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Green-eyed envy.
Chapter 1
The lifeless big green eyes strangely looked to be at peace. Starsky could tell she had been beaten over a long period of time by appearance of bruises in different stages. Her clothes were old, ill-fitted but clean and he imagined she must have been quite a looker before she hit hard times.
Hutch was taking the statement from the man who had discovered the body. The area was a known pick-up place at night but at six the morning it was a cut through from the bus terminal. Many people wouldn’t have even reported it due to the location, let alone waited for the police to arrive. It never ceased to amaze them how there was never any witnesses, but as soon police were on the scene a crowd of onlookers would appear.
“Starsk, what we got?”
“She’s beaten real badly and not for the first time. No ID or anything.”
Back at the precinct Hutch pulled the list of women’s halfway homes and hostels. The victim’s clothing may have been given to her recently as they were too clean for someone on the streets.
Starsky was checking the missing persons files and stopped to study a photo. The eyes had caught his attention but that was the only similarity, and the victim looked a lot older than the missing girl. He passed the file over to Hutch hoping they hadn’t just found the missing 19-year-old.
Christina Hemmings had gone missing 13 months ago and the file listed a distinctive large birthmark on her right thigh. The pathologists immediately confirmed a birthmark and they headed to the morgue. It was bittersweet identifying Christina Hemmings. Whilst they wanted and needed to identify the victim’s name, they knew they had to break the news to her loved ones.
She had died from internal bleeding from vicious beatings. There were scars evidencing she had also been restrained by ropes round her ankles and just above her elbows. This was the beginning of understanding what she had gone through in the last 13 months and what had made her almost unrecognisable from her photos.
Chapter 2
They knew her parents would be holding out for her safe return and familiarised themselves with the case before leaving to give them the heart wrenching news.
The investigation of Christina’s disappearance had been thorough, none-the less there had been no leads. She had left a party alone after her boyfriend Keith Brooks had too much to drink. That was the last time anyone saw her. Witnesses had been able to confirm Keith had stayed at the house overnight and the time Christina had left.
Outside the house Starsky looked over at Hutch and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. It didn’t matter how many times they’d broken devastating news to a loved one, it was always as difficult as the first time. They knew if that ever changed, they would leave the force.
“I’ll lead on this one.” Hutch gave his hand a thankful squeeze and they got out the car.
Mrs Hemmings opened the door and instantly broke into tears, Starsky stepped forward and comforted her as Mr Hemmings appeared and Hutch introduced him and his partner. They always knew before it was even said, but it didn’t make it any easier. This time they hadn’t even introduced themselves, perhaps their own anguish of having to break the news was evident on their faces.
The Hemmings explained they hadn’t been keen on their Christina’s boyfriend because of who he had been associated with in the past. It had caused a few heated conversations. Then one day Christina told them Keith agreed with them. He had told Christina, ‘loving parents never stop looking out for their children, however old they were and she should be grateful.’ They had never doubted his love for their daughter, and he stilled visited them regularly hoping they had heard from her. Like them, Keith had never given up hope on Christina’s safe return.
They admitted initially they had blamed him for not seeing her home. But then they realised his own guilt and loss was more than Keith could take.
The Hemmings asked Starsky and Hutch to break the news to Keith personally. They couldn’t deal with their loss and breaking his heart. They couldn’t even face seeing the only person who loved Christina as much or more than they did get the news that she was never to return home.
Breaking the news to the Hemmings intensified their own determination and urgency to find who was responsible for Christina’s murder. Now they were on the way to her boyfriend’s home to break the young man’s heart.
“Did ya notice neither of them had green eyes?”
“No, didn’t notice,” replied Hutch.
“It’s unusual, especially with both parents having brown eyes.”
“Starsk, it never ceases to amaze me the things you suddenly think of.”
“Just noticed, that’s all.”
Keith lived in a small bedsit above where he worked and took the news as the Hemmings had expected. It was clear he’d never forgiven himself for not seeing Christina home that night.
