P and C Productions
P and C Productions
143 Buckmeadow Drive
Brunswick, GA 31525
pebbles1
Cat and Mouse Part Two
CHAPTER 13
The lights of the car drew closer as Cassie stretched out her hand with her thumb in the air. It began to slow down and then came to a stop a few feet in front of her. She was very nervous as she walked carefully up to it…but felt a little relief when she realized that the driver was a woman.
“Hi.” Cassie said as she leaned down to the passenger window.
“What are you doing out here all by yourself?” The lady asked with concern as she rolled the passenger window down a little further to talk to her.
“I could really use a ride back home.” She told her. “It’s a long story.”
“Climb in and you can tell me on the way.” The lady offered as she unlocked the door and waited for her to get in.
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They left the van on the side of the road and drove the blue Chevy to a payphone at a gas station Prudholm dropped a dime into the slot and reached into his back pocket to pull out his wallet. He took out a small faded piece of paper and unfolded it. A phone number that he had kept on him from a few years back. He still had one card left to play.
The phone rang loudly as it broke the silence in the room. A very tired and emotionally drained dark haired man had been sleeping on the couch were he had finally drifted off. The music had stopped a couple of hours before and the turntable on the Hi Fi was still spinning.
“Yeah.” He said as he held the phone in his left hand and pushed himself into a more comfortable position with his right arm.
“Starsky.” Prudholm’s harsh voice came on the line. “It’s time.”
“Prudholm!” He said with astonishment as he recognized the voice. “Where are you?”
“You knew I would be calling didn’t you? The old man said to him…hoping to drive him to a meet. “This is between me and you…nobody else. I’m gonna give you one last chance to save her life.”
“She’s still alive?” Starsky asked with a new ray of hope in his heart. “You didn’t kill her?”
“I just wanted you to suffer cop.” Prudholm told him. “The way I’ve been made to suffer… ever since you killed my boy.”
“So what’s the game Prudholm?” Starsky asked as he stood up with the phone casing in one hand and the receiver in the other.
“Just a little cat and mouse…you win and you get to take her home with you…I win and you both die.” He said as he played out his last card carefully. He had to drive him out before she had time to make it back to him…or to flag down a patrol car. If he could convince him that he still had her…he knew Starsky wouldn’t be able to resist.
“You got it Prudholm…Just name the place.” Starsky said.
“Good…but first there’s just a couple of minor details.” Prudholm began. “No badge…and don’t try to call that big blonde friend of yours.”
“I don’t need a badge to kick your ass.” Starsky told him. “And I don’t need Hutch either.”
“And one more thing cop…no gun.” Prudholm cautioned him.
“No problem.” Starsky told him. “Where?” He asked as he grabbed a pencil and a pad of paper from the drawer of the end table.
“There’s an old deserted warehouse on the corner of 12th and Hudson.” The old man said.
“I know the place.” Starsky called back to him.
“Twenty minutes.”
“You’re on.” He answered and hung up the phone.
Starsky thought about it for a minute as he sat the phone back down. This was insane…he knew he would be walking into a trap. Prudholm had waited till the middle of the night to coax him out and without his gun he would be an easy target. Cassie was just the bait…she may already be dead but he had no way of knowing for sure now. The only thing he did know was that Prudholm may be known for a lot of things, but the fact that he was a compulsive liar ranked among the top ten. He wasn’t a man to be trusted.
He decided to call Hutch. He knew what Prudholm had told him but he wasn’t stupid…he wasn’t about to walk in there naked. He would need Hutch to watch his back. If Cassie was still alive he didn’t need to take any chances. He dialed the phone quickly and waited for him to answer it….one ring….two rings….three rings….four…five. Where the hell could he be at this time of night? Did Prudholm have him too? Is that why he told him not to call? Would they use Hutch and Cassie to get to him? Or did they kidnap Hutch because she was already dead? Starsky didn’t know what to think.
Starsky had written down the directions on the pad but didn’t bother to tear it off. He knew the location and there was no need to take it with him. He pulled his badge from his back pocket and threw it on the coffee table. Then he headed for the door and stopped to glance up at his gun and holster that hung next to it. Cassie and Hutch were missing. The two people in the world that he loved more than his own life. He knew that if he brought his gun they might both be killed. After taking a moment to think it over he decided to pull it out of the holster. He then carefully shoved it into the back of his jean shorts and pulled his shirt down over it. Without Hutch…He would just have to take the chance.
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Cassie told the lady how to get to Hutch’s place since they were on that side of town and his place was closer. Anyway chances were that they would be together and she might find both of them there.
“It’s just a little further.” She told the lady.
“By the way my name is Robbin.” The young lady said and what’s yours?”
“Cassie Bryant.” She told her. “I’m sorry to make you go out of your way like this.”
“It’s alright…I just want to see you get home safely.” Robbin replied.
They finally pulled up to the little house by the lake and Cassie was relieved to see Hutch’s car in the driveway. She knew where Hutch kept his spare key even if he wasn’t home. She thanked Robbin again for the ride and assured her that she would be all right. She got out quickly and ran up to the door as Robbin backed her car out of the driveway and left her there.
She pounded loudly on the outside of the door and then stepped back to wait for a response. A light came on in the living room and she could hear a groggy Hutch mumbling to himself as he stumbled to the door.
“Who is it?” He asked as he leaned with his hand against the door in his robe and waited.
“The tooth fairy.” She yelled with a smile. She knew he would recognize her. It was a game they would always play with each other.
Hutch unlocked the door quickly and threw it open wide.
“CASSIE!” He cried out as he lifted her up in a big bear hug and spun her around and around as he buried his face in her neck and let out a loud cry of excitement. Cassie broke into tears as she hugged him tightly. They were both so relieved to see each other. The emotional embrace lasted for a few moments until he finally stood her back up and stepped back to look at her.
“How in the world?” Hutch asked as he checked her over carefully. He grabbed her by the chin and turned her head to one side and then the other. He noticed the split lip and the bruise on the side of her face where Prudholm had apparently struck her.
“I had to get away…so I jumped out of the van.” She told him. “They switched vehicles and stole a dark blue Chevy…I have the license number.” She said as she continued. “Anyway…I ran as fast as I could and then I caught a ride from a nice lady.” Cassie said, not wanting to mention the fact that she had been forced to hitch hike home.
“We have to call the station and give them the information.” Hutch replied as he tried to take in the whole story. “Oh Cas we thought you were dead…I swear sometimes I think you must have a guardian angel watching over you.”
“I do.” She told him with a smile.
Hutch pulled both her arms up and took note of the scrapes on her elbows as well as the ones on her legs. Her knees were also bloody but they didn’t look too bad.
“So how fast were you going when you hit the pavement.” He asked her.
“Not very…Oh God Hutch it’s so good to be home.” She told him as she hugged him once again.
“I gotta call Starsky…You have no idea how happy he’s gonna be to see you.” Hutch told her as he pulled her chin up and stared into her large brown eyes. “And we still have to call in the vehicle description.”
“You can do that from your car…on the way…I want to surprise him.” She said with a smile. “He loves surprises.”
Well…not usually Hutch thought to himself…but he’ll love this one.
“Alright…just give me a second to get dressed.” He told her.
Hutch threw on a shirt and a pair of pants and grabbed his gun and holster from above the door out of force of habit. He had trained himself never to walk out the door without it…even when he went on a date he sometimes had to take moment to remind himself that he didn’t need it. But if he were in a hurry it would usually end up tagging along. The two of them hurried out the door and jumped into his car. They were both so relieved to put all of this behind them…and now with the description of the vehicle along with the plate number, Prudholm wouldn’t get very far. Hutch thought to himself as he picked up the mic to call it in. The only thing that mattered now was that Cassie was home…and the look on Starsky’s face when she showed up at his door would be priceless.
As his car pulled out of the driveway the phone at Hutch’s place began to ring. Once…twice…three times…four…and after fifth and final ring the house was silent. Starsky had missed them by only a few seconds.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 14
Starsky drove to the meet with anticipation as he prayed for a miracle. The thought that Cassie might still be alive had given him a new sense of hope. But he knew he would be alone against an undisclosed number of other men and he wasn’t looking forward to standing up to them without his partner. The only way he felt he would have a chance at all was if they really did have Hutch. Because his partner would find a way to help him…tied up or not.
