CHAPTER 7

Starsky found himself walking down the halls of Metro, past his offices and towards Hutch's. During the entire cab ride back downtown, he tried to formulate some plan, but his mind kept returning to what Mr. M. said. If the shipments didn't go through, Rachel was dead.

He had everything he needed to bust the whole thing wide open and for the first time, he was really considering Mr. M's deal. After all, he couldn't let his little girl down. Hutch would understand, wouldn't he? He wandered from floor to floor, not quite making it to Hutch's office. Finally, he sat in an empty stairwell and hoped something would come to mind. He thought back to when Hutch was downed by the plague. He made a deal with Callender back then. He dealt with a criminal-- a murderer. Sure the guy only killed people who were also involved in criminal activities, but he still took lives. But it's not the same thing, he reasoned. He was not helping the guy to commit a crime. The deeds were already done. By getting him off the streets then, he was not only saving Hutch and many other lives, but he was also preventing another hit.

Starsky's head swam back and forth with different scenarios. How could he explain to

Joan, that he let their little girl die to stick to some principles? She was a mother first, cop second.

The drugs would get in some other way anyhow. If Mr. M. didn't bring them in, someone else would, and his little girl would still be dead. He could feel himself losing his breath again and tried to breath evenly. He finally rose and started walking again. By the time he arrived at Hutch's door, he was almost in a daze.

Hutch pulled him into the office and sat him down. "Hey buddy, what happened?" When Starsky didn't answer right away, he thought the worst. "What happened? She's not…"

"No." Starsky looked up at his friend.

Hutch let out a breath and waited for Starsky. He could see the wheels turning in his best

friends head. The meeting couldn't have been a good one. The decision that loomed ahead for Starsky was surely overwhelming. He just waited, not wanting to force him into any hasty moves. He sat down at his desk quietly.

Finally, Starsky looked up. There was such fear in his eyes as he pulled out the paper, which Mr. M. gave him. He trembled as he turned the paper over to Hutch. Starsky put his hand over his mouth to stifle a gasp and a tear fell down his cheek.

Hutch's shoulders slumped and he closed his eyes not wanting to see the information on the sheet. He knew once he looked, he'd have to act on what he saw. He would have to put Starsky's little girl in danger. Starsky made his decision. He trusted him to do the right thing, because he couldn't do it himself.

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

Biggs had to make some sort of move; time was running out. He announced that if he weren't allowed to go to the bathroom, they were all going to wind up swimming in that room. Rafael waved him on, not wanting to be stuck in the room when the damn burst. Since one of them needed to watch the girl, he wouldn't have to worry about Rafael following him. Rachel was asleep. He was sure she'd be fine until he returned.

He walked down the hall trying all of the doors. Most of them were unlocked, but there was nothing but fallen rafters and unused furniture in them. When he came to the door marked private, he was surprised to see a furnished room with file cabinets and phones. He picked up one of the phones and there was no dial tone. He went to the second phone and silently thanked God that there was a tone. He dialed quickly, but dropped the phone behind the desk when he heard footsteps. He needed to think fast.

One of the guards walked into the room. Biggs's back was turned away from him.

"Hey, what are you doing in here?"

Biggs turned around embarrassed. He held a joint in his hand. "Uh, they don't like us to smoke the stuff ourselves."

The guard was not amused. "Aren't you supposed to be guarding the girl?"

"I just wanted a few hits man. I'm getting the jitters."

"Get back to your job man."

"Yeah, sure." Biggs made tracks for Rachel's room. He looked back to make sure the guard was moving on too. He saw him close the door and resume his rounds.

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

Huggy was just returning to his office when he heard the phone ringing. He was in the main dining room giving the kitchen staff a lecture on cost saving procedures. He ran up the stairs and then down the long hallway, hoping that he would reach it, before whoever was calling hung up. It could be Biggs, whom he hadn't heard from in days.

