The Case of the Defenseless Prosecutor
Chapter 07
7.1
Mark pulled the van up to the drop off for departing passengers. Ed got out of the van as did Mark. Both men waited until Chief Ironside lowered his chair down to the ground. Mark jumped back into the van and began removing the luggage. Ed took each suitcase from him and set them on the curb.
An airport employee approached them. "Sir, I have been instructed to check you in inside. We have a window waiting for you. I understand that you are all police officers."
Chief Ironside pointed at Mark and said, "All except Mr. Sanger. He is my aide."
Lt. Carl Reese pulled up to the curb. As he got out of the vehicle, a uniformed policeman got out from the passenger side. He walked around the vehicle, got in the driver's side and drove the car away. Reese approached Chief Ironside. "Sorry I am late chief. I was held up at headquarters. Are the keys in the van?" He asked.
Mark answered for his boss by tossing the keys to Ironside's van at Carl. "Call me with your return flight and I will pick you up. Carl nodded at them, got into the van and drove away.
The airport employee walked over to Chief Ironside and said, "Chief, if you will follow me I will get you and your people checked in. Did you bring a crate for that dog?" He asked.
Ironside looked back at Otto and said firmly, "Otto come." The German Shepherd ran over to his master without hesitation. "The airport told me they would provide the crate since we did not have an airline approved crate."
"I will see to it you have one sir. Did you bring his health papers?" The man asked.
"Mark has them." The man headed into the airport. Ironside and his staff followed him in. When they arrived at the counter, a man walked over with sizable Vari Kennel crate. The clerk behind the counter began checking them in. Ironside checked in first.
"Sir, if you will turn your weapons over to us, we will see to it you receive them back in Los Angeles.
Surprised Ironside objected, "I was told by the TSA that my officers and I would be able to carry the weapons on board the plane."
"I am sorry sir but I have nothing that authorizes that," he said.
"Then I suggest you find your supervisor and ask him to come down to this counter," Ironside said.
"Her," the clerk said.
"What," Ironside asked.
"Her. My supervisor is a woman Chief Ironside."
"Then please ask her to come down here."
The clerk picked up the phone and called for his supervisor over the airport loud speaker. Within five minutes a middle age woman who looked like she had not slept in a week came up to the police detectives. "What is the problem?" She asked.
"Chief Ironside does not want to surrender his gun or those of his officers," she told her supervisor.
"That is because it has been arranged for Chief Ironside to keep them on his person. Chief, please present your badges at the security. We have already informed them you will be allowed to keep the guns onboard. Since there is room in first class, we will be bumping you and your people to first class."
"Thank you," Ironside said. He looked at his boarding pass and indeed, they had been moved to first class. When he finished he heard his name called by a familiar voice. He turned around to see Barbara standing there.
Ironside wheeled over to her. He smiled and said, "I thought we said goodbye in the office. He took her by the hand.
"I just wanted to see you again before you left," she said returning the smile.
"I am coming back," Ironside said with amusement.
"I know that. It is just going to be a long separation. I wanted to see you."
He squeezed her hand. "I am glad you came."
Ed finished checking in. When he turned around, he watched his boss with Barbara. Eve walked up behind him. "It's not nice to eavesdrop," she told him.
Ed looked back at Eve and smiled. "It can't be considered eavesdropping when you are too far away to hear what is being said."
"At the very lease you are not minding your own business," Eve said.
"There is no law against watching them. Besides, I do not understand. Why is she here? I thought they already said goodbye," Ed said.
"Why Ed, I don't believe it. You are just jealous because a beautiful woman did not come to the airport to see you off," she smiled.
"Huh, with the hours the chief works us, I can't keep a beautiful woman around for long. They actually expect you to show up for a date," Ed grumbled.
Eve laughed at Ed. "Come on Romeo we better help the clerk at the counter check in Otto so that he doesn't eat him. Ed and Eve walked back to the counter. The clerk was just finishing putting the proper identification on Otto's kennel. As he reached for Otto to lead him into his crate, Otto bared his teeth and growled.
Ironside heard Otto growled. He turned his chair around and watched as the startled clerk jumped back from Otto. "Barbara I better get Otto into that crate. I'll call you when I land." Barbara bent down and Ironside kissed her before wheeling his chair back to the Otto.
Mark was trying to push Otto into the crate. Otto splayed all four legs making it impossible for Mark to accomplish the deed.
"Otto," barked Ironside. "Kennel up!" Otto stood up and walked into the crate. Mark latched the door. He looked up at his boss.
"You just have to know the language," Ironside said. "Take good care of my dog."
The clerk nodded with a look on his face that said I have no intentions of going near him.
