FRIENDSHIP'S DEBT

 

Dishonourable discharge! Dishonourable discharge! The dreaded phrase pounded in Paul McGuire's brain as he was led away from the courtroom. Busted! The jury had, as expected, been merciless and unsympathetic to the events surrounding McGuire's abduction of Larry Foster. The clerk of the court led McGuire to an anteroom and left him there until McGuire's Chief came to relieve him of his credentials. He sat down morosely on the only seat in the small room, a policemen posted outside. *Hah* he thought. *They don't even trust me to stay put and take my medicine* He heard footsteps outside and a familiar voice, and the door opened to reveal Hooker. "Whadda you want?" growled McGuire, his eyes two black coals of anger. "Paul!" Hooker approached him, his arms open in supplication. "I'm so sorry!"

"Sorry!" exploded McGuire. "You're saying to me you're sorry! You promised me you'd stand by me through all this and what do you do? You testify against me! Fine friend you turned out to be!"

"Paul! I did not testify against you! I merely detailed the events as they occurred!"

"Yeah, but you didn't need to be quite so graphic!"

By now, Hooker was becoming somewhat nettled and upset at his friend's unwarranted anger.

"Whadda you mean 'graphic'?"

"You didn't have to describe the fight we had with my gun."

"But Foster was a witness and the gun went off, Paul, the traces of cordite were easy to detect. Paul, that bullet could've killed either one of us!"

"Well, it didn't." Paul stuck his hands in his trousers pockets and turned his back on Hooker.

"Paul, I was speaking under oath, I had no alternative but to tell the jury what happened." Hooker moved to stand behind McGuire, desperate to say the right words. McGuire spun round suddenly and his eyes were black circles of hate.

"Get outta here, Hooker. You're no friend of mine! Get outta my life and stay out!" and he pushed Hooker away from him. Hooker, shocked at the look of hatred in his friend's eyes, stumbled back against the wall.

"Paul! Don't say that! Not after all we've been through!"

"You're talking about the past, Hooker! The past is over and done, and I want none of the past in my life! Go on, get outta here!"

"OK, OK, if that's what you want, Paul." Hooker's arms were extended as if to ward off another physical attack. He put his hand on the doorknob. "If you're sure that's what you want." His hazel eyes were sad.

"Yeah, that's what I want, it's exactly what I want." and McGuire again turned his back on his friend.

Hooker opened the door and went out.

---oo0oo---

Romano was waiting for his partner in the black-and-white parked outside the courtroom. He saw Hooker approaching and jumped into the driver's seat. A few moments later, Hooker climbed in beside him. "Where to, sergeant?" asked Romano jocularly, starting the engine. "Back to headquarters, junior." replied Hooker curtly. Romano glanced at his partner and saw an expression on his face he had never seen before.

*Must've been the verdict of the trial.* thought Romano, who had also been in court. *I'll try to cheer him up. * Romano let the silence last as he pulled away from the courtroom, then he said: "Hey, Hooker, you were saying you were looking for a new garage to service that junkheap you laughingly call a car?" Hooker made a sound like "Mmm."

"Well, I got a friend who has this friend who'll do it for you overnight - real fast, real good. Want me to give you his address?" This time, Hooker did not reply.

"Hooker?" Romano asked enquiringly, snatching a glance at his partner. He felt a stab of profound shock when he saw the tears coursing down Hooker's cheeks.

"Hooker! What gives?" he asked as he slipped the car into a side street and stopped in a deserted alley.

Hooker, annoyed with himself for allowing his emotions to surface, covered his eyes with his hand, trying to brush away the evidence. It took a moment for him to regain his composure before be spoke. "It's McGuire, Romano. I tried to save that friendship worth keeping, but he - threw me out. He just - threw me out." and he turned his face away.

Romano had no idea what to say next, was totally unprepared for what he was experiencing, so he just said nothing, waiting for Hooker to control his emotions before he drove off back to the Academy. No further words were spoken.

McGuire, stripped of his Police credentials, walked numbly out of the courtroom door and onto the street, where his daughter Val was waiting for him. Seeing him, she ran forward into his open arms and they embraced.

"Oh, Daddy, Daddy, what are we going to do?" she sobbed against his chest. He pulled her back to arm's length.

"Hey, baby, don't cry!" His dark eyes, softer now as they looked lovingly at his only child, were threatening to brim over, too. "Everything's gonna be fine, just fine, you'll see!" and they walked away together, his arm round his daughter's slim shoulder, her arm round her father's waist.

---oo0oo---

However, as the days went by into months, it became apparent to Val McGuire that things were most definitely not going to be 'fine, just fine' for her father. He sat in the house for hours on end, brooding on the past and the events leading up to his violent reaction to Val's rape. He didn't go out, he didn't watch TV, he simply stared blankly in front of him, seeing nothing, hearing nothing. His already gaunt features became even more haggard as he lost weight which he could ill afford to lose. Val tried every trick she knew to snap him out of his deep depression - she cooked him his favourite dinners, but he simply picked at them out of politeness and then pushed the plate aside, saying "I'm sorry, baby, I guess I'm just not hungry." and then he would retire to his room.

Val's youth gave her a resiliency that her father did not share, and she started to go out to visit friends, go to parties in groups, and generally pick up the broken threads of her life. She was sure there were times that her father was not even aware of the fact that she had gone out after work. It had taken considerable courage on Val's part to even start work again, since it was at the health centre that she had encountered her attacker, but eventually she had surmounted that barrier and was again enjoying her job.

One evening, one of the boys in Val's group brought along his cousin, who was visiting on vacation from San Francisco. His name was Chuck Kendrick, and he was majoring in law at university. He also played football for the university team. Tall, strong and very fit, Val felt an immediate attraction to this golden-haired, sunny natured young man, and it appeared that the feeling was mutual.

---oo0oo---

Still enveloped in his cocoon of self-recrimination and self-pity, Paul McGuire was totally unaware of Val's growing love for her young man. He continually refused to answer telephone calls and. turned away at the door any of his ex-Police colleagues who came round to visit him; but T J Hooker never called.

Unknown to Val, her father visited a doctor, who prescribed sleeping tablets for his insomnia - the long, dark nights were worst of all for Paul McGuire, as he relived in his mind's eye all the exciting adventures and close calls he had experienced whilst on active duty. *Never again, never again.* the refrain echoed in his tired and troubled brain.

Val, however, was having psychological problems of her own regarding her relationship with Chuck. Attracted although she was to him, and he to her, she could not bring herself to allow him, or indeed any man except her father, to touch her. When Larry Foster raped her, he had caused her more mental damage than physical harm. Chuck, unaware of her recent attack, could not understand her attitude and thought it was because of him that she was not responding to his gentle overtures.

