And Babies Make Six

Part 2

 

The four detectives went back to their normal routines, and all thoughts of the homicidal pimp vanished from their minds. Micki was extremely thankful for that fact when she woke up one morning feeling like she was coming down with the flu.  When she opened her eyes, the first thing she was aware of was the nausea roiling in her stomach. To add insult to injury, her mouth felt like she had swallowed a dozen cotton balls. She started to get up, but dropped back onto her pillow as another wave of nausea rolled over her.

“Blech!”

Hutch called from the kitchen. “Hey, Mick, it’s time to get up! Rise and shine.”

Micki threw the covers off and forced herself out of bed, muttering. “I don’t know about the rising part, but I’m definitely not shining this morning.”

She stumbled into the kitchen as Hutch was pouring coffee. One sniff at the strong brew sent her straight for the bathroom. As she became reacquainted with the previous night’s meal, she heard Hutch knocking at the door.

“Micki, are you OK?”

Sure, there’s nothing like barfing your guts out to start the day out right. After she rinsed her mouth, she opened the bathroom door.

“I think I’m coming down with something. I feel like ka-ka.”

Hutch looked at his wife with concern. “You don’t look so hot.”

“Gee, thanks, honey. I’m so glad that I don’t look good. I’d hate to waste all that effort when I feel so bad.”

Hutch clucked sympathetically. “Maybe you should go lie down. I’ll call Dobey and let him know you aren’t coming in today.”

Micki thought about protesting then reconsidered. She stumbled back to bed. “You won’t get any argument out of me. Tracy and I turned the paperwork in on the Chilton case yesterday. We have another evaluation at Cabrillo State next week, but there’s nothing pressing on our schedules today. I hope I can beat this bug before then.”

Hutch waited until she got into bed then tucked her in. “I’ll call Tracy and Dobey. You just get some rest. Starsky and I have a meeting with the Commissioner, but we should be home in time for dinner. If you’re feeling better, we’ll go out. If not, I’ll rustle something up when I get home.”

Micki moaned slightly. “Please don’t talk about food. It doesn’t taste that great the second time around. Just go to work, OK? I’ll be all right. I’m sure it’s just a twenty-four hour bug.”

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “If you need me, just call Minnie. She’ll know where we are.”

Micki waited until she heard the door close then rolled on her side. Pulling the covers up to her chin, she drifted off to sleep. When she woke up a few hours later, the nausea was gone. She gingerly rolled out of bed and stood up, waiting to see if it returned. When it didn’t, she walked into the kitchen and made a fresh pot of coffee.

“Maybe it was something I ate.” As she thought about what she’d had for dinner the night before, she realized she was hungry. Although it was past lunch time, she made an omelet and toast for herself. By the time Hutch returned home, she was feeling more like herself again. She was sitting on the couch, reading a book when he came home.

She stood up and smiled as he came in the door then greeted him with a kiss. “How did the meeting go?”

Instead of answering, he took a close look at her. “Hey, you’re feeling better! I’m glad. I wanted to call earlier, but I couldn’t get away from the Commissioner long enough.”

She grinned. “That’s OK. I slept for a while then when I woke up, the nausea was gone. I even ate an omelet for lunch. I guess maybe it was something I ate instead of the flu. So, does that mean you’re getting a lot accomplished?”

Hutch gave her a hug then went into the kitchen, taking a beer out of the refrigerator. “It’s coming along slowly, but we’re making progress. It’s a good thing the hearings with the Senate Sub-Committee aren’t until next year. Speculating about the changes we want to make is fine, but if we’re going to convince them to change the racketeering laws, we’ll need a lot of evidence to back our theories up. No one wants to hear that organized crime is firmly embedded in the legal system. The courts are supposed to stop crime, not conceal it.”

Micki took a bottle of water from the fridge. “After Gunther, you’d think they would realize it’s already there. Look at all the judges he had in his back pocket and a lot of them were Federal. They can’t be so naïve to think he was the only crook with judges on his payroll.”

Hutch shook his head. “What they know and what they want to believe are two different things. Gunther showed them that there were a lot of holes in our justice system. A lot of these bureaucrats have been hiding their heads in the sand for a long time. They want to believe that organized crime is on the way out, and it isn’t. Today’s organized crime boss wears a three piece suit and belongs to the local health club. They involve themselves in legitimate businesses and that makes it harder to uncover their illegal activities. By the time we finished with the Gunther case, several politicians had egg all over their faces. If we can appeal to their baser instincts, we have a chance at getting these new laws passed. Politics or no politics, the name of the game is still looking out for number one first.”

Micki sat beside him on the couch. “It sounds like you’re going to be really busy. Tell me something. Are you really happy with this, or are you just humoring me? Spending your days in meetings with the Commissioner is a lot different than flying around the country and setting up new departments. You and Davy were celebrities of sorts. I know how dry and boring research can be. I don’t want you to end up resenting your decision.”

“I won’t, I promise. Sure, flying around the country and getting the new units off the ground was exciting, and satisfying. But at the end of the day, we had to go back to our hotel rooms, alone. The nights can be long and damned lonely when all you have for company is a few generic pictures on the wall. I meant what I said, Mick. I was tired of the whole thing. I’d much rather be here, with you.”

She leaned over and kissed him. “I guess I just needed to hear you say it again. But what about before we met? Do you miss being on the streets? Compared to the last ten years, this must seem really tame to you and David.”

