The Case of the Deadly Scalpel
Chapter 1
1
Perry Mason and Della Street walked up the ramp of the Pacific Princess. When Mason finished winning the last case, Della Street demanded he take a rest. They had been going non-stop with one case after another for so long, Della couldn't remember the last time they actually went somewhere together where a murder case didn't interrupt their vacation.
Gone were the days when Perry Mason could take a vacation and not be recognized. So many high-profile cases brought him into the national news so often, that he became known around the country as the attorney that never loses. It had become a blessing as well as a curse.
No matter where he went, he was recognized. Someone constantly wanted his expertise regardless of where he was or why he was there. Uninterrupted vacations had become almost impossible.
Della Street loved cruises. Mason promised her many times that he would take her on another cruise. Something always seemed to come up to keep them from booking that dream cruise.
Upon the completion of his latest trial, his faithful secretary and the woman he loved insisted he take a break from the courtroom. She pleaded with him to take her on a cruise. How could he refuse her?
He did make one condition. They had to choose a cruise with a large number of people. They had a better chance of not being noticed then if they went on a smaller cruise. Della agreed immediately.
She booked the cruise with the Princess Cruise Line. It was the first one they had taken in a long time. Both were hoping for a relaxing and enjoyable cruise. Hopefully, it wouldn't include a murder as their last one did. Mason ended up defending the individual accused of murder.
Neither one of them wanted to get involved in a murder case. They just wanted to enjoy the cruise and each other.
As they were walking up the ramp, Perry quipped, "When do we get to meet Captain Stubing?" He looked down at Della for her reaction. A big grin spread across his face.
"I don't think there is much chance of that," she said with a laugh.
"Well, why not? This is the Pacific Princess. Isn't this the Love Boat?"
She couldn't help but chuckle. "Perry, you do realize that the Love Boat is fictional, right?"
"Now why did you have to go and burst my bubble? I was really looking forward to meeting Julie. She's kind of cute, don't you think?"
Rather than reply, Della just shook her head. She was aware that Perry was trying to get a rise out of her.
They reached the entrance onto the ship. Perry led her over to the desk. A young man about 6 ft tall, well muscled with blonde hair, smiled and waited on them immediately. "Wow! Aren't you the famous Perry Mason?"
"So much for not being recognized," Della whispered to Perry.
"Don't say that very loudly," he told the young man. "We are here for a vacation. I do not intend to do any work," Mason said with a grin.
The young man smiled. "I understand, sir. I am your cruise director. My name is Jeff Crowley. If either one of you needs anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Turning his head away, Mason whispered to Della, "He certainly isn't as cute as Julie."
She whispered right back to him. "Oh I don't know, he's pretty cute," she teased.
"With my luck, the ship's purser will be Gopher." Mason signed in as their cruise director placed the journal in front of him.
Fred Grandy walked up to the counter. The young lady immediately greeted him. "Welcome aboard, Mr Grandy."
She handed him the keys to his cabin. It was always the same one every time he boarded the ship. "Thanks, Kirsten." He turned around and bumped into Perry Mason. He looked at him and grinned. "You're Raymond Burr. I didn't know you were going to be in this episode." He grabbed his hand and shook it up and down. "I can't wait to work with you." Picking up his luggage, he hurried away.
Della and Perry looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Gavin McLeod approached the counter. He looked over at the lawyer and his secretary. Smiling, he said, "If you weren't with your secretary, Mr Mason, I would swear you were Raymond Burr. Do you have any idea how much the two of you look alike? Then again the TV show was based on your exploits. Raymond's a friend of mine. One of these days I'm going to have him on the show. Speaking of being on the show, you wouldn't consider mingling in the crowd while we are filming, would you? We could have someone walk up to you and recognize you."
Della had to turn away. She was grinning from ear to ear. She couldn't help but notice the forlorn look on Perry's face. Yes, definitely gone where the days where he could go anywhere and not be recognized.
