Brothers in Arms

Chapter 9

Barbara looked out the window of the limo she rode in with Commissioner Randall, Sgt. Ed Brown, Officer Eve Whitfield, Mark Sanger and Della Street. Even though she knew all of these people were Robert Ironside's closest friends she could not believe for a second they could understand what was going through her mind. He may be their friend but he was the man that she loved.

No one had told her exactly what kind of trouble he was in, only that someone wanted to kill him. Barbara knew the famous Los Angeles attorney, Perry Mason was with him. She had read in the paper that Commission Randall's trial had revealed Mason was Robert's half-brother. Surely, this man was capable of helping Robert. After all, he was well known for immersing himself in the investigations of the murder trials in which he represented the defendant. Still Barbara was worried. She tried to convince herself not to. He has successfully defended her and himself against Jimmy Chard. Just because Robert sat in a wheel chair, Barbara knew he was never defenseless. He was not just a man in a wheel chair, he was Robert Ironside in a wheel chair. He had proved himself to her to be one of the most intelligent men she had ever known. Yet Barbara could not shake the feeling of dread.

Things were falling in place. It would not be long and the two of them could be together. She could not bear the thought something might prevent that from happening. Tears came to her eyes. Please God, she thought, don't let anything happen to Robert. She felt someone touch her hand and remembered Della Street sat beside her in the back of the limo.

Della smiled as she took Barbara's hand and squeezed. "From the moment Perry and I met Robert, both of us were mesmerized by him. He is absolutely brilliant at what he does. He protected Perry like a bear protecting her cubs. He led an investigation going all out to help clear Commissioner Randall of murder charges. Watching him day to day as a detective was fascinating. His deductive abilities are unmatched by anyone we know. No one is better equipped mentally to figure out a way out of this than Robert."

"I have learned behind that tough exterior is a heart of gold. He and Perry have grown very close over the months since Perry learned of their relationship to one another. Believe me, Barbara; both men will do whatever it takes to protect each other. They will be fine." Della squeezed Barbara's hand again.

Wiping a tear from her eye, Barbara smiled back at Della. I don't doubt that. I love Robert, Della. So many obstacles have been placed in our path and now this. I just want to be with him."

"You will. Look at this group of people. They are going to do everything they can to see to it Perry and Robert come out of this safely. Both men have some very loyal friends," Della reminded her.

It finally occurred to Barbara that this woman was in the same position she was. She obviously cared for Mason. Della had to be every bit as worried about him as Barbara was about Robert and yet Barbara had only been worried about her potential loss. "I am sorry Della. It just occurred to me that you care for Perry Mason. I did not mean to be so self-centered. It is just that I am so worried about Bob. Please forgive me."

Della patted her arm. "Nonsense! I understand. Robert has told Perry and me about you. I have been looking forward to meeting you. I wish it could have been under more pleasant circumstances. When this is over Perry and I would love to get together with you and Robert."

"I would like that and I know Bob would," Barbara responded.

Della hoped she had eased Barbara's concerns. She also hoped she had been able to hide the fact that she was every bit as worried about Perry and Robert.

xxxxx

Ironside continued to wait for their tormentor to make a move. He knew it had to be shortly. He could not afford to wait much before dawn. To wait any longer would invite trouble. This was not the everyday run of the mill criminal. He had to have been in the military to plan this kind of operation. He would have researched both his and Perry's background. He would know that both of their staffs and friends were professionals that would have figured out there was a problem at the cabin as soon as neither of them checked in.

Ironside estimated Ed, Eve, Mark and probably Carl were on their way up here. He did not doubt the same was true of Paul Drake, Della Street, Lt. Tragg and Hamilton Burger. Ed would have informed the local authorities. This place would be crawling with law enforcement officers soon. He had to make a move before they got here.

Ironside glanced over at Perry Mason who had fallen asleep in the chair. They were taking turns getting some much-needed rest in order to have sharp minds when the time came.

Otto laid beside Ironside, his injured paw crossing over the other front paw. He continued to pant with his ears perking and changing positions. Otto sensed the danger that was to come. The German Shepherd was determined to stay at his friend's side. He would not leave him. He would protect him from the stranger. Otto whined as he looked up at Ironside. His friend reached down, scratched his ear and said, "Won't be long now Otto. Get some rest, boy."

