Not at War, Not at Peace

By

Cynthia

Ethan and Dylan had just walked into the squad room when they heard their captain yell their names. Dylan crossed his arms and gave Ethan a look.

“I told you not to add that part to your report,” Dylan told him.

“Hey, partner. It had to go in. It wasn’t my fault the girl took a liking to you.”

“Girl, hell,” Dylan said with a foul look. “That was a transvestite!”

“Well, you didn’t know at the time,” Ethan replied walking towards his captain’s office.

It had been almost three months since Dylan and Ethan had partnered up. It turned into the best decision both of them had ever made. They worked extremely well together and had made quite the reputations on the street and in the 110^th precinct in Queens, New York. They had saved each other’s lives on several occasions and they never failed to back each other up. Not only were they partners, they were best friends.

Ethan and Dylan had first met on a difficult assignment in a precinct on the other side of the country. It was not only that coincidence that had brought them together. It was also the fact that their half brothers were the most popular cops in Metro Division. Ethan being David Starsky’s half brother and Dylan was Ken Hutchinson’s. It had been a decision to keep it to themselves which at times had been difficult.

While there had been some contact between them and their half brothers, it wasn’t the relationship either of them had hoped for. Starsky and Hutch both had come out once since their last visit. Ethan and Dylan enjoyed the visit with them, but it was nothing more than friends visiting. The only reason they had come out was the fact Starsky’s mother had been ill for a short time.

Starsky had been a bit surprised at Ethan’s involvement in his mother’s life. When he had arrived, Ethan stepped aside quickly enough so Starsky could stay with her. It had remained that way and Rachel Starsky respected Ethan enough to let him keep the secret she had known for many years.

Dylan had wanted to get to know Hutch better, but it had been difficult. In fact, he looked up to him. Dylan wanted to be as good as a cop as Hutch was. He wanted to be good enough for the entire Hutchinson family and there were times he had been on the verge of telling him the truth, but he still remembered Hutch’s disbelief and the hard punch to the face the one time he had attempted to tell him. It was what kept Dylan’s silence.

Ethan opened the door and Dylan walked through in front of him. They looked over at two suits that stood near the window of their captain’s office.

“These are Federal Agents Kosk and Myers,” Captain Milligan told Ethan and Dylan.

“Yippee,” Ethan said with a bored look.

“What do we owe this honor,” Dylan sighed crossing his arms.

“Gentlemen.” Agent Kosk stepped forward. “As well you know Tanner Caulfield’s trial will be starting in a week. After all the legal wrangling and the press this case has received, there is finally a trial date.”

“With all the evidence piled at his feet, I’m shocked that he even pleaded not guilty,” Dylan stated.

“Be that as it may,” Myers said, “his attorney is using a defense that was expected.”

“That doesn’t explain why the two of you are here,” Ethan retorted. “I know the feds have their hands in this thing, but Dylan and I did our jobs.”

“That’s what Caulfield’s attorney is aiming for,” Kosk told them. “The claim will be that you and your partner, Starsky and Hutchinson also conspired and set him up.”

“What a load of horse shit,” Dylan blurted out. “We got him dead to rights on this and he damn well knows it!”

“Knock it off, Wade,” Milligan hollered. Milligan looked over at the federal agents. “Why did you need to see my men?”

“Captain, because of the nature of the case, the publicity involved and the trial, the defense attorney wants these men quartered and isolated for the duration.”

“What?” Ethan exclaimed. “We’ve got a caseload right now and besides, we’re not the ones on trial here!”

“Detective,” Meyers said, “we understand, but you have got to realize this trial will have a great deal of focus. Everything has to be done above board and no one can question the integrity of the officers involved.”

“And separating us and pulling us off the street is the way to do it,” Dylan said shaking his head.

“The attorneys don’t want either of you to have an opportunity to put a story together.”

“Why?” Ethan turned his head towards the agents.

“They are questioning the actions of the officers involved in this case. Given how far it goes back and the involvement of other officers, it gives them enough suspicion to take it to the judge,” Kosk explained.

“The judge agreed with this?” Milligan asked.

“Yes.” Meyers said. “He believes this will prevent a mistrial and Caulfield from walking.”

“So what now?” Dylan asked.

“You both are relieved of duty for now,” Milligan said with a heavy sigh. “It’s only temporary so keep the badges and guns.”

“You both will also be escorted home where you will stay till the attorneys and the judge feels it will be no longer necessary. Your phones will be monitored as well as any visitors you might have. They will have to gain permission through the judge in order to see you,” Kosk stated.

“I don’t believe this!” Dylan yelled. “We get treated like criminals because we did our goddamn job and Caulfield’s probably laying out ways to stake us out to dry!”

“Wait a sec.” Ethan laid his hand on Dylan’s shoulder. “You mentioned Starsky and Hutch. Are they being called back here as well?”

“Yes,” Meyers answered. “They will live under the same conditions as you and your partner.”

Ethan shot a look over at Dylan who gave him a side look. Both knew where this could possibly go and neither of them liked it one single bit. Dylan looked over at Milligan.

“Can Ethan and I talk for a minute before we’re confined”, Dylan asked.

“No, Detective,” Kosk told him. “We’re under strict orders for this to begin immediately.”

“Everything will be fine, buddy,” Dylan told Ethan with a pat on the arm. “It’ll be a piece of cake. It’ll give me a chance to improve my cooking.”

“More like a chance to make more money,” Ethan muttered with a bit of a smile.

Dylan walked out of the office and Ethan stood looking at the federal agents and then at his captain. He hated this more than he had ever hated anything in his life which included Tanner Caulfield.