Hutch grinned. “Are you kidding? I love it. I’m not saying that I regret being on the streets for so long, but I don’t miss it. Let the younger detectives crawl around in the gutter now. What we’re doing is important, too. Plus, I’m getting used to keeping normal business hours. I don’t miss sitting in the Torino all night long, waiting for some scumbag to show up so we can bust him.”

She put her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I’m glad to hear that. I never thought about it until Tracy mentioned how hard it was for some cops to live without that adrenaline rush. You and Davy were right in the thick of things for so long. I was worried that the quiet life would bore you to tears.”

Hutch laughed. “Trust me; I had enough adrenaline rush to last a lifetime. Besides, don’t forget why we got off the streets in the first place. I damned near lost Starsky, and I don’t want to go through that ever again.”

“I don’t blame you. I think Tracy would second that, too. We would rather have you sleeping beside us at night than have you sitting in a car all night long. And I don’t even want to think about losing you. Plus, it’s time for someone else to turn Dobey’s hair grey.”

Hutch laughed. “I’m not sure he has that many hairs left that aren’t grey already, but I know what you mean.” He gave her a quick hug then stood up. “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. We stopped long enough to grab a sandwich for lunch, but it’s long gone now.”

Micki nodded. “Sure, I could eat something. Let’s see what’s in the fridge.”

She started to follow Hutch into the kitchen, but stopped when the room started spinning suddenly. As she put a hand out to him, the room turned grey around the edges.

Her voice came out as a whisper. “Hutch…”

He turned just in time to catch her as she fell. With a curse, he carried her back to the couch. Seconds later, her eyes opened.

“What happened?”

“You fainted. That’s it. We’re calling the doctor right now. First, you were sick this morning and now you’re fainting. That doesn’t sound like the flu to me.”

This time, Micki did protest. “Hey, I just got up too fast. After being sick all morning long and not having much to eat, I’m probably a little weak. I don’t want to bother Dr. Sawyers at this time of night and I sure don’t want to go to the hospital.” As Hutch vacillated, Micki raised her hand. “If I don’t feel better by morning, I’ll call and make an appointment with him.”

Hutch mulled it over. “OK, I’ll compromise. I won’t wrap you up in a blanket and take you to the ER if you promise to call his office first thing tomorrow. And to make sure you don’t call and cancel as soon as I go to work, I’ll go to the doctor with you.”

Micki looked wounded. “Now would I do that?”

Hutch nodded emphatically. “You would do it the moment my back was turned. That’s my offer. Take it or get your purse.”

Micki grumbled to herself. “OK, I’ll call as soon as his office opens. But, I’m going to call Tracy right now. David and she can come with us, so we can all go to work from there. Hopefully, it won’t take long.”

He held up an admonishing finger. “That depends on what the doctor says. Now, go ahead and call Tracy while I find us something to eat. You need to get your strength back. I don’t want you fainting again.”

The next morning, all four detectives walked into Dr. Kevin Sawyers’ office. Dr. Sawyers had been Micki and Tracy’s gynecologist for over ten years, watching them grow from teenagers to successful career women. Dr. Sawyers’ receptionist, Rhonda, signed Micki in and told her to take a seat.

“You’re his first patient, Micki. He’ll be out in a few minutes.”

Micki smiled. “Thanks for getting me in so fast, Rhonda. I know how busy you are.”

“Don’t worry about it. It just so happens we had a cancellation last night, so working you in isn’t a problem.” Rhonda smiled. “One of our mothers-to-be was supposed to come in for her weekly check-up, but the stork had other plans. She delivered a healthy baby boy at 2:40 pm yesterday afternoon.”

Ten minutes later, the nurse called Micki’s name and she went back into the exam room. After the nurse took blood and recorded her vital signs, she instructed Micki to put on an exam gown and lie on the bed. Soon after that, Dr. Sawyers entered the room and Micki explained her symptoms to him. He asked a few questions, made notations on her chart, and then told her to relax while they waited for the results of her blood work. Thirty minutes later, he called the other detectives into his office.

Tracy and Starsky sat down while Hutch paced the room nervously, waiting for the doctor to come in. Dr. Sawyers walked in with a smile on his face. He held out his hand to Hutch.

“I’m Dr. Sawyers, Sergeant Hutchinson. Micki’s told me a lot about you. Congratulations on your marriage. Micki’s a beautiful young woman. I hope you’ll both be very happy.”

Hutch smiled briefly. “Thanks, Doc. I’m a lucky man. How is Micki? Do you know what’s wrong yet?”

“Yes, I do. It’s nothing that won’t be cured in about six and a half months.”

Hutch looked confused. “I don’t understand.”

Meanwhile, Tracy and Starsky grinned widely as realization struck. Starsky clapped his partner on the back.

“He means she’s pregnant, you dummy! You’re going to be a daddy.”

Hutch looked at the doctor for confirmation. When Dr. Sawyers nodded, the blond’s face lit up with delight.

“I don’t believe it. We’re going to have a baby!”

 

            A few weeks later, David Starsky was in the kitchen when Tracy came out of the bedroom with a strange expression on her face.

            “What on earth are you cooking?”

            “I thought you might like some breakfast. I’m fixing Starsky’s famous scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. There’s still some boysenberry jam left that Hutch gave you, if you want it.”

            Tracy walked over to the stove, holding her nose. “David, those eggs are rotten! How can you stand right over them and not smell it?”

