CHAPTER 2
Starsky arrived about an hour later than he'd told Hutch. The Chief would be looking for him again, he was sure. Hutch would be certain to run interference for him. He parked his car in the spot right next to Hutch's. He had to admit, Hutch had done good this time. The car he purchased was something to be proud of. Some of his taste must have finally rubbed of on Hutch. Of course, he would never admit that to him and the vehicle still didn't compare to his black beauty of a machine. He noticed a smudge on his mirror and bent to clean it. The bags under his eyes were the next things that caught his attention. He would have to start getting more sleep. He made sure the knot in his tie was straight and his suit jacket buttoned before he started for the elevator.
"Morning cap," Sergeant Biggs said.
Starsky turned to see sergeant Biggs standing in front of him. He smiled to himself at the ridiculously casual way the man was dressed. He and Hutch had nothing on this guy. They never looked this bad on their worst of days, when they were sergeants. Biggs wore sandals, a big sloppy button down Hawaiian shirt that looked more like a dress and shorts below the knees.
"Going trick or treating Biggs?"
"Funny cap."
"Here. Make yourself useful and take my briefcase to my office. I'll be in a meeting with Captain Hutchinson and the Chief."
"Okay cap."
"Hey and if you run into any bums on the way, see if you can trade em for their clothes," Starsky teased.
Biggs chuckled. "Right cap." He slapped his captain on the back and jogged toward the west stairway.
Starsky shook his head and started for the east elevator banks.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
In the narcotics division, Starsky was greeted by the unusual sight of Hutch removing handcuffs from his fifteen year old son, Luke.
Luke had been taking acting classes and was deeply engrossed in the part of a perp for the last few days. He was driving Hutch and everyone else at the station nuts with his search to perfect his portrayal. One of the officers decided to oblige him and cuffed him to the radiator. The men snickered as Hutch laid into his son. Starsky tried to hide the smirk on his face as he approached.
"Luke, I can appreciate you putting you're all into this acting thing, but enough is enough," Hutch said.
"The names Louie, cop. Louie Spinoza," Luke responded.
Hutch rolled his eyes and looked to Starsky to rescue him from his son, but Starsky didn't oblige.
"Haven't you learned anything by now blondie? Never break character."
"Okay, fine. He looked at his son. "Look Louie, whatever your name is…"
"Spinoza," Starsky interrupted.
"Fine. Spinoza." Hutch held the handcuffs up to Luke. "Show your face in this precinct again and you'll be doing hard time in your room. Now get to school."
"Okay, cop. I get the hint." Luke picked his books up from the desk and without looking back, headed out the door.
Hutch put a hand to his face and rubbed his eyes. "This kid's gonna drive me crazy with this acting thing. His mother's no help either. She's been encouraging him every step of the way."
"Well, maybe he'll grow out of it." Starsky had plastered that grin from this morning on his face.
"Yeah, maybe." Hutch studied Starsky. He could see the pain behind the smile. Starsky could fool the entire precinct with his crooked grin, but not him. Both Joan and Starsky were on pins and needles. They were waiting to find out if the tests on her family could provide them with a match and candidate for kidney donation. She was getting weaker with each passing day. Even Hutch had offered to be tested and found that he wasn't a match.
Starsky reciprocated Hutch's glance and without so much as a word, they drew strength from each other in those few seconds.
Hutch put his hand on Starsky's arm. "You ready?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Narcotics was investigating a drug ring that allegedly used police officers to run drugs across the Mexican border and into the United States. The feds asked local agencies for help as the ring covered several of the larger precincts in California. Two months had passed since Hutch sent various men undercover throughout the precincts, including his own. Each man was connected to a different precinct, so as not to blow their covers. They had been close to identifying the officer's involved, but lost contact with some of their key undercover men on the inside.
Jackson Hewitt was supposed to contact Hutch with the details of an upcoming run. Three days later, they found him in an abandoned warehouse. He had been killed in an execution type slaying. They found him with his throat slit. At the time, they thought he must have given himself away some how, until a second detective, Pete Juarez, was found several weeks later, murdered in the same fashion. Now, they knew that someone on the force was leaking information that put the officers lives in danger. Hutchinson and Starsky were going to find out who.