“Christina knows about my past but says, ‘it’s the past, not the present or future.’” Keith spoke of her as if she were alive. They knew it would take him some time for him to come to terms with the news. Hutch recalled that gut wrenching feeling when he held Gillian’s lifeless body. He didn’t know if he would have got through it without Starsky. Keith would need a Starsky of his own to get through his grief.
“Yeah, don’t let the past cloud your future.” Starsky said knowing by bitter experience, it was easier said than done. Hutch had always been there for him even when he didn’t think he could carry on. He hoped that Keith had a friend like Hutch to turn to, but knew few people were that lucky.
“She accepts me for who I am.” Keith added.
“And, who are you?” Starsky asked.
“Someone who escaped a demon and was sent Christina to save me…now she’s gone.” They stayed until they felt able to leave Keith alone with his grief.
Chapter 3
It had been a long hard day that weighed heavy on their minds, reminding them of their own losses and how precious love was. They headed to The Pits, hoping to put the day behind them both needing the comfort of their partner’s company.
“Hey amigos, bad day?” Huggy noticed their weary faces.
“Yeah, sure has been,” Starsky responded heading towards their preferred booth.
“I’ll bring two over, want something to eat?” He could see they were suffering from what the day had thrown them. “Two specials?”
“Yeah, sounds good!” Hutch called back not even bothering to think about it.
“That’s a first! You okay blondie?”
“Just need to be fed and watered.”
“That bad hey!” Huggy brought their drinks over. “You on the enviously green eyes case?”
“How’d you even know that?!” Starsky asked astonished.
“It’s one of my great talents and I’m more talented than most!”
“You sure are, Hug.” Starsky mocked, winking at the waitress delivering the food.
“Ought ‘a, speak to Sweet Alice. She’d know who’d worked that area last night.” Although they hadn’t drunk much Hutch decided to crash on Starsky’s sofa that night. Something about his friend seemed a bit off and he used the early start in the morning as a good excuse.
The next morning Sweet Alice was as charming as ever, particularly towards Hutch. Both of them never made her feel anything less than a lady, but Hutch had captivated her heart.
She’d heard of the body and like many thought it was a new girl on the street. One of them, killed by her pimp or pick up. Alice told them to speak to Jade, giving them details of where and when they could find her. But they knew, even if she did know anything, part of the problem would be convincing Jade to trust them.
“Hey Handsome Hutch, you sure look tired.” Alice purred.
Starsky gave a devilish grin to his partner with a teasing raise of his eyebrows. Hutch knew he hadn’t slept well the night before with the combination of his partner’s sofa, the case and a belly full of Huggy’s special.
“Sure wish it had been me that kept you up last night.” Sweet Alice added, instantly causing Hutch to blush like a beacon.
Hutch knew this was the only time his partner’s back up was unreliable, around Sweet Alice and her suggestive flitting. Hutch daren’t even look at Starsky, knowing he’d be enjoying his discomfort and blushing.
“I wish it had been something as sweet as you keeping me from my sleep.” Hutch gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll be…leaving then?” Starsky teased, even with Hutch’s smooth response he knew he was squirming inside.
As they left, Alice stood gently stroking the cheek which Hutch had kissed whilst watching the man of her dreams leave.
Chapter 4
Sweet Alice had said ‘Jade by name and Jade by nature’ and when they saw the Donna Summers lookalike, dressed fully in the colour of jade, they knew they had found her.
Immediately noticing them, Jade started to walk away. There was two of them and they may as well have had, ‘Cop’ written on their foreheads. In her line of business cops were one of two types, those who wanted freebies or those who arrested her. Either way, not good for business.
She’d always had a thing about cars though, she could even judge a punter by the car he drove. Jade had heard about a pair of cops, good guys. She couldn’t recollect their names but remembered the description of the car, a striped Torino.
“Miss…Miss Jade. We just want a word,” Starsky said softly.
She turned back to the men. It was something about the way the dark-haired man had spoken her name. She knew neither of them, had her usual type of service on their minds.
“Cops?” She noticed the blond man stopped a few steps behind, as his partner discreetly showed his badge.
