Chapter 21
Author's Note: Due to a recent plot twist, I'm having it be one year and not two that Jed Bolton, Mickey's partner was killed.
Hutch continued looking and found a thin notebook behind a picture of Ingrid. He and Starsky scanned through the notebook and followed Mickey's notes.
I knew a little about Jed Bolton. He was a three-year veteran. I had heard through the gossip that Jed was good-looking. He was. A couple of inches taller than me with dark hair and green eyes. Athletic build. In his favor, he was not one of the officers that tried to date me. When Jed and I were told we were partners, he was cordial, and I did not see him express concerns about partnering with the first female cop on the force.
Jed and I make a good team. We're both rather quiet until we're working a case. I had heard that Jed was often used to charm women perps or informants. Jed didn't have to do much but smile and a lot of women caved. If not, there were those that were still impressed with Ken and I and our baseball championships. Big Ben was rather excitable, but Jed is cool and calculated. Sometimes we hang out off-duty, a dinner or so and we talk. That's when we share personal information. We both just ignore the bets at the station of how long it will be before we are dating. I invite Jed to family gatherings. He has great instincts. I asked him who he got them from and found out he was adopted as a baby.
Jed has good connections. Cousins, friends. He originally came from California and had worked for the governor. Jed took a few months to trust me. He confided that he was investigating the death of two good friends of his and never believed the verdict in their deaths. He believes they were murdered. Same with Officer Jerry Banks, who had worked with Jed. Jed believes there is someone big and no one has been able to find out who. None of the smaller fish will give up any information; apparently, they are more afraid for their lives and so take their sentences. The few that did died shortly after. Not surprisingly, both Jed and I believe there are leaks in the police department. We don't know who to trust. I do trust Jed and he trusts me.
Jed feels like one or more of the Hutchinsons are involved but doesn't know to what degree. He says everyone has their price. Even me. Something I denied at first. But when he looked at me knowingly, he said if it was Ken, I'd cave. I didn't comment. But of course, he's right. Now we're investigating my family. Terrific.
Judith. Juliet. Rosamond. Angela. We have eliminated them, though Jed pointed out that Juliet and Rosamond date movers and shakers. Judith and Adam, there are no signs of anything illegal. Joshua, I refuse to believe Joshua is anything but honorable. Jed agrees. That leaves Steven, Elliott, Darren and Daniel and Carlton and Father, Uncle Brandon and Uncle Fred.
Steven and Elliott are very ambitious. They love money and power and trying to one up each other. We believe they could be swayed with promises or money and power.
The twins, Darren and Daniel we'll be watching.
Follow the money, Jed said. Now I show up more at family gatherings. Try to be subtle. Someone who has financial problems. A habit of some kind.
Ingrid is a big source of information about money problems in the family. She can tell me if anyone has asked for money. One has. No surprise, it is Carlton. No surprise that Carlton is into gambling. He has never been good at saving money; he loves his reputation as a big spender.
Elliott drinks too much. I have heard that Darren was taking drugs at one point. Steven is overly ambitious. I can't find anything about Daniel.
Father and Mother have enough money. I don't see any signs of greed. I am sure they both know when Ingrid dies, more will come to them. Uncle Fred and Aunt Eunice – Eunice is always unhappy. Fred suffers from middle brother syndrome. Uncle Brandon is the youngest brother, but I do not see greed in him. Aunt Lena was the favorite of Ingrid and Grandfather, and of course, she has been dead for over twenty years.
Follow the money. I have left my inheritance to Ken; and he to me. I don't like that making us potential targets. Ken agreed. Ingrid has agreed to leave our shares to the charities of our choice.
When not checking on the Hutchinson family, Jed and I spend more and more time together. We are both athletic. Jed annihilates me in tennis. He bowls better. He outruns me, but my speed impresses him. We both love baseball. I am better on horseback and swimming. We are both very competitive.
Jed and I trust each other implicitly. I no longer envy Ken and Dave's partnership. I believe I have found one that is close to theirs.
Both Starsky and Hutch gazed at each compassionately. Hutch was even more sorry that Mickey had found her best partner, but then lost him.
Jed and I both have a sense of humor on stakeouts. You must have humor to survive the tension. We have eliminated a lot of officers from our list of crooked ones.
Mickey had mentioned cases and how they worked them. Jed and I both keep our eyes and ears open at work without pretending to notice much. We trust Captain Elstad.
A few months later, Mickey had written. Jed is visiting his parents in California. He will be gone two weeks. I'm using that time to quiz any informant that will talk. The Hutchinson baseball heroes still works with a lot. Also the fact I look pretty non-threatening.
Jed came back early. Red worked as my partner and was supposed to until Saturday. Jed decided he wanted to work with me on Friday. He was excited, his green eyes aglow. I knew he had discovered something in California. We were kept busy busting up fights, traffic accidents and couldn't talk much to each other.
Mickey's last entry. Jed is dead and so is my heart. If only it had been Red instead . . .
TBC