The Case of the Defenseless Prosecutor
Chapter 6
6.1
The baseball game played with the sound on low. Robert Ironside sat with his arm
around Barbara Jones in her apartment. The score on the game on television was tied four-four.
"Didn't you and Perry make a bet on these two teams?" Barbara asked him.
Ironside smiled, dimples prominent on both sides of his face. "I enjoy taking Perry's money. Anyone who would pick Los Angeles to end up with a better record than San Francisco deserves to lose their money."
Barbara laughed. "How much did the two of you bet?"
"Just fifty dollars," he answered.
"Well if you are so confident that San Francisco will win more games than Los Angeles then why did you not bet a larger sum?"
"Because I am not that confident," he grinned. "But I sure as hell would not let him know it."
Barbara laughed. "Would you like another drink, Bob?"
"No, I don't want to get pulled over for driving under the influence," he joked.
"Is there a police officer bold enough to pull over your van?"
"Probably not," he smiled. "I really should get going, it is getting late."
"Bob, why don't you stay here tonight?" Barbara suggested.
"That's an inviting invitation but I have to be up early. No, I had better go home, but I will tell you what. I will take you to dinner tomorrow night.
Barbara smiled and placed a hand on Ironside's cheek. "I'd like that. What time?"
"I'll pick you up at eight then." He leaned in and kissed her. Removing his arm from around her, he reached for his wheel chair and switch into it from the couch. Ironside wheeled over to the door. Barbara followed him.
"You know that is the most time we have spent together without your office calling since we got back from the Commissioner's cabin.'
"I told them not to bother me short of riot," Ironside said.
She smiled at him, bent down and kissed him one more time. "Goodnight, Bob."
"Goodnight, Barbara. I'll see you tomorrow night." Ironside wheeled his chair out the door to the van. He pushed the button on the lift and waited for it to come down. Ironside entered the lift and pushed the button. He got behind the wheel. Glancing one more time toward Barbara's apartment, he pulled the van into the street.
6.2
Commissioner Randall entered his office. His secretary had his morning cup of coffee sitting on his desk. He picked it up and took a sip. Also sitting on his desk was several messages. Randall looked them over. Having decided there was nothing there that could not wait; he sat down and continued drinking his coffee. The phone beside him rang. The intercom light was lit. "Yes, Susan," Randall answered.
"Commissioner, Lt. Arthur Tragg from the Los Angeles Police Department is on the line. He said it is important that he talk to you immediately."
"Alright Susan, put him on," Randall said.
After a moment the unmistakable voice of Arthur Tragg said, "Good morning commissioner. How are you this?"
"Fine, Lieutenant. I trust all is well with you?" Randall said.
"I am doing well but I have a problem to discuss with you. I need your help."
"By all means lieutenant. I certainly owe you one. What can I do for you?" Randall asked him.
"I am sure you have either read about the Conner Wolff trial or Chief Ironside has told you about it," Tragg began.
"Yes, of course. What about it?"
"Commissioner, one of the employees that was murdered was Hamilton Burger's goddaughter. The not guilty verdict has had quite an effect on him. Last night he was found with bloody knife in his hand in Conner Wolff's office at Johnson Tech."
Trying to contain his shook, Randall asked, "You can't believe he killed the man!"
"No commissioner, I do not believe he killed the man but you know as well as I do I have to go with the evidence available." Tragg said.
"My god, you arrested him for murder, didn't you?" Commissioner Randall asked.
"Yes commissioner. I had no choice but as I said, I do not believe, not even for a second, that he did it. That is why I am calling you."
"How can I help you lieutenant? Randall asked.
"Perry has come forward to defend Hamilton. The problem is Paul Drake is in Europe and cannot be reached. Perry needs an investigator he can trust. I will be investigating of course but I cannot appear bias for Hamilton or the district attorney's office will go over my head to have me removed from the case. So in the interest of justice I feel an outside cop investigating this would be best way to keep everyone happy."
Randall had a pretty good idea as to where this was going. He could not afford to lose Robert Ironside's services for what could be an extended period of time. He knew Bob would insist on taking his staff with him. How would he explain this one to the city council? They turned to Robert Ironside for every crime that upset their world. The city council could not live without Ironside heading up all the tough investigations. Yet the commissioner knew he owed this group of people, especially Perry. Perry had dropped what he was doing at Ironside's request and defended the commissioner against a murder he did not commit. How could he say no? He knew he could not.
