Starsky's Neighbour - Part II

By

Judith Goodger and Elisa Valero

One of the windows was broken, bits of glass all over the floor. Furniture and her books and ornaments broken and thrown all over the lounge... And Samson., deeply sleeping on the floor. It took Vicky a lot of effort ro wake up the dog and the dilated pupils and the unstable step of the animal confirmed, what she already supposed. Someone had drugged or maybe poisoned it.
“Oh! No... Who? Who has done this?” The girl was crying as she was trying to wake the dog, terrified as she thought of the destruction surrounding her. When she went to her bedroom, for her veterinary briefcase to examine Samson she saw that it too was the same. Her clothes were all over the floor, the mattress ruined, seemingly with a knife... Then she heard footsteps approaching from the front door. Paralyzed by fear she remained hidden behind her bedroom door. With her eyes tightly closed and holding her breath Vicky could hear that the soft steps were getting closer. Terror closed her throat,stopping her from breathing. She couldn’t move or open her eyes, though she knew perfectly well that someone had found her and there was no way of escaping.
“POLICE!! DON´T MOVE...VICKY!!”
D...Dave..Oh, Dave!!
Starsky quickly put his weapon back in it’s holster and hugged the girl who was trembling and crying uncontrolledly
" Vicky... Shh. Calm down, hey, Vicky... I´m here. Don´t be scared... I’m here, Shh, Come on honey " Then he sat her on the bed, fetched a glass of water from the kitchen and, kneeling down by her side, he helped her to hold the glass and put it to her lips, since her shaking hands too much.
“Vicky. What´s happened? Who did this? Was there someone here when you came in?"
" No... I didn’t see anybody Dave... I...I don’t know who did it "
“Vicky. Sorry, but...do you think, that maybe...maybe Billy, your ex-husband, he could..."
"Oh...No. Billy has lost any interest in me. He’s married again and a long way from here"
"You’re right Vicky. He probably forgo about you a long time ago"
But a strange intuition was flying around Starsky´s mind. He could still remember the sensation that somebody was watching them last night and all of his cop senses were suddenly alerted. He sat down by her side on the bed and put his arm protectively around her shoulders.
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. First I’ll call Hutch and the lab boys to check for fingerprints. Meanwhile, you will try to calm down a bit and... "
" I have to take Samson to the veterinary surgery. Whoever did this had drugged him. I have to know what they’ve given him"
" I’ll do it Vicky. Tell me where and I’ll take him"
"No, Davy. I want to take him there. I´m okay, really, just a little scared but I’m fine "
“Vicky you’e sure?”
“Yes Dave. I wantto be there with Samson.”
“Okay, but I want you to stay at my place with me for a few days. You, and Samson too, of course“
“But, Dave!”
“Please Vicky, Don´t argue with me. It’s not safe here for you right now...Please” He was holding her hands and pleading with his eyes.
“Okay...You win. How I can refuse you anything if you look at me like that?”
“Good, that’s settled. I’ll take you in your work this evening too”
“I´d like to know something Dave”
“What?
“Why did you come? "
“Well... I was going to work, and I saw your broken window and the open door. I thought that maybe you had some problem... Besides. It’ been a while since I saw you. I don´t want you to forget me" Starsky joked, kissing her.
Later,Vicky said
“Dave.”
“What?”
“Nothing...Just, thanks”
Starsky called Hutch and the police lab, Ten minutes later they were at Vicky's place looking for fingerprints, while he took the girl and the dog to the veterinary surgery where she was working. The animal was already more awake and Vicky more calm. Later Starsky went back to Vicky´s place to meet Hutch and to search for some clues about who had broken in.