He got to the phone and it was still ringing, so he thought he would find someone on the end of the line. Instead, he heard some shuffling of footsteps and what sounded like a door closing.

"Hello. Hello. Hey, is anybody there."

After no answer, he started to hang it up, but all of the sudden got a strange feeling. He left the phone off the hook and went to a payphone to call Metro.

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

Hutch looked up at Starsky, paper still in his hands. They smiled at each other and Starsky knew then, that Hutch couldn't do it either. Not until they received some more information. They just needed some sort of lead to find Rachel. They would still have plenty of time to bust the bad guys.

They both stood and headed to Robbery-Homicide where Michael was still looking at the mug books. On the way, the dispatcher stopped them.

"Captain Starsky."

"Yeah."

It's a Mr. Bear. I put it through to your office, but nobody picked up.

"I'll take it hear thanks."

"Hug, whaddya got."

"You got me Starsky. Somebody called the restaurant and left the phone off the hook."

"You still got that line open?"

"Yeah. I'm calling you on a payphone."

"Okay look, where sending somebody right over. Okay?"

"I'll be here."

"Thanks Hug."

Starsky turned to Hutch. "Somebody called Hug and left the line open."

They continued to Robbery-Homicide. When they arrived, Michael was scrutinizing the photos and Joyce was looking over his shoulder. The detective who was watching him,

turned to Starsky and signaled, to let him know there was no progress yet.

Starsky put his hand on his son's shoulder and continued walking into his office, with Hutch following. Joyce came in behind them.

"Dave, if it's okay, I'd like to go sit with Joan. I'd be more help there, I think.

Starsky smiled. "I'd love that. Thanks Joyce. There's already an officer guarding her door, but I'll have an officer run you down there. Remember, don't go anywhere without him. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Okay. Sergeant Corley!" Starsky yelled.

"Yeah Cap."

"Take Joyce down to Mercy General and stay with her until I tell you otherwise.

"Yes sir."

He came from around his desk and gave her a kiss. Hutch also kissed her and they watched as she left

Starsky was about to close his door when his son shouted.

"Dad. It's him. It's him."

Starsky and Hutch ran to Michael.

"Are you sure Doc?" Starsky asked.

"Yeah." Michael pointed at the picture.

Hutch picked up the book. "Marty Fisher? He's a two-bit hustler.

"What's he doing working with a high price trafficker?" Starsky asked.

"Don't know. Maybe we should ask him."

"Good thinking." He turned to his son. "Good job Doc."

Michael smiled.

"Gooding's, will you take him down to the commissary and get him something to eat?"

"Sure Captain."

Starsky gave Michael a big, long, drawn-out kiss on the cheek and Hutch ruffled his hair. Then they were off.

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

Hutch went high and Starsky went low. They burst into Marty Fisher's room and caught him shooting up. Hutch wrestled the needle out of his hand and Starsky picked him up bodily and held him up against the wall.

"Where is she?" Starsky yelled.

"Where's who? Come on man. There's nobody here, but me."

Hutch shoved the needle in his face. "Where'd you pick up this dirty little habit?"

"A come on guys. It's just a taste. I'm not heavy into drugs, you know that?"

"Maybe this is a little payment Hutch," Starsky said.

"Yeah, but for what?" Hutch played along.

"Oh I don't know. Maybe for nabbing a little eight year old girl from her home!"

Marty looked scared now. "Hey, I don't know nothing…"

"You tell us where she is and you tell us now." Starsky squeezed the man's neck and Hutch didn't stop him."

"I don't know where she is man. They just told us to nab her."

Hutch took the man's face in his hand and squeezed. "Who's they?"

"Two cops. Names are Carter and Ortega."

"You took her to them?" Starsky asked.

Marty was scared of what they might do if he answered, but more fearful of what would happen if he didn't. "Yeah. I just took her there. I didn't hurt her or anything."

"Where was the meet?" Hutch asked.

