CHAPTER 2

    Starsky rushed to the phone bursting with excitement as he dialed the number quickly. Finally with a ray of hope in his heart that her torment might soon be over. If Dr. Hall was as good as her reputation had suggested…Cassie might soon be able to get back to a normal life again.
    Hutch had taken his shower and slipped into his pajama bottoms and was now resting comfortably in his bed with his head propped against a pillow on the headboard, eating an apple and reading his latest purchase from the bookstore across the street from the station. The title had intrigued him.
    He was startled by the sound as it broke the silence in the room  suddenly. He was engulfed in what he was reading…and hadn’t expected anyone to call. Reaching over with his right hand, Hutch gripped the receiver and pulled it to his ear.
    “Hello?” He said curiously as he placed the receiver on his neck and cocked his head to the side to keep it in place.
    “Hutch…good news!” Starsky said with enthusiasm and a huge grin. “She’s gonna go…I’ll call tomorrow and set the appointment.”
    “She agreed…Just like that?” Hutch asked with concern as he took a bite of his apple.
    The last time the subject was raised she had made it crystal clear to them both that she didn’t want to be treated like a mental patient.
    “Well…not at first. But after she had time to calm down and think about it…she gave in.” he told him. “She’s hurting Hutch…I just want it to end.”
    “I know.” Hutch said in a soft voice . “Me too.”
    “Hey…”
    “Yeah?”
    “Thanks…”
    “For what?” Hutch asked curiously. He hadn’t done anything.
    “For being there…for me and for Cassie…ya know?”
    “Hey…I’m just doing my job partner…keeping your head straight so you can be there to cover my ass on the streets.” Hutch told him with a small chuckle as he took a small bite from his apple.
    “That’s a BIG job.” Starsky replied laughing a little himself.
    With that Hutch released a laugh which was abruptly muffled as the piece of fruit he had in his mouth was sucked down into his windpipe. It wedged itself in tight and plugged his airway like a cork.
    Starsky heard the strange noise and then the silence as Hutch grabbed hold of his throat attempting to pull in a breath. His face turned red and his eyes grew large as panic gripped his body. The sudden rush of adrelaline caused his mind to race…
    (Starsky was on the phone…but he couldn’t speak…)
    (There was no one else around to help him...)
    (He could die in a matter of just a few short minutes without oxygen…)
    His heart pounded wildly as he gripped his throat with both hands now trying everything he could think of to dislogue the apple from his windpipe with no success.
    He glanced down at the phone that lay beside him on the bed where he had dropped it as he continued to use both hands to push on his throat at the offending object.
    Now on the verge of passing out he grabbed the receiver and pounded it against the top of his bedside table.
    Until he couldn’t lift it anymore…
    Until it fell from his lifeless hand and hung from the cord just about an inch from the floor….

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  Chapter 3
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