{"id":212,"date":"2018-12-06T06:29:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-06T06:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=212"},"modified":"2020-11-11T17:36:04","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T17:36:04","slug":"december-6th-lies-and-other-crimes-part-one-by-dppatricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=212","title":{"rendered":"December 6th- Lies and Other Crimes Part One by DPPatricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter One<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Thompson County Deputy Dave Lombard took one last unhurried cruise through the small town before he packed it in and headed home to his wife. The sheriff had told him to knock off for the night but, for some reason, he\u2019d felt compelled to take this final tour. Not that anything ever happened in Thompsonville, other than the occasional domestic dispute or petty theft from the hardware store. But he took his responsibilities seriously since, when he logged out, only the other deputy, Stan, would be available to take care of any problems that might arise.<\/span><\/p>\n

One sheriff and two deputies were, in most instances, enough to police the small county and smaller community, but Dave had been more uneasy than usual and something had kept him in his patrol car, making the rounds. When he\u2019d stopped at the gas station\u2019s pay phone and called his wife, Pam, to say he\u2019d be a little late, she had said she\u2019d wait up.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he crossed the town\u2019s main intersection, headed for the sheriff\u2019s office, and his own wheels, he smiled. It happened every time he looked at the decorations the town council had hung on the light poles: large, sparkly, white cutouts of snowflakes. In addition, each of the storefronts had garlands and tiny lights displayed inside and out, giving off a nice holiday spirit. They were all on timers and would go off at midnight so he knew it wasn\u2019t quite that late yet. Due to his persistent memory loss, Dave couldn\u2019t remember any specific Christmases but he knew, somehow, that it was his favorite holiday.<\/span>
\n<\/p>\n

Unexpectedly, at this late hour, a figure was sitting on the bench in front of the post office\/general store. Dave knew the man was the foreman at the Thompson Pharmaceuticals warehouse but, since his memory-loss, he hadn\u2019t renewed any acquaintance they might have shared. The guy\u2019s name was Ken\u2026 something, and Dave knew he was engaged to Mr. Thompson\u2019s daughter. Figuring this was as good a time as any to get reacquainted, he pulled over and stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

The figure rose when Dave stepped out of the car. Instead of approaching casually, however, as he had intended, Dave was halted by a wave of uncertainty, of vulnerability, clearly sent from this man. His cop instincts immediately on alert, he put a neutral expression on his face and walked forward, his right hand held out in a friendly manner, his left in the vicinity of the weapon holstered on his hip.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man glanced toward Dave\u2019s left hand. \u201cI think I\u2019m harmless, Deputy.\u201d He smiled and extended his own right hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave assessed the dry-palmed, long-fingered grip and the beautiful smile; if the person in front of him was nervous about something, it didn\u2019t translate to his handshake or face. \u201cDavid Lombard. I must know you, but I can\u2019t remember your last name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFoley. Ken Foley. Yes, I\u2019m sure we\u2019ve met and I apologize, too. My memory\u2019s not what they say it used to be.\u201d Ken let go of his hand and gestured around. \u201cWhat are you doing out so late, Deputy? Sidewalks are already rolled up for the night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave shrugged, instinctively liking the man. \u201cI might ask you the same question. I seem to recall being told you\u2019re the fianc\u00e9 of Mr. Thompson\u2019s daughter. What\u2019s her name? Martha? Marla?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMarcie,\u201d Ken provided. \u201cAnd, yes, I am.\u201d For a moment, he appeared nonplussed and Dave\u2019s instincts went on full alert.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken was about his own age — late thirties — was an inch or two taller, had golden blond hair that, even in the dim illumination from the holiday lights, almost glowed. He was wearing a tailored blue shirt under a heavy buckskin jacket that was hanging open, despite the December chill, tan jeans and scuffed cowboy boots. His eyes were the most brilliant sky-blue Dave had ever seen. \u201cCan\u2019t sleep?