Orchids Spell Death

By

Judith Goodger and Elisa Valero

First the spring then summer was over. Months slipped quickly by with everything slowly but surely coming back to normal, and September arrived. In a few days it would be the first anniversary of Vicky and Starsky meeting each other at her place and he was looking for something to give her as a special surprise to celebrate.

Hutch and Jenny were enjoying their new relationship, though they were still living in their own apartments as both wanted to keep their independence, Hutch was enjoying one of the happiest times of his life with Jenny and she knew that their decision to give their feelings a chance was the right decision.

In these last months too, the life of little Kathy was changing for the better. Jim Mitchell, and Suzie his wife, were doing all in their power to adopt her though, at the moment, that wasn’t possible. The father of the child would not even to think about the idea of giving up his daughter to a cop, though obviously he never took care of her so, for the moment, the only thing that the Mitchell’s had was temporary custody of the little girl.
She was really an affectionate, grateful and very intelligent child, so needing of love and attention. In the last weeks Jim gained permission for Kathy to go to the school where his son Alex was studying and she was doing fine there living, for the first time in her unlucky short life, as a child, being spoiled, and loved, and wishing to spend the rest of her life as part of her new family.
More than once she and Alex went to the Starsky’s with Suzie or Jim, and on each of those occasions, Kathy, the little boy and Starsky spent endless hours in the yard, playing ball games with Samson, or in the living room, playing his guitar and singing songs with the children, watching cartoons on the TV as a child himself, or driving with them in the Torino to the bakers to come back home a while later with his arms filled with cakes and ice cream as a great afternoon snack. In each of these moments Vicky watched the scene, her heart filled with gratitude toward the brave little girl who had saved Starsky’s life, and with an overwhelming feeling of tenderness and love towards her husband, her big child, her brave man, waiting for the day when he could give all this love to his own sons.

All through this time Vicky and Starsky had fought hard to leave bad memories behind and they had done it. Both were enjoying every minute of family life with all its little sweet moments and the company of their best friends as well. Vicky was still working, though soon she would finish, waiting for her babies to be born. Due to her condition every day was hard, stand in the surgery all of the time but her pregnancy was going well…. despite the increasing suspicion from Starsky that something was wrong.
So, that midday, after her last medical appointment Starsky became serious and asked. “Vicky, can I ask you something?”
“Sure sweetheart. What’s the matter?”
“Vicky tell me why, whenever you speak of the baby, you make the same face as the cat that ate the canary…Just like now.” In that moment Vicky couldn’t help but blush a bit, and, as most times, a mischievous smile was threatening to betray her and she had real trouble keeping her surprise hidden. “Vicky, are you hiding something from me?”
“Dave…Honey. Why do you think that I would do something like that?”
“´Cause I couldn’t have gone with you to any of your medical appointments. That’s why.”
“Sorry Dave. I already said that I got the date wrong this last time.” Vicky approached Starsky, embracing him and resting her head on his chest. “Dave, our baby is perfectly okay.”
By then Vicky already knew that they were two boys. Luckily, before Starsky could ask any more questions, the phone rang. Vicky picked it up relieved, to find it was Jenny calling.
“Hello?”
“Vick, it’s me Jenny. Can we talk?”
“Hi, Jenn,…Just give me a second.” Vicky said, looking at Starsky from the corner of her eye.
“Saved by the bell…” Starsky whispered in her ear, grabbing his jacket before leaving the house “I have to get back to work now but let me tell you something Mrs Starsky. This talk isn’t over.” Starsky tried to appear angry, but a smile was showing in a corner of his mouth and, after kissing her lips, he headed towards the Torino
“Thank God Jenny…Dave is getting suspicious about the babies.”
“Oh well. You are married to a cop… remember? Besides…Sorry, but lately, you’re…how can I say it? You’re so…Immense maybe? Yeah. I think that’s the right word.”
”Thanks Jenny. That’s just what I needed to hear. You’re always so nice…”
“You’re welcome friend. Listen Vicky. Can I see you?”
“Sure Jenn. Something wrong?”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” And so saying Jenny hung up the receiver.

A short time later both women were sitting down on the couch drinking sodas. Jenny was looking pale and fatigued. In fact it was how she had looked for the last couple of weeks.
“Are you feeling good Jenn? You look like hell.”
“And I feel like it too…”
“Are you sick Jenny?…If you want I can take you to the doctor…Or I can call Hutch and Dave.”
“Oh no…Seeing Hutch is the last thing I need right now…”
“Uh?”
“Vick. I’m pregnant. I don't know how it could have happened, because we take precautions, but I’m pregnant. No mistake.”
“WHAT??...But how?…”
”Well. I’m sure you know how already…I guess.”
“Come on Jenn! What I mean is does Hutch know?”
“Not yet. I’ve only known for sure today. But I still have to tell him…Soon, I guess.”
“What do you want to do about the baby Jenn?”
“To have it of course, you know that I always wanted to have a kid some day…Well, seems as that day is coming sooner than I thought. But I won’t marry Hutch. Him, or any other man for that matter.”
“But, he’s the father. He has a right to…”
“Of course he’s the father, and he’ll have the right to be with his baby if he wants, but I don't even want to hear of marriage. We’re happy as we are. And neither of us likes the idea of getting married…Look Vick. This is something that I’ll not discuss. Okay?”
“Okay, okay Jenn. Listen. Tonight we’re all supposed to have dinner together. If you want I can think of some excuse for us not too.”
“Oh, no. It's not necessary. I can speak with Hutch tomorrow…or any other day. Maybe I could even introduce him to the baby in eight and a half months…Kenneth Hutchinson; I want to introduce you to your son Kenneth Hutchinson Jr...Sounds great, uh?
“Sure, that would be the best way to do it.” Vicky laughed.
“And you know what the funniest thing is Vicky? A couple of days ago Hutch was looking for a bulb in my storage room and he found the pram for your baby…He came in the living room, a little pale, carrying the pram and asking me. What’s this mean Jenny…Tell me that this is for the little Starsk…Jeez. What a mess!!”
“Know something Jenn? I wouldn't want be in your shoes right now. I only hope Hutch and you haven’t done as good a job as Dave and I.” Vicky, indicating her enlarged abdomen, rose with some difficultly, and Jenny’s help, from the couch.

That evening, things were pretty calm in the precinct, in one of those hot, end of summer, days in which even the bad guys seemed to have a day off.
Giving him a coffee cup, Hutch was asking one visibly absent Starsky. “Hey Gordo. Something new about Vicky’s surprise?”
But Starsky was lost in his own thoughts.
“... Starsky?…Hey, Starsk!” Hutch waved his hand in front of his partner’s face.
“Uh?...Oh, sorry Hutch.”
“Where were you partner?”
“Well…I’m afraid I was a long way from here.”
“Let me guess. You were at home, with Vicky. Right?”
Starsky smiled, drinking a sip of his coffee and looking at his friend’s eyes. “Yeah…you know? She’s looking more beautiful as her pregnancy is going on. She’s just glowing…”. Hutch smiled as Starsky kept talking. “During these last weeks I’ve been thinking of how many things have changed in our lives….Just a year ago Vicky and I hadn’t even met each other, and she was just moving from the other side of the city. Then, that day, I went to her house to call to the Phone Company, and well…. Here we are. And, after everything that has happened, finally, now we are happy Blondie. I mean, truly happy. Vicky is the best woman that a man could find…and now, inside her, my son is growing up, waiting for the moment to be with us. I’ll have a son…and it’s simply the best thing I’ve ever had …Can you picture him Hutch? I do. He’ll be little, soft and beautiful, and he’ll have that special smell, so sweet, that new babies have. I can see him already, grabbing my finger with his little hand...and Vicky and I cuddling him at night to get him to sleep in his cot, beside his teddy.” Emotion showed in Starsky’s features as he spoke.
“Yeah, Gordo. I can see the little Starsky too. His little head covered in brown curls and his dark blue eyes. I can picture you some years on, playing a ball game in the yard with him, or reading him some child’s tale before bed, or giving him a glass of water in the middle of the night…Really, he’ll be the luckiest, and the most spoiled, child in the whole world…Know something Starsk? A great time is coming to you, and for God sake, you deserve it!!” Overcome with tenderness Hutch briefly rubbed Starsky’s back before sitting down again behind his desk.
“And what about you Hutch? Wouldn’t you like to be a father some day too?”
“Yeah, I’d like to I guess. You know. I wanted to have kids with Van…But fortunately we didn’t bring an innocent child to live in the middle of our chaotic relationship…and now, with Jenny, well. It seems a pretty far thing to happen…we’e happy. She’s a great girl…but I’ll never have a family with her I suppose…”

During the time that Jenny and Vicky were fixing dinner, the blonde was picking some of the food from the fridge or the serving dishes placed on the kitchen table…A piece of tomato, some olives. But what Vicky was simply amazed by was when she saw her friend popping a thin slice of smoked meat into her mouth.
“What’s the matter Vick?” Asked Jenny “I’m vegetarian but seemingly this little Hutch isn’t like his mum, and right now I was dying for that piece of meat, though maybe later I’ll be incapable of eating even a bite of food. Now I’m fine, even hungry, and the next minute I could be in the john, sick to death... It’s so strange!”
“Oh no, it’s not strange at all. In fact it’s pretty normal… I went through the same thing at first. It’s just that if Hutch and Dave see you eating meat, it’s possible that they call for some shrink this very night.”

A couple of hours later Starsky and Hutch came back from the precinct. The dinner and the table were ready and, after kissing their respective ladies, and with an extra kiss from Starsky to Vicky’s big abdomen, they all sat down around the table.
Both couples spent an agreeable evening together. Nevertheless, the blonde girl was looking visibly pale and silent, worrying the other three who were looking discreetly at Jenny as she scarcely ate any food, wondering what’s wrong with her.
“Are you okay Jenn?” Hutch asked gently rubbing her shoulder.
“Oh, yeah…It's just a little stomach trouble…But I’m okay.”
“I can fix some camomile tea for you if you want.” Vicky spoke softly.
“No…It's okay Vick. Really, soon I’ll be fine…”

All of them spent the whole dinner looking at the blonde one with concern, until a while later,
Jenny, visibly light headed, rose from her chair and headed towards the bathroom. Vicky, seeing her extreme pallor, got up as well to accompany her… But they didn’t get too far. After just a couple of steps, the girl simply passed out falling into Vicky’s arms.

