Jack and Diane
By
Jack looked over at Diane as he put his jacket on. He could see the worry in her eyes and he sat next to her on the bed.
“Don’t worry”, he told her. “I won’t be gone long. Only a couple of hours.”
“I guess I just want you to get this job and I’m nervous.”
He smiled and leaned forward. He gave her a kiss the cheek.
“It’ll be okay”, he told her. “I’ll get this job. I will.”
“I hope so. We don’t have a lot of money.”
“I love you, Diane. I’ll take care of you and the baby.”
Diane smiled at him. She had went down the free clinic and she had just learned she was pregnant. She was eighteen years old and Jack was nineteen. Her parents had hated him and rather than see her mixed up with a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, they had forbidden her to see him.
She made the choice to runaway with him and even in the dire straits she was in, she had no regrets. She loved Jack and nothing would ever change that fact.
Diane smiled up at him as he left the small apartment. Jack stepped outside and looked up and down the street. He hated it here, but it was the best he could do until they got on their feet. He walked around the hookers and past the pushers. He had to walk twelve blocks for this job interview and he hoped that just this once something could go his way.
An hour later he stepped out of the office building. He sighed as he began the long trek back to the apartment. The words echoed through his mind. No experience, no education and all the other ones which had told him that he didn’t have the job. He stuck his hands in his pocket and wondered how he was going to tell Diane.
Jack had walked halfway home when Mick fell into step beside him. Jack liked Mick, but he knew he needed to keep his distance from the guy. He was mixed up with something and Jack knew whatever it was, it was illegal. Diane never liked Mick at all.
“Hey, Jack. How’s it hangin’”, Mick asked.
“Okay. What are you doin’?”
“Just taking care of some business. How’d that job interview go?”
“It was a bust”, Jack told him angrily.
“Man, why even bother with that? Let me hook you up. You can make five times what you would’ve made at that dump.”
“Mick, I don’t think that’d be a good idea.”
“Listen, Jack. I like ya’ man. I really do. You’re girl’s got a kid on the way and I know you’re low on bread. You gotta support your girl and your kid, man. Come on.”
“I’ve got an idea. Let’s call it a trial period. You make one drop for me, and then you can see if you wanna do it. It’s a quick hundred bucks. Half an hour job.”
Jack didn’t say anything and he remembered he only had twenty bucks left. It would be enough to pay up on the apartment for a couple of weeks and some groceries. It would at least give them a roof over their head until he figured out what to do.
“Okay, I’ll do it”, Jack told him.
“Great”, Mick said with a smile. “Come by my place in an hour.”
Jack nodded. Mick turned his head and he saw the familiar Torino cruising down the street. He gritted his teeth and he sent Jack on his way. Mick turned around and started walking in the opposite direction of the red car.
*****
Starsky looked out the window and watched as Mick was talking to a kid.
“What the hell is that little weasel up to”, Starsky asked Hutch.
“He looks like he’s in a hurry, Starsk.”
Hutch jumped out of the car and followed Mick. Starsky gunned the Torino and cut through an alley in order to cut off Mick. He pulled up to the curve just as Mick was about to step off. Mick did an about face and he ran right into Hutch.
“Hey, Mick”, Hutch said.
“I’m not doin’ anything”, he told Starsky and Hutch.
“Who was your friend”, Starsky said as he got out of his car.
“Just a buddy. I’m clean guys. You can check.”
Starsk gave Hutch a look and Hutch nodded. Starsky reached over and grabbed Mick. He put him up against the car and frisked him. He stopped suddenly and looked over at Hutch and flashed him a smile. Starsky pulled out a wad of cash and held it up.
“Well, look at this”, Starsky said as he counted it.
“I just got paid”, Mick told them.
“I don’t think so, Mick. You’re too stupid to have a job.”
“Yeah”, Starsky said. “Especially one that pays five hundred bucks.”
“That’s a lot of dough, Mick”, Hutch told him. “Are you still working for Mason?”
“Oh, no way. I learned my lesson.”
“I guess six months behind bars will do that for you”, Starsky said with a grin.
“Mick, we’re gonna cut you loose. Remember this. If we catch you pushin’ horse in our district, we’re gonna send your ass to a place where others will appreciate it”, Hutch warned him.
Starsky tossed the cash to Mick. Both detectives watched as he hurried away.
“First time Mick’s ever had that much cash on him”, Hutch observed.
“Think he’s going into business for himself”, Starsky asked.
“Maybe. He’s not too bright. He may have a partner.”
Hutch walked around the car and looked over at Starsky.
“That kid he was talking to. Think that’s his knew partner?”
“I don’t know, Hutch. I’ve never seen him around before. Let’s go to Huggy’s. We’ll ask him and I’m starving.”
Hutch shook his head and got in the car.
*****
Jack walked into the apartment and began changing clothes. He looked over at Diane who walked up to him.
“How did it go”, she asked.
“It went great, baby.”
“You got it?”
“Yeah, I got it”, he told her.
She jumped in his arms and hugged him tightly.
“I’ve got to get ready”, he told her.
She took a step back and watched as he changed clothes.
“You have to go to work today?”
“Yeah. I guess I’ll be their gopher and I could wear street clothes. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. Just make sure you keep the door locked”, Jack told her.
Diane nodded her head as she watched him put his jacket on. Jack leaned over and gave her a hard kiss before leaving.
*****
Starsky and Hutch walked into the pits and found Huggy cleaning up.
“Hello, my brothers.”
Huggy gave them a smile as they sat at the bar.
“Couple sodas and burgers”, Starsky told him.
Huggy sent Alice to get the burgers ready and he poured them each a soda.
“Huggy”, Starsky asked. “You know Mick, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I know the punk. Kicked his ass out of here last week tryin’ to deal.”
“Is he going into business for himself”, Hutch asked.
“I think you gotta have something between your ears to do that and Mick’s got a hole in there the size of Dolly Parton’s…Nevermind.”
“Huggy”, Hutch said with a smile.
“If he’s hookin’ up with somebody I’ll know about it.”
*****
Three hours later, Jack showed back up at the apartment with a smile on his face.
“Hey, baby. I got an advance on my salary”, he told her. “Let’s go out to eat. Nothin’ too fancy but a full meal. Non of this crap here.”
