The Case of the Politian's Wife
Chapter 13
13.1
Perry and Della were surrounded by the Washington press. Both of them were used to being dogged by the media but neither was prepared for this. No crowd that had ever followed them in the courthouse had ever been this large or aggressive. This looked more like a mob than the media they were accustomed to. Perry, who normally took Della by the elbow, instead had his arm around her waist, holding her tight to his body in a protective gesture. He was reminded of the shots fired at them in San Francisco while leaving the courtroom. Although he knew those shots were intended for him, he was completely aware Della could have been hit. That was the thought that had him holding her close to him.
"Mr. Mason! Mr. Mason!" The reporters shouted at him in an attempt to get his attention. Every reporter, cameraman and spectator was jockeying for position. They all wanted a sound bite for their respective news organizations or in the case of the spectators; they just wanted to be a part of history in the making.
"Mr. Mason, why have we not heard from the president? Did you advise him not to talk to the American people?" When Mason did not answer, a crowd of reporters stepped in front of him and Della Street, stopping their forward progress. Frantically, the D.C police hurried in front of the famous lawyer and tried to clear a path into the courthouse. "Come on Mr. Mason, this is not one of your run of the mill clients. Talk to us!" shouted a reporter carrying a CNN microphone.
Perry Mason stopped and turned toward the CNN reporter. "No, I have not advised the president not to talk to the American people. In fact, President Whitmore will address the nation tonight. He will tell the country that he is innocent and is looking forward his day in court. I'll try and answer your questions one at a time as long as I am still able to protect my client."
"If it is so straight forward, Mr. Mason, then why didn't the president just higher a local criminal attorney? Why did he bring you all the way from Los Angeles? You must know you are easily considered the best criminal attorney in this country. Then, there is the fact that your brother, Chief Robert T. Ironside is in the city as well investigating on the president's behalf. So again if this is so straight forward then why did the president call in the big guns?"
Still standing with his arm around Della, Perry responded to the reporter. "The president warned me that you folk's idea of one question at a time is a least five." The reporters laughed and quieted back down. Microphones from every media organization in Washington were pushed toward Mason. "There is no such thing as a straight forward murder trial, especially when it involves the president of the United States. As far as bringing me all the way from Los Angeles, the president and I have known one another for some time. It was only natural for him to contact me. As far as Chief Robert Ironside, there is no better detective anywhere in this country and he has known the president even longer than I have. I remind you that Chief Ironside has a reputation for finding the truth. His honesty and integrity cannot be questioned. The president wants the truth to come to light and that is exactly what Chief Ironside and I intend to do."
"Mr. Mason, how do you feel about your arch rival, Hamilton Burger being appointed special prosecutor?" shouted a reporter.
"The committee could not have picked a better man. Mr. Burger is thorough and honest. I am looking forward to sparring with him in court. Now if you will excuse us, we have to be getting inside." Mason guided Della Street in the direction of the door. The police continued to push back the crowd of reporters to clear a path for them. The press continued shouting questions at the attorney as he and his secretary disappeared into the building.
"Perry, have you ever seen anything like this? The crowd…"
"This is just the beginning Della."
"There was one man in the crowd that bothered me, Perry. He was staring at you. Never took his eyes off you. It was the look in his eye that bothered me."
"Did you get a good look at him then?" Perry asked.
"Yes."
"Good enough to have Bob assign a police artist do a sketch?"
"Yes," she responded.
"You better mention it to Bob to be on the safe side. Right now we have to get into court." Mason led his secretary into the courtroom. Reporters and cameras were everywhere. He took his place at the defense table and waited for the judge.
13.2
Paul Drake and Eve Whitfield walked into the county morgue. Captain Del Witherspoon walked up to them as soon as they entered the room. "Mr. Drake, since you and your boss got to town, the body count is now at three. Both of these men have Drake Detective Agency identification on them."
"Where were they found?" Drake asked.
"Floating in the Potomac," Witherspoon answered. "I need you to id them."
