Checkmate and Terror
Chapter 11
11.1
Ironside raced down the street toward San Francisco International Airport. He dialed the number the president had given him. "This is Ironside. I need a man at San Francisco International ready to defuse a possible nuclear bomb." He listened for a moment. "No, I don't know exactly where it is. I only know that it was thrown in a trashcan. Since they could never get past security, we will concentrate on the trashcans in and near check-in and also baggage pick-up." Ironside slammed the phone down.
He pulled the van up to the curb and turned off the engine. A security officer from the airport approached the van. "You can't park this thing here so move it." He looked into the passenger side of the vehicle. There was no driver at the wheel. He heard a high-pitched whine and the van's lift began lowering to the pavement. "Sorry, Chief. I did not realize it was you."
Ironside ignored the security officer and wheeled past him. He was met at the door by Sergeant Ed Brown. "Where are Eve and Carl?"
"They are not back yet. Carl called to say that Fenner was not at home but they received a tip as to where to find him." Ed held the door open as Ironside wheeled himself into the airport.
"What has been done so far?" the chief asked his sergeant.
"We have all available officers, along with airport security clearing both the check-in and baggage claim areas as you requested. All flights have been delayed."
"Has the bomb squad arrived? What about Homeland Security?"
"Both arrived just ahead of you."
"And the bomb-sniffing dogs?" Ironside asked.
"They are here, including Otto. Mark called Dunlap. He is here with him and some of his dogs as well."
"Alright, good work, Ed. Take me to see the man from Homeland Security."
Ed stepped in behind Ironside's chair and began pushing him toward the airport manager's office. When they arrived, Ironside glanced at the name on the door as Ed opened it. He pulled himself into the office with both hands on each side of the door frame.
"Chief Ironside, my name is Homer Anderson. I was sent by Homeland Security. This is my associate, Drew Benton. We are here to assist you in case of a nuclear bomb. Drew is an expert on nuclear devices. If that is what we are dealing with, he will defuse it."
Ironside shook hands with both men. "Let's hope your services will not be needed."
"Actually, Chief, it would be better if it was. If we reached it in time, we would we able to defuse it and it would take one of the bombs out of their hands."
"The key here is If," Ironside said.
"Sir?"
"If we reached it in time. Knowing Pierre Fougère, I doubt that would happen. He will make certain that we do not have enough time," Ironside said.
"Yes, sir. Well, anyway we are here to assist you should it become necessary."
"Thank you. Please stay here where we can find you if we need you." He turned to Ed. "Let's go check on the progress of the bomb squad."
Ed followed Ironside out of the office. "Do you really think Fougère will make sure that we don't have time to disarm the bomb?"
"That is exactly what I think. I don't think he is ready to explode it yet," Ironside said.
"What do you base that on?"
"He wants to fray our nerves. This will be a conventional bomb. He knows we have to take every precaution. We have to drag both sets of bomb experts with us. We can't take the chance that this is the nuclear bomb. No, Ed. He wants to see if we panic. It will help him plan for the nuclear explosion."
"Then you really believe that he will explode the nuclear device?"
"Yes, Ed, I do. He hates the English. He resents my interference in their activities in Montreal. Therefore, the best place to punish the English is right here in my city."
"Why not in Montreal or Ottawa? After all, it is the English in Canada that they believe are suppressing the French."
"He does not distinguish between the two. Besides, they have to live in Montreal. They are not likely to turn it into a parking lot. And remember, he is taking his vengeance out in me."
An officer approached them. "Chief, the baggage area has been thoroughly searched. No explosive device was found."
"Thank you, officer. Keep checking."
"Yes, Chief." The officer turned and left.
"Chief, there is a possibility we have not considered..." Ed began.
"The possibility that Fougère did not tell Robert the truth? I did consider that possibility and rejected it out of hand."
"Why?" Brown asked.
"If he does not suspect Robert as siding with us then he would have no reason not to trust him. If he does suspect him, then he would tell him the truth to see if he comes to us."