            Starsky sniffed deeply. “Sweetheart, they smell fine to me. Look, I’ll prove it.” He picked a small amount of eggs up with the spatula and tasted them. “See? They’re fine. Wanna taste?”

            For an answer, Tracy clapped her hand over her mouth and ran for the bathroom. Starsky turned off the stove and crossed the room. He knocked gently on the bathroom door.

            “Tracy, are you okay?”

            “NO! Go away! I’m not coming out until you get rid of that horrible smell!”

            Completely perplexed, Starsky scraped the eggs out of the skillet and into the garbage pail, clamping the lid securely over it. Then he opened all of the windows in the apartment and turned on the fan, blowing the offending odor outside.

            “It’s all clear, Sweetheart! You can come out now. I threw them away.”

            A moment later, Tracy came out of the bathroom. She hugged him and then smiled cheerily.

            “I’m sorry, Davy. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat. They just smelled so rank that I couldn’t stand it.”

            He kissed her and patted her on the back. “Its okay, Babe. We can still have bacon and toast, I guess. Are you sure you don’t want me to cook some more eggs?”

            Tracy paled slightly. “No, bacon and toast is fine. I’m not that hungry, anyway.”

            Starsky shrugged again and motioned for her to sit down. He served the bacon and put two slices of bread into the toaster. Tracy sat still for a second then ran for the bathroom once more. The brunet threw his hands up in the air.

            “Now what?” He walked back to the bathroom door. Keeping his voice low, he tried again. “Honey? Are you all right?”

            She opened the door and glared at him. He took a step back and raised his hands in surrender.

            “I think I’ll go to work now. I can grab a donut on the way.”

            She nodded once. “Good idea. I’ll clean up the kitchen before I leave. I’ll see you tonight, Davy.”

            He pecked her on the cheek. “Bye, Sweetheart. I hope you get to feeling better. Uh, I’ll see you later.”

            Shaking his head, he put on his jacket and walked quickly out the door. As soon as she heard the Torino start, Tracy scraped the rest of the food into the garbage, holding her nose. She took some deodorizer spray from the cabinet and saturated the air with it. Nodding in satisfaction, she gathered her purse and keys then walked down the stairs.

            It was almost ten o’clock when Tracy heard her stomach growling. She looked over at her partner and grinned self-consciously at the sound.

            “Sorry, I guess I’m hungry. I really didn’t feel like eating breakfast, after I smelled those horrible rotten eggs.”

            “Where did you get hold of rotten eggs?”

            Tracy cast a baleful look at her friend. “Now, don’t you start, too! Davy swore they were okay, but those things stank up the whole apartment. Who knows where he got them? I’ll stop at the store on my way home tonight and get some fresh eggs. In the meantime, do you want to get something to eat? Is your morning sickness any better?”

            Micki smiled ruefully. “My morning sickness is doing great. As long as I don’t eat or smell food first thing in the morning, I only have to make a couple trips to the bathroom. Dr. Sawyers said it usually stops after the first trimester, and I certainly hope he’s right. So, to answer your question, I’d love to get something to eat. We don’t have to be in court until this afternoon, so we could stop at Huggy’s and get a burger or something, if you want.”

            “As long as he’s not serving breakfast still, anything sounds good. Let’s go. I’ll leave a message with Charlie and let him know where we’ll be.”

            The rest of the day passed quietly as both women testified at the hearing for Jamie Stallings. Jamie had been arrested for public indecency, after flashing unsuspecting shoppers at the local mall. Unfortunately, one of the shoppers was married to the deacon of a large church, who happened to be close friends with the Commissioner. Since this wasn’t Jamie’s first offense, the Commissioner had put pressure on the District Attorney to throw the proverbial book at him. Naturally, Jamie’s exuberant public defender had demanded a psychological exam of his client before any charges could be addressed. Tracy and Micki spent several days talking to Jamie and concluded that the defendant was relatively harmless, as long as he took his meds. They recommended a short stay at Cabrillo state, then a long period of intense supervision in another county. The Commissioner wasn’t completely satisfied, but conceded that the over crowded jails in Bay City wasn’t the best place for Jamie Stallings. The promise that he would stay far away from the mall, and from the deacon’s wife, was the only thing that kept Jamie out of jail. By the end of the day, Jamie was safely ensconced at Cabrillo state and everyone concerned was happy, with the exception of Jamie, of course. Micki and Tracy went home to their husbands, secure in the knowledge that the malls in Bay City were safe once again.

            The next morning, Tracy sniffed experimentally before venturing out of bed. Apparently, David had learned from the previous morning and hadn’t attempted another of his culinary masterpieces. The modest breakfast of cereal, toast and coffee brightened both their moods and the happy couple went off to work. Micki was already at her desk, working on what seemed an endless stream of reports. The day was starting off well when Tracy happened to look at the calendar on their desk. She frowned as she reached over and flipped the pages.

            “What’s today?”

            Micki didn’t look up from her computer. “It’s the sixteenth.”

            “Are you sure?”

            Micki looked at her friend. “What do you mean am I sure? Of course I’m sure. Why?”

            Slowly, a huge grin spread across Tracy’s face. “I’m late.”

            Micki looked perplexed for a moment then the significance of Tracy’s statement hit home. She laughed delightedly.

            “You’re late? YIPPEEEE!! How late?”

            “By my calculations, I’m over three weeks late. I guess I lost track of the days. I’m never late.”

            “Well, what are you waiting for, woman? Call Dr. Sawyers!”

