The Case of the Deadly Scalpel

Chapter 2

1

Robert Ironside studied the folder in front of him. It was all of the information Gladys Farnsworth had provided to him regarding her missing daughter. Teresa Farnsworth was 18 years old and had just graduated from high school.

Farnsworth had provided much information about her daughter. There was a list of her friends and the young men that she either was seeing in the past or seeing now. She listed her activities in the things she liked to do. The places that she frequented were also listed with the addresses in San Francisco.

What bothered Chief Ironside was the fact there wasn't any information regarding her relationship with her parents. Since Teresa was 18 years old, she could easily leave home without her parents permission. If there was bad blood between them, she could leave without leaving a word as to where she was going. That was something Ironside would have to find out. He called and made an appointment with Mrs Farnsworth for 1:00. At that time, he would get more information as well as a picture so he had some idea who the blazes he was looking for.

The phone in his office rang. Eve Whitfield walked over to her boss's desk and picked up the receiver. "Chief Ironside's office."

"Officer Whitfield, this is Governor Moran's office calling for Chief Ironside."

Eve knew exactly why the governor's office was calling. She had a feeling this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation between the governor and her boss. Looking up from the phone, she said, "Chief, Governor Moran is on the phone for you."

Mark Sanger smiled. "We get fireworks and we don't even have to buy them."

Ignoring his aid, Ironside picked up the receiver and barked, "Ironside."

"Chief, please hold for the governor."

Governor Moran kept him waiting for so long, Ironside was ready to hang up the phone. Politicians! They seem to think that their time was the only one that was valuable.

"Chief Ironside, this is Governor Moran."

"Good morning, Governor. What can I do for you?" The chief didn't really need to ask. He knew exactly what the governor wanted, and he wasn't about to give it to him.

"Where are those recommendations for the release of prisoners from the correctional facility?"

Ironside feigned surprise. "I thought that would have been canceled after what happened in the prison."

"Regardless of what happened in the prison, Chief Ironside, it is still overcrowded."

"And, it is going to stay that way. If it is too crowded, then I would suggest that some of the prisoners be transferred to other prisons in the state."

"You don't get to make that decision. You're nothing but a police detective. I am the governor of this state. I have a responsibility to relieve the pressure on the warden in that prison. Furthermore, you know fully well that all of the prisons are experiencing the same thing. They may not be as overcrowded as this one, but they are almost filled to capacity as well. There simply isn't enough room in all of the prisons in California to accept the prisoners from our prison."

"Well, I have no recommendations for the release of any prisoners. They proved with their riot that none of them are capable of returning to society without becoming violent. The job market is down. Most of them will not be able to find jobs. When they can't, what exactly do you think they will resort to?"

"That is not your problem, Ironside. I want that list and I want it no later than the end of this week."

"Wrong, Governor. When they are released into the city of San Francisco, they become my problem when they commit crimes. I am sorry, but I am not making up any list. None of those inmates should be allowed to be released."

Governor Moran couldn't keep from displaying the anger he was feeling. "Now you listen, you will do exactly as you are told to or I will go to the mayor and your city council."

"You are welcome to do so, but I think you will find that they agree with me. Those prisoners would be released into the city of San Francisco. It is my job to protect innocent citizens in this city. I have no intention of allowing prisoners who proved to be violent to be released into our city."

"Then I will go over all of your heads and order a release anyway."

"You do that. I have scheduled a press conference regarding the release of any prisoners. I'm going to tell the community exactly what is going to happen if those men are released into the city. I take my responsibility to the people of San Francisco seriously. I suggest that you take your responsibility to the people of California just as seriously and leave those prisoners right where they belong." Ironside slammed down the phone.

"Eve, type of a very strong letter to the warden of the prison. Tell him that my recommendation is to leave every one of those prisoners exactly where they belong. State that they cannot be released since they have proven through the rioting that they propose a threat to the citizens of San Francisco. I want that letter and those boxes of inmate files returned to the prison, and do so immediately."

