Same disclaimers: Starsky and Hutch do not belong to me and the story is for entertainment purposes only. No profit being made.
Warnings: Violence and bad language and deals with bigotry.
CHAPTER 8
Hutch was finding it difficult hiding his distaste for Rayner but years of undercover work hadn't been wasted. As he watched Rayner enter Dobey's room, he realized he was truly a very cool customer.
Dobey was dozing when they arrived. He was startled at the unusual pairing but made no comment. Hutch had correctly interpreted his look and made haste to speak out after the initial greetings were made.
"George here has come with me since Starsky is following up on another lead," Hutch said quietly.
Dobey didn't for one moment believe it. There was a certain tension in Hutch which indicated to him that his detectives were up to something but he wasn't feeling up to trying to figure it out at that moment. Even on a good day, he had trouble working Starsky and Hutch out. He forced a small smile towards Rayner.
"I'm happy to help, Captain. Do you remember anything about the attack?" Rayner asked smoothly.
"No, the last thing I remembered was being hit in the back of the head and then attacked." Dobey grimaced as he moved. "I remember some shouting and I guess that's when the witness turned up. But I guess I should give a formal statement."
Hutch watched Rayner as Dobey went on to explain his attack. There was no doubting that if he was indeed behind the attack he was going to prove a dangerous foe.
Just as the statement was finished, Edith returned.
"Ken, hello, honey…" She came over to give him a kiss. "Hello…." The way her voice trailed off showed her surprise at Hutch's companion. Rayner just smiled coldly at her.
"Uh, George Rayner, this is Captain Dobey's wife…" Hutch felt more than a little awkward under Edith's penetrating stare.
Rayner simply nodded and made no attempt to hold out his hand for Edith to shake.
"Where's Starsky? I hope he's okay, honey?" Edith asked a little anxiously.
"Yeah, he's fine. Just got…" But Hutch couldn't continue his sentence, unable to make any derogatory statement against his best friend to the woman who had always only shown them affection and care.
"He's following up another lead," Dobey spoke out, exchanging a glance with his wife and wanting to spare Hutch what was an obviously uncomfortable position. He'd find out what was going on soon enough. "I've gotta find out when I can get let out. You do what you need to and keep me posted, huh?" Dobey stared at the blond detective who was still looking a little discomfited.
Hutch nodded eagerly and left the room with Rayner following him closely. He was aware that Rayner was watching him carefully but he chose to remain silent.
When they returned, Hutch walked past Starsky, ignoring him even though it hurt him to do so. He'd never liked the idea to begin with and he feared it was going to prove even more difficult and impossible than he thought. He knew he'd struck a nerve in Starsky earlier for there'd been no mistaking the glint of hurt in those very expressive clear blue eyes. They always kidded around and he knew he'd called Starsky an overgrown kid before but for some reason it had struck a chord this time. Where had the hurt come from? Starsky knew how he felt about him, surely he did. His childlike enthusiasm could be wearing on him but Hutch wouldn't want him any other way. He knew he could be more cynical at times and it was a good balance. He never not wanted Starsky around, and he always wanted to be there for him, to help him, laugh with him or cry with him and to just enjoy life with. Surely Starsky couldn't doubt that? Starsky was just Starsky and he couldn't wish for a better friend. If this hideous situation was going to cause any doubts about their friendship, then it was time to bring it to an end. But as the brunet approached him, he knew they'd have to continue with it, at least until they had a chance to talk it over again and hopefully come up with a better plan.
"So you went without me, Hutch? Don't you think you should've waited for me? I'm your partner after all." Starsky was speaking very clearly and loudly and all ears in the department were tuned in to what seemed to be another heated argument.
"I would've waited, Starsky, but I didn't know how long you'd sulk for. Captain Dobey's attacker is on the loose and I figured it was more important to try to catch him than pander to your tantrums AGAIN." Hutch made himself say the words, but he knew that he'd never be able to maintain this for any length of time. Teasing and joking around with his partner was one thing, this deliberate act was too hard.
