You Can Take the Boy Out of Brooklyn
Chapter 7
Hutch couldn't believe it when he saw who was at the door. Then again – the way things had gone for him the past few days, he guessed he should believe it. Things were going from bad to worse.
Nick Starsky. Of course; impeccable timing as always.
Truth be known he was never keen to lay eyes on Starsky's younger brother, but his sudden appearance, now of all times, was like some lousy joke.
Hutch groaned inwardly at the fresh complications Nick's arrival could mean for both he and Starsky at this most difficult time. He had already surmised within seconds that it was no coincidence at all that Starsky's only sibling had shown up now.
"Nick." He managed, feeling the need to choke. Even his name was an irritation to his own ears. "How did you get up here without buzzing?" Not exactly a warm welcome he knew, but the question was out before he could stop it.
Hutch looked back behind him quickly but there was now no sight of Starsky. Back to the balcony for the last of his few mangled cigarettes? De-stressing from the near physical collision they had just both narrowly escaped thanks to Nick's interruption? Or should that be – no thanks to Nick – none at all?
Not ruffled by Hutch's less than congenial greeting Nick gave him one of his smiles, one which Hutch was all too familiar with – a twisted rendition of a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Hutch, hey man." It wasn't hard to miss the lack of sincerity in his greeting either. Nick looked beyond Hutch into the room, no doubt scouting out for Starsky then not obviously not seeing him he quickly dropped some of the false enthusiasm. "Pleased to see me as usual I can guess. One of your neighbors let me through when she was coming in. One sexy little woman. Wow! Said she works downstairs in the restaurant. I guess you know her – she sure seemed to know you." His suggestive male-to-male wink made Hutch cringe. "So," he tapped the door frame and looked back down the stairwell behind him, "you gonna let me in or you want that I go back downstairs and buzz the intercom, all official like?"
Hutch rolled his eyes. "Drop the dramatics Nick. I was just surprised by the knock that's all."
"I can see that. Hope I didn't interrupt anything important."
Was it his imagination or was there just a touch of lewdness in Nick's voice? Biting down on his urge to retaliate verbally, Hutch resisted taking the bait.
"I didn't know you were coming. Does Starsky know?"
"Nope, but he soon will. I gather my brother is in there with you?" Nick's smirk did little to allay Hutch's doubt that he had in fact been lingering outside before he knocked. He had no doubt heard the voices inside.
"Yes – he's here." Hutch answered him calmly. No matter what it took he wouldn't let Nick see that he was getting to him only moments into their meeting. He stepped back into the apartment. "I guess he's back out on the balcony."
"Good – then let me surprise him."
Nick railroaded his way into the room, pushing past Hutch who dearly wanted to stand as an impenetrable barrier to this cocky man. He swept inside and past Hutch. Although of similar stature to his brother with the same swarthy complexion and dark coloring there were a myriad of differences between the two brothers. Nick was a little less muscled, with close-cropped wavy dark hair and the faux elegance which he managed to achieve by copious dollars thrown at good grooming and expensive up to the moment fashion. Superficial class with no depth or real quality to it. Unfortunately no matter how much Nick Starsky splashed out on his presentation he still managed to come up short in the style department. At least in Hutch's consideration.
To Hutch, Nicky's older brother who gave the word casual a whole new concept, presented himself with far more self-assured flair and raw masculinity than this try hard stud could ever hope to achieve. Already hearing himself listing off Nick Starsky's negative attributes, Hutch felt immediately angry with himself for letting the man get to him right from the outset.
He was not proud of his inability to take to Nick, knowing full well how it cut into Starsky to have his best friend at odds with his only blood kin, but God knew he had tried in the early days to make the relationship with Nick somehow work. It was in many ways he supposed the same psychological triangulating that had existed with Starsky, Van and himself; only in this situation it was Starsky sandwiched in the middle of the two opposing forces. Not that Starsky was totally oblivious to Nick's shortcomings – just as Hutch had not been to Vanessa's. It was simply a case of it always being more difficult for the one tied by blood or marriage to remain objective and Hutch knew what it was like to feel the need to at least try to make all the relationships stick together as best they could.
The tenuous relationship between Hutch and Nick stuck together by ever loosening threads and then only by virtue of Hutch's supreme efforts not to hurt his partner by completely barring Nick Starsky from his life.
"Nick. Wait." Hutch caught his arm loosely before Nick could make his way out to the greenhouse balcony where Starsky sat with his back to them, his head cocked to the side as he spoke on his cell phone. "Why're you here? I mean… why're you here now?" But, one look at Nick's disapproving face and Hutch knew already. "You've heard what's happened?" Hutch asked quietly.
"What do ya' think Hutchinson? Of course I know what's happened," blatant criticism detectable in his hard look. "Sad ain't it, that I had to find out from my freakin' social network and not my brother's partner that he had been arrested for murder."
"Starsky hasn't been arrested – he's just under investigation. Police questioning." Hutch corrected. "You need to hear the full story, not just media fodder."
"Save the legal semantics Hutch. Whatever you want to call it I know he's in trouble. It ain't just media I get my information from – Davey still has people who care about him and what happens to him ya' know? People in the know. Lucky for me I got those people too or I would've had to rely on media fodder as you call it, to find out what's happenin' in my own brother's life."
