CHAPTER 4

Starsky took in the sight of Michael plumping up the pillows under Joan's head. This boy was going to make some doctor, he thought. Starsky thought to himself, he cherished this family of his. They meant everything to him. He would do anything to make sure they were well taken care of. He smiled when he realized, Joan noticed him standing in the doorway.

"Hi baby," he said.

"Couldn't stand another minute without me, huh?" she teased.

Michael turned around to see his father. "Hey dad."

"Doc." He regarded the gentle way his son rubbed his mother's stomach. "Did I ever tell you how proud I am of you?"

"Sure dad." Michael rose and stood by his father. "I better get out of here though.

Sounds like you're going to get all mushy on me."

"Me mushy? Perish the thought."

"Mom, I'll get you some soup."

"Thanks baby."

Starsky patted his son's shoulder as he was leaving.

"Lady, that's one terrific son you've got."

"Only because he takes after you."

"Naturally."

He sat down next to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "So how are you feeling?"

"Oh, better. She let him rub her stomach and was closing her eyes when it hit her that it was only three in the afternoon. "Hey, what are you doing home?"

He stood and turned so she wouldn't see into his eyes. He walked over to the dresser and started emptying his pockets. "Had an early meeting. Thought I'd come home and surprise ya."

"Mission accomplished." She patted the bed, indicating that he should sit back down.

He sat, but looked everywhere but into her eyes.

"So, what's the matter?

"Nothin? He knew she wasn't convinced, but hoped to spare her the truth. He couldn't hide his apprehension, but maybe he could spare her the substance of his worry.

"Did Hutch go home early too?"

"Honey, why don't you just rest, huh?"

"You're worried about the case."

Now he looked at her. "Yeah. More than you'll ever know."

"Well come on and relax. Everything's going to be just fine. How could it not, with you and Hutch working together."

"Yeah." He laid down next to her. She kissed his brow and massaged his temples.

He fell into a quiet slumber.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Chief eyed Hutch, who sat in his office still trying to compose himself. He watched as he lifted two aspirins to his mouth and followed that with a full bottle of water. They stopped by Robbery-Homicide on the way back to his office and discovered that Starsky called in. He wouldn't be back this afternoon at all, as he left for home, to check on Joan.

He listened to his secretary repeat the instructions he just gave her. The plan to catch Starsky would be in motion shortly. They would have to bide their time though. Starsky wasn't a stupid man and would be on to them if they moved too swiftly. Hutch convinced him to keep Internal Affairs out of this as long as possible. After all, they still didn't know how far the leak went, Hutch reasoned.

"You put that in the works right away." The Chief hung up the phone and sighed. He could see Hutch was still on edge, but didn't know quite what to say. Look, Hutch…"

"Chief, what am I going to do? Starsky knows me too well. He'll know something's wrong."

"You're a professional Hutch. Just do your job."

"I'm still not convinced of this you know. There has got to be some logical explanation."

"You mean other than his wife is sick and in need of a lot of expensive care, that he's also taking care of the bills for his ailing mother, that he's got more bills than he can manage, that the bank is looking to foreclose on his house?" He noted the surprised look on Hutch's face. "Yeah, I know about that. The bank called to verify his salary, when Starsky applied for another mortgage. He's this close to losing the house.

Hutch remained silent.

"Look Hutch, I know it's hard to believe, but everyone has a breaking point. We've seen it happen to more than enough good cops who just couldn't see any other way out. It's never easy."

"But Starsky. I know him like I know myself."

"I know." He came from around his desk and put a hand on Hutch's shoulder. "If you can't do this, I'll have to get I.A. involved."

Hutch looked into the Chief's eyes. "I'll do it. But, not to prove he's guilty. I'm going to prove he's innocent."

"I hope so too you know."

"Yeah. I know Chief."

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Mr. Morgan sat in his overstuffed leather chair, behind an ostentatiously decorated desk, smoking an overpriced Cuban cigar. He was definitely use to comfort and luxury. He was an influential man too, with ties leading to every major politician in California and New York. He funded quite a few of the election campaigns and maintained more than a few judges in his pocket. Police from every precinct in California were eating out of his hands as well. The snoops in the FBI were watching him closely, but he also placed men there and stopped several investigation in there tracks. It was those who he couldn't buy that he needed to watch out for. There was always someone who thought he was immune to greed and power. He'd take care of them in his own good time.

Right now, he was concerned with Captain David Michael Starsky. To reel him in would be a feather in his cap. This is one police officer who thought he was above such petty criminal minds--as Starsky informed his underlings. He might give Starsky the chance to meet with him one of these days, when he was sure he was so far in, that even his beloved partner Captain Kenneth Hutchinson couldn't save his sorry hide. Who knows, maybe with Starsky a part of their little endeavor, Hutchinson would join too--anything to protect his precious Starsky.

