Warning: Please note that life is going to get a lot tougher on the guys for the next few chapters.
CG Ch #5
"Well, well, what's this?" Roy looked at what remained of the damaged sheet that Hutch had used to bind Starsky's ribs with. "Destruction on prison property, that's one demerit. You get ten demerits and you get 'posted'. And I strongly expect that you will get posted by the end of the week." Roy grinned.
"What's posted?" Hutch asked apprehensively.
Randal peered at them from the side of the cell "Its when-"
"SHUT UP!" Roy cuffed Randal upside the head.
"Ouch! Gees, Roy you didn't have to hit me so hard" Randal rubbed his head.
"Apparently, I did. Let's go Randal" Roy pushed Randal ahead of him. "Better get your beauty rest ladies, you're gonna need it" He called back to them, saying the last in a sing-song voice. A dull metallic thud echoed throughout the room after they exited.
Starsky and Hutch exchanged a look.
"Terrific" Starsky stood up and punched the wall in frustration "something to look forward to"
"Okay, ideas... we need to try to contact Dobey, so, any chance at a phone, take it. Damn! I forgot, the call would probably go through a switchboard of some sort and there is also a number needed to get an outside line... A phone book would be helpful for getting the number for the local police or the good old stand by of dialing zero" Hutch stretched out his injured leg, the damn thing ached.
Starsky paced the small confines of the cell "It's a cinch that we can't talk to the guards, couldn't hurt to try though, ya never know, especially when it becomes public that we're missing. Maybe the nurse... if they let us go to the infirmary tomorrow. And I think we should keep our heads down and stay out of trouble as much as possible."
Hutch nodded.
Starsky sat back down next to Hutch "The inmates, well, if word doesn't get out what we are in for, we should be okay, but I got me a feelin' ol' Roy will be sure to pass the word along." He ran his hand over his bare head. He really missed his hair.
Hutch looked at Starsky "That would be in keeping with his personality. We will have to keep our eyes peeled on for any type of attack. I would also have to guess that we are in some sort of seclusion area. Probably because of the pedophile status of the poor bastards we replaced."
"You're probably right 'bout that" Starsky yawned "I'm beat. Gotta get some zees" His jaw popped with his next yawn.
"Me too, hey, I get to be on top"
"What?" Starsky slid a what-did-you-just-say look at Hutch.
"Top bunk. I get to be on top" Hutch batted his eyes innocently at Starsky.
"Uh huh, I got my eyes on ya, Blintz, keep your distance" He crossed his arms over his chest, still looking at his friend.
Hutch snorted "Well, if it makes you feel better, you can be on top tomorrow"
"Top bunk ya mean" Starsky arched an eyebrow up. It wouldn't happen; he wasn't really fond of heights anyway.
"What else would I mean?" Hutch replied innocently, as he smiled to himself over his little joke. Then he climbed up and lay down on the upper bunk and released an exhausted sigh. His lids drifted closed.
"Uh huh" Starsky eased down to his least sore side and dug his head into the pillow and was asleep just that quick.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday
They managed to sleep very soundly the rest of Sunday after noon and into Monday morning when they were awakened by someone banging on the cell door. No one had bothered them, or fed them, for that matter. Thank goodness that the cell had a toilet and small sink.
"Rise and shine, up and at 'em, let's go, let's go! We ain't got all day!" A guard called out as he banged on the cell's bars with his night stick.
"Five more minutes, ma" Starsky mumbled into his pillow.
Hutch wiped his hands down his face and stifled a yawn. "What time is it?"
"Five a.m., you got five minutes to do whatever, then I'll be back, you'll need to be ready to leave your cell by then." The guard replied. He then turned and left.
Hutch hopped off the top bunk, landing solidly on his left foot, he caught his balance on the bunk and hissed with pain at the jarring of his injured right leg. He had fallen asleep with his cloths and shoes still on. His shoulders, wrists and ankles were stiff from being restrained for so many hours on Sunday. He wasn't surprised to find them bruised and slightly swollen.
He then sat down on the edge of the bottom bunk and gently shook Starsky's shoulder "C'mon partner, wake up, time for school"
"Don't wanna go school" Starsky pulled his pillow over his head and burrowed deep.
"Starsk, get up" Hutch pulled the sheet off of him. Starsky had slept in his cloths as well.
"Wha...?" Starsky yawned hugely. "What time is it?" He pulled up his sleeve and looked at the spot where his watch used to be and saw his injured wrist. Everything came flooding back to him. "Aw, shit" Everything ached. He bit back a groan. Hutch gave him a look of commiseration.
The guard returned after five minutes and took them to the infirmary.
The nurse was older and seemed to be bored with her job. She did a very perfunctory exam and gave Hutch an ice pack for his leg and rewrapped Starsky's ribs. Some ointment and bandages was provided for their chafed and bruised wrists and ankles. She handed them a couple of aspirins a piece and pronounced them as "fit for duty". She turned back to her paperwork.
The guard then led them to the large common lunch room. The room was fairly quiet save for the soft clanking of plastic plates and spoons (no forks or knives, they could be used as weapons) there must be some type of 'no talking rule' for no one spoke, though a lot of hand signals were flashed.
