{"id":265,"date":"2018-12-10T05:22:52","date_gmt":"2018-12-10T05:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=265"},"modified":"2020-11-11T18:16:50","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T18:16:50","slug":"december-10th-lies-and-other-crimes-part-three-by-dppatricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=265","title":{"rendered":"December 10th- Lies and Other Crimes Part Three by DPPatricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click here to read Part 1<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/span>Click here to read Part 2<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Part Three<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

She sat up straight and met their unrelenting stares. \u201cAs soon as Cliff and Darrel were sentenced, my father and the sheriff began to plan. They called a town meeting because, if a grand conspiracy such as the one they foresaw could be achieved, they\u2019d need the cooperation of every resident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She got up and poured herself more coffee before sitting back down. \u201cThe phrase, \u2018company town\u2019 fits this place to a T, believe me. No one had the nerve to go against my father. They all knuckled under. Everyone watches you both and they report every word you say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo wonder,\u201d Dave mused, \u201cI\u2019ve felt like I\u2019ve had bugs crawling under my skin.\u201d His left hand went to the scar on his head before he looked at Marcie again. \u201cWhat did they do here?\u201d<\/span>
\n
\n\u201cI was told you\u2019d been shot a few years ago,\u201d she said. \u201cSomething about a mob hit in a restaurant. All Doc Morris did was open the scar and re-stitch it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave grimaced. \u201cAll.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She ducked her head in apology but continued. \u201cMy father and Sheriff Wharton came up with the scenarios for your two\u2026 accidents, and everyone was told what to say to you in order to reinforce the fictions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken couldn\u2019t hide the fact that he was impressed. \u201cThat\u2019s an amazing achievement, when you think about it, Starsk. A few hundred people carrying on a performance like this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave grunted, sounding really pissed. \u201cThey\u2019ve even got the kids involved, Hutch! Little Joey Parsons was telling me all the details of my supposed heroics at the Seven-Eleven!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe believed it, Dave,\u201d Marcie said. \u201cThe children are innocent. They tell you only what they\u2019re convinced happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut the adults aren\u2019t innocent, right?\u201d Ken drank some brew and she knew him well enough to realize he was replaying scenes in his head. \u201cEd, Rudy\u2026 Gus and Jimmy\u2026 my supposed co-workers\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe festival\u2019s wardrobe mistress\u2026 what\u2019s her name?\u201d Dave asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStella,\u201d Ken provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone,\u201d Marcie admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken turned his gaze on Dave and Marcie could almost feel the heat of their combined rage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you understand, now?\u201d Her fear for Ken was in her voice but she didn\u2019t mask it. \u201cYou can\u2019t stay here. You both have to leave!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not breaking eye contact with his partner, Ken shook his head. \u201cNo. Deputy Lombard and I are going to remain right here, playing our roles, until you bring the cavalry, Ms. Thompson.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou worked up the nerve to tell us,\u201d Dave said. \u201cNow you\u2019re going to have to follow through and help us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Marcie had played her last card but they weren\u2019t going to leave! \u201cI don\u2019t think I can!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you had better think again.\u201d There was steel in Ken\u2019s tone. \u201cYou\u2019re in this right up to your eyebrows and, unless you do something to mitigate your involvement, you\u2019ll be facing the same charges as your father and Sheriff Wharton. I can\u2019t guarantee that the D.A. will agree to let you off completely, but I give you my word that Starsky and I\u2026\u201d He glanced at his partner and got a nod of approval before returning his hard stare to Marcie. \u201cStarsky and I\u2019ll do whatever we can to get you off with as light a sentence as possible\u2026. As long as you promise to do everything in your power to bring an end to this mess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring an end to this mess.