Never Letting Go
By
Sam suddenly opened his eyes and he immediately knew he was in a courtroom filled with people. He looked around and saw a blonde haired man sitting at a table and the judge was giving him a cross look.
“Counselor”, the judge asked.
“Oh, boy”, Sam breathed. “Uh, yes, your honor.”
“I said you may be seated.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sam looked at the other table and saw that no chairs were available. He walked to the other table and nervously sat down. The blonde man leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“Are you okay”, he asked.
“Ladies and Gentlemen”, the judge said. “Trial date is set in one week at 9am.”
The judge pounded the gavel and the room dispersed. Sam stood up and began shoving papers into the briefcase he found on the floor. The blonde leaned over to him again.
“I’ll be at your office in a couple of hours”, he told him.
Sam nodded and looked around the room. He suddenly looked at the rows of people giving him looks and they weren’t kind. At least half of them were police officers from the uniforms they were wearing.
As Sam walked out of the courtroom, he suddenly found himself in the middle of a throng of reporters who were throwing questions at him. He had no idea of what to say to them and he suddenly felt a hand on him and pulling him away.
“I told ya’ to stick with me and I’d get you through that feeding frenzy”, the gruff officer said to him.
“I didn’t know I was so popular”, Sam replied.
He looked over at the officer who was leading him through an empty stare well, but the man only gave him a cold stare.
“Where are we going”, Sam asked him.
“I told ya’ I’d take you to your car”, he said with an impatient voice.
Sam was silent as the man walked him to his car.
“I wouldn’t do this damn job if I didn’t have to. That asshole doesn’t even deserve a trial.”
Sam didn’t say anything as he walked away. Sam looked around the empty garage as he found keys in his pocket.
“Al, where in the hell are you”, he mumbled.
Sam got in the car and had just put his keys in the ignition, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and turned around to see Al sitting in the back seat.
“I hate it when you do that”, Sam told him.
“It took a while to find you”, Al told him. “Ziggy said that they lost you for a bit.”
“It’s about time you found me. Everyone hates my guts here. Just who the hell am I?”
“You’re name is Sam.”
“I know my name.”
“No, I mean you’re here as Sam Alexander. It’s no wonder everyone hates you. You’re a lawyer.”
“I figured that when I found myself in a courtroom”, Sam told Al.
“You’re not just any lawyer”, Al told him. “You’re client is Detective Ken Hutchinson.”
“He’s a police officer?”
“Yep. And he killed his partner.”
“A cop killing a cop”, Sam asked in surprise. “That’s a new one on me.”
“I must be here to prove his innocence”, Sam told him.
“Ziggy says that there is only a 38% chance you’re here to prove his innocence.”
“What am I here to do then?”
“We don’t know, yet”, Al told him.
Sam pulled the billfold from his pants and found a business card.
“I hope I can find this place”, Sam mumbled.
“You’re in L.A. and it’s May 17th, 1977.”
“I’ve got to go”, Sam told him as he started the car. “Find everything you can about this case.”
“Sam, you’re not here to bail this guy.”
“We don’t know why I’m here, but I’m going to do the job I’m supposed to do.”
Al shrugged his shoulders and the chamber door opened and he disappeared.
A few hours later, Sam watched as his client seated himself in front of the desk.
“How are you feeling”, the young detective asked him.
“Fine. We have a lot of work to do before this goes to trial”, Sam told him.
Sam looked up at him and he could see the strain on the man’s face. He could see pain in the man’s eyes and Sam decided to take a different approach.
“Listen, I know this is going to be tough on you, Detective.”
“You have no idea”, Hutch bit out. “My partner is dead and I’m on trial for his murder.”
“Tell me about you’re partner”, Sam asked.
“Starsky was the best cop I ever knew”, Hutch said with a smile.
“Detective…”
“Hutch.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Just call me Hutch.”
“Okay, uh, Hutch.”
“We met at the academy and we didn’t exactly hit it off in the beginning. When we partnered up, it was a bit tough, but then we started clicking. Even though we were at opposite ends there for a while, it got to where we always knew what one each other was thinking. We were closer than brothers.”
Sam could see the anguish in his eyes and he knew this man wouldn’t murder anyone.
“Did you kill him”, Sam gently asked.
“That would be like killing myself”, Hutch told him.
Hutch leaned in closer to Sam.
“Listen, I know I didn’t kill my partner. I know you; Mr. Alexander and I know you’re a good lawyer. I don’t care whether I get sent up for Starsky’s murder or not. I want you to find out who did it and why. Whether you have the evidence or not to back it up, just find out for me.”
After he left, Sam didn’t know what to make of the conversation. Hutch didn’t care whether or not he was convicted of murdering his partner. He wanted the person who was responsible. He looked up and saw Al standing on the other side of the room.
“I didn’t think you’d show up so soon”, Sam told him. “Any ideas of why I’m here.”
“No. Ziggy’s still running the numbers. This guy you’re defending is some piece of work”, Al told him.
“What makes you say that?”
“He’s a dirty cop, Sam.”
“I don’t know about that, Al. I mean if you had been here a few minutes ago.”
“Sam, don’t let him scam you. He killed his partner because he found out your golden boy was on the take. He’s been getting payments for the past six months and he had an account in Switzerland with almost one million bucks. In this day and age, that was retiring well.”
“Whom was he getting payments from?”
“Redding Jacobs. He was one of the biggest arms dealer on the coast.”
“Was?”
“Well, I’m sure right now he is. He died in the late 90’s from a massive coronary.”
Sam walked over to his desk and looked at the thick file on the desk.
“Find out what you can about this Redding guy, Al. I’ve got a lot of catch up to do on this case.”
“I’ll see if we can narrow down why you’re here. Sam, don’t get too close to this client of yours.”
Sam was silent as Al left and he sighed heavily as he sat and opened the file.
Early the next morning, Sam lay on the leather couch with a file on his chest. He woke up to a gentle kiss on the lips. He opened his eyes and a pretty blonde was looking down at him with a smile.
“You do have an apartment to go to”, she told him.
Sam sat up and rubbed his eyes.
“I guess I just got to reading and lost track of time.”
She held the coffee out to him.
“Sam, I have been your secretary for six years and you spend more time here than you do at home.”
Sam took the coffee and took a small sip.
“I’m waiting”, she told him as she walked over to the small closet.
“Waiting”, he asked.
“Yes.”
She pulled a suit out for him.
“I believe it goes like this. Rebecca Walters, you are a life saver.”
Sam smiled and stood up.
“Rebecca Walters, you are a life saver”, he told her.
“Good. Mr. Hutchinson wants you to swing by his place this morning. You have an appointment with the D.A. at eleven. This afternoon at two, you have to meet with Mrs. Matthews.”
“Mrs. Matthews?”
“She’s divorcing her husband. You know, the bed climber.”
Sam nodded as if he understood and picked up the suit.
“Rebecca…”
“You’re informal”, she said with a smile. “Normally, it’s Ms. Walters.”
“Well, maybe I should relax a bit”, Sam told her. “Did we get all the files on the Hutchinson case?”
“I think so. Why?”
“Where is the ballistics report?”
“It’s not there?”
“No.”
“I’ll call and get it sent over.”
Sam nodded and headed to the bathroom to change.
Sam stood outside the building, which said Venice Place. He sighed and walked inside. He found the door and sighed before knocking. He didn’t hear anything for a minute and he was about to knock again when he heard a muffled come in.
Sam slowly opened the door and when he stepped inside the place was a mess. He stepped through it and saw Hutch in the kitchen fishing for something out of the fridge. He didn’t say anything as he pulled a beer out.
“Isn’t it a little early for that”, Sam asked.
“I didn’t call you here for a commentary on my breakfast habits.”
“Why did you call me over here.”
“When this is over, I want you to sell everything that belongs to me and send it to my family in Minnesota.”
“Hutch, I think we should cross that bridge when we come to it. The trial hasn’t even started yet.”
Hutch took a long drink from his beer and stared at Sam.
“Let’s talk reality here. Almost a month ago, Starsky and I head over to the docks to try and intercept an arms deal being done by Redding Jacobs. Half an hour after we got there, I woke up covered in my partner’s blood. My gun in one hand and a butcher knife in the other. What was left of my partner was lying in a pool of blood less than five feet away. I gave that story to I.A. It was easier for everyone to believe the worst of me. Didn’t help matters when that Swiss bank account popped up.”
“You were set up”, Sam told him.
“I know I was set up and I’m not looking to convince the world of that fact. I want the person who killed my partner. Everything else is meaningless.”
“Why is getting your partner’s killer more important than proving your innocence?”
“Mr. Alexander…”
“Call me Sam.”
“Sam, there is enough evidence to convict me. You and I both know it. I’m a dead man anyways. I can accept that. I want the man who killed my partner dead.”
Sam froze at the last statement and he knew exactly what that meant.