"Either way he would tell him the truth," Brown repeated. "But how do we know which way it is. How do we keep Fougère from finding out if Robert did warn us? If he doesn't suspect him, then we have to protect Robert. We don't want Fougère to start suspecting him."
"We will feed a story to the press that one of the passengers spotted the bomb when he was throwing something away and then reported it to the authorities."
"Do you think he will buy it?"
"Only if he doesn't already suspect him," Ironside replied.
Suddenly a loud explosion went off. Ironside wheeled as fast as he could toward the sound of the explosion. Ed Brown took off, leaving his boss behind.
When Ironside arrived at the scene, two men were standing over a man lying on the ground. He had obvious taken the brunt of the blast.
Ed walked over to Ironside. "Otto found the bomb. This man came in to disarm it. It blew up as soon as he approached. He did not get a chance, Chief."
"Has an ambulance been called?" Ironside inquired.
"No, he's dead."
"Damn it!" shouted the frustrated detective. "Anyone else hurt?"
"No. We got lucky. A lot of people could have been killed if we had not cleared the airport."
"We can thank Robert for that," Ironside said.
"Chief!" Officer Duffy was headed in their direction.
"Yes, Duffy," Ironside responded.
"This note was found in an explosion proof box." He handed it to Ironside holding it with tweezers.
The chief opened the note and read it aloud so that Ed could hear.
Ironside, the English in this city will pay for your interference in the French's fight for their independence.
This bomb was small time compared to what your people will witness or perhaps I should say will never see.
You can't stop me any more than the English can stop the French from winning their independence.
You will never know when it is the real thing because when it is, you and your city will be gone.
Sweat, Ironside, the end is near for you and for them.
Ironside handed the note to Sgt. Brown. "Get this to the lab."
Two hours later, the airport was cleared for business. Ironside headed back to his van. "Ed, I want Robert in my office first thing in the morning. We have to find Fougère. Robert is going to lead us to him."
"I'll take care of it. See you in the morning."
"Early in the morning," Ironside barked. Sgt. Brown got into his car and drove away.
11.2
Ironside arrived back at Barbara's apartment. Using the key on his ring, he unlocked the door and entered. Sound asleep on the couch was Leslie. Ironside wheeled over to her. He placed his hand on her cheek. "Leslie."
Lesley awoke. When she saw Ironside, she smiled.
"What are you doing up at this hour?" he asked her.
"Waiting up for you. I need to talk to you." She sat up and yawned.
"Can it wait until morning?" Ironside asked.
"No, I want to talk to you now."
"Okay, we will talk now. What's on your mind?"
"You and my mother. She is determined to get you to quit the police force."
"Yes, I know."
"But, you can't quit, can you?"
"No."
"Where does that leave you and Mom?"
"I don't know, Leslie. I hope your mother is just still feeling the effects of being separated from me while I was in Washington. It was hard for her not knowing what was going on."
"She loves you."
"I know she does. I love her, too."
"What do you think she will do if you don't give up police work?"
"I don't know but I am going to do everything I can to work it out with her."
"And if you can't work it out?"
"Then it is up to your mother. She will have to decide whether she can handle my job."
"She can't. I know. I can tell she worries about you all the time. I don't want to lose you again."
Ironside pulled the girl into his lap. "You are not going to lose me. No matter what happens, we will always be friends. You can call me anytime you want."
"Promise?"
"Promise. I want you to stop worrying. Your mother and I will work things out. Now, go to bed." Ironside kissed her forehead. He watched her walk away from him back to her bedroom.
Ironside wheeled his chair toward Barbara's bedroom. As he approached, he could hear a news program on the television. Opening the door, Ironside wheeled into the room.
Barbara smiled. "I was not expecting you back tonight."
He undid his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. "You have been watching the news?"
"Yes. I wanted to be sure you were alright."
"I am fine." He continued to remove his clothing.
"Only one person was killed according to the news."
"That's right," Ironside confirmed. "We were able to get the airport cleared."
"Now what?"
"Tomorrow, we make plans to catch Fougère."
"Using Robert?"
"Yes."
