CHAPTER 13

Hutch could see the runway coming closer and closer…Starsky watched through the window as the ground crept up on them at an alarming rate.  It was more freighting than any roller coaster ride he’d ever been on. Cassie could see it too…but she decided that the experience would be easier to handle with her eyes closed.

“Almost there…get ready.” Came Commander Thompson’s voice over the radio. “Put the flaps on the last position…it will slow you down.”

“Flaps at full.” Hutch called back as Starsky moved the lever.

The plane came closer to the runway and Commander Thompson was keeping a careful eye on it. It would have to be timed perfectly…and they both knew it.

“OK NOW…pull back on the yoke…just enough to lift the nose slightly. Not too hard or you’ll start to climb.” He instructed as he watched closely.

Hutch pulled on the yoke and felt the nose lift a little. He wasn’t exactly sure if he was pulling up hard enough…but he took a guess.  Starsky just gripped his seat and watched…as Hutch held his life and the lives of everyone else on board…in his hands.  He had always said he trusted him…now it was being put to the test.

The landing gear touched down…one wheel and then the other …a little unstable but both back wheels were on the ground. Hutch felt the impact and held the nose up against the resistance that followed.

“Hit the retro thrusters. Push the throttle all the way forward. Hold the nose up for as long as you can…gravity will pull it down slowly. Just let it happen.” Commander Thompson told him. He knew that Detective Hutchinson was too busy too respond and so he kept talking to him.

The yoke pulled harder and harder against his hands as the weight of the front end began to drag it down. Hutch held it steady but watched it as it fell to touchdown. He was concerned that they still seemed to be moving a bit too fast.

“Hit the brake…lightly…don’t push too hard too fast. Slow it down  gradually.” The voice on the radio instructed.  “Great job…Detective…Your down!”

Hutch touched the brake and added pressure as he felt it slow down…slower and slower until it stopped.  Shouts of relief and excitement could be heard throughout the plane and Cassie came over and hugged him from behind. Starsky rested his right wrist on Hutch’s shoulder…as he sat sideways in his chair and allowed a long awaited sigh to escape him.

Commander Thompson’s voice came over the radio. “I don’t know what kind of a cop you are son…But your one hell of a pilot.”

“Thanks a lot Capn’” Hutch called back into the microphone . Then he rested his right arm on top of the wheel and laid his forehead on it.

“Hey…you think maybe you missed your calling?” Starsky kidded him as his hand slid onto his shoulder.

Hutch lifted his head and looked over at him. “Are you kidding? I’ll take hitting the streets with you any day over this. But I’m sure my father would have loved to see it.”

“He’d be proud.” Starsky said with a smile. For once in his life…. yes…his father would have been proud of him.  Too bad his old man never bothered to take the time to see Hutch for who he truly was. Who Starsky knew he was. A damn good cop.  It was all Hutch wanted to be…and it made him happy. It was also what had given him the courage to do what he’d just done. Saving the lives of these people was the bottom line. The instincts of a good cop. Something his father would never understand.

Hutch lifted the mic as a thought occurred to him. “Hey by the way…we need a few ambulances here. My partner has been shot and there are a few more wounded in the back.” He told them.

“Already have them on the way out to you. The injured will be taken off first so get them ready for transport.” Another voice came on the line.

“Where’s the Commander?” Hutch asked.

“On his way out to you now…said he wanted to meet the man with the balls to land that plane.” The voice came back.

“Well…I guess me and my balls should be flattered.” He said proudly.

Cassie laughed out loud at his words…surprised that Hutch would talk that way. She rarely heard him use such language but when he did it was always so funny.  Starsky on the other hand…let certain words slip from time to time. It was something she would expect from him…but not Hutch.

Starsky gave Hutch a playful smile that lasted all of a half second when his expression changed suddenly to one of anguish…as the pain in his shoulder took control of him.

“Take it easy Partner…let’s get out of here.” Hutch said as he gently lifted him up with Cassie on the other side. The three of them made their way out of the cockpit and towards the door as the sound of sirens came closer and closer.

As they were spotted emerging from the compartment shouts of praise and hand-claps could be heard throughout the plane. Most of the people were standing in the aisles eagerly waiting for the door to open.

“Help the injured first…leave Charlie here. The police will have to take him off. Somebody keep an eye on the old man.” Hutch told them. “Let Alexandra through with her baby. Anybody else in need of medical assistance should be escorted up front.”

The door opened from the other side as Commander Thompson pulled on it gently. “Welcome to Dallas…Gentlemen.” He said with a smile as he looked at Hutch.

“Help me get him down will ya.” Hutch said as he began to step onto the platform with Starsky. “And get some cops over here. You have two men to take into custody.”

“Yes Sir…” Commander Thompson grinned. He admired this guy…all business. Take care of the job at hand first.  Then there will be time for idle conversation.

“You heard the man…get some cops up here on the double” He yelled down to the crowd.  “Your partner I take it?”

“Yeah…” Hutch said as he walked Starsky down the platform with the Flight Commander holding him up on the other side …and Cassie following close behind.

An ambulance at the bottom of the platform was waiting for them as the two paramedics stood by the open back doors.  They had a stretcher ready so all they had to do was lay him down on it.  The paramedics quickly pushed it into the Ambulance and Cassie climbed into the back.  Commander Thompson stood there as Hutch climbed in quickly and turned around to smile at him through the glass doors as they were shut.

He just stood there as the Ambulance sped off scratching his head and watching until it disappeared.

“Yep….Balls of Steel.” He said under his breath and then he threw his attention back to the plane. “Ok…single file now…and keep an armed guard on the old man…if they shot him…he must be a bad guy.”
 

THE END

(With special thanks to Flight Instructor John Darby. Without whose help
with the technical stuff…this story could not have been written.)