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Hutch called in the description of the car that Prudholm and his men had stolen along with the license plate number. Cassie had also given him a real good description of the other two men and that information was relayed as well. During the drive, She told Hutch that Randy had tried…but she hadn’t been raped. She hated to have to lie to Dave like that but she had been given no choice. Hutch assured her that Starsky would understand and that everything was going to be fine.
They pulled up to Starsky’s apartment and were both surprised not to see the Torino in the driveway. It wasn’t like him to be gone at this time of night and the last thing he had told Hutch was that he was going to bed. Cassie got out and started to go inside. Hutch opened the driver’s door and called to her.
“Cassie…stay with me tonight.” He suggested. “I can’t leave you here alone.”
She walked over to his side of the car to talk to him. “I’m worried about him.” She said as she stood there. “I want to stay until he gets home.”
“I’m not leaving you here by yourself.” Hutch told her with conviction.
“Alright…” She reluctantly agreed. “Just let me go in and grab a few things then.”
“I’ll go in with you.” He told her as he got out and escorted her to the door.
Cassie turned her key in the door and they both stepped inside. It was quiet and dimly lit. Only the small lamp on the end table by the couch was on along with a small ray of light that came from under his bedroom door. Cassie walked around the living room curiously as she listened for the strange sound that was coming from the corner of the room. Hutch followed her cautiously as a glimpse of something shinny caught his eye and caused him to turn his head quickly. There on the coffee table was his badge…lying open with his police ID facing upwards. Meanwhile, Cassie had found the source of the strange noise as she noticed the turntable on the HI FI spinning with her favorite Bee Gee’s record turning round and round on top of it.
“Hutch.” Cassie called to him. “He’s been playing my records.”
Hutch walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders from behind.
“He was pretty depressed.” He told her in a soft whisper. “He really loves you ya know.”
“His bedroom light is on.” Cassie told him as she spun around. “Did you look in there?”
“No need to.” Hutch said calmly. “His car’s gone…I found his badge on the coffee table.”
“Where do you suppose he is?” Cassie asked curiously.
“I don’t know…maybe he couldn’t sleep and went down to the beach.” Hutch told her as he walked around the room looking for more clues. “He likes to go there when he gets this way.”
Cassie began to look around carefully with him. Neither one of them really believed the words that Hutch had just spoken. It was just a feeble attempt to ease her mind…and she knew it.
Suddenly she saw something that caught her attention and caused her to panic.
“Hutch…look.” She yelled as she grabbed it down from the hook that it had been resting on.
Hutch walked over and took it from her as he studied it. It was Starsky’s holster but his gun was missing from it. This didn’t look good. Was he so depressed that he was gonna go somewhere and blow his brains out? Hutch thought for a moment as he stared at it. Not Starsky…he wouldn’t do something like that would he? Hutch remembered what he had overheard that night in the hospital…when she was so deathly sick. He had been listening at the door when Starsky said those words. The night that he told Cassie how he really felt…deep in his heart. She was still in her coma and he hadn’t noticed Hutch at the door. It was then in that moment of anguish and desperation that he leaned over her and confessed his love.
“Hutch?” Cassie asked as she moved her hand in front of his face to get his attention. “Are you alright?” He had been standing there holding the holster with a blank look on his face…as if he had just checked out of the reality hotel.
“Sorry.” He said as he shook his head and looked at her with a weak un-convincing smile.
“Something’s wrong…I can see it in your face.” She said, as she looked him in the eye. “Tell me.”
“He took his gun Cas…he wouldn’t take it to the beach with him…or the store or where ever in the hell else he would go at this time of night.” He told her as he confessed to the fact that this one thing in particular had now caused him to really worry.
As Cassie listened to Hutch she happened to glance down and spotted the note pad lying on the end table next to the lamp. She picked it up and turned it over to read what was on the other side. The words…Twelfth and Hudson had been scribbled on it sloppily in Starsky’s handwriting as if he had been in a hurry to write it down. She read it quickly and then handed it to Hutch.
“Look at this.” She said as she gave it to him.
Hutch glanced at it and then back at Cassie. It was directions to an old abandoned warehouse. He was familiar with the address.
“Stay here Cassie.” He said suddenly as he turned to head for the door.
“What is it Hutch?” She asked him in a panicked voice.
“Just do what I tell you and stay put.” He told her a little more serious.
Cassie grabbed him by the arm and pleaded with him desperately. “Tell me what’s going on?” She insisted.
“Lock the door and wait for me.” He told her as he pulled his arm away.
Cassie pushed him away from the door with both her hands as hard as she could and stood in front of it…blocking his way out.
“STOP IT CAS.” He said as he grabbed her by both arms and pulled her away from it. “I’m not kidding.”
“Take me with you.” She pleaded with him as she started to cry. “Please Hutch…I feel like this is all my fault…I gotta know that he’s alright.”
Hutch looked at her for a moment as a small tear began to fall down her bruised cheek. He knew now what had happened to Starsky. He had figured it out as soon as he saw the scribbled instructions. Prudholm had summoned him to a meet. Probably because he had lost Cassie and wanted to drive him out before she could make it back to him. Hutch knew what his partner was walking into…that’s why he left his badge and why he took his gun out of the holster. It all made sense to him now.
But the tears that had begun to flow steadily down her face were getting to him. She had been through so much already and look at her…standing there demanding to go with him. How could he refuse her?
“Alright…but you have to promise me that you’ll stay in the car.” Hutch told her as he grabbed the doorknob to open it. “I mean it.”
“Ok…I promise.” She said as she took her index finger and touched it to her chest…and drew an X across it. “Cross my heart.”
And hope to die Hutch thought as he remembered the gesture from his childhood. He only hoped it meant the same thing now as it did back then. “C’mon let’s go.” He said as he placed his hand on her back and escorted her out the door… closing it behind him.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 15
Starsky pulled his car up slowly to the back entrance of the warehouse with his headlights off. He had decided to stake the place out first before announcing his presence. If he could get an idea as to just how many men were inside and the approximate area they were holdup…he would have a much better chance of surviving the ordeal. With no one to watch his back and no hope for the Calvary to come to his rescue in the nick of time…he had to be extra careful. One bad judgement call and he would be at the mercy of a madman.
He decided to take a quick stroll around the building to see if he could catch sight of the vehicle that they had arrived in. He found what he was looking for as he rounded the southeast corner. A dark blue Chevy Malibu with white walls and a black convertible top. He made a quick mental note of the plate number just in case and decided for himself that with no other cars in sight…he couldn’t be dealing with more than four or so bad guys. Judging from the size of it. If they had Hutch and Cassie with them…the number may even be less.
Starsky knew that he had to go in and announce himself…but he wasn’t about to just stand there and let them blow him away. He walked back around the building quickly and opened the door just far enough to see if there might be anything that he could use for cover…before he made his entrance. The room as far as he could tell was very dimly lit with a few scattered pieces of machinery and stacks of boxes along one wall. He remembered that the place was used for storage by a large canning company a few years back…and was abandoned when the business went belly up. He opened the door a little further and stepped in quickly…ducking behind one of the large machines as he blinked his eyes to adjust them to the darkness.
He found himself in a smaller area than he had first imagined. A door at the other end of the room seemed to lead to other parts of the warehouse. He pulled the gun from the back of his shorts and stepped around the confined area in a crouched position to make sure that he was alone before going any further.
As he put his hand on the doorknob he listened to the faint sound of voices that had become evident as he stepped closer. Prudholm definitely, but the other two were unfamiliar to him. Three separate voices were arguing apparently over the reason that they had come there. One demanding that they leave with the money and another making the comment to Prudholm that his obsession with that cop was gonna land them all in jail. Then there was Prudholm…telling them both to shut up and wait.
Starsky took the opportunity to quietly go through the door and hide himself behind a huge wall of boxes as he listened to them still bickering and bellyaching. Still only hearing three voices…so far no mention of Cassie or Hutch. He could hear the voices echo as they called to each other from opposite sides of the huge area in the darkness. They weren’t speaking very loud…almost in whispers…but in the quiet void the sound carried and seemed to bounce off the walls at him. All of a sudden Starsky heard one of them ask a question that finally gave him an answer to one of his own.
“Do you think he’ll bring the other one?” Randy whispered to his boss from across the warehouse as he held his position on the catwalk above.
“He’ll be here…so what if he brings his partner.” Prudholm yelled back still in a loud whisper. “We’ll just kill them both.”