<\/em> How, she wondered, was she supposed to do that? None of her father\u2019s and Pam\u2019s sweet-talking had prepared her for this! Could she go for help? Where? To whom? Was that even a possibility? Oh, Lord, why did she have to fall in love with Ken Hutchinson? Why hadn\u2019t Leslie volunteered to be his fianc\u00e9? Leslie could have handled it. But, no, Pam wouldn\u2019t allow anyone but her best friend, Marcie, to have the pleasure of playing a major role in this farce. Marcie always did what Pam said. Always. Until\u2026 until she\u2019d fallen in love with Ken Hutchinson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken\u2019s firm voice broke into her frazzled thoughts. \u201cWe have to come up with a believable reason why you\u2019ll be away for a day or two.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She drew in a deep breath and forced herself to focus. \u201cI\u2019ll be away for a day or two?\u201d Finishing her coffee, she got up and poured more before sitting back down. \u201cI guess\u2026 maybe\u2026 I could have another panic attack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA what?\u201d Dave asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe week before I married my first husband, Jeff, I ran away. Doc Morris called it a panic attack.\u201d She looked at each of them. \u201cIt could happen again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d Ken wasn\u2019t convinced but didn\u2019t seem to have a better suggestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d have to call my father,\u201d Marcie said. \u201cTell him I\u2019m having the same feelings I did before Jeff, and I need to get away for the weekend. I\u2019ll say I\u2019m going down to my friend, Janet\u2019s, in Los Angeles. It\u2019s what I did last time. He\u2019ll believe me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken nodded. \u201cBut you\u2019ll go past L.A., to Bay City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you\u2019ll find the Metro Division of the BCPD\u2026\u201d Dave continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s at Fifth and Main,\u201d Ken added, \u201cjust off Exit One-Twenty-One.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain Harold Dobey is the man you need to see,\u201d Dave told her. \u201cDon\u2019t talk to anyone else!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Marcie had a terrible thought. \u201cWhat if they don\u2019t let me? What if no one believes me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken smiled at Dave and they must have shared a memory because Dave suddenly grinned, too. Ken turned his confidence on Marcie. \u201cGive them this message to relay to Dobey. Tell them Rafferty and O\u2019Brien sent you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave chuckled. \u201cThat\u2019ll get you an audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Marcie\u2026\u201d Ken put a hand over her trembling one. \u201cTell Captain Dobey everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t leave out a single detail.\u201d Dave finished his beer and glanced at Ken. \u201cMy partner and I\u2019ll keep things calm here until Dobey can gather his forces.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThink he\u2019ll call in the Feds, Starsk?\u201d Ken asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave hunched a shoulder. \u201cMaybe. They didn\u2019t take us across state lines but it is kidnapping. Shit! That would complicate things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlus,\u201d Ken mused, \u201che\u2019ll have to contact the sheriff\u2019s department in the next county. The one here is sure as hell compromised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what you\u2019re saying is\u2026\u201d Marcie stared at each of them. \u201cIt may take your captain a couple of days, at least, to come up with a plan? Especially since it\u2019s a weekend? You two are risking your lives until then. You know that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave stared at her. \u201cIt\u2019s what we do, Ms. Thompson.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ken patted her hand. \u201cIt\u2019s become an undercover operation for us now, Marcie. And we\u2019re pretty good at those.\u201d He got up, pulled two more beers out of the fridge. \u201cFigure out what you\u2019re going to say to your father while I talk to my partner for a minute.\u201d He headed toward the living room and Dave followed him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marcie sat, drinking more coffee and mentally writing the speech she would deliver to her father.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Hutch and Starsky pulled the drapes tightly closed on all the windows before turning on a light. They sat next to each other on the couch, bathed in the sparkly glow of the decorated tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky\u2019s deep blue eyes met Hutch\u2019s. \u201cYou hate the holidays and all the commercial shit. I remember.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In spite of his roiling emotions, Hutch couldn\u2019t help but smile. \u201cIf we pull this Christmas miracle off, buddy, I may have to change my mind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky rolled his bottle in his hands. \u201cYou trust Marcie not to tell her father?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch matched the soft voice. \u201cShe didn\u2019t have to let us know what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky gulped brew. \u201cNo, she didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Marcie came out of the kitchen and took the small arm chair across from them. \u201cI know you have no reason to believe me but I\u2019ll do what you ask. Would you draw me a map, please? I\u2019m pretty good with directions but better with a map.