FALL FROM GRACE

By Kerry OK

The attractive, well-dressed, middle aged man took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he tilted his head back and felt the warm sun on his face. He had spent the last four years in prison. But today he was a free man. He knew he was lucky. It could have been much longer, but the DA knew he had to make a deal. He really didn't have much except the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice and of course, Jeanie. She took off though, a very frightened woman. There could have been a trial, but he didn't want to push his luck, she could have had a change of heart. After all, her cop boyfriend had been through hell and back trying to protect her. He took the deal. An assault charge sure beat kidnapping. He figured he was getting a bargain.

Finally his ride arrived. "Welcome home Ben." The tall brooding man said smiling. Another large man also greeted him. "Great to see you Mr. Forrest." "It is great to be free boys, now lets get going, I have a lot of business to catch up on." Forrest climbed into the back of the limousine.

Dobey and Capt. Lofton were briefing Starsky and Hutch about a money laundering operation that the department was just itching to take down. "We believe they are laundering drug money through various business ventures. No pun intended gentlemen, but we think some of it is being laundered through a dry cleaning chain." Lofton continued. "And we believe that drugs are being distributed through the city by a few cabbies at the On Time Cab Company."

"You boys ready for some undercover work?" Dobey said smiling he knew that his detectives loved undercover work the best. "You bet Captain, let me guess I'm the cabby?" Hutch grinned. "No Hutchinson, Starsky you get the cabby job." "I figured that Captain, I'm just the NY cabby type." "That's right Starsky. As for you Hutchinson, we want you to be a dealer from the Midwest." "Yep that's me Captain, the Midwest dealer type." Hutch and Starsky both laughed. "Alright enough of the laughs you guys." Dobey's tone had become very serious. "These guys are killers."

"Well what exactly is my cover going to be Captain?" Hutch asked. Lofton answered. "You are John Larson new owner of Clayton's Best Dry Cleaning." Hutch interjected. "That sounds very familiar, I used to work as a delivery boy for a Clayton's Best Dry Cleaning as a kid." "One in the same. We figured having you come from Duluth, a place you are very familiar with, would help your cover." Dobey explained. "Mr. Clayton was very cooperative, he remembered you, said you were the best delivery boy he ever had. He will back up your story of being the new owner." "Good old Mr. Clayton, he was a nice guy." Hutch said with fondness.

Starsky was in his element as he dressed in his New York City casual look. The crummier the jeans the better and he wore with pride his NY Yankees tee shirt. He strolled into the On Time Cab Company and laid on his best New York accent. He was Dominick Russo, an actor, and part-time cab driver. He was hired on the spot. They gave him the graveyard shift, so he could have his days free for auditions. He figured this shift would also work out when they were ready to trust him with special deliveries. Also he would be available during the day in case Hutch needed him.

Hutch stood in front of his bathroom mirror trying to figure out which look to use. He decided on a cross between Charlie McCabe and Jack Ives. He combed his hair like Jack; the look that said a bowl was placed over his head when his hair was cut. He put on the glasses with the black frames, but used thin lenses. He would carry himself like Charlie though, a wolf in sheep's clothing, that farm boy demeanor backed up with city toughness. He dressed neat and fashionable. As for the voice, his own would do just fine.

The blond detective decided not to waste any time. He headed straight for the Crystal Dry Cleaners, the Broad Street location since it was their main store. He figured he might get lucky and find a top guy over there. He had Huggy noising it around town that a player was in from Minnesota looking to make contacts. He would play it by ear. Hopefully it would all fall into place once he got the ball rolling.

Ben Forrest was happy to see that business was doing well during his absence. Not that it was too difficult running things from prison. You make friends with the right people in there and life can proceed pretty normally. But it was great to be back at the helm. "Bruce, let me have a look at the books." Forrest was pleased to see how well Crystal Dry Cleaners was doing. "Did the heroin shipment come in?" "Yeah boss, we got it stored at the Broad Street location."

Hutch entered the dry cleaning establishment and laid on the charm for the pretty counter girl named Linda Coleman. She told him he needed to speak with Mr. Bruce Gleason, but he wasn't in right now. "Now Linda, I want you to tell Mr. Gleason that I would really like to meet with him today if that is possible." Hutch let his hand linger on hers as he handed her his business card. "No problem Mr. Larson, I will call you as soon as he gets in." She smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you very much, sweetheart." Hutch returned the smile and headed out the door. He called Starsky to meet him at The Pits for lunch.

Huggy greeted the two detectives, "Hello gents, what's your pleasure." "I'll have a cheese steak with lots of onions, and a large order of fries and a coke." Starsky was salivating at the thought of the meal. "Just turkey with lettuce and tomato on whole wheat for me, oh and an iced tea." "OK, be right back with the drinks." "Well Starsk, how'd you do?" "I am now an employee of the On Time Cab Company, I start midnight tonight. How about you?" "Well I left my business card with the lovely Linda, she said I have to meet with a Bruce Gleason. Hopefully she will call me and tell me I can meet with him today." Huggy returned with the drinks. "Huggy, did you noise it around about the Minnesota connection?" Hutch asked. "I did better than noise it bro, I made a racket." "Great, Hug could you hurry the sandwich, I've got to get back to the hotel and wait for my phone call." "Yeah." Starsky groused. "I get the graveyard shift and he gets the Hilton." "Well buddy, that's what happens when you are the NY cabby type."

Hutch passed the time by watching television. There wasn't anything of interest on so he fell asleep. The phone woke him up. "Mr. Larson?" The sweet voice asked. "Yes, is this Linda?" The young lady was thrilled he remembered her name. "Mr. Gleason says you can come down and meet him here at 4:00." "That's great Linda, tell him I will see him then and I look forward to seeing you again." "Bye Mr. Larson." "Bye Linda." Hutch hung up the phone and looked at his watch. It was 3:30 already. He would have to hurry.