"A warehouse on Channon and Seventh, but they're not there now. They said something about being near Baja and maybe vacationing after it was all over."

"Someplace near Baja," Hutch said. "Well that certainly narrows it down."

"If anything happens to her, I'm going to personally rip your heart out. You get that?" Starsky asked.

"Yeah."

Starsky and Hutch pulled him from the room. They headed back to Metro for further interrogation.

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

Hutch picked up his phone and took a call from Lieutenant Drake. They found the originating location of the phone call to Huggy Bears. It was a warehouse in El Centro, California. He gave Hutch the address and Hutch ran to Starsky's office.

XX

Starsky was frantically searching through records for any real estate that Carter or Ortega might have access to.

Hutch burst into his office. "I think we may have something."

Starsky looked hopeful. "Whaddya got?"

"A warehouse in El Centro. That's where the call to Huggie's originated from.

"Remember what Marty said?" Starsky asked. Someplace close to Baja."

"Right."

Starsky called to his secretary. "Rita, I need four plane tickets to El Centro. I need em now.

"Yes, sir."

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

They felt more confident now about finding Rachel. They were sure that the warehouse was where she must have been being held. It was time to talk to Chief Kalowitz. They explained the situation and how it was that Starsky came across the location and times of each drop.

"Chief, we have to ask for a favor." Starsky said.

He looked at Hutch and they confirmed agreement in that second.

"We need some time to find Rachel," Hutch said.

"We're getting close," Starsky finished. "But if the Feds get this information before we have her, Carter and Ortega will kill her.

" Okay, the Chief said. "I'll wait until the last possible minute. The drops start at Midnight. That gives you about 5 hours before I contact the Feds. Morgan won't know what hit him.

"Thanks Chief," they said in unison.

They ran down the hall with a purpose. They were so close now.

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

Rachel was awake now and making noises. Biggs willed her to be quiet as Rafael already made it clear that he wasn't too thrilled to have pulled baby sitting duty. He didn't need the little brat crying and carrying on as well. Rafael stood over her and told her to be quiet.

Biggs couldn't speak or he'd give himself away. Rafael took her face in his hand and shook her. She became quiet for just a second and then started her muffled screaming again. Rafael couldn't stand anymore. He was about to put her out, but Biggs ran over to him and stopped the butt of the rifle from crashing into Rachel's skull.

He looked the man in the face and signaled for him to go guard the door. Rachel stopped squirming. She withdrew a bit, when he put his hand on her head and stroked her brown curls. He made a shushing sound and then gently pulled the tape from her mouth. To his surprise, she remained silent.

Biggs removed a candy bar from his jacket. Rafael rolled his eyes and sat down in front of the door. Biggs unwrapped the chocolate and ran a piece across Rachel's lips. She sniffed at it and then opened her mouth, letting Biggs put the candy in. He continued to feed her until the chocolate was gone.

When he was done feeding her, he didn't want to replace the tape. He held it to her mouth and shushed her again. She seemed to understand. She nodded her head and he dropped the tape to the floor.

He didn't know what else to do for now. He knew the drop schedules and figured only a few more hours were left before he would have to either fight for Rachel's life or die trying.

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

Starsky, Hutch, Officers Wilson and Drake were all dressed in plain clothing. They left the airport and hailed a cab. They would drive as close to the location as possible, then head out on foot, hoping not to draw any attention to themselves.

Hutch noticed Starsky trying to stop his hands from shaking as he made sure his gun was loaded. He decided to check his own gun as well. He caught Starsky's eye and gave him a reassuring smile, which was returned. Wilson rode in the back with Starsky and Hutch. Drake rode shotgun and gave the driver directions.

They were heading in an area that seemed to be sparsely populated with mostly factories and warehouses where the workers had already gone home. There were a few stragglers in bars and such, but for the most part, it was a ghost town. They asked the driver to let them out a few blocks from their destination and paid him a moderate tip--they didn't want to draw attention to themselves.

