The Case of the Deadly Scalpel
Chapter 18
1
Mason parked his rented vehicle in front of the hospital. He pulled out a plastic handicap label and hung it over the rearview mirror.
Della smiled. "Exactly where did you get that, Perry? I don't recall you receiving one from any of your doctors."
Mason grinned. "Remember that trip Bob and I took to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho?"
"Of course I remember. You injured your knee, but it has long since healed. That thing," she said, pointing at the mirror, "expired a long time ago."
"Yes, but if you look at it, you can't read the expiration date." Mason grinned again. "But if it makes you feel better, you can limp into the hospital." Della shook her head.
They headed into the hospital and took the elevator to Dr Witt's office. When they arrived Sergeant Brown was arguing with Witt.
"I am not going anywhere, Doctor. I have been informed the judge has given us the right to remove the key. Perry Mason will be here with the proper paperwork soon."
"I don't care what Mason is doing. I have plans for the evening and I am not going to sit around here waiting for Mason to show up.
Mason and Street entered the office. "You don't have to wait any longer, Doctor." He handed him a paper. "That is a court order signed by Judge Herman Thatcher, giving Sergeant Brown the right to remove the key in question."
Witt looked over the court order. "This is outrageous! The key has never left this office!"
Brown smiled. "Well, it is about to." He put out his hand.
Witt didn't have any choice. He had to surrender the key to Ironside's sergeant, but he didn't have to like it. It was ridiculous that anyone would believe someone could enter his office and find the key to the box on the wall where all spare keys were kept. Ironside and Mason were grasping at straws! They had no case, so they were going on a fishing expedition. Reluctantly, he handed the key over to Ed Brown. "Now, will you two get the hell out of my office so I may continue my evening?"
Mason looked into the eyes of the doctor. "Why are you so averse to having this key checked, Doctor?" He wondered if the doctor had something to hide. "I would think you would want Dr Stern cleared of the charge, preserving the hospital's reputation.
With a loud snort, Whit growled. "This hospital will survive an unscrupulous doctor regardless of a murder. I don't like being pushed around by Ironside. He has been a thorn in my side before."
Ed knew exactly what he was talking about. His boss would not allow Witt to do the surgery on Sister Agatha when she was attacked and injured. Ironside forced the issue with a power of attorney over the sister's medical treatment. It seemed Dr Witt still hadn't gotten over it. He wasn't about to allow him to get away with that remark. "You have known Dr Stern for years. You can't possibly think he is guilty of killing Corbin Schulte. Or is it just that you have a problem with Chief Ironside and are taking it out on Ben Stern?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't have a problem with Ironside."
"Chief Ironside, or would you prefer we address you as Witt?" Ed said.
Witt rolled his eyes. "Fine … Chief Ironside … are you satisfied, Sergeant? And I don't have a problem with CHIEF Ironside!"
Della placed her hand on Ed's arm, deciding the situation needed a feminine touch. "We have what we came for, Ed. Let's take it back so Robert can have the Police Lab analyze it."
Mason smiled as he watched Brown calm down. Della had a way of calming tense situations. "She's right. Let's go."
Brown took one last look at Dr Witt and turned around to head for the door. When they were outside his office, he smiled at Della. "Were you afraid I was going to punch him?"
Mason laughed. "I think it crossed both our minds. The difference between Della and me is I would have let you!" That brought out a laugh between the three of them.
2
It was getting late. Paul Drake was feeling the fatigue. He seemed to be running on caffeine alone. He hadn't stopped all day. Ironside made it clear he wanted him to find out if they could put Cherie Schulte near her husband around the time of the murder. If they could, it would certainly go a long way to reasonable doubt. With the money she stood to inherit, she certainly had a motive. It was also quite obvious she hated her now-dead husband. Drake was determined to find out if she was anywhere near him close to the time he was murdered.
He needed to find out where the technology department was. Every hospital kept video surveillance. What he needed to find out was whether they recorded and kept copies of those surveillance videos.
"Sir, where are you going?"
Drake turned around to see a nurse. Reading the badge she wore on her uniform, it was obvious she was the nurse in charge of the floor. He pulled out his private detective credentials and flashed his badge, being careful not to give her the opportunity to actually read it. "My name is Paul Drake. I am a detective. Could you tell me if the hospital records their surveillance videos." As it quite often happened, the nurse took him for a police detective, which was exactly what he was hoping for.
"Ah, well … yes, of course. Why?"
"I am investigating the murder of Corbin Schulte. I would like to see the video. It could help with my investigation."
