The Case of the Mock Murder

Chapter 3

3.1

"Mark, where are those suitcases?" Ironside growled at his aid.

"Chief, Eve and Ed are not even here yet. Our flight is not for another hour and a half," Mark replied.

"I don't want to be late."

"We will be there on time," Mark said, shaking his head at his boss's impatience.

The door to the office opened. Commissioner Dennis Randall walked in followed by Sergeant Ed Brown and Officer Eve Whitfield. Ironside turned his chair in the direction of the ramp. When he saw the commissioner, he barked, "Whatever it is Dennis, it will have to wait. We are on our way to the airport."

"I don't think that this can wait. It concerns your trip."

"What about my trip? You are not going to tell me you don't want us to go?"

"On the contrary, it is very important that you do go. Someone is going to be killed at the police convention. I contacted Lieutenant Tragg this morning to tell him what is going on.

"You are not going to tell me that you received a telegram also, are you?"

Surprised, the commissioner sat down beside Ironside. "How did you know that?"

"It seems to be going around these days. What did the telegram say?"

Randall reached into his suit coat pocket and pulled it out. He tossed it on the table beside Ironside.

The chief picked up the envelope and removed the telegram. He read it aloud so that his staff members also knew what was written.

'I bet you thought it ended that day in the tunnels... well it did not. Despite everything that has happened, I really have not changed my mind about the revolution. You must pay for what you have done to me. Rousseau is not what I thought. Someone is going to die. I will see you in hell or rather at the police convention.'

Randall watched his detective. When he did not say anything, he asked, "So what do you make if it?"

"More of the same." He told Randall about the other telegrams the others had been receiving. He relayed to him what Perry had said about being mugged and the telegram taken away. He then told him about his conversation with Robert.

"I assume you will be working with Lieutenant Tragg on this one?"

"Perry is supposed to set up a meeting with him as soon as we arrive. At least now we can be pretty sure that the targets are Frank, Robert, and me."

"That is not very comforting considering the room will be full of police officers with guns. How will Tragg ever figure out who the shooter is until it's too late?"

"I don't think that any of those police officers will be doing the shooting," Ed said.

Randall turned and looked at Brown. "You don't want to bet your boss's life on that, do you?"

"Of course not," Eve commented, coming to Ed's aide. "We will be sure that all of the officers at the convention are checked out. However, it is more than likely someone in the revolution from Canada."

"Or someone that wants you to think they are in the revolution from Canada," Randall said, playing the devil's advocate.

"Everything will be checked out, Dennis," Ironside assured him.

Randall stood up. He began walking towards the ramp. "Keep me informed, Bob. I do not have to tell you to be careful. I would like you back here in one piece." He turned to the others. "Keep an eye on him." Randall left the office.

Ironside stared at the telegram. He now was sure Robert was being set up for the murder that someone had planned for the convention. The telegram pointed to him.

"Chief, maybe we should just cancel out of this trip," Mark suggested.

"I have never missed one of these conventions and I don't intend to miss this one either."

"Mark is right. It is not worth your life," Eve said.

Ironside shook his head. "I have to go. Someone is being set up for this murder."

Ed spoke up from where he had taken a seat. "I would say it is Robert."

Ironside almost smiled at Ed's conclusion. His ability to deduce was one of the reasons he had chosen him. "What makes you say that?" Yet, he knew Ed had come to the same conclusion he had for the same reason.

"The fact that the telegram both your son and your brother received that would show that someone is trying to punish the three of you involved in shutting down the revolution. The only telegrams that have not been confiscated are the ones that could be damaging to Robert if a murder is committed." When Ed finished his narrative, he waited to see his boss's reaction. He could read in his eyes that he had already come to that conclusion.

"Chief, you have to admit Ed's theory is plausible," Eve said.

"I do," he replied, looking at his officer, "because I came to the same conclusion."

"Then why not have Robert stay home?" Mark wondered.

