Author: Lady Blue 75

Beta Reader: Nancy...Thank you my friend

1978

XxxXx

Captain Dobey entered Rose Park Hospital, with a forensics team close behind him. He entered the room where Dr. Broomswell had resided. The staff appeared shocked, as their eyes followed the officers every step. Patients stood at the opened doors, sadness covered their faces. Many of the staff and patients had liked Dr. Broomswell.

Captain Dobey peered through the open glass door; his blond detective paced the balcony floor of Rose Park Hospital. The big Captain motioned for an officer to follow him to the balcony.

Hutch held the small white cup in a plastic bag. "Here dust this for prints and that door frame also she touched both."

Captain Dobey approached his detective, who at that moment appeared high-strung. "Hutchinson, I will need a statement from you."

Hutch stared toward the road in the distance. "I'm going to see if I can spot my…" Hutch shook his head in disbelief. He raised his hand toward the street. "Well, for the car that is, the exact make and model as mine."

Captain Dobey moved his eyes around, till he saw the Captain of the forensics team enter. "We have things covered here now, hold on I'm going with you Hutchinson. I don't need you on the streets alone." Captain Dobey made his way over to the forensics Captain, and shook his hand.

Hutch walked over to the officer, who was pre-occupied dusting for prints. "Have you got the prints?"

The officer appeared to be in his early twenties, with dark curly hair. He resembled Starsky at that age. Hutch's mind faded back. A young blond man stood at the Police Academy steps, gazing upward. Displayed across the top of the building written in white was Bay City Police Academy. The young man turned to face a dark curly-haired man.

The brunet grinned as he put out his hand. "Hi I'm David Starsky."

The blond smiled as his hand gripped Starsky's hand. "I'm Ken Hutchinson."

The memory came to an abrupt end when Hutch heard the young officer speak. "Yes sir Sergeant Hutchinson, they were where you stated." The officer nodded to his superior.

Hutch stressed. "This is important; I want a rush on it."

The officer nodded. "Yes Sir, Sergeant Hutchinson, I will see to it myself. Sir, I hope your partner gets better and back on the streets soon. If I can be half the officers you two are...well, Sir."

Hutch gripped the young officer's shoulder. "If that's your objective, don't settle for half."

The young officer watched as Hutch walked away.

Xxx

Hutch and Captain Dobey walked toward Hutch's car, as they approached the Galaxy 500.

A voice over the radio could be heard. "Zebra Three."

Captain Dobey grabbed the mic. "Zebra Three here."

"Zebra Three, Huggy Bear needs to speak to Detective Hutchinson."

Hutch grabbed the mic from his Captain. "Talk to me, Huggy."

Huggy responded. "Hutch, I am standing here wondering why your car is sitting out back of my place, with no Blondie."

Hutch had a shocked expression form across his face. "I'm on my way, Hug." Hutch shook his head and with a slight grin. "I hate to admit it, Captain. I wish I had Starsky's tomato right now, it's fast."

Hutch floored the gas pedal as Captain Dobey put the Mars light on top the beat up Galaxy 500. Hutch tapped nervously on the steering wheel. His eyes blazed blue from the sunlight that hit them through his wind-shield. "Your friend." Hutch snapped his fingers together as he tried to remember. "Your partner needs medication, or he could go into shock. The doctor, whoever the man was, on the road where Starsky had his wreck. He referred to Starsky as my friend, your partner. Captain how the hell, did he know Starsky was my partner?"

Captain Dobey's eyes had not left his detectives face. "Damn, maybe Broomswell was trying to kill Starsky or knew who was."

Hutch remained silence until he pulled up to The Pits. "Broomswell seemed oblivious to the fact that we had met on the road. He sustained a head injury, well a bullet in his brain. While in the war, the bullet still remained, it was too risky to remove."

Hutch and his Captain walked into, The Pits. Huggy Bear motioned for them to follow him. Huggy opened the door that lead to the back lot. A beat up beige Gallery 500, was parked.

Hutch's eyes became wide. The detective walked around the car. His face held a look of amazement. "Every dent is the same."

Huggy replied. "As if your car gave birth, to this one."

Hutch walked around back, to check out the license plate. He stared at the plate in astonishment. It was identical to his car. Hutch eyed the plate closer; a scratch was on the left side. "Do you remember over a year ago, Captain?"

Captain Dobey remarked. "I remember a bullet bounced off your plate, then hit your partners hard head."

Huggy stated. "It saved Starsky's life that day."

Hutch inhaled a deep breath in and tilted his head. "Except this was not from a random bullet, someone etched this."

Huggy responded. "Somebody's been watching both you and Starsky. I mean close up and personal."

Hutch spotted a note on the seat, it read. "Catch me if you can blond cop." Hutch's jaw became rigid, the tension travelled down to his neck. It caused the veins to become prominent. "Damn it! They're playing games with me. Why?"

