Warnings: Bad language. There is severe violence and a near rape scene -- if either of these subjects upsets you please don't read on.

Rating: FRM

Thanks to my beta Deb for all the hard work.

THE FALL GUY

by: Avoca

Chapter One

It was a fall day in Bay City but unlike other climates the Southern Californian one did not paint with the rich colors of Nature's palette. It was a good day to be alive; at least Detective David Starsky felt it was. The dark haired man parked his car outside his partner's apartment and ran up the stairs. Starsky stopped just outside the front door and listened. He heard voices so he let himself in, using the key he always kept on his key chain.

Ken Hutchinson was in the process of tickling a stunning blonde woman who squirmed in his embrace and squealed at Starsky when she saw him. "Dave! Please get this lunatic away from me."

Starsky smiled but made no attempt to intervene. In fact he stood leaning against the door he had just closed and crossed his arms. "Ma'm, I never interfere with my partner when he's apprehending a suspect and you sure look suspect to me." Starsky's dreadful imitation of a policeman was enough to gain Hutch's attention and in doing so allow the tall blonde to uncurl from Hutch's hold. The woman pulled her silk kimono style dressing gown around her and backed away from Hutch.

"I swear you guys are going to kill me." But her smile denied her words.

She grabbed a glass from the kitchen counter and went into the bathroom, stopping at the door just long enough to blow a kiss to Hutch.

Five minutes later the detectives were in Starsky's car and on their way to Parker Center to begin their 8:00 am to 4:00 pm shift. Experience had taught the pair that clock watching was not for busy police officers and more than likely the 4:00 finish would not be possible. The banter between the two men was good humored as Starsky maneuvered his much-loved Torino through the streets of the city. The main topics for discussion were Hutch's latest and surprisingly, steady, girlfriend Linda whom the duo had just left behind in Hutch's apartment as well as the procession of pretty girls who paraded through Starsky's life but never became firm fixtures. Hutch had been seeing Linda for six months and it seemed, on the surface, pretty serious. Linda was a tall, beautiful blonde who worked in real estate and, although she accepted Starsky's presence in Hutch's life without complaint, there was something else there. She didn't complain or whine to Hutch about his relationship with his partner, but she also didn't greet Starsky with open arms. On analyzing his partner's relationship, Starsky felt that something was missing. Hutch wasn't all starry eyed like he had been with Gillian but he did seem happy, so on one level Starsky accepted that fact and was glad of it. Starsky seemed unable to find anybody who came near his dead girlfriend, Terry, and so he played the game with a different woman every week. Hutch didn't comment on his partner's choice of girlfriends and Starsky was vague in his praise of Linda. Overall, the last few months had been good for both men, and they were in pretty high spirits as they entered the squad room on the last day of their workweek, with two days off coming up.

They had just reached their desks when Captain Dobey opened his office door, and upon spotting them called the two men into his office. Hutch exchanged a quick glance with Starsky that seemed to ask silently if he had been up to anything and got a shake of Starsky's head in return. Captain Dobey waddled his bulky form into the chair behind his desk while Hutch sat in an overstuffed chair and Starsky perched on the arm of it. Dobey tossed back the last of his coffee from a mug and placed it down on his blotter, then coughed once as if trying to gain some time. Finally he looked at the two men and spoke. "Were you two together last evening?"

Hutch spoke for the two of them. "No Cap'ain we left here about seven thirty and Starsky dropped me off."

"Damn!" Dobey said the expletive quietly and then added, "Where did you go, Starsky?"

"Cap'ain what's this about?"

"Just answer the question." Dots of perspiration appeared on the older man's face.

"After I dropped Hutch off I went home and stayed there for the rest of the night."

"Was anyone with you?"

"Cap'ain did my mother call you? Or are you just interested in who I'm dating?"

"Starsky, answer the question. It's important."

"I was alone. I heated up some pizza, drank a few beers, watched an old Bogey movie on TV, and then hit the sack."

"Think Starsky! This is important, did you see anybody? A neighbor, a store clerk, anybody?"

Starsky looked at his commanding officer and said. "I didn't see anyone. Look, what's this all about?"

"Last night Jacob Hamlin was murdered. Assassin style, one slug to the heart and one to the back of the head, and someone fitting your description was seen leaving the building around 10pm."

Hutch was on his feet in an instant. "Hold on here, Captain! Am I missing something? Some pro kills Hamlin and the only suspect you can think of is my partner?"

"It's not like that, Hutch. A witness named Starsky as the guy she saw leaving Hamlin's place right after the shots were fired. I.A. is all over this and in fact, two of their detectives are on their way to talk to you. I was just trying to give you a heads up about it." Dobey's voice dropped. I know you didn't do it, Starsky, but Hell, from the outside it appears you have motive enough to want Hamlin dead."

"Along with about fifty other people." Hutch shot back while pacing the office. "Hamlin? Wasn't he the guy that you nabbed when I was in Duluth last spring?" Hutch's voice was soft.

"Yeah, that's right, Hutch. I was doing mostly paperwork but I backed up Granger and Bolger on a narco bust. Hamlin made a run for it and I brought him down with a tackle. His attorney screamed blue murder about 'police brutality' but a rookie detective called Peters made a slip up on reading him his rights. Anyway Hamlin's high priced attorney got him off on a technicality. I lost it in the Court and shouted I'd get him. I meant 'get' as in 'bust' him but I suppose realistically more could be read into it" Starsky remained seated and seemed to be the coolest of the three people in the office. "Cap'ain I'm sure there's been a mix up and if it will clear things up quicker, I'll talk to these IA guys and sort it out."

Hutch stopped his pacing and stood between Dobey's desk and Starsky. "I'll phone the union and get them to send a lawyer to be present during the interview."

Starsky's deep blue eyes locked with Hutch's worried ones, and he reached up and patted his partner's elbow. "Ma has a saying -- 'don't trouble trouble before it troubles you' -- and she's right. Look, Hutch, I have nothing to hide so I don't need a lawyer. We'll face this the same way we face everything, -- together."

Hutch's answer was interrupted by the arrival of two men at Dobey's office door. Both men were tall, well over six feet, but that was where the similarities ended. The first man flashed his badge at Dobey and introduced himself as James Butler. Butler was a thin man in his early fifties with silver, crew cut, hair. He wore a navy lightweight suit and the most remarkable thing about him was his nose, which was large with a hooded shape. His companion was younger, about thirty-five, and he was rotund with streaks of brown hair pulled crudely across his balding plate. His eyes were lost in the mounds of flesh that made up his face and Hutch's first thought was how had he made the annual physical. That thought was pushed aside as the man introduced himself as Frank Darcy. Neither man proffered their hands, just their badges, as the introductions were made. Butler immediately turned to Starsky and began questioning him as he got his notebook out of his inside pocket.

"So, Starsky, if you have an alibi for last night we can clear this up in a jiffy -- otherwise I'd say you're in pretty deep trouble."

"What the hell do you mean?" Hutch's eyes were ablaze.

"Easy, partner! They're just doing their job." Starsky eased himself into the chair that Hutch had vacated.

"Sensible move, Starsky. It will make it much easier for all of us if you co-operate with the investigation. Now where were you last night between nine and eleven pm?"

Starsky looked at Butler. "I was home, alone, all evening."

"No girl, huh? We heard you were a real lady killer." It was Darcy's turn to speak.

Starsky laughed quietly. "You're not very practiced at playing 'good cop/bad cop' are you?"

Darcy's face reddened. "Look we also heard you were a real smart ass. We're going to run a proper investigation, so you'd better start co-operating."

Hutch looked at Darcy. "He is co-operating. What the hell do you want him to do?"

"Well, if he confessed it would save us all a lot of time." Butler's eyes locked on Starsky as his remark was addressed to Hutch.

"Smartass!" Hutch's eyes were ablaze.

Butler took over. "Look, there's a witness who identified you to the uniforms when they arrived. She's due downstairs in fifteen minutes so you can volunteer to be part of a line up and we'll see what happens after that."

"Sure I can do that. See, Hutch. She'll know it wasn't me and this whole thing will be cleared up."

"She named you, Starsky, so I wouldn't be making holiday plans any time soon."

Butler addressed Starsky and then turned his attention to Dobey. "As his commanding officer it might be better if you held on to his gun and his badge."

"Why? As far as I know no charges have been pressed against my officer."

Darcy smiled. "Well! I'd say that will change shortly."

Hutch was forced to wait in another room as Starsky took part in a line up with five other men. The witness picked him out within thirty seconds and was then driven home. Darcy made a great show of having Starsky hand over his gun and badge to Dobey then he immediately took the gun for forensic examination. A District attorney by the name of Sam Bailey appeared on the scene and, to Hutch's amazement, charges were brought against Starsky. Butler and Darcy questioned Starsky while Bailey looked on through the observation glass. Hutch was not allowed to be present, so he turned his attention to getting a good criminal lawyer for his partner. Within two hours Hutch had engaged the services of Steve Canning, who was recommended by a cousin of Huggy's.

Hutch liked the man the minute he walked into the squad room. He was about thirty, with neat cut, dark brown hair, and he had a pair of dancing brown eyes that shone from a good-natured face. After introducing himself to Hutch and hearing the scant details, he proceeded to Starsky's side. Once in the interrogation room he brought the questioning to an end. Starsky was brought up for arraignment where the D.A. pleaded for an exorbitant amount of bail and hinted at witness intimidation if Starsky were allowed out. Bail was set at one hundred thousand dollars, and Starsky was quickly taken away to face his first night in jail while Hutch hurried to arrange a bail bond.

Hutch felt helpless as he watched Starsky being led in and out of the courtroom. Starsky had smiled at Hutch as he was led away in handcuffs, but Hutch felt his stomach plummet to the floor. Bile rose in his throat as he forced himself to wink at his best friend. Dobey tapped Hutch on the arm. "Ken, we'll need to raise ten thousand dollars so that we can get a bail bonds company to go surety for the rest. Edith and I have about five thousand in our savings; can you come up with the rest?"

Hutch stared at his commanding officer for a moment before the information sunk in. "Yeah! Captain I'll make a few calls, but I don't think Starsky would want you to risk your savings like this."

"Son, Dave is family and he's no risk so you just make your calls and we can get our boy out of there." Dobey was gone in an instant.

Hutch used the pay phone in the court hall to make some calls. He phoned his bank to get the balance on his little-used savings account and then phoned Huggy. An hour later Hutch walked into Dobey's office accompanied by his lean, tall friend. Dobey nodded to Huggy but addressed Hutch. "I stopped off at the bank on the way back from court and got a cashier's check for five thousand."

"I got two thousand cash." Huggy said and laid a wad of fifty and twenty dollar bills on Dobey's desk. Hutch pulled out a tightly banded wad of hundred dollar bills. "I've got three, so let's get this to the bondsman and get Starsky out. Hutch took the cashier's check and Huggy's cash. "Thanks Cap'ain and be sure to thank Edith for me."

"Just go get our boy." Dobey's voice was gruff.

Huggy brought Hutch to a bails bond office about ten blocks from "The Pits" and the men were greeted by a slimy man in his early sixties by the name of Ray Drake. The feel of Drake's clammy hand against his own made Hutch wince, but he handed over the money and the check and was given a receipt. It was too late to make bail for Starsky today, so it meant that the detective had to spend a night in jail. Hutch was desperate to see his friend, but he was also too late to see Starsky as Visiting Hours were over

Hutch spent the evening going over the witness's statement and studying the crime scene photographs. He also spoke with the police officers that were first on the scene, but all to no avail. He stopped in at "The Pits" about 10.00pm and Huggy immediately appeared with a glass of beer.

"Hutch, you turn anything yet?"

"No, Huggy, it looks like a pretty straightforward homicide except it smells to high heaven."

"I know, Blondie. That Jacob Hamlin was a no good son of a bitch so there ain't many people grieving for him. The word on the street is that most everybody who knew him would happily buy Starsky a drink for a job well done."

"So the word is that Starsky killed him?" Hutch brooded into his glass.

"'Fraid so, but you'll turn up the truth, Hutch. Starsky is depending on ya."

Hutch refused Huggy's offer of food and drove home. It was only when he saw the lights on in his apartment that he remembered Linda. She was supposed to cook dinner for him. Hutch entered his apartment and found Linda curled up on his couch asleep. He kissed her head and she woke with a start. "Ken, are you all right? I was afraid something had happened to you."

"I'm fine, Linda, I just forgot to phone. It's been a terrible day, and Starsky has been charged with murder."

Linda looked amazed. "Whoa! Slow down and tell me what happened."

Hutch spent the next ten minutes telling her about the day's events and Linda responded by massaging the back of his neck. She listened without interruption and when he had finished she said. "Do you think Dave did it?"

Hutch saw red. The whole dreadful day came back to haunt him and the words tumbled out of his mouth. "Of course he didn't do it. You know the man, for God's sake, Linda. How could you even ask that?"

Linda pulled away from Hutch's embrace and stood up. "I know Dave but I love you. Don't you see I'm sorry about Dave but I'm glad you're not involved?"

"Involved?! Of course I'm involved! My best friend is sleeping in jail tonight, accused of a crime he didn't commit. You just don't get it, do you? Starsky is more than my partner -- he's the brother I never had. Starsky isn't capable of killing anyone."