They didn’t have Hutch. Starsky thought to himself as he leaned against the heavy boxes and held his gun in his left hand across his chest. So why didn’t he answer the phone earlier? Where was he? He couldn’t seem to pinpoint an exact location on Prudholm or the other man on the bottom level with him…but he was sure that one of the voices was coming from somewhere overhead. With that in mind he decided to climb up and surprise him before announcing his arrival. Two against one sounded like better odds to him.
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Hutch pulled up alongside Starsky’s car at the back of the warehouse and drew his gun as he stepped out of his car.
“Stay here while I check it out.” Hutch told her. “If I’m not out in fifteen minutes…get on the radio and call for backup.”
“Be careful Hutch.” She called to him as he crept over to the door and pulled it open slowly. He glanced back for a moment and motioned to her to keep her head down…and then he ducked inside.
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Starsky moved quietly to a corner of the large airport hanger sized room and found a ladder that lead to the catwalk above. He shoved his gun back into the back of his jean shorts as he began to climb slowly up it. Randy was perched above him with his eyes on the ground level but even from where he stood the darkness made it difficult to see everything clearly. The moonlight shining through the overhead skylight had given Starsky a clear view of a man’s silhouette, as he stood poised with a large handgun at the end of the platform. He crept up slowly from behind him and drew his gun from the back of his shorts once more.
Randy hadn’t noticed him at all and Starsky was about to make his move when suddenly he stepped on a weak spot. The catwalk creaked loudly and one of the chains that held his weight gave way…sending both men off balance and reaching out for whatever they could to keep from falling the thirty or so feet to the hard concrete floor below.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER16
He grabbed hold of the railing with his right hand as the platform tipped suddenly. A second cable broke free with the strain of the extra weight and the entire structure began to dangle from the remaining two. Starsky felt his own body weight pull heavily as his feet no longer held him and had to reach up with his left hand to keep from falling. His gun fell with a loud thump onto the floor as Randy let out and agonizing cry. He was hanging on with only one hand refusing to release his grip on the gun in his other one. Prudholm and the other young man stepped out from hiding to see what was going on and Hutch burst through the small door in the back when he heard the commotion.
“Hold it!” Hutch yelled as he brought his gun down in front of him. He had a clear view of the two men on the bottom level as they turned and opened fire on him. He returned two rounds quickly as he ducked behind the large boxes for cover. Prudholm managed to scramble behind a large piece of machinery but a bullet from Hutch’s gun had hit it’s target and the younger man collapsed onto the concrete floor holding his leg and crying out in pain. Randy was barely hanging on and the platform was still swinging back and forth from the weight of both men.
“Starsk…are you alright?” Hutch called to him as he watched his dangling body overhead.
“I can’t hold on much longer.” He replied as he kicked his feet and fought to keep his grip.
Randy finally dropped his gun in an effort to keep from falling but by this time he couldn’t find the strength to reach high enough to grab the railing with his now free hand. He cried out in agony as he lost his only grip and fell with a loud thud to the hard surface below him.
Starsky watched him hit the floor and knew that there was no way that he would be able to recover from the fall. His body lay motionless in an awkward position as the dark haired detective glanced down at it. He could tell just by the look of him that the poor guy had more than a few broken bones.
Although his hands were hurting badly, Starsky forced himself to keep them moving…but his grip was getting weaker with each passing moment. Drops of blood from the cuts he had received from the rusty railing dripped down his arms slowly. It was a wire mesh that intertwined onto itself…great for decoration but not much for comfort. He glanced back down at Randy’s lifeless body and cringed at the thought of facing the same fate.
“SHIT!!…” The younger man yelled out as he felt the sharp pain begin to shoot up his leg. “HE SHOT ME!”
“PRUDHOLM!..” Hutch yelled as he tried desperately to draw him out. He knew that time was running out for his tired partner. “IT”S OVER…GIVE IT UP!”
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Cassie heard the shots ring out from inside the warehouse and decided it was time to get on the radio. She had heard her father and Hutch as they spoke to the dispatcher but she still didn’t have a clue what to say once she turned it on. She turned the key in the ignition to the accessory position and the radio came alive with chatter. She picked up the mic from its holder and took a quick breath before pushing in the button.
“Hello…this is an emergency!” She said into the mic and let go of the button as she waited for a response.
“Who is asking for assistance on this channel?” The dispatcher called back. The other police officers on the same frequency suddenly became silent as they listened to the conversation.
“My name is Cassie Bryant…we need help at the corner of Twelfth and Hudson…Officer David Starsky and Officer Ken Hutchinson are inside…I heard gunshots and I think they’re in trouble.”
“All units in the vicinity of Twelfth and Hudson…Shots have been fired…Officers need assistance… Please respond.” The dispatcher called over the speaker.
Cassie listened as two patrol cars answered the call and gave an ETA of about 15 minutes each. She knew that a lot could happen in fifteen minutes and she felt so helpless just waiting. There was no way she was just gonna sit there while they were getting shot at.
Then glancing around at the equipment in Hutch’s car…she suddenly came up with a plan….she only hoped it would buy them the time that they needed.
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Prudholm was about to answer Hutch’s request when the loud sound of a siren echoed through the warehouse from outside. He looked towards the back of the building and saw the flash of red lights as they spun around and around through the windows above.
Hutch was surprised at the light show and wailing siren since the fifteen minutes he had told Cassie to wait hadn’t passed yet…and even if she called them the moment his back was turned…the response time couldn’t have been that fast.
Starsky felt a little relief at the sound but his mind was on more pressing problem at the moment…like how to keep from loosing his grip as he still hung in mid air.
“THIS IS THE POLICE…PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!”
The considerably deep and barely recognizable voice of Cassie echoed through the warehouse. Over the PA system it was muffled and distorted but Hutch knew it was her. He only hoped Prudholm would buy it.
Atta’ girl Cas…Hutch thought to himself as he played along with her. “YOU HEAR THAT PRUDHOLM…COME ON OUT…YOU GOT NOWHERE TO GO!”
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Cassie jumped out of Hutch’s car and climbed into Starsky’s. After turning the key in the ignition enough to put power to the equipment she turned his siren on and placed the red light on top of his car as well.
Then she grabbed the mic on his radio and switched it to PA as she thought of something else to say. She cleared her throat once more and pushed the button…as she spoke in the deepest voice she could muster.
“I REPEAT…THIS IS THE POLICE…DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP…WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED!”
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“HUTCH!” Starsky yelled, as his hands began to slip from the sweat and the blood that had been building up on them. Along with the fact that he was loosing most of the feeling in his fingers and couldn’t tell just how secure his grip really was anymore. “HELP ME!”
“PRUDHOLM…” Hutch yelled as a thought occurred to him. “IF YOU LET HIM FALL…YOU”LL BE UP FOR MURDER ONE…NO MORE COUNTY HOSPITALS…THIS TIME IT”LL BE PRISON!”
“ALRIGHT…” Prudholm yelled back as he threw his gun into the middle of the room and stepped out carefully with his hands behind his head. .…and his fingers intertwined The sound of the sirens had finally convinced him that he might as well surrender.
Hutch ran over quickly and pushed him down to the concrete as he slapped the handcuffs on his wrists tightly. Then he looked up at his partner who appeared to be on the verge of passing out.
“HUTCH…!” Starsky screamed as he felt himself unwillingly letting go. His fingers slid off the railing slowly and he felt his body begin to fall…faster and faster…as he let out one last cry.
“AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 17
Hutch ran past the younger man on the floor to his left not paying any attention to him at all as he positioned himself quickly under his falling partner. He knew that he would be hurt himself if he allowed Starsky’s one hundred and eighty five pounds to hit him full force but he didn’t care. He had to try and break his fall even if it meant a few broken bones of his own. At least they would both survive it.
Starsky tried to keep his body in a curled position as he fell. He hadn’t noticed Hutch as he ran to his aid and stood under him ready for the sudden impact with his arms outstretched in attempt to catch him like a baby.
As they collided Hutch felt the worst sensation of pain he had ever experienced in his life as his right arm ripped away from it’s socket. His left wrist felt like someone had just hit it with a sledgehammer. His legs buckled from the sudden extra weight and he collapsed to the floor letting Starsky fall with him.