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken gestured to the bench and sat down. \u201cEver since the\u2026 accident, that\u2019s one of the many things I don\u2019t do very well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave sat next to him, understanding and sympathy flooding through him. He, too, had been the victim of a recent incident and still had difficulty controlling the onslaught of doubt, concern, and even fear that seemed to come on him at unpredictable times. \u201cI heard about that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody in town probably has. It can\u2019t be a secret. They say I rolled my car on the curve south of the river and spent three weeks in the Fresno hospital\u2019s intensive care unit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey weren\u2019t sure you were going to live, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken nodded. \u201cIt must have shocked the doctors when I came out of the coma after they\u2019d already told Marcie and her father that I was almost certainly going to die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid \u2018em good, I imagine.\u201d Dave didn\u2019t try to hide his grim expression. \u201cHate doctors myself.\u201d He studied the blond again because he didn\u2019t look like the type to make the kind of mistake the accident indicated: too much to drink, going too fast, trying to get a decent station on the radio; all the usual \u2018excuses.\u2019 \u201cI can\u2019t recall what they said about what caused the accident. Were you drunk? Running away from something? Chasing somebody?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken lifted both shoulders. \u201cI don\u2019t remember. I didn\u2019t even wake up enough to know anything at all until I was back here in the clinic. Doc Morris, Sheriff Wharton, Marcie, and Mr. Thompson have told me what happened. Actually, I\u2019ve been trying to piece my entire past back together from what people have been telling me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo amnesia cases in the same small town at the same time?\u201d Dave shook his head. \u201cWhat are the odds of that, you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken looked confused. \u201cI don\u2019t understand what you mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCoincidence, that\u2019s probably all it is. But I hate those as much as I dislike doctors.\u201d Dave pushed his resurfacing anxiety aside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken was looking at him as if trying to see through mist. \u201cI do remember Marcie saying something about one of the deputies having a hard time recently. Was that you? Got yourself shot?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Absent-mindedly, Dave drew his weapon and held it loosely in his hand. He had no idea why he\u2019d done it and, for some reason, didn\u2019t want this relative stranger to know how unsettled he suddenly was. Rather than re-holster the gun though, he simply held it in his lap. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I ain\u2019t gonna shoot ya.\u201d He grinned around his discomfort, wanting to put this person at ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Ken appeared to relax again, Dave went on. \u201cI\u2019ve been told I was in Stockton a couple of months ago, just minding my own business, when I walked into an armed robbery in progress at a Seven-Eleven.\u201d He felt himself tensing up and took a deep breath. \u201cLong story short, I supposedly got the perps disarmed and handcuffed together but only after one of them had taken a shot at me and creased my skull.\u201d He blew out the breath and re-holstered his weapon before tracing a long groove on the side of his head with the fingers of his left hand. \u201cI don\u2019t remember any of it. Doc says it\u2019s a kind of amnesia but he doesn\u2019t seem to think I\u2019ll ever get my memories back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone of them?\u201d Ken was plainly shocked. \u201cI thought that was rare and I was the only one.\u201d He looked intently at Dave. \u201cThat\u2019s weird.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI agree.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After a few moments of silence, the lanky blond shook himself and glanced at his watch. \u201cSince I have to be at the warehouse at six, I guess I\u2019d better get back to Marcie.\u201d He stuck his hand out. \u201cIt was good to officially meet you, Deputy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave gripped the hand. \u201cDave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKen.\u201d Getting to his feet, he seemed reluctant to part company. \u201cWell\u2026 I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll see each other around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave stood up and found himself smiling. \u201cI think you can count on it. It is a pretty small town.\u201d He watched the tall, lean figure walk away with a feeling of loss he didn\u2019t quite understand. Deciding he\u2019d make sense of it later, he got in his car and headed to the station.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pamela was waiting for him when Dave got home. She hadn\u2019t turned the heat down for the night and was wearing her flimsiest negligee over almost-non-existent panties. Unfolding her sensuous body from the armchair in the living room, she glided across the floor and manhandled him out of his fleece-lined jacket as soon as he\u2019d shed his hat and holster onto the coat tree. \u201cGeez, I thought you\u2019d never <\/em>get home!\u201d She fastened her mouth to his as she wrapped her arms around his neck, hopped up and twined her legs around his waist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave staggered back a step under her assault but managed to keep his balance. Never quite comfortable with her forwardness, he tried to laugh when he managed to come up for air. \u201cAm I that late?