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch put his beer down, got up and went to the desk in the corner. When he came back and sat down, he began to draw a rudimentary layout of freeways and Southern California cities. \u201cBay City is just south of L.A. Interstate Five connects them. There\u2019s an exit at Main Street and Metro is only a block west of there. You can\u2019t miss it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She took the piece of paper and studied it. \u201cI\u2019ve never been there.\u201d When she looked up, her eyes held determination. \u201cBut I\u2019ll find it. And I\u2019ll tell your Captain Dobey that Rafferty and O\u2019Brien are in trouble and need as much help as he can give them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch nodded. \u201cThat should work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDobey\u2019s a good cop, Ms. Thompson,\u201d Starsky said. \u201cHe\u2019ll figure out what needs to be done and then do it. It may take a day or two, but he\u2019ll come charging up here with so much support, this town, and everyone in it, is going to be bottled up and jailed before they know what\u2019s hit \u2018em.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe sure, Marcie,\u201d Hutch softened his tone but kept it firm, \u201cthat you tell him exactly how many people are involved. He needs to know what he\u2019ll be facing and bring all the personnel and transportation necessary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChild Services, Hutch,\u201d Starsky said. \u201cThere are going to be kids with no place to go when it\u2019s all finished.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, Starsk. The children are going to be the innocent victims.\u201d He looked at his supposed fianc\u00e9 again. \u201cI don\u2019t know where we are in these mountains. How long a drive do you think it\u2019ll be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes about six to get to L.A. so I guess, maybe another half?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDobey\u2019s always there by eight on Fridays,\u201d Starsky noted. \u201cIf you stop a few times, and you should, Ms. Thompson, don\u2019t drive straight through, leaving here around midnight will put you there at just about the right time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan you do this, Marcie?\u201d Hutch was concerned for her in spite of everything she\u2019d been a party to. \u201cWill you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It took her a minute but she met their stares without evasion. \u201cWhat my father and this town have done to you both is wrong. My brother and Darrel Wharton deserved what they got. You didn\u2019t. I\u2019ve taken part in everything so far, but no more\u2026. Yes, I can do it.\u201d She stood up and moved to the phone on the end table. \u201cNow, before I lose my nerve\u2026\u201d She picked up the handset and dialed while Hutch and Starsky listened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Daddy\u2026 I\u2019m sorry to bother you so late but I didn\u2019t want you to worry when you found out I\u2019d gone down to L.A. for the weekend\u2026. No, it\u2019s nothing serious, I\u2019m just feeling a little strung out. I guess it\u2019s all the wedding plans, and the pageant and\u2026 everything else. I feel exactly like I did before I married Jeff\u2026. No, of course I haven\u2019t changed my mind. I just need to get away for a few days, that\u2019s all. I\u2019m fine, really. And Ken\u2019s fine. We\u2019re fine. But I need to spend a little time away from here\u2026. I\u2019ve taken care of the coffee, the compound\u2019s mixed in the grounds. Every morning when Ken makes a pot, he\u2019ll get his dose, so you won\u2019t have to worry about a thing\u2026. No, really, it\u2019s nothing more than a panic attack\u2026.\u201d She smiled grimly at Hutch. \u201cYou know me, Daddy, run away for a couple of days, get my feet back under me and I\u2019ll be fine again. Jeff never had any complaints, did he? \u2026 Yes, I\u2019ll be careful. And I\u2019ll call you from Janet\u2019s\u2026. No! I\u2019m not giving you her address or her phone number. You\u2019d only come down and insist on taking us out to dinner. Or Disneyland\u2026. Thanks, Dad. Thanks for understanding\u2026. Love you, too. Bye for now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch stood up. \u201cWell done. Now I suggest you pack a bag and then try to get a little sleep. I\u2019ll wake you at twelve and have a Thermos of tea ready so that you\u2019ll be able to stay awake.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She straightened up. \u201cThank you. Both. I was terrified to tell you but couldn\u2019t have lived with myself if I hadn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky stood as well. \u201cWe appreciate it, Ms. Thompson.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She started toward the bedroom but stopped and turned back. \u201cDo not say a word to Pamela. She\u2019s in this as deeply as her father.\u201d She blew out a breath. \u201cAnd she\u2019s mean.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, do I know that,\u201d Starsky muttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

