Earthquake in San Francisco
Chapter 11
1
Lieutenant Reese entered the Police lab. He was well aware that his boss would be impatient for the results of the fingerprints taken from the merry-go-round. The chief was determined to nail Frank Hunt for the murder of Zack Hill. If his fingerprints were found, it was one step closer to finding the evidence to put him back behind bars where he belonged.
Reese walked over to the Japanese-American who was in charge of the lab work. Carl liked the man. His work was always thorough, and he was always willing to accommodate the chief. For that reason, Ironside almost always asked for him to handle the fingerprint lab work.
"Hey, Heiko!" Reese said with a smile as he entered the room.
Heiko turn to see the sergeant. With a big grin, he responded, "Hey, Carl! How's the chief?"
"You know the chief," Carl said with a smile.
"Yeah, that means he's as grumpy as ever," Heiko laughed.
"You said that, I didn't."
He laughed again. Walking over to his desk, he picked up a manila envelope. Heiko returned to the lieutenant and handed it to Carl.
"Anything I should know about?" Carl inquired.
"The prints definitely belong to Frank Hunt. But then, that is what the chief was expecting, wasn't it?"
"We were pretty sure that we would find his prints. We know that he put the money there immediately after the robbery."
"I don't think so, Carl."
With that statement, he had Reese's attention. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I think he put the money there at a later date."
Carl was confused. "Why do you say that?"
"We found blood inside the bag and on some of the money that you sent over for analysis. I had the boys run it through the lab. The DNA from the blood turned out to be from Zack Hill."
Reese let out a low whistle. "That means he must have put that bag of money in the horse at the merry-go-round just after Zack Hill was murdered."
Heiko nodded. "That would be my guess as well."
"Are we sure that the DNA belongs to Hill?" Reese asked.
Heiko picked up another report. He handed it to Reese. "See for yourself. There isn't any doubt about it. The blood belonged to Zack Hill."
Carl read over the lab report. When he was finished, he looked up at Heiko. "I think you just changed the chief's mood. Frank Hunt is going to have a devil of a time explaining how Zack Hill's blood got on that bag."
"I think the chief has enough to pick Hunt up," Heiko said.
"And charge him with the murder of Zack Hill. All we have to do now is break his alibi."
"Is there anything else I can do for you, Carl?"
The lieutenant grinned. "You've already done plenty. Thanks, Heiko."
"Always a pleasure to help the chief."
Lieutenant Reese took the reports and left the lab. He could imagine the kind of mood this would put his boss in. He expected to receive an order to have Frank Hunt picked up on a charge of suspicion of murder.
When he got outside, he unlocked his dark blue Ford sedan and got in. Reese didn't notice that he was being followed. In the distance, Roland Hubbard watched the detective. He took note that the man left with a manila envelope in his hand.
2
Roland Hubbard hailed a taxi and headed back to Frank's apartment. He had to let Frank know that he'd just seen Reese leave the Police lab. Frank's money was certainly in the bag Ironside's officers had found. His prints would likely be found on the money. He didn't believe that was enough to have him arrested, but maybe it was time the two of them left that apartment and found a place to hide out. He had no idea what else Ironside might have discovered.
Roland directed the taxi cab driver back to Frank's apartment. When he got out, he gave him the exact amount of the fare. He knew it wasn't a good idea not to tip the cab driver. The driver likely would remember him because of it. However, after he and Frank wasted Ironside, they were out of San Francisco anyway. Right now, he had to warn Frank about what he'd found out.
Roland knocked on the apartment door with the code knock he and Frank had prearranged. The door opened immediately. Roland pushed his way past Frank. "We have a potential problem."
"And that would be?" Frank asked.
"I was over at police headquarters. I watched Ironside's man come out of the building. He was carrying a manila envelope."
"Yeah, so what."
"Frank, he came out of the Police lab. What the hell do you think Ironside was checking on?"
"My guess is he was looking for prints on that money."
"And your prints will be found on it, right?"
Hunt sighed. "I never thought Ironside would find the money. It never occurred to me that I should remove my fingerprints from the money. Yes, he definitely will find my fingerprints."
Roland reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. After twisting off the cap, he took a long swig of the brew. "I think we need to vacate this apartment and go someplace else. I've no idea what else Ironside may discover, but I don't think we can take the chance of staying here. I've a feeling he will be coming after you."