"Well actually, we are just on the cruise to enjoy it and relax."
"Oh, don't worry, it will only take a minute of your time. I'll have one of our people contact you." McLeod signed the book, received his key, and picked up his luggage. After shaking hands with Mason, he left for his cabin.
"It seems you got your wish, Perry," Della said with a smile on her face.
"What wish?" he asked her.
She started laughing. "You got to meet Captain Stubing!" She roared with laughter as Mason picked up their luggage and the couple headed for the Promenade deck.
He leaned over to her and said, "I hope he isn't steering this boat."
Della only laughed louder. "Look on the bright side, Perry. You might not be recognized at all. People might think you're Raymond Burr."
"Oh great! I get to sign a thousand autographs! I wonder if Isaac Washington is aboard. I could use a drink!"
2
Robert Ironside had just finished his workout at Saint Mary's Hospital. Mark Sanger sat across the room reading a magazine while keeping an eye on his boss. If there was any indication at all that Robert Ironside would stumble between those parallel bars, Sanger could be there in a split second.
Being a paraplegic, Ironside came to St Mary's on occasion to go through a workout that would benefit his upper body strength. It was imperative that he keep working on it to make up for the loss of the use of his legs. It was several years since Honor Thompson shot Ironside in the back, shattering a junction in his spinal cord. As a result, his legs were ripped from underneath him. They would no longer support the rest of his body. Robert Ironside faced life in a wheelchair for the remainder of his years.
If Sister Agatha, Ironside's favorite nurse, had her way he would be in the hospital working out much more often than he did. If anyone saw the banter between the two of them, they would think they were mortal enemies. Actually, they were very fond of each other. She had been his nurse throughout the time he spent in the hospital after he was shot on Commissioner Randall's farm.
When Agatha thought murders were being committed upon patients in St Mary's, she enlisted the help of Robert Ironside to find out how it was happening. The culprit attempted to murder her to keep her from revealing what was going on. She had been seriously injured in the process. Having her medical power of attorney, Ironside enlisted an outside surgeon to relieve the pressure on her brain. Eventually, Sister Agatha healed and Chief Ironside solved the murders within the hospital.
The nun was relentless in making sure the detective came to the hospital for his therapy. If she had her way it certainly would be more often than he came. Then again, she realized how busy and important Robert Ironside was to the city of San Francisco.
Sister Agatha came into the room. She walked over to the parallel bars where Ironside was completing his therapy. "Robert, you didn't cheat on your therapy while I was out of the room, did you?"
"Of course not. I have no doubt you have cameras in here with someone monitoring on a screen and counting the number of times I went back and forth," he grumbled.
Mark Sanger dropped his magazine and listened to the exchange between the two of them. He enjoyed their banter. Sister Agatha was probably the only one who could put Robert Ironside in his place.
In her thick German accent, Agatha responded, "Actually, there are cameras in this room and they are monitored. But don't let your ego get the better of you. They aren't installed simply for you. If personnel are not in the room, someone is still watching over those doing their therapy."
"I should have known," he retorted with sarcasm."
"It seems the great Robert Ironside doesn't know everything." Looking to the back of the room where Mark Sanger was grinning, she raised her voice to address him. "Mr Sanger, please help Mr Ironside into the locker room and make sure he takes a shower." She looked at the detective and wrinkled her nose.
Mark came forward attempting to hold in a laugh. He was only partially successful. His boss and Sister Agatha were always entertaining.
Forty-five minutes later, Mark wheeled his boss back into the therapy room, now dressed in his usual business suit.
Sister Agatha dropped what she was doing and went over to them. "I want you back here in 2 weeks, Robert. It has been almost 2 months since the last time you were here. It's not often enough."
"Fat chance, Sister. I'll see you in 2 months."
As he wheeled away, he heard her shout behind him. "If that is the case, I will make sure that your therapy is tripled!"
