CHAPTER 8

Starsky

We arrived on schedule, and I found my way to the Hackney Boarding House. It was everything I'd expected--sleazy and run down. It was to be my home until I was caught by the nuts, or the case broke open. I thought back to the last time I'd been in Las Vegas. I'd been with Hutch, of course, and we'd been here to see Hutch's old school friend, Jack Mitchell, die. I remembered Vicki, the show girl that I'd got friendly with, and smiled at the thought. She'd been a knock-out and a very nice person, too, with a little daughter who'd had a problem walking. Hopefully, the winnings we'd sent her would have paid for the operation the little girl had needed. It had been an interesting experience in Vegas. I wondered about Vicki and whether I could or should look her up, but I decided against it. Some things were best left in the past and I was undercover. If she was still working at the same place, other people might remember me and I couldn't risk that.

There weren't many guests at the boarding house, although in view of its notoriety, I shouldn't have been surprised. There was a sullen looking woman at the front desk who had a cigarette hanging out of her mouth. I made my way to my room and was dismayed at the sight of the stains on the walls. God only knew what they were. I knew I had to make my presence known, so after dropping off my bag, I went downstairs again. I wasn't sure who my contact was, and Rafferty had told me that contact would be made. My thoughts were disturbed by the sound of a woman screaming, and I raced out to the back of the building. Lying in a pool of blood, was a man in his thirties who'd been stabbed in the chest. The woman who'd been at the front desk when I arrived was just standing and staring at the body, with her hands over her mouth looking horrified. Before I could move or say anything, I felt a crack on the back of my head, and as I stumbled forward, I felt another blow and then there was darkness.

Hutch

Louise seemed determined to make it up to me, and I woke up the next morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and toast. She smiled at me as she brought it over to me.

"Here you are, darling. I hope you've forgiven me." She leaned over and kissed me. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I had forgiven her or not, but last night had brought me some measure of comfort. I wasn't sure if we'd sorted out anything, but it would be churlish for me to not respond to her attempts at peace making. Once Starsky was back and this horrible case was over, I'd look at the situation again. I put the thought out of my mind that I was getting married in three week's time.

"Louise, I've gotta tell you that I am going to Las Vegas in a couple of days. Just as soon as Starsky has had time to settle in."

Apart from her mouth tightening, there was no indication of what she was thinking.

"I realize that you're going to go, Ken, but I don't have to like it. You do what you have to do and I'll be here waiting, but just you make sure that you're back for our wedding." She moved back into my arms and suddenly breakfast was forgotten. It was Sunday and under different circumstances, I would have been very happy indeed. Louise certainly knew how to make me feel good, but I couldn't rid myself of a nagging worry in the back of my mind. Not everything was right in my world, not by a long shot.

We spent a long and lazy morning in bed and even when we finally did get up, spent a pleasant time in my apartment. Louise kept changing the subject when I tried to discuss Starsky, so I gave up and decided just to enjoy the day as best I could. A look at the time showed that he should just about be in Las Vegas. I wished I could believe he'd call, but I knew he wouldn't risk it. At least there was another officer undercover in the boarding house, so he wasn't on his own. I was a bit peeved that I hadn't heard from the Vegas officers again concerning my trip there, so I decided I'd call Dobey. Before I could pick up the phone, it rang.

"Hutchinson! It's Dobey. We've gotta talk."

"What's up? What's happened?" I felt my heart grow cold. Surely not yet, please, God, don't let anything happen to Starsk!

"Rafferty told me that he's thought about your cover and decided they're not gonna get you over there..." Hutch couldn't believe what Dobey was telling him.

"What?!" I was speechless with rage. "Where the hell do they get off changing their minds?"

"Hutchinson! Calm down."

"No, I will not calm down! My partner is in Vegas, expecting me to be there and now they're not going to get me over there? Well damn them! I'm going anyway. I'm on leave as of now and will be on the next plane to Vegas!"

"Hutchinson, please calm down! I KNOW! You're booked on the six pm flight tonight. I made the reservation myself. But you've gotta know that you're on your own. They are not sanctioning this, so you be careful."

I took a deep breath, knowing the position our captain was in, and feeling thankful once again for his support and friendship.

"Thanks, Cap'n."

"You can thank me by not getting into any trouble and keeping an eye on that partner of yours." His gruff manner didn't deceive me in the least. Gruff he was, but he was also the best captain that we could wish for--a good man and a good friend.

"That's a deal!" I replaced the phone and turned to look at Louise.

"I'm going to Las Vegas tonight. I'm sorry, but the wheels have sort of fallen off." Her silence worried me, but I chose to ignore it as I went to pack my bag. I didn't have much time if I was to catch the flight.

"Ken, you know I truly hope that Starsky is okay. I'm trying to be real understanding here, but you'd better be back here at least a week before our wedding, regardless of Starsky's assignment."

I looked at her as I continued to pack. She'd given me an ultimatum, but I was still more concerned about Starsky. First things first.