Huggy responded. "Come into my establishment, Captain. Blondie here needs a beer. Hutch your wound up tight, you need to relax my friend."

Hutch shook his head as he raised his hand toward the duplicate car. "I'll get it fingerprinted, but my guess is they have wiped her clean."

The men walked back inside The Pits. A downhearted look had overtaken Hutch's features. "Starsky should be right here with us. What if he can't function as a cop?" Hutch slammed his hand on the table, "Damn!"

Huggy handed Hutch a beer. "You need to relax my friend, take one day at a time. You need to get some sleep."

Hutch took a long drink, and then rubbed his tired face. "With Starsky back in the hospital...

Huggy's big soft brown eyes gazed at Hutch as he grabbed his arm. " Starsky's going to be fine, you'll see...my friend."

A dark vail of sadness overtook Hutch. "We were home everything was fine, then Starsk developed a high fever in the night. I got him back to the hospital, then that damn woman shot Starsky. She had on heavy makeup like you would wear on stage...maybe...

Captain Dobey came back. "Minnie's on her way, she will dust for fingerprints and hopefully find some clues."

Hutch remarked. "Well, she wanted to get out in the field. This will be a good start."

The waitress brought another round of beers. Hutch waved his hand. "I'm driving, no more for me."

Huggy stared at Hutch. "How long have I known you my blond friend? The Bear has your back. Drink up Hutch. Huggy will drive you to the hospital. Starsky would have my hide if I didn't watch over you."

A slight smile formed on Hutch's lips as he nodded.

Captain Dobey remarked. "Well, I better get home or Mrs Dobey will have my hide." The Captain grabbed the last fry off his plate. "I'll call you in the morning, Hutchinson."

Xxx

The next day. The fingerprints

Hutch woke to the sound of the phone that rang, he grabbed it. A gravelled voice that was familiar caught Hutch's attention. "Hutchinson we got the prints, back from the door frame. You need to get down here, now!"

Hutch stood up pulled his cargo pants, over his boxers. Reached under the bed and pulled a shoe toward him. "Where is my other shoe?"

Starsky tried to laugh, but it made his head hurt. "T-t-try the j-j-jon."

Hutch moved toward the restroom, on the floor laid his shoe. "I must have been tired last night."

Starsky smiled. "I think you were feeling real good last -t-t."

Hutch laughed. "I felt no pain."

Starsky weakly tried to focus in on his frazzled partner.

Hutch eyed Starsky. "Dobey doesn't sound happy. Do you need anything before I leave, Buddy?"

Starsky waved his hand for Hutch to leave.

Hutch reached his hand out and ruffled Starsky dark curls. "I'll be back later Starsk." Hutch stood at the open door, reluctant to leave.

Bay City Metro.

Hutch made it to the station. He entered the office to see his Captain as he paced the floor.

Hutch sat down. "So what's going on, Captain?" The Captain replied. "The prints from the door-frame are from a missing woman."

Hutch appeared puzzled. "So the redheaded nurse was missing?"

Captain Dobey rubbed his hand across his tense neck. "These prints are not from the redhead. They are from a corpse; she's been dead for three days."

Hutch's jaw dropped.

Captain Dobey tossed the coroner's report on his desk. "Someone found her in the early morning hours in the back alley at Rose Park Hospital." Captain Dobey eyed Hutch. "There's more. They found skin off someone's finger, on the floor by the balcony doorway."

Hutch grabbed the report off his Captain's desk, he scanned over it. "Damn." Hutch sat back down, he appeared shocked. "So you're telling me someone killed her. Cut the prints off her fingers, then dumped her body in the alley."

Captain Dobey took his pencil and tossed it on his desk. "You're damn straight that's what I'm saying."

Hutch became silence for a moment. Then stood back up, he put his hand to his forehead. "An average person wouldn't have the skills to do that, Captain. It would take a steady hand." Hutch's eyes became ice blue as they froze toward his Captain. "The hands of a skilled, surgeon."

Captain Dobey stated. "I've had all the files pulled, for the past year of yours and Starsky arrest. We have narrowed it down to any that have had contact with the medical field."

Hutch opened the door then turned toward his Captain. "I'll see if Huggy has any leads that might help."

Captain Dobey remarked. "Oh Hutch, Huggy called he's up at the hospital with Starsky."

"Then that's where I'm headed, Captain." Hutch answered. "Then I'm going to the morgue. I'll check out the dead girl's fingertips."

Captain Dobey inhale deeply. "You do realize who she was, Son?"

"I noticed the name right off; this is going to hit Starsky hard. He was a mentor to her. Starsky got her off the streets. This is the last thing he needs to hear right now."

"It's best to tell him up front, Son." Captain Dobey remarked.