Starsky was pacing back and forth in front of Captain Dobey’s desk. He kept looking over at the Federal Agents standing behind him. He stopped and looked back at Hutch who was unusually quiet and subdued.

“You guys can’t be serious,” Starsky told them. “We got the guy cold.”

“The attorney’s feel that the investigation into their client needs to be looked at,” one of the agents told him.

“That’s because Caulfield is feeding them a line,” Hutch explained. “He thinks by throwing the focus off of himself and onto us it might get him off.”

“It could very well happen,” another agent said. “Given the numerous police officers involved, the involvement of the mob and the history we’re looking at here, it bears more scrutiny. You both know as well as I do every detail must be looked into.”

“Are you saying there’s something wrong with the case”, Starsky asked.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” one agent said quietly.

“What sort of questions?” Hutch asked.

“We’re not at liberty to say at this time,” he answered.

“Great,” Starsky said waving his hand. “We’ll get to New York and we’ll get blindsided at the trial. That ought to make Caulfield’s slime bag of a lawyer do cartwheels.”

“Settle down, Starsky,” Dobey said. “No one likes this situation any more than you do. I’ll hand your caseload over to Berry and Pierson.”

“The flights are scheduled for this afternoon,” an agent said stepping forward with the tickets in hand. “We’ll escort you both separately and once in New York, we’ll put you in hotel rooms.”

“Well, at least Ma will like an unexpected visit,” Starsky mumbled.

“Detective,” an agent said, “you will be allowed to see your mother, but the visit will be supervised.”

“No way!” Starsky said with a thunderous look.

“You have no choice in the matter. Given the involvement your father had with Tanner Caulfield that’s the way it has to be. It’s by order of the judge.”

“I don’t give a shit if the…”

“Starsky,” Dobey said raising his voice. “I’ll make some calls and see what I can do.”

“That’s my mother, Cap,” Starsky said raising his voice. “No one is going to be spying on her!”

Starsky stormed out of the office with Hutch close behind. Dobey looked over at the federal agents with a dark look.

“You both have jobs to do, but your treading on personal lives here. I’d watch it if I were you.”

Neither agent said anything as they left his office. Dobey leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily. It had been hard on his men since this whole investigation had began and after speaking with Milligan he knew it had been difficult on Morgan and Wade as well. There were times Dobey had felt this had been much more personal than any of them had let on. He had a strange feeling it would get much more complicated and personal from the sounds of it.

A week later the four of them were brought to the federal courthouse in New York. The sidewalks were thick with spectators and the media alike. As each one was escorted by federal agents through the throng of people, they stole glances at each other. They ignored the questions coming from the press as they were pulled inside. Once inside each were separately put in offices until time for the trial to start.

Once inside the courtroom they were seated behind the prosecution. Ethan looked over at Tanner who was chatting with his lawyer. Tanner looked over and gave Ethan a nod which Ethan turned away from. Starsky looked over at Hutch who had also noticed it as well. Dylan looked over at Hutch and he could feel his own heart beating nervously.

The entire courtroom stood when the judge entered and when everyone was seated the formalities began. The charges were read and both attorneys pleaded their case before the jury. The judge granted a fifteen minute recess before the prosecution called its first witness.

Dylan closed his eyes slightly as he heard his name called. He stood up and walked to the stand. He was sworn in and the prosecutor came up to him. Katharine Gregory was a more than capable lawyer and she showed it as she began to question him. As an assistant District Attorney she was well aware of the complications of the case and where it could go. However, she was ignorant of the true connections between these officers as well as everyone else with the exception of Ethan and Dylan.

She questioned Dylan for close to two hours and he adequately explained how they had made the case against Tanner Caulfield. She sat down and pulled her notepad close as William Bennett stood. He was the most expensive attorney in New York and his designer suit showed it. He was also ruthless and unforgiving in going for the wins in court. Dylan hoped he was ready for this.

“Detective Wade,” Bennett began, “what made you take this case which was clear across the country?”

“Tanner Caulfield offered me the position as an investigating officer in Metro’s internal affairs department,” Dylan told him.

“He offered and you took,” Bennett stated.

“Asked and answered, your honor,” Katharine said.

“Move on, Counselor,” Judge Mathews said.

“Was that the only reason you took the assignment?”

“I don’t like dirty cops. They make it hard for the rest of us to do our jobs.”

“When you arrived at Metro Division you began looking into all the officers in the entire department. Did that include Starsky and Hutchinson?”

“Yes, it did.”

“What did you learn about those two officers, Detective?”

“They had no involvement in the committee or the activities related to them.”

“I understand you went through their entire caseload,” Bennett inquired.

“Yes, it’s SOP.”

“Did you study their past cases?”

“Yes,” Dylan answered.

Bennett walked over to his table and pulled a piece of paper out of the stack sitting on top. He walked over to Dylan with it in his hand.

“Detective, I have here the log from the records room at Metro Division. It says here that you pulled the case files for Starsky and Hutchinson for the last three years.”

“That is correct. It was essential that I establish a pattern of behavior for any officers that could be involved. Theirs weren’t the only ones, Mr. Bennett.”

“Yes, I see that,” Bennett said walking back to his table. He pulled another paper out from the stack and turned around to look at Dylan. “But late one evening you went to the records room and personally pulled more case files. Instead of having a rookie do the work for you, you did it yourself.”

Dylan didn’t answer and he could see what was coming a mile away. He shifted his eyes over to Hutch who was clueless. When he looked over at Ethan, he gave him a look of encouragement.

“You pulled Detective Sergeant Kenneth Hutchinson’s files for another two years previous to his partners,” Bennett insinuated. “Why did you pull them but not his partner’s?”