Paul and Eve followed Captain Witherspoon through the double doors. "Charlie, this guy is here to identify the private detectives." Charlie nodded, walked over to the large drawer where the bodies were kept. He pulled open two of the drawers.
Laying there were Sloan and Sorenson with toe tags. Witherspoon did not need Paul Drake to verbally identify them. The look on his face answered for him. "They are my men."
"I'm sorry Drake."
"Yeah, so am I."
"When was the last time you talked to them?" Witherspoon asked.
"Last night. They were looking for the location where the video of Cunningham and Whitmore's wife was taken. I got a call from David Sorenson this morning. He said he had found the place. David said they used, as he put it state of the art equipment."
"Where was this place?"
"I don't know Captain. I did not actually talk to him. He called my cell phone. Unfortunately, I had it on vibrate. The only think he said was the house belonged to Tony. No last name, just Tony and then he was cut off."
"It should not be difficult to find the place. This Tony had to be a friend of Ivan Cunningham's. We'll find out where it is."
"What good would that do now, Captain?" There won't be anything to find. They will have cleared the place of any video equipment," Eve said.
"Probably, Officer Whitfield but they may have left prints."
"You won't find any prints either. The guys who did this were pros. They'd have been too smart to leave their finger prints all over the place," Paul said and then snorted.
"So what do you want me to do, just forget looking for them?" Witherspoon said sarcastically.
"It doesn't matter to me whether you look for them or not. I will find them. Whoever did this is working for the people who framed the president. We intend to bring down the whole bunch of them," Paul snarled.
"Listen Drake. I don't want you or your boss," he said, then glancing at Eve, "or her boss for that matter getting in the way of our investigation. As far as we are concerned, the president is guilty. The evidence is there."
"Planted evidence, Captain. If you pull your head out of your …"
Eve grabbed Paul's arm. "I think we better go."
"You're right Eve. We are wasting time here. Just about every police department I have come in contact with is the same. They go just so far and never take a good hard look at what they got. What was it Perry said? They never look beyond the obvious. The only exception to the rule is Ironside. He goes after the truth. Even Tragg does with some prodding. Let's get out of here, Eve."
"Hey!" Charlie yelled after him. "What about the stiffs?"
An angry Paul Drake turned around abruptly. Eve again grabbed his wrist. Calming down, he said, "I will arrange for them to be returned home." Paul took a hold of Eve's arm and the two of them walked out.
13.3
"Mark! Are you about ready to go?" Ironside called out.
"I've been ready to go, Chief. I'm just waiting on you," he responded from his adjoining room. There was a knock on the door.
"Get that will you, Mark?" The detective shouted from his room.
Mark came through the door of the joined rooms. He went over and opened it. Detective Del Witherspoon looked at Mark. "I would like to see Chief Ironside."
"Come in," Mark said he stepped back to allow Witherspoon access into the room.
Ironside wheeled out of the bathroom. Hello, Del. What brings you here?"
"Two of Drake's men were murdered last night." He waited for Ironside's reaction. He was to be disappointed. His facial expression did not change. "I am not the enemy, Bob. We have been friends for a long time, you know."
"You could have fooled me with that 'this is my jurisdiction' routine last night."
"Alright, you have a right to be sore. Are you ready for an apology?"
Ironside shook his head and with a wave of his hand said, "Forget it Del. What happened?"
"They were found floating in the Potomac. Both shot at close range. They were dumped there. We don't yet know where they were killed."
"Does Drake know it?" Ironside asked.
Witherspoon shook his head in the affirmative. "He id'd the bodies about an hour ago."
"Is there anything to go on?"
"Just the bullets. They were shot with a silenced weapon. They had not been dead that long. I would say they were killed some time last night. Do you get the feeling that someone would prefer you not investigate this case?"
"Del, why would anyone interfere with this investigation if Whitmore is guilty?"
"Yours and Mason's reputations could be scaring someone. They may be worried that one or the other of you will louse up the case."
"Why would we scare them unless they are worried we will find the truth." Ironside wondered out loud.
"Lets not start that again," Witherspoon groaned.