Both Starsky and Hutch reached them at the same time. Hutch gently lifted her up and, at Starsky’s insistence, he carried her through to the bedroom where he carefully laid her on the bed. A worried Vicky followed close behind as fast as her huge bulk would let her. Starsky disappeared into the bathroom and hurriedly returned with a damp flannel, which he handed to his wife. Hutch sat by Jenny’s side holding her hand as Vicky laid the cloth onto her forehead. Disappearing one more time Starsky headed for the medicine cabinet and, reaching inside, he pulled out the smelling salts Vicky kept at the back. Pausing long enough to collect some brandy he hurried back to his friends. Handing the small bottle of smelling salts to Vicky Starsky moved to stand behind Hutch and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. The pungent smell of ammonia filled the air as Vicky moved the bottle to and fro underneath Jenny’s nose. For a moment there was no reaction then, slowly, they could see her beginning to react. Finally her eyes opened and Hutch smiled lovingly at her.
“Hey there sleeping beauty. You had us a little worried there for a moment. That’s some finale you’ve got for an evening out.” Starsky handed him the brandy and he held it to her lips. “Here, take a sip or two of this.”
Jenny slowly sipped at the warm liquid, pulling a face as she did so. When Hutch was satisfied that her colour was more or less back to normal he finally allowed her to sit fully upright.
“Feeling a little better now?” His voice was soft and gentle and Jenny nodded. “Good then maybe you would like to tell me what’s going on with you.” He looked directly at her and his eyes told her that he would take no messing around but still she tried.
“I told you Hutch. I’ve got a bit of a stomach bug that’s all.”
“Yeh! And I’m the President…Come on Jen you can do better than that. You’ve been acting strange all night and you hardly touched your food. And for some weeks you haven’t been looking too well …Maybe you think I haven’t noticed it? The only person you’re kidding with that one is yourself!”
Hutch’s voice was firm and Jenny knew she could delay no longer. She glanced at Vicky her eyes pleading and Vicky rose from her seat on the bed next to her.
“Good luck.” She whispered to her friend. “Come on Davy. I need some help in the kitchen.” Taking a firm grip on Starsky’s arm she pulled him from the room leaving the two together. Starsky let her get to the table and start clearing it of dinner plates and crockery before he spoke.
“Vicky what the hell is going on? Jenny’s sick isn’t she?” Starsky’s voice was worried and demanding and Vicky took a deep breath before she answered.
“No Dave she’s not sick, not how you mean anyway. She needs to talk to Hutch though.”
Vicky watched his face as different emotions ran across it. First there was confusion, then realisation and finally amazement. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Hey, you’re the detective. You tell me.” And she smiled softly at him.
For a moment Starsky was rooted to the spot. If what he thought he knew was right then this was a time for celebration…he hoped. Slowly he managed to make his paralysed limbs move and he walked towards his wife and held her tightly.
“How long have you known?”
“Jenny told me today. She only just had it confirmed. Dave…how do you think Hutch will take it. I mean…they were happy as they were, no ties and all that. Will he be alright about this?”
“Hutch will be okay with it V. Sure he’ll be a little dumb struck but he’ll stand by her and he’ll make a great dad.”
“But she won’t marry him Dave. She’s adamant about that.” Vicky’s worry showed in the way her voice wavered.
“I know. Hutch told me. Give them time V, maybe she’ll change her mind as time goes on. Either way Hutch is still the father and he’ll be there for her. I’m sure of that.” Starsky kissed her gently and laid his hand on her abdomen. “Hey little one. You’re gonna have a little buddy of your own to play with.”
Vicky placed her hand over Starsky’s and they both smiled tenderly as they felt the baby underneath turn over. “Come on Mrs Starsky. Lets get this dishwasher loaded and settle down in front of the tube.” Together the two continued the task of clearing the debris of their meal and before long they were on the couch, Vicky’s head resting on Starsky’s chest and his arm protectively around her, as the sound of an old movie filled the room.

Inside the bedroom, lying on the bed Jenny took a deep breath and prepared herself for what was to come. Patting the place which Vicky had vacated she waited for Hutch to sit next to her before speaking.
“Ken. You know that pram you found the other day, the one you thought was mine and I was hiding from you?” Hutch nodded without speaking. “Well like I said at the time it isn’t and I wasn’t.” Jenny stopped to draw breath realising that she was babbling. She tried again. “I’ve been feeling a little off colour these last couple of weeks so I went to the doctor. Oh damn it! Hutch I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby and I don’t know what to do!” Jenny held her breath as she watched Hutch’s face. His blue eyes seemed to turn a little darker and his face set. Jenny’s heart tightened. “Hutch say something…please.”
“Marry me Jenny.” His voice was cold and firm, almost demanding, and she shivered.
“No Hutch. We’ve been through all this before and nothing’s changed. I won’t marry you just because I’ve been careless. This baby may be a mistake but it’s not going to make me change everything I hold dear.” Jenny stopped as Hutch rose from his place beside her and headed for the door. “Hutch ….”
Turning he looked directly at her, his face cold, his features set. “Then I guess there’s nothing left to say is there? Good luck Jenny.”
With that he opened the door and slipped out closing it firmly but silently behind him. Starsky and Vicky watched in amazement as he walked across the room and out of their front door without so much as a backward glance. Running after his friend Starsky was just in time to see him race away from the kerb with a squeal of tyres.
Starsky and Vicky hurried into the bedroom to a see a crying Jenny curled up on the bed.
“Jenny…what the hell happened?” Starsky’s voice broke through her sobs as Vicky held her tightly.
“He…he…asked me to…to marry…him” Her voice was quiet through the sobs.
“And you said no!” It wasn’t a question.
Jenny nodded and looked at Starsky. “He was so cold Dave. I’ve never seen him like that before. I think I just hurt him badly.”
“Stay with her honey. She looks like she needs you right now. About as much as Hutch needs me I guess…if I can find him.” Starsky headed for the door where he turned and blew a kiss to his wife. “Love you, and don’t worry…it’ll be okay. I promise.” With that he left the room and hurried across to the front door pausing only long enough to collect his jacket and keys. As he climbed into his car he ran a mental check of all the places he thought Hutch might head for. ‘Okay blintz. You’re upset and had a bit of a shock. Where you gonna run too?’ As an answer slowly crept into his mind he turned on the ignition and swung his car out of the drive heading for the beach. It was where he had found his friend the day that his divorce had finally been finalised and somehow he figured that was just how it felt to Hutch right now.

Already at the beach, Starsky saw Hutch’s battered LTD parked on the verge of the beach. He parked the Torino in a spot next to his friend’s car and headed on to the sand.
It wasn’t long before he could see Hutch’s figure sitting down next to the seashore, and throwing little rocks into the sea. In a few strides, he was close to Hutch.
“Mind if I sit down a while with you, buddy?”
Hutch answered with an almost imperceptible shrug of his shoulders and kept his eyes fixed on the sea. After some minutes of silence he spoke.
“It’s funny huh?.. This very afternoon you asked me if I would like to be a father some day, and now I´m going to be a father. Like you…but with one little difference…I’ll not be able to see my child growing up. I won’t get to rock him in my arms to make him sleep, no child’s tales before bed time, no ball games in the yard at all…no…” Hutch‘s voice broke because a lump was forming in his throat.
“Hey, wait! Wait a second partner, and try to think clearly. Jenny doesn’t want to get married…But perhaps she told to you that you can't to be with your child?”
“No, of course, but…”
“But nothing Hutch. Listen to me. That girl and you are happy together. Right?…But for some reason, she doesn’t want to get married. That’s okay too. It’s her decision and I’m afraid there is little you can do to change her mind, but already you know Jenny. I can't picture her not allowing you to be with your child…”
“Yeah. My child!…A child who will have a mother living in one place and a father living in another. Great way to grow up!!”
Both friends remained silent for some minutes until Hutch fiercely threw another handful of pebbles into the sea “SHIT!! That girl is damned stubborn!! That’s what she is. And there’s not one thing I can do to change it.”
“Okay, she is…But tell me something…If she wasn’t pregnant would you marry her?”
“BUT SHE IS PREGNANT STARSK!”
“I know, Blondie…I know ...same as I know that maybe right now she has more sense than you in your blond head.”
“What do you mean, Starsky?”
“What I’m trying to say is that Jenny knows perfectly that marriage was something out of the question for you both until this moment….Yeah, sure. Everything has changed a lot with her pregnancy, but no sensible woman would marry a man for no other reason but the mutual wish to be married anyway.”
“Are you trying to tell me that Jenny is a sensible woman?” Huch asked looking at Starsky with a questioning look.
“That’s right. Look Hutch. I don't know if she will marry you in the future or not, but one thing is sure. Married or not, you are going to be a father…Good Heaven’s! We’ll be truly busy in some months helping our ladies with the nappies, the baby’s bottles and all that.” Starsky joked in an attempt to ease Hutch’s worries a little.
“What do I do now Starsk?”
“Well, how about you get some sleep. Tomorrow Jenny and you will be able to work things out. I’m sure of it.” Both men were already rising up from the sand and heading toward their cars.
“Do you want to come to my place? Or maybe I could to spend tonight at yours?”
“No Starsk. Thanks. You’ve already done enough for me today. I’ll be okay. Go, be with your wife.” Starsky gently squeezed Hutch’s arm as a good bye and both men drove in opposite directions toward their homes.
Once there, Starsky saw Jenny’s bag still hanging on the coat hook and the girl sleeping on the couch so, silently and without turn on the lights, he headed towards the bedroom, scratching Samson’s head in greeting as he passed. “Stay close to her tonight boy. She could do with a friend right now.”
Quietly closing the bedroom door he turned to see Vicky looking at him.
“Hey lover…How’s Blondie doing?” she asked, already in bed.
“He’s pretty upset, but I think everything will be alright in the end…And Jenny?”
“Sad, worried and upset too, but determined. Hutch is the father of her baby and she loves him, but as for marriage…That’s a very different matter...”
A minute later, Starsky, already into his pyjamas, got into bed and embraced Vicky. “Well, let’s leave the problems for tomorrow, Okay? Right now I’m much too tired to think. Love you” Saying that he kissed Vicky, and lay down, asleep almost instantly.

Next morning the 9th precinct began the day with a nightmarish crime. A pregnant woman had been murdered in her own house roughly twenty-four hours earlier. The murderer killed his victim, suffocating her with a plastic bag, later cutting open her abdomen, getting out the seven months foetus, and leaving the woman’s corpse in her bed and the baby’s corpse in his cot, with a white orchid over his little body. Her mother discovered the awful scene the next morning.

“Kelly Miller, 31 years old, separated from her husband four months ago, blonde, blue eyes. Her ex husband has a good alibi. He’s a fireman and at the time of the crime he was on duty. Besides, the relationship wasn’t so bad, in spite of the circumstances. Mrs Miller found her husband and her best friend in the bed… On the other hand the exterior phone wire was cut and the door wasn’t forced, so seemingly Mrs Miller opened the door to the killer. As for the victim, she owned a little boutique, and she had no known lover, boy friend nor enemy for that matter.” While they were listening to Dobey’s explanations, Starsky and Hutch felt their stomachs turning at seeing the pictures taken by the forensic team. In spite of the large amount of horrors seen during their years as police officers, at times some crimes were too much hard to stand.

“Starsky, Hutch. We not got much to start with, but this murder can only be the handiwork of one very dangerous psycho. I just hope that you both find something good enough to catch the damned nutcase soon. Go hit the streets… And for God’s love, don’t come back here without some clue about all this.”

“Hey partner…You alright?” A concerned Hutch asked as they both headed to the Torino, seeing the deathly pallor of Starsky’s face.
“God Hutch…What a horror…That poor girl… And the baby…there, dead in his cot…Who could do something like that Hutch?” A thin sheen of sweat was showing on Starsky’s forehead.
“I don’t know Starsk…A true madman, that’s certain. Look buddy. If you want, we can ask Dobey to assign other detectives to this case.”
“No Hutch. We’ll do it…Don’t worry. I’ll be fine…It’s just that…”
“I know, Starsk. Believe me. I know.” Hutch looked at Starsky with sympathetic eyes. “Come on. Let’s go to work”
The drive towards Mrs. Miller’s house was made in silence. Starsky kept his eyes fixed on the road. Hutch doing the same, but with occasional glances at his friend from the corner of his eye. When they arrived the coroners wagon was waiting to take the corpses from the scene but first the forensic team and the homicide detectives had work to do.
The female corpse and the little foetus were on the bed and the cot respectively, totally bloodstained. The real images were much worse than the pictures. The last horror reflected in Mrs. Miller’s features, the blue color of her skin…the indescribable image of the little baby’s corpse, more alike to some kind of strange broken doll than a child, and, in bizarre contrast, the room in perfect order.

