Chapter 1 Part II

Sorry, I should have posted this as Chapter 1 Part II when I posted Part I. For future chapters I will do so. As I said, I am trying to portray this from both points of view so each section will be shown from both Starsky and Hutch.

Thank you for your kind reviews!

Hutch

I couldn't believe it when my beloved car wouldn't start. Of all days for it to let me down, and of course I had my grinning partner gloating at me, telling me my car was bound to give up the ghost one day, and the day had finally arrived. Very much against my better judgement, I allowed him to persuade me to take the car to Merle the Earl, who was supposedly some kind of magician with cars. I wasn't happy, and I wasn't happy to be messing around on this particular day. We were due in court for the sentencing hearing of Simon Marcus, who would have to be one of the most dangerous lunatics I'd ever come across. His trail of violent and bloody murders was sickening to us, despite the fact we'd seen all kinds of examples of man's inhumanity to man. I sometimes wondered how my partner could maintain his always cheerful and optimistic outlook on life. I know I let the job drag me down at times and became moody and difficult. Starsky didn't. At worst, he became quiet for a few days but he always bounced back. My volatile, stubborn partner always saw the best in people and situations. It's what drew people to him, both young and old. It's what I loved best about him, even though he drove me to distraction at times. The Marcus case had done it's damage and affected us both, and we were only too grateful for the fact it was nearly over. He'd been tried and found guilty, now it was just the sentencing to be handed down. Of course we had to get there first and I was already objecting to Merle's attitude to my car. I was kind of used to Starsky's disdain and it had become a game between us. I loved him, my stubborn partner, but his taste in cars was truly deplorable.

"Sheeeee-oooot! Man, that's disgusting!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Sure my car was a bit beaten up, but it had character. I'd be damned if I'd stand by and listen to this.

"I didn't bring my car to be insulted, Starsk. There're plenty mechanics who'd be thrilled to have my business!" I pointed my finger towards Merle, trying to warn him to shut up.

"Hutch, there ain't a mechanic living who's good enough to wipe Merle's dipstick. He's a genius." I was too angry to speak.

"Whadda ya think, man?" Starsky was determined that Merle would fix my car.

"Baby, I am Merl the Earl, the customizin' Pearl. Bringing this clunker to me is like goin' to a brain surgeon with a case of the piles. I got standards to maintain."

Merle tried to climb out from under the car, muttering as he did. "When a car is wild, it's like my child."

I was holding my temper with a great deal of difficulty.

"Yeah, well…Even for free, you ain't for me." I waved my finger as I spoke. I didn't want to leave my car but I seemed to have little choice in the matter. A glance at my watch revealed time passing. "We're due in court…"

"Hutch, the way you're engine's been missing, you're liable to conk out on the freeway. At least let Merl tune it up. Come on..." Starsky was putting on his most persuasive voice and I always had difficulty arguing with him when he used that tone. Plus I didn't really have time.

"All right, but I don't want to come back and find my car looking like something from a float parade on Mars." I stormed over to the Torino. I had a lot of doubts about doing this and had a sickening feeling that I would live to regret it.

I heard Starsky's comment to Merle, which only added to my tension.

"You got that, Merle? Nothing super-natural. Just get the bugs out."

Starsky climbed in the Torino, and I saw him glancing my way. I tried to ignore Merle waving his hands around and pointing at my car.

"What you mean, get the bugs out? This ain't no car, it's a cock-roach. It's all bug. Starsky, get this mess outta my face!" Starsky grinned as he pushed the accelerator pedal down and we took off, leaving Merle waving wildly.

"I hope I did the right thing." I was very doubtful.

"Relax, Merle's been lookin' after the Torino for years." Starsky shifted the gears noisily as we sped up.

"Thanks a lot." I grumbled.

"Aw, shit, look at that, Hutch." I looked up at Starsky's comment. The steps to the courthouse were covered with Marcus' followers and the name "Si-mon, Si-mon" was being repeated endlessly. It could have been a funny scene, had it not been so serious. A group of doped up junkies chanting after their hero, a serial killer. It was almost hypnotic. I glanced in concern as I felt Starsky shiver next to me. In a characteristic move, he tried to make light of it.