Apparent in his body language was that Nick held Hutch personally responsible for his not being contacted about the situation with Starsky. Nick's effusive mood on entry, as thin veneered as it was, had already begun to give way to his usual latent aggression. From experience Hutch knew that his nasty side was always lurking just beneath the surface. At least it was whenever the two of them were together without Starsky around to witness it. Hutch had no qualms about admitting to himself that Nick Starsky simply could not abide him. It was hardly surprising that the feeling cut both ways.
"If Starsky wanted you to know he would have called you," Hutch said. "No doubt, knowing Starsky he didn't want to worry the family. Besides, this could all blow over soon enough."
Nick made a scoffing sound. "Yeah sure. Like a murder investigation just blows over. Now, if you're finished, I wanna see him." He brushed past Hutch, already schooling his features into a practiced wide boyish grin so reminiscent of Starsky's own smile, that had Hutch not known better he might have believed it was genuine.
Hutch lagged behind a little as Nick made an act our of sneaking up behind his brother, who with his head pressed to the phone and intent on the conversation seemed unaware of his brother about to descend upon him.
Pulling his mixed up feelings together – dismay at the interruption to his and Starsky's intense moment at the doorway and the added shock that the interruption presented in the form of Nick Starsky, Hutch forced himself to follow him out. This was one conversation he wanted to be around for because, and he had no validity to base his unease upon, he was already wary as to why Nick had shown up like he just had.
For since Vanessa's murder Hutch had berated himself. If he had listened to his own gut instincts – and Starsky's – about why Vanessa had done likewise, materializing from nowhere with no plausible reason, then maybe none of this would have happened to them.
Nick came to a quiet stop just behind Starsky's back and waited. Hutch said nothing, knowing that Nick was hoping for a theatrical surprise. Starsky ended the call on his cell and sat looking reflectively at the slim black device as though it might hold some answers for him. He no doubt sensed the approach of someone at his back and naturally assuming it was Hutch he called out over his shoulder.
"So, did ya' get rid of them? Whoever was at the door? " Starsky asked, his voice tinged with weariness. Hutch wondered if there was disappointment there too, buried in that tone.
Nowhere near as much as I sure am feeling right about now babe…nowhere near it. Hutch kept his thoughts to himself and answered lightly.
"No – I couldn't get rid of him. He's still here. Says he wants to see you for some strange reason." Hutch didn't look at Nicky as he played out his expected role to support the sibling relationship.
Starsky turned in the chair and came face to face with his brother who in turn let out a small howl of delight when Starsky's face blossomed in shocked realization.
"Nicky! What the hell! You mean it was you at the door? Why didn't you call out when you came in?" He jumped up and quickly folded his younger brother in an encompassing fraternal hug. They simultaneously smacked the other on the shoulders and back as they laughed before pulling away again to take the measure of each other.
"He wanted to surprise you," Hutch could hear how flat it came out but for the life of him he couldn't stop himself from sounding that way. "He snuck in through the front entrance with another tenant so we didn't get the ring on the intercom."
"Is that so? I had no idea you were here in LA." Starsky hesitated, looked at Hutch then back at his brother. "Did you just arrive? Why didn't you let me know you were coming to visit?" Starsky asked, trying to sort out Nick's sudden presence in Hutch's apartment. "How'd you know I was here?" he added.
"Didn't know I was coming myself till I jumped on the first flight I could get when – " Nick paused. " I arrived this morning but couldn't track you down bro. And here? Well when you weren't at the station, weren't at your Santa Monica pad – then naturally I figured you'd be here…" Nick swung his head toward Hutch, "as you usually are when you're not in your own place."
Starsky looking down at the ground and then back up Nick, his face serious and drawn. "You've heard the news then?"
As way of answer Nick said nothing but redoubled his efforts with the back thumping. Starsky began to resist Nick's boisterous efforts of physical contact. He pulled back from him, putting him at arm's length.
"How? How do you know Nicky?" Starsky asked.
Nick scowled, a good part of his bonhomie sliding away. "How do I know? Stupid question brother – with digital communication the way it is now I'm more likely to know what's happened before you even know what's happenin'. The story is news. Hutch's dead ex being found in your place is news –"
Starsky held up his hand to halt him.
"Nicky. Her name was Vanessa. " Starsky interjected quietly.
"Sure – well – yeah I remember that – you know from the past and all." Nicky looked at his brother's pained face and stopped. "By the way Hutch, I'm sorry to hear your ex –" he blustered a little, "ah, sorry to hear Vanessa's dead. Must have been a shock for you."
It wasn't difficult to see that Nick was put out by Starsky's subtle reprimand.
Hutch nodded in acceptance. "You're right, it was a shock. It's been a difficult time for your brother who has to deal with the investigation."
"Well of course it must be difficult – " Nick quickly reestablished his effusive presence. "That's why I came straight over here – to be with Davey. These are the times that a man needs his family around him. So here I am, " he said, reaching out to crush Starsky's side hard into his body in another show of fraternal closeness.
With his arm still wrapped possessively around Starsky, Nick looked directly at Hutch.
"Hutch. You mind if I take Dave out for some brother-to-brother time?"
And here it comes.
Hutch was ready for the divisiveness that Nick specialized in so well, already schooling his features not to react.
"Nick, you hardly need to ask me. Your brother can make up his own mind."
Nick looked like he had just been one-upped. He tugged on Starsky's arm.
"What do ya' say Davey?. I figure you probably need some space to talk out some of this shit. With your own place trashed by the cops, at least I can get ya' outta here and give ya' the chance to share some stuff with your brother."