Starsky’s legs landed on Hutch’s left arm as he continued on to the floor. With the majority of his weight supported by Hutch’s right side, he was able to keep his head from impacting first. As Starsky landed on the concrete surface with Hutch on top of him…his right leg took the weight of both men. Three hundred and seventy pounds came crashing down on top of his upper thigh…causing a loud snap that seemed to echo through the warehouse accompanied by an agonizing scream as Starsky felt the bone break.
“OOOOOHHHHHHH…..AAAAAAWWWWHHHH…SSSSHHHHIIIIT!!”
Hutch yelled as he rolled off of his partner and laid his broken left wrist across his chest. He curled his body up to ease the pain of his newly dislocated right shoulder and also to relieve his partner of the extra weight.
“I can’t believe you just did that!” Prudholm said as he watched Hutch’s totally unselfish act. “And they called ME crazy!”
Starsky rolled himself over slowly…moaning loudly as the movement caused the pain to shoot down his leg. His jean shorts gave him a clear view and as he looked down to investigate the damage…fear gripped his entire body. The bone was broken all right. It was protruding from a large hole in his thigh and the sight of it almost made him pass out.
“Aawww…Hutch…my leg.” Starsky cried as he laid his head down and began to breathe rapidly. “God it hurts.”
Hutch managed to pull himself up to a sitting position so he could get a better look at his partner’s leg. He was horrified at the sight of the protruding bone but with both of his hands out of commission there really wasn’t much he could do about it.
“Just stay still buddy…” Hutch said in a calming voice. “Help is on the way.”
The younger man had been moving inch by inch as he made his way across the floor…Hutch hadn’t noticed him…or how close he was getting to the gun that lay just a few feet away.
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Cassie was tired of waiting…the minutes seemed like an eternity and the other patrol cars still hadn’t arrived yet. She hadn’t heard anything for the past few minutes and wondered if maybe they were shot and left to bleed to death while Prudholm got away through a side door…or maybe they were already dead. She couldn’t wait any longer…chances were that the danger was over…judging from the recent quiet. But just in case…she grabbed the shotgun from under Starsky’s front seat. It was loaded and the safety was on…she had shot one a couple times with her father a few years ago and she knew how to handle it.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 18...Final
Cassie had turned the sirens off and decided to wait for help to arrive…but the stress and the feeling of helplessness had gotten the best of her. She hadn’t heard anything for the past few minutes but she hoped that her little stunt had caught some attention. Maybe they had snuck out the front or one of the side doors…leaving both Dave and Hutch shot and bleeding or worse. If they had surrendered, Hutch would have let her know by now.
She just couldn’t wait any longer and so she grabbed the first aid kit from under Hutch’s seat and the shotgun from under Starsky’s. The safety was on and it was loaded. She knew how to use it after years of being the only child of a seasoned police officer who wished the whole time she was growing up for a son…who never came along. Learning how to shoot was just as important as learning how to ride a bike…in her father’s opinion.
She positioned the first aid kit over her shoulder by the strap that was attached to it and held the shotgun with the barrel pointing upwards as she made her way to the door. After taking a quick peak inside she entered quietly and found herself alone in a room…with another door in front of her.
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Starsky was breathing rapidly as sweat began to poor from his forehead…he had managed to pull his t shirt off and had by now tied it tightly around his thigh above the laceration. Surprisingly enough he hadn’t really lost that much blood. The bone that protruded from his leg had acted like a cork, forming a seal from the inside. Putting pressure on his leg helped to relieve the pain a little…at least now it wasn’t throbbing with his every heartbeat.
Hutch had positioned himself at his partner’s shoulders to elevate his head with his leg. His hands were totally useless with his left wrist broken and his right arm no longer in its socket. He couldn’t even wipe the sweat from Starsky’s face…and it was driving him crazy.
Prudholm was handcuffed from behind but had managed to get to his feet again. Randy lay on the floor still motionless so Prudholm assumed that he was done for. He had been watching as Hutch allowed his partner to fall on top of him and could see that neither one of them was in any shape to protest his walking around. The younger gunman whom Hutch had shot in the leg a few moments before was still reaching for his gun…which was still a few feet away from him. The sirens had put a scare into them both and they were still weary that the police might bust through the door at any given moment but Prudholm didn’t care. He still wanted his revenge…and now with the two of them injured and helpless…he would have it.
Starsky’s body began to tremble as shock set in and he started to feel sick to his stomach. He leaned a little more on his side as he began to wretch…but because he hadn’t eaten…all he could manage were dry spasms.
“Take it easy…try to relax.” Hutch said in a soothing voice. “I’d help you if I could.”
“It’s all right Hutch…” Starsky said in between his spasms. “You saved my life…that was enough.”
But to Hutch it wasn’t enough…seeing his partner like this was breaking his heart. As his stomach began to settle…Starsky turned his head back towards his partner and reached for his face…to wipe away the two small tears he saw there. Hutch noticed his hand as it drew closer and stared at it with concern.
“Your hands…Oh God Starsk…I’m sorry I made you hold on so long.” Hutch told him as he studied the deep cuts and dried blood that clung to his forearms.
“Hutch if you apologize one more time for saving my neck…I’m gonna hit you.” Starsky said as he forced a smile from his lips.
Hutch returned the smile and let out a whimper of a laugh…The small gesture from his partner to calm him… had been just what he needed.
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Prudholm had walked quietly over and kicked the gun closer to the younger man. With a bullet in his leg just above the knee…he still managed to pull himself up to a standing position. Prudholm provided him a little support as he held onto the older mans shoulder and limped closer to the two detectives sitting on the floor beside the fallen debris.
“Looks like we have ourselves a couple of cop hostages.” The younger man said with a smile.
“Give it up Prudholm.” Hutch said, not bothering to look up at him until his next sentence…then he turned his head slowly he said. “You’ve had it in for my partner for years…for something he didn’t have any control over and frankly…I’m sick and tired of it. You’re son died in prison…it happens…it’s a bad place…that’s why nobody wants to go there.” He told him as he glared into his eyes and his voice became a little louder. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe if you had been a decent father…things might have been different?”
“SHUT UP……You just shut your mouth Pig!” Prudholm said as Hutch’s words cut into his heart. He didn’t want to hear them. It wasn’t his fault…it was Starsky’s…for arresting his son. He had to believe that…it was the only thing that had been keeping him going all these years. If he didn’t have his hatred to keep him alive…he had nothing.
The next few moments went by so suddenly that neither Starsky nor Hutch had time to react…even if they could have.
Two very loud clicks echoed through the warehouse as Prudholm and the younger man looked at each other with puzzled expressions…and then glanced behind them.
Standing there with a stern look on her face and the barrel of the shotgun raised in a threatening position was Cassie. Without a single word…she had gotten their complete attention, and intended to keep it.
“Drop it….NOW!” She said as she held her ground…and she wasn’t bluffing.
“You can’t handle that rifle little girl.” Prudholm told her in a slightly calmer voice…but she could hear the fear in his throat.
“My father was a cop…” She said still holding them at bay. “I used to practice with tin cans…and they were a lot smaller than your head.”
The younger man had heard enough and let the gun fall to the floor as he raised his hands.
“KICK IT!” She yelled to him…and he complied without protest.
At that moment the whole warehouse sprung to life as the doors where kicked in and uniformed police officers came from every direction. Prudholm and his accomplice were taken into custody as Hutch dropped his head and released a long awaited sigh of relief. Then he gave Starsky a smile.
“Was that Cassie?” Starsky asked in a weak voice.
Cassie dropped the rifle as she rushed over to him and reached for his hand only to see him wince with pain as she touched his palm. She turned it over and a look of sadness crept over her pretty face when she saw the wounds. Then she glanced down at his leg and decided to try her best to keep from looking too concerned…for his sake.
“Cas…” He said as he lifted his head to see her…up until that very moment he wasn’t sure if she was dead or alive.
“I’m here…SHhhhhhhh…don’t talk…” She told him as she pulled the antiseptic spray from the kit and sprayed his hands with it. Then she gingerly began to wrap gauze around them as she spoke to him. “I wasn’t raped…I’m sorry I had to lie to you…I hated it…I didn’t want to….they made me…I..” She stopped suddenly as her throat tightened…and the tears began to fall. Her small fingers began to tremble as Hutch watched her…trying so hard to continue wrapping his hands.
Starsky just lifted his gauze wrapped hand to her face…and with the back of it…wiped away a tear.