“Really, Jack”, she asked.
Jack pulled the cash out of his pocket and Diane’s eyes widened at the amount.
“They gave you that much money?”
“They’re pretty nice over there.”
Diane walked over and picked up her jacket.
*****
Starsky was sitting in his car as Hutch made a phone call from the phone booth. He was munching on a candy bar and when he looked up he saw the same kid that Mick had been talking to earlier. He was sitting outside with a young girl as they ate burgers and drank a coke.
Hutch hung up the phone and got in the car.
“Melinda and Joanne will meet us tonight at Huggy’s”, Hutch told him.
Starsky motioned to Hutch and he saw the kid.
“We should introduce ourselves to the new face”, Starsky said with a little smile.
“It would be rude not to do so”, Hutch told him.
Starsky laughed a little as he pulled the car over to where they were eating. Both cops got out of the car and sat at the table they were sitting at.
“Hey”, Jack said to the two guys giving them angry looks.
He didn’t say anything as they flashed their badges at him.
“I’m Starsky and this is Hutch. We saw you talking with Mick earlier.”
“Yeah, so”, Jack told him.
“So, Mick isn’t entirely the best friend you can have”, Hutch told him.
“Are you guys my parents or what?”
“Jack”, Diane said in a reprimanding tone. She looked at the two officers. “I don’t like Mick, but he’s been nice to us.”
“Mick’s a dealer”, Starsky told her. “We saw your boyfriend talking to him today.”
“And since we don’t know you, Jack. We thought we should let you know, that this is our district and we don’t look to kindly on dealers and their friends.”
“I don’t appreciate cops hasslin’ me for no reason”, Jack told them. “If I haven’t broken the law and you’re not bustin’ me, then take a hike.”
Hutch looked over at Starsky and gave him a look.
“Well, Jack”, Starsky said. “You’re right. You haven’t broken the law…”
“That we know of”, Hutch interjected.
“We’re not bustin’ you and we’ll leave”, Starsky told him.
“We’ve taken a special interest in Mick”, Hutch told him. “When we bust him, and we will bust him, and if you are anywhere in the area, you’ll go down right along with him.”
Jack didn’t say anything as the two cops left.
“Maybe you need to stay away from Mick”, Diane told him.
“Why? Just cause two cops don’t like him? Come on, let’s go home.”
As Jack and Diane were leaving, he looked over at the cops who were closely watching him.
*****
Starsky and Hutch watched them leave. Starsky looked over at Hutch.
“So what do you think”, he asked.
“Nice girl”, Hutch said with a shrug. “Jack, I don’t know.”
“He knows the rundown”, Starsky told him. “I would bet you that he’s better friends with Mick than he’s letting on.”
“Probably so, Partner.”
“Come on, Hutch. Let’s see if we can get a make on this kid.”
*****
Jack stood in Mick’s apartment waiting for him. He looked around and even though the place wasn’t the cleanest, he really liked some of the nice stuff he had. Nice TV, stereo and Mick always seemed to wear pretty nice clothes. He watched as Mick came out of the bedroom and walked into the kitchen. Mick pulled out a couple of beers and handed one to Jack.
“So, what do you think, Jack? Wanna make some real bread?”
“A couple of cops shook me down today, Mick. They mentioned you by name.”
“Starsky and Hutch, I bet.”
“You know ‘em?”
“Yeah, those two clowns think they run this neighborhood. Don’t worry about it. They do that to every new face they see. It makes ‘em feel big to push around the little guy.”
“I know what that’s like”, Jack told him mysteriously.
“Don’t worry about those guys, Jack. They’ll shake you down once in a while so they’ll feel good about themselves. Come on and work with me, man. You can raise your kid in style and buy your girl some nice clothes. Wouldn’t it be nice to get out of that rat trap your living in?”
“Yeah. I’ve got to do better than what I have”, Jack told him. He took a long drink of his beer. “I’m ready.”
Mick smiled and raised his beer in a toast to Jack.
*****
“And we have a winner”, Starsky said as he walked into the squad room.
Hutch looked over as Starsky walked to his desk carrying a file. He sat down and opened it up.
“Jack Tyler. Nineteen years old. Busted for shoplifting twice, drunk & disorderly. Assault and battery on a cop, no less.”
“I wouldn’t have thought he was that stupid”, Hutch told him.
“Hutch, you know how these kids are sometimes. All charges were plea bargained down to probation. Probation ended three months ago.”
“I’d like to find out if he’s got a juvenile record.”
“Nope.”
“He doesn’t have one?”
Starsky shook his head in response.
“Minnie ran it twice”, Starsky told him.
“Come on, Starsk. Let’s go home and get ready for our dates.
*****
The next morning Starsky and Hutch were sitting outside in Hutch’s car. They watched as Jack came out his apartment building and started walking down the sidewalk.
“Huggy sure does know his stuff”, Starsky told Hutch.
“Yep. Didn’t take him long to find out where this kid lives.”
Hutch started the car and slowly followed Jack. The car followed him for about five blocks when he walked inside a building.
“Bingo”, Starsky said.
“He’s probably getting directions from Mick”, Hutch told him.
They didn’t wait very long when Jack emerged from the building. Starsky got out of the car and paralleled him as he walked down the street. Hutch sat back a bit and watched. Hutch could see the kid was nervous with each step he took.
“Come on, Starsk”, Hutch whispered. “He’s gonna make you.”
Hutch turned on the LTD and put it in drive. Hutch bit back a curse as Jack broke into a dead run. He floored the car and Starsky crossed the street after him. Jack ran down an alley and Hutch rounded a corner to cut him off. When he turned down the alley, Jack came to a stop and turned around. He was brought down by Starsky. Hutch jumped out of the car as Starsky pulled his hands behind his back.
“Damn, Jack”, Hutch told him. “Why’d you run?”
Starsky pulled Jack up to a standing position and brought him over to the car.
“I don’t like cops tailing me”, he told them. “You don’t have anything on me!”
“Sure we do”, Starsky told him. “Resisting arrest.”
Starsky put Jack in the back seat of the car and looked over at Hutch.
“Kids today”, Hutch said shaking his head.
*****
Starsky and Hutch sat in Dobey’s office and Dobey was giving them an angry look.