"Ben, I'm meeting John Larson at 4:00, do you want to meet him?" Bruce inquired. "No, I want to keep a low profile. You check him out. Do you think he's the guy we've heard about from Minnesota?" "Could be." "You bring him into the office with the two-way mirror. I'll observe your meeting. See what vibes I get from him." "Sounds good to me Ben."

Forrest and Gleason arrived at 4:00 sharp and entered the building through the rear entrance. Hutch was also on time; he came in the front door. Forrest headed directly to his vantage point behind the two-way mirror. "Hi Linda, is Mr. Gleason here?" Before she could answer, Gleason came out from the back, hand extended. "Pleased to meet you Mr. Larson." The two men shook. "Come with me, we will talk in my office."

"Please, have a seat, can I get you any coffee?" "No thank you." Hutch's attention was immediately drawn to the large ornate mirror. It looked out of place in the office. He figured he was being observed. He obviously got the attention of the top guy, he better make a good impression. Ben Forrest was leaning back in his chair on the other side of the mirror enjoying a cigarette. "So Mr. Larson, what can I do for you?" "Well Mr. Gleason maybe you should be asking what I could do for you?" Gleason smiled and raised his eyebrows. Hutch got his attention. He also got Forrest's.

Forrest leaned closer to the mirror. He had to get a good look at this guy, his voice sounded very familiar. At first glance though nothing looked familiar about him, well maybe his blond hair. It was long and he had a moustache and glasses. He needed a closer look. He called Bruce.

"Excuse me." He answered the phone. "Get him closer to the mirror, I need a better look." Bruce hesitated, how was he going to do that? Forrest didn't wait for a response, "Just do it." He ordered. Bruce got up and walked toward the mirror.

"So what can you do for me Mr. Larson?" "Well, I would like to expand my business out here on the West Coast." Hutch was hedging. Gleason stood next to the mirror. He noticed the cigarette lighter on his desk. He took out a cigarette. "Do you mind, getting me the lighter off the desk?" It was a feeble attempt to get Hutch to come over to the mirror. "Sure." Hutch knew why the request was made but he was willing to oblige. Let the boss see him. Maybe he would come out and speak with him. After all he knew Gleason was not the decision-maker.

Hutch brought the lighter over and for good measure he stood right in front of the mirror and adjusted his tie. Forrest stared right at him. He quickly made a mental picture, parted the blond hair, and removed the glasses and the moustache. It was him, Detective Sgt. Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson. Forrest could hardly believe his luck. This was too wonderful. "Welcome to my parlor, said the spider to the fly." Forrest said to himself and he let out an evil laugh.

FALL FROM GRACE - PART TWO

From his room on the other side of the mirror Forrest called his henchmen. Then he rang Bruce again. "Sorry." Bruce headed back to his desk to answer the phone. Hutch went back to his chair. "Don't say anything, just listen." Forrest instructed. "Mr. Larson is a cop. A cop named Hutch to be exact." Bruce took a deep breath and turned his chair away from Hutch, he was afraid of a facial expression giving something away. "I've called Chickie and Moose, they should be there in a few minutes. Just keep our friend talking." Forrest hung up the phone.

Bruce turned his attention back to Hutch. "I am so sorry about that Mr. Larson, it won't happen again." "No problem." "So, you were talking about expansion." Gleason took a long drag off his cigarette. "Yes, I have a small but lucrative operation in Minnesota, but I would like to expand my market." Bruce was distracted. He was talking in circles. "Yes, uh, did you want a cup of coffee?" Hutch's head tilted. He thought they had moved passed that part. "Well," He was cut off. "Excuse me again Mr. Larson. I think I need a cup of coffee, you sure you don't want any?" He had to talk to Forrest. Hutch sighed, "Yeah, I'll have a cup."

Bruce left the office and went in to see Forrest. "What are you doing here? I told you to keep him talking." "Don't worry, he's not going anywhere. You said he's Hutch, that's the cop you went away for, for roughing up." "Yes, but I did a lot more than rough him up, but the good stuff was covered up to protect the golden cop." "What do you mean? Are we gonna kill him?" "We're not going to kill him Bruce, we are going to take him on a trip, a trip down memory lane." Chickie and Moose arrived.

Hutch was getting a little uneasy. He turned around when he heard the door open. "You know, Gleason I could use that coffee now." His stomach turned into a knot when he saw Gleason enter with two mean looking goons. "What’s going on?" "I thought maybe you could tell me cop." Gleason said glaring at him.

Before Hutch could answer, Forrest stepped out from behind the trio and continued, "How are you doing Hutch, long time no see." Hutch froze and he was taken over by complete fear. He couldn't speak. His worst nightmare stood before him. "I guess you are surprised to see me." Hutch turned away from him. Forrest stood behind him and placed his hands on his trembling shoulders. "No need to be afraid Hutch. I'm the candy man remember? We're gonna have a real good time."

Forrest motioned to Chickie and Moose to bring Hutch into the side room. They forcedly pulled him up from the chair. "Tie him up, but leave an arm free. See you in a few minutes Hutch."

As soon as they left, Bruce had a few questions for Forrest. "I don't get it, Ben. What's your plan? Work him over? See if he'll tell us about any other cops that might be nosing around?" "No, no. Anyway our cop friend, isn't very good at giving up people's whereabouts, that is what got him into trouble in the first place." Bruce was even more confused when Ben pulled out the heroin set up and handed it to him. "What is this for, you want to overdose him?"

