{"id":50,"date":"2017-06-07T05:21:47","date_gmt":"2017-06-07T05:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/?p=50"},"modified":"2017-06-07T05:21:47","modified_gmt":"2017-06-07T05:21:47","slug":"june-7th-inspector-bank-homicide-by-mvernet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/?p=50","title":{"rendered":"June 7th- Inspector Bank, Homicide by mvernet"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Sweet Revenge from an unusual perspective.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Yes, I must not despair. He has knocked at death\u2019s door before and death has never welcomed him in. He is young and strong. So young\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/divider02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"131\" height=\"50\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Blasted incompetents! Get this noxious tarpaulin off of me! There will be dire consequences for you when my colleagues return!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Inspector Pig E. Bank was livid. To some uninitiated souls he might look like a brightly painted, plastic piggy bank smoking a never empty pipe. But the truth was that he was so much more. He took great pride in being assigned to assist homicide Detectives Starsky and Hutchinson. Today his usual place, the middle ground between the two partners desks, had been disturbed by painters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Up until now, he had been tolerant of the workers, regarding them with a suspicious eye and a thoughtful puff on his pipe. He didn\u2019t even complain when Hutchinson gently placed him on the edge of the desk to supervise an impromptu ping-pong game. After all, boys will be boys. But now the lunchtime entertainment provided by the odd detectives was over.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Back to work, the painters had shoved all the clone-like black phones with their untidy wires and clumsy receivers in the corner, tumbled together with office odds and ends. Inspector Bank had thought nothing of it \u2018til he was tossed willy-nilly onto the pile. He might have forgiven their faux pas, knowing it was only a matter of time \u2018til Starsky and Hutchinson would reclaim him and avenge him in their barbaric, yet effective way.\u00a0 But the painters had taken his friend and fellow Inspector Hoots T. Owl from his safe perch on Babcock\u2019s file cabinet and thrown him on the pile also. Hurting Hoots in any way was not to be tolerated.<\/span><br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Inspectors Bank and Hoots had been with the department a long time. They had originally been assigned to Metro by the former Chief of police. They had served with him and admired him. Back then, they were assigned the duty of guarding the dignity of the office, collecting fees whenever a foul-mouthed copper used an inappropriate word in the presence of the Chief or his secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hoots patrolled the outer office at his perch atop the highest file cabinet. Inspector Bank guarded the inner sanctum, regarding each officer of the law who sat in the Chief&#8217;s hot seat with a warning gaze. When said officer cursed, a quarter was deposited. All funds were eventually used to buy toys for needy tots.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was a good assignment. Bank hardly noticed the time pass and the graying of his Chief. But all too soon, rumors of retirement fell on his pointy ears. The Chief left him behind with a final pat of his jaunty red cap. Bank was secretly hoping for a new assignment, eager to use his finely honed detective skills. But sadly, he and Hoots were assigned to the requisition cage in the basement where they stood guard over dingy desk lamps and typewriter ribbons on a forgotten dusty shelf.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Until the day Detective Starsky spotted them and talked the tiresome Bernie into giving them a new assignment in Homicide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/divider02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"131\" height=\"50\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank was brought back to his present predicament by the mournful cooing of his best friend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot? Hooot?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>There, there, my dear Hoots. Do not fear the dark. I am right beside you. Simply a boorish oversight by the painters. Our boys will soon see things are made right.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoooot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank sighed and hoped the boys did return soon for Hoots\u2019 sake. But with the office in disarray, and his boy Starsky\u2019s enthusiastic talk of a free meal, he feared he wouldn\u2019t see him again \u2018til morning. It would be a long night, but he wasn\u2019t alone. They had been in worse positions. And as always, Hoots was by his side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hoots was considered by most to be a birdbrain. His one word vocabulary caused them to disregard him as a non-entity. But Bank knew that beneath that big-eyed, simpleton demeanor was the heart of a dove and soul of an eagle. Bank grew to know every nuance of Hoots\u2019 verbal expressions and while he found him not his intellectual equal, he was the owl Bank would prefer to have at his side above all others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot. Hoot?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I am fine, Hoots. No damage done. Not to worry. I must admit I am a bit distracted. I do not like the boys to be out on the mean streets without my input and we have barely spoken in recent days.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Ho-oot Hoot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Yes, I know. You cannot keep an eye on that affable dolt, Simmons, if you are under this damnable covering. I emphasize completely. But I suppose our boys can do without us for a short time. We have taught them well.