Disclaimer: I do not own the Perry Mason or Ironside characters. They are the creation of Erle Stanley Gardner and Collier Young. Nor am I making any profit from this fanfiction.

I do not claim to have any legal training. This is intended as pure entertainment.

All stories follow a timeline but are written to stand alone. The stories or episodes referred to are listed at the bottom of the page.

The stories are written in the present not at the time in which the shows took place.

Thank you for your interest. I hope you enjoy the story.

The Case of the Angry Mountain

Chapter 01

1.1

The door to Ironside's office opened. Sgt. Ed Brown entered the office. He walked swiftly down the ramp. Officer Eve Whitfield had already arrived at work and was sitting at the main table enjoying a morning cup of coffee. Ed strolled toward the kitchen where Ironside's aide, Mark Sanger, was cooking breakfast for the trio's boss.

"So what kind of mood is the chief in?" Ed asked.

"Well, let's put it this way... I would rather tangle with a Tyrannosaurus Rex," Eve said with a smile.

"That good, huh?" Ed frowned as he took a seat beside Eve. "When is he going to snap out of it? It has been like working in a morgue here lately."

"You should be around here in the evening if you think it is bad during the day. He is constantly yelling my name and half the time he doesn't know why when I reach him," Mark told them.

"I am surprised at you two," Eve scolded. "Have neither of you ever hurt over a woman?"

Ed thought back to the only time he had ever been close to marriage. He had really loved Anne, more than he had ever loved a woman in his life. Then she had been taken away from him in one horrifying moment by Tom Dayton. Dayton had been working at the hospital where Ed's fiancée was a nurse. His boss had been a woman. The man had a mental problem, he could not take orders from women. In fact he had an unreasonable hatred of women. When his boss fired him, he went into a rage, attempting to kill her. Anne, along with a man that worked at the hospital, overheard the struggle and came to her aid. In the process of trying to subdue Dayton, Anne was knocked to the floor. She hit her head on a desk as she fell. The blow to the head had killed her.*

Ed knew that he had been inconsolable. He had spent every waking hour trying to learn everything he could about Tom Dayton. He had even chanced the wrath of then chief of detectives, Robert T. Ironside.

Eve was right. He should be more understanding. If the chief could not lean on them, then who could he lean on? He had always been there for him. He stood by him, even helped him through his grief over Anne by making sure he was involved in cases up to his ears. He had no time to feel sorry for himself. Was this so different?

Mark looked at Ed. "She is right, you know. I remember when I did not see my date home from a party and she was murdered that night. Even though I almost destroyed the case and was found kneeling over the dead body of the suspect at the time, he still did not consider me a suspect and he helped me through it.** We owe it to him to help him through this."

"That is more like it," Eve said.

"Maybe the vacation he is taking with Perry Mason and Della Street will be just what he needs," Ed remarked.

"A vacation with Perry and Della? If they were a movie or television couple, they would be in the all-time top ten of favorite romantic couples. That is not exactly what the chief needs right now. It will remind him how much he misses Barbara," Eve said.

"You think we ought to talk him into not going?" Ed asked.

"No, being with Perry will be good for him," she answered. "Mark, do Perry and Della know what happened between Barbara and the chief?"

"I can't be sure but I don't think so. I have not been with him every waking hour but he called Perry yesterday. I was not trying to listen in on his conversation but it did not sound to me as if he had told him."

"Maybe we should give Perry and Della a heads up," Ed suggested.

"No, Ed. That is up to the chief to do it his way and in his own time," Eve disagreed.

"Perry is going to know soon enough," Mark said.

The door to Ironside's bedroom opened and the detective entered the main room. "Are all the criminals in San Francisco behind bars?"

"We were waiting for you," Eve said.

"What for? After all this time working for me, haven't you learned to think for yourselves?" Ironside snarled.

Eve looked at their boss. She did not want to embarrass him but someone had to remind him of his schedule. "We are supposed to go to the firing range for certification. That includes you."

Ironside said nothing for a moment. "I am perfectly capable of driving myself to the firing range. You and Ed go on ahead. I will be there shortly."

"Chief, why don't we go together?" Ed suggested.

"Because, I have something I need to do. Now go on without me. I will join you later." Ed and Eve looked at each other. "Well what are you waiting for?"

Eve and Ed got up and left the office.

"Mark, get me Perry on the phone."

Mark reached for the phone and dialed.

1.2

"I hope that is the end of the mail," Perry Mason said.

"The stack of mail would not be so huge if you would sit down and answer it the first time I asked you," Della Street scolded.

Perry puckered his forehead. "I hate doing the mail."

"Really, I never would have guessed." Della smiled as she picked it up. She had to type up Perry's answers and get the correspondence in the mail today. Perry's procrastination never allowed much time to get it to their recipients on time.

The phone on Mason's private desk rang. Della turned around and walked swiftly back. She picked up the receiver and pressed the intercom button to Gertie's desk. "Yes, Gertie."

"Miss Street, Robert Ironside is on the line for Mr. Mason. Do I send the call through or take a message?"

"Put the call through." Della put her hand over the phone's mouthpiece and whispered to Mason. "Robert is calling." She waited a moment. "Hello, Robert."

"Hello, Della," sounded the gruff voice of Robert Ironside. "Is Perry in?"

"Yes, one moment please." She put the phone on hold. "There is something in his voice, Perry. Something is wrong."

"You could tell that by the sound of his voice," Mason smiled. Della was almost as good at deduction as he was.

