Starsky's Neighbour - Part III

By

Judith Goodger and Elisa Valero

Starsky lay in the hospital bed, his eyes closed, the window blinds down and the lights low. His head was throbbing though how much he wasn’t letting on to anyone. Every muscle in his slim frame screamed out their aches and his thoughts were in turmoil. Who the hell was the guy in the sedan anyway? Where did it all fit in with Billie Sherman and more importantly where the heck were Hutch and Vicky? No-one had told him what time of day it was but just before the blinds had been closed in his room he could the see the sun going down and knew it must be evening by now. Vicky would be worried when he hadn’t phoned her as promised and goodness only knows what Hutch was going through.
“Nice one Starsky, you’ve done it again. Blintz had just begun to believe you could look after yourself properly again and now this!” The thought came unwelcome into his head to add to his annoyance. As he lay in the hard bed wondering if he dare open his eyes in case the vertigo returned along with the flashing lightening he heard the door softly open and two pairs of feet cross the room. He felt the hand on his arm and gratefully heard the quiet voice speaking.
“Hey buddy, you gonna sleep all night as well as all day? Didn’t your mummy ever tell you it was rude to keep a lady waiting?”
“Hutch… Where ya been? I though you’d forgotten me.”
“Been here all day partner. Where else? Got a beautiful lady here with me to keep me company. We just popped to the canteen for a coffee and you choose then to wake up. How do you feel?”
“I’ve felt better that’s for sure. I’d be okay if someone could stop the room from spinning like a top all the time.” Starsky slowly and carefully opened one eye a little. He could just make out Hutch bending low over him. “Where’s Vicky? Is she okay?”
“Ask her yourself buddy. She’s been waiting all day and half the night to speak to you. Poor Samson had to make do with the veterinary assistant to take him for that walk you promised.”
Hutch straightened up and stepped back a little, still keeping contact with Starsky’s hand. Vicky moved into view and bent to kiss the top of his head.
“Hey lover. How you doing? You didn’t have to go to all this trouble just to get out of having dinner with me tonight.” Starsky could just make out the tears in her eyes.
“Hey sweetheart. How else is a guy supposed to get a pretty girls attention?” Starsky put on his best Bogey impression but it was a poor version of it and Hutch felt for him.
“Any idea who the guy was Starsk?” Hutch waited impatiently for an answer. The sooner Starsky could fill in a few of the blanks the sooner he could get after the maniac who had done his utmost to kill his best friend.
“Me no. Didn’t R & R come up with anything on him? I put in a call just before all hell broke loose.”
Hutch quietly swore to himself. He had been so involved with looking after Vicky and waiting for Starsky to come around that he had forgotten to check in with Dobey. Looking apologetic he excused himself from the room and strode determinedly for the nearest phone. He tapped impatiently as he waited for the connection to be made and his call to be put through to Captain Dobey.
“Cap! It’s Hutch. Starsky came round a few minutes ago. He said he requested a license plate check on the sedan just before it sideswiped him. Anything through yet?
Hutch listened intently as Dobey filled him in.
“It was a hire car Hutch… Mason car rentals. I sent an officer down to check out who hired it and he got the name Andrews…Peter Andrews. I ran him through the computer and he’s got previous… but not here, New York Penitentiary. He did five years for grievous assault. Some fly by night lawyer got him out on parole and he seems to have vanished from sight until his name came up on the car rental form. I’ve got an APB out on the sedan but so far nothing. I was about to send a car round to the address to see if anything turns up. Your partner up to being left yet and you joining them? The address is a run down motel. 221A Mason Avenue.
“Yes… Thanks Cap. I’ll get down there now. Tell them to wait till I get there… just in case”.
Hutch hung up the phone and thought for a moment. Some nut case from New York could mean someone from Starsky’s past had a grudge to settle in which case this could well open up a whole can of worms for his partner that he would rather remain closed. He was on his way back to Starsky’s room when he remembered that Jenny had told him she and Vicky were originally from New York and he began to form another theory. Maybe, just maybe this wasn’t about Starsky at all, maybe it was about Vicky in which case they were still in danger. Hutch hurriedly reversed his steps to the telephone and waited once again for Captain Dobey. After speaking with him for a few minutes Hutch hung up the phone slightly happier than he had been a couple of minutes earlier. Satisfied that a team were on the way to post guard outside of Starsky’s room he returned to it in order to convince them both that they would be safer if Starsky stay where he was for a couple of days like the Doctors had asked and Vicky stayed right there with him.

It had taken Hutch a full ten minutes of arguing before he could get the couple to agree. Starsky hated hospitals, even more since the assassination attempt on him and the weeks he had spent in one. It wasn’t until Hutch had convinced him that Vicky would be safer there that he finally relented. It said a lot for the way Starsky felt about Vicky, Hutch realised. He only hoped that everything would go smoothly this time. Starsky rarely let anyone into his heart quite so completely, apart from himself Hutch could only recall Terry and Rosie Malone, now this pretty young veterinary surgeon had found herself a place there. Hutch allowed himself smile before his thoughts turned to Peter Andrews and the job of finding him. As he reached the hospital doors he broke into a run and jumped into the back of the first available cab to go and pick up his own car. Fifteen minutes later Hutch was on his way to join the black and whites at 221A Mason Avenue. Siren blaring Hutch made good time and screeched to a halt behind the patrol car. For the second time that day he found himself facing Officer Matthews. This time though he was in control. As they headed through the door of the building Hutch asked.
“You go anything to add to what I already know Matthews?” The young officer shook his head. “Okay…Follow my lead in here.”
Hutch purposefully strode to the desk behind which sat an old, balding man who looked like he had known better times. The man was sitting with his feet up on the desk watching a battered TV and he didn’t look up as the two officers approached. Hutch stood for a few seconds then, when it was obvious they were being ignored he roughly grabbed the man’s feet and, raising them into the air, he glared into his eyes.
“Peter Andrews…, which room?”
The man shook his head and Hutch grew increasingly more angry. Pushing harder he sent the old man’s feet beyond the level of his head.
“I’ll ask you just one more time and if I don’t get the right answer then I’m gonna arrest you for flashing pal you understand me?” Hutch’s eyes were blazing, his voice cold and clipped. The old man hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding.
“Good.” Hutch released the pressure a little and the old man’s feet lowered a fraction. “Now! Peter Andrews…Which room?”
“Second floor, room eleven.” The old man’s voice trembled as he spoke. “He’s not there though. Hasn’t been all day”.
“That’s okay, my friend and I just want a quick look around… if that’s okay with you that is”. Hutch’s eyes bored into the hapless man and he nodded, pointing to the key hanging on the board to his left.
Officer Matthews moved around behind the desk to retrieve it and Hutch let the old man go. Pointing his finger directly into his face at eye level he spoke quietly.
“My fellow officer and I are going up. If Mr Andrews comes in I want you to ring the room, you understand me?” The old man nodded and Hutch lent forward and patted his cheek. “Good”.
Together the two headed up the stairs. It didn’t take long to find the right room and they stopped outside a battered, dirty brown door that was badly in need of a lick of paint. Matthews unlocked the door and stepped back for Hutch to enter first. The smell of alcohol hit them as they went in. The room was a dismal place, empty whisky bottles on the floor and mould growing on the walls. Hutch stepped over the bottles and clothes that were lying with them and reached for the drawer of the bedside cabinet. He pulled it out and threw the contents onto the bed, staring unbelievably at the contents. Photographs of Starsky and Vicky together and some of Vicky and Jenny fell on to the bed in a heap along with a notebook. Picking it up Hutch flicked through the pages, realising as he did so, that it was a record of Vicky’s movements from the time she had moved in opposite Starsky. Hutch grew even more angry as he realised that Andrews had been following Starsky and Vicky ever since their first innocent meeting. The only question now was …why?