Dylan sighed heavily and paused before answering. He could feel the stares on him and rather to tell the real reason he made a decision to take another route.

“There were a few questions concerning a case. I felt it necessary to go back farther.”

“Which case would that be, Detective?” Bennett asked.

“The Ben Forrest case,” Dylan said as he reached for a glass of water. Dylan glanced up and he could see the hardness in Hutch’s eyes. He nervously took a small drink of the water.

“What questions did you have?” Bennett asked.

“Objection.” Katharine rose from her chair. “Your honor, this has no bearing on the matter at hand.”

“I disagree, Judge,” Bennett replied with a quick glance at opposing counsel. “This goes to the character of the investigating officers. Detective Wade was an Internal Affairs officer investigating a corrupt police department. He found questions regarding one of the original investigating officers when the committee first came to light.”

“I’ll allow it, Counselor, but tread carefully,” the judge told him. “Answer the question, Detective.”

“Actually, I’m not at liberty to discuss my findings. You would have to take that up with the attorney general who knows the particulars.”

“Detective,” Bennett said with a bit of an angry look. “You found problems regarding Detective Hutchinson and you are telling this court you can’t elaborate on them.”

“That’s correct.” Dylan explained. “Those records have been sealed and the only way of getting a look at them is by speaking with the Attorney General. You could even call Ben Forrest here and he couldn’t tell you a thing. He’s been restricted from speaking about it. A gag order was put in place by the Federal Courts at the request of the FBI and the Attorney General’s office.”

“We’ll see about that,” Bennett challenged turning towards the table. He pulled his notepad out and leafed through it. “Detective, there are a few more questions I have. In regards to your current partnership with Detective Morgan what made you decide to leave internal affairs and ask for Morgan as a partner?”

“I felt like I had seen enough bad cops,” Dylan answered honestly. “I was more than ready to hit the streets and since Detective Morgan and I had worked well together on this case, I wanted him for a partner.”

“It wasn’t because no one else would partner with him?”

“Your Honor,” Katharine stood up.

“Withdrawn,” Bennett replied. “While you were working on this investigation, an Oleander Wilson was shot and killed by a member of the committee during a bust.”

“Yes,” Dylan said softly

“Did you investigate the matter?”

“Harvey Quinton shot and killed him.”

“And you were aware of this?”

“Not until after the fact,” Dylan explained, “I didn’t get the opportunity to speak with Detective Morgan until later.”

“When you discovered what this officer had done, why didn’t you have him arrested?”

“It would have blown the case out of the water. We needed to get all the committee members and the only way was to let it play out.”

“So rather than take a killer cop off the streets you let him remain free to kill again.”

“It wasn’t like that,” Dylan replied with a forceful tone. “Detective Morgan was undercover and Quinton set it up to see if he would back him up. It was the only shot we had in shutting the committee down.”

“Detective, you took a huge risk by allowing Harvey Quinton to remain free to practice his form of vigilante justice. He could have easily killed someone else.”

“Move on, Mr. Bennett,” the judge ordered.

“Yes, your Honor,” Bennett replied. “Let’s turn our attention to my client, Detective. Your report stated that you approached Detective Hutchinson in regards to Mr. Caulfield.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you suspect my client?”

“Harvey Quinton had mentioned someone by the name of T.C.”

“Detective,” Bennett smiled. “I could pull a phonebook out with hundreds of names with those initials. Surely, that wasn’t your only reason.”

“It wasn’t,” Dylan admitted. “Tanner Caulfield’s name came up quite a bit which I thought was odd.”

“Are you speaking his affiliation with your partner and Detective Starsky’s father?”

“Yes”, Dylan replied. “He was involved with putting this task force together, he had known my partner since he was a kid and he knew Detective Starsky’s father. I had a hunch and went with it.”

“Why approach Detective Hutchinson?”

“I didn’t want him to see what we were doing. If Tanner Caulfield found out that we were investigating him he would have covered his bases and we would’ve gotten nowhere.”

“Detective, I find it strange that you didn’t let your partner in on your activity.”

“I knew how he felt about Tanner Caulfield. I had hoped I was wrong, but I wasn’t.”

“And how was this search into my client conducted without him discovering it?”

“I knew that Detective Hutchinson had political connections that could get it done quietly without anyone being the wiser.”

“Well,” Bennett said crossing his arms, “that brings us back to Detective Hutchinson. How did you know about his connections?”

“I investigated him among others.”

“It seems you knew a lot about this man, Detective Wade. What else did you know about him?”

“I learned he is a top rated cop and highly respected.”

“It seems you’ve taken quite an interest in him and his family over the years.” Bennett walked to the table and after spending a moment sorting through the various papers, he pulled one out. “Detective Wade, how much is your net worth?”

“You’re Honor,” Katharine interjected. “This entire line of questioning has no bearing on this case whatsoever. We are here to try Tanner Caulfield and not the investigating officers involved in this case.”

“Your Honor, these officers and their activities during this investigation have a bearing. These men have histories which go to character and a pattern of behavior which directly affects the case made against my client.”

“Continue, Mr. Bennett, but let me warn you. I will not have you going off on a witch hunt which will damage the careers of good police officers.”

“Yes, your honor.”

“Answer the question, Detective,” the judge instructed.

“Last I checked it was in the neighborhood of 22 million,” Dylan sighed.

“I have 29 million.”

“I sold some property last month.”

“Detective, Sotheby’s records indicate that you frequent their auctions.”

“From time to time.”

“Two years ago, you were a silent bidder at a charity auction they held.”

“That’s correct,” Dylan replied trying not to let his nervousness show.