"Lieutenant Tragg, who is requesting Bob Ironside's services, the Los Angeles police department or Perry Mason?
"Officially it is the Los Angeles Police Department so that you have cover for your city council but the truth is he will be working with Perry to clear Hamilton of this crime. Look commissioner, I know this puts you in a bit of a bind. Ironside is your top detective and giving up his services for what could be an extended period of time is asking a lot but with Paul not available Perry only trusts Bob Ironside to handle this," Tragg pleaded.
"Let me worry about my city council. I owe all of you and I am not about to turn my back on you. I will tell Bob Ironside myself that he is being temporarily assigned in Los Angeles," Randall said.
Tragg smiled. "Thank you commissioner. I knew we could depend on you. Please ask Chief Ironside to come to Los Angeles immediately. I will meet him at LA International and pick up him and his staff," Tragg said.
Commissioner Randall hung up the phone. He immediately pressed the intercom button. "Susan, call Chief Ironside's office. Tell him I am on my way over."
"Yes, commissioner."
Randall hung up the phone, took one more sip of coffee and left the office.
6.3
"Who was on the phone Mark?" Ironside barked.
"Commissioner Randall's office. He is on his way over. He said for you not to go anywhere. He needs to talk to you about something very important," Mark said.
"It better not be about that police brutality charge again," Ironside grumbled. "Where are Ed and Eve? It is almost nine thirty," Ironside complained.
"They are in court, chief. They had to testify on the Segal trial. They were the arresting officers," Mark said.
Ironside looked over at the television, which had on the morning news. On the screen was District Attorney, Hamilton Burger. The caption said, 'LA District Attorney arrested for the murder of Connor Wolff. Ironside wheeled over to the television and turned up the sound.
'Los Angeles District Attorney Hamilton Burger was arrested last night on suspicion of the murder of Connor Wolff. The LA prosecutor was discovered holding a knife covered in blood. Wolff was found nearby, dead of repeated stabbings to the chest. In a twist of fate Hamilton Burger's archrival in the courtroom, the renowned defense attorney, Perry Mason has stepped forward to defend the prosecutor. Burger will be arraigned this afternoon in circuit court. In other news…..'
Ironside wheeled back for toward the table. "Mark, get Perry on the phone for me," he called out.
Mark picked up the phone and began dialing. Ironside called downstairs. He ordered the officer to send up Los Angeles Times newspaper.
After a short conversation, Mark turned to his detective boss. "Chief, neither Perry nor Della has arrived at the office yet. Gertie said they are due in at any minute. I am not getting an answer on his cell phone either."
Twenty minutes later the office door opened and Commissioner Dennis Randall walked in and down the ramp. "Bob, we need to talk."
"Dennis, have you seen the news from Los Angeles?" Ironside asked.
"That is why I am here. I got a call from Lt. Tragg. He called to make a request?"
"What request?" Ironside asked.
"The Los Angeles wants to avoid the issue of bias so they want an outside investigator to come in and handle this case. Bob, they have requested you."
"Me? Dennis, does Tragg think Burger killed this man?" Ironside asked.
"No, in fact he doesn't. The real reason you are being asked to come in on this one is Paul Drake is in Europe and cannot be reached. Perry needs an investigator. He only trusts two people, Drake and you."
"But I will be expected to work with the Los Angeles Police Department," Ironside said.
"Tragg figures you are going to investigate this your way, since you always do anyway. Tragg calling you in is just a cover for me to give you the time away from here. It becomes cooperation between police departments. He wants you to leave today if it is possible."
"Are you officially authorizing this…..cooperation?" Ironside asked.
"Yes, I am. I owe these people." Randall said looking into the eyes of his friend.
"I want Mark, Ed and Eve to go with me," Ironside demanded.
"Somehow I knew you were going to say that. I don't know how I am going to justify that with the city council," Randall moaned.
Ironside grinned, "You'll find a way."
Randall shook his head. "Get this cleared up as quickly as you can Bob and get back here."
"Oh Dennis, one more thing. I'll need Carl Reese assigned to my office to handle the investigation here in San Francisco."
Randall sighed. "I knew you were going to say that too. I already called Captain Smith and had Lt. Reese temporally assigned to your office. He should be reporting to you anytime now."
