"Hutch is devastated that he cannot be with his partner in this case. But Starsky also knows that his partner is not verbalizing what he had sensed in him as soon as the brief had been presented to them. Hutch had not spoken but Starsky heard his thoughts as though they were a roar.
Hutch does not want Ryan alongside his partner in this operation.
Chapter Two
Ryan watched, as Minnie walked away "You still haven't lost your touch Starsky".
"Hey I can't help it if I am irresistible to every woman who comes within a one mile radius of me".
Hutch snorted "In your dreams buddy".
Starsky picked up a file from the desk and thwacked his partner gently over the head.
Hutch held up one warning forefinger and then hurled his sandwich wrapper at his partner's face.
Ryan stood up and moved over to the coffee pot, snagging a disposable cup from the shelf. He was over watching these two perform together, but his intentions went unnoticed while the two cavorted.
It is as if I wasn't here. They fucking don't notice anyone but each other!
The door to Dobey's office opened and the big black Captain walked out into the squad room. He left his door ajar and Hutch could see an older man sitting in the office opposite Dobey's desk. Ryan's captain he surmised.
Dobey came straight over to the blond detective, with a cursory nod at the detective from the other precinct.
"Hutchinson. Good to have you back son. Starsky tells me that you're feeling fit for work again and that you have finally gotten over that bad flu'".
He extended his hand toward his detective and slapped him on the back with an expression that hinted at his fondness for Hutch. Starsky was all beaming smiles. His partner was back with the big gruff captain of whom they were both respectful and fond …as fond as two guys could be for a boss who often gave them hell.
"Yep Capn' and he is more than happy to spend the week getting' on top of these reports that ummm…. that we didn't get done before he got laid up."
Hutch scowled at his partner "Yeah right Starsk. Not to mention the twenty or more that you have outstanding."
Used to this banter from his two men Dobey and took little notice.
Hutch acknowledged his captain. "Thanks Captain. Yeah, much better thanks. It's good to be back. I was getting tired of a certain nursemaid and twenty-four hour cartoons. It will be good to have some adult company again."
Starsky just grinned inanely. "Nothin' wrong with some light entertainment Hutch. Helped ya' to recover."
Dobey was taking in Ryan.
"Detective Lancaster. Dobson thought you would be here."
The two shook hands but Hutch had the distinct impression the two had meant recently.
"Ok men, could the three of you come into my office now? There is a case developing and we need to talk strategy"
Starsky immediately looked at his partner. He seemed as surprised as Hutch looked but when Hutch looked at Ryan his face was neutral.
The two partners looked at each other.
"Does he know about this?"
oooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooO OOoooOOOooo
Hutch who had been perched on the arm of Starsky's chair, walked over to the window now, looked out and then walked back towards his partner. Starsky's eyes did not miss the way Hutch started rubbing roughly at the inside of his forearm in an increasingly agitated motion. Trying to rub away the scars of what has been done to him. He has watched Hutch do this many times in the past weeks and if the other men had not been in the room he would have gone to him as he had done many times recently. He would have pulled the tearing hands away and just held them firmly until his friend calmed. Until the fear and loathing of what had been done to him was dulled by his presence. But he couldn't do that now and so he just watched while Hutch tore at himself and felt sicker and sicker.
Hutch was speaking then.
"I don't like this Starsky. I don't want you doing this."
The blonde detective was addressing his partner and yet the recent directive and dialogue had come from his captain and the captain from the nineteenth precinct. Starsky had not even spoken.
The two men were regarding each other in a visual exchange that effectively locked out everyone else in the room.