“SHhhhhhhhhh…..” He told her. “Don’t talk.”
THE END
The lights of the car drew closer as Cassie stretched out her hand with her thumb in the air. It began to slow down and then came to a stop a few feet in front of her. She was very nervous as she walked carefully up to it…but felt a little relief when she realized that the driver was a woman.
“Hi.” Cassie said as she leaned down to the passenger window.
“What are you doing out here all by yourself?” The lady asked with concern as she rolled the passenger window down a little further to talk to her.
“I could really use a ride back home.” She told her. “It’s a long story.”
“Climb in and you can tell me on the way.” The lady offered as she unlocked the door and waited for her to get in.
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They left the van on the side of the road and drove the blue Chevy to a payphone at a gas station Prudholm dropped a dime into the slot and reached into his back pocket to pull out his wallet. He took out a small faded piece of paper and unfolded it. A phone number that he had kept on him from a few years back. He still had one card left to play.
The phone rang loudly as it broke the silence in the room. A very tired and emotionally drained dark haired man had been sleeping on the couch were he had finally drifted off. The music had stopped a couple of hours before and the turntable on the Hi Fi was still spinning.
“Yeah.” He said as he held the phone in his left hand and pushed himself into a more comfortable position with his right arm.
“Starsky.” Prudholm’s harsh voice came on the line. “It’s time.”
“Prudholm!” He said with astonishment as he recognized the voice. “Where are you?”
“You knew I would be calling didn’t you? The old man said to him…hoping to drive him to a meet. “This is between me and you…nobody else. I’m gonna give you one last chance to save her life.”
“She’s still alive?” Starsky asked with a new ray of hope in his heart. “You didn’t kill her?”
“I just wanted you to suffer cop.” Prudholm told him. “The way I’ve been made to suffer… ever since you killed my boy.”
“So what’s the game Prudholm?” Starsky asked as he stood up with the phone casing in one hand and the receiver in the other.
“Just a little cat and mouse…you win and you get to take her home with you…I win and you both die.” He said as he played out his last card carefully. He had to drive him out before she had time to make it back to him…or to flag down a patrol car. If he could convince him that he still had her…he knew Starsky wouldn’t be able to resist.
“You got it Prudholm…Just name the place.” Starsky said.
“Good…but first there’s just a couple of minor details.” Prudholm began. “No badge…and don’t try to call that big blonde friend of yours.”
“I don’t need a badge to kick your ass.” Starsky told him. “And I don’t need Hutch either.”
“And one more thing cop…no gun.” Prudholm cautioned him.
“No problem.” Starsky told him. “Where?” He asked as he grabbed a pencil and a pad of paper from the drawer of the end table.
“There’s an old deserted warehouse on the corner of 12th and Hudson.” The old man said.
“I know the place.” Starsky called back to him.
“Twenty minutes.”
“You’re on.” He answered and hung up the phone.
Starsky thought about it for a minute as he sat the phone back down. This was insane…he knew he would be walking into a trap. Prudholm had waited till the middle of the night to coax him out and without his gun he would be an easy target. Cassie was just the bait…she may already be dead but he had no way of knowing for sure now. The only thing he did know was that Prudholm may be known for a lot of things, but the fact that he was a compulsive liar ranked among the top ten. He wasn’t a man to be trusted.
He decided to call Hutch. He knew what Prudholm had told him but he wasn’t stupid…he wasn’t about to walk in there naked. He would need Hutch to watch his back. If Cassie was still alive he didn’t need to take any chances. He dialed the phone quickly and waited for him to answer it….one ring….two rings….three rings….four…five. Where the hell could he be at this time of night? Did Prudholm have him too? Is that why he told him not to call? Would they use Hutch and Cassie to get to him? Or did they kidnap Hutch because she was already dead? Starsky didn’t know what to think.
Starsky had written down the directions on the pad but didn’t bother to tear it off. He knew the location and there was no need to take it with him. He pulled his badge from his back pocket and threw it on the coffee table. Then he headed for the door and stopped to glance up at his gun and holster that hung next to it. Cassie and Hutch were missing. The two people in the world that he loved more than his own life. He knew that if he brought his gun they might both be killed. After taking a moment to think it over he decided to pull it out of the holster. He then carefully shoved it into the back of his jean shorts and pulled his shirt down over it. Without Hutch…He would just have to take the chance.
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Cassie told the lady how to get to Hutch’s place since they were on that side of town and his place was closer. Anyway chances were that they would be together and she might find both of them there.
“It’s just a little further.” She told the lady.
“By the way my name is Robbin.” The young lady said and what’s yours?”
“Cassie Bryant.” She told her. “I’m sorry to make you go out of your way like this.”
“It’s alright…I just want to see you get home safely.” Robbin replied.
They finally pulled up to the little house by the lake and Cassie was relieved to see Hutch’s car in the driveway. She knew where Hutch kept his spare key even if he wasn’t home. She thanked Robbin again for the ride and assured her that she would be all right. She got out quickly and ran up to the door as Robbin backed her car out of the driveway and left her there.
She pounded loudly on the outside of the door and then stepped back to wait for a response. A light came on in the living room and she could hear a groggy Hutch mumbling to himself as he stumbled to the door.
“Who is it?” He asked as he leaned with his hand against the door in his robe and waited.
“The tooth fairy.” She yelled with a smile. She knew he would recognize her. It was a game they would always play with each other.
Hutch unlocked the door quickly and threw it open wide.
“CASSIE!” He cried out as he lifted her up in a big bear hug and spun her around and around as he buried his face in her neck and let out a loud cry of excitement. Cassie broke into tears as she hugged him tightly. They were both so relieved to see each other. The emotional embrace lasted for a few moments until he finally stood her back up and stepped back to look at her.
“How in the world?” Hutch asked as he checked her over carefully. He grabbed her by the chin and turned her head to one side and then the other. He noticed the split lip and the bruise on the side of her face where Prudholm had apparently struck her.
“I had to get away…so I jumped out of the van.” She told him. “They switched vehicles and stole a dark blue Chevy…I have the license number.” She said as she continued. “Anyway…I ran as fast as I could and then I caught a ride from a nice lady.” Cassie said, not wanting to mention the fact that she had been forced to hitch hike home.
“We have to call the station and give them the information.” Hutch replied as he tried to take in the whole story. “Oh Cas we thought you were dead…I swear sometimes I think you must have a guardian angel watching over you.”
“I do.” She told him with a smile.
Hutch pulled both her arms up and took note of the scrapes on her elbows as well as the ones on her legs. Her knees were also bloody but they didn’t look too bad.
“So how fast were you going when you hit the pavement.” He asked her.
“Not very…Oh God Hutch it’s so good to be home.” She told him as she hugged him once again.
“I gotta call Starsky…You have no idea how happy he’s gonna be to see you.” Hutch told her as he pulled her chin up and stared into her large brown eyes. “And we still have to call in the vehicle description.”
“You can do that from your car…on the way…I want to surprise him.” She said with a smile. “He loves surprises.”
Well…not usually Hutch thought to himself…but he’ll love this one.
“Alright…just give me a second to get dressed.” He told her.
Hutch threw on a shirt and a pair of pants and grabbed his gun and holster from above the door out of force of habit. He had trained himself never to walk out the door without it…even when he went on a date he sometimes had to take moment to remind himself that he didn’t need it. But if he were in a hurry it would usually end up tagging along. The two of them hurried out the door and jumped into his car. They were both so relieved to put all of this behind them…and now with the description of the vehicle along with the plate number, Prudholm wouldn’t get very far. Hutch thought to himself as he picked up the mic to call it in. The only thing that mattered now was that Cassie was home…and the look on Starsky’s face when she showed up at his door would be priceless.
As his car pulled out of the driveway the phone at Hutch’s place began to ring. Once…twice…three times…four…and after fifth and final ring the house was silent. Starsky had missed them by only a few seconds.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 14
Starsky drove to the meet with anticipation as he prayed for a miracle. The thought that Cassie might still be alive had given him a new sense of hope. But he knew he would be alone against an undisclosed number of other men and he wasn’t looking forward to standing up to them without his partner. The only way he felt he would have a chance at all was if they really did have Hutch. Because his partner would find a way to help him…tied up or not.
