CHAPTER 7

Starsky cried out in pain as Hutch tied the pieces of cloth around his shoulder a little tighter. He really couldn’t tell how much blood he had lost because there was already so much blood on Starsky’s shirt from Joey. Hutch had managed to get a real good look at the wound after he had gotten rid of Cassie.  He didn’t want her to watch as he lifted the material of Starsky’s shirt to check the damage.  The wound went from just below his collarbone and at a sharp angle…the bullet had come out of his shoulder. Not a fatal wound if he could keep the bleeding under control.  A collapsed lung perhaps…but they had both been through that before.

Charlie had gone back to the pilot and was listening as Kent was given instructions to calculate his new heading, so he could fly to Brazil taking the shortest route possible.  They had enough fuel but…just barley enough. Kent tried to keep calm but it was hard to concentrate on his job with the body of his best friend lying on the floor next to his feet.  Charlie watched him closely as he changed his heading…he had already changed his course earlier but the new heading was to keep him out of the path of  other air traffic. As the plane began to lean heavily to the right, sounds of concern could be heard throughout the plane.

“Let me tell them where we’re headed.” Kent told Charlie.  “They have a right to know. I’m sure they are aware of the course change by now.”

“They don’t need to know where we’re going…just get on there and tell them to cooperate and keep quiet…and no one else  will be hurt.” He said as he kept his gun pointed at Kent.

“Alright…at least that’s something.” Kent replied as he switched the microphone so that his voice could be heard inside the plane.

“This is your Captain…Kent Parker speaking. As you must already be aware we’ ve been taken over by hostile forces and are no longer headed for New York. The gentleman standing in the cockpit beside me, assures me that no one else will be hurt as long as we cooperate.  Delta Airlines will arrange for your safe passage to New York as soon as this crisis is over.”

“Very good…Captain.” Charlie said with a smile. “You sounded so damned convincing…I almost believed you myself.”

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Charlie had picked up the gun from the floor as it fell from Starsky’s hand…the body of his brother still lay on the floor in front of them.  Hutch sat still while the pilot’s voice came over the intercom.  Maybe it might calm the passengers in the back down but not Hutch. He knew what would happen when they landed.  If he couldn’t find a way to take control of the situation before they touched down…both he and Starsky would be killed and there’s no telling what they would do to Cassie and the rest.

“Hey Buddy…I’m gonna go on over and check on Alexandra now.” Hutch told his partner.  “You stay right here…I’ll send Cassie over to keep and eye on  you.”

“Don’t go too far….Huh.” Starsky said as he swallowed hard…his eyes were still glassy and he was having trouble focusing.

Hutch smiled at him and put his hand on his face. Then he got up and made his way over to the women.  Alexandra was crying and moaning.  Cassie was holding her hand and Maureen was wiping her forehead with a cool wet cloth.

Hutch spotted a small open space on the floor behind the last row of seats. He had to find a place where she could lay down. He had to get her out of the seat so he could check her out.

“Help me move her over there.” He instructed Cassie. “Grab a blanket from somewhere and all the towels you can find.” He said to Maureen as he and Cassie began to stand her up. She let out a scream as they brought her to her feet and Hutch had to carry her over to the floor because she couldn’t walk.  He knew she was very near delivery.

Maureen came back with a blanket and spread it out under the lady…. Then she opened another one to lay over the top of her.  Hutch removed Alexandra’s panties to check her and to prepare her for delivery.  All he knew was what he had learned in a training class at the Police Academy years ago.  Back then…the class wasn’t mandatory but Hutch felt that he should take it anyway.  Now he just hoped that he could recall any of it…after all these years.  He reached in to see how far she was dilated and discovered that the baby’s head was already through the cervix and he could feel the top of it with his finger.

“Ok…I want you to push when you feel the next contraction.” He told her as he looked up at the stewardess.  “Uh….”

“Maureen.” She told him.

“Maureen…you hold her head and shoulders up. Cassie, go on over to Starsky and keep an eye on him.” Hutch told her so she wouldn’t have to watch.  “I’ ll call you if I need you …Ok.” He said as he smiled at her.

“Ok.” She answered as she got up and walked away.

Starsky was sitting slumped to one side in his seat. As Cassie approached him he opened one eye to look at her. Then he gave her a weak smile and held out his hand for her.  She took it and placed it close to her face.

“I wish we’d never taken this trip.” She said to him.  “Look what’s happened to you.”

“I’ll be ok…” He assured her…trying to hide his pain and the fact that he was so weak from the blood loss.  He felt responsible for putting her and Hutch in this situation.  He had been thinking the same thing.

“Just relax and try to keep calm. Hutch is delivering the baby and then he’ll be back to see you again.” She told him as she wiped his forehead off with a piece of cloth.  “I’ll stay with you till he’s finished.”

“Sure wish I had a picture of that.” He said in a groggy voice.

“You mean Hutch.” She said with a smile. “Definitely a Kodak moment.”

Starsky let out a small laugh and then he began to cough…She waited for him to stop and then she just sat still and held onto him.

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“PUSH…” Hutch commanded as Alexandra had her next contraction.  It was very strong and she screamed as she pushed as hard as she could.  The baby came down just a little more and began to crown.  Hutch spread her legs further apart and lifted the blanket to the top of her knees so that he could see what he was doing.

“Two more good pushes and we’re home free…almost there…you’re doing great.” Hutch told her and gave Maureen a smile.  “Here we go.”

The next contraction came and the baby’s head came through…the shoulders would be next and Hutch remembered what they had told him about this stage of delivery.

“Stop pushing now and breathe…breathe.” He told her as he turned the baby slightly and pulled on one of his shoulders to make them come out one at a time.  “Next one will do it…get ready.” He said as he held the baby’s head in his hands.

She pushed again after a couple of seconds and the baby came out the rest of the way…Hutch quickly put his finger in the baby’s mouth to clear a passageway for him to breathe…then turning him around he patted him gently on the back.

“Breathe little guy…c’mon breathe.” He said softly. The whole compartment was quiet as they waited for the sound. It started out very softly with a small whimper and then a loud cry…the baby was all right.  Hutch held him in his arms and smiled at him. “Atta boy.” He said still smiling…then he looked up at Alexandra and Maureen. “It’s a boy.”

 Cassie heard the sound and Starsky smiled as he listened. She looked into Starsky’s eyes… she didn’t have to ask her next question.

“Go ahead…I’ll be ok.” He told her and she kissed him on the cheek and ran back to Hutch to see the baby.

As she knelt down slowly beside Hutch he was wrapping the baby up in a white towel carefully…still smiling at him.  He looked over at Cassie who knelt beside him…watching him eagerly.  He had already cut the cord. “Here…give him to his mother.” He told her knowing that all she wanted to so was hold him…if only for a second.

She reached for the baby and as she did she couldn’t help but notice…as a single tear fell from his eye.

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