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hooo-T<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Inspector Bank chuckled and took a pull of his pipe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>True. But really, my dear owl, how much trouble could they get themselves into in one day?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They settled into companionable silence. \u2018Til the sound of distant gunfire and breaking glass made them instantly alert.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I heard. Multiple gunshots. Blast this devilish darkness. Something is amiss and we cannot see!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They listened intently to the sounds of running feet and loud, authoritative calls. Bank recognized Dobey\u2019s deep voice in the hall, \u201cDear God, no!\u201d Followed by the big man\u2019s rapid footfalls.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank held his pipe in a death grip as his brilliant mind tried to deduce what was happening. The shots sounded like they came from the parking area. The shooting must have involved officers or Captain Dobey would not have sounded as he did. Starsky and Hutchinson had just left to retrieve Starsky\u2019s Gran Torino.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A whispered soulful sound came from his companion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hooo?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>No! No, we do not have enough facts to make that deduction. We must not speculate. It will cloud our judgement. We need more data!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37\" src=\"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/divider02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"131\" height=\"50\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Several hours went by as Banks and Hoots clung to the whispered gossip of the painters. All they could gather was that there had been a shooting and an officer was in critical condition. It seemed like the entire police force was mobilized, except for the two inspectors waiting anxiously for news under a drop cloth. The painters, uncharacteristically, finished quickly as if afraid they might be the next targets. They left the office as it was so they could escape early, a few vowing to never return.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Yes, I am quite disheartened. At least the rumors did not speak of death, my dear.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoo\u2026 t<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Not yet, no, not yet.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The inspectors heard footsteps and familiar voices as the door was flung open.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoothoothoothoothoothoot!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cBabcock, I\u2019m telling you! It had to be a contracted hit. We\u2019ll never find that black and white.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoothoothoothoothoothoot!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank tried to hush his over excited friend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Be still, Hoots! We need to hear!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hoots quieted, his breath coming in little pants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They heard someone open a desk drawer. Then Babcock sighed. \u201cI know, Sport. But I gotta do something. I mean did you see Hutch\u2019s face? Let\u2019s do the grunt work for him at least.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Simmons must have nodded in agreement. There was a silence and a shuffling of papers. Then Simmons said quietly, \u201cYou think Starsky\u2019s gonna make it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI don\u2019t know. It was real bad. He took three bullets. How do you come back from that? But I hope he makes it for Hutch\u2019s sake or I think we\u2019ll lose them both.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank released a soft cry.<em> No.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cBabs, I never say this stuff, but after seeing Starsky\u2026 after the hit\u2026 I\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was the quiet sound of rustling jackets and awkward back pats. \u201cHey, I know, Sport. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re still by my side, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They sounded like they moved apart. Simmons tried to lighten the mood. \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoots? If somebody took him, he\u2019ll have to answer to me. He was nearly full and we were gonna use that money on the slots at Vegas!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoothoothoothoothoothoothoothoot!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s around here somewhere. We\u2019ll find him tomorrow. I want to go to the hospital and talk to Dobey. Find out what we can do to help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoothoothoothoothoothoothoothoot!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hoots squeaked in frustration as the door closed behind his boys.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot? <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I just need a moment, Hoots. I cannot fathom it. Starsky? Dying? Hoots, I\u2026 I find myself at a loss\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hooooot, hooooot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Yes, I must not despair. He has knocked at death\u2019s door before and death has never welcomed him in. He is young and strong. So young\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hooo-t.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>If only I could see Hutchinson. To give him our support and advice. The poor boy must be devastated. I do hope someone is watching his back. He is bound to do something foolish.