“No”, Sam told him.
“No”, Hutch asked.
“I won’t help you murder anyone.”
“You’re fired, Sam.”
“The judge won’t let you fire me right before we go to trial and you and I both know that getting a lawyer to represent you is going to be a miracle at this point. Let’s make a deal here.”
“I’m listening”, Hutch told him.
“I’m going to prove you’re innocent and that this was a setup. You are going to help me do it and no more of this gloom and doom.”
Hutch shook his head and sighed.
“Not many people will give you the time of day, counselor. Even my friends think I killed him. Hell, maybe I did”, Hutch, said with a bitter laugh.
“You didn’t”, Sam told him.
“Oh? I have no memory of what happened and there was no physical evidence of any type of assault. There were no drugs in my system.”
“When you woke up, how did you feel?”
“I felt like I had just come off of a major binge other than the bad taste in my mouth.”
“Bad taste?”
“Yeah. It was bitter. Hard to compare it to anything.”
“Chloroform.”
“What?”
“It sounds like someone chloroformed you.”
“I knew it was something like that”, Hutch said as he dug another beer from the fridge.
“And another thing”, Sam said. “I need you on your toes. No drinking for the duration.”
Hutch looked at him and sighed. He really didn’t care. Ever since Starsky died he didn’t really give a damn. Maybe the enormous amounts of liquor and beer he had consumed since that day had somehow numbed him. Hutch looked at the beer in his hand and looked back at Sam. He set the beer back in the fridge.
“You were lucky you got bail”, Sam told him.
“Did you notice a blue van sitting across the street when you got here.”
“No.”
“My babysitters”, Hutch told him. “They never leave.”
“I have to meet the D.A. Clean this place up, Hutch.”
Sam saw the raised eyebrows from Hutch.
“I don’t want you hitting the alcohol. Maybe cleaning this place will keep you preoccupied. I’ll be back later today.”
Hutch nodded and watched Sam leave. He could see there was something different about the man. Before he had a look about him that said there was no hope and now he seemed ready to fight.
Sam stood in the bathroom just before he was due to meet with the D.A. He was standing at the urinal when Al appeared. Sam sighed. He couldn’t stop what he was doing at the point he was at right now.
“Al, your timing really stinks.”
“So does this bathroom. Don’t they believe in air fresheners?”
“Al…”
“Okay, okay. Redding Jacobs has been doing business for five years now. For the last eight months, Starsky and Hutchinson had him under investigation.”
“Eight months?”
“They think the reason why it was taking so long was because of Hutchinson. They think he was supplying tips to the man which kept him protected.”
Sam finished up and zipped his pants.
“Hutch said…”
“Hutch”, asked Al.
“Well, yeah. I guess that’s his nickname.”
“Gees, Sam. I told you not to get too close to this guy.”
“Al, I think he’s innocent.”
“Sam, I think this jump finally Swiss-cheesed that brain of yours.”
Sam looked at his watch and picked up his briefcase.
“I have to go meet with the D.A. Keep looking.”
“What am I looking for?”
“I don’t know.”
Sam left the bathroom and Al sighed as he walked back into the chamber.
“Mr. Alexander, we’ve given you everything we have.”
“Except for the ballistics report”, Sam told him. “It wasn’t with the other reports.”
“Fine”, the D.A. said. “I’ll have a courier get it to your office today.”
“Mr. Bainbridge”, Sam said. “I also want access to Detective Starsky’s house and to his desk.”
“Mr. Alexander, I’m not sure if that’s possible.”
“Make it possible”, Sam asserted. “If you don’t, I’ll go to the judge and tell him you’re withholding evidence.”
“That’s pretty weak.”
“Is it? Try me and we’ll find out.”
“Fine. You’ll have it. I do want to offer you a deal.”
“It’ll be turned down”, Sam told him.
“Life. He might make parole in 30 or 40 years.”
“No way”, Sam said with a laugh.
“It’s better than the alternative. Cop killers usually get the electric chair in this state.”
Sam picked up his briefcase and walked towards the door. The D.A.’s voice stopped him.
“You are obligated to present our offer to your client.”
Sam was quiet as he left the office.
Later that afternoon, he watched Mrs. Matthews leave his office and Sam walked over to Rebecca’s desk and gave her the file.
“I’m not sure if I can represent her”, Sam told Rebecca. “She’s the most vindictive unforgiving woman I’ve ever met.”
Rebecca laughed and looked up at him.
“Well, she certainly has the evidence to prove he was cheating on her.”
“Yeah, about 23 times”, Sam said.
“Oh”, Rebecca said. “The D.A. sent some things over.”
She leaned down and pulled out a box.
“It has the ballistics report and some other files. I guess they didn’t want to miss anything. Also here are the keys to Detective Starsky’s house and his car.”
“I guess so”, Sam said as he took the keys.
“Here’s the address and his car is over at the impound yard.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow morning he told her.”
“I’ll be here.”
Hutch sat on the couch feeling totally exhausted. He had taken Sam’s advice and cleaned the place up. It hadn’t been this clean since…
Hutch rubbed his face with his hands at the thought. He didn’t want to think about it and he sure as hell didn’t want to feel it. He pushed himself up off the couch and walked to the fridge. He had just opened it when he heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, Sam was there. Sam walked inside and looked around.
“Much better”, Sam said with a smile.
“Well, once I got started, I couldn’t stop”, Hutch told him.
Sam walked over to the couch and sat down.
“There’s something, isn’t there”, Hutch asked.
“Yeah.”
Hutch sat down and looked at Sam.
“The D.A. made an offer and as your attorney I have to present it to you.”
“Okay.”
“Life in prison. You might see parole in forty years.”
Hutch sat there unmoving for a moment and Sam could see the anger in his eyes.
“I wouldn’t last a year in prison”, Hutch told him. “I’d rather go to the chair.”
“You’re not going to prison”, Sam told him. “I’ll find out who did it, Hutch.”
“I would rather you not get my hopes up”, Hutch told him. “I’ll live up to our bargain. The only reason I’m doing that is I want to find out who killed my partner.”
“No vigilante business”, Sam told him.
“Agreed.”
Sam stood up and was about ready to leave when he stopped. He turned back to Hutch.
“I’ve made arrangements to go to Starsky’s house and to see the car. Can you handle coming along?”
Hutch stared ahead for a moment and swallowed the lump in his throat.
“Okay. You know my babysitters will be tagging along.”
“We’ll get ‘em a six pack”, Sam told him.
Hutch smiled a little and Sam was glad to see it.
Sam unlocked the door to Starsky’s house and walked inside. He turned around and noticed how Hutch stood in the doorway.
“It’s okay, Hutch”, Sam told him.
“They wouldn’t let me come here when it happened”, he whispered.
Hutch slowly stepped inside and as he looked around he expected Starsky to walk in and start complaining having to use his car. He could feel Starsky’s presence through the entire house.
Sam started looking through some drawers and leafing through the papers.
“Why did you even want to come here”, Hutch asked as he slowly walked around the kitchen.
“I thought maybe we might find something here”, Sam told him.
“I don’t know what.”
“Well, we should look for anything and everything that might give us a clue.”
Sam closed the drawer and he saw Hutch clutching a teddy bear. He could see the raw emotion in his eyes and Sam walked over to him.
“You okay?”
“This belonged to someone very special to Starsky. She died. She gave the bear to me, but I wanted Starsky to keep it here with him. God, I can’t believe he’s gone”, Hutch whispered.
“Come on, Hutch. Sit down.”
Sam sat next to Hutch on the couch. Hutch held the bear tightly and Sam could feel his gut clench at the tears forming in his eyes.
“You haven’t mourned for him, have you?”
“I was numb that night. I was in total shock and I’m not sure if I believed it even when I saw his body. I hit the bottle pretty hard and I guess now after all this time, I…”
“I understand. You guys were pretty tight. Sit here and I’ll search his room. Will you be okay?”
Hutch nodded and Sam walked in the bedroom. As soon as he walked in he saw Al standing with a cold look in his eyes. Sam turned around and closed the door.
“What is the matter with you”, Sam asked Al.
“I’d like to ask you the same thing. That guy is taking you for a ride, Sam.”
“Al, what is with you? It’s not like we’ve never had to prove someone’s innocence before.”
“This guy is different, Sam. He’s a dirty cop on the take and his partner caught him. He’s worse than even the worst criminals. Don’t ask me to be sympathetic or feel sorry for him.”
“He didn’t do it”, Sam told him. “I’m going to prove it.”
“That’s not why you were sent here.”
“Oh, yeah! Why was I sent here?’
“Ziggy says there is a 46% chance that you were sent here to make sure this guy gets the chair for what he did.”
“Oh, that’s great”, Sam told him. “I’m the guy’s defense attorney and I’m supposed to let him get sent to the electric chair?”
