The Case of the Defenseless Prosecutor
Chapter 09
9.1
Perry and Hamilton entered the Brent Building and took the elevator to floor that housed Perry's office. The ride up started in silence. Hamilton glanced over at Perry. "I still cannot believe you just forked over your own money to pay my bail."
Perry smiled. "Has opposing me in court been so unpleasant that you would think I would just turn my back on you when you are in trouble?"
Burger shook his head. "No, no….that is not what I am saying. Actually, Perry, I was thinking about that just recently. No, you bring out the best in me in court. I always know when you are the opposing attorney you have the capability of blowing my cases out of the water at any given time. I have to be on my toes, sharp and alert. I have never beaten you in court but eventually you are going to be wrong about a client. You will defend a guilty client sooner or later and I will be the one that will stop you from turning that client loose on society."
"Hamilton, if the time comes that I make a mistake and defend a guilty client, I pray you are the one prosecuting the case. I would welcome you beating me if my client is indeed guilty. I never want to turn a murder loose to kill again and I would stand the best chance of being stopped if you are prosecuting." Perry said looking straight in the eyes of his friend.
The door to the elevator opened. The two men stood for a moment looking at the other. What began as a difficult rivalry had grown into a friendship, which had one man coming to the aide of the other. A mutual respect had developed between them… a friendship cemented for life. Hamilton knew Perry would move mountains to prove his innocence.
Perry stepped out of the elevator. "Time to put you to work." He started down the hall. Hamilton followed. When they reached the office, Perry opened the door and held it open for Hamilton to enter ahead of him.
"Good morning, Mr. Mason." Gertie looked up. She had always had a dislike for the district attorney, mostly because he gave her boss such a hard time. Recently though her opinion of the Hamilton Burger had begun to change. Ever since Burger and her boss had worked together in San Francisco, she realized he was not such a bad guy after all. Mr. Mason certainly seemed to respect and like Mr. Burger. He transferred several clients to other attorneys in order to defend Mr. Burger. Even Miss Street seemed to like him. So how could she hold on to any animosity toward him?
"Good morning Gertie. Is Miss Street in yet?"
"Yes sir. She is in your office, setting it up for your meeting."
Perry motioned for Hamilton to follow him. They went into the outer office. The door to Perry's office was open. Perry peaked in. Della had gotten out the larger coffee percolator, which had long been retired for the smaller coffee drip machine. Della must have figured a lot of coffee was going to be consumed. Plugged into the wall was the cord to the sweeper. Chairs had been set up all over the room. Perry chuckled to himself. Thank god for Della. He had not even thought about where he was going to seat all the people that would soon be appearing at the door of his office. But Della, she was a step ahead of him. No wonder she was the head of his office!
"Looks like we are expecting company," Perry said with a grin.
"Leave it to you to show up after everything is done," Della smiled.
Perry's intercom sounded. Della walked across the room and picked it up. "Yes, Gertie." She listened for a moment and said, "Show Lt. Tragg in please."
A moment later Lt. Arthur Tragg came into the room. "Good morning," Tragg greeted everyone. He walked over to Hamilton and offered his hand."
"Arthur, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be helping Wayland Grant," Hamilton said.
"Mr. Grant doesn't know it yet but Chief Ironside requested I be assigned to him for the duration of the trial. The chief called me and told me to report here. I had planned on being here before he ordered me here anyway," Tragg told Burger.
"Thanks Arthur. Your help will be appreciated. Burger accepted Tragg's hand and shook it."
"Grant could not have seriously thought I would not work with you. Why, we have been working together for years," Tragg's smile showed only at the corner of his lips.
"Is Perry back," Ironside's loud voice could be heard in the reception area of the office. Ironside appeared at the door of Perry's office. He grabbed hold of the doorframe on both sides of the door and pulled his wheel chair into the room. He was followed by Ed, Eve and Mark. "I smell coffee. Thank you Della."
"Della? How do you know I did not make the coffee?" Perry said.
"Well if you did I'll have Mark dump it and we can start over." Ironside's booming voice carried throughout the room. Laughter sounded as the banter had begun between the two brothers.
"How did your meeting with Captain Brandt go, Bob?" Perry asked as Della began pouring coffee and distributing it around the room.
"He pretty much gave me the key to the city," Ironside answered.
"Only the mayor can do that," Perry ribbed Ironside to more laughter.
Ironside ignored his brother. "I got a look at the evidence against Hamilton and spoke to some of the police officers. The gossip seems to be that we are going to be given a free hand to solve this case. There will be no interference from the Captain Brandt or the city council. They want this solved as quickly and with as little publicity as possible."
