsky’s heart pounded as he listened to what Hutch was saying.
“Vanessa, this isn’t the answer.”
“It’s the only one I can think of…this way you’ll feel sorry for me, at least.”
“I do feel sorry for you but you’re not thinking straight. Come on, come down, and we’ll work out a plan together of how to sort out your finances. You know lots of people who would love to have you working with them. You’re bright, beautiful, young. You’ve got a whole life ahead of you.”
Vanessa’s tone turned wheedling. “Tell me you love me, Kenny, and I’ll come down.”
Starsky couldn’t believe that, even in this situation, Vanessa was still trying to manipulate Hutch. He saw Hutch freeze and then something changed in his friend’s posture.
“Vanessa. You are unbelievable! You are still trying to manipulate me. I’ve had enough of whatever this is.”
He started turning as if to go through the door back into the living room. His eyes locked with Starsky’s briefly.
Starsky saw Vanessa turn an enraged face towards Hutch and she stamped her foot. The chair wobbled. Hutch saw Starsky’s eyes widen in shock and quickly turned back, just as Vanessa started to fall. In one long stride, he reached her and grabbed for her leg but the pull of gravity was too strong and she slipped from his hands. He could only watch in horror as Vanessa fell, turning his head at the last moment so as to not see the actual impact.
“Oh my God!”
Hutch’s horrified eyes looked desperately at Starsky. A second later, Starsky was by his side and wrapping his arms around his shaking friend.
“Starsk…I didn’t want this…I didn’t want her dead.”
“I know, buddy, I know. This is all on Vanessa. You tried your best.”
Hutch went to look over the balcony but Starsky pulled him away.
“No, you don’t need to see that, pal. Come on, come with me.”
He pulled Hutch away from the balcony and into the living room and sat him on the sofa, keeping an arm wrapped around him. Evans had pulled himself out of his shocked state and got on the phone to the police, who informed him that units had already been dispatched at the request of Chief Stewart. He passed this information on and soon they heard sirens outside the building. A few moments later, there was the sound of the elevator door opening and feet coming down the corridor. Starsky was relieved to see Moores and Bennet.
The two detectives questioned them briefly and then allowed the three of them to follow them to the station in Starsky’s car to make their formal statements. It was almost six by the time they were allowed to head back to the academy. At Starsky’s request, Moores said he would see that Vanessa’s parents were informed. The last thing he wanted was for Hutch to have to do it.
Hutch was quiet on the way back and, several times, Starsky glanced at him with worried eyes. When they’d parked up, Starsky suggested to Evans that he go ahead and meet the others for dinner and let them know what had happened. As they walked through reception, Chief Stewart appeared and stopped them. He placed a hand on Hutch’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Cadet Hutchinson. Anything I can do to help you, let me know.”
Hutch nodded and Starsky said, “Thank you, sir. We appreciate that and we appreciate you acting so quickly to send help.”
“Well, I wish it hadn’t been needed…I think you should go and rest this evening, Cadet Hutchinson. Come and see me tomorrow, if you want to talk. My door is open.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The Chief nodded at Starsky and then let both of them leave. They walked in silence to their room.
“I’m all right if you want to go have your dinner, Starsky,” Hutch said, as they walked through the door.
“No way, buddy…If you don’t want to go for dinner, I’ll go over in a bit and bring some food back here, but I’m not going off and leaving you right now.”
Starsky sat down on the sofa. Hutch wandered up and down.
“What d’ya need, buddy?”
Hutch stopped and looked at him with eyes brimming with tears. “I need to turn back time so this afternoon never happened…but it did, didn’t it…I hated her and I loved her, Starsk.”
“I know, pal.”
“Nobody should die like that.”
“I know.”
“Was it my fault? What could I have done differently? I shouldn’t have called her bluff. I made her do it.”
With that declaration, Starsky was on his feet with his hands on Hutch’s shoulders.
“Hutch, listen to me. I saw what happened. You were right; Vanessa was playing you.”
“But-”
“No, you listen. When you called her bluff, she turned around and she was furious. I saw her face. She stamped her foot with frustration and that’s what made her fall.”
Hutch searched Starsky’s eyes, seeking the truth.
“You’re not just saying that?”