"Ed, do you want to enlighten Mr. Sanger?" Ironside barked.

"Because if we stop them from trying in Los Angeles by keeping Robert home, they will simply do it at another time and place. At least in Los Angeles, we will be there to hopefully catch them in the act."

"And that is the plan... unless any of you have a better idea," Ironside told his staff. When everyone remained quiet, he said, "Then I suggest we head for the airport."

3.2

Robert Duvalier and Frank Rousseau boarded the plane to Los Angeles. After finding their seats, they got settled and waited for takeoff.

"I don't like it, Robert. Now we have no proof that the telegram existed. And with the one that Perry Mason had taken from him, the only ones left... "

"Could implicate me if the murder takes place," Robert finished.

"No, not necessarily. Who would believe that you would kill me? Less believable is you killing your own father."

Robert did not agree. "They would simply say that I was actually part of the revolution and only led my father to believe I had turned away from them."

"You have me as a witness of your dedication to becoming a police officer. Besides, Robert, you did not send the telegrams. So they would be unable to prove that you did."

"Nevertheless, I have no intentions of sitting around and allowing them to go through with their plans. Either you or my father has to be their target. I am not going to allow anything to happen to either of you."

"I think you better allow Lt. Tragg to handle any investigation that is necessary. Remember what I told you about jurisdiction."

"Jurisdiction did not stop my father when he came to Montreal."

Frank laughed. "No, it didn't. Bob was a genuine pain in the... he stopped in mid-sentence and smiled. "I am sure you get the idea."

Robert smiled back at him. However, he was not about to stand back and do nothing. If his father were in danger, he would not sit and wait for someone to kill him. He intended to find that individual or individuals before they had the chance.

3.3

The alarm went off beside the bed. Della Street opened her eyes. She glanced over at her sleeping lawyer and smiled. She would allow Perry to sleep while she stepped into the shower.

After throwing back the covers, she grabbed her robe from the nearby chair and headed to the bathroom. Della turned on the water and adjusted the temperature. She dropped the robe and stepped into the stall. Warm water sprayed over her.

She positioned her face in front of the sprayer and allowed it to flow onto her. It felt good in her eyes, which were burning from lack of sleep.

After completing her shower, Della got out, dried and put her robe back on. Once she had dried and styled her hair, she finished up by expertly applying her makeup.

Della slipped back into the bedroom. She could tell Perry was still asleep by the light snoring coming from his vicinity. She walked over to the bed and placed her hand on his cheek.

"It's time to get up, Perry. I'll call Gertie and let her know we will be in shortly."

Mason moaned and rolled towards her. "We don't have that much on the schedule. Have her reschedule my appointments."

Della laughed. "If I have to get up, so do you. It was your idea not to go right to sleep."

Perry mocked a hurtful look. "You mean it wasn't worth it?"

Della leaned over him, placed a kiss on his lips and whispered, "Oh, it was worth it alright."

Perry grinned and attempted to pull her closer but she resisted. "You have to get up and take a shower. Remember, you promised Robert you would set up a meeting with Arthur."

Mason sat up. "Oh yes, Bob. I almost forgot about him. We have to pick him up at the airport."

"What time are they arriving?"

"At noon. Did you arrange for a rental car for them?"

Della gave him a disbelieving look. "Didn't you ask me to do just that?"

Perry feigned innocence. "Yes."

"Have you ever known me to not do something you asked me to do?"

"No."

"Then why ask me?"

"To see that look you gave me. I love that look," Perry grinned.

Della shook her head. "Get in the shower, Perry."

"Don't you think we have time for... "

Della pulled out of his grasp. "No. You barely have time for that shower. I'll set your clothes out."

Perry chuckled and got out of bed. Della watched as he entered the bathroom. She walked over to Perry's closet and removed an outfit for herself. She noticed that her clothes were taking up almost half of his closet. She looked into Perry's half of the walk-in closet and selected a dark blue pinstriped suit with a burgundy tie.