"I don't know if that is possible. The police asked to see them. I am not sure we can show them to you. You understand, HIPPA prevents us from revealing anything about our patients."
Paul decided what might work was charm. He didn't want to push the nurse. She would only dig in her heels, and his chances of seeing the footage would reduce greatly. "I am not interested in seeing any of the medical records," he said, smiling. "What I am interested in is finding out who might have been near Schulte's room around the time of the murder."
"Well, I think that would be okay. Each floor has a video surveillance system that feeds into the main system. You would have to go to the main surveillance room to see the footage in question."
"Thank you. Can you tell me exactly where that would be?" Drake asked.
"Yes, it is on the first floor. You would have passed it if you came down the main hall to the elevators. Due to the sensitivity of the videos involved, the room has nothing on the door to identify what it is used for." She looked around. "We have been rather quiet, Detective. I can go down with you to get you in the door. From there, you will have to have the technician show you what you are looking for."
"Thank you, I appreciate it." Drake walked with her to the elevator and pushed the button for the first floor. "I don't think I got your name."
"No, you didn't. You didn't ask. My name is Beverly Kane. I am the nurse in charge of the floor we just left."
"Were you on duty the day Corbin Schulte was murdered?" Drake asked.
"Yes, I was."
The elevator finally arrived and the door opened. Drake put his hand out, indicating for Nurse Kane to enter in front of him. Once they both were inside the elevator, Drake pushed the button for the first floor. He continued to attempt to learn what he could from Nurse Kane. "Nurse, did you see anyone near Schulte's room?"
"No, I can't say that I did. I already testified what I know, Detective. Dr Stern argued with Mr Schulte. Despite Mason trying to confuse me, I know what I saw and what I heard."
They arrived at the first floor and the doors opened. They stepped into the hall. Kane led Drake over to the unmarked door. She keyed the code into the door and opened it. A young man was sitting in front of multiple viewing monitors.
"Still watching the same old television shows, Marcus," she laughed.
He looked up. "Bev, what the hell do you think you are doing? You are not supposed to use the code to get in here. I could get into a lot of trouble for giving it to you."
"Relax, Marcus. How often do people actually look at the video anyway?" she said, brushing off his concern."
"That's not the point. Nor are you supposed to bring anyone in here."
Again she ignored him. "Detective Drake would like to see the video footage for the time Corbin Schulte was wheeled back into his room to the time he was discovered dead."
"The police already asked for that. Unfortunately, the system went down just around that time. So, there isn't any footage."
"Just a bit of a coincidence, don't you think?" Drake asked.
"Coincidences do happen," Marcus said.
"I don't believe in them," Drake disagreed. "I would like to see what you do have on video at that time.
Marcus looked up at Beverly Kane. She nodded. "It's okay. The police have already seen the video. There is nothing there, but if they want to look again, it is alright."
Marcus brought the date in question. After asking what time he should bring up, Drake told him. As she stated, there wasn't anything to see.
"You can turn it off now," Kane told him.
"Just a minute," Drake said. He had seen just a flicker on the video as if someone had altered it. He was surprised the police had not seen it. Maybe they just didn't want to. "Back it up just a hair."
Marcus looked up at Kane for direction.
"It's okay, Marcus," she told him. "There isn't anything there."
He backed it up, but just far enough to see a flicker in the video.
"Someone has altered the video." Drake was sure of it.
"That's not possible," Kane said, "Marcus is always in here during the day. He was working that day. He even eats his lunch here. The hospital has to be monitored all day and night for emergencies."
Marcus looked down. Paul noticed immediately. "Did you leave this room for any reason the day of the murder."
"Well … yes, I did," he admitted.
"What! Marcus, you could get fired! Why on earth would you do it?"
"I got a call. The camera on the roof of the building wasn't working. Someone was spotted messing with the helicopter. They said they already sent security to the roof, and told me to go up and see what was wrong with the system up there."
"And you left without bringing someone into this room?" Kane demanded.
"Yes, I did. I was ordered to do so."
Now they were getting somewhere. "By whom?" Drake asked.
"Dr Witt."
"That's ridiculous. Dr Witt would not have given such an order," Kane insisted.
"Did you recognize Witt's voice," Drake asked.
"Well … not exactly," Marcus said. "He had a bad cold and his voice was terribly hoarse."
"Dr Witt didn't have a cold then, nor does he have one now," Kane said.
"Mr —" Paul began.
