Miami Vice vs Starsky and Hutch 

by

Cynthia

            Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs sat in the darkness as the boat slowly approached the dock.  They were both on edge.  They had been on this case for over two months and this was the first time they would have Salvador Montoya and the drugs in the same place.  He was bringing the dope in by the ton and he always kept his distance.  They only hoped this was one time the candy was too sweet to stay away.

            The boat reached the dock and Sonny watched as Montoya stepped out of the car sitting not far from the dock.

            “Here we go”, Sonny spoke quietly into his radio.

            Just as Montoya was about to shake the hand of the man who had brought the cocaine to him, something reflected in his eyes.  He turned towards Sonny’s direction and looked around. 

            “Shit”, Sonny bit out.  “Something’s got him spooked.”

            Sonny clenched the radio tightly in his hand as Montoya jumped into the car and it sped off. 

            “Move”, Sonny yelled into the radio.

            Before anyone could even reach the dock, the boat exploded.  Sonny looked over at Rico who was just as shocked by the scene as he had been.

            In Castillo’s office Sonny paced back and forth in front of the desk.

            “We’ve been on Montoya for two months and the DEA just had to crash the party!  Ten million dollars in snow gone!”

            “Montoya’s skipped town”, Castillo told them.  “He’s has to find a new source of distribution for the cocaine.”

            “The Columbians won’t be kind when they get wind of what happened”, Rico offered.

            “Montoya’s killed two of their agents”, Castillo told them.  “The DEA are willing to do whatever is necessary to bring him down.  The suggestion is to keep you on him for the duration.”

            “We have to find him first”, Rico told him.

            “He’s setting up shop in Los Angeles somewhere.  You both are being attached to one of the smaller departments.  I’ve spoken with the captain and he wants to put you with his two best cops.  They know every in and out.”

            “That’s just great”, Sonny interjected.  “We’re going in as tourists and we’ll be sitting on our hands while they go for the glory.”

            “You’ve been guaranteed full cooperation by the commissioner.”

            Sonny and Rico still weren’t satisfied with the arrangements, but they wanted Montoya.  As they left the room, Sonny looked over at his partner.

            “I’ve never been to California”, Sonny told him with a smile.

            “Fine women”, Rico replied.

            “Think we’ll see any movie stars”, Sonny responded with a sarcastic smile.

            Rico laughed as they walked out of the squad room.

            Hutch was breathing hard as he chased after the perp.  He had just robbed a liquor store and Hutch laid chase just as the guy left the store.  He could hear the siren not far from him and he wished he had decided to take his car today instead.  The guy rounded into an alley and Hutch kept on his tail.

            The perp crossed off into another street where a fruit vendor was sitting.  Hutch was finally on him and made a grab for his jacket and both went tumbling into the fruit and vegetables.  Hutch wrestled with him amongst the fruit ignoring the squashed fruit.  He was finally able to get the handcuffs on him.  After two slippery attempts to pull the suspect up, Hutch pulled him out of the mess.

            He looked over as Starsky pulled up in his car and the uniformed cops pulled up behind him.

            “Where the hell were you”, Hutch asked his partner.

            “I was coming”, Starsky told him.

            Hutch handed the suspect over to the uniforms and walked over to the car.

            “You’re not getting in my car”, Starsky yelled.

            “The car will be fine, Starsk.”

            “It’s leather upolstry, Hutch.  You sit in it with that mess and I’ll never get the smell out.”

            “Tough”, Hutch told him as he took his jacket off.

            Starsky didn’t say anything as Hutch got in the car and slammed the door closed.

            “Take me to my place”, Hutch told him.  “I need to clean up.”

            “Thought you liked all that healthy stuff”, Starsky said with a grin.

            Before Hutch could respond to the remark, the radio went off.

            “Zebra three, respond.”

            “This is Zebra three”, Starsky replied.

            “See Captain Dobey at the precinct.”

            “We’ll be there in thirty”, Starsky told him.

            “The order is now, zebra three.”

            Hutch sighed as Starsky turned the car around and headed to the precinct.

            A few minutes later, Starsky and Hutch arrived in the squad room to an applause from the fellow officers.  Hutch wished he could fall through the floor.  He had never been seen in such a mess.  They walked into Dobey’s office and before they could sit Dobey started.

            “Where the hell have you two been”, he demanded.

            Neither spoke for a moment.  They looked over to see two other men standing on the other side of the office.  Hutch noticed how the white guy was giving him a sly look.

            “These are Detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs. They’re out of Miami.”

            Hutch took a step forward and held his hand out.  Sonny walked over and shook his hand.  When Hutch let go, Sonny looked down at his hand and saw the red mush on his hand.  He gave Hutch a dirty look and Hutch gave him a small smile in return.  Rico handed Sonny a handkerchief and Sonny looked over at Hutch as he cleaned his hand.

            Dobey opened up a file and pulled a black and white photo.  He handed it to Starsky.

            “Oh, it’s Salvador Montoya”, Starsky stated.

            Hutch leaned over and looked at the photo.

            “He’s getting some gray”, Hutch replied.

            “Running drugs will do that to you”, Starsky joked.

            “Do you boys have any more to offer than one liners”, Sonny asked.

            “Sure”, Hutch told him.  “We’ve had him under surveillance for a week now.  What does this have to do with Miami?”

            “Montoya killed two DEA agents a while back”, Rico told them.  “He’s also a major receiver for the Columbians and he’s opening up shop here.  He’s getting desperate to unload his cargo.”

            “That still doesn’t explain you”, Hutch told them.

            “The commissioner and the DEA want the four of you to go after Montoya.  Crockett and Tubbs have experience with men like Montoya and Starsky and Hutch know the area and they know the connections Montoya will be looking for.”

            “Captain”, Hutch said.  “We’ve got Montoya.  We don’t need Miami coming in here to take over what is our case.”

            “Since when does Montoya smuggle tomatoes”, Sonny told him snidely.

            Hutch stood up and walked over to Sonny.  Rico moved forward and Starsky moved to a standing position next to Hutch.

            “Captain, we don’t have time to play tour guide to a couple of party boys who’s here on a weekend pass”, Starsky told him.

            “Settle down”, Dobey yelled.  “Crockett and Tubbs, take a step back.  These are my two best men.  I’ve had a talk with Castillo in Miami and you both as of now answer to me.  It’s been done.  You four find a way to work this out and bring this perp down!  Get out and get to work!”

            Sonny lit a cigarette and looked over at Starsky and Hutch.

            “I can tell that working with Butch and Sundance over there this is gonna be a barrel of laughes”, Sonny told the room.

            “I’m Butch”, Starsky said.  He pointed to Hutch.  “He’s Sundance.”

            Sonny mumbled under his breath clowns and he walked out of the room with Rico following behind him.  After they left Starsky and Hutch turned towards their captain.  Before they could say a word, Dobey held his hand up.

            “Those men are damn good cops”, he told them.  “I expect the two of you to work with them and I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

            Starsky and Hutch looked at each other and left Dobey’s office.  When they walked into the squad room, Sonny and Rico had already made themselves at home at a pair of desks which had been moved next to Starsky and Hutch’s.

            “Just great”, Starsky mumbled.  “The supermodels have moved in.”

            Rico turned towards them wish a slight smile.

            “Don’t worry, we’re just leasing”, he told them.

            That night the four men were in an abandoned apartment building looking through a telephoto lense at a party going on at an expensive home.  Sonny scanned the party with the camera and snapped pictures.

            “It looks like all the guests have arrived”, he said out loud.

            “I see Montoya and I recognize a couple of his goons.  The chicks are new.  Don’t know any of these players.”

            Sonny stepped away from the camera.

            “Why don’t one of you girls take a look and see if any of your buddies have made the guest list.”

            Starsky walked forward and began scanning the various people through the windows.

            “Probably a few lawyers”, Starsky mumbled.

            After a few minutes Starsky chuckled.

            “I’ll be damned.”

            “What is it”, Hutch asked.

            “How in the hell did that little weasel get an invite to this shindig”, Starsky asked.

            He turned towards Hutch and offered him a look.  Hutch looked through the window and a small smile came over his face.

            “Think you wanna let us in on the guest”, Rico told them.

            “It’s Jimmy”, Hutch told them.  “He runs numbers for one of the local bookies.”

            Sonny walked over and looked at the skinny guy talking to a girl.

            “He must be one hell of a social climber”, Sonny told them.  “Does he know you’re cops?”

            “He knows I am”, Starsky told him.  “Don’t think Hutch has ever done a face to face with him.”

            “He might be the guy to get us in”, Hutch volunteered.

            “Now wait just a second”, Sonny told them.  “We do this, Tubbs and I are the ones going in.  Any number of these bozos on the street could finger you guys for cops.”

            “You won’t get in unless we get you the invitation”, Hutch told him.  “Starsky and I know who we’re dealing with.  We’ll do it.”