One evening, a week before he was due to return to San Francisco, he offered to walk Val home from a nearby friend's house. They walked along side by side but a foot apart, the hand Chuck wanted so much to hold was filled with Val's purse. Arriving at Val's porch, Chuck turned to her, placing his hands gently on her slender shoulders. He felt her stiffening up beneath his touch. "Val?" he said gently, taking his hands away again, alarmed at the look of fright in her blue eyes. "Val, what's the matter?" his light baritone voice was filled with concern.

"Nothing! Nothing's the matter!" she responded too quickly, the expression on her face, in her eyes, belying the words she had spoken.

Chuck decided to try again. "Val - the look on your face just now - why are you frightened of me?"

"I'm not frightened of you, Chuck." Val diverted her eyes, so he slowly, gently, reached out and put his hand under her chin, turning her head to look up at him. He moved a little closer to her and again saw the look of alarm crossing her features.

"Val, is it something I've said - or done?" Relenting slightly, she relaxed a little. "No, Chuck, it's nothing you've done."

"Care to tell me about it, my dear?"

Realising there was nothing for it but to tell him the truth, she took a deep breath and spoke.

"Chuck, a few months ago I - was - attacked - physically attacked -raped - by a man I knew. It was - horrible - he ..." and the tears came. Instinctively, Chuck reached out and embraced her as she sobbed in his arms.

"Hush, Val, darling!" he held her close, smelling the perfume in her hair. Eventually she regained control of her emotions and she realised Chuck was holding her close. He relaxed his embrace and once again placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Val, do you - like me?"

"Yes, I like you - you're kind and gentle to me, like Daddy is!" her watery, blue eyes made him melt inside.

"Val, if you would like to see me again, I promise, on my word of honour, that I'll never do anything you don't want me to do. I - understand - what you must be feeling. If, one day, you may come to love me - I will wait for you, my Val."

"You - understand? Oh, thank you, Chuck. Please, just give me a little time!"

"I will, my Val, I will!" and he smiled down at her. Suddenly, she stepped up to him, flung her arms round his neck and kissed him on the lips, then ran up the path to her door with a "See you tomorrow, Chuck!" floating back to his astonished ears. The door closed behind her and he still stood there, one hand on his still-tingling lips.

---oo0oo---

The night before Chuck was due to return to San Francisco, he took Val out for a meal. It must, Val reflected later, have cost him a fortune, as it had the wine, the waiters, the candlelight, the whole thing. She should have suspected that there was something on his mind. The meal had been excellent, they had talked and laughed a lot, lie had told her of his hopes for his future, that he had been looking around whilst he was here to see if there was a suitable position for a newly-graduated attorney and that a reputable firm had approached him. "Oh, that's wonderful, Chuck. You'll be around quite a lot, then!" and Val's smile of pleasure was genuine. "Yes, Val, my dear." Chuck reached across the table and took her hand. "I want to be around - you - a lot - if you'll have me."

"Chuck!" Val gasped in surprise. "Are you proposing to me?"

"Yes, Val, I am. Val - will you marry me?" He waited, holding his breath, as a myriad of expressions flitted across her pretty face.

"Chuck, even after what - uh - happened to me? You still want me?"

"What happened to you was none of your fault, Val. Not all men are animals, you know!" he smiled wryly. "Val - I want you, I need you, I love you and, I promise you, now, that I will always be gentle with you!" His whole expression was that of complete honesty and sincerity.

He slipped his hand into his jacket pocket and produced a small, black box. He flipped open the lid to reveal a large, single-diamond engagement ring. Val's eyes widened in surprise and delight at the sight of the beautiful, multi-faceted brilliance of the ring. "Val, can I put this on your finger?"

The tears that sprung to Val's eyes were tears of happiness. "Yes, Chuck, oh, yes!" and he slipped the ring on. Other diners noticed what was going on at the table for-two and, when they saw the ring going on, the whole restaurant applauded. Both Chuck and Val flushed red with embarrassment, and the maitre-de approached them with a bottle of champagne.

"I gather, M'sieu et madame," he said with a somewhat phoney French accent, "that congratulations are in order! Please accept this little token of our best wishes for your future!" Val and Chuck laughed happily and the whole restaurant lifted their glasses and toasted their future happiness.

Outside Val's home, Chuck took her in his arms and kissed her. This time, she did not freeze, instead responding with considerable enthusiasm. A light was still on in the living room and Val said "Chuck, come on in and meet Dad!"

"Sure, darling!"' and he took her hand as they walked up the path.

She paused before putting the key in the lock. "Chuck ..." her tone was uncertain, hesitant.

"What's the matter, Val?"

"It's Daddy. He was - put on trial for trying to kill the man who raped me. He's - ah - was a police detective and the judge dismissed him from the force. He's - having a bad time himself, Chuck - I'm worried about him. I don't know how well he'll take our news!"

"He'll have to know, my dear." he said, considerately.

"Yes, of course. Come on in, and welcome!" and she turned the key.

Paul McGuire was sitting on the sofa, leaning forward, arms on knees, looking at nothing, an unreadable expression on his face as they entered.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Val rushed forward and knelt in front of him, leaning forward to kiss him. He stirred himself from his deep reverie. "Oh, hi Val." His voice was dull and flat, the empty glass in his hand and the half-filled bottle of whiskey on a table beside him telling its own story. "Daddy, I'd like you to meet Chuck Kendrick!" Paul's unfocussed eyes turned to the tall, blond young man standing beside his daughter. Paul felt a tight knot of anger in his stomach at this unexpected intrusion of his privacy, but he rose unsteadily and extended his hand in welcome. "Hello, Chuck. You've been seeing quite a lot of my daughter recently, haven't you?" the words were coming out slurred.

"Yes, sir, I have. Sir, I've ..." Val put a restraining hand on her fiancé's arm. Her father still had not noticed the ring on her finger.

"Let me tell him, Chuck."

"Tell me? Tell me what?" Paul's forehead furrowed in incomprehension.

"Daddy, I've got good news for you! Chuck has asked me to marry him, and, Daddy, I've accepted!"

McGuire felt as if he had just received the hardest body blow he had ever taken in his life. He went pale under his suntan, totally unable to speak.

"Daddy, is it all right?" Val's voice was eager and concerned at the same time.