Perry stirred. He stretched and opened his eyes slowly. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"Not long enough. Go back to sleep," Ironside barked.

"I'll take over the watch. You get some sleep Bob."

"In this chair? Just do as I told you. Go back to sleep."

Mason kicked the blanket aside. "I not tired. No sign of our friend yet?"

"No. He won't wait much longer though. He can't. By now the local authorities have been tipped off there is a problem here and both your people and mind are on their way. He has to come in after us before they penetrate his defenses. I just hope no one is killed in the process."

"You mean the explosives?" Perry asked.

"Yes. If they come in here like the cavalry, someone is going to get killed.

"Bob, your people are efficient. They will have done some checking before they came up here."

"It's not my people I am worried about. I have been thinking. The man that owns the kennel where Otto lives would have contacted me the minute they knew Otto was stolen."

"But you weren't there for him to contact."

"Then he either went to Dennis or straight to Ed. Ed would have figured I would expect them to do everything they could to locate Otto. It would have led them to whoever is doing this. Ed would not come in here without being prepared."

"This Dunlap, I am assuming he has bomb sniffing dogs?" Perry asked.

"Yes, and Ed would be on his way with Dunlap and bomb sniffing dogs as well as attack dogs. Ed is one of the best cops I have ever worked with. He will come in here prepared. That is why I am not worried about our people. It's the locals. If they decide to come in before Ed arrives, someone is going to get killed."

"And if they do come in before Ed arrives, they will force our friend's hand." Perry said.

"That's right and our chances will be reduced considerably. So let's pray they wait for Ed." Ironside looked down at Otto who whined, seemly in agreement.

xxxxx

As the plane touched down at the airport, Ed stood up. "The choppers are waiting. Everyone is to switch to them. The largest one will be for Mr. Dunlap's people and the dogs. Everyone else load into the others. I want to be back in the air in ten minutes. We are going to divide into 4 groups. I will head the first one coming in on the east. Carl, you are to come with me. Paul Drake will head the second one. Eve, you will join him. Lt. Tragg will lead the third one. Hamilton will join him. The forth one will come off the small lake behind the cabin. Captain Darwin Winsel will head that group. That will bring us in on all four sides of the cabin."

Della Street spoke up. "I am coming with you."

"So am I," Barbara said.

"No, neither of you are," Commission Randall said. We agreed to let you both come if you followed our orders. I will not allow either of you to be put in danger. When Della started to argue Randall stopped her immediately. "Don't bother Della, nothing either of you say will change my mind. Bob and Perry would kill all of us if anything happened to either of you. Sgt. Brown has asked me to stay behind with you. Mark will remain behind as well."

Mark stood up. "That is my boss in there. I am going in with Ed."

The Commissioner shook his head. "We don't have time for this Mark. You are not a cop and we will not put you in danger either."

"I wasn't a cop in all of the other situations I was put in danger either. I am going in, Commissioner. I don't work for the police department. I work directly for Robert T. Ironside and he is not here to order me to stay behind."

When Randall opened his mouth to argue further, Ed put up his hand. "Commissioner, Mark is right. He has been in danger many times. He has stepped in and saved the chief on occasion. I cannot tell him he can't go in. I know what the chief means to him."

Randall remained silent for a moment. He turned to Captain Winsel. "Provide Mr. Sanger with a weapon. I will take the responsibility." Winsel handed Mark a gun.

Ed continued. "Each team will be preceded by Mr. Dunlap's bomb sniffing dogs and a handler. Everyone is to stay behind those dogs. No exceptions. There will be explosives planted all over the grounds. The dogs will lead us past them. Several men skilled in defusing bombs will accompany each group. Mr. Dunlap has a schedule every group is to adhere so that we all arrive at the cabin at the same time. My group will go in. Everyone else will provide back up. Use the window for access to Castle. I don't have to tell any of you that the lives of Perry Mason and Chief Ironside are to be protected. If Castle can be taken alive then do so. If he puts Perry and the Chief in jeopardy then shoot to kill. Let's go."

