THE EDGE OF DARKNESS
CHAPTER 11
-------------
Huggy crouched down in the back of the police cruiser. He wasn't about to remain isolated from his friends but he settled back to wait until the opportunity arose. Huggy waited until the Captain was out of sight and the other uniformed men were busy going over their assignments. He opened the car door and quietly slipped away from the other police. He kept low, his body bent over, as he followed along the walls of the buildings until he reached his bar. He wanted to know first hand what was happening and be there to comfort his friends in any way possible. He forced himself to think positive as he got closer to the tense scene. He had no wish to get in the way, but he had to know about Starsky and Hutch.
Dobey's men waited. Each man kept their eyes on the bar's back door.
The officers were unsure what to expect but acutely aware of their fellow officers and friends inside. Suddenly, Dobey turned toward a dumpster next to the fence behind him. Guns pointed toward the noise but the Captain waved everyone off. Tentatively, Dobey walked toward the fence, thinking he heard scratching in the dirt. He was perhaps 10 feet away when a muddy, scrawney dog came into view.
Huggy saw the dog too and knew it was Special, the stray dog he'd been feeding anytime it came around his bar. He cautiously moved toward Dobey who glared at him but let the other man continue forward. The dog cocked it's head and wagged his tail as he recognized his friend. He took a few steps toward Huggy but suddenly it shifted direction and started to growl. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. Huggy continued walking toward it but quickly, the animal darted past Huggy and ran toward the back door of the bar. Huggy winced as he heard guns cocked and saw the men take aim.
"Captain, please don't shoot him! He don't mean no harm. He won't hurt anyone!"
The captain held up his hand, silently demanding that each man wait. They watched as the dog stopped at the door. It stood still but started a long, drawn out howling. It stopped and barked a deep menacing growl before it started the howling again.
Like a movie in slow motion, the next seconds spread out before the group. The dog suddenly stopped and backed away from the door. It did not move again but started a heavy growl. The dog kept it up until the screen door of the bar sprang open. The growling was joined by a human noise so blood curdling that time seemed to stand still. There in the door way was Stone Crawford. He propelled himself forward, keening and wailing. The dog stopped and backed away. Stone also stopped the incessant noise and became calm and tranquil as he raised his arms with a gun in hand. But he spoke in a quiet, welcoming voice, unconcerned that guns were ready to take him down.
"Come in gentlemen. I've been expecting you! Help me answer my calling!"
Stone slowly turned back inside the bar while behind him, Captain Dobey made a decision. The Captain ordered only one other person to join him as he entered the bar to follow the convict. The less people involved in the danger he expected, the better. He had no wish to award posthumous medals of honor to families.
"Stop! Stop right now or I'll be forced to shoot!" The Captain aimed his weapon as he followed Stone back into the bar.
The convict disappeaped inside followed by the Captain. Huggy pushed forward, wanting to get to the dog, but he tripped and landed on his knees. The dog turned his attention to Huggy and ran to join the fallen man. Huggy gave up trying to ignore the pain in his head and the dizziness that had never disappeared since he first was attacked. He welcomed the dog, who without hesitation, joined Huggy on the ground. The dog wagged it's tail as Huggy pressed the dog to him. A whirlwind of different emotions assaulted Huggy as he held the dog in his arms. He was happy that the dog finally trusted him but selfishly, Huggy just wanted to feel another heart beat. He was extremely worried about the plight of his friends. Huggy closed his eyes against the images that flashed through his brain.
He said his own silent mantra of peace as he watched the police Captain and another officer follow Stone back into the bar. Their guns were drawn and ready to fire.
Captain Dobey and the other officer walked into the bar, their guns held out in front of them. They took a few steps into the main section before Captain Dobey motioned for the officer with him to stand where he was. The scene that greeted the officers was one of opposites. They reached the inside only to find Stone calmly waiting for them. However, he had his back to them with a gun pointed at Hutch.
Captain Dobey swept the room with his gun and his eyes, taking in each person's position. He saw Starsky laying very still. He was badly beaten and bleeding. Hutch stood over him, putting himself in between his friend and the crazed convict. Hutch also was bleeding from the head and his arm was cradled close to his body, his chest heaving with the effort it took him to stay on his feet. A dark and dangerous look shadowed the blond's face. He was hunched over in pain but it was apparent that his first concern was for Starsky.
Quietly, but firmly Dobey spoke to Stone.
"Stone Crawford, I order you to turn around, put your gun down and kick it to me. Do it now!" Stone continued to face Hutch, waving the gun between the two men as if trying to decide whom to shoot first. His indecision was about to cost him.
"Crawford, do as I say! Put your hands up or I'll be forced to shoot!" Dobey inclined his head, indicating that he wanted the other officer to move to the Captain's side and cover Crawford from that angle. Stone had not said a word since Dobey had entered the restaurant. They were definately at a stand off and only Stone knew how it was all going to end.
Crawford took a step back, aimed directly at Hutch who at that moment lunged toward the prison garbed inmate. But before Stone could get a shot off, a bullet ripped into his side which caused him to spin around. He smiled at Dobey before he lurched back toward Hutch and aimed again. Another shot to the gunman's back and Crawford went down in a heap.
Stone lay sprawled on the ground. Dobey kept his gun pointed at Stone as he carefully moved to examine the body. He kicked the weapon out of the way.
The Captain bent to kneel beside the fallen man, listening to Stone Crawford's last words.
"I won! The voices are pleased! I have the promise of eternity!" Stone choked as he tried to inhale but forced his voice out once more with the last of his strength.
"My Destiny!"