Della walked over to the chest of drawers and removed underwear and socks. She set Perry's clothes on the bed and got dressed.

Della left for the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. She knew there was no way Perry would start the morning without his coffee. Unfortunately, today that was all there would be time for.

While she was pouring the coffee, the doorbell rang. She walked to the door, shut off the house alarm and opened it.

"Good morning, Beautiful. Is that fresh coffee I smell?" Paul Drake stood in the doorway with a grin.

"Good morning, Paul. Come in. I think there is enough coffee for all three of us."

He followed Della into the kitchen. She pulled out another cup, filled it with the fresh brew and set it down on the table. Drake sat down and began drinking his coffee.

"Where's the boss?"

"I am right here," Perry said as he entered the room. "You better not be drinking the last of the coffee."

"Oh you mean this?" Paul raised his cup. "Della would never serve me the bottom of the pot. However, don't worry, Perry, there is close to a cup left in the pot. Nice and strong!" A grin spread across Paul's face.

Della laughed at her two favorite men. "The pot is full. No one has to drink the bottom of the pot."

Perry sat down and raised the coffee cup to his lips, taking a sip. "What brings you here this morning?"

"Can't I visit my closest friends?" Paul sniffed the air. "No breakfast this morning?"

Perry frowned in amusement. "This is not a restaurant."

"So does that mean no breakfast?" Paul asked.

"That is exactly what it means." Perry grinned at his friend.

"Perry has to get to the office and take care of a couple appointments and then we have to go to the airport and pick up his brother and his staff. We don't have time for breakfast this morning," Della informed the private detective.

Paul was clearly disappointed. Then he realized what Della had said. "Ironside is coming for the police convention? You never mentioned that."

Perry shrugged. "It must have slipped our minds. Besides, Bob attends the event almost every year. He is a guest speaker every time he comes. People find him fascinating."

"They wouldn't if they had to work with him," Paul quipped.

That drew a smile from both Perry and Della. They knew that Paul respected Ironside but they suspected there was just a bit of jealousy there. After all, Paul was a detective... not a police detective but a detective nonetheless and Robert Ironside was touted as the best in the business.

"We better get going," Perry said. "By the way, you are invited to join us for dinner. There is something going on that might require your services. We will explain at dinner."

"What's going on?" Paul asked, unwilling to wait until dinner.

"Tonight, Paul. We will tell you tonight. Perry has two clients who are expecting him to be in his office." Della stood up, indicating the conversation had come to an end.

Paul followed the couple to the door. He wanted to ask more questions but he was certain that there would be no answers until dinner.

3.4

Ironside stared out the window of the jumbo jet that was carrying him and his staff to Los Angeles. He had known situations like this before but this time it was different. His son was involved. He wished he could do exactly what Mark had suggested... keep Robert from going to Los Angeles but his police instincts told him that it would be a mistake. If the person involved had been anyone else but Robert, he would have insisted that that person go to Los Angeles so that they could try to trap the perpetrator.

Yet, he worried about Robert. The members of the revolution he had come in contact with showed the organization to be extremely dangerous and particularly vicious. They had reason to go after Robert Duvalier. He had been instrumental in helping Ironside locate and defuse the bomb that Pierre Fougere had placed under the city of San Francisco.

Robert had since been accepted to the police academy in Montreal. Due to Ironside's friendship with Frank Rousseau, Robert had been working for the police department while he studied for his degree in criminal justice.

It would be a perfect way for the revolution to punish both Ironside and Rousseau. However, if they were setting up Robert for murder, which one was their target? Would it be Frank or would it be Ironside himself? Ironside had to admit the one that would hurt Robert the most had to be him.

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

"Chief... "

Eve's voice brought his attention back. "Yes, Eve."

"The stewardess wants to know if you want a drink."

He looked at the smiling young lady and said. "Yes, please... bourbon."

"I already knew that." She proudly set the drink down in front of him. "I watched you on the television when the president was on trial. I read that you liked bourbon."

