Chapter 11

 

Three days later Hutch, with Starsky in the passenger seat, pulled up at the Taylors’ house.  There was a small rental moving van in front.  Billy, David, and their mom, Carol, were busily loading what few salvageable items they could locate.

 

“What’s up, guys?” Starsky asked, as he and Hutch walked toward all the activity.  Starsky set down the brown paper bag he was carrying on the grass.

 

Seeing Starsky, David dropped what he was carrying and ran over to give him a big hug.

 

“Whatcha’ doin’, Bud?” asked Starsky.

 

“We’re packin’ up.”

 

Carol came over to greet Starsky and Hutch.  “Well, we’re packing what we can.  There isn’t too much left.”

 

“So you found a place to stay?” Hutch asked.

 

“Well, not exactly, I’ve decided to head back to Chicago.  Bobby, my husband, and I are going to get back together.  The boys really need their dad, and I need to be with them.”

 

“That’ll be good for everyone,” Hutch said, observing Starsky and David already tossing a baseball back and forth.  “Though, I know someone who’ll miss you.”

 

“I know.  My David is going to miss him, too.  Your partner is a good man and has been a great role model for my son.”

 

“Yeah, I know.”  Hutch nodded and smiled.  “They don’t come any better.”

 

“What about the trial?”

 

“Well, after what happened to you and the boys, Betty decided to come forward and she gave us enough information to convict her ex-husband and his brother of the robberies, murders and the fire.”

 

“Betty?  Betty from the Bon Ami?” Carol asked incredulously.

 

“Apparently she had suspected he might be involved because she had worked at all the places that had been robbed at some point in time.  And last week, she overheard a conversation between the two where they were discussing the various bars that had been hit as well as several others, including the Bon Ami.  She put two and two together but was afraid to say anything.  When they burned your house and the boys were hurt, she came forward.  She feels terrible.” 

 

Hutch watched Starsky tossing the ball to David and then catching it awkwardly with his right hand.

 

“It’s not her fault,” Carol said.  “She wasn’t involved, was she?”

 

“Nope.  At least you won’t have to worry about coming back for the trial.  We found enough evidence to convict them, and you should be free and clear.”

 

Carol sighed.  “I won’t lie to you.  I’m glad.  I’m afraid I’ve had enough of this place.”  She yelled over to the ball players.  “Come on, Davey, only a couple things left to pack up.  Go get your bike by the tree and bring it over.”

 

Hutch saw the bike leaning against the tree, and he walked over to pick it up and load it into the truck.  Starsky stared at the bike as his partner loaded it up.

 

“You like the paint job?” asked David.  “Billy helped me.”

 

The bike was now a bright, glossy red with a white strip running down the center of the front and back fender.

 

Starsky, Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, blinked to clear his eyes. “Yeah, those are my favorite colors.”

 

“Come on, David.  Climb in the front,” David’s mom yelled.  “We need to get on the road before dark.”

 

Starsky knelt down and looked at David.  “I’m gonna miss you, buddy.  Who’s gonna keep my arm loose?”

 

David stared at his feet.

 

Starsky swallowed hard and said, “Here I wanted to give you something.”  He reached into the brown bag he’d set down earlier and pulled out his well-worn mitt.  “You take this to practice with.  You’ll make a great outfielder one day.  I’ll come watch you play when you’re in the Majors.  You can hit one out of the park for me.”

 

David, throwing his arms around Starsky, mitt squashed between them, rubbed his eyes with his sleeve.

 

“Go on.  You need to get in the van.  Your mom’s waiting.”  Starsky stood up and patted David on the butt.  He watched sadly as David climbed into the cab of the truck, with Billy following. 

 

Carol gave Hutch a good-bye hug and then hugged Starsky, whispering a tearful, “Thank you.”  She then looked back at the burned house, sighed, and climbed into the driver’s seat.

 

Starsky and Hutch watched silently as she backed the van out of the driveway and drove down the street.

 

Seeing Starsky staring at the house, Hutch put his arm around his partner’s shoulder.  “Come on, Starsk.  We’ve got a stop to make.”

 

“Stop?” Starsky asked confused.  “Where are we stopping?”

 

“At the toy store.”

 

“The toy store?”

 

Hutch steered Starsky toward the car.  “Yeah, I’ve got to buy you a new mitt.”

 

Starsky stared at his partner, as he slid into the passenger seat.

 

“You’re gonna buy me a mitt?”

 

“Sure…otherwise, how are we going to play ball?”  Hutch grinned at Starsky, as he started up the LTD and pulled into the street.  “After all, I hear there’s an empty baseball field in the park just waiting for us.” 

 

Starsky’s face lit up and he grinned lopsidedly.  “Hey, Hutch, can we stop for ice cream afterwards?”

 

Hutch laughed.  “Sure, buddy, any flavor you want.”

 

 

The End