"Del, could you forget the evidence for one minute and look at who has the most to gain if Whitmore is removed as president," Ironside complained.
"Could you just consider for one minute that Whitmore just found out about her affair because someone blackmailed him. They got into an argument. He killed her."
"Why?" Ironside asked.
Witherspoon looked at Ironside in disbelief. "What do you mean why? To keep the scandal quiet."
"Just how would that keep it quiet? They still could blackmail him. Just extactly how could killing her help him, Del? Tell me that and and maybe I'll start thinking along your lines."
"He killed her in a heat of passion after the argument."
"Make up your mind! If it was in the heat of passion that how does premeditated murder come into it? That is what you charged her with, isn't it?" Ironside said, trying to get Witherspoon to look beyond what seemed to be obvious.
"Bob, we are going to have to agree to disagree. If you come up with evidence that proves that Whitmore did not kill her than I will listen."
"Open you eyes! There is way too much that doesn't add up. If the police were being killed, I would have to consider the possibility that the president was trying to stop the investigation. It is members of the defense team that has been killed. Why would Whitmore want to kill people who are trying to help him? Someone does not want us to learn the truth."
"Did you consider that Whitmore had your boys killed to draw your attention away from him?"
Ironside's temper was beginning to rise. "Oh for god sake! I have know this man almost my entire life. Now you are making him out to be a cold blooded killer. That is in contradiction of your theory of a crime of passion. Jim Witherspoon is no murderer. If you looked at the facts you would realized there is more to this than a simple murder. This is a conspiracy to remove the president of the United State by force. They must have decided not to depend on blackmail. Since poisoning the president did not work, they had to try a different route. Someone overheard that argument between the president and his wife and then took advantage of it."
"Do you have any proof of this conspiracy, Bob? Because if you do, I am willing to listen.
"Nothing concrete but when I do, I will let you know. And I will. I intend to find out what the hell is going on."
Witherspoon headed for the door. As he put his hands on the knob, he turned back to Ironside. "Bob, if you are right and I am not saying you are, then both you and Mason are in grave danger. They will stop at nothing to silence you and stop you from finding the truth. Be careful." Witherspoon walked out the door.
"Mark! Let's go!"
13.4
Perry and Della headed toward the door to leave the courthouse. "Perry!" Hamilton Burger shouted from across the hall.
Mason and Della turned toward the sound of his voice. "Well, hello Hamilton." Perry smiled. "I must say I was surprised to see you take this case."
"And I am equally surprised you pleaded your client not guilty." Burger bent down and kissed the lawyer's secretary on the cheek. "Hello Della, it is good to see you."
"It is good to see you too, Hamilton," Della responded.
"He didn't do it, Hamilton."
"Do you have any evidence of that? Because if you do, I'm willing to listen."
"He's innocent until proven guilty," Mason reminded him. "Ivan Cunningham was murdered last night. An attempt was already been made on Paul's life before we arrived. Someone tried to run down Bob in front of the White House last night."
"None of that proves the president did not kill his wife."
"No Hamilton, it does not. But it sure as hell proves that someone doesn't want us nosing around in this. Someone wants Whitmore out of office by any means and that includes murder."
"Let's step into one on the client rooms," Burger suggested. Perry and Della followed Burger. Once inside the room, Hamilton closed the door. "I did not want to tell you this out in the hall"
"Tell us what?" Della asked warily.
Burger looked from Della and then to Mason. "Two of Paul's men were found floating in the Potmac this morning."
Della put a hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp. She looked at Perry whose face was granite hard. "How?" Mason asked.
"Shot dead. They were killed somewhere else and then dumped in the Potomac."
"Poor Paul," Della exclaimed.
"This only convinces me further that there in is a conspiracy going on."
"Come on Perry. What about Whitmore? He is powerful enough to have arranged it." Burger saw the look on Mason's face. "Alright, I admit to you it doesn't seem likely that Whitmore would harm people that are trying to help him. Unless of course ..."
