You’re Mine, Not His!!

235

Our boys are truly tested. Will the Me and Thee bond be broken? It’s an intense story that is graphic with varying types of abuse and angst for all.

 

Author’s Notes: Thank you to Lapfordlass for being my beta for this story.

---

Prologue 

As she sat under the cover of darkness and watched, they approached the curb and parked. She had been observing the two hot-shots for several weeks now, while planning how to eliminate the one who stood between her and revenge on her former lover. The two occupants exited the Torino; one light and one dark. She whispered, “It’s almost time for the fun to begin.” With a gleam in her eye and malice in her heart, she croaked out, “Oh, how he will pay! He will pay dearly for his betrayal!”

It had been a long 13 months of pain and loneliness, trying to reconstruct her sordid life after it was revealed he was a police officer and that she was just a pawn in an undercover assignment. Jaded, angry and betrayed, she vowed to make him pay and pay dearly as he belonged to her not his partner. She thought to her herself with Hutchinson gone and Starsky reeling from his partner’s despicable actions, that he would turn to her for comfort and love.  She would be waiting in the wings. She was torn between wanting to get revenge on Starsky or loving him. Rosey really struggled with what she wanted, so thought she would do both.

Being the daughter of a renowned mobster had its benefits. She was often overlooked, pushed aside and forgotten, but those moments proved very instrumental for Rosey to learn effective methods of dealing with people who betrayed her father’s trust.

All those years of lurking in her father’s shadows were going to prove very fruitful. In light of her upbringing, she now possessed the skills and resources to carry out her plan, exacting her revenge on her deceptive lover and what stands between them.

She decided Friday night would be the night to initiate her plan as she had overheard the detectives discussing their plans for their upcoming time off while enjoying some suds at The Pits. Starsky would be heading to San Diego for a military retirement party for an old colonel he once served under and cherished. While Hutch had plans to spend the weekend at a beach house up in Sea-more, California, with his girlfriend of recent weeks. The beach house belonged to an old college friend.

Rosey went through her plan in her mind.

Phase 1:  accomplished with ease—separation of the detectives.

Phase 2: Capture—the area is small, one road in. She wouldn’t need to follow him. “I can wait for him. Taint his groceries with strong topical sedative hallucinogenic supplements.”

Phase 3: Frame Hutchinson for murder and rape.  Kill the girl, making it look like a lovers’ quarrel turned deadly. More grief for Starsky as he has to contend with his partner’s despicable actions. “Grief that will undoubtedly have him turning to me, instead of his partner.”

Phase 4:  Starsky would be hers. Hers to manipulate.

 

Chapter 1

And so it begins….

It was Friday and Rosey could hardly contain her excitement, laughing softly as she exited Venice Place. She had been sneaking in every morning for the past week to slip her poison into the blond’s blender. This time it was a triple dose that was sure to bring agitation and sexual desire to the forefront and be all consuming on the blond’s mind.

****

As Hutch was leaning against the wall of Venice Place, he could not contain his rising frustration and anger towards his partner who once again was running late for work. As Starsky approached the curb, Hutch took a deep breath before pushing off the wall and getting to the Torino.

In a snarky tone he asked, “What’s the excuse today?”

As Starsky started to explain how he had stopped to help the elderly couple next door to him, Hutch cut him off and angrily spat and spat out, “Save it for Dobey, I don’t want to hear it!”

“Geez, Hutch, did you not get enough wheat germ or desiccated liver this morning? What gives?”

Out came the Hutchinson warning finger. “Knock it off, Starsk, can we just get this day over with?”

Starsky knew when to push and when to let his blond friend alone. Hutch’s Wrath could be quite deadly, if one was not careful. He chose to remain silent for the reminder of trip to Metro. However he kept stealing glances at his frustrated partner, trying to figure out why his mood was so bad. If he didn’t know better he thought he could see murder in his eyes. The Hutchinson Wrath was not something Starsky wanted to deal with; he had learned the hard way, when to push Hutch and when not to.

Hutch exited the vehicle hastily and marched through the corridors bumping into fellow officers and silencing their protests with an icy glare. Starsky followed behind his partner silently apologizing for the blond’s rude behavior.

*****

The rest of their day wasn’t going well either, which added to Hutch’s irritable mood. After chasing a 211 perp on foot for nearly a mile and half, then ultimately losing him, Hutch took his frustration out on a nearby dumpster. Let’s say the dumpster looked far worse, than Hutch’s painful looking hands.

“Ya know, Hutch—”

“—Go to hell, Starsky!”

“Hey, it’s about quitting time let’s head back to Metro, swap cars and you can drop me at the airport on your way out of town. If you are still willing to do so?”

Hutch softened slightly at his partner’s question. “Sure, sounds good.”

Hutch logged them out.  The remainder of the drive was silent, unnervingly so, thought Starsky.

 

Chapter 2

Upon arrival at the airport, Starsky was getting out and when he was stopped by Hutch’s arm grabbing his. He said that he was sorry for being a lousy partner today. Then wished his friend a safe flight and good trip. He suggested they go to The Pits Monday evening.

Starsky said, “Sounds good, Blondie. Hope you can release a little tension with Savannah this weekend.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Hutch smiled at his partner and said, “Yes,” while his hand dropped to his crotch and affectionately rubbed it a couple times.

Starsky was dumbfounded, never in his years of knowing Hutch had he ever done anything so crude, well not in public anyway. Starsky shook his head and shut the door, saying, “See ya,” as he walked to the terminal.

*****

The drive to Sea-more was less than pleasant. Heavy traffic and an accident added to Hutch’s mounting frustration.  He arrived at the rendezvous point (Sea-more Market) 45 minutes late. Savannah was visibly upset and worried that Hutch had stood her up, resulting in her being stranded. A co-worker had dropped her off at the rendezvous point there after a client visit in the area.

As they’d planned, they went into the market to collect some supplies they’d pre-ordered. He hurriedly went to the counter to pay for his order. The old clerk advised Hutch to go through the groceries and make sure everything was there, because he wasn’t sure about some things, stating he was too old to start eating healthy. Hutch hastily went through the bags, picking up multiple items to get a good look at his order.

“It all appears to be here,” he acknowledged, while Savannah repacked the bags. Hutch gave his thanks.

The attendant called out, “Enjoy yourselves.”

“You have no idea how much we will enjoy ourselves,” Hutch stated as he was absently stroking his groin.

“Ken, you’re embarrassing me! Come on, will ya.”

They piled back into the LTD and headed down the scenic, sparsely populated road to the beach houses, Joe’s being the last one. As Hutch pulled up to the beach house, both occupants lost consciousness as a result of handling the Fentanyl tainted groceries. Just previously to Savannah’s arrival at the market, Rosey and her conspirators had entered the market as the clerk was packing the bags labeled Hutchinson.  One of the goons distracted the clerk by stating he couldn’t find an item. While he was distracted helping the alleged customer, Rosey quickly spread the sedative powder all over the groceries. Then they made a hasty retreat.

Seeing her plan coming together, Rosey directed her hired muscle to bring them inside, with orders to take Savannah to the bedroom and remove her clothing forcefully and secure to the bed with the cop’s cuffs. Then Rosey turned her attention to Hutch, bringing the unconscious man to orgasm and collecting the semen.