In Dobey's office the two captains had spent the last fifteen minutes or so outlining a proposal for an undercover operation that's motive was to continue to prise open operations of a drug syndicate in their city and cities further south along the west Californian coast. There had been an ever increasing creep into the cities across the border and up the coastline and the marketing and distribution of cocaine was reaching epidemic proportions. In the past weeks the LAPD had staged several central departmental meetings to chart up a strategic joint effort to stem the proliferation and insidious corruptible power of these organizations. Thousands of man-hours had gone into assessing the viability of infiltrating the local arms of the syndicate with the aim of unhinging one of the chains of power. The aim being of course, to take out the very foundations underpinning the top players and therefore inevitably deliver up the guilty parties.
Dobson had outlined to the two detectives from Park Central the undercover operation that his own precinct had been running for the past weeks. The situation was escalating. One good cop was down, killed in the undercover op and Dobson and the Commissioner had contacted Dobey about bringing in some of his precinct's men to ramp up the inside heat. Enter Starsky and Hutch. Hutch however was out for the count – Dobson was given only the information he needed as to why.
His man Ryan Lancaster, a peer of the other two detectives was an obvious choice as Starsky's new sidekick.
Hutch could now see that his observations of Ryan were correct. His distinct feelings that the other detective had been here recently to meet with Dobey was very likely to be the case. He must have attended one or more preliminary meetings while he was on leave and Starsky had been spending time with him at home. It made him wonder why Ryan couldn't have mentioned to the two of them earlier when he had the chance. Why the big secrecy? Right now however that was not what was foremost on his mind.
The set up was.
Hutch continued.
"It leaves him wide open. I won't have it."
Hutch turned then and directed this last missive to the two Captains.
Starsky just gave him a light shrug of his shoulders and try to reassure his partner with his eyes.
He looked as though he was trying to sort through his own thoughts on the matter while still being mindful of how his partner was taking the information.
Dobey gave Hutch a long careful look.
"I'm sorry Hutchinson, but this case has just come up and the nineteenth precinct needs a man to go in with Detective Ryan. We could have taken the case for them, but knowing that you are still not well enough for an undercover assignment of this caliber, and Starsky will need some back up, it makes sense to put the two men together on this one. You will be essential in coordinating the case from headquarters. I think you know that it is too risky to put you under."
Dobey felt Starsky's eyes burning into him.
"….Ah, with your poor health and doctors orders and all of that."
He could see his two men looking at each other and communicating in their usual silent way. The pregnant pause hung in the air. Dobey, Ryan and Dobson watching the two partners, the two partner watching each other.
"Captain its just not how we like to work and you know that . Starsky gets backed up on big cases by me. We don't spilt up on this sort of stuff."
"Look Hutchinson do you think I need you to tell me how you two work? After all these years? Of course its not how you work, but this time its gonna be how you work. The case is busting right open, we need men in now. You are not fit. Ryan here is. Starsky needs a partner. End of story. "
He was about to slap his big meaty hand down on the desk in his preferred form of emphasis, but cut himself short.
" Look I'm sorry, Hutch I know this is a blow for you now you've just got back to work …but it is out of my control."
"Captain, this is not about me just getting back to work, nor is it about me not being put on an undercover case." He eyes swung to Starsky.
"This is about my partner going in alone!"
Ryan's chair was forcibly scraped back as he sprung to his feet, his eyes dark as he spat at Hutch.
"Oh for fuck's sake, Hutchinson! And who the hell am I hey? The departmental janitor? What is it with you? Can't trust anyone else to work with your partner?"
He whirled now to Starsky who so far had still said nothing, his eyes trained on Hutch.
He didn't respond to Ryan but put his hand on Hutch's arm.
"Dobey's right Hutch. It makes sense. The case has to be worked and ya' know I wouldn't want ya' out on the streets and particularly undercover in such a dangerous situation – not while – not until ya' get your strength back. Too dangerous for you, and hey too dangerous for both of us. Ya' know Dobey has gotta do what he has to with the top brass. It'll be ok, all work out for the best."
He looked over now at Ryan and whether consciously or not stepped between his partner and the other detective who was staring hard at Hutch.