"I think you're right. He'll be looking for you too as soon as he is informed you have escaped. Let's gather up our belongings and get out of here."
Roland smiled. "Belongings? What belongings? I don't have a thing in this world."
"Well, I don't either. So, let's just get the hell out of here before Ironside comes after us. I don't want him spoiling our plans for him." Frank stood up, and he and Roland left the apartment.
3
Eve and Mark could tell that Ironside was becoming impatient. It had been two hours since Carl left the office to go to the Police lab. They both knew the chief was anxious to find out if Hunt's fingerprints were on the money. They understood why he was anxious, but the fingerprints alone wouldn't the enough to arrest Frank Hunt for the murder of Zack Hill. Something much more substantial would be needed to tie him to the crime.
"Eve, call Carl's cell phone," Ironside bellowed.
"Chief, I only called it just a few minutes ago. If Carl could answer the phone, he would've done so already. You need to give him time," Eve said, trying to ease her boss' impatience.
The chief looked at his watch. "He's had two hours. How long does it take to pick up lab reports?"
Eve looked over at Mark who just shook his head. Both had experienced the chief's moods. It was a waste of time trying to soothe him. He wouldn't settle down until he heard from Carl.
The door to the office opened and Lieutenant Reese walked in. Ironside turned to see his lieutenant coming down the ramp. He headed directly for his boss and sat down beside him.
The detective waited for Carl to speak. He could tell by the look on his face the news was good. When he could wait no longer, he barked, "Hunt's prints were on the money, weren't they." He was confident they were since the bag had the bank's name on it.
"That's right, Chief, but that wasn't all. We found blood on some of the money and inside the bag. It wasn't much, but it was enough. I had them compare the DNA to Zack Hill. It matched."
Ironside turned sharply to Carl. "That's all we need. There's no way he's going to be able to explain how that blood got there. His fingerprints are all over the money and Hill's blood completes the case. Carl, get out a warrant for his arrest. We got him this time."
Carl left the office to get a warrant. Ironside turned to Eve and ordered, "Find a couple of officers who are in the area of Hunt's apartment. Have them watch Hunt until we can get there. I don't want him taking off. He saw us pick up the money. He knows what we've got. Hunt isn't going to hang around and wait for us to arrest him."
Before Eve could make the call, the phone rang. She picked it up and announced,"Chief Ironside's office."
"Eve, is the chief in?" Warden Leydon asked.
"Just a moment, Warden, he's right here." She turned to her boss and informed him,"It's Warden Leydon. He wants to speak to you."
Ironside punched the lighted line and said, "Hello, Warden, what can I do for you?"
"I'm afraid I have some bad news, Chief."
"What bad news?"
"Roland Hubbard has escaped the prison."
"How in the devil did he do that?" Ironside growled.
"He killed a guard, took his uniform, and walked right out the front gate."
"All right, we'll get an APB out on him. I'll need a description."
"I don't think you understand. He was Frank Hunt's cellmate. I have no doubt he will try to find Hunt."
"Damn it!" Ironside cursed. "I've got some bad news for you too. We just located the money that Hunt stole from that bank. His fingerprints were all over it. But, Warden, there's more. There were traces of blood on the money and inside the bag. They match the DNA of Zack Hill."
"Oh God!" The warden agonized. "I'm sorry, Bob. I should've listened to you. Now I've turned a murderer loose on society."
"You did what you thought was right. You have to go with your gut instinct. He behaved himself and fooled everyone at the prison. There's no use crying over spilled milk. What's done is done. The important thing is that we find these two. Hunt alone is dangerous. But, if the two of them are together, they're doubly dangerous. Don't worry, we'll find them."
"Please let me know when you do"
"Will do," Ironside said and hung up the phone. He turned his chair slightly to see where Eve was. She was at the desk on the phone arranging for the officers needed to keep an eye on Hunt.
When she finished, she came directly over to the chief. "Okay, we have two plainclothes policemen headed for Hunt's apartment. They'll be waiting for further instructions."