            “It makes sense that one of you goes in with one of us”, Tubbs told him.

            “Rico, I don’t know either one of these clowns.  You know how this shit works.  Gotta have the trust for this to even get to first base.”

            “We’re not going in right now”, Starsky told them.  “We’ve got to do some pavement hunting first.  Tubbs will go with me and we’ll run down Jimmy.  Hutch and Crockett will talk with Huggy.  We’ll take it from there.”

            “I don’t think so”, Hutch told him.  “Mr. Sunshine over there isn’t too keen on rubbing elbows with his better.”

            Starsky looked over and he saw Crockett shaking his head. 

            “Fine”, Starsky said with a sigh.  “Crockett, we’ll go deal with Jimmy.”

            “No way, sport.  I’m not lettin’ anyone in this town know I’m a cop.”

            “Hard man to please”, Hutch said to no one in particular.

            “If you think I’m gonna let any cover I hope to have slip to a little punk like this Jimmy character, you’ve got another thing coming, Hutchinson.”

            “Fine”, Hutch said.  “Tubbs and I will deal with Jimmy.  You and Starsky can talk to Huggy.”

            “Well, I don’t know about you girls, I need my shut eye”, Sonny announced.  “Tubbs if you’ll do the honors like we agreed.”

            Rico pulled a quarter out of his pocket and flipped it in the air.  Hutch called heads right before Sonny did.  Sonny gave Hutch a cross-eyed look.

            “Tails”, Rico told them.  “What’ll it be, Sonny?”

            “Curly, looks like I’m bunking with you”, Sonny said with a sly smile.

            Hutch walked into his apartment and tossed his jacket on the couch.  Rico followed him and looked around the apartment. 

            “Nice”, Rico commented.

            Rico noticed the guitar laying next to the couch and he walked over and picked it up.

            “You play”, he asked Hutch.

            “Some.  Beer”, Hutch asked.

            “Sure.”

            Hutch tossed him the beer and both guys sat on the couch and drank their beer quietly for a few minutes.

            “Can’t be easy to have a couple of out of towners nipping at your heels”, Tubbs told him.

            “Your partner is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist”, Hutch told him.

            “Sonny is a unique guy”, Rico told him with a smile.  “Don’t let the sarcastic attitude and the clothes fool ya’.  He’s a hell of a cop.”

            “He strikes me as a guy who likes to go solo.”

            “He lost his partner a while back and I wasn’t exactly what he had in mind when we met.”

            “Tight”, Hutch asked.

            Rico nodded.

            “Sonny Crockett can get a bit on the unorthidox side, but he knows what he’s doing.”

            “What’s you’re story”, Hutch asked. 

            “I invaded his territory”, Rico said with a smile.  “My brother was taken out by a major player and I went vigilante.  If it hadn’t been for Sonny, I would be dead.”

            “Starsky and I’ve been partners for a while.  Sometimes I don’t think I know where one begins and the other ends”, Hutch admitted.

            “I hear ya’”, Tubbs said with his raised beer.

            Hutch returned the toast and they both finished off their beers.

            Sonny walked around the house.  Starsky returned with a beer in hand and handed it to him.

            “I like you’re place.  Roomy”, Sonny told him.

            “It works.”

            “Living on a boat no bigger than a sardine can makes you appreciate what you don’t have”, Sonny snickered.

            “Boat”, Starsky asked.  “I could do it.”

            “Not mine, pal.  I’ve got a nice little pet by the name of Elvis who would take you and your California raisin with just one bite.”

            Starsky gave Sonny an odd look.

            “Alligator”, Sonny supplied.

            “You have an alligator”, Starsky asked.

            “Elvis and a free safety didn’t get a long and so I invited him to live with me.  Sometimes I think it’s more his place than mine.”

            “The most aggressive pet I know is Elaine.  Hutch’s creeping violet”, Starsky told him.

            “Plants?  He don’t strike me as a guy with an affinity for plants.”

            “Hutch is an oxymoron”, Starsky told him.  “He’s got this health kick with oats and barley.  The next second he’s within inches of getting his ass shot off by some perp.”

            “So how long have you and Goldilocks been partners”, Sonny asked.

            “Hell, it seems like we’ve always been partners.  Hutch’s had some dark days, but he’s a hell of a cop.  He’s there when the shit hits the fan.”

            “I can’t say I haven’t had a few nightmares here and there.  Went on a year long vacation in the far east.”

            “Saigon here, pal.”

            Sonny smiled and leaned forward.  Starsky and Sonny tapped their beers together and finished them off.

            The next afternoon, Hutch and Rico sat in a small bar looking at the door.

            “You sure about this”, Rico asked.  “We’ve been here almost an hour.”

            “Starsky says Jimmy always makes this a part of his regular route.  He gets a beer and chases it with tequila”, Hutch told him.

            “Guess you have to start early in his line of work.”

            “I don’t think he has any intentions of a career change.”

            Both men sat up straighter as they watched Jimmy walked through the door.  Jimmy was a slime ball who was now wearing an expensive double- breasted suit.

            “Looks like our buddy did some shopping”, Rico told him.

            “Guess he wants to fit in with his new friends.”

            Both men rose and walked over to the bar where Jimmy had just downed his shot.

            “Hiya, Jimmy”, Hutch told him with a smile.

            Jimmy looked back and forth at both men.

            “Who the hell are you”, he asked.

            “We’re looking for a seller, Jimmy”, Rico told him.

            “I don’t know what you’re talking about”, he told them nervously.

            Hutch grabbed Jimmy by the collar and led him over to the table where him and Tubbs had been sitting.

            “I think you do, Jimmy”, Hutch stated.

            “We need to supply some party favors and we’re looking for a major supplier”, Rico told him.

            “I don’t you assholes from Adam”, Jimmy said with a snicker.  “What makes you think I’ll do you any favors?”

            Hutch still had his hand behind Jimmy’s neck.  Suddenly Hutch slammed Jimmy’s head on the table and he held it down while Rico slid a card in front of his face.

            “We need references”, Hutch whispered.  “We expect results, Jimmy.”

            “If you give us what we need”, Rico offered, “You could find yourself in a better establishment with a respectable clientele.”

            Both men rose and quietly left the bar while Jimmy held his bleeding nose.

            Starsky and Crockett sat in Huggy’s and when Huggy sat down across from them he gave Sonny the once over.

            “Hey, Starsk. How’s it hangin’ my man”, Huggy asked.

            “Good.  Looks like the place is really movin’.”

            “We have atmosphere.”

            Huggy gave Sonny a hard look when he watched him sigh heavily blowing smoke out of his mouth.  Sonny looked over at Starsky.

            “Why don’t we get down to it before you girls start getting cozy”, Sonny told Starsky.

            “Boy, who dresses you?  You like you just fell off the Macy’s day parade.”

            “At least I have help.  I like my colors to match”, Sonny said with a sly smile.

            “Let’s play nicely”, Starsky told them.  “Huggy, we need to get in good with Montoya.”

            Both men looked at him while a small chuckled escaped from his lips.

            “You don’t ask for much”, Huggy replied.  “Montoya is bad news and I won’t even send my worst enemy to the guy.  Besides, I’m an outsider.  He likes playing it close to the chest.”

            “Huggy, you’re the best pal”, Starsky told him.  “You’re talents would be tremendously appreciated.”

            Sonny looked up and saw the hesitation in the man’s eyes.  He put his cigarette out in the ash tray.

            “Starsky, we don’t have time for you to play nice with the stoolie.  We’ll find another in.”

            Huggy suddenly stood over them and he gave Sonny a hard look.

            “Hey, punk!  You just got off the boat and you think you’re gonna play me!”

            Starsky stood and pulled Huggy away from the table.  Sonny watched as the two men talked.  He smiled when he saw the angry gestures coming from the skinny black man.  After a few minutes, Starsky came over and they quickly left the bar.

            When they were standing outside, Starsky rounded on him.

            “Do you always shoot off your mouth off”, Starsky asked him angrily.

            “Did you get anything”, Sonny asked.

            “Nothing we didn’t know already.  Jimmy”, Starsky said with a sigh.  “Huggy’s gonna do some asking around.”

            “Curly, your pigeon in there don’t know me from Adam.  I’m an outsider with no history to him.  He wasn’t gonna open up with me right there.”

            “So you pushed his buttons so he would do it for ego’s sake.”

            “You got it, Cowboy.”

            Starsky smiled as him and Sonny got in his car and headed down the road.

            The four men met up at the precinct and they all knew their only in would be Jimmy.  As they sat at their desks, they looked at each other.

            “The only way I see us even getting an invite is to make ourselves very popular”, Sonny told them.  “We have to stay on Montoya.”

            “The surveillance team reports show the guy likes the women and he likes to party”, Starsky offered.

            “We’ll have to just party as hard as them”, Rico said with a smile.

            “I know some of these places.  Very high class”, Hutch told them.