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37\" src=\"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/divider02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"131\" height=\"50\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When an inanimate object first experiences the love of a human being, it brings their soul to life. Love is the strongest power in the universe and bestowing it on someone or even something leaves its mark on both. Humans take such actions lightly, but those brought to life by love are forever grateful and loyal to a fault.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A favorite doll will wait years for the return of the sticky embrace of a child. The saddest thing in the world is a beloved toy left behind when childhood fades. But some adults, like Starsky and Hutch, never lose\u00a0 the magic touch that brings hope and love to all around them. And now Starsky\u2019s own flame was fading.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The two friends under the painter\u2019s tarp waited in the dark. Each had entered the private place inside themselves where the blue flame of their diminutive souls was damped down \u2018til a human would once again touch them and their embers would grow warm and flicker orange and red under a caring smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Inspector Bank was the first to shake himself and react when the dreaded tarp was thrown back by an angry Hutchinson.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWhere the fuck is Starsky\u2019s phone!\u201d Hutch stomped around the disheveled room, then kicked at pile of phones, grunting and cursing \u2018til he saw Inspector Bank almost completely hidden by a gray metal paper tray.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As soon as Bank caught his eye, the Inspector knew he had his work cut out for him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hutchinson! Calm yourself, my boy. This erratic behavior will not help Starsky one bit. Now give us a hand up. There\u2019s a good fellow.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch quieted a bit and got down on one knee. \u201cAw, Pigs. What are you doing down here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch moved the paper tray carefully so he wouldn\u2019t hurt his friend and picked him up gently. All the rage seemed to leave him as he sank to the floor and held Bank tightly to his chest. \u201cStarsk is dying, Pigs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>There, there, dearheart. You must not give up hope.Tell me what happened so I can help.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cGunther\u2026 put out a hit. They took Starsky down. Three bullets. Three, Pigs. Massive damage they say.\u201d Hutch held Bank closer and absently patted Bank\u2019s red capped head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Good, Lord, Hutchinson! A hit? Not our Starsky! How dare that evil snake bring harm to my boys. We will track him down and he will pay for this heinous act. I swear it.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch loosened his grip and looked Bank in the eye. \u201cPigs? What am I going to do without him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank sighed. Taking revenge on Gunther would have to wait \u2018til he took care of Hutchinson. Bank could see he was only holding himself together by a single string that was quickly unravelling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Do not give up on Starsky yet, my dear. You are overwrought. The silent chaos of this room is echoing the chaos in your heart and only adding to your grief. Come, put me back in my rightful place, and make yourself a pot of that petrol you call coffee.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank observed Hutchinson carefully. He seemed to be feeling better after pouring his emotions into his own obliging soul.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch took a deep breath and let it out slowly. \u201cCoffee. I need coffee.\u201d He stood and placed the Inspector on Starsky\u2019s bare desk. He looked around for the coffee station and found it across the room from its usual spot. \u201cMan! Those motherfuckers better have left a can of coffee and some sugar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank grimaced at the foul language, but knew Hutchinson was just trying to cope in his crude way. Good thing his old chief wasn\u2019t around to hear it or he would be overflowing with quarters by the time Starsky got back. He refused to think any other way about his boy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank puffed on his pipe and watched as Hutch pulled the coffee station back to where it belonged, plugged in the pot, and began the familiar routine of making the squad room\u2019s coffee. He made a full pot, even though he was alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As he waited for it to brew, he returned to his search for Starsky\u2019s phone, this time trying to figure out in which pile it would be. He found Babcock\u2019s phone and next to it was Starsky\u2019s. He picked up the phone and gently caressed the receiver.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch lifted it to his ear and closed his eyes. Perhaps he was imagining Starsky cradling the receiver with his neck as he spoke in his all-business way while he exchanged notes and bright eyed smiles with him. No doubt\u00a0 the phone held the faintest hint of Starsky\u2019s aftershave. Bank watched as Hutch breathed it in. He sighed in relief as Hutch opened his eyes and caught sight of something amongst the sea of black phones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hootshoot? Hootshoot?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch placed Starsky&#8217;s phone on the desktop and rescued Hoots, who had finally reawakened.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cSimmons would have my head on a platter if I let you come to harm.\u201d Hutch placed Hoots on the highest file cabinet, then petted his feathered head. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, little buddy. Things around here will get back to normal soon. I hope they will, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hooooo. Hoooooo. Hoooooo. