Brothers in Arms
Chapter 10
Commissioner Randall sat at the desk. Della and Barbara listened to the progress of the rescue of the men they loved. Both were anxious. Was it too late already? If not, what shape would the two men be in after the police burst into that cabin? Did either of them really want to know the answer to those questions?
Barbara quietly asked, "Who is Otto?"
Commissioner Randall looked behind his shoulder at Barbara and said, "He's Bob's dog."
"Bob doesn't have a dog," Barbara argued.
"He trained with Otto on a case. Otto saved his life. Ever since, he has been visiting and working with the dog. Bob really loves that dog. He's a trained attack and bomb sniffing dog," Randall told her.
"Then Sgt. Brown thinks this dog can help Bob and Perry?" She asked.
"Castle doesn't know the dog has trained with Bob," Randall explained. "The dog loves Bob. He even obeys Bob over the trainer at the kennel. If the opportunity presents itself, Bob will order that dog to attack Castle."
Barbara put her hand on Randall's shoulder. "Is Otto big enough to take this man down?"
"He's a good sized German Shepherd. Believe me he could take Castle down. There is a potential problem, though."
"What," she asked.
"Otto has trained with Castle," Randall answered.
"So what does that mean?" Barbara inquired.
"It means," Della said, "there is some question as to whom the dog will obey, Robert or Castle."
Della's answer alarmed Barbara. Commissioner Randall noticed the look on her face. "It will be alright Barbara. That dog obeys Bob over his trainer at the kennel and he goes absolutely crazy every time he sees him. He will obey Bob. I would bet a year's salary on it."
"Would you bet Bob's life on it?" Barbara asked.
Della responded, "In a way we already have."
Tragg could be heard over the police radio reporting that Hamilton Burger stepped in a trap. That quickly ended the conversation about Otto. Della worried about her friend. She hoped his injury was not bad.
"Did Tragg just say Burger was going to continue on with them?" Randall asked.
"Yes," Barbara leaned forward. That is exactly what he said. He could not be hurt too badly then."
"You don't know Hamilton. Nothing is going to stop him from reaching that cabin," Della sighed. "I just hope he doesn't do further damage to it.
xxxxx
All four groups reached the inter perimeter of Castle's defenses. The automatic weapons that had been set up to shoot remotely were being disassembled by the police. After they were sure they had found all of the weapons, Sgt. Ed Brown ordered the all the groups to surround the cabin.
"Capt. Winsel to Sgt. Brown," Winsel whispered into his police radio.
"Brown here, go ahead Captain. There are cameras in the back of the cabin. I don't think we should move any closer. If Castle is monitoring them, he would know we are here."
"Ok, hold your position. We will keep you informed. Brown to Drake," Ed said quietly.
"Drake here Ed, go ahead."
"Can you spot any cameras on your side?"
"Eve said you can not see the front corner from this position," Paul reported.
"Same here," Tragg interrupted.
Ed glanced over at Lt. Reese. "Carl, can you see any cameras in the front?"
Using the binoculars, Carl looked up at each corner. "The lights are lit up and yes I can see the cameras at both ends, but they are shot out. The chief must have taken them out."
"Captain Winsel," Ed spoke into the police radio. Do you have a sharp shooter that could take those two cameras out with a silencer on his gun?"
"Yes, Reynolds could do it," Winsel said. "But won't that alert Castle something is wrong?"
"We'll have to chance it. I want him blind on your side as well. So do it," Ed ordered.
"Lt. Reynolds, take out those cameras," Winsel ordered his lieutenant. When the job was done, Winsel reported to Brown. "It's done, Sergeant."
"All units, move in," Ed ordered.
xxxxx
Once again, Otto attacked…only this time he leaped straight into the air and clamped his jaw down on Castle gun arm. He jerked his head back and forth tearing into the skin of Tony Castle.
Castle screamed. He began slugging Otto. It only served to tighten Otto grip as he used his powerful jaws to bit down further into the flesh on Castle's arm. Otto jerked his head back and forth ripping the flesh away.
"Perry! Get that rifle!" Ironside shouted.
Perry moved quickly toward the rifle Castle had set aside.
Castle knew if Mason got a hold of the rife it was all over. The dog continued to tear at his arm. Castle still had not let go of the gun. He made a quick decision to try to aim the gun toward Ironside. If he could get a shot off, at least he could accomplish killing the man who had destroyed his brothers' lives. Using all his strength, he pulled his arm up and pointed the gun toward the detective. He was shocked to see Ironside pointing back at him with a gun of his own.