Paul fought hard to control his spinning brain and to find his voice. "Val?" the word came out as a croak, and he swayed slightly, then he looked again at Chuck, standing in an embarrassed silence. "You want to - marry - my daughter?" He saw Chuck take his daughter's hand. *Just like I did with Sharon.* he remembered, sadly.

"Yes, sir. I'm in my last year in the law faculty and I hope to become an attorney." the young man proceeded earnestly.

"An attorney? Another smart young cookie prepared to bend the word of the law to suit the client, eh?" said McGuire with venom. Chuck was taken aback at the unwarranted attack, then he remembered what Val had told him about her father, and thought quickly. "Sir, I hope to be the best attorney I can be, so I can give Val all the things she wants." Chuck's other hand slipped lightly round Val's waist, and she snuggled close to him.

Seeing this brought a flood of memories back to McGuire - memories of the time when Sharon was still alive and well, and when a little girl loved to snuggle close to her mommy and daddy. The memories of his beloved wife, and the sight of his little girl, now grown and wanting to be with another man, was almost too much for McGuire to bear, but he controlled his seething emotions and, looking at the love in his daughter's eyes, he knew that the time he was dreading had come.

"Chuck's going back up to San Francisco tomorrow, Daddy, and we plan to marry when he's found a position in a law firm." Still McGuire said nothing. Val grew anxious at the expression on her father's face - he looked alone, a lost little boy. She had never seen him look like that before. "Daddy?"

He finally found his voice again. "Do you love him, baby?"

"Yes, Daddy, I love him very much." her voice was low and sincere.

"Chuck," Paul's voice was harsh as he spoke the unfamiliar name, "do you - love - her?"

"Yes, sir, I do. I'll take good care of her, I promise." McGuire drew a deep breath into his lungs before he said "Very well - I wish you all the happiness in the world." His voice was completely void of expression.

Val hugged her father, and McGuire was glad of the close contact - the only contact he now had with the memory of his dead wife - and now, Val was taking even that away from him. *Nothing left,* thought Paul, without Val, I've got nothing left ...*

A short while later, Chuck left the house after Val had promised him she'd run him to the airport for an early flight before she went to work Before making preparations for retiring for the night, Paul took his daughter's hand and said "Come on, baby, I want to talk to you." They sat together on the sofa.

"Yes, Daddy?"

"Baby, are you sure you love him?" Paul's face was a mask of concern.

"Yes, Daddy, I love him very much." her clear blue gaze made his sad heart soften with love.

"But, baby, you've only known him for a month." His voice was almost pleading.

"He's kind, and gentle to me, just like you, Daddy. He knows - about what I've been through and he says he understands. I think he really does, Daddy."

Paul's whole body seemed to sag in an acceptance of defeat. "Very well, Val. It's your life." He raised his hand to her face and kissed her on the cheek, then rose and made his way to his bedroom. Val felt a stab of worry for her father, but shrugged it off and went to her own room.

It was always Val's habit to knock and go in to give her father a goodnight hug and kiss before she slept, and tonight was no exception. Half an hour after their conversation on the sofa, she knocked her father's door. *Strange,* she thought when he did not call "Come in" as was his wont. She knocked again, even louder, but still he did not respond. She tried the handle and found that it was locked. *Locked! But he never locks his door to me!* thought Val.

"Daddy! Daddy!" she called, but there was no reply. Frantic with worry, she put her shoulder to the door. Her keep-fit classes had given her some considerable physical strength, and at the second onslaught the lock gave. His bedroom was in complete darkness and, switching the light on, she gasped in shock as she saw the tall form of her father lying, fully clothed, at an awkward angle, face down, across the bed. She ran to his side and shook the still body, then tried to turn him to lie on his back. He was a dead-weight but she managed to pull him round. It was then that she saw the half-empty bottle of sleeping pills and the bottle of whiskey at the bedside.

Realisation struck her like a blow. *Oh, no!* she thought. *He's OD'd!* She saw the bluish tinge on his lips and that he was still breathing, but in short, shallow gasps. There was little time, and Val had the presence of mind to act fast. She grabbed the bedside phone and punched out the first emergency number that came to mind - the Academy. The call was answered at the first ring. "Police Academy, Officer Sheridan speaking."

"Stacy? Is that you?"

"Yes." the girl's voice was strong and efficient.

"It's Val McGuire - help me, Stacy, Dad's taken an overdose and I think he's dying!"

"Oh, my God. Right! Leave it with me, I'll get the Paramedics over immediately - hold on." and she put the emergency call through. "Right, they're on their way. Try to keep him awake, Val - slap his face, hit him hard, anything!"

Val replaced the receiver, went to her father and, though it hurt her to do it, she hit him hard on the face.

---oo0oo---

Back at the Academy, Stacy put out a call. "Four Adam 16, proceed. to 255 Peachtree Avenue, suspected OD!"

Hooker and. Romano, cruising in their own sector, heard the call. "255 Peachtree!" repeated. Hooker. "That's Paul's address! Hit the lights and sound, junior, we're going over there!" and the black-and-white spun in a fast U-turn in the dark, empty streets.

Hooker used every backroad and alleyway he knew and screeched to a halt outside the house just behind Four Adam 16. Both teams ran up the path. The Paramedics had not yet arrived and Val let the policemen in. "Oh, Hooker!" she embraced him.

"It's OK, Val, we'll get him to the hospital." and he gently released her, ran into the bedroom. Officer Corrigan, from the other prowl car, was standing over the still form. Hooker pushed him aside, lifted McGuire to a sitting position on the bed and hit him, hard, and repeatedly, on either cheek. Seeing that was having no effect, Hooker lifted him up onto his feet and, holding him around shoulders and waist, he tried to make McGuire walk. "Come on," Hooker shouted at him. "Come on, Paul, walk, walk, damn you!" At that moment the Paramedics arrived, laid Paul onto a gurney and wheeled him into the van, Val following. They went to work immediately on him, but he was deeply unconscious when they arrived at Valley Hospital. Hooker and Romano followed and, once Paul had been admitted, there was nothing left to do for Val but to wait, just as her father had waited anxiously for her after her attack, a few months ago. Hooker stayed with her, getting the details of what had happened. Much as though he wanted to stay, duty called and he had to leave Val to her lonely vigil. Corrigan and his partner had. also returned to the streets.

---oo0oo---

As soon as his duty shift was over the next morning, Hooker changed into his civvies in the locker room. He turned to Romano when the younger man emerged from the shower room, a white towel wrapped around his slim waist. "Romano, I'm going over to Valley Hospital, see how Paul is."

"Haven't you forgotten something, Hooker?" Romano asked, towelling himself down. "He said he didn't want to see you again, didn't he?"