"Well, I'm sorry, Ken, but he has killed before."

"Yes, he has. We both have -- in the line of duty. Does that make me capable of murder, too?"

"You're deliberately twisting my words. I'm sorry for you and for Dave, but I think it might be better if I went home tonight and you can call me when you've had time to cool down." Linda kissed Hutch on the chin and left.

Hutch grabbed a beer from the refrigerator as he listened to her receding footfalls on the stairs. He was mad and tired and worried sick about Starsky.

The next morning Hutch was up at six thirty but he didn't go for his usual run, instead he brewed some strong coffee and tried to get his mind to work on the facts of the case. It was useless; every time he went over details all he could see was his partner being led off in handcuffs. He was waiting outside the jail by 9.00 am., sitting in his beat up car. He kept his eyes trained on the only door visible in the wall of the jail. The bail bonds man had assured him that his partner would be free by 10.00 am. and so Hutch waited. By ten minutes past ten Hutch had got out of the car and was pacing in front of it like a caged tiger. At ten fifteen, the steel door swung open and three men emerged. Hutch recognized Starsky immediately and rushed to meet him.

Starsky was wearing the clothes he had on the day before and there was no bounce in his stride. The other two men parted in silence just outside the wall while Starsky walked towards Hutch but he didn't lift his head, just kept watching his feet. Hutch closed the gap between them. "Starsk, you okay?"

Starsky kept his head down. "Peachy! Thanks for raising my bail." Hutch was now in front of his friend and he gently tilted Starsky's chin up. Hutch gulped. "Who did it, Starsk? For fuck sake, you have to tell me who did this?" Hutch's voice was loud and Starsky seemed to wince at the sound. Hutch pushed his anger down and let his concern take over. "Are you hurt anywhere else? I'll take you to the emergency room?"

Starsky looked up. His right eye was swollen shut and the bruises on his cheek stood out in Technicolor against his pale skin. His upper lip was cut and there was a crust of dried blood on the stubble of his chin. "I'm all right; just take me home, Hutch." The blond man went to replay but shut his mouth and quietly took Starsky's right arm and led him to the car.

Chapter Two

Hutch drove the car with one eye on the road ahead and the other fixed on his partner. Starsky didn't say anything; he just rested his head against the passenger window and closed his left eye. Hutch knew by his breathing that Starsky was awake but he barely acknowledged Hutch's presence. A silence fell in the car and Hutch drove the rest of the way to Starsky's apartment without breaking it. It wasn't until Hutch noticed a police car and an un marked car stopped outside Starsky's place that he said anything then he very gently shook Starsky by the elbow and said. "I think we have company, Buddy." Starsky winced as he opened his left eye and he held himself rigid as he got out of the car and climbed the exterior stairs to his apartment. Two uniformed officers stood guard outside the open door while Hutch saw two men, whom he recoognized as Butler and Darcy moving around inside. Hutch put his hand on Starsky's elbow and stopped him before he entered the apartment. One of the officers who stood beside the door looked embarrassed as he said, "Detective Starsky, they should be finished with the search soon." Starsky mumbled something and stood aside. The round fat face of Frank Darcy filled the doorway. He held a clear plastic evidence bag containing a handgun and almost shoved it into Starsky's face. "Big mistake, Sergeant. You're going down." Butler appeared behind his partner with a smile on his slim face, which got bigger when he saw Starsky. "Had a rough night did you, Starsky?" Hutch exploded from his place beside Starsky. "You bastard, IA is a dirty job but you don't have to take so much pleasure in it." Starsky put his hand against Hutch's chest. "Leave it, Hutch, I just want to get inside."

Darcy's eyes lit up. "We're finished here." He and his partner pushed past Starsky and Hutch. The uniformed officers followed them down the wooden steps and Butler turned when he reached the ground. He looked up at Starsky. "By the way, Sergeant, we're sorry for the few small breakages but they couldn't be avoided. Anyway it's not like you'll need anything where you're going, is it?"

Hutch moved past Starsky and made for the stairs as Starsky said "Hutch." The blond man stopped and turned towards his partner. "You're right they're not worth it." Was Hutch's answer to Starsky's unspoken comment, and slowly the two men went into the apartment.

"They're bastards! I'll get Dobey to go to their captain. They're not getting away with this." Hutch's anger exploded when he saw the ravaged apartment. Cushions from the sofa lay on the floor, which was strewn, with magazines and books. A quick look at the kitchen area revealed similar damage. Hutch walked to a small table behind the couch and picked up the remains of a model of the "Cutty Sark", which just yesterday had been three quarters completed but now lay in pieces. "The bastards," Hutch muttered as he placed the parts of the broken model back on the table. Just then the silence of the apartment was broken by a string of curses. Hutch left the broken ship and went into the bedroom. Starsky was sitting on the bed with a picture of Terry in a broken frame. Hutch realized that Starsky had cut himself on a shard of glass and as he neared the bed his shoe hit against something on the floor. Hutch automatically bent down to retrieve the item, and once again anger boiled hot in his veins as he picked up the broken Nikon camera that his partner treasured so much. The camera had obviously been forced open and the film within had been taken. Now the small door lay broken and useless against the hard plastic case. "They can't do this Starsky. They have no right. This is just van -- vandalism." Hutch stumbled over his words a slight stammer registering in his speech.

"They can and they have." Starsky sounded tired and defeated. For the first time since entering the apartment Hutch studied his friend. Starsky looked stunned as he sat cradling the broken picture. Small rivulets of blood ran between his fingers and merged into the fabric of his worn jeans. Hutch placed the camera on the bed, then sat beside Starsky and gently pried his hands away from the picture. "We'll get them, buddy. I promised Terry I'd look after you and although I haven't done a very good job in the last twenty-four hours, I won't let you go down for this. We'll find the truth and clear your name." Hutch opened Starsky's fingers and gently tied his handkerchief around the palm of his left hand. Starsky said nothing. Hutch studied his friend's face and pulled him into an embrace but at the feel of Starsky's involuntary wince he moved away from direct contact while still maintaining his hold on Starsky's hands. "I'm sorry, buddy."

Starsky sighed and then pulled his bleeding hand away. "It's not your fault, Hutch. None of this is. What I really need now is some sleep and then we'll go through the whole thing together. Prison cells are not conducive to good sleep." The last sentence was said with war humor and Hutch smiled as he stood up from the bed. "Okay! You get some sleep and then we'll talk." Hutch picked up the broken camera and picture from the bed as he walked out of the room, but he stopped when he heard Starsky grunt. Hutch swung around in time to see Starsky grab his middle and pull his left hand tightly to his body. Hutch was beside his friend in a moment. "Easy, Starsky! Let me help you."

"It's all right, Hutch. I'm just bruised." Starsky's eyes were clouded with pain.

"Starsky, it might help if you talk about it.

"It was nothin' -- really. Two of the prisoners recognized me and told the others I was a cop."

"Others! How many were there Starsk?"

"It doesn't matter Hutch, the guards broke it up before it got too serious."

Hutch's voice was soft. "Buddy, it looks serious to me."

"I'm all right, just a bit sore."

"Starsk, why don't you have a shower and then let me look at your ribs."

"Yeah, maybe I will. I don't think I could sleep with the smell of that place still on my skin."

"You'll never be in that place again. I swear we'll clear your name." Hutch turned to leave but he still heard the whispered, "Thanks, partner."

Hutch took advantage of the time Starsky spent in the shower to phone Dobey. The older man was pleased to hear Starsky was home but became quite agitated when Hutch told him about Starsky's injuries. Dobey hung up, muttering about contacting the warden at the jail. Hutch then set about finding something edible in Starsky's kitchen and finally settled on eggs, which he scrambled. Starsky appeared in the kitchen just as Hutch finished at the stove.

"Scrambled eggs and milk." Hutch announced with a flourish.

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry right now."

"Starsk, you've got to eat."

"Okay, I'll try."

Hutch set down two plates on the table and poured some milk into a glass for Starsky and then grabbed a cup of coffee.

"I could use some of that." Starsky said as he pointed at Hutch's coffee.

"It'll keep you awake."

Starsky snagged Hutch's cup and drank some of the black liquid. "I know -- that's what I need. I've been revising my schedule and I think it makes more sense to get right on with this set up and bust it open as soon as we can." Starsky looked as if he was about to fall asleep but the instant rejection of his plan died as Hutch realized that his partner needed to feel in control of his life again. Hutch took Starsky's glass of milk.

"Okay Starsky let's run through what we know of the case."

"Who's the witness, Hutch?"

"Those bastards from I.A. are keeping her name out of their reports but Dobey will find out who she is."

Just then a loud knocking interrupted the meal. Hutch got up and opened the door to find a sleepy looking Huggy standing on the doorstep. The rich aroma of freshly baked muffins entered the apartment with him.

"Welcome home, Starsky."

Starsky turned towards his friend. "Hug, thanks for the bond." But he was interrupted by the Bear's expletive.

"Sons of bitches! They left you in with the other prisoners?"

"Yeah, some of the guards felt a dirty cop deserves what he gets." Starsky sounded almost resigned.

"If you're a dirty cop then, -- my uncle Sylvester, the Lutheran minister, is the pope."

"Thanks, Hug."

Huggy poured a cop of coffee and joined the friends at the table. He opened the paper bag and offered it to Starsky, but Starsky shook his head. "Thanks, Hug, maybe later."

Huggy sipped his coffee and watched Starsky over the rim of his cup. "The word on the street is that Hamlin is no great loss to humanity and whoever blew him away should be awarded a medal not a jail term."

Starsky put his cup on the table. "Whoever? You mean people think it was me, don't you?"

Huggy studied his muffin before he looked at Starsky. "Well man, that's the word, but I know it wasn't you that laid the turkey out. Hell! Starsky, you don't play it like that, but I'm just thinking that if someone wanted to get rid of Hamlin, then you're a ready made suspect."

Hutch ran a hand through his hair. "So logically who ever wanted Hamlin dead decided to kill two birds at once by framing you."

"Yeah, that makes sense but Hamlin was so unpopular that it's going to be difficult to pick just one suspect." Huggy shook his head and studied his half eaten muffin as if expecting to find the answer there.

"Well okay, Hamlin wasn't winning any popularity contests but we're looking for somebody who hates Starsky, too. That has to narrow the field of suspects."

"Yeah, but not by much. I hate to tell you, Amigos, but you guys are pretty unpopular with a large element of the criminal fraternity. However -- do not despair, I am on it." Huggy stood up but found his left arm grabbed by Starsky. "Thanks, Hug, -- I appreciate the bond money."

"Starsky, don't go making something out of nothin'." Huggy pulled free of Starsky and left. Starsky's thoughts were brought back by Hutch's voice. "I think it's too late for ice to help that eye but open your shirt and let me see the damage to your chest."

"It's just bruised, Hutch, -- nothin' you can do for it."

"Starsky, we can do this the easy way or I can nag at you for the rest of the day.

"You win, but I'm telling you it looks worse than it is." Starsky slowly opened the buttons on his faded denim shirt to reveal mottled bruises peeping our from under his dark chest hair.

"Christ! Starsky, I should have insisted on taking you to the emergency room. I want to see if anything is broken. I'll be as gentle as I can."

"Don't fuss, Hutch, I'm fine."

"This doesn't look 'fine', Starsky. The guards should have got medical attention for you. A broken rib could have punctured a lung. Anything could have happened in that place."

Starsky removing Hutch's hand from his chest stopped Hutch's ministrations. "Hutch! I'm fine. None of them is broken, just bruised. Lighten up okay?"

"LIGHTEN UP! You want me to 'lighten up'." Hutch stood up and glared at Starsky. "You could have been killed, Starsky. It's one thing to buy it on the streets, -- we both are aware of those dangers -- but to lose you because some trumped up charge put you in a place where you had no reason to be?"

"Hutch, take it easy. We'll work it out." Starsky buttoned his shirt and stood up with a small grunt, which his partner did not miss.

Chapter Three

Starsky and Hutch entered Parker Center and made their way to the squad room. All the while they were aware of the awkward glances they were getting. A silence fell as they entered the busy room and was broken by Minnie Kaplan, who came in just behind the detectives and immediately wrapped Starsky in a giant bear hug. "Darlin' I'm rooting for you. I just know Hutch will clear your name."

Starsky mumbled "Thank you" into the shorter woman's hair as he freed himself from her embrace. Minnie's actions seemed to break the ice and immediately detectives who wished him luck surrounded Starsky. Hutch stood back but didn't miss the actions of a few fellow detectives who chose to ignore Starsky. Just then Dobey opened his office door and on seeing Starsky and Hutch called them into his office.

Dobey studied the detectives and he didn't like what he saw. Starsky had obviously been beaten while Hutch looked like he had had a sleepless night. Dobey's concern grew when he saw the way in which Starsky eased himself onto a chair opposite his desk. Dobey cleared his throat. "Dave, I'm sorry about what happened in jail last night. I have called the warden and made my feelings known. However it's good to see you."

"Thanks Cap'ain and I want to tell you how much I appreciate you and Edith coming up with money for my bail." Starsky's speech halted as if the man just didn't know what else to say. Dobey looked uncomfortable and it was left to Hutch to break the ice. "Captain, is there anything new from Butler and Darcy?"