            “Rico and I will play the high rollers”, Sonny told them.  “Back us up at the bar.”

            Sonny looked over at Hutch to see how he would take the suggestion and he almost smiled when he saw the nod of Hutch’s head.

            That night, the four detectives were sitting in one of the most expensive clubs in town.  Starsky and Hutch hung at the bar and slowly drank as they watched Rico and Crockett working the floor.

            “The guy is amazing”, Hutch told Starsky.

            “Oh”, Starsky asked.

            “Look at him.  Him and his partner hittin’ on every chick and buy them drinks like the well is gonna dry up tomorrow.”

            They kept watching as Rico and Sonny danced with a variety of women.  They flashed the cash and women seemed to flock to the duo from everywhere.  Hutch watched as Montoya’s party arrived and they were seated in a reserved section of the club.  After another hour, Starsky noticed something.

            “Hey”, he said with a nudge to his partner.  “Look.”

            Hutch looked over and saw that Montoya and his people were taking notice of Sonny and Rico.  A couple of the women had made their way over to where Crockett and Tubbs were holding court with several other women. 

            Sonny stood and walked over to the bar where Hutch was standing.

            “It didn’t take long to get his attention”, Hutch told him.

            “Dirtballs like that have delicate egos.  Hopefully, we didn’t offend him too much.”

            “Maybe you’re playing the game a bit too aggressively”, Hutch told him.

            “What the hell is that supposed to mean”, Crockett asked with steel in his voice.

            “Oh, come on, Crockett.  You can’t tell me that you aren’t enjoying the attention you and Rico are getting from every walker in this place.”

            Sonny lit a cigarette and gave Hutch a side look. 

            “We’re here for one reason and one reason only.  It sure as hell isn’t to get my rocks rubbed.”

            Hutch was about to say something when he noticed the cold look in Sonny’s eyes.  Sonny wasn’t looking at him.  Hutch turned around and he froze when he saw Montoya approaching them.

            “Are you enjoying yourself, my friend”, Montoya asked Sonny.

            “As a matter of fact, I’m waiting on some champagne”, Sonny told him.

            Montoya looked back and forth at Hutch and Sonny.

            “I hope you would be kind enough to return our women to us”, Montoya said with slight leer in his face.

            “Of course, I will personally escort them to your table myself”, Sonny assured the man.

            Hutch watched as Sonny walked back to the table to join the little party.  A few minutes later, Sonny was walking two of Montoya’s women back to the private section.  He watched as Sonny smiled and spoke with the man.  After a few minutes, Sonny was back at his table with Rico and the beauties.

            Early the next morning the four men sat in a small café drinking coffee.

            “I feel like hell”, Rico muttered.

            “Pal, I’ve got a headache that could have its own zip code.  I hope we don’t have to have too many of these nights”, Sonny responded.

            Starsky looked over at them and then at Hutch.

            “Huggy’s not getting anywhere”, he told them.  “How in the hell does Montoya even do business like this?”

            “Back east it was easy.  He knew the players”, Sonny said as he lit a cigarette.  “Here he wouldn’t know who to tag with.”

            “That leaves us, Jimmy”, Hutch told them.  “We need to pay him another visit.”

            “Jimmy may not have enough pull to get us in the end zone”, Tubbs told them.  “He’s still a bit down the social ladder when it comes to Montoya.”

            “Somebody intervened on the little pukes behalf and got him inside.  I would suggest looking into the family tree”, Sonny told them.  “That’s the only way I see him getting his foot in the door.”

            “That doesn’t help us any”, Starsky told Sonny. 

            “Let’s tail him for a few days and see what he’s doing.  Maybe he’s trying to break into the big leagues”, Rico told them.  “We might find a way inside that way.”

            The four agreed.

            Starsky and Hutch sat in the Torino, while Sonny and Tubbs stood outside leaning against a building.  They were waiting for Jimmy to come out of the small bar he frequented. 

            Starsky looked over at Hutch and he could see the edginess in his eyes.

            “Relax, will you”, Starsky told him.  “We’ll get it done.”

            “It’s not that, buddy.  Crockett’s a loose cannon.”

            “He’s played it cool with what I’ve seen.”

            “Look in his eyes, Starsk.  That guy has battle scars and he’s seen too much.  He’s spent too damn much time on the street.”

            “He’s seen his fair share of shit”, Starsky admitted.  “He doesn’t strike me as a guy with a loose screw.”

            “Partner, Crockett has spent so damn much time undercover it make me wonder where his perspectives really are.”

            “Same as ours, Blondie.  We all wanna get the bad guys.”

            Sonny took a drag from his cigarette and looked at the red and white car with Starsky and Hutch sitting in it.

            “Rico, if those guys blow this case, I’m gonna personally take it out of their hide.”

            “Style, Sonny.  It’s all about style.”

            “Did you see the cannon Hutch carries around”, Sonny asked.  “I’m tellin’ you he is all business when it comes to that thing.”

            “You’re always telling me to keep it straight and not let it get to you.  Hutch and his partner are more like us than I think you even want to admit.”

            “True, Ricardo.  I’ve got to admit those two have a proven track record.”

            Jimmy made his appearance out of the bar.  He looked a little unsure of himself as he walked down the street.  He was unaware of the two guys walking the opposite side of the street paralleling him.  Jimmy was oblivious to the red torino with the large white stripe which began slowly pulling forward.

            As Jimmy walked forward he stopped and talked to someone.  The four detectives stopped in their respective positions to watch as he made conversation with a guy standing with a girl.  Suddenly, Jimmy looked back and broke into a run down the street.

            “Shit”, Sonny yelled.  “Son of bitch made us!”

            Sonny and Rico ran across the street with guns pulled and the torino tore down the street.  Jimmy took a short cut down the alley and before Sonny and Rico could run after him, they were cut off by the torino tearing down the alley.

            Sonny cursed loudly as he watched the torino chasing after Jimmy.  They stood for another ten minutes waiting for Starsky and Hutch’s return.  Sonny gave Rico a look and motioned for him to follow him.

            When Sonny arrived back at the precinct with Rico, he walked in the squad room and he walked into Dobey’s office without knocking.

            “Knocking works real well”, Dobey told them.

            “Maybe if your boys wouldn’t be so damn hungry for a bit of guts and glory, I’d be a little more polite”, Sonny told him sarcastically.

            “We were left in the dust while they chased down a perp”, Rico told them.

            “The perp you are talking about is down in the interrogation room as we speak.  I suggest you two get down there.”

            Sonny and Rico gave Dobey a look and they angrily stormed from the office.  They found the interrogation room and the two way mirror with Hutch watching Starsky talk with Jimmy.

            Sonny walked over and grabbed Hutch and threw him angrily against the wall.

            “Your little John Wayne act left your back up in the dust”, Sonny said with gritted teeth.

            Hutch looked at Sonny squarely and he glanced over at Rico who stood in the background doing nothing.

            “Wasn’t much you and Tito could do on foot”, Hutch replied.

            “I don’t appreciate being left out of the loop, pal.  I suggest you put your ego on the back burner for the duration.”

            “You’re ego”, Hutch said with a laugh.  “From day one, you’ve tried to call the shots on this case.  Remember, Crockett.  You’re the tourist.”

            Sonny had an angry look on his face and before he could respond, he heard a voice.

            “Let go of him”, Starsky told him evenly.

            Sonny looked back and he saw Starsky standing not far from Rico.  He could see the cold steel in his eyes.  Sonny let go of Hutch and took a step back.

            “Is the bird singing”, Sonny asked Starsky.

            “Nope.  Montoya’s his best friend.”

            Sonny looked back over at Hutch with an iron gaze.

            “We’re right back at square one”, Rico stated.

            “Jimmy’s not talking”, Hutch told them.  “We’ll find another way.”

            Hutch left the room and Starsky stole a lethal look at Sonny before following him.

            “Just great”, Sonny said with a small laugh.  “I think the raisins are pissed.”

            “You do know how to bring on the charm”, Rico said with a smile.

            When Crockett and Tubbs walked back into the squad room, one of the guys told them to head into Dobey’s office.  Sonny almost smiled as he and Rico headed into the office.  When they walked in, Hutch turned and gave Sonny a cold look.

            “This isn’t working out, Cap’n”, Hutch told him.  “These guys are coming on like gangbusters and we don’t have the time to clue them in to all the players on the street.”

            “If Goldilocks over here would remember what the game is all about maybe he wouldn’t be so jealous of a couple of out of towners who want to take this guy down as bad as he does”, Sonny said with a sly smile.

            “I agree, Cap’n”, Starsky said.  “Crockett and Tubbs are banging heads left and right.  At the rate we’re going in we’re never going to get the goods on Montoya.”

            “Crockett.  Tubbs”, Dobey asked.

            “We’re beating a dead horse, Captain”, Sonny admitted.  “Let Tubbs and I approach Montoya up front with the deal.  At this point, I don’t see any other way.”