“I’m Detective Starsky, this is my partner Detective Hutchinson.”
Jade recalled it had been Sweet Alice who’d mentioned them.
Jade told them she’d been in the area the previous night but hadn’t seen the girl. She did recall seeing a new punter, he’d paced to and fro from his truck a couple of times. An older guy and she’d guessed he wanted a younger girl as he hadn’t been interested in any of the girls there. She particularly remembered because there was something about him she didn’t like. He hadn’t been the usual sort of punter on the prowl and her gut told her he was a wrong-un.
Jade noticed they seemed to pay attention when she’d mentioned her instinct and took the vague description of the man keenly. They had been particularly impressed when she gave them the model of his old rusty turquoise truck he had arrived in.
When they had finished, the two of them faced each other without speaking, then they both thanked her.
“Yah know, you ‘ought to try the police academy. This ain’t the life for you.” To Jade, it was the best compliment Starsky could have given her. The thought that she could turn her life round. He thanked her and took her hand softly. She realised he was slipping her money and as she looked up, he gave her the sweetest smile.
“Buy yourself something nice…oh, I agree. Jade is definitely your colour.” As they headed away, she knew they didn’t need to give her anything in return for her information. She hadn’t asked and sure hadn’t expect the money or their card he had discretely given her. Jade knew she would keep their card and definitely not forget their names in the future or their blue eyes.
Chapter 5
Mr Hemmings was leaving the precinct as they entered. They knew by his ashen-face that he’d just formally identified his daughter’s body.
“You make sure you get whoever did that to my baby!” A desperate plea, they’d heard too many times before.
“We’ll do our utmost best, sir.” Hutch knew not to promise anything, but realistically it was a promise. “Can we have a moment of your time?”
“You can have all the time in the world, if it gets the…” He paused, looked down at the ground.
“Sir, we have a vague description of someone who may be able to help with our investigation. This doesn’t mean they’re a suspect.” Hutch gave him Jade’s description of the man, but it was too vague. However, he did recall seeing a truck that matched the description both prior and since Christina’s disappearance. They advised him, if they saw the vehicle again to note its number plate and contact them immediately.
Back at their desk Starsky was reading the full forensic report while Hutch went through Keith’s file. Keith’s file included an arrest record for vagrancy, burglary and joy riding. There was an old hospital report, but Keith had left the hospital refusing to give details of his next of kin or explanation to what had happened. The list of injuries included rope burn marks above his elbows.
“We need to speak to Keith.” Hutch passed the medical report over to Starsky.
It was unusual for restrains to be above the elbow. Normally it would be round their wrist preventing the rope from slipping and the victim from escaping. This meant it was highly likely the person that caused Keith’s injuries all those years earlier, was the person who abducted and killed Christina.
Chapter 6
They hadn’t thought they could break Keith any more than when they told him Christina was dead. But the instant they described the injuries, he turned ghostly white. At that moment Keith knew it had been his own father who had killed his beloved Christina.
He explained when his mother died it had been difficult. His father blamed him for his loneliness, telling him no woman wanted to take on someone else’s child. Then when his father lost his job, the beating started. The realisation that it was his relationship which had cost Christina her life sickened him.
Keith explained he had run away years ago and had no idea his father knew where he was or about Christina, but unfortunately, he did. They felt Keith’s father had been jealous that he had found happiness with Christina and that had driven him to abduct her.
As they entered the road where Keith had lived with his parents, they immediately saw the turquoise truck. The properties in the short dead-end road were mainly rundown, bordered-up houses and the only other vehicle in sight was a burnt out dumped car. They walked up to the property, the front yard was overgrown and covered with rubbish.
The property was so desolate anything could happen there and nobody would have a clue. It appeared to be in a worse state than the abandoned properties.
Hutch knocked on the door, but there was no response. As they looked around, they heard a bang from inside followed by silence. Hutch nodded as Starsky headed to the back of the property.
Starsky had struggled to get to the back of the property when he heard Hutch announce he was going in. Neither the front nor back door were secure. Starsky entered the back door as Hutch entered the front.
