Finding Officer Bobby
Chapter 09
9.1
The black limousine pulled up into the police garage beside Chief Robert T. Ironside's van. Commissioner Dennis Randall looked out the rear window of the limo. He spotted an empty wheel chair on its side. A few feet away Ironside was lying on the cement. The commissioner opened the door quickly and ran toward his friend fearing the worst. As he reached him, Ironside was beginning to stir.
"Easy Bob, don't move. I'll get help." Randall shouted to his driver. "GO INSIDE, GET HELP." He did not want to leave Ironside. The driver sprinted into the building.
"Where's…Eve?" Ironside slurred.
"What? What about Eve?" Randall questioned.
"Eve…..she….was with…me. Where….is she?"
Randall looked around. "I don't see her, Bob. What happened?"
"I….was tipped…..from….the….side." Ironside attempted to sit up. He grimaced in pain. His head was throbbing. He was dizzy and his stomach was threatening to empty the contents of his lunch on the garage floor.
"Stay put Bob. We have help on the way. Don't try to move."
"Have…to find…Eve." He shook his head trying to drive out the fogginess that had engulfed him.
"Damn it Bob! For once in your life do as you're told. That's an order," Randall growled at his detective.
Several cops came racing out of the building. "Call an ambulance," Randall ordered. One of the officers turned to go back into the building.
"NO!" shouted Ironside, gritting his teeth from the pain his shouting had caused.
"Bob, for god's sake. You need medical attention. CALL THAT AMBULANCE, NOW!" Randall roared.
"DAMN IT!" Ironside shouted. "TO HELL WITH THE AMBULANCE. BOBBY!….HE'S WITH MARK. GET SOMEONE UP TO MY OFFICE NOW!"
Randall realized what Ironside was thinking. "You three come with me. You stay with Chief Ironside until that ambulance gets here." Randall and the two officers ran to the elevator and disappeared behind the closing doors.
"Get me back in my chair," Ironside ordered the remaining officers.
"But Chief, the commissioner said to wait for the ambulance," the young officer protested.
"GET ME BACK IN THE FLAMING CHAIR NOW AND THAT'S AN ORDER! WHO DO YOU WANT TO ANSWER TO, ME OR RANDALL?" Ironside roared.
The officer decided instantly he would rather face Randall than Ironside. He looked up to the other officers that were standing there and said, "You heard the chief. Help me get him back in his chair."
All three officers lifted the injured chief of detectives and placed him back in his chair. "Chief, your head is bleeding. You should wait for the ambulance."
"TO HELL WITH THE FLAMING AMBULANCE. WE'RE GOING UPSTAIRS NOW! THEY TOOK EVE. THEY MIGHT HAVE GONE UP FOR BOBBY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I WAS OUT. GET ME UPSTAIRS NOW OR GET THE BLAZES OUT OF MY WAY!"
The officer got in behind Ironside's wheelchair, turned the chair so that his back was to the elevator door and Ironside backed his chair into the elevator. "Stay here and wait for that ambulance. Hold it here," the young officer said to one of his fellow officers.
Ironside hit the button to his floor and waited for what he knew was going to be a long agonizing ride to his office floor.
8.2
The elevator door opened. One of the officers put his hand on Commissioner Randall's shoulder. "Sir, take this." Randall took the service revolver from the officer who produced another for himself.
The three officers move silently up the ramp with Randall to Chief Ironside's office. Randall mouthed "on three." One, two, three…Randall kicked open Ironside's office door shattering the glass. All of Randall's police instincts instantly returned as he went low to allow his officers to shoot over him.
Randall heard Mark shout 'Otto, Hit!' The German Shepherd sprang into mid-air, snarling and growling with teeth bared. The man turned the gun toward Otto. Commissioner Dennis Randall raised his gun, pointed at the man's hand and fired just as Otto clamped his jaw down on the man's gun arm. Randall's reflex was faster than his officers. They did not get off a shot; his shot was right on target. Dino screamed as a bullet blew a hole in the palm of his hand. Otto continued jerking his head back and forth ripping the skin on Dino's arm. Dino continued screaming. "GET HIM OFF OF ME," he cried out in agony.
