Outside:

On the sidewalk in front of the precinct, a cop should be safe there, shouldn’t he? A few seconds joking, fooling, squabbling over who buys the first round.

An off-duty cop returning a car.

A shot rings out; guns drawn the cops are on the alert; eyes search for the gunman. Starsky spots a movement but can’t be sure.

Hutch shouts “officer down!” All eyes turn. 

 

Inside :

Dobey reaches for the phone, stabs at the Rolodex, finds the card and forces his eyes to focus on the number. His fingers feel like lead as he punches the buttons and waits. Rehearsing the words that he has repeated so often and that will never get easier.

 

 

Outside:

The cops gather round the body.

Starsky turns, sees the kid standing by the car.  He understands; knows where he is and what he is thinking. 

“Dad?”

Dad!

 

Inside:

Dobey speaks, his voice gruff with emotion: “I’m sorry…”

 

Outside:

Starsky and Hutch stand apart. Four blue eyes meet.

“I thought it was you.”

I thought it was me.

 

Starsky puts his gun back in the holster and takes the boy by the hand. “I understand; call me, OK?”

Hutch smiles; he knows.