Scrabble Spells Murder
Chapter 17
17.1
"Isn't Mark back yet?" Ironside snarled.
Eve Whitfield ignored his mood and answered, "He called, Chief. He said he was going to pick up some food for Fran and he would be right back."
The door to the office opened and Mark Sanger entered. He came down the ramp and walked directly over to his boss. "Your hunch was right. Fran was there. I have to tell you she was not happy about having to stay.
"Anyway, she has a gun and a box of shells," Mark informed him. "What's next?"
"Call St. Mary's Hospital. Set me up for an appointment for therapy. I need to speak with Sister Agatha and I don't want to make Mortimer suspicious."
Mark went over to the chief's desk and pulled out his telephone index. He found the number for St. Mary's and dialed. While he was waiting for an answer, he remarked, "I'm going to do this right away. I have been trying to get you into therapy for nearly a month. You are way overdue. I'll get it set up before you change your mind."
Ironside called over his shoulder, "Don't get too excited, I have no intentions of doing any therapy. I am only using it as a cover to talk to Sister Agatha."
"Chief, you are not thinking of involving Sister Agatha," Eve said, disapprovingly."
"If she's willing to help us, then yes, I am. I want to trap him. The best way to do that is with his next potential victim," Ironside explained. "It can't be helped. We have to catch this man red-handed. I want him tied to the murder of those two police officers."
"But what about Fran?" she asked.
"What about her?" Ironside growled.
"If he doesn't succeed in killing Sister Agatha, you said yourself he would go after Fran," Eve reminded him.
Ironside looked at his policewoman and said sarcastically, "What would you have me do? Let him kill Sister Agatha?"
"Of course not, " Eve replied, a bit indignant. "But we can't let him harm Fran either."
His voice was dripping with sarcasm when he snapped, "Why do you think I sent Mark over there with a gun? This is not a schoolgirl we have in there. She's a trained policewoman."
"Chief, all I am saying is why take the chance with either of them? Let's just find him and pick him up. Fran can testify that he is admitted to being the Hacker."
"Did he? How do you know? All we would have is Fran's word and no evidence to back it up," Ironside pointed out.
"Since when is a police officer's word not good in a court of law?" Eve argued.
"Eve, you know better than that. I could say you were the Hacker but I would still have to prove it. The court is not going to except Fran's word alone. They will require that we prove it with evidence connecting him to the crimes and ... they should," Ironside said irritably.
She looked away from him. She did not like having him admonish her in front of Ed and Mark. He occasionally did not use tack when he was speaking to his officers.
Ed decided to step in and break the tension between Eve and the chief. He was aware she sometimes did not know how to handle his sarcasm. She made the mistake of becoming defensive.
"You must have something in mind for us to do while you and Mark are at St. Mary's," he said.
"I want you to find someone to hack into my computer and he better be good."
"Good enough to keep Vincent from knowing it?" Ed inquired.
"No, good enough to make sure he does know."
17.2
Vincent Mortimer enjoyed the warm sun creeping into his vehicle; making its presence known as if it were an uninvited guest ... except he welcomed this one.
St. Mary's Hospital was a busy place this morning. Several ambulances had arrived bringing new patients and so many people had gone in and out of the hospital, he would've sworn they were giving away money.
Sister Agatha was working today. Vincent had watched her enter the hospital early in the morning. Too many people were changing shifts, coming and going to get close enough to get a good look at her. He wanted to stay below Ironside's radar. The less exposure he had to people, the better.
Already, he was sure he had drawn some attention, especially to his boss, Chris. He had no choice but to take a few days off. He wasn't sure how he would explain it to Chris as to why he did not go to work and did not call to explain. He only knew that he needed the time to plan this Scrabble murder.
He did not think Ironside would ever guess who this victim would be. He laughed at the clue he had given him. It was not three words as the others had been. Vincent frowned. This is exactly what he did not want to do. He did not want to underestimate Robert Ironside. He was good ... not as good as he would have been had Ironside not interfered with his career. He, not Ironside would have been known as the Sherlock Holmes of the San Francisco Police Department. All one had to do was look at the way he had been leading Ironside around by the nose. He was still spinning his wheels. Granted, he had been successful in solving the Scrabble clues but not this time. That was why he had changed the rules. Ironside needed to be challenged more than he had been so far.
Vincent thought about Fran Belding in the house, locked in the basement. She actually should be dead by his own rules. Ironside had cheated on Dr. Stern's clues. He did not handle that one by himself as he was instructed to do. In fact, he did not follow rules very well at all. What a hypocrite he was. He arrested those who broke the rules but ignored them himself. Fran Belding needed to die. He was convinced that it was time he impressed upon Ironside that he could not cheat. No one ever challenged his authority. Everyone, including Commissioner Randall, was scared of him. Well, he wasn't and he had proven it by outsmarting the detective; making him follow his rules.