One of the officers raced to Bobby who was screaming in terror. He scooped the child up in his arms and ran back behind the safety of his fellow officer's protection.
"OTTO, BACK OFF!" Randall yelled. The dog ignored him and continued turning Dino's arm into raw meat. "How does Bob stop him?" Randall called out to Mark.
"I have no idea. I wasn't even sure he would attack when I told him to," Mark replied.
Ironside wheeled over the broken glass into his office. As soon as he saw the scene unfolding in front of him, he shouted, "OTTO, FLACK!" Otto let go of Dino's arm, headed directly to Ironside and sat down beside him. The room became silent except for the wailing of a scared little boy.
Ironside turned his chair in the direction of the officer and ordered, "Give me the boy." The officer complied and handed Bobby to Ironside. Bobby stopped crying. He put his arms around Ironside's neck and held on for dear life. "It's alright, Bobby," Ironside said softly. "The bad man will not hurt you. I won't let him."
"Bobby let go of Ironside's neck. "Unk Bobby have boo boo," he said showing Ironside the blood on his hand."
"I am alright. We both are alright." He wiped Bobby's tears away with his thumb. "Mark, are you alright?"
"I'm fine chief. Thanks to Otto and the commissioner. I will never complain about him staying here again," Mark said.
"Otto or the commissioner?" Ironside asked.
"Very funny Bob," Randall said to some snickering around the room. Mark grinned.
Ironside handed Bobby back to the officer. "Officer Jennings is going to take you downstairs for some ice cream. Would you like that?"
"Ice c..eam," Bobby clapped his hands.
Ironside nodded toward the door and the officer took Bobby out of Ironside's office. Chief Robert T. Ironside, whose collar was covered in blood wheel over to Dino Marstroni. Commissioner Randall watched as he detective approached the man. If Randall did not know Ironside better, he would have sworn what his saw in his face was pure hatred.
"Where is she?" Ironside demanded.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Marstroni insisted.
"THE HELL YOU DON'T!" Ironside yelled.
"Bob, take it easy," Randall said, trying to calm his detective.
"THE HELL I WILL," Ironside roared.
"You are a two bit hood who works for Tony Marco. Where is Marco holding Eve?" Ironside asked in a calmer tone.
"I told you, I don't know what you are talking about. I just came up here and that boy of yours ordered that dog to attack me."
"You really expect me to believe that?"
"I don't care what you believe, Ironside," he snarled.
"Maybe you better start caring. Otto, come," Ironside said. Otto joined Ironside at his side. "What do you think of my dog, Mastroni?"
"I don't think anything of your mangy mutt," Mastroni snorted.
"Did you know this dog will kill upon my command?" Ironside said.
"That's enough Bob," Randall said. "I want you to calm down, now."
Ironside turned to the other officers in the room. "Get out." The officers looked to Commissioner Randall. When they hesitated, Ironside shouted at them. "GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" The officers no longer looked to Randall for guidance. They turned and left the room immediately.
"Bob, I want you to stop now. I'll handle this." Randall stepped in front of Ironside.
Mark walked around the table and whispered to Randall, "Trust him. He's completely in control. I know him."
Randall looked at Mark. He could see the trust that Mark held for Robert Ironside. Ironside, along with his brother had once saved Randall from a murder rap. Mark was right. Ironside never lost control. What Randall was seeing was controlled rage for Mastroni's benefit.
"Look Mr. Mastroni. You had better tell Chief Ironside what he wants to know. He's out of control. I can't stop him. Tell him," Randall said.
"I am not telling that pig cop anything," Dino growled.
"Otto, Zip!" Ironside ordered the dog. Once again Otto flew into the air. Mastroni instinctively put his hands up to protect himself. Otto latched onto Mastroni's wounded arm. Just as he was about to clamp down Ironside shouted, "OTTO, FLACK!" Otto immediately let go and returned to Ironside.