Stone's final breath shuddered from his chest and the man was dead.
Dobey stood up but before he could reach him, Hutch wilted to the floor and groaned as he lay there.
Captain Dobey moved quickly outside and stopped long enough to reassure everyone that Stone was dead but that Starsky and Hutch were in grave condition.
"We all need to get to work. I want the coroner's wagon, crime investigators and especially the medics... get in here now!" The Captain's big voice boomed even as he turned back into the bar to be with Starsky and Hutch.
Huggy pressed himself harder into his dog, now officially named Special. He rubbed the dog's ears briskly but stood up, intending to join the Captain. He took a few steps but fell to his knees again. The ground spun around him and his ears buzzed before he lost consciousness. One cop went to help Huggy while another went into the bar to update the situation outside.
Inside the bar, the paramedics surrounded Starsky, checking his vital signs and calling out the various condition of each injury. They requested another ambulance just as the cop from outside joined them.
"Excuse me sir, but the bar owner just collapsed outside. You're gonna need another ambulance." The young cop swallowed hard as he watched the attention that was focused on the two detectives. He shrank back as Dobey barked out his displeasure.
"What the hell... I told the guy to get to the hospital!" Dobey stopped his tirade as he looked from Starsky to Hutch and back at Starsky. He couldn't very well blame Huggy for wanting to be near his friends. Dobey sighed and wiped his face wtih his hand as he turned back to the young cop.
"We already requested another ambulance son. Just wait outside for them and make sure one of them sees to Huggy. Thanks for the information."
At present the paramedics were both hovering over Starsky, realizing that his condition was far more critical than the blond man's. Dobey crouched down beside Hutch. He was unsure what to say but he wanted the blond to know that Starsky was in good hands. Hutch was agitated and in pain but wiggled his way toward his friend. Dobey put his hand out to comfort Hutch but the blond was intent on getting to the dark haired man.
"Cap... He hasn't moved in at least 20 minutes! I just gotta know..." Hutch forced himself into a sitting position and leaned into Starsky.
He reached down to grasp the pale wrist. He wrapped his fingers around the lax hand, searching for the life pulse. The paramedics had already announced that the pulse was thready and weak but Hutch needed to feel the life for himself, no matter how faint.
As he held the hand, Hutch's chin dipped down to rest on his chest. He could feel the pulse and for now, that was enough. He could believe that Starsky would survive.
"Hutch, c'mon now boy. You gotta let these guys help you too. You did all you could to protect Starsky but now, just lay back, let them look at you." Dobey pressed gently on Hutch's chest to guide him back to the floor.
Hutch didn't or couldn't resist any longer. He let the men work over him but the blond kept twisting his head, calling out to Starsky.
"Hey buddy, don't you give up on me! I'm here. You'll be okay!"
Hutch's voice weakend. His eyes fluttered shut but opened again as he once again turned toward his friend.
A last look at Starsky and Hutch gave up. He had no more power left for anything but breathing. The last thing he remembered was the pain in his shoulder and Starsky's name echoing around him. The room swirled and dipped until there was nothing.
The medics worked quickly to get both men stabilized and ready to transport to the hospital. Dobey noticed that the men worked steadily and whispered in short sentences to each other. Two worked exclusively with Starsky while the other tended to the blond. Soon after, the detectives were ready and on their way to the hospital.
Dobey stood in the bar after everyone left, looking at the discarded and bloody materials and pieces of clothing. He took in a deep breath and as the ragged air scraped over his lungs and out of his mouth, Captain Dobey wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He sniffed and looked around one more time. It wouldn't do his reputation any good if anyone had seen the crack in his armour.
As he walked back outside, his voice thundered with directions and demands. Through the gruffness, he softened his words to every man he came to with a grateful pat on the shoulder. He continued the rounds, making sure that the work got done and reminding everyone that he wanted their reports on his desk in 24 hours, if not sooner.
The Captain had to keep his mind focused on his duties but he found he kept looking at his watch, measuring how much time had elapsed since the ambulances had left the scene. Just as Dobey was on the police radio, he saw the dog.
It stood off by itself as if waiting for something. Dobey clicked off the microphone and walked slowly toward the animal. The dog backed away but did not growl or run.
"Hey Johnson, you got anything to eat in the squad car?" By this time, the investigation was winding down and most of the detectives and crime investigators had already left. It was very late but Dobey felt obliged to feed this animal. In a matter of minutes, a collection of donuts, cereal and half a sandwich were rounded up. Johnson brought the gifts to the dog and just set them on the ground in front of Huggy's new friend.
The dog's tail began to wag as he watched the people in front of him. He stood over the food, sniffing each item. Dobey continued to watch but the dog did not immediately start to eat. Finally the Captain turned away to attend to another question and as the men turned back to their tasks, it began to take small bites.
The dog named Special stopped feasting and once again studied his surroundings. He bit down on the donut and kept his teeth around it. He made his way to Captain Dobey. The big man stood with his back to the dog, reading over a log concerning details of the day. A low whine from behind caught Dobey's attention and the young man he'd been talking to. As they turned to look, the dog dropped the donut at the Captain's feet. It sat back on it's haunches and it's ears stood up, it's mouth hung open and tongue wagging.
Dobey looked back at his companion, smiled and burst out laughing. The tension was broken and a round of whoops and applause broke out. The dog seemed satisfied with it's offering and Dobey was relieved to know that they'd all made a new friend. He doubted that the dog would let any of them touch him or take him home, but the Captain could make arrangements for a cruiser to come by regularly while Huggy was hospitalized in order to feed the dog. No one wanted to see this animal neglected or harmed.