It was nighttime in the hospital and everyone was settling down. With a little help from his doctor Starsky had managed to have a small fold up bed brought in to his room and Vicky was lying on it, her eyes closed, her hair curling softly around her cheek. As he watched her lying there he felt an overwhelming desire to take her in his arms and kiss her and he smiled softly to himself. Listening to her breathing he lay back into his own pillows and closed his eyes. As he drifted off to sleep and image came into his mind. It was a picture of Terry, smiling at him and Starsky, in his half conscious state, took it as a sign that she would approve. He was glad. He had loved Terry with every ounce of his being and it had taken many months to get over her death but he had never quite gotten over Terry herself. Now though he realised that at last he had. Although he would always remember her and always have a special place in his heart that would always belong to her it was finally time to take that final step and move on. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he loved Vicky and wanted to spend he rest of his life with her. All he had to do was pick up the courage to tell her so.

Hutch had returned to the precinct to see Peter Andrews´s police dossier, and his picture which had arrived from New York. Later, he went back to the motel and waited for him.
Around 1 a.m., Andrews, came back to his motel room and as he opened his door. He suddenly felt Hutch´s gun aiming against his back. For a second he tried to get his own gun
"No... That is definetly not a good idea Andrews." Hutch said with a frozen voice "Give me your gun, carefully, and sit down. I want to ask you some questions.”
Taking Andrews´s gun, Hutch frisked him, and sat the man down in a chair.
He was around forty, dark-haired, with big brown eyes, angular features, pale skin, white and perfect teeth, athletic built, and correctly dressed. In short. Pretty attractive. In fact his neat look seemed out of place not with the disorder and filth that reigned in this room of this miserable motel.
Hutch showed his badge to the man, and began to ask.
“William Sherman...Talk to me about him”
“What?”
“Do you know somebody named William Sherman?” Asked Hutch, looking at him with his most cold look.
“I´m under arrest?”
“Listen to me! Right here and now I ask the questions ! ...Do you understand?"
“Yes...yes, of course pal!”
“So... I’l ask again, do you know William Sherman?”
“Oh, yeah, well in fact I don´t know him. I know his name. He’s my girlfriend´s ex husband...A rich and powerful Newyorker lawyer, I think.
“WHAT?...YOUR GIRLFRIEND?...Who is your girlfriend?”
“Vicky. Vicky Walsh. She is my girl, since more than a year ago...A very hot girl...You should taste her some day...” Hutch was becoming increasingly angry with every moment. “She’s still my girlfriend, in spite of the fact that she’s begun dating with that guy, the curly haired one, since a couple of weeks ago. ..I was nuts about that. I told her that she should choose. Him or me, but she told me that she would continue fucking with us both, that she wouldn’t leave either one of us, because we both drove her mad in bed.”
Hutch, lost the control and seizing Andrews by the front of his shirt, he pulled him from the chair.
"What the hell are you saying?"
“The truth. I´m telling you the truth...Under her innocent appearance there hides a true wild beast..She’s so hot. It’s better than the best whore...for this reason I can´t leave her... But I was furious. ..And I did it. The pictures, I destroyed Vicky´s apartment. I sent her the novel “Othello” too, a book I know she hated. ...And I only wanted to frighten damned curly on the highway. I didn’t want to kill him, I swear that Ididn’t want to kill him. He lost control of his car.” Then Andrews was began to cry as Hutch was pulled him from the chair, and put the handcuffs around his wrists.
“Come on. I’m taking you to the station. Peter Andrews, you are arrested for the attempted murder of a police officer. You have the right...

A noise abruptly woke Vicky from her light sleep. In A second the girl was at Starsky´s bedside, caressing his curls.
“Dave. My love...Are you in pain?...Do you need something?”
“Vicky. I´m sorry, I didn’t want to scare you. I´m fine. Just thirsty. I tried to get the glass from the nightstand and it fell on the floor.
“You shouldn’t be doing that Dave. I don´t want you trying to move too much. You could hurt yourself. I´m here for you." Kissing softly his forehead, she bent down to collect the broken glass pieces,and headed toward the bathroom to fetch another water glass. Sitting down on the edge of the bed Vicky helped him to raise his head a little and drink.
"Easy, Honey, easy...Better?"
"Sure, thanks.” Stasky answered as his head sank down again on the pillow.
“Ow!”
“What, honey?... Do you want me to call a nurse?”
“Not...It´s just my head...Hurts.”
“I know, Dave, but the doctor say this is usual in your condition, and the nurse has put a painkiller in your IV a while ago... Soon you’ll feel better.” The girl, said taking his hand
“Vicky?"
"Yeah?"
“I just want to thank you for what you are doing. Coming into my life, being here with me, taking care of me. .."
"Right now, I wouldn’t want to be in any other place." Vicky said softly rubbing his chest.
“You shouldn’t worry about anything Dave. Nor about Samson, I called his "Old aunt Jenny" earlier, and right now, she’s in my house so as not to leave the dog alone for too long.. I’m sure, they are right now comfortably sleeping in my king size bed.”
Then Starsky smiled weakly and said. “Vicky...I promise you, that Hutch and I will soon find this nutcase...He won’t hurt us anymore. I promise...”

The girl stayed sat in the chair by his bed side for the rest of the night, gently stroking his hair, while he fell asleep again. Finally she slept too, with her head over the bed and her hand over his.

Some hours later the next morning Starsky suddnly woke up with a disturbing thought
"My car! ...What happened to my car?" The words were said in such a loud voice that they frightened Vicky who woke with a start .
“Dave...Calm down, sweetheart...What happens?”
“My car...Vicky, I need to know what happened to my car...Do you know anything about it?”
“I´m so sorry Dave. Your car...Well. It was burned.”
“MY CAR...BURNED?”
“Hey...Come on, Davy. I´m sorry. I know how important that car was for you. Hutch told me, but your life is more important right? The driver who’s truck the Torino collided with could only pull you out from the car, but he couldn’t avoid the fire...Please Dave. I don´t want see you so sad.”
“Vicky. You don´t understand it.” Starsky´s said with sad eyes.
“No, I don’t understand. For me the only important thing, is that you are alive my love. Yesterday I could have lost you for ever on that highway. You don´t know how scared I was until you woke up. Luckily, you are alive, and soon you’ll be okay...The rest really, doesn´t matter to me.”
They embraced each other and kissed lovingly.

Then, Hutch came back to the hospital "Hi, buddy. You seem much better this morning”...The blond seemed very tired, and a bit strange, cold, and almost angry. Especially when he spoke to Vicky, and the girl noticed it clearly.

