Earthquake in San Francisco
Chapter 14
1
Roland Hubbard pushed the cabinet off his lower body. He reached down and rubbed his shin. He thought the bone running down his leg was broken. Standing up, he almost screamed in pain. Now he was sure something was broken. It didn't matter, he had to get out of the building. It could very well be crawling with police soon. He couldn't get caught here. Roland would be arrested for sure.
He thought about his friend. He would be up on the 83rd floor when the earthquake hit. With the way the building shook and swayed, there would be extensive damage. Roland thought about Frank Hunt. He'd been his closest friend for many years now. He should go up and see if he was all right, but could he take the chance? His leg was paining him badly now, and he wasn't even sure how long he could actually walk on it. If he went upstairs, it would be slow going. Roland didn't even know if he could get up there. Certainly, the elevators weren't operating any longer. There wasn't any way he could walk up 82 flights of stairs. He probably couldn't even walk up one flight with the shape his leg was in.
When it came down to it, Roland Hubbard decided if it was either Frank or him, he was not about to get caught again, not even for Frank. He was not spending another day in prison. Frank would take care of Ironside. Hopefully, he would get out of the Tower. Roland would try to find him at a later date. The two of them could head to Mexico together.
Hubbard pulled his cellphone out of his pocket. Before leaving the building, he would let Frank know he was leaving and where they could meet up. He hated like hell leaving him behind, but he wasn't going back to prison . . . not again. No doubt Frank wouldn't go back to prison for him either.
Calling the number on a burner phone, Roland waited for Frank to answer. A recorded voice came on and said all circuits were busy. Naturally, everyone was calling for help instead of helping themselves. Hubbard found it disgusting how people always depended on someone else to help them. He had never depended on anyone in his life; not even Frank. He took care of himself. Others could do the same.
Roland Hubbard headed for the door of the basement. He hoped to God the entry way was not blocked or the stairs destroyed. He had to get out of the building. Roland didn't know if the building was in danger of collapsing, but one thing was for sure, he had no intention of being inside if it did.
He arrived at the stairway. Opening the door, he looked up the stairs. They seemed to be in tack. Hubbard began climbing the stairs. The pain in his leg was almost unbearable. He would have to go to the doctor he and Frank used anytime they were injured. Going to the hospital was out of the question. He couldn't take the chance someone would recognize him from a police photo passed around. Still, he had to get medical help for his broken leg. Of all times for an earthquake to hit; one would think the damn thing could have waited until he and Frank had gotten out of the godforsaken city of San Francisco. He would be happy to put the city behind him. It had never been anything but a source of trouble for both him and Frank.
After dragging himself up the stairs, Roland headed for the door to the street. He would have run if it weren't for the pain with every step he took. As it was, he was almost dragging the leg. Every time he put his weight on it, he felt like screaming; the pain was so bad.
Arriving at the door, he pushed it open and headed into the street. People were running in all directions. Where the hell did all these people come from? When he and Frank had arrived in the building, the streets were not that crowded. Shaking his head, he realized he really didn't care. Too bad the damn buildings didn't fall on the bunch of them. As he dragged his leg and stumbled away from the building, he noticed what appeared to be a wheelchair smashed into pieces.
Roland dragged his painful leg over to the chair. He smiled when he saw the name Robert Ironside on the back of the top part of the chair. Frank had thrown the damn cripple detective out the window. San Francisco's protector had finally met his match in Frank Hunt. He looked around, but did not see Ironside's body splattered all over the pavement. There wasn't anyway he could have survived a fall from the 83rd floor of the building. He didn't understand where he was. He should be in the same general area of the smashed wheelchair.
Hubbard stopped when he was tapped on the shoulder. Roland jerked and turned around to see a San Francisco police officer. He put his hand inside his jacket pocket. He could see recognition in the officer's eyes.