Hutch obtained a neighborhood map of the area. They were exactly two and a half blocks east of their destination. The plan was for he and Starsky to take out any guards they found at the front of the building and Wilson and Drake to concentrate on the sides and back. They split up and wished each other good luck.

Starsky took the lead and signaled Hutch to advance when he determined that it was safe. They could now see the warehouse. Starsky said, a little prayer for Rachel and was on the move again. He made it to a parked car, which was just across the street. He figured that out of the two, he looked more like a Mexican emigrant, so he ambled up to the guard to distract him. Hutch would be appalled at his attempt to speak Spanish, so he tried broken English.

"Please to tell me this address," Starsky said.

The guard held his gun up to Starsky and tried to get rid of him, but Starsky was insistent.

"Please. This address. You show me."

Just as the guard was about to ram is gun into Starsky's face, Hutch pounced taking the man out. He dragged the man across the street into some bushes and was back at Starsky's side.

Just when they thought everything was going smoothly, they heard shooting coming from the back of the building. Hutch motioned that he was going to check it out.

Starsky pulled the front door opened and just missed being spotted. He saw the guard running towards the back of the building. He stepped inside and ducked behind some machinery. There were several doors to his right and to his left. There were also rooms leading all the way to the back and up on the second floor. He could only take a stab in the dark. If he were going to hide someone, it would be in the back, on the same floor as the guards.

He bypassed the doors to the right and left and headed towards the back. He heard more gunshots. He didn't dare call out for Hutch or he'd be dead meat.

XX

Rachel gasped when she heard the gunshots. Rafael grabbed the tape and covered her mouth again, but the tape had lost it's gumminess and one side drooped from her mouth.

"What's going on out there?" Rafael asked.

Biggs shrugged.

Rafael stood in front of Rachel and pointed the rifle at her. "If they come in here, whoever they are, she gets it first. Biggs tried to keep his cool, but he heard more gunshots and he saw that Rafael was getting nervous. There was no choice now, but to speak, he pulled his weapon.

"Police, buddy. Put the weapon down."

XX

Starsky heard a shot and ducked. At the same time, he heard Rachel scream. He called out her name. "Rachel."

She called back. "Daddy."

He crawled on his belly and cracked open the door. He saw Biggs in the corner, with a bullet in his leg. A man stood over his daughter holding a rifle. Starsky stood up slowly.

"Listen pal, you have a free pass. All I want is my daughter and Biggs."

Rafael smiled. He didn't point the rifle away.

Hutch came running from the opposite direction and Starsky put a hand up to stop him.

"Listen to me," Starsky tried to reason. There are four police officers here. You're pals are down. All you have to do is walk away. I'm telling you, we're going to let you walk away. Do you understand that?"

"Daddy," Rachel cried.

"It's okay honey. Daddy's not gonna let anybody hurt you." He turned his attention back to the man with the rifle. "Just walk away man."

Rafael raised the rifle to Rachel's head and Starsky took his shot. He went down, right in front of Rachel.

Starsky ran to his daughter and picked her up, carrying her away from the room.

Hutch ran to Biggs. He assessed the damage and started to work on slowing the bleeding.

"It's okay Biggs. We're going home."

Biggs looked after Starsky in surprise.

Hutch remembered, the last time Biggs saw Starsky, he thought he was a dirty cop.

"It's a long story Biggs," Hutch said.

Starsky set Rachel down and pulled the tape gently from her mouth and eyes. Then he untied her hands. She hugged her arms around him tightly and he did the same.

Hutch helped Biggs to sit down next to Starsky and Rachel. Rachel saw his wound.

"Sarge, you're hurt."

"It's nothing honey."

She looked at him and swung her arms around his neck. "Thank you Sarge."

"You're welcome."

Starsky put his hand on Biggs's head and ruffled the man's hair. He knew that Biggs was responsible for the call and making sure his daughter was safe until help could arrive. He would hold a special place in his heart for this man, always.