The back room had once been a lounge but now he struggled to step over rubbish and empty bottles. It smelt like an old dirty bar, a mix of stale smoke and alcohol. He cleared the room and continued to check the adjoining kitchen. Hutch had cleared the entrance area and front bedroom but Keith had told them his bedroom had been upstairs. They knew they had heard something and felt sure Keith’s father must be upstairs.
Starsky nodded upwards indicating he was going upstairs while Hutch kept his gun aimed on the door at the top of the stairs. As Starsky reached the top they heard the same bang noise from behind them. Within a split second, from nowhere Hutch felt a large arm tighten round his neck crushing his windpipe. In the suddenness of the attack he had dropped his gun. Hutch was fighting to free himself as he felt his feet being raised from the ground. His limbs were weakening, he heard Starsky’s voice in the distance and the familiar sound of his Smith and Wesson as he dropped to the floor.
Hutch was frantically grasping for air. He could see Starsky but his voice was muffled. Then he felt Starsky arms and legs around him as he was sat upright. His voice, although faint, was calming and comforting as was his touch. It was like Starsky was pulling him up to air.
“That’s it…breath it in.” Hutch felt reassured by the hand resting on his chest, feeling the rise and fall as he gasped for air. “Slow down, take it easy.” Starsky’s soothing voice helping to calm him.
He laid back against his partner’s chest, appreciating each breath he took. Gradually he felt his breathing slowing down and synchronising with his partner’s breathing.
“I need to call it in.”
“Did you…?” Hutch’s rasping voice gave way.
“No…not just you who needs a Doc”
“I doneed…one!” Hutch groaned unconvincingly as a fit of coughing hit him.
“You’re getting checked over!” Hutch heard the no-nonsense tone and didn’t have the strength to argue.
“Where’d…” The feeling of nausea hit him, his throat telling him not to speak.
“Sshh don’t talk, just relax and breathe.”
Keith’s father was faced down on the floor with his wrists cuffed behind his back. He’d stopped struggling but was still cursing. They didn’t know how they missed such a huge man when they cleared downstairs. Hutch could hear and see that he wasn’t badly injured. He was amazed Starsky had managed to cuff the beast by himself, let alone the cuffs fitted his wrists.
When the back up and paramedics arrived, Hutch was sat up but not moving on strict orders from his partner. He wasn’t up to moving, but he wasn’t going to admit that to Starsky.
The paramedics went to Hutch first, they had met the partners before and knew not to question the request. They had assessed the cuffed man wasn’t in any immediate danger.
Hutch sat watching and listening to the activities. An officer was travelling with Keith’s father in the ambulance and his partner was staying behind securing the scene with Starsky. He watched as Starsky paced in and out of the front door deep in thought.
“Hutch, it doesn’t fit.”
“What doesn’t?”
“That room! It’s too small.”
“Uh?” Hutch followed his partner and stood in the doorway of the bedroom. It was impossible for Starsky not to walk on the rubbish on the floor as he went round knocking on the walls.
“Hear that?” It was the wall to the side of a large old wardrobe and where he stood the floor was strangely clear of rubbish. Starsky ran his fingers round the edge of the wardrobe, it opened with the bang noise they’d heard earlier.
Hutch watched as Starsky step into the side of the wardrobe completely out of sight. As he stepped forward he heard his partner retching just as he reappeared.
“It…it open’s into a narrow area.” He covered his mouth and nose for a moment. “There’s a mattress…he’d kept her in there.” The sight and smell of what Christina had endured was too much for Starsky. They’d seen some sights--horrendous sights--over the years, but it didn’t change how their heart, body or soul reacted.
“Come on Buddy, let’s get you outside.” Hutch lead Starsky outside.
Chapter 7
Keith’s father had kept his wife’s clothes all those years neat and tidy. Her cloths matched in size and style what Christina had been found in. The forensic team found a cup of mixed crushed drugs in the kitchen which he had used on Christina without her knowledge. The pathology report confirmed it matched the drugs found in her bloodstream. There was evidence that Christina had spent time outside of the cell in the house, probably only when she was drugged up until the day had come that she had managed to escape.
