The Case of the Defenseless Prosecutor
Chapter 16
Lt. Arthur Tragg slammed on the brakes of his vehicle and brought it to a screetching halt. What the hell was all the commotion about? People were screaming and running in every direction. The press was gathered in a large crowd around...oh no...that was Ironside's van!
Tragg got back in his car and pulled it up on sidewalk. At the same time, he grabbed a siren and put it on the roof of his car. He slowly drove the car through the crowd who were trying to see who if anyone had been shot.
As Tragg reached the van, Perry caught his eye. Tragg got out of the car and ran over to Perry whose hands were covered with blood. "Perry are you hit?" Tragg shouted.
"No, it's Bob! He's been shot! It looks like it missed the artery in his neck but he is bleeding like a stuck pig."
"Get him in the van. Follow me to the hospital. I will turn on the siren!" Tragg shouted as he ran back to his car.
The press was pushing and shoving. A couple of them were standing on the lift preventing Ironside from wheeling onto it. Out of nowhere, Lt. Andy Anderson came forward wielding a service revolver. "Back up! All of you...now!" He and Hamilton Burger combined their strength to push people back.
Wayland Grant pushed his way through the crowd. "Get off the lift you morons!" Lt. Tragg was back out of his vehicle. He and Grant shoved the reporters off the lift, along with Perry who was impatient with the progress of getting his brother into the van.
Perry fell in behind Ironside to push him on the lift. Reporters were pushing and shoving, snapping pictures and jockeying for position. Between them and the curious, they had once again blocked the entrance to the lift.
Tragg had had enough. He pulled out his revolver. When Andy spotted his actions, he duplicated them. Both men raised their guns toward the sky and each shot one bullet into the air. The crowd once again began to scatter.
"Get the hell out of the way or I will personally shoot you!" Yelled Tragg.
This time the crowd moved back. Perry pushed his wounded brother into the van as Hamilton pushed the button. "Get him out of here," he shouted.
Perry then grabbed Della. He opened the back of the van to help Della in. Hamilton Burger shoved him aside. "Get behind the wheel. I'll help Della!" he shouted.
Mason jumped into the van, started it up. Tragg started moving. The crowd scrambled out from in front of him, as Tragg gave no indication he was going to slow down for them. He turned the siren on. It began wailing and flashing.
A patrol car pulled in front of Tragg. He relinquished the lead. He knew it would be better to have a black and white up front leading the way.
Della was attending Ironside's wound. She pulled out the first aid kit and used the bandages to apply pressure to slow down the bleeding. She was successful. She continued applying pressure as Perry drove as fast as the police officer in front of him would allow. When the patrol car turned the corner, Perry did not slow down. He turned the corner lifting the driver's side wheels right off the pavement.
Are you trying to get us all killed?" Ironside shouted. "Slow down the flaming van!"
"I always wanted to be a race car driver when I was a kid," Perry called out to his brother.
"If you do not slow down this flaming van, when I get done with you, you will be racing me from a wheelchair!" Ironside growled.
"You are on!" Perry shouted. "Loser buys dinner."
Within a few minutes, they arrived at the hospital. Perry pulled up to the emergency entrance. Medical personnel had been notified in advance.
Hamilton Burger pushed Ironside into the lift and pushed the button. He was lowered to the awaiting personnel who ushered him into emergency. They bypassed the registration desk and wheeled him into the back to the treatment rooms.
Perry walked up the registration desk. My name is Perry Mason. We just brought a police officer in. His name is Robert Ironside."
"Yes Mr. Mason. He was just sent back to the treatment room. However, only family is allowed in there with him."
"I am family," Mason said. "Chief Ironside is my brother."
"Oh yes, of course, I remember reading that now. I apologize. If you will wait a moment, I will check to see if it is alright for you to go back."
"Thank you. I will be right here." Mason told her. Perry looked for his companions. He spotted them over in the far corner of the emergency waiting room. Perry told the woman at the registration desk where he was going and then went to join his friends."