"Ryan here is happy to put himself on the line so least I can do is accept his offer. "
He saw that Ryan was getting agitated and did not want a scene to break between him and his partner. Hutch was just not ready for any of this yet.
"Hey, 'bout time the nineteenth did a bit of real work undercover anyway. I think we have tallied up a hell of a lot more jobs than them in the past year or so…. Ah no offence intended Captain Dobson."
"None taken Starsky, just as long as you are joking. I've already lost one good cop to this operation".
"Oh Christ…." Hutch turned his angry face back to the window. "Now I feel so much better!"
Starsky squeezed Hutch's shoulder and looked at Dobson " Of course Capn', just tryin to lighten the mood here." He added "For all our sakes".
"Look men I need to wrap this up now and get back to my headquarters. We'll run this as a co-ordinated effort between the two precincts. Captain Dobey and I will have full access to the entire operation and Detective Hutchinson I am happy for you to be on the case too as an outside contact for the two men should there be any need. We need to hop into this one yesterday as I have the Commissioner breathing down my neck. We have already lost one officer on this one and I sure as hell don't want to lose another."
He waved his hand at his own detective and Starsky. " I expect you two to be ready for a full debriefing later this afternoon with the intention to prepare for taking your positions by no later than tomorrow afternoon. "
He held up his hand to forestall Hutch who was beginning to protest. " I can appreciate that the notice is short but we are working under the gun here.
"Detective Starsky – shall we see you down at the nineteenth in say" he looked at his wristwatch, "four hours – two pm."
It was not a request.
"Lancaster, I need a few more minutes with Captain Dobey and then I will get that lift back to HQ with you."
Dobey nodded at his own men. "I will see you two shortly, don't go anywhere."
Hutch's voice was just short of scathing. "Where the hell do you think I would go? I'm tied to desk duties remember? Can't vouch for my partner though, he could be sent anywhere – at no notice."
He was the first to leave the room and pushed past Ryan as he slammed out of the room.
Starsky followed with a quick nod to Dobson, deferring to his superiority.
Ryan waited until they were both out of earshot and as he too made to leave he remarked to the black captain.
"That's one angry detective you've got in Hutchinson there sir, could be a liability out on the streets. Being sick must have messed him around I'd say. Not terribly objective about his role is he?
Maybe its good after all that I am going to be teamed up with Starsky - for his own safety."
Dobey fixed him with a warning glare.
"Lancaster, you have something to say about my men, you say it to their faces, not to me, unless it concerns fact. Otherwise keep your opinions to yourself! You hear?"
He didn't have a good feeling about this man who he had in fact met now on a couple of occasions as he and Dobson had begun sketching out the case together.
" And, Lancaster, some advice. You will not do yourself any favors trying to wedge yourself between those two. Let that be a warning you do not forget."
Ryan just smiled and walked out of Dobey's office.
oooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooO OOoooOOOoooOOOooo
When he entered the squad room neither of the other two detectives were there. He scanned the outer office area and then caught sight of Hutchinson's blond head. They were standing near the vending machine, Hutchinson had one arm extended and was leaning into the wall. His stiff back and bent head suggested anger and Starsky was standing beside him, one arm on his shoulder looking tense and worried.
Ryan knew better than to intercept their little session. He already knew Hutchinson would chill him out instantly.
Plenty of time Hutchinson. Plenty of time. Out of your hands now.
He sat down to wait dutifully for his captain.
oooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooO OOoooOOOooo
Hutch was tired after his first day back at work and Starsky had expected that. What neither of them had expected was the development that had been thrown at both of them on his first day back at work.
They had returned to Hutch's place after Starsky had finished the briefing over with Dobson and Ryan. It had been one hell of a day and with Hutch not only fatigued from his weakened state, but also wound tighter than a drum over the situation with the new assignment.
They had got through the afternoon, Hutch vacillating between anger and quiet consternation. Starsky just hovered carefully. He had come back from the debriefing over at the nineteenth precinct and was not surprised to find his partner even more pent up.