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank answered his distraught friends soft cries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Our boy Starsky is in great peril, my dear Hoots. And Hutchinson is in even greater peril at the hands of a sewer rat calling himself Gunther. But we will see them through this travesty.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As always Hoots was in complete agreement and ready to fight by his side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch grabbed Starsky&#8217;s favorite cup and carelessly poured some sugar in, then took the steaming coffee pot in hand and filled the mug. When he turned to sit at Starsky\u2019s desk, his foot sent something skittering across the floor. It was a ping-pong ball. Hutch scooped it up and closed his fist around it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He set his hot coffee in front of Bank and bent over to plug in the phone, all the while keeping a tight grip on the ball. He picked up the receiver as if to make sure he had a dial tone. He replaced it and took a large sip from his coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank noticed he looked unsettled, as if the oppressive silence of the room had unnerved him. As if he were searching for Starsky\u2019s voice in the quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cPigs. I love him, you know? I feel like I\u2019m the one who&#8217;s dying. Like Starsky is a vital organ that I can\u2019t live without. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Oh, my dear. I do know you love him. Of course you do and he reciprocates the emotion. He is your heart, Hutchinson. One can not live without one\u2019s heart.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cMy heart. He is my heart. My heart is bleeding out.\u201d Hutch put his mug next to the phone, folded his arms on the desk and rested his head. Bank watched Hutch\u2019s shoulders rise and fall. Banks listened to his soft hitches in breath. Hutch clung to the ping-pong ball, squeezing it tight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoooooohoooooooo.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>You are right. He\u2019s despondent. For once in my life\u2026 I haven\u2019t a clue how to proceed, my dear.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hoots suddenly chirped out a warning and looked wide-eyed towards the door. Bank followed his gaze and gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky was standing in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was Starsky, yet it wasn\u2019t. The phantom looked like Starsky and was wearing his clothes, but he shone like the full moon. He moved to Hutch\u2019s side and stroked his hair as Hutch\u2019s tears subsided. Starsky was wearing a sad smile and looked directly at Bank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hey there, Pigs! I can see you. The real you. You are cute as the dickens. Hi, Hoots!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoots!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Starsky? You can see me? What is going on? Are you\u2026 dead?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky looked around, never taking his hands off Hutch who seemed to be gaining strength from his touch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I guess I\u2019m in a coma. That\u2019s what the doc said. All I know is I was above my bed in the hospital looking down at\u2026 myself and I desperately wanted to see Hutch. He needed me; I could feel him. Next thing I know, I\u2019m here talkin\u2019 to you. How is Hutch doin\u2019?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Not good, my dear boy. Rage and utter despair are both vying for control over your poor partner. I do not wish for either to win the fight for his soul.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky leaned closer to Hutch and whispered in his ear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I love you, babe. You hang in there. I want you by my side for a long, long, time.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch groaned, as if the pain in his heart eased a bit. \u201cOh, Starsk. Please. Please\u2026 don\u2019t die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I\u2019m trying, babe. I don\u2019t<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> want to leave y<\/span>ou. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Three sets of eyes watched with concern as Hutch sat up and arranged the phone in front of him. He began to bounce the ping-pong ball, while Banks suspected his thoughts were full of nothing but Starsky.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Phantom Starsky didn\u2019t know what to do for his best friend. He placed his hand over the bloody bandage on Hutch\u2019s wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>What happened here? How did he hurt himself? And\u2026 and why wasn\u2019t he taken care of properly?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Inspector Bank was shocked he had not noticed the injury before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot. Hoot. Hoot. Hoooo&#8230;t.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky glared at Hoots.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Gunther? He\u2019s trying to take down Gunther on his own and got into trouble?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hutch, you listen to me and listen good. You don\u2019t need to avenge me. If I wake up from this coma and you\u2019re dead. I\u2019ll dig you up and kill you again.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hutch continued to bounce the ping-pong ball. He picked up the phone, dialed, waited a moment then asked to speak to Captain Dobey. \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hutch! Please! Don\u2019t take Gunther down alone. Wait for me, babe. I swear I&#8217;ll try harder to wake up. I won\u2019t let you\u2026 I\u2026 Ahhhhh.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank looked from one to the other of his boys. Something was very wrong. Hutch dropped the ping-pong ball and ran from the room. Starsky straightened and clutched at his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Pigs! Something is going on. I\u2026 I think I\u2019m gonna die. I\u2019m scared, Pigs.