After going through security, Ironside led his staff to gate sixteen. A pretty flight attendant recognized him, left her station and went over to him. "Chief Ironside, if you would like to board the plane right now sir, we will be happy to assist you."
Ironside smiled at the flight attendant and said, "Lead the way." He called out over his shoulder to his staff, "See you on the plane."
7.2
Ironside deplaned ahead of all the other passengers. He waited for his staff to come down the ramp. After an hour delay, their flight had finally landed in Los Angeles. Ed, Eve and Mark came through the gate. When Ironside spotted them, he called out, "Ed, over here."
Ed turned his head in the direction of his boss's voice and headed toward him. Eve and Mark followed.
"Let's get our luggage and find Tragg," Ironside said. They followed the signs to luggage pick up. After Ed and Mark had located their entire luggage, Mark put money in one of the cart machines and the two of them loaded their luggage onto the cart.
Ironside watched his efficient staff with Eve standing at his side. She rested her hand on his shoulder. From behind, Lt. Tragg said, "Welcome to Los Angeles, chief."
Ironside turned his wheel chair toward Lt. Tragg. "Lieutenant, it's good to see you. One of these days we are all going to get together when there is no murder to deal with."
"I look forward to it, Chief Ironside. I have taken the liberty to find you a van much like the one you drive around in San Francisco. It has a lift as well. The Captain wants you to be completely independent to do your job while you are here."
"Thank you lieutenant. I trust Della has made hotel arrangements for us."
"My understanding is that she has. Perry has asked that we bring you directly to the crime scene. He wants you to see it before anything is disturbed. So if you and your people will follow me, I will take you to the van."
"Just a moment lieutenant. We have one more police officer to pick up," Ironside informed him.
"Another officer? Did you bring Lt. Reese with you as well?" He asked Ironside.
"No. There is some investigating I need him to do in San Francisco. No this officer needs a bit of guidance from me."
A large dolly containing a dog crate was being rolled in their direction. When it arrived Otto began pawing the door and whining as soon as he saw Ironside."
Tragg looked at the crate and said, "Your other officer?"
Ironside grinned. "That's right." He wheeled over to the dolly, reached up and unlatched the kennel door. Otto came bounding out, wagging his tail wildly and grabbing Ironside's hand in his mouth without clamping down with his teeth.
Tragg looked over at Otto and said, "Chief, if you have gone to the dogs then Hamilton is really in trouble"
Ironside grinned. "He has already saved both my and Perry's life. He may well do the same for Mr. Burger."
"The van is right outside. We better not keep Perry waiting," Tragg said.
Mark pushed his boss out the door. Everyone headed to where he had parked the van.
Tragg pushed the button and the lift came down. Ironside backed on to the lift and Tragg again pushed the button that would activate the lift and carry Ironside into the air.
After everyone was settled, Tragg pulled the van into the street. "I hope you do not mind me taking over your duties Mark." Tragg glanced in the rear view mirror at Mark.
"Not at all," Mark replied. "It gives the chief someone else's driving to complain about."
"It could not possibility be any worse than yours," Ironside grumbled.
Tragg smiled. "I can see nothing has changed."
Ed and Eve exchanged a glance with smiles on their faces. No indeed nothing had changed.
Tragg pulled up to the side door of the Johnson Tech building. "We will go in this entrance. This is in fact the entrance that Hamilton used to enter the building."
7.3
Tragg pulled the van beside the side door at the Johnson Technology building. Ironside wheeled into the life and lowered his chair to the ground. Everyone got out of the van and followed the chief toward the door. Suddenly Ironside stopped. "Eve, what is that?" He asked.
Eve came forward. She pulled a tissue out of her purse, bent down and picked up the object. Eve turned and handed it to the chief.
"It's a flash drive," Ironside said. Just how did it get out here?"
"Several of those were found on the desk in Connor Wolff's office," Tragg offered.
"Then maybe it was removed and dropped by the killer," Ed surmised.
Ironside put the flash drive into his suit pocket. He continued to look around. Eve, Ed and Mark followed the chief's lead and did the same. After a few minutes, Lt. Tragg called out, "here's another one. He picked up the flash drive with a handkerchief and handed it to Ironside.
A ten-minute search did not result in the discovery of anymore flash drives. "Lieutenant, you said more of these were found on the desk in Wolff's office?" Ironside asked.
"That is correct," Tragg replied.
"Have you had the chance to check the drives as to what is on them?" Ironside asked.
"No, not yet. The captain told us not to touch anything. He ordered everyone to wait until you arrived since he knew you were coming right away."
"Alright, we will have them checked for fingerprints first and then we'll see what is on them, if anything." Ironside said. "We better join Perry."
Mark walked ahead and opened the door to the building. Ironside put a hand on both sides of the doorframe and pulled himself into the building. Everyone entered behind him. Mark took his place behind the chief's chair and began to push while Ironside continued turning the wheels on his chair.
