Chapter 9

"Ed's only chance lies in his alertness," objected Ironside. "If we make a lot of noise around him, he won't be able to spot Slade. No – let's drive towards San Pedro Point and hope that he'll show up there."

Reluctantly Carl agreed and informed his men.

Ironside started his van with Carl and the prisoner in the back, while the other officers followed in a police van.


When the bulky frame of the man with the Kalashnikov appeared on the small trail Ed could not avoid noticing that not only his weapon outclassed Ed's by far... well, maybe getting in his way wasn't such a good idea after all. Ed could not risk any kind of fight with him.

But then he noticed that the man was totally out of breath. Maybe that was Ed's opportunity.

"Drop your gun!" he shouted.

The criminal turned around to point at him, but far too slowly for the detective.

With a smooth, quick movement Ed kicked the gun out of his hands, pulling back immediately. One blow of these mighty fists could knock him out. He switched his flashlight on and picked the gun up. He pointed both light and gun at the man. "Put your hands on your head where I can see them. Then walk south."

Ed was almost surprised when the gangster raised his hands and surrendered.

The problem was now to bring him into custody. As soon as he would catch his breath he would be dangerous again...


"Harper, what was the idea behind that attack at the Transamerica Pyramid?" asked Ironside on their way. Every information might help them catch Slade or protect Ed. Carl had made a makeshift bandage around Harper's injured arm and given him a painkiller.

"Slade wanted the police to believe that some Islamic extremists were on the war path."

"He used that idea to commit the robbery in the Asian Arts Museum, right?" The choice of Slade's weapon – a Kalashnikov – fitted that plan as well.

"It worked, but the police was a bit too fast to put that imam behind bars, because that old sucker confessed to something he hadn't done; the plan was to rob a bank tomorrow with the same cover and then getting the Muslims behind bars with a lot of noise."

"Mason finding the bomb too early was just bad luck as well, right?"

"Totally so. Why would we want Tappert to be caught?"

Meanwhile they had reached San Pedro Point. Silently most of the police officers got out of the cars, hiding behind some trees, listening intensely and ready to take action as soon as Cpt. Reese would switch on the headlights of Ironside's van.


Ed had to make quite a detour, but walking was much easier here than along the waterline. Still it would be a long, dangerous way back to Gray Whale Cove State Beach, where he expected to meet Ironside, Carl and his men. He was careful to keep a good distance from the brute, but as of now Slade didn't try to give him any troubles. He stumbled along the footpath towards the trail and then on the trail southwards. Brown was tired as well, but adrenaline and his sense of duty kept him going.


Despite of his higher age Ironside was the first who heard the sound of approaching footsteps. When a glimmer of a light became visible he signed Carl to turn on the headlights.

At first Reese only saw a big man in the headlights. After a moment of shock he noticed the detective behind him.

"Hey Ed, you should know better than to scare old police officers out of their socks!" he shouted and jumped out of the van.

He handcuffed Slade who was still breathing heavily. Ed had kept rushing him, but no one could guess when he would be recovered. Then it would not be advisable to get in his way.

"How are Mason and Saunders?" asked Ed worried. He was greatly relieved that he didn't have to walk his prisoner all the way back to Gray Whale Cove State Beach. How had the Chief found out where to expect him? He would hear about that soon enough.

"They are fine. Just Slade's companion got hurt, but he'll live." Ironside pointed at the man in the back of the van.

Only now Ed permitted himself to relax.

Ironside noticed that he was swaying slightly. He wanted to spare him the embarrassment of looking beat in front of the younger generation. "Hop in, I want to hear that story," he barked, and Carl got the hint. He stowed the prisoners and the officers in the police van. Ironside's was private, after all.

"Chief, Ed, we'll see you at headquarters," he said and gave the friends some privacy.

Ironside glanced at his friend's angular face which was looking drawn. "Take all the time you need."

This sentence triggered old memories and made Ed chuckle. "Up to three minutes, right?"

"Two," corrected Ironside, then, turning serious, "How did you do that?"

Coming from him this was more than praise, rather like being decorated.

"With luck and by playing a lot of basketball lately." He was referring to his training the juvenile offenders in the Denver prison, which kept him fit.

Ironside nodded. It was very much like Ed to play down his contribution. He hadn't quite expected that Ed would have to face a guy like Slade. He was glad that his friend was still standing. But he had been right all along – Ed had handled things just the way he had trained him.


When finally the crooks were booked, all the evidence was secured and Ironside and Ed got out of police headquarters, morning dawned. Mark, Diana and Eve were already up – or was it rather 'still'?

Mark had managed to calm the women, who had started to worry.

Diana, who was delighted to have a 'big family' around, served them a large breakfast. But before they had all sat down they heard a piercing scream. It had to be Danny, who, as requested, had received a tray in the van. Ed was the fastest to sprint out and follow his son, who was running down the road. He caught the frightened boy just before he collided with an approaching car.

It turned out that the twins, still a little sore that an anthill had been preferred over them, had placed three ants into the box containing Danny's breakfast.

Naturally, Mark scolded them.
Eve however tried to explain to them that they had done nothing wrong. It was really just a harmless prank. They were teenagers after all, not angels. Danny just couldn't handle such pranks.
Ironside felt that she was close to tears. It had to be tough to always excuse and explain the extreme behavior of one's child, and having to carry this burden all alone with a husband away far too often. Maybe he should have a word or two with Ed about this.