"No." the older man looked relieved to be back on more familiar ground. "The lab is still working on the gun they found in Starsky's place. I demanded and got a copy of I.A.'s file so nothing is left out of it." Dobey studied the men in front of him for a moment before he continued on. "Unfortunately, Starsky is on unpaid suspension until this matter is cleared up. I intend to keep you, Hutch, on light duties until you clear him. Now I have to go down to the property room and that should take me about ten minutes. I just happen to have I.A.'s report on my desk." Dobey got up and looked back at the two detectives before he left the room. "Dave, I know how much you want to interview this witness but it's better if you stay away from her and let Hutch handle it." With a whish of the door Dobey was gone.

Hutch picked up the pale blue file from the desk and read through its contents. He made a note of the witness's name and called it out to Starsky. "Gina Hayes? You ever hear of her?"

Starsky shook his head, Hutch returned the file, and they left Dobey's office. Things were slightly better as they made their way out of Parker Center. Two uniformed officers expressed their belief in Starsky's innocence and wished him luck, which lifted Starsky's spirits. Hutch drove to the address that was in the file and although he didn't say anything to Starsky, his partner's silence bothered the blond man. After twenty minutes Hutch pulled up in front of a fairly non descript building. Both he and Starsky scanned the area around it but neither man spotted any sign of I.A. surveillance. Hutch broke the uncomfortable silence in the car. "Starsky, I think you'd better let me interview her alone. Dobey took a hell of a big risk by letting us see her name and I don't think we should do anything to jeopardize his position."

"Sure Hutch." Starsky's answer was so low that it caused Hutch to look at him. Starsky looked tired and defeated and his right eye was now many shades of blue, while his upper lip was swollen slightly. All in all Starsky looked like hell and Hutch felt pangs of guilt at having to leave Starsky in the car. Starsky, sensing what Hutch was thinking, looked at Hutch and winked his one good eye. Hutch smiled at the sheer lunacy of Starsky trying to cheer him up while looking so bad himself. "I won't be long." With a gentle grip of Starsky's shoulder he got out of the car.

Hutch climbed the three flights of stairs to reach Gina Hayes's apartment. All the while he took in the slightly dilapidated building and the lack of an elevator. This was not a high rent side of town. Hutch found apartment 303 and leaned on the bell. A shapely brunette opened the door, and that was the first thing that puzzled Hutch. Gina Hayes had not used the peephole or even the safety chain. For a witness to a crime supposedly committed by a cop she was one cool customer and this sense of coolness increased as she was interviewed. After checking out his badge Hayes invited Hutch in to her apartment. The place was small and a bit run down, but clean and tidy. Hayes didn't beat about the bush. "You're here about that cop who killed Hamlin?" She shot the question out in a staccato voice.

"Yes, Ma'm, I just want to ask you a few questions."

"Okay." She lit up a cigarette and sat on the sagging couch and as she did so the slit in her tight black skirt opened, revealing long, tanned shapely legs. She inhaled the nicotine deeply like someone who was well accustomed to smoking and laid back against the couch cushions, thrusting her ample cleavage up so that her shapely breasts were almost pushed out of her tight red top.

"Let's save time. I'll run the whole thing by you, okay?" She didn't give Hutch time to reply as she just launched into her story.

"I had visited a friend, a male friend over at Hamlin's apartment building. I was just leaving, seeing myself out when I heard a shot from the next apartment. I stepped back into the doorway, and then I saw the dark curly haired cop, Starsky leave Hamlin's apartment. I saw him clearly when he closed Hamlin's door but I was in the shadows so he didn't see me." She puffed out the smoke she had been inhaling and continued. "Thank God he didn't notice me or he might have killed me, too. As soon as Starsky ran down the stairs I pushed Hamlin's door open and I saw him dead on the floor, so I went back to Fred's place and called the cops."

Hutch had a feeling that he was at a performance -- a one-woman show but the acting was mechanical and lacking life. "How did you know Detective Starsky? Had you met him before?"

"No! I never MET him." Her emphasis on the word 'met' was strong and Hutch got the feeling she was reading from a prepared script. "One of my girlfriends pointed him out one evening when we were in a bar. My friend turns tricks sometimes but she knew him. In fact she pointed you both out and told me you guys were okay for fuzz. You know?" Hutch didn't reply so she carried on. "You guys didn't hassle the working girls and you never accepted freebies."

Hutch smiled despite the seriousness of the situation and he wondered if that is how he and Starsky would be remembered on the streets. "The cops who didn't take freebies." He brought his mind back to the current scene. "Miss Hayes, may I ask you one more thing?"

"Yeah."

"Why did you choose to tell the police what you saw? Working girls usually don't like to get involved?"

"I ain't no working girl, I'm a masseuse."

"I see." For a moment Hutch's thoughts turned to another working girl, Gillian, but just as quickly he refocused his attention on the girl in front of him.

"I'm just being a good citizen, Officer. I don't think pigs should get away with something just because of their job." The interview ended and Hutch turned to leave. Just as he passed through the doorway he shot a quick question at Gina Hayes. "Where did you see us?"

"What?"

"Where were you when your friend pointed us out that night and what was her name."

"We were at 'The Pits' and my friend's name is Lorraine Saunders, like the colonel." She laughed then, a short brittle sound. "But she's gone. She left town about two weeks ago, just up and left." Gina Hayes closed the door on Hutch.

Hutch found Starsky drumming his fingers against the passenger window ledge of Hutch's car. The blond detective had barely opened the driver's door when Starsky said. "What gives, Hutch?"

"She's a masseuse but my guess is part time hooker. She says she recognzsed you because one of her friends who is a full time working girl pointed us out at 'The Pits.'" Hutch consulted his notebook while Starsky took in the information. "Her friend's name is Lorraine Saunders."

"Like the colonel." Starsky butted in. Hutch raised his eyebrows and carried on. "Yeah, but conveniently she has left Bay City. Hayes says she was in Hamlin's building visiting his next door neighbor when she heard a shot and saw someone leaving."

"Not someone, me, Hutch. She says she saw me."

"Yeah but I think her statement is too perfect. It's almost as if she memorized it.. Let's check in with Huggy and see if he knows Saunders or Hayes. We'll check with Hamlin's neighbor too."

"Maybe you can see through her but it sounds like she'd make a pretty good prosecution witness."

"It isn't going to get to court. We'll bust this open before that." Hutch said the words with confidence and squeezed Starsky's shoulder, but Starsky turned his attention to his side of the street and stopped talking.

They drove to "The Pits" in silence and slipped into the back entrance. The bar was quiet with just one couple sitting at a table near the front door. Huggy smiled when he saw the two men and waved them over as he replaced the phone behind the bar. "Nothin's turning yet but the burgers are on the house if you can manage to eat with that lip, Starsky." Starsky declined the offer with a shake of his head and said "Hug, you turning French on us?"

Huggy beamed at the pair and pushed the black leather beret he was wearing further back on his head. "Starsky! You just ain't got no class, brother, but since it is not in my nature to kick a man when he's down I shall choose to ignore your remarks."

"Huggy, we didn't come for food but thanks for the offer. We need some information."

"Is the Pope catholic? What do you need Blondie?"

"There's a girl named Gina Hayes and she swears she saw Starsky leaving Hamlin's apartment just after the shooting. Says she recognized him because her girlfriend Lorraine Saunders pointed us out one evening in here. Ring any bells?"

"Gina Hayes and a Kentucky Fried Chicken lady? Let me think on it while I pour you both a drink." Huggy filled two glasses with beer and then rubbed his chin with a long thin finger. "I've never heard of Gina Hayes but I'll ask around. As for Lorraine Saunders I know her to say 'hello' to. She only comes in here when she's not working though, and I haven't seen her in a while. She used to have an apartment on Lynchburg and Vine. Pretty bad 'hood. If you've got the Torino I'd advise one of you to stay with it, otherwise you'll probably come back to find your hubcaps gone."

Starsky finished his beer and slid off the barstool. "It's okay Hutch is driving today and I don't think any neighbor hood is low enough to steel anything off that heap. Thanks, Hug." With a wink and a wave the detectives left the bar.

Back in the car Starsky waited until Hutch started the engine, which took three attempts, then he asked, "Hutch, how did you treat her, Gina Hayes, I mean?"

"I played pretty nice cop, Buddy. I didn't want to come on too heavy on our first meeting. I was afraid if I rattled her I.A. would secrete her away someplace we'd never find her, and I didn't want to get Dobey in trouble."

"Okay, it was your call."

They were stopped at some lights and Hutch turned around to look at Starsky. "Buddy trust me on this one. I know she's lying but if we come down heavy on her we're just opening a whole can of worms. We'll get to the bottom of this and then nothing will give me greater satisfaction than throwing the book at her but we need the main player." A loud honk from a car behind prompted Hutch to take his eyes off Starsky and drive on. "We have to find out who's behind this. Someone pretty formidable is pulling her strings, and all we need is a break." The dispatcher's voice broke the silence in the car. "Zebra three, patch through from Captain Dobey."

Starsky snagged the mike. "Zebra three here."

Dobey's voice sounded gruff over the radio. "Starsky you are not supposed to be working and taking calls on the radio."

Hutch took the mike from Starsky's hand. "He isn't working I'm just giving him a lift."

Dobey sighed but ignored Hutch's information. "The forensics is back on the Beretta found at Starsky's place. No finger prints were found on the weapon but a bullet from it matches the one that killed Hamlin." The only noise in the car was the static coming from the radio. Hutch recovered first and pressed the switch on the mike. "Captain, would you pull anything we've got on Gina Hayes and Lorraine Saunders?"

"I've already requested information on Hayes, now is that Saunders like the colonel?" Hutch threw his eyes to heaven but answered his commanding officer. "Yes Captain, like the chicken. Out."

The area that Starsky and Hutch were driving through was very badly run down. Any of the businesses that were open had their windows boarded with steel shutters and graffiti covered any available space. The detectives' beat was in a pretty bad area but this made it look like the Ritz. This was almost a 'no go' area for cops, although the mayor and other politicians like to say that every area in Bay City was under police protection and control. They were pretty safe saying this as most of the residents of the city never ventured into areas like this, and the ones that did rarely bothered to vote.

Starsky pointed out a dilapidated four-storey building that was supposedly home to Lorraine Saunders. Hutch found a space in front of the building and when he got out of the car he was immediately accosted by three scraggily kids. The boys were in their early teens and all were dressed in worn blue jeans and tee shirts. "Man, if you're parking that here, me and my buddies could keep an eye on it, for a price." The leader of the bunch was barely up to Hutch's waist. His attempt to look dangerous was almost comical; scrawny kid versus six foot two man! Hutch ignored him while giving him a look that he hoped was menacing. Starsky chuckled. "Kid, you'd have to pay someone to steal this heap. Take a good look at it."

Starsky was still chuckling as they made their way into the building. The smell of stale sweat and urine was almost overpowering and the darkness in the hall made it almost inevitable that one of them would walk or trip in something that they would rather not think about. Hutch was first to succumb. He tripped on a greasy patch on the floor and landed squashed up against the door to apartment number 3. Hutch, aided by Starsky struggled to stand as the door was flung open and one of the shortest people whom Starsky had ever seen stood in the entrance.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing? Some of us work nights and need our rest." The speaker was a man standing about three feet tall with a bald head and a bad attitude.

"Sorry, sir. We're police officers and we're looking for a woman." He was interrupted.

"We're all looking for something, son, you for a chick and me for my big break."

Starsky was unable to take his eyes from the door and the man turned to him. "Ain't you ever seen a short person before?"

"Sorry. It's just that you remind me of somebody."

"Oh yeah? Maybe Humphrey Bogart, schweatheart!"

Hutch looked at the man; at last his partner had found somebody who was worse at a Bogey impression than him. Starsky was obviously thinking the same thing because he positively beamed at the short man. "You like Bogey? Did you see 'Key Largo' the other night on channel six?"

"No, missed it; I had to work." Hutch didn't know who looked more upset: His partner or the man.

"Okay anyone who loves Bogey can't be all bad. Come in and I'll see if I know who you're looking for." The two men followed him into the apartment and were amazed at what they found. The walls were covered in old movie posters and the kitchen worktops had been lowered so that everything looked like something out of 'Snow White'.

Hutch reacted first. "We're looking for Lorraine Saunders." Seeing the look on the man's face he added. "She's not in trouble."

"Since when do the police come looking for someone if they're not in trouble."

"Look Mr...?"

"Burton, Mike Burton's the name."

Starsky took over when he saw the hostile glances that Hutch was getting.

"Look Mike, may I call you Mike?" Starsky's charm was smooth and effortless. "I'm Detective David Starsky and we just want to find Lorraine and see if she knows someone we're investigating."

"I like you but you have poor taste in partners. There's something shifty about his eyes." Burton stretched up to his full height and glared at Hutch.

"Yeah! I know what you mean, but he grows on ya'."

Burton slipped a cigarette out of his pants pocket and lit it before he answered. "Lorraine was a good kid. A bit of a bubble head, but she had a kind heart. I suppose you know she was a hooker?" Starsky nodded and Burton continued. "She lived here for about six months but she moved out a couple of weeks ago. She landed something in 'Vegas'. She was hoping to work as a showgirl -- even promised that she'd keep an eye out for something for me. She was kind like that. Of course I haven't heard from her but at least she meant well."

