Chapter 21

A/N: Below is Jan's original story "Finally coming home" which inspired this little saga and the others that came before it.

Warning: This short story is an implied Death fic as a result of a challenge on the "Starsky and Hutch and Friends" yahoo group. The challenge was to write a letter by one of the partners to the other if he thought that death was imminent, but I suppose you could use your imagination a little with this piece and choose to think the partner didn't die.

FINALLY COMING HOME...

by: Jan in VA

March 14, 1993

It had been two weeks since the heart of John McFarland had ceased to beat. Even Captain Kenneth R. Hutchinson had to be reminded of exactly who this felon was when the warden of the prison had called him to inform him of this particular inmate's death.

"I'm sorry, Warden Thomas. I realize that my partner and I were the arresting officers in the McFarland case, but I don't see why you would need to inform me in person about his passing," relayed Hutch professionally when the call from the warden had been transferred to his relatively new office at Metro as Captain of Detectives-Homicide Division.

Hutch would soon discover the significance of this seemingly minor, forgotten arrest early his career and the changes that it would have on his life now that McFarland had died. At the warden's insistence, Hutch had cleared his calendar of appointments for the day and had taken the 1 hour and 25 minute drive to the prison to meet with the warden.

When Hutch had arrived at Warden Thomas' office, he soon discovered what all the urgency was about. In McFarland's personal effects was an envelope addressed to:

Captain Kenneth Hutchinson

The word "Captain" looked as if it had been written over something else that had been there and erased... not once but several times.

"Won't you please sit down, Captain Hutchinson," suggested the warden as he gestured to an oversized burgundy leather armchair. As Hutch nodded his thanks, he noticed immediately that the envelope was open as it lay innocently on the warden's massive oak desk. He looked up towards Warden Thomas as he sat down, with a questioning look for an explanation for this seeming invasion of his privacy.

"The envelope was not opened by my staff or myself, Captain, I assure you," said the warden as he noted Hutch's questioning stare. "It was open when it was discovered in Mr. McFarland's personal effects. It wasn't until after the note inside fell out directing us to see to it that you personally received the envelope inside, and who the note said that envelope was from that we contacted you..." the warden paused and sighed as he gazed downwardly towards his desk away from the eyes of the man in front of him.

"Go on please Warden Thomas..." said Hutch in a calm voice as he tried not to outwardly reveal the growing anxiety he was beginning to feel.

"Captain, there are very detailed instructions... directions if you will... that I suspect your department will need..." Warden Thomas looked up at Hutch finally. "I can't begin to tell you how sorry we are that we didn't realize years ago that Mr. McFarland had this letter in his possession. If we had..."

Hutch nodded suddenly feeling as nervous as he had ever felt in his life.

"I thank you for contacting me about this matter, warden. I don't know what I'll find in this envelope, but I think I would appreciate it if you could leave me alone for a bit while I find out," requested Hutch with a tone as steady as he could muster.

"Of course, Captain. Please use my office for as long as you need to," said the warden as he patted Hutch's shoulder. "If you should need anything... anything at all... please don't hesitate to press the buzzer on my intercom. I'll be right outside." With that the warden exited his office, being sure to close the door as quietly and respectfully as possible.

Alone now, Hutch's hands were shaking as he reached out, picked up the envelope and peered inside. Inside was indeed another envelope, which was sealed. As he drew it out, he still could recognize the handwriting on its front... even after 8 1/2 years. Handwriting he had long ago thought he would never see again.

It was the scrolling familiar script of his partner... Detective Sargent David Starsky.

Hutch took a deep breath and took the note out of the sealed envelope being careful not to tear the beloved writing on its face. The first thing Hutch noticed was the smeared brownish colored stained splotches on the paper. Hutch then began to read the note inside.

Oct. 8, 1984

Dear Hutch,

I don't know why they are letting me do this, but I'm not about to ask questions at this point. I don't know when or even if you will ever read this, but in the faint hope that you will someday... I want you to know some things.

1. Please, tell Ma and Nick that I love them. On second thought, you can just tell Ma to tell Nick. I know how you just love to talk with my brother.

2. Know that I didn't go willingly. I will fight to my last dying breath to stay in this life. God Himself will have to tell me it's time.

3. Even as the gun that will most likely end my life is placed up against my ear, my last thoughts are of you and how much richer and fuller my life has been with you to have shared it with.

You know I don't like soapy scenes...
You know what's in my heart...

I love you Hutch.

See ya,
Starsky

Hutch quietly and carefully placed the note back into the envelope and picked up the notepaper with the directions printed on it. They were beginning to get fuzzy as he read them, but finally he closed his eyes and looked upwards with a smile on his face.

"It's been a long 8 1/2 years, Starsk... a long time coming, partner, but finally... you're coming home."

The End

Here is the link to the story that originally started this little saga. Finally….coming home also co-written by me and Jan. Continue this journey as Hutch finally finds his missing partner.

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