"I would have thought you would go back with the chief," Hamilton Burger said.
"I will, just as soon as the duty nurse authorizes it." Perry told him.
"Perry, Ed and Eve should be notified," said Arthur Tragg.
"Hamilton, if I give you their phone numbers, can you take care of it?" Perry asked.
"Of course Perry but you should call your father. He would want to know," Hamilton suggested.
"You're right. My father would be very upset with me if he saw it on television." Perry wrote down Eve and Ed's phone numbers and gave them to Hamilton. He stepped away from his friends and put in a call to William Mason.
He dialed his father and waited for an answer.
"Hello," sounded the familiar booming voice of William Mason.
"Dad, it's Perry. I thought I better call you and let you know that Bob was shot about an hour ago."
"Oh my god! Perry, is he alright?" his father asked with obvious concern in his voice.
"It look to me like the bullet missed the main artery in his neck but I would not want to bet by how close. Someone shot him when we came out of the courthouse. Bob came over because he had some important information for me."
"Perry, I am going to get off the phone. Are you at LA General?"
"Yes, the doctors are with him now. I am assuming they will have to operate to remove that bullet," Perry guessed.
"Ok, I will be down there shortly. Did you call Barbara?" His father asked.
Perry was lost for words for a moment. He had not even thought of it. "No, it did not occur to me to call her."
"I'll take care of it. You stay with Robert." With that, William Mason hung up the phone.
16.2
The Los Angeles Angels were leading the San Francisco Giants five to three in the bottom of the ninth inning. The bases were load and no one was out. Sgt. Ed Brown kept one eye on the ballgame and one eye on the man in the corner booth. He was sitting with a pretty blonde. Ed of course knew the pretty blonde. He was there to make sure she stayed safe.
Marco Rustoff was making a play for Eve, just as the chief expected he would. Ed had caught Eve's eye when she and Rustoff entered the bar. Eve nodded when she sure Rustoff was not looking. The look she gave Ed told him she had something. He had been waiting for the last hour for Eve to ditch Rustoff so he could find out what she had discovered. Unfortunately, Marco was not in any hurry to let his companion go. Ed hoped Eve would find some reason to excuse herself.
Almost as if Eve had read Ed's mine, Ed watched as she got up from the table and headed to the ladies room. Sgt. Brown discreetly got up and followed her. The bathrooms in the establishment, fortunately for Ed were just two rooms, one for men and one for women. The ladies room door was opened. As Eve entered, Ed moved swiftly toward the room. He slipped through the door, shut it and pulled the latch.
"We have got to stop meeting like this," Eve deadpanned.
"I did not think you would ever get away from him. What did you find out?"
"Rustoff had a definite connection to the Bar Associations computers. I ran across it when he was called away on a security problem in the building, Eve said.
"Could you tell if anything had been uploaded from the computer to the Bar Association?" Ed inquired.
"Yes, it definitely showed an upload to the Bar Association. But Ed, there was something funny there. He had some kind of encryption that was time sensitive attached to the upload," Eve told him.
"Possibly a delay so the upload did not start until after everyone had gone home. That way no one working for the Bar Association would know the system was being breached." Ed suggested.
"Or," said Eve, "he wanted to make sure they could not trace it back to him. We will find out though."
"How?"
Eve produced a flash drive. "I downloaded the upload."
"Oh boy," Ed said.
"What's wrong? The chief could not have just wanted me to be pawed all afternoon and evening for nothing."
"Lt. Tragg could not get a court order for us to look into Rustoff's computer." Ed informed her.
"Oh…..well here it is anyway. Maybe a connection can be found from the other end that will allow us to use it," Eve said.
"I hope so. Right now you better get back to your date before he comes looking for you."
Eve opened the ladies room door slightly. She peaked out. No one was in the hall. "The coast is clear," she told Ed.
