The Door Kicked In
The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the back entrance of the abandoned warehouse. Floodlights flickered to life, illuminating the grimy exterior and the shadows that danced nervously in the corners. A soft wind whispered through the alley, sending loose papers skittering across the cracked pavement, and somewhere in the distance, a dog barked, its sound echoing into the night.
Detective Bobby Crocker stood at the ready, his athletic frame tense with anticipation. He was the youngest detective in the precinct, his enthusiasm burned brighter than anyone could have anticipated. His dark close-cut curly hair glistened under the floodlights, and his eyes glinted with determination. He had that air about him—the kind of intensity that could almost convince you that he was invincible.
Behind him, his partner Detective Stavros waddled into view, his curly hair bobbing like a large, fluffy cloud. Stavros was a stout man, his bulky form was nothing compared to Bobby's agile build, but his persistence matched the young detective's energy in a different way. He breathed heavily, every step a deliberate motion as he tried to catch up.
"Crocker, wait up!" Stavros huffed, a frown creasing his forehead. He didn't have the luxury of speed; every door they approached was another mountain he had to climb.
But Bobby didn't hear him. He had already made it to the door, his impatience bubbling over. "We've got to move fast, Stavros!" he shouted back, eyes fixed on the entrance like a hawk watching its prey. "Time's not on our side."
In his mind, he envisioned the scenario—a woman had been kidnapped, and their intel suggested she was being held inside this very building. If they could create a distraction, perhaps the captors would panic and flee, abandoning her in the process. He stepped back, muscles coiling like springs, and without a second thought, he planted a powerful kick into the door.
With a splintering crack, the door flew open, slamming against the wall inside. Bobby darted in, prepared for the chaos that might ensue.
Stavros's eyes widened in shock. "Crocker! What the hell?!" he shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
As he rushed to follow, Stavros's stout frame couldn't match Bobby's speed. The young detective was already through the threshold, adrenaline surging through him, when Stavros finally reached the door. In his frustration, he grabbed Bobby's collar, yanking him back in an effort to prevent him from rushing headfirst into danger without backup.
But in the chaotic moment, Bobby lost his balance and stumbled backward, falling down the steps leading to the street. A grunt escaped him as he landed hard on the concrete, the air knocked from his lungs. Dazed, he looked up just in time to see Stavros barreling toward him, an angry bull caught in a moment of misguided revenge.
The detectives Rizzo and Saperstein stood frozen on the street having just left their car, both taken aback by the sight before them. Rizzo, shook his head in disbelief. "Did you see that?" he said, trying to stifle a laugh. "I thought they were supposed to be partners!"
Saperstein, equally bewildered, nodded. "It's a miracle they haven't killed each other yet," he murmured, watching the chaos unfold with a mix of amusement and concern.
Before Rizzo could react further, he turned to sprint towards the approaching police sedan, knowing they needed Lieutenant Kojak. The seasoned detective was a solid presence in their department, renowned for his wisdom and calm demeanor. If anyone could diffuse this situation, it was him.
Meanwhile, back at the base of the stairs, Bobby, standing, still recovering from the tumble, was met with an unexpected surprise. Stavros had lunged forward and—without even thinking—had delivered a headbutt straight to Bobby's chest sending the young detective backward over a guardrail. He landed on concrete at the basement door below.
"Stavros!" Bobby gasped, genuinely surprised and now truly angered. "What the hell was that for?"
Stavros stood there, breathing heavily, his face a mix of frustration and concern. "You could've gotten yourself killed, you idiot!"
"Or I could've saved the woman inside!" Bobby shot back, the tension between them palpable.
From the shadows of the dimly lit basement, the sound of footsteps echoed ominously. The footsteps were running away.
"Saperstein get to the front of the building," Bobby yelled. "They are running."
Bobby stood up, brushing himself off, adrenaline flooding back into him. "We need to act!" he said, glancing at Stavros, who begrudgingly nodded. The tension between them faded as the urgency of the situation pressed down.
Just then, Lieutenant Kojak arrived, stepping out of his car, the gravel crunching under his weight. He cast an assessing glance at the scene unfolding before him, taking in the sight of the two bumbling detectives. His bald head gleamed under the floodlights as he strode purposefully toward them, authority radiating from his presence. Rizzo ran up to him breathless and panting. "Lieutenant Stavros is going to kill Crocker."
