Red hung up the phone. "I've done what I can. We may be able to save Ken. Mickey knows too much. I can't think of a way to save her, now that the Black Widow has her. If only Carlton hadn't blabbed she and Ken are Lena's children."

Red sounded sincere. He put his hand in his hands. The doorbell rang.

Starsky jumped. "Answer it, but don't let anyone know we're here. He drew his gun and stood behind the door while Ben ducked into the kitchen.

Officer Bert Jenkins and the fake nurse, Cindy Rose walked in the door, Jenkins saying, "Red, I think they're onto us and I heard Russell got arrested. I don't understand why there was a fire alarm at the sanitarium when Mickey hasn't been there for the last two days."

Cindy was clearly nervous. "I was ordered to get a flower dress and pink shoes the girl wore at the funeral and bring them to the drop point at Heavensent Flowers."

Starsky slammed the door and Jenkins and Cindy jumped as Big Ben emerged from the kitchen and covered them with his gun.

Big Ben was disgusted. "Jenkins. I didn't have you down as one of the traitors. I don't think Mickey did either. And what is your part in this, Cindy Rose, if that is your real name."

"She's Bert's girlfriend," Red supplied wearily. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead.

"Red! Shut up! You're going to get us all killed!" Jenkins shouted, taking a threatening step towards him.

"It's too late, they already know too much."

"And Jenkins, you should know the penalty for being an accomplice to the murder of two police officers," Starsky said, giving Jenkins a one-two punch that sent Jenkins flying.

"Starsky, there's no time," Ben said sharply.

"All right, Jenkins stays here. Take two of these, Jenkins," Starsky handed Jenkins two pills. "Don't worry, I'm not planning to kill you yet. You're just gonna to have a long rest. Good thing you're off duty today. Or are you?"

Big Ben reached for the phone and called the police department. "He's off for the next two days."

Jenkins swallowed the pills and Big Ben led him to his bedroom. "Your handcuffs, Red."

While Big Ben was gagging and handcuffing Jenkins to the bed; Starsky gave a quick call to Dobey, giving him the names of all involved so far.

Starsky looked at Red.

"You have to let me go, Starsky. The Black Widow trusts me."

"Ben?"

Big Ben agreed. "He has a point. And Cindy has to take the dress to the flower shop in case they are watching."

The phone rang, causing everyone to jump. Starsky motioned Red to answer it, putting it on speaker.

"Red, you're to bring a dress and shoes Cindy will drop off at Heavensent Flowers and bring to the building on 7th and Main."

"The unfinished one?"

"Yeah. Just stay near the front; someone will escort you to a very special party."

The phone clicked off before Red could say anything else.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Mickey Hutchinson woke up with a start. Since her capture and sedation by Red, she had been guarded in a medium size room, windowless, and having a small bathroom to the side. She remembered Red arguing against killing her in Francine's office, and then she was sedated. She had no idea where she was. For most of two days, she had been sedated. In the few minutes she was awake, she had looked for an escape; but couldn't find one. She knew she was being guarded. She had been given water and food. Why she was still alive, she did not know. She did know Francine York, also known as the Black Widow, had no intention of letting her live. She had made her peace with God and was not afraid of dying but hoped Ken would be spared. She found it ironic that she would die, not because of her police work; but because she happened to be Lena's daughter.

"Maybe the Black Widow will be satisfied with killing me and be afraid to kill any more policemen," Mickey muttered. She heard the door being unlocked and stepped back to see the dark eyes and smiling face of Francine York.

"Darling, you're awake. But you're looking a big untidy. I'm having a big party tonight and want you to look your best. Just like your mother always looked."

"Why do you hate Lena so?"

"Because the one man I loved never loved me. He only tolerated me, because he never got over loving Lena."

"You didn't get your nickname, Black Widow, from loving men."

"Well, of course not. Marriage was useful. My dear husbands always left me wealthier than before we were married. I never expected to fall in love with any of them. But I do so admire a powerful, wealthy man. Like Hans."

Mickey's face was puzzled.

"That's right, the name Hans means nothing to you. That's my pet name for him. He likes to stay in the shadows, like a spider weaving a web and then waiting for its prey to get tangled. Then it strikes!" She clapped her hands together harshly and Mickey couldn't help flinching. Francine York circled her, laughing. "You've disappointed me, my darling. I wanted you cowed, frightened, begging me to save your life. You haven't. You're simply not very entertaining."

"I'm sorry I'm not providing you amusement."

"Well, you will later, I'm sure. Red was right that keeping you alive because you could be useful." Francine's face narrowed. "Bye for now, darling. Enjoy the next few hours."

Francine exited and locked the door after her.

Thirty minutes later the door was unlocked and two of Mickey's guards wheeled a cot into the room, then shut and relocked the door. Mickey ran over to the cot and gave an anguished scream. "Kenny! No, no, not Kenny!" She fell on her knees and sobbed.

TBC