Chapter 4
After breakfast they went into the living room to get ready. "Starsk, will you sit still? I can't do this with you squirming all over the place."
"I can't help it, Hutch. Why do I have to wear this? You said we were going to put on a disguise and follow Dryden and Simonetti to see if they lead us to whomever it is they're working with. You didn't say I'd have to wear a dress."
Huggy snickered, "I don't know about this, Hutch, he makes an ugly woman."
Starsky frowned and said, "See, Hutch."
"Stop frowning so I can get this eye shadow on," he looked at Huggy and frowned himself, "and you're not helping, Hug."
Huggy stood back and watched the scene as it was playing out. Hutch was attempting to put eye shadow on Starsky. He had already applied base makeup, blush and some kind of makeup to hide a couple of blemishes. After the eye shadow, Hutch would undoubtedly attempt to put mascara on Starsky, then the salt and pepper short hair wig. Starsky was wearing a blue dress with white flowers on it that came just below his knees. Worst of all, it had white lace around the high neckline. He was also wearing a padded bra that, to use Starsky's words, "Felt like he was being squeezed in half." Starsky would be wearing a pair of gold colored wire glasses too. All of this was Hutch's idea and Starsky wasn't happy about any of it. Huggy put his hand over his mouth and chuckled again.
"At least I'm not putting you in high-heeled shoes, I'm letting you wear those flat black shoes," Hutch said as he started applying the mascara.
"I'd fall and bust my ass in those things. I swear, Hutch, being a woman is hard work. I don't know how they do it."
"I don't either, Partner; now go put your nylons on."
"Do I really have to wear those? Come on, Hutch, be a sport."
"Be glad I'm not making you shave your legs too."
Starsky reluctantly opened the package of nylons and turned his back toward Hutch and Huggy as he put them on. Hutch shared a chuckle with Huggy. "I can hear that," Starsky said as he pulled the nylons up.
After Starsky was dressed, it was Hutch's turn. His disguise was a lot simpler than Starsky's. He was dressed as an older man. He would walk with a cane and was wearing a wig that made him look bald to cover up his blonde hair. He was wearing a plain grey suite with black suspenders. His shoes were solid black as were his socks. He put a touch of base makeup on to change his skin color just a little. Hutch had a couple of moles on the left side of his neck and he covered those up too. He put on a pair of large black-framed glasses.
Hutch put his holster on just before the grey jacket that matched his suit. "I hate this thing," Starsky said as he strapped his gun around his upper leg.
"Uh, Starsky, your strap is showing," Huggy said trying not to laugh.
Starsky had a very frustrated look on his face as he readjusted the strap so it was no longer visible. "Are we ready, now?"
"Not quite," Hutch said handing Starsky a small black clutch purse.
"A purse too, Huuuttch," he whined.
"Perfect," Hutch replied as he was trying not to laugh at the sight.
Huggy shook his head, "I think I'd reconsider my career choice if I were you, Starsk, if this any indication of what I'd have to do."
Hutch grabbed Starsky by the shoulder's and said, "Let's get going."
"We'll see ya at The Pits later, Hug."
"Starsky, you'd better add a couple of octaves to your voice," Huggy said, smiling.
Starsky didn't say anything as Hutch led him out to the garage. As Starsky started getting into the old light-green Chevy, he asked, "Hutch, how do you think I look?"
"You look beautiful. If I didn't know any better, I'd ask you out myself." Hutch tossed the makeup case in the backseat, knowing they may need to freshen-up a bit later. They didn't know if they were going to stay at Huggy's upstairs room at The Pits or his cousins so Huggy had packed their clothes and put the suitcases in the car for them.
Starsky tilted his head and frowned, "You're too old for me," he answered matching Hutch's playful sarcasm.
Huggy followed behind him in his cousin's car which was a light-blue Ford. He headed toward his restaurant to wait for Starsky and Hutch there. He was worried about his two friends and was hoping someone would give him some information about who Simonetti and Dryden were working with.