“What do we have Dan?”
“Not that much Hutch… Only that the killer cut up the victim’s abdomen, not with an ordinary knife, but with a scalpel. No fingerprints, no signals of struggle, no blood in any of the rest of the house but in the bedroom…We’re working on some polyester particles found under the victim’s nails. By the way, Mrs. Miller’s mother says that the cot wasn’t here. It was still in the storage room…So the killer brought it from there, obviously after the crime…I’m sorry. I know that’s not a lot to start, but it’s all that we have right now.”
“No neighbours hear anything?” Starsky asked
“Nope…Not even a noise…
“Thanks Dan…We’ll start by asking the phone company for any report from this address, and then we’ll ask in all the florist’s shops for white orchids bought in the last 48 hours.” Starsky and Hutch left the house.
Once outside Starsky breathed deeply before angrily saying “Great! A psycho kills a pregnant woman, and the only clue that we have to start with is a cut phone wire and a tour of the florist’s shops of the city.”
“Come on Gordo…Once we have a list of clients that bought white orchids in the last 48 hours we can maybe work something out…”
But, at the end of the day they still hadn’t one good lead to go on.
“Not one possible suspect…nobody called the phone company and as for buyers of white orchid… An old man, blind, by the way, getting a gift for his wife, a young lady, and a child and his mother sending orchids to his grandma for her 90 birthday. Those are the only people that bought a fucking white orchid in the last couple of days. All colors of roses, camellias, yellow orchids, plants…BUT JUST THREE DAMNED WHITE ORCHIDS IN THE WHOLE CITY!!” Starsky hit his desk in frustration
“Hey, partner. Take it easy, Okay? We’ll find the nutcase, but right now how about a break? The day is over. Go home and we’ll follow up in the morning.” Hutch said, holding out Starsky’s jacket. “Besides, if you remember I have to go to Jenny’s, and try to have a talk with her…”

Meanwhile in a dark and big house in the middle of the wood a man, in a room lit only by a few candles, was gazing a picture of a young, smiling woman with a white orchid in her hair. Her favorite flower…the flower that Thomas put over her coffin her funeral’s day…
“I told you Mother. You shouldn’t have left me that way. I’ll kill you again and again. You and that little bastard of yours until the end of time…”

When Starsky arrived home he wanted only to get some rest and forget the horror he had seen in that long day. His place was uncomfortably dark. Once inside he turned up the lights and locked the front door, resting his back against it for some seconds, breathing deeply as Samson greeted him, moving his tail and looking for some fuss.
“Hey Samson, friend. Everything okay here?...Vicky?…Vicky I’m home sweetheart…” An irrational fear wrapped his heart for some seconds…“Vicky?” The awful image of that unfortunate woman and the little corpse of her baby returned to his memory as he headed towards the living room.
“VICKY?” His voice came out a little piercing.
“Uh?...Dave…Hi sweetheart, I’m sorry. After fixing the dinner I took a nap… I was feeling a little tired…” Vicky spoke, coming out from the bedroom and hiding a yawn with her hand. Then, the girl was surprised by the tight embrace of Starsky.
“Hey lover, what’s the matter? Something wrong?” Starsky spent some seconds silently holding Vicky before answering.
“Nothing’s wrong Honey. It's just that I’m glad to be home.”
”A bad day huh?” They were still embraced as Vicky rubbed his back.
“Yeh! You could say so…But now everything’s fine.”
“It’s that woman, right? The pregnant woman murdered…”
“How do you know about it?...”
“I read it in the newspaper…What a horrible thing!...”
“Vicky…”
She softly placed her forefinger over his mouth “Shhh. I know lover…You’re worried. But there’s nothing to be worried about. Come on Davy. Time for rest, okay?” Vicky finished her words, kissing his lips “I’m sure that Hutch and you will catch that killer, but now you’re home, and you must get some rest and eat a little…I fixed something for you…I’m sure you’ll like it” Vicky released her hold and headed towards the kitchen, returning back to the dinner table with a warm casserole.
“Paul Muni special…Sit down before it gets cold.”

Starsky felt loved and spoilt next to Vicky…In the morning he and Hutch would take up the search again…But now he was home…Nothing else mattered in that moment. Tomorrow would be another day.

As Starsky and Vicky were enjoying their meal Hutch was pulling to a halt outside of Jenny’s house. For a few moments he sat in the car and looked at the house, taking in again the small but well tended garden right outside the front door. Finally, deciding he could put it off no longer Hutch took a deep breath before getting out of the car and heading up the front path. Behind his back he held a deep red carnation, one of his favourite flowers. He had brought it earlier as he and Starsky had trailed unsuccessfully around the florists. Now for a brief second he looked at it hoping that Jenny too would appreciate the warm colour and accept it as the peace offering it was intended to be.
Knocking tentatively at the door Hutch felt like a kid on his first date. A lot rode on the next few minutes and he was nervous. As he waited for Jenny to open the door he rubbed his shoes on the back of his trouser legs, then laughed to himself.
When Jenny finally opened the door it was obvious that he had disturbed her sleep. She was standing in the doorway with a cream dressing gown held tightly around her waist. The light shone from behind her and it lit up her unkempt blond hair in such a way that it took his breath away. For a few seconds the two merely looked at one another then Hutch finally came to his senses and brought the carnation out from behind his back.
“ Jenny, I’m sorry about earlier. I’ll understand if you tell me too go away but please…can we talk?” Hutch’s voice was soft and low as he spoke.
For a brief second Hutch thought she was going to close the door on him, the look in her eyes was so defensive. Then, taking the flower from his grasp, she moved from her position in the doorway, walking back along the hall into her kitchen, leaving the door open for Hutch to follow. He carefully closed the door and went to join her. When he got there she had already filled the kettle and was looking through her cupboards for coffee cups and a flower vase.
“This is beautiful Hutch thank you.” Jenny’s voice was as defensive as her eyes as she placed the flower into a specimen vase and placed it in the centre of the table.
“They’re my favourite flower, my grandfather used to grow them when I was a kid.” For a moment Hutch was somewhere in his distant past. “I hoped you might like it.”
“It was a lovely thought, thanks.” Jenny turned to make the coffee. Handing a cup to Hutch she pointed towards the table. “Want to sit down?”
Hutch sat before continuing, knowing they were both treading carefully, skating around the issue that now stood so solidly between them. “We have to talk Jenny. I’ve had time to think…and Starsky told me a few home truths. I’m sorry…for walking out on you like I did. It was the shock I guess but it was still inexcusable. It’s not every day a girl tells me she’s having my baby.”
“I should hope not!” Jenny’s voice broke in. “I think you’re a lot of things Ken Hutchinson but local Romeo isn’t one of them.” She smiled and reached out her hand. “I’m the one who should be apologising Hutch. I was the one that got us into this mess, though I guess you did have a hand in it.”
“How long have you known?” Hutch held her hand gently but firmly, not willing to let the contact go.
“I only found out for sure yesterday morning when I went back for the results but I’ve suspected it for a couple of weeks. Hutch, I know I said I wouldn’t marry you but this is still your baby, yours and mine. You can be there for him or her as much or as little as you want too. I could never even think of you not having a part in its life. When you asked me to marry you a part of me was grateful that you cared enough to do that…”
“I love you Jenny.” Hutch broke into her words as he tightened the grip on her hand for a second, squeezing gently. “I don’t know when I realised it or when you came to mean more than just a good friend to me but it happened.”
“I know Hutch, and for what it’s worth, I love you too. Don’t you see though, if we were to marry just because of this it would be for all the wrong reasons and I don’t want to repeat past mistakes.” Jenny stopped abruptly and pulled her hand away to place it in her lap as she looked down.
“Don’t stop Jenny. Tell me, while it’s just the two of us. I promise not to be judgemental.” Hutch looked at her with pleading in his eyes, the need to understand her feelings showing clearly on his face.
“My parents married because of me. They were both at college when they found out I was on the way and her parents insisted that Dad stand by her, do ‘the right thing’ by her. They had a simple civil ceremony with just both sets of parents and a couple of witnesses. Then they were left on their own. Dad tried hard to keep up his studies as well as hold down a job to support them but it didn’t work and he had to leave college. He never said as much but I always knew that somehow he blamed me for missing out on a career. Anyway, a year later and Mum was pregnant again with my brother. That totally finished off all the dreams they had both had and, slowly but surely, the marriage began to crack under the strain. It was just little disagreements at first over silly little things that didn’t matter. Then came the rows and they’d be screaming at each other while me and Michael would hide under the bedcovers with our hands over our ears trying to block it all out. Finally I guess Dad couldn’t face it any longer and he left. Mum cried for the whole night then picked herself up and carried on as though nothing had ever happened. The only outward sign she gave was to destroy any sign of Dad from around the house, every picture, item of clothing, personal things, she burnt the lot. Mike and I were never allowed to even mention his name. She changed towards us both from that day too. She shut her emotions away, locked them inside herself if you like. She never told us she loved us, never cuddled us or comforted us when we hurting. Oh, she did all the things that a parent is supposed to do, we were never neglected in that way, but she could never show us love. The nearest I ever saw her get to it was when I graduated. For one brief second she put her arms around me and told me she was proud of me. That tiny chink was the only one I ever saw appear in her armour. I promised myself that day that I’d never let myself feel that way. I’d be totally independent and never, ever rely on any man no matter what he came to mean to me.” Jenny paused for a moment watching Hutch’s face, looking for understanding. “So you see Hutch. That’s the reason I can never marry you. I destroyed one marriage...I couldn’t destroy another, especially not just to give my baby a name that he will have anyway.”
For a moment Hutch was quiet trying to understand all that he had heard. Then he rose from the table and moved to stand at Jenny’s side. “I think you’re wrong Jenny, blaming yourself for what was never, ever your fault in the first place, but I do understand where you’re coming from and I accept that I can’t change it. Know this though. I’m here, and I don’t intend to leave. I’ll be here for as long and as much as you need me. That’s my baby growing inside of you and I want to be a proper father for it. I can start by making sure that it’s mum looks after herself and gets her rest. You look totally whacked out, come on, back to bed. I’ll let myself out when I know you’re settled.”
Jenny rose from her chair and, cupping Hutch’s chin in her hands she gently kissed his lips.
“I love you Hutch. I think I must be the luckiest girl in the world right now.”
Slowly she made her way towards her bedroom as Hutch watched with tenderness in his heart. He would never agree with Jenny’s idea about marriage but he would support her in every way possible…and he would love her more than he thought he would ever love again.

The next morning when Starsky picked him up it was a much more settled Hutch who got in the car.
“Hey partner...how’d it go last night with Jenny. You two get things sorted out between you?”
Starsky sat sideways in his seat so as to get a good view of his friend’s eyes.
Hutch held his gaze as he nodded. “Yeh Starsk! Jenny and I had a long talk and we know where we’re going.”
Starsky could see that things were back on an even keel again and he sent a silent prayer of thanks that his two friends had patched up their differences. “Okay Hutch…Lets go catch us a killer.” With that Starsky let off the break and floored the accelerator leaving a trail of tyre marks behind him.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, a man roughly in his 40’s, was leaving the gynaecologic clinic where he worked as a cleaner. Thomas Harris had done the same work there, night after night, for ten years, but he never wanted to start any kind of relationship with the rest of the clinic’s personnel. He was a lonely, shy and pretty strange person, and the nurses and doctors looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and mistrust…If they had known him better then they would’ve known that Thomas had a serious mental disease from his youth, though he left psychiatric treatment some months before when his father died.. They would’ve known as well that Thomas lost his beloved mother, a gentle and kind woman, when he was just ten during the birth of his brother, in which both she and the premature baby died. His father was a very severe protestant priest unable to show the least tenderness towards Thomas. The time of his mother’s death his childhood years were spent between punishment, prayer, and loneliness. Thomas hated and blamed his mother and brother for his misfortune and he swore to kill them over and over until the end of the time…He already had killed them once, and he would do it many more times.

The next few days were time of changes and new projects for Hutch and Jenny’s life. They would not marry, Jenny was inflexible on this point, and they would not live together, not all the time at least. But Huch would be with the baby as much as he wanted, and he would give his surname to his son or daughter. So, in this way, they faced the new days to come. Hutch was hoping that Jenny would change her mind about getting married some day, but for now he was happy.