"Hey blondie...You look like hell.Are you okay?"
“Sure Starsk. Don’t worry. I just have one of my famous headaches, no matter...Well, I have good news. We have found the psycho that tried to kill you Starsk. He’s the same man that destroyed Vicky´s apartment, and sent her that book.”
“But...Why? Why he has done all this?" Starsky asked.
"We don´t know yet Starsk. He seems be pretty crazy. Maybe, for no special reason. W only know what he’s told us so far.”
For first time,Hutch was lying to his best friend, and he felt ashamed, but before Starsky knew the truth he needed some more time to think. And maybe to speak with Vicky.
“But the book. ...That book” Vicky said “I don’t understand why someone that doesn’t know anything of my past sent it to me with my married name on the address.”
“You’re sure that William Sherman isn’t mixed up with all this Hutch?” Starsky asked, taking Vicky´s hand
“Apparently not.”

Hutch was really worried. The Andrews confession had been more than he could take. There, next to Starsky, Vicky remained. Diligent and loving him. With concern, and anguish for him still reflected in her face...Her angel face. Her innocent face...Andrews´s words had sown the seeds of doubt in the Hutch´s mind. After all, she was just an total unknown for them. Maybe she could be one big and painful lie for Starsky?... He had to think on what to do with what Andrews had told him. Don´t believe it and forget it? Speak with Vicky? Explain it to Starsky? ...Just the idea that his best friend could be betrayed by a woman so important to him filled him with rage and anxiety.

After she had helped Starsky to eat his breakfast, because of his broken arm, he said to her.
"Vicky, honey, why you don´t go to the canteen and eat something? I’ll be okay. Hutch is here"
"No, Dave, I´m not hungry, "
"Come on Vicky. ..Do it for me...Please. You need to eat something."
"Okay...But I’ll be back soon." She kissed his lips and left the room.

When the girl had gone Starsky spoke.
"Hutch. ..What would you think if I told to you that I love her. I’m sure blondie. I really love Vicky. ..And when all this mess has been resolved, and I’m dischargeed from the hospital, I going to buy the most beautiful ring than I can find, and I will ask her to marry me.”
“Starsk...I don’t know if that’s a good idea. You scarcely know her.."
"Hey Hutch! What happened? Don´t you like Vicky?...I know this is a little fast but I´m absolutely sure about my feelings. I thought you’d be happy for me. ..I know Vicky well enough. She’s kind. Sincere. And the most important thing is I love her and she loves me, I know it...”
“Partner... If you are happy, I will be too. But just I hope that you think seriously. Marriage is a very serious thing...If you don´t believe it, just look at me.”
Then, Vicky, came back into the room. They spent some hours together. Time in which Hutch was watching the girl and trying to find in her something that would help him to know if Vicky was insincere.
Later in the afternoon she said. “I´m sorry, but I should call Jenny. She’s worried with all this.”
“Vicky. Why Doesn’t Hutch take you home. That man is arrested and the danger’s passed. You need a real rest, and I´m sure Samson is missing you a lot.” You don´t mind Hutch? Starsky asked. Hutch nodded but continued looking at the girl with the same cold demeanor he had shown her since his arrival.
“Dave. I don´t want leave you.”
“Come on honey...I´m okay. Maybe I’ll sleep a while. The painkiller shot is making me feel a little K.O’d." Starsky answered with a weak smile.”
“All right. But I’ll come back later...”

Once in the car and heading to Vicky´s place, Hutch said directly to her.
“Vicky, I suppose, you’ve noticed it. There is something that is really worrying me.”
“Yes Hutch. I’ve noticed it. You seem strange. In fact, judging by your demeanor, I´m wondering, if maybe, it’s my fault.”
"I don´t know, Vicky, but maybe, you could answer me some questions"
"Come on, Hutch. I don´t like these kind of games. What´s wrong?"
"Do you know this man?...His name is Peter Andrews" Hutch said, showing Vicky a picture of Andrews.
The girl looked the picture hard before answering.
"No. I have never seen this man before in my life."
"He says diferently Vicky" Hutch said looking fixedly at her eyes.
"Really? And what does he say?...If I’m allowed to know!"
"He says that you and he are lovers" Vicky looked surprised.
"And it seems you believed him. Right?”
“I don´t know Vicky, but I need answers. I need to know why he destroyed your apartment, why he gave you the book, why he has taken lots of photos to you...And why he has tried kill Starsky...If he really isn’t your lover.”
“Then, why you don´t ask him, Hutch”
“I did Vicky. ..And he confessed his guilt in all those things. He said that he did it because you are the lover of both of them. Of Starsky and of him. And you want to continue doing it. You don´t want to be honest with either of them.”
Vicky breathed deeply and closed her eyes tightly for a few seconds before answering.
“Hutch, listen to me good, because I’ll tell you just one time. I love David. I met him just a few weeks ago but I love him. I´m absolutely loyal to Dave. He is the only man in my life. I don´t know who that nut is, nor what he wants, but I know one thing. You are sadly mistaken with your suspicions of me...And now tell me. David and I, can we be sure that we’re no longer in danger?"
"Yes Vicky. That guy is already arrested."
"Great!...Congratulations, detective" The girl said sarcastically.
" Vicky... Just one more thing. Will you tell speak with Starsky about this or I will do it?"
" Of course I’ll do it Hutch. Don´t worry. I’ll explain everything to him. I don´t have anything to hide from him, since I know he will believe the truth... And he will not doubt me.”
“Vicky, Look. I don’t doubt you ...It’s just.”
“Yes Hutch.You doubt me. Don´t try to deny it! But you don´t doubt the first psycho´s words that fills your head with lies...” Then, they arrived at Vicky's place. “Well Hutch. Thank you for bringing me home.”
Vicky got out of Hutch´s car and headed towards her front door while Hutch was moving away. She was feeling furious, because of the mistrust shown by Hutch but, at the same time, relaxed because Starsky was recovering easy, and the man who was scaring her, was already caught.
She was putting the key in the lock, when, suddenly, a man apeared at her side. A tall, athletic, blond man, with very clear blue eyes which looked insane, dressed in an expensive grey suit.
“Hi, my beloved wife. You going to invite me in?”
"Oh, my God...Billy"
"Yeah Vicky. It´s me. It seems that you’re not glad that finally your husband has found you. COME IN!” The man was pointing a weapon at Vicky's back, and they both entered the apartment.
"Wow! Beautiful dog... Shut him in your bed room!"
"Billy, Please!"
"Shut the dog in or I’ll kill it. " Billy said, showing his weapon to Vicky. She did as he said and led the dog to her bed room.
" Do you have any whiskey, Vicky?"
" No Billy. You know I don’t drink "
" Of course. I forgot .... You use whiskey just to try to commit suicide... Okay, forget it"
The girl was so terrified that she could not speak. She could only tremble and cry silent tears. Billy had sat down in an armchair and was aiming his gun at her. Then he got up and walked the few steps towards her. He began to touch her breasts, trying to kiss her. When Vicky tried to move away he gave her a violent slap in the face, throwing her to the floor.
"Damned bitch!... what’s wrong? Maybe you like only the kisses of that curly haired bastard?” The girl was curled up crying in a corner, but at that she raised her eyes towards him. "Yes Vicky. You needn’t look at me that way. I know everything. I know that you roll about in the bed with him. By the way. Where is he now. In the I.C.U. or already in the cemetery?"
“Billy...You?”
“Well. Not directly me, a good friend of mine did the dirty work. He’s the same friend that destroyed your house, sent you the book, and told the blond cop that you are some kind of sexual wild beast, that you do it with the first man that you meet... You can’t say that my plan isn’t brilliant... And really, I doubt if curly, if he is still alive, wants to look at you again when he knows what kind of hooker you are.”
“Why Billy?...Just tell my why you are doing this to me?"
“BECAUSE YOU ARE MY WIFE...Do you understand? MY WIFE FOREVER!!!”
“I´m not your wife, not for a long time ...And I know Dave will never believe this of me" Vicky said among tears.
"So he is alive! Well. That’s interesting...Yes darling. He will believe it. He’ll have no other choice when you tell him that you don’t want to see him again. And if you don´t do it... If you see that pig just one more time... I’ll kill him. Listen to me. One more time, and your lover will die.... Oh!...some advice. Don´t waste time trying to hide from me. I found you this time and you know perfectly well I could do it again. Don´t be stupid darling.” And with these words ringing in her ears Billy left Vicky´s apartment. While she watched the black car moved away across her window.

