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It was three days before Christmas. Hutch whistled cheerfully as he hung a wreath made of holly and pine cones on his front door. He quickly went back inside to string a garland of gold and red tinsel between two pictures before checking the time. His partner was due any moment. He put his holster on and then slipped into his jacket just as he heard Starsky coming up the stairs.
"Very nice," Starsky said, indicating the wreath with a thumb.
Hutch beamed at getting the Starsky seal of approval.
His partner looked around the apartment and saw a few other little Christmas touches.
"Not bad at all, Blintz. Nice to see you've got your Christmas spirit back this year."
Hutch nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed, as he said, "We'd better get going."
"Yeah. Dobey'll be grouchy if we're late.
With Starsky leading the way, they hurried outside and climbed into the Torino. Hutch tried not to roll his eyes at the sight of even more tinsel than yesterday decorating the interior.
But he couldn't help pointing at the only bit of dashboard that he could see and saying, "I think your elves missed a spot!"
Starsky just chuckled and looked pleased with himself.
"I'm really looking forward to Christmas Day. It was really nice of Mrs Ramos to invite us for dinner again this year."
"Yeah. You know? We should offer to take a dessert," Hutch suggested, "and do you think we should give Graciela some money towards the turkey?"
Starsky nodded. "Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's go round after work and make the offer."
Starsky parked the Torino out front and the two of them made their way up the wide, concrete steps to the front door. Hutch held the door open for his partner.
"Why, thank you, kind sir," Starsky said, in a mock Southern accent.
Hutch chuckled as he gave Starsky a shove forwards.
"Dobey's looking for you two," was the greeting from the Desk Sargent.
"Great," Starsky muttered, as the two of them sobered quickly and exchanged despondent looks.
As they walked up the internal stairs, Hutch sighed, "Too much to hope that the criminal element would take a few days off over the Season."
Starsky clapped his shoulder. "Yeah, they obviously aren't feeling the Christmas spirit yet."
The two of them walked into the squad room. As if magically alerted to their presence, Dobey appeared, looking grim.
"My office. Now."
Starsky paused at the coffee machine and poured the last of the dark liquid into two mugs while Hutch followed Dobey into the office.
As he looked at the now empty glass holder, Starsky observed, "Coffee pot needs refilling."
A civilian aide went past and he looked at her hopefully. She took the hint and reached for the coffee pot. Starsky gave her his best smile.
"Thanks, schweetheart."
"STARSKY!" the Captain's voice bellowed. "What's keeping you?"
Starsky rolled his eyes and the aide giggled.
He hurried into Dobey's office, pushing the door closed with his foot. He placed one coffee in front of his captain and handed the other one to Hutch, who took a sip and passed it back with a grimace. Starsky took a sip and shrugged then turned to Dobey.
"What can we do for you, Cap?" he asked as he sat down on the arm of Hutch's chair.
Dobey stared at the file in front of him. He sighed loudly then handed it over to them. Hutch opened the file and held it so that they could both read the contents.
"I need seasoned detectives on this. Ones who can handle the victims with sensitivity too," he said with a hint of apology as well as explanation.
Starsky could feel the gloom descending on his partner. He tried to read quicker to catch up to where Hutch was at. He read the details and internally cursed. Cases with elderly victims were always hard. Cases with elderly victims at Christmas time somehow seemed much worse. Starsky hoped this case wouldn't douse the tentative flames of his partner's Christmas spirit.
"All attacked just after they'd been to the bank to cash their social security checks. Most of them paid the majority straight into their savings accounts. They just had enough cash for their week's shopping. Attacked for peanuts," Dobey said with disgust.
"The level of low life just keeps getting lower," Hutch muttered.
Starsky said, "I agree these are horrible crimes but...well, I mean we've got a homicide we haven't closed yet. Why us on this one, Cap?"
"Because I said so!" Dobey barked, but then his face dropped. He sat back in his chair and wiped his face with a handkerchief. "I'm getting heat from the Mayor. Crimes like these make people nervous about coming into the city. It's nearly Christmas, people want to shop in safety."
Hutch felt his temperature rising. Before he could explode, Starsky placed a hand on his arm, willing him to stay calm.
