Tom Dayton is Loose Again
Chapter 7
1
When Ironside excused him that night, Tom went into his room. He had no intention of staying there. Now that he knew how to get out of the building without Ironside's knowledge, he was going to take advantage of it.
Wondering how the detective could get away with locking the second escape route from the top floor of the building, Dayton worried if it was a trap that was set by Ironside. After all, the fire department wouldn't allow that door to be locked, and ultimately stopping Dayton from getting out of the building in case of a fire. In most buildings, elevators automatically locked down in case of a fire. Although, this building was many years old, Tom figured the police department must have been ordered to update.
Nevertheless, he was going to get out of the building and have some time to himself whether Ironside liked it or not. He wasn't about to allow him to keep him held prisoner on this floor.
Dayton looked out the window. Darkness was nearly upon them. The moon was beginning to show in the sky. If it actually had a face on it like in children stories, Tom was certain it would be a smirk taunting him in his new-found prison. He wished he knew what time Ironside actually retired for the evening. If he was certain he was in bed, there would be less chance he would call for him. Hell, there was little chance he would do it in the first place. Tom was not really his aide. Mark Sanger was his aide, and Ironside would likely call him if he needed anything. Tom Dayton was merely being kept held prisoner until such time Ironside decided he would be released, if he ever did.
He worried that Ironside would make sure that he never was released from his employ. Tom was sure that was the detective's intention. He certainly didn't hide his dislike and disdain for him.
Dayton grabbed his jacket, went to the door, and slowly opened it. Checking the hallways, he didn't see anyone. He moved down the halls as quickly and as quietly as he could. When he reached the door, he pressed the four digit code and entered the stairway. Tom walked down the three flights of stairs and went out the door. He grinned at his own brilliance. Ironside would never know that he had found the code to the stairway. This way he would never have to use the elevator.
When he descended to the lowest level, he realized he was in the police garage. Dayton stood there for a moment, frozen in place. He didn't like what he saw. He couldn't be sure that police officers wouldn't recognize him. All of the ones he could see were in uniform. He certainly would stand out among them.
Dayton looked around to see if there were any cameras to avoid. Realizing he hadn't thought this out very well, he turned around and went back up the three flights of stairs. His heart was pounding and his breathing labored. He wasn't used to the kind of exercise it took to climb the stairs. It was much easier going down.
What was he going to do? He certainly couldn't cross the police garage without being seen. The cameras were another matter. The cunning that he had felt earlier had turned to despair and disappointment. How would he ever have any freedom if he couldn't figure out how to get out of the building without Ironside's knowledge?
He opened the door and re-entered the hallway. Heading for his room, he noticed the other rooms. He had no idea what was in them. Tom decided to find out. He walked over to the first door closest to his room. Reaching for the handle, he found it locked. There were only a couple more doors to check. Silently, he traveled to the second door, and discovered it was also locked. He was about to give up, but figured he had nothing to lose in checking the final room. When he did, surprisingly he found it unlocked. He couldn't help but wonder if it was a trap set by Ironside. Why wasn't the room locked? The other two were. It was just a little too convenient that this one was open. Nevertheless, he decided to go inside to see what was in a room not important enough to lock.
Tom open the door and entered. To his surprise, he found shelves of police uniforms. Smiling at the site of those beautiful blue uniforms, Tom walked over to check to see if they had his size. It didn't take him long as there were uniforms of every size imaginable. He picked out a police uniform that he was certain would fit him. Glancing to his right, there were rows of hats. Tom went over and tried on several before he found one that fit. The only problem left now were shoes. He didn't have any dress shoes. He looked down at his feet, realizing that the sneakers he had on would stick out like a sore thumb. The shoes were a definite problem.
Tom continued to look around the room, and particularly for any indication that there were shoes. He noticed a door on the far side of the room. He immediately walked over to it and tried the knob. It turned with no problem, and he opened the door. A big grin appeared on his face. It was a rather large walk-in closet loaded with shoes. Tom stepped inside and located his size. He took the box down and removed the shoes. He shoved the box underneath the bottom shelf where it could not be seen. Leaving the closet, he closed the door, walked over and picked up the uniform, and went to the main door. He opened it and peered into the hallway. It was quiet and empty. Tom left the room and moved swiftly back to his own room. He went inside and turned the lock.
Dayton removed the clothes he was wearing and put on the police uniform. He then slipped into his new shoes. Lastly, he placed the police uniform hat on his head. Now, he was ready to go through the police garage.