“Sam Alexander isn’t just any attorney, Sam. He’s one of the best defense attorney’s in the city. Hutchinson hired him to save his butt.”
“I don’t think so, Al. I’ve talked with him and he didn’t care one way or the other about getting him off. He’s more concerned about finding his partner’s killer than himself.”
Sam pulled open another drawer and found a photo album. He pulled it out and opened it up. Sam saw photos of Starsky and Hutch together. He could see the closeness they had to each other.
“Look at this, Al. This looks more like a family album than just partners.”
Al looked at the pictures and said nothing as Sam held the album in his hands.
“I want find everything you can about Starsky. No matter how insignificant you think it is, I want it, Al.”
Al could see the seriousness in Sam’s eyes and he opened the chamber door.
“Sure, Sam”, he told him quietly before walking into the glowing chamber.
Sam walked into the living room and Hutch was still clutching the bear in his hands.
“Listen, Hutch. Why don’t I take you home? You look like you could use some food and rest.”
“No”, Hutch told him. “I want to go see Starsky’s car.”
“It’s over at the impound. You may not want the reception you’ll get there.”
“I’ve already gotten it”, Hutch said with a sigh.
Hutch stood with the teddy bear in hand and he saw Sam holding the photo album.
“I thought you might want it”, Sam explained.
Hutch reached over and patted Sam on the shoulder.
“Thanks.”
At the impound yard, both men searched the entire car. Sam liked the tomato red Gran Torino with the huge stripe on it. Hutch had said he used to give Starsky so much hell about the car. They hadn’t found anything to even help Hutch’s case and Sam told him he’d take him home. Hutch asked what he was planning next and Sam told him he was going to check out Starsky’s desk. As they headed to the precinct, Sam was not comfortable with bring Hutch along. He knew the reception they were getting wasn’t going to be pleasant. He looked over at Hutch who had the teddy bear in his hand once again.
When they arrived at the precinct they were met with cold stares and silence. Hutch walked inside the squad room ahead of Sam. No one spoke as he walked over to his desk.
Sam didn’t say anything to him and he knocked on the door of the captain.
“Come in”, said a gruff voice on the other side.
Sam walked inside and he saw a large black man sitting at his desk.
“Captain Dobey”, he asked.
“So you’re Hutchinson’s lawyer. Well, you’re good”, Dobey told him. “He’ll need the best.”
“I understand you have the keys to Starsky’s desk”, Sam told him. “I’ll need those.”
“The D.A. has already looked in his desk, Mr. Alexander.”
Sam didn’t like the way he said his name and he could see the anger in his eyes.
“Didn’t the D.A.’s office let you know I was coming?”
“Yes, they told me.”
“You know I can have the judge hold you in contempt”, Sam told him.
“You know what’s contemptible to me”, Dobey asked angrily. “Dirt bags like you.”
“So you think Detective Hutchinson murdered his partner”, Sam stated.
“When it first happened, I didn’t. I wouldn’t believe it. Then evidence started piling up right at his feet. By the time it was all said and done, I had no other choice but to believe it”, Dobey said with a sigh. “No one wants to believe one of their best cops has gone bad.”
Dobey opened up his desk and tossed the keys to Sam. Sam caught them and silently left the office. Dobey slammed the drawer shut and buried his head in his hands.
Sam walked back into the squad room and Hutch was sitting at his desk staring into space. He was silent as he unlocked the desk and began pulling files out of the drawers. Sam looked around as everyone stared at himself and Hutch. He turned his attention back to what he was doing.
“I think I’m going to check out all the cases you and your partner had in the last year. Maybe someone is holding a grudge against you guys.”
“I did that already”, Hutch said with a sigh. “Nothing.”
Sam heard some whispering and he looked to the other side of the room and saw a couple of detectives looking at him and Hutch. Sam felt a sudden anger towards them.
“What happened to innocent until proven guilty”, he told them.
They turned away and stormed from the room. Sam sat down and opened up a file. It was a personal log. He scanned through it and found several entries of telephone calls made with no names. He also discovered three vouchers dated the week before his death.
“Hutch, what do you make of this”, Sam asked.
Sam handed Hutch the folder.
“We always took care of our logs like this. I don’t know anything about these vouchers.”
“Get your log”, Sam told him. “Compare it to his. They should be fairly similar.”
Hutch pulled out his log and began reading it.
“What are these vouchers for”, Sam asked.
“Sometimes we give cash to informants and we’re reimbursed after we turn them in.”
“Why didn’t Starsky turn his in?”
“Starsky isn’t known for his paperwork skills”, Hutch told him. “That’s strange.”
“What is it?”
“The last week of Starsky’s log is completely different than mine. He was here quite a bit when I wasn’t.”
“I’m wondering if Starsky was having his own little investigation”, Sam speculated.
“No”, Hutch said flatly. “Starsky and I never kept anything from each other. He would tell me.”
“If he thought it was too dangerous, maybe not.”
Sam took the file from Hutch and copied all the phone numbers with the dates and times. He was getting ready to put the file away and as an after thought, copied all the available information from the vouchers.
Sam and Hutch left and neither of them were aware of the eyes, which followed them as they left the precinct. Sam was driving down the street and he looked over at Hutch.
“You know, I heard somebody talking about this place you guys used to go to called “The Pits”. What do you say, Hutch?”
“No”, Hutch whispered.
“Hutch, we need to go there”, Sam told him. “This Huggy Bear might be able to help us.”
“I saw Huggy at the funeral. He wouldn’t even talk to me.”
“Has he talked to you at all?”
“No.”
“Have you tried?”
“No.”
“Hutch, I know all of this is hard on you, but we have to talk to him.”
Sam looked over at Hutch and he could see the emotion in his eyes.
“I know how good of friends the three of you were. You need to go, Hutch.”
Hutch looked out the window. Sam made the decision anyways to head over there. He hoped maybe he could find a friend in Huggy Bear.
When they arrived at Huggy’s, Hutch froze at the door much the same way he had at Starsky’s place. Sam put his hand on Hutch’s shoulder and guided him in. When Hutch looked over at the bar, he saw Huggy standing behind it. Both men froze and stared at each other. Huggy slowly walked around the bar over to Hutch.
Sam watched as both men stared at each other not saying a word.
“Hutch”, Huggy started.
“I couldn’t…” Hutch whispered.
Suddenly both men hugged tightly and Sam stepped back to give them some time alone. He found a place at the bar and he looked over his shoulder and Al was standing not far from him. Sam stood up and walked over to a quiet booth.
“Anything”, Sam asked Al.
“This Starsky character was a hell of a great cop”, Al told him. “He’s got commendations and one impressive arrest record. Him and that partner of his put away more bad guys than damn near anyone else.”
“I hope you’re having second thoughts about Hutch.”
“I don’t know, Sam. I guess right now I’m trying to figure out how such a great cop as Hutchinson got dirty so fast.”
“Al, he’s not a crooked cop”, Sam told him while watching Hutch and Huggy. “It was a setup. I believe that now more than ever. I need something concrete, Al. I think Starsky had his own little investigation on the side and he didn’t tell Hutch about it.”
“Sam, everyone thinks that Starsky found out about his partner and he was murdered over it.”
“Starsky may have found out something. I think he was murdered and his partner was setup to take the fall.”
“You have to prove it, Sam.”
“Everything still points to Redding Jacobs.”
“I’ll have Ziggy check into it.”
Hutch sipped on the cola Huggy had gotten him and he looked over at Sam who looked to be in deep conversation with no one. Great, Hutch thought to himself. He has a crazy lawyer.
“I should have came to see you”, Huggy told him. “I’ve been pretty torn up about Starsky.”
“They think I killed him, Huggy”, Hutch said with a sigh.
“I know better than that. You would just as soon cut off your right arm than to hurt your best friend.”
“What did you say”, Hutch asked.
“I said…”
“Never mind, I know what you said. When I woke up, my gun was in my left hand”, Hutch told him.
“Since when do you hold it in your left hand?”
“I never do. Right after this happened I thought I was losing my mind. Since Sam suddenly decided I was innocent, my head’s been clearing up a bit.”
“Hutch, Starsk would never want you to wallow in self pity. He’d want you to move on with your life.”
“What am I without him, Huggy? Look at the years we spent together. On duty and off duty.”
“You are still Ken Hutchinson and we’ll find out who did this.”
“Dobey thinks I did it”, Hutch said with a sigh.
“Dobey’s had so many people in his ear tellin’ him how guilty you are and then they throw the evidence in his face. Top that off with grief and I think you know where I’m goin’ with this.”
“You know what Starsky would want me to do right now?”
“What’s that, my friend?”
“A beer and one of your best burgers. Make that two for my friend over there.”
Huggy patted Hutch on the shoulder.
“It’s good to have you back, Hutch.”
Hutch nodded and walked over to Sam and sat across from him.
“I thought we could have a beer and burger”, Hutch told him.
