(ACFS - What if?) - Part 1
"WHEN THE DAY IS LONG - AND THE NIGHT,
THE NIGHT IS YOURS ALONE,
WHEN YOU'RE SURE YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH,
HANG ON - HOLD ON."
R.E.M.
Vic Bellamy had a job to do, one he was getting paid a lot of money to carry out. He was being paid by one crazy professor to make sure that Starsky and Hutch suffered before their immanent deaths. It was an opportunity for him that he could not pass up. He wanted revenge on two particular detectives that had made his life hell and getting paid for revenge was almost too good to be true. He was on a mission and was not going to be stopped. After both were dead, he would collect his money, ditch his irritating girlfriend and leave the country. His first stop would be at the apartment of one David Michael Starsky, Detective Sergeant First Class. (Scum - deserves what he's got coming to him…first Starsky, then his pig partner Hutchinson.)
Bellamy was given strict instructions on how the game was to be played. First Starksy, then Hutchinson. He was to give Starsky an injection of death in the early am hours after having someone else slip him a drug that would limit his movement, not cause him to lose consciousness, that wouldn't be fun. He was to suffer and know that he was going to die.
The temporary drug was to be dispensed into Starsky's beer at a new disco the two inseparable detectives found. Both were having a good time and liked the new place, lots of pretty ladies and loud music. The Silo was a happening place, sound stage set up to hold the town's largest bands, waitresses in skimpy t-shirts. No one would even notice, the place was jumping with all sorts of clientele, people packed in like sardines, pushing and shoving to get to the bar - all in fun of course. Bellamy used the money the professor gave him in advance and instructed a young corner prostitute that she was to inconspicuously pour a couple drops of the small vial's contents into a beer that would be ordered by Detective Starsky. Bellamy was prepared. He had a picture of both Starsky and Hutch and had her study the pictures so there would be no room for error.
Stella, the prostitute, did not know what the vial contained, but she was in bad need of a fix and would do anything for the money to feed her habit. She paid the cover charge and entered the Silo. She found her target and waited for him to order his next beer. Acting as a waitress, she handed the good looking, dark haired man his drink.
"Thanks shweethart, come to this place often?"
"Starsky - that's the oldest line in the book, I can see we need to have a talk partner, I can teach you few things."
"Well, maybe we ain't been reading the same books blondie. I kinda like that line and it usually works."
Hutch smiled at his partner, shaking his head. "Hey Starsky, that girl over there - two tables over - she's been looking your way for a while now. She's not bad, why don't you ask her to dance - 'shweethart'?
"I just might 'blue eyes', she probably comes here often."
Both laughed as Starsky got up, exhibiting his best stroll, and went over for his pick up.
Hutch was not much of a dancer. He enjoyed watching his partner have fun dancing, and even had more fun watching him trying to pick up girls. He sat back against the small uncomfortable chair. Thirsty, he took a swig of his beer, deciding it tasted pretty good, drank til the glass was empty.
Stella panicked as she watched the blond down the entire beer, the beer
that was meant for the dark haired guy. She realized she first blew
it when she accidentally dumped the entire contents of the vial into the
drink instead of only the couple drops she was instructed.
(Shit, that maniac out there's gonna kill me when he finds out I messed
up, but he's not getting his money
back.) Stella panicked and scored quickly, just incase the crazed
man wanted his money back.
Bellamy found Stella out behind the Silo, sitting next to the dumpster. He realized that she already spent her earnings and got the fix she needed. She was floating when he got to her.
"Hey bitch, what are you doing back here? You were supposed to come and get me when you were finished." Bellamy was furious.
"Sorry mister." Stella was beyond even being able to lie at this point. "The cute blond one drank his friends beer - all of it." They sure are cute, why'd ya want to hurt them?"
"None of your business slut." Bellamy grabbed for the vial Stella still held in her hand and nearly went ballistic. "What the hell! I told you a couple drops! Not the whole damn thing!"
Stella had passed out before Bellamy could finish his tirade. He had to think of something quick, knowing the numbing drug would not take long to work. He was supposed to kill them both anyway, why not take out Hutchinson first.
---
Hutch watched Starsky putting on the moves and having a good time out on the dance floor. His vision was starting to blur and he was feeling sick. He headed for the bathroom quickly.
Bellamy had waited for this moment. He had gotten into the bathroom through the window and waited for Hutchinson.
Hutch was already fading, having trouble breathing and retching when the masked man grabbed him, pinning him to the floor with a heavy knee to the chest, and gave him the shot.
"You've got 24 hours to live pig - count um - 24"
Hutch could only stare in horror. He tried to move but that had become impossible now too. (Starsky - help - I need ----)
---
When Starsky did not find his partner at the table, he figured he went to the bathroom, but after 20 minutes without a sign of his friend, he went looking.
"Hutch! God Hutch! What happened buddy? Wake up for me okay?" Starsky gently shook the unconscious blond and screamed for someone to call an ambulance. "It's okay buddy, I'm right here. Help is on the way. You stay with me you hear? Don't go anywhere on me - stay with me buddy." He now held his friend in the crook of his arms, rocking him slowly.
Three hours, and the beginning of an ulcer later, the ER doctor came to speak with Starsky. If the look on his face was any sign of how Hutch was - it was not gonna be good news.
"How is he doc? What happened to him? Is he gonna be all right?"
"You're Detective Starsky?"
"Yeah, please tell me what's going on."
"You're friend has been poisoned. We're not sure of the exact ingredients, but the one we are sure of is highly fatal. Detective Starsky, you're friend is dying. If we knew the exact makeup of the poison, we could possibly reverse the effects, but we don't."
"But - I - I don't understand. Can't you do some tests to find out what was in the compound? You gotta be able to do something!!! Help him damn-it! You can't let him die."
"Detective, we'll do everything we can to keep him comfortable. Is there anyone you'd like us to call for you?" Starsky went pale.
"No, I want to see my partner now."
"Of course, follow me."
Starsky entered the trauma room in the ER and made his way to Hutch's side. Hutch's eyes were closed and he looked so pale and fragile. He took his friends hand and brushed the blond hair off of Hutch's forehead.
"Starsk."
There eyes met, holding the stare as if communicating without words. Both knew of Hutch's fate - both knew his time was very limited.
"Starsk, I'm sorry." A tear trickled from the corner of Hutch's eye.
"Hey--- nothing to be sorry for partner. You didn't do anything wrong."
"I screwed up Starsk. I should have came and got you - I didn't know I was drugged. Thought I just drank too much."
"It's okay Hutch - try to relax." Starsky tried to keep Hutch calm, seeing that any exertion at all was making things worse for his friend. He talked soothingly and kept stroking Hutch's hair back.
"I'm gonna die Starsk. I'm gonna die - and I'm not ready." The tears were falling freely now for both men.
"You're not gonna die Hutch. I won't let you. I'll find out who did this and what was in the shot - you're gonna be okay. I need you to tell me everything you remember - can you do that for me buddy?"
"It's not much Starsk. My vision got blurry and I felt sick. Went to the bathroom and was jumped by a big guy wearing a mask. I couldn't go after him - I couldn't move!"
"Shh - its okay buddy. Did you recognize the voice? Did he say anything?"
"He had a really mean laugh - told me I was gonna die - 24 hours.
What time is it now Starsk? How much time ---"
"DON'T LET YOURSELF GO,
CAUSE EVERYBODY CRIES,
EVERYBODY HURTS,
SOMETIMES…"
R.E.M.