The Case of the Politician's Wife
Chapter 21
21.1
Seth Freeman met Lt. Carl Reese six blocks down from the courthouse. "I am Lt. Carl Reese. I work for Chief Ironside."
"I know who you are. Get in the car," Freeman said. Carl did as he was instructed to do.
"Have you located Eve?" Carl asked.
"Five minutes after Chief Ironside told me to." Seth made several turns, keeping an eye in the rear view mirror.
"Are we being followed?" Carl asked.
"No, not that I have been able to detect but I intend to make sure."
"What made you decide to help Chief Ironside?" Carl asked.
"You should know the answer to that, Lieutenant. Why do you trust him with your life?"
Carl grunted. "Because he has saved my neck more than once. One time he showed up in the nick of time to stop two crooks from wasting me. Another time the chief stepped in when some heroin came up missing while it was in my possession. It was set up to look like either my partner or I made off with it. Commissioner Randall suspended me but the chief, despite saying he was neutral, investigated the case and proved me innocent. He then helped to nab the crook that arranged it. He's a cop's cop. Not everyone in the department likes him but they all respect the hell out of him. Most cops would give their lives to protect him. Some have. You always know where you stand with him ... a straight shooter. He's a hell of a man to have in your corner. Not to mention he is brilliant but don't tell him I said that."
"That wheelchair does not seem to have slowed him down much."
"What he lacks in mobility, he makes up with wit. Thugs underestimate him and that becomes their downfall because the chief outsmarts them and they end up behind bars. Believe me, I would not want to be forced to match wits with him," Reese said with admiration.
"I knew from the minute he entered this investigation that he was an incorruptible cop that would not stop until he found the truth. I also know that President Whitmore is a good man. He did not kill his wife. He was set up. Ironside was the man to prove it. Perry Mason is as good at deduction as he is a lawyer. He could have easily joined his brother as a detective and would have been just as good. The combination of the two was going to spell trouble for Colin Werner and his band of power-hungry murderers. I had to do whatever I could to help them and hope that they stayed alive to prove the president's innocence."
"So you decided to show up at the courthouse to protect Mason and Ironside."
Freeman chuckled. "I showed up but Ironside had everything under control. He had that agent identified immediately just by his behavior. He shot him and the other agent that was paid to kill Mason. It seems Ironside is the only one that does not seem to know he is in a wheelchair."
"Oh, he knows. He's a proud man. He doesn't like depending on others to move him around. Just ask Mark. The chief likes to take care of himself. He goes into situations that are just plain dangerous for a man in a wheelchair but it doesn't stop him from doing it. Ed, Mark and Eve worry about him when he does it, but as Eve said once... he's not a man in a wheelchair, he's Ironside in a wheelchair. If we go running in every time then he would just be a man in a wheelchair. That would kill his pride. None of us would ever do that to him."
Seth Freeman understood. "But you have saved him on occasion."
"Of course we have. He has done the same for us. We protect each other. We are cops. It is part of what we do." Carl looked out the window. Seth had pulled into the alley. He felt the car coming to a stop.
"We are here." Freeman got out of the car.
Carl looked around. "We are in an alley."
"That's right. I don't want to alert them we are here."
Carl grabbed Seth's arm. "Just a minute. I thought these agents were holding Eve to keep her safe."
"That is what they said. But you don't survive years in counter-intelligence by believing everything that people tell you." Seth reached for the handle of the vehicle door. Carl held onto his arm.
"We are not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on."
"Lieutenant, I believe Chief Ironside said you were to follow my instructions."
"Listen, Freeman, he also expects me to think for myself. I don't like this. Eve was supposed to be protected. You told Ironside these agents were on the level."
"They were until Jasper kidnapped their kids. He is holding them."
Carl's Italian temper was beginning to surface. "Why in the hell didn't you tell Chief Ironside?"
"I did."
"I don't believe it. He would have sent more men if he had known the situation."