“It’s in my statement, buddy…I wouldn’t lie to you, pal, I promise.”
Starsky saw the relief fill Hutch’s face and then the sorrow.
“I-I still wouldn’t have w-wished her dead.”
“I know, pal,” Starsky said, and he did know. He knew Hutch’s heart was so big, it would try to find the good in everyone, and try to forgive the bad in everyone, too – even Vanessa.
Starsky pulled Hutch into a loving embrace and held him as he finally let the tears fall.
*****
It was Graduation Day; everyone in their group had passed with good results and all of them would be able to start their rookie training next week. Starsky had been the only cadet to get all perfect scores in Firearms, for which he received a gold medal. Starsky’s mother, brother, uncle and aunt were all there to celebrate their achievement. Each cadet was allowed two tickets for the ceremony – Hutch had given his away to Starsky and told him to invite Al and Rosie. He didn’t want to bother inviting his parents as he knew they disapproved of his choice of career and he didn’t think they would show up even if he did invite them.
They took their celebrations to The Pits. Huggy was charming to all his guests, although he did admit he wasn’t sure that he wanted to get a reputation for being friendly towards cops.
“You’ll ruin my cred-ibil-iteee on the streets,” he moaned.
After a couple of hours, Bee and her parents said they had to be going. Bee hugged everyone but when she got to Starsky, she half-hugged, half gave him a peck on the cheek.
Erica rolled her eyes at her roommate. “For goodness’ sake, give Dave a proper kiss. The pair of you aren’t fooling anyone!”
Bee blushed. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
Erica glanced at the group. “Most of us are going to be detectives, dummy. We’ve got eyes!”
Starsky laughed and after a second Bee did, too, then she gave him a ‘proper’ kiss and promised to call him next week, before heading off with her parents.
Starsky’s mother said, “I like her.”
Evans and Myerson and their families left and gradually the group dispersed with promises to meet up at The Pits on the second Saturday of April. Uncle Al and Aunt Rosie left and Starsky, Hutch, Nicky and Mrs Starsky gathered up their jackets to go.
Huggy appeared. “Hutch, you found somewhere to live yet?”
“No, I’ve got a couple of places lined up to look at tomorrow. I’ve moved back in with Starsky for a couple of weeks now his apartment is okay to live in.”
Huggy produced a piece of paper. “Got details of two that ain’t been listed yet. I know the landlord, he’s okay. Give him a ring and he’ll show you round.”
“Thanks, Huggy,” Hutch said, as he looked down at the piece of paper. One was in a block called Decker Heights; the other was called Venice Place.
Starsky drove his Mom and Nicky to the small hotel they were staying in. He and Hutch climbed out so that Nicky and Starsky‘s mother could get out of the back seat. Nicky slapped his brother on the back and said goodbye to him and nodded affably to Hutch and then walked into the hotel. Before she left them, Mrs Starsky kissed them both and took their hands in hers.
She said, “I want you to know, I couldn’t be prouder of both of you. I love you both. Take good care of each other.”
Hutch said, “We will, Ma.”
Starsky gave his mother a huge hug and said, “We’ll be careful, Ma.” He stepped back. “I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow to take you to the airport. Love ya.”
As he drove them home, Starsky placed his arm across Hutch’s shoulders and said, “We made it, buddy. Rookie training starts next week and I can’t wait.”
Hutch nodded. “Thanks, Starsk. Wouldn’t be here, without you.”
Starsky looked at him. “And I wouldn’t be making good on a life-long dream if it wasn’t for you. Fifty-fifty, buddy, remember.”
“Yep. I remember.”
They were nearly home when Starsky turned the car around and headed back the other way.
“Where are we going?”
“To the beach. I feel the need to yell,” Starsky said.
Hutch grinned.
When they arrived, it was late and the beach was deserted. They walked down to the water’s edge and then looked at each other and nodded.
“1,2,3. WE’RE GONNA BE THE BEST PARTNERS BAY CITY HAS EVER SEEN!”
A few startled seagulls took off and circled overhead.
“Think they agree?” Hutch said, watching them.
“Of course,” Starsky said, “They know it’s true. Me and thee all the way, partner.”
Hutch wrapped his arm around Starsky’s shoulder as they headed back up towards the car.
“Like the sound of that…partner.”
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