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She pointed to the bedroom. \u201cIn there. Now!\u201d As he carried her, she began unbuttoning his shirt. \u201cAnd why are you wearing so many clothes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He batted her hands away gently and deposited her on the side of the bed. \u201cIt\u2019s called a uniform, Pam. Your father frowns on his deputies going around town in the nude.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She scooted her butt to the head of the bed and leaned against the wall, her mouth posed in a patently seductive moue. \u201cWell, get out of it quick, lover, \u2018cause I\u2019m hot to trot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave walked to the chair where he usually piled his clothes. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to wait up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want me to entertain myself, Deputy? Use one of my numerous dildos?\u201d Her laugh sounded ugly. \u201cWhen I\u2019m in the mood for a real fuck, baby, rubber, glass, and plastic just don\u2019t cut it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He could feel her gaze drill into his back but didn\u2019t rise to the bait. The last of his clothes took their place on the chair and he turned to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

She was playing with herself through the slit in her panties while the fingers of her other hand caressed her lips. The look she was sending him was undoubtedly meant to be alluring. \u201cLike what you see, darlin\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He approached the bed, suddenly terribly weary. \u201cI\u2019m really tired tonight, Pam. Let\u2019s make love in the morning, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Not okay.\u201d Quick as a flash, she grabbed his hand and yanked him down, flattened him onto his back, and mounted his hips. One hand wrapped around his flaccid cock while the other raked enameled nails across his chest. He wasn\u2019t sure, but it felt like she might have broken the skin. She twined her fingers into his chest hair and tugged, hard. \u201cYou like it rough, remember, lover?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up into her fiery, hard stare, he had no earthly idea why he might have married this woman. \u201cNo. Actually, Pam, I don\u2019t have any such memory. Are you sure?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She threw her head back and laughed while her practiced hand stroked him to stiffness. \u201cA wife is always sure, baby.\u201d She leaned down and captured his mouth again in a savage kiss before she reared up and jammed herself down onto him. \u201cNow, cowboy, give me the ride you\u2019ve been saving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He tried one last time to derail this runaway freight train. \u201cPam, I don\u2019t think this is going to work. I\u2019m really tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019d better make <\/em>it work, Davey Boy. I waited up for you and now you\u2019re going to repay me for my wifely devotion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Is that what it is? Dave wondered, feeling his cock responding in spite of himself. Wishing he\u2019d stayed at the station and slept on the cot in the cell, he resigned himself to trying to satisfy his rapacious wife.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Foley poured a cup of coffee from the fresh pot and stared out the window at the brightening eastern treeline before he took the mug to the kitchen table and sat down. The fat ceramic Santa Claus in the center, packed with homemade cookies, didn\u2019t give him the contented feeling he thought it should.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awfully quiet this morning, honey, is something wrong?\u201d Marcie put a plate heaped with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast on the table in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Distractedly, Ken glanced at his watch before digging in. \u201cI\u2019m just a little tired, hon. Stayed out longer than I expected last night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting down across from him with her cup of hot tea, she laughed, dunking the bag a few times. \u201cI tried not to fall asleep but I guess I conked out. What time did you get in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout twelve, I think.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone in this tiny company town catch your eye?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her voice sounded a little suspicious, a little wary, but Ken passed it off. He wasn\u2019t used to reading her expressions or tones yet, and he was having trouble with his own feelings. The conversation he\u2019d had with the deputy had left him both comfortable and fretful — a strange combination. He\u2019d experienced an instant camaraderie with Dave that he couldn\u2019t remember ever having had with anyone else; certainly not anyone since his accident. But both of them having amnesia was disturbing, to say the least. As far as he was concerned, the less said to anybody about last night, the better. \u201cNot really. It was just such a beautiful night I didn\u2019t want to come inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She sipped her tea and he knew she was studying him as he ate. \u201cYou\u2019d tell me if anything was bothering you, wouldn\u2019t you? I mean, we tell each other everything, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He forced himself into the role he knew he should be playing: the intended husband of this smart, lovely young woman. \u201cOf course, sweetheart.