Dobey sighed. "What I said before...I want men on this who will take their time with the victims…I keep thinking ‘What if it had had happened to Edith's mother? Who would I want talking to her?’...I'd want you two. That's why."
Starsky nodded. "Okay, Cap. What about the Yardley case?"
"Give it to Barnes. He's expecting it."
The two detectives stood up.
"Just a suggestion," Dobey said, "Go see Don Vaughn first."
Hutch looked at the case notes. "He's the latest victim and the one that ended up in hospital."
Dobey nodded. "He might remember more useful information as it just happened. He broke his hip when he was pushed over but he's stable."
The two men nodded.
And though he didn't need to say it, Dobey said it anyway, "Thank you."
~~~~~
As Starsky drove, Hutch ran through the notes they had been given: "Four victims in two weeks. Three women and one man. As Dobey said, Mr Vaughn ended up in hospital with a broken hip. Ada Howard, Louise Nichols and Catherine Allen were just very bruised and shaken up. The largest amount the guy got was fifty dollars. The other three hauls were around twenty dollars. Descriptions are sketchy. Late teens. Dark hair. Wearing a black windcheater and a black cap."
Starsky shook his head in disbelief. "Whaddya think? Some punk kid needing a fix or a lunatic who gets off on hurting people who can't fight back?"
Hutch rubbed his chin. "Could be either of those. It's not much to go on, is it? Four different banks but all within a ten block radius so maybe he'll stay in that one area and all the attacks took place in the morning. The time and the locations might be our only hope. We should ask Dobey to put extra patrols in those areas."
Starsky nodded. "He may have already thought of it but ask him."
Hutch grabbed the radio mic. "Dispatch, Zebra Three. Patch me through to Captain Dobey."
It was just a couple of minutes before the radio squawked: "Dobey here."
Hutch relayed their thoughts about extra patrols and Dobey said that he was already working on getting them in place. Hutch confirmed that they were almost at the hospital and then signed off.
As he looked out of the window, Hutch said gloomily, “Nice Christmas present Dobey has handed us.”
Starsky grimaced and tried to think of something cheerful to say, but couldn’t. He hoped they could put this case to bed real fast so that Hutch’s shaky Christmas spirit would have a chance of recovering and blossoming.
At Memorial Hospital, they parked and headed to the fourth floor to interview Don Vaughn. They found the elderly man, sitting up in bed, reading a car magazine. They introduced themselves and he indicated the single chair. Starsky sat down and Hutch stood behind him.
"What's your favourite car to drive, Mr Vaughn?" Starsky asked.
"Call me Don, young man, and I've always liked driving Chevys. These days I have to take the bus because my eyes aren't too good...I miss my car. What do you drive?"
"A Ford Gran Torino."
Don nodded. "Colour?"
"Candy apple red with a white stripe."
"Very nice. I'd love to see it."
Starsky grinned at Don and then up at Hutch, who pretended he hadn't seen.
"Don, we’ve got your description but we were wondering if you'd remembered anything else about your attacker? Did you hear him say anything? Did he whistle? Was he wearing cologne?"
Don frowned, thinking back. Starsky and Hutch noticed his hands had tightened into fists and he held the bed sheet tight in his scrunched up fingers. Otherwise he looked calm.
"Well, now you come to mention it, I think he was wearing Old Spice...but too much of it. Like he’d borrowed his father's and put too much on. You know what I mean?"
Starsky nodded.
“And…”
“Yes?”
“Well, he knocked into me and I went over but…he paused as he ran away…almost as if he was checking I was okay…like he didn’t mean to do it.” Don’s face broke into an embarrassed smile. “Probably sounds a bit crazy, but that was just the feeling I got about it.”
“Well, okay, anything else?”
“No, I don’t think so. It all happened so fast.”
Hutch stood up and held out his hand. “Thank you, Don, we’ll do our best to find him and stop this from happening to anyone else.”
As he stood, Starsky asked, “They treating you all right in here? Sorry, you’ll be stuck in here for Christmas.”
Don nodded. “Yes, they’re looking after me well and my daughter and grandkids are visiting me every day. I’m lucky and grateful. And Christmas will be all right. My family will pop in, although I’ve told them not to. Don’t want to spoil their day.”