Rosey released the goons to have fun with ‘the broad,’ but insisted they not finish her until after they brought the cop over to make defensive marks on him and use his gun to finish the job.  With those tasks completed, they loaded Hutch into the back of the van and drove off.

 

Chapter 3

Hutch awoke four days later (unbeknownst to him) in a dank room, with his hands and feet loosely bound. As he sat up to release his bindings, a tidal wave of nausea and dizziness overtook him and blackness was upon him. A while later as the darkness receded, Hutch took stock of his injuries and surroundings.  This time being more aware of his injuries and the mariachi band playing in his head. He cautiously sat up. Once he was able maintain an upright position, he worked to free himself of his bindings. Hutch moved to the door and was surprised to find it unlocked. As he woozily exited the building, he was trying to reconstruct in his mind what the hell had happened. He soon realized he was in an inner city, but not Bay City.

Hutch began haphazardly staggering down the street trying to place his location and figure out just what was happening. A patrol car hastily rolled up on him and asked if he was okay. The officer asked his name.

“Ken, Ken Hutchinson, I’m a—”

He never even finished his statement as he was forcibly grabbed and flung across the patrol car hood, with such force the woozy detective’s head careened off the windshield of the cruiser. Confused agitated and nauseous, he began to protest this atrocity and was instantly silenced as the baton made contact with his back. And his head once again met the car with mind numbing force.

*****

Meanwhile Starsky was in Dobey ‘s office in a near frantic state.

“Now settle down, Starsky!! You said yourself that Hutch was taking a fine young lady away somewhere. Maybe he decided to sneak more days off.”

“Awe, come on, Cap’n, this isn’t like Hutch at all. He wouldn’t have left me stranded in the airport. Then fail to show at Huggy’s for dinner.” Starsky looked pleadingly at his Captain and said, “Something’s not right, I got a feeling.”

Dobey sighed and relented, “I’ll take you off the roster for today. You’re no good to me in this state anyway.”

Starsky’s eyes brightened and he flashed his captain his most endearing smile. He bounded out of the office just as the phone rang. Only to be halted by the captain’s ferocious yell of, “STARSKY!” just as the detective was exiting the bull pen. He halted and returned to the office he had just vacated. One look at his Captain’s nearly ashen face had Starsky sinking into the nearest chair.

“What is it?”

Dobey took a calming breath and stated, “Hutch has been arrested.”

“What!! On what charges? Where is he?”

“He’s up in Sea-more and the charges are rape and 1st degree murder.”

“Awe, come on, that is crazy, there has to be a mistake. Hutch wouldn’t hurt a butterfly, much less murder and rape someone.”

“Well, let’s go sort this out,” Dobey said, while grabbing his jacket.

Starsky numbly followed his superior out the door.

 

Chapter 4

Three hours later it was all Dobey could do to pull his irate detective off of the Sea-more Sheriff.

“You did what? Why the hell was he transferred up to Tri County jail that’s another two hours from here. What sick game are you—”

“STARSKY! That’s enough. Let the man speak. I want answers, Lieutenant, as to why you would see fit to send a police officer who has only been charged, not convicted of any crime, to the Tri-County facility?”

“Well, big City Captain, us little folks don’t have the resources you do, so it’s our policy the send the most serious offenders over to TRI-County when our cells are full. So, police officer or not, rape and 1st degree murder are the most serious of charges of those currently taking up residence in our cells. Therefore Hutchinson was transferred.”

“Why wasn’t I notified of Hutchinson’s move before now?” Dobey ground out, while barely holding on to his composure. He thought to himself, “Maybe I should let Starsky go at him!”

The Lieutenant shrugged.

Dobey checked his anger and tugged on Starsky’s arm to prevent a resurgence of his detective’s outburst that would only make matters worse. “Com’n, Dave, let’s leave and get up to Tri as we can’t do much for Hutch here.”

“Oh crap, he called me Dave. This nightmarish shit is real cuz cause he used my Christian name. Get it together, Starsky, you can’t help Hutch, if you get yourself thrown in jail.”

*****

An undetermined time later, Hutch woke up dazed, confused, and in pain. He saw the white walls, but it lacked those typical hospital smells. The sounds wafting in were familiar but took a minute to sink in, not a hospital – a jail? “How the hell did I get here and where is Starsky?”

Before Hutch could even begin to make heads or tails of this mess, the welcoming committee came to introduce themselves, in a not so friendly way. When he returned to consciousness, the familiar antiseptic smells insulted his nostrils.  “Awe a hospital, it was just a bad dream.” He went to bring his hand up to his aching head. He met resistance, in the form of metal clanking against metal. He was cuffed to the bed. Panic and fear were grappling for top spot in his mind. He did the only thing he could do, he croaked out repeatedly, “Starsky, help me…”

 

Chapter 5

Captain Dobey and Starsky were sitting in Warden Simpkin’s office, trying to pry out of him why Hutch was in the infirmary not having been confined to grounds for no more than 18 hours.

Captain Dobey was in the process of dressing down Warden Simpkins and his less than par operations, when his tirade was interrupted by the shrill cry of the phone.

Simpkins held up a hand to stop the verbal onslaught, stating, “It’s—the infirmary.”

Starsky sucked in a breath, tapping his fingers nervously on the arm of the chair. He looked at Dobey, eyebrows raised with raw concern and fear showing in his eyes.

Dobey was straining to listen to what the caller was saying, though he couldn’t make much out.

“Inmate 004L268 Hutchinson, Kenneth, alright thank you. I’ll let them know and check to see who’s available to go with the transport team.”

As Simpkins ended the call, he took a sharp breath, before telling the officers in front of him that Hutch was being transported to a nearby by hospital for emergency care. Starsky immediately stated he would ride in the ambulance with his partner.

Simpkins began to state it was against regulations, but Dobey cut in, “Simpkins, since you are having staffing issues then Starsky riding transport solves that problem.”

*****

A few minutes later, Starsky was in the ambulance with Hutch as he was being transported for emergency care. The sight of his partner was shocking: he was barely conscious (with bluish gray undertones), the oxygen mask over his bloody bruised face, the rubber tube sticking out from the purple and black patch that covered the right side of his chest, plus the sight of Hutch cuffed to gurney was enough to sicken Starsky.  He quietly murmured to Hutch that he was there and that the hospital would patch him up right quick.

“Hang in there, Buddy,” he murmured multiple times, but he could not tell him that he was safe because this whole situation was a runaway nightmare.

*****

Upon arrival to the emergency room Hutch was quickly evaluated and whisked into surgery. A short time later, Dobey found his detective leaning against the wall, just outside the OR doors. It was not lost on him that Starsky looked scared and dejected.

“Awe, Cap, it’s bad, they beat the shit out of him and raped him. Cap, they raped him, dammit!”

“Settle down, Starsky. Getting too worked up right now won’t help him. Tanner is going directly to the courthouse to check on details regarding the arraignment.”

