Captain's Prerogative – Part III By Kaye
Starsky stood just inside the door, arms pulled firmly into his sides, fists clinched. Hutch stood so that he was equal distance between his agitated partner and Kira, as she walked around to Dobey's chair, changed her mind, and settled onto the edge of the desk.
Campos slid casually to the other door, hoping to just slip out under the cloud of tension that had settled into the room.
"Detective Campos, you can go. . ."
"Oh, no, Manny stays," Hutch said evenly. "He's part of the squad, too. Plus, I don't particularly trust you, lady – I want a witness in here.
"Hey, really Hutch – looks like you got something to talk about . . ." Campos said.
"Got nothing to say . . . nothing." Starsky's eyes never left Kira.
"Please, guys – I know this is not the best situation, but can we just talk about it, for a minute – alone?" Kira crossed her arms and chose to look at Hutch.
Hutch wiped his face, pointed Campos into a chair, and turned his back on Kira, as he took hold of both Starsky's shoulder, cutting off his line of vision to Kira, and looked right into his eyes. He squeezed until Starsky was forced to look at him.
"No, Hutch. I don't care. No way . . ."
Hutch interrupted, "Listen to me, buddy. You gotta get a grip. We are going to fix this – but you can't get yourself suspended in the process."
He pulled Starsky closer, patting his back, and whispered, "We survived her once, we can do it again," and pulled away to look into his eyes again. "We just have to get some things straight, right?" He winked at Starsky and turned back to Kira.
Kira watched, fascinated by the exchange. She watched Starsky lower his head, take a deep breath, and walk over to the empty chair, settling on the arm before Hutch took the seat. She went around and sat in Dobey's chair, trying to regain the advantage that the surprise had given her – the advantage just negated by whatever Hutch had whispered to Starsky.
Manny felt the change in the room. He settled into his chair and crossed his legs. He tried to find a spot on the wall that could fascinate him for the rest of this confrontation he was forced to witness. He just hoped a subpoena was not in his future.
Kira cleared her throat. "Okay, gentlemen, here's the deal. Your Captain Dobey is out for at least six weeks. I have been assigned here. Not because I asked for it – God knows I'm not that needy. . ."
Starsky stood at that, eyes blazing. Hutch pressed a hand on his back, and he sat back down.
". . .but because for the last few months I have been working on the task force that got you that warrant for Shoe's place. I was just about to serve a writ on Wally Stover's place when the call came through. Now the Chief thinks that we need to combine our resources and work on this together. And I have worked my ass off for too long to let you guys blow this chance for me because of one little incident. . ."
This was too much for Starsky. He stood and pushed himself into the desk. Hutch grabbed his arm, but he shrugged him off. Campos stood, ready to tackle Starsky if need be.
"Incident? You call what happened an incident?" Starsky pointed a finger, eyes blazing. "Lady, how you ever made Captain is beyond me. But if you think that me and Hutch will take orders from you – ever – you can just stick that. . ."
"Jesus, Dave – how old are you? You know I can have your badge right now for insubordination alone?" Kira stood, now furious. She leaned into Starsky's finger. "Sergeant, I suggest you cool it. Actually, I suggest you think seriously about some time off. In fact, why don't you take the rest of the day? Pull yourself together. Because whether you like it or not, for the next six weeks – you do have to take orders from me."
Hutch grabbed Starsky and hauled him back into the chair. "Kira, we get it, okay. We get it. But there's something you need to know, too."
Campos stepped back as Hutch took Starsky's spot at the desk.
"We'll work with you, because that's our job. We don't have to like it, but we'll do it – because we're good cops. But – if at any point we don't feel you're doing your job – or you put us in the trick bag – we'll take you down hard – promotion or no promotion. Got it?"
Kira stood silent for a moment, looking at both men. She had missed this part the last time. The unified front – the bond – the partnership. They were like two halves of a whole now. Not like last time, when she easily could tell them apart – in and out of bed. And now these jokers held her future in their hands.
"The irony just continues, doesn't it?" Kira sat back down. "Okay, Hutch – I read you – I stay out of your way – you don't act like children and blow the case. " She ignored Starsky's exclamation over that last part and looked at Detective Manny Campos, who was about to come out of his shoes.
"Campos – how are you doing?"
"Just fine, m'am. Can I go now?"
"Yes, I think we've got everything straightened out here, don't you? Oh, and I would appreciate it if you would address me as Captain."
Starsky got up, whirled around the chair and out the door without a word.