"They want no publicity? That is just like a city council. The want us to keep the publicity down on a case that has the district attorney charge with murder, who is being defended by the most famous attorney in the country. Then they call in the most celebrated detective in the country, who happens to be the defense attorney's brother and then tell us to keep the publicity down," Tragg said sarcastically. Again, laughter spread through the room.
"I think we can safely say the press is going to have a field day with this one," Sgt. Brown said.
"Alright, let's get down to business. Everyone here has been at the scene of the murder. What Hamilton doesn't know yet is that there was most certainly someone in that room with him." Ironside went on to tell Hamilton what had been discovered the night before when he and his staff went back to the murder scene. "Hamilton, did you get a look at the individual at all….even if it was only the shape. It would possibly give us the height and build of who was in that room."
"I am sorry chief. The drapes were drawn. The room was completely dark. From what you say, if whoever it was left by that secluded window, no light would have entered the room to allow even a shape for me to see," Burger answered.
"Hamilton did the man say anything. Did you hear anyone talking, perhaps as you entered or approached the room?" Eve asked.
Burger tried to think back to when he entered the room. Nothing came to mind. "No, Eve. I do not remember hearing anything until that noise. Then I picked up the knife and froze. That is when Lt. Tragg shined that light in my eyes and turned on the lights.
"What kind of noise?" Della asked. "Someone moving around in the room…..opening a window?
"Actually it sounded like a creaky door or window opening."
"Perry, when you opened that window, did it make any noise?" Ironside asked.
"Come to think of it…" Perry began
"It creaked…..that is the board Perry pulled away from the window creaked," Ed interrupted.
"We can be pretty sure that the killer was in that room and left by way of that window," Ironside said. "Lt. Tragg, check around and find out if anyone was seen leaving between the buildings."
"Alright, chief. But chances are no one did. At that time of night the street is pretty deserted."
"We won't know unless we check it out," Ironside responded.
"I'll check it out chief," Tragg said.
"Bob, we need to check out those two corporations. I want to talk to the CEO's of Harris and Johnson." Perry said.
"You and I are going to do that today. You take Johnson and I will take Harris. Mark, I want you to check what is on those flash drives. Start with the ones Hamilton took out of the police department. Wayland Grant is going to find out about them and I want them checked before he comes after them. Then check the ones we found outside Johnson Technology."
Perry took over. "Ed, start with the Tennison and the Stimson Corporations. Find out everything you can regarding any connection with Connor Wolff or Daniel Moorey. We have to find Daniel Moorey. So far, we do not have the faintest idea where he is. You have to find him, Ed."
"We'll find him," Ed replied. "I could use Eve's help unless you have something in mind for her."
"Eve, work with Ed," Ironside said. "Hamilton, what are the chances the lawyers in this town will talk to you?"
"Perry's talking to me. I can't promise anything beyond that? Why?"
"I think Bob wants Richard Littleton checked out. What was he doing at the Johnson Technology the night of the murder?" Perry inquired.
"And if he was there to see Connor Wolff…..what was it about. I have a hunch he was involved with Wolff and the theft of technology from those corporations," Ironside said.
"I know of several attorneys that have no use for Littleton. They might be willing to talk to me about him. I'll give it a try," Hamilton said.
"Get one thing straight, Hamilton" Ironside looked at him with that piercing blue glare. "You are to stay completely away from Littleton. I do not want you within a mile of the Johnson Technology either. If you disobey me at all, I will see to it you spend the rest of this trial and investigation sitting in a cell. Do I make myself clear?"
Hamilton did not like being dressed down by Ironside in front of everyone but he understood the chief's reasoning so he said nothing about it. "Yes, chief. I understand."
"Alright then. Everyone reports to either Perry or me. Any questions" Ironside asked. No one spoke up. "Well if you have no questions then why are you still sitting here?" Ironside bellowed.
That broke up the meeting as everyone started filing out of Perry's office.
9.2
Lt. Carl Reese entered Fox Technology. Passing those who were waiting in line to go through security, Carl went directly to the security guard. He pulled his badge out of his suit coat. "San Francisco police department. I am here to see Brit Bradford."
"Sir, that is not possible right now. You will have to get in line over there and signed your name….."
"Yes, Chief Ironside told me all about your rules." He pulled a court order out of his suit pocket. "This says I don't have to wait, mister." Carl motioned for two police officers that had accompanied him to join him at security. "Now I would appreciate it if you did not warn Mr. Bradford I am here. To be sure you comply with my request, these police officers will see to it you do not call up stairs or leave your post. Now if you will excuse me." Carl pushed his way past the guard through the security gate.
"Hey, you can't go upstairs without being announced. Hey, stop!" The guard yelled to no avail.
When Carl arrived at Brit Bradford's office, he opened the door and went directly to his secretary. "I am here to see Mr. Bradford."
"I am sorry sir. You have to have an appointment. How did you get up here?" She asked.
