The Haunting of Nicholas Starsky
A Sequel to ‘Ghosts From the Past’
By: Tooki and dotsonga
A Sequel to ‘Ghosts From the Past’
By: Tooki and dotsonga
Starsky walked in to the squad room carrying a brightly wrapped package and sat it on his desk. Hutch sat hunched over a typewriter working on some of the endless paper work they had yet to complete. He looked up at his partner, “When is your flight?” The dark headed man sighed, “At ten, and I hate flying alone.”
“And I hate not being able to go,” Hutch opened a drawer of his desk and handed Starsky a small gift wrapped box, “Give Edna my apologies and give her this.”
“Ma will understand, she was married to a cop remember?” Starsky took the small box held it to his ear and shook it. “What did you get her?”
“You will find out with her on her birthday,” Hutch grinned. “I hope court goes well,” Starsky changed the subject but was still shaking the box. Hutch pulled the form he had been typing out of the typewriter and threw it on a stack of other forms. “You want a ride to the airport?” Starsky brightened and tucked the box Hutch had given him in his bag. “Hell yeah, that would be great.” He glanced at his watch, “I think we got time for a little breakfast.”
“And I hate not being able to go,” Hutch opened a drawer of his desk and handed Starsky a small gift wrapped box, “Give Edna my apologies and give her this.”
“Ma will understand, she was married to a cop remember?” Starsky took the small box held it to his ear and shook it. “What did you get her?”
“You will find out with her on her birthday,” Hutch grinned. “I hope court goes well,” Starsky changed the subject but was still shaking the box. Hutch pulled the form he had been typing out of the typewriter and threw it on a stack of other forms. “You want a ride to the airport?” Starsky brightened and tucked the box Hutch had given him in his bag. “Hell yeah, that would be great.” He glanced at his watch, “I think we got time for a little breakfast.”
Starsky got out of the beat up sedan and grabbed his bag, “Thanks for dropping me off, partner, I’ll be back in three days.” Hutch nodded his head, “Tell your mom I said ‘hi’ and I’ll see you Sunday.” He watched his partner turn and walk into the terminal of LAX to board his flight to New York; with a strange uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach he shook his head and chided himself for being ridiculous as he pulled away from the curb. After the fiasco with Nicky six months ago, Starsky had promised himself to see his mom more often now that she was getting older, and since he hadn’t been able to convince her to come back to Bay City with him. Starsky landed a few hours later and hailed a taxi to take him to his mom’s. Edna was standing on the stoop of her brownstone as the cab containing her son pulled up and parked. Starsky got out and paid the driver and walked to the trunk to retrieve several brightly wrapped packages. Just as he rose from the trunk with the armful of gifts, a white panel van screeched to a halt behind him. Before he could turn three hooded men grabbed him and shoved him into the van, the bright packages littered the street as a horrified Edna screamed at the van as it sped down the street.
Edna ran down the steps staring after the van as it sped away. She looked at the packages strewn on the street; she bent over to pick up one but then stopped herself. She needed to call the police, she asked the cabbie to wait as she hurried up the stairs. Edna grabbed the phone and dialed the operator. Then she called Center Park Precinct and asked to be connected directly to Detective Dex Scott. She was told he was out but they would get a message to him. Detectives Dex Scott and Rick Wagner had just finished up an investigation and were back in the car when the radio came to life. Rick grabbed the mic but wasn’t happy with the message they got. Dex pointed the car in the direction of Edna’s brownstone. “Where are you going?” Rick growled.
“Where in the hell do you think I’m going?” Dex ground out at his sometimes annoying partner. “Mrs. Starsky said that Dave was taken right off our streets in broad daylight. Don’t you think that is something we should look in to?” he said as he glared at his partner. “It was just a matter of time before something like this happened,” Rick snarled back, “They shouldn’t be surprised. That’s what you get when half your family is and was on the Mob’s payroll.” Just then Dex pulled up to the curb in front of the Starsky brownstone. Rick started out of the car when he was jerked back in his seat and he whipped around staring into the steely hazel eyes of his partner. “If I hear one snide or derogatory remark, or you make any insinuations about any members of that lady’s family I will personally plant you on your ass, you got that?” Both men exited the car and walked up to steps of the brownstone where a teary eyed Edna sat, along with the cabbie, were they had been waiting for the detectives to arrive.
Before New York’s finest arrived Edna placed a second call, this one to Bay City. She called her son’s direct line hoping that Ken would be there. But the voice on the other end was unfamiliar, “Could I please speak to Detective Hutchinson?” She asked in a shaking voice, the shock of what she had seen happen was now wearing off and reality and fear was sitting in. “I’m sorry but he is away from his desk. Can I help you?” Tears were now pricking her eyes, “This is an emergency.”
“Just a minute,” The detective that answered the call said, he hit a button on the phone and knocked on Dobey’s office door. “What is it?” Dobey grumbled. The door opened, “Captain there is a call for Hutchinson.”
“Take a message,” Dobey scowled at the detective. “The woman said it was an emergency.” Dobey sighed and punched the flashing button on his phone. “Dobey here.”
“Captain Dobey, this is Edna Starsky,” The tears were now pouring down her face. “David has been taken.”
“Just a minute,” The detective that answered the call said, he hit a button on the phone and knocked on Dobey’s office door. “What is it?” Dobey grumbled. The door opened, “Captain there is a call for Hutchinson.”
“Take a message,” Dobey scowled at the detective. “The woman said it was an emergency.” Dobey sighed and punched the flashing button on his phone. “Dobey here.”
“Captain Dobey, this is Edna Starsky,” The tears were now pouring down her face. “David has been taken.”
Hutch had just entered the hallway from the court room when a young police woman approached him holding a note from Captain Dobey. Hutch nodded his thanks and opened the piece of folded paper, his face paled as he read what was written, “I’m coming, buddy, I’m coming.”
Detective Dex Scott slid behind the wheel of his car, his partner got in the other side. “I need to make a trip the airport before we start the day.” He informed Rick. “What for?” Rick was curious. “We are picking up Detective Hutchinson.”
“What are we a taxi service now?” Rick snapped angrily. Dex looked sideways at Rick “What is your deal? Mrs. Starsky asked me too.” The moment the words were out of his mouth he knew that Rick was going to go off. “What? That is even worse!” Rick growled, “What is it with you and that family?”
“We have a police officer missing; he might not be NYPD but he is another Blueblood just the same.” Dex turned the key in the ignition. “Does the Captain know?” Rick spit out. “Yes, in fact, he wants Hutchinson to come in and he is going to give him special privileges here so that he can help with the case.” Dex started to pull away from the curb when his partner exploded. “You have got to be kidding me! Like we can’t take care of it ourselves?” Rick’s face was contorted; he put his hand on the door. “You come get me when you get done playing cabbie.”
“Rick, if you get out of this car we are done. You go ask the Captain for a new partner, a transfer or whatever you want, but this is over.” Dex’s face was deadly serious as he looked at his partner. Without a word Rick threw open the door and got out, then slammed it hard enough to rock the car. Dex sped off toward the airport not bothering to even glance back at his former partner.
Detective Dex Scott slid behind the wheel of his car, his partner got in the other side. “I need to make a trip the airport before we start the day.” He informed Rick. “What for?” Rick was curious. “We are picking up Detective Hutchinson.”
“What are we a taxi service now?” Rick snapped angrily. Dex looked sideways at Rick “What is your deal? Mrs. Starsky asked me too.” The moment the words were out of his mouth he knew that Rick was going to go off. “What? That is even worse!” Rick growled, “What is it with you and that family?”
“We have a police officer missing; he might not be NYPD but he is another Blueblood just the same.” Dex turned the key in the ignition. “Does the Captain know?” Rick spit out. “Yes, in fact, he wants Hutchinson to come in and he is going to give him special privileges here so that he can help with the case.” Dex started to pull away from the curb when his partner exploded. “You have got to be kidding me! Like we can’t take care of it ourselves?” Rick’s face was contorted; he put his hand on the door. “You come get me when you get done playing cabbie.”
“Rick, if you get out of this car we are done. You go ask the Captain for a new partner, a transfer or whatever you want, but this is over.” Dex’s face was deadly serious as he looked at his partner. Without a word Rick threw open the door and got out, then slammed it hard enough to rock the car. Dex sped off toward the airport not bothering to even glance back at his former partner.
Dex stood at the gate waiting for the passengers to disembark, he was still fuming at the way Rick had been acting and was also confused by the man’s dislike of the Starsky’s and Hutchinson. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t see Hutch until the detective called his name. “Detective Scott.” Dex looked up to see the blond carrying a small bag, worry etched across his face, “Detective Hutchinson!”
“Call me Hutch, sounds like we are going to be working together.” Hutch looked around, “Where is Detective Wagner?”
“Let’s just say we had parting of the ways.” Dex motioned toward the parking garage, “I’m parked out here and call me Dex.”
“Nothing to do with us I hope,” Hutch wanted to know.
“This has been a long time coming,” Dex shook his head sadly. “I really don’t know what has happened to Rick. It started just before Nick was arrested.”
“So where are you at in finding my partner?” Hutch wanted to know.
“Call me Hutch, sounds like we are going to be working together.” Hutch looked around, “Where is Detective Wagner?”
“Let’s just say we had parting of the ways.” Dex motioned toward the parking garage, “I’m parked out here and call me Dex.”
“Nothing to do with us I hope,” Hutch wanted to know.
“This has been a long time coming,” Dex shook his head sadly. “I really don’t know what has happened to Rick. It started just before Nick was arrested.”
“So where are you at in finding my partner?” Hutch wanted to know.
Elaine heard the lock click and the door open, she assumed it was time for her captors to bring her another meal like they had for the last couple of days but to her it seemed too close to the last time that she had eaten and she was right. She heard her captors dragging something heavy across the floor and she heard the scrape of a chair also being drug across the floor. She couldn’t see anything because of the hood that covered her head. She listened closely and tried to see with her mind’s eye the scene she could hear playing out before her. Secure him to the chair she heard the man, she assumed to be the person in charge, tell the other men in the room. He then told the others to double check the bindings to make sure he was secured tightly. She waited until she heard all the men leave the room and she timidly called out to the figure she could not see, “Hello…hello…hey…” but she never got a reply; the unconscious man couldn’t hear her.
Starsky opened his eyes to complete darkness; he cautiously shook the cobwebs from his pounding head. He then tested his arms and legs only to find them tightly tethered to the chair he was sitting in, “HEY!” he yelled, getting no response. He yelled again and this time got a mousy an answer from the darkness, “Davy? Davy, is that you? Is it really you?” Elaine cried. “Elaine?” He shook his head again not believing what he was hearing. “Davy, what are you doing here…what happened and why are they doing this…where are we?” she spat out in a panic without taking a breath. “I don’t know but I’ll figure it out and get us out of here. How long have you been here?” he asked. “I’m not really sure but I think about two days.” She squeaked out. “I know Ma has called the police by now and they’ll be looking for me…us,” he told her as she sniffled some more, “Elaine, you need to stay calm and keep your head. Can you do that for me?” She nodded her head even though he couldn’t see her. “El…answer me.” She sniffed again and cleared her throat, “Yes Davy, I can do that. I can’t see you; they have something over my head.” He tested his bindings again but there was no play in them at all. “It’s Ok, mine is covered too. Listen El, when they come back you need to keep quiet and only talk if they ask you a direct question. And whatever you do…don’t let on that you know me…play dumb, you got it?” She tried to compose herself before she answered him, “I got it.” He thought she sounded stronger and more confident with her answer this time, “Good girl. You need to do exactly as I tell you and we’ll be alright…I promise.” He said as he tried to reassure her and himself.
Starsky opened his eyes to complete darkness; he cautiously shook the cobwebs from his pounding head. He then tested his arms and legs only to find them tightly tethered to the chair he was sitting in, “HEY!” he yelled, getting no response. He yelled again and this time got a mousy an answer from the darkness, “Davy? Davy, is that you? Is it really you?” Elaine cried. “Elaine?” He shook his head again not believing what he was hearing. “Davy, what are you doing here…what happened and why are they doing this…where are we?” she spat out in a panic without taking a breath. “I don’t know but I’ll figure it out and get us out of here. How long have you been here?” he asked. “I’m not really sure but I think about two days.” She squeaked out. “I know Ma has called the police by now and they’ll be looking for me…us,” he told her as she sniffled some more, “Elaine, you need to stay calm and keep your head. Can you do that for me?” She nodded her head even though he couldn’t see her. “El…answer me.” She sniffed again and cleared her throat, “Yes Davy, I can do that. I can’t see you; they have something over my head.” He tested his bindings again but there was no play in them at all. “It’s Ok, mine is covered too. Listen El, when they come back you need to keep quiet and only talk if they ask you a direct question. And whatever you do…don’t let on that you know me…play dumb, you got it?” She tried to compose herself before she answered him, “I got it.” He thought she sounded stronger and more confident with her answer this time, “Good girl. You need to do exactly as I tell you and we’ll be alright…I promise.” He said as he tried to reassure her and himself.