Dayton once again slipped out of the room and headed to the stairway exit. He keyed in the four digit code and went down the flights of stairs to the police garage. Lowering the hat over his head, he walked straight through the garage and out onto the street. Now all he had to do was decide where he was going.
He flagged down a taxi cab and told the driver to take him to a bar he remembered frequenting before Ironside had him locked up. When he arrived at Bart's bar, he went in. Sitting down on a stool at the bar, he lowered the police cap over his eyes in an attempt to hide his face.
The bartender walked over to him and said, "We don't get many police officers in this establishment. I would have thought you would have gone over to the one closest to police headquarters where most of the cops hang out."
Dayton smiled, but kept his head down. "I have never cared much for that bar. I used to come to this one years ago. I like it much better."
"Well, I doubt if my clientele will care for you coming in here."
"I'm sorry they feel that way. I have a right to come in here if I so choose. They'll just have to get used to me. Now, I would like a Miller Lite beer, please."
The bartender gave him a disgusted look and then turned around. He grabbed a glass and filled it from the tap which was marked Miller Lite.
"Off or on?" a feminine voice said behind him.
Dayton turned around to see a beautiful woman who was smiling at him. "What?"
"Are you on duty or off?" she asked.
"Oh, I'm off duty," he responded. Why would she bother him? Then again, it had been a long time since he had been with a woman. After all, she was the one coming on to him, so why shouldn't he respond.
"Buy me a drink?" she asked him.
Dayton smiled. "I would if I had the money. You don't make much on a police officer's salary when starting out." Tom certainly didn't know if that was true or not. It didn't matter to him how much a police officer made, they were overpaid.
"Then I'll tell you what. Let me buy you a drink," she said licking her lips.
What a damn whore, he thought. Then again, why did he care? "I've got one," he said lifting his glass, "but I'll tell you what, you can buy the next one."
She sat down beside him at the bar. "My name is Maureen. What's yours?"
He almost spilled out his name when he thought better of it. After all, he wasn't supposed to be out of his room. "Justin, my name is Justin." He had given her the first name that came into his mind.
"I haven't seen you in here before, Justin."
"It's been a long time since I have been here. I have been away at the police academy."
"Where's your gun?" she asked.
Dayton instinctively touched his hip on the right side. That is where his gun would be if he had one. How is he going to explain not carrying a gun? "I dropped it off at my place. I don't like to carry it into a bar. After all, it is illegal to take a gun into a bar."
"But not for a police officer."
"Still, it's not a good idea to take a gun into a bar, police officer or not," Tom said.
"So tell me about yourself,"
"There's nothing to tell. What about you?" Tom finished the glass of beer He was drinking. Maureen raised her hand in the bartender brought him another beer. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," She said with a seductive smile.
"You know, I have to ask. What do you want with me?" Dayton wondered.
"Well, you're a good-looking guy. I was looking for some company. Would you like to get out of here?"
"What have you got in mind?" Tom asked her.
"Why don't we go to your place?"
Dayton thought about his place. There wasn't any way he could take her there. He had a hard enough time sneaking out of the building as it was. He certainly wasn't going to try to sneak her inside. Besides it would be a dead giveaway that he wasn't whom he said he was. "My place is torn up right now. I am having it redecorated. To be honest, I am sleeping on the floor."
"Ooh, that doesn't sound very comfortable. In that case, why don't we go to my place?"
He couldn't believe his fortune. This was just about the only thing women were any good for. "All right, let's go then."
Maureen got up, took Tom by the hand, and led him out of the bar.
Two hours later, he got out of her bed and got dressed. He had to get back to police headquarters, before he was missed. He didn't suppose he really would be missed, since everybody would be sleeping. It was 4:00 in the morning and nobody but officers who had the night shift would be stirring in the building. After a bit of trouble, Dayton was able to get a cab. He instructed the driver to take him to police headquarters. When they arrived, Dayton gave the driver the exact amount of the fare. He got out of the cab and started toward the police garage.
The driver opened his window and called out, "Gee thanks,buddy, for the tip!" He squealed his wheels and pulled away from the curb. Tom Dayton didn't pay any attention to him at all.
He headed for the entrance of the police garage into the building. Keeping his cap low, he wanted to make sure no one recognized him. Once inside, he took the stairs up to the top floor. Before entering the hallway, he peaked inside. He wasn't expecting to see anyone, but he certainly wasn't going to take any chances. He did not want to get caught in the police uniform walking down the hallway. When he saw no one, he moved swiftly to the hall to his room. He unlocked the door and went in. Dayton immediately removed the uniform he was wearing. He folded it up, and along with his shoes and cap, shoved them under his bed as far as he could to make sure they wouldn't be seen. They would come in handy from here on out.