It's the third door on the left chief," Tragg said.
Ironside looked to his left and mentally counted the doors as they passed them. When he arrived at the door, he found it open. There in the room his brother was squatted down looking at something. When Ironside entered the room, Perry was so engrossed in what he was looking at he did not notice Ironside's entrance.
Della stood up and walked over to Chief Ironside. "Robert, it is good to see you again. I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances." She bent down and kissed Ironside's cheek.
"Hello, Della. You are as beautiful as ever." He smiled and kissed the back of Della's hand.
Perry attention was now drawn away from what he was looking at. He strolled over to his brother. "Bob, you are looking well." He offered his hand to Ironside who shook it.
Ironside looked over at Mark. "No thanks to Mr. Sanger's cooking."
Della and Perry laughed. "I am quite surprised he has not poisoned you on purpose yet. By the way Mark if you ever do, I'll defend you," Perry said drawing a laugh from everyone.
Ironside brought the discussion back to business. What were you looking at when we came in?"
Perry handed him three business cards, one from Glen Conway of Conway Technology, Bradley Thomas of Stimson Corporation, and David Morrow of Tennison Technology.
"Perry, we have to find the connection between these companies and Connor Wolff." Ironside put the business cards in his pocket. He looked around the room. "Where was the body found?"
Tragg walked to the back of the room. "Over here."
Ironside wheeled to the back of the room. Perry joined him. Bloodstains were still on the floor. Ironside's eyes were following something along the floor. Perry watched his brother and knew that he had discovered what he did a few minutes ago. "He was not stabbed where he was found," Perry said.
"No, he wasn't. Someone tried to clean the blood off the floor. They might have gotten away with it if it weren't for the cracks where the tiles meet," Ironside observed. "Lt. Tragg, did anyone check these cracks for blood?"
A bit embarrassed at having missed the blood in the cracks of the floor, Tragg walked over to Ironside and Mason. "No chief, I am afraid we missed that."
"Can we get someone in here to follow the trail in the cracks and record it for the record?" Tragg was already on the phone.
"Perry where would you say Wolff was stabbed?" Ironside asked his brother.
"The trail of blood in the cracks leads over to this desk," Eve said.
"She's right, Bob. It stops at the desk. He must have been stabbed over here and dragged to the back of the room." Perry said.
Ed was looking at the floor. "I don't think he was dragged."
Perry walked over to where Ed was standing. "What do you based that on?"
"Well look at this floor. If he had been dragged…."
"There would have been scuff marks from his shoes," Perry said.
"Could he have clean off the scuff marks?" Della asked.
"Not off this floor. Marks do not come off this type of flooring that easy," Perry said. "No, Ed is right. He was not dragged."
"Connor Wolff was a big man. Not as big as Perry or Chief Ironside but big enough Hamilton could never have carried him to the back of the room alone," Tragg said.
Mark asked, "Did Mr. Burger have blood anywhere on his clothing or body other than his hands?"
"No," Tragg said.
"This is an important discovery," Perry said. "It means we are looking for….."
"More than one killer," Ironside said.
"Chief, the killer or killers had to get out of this room. Hamilton said he picked up the knife because he heard someone else in the room. They did not go out that door. They would have to have gone right past Hamilton to do it. So how did they get out of the room?" Eve asked.
"Good question. Ed get back there and see if there is any other way out of here," Ironside ordered.
Ed walked to the back of the room. He checked the windows. "He did not go out these windows. If the curtains were drawn, they would have blocked the light from the streetlights. If they opened them, the light would have allowed Hamilton to identify them."
Perry joined Ed at the window. He looked to his right. Something caught his eye as everyone watched him turn and go to the right. He disappeared behind a partition. "Ed, give me a hand."
Ed traced Perry's steps and joined him behind the partition. Tragg walked over and looked on. Ed and Perry opened one side of a board that covered a window. "I think they have discovered how our killers got out." Tragg said.
Perry stepped through the large window. He looked outside. It led to an area that was surrounded by building walls on three sides. Perry looked around. There were no lights of any kind out in the area. It was pitch black. He climbed back through the window. He and Ed rejoined the group. "If our killers opened either of those windows, Hamilton would not have known it," Perry told the group. That area out there has walls on three sides and there are no lights back there. It is completely in the dark. They must have left through those windows when Hamilton came into the room."
"Eve, check out the ground outside that window. Do we have a flashlight anywhere?" Ironside asked.
"I have one out in the van," Tragg said as he left the room."
"Perry, I hope you did not traipse around on the ground out there?" Ironside asked.
"No, I stood on the ledge outside the window." Perry smiled.