Starsky patted the older man’s arm as he said goodbye. The two of them headed out of the hospital and then drove to the next victim on their list: Ada Howard.
The lady in question opened the door very slowly, asked to see their badges before removing the chain and nervously let them into her apartment. She told them to sit down on the florally decorated couch and she sat down in a comfy chintz covered armchair. Starsky looked around appreciatively at the colourful decorations and the tree in the corner, trimmed with baubles and tinsel.
“How are you doing, Mrs Howard?” Hutch asked gently.
“Oh, I’m…I’m doing as well as can be expected…Bit shaken up but I guess I’ll live. It has made me nervous to go out on my own. I’ve never been worried before but this has made me think.”
“We’re sorry to hear that,” Hutch said. “We’ll do our best to catch this young man so he can’t hurt anyone else.”
Ada nodded. “I heard on the news that a poor old gentleman ended up in hospital. How’s he doing?”
“He’s recovering well. He was able to add a little to his description. He said that the young man was wearing a cologne.”
Ada nodded. “Oh yes, now I think about it, that’s right. Old Spice, I think.”
“Did you see his face? Even for a moment?”
Ada frowned as if trying to recall. “Not really…just an impression that he was young and…well, pale. Not very well-kempt. Just an impression.”
They talked for a little more but Ada couldn’t remember anything else. Suddenly, Ada welled up and reached for the tissue box on the table next to her. “The really upsetting thing is I’d drawn the money out to buy presents for my great niece and nephew. I’ll have to spend less on them now or make them wait until the New Year for their Christmas presents. Money is a little tight right now.”
Hutch reached out and took her hand in his. “I’m sure they will understand either way and I’m sure that they are just pleased that you weren’t hurt badly and can still spend Christmas with them.”
Ada sniffed, but she nodded and tried to smile.
Just as they were about to leave, there was a brisk knock at the door and a female voice called, “Ada? It’s me Elizabeth.”
“Oh that’s my very kind neighbour,” Ada said.
Starsky opened the door, startling a friendly looking middle-aged woman.
“Nothing to worry about, Ma’am. I’m Detective Starsky and this is my partner, Detective Hutchinson. We’ve just been asking Mrs Howard a few more questions about the young man that attacked her.”
“Oh I see.” Elizabeth stepped back to let the two detectives past but then followed them into the hallway as they went to leave. “I do hope you catch the man soon. It might give Ada some peace of mind. This has really knocked her confidence.”
They both nodded at her and Starsky said, “We’ll do our best.”
Elizabeth went into the apartment and closed the door. Starsky and Hutch looked almost helplessly at each other.
“Don’t know how we’re going to catch the guy with so little information,” Hutch muttered.
Starsky slapped his shoulder to bolster his friend’s dejected spirit. “We’ll get him. The Christmas elves won’t want him ruining anyone else’s Christmas!”
Hutch tried not to smile but couldn’t help it. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
~~~~~
Louise Nichols lived in a small, but well-maintained, apartment block. There was a doorman at the entrance, to whom the two of them showed their badges and explained their business. The doorman rang Mrs Nichols and then allowed them through a door that led to the first floor apartments. The door of number two was decorated with huge wreath. Starsky gave a short whistle before knocking carefully. A spry-looking, elderly gentlemen opened the door. He held out his hand to them.
“I’m Peter. Louise’s husband. You’re here about this sad business. What is the world coming to?”
After they’d shaken hands, Peter led them through to the living area and introduced them to his wife. Starsky enjoyed seeing the enormous poinsettia decorating a large antique sideboard at one end of the room and the draped garland of holly and flowers over the white fireplace.
“Is it all right if I stay while you talk to my wife?” Peter asked politely.
“Of course,” Hutch said, as he and Starsky sat down on the leather chairs opposite the elderly pair. “We won’t take up too much of your time, but we just wondered if you had remembered any other little details about the young man who attacked you?”
Mrs Nichols reached for her husband’s hand and he squeezed it. She swallowed.
“Funnily enough, I dreamt about it last night. Even though it happened over a week ago.”
“I’m sure it’s shaken you up. Did your dream make you recall anything else about the young man?”