"More men would have only got Eve killed. There is a reason Ironside is a chief and you are a lieutenant. He doesn't panic. He assesses a situation and rolls with the punches. Too bad he didn't stay in the Navy. He would have been brilliant in counter-intelligence. Look, Reese, Ironside trusts me with Eve's life and you know how he feels about her. I need you thinking clearly. Ironside said you are a good instinctive cop. Use those instincts now because I need your help." Freeman stared directly into Reese's eyes.
"Alright, but get this straight. It is the chief I am trusting."
"Fair enough."
"What is the plan?"
"I am going to get into the house. I want you to go right to the front door. Take the car we just drove here in and drive around to the front. "Do you have a knife on you?"
"Yes."
"Good. After you get around to the front, stop and slice the tire. Pull into the driveway of the house with 1414 on the mailbox. Ask to use the phone. If they refuse, tell them you are a cop. It will scare them into letting you in. They won't want to raise your suspicions. Stall, call as many wreckers as you can. Pretend they can't come out. I want at least five minutes to locate Eve. I will take care of the agent who is guarding her. Remember these are not your normal body guards. They are used to guarding the president. They are more skilled than you can imagine. If the shooting starts, be prepared."
"How many are there?"
"Just the two but they are both former special forces. Once I find Eve, I will come directly down the stairs. I have to convince him his kid is going to be protected. I'll calm him down."
"That's it. That's your plan?" Carl questioned in disbelief.
"That's it. Simple, but it will work. One last thing. If you have to shoot, shoot to disarm them, not to kill. Remember, they are only trying to protect their families."
"Well I am just trying to protect mine," Reese grumbled under his breath when he turned to leave. Seth smiled.
21.2
"Did you get it?" Perry asked Ironside.
"Yes, but you owe me big time on this one," Ironside said, "and we had better be right or Judge Howard is not going to be giving you any breaks in court tomorrow."
"Did you check to see if the vice president is home tonight?" Mason asked.
"He is."
"What about Freeman? Have you heard from him?" Perry asked.
"He and Carl were to rescue Eve," Ironside answered.
"What do you mean rescue?" Perry said as he turned sharply toward his brother. "I thought they were just keeping Eve out of sight. She is supposed to be safe, isn't she?"
"That was before Jasper, whoever the hell he is, kidnapped both of the agents' kids."
"Then Jasper must know that Eve is alive."
"That is why we have to get her out of there tonight. Seth told me that the vice president became suspicious of the two agents. He had them followed."
"He discovered they were protecting Eve?" Mason asked.
"That's right. Now Jasper has them holding her to use her against me."
"Eve can identify Jasper," Mason pointed out.
"That's the main reason we have to get her out of there," Ironside said. "I don't know what Jasper has in mind but he can't afford to keep Eve alive very long. She can reveal who he is."
"But Bob, we don't even know where she is."
"Seth does. He found out five minutes after he told me what was going on. I sent Carl with him."
"Do you trust Freeman?"
"Yes, I do. I am a good judge of character. He's on the level. Besides, I sent Carl with him."
"What has that got to do with him being on the level?"
"Carl is a good cop. He is loyal to me and he will watch out for Eve. If he smells a rat, he will set a trap. I told him to follow Freeman's instructions, but believe me, Carl will question his actions every step of the way."
"That is why you sent him instead of Ed?"
"No, I need Ed to go afer the kids. Now let's get going. Mark! Are we going to sit here all night?"
"Just waiting on you," Mark said.
Ironside and Mason followed Mark to the van.
21.3
"Mr. Vice President, Chief Justice Donald Hastings is here to see you," the secret service agent said as he entered his study.
"Send him in," Vice President Werner said. He went over to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. He grabbed two glasses and set them on the desk. A few moments later Chief Justice Hastings came into the room.
"What is this all about, Mr. Vice President?" The chief justice was in a foul mood. He did not like being ordered around.
"I need your help, Mr. Chief Justice."
"Is that so? What is it this time?"