\u201d He took his empty plate to the sink, washed and rinsed it, and put it on the rack to dry. Swallowing the last of his coffee, he did the same with the cup. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about the Christmas festival\u2019s first rehearsal tonight.\u201d He filled a Thermos with the rest of the pot of coffee and turned the machine off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about it?\u201d Her voice was definitely edgy now.<\/span><\/p>\n

He turned around and leaned against the counter. \u201cI\u2019m not really sure. But I don\u2019t feel as if I\u2019m suitable for the role you say I always play.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She got up and came to him, slipping her arms around his waist. \u201cWhat do you mean, not suitable? You look wonderful in the robes! You\u2019re so tall and\u2026 well\u2026 regal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He felt himself blushing. \u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2026 I still don\u2019t remember anything, Marcie. If I\u2019m to play a wise man convincingly, shouldn\u2019t I have some sort of memory of being a good person?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She laughed brightly but he thought it had a brittle edge. \u201cYou sound like you\u2019re worried about forgetting your lines.\u201d She punched him playfully in the stomach. \u201cYou have no lines, Ken. Nobody does. It\u2019s a pageant! You don\u2019t have to be Oscar-material.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I put the costume on tonight, maybe it\u2019ll jog something loose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She leaned up and kissed him lightly. When she spoke, her voice was softer. \u201cWhether it does or doesn\u2019t, you are <\/em>a good person, Ken. Believe me, I wouldn\u2019t be marrying you otherwise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He tried to accept her verdict. \u201cOkay, if you say so.\u201d Quickly, he disengaged himself and picked up the Thermos. \u201cGo back to bed, hon. You know you don\u2019t have to make me breakfast in the mornings. The cafeteria at the factory is always open by the time I get there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She stood where she was, her arms folded across her chest, as if cold. \u201cI like doing it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He leaned in and kissed her again quickly. \u201cAnd I appreciate it.\u201d He held the Thermos up. \u201cEspecially the coffee.\u201d He worked his face into a smile. \u201cThe stuff they make at work is terrible!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo I\u2019ve heard.\u201d The return smile she gave him looked a little forced but he was probably imagining things.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ten-minute walk didn\u2019t give him nearly enough time to think about everything tumbling around in his head. It was difficult getting used to his job — again; no matter how hard he tried, nothing came naturally, or seemed to be anything he\u2019d ever done before. Clyde Thompson, his boss and the head of Thompson Pharmaceuticals, Marcie, even his co-workers told him not to let it bother him. He was the best foreman they\u2019d ever had, and a valued member of the small community.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why don\u2019t I feel as if I belong?\u201d he asked the squirrel that was sitting in the path. The squirrel, probably part of some sort of conspiracy, didn\u2019t answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At rehearsal that night, Dave was glad to see Ken. \u201cAh, someone I don\u2019t have to struggle to remember.\u201d He reached for the warehouse foreman\u2019s hand and shook it firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy sentiments exactly.\u201d Ken\u2019s agreement sounded heart-felt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked around at the townspeople donning their costumes for the annual pageant. His own dull, unadorned robe, made from coarse brown material, bore no resemblance to the velvet and braid draped over his new friend. He fingered the rich sleeve on Ken\u2019s arm. \u201cWhy is it I get the burlap and you get the royal treatment?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken\u2019s expression carried uncertainty. \u201cMaybe because I\u2019m supposed to be a king and you\u2019re a simple carpenter?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what Joseph was?\u201d Dave shook his head. \u201cI guess I should have known that, shouldn\u2019t I? I don\u2019t remember if I\u2019m religious but I should have known that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Marcie and Pam showed up at that moment and each put a hand through an appropriate elbow. \u201cCome on, Dave,\u201d Pam cooed. \u201cMel wants to make sure our costumes look okay. He says we\u2019ll all need new ones next year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked at Ken. \u201cSee you \u2018round the manger.