A nurse came in to Starsky´s room, and gave him a closed envelope.
“I´m sorry, Detective Starsky...This is for you....Miss Walsh, left this envelope for you at the nurses desk a few minutes ago.”
“Miss Walsh?...Vicky?”
“Yes. I´m sorry detective, but I don´t know any more. I ‘ve just started my shift, and I haven’t seen her.”
“Okay, Beth. Thanks.”
Starsky, surprised, tore open the envelope. Inside there was a letter, written with Vicky's elegant handwriting.

Dave.

You are the best man I have ever known, but we can´t be together any more. Though you don’t understand it, this is the best for you. But I am too much coward to say it you, so I’ve written you this letter. Now I must leave the city. Maybe I’ll return, maybe not. I don’t know. For now I must move away from everything and everybody. Please Dave. Don´t search for me, because I don´t want you find me . Just try to forgive me. Forget me, and be happy without me.

I will always love you.

Vicky

.
For a long time Starsky stared at the letter trying to make sense of it. When Vicky had left with Hutch she was fine, he was fine, in fact the whole world was fine as far as he was concerned. He loved Vicky and he felt sure she loved him. All he needed was to get out of this damned hospital bed and he would ask her to be his wife.
Now though his world was, once again, crumbling around him out of control. Starsky could feel the tears pricking the back of his eyes as he angrily screwed the letter in to his fist. No way would he accept what he had just read without hearing it from Vicky’s own lips. He wanted to see her face as she told him she didn’t love him, he wanted to watch her eyes…only if he could see it in her face as she said the words would he truly believe it!
Starsky lay in the dark, his arm across his eyes, head throbbing, and his mind began to race. If he were able he would be confronting Vicky right now, as it was he could only churn things around in his head. He thought back over the last few hours. Vicky had been so loving and attentive, so caring and adamant that he was all that mattered, so what and when had that all changed. He needed to talk to Hutch, get him to find Vicky and bring her to him. He needed Hutch to….
Suddenly Starsky realised just when things had seemed different. Hutch had come into his room earlier that morning and from the moment he had arrived his whole manner with Vicky had been cold! The more Starsky thought back the more he remembered how Hutch, his supposed ‘best friend’ had talked in clipped tones to her and had barely acknowledged her unless almost forced. How reluctant Hutch had been to take Vicky home, Starsky had practically had to beg. But why? Starsky had never known Hutch like that before. Usually it was he who was the distrustful one of the duo, Hutch was a sucker for someone he felt weaker than him, who needed protecting, helping. The longer the night became the more Starsky’s mind was working and it was into overdrive when he finally came up with the only reason he could possibly think off that would explain his friends behaviour. Hutch was jealous! Jealous of Vicky and all the things she was doing for him that Hutch would, in any other circumstances, have been doing. It was Vicky who had stayed with him, catering for his every need. It was Vicky who had been brave enough to tell him about his beloved Torino. Not Hutch! It had been Vicky who had held his hand as his head felt as though it would explode. Not Hutch! The more Starsky thought it through the more he knew that he was right. Vicky loved him. Hutch was the last person to see her so what could he possibly have said to make her write the things she had? For the first time in all the years he had known Hutch Starsky found himself not liking what he was feeling about someone he had always considered as a brother. Embers of anger and dislike were beginning to glow deep in the recess of his mind and heart.

Hutch was on his way to see Jenny. He had to find out if Vicky was telling him the truth about Peter Andrews or not and Jenny could just be the one to help him. For Starsky’s sake he fervently hoped that she was telling the truth, but if she was then why had Andrews said the things he had about her and why did he have all those photographs of her and Starsky?
He pulled to a halt outside of her home and looked around, liking what he saw. The house itself was nothing special, sitting in a row of similar type houses, but what made it stand out was the garden. All of the other houses had grass and gravel drives. Not this one. There was a small but obviously well cared for garden that was ablaze with every colour imaginable. Shrubs lined the path up to the house and, as Hutch made his way to the door, he could smell the fragrances coming from them. Hutch thought of his ‘greenhouse’ back at his apartment and envied Jenny this small space. When the door finally opened Hutch was bending over a small Rosemary shrub gently rubbing the leaves between his fingers. She had opened the door quietly and Hutch was unaware of her presence until he turned back to it with his fingers to his nose, softly breathing in the fragrance. Somewhat embarrassed he hurriedly dropped his hand. He could feel the colour rising in his cheeks as the pretty woman before him stood with her head on one side smiling at him.