By the time Hutch arrived at the scene Starsky was already there, pacing backwards and forwards as the lab boys did their work. With each passing second he was getting more and more angry as nothing showed up. Whoever had broken in had been clever enough to wear gloves and no-one he had spoken too had seen or heard anything. Hutch arrived just in time to see Starsky punch the wall.
“Hey Buddy. That won’t get you anything but bruised knuckles.” Hutch was beside Starsky in three strides. Taking Starsky’s hand he saw the blood begin to flow from the clenched fist and realised just how angry his partner was feeling. “You’re wound up pretty tight Starsk. What the hell happened here anyhow?”
Starsky turned to Hutch and he could see the anger making Starsky’s eyes smoulder ever darker until they were almost black.
“It’s happening again Hutch. Someone’s out to scare Vicky just to get at me.”
“Hey!” Hutch’s finger came straight up until it was inches from his partners face. “Stop that right now Starsk. You don’t know why this happened. For all you know it could have been an ungrateful customer who’s pet died and he was sick enough to try and get even. Just because you know Vicky doesn’t mean someone is trying to hurt her because of you!”
Hutch stared directly at his partner and he watched as a tumult of emotions flickered over Starsky’s face. Finally Starsky looked away, his shoulders sagging, and he slowly slid down the doorframe to the floor, dropping his head in his hands.
Hutch sat down in front of him and proceded to once again pull the hand free. Gently he wrapped it up in his handkerchief then he moved to sit beside his partner, one hand laid comfortingly on his shoulder.
“This has really got to you Gordo. Is Vicky so important to you?”
For a minute or two Starsky remained silent as though in deep thought.
“Yes...I mean I think she is Hutch. I know we’ve only just met a few days ago, but... well... it’s a bit like with Terry when I first met her. You remember? We were just so comfortable with each other. Well It’s the same with Vicky and me. Besides, she hasn’t had it easy Hutch and I’d kinda like to be the one to put that right if I can. I haven’t felt this way for a long time Hutch, not since...” Starsky stopped, his voice catching in his throat. “I never thought I’d ever feel this way again, Terry was so special. But I think, given a chance, it could be with Vicky too.”
Hutch looked at Starsky and smiled.
“I’m glad Starsk, really glad. You deserve some happiness at last. I’m pretty sure that Terry would be saying the same thing too. Now, what say you go find Vicky while I finish up here. I’ll see you later at the precinct.”
Hutch rose and offered his hand to his partner. Grasping Starsky’s hand in his he hauled him from the floor and pushed him towards the Torino. He watched as the red and white car roared from site then turned to go in to the house. A screech of brakes made him turn again and he watched as a young woman got out of her car and hurried towards him.
“What’s going on, where’s Vicky?” The young woman demanded.
“Depends who wants to know” Hutch replied, blocking her entrance in to the house.
“Well that depends on who wants to know who wants to know. “ The girl held his gaze anger and worry flicking across her face. Hutch held out his warrant card for her to see and her anger calmed.
“Jenny, Jenny Summers. I’m a friend of Vicky’s. We were supposed to meet up this morning to do some shopping but when she didn’t arrive I got a little worried so I came to look for her.. What the hell happened here anyway, is Vicky okay?”
“Your friend is shaken up a little but other than that she’s fine. Luckily she wasn’t here when this happened. She’s taken her dog to the surgery. Whoever pulled this little stunt gave him something to make him sleep otherwise I don’t think he would have succeeded in his work. Don’t worry, my partner is with her so she’s safe enough.” Hutch took her arm and steered her into the house. “Can I get you something to drink for the shock?”
Jenny shook her head as she looked around the room. “Oh my God! Why would anyone want to do something like this. It’s such a waste.” Jenny bent down to pick up a broken ornament before Hutch could stop her. “I gave Vicky this the day she got married. It’s the one thing she kept after...” Jenny stopped and Hutch waited. “After she finally got up the courage to leave him.”
“Tell me about it.” Hutch spoke firmly and Jenny looked at him. She could see Hutch’s features were set firm and it frightened her a little.
“Billy...William Sherman, Vicky’s husband, was a no good waster. He married Vicky then used and abused her. Put her in the hospital more times that I can remember. Almost killed her the last time...did kill their unborn child. I helped her escape and we came here where we thought he wouldn’t be able to find us.. We hear from friends that he had filed for divorce and was getting married again. May the Lord help her. Then a lawyer that Vicky contracted, spoke with his lawyer, and a little time later, finally, they were divorced”
Hutch was quiet taking in all Jenny had told him. Now he knew what Starsky meant by not having had it easy. He didn’t even know this Billy and already he wanted to strangle him. Men like that were an insult to men everywhere and Hutch hated them. He had seen too many victims of their abuse. Finally Hutch spoke. “How about I take you to Vicky now. There’s nothing more for me to do here right now until the lab reports are in. I’ll get someone to make sure it’s secure before they leave and we’ll go see how that brute of a dog is.”
Jenny laughed, a sound that Hutch liked. “You hadn’t better let Vicky hear you call him that. She adores Samson and he her.”
“Funny, my partner seems to like him too and he’s pretty nervous of dogs as a rule.”
Jenny stopped walking for a moment. “Your partner.. He wouldn’t happen to be called Dave would he? Hutch nodded. “Then you must be Hutch. I’ve heard a lot about you from Dave. I like him, he seems to care for Vicky. I only hope he’s genuine though or Vicky will be back to the state she was in before. It’s been a long time since she allowed herself to even think of loving someone again but your partner seems to have broken through her defences.”
Hutch opened the door of his car. “Starsky hasn’t had it easy over the last few years either. Sounds like they both deserve a little happiness.”
Geting in to the car Hutch drove away. He failed to notice the dark sedan pull out in to the traffic behind him.
After some silent minutes, Jenny began to talk "Detective Hutchinson..."
"You can call me Hutch"
"Okay, Hutch. I´m very worried about this"
“About what’s happened at Vicky's place you mean?”
“Yes. I´m worried for Vicky. Very worried in fact. She’s my best friend, and a excellent person, And I can tell you that everyone likes her. She doesn’t have enemies. Who could have done this?”
“That we don’t know Jenny, but relax we’re working on it and we should soon have some answers” Hutch continued “Jenny can I ask you something?”
“Of course Hutch, ask away.”
“I like what I hear. Your sincere concern for your friend. It’s pretty unusual"
"Between two women you mean?” Jenny smiled a bit, and continued talking. “For most men, and at times I think that for everybody, women are always ‘The bad ones of the movie’. Envious, competitive, spiteful... No Hutch. That’s only a cliché. The fact is that we love each other like sisters, or maybe more. I’m the strongest in this duo, Vicky’s the most sensitive and vulnerable, but although she and I both know that without my help she would still be in N.Y. and maybe Billy would have killed her, she’s helped me countless times too.”
The rest of the journey was made in silence. Hutch thought about everything Jenny had told him. That the blonde girl was the strongest one of the duo was something he was absolutely sure of. The angry and defiant expression in Jenny´s face, minutes before in the doorway of Vicky´s house, offered no doubt about it, and that expression madee her even more attractive. As they reached the surgery. Hutch could see the Torino parked a little way from the entrance, but he didn’t see the blue Sedan which had followed them all the way, and was now stopped a few meters from them.
" Perfect. Finally I’ve find the place where your dear wife works... Billy, friend, I am doing some great work for you”