The police officer attempted to draw his service revolver. Unfortunately for the young man, Hubbard was faster. He shot the officer in the chest. Looking around to see if anyone witnessed the shooting, Hubbard realized everyone was more worried about themselves than they were about the police officer. He limped away from the scene. He had to get to the only doctor he knew would treat him without turning him in.
2
Sergeant Ed Brown impatiently waited until the big jet plane landed at the Mineta San Jose International Airport. Closing his eyes, Ed couldn't believe he was being dropped off this far away from San Francisco when it was in crisis. He was worried about his friends, but mostly he was worried about the chief. If Mark was with him, he would be all right. The chief didn't always take Mark with him. He was capable of driving himself, and his van was equipped for him to do so.
As the plane taxied over to the gate, Ed stood up, pulled his luggage down from the overhead bin and waited. He just wanted to get off the plane and call the chief's office. He didn't even realize he had forgotten all about his troubles with Vivian. The sergeant hadn't given her a thought ever since the earthquake hit as they were attempting to land in San Francisco.
"This is the captain speaking. All flights to San Francisco have been cancelled until further notice. There was damage to some runways, and they are using the one that wasn't damaged to land emergency personnel. The airlines have arranged for rooms for those of you who's final destination was San Francisco. Those of you who were going on to other cities can make arrangements for other flights. Thank you for flying with us and pray for the citizens of San Francisco."
Ed waited until the people in front of him began filing out of the plane. With his luggage in hand, he followed them out into the airport. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he dialed Ironside's office. He listened to a recording say all lines were busy, which probably meant the lines were down. Brown headed out of the airport and flagged down a taxi. After putting his suitcase into the taxi, he slid in beside it.
"Where to, mister?" The cab driver made no attempt to be friendly.
Ed wasn't in the mood for conversation anyway, so he told him, "Police Headquarters."
The cabbie eyed Brown in the rear view mirror. He could spot a cop a mile away, and this guy was a cop. In fact, he looked familiar, but he just couldn't place him. Since he really didn't care who he was, he pulled the taxi out of the airport and headed for Police Headquarters.
They arrived there shortly after. Ed took a look at the meter, pulled out the correct amount of money and added a tip, despite the fact the man didn't really deserve it. Grabbing his suitcase, Brown slid out of the vehicle and barely pulled the suitcase with him before the cab driver began to pull away. Ed kicked the door shut with his foot. Shaking his head, he hurried into the building.
He looked around for someone who looked authoritative. Basically, all he could spot were officers in uniform. Ed walked up to what he was sure was the duty desk. He pulled out his San Francisco police credentials and showed them to the officer. "My name is Ed Brown. I work for Chief Robert Ironside in San Francisco. I need to speak with the ranking officer in charge."
The officer smiled. "I knew I recognized you!" The smile left his face. "Sorry about your city. I hear it is a real mess."
"Thanks," Ed said. There wasn't really anything else to say. He just wanted to see the officer in charge. He had to get home.
The officer picked up the phone and punched in four numbers. After waiting a moment, he said, "Can you tell him there is a Sergeant Ed Brown from San Francisco to see the captain? He works for Chief Ironside." He listened for a few more moments and then said, "I'll send him right in." After hanging up the phone, he turned to Ed. "The captain will see you right away." Pointing down the hall, he directed Ed, "At the end of that hall, turn left. The captain's office is the last one on the right."
"Thanks." Brown wasted no time on small talk. He turned around and walked swiftly in the direction of the captain's office. At the end of the hall, he turned left as he'd been told to do. Arriving at the captain's office, he knocked on the door.
Sergeant Brown didn't have to wait long; the door opened almost immediately. A man in plain clothes who was just as tall as Ed, only with more bulk, put out his hand. He had gray receding hair and a nose that look more like the beak of a bird than a nose. "Sergeant Brown, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have never met your boss, but I certainly have heard a lot about him. Come in, come in. I'm Captain Sherman Smith."
Ed followed Captain Smith into a moderately sized office. It certainly wasn't anywhere as big as the chief's office, but then most never were. Not even Commissioner Randall's office was as big as the chief's.