"With this." Carl slammed the subpoena down on her desk. After she opened and read the subpoena, Carl took it out of her hands. "I'll announce myself." He walked past her and opened Brit Bradford's office door.
Bradford looked up from his desk, clearly startled by Carl's entrance. "Who are you and how did you get up here?" Bradford picked up his phone and called security."
"That will not do you any good, Mr. Bradford." Carl pulled the court order out of his pocket and tossed it on Bradford's desk. He then pulled out his badge and showed it to Bradford. "I work for Chief Ironside. That is a court order for all the records on Daniel Moorey."
"I told Ironside he could not have them," Bradford said angrily.
"Yea, well Chief Ironside does not handle the word no very well. He has a tendency to trump ones aces."
Two security guards opened the office door. "Show Sgt. Reese out."
As the two security guards stepped forward, Carl grabbed the court order and pulled out his badge. "This is a court order that trumps your security measures in this building. You two either leave now or I will have you arrested for interfering with a police investigation," Carl growled. "And that is Lt. Reese."
One of the guards took the court order. After reading it, he addressed Bradford. "I am sorry sir but we cannot remove Lt. Reese from the building. I am a former police officer and he has the right to take the records in the court order. There is nothing we can do, sir."
Bradford picked up the phone. "Well there is something I can do about it." He pressed the intercom button. "Get me Commissioner Randall on the phone now," he said as his voice began to rise.
"You are not taking anything out of this office. Commissioner Randall is Ironside's boss. We will just see who has the last laugh, Lieutenant."
Carl decided to allow Bradford to play out his little power trip since he knew it would be to no avail. A moment later, his intercom buzzed. "Mr. Bradford, Commissioner Randall said he could not talk to right now. He also said you are to comply with the court order or face charges."
Bradford's jaw dropped. It was clear that was not the response he was expecting. "Well…..Commissioner Randall has a superior as well." He pressed the intercom button. "Get Mayor Patrick Simpson on the phone. Ironside may be able to push Randall around but he can't push the mayor around."
Carl held back a grin that was threatening to break across his face. This was more fun than he could have imagined. This man had a lot to learn if he thought it was that easy to stop Ironside when he wanted something.
The intercom buzzed again. "Mr. Bradford, Mayor Simpson just said that he will not interfere with Chief Ironside's investigation. He suggests you comply at once as Chief Ironside is not a man who is very patient with those who don't."
Bradford could not believe his ears. He was speechless. He just stood there staring at the phone.
"Mr. Bradford. Chief Ironside is expecting me to take care of this right away so I suggest you take me to those files. Otherwise I am going to have to arrest YOU for interfering with a police investigation." Carl said as he began showing impatience.
Bradford was livid. "Follow me," he snarled. He unlocked a door to the left side of his office. Behind the door was a bank type vault door. After working the combination, he opened the vault. It was a much larger room than Carl had expected. It would have put most bank vaults to shame. Bradford searched the drawers for the one he was looking for. When he came upon it, he opened it and pulled out a rather thick file. Then he pulled out another. Carl walked into the vault and Bradford slammed the drawer shut.
Carl reached over and opened the drawer. He looked down the list of names. There was one more file on Daniel Moorey. "You forgot one or maybe you didn't."
"I simply missed it," Bradford said.
"Sure you did. Do you have anything else in here on Moorey? Do not hold out on me, Bradford. The chief will throw the book at you if I find out you have not turned everything over to me."
"That's it," he snarled. "Now get out of my building."
"Oh I am sorry I cannot do that. There are several employees I have to talk to. It is all there in the subpoena. We are going to be seeing a lot of each other for the awhile," Carl said.
"Get out of my office, Reese."
"Gladly, I got what I came for. And Bradford, remember what I said. Chief Ironside will not go light on you if we find you held anything back."
"Get out, Reese. You got everything I have."
Carl looked at him for a moment and left the room.
9.3
Perry finished setting Mark up with a computer in the law library. "There is still plenty of coffee out there. Help yourself, Mark." Perry heard a commotion in his office. He left the law library and closed the door. Della was attempting to keep Wayland Grant from coming into his office. Perry glanced over at Ironside.
"Tell Della to let him in," Ironside said.
Perry nodded and walked over to the door. "Mr. Grant, it is customary to make an appointment if you would like to see me. At the very least, you could have called. I do not appreciate you bullying Miss Street to force your way in here."
"I don't want to see you Mason. I am here to see Ironside. Where the hell is he? I checked at the hotel and they said he is not staying there. Since I know he is your brother I am assuming he is staying with you."
"I hope you will not be assuming when it comes to the evidence of this case, Mr. Grant."
"Stop stalling Mason. I want to see Ironside, NOW!