            “Cap’n”, Hutch said, “Starsky and I are local.  We’d be more legitimate in Montoya’s eyes.”

            “No way”, Rico told him.  “Jimmy’s made your partner for a cop.  He wouldn’t be able to sit on that little piece of information.”

            “We’ll keep in on ice”, Starsky said.  “As long as we keep our hands on him, he won’t run to Montoya.”

            “Right, Starsky”, Sonny stated.  “How long can he sit here?  He’ll make his phone call and have a high priced lawyer here so fast you’ll think you were writing jaywalking tickets on a beat.”

            “Cap’n”, Hutch asked. 

            Dobey sighed heavily and he knew how well his decision would go over.  She shook his head.

            “You’re not getting anywhere as it is right now.  Crockett, Tubbs.  You two have the ball.  Hook up with Montoya.”

            “Cap’n”, Hutch interrupted and Dobey held his hand up to silence him.

            “It’s too risky sending you and Starsky in.  You both will be the back up.”

            Hutch looked over and saw the satisfied smile in Crockett’s face as he lit a cigarette.  He really wished he could punch the guy’s lights out.  Sonny and Rico left the office and Hutch looked over at his boss.

            “This is one time I have to go with these guys”, Dobey told them.  “Get in there and put the strategy session together.”

            Hutch looked over at his partner.  He clenched his fists as they walked out of the room.  Both detectives sat at their desks and looked over at Crockett and Tubbs.

            “The best way to start legitimizing our cover is by leaking the word about a couple of major players blowing into town to buy some major snow”, Crockett told them.

            “Think your pal Huggy will do it”, Tubbs asked.

            “Yeah”, Starsky told them.  “You won’t have any references.”

            “We’ll flash some cash his way”, Sonny told them.  “Maybe that’ll bring a smile to his face.”

            Starsky looked over at Hutch and he could see his partner had something on his mind.

            “Hutch, what is it?”

            “I think your friend over there is pissed ‘cause we stole his thunder”, Crockett said with a look towards Hutch.

            Hutch sighed heavily and turned towards Rico and Sonny.

            “This isn’t going to work”, Hutch told them.

            “This is gonna be good”, Sonny said with a little laugh.

            “Jimmy knows Rico and I are players.”  Hutch looked over at Sonny and Rico.  “It stands to reason that he may have already told Montoya about us.  You show up with Sonny to deal with Montoya and he’ll run the other direction.”

            “Montoya already saw me with Rico at the club”, Crockett told him.

            “He doesn’t know you’re in the game”, Hutch told him.  “All he’s seen of you so far is that you like to party and you have a way with the ladies.  I’ve already made my introduction to Jimmy.”

            “I knew you’d try to weasel your way in this”, Sonny said with a glare.

            “He’s right”, Rico admitted.

            Sonny looked at his partner and sighed heavily.

            “If you show up there with me, he’ll be suspicious”, Rico told him.

            “Sonny”, Starsky said.  “It’s gotta go down this way.”

            Sonny slammed his hand down at the desk knowing that they were all right.  He stood up and stormed from the squad room.

            “He’s never been squeezed out of a job before”, Rico told them.  “We’ve always done this operation together.”

            “Understood, Rico”, Starsky admitted.

            Rico caught up later that day with Sonny over at Starsky’s place.  Sonny sat with a beer in hand and a cigarette.

            “Rico, I don’t mind the fact I’ll have to stand on the sidelines while a major deal goes down”, Sonny told him.

            Sonny took a long drag from his cigarette and looked at his partner.

            “I don’t trust Hutch”, Sonny told him honestly.  “He’s hotshotting around this city like he owns it.”

            “Hutch does own it”, Rico told him.  “Him and his partner.  They’ve ran these streets for a long time, Sonny.  They know who we’re dealing with as well as we do.”

            Sonny took a long drink from his beer and took a drag from his cigarette before putting it out in the ashtray.

            “I trust him, Sonny.  Isn’t that what counts?  You’ve always said you’ve got to trust your partner.”

            “Leave it to you to throw back at me all my corny sayings”, Sonny told him with a little laugh.

            Hutch and Rico walked into the club and immediately they saw Montoya with his party and they looked at each other.  Hutch noticed Jimmy sitting not far from them and taking a long drink from his glass.  He set it down and ordered another drink.

            “Jimmy’s well on his way to blitz city”, Rico said with a smirk.

            “This’ll work”, Hutch responded.

            Both men made their way over to Montoya.  When they stood in front of Salvador Montoya, he looked up at them.

            “Gentlemen”, Montoya said.  “This is a private party.”

            “We saw our friend Jimmy”, Hutch told him.

            “You know Jimmy”, Montoya asked.

            “We spoke with him”, Rico told him.  “He didn’t mention our conversation to you?”

            “My sister-in-law’s nephew”, Montoya spit out.  “He’s worthless.”

            Rico and Hutch watched as Montoya motioned to one of his men.  The man walked over and picked up a very drunk Jimmy and hauled him from the club.

            “Is this business”, Montoya asked.

            “Yes it is”, Rico said with a smile.

            “Who am I going to consider doing business with”, Montoya asked.

            “Hutch Dawson”, Hutch told him.  “This is my associate Ricardo Cooper.”

            “I remember you”, Montoya said to Rico.  “You were here with some playboy.  Where is he now?”

            “He’s out of town on business”, Rico responded.

            Hutch looked over at Rico and he knew that Sonny still had a cover in the operation.

            “What sort of name is Hutch”, Montoya asked as he lit a cigar.

            “German”, Hutch told him with a cold smile.

            Montoya laughed and motioned for the men to join him.  After Hutch and Rico sat down, Montoya saw to it that both men had drinks.

            “Tell me of this business.”

            “We have customers to satisfy”, Rico answered.  “They are looking for top dollar snow.”

            “Our clientele is very selective”, Hutch told him.  “Money is no object and we are looking to widen our distribution.”

            “How much”, Montoya asked.

            “Ten kilos to start”, Rico told him. 

            “There is a long term profit margin”, Hutch explained. 

            “Expensive”, Montoya sighed.

            “Can you meet customer demand”, Rico asked.

            “Yes, depending on future sales.”

            “20 kilos a week every two weeks”, Hutch answered him.

            Montoya took a long drag from his cigar and looked at both men.

            “40 a ki.”

            “Make it 37”, Rico told him.

            “Agreed.”

            Montoya shook both men’s hands and smiled.  He had had very little progress in making deals since he had been sent here.  The Columbians would be pleased.  Montoya snapped his fingers to one of his men and the man handed Rico a business card with a number on it.

            “Call me in two days for the specifics”, he told them.

            Rico looked over at Hutch and smiled.  Neither were aware of three men walking through the club with a sense of purpose.  Rico looked up and saw shock in the eyes of Montoya.  He looked back and watched as the men pulled machine guns out and aimed it at Montoya.

            Rico and Hutch went for their guns just as they opened fire.  Hutch looked over and saw Montoya’s men returning fire.  The customers in the club were screaming and running wildly through the club as the shots rang out.  One of Montoya’s men were shot in the chest and Hutch grabbed Montoya by the jacket and yanked him on the floor.

            Rico saw what Hutch had done and he turned back and took out one of the men who were trying to kill Montoya.  Hutch shot at the one of the other men who were trying to hide behind a table and he fell over.  The last man had found a place behind the bar and Rico and Hutch couldn’t nail the guy.  Rico looked up and watched a young woman crawling on her hands and knees.  He knew she would be killed if she didn’t get out of there.

            “Cover me”, he told Hutch.

            “Wait”, Hutch yelled.  Rico was already running over to the woman and Hutch shot a barrage of bullets at the man behind the bar in order to protect Rico.  He had fired his last round and he watched as Rico grabbed the woman and shoved her out of the line of fire.  Hutch pulled the gun out of the dead bodyguard’s hands and before he got a shot off, the man aimed his gun at Rico and fired. 

            Hutch let off several rounds and they landed in the man’s chest instantly killing him.  He looked back and he felt his heart stop as Rico laid on his back with a bullet in his stomach.

            Hutch ran over to him and put his hand over the wound.  He could see Rico was still breathing.

            “Hold on, Rico”, Hutch whispered.  “Hold on.”

            Hutch pulled Rico close to him and ignored the blood getting on his shirt.  Hutch could only pray the ambulance would get there soon enough.

            Hutch sat in the waiting room waiting for the doctor to tell him the news about Rico.  He sighed heavily and he wished Starsky was here.  Rico is a good cop, Hutch told himself.  Hutch thought of Sonny and he could feel his gut clench at the idea of telling him his partner was dead.  He heard a door open and he looked up to see Starsky walking in with Sonny right behind him.

            Sonny froze when he saw Hutch.  He clenched his hands at the sight of Rico’s blood on Hutch’s clothes.  Sonny ran over and grabbed Hutch by the shirt and he swung his fist into Hutch’s face.  Hutch fell back on the floor and before Sonny could take a step closer, Starsky grabbed Sonny by the arms and pulled him back.