More than a week on from the murder of Mrs Miller, the search for some lead to find the killer was already totally unsuccessful. Both detectives were feeling angry and frustrated.
“But how is it possible, Hutch? Nobody’s heard anything about it, Huggy hasn’t found anything…nothing in the florist’s shops to start with, nor in the mental hospitals. How can somebody do something like this and not one of us can find the damned son of a bitch?”
“Starsk, this guy is clever…very clever.”
“Okay. He’s very clever, and all of us are a bunch of idiots…!”
Hutch rose from his chair breathing deeply. “Starsky, listen to me partner, there are no clues to work with. No fingerprints, no eyewitness, the ex-husband or still husband or whatever the hell he is was at work that night. The lady had no troubles with anyone, the polyester particles found under the victim’s nails are from a shirt bought in the sales at the mall five blocks away…There’s nothing to work on. Nothing really solid at all.”
“Shit Hutch! Something’s wrong here. Some clue is in front our noses and we aren’t capable of seeing it…In Mrs Miller’s room, there were no signs of a struggle. Right?”
“That’s right.”
“But maybe, just maybe there was a struggle… Look Hutch. In the bed there wasn’t even one tiny wrinkle…And that is almost impossible!”
“And?...Are you thinking that the killer smoothed the bed before leaving?”
“Exactly. He smoothed the bedcovers, and in the same way he probably put in order anything else that fell down to the floor. Like the nightstand lamp maybe, the book that was on the nightstand or something else.”
“Where are you going with this Starsk?”
“With the way the whole thing is looking we know that he knew perfectly well what he was doing. Right? A ´normal killer´ doesn’t kill in this way, and not a pregnant woman who had no enemies anyway. Her house wasn’t burgled, and besides, there’s the orchid. Nobody bought white orchids in the hours previous…so the killer must have had the orchid in his house…” “Starsky. Have you the least idea of how many people could have an orchid plant at home? We can't tell Dobey that we have to find all the orchid plant owners in the city!”
“Not the orchid plant owners, but the killer, Blondie. Don't ask me why, but this looks as though it could be the first of a serial killer’s work…”
”Your ‘cop instinct’ talking now?”
“Yeah…´fraid so.” Hutch knew from experience not to ignore the amazing ´cop instinct´ of his partner. He knew that Starsky was rarely wrong…they had to find the killer, and soon, before he killed again…

They both left the precinct at 9.30 pm. Since the ‘White orchid murder’, as the press called the event, occurred Starsky and Huch were giving all their time and efforts to solve the case, and getting back to their places late in the night, where Vicky was waited patiently for Starsky, welcoming him with a smile, a kiss and some delicious dinner. No reproaches, no anger…Just a smile and lots of love. He loved her deeply for it.

In three days it would be the first anniversary of the day they met each other, and Starsky’s surprise was almost ready. Since Vicky’s second-hand car was already pretty old, and she had loved the shining colours of the Torino since the first day she saw it, Starsky had bought for her a little camper van which he had taken to Merle, who had painted it up in red with a white stripe, and added a special place for the baby’s pushchair on the back seat …As Hutch said the van looked like some kind of fat and overfed Torino. The red and striped van was the cause of a lot of jokes from Hutch since the moment he knew about it and Starsky treated them all with the same contempt he treated those about his own car.
“I can't believe it Starsk…Vicky seemed like a girl with good taste… Though, when she married you… I began to change my mind about that…But this! Really, do you think that a normal mom could drive a vehicle that looks like a big tomato on wheels…And what about your baby, partner? Have you thought just for a moment of the little Starsky? Really do you think he’ll get into that thing without being scared out his mind?”…With his jokes, Hutch was doing his best to ease a little the worry that had been eating Starsky up since the day the murder of that pregnant woman had been committed.

So it was that three days later, on a sunny Saturday morning, Starsky got out of bed early. Vicky was still sleeping, and once showered and dressed and without stopping to eat breakfast, he left his place to collect Hutch and together they headed to Merle’s. Starsky hadn’t seen the van for a week and he was like a child at Christmas as he kept wondering out loud as to the final product. Hutch was silently happy that, for the first time in a while, Starsky seemed to have put the case out of his mind and for once he was content to sit and listen as Starsky babbled on. By the time they arrived at Merle’s Hutch’s head was beginning to swim and he was secretly relieved when they could get out of the car and into some fresh air.
As usual Merle’s backside could be seen protruding from the bonnet of a car and Starsky walked towards it calling as he did so.
“Hey Merle is she ready yet?”
Is the Pope a Catholic?” Merle’s face appeared from under the bonnet turning to look at Starsky with a frown. “The Earl gave his word didn’t he…did you doubt it?”
Starsky grinned at the man in front of him who held a spanner in his right hand looking for all the world as though he wanted to plant it on Starsky’s head.
“Sorry Merle. You know I’d never doubt your abilities. They’re world renowned by now. I’m just eager to see the final product that’s all.”
“It’s all ready for you. Over there, in the corner, under the dust sheet.”
Starsky ran across the yard followed more sedately by Hutch and Merle. As they watched he grabbed a corner of the sheet and threw it back over the top of the small camper van. Hutch likened it to Starsky opening his Christmas presents as a child, eyes sparkling and eager to see what was inside.
Seeing Hutch standing watching Starsky yelled over his shoulder at him. “Come on Hutch give me hand will ya?”
Striding across to stand on the opposite side of the van to his partner Hutch took a firm grip on the other corner and together they removed it completely. For a moment neither man spoke. Hutch simply stood amazed at the sight before him, hardly believing the transformation. Starsky lovingly touched the bodywork, following the white stripe along the length of the side. Then he carefully opened the door to look inside. The front seats had all been changed into something a lot more comfortable and the back had been fitted with a special harness to strap the pram inside it safely. Hanging down from the roof just above the seat was a tiny mobile and Starsky gently pushed it watching it spin and catch the sunlight. Looking in the rear of the van he saw that Merle had fixed up a holdall that was full with emergency baby supplies, a spare nappy, baby wipes, cream etc. Starsky knew that the whole job was far beyond what he had asked Merle to do and he felt a lump come to his throat. He climbed out of the van and turned to the man standing a few yards behind watching him.
“Merle I can’t afford this.”
“Hey! You insult the master craftsman Starsky. You paid for the work you specified and I carried it out to the letter. As for the rest well… They’re just a few extra touches, on the house. My present to that young wife of yours and the baby to be.” The man stood staring hard at Starsky his hands crossed firmly in front of him.
For a brief moment Starsky stared back and had to bite his lip to stop a tear trickling down his cheek. “Thanks Merle. It’s absolutely brilliant. Vicky will love it!” he felt a hand on his shoulder and knew that Hutch was there.
“Come on Starsk... Let’s get this junior tomato mobile home to that lovely wife of yours before she wakes up and finds you missing.”
Starsky nodded and climbed inside the camper van. Hutch listened as he turned on the ignition revving the engine for a couple of seconds.
“Damn it Merle it even sounds like the Torino!” Hutch was incredulous.
“Merle the Earl only does the best work Hutchinson… but then you wouldn’t appreciate it. Still driving that rust bucket on wheels?”
“Yeh Merle. I’m still driving it and I’m perfectly happy with it the way it is.” Hutch headed towards Starsky’s car and opened the drivers’ door. He looked over the hood at Merle still standing watching him. Indicating the van Hutch spoke just loud enough for him to hear. “Thanks Merle I owe you one.”
With that Hutch got in the car and gunned the engine pulling out onto the highway with Starsky close behind.

Vicky woke with a start and she rolled slowly over in the bed, her hand feeling for her husband. When all it found was cold sheets she sat up and looked at the clock. It read eight fifteen and Vicky groaned softly to herself. She had been determined to be up first this morning to cook Starsky’s breakfast in recognition of their special day. She was confident that he had forgotten it and was determined to surprise him but now it was too late. Promising herself that she would find some way of doing something special before the day was over she slowly levered herself from the bed and headed for the bathroom. Half an hour later, showered and dressed, she felt ready to face the world. Slowly she made her way downstairs and into the living room listening for any sound of Starsky.
“Dave… are you here?” No reply came and she sighed again, this time with more feeling as she decided that Starsky’s day off had been cancelled. She headed towards the telephone on the kitchen wall thinking that she would have to ring Jenny and let her know that their planned day at the beach would have to be postponed. As she passed the table she stopped and stared hard at it. Two places were laid out with a lit candle in the middle and on her plate was a small box tied with a red ribbon. Across the top was a red rose. Smiling she lifted the rose and sniffed it appreciatively as she realised that she was so wrong, Starsky had remembered! Placing the rose back on the table she lifted the box and shook it gently, listening as the contents rattled inside. Had she have looked over her shoulder at the time she would have seen two pairs of smiling eyes watching her through the window. Carefully she undid the ribbon and removed the lid to find a set of keys and a note written in Starsky’s hand.
‘Pick up the keys and go out the front door.’ Intrigued she did as the note said. As she opened the front door she was met with the sight of the camper van parked in their driveway, a big red ribbon tied onto the front bumper. Very slowly she made her way across to it and, placing the keys in the lock, she opened the door. On the steering wheel was a card edged with gold and in Starsky’s writing on were the words, ‘Happy Anniversary to a very a special lady.’
“Oh my God...Dave this is perfect…just perfect.” Vicky’s voice was a mere whisper as she looked around for Starsky.
“Think so?” Starsky’s voice came from behind her and she turned to see him smiling at her, his face a picture of tenderness and love. “Last night I began to have doubts but...”
“But nothing Dave Starsky, this is the most wonderful present I’ve ever had. It’s terrific. It must have cost a fortune!”
“Hey! Don’t spoil it by talking about money. Lets just say I could do with a lot of overtime in the next few weeks but we’ll be fine. I just needed to make sure that you and junior were safe and that old heap of yours was almost as bad as Hutch’s.” Reaching forward he pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and lovingly. “Happy Anniversary Vicky.”
From behind then both Hutch coughed loudly. “Sorry to interrupt you guys but I could do with a coffee. Starsky picked me up at dawn to go and collect this salad bowl on wheels.”
Smiling Vicky broke free from Starsky’s embrace and poked Hutch hard in the chest. “Careful Hutchinson. That’s my car you’re talking about and, unlike my husband, I’m not so easy going on good looking blond males who insult it.”
Starsky snorted and Hutch had the grace to look shame faced. “Sorry Vicky. You have to admit that it is a little bright though.”
“Coffee’s on the table boys. I’m going to look over my new car. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Starsky and Hutch disappeared inside the house leaving Vicky to discover for herself all the hidden extras Merle had added as a bonus. Starsky watched from the window, relaxed for the first time in a month, a smile on his face as his young but heavily pregnant wife slowly walked around and around the van. He had used every last penny of his savings on it and he hadn’t been joking when he had said about the overtime but he knew from the look on her face that it had all been well worth it. What he didn’t know was that Vicky was checking out the size of the interior trying to decide if two small prams would fit on the back seat or if she would have to get alterations done to the straps or if she would have to risk changing the pram she and Starsky had ordered earlier than she had planned and hope that he didn’t find out. In the end she decided to leave it until later when Dave was at work and she and Jenny could get the tape measures out.

Three hours later she, Starsky and Hutch were on their way to collect Jenny for their planned day on the beach. There was a special cake stowed under the back seat, her own surprise for Starsky. In the rear was a huge picnic hamper filled with something for everyone. Jenny was amazed when they pulled up outside of her door and was at a loss for words as she looked the vehicle over.
“Vicky this is going to make everything so much easier for you and the children.” Jenny spoke without realising what she had said.
“Children?” Hutch had heard her. “Hey Starsky...Something you’re not telling me?”
Hurriedly Jenny tried to cover her slip. “I’m talking about the baby and Starsky Hutch. You know what he’s going to be like when the baby’s born. Vicky will have two children to look after!”
“Hey! I heard that. You sure know how to hurt a guy’s feelings Jen.” Starsky looked at her with his puppy dog eyes and she burst out laughing.
”Sorry Dave. But you know it’s true same as the rest of us.”
“She’s right partner. I’ve already ordered two baseball mitts. One for my nephew and one for you.”
“Sorry to break up the fun here guys but would you two carry the basket for me?” Vicky broke in the conversation, a look of relief passing between her and Jenny.
Starsky and Hutch grabbed a handle each and together they made their way down on to the sand. It wasn’t long before they were settled down enjoying the scenery, Hutch and Starsky taking full use of the chance to relax and unwind and to forget, if only for today, the horror of the case in which they were both committed.

Later that night, as Vicky and Starsky lay in bed, he turned slowly on to her side, facing her husband.
“Thanks Dave. It was a lovely day today, I really enjoyed it. As for the car… well… what can I say? You really are the best Dave Starsky.” With that she kissed him gently on the end of his nose before turning slowly back over. “Good night lover boy.”

More than a month had passed since the murder of Kelly Miller, and the case investigation was still open but without results. Apparently the earth had swallowed the killer despite all the efforts of Starsky, Hutch and all the BCPD to catch him.