"Do you have an address for her?" Hutch asked the question but Burton turned his back on him and directed his words to Starsky. "Nope"

Hutch tried again. "Do you know any of her friends?" Still ignoring Hutch, Burton answered. "No. Can't say I knew them only her." Starsky and Hutch both felt the interview was at an end. Starsky wrote his name and number on a card and handed it to Burton. "If you hear from her ask her to contact us?"

Burton nodded and preceded them to the door, which had a handle low down on the frame and a spy hole at Hutch's knee height.

The detectives came out of the building and Hutch studied his car. It appeared unscathed by the locals and with a sigh of relief he manhandled the driver's door while a grinning Starsky looked on.

Chapter Four

The next few months sped by, yet the hands of time seemed to move slowly for all the days Starsky spent at home. Starsky was on unpaid suspension, and no matter how hard Hutch argued the point it was still felt by the Police Department Heads that Starsky was guilty until proven innocent. If a judge and jury cleared his name, he would be reinstated with full back pay. This meant that Starsky had to use his small savings for day-to-day living expenses and, although his mother tried to stop her son from sending her money, Starsky still somehow managed to send her monthly stipend. Huggy and Edith Dobey all helped out by inviting Starsky and Hutch to dinner and sometimes dropping off casseroles and other culinary delights. Huggy went so far as to give Starsky a continuous tab, which the Bear shrugged off by saying he'd collect on it when Starsky walked out of court a free man. He also offered the detective some work behind the bar, which Starsky readily accepted. Hutch spent his shifts searching out anything that might offer a lead on the case, while Dobey handed out his cases to other detectives.

Everywhere they looked seemed to lead to a dead end, and the frustration was building in both detectives. The DA handling the case was so convinced of an airtight conviction that he managed to get the case squeezed into an early court calendar. Starsky's lawyer suggested a meeting between Starsky and the prosecuting D.A. a few days before the trial began. Hutch accompanied his partner to the D.A.'s office where the meeting was to be held.

The detectives met Steve Canning in the District Attorney's outer office. Canning greeted them with a muted hello, and they were shown into Sam Bailey's office. Both the detectives knew Bailey from other cases and usually the young man was friendly, but today he barely raised his head from the file in his hand. Canning broke the awkward silence. "Well, Sam, you asked to see us so spit it out."

Bailey raised his green eyes from the case file and looked at Starsky. "Starsky, this looks like an open and shut case. You had motive, and opportunity, and the gun that fired the fatal shot was found in your apartment. You're an experienced detective so you must understand the strength of the case against you." Bailey cleared his throat. "You're a hell of a detective and because of your impressive arrest record I have decided not to press for murder in the first degree, which, as you know, carries the death sentence. I feel justice will be better served by a conviction of Manslaughter. I know the strain of seeing criminals like Hamlin walk free, and so I am happy to settle for a plea to Manslaughter, with a recommendation that you serve fifteen to twenty years. I think Mr. Canning will agree that this is a more than generous offer."

Hutch's voice cut across the D.A.'s words. "GENEROUS OFFER?" He spat the words out like they were bullets. "Where does innocence come in to this? Starsky isn't guilty. It's a frame and if you give us more time we'll find out who's behind it." Hutch looked at Starsky and their eyes locked. Starsky gave a barely noticeable nod of his head. Hutch retook the seat that he had angrily pushed away.

Starsky looked at Canning and then at Bailey. "I am not pleading guilty to a murder I didn't commit. My whole working life I've spent on the streets, trying to make them safer by removing bastards like Hamlin, but I do it by upholding the law: Not by breaking it." Starsky's voice was firm and he reached out a hand to lie on Hutch's shoulder. "Go ahead with your case, I can't stop you, but even if I get sent away for this, Hutch, will clear my name." Then without taking a breath he turned to his partner. "Hutch, I know you'll break this wide open. It might take you a while, especially if I ain't around to help -- but I know you'll do it." Both Canning and Hutch tried to speak but Starsky waved a hand at them. "Brian, just do your best in the court room, that's all I ask."

Canning smiled at him sadly. "Sam, will you leave us alone for a few minutes?" Bailey nodded and left the office.

Canning waited until the door clicked shut before he spoke. "Look, Dave, I know you didn't kill Hamlin, but quite honestly, the District Attorney has a very strong case. Unless we can produce fresh evidence, I think it's more than likely that he'll secure a conviction. I strongly advise you to take the plea. If you don't and the verdict is guilty, you could be facing a life sentence."

"I can't take the offer, Brian. It goes against everything I believe in." Starsky stood up and walked to the window, which looked out over downtown Bay City. He turned to face the room. "Sure Hutch and I bend the rules sometimes, but basically we uphold the law. Sometimes that law seems to go wrong and we bitch and gripe about it. But you know something? Even with all of it's its shorcomings, it's still the best way we have of ensuring justice for all." Starsky's eyes passed over his attorney and landed on Hutch's familiar face. "You understand?"

"Yeah, I know." Hutch's words rang hollow in the small office. Bailey stood up and closed his brief-case. "Dave, it's your decision and I respect it. I'll do my best in court for you. That's all I can do." Starsky shook his hand. "That's all any of us can do."

Hutch felt the words wash over him like a benediction. Hutch knew that no matter what happened, even if he failed, Starsky was absolving him from that failure. The three men left the office together in virtual silence.

The evening before the case was to begin found Hutch climbing the stairs to Starsky's apartment two at a time. He knocked at the door and waited a few moments before it was opened. Starsky looked tired and washed out. His golden tan had faded and there were dark shadows under his eyes. Hutch spoke cheerfully. "Hey, Starsk, got anything you'd like to do?"

Starsky led his friend back into the apartment. "Last wish for the condemned man, huh?"

"Jesus! I didn't mean it to sound like that. I just meant we should do something to try to get your mind off tomorrow." Hutch's words hung in the air.

"Sorry, Hutch, I guess I'm not real good company right now. How about we just have a few beers here and talk?"

"Sounds great, buddy." Hutch made his way to the refrigerator by stepping over some boxes on the floor. "What's going on, Starsk?"

Starsky took the offered beer from Hutch. "We both have a pretty good idea how this thing is gonna' pan out so I just wanted to organize some things."

"That's what I want to talk to you about." Hutch put his untouched beer down on the coffee table. "It doesn't have to be like that. I've talked to Huggy and he can get us a car, a nondescript one, and if we leave shortly we can be safely lost in Mexico by tomorrow morning. What do you say to robbing banks in Bolivia?"

Starsky's voice was almost breaking as he sat down beside Hutch. "You'd do that for me? You'd give up your career, your friends, even your life for me?"

"You don't have to ask. It's Me and Thee all down the line." Hutch patted Starsky's knee. "When Vanessa was murdered you would have done the same for me, -- I'm only returning the favor. Starsky! This job, this way of life, works only because we share it. Without you, Buddy it means nothing."

Starsky pulled away from Hutch. "Ah Hutch! You know how I hate soapy scenes! Look! We just needed some time to sort out the thing with Vanessa's murder, but it ain't so simple this time. This set up is the real thing. It's so airtight that it's got me half believing that I did it. Don't you see, I believe that justice works and if I ran it would be like loosing a big part of me. The part that makes me David Starsky would be gone, and I can't live like that. And what about Dobey and Huggy? If I skip bail then the bondsman will go after them. I couldn't do that to them." Starsky didn't meet Hutch's eyes.

"There's more to it than that?"

"Yeah. There's you. You have a life here, Hutch, a good one. You have a future with Linda and there's no way in hell that I am gonna' let you throw it all away." Starsky ran his hands through his hair and sat back down beside Hutch. "I love you too much to do that to you. Going on the run would destroy us, -- maybe not for a while but eventually it would. I can't take that risk. It's probably selfish of me, but I need to know that you're working on the outside at clearing my name."

Hutch drew Starsky into a bear hug and the two men sat for a few minutes simply drawing comfort from their friendship. "Come on, Hutch, we've got work to do." Starsky pulled away.

"What have we got to do?" Hutch regained his composure.

"I've packed up some boxes that I want you to mind for me. I've cancelled my lease, so in a week's time, if the case isn't finished I'm gonna' need to stay at your place for a few days."

"Stop! Please Starsk, I can't do this."

"Hutch, you're the only one who can do it. I've signed the pink slip on the Torino over to you and I need one more big favor?"

"Anything, buddy."

"Phone my Mom once a week, 'kay?"

"Of course I'll phone Rachel, but what will I do with the tomato?"

"Drive it -- of course. -- I wouldn't trust anybody else with it."

"Thanks, Buddy." Hutch's voice was nearly breaking.

The rest of the evening was spent in moving boxes to Hutch's place and when that was finished the detectives called into Huggy's for a meal that neither did justice too.

Chapter Five

Starsky's trial lasted nearly two weeks. The scenes in the courtroom ran like old movies, with sepia colored characters and slow motion movements. But once the day's proceedings were over, time ran at an exceedingly fast pace. Starsky sat next to Steve Canning and died a little bit more every day. Hutch first noticed this phenomenon on the first day of the trial. Hutch had stayed at Starsky's place the night before, and neither man said much as they showered and dressed. Hutch wore his tan leather jacket with dark brown cord pants and a lemon shirt with a tasteful beige tie. Starsky was dressed in his only suit -- a blue pinstripe one, with a white shirt and navy tie. It was while Hutch was helping Starsky with the task of tying the much-hated tie that he first noticed how much weight Starsky had lost. Starsky just braided a black leather belt through the loops in the waist of the pants to keep them up, and neither man commented on the obvious weight loss.

Hutch drove Starsky to court in his latest jalopy, but surprisingly Starsky made no derogatory remarks about Hutch's choice in vehicles. In fact the whole journey was passed in silence. Hutch found a parking space just down from the courthouse. He turned off the engine, braced his hands against the steering wheel, and looked at Starsky.

"Good luck, Buddy." He said. "No matter what happens in there, I'm on your side."

Starsky said nothing, but squeezed Hutch's shoulder.

The trial progressed. The arguments seesawed back and forth. First came the ballistics report on the murder weapon. It was a berretta, and the prosecution made a big deal of the fact that that was Starsky's weapon of choice. Steve Canning made a very strong point that there were no fingerprints found on the weapon. The prosecution pointed out that Starsky was too intelligent to leave his prints on a weapon. Canning jumped on this and said that if Starsky were too intelligent to leave his prints on the gun, surely he was not stupid enough to hide the weapon in his apartment. Canning hinted broadly at a set up, and pointed out how many enemies Starsky had made while working on the force. The prosecution countered by saying that Starsky didn't realize he had been seen and thought he was in no danger.

On and on, day-by-day, the pendulum of guilt swayed from side to side and every day Hutch watched his partner change from the man he knew better than himself. There was nothing that Hutch could do. He shielded Starsky from the watching media cameras on the court steps and replied with a terse 'no comment' each time a microphone was pushed into his face. He took some of Rachel Starsky's worried phone calls and tried to calm her down, while all the while an impotent rage grew in his gut and ate away at his being.

The most dramatic moment of the trial occurred when Gina Hayes took the stand and pointed to David Starsky as the man she had seen fleeing Jacob Hamlin's apartment. Starsky took the stand the next day and calmly protested his innocence. He agreed with the prosecutor that he was upset to see Hamlin walk because of a technicality, but denied that he would ever take the law into his own hands. Hutch studied his friend as Starsky reiterated his beliefs, and his admiration for his partner rose with every word Starsky said.

"Yes, I was mad that Hamlin went free, but I was convinced that he would be put away for some other crime some day and I put him out of my head. My partner and I cover a pretty tough area and there isn't room for vengeance in it. We just do the best we can. Sometimes we fail, but that's all part of our job. I believe strongly in the justice system, and my partner and I put our lives on the line every day so that the streets are a little safer. I would do nothing that would compromise my role as a detective. I am convinced that this is an elaborate set up, and know my partner will eventually clear my name."

The prosecutor was on his feet in an instant. "Detective Starsky, are you saying that Miss Hayes lied to this court?"

"No, Sir, I am saying that she is mistaken. I didn't visit Hamlin's apartment that night."

"Right! I suppose the gun and the witness are all part of some elaborate plot to ruin you? Do you seriously want this court to believe in some fantasy while all the evidence points to you?" Sam Bailey strode purposefully to the jury box as he spoke.

"I'm innocent; that's all I can say. I would never tarnish the badge I hold."

The judge called for a short recess after this, as the tension in the court was palpable. Hutch rushed out after Starsky and followed him to the men's room down the hall. Hutch entered an empty room where the only sounds were of retching coming from one of the stalls.

"Starsk? You okay?"

The retching stopped, and the toilet flushed, and a very pale Starsky emerged from the stall. He moved to a sink, where he leaned over and splashed water on his face.

"Starsky?"

"I'm okay, Hutch, just needed a few minutes."

"You look awful."

"Thanks! I needed to hear that."

"I'm sorry, Starsk."

"You've got nothing to be sorry for."

"I failed you. I didn't break this thing wide open like I should have."

"Jesus! No one does guilt like a Hutchinson." Starsky laughed and enveloped Hutch in a damp hug.