“That sounds like a plan”, Sam said with a smile. “I’m glad everything’s okay with you and Huggy.”
“We should have spoke sooner”, Hutch answered. “I guess we were too afraid to approach each other. A lot of memories in this place.”
“It’s a great place.”
“Yeah. This was where we spent a lot
time, brought girls and picked each other up.”
Huggy brought the beer and food over. He sat down and introductions
were made between himself and Sam.
“You and Starsky were good friends, huh”, Sam asked Huggy.
“You know it. All three of us were pretty tight.”
“So this was where you guys all hung out”, Sam commented.
“It was much more than that”, Hutch told him.
“Yeah, I am what you would call a phone directory and library of sorts.”
“I don’t get it”, Sam said.
“Huggy always knew certain information which assisted Starsky and I in our investigations. If not, he knew how to get it and where to get it from.”
“I see. Well, then the name Redding Jacobs might mean something to you.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard of the dude”, Huggy said with a sigh. “That’s the dude Hutch and Starsky were on when it all went down.”
“Anything new on him”, Hutch asked Huggy.
“Strange, when you think about it”, Huggy said.
“What”, asked Sam.
“Well, ever since Starsky was…He’s just been real quiet.”
“I’m sure since a police officer was killed…” Sam said.
“No”, Huggy told him. “This is different. Normally this guy always made sure his name was in the local news in the neighborhood. He’s got an ego the size of Catalina Island and wants everyone to know who he is. Last few weeks, the brother has been keeping a low profile.”
Sam pulled his card out of his jacket and gave it to Huggy.
“If you hear anything”, Sam told him. “Call me anytime.”
“I’ll keep the card in case I need your legal expertise, but any info I hear I will pass on to my man here.”
“Fine”, Sam said. Suddenly Sam’s eyes lit up. “Hey, can you make two of these burgers to go?”
“Of course. Anything for the customer”, Huggy said as he left.
“Sam”, Hutch said. “You can’t still be hungry. One burger is plenty for me.”
“They’re not for us”, Sam told him.
Hutch gave Sam a small smile. An hour later they were headed out the door and Sam spotted the familiar blue van across the street. He jogged over there while Hutch watched. He knocked on the window and the guy in the suit rolled his eyes as he rolled the window down.
“I know you boys are hungry, so I thought I’d help you out.”
Sam gave him a smile and plopped the burgers in his lap. When he made it back to Hutch he turned back to the men in the van and gave them a small wave. Hutch looked over at him.
“I think you’re having too much fun with this”, Hutch told him.
“Come on”, Sam told Hutch. “I want to get to my office before Rebecca leaves.”
Sam walked into his office with Hutch following him and stopped at Rebecca’s desk. He pulled his notebook out and opened it up.
“Rebecca, I need to find out whose numbers these are. How soon can you get them for me?”
“There’s at least a dozen here”, she told him. “It’ll take a while to get the names that go with them.”
“I want them soon. Come on, Hutch.”
Sam walked into his office and watched as Hutch slowly walked to the chair and sat down. Sam sighed in frustration and walked over to his desk.
“I want to talk about those vouchers in Starsky’s desk. One was for twenty dollars, the other for forty.”
“What about the third”, Hutch asked.
“It was for 180 dollars.”
“What? We’ve never paid that much for a snitch!”
“Hutch, think. Did Starsky ever say a word to you about what he was doing?”
“No”, Hutch said quietly. “He never let on once.”
“Come on”, Sam said with a raised voice. “We have less than a week till we go to trial! There has to be something!”
“There was nothing”, Hutch said.
Sam looked over at Hutch and he realized something. This man was a Detective Sergeant and he was sitting there like a bump on a log. He looked up and saw the chamber door open and Al walked through it.
“Goddamn”, Sam yelled.
Hutch’s head shot up looking at him.
“You’ve spent years on the force and here you are a detective sergeant and you are sitting there doing nothing!”
“What do you want me to do”, Hutch asked.
“I’ve seen some of the cases you and Starsky have done together and you’ve always charged with a load of steam and done what needed to be done. You’ve taken charge.”
“Sam”, Al said. “I don’t think he needs the go team go speech.”
Sam ignored Al and walked around the desk looking at Hutch.
“You’re not the one who died, Detective”, Sam said with a loud voice.
Hutch suddenly stood and stared at Sam angrily.
“You’ve just been going through the motions of being alive while the murderer of your best friend walks the streets! If you cared about your partner, you would be killing yourself to get justice done.”
Sam was just about to turn around when Hutch lunged forward and slammed him up against the wall.
“Oh, Sam”, Al said. “I think you’re going to get it this time.”
“Hutch, Starsky wouldn’t want you to roll up in a ball and die. When we get the one responsible, Starsky will still want you to live. You know it.”
Hutch relaxed a bit and took a step back.
“God, you’re right. This whole day has been too real for me. I guess I’ve been trying to lock myself up so tight away from everyone and everything that I forgot what it’s all about. Going to Starsky’s house, the precinct and Huggy’s. It feels like I’m just starting to wake up.”
“Listen, Hutch. We’ll find out who did this and we’ll get ‘em. I promise.”
Both men nodded at each other. Sam looked over at Al who looked like he was ready to pop a vessel.
“Excuse me for a minute”, Sam told Hutch. “I’ll be right back.”
Sam walked to the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
“Gee Louise! I thought that guy was gonna tear your head off”, Al told Sam.
“Tell me you have something, Al.”
“Oh, yeah. I don’t know if this means anything, but a large shipment of guns winds up down in Guatemala about six months from now.”
“So.”
“So, the CIA always had these secret operations going on all over the world. Well, Ziggy found out that the CIA recovered these guns from some guerrillas and guess where they came from.”
“Come on, Al”, Sam begged.
“Los Angeles Police Department Property Warehouse.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah. And we know who the poster child for dealing illegal weapons is.”
“Redding Jacobs.”
“Gee, Al. There has to be an inside guy somewhere. How else does something like that happen?”
“That’s what I think, too. So, I’ve got Ziggy running a check on all the guys that have worked over there in the last year.”
“That’s good. So we should get something soon.”
“I don’t know, Sam. These are really old records and there was a major fire in the late 80’s.”
“Well, tell Ziggy to do his best.”
Sam walked back into the room and sat at his desk, while Hutch gave him an odd look.
“I heard someone talking in there”, Hutch told him.
“Oh, well, sometimes I talk to myself when I’m on a case to try and work things out in my head.”
“Oh, was that what that was.”
“Okay, where were we”, Sam said with a bit of a smile. “The voucher.”
“Is there anyone you guys would pay this kind of money to for information?”
“I’ve been thinking about it and I can’t think of any snitch that’s worth that kind of money.”
“Wouldn’t Starsky mention anything to you about something like this?”
“Normally, he would. But now that I think about it, he had been on the quiet side for over a week before he died.”
“How do you mean?”
“He wasn’t talking about dates or food. He wasn’t even talking about his car.”
“Hutch, that’s not much.”
“You have to know Starsky, Sam. He babied that car of his. He treated it like a real person. That last week, I don’t even remember him talking once about a girl he met. I guess now that I look back on it, he was preoccupied but I didn’t see it.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it, Hutch.”
Sam rifled through some papers and pulled out the medical examiner’s report. He was careful to keep the pictures hidden from Hutch.
“It says here that Starsky had two bullets from a .357 in the chest. Which I’m assuming was your gun.”
Sam looked up and Hutch nodded.
“What I don’t understand is the fact that he was cut up pretty bad from the knife. You’re gun alone would be more than enough to finish the job, but then he’s cut up?”
“Maybe he was stabbed and when that didn’t do it, they shot him.”
“Hutch, there was enough blood on you and him to make sure that even if he was still alive, he wouldn’t have been for long. The gun would have been unnecessary.”
Both men stayed silent for a while and Sam stood up. Hutch heard him mumble something about DNA. Sam turned around and looked at Hutch.
“How did anyone know you guys were there”, Sam asked.
“I guessed that someone saw us.”
“You were on a dock in the middle of the night, Hutch.”
“Damn”, Hutch whispered.
“What?”
“The only ones that knew we were going to be there were other cops.”
“Are there cops that you work with that would have it in for you guys?”
“No. There were plenty of cops that didn’t like us, but none of them would even come close to doing this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure”, Hutch told him.
“Okay. You and Starsky have had Redding Jacobs under investigation for eight months. Wait a sec, Hutch? Why did you and Starsky go to the docks that night?”
“We had a tip a buy was going down.”
“From who?”
“It was anonymous, but they specifically mentioned Redding Jacobs by name. That’s why we took it seriously.”
“Did they call the precinct?”
“Yeah, Starsky took the call.”
“Are you guys able to get the phone numbers when you get information like this?”
“Sometimes, depending on the situation. Starsky was on the phone for less than a minute. There wasn’t any time.”
“Damn”, Sam cursed. “We’re missing something somewhere.”
