CHAPTER 2

They found there seats in the first class section and Starsky proceeded to store his carry-on bag, along with Cassie’s, above them in the overhead compartment.  Then he sat down in his window seat beside her.  He took the seat next to the window so she wouldn’t have to look out as the plane took off.  She had never flown before and he didn’t know if she would get
air-sick so he wasn’t gonna take any chances.  Hutch had purchased his ticket late and so flying alone had to sit behind them and across the aisle. Next to him sat a pregnant woman…twenty- two or so with brown hair and a friendly smile.  Hutch introduced himself and they began to carry on a polite conversation.  Starsky began to tell Cassie about the old neighborhood and all the people that she would probably be introduced to. For some reason…they seemed to have strange names…like Lefty and Too-Tall…Fingers and Ace.  She listened carefully as she wondered about New York…she had heard it was a pretty strange place.

Hutch was told that the pregnant ladies name was Alexandra Costa…and she was unmarried.  If not for her pregnancy…Hutch would have found her quite attractive, but he flirted with her a little anyway…since he had nothing better to do with his time.

Unbeknownst to the boys…they had another kind of company on board their flight.  Mob Boss Joe Castiano…who had known Starsky’s father but probably wouldn’t recognize him…was seated in the main section of the plane escorted by two FBI agents in three piece suits.  They were taking him back to New York to stand trial for a number of felonies…a list too large to memorize. Handcuffed to one of the agents…they weren’t taking any chances.  If Starsky hadn’t been among the last to board…he would have probably recognized him because he would have had to walk right past him.

The ‘No Smoking’ and ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’ signs lit up as the planes engines began to hum.  They coasted slowly towards the runway as one of the Stewardesses, Maureen…instructed them on the proper uses of the safety equipment in front of them.  Hutch and Cassie listened carefully but Starsky stared out the window and watched the other planes as they landed and took off.  The plane positioned itself at the beginning of the runway and the Stewardesses took their seats.  Cassie felt the thrust of the huge engines as they began to take off. As they picked up speed down the runway she gripped onto Starsky’s arm tightly…digging her fingernails into the back of it and into the arm of her own seat.  He grabbed hold of her hand and held
onto it tightly.

“Relax…we have to pick up speed to take off…It’ll be alright.” He assured her.

As the plane lifted up into the air she could feel the wheels leave the ground. Frightened by what she could see out the window as they climbed higher and higher, …she let go of him and grabbed the arm- rest.

“Oh ..My… God…” She said as she closed her eyes.

Starsky just laughed…then he glanced over at his partner…who had both hands on the arm-rests and his eyes closed as well.  Starsky just smiled and put his hands behind his head interlocking his fingers… adjusted himself comfortably in his seat…and crossed his feet.

As they leveled off a voice came over the intercom.

“Hello Everyone…and welcome aboard Delta Airlines Flight 645…This is your Captain Kent Parker speaking…We are flying at an altitude of approximately twenty thousand feet…It is now 12:30 PM and we are heading to New York city under clear skies.  The temperature there is a beautiful 75 degrees and we will be arriving at JFK International airport in about four and a half hours.  Thank you and enjoy your flight.”

“My ears hurt.” Cassie told him as she rubbed them.  “It feels like their full of water.”

“Where’s your gum?” Starsky asked her.  “It’ll help if you chew it while you ’re up here.”

“It’s in my carry-on…I’ll get it.” She said as she stood up and reached into the compartment for her bag…standing on her toes and leaning against her chair with her knee. Her tight jeans were beginning to draw some attention…Starsky glanced around
the compartment they were in.  The looks they were giving her began to make him nervous.  Hutch was too involved with his conversation to notice…at first.  As soon as he caught sight of her he gave his partner a look…a look that said (get her the hell down from up there.)

“Cassie….Cassie…CASSIE.” He called to her…trying to make her sit back down .  She obviously had no idea that she was causing a scene.

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A young man in casual business attire stood in the doorway…between first class and coach.  He was watching as Cassie fumbled through her bag for the gum…her jeans stretching to show off the curve of her figure…a tiny waist and a well rounded behind.  He stood there for a few seconds …enjoying the show …and clutched the gun that he had concealed under his jacket.

Starsky finally managed to pull her down to him…close enough so he could whisper to her.  “Sit down will ya.” He said.  “Everybody’s looking at ya.”

“I found it.” She said as she plopped herself back down in her seat.  “What’ s the big deal.”

He just put his head in his hand and shook it.

After a few minutes…The stewardess came around with drinks.  Starsky and Cassie both got a soda and a bag of peanuts…Hutch got a little juice.  Then Starsky got up to make his way back to the bathroom…but stopped suddenly as
he caught site of the Mob Figure Joe Castiano seated in the back to the right.  Slowly backing away from the doorway …he went over to Hutch and bent close to him.

“Hutch…take a look at this.” Starsky said in a serious whisper.

“What’s going on.” Hutch asked a little panicked…all he needed was bad news when he was already nervous about flying.

“Just come here for a minute.” He insisted.

Hutch excused himself, rose from his seat and stepped slowly towards the doorway…then he ducked to one side as Starsky stood on the other.  Both being careful not to be seen.  Hutch glanced around the compartment but didn ’t recognize anyone in particular. “So what’s to see?” He asked in a low whisper.

“In the back…to the right.” Starsky instructed him.  “It’s Castiano!”

Hutch looked again and then he spotted him…sitting with two FBI agents in suits…and from his angle…he could see the cuffs.

“Oh yeah…I heard he was busted…What the hell’s he doing here?” Hutch asked as he looked over at Starsky with concern.

“I guess they must be taking him back to New York to face charges…but I sure would feel better if he was on someone else’s plane.” Starsky answered him.

Hutch blew out a deep breath. “Well…There’s not much we can do about it now…I guess we’re stuck with it.”

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