When the knocking on the door came a short while later, Starsky opened the door slowly and sighed when he confirmed it was his partner.

Hutch looked at Starsky who stood gun in hand, clad only in his navy boxers. His dark, curly hair stuck out in every direction.

"Uh . . . do you always answer the door dressed only in your boxers?"

"Yeah, well," Dave grumbled, "if this was happening in your apartment, you'd only be in your boxers too."

"Starsk, that doesn't make any sense."

"Nevermind—just get in here!" Dave grabbed his partner's arm and dragged him inside, then slammed the door.

Hutch winced. "Man, your neighbors are gonna love you."

"Ha! Shows what you know. I'm the only one on the floor right now. 2A is vacant and the McGregor's in 2C across the hall are visiting the Grand Canyon for their anniversary."

Ken looked around the apartment which appeared perfectly normal.

"So what's going on? Everything looks fine."

"Give it a minute. I'm gonna go get dressed."

"You're taking your gun with you?"

"Absolutely. My mama didn't raise no fools."

Hutch grinned. "No, only Paul Muni types."

While his partner was getting dressed in the other room, Hutch plunked down in the corner of the couch. He was tempted to close his eyes but didn't want to chance falling asleep.

Knock

Knock

"I'll get it," he called.

Hutch heaved himself off the couch and stepped toward the door. As he did so, all the lights in the apartment repeatedly winked off and on, creating a disco-like feel. Marching forward, he flung the door open . . . and discovered an empty hallway just like his partner had said earlier.

Moments after he closed the door, the strobing lights stopped. Hutch turned around just in time to see Dave hurrying from the bedroom, pulling a red t-shirt on over his head.

"See! See what I mean!"

"Uh huh, I see. So what do you think is going on?"

"Well, either someone has rigged this place to drive me crazy or . . ."

"Or what? It's haunted? C'mon, partner, you know I don't believe in that kind of stuff."

"I tell ya, Hutch. I didn't either—until about two hours ago."