A few hours later they heard their captors return and Starsky heard Elaine’s sharp intake of air and her sniffles begin again. “Elaine,” he whispered roughly, “Remember what I told you…say nothing…and you don’t know me…no matter what is about to happen.” The bound couple heard several pairs of footsteps shuffle closer to them, and then all the footsteps converged around Starsky’s chair. “Well Mr. Starsky,” a deep baritone voice boomed, “Seems you are in possession or know the whereabouts of some property belonging to my employer.” He informed the hooded man. “I have no idea what you’re talking about and have no idea who the hell you are.” Starsky replied. “Don’t play dumb with us, the sooner you tell us where the package is, the sooner you’ll be outta here. You can make it easy for us or we can make it hard on you, the choice is yours.”
“I already told you…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Can you at least tell me what property you’re talking about?” The baritone stepped close enough for Starsky to feel his breath through the hood, “Where is the money and the deeds to the homes for the neighborhood?” Now things clicked into place for Starsky, these guys have mistaken him for Nicky. The goons must have worked for Jackie and now want their cut, or they now have a new ‘Boss’. He had to keep his mouth shut in order to protect his mother since she was in possession of the property, no matter what they did to him. For now, he was…Nicholas Starsky.
“I already told you…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Can you at least tell me what property you’re talking about?” The baritone stepped close enough for Starsky to feel his breath through the hood, “Where is the money and the deeds to the homes for the neighborhood?” Now things clicked into place for Starsky, these guys have mistaken him for Nicky. The goons must have worked for Jackie and now want their cut, or they now have a new ‘Boss’. He had to keep his mouth shut in order to protect his mother since she was in possession of the property, no matter what they did to him. For now, he was…Nicholas Starsky.
Starsky tried to stall, “I tell you what, get your ‘Boss’ here and I’ll tell him personally because I don’t talk to ‘flunkies’.” That earned him a sharp blow to the head, and Elaine gasped as she heard the blow and the moan that came along with it but she kept quite as he had told her to, but she didn’t know how much she could stand to listen to. “Do you think your ‘Boss’ will like you roughing up the merchandise?” he taunted the man. “For your information, smart ass, my employer doesn’t care how much damage is done to the merchandise as long as he gets his property back.” He growled as he delivered a flurry of blows Starsky’s ribs. The air left his lungs from the blows and he fought hard to regain it and to keep from passing out. “Is…that…all you…got?” He huffed out. The man landed the next blow to his captive’s jaw, “How about that…that good enough for ya?” He taunted back, “Now, I’m going to ask you again. Where is the package?” The metallic taste of blood made Starsky’s mouth water and his head was spinning. “I told you…get your ‘Boss’ here and I’ll tell him, you stupid Son-of-a-bitch!” He spat out and was rewarded with several more blows to his head and torso before the dark enveloped his body and gave him the coveted respite his battered body begged for.
Hutch sat in the hallway of Center Park Precinct cooling his heels while Dex Scott was in with his Captain. He could hear their raised voices but couldn’t make out what the pair was saying. A small smiled formed on his lips as he thought of some of the conflicts he and Starsky had with their Captain. Thoughts of Starsky made him jump to his feet, he was tired of waiting, and he knocked on the office door and opened it. Captain Marks was sitting behind his desk looking none too happy as Dex paced back and forth. “Excuse me,” Hutch interrupted, “I need to find my partner, and I’ll do it with or without your help.” Marks let out a puff of air, “Please, come in Detective Hutchinson.” Dex pointed at Hutch, “Make Hutch my partner!” Dex exclaimed. “I’m not going back out on the street with Wagner. He needs to be put on leave until you find out what is going on with him.”
“That is my decision! But you can have Hutchinson as your partner for now.” Marks got to his feet and shook Hutch’s hand, “Welcome to the NYPD.”
“Let’s head over to Mrs. Starsky’s, I’m sure she will be glad you see you Hutch, and you can get the story first hand instead of reading a report.” Dex suggested. “Do you think Edna should have a security detail?” Hutch asked as they headed out of the building. “Already done.” Dex answered, “I don’t know what is going on here yet, but I thought we should be on the safe side.” As they were about to drive off a uniformed officer came running out, he tapped on the passenger side window which Hutch rolled down, the officer leaned in, “Detective Scott, this report just came in, your Captain said it might be important to your case.” He handed the information to Hutch. “Thanks Larry,” Dex said and drove off. “What does it say?” Hutch began to read and then had a sharp intake of air. “Elaine Steinberg is missing. Her husband….ex-husband said when he went to drop the kids off from their visitation with him that she was gone and her front door was busted in.”
“What the hell is going on here, first your partner and now Elaine?” Dex clutched the steering wheel tighter. “I’m getting the feeling the two are related.”
“Let’s talk to Edna, and then swing by to talk to Bernie.” Hutch said.
“That is my decision! But you can have Hutchinson as your partner for now.” Marks got to his feet and shook Hutch’s hand, “Welcome to the NYPD.”
“Let’s head over to Mrs. Starsky’s, I’m sure she will be glad you see you Hutch, and you can get the story first hand instead of reading a report.” Dex suggested. “Do you think Edna should have a security detail?” Hutch asked as they headed out of the building. “Already done.” Dex answered, “I don’t know what is going on here yet, but I thought we should be on the safe side.” As they were about to drive off a uniformed officer came running out, he tapped on the passenger side window which Hutch rolled down, the officer leaned in, “Detective Scott, this report just came in, your Captain said it might be important to your case.” He handed the information to Hutch. “Thanks Larry,” Dex said and drove off. “What does it say?” Hutch began to read and then had a sharp intake of air. “Elaine Steinberg is missing. Her husband….ex-husband said when he went to drop the kids off from their visitation with him that she was gone and her front door was busted in.”
“What the hell is going on here, first your partner and now Elaine?” Dex clutched the steering wheel tighter. “I’m getting the feeling the two are related.”
“Let’s talk to Edna, and then swing by to talk to Bernie.” Hutch said.
The phone rang in the Starsky brownstone, Edna pounced on it hoping for some news on her son. “Hello?”
“It’s Mary,” a distraught voice said on the other end. “What’s wrong?” Edna said forgetting her worries for a moment. “It’s Elaine, have you heard from her?” Fear crossed Edna’s face, “No, I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
“I have been calling her for a couple of days but she hasn’t answered. I’m worried something has happened to her.” Mary was now crying. “Have you tried Bernie?” Edna asked. Mary shook her head although her friend couldn’t see the motion. “I haven’t spoken to him since the divorce was final. I wish Elaine would have come to live with us and brought the boys.”
“Mary, I don’t want to scare you but Davy was kidnapped, the police are looking for him and Ken is coming, he should be here anytime now.” Elaine told her friend. “No, no,” Mary was now openly sobbing. “She never should have stayed in our old brownstone; they knew where to find her.” Edna took a deep breath; she was feeling the panic set in again. “We don’t know they are connected, and the police don’t know who has Davy yet. Maybe Elaine just went out of town for a few days.”
“I know Bernie had the boys for a few days, she wouldn’t leave without the boys, something has happened to her, I just know it.” Mary sniffed back her tears, “Will is talking about coming back.”
“You both stay put until I can talk to Ken.” Mary told her friend.
Seeing the detective’s car pull up Edna had the door open by the time Hutch and Dex got to her door; she was nearly frantic. “Elaine is missing!” Edna threw herself into Hutch’s arms. “We know,” Hutch said as he guided Edna to the couch. “You know?” She blinked at him. “Mary just called me; she hasn’t been able to get a hold of her in several days.”
“Elaine’s ex called my Precinct to report her missing.” Dex informed her. “Do you think this has anything to do with Davy?” Edna asked tearfully. Hutch sat down next to her, “My bet is yes and I think Nick is right in the middle of it.”
“Nick? Nicky….my Nicky?”
“Edna, I thought you had taken off the blinders where Nick was concerned.” Hutch growled at the mother of his partner, instantly he regretted it as she totally broke down. “Listen Edna, do you know where Nick is?” Dex asked. Hutch took her hands in his and began to pat them hoping to calm her. “I’m sorry Edna, but David’s life may depend on Nick and what he either knows or has done.”
“B-but he has a regular job now.” Edna stammered. “Doing what?” Dex asked.
“I-I don’t know.” She admitted. There was quick rap on the door and it opened, Nick stood there dressed as if he had just come from a disco. “What’s going….” That was all he got out before Hutch jumped up and pinned Nick to the wall. “Where the hell is your brother?”
“What are you talking about?” Nick barely managed to get out; Hutch had knocked the wind out of him. Then as he caught his breath, “Get theHELL off me.”
“It’s Mary,” a distraught voice said on the other end. “What’s wrong?” Edna said forgetting her worries for a moment. “It’s Elaine, have you heard from her?” Fear crossed Edna’s face, “No, I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
“I have been calling her for a couple of days but she hasn’t answered. I’m worried something has happened to her.” Mary was now crying. “Have you tried Bernie?” Edna asked. Mary shook her head although her friend couldn’t see the motion. “I haven’t spoken to him since the divorce was final. I wish Elaine would have come to live with us and brought the boys.”
“Mary, I don’t want to scare you but Davy was kidnapped, the police are looking for him and Ken is coming, he should be here anytime now.” Elaine told her friend. “No, no,” Mary was now openly sobbing. “She never should have stayed in our old brownstone; they knew where to find her.” Edna took a deep breath; she was feeling the panic set in again. “We don’t know they are connected, and the police don’t know who has Davy yet. Maybe Elaine just went out of town for a few days.”
“I know Bernie had the boys for a few days, she wouldn’t leave without the boys, something has happened to her, I just know it.” Mary sniffed back her tears, “Will is talking about coming back.”
“You both stay put until I can talk to Ken.” Mary told her friend.
Seeing the detective’s car pull up Edna had the door open by the time Hutch and Dex got to her door; she was nearly frantic. “Elaine is missing!” Edna threw herself into Hutch’s arms. “We know,” Hutch said as he guided Edna to the couch. “You know?” She blinked at him. “Mary just called me; she hasn’t been able to get a hold of her in several days.”
“Elaine’s ex called my Precinct to report her missing.” Dex informed her. “Do you think this has anything to do with Davy?” Edna asked tearfully. Hutch sat down next to her, “My bet is yes and I think Nick is right in the middle of it.”
“Nick? Nicky….my Nicky?”
“Edna, I thought you had taken off the blinders where Nick was concerned.” Hutch growled at the mother of his partner, instantly he regretted it as she totally broke down. “Listen Edna, do you know where Nick is?” Dex asked. Hutch took her hands in his and began to pat them hoping to calm her. “I’m sorry Edna, but David’s life may depend on Nick and what he either knows or has done.”
“B-but he has a regular job now.” Edna stammered. “Doing what?” Dex asked.
“I-I don’t know.” She admitted. There was quick rap on the door and it opened, Nick stood there dressed as if he had just come from a disco. “What’s going….” That was all he got out before Hutch jumped up and pinned Nick to the wall. “Where the hell is your brother?”
“What are you talking about?” Nick barely managed to get out; Hutch had knocked the wind out of him. Then as he caught his breath, “Get theHELL off me.”
“Answer me you piece of shit.” Hutch yelled in the younger Starsky’s face. “Ma!” Nick looked to his mother for help. Edna just shook her head at her son. “Get off me,” he commanded again but when Hutch didn’t let up, he gulped in some air and said. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Davy was kidnapped right out front when he was getting out of the taxi,” Edna got up and went to look directly into Nick’s eyes, “Do you know anything about it? And don’t lie.”
“My guess is whoever snatched him thought it was you.” Dex said. “I-I didn’t think they would go this far.” Nick finally said, Hutch released him and Nick crumpled to the floor. “Who wouldn’t go this far?” Hutch wanted to know, ready beat the information out of Nick if necessary. Nick’s eyes darted to his mother, then to Hutch who was standing over him, finally he glanced toward Dex and then back to his mother. “She’s not going to save you, so you better start talking.” Hutch threatened. “It was nothing; really, I didn’t know…I didn’t think they would do anything.” Nick stammered. “Who are they?”
“Jackie’s old crew.” Nick finally spat out. “Just what did you tell them?” Dex asked as he was now squatting in front of Nick. “I told them that I found…uh umm.” Nick looked at his mother again. Hutch slapped his forehead, “You found the envelope that Joe Durniak left your Ma and you told them about it, didn’t you?”
Slowly Nick nodded, “Ma, I’m sorry.”
“Davy was kidnapped right out front when he was getting out of the taxi,” Edna got up and went to look directly into Nick’s eyes, “Do you know anything about it? And don’t lie.”
“My guess is whoever snatched him thought it was you.” Dex said. “I-I didn’t think they would go this far.” Nick finally said, Hutch released him and Nick crumpled to the floor. “Who wouldn’t go this far?” Hutch wanted to know, ready beat the information out of Nick if necessary. Nick’s eyes darted to his mother, then to Hutch who was standing over him, finally he glanced toward Dex and then back to his mother. “She’s not going to save you, so you better start talking.” Hutch threatened. “It was nothing; really, I didn’t know…I didn’t think they would do anything.” Nick stammered. “Who are they?”