 

Chapter 6

Two days later, Hutch was discharged from the hospital and directly transported to the courthouse for his arraignment. Despite Tanner’s best efforts, Kenneth Richard Hutchinson was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and rape. Bail was denied due to the heinous nature of the crimes that were allegedly perpetrated.  A trial date was set for 30 days out.

Hutch dropped his head and gave a big sigh. When he looked up at Starsky, his eyes were full of fear and defeat. Starsky leaned over the rail and grabbed Hutch on the forearm.

“We’ll fight this. Hang in there, partner, and keep your head up.”

Hutch stated, “I didn’t hurt anyone, Starsk.” He looked imploringly at his partner so that he would know he was telling the truth.

“I know, babe. We’ll get to the bottom of this. I’m gonna get out there and find the turkey who is responsible.”

As Hutch stood, the bailiff approached and shackled his hands to his waist and his feet together and escorted his downtrodden prisoner from the courtroom. The sight of this was just enough to make the bile rise up in Starsky’s stomach. He turned to Dobey, with unshed tears filling his eyes.

“Cap’n we gotta get this figured out.”

 

Chapter 7

The days turned into weeks and all of Starsky and Dobey’s work hadn’t produced a single tidbit of evidence to assist Hutch. Starsky continued to visit Hutch as much as possible. Each time was more painful than before.

“It’s as if Hutch has given up, lost his zest for life,” Starsky relayed to Dobey after visiting Hutch.

Hutch’s pallor, weight loss, and lifeless eyes were scaring him to death. Hell, if the tables were turned he’d feel much the same.

*****

With the trial beginning in the morning, Starsky knew he was in for a sleepless night. He had all the evidence in front of him, trying to figure out what it was he was missing that would be the key to Hutch’s innocence and freedom. Frustrated with himself, because he hadn’t not been able to find a single morsel in all these weeks to help his best friend.

When Dobey and Huggy arrived at the hotel, they found a near frantic Starsky pacing the room like a caged lion. The despair and frustration of not being able to help his partner was almost more than he could handle.

“Hey, my man, slow down,” Huggy said as he stepped in front of a frantically pacing Starsky.

Captain Dobey reached out and snagged Starsky’s arm, the detective turned to face his him and fell into Dobey’s welcoming embrace. His tear-brimmed eyes and pain were just about enough to unnerve Dobey, thinking he might actually lose both of his best detectives if Hutch went down for this.

*****

The courtroom was a buzz of activity. Filled with reporters from many cities and crammed packed with nosy spectators. There in the far corner of the courtroom were Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson. As they were locating a spot and sitting down, Richard bumped into a lady. He mouthed an apology.

After they were seated, he leaned over and said, “I’m sorry Miss …”

“Rosey,” she said.

“I’m sorry for about knocking you over, Ms. Rosey.”

“So formal and polite,” she thought as she looked up at the man, The resemblance struck her, that these were Hutchinson‘s parents. It was all she could do to hide the smirk that was trying to escape.

*****

After four long days of Prosecution testimony and another 2.5 days from the Defence, the Defence team finally rested and the jury was turned out for deliberation.

Hutch was escorted into a holding room, where Dobey, Starsky, Huggy, and the Hutchinsons were waiting for him.

Dobey had pulled all strings at his disposal to get visitation for those closet to Hutch before the verdict was announced.  Hutch was led into the room to sit and wait his fate. Upon entering, he was grabbed by Starsky and hugged in the biggest bear hug possible, almost interfering with the bailiff’s duties.

They all took turns hugging him. But the most shocking revelation was when Hutch noticed his parents in the room. When he did, guilt and embarrassment caused his head to droop. Richard Hutchinson approached his son with more care and tenderness than he’d probably shown Ken in his lifetime and informed him that if this didn’t go the right way that he would pour money into any appeals.

Hutch pleadingly looked into his father‘s eyes, crying, stating, “I didn’t do this! There has to be some reason for this.”

His mother stayed back in the recesses of the room, hurt beyond belief and confused that her son was capable of such violent acts.

“M-M-Mom,” Hutch said.

She was hesitant to advance and hug him. This in itself was almost enough to undo Hutch completely. Anger surfaced (masking primal pain of a parent’s rejection), Hutch told them to get out.

Richard began to chastise his son for hurting his mother‘s feelings when Starsky stepped in, “Hey Blondie, now it’s is not the time for airing out family laundry. Everyone deals with stress differently.”

To Starsky‘s wise statement, both Richard and Ken acknowledged their feelings and the moment passed.

 

Chapter 8

Several hours later, there was a rap on the door and another court official entered and said, “The jury has reached its verdict and the court will be reassembled in 15 minutes.”

The bailiff present in the room acknowledged that he would have the accused in front of the judge’s bench in the appropriate amount of time.

Starsky jumped up and grabbed Hutch and told him whatever happened he would be there for him.

After the court was reassembled, the judge asked if the jury had reached a decision. The jury spokesman rose and handed the paper to the bailiff. After Hutch was instructed to stand, the bailiff read the outcome: “We the jury find Kenneth Richard Hutchinson, guilty. On the count of rape–guilty. On the count of murder in the first degree—guilty as charged. So say the jury.”

Amongst the flurry of activity in the courtroom, Tanner hollered out that he wanted the jury polled. After regaining order in the court, the judge had each juror state their name and their position. Once that was complete, the judge went directly into sentencing of the prisoner.

“Kenneth Richard Hutchinson you have been found guilty of rape and murder in the first-degree. Based on the laws of the state of California, these charges carry with them a minimum sentence of seven years for rape and a life sentence for murder one with no chance of parole….Bailiff, take the prisoner into custody.”

Starsky made eye contact with Hutch and told him to hang on, not to give up. Starsky made him promise. Hutch relented, and gave a small nod of confirmation to his partner.

Starsky said, “I want to hear it, Blintz.”

Hutch with much quivering in his voice said, “I-I prom-prom-promise.”

All the while, Rosey sitting next to the Hutchinsons couldn’t keep the relief out of her eyes and before she knew it, she said under her breath, “He’s at least out of the way. Now I can have what’s mine.”

Richard had heard Rosey’s comment, but its meaning hadn’t registered with him due to the chaos the courtroom had become the moments following the verdict.

Hutch was approached by the bailiff and another court officer. He was shackled and led out of the courtroom.

The last thing he heard was his partner saying, “Seven days, buddy. I’ll see you in seven.”

 

Chapter 9

Meanwhile, Hutch was taken back to Tri-County and processed all over again, this time as an inmate. The body cavity search was once again performed. The guard made a comment that he may not get as much playtime on the inside or maybe he would more because of his looks, indicating his repaired perineum. Feeling terrified, Hutch was then assigned to a cell in general population, despite the fact of his past. His protest got him nothing more than a club in the gut and the brutal comments that he wasn’t a cop anymore, “just a criminal like all the others in this fine abode.”

Hutch was led to a cell and at a signal from the guard the cell door slid open and Hutch was rather unkindly encouraged in. Once the cell door had closed, he was instructed to put his hands through the hole for the cuffs to be removed. After they were removed, Hutch turned and took in his new accommodations. Off-white walls, the putrid commode, sink and 4-inch mirror. Laying on the bottom bunk was his cell mate, who at the time was reading a magazine when Hutch entered.