Starsky and Hutch noticed that they were on the receiving end of a lot of stares as well; mostly curiosity, but they got some glares as well. They followed suit with the quiet meal and gathered as much information as they could. They would discuss it later. Also surprisingly, there were not as many inmates in the common as the partners thought that there would be. The prison must be a fairly small one.
About a half hour later and much to their dismay, they were separated for chore duty.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Starsky was assigned mop detail along with toilet scrubbing duties. You really didn't know how much you used your rib, back and shoulder muscles until you had to mop something. All three groups protested mightily. 'Fit for work, my ass' He thought sourly. The long halls of the cell block he was assigned were devoid of any life but him. Starsky sighed heavily and paced himself; there was a lot to do. So, to entertain himself he started to sing 'Jail House Rock'
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hutch was given kitchen duties, specifically, dishwashing. He worked steadily but kept one eye on the three others that were also on kitchen detail. It was nearly noon when his cop's instincts started sending him little warnings about them. He could sense them moving about the room, which was hazy and muggy from all the combination of hot water and the heat of the ovens.
Hutch felt like a wildebeest being stalked by lions. He could feel their predatory eyes watching him constantly, looking for an opening for the attack. They moved and shifted about him, pretending to work. Hutch found a rolling pin and kept it near as he worked and pretended not to notice them. He had tried talking to them earlier, to no avail. In his mind, he called them Huey, Dewy and Louie.
The three inmates took turns watching the fresh meat. Their prey was vigilant and wary. This one would not be so easy, but they would try. And why not? There was nothing more for them to loose, their freedom was a distant memory. And there was something for them to gain, a little pleasure, a change of pace... they moved in closer, Dewy took position near the door to watch for interruptions.
Hutch sensed them closing in and reached under the towel that he used to cover the rolling pin with. In his hand he kept hold of the soapy wash cloth, to throw in someone's face. The soap would hopefully get in the eyes of his attacker and slow him down.
Quicker then a lion spots a limp, they were on him. Louie feigned an attack on his left and Hutch swung the soap laden washcloth. 'Bulls eye' Hutch crowed mentally. He grabbed the rolling pin in his right hand and swung at Huey's head.
Huey ducked and punched Hutch in the ribs. It was a solid hit, but Hutch managed to whack Huey with the rolling pin in the down stroke of his swing. He connected firmly with Huey's back, causing the man to go down.
Louie moved in as Huey was floored by the blow. Louie had soap in his eyes from the wash cloth so he lunged at Hutch in an attempt to get him in a bear-hug. Hutch jumped back and brought the rolling pin up like a baseball bat and swung for the bleachers at Louie's head. Huey, down, but not out, kicked out and connected soundly with Hutch's already injured right leg.
Hutch bellowed with pain and staggered back and into Dewy's reach. Dewy quit his observation post and waded into the fray. He grabbed Hutch in a full nelson. Hutch's arms were rendered useless and with the right amount of force applied, his neck could easily be broken. Having been a wrestler in collage, he knew he had almost no chance of escaping the hold. Less of one in these circumstances since he was out numbered, but Hutch was no quitter and though it hurt, he kicked his right foot out as Louie came at him again.
Louie caught Hutch's right foot and twisted. Hutch howled in pain and inadvertently dropped his rolling pin. "Gotcha" Louie crowed.
"Ya know, for a man who likes to molester little kids, ya fight pretty good" Dewy commented dryly. He gave Hutch a merciless squeeze that threatened to snap his neck.
"I am not a child molester" Hutch gritted out. The pain in his leg was nearly overwhelming and a gray haze was forming along the outer edges of his vision.
"The way I heared it, you've been thrown in here for child molestering, Jones, now, from what I understand, there is probably a whole passel of kids out there that you molestered that no body knows 'bout or didn't want no body to know 'bout" Louie gave him a savage grin. "Ever bin molestered yourself, Jones?" Louie's massive paw moved down past his victim's belt line.
'SHIT, Jones, that's right!' Roy must have told these three Neanderthals his lie. 'If I don't play along, Starsky will pay...oh, God, help me' Hutch gulped hard. If he argued with the ghastly trio, told them who he really was, it would get back to Roy. Starsky would then have to pay. The choice he had to make was easy. He would do whatever it took to protect Starsky. Even this. 'Oh God oh God oh God'
Roy looked in through the kitchen window at the scene and smiled. 'Perfect'.
Roy continued to watch through the window for a little while 'that's enough for now, don't want things to go too far, too soon' He was about to radio for assistance when his coworker, Will Gardner turned the corner.
"Will, thank God! Come help! There's a fight in the kitchen!"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Starsky arrived at the lunch room at noon and waited as long as he dared for Hutch to show up. Forty-five minutes later, he still waited. Finally a guard told him to get back to work. "Hey, I was supposed to meet my friend here, could you please check on him for me?"
The guard gave a heavy 'why me' sigh "What's his name? If I hear anything, I'll let you know"
"Hu- , uh, Samuel Jones" 'Dammit, almost slipped up!' "By the way, what's your name?"