Now in his underwear, Tom pulled back the covers and got into bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. He wasn't going to get much sleep. He understood that Ironside got up at a very early hour.
2
Mark Sanger woke up at 6:00 in the morning. He got out of bed and went into the main room in Ironside's office residence. Used to making the chief's breakfast, he couldn't get it through his mind that it wasn't his job anymore. Mark knew the chief didn't consider Tom Dayton his aide. Still, he had to wait until Dayton came in and made breakfast. Mark was hungry now. He wondered how much trouble he would get in by making breakfast.
The door to Ironside's room opened and the chief wheeled into the main office area. "I don't suppose Mr Dayton is up yet?
"I haven't seen him, Chief. What do you say I make breakfast? I'm hungry now, " Sanger said.
"Go ahead, as long as it isn't eggs." The detective wheeled into the bathroom. After 20 minutes, the door open and he wheeled back out. "I'm going to get dressed. Start breakfast now."
Mark headed into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator. Closing it again, he remembered Ironside said no eggs. He reached into the cupboard and pulled out the box of oatmeal. Grabbing a pan from the bottom portion of the stove, he went about making oatmeal for the three of them.
The office door opened and Tom Dayton walked in. He headed into the kitchen. When he saw Mark fixing breakfast, he pushed back his shirt sleeve and check the time. It was only 10 minutes before 7:00 a.m. He didn't even have to be in the office until 8:00 a.m.
"I don't understand. I'm not late. In fact, I am early. Why are you making breakfast? That is my job. I am the Chief's aide."
"Relax, Tom. Both the chief and I are up early. Neither of us wanted to wake you, so we decided that I would make breakfast for the three of us. I hope you like oatmeal."
Dayton stood there for a moment. "Yeah, I am fine with that. But if you want breakfast earlier then I am scheduled to work, just let me know. I'll get up and make it."
Mark wondered whether he was actually trying to fit in, or trying to impress. Either way, it didn't matter. He was hungry and he wasn't about to wait until Dayton got up. "If you want, you can put on a pot of coffee. Believe me, you don't want to deal with the chief before he has had his morning coffee."
Tom went over and fixed a pot of coffee. When it was finished, he pulled out several SFPD mugs and took them to the table. He would wait to pour the coffee until everyone sat down.
Ironside wheeled out of the bedroom freshly shaved and fully clothed. Dayton wondered why he needed an aide at all. He seemed pretty self-sufficient to him.
"Chief, I would have made breakfast. I even came in early to do it."
"Don't worry about it, Tom. Sometimes Mark will just get up and do it. It will take some getting used to for him and us. If he gets up and makes it, and you are on time, then don't worry about it."
"Yes, sir."
The door opened and Eve and Ed entered the office. Ironside looked up. He glanced at his watch. "You too are two hours early. I hope you're not expecting overtime pay."
"Actually, Chief, we are," Eve said to the detective with a smile. "We were called early this morning to a homicide."
"Homicide? We have a department for that. Why did they call the two of you?"
"A woman was murdered last night, or rather early this morning. Do you remember Maureen Isaiah?"
"Isn't she the one whose husband tried to kill her?" Ironside asked.
"That's right, Chief. You sent her husband up for attempted murder," Eve said.
"Eve, I don't send anybody up. I simply arrest criminals. They are tried, found guilty and sentenced by the courts in this state."
"You know what I mean."
"I still don't see why this office was called to handle the homicide. The homicide department should have taken care of it. This is a special crime unit."
"The reason they called, is that Maureen Isaiah's husband escaped from prison a week ago. Homicide thought you would definitely be interested in this case," Sergeant Brown said.
Eve walked over to the table and placed the photographs down in front of him. Ironside immediately noticed what he believed to be a look of recognition in Tom Dayton's eyes.
"Do you know this woman, Mr Dayton?"Ironside asked.
Tom didn't say anything at first. He was shocked to see the woman that he had spent time with. She was the woman in the photograph who had been murdered. "No, chief. I have never seen her before," He lied. "It's just that I have never seen brutal police photographs before. I don't know how you people can do this job. That is just plain horrible."
The detective stared at him for a moment. He would have sworn that he saw recognition in the man's eyes. Then again, if you weren't used to seeing pictures of murdered victims, he supposed it could shock the individual looking at them.
"What do we have on this so far?" Ironside asked.
"She frequented Bart's Bar. I don't know any other way to say this, but she would pick up men in the bar and take them home. Then . . . " Ed said before Ironside interrupted him.