“Hi …er…I …um I was just” Hutch was stuttering. Dropping his head and laughing at himself he took a breath and tried again. “ Hi Jenny, sorry about that, it’s just smells like that remind me of my Grandmother when I was just a kid.” Hutch paused “Can I talk to you, it’s about Vicky?”
Jenny steeped back from the doorway and walked back in to the house, Hutch following. She led him into a small studio where an easel was set up. Picking up her brushes she began to add to the picture in front of her. “What do you want to know?”
“We got the guy who trashed her apartment and put Starsky in the hospital. Name of Peter Andrews”. Hutch paused for a second trying to read her face. “Does the name mean anything to you?” He could see Jenny frown and her hand paused for a second before once more adding to the picture.
“Sorry no. Should it?”
“Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know. It depends on how close you and Vicky are and how much she tells you”.
Jenny’s hand dropped the paintbrush she was holding with such force that Hutch could see splashes of colour fly from it. She turned from him for a couple of minutes as Hutch waited before finally rounding on him with such ferocity that Hutch involuntarily took two steps backwards away from her, backing himself against the wall. Jenny was on top of him before he knew it, her eyes blazing with anger and Hutch felt her sharp nail stab into his chest as she poked her forefinger at him.
“Vicky has been a friend since kindergarten. She and I grew up together, went through school together, went on holidays together, the lot! When she got married I was her Chief Bridesmaid. But before that day it was me warning her not to rush in, to be careful, find out more about him. It was me who picked up the pieces every time that bastard knocked seven bells out of her, and it was me who found her the day she tried to take her own life because of him and what he was doing to her!”
Jenny turned away from him again. “So.. how well do you think I know her Detective?” The last word was spat out. “Vicky tells me everything, as I do her. After she came out of hospital I was the one who arranged for her to get away, escape if you like, after the wonderful powers of justice let her down. I thought we were safe here, then she has to go and fall in love with a cop of all things. Not just any damn cop either, on no, not Vicky, she has to pick up the lame dogs all the way. It had to be one who had been hurt and had his face splashed over every paper in the country. Damn it, is it any wonder he found her?”
Jenny suddenly stopped and Hutch waited a few moments for her to continue. When she failed to he took a couple of tentative steps towards her, stopping only when she again turned to face him.
“I swear to you on my life Detective Hutchinson, again that tone, if Vicky knew a Peter Andrews I’d know about it. So…What the Hell are you suggesting here?”
Hutch decided he had nothing to lose. “We have a sworn statement from Andrews that not only did Vicky know him she was in fact his lover, had been for a long time, even when she was claiming to love Starsky. As a cop that sounds pretty distasteful, as Starsky’s friend it’s unthinkable. Starsky’s a nice guy who’s had a lot of heartache, and he’s no lame dog for your friend to feel sorry for, he doesn’t deserve some two timing female to get his claws into him and I won’t stand back and watch it happen”. Now it was Hutch doing the defending. His anger barely controlled Jenny watched as the middle finger stopped just in front of her face. He could see the colour draining from her face as the implication of what he was saying sank in.
“What the hell are you trying to insinuate here? Vicky hasn’t been near a man in that way since she lost her baby!” Now it was Hutch’s turn to blanch.” Oh you didn’t know about that did you? No! You’re just like every other man. Believe what you’re told about a woman, no questions asked. Well let me tell you about Vicky shall I? She was 20 when she met the apology of a man she wanted to marry. He was 24 and even then I was uneasy about him. I tried to warn her but she loved him. Three months after they were married the honeymoon ended with him throwing her down the stairs for wearing too much lipstick, called her a hussy. She broke her ribs that time, and that was just the start of it. By the end of the year he was having affair after affair with everything he could get. Then he’d come home and physically abuse her. Using her like a piece of dirt. I lost count of the number of times I was called from the hospital. Even the Doctors begged her to go to the police, but she wouldn’t. He’d convinced her it was all her fault. She was worthless. Then came the day he came home in such a rage and beat the crap out of her! I found her lying on the bedroom floor, blood pouring from so many places I couldn’t stop them. She was in the hospital for weeks and when she finally came home she could only see one way out. Suicide! It almost worked too. She spent months receiving treatment, physically and mentally. She’d been twelve weeks pregnant when Billy thrashed her the last time. They couldn’t save the baby. That’s what almost destroyed her, but it was the one thing that, in the end, saved her. She applied for a divorce, and she finally got up the courage to press charges. Fat lot of good that did though! Billy had friends, rich friends, and they bought and paid for the trial. He got away with attempted murder and there was nothing anyone could do about it. So we ran, left our families and friends and took off. We had a little help and finally arrived here in Bay City where we thought Vicky would be safe and could start again. We even heard on the grapevine that Billy was getting married again. Then she met Starsky and it all started over again.”
Jenny stopped, tears flowing freely down her face, and she collapsed into a chair. Hutch looked around and, finding a glass of water by her easel he brought it too her, gently pressing it to her lips encouraging her to drink. When finally a little of the colour returned to Jenny’s cheeks he rose and took a step away.
“Did Starsky know…about all of this?
“Vicky told him a couple of nights back when Dave took her out for a meal. She wasn’t sure to start with but I told her that if he really loved her like she did him then he would stand by her, would understand to treat her gently. He did too! He’s a good, kind guy and I think they could make it together if only…” Jenny stopped and Hutch looked at her, waiting.
“If only you let them for a start. Vicky says you two are pretty close, about as close as two guys can possibly get without crossing the line, if you get my meaning.” She looked at Hutch challenging him to answer.
No it was Hutch’s turn. “Starsky and I have been together since the police academy. We’re as different as chalk and cheese but we have one thing in common, a need to do something about this rotten world we live in. At the academy we were both ‘different’ if you like. Me, I was married, had a rich father, was fairly well educated. Starsky was pretty hard up and a Jew. He wanted to be a cop because of his Dad. We both of us stood out from the crowd I guess so it was pretty inevitable we should get thrown together. Besides, even then we needed each other. I was fine with all the legal mumbo jumbo that goes with the job, Starsk, well he grew up on the streets! He knew how to fight, how to look after himself. In the end we put the two together and made a damn good team. We learnt to take each other for what we are not for what other folk think we should be. In the end we knew each other so well we didn’t need to say anything, we always instinctively knew where the other would be if we were in a squeeze, right there defending the others back. It’s seen us through some pretty hairy times I can tell you, and some pretty sad ones too. Vicky isn’t the first girl to have stolen Starsky’s heart you know. Terry loved him so much it almost destroyed him the day she died. It took a lot of burning the midnight oil to talk him through that one. He’s been there for me too, more times than I care to remember. One time could have cost him his badge and everything he holds dear but he did it anyway, for me.” Hutch paused for a moment remembering the time Forrester’s goons had pumped him full of Heroin. “ I love Starsky, yes! But not in the way you’re insinuating. Starsky is the brother I never had. I know him as well as I know myself and I trust him with my life, as he does me. One thing I’m sure of though, if Starsky really loves Vicky then even if I hated her, which I don’t, then nothing would stop him from being with her. He doesn’t give his heart easily but when he does it 100 percent and nothing and no-one could stand in the way.”