"Yes, I know, junior, but he was upset then - distraught." Hooker opened his arms in an expansive gesture. "Now - he - needs - his friends around him. I must go to him, Romano." and, before Romano could open his mouth again, Hooker was out the door.

---oo0oo---

It was a cold, wet, February morning as Hooker drew up in the parking lot of the hospital. He shrugged deeper into his raincoat as he walked towards the entrance, and the coldness he was feeling was not entirely due to the weather conditions. He did not know what news awaited his arrival.

He took a deep breath as he approached the hospital Reception desk. The mature nurse on duty looked up and smiled at him.

"I'd like to enquire about Lieut - ah - Mr Paul McGuire, please, nurse," he said politely, annoyed with himself at the slip of the tongue.

The nurse looked down her 'Admittance' list. "Oh, yes, Mr McGuire was admitted last night with an overdose of sleeping tablets. Good news, sir, he has regained consciousness. His daughter is with him just now.

"Can I see him, just for a minute, please nurse?" and he turned on his most charming smile. "I'm a - close friend."

The nurse was not immune to Hooker's considerable charm and she smiled back. "Well, sir, perhaps just for a moment. Room 515."

"Thank you, nurse." and he headed for the elevators.

He found the room and knocked quietly. He heard Val's voice call "Come in" and he softly opened the door. Val was sitting at her father's bedside, holding his hand. He saw that McGuire' s thumb was gently caressing the back of his daughter's hand. His eyes were closed, his face pale but of a better pallor than the night before. The bruising where Hooker had hit him was turning black and blue. Val's face lit up as she recognised their visitor.

"Hooker! Thanks for coming!" Her face was strained and her blue eyes were bloodshot, but she was smiling now. Paul's eyes opened slowly at the sound of Val's voice.

"How is he, Val?" Hooker asked anxiously, not sure whether Paul was fully conscious.

"The doctor says he's going to be all right, Hooker." she answered as brightly as she could.

Hooker moved around to the other side of the bed and Paul's eyes focused on him.

"Hey, you son-of-a-gun, how are you?" he said, a warm, reassuring smile on his face as he looked at the gaunt features of the man he had known for over 20 years.

"Fine, just - fine." came the familiar deep voice, but the voice was scarcely above a whisper and the three words were loaded with irony. Val got up suddenly, saying "I'll leave you two alone for a moment. I'll be back, Daddy." and she released her grip on his weak hand.

"Sure, honey." and she left the room.

As the door closed behind her, Hooker realised McGuire was laughing quietly, but it was not a pleasant sound, the laughter closely resembling sobbing. "I couldn't even - do that right!" came the quiet voice.

"Why, Paul, in God's name, why?" Hooker placed his hand on the brown forearm.

"Nothing left - to live for." came the dull, flat reply, and he turned his head away and closed his eyes again as the tears came.

"Paul, Paul, of course you have something to live for - you have Val, you have your friends..."

"Val's going - to get married - my baby's - leaving me."

"Married! But that's wonderful news, Paul!"

"No, it's not - she's going to live in San Francisco. Hooker - " he turned back to look into his friend's hazel eyes - "She's all I have left from Sharon and now - she's going away!"

"Paul, she's a woman, now, not a little girl. She has - a woman's needs - just as Sharon needed you."

"Yes, I know - but it's - so hard ..."

The door opened again and Val re-entered.

Paul turned his head towards her and Hooker was pleased to see Paul smile. Paul raised his hand and Val took it, kissing the back of it.

Paul, not taking his eyes off his daughter, said "Hey, Hooker, take my baby home, will you? She looks all worn out. On you go, honey, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure, Daddy?" Val asked anxiously.

"Yeah, I'll just sleep some and I'll be all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when you come to see me tonight. Who knows - maybe I'll be outta here by tomorrow!"

"I go on duty at twenty-hundred, Paul. I'll be back to see you before then - I'll drive Val here, if you like, Val?" he added, looking at the girl.

"Thanks, Hooker." she replied.

"Yes, thanks, Hooker." came the familiar deep voice as they filed out the room. Before closing the door, Hooker turned around and smiled and was rewarded with a warm smile in reply.

---oo0oo---

Hooker felt much better coming out of the hospital than he did when he went in - but Paul was going to be a problem. Stripped of his job, losing his daughter in marriage, suddenly he could see quite clearly why McGuire had made an attempt on his life.

There was one thing that puzzled him as he drove Val home. He felt he had to ask her about it. "Val, you said you went in to say goodnight to him last night, but his door was locked. Do you always say goodnight to him?"

"Yes, Hooker. It's something I've always done, even when Mom was still alive."

"Hm. So he knew you were due to come in. It looks as if taking an OD was his way of making a cry for help, Val."

"Yes, of course, I never thought on that."

"He tells me you're engaged to be married."

"Yes, Chuck proposed to me last night, and I accepted."

"Have you set a date yet?"

"No, he's in his last year of University, but we intend to marry as soon as he's found a position."

"So - it may not necessarily be in San Francisco?"

"Not necessarily. Chuck may find something around here."

"I think you should tell your father that."

Val looked with a puzzled expression at Hooker. "Oh! Oh, I see! He thinks I'm going to leave him! Oh, poor Daddy!"

"He loves you very much, Val."

"Yes, I know, and I love him, too, but I love Chuck differently." The rest of the drive was spent in silence.

Hooker returned to his apartment after dropping off Val. Sleep would not come easily as he turned the problem of Paul around in his tired mind but finally, resolving to discuss matters with both Paul and Romano, he let sleep take him.

---oo0oo---

He checked in an hour early for his shift that evening, changing into his patrol uniform, then returning to the reception desk. "Stacy, I'm going over to Valley Hospital to see Paul. I'll be back in time for my shift." and he walked swiftly out the door.

Paul was sitting up in bed reading a paper when Hooker stuck his head round the door. Val, whom he had brought with him, ran to her father's arms.

"Hi, honey, Hooker!" the welcoming smile was genuine this time.

"You look a whole heap better, my friend!" smiled back Hooker encouragingly, adding "Even the black eyes!" as a gentle tease.

"Yeah - they say I can go home tomorrow morning. I gather I have you to thank for the bruising." he added, feeling the tender areas. "I know you owed me one from the time on the track, but did you have to be quite so enthusiastic about it?" the dark eyes were half-serious, half-teasing in return.

"I'm sorry I had to do that, Paul, but I reckon it kept you alive!"

"So you're coming home tomorrow, Daddy!" said Val. "That's great!"