Yet later on, when peace had returned to the Sanger household, Ironside saw Eve and Ed sit in the backyard together.
Even from behind they looked as if they were very much in love. It was true, Eve had to carry too much, but Ed knew it, and at least he gave her all the love he was capable of giving. Eve was a strong woman. Somehow he thought she would manage – maybe even be happy.


In the afternoon, Ironside was sitting outside and reading. A car parked in front of the house. Mark was in court, Ed was asleep in a real bed in the house and the women were out shopping with the girls.

Getting out of the car was Numan al Huq. He looked remarkably calm and unaffected after his time in prison.

Ironside invited him into the front yard.

"I just wanted to thank you and Judge Sanger – and whoever helped solve this case. It's a special experience for me. People who don't even know me and who belong to a different religion did a lot to help me. This is a strong sign of hope not only for me but also for our world."

"Justice has to be done. Usually our system works quite well, but sometimes it is hard to find the real culprits. I'm glad that it worked out, and I'm convinced that your people need you. Your spirit of openness is what will help people of different religions understand one another. I have to thank you for that."

They parted as friends.

Danny showed up with a book in his hands, using one finger as a bookmark. He had been reading in Ironside's van, and obviously he had heard Ironside's conversation with the imam through the open garage window.

"Daddy!" He shouted and headed towards the house.

"Danny, what's so important that you have to wake up your father?" asked Ironside as the boy passed him.

"There's something I don't understand."

Daniel Brown and his odd, sometimes downright philosophical questions!
Many things were unintelligible in his universe, particularly the behavior of people and animals. Usually his parents helped him to bring some kind of order into his chaos. Ironside understood this well, but Eve was in town and Ed had been worn out after last night's athletic challenge.

"Maybe I could help you understand? You know, when your daddy was young he often asked my advice. Why don't you try me?"

Danny hesitated. Ironside was a very smart man... and his dad trusted him with his life...

"Why did that Arabic man thank you?"

Ok – an autistic child didn't feel the need to say thank you. Ironside knew that his parents, both being very polite people by nature, tried very hard to help him understand why a minimum of politeness was necessary in this world.

"Mark Sanger, your father and I proved that he was in prison while innocent. You, Jeremy and the twins helped us as well. He's glad that he's out of prison now. When people feel thankful they thank others."

"I know that, of course!" corrected Danny indignantly. "I'm not stupid. But the man was innocent. He should not have been put into prison in the first place. Why should he be thankful for being out? Actually someone should apologize to him for the unjust treatment."

Surprised Ironside looked at the boy. He was showing more insight here than most twelve-year-olds... and more than many adults.

"You are right, my friend. See – injustice happens sometimes. We all try to avoid it, but we are not God. We can't always be sure, or we need some time to find out the truth. That's why Mr. Al Huq had to stay in prison for some time.

"He could have gone to the newspapers or stir up his friends. The result could be religious riots."
He wasn't sure if the child would know the word 'riot' at all, but at least he nodded. "He has chosen to start the process of reconciliation. He's an awe-inspiring man."

"You mean - peace has to start on the side of the one who was wronged?" Danny frowned. "That's tough for the one who was ill-treated already: that he has to do the first step additionally!"

He thought about it, and Ironside didn't interrupt him.

"But I think it makes sense. It would not work the other way round, would it?"

"Exactly. You can't go around and hit somebody and then offer him peace. But if you have been hit you can turn the other cheek – in a figurative sense," Ironside added quickly, remembering that autists tended to understand things verbatim.

The knowledge of the other cheek wasn't new, but after 2,000 years it was still a challenge.

Recycling of values. But wherever someone was able to put it into practice it was a strong sign of hope, as Numan had put it.


The women returned from their 'foray', as Mark called it, happily, proudly even presenting their prey.

Everybody except Danny, who still lived in the garage, sat down at the table. Jeremy had been invited to join the little celebration. The dinner Diana and Eve had prepared together smelled delicious – but before they could dig in the doorbell rang... as always when they were about to eat.

Mark answered it and came back with Carl Reese.

"Chief, Ed, Mark, you did great. We have enough confessions to bring Slade behind bars for a long time, and his consorts will get their time as well, but they helped us a lot."

"Why don't you look happy then?" queried Ironside.

"Well, actually there's another problem. There's this other case..."

Ironside grinned. "No way to get me back to work, Captain. Tomorrow I'll get a nice present for my Katherine and then travel back home."

Eve shook her head. "I think I'm downright happy that Ed got a call to come back to Denver. San Francisco is wonderful, but somehow I get the impression that we are safer in Denver. We'll fly home tomorrow."

Diana's beautiful eyes flared up. "Don't you even think of it, Judge Sanger! You have two teenage daughters. One needs braces and the other is lovesick. We need you at home!"

Ironside grinned like the Cheshire cat. "Carl, you will get the credit for the bombing case. Now this is your chance to finally make it to Commander. Good luck!"


Epilogue

After dinner Ironside wanted to use the bathroom, yet Danny was standing in his way. Did an urgent need force him to enter the house although it was 'stinking'? He was contemplating a package of toilet paper on a low shelf, or rather its inscription. Ironside bent forward to read it.

"Made with 100% Recycled Paper", it said.

Danny shook his head in lack of understanding. Finally he asked the smart man in the wheelchair, "Sir, can you tell me how on earth they recycle toilet paper?"


Author's note:

Again Lemonpig has done a great job correcting my story. Sometimes it is tough to get me to write proper English. It's not her fault if there are still some mistakes in my text, but my own stubbornness!

Thank you, my dear readers and reviewers, for your much appreciated support!

(And yes, the last paragraph - and not only this one - was written by real life!)