Hutch nodded to Kira and then followed his partner. Campos smiled and offered, "Uh, welcome to the squad, Captain." He closed the door behind him as he followed the others out the door. Kira laid her head on the desk. It was going to be a long six weeks.
Dobey felt pressure on his stomach. He opened his left eye to see the head of his wife resting on his stomach, her arm across his chest. He smiled. And then grimaced as the pain in his chest and his leg hit him at the same time.
Edith raised her head. She saw that her husband was awake and moved up to cradle his head in her hands. She lightly kissed his forehead, and then reached down and took his hand in hers.
"Forget to duck again, Harold?" Tears threatened as she watched him grimace in pain.
"Yeah, I guess. How am I doing?"
"Six hours on the table. Had to cut through the scar tissue to get to the one in your stomach – that's why it took so long. But the doctor says you're so rotten, it's gonna take more than bullets to stop you." Edith smiled again.
"Don't Edith." Dobey pulled her close. "I know how bad it was. I'm sorry."
Edith sat back down in her chair, laid her head on his stomach and cried.
Dobey patted her head, tears running down his own face. He hated like hell that he'd put her through it – again.
Edith stopped crying suddenly and lifted her head again. "But you almost killed the boys, you know. I didn't think Hutch was going to survive another minute in that waiting room. Starsky practically sat on his lap the whole time – making sure he was okay, while he was making sure I was okay."
"They were great, Edith – so damn proud of those boys – work like real pros –
especially Starsky. He came back a long way. How bout the kids – they okay? Didn't scare them too much?"
"Oh, Harold, you would have been so proud. Cal was so strong. Stood by me like a little sentinel. Took such good care of Rosie. They're at school now. I thought it would be better for them. Doctor said you'd be out for a long time."
"You get any sleep yet?"
"Yes, enough. And before you start to order me about – I'm staying here. Starsky took the day off and he's on the way here with lunch and a change of clothes. I'm not leaving."
Dobey smiled. He might be the big bad boss at work, but at home, he fell in line somewhere between Rosie and the cat. He liked it that way. He closed his eyes and remembered a conversation he had had a long time ago. . .
"Dobey, you are one pussy-whipped mother." Elmo walked around to the driver's side of the car.
"You're just jealous, Jackson – wish you had some sweet thing to come home to every night." Dobey crawled into the passenger side of Jackson's new car – a 1958 Cadillac convertible – white.
"Yeah, come home to be ordered around all night long. Man can't get any peace with a woman telling him what to do all night."
"Yes, you're right, Elmo – it goes on all night long – all night. . ."
"Huh!"
"If you know what I mean . . . all night long . . . man gets tired working all night like that. . ."
Jackson gunned the engine and the Cadillac squealed into traffic. "You are one crazy bastard, you know that, Dobey?"
"Yes, but I'm not the one that bought the whitest car in all Bay City, did I? How we gonna work undercover in this thing?"
"I'll have you know, Sergeant Dobey – this car is the fastest thing going. Bad guys don't have a chance."
"Bad guys got plenty of chances because they're gonna see us coming a mile away in this thing – it's like we're driving in a big marshmallow. . ."
"Did you just call my car a marshmallow?"
"How you doing, Cap?"
Dobey opened his eyes to see Starsky standing over him, holding out a greasy paper sack. "Up to some tacos? I snuck em in."
Edith quickly reached over and took the bag from Starsky. "David – he is not ready for tacos – ever. He's not supposed to eat solids for another day anyway. So don't tempt him."
"Yes, m'am – whatever you say." Starsky turned back to Dobey. "So, how you feeling?"
"Like I got shot."
"Yeah, scared us for a minute."
"Scared me for a minute – thought you bought it when you went over the
chair. . ."
Edith slipped out quietly as Starsky sat down beside her husband. They needed a moment together. She knew from experience and the conversation in the waiting room that this had been a close call. Too close, and too soon.
"You did real good, son." Dobey patted Starsky's hand. "Proud of you – how you've come back – know I don't tell you that often. . ."
Starsky snorted. "Often?"
"Rarely. . ."
"Rarely?"
"Okay – never. But I should. You're a fine officer. . ."
"Cap – what kind of drugs they got you on?" Starsky stood and grabbed Dobey's shoulder. "I know – you got all soapy after I got shot, too. Just glad you yell loud – would never have heard you."
"I'm just glad you still listen to me sometimes. Nice dive, by the way. Hurt anything?"