“Jackie’s old crew.” Nick finally spat out. “Just what did you tell them?” Dex asked as he was now squatting in front of Nick. “I told them that I found…uh umm.” Nick looked at his mother again. Hutch slapped his forehead, “You found the envelope that Joe Durniak left your Ma and you told them about it, didn’t you?”
Slowly Nick nodded, “Ma, I’m sorry.”
“Where are the documents?” Hutch wanted to know. “In a safe place.” Nick retorted. “You went in to my things and took something that was mine!” Edna glared at Nick. “How often do you rummage around in my drawers?”
“Ma, that wasn’t a safe place to keep something like that.” Nick said. “Apparently not!” Edna was livid. “I want everything back, now!”
“I told ya Ma, it’s in a safe place.” Nick’s eyes were still darting between his mother and Hutch. “You do realize that the reason your brother and Elaine have been taken is because of the contents of that envelope?” Dex asked Nick. “They mistook David for you.” Nick thought about it for a minute then said. “I don’t understand why they would take Davy and Elaine. I’m going to give it all to them just as soon as….” He trailed off. “Just as soon as what?” Hutch growled. “I-I just wanted some sort of position in the…” He stopped again realizing he was taking to two cops. “Never mind.”
“What do you think they are going to do to Starsky when they find out he isn’t you?” Hutch asked. “And when you do turn the stuff over they are going to kill you and not think a thing about it. Then they are going to come after your Ma because they are going to need her to get to those accounts because her name is on them. You didn’t think any of this through, did you Nick?” Nick looked fearful but this time not of Hutch but of Jackie’s old crew. “Why did they take Elaine? She has nothing to do with any of this.” Nick questioned. “She has more to do with it than you think,” Edna had decided to come clean. “Will worked for Joe, so I guess they think that by taking her Will has to come back to town.” All three men stared at Edna; Hutch knew but had no idea that Edna had any knowledge of Will’s involvement with Joe. “Uncle Will worked for Joe?” It suddenly hit Nick like a ton of bricks. “It was Uncle Will, not Pops that was the bad cop? Why did Pops protect him?”
“Because some people understand what family, friendship and loyalty mean.” Edna snapped. “And look what being loyal got us, it left you a widow, and Davy and I fatherless.” Nick spat out, fury on his face. “I was just a little kid, and then you sent Davy away and I had nobody to look up to. You want to know whose fault it is that I’m like this? It’s your fault Ma!”
“That is enough,” Hutch yelled. “It is not your mother’s fault, we all make our own decisions, you know right from wrong.”
“Ma, that wasn’t a safe place to keep something like that.” Nick said. “Apparently not!” Edna was livid. “I want everything back, now!”
“I told ya Ma, it’s in a safe place.” Nick’s eyes were still darting between his mother and Hutch. “You do realize that the reason your brother and Elaine have been taken is because of the contents of that envelope?” Dex asked Nick. “They mistook David for you.” Nick thought about it for a minute then said. “I don’t understand why they would take Davy and Elaine. I’m going to give it all to them just as soon as….” He trailed off. “Just as soon as what?” Hutch growled. “I-I just wanted some sort of position in the…” He stopped again realizing he was taking to two cops. “Never mind.”
“What do you think they are going to do to Starsky when they find out he isn’t you?” Hutch asked. “And when you do turn the stuff over they are going to kill you and not think a thing about it. Then they are going to come after your Ma because they are going to need her to get to those accounts because her name is on them. You didn’t think any of this through, did you Nick?” Nick looked fearful but this time not of Hutch but of Jackie’s old crew. “Why did they take Elaine? She has nothing to do with any of this.” Nick questioned. “She has more to do with it than you think,” Edna had decided to come clean. “Will worked for Joe, so I guess they think that by taking her Will has to come back to town.” All three men stared at Edna; Hutch knew but had no idea that Edna had any knowledge of Will’s involvement with Joe. “Uncle Will worked for Joe?” It suddenly hit Nick like a ton of bricks. “It was Uncle Will, not Pops that was the bad cop? Why did Pops protect him?”
“Because some people understand what family, friendship and loyalty mean.” Edna snapped. “And look what being loyal got us, it left you a widow, and Davy and I fatherless.” Nick spat out, fury on his face. “I was just a little kid, and then you sent Davy away and I had nobody to look up to. You want to know whose fault it is that I’m like this? It’s your fault Ma!”
“That is enough,” Hutch yelled. “It is not your mother’s fault, we all make our own decisions, you know right from wrong.”
Elaine waited a long time before she dared to call out to Starsky. “Davy…Davy,” she called out to the prone figure, “David…STARSKY!” she shouted. He moaned as he heard his name being called through the fog, Hutch sure does sound funny he thought to himself, “Hu-Hutch,” he managed not much above a mumble. “Davy, wake up.” Elaine commanded. His reality came painfully back to him as all his injuries renewed their fiery grip on him and he moaned loudly. Elaine called to him more softly this time, “Davy, please wake up…say something,” she pleaded. He took stock and tried to catalog his injuries and he decided that nothing seemed broken just extremely battered. As he regained his senses he realized it had been Elaine calling him and as his head cleared the detective in him kicked in, “Elaine…are you ok…did they touch you…did they hurt you?” He asked into the darkness. “No,” she answered, “they haven’t even acknowledged me since I was taken. I talk to them but they won’t respond; I have no idea why I’m here.” She sighed. “Why did they take you?” A wave of relief washed over him at that information and he moaned as he straightened up in the chair. “I believe they think I’m Nicky. This must have something to do with Jackie, but I just haven’t figured out what that is yet. You have no idea why you’re here? Has anyone been threatening you again? Have you felt like you were being followed? Anything out of the ordinary?” He knew there was a connection somewhere but he just didn’t have enough clues at the moment to put it together and that frustrated him even further. He had to put it together fast or the both of them could be in some serious trouble.
“Davy, are you alright?” Elaine probed. “I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been better,” he replied in a semi-laughing tone. “Is anything broken?” She inquired. “I don’t think so…I’ve been in worse shape before, don’t worry about me,” he tried to ease her mind, “Look, they think I’m Nicky and we’re both going have to lead them to believe that I am Nicky, do you understand?” She shook her head as she answered him, “Yes, but why? Why do they think you’re Nicky and why do they want him?” That was the million dollar question. “Apparently it’s got something to do with that package they’re looking for and they must think Nicky has it or knows where it is. One more thing El, you know they’re going to come back again…and it’s probably going to worse the next time if I don’t give them what they want…and no matter what happens to me, I need you to stay strong. I’ll be okay.” He told her in a strong confident voice. He heard her sniff this time and her voice became shaky, “I know…b-b-but I don’t know if I can listen to them…h-hurting you again. Maybe you can just lie to them so they won’t hurt you anymore, tell them what they want to hear.” She suggested. “That won’t work El, because they would want me get it for them and I can’t.” He didn’t want to tell her that if they found out that he was Nicky’s cop brother, and not Nicky, that they would probably kill both of them on the spot. “I have to keep bluffing them by refusing to talk to anyone but their ‘Boss’. That’s the only way for me to buy some time to figure a way out of here or for New York’s finest to find us. You’re going to have to dig deep and be strong and go along with it, you have to.”
Nick flinched as if he had been hit by a fist instead of Hutch’s words. “You aren’t the victim here, your mother, your brother and Elaine are. And you need to man up and fix this.”
“You can start by telling us where they might be.” Dex said. “I don’t know,” Nick retorted he was angry and scared. “THINK!” Hutch yelled at him again, “I’m sure that Jackie had a place he used.”
“There were different places; he never used the same place twice when he was trying to strong arm people into doing his bidding.” Nick finally admitted. Hutch was exasperated, “You know the clock is ticking on your brother’s life. If they think they have you and realize they don’t, his life ain’t worth squat. You want his and Elaine’s blood on your hands?”
“Nicky please,” His mother begged. “I know of a warehouse that he bought just before he died, they could be there.” Nick finally said. Hutch looked around the room and saw a pad of paper and a pen next to the telephone. Grabbing them he handed the items to Nick. “Write down the address.” When Nick was done Hutch took the pad of paper and ripped off the top page, he looked at the address, it meant nothing to him. He handed it to Dex. “I know where this is.” Dex stuffed the paper in his breast pocket. Hutch pointed to Nick, “You stay put.”
Nick flinched as if he had been hit by a fist instead of Hutch’s words. “You aren’t the victim here, your mother, your brother and Elaine are. And you need to man up and fix this.”
“You can start by telling us where they might be.” Dex said. “I don’t know,” Nick retorted he was angry and scared. “THINK!” Hutch yelled at him again, “I’m sure that Jackie had a place he used.”
“There were different places; he never used the same place twice when he was trying to strong arm people into doing his bidding.” Nick finally admitted. Hutch was exasperated, “You know the clock is ticking on your brother’s life. If they think they have you and realize they don’t, his life ain’t worth squat. You want his and Elaine’s blood on your hands?”
“Nicky please,” His mother begged. “I know of a warehouse that he bought just before he died, they could be there.” Nick finally said. Hutch looked around the room and saw a pad of paper and a pen next to the telephone. Grabbing them he handed the items to Nick. “Write down the address.” When Nick was done Hutch took the pad of paper and ripped off the top page, he looked at the address, it meant nothing to him. He handed it to Dex. “I know where this is.” Dex stuffed the paper in his breast pocket. Hutch pointed to Nick, “You stay put.”
As soon as Hutch and Dex left Edna picked up the phone, “Mary, Jackie’s old crew has Elaine and Davy too.” She said as soon as her friend answered. “Will is already on the way, he should be landing in a few hours.” Mary informed her friend. “No, no,” Edna’s eyes filled with tears. “The police know about Will, I’m sorry, it was only Detective Scott and I think Ken already knew, but Detective Scott will report Will. He would have found out anyway when he started investigating why Elaine was taken.”
“It’s okay dear,” Mary said, but tears were pricking her eyes, she feared for her daughter and her husband. “I’m going to catch the next plane.”
“You stay there.” Edna begged. “I need to be there for my family.” Mary said, she was already looking up the number for the airline Will had used. “I understand how you feel, but Will has enough to worry about without having to worry about your safety too, so stay put.” Edna ordered. She hung up the phone and turned to say something to Nick but the front door was standing open and Nick was gone.
Jackie’s crew entered the room again and both Starsky and Elaine turned toward the footsteps. Starsky hoped that Elaine would hold it together because he knew that if she blew his cover it could be deadly for the both of them. The men walked past Elaine and she heard them drag Starsky’s chair across the floor. “Mr. Starsky, my employer is tying up some loose ends with his day job and told me to handle things until he can get here. He truly wishes that you would comply with his request so that we can put this matter to rest and everyone can go about their lives without any further persuading on our part. Now are you willing to come to your senses and tell me where the envelope is?” Starsky chuckled through the hood, “What part of ‘No’ do you not understand… MO-RON,” he taunted the man, and that earned him a hard slap to the side of the head, “SHIT!” he cursed as he shook his head. The man laughed, “You know…you Italian Jews are a stubborn lot. Your kind can be so pig headed. I’m gonna like breaking you.” Starsky taunted him some more, “You don’t know the half of it…but at least my stubbornness is from my heritage, unlike your stupidity that comes from inbreeding.”
“It’s okay dear,” Mary said, but tears were pricking her eyes, she feared for her daughter and her husband. “I’m going to catch the next plane.”
“You stay there.” Edna begged. “I need to be there for my family.” Mary said, she was already looking up the number for the airline Will had used. “I understand how you feel, but Will has enough to worry about without having to worry about your safety too, so stay put.” Edna ordered. She hung up the phone and turned to say something to Nick but the front door was standing open and Nick was gone.
Jackie’s crew entered the room again and both Starsky and Elaine turned toward the footsteps. Starsky hoped that Elaine would hold it together because he knew that if she blew his cover it could be deadly for the both of them. The men walked past Elaine and she heard them drag Starsky’s chair across the floor. “Mr. Starsky, my employer is tying up some loose ends with his day job and told me to handle things until he can get here. He truly wishes that you would comply with his request so that we can put this matter to rest and everyone can go about their lives without any further persuading on our part. Now are you willing to come to your senses and tell me where the envelope is?” Starsky chuckled through the hood, “What part of ‘No’ do you not understand… MO-RON,” he taunted the man, and that earned him a hard slap to the side of the head, “SHIT!” he cursed as he shook his head. The man laughed, “You know…you Italian Jews are a stubborn lot. Your kind can be so pig headed. I’m gonna like breaking you.” Starsky taunted him some more, “You don’t know the half of it…but at least my stubbornness is from my heritage, unlike your stupidity that comes from inbreeding.”