"Please Sergeant, sit down." Smith indicated a chair in front of his desk. "Can I get you something, a cup of coffee or a soda perhaps?"
"No thank you, Captain, I'm fine."
"Okay then, what can I do for you. Does this have something to do with the earthquake?"
Ed nodded. "It does. Captain, do you have police choppers?"
"Yes, of course." Smith's eyes lit up realizing where Brown was heading with this. "You have not been able to fly to San Francisco, have you?"
"No," Ed admitted. "The earthquake hit just as my plane was landing. It lifted back into the air and flew here. Captain, I know it is asking a lot, but "I am worried about my boss. I can't get through to his office."
"After an earthquake, Sergeant Brown, I don't think that is unusual. The communication lines would be jammed up."
"I am aware of that, but being out of contact worries me."
Sherman Smith smiled. "I take it you would like us to fly you to San Francisco?"
"Yes, sir. That is exactly what I was hoping for. You would be reimbursed by the San Francisco Police Department," Ed assured him.
"Are you certain of that? Chief Ironside does have a boss . . . Commissioner Randall, isn't it?"
Ed smiled. "Yes, the chief has a boss, but he normally gets his way anyway."
Captain Smith roared with laughter. "Yes, I have heard he is a very persuasive man."
"Yes, sir, that he is."
"Well, Sergeant, I think we can help you out. No reimbursement necessary. After all, I have no doubt you would come to our aide if the earthquake was centered in this area. Believe me, we felt it. We have some minor damage, but nothing major." He picked up the phone, dialed a number and said, "Walter, start up the chopper and find one of the pilots. We need to fly a San Francisco police officer to his city."
3
Victoria Ironside looked around. There was nowhere to hide to conceal her presence. She was about to be discovered by Frank Hunt. She knew if Hunt got hold of her, he wouldn't hesitate to use her against Robert. He had already done so. If it had not been for the earthquake, he may have succeeded.
Robert must have gotten away from Hunt. At least she hoped he had. She could not bear the thought of anything happening to him. He was more like a son to her than a nephew. Victoria had known him his entire life. She watched him grow from a boy into the fine man he was today. To her, and to many others, he represented everything that a man should be. Oh, he put on that gruff exterior, but she knew that was because he was in a position of command. Robert commanded respect . . . and got it.
She had to find out if he was all right, but right now she had to contend with her most immediate problem . . . Frank Hunt. She looked around for something to defend herself with. Nothing! There wasn't even a board or anything she could hit Hunt with. Victoria watched as Otto stepped in front of her. The fur on his back was standing straight up, and the dog had a low growl in his throat. Victoria recognized at this very moment Otto was her only hope to keep Frank Hunt from taking control of her again.
Otto moved back to the wall and stood on his hind legs. Victoria watched the dog; puzzled by his actions. Was he actually trying to conceal himself in preparation for an attack on Hunt? That was ridiculous! Dogs didn't think like human beings. Yet, she knew the German Shepherd was a very special dog, much like her nephew was a very special man.
Hunt walked toward the staircase. A grin spread across his face when he spotted Victoria Ironside. Glancing at the stairs, he laughed. "Trying to get away, Miss Ironside? You want to go down those stairs, do you? I'll tell you what; I'll help you do it. I am going to throw you down them. By the way, your crippled nephew went out the window during the earthquake. The police will find their boss splattered all over the pavement below. I would have personally liked to have ended his life, but I guess it doesn't matter. The son-of-a-bitch is dead, and that is all that matters. However, I made him a promise. I promised him I would kill you, and that is exactly what I intend to do."
