CHAPTER 13

Starsky and Hutch emerged from the restroom and Hutch retrieved a couple cups of coffee from a nearby vending machine while Starsky took a seat in one of the chairs in the crowded waiting area. After about twenty minutes…the Doctor stepped back through the double doors to speak to them…

“We’ve moved her to room 215 in the pediatrics section of the Hospital. It was the only room we had available.” The Doctor said as they moved closer to him in the corridor…so they could speak more privately.

“Can we see her?” Starsky asked eagerly.

“Yes…but first I’d like to go over some of our findings with you.” The Doctor told them.

“Ok…so what can you tell us?” Hutch asked softly.

“We discovered a large amount of PCP in her system. On the street I believe it’s more commonly referred to as angel dust. We gave her something to counteract some of the effects, but it will have to work it’s way out of her system…that will take a few hours yet.” He explained to them.

“What about the samples? You have any results yet?” Starsky asked trying to sound like a cop, but the look of a worried parent was evident on his face.

“We’ve recovered semen…skin tissue from under her nails…and blood that I suspect belongs to her since it was found on her inner thigh. I feel confident that we will have more than enough tangible evidence for you to take to trial.”

“What about her bruises.” Hutch questioned him.

“The x-rays show a hairline fracture of the pelvis…but that should heal in a month or so…the marks on her face will fade with time. There’s no evidence of any permanent physical damage.”

“Can you take us to her?” Starsky prompted.

“One more thing…” The Doctor added. “DNA tests will tell us how many different semen specimens we have collected. The results will also identify her attackers beyond any doubt. That at least is good news.” Then he motioned to them with his hand. “Follow me…”

He led them towards the elevator and up one flight to the second floor. There were pictures of clowns, circus animals and ainbows covering the walls and the nurses all wore brightly colored uniforms with animals on them as well. Starsky knew that Cassie would feel out of place here. She hated to be treated like a little kid. He decided at that moment to request a different room for her as soon as one was available.

They followed the Doctor down the long hallway to room 215. There was a picture of a large circus Bear standing on his head and balancing a multi-colored ball between his two feet painted on her door.. It was cute…but it wasn’t Cassie.

“I’ll leave you alone with her. Don’t be surprised if she isn’t very alert. She’s still under the influence of the drug.” The Doctor said and then turned to walk away.  Hutch pushed open the door and walked in quietly as Starsky followed closely behind. She was lying flat on her back with her eyes open, staring aimlessly into space.

Hutch walked up to her slowly and placed his hand gently on her face as he spoke…

“Cas…it’s Hutch…can you look at me?” He said softly and waited for a response. But there was none.

Starsky moved closer and stood next to his partner so she could see him…but she didn’t turn her head…or even acknowledge him.

He bent down close to her face in front of her eyes so she was forced to look at him. Her face was bruised so badly that it made his heart ache. Her pretty features were covered with red and blue splotches…and her nose and eyelids were slightly swollen. She focused in on his face at the same moment he began to speak…

“Cassie…I’m here baby…” He said softly as he watched her expression change suddenly. Her eyes grew wide and her lips trembled. She was completely terrified!

He tried to touch her face as Hutch had done just a moment before but she flinched and pulled herself away from him with a look of panic on her face.

“Cassie…it’s me…it’s Davey.” He said as he made another attempt.  “You’re safe now.”

Tears filled her eyes as she kept them focused on his. Fear gripped her mind and her whole body began to tremble.

“GO AWAY..!!” She yelled at him as her tears fell down the side of her face.

“Cas…What the?”

“LEAVE ME ALONE…..JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!”

Hutch grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away from her gently. He was in shock at her reaction to him. What had he done? Why was she acting this way?

“Cassie…calm down now honey…it’s all right.” Hutch said as he reached again to touch her face and she turned her head to finally acknowledge him.

“Hutch…” She sobbed as she reached her arms up to hug him tightly. “Make him go away…please…make him go away.”

Starsky was astonished.

(Why reach out to Hutch?)

(Why not embrace me?)

 All he wanted at that moment was to be Hutch, to feel her arms around him.

He needed to hold her even more than she needed to be held. The picture was all wrong.

(It should be me she needs…not Hutch.)

Hutch held her as her tears fell onto his shirt collar. He rocked her back and forth as he stroked her hair and uttered the same soothing sound again and again…

“SHhhhhhh……SHhhhhhhhh…”

Starsky turned to walk away as his partner comforted her. His heart ached as he hung his head and entered the corridor.

The playful pictures of Circus animals that danced through the brightly colored hallway reminded him of the innocence that had been so violently taken away from her. Something that he knew was now gone forever. He only hoped that with everything they had put her through…she had managed to hold onto that part of herself that still loved him.

However distant it appeared to be at the moment.

-----------------------------------
 
  chapter 14
Back to Pebbles' Page
Back to Gallery