The case resumed, and both attorneys gave their closing arguments and summaries. As it was late in the afternoon the jury was put up in a hotel. They would begin their deliberations the following morning. Starsky was now living in Hutch's apartment as the lease on his own had expired, so the detectives headed back there. Starsky took a long hot shower as if hoping the water would wash away the case and all his troubles but, of course, that didn't work. Hutch ordered pizza but neither man felt like eating. Starsky called his mother and tried to offer her reassurances that he did not feel. He also talked her out of coming to California and smiled sadly when she lied and told him that Nicky was worried about him. The phone call seemed to sap the last of Starsky's energy and Hutch realized that he had never seen his partner look so defeated.

"Starsky, the jury might well see through this whole thng"

"Hutch, you don't believe that, so please don't patronize me."

"I need to believe it. The alternative is too terrible to consider."

"Well, Buddy, if I were a betting man I'd be putting my money on the proseution."

"Please, Starsky, I can't handle that."

Starsky's eyes flared and all the built up anger and emotion of the last few months bubbled up to the surface.

"Damn it! Hutch! How the hell do you think I feel? I'm so mad I want to reach out and break something. I want to scream that it isn't fair. I want to grab Gina Hayes by the throat and shake her 'till she tells the truth." Starsky snatched his empty glass from the counter and closed his fingers round it so tightly that it broke and shards of glass bit into his skin. Still he railed about the unfairness of it all; and still Hutch listened. Starsky's diatribe came to an end and he found himself in Hutch's arms. Starsky cried. He cried for all the things he was about to loose, but mostly he cried for the thought of loosing his best friend. Somehow Hutch understood and simply held him until Starsky's body stopped shaking. Both men's faces were wet and Starsky's cut hand bled onto Hutch's white shirt.

"Come on, Buddy, let me look at your hand."

Hutch very gently prised Starsky's fingers apart and studied the torn flesh of his left hand.

"I don't think it needs stitches, but it needs to be cleaned." Hutch led Starsky into the kitchen and ran cold water over the cuts. He patted them dry and put two bandages over the wounds.

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to have to listen to what I said."

"Starsky, you needed to let it out and I needed to hear it. I promise you I will find who framed you."

"I know." Soft words said against the world.

"You know what I want to do?"

"No, but I have an idea I'm not going to like it."

"Relax, I just want to take the Torino for a trip to that beach we found."

"Okay! Let's go." Hutch knew his friend well enough to realize that Starsky often used driving the Torino as a catharsis, and he also realized that driving was something Starsky would miss if the verdict came in against him.

Hutch put his seat belt on and gripped the dashboard of the car tightly as Starsky headed for the highway and the false but alluring freedom it symbolized. Starsky headed south for about thirty miles. He eased off the accelerator and swung the car on to a fairly narrow road that led to the beach. Hutch knew the place and had accompanied Starsky on several trips he made there. It was Starsky's 'thinking place' -- a place where Starsky liked to go when he needed to think things through or when they made it through a scary day, together and unhurt. Hutch didn't feel as comfortable as Starsky did in this place. Hutch loved the ocean, but somehow this small, secluded beach saddened him and he was never quite at ease visiting it. But something primitive, almost primeval, stirred in Starsky's soul when he walked on that beach.

Starsky was out of the car almost before the wheels stopped turning and it took Hutch a few long strides to catch up to him. Just as Hutch reached him, Starsky took off, running as if the Hounds of Hell were on his back. Hutch followed but was unable to match Starsky's speed. After a few minutes Starsky stopped running and plunked himself down on the dry sand. Hutch eased down beside him, but said nothing. Starsky broke the silence after a few minutes.

"I needed that and I needed to drive the Torino like there was no tomorrow, which in a way there isn't." Starsky turned his head to look at his partner. Starsky reached out and patted Hutch's knee. "We both have a pretty good idea of what's going to happen tomorrow so I need to say a few things tonight."

"Ah! Starsk, please?"

"No! Hutch, I need to do this, an you need to listen."

Hutch nodded slightly. Starsky grinned and winked at him and continued on.

"Hutch, you're the best friend a guy could find and I know how lucky I am to have you in my corner. I can't pretend to not be frightened about tomorrow but I know that somehow I'll get through it because you'll be in that courtroom."

Hutch's eyes were filling with tears and Starsky patted his knee again, swallowed hard and carried on.

"The last few months have been tough on you and I don't want you beating yourself up over this. I don't want you out on the street with your mind on me and maybe getting yourself injured or worse because of it. Hutch, you need to go on with your life, maybe settle down with Linda and start making blond babies. What I'm trying to say is that I don't want your life to stop when I get sent away. It's going to be hard enough to do this without worrying about you too. You understand?"

"Starsk... Buddy... I promise you I will find who is behind this and get you freed."

"Please, Hutch, live your life because that's what it's for. Please don't let the quest for justice turn you into something you ain't." Starsky stood up and pulled Hutch up. He took off running for the Torino and called over his shoulder.

"Last one to the Torino buys the beer on the way home."

The detectives didn't drink the six-pack of beer, which Hutch bought. It was as if their last evening together was too important to waste it in a haze of alcohol. Hutch lying in his brass bed ticked off the few hours to sunrise, while Starsky did the same lying on Hutch's couch. Then it was morning: a glorious southern Californian day lay ahead of them.

Hutch inspected Starsky and nodded his approval, but Starsky caught Hutch's arm as they turned to leave the apartment.

"One last thing."

"Name it, Buddy?"

Starsky slipped the silver and gold rings off his little finger. "Mind these for me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. Hang on to them until this is over." Starsky quickly left the apartment. Hutch followed him as he headed for the Torino.

"Today, we ride in style." Starsky quipped as he slid into the driver's seat.

There was nothing to do but wait when they arrived at the Court, as the jury had begun its deliberations. Starsky, Hutch and Steve Canning paced the corridors and waited. Two hours later the clerk called them in. The jury had reached its verdict.

The court-room was packed. There were several friendly faces, Harold Dobey and Huggy Bear had seats beside Hutch in the front row just behind Steve Canning and Starsky. The clerk took a piece of paper from a tall thin man who was acting as the foreman. He handed it to the judge, who read it, and it was returned to the foreman. Starsky and his council stood up. The judge asked for the verdict and the whole courtroom seemed to hold its collective breath as the foreman reached for the slip of paper.

"We the jury find the defendant, David Michael Starsky, guilty of manslaughter."

The courtroom erupted in noise at those words, and the judge banged his gavel to restore order. The judge then turned his attention to Starsky.

"Baliff, take the defendant into custody. Members of the jury, thank you for your deliberations. The sentencing hearing is set for Thursday at 10am. This court is dismissed."

Starsky saw the scene as if it were a movie, and everything seemed to slow down. Brian Canning was saying something to him and shaking his hand. Hunch was so pale that Starsky thought he was going to faint. Suddenly his hands were 'cuffed behind his back and he was led away.

Chapter Six

Starsky wanted to scream out. He wanted to wake from this living nightmare but he had no voice. He spotted Hutch and let go of the breath he had been holding. Hutch looked devastated. Suddenly Starsky knew that he needed to do something to reassure his partner -- so he winked. Hutch looked amazed, but he kept his eyes on Starsky as the dark man was led away.

Starsky was locked alone in a holding cell. He lost all track of time until Hutch's blond hair caught the light as he entered the large room, which housed ten cells. Hutch leaned against the iron bars of Starsky's cell, and Starsky immediately rose from the cot he had been sitting on. He walked to the bars and put his left hand against one of the small gaps in the bars. Starsky's flesh touched Hutch's hand and Hutch broke the silence.

"I'm sorry, Starsk, so sorry. Steve is already working on an appeal and Huggy will redouble his efforts. Something will turn and soon, I promise." The last words were said in a whisper.

"It ain't your fault, Hutch, so don't go beating yourself up over it, you hear?"

"I hear, but I promise, Starsky, I'll keep working on it."

"Call Ma, Hutch. It's better if she hears it from you than some newspaper reporter looking for a story."

"I already have. She sent her love to you."

Suddenly another voice broke into their world. "Time is up, Detective Hutchinson. We are moving the prisoners now."

"I've got to go, Buddy. Stay safe." All of a sudden the sunshine was gone, and Starsky was alone with his thoughts.

The ride to the jail took about forty minutes, and Starsky felt nothing for its duration. He was shackled to a man of about forty, who looked hard and worn and said nothing to Starsky for the journey. The doors opened suddenly and four guards appeared. Instructions were bellowed at the prisoners and they were led into a formidable grey building. The man attached to Starsky appeared to be a familiar face to the guards as they bid him a jovial "Welcome back, Bob." They then turned their attention to Starsky.

"What have we here?" One of the guards with a black moustache and cropped grey hair addressed Starsky.

"A newbie! Great -- and a dirty cop to boot." A younger guard stepped in with "Not dirty. Detective Starsky, -- or the former Detective Sergeant, -- just dished out his own justice to a perp.That's all."

The older guard replied, "That's enough, isn't it?" He addressed Starsky directly. "Well, Starsky, from now on you are a prisoner. You're not Detective Starsky, not David, not anything but a convicted felon. You got that?"

"Yeah, I got it." Starsky looked the guard in the eye.

"That should be, 'I got it', SIR. Do you understand? I am Mr. Green and you will address me as either 'Sir' or 'Mr Green'. Now let's get you settled. Strip off all your clothes, including jewelry and place everything on this counter."

Starsky stripped off his suit, aware of all the eyes upon his body. For the first time in a very long time he was embarrassed. As soon as he had stripped he was directed to a shower cubicle, where he tried in vain to wash away the dirt that he felt. Next he was given some well-worn jockey shorts, a rough denim pair of jeans, and a blue cotton shirt. He was also given cotton socks and prison issue brown shoes. He signed a chit, which was a list of his belongings. Suddenly Starsky felt relieved that Hutch had his pinkie rings. He and the other prisoner were then shown into room that was obviously used as a medical center.

A male nurse, dressed in green scrubs and about Starsky's age, proceeded to weigh Starsky and ask about any conditions he suffered from. He commented on the bandages on Starsky's hand and removed them so he could examine the wounds. He was not as gentle as Hutch had been when he had redressed the wounds. Starsky answered in the negatives to the long list of questions. Feeling like he was a toy on a conveyer belt, he was shown into the Warden's outer office.

After a twenty-minute wait Starsky was shown into the Warden's office. The man sitting at a large wooden desk did not acknowledge Starsky's presence for about five minutes. The grey haired man in his late fifties glanced up at him and began to read a file on his desk. Another few minutes passed in silence, which the Warden broke by clearing his throat loudly. He rested his glance on Starsky and began to speak.

He consulted his note pad to find what he was looking for. "Your Commanding Officer, Captain... Dobey has already called me, requesting that you be segregated from other prisoners . I'll tell you the same thing I told him -- we don't show any favoritism to prisoners. You are a convicted felon like the other eleven hundred men here, and you will be treated like everyone else. Mr Starsky, you decided to take matters of justice into your own hands. This is just the place for renegades like you. There is only one rule here. 'Do as you are told'.The quicker you learn to live by it the better things will go for you. Do you understand?"

Starsky said , "Yes", and after a pause in which the warden looked at him as if he were dirt on the sole of his shoe, he added "Sir."

"You're a fast learner, Starsky, so let's make your stay with us as unremarkable as we can."

A trustee appeared by Starsky's side and led him off. He was brought to the supply department where he was given a second set of clothes, a bar of soap and two towels. He was then brought into the large cafeteria, where lines of empty tables and benches stood in the fading light. Suddenly bright fluorescent lights came on, and Starsky was again joined by his travelling companion from the bus. They were told to sit at a table and were each handed two bowls of stew. Starsky's stomach rebelled against the stew, and he could only manage two spoonfuls. They were given coffee in metal mugs and were led to their cells. Bob was assigned to his cell first, and greeted the prisoner occupying it like an old friend. As he entered, he turned to Starsky.

"Good luck, kid. You're going to need it here. You're far too pretty for your own good."

Starsky was prodded in the back and marched on. His new home turned out to be cell number 223. Starsky was introduced to his new cellmate with the words, "Stevens, this is your new room-mate; Starsky, prisoner #2368." The guard's voice sung out in the air. Stevens barely acknowledged the words. He put down the book he had been reading and studied Starsky. Starsky studied him. Stevens was about thirty-five, Caucasian, and had watery green eyes. Stevens pointed to the upper bunk and said. "First come, first served so I'm on the bottom and you're on top." He began to laugh at some joke that Starsky failed to get."

Starsky heard the click of the door lock behind him and when he turned away from Stevens, the guard had disappeared. Stevens looked at Starsky and stopped laughing. "This has got to be your first stretch. You don't get it, do you, man?" Starsky shook his head. "I made an 'in house' joke about you being 'on top'."

Starsky blushed bright red when he caught the innuendo. Stevens laughed again. "A virgin criminal, in more ways than one. But at least you're young enough to learn fast if you don't want to end up as some guy's bottom man." For a brief moment anger flared in Starsky's eyes.

Stevens saw it and said quickly. "Look, you have nothing to worry about with me. I like women and nothing replaces them for me but some of the lifers make do with what they can get so look out for yourself."

Starsky nodded but didn't say anything.

"I'm here for armed robbery. What are you in for?"

"Manslaughter, but I didn't do it."