            “You son of a bitch”, Sonny breathed. 

            “Easy, Sonny”, Starsky told him.

            Sonny pulled away from Starsky and took a step closer to Hutch who still sat on the floor.

            “Anything happens to my partner and there will no place…”

            Before Sonny could finish he heard a door and turned around to see the doctor walking in the room.  Hutch stood up with Starsky’s assistance and the three men waited for the doctor.

            “How’s my partner, doc”, Sonny asked.

            “He’s in surgery right now.  He lost a lot blood, but it looks like he’ll be fine.  He’ll be here for at least a week.”

            Hutch stepped back and breathed a sigh of relief.  Starsky walked over to him while Sonny spoke with the doctor.

            “Are you okay”, Starsky asked.

            “Yeah.  Everything was going fine.  We got in.  Suddenly all hell breaks loose and we’re in the middle of a shootout.”

            “The competition doesn’t like being squeezed out”, Starsky told him.  “It won’t take long to get a line on who it was.”

            Hutch nodded and looked back over at Sonny.

            “Jesus, Starsky.  I think I know how he feels.”

            Starsky patted Hutch on the shoulder and they watched as the doctor left.  Sonny walked over to them and he gave Hutch a deadly look.

            “Sonny, it was a mafia hit.  They were going after Montoya”, Starsky told him.

            “How in the hell did you come up with that one”, Sonny asked angrily.

            “It has all the makings of one”, Hutch explained.  “The mafia has no tolerance for outsiders.”

            “Excuse me if I don’t take your word for it, pal.”

            “Listen…”, Hutch tried to explain.

            “Save it!  You get sent in with my partner for one simple job.  To get in with Montoya.  Ten minutes into the party, he’s shot by a rival and you walk without a scratch!”

            “What the hell are you saying”, Hutch bit out.

            “I’m saying it’s awful convenient”, Sonny whispered.

            Before Hutch could respond, Starsky moved in front of him and stood face to face with Sonny.

            “Crockett, I know you’re wound up pretty tight with what happened to Rico so I’m gonna forget what you just said.  Don’t say it again!  Take a step back.”

            Sonny could see the seriousness in Starsky’s eyes and he backed off. 

            “Go home, Hutch”, Starsky told him.  “Crockett needs to see to his partner and you both need to cool off for a while.

            Hutch nodded and slowly left Starsky with Sonny.  As Hutch left he was blaming himself for what happened to Rico as much as Sonny did.

            Dobey sighed heavily as he looked at the men.  Starsky and Hutch sat in the chairs in front of him and Crockett stood off to the side nursing a cigarette.

            “Starsky and Hutch were right.  It was a mafia hit on Montoya.  Guess they got the word that Montoya was looking for business and they didn’t want his Columbian ass doing it in their territory.  It’s over boys.  We’ll have to find another way.”

            “Goddamn”, Sonny yelled.  “This investigation is almost three months old and we can’t just walk away from it!  Montoya is expecting a call from your cop tomorrow!  If he doesn’t follow through with it we lose any chance of nailing him!”

            “I’m not sending one of my guys in there alone”, Dobey yelled.  “It’s too risky!  There’s a gang war brewing and I’m not going to have another cop get caught in the crossfire!”

            “Cap’n”, Sonny said.  “This is a one shot deal.  We have our foot in the door with Montoya and if we don’t take it Montoya walks.  Who knows if we’ll get another shot at him?”

            “He’s right”, Hutch whispered.

            Everyone looked at Hutch and waited for what he would say next.

            “Cap’n, Montoya remembered Rico.  He asked were Sonny was and Rico told him he was out of town on business.  Sonny can go in with me.”

            “Jimmy’s still the wildcard”, Starsky told him.  “He could blow this thing wide open.”

            Dobey looked at Hutch and then over at Sonny.

            “You two haven’t exactly gotten along since this thing started”, he told them.  “If Montoya thinks you two hate each other’s guts, it’ll work against you.”

            “I can deal with that”, Hutch told him.  “I saved Montoya’s life and he knows it.”

            “Hutch is in good with Montoya”, Sonny said with a small smile.  “It’s exactly what we need.  Columbians have this thing about someone jumping into the fire to help them.”

            “I’ll see if I can track down Jimmy”, Starsky offered.  “I’ll keep him on ice personally.”

            “Starsky, we are bordering on violations here.”

            “Cap’n, I’m willing to risk whatever it takes to keep him out of the loop.”

            Dobey sighed heavily and looked at the men.

            “Do it”, Dobey said with finality.

            The men left the office and when Hutch walked over to his desk, he looked over at Sonny.  Sonny just looked at Hutch.  Sonny gritted his teeth tightly and left the precinct.

            “Rico, this thing is being played too tight, buddy”, Sonny told his partner.

            Rico looked over at his partner who was looking out the window.  He sighed as he looked down at the large bandage covering his wound.

            “It’ll work, Sonny.  Hutch is right.  It’s the only way to get Montoya.”

            “I know”, Sonny said with a sigh.  “I still don’t trust the guy.  Looking at you in that hospital bed is enough to convince me not to turn my back on the guy.”

            “Have you even bothered to read the reports”, Tubbs asked with a bit of surprise in his voice.

            “Let’s see, my best friend gets shot and winds up almost dying.  I’d say burying my nose in reports wasn’t exactly at the top of my to do list.”

            “Sonny, Hutch didn’t have anything to do with my getting shot.  In fact, it was my own stupidity.”

            Sonny turned around and walked over to the bed were Rico laid.

            “What are you talking about?”

            “You know me, partner.  Always the knight who wants to save the girl.  Hutch told me to wait, and I didn’t.  I’m convinced I’d be dead if it wasn’t for him.”

            Sonny looked down at Rico and for whatever reason Rico chuckled.

            “Either I have something on my face or you’re really losing it, Rico.”

            “No”, Rico said with a laugh.  “It’s just that since we got here, you and Hutch have been at each other’s throats since day one.  I just thought it was opposites banging heads.  You and Starsky hit it off okay and Hutch and I got a long pretty well.  But now I know why you two can’t stand each other.”

            “I’m just full of anticipation”, Sonny said with a smile.

            “You two are alike.  In fact, you both are a hell of a lot alike.”

            “What the hell kind of drugs are the nurses giving you here”, Sonny almost laughed. 

            “Sonny, I can’t believe I didn’t realize it till now.  You and Hutch are so passionate about your jobs.  It’s not just your jobs, it’s who you are.  Who we all are.  Plus, you guys would give your own lives with out a second thought for me and Starsky.  I don’t doubt it for one second.  On top of all that, you both are so damn by the book, it’s almost sickening.”

            “I’m not sure if that was an insult or a compliment, partner”, Sonny told him.

            “Seriously, Sonny”, Rico told him earnestly.  “Hutch has it.  He’s a damn good cop and he’ll back you up.  You’d do the same, wouldn’t you?”

            “Yeah”, Sonny breathed.  “I guess I would.  He’s a cop and we’re fighting on the same side.”

            Rico patted Sonny on the hand and smiled. 

            Hutch set the phone down and looked up at Starsky who had just finished up on a thick folder regarding Montoya.

            “Well”, Starsky asked.

            “Montoya wants to meet with me right after the funeral for one of his men that were killed during that shootout.”

            “You should take Sonny with you”, Starsky told him.  “Have him hang in the background before making formal introductions.”

            “I was thinking about that.  It’s going to be tricky.  Hope I don’t scare Montoya off.”

            “Hutch.”

            “Yeah.”

            “You’re not going to like this suggestion, but I gotta make it.”

            “Oh.”

            “Sonny needs to stay with you while all this is going down.  You guys have got to get your stories straight and be ready at a moment’s notice.”

            “I don’t know about that, Starsk.  Sonny and I aren’t exactly exchanging recipes.”

            “He’ll see the right of it, buddy.”

            “What is it about that guy”, Hutch asked.  “We have damn near came to blows more than once since they got here.”

            “Two guys on the same field with different playbooks”, Starsky said with a sigh.  “Hutch, just remember.  Sonny is one of the good guys.  I think he’d be there if the shit hits the fan.”

            “I remember when you almost died, buddy”, Hutch admitted.  “I almost lost it.  I knew how Sonny felt when he laid into me at the hospital.”

            Hutch suddenly stood and put on his jacket.

            “Anything on Jimmy”, Hutch asked.

            “I’m waiting on Huggy to call.”

            “I’m heading home.  Think you could drop Sonny off at my place when he gets here?”

            Starsky nodded and watched as Hutch left.

            Hutch was busy working in the kitchen when he heard a knock on the door.  He stopped what he was doing and sighed.  Knowing who was on the other side of the door, he went ahead and walked over.  Hutch opened the door and he saw Sonny standing there with a small bag in his hand.