Ironside waived his hand in dismissal. On the way out, he ran into Dr Ben Stern. Some time ago, Ironside had feeling in his legs. Mark took him to see Ben. The surgeon told him there was a chance that he might walk again if he chose to have the necessary surgery.
After being encouraged by his staff to have the surgery, Ironside had gone into the hospital, but only after attempting to stop a thief from his wheelchair, who had stolen drugs and killed a guard at the hospital when Ironside had been there for therapy.
Three attempts had been made on his life because he had seen the thief and murderer. Eventually, they were able to arrest him.
As far as the surgery itself, it had been a failure, and Ironside remained in a wheelchair.
Not only was Ben his doctor, he was also a good friend. Ironside had a great deal of respect for him as a surgeon and as a man. Ben Stern's eyes looked heavy and a bit bloodshot.
"Robert, I see Sister Agatha was able to drag you in for therapy." He shook hands with Ironside and then with Mark.
"If I don't show up once in a while, I am afraid she will nag me to death." Ironside grinned.
Ben laughed. "She is exactly what you need. If it wasn't for Agatha, you would never come in for therapy at all, and in your case, it is extremely important that you do. With the job you have, you must remain as fit as possible. Your upper body strength is essential."
Years of experience made it possible for Ironside to read people. Something was bothering Ben Stern. He didn't know what it was, but he was going to make an attempt to find out.
"Is everything all right, Ben? You do not seem yourself, and your eyes are quite heavy."
The doctor was aware of Robert Ironside's ability to detect. It was difficult to keep anything from him. Right now, he really didn't want to discuss his problem. "I'm fine, Robert, but thank you for asking. I have just been working a lot of hours and doing several surgeries."
For some reason, his friend was not being honest with him. Ironside could tell there was something else wrong. This was not the place to explore the man's problem. The detective made up his mind to visit him at home where they could speak freely in private. Right now, he decided to let it go.
"When you get some time, what do you say we get together and play a few hands of the grand old game of stud?"
"I would think you'd get enough of that with Mark, Ed and Eve," Stern said.
Ironside blew out of breath. "It's like taking candy from a baby. They are no competition at all."
"Huh," Mark grunted.
Stern laughed. "I'll give you a call." He said no more and went on his way.
"Chief, is it just me, or did it seem like the good doctor was trying to keep something from you?"
Ironside turned his head and looked up at his friend and aid. "We'll make a detective out of you yet. That was very astute."
"Chief, come on, I'm from Chicago, remember? Speak English."
"I'm assuming you mean the word astute. When we get back to the office, look it up in the dictionary."
Mark pulled out his smartphone, and said, "Hey Google, what is the meaning of the word astute?" The smartphone came back with the meaning. "You don't need a dictionary nowadays, Chief. You just need a smartphone."
Ironside shook his head in disgust. "If you don't mind, I'll use a dictionary. You young people and your contraptions!"
Mark spoke into the smartphone once again. "Hey Google, what is the meaning of stubborn?"
"The meaning of the word stubborn is Robert T Ironside," his phone answered back.
The chief turned around and looked at him with raised eyebrows. Mark just grinned. He wasn't about to tell him that he told Google to remember the answer of Robert T Ironside when he asked the meaning of the word stubborn.
"Stop playing with that thing and let's get back to the office. We have work to do." The detective began wheeling toward the hospital exit.
Mark followed with a big grin on his face.
3
Ben Stern sat in his office. In ten minutes he was about to meet with a patient. He didn't have good news for him. Right now, Corbin Schulte was still able to walk. He was doing it with a walker. The problem was, Ben knew he wouldn't be doing it much longer. The paralysis was spreading and by medical standards, there wasn't any operation available today to stop the paralysis, let alone reverse it.
Ben had been working on an experimental surgery. It was risky, and it had no guarantee of success. However, it was Corbin Schulte's only hope of not losing the use of his legs. Still, Ben was torn about using the procedure. It was not perfected. He had known Corbin for many years. He was a man used to getting what he wanted. Unfortunately, what he wanted this time might not be possible.