He sent Carter and Ortega to feel Starsky out when he'd found out about his wife being ill. It didn't seem that he could be bought--at first. But, as his wife's condition spiraled out of his control and Starsky's finances dwindled down to barely enough to scratch by, his attitude started to change. For a while there, he thought that Hutchinson would get in the way, but he didn't have the kind of money it would take to bail his friend out of debt. The only thing he could offer would be friendship and loyalty. Very overrated qualities if you asked him. No. Most people were driven by pain, suffering and greed. These were the people he could deal with and he was glad to see that Starsky was beginning to see the light. He offered him the one thing he would have a hard time refusing--a kidney transplant for his wife. Several members of the organ donor board were in his pocket and he was certain that he could manage to put Starsky's wife higher on the waiting list. Starsky fell hard then; Mr. High and Mighty did have a price after all.

Carter and Ortega sat in Mr. Morgan's office discussing Starsky's involvement in their Mexican drug exchange program, as they called it. Carter was young, but he could be trusted. He was a little overzealous, but he took orders well. Ortega was the mean one. He was quiet and only spoke when he found it necessary. Mr. Morgan liked him though. He too could be trusted, but there was something more. There were no pretenses with Ortega. He told you straight out what he meant. If he said he was going to do something, it was as good as done.

"So my friends, he's been cooperating so far?" Morgan questioned.

"He's turned his head the other way so many times, he may get whiplash," Carter volunteered.

"Good. Now, what about, these undercover cops?"

"Taken care of." He's assured us that the two we iced are the only one's that were sent in," Carter said.

"What about Robinson?"

"He's on the mend," Carter answered.

"No idiot. Do you think he could be undercover?"

"If we thought that, we'd have slit his throat with the other two," Ortega said.

Mr. Morgan nodded. "Good enough. And keep an eye on Starsky. When he's hungry enough, we'll need him for our big shipment."

"Right Mr. Morgan. Um, is that all sir." Carter stood.

"That will be all."

Carter started for the door. Ortega followed behind without a word.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

One week passed since the Chief and Hutchinson found out about Starsky's extra curricular activities. The Chief put a tail on Starsky & Hutchinson under the guise of protecting the Captains' from harm and so that no one would think Starsky was under any suspicion. So far it worked. Hutchinson knew about his tail, but Starsky was in the dim. Hutchinson said, that Starsky would have noticed it under normal circumstances. Since his attention has been so split in the last couple of months, he wouldn't notice, if someone tailed him into the john. They watched his every move whenever he left the building. So far, he hadn't so much as looked at the two men he met with before.

Everyone in the department could feel the change. There was something going on between Captains Hutchinson and Starsky. For all the world to see, the relationship was just the same as always, but there was an underlying current that could be felt. No one could put their finger on it. It was just there.

Several of the men watched as Starsky and Hutch walked out of Hutch's office. Both men were reserved. Maybe it was just this case. It was getting to everybody. Two well known detectives were dead and another was missing. It couldn't be good for morale.

XX

In the Chief's office, Starsky briefed Hutch and his commanding officer on Bigg's report. The Chief and Hutch shared eye contact while Starsky flipped through his notes.

Starsky shook his head. "Nothing on Robinson so far. I can't understand it. He couldn't have just disappeared into thin air."

"If he's hurt, he could be laying low," Hutch interjected.

"Yeah, maybe."

The Chief watched Starsky closely and wondered if he was so upset because Robinson could be dead or because he could be alive, hiding and waiting to contact them about Starsky's real involvement with the criminals who ran the operation. He let his gaze return to Hutch and motioned his head toward Starsky.

Hutch took the hint. "Starsk what to you think about shifting gears a little."

"Whaddya mean?"

"I mean, it hasn't worked with us going to them." He looked at the Chief then back at Starsky. "So why don't we let them come to us."

"You mean?"

"I do."

"Good idea Ollie."

Chief Kalowitz glared at both men. "You want to tell me what you're talking about?"

"Sure Chief," Hutch volunteered. I'm gonna play bad cop."

"Hutchinson, that's the oldest game in the book."

"And they always fall for it. Ever notice that Chief?" Hutch asked.

"Yeah, but how do you wanna play it?" Starsky asked Hutch. "And no, you're not gonna punch me out in front of everybody."

Hutch smiled. "No. Only a no good, rotten scoundrel would take a shot like that at his partner."

"Funny."