"Eve, call downstairs and see if Carl Reese is still in the building. With Ed out of town, I want Reese with me to help with the arrest. Call Officers Duffy and Belding, and have them report immediately to Frank Hunt's apartment. Also, have a couple of squad cars report there as well. Join us as soon as you're done. Mark!"
"I'm right here, Chief," the young man called from the kitchen.
"Let's go." Ironside turned his chair around and wheeled toward the ramp. Mark grabbed his jacket from the railing, pushed Ironside up the ramp, and the two of them left the office.
Once on the road, Mark asked his boss, "What are the chances Hunt will still be there?"
"They're not good," the chief admitted. "I purposely made sure he was following us when we picked up the money. He knows we have it, and he knows he handled that money after killing Zack Hill."
"I don't understand, Chief. He shot Hill and those officers. How could he get Hill's blood all over the money?"
"That is a question we will let Mister Hunt answer. The only way he could have gotten the blood on that money was to have been there when Zack was murdered. He knows that. he also knows that once I found out, I'd come after him. He's not going to hang around, Mark."
The phone in the van rang. Ironside picked it up and barked into the speaker, "Ironside."
"Chief, it's Carl. I have the warrant. The judge didn't hesitate when I showed him the evidence."
"All right, Carl. We are headed to Frank Hunt's apartment right now. Meet us there. And Carl, Roland Hubbard escaped from prison after he murdered a guard and took his uniform. Chances are he located Hunt and is with him right now."
"Roger that, Chief. I'm on my way."
"Step on it, Mark! At the speed you're driving, Hunt and Hubbard could crawl out of that apartment and get away."
"Okay, Chief, but if we get a ticket, you'll be the one to pay it."
"No one is going to ticket this van," Ironside growled.
Sanger picked up speed, weaving in and out of traffic until he arrived at Frank Hunt's apartment. He slammed on the brakes, and the van came to an abrupt stop.
Ironside looked at him and snarled, "Where did you take driver's training?"
"I didn't. I taught myself how to drive," Mark said as he got out of the van.
"That explains it," Ironside said sarcastically as he wheeled his chair onto the lift. He pressed the button, the van doors opened, and the lift moved forward and then down. After riding it to the sidewalk, he wheeled off the tray. He was met by Lieutenant Carl Reese, Officer Fran Belding, and Officer Duffy.
"There's been no activity, Chief," Carl told him.
"No sign of either one of them?" Ironside looked down the street at the apartment building we're Frank Hunt resided.
"Not according to the two officers who were first on the scene."
"Do you think we're too late, Chief?" Fran asked.
He looked at her and said, "We won't know until we go in, will we?"
Fran smiled demurely and responded, "No, we won't."
"And we won't go in if everyone stands around here."
"Ready when you are, Chief," Fran said.
"Carl, you take Fran and go around to the back. Make sure they don't go out the back door of the apartment building. Duffy, take a couple officers and go in the front."
Eve Whitfield pulled her car to a stop and got out. She hurried over to the others. When Ironside saw her, he ordered, "Eve, you back up Duffy." Ironside had the other police officers surround the apartment building.
He hated this part of police work. There was a day when he'd lead the officers in the front door. The assassin's bullet ended those days for him. All he could do now was wait for his officers to do their job.
He watched Carl and Eve go in. After a few minutes, Eve came out of the building. She walked directly over to her boss. Shaking her head, she said, "The apartment is empty, Chief. No sign of either of them. We do know there were two men in there. There are two empty beer bottles and two sets of uneaten food on the table."
"That means Roland Hubbard is with him." Ironside waited until his men completed a search of the apartment. He could see Duffy and Carl headed in his direction. "Any clue as to where they went?"
Carl shook his head. "Nothing, Chief. We found heroin, so he's in violation of his parole."
"We don't need that to pick him up," Ironside said. "Eve, call his place of employment just in case he's working," Ironside ordered.
The policewoman removed her cellphone from her purse and dialed the number. She was informed Hunt didn't come in to work and hadn't called in either. She relayed the information to the detective.
"Well, there isn't much we can do here. I want the city bottled up, Carl. Make sure they can't get out. Plaster their pictures with the entire police force. Let the boys know they're dangerous, and probably armed. Both men are murderers."
Carl nodded and headed for his vehicle. "Okay, Eve. Send everyone back to the station. "Come on, Mark, let's get out of here," Ironside growled.