In the surgery admission, a nice girl dressed in a white coat, warned Vicky, across an interior phone line about Jenny and Hutch´s arrival
" Vicky, Jenny and a gentleman want to see you "
A few minutes later Vicky came out, dressed also in a white coat and comfortable white clogs, her brown curly hair gathered in a plait and a stethoscope hung around her neck..
“Hi, Hutch. Jenny! Oh God. I forgot completely to call you . I ´m sorry! “
" Don't worry, Vicky. I went to your house to find you and I already know what’s happened. By the way. How’s Samson?”
"He’s fine. Under observation and a bit angry about the blood test, but fine. Whoever broke into my house gave him some food laced with Valium pills. Oh! I see you’ve met Hutch?”
“Yes. We have met at your house”
Starsky had followed Vicky out. His hand now perfectly bandaged. Hutch saw it and looked At Starsky a little surprised.
" Hey Hutch” Vicky said. ”Don´t look at him like that. For your information, we do have a first aid kit here. Sometimes some of our patients come here a bit upset and, more than once, we have to treat ours bites and scratches. His hand might have gotten infected so I treated it.”
Becoming serious Hutch started to tell her what had happened so far. “Well Vicky. I suppose that Starsky has already told you that we’ve looked for fingerprints in your house and apparently there are none, though the definitive results won’t be back from the lab until tomorrow.”
Vicky didn’t answer, only sighed deeply, and for a few seconds, she tiredly placed her head on Starsky's shoulder, who hugged her to offer support.
Minutes later she returned to her work, as did Starsky, Hutch and Jenny.
Before she left the surgery, Jenny asked Vicky.
“Vick. Do you want to spend some time with me at my place?”
“Oh, well. Thanks Jenn, but Dave ofered me the same thing "
"And she couldn’t resist my charming invitation" Starsky finished for her looking at Vicky with his irresistible smile and encircling her waist with his arm "
"Good choice girl. I wouldn’t think about it for a single second, either" Jenny joked, with her usual irony.
“Bye Vicky! Dave, take good care of her, and of Samson...And of the thousand dogs, cats and other strange homeless beasts that will soon invade your, till today, calm house. See you later!” The girl went out laughing towards the street.
Before leaving, Starsky asked Vicky “Do you want me to pick you up from here later for some lunch?”
“No Dave. Thanks, but I can´t. I have to stay here. I’ve a lot of work today... But I’ll see you this evening. Listen, I think that I should return to my house, or go to Jenny´s house... "
" Vicky. Please. Today we’ll just collect what you need and you will come with me, to my house. No more discussion. I’d feel happier knowing you were there. In a few days, if you want, you can go back home and I’ll help you to clean up the whole mess that they made there. For now just humour me by doing as I ask. What’s the matter? Don’t you want to be with me?"
"It’s not that, love. You know that. It’s just that I feel as if I’m invading your privacy, your home... I don’t know if I should.. "
" Shh. No, don´t say it. Nothing could make me more happy as having you with me...”
They were talking in the entrance and as they said goodbye to each other with a sweet kiss they didn’t see the mysterious man who was watching them constantly.