Forrest patted his bewildered associate on the cheek. "Bruce, no. Five years ago I had our blond friend strung out on horse. It took a few days but when it was all over he was 100% junkie. So you see this time around, we just have to give it to him a few times and one golden boy cop is 100% junkie again." "I don't know Ben. Maybe we should just burn him." "Don't you get it? A junkie cop is as good as a dead cop. He'll be finished. Once the police department finds out, he will take a fall so hard, he'll wish he'd been thrown off a building." They headed to the room where Hutch was being held.

"Well boss, you want me to start on his "pretty boy" face?" Chickie raised his fist to strike Hutch. "NO! I don't want a mark on him, well at least not on his face. Well Bruce, don't keep our guest waiting."

Bruce grabbed Hutch's left arm. Hutch pulled himself away from him with such force that he fell back hard against the unforgiving tile floor. His tormentors just laughed. Hutch knew that maneuver was futile but it felt good to do something. They pulled him up and pushed the chair against the wall. Hutch finally managed some words. "You know Forrest, you keep me too long and they are going to be looking for me." "Not to worry. You'll be out of here in a few hours. I just need to get you back on the horse, not take you for a ride."

Hutch turned his head away as Bruce tied the band around his arm and looked for a vein. Then he felt the needle prick him and within seconds he felt the drug taking effect. His head lolled around, he felt like he was in a free fall. Maybe this wasn't as bad as he remembered.

"Let's go boys, this will hold him for awhile. We'll give him some more later." "Then what boss?" Moose and Chickie didn't understand the reason behind this, but they trusted Forrest. "Then you guys will dump him and call the cops about a junkie disturbing the peace. Make sure you dump him out of the 9^th Precinct's jurisdiction, I don't want his partner finding him first."

It was close to 11:30 PM and Starsky was hoping that he would have heard something from Hutch. He called the hotel and his apartment but he wasn't at either location. Starsky didn't know what to make of the situation but he couldn't be late for his first night on the job. He was tired too. He should've taken a nap. But he wasn't tired until now. This was usually his bedtime. He would have to adjust his schedule tomorrow.

This shift certainly introduced him to colorful characters to say the least. And took him into some very "charming" neighborhoods. It was almost 3:00 am and Starsky was nodding out behind the wheel, he swerved over the double line and almost immediately a patrol car was behind him, lights flashing. They pulled him over.

"What's the problem officer?" Starsky said yawning. "Well sir, you seem to be weaving a bit, did you have anything to drink this evening?" "No sir, officer. I guess maybe I'm a little tired. But I'm headed for a coffee break right now." Starsky didn't want to have to show his badge, but if he couldn't charm his way out of this he would have to. "License and registration, please." Starsky produced both promptly.

"Hey Doug, we got a call about a disturbance around the corner, let's move it." The officer's partner called to him. The patrolman turned to his partner. "I'll be right there." Then he said to Starsky, "Well everything is in order, just get right to that coffee break." "Yes sir." Starsky made a left and headed to the diner. The patrol car sped off, lights flashing, in the opposite direction.

Hutch was dazed, confused and coming down from a high as he lay in the alley behind Al's Corner Bar. He heard the oncoming police car. He knew he'd better hide. He climbed into a Dumpster and listened as the cops walked the alley.

"I don't see anybody, Doug. If someone was here, they're gone now." Neither officer was about to search a Dumpster at 3:00 in the morning.

When Hutch was sure they were gone, he pulled himself out of the garbage. At this point though, he felt the garbage was where he belonged. He wasn't sure where he was. He went into the bar, just as it was about to close, and asked the bartender to call him a cab. "Buddy, just check outside, there is usually always a Metro cab parked in front." Hutch went outside and got into the cab. "Where to mister?" "1027 1/2 Ocean Ave." The driver observed Hutch through his rear view mirror and didn't like what he saw. "You all right?" Hutch replied weakly, "Yeah, just need to get home."

Hutch couldn't sleep. He watched the sun come up. He took a shower, maybe that would help. He stood in the shower; he hoped the hot water could make him clean again. He scrubbed his body, especially his left arm. Maybe he could wash the shame away. He scrubbed his left arm until he drew blood. He looked at the tiny needle marks; they looked like gaping holes to him. If he could have he would have cut his arm off. He wanted to remove the reminder of how they took control of his body. How they pushed the poison into he veins - against his will. He hated that he was powerless, powerless to stop them and powerless now to regain control of himself. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw a junkie.

Soon it would be 8:00 and he would have to call Dobey. What to tell him? He wasn't feeling too well now and he knew it was only going to get worse. But he would get through this on his own. He decided he would tell Dobey he was sick, the flu or something. How to keep Starsky away? That was a bigger problem. He never even considered telling him. No one could know. Hutch wasn't thinking clearly at all.

Starsky arrived home and fell onto his couch face first. He was exhausted. He'd catch a few Z's and call Hutch when he got up.

The phone rang. "Hello." Starsky answered not fully awake. "Starsky, this is Dobey." "Good morning Captain." "Good morning? Starsky it is 3:00 in the afternoon!" Now he was awake. "Oh really. I guess I was more tired than I thought." "Have you spoken to Hutchinson?" "Not since yesterday at lunch. Haven't you Captain?" "Yes he called this morning and said he was sick."

"Sick? Hmm, he was fine yesterday. He said he was trying to set up a meeting with a guy…" "Yes I know, a guy named Bruce Gleason. I asked him about that, practically had to pull it out of him. He says he has a meeting with him in a couple of days. Look Starsky, I don't like the way he sounded, you'd better get over to his place ASAP!" "Yes Captain, I will."

Hutch was in really bad shape. He needed a fix right now. He started to rationalize why he should get a fix. If he were in a hospital they would give him something. They don't make you go cold turkey there. Good thing he didn't call Starsky. Starsky would never give him any help. He would make him suffer just like Forrest made him suffer. Hutch decided it was definitely the right thing to do, just a little was all he needed.