“I’ve gone over this in my head a dozen times, Sam.”
“Starsky was on to something. That much we know. We don’t know what it is. He gets a phone call, which leads you to the docks in the middle of the night. Starsky is murdered and you are set up to take the fall for it.”
Sam looks at Starsky for a moment and walks over to his desk and pulls out a folder.
“This Swiss bank account with your name on it was set up less than two weeks ago. All the money was deposited at once. If you had been on the take for as long as the D.A. is saying there would be more.”
“Not if I saved it up at home and made a lump sum deposit”, Hutch offered.
“You’re not helping”, Sam told him. “It was even done from your bank.”
“Wait”, Hutch told him. “Do you have the deposit slip for that?”
“Uh, yeah, here it is.”
Sam handed it to him after finding it. Hutch looked over the deposit slip for a minute.
“I think we’ll be able to prove that I didn’t set this account up”, Hutch told him. “In fact I’m sure of it.”
“Okay”, Sam nodded. “That’s good. Let’s look at the big picture for a sec. You guys are on this Redding character for the better part of eight months, you get a tip about a buy and after all is said and done, Starsky’s dead and your taking the fall. Then there’s the Swiss bank account.”
“I’d convict me”, Hutch said with a sigh.
“Don’t you see? It’s all just too perfect”, Sam told him. “There is only one way for this thing to come together as easily and as quickly as it did.”
“An inside job”, Hutch told him. “Who in the department would do this?”
“Hopefully, we’ll find out soon”, Sam said mysteriously.
The phone rang and Sam answered it. He sighed when he found himself talking with Mrs. Matthews. He swung his chair around while he talked to the woman. Sam didn’t realize it, but Hutch was leaning over looking at the various files on his desk. His eye caught something. Hutch looked up to see Sam still talking on the phone and he looked down at the desk. He opened up one of the folders and saw some photos under a paper. Hutch pulled them out and when he saw them his eyes widened. He stood up and looked through each photo of the crime scene. Every one jumped out at him. He was unaware of the perspiration draining on his face. Hutch didn’t hear Sam put the phone down.
Sam was stunned when he saw Hutch looking at the crime scene photos. His face was ghost white and the sweat was pouring from his face. Sam stood and tried to take the photos from Hutch.
“No”, Hutch yelled as he pushed Sam away.
Sam stood back and watched as Hutch looked at each and every photograph. When he had seen the last of them, he stepped away from the desk.
“Hutch, I’m taking you home”, Sam told him.
Sam grabbed Hutch’s arm and pulled him out of the office.
Half an hour later, Hutch opened the door to his apartment and he stormed to the kitchen. Sam walked in and watched Hutch going through his cabinets. When Hutch found what he was looking for he stopped. Sam watched as he pulled the bottle out, open it and take a long drink.
“I thought we had a deal”, Sam said.
“Screw your deals”, Hutch yelled.
Sam sighed as he watched Hutch take another long drink. Sam realized he couldn’t do anything for Hutch. He walked over the phone and dialed a number.
“Is this Huggy”, Sam asked.
“Yeah.”
“This is Sam. I’m at Hutch’s. I think you need to get over here.”
Sam put the phone down and looked at Hutch. He was still drinking and oblivious to the phone call he had made. It was only a few minutes when there was a knock at the door. When Sam opened the door Huggy was there along with Al who walked in right through Huggy. It always unnerved Sam when Al did it, but this time he barely noticed it.
“He saw the crime scene photos at my office today”, Sam told him. “I thought you should be here instead.”
“I think so, too”, Huggy told him.
“I’ll be at my office if you need anything.”
Sam was just about to leave when Huggy called his name. Sam turned and looked at him.
“Thanks, man. I appreciate you calling me.”
Sam nodded and walked out with Al following him.
“That guy looks like he’s ready to bust a screw”, Al told him.
“Do you still think he’s guilty, Al?”
“I don’t know, Sam. I’ve learned more about these two guys than I ever thought I would. They seemed like they were closer than brothers and not in the way you might think. When I was in Vietnam, some of us guys got really tight and that was because we went through the same shit together. No one could ever really understand us except each other. We depended on each other for everything. Especially in that POW camp.”
“Al, I wish there was something I could do for him. I don’t think he’ll ever be whole again.”
“Oh, I came back here for a reason. Ziggy’s still checking into the cops over at that property warehouse, but there are a few things that popped up. It looks like that there are a total of eight cops that worked the property warehouse with questionable financial records. Four of them are working over at the same precinct that Hutchinson and Starsky worked at.”
“Who are they?”
“George Powell, Marvin Reynolds, Richard Amherst and Harold Dobey.”
“Dobey?”
“Yeah. I guess after you’re buddy Hutchinson got sent up he was demoted to the property warehouse.”
“What’s so questionable about his financial records?”
“He had a large deposit made five months ago and he’ll get another in nine months.”
“I can’t picture him being a crooked cop, Al. I mean he’s a police captain.”
“What about those other guys?”
“Same thing. Huge deposits.”
“We’re missing something, Al. It’s right there in front of us. Any idea of why I’m here, yet?”
“Ziggy is still sticking with his numbers. There is also an 86% chance that Hutchinson gets the electric chair for Starsky’s murder.”
“I’ve got to get some sleep”, Sam told him. “See what you can dig up about those guys, Al. There has to be something else.”
“Get some sleep, Sam. Maybe everything will look better in the morning.”
Sam nodded and headed to his office.
Sam was sleeping soundly when the phone suddenly rang. It had rang several times before he answered it.
“Yeah”, he said.
“Sam, it’s me Huggy.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Hutch has totally lost it man. He’s tearin’ the place up somethin’ fierce.”
“I’m on my way.”
Sam hung up the phone and headed out the door. As soon as he arrived at the apartment, he could hear the crashing going on inside. He opened the door and saw something flying. Huggy stood back watching and Sam walked in.
“Huggy, what happened?”
“I’m not sure. He was winding down pretty good there for a while. I got him to bed and I think he’d only slept for a few hours when he started yelling and screaming. He’s been tearing into the furniture. Those pics did something to him.”
“We have to settle him down”, Sam told him. “If the police come, he’ll get locked up and I won’t be able to get him out.”
They looked at each other for a moment and ran at Hutch who held a chair above his head. Before Hutch could react, both men tackled him to the floor. The wrestled him down and suddenly as if waking from a dream, Hutch saw Sam.
“Sam”, Hutch whispered.
“Yeah”, Sam said. “Huggy and I are here.”
“The photos.”
“What about the photos”, Huggy asked.
“They’re not real.”
“What”, Sam asked.
“We have to get to the photos.”
“Why”, Huggy asked.
“Because they’re not real”, Hutch insisted.
Huggy looked at Sam. Sam gave him a look right back.
“Let’s go to the photos”, Sam told him.
Huggy and Sam stood up and helped Hutch stand up. Before any of them could do anything, Hutch was headed out the door. They ran to catch up with him and Sam drove them to the office.
Hutch was fit to be tied when they got there. As Sam fumbled with the keys, he could see if he didn’t hurry, Hutch was going to tear the doors down to get inside. As soon as he opened the door, Hutch was going right inside.
“They’re on the desk”, Sam told him.
Huggy and Sam watched Hutch grab the photos and look at each one. He would say ‘not real’ and toss it to the floor. Huggy looked at Sam while watching the episode playing out in front of him.
“I think Hutch has really lost it”, Huggy said.
Sam watched Hutch closely as he continued going through the pictures. Sam stepped closer to Hutch.
“Hutch, what do you mean they aren’t real”, Sam asked.
Finally Hutch tossed down the last photo and put his hands on the desk. As Hutch looked straight ahead Sam stepped closer.
“They aren’t real”, Hutch told him. “There’s something wrong with them.”
Sam looked back at Huggy.
“I think he’s remembering something”, Sam told Huggy. “Sometimes the mind will block out painful memories.”
“Wouldn’t whatever they used to take him down do it?”
“Not with chloroform. This is something else. Hutch, you remembered something, didn’t you?”
Hutch shook his head back and forth mumbling but Sam didn’t know what it was.
“Come on, Hutch. Talk to me”, Sam told him.
“It’s not there”, Hutch whispered. “It was there and now it’s not.”
“What is it?”
“I need the list”, Hutch said.
“The list”, Huggy asked.
Hutch stood and covered his face with his hands.
“The damn list”, he yelled.
“I think I know what he’s talking about”, Sam whispered.
Sam walked around to his desk and began looking through the folders. Hutch joined in and suddenly Hutch yanked it up and read it. He was moving his eyes quickly as he read.
“What’s he looking at”, Huggy asked.
“The list of Starsky’s personal belongings at the crime scene.”
“None of this makes sense.”
“It doesn’t to me, but it does to him for some reason.”
“It’s not here”, Hutch whispered.
Suddenly Hutch smiled at Sam and Huggy.