"Tantrums, eh? Maybe you don't want me for a partner any more. It must be very hard for someone as ADULT as you, to have a child hangin' round them all the time." Starsky spoke sharply.
"Maybe I don't! It'll be nice not to have to drive around in that red monstrosity of a car and to have an adult conversation for once." Hutch didn't need to look at Starsky to know that he'd hurt him again. Why did this have to be so hard? The car was an ongoing joke between them, so why would it bother his partner now? But Starsky was undoubtedly upset.
God, I can't do this, Hutch realized. He stood up, fully intending to retract what he'd just said but Starsky seemed to know this and pulled himself together. No, they couldn't give up on this, not yet.
"FINE! I'm gonna see Dobey and tell him that when he gets back, he's got some reassigning to do. In the meantime, Hutchinson, don't worry about having to drive around in my monstrosity of a car… you won't have to ever again!" Starsky turned and stormed out.
Hutch watched him go. He was going to put a stop to this--tonight. The very bad vibrations from this whole scenario were impossible to ignore, and Rayner grinning in the background did nothing to cheer him up. They'd have to catch him some other way for there was no way in the world that he was going to hurt Starsky any more, and it seemed to be him that he was doing the attacking and hurting his partner. Nothing, but nothing in the world, was worth it. He'd made too many mistakes in the past with ill-considered treatment, and he'd promised himself he'd never do it again.
Rayner was delighted. He really liked Hutch and wanted him as a partner and for the first time allowed himself to believe that it could happen. The rational part of him was a little suspicious but the irrational part of him was growing stronger. He believed that it was his duty to get rid of undesirables and he felt that he could achieve this with Hutch as a partner. He would simply remove anyone who stood in his way. He thought about Ben and decided suddenly he had to get rid of him and then Starsky. His hatred was irrational, as was his sudden decision to do it that night. He could see the relationship between Starsky and Hutch was crumbling but he still felt that such a long-standing partnership wouldn't totally disintegrate overnight and he didn't want to wait. He'd get rid of his own partner first, followed closely by Starsky and nothing would stand in his way after that. He went off on his own to think about things.
By the end of the day, Rayner and Hutch were the only two left, the others having left hours ago. Hutch was sitting moodily at his desk, hating the situation he was in more than he'd hated anything for a long time. Now that he'd calmed down a little, he could see that the idea wasn't so bad, it was the execution of the idea which was proving so difficult. He'd only give it another day or so though, as he knew that he wouldn't be able to keep up the hostility towards Starsky, quite unable to hurt him anymore. He didn't even stop to think that a day or so might not be long enough to trap someone as clever as Rayner, he only knew that it was too long to be at loggerheads with his partner. They'd just have to find another way.
"See you tomorrow, Hutch." Hutch forced a smile, hating the hypocrisy and wanting very much to see his friend.
Rayner left and noted that Ben's car was gone, as was Starsky's striped horror. The garishness of that car was another aspect that he loathed about Starsky, feeling that it made him stand out even more. He'd enjoyed Hutch's comments about it and didn't know how Hutch had put up with it for all those years. A man of his background deserved a lot more. He fully intended to do something about that car, as well as the owner.
There were no lights, or cars, at Ben's place. He'd never been inside but he knew all he needed to know about him, including his address and family details. Before starting in the Department, he'd done his homework and had the background information on all of the detectives. That's how he had known that he wanted to work with Hutch. Kenneth Hutchinson, from a wealthy family in Duluth, was the only detective that had an acceptable background. Looked like Ben was out, so maybe he should get rid of Starsky first.
He then looked up Starsky's address and drove over there. The red horror was outside, as was Ben's car. They were doubtless comforting each other and Rayner's knuckles went white at the thought. He wondered if he could take them both out at the same time--he had the element of surprise. He checked his gun and went to the back of his car, where he retrieved some rope. He didn't want this to be over too quickly. It would be risky--they were both highly trained officers, but what a challenge. He walked quietly up to the building and looked in Starsky's lounge. Neither of them had their guns on. He went to the front door, placing the ropes down, drew his gun and had it ready, and then knocked on the door.