Slowly he looked up and said, “Hey I’m Mike Baker. But people call me Mikey.”

Hutch introduced himself in kind and told Mikey that his friends called him Hutch. With the niceties out of the way, Hutch tossed his meager belongings up on the bunk and climbed up. A few seconds later a magazine slapped his shoulder.

Mikey said, “You might as well do something. We have an hour and 15 minutes till chow.”

Hutch thanked him for the magazine.

*****

The food was hardly identifiable and looked extremely starchy looking. He thought to himself that Starsky wouldn’t even enjoy this meal. The minor thought of Starsky brought pains to his chest. Oh what he would do to hear that laugh, see that smile, share a beer with his friend. He looked around and saw what his life become. He sat there, daydreaming rather than eating.

He was brought back to his surroundings with a guard leaning over him telling him to eat and that there were people in the world starving and that if he was too good to eat then he could go without food for three days.

“Fine, I’ll go without as I probably have a better chance of surviving that way.”

This defiant comment did nothing more than to enrage the guard, who quickly grabbed Hutch and pulled him to his feet and shoving shoved him against the wall with his baton firmly against his neck.  What little chatter there was in the dining hall came to a sudden halt. All eyes were on Hutch and the guard.

Jones, the guard, said, “Ole copper here thinks he is too good to eat our food.”

“I think he needs an attitude adjustment,” said inmate Sanchez then approached Hutch and plowed into him with a most ferocious right hook.

Hutch felt the bone in his jaw crack as he was unable to move away from the assault due to being pinned by the guard. The last thing he remembered was sliding to the floor as darkness overtook him.

 

Chapter 10

“Whoeee, that looks painful,” Mikey said as Hutch entered the cell.

Hutch mumbled in agreement as he couldn’t really speak with his jaw wired shut and his face still so swollen. Shortly after he had returned to his cell, the chow bell rang.

He thought to himself, “If I can just get through the meal? Not sure how that is gonna happen as I’m not able to chew.”

Once in the chow line, he was given a protein shake per physician’s orders. He happily sat down at the table to ingest his dinner.

After dinner, even numbers went to the showers and the odds went out in the yard for fresh air. Hutch didn’t want to go to the showers. As they were led down the corridor, his heart rate hiked and he started sweating profusely. He stopped en route three times and each time was directed to move on. With trembling hands he unfastened his shirt and dropped his trousers following suit of the other inmates. Hutch had never been comfortable in the locker room, due to his beyond large endowment, which made him extremely self-conscious.

He told himself, “Come on, Hutchinson, you can do this. Just get in, get washed, get out, that’s all.”

Approaching the showers, two other inmates made comments about how well hung he was. He could feel the flushing rising on his cheeks. In a near-panic state from his past experience in the prison locker room, and now having to bare all with other prisoners was just about his unnerving. He stood transfixed unable to move or think as his vision filled with the memories of him being raped. Guard Walters tapped Hutch on the shoulder, trying to bring him around. He was unprepared for Hutch to whirl around and land a crushing blow in his solar plexus.

Seconds later, Hutch again, found himself on the floor of the locker room. This time being pinned down by guards as the rest of the room was cleared out. He was given one minute to dry and dress, and then was cuffed and escorted to solitary confinement.

*****

Starsky was bouncing from foot to foot with anticipation of seeing Hutch. He approached the window and gave his name and who he was there to see.  He was thinking that he and Hutch had never gone this long without seeing one another or talking to one another in their 12 years of friendship. The gatekeeper informed him that Hutchinson was not able to have visitors today.

Starsky impatiently spat out, “He has been here for more than a week and he should be allowed visitation!”

The gate keeper informed him that Hutchinson had earned a place in solitary confinement for fighting. Starsky rattled off a million questions for the guard, who refused to answer them. The guard indicated Starsky should go, saying there were other inmates who had visitors waiting to see them. He coldly told him to try again on Thursday.

Starsky returned to the Torino and got a patch through to Dobey. He informed his superior of Hutch’s status, stating, “Cap this isn’t Hutch’s style, he wouldn’t be fighting.”

Dobey agreed, thinking it would be better fitting that Starsky would be the one fighting instead of Hutch if the tables were returned, but they weren’t. He then then stated, “Hutch is in a different world and is probably doing what it takes to survive as an ex-cop on the inside.”

 

Chapter 11

Thursday couldn’t come soon enough. Once again, Starsky found himself at the prison gatekeeper’s window, awaiting entrance to see Hutch. Once seated at the window, Starsky could barely contain his nerves and the excitement to see his partner. The shocking apparition that appeared in front of him was mind boggling. The defeated shuffle, slump of the shoulders, baggy clothes and vacant eyes left Starsky speechless. Moments after Hutch sat down, a guard approached Starsky and handed him a pencil and paper. Hutch was given a pencil and paper as well. It was then that Starsky noticed the swollen discolored jaw. Stressed and curious as to what the hell happened to Hutch, he asked for an explanation.

The guard replied, “Apparently he didn’t want to eat the food that was served, so a fellow inmate helped him out.”

Starsky reached for the cubicle phone and indicated for Hutch to do the same.

“Oh blondie,” came his response.

On hearing Starsky‘s voice, Hutch’s eyes filled with unshed tears; he briskly wiped them away. The muffled “St-Starsk” brought about the same response as his partner’s.

“Looks like the bell hop at this joint and you aren’t getting along too well,” Starsky said.

This got a short snort from his partner. Hutch was thinking to himself. “Even at a time like this Starsky can still find humor, even in the worst places.”

Hutch hung up the phone and picked up the pencil and wrote “Too hard to talk,” and showed it to Starsky.

“Hurts, huh? Doesn’t look too good from this side so I can’t imagine how it feels for you. Next time you might wanna to think about ducking,” Starsky wrote. “Hey, what are they feeding you ‘cause you look like you’re wasting away to me.”

Hutch replied, “Protein shakes since I can’t chew.”

Starsky quipped, “Well that’s right up your alley.”

“Speaking of alleys…” Hutch wrote asking if any of the sewer rats had anything to say to help him get the hell out of this hell hole.

Starsky slumped and cast his eyes down, causing Hutch to wrap on the glass to get his partner’s attention.

However, the visitation guard bellowed, “Hutchinson, hands off the glass!”

Hutch instantly raised his hands in mock surrender.

The guard stated, “You do that again, and you lose privileges.”

Starsky saw the fear and trembling in his partner. He indicated Hutch should pick up the phone again then he said, “I’m working on it, Hutch. I’m not giving up. There’s something. It will turn it up eventually. You just hang in there.”

Shortly thereafter the bell rang, signaling the end of visitation. The prisoners were directed to stand and turn to be cuffed and escorted back to their cells. Starsky kept his eyes locked on Hutch until his partner was out of sight.

 

Chapter 12

The next several weeks on Mondays and Thursdays, Starsky would go to visit Hutch. There were times Captain Dobey or Huggy would accompany him. Each visit, Hutch was more downtrodden, scared and meek than before. Physically, his hair had lost its lustrous shine. His skin was pale and he’d probably had lost close to 30 pounds. In essence, he was a shell of the old Hutch and looked almost frail to his partner.