Starsky and Hutch were waiting outside the station for Simonetti and Dryden. The best plan they could come up with was to follow them and see where that led them. They were hoping to find out who their accomplice was. If this didn't work, then they would have to go back to Starsky's original plan which Hutch didn't like at all. Starsky wanted to go back to the station and presumably resume work, knowing Simonetti and Dryden would be waiting for him. Hutch was safe right now, they thought he was dead but they were also after Starsky. Hutch was sure they would try to kill Starsky as soon as they saw him. He didn't want to take that chance. Going after other cops was bad enough, but these two were in Internal Affairs and going after them would be twice as hard. They would have to make sure they had enough convincing evidence before they made a move.
Starsky and Hutch got nowhere. They waited outside the station all day and never saw either of the IA officers. At 1700, the two emerged from the building, each headed toward their car. "Starsk, which one should we follow?"
"Follow Simonetti," Starsky replied as he yanked at his nylons.
After they followed Simonetti to his house, they drove by Dryden's house and saw his car was there.
Later that evening, Simonetti showed up at Dryden's house; and he wasn't alone. The three men we sitting at the kitchen table and Simonetti said, "You know the first place he'll go to when comes back is that dump of a restaurant his friend owns."
"The Pits, I know it. The owner Huggy Bear is a good friend of Starsky's. I wouldn't be surprised if he's staying there." Dryden said.
"But I thought he left town," the other man in the room said.
"Starsky's not going anyplace. Not until he finds out who killed his low-life partner, Hutchinson," Simonetti said adding, "He's around. He knows someone in the department is responsible because he's not dumb. What we have to do is to flush him out before he finds out it's us."
"I bet he already knows. Let's pay The Pits a little visit, ya know see if he shows up," Dryden suggested.
"Okay, but you wait outside," Simonetti pointed at the other man, "If Starsky is there and he spots us, we may need you to grab him." The three men left Dryden's and went to The Pits.
Tired and disgusted, Starsky and Hutch decided to go to The Pits to see Huggy. They didn't sit at their usual booth in the back. This time they sat at a table toward the front of the restaurant. Huggy made his way to their table as soon as he saw them come in.
"I don't believe I've ever seen such a lovely couple in my fine establishment before. To what do I owe this honor," Huggy said with a bit of a laugh behind the words.
"Can it, Hug," Starsky pouted.
"You'll have to excuse Starsk here, Hug," Hutch started laughing, "he's had his panties in a bunch all day."
"That's a good one, Hutch," Huggy responded laughing himself.
"Very funny. Some pal you are," Starsky mumbled.
"Aw, come on, Starsk. When this is all over, I'll make it up to you." Hutch patted Starsky's arm.
"It's gonna take a lot of makeup to make up for this."
"I'll bring you a beer. That'll cheer you up."
"No beers, Hug. Not dressed like this. Do I look like someone who'd drink a beer? Food, just bring me somethin' to eat and a glass of sweet tea."
"Would you like one of those sandwiches cut into fourths with the crust cut off? Cause, if you do, I'm here to serve," Huggy asked as Hutch cringed knowing Starsky was not going to take that joke very well.
Starsky tilted his head down so that he was now looking at Huggy and his partner from the top of his glasses. He didn't need to say a thing, his look of being unimpressed with the old lady jokes said it all. "Huggy, just bring us a couple of burgers, will ya," Hutch asked.
Starsky leaned toward Hutch and whispered, "I've got another problem now."
"Oh, Starsk, not now."
"Which one do I go in?" Starsky whispered.
"You can't go in the men's bathroom dressed like that."
"Well, I don't want to go in the women's."
"You'll have to. Look, they all sit down anyway so you won't see anything you shouldn't."
"Maybe no one will be in there," Starsky said as he stood up.
"Starsk?"
"What?"
"Make sure you sit down."
"I'm not gonna sit to…"
Hutch cut him off, "You have to or your feet will face the wrong way in the stall."
Starsky huffed as he walked off. Huggy returned with the burgers, "What's he upset about now?"
"I told him he had to use the woman's bathroom and he has to sit down to pee," Hutch said laughing.
"He has to sit down…oh the feet will face the wrong way. Hutch you've got an evil streak, ya know?"
"So I've been told," Hutch said as he took a bite of his burger.
Starsky entered the bathroom and was delighted to see it was empty. He opened the door to the second stall and stepped inside. He heard the bathroom door open again. Now I have to sit, he thought. He scowled as he sat down. It was degrading enough to have to dress as a women, but to use the women's bathroom and have to sit down to pee was almost more than he could stand. The worst part was that he knew his partner was enjoying every minute of his torment.