"Thank you." Ironside smiled at her.

"If there is anything else I can get you, don't hesitate to ask." The stewardess moved on to the next person.

Eve, who had been sitting beside her boss from the start of the flight, could sense his worry. "You really think someone is trying to set Robert up?"

Ironside turned his head to address his policewoman. "It certainly is a possibility. Especially with the way the telegrams had been taken from Robert and Perry. I do not like what the remaining ones say. If a murder takes place and it can be tied to him in any way... those telegrams will make it look like he did it and out of premeditation."

"We will just have to prevent it. That's all," Eve said, trying to reassure her boss.

"Yes, we will. I just hope that we will be able to."

3.5

"Thank you, Mr. Mason. You just can't know how much it means to me to know that my partner will be unable to cut my children out of the business upon my death," Mrs. Princeton said as she threw her arms around the lawyer.

Perry patted her arm. "You just leave the legalities to me. I will take care of you."

After he untangled himself from Mrs. Princeton, Della escorted the elderly woman out of Perry's office but soon returned. "You sure have a way with women, Mr. Mason." She smiled up at him.

Perry grinned. "It's my irresistible charm."

Della chuckled. "I guess I can't argue with that. It worked on me."

Perry grinned again. "Is there anything scheduled after we get back from the airport?

Della shook her head. "No, nothing. I figured you would want to spend the rest of the day with your brother."

Perry pulled Della into his arms. "You are always thinking of me and I don't tell you often enough how much I appreciate it. Well, I do." He bent down to kiss her softly.

"As much as I do enjoy this, we have to be going. Your brother's plane is going to land shortly."

"Let him wait."

Della pulled back from him slightly but kept her arms around his waist. "You do remember what he is like when he is forced to wait... for anything?"

"You're right. We better get going." Perry took her elbow and led her towards the door. As he opened it, Lt. Tragg entered the office.

"I know you don't have much time. You are picking Ironside up at the airport but I do need to speak with you."

Mason backed into his office indicating for Tragg to enter. "What is it, Lieutenant? Have you found out something about those telegrams?"

"I spoke with Frank Rousseau this morning before he boarded the plane for the flight here." Tragg hesitated.

Perry looked at his watch. "Lieutenant, I don't mean to rush you but my brother hates to be kept waiting."

"Do you know about the Revolution up in Montreal?"

"It is a group of people who want Quebec to leave Canada and become an independent country. Why?"

"I have uncovered information that they are the ones behind the threat of murder at the convention."

Della went over to the coffee pot and poured Tragg a cup of coffee. She brought it back and gave it to the detective. "Is the information reliable?"

Tragg took a sip of the coffee and then answered her. "Is Frank Rousseau reliable?"

"He's a friend of Bob's. If memory serves me correctly, he's a cop in Montreal." Perry sat down on the edge of his desk.

"That's right. He gave me a great deal of information on that group. Pierre Fougere headed the group."

"I remember that," Della said, "but he was killed in the explosion in San Francisco."

"Someone is always ready to step up and replace a departed crook," Tragg sighed.

"Lieutenant, we really have to get to the airport," Perry reminded him. "Can you get to the point?"

"The point, Perry, is I am assigning police protection to Ironside while he is here in LA."

Perry and Della both looked at Tragg in disbelief." Arthur, I do not understand. Robert is a cop and he will be traveling with Sgt. Brown and Officer Whitfield," Della pointed out to the veteran detective.

"Bob is not going to have any part of this. He is a proud man who has been in countless dangerous situations and was able to defend himself. I think you better rethink this." Perry stood up. "Are you coming to the airport?"

"No. I have other work to do but I am sending Andy. He will be there when Ironside arrives."

Perry shook his head. "That earthquake in the Sawtooth Mountains was enough that I had hoped I never experience another one in my life. Now, I find you have done something that will have my brother roaring. He could cause an earthquake that would make the one in the Sawtooth Mountains look like a hiccup."