Although the case would be closed, it brought them little comfort. In comparison to the conditions Christina endured, Keith’s father’s cell would be practically luxurious.
Hutch knew this case had hit Starsky hard and hoped after the court sentencing it would lift some of the heaviness from him. As Hutch drove to the court, Starsky stared out the window unusually still and quiet.
“He didn’t deserve to be a father!” Starsky mumbled breaking the silence.
“No. Keith’s better off without him.”
“He chose to turn his back on Keith...my pa,” Starsky paused and felt Hutch’s consoling hand on his shoulder. They both knew how unjust life could be.
“He didn’t choose to leave you. He was taken from you.” Hutch notice Starsky twisting his father’s ring on his hand.
“Hutch, I think Jade would’ve liked Christina.”
“Yeah, both pretty special ladies.”
“Think it was fate? I mean…Jade’s love for green and Christina green, green eyes.”
“Fate? I don’t know Starsk.”
“I bet she’d always been asked where she got those green eyes from. Neither her mum or dad have green eyes.” Hutch recalled Starsky mentioning that before.
“She sure had her mother’s looks and dad’s smile though.” Hutch said smiling at his partner as he parked up.
“Didn’t know at the time people were implying something. Stopped when I got older, by then I was the spitting image of pa…apart from the blue eyes.”
“So, your dad didn’t have blue eyes?” Hutch knew Starsky’s mother eyes were brown and had presumed his father had blue eyes.
“No…guess I’m lucky hey!?”
“You sure are, pal. You know only the best people have blue eyes!” Hutch winked at his partner as they got out of the car.
Hutch now understood why the case had got to Starsky. Having deep blue eyes in his family must have been quite an issue as a boy. He recalled Starsky had said when they found out Keith’s father had abused him, that some fathers didn’t deserve to live to be fathers. At the time it just seemed a fleeting comment, now he realised Starsky had been thinking of his own father being taken from him.
Chapter 8
Mr. and Mrs. Hemmings left the court with Keith and approached Starsky and Hutch. They thanked them for giving them some sense of justice with the sentencing.
Keith stood looking a shell of the young man they had first met. He was riddled so much with guilt knowing his father was responsible for Christina’s death out of pure jealousy. Mrs Hemmings gently held onto Keith’s hand with tears in her eyes.
“You are nothing like your father! You loved her and she knew it.” Mr Hemmings said forcefully aware of the trauma Keith was putting himself through.
“But if I had…”
“No ifs in life. You don’t get to choose your parents. You chose Christina to be your family. If you’d let us, we’d still like be your family.” Mr Hemmings pulled his wife in close as Keith leaned onto her shoulder giving his emotional response.
The court hearing had been long and listening to the forensic evidence of what Christina had endured was horrendous. Neither of them felt like going home and they found themselves automatically heading to the comfort of The Pits.
“Hey, my brothers another bad day! What can I get yah?”
“Usuals and two Huggy specials.” Hutch responded without even looking at Huggy, heading to their usual booth.
“You know Hutch, families hey!” Starsky had his own issues with his brother. “At least I got to choose you…you’re more family to me than my own brother.”
“Starsk, it feels like you’ve always been family.”
“You too, who says you can’t choose your family?”
Huggy brought over three drinks.
Both Starsky and Hutch raised their glasses. “To family!”
“Come on Huggy, bruv…raise your glass!” Starsky gestured another toast.
It was a few drinks later when Huggy nodded to the bar for yet another round of drinks. “Hey, if we’re all brothers. Does that make Dobey our fa…?”
Hutch interrupted Huggy. “Don’t even joke about that!”
“Huggy, yah may ‘ave something…” Starsky said as seriously as he could after the amount of drinks they’d had.
“Now see what you done Huggy!” Hutch said rolling his eyes.
“He does likes to shout at us.”
“No Starsky, he shouts at you!”
“Only if I kick his door or put my feet up on his desk…he loves us really.” Starsky raised his glass for a somewhat unsteady toast.
“To Dobey.” The three glasses clinked.