“We’ve subpoenaed the auction records and they indicate you bought certain items which were put up by Margaret Hutchinson. That is Detective Hutchinson’s mother, is that correct?”

“So I’m told.”

“You knew that didn’t you?”

“Yes, I knew.” Dylan looked at the glass of water.

“We also have on record that you recently bought a home on Long Island.”

“My mother’s home. It came up for sale and I bought it.”

“Your mother worked for Detective Hutchinson’s father as well. Is that correct?”

Dylan looked up at Hutch who had an apologetic look on his face. He could feel the guilt eating away at him and Dylan turned his face.

“Yes,” Dylan looked down at his hands. “She did.”

“We managed to learn something quite interesting as well,” Bennett stated. He opened the file and looked down at the papers. “The money which paid for the house your mother bought came from Richard Hutchinson.”

“What?”

“It's right here, Detective.” Bennett walked forward. He handed Dylan the file and turned away. “Richard Hutchinson, the father of Detective Hutchinson, gave your mother $25,000 which she used to buy the house where you lived until she died. You bought several items which were owned by the Hutchinson family after his death and you also have managed to build quite a fortune which is almost comparative to the Hutchinson family. How do you explain this, Detective?”

“What?” Dylan repeated tearing his gaze away from the reality which had been handed to him.

“You have an unusual interest in the Hutchinson family and Richard Hutchinson gave your mother quite a sum of money. It would almost seem that you and the Hutchinson family are old friends.”

Dylan licked his dry lips and looked down at the Photostat copy of the check his father had made out to his mother. He looked back up at Bennett and over at Hutch. He could see the questions in his eyes.

“I can’t.” Dylan closed the folder.

“You can’t or won’t?”

“Both.”

“Detective,” Judge Mathews said, “if you don’t answer the question you will be faced with contempt of court.”

“I’m well aware of that, your honor,” Dylan replied. “I had no idea Richard Hutchinson gave my mother this money. I can’t discuss anything beyond that.”

“I will give you this, Detective,” the judge told him, “you have 24 hours to change your mind. If not, you will be jailed until you can adequately answer this question to the court’s satisfaction.”

“I have no further questions.”

“Prosecution, your witness.” Judge Mathews motioned towards the prosecution.

“Right to recall, your honor.” Katharine said.

“Agreed. Dismissed, Detective.”

Dylan stood up and he could feel the stickiness in his suit. He looked over at Hutch and he knew there were questions. He could see it in his eyes. Dylan already knew what they were, but he at least had some time to come to a decision. He sat down at the chair feeling tired and worn out.

The judge dismissed the courtroom for lunch and the four men were escorted their separate ways. None of them liked the turn of events and it wasn’t looking good for the prosecution even at this early start of the trial. Hutch sat in the chair and stared at the sandwich and the soda sitting across from him. He didn’t understand any of it. He wished he could talk to his mother but he knew he couldn’t do it without listening ears. He had no idea Caulfield’s attorney would pull something like this. If he kept going at it, it would look like the four of them conspired to set Caulfield up. He only hoped that when he got on the stand it was a bit easier on him.

Dylan stared out the window ignoring the lunch on the table. Richard Hutchinson had paid his mother. It seemed obvious to him now. More than likely Richard Hutchinson had known about him. There was nothing in his mother’s letter to indicate it. It had been more like a plea for him to see his son. Dylan had interpreted it as he had seen fit. He wasn’t willing to announce on the witness stand that Richard Hutchinson was his father. It would look like that as brothers they were protecting their best friends who were also brothers. God, Dylan thought. This thing was heading south fast and he had no idea how to stop it.

Everyone arrived after lunch and court was called to session. Ethan knew he would be next and he had a fairly good idea he was going to get crucified from the way Bennett had handled Dylan. He made his way to the stand and after taking the oath, he uneasily sat down. He was cross examined by Katharine and it had gone somewhat well. He hated the questions in regards to his mother and Michael Starsky. He had expected it. When she was finished, he swung his gaze over to Bennett who was talking with Tanner. Ethan felt a bit nervous as Bennett finished and stood up.

“Detective Morgan,” Bennett began “why did you take the assignment investigating the committee?”

“I spoke with my captain after hearing about it. It was a nice change of pace from New York.”

“Really?” Bennett said cynically crossing his arms.

“Sure,” Ethan said calmly “Running the streets of New York can get old after a while and California was a change. It was an important case.”

“So when you were partnered up with Harvey Quinton, you played hard and fast with the rules.”

“On a few occasions. It was important that I establish myself as a cop which walked the line.”

“As an undercover officer, you came dangerously close to breaking a few rules.”

“It’s in my report.”

“Yes, it is. Were there any that you broke that aren’t in your report?”

“Your Honor.” Katherine rose from her seat.

“Mr. Bennett, you had better have something to back up that statement?”

“I withdraw the question, your honor. Detective Morgan, I want to go over the shooting of Oleander Wilson briefly. You said in your report, when you and Harvey Quinton walked into the room, he stood up and Quinton shot him.”

“Yes. He had barely gotten to his feet.”

“You had your weapon drawn as well?”

“Yes.”

“You made no attempt to stop Harvey Quinton?”

“There was no time. He shot him before I could even move.”

“Did you question Quinton about it, Detective?”

“He walked over and planted his spare on Oleander Wilson,” Ethan sighed heavily. The horrible image flashed quickly in his mind. “He had walked over to me and it was directly after that Detective Starsky arrived.”

“Why didn’t you contradict Quinton’s word about the shooting?”

“I was undercover.” Ethan replied with a fixed stare at Bennett. “I had two choices. Either go along with it and maintain the cover or tell what had really happened. There would have been no chance we would have gotten any further with the investigation. I could have also been killed by the committee members if I had told what really had happening initially.”

