Mickey had been pacing up and down the stairs impatiently. In the hallway, she overheard Big Ben. "What?" Mickey screeched, running in the room, glaring at the three men, and then planting herself on the bed protectively by her brother.

"Mickey," Big Ben began.

"I know what you said what you said about staying downstairs. I know. But we can't let Kenny go through a trial testifying about rape. You know that, Big Ben, Starsky and Joshua. I will testify about the kidnapping and Ken can confirm that, but I am not going to let anyone put him on the stand and testify as to what Francine did!"

"Mickey," Starsky's voice was cold. "Would you be dead if Hutch had not distracted York and kissed her?"

"Yes."

"Then what would he had to be ashamed of?"

"Nothing! He's a hero! He's also a proud and sensitive man and to have to admit Francine . . . after what he went through with Vanessa, and if you two tell me he wouldn't be hounded, teased and driven crazy . . . I know other officers are jealous of him. They would love to tear him down some. Right?"

"How did you know that?"

"Because that is what always happens. Others are jealous of his looks, his talents, even though he is not a braggart like Charlatan." Mickey's eyes narrowed and her voice dropped. "I will testify. Francine took him to drive me crazy. That's it."

"Mickey, you can't perjure yourself."

"I was there. You were not."

"What if the flunkies testify to what Francine said?"

"My word would be believed over theirs."

"But then you are putting Hutch in a dangerous position of having to lie to protect you or telling the truth!"

"You're his best friend in the world! You should protect him!"

"You're his sister, and if you lie now, you will never again be trusted as a police officer!" Big Ben snapped.

Mickey closed her eyes, hearing Jed from over a year ago. "Yes you would. If it was Ken's life, you would lie."

"Mickey?" Hutch moaned, eyes fluttering.

"Kenny?" Mickey turned around, eyes instantly softening.

"Mickey? You're all right?" Ken's eyes fixed on her, reaching out his hand to touch her.

"Yes. Didn't Francine . . . did you ask her if you could talk to me?"

Ken frowned. "Francine? You mean Vanessa?"

"No, Babe, Vanessa wasn't here," Starsky said, going to Hutch's right side and taking his hand.

"Starsk? You found me?" Hutch sounded groggy and he tried to sit up and then winched, putting his hand to his head.

"Just lay back, little brother," Joshua soothed. "Tell me how you feel?"

"Tired. Dizzy. My head hurts."

"What is the last thing you remember?"

Ken frowned. "Francine was going to kill Mickey! I had to stop her! Mickey!"

"She's all right, Ken, you saved her. She's right here," Joshua soothed.

Mickey leaned in to hug and kiss her brother. "You did save me. You're my hero."

"Where am I?" Ken said, looking around at the unfamiliar room.

"Francine's house," Starsky answered. "This is where Francine took you when you were unconscious."

"Francine? Where is she?" Hutch started to get agitated. "Where are my clothes? I don't have silk pajamas." He exclaimed after pulling the covers back.

"Francine's gone, Blondie," Starsky soothed. "We found a message on the bathroom window. It said that Francine was gone. And Francine told us where to find you. Do you remember anything else?"

"Don't push him, Dave," Joshua said sharply.

"Voices. Vanessa. Francine. A man."

"Did you see them?"

"Just Vanessa and Francine. Vanessa wasn't here, was she? I must have dreamed she was here."

"Ken, we will need to take you to the hospital. Get a toxicology screen. Find what you were drugged with and assess the concussion. Did you sustain another blow to your head?" Joshua asked.

"Had to get Stan's gun when Mickey jumped Francine. Stan and Frank had guns. Francine said to kill Mickey. Mickey's all right, isn't she, Joshua? She's really here?"

"Always. I'll always be here for you, Kenny. Yes, Joshua, I saw Frank hit Kenny on the head. Maybe that is why he is still confused."

"I can call an ambulance." Big Ben offered.

"No, Big Ben, no ambulances. I don't want to go to the hospital, Joshua."

"Sorry, Ken. We can take you if you like. But you must go. You, too, Mickey."

"I'm not hurt, Joshua," Mickey protested. "But I'll go to be with Kenny."

Ken moved to sit up again with Starsky's help. He frowned when he saw his clothes thrown against the right side of the bed. He opened his mouth and then shut it.

"Do you want me to help you put the suit on?" Starsky offered.

"Ken, I brought your regular clothes with me from the building," Big Ben responded. "Also, the floral dress you were wearing, Mickey. That was Lena's, right?" Lena's dress and heels, too, Mickey."

"The one I wore to Ingrid's funeral. That dress meant a lot to Ingrid."

"I want my jeans and shirt," Ken stated. Mick?"

"Going downstairs. I will get the clothes for you. Big Ben?"