"Warren, Marcus Warren," the young man said. He knew he was in trouble. If he held onto his job, it would be a miracle.
"Mr Warren, I want a copy of that video. I have no doubt you will be called by Perry Mason as a witness for the defense to testify about this.
"Please, if the higher ups find out about this, I could lose my job," Marcus begged.
"I am sorry, but a man's life is at stake. That is more important than your job. Now, the video please."
3
Carly Williams had been very busy. She couldn't believe what she found out. The mob had something to do with Corbin Schulte's murder. She was sure of it! The question was what did they have to do with Ben Stern? Was Stern working for the mob? That had to be it. Either that, or the mob has something on him and forced him to murder Schulte. Either way she was going to find out. She would solve this case! Ironside was not all he was cracked up to be. As far as she could tell, he didn't have a clue the mob was involved.
She pulled her rented vehicle in front of the building she learned contained the office of Benny Stoner. Her research told her Stoner took the place of the last boss whom Ironside took down. Must have been sheer luck! Ironside was so overrated.
Getting out of her car, Carly walked over to the front door. On the side of the wall listed the names of the tenants. There, listed in order was Benny Stoner's name. Also on the wall was a map of the offices and where to find them. Stoner had the largest office in the building. Actually, it was more like a penthouse apartment. She couldn't help but wonder if he lived there as well. Opening the door, she entered the building and headed for Stoner's office. When she arrived, she opened the door and went in. There wasn't any secretary sitting at a desk as she expected. Two very nasty looking characters were standing on both sides of a door, which was not marked with a name.
"I think you have the wrong office, little lady," the man with a scar down the side of his face said.
"This is the office of Benny Stoner, is it not?" she demanded boldly. "Don't bother to answer, I know it is. So, stand aside and let me through. I have business with him."
"No one has business with Mr Stoner that we don't know about. So turn your pretty little ass around and leave."
"I am not going anywhere. Just get out of my way! You can't bully me around!"
"You are not going in there, lady. Now get out of here, if you know what is good for you."
The door opened to the office, and Benny Stoner came out. "What the hell is all the commotion about?"
"This young lady insists on seeing you, and won't leave, sir," the scar-faced henchman said.
"Is that right?"
"That is right, Mr Stoner. I suggest you see me immediately. I know your connection to the Corbin Schulte murder."
Stoner stood there for a moment before he said, "It's alright, boys. Come in, Miss …"
"Williams. I am a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle." That wasn't exactly the truth, but she would be soon, so why not use it to get her in the door.
Stoner led her into his office. "Have a seat, Miss Williams, and tell me why you think I had anything to do with the Schulte murder."
"Well, I know you had Joey Mancino killed because he was being forced to testify for Perry Mason in defense of Dr Stern. Now, I don't think you directly killed Schulte. You would not have access to do so, but Ben Stern would. You had something on him. I want to know what it was. I will keep you out of it since Joey Mancino was nothing but a hood. I suggest you tell me exactly why you had Ben Stern kill Mancino. I want to nail the son-of-a-bitch to the wall. I don't care about you or Mancino. You can just go on as before."
Stoner couldn't believe the balls of the reporter … if she had any. She had nerve, he'd give her that, but she knew too much about Mancino. He wondered if she just guessed, or if she really knew more than was good for her. "What exactly makes you think I had anything to do with Mancino's murder?"
"I am a reporter, Mr Stoner. Through my investigations, I determined a man named Harry shot and killed Mancino. That leads right back to you. Now, I don't care what you do, or who you waste. That is your business. What I do care about is a doctor that kills his patient. That can't be allowed to happen. I want Stern in prison where he belongs." Really what she wanted was to beat Ironside at his own game. After the way he treated her in his office, he deserved it.
Benny Stoner didn't like this. She was a reporter, and she simply knew too much. Despite saying she didn't care what he did, he couldn't possibly trust her. A reporter reported, and he couldn't have her saying Mancino's murder pointed at him. She gave him no choice. She had to be wasted. "Well, little lady, I can appreciate everything you have brought to me. Furthermore, I agree with you. I have no doubt the good doctor murdered Corbin. Corbin was a friend of mine. Did you know that? No, I don't suppose you did. I can assure you, if one of my men had anything to do with Joey Mancino's murder, he is going to pay for it. Will that satisfy you?"
"Yes, but one last thing. Tell your men to stay out of this. I am going to bring down Ben Stern, Perry Mason and Robert Ironside. I don't want you or your people interfering."
"That is not a problem. I'll make sure it doesn't happen. Is that all, Miss Williams?" Stoner asked.