They had grabbed pizza and a couple of six packs, the mainstay of a busy cop's menu and retreated to Hutch's. Starsky no longer stayed over like he did in the early couple of weeks when his partner was still coming down off the heroin and quietly battling the addiction. Tonight however it seemed a natural progression to chill together. Not, that either of them were achieving much chilling.
Starsky would have liked it if he had time to try to sort out a decent meal for them both as this was going to be their last night together before he went under. But of course he was not the domesticated cook and Hutch was not in the mood for meal preparation. Normally he would have been in charge of the cooking duties and prepared a good round meal on the eve of a big undercover case. It had long been a habit they had followed over the years as detectives.
"Last Supper" had been the standing joke. It was sadly a metaphor very close to reality. In a cop's life, undercover jobs always had the potential for drama, danger and bloodshed. The red wine that they often enjoyed with their meal was almost as symbolic as the bloodshed that often went hand in hand with big operations.
Like this one.
Starsky was glad that they had skipped the red wine for beer tonight. He sure as hell didn't want Hutch thinking about any blood that might get shed in this case...he knew Hutch was already worrying enough.
His anger and frustration had not abated since he had stormed out of Dobey's office following the group meeting.
The whole situation was difficult for both of them. Hutch was pissed off that his body was letting him down and his partner down and Starsky was upset that he was having to leave Hutch to his own devices for weeks, maybe more while this case took shape. At the same time he did not know how else to work it. Even if he wasn't on this undercover case he would not be able to sit with Hutch all day on desk duties, which would just frustrate the hell out of them anyway as it always did when one or the other of them was unable to work the street. Realistically Starsky knew he had to take this assignment and realistically he accepted that Hutch was nowhere near well enough to work it with him.
He did not want Hutch out there, anywhere near the filth of the streets, not yet.
Not yet.
He was still so vunerable and beaten down by what he had gone through. But more so than Hutch being weakened by the abduction and forced addiction and withdrawal of the heroin, there was a greater risk lying in wait for his partner. Starsky would not allow him to walk into that risk. Deskwork might make him stir-crazy but it would keep him safe and his credibility intake.
No one but Dobey, Huggy Bear and him knew what had gone off with Hutch. Except of course the other scum involved in his abduction. He had taken out the second in charge of the abduction, Monk, but Starsky was not entirely sure what residual scum was still floating around out there for Hutch. Scum that could incriminate Hutch as a heroin junkie and use what had been done to him, against him.
His career on the force was in jeopardy until they both knew whether all of the loose ends were tied up. This job of course might be a thread to a very big loose end for Hutch. An undercover drug bust was not something that he could let Hutch walk into right now. He knew it, Dobey knew it and he knew that Hutch did too of course.
But Hutch would risk all of what could lie in wait for him in this case, just to be by his side and to have his back. They had talked after the meeting, once Hutch had calmed down enough to talk, about his frustrations of coming back to work and yet not coming back to work.
He remembered his friend's vitriolic anger earlier in the day when the meeting had disbanded and he followed Hutch our to the hallway where he was leaning heavily into the wall and cursing under his breath.
"Starsk if I can't fucking protect you, than I might as well not be here! I can't come in here every morning and look at fucking reports while you are out there amongst fucking killers and drug scum waiting to get your back stabbed or your throat slit or your fucking head shot off! I can't! I won't!
Fair enough, let them put you on the street without me, but for Christ sake make it be. …make it be…." He was becoming flustered with each word and increasingly frustrated.
Starsky smiled softly at him.
"Or what Hutch? Make it be delivering overdue parking tickets to people's doors, teaching school kids about what nice policeman do, directing local traffic outside city hall? This is my job Hutch. What I do. What I am. I am a cop, I am an undercover detective, it is often a nasty job, and I take risks. This ain't a pretty place to work Hutch. There are no nice jobs you can put me in while you are not with me so that I can stay safe. This is my life Hutch and there is no escapin' that."
