Disclaimer: I do not own Ironside. It is the creation of Collier Young. Nor am I receiving any compensation for this writing.
This fanfiction is based on the two part episode, Checkmate and Murder.
Checkmate and Terror
Chapter 01
1.1
"Chief, I have to answer this request for you to lecture at the police convention in Montreal. This is their third request as to whether you are going to accept the invitation. You simply can't put off answering them. What do you want me to tell them?" Eve stood beside Robert Ironside. She knew what was on his mind. "It took you twenty years to return to Montreal last time."
"And it may take me another twenty years to go back again," the detective snarled. "Tell them I just cannot fit it into my schedule at this time." He looked down at the file in front of him. There had been two bombings in the city. Fortunately, no one had been hurt …yet. There had not been much in the way of clues. Both bombings had been set off in empty office buildings late at night. No one had been in them at the time. Yet the damage had been in the thousands of dollars.
"Chief, are you sure? You aren't avoiding going to Montreal, are you?"
Ironside looked up from his paperwork. "Now just why would I be avoiding Montreal?"
Eve did not understand why he would. She remembered the last time he went. They ended up working a case locating a very valuable chess set. He lost a dear friend in the process. Eve knew that was not the reason he would avoid going to Montreal. The reason was probably the same reason that kept him away from the Canadian city for twenty years. Jeanine Duvalier. Eve, Ed and Mark had learned that she was an old flame of the chief's many years ago. When he had returned to Montreal, they had run into one another at the police station where Jeanine's son Robert (pronounced "Roe-bare") had been arrested for suspicious in a bombing. Ironside realized that Jeanine had named her son after him. It melted away the years for Ironside who clearly remembering loving a woman who had sent him away claiming that she didn't love him. He learned upon his return that Jeanine had carried on the affair with him while married to another man. She had told him that Robert was not his son but that of her husband, Jacque Duvalier.
Jeanine had pleaded with Ironside to help her son. Robert was an idealist young man who was very proud of his French Canadian ancestry. He believed the French had to denounce and rid themselves of the English, whom he believed treated the French as second-class citizens in Canada. Robert became involved with a group that began fighting their own revolution against the English. Ironside used his influence to help Robert who was released without being charged.
Robert only became more involved with the radical group. When he was ordered to set a bomb under the reviewing stands at a parade, Robert did so but went back and disconnected it only to find out that another man in the group had reconnected the wires. To insure that Robert did not interfere with the killing of whoever was within area of the explosion, he was held prisoner. Ironside and the Montreal police had rescued him. Robert and Mark raced against time to the reviewing stands and Robert successfully disconnected the bomb.
He received probation for his part in the attempted bombing, due to his cooperation and help in stopping the bombing. Again Ironside played a part in helping him.
Eve knew that Jeanine had come to the airport to see Ironside off. What she didn't know she found out later when Robert had phone Chief Ironside to thank him one last time what he did to help him. Ironside had been out of the office at the time. Eve had learned that Jeanine was to join her boss in San Francisco. Yet Jeanine never appeared. The chief had been moody and quiet for a time but when Eve tried to get him to talk about it; in typical Ironside fashion … he refused.
Even though she suspected Jeanine was the reason he was dragging his feet about going to Montreal yet she did not understand why. He and Barbara Jones had been seeing each other for some time now and the chief seem to be very happy about it. Why then would Jeanine have this kind of effect on him? She had been tempted to ask him about it but had not gotten up enough courage to do so.
"I don't know why you would be avoiding Montreal, Chief. Suppose you tell me."
The door opened and Sgt. Ed Brown entered the office. "There was nothing left of that paint store. Whoever planted that bomb must have known that the bomb would have ignited the paint. We were able to find pieces of it. It was homemade. Nothing sophisticated but effective none the less."
"What about the bomb that destroyed the book store?" Ironside asked.
"Same type. Placed in a backroom full of boxes of books that had not been placed on the shelves yet," Ed reported. With all that paper the fire spread quickly. So far we have no clues as to who set them or why."
"There have to be clues, Ed. You just aren't seeing them."
Ed sat down. I don't know what else to look for, Chief. I checked the employees of both companies. All of them have alibis for the time the bombs went off."
"They didn't have to be there when they went off …only when they planted them," Ironside snapped.
"I know that. None of them has a record, not even parking tickets. None of them seemed to have a beef with their employer. Most importantly, none of them has the knowhow to make a bomb."
"What about the customers? Did any of the owners have a run-in with an unhappy customer?" Eve asked.
"I have not had a chance to check that," Ed said.
"You can't do it tonight. Both of you go home. We'll start on it in the morning."
The door opened and Commissioner Randall entered the office. "Bob, I need to talk to you."
Ironside sighed. "Sit down Dennis. Mark, get the commissioner a cup of coffee."
"Oh please! Coffee at this time of night. How do you sleep?"
"Soundly, unless someone is keeping me awake," Ironside grumbled at his boss.