 

            David Starsky parked the Torino and trotted up the steps to his apartment. Tracy had left a cryptic message for him to come directly home from work and he was curious to see what he would find. He unlocked the door and walked in, looking around carefully. Everything seemed peaceful. He could smell the tantalizing aroma of lasagna cooking in the oven and the table was set with candles and a white tablecloth. As he walked into the kitchen, Tracy came out of their bedroom.

            She smiled brightly. “Hi, honey! I’m glad you’re home. Dinner’s just about ready if you want to wash up.”

            Starsky looked a little perplexed. “Is everything okay, sweetheart? I got your message to come straight home.”

            She hugged him and kissed him lovingly. “Everything is fine, Davy. I’m sorry I worried you. I just wanted to make sure you got home in time for dinner. I didn’t want the lasagna to sit in the oven too long.”

            “Well, I’ll just wash up a little then.”

            Starsky watched his wife as they ate; still thinking of the message he’d gotten at the station. Something was definitely up, but apparently it wasn’t anything serious. He shrugged slightly and relaxed. She would tell him what was on her mind when she was ready, and not before.

            When he was finished eating, Tracy got up and started clearing the table. “Why don’t you go sit down in the living room and I’ll bring in dessert.”

            “OK, do you need some help?”

            “No, I’ve got it, sweetheart. You go sit down.”

            When he was sitting on the couch, Tracy followed a few seconds later. She sat down beside him and handed him a small white box in pink and blue wrapping. He looked at it, confused.

            “What’s this? It’s not my birthday. Did I miss our anniversary?”

            “No, silly. Open it.”

            Starsky glanced at her again then tore open the wrapping and opened the box. A tiny pair of yellow booties was nestled in cotton. Realization dawned slowly and he raised his eyes to meet hers. The smile she’d hidden earlier lit up the whole room.

            “You don’t mean-“

            “I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure, but Dr. Sawyers worked me in this afternoon. The test confirmed it. I’m pregnant, Davy. We’re going to have a baby!”

            Tears of happiness blurred his vision as he took her in his arms. His laugh echoed in the room. “I can’t believe it! We’re going to have a baby!”

            He moved away slightly. “When are you due?”

            “If the stork comes when he’s supposed to, we’ll have our baby soon after Micki has hers. I made an appointment with Dr. Sawyers for tomorrow. After he examines me, he’ll give me a tentative due date.”

            “Tentative?”

            She grinned at him. “Davy, babies come when they’re ready. He’ll give me a date, but they can come two weeks before or two weeks after. Of course, I hope it’s right on time, or before.”

            He hugged her again and grinned hugely. “Have you told Hutch and Micki yet?”

            “Micki knows because she was with me, but we thought you would want to tell Hutch yourself.”

            “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go! Oh, are you feeling okay? Are you up to going out? Do you need to rest? I could tell him in the morning.”

            “Davy, I’m pregnant, not sick. I’ll be fine, as long as you promise me you won’t cook breakfast for a while.”

            “You got a deal, babe. I guess I’ll be eating breakfast out for a few months.”

            She kissed him and gathered up their jackets. He stopped at the front door. “Are you sure you’re okay? Are the steps too much for you? We can call and tell them to come over. No, wait, Micki’s pregnant, too. Maybe I should just call them.”

            She laughed gaily. “Davy, stop it! We’re fine. The steps aren’t going to hurt either one of us. Now let’s go.”

            After the first three miles, Tracy finally convinced her husband that it was safe to drive over twenty miles an hour, and they arrived at Venice place right after dark. Starsky parked the Torino and rushed around to the other side to open the door for his wife. He held her arm as they walked up the stairs to Hutch’s apartment. He knocked on the door and waited, trying unsuccessfully to hide his smile.

            Hutch answered on the first knock. “Hey, Starsk, what’s up? Micki said you might stop by.”

            Unable to contain himself any longer, Starsky blurted out his news. “I’m going to have a baby! No, wait, I’m going to have a daddy. No, that’s not right, either. I’m going to be a daddy!”

            Hutch laughed and threw his arms around his friend. “Congratulations, dad! Although, I would have given anything to see you have a baby.”

            “Very funny, Blondie. It looks like the stork is going to be really busy before long.”

            Hutch ushered them all into the living room and cast a mock reproving glance at his wife. “I guess you knew about this?”

            Micki kissed him on the cheek. “Guilty as charged, sir. But we knew Davy would want to tell you himself. I’m glad they finally got here, though. I don’t know if I could have lasted much longer.”

            Hutch took two bottles of beer and two sparkling grape sodas out of the refrigerator and handed them out.

            “Here’s to the next generation of Starsky’s and Hutch’s. The world will never be the same again.”

 

 

            Word spread around Parker Center like wildfire and before long, everyone knew about the pending blessed events. Micki and Tracy were transferred to desk duty and soon settled down into their new routines. Doctor’s appointments were scheduled so the father’s to be could accompany their wives. For weeks afterward, the entire force walked around with silly grins on their faces, clapping each other on the back as they passed in the hall.  Even Dobey wore an expression of quiet pride. “His boys” had finally settled down and would soon experience the joys of fatherhood.  And as he remarked to Edith, neither mother to be had protested when he took them off the active duty roster and kept them close to home.

            The four detectives spent most of their off duty hours together, making plans for their babies’ arrival. Foremost in their minds were their homes. The small apartments were fine when they were bachelors, and newlyweds, but they knew that more space would be needed with the new additions to their families.