“Would it have been worth it if Harvey Quinton had taken another life in that same manner, Detective?”

“Objection,” Katharine called out.

“I withdraw the question.” Bennett turned toward the table. “You’ve known Tanner Caulfield since you were a child?”

“Yes, he caught me swiping a radio from a car.”

“How old were you at the time?”

“Ten, I think.”

“He took quite an interest in you. Do you know why?”

“Objection,” Katharine looked up at Judge Mathews. "Detective Morgan can’t read the defendant’s mind.”

“Sustained,” the judge replied.

“Where you aware of the relationship your mother had with Tanner Caulfield at that time?”

“No, I was a kid.”

“He helped you get into the academy?”

“Yes. He’s the one that pulled the strings and helped me through a few rough spots.”

“So after all this time when your partner investigated the man that had been a father figure in your life, you must’ve been in shock.”

“It threw me,” Ethan admitted. “I thought I knew him.”

“You knew he was involved with an investigation against Mario Corellas.”

“He wrote the supplemental reports and he had mentioned it to me a few times. It was mostly in regard to my mother.”

“It was the same investigation which involved Michael Starsky, was it not?”

“Yes.” Ethan answered keeping his focus on William Bennett. “My mother was undercover.”

“Then you are also aware that Michael Starsky was her contact.”

“I’m aware of it.”

“Doesn’t it seem odd that you worked with Detective David Starsky who is the father of the man who worked with your mother who also knew Tanner Caulfield who was a role model for you growing up?”

“Not at first. Tanner Caulfield was in love with my mother. Everything he did from that case on was for her which included selling out to Corellas.”

Bennett shook his head. "Your Honor, I ask that statement be stricken from the record.”

Ethan looked over at Tanner who was sitting with a confident look on his face. Ethan barely listened to the judge who was instructing the jury to disregard his statement. He looked back at the judge who was talking to him.

“Detective Morgan, refrain from passing judgments on the defendant. Continue, Counselor.”

“Detective Morgan.” Bennett waved a file in his hand. “I have here a list of so-called pranks which were leveled in your direction during your time at your precinct. The last one was a dead rat that was hung in your locker.”

“One of the uniforms was pulling most of them. He admitted to them.”

“You had thought that Detective Stanley was responsible which led to a fight between the two of you in the squad room.”

“Yes.”

“What made you believe he had been responsible for that incident?”

“It was a comment he had made,” Ethan answered reluctantly.

“What was the comment, Detective?”

“He asked if I ratted out my partner. I made an assumption.”

“So upon this assumption, you physically attacked a fellow police officer?”

“Asked and answered, your honor,” Katharine said impatiently.

“Move on, Mr. Bennett.”

“Detective Morgan, I have here your mother’s police file from the time she was an officer in the NYPD. I understand you’ve read it several times from the logs in the records room. Could you please elaborate for the court her involvement in the Mario Corellas case?”

“I can only speak about what I’ve read and the little she had said about it,” Ethan said softly.

“Speak up, Detective Morgan”, Judge Mathews instructed.

“I said I can only speak about what I’ve read and what she had told me about it”, Ethan answered a little louder.

“Please do, Detective.”

“She was sent in to connect with Mario Corellas”, Ethan replied as if it were any other case. “He was suspected of running dope into the city and other attempts at finding the how had failed. They thought that as a girlfriend, she might have better luck. I guess at that time it was a well known fact that he loved the ladies.”

“She reported to Michael Starsky what she found?”

“Yes. She would hook up with him at a small bar on the south side. It was inconspicuous and quiet.”

“How long did this case last?”

“From what she said three… maybe… four months.”

“You can’t be any more specific than that?”

“I’m not positive.”

“Where did Tanner Caulfield come into play?”

“Michael Starsky would write up the reports and tell Tanner what he needed. Tanner conveyed the information to the brass and he kept supplemental reports.”

“Did Tanner Caulfield ever deal directly with your mother during this investigation?”

“Once, that I know of in one of her reports, Michael Starsky hadn’t been able to make the meeting and Tanner met with her at that bar instead. She told him what she knew concerning the investigation and he was to make sure Michael Starsky and the brass got the information.”

“Mr. Caulfield has stated he knew your mother before this case as did Michael Starsky."

“It’s possible. They all worked at the same precinct.”

“The same one as you do now?"

“Is it that big of a surprise?” Ethan shot back.

“Why were the investigating officers unable to make a case against Mario Corellas?”

“He shut his pipeline down and broke it off with my mother.”

“Your mother was brought up before a review board not long afterwards." Bennett smirked. “Tell the court why, Detective.”

“I think your doing a damn good job yourself." Ethan replied with a threatening look.

“Your honor, may we approach?” Katharine asked.

The judge motioned for the lawyers and as they conferred, Ethan looked over at Dylan who waved hi with his tie. He gave him a bit of a nod and looked over at Starsky. He could see the confidence in his face and Ethan wished he felt it.

The lawyers walked away and Ethan could see Katharine Gregory didn’t look happy about the discussion. Judge Mathews looked directly at Ethan giving him an understanding look.

“Detective Morgan, I know these questions will be uncomfortable, but you must continue on.”

Ethan didn’t reply as Bennett approached him.

“Detective Morgan, why was your mother brought up before a board of review?”

“She was accused of acting inappropriately with a suspect under investigation.”

“In what regard, Detective?” Bennett pressed.

Ethan straightened up in his seat and swallowed the large lump in his throat.

“They thought she had slept with him.” Ethan replied gripping the armrests on the chair.

“Was that the case?”

“No.” Ethan answered firmly. “She was cleared of any wrong doing by the review board.”