Hutch said, "I know, Captain, but it doesn't make it any easier."

Xxx

Hutch opened the door to Starsky's hospital room. His features took on seriousness, as he looked at Starsky then Huggy. "There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to...say it. On the floor by the door-frame at Rose Park Hospital the forensics found skin off someone's finger. The skin was from a woman who was found dead in the alley behind Rose Park Hospital."

Starsky shook his head in sorrow. "What t- t- the hell! Starsky still had problems with his brain; therefore his words came out slurred.

Hutch hesitated as he sat down in a chair right across from his brunet partner. "Starsky it was Rosie Parker."

Starsky's skin turned white, his eyes grey with sadness. "Rosie, she sold hot-dogs on the corner- r- r of main street. Nice lady, I always got-t hot-dogs from her-r." Starsky stumbled slowly on his words.

Huggy chimed in. "I always gave her the extra hot-dogs; she would cook them on my grill. Rosie was going to work here on the weekends." Huggy's face drew downward.

Hutch stood up and stretched his legs. He rubbed his tired eyes. "Huggy do you know anyone associated with the medical profession?"

Huggy thought. "There was this chick, long blond hair, she's a theatre actress. She came in here wearing these black pants and top. Man, let me tell you it hugged her like skin. She turned heads in here. The chick bragged she was training to be a skilled surgeon. She said she was an apprentice of some hot-shot doctor at Bay City General Hospital. From the sounds of it, there was more playing doctor, then learning. If you get my drift?"

Hutch ran his hand across his mouth. "Do you remember her name?"

Huggy shook his head. "No my friend, it was last Friday night and my place was hopping. I will keep my eyes and ears open. She said that she built cars on the side. The chick had bragged she had built a red car, and it would be faster than that red Torino the brunet cop drives."

Hutch remarked. "Well, the lady likes fast red cars, but that doesn't tie her to the murder. I'll go to the hospital tomorrow, see what I can find out. Wait, Hug you said, she had built a red car, and it's going to be faster then...Where's the closest theatre around here now?"

Huggy thought for a minute. "That new one at the corner of Main and Ocean drive.

How long has the old theatre been closed? Hutch asked.

Huggy stared at Hutch. "Oh about fifteen years now. I know that look. What's turning in that blond brain of yours?"

Huggy reached over and squeezed Hutch's shoulder. "If you're thinking about going to that creepy old place, you come get The Bear. You don't have curly to watch your butt, plus I know the ins and outs of that place.

Huggy opened the door, "You two get some sleep, you both look awful."

Xxx

Morning came too soon for the blond detective, as the sun hit his face that still slept. Hutch raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sudden burst of brightness. He tried to make out the dark silhouette figure that stood at the open curtain. A nurse stood at the open curtain, blond hair cascaded down her back. She batted her long false eyelashes toward Hutch. The detective never noticed, the bright sunlight caught his eyes and temporarily blinded them.

She playfully giggled, "Oh my, sorry detective I didn't realize anyone else was here. How could I have missed a gorgeous man like you?"

Under normal circumstances Hutch would have flirted back, but he was not in the mood. The two nights that Hutch had slept on the uncomfortable cot and Starsky weighed heavily on his mind. Hutch stood up, making the detective realized how tired he had been. He glanced down; his cargo pant had remained on. His belt still hooked around his waist.

Laughter left the nurse's mouth, before she could stop. "Do you always sleep with your pant and belt on?" Her face became sensual. "I'd like for you to show me your gun, sometime gorgeous."

A sudden rush of red-covered Hutch's face. "If nurses keep waking me up, that's not happening any time soon."

He reached for his shoulder strap and hooked it on. Hutch pulled out his magnum from under the cot. The detective reached for his brown jacket and put it on. Hutch's eyes had adjusted to the bright sunlight that streamed through the window. He turned to face, a heavily made-up face, lashes extended from the nurse's eye lids. Obviously they were fake; Hutch couldn't help, but stare.

Hutch turned toward Starsky. "I have to go Buddy; the nurse has your breakfast, so you can take your medicine."

Starsky was sill feeling the veil of narcotics in his system. His eyes were glazed and focused toward the nurse.

A shocked expression left his lips. "Y-you're leavin' me-e alone-e with Frankenstein's bride?" Starsky glared at her and pulled his blanket close around his neck. "Maybe you're a vampire; your skin is pale enough." Starsky made his fingers in the form of a cross.

Hutch looKed in Starsky's direction a smiled formed across the blonds face as he closed the door and swiftly moved down the hallway.

The nurse uncovered the tray, Starsky's eyes turned a bright blue. A twinkle came back as he gazed over the food. Displayed before him were pancakes, bacon, eggs, and a bottle of maple syrup.