"Jeanine Duvalier is not going to like it." Barbara assisted him into bed. She laid her head on his chest.
Ironside wrapped his arm around her. "I don't blame her but I cannot allow Fougère to keep bombing the people in this city. Sooner or later he is going to use one of those nuclear devices. I can't let that happen."
"Bob, I am going to get the girls out of this city tomorrow."
"I was about to suggest that very same thing. I would also like you to go with them until I catch this man and secure those weapons."
"No, Bob. I am not leaving. I am not going through what I went through while you were in Washington."
"Barbara, this time it is different. One of those bombs could destroy the entire city and kill everyone in it instantly. I want you out of San Francisco."
"I am not leaving. If I am forced to worry about you, I will do it where I can at least see you at the end of the day and know you are safe. I am not backing down on this, Bob."
Ironside sighed. "Alright, you can stay but I don't like it."
"Now you know how I feel."
Ironside was silent for a moment. "Leslie was waiting up for me. She wanted to talk to me."
"What about?"
"She is afraid you and I are going to split up." Ironside listened for her reaction.
"Are we?" she asked him.
"Not as far as I am concerned."
"Not as far as I am concerned either."
Ironside was relieved to hear her say it. He turned her toward him and kissed her. When they parted, his breathing was heavy. She said, "It's late. Do you really want to start this? You have to get up early."
"But I will sleep like a baby afterwards," he said as he lowered his lips to hers again.
11.3
Pierre Fougère looked out the window of his automobile. He was parked directly behind Ironside's van. He was disappointed that the bomb had not killed more people. The news said it had been discovered by a passenger but Fougère did not believe it. What he did believe was that Robert had run straight to Ironside and told him about the bomb. He knew that young man could not be trusted.
He had planned to bomb a couple more places including the Golden Gate Bridge but tonight's disappointment had changed his mind. He could not leave Robert out of the planning of the next bombing. That would tip off Ironside that he knew Robert was working with him. So, the thing to do was to step up the plan. He would take Robert by force.
He would alter the plan. He had been led to believe that Ironside was involved with Robert's mother but it did not seem that way at all to him. She had only been to see him once since she had arrived in San Francisco. Ironside was spending the night with this woman. It seemed that someone had the wrong woman. He had intended to make the Duvalier woman the other part of the plan but now he knew that would not have the maximum effect on Ironside.
So, he would pick up Robert and this woman. She was obviously Ironside's lover. Who would he save... Robert or her? It did not matter which because the other bomb would reduce the city to a mere memory. He had a feeling Robert was in real trouble. Fougère chuckled at the thought. Ironside would undoubtedly choose to save his woman over a man who meant nothing to him. He was going to enjoy the final part of his plan.
11.4
Ironside wheeled into his office. "Where are Ed, Eve and Carl?" he barked.
"They are not in yet, Chief. It is only eight o'clock."
"Since when do we observe office hours around here?"
Mark went into the kitchen and brought his boss a cup of coffee. The door to the office opened and his three detectives entered.
Eve smiled. "I told you we would not beat him to work." They all headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Upon receiving one from Mark, they joined their boss at the table.
"Well, what happened with Fenner?" Ironside asked.
"He refused to admit to helping Fougère with obtaining the explosives," Eve told Ironside.
"Did you sweat him a little?" the chief inquired.
"We did better than that," Carl responded.
Ironside waited only a moment before growling impatiently. "Well?"
Eve spoke up. "It seems Mr. Fenner is scared of the famed Robert T. Ironside. So Carl arrested him on suspicion of bombing and killing those people in the first major bombing."
"I told him he would answer to you, Chief." Carl was grinning from ear to ear. "You should have seen him."
"He started shaking at the mention of your name," Eve said. "We thought you would be far more effective with him than we could be."
"Ed, go down and get him," Ironside ordered.
Brown was out of the office almost before Ironside finished his sentence. Within a matter of minutes, he returned with Archie Fenner. Sgt. Brown walked the prisoner over to Chief Ironside who stared at him for a moment. It had the desired effect on the man. He began sweating profusely. It was obvious he was extremely nervous.
