Chapter Ten

Hutch continued his surveillance on Starsky for the next week. He wanted a basic idea of Starsky's movements and habits before making his next move. He soon discovered that Starsky seldom left the building until at least midnight and then returned just before dawn. Usually, he returned with random items that he had managed to scavenge on his nocturnal travels. If he encountered anyone on the street before reaching the safety of the building, he avoided them even if he had to cross the street to do it.

Hutch had followed him on foot one night, being careful to keep at a discreet distance, and discovered that Starsky appeared to have a routine that he followed. There were several stores that he stopped at and rummaged through their dumpsters and Hutch soon discovered that the shelter apparently wasn't the only place that left him food. One place he always stopped was a small park where he would sit by a tiny pond, sometimes for two hours or longer before moving on.

Hutch watched the building waiting for Starsky to leave. When he did, Hutch gathered up the items he had brought with him and hurried into the building. He found the room where Starsky slept and carefully left his offerings behind. A heavier blanket, several cans of root beer, a pack of powdered donuts, and a pair of bright blue Addis running shoes with a three white stripes on the side. He thought that maybe one of his offerings might trigger a hidden memory for Starsky. He just hoped that Starsky would not be spooked by the intrusion into his private domain and go into hiding but that was a chance that Hutch was willing to take. He had to start trying to gain Starsky's trust sometime and what better way to do it than by leaving him some of his favorite things even if Starsky couldn't remember that they were he liked them.

When Hutch returned to his surveillance the following night, he hid a grin when Starsky came out of the building. The first thing the big blond noticed was the new shoes on Starsky's feet. His familiar trademark Addis running shoes. Apparently, Hutch's gifts had been accepted.

Shortly after Starsky left for the night, a thunderstorm struck. Sheets of rain poured down as lightening pieced the sky. Hutch hoped that Starsky had been able to find shelter from the downpour. Starsky had always hated the rain. He hated getting wet and cold. Dawn was breaking over the horizon when Hutch saw a obviously soaked Starsky trudging back into the building. Hutch returned to his room but spent most of the day worrying about Starsky. Since an assassination attempt two years before his disappearance, Starsky had been more susceptible to colds and lung infections. Hutch overslept and was late arriving for his surveillance that night and didn't see Starsky leave the building. When he didn't see him return that morning at his usual time, he got worried and knew that he had to take the chance of going into the building to make sure that the burnet hadn't gone on the run again.

Hutch grabbed the flashlight and made his way into the condemned building. As soon as he opened the door to Starsky's hideaway, he smelled the odor of sour vomit and urine. Flashing his light around the room, he saw the huddled figure curled up in the corner underneath the blankets. Without a second thought, he crossed the room in three long strides and knelt down beside his friend. He knew right away that Starsky was in trouble. His eyes were closed and his face was flushed with fever. Sweated beaded on his forehead and dripped down his cheeks. His breathing was heavy and labored with a definite wheezing sound. Hutch hissed as he laid the back of his hand against Starsky's forehead. He was burning up, his fever dangerously high.

Hutch knew that Starsky needed immediate medical attention but he was concerned about his state of mind. He didn't want to take him to a hospital where he would be sedated or restrained if he became combative. After a moment of thought, Hutch knew what he had to do. He had to take Starsky back to his rented room and try to find a discreet doctor who would treat him there.

"Hey, buddy…" Hutch said in that soft, gentle voice he reserved solely for his partner when he was hurt or sick. "Hutch is here and I'm going to take care of you. Trust me…"

He carefully gathered the weak and desperately ill man up in his arms, alarmed at how light he felt. Starsky's head came to rest against Hutch's shoulder but he didn't stir. Hutch found himself hoping that Starsky would remain unconscious at least until he got him back to his room. He didn't want to have to deal with a feverish, possibly combative and terrified Starsky while trying to drive through the early morning traffic. A Starsky who was afraid of any kind of human contact. Hutch made it to the car with his precious burden and gently laid him down on the front seat. Sliding underneath the steering wheel, he eased Starsky's head into his lap. Hutch was alarmed at the heat he could feel radiating from Starsky's skin even through the heavy denim of his jeans.

He made it back to his room without any problems and carefully lifted Starsky out of the car. The brunet remained unconscious even as Hutch carried him into the building and up the steps to his second floor room. Luckily, there were no other residents around that early in the morning. Hutch managed to unlock the door to his room without dropping Starsky and stepped inside, kicking the door shut behind him.

He carefully laid Starsky down on the sagging double bed in the middle of the room and untangled him from the blanket he had wrapped around him. Starsky was still dressed in the wet clothes from the day before. He had vomited on himself at some point and had also had an accident. Hutch knew Starsky needed medical attention but first Hutch needed to try and get his fever down to a more manageable level. He hurried into the tiny bathroom and ran the tub half full of lukewarm water. Returning to Starsky's side, he gathered the unresponsive man into his arms and carried him into the bathroom, gently lowering him into the tub of water. Even the sudden immersion in the lukewarm bath failed to get a response from Starsky.

Hutch grabbed a threadbare washcloth and began to bath the brunet's face and neck. Using one hand to tug at the faded blue tee shirt, he managed to pull it off over Starsky's head and tossed it aside. He muttered an obscenity when he noticed the outline of Starsky's ribs which were clearly visible underneath his skin. It was obvious that he hadn't been eating right for quite some time. Hutch continued to gently wash Starsky's face, chest, arms and hands in an attempt to bring down his fever. Starsky's labored breathing was the only sign that he was still alive.

Finally, Hutch noticed a slight difference in the temperature of Starsky's skin. The fever had gone down marginally. Hutch quickly lifted Starsky's limp body out of the tub and carried him back to the bed, lying him on top of the blanket and quickly stripping off his clothes. He covered the emaciated body with an extra blanket from the closet and then reached for the phone on the wobbly stand beside the bed. He quickly dialed the number for the shelter and asked for Gretchen. When she came on the line, he blurted out,

"I need your help. I have Starsky with me and he needs a doctor. I think he might have pneumonia. He's unconscious and running a high fever. I got it down for now but he needs medical attention."

"I think I know somebody who can help. Where are you?"

"1374 Clover Avenue, Apartment 2D. The door is unlocked. Tell them to just come on in."

"Hang on. We'll be there as soon as we can."

Hutch hung up without saying goodbye and turned his attention back to his sick friend. Starsky was still unresponsive but his fever was down and he seemed to be breathing a bit easier. All Hutch could do was wait and pray that he hadn't made a mistake by not taking Starsky to a hospital immediately.