"Let him in Perry," Ironside called out.
Grant stormed into Perry's office. He headed directly for Ironside. His face was beet red, his anger apparent. "Ironside, I want to talk to you. You were ordered to report to me."
"I suggest you calm down, Mr. Grant. Perry was much more gracious with you then I will be if you continue with this behavior."
"Who the hell do you think you are? You are working for me while you are here."
"I am not working for anyone, especially not you Mr. Grant. I was brought in to do an independent investigation and that is what I intend to do."
"INDEPENDENT? IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL THIS? CONSPIRING WITH THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY?" Grant roared.
"Mr. Grant, either calm down or leave," Ironside said in a tone that Grant could not ignore. Ironside's tone had the desire affect. Grant calmed a bit.
"I ordered you to come and see me when you were done with Captain Brandt."
"I don't take orders from you, Mr. Grant. In fact, I will not be taking orders from anyone while I am here. If you need investigators for your case, go speak with Captain Brandt. I am sure he will be happy to assign some detectives to you," Ironside suggested.
"You are assigned to me, Ironside," Grant said.
"No Mr. Grant, I am not. I was asked by the LAPD to investigate this murder. I was assured by the city council that I have a free hand in the methods I use. I was also assured I would not answer to anyone here in Los Angeles. In fact I was told my rank is the same here and holds all the authority and power it does in San Francisco. Therefore, I will investigate this my way and my way does not include helping you convict Hamilton Burger. If he is guilty I will gather the evidence to try him but if he is not I will find that evidence as well. Now unless you have something else you want to discuss, this conversation is over," Ironside said his voice beginning to rise.
"I want a report on what you find," Grant said.
Ironside shook his head. I do not answer to you and I will not be sharing anything with you unless there is evidence to turn over to you. It will be independent of you and your office. That is what I was called in here to do."
"Big shot detective. You are not here to do an independent investigation. Everyone knows you are here to help your brother."
Ironside's anger was beginning to rise. "This conversation is over."
Perry stepped in. "Mr. Grant, I am going to have to ask you to leave."
"And if I refuse?" Grant asked.
"Then I will arrest you for trespassing," Ironside said.
"You would not dare," Grant said moving closer to Ironside. Perry walked closer to his brother in a protective move.
Ironside leaned forward in his chair. "Try me."
Grant looked in the steely blue eyes staring back at him and decided to back down. "Burger is going down and not the great Perry Mason or the famous Robert T. Ironside is going to prevent it. I have always known Mason was a crook but you disappoint me Ironside. I thought you were a good cop." He turned and stormed out of the room.
Perry smiled. Ironside noticed it and said, "What exactly is so amusing?"
"You are making friends really fast, Bob."
"He doesn't like you any better than he does me. At least I am just a lousy cop. You are a crook.
Both men laughed heartily.
9.4
Lt. Andy Anderson entered Wayland Grant's office. "Hello Mr. Grant. I was told to report to you."
"Yes, Lt. Anderson. Captain Brandt has assigned you to me to help with the investigation."
"I don't understand. Lt. Tragg was the officer that was on the murder scene. Why isn't he heading up the investigation?" Andy asked.
"Because Ironside requested he work for him?"
"Isn't Ironside working for the prosecution?" Andy wondered.
"Tell that to Ironside," Grant said bitterly.
Andy decided to drop the subject. "So what do you want me to do?"
"I got a tip that Hamilton Burger cheated on his bar exam years ago. I was told Conner Wolff knew about it and was trying to blackmail Burger. Find out if it is true. If it is than it is another motive for Burger to kill Wolff."
"Alright, I will check it out right away." Andy said as he turned to leave.
Grant called after him. "You're a cop, Lieutenant. What do you think of Robert Ironside?"
Andy wondered why Grant was asking. Most people knew Ironside's reputation as a cop. "He's the best there is. We are lucky to have him investigating the murder. Believe me he will solve it. Why do you ask?"
"I am wondering if he would keep evidence from the prosecution," he said thinking aloud.
"Robert Ironside? No way. If he finds evidence that points at Hamilton Burger, he will not withhold it," Anderson disagreed.
"He flat out told me today, he would not be sharing the results of the investigation with me."
"I am sure since this is an independent investigation there will be some things he will not share but if he finds evidence that affect this case…he will turn it over. He is a by the book cop," Andy concluded.
"You sound as if you admire the man?"
"Of course. I do not know a cop that does not. Like I said he is the best there is."
"Ok, go check out Burger's bar exam," Grant said.
Grant wanted this conviction. If he could beat Mason…..something Burger had not done and he would make a name for himself and put himself in line for Burger's job. The question was would Ironside and Mason ruin his chances by destroying or manufacturing evidence. He had to find a way to keep an eye on both of them.