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Hutch called in the description of the car that Prudholm and his men had stolen along with the license plate number. Cassie had also given him a real good description of the other two men and that information was relayed as well. During the drive, She told Hutch that Randy had tried…but she hadn’t been raped. She hated to have to lie to Dave like that but she had been given no choice. Hutch assured her that Starsky would understand and that everything was going to be fine.
They pulled up to Starsky’s apartment and were both surprised not to see the Torino in the driveway. It wasn’t like him to be gone at this time of night and the last thing he had told Hutch was that he was going to bed. Cassie got out and started to go inside. Hutch opened the driver’s door and called to her.
“Cassie…stay with me tonight.” He suggested. “I can’t leave you here alone.”
She walked over to his side of the car to talk to him. “I’m worried about him.” She said as she stood there. “I want to stay until he gets home.”
“I’m not leaving you here by yourself.” Hutch told her with conviction.
“Alright…” She reluctantly agreed. “Just let me go in and grab a few things then.”
“I’ll go in with you.” He told her as he got out and escorted her to the door.
Cassie turned her key in the door and they both stepped inside. It was quiet and dimly lit. Only the small lamp on the end table by the couch was on along with a small ray of light that came from under his bedroom door. Cassie walked around the living room curiously as she listened for the strange sound that was coming from the corner of the room. Hutch followed her cautiously as a glimpse of something shinny caught his eye and caused him to turn his head quickly. There on the coffee table was his badge…lying open with his police ID facing upwards. Meanwhile, Cassie had found the source of the strange noise as she noticed the turntable on the HI FI spinning with her favorite Bee Gee’s record turning round and round on top of it.
“Hutch.” Cassie called to him. “He’s been playing my records.”
Hutch walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders from behind.
“He was pretty depressed.” He told her in a soft whisper. “He really loves you ya know.”
“His bedroom light is on.” Cassie told him as she spun around. “Did you look in there?”
“No need to.” Hutch said calmly. “His car’s gone…I found his badge on the coffee table.”
“Where do you suppose he is?” Cassie asked curiously.
“I don’t know…maybe he couldn’t sleep and went down to the beach.” Hutch told her as he walked around the room looking for more clues. “He likes to go there when he gets this way.”
Cassie began to look around carefully with him. Neither one of them really believed the words that Hutch had just spoken. It was just a feeble attempt to ease her mind…and she knew it.
Suddenly she saw something that caught her attention and caused her to panic.
“Hutch…look.” She yelled as she grabbed it down from the hook that it had been resting on.
Hutch walked over and took it from her as he studied it. It was Starsky’s holster but his gun was missing from it. This didn’t look good. Was he so depressed that he was gonna go somewhere and blow his brains out? Hutch thought for a moment as he stared at it. Not Starsky…he wouldn’t do something like that would he? Hutch remembered what he had overheard that night in the hospital…when she was so deathly sick. He had been listening at the door when Starsky said those words. The night that he told Cassie how he really felt…deep in his heart. She was still in her coma and he hadn’t noticed Hutch at the door. It was then in that moment of anguish and desperation that he leaned over her and confessed his love.
“Hutch?” Cassie asked as she moved her hand in front of his face to get his attention. “Are you alright?” He had been standing there holding the holster with a blank look on his face…as if he had just checked out of the reality hotel.
“Sorry.” He said as he shook his head and looked at her with a weak un-convincing smile.
“Something’s wrong…I can see it in your face.” She said, as she looked him in the eye. “Tell me.”
“He took his gun Cas…he wouldn’t take it to the beach with him…or the store or where ever in the hell else he would go at this time of night.” He told her as he confessed to the fact that this one thing in particular had now caused him to really worry.
As Cassie listened to Hutch she happened to glance down and spotted the note pad lying on the end table next to the lamp. She picked it up and turned it over to read what was on the other side. The words…Twelfth and Hudson had been scribbled on it sloppily in Starsky’s handwriting as if he had been in a hurry to write it down. She read it quickly and then handed it to Hutch.
“Look at this.” She said as she gave it to him.
Hutch glanced at it and then back at Cassie. It was directions to an old abandoned warehouse. He was familiar with the address.
“Stay here Cassie.” He said suddenly as he turned to head for the door.
“What is it Hutch?” She asked him in a panicked voice.
“Just do what I tell you and stay put.” He told her a little more serious.
Cassie grabbed him by the arm and pleaded with him desperately. “Tell me what’s going on?” She insisted.
“Lock the door and wait for me.” He told her as he pulled his arm away.
Cassie pushed him away from the door with both her hands as hard as she could and stood in front of it…blocking his way out.
“STOP IT CAS.” He said as he grabbed her by both arms and pulled her away from it. “I’m not kidding.”
“Take me with you.” She pleaded with him as she started to cry. “Please Hutch…I feel like this is all my fault…I gotta know that he’s alright.”
Hutch looked at her for a moment as a small tear began to fall down her bruised cheek. He knew now what had happened to Starsky. He had figured it out as soon as he saw the scribbled instructions. Prudholm had summoned him to a meet. Probably because he had lost Cassie and wanted to drive him out before she could make it back to him. Hutch knew what his partner was walking into…that’s why he left his badge and why he took his gun out of the holster. It all made sense to him now.
But the tears that had begun to flow steadily down her face were getting to him. She had been through so much already and look at her…standing there demanding to go with him. How could he refuse her?
“Alright…but you have to promise me that you’ll stay in the car.” Hutch told her as he grabbed the doorknob to open it. “I mean it.”
“Ok…I promise.” She said as she took her index finger and touched it to her chest…and drew an X across it. “Cross my heart.”
And hope to die Hutch thought as he remembered the gesture from his childhood. He only hoped it meant the same thing now as it did back then. “C’mon let’s go.” He said as he placed his hand on her back and escorted her out the door… closing it behind him.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 15
Starsky pulled his car up slowly to the back entrance of the warehouse with his headlights off. He had decided to stake the place out first before announcing his presence. If he could get an idea as to just how many men were inside and the approximate area they were holdup…he would have a much better chance of surviving the ordeal. With no one to watch his back and no hope for the Calvary to come to his rescue in the nick of time…he had to be extra careful. One bad judgement call and he would be at the mercy of a madman.
He decided to take a quick stroll around the building to see if he could catch sight of the vehicle that they had arrived in. He found what he was looking for as he rounded the southeast corner. A dark blue Chevy Malibu with white walls and a black convertible top. He made a quick mental note of the plate number just in case and decided for himself that with no other cars in sight…he couldn’t be dealing with more than four or so bad guys. Judging from the size of it. If they had Hutch and Cassie with them…the number may even be less.
Starsky knew that he had to go in and announce himself…but he wasn’t about to just stand there and let them blow him away. He walked back around the building quickly and opened the door just far enough to see if there might be anything that he could use for cover…before he made his entrance. The room as far as he could tell was very dimly lit with a few scattered pieces of machinery and stacks of boxes along one wall. He remembered that the place was used for storage by a large canning company a few years back…and was abandoned when the business went belly up. He opened the door a little further and stepped in quickly…ducking behind one of the large machines as he blinked his eyes to adjust them to the darkness.
He found himself in a smaller area than he had first imagined. A door at the other end of the room seemed to lead to other parts of the warehouse. He pulled the gun from the back of his shorts and stepped around the confined area in a crouched position to make sure that he was alone before going any further.
As he put his hand on the doorknob he listened to the faint sound of voices that had become evident as he stepped closer. Prudholm definitely, but the other two were unfamiliar to him. Three separate voices were arguing apparently over the reason that they had come there. One demanding that they leave with the money and another making the comment to Prudholm that his obsession with that cop was gonna land them all in jail. Then there was Prudholm…telling them both to shut up and wait.
Starsky took the opportunity to quietly go through the door and hide himself behind a huge wall of boxes as he listened to them still bickering and bellyaching. Still only hearing three voices…so far no mention of Cassie or Hutch. He could hear the voices echo as they called to each other from opposite sides of the huge area in the darkness. They weren’t speaking very loud…almost in whispers…but in the quiet void the sound carried and seemed to bounce off the walls at him. All of a sudden Starsky heard one of them ask a question that finally gave him an answer to one of his own.
“Do you think he’ll bring the other one?” Randy whispered to his boss from across the warehouse as he held his position on the catwalk above.
“He’ll be here…so what if he brings his partner.” Prudholm yelled back still in a loud whisper. “We’ll just kill them both.”