            Both men stood and stared at each other for only a minute.  Hutch turned around and walked back to the kitchen.  Sonny took a few steps inside and closed the door behind him.

            Sonny looked over at Hutch who was busy chopping vegetables in the kitchen.  Sonny set his bag down near the couch and walked around the small apartment.  He pulled his pack of cigarettes from his jacket.  He looked back at Hutch and Hutch gave a nod of his head.

            As he lit a cigarette, he noticed a guitar sitting on the floor.

            “How are you on this thing”, Sonny asked.

            “Okay.  I can strum a few things.”

            “Same here, but I prefer the piano.”

            “I would have thought Starsky would have came in”, Hutch told him.

            “He was chasing a lead on our boy Jimmy.”

            “Good”, Hutch replied.  “I’ll feel a lot better once that pinhead is boxed up.”

            “I know what you mean, pal.  Loose ends suck.”

            Hutch smiled a little at the last comment.

            “We’re meeting Montoya at his man’s funeral tomorrow.  I figured then was as good as time as any.”

            Sonny nodded and looked back over Hutch who was still busy working on dinner.

            “Don’t take this the wrong way, pal.  But is the rest of your wardrobe as off the rack as what you’re wearing?”

            “What I wear will do”, Hutch told him with a sly look.

            “No way, buddy.  We are dealing with top of the line slime balls here.  If you don’t dress the part, you won’t come across as authentic.”

            “You don’t need to tell me how to do my job”, Hutch shot back at him.

            “Take a step back, Sundance.  I just think a little change in the looks department might work to our advantage.”

            Hutch didn’t say anything as he finished up his dish and stuck it in the oven.

            “Looks good, Hutch.”

            “Vegetable lasagna.”

            “Sounds great.”

            “You’re kidding, right?”

            “About vegetable lasagna?  No way.  I love the stuff.  Aside from this nasty habit I keep, I love the healthy side of eating.  If I could convince Rico, that would be a miracle.”

            Hutch laughed a little at the peculiar similarity and he went to get dishes down.

            “After we eat, why don’t we head to some of these trendy shops California is so famous for and I’ll help suppliment your closet just a bit.”

            “All right”, Hutch responded.  “Deal.”

            Half an hour later both men were seated across from each other and eating.  They hadn’t spoke much to each other during the meal.  Hutch looked over at Sonny and took a small sip of his wine.

            “You called Montoya a top of the line slime ball”, Hutch offered.

            “Yeah.  He’s got his whole operation streamlined down to the last boat.  He treats it like a corporation and runs it like Castro.”

            “He’s got a weakness in there”, Hutch told him.

            “Do you realize we’ve been running neck and neck with the bad guys for the last 30 years or so?  In the next ten years the bad guys will get smarter and more high tech.  While we sit back waiting for a warrant to be hand walked to us, they’ll be using their computers to move cash.  Gone are the days if busting purse snatchers, Sundance.  We’ll be going after white collar criminals with degrees and limos.”

            “Never knew you were so cynical, Sonny.”

            “No, pal.  Just realistic and I follow the trends.  It’s easy for a cop to go dirty these days.  While they’re struggling to pay the mortgage and raise a couple of kids, they see these guys moving more cash than they’ll ever make in an entire lifetime.”

            “Guys like Montoya can’t keep it up forever.  It all has a maximum life span.”

            “True.  Won’t be long and we’re gonna be reduced to traffic cops.  We’ll be directing traffic and when we do bust the big players, there’ll be another one to take his place.”

            “I guess I’m the optimist”, Hutch told him honestly.  “I’d like to think we’re out there doing some good.”

            “Yeah, we are”, Sonny said as he lit a cigarette.  “Anytime we can keep one less kid from hitting the dope, we are doing good.”

            After they finished dinner, Sonny and Hutch headed down to the car to shop for Hutch some suitable clothing for their meeting with Montoya.  As soon as Sonny saw Hutch’s car, his mouth fell open.

            “What”, Hutch asked.

            “Don’t tell me that you drive this crate on wheels”, Sonny said with a laugh.

            “There is nothing wrong with this car”, Hutch told him with an offended look.  “It’s a classic.”

            “Yeah, it’s a classic alright.  It should have been buried at the junkyard years ago.”

            “This is a great car.  It has character”, Hutch said with pride.

            “Which character?  Bella Lugosi?  Montoya catches us in this car, he’ll dump us with the rest of his trash.”

            “I know that.  I was planning on getting something from the impound.”

            “I’ve got a better idea, Hutch.  We’ll take my rental.  It’ll make the right impression.”

            Hutch nodded and walked over to his car.  He opened the door and looked over at Sonny who still stood on the sidewalk.

            “Let’s go, Sonny.”

            “I’m almost embarrassed to be seen in this bucket.”

            “Get in the damn car”, Hutch said with gritted teeth.

            Sonny laughed as he walked over and opened the door.

            Starsky sat with Huggy and the news wasn’t good. 

            “He’s gone underground, Huggy.  Ever since he was yanked out of that damn club, we haven’t seen hide nor hair of the guy.”

            “I can’t a line on the guy at all, Starsk.  I’ve rattled every snitch and lowlife I know.  He hasn’t made an appearance since you ran him in.”

            “Montoya’s got him on ice somewhere”, Starsky sighed.  “Makes me a little uneasy knowing somebody’s got their hands on the little shit.”

            “Why would they keep him underground like this”, Huggy asked.

            “That’s another thing I’d like to know.  Maybe we rattled him and he was gonna squeal.  Montoya won’t kill him because he’s family.”

            “That would be out of character, Starsky.  Montoya would just as soon blow the guy away than to let anything risk his operation.”

            “Was Jimmy still running numbers for Erickson”, Starsky asked.

            “Naw.  Just before all this went down, he was runnin’ for Forrester.”

            “Not the same…”

            “No way.  Word is the guy is on the way up the ladder in the Alexander operation.  He started out as a small time muscle guy for Nathan Alexander.  He proved himself after a year or two and the old man gave him his own store.”

            “Could be Forrester found out about Jimmy’s connection with Montoya”, Starsky said.

            “I wouldn’t be surprised if the guy wanted a piece of that action.  Forrester is known for his ambition to improve his lifestyle and reputation.”

            “This has more questions than answers Huggy.  Find out what you can about Forrester’s operation.  Also, see if you can rattle some cages.  I’m wondering if Forrester snatched Jimmy to get Montoya’s playbook.”

            “I’m glad I’m not as popular as Jimmy is”, Huggy said with a sly look.  “Oh, I know you’re gonna run Forrester.  His name is Michael Forrester and he sticks to the east side for the most part.”

            “Thanks, pal.  Call me when you know something.”

            Huggy nodded and watched Starsky leave. 

            Sonny and Hutch looked through the men’s clothes in the trendy shop on Rodeo Drive.  Hutch looked over at Sonny.

            “Married”, Hutch asked.

            “Divorced”, Sonny replied.  “Her and the cop lifestyle just didn’t mesh.  It was hard on her.  You?”

            “I was”, Hutch told him.  “Being the wife of a cop didn’t give her the status she was hoping for.”

            “Or the paycheck”, Sonny said with a smile.

            “She was probably hoping I would go to work with my father.”

            “Oh?”

            “He’s a high profit business man”, Hutch told him.  “Got any kids?”

            Sonny grabbed a couple of things and handed them to Hutch.

            “Yeah.  Great kid.  His name’s Billy.  Kinda tough on the kid with my hours.  He stays with his mom.”

            Hutch took the clothes and went to the dressing room to try them on.  A few minutes later he came out.

            “Now way”, Crockett said with distate.  “You look like you should be roasted over an open fire.”

            Hutch sighed as he turned around and walked back into the dressing room.

            Starsky had just gotten off the phone when he heard a slew of whistles and hoots coming from the guys in the squad room.  He looked over at Hutch and smiled.  Hutch was wearing black slacks with a black turtleneck and a dark gray blazer.

            Starsky chuckled as Hutch went to his desk and sat.  He looked over at Sonny who sat at his desk with humor in his eyes.

            “You look like a gigelo”, Starsky remarked.

            “Stow it, Starsk.”

            “It’s better than those earth friendly clothes you’re always wearing.”

            “Pal, you could use a make over yourself.”

            “Girls, I don’t mean to interrupt, but anything new on the operating front”, Sonny asked.

            “I’m still working on getting a line on Jimmy.  It does however look like Nathan Alexander’s boys hit the club.  I think he might have leased a couple of his boys to one of his managers.  A guy by the name of Michael Forrester.”

            Starsky looked at Hutch who had a worried look on his face.  Starsky knew how sensitive Hutch was about the name alone.

            “He runs a small time bookie operation in Alexander’s operation.”

            “What does this have to do with Jimmy”, Sonny asked.

            “That’s who Jimmy was runnin’ numbers for when Montoya blew into town.”

            “I can’t see them getting worked up over a little pecker like Jimmy”, Sonny told him.