“How was she cleared?”

“Michael Starsky stood up for her and adamantly denied any impropriety on her part. He told them she handled herself professionally.”

“Why was she suspected of this behavior, Detective?”

“She was pregnant with me. They thought Corellas had gotten her pregnant.” Ethan was unable to hide his resentment.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Of course, I am.” Ethan glowered. “Who is your father, Detective Morgan?”

“Your honor,” Katharine shot up out of her chair. “This has no bearing on the case whatsoever!”

Ethan didn’t even listen as he swung his gaze over at Tanner Caulfield. He wished he could strangle the bastard at that very moment. He knew what he was doing. Caulfield knew if the relationships involved came to light, it would punch holes in the entire case. He would walk away.

“Your honor, I’m finished with this witness for now. I would like to call him later if needed.”

“Understood, Mr. Bennett,” the Judge said. “We’ll reconvene tomorrow morning at 9am. Court dismissed.”

With the pounding of his gavel the spectators began leaving the courtroom. Ethan stepped from the stand and looked over at Starsky who returned his gaze with one of understanding. If you only knew, Ethan thought. He only prayed he could keep it buried.

When Ethan arrived at his place he found it being turned upside down. He had a search warrant shoved in his face and he leaned back against the wall as they searched his apartment. Ethan watched as a few belongings were thrown into a small box. He looked down at the floor hating the sight and didn’t notice the scrapbook being tossed in among other items. After they had left, Ethan walked through the apartment righting a few things along the way. He walked into the kitchen and pulled a beer from the fridge.

After taking a long drink, he wondered how much worse things could get at this point.

Dylan sat quietly on his couch as his penthouse was searched. He looked over at his lawyer who sat across from him reading through the search warrant. Dylan moved his gaze over to his desk where it was being searched as well. He heard the searching through the rooms in the back and rubbed his eyes. Since Caulfield’s lawyer was manipulating the truth as he was, they were now considered rotten cops. He wondered if Starsky and Hutch’s places were being given the same run through.

The next morning at the courthouse, Hutch was called to the stand. He sat there for a brief moment and then pushed himself up from the chair. He looked over at Bennett who was conferring with his client. As Hutch took the oath he looked over at Starsky who gave him that look he always gave him when he got on the witness stand. As expected, Katharine Gregory cross- examined Hutch. He gave direct answers which were clear and concise. She seemed very pleased when she finished and Hutch readied himself for Bennett as he rose. He held a piece of paper in his hand as he walked over to Hutch.

“Detective Hutchinson,” Bennett began. “In Detective Morgan’s report a meeting took place between you, your partner, Captain Dobey and an informant in a bar.”

Bennett handed Hutch the paper and he continued.

“Please tell the court was discussed during this meeting.”

“I can’t,” Hutch said handing the report back to Bennett.

“And why is that, Detective?”

“It’s in regard to the matter you discussed with Detective Wade.”

“This is the sealed records involving problems with Ben Forrest?”

“Yes.”

“So you can’t enlighten the court as to why issues such as these rose during an important case such as this?”

“Mr. Bennett,” Judge Mathews said, “this court has received the motions filed with the Federal Courts and until they are answered this subject is off limits. Start a new line of questioning.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Bennett set the report down on the table. He crossed his arms and looked at Hutch. “Detective Hutchinson, when Detective Wade approached you about my client what was your reaction?”

“I was a little surprised.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s not everyday someone requests an investigation to be brought forward in regards to someone like Tanner Caulfield.”

“I would imagine that it’s irregular for it to be done through the channels that you used.”

“Yes.”

“How was this done without my client learning about it, Detective?”

“My father had a friend in the state department.”

“May I have his name please?”

“Sure.” Hutch said easily. “He is Congressman Harry Lathem. He and my father went to college together.”

“Thank you, Detective.” Bennett said with displeasure. “I do have one thing I am curious about. What was your reaction when Detective Wade told you why he wanted this personal favor from you?”

Hutch didn’t like the way he said personal and he gritted his teeth slightly before answering.

“I was skeptical.”

“And why was that?”

“I thought the initials alone were pretty flimsy. But when he spoke of the other personal relationships involved and the length of time I thought he might have had a point. Also given Tanner Caulfield’s involvement in this case I felt it was suspect.”

“So you agreed and you went behind your partner’s back as well?”

“Given the circumstances, yes I did. It was a sensitive matter not only to Detective Wade’s partner but to mine as well. It was also the nature of the investigation which had to be handled carefully.”

“It’s understandable considering the personal entanglements which seem to be surfacing.” Bennett hedged.

“Objection”, Katharine called out.

“Sustained,” Judge Mathews responded.

“I withdraw the remark. Now, Detective Hutchinson, when you gathered your information on my client, was it handled at the precinct?”

“No. We met at Detective Wade’s home.”

“It’s a penthouse, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Getting back to what you had discovered, did you share everything you had learned with Detective Wade at this point?”

“Yes. I handed over everything I had found and we discussed it at length.”

“Even those dummy businesses which you had found?"

“Yes.”

“They were the same exact businesses, were they not?”

“With the exception of one.”

“Interesting.” Bennett walked to the table, retrieved a file and turned his attention back to Hutch. “Did you discover anything out of the ordinary at Detective Wade’s home?”

“He had a humidor on his desk.” Hutch said uneasily. He knew where Bennett was headed with this line of questioning.

“What was odd about this humidor?”

“It was exactly like the one my father kept on his desk.”

Bennett opened up the file and pulled a photo out. He crossed the courtroom and held it out for Hutch to see.

“Is this the humidor, Detective?”

“It looks like it.”

