Return of the Crown Prince

Chapter07

7.1

Ironside was quiet on the ride to the airport. He watched Eve carefully for any sign that she was having second thoughts. She had to be sure of her involvement in this assignment. Her life and the crown prince's life could depend on it.

As if Eve could read Ironside's thoughts, she said, "I am all right, Chief." She looked into his expressive blue eyes. If he allowed it, one could easily tell what he was feeling. It was not often that he allowed that kind of insight into his thoughts or emotions. Mostly the chief's eyes served as a penetrating blue stare that gave the object of his scrutiny the feeling that he was looking into their sole. Eve knew that most people could not withstand that blue glare of his for very long if he meant for it to intimidate. But, there was no intimidation in his eyes as she looked into them. This was one of those rare times when he allowed his feelings to be read.

"You do not have to go through this, Eve. This is not an order. If you are at all uncomfortable with this plan, now is the time to speak up," Ironside said.

Eve smiled at her boss. "I can handle this, Chief." She had no intentions of letting him down. Besides, Eve trusted the chief.

As Ed pulled into the airport, a man with a flag in both hands began directing the van to the runway in which the prince and his party would land. When they has driven beyond the man with the flags, there was another to take his place.

The phone in Ironside's van started ringing. Ed grabbed it and said, "Chief Ironside's mobile unit." He listened for a moment and then said, "Roger that. Standing by." He looked over his shoulder and said to his boss, "Carl says everyone is in place. He said to call him immediately if the route is changed so he can reposition the men."

"There will be no change in our plans," Ironside told his sergeant. Ed pulled the van around and parked where he was instructed to. He shut off the engine.

"Now we wait," Ironside said.

7.2

The crown prince looked out the window of the plane. They had just announced that they would be landing in twenty minutes. His mind wandered back to his last visit to America. It was a trip he would never forget.

He had expected it to be just another of those boring diplomatic visits forced on him because of being the son of a king. He had never dreamed it would become the most enjoyable and unforgettable experiences of his life…and all because of Eve Whitfield. He was becoming more nervous the closer the plane was came to San Francisco, where the American woman lived and worked.

He had to assume that Chief Ironside was responsible for the engagement announcement. He did not understand how it could have been announced otherwise. The San Francisco detective had been assigned to protect him. The crown prince knew that there had been many kidnappings of dignitaries these past few months. Chief Ironside must have come up with a plan to capture the guilty parties. The prince wondered what his role was going to be in Ironside's plan. Then again, was it so difficult to figure out? He and Eve would be posing as a newly engaged couple. Miguel did not see how that would help discover who the kidnappers were. However, he did not have long to find out what the detective had in mind. He could see the city below them. They were only minutes away from landing at San Francisco International Airport.

Miguel wondered if Eve was thinking about him or was this just another routine part of her job?

7.3

Eve looked through the front window of the van. Off in the distance, she could see the faint shape of a plane. It must be the crown prince's plane, she surmised. Eve wondered how the crown prince would react. Would he be angry over the announcement of their engagement? She knew the chief would explain the situation to him but Eve was nervous over his initial reaction. She had such a pleasant time the last time the prince was in their city.

She had been surprised at her reaction to Miguel. Eve had expected him to be quite stuffy…which of course he had been at first. Once he started to loosen up, he in fact had been quite charming. Eve had been bewitched by his manner. Why couldn't American men show woman the respect Miguel had shown her? She smiled at that thought knowing that women in the crown prince's country were hardly treated as well as American women in many ways. Miguel was different, she decided. Maybe when he became king, women would finally be treated on an equal basis with men. She could not imagine him continuing his father's unfair treatment of them.

"This is your last chance to back out," Ironside said, interrupting her daydreaming.

Eve smiled at her boss. "I don't need another chance to back out."

The crown prince's plane was coming in for a landing. Just as it was about to touch down, Ironside addressed his staff, "Let's go greet the crown prince." He looked at Ed. "When did you have time to change your clothes?"

"You didn't think I was going greet the crown prince without showering and changing after rolling around in that dirty basement, did you?" Ed asked.

"The chief is just letting you know he noticed the effort you have shown," Eve said with a smile knowing the chief was about squash her explanation.

"On the contrary," Ironside said gruffly with a straight face. "I simply noticed the air in the van was breathable." Eve struggled to hold back a smile.

"I didn't smell that bad," Ed protested with a frown.

"I suppose not…if you are a sewer rat," Ironside replied. This time Eve laughed at Ed's expense. Ironside got in the lift and pressed the button that would open the van door and lower him to the tarmac.

