Chapter 2

Somehow, Starsky did manage to wake up in time for them to leave for work at 7am, and they arrived at the police station half an hour later. As they arrived in the squadroom, Dobey was waiting for them. "You two, in my office."

The two detectives looked at each other with questioning glances, and finding no answers there, followed Dobey into the office. Starsky kicked the door shut behind him, causing the usual bellowed reprimand from Dobey. Starsky just caught Hutch's eye and they grinned like a pair of mischievous kids.

"Got a new homicide case for you two. Three young girls reported missing, two found dead. We think they're connected." Dobey handed them photographs of the girls in question, and the grins rapidly disappeared. "Your job is to find the killer and stop him before any more are taken. And if possible, find this third girl before he kills her too."

The pair took the photos and studied them. None of the girls looked much older than 16, and Starsky wondered about their families. However, he knew that for cases like this it was better to be more emotionally detached. The girls all had different appearances, suggesting there was probably a subtle reason for their deaths if they were connected. Hutch's glance met Starsky's.

"How did they die Cap?" asked Hutch.

"Both were killed in the same way. Stabbed from behind."

The two detectives exchanged another look, then moved to exit the office. Their first course of action was to visit the third girl's parents and see what leads they could come up with.

***

"I think I'm in love." They were in the car, and for what Hutch guessed to be the millionth time, Starsky was informing him of how much he liked Catherine.

"Mm-hm."

Starsky didn't seem to notice Hutch's lack of enthusiasm. Briefly, Hutch wondered if Starsky would notice if he slammed his head down and took a nap. He'd smiled and agreed the first few times his friend had mentioned her, but now it was getting annoying. Really, he thought it was sweet, and he was happy that Starsky was happy, but he wasn't going to let him know that.

"She's gorgeous, and smart, and she likes you – but of course we can fix that. What more could I want?"

"A gag?" muttered Hutch.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing."

They had been driving around without managing to turn anything up, and both were getting irritated, as well as conscious of the fact that the third girl may not have a lot of time left.

They had been to see her parents several hours ago, and been shown the girls bedroom, and some more photographs. Lauren Brown was her name, and her parents hadn't been able to give a lot of help; they were only able to tell the detectives about their daughter's personality, and that they didn't think she'd done anything unusual lately.

***

Three days later, and visits to every snitch they had, as well as a couple of mental institutions, had still given them no clues. Looking through records of past offenders hadn't turned anything up either.

They knew things were bad when Dobey called them into his office again, and eyed them sympathetically. "I know you guys have been doing all you can, but the third girl – Lauren – she was found dead today."

Both detectives swore softly, then Starsky asked "Where was she found Cap'n?"

"Dumped, in an alley – not too far from your old apartment."

Starsky shivered. "Well, obviously 'doing all we can' isn't enough. We gotta get out there and do more." He strode from the office without waiting for an answer, and Hutch followed.

**

"How about we get some wine in and I cook for us tonight?" offered Hutch. The last week had been highly stressful and neither of them had been eating properly, but there was nothing more they could do tonight, and Hutch figured they may as well take the time out while they had it.

"Sounds nice. I'll help," replied Starsky with a smile.

"Starsk, you wouldn't know a vegetable peeler if it got in your face and introduced itself."

"Well, then, isn't it time we got acquainted?" Starsky shot back, enjoying the banter.

"There's a first time for everything," Hutch acknowledged.

They stopped off at the store on their way home to pick up the food and wine, and then headed home, where Starsky did indeed have his first meeting with a vegetable peeler. An hour later they were sitting down with the 'Paul Muni Special', with Starsky gloating over his perfectly peeled veg. As the wine bottle gradually emptied, Starsky became more talkative.

"You know Hutch, it'd be nice to see-"

Hutch quickly cut him off, "Mention her name one more time today and I'll... I don't know what I'll do, but it won't be good." However, he smiled to take the sting out of his words.

"But I like her, Hutch," he replied softly. "She might be the one."

Hutch sighed. His friend was so full of love, and sometimes he didn't fall for the right people, but loved people who went on to hurt him – Kira being one example. He'd also lost a lot of people, and Hutch didn't want to begrudge him his happiness. He simply replied "I know you do, buddy, and I hope she is."

***

Some hours later, after a lot of talking, both had disappeared to their bedrooms, determined that tomorrow would be the day that they got the lead on the killer.

Hutch was now wondering why he had a stomachache. Maybe I ate too much, he thought. Starsky had insisted on a ridiculously large chocolate pudding, and Hutch had considered it his duty to help his friend finish it off. Deciding that this was a fair explanation, Hutch finally fell asleep.