Val sat on the seat at the bedside, Hooker sat on the bed. "Yeah, home." echoed Paul, reflectively. Something in his eyes told Hooker that the prospect did not entice him much.

"Paul, I've been thinking." started Hooker, taking a deep breath.

"Oh, oh, here it comes!" said Paul, the irony back in his voice.

"No, Paul, I just want to help you - I'm your friend, remember?"

"And I remember, three months ago, telling you I didn't want to see you again - yet here you are!"

"You don't get rid of me that easy, brother." Hooker spoke with determination.

"Brother!" repeated Paul.

"Yes, brother. I - love - you as the brother I never had, Paul. It - pains me deeply to know that you've been pushed to this extreme. Please - let me help you." The earnestness in Hooker's face and voice made Paul look at him in a different way, but he said nothing.

"You've got to get a new interest in life, Paul. Your career as a cop is over, unfortunately, but, remember, you were just about to take early retirement, anyway. Hadn't you thought what you would do when you left the force?"

"No, I always reckoned - something would turn up." replied Paul.

"Well, nowadays you've got to go out and find work. Think what you would most like to do with the rest of your working life, Paul, then go out and get it."

"Yeah, yeah, sure." responded Paul, but Hooker could see there was a spark of interest in his friend's dark eyes that had not been there before.

"Must go on duty now, Paul. I'll leave you two alone. You've got something to tell your father, haven't you, Val?" and he slipped out of the door.

Back in the prowl car with Romano, Hooker was unusually withdrawn "Hey, Hooker, a penny for them!" encouraged Romano.

"What? Oh, sorry, junior. Just thinking about Paul."

"How is he?"

"He's gonna be OK, thank goodness, they're gonna release him tomorrow."

"Oh, that's good news. Something else bothering you, though?"

"Yeah. What kind of a job can an ex-cop apply for? He's got to go out and do something, or else there'll be a repeat performance of a couple of nights ago. I don't know what would interest him, even after knowing him all these years. He lived and breathed being a cop, and he was a good one. No, take that back, he was a great one."

Romano thought for a moment, then his face lit up as an inspiration hit him. "I've got a girlfriend, Hooker."

"Oh, no, not another one!" groaned his partner.

"She's a dilly, Hooker! You should see her ..."

"Her what, junior?"

"Oh, her - everything!" and his hands traced the outline of her hourglass figure.

"Yes, well, that's not what you were going to tell me about, is it?"

"Ah, well, no. As a matter of fact, she works as a secretary to one of the directors of Transworld Electronics in uptown LA."

"Must be a clever girl!" commented Hooker, amusement in his hazel eyes.

"Yeah, she's ... well, anyway, she just happened to mention that their firm were looking for an experienced man to take over as Chief of Security there."

"Oh! Oh, hey, that's an idea, junior! Maybe he'd like that!"

"The ad's going in the paper tomorrow, she said."

"Great! I'll buy a paper when we go off-duty and I'll call round to the hospital before Paul's discharged in the morning." The radio cut across their discussion. "Four Adam 30, Four Adam 30 - please proceed ..." and once again, Hooker and Romano swung into action.

---oo0oo---

The next morning at the hospital, Hooker had to wait outside the room while final checks were carried out on Paul. The doctor let him in as Paul was shrugging on his jacket.

"Hi, Hooker!" greeted Paul. "Say, I want to apologise for what I said to you after the court case!"

"Say no more, Paul, it's forgotten!"

"Great!" and they warmly shook hands.

"Look, Paul," started Hooker, pulling the newspaper out of his raincoat pocket, "I've got a suggestion to make, if you'll listen to it."

Curious, Paul's eyebrow went up. "Yes?"

"There's an ad in this paper, Paul, for a Chief of Security at Transworld Electronics in uptown LA. They're looking for a highly-experienced man, and I reckon you fill the bill on that score!"

"Hooker, please," Paul's hands were up as if to fend him off, "please give me a little time to realign my thoughts. Not today, huh?"

"If you don't go after this job today, it won't be there tomorrow!"

"Look, Hooker, I appreciate what you're doing for me, but I still don't feel too great, you know."

"You can still apply for interview - by the time they see you, you'll be back to normal. Come oooon Paul - it's a great opportunity!"

Indecision flickered in Paul's brown eyes, then he said:

"Give me the paper!"

Back at the Academy, Hooker spoke to a number of Paul's ex-colleagues, suggesting they go and visit Paul. "This time," he added to everyone, "I don't think he'll turn you away."

---oo0oo---

Two weeks later, a white envelope embossed with the Transworld Electronics logo dropped through the McGuire letterbox. It read:

Dear Mr McGuire,

Mr Feinberger, President of Transworld Electronics, wishes to offer you the post of Chief of Security of the Los Angeles Headquarters of the Corporation and he would be grateful if you would call in to the office tomorrow at 9.15 to discuss final details of your appointment.

Yours sincerely, Dorothy Callaghan Secretary to Mr Feinberger.

"Val! Val!" called Paul.

"Yes, Daddy?" she bustled out of the kitchen where she had been cooking breakfast.

"Val, I've got the job!" he announced delightedly.

"Oh, Daddy, that's wonderful! When do you start?"

"I've to go in at 9.15 tomorrow to discuss final details!" His broad smile made his daughter happy. He seemed to be getting over his depression much quicker, she thought, than they had anticipated, and this job will put the finishing touches to his recovery.

---oo0oo---

At 9.15 the next morning, Paul McGuire knocked the door of Mr Feinberger's secretary's office. She was sitting behind her desk, typing at an amazing rate of knots, thought Paul. She looked up as he approached her. "Oh, good morning! You must be Mr McGuire!" and she extended her hand, which he shook. She was a woman in her mid-forties, Paul estimated, with a well-kept figure in her five-foot-two frame. Her hair was naturally blonde in a carefully coiffed bouffant style that offset her strongly-boned face, and she wore a very smart light-blue jacket and skirt. As their eyes met and their hands grasped in a strong handshake, Paul felt a thrill run through him that he had never felt since ... She was speaking again. "I'll just let Mr Feinberger know you're here, Mr McGuire."

"Yes. Yes, of course." floundered Paul, surprised at his own reactions. Her voice had a pleasant, light melodic lilt to it and he spent the few moments whilst she was buzzing through to her boss in speculation of its origins. *A touch of the Irish.* he concluded.

"Please go straight through, Mr McGuire, Mr Feinberger will see you now." and she ushered him through into the spacious office of the President. He did not see the look of admiration in her eyes as she looked after his tall, slim form entering the innermost sanctum.