Meanwhile Hutch had taken Jenny to Vicky´s place, in order that she could get her car.
“You know Hutch, they make a nice couple. I wished so much that Vicky could have a bit of good luck finally...Though I’m afraid that everything is not just a matter of luck. With Billy she was the only one that didn’t see what kind of beast she was marrying... And the result couldn’t have been worse. Well, experiences are how people learn ... At least, that’s what everybody says”
With his eyes on the road Hutch smiled, and added. “I only hope that what happened in Vicky's house doesn’t happen again. Starsky’s very worried because of it, and Vicky seems to be scared."
"She is! Maybe she doesn’t show it but I know her, and I know just how frightened she is now. Thankfully, Dave is on her side."

In the evening, when Vicky finished work, Starsky took her to his house, pausing only to collect a few things that she needed from her own home.
“Vicky I have to go back to work. I’ll be back later..”
"Something dangerous?"
“No. Don´t worry. There’s nothing for you to worry about. Listen to me sweetheart. I don’t want to scare you but I don´t want you to open the door if you don´t know who it is.”
“Dave!... I don’t want to feel this way... Like a prisoner."
"I know Vicky, but I’d feel happier if you do as I ask...Please Vicky. Do it for me.”
" Okay, “daddy”, I’ll do it.” She answered , with a resigned smile
“By the way. This is for you. One key to my front door. Don´t wait up for me...I love you.” Starsky kissed her and left.

During the most of that night duty, Starsky remained silent, with a worried expression reflected in his eyes.
“Hey Starsk...What are you thinking?...It’s Vicky, right?...Do you want to talk?”
“Well, you know blondie. Some madman is trying to scare her...Now she is at my place, but I’m not sure if she’s safe even there...In fact, right now I´m not sure if this is happening due to some enemy of mine. In that case... There’s only one thing I can do...Leave her...In spite of how important she’s becoming to me...But I couldn’t Hutch...I couldn’t stand it again if she...If what happened Terry...”
“Starsk. Listen to me. It WILL NOT happen again, Okay?... Vicky will be fine. You and me will find this son of a bitch, and you can be with your girl, and with that brute dog of hers, no problem...I promise. Trust me, partner.” Hutch smiled at Starsky, but his heart was breaking, sharing the worry of his best friend

Vicky had a lot of time to think that night, especially about what was happening in her life the past days. About this man who was suddenly there, stealing her heart. About how she wanted to be with him every minute of the day... In fact, she couldn’t say that she knew him well, but she knew that this time, she wasn’t wrong. His kind and sincere look, his tenderness couldn’t be a lie.
When Starsky came back, Vicky was sleeping peacefully. He stopped in the entrance of his bedroom looking at her without putting on the light so as not to waken her. She looked so beautiful with her sweet face relaxed in sleep, and her curly, soft hair around the pillow, that he felt a wave of tenderness invading him. When some minutes later he got into the bed, she woke up.
"Dave..." Vicky said in a whisper softly caressing the curls of his temple.
"I´m sorry, Vicky. I didn’t mean to wake you up."
The girl hugged him lovingly. "I missed you so much tonight...I love you Dave "
"Really? Tell me how much? " Starsky answered, kissing her. Soon they forgot the time and the whole world. For both only that room and that bed existed, where without the need for words, but with their bodies, they spoke the most beautiful and sincere love words.
They did not sleep too much that night, and the dawn surprised them, still embraced, but unfortunately, with the day, they had to leave their small refuge, and return to their work, with the certainty that in the night, nothing or nobody might come between them.