"Yes, sir."

"I will be downstairs. I have scheduled a press conference. If Governor Moran thinks he's going to release those prisoners into this city, he will soon find out that the citizens will not tolerate it."

Robert Ironside turned his wheelchair around and headed up the ramp and out the office door.

2

Perry Mason and Della Street wandered the decks of the Pacific Princess. While everyone else was waving goodbye at the side of the ship, they pretty much had the decks to themselves. Not many people chose to walk around the ship. They were either waving goodbye or settling in their cabins.

"I have looked so forward to this cruise," Della said.

Mason smiled. "I know you have. That is exactly why I agreed to the cruise."

She grabbed his arm and stopped his forward movement. "You mean you didn't want to come?"

"Of course I did. Do you really think I would pass up a chance to spend time alone with you on a cruise?"

"I have never been so happy, Perry. I love what we do for a living, but I love spending time alone with you. It is something we don't get to do a lot of. That is why this cruise was so important to me."

They could hear the cheering of the crowd taking advantage of the send-off they were receiving from friends and relatives. They continued on until they arrived at the pool, Della stopped Perry. "Oh Perry! Look at the pool! I can't wait to swim in it!"

"When we do, it will have to be rather late. If we try swimming during the day or even the early evening, we would certainly run into other people. I have no doubt we would be interrupted by the curious."

"How does a midnight swim sound?" Della asked.

"More like three in the morning if we are to avoid people."

"Do they allow that? I wonder if they have lifeguards?"

"I doubt it. You don't see lifeguards at hotel pools. It is probably no different on cruise ships," Mason said, adding his opinion.

A man and woman walked into the area. They stopped and stared at Perry and Della. They could hear the couple in a slight disagreement. "That is Raymond Burr, the woman said excitedly.

"No, it isn't. That is Perry Mason," her companion insisted.

The woman was shaking her head. "No, I don't think so. He looks just like Raymond Burr."

"What would Raymond Burr be doing with Perry Mason's secretary on a cruise."

She smiled a mischievous smile. "Probably the same thing you and I are doing. I am going to go over and talk to them."

"Oh no you are not. You are not going to bother Mr Mason and his secretary while they are on this cruise."

"I am telling you," she said, "That is not Perry Mason, it is Raymond Burr." Before her husband could stop her, she hurried over to the famous couple.

"My husband and I have been having a disagreement."

Despite not wanting to be bothered, Mason smiled. "I am betting that one of you thinks I am Raymond Burr and the other one thinks I am Perry Mason."

"Why yes. That is exactly what we are having a disagreement over." Her husband reluctantly joined them.

"Well, I'll settle the argument for you. Both of you are wrong. I am John Smith and this is my wife Wanda."

"Oh my gosh. Do you have any idea how much you look like Raymond Burr?"

Her husband gave Mason and Street a knowing smile. He realized that neither one of them wanted to be bothered. "We are sorry, Mr Smith. We didn't mean to be a bother. I hope you enjoy the cruise." He took his wife by the arm and led her away from the couple.

"And so it begins," Mason said.

"Perry, you know fully well this could not be avoided. You are going to be recognized. Maybe we can get the cruise staff to help out and run interference for us. Since we are having dinner with the captain tonight, you can bring it up with him."

"I guess that is about our only option," Mason agreed. They continued on their tour of the ship.

3

The doors to the elevator opened. Ironside wheeled his chair out. He was met by a horde of reporters. They immediately began shouting questions at him. The detective wheeled directly over to them. No other officer in the police department could command the media attention that Robert Ironside could.

"All right, Chief. You got us down here, now tell us what this is all about," one of the reporters shouted over the noise.

"Yeah, Chief, what's up?" another one shouted.