Ed slipped out of the bathroom with the computer flash drive Eve had given him. After taking another look down the hall, he headed for the bar. He sat back down on the same stool. The Giants had scored three runs and won the ballgame. "Just my luck," Ed said quietly, "I missed the action." Rotating on the stool, he turned just far enough to see Marco Rustoff. There sitting in the booth with him was Daniel Moorey. Ed quickly turned away. Moorey would recognize him. He could not let him see him. Wait, a minute, he thought. Moorey might recognize Eve. He headed back to the bathroom. Eve was walking in his direction.
"Ed, what are you doing? Are you trying to ruin my cover?" Eve scolded.
"No, but if you go back in there Daniel Moorey might do just that," Ed answered.
"Rustoff is with Moorey?"
"Yes," Ed took hold of Eve's arm. "I think we should tell the bartender you had an emergency and you will contact Rustoff tomorrow.
"Why? I cannot see how he could recognize me," Eve argued.
"Maybe not, but why take a chance?"
"Alright Ed. You tell the bartender and I'll take off. If you really feel it is necessary."
Ed headed to the bar as Eve slipped out the back door. He told the bartender what to say to Rustoff. He watched as the bartender gave the message to Rustoff. He seemed to take it in stride. Ed turned his attention to the television. He saw his boss on screen coming out of the courthouse. Ed heard a shot and then all hell broke loose.
Chief Robert T. Ironside of the San Francisco Police Department was shot in front of the courthouse this afternoon. He had been attending the murder trial of Los Angeles District Attorney, Hamilton Burger who is on trial for the stabbing murder of Conner Wolff.
Ironside, who is famous for his uncanny deduction ability was called into the case by the LA city council to head up the investigation of the district attorney. His condition is being described as serious but stable.
In addition to Ironside being in charge of the investigation,Wayland Grant is acting district attorney. Noted defense attorney, Perry Mason is counsel for the defense.
The trial is in its second day.
In other news…
Ed wanted nothing more than to get in his rented car and head for the hospital. First Mark and now the chief, someone did not want them investigating this case. Ed decided he would get out of the bar, contact Perry to check on the chief's condition.
That idea went right out the window when Moorey told Rustoff to meet him at the Johnson Tech building. Both got up and left the table. Ed dropped some money on the bar for a tip and began following Moorey at a discreet distance.
16.3
William Mason dialed the phone immediately after getting off the phone with his son. He waited impatiently for an answer.
"Hello," Barbara Jones greeted her caller.
"Barbara, this is William Mason calling. I am calling you about my son Robert Ironside."
Barbara heart sank. "What's wrong? Is Bob alright?"
"He was shot outside the courthouse." William Mason explained what had happen and that Perry wanted her notified.
"I will be on the next plane to Los Angeles," she said.
"Call me with your flight schedule. I will pick you up."
"Bob is going to be alright, isn't he?"
"The bullet missed anything vital. They have to remove it. He will be undergoing surgery shortly," he told her.
Barbara thanked William Mason and told him she would call him back with arrangements.
She picked the phone back up and dialed San Francisco International airport.
At the same time, Hamilton Burger was on the phone to Eve and Ed. Eve said she would come to the hospital at once. Ed explained he was in the car following Daniel Moorey to the Johnson Tech Center but asked that Hamilton keep him informed of Chief Ironside's condition. Hamilton agreed and hung up the phone.
He located Della who was at desk checking on Ironside again. "Della, please call me when you know about the chief." He turned to go.
Della grabbed Hamilton's arm. "Where are you going?"
"To help Ed. He has found Daniel Moorey." He once again turned to go but Della held onto his arm.
"Chief Ironside would not approve. Why don't you wait for Perry?"
Della was showing genuine concern, which made it harder for Hamilton to leave, but he had to do something. He could not just sit and do nothing while his friends were trying to help him. Especially now that Bob Ironside had been shot trying to clear him. He was tired of his friends being targets for whoever was behind this. Hamilton kissed Della's cheek. "I have to Della. Please understand." Hamilton turned to go. This time Della did not hold him back.
16.4
Perry Mason and his father had finally been called into the treatment room. "Bob you will do exactly as you are told." Perry continued to argue with his brother.