Hunt stepped onto the landing. When he did, Otto dropped on all four feet, then leaped it the air at Frank Hunt. It gave Victoria the opportunity she needed to get away from him. She ran down the hall as fast as her legs would carry her. She would descend the stairs there. When she arrived, she found the same situation as the other end. The staircase was gone. She wasn't getting down this way. She would have no choice but to go up. Why didn't she think of that when she first noticed Hunt. She should have reversed and gone right back up the stairs. Why hadn't Otto forced her up the stairs? Why had the dog decided to confront Hunt? Victoria didn't know. She only knew at this point, the only way was up. She began climbing the stairs.
At the other end of the hall, Otto went for Hunt's throat, but he'd been prepared for that. He stepped to the side. Otto compensated by clamping his teeth down on Hunt's gun wrist. The convict screamed in pain as the dog's teeth punctured his skin. He doubled his fist up and swung at the dog's head. The Shepherd dug deeper and moved to the left. Suddenly, the building began to shake with an aftershock. Frank Hunt fell backwards into the wall and hit his head. His world turned black and he passed out. Otto took off down the hall in the direction Victoria had gone.
4
Officer Eve Whitfield ran up the ramp of Chief Ironside's office. As soon as the earthquake had subsided, she contacted the police department through her police handset in the car. Despite the mess the city was in, a police cruiser had been able to reach her and take her to Police Headquarters. Mark met her at the end of the ramp. When she didn't see Chief Ironside anywhere, she asked, "the chief?"
"I don't know? He's not here. I checked the entire office," Mark told her.
"Didn't he leave a note? He always lets us know where he is, so we don't worry." Eve's voice was showing signs of the panic she felt.
"No, he left nothing."
The door to the office opened, Sergeant Ed Brown came in and hurried down the ramp. Looking around, but not seeing the boss, he asked, "Where's the chief?"
"We don't know," Eve answered before Mark could get the words out.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Ed demanded.
"Like Eve said, we don't know. He didn't leave a note."
"He hasn't called in?" Ed knew he was being demanding to the point of being unreasonable, but he was worried about the chief.
"The phone lines are busy." Eve pointed out the obvious.
"Eve, he has an emergency line in the van. It can always get through."
"I know that, Ed. He hasn't used it." She kept her voice calm. She knew Ed's rising voice was only out of concern for the chief. After all, she was worried too.
"That means he can't use it," Mark said.
"All right, Mark, get on the phone. Find out if the chief left word downstairs as to where he was going." Mark nodded and head for the phone on the main table.
"Eve, call the chief's van, and try his cell phone. You probably won't get through, but do it anyway."
Eve nodded and went to the phone on the chief's desk. Ed went to a third phone and put out an APB on the chief's vehicle. If Mark and Eve came up with nothing, maybe beat cops might spot the van.
A few minutes later Mark hung up the phone. "No one even knew the chief was out of the building. He didn't leave any word with them."
Eve joined them at the table. "No answer from the van and the cellphone lines are jammed." It was then she realized Ed wasn't even supposed to be in the city. The time it would take for him to fly to San Francisco meant he had flown home before the earthquake hit. "You are supposed to be in New York."
The expression on the sergeant's face changed. It was obvious the subject was not pleasant for him. "Let's just say things didn't work out." They had no idea how much of an understatement that was.
Eve said nothing more on the subject. She could see the pain in her friend's face, and she didn't want to cause him anymore.
The door to the office opened and Dunlap entered. He came down the ramp. The hair stood up on the back of Ed's neck. Something told him whatever reason Dunlap was here was not going to be good news.
The dog trainer nodded his greeting at the three and said, "I hitched a ride on a man on a motorcycle to get here. The city is a mess."
"They usually are after an earthquake," Mark said.
Eve and Ed just stared at Dunlap waiting for him to tell them what the visit was about. He didn't seem to be curious where the chief was, which worried both of them even more.
"Look, I thought you should know what happened this evening. I got a call from the chief to bring Otto to him. I met him at the Tower Building. He wouldn't let me help him. He was forced to go into that building."
The door to the office opened and Duffy walked in with Katherine. They came down the ramp. Duffy walked directly over to Ed. "Sergeant, the chief is in trouble."