            “Well, Forrester is ambitious.  I’m leaning more towards he may be looking to up his status in the world”, Starsky told them.

            “Think he’s trying to expand his business into the drug business”, Hutch asked.

            “Could be.  Jimmy would know Montoya’s moves.”

            “Stands to reason that Forrester might have Jimmy to get the goods on Montoya”, Sonny replied.

            “Shit”, Sonny said suddenly.  “I just thought of something.”

            “Spill it”, Hutch told him.

            “What if Jimmy’s playing both sides”, Sonny told them.  “It sure has hell would give him some bargaining power.”

            “He could be going after his own little piece of the pie”, Hutch told him.

            “I had R & I do a background on Forrester.  Nada.  The guy hasn’t so much as a parking ticket.  Up until four years ago, the guy was non-existent”, Starsky stated.

            “An alias”, Sonny said with a heavy sigh.  “Anything else?”

            “No”, Starsky told him.

            “Think one of your boys in blue will drop me off at the hospital.  Rico’s got to be going insane.”

            “Sure.  Check in up front”, Hutch told him.

            “I’ll hook up with you at your place”, Sonny said. 

            Sonny walked out of the room and after a thought he walked back to the doors.  He stopped when he saw Starsky and Hutch in serious conversation.  Hutch looked tense, Sonny thought to himself.  Hell, the guy looked like he was gonna bust a screw.  Sonny changed his mind about going in and left.

            “Are you sure”, Hutch asked.

            “Hutch, I had some of the same thoughts”, his partner told him.  “Ben Forrest’s operation is non-existent.  We tore every piece of it apart.  He’s in prison with no where to go.”

            “He’s still got connections, Starsk.”

            “Hutch, I know.  I pulled Forrest’s jacket and his family is either dead or in the joint.  There is no connection between him and this Forrester.  At least none I can find.”

            Hutch shook his head and gave Starsky a side look.

            “I’m sorry.  I guess I’m still a little paranoid.”

            “Hey, buddy.  Don’t worry about it”, Starsky assured him.

            Sonny stood at the payphone with the phone to his ear.  He was at the hospital and Rico was getting some tests done.  He made the decision impulsively to call Gina in Miami.

            “Gina, I need you do something for me, sweetheart.”

            “Me, me, me”, she said with a laugh.

            “You know I love you, darlin’.”

            “I’m a pushover for the needy ones, Sonny.”

            “It’s one of the detectives here.  Detective Sergeant Ken Hutchinson.”

            “Asking for a lot”, Gina told him. 

            “Mum’s the word on this.”

            “Sonny, if I start poking around about this guy his department is bound to get wind of it.”

            “Do your best, Gina.  Just keep it to yourself.”

            “You know me”, she said with a smile.

            Sonny smiled and gave her the numbers on where to reach him.

            Sonny walked into the hospital room where Rico was staying.  Rico sat up looking at the food on his tray.

            “Looks like you’re enjoying yourself”, Sonny said with a smile.

            “This is the worst crap I’ve ever seen.  It has no taste”, Rico said with a disgusted look.

            “I don’t envy you.”

            “Sonny, get me something, buddy.  I need nourishment.  Not this poison.”

            “No way, Ricardo.  Doc says you have to be on a strict diet for a while.  I’m not about to gainsay him.”

            “Anything new”, Rico asked.

            Sonny gave Rico the run down on how everything was progressing.  When he finished Rico looked over at Sonny.

            “Something else bugging you”, Rico asked.

            Sonny almost laughed.  Rico knew him better than he knew himself sometimes.

            “Hutch”, Rico said with a sigh.  “I thought you were getting’ past this.”

            “So was I”, Sonny said with a sigh.  “There’s something going on with him, Rico.  I don’t know what it is.”

            “Like what?”

            “I don’t know.  During the briefing he lost all color.  After I left, I saw those two having a pretty serious conversation.”

            “What are you going to do”, Rico asked.

            “I’m having Gina run a check on him.”

            “Partner, is that such a good idea?  Maybe you should just ask him.”

            “Rico, if you had seen Hutch’s face…I just have to make sure this guy doesn’t have something that’ll come back on us.  Can’t afford to jeopardize this operation.  If I start asking questions, I’ll get the cold shoulder.”

            “Do what you have to do, Sonny.  Cover your bases.”

            The cars filed out of the cemetery one by one.  Hutch and Sonny sat in convertible watching Montoya talking with some people.  When Montoya looked over at them, Hutch knew it was his cue.

            “Here goes nothing”, Hutch said with a sigh.

            Hutch got out of the car and walked over to Montoya. 

            “I have known Carlos since he was a boy”, he told Hutch.  “His mother brought him to me when he was sixteen years old.”

            “I’m sorry for your loss”, Hutch told him.

            “His mother’s loss, I’m afraid.  How is your associate?”

            “He’s doing well.”

            Montoya looked at Sonny who stood outside leaning against the car.

            “I see your friend has returned.”

            “He came as soon as everything went down.  Any ideas on who it was?”

            “Damn mafia”, Montoya said angrily.  “They think they own everything.”

            “Are you going to retaliate?”

            “I would if I knew where Forrester operated.  He moves that business of his frequently.  The man is almost as paranoid as I am”, Montoya said with a chuckle.

            “I’ve heard Jimmy used to work for the man.  Has he been any assistance?”

            “I have people looking for him as we speak.  I’m having a get together of some associates tonight at my yacht.  I would cancel considering the circumstances, but there is much business to conduct.  Bring your friend.”

            “I would be honored”, Hutch told him.

            “We’ll work the details of our arrangement and you and your friend can relax with some of the women.”

            Hutch smiled and both men shook hands.

            Back at the precinct, Starsk, Hutch and Sonny were in Dobey’s office. 

            “I don’t like it”, Dobey told them.  “Not knowing where Jimmy is what has me nervous.”

            “Not knowing who the guy is talking to and not knowing which side of the coin he’s on is the big question of the day”, Hutch said.

            “This has all the makings of going bad”, Dobey said with a heavy sigh.  “Nathan Alexander is one of the biggest crime bosses on the coast.  We shake the boat too much and we’re looking at a major war.  This would give the mafia families just the excuse they need to unite and go at it with the Columbians.  We’re looking at a major war on both coasts.”

            “We’re due to hook up with Montoya tonight on his yacht”, Sonny stated.  “Hutch can play Montoya’s best friend and maybe we can get a gander at the other major players in this little soap opera.”

            “Anything on this Forrester guy”, Dobey asked Starsky.

            “He’s on the move quite a bit.  He keeps his operation pretty mobile.  I still haven’t got anything on the guy, Cap’n.  We think this name is an alias.”

            “See Nathan Alexander.  Maybe an official visit might convince him to keep the peace and he might give us Jimmy in order to preserve it”, Dobey told him.

            As the detectives left, Sonny looked over at Hutch.  He could see how quiet he had become and he wondered why.  There was something there and he wished he knew what it was. 

            “Crockett”, Dobey asked.  “Something on your mind?”

            “No, Captain.”

            Sonny walked out of the office.

            The yacht was huge, Hutch thought to himself as he waited at the bar for his drink.  He looked over at Sonny who looked quite at home nursing his beer in the opulent surroundings.

            “This seems to fit you”, Hutch told him. 

            “Pal, this is a fishing boat compared to some of the rides in Miami.  These boys know how to spend money and they do it well.”

            Hutch chuckled and took a small drink.

            “Looks like our host finally made an appearance”, Sonny said.

            Hutch looked over as Montoya appeared with several people.  He watched as Montoya walked away from them and headed towards him and Sonny.

            “Salvador Montoya, this is my associate Sonny Burnett”, Hutch told him. 

            Both men shook hands.

            “I hope you won’t deprive me of my women tonight, Mr. Burnett”, Montoya told him.

            “I think there’s enough women on board tonight for the both of us.”

            “I have spoken with my people and it looks as if we’ll have no problem filling your orders.  We both would like to see a long term partnership”, Montoya told them.

            “How soon can we expect delivery of the first shipment”, Hutch asked.

            “It will take a few days for the arrival.  I will contact you when I know.”

            “Big question is”, Sonny asked.  “Will you be there?”

            “I always personally oversee every delivery, Mr. Burnett.  I have people to satisfy, as well.”

            “You’ll have to excuse my associate.  He’s not too trusting”, Hutch explained.

            “No need, Hutch.  Now, if you both will excuse me, I must see to my other guests.  Feel free to enjoy yourselves.”

            Hutch nodded and watched as Montoya joined the party.

            “He’s not one for long conversations”, Sonny told him.

            “I think he prefers to get business out of the way first.”

            “I hope that partner of yours has luck with Alexander.  It would make everyone a little more relaxed getting their hands on Jimmy.”

            Hutch nodded.