In a small shop across town a young pregnant woman was busy packing a bag with the tiny romper suit she had just purchased. She smiled secretively to herself as she placed her hand over the large bump, which tossed and turned underneath it.
“Hey junior steady on. I’m glad you like it but don’t get too excited or we might not make it back home in one piece!”
Paying for her purchase the young woman left the shop and began the walk home. So happy was she that she was totally unaware of the dark haired man following determinedly behind her. So it was that the last walk that this pretty young mum to be would ever take on this earth was a truly happy occasion as she planned for her baby’s future…a future that neither would ever live to see.
She sang quietly to herself as she removed the key to her front door from her handbag and let herself into her tiny flat. It was as she tried to close the door that the terror began… A man's foot was preventing Martha Preston from doing it .
“Mrs Preston? Martha Preston?”
“Yeah. That’s me…How can I help you?”
The man, dressed in a phone company uniform and holding a small tool box in his hand, gently but firmly pushed the young lady inside the house, closing the door behind him. “I’ve come to fix your phone.”
“My Phone?...Sorry, but I think you’re mistaken…My phone is fine.” Martha Preston was scared but desperately trying to stay calm.
“No, it’s not!” The stranger headed towards the little table where the telephone was resting, picking up the receiver and holding it to the woman’s ear.
“But… it was working earlier…”
“Oh well, you know, my dear lady. Now things are working, later they aren’t working any more…Like the human body. Now you are alive, and in the next minute, maybe not!”
Alarm bells were ringing loudly inside Martha’s brain. The man looked like a real phone company worker, but something in his deep blue eyes was wrong, very wrong.
“Listen. Could you come back later? Right now, I’m late for …”
“No!”
“Sorry?”
“I said no Mother…and you heard me perfectly.” Martha’s heart was racing in her chest. She tried to flee, running towards the door, but before that she was able to reach it, the man had reached her and, pulling a rope tightly around her neck he strangled her. A flower vase fell to floor during the brief struggle.
When the woman was dead, the killer took her body from the floor, carrying it towards the bedroom and placing it on the bed. Then he searched through his toolbox for a scalpel, with which he sectioned the woman’s abdomen, removing the eight months foetus. Calmly he sectioned the placenta and the umbilical cord as well, leaving the little body, still alive, on his dead mother’s abdomen. Then, in the same calm manner, he searched for a cot throughout the entire house, finding it still in the shop box and still dismantled. It took a while to assemble the little piece of furniture, but he did it patiently and, when the work was done, he put the little corpse inside and, taking a white orchid from a plastic box, he placed it on the baby’s body. Finally he cleared up all signs of a fight and his own fingerprints before leaving the house…

“Martha Preston. 29 years old, brown hair, brown eyes. Seven months pregnant. Married for three years. Her husband, Charles Preston, is head waiter in a restaurant. It was him who found the corpses last night when he came home from work… The victim was happily married, no enemies, no connection between her and the first victim, no one suspicious seen hanging around…The killer did a damn good job of clearing up any possible signs of a struggle …In fact he apparently assembled the cot before placing the baby’s corpse in it, and he left a white orchid over the little body.
DAMN IT!! STARKY, HUTCHINSON!! The commissioner is beginning to wonder if we are doing any more than dragging our arses around the city looking in the wrong places for the wrong clues.” A very angry Dobey was shouting out, hitting his table hard with his fist…”What the hell are you both still doing here, get to the Preston’s place NOW!!”

Once there, the horror of the scene was the same as the first time. The corpses placed in the bed and cot, the terrified expression on the woman’s face, the bloodstained bodies. Hutch was watching Starsky who was pale and silent.
“The same manner of killing….But this time the bastard has gone even further. The cot was still in the box from the store, dismantled. He searched for it, found and assembled it before placing the baby’s corpse in it.” One very discouraged forensic team member was filling Starsky and Hutch in with all the details. There’s almost nothing to go on. As the last time no fingerprints were found in the house, and talking with Rick Preston wasn’t much help at all.

The poor man in question was a living picture of desolation, and Starsky and Hutch scarcely got a coherent word from him.
“You know? Martha and I met each other when we were still in High School. She was the only girl for me. We came from a very little town close to Nebraska, looking for the best place for us and our son to live….Martha and I got married three years ago…We worked hard to buy that house, and Mark would have been our first child…And now…” The young man was unable to end his sentence, bursting into tears like a child, making Starsky and Hutch feel deeply uncomfortable. At times like that it was really hard for them both to keep a safe emotional distance between them and the victim’s relatives.

“SHIT!!” A very upset Starsky sharply hit the Torino’s steering wheel “Where the hell is that damned madman hiding… WHERE!! Where the hell are we supposed to search?” Hutch didn’t have too many words to offer as comfort to his friend as he was as distressed with these awful crimes as Starsky.
“I’m gonna send Vicky to New York to stay with my mother until this is over!”
“Starsk Have you thought that maybe she’ll not want to go?”
“Doesn’t matter. She’ll go anyway.” Starsky’s eyes were showed his determination. Hutch wasn’t sure, but he was thinking that surely his friend’s wife wouldn't want to leave her husband, her work and her home, despite it being a good idea, especially for Starsky’s peace of mind.

Thomas had killed. Twice. Two women. That was an inexplicable but delicious sensation. He had power. The power to end a human life. To take revenge on his mother and young brother for not being with him while he was growing up and being beaten by his father. For them not being there to help him while girls were ridiculing him when he was a shy and unsure teenager.
His pleasure was becoming more intense after each murder…. an almost sexual pleasure, and as his madness grew more and more, he knew that he need to keep killing…Soon. Very soon.

After carefully checking out the whole place, Starsky and Hutch had just one small lead to go on. The exterior phone wire in the Preston’s had been cut, as at the first scene, and they suspected that the killer cut it before going in, presumably on the pretext of being an engineer since the phone company had no damage notification from that address, but as of that moment it was the only thing they had worked out.
Already afternoon and, after a discouraging day, one bad tempered and worried Starsky stopped at a travel agency to buy a plane ticket to NY before going back to the precinct. The flight was due four days later.
“You’re sure on this Starsk?...Don’t you think you should ask Vicky first before…?”
“Before what Hutch? Before she and my son becomes the third victim of that nut ...No, I’m sorry, but this is something that I’ll not discuss. Neither with Vicky nor with you…” Hutch kept silence while Starsky brought the ticket. Five minutes later, with the paper in his pocket, they both headed to the station in silence.

Samson was sleeping on his mat in the kitchen as Vicky was in the living room ironing some clothes when somebody rang her door. Placing the iron onto the board, she headed towards the door, unlocking it
“Good afternoon. Mrs Starsky?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve come to fix your phone…”

Back at the precinct Starsky sat down at his desk to dial his mother’s number. After three rings, Rachel Starsky picked up the receiver.
“Ma? Hey Ma, how’re you doing?...What?...Yeah, I’m okay Ma. Vicky’s okay too… Yeah. In January, just after Christmas …Listen Ma. I’d like to ask you for a favour….” Starsky filled Rachel on all that was worrying him and a few minutes later the matter was settled. After saying his goodbyes to his mother, Starsky hung up the receiver looking at Hutch slightly relieved.
“Great. Saturday, midday, Ma will meet Vicky at the airport.”

My phone?...Sorry, but I haven’t called to the phone company. I’m afraid you’ve the wrong address … The phone’s fine.”
The tall, brown haired man, dressed in a phone company uniform, was already in Vicky’s hall closing the door behind him and walking towards the phone. Vicky felt a little uncomfortable.
“Sorry but I think that…”
“I’m sure about it my dear lady. Your phone is not working. Check it yourself.” Vicky picked up the receiver to verify that the man was right.
“That’s strange. It was working perfectly just a while ago”...
“Well, you know how things are. One minute things are working, the next they aren’t working any more…”
At that moment a deep noise interrupted the man’s words. Samson had come out from the kitchen and was growling menacingly at the phone worker, placing himself between him and Vicky. The man, becoming pale, jumped back.
“SAMSON!...SAMSON Shut up!!” But the dog wasn’t about to obey Vicky’s command and the next moment he wasn’t growling any longer, but barking furiously.
“I’m sorry…he never usually does anything like this…I can’t understand it…” Vicky was speaking loudly over Samson’s barking. “SAMSON TO THE YARD!!” Vicky tried to take the dog by his collar but the strong animal seemed to be glued to the floor as he barked. The man’s voice was shaking yet angry as he spoke. “T…take the dog …out…p…please.”
“I’m sorry sir, I’m so sorry…I’m trying …But I’m afraid I can’t. He’s a good dog really…But I don't know what…”
Samson, increasingly furious, kept barking and running in circles, jumping around the man, with Vicky totally unable to control him. Finally, taking advantage of a couple of seconds during which the dog just kept growling motionless on the spot, the man slid towards the door, opened it, at the same time murmuring some unintelligible words, and escaped out, heading hurriedly towards the street….Once he was out, Samson, calmed down and headed towards his mat in the kitchen, while Vicky looked at him amazed at the surprising conduct of the dog.

This time Thomas Harris. “The white orchid killer” had failed in his objective…

Later that evening it was a very determined Starsky who arrived home with Hutch in tow.
“Hi Vicky.” Hutch spoke first his eyes showing the unease he was feeling at Starsky’s actions.
“Hutch…It’s good to see you. What’s wrong? You both look exhausted.”
“We are V. We’ve been chasing our tails all day trying to get some handle on this nutcase and we keep coming up against blank walls at every turn.” Starsky kissed his wife lovingly and held her close.
Vicky could feel the tension in him and she returned the hug offering what little comfort she could. She knew how much they both wanted to catch this killer and the pressure they were under until they had.
“Come on, both of you sit down. I’ll make you some fresh coffee.” She walked into the kitchen and reached for the coffee pot, placing it on the stove. “Oh, by the way Hutch. Can you report the phone to the phone company for me? It’s not working. They sent a guy to sort it out this afternoon but there was something about him…I don’t know what… but he made me feel really uneasy… and Samson didn’t like him either. He wouldn’t let him move. I’ve never seen him like it before…” Vicky stopped in mid flow as she watched the colour drain from her husbands face.
“Dave what’s wrong, don’t you feel well?”
Starsky grabbed the phone holding it to his ear before barking out one word to Hutch. “Dead!”
Together the two men raced from the room and around the side of the house to where the line came into the house. Starsky’s legs became weak and his whole body shook with anger as they stared at the neat cut separating the line in half. Feeling Hutch’s hand on his shoulder Starsky took a deep breath before daring to speak.
“Still have doubts about me sending her to New York Hutch?”
Hutch shook his head and, side by side the two headed back around to the front of the house. At the front door Hutch turned away heading for the Torino to call out the forensic team and to report their suspicions to Captain Dobey. Starsky headed inside, a determined look in his eyes and his mind set.
Vicky was waiting where they had left her, a feeling of unease consuming her.
“Dave will you please tell me what the hell is going on?”
“We finally got a break in our investigations this afternoon. Both victims’ phone wires had been cut!” Starsky let the words hang in the air for a few moments as he watched his wife’s face register what he had said. “The pattern for our killer is simple V. He chooses, for whatever sick reason he might possibly have, women who are all about seven months pregnant. Somehow or other he finds out where they live and he goes there and cuts the phone line before going in, presumably on the pretext of being an engineer. When he’s killed them and carried out his sick desecration to kill the baby too he calmly looks around for a cot to put the tiny corpse into. He’ll even put the damn thing together if he has too! When he’s finally finished he tidies everything up. The only sign of blood is on the woman and the baby. He leaves nothing else for us to go on…no blood, no fingerprints, NOTHING!” Starsky was shouting now, pacing up and down as he did so. Turning at last to face his frightened wife he grabbed her arms squeezing tightly. “Vicky don’t you see…You’re almost seven months gone...The phone line has been cut. DAMN IT ‘V’ YOU WERE ALMOST VICTIM NUMBER THREE!
“Dave you’re hurting me.” Vicky’s voice was low and hung in the air as she held her husbands gaze. She was unsure what scared her most, what she had just heard or the way Starsky was acting.
Just at that moment Hutch came back in and realising what was going on he walked up next to Vicky, placing his hands over those of his partner.
“Hey Starsky. Come on buddy, let the lady go huh! You’re hurting and frightening her and you know you don’t want to do that.” Hutch forced eye contact and held it. Gradually he could feel the vice like grip that Starsky had on his wife begin to ease until he was able to release the hold. Gently taking Vicky by the shoulders he steered her to the couch and sat her down before returning to his partner. “Dobey’s on his way over Starsk, along with the forensics team. Come on Vicky needs you.”
Clear blue eyes met deep ivory ones and locked together. Hutch could see the pain and anguish flooding through his friends whole being. Finally his eyebrows rose and he received a quick nod in answer. Starsky was back in control of his emotions, at least for the moment. Together they walked back to the couch.
“V… I’m sorry…I didn’t mean… Are you okay?” Starsky’s fingers rested gently on the angry red marks they had left on her arms but she pulled back as though he’d been stung.
Vicky needed contact with the man she loved more than life itself…But a sudden fear prevented her from approaching him. “It’s okay Dave. I’m fine. I understand…at least I think I do. You think…you both think that that guy was...”
“Yes!” It was Hutch who broke in this time. “Yes Vicky we do. Thank God for Samson.”
Hearing his name the big dog slowly made his way across the room and placed his head on Vicky’s lap.
Starsky hugged the animal fiercely. “Hey Samson. I owe you one pal.”