Paul Drake walked over to Della and Barbara. He took both women in his arms. "Don't you two worry. We will bring both of them out of there alive. Ed is the best there is. Remember who trained him. Perry and the chief will have done plenty to protect themselves. Castle doesn't know about their secret weapon either! We will send word to you both as soon as we know they are safe. We will bring you in by helicopter as soon as we are sure the area is cleared of explosive devices."

"What secret weapon?" Barbara asked.

"Otto," Della answered.

Della looked into Paul's eyes. "You be careful, Paul"

"I will beautiful. I'll be back soon with Perry." Paul gave them both one more hug, turned and left to get into the helicopter.

xxxxx

Ironside sat with Mason and Otto in the dark. The room was slightly lit from the full moon. They sat in silence as they waited. Otto would soon tell them Castle had arrived. Ironside kept a close watch on his dog.

xxxxx

Castle moved silently. It was time. He could wait any longer. The grounds would be crawling with cops very shortly. He had to make his move. He would show Ironside immediately who the more clever man was. He hit the remote control and shut off the final breaker in the cabin. Ironside would have the front and back doors booby-trapped. He would not be using either except as a diversion.

He turned on his smart phone and activated the bluetooth. Castle checked the video. Only one back camera was working. He checked the application on his smartphone. It was in perfect working order. What was wrong with those cameras? IRONSIDE. That is what was wrong. He had discovered those cameras and took them out. Castle touched the application and activated the knockout gas. He did not believe it was working. He was sure Ironside had located it and had Mason disconnect it, but he would activate it just in case he had not.

xxxxx

"Where is he?" Perry asked.

"Close," said Ironside. Otto's ears perked up. A low growl started in his throat. Ironside reached down and ran his hand down Otto's back. The hair on his back was standing up. Otto's growl became steady. He pulled his lips back and bared his teeth. "He's here," Ironside said.

Perry moved immediately to the utility room and flipped the switch on the breaker. He went back into the living room. "The electricity is on."

"No it's not," Ironside said. We left the light on over the cabinet in the bathroom. It did not come on. Stay alert Perry. If that door opens, you fire your gun at him. I will hold mine in case he uses it as a diversion. Stay low and get behind something. If you fire, he will shoot back.

Otto continued to growl. The stranger was here. His friend was in danger. He would not allow the stranger to hurt him or his friend's companion. Otto bared his teeth.

"Otto, cease!" Ironside said. Otto immediately quit growling.

Suddenly there was an explosion at the door. It burst open. Perry fired at the open door. The lights in the cabin came on. Ironside turned his chair around quickly. Standing behind them in front of the utility room was Tony Castle. He was holding an automatic weapon on them. "Mr. Mason, I would appreciate it if you dropped that gun….unless of course you prefer to die sooner than later."

"Perry, do as he says. Drop the gun." Ironside barked. Mason did as he was told.

Castle walked over to the door to shut it. Ironside and Mason watched as he used his foot to push it closed. He looked over at Otto who showed no outwardly recognition of Castle. "Where did you get the dog?"

"He was outside, scratching at the door. We let him in. It's cold out there," Mason said.

"I appreciate you taking good care of my dog."

Ironside looked into Otto eyes. The dog looked back at him and then at the stranger. "Otto, come," Castle said.

Otto immediately obeyed Castle. Perry began to wonder if Bob was right about Otto. Would he obey Bob when the time came? Perry tried to find another way to give Bob the opportunity to use his gun. He was no longer confident that Otto would help them.

"I would like you both to meet Otto. He is a trained attack dog. So you see gentlemen, whatever I don't see he will. First of all, let me introduce myself…."

"Your name is Tony Castle. You are Jimmy Chard's half-brother," Ironside said.

Castle looked at Ironside with surprise. "I congratulate you, Chief Ironside. I guess I really should not be surprised that you know who I am. After all, you are only the most celebrated detective in the country. But, I am curious as to how you figured it out."

"You provided me with the clue. The bathtub." Ironside said.

"That alone could not have given up my identity. So tell me chief, how did you know?

""Your father sired you but did not care anything about you. Your mother died when you were born. Your father did not want his wife to know about his affair so he put you up for adoption. You must have found out about Jimmy and Bobby when you went into special forces." Ironside said.

"And just exactly how did you find out all that?"