            One night, after dinner, Hutch waved his hand around his Venice Place apartment.  “I don’t see how we’re going to fit a crib, a bassinet, and all the other stuff a baby needs in here. It’ll be so crowded that you won’t be able to walk without tripping over something.”

            Starsky nodded. “I know what you mean. I was saying the same thing about our place. It’ll be big enough for a while, but the baby’s going to need a room of its own eventually. Even if I wanted to add on, there’s no place to go.”

            Tracy laid her hand on her husband’s. “We’ve got plenty of time to decide what we’re going to do. The baby isn’t due for another four months. We don’t want to make any hasty decisions. That apartment has been your home for years, and it was our first home as a couple. We’ll figure out what to do, I promise.”

            Starsky pulled his wife closer to him. “My home is with you, and our baby. I’m just saying that I think we should start looking for a bigger place. Moving is hard enough, and I don’t want you trying to pack and move furniture around when you’re too far along.”

            Micki nodded. “I agree with Davy. Why don’t we start looking through the paper and if we find anything that sounds promising, we’ll check it out. I’d love to find something close to each other, and if we take our time, I’m sure we’ll find something we like.”

            Hutch agreed. “That sounds like a plan to me. And I know we’ll have plenty of help if we do end up moving.”

            Tracy winked at her husband. “Then it’s settled. We’ll start going over the paper in the morning, while you and Hutch are in your meeting with Senator Cummings. And we can call a few real estate agents, too. The more help we have on this, the better.”

            Within the week, the two women had a list of possible homes to visit, carefully listing all the salient points of each one. They were waiting for their husbands to log out when a middle aged man in a suit came through the Task Force’s main office door.

            He looked around uncertainly. “I’m looking for a Mick Ellis?”

            Micki shot a glance at Tracy then stood up. “I’m Micki Ellis Hutchinson. May I help you?”

            The stranger handed her a card. “My name is Arnold Floyd. I’m an attorney with the firm of Bryant, Hunter, and Floyd. I’d like a moment of your time, if that’s possible.”

            “Of course, Mr. Floyd, please sit down. Now, what can I do for you?”

            “Mrs. Hutchinson, do you remember a man by the name of William Skeltzer?”

            Micki looked bemused then smiled. “Oh, you mean Bill? He was my next door neighbor when I was growing up. His wife, Joanne, was always baking cookies for us and she sort of kept an eye on us when my mom was working. They’re both wonderful people.”

            “That’s right. I’ve been their attorney for almost twenty-five years and he always held a special place in his heart for you. You may not have realized it, but he kept a close eye on your career and was very proud of your accomplishments. I’m sorry to have to inform you, but Mr. Skeltzer passed away a few weeks ago, of natural causes.”

            “Oh, that’s too bad. I remember that he was a quiet man, but he was always around to help if we were trying to build a playhouse, or if mom needed something fixed. He retired right after we graduated high school.”

            “Yes, he was seventy-five when he passed away. Joanne is almost seventy now, and her health is failing, so she’s moving to Arizona to be with her daughter, which brings me to why I’m here.”

            Micki motioned for him to continue then nodded at Tracy. “Oh, I’m sorry; this is my partner and best friend, Tracy Starsky. We grew up together, so she knew Bill and Joanne, also.”

            Mr. Floyd consulted the papers he was carrying and nodded. “Your maiden name was Edwards, correct? I’m glad you’re here, because this concerns you also. Joanne spoke favorably of you and said that I might find you two together. Anyway, Bill left a will and it was read just three days ago. He left a modest estate, and naturally, most of it went to his wife and two children. But, there was also a bequest to the both of you.”

            Micki and Tracy exchanged surprised looks. “Are you serious? That’s quite a surprise. I haven’t seen Bill or Joanne for almost two years.”

            “Nevertheless, you were mentioned in his will. Are you aware that he owned some property outside of Bay City?”

            Micki shook her head briefly. “No, I wasn’t. I always remember them living next door to my mom.”

            “It’s a small piece of real estate, to be honest, but in excellent condition, and in a prime location. There’s a duplex with approximately five acres of land, including timber and a small pond. He originally purchased it for his children, and they did live there for several years. However, they’ve been living in Arizona for quite a while now and are established in their communities. He bequeathed the property to you, with the stipulation that his children agreed. They’ve assured me that they have no desire to move back to California, and have no intentions of contesting the will. You will share joint ownership in the property. You can live in it, sell it, or do whatever you wish. If I may speak candidly, though, Joanne spoke of how close you were when you were children, and hopes that you will decide to keep it. I’m sure she’ll be very happy when I tell her that you are married, and if I may say so, expecting. So, if you’re in agreement, I’ll get started on the paperwork and transfer the deed to you within the week.”

            Micki leaned back in her chair. “This is very sudden, Mr. Floyd. If you don’t mind, we’d like to discuss it with our husbands, and maybe take a look at the property. Would it be all right if we got in touch with you in a couple of days?”

            “Of course, Mrs. Hutchinson, I know this has come as quite a shock. I’ll give you the keys, and the specifications on the property and you can view it whenever you like. If you’d like to have an attorney look everything over, feel free. I’ll be in town for another week then I’ll be leaving for Arizona to complete the paperwork for Bill’s children. My number is on the card. Please give me a call when you reach a decision.”

            “You’ll hear from me before you leave, Mr. Floyd.”