Just then the door knocked and Hutch turned to open it letting Captain Dobey and the forensics team in. Half an hour later they had finished their work having dusted for prints and gotten none but having at least drawn up a pretty good likeness from Vicky’s description.
“Well at least now we have something more concrete to go on. “Dobey mopped his forehead with the ever present white handkerchief. “I’ll get the boys back at the precinct to get these made up and handed around. I’ll also arrange for a man to be at your door twenty four hours a day Vicky.”
“Thanks Cap. But he’ll only be needed for three days. After that she won’t be here. I’ve already spoken to Ma and she’s expecting Vicky Saturday midday. At least then I’ll know she’s definitely safe!”
Vicky rose as quickly as her condition allowed. “No…Dave, please… Don’t force me to go.... I don’t want to.” Starsky stood, barely holding his anger in check. “Sorry Vicky but you’re going and I don’t care what you say.”
“No…Please...I think that with a policeman at the door until the case is solved will be enough. And I’ll be cautious, I promise...Dave, I need be here, with you...And I was thinking that you needed me too.” Her voice was just a tremulous whisper.
Starsky’s anger boiled over. “Yeh! I need you… ALIVE! I want to hold you in my arms a day, a week, a month from now. I want to hold our baby, ALIVE! I don’t want to come home and find you the same way those other poor husbands had to find their wives. I want to bring you flowers on our anniversary, not put them on your gravestone like I do Terry’s! I want to see our child grow up, play baseball with him, or protect her and comfort her when she falls over.
Don’t you get it Vicky, I NEED TO PROTECT YOU BOTH, and this is the only way I can do it. If I don’t have to worry about you then I can concentrate on catching this nutcase. But if you don’t go then I’m not working ‘cos I’ll be terrified to let you out of my site. You’ll become a prisoner in your own home. Is that what you want?” Starsky reached out and gently held his wife’s face in his hands. “ Please V…go to Ma’s, for me. At least that way I’ll know you’re safe… even if I will miss you like hell.”
“Starsky’s right Vicky. Believe me I know how you feel, but if you were to talk to Edith she’d tell you to go too.” Dobey’s voice was gentle reminding her of her father and Vicky calmed down a little. Finally she nodded. “Okay Dave. I’ll go, but only for a while.” Saying this, the girl rose from the couch, heading towards the kitchen. She smiled at the others but her whole body was trembling while tears were fighting for fall from her eyes.

Later that night Starsky lay in bed staring at the ceiling with an ache in his heart and a gap that felt as wide as the Grand Canyon between himself and his wife. It was well past midnight but he was unable to sleep. As soon as Hutch had finally left that night Vicky plunged into a deep silence, refusing to talk, and Starsky was sure about that his wife was angry with him, but frightened as he was for her safety and having had his fears well and truly confirmed in the worst way possible, he was unable to see that the girl was not angry, but scared. All he wanted was for her to be well away from Bay City and any further chance of danger. Only when he knew that she was safe at his Mothers house would he relax and be able to give his all to the case.
All through that night Vicky’s thoughts and feelings were in turmoil, preventing her from get any sleep. Her heart kept telling her that Starsky was the same kind and gentle man she had married, but his previous conduct awoke deep traumas and fears within her. So it was that unusually, in their short marriage, they had gone to bed with an uncomfortable tension and silence hanging heavily between them.

It was a tired, short-tempered, hurt man who left for work early the next morning without so much as a backward glance at his wife lying with her back to him in the bed. Word quickly spread around the precinct not to upset Detective Starsky unless you wanted your head bitten well and truly off. Hutch spent a long had day treading on egg shells, desperately trying not to break them and he was as relieved as his fellow officers when their shift ended and Starsky left without him.
The next three days weren’t much better. Vicky keeps her demeanour towards Starsky even, feeling herself unfair and ashamed for that, but she was feeling irrationally scared while the memories of Billy were torturing her mind over and over… Their first row was proving to be a major event that was threatening to drive a wedge between them.

Saturday morning found Hutch waiting in the departure lounge as Starsky saw his wife off. The journey to the airport had been made in silence and the atmosphere inside the Torino could be cut with a knife. As he waited he heard someone call his name and he turned to see Jenny running across the lounge towards him.
“Hi Hutch. Tell me I’m not too late. My alarm clock went off half an hour early and I went back to sleep. I just wanted to say goodbye to Vicky.”
“No you’re not late. They haven’t called for boarding yet. Vicky and Starsky are over there and somehow I think Starsky won’t mind you interrupting.” They both looked across at Starsky and Vicky and could clearly see the distance between the couple.
“Okay! I’ve had it up to here with that chip on Vicky’s shoulder.” Jenny’s hand was held high above her own head. “She’s being unfair on Dave and I’m damn well going to tell her so!” Before Hutch could stop her she had marched across the concourse towards Vicky her face a set mask of anger.
“Jenny!” Vicky’s face lit up at seeing her friend. “You made it, I hoped you would.”
“Yeh! I made it.” Jenny’s tone was sharp and her features were set in a determined way. “Dave, would you excuse us for a minute please? There’s something I’d like to say to this wife of yours before she goes.”
“Okay. I’ll go check you in Vicky. I won’t be long.” Starsky turned and headed for the check in desk. Jenny watched him go before turning to her friend.
“What the hell type of game are you playing Vicky?” her voice was harsh and her eyes blazed as she tore into the brunette before her. “How dare you treat Dave like this. He loves you and he’s trying to protect you the only way he knows how. It’s breaking his heart sending you away, and you know it, so why are you acting like this?”
Vicky stood open mouthed for a moment, surprised by the torrent coming from her best friend. Finally she found her voice. “It’s not a game Jenny …and it’s none of your damn business!”
“No! Well I just made it my business. Someone has to talk some sense into you. So your feelings got a little bit hurt…so what? Dave is the best thing that ever happened to you Vicky Starsky and don’t you forget it. Or maybe you’ve already forgotten how things were before, when you were married with that beast of your first husband?”
“JENNY!”
“Sorry Vicky, but at times, it’s good to remember. You know what would’ve happened if you had dared to treat Billy as you’re treating Dave right now? Well. I’ll tell you. He would’ve dragged you towards the nearest bathroom or elevator of this airport, and would’ve started to hit you, until you wouldn’t be taking any fucking plane to New York but an ambulance towards the hospital... And let me tell you that what you’re doing to Dave now, it’s nothing but another kind of mistreatment. Don't you see it?” Seeing tears falling down her friend’s cheeks Jenny eased a little of the pressure. “I'm sorry, but somebody has to talk straight to you. Look Vicky. There aren’t many men who would lay their life on the line for a woman but you got double lucky… you found one that married you. Well right now you sure as hell don’t deserve him. And it would serve you damn well right if he walked away from this airport and forgot you!” Jenny paused for breath and she watched the face of her friend closely. “You don’t know what you’re talking about Jen!” Vicky’s voice was little more than a whisper.
“Don’t I? I’ve got eyes Vicky. Look at your husband. Where’s the spring gone from his step? He used to look so sure of himself. When he walked across a room all the women would stare at him and he oozed confidence. Now look at him…It’s like he wants the ground to open up and swallow him…and it’s all your doing. I sure as hell hope you’re proud of yourself! I know how he’s behaving at work right now too and even Hutch is worried for him. It’s tearing him apart that Dave won’t let him help…and you know what? That means it’s affecting me too! Congratulations Vicky you’re stupid hurt pride has managed to upset four lives! Well I’m not going to let it affect mine any longer. You’re gonna make it up with Dave here and now or we’re through being friends. You’re on your own as far as I’m concerned!”
Vicky grabbed Jenny’s arm firmly, saying with a piercing voice.
“JENNY, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!!...IM SCARED!! SCARED OF DAVE!!”
“What? What the hell are you saying Vicky?”
“He…he shouted me…he grabbed me… So sharply…He was looking so angry…And he didn’t ask me about going to New York, he just took the decision for me. Like Billy used to do…I’m scared Jen”
“God, Vicky!” Suddenly Jenny understood. Embracing her friend tightly, she tried to talk while a wave of sympathy washed over her. After a few seconds Jenny pulled out of the embrace.
“Vicky….Vicky, listen to me. Dave’s not like Billy and he never will be…He loves you and he would never hurt you…You know that!”
“I know…but that day I began to feel afraid of him…And I can't help it!”
”Talk with him about this Vicky, and do it now. He’s having some pretty hard times thinking that you’re angry, and he deserves to know the truth.”
“I…I can’t”
“Yeah, Vicky. You can.! Dave will understand, and he needs to hear what you have to say…Look at him Vicky. He’s looking shattered. Help him, Vicky… Now. Before you leave.” The colour left Vicky’s face and she turned away from Jenny to really look at Starsky. He was walking slowly over to Hutch and, as she watched, she could see that Jenny was right. His head was down and the dark circles under his eyes stood out on his white face. The jaunty sway that always went with her husband when he walked was missing. More than anything he looked incredibly tired.
“Oh God Dave…What have I done to you?” she spoke to herself. “There’s no good telling yourself Vicky. It’s Dave that needs to hear it, not you.” Jenny’s voice echoed around her head as she slowly waddled her way over to Starsky. Reaching up she gently touched his face with her fingertips wishing that she could make the dark circles disappear.
“Dave…I’m sorry…I’ve really hurt you haven’t I?”
Starsky looked down at her, surprise clearly visible on his face. Slowly he nodded his head. “More than you know Vicky.”
“Dave…I need to say something to you….Though I’m not sure how to do it” Vicky needed a lot of effort to keep talking with an almost failing voice “When some days ago you was got so angry…I…I know that is absurd but I was scared…Scared of you…I wasn’t angry Dave. Just scared…The years…Well. My life with Billy left a deep mark deep within me that still remains, I guess.”
“Vicky…I can't believe it.” Starsky spoke softly, realizing what he had just heard from his wife’s lips. “I thought that you trusted me…I’m sorry Vicky. I’m so sorry for all of this. I know that I can be a true idiot when I get angry, scared or worried, but I can't help it…And you know how worried I am for your safety right now…But I love you. And I would never hurt you. I thought you knew that was out of the question from the first day and what we had was strong, that it would see us through anything. How could I be so wrong? The first time that our love was tested it almost snapped in half.” Starsky’s voice was a whisper and he kept a slight distance between them, unwilling to reach out and touch his wife back.
“Almost snapped Dave…but it never actually broke, and I’ve learnt a hard lesson. Pride always comes before a fall they say, well I just sure as hell took one heck of a tumble. I’d give anything, do anything, for all of this not to have happened and for you to take me in your arms and kiss me again.” The tears were falling slowly down her cheeks as she spoke. “I love you Dave Starsky, more than I ever thought it possible to love, and if to prove it I have to get on that plane and go to New York then I go willingly…but I leave my heart here with you.” She watched her husband anxiously, not realising she was holding her breath until she released it with a whoosh as Starsky reached out and pulled her close, his arms encircling her tightly.

As Jenny walked back over to Hutch he shook his head, smiling at her. “I don’t know what you said to her Jenny but I’m glad you said it. Maybe now I’ll get my partner back and we can catch this son of a bitch!”
Jenny kissed Hutch’s cheek. “You’re welcome lover boy. Maybe now I’ll get you back too!”