Hutch's eyes went to Starsky who looked a little uneasy and as he disengaged himself from Nick's possessive clinch.
"Nick. I'm comfortable here – Hutch's place is like my second home." Starsky said quickly, frowning at his brother's ineptitude. "We can have some time together here. I'll put some fresh coffee on – or there's beer in the fridge –"
"Oh come on man! I flew all the way across the country so I could be with you. You've probably been cooped up inside since this whole thing happened. You need to get out – chill out for an hour or so. Let your little brother carry some of the load for you," Nick pushed. "I bet you haven't had a decent meal since this went down. I'll buy ya' a steak, we can have some beers –"
"He's right Starsk," Hutch reasoned. " Why don't you two go on out for a while? Have some private family time." He could see that Starsky was vacillating.
"I was waiting to hear back from Dobey - the Santa Monica boys are coordinating with the New York police about following up on that contact of Vanessa's," Starsky told Hutch. "I was talking to him just then when you came in with Nicky. He said he might have some news for us in the next hour or so…"
It was clear that Starsky was feeling torn.
"Just go will you?.You need to relax for a while. There's nothing else we can do until we hear what's happening in the investigation."
Starsky still hesitated.
"I sorta' thought I ought to be around in case Dobey wanted to see me again today. He might have something back on the New York cops' attempts to track down that friend of Vanessa."
I'll call Dobey and tell him to keep me posted with the calls while you're out. Anyway, I might just take advantage of catching a nap. I still need to sleep off the last of this hangover." Hutch said.
"I guess." Starsky seemed to make up his mind. "Okay then. But only for a couple of hours max Nick. I want to talk with you, but I need to be available for any developments in the case. He looked at Hutch. "We'll go to Huggy's. I can show Nick the latest make-over he's done on the place."
"Hey – I had something a bit more upmarket in mind. Classier ya' know. We always hang at Huggy's." Nick was close to moaning and Hutch thought how much it made him sound like a spoiled prat. "How about somewhere different? I wanna' give my brother a treat…" Nick said, clearly put out by Starsky's idea.
"Nicky. Like I said. I'm not up for a flash lunch or a big drinkin' session," Starsky resisted him. "I have to keep on top of things for this investigation. Hug's is plenty classy enough for me and like ya' said, I wanna' feel comfortable."
Nick seemed to accept that his brother was not going to back down. With the decision made he jostled some car keys in his hand seeming impatient to get moving.
"Okay then. Whatever my brother wants," he grinned. "I've got a rental parked out on the street up the block. We can take it. "
Nick made short time in hustling his brother out of the apartment. Starsky threw Hutch a half apologetic glance as his brother ushered him out. "I'll catch you soon."
As they clattered down the stairs outside, Hutch heard Nick's loud declarations of how god damn happy he was to see his big brother again, especially in a time when Starsky needed him so much.
Hutch walked back out onto the balcony, taking his time to pick up the couple of discarded cigarette butts and place them in the trashcan. He could help but notice that the two remaining cigarettes, bent and misshapen still remained where Starsky had left them on the entry table. About to trash them as well he stopped just short of crushing them in his hands and tossing them before he placed them on the kitchen bench in full sight to Starsky to find. It was after all a pointless gesture on his behalf to attempt to moderate his partner's self-destructive habit.
Hutch's mind went again to Nick Starsky.
It was the same scene. Nothing had changed.
Nick was still trying to cut him out of the picture whenever he was around and Hutch was still left feeling uneasy about the brash, egotistical younger Starsky. He never had trusted him and right now was no different.
SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH
Jake Webster closed the door behind the retreating backs of the two NYPD detectives maintaining his nonchalant composure until he was sure they were gone. Only then did he allow himself to lean his tall lean form back against the door and let out a much needed sigh of transient relief. Shaken from the questioning he rubbed his hands across his close-cropped dark head before pulling off his wired framed glasses and pinching his eyes. It was all going to come to a head sooner than he thought. Since news of Vanessa's murder had reached him he had lain low, remaining absent from his job in the large finance house in Manhattan and keeping his eyes wide open for his own safety. He knew there was every chance that he could be taken out by Durniak's two dirty players who would no doubt be looking high and low for their stolen meth, or rather Durniak's stolen meth. He couldn't be sure if they'd come back to New York or remained in LA, or in fact taken off out of the country altogether after they had fled the scene of Vanessa's murder.
He paced the room, spitting out a couple of colourful expletives. He wasn't normally one for crass language, his personality more in keeping with conservative academic but his reaction called for something forceful and the bitter tinged word encompassed fairly well how he felt after the two cool-headed detectives had departed. They had hit him up with a barrage of questions about Vanessa Hutchinson and David Starsky. Still he didn't believe that they had anything of note on him except his name as a contact in Vanessa's cell phone. That and the fact that the cop David Starsky might also have made mention of him to the cops if Vanessa had talked about him, which she probably had.
They'd given him phone notice of their requested interview so he had at least some time to prepare mentally for how he would handle the questioning. He'd told them that he'd been off work when he heard the news of his friend's death – that he and Vanessa had been friends - close enough to be distressed by her murder. He had got to meet and know of her through his good friend Marco who had been in a relationship with her before he was mysteriously killed. Jake had told the detectives that he had been worried about her for a long time now and concerned that she was mixed up in something over her head…something very probably related to what had gotten his good friend Marco killed. No, he had told them, the basis and the nature of the activity was unknown to him, even though he suspected it was going to lead to trouble for Vanessa as it had for Marco.
