The Case of the Defenseless Prosecutor
Chapter 17
17.1
Ironside ran down the hospital halls. He had to get to his brother. He arrived at the waiting room door. There was Perry with a gun being held to his head.
"Bob what are you doing out of bed?" Mason asked his brother.
Ironside took a step closer to the man who was holding his brother. The sound of the creaking floor could be heard under his feet.
"I am glad to see you here, Chief Ironside. You see you and your brother are meddling in something that is none of your business. You should have stayed in San Francisco where you belong. Now the people you care about are going to pay. The man turned Mason around to face Ironside. Except when Mason turned it was Barbara.
"No!," Ironside shouted as the man pulled the trigger and Barbara fell to the floor.
The fog in Robert T. Ironside's head began to slowly clear. He opened his eyes slightly as he could feel someone holding his hand. When his vision cleared, he could see Barbara smiling back at him. "Welcome back Bob," she said.
Ironside squeezed her hand and looked around the room. Perry stood on the other side of the bed, along with William Mason. "You were pretty restless, was that a bad dream, son?" His father asked.
The former Chief of Detectives shook his head. He had no desire to describe that nightmare to them. "No," Ironside told his father.
Sister Agatha entered the room. "I see you have awaken, Mr. Ironside. The doctor will be in shortly. She set a cup of ice chips on the table."
Ironside looked at the chips. "Where's dinner?"
Agatha rolled the patient table closer to the big man in the hospital bed. "That is dinner."
He looked down at the ice chips. "Where Ed and Eve? I'll just order one of them to bring me something to eat."
"You will do no such thing, Mr. Ironside. You will be given breakfast in the morning. Until then, it's ice chips," Agatha said with authority.
"They will never convince me you were not a sergeant in the army," Ironside mumbled.
"Please do not stay too long. He needs to rest," Agatha said as she left the room.
"Where's Ed and Eve?" Ironside repeated.
"Eve is right outside, Bob. We have not heard from Ed." Perry answered his brother.
"Should't you be working on tomorrows court session?" Ironside barked at his brother.
"We had to make sure you were all right." Mr. Mason spoke up for his younger son"
"I am headed out now," Perry said "I'll send Eve in." After saying goodbye, he and William Mason left Ironside and Barbara alone.
Ironside attempted to pull himself up a bit for comfort. He winced at the pain.
"Serves you right. You just had surgery. Take it easy on yourself, Bob." Barbara said.
"I do not have time to be laying around in a hospital bed," Ironside complained.
"Well then I suggest you refrain from getting yourself shot," Barbara told him with a bit of raw emotion in her voice. "I have been worrying about you ever since your father called. That was close, Bob. I could have lost you." Tears were beginning to form in her eyes.
Ironside's restless nature calmed immediately at the sight of Barbara's tears. His voice softened as he cupped her chin in his hand. "I am sorry, Barbara. I did not think about how this would affect you. I guess this case is dominating my thoughts right now."
Barbara leaned in and he kissed her fears away for the moment. "How is Mark?" She asked.
"I have not had the chance to ask. I am sure he is ok. He suffered some burns from the explosion but I was assured he would recover. I would like to see for myself but I doubt Sergeant Agatha is going to allow me to leave this room."
"What's her secret? I cannot get you to do what I tell you to do?
"You are no Sergeant Agatha, my love." Ironside smiled at Barbara.
"I think I will talk to her and find out how she does it just the same," she threatened.
Eve Whitfield walked into the room. "I thought I would give you a few minutes alone before I came in."
"Officer Whitfield, where in the blazes is Ed?" Ironside snapped.
"Just before I left him, he was going to follow Daniel Moorey and Marco Rustoff," Eve answered.
"With no back up?" Ironside growled. "Why didn't you go with him?"
"Ed was afraid Moorey would blow my cover with Rustoff, Chief."
"So you left him to follow them alone?" Ironside raised his voice.
"He is my superior officer, Chief."
"Where's Tragg?"
"He was just called away. He did not say on what?"
"And Burger, he was in the van with me on the way here?"
"I don't' know. He wasn't here when I got here," Eve answered.