"One of these days I am going to get the last word with him," Ed whispered.

"But not today!" They heard the chief's voice as he rolled off the lift.

Ed just shook his head. Eve said, "You have heard of eyes in the back of your head? Well the chief has ears in the back of his." Eve was grinning as they got out of the van.

The two of them joined their boss. Ed took Mark's usual place behind the chief's wheelchair. As he started to wheel him forward, an airport employee stepped in front of them. "Please wait here until the plane come to a complete stop. You will have plenty of time to reach it before they even open the door."

Ed stopped the forward motion of Ironside's wheelchair. He and Eve remained there waiting for their boss. After the plane came to a stop, Ironside barked, "Well, what are we waiting for?" Ed pushed his chair in the direction of the plane. Eve kept pace.

Ironside looked at Eve. She was nervous. He wondered if it was due to seeing the crown prince again or whether she was not telling him of her reservations of what they were about to undertake. He glanced at the commotion at the gate. There stood a large group of reporters pushing and shoving, trying to get past the police guards that were keeping them at bay. Ironside turned and wheeled his chair toward the group. Eve and Ed watched as their boss wheeled away.

"Chief, come on, let us get closer. How do you expect us to get a decent photo from way back here?" One of them shouted.

"I don't," Ironside snarled. He wheeled over to one of his officers. "How the hell did they get in here? I specifically ordered they be kept out." His mood had turned sour with the unexpected appearance of the press.

"I don't know, chief. My assignment was to make sure no one comes through this gate." The officer answered.

"See that they don't," Ironside growled back at the young officer. He turned and wheeled back toward his staff. Two limos had arrived with a police escort. Ironside rejoined his people. Still the door to the plane had not opened.

"I thought the press was not going to be allowed in," Eve said, looking in the direction of the reporters. She was not happy about them being there. The chief had assured her this was to be a private greeting.

"They aren't allowed," Ironside said. "Someone did not do their job. Don't worry Eve, that cop will be on traffic control tomorrow." Eve smiled at the chief's threat, one he rarely ever actually invoked.

Finally the door of the plane opened. Ironside glanced at Eve. She was certainly showing a major case of nervousness. A man the chief did not recognize appeared through the opening. He looked behind him and then came down the stairs that had been brought in while Ironside was with the reporters. Then the crown prince appeared in the doorway. Again Ironside glanced at his policewoman. She seemed to be holding her breath as the crown prince came down the stairs. "Do you want to greet the prince with a blue face, Officer Whitfield? If not, try breathing."

Eve looked at her boss, a bit embarrassed he had noticed but then there wasn't much the chief did not notice. She tried to calm herself as the prince grew nearer. He was just five steps from the ground… four… three…two, and…one. With every step he had taken, his eyes never left Eve Whitfied. The rest of them might have well been invisible.

Ironside wheeled forward. "Welcome back to America, Your Highness."

The crown prince, remembering the American tradition, offered his hand to him. "Nice to see you again, Chief Ironside. He shook hands with Ed "I understand Mark is in charge of collecting the film from the reporter's cameras," he said, referring to the film Mark had retrieved that would have caused both their countries a great deal of embarrassment during his last visit. Ed grinned in acknowledgement. The prince turned to Eve. For a moment he just looked and her. He surprised them all when he took her hand and kissed her cheek. "You are even more beautiful than I remember. I trust you will again be my guide for my visit? It would be most advised if we are to be married," he said with a smile. He then kissed her hand.

"I can explain that your highness," Eve said as her face turned a rosy red.

"No need. I am indeed honored. Besides I know Chief Ironside must have good reason for…engaging the two of us," he said, smiling at her to ease her discomfort. He did not take his eyes from her. The silence became noticeable.

"I do indeed," Ironside interrupted. "We have limos for you and your party waiting."

"I believe it would be more advisable for me to ride in your motor vehicle, would it not?" The prince asked and then added, "For appearances?"

Ironside stole a look at his police woman. "Maybe it would be better if Officer Whitfield rode in the limo with you."

The prince's eyebrow rose at the suggestion. "Yes, that would be even better." He offered his arm to Eve who immediately took it. "I would be honored if all of you would join me for dinner."

"Actually, Your Highness, the chief has dinner prepared in the residence, that is if you would like to join us," Eve said.

"Again, I would be honored." He nodded at Ironside and Brown, and then led Eve toward the limo.

"Well chief, what do you think? Would Eve make a good princess?" Ed asked as he watched the crown prince lead his fellow officer away.

"She is already a princess to me," Ironside said in a rare display of affection. "Come on Sergeant or we will be late for our own dinner party."