            He stood up and shook hands with the two women. “I’ll notify my secretary that you’ll be calling. If I’m in a meeting, you can leave a message with her. Good day, ladies.”

            Micki watched him go then sat back down. “I can’t believe this is happening. He was a kind, gentle man, and Joanne was like a grandmother to us, remember? We kind of lost touch after we made detective, but mom always kept me filled in on what was going on. She said they were spending a lot of time with their daughter, but I don’t think she knew why.”

            “I remember how good her kitchen always smelled and how he always found a few boards to help us when we were building one of our great projects. I’m glad Joanne’s going to be with her kids. They were already in college by the time we went to grade school, but I remember they were really nice to us. So, what do you think? Should we tell the guys and take a look at the property?”

            “Sure, why not? This just might be the answer to our prayers.”

            “They should be here soon. I can’t wait to see what it looks like.”

 

            Tracy studied the map as Starsky turned on the small country road. She pointed out the front window.

            “It should be down that road about half a mile. Then there’s a blacktop that goes right up to the duplex.”

            Micki looked around happily. “I love it out here! It’s not that far from the city, but it’s quiet and peaceful.”

            Starsky nodded. “And it’s private. That’s a far cry from living in the city.”

            Hutch was dividing his attention between the papers in his hand and the scenery. “The taxes on the place are a little high, but we won’t have a mortgage to worry about, so I don’t think that will be a problem. From the looks of the assessment, the house is in good condition and the utilities are low.”

            Micki scooted forward and looked between Starsky and Tracy’s shoulders. “We should see the house any time now.”

            The road curved slightly to the left and the house came into view. Starsky stopped the Torino and threw the gear shift in park. All four detectives stared ahead.

            The duplex sat in the middle of the property, with tall trees on each side. The blacktop forked in two directions, making a circle drive around the house. Each side of the duplex had a two-car garage, with ample space to turn around. The house was painted white with sky blue shutters and trim. What Floyd had termed a duplex was actually two separate homes joined by a long foyer. The green lawn rolled gently around the homes and disappeared.  A white rail fence bordered the front of the property.

            As they climbed out of the car, Hutch pointed to the west. “The pond is back that way, in those trees. The fence goes around the whole place, according to the plans.”

            Starsky grinned. “Is the pond stocked?”

            Hutch patted his friend’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to burst your bubble, Gordo, but no, it isn’t stocked. But if this works out and you’re a good boy, we’ll see what we can do.”

            The brunet put a hand over his heart. “I think I just died and went to Heaven.”

            Micki and Tracy shook their heads and laughed. “OK, boys, don’t get those waders out of the car yet. We still haven’t seen the inside of the house.”

            Hutch took the keys out of his pocket and opened the front door of the closest home. The living room was first, brightly lit by two large bay windows. They walked through the door on the right and entered the kitchen.

            Micki turned around slowly, taking in the room. “Now, this is what I call a kitchen.”

            The kitchen was twice the size of the one in their small apartment, with a large refrigerator, stove and a plentitude of cabinets. Two small windows were above the double sinks and counter top. The stove and portable dishwasher sat against the opposite wall, and other side opened into a small dining room. Just past the dining room was the master bathroom, with a separate shower and tub, and double vanity. The second door of the bathroom opened to the master bedroom. A short hallway separated the master bedroom from two smaller bedrooms and another bathroom. At the end of the hallway was a door, which led to the outside. Hutch opened the door and smiled at what he saw. Micki stood beside her husband and squeezed his hand.

            The back door opened into a large, enclosed greenhouse. French doors provided the exit to the greenhouse and led to the back yard. Tall oak and pine trees bathed the yard in shade.

            Micki grinned at Tracy and Starsky. “I think I know which house we want.”

            Starsky chortled. “No kidding. I don’t think we could blast you out of this side with dynamite.”

            Tracy smacked her husband on the shoulder. “Quit teasing Ken. Let’s go see the other house.”

            They walked back to the living room and unlocked the side door. The foyer was lit by small, hanging lamps, and covered in a sturdy carpet. Hutch handed his partner the other set of keys. Starsky unlocked the door and went inside. The interior of the second house was like the first, until they reached the back. Instead of a greenhouse, there was a large den, with a regulation size pool table, which took up half the room. On the other side, close to the large windows and French doors, bookcases lined the wall and there was a large, butcher block table in the center.

            Tracy ran her hand across the dark cherry and smiled at her husband. “This looks like the perfect spot for your model ships, and there’ll be plenty of room for a chess board.”

            Starsky looked around the room and spread out his hands. “Honey, I’m home.”

            Hutch pulled Micki close to him. “Let’s call Mr. Floyd.”

 

            Two weeks later, the transfer of the property was complete, and the two couples started packing for their big move. Micki and Tracy scoured local grocery stores and department stores, hunting for the most suitable boxes for their possessions. They divided their time between the two apartments, packing dishes and smaller appliances and marking each box as it was filled. After each kitchen was cleared, they started on the bedrooms, packing clothing according to which season they would be needed.

Slowly, the rooms were emptied, with stacks of boxes in the middle. One afternoon, as Micki was taking a second look around their tiny kitchen, she happened to glance outside and immediately caught her breath.

Tracy heard her gasp and rushed from the bathroom, where she was packing towels in yet another box.

“What’s the matter?”

Micki pointed with a shaky finger. “Please tell me that’s not who I think it is.” When Tracy came closer, Micki yanked her back. “Don’t let him see you!”