            Starsky sat outside the Regency hotel and watched as Nathan Alexander enter the building with several bodyguards.  The older man looked to be pretty fit and Starsky hoped he didn’t get his ass kicked before he even got in to see the man.  After they had been inside for a few minutes, he got out of his car and jogged across the street.

            Starsky stepped off the elevator and walked over to the bodyguards standing outside Alexander’s door.  He sighed as he looked up.  The big goon had to be at least 6’ 4”, Starsky thought. 

            “Mr. Alexander isn’t receiving guests”, the goon told him.

            “Well, maybe he’ll see this guest”, Starsky told him as he pulled his badge out. 

            The goon motioned with his hand and Starsky found himself spread eagled against the wall while they searched them.

            “I’m gonna take that personal in a minute”, Starsky shot to them.

            He watched them take his badge and his gun.  He was left in the hallway while the goon took them inside.  After waiting a few minutes, Starsky was led inside to the penthouse.  He was guided to Nathan Alexander who sat on a couch with a man who looked like an accountant and a stack of documents in his hand.

            Alexander handed the man the documents and after he left, Starsky got the once over.

            “Bad thing about business, is all the paperwork.  Invest in computers”, Alexander told him.  “Trust me.”

            “Is that a bribe”, Starsky asked.

            Nathan Alexander laughed loudly and picked up the badge which had been sitting in his lap.

            “Detective Sergeant David Michael Starsky.  You’re old man was a cop.”

            Starsky looked at him with cold eyes at the mention of his father.

            “I didn’t know the man”, Nathan told him.  “I have some associates back in the old neighborhood.  They say your father was one of the most righteous cops they knew.  Couldn’t be bought.”

            “I didn’t come here to discuss ancient history”, Starsky told him.

            “I’m not here to discuss my business with you”, Nathan said with lethal eyes.  “You’ll need a warrant for that.”

            “Michael Forrester”, Starsky told him. 

            “Detective, I don’t have time for games.  You know I’m not about to acknowledge any acquaintances I have with anyone.”

            “Mr. Alexander, this visit is off the record.  I’m here to prevent a war.  I think Forrester is looking to widen his business dealings.  It was your men at the club the other night.  They almost killed a cop.”

            “It’s a messy business”, Alexander said with a sigh.  “I’ll level with you detective, but any of this conversation makes it to official channels and I’ll have your organs fed to my dogs.  Drugs aren’t something I deal with.  It’s too messy and unreliable.  My father thought so and I agreed with him.  Too many want a taste of their own merchandise.  Michael came to me and told me that this Montoya was going to flood our territory with cocaine.  He said he would handle it.”

            “His little escapade may start a war with the families and the Columbians”, Starsky told him.  “Just so you know, he’s got an inside guy who ran his numbers that is related to Montoya by marriage.”

            “What does that mean to me, detective?  Michael knows how I feel about this sort of thing.  I’ll leave it to him to rid the streets of the likes of Montoya.”

            “If you do, you’ll be starting a major war”, Starsky told him.  “It’ll hit both coasts and the blood will flow.  We want to take Montoya down ourselves and we can’t do it unless we get this distant relative of his on ice.  For all we know he may be playing both sides.  If you take him out, you will still risk a war.  The best bet any of us has is by getting him turned over to us.  We’ll take Montoya out and you can continue business as usual until we get something on you.”

            Alexander looked at Starsky seriously and suddenly he laughed loudly.

            “I like you, Starsky.  Even though we stand on opposite sides, I like you.  What makes you think Michael would go into business for himself?  He knows that’s very unhealthy.”

            “How long did it take for him to get his own store”, Starsky asked.

            Nathan gave him a cold stare for a moment.

            “Our conversation is finished, detective.”

            Starsky retrieved his badge and gun and quietly left.  Nathan Alexander sat on the couch quietly for a moment going over the conversation with the detective in his head.  He looked at one of his men.

            “Get me Michael Forrester”, he told him. 

            “He’s in Vegas, sir.  Won’t be back till tomorrow afternoon.”

            “Get him on a damn plane, now!”

            Alexander stood up and stormed from the room.

            The next morning, Sonny was searching Hutch’s fridge when the phone rang.  He looked over to see Hutch wearing a robe and picking up the phone.

            “Sonny”, Hutch said.  “For you.”

            Hutch sat the phone down and went to the bathroom.  Sonny walked over and picked it up.

            “Yeah.”

            “I have to remember the time change”, he heard Gina say on the other end.

            Sonny looked behind him and saw that the bathroom door was closed and he could hear the shower running.

            “Anything, Gina?”

            “Could be nothing, but I’m not sure.  You’ll have to tell me what you think.  He’s got a great record and I have to say he is easy on the eyes.”

            “Darlin’, I’m getting jealous”, Sonny said with a small smile.

            “Some years back, he disappeared for four or five days.  Nobody knew where he was.  I’ve got the missing persons report right here.  His partner was tearing the streets apart looking for him.  An APB was put out and he was found.  Suddenly he was put on emergency leave for almost three weeks.”

            “What happened to him?”

            “That’s the thing, Sonny.  I don’t know.  He was checked out at a hospital and he saw a doctor while he was off.”

            “Gina, so far you’re not impressing me.”

            “Normally things like this have a mountain of paperwork stacked behind it.  IA does an investigation with an official report going to the commissioner.”

            “What does the report say?”

            “It’s been restricted.”

            “What?”

            “I don’t get this, Sonny.  The guy disappears for days at a time, then goes on emergency leave.  There are visits to doctors and nothing else.  The IA reports are restricted and squashed.  He got put back on active duty and he made an arrest the day he came back to work.”

            “I can’t believe the guy hit the streets so damn fast”, Sonny observed.

            “Well, he must have really wanted this Forrest guy.”

            “What did you say?”

            “Forrest.  Ben Forrest.  Him and his partner arrested him after his girlfriend agreed to turn state’s evidence.”

            “Gina, find out if there is any connection between Michael Forrester and Ben Forrest.  You’ll have to do some digging.”

            “Yeah, I know”, she said with a smile.  “I’ll have to call in some favors.  You owe me on this one.”

            “Sweetheart, as soon as I get back home, we will do the town.”

            “Don’t make me any promises, Crockett.”

            Sonny laughed as he set the phone down.  Right after he hung up the phone and he watched Hutch come into the room.  Talk about cutting it close, Sonny thought to himself.  Hutch pulled some orange juice from the fridge and poured himself a glass.

            “Girlfriend”, Hutch asked.

            “Once.  We found out that two cops on a personal basis just don’t cut it.  Cuts in on the job.”

            “Sounds pretty”, Hutch told him.

            “Gina is certainly one hot little number and she has a heart of gold.  She’s got some of that little Italian blood which gives her a hellacious temper.”

            “Sounds like you’ve felt the brunt of it.”

            “It’s not a pleasant experience, my friend”, Sonny said with sly look.  “I deserved it.”

            Hutch laughed a little and he wondered what she was really like in person.

            Late in the morning Michael Forrester stood in front of Nathan Alexander’s desk.  He could see the man wasn’t happy.

            “I get a visit from a cop and he tells me he needs this little weasel of Montoya’s.  Only I find out the weasel belongs to you, Michael.”

            “Mr. Alexander, I’m protecting what’s yours.  I told you that we needed the hit on the club and we’re close to taking Montoya out.”

            “Michael, why didn’t you tell me that this character was related to Montoya?”

            “I didn’t know until recently”, Michael answered. 

            “I don’t like it, Mike.  His loyalties are in question which is a liability to all of us.  He could be spoon-feeding information to Montoya.”

            “No way, Mr. Alexander.  Jimmy’s cooling his heels in Vegas.  I put him out there as soon as shit started going down.”

            “I see, Michael”, Nathan said with a smile. 

            Mike looked a bit nervous and looked around the room.

            “I don’t like you keeping things from me”, Nathan told him.

            “Sir, I was doing it to protect you.  If Montoya got his hands on him, there was no telling what he was going to do.”

            “Stop protecting me”, Nathan yelled. 

            Alexander took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.

            “Tell me something, Michael.”

            “Sure.”

            “What are you getting out of all this?”

            “I protect you and in the process I protect myself.”

            Alexander didn’t let on he didn’t like the answer and he leaned forward towards Michael.

            “I need to know where that little weasel’s loyalties lie.  Bring him to me and keep quiet about doing it.  If he tells me what I want to hear, I’ll hand him over to the cops with one of my best lawyers at hand.  He can work a deal to take out Montoya and in the process keep us in the clear if he knows what’s healthy for him.”

            “Yes sir.  I’ll have him here tomorrow.”

            Michael left when Alexander nodded and as he headed to his car he had his fists clenched.  This wasn’t going like he planned and Jimmy was starting to become a liability.  At the same time, letting Jimmy out wasn’t an option either.  The little punk was weak and giving Alexander even one minute with him was not an option.  He would sing louder than Aretha Franklin.  Michael considered just killing the little pecker, but he still needed informa