"We have to get Whitmore to turn his power over to me. The only hope of that is you, sir." Werner poured two glasses of whiskey and handed one to Chief Justice Hastings.
"We have been over this, Mr. Vice President. The only way he can be forced out of office is with impeachment. You have to start it in the house and try him in the senate," Hastings said.
"I know how the system works. But you know as well as I do, the Republicans will never charge him in the House. It has to be done some other way."
"There is no other way unless you can force him to resign."
"How? What do you mean?"
"Try him in the media. If public opinion is that he should turn over presidential power to you, then he will be forced to do so."
"Right now public opinion is on his side. That act of going to trial like any other Joe has played well with the American people."
"Then you will simply have to wait and see if he is convicted," Hastings said. "Now is this what you brought me here to discuss?"
"I wish you would find some way the Supreme Court could force him to turn over power."
Hastings sighed. "Only Whitmore can turn over power and he isn't likely to do it with public opinion on his side. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do. Good night, Mr. Vice President."
21.4
Mark pulled the van in front of the vice president's residence. Ironside and Mason got out and went to the secret service agents. "We want to talk with the vice president."
"One moment, Chief Ironside. I will see if he will see you."
"Oh, he will see me alright. I will announce myself." Ironside wheeled past the agents. Perry followed.
"I can't believe you didn't disarm Ironside and check Mason for a weapon," the agent said to the other agent on duty.
The head agent called ahead on the phone. "Yeah, pass Ironside and Mason." He turned to his fellow agent. "The president authorized Ironside and his men to carry guns. An order was issued higher up not to try to disarm them. You really ought to pay attention to department orders."
The agent shrugged. "At any rate, the vice president is going to love you for passing them without checking with him first."
"I am here to protect him. I am not his social secretary."
21.5
The chief justice walked over to the door. He grabbed the knob and opened it. He was startled to see Robert Ironside and Perry Mason on the other side of the door. "Chief Ironside, how nice to see you." After shaking Ironside's hand, he turned to Mason. "Mr. Mason, when this trial is over, I would love to have you over for dinner. I have followed your cases for years. I would love to spend an evening talking shop with you. It would be an honor if you would be willing to discuss some of your cases with me." He reached out his hand and shook Perry's.
Perry smiled, "I would love that, Mr. Chief Justice. I promise I will contact you before we leave town."
Chief Justice Donald Hastings left the room. Ironside watched him leave. He turned his chair toward the vice president. "Good evening, Mr. Vice President."
"Who the hell let you in here?" Werner asked angrily. "Get out or I'll call the secret service to throw you out."
"I think the secret service is tired of the bad rap they are getting. They didn't even attempt to protect your sorry tail… sir," Ironside added.
"What do you want Ironside?"
"I was just wondering how you live with yourself. Thanks to you and Speaker Adams, Paul Drake and Del Witherspoon are in the hospital. However, you are not going to get away with it, is he, Perry?"
"What are you talking about?" Werner questioned.
"Well, you see, you missed Senator Walters. We announced he was dead, went through the funeral all for your benefit. He will be testifying in court. I am not sure yet whether I will call you to the stand first or call Walters," Perry said.
The color drained from Werner's face. "Ted is alive? I don't believe you. You couldn't have kept that quiet, not in this town. Not with all the reporters sticking cameras everywhere right now. You're bluffing and it won't work."
Ironside grinned. He looked at Mason. "Did you see that Perry? He turned pale as a ghost with that little revelation."
"I am not surprised. We have him on conspiracy to blackmail the president of the United States. When I put him on the stand tomorrow, he will probably lie. Then I will have the pleasure of blowing his story out of the water," Perry smiled. "Sometimes this job has it perks. What about yours, Bob?"
"Oh, I can tell you police work has a lot of perks… like an all-expenses paid trip to Washington DC including being shot at on a daily basis. A vice president who is guilty of conspiracy, blackmail and the big one… murder." Ironside smiled back at his brother.
"Just think of all the people you are going to get to arrest after tomorrow's court session, Bob. You will be famous the world over for breaking the biggest scandal in the history of Washington," Perry mused.
