Shadows

By M. Willow

Chapter Eleven

The task of getting Lamb House into shape was promising to be monumental.  At first Hutch had beloved it could be done in just a few days, but now he noticed the absolute decay of the old mansion.  Such a waste, he thought, recalling the mansion’s previous splendor. 

He couldn’t imagine what would have caused his aunt to live in such decay except poverty.  He felt guilty.  Yes, he was angry at her for abandoning him, but she didn’t deserve to die like this.  If he had known, he would have given her every penny of his money.  He certainly didn’t want it.  In fact, he’d never touched one dime of it.

He picked up the telephone.  He would need to transfer some of his money to his checking account if he wanted to repair Lamb House.  He was looking at approximately three million, maybe more.

He contacted his lawyers to make the arrangements, still staggered that he had that much money, yet lived on so little.

He sat back on the chair in the library and closed his eyes.  He was so tired.  He had spent most of the day going over legal papers and looking through his aunt’s things.  He had avoided the east wing.  That part of the house could wait until later.

He sat down in an overstuffed chair and let his body relax.  He thought of Sandra.  She was probably even more beautiful than she had been when they were teenagers.  She probably had a husband and a couple of kids.  It sort of saddened him.  She had been so much a part of his life when they were young.  They had even talked about getting married when they were older.  Of course they both knew that it wasn’t likely to happen.  They would just grow up and move on with their lives.  Still, it was fun imagining having a life together, raising a family, making love with her every night.  Even now he could feel his growing arousal at the thought of her.  They had been too young then to know what to do.  He had been scared of even thinking about sex, and Sandra had said she was saving herself for marriage.  But, now, he was an adult, and the picture of her in his mind was not of the child she had been, but of the woman she must now be.  He wondered what would happen if he found her now.  Would they hit it off and end up living happily ever after, or would they just reminisce over lunch and never see each other again. 

Hutch was still thinking of her when he finally dozed off.

00000000

Candy was even more beautiful than he imagined.  She was standing in front of him now, the skirt clinging to every part of her body.  She leaned down, showing ample cleavage as she sat the steaming cups of coffee on the table.

“Like I said.  I don’t think Ted is all that crazy,” Candy said as she sat next to him, their bodies almost touching.

“Why do you say that?” Starsky asked, focusing his attention on her tiny apartment, trying to keep his mind on the case and not on the sensuous body sitting next to him.  

Candy leaned back into the sofa.  “I’ve known Ted about ten years.  Ever since I graduated from high school.  Never known him to be crazy or make things up.  I say the old lady was murdered if that’s what he’s saying.”

Starsky turned to face Candy.  He took her hand and looked into her eyes.  Bad idea, he thought, because now her soft skin was getting to him not to mention those eyes.  He dropped her hand and heard her sigh.

“Did Ted tell you anything about Mrs. Hutchinson?”

“Naw.  Just that he hated everything Hutchinson except the old dame and she didn’t count since she was really a Lamb and not a Hutchinson.”

Starsky thought about this for a moment.  Nelson had spent most of his life hating the Hutchinson’s for what he thought happened to his sister.  That sort of hate had to have some basis in reality.  The question was how much reality?  If Sandra was pregnant and had run off, it certainly had nothing to do with Hutch.  If Hutch had slept with Sandra, he would never deny it.  Hutch was keeping a secret from him, but that wasn’t it. 

“What do you think?” Starsky asked. 

“I think something’s up.  After you left, the sheriff made a phone call.  I kinda overheard him mention the name Hutchinson.”

Starsky didn’t need to ask how she had overheard it.  Most receptionists knew more than anybody about what was going on in the office.

Candy had stopped talking.  Starsky knew he’d better keep the flirtation going if he wanted more answers.  He drew his face near.  They were kissing distance now.  He could smell her perfume.   It was intoxicating, but not so much that he forgot the reason he was actually there.

“What d’ya hear?” he asked.

Sandra traced her finger over his lips before speaking.

“He called someone.  Don’t know where, but he mentioned Ted.  Said he’s been talking about his sister again.  Then the sheriff said he would take care of it.”

“And then what?” he said slowly.

Candy didn’t’ say anything.  Instead she kissed him passionately.  Starsky responded but his mind wasn’t on the kiss.  It was on why the sheriff had called someone right after he left.

He broke the kiss.  “Candy, I need answers.  I love kissin’ you, but…”

“Okay, okay, okay,” she pouted.  “Well, I was listening in.  I don’t have much to do, so I kinda do it sometimes. You know listen at the door like I was doing this time.”  She looked embarrassed as she said this, but continued.  “Anyhow, the sheriff said that some young fellow had come asking questions.  He mentioned somebody name Ken and that he would take care of things here.  He hung up afterwards so…”

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he said, kissing Candy on the nose.  “Did he say anything else?  Did you hear a name or somethin’?”

“Yeah, he called this guy Mr. Hutchinson before he hung up.  That’s all I know.”

Starsky leaned into her, claiming her mouth in a passionate kiss before breaking away. “I’ve got to go,” he said.

 “Wait a minute, I thought we were going to have some fun,” she tangled her hand at the back of his neck, playfully running her fingers through his hair.  If he didn’t get out now, he’d never leave.

Starsky leaned forward and kissed her again.  “Later but now I gotta go.”

She seemed to understand because she let go.  “Okay, but you promise you’ll be careful, and get back here.”

“You know I will,” Starsky stood and headed for the door.  He didn’t have time to waste.  He was worried that something might have already happened to his partner.

 TBC