Chapter 9

Captain Dobey met Starsky at The Pits at 2000 in the upstairs room. Huggy was in the room too. "Boy, the two of you sure know how to dig yourselves into the biggest messes, Starsk," Huggy said. Starsky had just filled Huggy in on what was going on with Monroe.

"Huggy, if Hutch and I didn't get into so much trouble we wouldn't need you now, would we?"

"You two wouldn't know what to do without the Bear."

"You're right about that."

"Starsky," Captain Dobey said sounding annoyed.

"I want Huggy to tell you what he found out."

"I received a call about an hour ago. Guess who just washed up at the docks," Captain Dobey said as he sat in one of the chairs at the table.

"Don't tell me, Spitzer," Starsky said.

"Seems he fell in the water while he was wearing a ten-pound weight tied to his feet."

"Monroe did say Spitzer would be out of his way by the end of the day. Guess he meant it."

"What did you find out, Huggy?" Dobey asked.

"Okay. I did some digging and found out Monroe got his start in Orlando. He moved here a little over a month ago, and he worked for Big John. And he's one, crazy, dangerous dude. Word is he did Big John's dirty work and probably killed Big John himself."

"Starsky, you and Hutch better be careful if you're going to take him on." Captain Dobey said, looking uneasy.

"We know that, Cap'n. I think we're going to have to play his little game for a while. Let him operate until we gather real solid evidence against him. We'll still talk to Ray in the morning, but if Monroe's that heavy…"

"Ray won't talk to you two cats," Huggy interrupted.

"I don't think so either but we have to at least go through the motions. I'll talk to Hutch in the morning."

"I think the four of us need to keep this under wraps for now too," Captain Dobey stated.

"I do too, now that we know a little more. He's dangerous, Cap'n.

Captain Dobey looked at Huggy, "You got any beer?"

Huggy gave the captain a sarcastic look, "Do I have beer. You're in a bar aren't you? I'll get you a beer." Huggy stood up and just before he put his hand on the door knob he turned back around and said, "And I'll bring back a couple of burgers and fries too."

"I love ya, Hug," Starsky said through a smile.

Huggy returned in a few minutes with the burgers, fries and beer for all of them. Dobey voiced concerns about the case and Starsky said that at this point they didn't really have a choice. Monroe already hurt Rosie and if they didn't play his game, there's no telling who he would go after next. Dobey suggested that they find someplace else to meet to keep Monroe from suspecting Dobey was in on their little secret.

Starsky didn't sleep very well that night. He knew there were guards outside Hutch's room, but still he couldn't help but worry about him. He also thought about Rosie and how she had been hurt because of Monroe. He tossed and turned all night and called to check on Hutch at least three times. He was glad when the sun came up and he could go to the hospital.

Starsky walked into Hutch's room to find he was already up and trying to get dressed. Hutch was struggling to put his shirt on because of the pain in his ribs. Starsky went quickly to his partner's aid. "Let me help you with that. Why didn't you wait for me?"

"I want to get out of here," Hutch said as Starsky helped him put the shirt on. That was when Hutch noticed the worried look on his partner's face. "What is it?" Hutch buttoned up his shirt from the bottom up.

"What's what?"

"Come on, Starsk, we've been partners for too long for you to try to hide anything from me."

"I was gonna tell ya. I met with Dobey and Huggy last night." Hutch sat on the bed and Starsky pulled up a chair. The pain in his ribs wouldn't allow him to even put his own shoes on. As he tied Hutch's shoes, Starsky continued, "Huggy found out Monroe is from Orlando and he worked for Big John until he was killed."

Hutch shook his head, "That means he's more dangerous than we thought, isn't he?"

"Fraid so, Partner." Starsky finished tying Hutch's shoes.

"I guess we're back to plan A and not telling anyone what we're up to except for Dobey and Huggy."

"Yep," Starsky said as he helped Hutch put his jacket on. "Hey, has the doctor been in and released you?"

"Sure he has," Hutch said with a tone in his voice that let Starsky know he was lying.

"Hutch, you can't leave until he says you can."

"Watch me." Hutch zipped up his black jacket.

He was met at the door by his doctor. "Leaving so soon, Mr. Hutchinson?"

"Sure am. I feel fine."

"I was going to release you anyway. Could you at least do me courtesy of signing a couple of release papers?"

"Sure." Hutch took the clipboard the doctor handed him and signed the papers.

The doctor gave Hutch a couple of prescriptions. "One is for possible infection and the other for pain." The doctor looked at Starsky, "I presume you'll make sure these get filled."

"Yes, Sir," Starsky said as he took the prescriptions out of Hutch's hands. "They sure will."

"I want you to come back in a couple of weeks so I can check on those ribs."

"Yeah, yeah, can I please go now?"

"He needs rest and lots of it. I know you're officers and you undoubtedly are after whoever did this to your partner, but he really needs a couple days of rest," the doctor said to Starsky without looking at Hutch.

"I know. I'll make sure he gets plenty of rest."

"Trust me, he will." Hutch pulled Starsky's arm and started walking away before the doctor had Starsky convinced to take him straight home and tuck him into bed.

As Hutch had his hand on the door of the Torino he squinted from the sunlight as he looked at Starsky, "What's our first move?"

"I still think we need to talk to Ray and then than slime ball Blinn."

"Sounds as good a place to start as any," Hutch said as he got in the passenger side. He briefly closed his eyes as he felt a sharp burning pain from his ribs.

"You sure you're okay, Hutch?"

"I have to be." He took a minute to catch his breath putting both hands on the dash. He gently leaned back into the seat. "You can't go it alone, Buddy. Not this time. I'll be okay." Hutch gave Starsky a look and a half grin that let Starsky know Hutch was hurting but he was determined to go through with their plan. Starsky smiled back, nodded and started the car.