Same Disclaimers: S&H do not belong to me and no profit is being made.
Chapter 3
After Nick left, Hutch paced around his apartment. He knew he had to tell Starsky--there was simply no option although he wished there was. He'd do anything to spare his partner the undoubted trouble that Nick Starsky had brought to town and he also knew how heartbroken he would be. Not only was he going to have to face the fact his younger brother was up to his old tricks again, obviously trying to play in the big time, but he had actually resorted to blackmail. The blackmail bargaining chip being Starsky's own life. It made Hutch feel quite ill but he knew he had little choice but to talk face-to-face with him. There was no way he could protect Starsky from this unpleasant truth.
Sighing deeply, Hutch grabbed his car keys and left the apartment. Trying to remember if Starsky had a date, he decided he would risk driving over. He didn't want to call first, he wasn't sure what to say and Starsky would pick up on his mood. This was not something to be done over the phone.
"Hutch, what's up?" Starsky answered the knock on his door quickly and Hutch was relieved to see he wasn't interrupting anything other than a television show.
Starsky saw straight away something was terribly wrong. The tension emanating from Hutch was almost palpable.
"Blintz, what's going on? Wanna drink?" Starsky asked in concern.
"Yeah, and you'd better have one too." Sitting down on the chair with his beer, Starsky looked at Hutch anxiously.
"There's no easy way to say this --your brother is in town and he came to see me." Hutch took a gulp of his beer.
Starsky was astounded.
"Nicky is here? Where is he? Why didn't he come and see me? Why you and not me? I've been in all evening." Starsky stared pleadingly at Hutch, pleading for it to be good news but in his heart he knew it wasn't going to be at all good.
"He's in trouble, Starsk, big trouble." Starsky's heart dropped to the floor, both at the words and at the expression on Hutch's face.
"Of course he is! But why did he go to you and not me?" The news that Nick was in trouble was of no particular surprise, but what concerned Starsky was the fact he'd called on his partner, not him, or their mother. He knew their mother would be in the dark about what was happening because she would have called him. The fact Nicky had gone to Hutch instead of his family did not bode well and Starsky tried to brace himself.
"He wanted something from me. He wants me to pay for him to leave the country." Hutch reached over and squeezed Starsky's shoulder. This wasn't going to be easy.
Starsky just looked blank, knowing the worst was yet to come.
"Okay, Hutch, but why did he ask you? Why not me? What the hell is going on?" Starsky demanded.
"I guess because he figured I would jump to it without asking questions. Give him the money without giving him a hard time." Hutch didn't know how best to approach this. However he worded it, Starsky was going to be heartbroken and it renewed Hutch's anger against the younger Starsky.
"Why? Please Hutch, you're not tellin' me everything. Just spit it out!" Starsky pleaded.
"Sorry—there's no easy way to say this…" Hutch paused for a breath, before continuing. "He asked me because he figured I would do anything to stop you from being killed".
Starsky went white. "What the hell is going on here, Hutch?"
"I don't know, honestly. He wouldn't tell me the details. All I know is he came to me and expected me to finance his escape in order to ensure your safety." Hutch rubbed his head. His headaches always seemed to multiply in number when the younger Starsky was around.
"You know, if I thought it was a solution, I'd do it." Hutch sighed as he spoke.
If it would stop Nick from hurting you, I'd bankrupt myself if I had to. You don't deserve this slimeball brother you've got. This has gotta be bad, partner, whatever it is Hutch thought to himself.
Starsky just watched his partner. Although he didn't know the gory details yet, he could guess at what Hutch was thinking. He knew, yet again, how fortunate he was to have Hutch as a partner and friend. But he just remained silent as Hutch continued talking.
"I just can't see it will solve anything, and certainly not guarantee you won't become a target. I don't know who's involved but it must be big time if Nick sees the need to flee the country." Hutch looked at his partner, wishing he could change the situation.
"So he demanded money from you to save me." Starsky's voice broke.
Hutch watched him in silent sympathy. He knew how devastated Starsky would be feeling. He wondered if part of the problem was possibly Nick's jealousy of his relationship with Starsky but he didn't care. His only concern, as always, was for his partner. The brother was a sleazy little criminal and there wouldn't be a place for him to hide if Starsky got hurt because of his activities.
"Where is he?" Starsky was pulling himself together.
Hutch told him.
"I'm gonna see him." Starsky stood up unsteadily.
"Hey, I'm coming too." Hutch wasn't going to let Starsky face this on his own.
"Hutch, you shouldn't get in the middle of this--this ain't your problem." Starsky grabbed his car keys. He was shocked by his brother's behavior and knew that whatever was going on was going to be bad.
"Not my problem? Of course it is! Your brother involved me and even if he didn't do you think I would let you deal with this alone? Me and thee--remember. We both need to know what the hell is going on. Make no mistake, this is "our" problem, partner." Hutch said firmly.
Starsky recognized the expression on his protective partner's face and relented.
Some battles weren't worth fighting and trying to keep Hutch out of this would be a waste of time and energy. Grinning slightly, he pulled his other "brother" into a hug, grateful for the support but hoping Hutch wouldn't be hurt because of Nicky's irresponsibility. He'd never be able to forgive himself if that happened, but he knew better than to argue with Hutch about whether he should accompany him at this point. They both did need to know what was going on so they would know how best to deal with it.
Hutch returned the hug, glad Starsky wasn't going to argue with him.
Make no mistake, your brother will pay if you get hurt because of his criminal stupidity were Hutch's dark thoughts as they left the apartment.