"I don't' like it. We don't know where Ed or Hamilton is and Tragg was called away." Ironside looked at his policewoman. "What did you find out on Rustoff?"
"He was definitely the one who planted the phony information in Hamilton Burger's bar record. I found where he uploaded it from his computer. I downloaded it to a flash drive and gave it to Ed."
"Without a warrant?" Ironside said angrily. "All I wanted you to do was find out if he did it. You know we can't use that flash drive."
"Chief, I just wanted you to see it. Can't we now get a warrant on the strength that he was meeting with Moorey?"
"Did you see him meet with Moorey? Ironside asked.
"Well no, but Ed did."
"And no one knows where Ed is," Ironside pointed out. "I have to get out of here. Ed may be in trouble." He started pushing himself into a sitting position.
Barbara pushed him back down. "You are not going anywhere until the doctor says so. If I have to I will call Sergeant….I mean Sister Agatha back in here."
"I can't just sit here!" Ironside protested.
"Well you are going to," Barbara said in defiance.
"Chief, I will try and call Ed. If Lt. Tragg was called away, it should be easy enough to find out where he went," Eve said. She reached in her purse. "Here is your cell phone which you forget to carry most of the time. I have it fully charged. I will call you as soon as I know something."
"Satisfied?" Barbara asked.
"I guess I will have to be. Eve, go to Judge Carlson before the trial convenes and see if we can get that court order for Rustoff's computer. If he gives it to you don't try to take it until Rustoff reports to court. He is on the witness list for tomorrow or should I say today."
"Consider it done. I'll be in touch," Eve said as she turned to leave the room.
"Eve," Ironside called out after her.
"Yes Chief."
"Be careful." He ordered.
17.2
"Now give me the gun, Brown." Moorey put out his hand. Ed had no choice but to surrender his weapon. "That's a good boy."
"We have no idea how much he heard. Kill him, Moorey." Rustoff called out
Moorey waved his gun toward Rustoff's security room. Ed crossed in front of Moorey and entered the room. He knew he was in big trouble. He had to stall until backup arrived. Burger would have called Tragg by now.
"Dan, we have to kill him. He's Ironside's boy. We can't let him live. He will go running back to Ironside," Rustoff pleaded.
"Shut up Marco. I already had a run in with Brown. Ironside knows about me."
"Well, he doesn't know about me. I have to testify tomorrow. If we turn Brown loose, I have big problems."
"We have big problems already. Quit whining. I have no intentions of letting Brown live but do you really want me to kill him here?"
Rustoff stopped and thought. "No, that would not be a good idea. Let's take him somewhere out of town."
This was not good, thought Ed. If they took him out of here, he was a dead man. He had to do something. He had to stall. "Look, you are not guilty of anything yet. Do you really want to be tried for murder?"
Moorey hit Ed across the face with his gun. "Shut up Brown. There will be no stalling. Let's get him out of here. He may not have come alone. If he didn't, he could have called for backup. "Now move, Brown. We are going for a ride."
Ed had no choice. He rushed Moorey who had been caught off guard. The gun went flying out of his hand. Ed doubled up his fist and landed a right against his jaw. Rustoff pickup up the gun as Ed was about to land another blow to Moorey's stomach. Then his world went black when Rustoff hit him on the back of the head with the butt of Moorey's gun.
"Thanks, Marco." Moorey stood up. "Come on, help me get him into the car."
Rustoff grabbed Ed's legs while Moorey grabbed his shoulders. "Damn, he's heavy," Rustoff complained.
"You think he's big? Just be glad it isn't Ironside." Moorey said.
They carried the unconscious detective out the door, down the hall and out to Moorey's car. He opened the trunk and the two of them lifted Ed Brown and dropped him into the trunk of the car. After slamming the trunk shut Moorey said, "go lock up and meet me at the garbage dump. We'll kill him and dump him there. It might be days before they find him." Moorey got in his car and drove away. Rustoff went back in the building to close up the security office.
17.3
Hamilton watched as they put Ed Brown in the trunk of one of the vehicles. He reached for the car radio. "This is Hamilton Burger. Ed Brown has been taken by Daniel Moorey. He was placed in the trunk and Moorey has drive away. I heard him say they are taking him to the garbage dump. They are going to kill him there."