“We’ve got a new supplier in the area and you bring me a nineteen year old kid who had nothing? What the hell is the matter with you guys?”
“Cap’n”, Starsky said.
“Get your damn feet off my desk, Starsky!”
“We think this kid will lead us to him. We want to get him in the interrogation room and see what we can pull out of him.”
The phone rang and Dobey answered it. He told who ever it was that would make sure they got the message. He hung up the phone and looked at the detectives.
“You’re perp just got released”, Dobey told them.
“How in the hell did he manage that”, Hutch asked.
Both men left the office and headed to the booking room. They found Jack getting his things and a man in a suit by his side. The man turned around and Starsky and Hutch looked him in shock.
“Mr. Allen Martin”, Hutch said with a smile.
“So you got Jack Tyler released”, Starsky told him
“Gentlemen”, he said with a smile. “You bust a kid for running from you and call it resisting arrest? You’ll have to do better than that.”
Jack turned around and saw the cops who had brought him in. He gave them an angry look. Allen Martin turned around and put his hand on Jack’s shoulder. Starsky and Hutch watched as they left. They walked over to the window and watched as the attorney handed something to Jack. The lawyer got in his car and Jack took off in the other direction.
“What the hell was that all about”, Hutch asked.
“I feel like I just got snowballed”, Starsky told him.
“Allen Martin is a pretty expensive lawyer. Even for as big as slime ball as he is, it’s unusual for him to come all the way down here to bail a kid.”
“Tell me about it”, Starsky said. “He always liked those high dollar clients that pay him a couple hundred bucks an hour. Kinda out of his element to get a kid who don’t even have two dimes to rub together.”
Jack sat on Mick’s couch drinking a beer. Mick had a huge smile on his face as he hung up the phone.
“Man, you were great. Everything went off like clockwork.”
Mick handed Jack a large amount of cash.
“I need to head home and see how Diane is”, Jack told him.
“Mr. Carlisle is having a party tonight. He wants to meet you.”
“Mick, I should really be with Diane.”
“Bring her along, Jack. I’ll be by to pick you guys up at eight.”
Jack nodded and left the apartment.
*****
Starsky was driving his car and Hutch looked over him. He could see the distraction in his eyes.
“Okay, Starsk”, Hutch said. “Talk.”
“I’m still blown away by that kid Jack. What the hell was that all about? He knew we didn’t have anything on him and he ran.”
“He made us, buddy.”
“Then that damn attorney shows up and bails him five seconds after we bust him.”
Starsky got a determined look on his face and swung the car around.
“What are you doing?”
“I wanna talk to Huggy. There’s something wrong with this whole picture.”
Hutch sighed as Starsky floored the Torino.
*****
Jack walked into the large house behind Mick. He was overwhelmed by the wealth and Mick walked to towards the back as if he owned it.
“I wish Diane could have made it”, Jack told Mick.
“Yeah, I wish she would’ve felt better, Mick told him.
Jack nodded and he followed Mick to a large office. Sitting behind a desk was a middle aged man smoking a large cigar. There were several other men in the office wearing suits. One of them was Allen Martin.
Allen looked over and smiled when he saw Jack.
“Peyton, this is the kid I was telling you about. Jack Tyler. Jack this is Peyton Carlisle.”
“Hello, sir.”
“Come on in, young man”, Carlisle said. “Have a seat.”
Jack looked over at Mick who smiled and nodded. Jack sat down in a chair next to Allen.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me today, Jack”, Peyton told him. “I know that being arrested isn’t exactly what you had in mind when you made the decision to work for me.”
“It was okay, sir. Mr. Martin was right there like Mick said he was going to be.”
Carlisle looked over at Mick at gave him a grim look. He looked back over at Jack.
“You made a sacrifice for me, Jack. I will always remember that.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Allen, why don’t you show Jack around and introduce him to some people.”
Allen took Jack from the room and Mick walked over to stand in front of the desk.
“Sit down, Mick.”
Mick was a bit nervous as he sat down. Peyton had a hard look in his face. He motioned towards one of his men who walked over and gave Mick a hard punch to the face.
“Mr. Carlisle”, Mick said holding his face. “Everything went fine today.”
“Of course it did, Mick. Such tactics wouldn’t have been necessary if you weren’t so hot. Those damn cops have their sights set on you and it was the only way to get them off your tail.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Carlisle.”
“Mick, you are a squirly little punk. The only reason I keep you around is because I need your street contacts. Lay low for a while and if you as so much sneeze in the wrong direction, I’ll have your organs fed to my dogs.”
Peyton looked at Mick in disgust as he nodded.
*****
Huggy sat across from Starsky and Hutch.
“A new supplier is being welcomed like he’s the second coming”, Huggy told them.
“Who”, Hutch asked.
“Nobody’s talkin’. Word is that the juice is as pure as snow white.”
“Did a major buy go down today, Huggy”, Starsky asked.
“Mick played go between is what I have been told.”
“What about Jack?”
“He’s Mick’s new best friend right now, but his name isn’t being used.”
“Thank’s Hug”, Hutch told him.
Huggy left the two of them with their beers.
“We got scammed”, Starsky told him. “Jack was to get us off the street.”
“Mick must’ve got Jack to take a fall so he could take care of business. He knew we were watching him”, Hutch said with a sigh.
“Whoever this new player is, he’s got some serious dough behind him. Allen Martin bailed Jack out of jail pretty damn quick and got the charge dismissed.”
“Starsk, I don’t like where this is headed. We’re being played.”
“Maybe we should pay a visit to Jack”, Starsky told him.
“No. Let’s just sit back and watch.”
*****
The next afternoon, Hutch was reading his paper when Starsky jumped in the driver’s side of the Torino.
“I just saw Jack and his girl. She’s wearin’ some nice clothes.”
Hutch nodded in acknowledgment and turned the page to the paper.
“Hutch, these clothes were pretty fancy. They aren’t exactly off the rack.”
“How would you know what off the rack means”, Hutch asked Starsky.
“Oh, come on. I’m not that bad. They are spending some serious cash.”
“Okay, Starsky”, Hutch said as he closed up the paper. “Jack’s got somebody paying him.”