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>HOOTHOOTHOOTHOOTHOOT!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Yes, Hoots, <\/em>Pig told his friend<em>. I understand. I\u2019ll go. You watch over Hutchinson while I\u2019m gone. I\u2019ll see you soon my dear owl.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Pigs?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Take me with you, Starsky. And hold on tight!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/divider02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"131\" height=\"50\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky was standing in the squad room again. Only this time it was an open empty space with only two desks, cluttered with files, tape dispensers, pencil holders, and other office knick-knacks. Starsky knew in some way it was his and Hutch\u2019s desks. The ceiling was open and white clouds moved through a gray sky casting an odd pale shadow over the two desks. Starsky himself was shades of white as if a light shone through his skin and blotted out all color. The only color in the space was Inspector Pig E. Bank\u2019s red pants and cap and a triangular nameplate between the two desks with Inspector Pig E.Bank written on it in green letters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Pigs? Where are we?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Inspector was animated in this place. He could move a bit more and seemed more alive. He puffed at his pipe and white smoke swirled around his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I haven\u2019t visited this place before, but I know where we are. We are in the nothing space, where nothing exists, but no thing can exist without it.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky glanced around again. He felt oddly calm. There was no pain and no danger. But there was too much nothing for his tastes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Wanna run that by me again, Inspector Bank?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bank smiled around his pipe. \u201cYou know, Starsky, I never minded you and Hutch calling me Pigs, but your using my formal title\u2026 makes me proud.\u201d]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I have deduced that you are in some sort of medical distress, my dear boy. Hovering between life and death. And our Hutchinson is rushing to your side. You have some choices to make.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky sat at his desk, folded his hands and listened intently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>You may die and go on to the other realm, what you call heaven. You will spend eternity in peace surrounded by love. You will experience utter happiness for your kind.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky smiled and nodded. <em>How do you know this? What happens to your kind?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>My kind is well aware of this place. Some of us spend hundreds of Earth years right here. We are dependent on the human spirit to infuse us with life and love. When that disappears, we exist here in nothingness. We have a flame inside us that diminishes when we are without physical contact with the human spirit. Eventually our flame goes out for all eternity.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky nodded his understanding. He knew the choice he had to make. Eternal peace and love or go home to Hutch to another kind of love that would be heady with danger yet all the sweeter because of it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>What will happen to Hutch if I move on?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Inspector puffed his pipe in contemplation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>How can a man live without his heart?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky nodded again. He understood everything. He understood the choice he had to make. He understood that life with Hutch was what he wanted and needed. He couldn\u2019t live without his heart either.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>When I go back, will I remember?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>If you choose to, you will.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I want to remember what Hutch means to me. I want to be able to tell him I love him. To hold him and ease all his pain.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Then you will.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starsky smiled and stood. He was going back to Hutch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>I won\u2019t forget who you are, Inspector Pig E. B<span style=\"color: #000000;\">ank. I love ya, pal<\/span>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The room faded and Bank opened his eyes to find himself back at his desk. He grinned at Hoots.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoohoohoohoo?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Very well, dearheart. The boys are going to be just fine. Now, let\u2019s get to work on bringing down that vile Gunther, shall we?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Hoots!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The End<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sweet Revenge from an unusual perspective. Yes, I must not despair. He has knocked at death\u2019s door before and death has never welcomed him in. He is young and strong. So young\u2026 Blasted incompetents! Get this noxious tarpaulin off of &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/?p=50\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-slash"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=50"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116,"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50\/revisions\/116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=50"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=50"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=50"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}