"I have a duty to solve this case," Ironside shouted back. "They can remove the bullet and then release me."
"Robert, you are not being reasonable. Your health is more important. Perry has told me you have a very efficient staff. You can direct them from here until they release you," William Mason scolded his son."
"Which will be just as soon as I wake up," Ironside growled. Perry needs my help."
The doctor entered the treatment room. "You people can be heard all the way down the hall," Dr. Daniel Becker said.
"You mean Bob can be heard all the way down the hall," Perry corrected.
"Please keep your voices down," Dr. Becker ordered.
"What's the situation, doctor?" William Mason asked Becker.
"Chief Ironside is lucky to be alive. If that bullet had been over just slightly we would not be having this conversation right now. You would have bled to death before any medical assistance could have stopped the bleeding. From what I have been told it took them some time to get you back into the van."
"Right now we have the bleeding under control but you have lost too much blood. We need to do a transfusion before doing the surgery. The problem we face right now is we do not have a supply of your blood type. I understand the two of you are related to Chief Ironside?"
"He is my son and Perry is his half-brother," Mr. Mason answered.
"I will need both of you to give blood to determine if you are a match."
"I have the same blood as Robert and so does Perry," Mr. Mason said. "We already know that we can give blood for each other."
A nurse walked into the treatment room. "Doctor Becker, there is a nurse that says she knows Chief Ironside. She said she might be able to help with him. She is from Sonoma. She has been in LA for a convention and saw on the news that Chief Ironside had been shot. She would like to help."
"Sergeant Agatha is here?" Ironside grumbled.
"Sergeant Agatha?" the doctor asked bewildered.
Perry smiled remembering everything that he had been told about Sister Agatha by his brother's staff. "By all means, show her in."
The nurse disappeared and returned with the nun. Doctor Becker looked at Sister Agatha and asked, "This is Sergeant Agatha?"
"I am Sister Agatha from St. Mary's Hospital in Sonoma. I figured you would be needing my help right about now."
"Don't let the innocent look fool you...and she is Sergeant Agatha," Ironside growled.
"Is Mr. Ironside giving you trouble, Doctor?" Agatha asked.
"He expects to be released directly after his surgery." The doctor watched Perry Mason who seemed to be enjoying the scene between Ironside and Agatha.
Agatha moved closer to the bed Ironside was occupying. "Robert you will behave yourself and do exactly what the doctor tells you or I will suggest to him that he make me your nurse which I will gladly do for nothing if it means keeping you in line."
"And what do you think you can do if I do not cooperate?" Ironside said smugly.
Agatha looked at Dr. Becker. "Doctor when you have Mr. Ironside in the operating room, I do believe he is due for a colonoscopy."
Perry snickered which caused everyone to laugh except Ironside.
"Sister, I do believe you have a job," the doctor said grinning.
16.5
Ed parked his car in front of Johnson Tech. Down the street, a taxi was dropping someone off. The man headed in Ed's direction. As he came closer, Ed recognized the frame of Hamilton Burger.
"What are you doing here, Hamilton? You are supposed be keeping me informed of the chief's condition."
"Della will call. I thought you could use some help."
"May I remind you are not a police officer?"
"May I remind you I was not a police officer the last time we were here either? Now what is the situation with Moorey?"
Ed gave up. "He met with Marco Rustoff at the bar that Rustoff took Eve to. I followed him when he left. He came straight here."
Another car pulled into the parking lot. Marco Rustoff got out of the car. He and Daniel Moorey met at the side door. Rustoff opened the door. Once inside he turned off the alarm. Daniel Moorey followed him in.
Ed and Hamilton watched as Rustoff shut down the building's alarm. "Let's get closer. I want to make sure I can stop that door from closing. We cannot get in a locked closed door," Ed whispered.
Hamilton followed Ed as the two found whatever cover they could locate as the moved toward the door. Ed reached the door just as it began to close. He dove to the ground and got his fingers under the door to prevent it from shutting.
Hamilton took hold of the doorknob while Ed got to his feet. "Ed, we do not have a search warrant," Hamilton reminded the young detective.
