“Come over here to me.” Starsky held out his hand, gently coaxing the weeping girl. Hesitantly, she went to him. Taking her trembling hand in his, Starsky backed toward the front door, taking her with him.

“On your knees, slime bucket!” Hutch barked. “Hands behind your head! Now!”

“Okay...okay...be cool.” Dropping to his knees, Green obeyed. “You think she gonna testify against her Big Daddy, pig?” he challenged.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. One thing I do know is that right now you’re going somewhere you can’t beat up kids and pump them full of coke,” Hutch ground out between clinched teeth. “You have the right to remain silent...” Reciting him the Miranda, Hutch shoved the huge man face down on the floor and cuffed his hands behind his back.

Still keeping a bead on the pimp with his Smith & Wesson, Starsky drew the sobbing girl to him. “It’s okay,” he soothed. “We’ll get you some help—we’ll get you all help. He ain’t gonna hurt you anymore.” The diminutive figure pressed herself against his chest, hanging onto him like a lifeline.

A sad smiled played upon Hutch’s lips, when in a moment of astounding clarity he knew it. This is why I’m here...this is why we’re partners.