A few minutes later Tragg returned with the flashlight. "Eve, you and Della are the smallest of us. Get out on that ledge and see if there are any foot prints out there."
Eve went to the window and stepped outside. The ledge was actually quite wide so she could comfortably stand on it. She shinned the flashlight on the ground and indeed she could spot one set of footprints.
Della stepped out on the ledge with her. Eve pointed out the footprints. "There's only one set of prints in the dirt down there," Della said.
"If the other man moved down the ledge that way," Eve pointed to her left, "then he would have stepped down into the thick grass. Chances of finding any prints would be next to impossible in that grass. We got lucky that one of them stepped in the mud." Both turn around and went back into the building.
"Well?" Ironside barked.
"Chief, someone did indeed leave by that window. There is only one set of footprints but a second killer could have stepped down into the grass. It is rather thick off to the left," Eve said.
"Mark, go get Otto. Put a lead on him and take him around the back. Take a flashlight with you. See if he can track how those two left here. But keep him out of the mud. I don't want those footprints disturbed." Mark left the room.
"Doesn't this dampen the case against Hamilton," Della asked. "After all he could not have carried Connor Wolff to the back of the room and the footprints prove that someone left this room."
"No, Della. First of all the prosecution will make the case that Conner Wolff stumbled to the back of the room after he was stabbed. They will also make the case that Hamilton made those footprints himself to throw off suspicion from him," Perry said.
"Perry is right Della. This is a start but we are going to need a lot more than this to clear Hamilton," Ironside said.
Mark entered the room with Otto. The dog ran right for Ironside. He patted Otto on the head and said, "Otto, down." Otto obeyed and laid down on the floor."
"Chief, Otto ran along the left side of the building. He headed right into the woods. I followed him until he lost the scent. There is what appears to be a creek back there. Otto kept running back and forth, whining. The killers must have entered that creek. Otto could not track them any further," Mark said. "I could not find any tracks leading into the water but he paced back and forth in the same area."
"Ok, there is not much else we can do here, tonight. We will let Lt. Tragg's man handle the rest. I am hungry. Perry, you don't suppose there is somewhere we could get a decent meal," Ironside said glancing over at Mark.
"It is not my fault you eat chili two to three times a week," Mark said.
"It happens to be the only thing you know how to cook," Ironside claimed.
Eve knew if she did not interrupt this banter between Mark and the Chief, it would escalate and as amusing as it would be she was hungry and was sure everyone else was as well. "Ok, let's go get something to eat. I would suggest Chief that you try something besides chili since you will probably have Mark fix it the first day we get back."
A chuckle or two was heard as everyone headed out the door.
7.4
Lighting a cigarette, he sat down behind the desk. His companion was already smoking his own cigarette. He looked to the man in front of the desk. "So what is it you wanted to tell me?"
The other man puffed his cigarette and blew small circles into the air. "Ironside arrived at the airport today. Tragg was there to pick him up."
"So what is the problem? You ought to be able to keep an eye on Ironside and Tragg," he said to him.
As he continued puffing, the second man grunted. "It isn't just Ironside and Tragg we have to worry about."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ironside brought his entire staff with him including a German Shepherd dog," the second man said.
"A dog? Ironside doesn't have a dog. He has two cops and an aide."
"Well he brought a dog. Called him Otto."
"I don't like this. I only expected Ironside. I figured we would have to keep an eye on Ironside and Tragg, not to mention that nosy lawyer, Mason. I wasn't figuring on Ironside's staff. They have a reputation for being very good."
"Of course," the second man said. "Ironside trained them. What are we going to do?"
"We have to keep a close watch on them. We can't allow them to find out the truth. Burger walking into the murder scene was not planned but it is something we must take advantage of. We have to make sure the murder charge sticks."
"My source tells me the case against Burger is damn good," the second man said.
"Many cases have been…shall we say slam dunk case and Perry Mason screws them up. Combine him with Ironside…well we just can't take any chances. Keep a very close eye on Ironside. He and Mason will work closely together. If they get too close, we will have to kill them.
"Why don't we just kill them now?" The second man asked.
"Because it would get Tragg thinking and we would still have a problem. He probably already doubts that Burger killed Wolff. He has worked with Burger for years. I think that is the reason Ironside was brought in. You don't really believe that crap about an impartial investigation. How could it be? Ironside's brother is the defense attorney. Do you really think Ironside would work against Mason to convict Burger. That is all just cover. He is here to help Tragg and Mason clear Burger. So watch Ironside and Mason. We won't kill them unless we have to."
"Alright, have it your way. But I will not go down because of Ironside and Mason. If they find out too much, I am taking them out," the second man told him.
"Just be sure we discuss it before you do. Is that clear."
"It's clear," the second man confirmed knowing fully well he would take out Ironside and Mason the first chance he got.