Two hours later Vicky was well on her way to New York, weeping silently throughout the entire flight, despite the anxious looks of the other passengers. Meanwhile Hutch and Starsky had dropped Jenny off at the hair salon and they were both on their way back to the precinct.
Hours later, the plane landed safely in NY where Rachel Starsky was already waiting for Vicky at the passenger gates, greeting her with an embrace and a smile. The girl could see in her, the same blue eyes as Starsky, the same gentle smile, the same determination and tenderness in each of her gestures. Seeing Rachel only served to increase her sadness.
Despite the efforts at conversation that Starsky’s mother tried to start more than once on the way to her home, Vicky remained silent, broken only by some polite answer or comment, and it wasn’t difficult for the older lady to guess that her daughter in law was deeply distressed, though she decided not to push Vicky into talking yet and instead to wait for the right moment…

Back in Bay City Thomas Harris was once again in the loneliness of his big and empty house. He was sitting down on the floor, rocking himself back and forth, feeling angry. Angrier than ever before… He had almost made it. He was in the house, the door was closed, and that damned pregnant bitch was close, so close to him. He almost could see her blood, smell it, feel the last convulsed movements of her body fighting for breath…But that dog, so strong and furious, had scared the hell out of him... He had thought for a moment that he would not get out of the house alive. ‘Try to relax Tommy. Don’t get angry…Forget her…You can try again…There are a lot of them everywhere…Just wait a while…You can do it again…’

Meanwhile, in New York, Rachel Starsky watched worriedly the heartbreaking melancholy that her guest was feeling.
One morning, some days after her arrival in New York, when Vicky got out of bed, Rachel was already sitting down at the kitchen table looking distractedly at a book. The breakfast was almost ready, and Vicky sat down with sleep still tarnishing her eyes.
“Morning Rachel”
“Good morning child. Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah…Hummm….What’s this?”
“Oh. Nothing important. Just some family pictures…At times I love to look at it again, an old woman habits I guess.”
“Can I look?”
“Sure.” Rachel held passed the photo album to Vicky while rising to get the coffee pot. The pictures told the whole story of one family’s life. A young Rachel, beautiful and smiling, heavily pregnant, holding the hand of a little Starsky. A thin kid who showed his special smile and his wild brown curls. A handsome uniformed cop, Starsky´s father, with the same nose, same chin, and same curled hair. A picture of a little Nick Starsky, smiling to the camera. The time was passing in each of the pictures and, some pages on, Vicky saw a very young Starsky and Hutch in their academy days, and later, proudly wearing their rookies uniform. Christmas, Hanukah, birthdays, all kind of family moments, were reflected in those pictures. The girl looked them with a sweet melancholy growing in her heart until, seeing one of the pictures, the wind flew from her lungs. She groaned low, placing a hand over her mouth.
“What’s wrong child?” Despite her question, Rachel had already guessed which picture Vicky was looking at.
“It’s….this… this picture...” In the image there were an extremely pale and thin Starsky sitting down on his couch with Hutch by his side. He was looking as thin as a prisoner from a concentration camp, his clothes hanging from his emaciated body. On his lips there was a weak smile, but pain was etched in his features. Nothing in common with the fit and attractive man she had met just over a year before. While Vicky was caressing lovingly the outlines of Starsky’s face in the picture, Rachel began to speak.
“That picture was taken the first day that Davy went home after the Gunther shooting. I know that it’s pretty painful to look at…but that was the first day of his new life, and looking at it helps me to give thanks to God for having Davy healthy and happy between us….” Rachel was talking as Vicky remained mesmerized, looking at the picture, while a silent tear slid down her cheek.
“Hey, come on child. Don't cry. That’s the past. Davy’s okay now…and happier than ever thanks to you.”
“NO!!...Right now Dave is anything but happy…He’s worried and sad. Thanks to me…I was cruel to him before coming here…and now I’m missing him more than I can bear… I don’t even know when I can be with him again…” Vicky’s tears fell even harder.
“It's alright. Calm down child. What’s the matter, huh? You’re in love with that son of mine but things got a little rough in the days before you left because Davy sent you here despite your wishes Right?” Vicky just nodded.
“Listen Vicky. Maybe you’ll think that it’s none of my business but, if you want to know my opinion, that boy can be a true pain in the ass when he wants… and I can't promise you that he won't do anything similar in the future if he thinks that is the best for you…But I do know something. No other man could love you as Davy does Vicky, and I’m sure that if you were both angry because you didn’t want to leave your house to come here, he’s already forgotten the whole thing...You can be totally sure of something. Davy’s doing the best he knows to protect you and your baby… He already lost the woman he loved once, and if that happens again he would just die…

Since Vicky’s departure Hutch and Jenny were doing their best to easy Starsky’s distress. He was becoming increasingly frustrated with the failure of their investigations and he was missing Vicky with all of his heart. He spent as much time as possible at Hutch’s, with Jenny and Samson joining them most of the time, and in those moments he didn’t feel so alone, but when he retuned home, the loneliness hit him again engulfing him with icy arms. The long phone calls to New York gave a little solace, and he was looking forward to getting a couple of days off, to fly to his wife.

The search for the white orchid killer was getting nowhere, though luckily he had not killed again, when Starsky and Hutch answered a call from a place where the neighbours had heard shouts and violent noises coming from a nearby house. With lights and sirens Starsky drove the Torino at full speed, arriving a couple of minutes after the call. On hearing a woman screaming from the inside they battered down the front door. Inside a man was holding a pregnant woman against the wall, with his hands around her neck, slowly suffocating her. On the coffee table lay a plastic box containing a white orchid…With a feline jump Starsky rushed towards the man grasping his collar while Hutch took the scared woman into his arms trying to offer her a moment of comfort before sitting her down on the couch. He strode towards the man, already cuffed by Starsky, to frisk him before reading him his rights. The white orchid killer was caught. The nightmare was over.

All through his interrogation, the suspect maintained that he wasn’t guilty of any pregnant woman’s murder. The attacked woman, Linda Wilson, a married woman had been his lover for two years, though the baby that she was expecting was her husband’s. However, she kept firmly denying knowing the man. According to him the white orchid was just an unlucky coincidence. That morning he had gone to her house to give her the flower as a present. She told him of her wish to put an end to their relationship and, because his violent temper, what started just as a row, soon broke into true hell.
His criminal record, with two arrests, one for armed robbery with assault, the other for assaulting a woman, didn’t help him at all. After a long and tiring interrogation, during which he repeated the same story over and over, Starsky and Huch left the interrogation room. Some minutes later, as they were both drinking a coffee, a very thoughtful Starsky asked Hutch
“What’s if he’s telling the truth Blondie? What happens if he’s not the man we’re looking for?”
“Come on Starsk. HE IS. The victim is a pregnant woman who, by the way, keeps saying she doesn’t know him, the white orchid in the crime scene…He was trying to suffocate her. What more do you need?”
“The telephone wire…It wasn’t cut.”
“Sure… because he couldn’t do it. Mrs Wilson lives in an apartment building Starsk. The phone wires are too high to reach easily….”
”He wasn’t wearing a phone workers uniform Hutch… Besides he didn’t have a scalpel.”
“But his description fits perfectly with the description that Vicky gave us on the guy who went to your house. Let’s go partner. Try to relax. This case is over, and now you and I can ask Dobey for two or three days off, and you can go to New York to see your mom and to bring that beautiful wife of yours back home…”
“Yeah…Sure… you’re right, the case is over…”

“STARSKY!! HUTCHINSON!!” Dobey’s shouts echoed around the whole squad room.
“You’re sure that asking him for a couple of days off will be a good idea?” Starsky asked as Hutch headed towards Dobey’s office. As an answer Hutch simply shrugged his shoulders as he knocked the door
“Come in Hutchinson.”
“How the hell you’d know that was me, cap?” Hutch asked once inside the office.
“Easy Hutchinson. HE never knocks the door.” A little more relaxed Dobey looked at Starsky with a shadow of a smile under his moustache “Well boys, I just wanted to congratulate you both. Good work. That nut was worrying me a lot. Me, the department and the whole city too. And now… How about four days off huh? Dave, son. Go to New York, bring your wife home.” “But you both be here Monday morning, seven o’clock sharp to finish up a good lot of paper work, right?”
“Sure thing Cap. Monday at seven o’clock.”
“Well, and now what you both waiting for?...Go, go…I have still a lot of work to do.”
“Thanks cap.” Both men left the office heading toward their desks to collect their jackets before leaving the precinct.

That day in his daily phone call to New York, Starsky didn’t say give anything away but, early the next morning, a plane would take him, Jenny and Hutch to New York for a surprise reunion with Vicky and Rachel.

In New York uneventful days passed and, despite feeling spoilt, loved and comfortable with Rachel Vicky was longing for the day that she could return home and be with Starsky. That night, before going to bed, both women were sitting down on the couch watching the t.v. and chatting, when Rachel looked at Vicky’s large abdomen and asked “Vicky. Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, of course Rachel.”
“When is your baby due?”
“Roughly January fifth. I thought you knew.” The younger woman blushed almost
imperceptively…“Why?”
“Well, I’m no doctor, but I think that something’s wrong here.”
“Wrong? What do you mean?” Vicky was almost sure about the point that Rachel Starsky was making.
“I mean. Look at yourself. Seems as if at any moment you could go into labour…You’re sure about the date?...Or maybe you’re carrying twins?”
Vicky’s face grew redder than Starsky´s Torino, and the wise, older woman noticed it immediately.
“Wait…Wait a minute Vicky…Am I right? You’re expecting twins?”
“Ra…Rachel, I…”
“Hey! That’s terrific!” Starsky’s mother reached for Vicky, holding her lovingly.
“But why didn’t Davy say something?”
“He…He doesn’t know Rachel…”
“WHAT?...But, why?”
Shyly at first Vicky filled Rachel in about the surprise she wanted to give Starsky, relaxing as she saw that her Mother in Law wasn’t angry at all but very excited with the idea.
“Oh child! I can’t wait to see my son’s face when he finds not one but two babies to feed, change their nappies and rock in the middle of the night, when he just wants to sleep…But don’t you let him get his own way! Make him help you, Okay?” Both women burst into laughter.

From that moment Vicky had a new accomplice with her little prank. That night she went to bed with a warm feeling in her heart towards the gentle woman that already she loved as her own mother.

Back in Bay City, a terrible explosion, cause unknown, destroyed a big part of the 9th precinct building, including the phone switchboard, leaving two detectives seriously wounded, and a man under arrest dead, though the press didn’t give the victim’s names. Starsky Hutch and Jenny didn’t know the news yet but, in New York, while they were eating their breakfast, Vicky and Rachel were hearing about it on the radio….