"Ah, Mr McGuire! Come in, sit down." Mr Feinberger was a man in his late forties or early fifties, Paul reckoned, with thick black hair and a black moustache. The suit he wore must have cost a few hundred dollars. He rose to shake Paul's hand and Paul's observant glance added further visual information - five-foot-ten, 160 lbs., gold wedding ring.

Paul made himself comfortable in the luxurious armchair and Feinberger offered him a cigar. "Thank you, no, I don't smoke."

"A drink, then?" Feinberger moved towards the drinks cabinet located in a corner.

"Or drink!" Paul added with a light laugh. "Excellent! Excellent! No vices, eh, Mr McGuire?" Feinberger smiled, returning to his desk.

"No, sir, no vices." confirmed Paul.

"Well, Mr McGuire, to business. Our Personnel Manager has recommended you for the post of Chief of Security. I read with much sympathy your case in the lawcourts recently and I felt very sorry about its outcome, but I am now pleased that it has led you here. I gather you have had a somewhat difficult time since then, and I am prepared to offer you the job of Chief of Security of this office at a sum of $25,000 a year."

Paul's eyebrows rose together at the mention of the sum of money - it was much more than he had expected.

Feinberger caught the reaction. "Anything the matter, Mr McGuire?"

"No, no, no. The sum you quoted is - much more than I had anticipated!"

"Ah! A pleasant surprise, then!" The smile had returned to Feinberger's face. "If you agree to the other terms and conditions of the contract I shall send you for your signature, then perhaps you can start work a week on Monday?"

"That would be just fine, Mr Feinberger!" and, rising from their respective seats, they shook hands on the deal. Feinberger led him out of his office and Dorothy Callaghan met him at the door.

"Well, Mr McGuire, so you're coming to join us a week on Monday!" she said with a smile. Paul's observant eyes took in the fact that there was no ring on the third finger of her left hand, and also the appreciative way she was looking at him. Again, he felt that thrill ... "Yes," he said, "subject to my signature on the contract."

"I have it here, Mr McGuire, perhaps you would like to take it home and read it over, then send it back to Mr Feinberger as soon as possible in order that we can make the necessary arrangements." She handed him the document in an envelope.

"Thank you." His deep voice was resonant and she looked up at him.

This time, when she saw the look on his face, her smile was a little more uncertain, confused. *Hey* he thought. *Maybe the old McGuire charm is still working, after all! Maybe ... nah! Not possible! Besides, Sharon ...*

"See you a week on Monday then, Mr McGuire!" and she showed him out of her office. They again shook hands and it took him a little longer to withdraw the contact. She closed the door behind him and he stood for a moment, a half-smile on his face, then he walked on.

---oo0oo---

Six months later Hooker and Romano, on day shift, were cruising in the black-and-white. It was getting near the shops' closing time, and the beat had been quiet all day. Hooker, at the wheel, had run out of conversation, so Romano, remembering, asked him:

"How's Paul McGuire, Hooker? You haven't mentioned him for some time."

"Oh, he got that job as Chief of Security for Transworld Electronics in LA, you know. Seems to be enjoying it, but I don't see him around so much as his job's taking him more and, more around the other branches of the company. I gather he had a trip to Europe last month."

"Hey, that's terrific! He's got over his depression, then."

"Yes, and Val's got a better job, too, coaching keep fit at the Sports Center. They only see each other during weekends!"

"I heard a rumour ... " started Romano tantalisingly, and stopped, looking at his partner, who took the bait.

"Well, go on, what rumour?"

"From my girlfriend in Transworld ... "

"Oh, you still see her, do you? That's lasted a long time."

"On and off, on and off." evaded Romano.

"Come ooon, the rumour, the rumour!" prodded Hooker.

"Oh, yes, the rumour! Well, I heard tell ... that McGuire's got a lady friend.

"A LADYFRIEND!" shouted Hooker. "Go oooon! You're kidding me!" Aren't you?" he concluded, less certainly, glancing at his partner.

"Nope - they've been seen out together by other members of Transworld. Seems it's no less than the boss's secretary!"

"I never thought he would. After Sharon ..." and Hooker stopped, the memory still haunting him.

"You never told me what happened to his wife, Hooker. Was she killed?"

"Yes. It was tragic, really. We were on this case, Paul and I, and it was blowing hot and cold. It was to be our day off, and Paul had promised to take Val for a picnic up the San Bernadino Valley, but at the last moment something came up and we had to follow the lead. Val was crying that she wasn't going to have her picnic, and Sharon said she would take her on her own. On the freeway the tyre of a car travelling in the opposite direction blew and it veered across the central reservation. Sharon was killed instantly, as was the other driver. By some miracle Val, who was in the back seat, was cut all over with the flying glass and was badly shaken but otherwise unharmed. She was only six, and Paul was left to bring her up on his own. He loved Sharon so much, I guess he's never got over her loss, even now. Reckon he thinks he should've been in that car, too. That's why I was so surprised when you said he'd found someone. I must say I'm delighted - it's the best thing that could happen to him. What's the lady's name?"

"Dorothy Callaghan. Apparently she's never been married." replied Romano.

Hooker was silent for a moment, taking in the information, then he said: "Hey! I've got an idea! How's about we have a party? I'd sure like to meet this lady - she must be someone real special."

"A party!" Romano was never one to refuse a free meal ticket. "Sure I'll ring up Susie -"

"Is that the one in Transworld?"

"Ah, yes!"

"Better not to invite her in case her presence, as another employee of Transworld, might embarrass the - ah - 'young lovers'! You know what gossips young ladies can be! Who else have you got in that little black book of yours?"

"Well, there's Jean ... "

"She'll do just fine. I'll phone Paul and fix up something over the weekend when we're all off duty. OK?"

"Yeah, fine."

"Four Adam 30, Four Adam 30!" the radio cut in.

"Four Adam 30, over." responded Romano.

"Arms robbery taking place on Sunset Street, handle code 210."

"Hit the reds, junior, let's see what's going down!" and Hooker accelerated away.

---oo0oo---

The store owner was waiting outside for them, nursing a head. wound. "He went thataway!" he said, pointing across a backlot. "He jumped me, took a gun and ammo - a Smith & Wesson!"

Romano could just see the retreating form of a running figure in the far distance and ran after him over the rough ground. Hooker, meanwhile, took a description from the store owner. Romano returned ten minutes later. The man had escaped.

"Damn!" exploded Hooker. "Still, we've got your description. Just one gun he took?"

"Yes, Sergeant."

"Right. We'll put out an APB and tour the area."