The Narcotics division, lead by Hutch and Robbery-Homicide, lead by Starsky, were conducting a joint investigation into the murders. They sent in a detective to snoop around, but they had now lost contact with him as well. Bruce Robinson, a friend since the academy was the last detective to disappear. They were afraid he would show up in the same condition as the other two. Starsky took it really hard, as he had hand picked Robinson for the job. Robinson had a wife and two kids, the same age as Starsky's. He didn't know what he was going to tell the man's wife, if he didn't show up soon.
Chief Kalowitz, sat across from his two captains and tried to formulate some plan of action. He had come to trust these two many years ago, when they successfully caught the two detectives responsible for stealing one hundred thousand dollars in cocaine and cleared his uncle of any wrong doing. Since then, he grew to appreciate their integrity and understand why Captain Dobey always claimed them to be his two finest detectives. These two would always be partners, Dobey told him--Captains or not. They were inseparable. He had also learned why Dobey called them his most stubborn, pig headed…
"Chief, we sent five men to five different precincts. They're all independent of the other and they're being sent back to us in body bags, faster then we can count. I don't like the idea of sending anyone else in just yet," Hutch insisted.
"I'm going to have to agree with Hutch on this Chief. We send anyone else in now, without a lot more information and we might as well buy the casket too."
They both started speaking at the same time, making it too difficult for the Chief to follow either one.
"Okay hold it, just hold it."
Both men stopped in mid sentence.
"There's a reason it says Chief on MY door."
Starsky & Hutch shared a glance, which the Chief didn't even pretend to decode.
"Now listen to me. Robinson is in right now, on his own. We haven't heard from him for a week. Unless you two want to wait for us to check every warehouse in Los Angeles, I'm going to assume he's still alive and in need of a contact."
"Okay chief," Hutch relented.
The chief waited for Starsky's response.
"Well, who? Who are we sending in?"
The chief called into his intercom. "Nancy, will you send him in please?"
Starsky's jaw dropped when he saw Biggs--Hawaiian shirt and all--step into the Chiefs office.
"Hi, cap." Biggs waved.
Starsky rolled his eyes. Well, the Chief was right. Nobody will ever suspect this guy of being a cop.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Starsky flipped burgers and held the phone between his right ear and shoulder. Hutch prepared the salad, while Joan, her best friend Joyce and Hutch's wife Linda were setting the table for dinner. Rachel played on the backyard swing set, Michael fussed over his mother and Luke sat in a lounge chair listening to his walkman.
Starsky was engrossed in a conversation with his mother. "Ma, your seventy five years old. Of course the nurse isn't gonna let you go hang gliding." He shook his head and Hutch laughed to himself. "Of course Ma. No you're not under house arrest, but you need to be…Yeah Ma, when I'm seventy five, I'm sure I'll understand."
Hutch wrestled the phone from Starsky. "Hi Mom. Oh yes, ma'am, I understand. Yeah, he is a little stodgy for his age."
Starsky tried to take the phone back, but Hutch held him off.
"Now mom, when we take our next vacation, we're coming to get you. We'll go boogie boarding how's that? Okay, see you then." He handed the phone to Starsky.
"Hello Ma. Yes Ma, Okay. Okay. O-KAY. Love you ma. Bye, Bye." When he hung up the phone, he glared at Hutch. "Now why did you say that? You got her all excited. I told you to stop encouraging her."
"Starsk, you know, she's right. You are getting cranky in your old age."
Starsky just stuck his tongue out.
Hutch rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Luke. "Hey, Leon, Lenny…what's you're name today kid?"
"Just Luke dad."
"Well Just Luke Dad, be of some use and get me the ranch dressing will you?"
"Sure dad."
XX
The doorbell rang when Luke was in the kitchen. He answered the door to find sergeant Biggs standing there. This was one of his uncle's friends that Luke seemed to have something in common with. Sergeant Biggs understood him and often helped him with his acting assignments.