“I want to know who the money is, Hutch.”
*****
Jack sat with Mick in the warehouse. He had a nervous look in his eyes.
“Relax, Jack. This will go off without a hitch. Just cover my back.”
The door opened and both guys stood up. Jack watched as Mick walked over to the three men. It was over in five minutes. Mick handed the briefcase to them and they handed him a large knapsack. After they left, Jack watched as Mick opened it up. Mick smiled as he pulled out a key.
*****
Huggy walked over to the Torino and leaned inside.
“The streets are flowin’ with juice”, he told the detectives. “Mick opened up the damn.”
Hutch sighed and looked over Starsky.
“I think Mick needs another visit”, Hutch told him.
*****
Mick sat on his couch with some of the drugs. He had taken a portion of the stuff from the buy earlier in the day. He wanted his own operation and he would do anything for it. There was a sudden knock at the door and he hid the stuff under his couch.
Mick opened the door and he was surprised to say the least when Starsky and Hutch walked inside.
“What are you guys doing here”, Mick said nervously.
“Mick, we thought it was in your best interest if we make sure you’re not being stupid”, Hutch told him as he walked around the place.
Starsky walked over to the stereo system and studied it.
“You know how much a setup like this costs”, he asked.
“I’m clean”, Mick told them. “You guys can’t keep hasslin’ me like this.”
“How’s Jack”, Hutch asked.
“He’s fine. Home with his girl.”
“What’s wrong with his girl”, Starsky asked.
“She’s got a bun in the oven.”
Starsky looked over at Hutch who shrugged his shoulders.
“If you guys don’t have nothin’ better to do than give me a hard time…”
“Mick, we don’t like it when you get uppity”, Hutch told him.
Starsky walked around the living room and something caught his eye on the floor. He looked up at Mick who was in the kitchen. Starsky motioned towards Hutch. Mick wasn’t aware of the small discovery that Starsky had made.
“Oh, my”, Starsky said. “Look what we have here.”
Starsky leaned down and pulled out the dope out from under the couch.
“You guys don’t have a search warrant”, Mick argued.
Hutch pulled Mick out of the kitchen and threw him up against the wall.
“You invited us in. Remember”, Hutch told him as he frisked him and put the handcuffs on him.
*****
Starsky and Hutch sat at their desks working on the reports when the phone rang.
“Starsky…What…You’re kidding…All right.”
Hutch looked up at Starsky who had angrily hung up the phone.
“Mick just got sprung”, Starsky told his partner.
“Let me guess”, Hutch said. “Allen Martin.”
“None other.”
“How in the hell can we get a line on the supplier and the money if our busts can’t even stick”, Hutch asked.
Starsky had no answer for his partner.
*****
Jack had spent the entire day looking for Mick. He checked his apartment and the other place he usually did business or hung out. He finally decided to check the warehouse where they had been. He knew it was a long shot, but he really needed to talk to him. He found a loose board and climbed through inside to the warehouse. At first Jack thought the place was empty and when he heard voices he hid behind several crates. Jack peaked around the corner and he saw Mick with Peyton Carlisle. There were three other men there and Mick was in the middle. He could barely make out what was being said.
“Mr. Carlisle, it’s not what you think”, Mick told him.
“What was it, Mick? You were busted with half a kilo of my stuff. Stuff you should have had already delivered.”
“I was testing it”, Mick tried to tell him.
Peyton sighed and one of his men walked over and punched Mick in the gut. He landed on his knees from the pain. Peyton pulled a gun with a silencer on it and looked at Mick.
“Mr. Carlisle, please”, Mick begged.
“There is one thing I despise more than thieves. And that’s liars.”
He fired the gun and put two bullets in Mick’s chest. Mick slumped over and hit the hard concrete.
Jack jumped back and knocked over a couple of boxes in the process. He heard running and he scrambled out of the warehouse. As he ran down the alley, he looked behind him and saw the black Cadillac following him. All he could think of was getting to Diane. Nothing else seemed to matter.
Starsky and Hutch stood out in front of the apartment building. Looking up and down the street.
“Well, where the hell is he”, Starsky said throwing his hands up in frustration.
“Let’s check with Huggy.”
They both started towards the car and a commotion down the street caught their attention. They saw Jack running down the street. Hutch and Starsky ran towards him. They caught him and Jack began struggling. He hit Hutch in the face and Starsky managed to grab him and tackle him down to the sidewalk. Hutch got up and ran over to him. It took the both of them to restrain him and get the handcuffs on him. They pulled him up and looked at him.
“What the hell is the matter with you, Jack”, Hutch said.
“I’ve got to get to Diane”, was all he said.
“Tough”, Starsky told him angrily. “Let’s go.”
Starsky pulled Jack towards the car.
*****
Peyton Carlisle watched the scene play out from his car.
“Call Martin. Tell him when the kid calls, he’s to wait.”
“Sir, if the kid talks…”
“If he talks, he’s dead. If he doesn’t, he’ll live.”
Peyton smiled as he watched the two cops put Jack in the car.
*****
Starsky looked through the interrogation window at Jack who was sitting with handcuffs behind his back. He looked over at Hutch.
“So what do you think happened”, He asked Hutch.
“Something scared the hell out of him. All he cared about was getting to his girl.”
Starsky and Hutch walked into the interrogation room. Starsky sat across from Jack and Hutch leaned against the wall.
“Well, Jack”, Starsky said. “Don’t look like your lawyer is gonna bail you out this time.”
Jack stayed silent and looked away from him.
“What happened out there”, Hutch asked.
“You cops don’t have nothin’”, Jack bit out.
“You punched my partner”, Starsky told him. “That’s assaulting a police officer. You’ve done that before.”
“Yeah, and it probably won’t be the last”, he told him with an angry look.
“Jack”, Hutch said. “We’re not your enemies. Mick’s been leadin’ you around by the nose. All it’ll get you is either dead or in prison. We’re talkin’ hard time here.”
“Why don’t you tell us about it and we’ll see what we can do.”
Jack sighed and looked down at the table. Starsky and Hutch looked at each other. Hutch opened the door and motioned for the nearby officer.
“Book him”, Hutch told him. “Assaulting a police officer.”
The officer walked over and pulled Jack out of the chair and lead him out of the room.