An ambulance drew up and the paramedics attended to the man's head injury whilst Hooker radioed back. The units in the area searched for the man, but he had gone to ground.

Three nights later, Paul McGuire shyly introduced Dorothy Callaghan to Hooker. He had invited Val and Chuck as well as Romano and his girlfriend, Jean, but had decided against inviting a partner for himself for the evening. Paul and he spent much of the evening reminiscing on the adventures they'd shared whilst they were detective partners and the rest of the happy group shared the thrills and spills of the many years they had worked together. After the meal, Paul self-consciously cleared his throat. Hooker looked inquisitively at his friend. "Something you want to say, Paul?"

"Ah, yes. I, that is we, have an announcement to make." He took Dorothy's hand in his. "This - lovely lady - had consented to marry me!" and he leaned over and kissed her.

Hooker smiled, laughed, and rose from his seat and embraced his friend and kissed Dorothy. "Congratulations! Congratulations! What wonderful news!" and Romano and Chuck joined in the celebrations. Val, however, went pale with shock. For some reason, she had not been expecting this. Her father, however, in his happiness, did not notice her reaction and, turning to her, opened his arms and she held him closely, tears in her eyes.

He did notice the tears, however. "Hey, baby, what's this? Tears?" and he kissed them away.

"Oh, Daddy, I'm sorry. It's just - such a surprise, is all!" She said, quickly regaining her composure. "I'm happy for you, really I am."

"Thanks, honey. Say, you and Chuck will be getting married in six months or so," he said, turning again to Dorothy, "why don't we make it a double wedding? Would you like that, Dorothy?"

"I think that's a lovely idea, Paul - if Val doesn't mind?"

"No - no of course not." but her tone of voice conveyed a trace of doubt.

"Well!" said Hooker. "I just happen to have a bottle of champagne in my freezer that I was keeping for just such an occasion as this. I vote we open it!" and they toasted each other's health and happiness.

---oo0oo---

Outside, in the darkness, a silent figure watched and waited.

---oo0oo---

Hooker's guests were preparing to depart when, quite suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. Paul noticed his friend's sudden reaction. "What's the matter, Hooker?"

"I - don't know, Paul. I just felt - the hair on the back of my neck rise. Nah, forget it - it's just all the excitement of the evening."

"Well, Hooker, thanks for a very happy evening. I'll take Dorothy home, now."

Chuck took Val home and Romano and Jean went their separate ways.

---oo0oo---

The watcher saw the happy people make their farewells and waited till the cars had driven off before he made his move. Silently, like a stalking cat, the man, gun in hand, moved towards the now-quiet apartment. He felt his pulse rate increase and his breathing came in short gasps as the thrill of the kill took him.

*Quickly, now,* he thought, *before he locks up.* He boldly rang Hooker 's doorbell.

---oo0oo---

Paul had driven a block away, enjoying being alone with his fiancée, when she suddenly put her hand to her shoulder. "Oh!" she gasped. "My pin! I've lost my pin!" Paul stopped the car. "I must have dropped it in Sergeant Hooker's apartment!"

"You want me to go back and get it now, honey?" asked Paul with concern.

"Oh, would you, dear? I need it for the dinner party we're going to tomorrow night."

"OK." and Paul pulled the car round in a U-turn and drove back to Hooker's apartment. Drawing up, he saw a light still on in the flat, so he left Dorothy in his car, made his way up the flight of stairs.

Hooker, who had just found the missing brooch lying on the settee, thought to himself *That's Paul come back to collect the pin.! and opened the door with a smile. The smile faded quickly when he was confronted by the gunman.

"Into the room, not a word!" the gun was waving menacingly in Hooker's face.

"What do you want?" he asked, thinking fast. His own gun was lying on the sideboard, in full view. Could he back up near enough it, his body shielding it from the gunman's sight? The gunman advanced on him.

"You're gonna die, right now!" snarled the gunman.

Hooker, mind moving fast, recognised him from the description the firearms store owner had given him three days ago. The stolen Smith & Wesson was now pointing at his forehead.

"Why do you want to kill me?" asked Hooker, backing up, stalling for time. He knew that if he did not carry this out correctly, he was dead.

"You killed my brother, you dirty cop!" the man spat.

"Your brother? When?" He had backed all the way to the sideboard now. "Three months ago, you pig! You shot him in cold blood."

"I - never - shoot anyone in cold blood, my friend." he said, hands open in false supplication.

"You're no friend of mine!" the man's voice was high-pitched, perspiration on his forehead, his eyes large with the lust to kill as he raised his gun, cocking it and aiming right at the centre of Hooker's forehead.

Hooker's eyes widened as he realised he wasn't going to have an opportunity to move for the gun.

"Say your prayers, cop!"

Outside the apartment, Paul climbed the stairs and stopped, surprised, as he saw a chink of light on the landing and heard a highly excited, strange voice coming from Hooker's apartment. He heard the cocking of the gun and the gunman saying "Say your prayers, cop!" and then, despite being unarmed, he threw himself into the room. He saw the gunman spin at the unexpected interruption, saw the gun pointed directly at him and, at the last moment, he threw himself to the side as the gun spat once. He shouted in pain as he felt a searing agony in his side and dimly heard another gun firing once as he crashed to the floor, breaking a low table as he fell. The gunman, having shot Paul, had spun back towards Hooker, but he never had the chance to pull the trigger a second time as Hooker's bullet exploded in his heart. He was thrown back and fell across Paul, dead before he hit the floor. Paul tried to get up but couldn't. Hooker was at his side in an instant, checking that the gunman was dead and then rolling the body off his friend. Paul, lying face down, was grimacing in pain and clutching his left side.

"Paul!" He turned his friend onto his back and saw the red stain spreading over Paul's white shirt. "Oh, my God!"

"Ah, Hooker!" gasped Paul. "It hurts - it hurts real bad!"

"Just lie still, Paul, you're gonna be all right!" but Paul was seized with a fit of violent coughing and he coughed up blood.

*Bullet's hit his lung.* thought Hooker, with alarm. *Have to get him to hospital immediately.* Aloud he said "Relax, just relax." He saw that the bullet had passed right through Paul's body, missing his ribcage. He got a towel from the bathroom arid wrapped it round the wounds in an attempt to staunch the flow of blood. Curious neighbours emerged and jostled for a view through Hooker's still-open door, but none offered to help. Suddenly Dorothy, who had heard the gunfire from the car, pushed her way through the crowd and ran in. She gasped at the sight that met her eyes. "Paul! Oh, Paul!" she cried, running to his side.