CHAPTER FOUR<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When Marcie had closed the bedroom door behind her, Starsky slumped onto the couch again. \u201cWell, that\u2019s not quite what I expected when she flagged me down this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch sat beside him. \u201cBut it answers our questions — why we\u2019ve been so unsettled\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy we were drawn to each other\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeemed to hear each other\u2019s thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky smiled what Hutch realized was his patented lop-sided grin. \u201cWe\u2019re partners, Hutch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time in two months, Hutch felt as if his feet were firmly under him again. \u201cI wish it wasn\u2019t so late. You need to call your mom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will, first thing in the morning, after Pam\u2019s left for work. Gotta figure out what to tell her about where I\u2019ve been.\u201d He snapped his fingers. \u201cWhat about calling Dobey right now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch nearly choked on his swallow of beer. \u201cYeah\u2026 why don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky quickly lost his momentary high spirits. \u201cWhat could he do at this time of night, though?\u201d He considered for a few moments. \u201cMarcie\u2019ll be there first thing tomorrow. Face to face, she\u2019ll be able to tell him everything he needs to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. Tonight, it would be too confusing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky shot him an intense look. \u201cShe\u2019s in love with you, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d With everything he\u2019d learned and sensed and felt in the last half hour, Hutch knew his partner was right. It hurt a little to think what she might have to endure, even though she\u2019d been a big part of the plan. Then another thought occurred and he voiced it immediately. \u201cHey, what about your\u2026 what about Pam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s another kettle o\u2019 fish entirely.\u201d Starsky drank some beer. \u201cGuess I\u2019d better call her. If I don\u2019t, she\u2019ll have her father and Stan out looking for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky grimaced. \u201cYou were married. Vanessa, right? What would you have told her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch shook his head. \u201cDon\u2019t think I ever lied to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about this? Everybody already knows we\u2019re friends\u2026 What if I say I saw you sitting outside the post office again, and you told me Marcie was going to leave for a few days. I didn\u2019t know what to say\u2026 what to do\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo we came back here and had a few beers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHad she already left?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she was packing.\u201d Hutch thought about it. \u201cI tried to settle her down, reason with her but she\u2019s determined. She\u2019s called Janet and her friend is expecting her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince she did it before, that\u2019s believable.\u201d Starsky drilled him with a look. \u201cSo, what about us? How do we handle the next few days?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCarefully?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one thing I remember I\u2019ve always loved about you, blintz, your grasp of the obvious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After Starsky left, Hutch knocked on the bedroom door and waited for the muffled \u201cCome in,\u201d before he opened it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marcie was sitting on the bed, her head in her hands, but looked up. \u201cHas he gone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A small suitcase and her large purse were on the floor at the foot of the bed. Hutch walked over and sat next to her. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re both crazy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t feel like smiling but he did. \u201cYou\u2019re not the first person to tell us that, believe me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why?\u201d She got up and began to pace. \u201cYou could get away! Get back to Bay City and tell your Captain Dobey what happened. You wouldn\u2019t be risking your lives the way you will be by staying here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we left, what would happen to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care! Don\u2019t you understand? I don\u2019t care anymore. I\u2019m in love with you and it was driving me insane, what they were doing to you. What they intended to do\u2026 eventually.