They didn’t have Hutch. Starsky thought to himself as he leaned against the heavy boxes and held his gun in his left hand across his chest. So why didn’t he answer the phone earlier? Where was he? He couldn’t seem to pinpoint an exact location on Prudholm or the other man on the bottom level with him…but he was sure that one of the voices was coming from somewhere overhead. With that in mind he decided to climb up and surprise him before announcing his arrival. Two against one sounded like better odds to him.
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Hutch pulled up alongside Starsky’s car at the back of the warehouse and drew his gun as he stepped out of his car.
“Stay here while I check it out.” Hutch told her. “If I’m not out in fifteen minutes…get on the radio and call for backup.”
“Be careful Hutch.” She called to him as he crept over to the door and pulled it open slowly. He glanced back for a moment and motioned to her to keep her head down…and then he ducked inside.
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Starsky moved quietly to a corner of the large airport hanger sized room and found a ladder that lead to the catwalk above. He shoved his gun back into the back of his jean shorts as he began to climb slowly up it. Randy was perched above him with his eyes on the ground level but even from where he stood the darkness made it difficult to see everything clearly. The moonlight shining through the overhead skylight had given Starsky a clear view of a man’s silhouette, as he stood poised with a large handgun at the end of the platform. He crept up slowly from behind him and drew his gun from the back of his shorts once more.
Randy hadn’t noticed him at all and Starsky was about to make his move when suddenly he stepped on a weak spot. The catwalk creaked loudly and one of the chains that held his weight gave way…sending both men off balance and reaching out for whatever they could to keep from falling the thirty or so feet to the hard concrete floor below.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER16
He grabbed hold of the railing with his right hand as the platform tipped suddenly. A second cable broke free with the strain of the extra weight and the entire structure began to dangle from the remaining two. Starsky felt his own body weight pull heavily as his feet no longer held him and had to reach up with his left hand to keep from falling. His gun fell with a loud thump onto the floor as Randy let out and agonizing cry. He was hanging on with only one hand refusing to release his grip on the gun in his other one. Prudholm and the other young man stepped out from hiding to see what was going on and Hutch burst through the small door in the back when he heard the commotion.
“Hold it!” Hutch yelled as he brought his gun down in front of him. He had a clear view of the two men on the bottom level as they turned and opened fire on him. He returned two rounds quickly as he ducked behind the large boxes for cover. Prudholm managed to scramble behind a large piece of machinery but a bullet from Hutch’s gun had hit it’s target and the younger man collapsed onto the concrete floor holding his leg and crying out in pain. Randy was barely hanging on and the platform was still swinging back and forth from the weight of both men.
“Starsk…are you alright?” Hutch called to him as he watched his dangling body overhead.
“I can’t hold on much longer.” He replied as he kicked his feet and fought to keep his grip.
Randy finally dropped his gun in an effort to keep from falling but by this time he couldn’t find the strength to reach high enough to grab the railing with his now free hand. He cried out in agony as he lost his only grip and fell with a loud thud to the hard surface below him.
Starsky watched him hit the floor and knew that there was no way that he would be able to recover from the fall. His body lay motionless in an awkward position as the dark haired detective glanced down at it. He could tell just by the look of him that the poor guy had more than a few broken bones.
Although his hands were hurting badly, Starsky forced himself to keep them moving…but his grip was getting weaker with each passing moment. Drops of blood from the cuts he had received from the rusty railing dripped down his arms slowly. It was a wire mesh that intertwined onto itself…great for decoration but not much for comfort. He glanced back down at Randy’s lifeless body and cringed at the thought of facing the same fate.
“SHIT!!…” The younger man yelled out as he felt the sharp pain begin to shoot up his leg. “HE SHOT ME!”
“PRUDHOLM!..” Hutch yelled as he tried desperately to draw him out. He knew that time was running out for his tired partner. “IT”S OVER…GIVE IT UP!”
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Cassie heard the shots ring out from inside the warehouse and decided it was time to get on the radio. She had heard her father and Hutch as they spoke to the dispatcher but she still didn’t have a clue what to say once she turned it on. She turned the key in the ignition to the accessory position and the radio came alive with chatter. She picked up the mic from its holder and took a quick breath before pushing in the button.
“Hello…this is an emergency!” She said into the mic and let go of the button as she waited for a response.
“Who is asking for assistance on this channel?” The dispatcher called back. The other police officers on the same frequency suddenly became silent as they listened to the conversation.
“My name is Cassie Bryant…we need help at the corner of Twelfth and Hudson…Officer David Starsky and Officer Ken Hutchinson are inside…I heard gunshots and I think they’re in trouble.”
“All units in the vicinity of Twelfth and Hudson…Shots have been fired…Officers need assistance… Please respond.” The dispatcher called over the speaker.
Cassie listened as two patrol cars answered the call and gave an ETA of about 15 minutes each. She knew that a lot could happen in fifteen minutes and she felt so helpless just waiting. There was no way she was just gonna sit there while they were getting shot at.
Then glancing around at the equipment in Hutch’s car…she suddenly came up with a plan….she only hoped it would buy them the time that they needed.
**************
Prudholm was about to answer Hutch’s request when the loud sound of a siren echoed through the warehouse from outside. He looked towards the back of the building and saw the flash of red lights as they spun around and around through the windows above.
Hutch was surprised at the light show and wailing siren since the fifteen minutes he had told Cassie to wait hadn’t passed yet…and even if she called them the moment his back was turned…the response time couldn’t have been that fast.
Starsky felt a little relief at the sound but his mind was on more pressing problem at the moment…like how to keep from loosing his grip as he still hung in mid air.
“THIS IS THE POLICE…PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!”
The considerably deep and barely recognizable voice of Cassie echoed through the warehouse. Over the PA system it was muffled and distorted but Hutch knew it was her. He only hoped Prudholm would buy it.
Atta’ girl Cas…Hutch thought to himself as he played along with her. “YOU HEAR THAT PRUDHOLM…COME ON OUT…YOU GOT NOWHERE TO GO!”
***********************
Cassie jumped out of Hutch’s car and climbed into Starsky’s. After turning the key in the ignition enough to put power to the equipment she turned his siren on and placed the red light on top of his car as well.
Then she grabbed the mic on his radio and switched it to PA as she thought of something else to say. She cleared her throat once more and pushed the button…as she spoke in the deepest voice she could muster.
“I REPEAT…THIS IS THE POLICE…DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP…WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED!”
************
“HUTCH!” Starsky yelled, as his hands began to slip from the sweat and the blood that had been building up on them. Along with the fact that he was loosing most of the feeling in his fingers and couldn’t tell just how secure his grip really was anymore. “HELP ME!”
“PRUDHOLM…” Hutch yelled as a thought occurred to him. “IF YOU LET HIM FALL…YOU”LL BE UP FOR MURDER ONE…NO MORE COUNTY HOSPITALS…THIS TIME IT”LL BE PRISON!”
“ALRIGHT…” Prudholm yelled back as he threw his gun into the middle of the room and stepped out carefully with his hands behind his head. .…and his fingers intertwined The sound of the sirens had finally convinced him that he might as well surrender.
Hutch ran over quickly and pushed him down to the concrete as he slapped the handcuffs on his wrists tightly. Then he looked up at his partner who appeared to be on the verge of passing out.
“HUTCH…!” Starsky screamed as he felt himself unwillingly letting go. His fingers slid off the railing slowly and he felt his body begin to fall…faster and faster…as he let out one last cry.
“AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 17
Hutch ran past the younger man on the floor to his left not paying any attention to him at all as he positioned himself quickly under his falling partner. He knew that he would be hurt himself if he allowed Starsky’s one hundred and eighty five pounds to hit him full force but he didn’t care. He had to try and break his fall even if it meant a few broken bones of his own. At least they would both survive it.
Starsky tried to keep his body in a curled position as he fell. He hadn’t noticed Hutch as he ran to his aid and stood under him ready for the sudden impact with his arms outstretched in attempt to catch him like a baby.
As they collided Hutch felt the worst sensation of pain he had ever experienced in his life as his right arm ripped away from it’s socket. His left wrist felt like someone had just hit it with a sledgehammer. His legs buckled from the sudden extra weight and he collapsed to the floor letting Starsky fall with him.
