My thanks to Brook without whom I couldn't write and to Nelleke, Jan and Angie. Love ya ladies.

Chapter 14

Starsky steeled himself for what he had to do. There had, on occasions been times when he'd broken police code before, but he'd always been under cover and it had been in the line of duty. The time he'd been deep under as Snake, the biker, he'd gotten himself so far into the character that he'd almost lost himself in the black world of cocaine and the bikers churches (1). But this was different. Now he was just plain Dave Starsky and, if he was honest with himself, the thought of intentionally breaking the law scared the crap out of him. He weighed the Colt in his hands; feelingly the achingly familiar feel of the gun, knowing it was the same Python model his friend used daily. Somehow that made this all the sicker. Using a gun like Hutch's to break the law to save the blonde's life seemed obscene and his mind rebelled against it. His mouth went dry and he felt every one of the pains that had been inflicted on his body afresh. Only the thought of Hutch laying dead in a dingy room somewhere hardened his resolve.

The brunette started to stow the weapon down the back of the waistband of his jeans, his usual place when he wasn't wearing his holster but the lancing flashes of pain as the hard metal hit the newly minted welts striping his back was just too much. He pulled it away sharply and wiped the smear of blood from the barrel before pushing it carefully down the front of his jeans after checking the safety was on. Wouldn't want to shoot the family jewels off now would we Davey boy? Not when Svenson can have such a good time with them. He felt the foreign pouch still wrapped around his genitals and the reminder sent a shiver down his spine.

Bracing himself for what he knew he had to do, he took the steps back up to the front door of his workplace and went inside. The corridor was still quiet and fortunately no-one saw him to challenge him on his way back up to the second floor. He peeped around the corner of the stairwell and saw the coast was clear, trotting along until he was back at the same room he'd used earlier to telephone from. From his vantage point he could see that Williams was back at his station.

The troubled detective felt his heart hammering in his chest as he drew the gun from his waistband. He checked the chambers again seeing that all six had their cargo of deadly metal and kept the safety on. If at all possible he didn't want to have to use the weapon at all and the safety would prevent any unnecessary accidents from taking place. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves and to try to alleviate the sick, cold feeling he had in the pit of his stomach, he walked out of the room and into the exhibit store.

At the movement at the door, Williams looked up, a smile on his face as he saw Starsky standing outlined against the bright lights of the corridor. The brunette had the gun held behind him and stood nonchalantly leaning against the side of the door.

'How's it doing Williams?' he asked casually.

The big cop smiled back, then a troubled look crossed his plain features.

'Hi Starsky. I'm good. Ah….what can I do for you?' he paused uncomfortably. 'Someone told me you'd had a run in with the IA' he looked almost apologetic, not mentioning that he also heard the rumour that this hot headed cop in front of him was also accused of murdering one of the IA men.

'Oh, you know me an' Hutch. We're always having some sort of quarrel with IA. What's new?' Starsky eased himself into conversation mode. If he get the big fellow at his ease, this would be easier for all concerned. A voice cracked in his ear.

'Stop the cackle and get me the goods. Svenson's finger is itching' Wheeler's voice came over the airwaves. Starsky ignored it and continued, knowing the old man could hear everything that was going on anyway.

Williams was looking uncomfortable. He may not be a detective, but he knew that if Starsky was on unofficial suspension, as most people said he was, there was no reason on earth for the amiable detective to be here, in his storeroom at almost 6:00 in the morning.

'So what can I do for you?' he asked.

Starsky swallowed hard. This was it, the moment of truth and he hated every fibre of his being for doing it. As the big man behind the little counter looked surprised, the brunette drew the gun and pointed it at Williams. A look of fear flashed across the big man's face, but he held his ground, raising his hands slowly into view.

God, don't try to be a hero Williams. Just back away and do as I say.

'OK, what are you doing? We can talk about it, whatever it is' Williams said in textbook measured tones. Starsky could almost hear the police manual. When faced with a man pointing a gun, don't panic but try to engage him in non threatening conversation. Speak slowly and quietly, trying to get his confidence. The brunette almost chuckled at the words parroting through his head. If it hadn't been for the white face and trembling hands opposite him, he might even have found the situation funny. As it was he'd never had to threaten an innocent man with a loaded Colt before and the adrenalin was flowing full force through his veins now, making him jumpy and nervous. He licked his dry lips.

'Just back away Williams' he said in measured, hopefully non threatening tones himself. He didn't want to scare or hurt the cop and he didn't want to give him the heart attack he seemed to be well on the way to. 'Please, just do as I say, and if I get out of this in one piece, I'll explain everything later. Just walk back into the main room and get me the keys to the safe huh?'