"My car is locked. I'll help you."

When they left, Starsky pulled Hutch to him and hugged him. "It's all right, partner. You can relax now."

Instead of calming down, Hutch began to sob quietly. "I was so scared, Starsk. So scared. I thought Mickey was going to die. I had to go with Francine and distract her. You see that, don't you?"

"You have nothing to reproach yourself about, Blondie. You did good. You kept Mickey alive."

"Francine had her doctor give me a shot, I lost consciousness. Francine kept . . . touching me. I couldn't do anything."

"Just forget it, buddy."

"I couldn't escape. I had to make her happy to keep Mickey alive." Hutch was agitated.

"Just relax, Ken. No one is blaming you for anything," Joshua said gently.

"We're just sorry we couldn't get to you sooner," Starsky soothed.

Big Ben brought the clothes and Mickey stayed downstairs. After Hutch was changed, Joshua drove him and Mickey to the hospital. Big Ben then called headquarters while Starsky stayed with Hutch. Mickey was examined and found to be unharmed, and waited in Ken's room. Ken. Ken had been taken to x-ray and had blood drawn. Dr. Anderson, a friend of Joshua's, examined him and assured the family Ken's confusion should go away with time.

The inevitable happened when two detectives from Duluth PD arrived to get statements from all concerned. Dr. Anderson and Joshua protected Ken from the detectives, arguing that he was too confused to answer questions. Detectives Barrett and Ling took statements from Big Ben first, Starsky second, and Mickey third. Each was taken down to the station to give their statements. Mickey was not happy giving hers but gave a truthful account of all that had happened. Detectives Barrett and Ling were courteous and had the reputation of being fair. They informed Mickey that Red, Stan, Frank, Jenkins, and his girlfriend, plus the rest of the gang had been booked and questioned. An APB was out for Francine York.

When Mickey returned to the hospital, Chief McCallum and Captain Dobey were in Ken's room.

McCallum expressed his regret for everything the brother and sister had gone through, and Dobey was relieved to see his best team of detectives had once again triumphed. "Russell Williams did sing like a bird, you were right, Starsky." Dobey informed them. "He was the link between our department and Duluth PD. He admitted he killed Officer Jerry Banks."

McCallum sighed. "Red and Jenkins were the rotten eggs in ours. We're applying pressure to Jenkins' girlfriend, Cindy Rose to testify against them."

All had listened quietly until Mickey challenged McCallum, "How high did the treachery go?"

McCallum locked eyes with Mickey. "Not to me, if that's what you mean. Your captain, Elstad, however – we found a large amount of money he can't account for. Sorry. I know you didn't suspect him."

"Jed?"

"Alex Brown has been fingered as the one who shot Jed. And since Brown is dead, we are closing the case."

"The orders would have come from higher up." Mickey turned away to stare out the window.

"If so, we plan to question all the suspects."

"Carlton?"

"As you know, he has been in trouble for gambling. He fed information to square his account. But there is no proof. Carlton denies everything."

"I found his name in Francine's office. And his telephone number."

"If there is evidence against him, we will bring him in."

Mickey contemplated McCallum's statement. After a moment, she said, "Any other Hutchinsons mentioned?"

"As of now, no. Ken, do you think you will feel up to giving your statement tomorrow?"

Before Ken opened his mouth, Joshua said, "Maybe. Dr. Anderson will reevaluate his status. He was drugged. And that is after Ken suffered a concussion."

McCallum shook hands with everyone. Mickey hesitated before extending her hand. Dobey did too and gave Starsky a brief pat on the shoulder and said softly. "Glad you're all right, Hutch. Mickey, you too."

"Come on, Rolly, I'll buy you dinner. You don't look as if they feed you enough in Bay City," McCallum teased. They left the room, joking back and forth.

Starsky did a double take. "Rolly? Hutch, Dobey was nicknamed Rolly!"

Instead of smiling, Hutch seemed to slink further down in the bed. "I'll have to give my statement. I don't want to talk about Francine. I don't fully remember what happened."

"Don't worry," Big Ben soothed. "We have enough on Francine. Her minions should testify against her – if it comes to that."

"I don't want to testify," Hutch bemoaned.

"Maybe you won't have to." Starsky tried to comfort him. "You know we'll do everything to protect you."

Later when everyone but Starsky left, Joshua going to dinner with Mickey and Big Ben, the shadow on Hutch's face was still there.

"You know you can ask me anything," Starsky said, sensing his partner was trying to gather up his nerve.

"Starsk, I know you'll tell me the truth. Did Francine . . . did she?"

"Looks like it, partner." Starsky leaned in to hug his best friend. "We found your juices on the bed."

Hutch turned away, sideways and stared out the window. He closed his eyes and refused to talk any more that night.

TBC