"Well buddy, I know how you might react to this, but umm. I'm gonna play strung out."

"What!" Starsky jumped up.

Hutch winced. "Look buddy…"

"Out of the question."

"Starsk?"

"No way. End of discussion."

"How else do you think we're gonna get them to think the Captain of the narcotics division is on the take?"

Starsky really looked concerned. His eyes puddled up. "Chief, could you excuse us?"

"I don't think so Starsky. Look, if you're concerned with me finding out about Hutch's bout with cocaine, he's already told me."

Starsky looked at Hutch.

"Buddy, I know I should have told you, but when I applied for this position, Dobey thought that I should be totally honest with the Chief. I didn't tell you because I thought you would try to talk me out of it. Anyway, Dobey said I could trust Chief Kalowitz to be fair about it."

Starsky sat down now. He looked from Hutch to Kalowitz and back. "Wow. Were you ever gonna tell me?"

"I don't know. You were always so protective of the secret. You went through a lot for me. I just didn't think you would take it very well."

"You're probably right." He shook his head. "Okay, so it's out in the open, but I still don't think you should tempt fate, ya know?"

"Starsk, you don't think that's what I've been doing the whole time I've been working narcotics? If I were gonna get hooked, don't you think I'd have done it already. I mean with all the drugs that have come through my office…"

"Okay. Okay."

He still looked a little uncertain to Chief Kalowitz, but that was good. That's what they wanted. He and Hutch discussed this. Hutch was banking on Starsky's feelings for him to come through.

For weeks Hutch and Chief Kalowitz went about reconstructing Hutch's files. Little infractions here and there appeared out of nowhere. They shifted numbers in the records to make it look like a little was skimmed off the top of every other bust for the last ten years.

Hutch started to miss meetings and he let his appearance go, just the slightest bit. His mannerisms also changed. He pretended to be a little edgy lately, using the excuse that this case was getting to him.

For Starsky's part, he was supposed to snoop around the narcotics division, asking questions about Hutch. He wore a worried look on his face anytime he entered the offices. They also staged some heated arguments where they would slam out of each others offices. It was working too. There was a buzz going around the precinct that Hutch might be sampling some of the confiscated merchandise.

The final lid on the coffin was planted in Starsky's office. Everyone knew who was in there. They anticipated that this someone was a final ditch effort to talk some sense into Captain Hutchinson. When Starsky opened his door, the entire office looked up.

Harold Dobey exited and shook Starsky's hand. He still commanded respect even though he was using a cane to get himself around now. Even the younger officers, who weren't so familiar with him, still called him Captain. His reputation preceded him and the men in Starsky's unit where well aware of the attachment Captain Starsky felt toward the older man. Dobey, Hutch and Starsky went back a long way and were considered legends in the minds of some of the younger officers.

"I'll see what I can do Starsky. You know Hutch has always been the stubborn one."

"Thanks Cap." He whispered just loud enough for the men to hear. "It's getting out of hand."

They shook hands again and Dobey headed out the door and towards the Narcotics Division. Starsky stared after him for a minute then noticed the men looking at him.

"What's everybody staring at? Don't you have some work to do?"

The men scurried to get back to their work to avoid the wrath of the Captain.

Starsky watched for a second and then went back into the office and slammed the door.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Eureka. Contact was made and wouldn't you know it, Carter and Ortega were the one's to contact him. Chief Kalowitz busted with pride when Hutchinson relayed the news.

"I'm meeting with them on Thursday," Hutch stated.

"That's good news," the Chief said.

Starsky agreed, but with much less enthusiasm. This time the unspoken words that shot between them were loud and clear to the Chief. When you were in, sometimes you'd have to try the product, whether it was prostitution, gambling, or drugs. They'd all be saying a silent prayer that Hutch wouldn't be put to the test.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Starsky was very quite at dinner that night, but Rachel was talking a mile a minute. Joan's attention was focused on her husband. He hadn't been acting himself for weeks now.

"Mommy, do you know what Jason did today."

"Be quiet Rachel," Michael said.

"Quiet yourself, M I C H A E L," stressing his real name and not his nickname.

Michael rolled his eyes. He was worried about his parents. They didn't need a bunch of kids' nonsense to deal with, there was enough on their minds. He decided to let an otherwise amusing argument go down the tubes.

"Which one is Jason?" Joan asked, pulling her eyes from her husband.

"Mommy, I told you. The one who likes me."

"Oh. What did Jason do today?"

" He said, I looked like a frog. A frog!"

"Sweetie, he's just jealous of your good looks?"

"Well, he better not say it tomorrow, or I'll punch his lights out."