Almost immediately after Rustoff set the alarm and pulled away. Lt. Tragg pulled up behind Burger. Two black and whites pulled up behind him. Burger raced over to Tragg. "Lieutenant, what are you doing here? Didn't you get my message?"
"Lt. Anderson and Sgt. Holcolm were closer to the city dump than I was. I sent them with backup. Are both of them gone from here?" he asked.
"Yes, Rustoff just left," Burger answered.
"Get in. We'll head for the city dump," Tragg said as he got back into his car. Burger hurried around to the other side and got in.
"I didn't do anything. I just stood there and let them take him. I should have tried to stop them," Burger said quietly.
"Don't blame yourself Hamilton. If you had tried to stop them you would probably be dead right now. You did the right thing. They won't get away. Our boys will arrive at the dump before they do. Just sit tight. You don't think I am going to let anything happen to one of Ironside's boys, do you? I have no intentions of listening to him roar." Tragg put his foot down and sped up the car.
17.4
Daniel Moorey drove down the street, obeyed all traffic signs and lights. This was no time to draw attention to himself with one of Ironside's men in the trunk. He had been very lucky back there. Ed Brown was a smart cop. He got the drop on him. If it weren't for Marco he would be sitting in an LA jail right now. Brown had become a major pain in his behind. Well that was about to come to an end. He would finish him off and then go back and move his car to some remote location. No one would be the wiser. Sure Ironside would bellow but what could he really do? Brown was his legs. With Brown and Sanger out of the way, the only one he would have left would be Whitfield. She would not be able to protect Ironside all of the time. Maybe then, he could finally get rid of that bothersome cop. That would knock Mason's feet right out from under him and Burger would be convicted.
Ironside was his biggest concern now that Brown was out of the way. Ironside was not any ordinary cop. The man was brilliant. Moorey hated to admit it but he actually admired the cop. He had been on the right trail from the very beginning. He had to stop him. But how? How could he distract that cop until he could get rid of him for good? He thought blowing up Sanger would have kept him busy at the hospital but no, that did not work. Wait, how could it? He knew where Sanger was. He could check on him and go about his business. He doubted very highly a bullet would keep Ironside in the hospital very long. Going after Ironside was a waste of time as long as his lackeys were safe. Killing Brown would only serve to infuriate Ironside. But he could not turn Brown loose. He knew too much. He could use Brown against Ironside. He grabbed his cell phone and called Rustoff. "Change of plans. We are not going to kill Brown...at least not yet."
"Are you out of your mind. Dan, we have to get rid of Brown."
"And we will Marco. Just not yet. We are going to call Ironside and threaten to kill Brown if he and Mason don't throw Burger to the Wolves or more correctly to the Wolff," he chuckled.
"Do you think it will work? Will Ironside and Mason back off?' Marco asked.
"We have Ironside's boy. He'll back off. Even if Mason doesn't the LA police will not solve it where Ironside will. While they are chasing their tails, Burger will get the death penalty, Ironside will go home and we are back in business. Maybe even we will make him pay to get Brown back."
"We can't give Brown back," Marco protested.
"I have no intention of it but Ironside won't know that. Let's say a hundred thousand. Ironside will get the money from his rich lawyer brother. We figure out a way to pit it up without putting ourselves in jeopardy. Then once we have the money, we kill Brown and dump his body."
"I like it!" Rustoff said.
"I am glad you agree. Now here is what we are going to do. I am going to take Brown to…."
17.5
Lt. Tragg pulled into the Los Angeles city dump. Darkness was everywhere. Tragg could not see any black and whites but he knew they were there. He turned off the engine. His lights had been turn off as soon as he approached the dump.
"What are we waiting for Tragg?" Hamilton said with impatience.
"You want to get Ed Brown killed?" Tragg asked.
"Of course not."
"Then just sit tight. I don't want to alert Moorey that we are here." He reached for the police radio. "This is Lieutenant Tragg. Where did Moorey take Sgt. Brown?"
Lieutenant Anderson's voice came over the radio. "We don't know, Lieutenant. They have not arrived yet."
Tragg and Burger looked at one another. Each got an uneasy feeling. "They should have been here about fifteen minutes ago," Tragg said. "Could they have gotten by you?"