"Yes, thank you. I appreciate your cooperation. I will be leaving now." She couldn't believe why everyone thought Benny Stoner was so dangerous. She just walked all over him. Maybe, once she landed the job working for the San Francisco paper, he would be her next target. After all, bringing down Ironside and Mason was proving to be easy. She planned so much for them, and they didn't even know it.
Stoner pushed what was known as the panic button on his desk. The door opened and Harry Parker stepped in. "Harry, please escort Miss Williams out. She and I are done here." With Carly's back to him, he closed his fist and ran the outstretched thumb across his neck. Parker would know exactly what he wanted him to do.
"Yes, Boss. Miss Parker, please follow me."
"Thank you, but I know the way out," she said.
"No, I don't think you do. You are coming with me." He pulled a gun from his waist. "And if I were you, I wouldn't make a sound."
Alarmed, Carly croaked, "You are going to kill me, aren't you?"
"Well, well, it appears you are a little bit smarter than we thought. How could you be so stupid then to come in here and threaten Stoner. Did you really think he would just roll over for you? You are nothing but a little bug who is about to be squashed. Now, as you can see this gun has a silencer on it. If you make a move to run or scream, I'll plug you immediately. Got it?"
As he pushed her toward the door, she tried to make a run for it. Parker grabbed her. "That was not very smart." He hit her with the butt of the gun, knocking her out. Now, he had a problem. How was he going to get her out of the building? He threatened to kill her right here and now, knowing fully well he wouldn't shoot her here. Now she was out cold. If he was seen carrying her out, there might be hell to pay later on after her body was discovered. He had no choice. The quicker he got her out of the building and into the car, the better. Rather than pick her up, he dragged her out of the building. Fortunately, it was after hours and nobody saw them. It was also dark outside now, so there was a good chance no one would see him shove her into the trunk of the car.
Just around the side of the building stood Paul Drake. He was heading back to Ironside's office when he spotted Carly Williams entering the building. He pulled his rented car over to the curb, not worrying if it would be recognized since Stoner wouldn't have any idea what he was driving. He headed just around the building, where he had been waiting.
Parker dragged the unconscious reporter to the back of the vehicle he drove, opened the trunk, shoved her in, and closed it. When he turned around, Paul Drake was standing there with a gun pointed directly at him. "Going some place with that young lady, Parker?"
The man had the look of a police detective. "Look, cop, I was just following orders."
"What exactly did you plan to do with her? Were those orders to kill her?"
"Oh hell no. I wouldn't do that."
"Sure you wouldn't. Lift her out of the trunk," Drake ordered, all the time keeping his gun aimed at Parker.
He didn't hesitate. He opened the trunk and pulled Carly Williams out. Shoving her at Drake, he turned and ran. The private eye was not concerned with him. He would high tail it out of San Francisco. Stoner didn't tolerate mistakes. Having got caught about to kill Carly Williams would be enough for Stoner to have him wasted.
Drake carried the reporter over to his rented vehicle, opened the door on the passenger side, and slid her into the seat. He hooked up her seat belt, then closed the door, went around to the driver's side, and got in. After starting the car, he pulled it into the road and headed for Ironside's office.
4
Perry Mason, Robert Ironside, and Della Street sat around the table in the detective's office. They were waiting on the results of the lab test on the key to Ben Stern's office. It was the first real break they had gotten in the case. Mark Sanger had just placed dinner on the table for them. Ironside sent Eve and Ed home for some much needed rest.
"What is taking so long on that key?" Mason grumbled.
"I told them to rush it," Ironside told his brother. "We should have it some time this evening." The phone rang. "Get that, will you, Mark!"
"Bob, we have to come up with more than what we have if I am going to get Ben Stern off."
Mark Sanger entered the room. "Chief, that was Paul Drake. He is on his way in, and he has someone with him."
"Who?" Ironside asked.
"Carly Williams," Mark grinned.
"Carly Williams! What is he doing with her?" Mason asked in surprise.
Mark headed for the kitchen and pulled a Pepsi out of the refrigerator. "He didn't say. He just said she was coming in with her." Sanger popped the cap on the bottle and took a drink.
Paul Drake pulled his vehicle to a stop next to Ironside's van. Carly Williams was just beginning to stir. The detective waited until she was fully awake.
Carly looked around. "Where am I?"
"Police Headquarters."