Stevens laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks and he wiped his eyes with a dingywhite hanky he pulled from his pocket. "You really are new to all this. No juvie for you, huh?"

"No. I never served time." Soft words.

"Well here's one thing you should know -- we're all innocent. There's not a guilty man among us -- all as pure and white as the driven snow. But then again we don't get snow in southern California, do we?" Stevens's laughter cackled through the tiny cell.

Starsky tossed his towels and bundle of clothing on the top bunk and walked to the back of the cell where a metal commode stood -- against the wall with a tiny sink beside it. Starsky had an uncomfortable need to use the facilities, but the cell was so small that he was suddenly unsure of the right etiquette -- for the situation. Stevens grinned at him.

"Go for it. You'll get used to the lack of privacy. It goes with the territory." He turned his attention back to the biker magazine he was reading. Starsky did as he was told but felt a sense of shame at the intimacy of the situation. Starsky was a man who was sure of himself in most situations and had never before experienced any embarrassment in having to put his body on display, but this was different from anything he had ever experienced before. He climbed to the upper bunk and lay back with his hands behind his head.

"Hey, Starsky! You want to read one of my magazines?"

"Sure. Thanks." Starsky leaned down from his perch and Stevens handed him a pile of about ten magazines. Starsky took them and began leafing through them.

"You like bikes?"

"Yeah, but my real love is cars."

"I had a Harley but I bet my ex wife sold it." A small silence fell before Stevens continued. "The bitch sold everything. As soon as I was convicted, she filed for a divorce and sold all my stuff. You got a girl?"

"No. I have a -- I mean I had a Ford Gran Torino with a great paint job but I gave her to my partner."

"Partner? I thought you said you didn't have a girl?"

Starsky sighed. He knew enough about prisons to know that the news about him being a police officer was out or soon would be, so he spoke up.

"I'm a cop, or at least I used to be a cop. That's what I meant by 'partner'."

"You're a fucking pig? Last guy to share this cell was in for armed robbery, but you're the lowest of the low. A corrupt pig... who did you kill?"

"They said I killed a perp, but--" Starsky's voice trailed off. There was no point in trying to defend himself here.

An uncomfortable silence reigned in the cell, and Stevens broke it.

"Look, you're here now and there ain't no point in me giving you a hard time because believe me, almost everybody else will. What color was your car before your buddy sold it?"

"It's candy apple red with a white stripe that runs over her roof and along her sides and tapers off at the hood. Hutch, my partner, won't sell her. He hates her, but he won't sell her."

"Sure he will. Everybody in this world looks after number one; that's just the way it is."

"No, he'll look after her for me. Hutch ain't like everybody... he's my friend."

"Look, pal, so called 'friends' disappear when you get sent away. That's the way it is. By the way, the lights go out in about ten minutes so you'd better settle down."

Stevens was right. The lights went out in the cells, leaving just the corridors lit by dimmed lights. It was eerie lying in the dark as the sounds of hundreds of men died down, leaving only a few coughs and some soft crying. All this was interrupted every few minutes by the voice of the guards telling people to "shut the fuck up" or the loud noise of their nightsticks banging off the iron bars of cells.

Starsky was tired and totally drained, but sleep eluded him. After a few minutes Stevens's breathing evened out and Starsky knew he was asleep. Starsky thought about Stevens's words, but reassured himself that Hutch would always be there for him. Somehow a niggling little voice asked -- 'for how long'-- but Starsky answered it 'Forever'.

Chapter Seven

Hutch woke with a furry tongue and a blinding headache. He felt movement beside him and looked to see Linda sleeping there. He closed his eyes, but the vision in his head was worse than the sunny room he lay in. The vision of Starsky behind bars and the feel of Starsky's hand through the railings played in his mind, so he forced his eyes open again and gently untangled himself from Linda's sleeping form. He snagged his pants from the chair and pulled them on his naked torso, and went to the kitchen bare-chested. The silence in the apartment was unsettling. He poured a glass of juice and walked into the green house. He sat down in a comfortable rattan chair and stared at his neglected plants, but he found no solace in them. He thought back to yesterday when his world had fallen apart.

The look of terror in Starsky's face came to him. Even with his eyes open there was nowhere to hide from the images. He saw again the wink as Starsky was led away. Even in despair Starsky had been worried about Hutch and had tried to reassure his partner. Hutch sipped at the juice and felt a sense of desperation overtake him. Linda had been waiting in her car outside his apartment when he arrived home yesterday. She had heard the verdict on the news and had come over to offer sympathy. He had not seen much of her in the last few months while he had been working on Starsky's case, and in reality he had thought very little about her. He felt sick when he realized that she had just been a warm body on a cold night. Linda could have been any one of the girls in his little book; she was interchangeable with twenty other faces and names, and that realization hit Hutch hard. He had used her. He had tried but failed to find solace in her arms, and he knew his performance in bed had been at best mechanical and at worst utterly selfish. The pain behind his eyes increased in intensity and he felt the hot drops of liquid on his cheeks. He had let his best friend down. There had to be something that he had overlooked but he was too tired to think clearly.

He stood under the drops of spray as the shower pounded away both the dirt of the courtroom and the evidence of his sexual activity. He had not made love with Linda last night. He had engaged in sexual intercourse, and the difference between the two was a huge chasm that he was unable to cross right now. His energy had to go into the case and clearing Starsky's name. There was just nothing left over to offer Linda. He had been wrong to use her last night, and he now realized his relationship with her was over. He just needed to let her down as gently as he could. This decision made, he turned off the water and dried himself. He dressed quietly so as not to awaken Linda. He went to the kitchen and started the percolator. He hunted around in a drawer until he found some aspirin and swallowed two with a glass of milk.

Linda woke to an empty bed and wasted not time in slipping on Hutch's shirt from the night before and going to the kitchen. "No power shake this morning?"

Hutch was startled and nearly dropped his coffee cup. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"

"No, lover, I was just hoping that I could entice you back to bed and we could finish what we started last night, because I got the distinct impression that your mind wasn't exactly on me."

"I'm sorry, Linda, you deserve more than I can give you right now."

"Ken, the shadow hanging over our lives is gone. David was found guilty and he is in prison. You must accept that and we can move on. I love you and I waited for you, but he's guilty. I want to be here for you. You must see that your faith in David Starsky was unfounded. We have a chance of making a good life together."

Hutch felt sick as he listened to her words. Had he really read her character so wrong? He put down his coffee cup and the index finger of his right hand stood out as he waved her to silence.

"You really don't get it, do you, Linda? Starsky is innocent; the verdict is a miscarriage of justice. Starsky could no more commit a cold-blooded murder than I could. Perhaps you think I am capable of such barbarity? We're over, Linda. If you can believe that of my best friend, we have no future together."

"Please, Ken, we're so good together. I know you're upset but you have to see reason; David Starsky killed that man and you will come to accept the verdict in time. Do you really want to throw away your career, maybe even your life, by not accepting the truth?"

"Linda, I feel sorry for you. You have obviously never truly cared for another human being or you would know that sometimes you have to go with your gut instinct. What is it were I instead of Starsky in that court? Would you have walked away this easily from me?" Hutch drew himself up to his full height and continued on as if the words were physically hurting him. "I know the answer to that -- I see it written in your eyes. Goodbye, Linda." Hutch snatched his car keys from the counter and left the apartment.

Starsky's day was going even worse than Hutch's was. Hutch lost a girlfriend but Starsky was beginning to realize the consequences of losing his liberty. He had lain awake for most of the night. It was not easy to become accustomed to the noises hundreds of men make in their sleep, nor was it easy to get used to the regular pounding of the guards as they walked their rounds through the night. Finally, around 6 am. Starsky had fallen into a restless, dream-ridden sleep. The 7 am. alarm that sounded throughout the prison woke Starsky from his sleep, and the daily ritual of prison began. Each man rose, washed, dressed, and shaved, with a puny plastic razor, and cold water. The cells were then unlocked and the men made their way to the cafeteria, where two hundred men at a time were fed. Starsky followed Stevens and stood beside him in a line as each prisoner received a plastic tray and utensils and chose their meal from the very limited selection of either oatmeal or cold cereal, milk or coffee. Starsky took the cereal and coffee and followed Stevens to a long wooden table where about ten men were already seated. No one looked at Starsky and no one spoke to him. He drank his coffee and looked around him. There was a loud humming noise made by so many men being in one room, and all around him blank faces quickly looked away if he made eye contact.

Stevens pulled at his sleeve. "Look, Starsky, just so you know, a guy by the name of Walden -- Bill Walden -- runs this wing. He or his boys will test you out after they've watched you for a few days. They'll know you were a cop and that won't make it easy for you in here. Walden is a brute and he hates cops. He's got to be head honcho in here by eliminating the competition. He leaves some of us alone, but if he takes a disliking to you your time on earth will become pretty short. He has a clique of hard men who surround him and carry out his orders. Try to stay out of his way and maybe you'll be okay."

"Thanks."

"No thanks needed. You just need to hear how it is in here. I ain't doing you any favors."

Starsky was put on a temporary work detail, as he was due back in court two days later for his sentencing hearing. He worked in the kitchen. It was hot, greasy work and at the end of the day he smelled like cooking oil. He had not seen Stevens when he had eaten his lunch because kitchen workers ate later than the main body of prisoners since their services were needed in preparing the ham and pastrami sandwiches which were served. His afternoon was spent washing potatoes and peeling them with a blunt peeler, which he had to return to a guard before he was allowed to eat his own dinner. Once again he ate it late and with only the fifteen or so men who worked in the kitchen. Nobody talked to him. He felt isolated in the midst of prisoners and guards. Some of the men joked and laughed with each other, but he was ignored.

He discovered that he was allowed only two showers a week and that the prisoners were allowed to watch TV or play table tennis in the evenings. They had to be back in their cells by 9:30 and lights went out at 10 o'clock; after that the cells were locked. It was a dreary routine, one that centered on punishment rather than correction and by the end of the first day Starsky was totally demoralized. After a 2nd night passed in much the same way as the first one, Starsky was allowed a shower. After his shower he was given a bright orange jump suit to wear. It branded him a convicted felon and lowered his spirits even further. Stevens, in fairness to him, muttered a terse 'good luck' as Starsky was led away from the dining room.

Starsky's feet and hands were shackled and he was put in a windowless van with four other prisoners to be taken to the courthouse. The van had only travelled a few miles when a short man in his early thirties looked at Starsky.

"How the mighty have fallen, eh Starsky?"

Starsky ignored him so the man turned his attention to the other prisoners. "We're honoured today to have one of Bay City's finest pigs with us." He leered at Starsky and rattled his chains as he spoke again. "What did you do, Starsky? Finally go too far in one of your good cop/bad cop routines?"

Another convict, a man about twenty with bleached white hair, interrupted him.

"I saw it last night on the news, Starsky here is a bit of a celebrity. Respected cop took the law into his own hands and killed some pusher."

"Yeah? Well it couldn't happen to a nicer pig." Laughter broke out in the van.

It was interrupted when a guard opened the small hatch between the back and front of the vehicle and said. "Keep it down in there or you'll all be on report."

Silence fell with only a few small chuckles breaking it and the ominous words of the first prisoner. "Walden will get plenty of kicks carving his initials into a dirty cop."

Inside the courtroom Hutch waited with Huggy and Dobey. All three men looked grave when Starsky was led in wearing the luminous orange suit. Hutch had to school his features to hide his fear, but Starsky saw what was in Hutch's eyes as they locked with his own. Starsky read the sense of horror and guilt there and tried to smile at Hutch, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Brian Canning had already spoken to Starsky about what would happen in court. Canning had already submitted character references on Starsky's behalf and he hoped these might favourably influence the judge.

The judge entered the courtroom and the proceedings began. The judge addressed the court by saying.

"Mr Starsky, your counsel has sent me several statements in which your previous good character is displayed. However a jury of your peers has found you guilty. Unfortunately, you have continued to deny your responsibility for your crime. The killing of Jacob Hamlin was a most violent act, made all the more heinous because it was carried out by an agent of the law. Given the nature of the crime and your refusal to plead guilty. I have no choice but to sentence you to life imprisonment with a recommendation that you serve no less than twenty years."

Chapter Eight

Starsky was returned to prison after his sentencing. He was once more attached by chains to another convict and this time the conversation in the van was about the sentences the other convicts had received. Starsky soon realized that he was the only one who had been sentenced to 'life'. He did not join in the conversation and for some reason the other prisoners left him alone. By the time he had changed out of the hated orange jumpsuit, it was dinnertime, he left his meal untouched. A strong feeling of nausea had come over him after he heard the judge pronounce his sentence, and it had not gone away. He drank some tepid coffee, which only increased his nausea.

After the meal the prisoners made their way to the recreation hall. That was where Starsky's problems began. The TV was situated at one end of the large room. Inmates milled around; some watched TV, others read books and magazines, a few played chess. There was a constant hum like a beehive with so many men gathered together.

Starsky took up an old copy of 'National Geographic' and opened it at a random page. There was an article about the infringement of man into some obscure wilderness, and he suddenly thought of Hutch and how much his partner would have enjoyed it. Thinking of Hutch brought Starsky up short. He felt a pang in his heart that was almost a physical pain. Hutch was free and safe; that's what mattered to Starsky. Starsky would not dream of telling this to Hutch, but he felt that it was better that he, rather than Hutch, was in prison. Hutch was an outdoors type of person, while Starsky had spent his childhood on the streets of New York. Starsky could and would cope with the crowded conditions better than Hutch. But nothing could prepare Starsky for the sense of loneliness he felt. To be so alone in such a crowded place was hard to bear.