7.4

Phillip York stood among the reporters. He watched Robert Ironside as he spoke with one of the officers. He had not taken time with the reporters. The man spoke with authority. After watching the police officers and the press it was apparent that both respected and maybe even feared the detective.

York knew there would be no way to abduct to the crown prince right now. Ironside had the route too well covered. Yet, York did not see where the San Francisco detective had done anything out of the ordinary in setting up security for the crown prince. He had done exactaly as York would have anticipated or had he? York knew Ironside was no ordinary cop. He was a thinking machine, much like York himself. Kidnapping the prince would not be as easy with him in charge. That is probably just what President Whitmore had planned when he asked for Ironside's services.

York knew what he had to do. He had to remove Ironside. He had become a problem. That was two problems he would have to take care of in the morning.

Neil Weeks would be arraigned in the morning. He was set up to remove that problem as well as Ironside. York knew there could be unexpected events. Would Ironside be there for the arraignment or would he send one of his people? Would he spoil York's plans? No, he would be there. York's source had told him that Ironside himself would be there to interrogate Weeks.

The timing had to be perfect in order to get off both shots. If only York knew Ironside would come into the Hall of Justice at the same time Weeks was brought over. This was the one and only time he could catch him unaware. Ironside would not be expecting to be a target. If he missed, Ironside's people would close ranks around him. York might never get a second chance.

He watched as Ironside greeted the crown prince. The lady cop got in the limo with the prince. Ironside and his top detective returned to the specially equipped van. Everything had been routine.

York watched as the limo left the airport, followed by the second limo and then Ironside's van. There was no reason to stay around or follow them. No opportunity would present itself today. He would have to get in touch with his man at headquarters.

7.5

Eve was not surprised when the crown prince opted to sit beside her in the limo rather than taking the seat across from her. "I can't tell you how much I have looked forward to seeing you again, Eve," Miguel said softly.

Eve looked at him and replied, "I must admit I have been looking forward to seeing you as well. Miguel, I want to explain….."

The prince put up his hand. "No explanation is desired. I am confident that Chief Ironside will tell me why our engagement was announced in the papers."

"Your father is quite upset with us. He filed a formal complaint with the State Department," Eve said.

The prince shrugged. "My father and I do not agree on the role of women in society. He finds the idea of me marrying an American woman deplorable."

"And you do not?"

He smiled. "How could one find the idea of marrying you deplorable?"

Eve blushed. "Thank you."

"I believe my father is unaware Chief Ironside is an ally of the American president. I gather the complaint will fall on deaf ears, although I am sure your State Department will eventually issue a formal apology."

For a moment they both remained quiet. The prince looked out the window at the beauty of San Francisco. "I meant it when I said I would like you to be my guide while I am here in your beautiful country."

"The chief has already decided I will stay close to you while you are here."

"I hope it was also your choice to do so, yes?" His eyes pleaded with her.

"Of course. Maybe we will even do an encore at the Lighthouse," she smiled.

"An encore?"

"I mean….maybe we will return there for an evening of dancing."

"That would be most enjoyable…..but then just being with you would be a pleasure." He took her hand in his. "I shall enjoy our engagement while it last."

7.6

The limo pulled into the police garage, followed by Ironside's van. Ed parked the van in a spot marked 'IRONSIDE'. The limo driver pulled alongside of the van. The second limo carrying the prince's party had been driven to the hotel which had been selected for their stay in the Golden Gate city. The limo driver got out of the van and opened the door for the prince. Eve got out first, followed by Prince Miguel.

The familiar whine of the van's life indicated Chief Ironside had exited the van. Sgt. Brown walked around to the passenger door to join his boss. When he stepped in behind the chief's wheelchair, Ironside waved him off. He wheeled over to Eve and the prince. "This way, Your Highness." Ironside wheeled toward the elevator.

Ed pushed the button to return the elevator to the police garage floor. Eve and prince entered the elevator as Ironside turned his wheelchair around and backed in. Ed was the last to enter. He pushed the button for the third floor. The elevator went into motion.

"I do not remember coming up this way the last time I was here," the prince observed.

"You would have come up the front entrance or what is referred to downstairs as the visitor's entrance. This one is reserved for staff and personal friends and visitors of Chief Ironside," Eve told him.

The elevator door opened and Ed stepped out. He wait for Ironside to wheel out. Ironside moved aside and gestured for the prince and Eve to lead the way. Eve guided the prince to the office door.