“Don’t you see it’s not here? Huggy, look.”
Hutch handed the paper to Huggy who read through it. When he finished he looked back at Hutch.
“What’s not here, Hutch? I don’t understand.”
“He never took it off, Huggy. Never!”
“What the hell are you talking about”, Huggy asked.
“Starsky”, Hutch said with a smile. “He never took that damn ring off.”
“Ring”, Sam asked.
“Yeah”, Huggy answered. “Starsky had a pinky ring and he never took the thing off. It belonged to his old man.”
“Don’t you guys see what this means”, Hutch said with an excited look.
“It means whoever killed him took it.”
“Huggy, if Starsky wanted to take the thing off there was only one way to get it off. And that was with dish soap.”
Hutch looked at both of the men who had odd looks on their faces.
“If you had spent as much time as that asshole did at the crime scene, are you going to spend another five minutes working at getting that ring off?”
Hutch felt like he was going to lose it right there. Sam and Huggy were still giving him the strange looks.
“You don’t get what I’m saying”, Hutch told them.
Hutch kneeled down on the floor and started picking up the pictures. After he had gathered them, he stood and showed them to Huggy and Sam.
“This is not Starsky”, he told them. “I don’t know who this is, but this isn’t my partner.”
“The blood type”, Huggy told him.
“Do you know how many people have the same blood type as Starsky? How hard would it be to find someone with his hair coloring and build.”
“This is a huge leap, Hutch. As much as I want it to be true”, Huggy admitted.
Sam walked forward with the photos in his hand. He was silent as he looked through them. Hutch and Huggy watched him as he set the photos down on the desk and pick up the medical examiner’s report.
“Could be”, Sam whispered.
“What”, Huggy said with shock on his face.
“His face was hacked to pieces and so was where he was shot at. They took Hutch down with chloroform. They could have just as easily done it with Starsky. Bring in someone who came close to Starsky’s appearance and blood type. Put Starsky’s clothes on him and kill him setting up Hutch for the fall.”
“Do you have any idea how crazy this sounds”, Huggy said. “Why would someone go to that kind of trouble?”
“To keep me out of the way”, Hutch, told him. “I would be pretty preoccupied with a murder wrap on me. Especially if I thought Starsky was dead.”
“Even if they did that”, Huggy said. “What makes you think he’s still alive?”
“Starsky was running his own investigation on the side”, Sam answered. “He could have easily came across some evidence and he hid it only where he thought Hutch could find it if something happened to him. If they knew he had something, they would need to keep him alive and hope they could get it out of him.”
“Once I was out of the way permanently, then they could get rid of him and no one would be the wiser”, Hutch told them.
“Who”, Huggy asked. “Who would do all of this?”
“Whomever he was investigating”, Sam told him. “Probably Redding Jacobs. Chances are they found out about Starsky before he had a chance to say anything to you, Hutch.”
“Starsky had to have known how dangerous this was getting”, Huggy told Hutch. “I think he was trying to protect you.”
Hutch nodded and looked over Sam.
“We need to go back to Starsky’s place”, Sam told them.
“What makes you so sure about this”, Huggy asked him.
“It’s all we have”, Sam answered.
The three men left and headed to Starsky’s home.
No one spoke when they walked into the house. Sam walked around while Hutch cursed loudly. The place had been torn apart and ransacked.
“Maybe they missed something”, Sam said with a sigh.
The three of them spent almost two hours looking through the house, but finding nothing. After wards they all stood looking at each other.
“Dobey”, Hutch said. “We need to go to him with this.”
“I don’t know”, Sam said.
“He thinks you’re guilty”, Huggy said.
“He won’t after I talk to him.”
This was not an option in Sam’s mind. As far as he knew Dobey might be on the take and he was the last guy to take all of this to.
“This is all speculation”, Sam told him. “We don’t have anything concrete.”
“Sam, you and I both agree that this whole thing was a setup.”
“Yeah, but you also said that a cop wouldn’t do something like this”, Sam countered.
“That was before we realized that Starsky might still be alive”, Hutch told him. “Dobey can access the police records you can’t touch.”
“I’m just not sure this is the best course of action”, Sam told him.
“Why”, Huggy asked.
Sam didn’t want to say anything. How could he explain the information he already had. Suddenly he saw the realization in Hutch’s eyes.
“You think he’s dirty”, Hutch said.
“No. I mean, I’m not sure”, Sam told him.
“No way”, Huggy said. “Dobey is clean as a virgin princess.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that”, Hutch told Huggy. “Listen, Sam. I can understand your hesitance about this, but we can’t go too much farther on this without some inside help. Dobey is the only one over there I can trust. Even if he thinks I’m as guilty as the day is long, he’s still a good cop.”
Sam sighed as he looked at Hutch.
“If we’re going over there, I’ll need some coffee”, Sam told him.
Huggy and Hutch smiled as they left the house.
It was early morning by the time the three of them reached the precinct. Hutch stood stiffly erect in front of Dobey. Sam could see the pain and anger in the eyes of the captain.
“You expect me to believe that Starsky is alive”, Dobey said emotionally. “You expect me to believe I didn’t see his body.”
“Cap’n”, Hutch said.
“No”, Dobey yelled. “Starsky is dead! There isn’t anything you can say to convince me otherwise and there isn’t anything you can do convince me that Hutchinson didn’t do it.”
“Captain, I know this is hard for you, but at least consider the possibilities”, Sam told him.
“Do you think I haven’t”, Dobey asked him. “Ever since this happened I grasped at every straw that I could find. I never wanted to believe Hutchinson could kill his own partner. And now you expect me to believe that Starsky is alive?”
“If Starsky found something”, Hutch told him, “It would make sense. If he found something that they wanted they would fake his death and pin it on me to keep me out of the way.”
“Captain”, Huggy said. “Whoever is doing this knows that we’re looking for something. They tore Starsky’s place apart looking for something.”
Dobey stood and looked out the window.
“Hutchinson and Starsky were my best cops.”
Sam took the opportunity and took a step forward.
“Captain, we finally have something that makes sense here. Starsky was conducting an investigation on his own. It was bad enough that he couldn’t tell Hutch about it. These guys found out that he had some evidence and they phoned in an anonymous tip. Starsky and Hutch get there and Hutch is chloroformed. Starsky’s death is faked and Hutch is set up to take the fall. It would get him out of the way and it would give these guys enough time to find whatever it was that Starsky had.”
“Why didn’t they search Starsky’s place before”, Dobey asked.
“They could have”, Sam told him. “They may have realized that we’re on to them and now they are desperately searching for whatever it is.”
“And the only thing you have to back up your story is the missing ring”, Dobey said with a sigh.
“Cap’n”, Hutch said quietly. “I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me as of late, but I’m asking you this one time to go out on a limb for me. If not for me, for Starsky. If there is even at least a chance he might still be alive, we owe him.”
No one spoke for a while and Dobey finally turned around and faced the three of them.
“I’ll check the missing person’s reports the week of the murder”, Dobey said with a sigh.
“Captain”, Sam said. “I think I should go see Redding Jacobs.”
“We’re not even sure it was him”, Huggy told him.
“It’s the only possibility we’ve got, Huggy. If he knows we’re looking for whatever it is they’re looking for, maybe he’ll slip up.”
“It could get Starsky killed”, Hutch said.
“If he’s alive”, Dobey said with a sigh.
Sam looked over at Hutch and Huggy.
“Could you guys excuse us for a moment. I need to speak with your Captain alone.”
Hutch and Huggy looked at Sam for a moment before leaving the room. When the door was closed, Sam turned towards the captain.
“I didn’t want them to hear this”, Sam began. “I think you have a dirty cop in your department and it’s not Hutch.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know. I’ll be honest captain. I’ve considered you a strong possibility.”
Sam could see the sudden anger in his eyes and he stepped back when he saw his fists clenching.
“But I realized”, Sam continued. “That you’re a good man and you care about your men.”
“Why are you telling me this”, Dobey asked angrily.
“I want you to see if you can find anything. You can access records in this department and no one would suspect.”
“I’ve never liked you and Starsky and Hutch didn’t like you before this. You’ve defended some of the people my men have busted. But I do respect the fact that you go the extra mile for your clients. I’ll see what I can find out, but it won’t be easy not knowing who to look for.”
Sam nodded at the man and left the office. He found Hutch and Huggy in the hallway and the three headed to the car. Hutch opened the door and he saw the teddy bear sitting in the seat. He had forgotten he had left it in Sam’s car. Huggy leaned forward and picked it up.
“We’ll find him”, Huggy told him.
Hutch gave him a weak smile as Huggy handed him the teddy bear.
“If you gents will excuse me”, Huggy said. “I do have a business that needs me. I’ll rattle some cages and see what falls out.”
Sam and Hutch got in the car and headed over to the office. When they walked in, Rebecca stood up.