Terrified, Mastroni turned to Randall. "He can't do this. I know my rights. I want a lawyer. I insist you arrest me Randall."
"Chief Ironside is in charge of this investigation, Mr. Mastroni. When he is done interrogating you, he will decide whether or not to place you under arrest. Right now you are a material witness." Randall played along.
"You can't do this. I know my rights," Mastroni said.
"What about Eve Whitfield's rights?" Ironside said. She had the right to refuse to go with Gorman." He looked at Mastroni. "Yes, I got a glimpse of him when he knocked me out of this chair. You both work for Marco."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Let me enlighten you. Marco cannot afford to let Eve live. She knows Marco hoods as well as I do. She is a witness and we all know what Marco does to witnesses," Ironside said. "You are going to tell me where she is or I am going to turn Otto loose on you."
Terror appeared in Mastroni's eyes. "You would not do that," he challenged.
"No, he won't," Mark said. "He's a cop but I am not and Eve is a friend of mine as well. You are going to tell the chief what he wants to know or I will order Otto to kill you."
Mastroni had never been this scared in his life. "You can't let him do that Ironside."
"I have never had much control over Mark." Ironside said.
"Commissioner, you can't let them do this," Mastroni pleaded.
"I have never had much control over Chief Ironside," Randall said.
"Now, where is she," Mark raised his voice.
"You're bluffing," Mastroni said.
Mark made a split second decision. He sure hoped the chief was fast enough to counter what he was about to do. He look at Otto and said, "Otto come." Otto hesitated, looked at Ironside and whined. When Ironside made no move to counter Mark's command, Otto joined Mark and sat down by his side. "One last chance, Mastroni. Where is she?"
"Go to hell, Sanger."
"OTTO, KILL!" Mark shouted.
Mastroni face turned into horrified contortions as Otto leaped into the air for his throat. He could feel Otto's breath on his neck when Ironside shouted, "OTTO, FLACK!" Otto's front feet hit Mastroni in the chest as the Shepherd attempted to stop his forward motion. Mastroni went crashing to the floor. Otto was all over Mastroni. Ironside watched closely to make sure Otto did not harm him. Otto clamped his teeth around Mastroni's neck.
"GET HIM OFF ME!" Mastroni screamed.
"WHERE IS SHE?" Mark shouted.
Otto's growling intensified when Dino shouted. "ALRIGHT, I'LL TELL YOU! JUST GET HIM OFF ME."
Ironside ordered his dog, "Otto, Flack!" Otto returned to Ironside and sat down beside his wheel chair. "Where is she?" Ironside asked one more time.
"Peer One," Mastroni said defeated.
Ironside wheeled to the table and dialed the phone. "Get the paramedics from that ambulance up here, now."
Mastroni made no attempt to move. Randall and Mark followed Ironside as he wheeled away from Mastroni. Otto sensing his master had relinquished guard duty, walked over to Mastroni stood over him and bared his teeth.
Randall looked at Ironside. "Bob, I can't believe I allowed that."
"Dennis, Eve doesn't have a prayer in hell unless we get to her and now. I don't care if I lose this badge, Eve deserves a chance. I will turn my badge in after I rescue Eve and take down Tyson, Sambini, Gorman and Marco."
"I don't want your badge, Bob. You know damn well I will stand behind you. Otto did not harm him. You saw to that and we found out where Eve is."
"And the chief did not order Otto to kill, I did." Mark said.
"I did not hear that," Randall said.
"Hear what?" Ironside said."
Police started pouring into the room. "Get this man to the hospital and put a twenty four hour seven guard at his room," Ironside said. "Where is Lt. Reese?"
"He's still on stake out at Tyson's house," Mark said.
"Call him. Send those officers over to Peer One. I want every available patrol car and officer over at Peer One. I want a SWAT team on the scene. Have Carl meet me us there. Commissioner, do you want to come along?"
"Someone has to keep you under control," Randall said.
