Hutch entered the squad room and glanced around for Starsky, but saw no sign of his partner. Disappointed, Hutch picked up his coffee mug and was pouring a cup when Dobey opened his door and bellowed, “Hutchinson, my office—now!”
Hutch nodded, finished pouring his coffee and followed Dobey into his office. Accustomed to Dobey’s blustering, Hutch figured he was going to get the third degree about Starsky’s whereabouts. Although his partner routinely showed up late, the captain always felt the need to fuss about it to Hutch.
Hutch dropped into the closest chair and waited for the interrogation to begin. Dobey flicked a piece of paper across the desk at Hutch. “What the hell’s the meaning of this?” Hutch picked up the form and started reading, but not fast enough to suit Dobey.
“I found this on my desk when I got here at 6:30 this morning. Starsky’s asking to be reassigned to a different partner. And if that’s not possible, a transfer to a different precinct. Now, do you want to tell me what’s going on, or do I put out an APB on that hot-headed partner of yours, throw your butts in the slammer and let you settle your differences!”
Hutch was stunned. This was Starsky’s idea of a joke! He slowly lifted his eyes to meet Dobey’s but saw no gleam of mischief to add credence to the “joke” idea. “Look, Cap’n, it’s a long story. Starsk is just pissed right now. He’ll get over it. You know he’s not serious.”
“Well, in case you haven’t noticed, Hutchinson, we’ve got a rapist on the rampage here and you two are supposed to be solving this case before another woman is attacked. Now, I suggest you get out there and locate your partner and get your asses in gear and do it!”
“Right,” Hutch said. “Uh, Cap’n. Since this letter was on your desk when you arrived, do you have any idea where he could be this early? You know, it’s really not his style to start work before 9 or 10 in the morning.”
“Last time I looked, Hutchinson, you were the detective. I’m sure you can at least track down your own partner.” Dobey’s acrid response left no doubt in Hutch’s mind about his mood.
š ›
The call came in while Hutch was on the telephone with Huggy. Another rape, but this time it had ended in murder. Hutch decided he’d have to postpone his search for Starsky. He needed to get to the crime scene pronto, before any of the evidence could be disturbed. Maybe Starsk would already be there, if he was in Zebra Three and overheard the call.
š ›
Hutch steered the Hutchmobile, red bubble flashing, up as close as he could get to the crime scene. Apparently, the victim had been discovered by a sanitation worker who was collecting garbage from a dumpster behind a bar on Madison Street, only three blocks east of Sunset Hotel. Hutch flashed his badge and made his way through the crowd. The corpse was already loaded into the ambulance when he arrived, and the lab team was winding up.
Hutch located Jack Pierson, who had been the first cop on the scene, to get a run down of what they knew so far. As Hutch began the routine questioning, Jack gave him a strange look. “I already gave all this to your partner, Hutch. Do I have to go through it again, or can’t you guys just use the report I gave to him?”
Somewhat surprised, but not wanting to let on that he was unaware of Starsky’s whereabouts, nor that he had already been to the crime scene, Hutch replied, “Sure Jack. I just wondered if you remembered anything else after he left.”
“Not really, but I think the guy reached some sort of turning point last night. The victim was not only raped, she was mutilated. He finished her off by putting the gun in her mouth. We’ll probably have trouble identifying her.”
Hutch felt his stomach churn at the description of what the victim had endured. He thanked the police officer and made his way back to the car, determined to find Starsky and get things straightened out. They needed to put their personal feelings aside and get this psycho off the street.
š ›
Starsky sat at the bar drinking a beer and talking to Huggy about the murdered rape victim. “Hug, we know who the creep is and can’t find him. He’s gone underground. I spent the whole damn day talkin’ to every snitch on the streets. No body knows nothin’ or else they just ain’t talkin.”
“I hear you, man,” Huggy leaned closer, “He’s one scary dude. By the way, where’s the other half of the team?”
“No clue,” Starsky mumbled into his glass as he took another swig of beer.
“Yeah, well, he called here twice today looking for you. I mean, aren’t you two supposed to be partners, as in, ‘work together on the case until it’s solved’? Seems like a little team work might be cool about now.”
“Not anymore, my friend. I put in my request to Dobey for a new partner. Until it comes through, I’m gonna fly solo.” Huggy looked past the brooding face at the bar to see Hutch enter, his eyes sweeping the room before coming to rest on his partner.
Hutch made a beeline for the bar and pulled up a seat next to Starsky.
“Where’ve you been all day, partner?” Hutch asked, as he signaled Huggy to pour him a beer too. “We’ve got a case to solve, you know.”
Starsky didn’t bother to look up. “Been doin’ my job. Been lookin’ for Puchelli.”
“Starsk, why didn’t you wait for me at the crime scene?” Hutch leaned his head closer to Starsky’s. “I felt like a damn fool interrogating Pierce after he’d already given his report to you.”
“Sorry” Starsky replied, without a grain of remorse. He had had the entire day to think about his feelings toward Hutch. He knew he still loved the guy and would lay his life down for him, but right now, he needed distance—the more the better.
Just about everybody in Starsky’s life, up until Hutch came along, had been a disappointment. Now, his best friend had let him down too. Maybe they would get through this—maybe they wouldn’t. Right now, it was just too painful to talk about.
“We’ve got to put our heads together on this, Starsk. We’ve got to catch this son-of-a-bitch.”
“Fine,” Starsky said, not even glancing at Hutch. “I’ll give you a copy of my report when I get it typed up.”
“Not good enough,” Hutch said, his patience wearing thin, but struggling to keep his temper in check. He laid his hand on Starsky’s shoulder. “Starsk…” he began.
Starsky shrugged off his partner’s hand. “Hutch, didn’t Dobey tell you I’ve requested another partner? In the meantime, I’ll keep you posted on any progress I make.”
“Starsky, I want to talk—you know, talk about what’s going on with Kira and me,” Hutch lowered his voice, “Can we talk somewhere a little more private, buddy?”
“Nothin’ to talk about. You were right—I was wrong. Kira prefers you over me. I hope you’re both very happy.”
“Starsk, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. I mean, about
Kira and me—”
Starsky turned and looked Hutch straight in the eyes. “Look, don’t you get it? Kira doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is, I can’t trust you no more, Hutch. You know how that makes me feel? Huh?” The cerulean blue eyes mirrored the pain in his voice.
“I can’t be your partner, if I can’t trust you!” With that, Starsky slid from the stool, dropped some cash on the bar and quietly left, leaving a speechless Hutch in his wake.
Huggy looked on in amazement. He never would have believed anything could come between these two. But it looked like a woman finally had.