"Sit down, Mr. Fenner." He did as he was told. He looked away from Ironside as if he would rather look at anyone or anything but the detective. "Exactly what did you provide to Pierre Fougère?"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Fenner said.
"I think you do. I don't have time to nurse you through your answers, Mr. Fenner. If you don't start cooperating, you are going to prison for a very long time."
"I have not done anything. You cannot bully me, Ironside. I have heard all about you. You scare people into confessing to things they didn't do. You will not do that to me. Why, you could not even charge me with anything. You can only hold me for seventy-two hours and then you have to let me go." Fenner looked at Ironside with a smirk on his face.
"Sgt. Brown, book Mr. Fenner. Charge him with selling explosives. And charge him with the bombing and however many counts of murder of the people who died in that bombing. Then charge him with the destruction of both private and public property. If that doesn't fill up your report then charge him with..."
"Now wait a minute! I had nothing to do with the bombing. I did not kill those people!" Fenner yelled.
"You provided the explosives that killed them. That makes you an accessory before the fact," Ironside roared.
"I did not know what he intended to do with them. You have to believe me."
"You sold illegal explosives to a terrorist. Book him, Ed!"
Ed took a step toward Fenner. "Hold it, just hold it a minute. He paid me a thousand dollars to look the other way while he walked off with the explosives."
"How did he get the employee badge?" Eve asked.
"It was a visitor's badge. I had it made for him."
"Why would Fougère take the chance of being recognized? Why not just have this man bring the explosives to him?" Carl asked.
"Ed, can you answer that?" Ironside asked, knowing his detective would know the answer.
"Only he would know what kind of explosives to pick up. And he wants the chief to know he is doing it."
"Exactly," Ironside said.
"How much trouble am I in?" Archie asked.
"At the very least, you will lose your job. You will face charges for selling explosives. The fact that you are helping us could get you a suspended sentence." Ironside stared at him. "It will depend on whether you are willing to help us find Pierre Fougère."
"I don't know where he is, honest I don't," Fenner pleaded.
"This entry," Carl said, "shows that you delivered some explosives to a man named Pierre Smith. We checked with the owner. He said the company had no contact with any such person. He reported the explosives as stolen."
"Where did you deliver the explosives to?" Ironside demanded.
"I don't remember," Fenner insisted.
"Don't be stupid, Fenner. The chief means what he says. He will throw everything he can at you if you don't tell him," Ed said.
"Alright, alright. I delivered it to a house on the corner of Grissley Peak and Woodmont. The southwest corner."
"That is the smartest decision you have made," Ironside said. "Ed, you and Eve come with me. Carl, return this gentleman to his cell and then join us at the scene. Mark, you are driving. Let's go."
As Ironside wheeled up the ramp followed by his staff, Fenner called out, "Remember, Ironside, I helped you. Make sure you keep your promise to help me!"
Carl Reese shook his head. "The chief did not promise you a thing. He simply told you it would look better if you cooperated. Now let's go." Reese led him out of Ironside's office.
11.5
Pierre Fougère turned off the television. He did not believe for a minute that some passenger reported that bomb to security. Robert Duvalier warned Ironside about it. Of course, he had wanted that but not until the bomb had gone off. Damn that boy. There was no doubt that Robert was helping Ironside. But, he would help him no more. Tonight he would set his final plan in motion.
Fougère checked the nuclear bomb that was sitting on the table in the kitchen. He had just about completed the timer on the device. One more to go. Once he had the timer perfected, he would be able to begin. Not even the great Robert T. Ironside would be able to save his precious San Francisco.
He left the kitchen to go to the garage to get the other bomb. He saw someone run past the driveway. Fougère stepped to the side of the window. He pulled the curtain back just slightly and looked out. A man stood across the street. He was reading a paper. Another man was sitting on the steps of the church down the street. Both men reeked of cop. Pierre Fougère walked swiftly to the garage. When he reached the door, he heard someone in the garage. He looked through the peephole in the door. Ironside's man! He had to get out of there. That bomb was lost. There was nothing he could do about it.
