| Echoes of Terror: Chapter 6 |
| Later that day, Starsky, Hutch and Dr. Massey sat in the solarium, talking. It was the first time in weeks that Hutch had been out of his room. He looked out the windows, taking in the scenery. "Everything looks so beautiful out there. How can there be so much light? It should be darker, somehow." "Why is that, Ken?" Hutch walked over to the windows. He turned and looked back at the doctor. "Because I don't understand how a world that lets innocent people like Karen die can exist. We see innocent people die all the time. When is it going to stop?" "I can't answer that, Ken. The world isn't a perfect place. You know that. That's why you became a police officer, isn't it?" Hutch sighed. "I don't know. Maybe. But if I couldn't save her, what good am I doing?" "Come back and sit down, Ken. I want to ask you something. You're still feeling guilty, aren't you?" "I couldn't do anything! They killed her. I was right there, and I couldn't stop it!" "Ken, nobody likes to feel like they've lost control of a situation. You never had control. From the moment Frankie confronted Karen, he controlled what happened. The fact that you're a police officer never mattered. If you had revealed that to him, he would have killed the both of you. Did you ever stop to wonder why his friends were close by? He had already decided what he was going to do. This is a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Frankie wasn't going to let anyone stop him, not even you. You don't have anything to feel guilty about. You were a victim, too. It's time to let go, and it's time for you to find some peace, too." Hutch whispered. "I don't know if I can." Starsky put his arm around Hutch's shoulder. "I know you can, buddy. I'll help you. We'll get through this together, like always. Me and thee, partner." Hutch smiled. "Me and thee, Starsk." Dr. Massey patted both detectives on the back and left them alone. They sat together in companiable silence for a while. Then Hutch stirred. "Starsk? Did we get them? I mean, Frankie and the others?" Starsky smiled. "Yeah, partner, we got them. They're gonna pay for what they did." "I'm glad." Hutch looked out at the trees gently stirring in the breeze. Finally, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter as he thought about a young girl named Karen. "Rest in peace, Karen. No one can hurt you now." |
A few days later, Hutch was released from the hospital. Starsky brought him a change of clothes and packed a bag for himself. There was never any question that he would stay with Hutch for at least a while. That was what they're friendship was all about. As Hutch recovered, they would draw strength and comfort from each other. No one expected any less. Three long months had passed since that terrifying day. Dr. Massey had certified Hutch as being fit for duty. Although he was slightly nervous, Hutch was looking forward to going back to work. His belief in what he was doing had been shaken, but with Starsky's help, that was in the past. The two detectives got ready for work and walked down the stairs. But, instead of going to the Torino, Starsky headed for Hutch's car. Hutch looked at his friend, amazed. "You're kidding, right? You actually WANT to take my car?" "Yeah. It doesn't bother you, does it? I mean, it doesn't bring back any bad memories of Karen." "No. Dr. Masssey was right. Frankie's the one to blame for what happened, not me. I'm just surprised that you want to take my car." "Well, how about a bigger surprise? I'll even drive." Hutch's jaw dropped. "OK, who are you and what have you done with the real Starsky?" "Ha Ha. There ain't nothin' sinister about this, Blintz. I just wanted to show you that your car really doesn't bother me. It's your car. I ain't tellin' you what to drive anymore." "Starsky, I'm touched. That really means a lot to me. Thank-you, buddy." Starsky clapped him on the back. "You're welcome, buddy. And now that you can't razz me anymore about this junk heap, you can buy yourself a decent car." Hutch winced as he remembered what he'd said when he was hypnotized. "Oh. Did I really say that?" "Yep, you did. Now, when did you want to go car shopping?" The End |
| Echoes of Terror: Tag |
 |
 |