“I’m not sure…His hands were dirty. I remember that. His eyes…I think I saw them for a second…he looked scared.”
“Do you remember what colour they were?”
“Brown.”
Hutch noted this fact down.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. It was all over so quickly.”
The two detectives both nodded at the pair and stood up. “Thank you for your time. Even a little more information might help identify the young man.”
Mr Nichols saw them out, saying “Merry Christmas!” as they left. They headed back through the lobby and out into the street. Starsky checked his watch.
“Lunch?” he asked hopefully.
Hutch nodded.
Starsky grinned happily as he hopped in the car and then drove them down two blocks and drew up outside a diner. Hutch let Dispatch know that they were on a meal break and then the two of them went inside. Starsky ordered a burger and fries. Hutch ordered a salad and tuna burger. Starsky went through to use the john. On the way back past the counter he spotted some Christmas cookies and asked for two to take away. He handed over the required amount and sauntered back to their table.
“What’s that?” Hutch asked.
“A treat for later.”
In quiet voices, they discussed the case until their food arrived. Then by silent agreement they discussed anything not related to work that they could think of. Once their meal was paid for and they were back outside, they made their way to the last victim’s home.
Catherine Allen lived in a rundown neighbourhood in an old one storey house that had seen better days. She peered out nervously when they knocked, but let them inside. Everything in the house had the air of being well-used and slightly worn out. They glanced at each other as they were invited to sit at the small kitchen table on old, wooden chairs and hoped they would support their weight. Starsky noted the simple arrangement of a red and white wreath on a small table near the tiny television set. Other than that, the room was bare.
“Mrs Allen,” Starsky started, “we wondered if you’d remembered anything more about your attacker?”
Mrs Allen bit her lip and shook her head. “It was all such a shock. I came out of the bank and went to head across the street to catch the bus to the market for food and suddenly someone was grabbing my purse and running away. I only really saw his back.” She bit her lip again. “Why me? I mean he couldn’t have thought I was made of money. I had eighteen dollars on me. Eighteen dollars. Not a lot for most people but a lot for me to lose.”
Starsky nodded understandingly. “We’ll do our best to catch him. Hope it hasn’t spoiled your Christmas.”
Mrs Allen shrugged. “I don’t do much celebrating these days. There’s no-one to celebrate with,” she said matter-of-factly, but they saw her eyes slightly mist over.
The two of them took their leave and headed out to Starsky’s car. As he settled in his seat, Hutch sighed.
“Poor woman,” he said with feeling.
“Yeah…What do you want to do now?”
“Let’s go see Dobey and tell him the little extra information we’ve got and then maybe call it a day. I think we should get on duty early tomorrow and cruise around the area of these banks in case we can spot someone matching the description. We might get lucky.”
Starsky nodded and started the engine. They drove silently back through the city. Once they were back in the squad room, Hutch updated Dobey and Starsky poured them each a coffee. Hutch came back and sat heavily on his chair.
“Dobey’s happy with our plan.”
Starsky opened the paper bag he had in front of him and offered Hutch a cookie. Hutch hesitated and then gave in. He sniffed it appreciatively before taking a bite.
“Reminds me of the cinnamon cookies my grandmother used to make,” Hutch said.
“Me too.”
Starsky smiled at his partner, trying to lighten the melancholy mood that had descended on both of them. Hutch tried to smile but ended up sighing. Starsky figured he knew what Hutch was thinking.
“Maybe we could take a little present to Mrs Allen to try and brighten her Christmas? Some flowers or something?”
Hutch nodded. “I’d like to do that.”
Starsky nodded in return. Sometimes his partner was so easy to read.
~~~~~
The next day, Starsky was picked up early by Hutch. Although he would much rather have driven his own car, Starsky accepted that it might be better to be in a car that wouldn’t be so easy to notice. Although he did point out to his partner that, if Hutch’s car got any more dilapidated, it would become a talking point for a different reason. Hutch ignored him.
“Why don’t you let me brighten up your car for the Season of Goodwill?” Starsky offered.
“No thanks. It’s a waste of money and time to decorate a car!”
