They had been driving for almost an hour, and the snow was coming down heavier. Hutch slowed his speed even more as the road became increasingly slick. Concerned, and unfamiliar with the curves on the dark, mountainous road, Hutch wrinkled his forehead in concentration. He was used to driving in the snow having taken his driver’s education course during one particularly long Minnesota winter, but he couldn’t help wishing his car had snow tires to make the handling easier. He wished that he’d thought of putting chains in his trunk before they’d left; they didn’t do him any good sitting in his closet. They hadn’t been predicting snow earlier in the day, and he’d figured they would make it back into town long before it started, so he hadn’t given them a second thought.
Hutch’s original plan was to have Starsky drive back, but looking at Starsky’s flushed and feverish face at the coffee shop had made him change his mind, and it had been a wise decision. Starsky had fallen asleep almost as soon as they left the restaurant. Hutch was happy to have Brit’s company for the ride back, but the conversation soon become one-sided as his concentration focused more and more on the difficult road ahead of him. Brit’s voice helped keep him awake, though he failed to listen to most of what she said.
“I grew up in this area,” Brit continued. “Been here all my life and that’s why I’m so anxious to get to LA. I want to become an actress and see some of the world. I bet you’ve seen lots of it.”
“Yeah, well, there’s lots not worth seeing,” Hutch said, as he strained to see through the snow-covered windshield wipers. “Your boyfriend doesn’t agree with you, I take it.’
“No, Rick wants me to stay here and get married,” sighed Brit.
“You know, Brit. That ad might not be all that it advertises,” Hutch cautioned, eyes staring ahead.
“Oh, I know, and I’ve thought about that. If it’s not on the up and up, I guess I’ll just come home, but I have to try.” Brit sucked in her breath as the car fishtailed, despite Hutch’s slowing speed around the curve.
“Sure is dark up here,” Hutch muttered, as he fought to regain control.
“I know. Even in good weather you have to be careful. Lots of drivers take the curves too fast.” Seeing Hutch focus intently on his driving, Brit stopped talking. She stared out the windshield into the white night, trying but unable to place their location.
“How’s Starsky doing?” asked Hutch, unable to see his partner in the rearview mirror.
Brit turned toward the back, finding Starsky lying across the back seat, curled up on his left side; his left palm was resting under his head as though it were a pillow, the right, tightly hugging his chest as if to ease any pain. “He’s sleeping, but pretty restlessly, and his breathing sounds kind of raspy and painful.”
“I was afraid of that.” Hutch winced as the sound of Starsky’s breathing filled the silence in the car. Even their conversation hadn’t stopped Hutch from tuning into Starsky’s breathing difficulties. Trying to use the rearview mirror to reassure himself that his partner was okay only left Hutch frustrated, as the darkness obstructed his view.
Leaning back to brush a curl off Starsky’s forehead, Brit said softly, “At least he’s sleeping. Looks like he needed it. He’s probably running a fever. His hands felt awfully warm back at the coffee shop.”
“He’s sick, and we should all be sound asleep in warm beds instead of driving on a cold, dark night on a slick, winding road.”
“How are you doing?” Brit, seeing the tired, drawn look on Hutch’s face, offered, “I can drive if you want. I grew up in this area, remember, and I’m familiar with the roads.”
“Thanks,” Hutch responded. “I appreciate the offer but this heap can be pretty touchy to drive, especially in the snow. Hey, I don’t even trust Starsky with it.” Hutch smiled weakly at Brit, taking the sting out of his words. Hell, Starsky wouldn’t wanna drive it, Hutch thought, chuckling to himself. A sudden flash of headlights in his rearview mirror distracted Hutch, and he glanced up quickly, seeing a car closing in on him. Idiot, thought Hutch. He’s drivin’ way too fast.
Quickly switching his eyes forward, he strained to see through the curtain of snow. He rounded the next curve, hands tightly gripping the steering wheel. He knew the mountainside was rising skyward on his left, even if he couldn’t see it, and he sensed the road’s edge to his right. A thousand questions raced through his mind. Were they near any of the construction barricades? Where was the shoulder? Was it pavement or gravel? How steep was the embankment? Or was it a sudden drop-off? Why didn’t the idiot behind him back off?
Hutch’s eyes shifted to the mirror’s reflection—headlights inching ever closer, blinding him. The height of the lights made Hutch believe it was a pickup or small truck that was gaining on them. Hutch, touching his brakes, tried to warn the other driver of his presence, as well as to slow down, but he wondered how visible the brake lights would actually be through the heavy snow. He was beginning to wonder if the other driver even cared. Hutch looked ahead again, eyes straining to see into and through the night. Every muscle in his neck, shoulders, and arms ached.
When the impact occurred, it wasn’t unexpected. The driver of the pickup was reckless, riding too close to his bumper.
“Watch out, Hutch!” Brit
yelled, suddenly grabbing the dash in front of her. “There’s another curve coming up!”
Through the rearview mirror, Hutch could make out the grillwork of a pickup truck pressed against his bumper. Its red color made visible by his taillights. White knuckles gripping the steering wheel, he pumped the brakes trying to slow his slide as the truck rear-ended him again. Hutch’s eyes shot to the rearview mirror as he realized the truck wasn’t out of control—it was pressed against his bumper on purpose.
Struggling to stay on the road, Hutch felt his car’s rear end swerving to the left. The pickup’s headlights disappeared from his mirror as he skidded sideways and the pickup careened across the road and through a construction barricade.
Hutch strained against the car’s slide, as it continued spinning. Feeling the car hit the gravel shoulder, Hutch knew he no longer controlled the car, knew he couldn’t stop them from going over the edge….