“I’m to my last straw with that kid”, Starsky told him. “He knows somethin’ and he ain’t talkin’.”
Dobey walked into the room.
“Is he talking”, he asked them.
“No”, Hutch said with a sigh.
“Maybe he will after this. Mick was pulled out of dumpster less than an hour ago. Two bullets to the chest.”
“Do you think he saw the trigger man”, Starsky asked Hutch.
“Cap’n, has Mick’s body been taken to the morgue?”
“It should be there by now.”
“Come on, Starsk. I’ve got an idea.”
*****
A couple of hours later, Hutch was escorting a handcuffed Jack to his car. He put him in the car and it wasn’t long before they were at the morgue. Hutch took the handcuffs off of Jack. Starsky watched as a man in a lab coat opened the small door and pulled out a body covered in a white sheet. Hutch pushed Jack forward and Starsky pulled the sheet off.
Jack’s face turned white when he was looking at Mick’s dead body.
“Do you know who did this”, Starsky asked him.
“Get me out of here”, Jack ground out.
“Mick was wasted for going into business for himself”, Hutch told him. “He took half a kilo from whoever he was working for.”
“Leave me alone”, Jack told them. He pushed away from them.
Starsky grabbed Jack and pulled his face over to Mick’s body. He yanked the rest of the sheet away and exposed the gaping bullet holes in Mick’s chest.
“Look”, Starsky yelled. “Look at him, damnitt! He’s stretched out on a cold metal slab because someone put two bullets in his chest! You know who did it and if you don’t start talkin’, that’s gonna be you! You hear me, Jack!”
“I don’t know nothin’”, Jack yelled back.
Starsky shoved him away in frustration and Hutch put the handcuffs back on him.
*****
Peyton Carlisle sat at his desk. It had been almost twenty-four hours since he had seen Jack taken in. The phone rang and he picked it up.
“The kid’s not talking.”
“Good”, Peyton said. “Get him out and bring him over here.”
Peyton smiled. He knew this kid would solve his problem. Or two problems he laughed to himself.
*****
Starsky sat in his desk looking over the files. He was holding Jack’s file in his hand when Hutch walked over and sat across from him.
“Well, Allen Martin just got Jack out”, Hutch told him.
“It took him long enough”, Starsky told him. “I don’t get this, Hutch. The kid sees his friend laid out and it doesn’t do a thing. It doesn’t phase him one bit.”
“It did something, Starsk. He knows who pulled the trigger on Mick.”
*****
Jack sat in Peyton’s office in silence. He had been dropped off by Allen Martin and he nervously looked around the room. Jack wondered if he would get to see Diane and he only wished he could just hold her one more time. He looked up to see Peyton walking in. Peyton sat down and looked over at Jack.
“Jack, I know you’re wondering why I haven’t had you wasted.”
“Yes, sir”, Jack mumbled.
“I need to know one thing. Why didn’t you tell the police what happened to Mick?”
“Sir, I love Diane and if something happens to me, there won’t be anyone there to take care of her and the baby.”
“Is she expecting”, Peyton asked.
“Yes, sir. She needs me.”
“Jack, I respect that. You value your family and you seem to be a very loyal young man. You have to understand something. Mick didn’t know what loyalty meant and he stole from me. Then he lied about it. It’s not something I can afford in my organization. You seem to have an understanding about such things.”
“Mr. Carlisle”, Jack said. “I just want to take care of Diane and the baby, sir. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Good, Jack. I like you and I want you to come to work for me. I’ll help take care of you and your girl. You’ll be paid very well.”
“It’s not the money, sir.”
“I know, son. My men will see you home and I expect to see you here tomorrow morning bright and early.”
“Yes, sir. I won’t let you down, Mr. Carlisle.”
Peyton watched Jack leave and he looked over to one of his men.
“I like that, kid”, he told him.
*****
Starsky drove the car quietly and looked over at Hutch.
“You know, Hutch. Since Mick is dead, how is this guy with the dough gonna move his stuff. Mick had a lot of contacts on the street.”
“He probably got everything he wanted out of Mick and finding out that he skimmed was the excuse he needed to get rid of him.”
“Could be. I don’t expect to see some suit dealing.”
“What are you saying, Starsk?”
“I’m saying that whoever Mr. Moneybags is, is gonna have to have someone to do his dirty work.”
“Think he’ll recruit Jack”, Hutch asked.
“Yep. Jack knows all of Mick’s contacts. He hung around him enough.”
“I wonder if Jack has any idea of what he’s doing”, Hutch speculated.
“I think he knows what he’s doing, Hutch. I don’t think he has any idea that he’s sinking in the deep end of the pool.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“If I thought talking to him would do any good, I’d do it.”
“What about his girl? We’ve only talked to her once and she seemed like she had level head on her shoulders.”
“I’m with ya’, partner”, Starsky said as he turned the car around.
*****
Diane dried the dishes and she wondered where Jack was. His hours were getting strange and his time away for over a day had bothered her. She could see he was upset and made the choice to leave him alone. She loved him so much and she knew something was going on.
She opened up the cabinet and when she reached to put the plate away, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. The dish fell to the floor and shattered. She turned around and grabbed onto the chair as the cramping in her stomach got worse. She fell to the floor and cried as the pain ripped through her.
Diane heard a knock at her door and cried out for help. The door suddenly burst open and she closed her eyes against the pain.
Starsky reached her first and he was shaken at the site of the blood on her jeans.
“Hutch!”
“I’ll get an ambulance”, Hutch said as he ran from the apartment.
“Hold on, Diane. We’re getting help.”
Starsky held her as she cried.
*****
Jack had gotten the word on the street about Diane. He rushed to the hospital and found her room number. He was running down the hallway and he was stopped by Hutch who stood in front of him.
“Where’s Diane”, Jack yelled.
“Jack”, Hutch whispered. “She’s fine. She lost the baby.”
Jack cried out and shoved Hutch away. Starsky walked over to him as Jack walked into her room. Both detectives stayed at the hospital. They wanted to make sure everything was okay before they left. They had only waited a half an hour after Jack got there, when a tall man in a suit and a woman walked past them. Starsky nudged Hutch when he saw them walk into Diane’s room.