"Dennis, you will have to put off the city council meeting concerning the police brutality nonsence." Ironside opened the LA paper that had just been delivered to his office.
"Nonsense, he calls it," Randall mumbled to no one in particular.
"Mark!" Ironside shouted.
"I am right here chief and ..."
"I know...there is nothing wrong with your hearing," Ironside finished for him. "Get on the phone and..." Ironside began ordering.
"Call the airlines and make reservations for the four of us to Los Angeles for this afternoon and..." Mark interrupted.
"Pack," Ironside finished.
Randall shook his head and smiled. "Do you two ever let the other finish his own sentences?"
"We may go on the road with this act," Ironside said with his signature dimpled grin.
Randall smiled, shook his head and headed for the door. "Clear it up as fast as you can Bob and get back here to your real job."
"Mark, get Barbara on the phone for me. Will you please?"
6.4
"Perry, Lt. Tragg here," he said into the telephone after Della switched him to Mason. "I am picking up Ironside and his staff at six. He could not get away any sooner. Ed and Eve had to testify in court on another case."
"Then Randall did not give us any trouble releasing Bob to help us?" Perry asked.
"Not even for a second. He agreed immediately. I am not sure I would want to be in his shoes trying to explain it to his city council," Tragg said.
"Bob rules that town. Dennis will be fine. Bring them to the scene of the murder. I want them to see it while it is fresh."
"Alright, Perry. I do that. I'll call when we are on the way," Tragg said and hung up.
Della walked around the desk and sat on the edge of it beside Mason. "So the commissioner authorized it immediately?"
Perry looked at Della and smiled. "I am sure he did it out of feeling obligated to me."
"So you took advantage of it," Della said.
"Well, I guess maybe I did but we need Bob's kind of investigating. He's the best at what he does," Perry answered.
"I suspect Robert would have found a way to come even if the commissioner had objected," Della surmised.
"You are probably right there, Della. Bob has a way of getting what he wants. Commissioner Randall rarely overrules him."
"Do we know if Robert's staff have made motel arrangements or shall I make them for them?"
"I haven't talked to Bob, Della. Go ahead and make the arrangements. Make sure two of the rooms are adjoining. Mark will need to assist Bob."
"Don't you think you better inform your parents that Robert is going to be in town? They might want to see him while he is here," Della suggested.
"There will be plenty of time for that. Right now, I want Bob to get familiar with this care and then he can take over the investigation from the LAPD with the exception of Lt. Tragg. He will help Bob with jurisdiction. However, after we are done at Johnson Tech, we should take Bob and his people to dinner. They are going to be hungry."
"I'll make reservations at Eddy's. You should ask Lt. Tragg to join us," Della said.
"Good idea. We will need to include him in everything. In the meantime, we need to get copies of everything. Let's go over what we have and then you can type it all up in a summary for Bob."
6.5
Ironside waited as Barbara's phone continued to ring. "Hello," Barbara said.
"You sound out of breath. Where were you?" Ironside asked.
Barbara warmed at the sound of his voice, "I was outside planting flowers. This place is sorely lacking in landscaping."
"It has you. Nothing else could possibly be as beautiful," Ironside said softly.
Barbara smiled. "Why Chief Ironside, I bet your staff has no idea you are such a sweet talker."
"I don't tell them everything," Ironside responded.
"I didn't think I would hear from you until tonight. Why do I get the feeling this is not just a social call?"
Ironside hated having to break their dinner date but he had no choice. He was concerned how Barbara would feel about him being out of town for what might be several weeks. "I called because I have to break our dinner date."
Disappointed Barbara asked, "Duty calls?"
"Yes. Something has come up. Have you read about Hamilton Burger being charged with murder in Los Angeles?"
"No, but I did see it on the news. I cannot believe he did it. I was happy to see your brother is going to defend him. What does that have to do with you?" She asked him.
"Paul Drake is in Europe. Lt. Tragg has asked Dennis to lend my services to the Los Angeles Police Department for the duration of the trial."
As she began to digest the information, Ironside had just given her she asked, "When are you leaving?"
"This afternoon. Our flight lands at six o'clock in LA. Barbara, I hate the thought of being separated from you for any length of time."
Trying to ease his concerns she told him, "We have endured separation before. Besides, I can come up on a weekend or two to see you if you would like."
"I would like," he confirmed. "Any chance you can stop by my office before I leave. I would like to see you."