Yes, he admitted, Vanessa had called him from LA. Yes, they'd shared at least three brief calls over the period of seventy-two hours – but he'd been ignorant of what she had been up to exactly in LA and had only been trying to be a sounding support for her when she called him. She'd gone back to LA to try to re-establish some support with her ex husband who she had said was a cop with the LAPD - a detective. Jake was pleased with his embellishment about his suspicions that at least some of the motivations behind Vanessa's return to LA involved her ex husband's cop partner. He wondered, he had told the New York detectives whether Vanessa might be actually seeking out the company of this man, David Starsky. Afterall, she tended to talk often of him, he remembered – and he would not have been surprised, he fabricated, that she and this David Starsky had "something going on".
Jake wasn't really sure what good it would serve putting some extra heat onto the cop called Starsky – but at the very least it would keep the spotlight off himself for the time being. He'd already read the papers and gleaned that the dark-haired cop partner of Hutchinson was being questioned in relation to Vanessa's murder. Now that he was being questioned in relation to Vanessa's murder and had the dedicated audience of the two detectives, he took his time to artfully cast a few more aspersions on the cop's role in the scandal. This Starsky was already at the center of the murder investigation and adding some more weight to his involvement with Vanessa might provide Jake with the time he needed. He wanted to follow through on what he had planned even before the detectives had hit his doorstep.
Jake knew he would be best to get out of New York – or at least to leave from where Durniak's men could easily find him if they came looking. From what he could glean from the news reports and the detectives' questioning (oblique though it had been) he was fairly certain no one had turned up the missing meth as of yet.
Tony Durniak would be ruthless in tracking it down and the two men who had swindled it from Durniak in the first place would be even more desperate for it. Vanessa had been the last person with the stolen stash of meth but of course she was now dead and Durniak, the two men who had chased down Vanessa and the cop in California – all of them couldn't know for sure if this David Starsky was in on it with her or not. The police of course couldn't even know whether there was in fact a missing stash of meth at all. At this point it was merely heresay.
All up, this meant that most parties involved in the murder of Vanessa Hutchinson were playing in the dark.
All parties, with the exception of himself.
Jake would be stupid not to make good use of his position of knowledge.
SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH
A lot of money had been pumped into his Huggy's establishment in the past three months and for the first time Starsky noticed just how much his and Hutch's favorite watering hole had changed. He knew for a fact that Hug had taken on a partner in business and with the extra injection of money had upgraded the interior to a far sleeker bar/restaurant feel. Still, until now he hadn't really appreciated to what extent Hug had succeeded in pulling off the transformation.
Maybe he had just been too preoccupied with his own relationship disasters the last few visits to take note of the upgraded ambience. Maybe it was as Hutch had said; he had just not been coming into the bar as much with Hutch while he was off with a new woman every other night. Or perhaps, it was his heightened awareness and sharper perceptions and sensitivity in the wake of had begun to unfurl between him and Hutch. Whatever it was, as he and Nick settled into a corner booth in the darkly lit room Starsky was genuinely surprised by the more salubrious surroundings.
Starsky would have told Huggy that he'd done a fine job of the refurbishment if and when Huggy would come and sit with him. His dark friend was well aware that he was in the bar. Huggy had seen him arrive with Nicky in tow and had raised his hand in acknowledgement from his perch behind the bar but had not come over to greet them. Starsky had the feeling that when he did, which of course he would, for it was not in Huggy's nature to be rude, his friend might not grace them with his presence for very long. Huggy like Hutch, never seemed to smile when Nick was around. It was a sad fact of life that had not escaped Starsky and one that he had learned to live with; his brother had done little to endear himself to any of Starsky's friends or associates. Nonetheless Nick was his brother and in the Starsky way of life, family was family and his younger brother in particular had always been Starsky's cross to bear.
Starsky looked across the table at his brother now. Nick had picked up the menu and after giving it a cursory look was tapping it distractedly against the small table lamp. Despite Starsky's own commentary about how impressed he was with the changes to the bar, Nick seemed disinterested in their surroundings and its warm ambience.
Nick tossed the menu back on the table, bumping the small lamp so that it teetered precariously.
Starsky reached out to steady it before it toppled.
"So you up for a big juicy steak?" Nick asked him, oblivious to Starsky's quick save.
"Oh – I don't know Nick. Not that hungry," and even Starsky could hear the despondency in his voice. He should pep himself up a bit. After all, his brother had come all the way from New York to see how he was faring.
" Am I hearing right? My big brother turning back a steak?"
"I haven't had much of an appetite of late, but I'll order something – soon I guess."
Nick's face turned serious.
"Of course you haven't. Shit what was I thinkin'. Well let's get a drink and maybe that'll whet your appetite." Nick looked about the room and scowled. Catching sight of a young waitress at a nearby table busy serving some other customers he clicked his fingers loudly in the air attempting to draw her attention. Starsky cringed when a few people turned to look at him. Huggy apparently didn't miss the rather pompous behavior either Starsky noticed as he threw Nick a critical glare from the bar area.
The thin young waitress Nick had summoned approached the table. Starsky didn't recognize her. It only proved again how long since he'd patronized the place. Most of Huggy's regular staff were know to him and Hutch.
