CHAPTER 6
Starsky and Hutch raced into the emergency room.
"Daddy," Rachel ran to her father and jumped into his arms. Joyce and Michael followed close behind.
Starsky directed his comment to Joyce. "What happened?"
One minute she was in the kitchen chopping carrots, the next thing I know, she was on the floor," Joyce answered.
"Is Doctor Barnes with her?" Starsky asked.
"Yes."
Hutch put his hand on Starsky's shoulder and kept it there, even when Starsky went to hug Mike.
"Are you okay, Doc?" Starsky asked.
"Yeah dad. It was scary."
"I know. Come on. Let's sit down. Starsky tried to regulate his breathing. Hutch stood behind him and massaged his shoulders. Rachel hung on to him for dear life. Joyce held his hand and Michael sat beside him trying not to look like a scared child.
After an hour, they were still in the same positions, except Rachel and Michael were asleep.
Finally, Doctor Barnes came into the waiting room. Starsky couldn't stand because the
kids were all over him. He patiently waited for the doctor to speak.
"The dialysis has stopped being effective. She's going to need a transplant. Soon.
"Somebody, said coma," Starsky stated.
"That nurse is being dealt with. It's not a coma; she just fainted.
Starsky let out a breath. "What are our chances Doctor?"
"Dave, Joan has been moved up on the transplant list. She's number one?"
"What. I don't understand."
"Neither do I, but she's been placed at the top of the list. Unfortunately, right now, we don't have a kidney that matches. I'll let you know if that changes. In the meantime, why don't you go home and get some rest. You could all use it."
"I'm not going anywhere. Joyce, would you take the kids home for me?"
"Sure baby."
She and Starsky woke the children. There was some resistance as they wanted to stay near their mother, but Starsky was able to convince them that she would only worry if she knew they weren't getting their proper rest. Within five minutes they were heading out the door with Joyce.
Hutch was quiet. He was there for support, but decided he'd let Starsky take the lead. If he wanted to talk, he'd be there for him. If not, he'd be there for that too. Starsky was silent for at least the next half an hour. Finally, he turned to Hutch.
"Hutch?"
"Yeah Starsk."
Carter and Ortega had the chance to kill me, but they didn't. They said, they'd get in touch with me.
"Yeah."
"When they first met me, they said something about getting Joan the help she needed.
" I think they were responsible for her being put on the top of that list."
"You could be right."
"Well, I…"
"Starsk, you don't know it was them."
"Yeah. I do. And they're going to expect something in return. If I leave her at the top of the list, she may get a kidney.
"But, you don't know if you could live with that?"
"No. I know I could. But, what kind of a person does that make me? Somebody, who was at the top of that list may not make it now."
"I don't know Starsk. But, I'd make the same decision."
They sat in silence for another hour before the doctor let Starsky visit. Starsky made Hutch go home, although he received some protest from his friend. Starsky used the excuse that one of them needed to be fresh in order to defend themselves from Kalowitz and deal with I.A., in the morning.
XX
Morning arrived and things weren't looking any better. Of course they weren't looking any grimmer, so they were at a standstill. Starsky kissed Joan on the forehead and to his amazement she woke up.
"There's my prince charming."
"At your service ma'am." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
"Don't start anything you can't finish mister."
Starsky smiled. "You had me worried."
"Well, I'm not done, yet."
"We're not done yet."
"The kids' with Joyce?"
"Yeah. She took em home last night."
"Will you do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
"Go home and be with them."
"Honey?"
"I mean it Dave. I don't want them to be without a mother and father. They need at least
one of us home right now. I'd do it, but I'm a little under the weather right now."
"You just don't want to go home to the mess you left in the kitchen, right?"
"You found me out."
"Okay, you got it…but I'll be back."
"Where have I heard that line before?
He nuzzled up against her, then gave her a kiss and left.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Biggs was finishing up with the transport list when he was summoned by Carter.
"Sir, you wanted to see me?"
"Yeah Biggs, sit down."
"I have a special assignment for you."
He went into detail about the assignment and Biggs couldn't believe his ears.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Starsky made good on his promise to Joan. He went home and spent as much time with the kids as he could. He was there for four hours when he received a call from Doctor Barnes telling him that a kidney was found and would be at the hospital in less than an hour. Starsky nearly broke the doctors eardrums shouting into the phone. "Oh, sorry doc. I'll be there as soon as I can." Starsky hung up the phone and shouted again, alerting the entire household. Everyone came running downstairs.
