A Fairy Tale

By M. Willow

Part Two

A clear blue sky greeted the two detectives the next day as they headed out for a shopping excursion with Princess Evelyn.  The girl was quiet as she exited the embassy.  Starsky wondered what type of clothes a girl who wore matronly dresses could possibly find in Los Angeles.  It was decided that Hutch would play chauffer the first week and he the second.  Actually, Hutch had lost the coin toss.  He hadn’t trusted Starsky alone with the princess and wanted him to be the chauffer for the entire two weeks.  Starsky had balked at the suggestion so they’d finally decided to toss a coin to decide who would get to ride with the princess.  Hutch had lost.  Now Starsky opened the door to the white limousine and helped the princess inside as his blond partner prepared to seat himself in the driver’s seat.  He couldn’t help but give the blond a triumphant look before getting into the car.  Hutch returned the look with a ‘mind your manners’ glare.

Once Starsky seated himself in the limousine, Hutch took off, driving down the winding road that leads from the embassy.   The drive into town would take well over an hour, so Starsky settled against the soft buttered leather of the limo and relaxed. He looked at the princess who kept her eyes trained out the window.  She seemed shy around him or perhaps men in general.

Starsky appraised her appearance.  She was really quite pretty, just hid it well.  He wondered what her red hair would look like if she let it fall freely.  Right now, she looked older than her twenty-five years. 

Evelyn had her hands clinched tightly.  Each time the car turned a corner, she would sway against him.  She seemed almost apologetic when this would happen.  Frankly, Starsky enjoyed it.  Once, she braced herself, and he felt her soft hand.  It had only been a few seconds, but he treasured it.  Even now he thought of her fragrance, so subtle, so innocent.  He felt protective of her as he looked into her sad eyes.  She wasn’t Honey, but his attraction to her was growing.

He wondered what she’d look like if she wore something other than the yellow dress she wore now.  It was similar to the one she’d worn the day before—long, shapeless, meant to keep the eyes of the world away from her.  Starsky wondered if they would spend the day searching for dresses that resembled this one only in a different color.

He thought of Honey, comparing her to the girl who sat next to him.  Honey had been vivacious, happy to show off her flawless figure, sometimes too happy.   This girl hid her figure behind matronly dresses.   Honey had been adventurous, making love when she wanted and not caring what anyone thought of her.  She was a free spirit.  This girl was marrying a man simple because her father ordered it.  Her life was void of freedom.  Clearly she wasn’t Honey.   Yet there was something that reminded him of the gorgeous redhead.  He couldn’t put his finger on it, not precisely, but he would call it a zest for life.  Both women had it: that zest for life.  It showed in the eyes—their honey-colored eyes.  It’s what had first attracted him to Honey.  He’d been sitting there; ready to go home, tired after a long day behind a desk, missing Hutch, worried about Hutch.  Honey had come in and in moments his spirits had been lifted.  He’d looked into those gorgeous eyes and saw life, hope, excitement, all reflected there.  It was the same as when he’d met Evelyn. They were standing in a room, her father only inches away, his partner standing so close he could almost hear his heartbeat.  Yet, no one else was in the room except the princess.  He was mesmerized, something he wouldn’t even admit to Hutch.  It was too foolish.  She had been promised to another man. 

 “Have you ever been to Simbay, Mr. Starsky?” Evelyn asked.. 

“Dave, please.  No, I haven’t, but I was hoping to see it one day.  Maybe you can be my tour guide if I ever get a chance to go there.”

“Of course, but you must know that it isn’t nearly as beautiful as your country.  We are a simple people.”  

Starsky spared her a glance.  Her honey-colored eyes reflected the sincerity of those words.  Yet there was also a touch of sadness that ran deep,  He found himself wanting to comfort her, wanting to take her in his arms and shield her from the life she faced.   Instead he said, 

“Do you like the simple life, Evelyn?”

She looked at him, capturing him with her gaze,  wordlessly communicating the sadness she felt. 

“There are times when it means everything.  To have something one can depend on.  To have something that never changes, that is passed on from one generation to the next.”  She paused, seeming to search for words.  “Yet there is a sadness in a country that never changes.  Rules that go back thousands of years.  It is during these times that I envy the beauty of America for it is a beauty not just of trees and mountains, but of freedom.”

Starsky felt touched by the words.  Here was a woman who appreciated a country that he had merely taken for granted.  He’d enjoyed freedom most of his life.  Yes, there were restrictions, but there was no one telling him whom to marry, how to spend his life.  Those choices were his alone.