Starsky could hear the man huffing with anger and could imagine his nostrils flaring and his face turning read from his rising blood pressure. All was quiet for a moment and then he felt what seemed like a size fifteen shoe connect with his chest, he heard the crunch of his ribs and the breath left his body, and then he felt the chair fly backwards as the back of his head connected with the concrete floor. The next thing he remembered was being awakened by water drowning him through the hood. He coughed as he tried to draw in air and fighting against his protesting ribs. The water gagged him as he tried to avoid swallowing what seemed like gallons of water. Just as the coughing subsided he was doused again and he struggled to get free. He coughed out the water as best as he could and tried to shake off the hood. His chair was placed back down on the floor and the water soaked hood dripped down onto his shoulders and cooled his overheating body. “Mr. Starsky, please, let’s stop this nonsense. Just give me the envelope and we can dismiss with all these unpleasantries.” Starsky raised his bobbing head and gritted out, “Go…to…hell!” The man shook his head, “You first,” he grinned as he pushed the cattle prod into the flesh of Starsky’s chest. “AAAWWW,” the brunette gasped. He was zapped several more times as Elaine bowed her head while rocking back and forth in the chair and sang in her head to cover up the screams of her long lost love. When Starsky’s body could take no more and he lost his fight with consciousness, and the group of men left the room again.
Elaine wanted to put her hands over her ears so that she couldn’t hear Starsky’s screams anymore but she couldn’t. It was more than she could bear and she let her mind wander to the last time she had seen her boys. Bernie could hardly look at her, she tried to talk to him but he interrupted to say he would have the boys back late afternoon on Sunday and was gone. After closing the door of her childhood home Elaine decided that she didn’t want to just sit at home on a Friday night so she changed her clothes, grabbed her purse and decided she would treat herself to dinner out. She had been coming out of the restaurant when she felt as though she was being followed, Elaine looked around several times but didn’t notice anything suspicious, and the streets were crowded at 10 p.m., New York was after all the city that never sleeps. As Elaine approached her brownstone something was wrong, the door was standing open and the doorframe was splintered. Fear rippled through her and she quickly turned around and headed back the way she had come. Elaine reached the corner of her block and started to step off the curb when a white panel van screeched to a halt next to her and three hooded men jumped out and grabbed her shoving her roughly into the van. The sliding door slammed and a rough hood was shoved over her head, her hands and feet were zip tied. She had been in too much shock to even cry out at that moment. Now, she was still in the same hood, it was hard to breathe through the heavy material, it was hot and the air was stale. Starsky’s screams brought her back to the moment and tears ran down her face, she was crying for Davy, her sons who would be motherless, and her parents that would undoubtedly blame themselves when her body turned up if it turned up and lastly for herself.
The voices outside the door alerted the two prisoners that they were about to have visitors again. They could hear the group file in through the door and stop. “No Sir, I haven’t been able to get him to tell me anything,” boomed the baritone voice. “He’s a tough little prick. I’ve got one more thing in mind that might convince him though,” the big man smiled. With that a new voice entered the picture and Starsky’s head popped up with instant recognition, “Do what you can, if you can’t get it out of him this time we may have to go after ‘Dear Ol’ Mom’ and see if that will convince him,” Said the new voice. Starsky started to struggle against his bindings upon hearing that. The baritone stood next to the tethered detective, “Whatever you say, Chief,” the man answered with a little too much enthusiasm for Starsky’s liking. He bent down next to Starsky’s ear, “You’re going to enjoy this and so am I.” he said as he clicked the pair of pliers in his hand. “Wait,” the man in charge ordered, “Mr. Starsky, I’m giving you one last opportunity, now tell me where my property is, I was informed that you would only talk to me,” he bent down in front of Starsky, “Well…here I am…TALK.” Starsky tried to think of some other way to stall the inevitable, “How do I know you are who you say you are? How do I know you’re in charge now?” he tested the man. The man nodded his head at the baritone and he wrapped the pliers around one of Starsky’s fingers and squeezed until he heard the sickening ‘pop’. Starsky’s scream filled the warehouse and Elaine sobbed quietly to herself.
“Is that convincing enough?” the man replied in a cold and calculating tone. “How…do I know…the envelope…belongs to you now?” Starsky huffed out through the searing pain. “You’re right Vince; he is a stubborn Son-of-bitch. Convince him…” Vince broke another one of the detective’s fingers and was reaching for the third when his employer stopped him, “That’s enough. I don’t have time for this shit.” He reached to snatch the hood from Starsky’s head as the brunette tried valiantly to prevent it. When the hood was removed he buried his head as close to his chest as he possibly could to prevent his face from being seen. The man grabbed a handful of curly hair and jerked the bowed head up and stared into Starsky’s eyes. Through battered eyes Starsky saw the look of instant recognition, fury and rage, play out on Detective Rick Wagner’s face. “What the FUCK have you idiots done?!” he screamed at the group of men. The confused men looked at one another when Rick spoke again, “This isn’t Nicholas Starsky. This is his brother…A COP!” he emphasized by shaking the curly head, “Great…just great. Now we have to get rid of him, he knows me…how can you guys be so incompetent?” Vince stepped up to defend his men, “Sir, he does look like the picture of Nicholas that I gave to the boys. I can see how they may have mistaken this one for his brother.” Rick let go of Starsky’s hair and stormed to the door, he turned to look at his goons, “Come on, I’ve got to think of how I’m going to clean up your mess.”
Will walked out of the airport with a small bag in hand, he looked up and down for a taxi when a limo pulled up, the back window rolled down and Samuel Russo peered out. “Will.”
“Samuel,” Will looked around, how did Joe Durniak’s friend and lawyer know that he was back in town. “Get in,” the lawyer commanded; he was the same man that had showed up at Edna’s brownstone, first with the letter for Starsky then with the package for Edna. With one last look around Will climbed in the back seat setting his small bag between him and Samuel. “How did you know I was flying in?”
“Joe still has eyes everywhere and people that are loyal to him, even in his death.” Samuel, looked sides ways at Will, “I see Mexico is treating you well.” Will’s eyes widened, “How….Joe has eyes everywhere…he always did.” Will repeated what Samuel had said. “I know where Elaine and David are being held.” Samuel said, “Jackie bought a warehouse shortly before he died. I also know who has taken over Jackie’s crew.”
“Who?” Will held his breath. “It’s a cop named Rick Wagner,” Samuel told Will. “He is as mean as a snake, worse than Jackie if you can imagine that.”
“I know Rick, he and his partner were there when Elaine’s brownstone was shot up,” Then Will wanted to know. “What about Rick’s partner?”
Elaine wanted to put her hands over her ears so that she couldn’t hear Starsky’s screams anymore but she couldn’t. It was more than she could bear and she let her mind wander to the last time she had seen her boys. Bernie could hardly look at her, she tried to talk to him but he interrupted to say he would have the boys back late afternoon on Sunday and was gone. After closing the door of her childhood home Elaine decided that she didn’t want to just sit at home on a Friday night so she changed her clothes, grabbed her purse and decided she would treat herself to dinner out. She had been coming out of the restaurant when she felt as though she was being followed, Elaine looked around several times but didn’t notice anything suspicious, and the streets were crowded at 10 p.m., New York was after all the city that never sleeps. As Elaine approached her brownstone something was wrong, the door was standing open and the doorframe was splintered. Fear rippled through her and she quickly turned around and headed back the way she had come. Elaine reached the corner of her block and started to step off the curb when a white panel van screeched to a halt next to her and three hooded men jumped out and grabbed her shoving her roughly into the van. The sliding door slammed and a rough hood was shoved over her head, her hands and feet were zip tied. She had been in too much shock to even cry out at that moment. Now, she was still in the same hood, it was hard to breathe through the heavy material, it was hot and the air was stale. Starsky’s screams brought her back to the moment and tears ran down her face, she was crying for Davy, her sons who would be motherless, and her parents that would undoubtedly blame themselves when her body turned up if it turned up and lastly for herself.
The voices outside the door alerted the two prisoners that they were about to have visitors again. They could hear the group file in through the door and stop. “No Sir, I haven’t been able to get him to tell me anything,” boomed the baritone voice. “He’s a tough little prick. I’ve got one more thing in mind that might convince him though,” the big man smiled. With that a new voice entered the picture and Starsky’s head popped up with instant recognition, “Do what you can, if you can’t get it out of him this time we may have to go after ‘Dear Ol’ Mom’ and see if that will convince him,” Said the new voice. Starsky started to struggle against his bindings upon hearing that. The baritone stood next to the tethered detective, “Whatever you say, Chief,” the man answered with a little too much enthusiasm for Starsky’s liking. He bent down next to Starsky’s ear, “You’re going to enjoy this and so am I.” he said as he clicked the pair of pliers in his hand. “Wait,” the man in charge ordered, “Mr. Starsky, I’m giving you one last opportunity, now tell me where my property is, I was informed that you would only talk to me,” he bent down in front of Starsky, “Well…here I am…TALK.” Starsky tried to think of some other way to stall the inevitable, “How do I know you are who you say you are? How do I know you’re in charge now?” he tested the man. The man nodded his head at the baritone and he wrapped the pliers around one of Starsky’s fingers and squeezed until he heard the sickening ‘pop’. Starsky’s scream filled the warehouse and Elaine sobbed quietly to herself.
“Is that convincing enough?” the man replied in a cold and calculating tone. “How…do I know…the envelope…belongs to you now?” Starsky huffed out through the searing pain. “You’re right Vince; he is a stubborn Son-of-bitch. Convince him…” Vince broke another one of the detective’s fingers and was reaching for the third when his employer stopped him, “That’s enough. I don’t have time for this shit.” He reached to snatch the hood from Starsky’s head as the brunette tried valiantly to prevent it. When the hood was removed he buried his head as close to his chest as he possibly could to prevent his face from being seen. The man grabbed a handful of curly hair and jerked the bowed head up and stared into Starsky’s eyes. Through battered eyes Starsky saw the look of instant recognition, fury and rage, play out on Detective Rick Wagner’s face. “What the FUCK have you idiots done?!” he screamed at the group of men. The confused men looked at one another when Rick spoke again, “This isn’t Nicholas Starsky. This is his brother…A COP!” he emphasized by shaking the curly head, “Great…just great. Now we have to get rid of him, he knows me…how can you guys be so incompetent?” Vince stepped up to defend his men, “Sir, he does look like the picture of Nicholas that I gave to the boys. I can see how they may have mistaken this one for his brother.” Rick let go of Starsky’s hair and stormed to the door, he turned to look at his goons, “Come on, I’ve got to think of how I’m going to clean up your mess.”
Will walked out of the airport with a small bag in hand, he looked up and down for a taxi when a limo pulled up, the back window rolled down and Samuel Russo peered out. “Will.”
“Samuel,” Will looked around, how did Joe Durniak’s friend and lawyer know that he was back in town. “Get in,” the lawyer commanded; he was the same man that had showed up at Edna’s brownstone, first with the letter for Starsky then with the package for Edna. With one last look around Will climbed in the back seat setting his small bag between him and Samuel. “How did you know I was flying in?”
“Joe still has eyes everywhere and people that are loyal to him, even in his death.” Samuel, looked sides ways at Will, “I see Mexico is treating you well.” Will’s eyes widened, “How….Joe has eyes everywhere…he always did.” Will repeated what Samuel had said. “I know where Elaine and David are being held.” Samuel said, “Jackie bought a warehouse shortly before he died. I also know who has taken over Jackie’s crew.”
“Who?” Will held his breath. “It’s a cop named Rick Wagner,” Samuel told Will. “He is as mean as a snake, worse than Jackie if you can imagine that.”
“I know Rick, he and his partner were there when Elaine’s brownstone was shot up,” Then Will wanted to know. “What about Rick’s partner?”
“Dex Scott is a straight arrow, he and Rick are no longer partners, Dex has partnered up with Detective Hutchinson since he got to town.” Samuel said. “I’m glad Hutch is here, he won’t rest until he has Davy back.” Will gave his old friend a grim smile then added, “And Elaine.”
“A few of the old gang are going to meet us at the warehouse.” Samuel said as he leaned forward and gave the young man driving the address of the warehouse. “Can you trust him?” Will nodded towards the driver, he was leery of people he didn’t know, all he wanted was to do was get in and back out of the country with Elaine and the boys. He wasn’t going to allow this to happen again. Samuel grinned, “I should say so, this is my son Jake.” Will looked relieved, he remembered Jake as a small boy. “How ya doing Jake?”
“Pretty good sir. Even better when we take down Jackie’s boys.” Jake pushed the on the gas pedal.
Rick entered the room with his goons and walked over and removed Elaine’s hood. He stared down at her, “When’s the last time you’ve heard from your father, and where is he?” Elaine squinted and tried focusing her eyes on the man. “I don’t know for sure, it depends on how long I’ve been here. I spoke to my mom the day before I was taken.” She replied. Rick snarled at her, “I also asked you their location.” She looked at him with disgust, “I honestly don’t know. Dad told me that the only way I would be able to see them again or know where they were, was for me and the boys to go with them. They told me that if I stayed here the only way that they could ensure the safety of me and the boys was that I couldn’t know where they were, ever.” Rick sneered at her, “Guess he was wrong wasn’t he?”