"I'll be there in an hour," she said softly.
"See you then," Ironside said and hung up.
The door to the office opened and Lt. Carl Reese came in and down the ramp. "Hi chief. I understand you are going to need some help while you are in Los Angeles."
"Hello Carl. Yes. Ed, Eve and I are going to Los Angeles to help with the Burger murder investigation. I need you here to handle a part of the investigation here in San Francisco."
"Ok, chief. What do you want me to do?" Carl asked.
"Brit Bradford, the CEO of the Fox Tech Corporation fired an employee for stealing technology a couple years back. I was called in because he is a friend of the commissioner's. A day later, he dropped the charges. He would not give an explanation as to why. The employee's name was Daniel Moorey. We believe he was working with Conner Wolff in stealing and selling technology. We also believe he was blackmailed into silence."
"Ed and I visited him recently and he still refused to tell me why he dropped the charges. You are to get a court order and get a look at those records. Then I want you to check out the Conway Technology. Moorey worked there as well. Find out why he left and if he was stealing from them as well."
"Anything else?" Lt. Reese asked.
"That is it for now Carl. I am sure there will be more once we get into the investigation. Keep in touch with us," Ironside ordered.
Carl nodded and left the office. Ed and Eve passed him on the way in. "I don't believe it," Ed said.
"He got off, I heard," Ironside said. "Don't worry about it, Ed. He's a stupid crook. We'll get him. It will just take longer than we expected."
"We spent all that time in court. Chief, the evidence was there and the jury just put him back on the streets to do it again," Eve said. "It's frustrating to get up there on the stand and find out the jury just ignored our testimony."
"Let it go Eve," Ironside advised. "He will slip up sooner or later and we will get the conviction. There is something more important that requires our attention. Have either of you read the paper or watched the news?"
Ed and Eve exchanged a glance. "No, I haven't," Ed said.
"Neither have I," Eve told her boss.
"Hamilton Burger has been arrested for the murder of Conner Wolff," Ironside told them.
Shock registered on both faces of Ed and Eve. "I can't believe it," Eve said.
"Lt. Tragg has requested our services. We are flying to Los Angeles in an hour and a half so I suggest you both go home and pack or you are going to be wearing the same clothes for quite a while. Since Mark and I have to work with you, we would prefer you have several changes of clothes," Ironside said.
Eve got up. "Clothes have never been a problem." She got up and headed for the door. "I'll be back with a very full suitcase. Eve headed out the door.
Ironside stared at his sergeant. "And why are you still here, Sgt. Brown?
"I'm going," Ed waved his hand.
On his way out Barbara walked in. Ironside turned his chair toward her. "Mark, would you put the suitcases in the van please."
Recognizing his boss wanted privacy; Mark grabbed the suitcases and left the office. Ironside wheeled toward Barbara. He pulled her to him and kissed her. "Thank you for dropping by. I had to see you before we left."
Barbara placed her hand on his cheek. "I am going to miss you. You will call me every day?"
"You can count on it," Ironside said softly.
"You better shave before you leave Bob. You are supporting quite a beard there." She smiled at him.
"It has always grown quite fast. When I retire I am going to quite shaving and grow a beard."
"I think you would look handsome with a beard," Barbara said. "The girls will be sorry they missed you. They are coming for a visit tomorrow. They wanted to surprise you."
Disappointed showed on Ironside's face. "You will explain to them why I am not here?"
"Of course. They will be disappointed. They were looking forward to seeing you but I am sure they will understand. I better get going and let you get ready to leave. I love you, Bob."
Ironside smiled. "I love you. I will call you tonight after I have had a chance to talk to Tragg and Perry. Give the girls my love." He pulled her to him one more time and kissed her goodbye. She caressed his cheek and left his office.
6.6
What a lucky break, he thought. How fortunate for him that Hamilton Burger could not let go. He walked right into a murder rap. He thought the district attorney was smarter than that. He got out of there just in time. Another minute and Burger would have discovered him with the police right behind him. He had Burger's obsession with Wolff to thank for that.
The one thing that bothered him was Perry Mason. Why in the world would that man defend Burger? Burger was his enemy. Yet he was going to defend him. It just did not make sense. Mason was a bulldog. He never gave up until he found out the truth. He would have to keep an eye on him. He could not allow him to get close to the truth. He would have to stop him…..the same way he stopped Conner Wolff.
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