As soon as they opened the door the aroma of lamb chops, asparagus, turnips, and roasted potatoes filled the air. Mark had the main table set with the china that was reserved for special guests. The table cloth was of a flowered pattern. He had set out the chief's favorite wine glasses. They sparkled, reflecting the low lighting that he had turned on for the occasion.

Ironside looked over at Mark approvingly. The young man had changed into a three piece suit. "Dinner is ready anytime you are. Welcome, Your Highness," Mark said. Ironside could not tell but it almost looked like Mark threw in a small bow.

The crown prince surveyed the table. "This is most impressive." He glanced at Eve who laughed with the prince in their private joke.

Ironside noticed that there were six places set for five people. "You have one too many places," Ed said as he noticed it also.

There was a knocked on the door. "Our final guest," Mark said as he made his way up the ramp. He opened the door and Barbara Jones entered the office/residence of Chief Ironside.

She headed directly for Ironside. She bent down and kissed him. "Thank you for inviting me."

"You are welcome," Ironside replied, hiding his suprise. Mark smiled and gave his boss a slight nod.

"Your Highness," Ironside said, taking Barbara by the hand. "May I present to you the woman in my life, Barbara Jones."

The crown prince took Barbara's hand and kissed the back of it as he bowed. "An honor, I am sure."

"Thank you Your Highness," Barbara said.

"Shall we be seated?" Ironside said, taking Barbara's hand and guiding her into the chair beside him.

After the crown prince seated Eve next to Ironside, he sat down next to her. Ed sat on the other side of Barbara while Mark went into the kitchen. Making three trips, he placed the meal in the center of the table. He then poured wine into the glasses.

Everyone waited for Ironside to start. He picked up the lamp chops and handed the platter to the crown prince. "Please go ahead, Your Highness." Within a couple of minutes everyone plates were full and dinner began. They engaged in small talk ranging from the difference of the two countries, to their similarities, to sports and police work and the responsibilities of a prince.

Mark brought out the desert. He had prepared chocolate turtle pie. "Where does this get its name," the prince asked. "It certainly does not look like a turtle." Everyone laughed and prince laughed with them.

As dinner began to wind down, the prince looked at Ironside and said, "Chief Ironside, I am aware of the kidnapping of foreign dignitaries that have been happening in your country the past few months. I trust this is the reason for the engagement announcement in your newspaper, yes?"

Ironside cleared his throat. "I must apologize for not consulting you, You Highness, but it was necessary in order to build up the illusion of an engagement for the plan I have in mind."

"Am I to understand you would like me to participate in this plan?"

"Yes, if you are willing," Ironside answered.

"I see. What is this plan of yours?"

"As you know, there have been five high profile kidnappings. Each time a ransom has been demanded and paid by the United States Government. The problem is that the FBI has been unable to capture those that are setting up these kidnappings."

"And you seek my help in exposing these people?"

Ironside nodded.

"But why the deception of an engagement?" The prince asked.

"If I had assigned Officer Whitfield to you and the kidnappers were successful in abducting you, they would simply leave her behind. They have not harmed anyone as of yet. I would like to make sure they don't . If the kidnappers believe that she is engaged to you, they will be less likely to leave her behind. They would think that they could ransom both of you. I would then have a trained police officer with you." Ironside explained.

"I see. I trust this is a precautionary measure. You are going to see that it does not happen?"

"Actually, with your permission, Your Highness, I am going to see that it does," Ironside said.

"You are what?" The crown prince said in disbelief.

Eve said, "Miguel, what the chief is going to do is catch the kidnappers red-handed…that is with you and me in their possession.

"Red-handed?"

"It means, there will be no way for them to deny it. They will be caught, having abducted the two of you," Ironside said. "It will hold up in a court of law."

"I do not understand. If they kidnap Eve and me, how will you be able to protect us?" He asked with great concern.

"We are going to use a tiny device that will keep track of where you are. It is undetectable. It is a new technology that the military has developed," Ironside told him. "You will never be out of our protection. We will be able to move in quickly. This will give us the opportunity to set up the wire taps so that we can find out who is behind it and arrest him or them…whichever is the case. If everything goes as planned, it should not take more than a few hours."

"And if everything doesn't go as planned?" The crown prince inquired.

"Then we move in and get both you and Eve out," the chief told him.

"This all sounds very dangerous." The prince stood up and began to pace. "I do not believe my father would ever agree to this."

"In fact, he has forbidden it," Ironside confirmed. "President Whitmore talked to him earlier today."

"Then I do not see how I can help you."

Eve stood up and walked over to the prince. "Miguel, what Chief Ironside is asking is that you defy your father and help us."

