CHAPTER 31
Soon after, two orderlies arrived to escort Starsky to the operating room. Preparing her patient, April got the portable monitors and other equipment transferred to accompany him until he reached surgery. She nodded to the blond and lightly touched his shoulder, silently advising him to say his farewells.
Hutch leaned closer as he brushed back a loose curl from Starsky's forehead. He whispered once more his promise to be there for him.
"Time to go, Starsk. I'll be right here when you wake up." As the orderlies steered the bed out the door and down the hall, he stood at the cubicle entrance, watching as the gurney disappeared into the elevator.
Hutch stood against the wall, his blond head tapping against it as he tried to get his nerves to settle down. He knew it would be a long, stressful wait until the surgery was over. He wasn't hungry but he could go for a cup of herbal tea.
Stretching the tension out of his neck, he walked toward the lounge where he knew Captain Dobey was waiting. His superior officer had arrived earlier and took the time to let Hutch know he would be waiting across the hall. The captain felt it was important for Hutch to be with his partner for as long as possible and didn't feel the need to interrupt. Dobey knew his role would be to lend support later. So, they would wait together, as they had many times in the past.
The detective entered the room to find Captain Dobey on the phone. Hutch busied himself at the coffee maker. He found a carafe of hot water, assorted packets of hot chocolate, instant coffee and several kinds of tea bags, among them chamomile tea.
He let the bag steep in the cup while he sat at the table. Shortly after, Dobey got off the phone and came to join the blond.
"Ronnie's doing fine. He and Cal are playing a video game and Rosie's already in love with him. Edith is cooking up a storm. She's determined to put some meat on the boy's bones while he's with us." Without rancor, the captain shared the story.
"Damn. I completely forgot about Ronnie. Some guardian I am." Hutch shook his head and took a sip of the soothing tea.
"I owe Ronnie an apology. He's being dragged around instead of receiving the kind of support Starsky wanted to give him." He kneaded the back of his neck for a moment.
Dobey rolled his eyes, wondering how the otherwise self confident detective could wallow in miss placed guilt so easily. But perhaps that's what made the detective's relationship so strong: they felt responsible for each other.
Now, Dobey tried to convince his detective that it was more important that he support his friend and focus only on his partner.
"Hey, you were right where you needed to be. Ronnie's fine with me for now. As soon as Starsky's out of surgery, I'm going home for a few hours and I suggest you do the same." He looked at his detective but doubted the man had heard him. He was preoccupied with his own thoughts as he mindlessly stirred his tea. Dobey drank the coffee then stood up, with a groan.
"You want something to eat? Think I'll go get a sandwich." Hutch shook his head, indicating nothing for him. Left alone, the blond paced around the room, his eyes glancing at the clock, wanting it all to be over.
Both of them had experience waiting while the other was injured and it never got easier. But since Hutch felt that he was to blame for Starsky's present condition, he paced, rehearsing in his heart what he could say, what he could do to reverse the consequences of his actions.
He was torn between waiting here until Starsky was out of surgery and going after that scum, Diaz Ramada. He knew he would keep his vigil until he could see his friend, but his head buzzed with the desire to avenge what happened with his partner.
He thought about calling Huggy. He got up and moved to the phone. His body seemed heavy. He was tired but so stressed that his nerves tingled.
As he held the receiver, he looked at the clock on the wall. It was time for action on his part. But Huggy didn't answer so he slammed the phone back into the cradle. He could fill Huggy in with what was known and the bar owner could keep his ear to the street and get him information about Diaz and where he was. He was anxious to end the gang's reign of terror, especially Diaz. But as soon as he was eliminated, another piece of shit would surface to take his place.
Dobey returned with a sandwich in one hand and a bowl of something steaming in his other hand. He put both down on the table, took a spoon and a pack of crackers out of his coat pocket.
"Here, I got you some soup." The captain slid the container and spoon across the table, inviting Hutch to sit.
The blond lowered his lean body to the chair, smelling the hot soup. He closed his eyes, enjoying the aroma. But he found it important to voice his concerns.
"I want Diaz. Once Starsky's out of danger, I'm gonna track him down." His eyes took on the icy resolve that the Captain was familiar with. It meant danger and once the thought was processed, it would be next to impossible to change Hutch's direction.
Dobey sighed heavily. He did not condone vigilante tactics but he understood Hutch's feelings. "We'll get the son of a bitch, but legally. Now, eat your soup."
They looked at each other for a long moment. Hutch gave the man a grim smile. Dobey pulled out a packet of mustard from his other pocket and spread it on his sandwich.
The soup felt good in his stomach. After Hutch consumed the light meal, he went to the couch and stretched out the best he could along the cushions. Almost instantly, his eyes closed and his body and mind relaxed enough for him to sleep. It was a light, dreamless state until the door opened, when he awakened immediately.
He sat up, quickly alert. Dobey was dozing in a chair by the window and didn't immediately respond until he heard voices.
April stood by Hutch with an update to the surgery.
"I just wanted you to know that David is doing fine. He's got extensive injuries internally as well as his other wounds. Dr. Cloverleaf called in an orthopedic surgeon to repair the leg and they are working on him simultaneously."
"How much longer?" Hutch cleared his throat and pulled out his pocket watch. Never one to be a clock watcher, he detested being a slave to time now.
"A couple more hours probably. Can I convince you to go home for awhile?" At the mention of leaving, Hutch shook his head and was about to reject the idea when April continued.
"I didn't think so. I've ordered a cot be sent to you up here. Captain, should a request one for you?" She put her hand lightly on Hutch's arm, trying to console the big blond who looked so stressed.
"No thank you. I'll go home after Detective Starsky is out of surgery,"
She nodded her head and smiled encouragingly to the blond as she left.
"Thanks cap, for being here. Starsky appreciates it just as I do."
The captain grumped his reply as both men settled down again for the remainder of the wait.
