FATAL VISION

CHAPTER 1

"C'mon Hutch, we gotta go!" Starsky flung his half eaten burger out the open window of the Torino as he called to his partner. He flinched slightly realizing he'd just littered but hell, with the tip that had just come in, there wasn't time to be neat or legal. He waited impatiently for Hutch, gunning the engine. His partner took one last look at his food, his mouth watering even for this greasy morsel.

Hutch glared darkly as he dumped it in the garbage and wiped his hands on his pants. His stomach rumbled and he just knew it would be a long time before they'd get a chance to eat again. Usually it was Starsky grumbling about being hungry, but this time, his day started without breakfast; not even time for a protein shake.

They had been chasing after a suspect for the past two days. This person was quick but deadly. All they had so far were two dead male bodies. The grisly details had been kept out of the paper but the way the faces of the men had been cut up and then stabbed in the lower extremities, well it was enough for Hutch to suddenly be glad he didn't have time to eat. He could only imagine that Starsky's urgent plea meant they would be on their way to another crime scene.

Hutch fell into the passenger seat and barely got the door closed when Starsky pulled out of the parking lot. With jerks and grunts, Hutch got the mars light fixed to the roof, the siren already blaring while Starsky blurted out the info that Dobey had just relayed over the police radio.

"Dobey says he got an anonymous tip about the guy we're looking for." Starsky kept his eye on the road as he weaved in and out of traffic.

Hutch felt himself bump against the door. He tried keeping his body stiff to prevent his head being slammed against the window. His voice was steady even though his nerves were on edge.

"We don't even know if it is a guy. Didn't the lab say that it could be a very determined woman who used drugs to subdue the men?" Hutch jammed his foot to the floorboard, using his imaginary brake to stop the Torino from crashing into the car ahead. Instead of getting out of the way, the blue Chevy slowed and stopped at the traffic light. "Jeeze, will ya slow down? We don't wanna waste our time by filling out an accident report!" Hutch dry washed his face, his fingers lingering over his eyes, shutting out the scene in front of him.

"Calm down, I got it all under control." After another screech of brakes and whip lash type of move, the Torino gracefully found an empty space of road to claim.

Within ten minutes, the detectives had pulled up to an abandoned hotel, where they had been told that they might find the assailant. Starsky radioed their location but insisted that back up wait until one of them gave the order.

"I can just see Dobey pacing his office and wiping his face in irritation. I know he doesn't like us going in without the other teams in place, but we don't know what's here or if anything is even worth all the manpower." Hutch glanced at Starsky, giving a silent agreement to go with what his partner wanted.

The only thing they knew for certain was that the killer had struck twice; both times the physical characteristics of the men were alike. They had blond hair, blue eyes and were similar in height and weight. The lab detected some sort of paralyzing drug in their systems which left the victims unable to fight back. The men were alive as their faces were cut up. But by the time the final pierce of the knife occurred, the men were already dead.

The partners waited, not sure what their next move should be. Hutch craned his neck, stretching to view all five floors of the building they'd been led to as well as the roof. This abandoned hotel was surrounded by other decaying structures with no signs of life. Further down the street, a building was known to be a haven for street people but they never caused any trouble. However, the two men who had been killed were known to have lived there at one time.

"You know, those two other men, it was like the killer used them to practice on. Maybe it's a woman who wants to avenge a failed relationship." Starsky studied his partner, coming to a conclusion that he didn't want to consider. It wasn't the first time he'd thought about it: just hadn't said it out loud until now. It crossed his mind that perhaps Hutch really didn't connect the resemblance.

"What about you buddy, have ya dumped any revenge- type ladies lately?" Starsky asked only half jokingly. He poked his passenger in the ribs, which only got him an icy glare in return.

"Starsky, shut up." Hutch's retort was far angrier than he meant it to be.

"I'm just sayin', ya know?" Starsky was about to continue but was interrupted by the Hutchinson finger pointing at him.

"Well, don't." Hutch let out a long sigh, shifting his weight on the seat.

"Well, it's possible. There is a resemblance…" Before Starsky finished, a shadow appeared at a window on the third floor of the building they had stopped at. Hutch quickly got out of the car and stood, looking up, watching.

Hutch leaned against the Torino, shading his eyes as he waited. Restless, he spoke about what was on his mind.

"I'm going up there." Hutch pointed in the direction he was ready to take, regardless of his partner's approval.

"Give me twelve minutes, then call it in." He leaned into the window, the indent between his eyes deepened at Starsky's negative but anticipated reply.

"Like hell I will." Starsky considered a moment before continuing. "You get five minutes, and then I'm calling Dobey.

"Starsky, it's probably nothing but a nuisance call." Hutch turned away but didn't move. He knew his partner had more to say.

"I'll give ya four minutes, then I call in the cavalry." Starsky whistled to get Hutch's attention. His partner had continued to stare up at the building where they'd seen the person appear.

The blond bent again to face Starsky. His long fingers tapped on the door frame, thinking about a compromise.

"Starsky, give me a break. I'm just going to have a look around and I'll be back before you even get the precinct on the radio."

Starsky huffed, annoyed that they were wasting time with needless bickering.

He got out of the car, slamming the door in frustration. He leaned into the car, staring at Hutch over the hood.

"Six minutes then I come in after ya. That's my final compromise."

"You sure are stubborn." Hutch growled but with a hint of appreciation.

They stood there, Hutch's icy blue eyes focused on Starsky's dark intensity.

Locking eyes, the two men agreed.

"Six minutes, blondie!" Starsky called after him and watched as his partner took the steps two at a time.

He set the timer on his watch for the allotted minutes but tapped at the crystal, expecting the time to jump to his command. Mentally ready, his body tensed when he decided he'd follow without calling immediately for Dobey. He realized he was being as foolish as Hutch, but maybe it really was just a prank.

His skin prickled, and he shivered, as the alarm went off, but he wiped at the sweat that had suddenly appeared across his forehead.

Now anxious about his friend, Starsky checked his gun then headed to meet up with Hutch. However, as he ran up the steps, part of them gave way, disintegrating under his feet. He lost his balance, fell backwards toward the sidewalk and landed awkwardly on his side. He hit his head on the pavement and the last thing Starsky remembered was hearing a very distinct snap as his leg collapsed under him.

Giving in to the pain and disorientation, Starsky didn't move but worried about his partner enough to cry out to him, trying to get his attention. Unfortunately his voice wasn't strong enough and faded quickly.

"Huuuutch!"