Rainy Days and Mondays continued

Rainy Days and Mondays continued

Chapter Thirteen

As Starsky stayed with Sharman in the emergency room while the doctors looked her over, Stephanie and Hutch sat patiently and very silently in the waiting room. She wanted to ask him questions about what had happened up there, but was afraid of the aggravation that would flow from him for what she had done. She had interfered. Not only had she interfered, but she had put herself in the middle of a police situation that very well could have endangered all of them. Her presence could have just as easily gotten them all killed.

Guilt plagued her thoughts, and Hutch could read them. He knew he should let her think about it all, realize how all this could have so easily turned the other way and been a total disaster, but he was just so grateful that she was all right. Her landing on top of Brannigan and his loaded gun could have gone so very wrong. He was feeling lucky. Lucky to have this lady in his life and lucky that she didn’t get hurt. He couldn’t help but kneel down beside her as she sat; worrying.

“You know, I should read you the riot act for coming up there on your own like that.” She looked away, the guilt she felt and his words speaking her thoughts overwhelming her. “But all I want to do is hold you, and thank God that nothing happened to you.”

She turned her face back towards his and looked at him. He grinned, and his eyes sparkled with a fondness she knew was meant only for her. Suddenly she jumped into his arms, holding him tightly as tears streamed down her cheeks from the relief of his forgiveness.

“I was so, so scared; not knowing what was happening. When I heard the gunfire all I could think of was you getting hurt up there and I was sitting in the car doing nothing about it. I, I love you. I couldn’t stand not knowing if you were alright.”

Hutch held her tightly, embracing her with protective arms that held her close to him, reassuring and comforting.

“I understand. Just don’t do it again. I don’t know what I’d have done if you had gotten hurt. As long as I know you’re waiting for me, I’ll come back. Because I love you, too.”

They held each other in a tight embrace and continued their hold as Starsky came back into the waiting area. Hutch stood up, as did Stephanie.

“Hey, Starsk. How’s she doing?”

Starsky looked at them both and grinned.

“She’ll be okay. They’re gonna keep her overnight and I’m going to stay around here, ya know?” Hutch shook his head in agreement. Starsky walked over in front of Stephanie, looking seriously for a moment.

“I guess he read you the riot act?”

She nodded her head.

“And I’m assuming you promised to behave yourself from now on and not ever endanger yourself like that again?”

Again, she nodded her head.

Starsky put his arms out to her, giving her a hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.” He stood back and looked at his best friend and the woman who had swept Hutch off his feet.

“Look it. There ain’t nothing for you guys to do here. Why not go home and take care of each other. I’m sure you can do that without any problems, hmm?” Starsky grinned mischievously at them both, and they returned his look like a mirror. Hutch put his arm around Stephanie and drew her close to him.

“Is there anything you need me to do for you before we go?” Hutch asked, tightening the hold he had around his love.

“Yeah,” Starsky began, “you can bring me my car back in the morning and take me and Sharman home. Now get outta here. You look like hell, partner.”

Hutch chuckled at his best friend.

Starsky sat impatiently waiting for Sharman to be situated in her hospital room. Once the nurses left, he entered, not asking permission; almost daring anyone to tell him he couldn’t be there. As he came through abruptly, he noticed her stillness and realized she was sleeping. Quietly, he lifted one of the vinyl visitors’ chairs and placed it beside her bed, slowly sitting down in hopes of not disturbing her.

He rubbed his face, paying special attention to his tired eyes. It had been one hell of a day, and an even harder week. In the short time that Sharman had reappeared in his life, she’d had more tragedy than most people would deal with in ten years. Adding this on top of what had happened to her the last time he’d seen her, when she lost control and turned to alcohol for her salvation, he actually had to smile. She had not only turned her life around, but was strong. She had found a strength within herself to go on, not hide behind a bottle, but face anything life threw her way. And catch it. He knew she wouldn’t be turning to the bottle this time.

When he looked down at her again, she was watching him.

“Hey, you’re supposed to be resting. How’re you feeling?”

“My head hurts. And I want is to get out of here.” Her words seemed distant, her mind focussing on other things.

“Well, you’ve got about nine more hours and then they’ll release you. In the meantime, you’re their guest, and I’m sure it’d hurt their feelings if you left.” His attempt at comedy fell on deaf ears. Her eyes had a look of concentration and pain, although he couldn’t tell if it was from her concussion or something else. He sat down beside her on the bed and stroked the hair away from her face.