Rick walked the short distance over to Starsky, “You know I had a good thing going until your brother stuck his nose into the business. He’s a greedy little bastard, you know that?” Starsky chuckled, “Been like that his whole life, he’s always been a schemer.” Rick shook his head, “It’s a damn shame because it’s just cost you, and more than likely, your mother’s lives instead of just his little punk ass.” Rick then turned to his cronies, “Of course all this could have been avoided if my associates weren’t such idiots, your brother would be where you are now and everything would be fine, but instead I now have to clean up their mistake.” Starsky looked Rick deep in his eyes, “You made a mistake alright.” Rick looked puzzled, “Really? And how is that?” he questioned the bound man. Starsky gave him a deadly stare and said in a chilling tone, “You threatened my family. Nick got himself into this and he will have to deal with consequences and it’s a wonder he hasn’t been killed years ago. But no one lays a hand on or threatens my Ma. You touch her and I will kill you…that’s a promise.”
“A few of the old gang are going to meet us at the warehouse.” Samuel said as he leaned forward and gave the young man driving the address of the warehouse. “Can you trust him?” Will nodded towards the driver, he was leery of people he didn’t know, all he wanted was to do was get in and back out of the country with Elaine and the boys. He wasn’t going to allow this to happen again. Samuel grinned, “I should say so, this is my son Jake.” Will looked relieved, he remembered Jake as a small boy. “How ya doing Jake?”
“Pretty good sir. Even better when we take down Jackie’s boys.” Jake pushed the on the gas pedal.
Rick entered the room with his goons and walked over and removed Elaine’s hood. He stared down at her, “When’s the last time you’ve heard from your father, and where is he?” Elaine squinted and tried focusing her eyes on the man. “I don’t know for sure, it depends on how long I’ve been here. I spoke to my mom the day before I was taken.” She replied. Rick snarled at her, “I also asked you their location.” She looked at him with disgust, “I honestly don’t know. Dad told me that the only way I would be able to see them again or know where they were, was for me and the boys to go with them. They told me that if I stayed here the only way that they could ensure the safety of me and the boys was that I couldn’t know where they were, ever.” Rick sneered at her, “Guess he was wrong wasn’t he?”
Rick walked the short distance over to Starsky, “You know I had a good thing going until your brother stuck his nose into the business. He’s a greedy little bastard, you know that?” Starsky chuckled, “Been like that his whole life, he’s always been a schemer.” Rick shook his head, “It’s a damn shame because it’s just cost you, and more than likely, your mother’s lives instead of just his little punk ass.” Rick then turned to his cronies, “Of course all this could have been avoided if my associates weren’t such idiots, your brother would be where you are now and everything would be fine, but instead I now have to clean up their mistake.” Starsky looked Rick deep in his eyes, “You made a mistake alright.” Rick looked puzzled, “Really? And how is that?” he questioned the bound man. Starsky gave him a deadly stare and said in a chilling tone, “You threatened my family. Nick got himself into this and he will have to deal with consequences and it’s a wonder he hasn’t been killed years ago. But no one lays a hand on or threatens my Ma. You touch her and I will kill you…that’s a promise.”
Dex pulled up and parked in the warehouse district, “The address Nick gave us is a couple blocks up ahead, I think it would be better if we walked.” Hutch nodded. They both go out of the car, Dex went around and opened the trunk and took out a rifle and pocketed a box of shells as Hutch checked his weapon and extra ammo. “Let’s go.” He said as he slammed the trunk shut. As Hutch and Dex were walking the two blocks to the warehouse, Jake pulled up in the black limo in the opposite direction of the detectives; he also parked about two blocks away. There was a black van already there as well as several other cars. Jake got out and opened the back door for his father and Will. An older man got out of the van and went around to the back opening the doors of the large vehicle. He pulled down a set of metal steps and entered the van. Samuel walked to the bottom of the steps, “Angelo,” he greeted the man as he handed Samuel a rifle. Angelo only nodded. Will followed suit taking a rifle Angelo held out to him, he gave his thanks to the man. The doors of the other cars opened and ten older men, if not more, filed by the black van taking the weapons that Angelo offered, when everyone was armed they quietly proceeded down the deserted street.
Nick pulled his car up next to the loading dock and got out. He had the envelope in question in the trunk under the liner; he wasn’t just going to hand it over until he was sure they weren’t going to hurt his mother and brother or him for that matter. He pushed the door open and peered into the dark empty warehouse.
The group of Joe’s men arrived at the same loading dock that Nick had parked by only moments before and then had gone in. Jake looked around at the crew of Joe’s old cronies, the man would have been proud, they all looked as tough as they had 30 years ago. “Let’s finish this,” Jake spoke to them softly, “We have Will’s daughter and Dave Starsky in there, take care that they aren’t hurt.”
Nick slunk around the dark warehouse until he saw some lights ahead of him. He slowly crept in between huge wooden crates towards the light until he came to an open area where he saw two seated figures. As he peeked around the corner of the boxes he recognized his brother and Elaine tied to chairs, he could tell his brother had been beaten and he hoped he wasn’t too late. He let out a breath when he saw Starsky move his head. He had just started to move towards the pair when he heard voices and the door opened and Rick and his crew walked in. Rick looked at his crew, “We need to move them, you guys go get the van ready. Vince and I will get them ready,” he said as he nodded towards Starsky and Elaine. The rest of the men turned and left the room leaving Rick and Vince alone with Starsky and Elaine.
Nick watched quietly from behind the crates. He was trying to figure out how he was going to take down both Rick and Vince, he was sure that both of them were armed. He watched Vince walk over to Elaine and Rick over to his brother and cut their bindings. Vince grabbed Elaine’s arm and started towards the door. Starsky stood on shaky legs and swayed a little then Rick barked at him, “Come on…get moving,” he said as he held a gun on him. “I’m trying…give me a minute to get my bearings.” Starsky said as he looked past Rick to see Nicky, holding a pipe, creeping towards Vince. The brothers made eye contact and that was all the communication that was needed.
Nick advanced on Vince and brought the pipe down on the back of his head dropping the big man to the ground with one blow. Rick turned his attention to the commotion and Starsky charged him, hitting the detective in the midsection, knocking the wind from Rick. The two men fell to the cold concrete floor and scuffled, Starsky finally managed to climb on top of Rick and he started pounding on the man’s face. Nick ran over and grabbed Starsky’s shoulders and Rick fell still. Starsky rested his hands on his knees as he caught his breath when Nicky’s voice broke through his rage, “Davy…Davy…we need to check on Elaine.” Starsky looked at Nick and shook his head in acknowledgement. Nick helped Starsky to his feet and they slowly crossed the room to where Elaine was cowered against a stack of wooden pallets. Starsky sat down next to her and took the trembling woman in his arms and rocked her. Nick stepped up behind his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder when both of them heard the distinctive sliding metal sound of a bullet being chambered. They turned to see Rick standing and aiming the gun at Starsky and in slow motion they saw him pull the trigger. Starsky turned to protect Elaine and waited for the impact, but the impact never came because Nicholas Marvin Starsky had jumped in front of his brother.
Nick pulled his car up next to the loading dock and got out. He had the envelope in question in the trunk under the liner; he wasn’t just going to hand it over until he was sure they weren’t going to hurt his mother and brother or him for that matter. He pushed the door open and peered into the dark empty warehouse.
The group of Joe’s men arrived at the same loading dock that Nick had parked by only moments before and then had gone in. Jake looked around at the crew of Joe’s old cronies, the man would have been proud, they all looked as tough as they had 30 years ago. “Let’s finish this,” Jake spoke to them softly, “We have Will’s daughter and Dave Starsky in there, take care that they aren’t hurt.”
Nick slunk around the dark warehouse until he saw some lights ahead of him. He slowly crept in between huge wooden crates towards the light until he came to an open area where he saw two seated figures. As he peeked around the corner of the boxes he recognized his brother and Elaine tied to chairs, he could tell his brother had been beaten and he hoped he wasn’t too late. He let out a breath when he saw Starsky move his head. He had just started to move towards the pair when he heard voices and the door opened and Rick and his crew walked in. Rick looked at his crew, “We need to move them, you guys go get the van ready. Vince and I will get them ready,” he said as he nodded towards Starsky and Elaine. The rest of the men turned and left the room leaving Rick and Vince alone with Starsky and Elaine.
Nick watched quietly from behind the crates. He was trying to figure out how he was going to take down both Rick and Vince, he was sure that both of them were armed. He watched Vince walk over to Elaine and Rick over to his brother and cut their bindings. Vince grabbed Elaine’s arm and started towards the door. Starsky stood on shaky legs and swayed a little then Rick barked at him, “Come on…get moving,” he said as he held a gun on him. “I’m trying…give me a minute to get my bearings.” Starsky said as he looked past Rick to see Nicky, holding a pipe, creeping towards Vince. The brothers made eye contact and that was all the communication that was needed.
Nick advanced on Vince and brought the pipe down on the back of his head dropping the big man to the ground with one blow. Rick turned his attention to the commotion and Starsky charged him, hitting the detective in the midsection, knocking the wind from Rick. The two men fell to the cold concrete floor and scuffled, Starsky finally managed to climb on top of Rick and he started pounding on the man’s face. Nick ran over and grabbed Starsky’s shoulders and Rick fell still. Starsky rested his hands on his knees as he caught his breath when Nicky’s voice broke through his rage, “Davy…Davy…we need to check on Elaine.” Starsky looked at Nick and shook his head in acknowledgement. Nick helped Starsky to his feet and they slowly crossed the room to where Elaine was cowered against a stack of wooden pallets. Starsky sat down next to her and took the trembling woman in his arms and rocked her. Nick stepped up behind his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder when both of them heard the distinctive sliding metal sound of a bullet being chambered. They turned to see Rick standing and aiming the gun at Starsky and in slow motion they saw him pull the trigger. Starsky turned to protect Elaine and waited for the impact, but the impact never came because Nicholas Marvin Starsky had jumped in front of his brother.
As Hutch and Dex approached the warehouse they could hear gunfire. The blood drained from Hutch’s face, he began running toward the loading dock where a car was parked, he was pretty sure it was Nick’s. Dex followed calling for Hutch to slow down but the blond detective paid no attention. When they reached the loading dock a very large man was standing in front of the door, he had a shot gun in the crook of his arm. Both detectives pulled their weapons as they approached the man “NYPD,” Dex called out but the man didn’t budge. He only said, “Family business.”
“My partner’s in there!” Hutch yelled at the mountain in front of him. The large man answered, “Your partner and Miss Elaine will not be hurt. Just wait.” Hutch started toward the door but the man shook his head and moved to block his way, “Just wait.” Dex put his hand on Hutch’s shoulder. “I can’t just stand here.” Hutch growled. “You are going to have to,” Dex eyed the man that meant business if they tried to enter. Hutch paced back and forth in front of the man but didn’t attempt to move toward the door.
As all hell broke loose in the warehouse and gunfire echoed throughout the warehouse as Starsky flattened himself and Elaine to the floor. After what seemed like an eternity there was an eerie silence in the warehouse and Starsky cautiously rose to look around. His eyes quickly scanned the warehouse for Rick but he didn’t see him anywhere, then he looked down and saw Nick lying on the ground with a puddle of blood growing larger by the minute. He started for Nick when he heard a footsteps charging into the room, he reached behind him again to shield Elaine from the approaching threat. Starsky couldn’t see who had come through the door for all the smoke from the firefight that had taken place just beyond the door but he felt relief when the first person through the door was his ‘Uncle Will’ followed by the rest of Joe’s old crew. Will ran over to Starsky and Elaine and looked at Nicky’s wounded body, “It’s over…I’ve got Elaine, you take care of Nicky.” He said as he helped Elaine to her feet and they headed to out of the warehouse.
Starsky scooted on his knees over to Nicky, he settled him across his lap and cradled his body, “Nicky…don’t you do this to me…you stay with me, you hear?” he whispered to his brother. All Starsky got was a low moan, “NICHOLAS STARSKY…DON’T YOU DO THIS TO MA!” he screamed at Nick as the blood from his brother’s wound soaked his jeans. “Nicky…come on Nicky…talk to me…” Starsky begged but Nick could no longer hear him.
“My partner’s in there!” Hutch yelled at the mountain in front of him. The large man answered, “Your partner and Miss Elaine will not be hurt. Just wait.” Hutch started toward the door but the man shook his head and moved to block his way, “Just wait.” Dex put his hand on Hutch’s shoulder. “I can’t just stand here.” Hutch growled. “You are going to have to,” Dex eyed the man that meant business if they tried to enter. Hutch paced back and forth in front of the man but didn’t attempt to move toward the door.