“This is one of the items Detective Wade bid on at the charity auction which he won. Detective, did you question him about the humidor?”

“Yes.” Hutch sighed.

“What was his response?”

“He claimed it was a copy.”

“Did you believe him?”

“I couldn’t be sure.”

“Detective, you mean to tell me that a fellow police officer that you had been working with closely on an important case such as this stated the humidor was a copy and you didn’t know whether you could believe him or not?”

“Mr. Bennett,” Hutch said a little impatiently, "given how much was involved during this entire investigation we had gotten in the habit of questioning just about anything and everything. At the time it didn’t seem to matter.”

“It turns out in fact that he was lying to you about the humidor."

“I found out later that he did.”

“Why did Detective Wade lie to you?" Bennett asked.

“You would have to ask him,” Hutch replied slightly annoyed.

“I will.” Bennett replied setting the photograph back in its place. “Detective, the list of fake businesses you came up with during your investigation into my client was this through the same contacts that you used initially?”

“They were bank records. I was given access when the large account belonging to Caulfield came to light.”

“Did you duplicate the list from Lt. Fargo’s?”

“No.” Hutch answered tersly. “The chain of command for those records I uncovered is well documented.”

“That is before you took them to the home of Detective Wade and shared them.” Bennett said. Bennett never gave Hutch a chance when he fired his next question. “Detective, what is the nature of your relationship with Detective Wade?”

“We’re friends.”

“Even after his lying to you about the humidor?”

“We worked it out.”

“So you were aware of the other items he had bought in the auction which belonged to your father?”

“Yes, I know about them.”

“And the $25,000 your father gave to his mother?”

“I wasn’t aware of that.” Hutch sighed deeply “He always took care of his employees.

“To the tune of $25,000, Detective?” Bennett raised his eyebrows. “That’s fairly extreme.”

“She was pregnant, Mr. Bennett. It was never unlike my father to help someone out.”

“He helped her out quite a bit, Mr. Hutchinson.” Bennett turned towards the table. “It would explain a great many things.”

Hutch watched as he opened up a file folder and pulled out another file. Bennett looked it over before turning around and walking towards him.

“Mr. Hutchinson, were you aware of the constant support your father provided Detective Wade and his mother?”

“What?” Hutch felt his heart rise into his throat.

“We discovered bank records showing anywhere from $500 to $1000 per month were being supplied to Amanda Wade. They began three months after Detective Wade was born up until he graduated from high school.”

“That’s a lie.”

Bennett didn’t even blink as he handed Hutch the file. Hutch glanced over at Dylan who wasn’t looking at him and then down at the record which indicated everything he said was true.

“Why was your father paying Detective Wade and his mother?"

“You could ask him if he was still alive.” Hutch took a deep breath as he leafed through the file in his hands.

“Detective, from all appearances it seems that this close association between your family and Detective Dylan Wade goes back quite sometime to your father and his mother. You both concocted this evidence to bring my client down. You both had the money to counterfeit any evidence you chose to railroad Tanner Caulfield who is a highly respected police officer in this city!”

“Really, Mr. Bennett.” Hutch closed the file angrily. “Why would we do that?”

“Oh, you’ll soon find out, Detective.” Bennett took the record from him. “I’m finished with this witness, your honor.”

“Redirect, Counselor?” Judge Mathews asked Katharine.

“Yes,” Katharine answered walking towards the witness stand. “Detective Hutchinson, were you aware of these funds being supplied to Detective Wade and his mother before now?”

“No.”

“You knew your father extremely well, Detective. You of all people might begin to shed some light as to why your father gave them the money.”

“When I think about it, it wouldn’t be any great surprise.” Hutch rubbed his eyes. “She was alone and pregnant.”

“After your conversation with Detective Wade regarding Tanner Caulfield, what did you do with the evidence you had discovered?”

“I asked Captain Milligan to secure it in his private safe in his office. It’s a part of his records.”

“Thank you, Detective.”

“You may step down,” Judge Mathews instructed.

Hutch was tired and he glanced over at Dylan who sat emotionless in the gallery. He wasn’t sure what he saw in his eyes as he sat down in his seat.

A recess was called and afterwards Starsky sighed a bit when he heard his name called. He slapped his hands to his knees before rising and walked to the stand. He took the oath and sat down. Katharine questioned him extensively and Starsky had no problems in answering the question. He took it rather easily even at the questions regarding his father and Ethan’s mother. When she had finished and sat down, Starsky looked over at Bennett and Caulfield who where talking quietly to each other. The courtroom sat in silence for a moment and Bennett finally stood up to face Starsky

“Detective Starsky, what is your impression of Detective Morgan?”

“Relevance?” Katharine asked.

“It goes to their working relationship, your honor.” Bennett explained.

“Proceed, Mr. Bennett,” the judge nodded.

“Morgan’s a good cop. I’d want him to have my back on any day.”

“You didn’t feel that way in the beginning given the reports you wrote.”

“I didn’t know he was undercover. We all thought he was well on the way to being a bad cop at the time.”

“You knew Tanner Caulfield as a child, too?”

“He came over to the house a few times to see my father.”

“Do you know what these visits were in regards to, Detective?”

“I was a kid. I had no idea. As far as I knew they were friends.”

“Did you know Olivia Morgan then?”

“No.”

“Both of them knew her and rather well it seems.”

“I wasn’t aware of it at the time.”

“When you discovered your partner and Detective Wade had investigated my client behind your back, what was your reaction?”

“I was a bit angry at first,” Starsky admitted. “But I know Hutch wouldn’t have done it unless he felt he had to.”

“What makes you say that, Detective?”