"I am already famous all over the world. But, getting our names in the paper for clearing the president and arresting politicians in all branches of the government won't do either of us any harm. Just think of all the money that is going to come into your office. You'll have to beat the clients off with a stick." Ironside laughed.
"Bob, don't you think we better contact the papers and make sure they spell our names right? After all some people do make the mistake calling you policemen… pigs."
"And they sometimes call you lawyers …shysters." Ironside grinned.
"That's enough, both of you! Get out of here!" Werner shouted.
"Get out of here?" Perry acted shocked. "Don't our taxes pay for this place our crooked vice president lives in?"
"Yes, Perry, but don't worry about it. Mr. Vice-President, where you are going the government will still be paying for your keep. It won't be as cozy as living in the White House as president but then you wouldn't have been president very long anyway. As soon as you appointed Jasper as your VP, he planned to have you bumped off. Oh, it would look like an accident but you would have been just as dead," Ironside said.
"Then after Jasper was sworn in as president, Speaker Adams would have moved up in rank to vice president. Nice neat package, don't you think, Bob?"
"Just one flaw in it that I see," Ironside said. "They all got nervous… the attacks on us and the killings. It sent us in the right direction."
"All of the people at the meeting at Brinker's house are guilty of conspiracy, blackmail, murder, attempted murder and a host of other charges. And after tomorrow, this whole conspiracy is going to come down around their heads," Perry continued. "What is it you cops like to say… crime does not pay?"
Werner fell back in his chair. Ironside and Mason watched him. Perry caught his brother's eye, smiled and nodded.
"Oh, I forgot one thing, Witherspoon and Drake are not going to die. In fact, they are both talking. With their testimony and Senator Walters', well you boys are just plain out of business," Ironside said.
"What do you say we get out of here? I am hungry," Perry said.
"I could not agree more," Ironside grinned. "Tomorrow is going to be enjoyable, watching the crooks fall one by one."
Werner reached into his drawer and pulled out a gun. He pointed it at Mason and Ironside. "You aren't going to be in court, either one of you." He started to laugh. "Here we have been paying all these assassins and agents to kill you and all we had to do was bring you in here. I'll say one thing for you both, you deserve your reputations. You are good. I'll tell you what I am going to do. If the two of you join us… help us convict Whitmore, I'll see to it that you both get positions high up in my administration. You could be the attorney general, Ironside and you, Mason could be the head of my legal team."
"And if we don't agree?" Mason asked.
"Then you both will die, right here. So what would it be, gentlemen?"
"What do you think Perry?" Ironside asked.
"How long would we keep our jobs? After all Jasper is the one that will wind up as president. I don't think I would like working for a crook… either one of them."
"I don't really want to be attorney general either," Ironside said. "Hours would be worse than what I have now. Besides, from the look we have gotten of Washington, I would have to spend all of my time throwing politicians in jail. No, Mr. Vice President, I wouldn't work for you if it depended upon my life."
"Then you both will die." He raised his gun and aimed it at Ironside first.
"Otto, zip!" Ironside yelled. The window shattered and Otto's jaw clamped down on Vice President Colin Werner's arm.
Ironside reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his thirty-eight and pointed it at Werner. "Otto, flack!" Otto let go of Werner, returned to Ironside and sat down beside him. "Drop the gun, Werner."
Werner threw the gun to the floor. The secret service rushed into the room with guns drawn. They raised them at Robert Ironside. "Drop the gun now or you are dead."
"What do you say, Werner? I have no intentions of getting shot. You gentlemen can have the gun. Shall I let them arrest me, Werner? Perry and I are still alive. You can't kill us now. I doubt that you have bought all of these agents. What will it be?"
Werner looked at the scene before him. His only chance out of this was to get Mason and Ironside out in the open where they could be shot. If the secret service took them into custody then it was all over. "Let them go."
"What? You can't possibly mean that, sir. They tried to kill you."