Ben thought back about the surgery he did on Robert Ironside. It had been hoped that it would repair his spinal cord so that he could walk again. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Ben could think of times surgeries simply didn't work on the patient, but none affected him the way the failure of Ironside's surgery did. He wanted so much to give back his friend the use of his legs. Unfortunately, God had other ideas.
Now, Ben was faced with a similar situation. Only this one was even worse. The man could walk right now, but it wouldn't be long and he would not be able to do so. The surgery had to take place almost immediately if it were to be effective, if it was effective at all.
What bothered Ben was that Corbin had a volatile temper. He was expecting Ben to be successful with the surgery. What would his reaction be if it failed? Corbin was an extremely wealthy man. He could afford any surgeon anywhere in the world. Ben Stern had a reputation for being one of the best surgeons anywhere in the world for this type of problem. But, he wasn't God.
If he didn't perform the surgery, Corbin Schulte would most definitely become a paraplegic. If he did, it could still fail, in which Corbin would find himself without the use of his legs.
It certainly was a moral question. Should he try an experimental procedure on the man, or attempt to get him to accept the inevitable? Certainly, if it was Robert Ironside he was doing the experimental surgery on, he wouldn't hesitate. Bob Ironside would accept the results if it was a failure. He wasn't all that sure that Corbin Schulte would accept a failed operation.
The intercom on his desk buzzed. Dr Stern pressed the button. "Yes."
"Dr Stern, Mr Schulte has arrived for his appointment. He is here with his wife."
"Send them in," Stern told her.
Ben stood up, prepared to greet his patient and his wife. He walked over to the door and opened it. Corbin and Sherry, please come in. It is good to see you both."
The Schulties entered his office. Corbin was using a walker and was extremely unsteady on his feet. Ben noted that that wasn't a good sign. It meant the paralysis was spreading faster than he anticipated. The couple sat down in chairs in front of his desk. Stern walked around the desk and sat down in his executive chair.
"Dr Stern, as you can see, I am much worse. This can't wait any longer. I'm afraid I'm going to lose the mobility in my legs all together. I want this surgery scheduled immediately. Later today would work for me."
"Now hold on, Corbin. It isn't possible to do it that quickly. First of all, you have to enter the hospital and go through some procedures before we can even consider doing the surgery."
"And I'm telling you that it can't wait. Are you listening to me? I can barely walk now. You told me that those procedures were optional. So, if they are optional, I am telling you I don't want to go through them. I want the surgery immediately!"
Calmly, Ben intertwined his fingers and set his hands down on his desk. "One month ago when I saw you and we ran the test to find out what was wrong with your spinal cord, I told you at the time that the surgery should be done immediately after pre-procedures were done. I also told you that this particular condition can advance rapidly. Corbin, you chose to wait."
"My wife and I had to discuss it. I am sure you can understand that."
"I do, but that was a month ago. Now, we are in a totally different position," Dr Stern explained. "At this point, I cannot tell if the surgery will do you any good with the advancement of your condition. The only way I am going to know that is to run those pre-tests."
"And I am telling you I don't want you to run them. I want you to do the surgery immediately."
"I am sorry, Corbin, but I won't do that. There is a chance at this point that the time for the surgery has passed. I have to know if it has any chance of success. Now, I am willing to admit you into the hospital immediately today. The tests can be run tomorrow. I will get the results the following day. Then we can prep you and do the surgery the next day as long as the tests indicate there is still a chance for success."
The anger in his voice became apparent. "Now you listen to me! I could have gone to several other surgeons, but you are considered to be an expert on my condition. You assured me that you could help me. I want the surgery done today before it is too late."
Noticing Schulte's rising anger, Dr Stern kept his voice calm and measured. "That is exactly the problem, Corbin. It may already be too late."
"Look, I trusted you to do the surgery. Now I expect you to do it."