"Bring us a coupla' double Bourbons. On the rocks, no mixers." Nick barely looked at her as he gave the order. His mild haughtiness grated on Starsky although he also wasn't in the mood for small talk.
"Ah, Nicky, I'm not gonna' drink doubles in the middle of the day," Starsky said. "I'd just prefer a beer anyway. " The girl hovered uncertainly, looking at Nick, waiting for clarification on the order.
"Davey – just one. Loosen you up. You're as tight as a drum and I just want us to chill for a while and talk. What's the problem? You're not on duty."
Starsky sighed. Giving in too easily to his younger brother, he took the path of least resistance. He nodded at the girl with a light smile. Nicky was a formidable force to argue with and he didn't have the energy.
Nick sat back in his padded seat and eyed his brother. "You know, I really don't get why I didn't get a call when all of this went down for you."
By 'this' Starsky knew they were back on the subject of Vanessa's murder and the subsequent investigation. During the ride over to Huggy's Nick had besieged him with seemingly endless questions about the event. Starsky was already weary of talking about it.
"I'm sorry Nicky, it's been a tough coupla' days y'know? Phoning people and tellin' them wasn't up there on my list of priorities."
"People? I don't see myself fallin' into that category Davey. I'm your brother, the closest person in your life." Nick stated it with a conviction but Starsky knew differently. Nick had been insecure about his role in Starsky's life for quite a number of years now. Despite their shared blood Starsky knew that his little brother had worked out that he wasn't the person who could claim to hold that role. Worse than that he never failed to show his resentment toward the man who did.
"Besides it wasn't up to you to call me," Nick went on. "Hutchinson should have done it."
It wasn't uncommon for Nick to refer to Hutch by his full surname rather than Starsky's preferred nickname for his best friend. It was just another thing that bugged Starsky whenever he heard it roll off Nicks lips. He wondered if Nick did it simply to piss him off.
"You're my brother Nick, Hutch is my partner and best friend. Can't you refer to him informally? Ken or Hutch?" Starsky had asked him enough time over the years.
The young waitress materialized again with the drinks and then was gone.
Starsky pushed his around on his coaster but didn't raise the glass. Nicky however took no time in raising his own glass and throwing down half of its contents.
"Hutch had enough to deal with Nicky. His ex-wife had just been found murdered." Starsky frowned at him.
"Sure, but while he was dealing with that, you were getting pinned for her murder." Nick argued.
Starsky didn't comment on that, but instead picked up his drink and took a swallow of the burning dark amber liquid. He felt its biting scald slide down all the way down his constricted throat. Everything about him felt constricted and wound too tightly. Maybe Nicky was right. Maybe he did need to let some of the tension out. Trouble was the tension was all mixed up inside of him. Part of it was worry and dread at what lay ahead with the investigation but another part of it, a large part of it, was pent-up emotion with what was happening with him and Hutch.
Everything was changing between them. And if he let it happen – there would be no going back to the way it had always been. It left him both rigid with fear of moving forward but also taut with the wanting, the longing to do so.
Nicky was talking again; still decrying the fact he had been left out of the picture by "Hutchinson". Starsky was surprised when he looked down to see that two more drinks had been delivered to their table. He looked toward the bar and caught sight of Huggy hovering there, looking at him from afar with his signature askew expression plastered all over his long thin black face. Starsky knew his friend's expression well. Huggy was not happy with him. Probably had to do with him being in the company of Nicky and double Bourbons in the early afternoon.
Well Starsky was not exactly happy with himself either.
"Look stop bitchin' about Hutch will ya'? You think I want to' come out here with you and listen to you put my partner down like this? And his name is Hutch, not Hutchinson. Not like I haven't mentioned that you before.." Starsky slammed down the second glass, its contents giving him the fortitude to say it. He was never very good at putting his little brother in his place. Always did seem to let him get away with too much of his smart mouthed liberties.
Nick had the grace to look a little taken aback by his sudden verbal lunge. He raised thick dark eyebrows and looked into his empty glass.
A moment or two passed where neither said anything. Nick made a pretense of looking at the menu while Starsky made a pretense of trying to not look like he wished he hadn't agreed to this brother on brother session.
Nick cleared his throat after swallowing some more drink.
"So these two thugs in masks who turned up at your place like they did? You think they knew Hutch's ex? I mean, why the hell were they there in the first place?" Nick had changed the subject from attacking Hutch to more questions about the investigation.
"Nicky, you know I'm not s'posed to discuss the case with anyone not involved. That includes you – I'm sorry. "
"But you're not the detective on this one."
"No, that's right. I'm a suspect under questioning. Still – its advisable for me not to go into to much detail with anyone not immediately involved in the case."
"You know Davey – you really are giving me a hard time here. I'm your brother for Christ's sake. Your only brother. Don't you think I deserve to have your trust on this? Don't you think I would want to be here for ya' – to stand by ya' while you're goin' through all of this?"
"I get that Nick. Sure. But that don't alter the fact that there's certain things I really can't discuss with you. I'm a cop as well as ya' brother and right now I'm a cop in a whole lot of trouble, so I need to be extra careful."
"You tellin' me that you don't talk about the investigation with Hutch?" Nick protested. "Or – is there stuff you're holdin' back from him too? Like why his ex lady came knockin' on your door in the first place?"
Starsky pushed his empty glass to the side as he leaned across the table. Nick's attitude was seriously starting to annoy him.
