CHAPTER 25

"He's dead and it's my fault." Ronnie's head dropped, his chin touching his chest.

At first, Hutch only stared at the boy. Thinking back, he remembered the emotion Starsky felt as he talked about the teen. His partner felt a connection to this boy, one that the blond didn't understand.

Hutch began to pace.

The blond had to move slowly if he wanted to find out more. After all, Ronnie would have been the last person to see Starsky. He had to separate his feelings against facts. It seemed logical to start with the most glaring accusation.

"So, you're part of Diaz's gang?" Hutch wanted to be wrong but didn't think he was. He wasn't sure he'd believe anything this boy had to say, but he owed it to his partner to at least try.

Ronnie's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with anger.

"I ain't part of any gang. I didn't know… shit, you ain't gonna believe anything I say."

"Let's b-back up here. Why d-didn't you m-meet Starsky here yesterday?" The annoying stutter made the blond slow up even more. His head was spinning with questions but he had to decide what was most important to know first.

The boy sat up, flipping the hair off his forehead. "I chickened out. I didn't want to come here but especially, didn't want to havta face you. You don't like me and I'm not too crazy about you either."

Hutch didn't deny that fact. More than anything, he wanted answers quickly. He didn't have to like the kid; he just needed to know what happened to his friend.

The boy's face turned red with shame, but he continued his story.

"Spent it mostly tryin' to hide from Diaz. But he found me anyway when I called Starsky. That's when he grabbed me. I had to have my lighter back. Diaz took it from me, said I'd get it back if I brought you or Starsky to him. I didn't think anything would happen." The boy hunched forward, crossing his arms over his belly.

"He used you to get to my partner? Why didn't you warn him?" Hutch felt his chest tighten. His guilt began to build. What if Ronnie was right? What if he was just an innocent victim of a gang member out for revenge?

He was suddenly hit with remorse. Because of his own preconceived ideas, his partner was now in danger and this boy in front of him was hurting and scared.

Hutch reached out, and gently squeezed Ronnie's neck. The boy looked up, confusion on his face. Hutch acted as if he cared, but still, Ronnie didn't trust him. He was anxious about his friend and didn't see the need for all the questions.

The detective let out a deep breath, massaged his neck as he studied the teen. Reversing his thinking he realized it was important to focus more about what the boy remembered.

"For now, just tell me when you last saw Starsky." The detective pinched the bridge of his nose. He stopped at his desk, pulled open the desk drawer and rummaged through it, looking for a bottle of aspirin. He set it on the table as Ronnie spoke again, the aspirin temporarily forgotten.

"Diaz held a knife at my throat. He made Starsky empty his gun. Then he pushed me and I fell and I don't remember nothin' else. That was early this morning. I couldn't help him! Can't we just go look for him?"

Hutch's misgivings were ringing loudly in his ears. He kept telling himself that this was not happening. If he would've just followed Starsky yesterday… damn, he had to get his head back to questions instead of thinking too far ahead.

Ronnie grabbed the bottle of aspirin that still sat on the table. Hutch sighed and went to fill two cups with water.

After downing the aspirin, Ronnie stood up, faltered and sat back down quickly.

Hutch reached out to him, concerned for the moment about his well being. Ronnie indicated he was okay, frowned and then continued speaking.

"Why are ya hassling me? Why won't ya just come with me to help Starsky?"

Hutch shoved his hand through his hair, trying to decide if the boy was sincere about his concern. He wanted to believe that Starsky was okay.

"Let me ask you this, why do you think he's… dead?" It was difficult to even get the word out let alone think about it. But this kid was obviously the last to be with Starsky.

Ronnie hesitated. He was getting frustrated. Too much talking. This wasn't helping Starsky at all.

"Because of Diaz." The boy shifted in the chair, stretching his back, then gingerly touched his swollen eye. "He's a bad dude. He's mean and dangerous. He's the one who clubbed Starsky over the head during the fight." He watched Hutch's eyes grow large at that piece of news.

Before the blond could respond, his superior opened his office door, coming through the squad room, his voice loud and agitated.

"What the hell is going on? First, Starsky doesn't show up for work, now I get a report that a black and white found his car abandoned at the playground where you guys…." He stopped screaming when he saw the young boy sitting with Hutch. The boy cringed at the aggressive attitude of the big black man. Dobey nodded his head in the boy's direction. Suddenly the pieces fell together for him.

The detective sighed, moving to stand beside the teen.

"Captain, this is Ronnie. The boy Starsky wanted to help. Now he tells me Starsky's in danger or… worse."

"What the hell are you doing here then? Go, man! Take him with ya and let me know what you find." It didn't take any more encouragement for Hutch to make a move. Quickly, he picked up his jacket, pulled Ronnie out of the chair and pushed toward the exit. Speaking over his shoulder, the blond barked out an order of his own.

"Put an APB out on Diaz Ramada. Find the bastard."

"Hutchinson!" Dobey called after the pair, stopping their forward movement.

Hutch turned toward his captain, impatiently waiting for the man to finish the expected command. Hutch prepared himself for further blustering from the black man but the captain's voice lowered, pleading with the god's in Starsky's favor.

"Keep me informed." The men spent a few seconds connected in their concern. The moment was broken when Dobey grumbled something under his breath as he shut his office door behind him.