*****

After a Thursday visit, Starsky had stopped on the way back to Bay City for dinner. While waiting for his food, a woman approached the table.

She said, “Hello handsome.”

Starsky‘s eyes flew from the menu. Who was standing before him, was none other than his ex-lover, Rosey Malone. She asked him why he was so far north of the Bay Cool City. Then sarcastically asked him if he was undercover destroying someone else’s life. She hurriedly said she was sorry for that remark.

“I really missed you, Dave,” she added, looking seductively into Starsky’s eyes briefly. Rosey looked around and said, “Hey where is that partner of yours? You’re never too far apart.”

“Like you wouldn’t know,” Starsky spat out.

Rosey feigned ignorance and said innocently that she’d been out of the country for several months. She also went on to say that she’d left her father‘s business dealings behind.

She appeared to take a look at Starsky and said, “It looks like you could use a friend to talk to. Again, I apologize for the snarky comments. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

The exhaustion and weariness was taking its toll on dark-haired detective. He realized he wanted company and to talk to someone about Hutch. He invited Rosey to sit down. The encounter was brief and soon Rosey was gone, but not before asking if she could see him again. Starsky indicated that it was a maybe. Her presence remained in Starsky’s loins. He couldn’t believe he had opened up to her the way he did. But anything they had discussed was public knowledge by now, so he didn’t feel like he was betraying his partner. She indicated that they could rekindle their relationship now certain obstacles (deceptively indicating her father’s line of business) were out of the way. The whole encounter left him unsettled for some unknown reason.

A few nights later Starsky was extremely restless and lonely. He was missing Hutch. He needed companionship and needed to be close to him, so he decided a walk on the beach was in order. Hastily he put on his jacket and pulling his keys out of the pocket he found a paper intermingled with the keys; it was Rosey’s number.  Starsky retraced his steps to the kitchen, picked up the phone, and dialed her number. She agreed to meet him for a walk on the beach.

During their walk up the beach, Rosey was somewhat clingy and trying hard for their relationship to be rekindled. Yet when Starsky talked about Hutch, it was as if she pulled away, it seemed to burden him further. Afterwards back in his apartment, he realized that they had had their chance and blew it. But it was clear to him that she still wanted more from him.

 

Chapter 13

It was Saturday evening a few weeks later, after chow when all hell broke loose in the prison. Hutch and the rest of his even cell block were in the showers. Most took it upon themselves to make a break. The guards in the locker room were both subdued by a hasty mob of inmates. Officer Watkins was shanked in the abdomen and relieved of his weapon. Officer Jones took a lead pipe to the knees and was then head butted into the wall and rendered unconscious.

Hutch tried to get control of the room. For his efforts he received a massive blow to his back, knocking him to his knees, then several others to his midsection. A few of the inmates indicated they believed that ‘once a cop always a cop so the scum should die with the other pigs.’

Hutch lost his fight with awareness briefly. Upon the fog and pain relenting, he noticed that Jones‘s weapon was left behind. Hutch did not follow the other prisoners upon regaining his whereabouts. Instead, he went to the downed officers. He checked Watkins and knew that he had received a critical injury. Despite this, Hutch had gathered abandoned clothing and tried to wrap it around Watkins’s wound to stem the flow of blood. He then turned his attention to Jones, who was slowly regaining consciousness and instinctively reached for his gun.

Hutch grabbed his arm and said, “Don’t, we gotta get the hell outa here.”

Hutch precariously got to his feet, wincing at the pain and numbness in his back and legs. His legs felt unusually heavy. He asked Jones if he could stand. Jones made a half-hearted attempt and said that the room was spinning too much and he didn’t think his leg would hold him as it was obviously mal-positioned.

When Hutch was tending to Watkins, Jones croaked out, “Why are you helping us? You are prisoner…especially the way you have been treated. Why are you not trying to escape?”

Hutch said, “I’m a cop.”

Trent Jones said, “You mean you were a cop.”

Hutch said, “No, some things are too ingrained to change. We’ve got to move. Here’s the plan. I will take Watkins and find a place to stow him and then come back for you. I’m gonna leave you the gun.”

Jones said, “This is crazy. Why don’t you just leave?”

Hutch turned at and looked at Jones in the eye and said, “No man is to be left behind, if it can be helped.” The quote came directly out of the Academy handbook.

Jones nodded at his sincerity of the affirmation.

Hutch then gathered Watkins and left the shower room heading down the hall towards the cafeteria, where there was an exit to the yard. After about 600 feet, Hutch found an empty office and put Watkins there and went back for Jones.

*****

Hutch’s retreat was impeded by two inmates that had a strong hatred for all cops.

Barnes said, “Hey let’s see if we can make this pig squeal on our way out.”

Wheeler said, “That sounds like a good plan.”

“Hey, Hutchinson, you need some more shower time. I didn’t get enough of you the last time,” Barnes said.

Panic rose in Hutch and he put an elbow into Wheeler‘s gut and landed a right hook on Barnes before they recovered and shoved him through the shower room door.

The commotion brought Jones back to awareness realizing what was happening. He fired two shots hitting both Wheeler and Barnes in the chest. They dropped, both were dead before hitting the ground. Hutch pushed the dead bodies off of him and got over to Jones and placed a hand on his shoulder, thanking him.

Jones said, “Those guys were bad news and after they finished with him you, they had would  have come after me if I didn’t stop them.”

Hutch said, “We need to get moving. Sitting around here makes us easy prey.”

He gathered Jones up and half carried the hobbling, woozy man down the hall to where he had stashed Watkins.

The incessant blare of the prison sirens and smoke alarms were doing nothing to aid Hutch’s thought processes. Despite Watkins’s blood loss, Hutch once again and was able to carry him the quarter mile to the cafeteria. He decided to put him in the cooler in hopes that the cool air would slow his bleeding. After placing him in the cooler, he looked around to find found any kind towels or linens that he could use to cover Watkins up with to combat the cold. Then he set about to getting Jones from the office he had left him in. They were slowly making their way back to the cafeteria when a gargantuan explosion occurred and the ceiling rained down on them.

 

Chapter 14

It was several hours later when Hutch regained consciousness. The blaring sirens and fire alarms had all ceased, but the pounding in his head and the pain in his back almost enough to drive him back into the darkness.  He tried to move, but his left shoulder wouldn’t move. He was stuck to the floor. It felt like there was a knife in it pinning him to the floor. In his pain-ridden and confused state, he wondered for a moment if this is what Jesus felt like on the cross, just before passing out again.

When he woke again it was dark. He was in severe pain, wet, and cold. Hutch could also feel the beginning fringes of shock closing in. He timidly called out to Jones.

After a few minutes, Jones responded with a low moan. Darkness overtook them both. A little while later, he was conscious again. Hutch knew he was stuck, as he was pinned under a beam and the feeling in his legs was diminished. He held out hope that when Jones surfaced again they would be able to move enough to get out. At least the prison sirens had stopped their incessant blaring, and the sprinklers had shut down. It was apparent that the good guys had regained control of the prison.