Hutch stopped and quietly moved to sit in the seat next to Jenny. For a moment neither of them moved or spoke then Hutch could hear gentle sniffs coming from the young woman by his side. Removing a handkerchief form his pocket he offered it too her, smiling softly as he did so. “My scout leader always said I should carry a clean handkerchief for emergencies. I’m not sure this is quite what he had in mind though!”
Jenny turned too him and he was relieved to see the answering smile through the tears. “Thanks Hutch.” She took the hankie and dabbed at her eyes. “You and I are pretty much alike I guess.”
“How so?” Hutch’s eyebrows lifted a little.
“Both care about someone enough to defend them to the finish, whatever the cost.”
Hutch laughed and rose from his seat. Offering Jenny his hand he pulled her up and gently placed a kiss on her forehead before letting her go and moving to look at he painting.
“This is good. Are they for personal pleasure or do you let others see them?”
Jenny blushed a little. “They’re not that good. I’ve given a couple of my paintings to family and friends but that’s all. I paint more for relaxation, it gives me time to think.”
“Jenny, you said earlier, ‘is it any wonder he found her’. What did you mean by it, who’s he?”
Hutch watched as Jenny’s face changed in an instant.
“Billy Sherman. Vicky’s ex husband! When we came here only a couple of people knew about it, even a lot of our family don’t know the exact address. It was the only way to be sure he could never find us, or so we thought. I guess neither of us allowed for your partner´s charm and for Mother Nature. Once Vicky and he became an item there was always the risk she could be found more easily if you knew how to do it. Billy Sherman was a lawyer, a sly one at that. It’s how come he managed to get away with what he did to Vicky. He used all he knew about people to sway the court. They say it’s not who you know it’s what you know about them; well in this case it was true.
After Vicky’s home was trashed I did a little investigating of my own and it seems Billy Sherman never got remarried. His fiancée found him out early enough and Daddy was more powerful than he thought. He got him struck off! Something else I discovered. He moved away, sold everything and left telling his ex that he was going, he never meant to marry her anyway; he was already married to Vicky! It has to be him Hutch, no-one else would have any reason to hurt her.”
“Jenny, if you’re right and Billy Sherman is behind all this then could he be behind what happened to Starsky as well?”
Jenny nodded “He once threatened to kill me for taking Vicky to the hospital and trying to get her to press charges against him. If he sees Dave as a threat then he’s capable of anything Hutch, the man´s certifiable!”
Hutch thought for a moment then striding to the telephone he quickly dialled the precincts number. Everything was becoming clear at last; all he needed was one piece of information to confirm it.
“Minnie? Hi it’s Hutch, listen, can you do me a favour? Check the files on Peter Andrews for me; see who the lawyer was that got him off the assault charges. No …I’ll wait, yes it’s that important.”
Hutch impatiently tapped the table with his fingers as he listened to the background noises from the station. “Yes Minnie I’m still here… Minnie you’re a darling I owe you one. Yes another one! Someday Starsky and I are gonna treat you to the best slap up meal you’ve ever tasted.” Hutch hung up and turned to face Jenny.
“Well I guess that explains a lot of things!” Jenny waited expectantly. “Peter Andrews was on an assault charge about three years ago. He got off on a technicality. I’ll give you three guesses who his lawyer was.” Hutch watched as realisation dawned in Jenny’s eyes. “Right in one. Billy Sherman. Peter Andrews is a two-bit private investigator that almost killed the boyfriend of a woman he was following! Who better to use to find Vicky? That would explain why he had so many photos of her and Starsky. They must have cooked up the story about him and Vicky to destroy any hope of her and Starsky staying together. I should say that the ‘accident’ was Andrews way of warning Starsky off and it went a little too far. If what you say is right, and I don’t doubt you for a moment, then Sherman would be the one who would want too deal with anything or anyone that stood between him and Vicky.” Hutch raced for the door.
“Where are you going?” Jenny tore after him.
“To the hospital. If we’re right then Starsky’s in danger!”

Both of them flew through the door and into the waiting car. Slapping the red light on top Hutch gunned the engine and screeched away. Grabbing his mike as he drove he called through to Captain Dobey. “Cap, tell the guards at the hospital to be on their guard. I think Starsky’s life is in danger.”
“Sorry Hutch. Starsky left the hospital about a half hour ago. According to the uniforms he was in a pretty black mood too. The Doctors tried to stop him but he left anyway. I’ve got a call out on him and I’ll let you know when they come up with anything.”
Hutch thumped the steering wheel hard causing Jenny to jump in her seat. Damn you and your stubbornness Starsky. Where the hell are you?
“Okay Cap. Put an APB out on one Billy Sherman would you. I’ll fill you in when I get there but in the meantime contact NYPD and ask them for details on him and his ex wife, Vicky Sherman. Also one Peter Andrews . You should be able to work it out from that before I get there, especially if I tell you that Vicky Sherman is now Vicky Walsh!”
Hutch threw the mike onto the dashboard and turned the car in the direction of Starsky’s apartment. Ten minutes later he screeched to a halt in front of it and ran from the car taking the steps two at a time. He banged on the door as loudly as he could before reaching into his pocket for the spare key. Letting himself in he could see that Starsky wasn’t there. Hurriedly looking around though Hutch knew that he hadn’t long missed him. The clothes he had been wearing before the accident were thrown on the floor and the wardrobe doors were open. As he left the bedroom Hutch saw a screwed up piece of paper on the floor and, bending to pick it up, he quickly read the contents. Hutch swore to himself and hurried back to the car. No wonder Starsky had left the hospital angry. He thought for a moment before running across the road to Vicky’s place and again banged on the door. When there was no reply he shouted to Jenny for a key. The young woman rummaged in her handbag and tossed it to Hutch as she made her way to the house. By the time she got there Hutch was already inside and running from room to room looking for something, anything that would give him a clue as to his partners whereabouts. Jenny stood in the doorway watching.
“Hutch!” She called quietly. When there was no sign that he had heard she called again, this time a little more loudly. “Hutch”
Hutch stopped his mad dash and came across to her. “Something’s wrong Hutch. Where’s Samson?”
Hutch turned and looked back around the room. Jenny pushed past him and moved on into the bedroom. Throwing open the cupboard doors she gasped. Hutch hurried to her side.
“She’s gone Hutch, Vicky’s gone.” The two stood staring at an empty wardrobe.
Hutch was the first to gather his senses. “Think Jenny, is there anywhere she would have gone? Anywhere she would feel safe?”
Jenny shook her head. “No! She’d only just begun to feel safe here! Dammit Hutch she doesn’t know anyone well enough yet except you and Dave.”
Hutch grabbed Jenny by the arm and dragged her roughly across the room.
“Come on! If we’re right then Billy Sherman is out there somewhere. We have to find her and Starsky before it’s too late.

Starsky was on a mission. Stopping at his home long enough to change his clothes, he too had tried Vicky’s apartment and found her missing. He had grabbed a cab to Huggy Bear’s and requisitioned his car, making him promise not to tell Hutch if he asked. Starsky knew that Huggy would only keep that promise for a short while but he hoped it would give him breathing room before he faced his partner. Anger still blazed in his heart towards his friend and he wasn’t sure right now that he could control it until he had spoken to Vicky.
Starsky checked out the bus terminal and the rail terminal before pulling up at the beachfront. Where the hell could she have gone? He knew she didn’t really know anyone in Bay City well enough to go to them. Would she have one to Jenny’s? Starsky fired up the engine and pointed it in the direction of Jenny’s house. He pulled up in front of it some thirty minutes after Hutch and Jenny had left. Angrily he realised that no one was there either. Dejectedly he dropped back into Huggy’s car. His whole body ached and his head was still throbbing. Knowing he needed to rest before he caused an accident Starsky fired the engine and headed back to Huggy’s. Half an hour later he was lying on the bed in the same upstairs room where he had hidden Hutch away from prying eyes as he held onto him, cleaned him up and generally nursed him through the withdrawal of heroin. Ironic then that this would be the place their friendship would probably come to and end since there was no doubt Hutch would eventually find him here. It was the only place, apart from each other’s apartments that either one felt comfortable. As Starsky drifted into an unsettled sleep his last conscious thought was of Vicky.