“What’s wrong – and don’t tell me it’s just your head hurting.”

“Why? Why would he do all this? To me, I mean, he was a father to me for so many years. I just don’t understand it. You’d think that after my Mom’s accidental overdose that he and I would have drawn strength from each other, not turn away like that.” Her words were slurring a little as the medication took its’ effect. Starsky laid himself beside her, putting his arm around her as she nestled into his hold, letting herself drift into a much needed rest. He held her, letting his mind absorb all that he had seen that day, and letting it wander with the possibilities that were clouding over him. An accidental overdose? He hadn’t heard that before. His face scowled as his mind dove deep into thought.

Hutch took Stephanie back to her apartment, watching her every now and then, trying to get a glimpse into what she was thinking about. Finally, she broke the silence.

“Ken, something is terribly wrong with this whole thing. And I can’t figure it just yet, so don’t ask me just what it is. But I have a really bad feeling about it all. Like Sharman is still in danger.”

Hutch pulled the Torino into a parking space in front of her apartment and cut the engine. Finally, after reflecting on all that she had said in his mind for a few minutes, he turned to face her.

“I have that same gut feeling myself. I’m going to look into it. I’ll do a little digging, see what I can turn up, and, and …” his words were stopped by the distraction Stephanie began to offer. As he spoke, her hand worked its way up his body, slowly edging to her neck, and fingers began circling from his neck to his ear. When he stopped talking, she leaned in and kissed him slightly on his neck, then his cheek, and then she embraced his lips with hers. Their breathing deepened and he returned her kiss, holding her tightly and deepening it passionately.

Finally, they came up for air.

“Steph? What are you up to?” he asked, smiling at his lady.

“I think we’re concentrating too hard on everything. I think we need a little break. A distraction. Don’t you?” she asked coyly.

“Lady, you can distract me any time.” He said, breathing a smile into his words.

She slipped open the passenger side door of the Torino, and once she had gotten out, motioned to him to follow her with her index finger. He got out of the car, eagerly following her to her apartment.

She made one quick call to Huggy, letting him know what was going on and that she’d be to work in the morning. But by now he knew what was going on, and offered her a few more days off if she needed it. She accepted, grateful that she could concentrate on other things. As she hung up the phone, she looked at Hutch, seeing the weariness in his eyes.

“Sleep. I think we both could use some. Don’t you?”

Hutch sighed in resign, then nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

Starsky’s body shook, shuddering from a feeling of falling as he was almost asleep. He looked down at Sharman, making sure she was still resting, and eased himself slowly from under her, making sure not to disturb her sleep. He walked out from her room, nodding at the nurse who sat at the desk. She had just been in there to check on Sharman, and let him remain with her, rather than reading him the riot act for being in the room after visiting hours. He was hoping she’d do him another favor. Asking to use her phone, he dialed the station, and was grateful to hear Millie’s voice after a few transfers.

“Millie my love. I need you to run a couple of checks for me, will ya? I need information on the accidental death of Carol Brannigan, about four months ago. Yeah. Uh-huh. Okay, and then I need you to pull a complete background for me on an Edward Brannigan. Can you do that for me, honey? I appreciate it. You’re a sweetheart. Thanks.” Starsky stretched as he hung up the phone.

Chapter Fourteen

Hutch laid beside Stephanie and watched her as she slept. She was so beautiful. He wondered how he had managed to get lucky enough to meet someone like her. She was smart. She enjoyed life to it’s fullest. And she loved him. His luck with women usually ran cold. Yeah, he’d get lucky, maybe even find someone special, but things just never seemed right. And oh God, let’s not forget the Vanessa fiasco. He frowned at the thought of that double nightmare. He let his eyes focus back to Stephanie, and the frown subsided, and soon he fell into a light slumber.

The phone ringing made him jump with a start, and Stephanie was on top of it in an instant. She looked groggily at the clock. It was 2am.

“Hello?” she answered wearily.

“Stephanie? I’m sorry to wake you. It’s me, Sharman.” Stephanie sat straight up.

“Sharman – are you alright? What’s wrong?” At the mention of her name, Hutch also sat up.

“Yes, my friend, I’m fine. But I need a favor, and I had to wait until David was out of the room before I could call and ask you. I am so sorry about the late hour of this call.” Stephanie rubbed her eyes, then smiled at Hutch, covering the phone with her hand.