Starsky sensed movement before he saw a stocky, bald headed man approach him. The man had a spider's web tattooed on his head. His shadow fell across the magazine, Starsky braced himself as he asked, "You want something?"

"No! Pig, I'm just introducing myself."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I'm Crowley and you're the pig who got caught."

"Okay, so now we've been introduced." Starsky turned his attention back to the magazine.

"I hate two things in life -- bad whisky and pigs."

Starsky looked at Crowley but didn't reply.

"You hear me, Pig?"

"Yeah! I heard you. I ain't looking for trouble but I won't run away from it either."

Crowley pulled Starsky up by the front of his shirt. He threw a punch, but Starsky had been prepared for trouble so he was able to dodge the full force of the blow. Even the glancing blow from Crowley was enough to knock Starsky to the floor. He scrabbled to his feet just as Crowley's fist came down hard against the left side of his face. Somehow Starsky managed to get to his feet and land a strong punch against Crowley's midsection. The big man muttered obscenities under his breath, but at least it bought enough time for Starsky to get into a better position. The rest of the inmates had now spotted the trouble and they formed a rough circle around the combatants. Starsky dived head first into Crowley's stomach and heard the satisfying grunt as he brought his left fist up and it made contact with the big man's face. Unfortunately for Starsky, Crowley didn't have a 'glass jaw' nor did he have a weak midsection. Starsky suddenly realised he was in trouble. He fought the brute off as well as his street wise background had taught him, but Crowley was landing heavy punches and Starsky was reeling from the relentless blows. The chant of 'Fight, fight' filled the air. It was the loud chant that brought the guards.

Four officers plowed through the circle formed by the inmates. Starsky registered the noise of some kind of alarm but he was too busy defending himself from the rain of blows coming from Crowley's fists to do anything about it. He felt Crowley's weight being pulled off him as he hit the floor once again. He saw the vague outline of a guard's uniform, then everything swam unevenly in his vision and went black.

Starsky woke to a world of bright lights and pain. His head felt as if an pneumatic drill was being used somewhere inside his brain. His whole body ached and the left side of his face was on fire. He pushed his eyelids open but his left eye refused to obey. He saw a face swim into focus in front of him. He could hear noise but he couldn't quite distinguish the words that were being said. He lapsed back into unconsciousness.

The second time he came around the pain in his head was not quite so intense but the left side of his face hurt and his midsection was on fire. He must have groaned because he heard a voice say, "He's back with us." His left eyelid was forced open painfully and the bright light that shone in it made his headache ten times worse.

"Starsky! Come on -- you need to snap out of it."

A hand slapped against his right cheek and he felt sick. He retched and he heard the voice again.

"For Pete's sake get him a basin."

He was then pulled up roughly and forced to retch into a silver pan. The retching caused the pain in his stomach to escalate considerably. The room seemed to be spinning. A harsh command reached him.

"Stay with us, Starsky. Concentrate, man!"

Starsky did as he was told and tried to concentrate on the voice. He stopped retching and opened his right eye. Painted white walls greeted him, and a man wearing a short white lab coat stood looking at him.

"What happened?" Starsky's voice was strained as if talking hurt his head.

"We had hoped you'd be able to tell us that." the harsh voice sounded again.

Starsky closed his working eye and thought. It came back to him in vivid colors -- Crowley's fierce punches raining down on his body and his attempts to fight back. Starsky thought quickly about the right way to handle this. If he blamed Crowley he knew he would be a marked man, but with his police background he was already singled out. Starsky realized that the safest way forward was to say little and pretend he didn't know what had happened.

"I don't remember."

"Convenient, Starsky, but highly unlikely." Another harsh voice filled the room. One of the guards stood beside his bed now.

"Does he have to stay over-night?"

"Yeah, he suffered a pretty nasty blow to the head; I just want to make sure that he isn't concussed. Crowley is next door and ready to go." The white coated man turned back to Starsky.

"For such an average looking guy Starsky sure got in a few good licks; Crowley won't be so cocky in future." Both men chuckled.

The guard's attention returned to Starsky. "Tomorrow morning the warden will want to see you. This is not a good way to begin your sentence with us and I am sure he will find a suitable punishment for you for the fight." The guard nodded to the other man and left the room.

"I'm John Doran, the attendent on duty tonight. Now look, Starsky, I want an easy shift and you can make that happen by behaving yourself. You're a little battered but you'll live so I want a peaceful night. I'll be checking on you a few times so just answer my questions and we'll get along just fine.

Starsky nodded, and immediately -- his headache increased in intensity. Doran noticed Starsky's pallor and propped the basin against Starsky's chest. Starsky took a few deep breaths and felt the nausea subside. He rested his head back down on the pillow and within minutes he was asleep.

Starsky woke with a start as if he had fallen in a dream. The dream dissipated before his consciousness could take hold of it. Upon opening his one functioning eye he remembered where he was. There was very little sunlight filtering through the one high, barred window. He struggled to sit up. His headache had subsided to a near manageable level but, his muscles protested the slightest movement.

A white-coated man of about forty arrived by his bed.

"Starsky, I'm Dr Monroe. How are you feeling this morning?" It was a brisk question delivered in a bored tone, as if the doctor didn't want a truthful answer.

Starsky tried to moisten his lips with the tip of his tongue, but his mouth felt too dry to be able to produce saliva. His voice came out scratchy.

"I feel like I did a few rounds with Mohammed Ali."

The doctor gave a genuine chuckle. "Well at least your sense of humor is still in place."

Monroe reached for a plastic pitcher of water and poured some into a glass, which he handed to Starsky with the words. "Try this."

Starsky sipped it gratefully. The cool liquid felt good in his parched mouth.

"I'm putting you back into the prison population. You'll be pretty sore for a week or so but you're lucky; nothing is broken, just bruised. We released Crowley yesterday. You landed some good punches. He was pretty banged up. That was the first time I had to treat him after a fight."

"Thanks, Doc."

"You're welcome, Starsky."

A minute later a guard arrived to collect Starsky. He dressed as quickly as his abused body would allow. He was brought directly to the warden. This time Starsky was led directly into the office. The warden addressed Starsky.

"Who started the fight, Starsky?"

Starsky knew enough about prisons to realize that he had better keep his mouth shut about his opponent. He shook his head, which proved to be an unwise move as the room began tilting precariously. He swallowed and said, "It must be the head injury but I don't remember anything about a fight."

"You're a quick learner, Starsky. Your opponent had similar amnesia."

The warden studied Starsky. "We punish severely any inmate who breaks the rules; however, because this is your first offense I am letting you off with a warning. The next time you appear before me I will revoke your visitor privileges."

Starsky balled his fists and dug his nails into the palms of his hands but he said nothing.

"I don't want to see you before me again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal, Sir."

The warden turned his attention back to the papers on his desk and Starsky was led away. Starsky had missed breakfast but he wasn't offered anything to eat. He was taken to the janitorial area and was given a mop and bucket. Starsky spent the day washing the shower rooms and the latrines.

It was a long tedious time until lunch. Starsky helped himself to a cheese sandwich and sat at the end of an almost full table. He had just finished his coffee when Crowley appeared beside him.

"Starsky, you put up a good fight. I have the bruises to prove it and you didn't turn snitch. So here's the deal. You stay out of my way and we'll be cool."

Starsky didn't say anything, he just nodded to Crowley.

Crowley leaned into Starsky's personal space. "You've got balls, I'll say that for you. But listen Starsky, some one else will get you so enjoy yourself while you can."

Chapter Nine

Hutch spent the first few days of Starsky's incarceration studying Starsky's case notes. After three days Hutch realized that he was running on empty. He was completely worn out, and fatigue was making him less than competent. Dobey had allowed him to work exclusively on the case, but Hutch knew that his commanding officer would soon come under pressure to get Hutch 'back to normal'-- whatever 'normal' was. Hutch entered Dobey's office on the morning of the fourth day. For the first time Hutch realized that Dobey looked tired. Hutch slumped into the chair opposite the desk.

"Captain, I want to apply for indefinite, unpaid leave."

"Hutch, are you sure that's what you want?"

"Yeah, Captain. We both know that I am no good to the force right now. I need to concentrate on Starsky's case."

"Look, Son, I can keep you working on his case indefinitely."

"Captain, I appreciate the offer, but I think my way is best. I've missed something and I want to spend time going over every detail. I have to get Starsky out of that place."

"Okay, Hutch, I'll see what I can do and I'll let you know if it's possible by this afternoon."

"Thanks, Cap, I appreciate it."

"Hutch, if you need help to get further along on the case, remember I'm still a good cop, not just your Captain. Stay in touch."

Hutch nodded and left the room.

Dobey called him into his office at 4:30 and said; "You've got indefinite, unpaid leave starting tomorrow."

"That's great, Captain. Thank you."

Dobey shuffled some papers on his desk and asked, "How are you going to manage for money?"

"I have some savings, Captain. I'll be all right."

"Okay, Ken, but if you need anything, call me and again -- stay in touch."

"Thanks, Cap."

Hutch felt a sense of power as he left the office. He felt free of any constraints and could just concentrate on working Starsky's case. He had missed something; he knew it. He remembered that terrible time when Starsky had been poisoned. Hutch had overlooked facts that time, and the error had almost cost Starsky his life. It was the same thing now. Hutch was beyond tired, and he knew he needed some rest so that his mind could find the weak spot in this frame up. He went home, via the local store where he picked up the ingredients for steak and salad. He had not been eating properly since this whole thing had started and he knew his body needed rest and nourishment if he was to concentrate on the case.

He forced himself to eat a few mouthfuls of food, and was surprised by the genuine appetite that overcame him. He was in bed, surrounded by case notes, at ten pm. and fell into an exhausted sleep by 10:30. The demons and the dreams stayed away, and his body got the rest it needed so much.

Starsky spent the days washing floors and cleaning latrines. He soon discovered that the job detail was the punishment, which the warden had said would not be given. The prison had a few small industries going where the prisoners worked. One was sewing mail bags, but to Starsky's amazement they also had a garage of sorts in which they made engine components. The right to work in this tool room had to be earned. If prisoners obeyed the rules, they could ask to work there. Starsky felt it would be more interesting than the laborious job he had. His natural love of engines would be useful. Starsky was not eligible to apply for the tool shop until he had been in prison for a month.

By the end of the first week, Starsky's bruises were beginning to heal and had turned to mottled shades of yellow. Even his left eye was opening again and the pain in his ribs had eased to a dull ache. It was Saturday of the first week when one of the guards called him.

"Starsky, you have a visitor."

Starsky was escorted to the visiting room. The room consisted of a long desk broken into sections by cheap wood and a glass wall sat in the middle, blocking any physical contact between prisoners and their visitors.

Starsky saw Hutch sitting behind the glass. Starsky picked up the phone and Hutch did the same.

"How are you doing, Buddy?"

"Terrific. It isn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Lies -- which Hutch saw through immediately. Starsky was a great undercover cop but he was useless at trying to fool Hutch, probably because he had no practice at it. They didn't lie to each other, period, but Hutch understood the reason behind the lie. Starsky did not want Hutch to feel more guilty than he already did, so white lies were spoken.

Hutch ignored Starsky's answer.

"You're only allowed visitors on Saturday and Sunday so, Minnie, Dobey and Huggy are all fighting for the privilege of visiting you tomorrow. I think Dobey won."

"That's good. It's great to see you, Hutch."

"It's great to see you, Starsk." Hutch had noticed the fading bruises on Starsky's face when Starsky sat down. He pointed to Starsky's eye.

"That looks sore. How did it happen?"

"Slipped on a bar of soap."

"Since when do we lie to each other?"

"Since all the rules changed. I know how you're feeling because if positions were reversed, I'd be feeling the same."

"Starsk?"

"I got into a fight but I did okay. I'm all right, Hutch, just a bit banged up."

After that the conversation became easier. Hutch told him he was taking some time off to crack the case. Starsky was worried how Hutch would manage financially, but Hutch reassured him as best he could. Hutch wanted to keep Starsky involved in his own case and it was good to be able to use Starsky as a sounding board, even if business was conducted through unbreakable glass.

The guard called out. "Time up", and it was hard to decide who looked sadder. Both men smiled but their eyes locked and more was said in that way than had been spoken.

The visit left both men depressed. Hutch was more troubled than ever by Starsky's appearance, and made a silent vow to redouble his efforts. Starsky was worried about Hutch's decision to take leave at his own expense. He cursed, silently, the person behind the frame up.

The next day Dobey called Hutch to say he had been up to visit Starsky. He commented on Starsky's appearance and admitted to Hutch that he was troubled by the thoughts of Starsky's incarceration. He promised to phone the warden the following morning to see if a better watch could be kept on Starsky. Dobey's call depressed Hutch even more, and he decided to visit 'The Pits'.

The bar was quiet when Hutch arrived. He was greeted by a subdued Huggy. The Bear admitted that now new information had come to light. Both men frowned over their glasses of beer. Hutch had never seen Huggy so depressed. Hutch asked Huggy if he had heard any talk from the prison. Hutch knew that Huggy had his sources almost everywhere. Huggy admitted that he hadn't heard anything definite, but that he assumed Starsky was in a very bad situation.