"The chief had a warrant issued for Moorey's arrest for attempted murder. We are pursuing a wanted man into the building."
"Then why did you not arrest him when you found him in the bar?" Hamilton asked.
"He slipped out before I had the chance?" Ed grinned. "If we can tie Moorey to Rustoff, then that judge will give us the court order to look at his computer."
"So what do you want to do next?" Hamilton asked.
"We go in and pursue," Sgt. Brown said as he opened the door.
"What about the security system, Ed?"
"Let's hope he is not monitoring it. Otherwise they will be expecting us," he answered. He pulled a gun out of his pocket and handed it to Hamilton. "Just in case." Burger took the gun and the men entered the building
Brown and Burger moved silently down the hall. "How are we going to know what room they went to?" Burger whispered.
Brown whispered back, "I know where the security office is. That is likely where they were headed." Brown continued down the hall with Burger close behind. When they arrived at the security room, the door was opened part of the way. Ed motioned for Hamilton to stay behind him. Hamilton acknowledged by nodding. Ed moved closed to the open door and stopped.
"I tell you someone downloaded it from this computer," Rustoff insisted.
"I thought you made sure this computer was always locked down whenever you are away from it," Daniel Moorey said.
"Of course I do. That is why I can't figure out how it was downloaded. At no time have I ever left it without locking it down."
"Maybe someone in the building has your password," Moorey suggested.
"No, not a chance. I change the password every day, "Rustoff argued.
"What about someone hacking into the computer? You hacked into the Bar Association computer. It can be done."
"Not my computer, I have way too many protections on it to prevent that. No, it just isn't possible." Rustoff shook his head.
"Marco, someone got into it. If they could not break into or bypass your password then you had to have left it unattended at some time or another."
"I am telling you I have never left my computer unattended without locking….." Rustoff stopped.
"What is it Marco?" Moorey asked as he sat forward.
"There was one time….." Rustoff said.
"When?"
"Today as a matter of fact."
"Why in hell would you leave it unattended?"
"Because I was called away from the office on a security problem. I had a woman in the office that was interested in using my security system for her company. She said there was a chance I could be hired to handle their security system. I had dinner with her tonight," Rustoff said.
"Don't tell me, a blonde, right?"
"Yea, she was blonde. A real looker. You don't' suppose…"
"What was her name, Marco?" Moorey asked.
"Eve Winters, why?"
"A blonde by the name of Eve Winters. You know….Ironside has a policewoman who works for him."
"So what," Marco said.
"So, her name is Eve Whitfield and she is a blonde….that's so what," Moorey said.
Rustoff stood up and walked toward Moorey. "I left her alone with my computer when I went up to the fifth floor for a security problem. She would have hand time to do a download."
"There you go. I knew your obsession with blondes would be your downfall. Mason proved today in court that the record in the Bar Association computers was phony. Ironside was in court. He handed something to Mason. It turned out to be the original microfiche record of Burger's records and the original records that proved Burger was not the one who cheated on his bar exam. You seem to have forgotten about microfiche."
"I never heard of microfiche. I just did what Wolff told me to do," Rustoff said. "Anyway I heard Ironside was shot today outside of the courtroom."
"That SOB sure can turn that wheelchair fast when he wants to. I had him and he turned that thing just as I pulled the trigger. Unfortunately, it looks like he might survive. Damn, that cop is hard to kill. He got out of the explosion without a scratch."
"So, you missed him twice? That will go over big with…"
Burger was standing under the air conditioning unit in the hall. It was badly in need of repair. He could not make out what Rustoff and Moorey were saying. He watched Ed pull out a notebook out of his pocket that he always carried to write down notes. With the pen he also pulled out, he wrote 'Go call for back up.' Hamilton left with haste for the door.
Moorey heard someone out in the hall. He put his index finger to his lips. Crossing over to the door, he pulled a gun out of his waist. He kicked the door opened and stuck the gun in Ed Brown's face. "Drop it, Brown."