"One, Hutch is a cop just like me. Two, he is my partner and three, he's directly involved with the investigation. You know all those facts Nicky so don't play dumb and act like the injured party here." Starsky knew he sounded agitated but the initial looseness he had been feeling with the two double shots was leaving him fast and fresh angry knots were tightening up inside his guts all over again. "As far as Vanessa comin' to me – there ain't anything about that Hutch doesn't know," he finished.
"Okay Davey – settle down. I get the picture. Let's get somethin' to eat, have another drink and just chill out a bit alright."
Starsky was thinking about going over and talking to Huggy for a few minutes until he swallowed down his anger at Nick when as though just thinking about him had conjured up the man himself. Huggy's impossibly lanky form was suddenly standing over him, his long thin fingers coming to rest on his shoulder, offering his support.
Of course Huggy would know all about Vanessa's murder. There was little that didn't reach the street wise man's ears.
"I'm surprised to see you in here – I'm glad, just surprised. I heard what went on. Bad news for sure. For you and Hutch. " It was said in a totally straight serious tone, without even a touch of affectation. It wasn't often that Huggy dropped his showman personality when working his establishment and Starsky appreciated the genuine empathy.
"As for being here now, Nick has just arrived in town." Starsky motioned at his brother and Huggy nodded and turned to acknowledge him directly but Nick was otherwise distracted by his attempts to procure another round of drinks.
He raised his hand to click at the waitress again. Before Starsky could bite at him about for acting like such an arrogant ass in front of Huggy, Huggy got in first. With his never-ending mouth pressed tight, his chocolate-brown eyes glittered with an expression that clearly forecast what he was about to say.
What the hell you doin' man?" Huggy demanded.
Nicky looked at him questioningly and then raised his eyebrows and looked quickly at Starsky. Starsky shook his head at his brother, hoping he would pull his head in quickly before there was trouble.
"You livin' in another decade, maybe even another century?" Huggy demanded. "You think my staff are going to answer to the click of your fingers? There are more polite ways of summoning my wait staff." It was clear that Huggy was from joking but Nick chose to take it that way.
"And I thought you people here on the sunny west coast were supposed to be laid back." Nick tried a teasing grin but it was strained enough for Starsky to notice he was not happy with Huggy's censorship of him.
"There's laid back and there's just plain ignorant. Snapping your fingers for the 'garcon' is just plain ignorant man." Huggy flung back at him.
Starsky was quickly regretting his decision to bring Nick to his bar.
"Well maybe your staff need to be a little more attentive to their clientele. A man could die of thirst from waiting for another drink here." Nick didn't back down.
"Perhaps a little overstated." Huggy cocked his head and lifted the two empty glasses. Starsky was thankful when Huggy decided to let the moment go. He turned away from Nick and spoke to Starsky.
"You want to change to beer now or you gonna keep burning your gut with the heavy stuff? Bit early in the day for doubles ain't it?" His questions were steeped in thinly veiled criticism and Starsky felt the instant resentment at his reproof. Not of course that he hadn't expected it; Huggy never pulled any punches when it came to saying what he thought.
"Didn't know this was a regulated bar you've got runnin' here Huggy." Nick butted in again. Huggy only opened his upward slanting eyes wider and raised his brows in silent challenge.
"It's alright Hug. Nick just wants to unwind after his flight." Starsky intercepted quickly. "Bring him what he wants. But for me, yeah, I'll take a beer." He really would have preferred to change to something soft or maybe even just water, but knew Nick would see that as mutinous in the face of Huggy's attitude.
"You planning on eatin' anything today or you just here for the liquid replenishments?" Huggy fixed them both with his jaunty scowl.
"Sure – sure. Umm…" Starsky knew what was best for him when he got the look from Huggy. "I'll order somethin' in a short while." He tried his best smile on for his friend in an attempt to unruffled him. "This place looks so fancy now I'm wasn't sure you'd be still running burgers on the menu."
"For you my friend – I can make exceptions. I must admit however that my new extennnn – sive menu encompasses a balance of more diverse culinary flavors. Probably more in keeping with Blondi's palate than yours I'm certain. Which is just as well because I think your other half has been taking most of his main meals here of late. Alone." Huggy emphasized the single word. "You – of course, have been noticeable in your absence."
Beside him, Starsky was aware of Nick's growing impatience as no doubt did Huggy who gave Starsky a final drilling look. "Make sure you don't become a stranger again. Don't make me have to come lookin' for ya' alright?"
Huggy now gone and a fresh round of drinks in front of them, Nick lounged back and eyed his brother.
"Christ, told you we should have gone some place else. Bit damn pushy for a freakin' barkeep isn't he? I mean, Jesus – how often do you and I get the chance to shoot the breeze together in a bar hey? I just wanted us to chill -"
"Huggy's okay – he's just looking out for me. Now is not the time for me to be shooting the breeze with anyone, even you. I've had a couple with you, but that's me done. I need to keep my wits about me. I could get called in at any time…"
"Still, it don't mean he gets a say in what how I act or what I choose to drink."
Starsky sighed. "Huggy is just concerned that I might go off the deep end and he probably sees that you are a bad influence – that's all." Starsky said. "That's what friends do I guess. Nag and worry."
Nick scoffed. " Between your blond partner and this guy it's a wonder you get to make any freakin' decisions in your life Davey!"