He set out to get a fix, but it proved to be more difficult than he thought. All the dealers he knew, knew he was a cop and were afraid of a set up. He decided to go see Candy. She was a hooker that he had helped in the past. She liked him. She was his friend; she would help him.

"Candy, I need to get a fix." Hutch pleaded with her. "Hutch I don't understand, you need a fix?" "Yes, please." The desperate sound in his voice along with his pleading blue eyes made it impossible for her to refuse. "I don't have anything here Hutch." "Okay, you go get it and bring it to my place, 1027 1/2 Ocean Ave." He shoved $100.00 into her hand. "And here's a little extra for you." "Sure Hutch, I'll be at your place in about half an hour."

Hutch was furiously pacing his apartment. He was shaking and sweating. He needed that fix desperately.

FALL FROM GRACE - PART THREE

Starsky had tried calling Hutch's apartment but got no answer. "He's supposed to be sick, where the hell is he." He thought out loud to himself. He headed over to Hutch's place. He and Candy arrived there at the same time.

"Candy, what are you doing here?" Candy was agitated. "I'm here to see Hutch." "Okay, but why?" "Hutch asked me to come, he asked me to bring him something." "What?" Starsky looked at her in disbelief. She insisted. "He did. Ask him yourself if you don't believe me." "What did he want you to bring him?" "A fix." She said flatly, as if Starsky should have known. Starsky couldn't believe what he heard.

He brought her up the stairs and told her to make the delivery. He would stand out of sight, he had to see if she were telling the truth, though he couldn't come up with a logical reason why she would make up such a story. But he also couldn't fathom why Hutch would want a fix.

She knocked on the door. "Hutch it's me, Candy. I've got it." Hutch opened the door. "Thank you Candy, you don't know how much I appreciate this." Starsky couldn't believe what Hutch said. He was heartbroken.

He stepped into Hutch's apartment. "Candy you can give that to me." Starsky took the bag from her. Candy just shrugged her shoulders at Hutch and said, "I'm sorry." Starsky motioned for her to leave. Starsky was shocked to see the pitiful condition his partner was in. "Hutch, how, what happened?" Hutch couldn't look at Starsky. He was so ashamed. Starsky grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to look at him. "Hutch tell me what happened!"

He tried to pull away from his partner's searching eyes, but he didn't have the strength. "Hutch, come on, I want to help you." "Help me, if you really want to help me you'll give me the stuff!" "Can't do that pal." "Damn you Starsky! You don't know what it feels like. I cannot do this again. I CAN'T! HELP ME!" "I'm gonna help you." He pulled Hutch into him and the blonde broke into tears. "It's okay partner, I'm here now." Starsky led him to the couch.

"Please Hutch, tell me who did this to you." Although he was certain he already knew. Hutch was rocking back and forth, arms crossed across his aching stomach. Starsky kept a comforting arm around his shoulder. "Easy buddy." Hutch finally spoke. "It was Forrest. He's out of jail now." It made Starsky sick that scum like him only did four years for what he did to Hutch. "But how, where?" "I had the meeting with Gleason yesterday over at Crystal Cleaners. Forrest was there. He was observing the meeting through a two-way mirror." Starsky got the picture.

Hutch started shaking. "I don't feel well." He ran to the bathroom. "You okay in there?" He heard Hutch heaving. He didn't answer. "I know Hutch, it's gonna be hard, but you did it before, you can do it again." Starsky was fighting back tears.

When Hutch came out of the bathroom, Starsky led him back onto the couch. "Lay down." Hutch obeyed. Starsky covered him with a blanket. "Some nice hot coffee will help you, I'll put a pot on." "I don't want any damn coffee." Starsky picked up the phone. "Who are you calling?" "I've got to call Dobey." "Yeah, I guess you do."

Starsky told Dobey what happened. Dobey told him to take whatever time he needed to, to get Hutch back on his feet. He told his captain that he would be staying with the assignment and would be on his shift tonight. He was more determined than ever to get Forrest. It was very personal now.

"Alright Starsky. But I want you in my office first thing in the morning. We are going to have to meet with Lofton and tell him that Hutch went to meet with Gleason but saw Forrest. Of course we won't mention that Forrest saw him. We'll have to get someone else to take over for Hutch. We'll work out the details tomorrow."

"Captain, I need you to come over and be with Hutch tonight. I'm going to call Huggy, but I'm not sure he can handle Hutch alone." "He's that bad?" "Yes Captain, he is in bad shape." "Of course Starsky, I'll go home and take a nap and tell Edith I have to do another shift." "Thanks Captain." He hung up and immediately dialed Huggy's. "Who are you calling now?" "Huggy." Hutch didn't respond.

Huggy was devastated to hear what happened to his friend, again. "No problem Starsky, I'll be there within the hour." Thanks Hug, oh and bring candy bars." Starsky hung up the phone. Hutch got up from the couch and was pacing. Then he would sit on the couch and rock back and forth. Then he would be up pacing again. Starsky just kept a watchful eye on him. Hutch picked up his guitar. Starsky thought that was a good idea, maybe playing it would calm him down. Then he watched in horror as Hutch lifted it over his head to smash it onto the coffee table.

Starsky grabbed his arm just in the nick of time. "I don't think you want to do that." He took the guitar away. Hutch spat back at him, "Oh really, well you don't know what I want! Well I'll tell you. I want to die. Oh God. Starsky please help me!" Starsky handed Hutch a cup of coffee. "Drink it." Hutch took a small sip; he really had no desire for it. He fell back onto the couch. "Starsk, I tell ya one thing, I will never understand why anyone would take this poison voluntarily." Starsky sat next to him on the couch and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Huggy arrived. "Hey, Hutch. It's gonna be cool now, Huggy's here. I got some candy for you, guess you can call me the candy man." Starsky and he got the humor, but Hutch looked at Huggy like he had just called himself the devil himself. How was poor Huggy to know that Forrest called himself the candy man?