It was midnight when Hutch walked into Huggy Bear’s Pits.
“Where is he Hug?” Hutch was in no mood for diversionary tactics. He was tired, hungry and worried, not a good combination to mess with. Loyal to Starsky, Huggy tried.
“Where’s who my blond brother?”
“Don’t mess around Huggy. Where’s Starsky? Right now there’s some homicidal maniac out looking for him and I’d kind of like to get to him first if you get my drift. I don’t care what he’s promised you to help him play hooky from the hospital, but whatever it is it’s not enough!”
Hutch was eyeball to eyeball with Huggy now and Huggy knew Hutch was hurting.
“He’s upstairs Bro. Where else? I’ll fix you both a special while you talk to him. I tried but he wasn’t having none of it. Hey! And watch your step Hutch, for some reason you ain’t exactly flavour of the month.”
Huggy disappeared in to the kitchen leaving a somewhat confused Hutch behind him. ‘What the hell did that mean exactly.’ Hutch could only wonder as he took the stairs two at a time for the second time that night since his search for his partner had started.
At the door Hutch hesitated. He had read the letter from Vicky and knew Starsky would be hurting and confused. It was in his power to ease that pain but wasn’t sure where to begin. Quietly he knocked on the door before softly opening it and entering. Starsky was asleep on the bed, the light still on. Hutch could see the dark circles around his partner’s eyes. Putting his hand on Starsky’s arm
He gently shook it. “Starsk, wake up. It’s Hutch.”
Hutch watched as his friend slowly came too, recognition registering in his eyes. Starsky’s eyes, usually so readable, grew instantly dark and Hutch took a step back as Starsky roughly shook his arm away and almost fell from the bed away from him. Before Hutch could even begin to think Starsky was glaring at him.
“Well well, the traitor appears. Wondered how long it would take you to find me. You’re getting slow in your old age Hutchinson.” Starsky watched with pleasure as Hutch flinched at the way he spoke his name. “Feeling good about yourself are we, buddy, old pal, friend! Satisfied with your handiwork? Vicky’s gone so you can pat yourself on the back. You did a good hatchet job partner.
Thought I’d never find out did you? Thought we could go back to being the same as before. Me and thee? Well sorry to disappoint you but Me and Thee are through. I don’t care if I never see your sanctimonious face again.” Starsky was a foot from Hutch’s face now, his fists clenched and fire burning black on his eyes.
“I…What the hell are you talking about Starsk? If I knew …”
“Don’t Hutch.” Starsky turned away. “Don’t play the innocent, it doesn’t become you.” He strode across the room putting space between himself and his partner. Swinging round he began again, quieter this time. “You know what really hurts Hutch? I thought we were friends, real friends. I thought we could trust each other, talk to each other. Dammit I’ve done it for you so often. Why Hutch ? Why couldn’t you do it for me? Why destroy the best thing that’s happened in my miserable existence for a long time? Tell me it wasn’t jealousy please. Tell me something, anything. I want to understand why you drove Vicky away.”
Suddenly Hutch understood. Vicky was gone having written that note to him. Hutch had been the last one to see her as far as Starsky knew. Two and two make four…but in this case it made five. Starksy had been looking for reasons and Hutch’s manner, he realised now, had given him the reason.
“Starsky it wasn’t me. I swear to you on my life and our friendship that it wasn’t.”
Hutch could hear the snort of derision across the room.
“You can do better than that on buddy. Right now our friendship is on a sinking raft and I can see no reason to bail.”
“Listen to me Starsk! I admit I was cold towards Vicky the last time I saw her but I’d just come from interviewing the idiot who ran you off the road and put you in the hospital. He told me some pretty rotten things and I…”
“You what Hutch? What things?” Starsky was once again advancing on Hutch his fists clenching and unclenching.
Hutch took a deep breath before continuing. “He said Vicky and he were an item. That she was easy, went with anyone including you. That she knew how to have a good time. That she and him had been lovers for a year or more.”
Hutch never even saw the fist that knocked him clean across the room onto the floor. He lay dazed as Starsky towered over him for a moment before reaching down and one handedly grabbing his lapels, hoisting him upwards and throwing him into the wall.
“Damn you Hutchinson!” Starsky was in a blind rage now and Hutch was scared of what his partner would do next. “How dare you? How could you even begin to believe that filth? Didn’t it even enter your head to check it out? “ Starsky threw him backwards again and his head struck the wall with such ferocity that for a moment Hutch saw stars.
“Yes, I checked it out but not before the damage was done. And if I ever see Vicky again I’ll make it up to her but right now we have to find her before it’s too late.” Hutch watched as Starsky swung round again and he braced himself for another punch.
“What the hell do you mean?”
Her ex husband’s after her Starsky. That’s why you got pushed off the road. He’s out to get rid of you and take her back.. Jenny and I worked it out. Don’t you see Starsk. This has all been worked out beforehand to destroy you and her… and I fell for it. I’m sorry Starsk, really I am but right now we need to work together if we’re going to find Vicky and give the two of you any chance of a future.”
Hutch watched as the anger began to seep out of the man standing over him. He saw Starsky’s hand come out and grasping it he felt the strength of the man who just a few moments ago had wanted to hurt him pull him to his feet. For a split second Starsky hung on, his eyes searching Hutch’s face as if needing to see it for himself that what Hutch said was true. Hutch held the gaze conscious of the fact that this was his one real hope. He had never been able to hide anything from Starsky’s gaze.
As though satisfied Hutch was telling the truth Starsky let go of the arm and again distanced himself for his friend.
“Go on Hutch. I’m listening.” Starsky sat on the bed and put his fingers to his temples as the pounding inside continued.
“I saw the note Starsk. Jenny and I have talked about it and we both know that it’s a lie. Vicky loves you, there’s no way she would willingly give that up unless she was frightened off. We think Billy Sherman has got something to do with it. Dobey pulled all the records NYPD had on him and Vicky and it didn’t make pleasant reading. According to Jenny Billy threatened Vicky that he would find her after the court case. They thought they’d got away until Sherman paid Peter Andrews to find her. He’s a real low life who has ways and means of finding things out Starsk. Once he had a starting place it wasn’t difficult for him to find her, especially once the two of you got together.
Right now there’s an APB out on him but so far it’s come up blank.” Hutch paused as his friend lay back on the pillow quietly taking it all in. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the packet of painkillers he had collected from the hospital doctors on his way over. Taking two out he pressed them into Starsky’s hand.
“Here, take these. They’ll take the edge off of it and get you on your feet long enough to find your girl friend.”
Stasky obediently swallowed, grimacing as he did so. As Hutch passed him a glass of water Starsky took a firm grip on his wrist. “Hutch ….I’m sorry…..what I said earlier.”
“Forget it Starsk. You had every right under the circumstances, at least as you saw them. And you were right. I could have handled things a lot better than I did. I guess I was worried about someone!” Hutch smiled softly and Starsky grinned back letting the wrist go.
As he moved back around the room to find Huggy and their food Hutch quietly said a prayer of thanks that, once again, their friendship had withstood the pressure placed on it. He fervently hoped that it always would. He never wanted to be on the receiving end of Starky’s anger again. It hurt too much, both physically and mentally.

Around Vicky, there was nothing, but loneliness. She had fled desperately, and surely, for nothing... In just few hours, she had left behind everything she loved. David, the most kind and decent man that she had found, also she had left behind Jenny, her work, her house... And she didn’t know when she would get them back. Nor if she would be able to get them back..

Now that Billy had found her the only important for her was to keep Starskyfar from danger... Vicky right now needed some time to think. In a few days she would return to New York. She was not scared any more. She had lost everything and only wanted to lose her own life... If only she had the same courage that she had some years ago, to reach the definitive freedom.