Less than a minute had passed when shouting erupted from the room. Before either Starsky or Hutch could reach the room, Jack was thrown from the room. He landed on his back and he jumped up after the man who had done it.
Starsky ran to the man and Hutch held Jack back.
“Stay away from her! You’re nothing but a two-bit punk”, he yelled.
“You’ve got no right”, Jack yelled back. “She can decide for herself!”
“Jack”, Hutch said. “Come on.”
“No! I’m not going anywhere! Her old man will take her away!”
“You’re damn right I am! You’ve done enough damage to my daughter!”
“Relax”, Starsky told him. He pulled his badge out and the man pulled back. Hutch managed to hold on to Jack and he walked him down the hall. Hutch guided Jack into an empty waiting room.
“Are those her parents”, Hutch asked.
Jack flung himself in a chair and buried his face in his hands.
“Yeah. The Weston’s”, he spit out.
“Phillip Weston?”
“I guess the real estate tycoon didn’t want me to put my dirty hands on his money or his daughter. I don’t give a damn about the money!”
“So you two ran away to be together”, Hutch told him.
“She wants to be with me”, he told Hutch. “I told Diane we didn’t have to do it and she said that her old man would fight tooth and nail to keep us apart. It was the only way.”
“He called the police on you, didn’t he?”
“Yeah”, Jack said with a sigh. “I know lifting was a stupid thing to do, but I did it and I’ll own up to it. He sent the cops after me. They found me drinking with some friends.”
Hutch walked over and sat next to Jack.
“What else happened, Jack? There’s more.”
Jack ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath.
“They sent my friends off and roughed me up. Told me to stay away from Weston’s daughter. They called it assaulting a police officer.”
He looked over at Hutch and gave him an angry look.
“Just like you”, Jack spit out.
Hutch sighed heavily and ran his hand through his blonde hair.
“You sure know how to pick ‘em, kid”, Hutch told him. “About Mick…”
“What the hell is with you cops”, Jack yelled. “You think if you get me to tell one thing, I’ll spill my guts about something else! Go to hell!”
Jack stormed from the room, leaving Hutch stunned. He almost ran into Starsky and sidestepped him as he left. Starsky watched as he left and he turned back to Hutch.
“What happened?”
“I blew it”, Hutch told him. “Do you know who that girl’s father is?”
“Yep. The old man’s got more money than yours.”
“Well, he’s the reason Jack has an assault on his record.”
“Over the girl?”
Hutch nodded.
“This thing just got more complicated, didn’t it”, Starsky asked.
“Where’s her folks?”
“Leaving. She told them she was eighteen and she wasn’t coming home.”
“Nothing we can do about that”, Hutch told him.
*****
Starsky and Hutch were leaving the hospital when they were met by Phillip Weston and his wife.
“I’d like to know why my daughter is mixed up with someone like Peyton Carlisle”, he demanded.
“Phillip”, his wife said in a reprimanding tone.
“Well! Answer me!”
“Mr. Weston, why would you think your daughter has anything to do with Peyton Carlisle”, Hutch asked.
“That’s who is paying for her care. I went to take care of it myself and he’s already taken care of it.”
Starsky looked at Hutch and Hutch looked right back.
“If this has anything to do with that punk, I’ll see that he’s goes to prison”, Weston yelled.
“Mr. Weston”, Starsky said sternly. “Maybe none of this would have happened if you hadn’t sicked the cops on Jack to begin with!”
Both detectives turned around and left the Weston’s standing with shock on their faces. They reached Starsky’s car and sat for a minute before speaking.
“So Peyton Carlisle is getting into the drug business”, Hutch told his partner.
“I guess us busting his gambling ring caused a problem.”
“He must be having a cash flow problem”, Hutch replied.
“Hutch, I think we should pay Mr. Carlisle a visit.”
“It’s been so long, Starsk. Think he’ll remember us?”
“I hope so. I’d hate to think he’d forgotten about us.”
Hutch smiled as Starsky started the car and drove away.
*****
Jack looked down at Diane and took her hand.
“I’m sorry about my dad”, she told him.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ll take care of us.”
“I’m sorry about the baby”, she cried.
Jack leaned over and kissed her gently.
“Diane, I know this doesn’t mean anything right now, but we’ll have more kids. We’ll have a dozen if you want. I love you, baby. More than anything.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I called Mr. Carlisle and he’s going to help us out. We’re getting out of that flea bag and moving to a nicer place.”
“Jack, please don’t do anything that’ll get you in trouble.”
“I’ll take care of myself. Just get better, baby.”
Jack was more determined than ever to take care of Diane as he left the room.
*****
Starsky and Hutch had little resistance when they walked into Peyton Carlisle’s office. Both men were a bit surprised that the man they had been trying to put away was expecting them.
“Well”, Peyton said with a smile. “I knew sooner or later you both would pay me a visit.”
“Peyton, there’s this crazy rumor going around”, Starsky said. “It was just so unbelievable, that we just had to ask you about it.”
“It would be very unfortunate if it was true”, Hutch told Peyton giving him a serious look.
“Are you both finished beating around the bush”, he asked them.
“How about this one”, Starsky told him. “Why would a high rollin’ lowlife such as yourself pay for Diane Weston’s medical care?”
“Jack Tyler works for me. I felt for their plight. A young couple such as themselves deserve an opportunity.”
“And you’re going to give it to them”, Hutch said as he shook his head.
“It’s the least I can do”, Peyton said with a cold smile.
“Yeah, I bet since you had Mick wasted”, Starsky told him.
“I think our conversation is finished”, Peyton told them angrily.
“One thing before we leave”, Hutch told him. “We’ll get the goods on you, Carlisle. I promise you that.”
Peyton could feel his anger boiling over as the two detectives left. If it was the last thing he ever did, he was going take care of the both of them.
*****
Hutch tossed the file in the basket and looked over at Starsky. It had been a couple of hours since they had left Peyton Carlisle and Starsky seemed a bit distracted.
“Starsky”, Hutch said.
“We know Peyton Carlisle is the money. It makes sense. He wastes Mick and puts Jack in his place.”
“But?”
“But who is the supplier, Hutch? Where in the hell is this guy and who is he?”
Hutch had no answer for his partner.