"Not a chance. We got the place surrounded. They have not gotten here yet," Andy said.
"Then they are not coming," Burger said with despair.
"I am afraid you are right, Hamilton. They either spotted you and changed their plans or decided to keep Brown alive."
"For what purpose? Ed knows too much," Hamilton argued.
"Yes he does. But they might find it more useful to keep him alive for the time being," Tragg said as he watched out his car window for any movement.
"What for? They probably decided to take him somewhere else to kill and dump him."
"What better place to dump him than the city dump? It could be days before we would find him. Tragg looked at Burger. "Put yourself in their place and think like them."
Hamilton was about to say something and it hit him. "They could use him to get the chief to back off!"
"Exactly. Except for one thing," Tragg said.
"Ironside would never back off," Hamilton groaned. "Then Ed is dead for sure."
"You underestimate Robert T. Ironside, Hamilton."
"What do you mean? He is sitting in a hospital recovering from a bullet that damned near killed him."
"Do you really think that is going to keep him in that hospital? Especially once he finds out Ed has been taken?"
"No. He will turn that hospital upside down in the morning unless Barbara and Sister Agatha can calm him," Hamilton admitted.
"This is one time I am betting on Chief Ironside to beat Sergeant Agatha in their little game of wits. Barbara won't like it but she will know better than to try and stop him."
"So what do we do now?"
"Let the chief get a good night's sleep. We will go see him in the morning." Tragg said.
"Shall we pick up Rustoff? We know where he lives. He will certainly report to work in the morning since he will have no idea what we know."
"No, we will keep him under surveillance. Let him testify and then we will pick him up and turn him over to Robert Ironside.
"Do you know what you are doing Arthur?" Hamilton asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you really think the city of Los Angeles can withstand the earthquake Ironside is going to unleash tomorrow," Hamilton said.
"I am betting on a ten pointer," Tragg grinned.
17.6
Officer Whitfield entered the judge's chambers. Judge Coleson sat down behind his desk. "How is Chief Ironside doing?"
"He is resting comfortably. The surgery went well. The bullet was removed. He was awake and talking when I saw him last night, your honor."
"Good. I am glad to hear it. Now what can I do for Chief Ironside this morning."
"Chief Ironside would like you to issue a search warrant for the security room at Johnson Tech including Marco Rustoff's computer," Eve told him.
"This matter has already been decided, Officer Whitfield," the judge snapped. "I don't know what Chief Ironside is used to in San Francisco but I do not allow fishing expeditions. Come up with the evidence and I will reconsider."
"Your honor, we believe we have," Eve began. She explained that Ironside had sent her undercover and told him what she had discovered.
"Are you telling me Marco Rustoff is connected with Daniel Moorey?" Judge Coleson asked.
"Yes, your honor. We believe that he is."
"Did you overhear their conversation?"
"Well no sir."
"Then you saw the two of them together when you came back from the bathroom?"
"No, Sgt. Ed Brown saw them together. He did overhear the two of them agree to meet at the Johnson Tech building in the security office."
Coleson glare bored into Eve Whitfiled. "Then why is Sgt. Brown not here?"
The door opened and Lt. Arthur Tragg walked into the judge's chambers. "Because Marco Rustoff and Daniel Moorey abducted Sgt. Brown last night." Tragg walked over to the judge and said, "May I sit down, your honor?"
"By all means Lieutenant." Coleson's attitude changed immediately. It was clear to Eve that Coleson did not like outsiders in his courtroom trying to influence the outcome of a trial he was presiding over. "Go on."
"Sgt. Brown had been ordered by Chief Ironside to find Daniel Moorey. He followed Moorey and Rustoff to the Johnson Tech building. He went inside. Before he did, he ordered Hamilton Burger who was with him to call for backup. Mr. Burger saw them put Brown's limp body in the trunk of Moorey's car. He overheard Moorey say they would take him to the city dump, kill him and dump his body there. We had patrol cars waiting but they never showed up."
"How do you know Mr. Burger was telling the truth? After all, he is on trial for murder," Coleson said.