Some days later, Vicky was still in Starsky's place, even though when the lab team had finished its work she and Starsky had spent a lot of time arranging and cleaning up the whole mess and arranginf her things until her house looked normal again.
That day, a new scare would destroy her happiness again.
Saturday morning began as normal when, before breakfast, Starsky went out to get his mail. Among several letters and invoices, there was a package.
"Looks like the postman got it wrong. This package isn’t for me... It’s for someone named V. Sherman. This surname sounds familiar but right now I don´t remember why...Wait a moment...it´s not...?" Starsky stopped as Vicky approached, looking at the package with terrified eyes as the colour drained from her face and her hands began to tremble. Starsky held the girl and helped her to sit down in a chair, kneeling by her side. “Hey, Vicky, honey...Calm down..."
”Dave... This was my married name... I was Vicky Sherman when I was the Billy´s wife...This package is for me... Though nobody in Bay City knows my married name, and neither my family nor my friends from New York have ever written to me using it since I left there”
Starsky didn’t want to worry her anymore, but he saw that the package didn’t have any postage stamps, and therefore, it had not been posted. Someone had left it in his mailbox.
“Well. This is for me. Right? Then I should open it.” Vicky said suddenly with a defiant look in her eyes. As she spoke she tore the off the paper with a deep breath and tremulous hands. The wrapper contained a book "OTHELLO” By William Shakespeare. On seeing it She began to cry silently. Starsky held her tightly in his arms.
"Vicky. Please, don´t cry. Come on, sweetheart...I´m here. Talk to me. What does this book mean? Why you are so upset?
Among tears, and held tight to him, she answered. “This book was one of Billy´s favorite novels Dave...The story speaks of Othello's groundless jealousies, who finally, strangles Desdemona, his wife...I thought that I would never have to see this book again in all my life. It brings back to many bad memories...Hold me, Dave. Please. Hold me tight. I´m scared!
Once again Starsky found himself hating this unknown man for being the cause of so much fear in the young woman in front of him. Gently he took her into his arms, his hands rubbing her back as he whispered quietly in her ear.
“It’ll be fine Vicky. Hutch and I will sort it out. We’ll get this maniac if it’s the last thing we do. In the meantime your safe with me.” Starsky looked up as he spoke, an unspoken prayer in his mind that his words would be true.
They stood entwined for five minutes before Vicky finally pulled away, stepping back to look at the man who had become so important to her.
“I believe you Dave, I really do. It’s just...you don’t know Billy, he’s capable of some awful things”. Vicki’s voice was a whisper.
Starsky lifted her chin with his finger and grinned at her. “Hutch and I are capable of some pretty mean things ourselves when we put our minds to it. I have to go know Hutch will be wondering where I am. Lock the door and remember… don’t open it unless you’re sure who it is…Promise?”
“I promise Dave”. She nodded her head smiling slightly. “Call me later.”

Starsky turned and left the apartment, standing for a moment at the door to hear the key turn in the lock. Satisfied that Vicky was safe, at least for the while, he ran to his car and, jumping in, roared away to pick up Hutch. On the way he placed a call through to headquarters requesting Minnie to run a check on William Sherman. He wanted to know exactly what he and Hutch were up against. From what Vicky had told him he new this was one guy they would have to handle with care, especially if they were going to be able to put him away where he could no longer cause Vicky any trouble.
As Starsky hung up the mike he glanced in his rear view mirror just in time to see a dark blue sedan pull across two lanes to drop in behind him. Again Starsky could feel the hairs on his neck begin to bristle. Gently Starsky increased the pressure on the gas pedal and the Torino began to speed up. Checking his mirror he could see that the sedan had increased speed too. Taking a right turn he watched and was rewarded with the sight of the strange vehicle making the same turn. Picking up the mike again he requested central to run a check on the vehicle. Increasing his speed Starsky made for the freeway where he could open the Torino up and find out just how serious this guy was. It wouldn’t be long before he found out. As he reached the intersection Starsky realised the sedan was now level with him on his inside and was slowly but surely pushing him out into the traffic. He just had time to register the fact when the sedan swerved violently into him knocking him directly into the path of a huge truck coming up behind him. He could hear the horn from the truck as he desperately tried to gain control. He almost had it when the sedan hit him once more and this time he was unable to stop the Torino from spinning round and around. Starsky braced himself and could only wait as the truck hit him broadside. Suddenly the world was a huge spinning wheel as the Torino rolled four times before coming to a halt on its roof. As at last it stopped rolling Starsky’s vision blurred and blackened as unconsciousness overtook him. The truck driver, as he ran towards the stricken car, watched in disbelief as the dark sedan roared away without slowing down.