"All right, you vultures, calm down and I'll tell you," Ironside said with a grin. "As all of you know, I was in the prison when a riot broke out. Almost the entire population of the prison took part in that riot. There were very few that did not. Now whether they did it because they were scared of the leadership, or just plain took part, that will probably never be known. However, it doesn't change the fact that they took part in it. As all of you know, that prison contains mostly hardened criminals. Those that committed murder, rape, or other federal crimes.

"Before the riot, Governor Moran had requested that I go through the files of the prisoners incarcerated and give him a list of those that would least likely commit another crime if given an early release. My staff and I began doing so. When I went to the prison, the riot broke out. As you know, one of the prison guards actually led that riot. I would have thought the situation would have changed the governor's mind about releasing anyone in that prison. However, I just got off the phone with him, and he insisted I come up with a list of prisoners to be released.

"I told Governor Moran that I couldn't believe that he would continue with releasing murderers from the prison. The economy is not in great shape and there are no jobs available for these men. You know exactly what that means. They will turn to violent crime in order to live. I have informed the governor I will not make up any list, and that my recommendation is to leave them where they are. He needs to find another solution for the overcrowding of the prisons in the state. I will not be responsible for helping turn murderers loose on the citizens of San Francisco. Now, I will answer any questions you may have."

"Chief, do you really think it is a good idea to go up against the governor of the state?" a reporter from CNN shouted.

"I am not going up against anybody. I am simply refusing to make up a list to turn murderers loose on the citizens of San Francisco."

"Chief, did you give the governor any solutions regarding the overcrowding of the prison?" Another reporter from NBC called out.

"My job is to protect the citizens of this city. It is not my job to figure out how to relieve the overcrowding of the prison. However, instead of wasting money on frivolous projects, the legislature in this state needs to build another prison. It is the only solution, along with better rehabilitation of prisoners who could be released early. That does not include a prison full of murderers and rapists."

"What do you think the governor will do?"

"I have no idea. Although, I do hope he takes the time to think about what might happen if he releases any of these men in San Francisco."

"And what do you think the citizens of this city should do?"

"I recommend they call their representatives in Sacramento and demand that the governor leave hardened criminals where they belong, incarcerated in prison." Now, if you will excuse me, I have a heavy workload at the moment."

"Just a minute, Chief Ironside. I've heard a rumor that one of the city council members' daughter has been missing. Has that case been assigned to you?"

Ironside wondered how that information was leaked. He thought only he, Commissioner Randall, and the city council knew about it. Despite knowing that he would cause a media frenzy, his response was to tell them he had nothing to say about it. Ironside wheeled his chair away from the reporters while they continued to shout questions at him about both the governor and the city council members' daughter.

4

Ben Stein walked down the halls of the hospital. He was not in favor of doing spinal cord surgery on Corbin Schulte. The man simply had not listened to him when he told him several weeks ago that the surgery needed to be performed immediately if it had a chance of being successful. He had ignored him and waited all this time. Ben had an extreme uneasy feeling that it was far too late for the surgery to be successful. As it was, it was a new procedure and success was not guaranteed by any means.

Schulte had been a patient of his for many years. He had minor problems that required surgery in the past due to a bad disc in his back. He had been dealing with a severe case of arthritis that attacked many joints in his body as well.

Knowing all that, Ben had allowed him to bully him into continuing with the possibility of doing the surgery. It went against his better judgment. Yet, here he was getting ready to perform the tests needed to determine if there was any chance the surgery could be successful.

When he reached Corbin's room, he walked in. Schulte was sitting up in bed watching television. "Did you catch the press conference?"

"What press conference?" Dr Stern asked him.

"You don't keep up with the news, do you?" Schulte asked.

"I'm a surgeon, Corbin. Most of my time is taken up with my practice. What was the news conference about?" Not that he really cared, he wondered why he even asked.

"Your buddy, Ironside. He's picking a fight with Governor Moran."

Ben already knew where this conversation was going. Corbin Schulte was a good friend of the governor's. He had donated a considerable amount of time and money to help the man get elected.