Breakfast forgotten the two women hurriedly crossed to the telephone. Picking up the receiver Rachael’s hand shook as she dialled the number held inside her heart. Allowing a dozen rings before giving up she turned to Vicky.
“There’s no answer from Davy. I’m going to try Ken.” Again her hands shook as she dialled the second of three numbers that she knew so well. When there was no answer from there either she slammed the receiver into place. Taking a deep breath she dialled the number of Bay City’s 9th precinct. This time the number unobtainable sound filled her ears and she slowly let the phone drop onto the table.
“Let me have a go.” Vicky picked up the receiver and dialled Jenny’s number. Everything inside her wanted to scream when there was no reply. Jabbing her finger on the cut off button she hurriedly redialled the only other number she could think of. Huggy Bear wasn’t answering his phone either and Vicky replaced the receiver with tears forming in her eyes.
Rachael managed to bury her fears to comfort the younger woman. “Hey...no news is good news. I’m sure that Captain Dobey would have contacted me if there were anything to worry about. The boys are probably helping out at the precinct. Besides they’ve got a big case they’re working on. Chances are that they were nowhere near the explosion.”
Vicky nodded knowing the older woman was right but unable to hide her fear. All she could think of was her husband and the chance that she might never see him again.
“Come on Vicky. Let’s sit down and wait half an hour. Then we can try all the numbers again…and we’ll keep on trying to get them every half an hour until we find out something.”
Together the two women sat on the couch each lost in their own thoughts. Every half an hour they would reach for the phone and try unsuccessfully to get information. Each time their hopes fell a little further and by dusk the two were mentally exhausted. Suddenly their thoughts were interrupted by yet another report from the radio news stating that one of the two detectives had died and the second remained critical. The names were not being released until the next of kin had been informed. A small sob escaped from Vicky and Rachael reached out for her trying to take away a little of the anguish but feeling it just as much herself. As they held on to each other they both heard the sound of a key in the door and they both spun around in time to see the door open and a beaming Starsky poke his head around the door.
“Hey Ma…Vicky…Surprise.” He looked at the two women and his smile instantly disappeared. “What is it…What’s happened?” Throwing open the door he flew across the room and dropped to his knees in front of them. “I thought you’d be glad to see me but I guess I was wrong. Never thought I’d have quite this effect on the two women in my life.” Starsky suddenly found himself embraced by arms that held him so tight he thought he would never breathe again.
A bemused Hutch and Jenny stood at the door, watching the scene in front of them in bewilderment.
“Now that’s what I call a welcome!” Jenny’s quiet voice whispered in Hutch’s ear and he smiled at her.
“Yeh! But it’s a little over the top even for Starsky’s mother.” He whispered back. Both moved into the room at Starsky’s frantic hand waving.
“Ma…MA! Will you both please let me go and tell us what’s wrong?” Starsky’s voice rose as he spoke.
Both women looked at each other before turning to look over their shoulder.
“Ken!” Rachael let go of Starsky and hurried as fast as her legs could carry her towards Hutch, hugging him too. “You’re both alright …Praise the Lord.
“Jenny what are you doing here? It’s so good to see you.” Vicky’s eyes were wet with tears and she held out her arms towards her friend who quickly took them and they both embraced.
“Err…Ma…Vicky…What the hell is all this about? We wanted to surprise you but you both look as though we were ghosts or something.” Starsky had recovered himself from the unexpected greeting and had slipped back into police mode knowing something was wrong but not what as yet.
Suddenly the radio news once again broke into the music announcing that the second detective had also died of his injuries and early reports were that a gas leak had caused the explosion. Names were still not being released until next of kin could be informed.
Hutch and Starsky looked at each other in silence for a few minutes.
“You thought…” Starsky had turned to Vicky who nodded quietly.
“We’ve been trying to contact you all day Davy. There was no answer from anywhere.” Rachael’s hand rested on her sons arm. “Go son…be with your wife…I think she needs you more than I do right now.”
Starsky briefly turned to his Mother and smiled his thanks before he took Vicky in his arms and led her out into the small back garden. Hutch, Jenny and Rachael watched them out of the window for a few seconds before Hutch turned away.
“Rachael I need to use your phone please.”
“Of course you do Ken. Help yourself.” Rachael pointed towards the corner where the phone rested on a small table. “Come on Jenny lets make us all some coffee and perhaps you can tell me what you are all doing here. I thought my boys were on a case.”
Jenny smiled at the reference to ‘her boys’. Hutch had told her about Starsky’s mother and how she had extended her love to him. “Sure thing Mrs Starsky.” She followed Rachael into the kitchen.
Once there Starsky’s mother busied herself gathering cups and plates and rattling through cupboards in search of something substantial to offer her guests. As she worked she talked.
“So what are you all doing here...not that I mind some young company and I always enjoy Davy’s company. It’s not often enough that I get to see him these days. Does this mean that their case is over and Vicky can go home to be where she belongs?”
Jenny nodded. “Yeh! They caught the killer and Captain Dobey gave them the weekend off to come and get Vicky. Dave’s been so miserable since she came here. He missed her so much. Hutch and I have tried to be with him as much as we could but it’s not the same as being with the one you love.”
“That sounds like the voice of experience talking child. Would I be right in thinking that Hutch and you are just a little more than just good friends?”
Jenny nodded shyly. “I guess you could say that. I never thought I would ever feel for a man how I feel for Hutch.”
“Then you should hang on to him child. A love like that is a very rare thing to find and should be treasured and nurtured.” Rachael smiled knowingly at the younger woman and Jenny felt herself blush under the older woman’s gaze. Thankfully at that point Hutch came looking for them and she turned away, looking at Hutch’s face.
“That bad Hutch?” Her voice was soft and gentle when it came.
“Fraid so!” Hutch took a breath before continuing. “The two detectives were Mason and Billings. Billings had a wife and two young children….DAMN!” Hutch thumped the back of a chair. “Sorry Rachael.”
Rachael nodded her understanding, sympathy showing in her eyes. “It’s always hard for a cop when a colleague is hurt or killed but when you can’t do anything about it then it’s one hundred times worse…I remember it all so well.”
From behind her Rachael felt a warm and comforting arm go around her shoulders and she turned to see Vicky and Starsky standing with her. He smiled softly to her before looking at Hutch, eyes locked.
“Dobey?” Starsky’s voice was questioning.
“He’s okay. A little bruised and very mad but other than that Edith said he was fine.” Hutch passed on everything he had managed to glean from Edith Dobey and the two partners took their time to digest it all. Finally Starsky crossed to the phone and began to make arrangements for them all to return home earlier than planned. Both men knew that they couldn’t stay so far away when friends and colleagues needed there help. As he spoke on the phone he heard Hutch speaking to Vicky.
“One thing Vicky... this means that you won’t have to face your attacker in court. He died in the explosion.”
A wave of relief washed over Vicky’s face and Starsky turned away. He still couldn’t quiet shake the feeling that they had the wrong man.

Two months later and life was slowly returning the normal for everyone. Repairs had long since finished at the precinct. Colleagues had been mourned and buried and, apart from the immediate families of the two dead men, life went on. Christmas was fast approaching and Starsky and Vicky were busy making plans for their Christmas Day get together. Vicky was struggling with her size now and Starsky pampered her as much as he could get away with and his time allowed.
One thing he insisted on was that she was never left on her own. His pretence was that he was worried about her being on her own just in case… but still he listened to that uneasy voice in his head that came to the fore late at night when everyone else was asleep telling him that the Orchid Killer was still out there somewhere looking and waiting for his next victim.

Christmas Day arrived and Starsky was up early, quietly tidying around and making Vicky breakfast in bed. Waking from her slumbers Vicky wondered why she felt different and it took her a little while to realise that her babies were unnaturally quiet. She placed her hand on her stomach as though to prove to herself that they were still there. Moving slowly from the bed her hand moved automatically to her back supporting her slow waddle to the bathroom. A slight twinge in her abdomen made her draw in her breath a little but she took little notice of it as she continued her slow progress. Today was going to be a busy day for hem both and she so wanted it to be perfect for them all since it would be the last time they would be just them. Next year there would be four in this little family and three in Jenny’s and her house would be a scene of confusion, and happiness.

An hour later she walked into the living room just in time to see a guilty looking Starsky moving rapidly away from the Christmas tree. Pretending not to notice she headed for the coffee pot wondering when she would get the chance to add her own small surprise for her husband to the one so obviously placed there a minute ago for her. In the kitchen she could smell the enticing aroma of turkey slowly cooking in the oven. Starsky rarely cooked these days if she had anything to do with it but when he did she knew that she was in for a treat as he conjured up appetizing meals from long buried memories of his relatives and their cooking skills. She could still conjurer up the smell and taste of the meals prepared for her by Rachael Starsky a few months ago. Glancing around her she could see that her husband had been busy while she had slept. Everything was prepared and in the pots ready to cook. Jenny would be here shortly to give her a hand and they would take over the work allowing Starsky and Hutch some time just to relax and unwind. This year they were both going to take an hour to head over to see Jim Mitchell and young Kathy hoping to hear some good news from them both. As she thought of her friends the door knocked.
“It’s open Hutch, come on in.” Starsky yelled from the other side of the room where he was fighting with a bright red Christmas garland that kept refusing to stay where he wanted it. Just as Hutch entered the whole thing fell down once more covering him from head to foot.
“Hey Starsk…Trust you to go over the top and decorated yourself too. What’s the matter...run out of room on the walls?” Hutch couldn’t contain the laughter at the sight of Starsky.
“Very funny Hutch. Make yourself useful will ya and get over here.”
Together the two replaced the errant streamer and kissing their respective partner’s goodbye they headed for the Torino and the Mitchell’s home, a huge parcel held in front of them.
Fifteen minutes later they were standing in the lounge listening to Jim and Suzie Mitchell speaking.
“Turns out that guy wasn’t her father at all, and he was never legally made her legal guardian so the courts came down on our side and here it is.” Jim held out a certificate for them both to see. “Kathy’s legal adoption papers. She ours know… a part of this family properly at last.”
Starsky beamed at them both. “Man that’s the best Christmas present anyone could have … a kid! If there’s ever anything I can do for her let me know will ya Jim? I owe that girl more than I could possibly repay.”
“Well there is one thing you can do Starsky. We’ve got a special party planned in a couple of weeks with a blessing from our minister. We’d like for you and Vicky to be here as a special part of the service. Kind of like godparents if you like.”
Oh Man. Jim…We’d be honoured. Just let us know the time and date and nothing will keep us away.” Starsky’s voice broke a little as he spoke and he glanced at Hutch who answered him with a reassuring smile.
Suddenly the door was flung open and Kathy ran in throwing herself on Starsky with a huge hug. Starsky bent down and lifted her high in the air swinging her around as he did so.
“Hey button, you’ve grown. I won’t be able to do this much longer!”
The laughing girl slid down as he lowered his arms and as she reached his face level her arms wrapped themselves around his neck as she kissed his cheek.
“Happy Christmas Dave.” Happiness shone in the child’s face as Starsky looked at her and he realised that through all the tragedy of that almost forgotten day something really good had emerged from it.
“Happy Christmas to you to Kathy. Look what we’ve got for you.” He nodded his head to Hutch who picked up the huge parcel and handed it to the girl. Kneeling down he released her as she wriggled in his grip. Together the two men watched her face as she tore through the layers surrounding the huge bear they had found her tucked in a small toyshop across town. The bear was as big as she was.
“He’s gorgeous Dave. Thank you. Thank you Uncle Hutch.” She hugged the huge bear as she spoke and her eyes glistened and sparkled.
“He’s a special friend Kathy… for when you have a secret to share and there’s no-one else around. Or when you’re just feeling a little lonely or miserable and you need someone to talk to. Or when you want to share your happiest times.” Starsky spoke quietly to the young girl his heart aching for all the times in her life when she must have needed just such a person.
“I’ll love him always Dave.” Kathy kissed his cheek again before turning and walking slowly out of the room with her huge friend.
“And this is for Alex, Jim. It’s a remote controlled car. We hope he’ll like it.” Starsky said, holding out the other parcel.
“Hey thanks, I know he’ll like it! I’ll give it to him when he comes back”
“Where is your kid anyway?” asked Hutch.
“He’s with Jake, his best friend at school, exchanging Christmas presents. They’ll be here anytime…Know something Dave… You’re pretty good with kids. You ever get fed up with homicide then let me know. We could do with people like you in juvenile.” Jim Mitchell looked at the dark haired detective.
“Sorry Jim. It’d take me much too long to break in a new partner after all this time. Besides he’s gonna have his own kid to look after pretty soon.” Hutch placed his hand on Starsky’s arm. “Talking of which Starsk, we’d better be getting back or our girls will be climbing the walls.”
Making their excuses the duo left and headed for the car. As they got to it the front door of the Mitchell’s flew open and Suzie Mitchell ran down the path after them.
“Ken… there’s a call for you.” She paused for breath. “Jenny said to get the car moving fast. They’re on the way to the hospital right now and Starsky had better be there when they arrive or Vicky’s heading for the divorce court afterwards.
“WHAT!” Starsky’s yelled and froze.
“The baby Dave. It’s coming! Move yourself.” Suzie pushed him firmly in the back and he fell onto the Torino.
“But….It can’t be…It’s not due for another ten days….it can’t…”
“Babies don’t take any notice of timetables Dave. They come when they’re ready and not until.”
Hutch realised that Starsky wasn’t going to listen to sense. Striding around the car he grabbed his partner and shoved him inside and across to the passenger seat. Climbing into the driving seat he grabbed the Mars light and slapped it on the top at the same time demanding the keys for the ignition. A completely silent and terrified looking Starsky handled them over and Hutch quickly got the car moving. As they hit the main street so he hit the sirens and raced through the morning traffic towards the hospital. Twenty minutes later they screeched to a halt in front of the hospital and Hutch pushed Starsky from the car.
“Go on buddy. Your wife needs you. Get your arse in gear and RUN! I’ll be with you as soon as I’ve parked the tomato.”
Starsky flew as fast as he could into the hospital towards the maternity wing his trainers sl