Hutch stayed by his best friend's side through the night. He sent word to Captain Dobey that he would not be coming into the precinct the next day because Starsky had been attacked again. He also mentioned that the culprit had been found, shot, and killed, then requested that the captain follow through with all of the necessary procedures. Hutch then called the Pits and left a message for Huggy that "the rooster is in the coop, and is incapable of coming out again", meaning that Starsky's assailant had been killed. Melissa and Ashley were sent home after Melissa was given the details of the incident.
Starsky was administered pain medication regularly, causing him to remain unconscious, but Hutch didn't mind. He knew this time that his partner would make it. He was content just to sit and wait for those blue eyes to flicker open and look at him again.
At one point during the day, Hutch stepped into the corridor, strolled up to a nearby information desk, and inquired about borrowing a pad of paper and an ink pen. A nurse handed him the two items he was seeking, and after he thanked her, Hutch returned to Starsky's room.
Once again, Hutch began writing a letter to his best friend. This note was not being written out of sorrow or heartache, as the first had been; it was simply a letter of explanation, for he realized that his partner would like to know the reason why Stephen had attacked him in the first place.
Because the stationary was small, the letter was several pages long, but Hutch knew Starsky wouldn't mind a bit. He had just finished writing the final sentence, when he noticed Starsky staring at him.
"What are you doing?" the brunette asked sleepily.
Hutch sat for a moment, just gazing at his friend. "Nothing. I was just writing you a letter. Don't read it for a while though, all right?"
Starsky nodded slowly. "Leave it on the nightstand. How's Ashley? Is she all right, Hutch?"
"She's fine. She was crying when she left last night, because she didn't want to leave you, but I promised her that I would be here all day. That calmed her down a little, but she was still whimpering as she and Melissa walked out that door."
"Hutch, you wouldn't have believed the fear in her eyes when she saw Stephen standing in here. She began to cry almost immediately. I only wish I could have done more to help her yesterday."
The blond smiled. "Well, I'll tell you one thing, buddy: That little girl adores you, and she worships the ground you walk on. She wanted to make sure that her daddy wasn't going to be able to hurt you anymore. When I told her no, she gave me a tiny smile, but her eyes were dancing."
After a little while, Starsky informed Hutch, "Go on home and get some sleep. You look like you need a nice, long nap."
"Buddy, are you sure? I don't mind staying here with you."
The brunette finally managed to talk his friend into leaving. Starsky watched the door shut, then carefully slid himself close enough to the nightstand and reach Hutch's letter. He opened it, and began to read:
Dr. Madison says you're going to be all right, Starsk. I can't wait until we're back walking our beat again. The precinct hasn't been the same without ya. All the guys said to give you their best--including Dobey. I told him that you'd been attacked again, but that Stephen had been shot and killed after refusing to obey orders. Apparently he had a very good plan, all laid out. After Melissa and Ashley left three years ago, Stephen began paying a private investigator to follow them. The guy he hired, obviously, was lousy at his job, considering it took him thirty-six months to find two people, just a couple states over. Not long after he hired the P.I., Stephen was contacted in regard to Melissa. He told him that she had employed a divorce attorney, but had been unable to serve Stephen because he had gone missing. An ad was placed in the local newspaper in reference to the hearing, but he never appeared in court. My guess is that the night Melissa left, Stephen thought she was bluffing about a divorce. But when she and Ashley didn't return, it bothered him, so he went off to drink. He drank every night the first few weeks, hoping the girls would come back, and that's why he never saw the ad; he was too drunk to read the paper. Anyway, Captain Dobey contacted the police in Stephen's hometown, and found out that he had been on probation for drunk driving, and he wasn't allowed to leave the state. Well, about three months ago, Stephen's P.I. contacted him again. Melissa had just moved to California, and had started dating a cop, by the name of Dave Starsky. Stephen felt such a deep need to control Melissa's every move, he took his chances and broke his probation to come out here. He followed you and your loved ones--that is, your girlfriend and her daughter, and your best friend--around for several weeks. He plotted, he planned, and, finally, he attacked. But you must have startled him, because the Colorado Police also informed Captain Dobey that Stephen was a skilled marksman. After missing you at your apartment that night, Stephen needed a new plan. The flowers he sent didn't have much to do with his scheme; they were really just a scare tactic. Stephen finally decided to blend right in at the hospital, by becoming a janitor. He bought some navy blue coveralls to match those of the custodians here, and waited for the perfect opportunity to attack a second time. But it backfired when I felt him staring at me yesterday, and got a funny feeling. I called for backup, then listened for the right time to blow his cover. I saw Melissa sitting in the hallway alone, and knew that Ashley was in here with you. Then I heard you holler something about a gun, and you know the rest of the story.
As I was talking with Melissa and Ashley last night, Ashley told me everything that happened after she entered the room. You knew how fearful of Stephen she's been, and you wanted to get her away from him. He threatened to beat her, like he used to, but you promised her that you wouldn't let him. That was pretty slick thinking on your part, Starsk, if you ask me. I know from past experience that you're often willing take the pain for someone who doesn't deserve it, and that's exactly what you were doing yesterday for Ashley. You know, a lot of people are going to look to me as the conqueror of this entire bust, but I don't think that's quite accurate. I've got to agree with what Ashley told me last night: She said that you were her hero, Starsk, because you were brave. Knowing you, you were probably scared half out of your mind, but you did what you knew you had to do, and that's what Ashley saw yesterday. Even from a hospital bed, buddy, you were still the hero I've always known you to be. You protected the innocent, and you saved the life of a little girl that loves you very much. Just thought you'd like to know Captain Dobey's proud of you for what you did yesterday, and all he could say was, "What a guy." So rest up, Hero, because when you return to the office, I have a feeling there's going to be a victory party in your honor.
Starsky looked up from the stationary. So he was the underdog in all of this, huh? He smiled as he thought of Hutch, Melissa, and Ashley. They each saw something different in him--whether it be a friend, a lover, or a hero. That last one caused him to blush.
"I don't where you come off calling me a hero, Hutch," Starsky said to himself, "but I know one thing: I'm pretty lucky to have three people that love me as much as you and the girls do. Maybe I am a hero; I don't know. In my mind, though, you really are the hero. There was only so much I could do from a hospital bed. You saved my life, Hutch, and in turn, you may have also spared Melissa's and Ashley's. Who knows? Maybe we can share the title."
Starsky eventually drifted off to sleep again. At least for the time being, he didn't have to worry about anyone coming after him. Starsky knew that before too long he'd be back on the streets again, busting bad guys and watching out for weirdos, but he was okay with that. Once again he'd been reminded that his partner, his best friend, would be watching out for him and taking care of him. That was enough to make any man, hero or not, sleep soundly.