\u201d He watched as Marcie nudged Ken toward the other two \u2018wise men\u2019 who were guzzling beers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s Ken, fellas,\u201d Dave heard her say. \u201cDon\u2019t let him get lost now.\u201d She leaned up and kissed her intended. \u201cI\u2019ll see you after rehearsal, sweetheart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pam tugged on Dave\u2019s elbow and led him toward Mel, the \u2018director\u2019 of this, to Dave\u2019s way of thinking, over-blown production.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At the edge of the gathering, Sheriff Dan Wharton and Clyde Thompson watched the foreman and deputy being separated by the two women. The sheriff, still wearing his uniform and weapon, leaned toward the patriarch of the town\u2019s founding family. \u201cThey\u2019ve become friends?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thompson\u2019s face was unreadable but Wharton felt the older man\u2019s concern as he shrugged. \u201cApparently.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that wise?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thompson looked at him, the air suddenly frigid between them. \u201cHow do you propose to keep them apart?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton didn\u2019t have an answer. \u201cNo idea. But we\u2019d better think this through again. The doc says, as long as they both keep getting their doses, they won\u2019t remember anything, but –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPam and Marcie will make sure,\u201d Thompson broke in. \u201cOur daughters know what would happen if either one of them begins to get his memories back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long are you figuring on letting this little charade continue?\u201d Wharton glanced back and forth between his deputy and Thompson\u2019s warehouse foreman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust as long as I want it to, Dan.\u201d Thompson\u2019s voice was icy. \u201cUntil I\u2019m satisfied that they\u2019ve suffered enough.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sheriff stared at Thompson as if he hadn\u2019t heard correctly. \u201cWhat makes you think either of them is suffering now?\u201d He looked back at the pair. \u201cThey\u2019re free as a bird, have good jobs, and the run of the whole town.\u201d He almost snarled the next words, \u201cStarsky\u2019s fucking my daughter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA role she begged for.\u201d Thompson\u2019s voice held no sympathy at all. \u201cAnd, as she\u2019s told me herself, one she\u2019s very much enjoying.\u201d His tone shifted to that of a confidence. \u201cThat girl has a mean streak in her a mile wide. You know that, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton swallowed hard. \u201cAlways has.\u201d He dragged his thoughts back to the subject at hand. \u201cHow are these two suffering, though, Clyde? I don\u2019t see it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re lost. They have no idea who they are and, for self-possessed, successful cops like them, that has to be pure Hell. I want to wallow in the irony a little longer.\u201d Thompson crossed his arms, apparently quite satisfied with himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWish you\u2019d just let me kill them. Be a whole lot easier.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re too simplistic, Dan. My way is so much more subtle. Hutchinson\u2019s already showing signs of the strain and Marcie says he\u2019s not sleeping well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStarsky\u2019s like dog with a bone,\u201d the sheriff muttered. \u201cHe buries it while he\u2019s working but, when he\u2019s off duty, digs it up and worries over it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey were both so\u2026 arrogant at the trial.\u201d Thompson was nearly vibrating with what Wharton knew was repressed hatred. \u201cI want them taken down as many pegs as I can manage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey had every right to be arrogant,\u201d Wharton pointed out. \u201cThey had the goods on our sons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know but –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton figured he was walking on thin ice but he overrode the denial. \u201cI still think your high-priced mouthpiece screwed up when he tried to imply that Starsky had mob connections.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe used that ploy over my objections,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cI should never have allowed it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then to have him attempt to introduce the fact that Hutchinson had been suspected of his wife\u2019s murder\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Thompson admitted. \u201cI see it, in retrospect, but didn\u2019t at the time. And I didn\u2019t expect the backlash. I watched the jury\u2019s faces as the judge told him, in no uncertain terms, that lies and false innuendo wouldn\u2019t be allowed in her courtroom. That\u2019s when they turned against us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re wrong there, Clyde. The evidence is what turned them against us. That, and the unshakable testimony from those two.