“She’s alright. Just wants to talk, okay?” she whispered to her love. Hutch nodded. He kissed her on the cheek and then got out of bed, heading towards the bathroom, leaving Stephanie with an excellent view.

“What’s wrong Sharman, and how can I help?”

“Well, I want to go over to the mansion tomorrow and check out a few things. You know, while Ed’s in jail. I want to go through some of the family files and stuff and I don’t want David to know.”

“Why?” Stephanie heard the deep sigh Sharman took before she answered her.

“Well, I have a few suspicions about things, and I want to check them out before I tell David about them. I don’t want to start something unless I have something to back it up with, you know?” Stephanie grinned, and shook her head in agreement.

“Yeah, I do know, as a matter of fact. So how do you want to do this?”

“Well,” Sharman began, “I was thinking that when you and Hutch come to pick us up this morning, we could say we were going to do some feminine shopping or something, then if you wouldn’t mind, we could go over there ourselves?”

“Sharman, why not tell David what’s bothering you, let him help?”

“Because he is going to tell me that HE can do it, and he’ll want to keep me up in his apartment. You know, he’s so over protective. I understand, I mean, the last time he saw me a few years ago, I was a basket case. But now I want to kind of prove to him that I am capable of standing on my own two feet. I have to start somewhere. You know?”

Stephanie watched Hutch as he came back to bed and smiled at the aroused view she was given with his return.

“I understand. We’ll go tomorrow, and figure out everything from there.”

“Thanks Stephanie, you are a really good friend.”

“You too. Now will you try and get some rest, please?” Stephanie could hear the smile on Sharman’s face.

“I will. Thank you. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

As Stephanie hung up the phone, Hutch leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.

“Want to tell me what that was all about?”

She looked at him, opening her mouth to speak, and then closed it. She wasn’t going to lie to him. She looked into his eyes.

“Sharman wants me to go with her over to the mansion after she’s released from the hospital and check through some old files and stuff. But she doesn’t want to tell Starsky about it because she’s sure he wont want her leaving the apartment after all that’s happened.”

“She’s probably right. But what makes you think I won’t tell him?” Stephanie smiled at her lover.

“I never said you wouldn’t. But would you at least mind waiting until after we leave?” Hutch looked thoughtfully for a moment.

“Well, that depends …” he said, kissing her down the side of her neck, eventually bringing his lips to hers as he kissed them ever-so delicately. She took her breaths deeply.

“Depends on what?” she asked sweetly, returning the light kisses he offered.

“I’ll show you.” Hutch answered, deepening his kiss and pulling her onto him, letting her body rub against his, enjoying the friction it produced.

Stephanie giggled with delight.

When Starsky walked back into the hospital room, Sharman greeted him with a smile, her eyes looking at him happily.

“What are you doing awake?” he asked with a grin, sitting beside her as he grabbed her hand into his.

“Waiting for you. Where did you go?”

“I went to the nurse’s station for a few minutes.” He answered, not wanting to lie, settling for a half truth. He watched as her eyelids became heavy.

“How’s your head feel?” he asked as he stretched himself beside her on the bed, putting a comforting arm around her.

“Awful. But I’ll live.”

“You better. I just got ya back here. I got no intentions of letting you leave me this quick.”

They both grinned as they cuddled into one another. Sleep came easily.

Chapter Fifteen

As the foursome walked out from through hospital’s main doors, hardly a word was spoken. Sharman had her prescription filled at the hospital pharmacy and carried it loosely in her left hand while Starsky held tightly to her right. Stephanie and Hutch couldn’t keep their hands off from one another, and their minds filled with thoughts from the previous evenings’ events.

Starsky was grateful to see the Torino waiting for him, and looked it over closely, making sure it was still in tact and mark free. Hutch smiled.

“You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to her, Pal,” he teased, watching as Starsky finally opened the passenger side door, letting the ladies take the back seat.

After the car was started and had pulled out into the main street in front of the hospital, Sharman spoke up.

“Are we still on for this morning, Steph?” she asked, nudging gently the lady beside her.

“Oh, uh, yep, we sure are.”

Starsky looked at them both in the rear view mirror. “And just what are you two up to?” he asked, half grinning as he peered over his sunglasses.

“Not much,” Sharman quickly replied. “Woman stuff,” she offered.

“Uh huh,” Starsky said, unconvinced.

Sharman thanked Stephanie three times in one nervous sentence as Stephanie drove her over to the estate.