The question remained how long would it take to find them now that it was a search and rescue effort.

*****

Starsky was in the Torino when the news broke about the prison riot. He rapidly pulled a 180 and informed dispatch of his intentions. The gnawing in the pit of his stomach had him punching the accelerator to the floor with lights and siren blaring. He made the three hour trip in two hours and 20 minutes with a fuel stop.

Upon arrival at the prison, the scene was utter chaos. He quickly made his way up to the barriers, flashed his badge and worked his way up to what appeared to be the command center. Listening in, he heard that there were 37 inmates still on the loose. The others had been caught, transported to the hospital, morgue or placed back into confinement. Starsky’s anxiety level ratchetted up even further after hearing the update. The men disbursed after getting their updated assignments.

At that point Starsky sidled up to the command leader and introduced himself and asked how he could be of assistance. He had already been appraised by listening and had learned it was Hutch’s cell block that was on the loose. Most of the prisoners were still unaccounted for. He was assigned to go with two emergency personnel, Smith and Bailey, in search of fallen prisoners and staff. As they were getting grabbing hardhats and flashlights another explosion occurred in the already damaged wing of the prison.

*****

Inside, more debris and large chunks of concrete had come down on the two men trapped outside of the cafeteria corridor. After the dust settled, both men both were fighting a new onslaught of pains as they tried to take stock on their new injuries. Besides an assortment of cuts and bruises, both then found their situation worse. Barnes had a piece of rebar sticking out of his right leg while Hutch now had a compound fracture of his right forearm.

Barnes was beginning to panic. Hutch asked Barnes why he became a cop, at an attempt to defer his onslaught of panic. After a few moments of sharing, both men found their panic levels decreasing.

Barnes said, “Hey Hutchinson, thanks man for bringing me down from the ceiling. No pun intended.”

This elicited a small snort from Hutch. “Now you sound like my partner.” He then said, “My friends call me Hutch.”

Barnes said, “All right, Hutch, thank you! Got any ideas on how we get out of here?”

“Yeah, I’m working on it.” Then he said, “But first I’m gonna need your gun. Can you get to it?”

“What are you going to put us both out of our misery?” asked Barnes.

“No,” Hutch replied, “the second coming of hell exposed some metal pipes and I’m thinking about a little Morse code.”

Several minutes later, after much grunting and painful twisting, Barnes was able to retrieve his gun and handed it over Hutch, who painstakingly tapped out: Tap -tap,-tap pause -tap -pause tap -tap -tap -tap -tap- tap. He repeated the sequence three times before passing out from pain. Moments later, when he resurfaced, he began tapping out his code.

Barnes asked him what he was spelling.

Hutch replied, “C-A-F(316). Trying to give them our location.”

He repeated two more times when he thought he heard a tapping a response. Hutch was losing strength and knew he needed to get their attention quicker so he fired two shots. A few minutes later, Barnes saw the gleam of a flashlight and hollered out for help.

*****

It was an indefinite amount of time later that a trio of men reached the trapped ones. Bailey hollered over his shoulder, “Be careful as one of these prisoners is wielding a gun.”

As Tim Bailey reached down to grab the gun, it was then Starsky saw the prone form of his partner. Barnes quickly said that he was a cop and that he had saved him and possibly Watkins, who was in the he cafeteria cooler.

In a flash, Starsky was kneeling next to his partner, trying to coax a response out of him. Smith had a radioed for the medics and extraction team to their location.

Then very weakly came a: “S- Sta-Starsk.”

“Yeah buddy, I’m here. Hey, that was some pretty good thinking to use Morse code there, Boy Scout.”

“Sea Scout, not Boy Scout, Starsk,” Hutch murmured weakly before darkness claimed him.

 

Chapter 15

Six hours later, after the extraction from the rubble was completed, Dobey found Starsky pacing the surgical waiting room. Upon approaching the near frantic man, he could see the fear and anger rolling off one of his best detectives. Dobey reached out tentatively to gain Starsky’s attention.

“How is he, son?”

Starsky jerked out of his revere and looked up at his captain with pain filled eyes. He said, “Awe Cap. It’s bad, really bad. His left shoulder’s destroyed as he had a piece of rebar going through it, which had his arm pinned onto the floor. He had a beam over his back and couldn’t feel or move his legs, Cap. They said something about a skull fracture, an orbital fracture, kidney damage, internal bleeding and to top it all off shock. They said family should be notified as his outlook is bleak…Dammit, he should never have been there, Cap! None of this should’ve happened. I failed him, because I couldn’t find out what really happened over in Sea-more.”

“Now, slow down, Dave! None of this is your fault!”

“Yes, it is, Cap. Don’t ya see because I couldn’t find out what happened, he ended up in that rotten prison in the first place. Had I been a better detective, I would’ve been able to find the truth, but because I couldn’t he has paid the price. Possibly with his life.”

Dobey took in a big breath with trepidation. He was not used to this level of guilt coming from Starsky. It was Hutch that seemed to corner the market on guilt. Grasping at straws, he asked, “Have you contacted Hutch’s parents yet?”

Starsky replied, “No, but I better because they told me his odds aren’t too good.”

*****

Starsky walked over to the payphone and dialed the Hutchinson residence. He spoke with Hutchinson Senior and informed him about the riot and Hutch’s life-threatening injuries. He said that the doctor advised that any family should make their way to the hospital soon because they felt death was imminent.

Absentmindedly Hutchinson Senior said, “Well I guess that Rosey was right that he’s now out of the way.”

This brought Starsky up, alarm bells ringing in his head. Just to be sure he wasn’t jumping to conclusions, he asked Senior when he saw had seen Rosie Dobey.

Richard said, “She sat next to us at the end of the trial.”

Starsky replied, “But  the Captain’s daughter wasn’t there.”

“Not the Captain’s daughter. A woman named Rosey.”

Then realization came. Starsky bid goodbye and asked that that the Hutchinsons’ travel details were left with the station.

Dobey eyed Starsky with concern. “How did the Hutchinsons take it? Is everything OK?”

Starsky was completely distracted from his captain.

Dobey said a little more forcefully, “Starsky, what’s going on?”

“Oh I’m sorry, Cap. I think I found a bread crumb!”

“What do you mean?”

“Cap, I need all the videos and photos from the trial and I need to check with the passport center to verify travel dates for Rosey Malone.”

“What, Rosey Malone? What does she have to do with any of this?”

“I don’t know, Cap. It’s a hunch, but I gotta figure it out… A few weeks or so ago, I ran into her at a restaurant that I had stopped at on my way back from visiting Hutch. At the time, I thought it was a coincidence. Now I’m not so sure. One night I found myself calling her, we met and walked in the beach for a while, but something just seemed off. Just now, Mr. Hutchinson said she was in the courtroom, but she told me she had been out of the country for a couple months. I gotta run it down, Cap. Might be nothin’, but it might be somethin’. Just gotta check it out.”

*****

Five hours later, a surgeon came through the OR doors. Starsky was on his feet in no time. “How is he Doc? Is he going to be okay? When can I see him?”