Fougère ran back into the kitchen. He grabbed the nuclear device and went into the utility room. He pulled the rug back and opened the trap that he had cut into the sewer system. He pulled the lid that was hooked to the rug bringing both of them back into position.
The front and back doors burst open and the house filled up with police. Ed and Eve searched the house, assisted by the other officers. Ironside came in the front door and wheeled into the kitchen.
"He isn't here, Chief," Brown informed him. "The good news is I believe we have one of the nuclear bombs in the garage."
"Let's see it," Ironside said. Sgt. Brown wheeled him to the garage.
Ironside looked at the device. "Ed, call that expert from Homeland Security. Let's find out if this is nuclear."
"Already done," Brown answered.
Twenty minutes later, Ironside had the answer he wanted. He reached into his pocket and dialed the White House. "This is Robert Ironside. I need to speak with the president." He waited a minute before Whitmore came on the line.
"Bob! I hope this means you have good news for me," President Whitmore said.
"Indeed I do," Ironside said. "I have in my possession one nuclear bomb."
"Thank God… wait a minute, you said one nuclear bomb. Where's the other one?"
"I don't know. There was only one here," Ironside said.
"The Iranians… "
"They are dead. We found them in the apartment they had rented."
"Who has the other bomb?" Whitmore asked.
"A Canadian by the name of Pierre Fougère. He is the head of the French resistance in Montreal," Ironside responded.
"Yes, we know of him. Do you have any idea where he is and how do you know the nuclear device is with him?"
"Robert Duvalier is here in San Francisco. He has been helping us. He is going to lead us to Fougère. Believe me, it is with him. I will call as soon as I have the device."
"Bob, I have to admit, I also put the FBI and the CIA on this. They had found out about the whereabouts of the Iranians but you got there first."
"Just keep them out of my hair," Ironside said.
"They have been told not to interfere with you unless they are certain detonation of that bomb is inevitable. So it is up to you."
"I'll find Fougère. What do I do with this thing?"
"The nuclear bomb? I will send the army in after it. Please stay there until they arrive. Good job, Bob. I will be awaiting the rest of the good news."
11.6
Pierre Fougère looked around Robert Duvalier's apartment. He knew Ironside and his people were busy but he was sure the police detective would have Duvalier's apartment under surveillance in hopes of being led to him. To be on the safe side he slipped in the back of the apartment building. Once inside he raised his hat from over his eyes. He walked swiftly to Duvalier's apartment.
He knocked on the door. A moment later Robert opened the door. "I have been waiting for you. What took you so long?"
"I am happy to see you are eager to take part in the revolution, Robert." Fougère walked into the apartment. With his back turned, he pulled a gun from the inside of his jacket, turned around and pointed it at Robert.
"What is that for?" Robert said in surprise.
"Really, Robert, did you think I was that stupid? I figured out you were helping Ironside with the first bomb I placed on his office floor."
"Listen, Pierre…" Robert started to say.
"Shut up! There is nothing you can say to change what is about to happen. I intend to use you to draw in Ironside, just where I want him. I have to change the plan slightly as your friend has taken the other nuclear bomb. However, I can use conventional explosives. He will still come running… or should I say rolling. Now let's go. I have one more person to pick up."
11.7
The phone in Barbara's apartment rang. "Hello."
"Ms. Jones, this is Officer Smith. Chief Ironside asked me to call you. He was wondering if you could come to his office. He is not there right now but will meet you there in twenty minutes."
"Did he say what it is about?"
"Yes, something about his job."
Barbara smiled. Maybe Bob had finally had enough of being a target for every maniac in the city. He had thought it over and he was going to leave the police force rather than chance losing her. Barbara had not felt this happy in a long time. She would finally have him all to herself and she would no longer have to share him with the city of San Francisco. "Tell Chief Ironside, I will be there right away."
Barbara called out to the girls. "Leslie, I am going to Uncle Bob's office. I will be back shortly. Please stay with Tracy." She grabbed her purse and a jacket and left the apartment building.
