The Next Years

Chapter Two

Growing Fast

Part One

The three teens stood in the driveway and watched their Dads drive off.

Gabe looked at his cousins, "Just what were you guys doing in the park to get caught up in this?"

The twins looked at each other before Shelly answered, "We were just taking a walk and talking over some things. When did you get home? I thought you were going to be home tomorrow?"

Gabe shrugged, he knew she was just changing the subject and decided not to push.

"My last exam for this semester was yesterday, so I decided to come home a day early."

Mikey jostled his cousin's arm, "How do you think you did, like I have to ask."

Gabe shook his head, "You could do better in school if you just studied harder."

Shelly was not about to listen to this again. She looked at both boys and it suddenly dawned on her why Mikey thought he was not as smart as Gabe.

"Gabriel Kenneth Hutchinson, you stop it right now! I am tired of you always putting Mikey down. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. If you want to be a Detective, you better learn how to read people better than that!"

With that, Shelly turned around and walked back towards the park. She had enough of dealing with those boys.

The teens never saw the men parked across the street watching them.

When the partners arrived at the squad room they found files on their desks and a note from Sanchez that arrangements had been made to tow the car to the station. The files held all the paperwork that was found in the car. R & I had looked for information on the couple and had come up with precious little. All they knew right now was the family lived in Tucson Arizona. So, now they also have to find out why someone was after them this far from home.

Starsky picked up the phone and dialed a number, "Hey Minnie, I need a favor. Can you contact the Tucson Arizona police department and see if they have anything on the Fountains? Yes, Jacob and Emily. I doubt any of this had anything to do with the kids. Thanks, Schweetheart."

Hutch had been looking through the papers that had been found in the car. He was separating them into categories. Receipts for gas and food were in one pile. Anything to do with car maintenance was in another. He put everything else in a third pile. He was thinking if he found any kind of clue it would be in the third pile. As he was moving paper around he found a small, sealed envelope. There was nothing written on the outside.

"Hey Starsk, look at this."

Starsky moved over to his partner's side.

"Whatcha find there?"

Hutch started to open the envelope. Inside he found a note and a small key.

"Well, according to the note, this is to a safe deposit box. It says 'if anything happens to me, open the box.'"

Starsky took the key and was turning it over in his hand. "Says U.S. Bank. We can have Minnie call and try to track down where the box is."

As he finished speaking the phone rang. He picked it up, but didn't even have a chance to speak. Hutch stood when he saw the stricken look on his partner's face. Starsky hung up the phone and started for the door.

"Trouble at home, let's go!"

As they ran out the door Simmons, who had seen the interaction, headed to the Captain's office and burst through the door.

"Captain, Starsky just got a phone call, told Hutch there was trouble at home, and they took off."

Dobey grabbed his coat and was around his desk before Simmons finished speaking.

"Grab your partner, let's go!"

As Shelly walked across the grass she was distracted thinking about those boys. Suddenly she felt someone grab her. She let out a squeal and started trying to fight off whoever it was. Her squeal alerted the two teens that had started to go back in the house. Mikey started running towards his sister with Gabe just a half step behind. Gabe had yelled for his Mom before he started running.

Mikey reached her first and immediately jumped on the back of the man attacking her with his arm around the man's throat.

"You let go of my sister!"

There were two other men that had gotten out of the car. One of them grabbed Mikey and threw him to the ground. The other pulled a gun.

"You brats knock it off right now. Joey, put her in the car."

Gabe couldn't help it. As soon as they started trying to put Shelly in the car, he moved forward to try to grab her. The three teens were surprised when a shot rang out. Shelly screamed when she saw Gabe fall. The momentary shock gave the goons enough time to get Shelly in the car and take off.

Terry and Abby had almost reached the scene when they saw Gabe get shot and Shelly taken.

Mikey had gotten up and started to run after the car. He didn't even notice how strangely his arm was hanging. Terry grabbed him, she was afraid they would shoot again. Abby had gone to Gabe, hoping he was still alive. No one had noticed Lenny and Justin following their mother. Justin was still the fastest of all the kids. Lenny had an astonishing ability to remember what he saw. By the time they came back to where this had all happened, their Dads, Poppy, and Uncles John and Craig were there. Starsky saw them first.

"What did you boys think you were doing?

Lenny and Justin looked at each other. Lenny spoke first.

"I got the license plate number. I also know the color, make, and model of the car."

John Simmons handed the boy a notebook and pen and told him to write it all down. While Lenny did that, Justin took his turn to speak.

"I thought they were headed for the freeway, but I might be fast enough to at least see which way they went. They didn't get on the freeway. They turned back towards downtown."

Hutch glanced over at them, but didn't say anything. Once he saw they were unhurt, he was more concerned about Gabe. Thankfully it was a shoulder hit and didn't look to be life-threatening. Of course, he knew he could count on his partner to handle it.

Starsky looked at his nephews. "You could have very easily been seriously hurt or killed. You got good information, but it wasn't worth the risk."

Lenny spoke first, "I disagree, Uncle Dave. These guys shot Gabe and have Shelly. I may only be fifteen, but you all have taught me that you always, always, take care of family. If I can help, I will. If you or Dad want to punish me for that, fine. It won't change anything. I would do it again."

Justin just put his hand on his brother's shoulder and nodded his head.

The partners looked at each other. Starsky heaved a sigh. "Partner, when this is all worked out, we are going to have to do something about these kids outgrowing their britches."

He aimed a pointed look at the boys, and then headed over to his wife and oldest son.

Terry was holding Mikey. It appeared his arm was broken from being thrown to the ground. She was softly crying.

"Dave, what is going on? This started as a lost little girl, and now Gabe and Mikey are hurt and Shelly is…" She couldn't finish.

Starsky was worried about his kids. He was also worried about his wife. In his line of work, she had learned to deal with the dangers he faced. Having their teen daughter kidnapped by goons that were willing to shoot at children was a very different thing. His stomach was in a knot.

"Babe, I don't know what is happening yet. I am not even sure it has anything to do with this morning. You and Abby go to the hospital with the boys. We'll get Huggy and his brood to come over and stay with Ma and the rest of the kids. Hutch and I will find Shelly. I promise, I will bring our girl home."

"Boys, go home. Let Grandma know what happened and call Uncle Huggy. He will know what to do." He pointed at each boy. "You will stay home and listen to Uncle Huggy, am I understood?"

They both quickly answered with a yes sir. They knew not to push their uncle any further. They stopped by to hug their Mom and Dad. They both patted Gabe on the leg, needing to connect with their injured brother. They did the same with their aunt, uncle, and cousin then ran home.