As Starsky came out of the bathroom, he saw Simonetti and Dryden walking in. Starsky ducked behind the wall separating the restrooms from the dining room. He peeked around the wall to make sure Hutch wasn't recognized. Hutch had spotted them too and just took a sip of his tea. He tried to keep an eye on them without being too obvious.
Simonetti and Dryden were also spotted by Huggy who acted as he always did when a customer came in. Huggy caught the look Starsky gave him and knew he wanted the two IA officers to be seated close to them. "Good evening, Gents," Huggy guided them toward the booth that was next to Starsky and Hutch. "What is your pleasure this evening?"
"I'll start with a beer and a menu," Dryden said.
"Me too," Simonetti said as he looked around the restaurant while sliding into the booth.
Huggy turned his back to them and raised his eyebrows at Starsky and Hutch. Starsky and Hutch knew why Simonetti and Dryden came to The Pits. They were hoping to find Starsky. They knew without a doubt that they were still looking for him.
When Huggy handed Simonetti his beer and a menu, Captain Dobey came in. "Good grief, Hutch," Starsky whispered.
Hutch was able to make eye contact with Huggy. As Simonetti and Dryden were busy looking over their menus, Huggy nodded at the captain and motioned for him to go outside to the back of the restaurant. They were lucky and Captain Dobey was not seen by Simonetti or Dryden. If he had been spotted by either of them, they would suspect that Starsky, at least, was there.
Huggy met Captain Dobey at the back door, "What the hell was all that about, Huggy?" Demanded the Captain rather boisterously.
"Shhh. Simonetti and Dryden just came in. They're sitting next to Starsky and Hutch."
"Oh. Do Starsky and Hutch know I'm here?"
"Yeah, Hutch wanted me to bring you back here." Huggy had a small table and a chair in the kitchen for the staff to eat at when they were on their breaks and he let Dobey sit there. Huggy brought Captain Dobey his dinner and said he was sorry he couldn't eat in the dining room. Dobey said he understood and was just happy he was getting a good dinner. Huggy said he would take him upstairs as soon as it was safe.
Starsky and Hutch sat as quietly as possible as they finished their dinner. They couldn't hear anything the two IA officers were saying and they stopped talking altogether when Huggy went near their booth. It was a very tense half hour for all of them. Finally, Simonetti and Dryden paid their bill and left and Huggy was able to get Dobey, Starsky and Hutch upstairs.
After a few remarks about Starsky's dress, Captain Dobey said he was glad to see them. Starsky and Hutch told Captain Dobey they fully intended to follow Simonetti and Dryden for a few more days. If they didn't come up with anything then, Starsky would make a brief appearance at the station. Hutch wasn't in favor of Starsky being seen but he knew Starsky was right. It was one way to catch them. They were hoping to find out who the third person was before they made their move against Simonetti or Dryden. Huggy's cousin's place was too far away to be of any real use. Although they did appreciate it the last two days, they would need closer accommodations.
Huggy knocked before entering the room. He learned years ago that it was not a good idea to startle a room full of cops. He had made arrangements for Starsky and Hutch to stay at a nearby hotel not far from The Pits. "You're registered as Gertrude and Eugene Pitts," Huggy said as he handed them their hotel room key.
"This just keeps getting worse," Starsky muttered as he took the key.
"Relax, Starsk, you're getting a queen sized bed."
"Oh, wonderful. Now I have to sleep with him," Starsky said.
"You've done worse," Hutch replied.
Starsky gave him one of his I'm fed-up-with-this-whole-routine looks and Hutch backed off. Captain Dobey and Huggy had the good sense to let it go and not make any remarks.
Captain Dobey left with strict instructions to keep him informed of their plans and whereabouts. He had been worried about them in the past but this was different. This time, it was other cops that were after them and he didn't like the uneasy feeling he had. He knew this was far from over.
Starsky and Hutch settled in for the night. Neither of them was worried about having to share the bed. They have shared the same bed plenty of times in the past on different assignments. Hutch even fell asleep in Starsky's bed when he was in the hospital after being shot by Gunther.