Hutch went into a rage. He grabbed the bag of candy and threw it with such force across the room that it broke open and the candy was everywhere. Then Hutch lunged at Huggy and grabbed him by the shirt. "Sure candy man, you gonna help me." He pushed Huggy aside and bolted for the door. Of course Starsky was right there. Hutch screamed at him. "Damn you. I hate you. You won't help me. You gonna tie me up too, friend. You are determined to keep me here, just like them." Starsky reached for him, but he pulled away. He collapsed onto the couch until another wave of nausea hit him.

Captain Dobey arrived at Hutch's apartment at 11:30. "You guys gonna be alright with him." Starsky hated to leave Hutch but he knew it was the right thing to do. "We'll be fine, me and the big guy here can handle Blondie. He looks like he's about ready to pass out anyway." "I'm not sure I can handle you." Dobey growled. Hutch was curled up in a ball on the couch. "Buddy, let me get you into bed." Hutch just nodded. He had to detour into the bathroom on the way. Starsky got him into bed and put a wastepaper basket next to the bed so he wouldn't have to keep getting up.

The worried detective called to check on his partner every hour. Huggy told him that Hutch had passed out by 2:00 and Dobey left at 3:00. Everything was under control, not to worry.

FALL FROM GRACE - PART FOUR

Starsky got to Dobey's office by 8:30. Lofton had already been briefed. Lofton greeted him. "Morning Starsky. Where is Hutchinson?" Starsky looked at Dobey, who answered the question, "Oh sorry I forgot, he called this morning, he is sick, he thinks it’s a 48 hour virus." Lofton accepted that.

"Well gentlemen," Lofton began, "Hutchinson knowing Forrest is a set back, but at least we got the identity of the head man. As for a replacement, I already have someone in mind that I think will do just fine. His name is Jorge Martinez." "Martinez?" Starsky was surprised by this choice. "He's a practically a rookie." "Precisely why he is a good. No one will know him. How's it going for you Starsky, anything yet?" "No sir, it is only my second day." "Yes, well I think if we set up Martinez's cover right, it will help you. He'll be from NY and he will know Dominic Russo." Starsky understood. Once Martinez was in with Forrest, that could get him in and vice versa.

After five days as a cabby, Starsky started to make some friends. Two in particular he figured to be couriers, Sam and Lloyd. He made it clear to them he needed money and was not shy about how he earned it. Martinez's cover was accepted quickly despite what happened with Hutch. Lofton was right, him being unknown was definitely good for the police. Also Forrest's greed helped, he had a lot of heroin he needed to move. And the first one with the cash was the winner. Martinez, a.k.a. Manny Fernandez, had a meeting set up with Forrest and Gleason.

A week was about all Starsky could stand of looking at his partner's empty desk. Dobey was not too pleased with the situation either, but he didn't want to pressure Hutch. Dobey called Starsky into his office.

"What's going on with Hutchinson?" "I don't know Captain, he won't talk to me. I can see he's hurting. He just keeps saying he's not ready to come in." "When do you think he'll be ready?" "Never, unless I make him, and I think its time to make him." "Starsky, maybe he needs professional counseling." "Maybe, but we can't get him any help until we get him out of his apartment. I think that once he gets back into the swing of things, he'll be his old self again." "I hope you are right Starsky, but one thing is for sure, if anyone can reach him, it's you."

Starsky entered Hutch's apartment to a familiar scene. Hutch laying on the couch in his pajamas watching television." "You know this stuff will rot your brain." Starsky said as he shut off the TV. "Hey I was watching that!" "Sure you were. Hutch don't you think it's time to get dressed and go to work. Remember work? Look buddy, it is time to get back to work. What about the case we're working on?" "You mean the case you're working on, I'm not on it anymore." "We have other cases. They need your attention. Have you forgotten you are a cop?" Hutch smirked at that remark. "Funny, I don't feel much like a cop these days, I think of myself more as a heroin addict." "WHAT? Starsky was incredulous. "Come on, you know that wasn't your fault!" "Yes, so you've told me. Well if it's not my fault, why is it such a big secret? No one can ever know the truth. Because the truth is I am a heroin addict. It not being my fault doesn't seem to matter, does it Starsky?"

Starsky couldn't answer that. But unfortunately that's just the way it was. Hutch was a victim, but how can you truly be a victim if no one can know about the crime? A lot of cops get medals pinned on them when they are victims in the line of duty. Hutch suffered in the line of duty, but he had to hide his scars. Shame was his badge these days.

"I know Hutch. But that's just the way it is. In a perfect world you could tell your story and it would all be okay. But you know as well as I do, this ain't a perfect world." "Starsk, I feel like I have fallen so far down that when I look up I can't see the bottom. I am in a very dark place now." "And you think going to IA will change that, make it better?" "Maybe, I don't know." "Well all I know partner is I am not willing to place your future into the hands of the likes of Simonetti and Dryden. Are you?"

"I don't know." Hutch sighed. "Hutch, whatever you decide, I am with you all the way. But I think you need to get back to work. You can put this behind you. You did it before." Hutch looked at him. "Yeah I guess so. But Starsk, God, I bought some stuff. If you hadn't shown up… Oh God!" Hutch tried to chase the awful memories from his mind. The look on his face gave Starsky pause, had Hutch ever really gotten over Forrest's first assault?

"Hutch, you're only human. I don't remember seeing a red cape in your closet. That is why heroin is a controlled dangerous substance, it is a narcotic. You're body doesn't know how it got in there, it just knows it did. And it became addicted. But you fought back and you won." "I'm not looking for pity, Starsk." "I know that." Starsky assured him. Hutch continued his words strained, "Starsk sometimes I feel like, I can't fight, that I will give in. I've used up all my strength." Starsky just looked at him. "No way, you have only used up half, I have the other half right here." Starsky patted his chest. "You are not alone in this fight, never ever alone."