Hutch left after one beer and drove home in the Torino. He was driving it all the time now and if asked, his excuse would have been that it was more reliable than his own junker. In truth, driving Starsky's beloved car meant that he was still near to Starsky. It may not have been a rational idea but it was one which Hutch clung to.

Hutch spread the contents of Starsky's file out across the coffee table and the couch. Dobey had loaned him the file on the understanding that if Dobey needed it for anything official Hutch would return it inconspicuously. Hutch began his trawl through the file for the hundred time.

Starsky had returned to the common room after Hutch's visit, feeling even more depressed than he had been. He had managed to disclose very little about his life inside prison to Hutch. He yearned for Hutch's physical presence and he missed the freedom of his old life.

Dobey's visit was almost as difficult as Hutch's had been. The big man obviously felt awkward with the situation and made small talk about people in Parker Center. He also mentioned that Minnie would be visiting him next week. Starsky took that news with feigned joy. Truth be told, Starsky was embarrassed by Dobey's visit and Minnie's pending one.

Starsky had a feeling that something was in the air. The other prisoners either avoided him or made pretty derogatory remarks about his birth or his sexual orientation. One evening Starsky was sitting watching a ball game on TV when two prisoners, who had been sent up by Starsky and Hutch, approached him. They crouched down by his chair. Starsky regarded them calmly. He knew them as Doyle and Reynolds. Doyle was in prison for pushing drugs while Reynolds was doing time for a hold up in a liquor store. They were both in their thirties. Doyle had short light brown hair. Reynolds wore his dark hair long. It lay lankly on his shoulders. Doyle spoke first.

"Enjoying the ball game? I bet you miss that partner of yours?"

Reynolds took over. "Yeah. That Hutchinson is a pretty boy. You know a few of the guys in here reckon you're a pretty boy, too."

Doyle took hold of Starsky's right arm while Reynolds grabbed the left one. Both of his arms felt like they were being held in a vise, but Starsky kept his cool.

"What do you want?"

Doyle laughed. "We have friends who miss the pleasures of the flesh and are interested in you. You dig, Starsky?"

"Yeah, I dig, but I ain't interested."

Reynolds tightened his grip so Starsky's flesh was pinched. "They don't care if you're interested or not. They just want a piece of your ass."

Starsky summoned up all his strength, which was fueled by his anger. He moved his arms quickly against the vise-like grip that held him and managed to break both holds simultaneously. He followed the manoeuvre by hitting his elbows hard into the faces of the two men. Doyle and Reynolds, taken aback by the ferocity of the action, let go of their hold on Starsky and tried to protect their faces, which were level with Starsky's face. Starsky stood up abruptly.

"This conversation is over. You tell your friends that if they try anything I'll break their fucking arms." Starsky walked away.

Ten minutes later Starsky was still seething. He left the recreation room and went to the bathroom to wash his face and give himself time to calm down.

He was just splashing water on his face when a young man of about twenty entered the room. Starsky caught the man's reflection in the mirror over the sink. Starsky didn't say anything he just studied the youth. The boy had long blond hair and his eyes were blue. He looked like a younger version of Hutch. Starsky's voice caught in his throat. The boy was nervous and he looked frightened. Starsky realized the boy was frightened of him. Starsky smiled and the boy's features brightened. Just then four prisoners entered the bathroom. They were big men, each one looked to be over six feet in height. They all wore the look of veteran inmates, and to Starsky's eyes they looked like they meant trouble. The tallest of the group addressed Starsky.

"This ain't none of your business. We haven't come for you this time." He smiled a feral grin at Starsky and turned his attention to the boy. "Hey, Jed, we told ya you'd have to put out and we're here to collect what's due."

The boy turned bright red and he began to shake. He answered the man. "Look, I told you I have a girl outside. I'm s... sorry but I just want to do my time and get out."

The second man stepped up to the youth. "We don't care that you got pussy on the outside. We want your ass and it'll be easier for you if you accept that. You see Mike here likes fight in his fillies but me, I like it any way I can get it."

The boy's face turned white and Starsky saw that he was actually shaking. The kid was a dead ringer for how Hutch looked when Starsky had met him for the first time in the academy. Starsky pushed in front of the men, blocking the kid as best he could. The first man sneered at Starsky.

"This ain't any of your business. What the fuck do you think you're doing? There ain't any pigs in here except corrupt ones and they don't last long."

Starsky faced the four men and said,"Jed, doesn't want to play with you guys, so I think you should leave him alone."

"What you gonna' do about it, Pig, make us?"

Starsky studied the men. "I've just made it my business."

The first man threw a punch at Starsky, but missed as Starsky moved aside. The other three moved in quickly and before Starsky knew what was happening he was in the middle of a fight in which he was heavily outnumbered. Any similarities between Jed and Hutch disappeared as soon as Jed joined the fight. The young man was next to useless and in fact got in Starsky's way several times. Starsky was holding his own pretty well against the large but slow brutes, but it was inevitable that he tired and their punches started to connect hard against his body. The first man managed to land a heavy punch against Starsky's midsection and the force of the blow sent Starsky reeling into one of the sinks. Starsky's back hit the edge of the sink and the pain was almost overpowering. Just as Starsky recovered somewhat a small man of about thirty popped his head through the doorway and said, "Better scram, the screws are on the way."

One of them backhanded Starsky across the face and the four men made a hurried exit. Starsky felt Jed pulling at him. Starsky's back was burning and he felt light headed. He tried to understand what Jed was saying. At last the fog cleared enough to know that Jed was suggesting they enter cubicles before the guards arrived. Jed half pulled Starsky into a stall and he entered the one beside it. Starsky heard a guard enter. A nightstick grated against the closed doors of the stalls. "Hurry up in there." Then the voice was gone and Starsky heard the man leave the room. Jed pushed in the door of Starsky's cubicle.

"Are you okay? Jesus! That was some fight. Where did you learn to fight like that?" The words tumbled from the man as if a dam had opened up. "I ain't ever seen anybody fight like that. Are you really a cop? Jesus, I was so scared but you weren't, I saw your eyes. You were angry but not scared." The man pulled Starsky out of the stall as his words tumbled out, one after another.

Starsky straightened up and immediately realized that movement was not a good idea. His chest and stomach hurt, but the pain in his back was so severe that Starsky thought he might pass out. He looked at Jed and realized that the kid was terrified. Starsky tried to reassure the young man.

"I'm okay, Jed, just winded and bruised. How are you doing?"

"Just shook up a bit. Are you sure you're all right? You don't look too good?"

Starsky levered himself into a standing position and his back screamed at the movement, but he let go of Jed and used the sink to steady himself. He looked in the mirror but the only sign of the fight was his flushed skin. His cheeks were red where he had been backhanded but otherwise those animals had hit him in the body and his face was fine.

"We have to get out of here before the screw comes in again."

"Terrific!"

Starsky and Jed made their way slowly back to the recreation room. They slipped into the room and no one said anything to them. The four inmates were no where to be seen. Starsky eased himself into a hard chair and Jed sat in one beside him.

"My name's Starsky, Dave Starsky. You're Jed?"

"Yeh, I'm Jed White."

"How old are you, kid?"

"I'm twenty. Look, I didn't kill anybody, I just drove a car for some guys who robbed a liquor store. I got caught and here I am."

"How long did you get.?"

"Seven y...years." The stammer was back.

"What did the others get?"

"They weren't caught and I wouldn't squeal."

"Kid, I know we don't squeal in here, but what you did is different. This place is going to be hell for you with those looks. Why don't you ask to see your lawyer and get him to work out a deal with the District Attorney? Whatever you think, those guys aren't your friends."

"I'm scared, Dave. I'm terrified in this place. It's a hundred times worse than I thought it would be, but I'm scared to rat on the others."

"Look, kid, you're young enough to make something of your life. Don't throw it away out of some misguided sense of duty. I heard you say you had a girl. What's she going to do while you're in here?"

"Her name is Laura. She's pretty, real pretty, and I miss her. We were going to get married and I pulled the job to try and get some cash, but it all went wrong. She wanted me to tell on the others and got pretty mad at me when I didn't. She has quite a temper."

"You got a girl waiting for you, Dave?"

"Nope, lost my girl."

"I'm sorry."

"I have a friend, though. He's my partner -- I'm a detective and he's going to get me out of here."

Jed shadowed Starsky for the rest of the evening. The injury to Starsky's back plagued him more as time went on so by the end of recreation time he was finding it hard to get comfortable either sitting or standing. Jed, on seeing Starsky's discomfort, apologized again for the earlier incident. After being told that again that it was not his fault, Jed turned his attention to helping Starsky. The latter behaviour was irritating to Starsky even more than his apologies had been. By the time it was time to return to their cells Jed had developed a serious case of hero worship. Starsky was uncomfortable with the boy's actions.

Back in his cell Starsky winced as he removed his shirt. Stevens let out a low whistle.

"What the hell happened to you, Starsky?" Stevens asked.

"I ran into a few goons who were forcing their unwelcome attention on some kid."

"Very noble, but it's not the sort of thing that you should get involved in. In here it's every man for himself. You better learn that quick, Starsky. Your back looks pretty bad."

"Yeah, whatever." Starsky was not in the mood for accepting advice. He climbed to his bunk but had to very gingerly turn himself on to his stomach. It was the only position that reduced the throbbing in his back.

That night Starsky dreamed of Hutch and Jed and their faces meshed into one. The images plagued his dreams and Starsky was relieved to wake from them, even if it was only three am. The muscles in his back protested any movement and they hurt even if he lay still. Yet, Starsky was glad to have escaped from his frightening dream world -- a world in which the merger of Hutch with Jed left Starsky with a terrible feeling of having to save them but onely being able to get to one of them. Even as they drifted into one being Starsky heard their voices. In the dream he didn't know what to do to save them, let alone what he was supposed to save them from. Starsky lay in the semi darkness and felt his skin prickle with drops of sweat. He buried his head in the pillow and sought to rid his brain of the unsettling images still lodged there. Starsky realized that there is no lonelier place to be than in the midst of many men. He couldn't capture the relief that sleep might bring him and he yearned to see Hutch. He really hoped that his partner was doing okay. Starsky closed his eyes and tried to push away the sounds of the prison, but he could not find any peace.

Chapter Ten

Jed's hero-worship of Starsky increased as the days went by. This worried Starsky as he knew his own problems were far from over and he didn't want to see the young man get hurt because of him.

Starsky sensed the tension in the prison. He knew it was only a matter of time before he would be challenged again. Jed took Starsky's advice and asked to see his lawyer. The lawyer was delighted by Jed's change of heart and promised to see the District Attorney about the case.

Jed's girlfriend, Laura, came to visit and was also pleased by Jed's decision. Hutch's visit with Starsky was a special but difficult time for both men. Hutch told Starsky that the weakest link in the case was the eyewitness, and he had decided to examine her testimony in more detail. Hutch noticed that Starsky's walk was stiff but he didn't mention it to Starsky. Starsky told Hutch about Jed, omitting how he had saved him from the goons, as he didn't wasn't to increase Hutch's worry. The visit was over very quickly and both men felt a great sense of anxiety at the end of it. They exchanged a look that said more than their conversation had. It said 'stay safe' and it applied to both of them.

Huggy's visit was, on the surface, more upbeat. The Bear was resplendent in an electric blue outfit that almost hurt Starsky's eyes. Huggy finished his visit on a cheerful note, assuring Starsky that something would 'give' on the streets. Both visits depressed Starsky. They seemed to point out the normality of his friends' lives while highlighting the bleakness of his own existence.

Hutch decided to trace Gina Hayes's life as far back as he could. It was then that he realized that she seemed to have no existence until about two months before the shooting. Hutch's inner alarm bells rang when he ran her particulars through the Department of Motor Vehicles. It showed that she had received her Californian license only six months before, and had traded in a New York license to get her new one. Hutch felt that something wast wrong and he began to dig a little deeper. Through the D.M.V. he tracked down her friend -- Lorraine Saunders. He flew to Las Vegas to interview her. She was working as a 'showgirl' in a second-rate place off the strip. She propositioned Hutch less than five minutes after meeting him. He declined her offer, but pushed two one hundred dollar bills across the wet tabletop where they sat. She suggested they leave and Hutch agreed.

They found a quiet bar just one block down the street. Hutch ordered a beer for himself, and Saunders asked for a Screwdriver. It was still early evening but the lights from the big casinos lit up the sky and were visible from the bar. Hutch questioned her about Gina Hayes. He learned that Gina was not a close friend, just an acquaintance that she had met only six months before. Gina was generous and would often pay for everything when they went out. Saunders knew 'The Pits' but could not confirm pointing out Starsky and Hutch to Hayes. She didn't remember doing so. She recognized Starsky from a photograph Hutch showed her and she remembered seeing Hutch in the bar, too, but she claimed that she didn't know that they were detectives. She just knew their faces as regulars at Huggy's place. Hutch slipped her another hundred-dollar bill when the conversation began to dry up and that nudged her memory a bit more. She said that Gina Hayes had given her five hundred dollars to start a new life in Las Vegas. She had been sh