"I doubt that Bob was picking a fight with the governor. I don't doubt that the two of them had a disagreement, and I am pretty sure what it was over. It was regarding the prison riot, wasn't it?"

"It was. Ironside will not provide him with the list of prisoners to be released. I don't understand why this city allows Ironside to do whatever he pleases. He is so overrated."

Not according to his record, Ben thought, but he wasn't about to get into a sparring match with Schulte. He wouldn't change his mind anyway, and Ben had no use for Governor Moran either. So there wasn't any sense in taking the conversation any further.

Changing the subject, Stein informed him, "You will be having three tests today. If those tests indicate that we still have a chance of a successful surgery, then we will go ahead with it the day after tomorrow."

"Why not sooner?" Schulte insisted.

"Because the test results will not be back until tomorrow."

Schulte's voice was rising in anger. "What the hell takes so long to get the test back?"

"Corbin, these things take time. You are going to have to be patient. We will get the test back probably no later than tomorrow afternoon. We will do the surgery the first thing in the morning the next day as long as the results indicate that there is a chance for success."

"Why can't you do it tomorrow night If you get the test in the afternoon."

"Because I will have worked all day, I am doing three surgeries as it is tomorrow. The surgery that you will be having is extremely delicate. I must be completely alert and at my best if the surgery is to be successful."

"So put off the other surgeries. Who the hell pays you more money? The longer you put it off, the less chance I'll ever walk again. That is unacceptable."

Trying to be patient, Dr Stern replied, "The other surgeries have been set up for some time. All of them are as serious as yours, and there is also a time constraint. Corbin, you must realize you are not my only patient. We will do the surgery the day after tomorrow as long as the tests indicate possible success."

"All I got to say for you, Dr Stern, is it better not be too late. You've put this off as long as you possibly could as it is."

"I put it off? I told you weeks ago that it was imperative that the surgery be done as soon as possible. Do you consider a month as soon as possible?" He scolded himself silently for losing his patience with Schulte.

A nurse quietly walked into the room but stood back. She didn't want to interrupt the doctor and his patient.

"You're not listening, Dr Stern. You are going to do the surgery and it better be successful. You remember that surgery you did on my back last time. I told you I had that checked by another doctor. He said that you botched that surgery and it would cause me problems later on. Obviously, it has. He is willing to testify in a court of law if I decide to sue you from malpractice. So, I suggest you not screw this one up."

"Doctor, I don't mean to disturb you, but it is time for Mr Schulte to go down for tests. The orderlies are waiting outside to transfer him.

"All right, Nurse Kane. Bring them in."

He watched as they wheeled Corbin Schulte out of the room. Ben wondered why he was even considering doing this surgery. Corbin Schulte was a horrible human being. He supposed the only reason he was willing to do the surgery was he had taken an oath to help people.

Nurse Beverly Kane watched Dr Stern leave. She wondered what that was all about. She had seen all of Schulte's medical records and couldn't believe Dr Stern would even consider doing the surgery. It was far too late. He had successfully performed the surgery on others. However, they had it done almost as soon as the problem was discovered. It had been a month since Schulte originally came to see Stern.

She didn't like the tone of the conversation. Was Schulte blackmailing Ben Stern into doing surgery on him?

5

Ironside continued to study the information given to him by Gladys Farnsworth. The first thing he intended to do was interview her.

"Ed, I want you and Eve to start interviewing Teresa Farnsworth's friends. Mark, you come with me. We are going to go see Mrs Farnsworth. He wheeled his chair around and headed up the ramp. His detectives followed him out.

Mark Sanger drove the specially equipped van out of police headquarters. After being given the address to him by his boss, he left and headed in the direction toward the Farnsworth home.

"Chief, has her mother considered that maybe she just took off for a while. Maybe she just wanted some space."

"You young people! Why can't you just say she wanted to be alone. What the blazes does it mean that she needs space? We all have space."

