CHAPTER 29
Finally, the nightmare released him. Hutch felt his body spasm painfully as he jerked awake. But it left him feeling sluggish and disoriented with a vague feeling that he hadn't awakened on his own. He was relieved to see that Ronnie was still asleep on the couch. The blond continued to sit on the chair, the blanket pooled on the floor. Suddenly, a noise from the other side of his door propelled him out of the chair.
"Oh my god, Starsky…"
Listless from sleep, his mind not quite sure of the day or time, and the gruesome images from his dream of a bloody Starsky, pushed him forward. Disappointed and relieved at the same time, he opened the door, only to find Captain Dobey standing there.
Convinced that his dream was a reality, his hand slid off the door handle and his shoulders hunched forward, already knowing what his superior was there to tell him.
He felt himself wobbling but was saved from falling by the large, powerful hands of Dobey who held him up and steered his detective to the kitchen.
Leaving him sitting limply on a chair, the captain went over to the sleeping teen-ager. He'd had a lot of experience guiding a drowsy child from one spot to another without them ever being aware of it. It was that way now as the captain led the boy to Hutch's bedroom, making sure he was covered and truly asleep before returning to the kitchen.
"I knew it. I saw it in my dream." Hunched forward in his chair, Hutch's chin rested on his chest. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply.
"Hutchinson, listen…" Dobey sat opposite his detective, trying to get the man's attention.
"He's dead. Why else would you be here?" Hutch's voice wasn't more than a whisper.
Dobey stood up and began to pace. Suddenly he stopped in front of his detective, intent on getting the man's attention.
"Sit up straight detective." His booming voice got through to the grieving blond. As Hutch looked into the intent brown eyes, he began to see a glimmer there, a hint of the truth.
"We found him." Captain Dobey reached out as Hutch got up from his chair. He held him back, wanting the detective to pay attention to what he had to say.
"He's not dead." Dobey's words were precise, his voice clear. Hutch listened, focusing directly on the weathered black face.
"He's badly beaten up, knife wounds… barely alive." He hated saying the words but he knew Hutch would want the truth, all of it.
"I have to go to him." Again, Hutch stood up but this time Dobey didn't try to stop him. But the detective turned his frustration and fears toward his captain who was ready for the onslaught of emotion.
"Why didn't you call me when you first found him? I should've been there…" Hutch stopped his tirade. He pushed his hand through his hair, suddenly weak with guilt.
"It's my fault he got beat up. I shoulda followed him when he flew out of the squad room. He was mad and I didn't…" He wandered over to the couch and sat there, mindlessly folding the blanket that Ronnie had used.
"I can't begin to understand what the two of you disagreed about, but I do know that Starsky needs you now. You need him." The captain shifted in his chair, searching for the right words that would help.
"Look son, it's not your fault. That bastard Diaz was out for blood."
Dobey sat on the chair, unsure what else to say. He knew these two detectives were close friends and he respected that partnership. When in danger, they would move heaven and earth to bring the other back.
"Cap, I didn't trust Starsky's opinion about Ronnie. He's really a good kid. He didn't see why I was so hurt when Kiko didn't want me in his life; I should have known that Starsky saw more in the boy than was obvious. I guess I was jealous." He stood up again and paced the room. He stopped at the alcove and stared at the young boy, asleep with not a care in the world.
"It would be great to have that kind of trust, wouldn't it? He's so sure that things will work out that it doesn't keep him from sleeping. Me? I had nightmares all night…" It seemed he had temporarily forgotten the reason for Dobey's visit. He turned back into the living room looking for his jacket.
"Where is he?" He slid his arms into his jacket and grabbed his car keys as he headed for the door.
"Wait… He's at Memorial Hospital but there's a black and white cruiser downstairs. They'll take you. I'll meet you there later."
Dobey watched the man retreat and a moment later, he heard tires squeal and siren blare as the black and white headed toward the hospital.
Dobey slumped down on the couch, scratching his head, wondering at the constant danger his men were exposed to because of their job. He turned around as Ronnie entered the living area. His hair disheveled from sleep, he rubbed his fist in his eyes.
"What's the matter?" Looking around for Hutch the boy looked warily at the big black man. "You gonna take me to the Juvie Detention Center?" He backed up, ready to run if that was what the captain had in mind.
"Hutch had to go out. So grab your things and you can come home with me. I've got a son about your age." Dobey had talked it over with Edith and they'd both agreed to take the boy in until this had all been resolved. It was important that the boy remain safe and for now, living with a cop would be better than anywhere else.
"Is it about Starsky?" The boy asked as he gathered his jacket and slung it over his shoulder. "Is he okay?"
Dobey decided that the boy deserved to know what was going on. "We found Starsky. He's been badly beaten up."
The teen winced. He'd seen what Diaz could do with his knife and he felt his stomach muscles tighten.
Ronnie stood still, his shoulders shaking while silent tears ran down his cheeks. The black man pulled the child in his strong arms and held him until the tears stopped.
He sniffed and wiped his eyes. "Can I see him?"
Dobey ruffled the boy's hair and hugged him again. "Not yet. Once he's out of danger." The captain released the boy and headed for the door.
Ronnie wanted to ask what was going to happen now but didn't really want that answer. For now, he'd go with the captain. He was tired of moving around and really wanted a family of his own. Maybe that would come but for now, he followed the captain down the steps and into the car.
Dobey was thinking of his two favorite detectives, praying silently for their safety. Then he switched his thoughts to getting the teen-ager to his home. Edith would swoop in immediately, getting the boy cleaned up and into clean clothes, borrowed from their son Cal. She would gladly provide the love and support that the homeless child needed.
The boy wasn't the only person in need of love and support.
