The Present

The plan landed in Duluth two hours later. Hutch had not again mumbled in his sleep and Starsky felt the butterflies in his own stomach settle down. His imagination had been running wild, but he tried to brush it aside. Yes, he dealt with nightmares, too. It was part of the job he and Hutch worked. The detective in him was looking forward to scrutinizing the Hutchinson brood. He shook Hutch awake after the plane landed and they took their briefcases and went to pick up their luggage. Starsky had been surprised that Hutch had packed only one large suitcase, another nervous tell. He and Hutch strolled across the airport and Starsky spotted another Nordic blond, long hair, and the same bright blue eyes as her brother. This could only be sister Mickey, though Starsky was surprised, he had been picturing a tomboyish girl with a baseball cap and glove. Instead, he saw a tall girl clad in a dark shirt and pants.

Hutch's eyes meet his sister's, and both smiled. Mickey ran to her brother.

"Kenny," she greeted, holding him close.

"Oh, I see you are not as grown up as you are supposed to be," he teased about her running.

"Have to keep in shape for our baseball games. I still play with the boys," she laughed. "No matter how much they disapprove."

After a couple of minutes, both pulled back, scrutinizing each other. "You're pale, Kenny, and I bet you have not been sleeping."

Changing the subject, Ken turned to his friend, who also had been watching closely. "Mickey, my partner, David Starsky. Starsky, my little sister Mickey Hutchinson."

As they shook hands, Starsky was aware of Mickey studying him. She turned to a stocky man with red hair and green eyes. "Kenny, Dave, this is my partner, Red O'Brien. Red, my brother Ken and his partner Dave Starsky."

Red, both noticed, was wearing his police suit and he removed his hat. "I am very sorry for your loss, Mr. Hutchinson. Your grandmother was a true lady and very supportive of our department. I can't tell you how much we all will miss her."

"Red insisted on driving us to our old home, Kenny. Mother and Father have been staying with Ingrid at her home."

"I should have come to see her much sooner – I didn't think she was in bad health," Ken said regretfully.

"She wasn't," Mickey said. "She was doing just fine. It was a heart attack – it came on suddenly and she died one day later."

"Then why did Mother and Father move in with her? Did she ask them to?"

"No, of course not. Judith told me she was growing feebler and needed someone to take care of her. Out of the kindness of their hearts. And to beat our other relatives to the punch."

Starsky caught the irony in Mickey's statement.

"Couldn't you stay with her?"

"As much as I could. I've been undercover for the last two months and had to keep out of sight. I stayed with her for months before. I could tell there was something worrying her – but she refused to tell me. After I finished my assignment, I was planning to insist."

"How about your assignment now?"

"Pulled off. Chief McCallum insisted."

Red spoke up, "Well, he had no choice after . . ." and a sharp look from Mickey caused him to stop.

"After Ingrid died, he knew where my priorities were. Okay, Red, though you knew I was perfectly capable of driving myself, since you came, let's get going. Anyone hungry?"

"Oh, I am."

An unbelieving look from Hutch caused Starsky to smile self-consciously. "What can I say, I'm still a growing boy."

"I can believe that," Mickey commented. "Your stomach looks so shrunken. What about one of our favorite places, Kenny? What kind of food are you craving?"

"Nothing, really, I'll let Starsky decide."

"Italian?"

"I know just the place," Red said. He picked up the luggage leaving the Hutchinson siblings to walk arm-in-arm to the waiting car.

Mama Rosa's Fine Italian Place was a homey family place with décor and food Starsky heartily approved of. He took a sampler plate and a salad. Red also had a healthy appetite and was enjoying a large plate of lasagna. Mickey and Hutch were sharing mozzarella sticks and some eggplant parmesan. The red wine that was served was drunk only by Starsky and Red, Mickey opting for tea. Hutch had started to ask for a glass of red wine, but a sharp glance from Starsky stopped him. Sharp-eyed little sister Mickey noticed but didn't say anything. The meal was finished, with only Hutch and Mickey failing to eat their combined mozzarella stick and one serving of eggplant, asking for a to-go bag. Mama Rosa, a large woman with a kind face, scolded, "Eat. Eat. You need your nourishment. You too skinny, Kenneth. And Mickey, you could use a few pounds. She put her arms around each. "Aye, but we all lost a great lady. You took look like her. And Lena. I'm so sorry for your loss." She kissed each one on the cheek, and then turned to Red and Starsky. "You take care of Ken and Mickey. That are special."

"You should eat all you want, Mickey, you don't know Starsky and his bottomless pit of a stomach. He'll probably get up in the middle of the night and finish everything in the refrigerator." Hutch teased, trying to ease the tension.

Starsky, busy with Red's many questions about the Bay City Police Department had been unable to keep an eye on the amount of food his partner ate.

Finishing up their bills with tip, Red insisted on paying, the four were met when several officers walked over to their booth. All took off their caps, giving their sympathies to Mickey and Ken. Chief McCallum gave a brief smile at Ken. "The famous detectives from Bay City. Have you come to take your little sister back with you?" The question sounded casual, but there was a slight edge in his voice.

