March 24th, Ironside's office
"Why in blazes was that flaming hamster here in the first place?" Ironside wanted to know.
"Steve has a visitor for three weeks, an old grand-aunt or something from Europe, and she's afraid of mice."
"A hamster is not a mouse, is it?!"
"No, but Steve wasn't sure if his grand-aunt would notice the difference before going into hysterics. Therefore he asked me to take care of Bobby for the time being. He brought me the cage with the hamster just this morning. Somehow Bobby must have gotten out. I didn't even know Andy was here."
Secretly Ironside had to agree with his assistant: the suspect looked terribly as if he had got himself outside the hamster for breakfast. Before starting with the chili, that was.
"The kid will be devastated." And it was all Ed's fault.
"Mike Stone brought the cat up because they expect a group of dog handlers today. Said that the poor beastie would be frightened to death." Ironside liked dogs and he didn't have anything against cats, but he found the department's fuss about this particular animal rather ridiculous. And now a hamster causing his Sergeant to neglect his duties... that was definitely over the top!
But when he saw the tender-hearted young man's dejected face he took pity of him. Of course he wouldn't have the heart to tell Steve Keller that his pet was dead. And that it was his beloved cat who had caused the untimely demise. "Do you remember what that hamster looked like?" He expected a positive answer, since he had trained the man himself.
Ed closed his eyes, then he nodded. "Yeah, he was a Syrian hamster, medium size, classical colors brown and..."
"Don't trouble me with the details! I only want to know if you can find a similar one."
Brown was baffled. "Chief, that's... you mean, I could... right now...?"
"Of course right now. That kid detective may come up any moment and ask how his furry friend is doing."
"I, I ... thank you, Sir!" The sergeant picked up his jacket and hurried up the ramp.
"Take all the time you need – up to thirty minutes!" the older man shouted after him.
Same time, San Francisco International
Meanwhile Mike and a very nervous looking Steve with slightly shorter hair than usual were waiting at the airport for the arrival of the dreaded aunt. "Maybe she didn't make the flight- you know? Old people often get sick very unexpectedly and can't travel…" Steve sounded hopeful.
Mike ran his hand through Steve's short hair. "And you would have shorn your locks for nothing? I hope not! Besides, wouldn't have somebody contacted you if she couldn't travel?"
Steve nodded sadly. "I guess…"
"And Steve, think of her old age, how many more years will she be able to travel? This might be the last time and you will have to make it memorable for her."
Steve seemed to perk up at that thought, but his face clouded over again when he pointed at a small white haired lady who approached with quite a spring in her step. "Here she comes…" he sighed and with a forced smile rushed to greet her.
Mike hung back and enjoyed every second of the scene. The old lady shrieked with joy and a long and loud exclamation in German followed. She pulled a reluctant Steve to her ample chest and smothered him with kisses, stroked his hair, patted his cheeks and kissed him again. Steve squirmed and tried to get out of the firm head lock, but to no avail. Mike decided it was time to come to the rescue and break up the joyful- or not so very joyful- reunion of grandaunt and grandnephew. The distraction of a new arrival proved to be enough for Steve to wriggle free and make the introductions. "Auntie, this is my partner Lieutenant Mike Stone!"
She looked Mike up and down and pinched Steve's cheek. "You mean- your boss, don't you, Stiefelchen?" She held out her hand to Mike and smiled. In spite of Steve's horror stories Mike genuinely liked what he saw. Okay, being at the receiving end of her affection must be something else, but…
"I'm so happy to meet you, Mr Stone!" In spite of the heavy accent, her English was very good, Mike was pleased to notice. "You know, my nephew in Munich is with the police and he tells me the most exciting stories." She gushed.
"I can't wait to hear them, but for now why don't I get your luggage while you catch up with Steve here!" he suggested.
"Oh no, let the boy deal with the suitcase. A man in your position shouldn't have to deal with such things any more. That's why my nephew Herbert has his assistants…"
Steve nodded in agreement and rushed off to collect the suitcase, but Mike found that he took his sweet time returning.
By the time they arrived at Steve's apartment and Aunt Matilda had disappeared in the bathroom to freshen up, Steve was worn out by the constant stream of chatter and sank on the sofa, exhausted.
"I don't understand what you are on about! I think she is really cute!" Mike chided. "Reminds me a bit of the old aunts from my mother's side."
Steve was less than convinced. "She doesn't pinch your cheeks and calls you Stiefelchen!" he complained.
"Actually, I meant to ask you this- what is the meaning of this Stevelken business?"
"Oh, some German diminutive of Steve, I think." The young man blushed ever so slightly. "And Mike, please, if you are my friend, don't EVER call me that!"
Mike realized that there was a time and a season for everything, but now was not the time for teasing.
"Steve, how about I drop you off in the Bureau to finish the reports and I bring your aunt to the shops. And then we'll pick you up and take her out for dinner." Mike suggested and was rewarded with a look of heartfelt gratitude.
"Oh, Mike, I really owe you big time!"
Ironside's office
Actually it took Ed until after lunch to find a hamster looking almost like Bobby. He knew that he risked being bawled out by his boss for being late, but it was worth it.
He put the animal into the spacious cage. His stomach was growling because he had skipped lunch, but he didn't care. He got himself a cup of the ever-available brew Mark called 'coffee' and started to work feverishly, hoping to make up for the lost time. There was a series of murders situated in the world of prostitution. Young men as well as prostitutes had been killed. In Sgt. Brown's eyes every killing was an unacceptable waste of life. Still there was a difference. The men consciously put their lives at risk, but what he absolutely couldn't stomach were the deaths of the women, or rather girls. Many of them had come up from the country or from Mexico. They had no money, no proper education and no chance to get out of the swamp. Ed felt that the least he could do was to fight for justice for them, and to prevent further murders.
Keller didn't show up. Only Lt. Mike Stone did. He picked up Andy, who had been sleeping contentedly on Ironside's couch, digesting his extended breakfast. His glance fell upon the hamster cage and he recognized it as being Steve's. "Looks like you had another guest today... thanks for taking care of our menagerie!"
"You owe me four servings of good chili!" grumbled the Chief.
"Didn't you notice that we delivered Andy complete with a can of cat food?" laughed Mike.
"Yes, I did, but the cat didn't bother to open the can. It just devoured what was available!"
Chuckling but not understanding the double meaning of his words Mike left with Andy.