CHAPTER 13

Hutch nodded as the attractive young woman ushered him into Joe Durniak's inner sanctum. Starsky was in surgery having the necessary repairs done to his right leg. He would be in surgery most of the morning and in the recovery room for most of the afternoon, so Hutch decided this was as good a time as any for another meeting with Durniak.

Starsky was still locked away in that eerie silent world of his own choosing but that morning, Hutch had noticed that Starsky's eyes seemed to track the tall blond as he moved around the room instead of that blank listless stare he'd had on his face for almost two weeks. He still didn't respond to Hutch when he tried talking to him or show any signs of recognition in those sapphire eyes but tracking Hutch's movements was a definite improvement in his condition. Hutch prayed that meant that Starsky was slowly coming out of the prison of his own mind.

Durniak glanced up from his desk as Hutch entered the room and gestured for him to sit down. He didn't seem to be that surprised to see the tall blond again. In his distinctive gravely voice, he said, "Detective Hutchinson, to what do I owe the honor of your company? Davy is doing as well as can be expected, yes?"

"Yes…he's in surgery this morning having some repairs done to his leg."

"Then why are you here, Detective?" Durniak asked in a slightly annoyed voice "I assumed that our business had been concluded now that you have found Davy and he's receiving the medical care he needs."

"I wanted to thank you for everything you've done. I would never have found him without your help." Hutch said humbly

"I didn't do it for you, Detective. I did it for Davy and his mother…to repay an old debt of honor that was long overdue."

"I know you had your own reasons for helping me but I still wanted to thank you and to tell you how grateful I am for all you've done for my partner."

"You're welcome. Perhaps someday you will be able to repay the debt by doing me a favor." Durniak said with a faint smile tugging at his mouth.

"Where did you send Nicky?" Hutch asked, changing the topic unexpectedly.

Durniak raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Do you really care?"

"I'd like to know for Rachel's sake. She doesn't need to worry about another son right now."

"Rest assured that Nicky is alive and well. He just took a little trip is all until Davy is better. When he returns, he has a job waiting for him where I will be able to keep a close eye on him to make sure he stays out of trouble." Durniak said "He's caused his mother enough grief. When he returns he will also have a new respect for both his mother and his brother and for family loyalty and honor."

"I'm sure he will." Hutch said acknowledging the unspoken message behind the old gangster's words. He suspected that Nicky was learning the meaning of respect the hard way. "What about Gunther?"

Durniak looked at Hutch calmly, obviously debating if he wanted to answer the question or not. Finally, he smiled thinly and said "James Gunther was a parasite….a cancer that needed to be eliminated. If he had lived….he would have continued to be a threat to you and to David both."

"What about the man who bought Starsky from Gunther and did this to him?" Hutch demanded. He knew he was pressing his luck but he needed to know for his own peace of mind that the man who did this to his partner was going to pay for it.

"That is also being taken care of even as we speak." Durniak said slowly "The man who paid for David was much like Gunther. He didn't dirty his hands by actually harming David himself, he had his 'associates' do that for him. The men who were directly responsible for David's injuries have already been eliminated. The man who put up the highest bid for David knows that he's next." He smiled coldly "Actually, this man only wanted David to get even with you. He hates you for trying to take away what he considered his property and for bringing his empire to its knees."

Hutch's eyes widened with alarm and his mouth suddenly felt as if it were stuffed with cotton. Final pieces of the puzzle slowly clicked together in his mind. In a barely audible voice, he said "Ben Forestt?"

"Another parasite…..a cancer that would have remained a constant danger to you and to David if he were allowed to get with away with his part in all of this." Durniak said quietly, his steady gaze never leaving Hutch's face. "Fortunately, accidents are very easy to arrange in prison. Now you two are safe…..at least from these two powerful enemies…..but there are still others out there that remain a danger to both of you. You'll have to deal with them on your own, I'm afraid." He looked at Hutch carefully, gauging his reaction to the truths he had just revealed. Apparently satisfied with Hutch's response to the information, he deftly changed the subject. "The doctors have informed me that David will be recovered enough physically to be released from the hospital soon. What plans does Rachel have for when that happens? I know she has refused to let him be transferred to a long term care facility."

"She's taking him home and caring for him there until he gets better. And I will be staying here and helping her for as long as I can." Hutch replied

"She's keeping him here in New York instead of taking him back to California?"

"For now. He's not strong enough to return to California yet."

"That may be for the best. I can continue to protect him better here than out on the west coast."

"I thought you said he was no longer in danger."

"He isn't….not in the way you mean at least. But until he recovers mentally….he will still be in a very vulnerable situation."

"No matter what it takes…or how long it takes…I'm going to make sure he recovers completely." Hutch said firmly

Durniak chuckled softly "I have no doubt that you will…..even if it's just by your sheer tenacity. David is blessed to have someone like you for his partner….and as his friend." Durniak's eyes clouded for a moment "Don't ever take the value of that friendship for granted…..or you'll regret it someday." He rose to his feet and held out his hand to the tall blond "I'm pleased to have met you, Detective Hutchinson." Hutch rose to his feet gracefully and the two men exchanged a firm handshake. "I see no reason for us to meet again. You have the answers you sought…..go and take care of your partner."

Hutch nodded solemnly and left the room without another word, hurrying back to the hospital so he could be there when Starsky was returned to his room. He decided not to tell Rachel about his meeting with Durniak. He had the answers he needed and telling Rachel too many details would be pointless.