"I get the picture, Ed. I don't need it spelled out for me. Was she in that bar last night?"
"The bartender says no. However, that bar has been cited many times for staying open past 2:00 a.m. in the morning. I doubt if he is being honest with us. He's not going to admit that the bar was open past the legal closing time."
"Well, we'll just go over there and find out what violations we can come up with. Then maybe he'll start talking."
"Tom, you'll be coming with me. You're driving. Mark, you can hang around here and get your homework done. What time does the owner of that bar come in in the daytime?"
"Around 9:00. He has to clean up from the night before," Ed said.
"Tom, go get your jacket, and report back here at a quarter to nine. Ed, you're coming with me. Eve, you stick around here and see what you can find out about Maureen Isaac."
Dayton left the office and headed back to his room. When Ironside was sure that he was out of earshot, he turned to his sergeant, and asked, "Ed, check on the . . . " But before he could finish his question, Brown interrupted him.
"I already checked on Dayton. The elevator was not used. Since we change that code everyday, he wouldn't have the correct code, even if he by chance found a code. It is changed as soon as Eve or I leave the building at night; whichever one of us leaves last changes the code."
"And he couldn't get out through the stairway because that also has a code on it. We don't change that one, but he doesn't have the code for it either."
"That's only going to last until the fire marshal gets wind of what we're doing. They'll never allow us to continue to block the only other way off this floor," Ironside said. "At least we know Dayton couldn't have had anything to do with this murder."
"Chief, I don't believe he's a cold-blooded killer anyway. He accidentally killed my fiance in a rage. What was done to that woman at her house was not Tom Dayton losing his temper. Somebody slaughtered the woman. I don't think Dayton has it in him to do that."
The chief was surprised at Sergeant Brown's defense of Tom Dayton. He was the last one in the office Ironside figured would defend him. "All right, Ed, but we still need to keep close track of him."
"Agreed," Sergeant Brown said.
The door opened and Dayton walked back into the office. "Ready when you are, Chief."
"Then let's go. Sitting around here isn't going to produce any answers." Ironside headed up the ramp. Tom Dayton, having watched Mark as his aide, moved behind the detective and pushed him up the ramp.
3
When they arrived outside, Tom got behind the wheel. He wasn't about to let on that he knew where Bart's Bar was located. "Chief, I'm sorry, but I don't know where Bart's Bar is located."
Ironside gave him directions. The closer they got, the more nervous he became. Would Ironside demand he go in with him? The bartender would recognize him for sure. Ironside would never believe he didn't kill the woman. Actually, he didn't remember much of anything. Tom remembered having sex with her, but everything after that was a blank.
He pulled the van into the parking lot. "Since Sergeant Brown is with you, I'll just wait in the van. I would just be in the way." He held his breath waiting for Ironside. Would be make him come in anyway?
The chief looked at Tom Dayton. He seemed very nervous. Then again, he had been hard on him. Maybe he was nervous around him in general. Ironside decided to give him a break. "All right, Mr Dayton. If anything comes over the radio, let us know."
Relieved, Tom loosened his grip on the wheel as he watched the two detectives go into the bar.
Ironside wheeled up to the man clearing empty bottles from the tables and carrying them to the bar.
"My name's Ironside. Are you the owner?" he asked as he reached into his suit coat pocket and produced his police identification. He showed it to the bartender.
"I know who you are, Ironside," he said without looking at the chief's ID.
"Then you probably know why I'm here. What time did you close the bar last night?" Ironside asked, but it was clear from the tone of his voice he expected a straight answer.
The owner of the bar stopped what he was doing. This was just another shake down. The police had already been around asking questions about a woman who was in the bar late in the evening. He wasn't about to admit she was in the bar after they were supposed to be closed.
"Is this really necessary? I already told the police what I know, which is nothing."
"What's your name?" Ironside asked.
"What difference does it make?" The bartender snapped.
"Well, I am kind of old fashion. I like to know who I am talking to," Ironside snarled back. He harden his tone. "You're name," he demanded.
"Alex Thatcher, and I told you I don't know anything."
"How do you know you don't know anything? I haven't asked you anything yet," Ironside said, raising his voice. He turned to Ed. "Take him in, Sergeant, as a material witness." Ironside swung his chair around and headed for the door.
"Just a minute, Ironside. You have no right to harass me. I told your officers I don't know anything."
"And, I haven't even asked. So, what will it be? Are you going to answer my questions, or do I have my sergeant take a look around for violations that will have you shut down? What time did you close last night?"