Starsky’s legs landed on Hutch’s left arm as he continued on to the floor. With the majority of his weight supported by Hutch’s right side, he was able to keep his head from impacting first. As Starsky landed on the concrete surface with Hutch on top of him…his right leg took the weight of both men. Three hundred and seventy pounds came crashing down on top of his upper thigh…causing a loud snap that seemed to echo through the warehouse accompanied by an agonizing scream as Starsky felt the bone break.
“OOOOOHHHHHHH…..AAAAAAWWWWHHHH…SSSSHHHHIIIIT!!”
Hutch yelled as he rolled off of his partner and laid his broken left wrist across his chest. He curled his body up to ease the pain of his newly dislocated right shoulder and also to relieve his partner of the extra weight.
“I can’t believe you just did that!” Prudholm said as he watched Hutch’s totally unselfish act. “And they called ME crazy!”
Starsky rolled himself over slowly…moaning loudly as the movement caused the pain to shoot down his leg. His jean shorts gave him a clear view and as he looked down to investigate the damage…fear gripped his entire body. The bone was broken all right. It was protruding from a large hole in his thigh and the sight of it almost made him pass out.
“Aawww…Hutch…my leg.” Starsky cried as he laid his head down and began to breathe rapidly. “God it hurts.”
Hutch managed to pull himself up to a sitting position so he could get a better look at his partner’s leg. He was horrified at the sight of the protruding bone but with both of his hands out of commission there really wasn’t much he could do about it.
“Just stay still buddy…” Hutch said in a calming voice. “Help is on the way.”
The younger man had been moving inch by inch as he made his way across the floor…Hutch hadn’t noticed him…or how close he was getting to the gun that lay just a few feet away.
********************
Cassie was tired of waiting…the minutes seemed like an eternity and the other patrol cars still hadn’t arrived yet. She hadn’t heard anything for the past few minutes and wondered if maybe they were shot and left to bleed to death while Prudholm got away through a side door…or maybe they were already dead. She couldn’t wait any longer…chances were that the danger was over…judging from the recent quiet. But just in case…she grabbed the shotgun from under Starsky’s front seat. It was loaded and the safety was on…she had shot one a couple times with her father a few years ago and she knew how to handle it.
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“CAT AND MOUSE”
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 18...Final
Cassie had turned the sirens off and decided to wait for help to arrive…but the stress and the feeling of helplessness had gotten the best of her. She hadn’t heard anything for the past few minutes but she hoped that her little stunt had caught some attention. Maybe they had snuck out the front or one of the side doors…leaving both Dave and Hutch shot and bleeding or worse. If they had surrendered, Hutch would have let her know by now.
She just couldn’t wait any longer and so she grabbed the first aid kit from under Hutch’s seat and the shotgun from under Starsky’s. The safety was on and it was loaded. She knew how to use it after years of being the only child of a seasoned police officer who wished the whole time she was growing up for a son…who never came along. Learning how to shoot was just as important as learning how to ride a bike…in her father’s opinion.
She positioned the first aid kit over her shoulder by the strap that was attached to it and held the shotgun with the barrel pointing upwards as she made her way to the door. After taking a quick peak inside she entered quietly and found herself alone in a room…with another door in front of her.
********************
Starsky was breathing rapidly as sweat began to poor from his forehead…he had managed to pull his t shirt off and had by now tied it tightly around his thigh above the laceration. Surprisingly enough he hadn’t really lost that much blood. The bone that protruded from his leg had acted like a cork, forming a seal from the inside. Putting pressure on his leg helped to relieve the pain a little…at least now it wasn’t throbbing with his every heartbeat.
Hutch had positioned himself at his partner’s shoulders to elevate his head with his leg. His hands were totally useless with his left wrist broken and his right arm no longer in its socket. He couldn’t even wipe the sweat from Starsky’s face…and it was driving him crazy.
Prudholm was handcuffed from behind but had managed to get to his feet again. Randy lay on the floor still motionless so Prudholm assumed that he was done for. He had been watching as Hutch allowed his partner to fall on top of him and could see that neither one of them was in any shape to protest his walking around. The younger gunman whom Hutch had shot in the leg a few moments before was still reaching for his gun…which was still a few feet away from him. The sirens had put a scare into them both and they were still weary that the police might bust through the door at any given moment but Prudholm didn’t care. He still wanted his revenge…and now with the two of them injured and helpless…he would have it.
Starsky’s body began to tremble as shock set in and he started to feel sick to his stomach. He leaned a little more on his side as he began to wretch…but because he hadn’t eaten…all he could manage were dry spasms.
“Take it easy…try to relax.” Hutch said in a soothing voice. “I’d help you if I could.”
“It’s all right Hutch…” Starsky said in between his spasms. “You saved my life…that was enough.”
But to Hutch it wasn’t enough…seeing his partner like this was breaking his heart. As his stomach began to settle…Starsky turned his head back towards his partner and reached for his face…to wipe away the two small tears he saw there. Hutch noticed his hand as it drew closer and stared at it with concern.
“Your hands…Oh God Starsk…I’m sorry I made you hold on so long.” Hutch told him as he studied the deep cuts and dried blood that clung to his forearms.
“Hutch if you apologize one more time for saving my neck…I’m gonna hit you.” Starsky said as he forced a smile from his lips.
Hutch returned the smile and let out a whimper of a laugh…The small gesture from his partner to calm him… had been just what he needed.
******************
Prudholm had walked quietly over and kicked the gun closer to the younger man. With a bullet in his leg just above the knee…he still managed to pull himself up to a standing position. Prudholm provided him a little support as he held onto the older mans shoulder and limped closer to the two detectives sitting on the floor beside the fallen debris.
“Looks like we have ourselves a couple of cop hostages.” The younger man said with a smile.
“Give it up Prudholm.” Hutch said, not bothering to look up at him until his next sentence…then he turned his head slowly he said. “You’ve had it in for my partner for years…for something he didn’t have any control over and frankly…I’m sick and tired of it. You’re son died in prison…it happens…it’s a bad place…that’s why nobody wants to go there.” He told him as he glared into his eyes and his voice became a little louder. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe if you had been a decent father…things might have been different?”
“SHUT UP……You just shut your mouth Pig!” Prudholm said as Hutch’s words cut into his heart. He didn’t want to hear them. It wasn’t his fault…it was Starsky’s…for arresting his son. He had to believe that…it was the only thing that had been keeping him going all these years. If he didn’t have his hatred to keep him alive…he had nothing.
The next few moments went by so suddenly that neither Starsky nor Hutch had time to react…even if they could have.
Two very loud clicks echoed through the warehouse as Prudholm and the younger man looked at each other with puzzled expressions…and then glanced behind them.
Standing there with a stern look on her face and the barrel of the shotgun raised in a threatening position was Cassie. Without a single word…she had gotten their complete attention, and intended to keep it.
“Drop it….NOW!” She said as she held her ground…and she wasn’t bluffing.
“You can’t handle that rifle little girl.” Prudholm told her in a slightly calmer voice…but she could hear the fear in his throat.
“My father was a cop…” She said still holding them at bay. “I used to practice with tin cans…and they were a lot smaller than your head.”
The younger man had heard enough and let the gun fall to the floor as he raised his hands.
“KICK IT!” She yelled to him…and he complied without protest.
At that moment the whole warehouse sprung to life as the doors where kicked in and uniformed police officers came from every direction. Prudholm and his accomplice were taken into custody as Hutch dropped his head and released a long awaited sigh of relief. Then he gave Starsky a smile.
“Was that Cassie?” Starsky asked in a weak voice.
Cassie dropped the rifle as she rushed over to him and reached for his hand only to see him wince with pain as she touched his palm. She turned it over and a look of sadness crept over her pretty face when she saw the wounds. Then she glanced down at his leg and decided to try her best to keep from looking too concerned…for his sake.
“Cas…” He said as he lifted his head to see her…up until that very moment he wasn’t sure if she was dead or alive.
“I’m here…SHhhhhhhh…don’t talk…” She told him as she pulled the antiseptic spray from the kit and sprayed his hands with it. Then she gingerly began to wrap gauze around them as she spoke to him. “I wasn’t raped…I’m sorry I had to lie to you…I hated it…I didn’t want to….they made me…I..” She stopped suddenly as her throat tightened…and the tears began to fall. Her small fingers began to tremble as Hutch watched her…trying so hard to continue wrapping his hands.
Starsky just lifted his gauze wrapped hand to her face…and with the back of it…wiped away a tear.
“SHhhhhhhhhh…..” He told her. “Don’t talk.”
THE END
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