Starsky scowled. “Scrooge,” he muttered. He saw Hutch’s face tighten and immediately apologised. “Sorry, partner, I know you’re not Scrooge.” He knew Hutch was generous and caring sometimes to a fault and he didn’t want to put him in a bad mood just because his friend didn’t want to celebrate the same way he did. “You just don’t like what you see as excess,” Starsky said, trying to show he understood.
Hutch nodded. “That - and I really would like all the goodwill going around if it didn’t seem so fake. The rest of the year people act as if they couldn’t care less about each other.”
Starsky patted his friend’s shoulder. “I know, but not everyone’s like that. Think about our four victims.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, three of them have got family or a good friend who cares about them. It’s only Catherine Allen who seems to have been forgotten by the world. One in four ain’t bad. But you tend to focus on the one sad case rather than the three happy cases.”
Hutch opened his mouth to protest, but then slowly closed it again.
“I ain’t saying it’s bad to notice he sad cases…just try not to let them weigh you down.”
Hutch snorted and raised an eyebrow at his partner. “You finished with your pep talk, Tiny Tim?”
Starsky chuckled. “Guess I deserved that.”
They cruised around the area where the assaults had taken place, pausing occasionally for a few moments outside each bank and then moving on. They saw a couple of patrol cars that Dobey had assigned to the area and hoped that between them one of the pairs of eyes would spot something. They were just driving past the bank on King Street when they saw a young figure in dark clothes make a grab for a woman’s purse and then speed away. Hutch slowed enough for Starsky to leap out and pursue the purse snatcher on foot while he drove up the street to try and cut him off from in front. As he drove, he informed Dispatch of what was happening so they could send one of the patrol cars to assist if needed. Hutch brought his car to a stop, jumped out and ran towards the perp.
Spotting Hutch, the youngster skidded to a halt. He looked over his shoulder and saw Starsky was nearly upon him. He looked around wildly and saw an alleyway close-by. It was the only way to go. He rushed inot the narrow entrance to the building and Hutch followed, closely pursued by Starsky.
“Police! Freeze! There’s nowhere to go,” Hutch shouted, hoping it was true. The steel fence at the end of the alleyway looked high enough to stop the perp.
The kid reached the fence and tried ineffectively to jump up and grab on. He fell back and Hutch grabbed him. He took the bag from him, passing it to Starsky, handcuffed him and spun him around. Now they could see that he fit the vague description they had. He was pale and sweating from more than the chase and his hands looked dirty and the hair sticking out from his baseball cap was unkempt. Hutch read him his rights, but he wasn’t sure the kid understood what he was saying.
Hutch looked in the boy’s dilated eyes and glanced at Starsky. Very gently, he checked the boy’s arms and was relieved to not find any track marks. To his questions, the kid gave his name as Danny Marshall, reluctantly said he was thirteen and then clammed up. They both noted the lingering scent of Old Spice mixed in with whiskey.
Hutch and Starsky looked at each other, sharing their mixed feelings about the arrest. The kid was so young and it seemed as if he was experimenting with alcohol and popping pills already. At least he didn’t seem to be hooked on anything hard. What was this kid doing on the streets? Where was his family?
Silently, they handed him over to the squad car that had just arrived and asked them to take him in while they went and got a statement from the victim. They asked the officers to try to find a parent for Danny and give them a call as he was clearly a minor.
Once the two of them had checked on the victim and got her statement, they headed back to the precinct.
As he drove, Hutch said quietly, “He’s so young.”
“I know.”
Starsky laid his arm across the seat behind Hutch; a comforting presence in the light of such a depressing arrest. They parked outside the front of the precinct. Then the two of them walked into the building, arriving inside at the same time as a distraught looking woman. She made her way over to the front desk.
“I’m Peggy Marshall. I’m here about my son, Danny,” she said, in voice that was trembling.
Starsky and Hutch introduced themselves and led her to an interview room upstairs. When the told her what Danny had been arrested for she burst into tears and then his whole sorry story came out: how her husband and Danny’s father had died from cancer six months ago how Danny had become withdrawn and started hanging out with an older boy that Peggy felt was a bad influence; how he’d started acting strangely and she worried that he might be getting high; and how, when she’d confronted him about it, he’d run away.