"Look shut up about Huggy will you? He's a friend. If you hadn't treated his staff like that he wouldn't have come on hard like that."
"Thought he was just a guy you've got to know over the years as a street informant." Nick said.
"You know Huggy is more than that to Hutch and me. He's more than an informant. He was my friend well before he was our link to the street. Over the years he's become a friend to both of us - a good friend."
None of this seemed to impress Nicky.
"So, good friend and all? You think he's got any word that can help get you out of this mess?"
Starsky pushed his beer to the side and picked up the iced water Hug had also sent to the table.
"Huggy? No." Starsky answered, short and sharp.
"But surely there must be some word out there about the drugs?" Nicky asked.
At the question, Starsky stopped with his water glass half way to his mouth, his hand jolting enough that water sloshing out onto the table.
What? Was Nicky talking about the meth?
Starsky put the glass down used the cool water on his hands to rub at his brow. He tried to think. His mind was a little muddled already. No food since, well….whenever. He couldn't really remember. He and Hutch had threw down some coffee that morning but no breakfast. The night before he'd barely touched the light meal that Hutch had prepared for him.
No wonder the straight bourbon had gone straight to his head.
Nick seemed oblivious to Starsky's reaction to what he had said and went on. "Given the size of the parcel of missing meth, someone – Jesus someone surely out there on the streets must know something about it?"
Nicky had spoken with such authority that Starsky tried to think back quickly to what he had already told Nicky about the investigation.
He was talking about meth now – specifically meth, not just drugs in general.
Shit.
Had he actually told Nicky about the supposed missing stash? Had they discussed it on the way there in the car? In his stressed state had he forgotten that? Surely Hutch wouldn't have had either the time or the inclination to share anything with him when he had turned up just earlier? But then? How could Nicky know anything about it? It sure as hell hadn't been public knowledge and any police reports to the media had made no reference to that part of the murder investigation.
"Nicky? I don't remember tellin' you anything about meth? I don't remember even telling you anything about any drugs," Starsky said it with cold certainty despite feeling spacey and nonplussed. He was hedging his bets that he couldn't be that forgetful or that out of it that he wouldn't recall something so pivotal. His eyes narrowed now as he watched Nick's face for his reaction. "You got something you wanna tell me Nicky? Like where all this is comin' from?"
If he hadn't known him better Starsky would have missed it. Nick did a quick double take and re-calculation.
"I told you, you're story is news brother. Even on the East Coast." Nick shrugged it off, not even looking like he was trying to evade anything.
"So you say but what you're talkin' about isn't part of any news story. I know that for sure. " Starsky said, wary enough now not to collaborate any of Nicky's comments about the drugs. He kept watching Nicky's face for any hint of deception.
Nick swallowed some drink and looked around the room, cool, and unfazed. His simple actions irritated Starsky.
"You got something you need to tell me?" Starsky asked him again, now absolutely certain that Nicky had knowledge about the investigation that he hadn't picked up from anything he or Hutch had said.
"Like what?"
"Don't play fuckin' dumb with me Nicky. You know as well as I do. You mentioned drugs. Meth to be specific," Starsky said, his face darkening with anger, "just before you asked me what I thought the men who invaded my apartment were doing there. Seems you've got some ideas of your own on that one." Starsky's hand shot across the small table and wrapped tightly around his brother's wrist. "Spill it – now."
Despite the pressure Starsky was laying on him Nicky remained calmly unflustered. The fact that he did only served to alarm Starsky more.
What the hell was going on here?
"I think, big brother, that you've been away from your roots for too long." Nicky said, a challenging smirk on his face as he pulled his hand free of Starsky's grip.
"What is that s'posed to mean for God's sake?"
"Only that you've forgotten where I still live, the circles I still move in, the people I still know. They all know you too Davey – or at least remember who you used to be. That is before you sold out and came over here to be a cop." Nick's chin lifted in challenge.
"I left New York fucking years ago so quit tryin' to put me back there in your zone. " Starsky wasn't going to get suckered by this emotive spiel his brother often fell back on him when they were together. " You're still not makin' sense here Nicky. Where are you gettin' this story about missing meth from?"
A distinct crawling uneasiness was wrapping itself around his gut.
"What's that look for? What? You think I wouldn't know this stuff about what's gone down with you? Don't look so shocked Davey. You truly think that the story's not out there about what that stupid broad Hutch used to be married to has got you tangled up in?" Nick's quick harsh laugh surprised Starsky. "Don't forget she and her dead boyfriend were messed up in some heavy shit back in New York. I got friends and enough enemies too who take delight in telling me how you've landed headlong in the same shit because of her." Nick fixed him with bright eyes, only slightly dulled by the alcohol he had thrown back too quickly. His younger brother seemed to be hardening against the elements everytime he saw him. Starsky could remember a time not so long ago when he would have had to half carry Nick out the door after that much alcohol that quickly on an empty stomach.
"So what do you know – or think you know Nicky?" Starsky asked. "Talk to me. You've got my full attention now."
"What I know is that you're in trouble – big trouble." Nick warned, his face glowering.
"Oh – thanks for the news flash brother. Like I didn't know that small detail."
"It ain't the murder investigation that is the big trouble Davey – it's the fact that Hutchinson's ex - wife might have been in possession of a parcel of concentrated meth – worth a bucketload of money. Fact is Davey – you were the last person to see the woman in question alive."
"I need to know where you're getting your information from Nicky."