Tracy moved to the side of the window and parted the curtain. “Oh, no! That’s Rodney Fellows! How did he find us?”

“I don’t know! Damn it, why did he have to show up now? Everything’s been going so good. Why the Hell can’t he just leave us alone?”

Tracy snatched her purse from the counter and handed Micki hers. They took out their guns as Tracy made sure the front door was locked. Micki peered through the curtain again.

Tracy asked calmly, “What’s he doing now?”

“He’s just standing there, looking up at us. Maybe he’s not sure he has the right apartment.”

Tracy picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Let me know if he moves.” When a voice answered on the other end, Tracy spoke tersely. “This is Tracy Starsky. I need to speak to Captain Dobey, right away. It’s an emergency.”

Dobey was on the line seconds later. “Tracy, what’s wrong?”

“We’re at Micki’s apartment, and Rodney Fellows is standing across the street.”

“Fellows?  What the Hell is he doing there?”

“I don’t know, Captain. I have no idea how long he’s been there, either. He could be staking out the place to see if we’re alone. We need some back up over here, now!”

“All right, just stay put and I’ll get some cars headed that way. Starsky and Hutch left about ten minutes ago. I’ll have dispatch radio them and let them know what’s going on. Lock the door and don’t let anyone in! If he makes his move before we get there, do what ever you have to do to stay safe.”

“All right, but for God’s sake, hurry!” She slammed the receiver down and joined Micki at the window. “He’s sending some patrol cars and he said David and Ken are already on their way.”

“I hope they get here before Rodney gets brave enough to attack.”

Within a few minutes, they could hear sirens screaming as the squad cars rushed in their direction. Rodney looked over his shoulder as the noise grew louder. He glared up at the window and took out a gun. With one last look, he trotted across the street. At the same moment his feet touched the sidewalk, the Torino squealed around the corner on two wheels. Rodney ducked behind a parked car and started shooting. His dark eyes widened as the car sped toward him without slowing. Throwing the gun in the air, he turned and ran. The two detectives jumped out of the car as soon as it was stopped and gave chase. Rodney was only half a block away when two patrol cars converged from opposite directions, trapping him between them. Suddenly, the ex-pimp was outnumbered and outgunned. He threw his hands up in the air in surrender.

“Don’t shoot! I give up!”

Starsky holstered his gun and took out his handcuffs. He pushed the felon down on the concrete. “Put your hands behind you, and don’t even blink. I’d love a reason to put a slug through the back of your head.”

            The brunet shoved his prisoner in the direction of the two patrolmen and followed Hutch as he bounded up the stairs. They stopped at the front door.

            Hutch knocked loudly. “Micki, its Ken! Everything is in control now. You can open the door.”

            Micki unlocked the door and threw her arms around Hutch’s waist. He held her close and shut the door behind them.

Starsky drew Tracy close and whispered encouragingly. “It’s okay, he’s gone. He won’t be bothering you any more.”

            Micki looked up at her husband. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw him standing there! How did he find us, anyway? I thought the Feds were keeping him away from Bay City.”

            Hutch shook his head grimly. “I don’t know, but you can bet I’m going to find out. We tried to tell them that Fellows couldn’t be trusted, but of course they wouldn’t listen. If I have to beat it into their pointy little heads, they’re going to listen now.”

            Micki laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m just glad he’s gone.”

            Starsky put a finger under Tracy’s chin and looked in her eyes. “Are you okay, Sweetheart?”

            She kissed him. “I’m fine, now.”

            Starsky kept an arm around her waist and grinned at the two women. “You did good, ladies. You did what you were told to do and let us handle it.”

            Micki looked solemnly at him. “We weren’t interested in playing the hero, Davy. We weren’t going to let him hurt our babies.”

            Hutch hugged her tighter. “That’s my girls.”

The four detectives drove back to the station so Micki and Tracy could give their statements then went back to their apartments. The day had been an exhausting one for the women and a good night’s sleep was what they needed most. All the dishes had been packed, so they stopped at a small restaurant and picked up a light dinner before going home.

That evening, Micki sat on the couch beside her husband. The image of Rodney standing across the street still haunted her, and she shivered as she thought about what could have happened. Hutch pulled her close and held her, not speaking.

Micki turned to him and spoke quietly. “I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t gotten here in time. When I saw Rodney, all I could think of was how much I needed you. You know, I’ve always been the strong one in my family. I took care of myself when mom was at work, and when I got old enough to live on my own, I never wanted help from anyone.”

She laid a hand on her abdomen. “I don’t want to be strong anymore. I want someone to take care of me, now.”

Hutch ran his fingers through her long hair. “I’ll take care of you, Micki, as long as you’ll let me.”

“I love you, Ken. All I want is to be your wife, and a mother to our baby.”

 

As Hutch predicted, half the precinct volunteered to help the two couples move, offering trucks, vans and small trailers for the biggest pieces of furniture. The weather cooperated by staying clear, and relatively cool. As the last of their belongings disappeared in the back of a truck, Micki took a final look around the apartment..

She sniffed as her eyes welled with tears. “I’m going to miss this place. It’s the first place we made love, remember?”

Hutch grinned. “I remember that Benton almost had a cow when his men reported that you snuck away from Tracy’s apartment and showed up here. When you cornered him later in Dobey’s office, I didn’t know which one needed protection most: you or him.”

Micki smiled as she thought back. “Well, he should know better than stand in the way of true love. These walls hold a lot of memories.”

