Chapter 3
Hutch sat at his desk reviewing mug shots; his eyes fell on one picture. "Damian." He stood up and walked toward his Captain's office, the door was already partly open, so he pushed it the rest of the way open with his foot.
He tossed the photo on his Captain's desk.
Dobey studied the photograph. He glanced at his detective, Hutch pointed to the photo. Captain, this is Damian. Starsky arrested him for petty theft."
The Captain held the photo toward Hutch; in a disheartened voice, he said. "Starsky wrote down the wrong name, and Damien walked."
Hutch pointed a finger at his Captain. "You know the doctor released him too soon."
Don't you think I know that, Hutchinson? I'm doing everything I can to clear him."
The detective rubbed the back of his neck. "Why the hell does Damian want my partner?" He bent down, putting his hands on the Captain's desk. "It's like a puzzle, where are the missing pieces."
The big Captain stood up and put his hand on his detectives shoulder. "We need to get our boy back. What can I do?"
Hutch handed him a card with the number to the Pitts on it. "Keep in touch with Huggy. He's the only one I can trust right now."
Captain Dobey took the card and put it in his pocket. He looked up; his detective had already left.
He grabbed the phone. "I need information on a Damian Nicole. I need it today. His family, friends, and coworkers."
The voice on the phone said, "This is too short notice."
Captain Dobey's door was open, so Minnie peeked in. "I can have this for you today, Captain."
The Captain didn't say a word into the phone; he put it back on the base. Then he addressed Minnie. "Thank you. Starsky's life depends on it."
"Also, Captain, I heard from Dr. Monroe he never released Starsky for duty. One of the new nurses mistakenly released him."
"Well, that's the best news I've heard all day."
"I know it is, Captain, also Starsky didn't write the wrong name down on his report. Officer Henderson's wife came to eat lunch with him. Their son was drawing on a piece of paper and changed the name on Starsky's report. He didn't know he was doing anything wrong." She shrugged her shoulders and left. Closing the door behind her.
Captain Dobey shook his head in concern. He reached for the phone to call Police Chief Harold. The Chief cleared Starsky of any wrongdoing.
~ ~ ~
Think before you
accuse
Those harsh words
Will forever
hang
in the air
~~ ~
The blonde detective leaned against the wall in the hallway. "He became distressed and muttered. "All the officers in this city and Starsky cannot be found." He became aware of the officers staring, so he waved his hand in anger. "Mind your own business."
He opened the door to the men's room and bent over the sink, splashing water on his face. Then he grabbed a paper towel to dry his face. The detective looked up; his mouth dropped. On the mirror, in blood, was written, "WHERE'S YOUR PARTNER?"
Hutch quickly opened the door, stood in the hallway, scanning all directions. He heard a voice and turned, his Captain was coming down the hall. "What is it, Hutchinson? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I hope not, Captain. We need a forensics team. That might be Starsky's blood on the mirror." He gestured toward the bathroom.
The Captain glanced into the bathroom. The sight he saw was unbelievable: the smeared blood had formed letters on the mirror. He came out with a look of horror. "We need the forensic team now!"
One of the officers ran swiftly to get help.
The team came rapidly and began taking samples of the blood, checking for fingerprints.