Mark stepped behind the chief and began pushing his wheelchair back to the van. After Ironside was lifted into the van, Mark got behind the wheel. Suddenly, the earth below them began to shake. The van rocked back and forth.
"It's an earthquake, Mark!"
"No jive! I didn't think you put rockers on the seats of the van," Sanger shouted. Within 30 seconds the shaking stopped. "Well, that was fun. How many more of these are we going to have?"
"It's not the number of them that worries me," Ironside said. "I'm more concerned about how big they are. Sooner or later, we are going to be hit with a big one if this doesn't stop. Let's go back to the office. Leave the radio on, so we can hear any reports of damage."
Mark drove the van back to the Police station. As with the other small earthquakes they'd experience, this one hadn't caused much damage. It just shook up a few people who were already spooked by the number of small quakes San Francisco was having.
By the time they got back in the office, it was dinnertime. "Mark, fix us something to eat, will you?"
Eve and Carl entered the office and came down the ramp. The chief was sitting at the table writing on a pad of paper. When he finished, he ripped the sheet from the pad, and then tore it in half. The detective handed half of it to Carl and the other half to Eve. "These are people and addresses where Frank Hunt used to hang out. I want both of you to check them out. If you find Hunt or Hubbard, you aren't to engage them on your own. Call for backup. Is that clear?"
"It's clear, Chief," Carl said. Eve nodded in acknowledgment.
"I'm sorry, but we're going to have to work late tonight. We have to find them," Ironside said.
"It's all right, Chief. We'll find them," Eve said. They both ran up the ramp and headed out of the office.
"I'd like chili for dinner," Ironside told Mark.
"Nope, no can do," Sanger said.
"What do you mean you can't?" Ironside complained.
"We are out of chili pepper."
"How could you let that happen?"
The look on the chief's face told Mark he wasn't pleased. "It happened because we eat chili around here nearly every day."
"Go down the street and pick some up. I want chili," the chief demanded.
"All right, you're the boss." Mark headed for the ramp.
"You might try remembering that once in a while," he shouted as he watched Mark head out. Then he realized Mark didn't have the keys to the van. They were sitting on the table. "Mark!" He picked up the keys and held them in the air without looking back at his aid."It's just down the street. I'll walk." Sanger left the office.
4
Victoria Ironside picked up the books that had been shaken to the floor by the minor earthquake. She looked around the room. Her home suffered no damage, but there were books, knickknacks and objects lying everywhere. Victoria was tired of picking things up. When were the earthquakes or aftershocks, if that's what they were, going to stop?
Maybe after she ate dinner, she'd make a surprise visit on her nephew. He had access to a lot of information. Robert might be able to tell her more about what was going on. She went into the kitchen, picked up a few things, and looked in the refrigerator. Victoria didn't feel like cooking. Maybe she'd just fix herself a sandwich. While she was staring in the fridge, she heard the doorbell ring.
Victoria looked in the direction of the front door. Who could that be? She had a strict rule. Her friends knew they must call before coming over. Even Robert called her to let her know he was coming. She wasn't accustomed to having unannounced visitors. Victoria walked over to the front door. Putting her ear to it, she listened. There were two men on the other side. She could hear them talking in low voices, although she couldn't make out what they were saying.
Without opening the door, she called out, "Yes, who is it?"
"Police officers, Miss Ironside. The chief sent us over to check on you with all the earthquakes going on."
Victoria stood frozen for a moment. Why wouldn't Robert just call her? She couldn't imagine him sending someone unless it was an emergency, and this obviously wasn't the case. Finally, she decided what to do. "Thank you, but I'm fine. I will call Robert right now and let him know."
"Come on Miss Ironside, you know what the chief is like. If we don't see for ourselves that you're all right, he will blow his stack."
"Not if I call him, which I'm going to do right now, so you run along," she said.
She walked away from the door and headed for the phone. Something was really wrong. Victoria had to call Robert and let him know what was going on."
Suddenly, the door burst open. The frame was torn from the wall as one of the men kicked in the door. Victoria hurried and dialed Robert's number. The taller man of the two raced over to her and took the phone out of her hand.
"Sorry, lady, I can't let you call Ironside . . . not just yet. We'll do that later. Now, be a nice little old lady and come with us."