Hutch looked defeated. He collapsed against the wall and sighed loudly.
"Starsky I know that, but it is just not your life it is my life too. Your job, your life is also my job, my work, my life – and right now I can't do any of it! I can't be there with you. I can't be for you. Not for this one, you know why Starsk, you know that Dobey would never let me near this one right now, even if I was fighting fit.
I am a liability. I have put you at risk.
What happened to me with Forrest ...it is now putting you at risk."
His eyes were fierce with emotion as he drew his partner into the private pain that only the two of them shared.
"Don't say that, don't you dare say it again Hutch. You did nothin'. You got your body broken and dragged through the slag by those assholes and you dragged yourself out of the slag. I only regret that I couldn't have killed Forrest at the same time I did Monk".
Eventually they had packed up earlier than normal, donned their jackets and headed home, tacitly to Hutch's place for some much need beers and more talk. Starsky could see that this whole episode and unexpected development today had worn Hutch down prematurely. It had strapped his already depleted reserves and he wanted to get Hutch home before he folded completely.
He knew too that Hutch wanted to argue, berate Dobson and Dobey's decision and to try to sway his partner's agreement to take the assignment. He could do all of those things and Starsky was prepared to let his partner try and to ventilate and share his fears.
Hutch would get the space and time to fully get over the Forrest incident. He would ensure that Hutch was not be exposed to the inherent risks involved in this big case and when it was all over they could get back on track with Hutch no longer compromised by what had happened to him. He did not like going in without Hutch either, but this time he would have less to worry about, as Hutch would be deskbound and safe.
He would make sure that his partner did not know how he felt about going in with an unknown factor like Ryan Lancaster.
Starsky knew that the subject of Ryan Lancaster lay untouched between them. For some reason Hutch did not seem to want to go there and Starsky let it be. He had always sensed that his partner did not like Lancaster. As far back as he could remember. Maybe even when they were at the Academy together. He couldn't be sure, but he thought so.
Whenever Lancaster's paths had crossed with theirs over the years, the feeling was still there. He had mentioned to Hutch several times, but his partner was quickly dismissive of his observation, either laughing it off or outright denying it.
But it was there.
They knew each other too well for Starsky to think he was imagining it.
There was electricity between Hutch and Ryan – and it went both ways. Sometimes it just hummed and buzzed lightly, but it was there - a tangible , negative energy. Hot friction.
Other times like today, it virtually snapped and fired – the looks and moves between them charged and a little dangerous.
It had never been much of an issue. Ryan was a passing entity, in and then out of their lives, not featuring long enough for Starsky to try to probe Hutch for answers, which he supposed he might not ever have bothered to do. After all some people just did not take to each other. Hey, Starsky thought, can't love everybody all the time and make everybody happy and visa versa.
So Hutch and Ryan didn't gel? Not a big issue in the scheme of life.
But things were different after today.
A series of events had rolled out. A cartel was starting to come apart at the seams. It was timely for undercover cops to go in and weaken the syndicate even further and create some extra leverage for its demise. The LAPD needed undercover cops. Starsky and Hutch were prime choices given their age and background and experience. Hutch was down. Down in more most of the people in the department knew - would ever know if Starsky had any power over it.
Dobey too wanted his blond detective protected.
His partner wanted him protected, safe and better.
Another cop fit the bill to go in with Starsky. He was available and he was fit and ready.
Ryan Lancaster was that cop.
A sequence of events had now brought Ryan to be Starsky's undercover partner.
Hutch was devastated that he could not be with his partner in this case. But Starsky also knew that his partner was not verbalizing what he had sensed as soon as the brief had been presented to them.
Hutch did not want Ryan alongside him as his partner.
But Starsky also knew it would change nothing.
He was taking this assignment.
To be continued...