CHAPTER 4
Starsky pushed the button down on the phone and dialed the station quickly…identifying himself and requesting to be transferred to the communications department as soon as the dispatcher answered it. After a moment or two he was connected and in brief detail he described the problem and asked that they check on the last call placed to the number. Miranda watched and listened in silence as he was given the information he had requested. Unfortunately…there hadn’t been enough time for a trace but the conversation had been recorded. Starsky thanked the officer and hung up the phone as he released a small sigh…
“Damn…” He said under his breath.
“Why do you need to trace the call?” Miranda asked him curiously. “I know where he lives.”
“He probably wasn’t calling from his place.” Starsky told her. “Unless he’s REALLY that stupid.”
“What did he say to you?”
“Not much after he realized I was on the line. He was smart enough to keep it brief.”
“Can’t you arrest him for the threats?” Miranda asked. “You have it on tape now don’t you?”
“Unfortunately it’s not enough…” Starsky explained to her. “I checked him out…and he doesn’t have a previous record of violence…so until he actually carry’s them out…”
“There’s nothing you can do.” Miranda said as she finished the sentence for him.
“You can get a restraining order on him…and we can get the phone-company to disconnect his service…but a judge would go easy on him as a first offender…and all he’ll probably get is a slap on the wrist.” Starsky told her. “I know it’s not what you wanted to hear…but that’s the way it works.”
“Well…I for one…refuse to let him spoil my night.” Miranda said as she managed to give him a quick smile. “I’m not going to live my life afraid of shadows.”
“Good girl…” Starsky told her as he drew her near and placed a tender kiss on her cheek. “Chances are he’s not going to take it any further…but just to be safe…I think I’ll stay close for awhile.”
“Oh really?” She teased as she gave him a more convincing smile. “And just how close are we talking here?”
Starsky grinned at her comment knowing she was playing with him. They
hadn’t slept together yet…mainly because he hadn’t pressed the issue. Having
Max around made him feel a little uneasy about the idea. But it wasn’t
for lack of temptation.
They spent the night first with a candlelight dinner at an Italian restaurant that Starsky had frequented for the past three years. The food was great and the service was good. It had an alluring atmosphere…perfect for privacy and romantic conversation. It was one of the few places that both he and Hutch had taken women.
Then it was off to the nearest Disco-Tech for a few mild drinks and
a little dancing before topping off the evening at a local café…sipping
coffee and enjoying each other’s company. She was so easy to talk to…it
was one of the aspects of her personality that had drawn him to her. She
had a sense of humor and he loved to hear her laugh. Max had inherited
the same quality. Neither one of them were afraid to laugh out loud uncontrollably
when the mood hit. Other women he had dated were at times too embarrassed
to cut loose with a hardy chuckle.
They were still laughing as he walked her up to her door around 11:30 that night. Since they both had to go to work the next morning they decided to make an early evening of it. Besides Miranda had promised Janet’s mother that she would be home by midnight. Starsky wasn’t sure what his next move should be. He wanted to stay with her partly because of the phone call he had experienced earlier in the evening…and partly because he wanted to take the relationship a step further. But he just didn’t feel comfortable with the thought of Max waking up in the morning to find him there.
“Are you coming in?” Miranda asked him with a smile after she unlocked the door.
“Maybe for a minute.” Starsky told her still unsure of his next move.
Janet was asleep on the couch but the sound of the key turning in the lock caused her to get up and walk over to the door. With it open slightly she stood where she could see them both.
“Hi…Max is asleep.” She said with a yawn as she greeted them. “I better go home…I’ve got school tomorrow.”
Starsky reached into his pocket and produced a few dollars as he spoke to her.
“You need a lift?”
“No…I just live two apartments down…I can make it alright.” She said with a smile as she took the money from him. “I just have to get my books.”
Janet left and Starsky stood in the doorway to watch her as she strolled down the sidewalk and into her apartment. Then he closed the door behind him and made his way into the kitchen to speak to Miranda.
“Well…here we are.” She said as she poured herself a glass of milk and held it up in front of her. “Want one?”
“No…I’m not really in the mood for milk.” Starsky told her without deliberately putting any other meaning behind his words.
“Well then…what ARE you in the mood for?” She cooed as she took a sip from her glass.
Starsky walked a little closer to her and took the glass from her hand. Then he laid it gingerly on the counter as he pulled her close to him. They began to kiss softly at first but with growing intensity as the moments went by. He could feel himself growing aroused and he knew that he had to make his decision right then and there.
He broke his kiss…looked into her eyes and released a small sigh. She knew that he was having trouble making up his mind…and so she did it for him.
“It’s alright Dave…” She said softly to him. “Why don’t you go on home and get some rest.”
He felt a little relief at her words but he was also just a little disappointed. It was the reason he was having so much trouble making his decision. Part of him wanted to finish what he had just started.
“You sure you’re gonna be alright here alone?”
“We’ll be fine…don’t worry.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow…we can have lunch.” He offered wanting her to know that he still wanted to see her.
“Ok…I’d like that.” She told him with a smile.
He gave her one last kiss before turning to walk away. She stood alone in the kitchen and watched his every movement as he slowly made his way towards the front door. It seemed a little odd that her relationship with Starsky hadn’t gone any further than a little heavy petting. Usually it was the man who had to wait for the woman to come around…not visa versa.
“Hey…” He called to her as he opened the door and a thought occurred to him.
“Yeah…” She replied as she walked halfway towards the door and stopped.
“Make sure you lock the door behind me.” He said with a serious tone.
“I will…see you tomorrow.” She called back to him.
He gave her a nod… pulled the door shut and listened for the sound.
Then he made his way back to his car…taking a good look around before climbing
in and driving off.
The next morning began with a drug bust…an armed robbery and a stabbing. Nothing like a good stabbing to build an appetite. After watching three or four pints of blood spill out of a seventeen year old boy and onto the pavement…hamburgers where definitely not on the menu for lunch. Fish or maybe chicken seemed like a more suitable choice.
Just another day…at the office.
Starsky made a quick stop at a payphone to call her and invite her to
eat with he and Hutch. He wanted his partner to get to know her a little
better. But when the woman at the boutique where she worked informed him
that their manager…who hadn’t missed a day of work in four years…hadn’t
bothered to show up for work that morning or even call in sick, he could
almost feel his heart stop beating…