As tired as he was when he plopped down on his couch, Hutch simply could not bring himself to take a nap. His mind was spinning with thoughts of the last several hours. He didn't have any earthly idea who would have wanted his partner dead. It bothered him that he had no way of bringing justice to Starsky's attack. Hutch wondered if he should ask Huggy to see what he could find out. That's not a bad idea. We do it all the time. Why should this case be any different?
Hutch finally decided against trying to nap. Instead, he reached for a notepad and a pen, and did something his mother had always told him to do: "When you're feeling bad, write somebody a letter."
Hey pal,
Listen, I don't know what's going on. I don't know if you're gonna wake up, and I'm about to go insane, worrying about it. Melissa is worried about telling Ashley, and that little girl is going to be devastated when she finds out. I talked to Huggy and Captain Dobey today, and they were both sorry about the whole thing. But somehow their pity doesn't seem so important, because I know that it won't bring you out of that coma. The fact of the matter is, I need you to come out of this thing. If you don't make it, I don't know what I'll do.
Hutch put the pen and paper down, telling himself that he would finish the letter later. He needed to get a shower and head over to Melissa's.
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Melissa and Hutch were in the kitchen washing dishes when they heard Ashley walk through the front door. "Mom, who's car is that outside?"
They joined her on the couch. "This is Hutch," introduced Melissa. "He's friends with Dave. Hutch, meet Ashley."
The eight-year-old red-head mumbled a quiet "hello" as she looked around the room. Turning back to her mother, Ashley inquired, "Where is Dave?" She then turned her attention to Hutch. "Why didn't he come with you?"
The adults exchanged glances before Melissa responded. "Sweetheart, we need to talk. I wasn't exactly sure how to tell you, and Hutch agreed to come over."
"Tell me what?" Ashley asked slowly. "What's wrong?"
Melissa could feel the tears welling up, and she motioned to Hutch to tell Ashley. "Ashley, I need you to listen to me carefully, okay?" He took a deep breath and sent a glance in Melissa's direction before continuing. "Dave's in the hospital. Someone broke into his apartment last night, and when Dave walked through the door, he was shot."
"Is he okay? Can I go see him tomorrow?"
"He lived through the surgery, but he isn't awake yet. I don't think you need to visit Dave until after he wakes up."
"What if he doesn't wake up? I'll never see him again."
Ashley burst into tears and ran out of the parlor to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Hutch and Melissa looked at each other for a few moments before either one said a word. Finally Melissa spoke up. "Thanks for stopping by, Hutch. I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem. Starsk would have done the same if the shoe was on the other foot. Anyway, I'm going to head back over to the hospital. I'll call later to check on you, and to let you know if there's any change. If he wakes up, how about bringing Ashley over?"
"Sure, that would be fine. I'll talk to you later, Hutch. Bye."
Hutch thought about his conversation with Ashley on his way back to Memorial. Her words echoed exactly what he feared: What if he doesn't wake up? She was right about never seeing him again. Hutch wasn't sure if he would be able to handle his last memory of Starsky being what it was-laying on a hospital bed, barely alive.
He sauntered into the waiting room and sat down in a chair. Picking up a magazine, he only flipped through the pages, not even bothering to look at the illustrations. Finally, Hutch set it down on the coffee table where it belonged, and he rose from his seat. He wandered up to the desk and asked for the telephone.
Hutch dialed the number to Captain Dobey's office. Upon hearing the captain's voice, Hutch remarked, "Sir, it's Hutchinson. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be back in the office tomorrow."
"All right. How's Starsky holding up?"
"About as good as can be expected. He's still in a coma, but he's alive, and I'm glad for that. I keep on hoping he'll wake up soon."
"Everyone here feels the same way. He's a great cop, and a good guy. We all miss him."
Hutch smiled. "I'll pass the message along when I'm able to talk to him."
"You be sure and do that. See you in the morning, Hutchinson."
The blond handed the phone to the receptionist, removed his jacket from the back of the chair, and headed out the door to go home for the remainder of the day.