"I'm not going anywhere with you! Now, get out of my house!" Victoria said in a commanding voice, not that she felt very commanding at the moment. She knew she was in trouble.
The other man pulled a gun out of his jacket pocket. "We will be happy to get out of your house, but you are coming with us. Now move!" He waved the gun toward the door.
Victoria didn't see where she had any choice. From the looks of the two thugs, they were certainly capable of carrying out the threat. She kept them in front of her as she back toward the door. When she arrived at the entrance, she made a break for the hall. Unfortunately, both men were much younger and faster. They caught up with her easily.
"Try that again and I'll put a bullet in your head," Frank Hunt warned.
They led her down the sidewalk, their eyes darting all around, knowing if they were seen holding a gun on the old lady, someone would call the police. The only cop they wanted to see was the cripple in the wheelchair. Roland opened the back door of the stolen Chevrolet Tahoe and shoved Victoria inside. Frank got behind the wheel. When he heard Roland shut the door, he turned over the ignition and pulled the vehicle into the street.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Don't worry, Miss Ironside. You're old. You've lived your life and you'll be going to a better place, just like that damn nephew of yours," Frank Hunt said.
"So, this is about Robert? You won't beat him. We have seen thugs like you time and again, and he always outsmarts them."
"Not this time, lady. We're going to kill him, and you along with him."
Victoria had never seen the one man, but the other one looked familiar. Then she realized where she'd seen him. He'd been in the newspapers. His name was Frank Hunt, and he'd been released from prison against Robert's advice. When were these people going to listen to her nephew. He knew what he was doing, and he was always right. Now, someone had turned a cold-blooded murderer back on the streets. "You break the law, go to prison and then blame my nephew for it. Criminals like you really are a dumb lot."
"I told you to shut up, lady. Roland, if she opens her mouth again, knock her out. I'm not going to listen to the old bag all the way there," Frank said.
Victoria said nothing further. She could only push them so far, and she knew angering them to the point where they would act was not very smart. She only wished she had gotten through to Robert before they broke through that door. Now, she realized they were going to use her to lure him to wherever they were going. She only wished he wouldn't take the bait, but she knew he would. He would come after her regardless of the cost to himself.
5
Ironside hung up the phone. He was certain the call had come from his Aunt Victoria. Why did she hang up before he had a chance to respond? Something was wrong. He picked the phone back up and dialed her number. The phone just kept ringing with no answer. That didn't make any sense. She was just there. He knew it was her voice. Something had interrupted her from speaking to him. He didn't like it. He hung up the phone, and just before he could pick it up again to send police officers to her home, he received a call. Ironside picked up the phone once again answered, "Ironside."
"Well, hello, Chief."
He recognized the voice. "I've a warrant out for your arrest, Mister Hunt."
"I figured as much. So, I have decided that you can deliver it to me in person."
"Is Roland Hubbard with you?"
"As a matter of fact, he is."
"He's wanted for murder," Ironside said. "For that matter, so are you. Zack Hill's blood was found in the money bag."
"Yeah, well, I knew it would be. He didn't die right away. I shot him and the pigs with him. I went in because I knew Zack had a safety deposit box where he hid a diary on me. There was a chance he might have the key on him. He fought me." Hunt laughed. "He was such a bloody mess, I couldn't help but get blood all over my hands."
"You're going down, Hunt. This time you'll never get another parole hearing."
"Sorry, Chief. I have no intention of sticking around here. Mexico seems like a nice place to live. Maybe I'll be able to join one of the cartels down there. "
"You'll never even get out of San Francisco," Ironside countered.
"We'll see about that. I am about to trump your ace. You do like poker, don't you, Chief? I played a lot of it in prison. Got really good at it too. You called my bluff at the parole hearing, but I had the better hand. Everyone thought I was a model prisoner. Now, we have a new hand. You've shown yours. It's pretty good and all, but not good enough, because I'm the one with all the aces."
"You have nothing, Hunt. You won't get out of town. Every cop in the city has your picture along with Hubbard's. It's only a matter of time before we pick you up," Ironside snarled.
"I don't think so. I guess you aren't going to take my word for it, so I will have to reveal my ace. Say hello to your Aunt Victoria."