"Joe, and if I hear anything... Hey, you know, he might have had to eat earlier" The guy look so concerned that Joe almost felt sorry for him.
"Yeah, maybe" 'I doubt it' "Thank you, Joe" Starsky left the lunchroom, his tray of food untouched. If he didn't hear back from the guard, he'd go looking around for himself.
Xxxxxxxxxx
The trio broke away from their victim immediately upon the arrival of the two guards. They stepped back from the man they knew as Jones and he fell to the ground.
Will shook his head and radioed for assistance.
Roy hurried over to Hutch "Easy, there now, you're safe" He patted Hutch's shoulder "Can you get up?"
Hutch lifted his head and glared at Roy. His false concern grated on Hutch's nerves. There was so much he wanted to say and do to this foul, sorry excuse for a human being. Roy was behind this. He knew it.
Roy helped Hutch to his feet "Well, let's get you to the infirmary" He eased Hutch's arm over his shoulder and put his arm around Hutch to assist him.
"Get away from me!" Hutch whispered savagely and attempted pull away from Roy.
"Stop it or your little friend pays" Roy whispered back with a fake smile plastered on his face "Play along, like a good puppy"
Hutch swallowed hard as the bile rose in his throat and reluctantly permitted the touch as Roy assisted him down the corridors to the infirmary. His leg ached fiercely
"I thought you should know the reason you were attacked is because your little buddy was mouthing off to me earlier. He can't seem to remember the rules. I have eyes and ears everywhere, remember that"
"I don't believe you. Starsky would NEVER do that to me" Hutch snarled at Roy.
"Tut, tut, you mean Harold, don't you? Now you see, I have to go punish Mr. Harold, I'm sure he'll thank you for it" He gave a very put upon sigh.
"NO!"
"Too late now, what's done is done, can't take it back" Roy shrugged "Unless..."
Hutch didn't want to ask, but he didn't want Starsky to be punished again on his account. That had already happened on the van ride here. "Unless what?" Hutch closed his eyes, dreading the response that Roy would give.
"Tell them the disturbance was your fault. That you caused it"
"But-"
"No buts. Do it or your friend pays"
Hutch dropped his head in defeat. "Alright, I'll tell them it was my fault"
"Good dog" Roy smiled "Ah, here's the infirmary... in you go" He patted Hutch gently on the shoulder after walking him to a cot. "See you later! Hope you feel better. Now, I've gotta go write my report on this incident" He gave Hutch a cheery wave and left.
As Roy walked down the corridor to the guard office, he smiled and could barely contain his laughter. Phase one was underway: Break up the friendship.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Starsky puttered around, pretending to mop the hallways, impatiently waiting for Joe the guard to bring him news. He was about to start looking for himself when Joe turned the corner. He dropped his mop and ran to the guard.
"Your friend is in the infirmary" Joe held up his hand "He's ok, a little beat up, but ok"
"I gotta see him! What happened? Who attacked him?" Starsky circled the guard firing his questions as rapidly as a semiautomatic gun at Joe.
"Whoa! Slow down! Just follow me... Hey! Wait up!" Joe had to run to catch up with the worried inmate.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Beyond a few pleasantries, Hutch refused to talk to Starsky while they were in the infirmary. Starsky understood, there were too many people about and he still had to finish mopping that damn hallway. After assuring himself that Hutch would be okay, Starsky went back to mopping and toilet scrubbing.
Later, Starsky went eagerly to his cell having finally finished his mopping. "Honey! I'm home!" He called brightly.
"Shut up, Starsk, I'm in no mood here"
"Hey, babe, 'm sorry" Starsky looked up at his friend; Hutch lay on his bunk in their cell. Hutch's back was to him as he lay on the upper bunk on the lumpy prison cot. "Wanna tell me what happened today?"
"No"
"Too bad, spill it" Starsky stepped up on his bunk to get the extra height he needed to get closer Hutch. "Somethin' happened, ya got hurt" He gently rubbed Hutch's back "I'm here, c'mon babe, tell me..." He soothed as he continued to rub gently for a while until Hutch turned to face him.
Hutch turned over. He had had several hours to think about what to tell Starsky. Or not tell Starsky. "I got into a fight, okay? We both knew it could happen. It did. The guys knew what I, or rather, Jones, was in for, so they attacked me. I fought them and then a guard came by and stopped it." He sighed. The attack hadn't gone on long enough for anything besides some groping to occur. He mentally shuttered.
He hated to lie to Starsky, but his friend would go ballistic if he knew the truth. He would tell him the whole truth later, when they were rescued. He just had to hold on until Saturday, Sunday at the latest. He prayed that Starsky's mom would miss her son's Friday call home and report the problem to Dobey. He prayed he could deal with whatever that sick bastard Roy dished out until then.
Starsky knew Hutch was leaving something out. He wasn't sure what it was, but he could guess. "So, how do the other guys look now?"
"A little uglier now then they did before" Hutch turned back over.
"Ha! I'll just bet they do. Good for you!" Starsky rubbed Hutch's back until his breathing evened out into a sleep pattern. He then sat down on his own bunk to ponder what Hutch hadn't said.
TBC