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody in town knew they were going to kill us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not everybody. Even if they weren\u2019t told, I\u2019m pretty sure they suspected. When you finally disappeared, they\u2019d never speak about it, but they\u2019d know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing involved in murder isn\u2019t something the average person can handle, Marcie. Someone would talk\u2026 sooner or later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you and Dave would be dead! What good would it do you, even if they did?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoint taken. The other consideration is, if we left, your father and the sheriff would get the truth out of you and probably run. They\u2019d leave the residents here to take the blame, and save themselves. You know they would.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. That\u2019s exactly what they\u2019d do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is why Starsky and I are staying. We\u2019ll keep doing what we\u2019ve been doing for two months and no one will know their tidy little world is about to fall apart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a lot of faith in your captain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s called trust, Marcie. Starsky and I trust each other and we trust Captain Dobey. He won\u2019t let us down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He took her hand. \u201cYou\u2019ve had a difficult few months and we\u2019re grateful that you decided to help us tonight. We\u2019ll do whatever we can, when it\u2019s all over, to help you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish things could\u2019ve been different, Ken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf wishes were horses\u2026\u201d He hoped his voice didn\u2019t sound too callous.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone would ride,\u201d she finished.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Although it was late when Starsky got to his house, Pam was waiting up for him. Furious. \u201cWhere the fucking hell have you been?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He took his coat, hat, and holstered gun off, hanging them on the coat tree, before turning to her. \u201cTaking care of town business. I called you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She glared at him, fists planted firmly on her hips. \u201cBaby sitting Foley after his bride-to-be skipped town? Again<\/em>? That bitch has absolutely no spine!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be unkind, Pam. She\u2019s not as strong as you are. She just needs some time. Foley\u2019s sure she\u2019ll be back by Monday. But he was upset.\u201d He headed toward the kitchen, really wanting one more beer.<\/span><\/p>\n

She grabbed his arm and spun him around. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare try to brush me off with \u2018she\u2019s not as strong as you are,\u2019 and \u2018he was upset\u2019. Maybe Foley killed her. Did you ever think of that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky took a deep breath, keeping a tight rein on his control. \u201cShe was packing when we got there. Not dead. Not even close.\u201d He edged past her. \u201cI\u2019m having a beer. You want one?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI figured you\u2019d already had your limit at Marcie\u2019s house, sweet cheeks. I\u2019d rather fuck.\u201d She started to drag him toward the bedroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

He resisted. \u201cI\u2019m tired, Pam. I don\u2019t want to tangle with you tonight.\u201d She actually hissed and he caught her hand, stopping the slap inches from his face. \u201cMy shift starts at eight.\u201d He dropped her wrist and turned away, donning his holster, hat and coat again. \u201cInstead of that beer, I think I\u2019ll catch a few hours of sleep at the station.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he stepped out the door and off the porch, her scream followed him. \u201cI\u2019m calling my father! I won\u2019t be left standing here while my husband deserts me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank God, she\u2019s not really my wife,<\/em> Starsky thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome back here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not bothering to turn around, he got in his car and drove the short distance to the station.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo home, Stan,\u201d he said as he walked through the door. \u201cPam and I\u2019ve had a\u2026 disagreement and I\u2019m going to bunk here tonight. It\u2019s quiet. I can handle anything that happens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stan stood up, shoving the porno magazine he was drooling over into a drawer. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure I\u2019m sure.\u201d Dave walked to the coffee pot and poured himself what he knew would be undrinkable mud. \u201cGive my best to your dog.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not waiting to be told twice, Stan grabbed his coat and hurried out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, only a few minutes later, before Starsky could get settled on the cell\u2019s cot, Sheriff Wharton showed up. The lawman\u2019s natural ruddy complexion was bordering on heart-attack territory but Starsky couldn\u2019t find a shred of sympathy for him. \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Sheriff?