"Hi Sarge, how's it going?"
"Great kid. Great."
"Come on in. Everybody's in back."
"Great. Hey, kid, I have an assignment coming up and I wanted to ask you for some advice,--one professional to another. It's not a bit part this time. I'm playing a major character."
"Well, you know my feelings Sarge. Just keep in character."
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
Outside, they heard the bell and assumed Luke had gone to get the door.
"That's probably Biggs," Starsky said.
Starsky really did like Biggs. He reminded him of himself when he was younger. He was idealistic, had lots of energy, was happy-go-lucky and quite the ladies man. He was a good cop too. He hated the fact that he had to send him into danger, but that was the life of a cop. Nothing could be done about it. He thought of him as his own son though and wondered if he could make that sacrifice, if something went wrong. He was broken out of his reverie by his daughter's voice.
"Daddy."
"Yeah, sweetie."
"Can we go for a ride now?"
"Not now honey, daddy's cooking."
"After that?"
"Sorry honey. Daddy and Uncle Ken and Sarge have got to go out for a while after dinner.
You'll be asleep by the time we get back."
"I don't mind staying up."
"I'm sure you don't, but you've got school tomorrow…I promise, soon okay?"
"Okay daddy."
"Good girl."
Joyce came up behind them and interrupted. "Rachel, I think mommy needs your help."
"Okie, Dokie," Rachel chirped. She ran to her mother's side.
Joyce put her arms around Starsky's waist and gave him a hug, resting her chin on the back of his neck. "So good looking, how are you holding up?"
"I'm okay, just a little tired."
"Hm mm. Tell me another one."
"Okay, exhausted. If it weren't for you, Hutch, the Dobey's and Huggy, I don't know what we'd do."
"God will see you through, just keep trusting."
"Yeah. I'm trying."
"She's been talking a lot today about going back to work Dave. Has she mentioned anything about it to you?"
"She keeps hoping, but the doctor's not gonna okay her, not even for desk duty. He's sayin the dialysis is not working as well as before. I'm really…" He couldn't finish his sentence. He tried to quell a shiver.
Joyce worked her way in front of him now to look into his eyes. "Everything's gonna be all right." She hugged him again.
Joan came up from behind them. "Okay, break it up you two, none of that. There are children present."
"Oh you," Joyce responded. She gave Starsky a kiss on the cheek and headed back to the table.
Joan put her arms around her husband's neck. "Can't I let you out of my sight for two seconds without you tryin to make a move on my best friend?
"Hey, some of us got it…"
"And if some of us want to keep it, he better watch out."
They broke into laughter. Starsky loved to see her face light up in a smile. He could still see the fire and passion in her eyes. He had seen it that first day, when they were partnered up at Metro, while Hutch recovered from a gun shot wound. It wasn't out of laughter then however, but her anger. Even then, something about it had attracted him. After their assignment together was over, they had kept the fires burning between them. One night here, a lunch date there and before they knew it, they were an item. Now, he couldn't imagine what he would do without her.
He kissed her passionately and lingered in the moment. If they could stay this way, just in this moment forever, he would give anything. He knew that this was just a pipe dream though. They separated and he wiped at a tear that made its way down her cheek.
She broke the silence first. "Hey. Better not let the steaks burn."
He gave her one more kiss and then returned dutifully to the grill. Joan stood by his side with her head on his shoulder.
XX
Hutch didn't mean to spy, but he was so in-tune with his buddy that his distress meter had climbed to red alert without him knowing why. He looked for Starsky and saw the interaction between he and Joyce. Now Starsky was sharing a moment with Joan. Joyce had returned to the table and when she saw him looking in Starsky's direction, she put a hand on his shoulder. This was her signal that Starsky was in more distress than he was letting on. Of course, he didn't need any help in seeing that his friend was just this side of losing it. He knew him too well to be fooled by his bravado. He also knew that Starsky needed to keep up this brave front right now. The children and especially Joan needed for him to stay strong. As he continued to watch the two, he found it hard to keep the tears at bay, but if Starsky needed him to play it cool, then that's what he'd do.