"Nothing is going to happen to Ironside while he is here in my city," Tragg said.

"Don't look now, Arthur, but you are starting to sound like Robert Ironside," Della said with a smile.

"Please don't ever say that in front of him," Tragg pleaded.

Perry laughed. "We really have to go, Tragg."

The lieutenant headed towards the door. "Tell Ironside he would do the same if the situation were reversed."

"Oh sure, let me be the one to break the news to him. Not a chance. Do your own dirty work, Lieutenant," Perry said as he and Della walked out with him.

"I will talk to you later, Perry." He tipped his hat at Della who smiled back at him.

Perry stood at Gertie's desk. "We will be out for the rest if the day. Call me if anything important comes up. You can reach us on Della's cellphone. He took Della's elbow and led her out of the office.

3.5

Ironside waited at the carousel watching the luggage go around. "Mark, one of mine is coming around now." He pointed at his suitcase.

Sanger reached over, pulled the suitcase off the carousel, and set it down. He went back to watching for the rest of their luggage.

Ironside looked around. "Where in the blazes is Perry?"

Eve placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "He will be here, Chief."

"When? At this rate, we will miss the police convention."

Eve shook her head. She had gotten used to her boss's impatience.

They watched as Ed and Mark located the rest of their luggage. Once they had it collected, Mark put money into the machine and released one of the carts. Between him and Ed, they loaded the luggage and then looked to their boss for their next move.

"Where is Perry?" Ironside grumbled. He noticed Lt. Andy Anderson headed in their direction.

"Good afternoon, Chief Ironside. Lt. Tragg sent me to meet you," Anderson informed him.

"Tragg sent you? Is Perry all right?" Ironside asked immediately.

He is fine. In fact, Lt. Tragg told me that Perry was picking you up."

"The question is... does Perry know he is picking us up?"

From behind him, Ironside heard the deep commanding voice of Perry Mason. "Yes, he does know."

Ironside grinned and offered his hand. "Are you incapable of being on time?"

"I am on time. What did you have to wait? All of ten seconds?" He shook his brother's hand.

"And so it begins," Eve said. Ed and Mark smiled.

"Would you like to explain why Tragg sent you to meet us?" Ironside asked, directing his attention to Andy Anderson.

"We can discuss this later." Perry tried to distract his brother's attention away from Lt. Anderson but Chief Ironside would have no part of it.

"We will discuss it now!" Ironside insisted.

Look, Bob... " Perry began.

Andy placed a hand on Perry's arm. "Let me." He turned away from Mason and faced Ironside. "Lt. Tragg has decided to provide you with police protection while you are here in Los Angeles."

"That's ridiculous," Ironside roared. "I don't need police protection. I am a cop and my entire staff is with me. Is Tragg saying my people are incompetent?"

"No, Chief. Of course not. Please remember this is our city and you and your staff are guests. There is a credible threat against you."

Ironside was about to argue further when both Eve and Della intervened. "Robert, Andy has to follow orders. You of all people know that. There is no sense in arguing with him."

"Della's right, Chief. There is nothing that can be done right now. You will have to take it up with Lt. Tragg tonight at dinner."

"Oh, that should make for a pleasant dinner conversation," Perry mumbled. Della elbowed him into silence.

"Let's get going. I don't want to sit around this airport all day," Ironside grumbled.

Mark stepped in behind his boss's chair and began pushing him towards the exit.

3.6

There he was... one of the three men that had destroyed his plans, his revolution and his life. Oh, what he would give if he could just shoot the bastard right here and now... but no, he would not do that. It would spoil the rest of his plans. He had to be patient. His plan called for the death of one man, another to be accused of the murder and the third to suffer for both of them.

Right now, he would continue to convince the Los Angeles police that Ironside was his target. Ironside himself would never be convinced of it but that did not matter. He had to keep the LAPD busy.

He checked his escape route and then pulled his gun out. He pointed at Ironside and pulled the trigger.