"Catchy, huh? I bet it's moving right up on the charts."

I grinned and responded. "From the album "Music to Bring the Gas Chamber Back." I knew how to get through to Starsky, but I was surprised to feel how tense he was.

We were both trying to ignore the reporters and their inane comments but we were caught as we got to the door.

"And here are Detectives Starsky and Hutchinson, the dedicated police officers who brought about the arrest and conviction of Simon Marcus through their tireless efforts..." He ignored my glare as we tried to push past. I knew before he spoke, that Starsky would respond and he did.

"What tireless? I'm pooped."

"We think it's a vitamin deficiency." I ignored his glare, as I tried to push us both forward.

The reporter continued, somewhat thrown, "Yes... yes! I'm sure bringing Simon Marcus to justice has been exhausting, but what do you have t say to our television audience...?"

"There's a good movie on the other channel." My partner has a big mouth at times, especially when he was nervous.

"That's off the record." I pushed us both forward quickly.

The Judge had forbidden access to his court for the sentencing hearing and security was tight. The air was thick but the sounds of the chanting still echoed through the halls. Again, I could feel the tension emanating from Starsky.

We met up with Dobey who was waiting impatiently at the door.

"Starsky... Hutch... I got seats for you up front."

"Thanks, Captain. I'll make it a quick comfort stop so I won't miss anything. Right back." Starsky walked jauntily away, seeming not to have a care in the world. However I knew better. I could sense his unease.

"That's some superstition your partner's got--hitting the john before a sentencing. You think it does any good?" Dobey asked as we sat down.

I shrugged as I responded. "All I know is every time he does it, the bad guy takes a heavy fall and in this business, when something works, you stay with it!" I was trying to hide my own nervousness now as I watched Judge Yager enter the room and take his seat at the bench. I found myself praying that this judge wouldn't see fit to be lenient. You never could tell with judges.

"All rise. Court is now in session. Judge Arlen B. Yager presiding. Be seated." The Bailiff spoke and we obeyed. I took a quick glance around but there was no sign of Starsky.

The judge rapped his gavel sharply. "We know why we're here. Let's get to it. Bailiff! Bring out the prisoner."

I watched the silent evil looking form of Simon Marcus as he entered the court, and I wondered what he was thinking. He was so cool and collected, you would never have guessed he was about to face sentencing on several murder charges. He was a tall and imposing figure, long dark hair with an inverted cross on his forehead. It was his eyes that stuck with you. Completely cold and evil. I had never come across evil personified before but I had little doubt that Simon Marcus was as close to it as could be. I found myself reacting as he gave me a quick, evil smirk. My heart dropped but I wasn't sure why.

The judge rapped his gavel again and cleared his throat before speaking. "Simon Marcus... you have been tried and found guilty of nine counts of murder in the first degree and of such additional and barbarous crimes that were it in the power of this court to condemn you to the flames of eternal damnation, it would do so with dispatch!"

I breathed in a sigh of relief, this judge didn't sound like he was about to be lenient.

The judge continued, "The greatest penalty of law may impose is insufficient to cleanse the filthy stain of your depravity from the fabric of decent, human behavior, but..."

Dobey and I exchanged a glance as the judge stopped speaking. He was handed a note and we could see him reading it quickly. We watched as the note was handed back to the court officer and I felt my heart sinking as the officer approached us. My heart started pounding hard as Marcus turned and grinned directly at me. My hands were shaking as I opened the note handed to me.

"Where is Starsky?"

I felt my world tilt but I refused to panic immediately. He had to be all right, he just had to be.

"I'll be right back." I looked at Dobey, drew my gun as I left the courtroom, my steps increasing in speed. I vaguely heard him barking out orders but my mind and concentration were on Starsky. I started to run, fighting back the overwhelming panic I was feeling already. Cops, where were the cops? I automatically slowed down at the men's room door, hesitated for barely a second and then charged in with my gun drawn. I felt sick at what I saw, sick and horrified.

"Oh my God, no, please, no." On the mirror, written in what looked like blood, was "Starsky." The blood on some of the letters had trickled down. It was truly the most frightening sight I'd ever seen and I had to stop myself from throwing up.