Ironside had pulled out his service revolver as soon as Otto attacked Castle. All of a sudden, the front door burst opened. The windows broke on both sides of the cabin. Ironside aimed and shot Castle in his gun shoulder, trying to avoid from hitting Otto.
Shots rang out from behind Castle from both an automatic rifle and Ed and Carl's service revolvers. Paul Drake and Eve Whitfield fired their guns from one side of the cabin window at the same time Lt. Tragg fired from the other side of the cabin window.
"Otto! Flack!" Ironside roared over the bullets flying through the air. Otto crouched toward the floor and practically crawled back to Ironside.
Tony Castle body was hit from gunshots from all four sides. He slumped to the floor. The shooting ceased as cops and dogs poured into the cabin.
Ironside patted the top of Otto's head and looked up at his sergeant. "What the hell took you so long?" A big dimpled boyish grin broke across his face. Otto's tail was thumping wildly on the floor. Ed grinned back.
"You can't even take a vacation without causing the rest of us headaches," Carl laughed while stepping forward to shake the chief's hand.
Mark and Eve walked over to their boss. Mark nodded at Ironside. A silent exchange of relief passed between the two men. Eve looked at Chief Ironside as a tear rolled down her face. She walked behind him, put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. Ironside grabbed both her wrist and hugged her to him. Turing his head, he took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and planted a kiss on her lips. "I'm fine, Eve," he said gently.
Paul, Hamilton and Arthur Tragg surrounded Perry. Paul slapped his friend on the shoulder, through his arms around Perry and gave him a bear hug.
Perry looked down at Hamilton's leg. "I see you stepped in one of the same traps that Otto did. You should not have kept going, Hamilton. That leg needs attention. Don't try to get Bob to help you. You will have to get in line behind Otto."
Hamilton noticed the blood on Perry's shoulder. Tragg reached over and touched his bloody coat. "So, the chief treated Otto's leg first, huh?"
Paul, Hamilton and Perry began laughing.
"Has anybody checked to see if Castle is still alive," Ed shouted.
"You're kidding, right?" Ironside shouted back to some laughter.
An officer came into to room and yelled at Sgt. Brown. "Sergeant, there's a Commissioner Randall on the police radio. He said the ladies are frantic. They want to know if their men are alright?"
Paul, Hamilton, Perry and Arthur joined Ed, Mark, Eve, Carl and the Chief.
Ironside looked up at Ed. "Ladies? Their men?" he asked.
Paul spoke up. Della is at the airport waiting to hear about Perry and chief, you have a lady waiting to hear about you," Paul smiled.
Ironside looked at Drake. "What do you mean, a lady?"
"Chief, Barbara is at the airport with Della," Eve said. She showed up at your office just before we left. We had to bring her with us or she never would have let us out of the office. Commissioner Randall stayed with them at the airport. They are waiting to hear the outcome of our rescue.
Ironside was completely taken back by Eve's words.
The officer walked over and handed Ed the police radio. "Who wants to go first?" Ed asked.
"Let Perry. I have to talk to the local authorities here," Ironside said. "Don't take all morning either, Perry." He wheeled away from the group.
Ed smiled as he handed the radio to Perry. "Commissioner Randall is on."
Perry took the radio and walked away. "Commissioner."
"It's good to hear your voice, Perry. There is a very anxious young lady here who would like to talk to you."
Perry waited. He closed his eyes.
"Perry, are you there?" Della asked.
He smiled. "Hello, Della. It is so good to hear your voice. I want to let you know we reached the cabin safely."
Della laughed. "It's about time you got around to calling me to let me know. Perry?"
"Yes, baby," Perry answered.
"I am so happy you are alright."
Perry could hear the shakiness in her voice. "You really did not think you would get rid of me that easy, did you?"
"I was so worried. When can I see you?"
"Let the police get things quieted down and I think Bob can talk the local police into picking you and Barbara up and bringing you here."
"Ok, Perry. And Perry?"
"Yes, Della"
"I love you," Della said with a tremble in her voice.
"I love you too. I am going to turn the radio over to Bob. Would you put Barbara on?" Perry turned around looking for his brother. "Bob!"
Ironside wheeled over to Perry who handed him the radio. Perry lightly squeezed his shoulder and walked away. "Barbara," Ironside said.
Barbara began to cry. "Bob, I was afraid this conversation might not take place."
"I have a lot of friends who just can't seem to leave me alone for a minute," Ironside said."