Sanger knew that his boss was just blowing off steam. He was still upset by Governor Moran's insistence that inmates be released from the prison. Mark worked for Ironside for some time now. He knew when the chief really wasn't angry with him, but upset with whatever situation that was getting under his skin.

"I don't know, Mark," Ironside said calmly. "You may be right. She may just have wanted to get away for a while. I have no idea what the relationship was between the Farnsworths. That is why we're going to see her."

"What about Mr Farnsworth?"

Ironside shook his head. "He was killed in a car accident 7 years ago. Teresa is an only child. And that is about all I know about the Farnsworths."

Fifteen minutes later, Mark Sanger pulled the van in front of the Farnsworth's home. Mark got out of the van and went around to the other side. Ironside was already on his way down in the lift. Mark stepped behind the detective's chair and began wheeling him to the front door.

Ringing the doorbell, the two men waited for their hostess to answer. They didn't have long to wait as the door opened almost immediately.

"Robert, thank God you are here. Please, come in."

Ironside grabbed both sides of the door frame and pulled his wheelchair into her home. She led them immediately to the dining room area.

"I know you're a heavy coffee drinker, Chief Ironside. I have a pot of coffee brewed for you." She walked over to the counter, reached up into the cupboard, and pulled down three cups and saucers. After setting them on the table, she returned to the counter, picked up the coffee pot, and went back to the table. Mrs Farnsworth poured three cups of coffee. The cream and sugar were already on the table.

"Gladys, I'm going to have some tough questions to ask you. I don't want you to take offense, but these are questions I do have to ask."

She nodded. "I understand, Robert. Go right ahead."

"What was the relationship like between you and Teresa?"

She sighed. "I won't lie to you. It wasn't good. Like a lot of teenagers her age, she was rebelling. Quite often, even if I told her she couldn't go out, she would do so anyway. I tried controlling her behavior by grounding her, but she ignored me. She went out anyway."

"How long has this been going on?" Ironside asked.

"She has had a tough time ever since her father was killed in that car accident. She still believes that it wasn't an accident and that someone murdered her father. She resents me for not trying to find out who did it."

"I checked into that case myself," Ironside said. "There was absolutely no evidence whatsoever that it was anything but an accident. Your husband had been drinking. He lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road, and hit a tree. The coroner said he was killed immediately."

"I know that. And believe me, I am not questioning the report that you filed. I believe it was an accident. Harold and I had an argument. It was over his drinking. He stormed out of the house, and believe me, Chief, he was in no condition to drive."

"Gladys, has Teresa ever taken off like this before?"

"Well, when she has left the house in a snit, she could be gone for hours. But she always returned by late evening. She never stayed out overnight, let alone be gone for several days. Robert, I have a terrible feeling about this. I'm afraid something has happened to her."

Ironside patted her hand. "We don't know that. Do you have any idea where she may have gone?"

With tears flowing down her face, Mrs Farnsworth shook her head. "I can't be sure. I don't like the crowd she was hanging out with. They were smoking pot and drinking. She would come home with the terrible smell of marijuana and alcohol. I tried to talk to her about the type of people she was hanging around with, but it would always escalate into a horrible argument. I gave you a list of her friends."

"I have Mark and Ed checking on some of them right now," the detective told her.

"Do you have any idea where she and her friends would hang out?" Ironside asked.

"I don't know for sure, but one of her friends told me that they would go to this man's house and party with him."

"Do you know his name?"

"No, I'm sorry I don't. Nor do I know where he lives. I was only told that it is outside of town."

"All right, you try not to worry. We'll find her." After obtaining a picture of Teresa, Ironside turned and wheeled his chair toward the door. Mark Sanger followed him out of Gladys Farnsworth's home.

6

"You look ravishing, Miss Street," Perry Mason said to his secretary.

She was wearing a long blue gown that hugged all of her curves. The neckline plunged just enough to show a bit of cleavage. The long sleeves also clinged to her arms. The gown was nearly floor length.