"Defy my father, the King?" The prince all but shouted.

"Yes. That is what I want," Ironside said. "It is the only way we are going to find and stop these kidnappers."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I will keep you under police protection while you are here and hope that the next foreign dignitary will be more cooperative. I misjudged you, Your Highness. I was sure you would help us. I thought your vision of protecting the innocent was different than you father. But I guess you people only do it as long as you are not put in the same kind of danger."

"Chief! Eve cried. "That is not fair. Miguel has superiors as we all do. He must..."

"I don't have time for niceties. I will be able to protect you while you are here. However, I cannot continue to protect every dignitary that comes to this county. I am not a member of the government and have no intentions of becoming one. If you do not help us stop these kidnappers than every foreign dignitary that enters this country will be subjected to abduction. God knows when the FBI will figure out who is doing this. And how long will it be before the government quits paying the ransoms? So what will it be, Your Highness, are you going to help us or not?"

"Robert, take it easy," Barbara pleaded, placing her hand on his arm. Ironside ignored her plea and stared at the crown prince.

"The chief doesn't mean to sound so harsh," Eve told the prince. "It is just that we….."

"I do not need you to tell anyone how I mean to sound, Officer Whitfield. I have kidnappers to find and I will use whatever means necessary to find them and put a stop to these kidnappings. Remember, the next time you come to this country it will not be I that is assign to protect you. You will be protected by the same people that have not been able to stop five kidnappings, Your Highness, count them, five kidnappings."

The prince looked at Ironside and then to Eve. "You are not one to tread lightly, are you Chief Ironside?"

"I do not have the luxury of treading lightly, Your Highness," Ironside said as he continued to star at the crown prince.

"It is not that I don't want to help you, Chief Ironside. It is not easy as a prince to defy my king, my father. I do want to help Eve…you." He walked back over to the table and sat down beside Ironside. "You can protect Miss Whitfied?"

Ironside held back a smile. "Yes of course. I can protect you as well."

The prince cleared his throat. "Yes, well if you really believe this is the only way, then I will defy my father to help you."

Ironside grinned. "See, that was no so hard."

"Chief Ironside, do you ever take no for an answer?" The crown prince asked.

"NO!" Ed, Eve and Mark said at the same time.

"Where do we go from here?" The prince asked.

"You and Officer Whitfield will be seen together. I want you to go out on the town. Be seen together. Ed and Carl will be in charge of watching and protecting you. They will arrange for plain clothed officers to stay in the background. I want you to be noticed. You are a newly engaged couple. Celebrate. But first you will report back here at eight o'clock tomorrow morning to have the tracking device injected." Ironside finished.

"It has been a long tiring journey. If you would excuse me, I believe I will retire for the night," Miguel said. "Unless there is something else you would like to discuss?"

"Ed, take the crown prince back to his hotel. Make sure you have a police escort and one following you as well. Check on the officers at the hotel. Make sure the prince and his party have around the clock protection. We will pick you up in the morning, Your Highness and…thank you."

The crown prince reached for Eve's hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it. "Until tomorrow."

"Goodnight Miguel," Eve said with a smile.

Ed walked up the ramp behind the prince. He almost ran right into him when he stopped suddenly. The prince turned back to Ironside and said, "Chief, I wanted to help you from the beginning. I want you to know that."

"I know," Ironside said. "I understand your loyalty to your duties and your father. "Everything will work out."

The crown prince turned and left the office. Ed followed him out.

"Chief," Eve said in a voice that had more than a hint of anger.

"I did what was necessary, Eve. That young man wanted to help. I had to push him past his loyalty to his father. We need him. Without him we have no plan."

Eve calmed down. "I am going home. I'll see you in the morning." As she walked past Ironside, he grabbed her hand in his and squeezed. Eve reached up with her other hand and put her hand on his shoulder. Ironside let go and Eve left the office without saying anything further.

"Bob, what in the world is going on?" Barbara asked.

"Are you prepared to stay here tonight?" he asked her without answering her question.

"Yes, I have clothes here. "

"Then I would like you to stay," Ironside said. "I'll bring you up to date."

"Alright Bob."

"Mark!"

"Yes Chief," Mark answered.

"I am going to bed now. We have to be up early tomorrow. After the crown prince and Eve come in to have the tracking devices injected, I will need you to take me to the Hall of Justice. Weeks is going to be arraigned and I want to question him afterwards."

"Okay, Chief. Do you need any help?"

"No thank you, Mark. I can help him," Barbara said. Mark nodded and began clearing the table.

None of them had any idea what they would be walking into at the Hall of Justice in the morning.