Mickey, toying with her glass of tea smiled. "Is our governor leaning on you, Chief?"

"You are a highly thought of officer. Any department would be honored to have you."

"Just not here in Duluth," Mickey laughed it off. "My brother is tired from the long trip, Chief, we'll see you tomorrow at the funeral."

"My pleasure, Detective Hutchinson. Detective Starsky. Tell old Dobey hello from me. We go way back."

After the pleasantries ended, Red drove twenty minutes to the Hutchinson home. Luggage was put in the living room, and all three sank into their rocker recliners. Ken had looked around at familiar furniture, pictures. "Back yard seems smaller, Mickey. Seemed large when I was pitching to you."

"Yes, we were smaller than."

Starsky was studying the family pictures. He had to admit the Hutchinsons were a good-looking family. Miss Ingrid. Stately with gray hair. Daughter Lena, another Nordic blonde. Ken's parents posing with twins Joshua and Judith. Hutch was right. Judith was beautiful and resembled her mother Cynthia. Simple, but elegant clothes and makeup and hair. Lustrous dark brown hair and brown eyes. Another picture of Judith winning the Miss Minnesota crown, and as runner-up in the Miss America contest. Joshua skiing, Joshua winning the National skiing training run and his trophy. Joshua resembled his twin sister Judith and was handsome as well. Pictures of Kenny and Mickey were fewer, and Starsky was startled at a chubby Kenny. A few pics of Ken and Mickey when younger, arm in arm, staring defiantly at the camera. Ken pitching, Mickey at shortstop; Ken and his baseball team with their state trophy; Mickey with her baseball team. One pic captured a pensive Kenny strumming his guitar while sister Mickey sat beside him. He noticed that the pictures of the youngest members never had any other family member in them.

The hated Carlton. Starsky had a burning desire to smash the egotistical Carlton in the mouth. Carlton holding the state football trophy, then the national championship trophy, and then in NFL suit. Carlton looked huge next to the pics of his younger sister and brother. He was thick but muscular and Starsky could imagine the muscular Carlton beating his slender brother Kenny. Pictures of the proud parents with Carlton.

There were a couple of pictures with Ingrid and Carlton Hutchinson with their three sons and one daughter, Lena. Both Ken and Mickey looked more like Lena's children than anyone else.

Ken and Mickey were talking quietly, and Ken yawned frequently. "Up to bed with you," Mickey said, giving him a slap on his hip. Long day tomorrow."

"Don't get so bossy, LITTLE sister," Ken mock grumbled. But he did drag himself up the stairs.

"I can tell you love him and take good care of him. I can never thank you enough for that. I'm in your debt."

Starsky was started, but grateful. He took the hand Mickey extended. She smiled, then her face changed. "How is he doing? Eating? Sleeping?"

"I'm trying as hard as I can, but he is not eating and picking at his food. He isn't sleeping, and I heard him throwing up at the airport bathroom. He hasn't been sleeping. I'm sorry, but I made him take a valium with a 7-up. He had nightmares and scared me."

"I did too the time I was given one. I couldn't tell what was real from what I dreamed. Very disturbing. It is very rare, but does happen, and Kenny has it, too. Not eating or sleeping. Damn."

"I'm sure it is losing one of the most important persons in his life – your grandmother. And he is nervous to be around the whole family again."

"Who could blame him."

"Mickey, I'm not tired yet. So you are a cop with Duluth PD?

"Yes, I entered the academy at 20. I had already graduated from college with degrees in criminal justice and psychology. Been there for the last few years."

"How did it go for you?"

"Was I welcomed with open arms? No. I was the first women. Most of the men resented me. They did practically everything to discourage me. Being a Hutchinson, they reasoned, pulled strings. If I had not had the family name, I would have been treated better." Mickey's eyes narrowed. "I found out within a few months a lot of the good cops thought I was a spy for the mafia and unscrupulous family members. Supplying information, ruining busts."

Starsky whistled. "Wow. How did you deal with that?"

"I was tested. A couple of setups to see if I would pass on the information. When it didn't happen, some were more ready to accept me. I fed some intel on some crooks working with my family. There was still skepticism until I was shot at and forced off the road. And began receiving letters and calls telling me to back off if I wanted to stay alive. That is why there has been a big push to move me to another city, another department."

"Does Ken know?"

"No, and I don't want him to. He has enough to worry about without adding my safety to the list. I'm more worried about him."

"You Hutchinsons are crazy," Starsky sputtered.

"Never said we weren't."

Mickey grabbed a glass of milk from the refrigerator and downed it. "Get whatever you need. You can sleep in the second floor, first door on the right. I'm be downstairs in my parents' room. You brought your weapon?"

At Starsky's nod. "Keep it by you. Just in case."

Starsky looked in the refrigerator but shut it without getting anything out. Those stomach butterflies were back. He sighed. He knew he would have a hard time getting to sleep.