Dr. Patterson held up his hands to stop the onslaught of questions. Dr. Patterson then went through the extensive list of Hutchinson’s injuries. The most horrendous were a skull fracture, orbital fracture, ruptured kidney (repaired) and spleen (removed), a nicked spinal cord (with extensive spinal cord-swelling), a shattered left shoulder, sepsis, and he is in a coma.

As the Doctor was rattling off all of Hutch’s injuries, Starsky was losing all color and looking woozy. Dobey reached out and put an arm around Starsky, to shore him up.

When the physician paused, Starsky swallowed the lump in throat and asked the doctor if there was anything not wrong with his partner and best friend.

The doctor said, “Well, he’s not dead. He’s a fighter, because he arrested and seized while in the OR.” The doctor added that he was in ICU and cuffed to the bed despite his injuries per prison protocol. He apologized for the last bit of information, but said there was no choice.

The grief and despair that Starsky displayed was enough to shake the Doctor and Dobey. Then Dobey took the shaking man in his arms, rubbing his back and murmuring words of encouragement, that Hutch was strong and a fighter and he would pull through this to the best of his ability.

After a few comforting moments Starsky pulled back and said, “We got work to do.”

“Yeah we do, son.”

Neither man noticed the doctor receding from the private moment.

 

Chapter 16

Dobey had gotten a hotel room within walking distance of the hospital. The accommodation information was forwarded to the PD courier, who was bringing tapes and photos, immigration documents that had been requested. Dobey booked a room for the Hutchinsons too.

After the housekeeping chores were done, he placed he called to his wife, wherein the privacy and security of Edith’s love, he broke down. He was just so distraught over Hutch‘s condition and the mess of the last four months, since this all started. She listened, comforted him and quoted scripture verses (James1:2-4, Rev 21:4) to help with the pain and provide him strength during this trial. Edith told him to give her love to both their boys and a keep her up-to-date.

*****

Starsky pushed open the door and entered into Hutch‘s room, quietly acknowledging the guard, and carefully approached his best friend. So, so much trauma, taking in the bandages and machines was mind boggling. He didn’t know where to touch him without hurting him. He walked up to the side of the bed and bent down and whispered into Hutch‘s ear saying, “Hey buddy, I’m here. You’re in the hospital, banged up pretty bad but you have to keep fighting your way back to me. You hear me, Blondie.”

*****

Upon Starsky’s return the hotel suite, Dobey took in the sight of Starsky and asked, “You alright?”

He shook his head. His voice was barely audible and shaky. “No, Cap. I’m not all right.”

“Starsky…”

“Helpless, Cap. I’ve never felt so damn helpless in my whole life….Since this whole mess started. l couldn’t find evidence to keep him out of jail. Then the injuries and trauma he has endured since being incarcerated. The doctors are saying he’s not going to make it, and I almost believe ‘em.”

After a few moments of commiserating and comforting one another, Dobey drew back and held Dave at arm’s-length and said, “Son, we’ve got work to do. Let’s see what we can come up with to help that partner of yours.”

When the Hutchinsons arrived later that day, Dobey and Starsky were knee-deep reviewing tapes and photos from the multiple sources surrounding the trial. Mrs. Hutchinson was very upset that she couldn’t spend time at her son‘s bedside. Not able to comprehend the rules of incarceration, lamenting frequently that someone should make exceptions to the rules for the very ill.

On the third day, Mr. Hutchinson glanced up at the screen and saw her. He said, “That’s her! That’s Rosey!!”

In the video, she turned and leaned into a man and spoke in quiet undertones.

Starsky marked the tape to have the techs isolate her comments and voice. To Starsky, she didn’t resemble the Rosey that he knew. Her hair was a deep red and short, but when she turned, it was undeniably Rosey as he saw the birthmark, which was ever present on the right side of her neck. For the first time in months, Starsky felt a glimmer of hope.

 

Chapter 17

A week after the riot, Hutch remained in the ICU. He was improving but had not regained consciousness. It was three in the morning when the hotel room rang. A very sleepy Starsky reached a hand out and grabbed the phone and said, “’llo.”

“Detective Starsky, this is Officer Reed over at the hospital. You are needed here at once.”

Instantly Starsky was wide awake and demanding what was going on.

Reed said his partner was conscious and very agitated and begging for him and has been inconsolable. He felt that Starsky’s presence would be in the inmate’s best interest to prevent further injury, according to his physician.

The ruckus from the phone call woke Dobey as well. He was up and getting dressed before Starsky knew he was even awake.

*****

Once the elevators opened on the ICU corridor floor, it was apparent that room 312 was commanding a lot of attention. There were doctors, nurses, technicians hovering outside the door. The commotion within was quite intense. Various people were talking and trying to calm the patient down. You could hear the struggle from the hallway. A doctor was saying that he needed to calm down because he could not give him any sedation due to the head injury.

Upon entering the room, Starsky made his way to his partner’s side. He placed a hand on the agitated blond and leaned down and told him he was here, that he was safe. It seemed as if the minor touch was enough to get through to confused, agitated patient. The fear, confusion, panic, and pain in Hutch’s eyes was almost too much for him to bear.

He put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and continued the comforting ministrations and slow crooning to his partner. The agitation began to recede and after a couple minutes, there was a weak, “Starsk?”

“Yeah buddy, I’m here. You just need to settle down and not make your injuries worse.”

“What happened? Why am I chained to this bed? Help me please Starsk, help me. I -l-d-don’t understand . Help me.”

At that acknowledgment, Dr. Patterson cleared the room except for Starsky and Captain Dobey. He then moved closer to the patient and gently asked him what was the last thing he remembered.

Hutch replied, “Working on the Franks’ case with my partner.”

Starsky’s eyes shot up to the doctor, in alarm, realizing that was over four months ago.

Over the next few days, Hutch’s memory improved, bringing with it a sense of real fear. But he still hadn’t realized the full extent of his injuries due to the fact periods of lucidity were still brief.

The three City officers that were guarding Hutch had made an allowance for Starsky to spend more time at his bedside, as his presence was the only calming influence on the agitated man.

 

Chapter 18 

It was near 2 AM, when Huggy made a call, dialing the number with trepidation, because of the hour.

“What?” came the gruff voice.

“El – Cap-e-tan.”

“Huggy, why are you calling?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your dreams, but I think you need to find your way down to my hospitable abode, pronto. There’s a drunk passed out in one of my booths that has been rambling about some less than favorable activities regarding our blond brother.”

“On my way,” Dobey said.

He hung up the phone and rolled over to Edith to tell her of his plans. She sleepily gave him her love and mumbled that it was about time something positive happened for the boys.

*****

Four hours later the phone rang in Starsky‘s hotel room. “’Llo,” came the sleepy voice.

“Starsky!”

“Just five more minutes, Cap. I promise I won’t be late,” came the sleepy reply.

“Starsky, wake up! It’s about Hutch.”

Starsky was instantly awake.

A moment later the captain said, “We got her!…Starsky did you hear me?” Dobey added excitedly, “Gerald Timmons just confessed to his part in kidnapping and brutalizing Hutch and Savannah and has ID’d Rosey Malone as the orchestrator. I’ve already got an APB on her.” He also said, “The techs isolated her conversation and it is damning.”