Della smiled at the lawyer. He was dressed in the traditional black tuxedo with a bow tie. "Did I ever tell you how handsome you look in a tux?"

Mason pulled her tightly to him. "I am beginning to think we should take a cruise at least a couple times a year." He bent down and kissed her lightly, before deepening the kiss.

Della gently pushed him back. "We are due shortly to have dinner with the captain. We don't have time to start this."

"Why don't we just stay in and have dinner here. We can make up an excuse as to why we can't eat dinner with the captain. I would rather be alone with you this evening."

She smiled at him. "Now, Perry, you know fully well it is an honor to have dinner with the captain of the ship. You wouldn't want to insult him by turning him down, would you?"

The phone rang. Mason reached over and picked up the receiver. "Hello." He listened for a moment and then said, "Thank you. We will be there."

Della looked at him puzzled. "You didn't accept any other dinner invitation, did you?"

"No. That was the captain. He thought it might be better if we had dinner with him privately in his cabin. He thought we would get more privacy that way."

"That's very thoughtful of him. Don't you think so, Perry?"

"It would have been more thoughtful of them if he had just canceled and let us spend the evening by ourselves. After all, this is the first evening we will be able to spend together here."

"Don't be a stick in the mud. Let's go join the captain for dinner."

"All right, after all you are the head of the office."

"That's right, I am. And the head of the office says let's go have dinner with the captain. Do you even know where his cabin is?"

"He gave me directions." Mason took her hand and led her out into the hall. After locking the door, he led her toward the captain's cabin.

When they arrived at their destination, Mason knocked on the door. It opened quickly. A gray haired man, every bit as big as Perry Mason smiled. "Come in, Mr Mason and Miss Street. I have been looking forward to having dinner with you. Normally, dinner is held in the main dining room at the captain's table. However, since the two of you are quite high profile, I thought maybe it would be better if we held dinner here in my cabin. I am sure both of you would prefer to remain as anonymous as possible in order to enjoy the cruise."

Mason returned the smile. "That is very thoughtful of you and much appreciated."

Captain Anthony Reagan stepped back to allow the couple to enter his cabin. It was actually quite bigger than Mason and Street's cabin. There was more than one room. The one they entered contained a desk. Behind the desk was a wall covered in bookshelves. It was obvious the captain was an avid reader. The cabin was decorated, as expected, with nautical items and paintings.

On the far side of the room, a table had been set up. A woman was standing beside the table. She walked forward as captain Anthony Reagan introduced her.

"Carly Williams, I would like you to meet Perry Mason and Della Street. We all know what Mr Mason and Ms Street do for a living. Carly is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times."

If it wouldn't have been so obvious, Mason would have groaned. That was all they needed. A damn reporter! He was afraid their vacation would be ruined by a reporter hungry for a story about the two of them.

Mason smiled at Carly and extended his hand. "It is nice to meet you, Miss Williams."

Carly Williams ignored Della Street. She looked up at the handsome lawyer and smiled. "Likewise, Mr Mason. Please call me Carly."

Mason noticed she had ignored the introduction of Della. However, Della didn't let her get away with it. She put out her hand and greeted the reporter. "It is nice to meet you as well." Williams only nodded at Della.

"Well, now that the introductions are out of the way, please be seated at the table."

"I don't know if it is the same as the television show, but don't you usually have your staff join your guests for dinner?" Della asked.

The captain chuckled. "Actually, I do. However, as I said, I was sure you would prefer to remain anonymous. Besides the other guests were being hosted by my staff."

Della glanced over at Perry. She wondered just how anonymous they would remain with a Los Angeles reporter also having dinner with the captain.

Both the dinner and conversation were pleasant. The only thing that bothered Perry was Carly Williams barely spoke to Della at all. Almost all of her conversation was directed at Mason.

It remained to be seen just how anonymous they would be able to remain.