As all hell broke loose in the warehouse and gunfire echoed throughout the warehouse as Starsky flattened himself and Elaine to the floor. After what seemed like an eternity there was an eerie silence in the warehouse and Starsky cautiously rose to look around. His eyes quickly scanned the warehouse for Rick but he didn’t see him anywhere, then he looked down and saw Nick lying on the ground with a puddle of blood growing larger by the minute. He started for Nick when he heard a footsteps charging into the room, he reached behind him again to shield Elaine from the approaching threat. Starsky couldn’t see who had come through the door for all the smoke from the firefight that had taken place just beyond the door but he felt relief when the first person through the door was his ‘Uncle Will’ followed by the rest of Joe’s old crew. Will ran over to Starsky and Elaine and looked at Nicky’s wounded body, “It’s over…I’ve got Elaine, you take care of Nicky.” He said as he helped Elaine to her feet and they headed to out of the warehouse.
Starsky scooted on his knees over to Nicky, he settled him across his lap and cradled his body, “Nicky…don’t you do this to me…you stay with me, you hear?” he whispered to his brother. All Starsky got was a low moan, “NICHOLAS STARSKY…DON’T YOU DO THIS TO MA!” he screamed at Nick as the blood from his brother’s wound soaked his jeans. “Nicky…come on Nicky…talk to me…” Starsky begged but Nick could no longer hear him.
Hutch was still pacing madly when suddenly the door banged open and a thin stream of smoked lilted out as Will, supporting Elaine, appeared in the door. Hutch strained to see his partner, “Starsky, where is Starsky!” He pushed past Will into the dark smoky warehouse, “STARSKY!” The floor was littered with bodies, Joe’s old crew filed by Hutch as he franticly looked around for his partner. Finally he saw Starsky on the floor cradling the lifeless body of his brother. Starsky’s jeans were soaked with blood; he was rocking Nick, sobbing. He looked up at Hutch, “He’s gone Hutch…he’s gone.” Hutch knelt next to Starsky, “Have you been shot?” Starsky shook his head no, but it was obvious to Hutch that his partner was in pretty bad shape even if he hadn’t taken a bullet. Two of his fingers were at an awkward angle; his face was battered, bruised and bleeding. Hutch tilted Starsky’s head toward him so he could get a look at his eyes. He could tell his partner had a hard time focusing and his pupils didn’t seem normal so Hutch suspected that he also had a concussion. “Come on buddy,” Hutch put a hand under Starsky’s elbow to help him to his feet but Starsky jerked away, “Starsky, you can’t stay here, you need to get to a hospital.”
“I can’t leave Nicky here; no matter what he did he is still my brother.” Starsky put his face in the mass of dark curly hair that was like his own. Hutch could hear sirens as the police were converging on the scene, called by who he had no idea, maybe Dex, maybe by the big behemoth guarding the door. “Come on,” Hutch gently pushed Nick from Starsky’s arms, “You need to come with me now.”
Outside, Joe’s men were stowing their guns into the black van and getting into their vehicles. Will stopped in front of Dex, Elaine was still shaking. “I guess you have to take me in.” Dex looked at Will and then the men getting in the cars. “For what? I didn’t see anything, I was outside. But I wouldn’t hang around here; you take Elaine and you need to get going.” Will nodded his thanks and guided Elaine to Samuel’s limo. As Will and Elaine were getting in the limo Hutch brought Starsky out of the warehouse, half dragging his severely injured partner. Dex ran to help Hutch support Starsky. “You’re letting them go?” Hutch asked as they leaned Starsky against Nick’s car. “I didn’t have anything on them. And the only witness is Starsky here and he doesn’t look like he is in any shape to
remember anything.” Dex said looking at the detective’s battered body and bloody face. Hutch gave Dex a grim smile. The sirens were getting closer; it wouldn’t be long before half the NYPD would descend on them. “What are we going to tell them happened in there?”
“You let me take care of that, you just worry about your partner. I call an ambulance, you go on to the hospital with him; I’ll catch up with you later.” Hutch sat in the back of the ambulance as Starsky finally succumbed to the darkness that beckoned his taxed body. He laid his hand on Starsky’s shoulder and noticed his own shaking hand caused by the adrenaline draining from his body. He leaned down and whispered in the sleeping man’s ear, “Buddy, I don’t know how you’re going to get through this, but we will do it together. You won’t have to go through it alone.”
Will pulled up to the brownstone with Elaine and the boys in tow, they climbed the stairs and he unlocked the new door, he would have to thank Samuel for having it fixed. He told Elaine and the boys to grab what was most important to them right now and he would take care of the rest later. Will had arranged for Samuel to look after the place until they could get it sold and move the remaining items to where they would permanently settle down. When Elaine and the boys came downstairs with their bags they headed to the airport and boarded the plane to Mexico.
Hours later Edna sat next to her son’s bedside as he slept; she hadn’t come to terms with her youngest son’s death, she was concentrating on being there for David. Hutch pushed the room door open; he was carrying two steaming cups of coffee. “How is he?”
“Still sleeping,” Edna brushed a dark curl from his forehead. “He’s been a sleep for a long time.” Hutch could hear the worry in her voice, “He needs the rest to heal, he’ll wake up soon.” He handed her the coffee. She smiled at him gratefully, she could use the caffeine. There was a knock at the door, Hutch still standing opened it, Samuel Russo stood there, he nodded at the detective and entered the room. He stopped for a second at the foot of Starsky’s bed and watched the patient breathe, and then he moved over to Edna, she stood and they embraced for moment, “I’m sorry about Nicky.” She nodded but didn’t speak. Samuel pulled out the manila envelope from inside his suit jacket and handed it to her. Edna shook her head and refused to take it. It had caused nothing but pain. “Please, Joe wanted you to have it all.” Edna sighed and took the envelope. “It killed Nicky.”
“I’m sorry Edna but Nicky’s greed killed Nicky,” Samuel stated. As Samuel turned to leave Hutch asked, “Where was it?”
“Nicky’s car, it was in the trunk under the liner.” The old man answered. “But the police impounded the car.” Hutch said, curious how the man was able to get his hands on it. “My son searched the car before the police got there.” Samuel answered, “And now it’s back in the right hands.” He turned to Edna, “You do what you think is right.” Samuel slipped out the door.
“I can’t leave Nicky here; no matter what he did he is still my brother.” Starsky put his face in the mass of dark curly hair that was like his own. Hutch could hear sirens as the police were converging on the scene, called by who he had no idea, maybe Dex, maybe by the big behemoth guarding the door. “Come on,” Hutch gently pushed Nick from Starsky’s arms, “You need to come with me now.”
Outside, Joe’s men were stowing their guns into the black van and getting into their vehicles. Will stopped in front of Dex, Elaine was still shaking. “I guess you have to take me in.” Dex looked at Will and then the men getting in the cars. “For what? I didn’t see anything, I was outside. But I wouldn’t hang around here; you take Elaine and you need to get going.” Will nodded his thanks and guided Elaine to Samuel’s limo. As Will and Elaine were getting in the limo Hutch brought Starsky out of the warehouse, half dragging his severely injured partner. Dex ran to help Hutch support Starsky. “You’re letting them go?” Hutch asked as they leaned Starsky against Nick’s car. “I didn’t have anything on them. And the only witness is Starsky here and he doesn’t look like he is in any shape to
remember anything.” Dex said looking at the detective’s battered body and bloody face. Hutch gave Dex a grim smile. The sirens were getting closer; it wouldn’t be long before half the NYPD would descend on them. “What are we going to tell them happened in there?”
“You let me take care of that, you just worry about your partner. I call an ambulance, you go on to the hospital with him; I’ll catch up with you later.” Hutch sat in the back of the ambulance as Starsky finally succumbed to the darkness that beckoned his taxed body. He laid his hand on Starsky’s shoulder and noticed his own shaking hand caused by the adrenaline draining from his body. He leaned down and whispered in the sleeping man’s ear, “Buddy, I don’t know how you’re going to get through this, but we will do it together. You won’t have to go through it alone.”
Will pulled up to the brownstone with Elaine and the boys in tow, they climbed the stairs and he unlocked the new door, he would have to thank Samuel for having it fixed. He told Elaine and the boys to grab what was most important to them right now and he would take care of the rest later. Will had arranged for Samuel to look after the place until they could get it sold and move the remaining items to where they would permanently settle down. When Elaine and the boys came downstairs with their bags they headed to the airport and boarded the plane to Mexico.
Hours later Edna sat next to her son’s bedside as he slept; she hadn’t come to terms with her youngest son’s death, she was concentrating on being there for David. Hutch pushed the room door open; he was carrying two steaming cups of coffee. “How is he?”
“Still sleeping,” Edna brushed a dark curl from his forehead. “He’s been a sleep for a long time.” Hutch could hear the worry in her voice, “He needs the rest to heal, he’ll wake up soon.” He handed her the coffee. She smiled at him gratefully, she could use the caffeine. There was a knock at the door, Hutch still standing opened it, Samuel Russo stood there, he nodded at the detective and entered the room. He stopped for a second at the foot of Starsky’s bed and watched the patient breathe, and then he moved over to Edna, she stood and they embraced for moment, “I’m sorry about Nicky.” She nodded but didn’t speak. Samuel pulled out the manila envelope from inside his suit jacket and handed it to her. Edna shook her head and refused to take it. It had caused nothing but pain. “Please, Joe wanted you to have it all.” Edna sighed and took the envelope. “It killed Nicky.”
“I’m sorry Edna but Nicky’s greed killed Nicky,” Samuel stated. As Samuel turned to leave Hutch asked, “Where was it?”
“Nicky’s car, it was in the trunk under the liner.” The old man answered. “But the police impounded the car.” Hutch said, curious how the man was able to get his hands on it. “My son searched the car before the police got there.” Samuel answered, “And now it’s back in the right hands.” He turned to Edna, “You do what you think is right.” Samuel slipped out the door.
Hutch was dozing in a chair next to Starsky’s bed and Edna had left to stretch her legs and get something to eat. The door opened and Dex Scott stuck his head in. “Hutch,” he called softly. Hutch’s eyes flew open; he looked around the room then spied Dex, who motioned for the detective to come out in the hall. Hutch nodded and followed Dex. “What is it?”
“There is still some confusion about what really went down in the warehouse,” Dex gave Hutch a sly smile, “And I have some bad news… Rick was not among the dead. We’ve got a BOLO out on him but we’re pretty sure he has gone underground. We’ve also got men staking out his place in case he was dumb enough to return home.”
“How did he get out?” Hutch wanted to know. Dex shrugged, “In all the chaos who knows, he must have slipped out.”
“You don’t think Joe’s guys have him do you?” Shaking his head, Dex said, “I just don’t know, anything is possible, but I doubt they would kidnap a cop, even a dirty cop.”
“Thanks, Dex,” Hutch cracked the door to check on his partner. “I owe you.”
“I just hope he will be okay.” Dex clapped Hutch on the back, “I better get going, if I hear anything I’ll be sure to let you know.”
Hutch stood over Starsky’s bed, “Come on buddy it’s time to wake up, it’s been three days.” He had been putting on a good front for Edna but he was starting to worry about Starsky. The doctors told them that along with his other injures he had a severe concussion; they had also found water in his lungs leading the doctors to suspect that the detective could have been tortured with water boarding and they were worried about dry drowning, but so far he hadn’t showed any symptoms but still could have long lasting mental effects. Hutch was lost in his thoughts when Edna returned bringing her son’s friend a sandwich and a drink. “Any change?” Edna peered at her son sleeping. His handsome face was bruised and battered but starting to heal. She gently laid her hand on his cheek then sat down. “No, but he’s not getting any worse.” Hutch answered as he bit into the sandwich, he hadn’t realized how hungry he was.
After three days in his personal safe house, Rick was getting claustrophobic. He had been listening to the chatter on the police scanner and knew about the BOLO that had been put in place for his capture. Luckily no one had known about his purchase or the location of his safe house and he didn’t have to worry about running out supplies anytime soon. He had prepared his safe house for just such an occasion. He had enough staples to last several weeks and hopefully by then some of the heat will have died down and he could leave the city. He could go anywhere because he had also stashed enough cash to live well on for many years. He would be off the grid and no one would be the wiser. He had planned to be totally untraceable, just disappear into thin air.
Edna and Hutch were standing at the nurse’s station when they heard a commotion and yelling coming from Starsky’s room, “NICKY…NICKY…,” Starsky was yelling when Hutch came rushing through the door. Starsky was thrashing in the bed and calling out to Nicky. Hutch flew to his bedside pinning his flailing arms to the bed so he wouldn’t pull out his I.V. and hurt himself any further. “STARSKY…STARSKY,” he yelled at the struggling man, “Starsky, listen to me…you need to calm down before you hurt yourself,” he pleaded. He then calmed his own racing heart and tried to reach his friend again, “Starsk…listen to me…just concentrate on my voice,” Hutch looked at Edna and motioned for her to take her son’s hand. “Listen to me…your mom’s right here with me…you need to wake up for us…can you do that for us…please,” he crooned to his slowly calming partner. “That’s it buddy…calm down…that’s good Starsk…now you need to open your eyes.” Edna and Hutch watched the battered body relax and sink into the bed, his eyes began to flutter but did not open and the pair returned disappointedly to the chairs and continued their vigil.