"Daddy, what happened?" Rachel asked.
Starsky was so excited, he picked Rachel up and spun her around the room. When he was finished with her it was Joyce's turn and finally Michael's.
"What happened?" Joyce asked
"Yeah, dad."
"Mommy's gonna get a new kidney," Starsky screamed.
"Get out." Joyce said.
"I kid you not. Last night, Doc Barnes told me she was moved up on the list. "She's gonna make it guys. Mommy's gonna be okay."
They laughed so hard, they were crying--all of them.
"Oh, oh… I gotta get to the hospital."
"Well, don't worry, I'll take care of the kids."
"Okay." He grabbed Joyce and kissed her, then spun her around again. He kissed both of the kids and was out of the house, faster than lightning. He could still hear the joy resounding in the house as he pulled off.
XX
The first thing he did when was on the road was to call Hutch. He heard Hutch screaming into the phone. There was commotion in the background when he ran out of his office and made the announcement. Starsky heard a bunch of cat calls and yahoo's. Hutch promised to meet Starsky at the hospital.
XX
Starsky arrived, just barely in time to send his wife off with a kiss. They were both crying as she was being wheeled into surgery.
Hutch spotted Starsky in the hallway and they ran to each other. Hutch picked Starsky up and spun him around. They didn't care who saw. This was the first good news, they'd shared since Joan was diagnosed a little over a year ago and they were going to revel in it.
"Whadda we do now?" Hutch said, when he finally put Starsky down.
"Cigars are for baby's right?"
"Right."
"What's for Kidneys?"
"Heck if I know the answer for that one Starsk."
They started to calm down and Hutch lead Starsky over to the waiting room chairs.
"Hmm. I don't know what to do Hutch."
"I guess we can just wait."
"Yeah. Okay. We'll wait."
With all of their nervous energy spent, and an hour and a half gone by, they both fell asleep. Starsky was awakened by the nurse.
"Mr. Starsky."
"Yeah, huh. Oh is it over?"
"No sir. You have a phone call."
Hutch woke up in time to see Starsky heading for the nurses station.
"Hello."
"Well Captain, your wife is going to make it. Congratulations," a voice said.
"Who is this?"
"Let's just say I'm a friend without whom your wife would not be alive for very much longer."
Starsky looked for Hutch. Hutch was by his side in a split second. They shared the phone, listening to the voice on the other end.
"I dare say, you owe me something for my benevolence."
"What do you want?"
"Now let's see, how about four Million Dollars worth of Cocaine. I think that's a fair deal. Don't you."
"Listen whoever you are, you got no deal."
"And I thought you would be so grateful. No matter, we can still bargain."
"We're gonna close you down, buddy. Sooner or later…"
"That's too bad. I'll tell your daughter…what's your name dear? Say it for your daddy."
Starsky went pale and Hutch had to hold on to him.
"Rachel." his daughter said.
"Good girl, " the voice said.
"If you hurt her," Starsky said icely.
"I don't think that will be necessary. Keep your beeper on. We'll be in contact."
In an instant the voice was gone.
Wait. Wait!" Starsky shouted. He dropped the phone and started to hyperventilate. "Not my baby. Hutch, no. Not my baby…not my baby.
Hutch tried to keep Starsky upright, but Starsky wasn't cooperating. He sunk down to his knees, then collapsed to the floor altogether.
"Somebody help me here. He's having trouble breathing."
"Hutch, please. Not my baby. Not my baby."
The tears were flowing freely.
Hutch rubbed Starsky's back. He could feel his friends body shaking uncontrollably. "It's gonna be okay buddy. We'll get her. It's gonna be okay. I'm right here okay? Just breath for me. Breath."
"They took Rachel Hutch. They took my Rachel."
Hutch rocked him back and forth to try to calm him. "I'm right here. We'll get her back. We'll get her back."
One of the nurses knelt down next to them and the other called for the doctor.
"Okay, Mr. Starsky, just breath deeply. Were gonna get you fixed up," the nurse said.
"Starsk, you can't help her if you don't calm down. No come on," Hutch reasoned.
A young doctor knelt down next to them. "Is he on any medication that you know of?
"He's not taking anything."
"Is he allergic to any medicines?"
"No."
"What happened?" the doctor asked.
"He got some bad news."
"Nurse. She was at his side with the needle, which the doctor took and injected into
Starsky. " He should be breathing normal shortly," the doctor said.
"No. I can't go to sleep," Starsky said.