"He was trying to take the attention off of himself" Perry finished for him. Mason looked at his friend and said again, "he did not do it."
"We have a good case against him. It is my duty to ..."
"I know what your job is," Mason said with a bit more force than he intended.
"Look, Perry, you know me. If you can convince me he did not do it at anytime during this trial, you know I will listen."
"Yes, my friend. I know that. I will be coming to you with the proof just as soon as Bob and I have it."
"You do that." Burger put his hand on Mason's shoulder and then left the room.
"What do you think, Della?"
"His heart is not in this case, Perry."
"What makes you say that?" he asked. Della's intuition was important to him.
"Look at the facts. How many people have died? And we have not even gone to trial yet. Hamilton is an excellent lawyer. He knows when the potential to have his case blown out of the water is there. He knows something is very wrong. He just isn't going to say it to you."
"Something is wrong alright, but I have to be able to prove it and right now Hamilton is right about one thing. They have a very good case."
13.5
Mark pulled Ironside's van to the curb to the entrance of Vice President Colin Werner's residence. They were met by two secret service agents. "Chief Ironside?"
Ironside slowly reached into his suit coat pocket, pulled out his San Francisco police identification and showed it to the agent.
"Sir, if you are carrying a weapon, you will have to surrender it to us for the duration of your visit."
"Chief?" Mark questioned his boss. He did not like the way this case had progressed, nor did he like the idea of Ironside being unarmed at any time.
"It's alright, Mark," Ironside assured his aide. He reached into his suit coat pocket and removed the service revolver he was carrying, than handed it to the agent.
"You will have to leave the dog out here," the agent ordered.
Ironside once again reached into his suit pocket and drew out the paper he had showed the man in the hotel restaurant. He handed it to the agent. "The dog is a service dog. The law allows him to go everywhere with me."
The agent read the document and returned it to the California detective. "Alright, Chief. You can take the dog.
Ironside wheeled his chair toward the vice president's residence. He looked back when he heard another vehicle pull up. Perry and Della got out of the vehicle. Once they were passed by the secret service, they joined Ironside and Mark. Perry patted Otto on the head.
"Well, what happened in court?" Ironside asked.
"We have a court date for one week from today," Perry answered. "We waived the hearing. We are going straight to a jury trial."
"Are you sure that was wise?" Ironside asked.
"Bob, they have the evidence to have the president bounded over for trial. I would much rather have the jury there when we present our case. Besides, it is better for the country. They will be sympathetic to the president when they see that he is not trying to skirt the law. They will see him facing the charge in the exact same way they would have to. I think it will be to our advantage. I know we don't have much time but that is the date the judge set when I waived the hearing."
"Anything else I should know?" Ironside asked.
"Only that Hamilton is just as uneasy about the facts of this case as we are," Della responded for her boss.
"Will he help us if we can provide him with enough doubt?" Ironside inquired.
"Yes, I think he will," Perry answered.
"Well than, let's get inside," Ironside said. The four of them went to the door of the vice president's residence where two more secret service agents were stationed. They opened the door and all of them entered along with Otto.
Another agent greeted them as they entered. "The vice president is waiting for you in his study. Right this way."
They followed the agent to the study. When they arrived, the vice president stood up behind his desk. He gave Otto a disdainful look and said, "I can't stand dogs."
"He's a service dog," Ironside said.
He nodded and walked around the desk, offered his hand to Mason first. As Mason shook his hand, he said, "So you are the famous Perry Mason. I have read a lot about you, especially since the president hired you as his counsel."
Perry smiled, turned to Della and said, "This is my confidential secretary, Della Street and," pointing to Ironside, he began to say, "and this is …"
"Chief Robert T. Ironside from San Francisco. Yes, I am also familiar with his reputation as well. Chief," he addressed Ironside as he put out his hand.
"Mr. Vice President," Ironside answered in kind. "We would like to ask you some questions."
Werner laughed. "Seems you deserve your reputation, Chief. Right to the point."
"Anything else would be a waste of your time and ours," Ironside said gruffly.