Evelyn averted her eyes.  Starsky thought he saw a tear escape.  She brushed a hand across her face, her eyes peering out the darkened window.  For a moment he reached for her.  Just as quickly he moved his hand back.  It wasn’t his place. 

“We’re almost there,” he said simply as if everything the girl felt and he was starting to feel could be fixed by those simple words. 

“Yes,” she replied.  “We’re almost there.”  Starsky heard the words and knew that she spoke of something more than a  visit to a store.

The first stop was a large department store on the outskirts of Los Angeles.  Evelyn came to life when she saw the hustle and bustle of  the big city.  Starsky found himself strangely protective of her.  She seemed so small and vulnerable. 

“Come on, I can’t wait to get inside,” she said excitedly as they exited the car.

Starsky took her hand and smiled at Hutch who exited the car, stretching his long body, the sun reflecting  the golden strains of his hair.

“You of course will stay with the car while I accompany the young lady.” Starsky said teasingly, eyeing Hutch.  Hutch gave him a glare, clearly not comfortable with his role of chauffeur. But Starsky knew he was secretly happy that he wouldn’t have to spend time watching Evelyn shop.  He had never enjoyed accompanying his girlfriends on shopping excursions.

000000000

“Come on, come on,” Evelyn said, jumping up and down like a small child, a tangle of dresses in her hand.

The store was small with only a few shoppers and one old guard standing by the door.  Starsky noted that the man was at least seventy and barely able to stand.  He wore a gun which Starsky felt should be against the law.  The man certainly was not capable of handling the hardened criminals that populated LA. 

“I have plenty of dresses to look at,” Evelyn said.  “Father said I may dress as the Americans whilst I’m here.  Within reason, of course.”

Starsky wondered what  the ‘within reason’ meant.  Did it mean that she could wear a long dress without sleeves?  Of course a quick glance around the small shop revealed nothing the king would deem suitable for his daughter.  Could be a long day, Starsky thought as Evelyn ran down the first aisle.  Still, he was happy to see her so excited.  Gone was the somber girl who sat speaking of Simbay only moments ago, replaced with a girl happy that for one moment she could forget the future.

“Look.  Isn’t it pretty?”  Evelyn exclaimed holding a pink dress in front of her, twirling around at the same time.

“It is.  It suits you.” Starsky said smiling.  The dress did suit her.  The pink color brought out the delicate peaches and cream tones of her skin.  Evelyn lacked the in-your-face beauty of Honey.  She had a quiet beauty.  A beauty that could be missed if you looked to quickly, but he was looking slowly.

“I’m gonna try it on.” The girl exclaimed.

Starsky looked around the shop noticing that the only men were he and the guard.  A shop lady approached.

“I see you’ve found a dress you like.  Would you like to try it on?”

“Yes.  Yes.”  She said almost jumping with the excitement of the moment.   Starsky thought it was sad that a girl had to spend her whole life wearing drab dresses, living up to a standard that was not hers.  A standard that said she was to marry a man and spend the rest of her life making him happy without any thought for her own happiness. 

The saleslady escorted the redhead to a back room and indicated a chair for the detective.  Starsky found no harm in relaxing in the comfortable, overstuffed chair.  After all he could hardly go to the dressing room with her and there were no other men in the shop besides the guard.  He started to doze.  The door had a chime that would alert him if anyone came in.   He was tired and it was a perfect time to take a nap.

Every now and then Starsky would awaken to a very excited Evelyn modeling her newest find.  All and all it was one of the easiest assignments he had ever had.  He’d get to spend two weeks with the lovely Evelyn and live in a mansion that could only be described as a castle.  Not bad for a poor kid from New York.

He was sound asleep when Evelyn awakened him, a sad look on her face.

“What’s wrong?” he said, spring up from the comfortable chair, looking at her with concern.  She seemed so upset.

“I found no dresses father would find suitable.”  She said.

Starsky was saddened by her statement.  “Maybe you could buy one and wear it on a day he wouldn’t see you.”

“He has ways.”  Starsky recalled the guards who seemed to know when the king needed them.   “I am ready to leave now,” she said, heading for the door.

Starsky could see the tears welling in her eyes.  Again, he found himself wanting to comfort her, to pull her into his arms, tell her everything would be okay, that he’d make sure everything was okay.  Instead he held  the door open for her and stayed close as they walked to the car.

Outside his blond partner waited, still leaning against the car.  He gave a concerned look when he saw the princess but said nothing.  Starsky opened the door and the princess got in, tears running down her face.  She turned her face toward the window the minute she was seated.