“Honestly girl, you are wound up tighter than a tick. What gives? What are you really thinking you’re going to find over there?”

“That’s what I’m worried about. See, the more that I have thought everything over in my head, the more different things do not make sense. I need to find out why Ed has more or less been trying to kill me. He’s an accountant, and has absolutely been obsessive when it comes to keeping records. I’m hoping that by going through them, well, maybe …”

“It’s okay, Sharman. I understand. I’ll help you, don’t worry. If there is anything incriminating to find, we’ll find it.”

Starsky and Hutch arrived at the precinct, one day earlier than their end of vacation called for. As they walked into the squad room, they were ‘greeted’ by Captain Dobey.

“What the hell are you two doing back here?” he asked in his normal gruff tone.

“Nice to see you too, Cap’n,” Hutch offered, grinning.

“Yeah, glad to see ya missed us,” Starsky added smugly.

Starsky picked up the phone and dialed an extension that took him to Millie’s phone.

“Yeah, this is Detective Starsky. Millie was supposed to look up some files for me and … Millie? What’re you doing, pulling a double? Yeah, sweetheart, I know how that goes. Did ya find out anything for me?” he sat there in silence, listening for a few minutes, and Hutch sat across from him, wondering just what he’d been up to in his absence.

“Great. Could ya send the files up here? Yeah. I owe you big time. Thanks.” Starsky looked at his friend and sighed. “Well, we’re about to find out all we need to on one certain Edward Brannigan and his late wife’s sudden and untimely demise.” Hutch looked at his partner with the realization of just what he had been doing. He nodded approvingly.

Meanwhile, at the estate, the two women sat in the floor of the study, pulling drawers from filing cabinets, searching whole-heartedly, not knowing exactly what to look for, but still looking none the less.

Sharman had sent Mrs. Clark out for the day, telling her she thought she could use the break. Mrs. Clark seemed grateful. Her eyes had a tired look about them. It was hard for her to see what little family that was left falling apart like this. It was, after all, her family, too.

It took only a few minutes after she left for the girls to begin diving into the filing cabinets.

“Wow. Look at all these prescription records. Your Mom was pretty ill before she died, huh?” Stephanie asked her friend gently. Sharman took the file, looking at it closely.

“Yeah. Looks like she did end up going to Ed’s doctor, too. He tried for the longest time to convince her. Said her doctor didn’t take care of her, letting her stay in too much pain.”

“Well, according to these records, if my medical terminology is correct, he had her on enough pain meds to make her high as a kite. Your mom had a terminal illness?"

“Cancer.” Sharman’s head dropped a little. “She struggled and fought with it for years.

“Hey, didn’t you guys have health insurance?” Stephanie asked.

“Sure we did. Why?”

“Well, the bank statements here sure do show a lot of payments to that doctor. Hefty payments, like the insurance didn’t cover the office visits.” Sharman took some of the papers from Stephanie and examined them.

“Well that’s really strange.”

Starsky and Hutch sat at their desks, going through the files that were stacked between them. Hutch looked up, noticing his partner was looking at one very closely.

“What have you got there, Starsk?” Starsky looked over the top of the file at his friend, then handed the file over to him.

“See for yourself. Looks like Brannigan’s been married several times before this last one.”

“Well, there’s no crime in that, Starsky,” Hutch replied as he grabbed the file.

“Maybe not, but I find it really strange that ALL four of his previous wives left him a widower. As a matter of fact, they left him a very wealthy widower.” He raised his eyebrows towards his friend, who looked briefly over the page in front of him. Suddenly, Hutch’s eyebrow raised as well, returning the look at Starsky.

Before either man could say anything more, Captain Dobey came out of his office and into the squad room.

“Assault and battery and attempted murder of a police officer doesn’t seem to go for very much these days,” he said, looking at the detectives sitting in front of him.

“What’d ya mean, Cap’n?” Starsky said, turning himself around to face him.

“Brannigan. He just got released on bail.”

“You gotta be kiddin’ me!” Starsky said, his face filling with anger.

“Oh my God,.” Hutch said quickly, making Starsky turn quickly around to face him.

“What?”

“Steph and Sharman went over to the estate. They wanted to go through Brannigan’s files and see if they could come up with anything incriminating while he was in jail.”

“Shit! Now he’s heading straight over there. Shit!” Starsky jumped up and ran towards out through squad room doors with Hutch close behind.