Hutch's wife Linda could see the sudden tension in her husband's stance. She reached over and took his hand, letting him know she was there for him.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just thinking. We had a streak going for a while there. Five years without a major tragedy."
"I guess we should be thankful for that."
"Yeah. It doesn't make it any easier though."
XX
Luke and Sergeant Biggs were in a deep conversation when they made their way to the backyard. They were so loud that they caught everyone's attention.
Starsky was the first to greet him. "Well it's about time Biggs."
"Sorry Cap, but better late then never."
"Oh, I don't know Biggs. Remember who's cooking. Maybe never would be better," Hutch teased.
"Look who's talking…The Tofu king of L.A.," Starsky volleyed back.
The banter went on for a while more and then everyone sat down to eat. They avoided the topics of Joan's illness or police business. The rest of the evening went along without incident and was quite enjoyable. At the end, the men said their goodbye's and left for their meeting.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
The restaurant was very upscale, with crystal chandeliers, elegant table settings, and a live jazz band. The fare included everything from vegetarian specialties to lobster. The bar was crowded with overly dressed patrons, waiting to see if any reservations had been cancelled.
Starsky, Hutch and Sergeant Biggs entered in their casual dress and were offered dirty looks as they waltzed in past the crowd and headed for a table which was being cleared. The men didn't give the crowd a second glance. This place was like home to them and their friend Huggy Bear was the owner. He had made some bad business choices in his younger years, but finally made enough to invest in a restaurant of some class. He had made it into the goldmine it was today. Starsky and Hutch kind of missed the old days, when Huggy was connected to the streets, but they were glad that their friend had survived those days of hardship and could stand his ground with any other respectable member of society. They'd never in a lifetime thought he would make good to this extreme.
The crowd stopped murmuring and turned their attention to the musicians, when they saw the owner of the establishment greet the ragged bunch. Obviously, they were not interlopers, but welcomed guests.
Huggy grouched as he took a seat. "I was just about to give up on you."
"Hey Hug, Blame Biggs," Starsky said.
"Me? Why me?"
"Haven't you heard? Starsky and I are perfect," Hutch announced. "Who else are we gonna blame?"
"Yeah, right," Biggs said in mock disgust.
"Yeah, well. I could be making money on this table instead of holding it for a bunch of guys who still have a tab running from 1975."
"Starsk, I thought you were supposed to pay the man," Hutch said.
"Mmm. Not with this wallet," Starsky returned.
The three men looked at each other and without missing a beat, all said at the same time.
"Blame it on Biggs."
All four men laughed at their lunacy.
"You gents want some coffee or something to eat?"
"Just coffee Hug," Starsky said.
Hutch and Biggs asked for the same and Huggy motioned to one of his waiters and ordered for them all.
There was a strange silence as the men waited for the waiter to return. When coffee was served all around, they still hadn't said a word. They all had the same concern on their minds. Huggy was being asked to get back into the game-- even if it was just for contacting purposes--and take risks. There was no question that something could go wrong, and Huggy could be exposed to danger. He hadn't had his ear to the ground and didn't know what was going on in the streets any more. His business was totally legitimate and he didn't have the contacts he had years ago. When Starsky had asked him to be the contact person for Biggs, he couldn't turn him down though. He knew how Starsky felt about this man. Several police detectives had already been hurt. One of their fellow officers might be on the take and this is what could have gotten them killed. It was imperative to have someone on the outside who could be totally trusted.
"Hey Hug, in all seriousness. Thanks for this. We got no one else to go to," Starsky said.
"You got it my man."
Hutch turned to Sergeant Biggs. "Now you make contact with Huggy at least every other day. If you find out anything at all, you feed it to him and he'll get in contact with us."
"Yeah. We won't be able to meet again until this is over," Starsky said.
"Understood," Biggs replied.
"Then we'll leave you in good hands. Take care of yourself." Starsky eyes misted, but he would not give in to the urge to forget the whole thing.
They all shook hands and then Starsky and Hutch left Huggy and Biggs on their own.