"I am under complete control. Mark, stay with Bobby. Only this time I want armed cops up here."
"No way, chief. I am coming with you. This is Eve we are talking about," Mark said in defiance.
Ironside was about to order Mark to stay behind when he thought better of it. "Ok, Mark. You are with us. Let's go."
"Bob, we can handle this. You need to go to a hospital," Dennis Randall said.
Ironside and Mark shouted at the same time. "NO WAY IN HELL."
Randall shook his head. He could not argue with both of them. Neither would relent. They only wanted to get to Eve.
9.3
Ken Tyson stopped his car down the street from the day care center. It was now dark enough he could not see well in a distance. He had to get closer. He got out of his car and started walking in the opposite direction of the day care center. When he arrived at the corner, he turned and headed down the sidewalk. He went behind the first office building. He concealed himself behind anything he could find. He continued his forward motion watching every direction to be sure he was not spotted by the police.
Tyson arrived at the building beside the day care center. He looked across the street. There were a couple cars parked in parking lot across the street and two buildings down. There were other cars parked randomly down the street in the opposite directions of where he parked. Boy cops were dumb. It was obvious to Tyson that the day care center was well staked out. How was he going to get into that building? It had no side entrance on this side. There was one on the other side but that parking lot was well lit. It was more than likely locked anyway. He would be spotted and would be a sitting duck for a police sniper trying to go in that way. He leaned back against the wall. The back and front entrances were being watched. If he tried going to the back door he would be vulnerable going down between the two buildings. Even if he could get there before the cops spotted him, he was still taking a chance those doors would also be locked. The cops would be able to take pot shots at him. The only reasonable door was the front door but in order to go through that door he would need a distraction. But what? How could he create a distraction?
Ken heard a car approaching the side parking lot from the back. He could not see it but he could see the lights from the car. He heard what he was sure was two women laughing and headed toward the front door…his distraction!
Ken waited until the two women reached the door. He made his move. As they opened the door, he sprang from his hiding place and ran toward the woman. He reached them safely, shoved a gun in May Evans side and whispered, "Get inside now."
9.4
Sgt. Ed Brown watched as a car pulled into the parking lot. He grabbed his radio. "Who the hell was supposed to be watching the parking lot?"
The officer that answered him replied, "There was nothing they could do Sergeant. The car came speeding around the corner. It did not slow down when our officers tried to stop it. What were they supposed to do, fire at it?"
"Damn it!" The chief was going to have a fit when he found out Tyson got inside. And all he could do was stand by and watch it happen. If he had stopped them then Tyson would have made his officers. Ed could not tell from where he was who the women were. All he knew was he had to contact the chief. He went back to his car and called Ironside's van.
"Ironside"
"Chief, we have a problem."
"Ed, don't you dare tell me Tyson got by you."
"Two woman showed up. We were unable to stop them. Tyson used them to get into the building." Ed waited for the oncoming onslaught from his boss.
"DAMN IT, ED! YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO STOP HIM OUTSIDE THE DAY CARE CENTER," Ironside shouted.
"Chief, if I had I would have blown our cover. We did not know Tyson was in the area. The two women going in could just have been there to pick up their kids. If we had stopped them, Tyson would have disappeared. We did not know Tyson was there beside the building."
"In another words Ed, he got past the entire stake out in order to get that close," Ironside complained."
"Yes sir. I'm sorry Chief."
"Never mind that. Keep him in there until you hear from me. Ed, Tony Marco kidnapped Eve. Tyson was dealing for Marco. We got her location from one of his thugs. We are headed there now to stop Marco and get her out of there. You are going to have to handle things there. Use your best judgment. Never mind waiting for me."
"Yes, sir."
"And Ed."
"Yes, sir."
"I trust you. Do whatever you have to do to secure the safety of those people and take Tyson down. Shoot to kill. Don't take any chances with those people."
"Right chief. Chief?"
"Yes, Ed."
"Let me know about Eve?"
Ironside was silent for a moment. "You'll hear from me." Ironside hung up the phone.