"What? I am not going in there!" She reached for the passenger handle and opened the door. As she got out, so did Paul Drake. He hurried around the car and stopped her. Grabbing her by the arm, he attempted to lead her toward the elevator which would lead to Ironside's floor. "Let go of me!"
Drake stopped, but didn't let go. "Now you listen to me, young lady. If I had not been passing by Stoner's building, you would be dead right now."
"Okay, so thank you. Now, will you let me go so I can get out of here?"
Drake was not about to let her go. If he did, Carly Williams was as good as dead. Whatever she said to Benny Stoner, he obviously decided to kill her rather than allow her to reveal what she apparently learned. He needed to get Ironside involved.
"Did you hear me? You are as good as dead unless you get some help from Ironside. I don't know what you told Stoner, but whatever it was, he decided to have you killed. You are going to tell Ironside everything you told Stoner."
"I will not! I am a reporter. I have every intention of proving Ironside is a dirty cop. So, you let me go!"
"Are you really this stupid. Stoner was going to have you killed," Paul said in disgust. He was beginning to wonder why he should even attempt to help her. If she got herself killed, it really wasn't his problem. Yet, he knew he wouldn't. He couldn't let her go off and get killed.
Pulling her toward the elevator, she fought him every step of the way. "Rape!" she yelled when she saw a police officer coming their way.
Paul sighed. He would have to talk the officer into going up to Ironside's office with them. Ironside would back him.
"What's going on?" the officer asked. Then he recognized Drake. "Hey, Paul, what's the problem?"
"Hi Duffy. This young lady …"
"Reporter, I am a reporter and this man kidnapped me, and is now trying to rape me."
"Don't flatter yourself, lady. You wouldn't even catch my eye," Drake said.
"Wait a minute, isn't she Carly Williams, the reporter from Los Angeles?"
"Not anymore. She was fired, but she is Carly Williams," he told Duffy. "Listen Duffy, I stopped one of Stoner's goons from killing her. She is too stupid to see that if I let her go, she is as good as dead."
"I see, well then, I think we better take her up to see the chief."
"I am not going up to see that arrogant cop! I can't stand him!"
"You will go willingly, or I will put you under arrest as a material witness against Benny Stoner. So what will it be?" Duffy pulled his handcuffs from behind him.
"Oh for God's sake! Why don't you just let me go?" she screamed.
"Okay, have it your way. Duffy turned her around and cuffed her. "You are under arrest as a material witness." He pressed the code into the elevator. When the door opened, Duffy gently pushed her inside. Moments later they were entering the chief's office.
Ironside turned his chair toward the door when he heard it open. Mason and Street also looked in the direction of Drake's entrance. As Drake and Duffy led Carly Williams down the ramp, everyone realized she was in cuffs.
"What's going on, Duffy?" Ironside demanded.
"I'll let Mr Drake tell you," Duffy told the boss.
Paul Drake proceeded to tell them what happened when he noticed Williams being stuffed in the trunk of a car, and what transpired after he arrived.
"Well, Miss Williams, it seems you almost got yourself killed," Ironside said.
Duffy, take the cuffs off." The officer did as he was ordered.
"I can take care of myself," she snapped.
"Apparently not. If Mr Drake hadn't been there, you would probably be floating face down in the Bay." Ironside pulled out a chair. "Sit down, Miss Williams."
"I have no intention of sitting down and having a conversation with you. You can't keep me here against my will," she complained.
"Actually, I can," Ironside said. "You are a material witness against Benny Stoner. You need the protection of the San Francisco police."
"I don't need anything from you!"
Ironside was about to continue when Perry Mason interrupted him. He could see his brother was about to get aggressive with Williams. Mason didn't believe he would get anywhere with her using that tactic. "Miss Williams, my brother is only concerned with your safety, as am I. I don't think you understand the danger you are in. It seems you are a bit of a reporter after all. You have found out something about Benny Stoner that was serious enough that he ordered you murdered.
"Whether you believe it or not, Ben Stern is not guilty of killing Corbin Schulte. We don't want the killer to get away with murder anymore than you do. Nor do we want to see any harm come to you. You must realize that whatever you said to Stoner hit him close to home. Possibly, if you tell us what it was, it will help us protect you and make Stoner pay for trying to kill you." Mason waited on her response.
Carly looked between Mason and Ironside. These were the men she believed to be dirty, and they wanted her to help them. "You aren't giving me anything that earns my trust."
"Protecting your life doesn't earn your trust?" Ironside said, gruffly.