"After Jimmy started killing people under the name of the Moonlight Killer, he was finally stopped in my office. Later on, I went back on his record. It took some digging but I was able to get his complete military record which included naming you as his half-brother. I checked further and found out the circumstances. Of course I was provided with a picture of you," Ironside answered.

"You killed Bobby." Castle accused.

"Just as I told Jimmy, Bobby killed two police officers while trying to rob a bank. He was tried, convicted and sentenced under the laws of the state of California," Ironside said.

"Yea, yea, I have heard that crap before. Then you locked up Jimmy."

"Because he was killing people. He's not in prison. He's where he can get the help he needs," Ironside said.

"What's the difference, Ironside? He's locked up. You killed my one brother and locked up the other one," Castle said. He pulled out the handgun he had taken from Mason and set down the automatic weapon he was carrying.

Perry looked at the weapon. He had to get closer to it. He inched toward the weapon as Bob continued to keep Castle engaged in conversation.

"Would you have me allow him to continue killing people?" Ironside said.

"Oh that is right. You put people in jail for killing. However, the United States Government has people like me kill one person after another and I was considered a hero. But, kill a person without the permission of the government and you are allowed decide whether I get to live or die. I killed people on a regular basis, Ironside. To me killing is second nature. I will not have a problem killing you and Mason," Castle grinned.

Perry moved a bit closer to the rifle. Ironside watched as his brother continued to inch his way to the rifle.

Castle looked down at Otto. "Otto, hold!" He yelled and pointed at Mason. Otto flew into action. He raced toward Perry Mason with teeth bared and growling. He lowered his head and the hair stood up on his back. He moved toward Perry, threatening him. Perry backed away from the dog. Otto kept coming with teeth bared and growling. Perry continued to back away from the dog. When Otto had backed Perry to the two chairs that were side by side, he stopped and held Perry there. Castle called Otto off. He returned to Castle and sat down.

Both Mason and Ironside realized that Otto had just backed Perry in front of the division of the two chairs they had hidden the tank of knockout gas

"You see, Mr. Mason, Otto will obey my every command. He is going to kill you and your brother. That will be my revenge for Ironside killing my brother and locking up the Jimmy,"

"Castle, I sent Jimmy to a facility where he has been improving every day. He is dealing with the killings. They are treating him for depression because of it. He knows what he did was wrong. With time and treatment Jimmy could very well be cured," Ironside said.

"Go ahead, Ironside, just keep talking. It won't do you any good. You are going to die but first you are going to watch Otto tear your brother apart."

Ironside knew he was running out of time. He had hoped Ed would arrive in time to stop Castle but he realized that was not going to happen. He would keep Castle busy for a few more minutes. So far, Castle had kept a close eye on Otto. Ironside did not dare order Otto to attack. Castle would shoot him immediately and Otto appeared to be their best chance of stopping Castle.

Ironside would simply have to distract Castle. He caught Perry's eye. He hoped Perry would figure out what he was about to do.

xxxxx

Della and Barbara waited in the mangers office at the airport. Each passing moment seemed like an hour. Barbara was pacing back and forth. Della sat at the table and watched. They both had been served coffee but neither of them had touched it.

"What is taking so long?" Barbara complained.

"It has not been that long. They have to land far enough away so Castle doesn't hear the choppers. The dogs have to lead them past the explosives. It is going to take a while," Della tried to sound confident. She wasn't sure she had convinced Barbara because she sure did not convince herself.

Commissioner Randall sat behind the manager's desk. He had just hung up the phone. "They are on the ground and making their way toward the cabin."

"How long will it take?" Barbara asked.

"It depends how far out they started. They should make good progress. The dogs will maneuver them around any explosives. Be patient, Barbara. You know how good Bob's people are. I can tell you from firsthand experience that Perry's people are just as good. They will reach Perry and Bob in time. And, don't rule out those two protecting themselves. Bob has been in many dangerous situations and has been able to protect himself. Perry can take care of himself as well. The two of them will work together. They will be fine. You will see."

The manager of the airport opened the door and came in. "Commissioner Randall, I have a police radio for you so you can monitor the rescue. He brought plugged it in and placed it on the desk. The manager turned it to the proper frequency and turned up the volume. "If you need to talk to them, press this button and you will be heard by everyone with a police radio in his possession."