Of course Starsky and Hutch asked about Vicky in the veterinary surgery. There,all they knew was that she had dismissed herself suddenly for a ‘serious personal problem’. They interrogated Andrews again. Finally he had no have other choice but to tell the truth. William Sherman was his attorney, some years before, and had paid alarge amount of money to him in order that he would find Vicky, scare her, allow himself to be arrested by the police and tell that string of now infamous lies about her. The only truth was that he had never seen her, except when he was following her. Starsky had a really hard time controlling his rage and to not kill Andrews.
Starsky was moving and workin on willpower alone. The painkillers left his mind fuzzy and it was like being in a thick fog all the time.
"Starsk, you’re not okay. Don’t try lie to me, because you can´t. You should go back to the hospital. I’ll find Vicky ..."
"No Hutch. Forget that. I have to find her. If Sherman has found Vicky, God only knows what he can do her.But where is she? Damn it! Where is she?” Then, from the precinct, they sent a call to Hutch's car.
"Hutch. It's Jenny. I have an idea about where Vicky can be. It’s just a possibility but there’s a client of Vicky in the veterinarian surgery, Lady Johnson. She is the owner of Charlie, the cat that Vicky had in her house for a few days when Lady Johnson was in the hospital. She’s an elderly lady who is very fond of Vicky. Some months ago she gave Vicky the key to a small cabin, which she never uses since her husband died. The cabin is in the forest, approximately thirty miles north from here. I’ll explain to you how to get there. Maybe...”

Fortunately Jenny´s idea was right. When, a while later, they arrived and Starsky knocked the door, while Hutch stayed in the car to give them some time alone, the girl was in the cabin.
“Hi Vicky...Oh, God! What happened to your face?... He’s been here right? Billy hit you?” On the cheek of the girl was an angry bruise and her eyes were red from crying.
When Vicky opened the door Samson greeted Starsky with only a soft tail movement... The dog was unusually calm, as if in some way he could feel and share in Vicky's sadness.
“Dave!!... Dave, please, go away... I asked you not to look for me.”
“No Vicky.... I won’t go away. Not without you.”
“We ... we can’t be together any more, I told you.”
“Vicky... You haven’t told me. You left me a letter ... DAMN IT!! VICKY THAT´S NOT ENOUGH!!" He shouted. Vicky stepped backwards, scared of a beating that obviously would never would arrive.
"Vicky, forgive me...I´m nervous, and tired....And I´m stupid...Sorry. I didn’t want to scare you. I would never hurt you, you know that...Come on Vicky. ..Hutch and me, we can help you. Listen sweetheart. I know. I know Billy has found you...” They went inside the cabin and, without looking at him, Vicky spoke, breathing deeply.
“No Dave. You don’t know anything. You don’t know what this man is capable of doing.... He has told me that he will kill you if I don’t leave you... And I believe him. I have good reason to do so... David. Listen. How do you think I would feel if he hurt you? I love you too much to risk your life like this... For me you’re not just a police officer, you’re the man that I love and that already was once was too close to death. Look love. Now I´m Billy´s prisoner again. Something like his hunt trophy. Do you understand? He’s looked for me across the whole country and now finally he’s found me. And now I know, finally, that Ican never be free. "
" We’ll get Sherman, Vicky, for assault, for attempted murder. For any other charges... "
" Really?.. And how long do you think before he will be back on the street again... No Dave. Do as I told you. Go home, and forget me. I’m leaving for New York”
“NO!! I won’t go away without you. Not now. You are too important to me... Vicky. We will solve this. You and me together. We WILL do it " Those words, and Starsky's tenderness, finally broke all of Vicky's defenses. Weeping she threw herself tightly into his arms, as if he was the only thing that was separating her from a deep abyss.

They stayed queitly locked togehter for some time. After they went out of the cabin hand in hand to find Hutch. He was in his car, with the door open. Seeing them he got out and walked toward them.
“Hi Vicky...”
“Hutch”
“Vicky...I, well, we know the truth. Do you think you might forgive me for not believing in you.. Can you forgive the most stupid guy in the world?...I was really mean to you the last time I saw you and you don´t know how sorry I am Vicky."
"Oh! Come on Hutch. You’re David´s best friend and I can understand what you were thinking...It doesn’t matter Hutch. Don´t say anymore about it, Okay?”
“Thanks Vicky”
"Vicky let’s go home? "
"Yes Dave. Let’s go home. Just give me a few minutes to gather some things."
"Hutch, maybe you could go back to the precinct and see if there is something new on Sherman. Vicky and I will follow in her car when she’s finished here.”
"You sure Starsk?"
"Yeah, I’m sure. Nobody followed us. No problem."
"Okay. I’ll leave. See you later partner... Vicky."
"Bye Hutch."

Starsky saw Hutch's car moving away down the track. which was off of the main highway, with a sense of peace. He had found Vicky... She loved him, and as for that damned madman, well. surely soon he wouldn’t be a problem any more. He moved back up to the room where Vicky was packing her clothes in a suitcase.
"Dave, sweetheart, you don’t look too well. I think you should be still in the hospital "
"I'm okay Vicky. I couldn’t spend one more minute there. I had to find you." He said encircling her waist with his arms. They kissed each other.
" David... I’m scared...Really scared"
" Shhh. No. You mustn’t be scared. Hutch and I will find Sherman. Everything will be fine. Just trust in me... "
Then she saw the pain show in his face. Concerned she asked, "Do you have your pain pills here David? "
He nodded. “Maybe I should take a couple now" And he headed to the kitchen for a glass of water.
"No Dave, I’ll bring you some water. You lie back on the sofa, and rest awhile"
Taking the glass that she offered him Starsky swallowed the pills and lay back.
“Rest a little love.You look so tired.” Vicky´s said. She knelt at his side, lovingly running her fingers through his hair. Then Vicky rose to fetch the afghan that was resting on the back of the sofa. She placed it over Starsky, and lovingly kissed his lips. After, she headed to the bedroom to fetch the suitcase and take it to the car, where she spent some minutes cleaning the windshield.
When she returned to the cabin a few minutes later, Starsky was in a deep sleep, with the weariness of the last hours drawn on his face, and snoring smoothly. Vicky didn’t want to wake him. She thought that maybe it would be better to allow him to sleep that night and to return to the city in the morning. With this thought she phoned Hutch to tell him that they would spend the night there and would return in the morning.
After talking with him the Vicky noticed that Samson was nowhere to be seen. Vicky went to the door to call the dog when she saw him running across a path, which ended in the dense forest.
"SAMSON!!... SAMSON COME HERE! " But the stubborn dog seemed seemed not to hear. So she closed the front door behind her and followed him out.
“Damn dog! Where the hell is he going?” She was a little worried about Starsky . He wasn’t feeling good and she didn’t want to leave him alone for too long.
The breeze this autumm evening was cold, but comforting. The soil of the path was already almost completly covered in dry leaves. Vicky was walking quickly, calling out to Samson, deep in her own thoughts. She wasn’t sure she had made the right decision about Dave. Maybe Starsky was right and he and Hutch could arrest Billy and put him in prison for a long time, ending her nightmare... But maybe she was risking David's life not leaving him for good. She was feeling very confused. The only thing that she was sure of was that when Dave was in front her she couldn’t turn down his love and help.
Some time later she found the dog in the forest. It was leafy, cold and in half darkness The trees shadows covered the sun light almost completely. But the girl saw that a thin ray of sunlight was reflected in something metallic in the forest. Moved by curiosity, she approached a few steps towards where the brightness was coming from, to see that the object which reflected the light was a rearview mirror...of a black car. BILLY´S CAR!...

continued in part IV