*****
Phillip Weston stepped out of his limo and looked at the large house. He frowned as he walked over to the door and knocked on it. He looked up at the large man who opened it.
“I’m Phillip Weston”, he told him. “I want to speak to Peyton Carlisle.”
The man nodded and Phillip followed him inside. He saw Peyton Carlisle sitting at his desk.
“Do you know me”, Phillip asked him.
“Yes. I’m surprised that a well respected man as yourself would come here to see the likes of me”, Peyton said with a cold smile.
“I’m here to make a deal with you, Carlisle. I want my daughter back.”
“What sort of deal”, Peyton asked him with a dark look.
“I understand you have two police officers who have caused problems for your business.”
“It’s difficult to run a business these days.”
“You tell me where my daughter is and those officers will not be bothering you any time soon. I can guarantee that by this time tomorrow, they won’t be in law enforcement if you agree.”
Peyton stood and smiled. He leaned over and shook a very grim faced Phillip Weston.
*****
Starsky sat across from Hutch eating his burrito. He looked up at Hutch who was playing with his food.
“Loose you’re appetite”, Starsky asked.
“I don’t like Weston being in the middle of this”, Hutch told him. “He reminds me too much of my own father.”
“How’s that?”
“When I decided to be a cop, my father did everything to keep me from doing it. He even called a friend of his and guaranteed that I would go to Harvard Law.”
“So?”
“Starsk, my father made what you would call a contribution to get me in. I just have this bad feeling with Weston involved.”
“Weston sees a kid like Jack with his daughter and he gets protective, Hutch.”
“Weston is a man who likes control, Starsk. My father is the same way.”
“What could he do? Diane’s over the age of consent.”
Hutch didn’t say anything as he continued to play with his food.
*****
The next afternoon, Hutch arrived with Starsky in the squad room. The door to Dobey’s office flung open and he hollered for the both of them. When Starsky and Hutch walked inside, Dobey was sitting behind his desk.
“You two aren’t going to like this any more than I do”, he said with a sigh. “I might just lose my job the way I talked to the commissioner.”
“Cap, what is it”, Starsky asked.
“You both are being brought up in front of the Victim’s Advocate board on charges of abuse of power.”
“What kind of garbage is this”, Hutch asked.
“I got the call this morning from the commissioner. He stated that until this mess is sorted out, you both are on suspension.”
“I don’t believe this”, Starsky said. “We’re in the middle of a case and we can’t just walk away.”
“I don’t like it any more than you do”, Dobey said with a raised voice.
“Cap”, Hutch said. “Did the commissioner say why?”
“No. He only said that questions are being raised about you both.”
“I would bet Phillip Weston had something to do with this”, Hutch told him.
“Why would he want us off the street”, Starsky asked.
“I’m not sure”, Hutch stated. “He does have the political pull to make something like this happen.”
“I think we should go ask him”, Starsky said.
They started to leave and Dobey’s voice stopped them.
“Watch yourselves”, Dobey told them. “If you go shaking down an influential man like Weston none of us will have jobs by the time its over.”
Starsky and Hutch nodded as they left.
*****
Jack walked into the small apartment he and Diane had just moved into. She had only came home from the hospital the day before and he wanted to check on her before he went to see Peyton. He called out her name and didn’t get an answer. Jack walked through the apartment and saw that she wasn’t there. In the bedroom he looked over and saw that the closet was empty. He cursed loudly and ran out of the room.
*****
Peyton was in the library fixing a drink when Jack burst into the room.
“Mr. Carlisle”, he said. “Diane’s not at the apartment. I thought you said no one knew where we were living at.”
“Jack, I have a business to run. I have to make choices and getting those cops off my back was one of them.”
“You cut a deal with Weston”, Jack asked.
“There are other girls out there, Jack. You should never tie yourself down to one woman.”
“The only reason I agreed to work for you was so I could take care of Diane. You promised to help us!”
“If those cops aren’t taken care of neither of us would be able to make a living.”
“I don’t give a damn if I don’t have Diane”, Jack told him. “I’m through with you. If I don’t have Diane, I don’t have a reason to work for you.”
Jack turned to leave and Peyton’s voice stopped him.
“Jack, if you leave, you’ve just signed your own death warrant.”
“Go to hell”, Jack bit out.
Peyton watched him leave and he walked to the doorway as Jack was walking out the front door. He walked into the living room where one of his men were sitting.
“Kill Jack Tyler”, he told him.
The man nodded and stood. Peyton watched him leave.
*****
Jack was to the sidewalk when he heard the sound of squealing tires. He turned around and watched as the dark sedan approached him. He saw the gun sticking out of the window and as the bullets flew Jack ran down a nearby alley. He felt a burning sensation in his shoulder and he knew he had been shot.
*****
Starsky sighed as he drove the car to the hotel where Weston was staying at.
“Why do you suppose Weston did this”, he asked Hutch.
“My guess is he made some kind of deal with Carlisle”, Hutch told him. “It’s the only thing that makes sense. He gets his daughter back and Carlisle gets a license to operate with us out of the way.”
“And Jack is left swinging in the wind”, Starsky told him. “Whether you like the kid or not, he sure does care about his girl.”
“I just thought of something”, Hutch told him. “If Jack finds out they made a deal, he won’t work for Carlisle.”
“It makes him a target”, Starsky said as he swung the car around.
“We had better find him soon”, Hutch said as he put the cherry on top of the Torino. “Hopefully it’s not too late.”
*****
Jack turned out of the alley and he looked behind him. The black sedan was still on him and he bolted across the street. A car barely missed him as he ran down the sidewalk. He had no idea where he was going as he ran and the pain in his shoulder was now radiating down his arm. Jack was feeling desperate as the car gained on him.
*****
Starsky saw a car slam on its brakes on the next block and he looked over at a figure running across the street.
“Hutch”, he said.
“I see him”, Hutch told him. “Cut down that alley.”
Starsky put his foot on the accelerator and the car spun into the alley. Starsky slammed on his breaks and Hutch jumped from the car. He could see Jack running towards him.
“Jack”, Hutch yelled. “Come on!”
Jack dove inside the car and Starsky floored it just after Hutch jumped inside and shut the door. He looked over at Jack holding his shoulder. He began checking the wound and putting pressure on it.