"Dorothy!" barked Hooker. "Get down to the car and get the engine started. I'm gonna have to rush him to the hospital!"

Dorothy did as she was bid and, by the time Hooker had carried Paul to the car, Paul had drifted into unconsciousness as the effects of shock set in. Hooker, wrapping his friend up in a car rug, knew he had little time as he gunned the car through the deserted streets and screeched to a stop at Valley Hospital a few minutes later.

After Paul had been admitted there was nothing left for him, and Dorothy, to do but wait. Returning to his apartment, he phoned the Academy and a black-and-white, with Corrigan and Stacy inside, drew up a few minutes later. Clearly and concisely he reported to Corrigan what had happened and Stacy radioed for an ambulance, which soon arrived and the paramedics removed the body from the apartment. "I'll get an ID on the gunman for you, Hooker." assured Corrigan.

"Yeah. Yeah, sure." but Hooker's mind was elsewhere - at Valley Hospital with his friend. After everyone had gone, he surveyed the damage. Paul had broken a long, low table as he fell, and, removing the broken pieces, Hooker saw a bright patch of blood on the carpet - Paul's blood. *Oh, no, Paul, not now," thought Hooker, *not just when you've found the happiness you deserve. Please, God - let him live!* he prayed fervently. He cleaned up as best he could, then returned to Valley Hospital, where Dorothy was waiting with Val.

Dorothy, left alone whilst Hooker returned to his flat, had phoned Val immediately. She had merely thought her father was spending a little more time with Dorothy, and had suspected none of the drama that had occurred. Chuck had left for his own apartment, so she had to hail a cab to reach the hospital. When she got there, Dorothy was sitting alone. Val, still a little reserved about the new status of the woman standing before her, did not reach out to comfort her. Dorothy, sensing this barrier, realised that she would have to break her future step-daughter's reserve and gain her confidence. After sitting silently for a few minutes, Dorothy turned to the younger woman, her clear blue eyes misted with unshed tears. "Val." She let the girl see her open emotions. Still Val did not speak. "Val - I know how much you love your father." Val's attention was caught.

"Of course I love my father." she said defensively.

"And your father loves you very much, too."

"Yes?" Val was unsure where this was leading.

"Val, I love him - very much - too. He's the man I've been waiting all my life for. He's a very special man - but I think you already know that. I know that I'm - very lucky - that he has chosen me. Val - I promise you - once he's better - I will never let him down or cause either you, or he, any unhappiness. I love him too much, too much to hurt him, ever."

The younger woman could see the honest sincerity in Dorothy's eyes and, at last, her reserve crumbled and they embraced.

Hooker turned the corridor's corner and saw the two women together. "Oh, good,* he thought, *Val's here.* Val had gone clean out of Hooker's mind.

They turned at Hooker's footsteps and he asked anxiously "How is he?"

"He's still in surgery and they won't tell us how bad it is." replied Dorothy. He could see both women were near to tears and he put an arm round each shoulder.

"He'll be all right, ladies, don't worry. He's made of strong stuff. He'll pull through." But Hooker wasn't so sure himself.

Silently the little group of people waited as the long hours dragged by. At last, as dawn was breaking, a weary surgeon approached them. "Are you Mr McGuire's relatives?" he enquired.

"Yes, we are." Hooker answered for all of them.

"Mr McGuire has undergone major surgery. His left lung has collapsed and he is presently on a respirator. I shall be better able to assess his chances of a full recovery in 48 hours or so."

"Can we see him?" asked Val, hopefully, adding "I'm his daughter."

"He's deeply unconscious, Miss McGuire, and will remain under heavy sedation over the next 24 hours or so. I suggest you all go home and have a good sleep - there's nothing more you can do just now."

"Oh, I see." Val's disappointment was clear to see.

"Come on, I'll drive both of you ladies home." offered Hooker.

---oo0oo---

Hooker's duty roster kept him fully occupied throughout the next day.

Romano was very concerned and annoyed with himself that he had not been on hand to help his partner and McGuire. "Is he gonna be OK, Hooker?" he asked earnestly.

"I hope so, junior - I sure hope so."

Captain Sheridan approached the two men. "Hooker, we ran an ID on your gunman - seems he was Vance Cola, the twin brother of Vince Cola, who you had to take down when he was raiding the First National Bank last month."

"Oh, yes, I remember. He had already shot a security guard and it was a one-to-one situation. Thanks for telling me, Captain."

---oo0oo---

Owing to the movement of shifts, Hooker was unable to visit the hospital for two days. Coming off duty at last, he changed into his civvies and drove off to see Paul.

He enquired about Paul at Reception, and the nurse informed him that he was now conscious and that his daughter and Miss Callaghan were with him. "Please don't stay too long, sir. Mr McGuire is still on our 'serious' list."

"Very well, nurse, I understand." and he made his way to Paul's room. He knocked softly and heard Dorothy's voice calling "Come in."

Hooker was pleased to see that Paul was breathing without the aid of the respirator.

He appeared to be asleep but opened his eyes as Hooker moved to the side of his bed. His voice was just above a whisper. "Hi, partner. So he didn't get you, huh?"

"No, partner, he didn't. Damn fool thing you did, bursting in like that." Hooker said, half-jokingly. He was rewarded with a wan smile.

"Did the trick, though, didn't it? Hah ..." Paul stopped as a stab of pain lanced through him, then he continued - "You know the - old saying - 'once a cop, always a cop'."

"You saved my life again, Paul. Thank you."

"All debts repaid, huh, Hooker?" Paul's dark eyes searched his friend's face.

"All debts repaid, partner!" Hooker confirmed, and he held Paul's extended hand in friendship's grasp, his hazel eyes large and warm as he looked at Paul.

"I'm sorry I - messed up your carpet!" said Paul as their hands parted, a trace of a laugh in his voice.

"Don't you bother yourself about that, Paul - just - get well, fast!"

"It's funny - " the small smile returned - "six months ago, if this had happened, I reckon I'd've - let go!"

Hooker knew exactly what he meant.

"You have too much to live for now, my friend. These two lovely ladies are willing you to live - for them. You're a very lucky man - to have so much love!" said Hooker with sincerity.

"Yeah. Now, thank God - I have - everything to live for!" and he closed his eyes and slept.

---oo0oo---

Six months later, T J Hooker was the proud Best Man at the marriage of Paul McGuire to Dorothy Callaghan, a ceremony which they shared with Val McGuire and Chuck Kendrick and, on the new long table Hooker bought to replace the broken one, there now stands a happy double-wedding picture.

---oo0oo---

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