"No. You're not going to sleep. This will just relax you, okay?" the doctor said.
Starsky nodded. "Hutch?"
"I'm right here buddy."
"Where's Michael. Please call the house. Joyce was watching them. Where's Michael?"
"I'm on it buddy." Hutch picked up the phone and dialed the house. There was no answer, so he called the police dispatcher. "Margaret, this is Hutch, send all black and whites in the vicinity to 102 Williams Road and call for an ambulance."
"Got it Hutch."
Hutch went back to Starsky's side. The doctor was trying to keep him down, but Starsky was getting up. "Got to get to Michael."
"Okay, buddy. Let's go."
"He really should rest for a little while," the doctor said.
"Sorry, this is a police emergency," Hutch yelled back. With that, they were out the door.
XX
The black and whites were already there. An ambulance was called and Michael and Joyce were both being treated for head wounds.
Starsky and Hutch ran into the house. They both knelt by Michael and Joyce.
Starsky grabbed Michael. "Are you okay?"
"I tried to stop them dad."
"I know buddy. I know."
He turned to Joyce. "Are you okay?"
"They hit me from behind. I never saw it coming."
"I'm so sorry Joyce," Starsky said.
"Dad, I think I saw one of them."
"You saw one?"
"It seems like a dream. I was out and then my eyes were open. One of em looked back…I think. Maybe I was dreaming it."
"Okay now listen. I want you both to go to the hospital. I'm going to send a black and white with you. Then you're goin down to the station to look at the mug books. You don't leave the hospital with out patrolman Johns and Farmer, got it?"
They both answered in the affirmative.
Hutch got up and joined the officers who were dusting for prints. "Anything?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary. There are prints all over. Most likely the families."
"Okay. You call us if you find anything different."
"Right."
Starsky hugged his son close to him then stood up. "Don't worry Doc. We're gonna get your sister."
"Okay dad."
Starsky spoke to the officers he'd just put in charge of Michael and Joyce. "You don't leave them for nothing. You got that."
"Yes, sir."
"Thanks."
Both Starsky and Hutch left for Metro.
XX
Chief Kalowitz was waiting for them in his office. "I'm so sorry about Rachel Starsky."
"Thanks Chief," Starsky said as he rubbed his temples. "Did I hear the guy right Hutch?
Did he say four million dollars worth of cocaine?"
"Yeah."
"Well, we're gonna get our chance to get Mr. Big. I got a feelin that was him on the phone," Starsky said. "No chance the guy was at his home and not on a pay phone or cell, is there?"
"I don't guess they'd be that careless. Even so, they're checking on it," the Chief said.
"Thanks. He paced back and forth. "What are we supposed to do, just wait here," Starsky said, exasperated.
"I guess we have no choice," Hutch answered.
"Carter and Ortega work at the fifteenth precinct. I say we head over there." Starsky started for the door, but Hutch stopped him.
"We don't know that they'll be there buddy. Our best bet is to stay right here."
"Starsky listen," the Chief said. "We have men staking out the amusement park, the fifteenth precinct and the abandoned building. I don't think our man is stupid enough to be at either place.
"Any word from Biggs or Huggy?" Hutch asked.
"No word from Huggy since yesterday and he hasn't heard from Biggs," the Chief answered.
"That's just great," Starsky grumbled. "Listen, I'm gonna go to my office and check on Joan."
"Okay, buddy. Hey, we'll get them," Hutch replied.
"Yeah."
Starsky left the room, and tried to keep the tears from flowing.
XX
The warehouse was used for nothing, but smuggling drugs for years. The place reeked of sweaty men and alcohol. Two guards stood outside front and back and two on the inside front and back. Biggs was out numbered, should he try to escape with the little bundle inside. He would have to bide his time.
He and a guard named Rafael Martinez were assigned to watch their little prisoner. When they entered the room where Rachel was being held, he saw her sitting in an uncomfortable plastic chair. His heart went out to her and it was all he could do to control himself and not rush to her aide. If she were going to get out of this alive, he would have to stay calm and think rationally.
He came around to her front and took a better look. Her hands were bound and her mouth and eyes were covered with tape. For this, he was glad. He couldn't let himself be seen by her or he would be given away for sure. But, even though he couldn't let her know he was there, he could watch and make sure no one hurt her. He signaled to the other man to stand guard at the door.
Rachel obviously heard them come in. When he walked closer towards her, she started struggling against the ropes. He put a hand on her shoulder to calm her, but she struggled all the more. He didn't dare speak, so he just let her fight until the fight was gone. Finally, she relaxed and he sat across from her waiting for an opportunity to escape.