“Anything”, Sam asked.
Rebecca handed him a file.
“These are those phone numbers you gave me. Mrs. Matthews has called three times this morning. She wants to come by her house tonight”, Rebecca said with anger in her eyes.
“Thanks, Rebecca. Call Mrs. Matthews and tell her I won’t be able to make it. Also could you get me Redding Jacobs’ address?”
Sam turned around ignoring Rebecca and looked at Hutch.
“I want you to go home”, Sam told him.
“No. I want to go to Jacobs’ place.”
“You can’t, Hutch. If you go over there, it could jeopardize everything.”
Hutch sighed and looked at Sam.
“Yeah, you’re probably right. Just call me if you get anything.”
Sam nodded and as Hutch left he walked into his office. He had just sat down at the desk when Al suddenly appeared.
“Where have you been”, Sam angrily asked.
“There is a new girl working at the switchboard and I needed her to…”
“Al, I don’t have time to listen to your, your…Oh, never mind. Tell me you have something new.”
“Yeah, Dobey’s clean.”
“Is that it, Al? With as much time as you’ve had on your hands, I would have thought you’d have something more.”
“George Powell and Redding Jacobs have the same mechanic.”
“The same mechanic”, Sam said shaking his head. “You know, while you’ve been swooning the switchboard girl, we’ve been doing real work over here. What do you mean they have the same mechanic?”
“That’s the only connection Ziggy could find, Sam.”
“Anything on his finances?”
“Just some large deposits that we can’t account for. Dobey had an aunt pass away five months ago and she left him 24 thousand dollars. Nine months from now, he takes his wife to Vegas and rakes in 18 thousand dollars.”
“Who is this mechanic”, Sam asked.
“Uh, Sal Hart. Wow!”
“What?”
“He got out of prison less than a year ago and he started his own business. He has some big customers.”
“Like who?”
“The city has been sending him their business as well. Sam, I don’t like this one bit. How does an ex-con suddenly get the money to open up his own business and get the city as a customer? On top of it he has Redding Jacobs as a customer plus a cop.”
“Any other police officers?”
“A few beat cops, but they didn’t even work at the precinct with Hutchinson and Starsky.”
Sam is sitting deep in thought.
“Al, see if you can find out anything else about Powell.”
“Okay, Sam. But we’ve dug pretty deep on the guy and there isn’t much coming back.”
Al stepped into the chamber door and disappeared. Sam picked up the numbers he had gotten from Starsky’s log. He picked up the phone and dialed Dobey’s office number.
“Captain Dobey, this is Sam Alexander.”
“Yeah.”
“Can you get me George Powell’s file?”
“Powell? He’s been on the force for eight years. Do you think it’s him?”
“I’m not sure. Starsky called him two times the week before and I’d like to check him out before talking to him.”
“I hope you’re wrong”, Dobey told him.
“Yeah, me too.”
Sam hung up the phone and picked up the phone numbers. One phone number of an auto shop was on the list and he would bet anything it was Sal Hart. Rebecca handed him the address to Redding Jacobs’ place as he headed out the door.
Sam stood outside the large home of Redding Jacobs. This is huge, he thought to himself. He gathered up the courage and walked up to the door and rung the bell. After showing his card to the butler he was escorted to Redding Jacobs.
He was a little surprised when he saw Jacobs. He had expected someone older, but it was a man closer to his own age. He had slicked back black hair and he looked to be in fairly good shape.
“I’m glad you could see me, Mr. Jacobs”, Sam said as he shook his hand. “I’m Ken Hutchinson’s attorney.”
“I’ve already spoken with the police on this matter”, Jacobs told him. “I’m not sure if I can be of assistance.”
“You are aware these officers had you under investigation.”
“Yes. As everyone knows, it was the partner who murdered the other officer.”
“That’s what he’s accused of”, Sam replied. “We believe that Detective Starsky discovered some evidence and that his partner was setup to take the fall for his death.”
Sam didn’t want to let on that they thought Starsky was still alive and he watched Jacobs’ reaction.
“Mr. Alexander, I don’t see what this has to do with me.
“Well, that’s it. We think it does. Detective Starsky found out something about you and your operation. Before he had a chance to do anything about it, you had him taken out and set up his partner with his murder.”
“And what do you have to back up this asinine accusation?”
Jacobs smiled when Sam remained silent.
“I think our discussion is over”, Jacobs told him. “I’m sure you can see yourself out.”
Sam turned to leave and as an afterthought turned around.
“You know, my car has been giving me fits. I think it’s the transmission. The last mechanic that looked at it couldn’t find anything. Could you recommend someone?”
Jacobs sighed and looked at Sam.
“One-stop Auto”, he told him.
Sam smiled and left. Jacobs had an angry look on his face as he watched the attorney leave.
Hutch had walked into his apartment and at first glance he saw the mess he had made the night before. He was tired and he needed some serious sleep. Suddenly he realized that someone had been there. Someone had come while he was gone and searched his place. He sat on the couch clutching the teddy bear in his arms.
“Starsk, help me out here, buddy”, he whispered.
Starsky lay in the darkened room with on the cement floor. How long had he been here, he thought to himself. He kept thinking of Hutch and he was beginning to wonder if Hutch would ever come for him. They had shown him how everyone had thought he was dead and to make matters worse, Hutch was accused of killing him. He had been beaten almost daily. They would beat him, tend to his wounds, and beat him again. It was an endless cycle and he knew they were keeping him alive for one reason and one reason only.
Sam got to Hutch’s place and when he walked inside he saw what had happened.
“We’re making some people nervous”, Sam told him.
Hutch was silent as he held tightly to the teddy bear.
“We’ve got to find him”, Hutch told Sam. “We’re running out of time.”
“I know, Hutch. We’ll find him.”
The phone rang and Hutch reached over to answer it. Sam watched as Hutch had a quick conversation and hung up the phone.
“It’s Huggy”, Hutch told him.
Sam could see the serious look in his eyes as he stood and walked out the door carrying the teddy bear. Sam followed him.
They arrived at Huggy’s and the place had been ripped apart as well.
“I’m sorry, Huggy”, Sam told him.
“These turkeys won’t get away with this”, Huggy told him.
“Sam, anything over at Jacobs”, Hutch asked.
“I’m checking into an auto shop”, Sam told him.
“Why?”
“Well, it was on the list of numbers.”
“Sam, Starsky was always taking his car to the shop for anything.”
“It’s just a hunch. Don’t you ever use those?”
“Yeah”, Hutch said with a sigh. Hutch walked over and sat in a chair with the bear in his hand.
“Hutch”, Huggy said. “You’re gonna squeeze the stuffing out of that thing.”
Hutch looked at the bear and sighed.
“It’s already got a hole in it”, Huggy told him.
Sam looked over at the bear and furrowed his eyebrows.
“Hutch”, Sam said.
Hutch looked at Sam and as if they were thinking the same thing they both looked at each other.
“The bear”, they said at once.
Sam walked over to Hutch and watched as Hutch began tearing at the small hole. Huggy had no idea of what they were doing. Hutch got the leg tore off and started pulling the stuffing out of it. He reached inside of it and froze. Hutch slowly pulled out a small black notebook.
“Hutch”, Sam said. “Let me see it.”
Hutch nodded and handed it to him. Sam began reading through it.
“What’s in there”, Huggy asked.
“Dates, times and numbers. I would imagine that with some work, we’d be able to connect everything”, Sam told him.
“How?”
“On Starsky’s list of numbers on his log he had talked to George Powell twice.”
“He’s a cop at the precinct”, Hutch told them.
“He also called that auto shop I told you about”, Sam, said. “George Powell and Redding Jacobs have the same mechanic.”
“How do you know this”, Huggy asked.
“It’s another hunch. I would bet we could find receipts that would connect Powell to this auto shop. I think Starsky found out that Powell and Jacobs had the same mechanic and it was enough to convince him to check into it. He probably found this if he went to this auto shop. That would account for the 180-dollar voucher. He had the mechanic over there do some work on his car and he did some searching and found this”, Sam said holding the book.
Before Sam could go any further Al appeared.
“Sam, George Powell has a cousin that is on the city council. That would explain how this sleaze got the city as a customer.”
“It makes sense”, Sam whispered.
“What”, Huggy asked.
“I need to talk to George Powell”, Sam said. “If we can rattle him enough, then he might just talk. Hutch I need you to come with me. This won’t work if your not there.”
Sam turned to Huggy.
“Huggy, we need to find every place that Jacobs owns.”
“I’ve got a friend”, Huggy told him. “I’ll have it in a couple of hours.”
“Let’s go”, Sam said to Hutch.
A few minutes later, Sam and Hutch walked into the precinct. Sam walked into Dobey’s office without knocking.
“What”, Dobey yelled.
“Captain, we need to talk to George Powell right now.”
“He’s on his beat.”