"So? You admit what I've heard about the drugs is right?" Nick asked him.
"I'm not admitting a damn thing! Told you before Nick. Don't ask me about the case. But I need to know who gave you this information and I need to know now."
Nicky shook his head again.
"You think that's goin' to be of any use to you?"
"The New York cops can look into it – could give us some information on the men who murdered Vanessa."
"Come on Davey. You know how it is out there. You know how it works with your friend Huggy here. Information gets around, spreads like a dirty disease and before you know it there's no connection to where it started from. Enough people back home got variations on the story of the meth and none of them got it first hand. You ask anyone of them and they'll play dumb. " Nicky leaned right across the table, dropping his voice. "I came over here Davey because you need to understand the danger you're in."
"You don't think I know that? Jesus Christ!"
"I'm not talking about the murder investigation here and I'm not talking about your danger with the law. I mean the danger you're in from the people who Vanessa stole that meth from. You gotta start to think how you gonna get out of this. She came to you. She must have told you – " he paused, rephrasing what he'd just said. "She might have said something to you – anything that could help you get those drugs before those guys come back for them."
His brother was saying way too much, seemed to know way too much about things he shouldn't have known. Starsky was becoming increasingly uneasy as he tried to fathom what the hell was going on.
"Is that why you're here in LA now Nick?"
"You know why I'm here. I've come here for you."
"Is that why we're here now Nick?" Starsky pushed again. "You've been pumping me for information about the investigation since we left Hutch's place."
"Don't be stupid Davey. I'm here for you because I'm worried about you and what might happen and I want to be with you."
His blatant, easy denial angered Starsky more and he jabbed his finger at Nick's empty shot glass.
"Is that why you were trying to ply me with double shots? To loosen me up? What the fucking hell is this all about?"
"Now you're bein' paranoid Davey. Maybe that bump on your head is givin' you some strange ideas. The drinks were only to help you to relax. " Nicky laughed but it was a laugh with all the wrong notes to it and Starsky had suddenly had enough. He needed to get out of here and think. Nick had thrown too much at him too quickly and he had to sort it out in his head before he took the conversation any further; before he said something he knew he shouldn't let Nicky hear.
Before he changed his mind he skirted to the side of the booth and stood up.
"Davey, come on! Look I can tell you're pissed with me for touching too much on the investigation but you've got to know it's just because I care about what might happen to you. That dead wife of Hutch's has dragged you into some big stuff Davey. " Nicky appealed. "Surely you're not walking out over this." Starsky could see that Nick seemed genuinely distressed that he was leaving. "What the hell did I say that's got you so worked up?"
"It's like this Nicky." Starsky pulled out some notes from his wallet and threw them on the table. "It's not what you've said that's got me worked up, it's what you haven't said. It's clear you're not going to come clean with me about how you know what you do. Maybe you need to think about that before you try to talk to me again because I can damn well tell you, I'm not taking lies from you – not about this. I've got too much riding on this investigation – my career and my life."
Starsky looked across the room and lifted his hand in farewell to Huggy who he knew full well had watched the less than amicable interchange between the two of them.
"Where're ya' goin?" Nick asked him. "I've got the car remember? I'll drop you back to Hutch's if you really want to leave."
"I'm not goin' home. I'm heading into the station – I need to catch up with my Captain."
Starsky was already walking away when Nicky called out to him. "I'll call you later. When you've cooled down."
Starsky didn't acknowledge him as he left through the main entrance, the bright light of day streaming into the semi darkened interior.
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Sagging back into the booth Nick tried not to look at Huggy who was casting a wary eye on him from across the room.
He cursed inwardly at how badly the whole thing with David had gone. He cursed outwardly at the monumental slip up he'd made where he mentioned the missing meth without thinking that of course his cop brother would question how he had any knowledge of part of the investigation's inside information. Still, he'd done a fair enough job in covering his ass on the stuff up. Either way it had left David annoyed with him and suspicious of just how and what he knew.
The real problem now of course was Tony Durniak's LA man who he had seen hovering outside on the street at Huggy's Bar after he had tailed them there from Hutchinson's place. As soon as he left the joint the guy would be on him wanting information to hand on to Tony. He would have already seen David leave the bar without him.
Nicky had nothing to give him. He had gleaned zero from his attempts to draw his brother out about Tony's stolen meth. He hadn't even confirmed in any real way that he knew about the stolen drugs though of course he believed his brother knew a lot more than he was prepared to say.
Nicky looked at his watch. Still relatively early in the day and he'd only been here in LA a few goddamn hours. Surely Tony had to give him some time and space to come up with something solid.
He considered his options.
With his mind made up Nick pulled on his jacket and stood up. David was going to be away for a while if he was heading into the police station to see his captain. That would give Nick the window of opportunity he had not expected to get today.
He looked down at the money his brother had left on the table for their drinks. It should easily cover it. He patted his own wallet and car keys. Damned if he'd leave that walking skeleton dude Huggy any of his own money – not after the way he had so pointedly belittled him earlier on.
Determined not to look fazed by his brother's premature departure he put on his coolest face and strode out the door, knowing that the set of dark eyes watched him leave.
No doubt the damn snitch would be on the phone to report back to his brother's partner about the scene that had gone on between him and Starsky.
It didn't matter if he did. In fact it might pave the way for his next move.
It was about time he and the golden-haired Hutchinson had their own private chat.
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