He reached into his pocket and removed his cell phone. After dialing his superiors office number, he waited until he answered. He immediately took charge of the conversation.
"Chris, I know I have not called you and I apologize for that, but my father had to have emergency surgery. I had to fly to New York. It is very serious. I have been afraid to leave his side for fear he would pass away when I was not there. I know it is no excuse for not picking up my cell phone but my dad means so much to me. I will not be able to leave here until he is out of the woods. I hope you understand."
"Vincent, dammit! You know how much this department depends on you. You could have made a short call to me. I understand your need to fly to New York to be with your father but you should have called."
"I know, I know. I have no excuse other then I have been so worried about my dad. Can you get along without me for a few days? If not, I will fly back home. I don't want to jeopardize my job."
"No, you stay there. I think I can keep you out of trouble, although Ironside is not too happy."
Mortimer froze at the mention of Ironside's name. "What's the chief's problem? What has he to do with me?"
"I am not sure if I can answer that. He is working on something very hush-hush right now. He wanted to have me scheduled you to work three out of four days. I have no idea what he needed you to do."
Why would Ironside want him working three out of four days? He had to know when. "Did he say what days?" Vincent asked casually. He did not want to make Chris suspicious.
"Yeah." Chris gave him the dates.
Alarmed, Vincent realized that Ironside requested the dates of the fishing contest. Was it just a coincidence or had he somehow found out that he was the Hacker?
"I am sure the chief will understand. Anyway, can you manage for a few days?"
"Yes, I already told you that you could stay there. I hope your father will be alright. We will manage back here."
"Thanks, Chris. I will be in touch." He hung up the phone.
"Vincent sat silently wondering what Ironside was up to. He went over in his mind the conversation he had with the detective, at the bay. He could not recall anything that would have given him a single clue on his identity as the Hacker. Ironside was sharp but there just was nothing for him to go on. He was sure the man was genuinely grateful for him saving his life. Nothing he said or did should have alerted his suspicions.
He was just being paranoid. Maybe, Ironside was going to have him try to find out who the Hacker was. Yes, that must be it; he was going to disregard the rules again and cheat. The man was just so predictable. He just could not follow orders.
Mortimer looked up at the tan van that had pulled up in front of the hospital. He knew that van. He heard the familiar whine of the vehicle's lift, as Mark Sanger got out of the driver's side and went around to meet his boss, while he lowered to the ground. Vincent watched as Sanger wheeled Ironside into the front doors of St. Mary's Hospital.
Mortimer pulled a baseball cap out of the glove compartment. Putting it on, he pulled it low over his eyes and headed for the same door Ironside had just entered.
Mark pushed the chief to the therapy department. When they arrived, he opened the door allowing Ironside to enter in front of him. Sister Agatha was waiting on the other side.
"Hello, Robert. You are well overdue for therapy. It is about time you showed up."
"I am not here for therapy. I need to talk to you."
Sister Agatha shook her head back and forth. "I have nothing to say to you until after you have completed your therapy." She began to walk away.
"Sister, this is important. We have a ... "
"So is therapy, Robert. You can't keep yourself healthy if you do not take care of your legs and keep up your upper body strength." She pointed at the parallel bars. "After therapy. Now get dressed or do you plan to sweat in that suit?"
"Dammit, Agatha, will you please listen to me?" Ironside snarled.
"That curse just added two extra up and downs on the parallel bars. Do you want more?" She pointed at the door. "The mens' locker room. Get out of that suit." She turned and left the therapy room.
Mark was grinning from ear to ear when Ironside noticed. "What the hell are you so amused about?"
"That will cost you two more," Agatha called out from the next room.
Mark chuckled. "Do you need help changing?"
"No!" Ironside growled back at him as he wheeled towards the mens' locker room.
17.3
Vincent Mortimer, with his head held low, followed Ironside and Sanger. He had to find out if Ironside was going to see Sister Agatha. Was he going to warn her that she was his next intended target? He had to find out if Ironside managed to find out that he was the Hacker.
Vincent new where the nun's office was. He would go there first. He walked down the halls, careful not to draw any attention to himself. When he arrived at her office door, it was closed and locked. Frustrated, he turned to go when a nun stood in front of him and smiled.
"Are you looking for Sister Agatha?"
"Ah ... yes. Do you know where I can find her?"
She smiled at him and replied, "Chief Ironside is here for his therapy. She is in charge of his particular case. She would be in the therapy room supervising his work out."
"Thank you. I will see if I can catch her there."
"Oh, I am afraid that you will not be allowed in the therapy room. Some paraplegics are very self-conscious about anyone watching them. You will have to wait outside in the waiting room."
"Chief Ironside does not seem to be the self-conscious type."
She smiled at him again. "He's not but he is known to curse a word or two. Sister Agatha does not like passerby's to hear him ... this being a Catholic hospital and all."
"I see. Has he been hurt?"
"Why no! Why do you ask?"