“Gonna be okay.  You’ll see.” Starsky said, the minute they got in the car.  He reached for her hand, felt the warm softness of her skin, the subtle scent of her perfume.  She was intoxicating.       

“Nothing will ever be okay.  I’m to marry a man I do not love.  I will be his.”

Starsky thought of the old guard.  Her fiancé was that age.  He couldn’t imagine the young, vibrant Evelyn, married to a man the same age as the guard.

Starsky was about to speak when he heard a voice ordering them to halt in the name of the law.

“Get out of the car,” the voice continued.  The princess tensed as Starsky reached for his gun. They was no reason to expect trouble, but trouble had a way of not caring when it presented itself. 

“Get out of the car, all of you.” The voice said again. 

Starsky knew he had no choice but to do as the person ask.  He couldn’t risk the princess life by having a shootout in the limo, besides Hutch was in the line of fire.

Hutch watched the old guard who stood in front of the limo, gun drawn. He could see the fear in the old man’s eyes.

“I’m not telling you again.  Now get out of the car.”

The gun shook in the guard’s.  Hutch knew that any move on his part could result in an accidental shooting.  The streets were crowded and the guard more than a little nervous.  This was probably the first time he’d ever had to use his gun. 

 “Okay, I’m getting out.  Don’t shoot.  We’re cops.” Hutch shouted in a commanding voice, hoping to convince the guard of his veracity by the tone of his voice.

“Cops.  Cops my ass.  You’re criminals.  Robbing a poor shopkeeper.  You driving the get away car.”

Behind him he heard Starsky getting out followed by the princess.  The old man looked at all of them with disdain.  In the distance, Hutch could hear the sirens coming closer. 

“Miss, the guard said.  Lift your dress.”

Starsky took a protective step in front of the distraught girl.  “Now I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s no way…”

Two squad cars pulled to the curb.  Hutch looked at the two cops that got out, their weapons drawn.   Hutch didn’t’ recognize them.  Both officers were young and obviously afraid, their eyes looking nervously at the formidable men who stood before them.  Hutch wondered how long it would take before they realized the stupidity of people robbing a store using a limo as the get-away car. 

“Didn’t know I called for reinforcement did ya?” the guard said, his voice confident now that he had the officers to back him up.  .”Thought you could just come in here and steal cause I’m an old man.  Well I showed you.  Officers arrest these people for grand thief.” 

Hutch came forward.  “Now wait a minute.  This is Princess Evelyn of Simbay.  We’re detectives with the Metropolitan police department on assignment.  If you will allow me I’ll show you our badges.”  Hutch started reaching into his jacket to get his identification.  The two officers tensed so he thought better of it.   This was something that would have to be settled later.

“Okay you three, you’re coming with us,” the youngest officer said, stepping forward, handcuffs in hand.  A police wagon pulled up.

“If ya will just let us show you our badges,” Starsky implored.  Still the officers ignored them, intent on their bust of three dangerous criminals.

Dobey paced the floor, sparing an angry glance at his two detectives who sat innocently averting their eyes.

“I can’t believe this.  Ya know what I had to do to keep this from reaching the papers.  Do you?” he shouted.

“No, but… but cap’n…” Starsky began.

“Don’t but me.  I send you two yahoos on a simple assignment.  Guard the princess.  Keep out of trouble.  And what do you two do.  You go get the princess arrested.”

“But… but…” Hutch began. 

“Don’t but me.  You drove the get-away car.  I can’t believe it.  I can’t believe it.”  Dobey plopped into his chair, his angry eyes shooting between the two officers sitting in front of him.  “It was a simple assignment.  How could you mess it up?” he continued, clearly not wanting a reply.  

“Well.  How were we to know that she was shoplifting?  How could I know that she was wearing five dresses under that long smock she wore?” Starsky exclaimed, leaning forward, and matching the captain’s anger.

Dobey grabbed a handkerchief, wiping the sweat that beaded his brow.  He leaned forward and both detectives cringed.  “Cause you’re paid to know.  You’re paid to guard that girl and not wind up on the front page of the newspaper.  Now I called in some favors to protect the Princess’ reputation.  I called in some favors to get you two yahoos out of jail and delivered here.  Now I want you two idiots to get outta here.  Get outta here before I lose by patience.”

Starsky wanted to point out that his patience had already been lost, but thought better of it.

Both men stood and rushed to the door.  “And I better not hear anything else. You hear me?” the captain shouted as the door slammed shut.