"That's nice sweetie," Joan said. She rose and followed her husband. He was totally oblivious to the conversation and walked away from the table without finishing his meal.

Rachel continued on in the background. "If anybody looks like a frog…."

XX

Joan found Starsky in the Den. "Honey, I know the home aids cooking isn't that bad."

"Huh. Oh, it was fine."

"So, what's the problem?"

"I'm worried about Hutch. I don't think he's gonna be able to handle it."

"Honey, you said it yourself. He's been around drugs for the last ten years…"

"Yeah, on the inside! He hasn't been under since we've been off the streets. He hasn't had people pushin it at him!"

"Well, what are you going to do? You can't go with him and hold his hand."

"No, I can't do that."

"Well?"

"I don't know." He took her hand. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be burdening you with this."

"I'm your wife Dave. Just because I'm sick, doesn't mean I'm not here for you."

"I know. I know.

She held him and they rocked back and forth trying to comfort each other.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Biggs wasn't spotted following Carter into the abandoned building. He walked just far enough behind to keep out of sight. He noted how clean the building looked for something that wasn't in use for years.

Carter opened a door and disappeared through it. There were guards standing on the outside. He didn't think he was going to get a look at what was in there. But, seconds later, he heard the guards summoned in. He took his chance and snuck closer to the room. There were four walls, but no ceiling. This was perfect, he would be able to hear every word they said--except five minutes passed and they weren't saying anything. Biggs decided that he would have to chance taking a peak over the wall.

He made his way quietly to the back of the room, but found there was no visible way to scale the wall. If there were just a few boxes or something that he could stand on. He looked around a few feet from the room and still found nothing, and then he spotted a pipe in the corner. If he could wedge himself in between the pipe and the wall, he could shimee his way up to see over the wall. With a few false starts behind him, he quietly made his way up to the top.

The room was equipped with a hospital bed, chairs, a heart monitor, and I.V. poles with multiple bags hanging to each. A nurse was removing some bandages from the man who laid in the bed. Biggs couldn't get a good look because, the guards and Carter were in the way.

"How's he doing," Carter finally said, in whispered tones.

"He's getting there," the nurse replied.

"Mr. Morgan's getting impatient."

"Well maybe Mr Morgan would like to suggest a way to wake him up."

"Never mind. Just do your job." He turned to head for the door.

Biggs needed to get down from there before he was caught. If he lingered any longer, he'd be trapped. He'd just have to try and come back to see who they were tending to. Or maybe he would overhear Carter talking about it with Ortega. He shimmied his way down the drainpipe and just made it back to the other side of the room when the door opened. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Carter came out and gave the guards some direction.

Biggs made good his escape, while Carters' back was turned. He high tailed it out of the building and headed back to the precinct. He would just have time to get back ahead of Carter.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Luke helped Hutch tie his tie, while Linda bustled around trying to get breakfast on the table.

"Dad, you're acting awful jumpy today. Since when can't you tie your own tie?"

"Since when can you? You haven't worn a suit without a clip-on tie for ages."

"Come on dad, be serious. What's going on. Does it have to do with Sarge? We haven't seen him around for a while. Come to think of it. Where's Uncle Dave been hiding himself?"

"Luke, will you stop bothering your father with the Twenty-questions routine," Linda said.

"Geez, I'm just curious. I mean aren't you curious mom? Things have been like cloak and dagger around here lately."

"Come sit and eat your breakfast," she replied.

Luke pursed his lips and rolled his eyes, but did as he was told.

Hutch kissed her. "Thanks baby."

"Nervous huh."

"Yeah. If the tap is found, it's all over.

She kissed him and pulled him towards the table. Hutch was sorry he couldn't tell her more. She was always so honest with him. He felt like a crumb, but it couldn't be helped.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Carter and Ortega were to meet with Hutchinson this afternoon. They were surprised to get a call from Starsky requesting a meet earlier the same day. Never-the-less, they were there at the appointed time.

Starsky entered the abandoned building precisely on time. Shortly after that Ortega and Carter slipped in. They moved away from the windows, but stayed relatively close to the front of the building.

"What's so urgent?" Carter asked.

"Yeah, well." Starsky hesitated for a minute.

"Well, spit it out," Carter said.

"I know about your meet with Hutch."

"What? How?" Carter asked.

"That doesn't matter."

Ortega calmly moved closer to Starsky and pinned him against the wall. "Maybe we got a snitch cop in our midst," he said.

Starsky squirmed. "I'm no snitch. Lookit, I just don't want Hutch to get hurt."

Ortega brought his hand up to Starsky's neck and started to squeeze.

"Wait." Starsky was gasping for breath.