\u201d He got to his feet and walked out of the cell into the front room, picking up his coffee cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy daughter called! What the hell do you think you\u2019re doing, walking out on her like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky poured a cup of coffee and offered it to Wharton. \u201cPam likes to play games, sir, you know that. I wasn\u2019t in the mood tonight. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Huffing in obvious reluctant understanding, the sheriff took the cup and sat down behind his desk. \u201cI\u2019m told she does that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky sat on the arm of the wooden guest chair. \u201cMarcie Thompson\u2019s left town for a few days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton was clearly surprised. \u201cShe\u2019s what<\/em>?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky sat down in the chair and took a swallow of sludge. \u201cI found her fianc\u00e9 sitting outside the post office and he told me she was feeling a little confined\u2026 needed to go see her friend in Los Angeles for the weekend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton shook his head. \u201cDone it again, has she?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApparently.\u201d Starsky crossed his knees, hoping to convey unconcern. \u201cI drank a couple of beers with him at their house, while she was packing, and was a little late getting home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A knowing grimace crossed the sheriff\u2019s face. \u201cAnd Pam over-reacted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky lifted a shoulder in a non-committal response. \u201cIf you say so, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wharton took another sip of coffee and made a face. \u201cDo yourself a favor, Dave\u2026\u201d He got up, went to the front door, opened it, and threw the rest of the liquid out onto the sidewalk, before he looked back at Starsky. \u201cStay here for the next night or two. I\u2019ll have a talk with Pam tomorrow, then we can both let her settle down over the weekend.\u201d He put the empty mug on Stan\u2019s desk and cast Starsky a speculative glance. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t say no to a pot of fresh coffee in the morning, would you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky knew the reason for the question but didn\u2019t let it show on his face. \u201cNo, sir, I sure wouldn\u2019t. This machine we\u2019ve got here makes terrible stuff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVinegar,\u201d Wharton muttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy late wife always swore by vinegar, but it\u2019s never set right with me.\u201d Shaking himself out of his reverie, the sheriff smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure Pam brings a full pot down to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky stood up and attempted to appear grateful. \u201cIf you can do that, sir, you\u2019ve got a better handle on her than I do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sheriff turned away but not before Starsky had seen the smugness. \u201cIt\u2019s called practice, Dave. Lots of practice.\u201d With his hand on the doorknob, he turned back. \u201cPam loves Christmas. I predict she won\u2019t hold onto her mad for too long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet some sleep!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky stretched out on the cot in the station\u2019s only cell but he didn\u2019t even close his eyes. Instead, he went over everything he and Hutch had learned that night. None of it did anything to calm his rage at what had been done to them, but it served to focus his anger. By the time he had replayed all the scenes of manipulation and machinations he and Hutch had been put through, he was honestly looking forward to continuing to play the part of the simple, small-town deputy, until Dobey could bring help.<\/span><\/p>\n

At five a.m., he picked up the phone on Stan\u2019s desk and dialed eleven digits. \u201cHi, Ma. It\u2019s me\u2026. Hey, don\u2019t cry. I\u2019m okay\u2026. No, honestly, I\u2019m fine. It\u2019s just been an unbelievable couple of months and I\u2019m really sorry for what I know you must have been going through\u2026. Right, okay. Are you sitting down?\u2026 Good\u2026. Well, apparently, it all started when Hutch and I — What? Oh, yeah. Hutch is fine, too. We\u2019re gonna come see you as soon as this whole thing is wrapped up\u2026. Yeah, I\u2019m getting to it, just sit down and listen, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To be continued\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Click here to read Part 1 Click here to read Part 2 Part Three She sat up straight and met their unrelenting stares. \u201cAs soon as Cliff and Darrel were sentenced, my father and the sheriff began to plan. They … 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":[6,7,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-gen","category-sfw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265","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=265"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":647,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265\/revisions\/647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}