Hutch was grateful for Starsky's unconditional love and friendship. He gave Starsky a half smile but his face still showed fear. "What if the day comes that the secret is out. Then what Starsk?" "You can't think that way, it won't happen." "I wish I could be as confident as you." "One day at a time, and I'll be with you every step of the way. The fastest way back up the ladder is one rung at a time." "You know Starsky you would make a great football coach, you give a great pep talk." Hutch headed for the bedroom. "Where you going?" "I'm going to get dressed, I gotta go to work." Starsky smiled, he had climbed the first rung.

Martinez's meeting with Gleason and Forrest went very well. Forrest and Gleason brought him down to see the merchandise. Sam and Lloyd were there to pick up some goods to be delivered that night.

"Mr. Forrest, we have a new guy that is interested in making some cash. We think he would be a safe bet to move some stuff." Sam offered. "You checked him out, you sure about him?" "Yeah, he's from NY, Dom Russo is his name." Martinez jumped in. "Dominick Russo?" "Yeah, that's him." "I know Dominick from way back. He is a very reliable person. I had no idea he was on the West Coast. You know I would like him to move my merchandise east." Forrest was pleased to hear this. "Then we have a deal Manny?" "I would say so." The two men shook on it. They set up the buy for tomorrow night. Martinez left.

"Crystal Dry Cleaners." Linda cheerfully answered the phone. "Linda, this is Mrs. Gleason, I must speak to my husband immediately, it is an emergency!" Linda knew he didn't want to be disturbed, but this was his wife and although every time she called it was a dire emergency, Linda wasn't about to take any chances. "Ok, hold on Mrs. Gleason, I'll see if I can find him." "Don't just see about it dearie, find him." Was the gruff reply. "Yes ma'am, hold on."

Unfortunately she found him. He and Forrest were in the middle of packing up some heroin for Sam and Lloyd to take with them. She saw too much. "Linda what are you doing here!" Gleason barked. "It's your wife sir, she is on the phone. She says it is an emergency." She was shaking. "Get going Bruce, she says it's an emergency." Bruce headed up the stairs.

Linda tried to leave but Forrest stopped her. "I really wish you hadn't come down here." He put his arm around her shoulder. Sam and Lloyd wanted to leave but they thought better of it. "I'm sorry Mr. Forrest, it won't happen again." "You got that right my dear." He snapped her neck as calmly as if he snapped a twig in his hands. "You two dispose of this." Sam and Lloyd wrapped the body in plastic and put it in the trunk of the cab. Forrest went upstairs and forwarded the calls to the answering service. He looked at Bruce. "Linda will no longer be working for us. We'll run an ad for a new counter girl tomorrow."

Dobey was glad to see Hutch back at work. The detectives did some paperwork and then decided to run down a few leads regarding a loan shark operation. "You know Starsky, you don't have to hold my hand. You do need to sleep sometime, you gotta drive that cab tonight." "I know, I'll get my forty winks before I have to start my shift." Let's just talk to these people and then grab a bite at Huggy's and then you can tuck me in, ok mom?" Hutch just nodded.

The leads really didn't give them any more information than they already had. As they were leaving the residential hotel of their last informant, Hutch noticed the junkie snitch, Benny, standing on the corner. He headed right towards him.

Benny greeted him. "Hiya Hutch." Hutch grabbed him and pushed him up against the Torino. "Assume the position Benny." "Hey man, what are you doing?" "Yeah, Hutch what are you doing?" Starsky was just as surprised as Benny. "I'm searching a known drug user in a known drug trafficking neighborhood, because I think I saw a weapon on his person." He reached into Benny's pocket. "Wait no, it's not a weapon, it's a gram of heroin. You are under arrest Benny boy, for possession of a controlled dangerous substance."

He read him his rights, cuffed him and put him in the back of the Torino. Benny pleaded, "Come on guys, just do what you've done before, you know take the stuff, but let me go. Please I can't go to jail. I'll die in there!" Hutch knew that look of terror all too well because he had seen it in his own mirror.

Starsky pulled Hutch aside. "Okay, so you want to bring him in?" Hutch nodded. "Fine Hutch, he goes to jail and goes cold turkey in there. You know that no one is gonna give a damn about him in jail. He isn't gonna get any help and when he gets out, he'll be right back here. Probably worse for the wear." "So we leave him here and let him keep killing himself?" "Hutch you know as well as me that if he really wanted to kick it, he'd tell us, we'd get him the help. We told him that a thousand times. And you know, if we bust him we lose our credibility with all our snitches. We need them Hutch, that is just another cold hard fact of life in this not so perfect world." Hutch got into the Torino.

"Hutch man please, let me go. You won't see me for awhile, I'm weaning myself off. I promise, please." Hutch just slammed the car door and yelled. "Shut up!" Starsky got in. "Zebra Three, Zebra Three there is a dead body in the alley behind Al's Corner Bar." Starsky picked up the receiver. "This is Zebra Three we are responding."

The detectives walked up to the patrolman on the scene. "What do you got?" Starsky asked. "A young woman, maybe 19 or 20, broken neck and wrapped in plastic." They walked over to the to have a look for themselves. Starsky pulled back the sheet. Hutch looked at her in horror. "Starsky, that's Linda Coleman, the counter girl at the Crystal Cleaners." You're sure?" "Yes!" "Okay, take it easy." "Starsky, Forrest killed her, I know it. Look at the plastic she's wrapped in, just like the kind you wrap dry cleaning in." He was trembling.

"Oh God it's my fault." Starsky guided him to the car. "It's my fault." He kept mumbling. "Hutch look at me, there is no way this is your fault." But Hutch was off someplace far away; Starsky's words could not reach him. One step forward, two steps back is what Starsky was afraid had happened.