“Five weeks he’s been gone. I’ve been out looking for him every day…The last few days, I’ve been waiting for the knock on the door to tell me…to tell me he’s been found dead…Now I’m hearing he’s hurt people…Oh, what’s going to happen now? Will he go to Juvie? Will he get any help? I don’t know what to do! I don’t know how to help him!”
The two detectives looked at each other. They suggested that Peggy sit in the squad room and have a coffee while they spoke first to Danny and then their Captain. Once she was settled, with a female officer keeping her company, the two detectives asked for Danny to be brought up from holding. Before they entered the interview room, they went down to the cafeteria and Hutch bought some ham sandwiches and a can of soda. Then Starsky got some candy from the machine in the hallway.
As they entered the room, Danny looked up fearfully, his eyes filled with tears. Hutch passed him the sandwich and soda and Starsky dropped the candy bar in front of him. He looked at them uncertainly.
“Go ahead, eat something,” Starsky said. “You look hungry.”
“Th-thanks.” Danny opened up the sandwich and bit into it hungrily. He quickly ate the whole thing and then opened the drink and the candy bar; these he sipped at and nibbled more slowly.
“Better?” Hutch asked.
Danny nodded.
“You know why you’ve been arrested?” Starsky asked.
Danny nodded again and then looked down, shamefaced. Almost whispering, he said, “I stole some purses and took the money to buy food.”
“You also knocked an old man down. He broke his hip and ended up in hospital,” Hutch said in a harsh tone.
Danny looked up and said tearfully, “I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
“With the money you stole, did you buy alcohol as well? You smell of whiskey,” Starsky observed.
Danny looked up and shook his head. “No, Calv-Calvin got the whisky from somewhere, I don’t know where. He made me try it. I didn’t like it, nearly threw up.”
Hutch leaned in and said, “Are you using drugs?”
Danny half shook his head and then nodded slowly. He looked down again.
Starsky and Hutch let the silence sit until Danny was uncomfortable enough to fill it.
“I don’t take drugs. Calvin…Well, last night, Calvin said I had to take these pills he had…to prove I was cool enough to stay in his gang. I don’t know what they were. I didn’t want to take them….But I didn’t want to be kicked out of the warehouse either and have to find somewhere else to live so I took them.”
“How long have you been living in this warehouse with Calvin and what’s his last name?” Starsky asked.
“Don’t know his last name and I’ve been there a few weeks.”
“Where did you meet Calvin?”
“He followed me home from school one day. Then he was hanging around my neighbourhood. He was nice to me to start off with but lately…he’s been trying to get me to go with him to steal from stores. I didn’t want to do that, that’s wrong.”
“But it’s all right to steal from older people?” Starsky asked.
“No, I…I didn’t want to steal food but I didn’t know how else to pay for it. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“Why aren’t you at home, Danny?” Hutch wanted to know. “Where’s your family?”
Danny looked down and swallowed hard. He started to speak and then got too choked up to continue. He laid his head on his arms on the table and just sobbed. Hutch leaned forward and placed a gentle hand on the young boy’s head.
Starsky looked at Hutch and raised an eyebrow. Hutch nodded yes. So Starsky went to the squad room and collected Peggy and the female officer. When they walked into the interview room, Danny, who’d just started to calm down, burst into tears again as did Peggy. She rushed across the room and pulled Danny into her arms.
“Stay with them,” Starsky said to the officer. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
The two of them headed to Dobey’s office and knocked on the door.
As they entered, Dobey asked, “Well? Have you got him? Is this thing over?”
The two of them looked at each other before they spoke to Dobey.
“We’ve got him, Cap,” Starsky said. “He admits everything….But see the thing is, we’re thinking we’d like to avoid him being sent to Juvie if we can.”
Hutch explained about Danny’s background and why he was on the street, why he was stealing and how sorry he was.
Dobey took out his handkerchief and ran it over his face. The Mayor was breathing down the neck of the Chief of Detectives and therefore the heat was on Dobey too. He knew the Mayor would like a snappy headline, but maybe there was a way to keep everybody happy and do what was best for Danny too.