"Not on my watch. What the hell is going on here?" Kojak demanded, but his eyes were already narrowing as he assessed the threat.
Bobby seized the moment. "Lieutenant, we've got two suspects in the basement. I think they have the kidnapped woman! They are running away from here towards the front doors."
Kojak didn't hesitate; he issued commands, his voice steady and commanding. "Rizzo, Saperstein, cover the entrance. Stavros, you're with Crocker. We're going in together. No more heroics, understood?"
Stavros nodded, a mixture of relief and residual frustration still flickering in his eyes. They moved forward, side by side, with Bobby leading the charge but now with a newfound awareness of the weight of teamwork. As they crept down the stairs to the basement, shadows loomed large and ominous, but for the first time, they faced the darkness together, each carrying the strength of their differences.
In that tense moment, they weren't just a mismatched pair; Stavros and Crocker were partners in every sense of the word—balancing the speed of youth with the weight of experience. As they entered the basement, their eyes adjusting to the low light, they were prepared to confront whatever lay ahead.
They heard a muffled voice. The men reached the source of that sound. A young woman gagged and tied to a column. They quickly freed her, removing the gag. Stavros said, "What happened?"
"Those men grabbed me off the street and brought me here. They were going to rape me. The noise you guys made spooked them, they ran that way."
"Stavros, take her to safety," the Lieutenant ordered. "Put her in my car and stay with her"
"Yes, sir. Come with me miss. You're going to be fine."
Crocker and Kojak moved forward quickly with guns raised and ready. Saperstein yelled from the dark," We got them. They ran right into our arms."
"Beautiful," Crocker replied.
"Handcuff them and take them to your car Saperstein," Kojak yelled. "We have the girl safe in my car."
Saperstein and Rizzo handcuffed the men and walked them towards Kojak and Crocker.
"Get this vermin out of here," Kojak yelled.
Back at the precinct, the men were processed and put in the hold. Kojak called his men into his office.
"Okay, I want to know exactly what happened from the time you left the precinct."
Stavros cleared his throat and said, "Bobby and I arrived on the scene, left the car and approached the door. Crocker was ahead of me. He kicked the door in like he always does and entered. I yelled at him to stop and when he didn't I pulled him back by the collar. I only meant to prevent him from running headlong into one those guys and getting himself killed."
Kojak looked at Bobby, "What's your version Crocker?"
"I agree with Stavros's description but I was only kicking in the door to make a loud noise to spook those guys so they would run. The scenario in my head was they intended to rape that girl and startling them would put a stop to their plans. So, I guess we achieved that."
Kojak looked at Saperstein and Rizzo. "You guys have anything to add?"
Rizzo spoke. "Theo, what we saw looked like the keystone cops. Stavros yanked on Bobby's collar sending Bobby falling down those concrete steps and when Bobby stood back up, Stavros headbutted him over the rail down to the basement door. It was scarry, wasn't it Mark?"
"Yep. That's what I saw. A miracle Bobby isn't hurt."
"Crocker you need to get xrays," Kojak said. "You probably are hurt and don't know it. Listen to me. Trying to prevent a rape is a noble cause but kicking in the door before your partner is in place is heroics. You could have done just as well had you waited on Stavros. Your partner should be able to put a hand on your shoulder before you kick down a door. You are just losing patience with Fatso."
"Yes sir," Crocker said with his head bowed.
"Stavros, don't you ever take your vengeance out on a member of this squad. I know you have been yelling at Bobby for quite a while about going in without backup. I appreciate your attempts to train him, but you never ever lay a hand on him unless you are huggin him because you havent' seen him in a long while. Capeesh?"
"Yes sir," Stavros said.
"Okay, we got the bad guys. The girl is at the hospital being checked out. All is well fellas. Just remember the lessons you learned tonight. You're dismissed."
The men walked out solemn and quiet. Stavros stood by Crocker. "Hey Bobby, why don't you let me take you to the hospital for those xrays?"
Crocker nodded. "I think I'm okay, but that's a good idea."
The two men headed out of the squad room.
Rizzo chuckled quietly. "I thought the big guy was going to kill Crocker especially when he sent him over that railing."
Saperstein glanced at Rizzo and smiled. "The lesson learned was 'Don't mess with Stavros'."