"Well if I cannot sleep than neither can you."
Ironside watched as Ed and Eve quietly headed up the ramp in an attempt to sneak out. "And just where do you think you two are going?" He growled.
"You told us to go home, Chief," Eve responded.
"If I can't sleep neither can you. Get back here!" Ironside told his officers. Ed and Eve reluctantly headed back down the ramp.
"You see it rolls downhill," Randall said with a smile.
"What does?" Eve asked
"Forgive me for being vulgar, Eve. Shit ... it rolls downhill. Something happens that makes the city council nervous and it rolls downhill to me. That makes me nervous so I roll it downhill to your boss. That makes him ugly and he slings it downhill at you."
"What the commissioner is trying to say is," Mark said, "we are in deep shit."
Ed and Eve chuckled, along with Commissioner Randall.
"Is this what you came here to discuss?" Ironside said. It was becoming evident he was getting grumpy.
"No, but is not often I get a chance to laugh at your expense," Commissioner Randall said with a grin.
"Well now you have had your laugh, tell me why I am being prevented from going to bed."
"The bombings. What have you found out?"
"Dennis, you only handed me the case this afternoon. We have barely had time to look into it." Ironside snapped in disbelief.
"You had all afternoon. What have you found out so far?"
Ed butted in as he could see the chief was ready to explode. "Both bombings were set off with the same type of device. We have checked out all employees of both businesses and none of them seem to have motive or the knowledge to have pulled the jobs off."
Randall waited. When Ed did not respond, he said, "That's it. That is all you have?"
"What were you expecting, the bombers on a silver platter. It takes time to check these people out. And I only have two detectives."
"If that is the problem then pull Reese and Belding in and put them on it," Randall ordered.
"We don't even know yet what this is all about. It could just be two isolated incidents. My staff is going to need some time to investigate."
"Do whatever is necessary, Bob and find out what is going on."
"Why do I get the feeling there is something you are not telling me?" Ironside demanded.
Randall hesitated. "I got a call from the FBI. They received a tip that a group from Montreal is responsible for the bombings."
"Montreal? Are we talking about an Islamic group based in Montreal?" Ironside asked.
"We don't believe so. This appears to be the same group that tried to set off a bomb at the parade when you were in Montreal."
"But that entire group was arrested, brought to trial and are in prison," Ed looked from Randall to Chief Ironside.
"Well it looks like they have re-grouped," Randall said looking back at Ed.
"But why San Francisco?" Asked Eve.
"They want to remove what they consider repression by the English. It looks like they have expanded their target to the Americans," Randall told them.
"But why did they pick San Francisco'" Mark questioned. "Why not New York or Washington D.C.?"
"The FBI believes they blame your boss for the arrest of their people. That is why they have chosen San Francisco."
"Are you saying their target is the chief?" Mark inquired.
"Indirectly. They intend to punish him by killing people who live in San Francisco," responded the commissioner.
"But no one was killed in either of the bombings," Ed pointed out.
"They could be introducing themselves," Ironside picked up the files from the two bombings. "Ed, do you remember the type of explosive devices they used in Montreal?"
Brown sat up straighter and his eyes widen. "The same type that was used in both of businesses."
"Exactly," Ironside nodded in agreement.
"Bob, I don't have to tell you that the city council is scared to death of the panic a bomb going off in a crowd will cause. You have to solve this one fast."
"What about the FBI?" Ironside asked. "If it is indeed terrorism than it would automatically bring them into the picture."
"They don't want to panic the people in this city. They are willing to work with you at the head of the investigation."
"The FBI? Are we talking about the same organization? Jorden Scott heads it. He is not exactly one of the chief's biggest fans," Eve said.
"I have a feeling they got orders from higher up," Randall surmised.
"President Whitmore," Mark guessed.
"That would be my guess as well," Randall agreed.
"You do realize, Dennis, if there is just one bombing that results in dead people the FBI will move in." Ironside was still staring at the file in front of him.
"Oh, I have no doubt but Jorden Scott will have a hard time convincing the president to take the investigation away from you since he was unable to solve the diplomatic kidnappings. No, Bob, I don't think there is going to be a fight for jurisdiction over this …unless of course you are unable to stop the bombings."
"Just how badly are my hands tied with this one," Ironside asked.
"They aren't. You can do or request anything within reason …well at least try to keep it somewhat resembling reason. In other words, you will have a free hand. If I can't comply with what you need, then I would suggest you call your friend in Washington." Randall got to his feet. "Oh, one last thing. There is a lead on this group. There is a man who is helping the Canadian police on this. He has gone underground for them. I believe you know the young man …Robert Duvalier."
A pin dropping could have been heard in the office. Ironside's normal poker face had slipped. To those that knew him, and the people in the room certainly did, he had not been able to hide the shock. "Will I be able to reach him without compromising his position in the organization?" He finally asked after regaining his composure.
