CHAPTER TWENTY

Starsky picked up two smooth stones and laid one on top of each headstone. Hutch stood to one side and watched as his partner stood before his mother and his brother's graves, grieving in silence. His father's grave was beside his mother. Although Starsky still had extended family members living in New York and California, his immediate family was all gone now, each member murdered in some form of retaliation and revenge.

Hutch finally stepped forward and slipped a comforting arm around his former partner's shoulders.

"We'll never know who really killed them, will we?" Starsky whispered in a broken voice. "Gunther or the FBI."

"Probably not." Hutch admitted "The case is too cold and whoever was behind it was too good at covering their tracks."

"Either way, it's still my fault that Ma and Nicky are dead." Starsky said solemnly, his eyes misting with unshed tears.

"It's not your fault," Hutch said firmly. "It's the fault of the bastards who went after them to get to you." He gently guided his friend back to the car where Huggy was patiently waiting. Starsky moved slowly on the crutches he still had to use. His right knee had healed but his left knee had been more severely damaged and he still couldn't put any weight on it. The doctor had told him that it may require additional surgery and had given him the name of a doctor to see once he was back in Bay City.

Starsky still had some reservations about coming out of hiding after so many years but with Hutch by his side for support, he knew that he was ready to reclaim his life and his identity. Hutch had contacted a close friend who worked for a nationwide magazine about what had happened to Starsky and they had agreed to meet with the two men when they returned to California to take Starsky's story public. With the publicity the story was sure to attract, Starsky would be safe. The FBI wouldn't take the risk of trying to retaliate, they would be too busy answering questions about their own actions in Starsky's abduction, forced imprisonment, and alleged murder.

As for Starsky and Hutch, they were together again. Both as friends and partners. Hutch had insisted that Starsky join him as an equal partner in the detective agency he had started. They didn't know what the future held in store but as long as they were together again, they knew they would face it the way they always had. Together. Me and Thee, the way it should be.

As he settled into the front seat, Starsky grinned at Hutch and Huggy and said,

"Let's go home."

THE END