They got back into the Torino and Benny began pleading his case again. Starsky had just pulled around the corner when Hutch ordered him to stop the car. He got out and pulled Benny out of the back seat. He took the handcuffs off. "Go on get out of here!" Benny froze for a second unsure of how to react to this change of heart. "I said get out of here, before I change my mind." Benny took off like a shot. Starsky just watched the scene in amazement.

FALL FROM GRACE - PART FIVE

"I'm not really hungry Starsk. I think maybe I'll just throw some darts." "Sure." Starsky went over to the bar. "Hey Huggy." "My main man Starsky, what can I get you?" "I'm not very hungry, a bowl of vegetable soup and a glass of milk will do it." "Soup and milk? Are you feeling all right Starsky?" He nodded.

"How's Blondie doing?" "I don't know Hug. This was his first day back at work. I though he was ready. I may have been wrong. He seems to be going through a much tougher time this time around." "What do you mean? It was pretty bad last time, I remember you telling me about the nightmares." "Yes he had those, but his behavior wasn't so irrational." "Well I don't know Starsk, it is still very recent history." "Yeah I guess." Starsky nodded.

Huggy continued, "I seem to remember some irrational behavior last time too." Huggy placed the soup in front of Starsky and poured him a large glass of milk. "Like what?" "Starsky don't you remember, he moved! He broke his lease and left that house by the canal. He loved that place. He liked the idea of no neighbors and the very quiet locale. And where does he go? Venice Place, above the restaurant on a very busy road. It was odd to say the least." "He said he wanted the greenhouse." "Starsky he could've had a greenhouse and a garden at the canal house." "I guess you're right Huggy. I think the move may have had to do with getting rid of ghosts. He spent time with Jeanie there and he was grabbed there. Maybe he felt safer at Venice Place. We never talked about it. Maybe we should have talked more."

Starsky polished off his soup and milk. "I've got to get home and get some sleep before I hit the streets tonight." "Later bro." "Hey Hutch, I gotta get home, ya coming?" "No, I think I'll hang out here for awhile." "Hutch I'm driving remember?" "I know, I think I can get myself home thanks, ever heard of a cab?" "Ha Ha. See you in the morning?" "Yes, I'll be there."

Starsky was greeted by Sam and Lloyd and offered "the opportunity of a lifetime." "We got to make some deliveries tonight. You in Dom?" "Count me in." Starsky put a call into Dobey and told him where all the drops were going to be. Starsky would be busted tonight, but it was all in the line of duty. Sam and Lloyd were very unhappy to say the least when they were busted. Starsky's "bail was posted by Martinez. Sam and Lloyd wouldn't be so lucky.

One night in jail was enough to get these guys pleading for a deal. Sam spoke up. "How would you cops like to close the book on a murder?" "What do you got?" Dobey was very interested. "The counter girl at Crystal Dry Cleaners, I think her name was Linda." "Yes, who killed her?" "No, first do me and Lloyd have a deal, drop all the charges and will we testify."

Dobey looked at the DA, Paul Klein. He called him over for a conference. "I don't know Harold. They are looking at a drug trafficking charge." "Yeah, so, this is their first arrest. How much time they actually gonna do? If my men are right, these guys will finger Ben Forrest. Now Paul, whose head would you rather have mounted on your wall?"

Klein turned to the men. "Deal. Now talk." "It was Ben Forrest. He snapped her neck right in front of us." "And what did you upstanding citizens do?" "What could we do? That man is a mean SOB. I think he has ice water in his veins. He told us to dump the body so we did." The first nail in Forrest's coffin.

Starsky strolled into the station at about 11:00 am. "What happened to you?" Hutch asked. "I got busted last night." Starsky said with a smile. "Good for you." "Yes very good."

"Starsky, Hutchinson in my office please." "He said please." Starsky mused. The two detectives joined Martinez and Lofton in Dobey's office. Martinez spoke. "We are all set for tonight. Starsky will be in there with me as my courier." "I don't like that it is only the two of you on the inside." Dobey replied. "Well Captain that's the way it has to be." "Yes, well we have a dozen uniforms ready to go and of course myself and Lofton and Hutchinson." Dobey reassured himself. "Great, see you gentlemen tonight." Martinez and Lofton left.

"Um Captain, I won't be there." Starsky and Dobey both responded at the same time. "WHAT!?" "You know Hutch, I can order you to be there." "Yes you can. But I still won't be there." "Captain could you please excuse us. I need to talk to my partner alone right now." "Of course Starsky." Dobey left his office.

"Hutch what's the matter with you? We bring down Forrest tonight. And I need you for back-up." "Starsky, you don't need me, you'll have over a dozen cops backing you up." "Hutch a dozen cops are not my partner. I wouldn't trust my life with a dozen cops; I would only trust it with you. Come on, Hutch, who do we trust?" "I know, like always, us, but I'm afraid Starsk and I'm afraid that fear will cause me to make a mistake. I can't risk it. I can't risk your life."

"I'm willing to risk it, because I know you would never let me down." "Not intentionally Starsky, but I just don't trust myself." "Well I do Hutch." "I don't know, Forrest is a nightmare that I don't think I can face again." "Hutch we got him for Linda's murder." "What?" "Yeah, you were right. Sam and Lloyd saw the whole thing and they are going to testify in exchange for immunity." "I just don't know. Maybe, no, I don't know, I can't make any promises." Hutch left the office.

FALL FROM GRACE - PART SIX

Starsky and Martinez received their final instructions and were wired for sound. Martinez also got a briefcase with $100,000 in it. Starsky got a make over because Forrest did know what he looked like. He checked himself out in the mirror. He didn't even recognize himself. No way Forrest would.