Barbara unlocked her car. "Don't move, lady or you are dead," Fougère said.
"Who are you and what do you want?" she asked him.
"You are going to bring Chief Ironside into the arms of a nuclear bomb."
Barbara turned and looked at Fougère. Clearly frightened, she attempted to run. Fougère grabbed her arm and stuck the barrel of the gun in her ribcage. "Try that again and I will have to find another way to draw Ironside in. Now get in the car."
11.8
Ironside and his staff arrived back at the office. Mark headed for the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. The door opened and Jeanine Duvalier came in. "Robert, I must speak with you."
"Come in, Jeanine," Ironside said. "What can I do for you?"
"You must tell me where Robert is. Please, Robert. He is my son. I must speak with him."
"Jeanine, this is almost over. We are waiting on Robert to call us. He will lead us to Fougère. You should go home, Jeanine. Robert knows what he is doing. He provided the tip on that bomb at San Francisco International. If it weren't for him, a lot of people would have died. Please, Jeanine. Let me do my job. It is critical that Robert helps us."
"Robert, please. I beg of you, let him out of this. He is not trained for this. You have people that are. Let them handle it," Jeanine pleaded. "If I ever meant anything to you, please don't do this."
"They cannot lead us to Fougère," Ironside said softly. He knew what this woman was going through but he needed Robert. "You know what you once meant to me. I wish I could let Robert go but I cannot. He is our only hope of finding Fougère in time."
The phone rang. Ed reached for it. "Chief Ironside's office, Sgt. Brown." Ed listened for a moment, put his hand over the mouthpiece and said, "Chief, Fougère wants to talk to you."
Ironside punched the speaker button. "Ironside."
"Hello, Chief, I thought it was time we met. Don't bother to trace the call. We won't be on here long enough. Listen carefully. I still have one nuclear bomb. I also have some conventional explosives. You did not get them all. Most importantly I have Robert and I have Barbara Jones."
Jeannine gasped. "Robert!" Ironside took her hand and held on to her.
"What is it you want, Fougère?" Ironside asked.
"I have Robert tied to a nuclear bomb. The timer is set. I also have Barbara Jones in another location tied to conventional explosives. It also has a timer on it. You have twenty-four hours to find them. Of course, if I were you I would find the nuclear device first. You might get lucky and defuse it. But, it is up to you if you leave the woman you love to be blown up. Goodbye, Ironside." The line went dead.
"My God, Robert! You have to do something!"
Ironside picked up the phone and dialed Barbara's apartment. "Hello," Leslie said.
"Leslie, it's Uncle Bob, let me talk to your mother."
"I don't understand. She got a phone call from one of your officers telling her to meet you at your office. Didn't she arrive there?"
"I just wanted to be sure she had left. She should be here soon. I'll wait until she arrives. Talk to you later, honey." So now, he knew for sure Barbara was part of the maniac's plot.
"Bye, Uncle Bob," Leslie said and hung up the phone.
"Robert, please, what are you going to do?"
"I am going to find them. Ed, call Carl at Fougère's apartment, tell him to look for any clue that might help us determine where he is holding Barbara and Robert."
"I'm on it, Chief." Brown picked up the phone and began dialing.
"Eve, take Jeanine back to her apartment." He turned to her, holding her hand in his and kissed it. "I will find Robert and bring him back safely. I promise you."
Jeanine was crying. "My God, Robert, he's just a boy. You have to find him."
Ironside put his arm around her. "I'll find him."
Jeanine looked into his face and then kissed him. "You must find him for if he dies, you will lose your son."
"What?" Ironside said in shock and disbelief.
"I lied to you, Robert. I thought it best. It is the reason I would not come to San Francisco. I did not think you would ever forgive me if you found out. I named him Robert because I wanted him named after his father, the only man I have ever really loved. Please, Robert, you must save our son."
Eve, Ed and Mark stared at Jeanine and their boss. All of them thinking the same thing… this was not the time to tell him. He had enough to deal with.
Ironside continued to hold Jeanine. The impact of her words was only beginning to set in.