“Get him in here and I want you here when we talk to him. If he thinks that you think Hutch is innocent, I’m hoping he’ll talk.”
“His record is clean”, Dobey said with a sigh. “If you’re wrong about this, it’ll blow up in your face.”
“I need the two of you to trust me and just go along with me on this”, Sam told them.
Dobey nodded and made the arrangements for Powell to come in.
An hour later, George Powell sat in an interrogation room. Hutch, Sam and Dobey looked through the two-way mirror and watch him. The officer had to be in his mid forties with thinning hair. He sat in the chair and nervously smoked a cigarette. Everyone could see the sweat forming on his forehead.
“He looks like a man with a heavy conscience”, Hutch commented.
“Let’s find out”, Sam replied.
The three of them walked into the room and stood not far from Powell who looked even more nervous than before.
“Powell”, Dobey said. “This is Mr. Alexander. He is Hutchinson’s attorney. Would you be willing to speak with him?”
“I guess”, Powell replied nervously.
Sam took a step to the table and sat across from the uniformed officer.
“I’m trying to help my client and I think you might have information which might help us”, Sam told him.
“Sure.”
“I understand you have a cousin on the city council”, Sam replied.
“Randy. Yes.”
“Oh. Detective Starsky called you twice the week before the murder.”
“Well, I wouldn’t remember.”
“Really? I checked his logs and he called you two times”, Sam told him. “Between each time he called you, he called an auto shop. The same auto shop you go to and there’s something else. Redding Jacobs goes to the same exact one. You know what else, George?”
“What”, Powell asked.
“Your cousin is on the city council.”
“I have no idea of what you’re getting at”, Powell said nervously.
“Well, let me just say what I think is going on”, Sam told him. “I think you and Redding Jacobs are in this together. You got your cousin to offer this mechanic a contract with the city to work on city trucks and whatever else happened to make it’s way in there. Redding Jacobs is using the city vehicles to move his guns. You’re in the precinct and well trusted. You find out information to protect Jacobs so he can keep operating. Only you didn’t know that Detective Starsky was on to you.”
Sam stopped long enough to see Al appear in the room.
“You set Detective Starsky to be murdered and his partner to take the wrap.”
“No”, Powell said shaking his head.
“We have it”, Sam said with a smug smile.
“What”, George asked.
“What you and Jacobs have been looking for”, Sam told him. “It’s yours, isn’t it?
Sam could see the sweat pouring off the man and he looked at him.
“We have the book, George”, Sam told him. “It has dates, times and other numbers. I bet if we spent a few hours on it, we’d discover some interesting information. I wonder what would happen if we pulled your reports and logs.”
“That’s it, Sam”, Al encouraged.
Powell looked nervously at the men in the room.
“I can’t”, Powell whispered. “I have a family.”
“We’ll protect you and your family”, Dobey promised.
Powell looked at everyone with defeat in his eyes.
“It happened almost a year ago. I just went in that auto shop to get my car fixed. I had no idea who Redding Jacobs even was there. He saw me and we talked for a few minutes. It was just an innocent conversation. About a month later he came to my house. He knew everything about me. He knew about my money problems and my son had been pretty sick there for a while. It was only supposed to be a few things here and there. When I wanted out, he started blackmailing me and then he threatened my family.”
Sam looked up and he could see Hutch barely holding on to his anger.
“What about Starsky”, Hutch asked barely containing himself.
“I told Jacobs it was over when Starsky had gotten a hold of my book. I think he found it in my car. Jacobs said once we got the book back I was free. He said we could nab him and get him to tell him where it was. I told him that we couldn’t because of Hutchinson. We knew how close the two of you were. He said he would take care of it. He just wanted someone who resembled Starsky. I told him I wouldn’t have anything to do with murder. He blackmailed me into getting someone that resembled Starsky. He said it was only a temporary thing. I never imagined he would do what he did”, Powell said with tears in his eyes.
Hutch sprang forward and grabbed Powell and threw him up against the wall.
“Damn you”, Hutch yelled! “Where’s Starsky! Where is he!!”
“I don’t know”, Powell cried.
Sam and Dobey pulled Hutch off of Powell.
“Get him out of here”, Sam said to Dobey.
After Hutch was gone, Sam sat Powell down at the table.
“We know Starsky is still alive”, Sam told him. “Where is he at?”
“I don’t know”, Powell told him. “Jacobs never told me where.”
“Is there any place you can think of where he might take him? Think, George. Chances are Jacobs knows how close we are. He’ll kill Starsky before we get a chance to find him.”
“Mr. Alexander, I swear I don’t know. Jacobs never told me where he did business at other than the auto shop.”
“I’m going to have you taken into custody, George. Right now it’s the safest place for you. I can’t make any guarantees right now, but I’ll help you after this is over”, Sam promised.
George nodded as an officer came in and took him away. Sam looked at Al who stood in the room.
“I was so off base about Hutchinson”, Al said.
“We don’t have time for this, Al. I need to know where Jacobs does business.”
“Sam, we’ve tried to find out, but this dirt bag kept everything in other names to keep the IRS off his back.”
“Okay, so where was Starsky’s body found.”
“It was never recovered, Sam.”
“Damn!”
“Uh oh”, Al said as he looked at his computer.
“What?”
“Well, Hutchinson doesn’t fry. He commits suicide a month from now.”
“Keep digging, Al. I know Starsky’s running out of time. Once Jacobs gets wind of George rolling, Starsky is dead.”
Sam leaves ignoring Al walking back into the chamber. He finds Hutch standing in the hallway with Dobey.
“Can you get a warrant for Jacobs”, Sam asked Dobey.
“I’m waiting for it now. Arrest warrant as well as a search warrant.”
Just as he finished an officer brought him a file.
“Well, here it is”, Dobey stated.
“Great”, Sam said. “Hutch and I will head to Jacobs’ place and you might want to send some units over to the auto shop.”
The men separated and as Sam and Hutch walked down the hallway, Hutch suddenly stopped.
“What”, Sam asked.
“We’re not taking your car”, he told him.
“Why not?”
“I’ve got something a little faster. Come on.”
Sam had to practically run to keep up with Hutch. When they reached their destination, Sam looked over at Hutch who had a large smile on his face.
In the Gran Torino, Sam held on to dear life as Hutch drove like a madman to Jacobs place. They parked the car across the street and when Sam turned back to Hutch, he had his gun out and was loading it.
“Hutch”, Sam asked. “Are you sure you’ll need that?”
“I have no doubt”, Hutch said with a deadly voice.
“Hey”, Sam said. “Remember our agreement. No vigilante stuff.”
“I’m the cop here”, Hutch said.
“Yeah, and I’m the lawyer. If Jacobs is going down let’s do it the right way.”
Hutch gave Sam a look and got out of the car. Sam looked at the house.
“Let’s go”, Hutch told him.
Starsky could barely move when the door opened. He felt arms grab him and drag him out of the room. When the light hit his eyes, he squeezed them tightly. They dropped him none too gently on the floor and he groaned loudly. He was worse than before he thought to himself. They had been more vicious in the last few days. Starsky knew they were getting desperate and he wondered if Hutch had somehow managed to find out everything that was going on. He only hoped he wasn’t killed before anyone found him.
Sam and Hutch managed to get inside the house and it looked abandoned. Sam didn’t see the servants he had seen earlier.
“We’ll have to search the house”, Sam told Hutch.
Hutch nodded and both men separated. They spent the next half hour combing through the large house. They met back in the foyer. Sam could see Hutch’s frustration growing as he kicked over a small table with a vase on it.
“Hutch, maybe Dobey’s had better luck.”
Hutch walked over to the phone and dialed a number.
“Patch me through to Dobey.”
After a minute or so, Hutch was talking to Dobey.
“The house is clean, Cap’n. No one is here.”
“We found Sal Hart here with a large cache of weapons. He doesn’t know anything about Starsky.”
“I’ll call you when I find something out”, Hutch said with a sigh.
He hung up the phone and turned back to Sam.
“Huggy”, they both said and started out the door.
They found Huggy hanging up the phone at the pits. Huggy walked over to them.
“Nothing, Huggy. We need to know where Jacobs does business at”, Hutch told him.
“I just got off the phone with my contact over at the clerk’s office. She said that he only owns a couple of small offices on the west side. However, she did turn up something interesting. It seems that Jacobs had a brother.”
“Had”, Sam asked.
“He’s dead. But his name still lives on. It’s a small warehouse just off of Jackson.”
“That’s where Starsky has to be”, Hutch said.
“Let’s go”, Sam told him.
“Not without me”, Huggy said.
The three of them tore out of the bar.
“We can’t kill him here”, one man said.
Starsky wished he could move, but the pain was just too intense.
“No”, another voice said. “We have to make sure his body isn’t discovered.”
“Hutch”, Starsky whispered.
“He’s not coming”, Jacobs said to Starsky. “If they do by some chance fin