XX
Starsky and Hutch returned to the hospital and received the news that Joan was out of surgery. They stood and listened to the doctor's assessment.
"She came through without any difficulty. We'll be giving her medicine to guard against rejection. If there are no complications, you should be able to take her home by Friday. Someone will be by to let you know when she's out of recovery.
"Thanks Doctor. Thanks so much."
Starsky turned to Hutch and they hugged each other. Starsky let out a a ragged breath and smiled. Then the worry lines reappeared. "What am I supposed to tell her about Rachel?"
"I don't know buddy, but we've got every man possible working this inside and out. Any property that comes up in Carter or Ortega's names is being searched. The same is happening for any of our known perps. Maybe we'll find something before it comes to that.
"Yeah."
They sat and held a quite vigil, waiting for the nurse to come by and get them.
Twenty minutes went by and Starsky beeper went off. There was no phone number to call. It was an address. They hopped into Hutch's car and were off for the Carmyle Hotel. When they arrived, they asked the manager, if there were any messages for Starsky. The manager pulled out an envelope.
"Did you see the guy who delivered this?" Starsky asked.
"It was on the counter when I came back from the John."
Starsky and Hutch went to the far corner to read it. There was a phone number listed
on a piece of paper. Starsky hurried to the pay phone on the wall and dialed the number.
"Starsky, I presume," the voice said.
It was Carter. Starsky deliberately held the phone to the ear furthest away from Hutch.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"Good. Go to the corner of Broadway and Elm. If you're followed or there is anyone with you, the girl dies. No questions asked.
"I hear you."
"And Captain, you won't need a piece."
Starsky hung up the phone.
"Let me guess, " Hutch said. "Come alone or else?"
"You got it. Look, I don't think they want to hurt me. They've already had that chance.
Let me find out what they want and we can work it together after, okay?"
"It's your show Starsk."
"Okay. I'll meet you back in the Chief's office." He handed Hutch is gun. He started to go and then turned back and gave Hutch a sheepish smile.
He didn't have to say it. Hutch knew exactly what he wanted. "Sure, I'll go back and
check on Joan first."
"Thanks buddy." Starsky winked and then left, secure in the knowledge that Hutch would see to Joan.
XX
Starsky arrived at his destination and was escorted to a limousine. He was searched by a goon in the back seat as soon as he got in. When it was determined, he was unarmed, the man directed him to sit next to the older gentleman on the adjacent seat.
The men took each other in. Starsky spoke first. "Isn't this a little James Bondish?"
Mr. Morgan smiled. "Good. I thought all the heartache of the past couple of days would have broken your spirit. It's good to see you can bounce back?"
"How's Rachel?"
"Unharmed for now."
"What do you want?"
"I want you Captain Starsky. Just you."
"What do I have to do?"
"You were doing it. We just want you to keep playing along. Be on our side."
"And I get my daughter back."
"That and much more. As you can see, I'm a man of my word."
"You arranged for the list to be altered."
"And I'd think you'd be a little more grateful. I'm sorry if my methods were too drastic for you."
"You got a name pal?"
"You may call me Mr. M. for now."
"Okay, Mr. M. Suppose I go along with you. When do I get my daughter back?"
"After the first deal goes down. We have a big shipment coming in tomorrow. All you have to do is point your people in another direction."
"I can't do anything about the Feds."
"I'm not naïve, my friend. They're relying on the local police to keep them informed of activity. So far, they've managed to stop several of my smaller shipments. So, let's be reasonable. I know I can't win them all, but this shipment must get through without a hitch. When it does, you your wife and kiddies go back to living in La La land.
"Until the next shipment."
"You catch on pretty fast."
"Please. Can I just talk to Rachel and let her know…"
"You are excused Captain. Here are the locations and times of the drops.
Great. He's wearing gloves, Starsky thought. No fingerprints.
"I trust you'll use this information wisely," Mr. Morgan continued. "Otherwise, well…you'll still have your son."
Mr. Morgan signaled the goon in the back seat and he opened the door for Starsky.
Starsky hesitated. He searched the man's eyes for any sign of compassion or feeling, but was only met with an icy stare. "We could end two lives right now. It's up to you."
The goon pulled out a gun and indicated that he should get moving or else.
He slid out of the limousine and stood on the corner as it pulled off. They were smart. No license plate.
He walked until he saw a cab, then hailed it and started back for Metro.