"Not without the tests. I will only do it if there is a chance it will work. I can't tell that at this point unless the tests are run."
Sherry Schulte put her hand over her husband's. "Let Dr Stern run the tests, honey."
Corbin Schulte sat there for a moment. He was torn. He didn't want to wait. His legs were getting worse. It was obvious to him that the paralysis was spreading up his spine. He didn't want to take any chances. He couldn't bear the thought of not being able to walk. Yet, on the other hand, why go through the surgery if it wasn't going to work?
"All right, but I want to be admitted immediately. I don't see any reason why you can't do the test today."
"Because there are doctors that have to be called in to do them. They are out of town and have practices of their own. When I tell them of the urgency, I have no doubt they will come. In the meantime, go out in the office, and sign the paperwork. We need your authorization to do the surgery, as well as realizing that there's a possibility that it will not work."
Corbin couldn't keep his anger to himself. None of this made any sense to him. He wanted the surgery done today, and yet Stern wasn't willing. On the other hand, if he wasn't willing, what else could he do? All he had to say for Stern, was it damn well better work.
4
Perry and Della arrived at their cabin. He unlocked the door and carried their luggage in. Della gasped when she saw the room.
"Oh, Perry, this is beautiful!" They entered what was a large sitting room. To the left, she could see through the door. There was a king size bed and a dresser and vanity made of mahogany. The bed frame was also mahogany. Off the bedroom was a large bathroom, with a shower which had glass doors. The sink also contained a vanity. Everything was mahogany.
She walked over to him and put her arms around him. "Thank you so much for bringing me on this cruise. I have wanted to take another one with you when there was no work to do."
"You're welcome, baby," he said as he kissed her lightly. "Now, let's get on packed and take a walk around the ship to get acquainted with it."
They went into the bedroom and began putting their clothes in the drawers of the dresser. Mason watched Della as she took three of the drawers for her clothes.
"How come you get more drawers than I do?"
She smiled. "Because I have more clothes than you do."
"Why is that? You packed my clothes. Am I going to run out of clothes before this cruise is over? I'll have to run around the ship naked."
"Not without getting arrested. No, if you run out of clothes, you'll just have to stay in the room. It won't matter if you're naked in here."
He grabbed her and pulled her close to him. If I have to do that, you're going to stay with me."
"Such punishment," she deadpanned.
When they put what they could in the dresser, they hung up the rest of the clothes in the very spacious closet. The toiletries were placed in the bathroom.
"Well, what do you say we take a walk around the ship and familiarize ourselves with it?" Mason said.
Della looked around the room. It was perfect! It was everything she hoped it would be.
Mason watched her. No matter the cost of the cruise, that very moment was worth every penny. He could tell he made her happy and that was all that mattered to him. Putting his arms around her, he whispered in her ear. "Did you ask for a suite."
"Actually, no I did not. It must be because you are a celebrity."
"I'm not a celebrity. I'm a lawyer."
"Look up the definition, Mr Mason," she said. "A celebrity is a famous person. You can't deny that you have become famous. We no longer go anywhere without you being recognized."
"A celebrity is someone in the entertainment world, or maybe the sports world."
"According to the definition, it is a famous person, especially in the entertainment or sports world, but still a famous person."
"I'll tell you what. Let's quit arguing about it and go take a walk."
"Don't you want to go to the side of the ship and wave goodbye like they do on the TV show?" Della asked with a smile.
"No thank you. They will probably be filming that if they are filming an episode on this ship. I'll pass on that. Besides, it might be the best time to walk around and see the ship. Everybody will be over there waving goodbye — to people they don't even know."
Della laughed, but her attention was drawn away from the lawyer when there was a knock on the door. "Who could that possibly be? We don't know anyone on this ship."
Mason walked over and opened the door. A young man in a uniform walked in with a huge bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne. He walked over and set them down on the table."
"Perplexed, Mason asked, "Where did this come from? We didn't order anything."