The sun sank down below the horizon and the shadows crept across the room as a low moan came from Starsky and his eyes fluttered, he opened them a crack and could make out the forms of his mother who was sitting next to the bed her hand resting on his and Hutch in a chair across the room, both were asleep. He tried to push the fog from his brain so he could think but his head was pounding and he hurt all over. Were they in a car chase and crashed? Did he get shot? What was his mother doing there? Suddenly it all came rushing back, he had been kidnapped and tortured, and…and Nick saved him. Where was Nick? “Nick? Nick?” Starsky’s voice was barely above a whisper, he tried to rise up to see where his brother was, “Nick!” he said, his voice stronger and louder this time.
Edna Starsky had been mentally and physically exhausted when she had fallen asleep holding her son’s hand. Hutch had tried to get her to go home several times but she refused. David was all she had left and she was not leaving his bedside until she knew he was alright. Through the haze of a dream she was having of her young boys playing she heard Davy calling Nicky, she smiled, they always loved to play together in the park. Then she heard Davy call Nicky again, only this time it sounded like something was wrong. She opened her eyes and realized it was only a dream. She looked at her son who was looking back at her. “Davy you’re wake!” Edna jumped up from the chair and kissed her son on the forehead. “Ma?”
“I’m here.” She said softly. She glanced across the room and saw Hutch sleeping. “Ken.” Hutch’s eyes opened and he saw Edna standing over his partner’s bed. “What’s wrong?” Edna smiled, “He’s awake.” Hutch got up and went to the bed; he looked down at Starsky who looked rather blankly back at him. “About time buddy.”
“W-what happened?” Starsky asked confused, “Where is Nicky?” Edna and Hutch looked at each other.
“Don’t you remember what happened?” Hutch asked. Starsky took a deep breath and furrowed his brow, “Nick came in, he knocked out one of the guys, I attacked Rick…Rick that detective he….he.”
“We know,” Hutch said putting his hand over his partner’s. “Then I think I went to Elaine….” He trailed off and tried to shrug but winced in pain. “Take it easy.” Hutch could tell Starsky was starting to get agitated. “Just tell me where my brother is.” Starsky asked. Edna took her son’s hand again and gently said, “Nicky is dead.” It took all she had to say the words and it was the first time they had come out of her mouth. “What? No, no, NO.” Starsky yelled. Tears spilled down his cheeks and he remembered seeing Rick aiming a gun at him and Elaine, Nick he had jumped in front of them, he remembered cradling his lifeless, bloody body in his arms. Starsky shook his head at the memory, “Nick, he took a bullet that was meant for me. Ma, Nicky saved my life.” Tears were spilling down Edna’s cheeks and she leaned over and hugged her only surviving son.
“There is still some confusion about what really went down in the warehouse,” Dex gave Hutch a sly smile, “And I have some bad news… Rick was not among the dead. We’ve got a BOLO out on him but we’re pretty sure he has gone underground. We’ve also got men staking out his place in case he was dumb enough to return home.”
“How did he get out?” Hutch wanted to know. Dex shrugged, “In all the chaos who knows, he must have slipped out.”
“You don’t think Joe’s guys have him do you?” Shaking his head, Dex said, “I just don’t know, anything is possible, but I doubt they would kidnap a cop, even a dirty cop.”
“Thanks, Dex,” Hutch cracked the door to check on his partner. “I owe you.”
“I just hope he will be okay.” Dex clapped Hutch on the back, “I better get going, if I hear anything I’ll be sure to let you know.”
Hutch stood over Starsky’s bed, “Come on buddy it’s time to wake up, it’s been three days.” He had been putting on a good front for Edna but he was starting to worry about Starsky. The doctors told them that along with his other injures he had a severe concussion; they had also found water in his lungs leading the doctors to suspect that the detective could have been tortured with water boarding and they were worried about dry drowning, but so far he hadn’t showed any symptoms but still could have long lasting mental effects. Hutch was lost in his thoughts when Edna returned bringing her son’s friend a sandwich and a drink. “Any change?” Edna peered at her son sleeping. His handsome face was bruised and battered but starting to heal. She gently laid her hand on his cheek then sat down. “No, but he’s not getting any worse.” Hutch answered as he bit into the sandwich, he hadn’t realized how hungry he was.
After three days in his personal safe house, Rick was getting claustrophobic. He had been listening to the chatter on the police scanner and knew about the BOLO that had been put in place for his capture. Luckily no one had known about his purchase or the location of his safe house and he didn’t have to worry about running out supplies anytime soon. He had prepared his safe house for just such an occasion. He had enough staples to last several weeks and hopefully by then some of the heat will have died down and he could leave the city. He could go anywhere because he had also stashed enough cash to live well on for many years. He would be off the grid and no one would be the wiser. He had planned to be totally untraceable, just disappear into thin air.
Edna and Hutch were standing at the nurse’s station when they heard a commotion and yelling coming from Starsky’s room, “NICKY…NICKY…,” Starsky was yelling when Hutch came rushing through the door. Starsky was thrashing in the bed and calling out to Nicky. Hutch flew to his bedside pinning his flailing arms to the bed so he wouldn’t pull out his I.V. and hurt himself any further. “STARSKY…STARSKY,” he yelled at the struggling man, “Starsky, listen to me…you need to calm down before you hurt yourself,” he pleaded. He then calmed his own racing heart and tried to reach his friend again, “Starsk…listen to me…just concentrate on my voice,” Hutch looked at Edna and motioned for her to take her son’s hand. “Listen to me…your mom’s right here with me…you need to wake up for us…can you do that for us…please,” he crooned to his slowly calming partner. “That’s it buddy…calm down…that’s good Starsk…now you need to open your eyes.” Edna and Hutch watched the battered body relax and sink into the bed, his eyes began to flutter but did not open and the pair returned disappointedly to the chairs and continued their vigil.
The sun sank down below the horizon and the shadows crept across the room as a low moan came from Starsky and his eyes fluttered, he opened them a crack and could make out the forms of his mother who was sitting next to the bed her hand resting on his and Hutch in a chair across the room, both were asleep. He tried to push the fog from his brain so he could think but his head was pounding and he hurt all over. Were they in a car chase and crashed? Did he get shot? What was his mother doing there? Suddenly it all came rushing back, he had been kidnapped and tortured, and…and Nick saved him. Where was Nick? “Nick? Nick?” Starsky’s voice was barely above a whisper, he tried to rise up to see where his brother was, “Nick!” he said, his voice stronger and louder this time.
Edna Starsky had been mentally and physically exhausted when she had fallen asleep holding her son’s hand. Hutch had tried to get her to go home several times but she refused. David was all she had left and she was not leaving his bedside until she knew he was alright. Through the haze of a dream she was having of her young boys playing she heard Davy calling Nicky, she smiled, they always loved to play together in the park. Then she heard Davy call Nicky again, only this time it sounded like something was wrong. She opened her eyes and realized it was only a dream. She looked at her son who was looking back at her. “Davy you’re wake!” Edna jumped up from the chair and kissed her son on the forehead. “Ma?”
“I’m here.” She said softly. She glanced across the room and saw Hutch sleeping. “Ken.” Hutch’s eyes opened and he saw Edna standing over his partner’s bed. “What’s wrong?” Edna smiled, “He’s awake.” Hutch got up and went to the bed; he looked down at Starsky who looked rather blankly back at him. “About time buddy.”
“W-what happened?” Starsky asked confused, “Where is Nicky?” Edna and Hutch looked at each other.
“Don’t you remember what happened?” Hutch asked. Starsky took a deep breath and furrowed his brow, “Nick came in, he knocked out one of the guys, I attacked Rick…Rick that detective he….he.”
“We know,” Hutch said putting his hand over his partner’s. “Then I think I went to Elaine….” He trailed off and tried to shrug but winced in pain. “Take it easy.” Hutch could tell Starsky was starting to get agitated. “Just tell me where my brother is.” Starsky asked. Edna took her son’s hand again and gently said, “Nicky is dead.” It took all she had to say the words and it was the first time they had come out of her mouth. “What? No, no, NO.” Starsky yelled. Tears spilled down his cheeks and he remembered seeing Rick aiming a gun at him and Elaine, Nick he had jumped in front of them, he remembered cradling his lifeless, bloody body in his arms. Starsky shook his head at the memory, “Nick, he took a bullet that was meant for me. Ma, Nicky saved my life.” Tears were spilling down Edna’s cheeks and she leaned over and hugged her only surviving son.
Hutch left the room and headed to the nurse’s station to let them know that Starsky was awake and talking. As he approached the desk a nurse motioned to him, she was on the phone. She covered the receiver with her hand and said to Hutch, “There is a call for Mrs. Starsky.” Hutch held out his hand for the phone. “Detective Hutchinson.”
“Ken, this is Samuel Russo, could you give Edna a message for me?”
“Of course.” Hutch said. “Tell her that all the arrangements for Nick’s funeral have been taken care of.” Samuel said. Hutch handed the receiver back to the nurse and smiled, “I came out here to tell you that Mr. Starsky is awake and talking.” The nurse smiled back at him, “That’s good news; I’ll be there in just a minute to take his vitals, after I let the doctor know.” He thanked the nurse and turned to return to Starsky’s room.
Hutch entered the room and saw his partner’s eyes drooping as he drifted off to sleep again. He walked up behind Edna and placed his hands on her shoulders, he bent down and whispered in her ear, “Samuel called; he wanted me to let you know that Nicky’s funeral has been taken care of.” She sniffed as she nodded her head in agreement and then dabbed her eyes with the tissue she had gripped in her hand. She rose and almost bumped into the nurse as she was coming in the door. Hutch got up and followed Edna out as the nurse tended to Starsky. “Edna, are you ok?” Hutch cautiously asked. Edna turned and he saw the tears in her eyes, “Yes, dear,” she sniffed, “I…I…just,” was all she got out before the dam burst and she could no longer control her grief. Hutch walked over to her and enveloped her in his arms, “Let it out,” he whispered, “It helps…” he said as laid his chin on her head and squeezed a little tighter.
Edna finally stopped crying and she pulled away from Hutch. She wiped her eyes and patted her hair, “Oh dear, I must be a sight.” She said as she looked at Hutch. He grinned at his partner’s mother, “You look just fine.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, “Looks like the doctor’s here, let’s go back in.” he said as they watched the doctor enter the room. Starsky was sitting up in bed and looking better than he had in the last couple of days.
“Mr. Starsky,” the doctor addressed his patient, “So far I’m satisfied with all your test results and I think I can release you in a few days as long as you are going to have someone to help you,” he looked to Edna and Hutch, who both shook their heads in agreement, “and I have one more condition,” he added as he kept looking at Edna and Hutch. “Both of you need to go home during these few days and get some much needed rest before I release him. You’re going to need your strength in order to help him.” Hutch and Edna looked at each other and then back to the doctor, “Bu-bu-but…” Hutch stammered. “No buts…no arguments,” the doctor stood firmly. Then a calm and pleading voice came from the bed, “Ma…Hutch…please, I want to go home. The nurses here are capable of taking care of me, and I want out of here…so please do what the doc says,” Starsky pleaded. “Yes, baby, anything you want,” Edna smiled at her son. “You know I don’t like it,” Hutch glared at Starsky, “but I’ll do it to get you out of here.” He replied grudgingly. The doctor turned back to Starsky, “OK, I’ll be back in the morning to check in on you and as long as nothing else develops over the next few days you should be all set to go and I’ll release then.” He then turned back to the visitors, “I mean it about leaving at night and resting. I’m going to let the night shift know you are not to be here after visiting hours and if they tell me otherwise…” He just nodded at them and then stopped at the door, “visiting hours are over in an hour, and you two have good evening.”
There had been a large crowd at the gravesite, it wasn’t for a love of Nick but out of love and respect for Edna, and now there was an equally big crowd in her living room as people filtered in carrying food and condolences. Another knock on the door brought Edna, dressed in all black, to her feet to answer it. A young man stood there dressed in an expensive suit, Edna was pretty sure it was the same man she had seen standing a distance from the graveside service. “Mrs. Starsky, I’m very sorry for your loss,” He kissed her hand then pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “If you ever need anything, and I do mean anything, you call me.” Edna took the card and read the name engraved on it. Jacob McAlister, under his name it said lawyer. She squinted at his face; he looked so familiar to her. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “My father is sorry he couldn’t be here and sends his love.” Edna’s eyes widened as she now knew who the man before her was. Samuel Russo had sent his son off to boarding school many years ago and changed the young man’s name so there was no connection between the two. “He also wants you to know that the family is dead, it died with Joe.” Edna kissed his cheek and he was gone. What neither of them knew, or anybody else at the service, that there had been a shadowy figure standing some distance from the mourners. He couldn’t hear what was being said but it was enough watching the casket being lowered into the ground. An evil grin spread across his face as he vowed to put the rest of the Starsky family in the ground along with his partner, Hutchinson. He was going to get what was supposed to be his.