"Just be glad they got there in time," Barbara told him.
"Huh," he grunted. "Otto beat them to it."
"So he did obey you over Castle, then?" Barbara asked.
"I never even ordered the dog to attack. Castle ordered him to attack Perry. Otto obliged his order by attacking him instead. He's a hell of a dog."
"Bob, I need to see you. I have to see you," she said. "I want to see you."
"I hope that means what I think it means," he told her.
"We're going to be ok, Bob. I told you I would be back. I meant it."
"Let me get things cleaned up here and I'll send for you and Della," Ironside said.
"I love you, Bob," she said.
"I love you too." He barely got the words out from the lump in his throat. "Put Dennis on would you, Barbara?"
A moment later Commissioner Randall said, "I swear you are going to be the death of me yet, Bob."
Ironside smiled, "Glad to know you care, Dennis. Thanks for bringing in the cavalry, my friend."
"You're welcome. However, you should thank those people of yours. I could not have stopped them if I tried. They were hell bent on coming after you."
"Dennis, I am going to be awhile here. Look after the ladies, will you please?
"I'll do that. See you soon." The radio went dead.
Ironside turned his wheel chair around. Dunlap stood in front of him. "Hello, chief."
Putting out his hand, Ironside smiled. "That is one hell of a dog, Dunlap."
"He's yours, anytime you want him, chief." Dunlap took his hand and shook it. "It sure did not take your people long to discover who stole Otto. Between them and Mason's people they had it figured out late last night."
"Trained them myself. As far as Perry's people, I know their efficiency first-hand. They are a great group of people. Perry, on the other hand would make a lousy cop. Where the hell is he, anyway?" Ironside grumbled.
"Talking to Ed and Paul," Dunlap said.
Ironside offered his hand one more time. "Thanks for everything you have done and I intend to take you up on that offer on Otto."
"You do that chief. It's obvious, he's yours anyway." Dunlap said.
Ironside wheeled his way in and around police and forensic teams. "Perry!" shouted Ironside.
Everyone looked at him. The room quieted. Perry stepped forward. "Yes, Bob."
"I distinctly remember hearing an automatic weapon being fired," Ironside said.
"So you did. I was trying to protect you," Perry grinned.
"Protect me? Have you ever fired one of those guns before?"
"No, but I have fired both handguns and rifles. You just aim and shoot," Perry grinned again.
"You could have missed Castle and shot me," Ironside growled.
"I thought about that but what the hell. I knew you were wearing a bulletproof vest. Besides, with all the shooting going on, I got carried away," Perry snickered.
Everyone began laughing again. Perry walked over to his brother and reminded him. "You told me I could have been a hell of a cop, remember?"
"I meant a traffic cop," Ironside said with a twinkle in his eye. A few more chuckles sounded around the room.
Perry laughed. "I think I'll stick with the court room." Perry placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.
Ironside turned and looked at the utility room. "Just how did Castle get in here? He was standing over there in front of the utility room." He began wheeling in that direction. Perry followed him.
"The lights came on and he was standing here. The back door remained undisturbed. Winsel said none of the windows were disturbed either."
They entered the utility room. "You don't suppose there is a door set back in like those cupboards?" Ironside thought aloud.
Perry began feeling the wall. He could not feel anything that would indicate a door so he started pushing on the wall. It did not give way. He closed the utility room door and press against the wall behind it. It opened. Behind it was a broom closet. The wall of the broom closet had been removed. Perry stepped out on to the porch behind the house.
"We should have continued to check the walls when we were in here," Ironside said. "We would have found this."
Perry re-enter the cabin. "Do you realize Bob that nothing we set up was of much help to us?" Perry said. "The explosion at the front door knocked out the fish line from the bottom of the door. The electrical wiring was rendered useless when he cut out the electricity. The wire was blown apart in the explosion as well. We could not have used it anyway since he did not try to come in that way. There was no time or opportunity to use the knives. The only thing we ended up using was the gun. We can thank the commissioner for having another service revolver in the cabin."
"Otto did back you up to that tank. Again, you are right. There wasn't any opportunity for you to use it. But one other of our defenses worked perfectly," Ironside said.
"Otto," said Perry. I questioned whether he would follow your command after he backed me up and threaten me. Yet when Castle ordered him to attack me, he went right for Castle," Perry marveled.
There was a scratch at the door. Ironside backed up his wheel chair and opened the door. Otto entered, and jumped up on Perry. "Thanks, buddy. You saved my life," Perry said as he ruffled the dog's neck.