"Compliments of the captain, Mr Burr."
Della couldn't help herself. She started to laugh.
Mason reached into his pocket and gave the young man a tip. "I told you celebrities were Hollywood actors and sports figures."
"Look on the bright side, Perry. If everybody thinks you're Raymond Burr, then we don't have to worry about anybody asking you for legal advice."
5
Commissioner Randall came into Ironside's office and down the ramp. Ironside looked back to see who had just entered.
"Well, hello, Dennis. To what do I owe the pleasure today?" Ironside said.
"I am not sure you're going to think it's a pleasure."
The chief sighed. "Now why would you want to go and ruin my mood?"
"I noticed that it was rather jovial. Did you finally decide to get off on the other side of the bed?" Randall said with a grin.
"Dennis, now that you have dropped one shoe, do you want to drop the other?"
"Can't a man get a cup of coffee in this place?" Randall said, looking around the room for Mark.
"Mark, get the commissioner a cup of coffee, would you please?"
Sanger poured a cup of coffee and brought it to the table. He set it down in front of Randall. The commissioner immediately lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip.
"Very good coffee, Mark."
Sanger looked over at Chief Ironside and raised his eyebrows. He had a slight smile on his face.
"It tastes like mud," Ironside said with a snort.
"Well, Bob, I didn't know you were into eating mud these days."
Mark snickered.
"Dennis, did you come here to tell me something, or just to see if you could irritate me?"
"Why not, you certainly irritate me often enough."
"Dennis!"
"All right, all right. Obviously the other side of the bed didn't do you any good either. I came to tell you that the governor wants those recommendations for the prisoners to be released."
"You can't be serious! The FBI and the National Guard had to be called in to quell a prison riot. And now, he still wants to release prisoners. Nearly every inmate in that prison took part in that riot."
"I told you you weren't going to like it. What do you want me to tell the governor?"
"What did Mayor Barr say? He had to have gone through him first," Ironside said.
"He did. He said if you told him to go to hell, it wouldn't bother him or the city council at all. However, I would suggest that you use a little more diplomacy than that."
"I'll tell you what you tell him. You tell him that I recommend none of those prisoners be released. You also tell him that I intend to hold a news conference regarding what happened in that prison. I'm going to tell the people that the governor intends to release the very people that just rioted to try to get out of there. I'm going to tell them that those very people he wants to release, murdered four prison guards. Then we'll see if he is still willing to try and get inmates released from that prison."
"You know, the mayor is getting to know you quite well. That is exactly what he said you would say." Dennis Randall finished his coffee.
"Do you have anything else?" Ironside asked.
Commissioner looked around the room. "Where's Ed and Eve?"
"Out checking on cold cases."
"I don't suppose your office could handle another one," Randall said, knowing Ironside was going to have to take the case anyway.
"I think the other shoe has dropped," Mark said.
"All right, Dennis, out with it."
"One of the city council's daughters has disappeared. She's been unable to find her. She insists that you need to be the one put on the case."
"Dennis, this office is not designed for that kind of case. Turn it over to missing persons."
"The girl missing is Teresa Farnsworth. She is the daughter of —"
"Gladys Farnsworth," Ironside finished for him.
"That's right, Bob. You know, the one who has a big crush on you." Randall was grinning from ear to ear. "She thinks you're the cat's meow."
"I have never been the cat's meow. As I said, assign it to missing persons." Ironside wheeled away from the table and over to his desk. "You see these files, Dennis? They are cold cases you sent to my office. My staff is busy with these right now. So tell the mayor and the governor I can't help them."
Randall shook his head. "Sorry, Bob, but she was able to get the entire council to vote to have you assigned to the case."
"The City Council can't assign me cases," Ironside growled.
"No, but I can, and they have ordered me to give it to you."
"Dennis!"
"Sorry, Bob. My hands are tied and so are yours. The sooner you find her daughter, the sooner you can go back to your cold cases." Randall got up and walked out of the office.