Thatcher stared into the eyes of the detective. No one liked to tangled with him. He was a damn bully and the police commissioner let him get away with it. No wonder no one had respect for the cops these days. Too bad they couldn't get them de-funded. At least, the state legislature was trying.
Red faced, he tried to control his anger at Ironside. Thatcher said, "I closed it at 2:00 a.m. as I always do."
"That's funny. You have been cited four times for keeping the bar open past 2:00 a.m. in the morning. Now, are you going to tell me what time you really closed it, or do I have to find out by other means? Because if I have to find out through other means, you are not only going to be cited this time, but I am going to see to it that you're closed down for a long period of time. Now, I don't know if you can afford to lose the income, but I am certain that you will at least feel it. One way or the other, either through violations or or violating that 2:00 time, I am going to see to it that you're closed down. Don't think that I won't find somebody that knows what time this bar shut down last night, because I will. Now I'm going to ask you one more time, what time did you close the bar last night?"
Alex Thatcher stood there. It was taking everything within him to keep from lashing out at Ironside. He knew that would only lead to being arrested. He also knew that the detective would not stop until he found out exactly what time he did close the bar. There wasn't any sense in lying to him for that very reason. He just hoped for another citation rather than being closed down. "All right, all right. I closed it somewhere around 3:30 a.m. It took me that long to clear out the clientele that was in the bar. This is quite a popular drinking hole."
"I doubt that very much," Ironside said. "I don't think you have that large a clientele. That's why you break the law and stay open later than 2:00 a.m. Your answers to my next questions will determine whether I see two it that you're cited again. Ed!"
Brown anticipated his boss. He pulled a photograph out of his suit coat pocket and handed it to Alex Thatcher.
"Was this woman in the bar last night?" Ironside asked.
Thatcher studied the picture. There wasn't any doubt in his mind who the woman was. She was in the bar nearly every night. "Yeah, she was here last night. In fact, she is here almost every single night. I don't know her name, so don't bother to ask. I don't snoop into my customer's private lives, unlike you cops." Thatcher knew he shouldn't have said it, but Ironside was really ticking him off.
The detective ignored Thatcher's response. "Was she with anybody?"
"Yeah. One of your blue boys. She walked up to him, bought him a drink, and the two of them left together."
"Did you know who the cop was?" Sergeant Brown asked him.
"No, I've never seen him before. Besides, cops don't normally hang out in here. They hang out in your cop bar down by police headquarters. I as much as told him I didn't care for him being in here. Why all the questions about the woman to begin with? Why do you care whether she was here or not?"
"Because the woman was murdered shortly after she left this bar," Ironside told him.
Alex Thatcher was stunned. The police officers that questioned him earlier did not tell him that she had been murdered. "I don't know anything about it. I was here with three employees, and none of us have left this bar since we opened yesterday."
"I am not accusing you of anything, Mr Thatcher. Tell me more about the police officers she was seen with."
"Like I said, I have never seen him before. I'd say he was in his late thirties, maybe early forties. I'm not sure of his height. He was sitting down at the bar when I served him his drink. I only saw the two of them get up and leave. I did not watch them go out the door, so I'm not sure of his height. He had dark hair. I don't stare in mens' eyes, so I couldn't tell you what color his eyes were. He was clean shaven. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. I've never seen the man before, but if you find out who he is, I would appreciate it if you told him to stay the hell out of my bar. I don't need this kind of trouble."
"Where's the rest of your people who worked last night?" Ironside demanded.
"In the back, washing dishes and cleaning up."
"I want to talk to them. Ask them to come out here."
Thatcher rolled his eyes. He wasn't going to get rid of Ironside until he got his way. He yelled for them to come out.
Two young men and a woman walked into the bar. "You wanted to see us, boss?" the one young man asked.
"This is Chief Ironside of the police department. He's got some questions he wants to ask you."
Ironside asked them the same questions he asked Thatcher. None of them seemed to have noticed the woman or the police officer at all. Since they were waiting on tables and not the bar itself, Ironside didn't find it unusual that they did not notice either one. When he was satisfied that they could not produce any more information, he let them go back to the kitchen.
Pulling a business card out of his suit coat pocket, he handed it to Alex Thatcher. "If the police officer comes into the bar again, I would like you to call me."
What Thatcher really wanted to do was rip the card up right in front of the loudmouth detective. The thought of having another citation or the bar closing while he corrected any violations the police could come up with, he just took the card and said nothing. If the police officer ever came into the bar again, Alex would throw him out. He already caused him enough trouble.
Ironside and Brown left the bar and got back into the van. Both men unaware that the so-called police officer was driving the van.