Dex Scott drove the Starsky’s and Hutch to the airport and then escorted them to the gate. He hung around until it was time for them to board the plane. Dex leaned down and gave Edna a kiss on the cheek and she whispered in his ear, “Thank you for everything you have done when you didn’t have to.” She said through a smile. He turned to a seated Starsky and shook his hand, “Dave, I wish I could have gotten to know you better and under different circumstances, maybe another time.” Starsky returned the shake, “Thanks, anytime you’re in Bay City, look us up.” Finally he walked over to Hutch and grasped his hand in a firm grip, “Hutch, it’s been a pleasure to work with you. Your partner’s a lucky man. I’ll keep you posted with the investigation and with any word on Rick. Have a safe flight home and take care of your partner.” With that Detective Dex Scott left the trio at the gate and returned to his precinct to continue looking for his former partner.
Edna, Starsky, and Hutch boarded the flight back to Bay City. It had taken Starsky and Hutch both several hours to convince to sell her brownstone and return to Bay City with them for good. She was hesitant at first but realized that they were right and just looking out for her best interests, there was nothing left for her in New York now. Her youngest son was gone and all she had left was David, and he needed her help. So, she contacted a realtor, listed her home and packed a bag for Bay City. They would make arrangements to have the rest of her belongings moved to Bay City when the brownstone sold.
Starsky slept most of the flight back thanks to pain medication. Huggy met them at the airport and took them to
Starsky’s apartment. After getting the injured detective settled in bed Edna inspected the refrigerator, making disgusted noises as she pulled out an old box of pizza which she dumped in the trash, also a spoiled carton of milk, there was little else left. Edna turned and looked at Hutch, “Is this the way you boy’s eat?”
“That is the way he eats, not me.” Hutch grinned. Huggy was lugging Edna’s bags in, “Where do you want these, Mrs. S?” Edna looked around the one bedroom apartment, “There by the couch, please.” She shut the refrigerator door, “If you don’t mind Mr. Bear could you take me to a market, I need to get some decent food for my boy.”
“Sure Mrs. S, and just call me Huggy.” Huggy looked at Hutch who was trying to suppress a laugh. Edna poked Hutch in the shoulder, “You look after Davy while I’m gone.” Hutch nodded, “Yes Ma’am.”
Hutch puttered around the apartment while Edna and Huggy shopped for groceries. Starsky slowly shuffled into the living room and Hutch turned to see him ease down on the sofa, “Hey partner, how ya feeling?” Starsky grunted as he sunk into the sofa, “Still sore…but getting better, where’s Ma?” Hutch put his hands on his hips, “Well, buddy, she looked in your fridge….”
“And she had to go shopping,” Starsky finished Hutch’s sentence for him. “You got it,” he chuckled as sat down beside his partner. Starsky rested his head on the back of the sofa, closed his eyes and blew out a lung full of air. Hutch faced the healing man, “Wanna talk about it?” he prodded. “Yes…no…I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem real…Nicky’s gone and Ma is here. What happened? It was just supposed to be a quick trip home for Ma’s birthday. OH SHIT, I missed Ma’s birthday. I lost her presents.” Hutch could tell Starsky was getting upset so he reached over and placed his hand on his partner’s knee, “Hey, take a breath. I’m sure she understands under the circumstances. You need to give her more credit, she’s a stronger than you realize.”
Hutch watched as tears slid down Starsky’s face, “Talk to me, Starsk. Please?” He sniffed and spoke into the air not daring to look at Hutch, “It’s my fault Nicky is gone. He took that bullet for me…damn him. I can’t believe he would do that to Ma,” he lifted his head and stared straight ahead, “I’m so mixed up right now. I mad as hell…I feel guilty…I’m sad. But what really irritates me the most is…and I know this sounds bad, but I’m glad. I’m glad that Ma will not have to worry about what kind of trouble Nick is getting into now…and I’m glad that his demons have been put to rest and his soul can be at peace…Is that wrong of me? Am I a terrible person?” he asked as he slowly turned to face Hutch, and Hutch could see the need for forgiveness in his partner’s eyes. Hutch leaned in and pulled Starsky into a bear hug, “No buddy, you’re not a bad person. You’re a loving and caring brother and son. I agree with you, Nick had a haunted soul and now he’s free.” Hutch rose from the sofa and tugged his partner up, “Come on, let’s get you back to bed. You’ve had a long day and you need to get your rest. I need you back on the streets with me to watch my back.” Starsky stopped in the doorway and turned to look at Hutch, “Thanks, pal, I needed that. It’s good to be home.”
“Ken, this is Samuel Russo, could you give Edna a message for me?”
“Of course.” Hutch said. “Tell her that all the arrangements for Nick’s funeral have been taken care of.” Samuel said. Hutch handed the receiver back to the nurse and smiled, “I came out here to tell you that Mr. Starsky is awake and talking.” The nurse smiled back at him, “That’s good news; I’ll be there in just a minute to take his vitals, after I let the doctor know.” He thanked the nurse and turned to return to Starsky’s room.
Hutch entered the room and saw his partner’s eyes drooping as he drifted off to sleep again. He walked up behind Edna and placed his hands on her shoulders, he bent down and whispered in her ear, “Samuel called; he wanted me to let you know that Nicky’s funeral has been taken care of.” She sniffed as she nodded her head in agreement and then dabbed her eyes with the tissue she had gripped in her hand. She rose and almost bumped into the nurse as she was coming in the door. Hutch got up and followed Edna out as the nurse tended to Starsky. “Edna, are you ok?” Hutch cautiously asked. Edna turned and he saw the tears in her eyes, “Yes, dear,” she sniffed, “I…I…just,” was all she got out before the dam burst and she could no longer control her grief. Hutch walked over to her and enveloped her in his arms, “Let it out,” he whispered, “It helps…” he said as laid his chin on her head and squeezed a little tighter.
Edna finally stopped crying and she pulled away from Hutch. She wiped her eyes and patted her hair, “Oh dear, I must be a sight.” She said as she looked at Hutch. He grinned at his partner’s mother, “You look just fine.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, “Looks like the doctor’s here, let’s go back in.” he said as they watched the doctor enter the room. Starsky was sitting up in bed and looking better than he had in the last couple of days.
“Mr. Starsky,” the doctor addressed his patient, “So far I’m satisfied with all your test results and I think I can release you in a few days as long as you are going to have someone to help you,” he looked to Edna and Hutch, who both shook their heads in agreement, “and I have one more condition,” he added as he kept looking at Edna and Hutch. “Both of you need to go home during these few days and get some much needed rest before I release him. You’re going to need your strength in order to help him.” Hutch and Edna looked at each other and then back to the doctor, “Bu-bu-but…” Hutch stammered. “No buts…no arguments,” the doctor stood firmly. Then a calm and pleading voice came from the bed, “Ma…Hutch…please, I want to go home. The nurses here are capable of taking care of me, and I want out of here…so please do what the doc says,” Starsky pleaded. “Yes, baby, anything you want,” Edna smiled at her son. “You know I don’t like it,” Hutch glared at Starsky, “but I’ll do it to get you out of here.” He replied grudgingly. The doctor turned back to Starsky, “OK, I’ll be back in the morning to check in on you and as long as nothing else develops over the next few days you should be all set to go and I’ll release then.” He then turned back to the visitors, “I mean it about leaving at night and resting. I’m going to let the night shift know you are not to be here after visiting hours and if they tell me otherwise…” He just nodded at them and then stopped at the door, “visiting hours are over in an hour, and you two have good evening.”
There had been a large crowd at the gravesite, it wasn’t for a love of Nick but out of love and respect for Edna, and now there was an equally big crowd in her living room as people filtered in carrying food and condolences. Another knock on the door brought Edna, dressed in all black, to her feet to answer it. A young man stood there dressed in an expensive suit, Edna was pretty sure it was the same man she had seen standing a distance from the graveside service. “Mrs. Starsky, I’m very sorry for your loss,” He kissed her hand then pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “If you ever need anything, and I do mean anything, you call me.” Edna took the card and read the name engraved on it. Jacob McAlister, under his name it said lawyer. She squinted at his face; he looked so familiar to her. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “My father is sorry he couldn’t be here and sends his love.” Edna’s eyes widened as she now knew who the man before her was. Samuel Russo had sent his son off to boarding school many years ago and changed the young man’s name so there was no connection between the two. “He also wants you to know that the family is dead, it died with Joe.” Edna kissed his cheek and he was gone. What neither of them knew, or anybody else at the service, that there had been a shadowy figure standing some distance from the mourners. He couldn’t hear what was being said but it was enough watching the casket being lowered into the ground. An evil grin spread across his face as he vowed to put the rest of the Starsky family in the ground along with his partner, Hutchinson. He was going to get what was supposed to be his.
Dex Scott drove the Starsky’s and Hutch to the airport and then escorted them to the gate. He hung around until it was time for them to board the plane. Dex leaned down and gave Edna a kiss on the cheek and she whispered in his ear, “Thank you for everything you have done when you didn’t have to.” She said through a smile. He turned to a seated Starsky and shook his hand, “Dave, I wish I could have gotten to know you better and under different circumstances, maybe another time.” Starsky returned the shake, “Thanks, anytime you’re in Bay City, look us up.” Finally he walked over to Hutch and grasped his hand in a firm grip, “Hutch, it’s been a pleasure to work with you. Your partner’s a lucky man. I’ll keep you posted with the investigation and with any word on Rick. Have a safe flight home and take care of your partner.” With that Detective Dex Scott left the trio at the gate and returned to his precinct to continue looking for his former partner.
Edna, Starsky, and Hutch boarded the flight back to Bay City. It had taken Starsky and Hutch both several hours to convince to sell her brownstone and return to Bay City with them for good. She was hesitant at first but realized that they were right and just looking out for her best interests, there was nothing left for her in New York now. Her youngest son was gone and all she had left was David, and he needed her help. So, she contacted a realtor, listed her home and packed a bag for Bay City. They would make arrangements to have the rest of her belongings moved to Bay City when the brownstone sold.
Starsky slept most of the flight back thanks to pain medication. Huggy met them at the airport and took them to
Starsky’s apartment. After getting the injured detective settled in bed Edna inspected the refrigerator, making disgusted noises as she pulled out an old box of pizza which she dumped in the trash, also a spoiled carton of milk, there was little else left. Edna turned and looked at Hutch, “Is this the way you boy’s eat?”
“That is the way he eats, not me.” Hutch grinned. Huggy was lugging Edna’s bags in, “Where do you want these, Mrs. S?” Edna looked around the one bedroom apartment, “There by the couch, please.” She shut the refrigerator door, “If you don’t mind Mr. Bear could you take me to a market, I need to get some decent food for my boy.”
“Sure Mrs. S, and just call me Huggy.” Huggy looked at Hutch who was trying to suppress a laugh. Edna poked Hutch in the shoulder, “You look after Davy while I’m gone.” Hutch nodded, “Yes Ma’am.”
Hutch puttered around the apartment while Edna and Huggy shopped for groceries. Starsky slowly shuffled into the living room and Hutch turned to see him ease down on the sofa, “Hey partner, how ya feeling?” Starsky grunted as he sunk into the sofa, “Still sore…but getting better, where’s Ma?” Hutch put his hands on his hips, “Well, buddy, she looked in your fridge….”
“And she had to go shopping,” Starsky finished Hutch’s sentence for him. “You got it,” he chuckled as sat down beside his partner. Starsky rested his head on the back of the sofa, closed his eyes and blew out a lung full of air. Hutch faced the healing man, “Wanna talk about it?” he prodded. “Yes…no…I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem real…Nicky’s gone and Ma is here. What happened? It was just supposed to be a quick trip home for Ma’s birthday. OH SHIT, I missed Ma’s birthday. I lost her presents.” Hutch could tell Starsky was getting upset so he reached over and placed his hand on his partner’s knee, “Hey, take a breath. I’m sure she understands under the circumstances. You need to give her more credit, she’s a stronger than you realize.”
Hutch watched as tears slid down Starsky’s face, “Talk to me, Starsk. Please?” He sniffed and spoke into the air not daring to look at Hutch, “It’s my fault Nicky is gone. He took that bullet for me…damn him. I can’t believe he would do that to Ma,” he lifted his head and stared straight ahead, “I’m so mixed up right now. I mad as hell…I feel guilty…I’m sad. But what really irritates me the most is…and I know this sounds bad, but I’m glad. I’m glad that Ma will not have to worry about what kind of trouble Nick is getting into now…and I’m glad that his demons have been put to rest and his soul can be at peace…Is that wrong of me? Am I a terrible person?” he asked as he slowly turned to face Hutch, and Hutch could see the need for forgiveness in his partner’s eyes. Hutch leaned in and pulled Starsky into a bear hug, “No buddy, you’re not a bad person. You’re a loving and caring brother and son. I agree with you, Nick had a haunted soul and now he’s free.” Hutch rose from the sofa and tugged his partner up, “Come on, let’s get you back to bed. You’ve had a long day and you need to get your rest. I need you back on the streets with me to watch my back.” Starsky stopped in the doorway and turned to look at Hutch, “Thanks, pal, I needed that. It’s good to be home.”
The End?