Starsky smiled. Just like Dobey to worry over him, while lying in a hospital bed. "Naw, I'm tough. Now you sure you don't want me to hide those tacos somewhere . . .?"
"No, the boss spoke."
Edith walked back in. "Yes I did."
Hutch followed behind, a stack of magazines and a portable radio in his arms.
"Hi Cap – good to see you up. Thought you might need some entertainment. I know this radio gets good reception in here. . ."
Starsky and Hutch exchanged a glance. That radio had kept them company on many long pain-filled nights during Starsky's recovery.
"Yeah, even gets the Sports Chat from San Francisco if you turn it just right." Starsky added.
"Thanks." Dobey moved, trying to find a comfortable spot. Now that he was fully awake, he couldn't find a place that didn't hurt.
Edith rubbed his arm and Starsky grabbed the top magazine from the pile. Hutch looked around for a plug. Somehow they all just fell back into a natural rhythm formed during the last time they had all been together in a hospital room. Hutch plugged in the radio, turned it to a classical station. Starsky frowned over the choice of music, but just leaned against the window, reading. Hutch moved over to Dobey, straightening the blankets, checking the IV. Dobey sighed against the pain, and then it finally registered with him.
"What the hell are you two doing here?" he growled.
"Harold – that's not nice. . ."
"We came to visit you, Cap. . ."
"No, I mean – why aren't you at work? Must have at least a day of reports to finish – plus I can't believe you're not out looking for Shoes. Now just because I'm laid up here for a while. . ." Dobey was revving up, despite the pain.
Edith laid a hand on his chest. "Harold – do not get worked up." She turned to Starsky and then looked at Hutch.
"So, what are you doing here?"
Starsky smiled and shrugged and Hutch looked at his shoes.
"What's going on?" Dobey said.
"Why is something going on? We just wanted to make sure you were okay. . "
"Cut the crap, Starsky – just tell me. I'll find out anyway. . ."
"Harold calm down. . ."
"Edith, I am not calming down until these boys tell me why all of a sudden they got hours and hours to spend with me."
Edith turned to Hutch. "Ken, you better tell him. I will not have him upset like this."
Starsky and Hutch exchanged a glance. Then Hutch spoke.
"Chief call you yet?"
Edith interrupted, "Yes, he came by, but Harold was sleeping."
"Well, you know they assigned us a new Captain . . ."
"Standard procedure, yeah, so?" Dobey struggled to sit up a little higher in the bed.
"So, well, our new Captain gave us the afternoon off." Starsky said.
"What did you do?" Dobey leveled his gaze at Starsky.
"Why do you think I did anything?"
"Starsky, I got shot, I'm not stupid – now what did you do – and who'd they assign to you? Simonetti? I know he just made Captain. . ."
"God, he did!" Starsky had not heard that good news. All of a sudden, Kira didn't seem quite so bad. If they had assigned that ratfink Simonetti to the squad, he would have already been fired. For sure.
"Hardesty. They assigned us Hardesty." Hutch said, proud of himself that he could appear so calm.
Dobey didn't say a word. Just sat for a minute, unsure. He knew the boys had some history with Kira Hardesty. She had worked the dancehall case with them. Rumor had it that she dated Starsky for a while. All he knew for sure was that it was during that case that he had to call them both into his office for a "come to Jesus" meeting. The first one he ever had to have with them. Gave them both a reprimand in their jackets. Didn't help – he lost them for a while. Then they came back – and seemed to be back to normal. Better. And then Starsky got shot in the parking lot . . .
"Captain, you remember Kira Hardesty?" Starsky asked.
"Yeah, yeah – remember you two acted like children around her. Something you need to tell me?"
Hutch spoke up before Starsky spilled everything. Ever since Starsky got shot, he had the tendency to not hold anything back. And Hutch thought that the less people who knew about that debacle, the better.
"No, Cap – its okay – we got it squared away. Just waiting on her to pull the files on Wally Stover and then we're gonna hit the ground running."
Captain Dobey looked from one to the other. He was not satisfied with the explanation, but knew he couldn't push anymore – between the pain in his shoulder and the glare of his wife – he had to let it go.
"Okay, just don't get into some kind of jam I can't get you out of, okay? My reach doesn't travel far from here."
"Okay, Cap." Starsky said.
"Yeah, okay, we know." Hutch followed.
Dobey closed his eyes and the nurse entered with another pain shot. He could use it.
to be continued. . .