"For the record, we did no such thing," Perry Mason said. "How would you like to be sued for false arrest?"
"Shut up, mister. You're in a lot of trouble," shouted the agent.
"I said let them go," Werner repeated.
"But sir!"
"Ironside, Mason, get out of here, now!" Werner ordered.
"It was a pleasure visiting with you," Ironside said. "Come on Perry, it stinks in here."
"I smell a rat," Mason said. He stepped in behind Ironside's chair and pushed his brother out of the room. Otto fell in beside Ironside.
After they were back in the van, Mark asked, "How'd it go?"
Ironside grinned. "That will most certainly get the rats to flee the sewer."
"So now we set the traps," Perry said. "Bob, we'd better be right about who Jasper is or we will be in big trouble when this is all over."
"Don't worry, if we get in trouble, I know a good lawyer," Ironside grinned.
Perry shook his head. "With my luck I'll end up in the same cell with you."
Ironside laughed. "Let's go cellmate. We have rats to catch. Mark, take us to see Hamilton Burger."
21.6
Lt. Reese drove the car around the block, stopped and sliced the tire with his pocket knife and proceeded to park the car in the driveway where Eve was being held. Carl got out of the car, went to the house porch and rang the doorbell.
A few moments later, a man opened the door slightly and peered out at Reese. "What do you want?"
"I am sorry to disturb you but I have a flat tire and there is no spare. May I use your phone to call a wrecker?"
"Try one of the neighbors. I am about to go to bed. I have to get up and work in the morning." The man tried to shut the door but Carl put his foot across the door's threshold.
He pulled out his badge and displayed it for the secret service agent to see. "I am a cop. I assure you, you are in no danger from me."
The man stood there thinking. It turned out that Seth was right. The agent seemed to think it was better to let him in than to run the risk that he be suspicious. He opened the door wider so that Carl could enter the house.
"The phone is in the kitchen." He pointed to the way and then followed Reese to the kitchen.
"Do you have a phone book?" Carl asked.
The agent opened a drawer that contained the book. He pulled it out and gave it to Carl who turned to the yellow pages and thumbed to towing companies. He began calling them one by one as he pretended each company was unable to help him. Carl only hoped that Freeman had gained access to the upstairs.
21.7
Seth climbed the tree next to the house. He carefully eased his way out on a limb close to an upstairs window. Freeman jumped onto the window's ledge which fortunately was large enough to hold his body. He forced the window open and stepped into a very large bedroom. Seth pulled out his gun and held it in both hands in front of him. Inching his way across the room, the ex-counter-intelligence agent move effortlessly to the door. Seth listened at the door. He could not hear any movement in the hall.
Quietly, he opened the door and stepped into the hall, keeping his back to the wall as he went. The door directly in front of him was open. Freeman stood beside the door and listened. Yes, someone was in this room. He prepared to make his presence known.
With his gun in hand, he peaked around the corner. Although his back was to Seth, he recognized the man standing over Eve to be Darwin Derouen. Quietly, he moved into the room. Just as he was about to hit Darwin, he turned around and pointed his gun at him. "What are you doing here, Seth?"
"I am here to keep you from doing something stupid. You do not want to kill Officer Whitfield."
"We don't have a choice. Jasper is holding our kids. He will kill them if we don't kill her when the time comes."
"Listen to me, Darwin. I know where they are. Sgt. Ed Brown is going after them. He has members of the DC police with him. He's a good cop. He will secure your kids and then call here. Then you and your families will be put under protective custody until this is all over," Seth told him.
Derouen looked from Eve to Seth. "Can you guarantee that my kid will be safe?"
"Ironside guarantees he will be. I trust Ironside. He will see that your boy gets out safely. He knows this young woman's life depends on me. Now, Darwin, what will it be? Do you turn Miss Whitfield over to me? You will face no charges if you do. Ironside will accept that you were protecting her from Jasper."
"And if I refuse to trust Ironside?"
"Then I will take her by force and your son will grow up without a father. The choice is yours. Make it wisely."