Hutch took her hand as he opened the door. “We have a new home and a baby on the way. We’ll make new memories, Mick.”

“I know.” She followed her husband, glancing back as she shut the door. “Good-bye, home.”

A few miles away, David Starsky sat the keys to his apartment on the counter and turned to his wife. He saw the tears glistening in her eyes and put his arm around her waist.

“Are you ready to go, babe?”

She nodded slightly. “I’m going to miss this place. We made love for the first time in that bedroom. I remember how nervous I was that night. I was so scared that you would say no that I almost didn’t come.”

Starsky looked at her, astonished. “Are you kidding? I was trying to think of a way to get you here, and when you showed up at my door that night, I thought I was the luckiest man in the world. I still do. We have a new home and a baby on the way. I know it won’t always be sunshine and roses, but as long as we’re together, we can beat anything that comes our way.”

She smiled radiantly at her husband. “I know. I love you, David Starsky. All I want to be is your wife and a mother to our child. I’d live in a cardboard box as long as you were with me.”

He kissed her then took her hand and led her out the door. She took a last look around the apartment.

“Good-bye, home.”

The two couples spent the rest of the day unpacking their belongings and sending their helpers in the right direction. Slowly, the two houses began to look like homes. Huggy Bear and half the department, including Dobey, scurried around the property, carrying furniture and boxes to the proper side of the duplex.

At one point, Dobey turned to Huggy. “It’s a good thing they’re out in the boonies. We’re making so much noise that if they had neighbors, they’d be complaining right about now. I’d hate to explain to the Commissioner why half the police force was cited for disturbing the peace.”

“Don’t worry, Marshall. We’re so far off the beaten path that we could set off an atom bomb and no one would notice. And if anyone does come to complain, we’ll just put them to work. I’ve never seen so much stuff in all my life! Don’t these people ever throw anything away?”

“You know what they say, Huggy. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Far be it for us to say which is which. We’re just here to carry the stuff.”

“Well, I sure hope this is the last time they move. I don’t want to do this again any time soon. I don’t think my back will ever be the same.”

They stretched their aching muscles and went back to work. Fortunately, with everyone pitching in, everything was unloaded by dark. Some of the volunteers made one last trip to the city, for pizza and beer, while everyone else helped unpack.

Hutch was supervising the placement of the furniture when he happened to go into the kitchen. His heart jumped to his throat when he saw Micki standing on a chair, putting dishes away in the cabinet. Taking three long strides, he wrapped his arms around his pregnant wife and lifted her off the chair.

“What do you think you’re doing? Don’t you know that chair could tip over any minute?”

Micki yelped as he put her down. “Ken! You scared me to death! I’m just putting some dishes away.”

“Micki, you’re pregnant. You’re supposed to keep your feet on the ground, not climb on anything that happens to be handy. I’ll help you put the stuff away later.”

“This place looks like a cyclone hit it. I’m not going to leave everything sitting in boxes. I won’t be able to sleep until some of this is put away.”

He herded her into the living room. “Then put stuff away that you can reach without climbing on the furniture.” He gently put her on the couch. “Sit down and tell us where you want this stuff. Don’t get up, just point.”

Micki crossed her arms and pouted. Hutch shook his head. “That’s not going to work.”

After thinking about it, Micki shrugged slightly then pointed. “I want the couch over there.”

They spent the next hour deciding on the layout of the living room. After the third time, Micki was satisfied with the placement of the couch and directed the men on where to put the remaining furniture.

Meanwhile, Starsky was directing his squad of volunteers as the other side of the house was filled with furniture and boxes. His precious model ships and the antique chess board Tracy had bought him the previous Christmas was packed carefully in boxes that were clearly marked. He carried those to the den and sat them in the middle of the pool table, safe from harm. As he walked back through the house, he frowned. Tracy had been supervising the unpacking in the kitchen, but had disappeared. He looked around the room, and shook his head in disbelief when he finally saw his wife.

He cocked his head to one side. At least, I think that’s Tracy. The cabinet doors under the sink were open, with two human legs protruding from the interior.

“Tracy, what are you doing?”

He heard a muffled “ouch” from under the sink as his wife slowly emerged from the cavity, rubbing her head. Tracy pulled herself up by the edge of the counter and brushed the dust from her shirt.

“Davy, you startled me! That place is full of cobwebs. I wanted to clean it before I put anything away.”

“Why didn’t you call me? It’s damp and dusty down there. The last thing you need right now is to catch a cold. Why don’t you go help the guys in the front room and I’ll finish cleaning under the sink?”

“I’m not going to catch a cold.” She sneezed twice then held up her hand. “That’s just the dust. But, if it will make you feel better, I’ll see what needs done in the living room. Promise you won’t put anything under there until you clean it?”

“I promise. Now, go! And stay out of trouble, will you?”

He watched her waddle into the safety of the front room then cast his eyes skyward. “I just don’t get it. How can my beautiful, intelligent wife pull such crazy stunts?”

Finally, all the boxes were unpacked and the furniture properly placed. Both houses were lit up as everyone celebrated the successful completion of the move. As they all gathered in the front room of Micki and Hutch’s side of the house, Dobey raised his beer in a toast.

“Well, it’s been a long day, but this place looks great! Here’s to Starsky and Tracy, and Hutch and Micki. I now dub this place, the S&H Homestead. May your homes be filled with laughter and joy, and may you weather any storms that come your way together.”

Glasses, and bottles, were raised and voices cheered, “Hear, hear!”

 

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