"Because your honor, Ed Brown is missing and the station received a call for Chief Ironside. He said that Chief Ironside and Perry Mason were to see to it that Burger was convicted or they would kill Ed Brown."
"What does Chief Ironside have so say about this?" Coleson asked.
"He doesn't know yet. We are going straight to the hospital to inform him of Sgt. Brown's abduction."
"I would not want to be in your shoes. Ironside is going to blow the roof off that hospital," Coleson said. "But I don't suppose I am telling you anything new, Officer Whitfield."
Eve smiled. "Chief Ironside is a man who does not like bad news."
"All right, you people have your search warrant. I will also issue one for the arrest of Marco Rustoff. There is already one out for Moorey."
"Thank you, your honor. We would like to keep the arrest warrant quiet until after Marco Rustoff's testimony."
"I will put a lid on it but I will be informing the district attorney. He will be told there is a gag order other than to discuss with the court and Mr. Mason. Does Mr. Mason know about this development?"
"Yes, I called him this morning. He will be at the hospital when I inform Chief Ironside. I am hoping he will help in containing his big brother," Lt. Tragg said with a smile.
"Good luck with that. From what I have heard no one can control Robert T. Ironside."
17.7
"Della! We better get going. We have to stop at the hospital before going to court," Perry shouted.
Della Street came out of the bedroom. She handed Perry his briefcase. "Can't we visit Robert after we get out of court?"
"No Della, we cannot. Bob will be told by Lt. Tragg that Ed Brown was abducted last night by Daniel Moorey and Marco Rustoff," Perry answered.
Della could not contain the shock he felt at Perry revelation. "When did you find this out?"
"Around four o'clock this morning. Tragg called me."
"Why did you not tell me then?"
Perry looked down at Della and said, "I saw no reason to disturb your sleep. There was nothing you could do. I didn't do anything myself. I just went back to sleep. Tragg wants me there when he tells Bob about Ed."
We won't have much time, Perry. We have to be in court by nine o'clock."
"It won't take much time to check Bob out of the hospital," Perry said.
"The doctor's may not release him."
"Do you really think that is going to make any difference?" Perry asked.
"No, I guess not," Della said.
Perry watched Della as she picked up his briefcase. "Alright Miss Street, what's wrong?"
Della looked into the lawyer's blue eyes. "Nothing really. I am just worried. About Ed...Mark and Robert. Someone really is trying to stop him from investigating this case."
"Nothing is going to stop Bob. Don't worry about it."
"Except a bullet," Della said.
"Even that didn't stop him."
"This time," Della said.
"Della, don't ask me to tell you how I know, I just do but we are about to bust this case wide open. After they release him I want to talk to Bob. I think I know exactly where Ed Brown is. I'll tell you about it on the way to the hospital. We better get going." Perry headed for the door. Della didn't move. He looked back when he realized she wasn't behind him. "What is it Della?"
"I just wish we could spend some time with Robert that did not involve bullets, killings and danger for all of us."
Perry went back to Della and took her in his arms. "You are just feeling this way because we have not had much time to ourselves since this case started. I miss that."
"Me to. Perry you don't suppose we can get away, just the two of us after this case is over?"
"Well we have a rather full case load right now but I will tell you what. I will give Dennis Randall a call and see if we can get use of his cabin. How's a long seven day weekend sound?"
Della looked up into the face of the big lawyer. "I would love that, Perry."
"Then you can count on it. I'll call Dennis and find out when we can use the cabin."
"Do you think it will be alright with him," Della asked.
"After defending him in San Francisco, I think he would give me the cabin if I asked for it," Perry laughed. "He thinks I am the greatest lawyer in the world."
"You are!" She ran a finger down his jawline. "So this means no cases, and no interruptions. Do you think you can handle that…..giving me your undivided attention?"
Perry pulled Della close. "Giving you undivided attention would be my pleasure. He leaned down and kissed her. When they separated he said, "Now let's go and see if we can keep Bob from yelling at the top of his lungs."
7.8
Perry and Della entered the hospital. Eve Whitfield, Arthur Tragg, and Hamilton Burger were already waiting for them. "Hello Perry. Are you ready to face the hurricane?"
Perry laughed. "Bob is not going to yell…..much."