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverything was blown out of proportion.\u201d Thompson was beginning to sound whiny. \u201cSo what if a few street kids died? They were nothing, worse than nothing! A drain on society.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton knew he was taking a chance but he couldn\u2019t remain silent after that statement. \u201cTheir mothers might not have thought so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt never should have been anything more than a brief investigation and then an unsolved case. Cliff and Darrel defied me and I\u2019d have dealt with them. It didn\u2019t have to end up in court.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith Starsky and Hutchinson involved it did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is exactly why they\u2019re here now, in the palms of our hands. So that we can extract our revenge.\u201d Thompson\u2019s next look chilled Wharton to the bone. \u201cAnd then kill them. Just like you want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton had been willing to snuff both cops but keeping them alive while tormenting them was getting to him. He knew he\u2019d allowed himself to be persuaded into this madness but was beginning to fear that he\u2019d be joining his son in the state penitentiary before too much longer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Chapter Two<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

As Dave and Ken l<\/span>ifted their costumes\u2019 robes over their heads and handed them to Stella, the morose wardrobe mistress, Dave turned to his new friend. \u201cDo you shoot?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken\u2019s face turned utterly blank. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave thought Stella froze for a moment, a look of what resembled near-panic in her eyes, but it was gone almost immediately; he disregarded it as his imagination. She gathered their garments to her ample bosom and walked away. Dave put a hand lightly on Ken\u2019s back and wandered with him through the disrobing cast. \u201cGuns. Handguns, rifles, shotguns\u2026. Do you shoot?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken stopped in his tracks. \u201cI have no idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave urged him onward with a gentle nudge. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we find out? Pam tells me she and Marcie are going down to Fresno tomorrow to do some shopping for Christmas, and your wedding. Neither of us works on Sunday, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken nodded. \u201cRight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For some unknown reason, as they approached their respective ladies, Dave lowered his voice. \u201cThere\u2019s a gun club behind the bowling alley. How \u2018bout eight o\u2019clock?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken matched the quiet tone. \u201cI\u2019ll be there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pam moved to Dave\u2019s side and snaked her arm possessively around his waist. \u201cWhat took you two so long? I gave Stella my robes hours ago and Marcie and I\u2019ve been waiting!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken draped his long arm across Marcie\u2019s shoulders and addressed Pam\u2019s irritation with kindness. \u201cStella\u2019s a tyrant, Ms. Wharton, you know that. She didn\u2019t want anyone dropping costumes anywhere except directly into her arms. Gus and Jimmy got tangled up in their skirts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pam snickered. \u201cThey would.\u201d Tightening her arm around Dave\u2019s waist, she smiled sweetly at Ken. \u201cYou really need to get over this formality you seem to be clinging to since the accident, Kenny. We\u2019ve known each other forever! Marcie\u2019s my best friend and I\u2019m her Maid of Honor. Please, call me Pam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even in the near-darkness, Dave saw the color rise to Ken\u2019s cheeks. \u201cYes, ma\u2019\u2026 uh, sorry\u2026 uh\u2026 I mean, Pam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanting, for some reason, to spare his friend any more embarrassment, Dave turned Pam toward their car. \u201cI\u2019m bushed, honey, let\u2019s head home.\u201d He glanced over his shoulder to where Ken and Marcie were walking away. \u201cSee you, Foley.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken looked back and nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

To be continued…<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter One Thompson County Deputy Dave Lombard took one last unhurried cruise through the small town before he packed it in and headed home to his wife. The sheriff had told him to knock off for the night but, for … Continue reading →<\/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":[6,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-nsfw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=212"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":635,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212\/revisions\/635"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}