"Yes. It has all been arranged. It is well known that you spent some time with Jeanine Duvalier the last time you were in Montreal. You will be a guest in her home. They will not suspect that you are there to speak to Robert. He will fill you in on who runs it and how it is run. Robert will feed them any information that you choose to give to them."
"Look Dennis, this is not exactly an ideal situation," Ironside protested quietly.
"I know that Bob, but this is not exactly a run of the mill case. There are lives at stake. I know you will be the professional that you are. Your plane leaves at ten o'clock in the morning. Mark, I want Ed with the chief. If he runs into any trouble, I want another cop with him. I suggest in the meantime that Carl work with Eve to find out what they can on this end."
"That won't work," Ironside argued.
"What do you mean it won't work?"
"I can't take a cop with me. I will be watched. If I have a cop with me, they may suspect I am not there for personal reasons. They will know that Mark is my aide. He is the one they will be expecting to travel with me. Ed, you will stay here and work with Eve and Carl. Call in Fran if you need her."
"Bob, I can't agree to …"
"I did not asked to be sent on this trip, Dennis. But since I have to go, I will do it my way. You know that I am right."
Randall gave Ironside a look of uncertainty and then gave it. "Take care of him, Mark."
"Chief, where do you want us to start?" Ed asked.
"The bomb. See if you can trace where the material were purchase."
"That is not going to be easy Chief." Eve looked at her boss. He had become uncharactisticly quiet. She could not help but wonder what was going through his mind.
"Since when has police work ever been easy?" Ironside responded. "Dennis, I don't mean to be inhospitable but if I am going to be on a plane tomorrow, I would like to get some sleep."
"Yes, well, good luck." Randall turned and walked up the ramp and left the office.
"We communicate twice a day. And if anything of real importance comes up, call me immediately," Ironside said. "Now get out of here so I can get some sleep." Ironside turned his wheelchair away from his staff.
Ed left the office immediately but Eve stayed behind. Mark sensed that Ironside wanted to be alone so he went into his room and closed the door. Without turning his chair back, Ironside said. "Good night Eve."
"Chief, I just want to be there for you."
"Thanks Eve, but I am fine."
"No, you are not. Remember who you are talking to. I know you. You are always there for me when I need you, why don't you let me be there for you. I know you are upset."
Ironside turned his chair to face his policewoman. "Thank you, Eve. I appreciate it, I really do but this is something I have to work out for myself." He reached out his hand. Eve went to him and took it. "Now go home and get some rest. I am afraid we will be put through a lot before this is all over." He kissed her hand, let go and turned away once again.
Eve walked forward and put her arms around his neck from behind. "Be careful and come home safely." She kissed his cheek and left the office.
The door to Mark's room opened as he entered the room. "Can I help you get into bed, Chief?"
"No Mark, go to bed. There is something I need to do. You better get up early and pack."
Mark nodded. "Goodnight, Chief."
"Goodnight Mark." Sanger went back into his room. Ironside saw the light go out under the door. He wheeled over to the window and looked out over San Francisco. His mind wandered to that day at the airport. He saw Jeanine Duvalier sitting beside him in that room as he was waiting to board the plane that would take him back to San Francisco.
"San Francisco is a beautiful city. Will you share it with me?"
"Yes!"
But she never came and he never knew why. She had walked away from him twice. Ironside shook his head. What did it matter now? He loved Barbara. She did not walk away from him a second time. She didn't care that he was a cripple. They had been through a lot together. So why did he feel this way. Maybe he was just self-conscious that Jeanine had rejected him twice. He just did not want to see her again even if it was for professional reasons. He knew it would be awkward. He would get through it. He had no choice.
He thought of Barbara. He could not go away without telling her. She had a right to know that he would be staying with a woman he had a history with. Should he call her or should he do it in person? He decided he had to do it in person. He wheeled over to the phone and picked up the receiver. After dialing her number, he waited.
Ironside closed his eyes as he waited for Barbara to answer. He was exhausted. Every inch of his body screamed for rest. But he knew that sleep would be elusive tonight.
"Hello," Barbara voice sounded over the phone.
"Hello, baby," Ironside said sweetly.
"Bob! What a pleasant surprise to hear your voice." Then she realized how late it was. "What's wrong, Bob?"
"Why does something have to be wrong? Can't I call you to say goodnight?"
"It is in your voice. What is it?"
Why was it this woman could read him so well? "Something has come up. I have to fly to Montreal in the morning. I won't be able to make our dinner date tomorrow night."
"Oh …that is disappointing. What's is going on in Montreal?"
"Police business. I will explain but I want to do it in person."
Barbara was silent for a moment. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, but there is something I feel you should know and I don't want to do it on the telephone. Can I drop by early in the morning … say seven-thiry?"
"Of course. I'll have breakfast ready for you," Barbara promised. "See you then."
"See you then. Barbara?"
"Yes."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Bob. Tomorrow …"
"Tomorrow …" Ironside hung up the phone. He was not looking forward to that conversation.