"Please everyone sit down," Werner said, turning on the charm.
Perry took the lead. "Where were you the night of the murder?"
Werner's face was a picture of surprise. "Surely, that is a matter of record, Mr. Mason."
"We would to hear it from you," Ironside said.
"Alright, I was right here in the residence. You can check on that."
"I already have," Ironside returned.
Werner took an instant disliking to Ironside. He did not like the way the man was staring directly into his eyes. It took everything within him to keep from looking away from him. That piercing blue stare of his was unnerving, but he had heard about it in the report that had been provided to him on Ironside. Somehow, the report did not do him justice. It certainly had not helped to be warned ahead of time. "Well, then there is no reason to waste time on questions you already have the answers to, now is there." He smiled at Ironside, a forced smile.
Perry watched Werner. He could tell by the look on his face, his brother had already struck a nerve in the vice president. His disdain for his brother was written all over him. If he could read it there than there was no doubt that Bob could. "Sir, were you aware of the first lady's affair with Congressman Cunningham?"
"No, counselor, I was not. The relationship between the president and I is not very good. He would not confide something of such a personal nature to me." He lit up a cigarette. He offered one to Mason and Ironside. Both declined.
"Then you knew nothing of the blackmail either?" Ironside asked, continuing to stare at the vice president.
"Of course not," he answered. "Why would I?"
"You would if you were blackmailing him," Mason said and then added with a smile, "Hypothetically, of course."
Werner's demeanor changed. He dropped the charm and politeness. Indignantly he said, "Surely you cannot believe that I had anything to do with the first lady's murder?"
"The thought has certain crossed my mind," Ironside snarled.
"You already know that I was here when it was committed," the vice president snapped at him.
"You could not have done it yourself, Mr. Vice President, but you could have hired someone to do it," Ironside growled. Werner's face was beet red. As he opened his mouth to speak, Perry cut him off.
"Please forgive my brother's manner. He is used to dealing with criminals. We are not accusing you of anything, but we do have to explore all possibilities."
"Did you consider the possibility that Whitmore did indeed murder his wife?" Werner snapped.
"Neither Chief Ironside or I believe that. We believe he is innocent of the charge," Mason said calmly.
"You would," Werner snorted. "Just ignore all the evidence and blame someone else. Is that your strategy?"
"No," Ironside said, continuing to stare at Werner. "Our strategy is to find the guilty party regardless of how high up this goes."
Werner flinched and looked away from Ironside. "Well, you won't find your killer here. You are wasting your time. Now, if you will excuse me, I am a very busy man."
"Just one minute Mr. Vice President," Perry said. "What was the meeting about that took place at Senator Brinker's home?"
Werner's jaw tighten. Both Mason and Ironside caught it before he relaxed. "That is none of your concern?" He said in a very nasty tone.
"Anything that concerns Ivan Cunningham is our concern," Ironside snarled.
"It was congressional business and that is all I am going to say." Werner was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
"Congressional business?" Perry questioned.
"Of course. What the hell else would it be? You two do realize this is Washington?"
"Mr. Vice President, was anything at all mentioned at that meeting about Cunningham, the first lady or blackmail?" Perry asked.
"NO! JUST WHAT ARE YOU TWO ACCUSING ME OF?" He shouted.
"Nothing …yet," Ironside said raising his voice. Otto growled deep in his throat as if he sense his master might be in trouble. "Quiet, Otto." The dog stopped immediately.
Perry stood up and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Just a minute, Bob. Let me handle this."
"Sir, it is my job to defend my client. Can you at all remember anyone talking about Cunningham, the first lady or blackmail? Maybe you heard something but dismissed it as just talk?"
"I heard nothing. I told you. It was congressional business. You can't possibly think I had anything to do with it?"
"You have the most to gain," Ironside pointed out. "With Whitmore out of the way, you would be sworn in as president."
Werner snorted. "Whitmore is a one term president. He's finished. Even if he gets out of this mess, the American people are going to boot him out of office if he is stupid enough to run again. I didn't have to kill his wife, to obtain the presidency. All I have to do is run for office next term. I will get the nomination," he snarled.