"No sign of Hutchinson?" Dobey asked. "No Captain. I called his place, no answer. But I think he'll show." They headed for the meeting.

Forrest had his men packing the heroin and loading it onto a truck. "Everything in order, Forrest?" "I believe so Fernandez. Your merchandise is almost completely loaded. Now can I see my cash?" "Certainly. I'm sure you want to count it, but it is all there." As Forrest took the briefcase, Martinez told him that he was under arrest. Forrest shoved it back into him and he fell onto the floor. Starsky had positioned himself well and was able to take cover quickly, "Drop your weapons." He ordered Chickie and Moose. The backup ran in through the loading dock. The other five, which included Bruce Gleason, surrendered immediately.

Forrest was nowhere to be found. He had bolted out the side door. He didn't get very far. "Don't move Forrest, don't even breathe." He was staring down the barrel of Hutch's magnum. Starsky came out and saw that his partner had the situation well in hand. He stood back and let Hutch handle it.

"Up against the wall, spread 'em!" Hutch ordered as he disarmed him. "Hutch, how's my favorite junkie doing?" "Well Forrest, I don't think I am going to be your favorite anything after tonight. Tonight you are taking a fall. You are looking at 20 years for drug trafficking and add that too the 25 years to life for the murder of Linda Coleman, well I hope you like prison gray." Hutch cuffed him and he spun him around so they were face to face. "I am your nightmare, Ben. You can't beat me. I win." Hutch read him his rights. A uniformed officer approached them. "Get him out of my sight." Hutch handed him over.

"Glad you could make it partner." Starsky said smiling. "Me too. Nice look, Starsk." Starsky had on a blond curly wig, moustache and beard. "Yeah, I think I look good as a blonde." "Oh yeah, definitely you look like you could've been born blond." Starsky's dark chest hair was showing. "Just as long as you wear turtlenecks." They both laughed. Dobey ran up to them. "Great work men. I'm very glad you made it Hutchinson." "Just doing my job Captain. I am a cop after all."

FALL FROM GRACE - CONCLUSION

It was one of those days at the station where Starsky and Hutch thought the paper work would never end. Hutch thought he would never be able to straighten his fingers, he had been typing so much.

"I want every report complete and on my desk by the end of the day!" Dobey ordered. He was munching on a sandwich that Starsky was looking at longingly. "What are you looking at Starsky." "Oh nothing Captain. I guess I'm just a little hungry." "You'll eat when these reports are finished! And not a second sooner!" "Yes sir Captain."

Hutch leaned back in his chair and flexed his fingers just to be sure the blood was still circulating. His phone rang. "Hutchinson." "Hi Hutch. It's me Benny. You told me to call, well when I was ready. Well I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be." "Sure Benny. Where are you?" "I'm home." "I'll be right there Benny." Hutch hung up the phone.

He got up from his chair and grabbed his jacket. "Where you going?" Starsky asked. "Benny called. He wants to get help. I told him I'd take him…" "Want me to come with you?" Hutch just gave him that "You gotta ask" look. Starsky grabbed his jacket and they headed for the door.

"And just where do you two think you are going!" Dobey bellowed. "Well Captain, something suddenly came up. Hutch and I won't be long." With that that said they were gone. "Starsky, Hutchinson!" Dobey knew it was useless, but he had to look like he was in command.

Benny was waiting in front of the building. He was shaking and sweating. "Hey Benny. Come on." Hutch picked up his valise and took him by the arm and helped him into the Torino. "Hiya Benny. How's it going?" Starsky asked softly. "Scared, man." "It will be okay Benny. You are doing the right thing." Hutch assured him. They drove in silence to the Angels of Mercy House. It was a non-profit rehab run by the Catholic Church.

Hutch sat with Benny while Starsky got all the necessary paperwork. "Benny, you just have this short form to fill out and then they can take you to your room." Starsky handed Benny the clipboard with the paper. He was shaking so badly now though, he couldn't even hold the pen. Hutch took it from him. "You dictate, I'll fill it out." Starsky brought the completed form back up to the front desk.

A grandmotherly looking nurse came to bring Benny to his room. He froze, unable to take a step. He looked to Hutch. "Benny it will be all right. You are not alone. These good people are here for you. I'm not telling you it will be easy. God knows, it won't be. A wise man once told me, the fastest way up the ladder is one rung at a time. Well Benny you have climbed the first rung." Benny didn't know why, but he felt he could trust Hutch, that he understood. Benny smiled. "Thanks guys." "You can do it Benny." Starsky gave him a pat on the back.

The two detectives left the rehab center. "So Hutch, I hear a very wise man once told you that the fastest way up the ladder is one rung at a time?" Starsky teased. Hutch replied, "I said wise, not very wise and uh, don't let it go to your head. It's just a figure of speech."

"Perish the thought." Starsky said with a lopsided grin.

"Hey Starsk, you hungry?" But before Starsky could answer, Hutch held up his hand. "That was a rhetorical question. What do you say we head to Huggy's for some food."

"Dobey is going to blow a gasket."

"Wouldn't be the first time." Hutch started to sprint towards the car. "My treat!" He called back to his partner.

"Now you're talking." Starsky stopped a moment. He was struck by the way Hutch's hair glimmered in the sunlight. The White Knight. After all he had been through, he still came out shining.

"Come on Starsk, we take too long and Dobey will put an APB out on us."

As Starsky got into the car the call came in. "Zebra Three, Zebra Three. This is Dobey. Where the hell are you guys!" Dobey screamed.

Hutch picked up the receiver, "This is Zebra Three, we are picking up a lot of static on our end, we can't read you over."

"Hutchinson, Starsky!" Dobey knew it was useless, but he had to sound like he was in command.

They both laughed. Starsky put the Torino into gear and sped off to Huggy's.

Back to Kerry OK's Page

Home