Della Street stepped into the conversation. "Carly," she said, using her first name. The personal touch just might reach her. "I have known Perry Mason for many years. He has helped many innocent people who were wrongly accused of murder. If it weren't for him, a lot of people would have paid the ultimate price for a crime they didn't commit. And Robert … well, he has put more criminals behind bars than any other police officer in the San Francisco Police Department. In fact, his career as a detective is legendary. Both these men care about justice. They can't keep you here forever, but if you decide to walk away, you won't live long enough to pursue your journalism career."
The door to the office opened and a police officer in a lab coat came in and down the ramp. "Chief, I have the results on that key you sent to the lab." He walked over to the table after glancing at Carly Williams.
"Don't tell me," Ironside said, "the key contained a compound that would make an impression of a key, and that compound was found in the grooves of both sides of the key."
The police officer smiled. He certainly was not surprised at Ironside's deduction. He had been with the department long enough to see the brilliance of the man. "That is exactly right."
"Thank you officer. Leave me the report," Ironside said, in dismissal. The officer left the office.
Ironside read over the report and then looked up. He caught Carly Williams' eye. Saying nothing, he just stared at her.
She looked away from him. She heard much about the look he gave that one could not stand to look directly at him. Now, she knew why he had the reputation. She couldn't continue to look at him either.
The woman was a pain in the ass, but it was Ironside's job to protect the people in San Francisco, and she was in his city. While she was here, he had to see to her safety even if she didn't seem to care about it. He made a quick decision. He slid the report he was just given in front of her. "Read that."
Carly picked it up and began reading. Her eyes widened. "Does this mean someone tried to copy the key to Stern's office?"
"It does, and not just tried, they copied it," Ironside said.
She set the report back down. Shaking her head, she pushed her chair back. "No, I don't believe this. You are just trying to clear Ben Stern because he is a friend of yours."
"Miss Williams, I have never tried to clear a murderer, and never will," Mason said. "I don't believe, not even for a second that Ben Stern murdered Corbin Schulte. He dedicated his life to helping people."
Turning her attention to Mason, she laughed. "You expect me to believe you have never defended a guilty person? Sorry, I am not gullible enough to believe that."
"Mr Mason not only defends innocent people, Miss Williams, he helps the police find the real killers. He wouldn't help someone get away with murder. That key provides reasonable doubt. Someone else had access to the doctor's office." Della placed her hand over Carly's.
"You can't prove when that key was copied." She crossed her arms in defiance.
"No, we can't," Mason said, "but it is enough to show someone could have copied the key and entered Ben's office."
"I don't buy it," Williams said. "Now, I have been held here long enough. I'm leaving." She stood up and pushed her chair back.
Ironside took her arm. "You aren't going anywhere, Miss Williams. If you were half the reporter you think you are, you would never have gone and challenged Benny Stoner. He's a killer, and if it weren't for Mr Drake, you would be dead right now."
"You can't hold me here!"
Ironside shook his head. "If you leave here, you are a dead woman. I can't allow that." He reached for the phone, dialed downstairs and asked for a police officer. Afterwards, he hung up the phone. "I am putting you under police protection whether you want it or not. You are not going anywhere without them."
"You can't do that. You are just spying on me, Ironside. You can't get away with this!"
"Miss Williams, would you rather sit in a jail cell?" Ironside barked. "It is either the officers travel with you or I will put you in a jail cell until this case is solved, and I have Benny Stoner in custody." Ironside couldn't actually hold her more than forty-eight hours, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. He banked on her not knowing it, so she would accept the police protection.
"I guess I don't have any choice."
"That's right, you don't," Ironside said with a gruffness to his voice. "So what will it be?"
"I'll take the guards, but I will be filing a complaint with the police department," she threatened.
"You do that," Ironside said, picking up the phone. After giving instructions, he gave his guest another look that caused her to look away from him. Soon, two plain clothes officers came in and led her out of the room, but only after Ironside pulled them aside and gave them instructions.
"Persistent, isn't she?" Della said with a smile.
"That persistence is going to get her killed. "If she will testify, we have enough to put Benny Stoner behind bars for the rest of his life," Ironside said.
"Chief," Paul asked. "Do you want me to find Harry Parker?"
"Yes, he could testify Stoner ordered him to kill Joey Mancino and Carly Williams. Do what you can, but I suspect he is long gone. Stoner doesn't tolerate failure. It is met with the barrel of a gun."
"Alright, I'll get out of your hair." Drake nodded at Mason and Street and left the office.
"I suggest we all get some sleep," Ironside said. "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, and you two will spend all of it in court."