Starsky glared at the nurse. "Well, you may look- k-k like a vampire, but your good- d in my book lady."

She leered at Starsky, an evil grinned crossed her face. Starsky didn't notice as the brunet detective enjoyed his breakfast. It had been a few days since Dr. Yang had allowed Starsky to have solid food.

Suddenly dizziness took hold of Starsky. He blinked several times and stared toward the nurse. "You drugged my y food."

She came toward the brunet detective's face and whispered in his ear. "Sorry Starsky, wait...we should be on a first name basis, don't you think so, David? It has to be this way. You see, your partner killed someone close to my boss's heart. That blond cop will suffer, by watching everything he luvs destroyed, starting with you. What a waste to kill you. I wanted you for my own, but Hutchinson must suffer."

The nurse moved her hand slowly down her thigh as she seductively pulled her white dress futher up revealing a small pistol. Quickly she pulled the tiny gun out of its hoster pointing it point blake at Starsky.

The brunets blue eyes turned black as midnight. His eyes never left contact with the beautiful, but deadly green eyes. A possessed look seemed to cover her face. Suddenly a look of shock overtook the brunet officers features.

Starsky tried to focus in on the blond woman. "You're nothing, but-t a piece of scum-m-m. If you kill-l me Hutch-h-h will hunt you down, and trus- t me, lady- yy." Starsky coughed, as blood ran from his side.

The strange woman had shot him; she had a silencer on her gun. "It's better this way David your brain will never be right again."

Starsky managed to hit the code blue button.

Rage covered her face. "What have you done, you fool?"

The woman lunged toward the open balcony door; her hands and feet clung tight to the ledge. She was gone before anyone could identify her.

Hutch was waiting at the elevator door when he heard the code blue, The nurses and doctors hurried to Starsky's room. Hutch ran down the hall, he busted into Starsky's room.

His partner softly called out, "Hutchhh!"

Hutch quickly said, "I'm here Stark, what happened." Hutch got closer to Starsky so he could try to understand what Starsky had said. His face held a look of shock when he saw the blood that covered the once white sheet. Hutch reached out his hand. "I'm here Buddy, lay still."

"Hutchhhhh, that nurse-ee said, she would destroy- y-y..." Starsky passed out before he could finish.

The doctor had a grim face as he firmly announced. "We will lose him if we don't get him to surgery now."

The doctor and nurses quickly pushed Starsky's bed out the door.

The shock had set on Hutch's features. He held his hand up. It shook uncontrollably. Hutch slipped his unstoppable hand in his pocket. A tear ran down his face, he wiped it with the back of his hand. Blue eyes had turned cloudy with fear. Hutch hurried down the hall as the nurses pushed Starsky inside the surgery room.

Hutch felt empty; there had been no time for him to gaze into Starsky's eyes to assure him that he would be right outside when Starsky came out of surgery. Hutch sat in a chair right outside as he waited, and hopped for a miracle. Hutch thought about the nurse that had been in Starsky's room. The heavy white make-up and false eyelashes, he found it odd for a nurse to be made-up like that at a hospital. Then Hutch realized that it was theatre make-up. The blond nurse was the same woman at Huggy's…maybe.

Hutch became frustrated. "Why the hell did I not see this?"

XxxAn hour passed

The door opened from the surgery room. Hutch walked toward the doctor quickly.

The doctor put his hand on Hutch's shoulder. "Your partner will be fine." The doctor held up a book, the title read, New Cars for 1978. Your partner held this book. The bullet went through most of the pages. Then the bullet stopped, but the impact burst a main vain. That's why so much blood. We got to him before he bled out."

The doctor pulled out another small book from the pages. "It should be covered in blood." The doctor turned his head toward Hutch. "I don't know how, but by God this thin little book saved your partner's life."

Hutch reached out and softly took the book and held it in his hand. A Thousand Ways to Win Monopoly. Hutch examined the small thin paper book. It was as if it stopped the bullet. A small crease from the bullet was left on the cover, but continued no further. Hutch stared at it; the hurt was still raw with Starsky. Hell, it hung over Hutch like a nightmare.

The doctor's voice brought Hutch back from the memory. Amazement settled on the doctor's face, while he remarked. "Whoever Terry is she must be a special lady."

He squeezed Hutch's shoulder, then turned and walked down the hall.

Hutch opened the small thin book, now splattered with Starsky's blood. Written in ink, I luv you Dave…Terry.

Hutch spoke softly. "She was a special lady." He gazed out the window toward the sky. "Thank you."

Xxx

Arthur's Note: Starsky and Hutch, TV series ran from 1975 to 1979. The episode, Starsky's lady, was about the luv of his life…Terry. An enemy of Starsky's shot her in the head. I will stop here so I will not spoil it for those who have not seen it. It is a moving episode, be sure you have a box of Kleenex…