“As he’s a first time offender, seems genuinely sorry for what he’s done and because of the recent loss of his father, we could suggest to the DA that it would be better for him to undertake a period of supervised community service rather than be given a custodial sentence? Recommendations from both of you would carry some weight. It might be possible if some of the victims would be prepared to not press charges?”
Starsky nodded. “We can ask them.”
“Sensitively of course and not belittling what they’ve been through,” Dobey advised.
“Of course.”
“Okay. Explain to Danny and his mother what we hope to arrange but make it clear he’s got one chance. If he messes up again, we’ll have no choice but to put him into the system. Release him into his mother’s care and you might suggest he gets some counselling. Maybe his school can help with that?”
“Thanks, Captain,” Hutch said.
Dobey nodded. “Get out of here…and good work.”
~~~~~
Once Starsky and Hutch had explained to a very grateful Danny and Peggy what would happen next, and Danny had been released into his mother’s care, the two detectives drove to see Don Vaughn at the hospital. He hardly needed persuading, saying that as Christmas was the season of goodwill he was all too happy to give Danny a break. Starsky thanked him and promised to take him out in the Torino sometime when he was up on his feet again.
Ada and her neighbour, Elizabeth, and Mr and Mrs Nichols took a little more persuading but in the end they decided that as long as Danny did an appropriate amount of community service, they would let him have a second chance at being an upright citizen. His young age and the fact that he had just lost his father did a lot to soften their hearts.
Before going to see Catherine Allen, they stopped to buy a bunch of flowers. Mrs Allen nearly cried when they gave them to her. As soon as they explained Danny’s situation, she said that she was happy not to press charges.
“I wouldn’t want to ruin such a young boy’s life,” she said.
They thanked her profusely and Hutch suddenly suggested, “If you don’t have any plans on Christmas Day, would you like to come along with us for a meal at our friends’ house? I can pick you up?”
“Well, I…surely you’d better check with your friend before you go inviting me?” Mrs Allen exclaimed, both flustered and charmed.
“Can I borrow your phone?” Hutch asked.
“Erm, well, yes, I guess.”
Mrs Allen pointed to the telephone sitting on a table in the corner and Hutch immediately went over and dialled the Ramos’s number.
While he spoke to Mrs Ramos, Mrs Allen said, “Is your partner always so full of Christmas spirit?”
Starsky choked back a laugh and instead said, “Oh yes! He’s well-known for it!”
With an invitation arranged, Hutch told Mrs Allen that he would pick her up at midday on Christmas Day and then they said goodbye.
Before Starsky could start teasing him, Hutch raised a warning finger.
“I wasn’t going to say a thing!” Starsky protested.
~~~~~
Christmas Day was bright and cheerful. Hutch collected Mrs Allen and then drove back to Venice Place and parked. They walked the short distance along the road to the Ramos’ home and Mrs Allen was introduced to the family. She handed over a box of fancy biscuits and apologised for not being able to bring everyone a present.
“Oh, that’s very kind of you,” Mrs Ramos said. “You needn’t have brought anything! You’re our special guest.”
Over the course of the meal, some games and the exchanging of gifts, Hutch got to know Mrs Allen a little better and promised himself that he would keep in touch with the elderly lady. Mrs Ramos also asked Mrs Allen if she would like to come along once a month to a meal that was held at the local community centre where she volunteered. Deciding that she would be able to get a bus there and back, Mrs Allen readily agreed.
As the kids went off to play with their new toys, the adults took advantage of a moment’s peace and Mrs Ramos poured coffee and served cake for Mrs Allen, Hutch and herself. Starsky, however, refused anything to eat and drink and stood up.
“Where are you off to, Starsky?”
“I’m taking some of my cookies over to Don in the hospital. I’ll stay with him for a while…Catch up with you later?”
Hutch nodded.
“I’ll drop Catherine home around six. See you at my place afterwards?”
Starsky nodded. “Merry Christmas everyone!”
As he left the house to head to the hospital, Starsky grinned with pleasure at the thought of how much Hutch had enjoyed this Christmas and how his spirit had been bolstered by seeing some actual ‘goodwill’ in action. He was looking forward to spending the last few hours of the festive season with his best friend. He couldn’t think of a better way to end the day.