Carter spoke. "When he lets go, you better have a good explanation."

Ortega held on for a few more seconds to make his point. When he let go, Starsky coughed and sputtered until he was able to breath more freely.

"Listen guys, I'm not a snitch. Honest, I came here because I can't let Hutch be involved with this. We always promised each other we'd never…we'd never sink this low."

"Oh, he thinks he's too good for us Ortega."

Ortega took a step closer to Starsky.

"Just wait a second. I'm all you need on the inside. I bugged his office. That's how I knew about the meet."

Ortega was looking more threatening.

"Listen, would I come here like this, if I were going to set you up? I could have just as well brought a couple of squads of back up, if that were my plan.

Ortega and Carter swapped glances now.

"Well you don't see anybody out there do you?"

Ortega backed off. "You don't get to say who we meet with cop."

"Listen to me," Starsky continued. "I think it's a set up. Some how I think he's gotten some information and I think it's a set up."

"So we take him out at the meet."

"No!"

Ortega took another threatening move forward.

"I mean. I'll take care of him."

"How?" Carter asked.

"He trusts me. I can feed him some kind of story. He'll believe me. I'll throw him off your scent and send him in another direction."

"We'll discuss it with our associate," Carter said. Meanwhile, we haven't gotten any good information from you in a while."

"Yeah well I've been pretty busy."

"With the little woman? If you want, I can come over. I can make her feel real good."

Starsky plunged at Carter. He grabbed him around the troat, but Ortega snatched him and punched him in the stomach. Starsky went down.

"You punk," Carter said as he kicked Starsky in the stomach. "Who do you think you are?"

Starsky cringed in pain. He took a few deep breaths and then spoke. "Let's just leave my wife out of this."

Ortega picked Starsky up by the collar and stood him against the wall. He kept quiet, but put a little pressure on his throat.

"There's another plant you guys don't know about," Starsky offered.

"What's the guys name?" Carter asked.

"I don't know yet. I'm working on it."

"Well work fast. Meanwhile, we'll talk to our associate about Hutchinson," Carter said.

"Yeah, okay," Starsky replied.

Ortega let him go and he and Carter disappeared as quietly as they formerly entered.

Starsky rubbed his throat. When Carter and Ortega were out of sight, he exited the building the same way he entered.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

When Starsky returned to the office several hours later, Hutch and Chief Kalowitz were waiting for him.

"Where ya been?" Hutch asked.

Starsky was caught off guard. "Oh uh…with Joan. She um needed my help."

Hutch wasn't looking him in the eyes now.

"Hey Hutch anything wrong?"

"Yeah, Carter and Ortega called off the meet."

"Well ya know, you can't trust…hey, is something else going on? You okay?"

"Aww buddy." Hutch looked up at Starsky. Tears formed in his eyes now.

Chief Kalowitz tried to keep his composure. "Starsky, you want to tell us where you really were for three hours this morning?"

"I told ya Chief."

"Oh come on Starsky! It's over!" Hutch yelled.

Starsky backed up a step or two. His breathing became labored. "Hutch, I…."

"We made a promise. Do you remember? We were just rookies." Hutch tried to keep his tears at bay, but it was no good. "You promised me."

Starsky made a step towards Hutch. "I remember. I'm sorry buddy. I couldn't see a way out."

"You talk to me! That's what we do!"

"And what were you gonna do, huh! Rob a bank? I needed the money Hutch. It's just as simple as that."

"And me and thee just goes out the window, right buddy? " Hutch asked sadly.

"Joan needed…"

"No, she needed YOU! Your kids needed you! Your mom needed you! I…I needed you." Hutch wiped at the tears in his eyes.

"Hutch…"

" I would have bet my life it wasn't true." Hutch's eyes went lifeless as though he lost everything he cared about.

Chief Kalowitz stepped up to Starsky and pulled his tie clip off. "A bug." He reached under Starsky's jacket and took the gun from his holster.

Starsky reached into his pants pocket and took his badge out. He laid it on his desk.

"What now?" he asked the Chief.

"Now I.A. has some questions they'd like to ask you."

The Chief buzzed the intercom and Officers Jenkins and Billows walked in.

Starsky looked up at Hutch one more time. "I'm sorry Hutch."

Hutch looked at Starsky and the tears fell again. Starsky waited, but Hutch couldn't say anything else.

Jenkins and Billows lead Starsky out of the office past a crowd of officers who gathered at the sound of the commotion. Each man turned his head as Starsky was lead down the hall toward I. A.

Chief Kalowitz watched the exchange between Starsky and Hutchinson. His heart broke for them. This was a sad day, but he would do his best to get Hutchinson through this.