Della and Barbara hurried to the desk and stood behind Commissioner Randall to listen.

xxxxx

Dunlap led his dogs through the woods. Noses to the ground the dogs moved at a steady pace. All of sudden they stopped. Dunlap put up his hand in a signal to Ed to stop his officers. Ed called over the radio for his men to stop their forward progress. One of the bomb experts came forward to where Dunlap, Brown and the dogs had stopped.

"It's an IED," the man said. I'll disarm it. You go on a head. Dunlap turned to one of his handlers and said. Stay behind with Smokes and Jabber. Catch up with us as quickly as possible but stay behind those dogs. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir," the man answered. Dunlap and Ed moved their group forward. Mark and Carl followed directly behind them.

xxxxx

Lt. Arthur Tragg and Hamilton Burger followed the handler and six trained bomb-sniffing dogs. Tragg was carrying the police radio. "Ed and Dunlap just came up on their first bomb. It's being dismantled and the rest of the group is moving forward to stay on schedule."

"Tell Brown we are two bombs ahead of him," Burger said. He continued moving forward. Something snapped and Burger felt a stabbing pain around his leg. He let out a cry of pain.

Tragg ran over to him. "You've stepped in an animal trap. Someone give me a hand opening this thing." A couple of the officers helped Tragg open the trap and Burger removed his leg. "You can't walk on this, Hamilton."

"You are not leaving me behind," Burger insisted. "I can continue. I won't slow anyone down."

"Hamilton, this is bleeding. There is no way you can continue on this." Tragg opened his jacket and tore off the bottom portion of his shirt. He tied it around Burger's leg. "This will do until we can get you some medical help. Let's get moving. We have a schedule to keep."

While two officers helped Burger to his feet, Tragg got on his police radio. "This is Tragg, unit 2. Hamilton Burger just stepped in an animal trap. Be careful and watch out for more of those traps.

Hamilton grimaced as he put weight on his leg. Pain shot up his leg but nothing was going to stop him from getting to the cabin to help his friends.

xxxxx

"Earlier you said when you killed for the United States Government you were a hero but the truth is you really are a coward," Ironside said.

Castle looked at Ironside and growled, "You sit there in that chair, hide behind a building full of cops and you have the nerve to call me a coward?"

Perry understood what his brother was trying to do. "He's right, you are a coward. You try to justify homicide by comparing it to war and defense of this country."

"The big shot lawyer who spend all his time defending murderers lectures me about justification of killing someone. You help turn murderers loose every day so you can pick up big bucks and enjoy the notoriety."

"He defends innocent people. In almost every case, the real murdered was revealed by his methods. But, Perry is right. You can't compare an act of war with that of cold blooded murder," Ironside said.

"The government turned on me. I was the one they called in to do their dirty work and when they were done with me they threw me to the wolves," Castle yelled.

"You disobeyed an order and killed the leader of a country that started a war," Ironside said.

"Just like your brother, you have trouble understanding the difference between right and wrong," Perry added.

"The man I killed was a terrorist. The US had no business supporting him and then sending me in to kill others. He was no different," Castle screamed. "Leave my brother out of it."

"That was not for you to decide," Ironside said. "No more than it was for me to decide Bobby's punishment. I did my job. I arrested him. The courts, judge and jury decided his fate. You blame me but you then justify killing that leader because YOU decided he was no different than the others."

"Seems to me you are the one that took matters into your own hands, not Chief Ironside," Perry said.

"What would you know about what I do?" Castle said as he took a step forward. Otto was now slightly behind him.

"I served in the US Navy," Ironside barked at him. "I was held captive and tortured by the Japanese. The officer in charge is a friend of mine to this day. We both knew the difference between war and murder. Neither of us returned home figuring we had a justification for murder."

"Yes," Mason said. "You're a coward. You choose murder over admitting what you did was wrong. You cannot take responsibility for your own actions. You use what happened to you to justify killing us."

"Shut up! Both of you. I am sick of people like you who think you have the right to tell me what is right and wrong.

"Someone needs to tell you," Ironside said.

"Because you sure don't know the difference," Perry added.

"That's it. I have had enough of both of you," Castle yelled. He pointed at Mason and shouted, "Otto, hit!"

xxxxx