Hutch was pacing up and down outside his home when the black and white pulled up. He didn’t recognise the young rookie who climbed from the car and slowly approached him. The look on the young mans face was enough to send the blood running around his veins suddenly run cold. He took a couple of steps forward and waited.
“Detective Hutchinson, I’m Officer Matthews. Captain Dobey asked us to come and get you and take you to memorial hospital. Your partner, Detective Starsky, he’s been taken there this, morning following a hit and run accident.”
Hutch could feel his legs begin to give way and hurriedly propelled himself past the young officer and into the patrol car. Once inside he took a few deep breaths before he could bring himself to ask the one question he needed to have the answer for.
“How badly is he hurt?” Even by his own standards Hutch knew his voice sounded strained. Starsky didn’t have a lot of reserves these days, even after all this time following Gunther’s attempted assassination and he could only hold his breath and pray that the answer wouldn’t be as bad as he feared.
“He has a concussion, a couple of broken ribs, a broken right arm and several cuts and bruises. The doctors want to keep him in for a few days , but he’s fighting them on that one. Says he has to get home to look after Vicky, who ever she is.” The officer’s eyebrows rose questioningly.
“Vicky is Detective Starsky’s girlfriend, you better call round by his place and collect her.” Hutch sat backing in the seat and released the breath he had been holding. Starsky had been lucky again and Hutch said a quick prayer of thanks to the overworked guardian angel who watched over his partner. “Tell me what happened.”
“Seems someone forced him in front of a truck. The driver couldn’t stop in time and smacked him broadside. According to the witnesses he rolled over about four times before finally coming to a halt in the middle of the freeway. The truck driver managed to pull him free before the car burst into flames. The only description we have of the vehicle is a dark blue sedan travelling south.” The young officer was watching Hutch in the rear view mirror. “Someone sure seems to have a grudge with your partner Detective Hutchinson.”
Hutch nodded. “Unfortunately it happens a lot in our line of work Officer Matthews. You’ll find out for yourself soon enough.”
Hutch looked up as they pulled up outside of Starsky’s apartment. He took the stairs two at a time and banged on the door. He heard Vicky’s voice from the inside.
“Vicky, it’s Hutch, open the door.” Hutch waited impatiently as the key turned. “Get your coat Vicky, Starsky needs you, he’s at the hospital”. Hutch watched as the colour drained from her face.
“Oh my God! What happened? How is he?” Her voice was shaking and Hutch took pity in her.
“It was a hit and run. But he’s going to be okay. Starsky’s got a hard head you know. He’s got a few broken bones and some cuts and grazes but nothing that won’t fix with a little time and TLC”. Hutch smiled gently at her. “Come on, apparently he’s worrying himself sick about you so what say we get a move on and put a stop to it?”
Hutch waited a little impatiently as Vicky got her coat and locked the door to his partners home. Outside he was calm and gentle, inside he was in turmoil and would be until he could see for himself that Starsky was all right.

At that same moment, in another part of the city, a man was shouting heatedly at another one.
“I can´t believe it. Really, I can´t believe I trusted in anybody as stupid as you... I told you that I would be your lawyer if you were charged with housebreaking ...And about taking the pictures and sending her the book...It´s not a crime, just a misdemeanor. But the attempted murder of a police officer. That’s a very different thing, Andrews. Shit! Who told you to kill that man. You only had to scare the bitch a little. The rest was my problem? "
" I... I´m sorry, Mr Sherman, I didn’t think, I just ... "
"That’s the problem. You didn’t think... Let me tell you something Peter. Right now you are in a big mess. The police will find you and arrest you. But, if you betray me... If you do not continue with my plan point by point, then you are dead man. I will personally make sure someone kills you boy. And I do not joke. Do you understand me?.... Oh! And do me a little favour, please. Take a shower, and dress in the clothes that I bought for you, or nobody will believe what I want them to believe.”

continued in part III