"He's finished?" Ironside questioned. "Well you certainly saw to it, didn't you?"
Werner stood up. "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR ACCUSATIONS, IRONSIDE. GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE." As he headed for the door, Otto stepped in front of him, with the hair standing up on his back. Ironside called him off. Werner called in the secret service agent. "Show these people to the door."
"I apologize for my brother once again. He should show the office of vice president more respect," he said with a regretful smile. "Just one last thing, sir," Perry said as he hand him an official looking paper.
"What the hell is this?"
"It's a subpoena," Ironside snarled. "You are going to be a witness for the defense. If you can't answer our questions truthfully then you can perjure yourself on the stand." He looked up at Mason. "Come on Perry, let's get out of here."
Once outside, Perry told the secret service, he and Della would ride with Ironside. They insisted on following them back.
Now inside the van, Perry grinned. How'd I do? I picked up on your good cop, bad cop routine."
Ironside grinned back. "You did just fine."
Della was clearly upset. She began to scold both of them. "Have you both lost your minds? If he is indeed in on the blackmail and murder, you could have just set him in motion. It is already obvious that these people will kill anyone who gets in their way. Just exactly what do you think you accomplished in there."
"What we did Della was to force him out into the open. He will now have no doubt that we are on to him," Perry said.
"On to him? Just what if he is not guilty? Do you realize how you two just treated the vice president of the United States."
"I thought I was very respectful," Perry said playfully. "It was Bob that was disrespectful."
"This is not a laughing manner, Perry."
"Della," Ironside said. "First of all, there is no way in hell that Werner is totally innocent in this mess. He may not have been the one to order the murders, but one thing for damn sure is he knows a lot more than what he is telling us."
"But you believe he is in on it?" Della asked.
"He has to be Della. Did you see the look on his face when Perry asked him about that meeting? That wasn't any congressional meeting. That was a meeting of the co-conspirators," Ironside said calmly.
"Then both of you are playing with fire," Della said. "You could have just them right after you.
"At least it will force him out into the open," Perry said. "Della, the only way we are going to get at the truth is to step on toes and force them to make a move. Sooner or later, they are going to make a mistake. When they do, we will be there to take advantage of it.
13.6
"I WANT IRONSIDE DEAD!" Werner shouted into the phone."
"Colin, calm down. From what you told me, he was bluffing. He was testing you to see how you would react. Sounds to me like you allowed him to get to you. He has nothing, you hear me, nothing. He is grasping at straws," Japer said.
"What the hell do you mean nothing? He knows what that meeting was about at Brinker's."
"He's guessing. There is no way he has a shred of evidence. Just stay cool."
Werner remained silent for a moment. "What if one of them talks? You have not met Ironside. The man is simply unnerving. I have never dealt with anyone like him. And, Mason is no picnic either. He spent the whole time trying to calm that crazy brother of his but I didn't fall for his routine. He asked all the right questions. He's shrewd, I am telling you."
"Of course he is. How the hell do you think he got where he is? Just sit tight. I will grant you one thing, we need to keep an eye on our …friends. I'll have some men assigned to them. If they look like they are caving, we will remove them. Will that satisfy you?"
Werner calmed down. "Yes, except for one thing."
"What's that?"
"Ironside."
"You tried to kill him once. You missed. I agree he needs to be taken out but we can't keeping missing. How do you think that will look to Burger? He is going to start questioning the case against Whitmore and if Mason and Ironside come up with anything at all, Burger will help them. So if you go after Ironside again, make sure you get him this time."
"We will get him. I have an idea in mind."
"What?"
"Maybe one of our friends should …talk."
"What do you mean?"
"One of them could call Ironside and tell him that he has some information for him. He could name a place to meet him. Then we could have some men there to kill him."
"I like it. Go ahead, arrange it but Colin …"
"Yeah."
"Make sure Ironside is dead this time and take out our friend, in case something goes wrong. We don't want him talking to the police or worse …Ironside."