"Well, he is in therapy," he said, fishing for information.
"He is a paraplegic. All paraplegics need therapy from time to time. Chief Ironside does not come often enough to suit Sister Agatha so when she gets him here, she works him longer."
"That explains a lot. Thank you for your help." He turned to go when he heard her ask him another question.
"Who should I say came to see her?"
"Don't, I want to surprise her."
The nun pursed her lips. "Sister Agatha doesn't like surprises."
"I would still like to surprise her. Thanks again."
Vincent followed the signs on the hospital wall and headed to the therapy department. He would not be satisfied until he saw Ironside in the therapy room. When he arrived at the door, he reached for the handle. He would just take a peak inside. He heard a German accent behind him.
"I am sorry but you cannot go in there."
"Isn't this the cafeteria?" Vincent asked.
"No, it is at the other end of the hospital."
A nurse approached them, opened the therapy door and went in. Vincent glanced into the room. There in a sweat suit with braces on his legs was Ironside, dragging himself between the parallel bars. Sister Agatha stepped in front of him. "The other end of the hospital." She pointed.
"Yes, sorry," Vincent said. He looked forward to taking this tyrant out. No wonder Ironside liked her so much. She was nothing but a female version of himself. He turned away from her and headed back down the hall. Satisfied that Ironside was actually there for therapy, he left the hospital. He had to go back and check on Fran Belding.
17.4
Ironside finished his therapy and headed into the mens' locker room to shower. He could not believe that Sister Agatha had put him through that damn session. If she had only let him explain what he was therefore, she would've realized that he didn't have time for this nonsense right now.
Ironside re-entered the therapy room. He motioned for Mark to join him. "Where in the blazes is Sister Agatha?"
"She went back to her office, Chief," Mark answered his boss.
"Didn't you tell her that I wanted to talk to her?"
"Yes, I did. She said to meet her in her office."
"Why didn't you say so in the first place?" Ironside growled.
Mark did not bother to answer the detective's question. He stepped behind the wheelchair and began pushing him towards Sister Agatha's office.
When they arrived at the door, Ironside wrapped his knuckles on the window. The sister looked up and smiled. She stood up, walked around her desk and open the door. "Come in, Robert."
Mark opened the door as Ironside wheeled his chair into Sister Agatha's office. "Do you think you could find the time to speak with me?" Ironside asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Well, I can see that your therapy did not put you in any better mood."
"If you had listened to me when I came in, you would know that I came here to discuss something with you that is highly important."
"As I have said before, your therapy is highly important and you do not come often enough. Now that it is over, what is it you wanted to see me about?"
"With the help of Commissioner Randall, we have been keeping quiet about a man who calls himself the Hacker and has been sending clues to my office computer about who he is going to murder next."
Sister Agatha was almost as good displaying a poker face as Ironside himself. Her expression did not change. "Why have you brought this information to my attention, Robert?"
"Because I believe that you are his next target," he answered, watching her closely for a reaction.
"I trust that I can count on you to protect me?" the sister asked him.
"Of course you can. However, I was hoping that you would help us."
"In what way?" she inquired.
Ironside told her who the past victims were and why. "He has been choosing people who are close to me. He is gone from someone in the law-enforcement field to someone in the medical field. We believe that we know exactly when he is going to strike next and where." He told her about the clue and his deduction of what it meant and that she was the intended target.
"As you know, that boat was given to me sometime ago and it is rarely used. Most of the time, I allow a patient from here to borrow it as therapy. I have never entered that fishing contest in my life. Nor, do I intend to. Exactly, how does this Hacker intend to kill me if I am not on the boat during the time that the contest is being conducted?"
"With your permission, I intend to have you on that boat, under police protection of course."
"I see," Sister Agatha said. "In other words, you want to use me as bait."
"That is correct. I promise you, I will have Eve or Ed on that boat to protect you. So far, two police officers were murdered by this man. I would like to make sure that no one else is harmed. So if you will cooperate, I would like to set him up."
"I don't see where I really have a choice, Robert. You cannot protect me forever. Alright, I will help you. What is it you would like me to do?"
"You will be going out on that boat during the contest."
"But Robert, that contest, if I remember right, is several days long."
"Don't you worry about that. We will see to it that he knows exactly when you will be out there."
Agatha looked at the detective she held in high esteem. "I am not sure that that is very comforting."
Ironside turned his chair away from her and began wheeling towards the door. "I am assigning police officers to protect you until this is over. They will be dressed as orderlies and doctors." As he reached the door, he grabbed the knob and pulled it open. Before he went through it, he turned back to Agatha and said, "Now you know how I feel. Your therapy is not very comforting either."
"At least I don't set up killers to be here when you have your therapy," she said as a comeback.
He looked at her with a straight face and replied, "You don't have to. Your therapy is the killer." He turned his chair and wheeled out of the room before she had a chance to answer back.