"Even if I agree, it is not just my decision. Brian's boy was taken too."
"Let me worry about Bennett."
Derouen stood there for a moment and made his decision. "Alright, Seth, but you better be right about Ironside."
"I'm right." Freeman walked over to Eve. He took the gag off and untied her hands. He then pulled another gun from his jacket and handed it to Eve.
"I am sure you know how to use this," Seth said.
"I would not be working for Chief Ironside if I did not," Eve responded.
"I'll tell you the same thing I told Lt. Reese. If you have to shoot then shoot to stop him. Only shoot to kill if it is absolutely necessary. Both of these men are only trying to protect their families. Is that clear?"
"It's clear," Eve answered.
"Alright let's go. Miss Whitfield, you stay behind me. I promised your chief I would return you unharmed. Your boss said he is sure you know who Jasper is."
"I do and so do these agents."
"Well then, what do you say I deliver you to Ironside and Mason so they can put an end to this nightmare?"
"I am all for that," Eve agreed.
"Good. Darwin, are you ready?"
"Yes, Seth. Let's go."
The three of them moved down the hall, being careful not to make any noise but Seth knew that a former Special Forces man would know they were coming.
"Stop right there, Freeman, or I will kill the cop," Brian Bennett called out.
Seth Freeman, Darwin Derouen and Eve Whitfield stopped immediately on the staircase. "Listen to him, Brian. He is trying to help us," Darwin called out.
"The only thing that is going to help us is to do as we are told." Bennett walked out into the open with a gun held on Carl Reese. "I only care about my son. I will kill anyone that gets in the way."
"You are not a murderer, Brian. We both know that," Seth said calmly. "You can't kill Reese and you won't kill Eve Whitfield. Ironside has sent his top man after your kids with backup. We can end this, Brian. You, Darwin and Eve know who Jasper is. If he is indeed who Mason and Ironside believe he is then your testimony is going to send a lot of politicians to jail for a very long time… including Jasper. Don't be stupid. Think of your kid."
"I am thinking of my kid. He's just a baby… five years old. He will kill him, Seth. I can't allow that. I can't take a chance. Now you and Darwin drop your guns or I will drop the cop."
It was then that Eve, Darwin and Seth realized Bennett had assumed Eve was unarmed. She held the gun low to conceal it from Bennett. Seth and Darwin dropped their guns but stood in front of Eve, blocking Bennett's view of her. "I have no choice and neither do you, Darwin. Jasper just called. He said something big is going on. We are to kill the lady cop immediately. She knows who Jasper is. They have to start eliminating witnesses. They have already sent men to the hospital to kill Drake and Witherspoon. Whitfield is next. Now get out of the way."
"Don't do it. Ironside and Mason only need Jasper's identity. They don't have enough for an arrest yet but they will shortly. Don't throw away your life. Give me the gun," Seth said, putting his hand out.
"No, the only way is to kill Whitfield."
Carl knew that Seth had brought an extra gun for Eve in case they had trouble with the second agent. It was time for him to act. If he did not, Bennett would shoot Derouen and Freeman. Carl was a cop first and foremost. He would not allow that. He lifted his leg and slammed his foot into Bennett's shin. Bennett let out a yelp. Seth and Darwin parted, leaving Eve a clear shot. She aimed, fired her already raised weapon and shot Bennett's gun hand. The gun fell to the floor. Carl immediately kicked it toward Seth and drew his own gun. "That's it, mister." He shoved him to the wall. "You are under arrest. You have the right to …"
Seth picked up his gun and said, "No, Lieutenant. Remember, he was only protecting his kid. You don't know that you wouldn't have done the same."
"Alright, now what?" Reese asked. "We need to get more men to protect Drake and Witherspoon."
"We wait for word from Brown and we join the chief and Mason. Don't worry about Drake and Witherspoon. Ironside has them well covered," Seth said.
The cell phone he had purchased rang. "Brown? What happened?" He heard a gunshot. The phone went dead. "Brown!"