“Carlisle cut a deal with Weston”, Jack breathed. “He’s trying to kill me.”
Starsky headed to the hotel with the black sedan hot on his tail. He gunned the Torino. It was a race through the streets as the black sedan chased the Torino.
“If we can guarantee your safety”, Hutch said. “Will you testify against Carlisle?”
“I don’t do anything without Diane”, he told him. “It doesn’t mean anything if she’s not with me.”
Starsky looked over at Hutch.
“Love”, Starsky said with a shake of his head. “What do you do?”
Hutch didn’t say anything as he wrapped up the bullet wound in Jack’s shoulder.
“Hutch”, Starsky said. “We’re almost there.”
“Go up front, buddy”, Hutch told him. “They won’t touch us with an audience.”
Starsky pulled into the drive and parked the car in front of the hotel blocking the entrance. All three jumped from the car and Hutch helped Jack inside. They ran inside. Starsky ran over to the front desk with badge in hand.
“Phillip Weston’s room now”, he demanded.
“Suite 532”, the man said nervously.
The three of them ran to the nearest elevator and got inside.
*****
Phillip Weston was looking out the window with a drink in his hand. He turned around when he heard the loud banging at his door. He set the drink down and walked over to the door. He had just opened the door when Starsky, Hutch and Jack barged into the room.
“Now see here”, he demanded.
Hutch sat Jack down on the couch and Starsky turned on Weston.
“You’re little deal damn near got us killed”, Starsky bit out at him. “Jack’s on Peyton Carlisle’s hit list!”
“Oh my god”, Diane said as she came in. “Jack!”
Diane walked over to Jack and held him tightly.
“I’m sorry”, Jack said. “I shouldn’t have gotten us in this mess.”
“Just as long as you’re okay”, Diane told him.
Phillip Weston’s wife walked into the living room and looked over at Jack, the officers and then back at her husband.
“What’s going on”, she asked. “Jack, are you hurt?”
“One of Carlisle’s men did it”, Hutch told her.
“Jack”, Starsky said. “We can arrange with the feds to have you put in the witness protection program if you testify against Carlisle.”
“I don’t do anything without Diane”, Jack told him.
“There is no way in hell you’re taking my daughter”, Phillip said with a raised voice. “This is your mess!”
“Jack, he wouldn’t have tried to kill you if I hadn’t allowed my father to take me away from you”, Diane told him. She looked over at her father and stood. “Daddy, how did you know where I was?”
Phillip said nothing and his wife stepped forward.
“Phillip”, she said. “Did you have something to do with this?”
“I couldn’t very well allow my daughter to live with people like this”, he explained.
“You made a agreement with Peyton Carlisle and he told you were I was”, Diane told him.
“I was trying to protect you”, Phillip told her.
“And in the process you almost got Jack killed”, Mrs. Weston stated.
“You called the commissioner”, Hutch told him. “Had us pulled off the street and Carlisle told you where your daughter was in exchange.”
Phillip’s wife took a step towards her husband.
“For years I’ve stood by and not said a word about how you handled your business. When Diane left to be with Jack, I wanted her home as badly as you. But I would never have done the things you have done to get her back, Phillip.”
“Jack”, Starsky said. “If you testify, you and Diane both can get in the witness protection program. You’ll be protected and you both with be together.”
“No”, Phillip yelled. “We’ll never see her again!”
“I can’t”, Jack said with a shake of his head. “The supplier has contacts. I’ve been told he can find anyone.”
“Who is the supplier”, Hutch asked him.
“Manuel Ortega.”
Starsky sat down on the couch and ran his hand through his hair.
“What is it”, Mrs. Weston asked.
“Ortega”, Hutch told her. “He’s an extremely powerful man with strong government ties. No one’s been able to touch him.”
“What are we going to do”, Diane asked. “He’ll kill him.”
“Jack”, Starsky asked. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes”, he said as he gripped his shoulder. “He was there during the exchange when Mick was alive. Mick took some of the dope and Carlisle killed him. I saw it.”
“I know what I can do”, Phillip said with a sigh. “I think it’ll be something everyone can live with.”
“Daddy, can you make it right”, Diane asked.
“Jack can testify against these people and I’ll send the two of you overseas. I can arrange for new identities. Your mother and I will be the only ones that know. There will be no way Ortega or his people can find you.”
“Phillip”, Mrs. Weston said. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes”, he said with a sigh. “We won’t be able to see them for a while, but I can make it work.”
“Mr. Weston”, Hutch said. “Call off the commissioner.”
Phillip nodded and Diane walked over to Jack.
“Jack, I know my father’s done you wrong, but can you live with this?”
“As long as we’re together”, he told her. “I love you, Diane and it doesn’t mean anything if you’re not with me.”
“I love you, too”, she whispered.
Starsky and Hutch breathed a sigh of relief at the young couple.
EPILOGUE
Hutch walked over to Starsky who was looking through his little black book at Huggy’s.
“I just got off the phone with Dobey”, Hutch told him. “Looks like Jack and Diane will be out of the country as soon as the indictments come down. With Jack’s testimony Ortega and Carlisle will be doing some serious time.”
“Good. I’d like to see those two have a real chance to make a go of it.”
“They’ll get it and Dobey said we have been fully reinstated.”
“You know, Hutch. You were right. I hate the fact that people like Weston have that much pull to get us off the streets. It’s not right.”
“I know, buddy. But it’s the way of things.”
Starsky didn’t say anything as he looked through his book.
“Starsk, what are you doing?”
“We’ve got to meet some new girls”, Starsky told him. “Most of these women are either married or close to getting married.”
“No”, Hutch said.
“What?”
“You’re not setting me up, Starsky. The last time I let you set me up for a blind date, she had practically no IQ.”
“That’s because your standards are too high.”
“No, that’s because your standards are too low.”
“We could always go to the hospital and see if there are some nurses we haven’t dated yet.”
“Hutch, I think we’ve worn our welcome out over there.”
“Probably right. Maybe a few basketball games wouldn’t hurt for a while.”
“Yeah”, Starsky said with a smile. “I haven’t dated a cheerleader since high school.”
Hutch yanked the book from his partner’s hand and slammed it shut.
THE END