“Hutch and me have been partners for some time now. I know him as well as I know myself as he does me. It’s no surprise.”

“Is this how your partner regularly conducts himself, Detective?”

“No”, Starsky answered firmly.

“Has Detective Hutchinson ever kept anything from you in regards to the work you both share?”

Starsky looked over at Katharine Gregory and then over at Hutch who gave him a small nod.

“Answer the question, Detective,” Judge Mathews ordered.

“I can’t, Judge,” Starsky said. “It’s concerning the Ben Forrest case.”

“I see,” Bennett replied in a frustrating sigh. “Detective Starsky, were you present when Detective Morgan attacked Detective Stanley?”

“Yes.”

“How would you describe Detective Morgan’s demeanor?”

“He was obviously angry as hell.”

“What did you do?”

“I pulled him off of Stanley with the help of another cop. Captain Milligan called them both in his office.”

“What did you do next, Detective?”

“I had overheard him call a work order in for his locker over the phone prior to the fight. I headed down to the locker room because I thought something may have set him off.”

“What did you discover upon your arrival, Detective?”

“A dead rat had been hung in Morgan’s locker.”

“And knowing a fight had just taken place between Detective Morgan and another, you went to confront him as well.”

“Yes.”

“Only you didn’t react as Detective Morgan, did you?”

“I confronted Stanley about it and he denied it.”

“Did you believe him?”

“I wasn’t sure. I found out later there had been several pranks similar to that one for a while now.”

“How did you discover that, Detective?”

“Detective Morgan told me.”

“And what was your response?”

“I told him to report it or get a transfer.”

“And his, Detective?”

“He said he wasn’t going to report it and he refused a transfer.”

“Why did he refuse a transfer?”

“He didn’t say.”

“Detective, you were called to Detective Wade’s penthouse to meet with Detectives Hutchinson, Wade and Morgan. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Which is when you discovered the investigation into Mr. Caulfield.”

“Yes.”

“After learning this enormous amount of information about a man you had known since you were a child, what was your reaction?”

“I wasn’t sure if I could believe it. Caulfield had called my father his friend. It seemed a bit much to swallow at first.”

“What was Detective’s Morgan reaction to this information, Detective Starsky?”

“He was understandably upset.”

“How upset was he?”

“He was angry, Mr. Bennett. The man he had known since childhood was a rotten cop.”

“Your honor,” Bennett pleaded.

“The jury will disregard that statement,” Judge Mathews instructed. “Detective Starsky, limit your statements to the facts at hand.”

“Detective, you stated that at first you didn’t believe these charges leveled against my client. What changed your mind they might be true?”

“When Detective Wade stated that Tanner Caulfield knew Morgan’s mother. He said they were friends.”

“So you found his mother’s involvement with Mr. Caulfield with Olivia Morgan suspicious?”

“It seemed odd given everything else,” Starsky admitted.

“When you discovered this connection between my client and Olivia Morgan, what did you do next, Detective?”

“Hutch and I went to the records room at the precinct.”

“You went to follow up on Detective Morgan’s work?”

“No,” Starsky replied with an angry stare “I went to find out how they knew each other.”

“Detective, why didn’t you go to Detective Morgan and ask him?”

“I wasn’t sure if he’d tell me,” Starsky admitted.

“A fellow police officer you trusted,” Bennett asked.

“Given how his mother was involved with Tanner Caulfield and the charges which had been leveled at her during her time as a police officer, it wasn’t surprising he wouldn’t want to discuss it with anyone let alone me.”

“And you discovered the details of the case which was being made against Mario Corellas,” Bennett stated.

“Yes.”

“Did you make any surprising discoveries during this search?”

“I found out that my father worked with Olivia Morgan,” Starsky said looking down at his hands.

“Why was this a shock to you, Detective?”

“Detective Morgan had said previously that he wasn’t aware of them having any knowledge of each other,” Starsky said quietly.

“He lied to you.”

“It was a troubling case. There were a lot of factors playing into what happened with it.”

“Was that the first time Detective Morgan lied to you?” Bennett asked.

Starsky breathed deeply and gripped the chair’s armrests.

“Detective, do I need to repeat the question?”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“What other time did he lie about?”

“He lied about knowing my brother.”

“Ah, yes,” Bennett turned towards the table and walked over to where his client sat. He pulled a record out and opened it up. “Nicholas Marvin Starsky. It seems he had a few run-ins with the police in the last few years. How did you discover Detective Morgan had lied?”

“It was after an attempt had been made on me and my partner’s life,” Starsky said.

“Could you please elaborate for the court, Detective?”

“What appeared to be mafia associates of Vincent Corollas drove by my mother’s house and shot at us.”

“How did this give you the indication Detective Morgan had lied?”

“I knew about the problems my brother had.” Starsky said unhappy with the admission. “I confronted him and he had thought Morgan had said something to me about his activities.”

“Why did Detective Morgan lie?” Bennett asked.

“I don’t know.”

“You mean after all this time; you still don’t know why Detective Morgan lied a second time to you?”

“The opportunity never arose to question him about it.”

“Detective, don’t you think it’s odd given how much personal involvement there is between your family and Detective Morgan?”

“We’re all from the same neighborhood. It’s not a great surprise.”

“But the lies are,” Bennett shot at Starsky.

Starsky didn’t say anything as Bennett turned around and went to his table. He pulled a file with several papers inside. He leafed through him before pulling a few out. “Detective, how involved was your father with Olivia Morgan?”

“They worked together,” Starsky said. “My father stood up for her when those charges were levied against her.”

“Why did he do that, Detective?”

“My father was the kind of man that when he saw a wrong, he did what he could to make it right. It’s no great surprise.”

“To wh