Starsky willed the man to do as he was told. To do anything else; to put up a fight would mean Starsky would have to use force, or the gun, and his whole being rebelled against either course of action. He felt a tingling in his groin and hoped that Svenson would at least hold off another shock for a few more minutes. After that, he'd probably take the battery pack and electrocute himself because he felt that if he pulled this off he'd deserve every sort of punishment going. If it hadn't been for his captive blond partner, he'd have allowed the white haired psychopath to fry his balls now and have done with it. Instead he cast about and saw a pen and notepad on the desk.

Carefully he walked forward as Williams backed up further until his back was pressed against the back wall. Transferring the weapon to his right hand and still keeping it trained on the uniformed cop, he took the pen and wrote hurriedly.

Can't explain. PLEASE do as I say

Hutch in danger. Show this to Dobey.

He pushed the pad back to Williams who's terrified eyes scanned the print and he nodded briefly, a quizzical look in his eyes. Starsky shook his head quietly, pulling his shirt to one side so that Williams could clearly see the wire and microphone then motioned with the gun.

The two men walked slowly into the back room and Williams fumbled a key from a bunch around his waist with nervous fingers. Although he'd seen the note and the wire, he wasn't entirely sure what was going on. He so wanted to believe the brunette. He'd liked Starsky and his partner since he's transferred to the Metro four months ago, but he didn't know him well enough to trust having a Colt pointed at him. And if Starsky was pissed off at IA, who could say what he'd do?

Starsky jumped as another crackle in his ear heralded Wheeler's voice. 'What's taking so long? Its gone quiet. You're not deviating from our agreement are you? Do we need another little bit of encouragement?'

The brunette panicked Oh no no no, not now. Please not now. But his silent pleas went unanswered and he braced himself as another painful shock travelled through his genitals and radiated out through his body. He bent over, protectively, but somehow managed to keep the gun pointed at Williams who was looking scared and alarmed. Starsky's body seemed to be trembling and he'd doubled over in pain, sweat beading on his brow. He heard the low groan and although scared for his own safety, he became concerned for the detective.

'Hey man, you ok? Williams asked softly.

The pains were dissipating and slowly the brunette straightened, residual tremors coursing through his body. He leaned against the wall panting. 'Will be…..thanks for…. Just open the safe huh?'

Williams looked from the pained face to the gun muzzle, winking at him like an eye and fumbled with the keys, inserting a long mortise key into the lock of the sturdy safe. He turned it. The tumblers in the mechanism sounded loud in the brunette's ears, each one seeming to accuse him of this theft. He steadied his breath as Williams stood to one side. On the middle shelf, sitting on its velvet pouch with a white exhibit label around it was the diamond, gleaming malevolently in the dim interior of the metal cupboard. Starsky reached in and took it, taking a brief moment to gaze at the object which had caused all this trouble. For all he knew it could be just a lump of ordinary glass. To his untrained eye it was a pretty trinket, but nothing more and he wondered at its value. How could anyone pay over a $1million for this? He shook his head and stood, realising Williams was still standing stiffly at his side, the barrel of the gun scant inches from his belly.

The curly haired detective's own belly gave a lurch, the nausea renewing itself as he realised for the first time in his life he'd caused this much angst to an innocent party. He almost felt like handing the gun over and turning himself in, but Hutch's face floated across his memory and he hardened his nerve. He flicked the gun at Williams for him to move ahead and as soon as the big cop's back was turned, Starsky flipped the gun in his hand round and brought the butt down with some force on the side of William's head. The bulky body fell to the ground pole axed and Starsky felt a wash of adrenalin course though his veins. That was the final stroke in his master plan. Hoping that Williams would wake up with nothing more than a headache and knowing that when he did he could show the note to Dobey, he stepped over the unconscious body and slipped quietly out into the corridor.

Starsky made his way down the stairs, thinking he was home and dry, but as he turned the corner at the bottom of the steps, he bumped headfirst into his captain. He stopped, heart hammering in his chest as he stared into the familiar brown eyes. Dobey looked at him questioningly.

'I thought I told you to go home and wait' he thundered as Starsky tried to avoid the intensity of those eyes.

'Sorry Cap. You know me….can't keep away'. He sidled away from the big black man, but Dobey wasn't so easily brushed off.

'What exactly are you doing here?' he asked. He looked at his watch. 'I didn't think you knew this hour of the day existed'.

Starsky forced a grin onto his face. 'Hutch left something last night. He's catchin' some kip, he was working late. I thought I'd get it for him, seeing as he's trying to get me off of a murder rap'.

'And what's so hellfire important that you have to come skulking round here at six in the morning?' his Captain growled.

After the very briefest of pauses, the brunette took the gun from his waistband and waved it at his Captain. 'He forgot his piece' he said and trotted quickly away.

(1) See Shawne 'tll Dawn Story "No Regrets"