Chapter 15

When Captain Dobey walked through the emergency room doors, he saw Starsky sitting next to Farmer who had his head wrapped up and resting it in his hands. He was obviously very upset. "He's going to be alright, Farmer." Dobey heard Starsky say as he got closer.

"How is everyone, Starsky?"

"Hutch is still in surgery, but the doctor said he'll be out by tomorrow or the next day. Singleton is still in surgery." He stood up and guided Dobey by the arm away from Farmer. "Right now it's touch and go, Cap'n. They just don't know. Anderson has a broken right ankle. I heard from the other hospital that Blanks is still in surgery but doing okay and Reynolds is out of surgery doing well. I don't know about the others yet. I know some of Monroe's men were killed and some were injured."

The doctor came out and told Farmer that Singleton made it through surgery and was expected to make a full recovery. He would have to stay in the hospital about a week. Farmer was so happy he hugged Starsky who just laughed. Starsky let Farmer stay with him while he waited to be allowed to take Singleton home.

A couple of days later, Starsky showed up in Hutch's room with a wheelchair. "Your chariot awaits." He had a big grin on his face.

"And none too soon."

"We have one stop to make before I take you home, Blondie."

Hutch sat in the chair and Starsky wheeled him to Singleton's room. Starsky and Hutch both had smiles on their faces as they saw Singleton sitting up in the bed. The IV had been removed and he was looking much better. Starsky wheeled Hutch close to the bed because Hutch was not supposed to walk on his leg for another three days.

"It's good to see you awake," Hutch said as he reached through the bedrail and shook Singleton's hand. "You saved my life. I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything, Hutch. You and Starsky saved me. And besides, Starsky saved Farmer from being shot by that maniac, Monroe. So I think we're about even."

"I have a question," Hutch said as he looked at Singleton.

"You want to know how I knew something was up at the docks. Why I said to stand down, is that it?" Hutch nodded. "I didn't know what it was at first. I just knew something wasn't right. Later I realized when Farmer stepped down out of the truck, he saw me and closed the door with his left hand."

"Yeah, so?" Hutch asked.

"He's right handed, Hutch. He wouldn't have closed the door with his left hand."

"Right. I'm left handed and only a left-handed person would have picked up on something like that."

"You're a lefty," Hutch said, not sounding happy.

"What's wrong with lefties?" Farmer asked.

"Well, you see, Hutch has been giving me a hard time for years about being left handed. Now, he has to live with the fact that a 'lefty'", Starsky made air quotes, "saved his life." Starsky chuckled along with Singleton and Farmer.

"You two work pretty well together, don't you?" Hutch asked.

"We get by," they said at the same time.

"How's everyone who was hurt, Starsky?" Singleton asked.

"You're the last to leave the hospital. Most of them are back at work. Turned out to be mostly minor injuries. Anderson will be out about eight weeks with that broken ankle."

There was a knock on the door and Huggy came bounding in carrying something in paper bags that Starsky thought smelled awfully good. "Come on in, Hug."

"I was told you'd be in here." Starsky helped Huggy put the bags on the counter by the sink.

Farmer said, "Huggy Bear, I'd like to introduce you to my best friend in the whole world and partner, Dave Singleton."

Huggy held out his hand and shook hands with Singleton, "The pleasure is all mine. I hear you saved Blondie here and anyone who saves a friend of mine is in my debt." He said smiling.

Starsky and Huggy started dishing up the food Huggy brought. After they had all eaten, Farmer and Singleton said that was some of the best food they had ever had.

It was a week later before Singleton was allowed to fly back to Orlando. Starsky and Hutch saw them off at the airport and told them if they ever needed anything to give them a call. Farmer and Singleton said the same thing. The four men had become good friends in a very short period of time. Farmer and Singleton said they would be back for Ray and Blinn's trial along with the rest of Monore's men who had been arrested. All of them were looking at spending a long-long time behind bars.

Hutch was released to go back to full duty the day after Farmer and Singleton left. They were sitting in Captain Dobey's office and as usual, Hutch was sitting on the arm of the chair Starsky was sitting in drinking Starsky's coffee. "You called us, Captain?" Hutch asked as he handed Starsky back his cup.

The door opened and Chief McDonald entered the office. "Boys, you two did a great job on the Monroe case," Captain Dobey said.

"Yes, you did and the department would like it if you stayed in your current positions," the chief said.

"No way. Ain't gonna happen," Starsky and Hutch said in unison.

"I told you they'd never go for it, Chief."

"Well, I was just hoping. I guess we'll find someone to fill the lieutenant positions. Harold, let me know when you find someone."

"Sure thing, Chief," Dobey said as Chief McDonald left.

"Are you two…"

"We're positive. Look, Captain, Hutch and I are happy the way things are."

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Hutch said. He stood up and asked, "What time are we supposed to meet Marsolenni?"

"Oh yeah, we need to go," Starsky said looking at his watch. "Bye, Captain.

"It's good to have you back, boys," Dobey muttered to himself as they closed the door behind them.

Starsky drove the Torino up to the iron gate and was let in by the guard on duty. They set their weapons down on the small table in the library just as they had done the last time they made a visit.

"You asked us to come by, we're here," Hutch said.

"I like you Starsky, you always…"

Hutch shook his head, "I'm Hutch."

"I'm Starsky."

"Okay. I like you Hutchinson, you always get straight to the point. No wasting time with the pleasantries."

Starsky and Hutch looked impatient. They didn't like being in Marsolenni's house; especially unarmed.

"Come on, Marsolenni. What do want?"

"I just want to extend my thanks."

"Thanks, for what?" Hutch asked.

"For taking care of my problem."

"If you're referring to Monroe, I assure you we didn't do that for you. We did that for all those little kids out there he and creeps like you pray on," Starsky said, pointing his finger and allowing his anger to show.

"Watch it, Starsky, that sounds like an accusation. And I don't like accusations."

"I don't care what it sounds like. Take it however you want. One day, Starsky and I are going to come back here and it will be with a warrant."

"If that's all you want, we've got work to do," Starsky said, picking up his gun and putting it back in its holster. Hutch put his back too.

"There is one more thing, Gentlemen."

"What's that?" Hutch asked.

"At least you know, I won't be going after any little girls."

"Yeah, you have morals," Starsky said, sarcastically.

They didn't say anything else but left. In the car, Starsky said, "One day, Hutch."

"One day, we'll get him, Starsk."

Starsky drove in silence for a couple of miles, then he smiled and turned to face his partner. "Hutch?"

"Yeah, Buddy?"

"It's good to have you back. I mean it's good to be us again."

"That it is, Starsk. Me and Thee."