"Well let's get it over with," Tragg said.
Della looked around, "Where's Barbara?"
"She is already upstairs. I sent her up hoping she would put the chief in a decent mood."
"Before you destroy it?" Perry asked.
"You don't think it will work?" Hamilton asked.
"No!" said Perry, Della, Eve and Tragg at the same time.
The group rode the elevator to the sixth floor. When the elevator door open all of them hesitated long enough the door began to close. Perry put his arm out and stopped the door before it closed completely. They all got out and walked down to Ironside's room.
As they entered, Barbara stood up. She caught Tragg's eye and shook her heard left and right indicating Ironside's mood was not good.
"Good morning Bob," Perry said.
Ironside looked over at his friends. His detective instincts went on alert. He knew something was wrong. "Alright out with it. Was wrong?"
Perry and Tragg looked at one another, trying to decide who would be the one to tell him. Hamilton Burger made the decision for them. "Chief, last night I went over to Johnson Tech because I knew Ed was headed there."
"Hamilton, how many times do I have to tell you to stay out of this investigation?" Ironside said raising his voice with each word.
"Chief, please hear him out," Tragg said.
Ironside looked back at Burger. He was trying to control his anger.
"When I got there Ed gave me a gun and I accompanied him inside. We went to the security office. We remained outside the door and listened to the conversation between Rustoff and Moorey. I was below a very noisy air conditioner. I could not make out most of what they said. Ed got out a notebook and wrote me a note to go and call for backup, which I did. I called Lt. Tragg. While waiting for Lt. Tragg and backup, Rustoff and Moorey came out of the building carrying Ed. The put him in the car trunk. I heard them say they were going to take him to the city dump, kill him there and dump the body.
"When I arrived at Johnson Tech," Tragg interrupted, "they had already left with Ed. I had called Lt. Anderson who was with Sgt. Holcomb. They were closer to the city dump so I had Andy call in available units to the city dump. Hamilton and I left Johnson Tech and headed for dump. They never showed up with Ed."
Ironside said nothing for a moment. The thought of possibly losing Ed was momentarily overwhelming. Finally, he found his voice. "Barbara, get the doctor in here. I want to be released immediately."
"What are the chances they changed their mind and decided Ed would be useful to them," Ironside asked.
"In fact very good. Someone called the station for you and said they would kill Ed Brown if you and Perry did not back off and just let Hamilton get convicted of murder."
"The flaming idiot thinks we are just going to let an innocent man die while the killer goes free!" Ironside shouted.
"Bob, neither one of us is going to back down," Perry said.
"What in the flaming hell is being done about finding Ed?" Ironside roared.
"Perry believes he knows where he is," Tragg said.
"Where?" Ironside shouted.
"If you wanted to hide someone where would you put him that no one would think of looking?" Perry asked.
Ironside looked into the eyes of his brother. He instantly knew what Perry was thinking. "Alright, get me checked out of here and let's do it!"
Barbara came back with the doctor and Sister Agatha. "Please, Chief Ironside, you cannot continue yelling. This is a hospital," the doctor said.
"Then check me out of this flaming hospital," Ironside shouted.
"That is not possible. You need to stay in the hospital for at least another day or two, Mr. Ironside," Sister Agatha said, siding with the doctor.
"Sister, I am not staying in this hospital one more minute so I suggest the doctor release me or I will release myself," Ironside continued to roar. Suddenly he lowered his voice to a normal tone. "Agatha, they took Ed last night. I have to help him."
Sister Agatha looked Ironside in the eye. What she saw was pain and determination to help his sergeant and friend. "Chief Ironside will be just fine, Doctor. Release him at once."
"I brought you in here to help convince him that he needs to stay," the Doctor complained.
"Release him or I will find a doctor that will," Sister Agatha said calmly.
"Alright, but you are taking a chance Chief Ironside. If that breaks back open, you could bleed to death. The repair is very close to the artery in your neck."
"Let me worry about that Doctor, now get the paperwork ready," Ironside said in a short, gruff voice.
The doctor left the room to prepare the paperwork.
"Everyone get out so I can get dressed. Perry, I will need your help. We can discuss how we are going to handle this."
Hang on Ed, Ironside thought.