“What was it that she said?” Starsky asked.

Dobey said, “Rosey said, ‘Make sure he goes down for this. I need him out of the way.’”

Less than an hour later, Starsky quietly pushed open the door to Hutch’s room and greeted Travis. He handed him a note and asked him to give it to Hutch when he woke. Travis had decided he would wait till Hutch got back from therapy, then give it to him, because it was less difficult to deal with the surly blond after therapy.

*****

Less than 48 hours later, Starsky got the call. Rosey had been located and a warrant was waiting to be served. All the other detectives involved knew Starsky wanted to serve it to her, for Hutch. The team of four detectives had her under surveillance, waiting for Starsky’s arrival.

Once Starsky arrived, it was determined he would approach Rosey to be followed by Simmons and Babcock via the front, while McKinney and Perez came in the back.

Starsky walked up to the door and knocked. Rosey answered the door and gasped.

Stunned, she said, “David, what a nice surprise.” Acting sensuously, she invited him in, but he hesitated.

He asked, “Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

As Starsky entered the apartment, he said, “Rosey Malone, you are under arrest for kidnapping, rape, murder, bribery.” Then he quickly rattled off seven additional charges.

Rosey hadn’t noticed the other officers entering the house. She just stood there gawking at Starsky. She looked up at him and started a guttural, “N0 NO-NO…this is not supposed to be happening! Dave, we’re supposed to be together. You love me. I love you. I just needed to get Hutchinson out of the way.”

Screaming, “You belong to me!!!” she stepped forward, pounding her hands into Starsky’s chest. He quickly grabbed a wrist, spun her around and snicked on the cuffs as he recited the Miranda Rights. After the arrest was made, Rosey continued her tirade and her anger surfaced, she was hurled obscenities at Starsky, while being removed from the property.

 

Chapter 19

One Friday morning, Starsky came bouncing into Hutch’s hospital room, carrying a cake. He was followed in by Dobey, Huggy, the Hutchinsons, and Guard Barnes.

“What’s going on, Starsk?”

Just then, the door opened and in came Supreme Court Justice Swaggart. Hutch raised his eyebrows and asked his partner what was going on.

Justice Swaggart stepped forward and said, “Kenneth Richard Hutchinson?”

“Yes, your honor,” he replied.

“On behalf of the State of California, it has been determined that you were wrongfully convicted of murder and rape. The charges are overturned and will be expunged. You are hereby immediately reinstated as a detective in the Bay City Police Department, status active but on medical leave. Captain Dobey, please return this officer’s shield.”

Dobey smiled at Hutch and laid his gold shield on his chest then said, “Welcome back, son!”

“Guard Barnes, release this man.”

Barnes approached Hutch and unlocked the handcuffs, freeing Hutch of his imprisonment.

Barnes then said, “I want to thank you for all that you did during the riot to save Watkins and myself.”

Justice Swaggart when went on to say, “Due to the injustices you received on behalf of state of California including the counties of Sarasota and Mercer, Board of Corrections and the Department of Justice of the United States, and Tri-County prison. We are truly sorry. Furthermore all back pay and rankings will all be reinstated. Along with a public apology from the Justice Department. All acquired and future medical bills and physical needs will be taken care of. You will receive accommodating housing, and transportation to meet both your needs and your likes. On behalf of the Supreme Court of the United States please accept our apologies of the injustices you endured.”

Hutch‘s eyes were about to overflow with tears down. He looked up at his partner and said, “How?”

Starsky smiled and said, “Actually, your dad made all this happen.”

“My dad, huh?”

Starsky gave him the reader’s version (because Richard Hutchinson was standing right there) and said that he’d get the full story later. “Now it’s time to celebrate!” He flipped open the box.

The room erupted with laughter and Dobey bellowed, “Starsky!!”

The icing on the cake read “ME and THEE + Family” with a nail file sticking out of the cake.

“Back up plan, Cap, that’s all.”

 

Chapter 20

Two and a half months after Hutch was transferred to Kline Rehab in Bay City, he was now ready to be discharged. “Home,” he thought to himself. “I wonder what it’ll be like? Where will it be? Will the arrangement work for us?”

All these questions were bouncing around in his head. Then he thought about his care needs and the fact that Starsky was giving up his independence to be his caregiver. Of course there would also be a nurse and a therapist, but most of it would fall to Starsky.

“Will you stop it, Blondie?”

“What?” he said innocently.

Starsky replied, “I could feel your guilt all the way down the hall.”

“I’m sorry, Starsk, it’s just that I hate you are giving up so much for me. It’s a big ask.”

“Well, Blondie, you’re not asking. I’m doing. Now we’ve been over this 100 times before, now stop. Today is for celebrat’n not worry’n. Let’s blow this joint, partner.”

*****

Hutch was taken aback, when Starsky pulled the Torino into a beach front drive and cut the engine.

“We’re home, Blintz.”

“What!!”

“Yep, Blintz, this is our new home. You ready?”

“Yeah,” was the only thing Hutch could get out.

The homecoming celebration was amazing. Hutch couldn’t believe his eyes. The beach house was up on a sprawling jetty, with three bedroom upstairs and two downstairs. The downstairs that was set up as a self-sufficient rental, where Starsky intended to reside once Hutch was more independent with his needs.

The most touching moment of the whole day was when Rosie Dobey saw Starsky and Hutch pull in. She ran to the car while Starsky was getting the wheelchair out of the trunk. She ran screaming, “Uncle Hutch, Uncle Hutch. I’ve missed you!” She leapt into the car, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, as if never wanting to let go.

Dobey appeared and began to admonish Rosie for her impetuous behavior.  But Hutch waved him off. Rosie watched with horror as Starsky helped Hutch from the car into his wheelchair.

Her head was down as she said, “I’m sorry, Uncle Hutch. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Hutch reached out his hand and lifted her chin to look at her and said, “You didn’t hurt me by loving me. You understand?”

She slowly shook her head in understanding.

“So how about you climb aboard and show me my new home.”

Rosie beamed.

 

Epilogue 

One evening several months later, Starsky and Hutch were sitting on the balcony, watching the sunset over the ocean and Starsky was indulging in spirits after the last several days in court that resulted in seven people being convicted in the crimes committed against Hutch.

Through a little too much beer, Starsky said, “Alright, Blintz, let’s have it. All this time where’s the anger for what you’ve been through and how it has affected your life?”

Hutch looked intently into the indigo eyes of his best friend and said, “I have my freedom and my life. Is this what I wanted? No, of course not. However I’m still a cop, teaching at the academy and consulting on high profile cases. Your position as investigative photographer keeps me from worrying about not being able to watch your back…Knowing that through this whole ordeal, you hadn’t given up on me. You hadn’t lost faith in me, not once. You believed in my innocence, despite the planted but overwhelming evidence of my guilt.”

Hutch moved his wheelchair closer to Starsky then reached out to pull him in for a hug. He said, “No! How can I be angry with all the gifts that I’ve been given? Me and Thee, we prevailed against the world.” Hugging Starsky, he said, “I owe you everything. Thanks, partner.”

A muffled, “Anytime, partner,” came the reply.

 

End