Part VII

Hutch wanted to pull away from the hand on his head, but he didn't have the strength to waste on that. He gulped in a breath, then got out three words.

"No. Not fair."

He still couldn't see Bambrick, of course, but he could feel the man tense. Hear the hesitation in his voice. Another crack in that cool and calm voice that hadn't had a single drop of genuine emotion in it before the shooting.

"How isn't this fair?"

Hutch found that his mouth had gotten dry and his tongue felt heavy and thick as he spoke again.

"Your partner. He didn't die alone. You told me. You were with him."

The fingers on the hand in his hair clenched. Hutch wasn't sure what was happening as all he could go by was what he could hear and feel. But something was going on. He could practically hear Bambrick's heart racing as his breathing became more rapid.

Then he spoke and Hutch felt a cold chill. Bambrick wasn't really with him any more.

"Oh my God... blood... Tom... hang on. I'm calling for backup."

Hearing the man running away for the phone, Hutch was trying to make himself focus. Trying to keep from blacking out. He had the very real fear that if he went to sleep, he'd never wake up. That was keeping up his adrenaline for now, but he knew that would only last so long.

Back at Metro, as soon as the switchboard realized who the call was from, it was patched straight to Captain Dobey.

"Sir, this is Bambrick. My partner is down - we need backup and medical ASAP."

Dobey drew in a deep breath. Hallucinations of some sort, but if he was careful, it might give them the opportunity to get Hutchinson out.

"Give me your 20. I'll dispatch a medical helicopter to get your partner to the hospital."

Dobey picked up the note where he had jotted down of the address Starsky was headed for. It matched the one Bambrick gave him.

"Zebra Three is in route to your location. Other units have already apprehended the perp that shot your partner. Stand down with your weapon. Help is on the way."

"10-4, Captain."

The footsteps were coming closer again. Hutch tried to lift his head, but just couldn't manage it. The hand came to rest on his head again.

"They're on their way, Tom. Hang in there. They're on the way."

A shudder ran through Hutch as shock began setting in. He didn't speak because he didn't know what might happen if Bambrick's illusions were shattered. But one thing he did know. Hutch didn't want being comforted under another man's name to be the last thing he heard.