Ironside smiled when Otto jump up on him and licked him in the face. "Let's get this investigation moving so we can send for the girls."
xxxxx
Five hours later the cabin had cleared out. The only ones left were Ed and Paul.
Perry and the chief joined them in the living room. Perry brought in a bottle of bourbon, poured a glass for Bob and put it down in front of him. He then poured one for himself.
"Chief, all of the explosives Castle set has been disarmed. The animal traps have been sprung and picked up. Your electricity has been completely restored as well as the gas. The phone is working. The water is back on. The motor is back in the furnace. The bomb in the boat has been disarmed as well. The tarp has been removed from the chimney," Ed said.
"Commissioner Randall has restocked the refrigerator. We picked up some forks and knives. The windows have been replaced. You have all the comforts of home. You can both now start your vacation," Paul continued.
"Ed….." Ironside began.
"Forget it chief, you would have done the same for me and have. Besides, it looked like Otto had it all under control. I am just glad he was not shot with all those guns going off.
"We are going to get out of here and let you two continue your vacation in peace," Paul said. He shook Ironsides hand and slapped Perry's shoulder lightly. After Ed shook Perry's hand, they headed out. Paul opened the door. Della and Barbara walked in.
"Enjoy your vacation," Ed called out over his shoulder as he and Paul left.
Della went immediately to Perry who took her into his arms and lowered his head to meet her in a heated kiss.
Barbara walked slowly to Robert Ironside. When she reached him, she bent down. Ironside placed his hand behind her neck, gently pulling her into a passionate kiss. He then drew her into his arms as she sat down into his lap.
"I told you I would be back," she said as he looked into her eyes. "Della and I thought we would join you boys for vacation if it is ok with both of you."
"I'm all for it," Perry said with a grin while holding Della in his arms. We can stay in that room over there," he pointed. "Bob and Barbara can stay in the commissioner's room. What do you say, Bob?"
"I'm all for it. I don't know if I could stand two weeks alone with him," Ironside teased.
"What do you say we play Texas Hold 'Em," Perry suggested.
Della made a face. "You want to play poker?"
"Perry is obsessed with trying to beat me ever since our first meeting when I kicked his tail," Ironside boasted.
"Perry, I thought you said you beat him," Della said.
"No, if you remember I said yes….and no," Perry corrected her.
"Just what are you two talking about?" Barbara asked.
"When Perry came to see me, he tried to get me to help him investigate the Martin murder so that he could clear his client. He challenged me to a hand of poker. If I lost, I had to join forces with him and investigate with him. If he lost I got to interrogate his client," Ironside answered.
"Then you lost," Della pointed out, "since you did indeed investigate with him.
"No, he appealed to my sense of justice and I gave it. I beat him in the poker hand," Ironside said.
"No, I had the better hand," Perry insisted.
"You folded. You don't win when you fold," Ironside grinned.
"If you had the better hand, then why did you fold?" Della asked.
"He raised me. If I lost I had to give you up," Perry said as he put his arm around Della.
"Robert, you cheated," Della said surprised.
"He did not," Barbara said. "He simply raised the stakes.
"And Perry folded," Ironside smirked.
"I could not gamble you away," Perry said. He lowered his head and kissed her. "And you would have folded if Barbara had been at stake."
Ironside looked at Perry but he said nothing.
"Robert!" Barbara pretended to be indignant. "Tell him you would fold if he had raised the hand with me."
"Well…" Ironside said. Perry and Della laughed.
"Ok, I'd fold…."his voice trailed off but he had a gleam in his blue eyes.
"Just can't stand to lose can you Bob?" Perry laughed.
"You can't beat me," Ironside returned.
"Want to bet? How about Della and I against you and Barbara. Whatever team is busted out of the game loses.
"What's the stakes," Ironside asked.
"Losers have to do all the cooking, clean the cabin, make the beds, do the laundry, feed and let out Otto for the next two weeks," Perry said.
"Della, I hope you like house work," Ironside grinned with dimples prominent down his face.
"Not a chance. You and Barbara will be the maids for the next two weeks," Della said backing up Perry.
Barbara laughed as she watched Bob wheel out of the room and return with a deck of cards. He wheeled over to the coffee table where Perry, Della and Barbara had already taken their places. Ironside reached over, roughed up Otto who wagged his tail wildly. He then tossed the deck of cards to Perry and said, "Deal counselor."
The End
Stay tuned as another Perry Mason/Ironside crossover is in the works.
Thanks for reading.
Kaleen1212