"It comes from working with a lawyer who deducts, determines, and decides."

"I believe you stole that phrase from Bob," Perry said as he took the phone from her. "Hello, Bob, I hope you and Barbara are packing some warm clothes. It will be rather chilly up in the Sawtooth Mountains."

"That is why I called. Something has happened."

"Now, Bob, don't tell me you are cancelling our vacation," Perry said. Della perked up. She went around the desk and bent over Perry's shoulder. Mason realized that she wanted to hear Bob's side of the conversation. He reached over and pressed the speaker button on the phone.

"No, I am not cancelling, not if you and Della will still have me."

Perry wrinkled his forehead as he looked at Della. "Of course we want you and Barbara to go. This was your idea, remember?"

"Yes, I remember. That is what I wanted to talk to you about. Barbara will not be coming on the trip."

Della sat down on the side of Perry's desk. "Is Barbara alright? I thought she came out of that incident with Pierre Fougère unharmed***."

"She did but it had quite an adverse effect on her." Ironside became silent.

"Bob, what's wrong? Where is Barbara?" Perry asked.

"She left San Francisco," Ironside responded quietly.

"What do you mean she left?" Perry demanded. Della caught Perry's attention and shook her head at him to tell him not to press him.

"She issued me an ultimatum. Her or my job."

"And you cannot give up police work?"

"It is what I do, Perry. Barbara knew that when we started."

"Give her time, Robert," Della said Being tied to a bomb had to have been horrifying. She will come back."

"No, I don't think so. She had not been the same since I got back from Washington. Then the president called and asked me to handle the crown prince's security and find out who was kidnapping diplomats. I have noticed with each case she has grown increasingly nervous and pulling away from me."

Perry did not know what to say. He knew how happy Barbara had made him and he had been happy for him that Barbara had come back into his life. Now, he wished that she had not. He hated seeing his brother hurting. He knew the kind of man he was despite the wall Bob put up to hide his emotions.

"Then you have not heard from her at all?" Della asked.

"Not for over a month," Ironside said. "Well, other than a letter she wrote to me telling me we were finished."

"She wrote you a letter instead of telling you in person?" Della asked.

"She had made it rather final when she left. I thought when I received the letter that maybe she had reconsidered but it was a letter telling me that she would always love me but she could not handle the constant danger my job put me… and her in. She pretty much told me to go on with my life, that I would not be hearing from her again."

"Robert, I am so sorry," Della said softly. Perry reached over and took her hand in his.

"It is probably for the best. It is probably better I don't put a woman through what I do."

"That is silly, Robert. Barbara may not have been able to handle it but there is a woman out there somewhere that can," Della soothed.

"Bob, I really think coming with us is a good idea. You need to get away," Perry said. Fishing and relaxing in the mountains will be good for you."

"I agree. I just wanted to be sure I was still welcome."

"Of course you are welcome. You just get ready. We are flying up to San Francisco on Saturday."

"Our flight to Boise is not until Sunday," Ironside reminded him.

"We know but Della and I want to see Eve, Ed and Mark. Can you put us up for the night? I thought we would all go out to dinner," Perry suggested to his brother.

"I am sure they would like that. And of course you can stay here. Perry, I have to get going. I am due at the firing range. Police have to certify every now and then and I have put it off so many times it has come to Dennis' attention. He insists I not put it off any longer."

"Alright, Bob, we'll see you on Saturday. Can you pick us up at the airport?" Perry asked.

"Of course. I'll be there. Goodbye, Perry. Goodbye, Della." Ironside hung up the phone.

Perry looked up at Della. "You are thinking of inviting some woman to go with us to Idaho, aren't you?"

Della displayed a slight smile. "No, but is there anything wrong with one just happening to be there? One that is already interested in Robert?"

Perry shook his head. "Della, you are not playing matchmaker for Robert Ironside and some woman he probably will not even notice." He looked at her sternly.

"I am not going to play matchmaker. I am just going to call Katherine DeNureve and tell her I think she ought to come to Boise." Della got up, picked the mail back up and headed out of Perry's office.

"Della!" Perry shouted after her to no avail. She disappeared out the door.

1.3

"Mark, I am going over to the firing range. You don't suppose you could have lunch ready when we get back, do you?"

"Sure, Chief. I am happy to see your appetite has returned. If it is alright with you, I have to go to the market to pick up a few things."

"I am going to need the van," Ironside responded.

"I know. I called downstairs, one of the officers is going to drop me off. You can pick me up on the way back." Mark walked up the ramp, grabbed his jacket and headed to the door.

"Mark!" Ironside shouted. He reached in his pocket, pulled out his keys to the van and tossed them across the room to Sanger. "It makes more sense to have the officer drop me at the range. I can come back with Ed or Eve. You take the van. That way you can come back and not have to wait for me."

"Thanks, Chief. See you at lunch." Mark opened the office door. Standing on the other side was Vic Richards.

"Is Chief Ironside in?" Richards asked.

"Yeah, he's right over there." Mark pointed at the chief and left the office.

Ironside recognized the voice immediately. He did not need this right now. He was not in the mood to listen to Richards gloat over Barbara. "Come in, Vic."

Richards came down the ramp. He walked directly into the kitchen and grabbed two cups. He poured coffee into both cups, walked to the table and set one cup down in front of Ironside. He sat down and offered his hand to Ironside. "It's been a while, Chief."

Ironside shook his hand. "If you are here to gloat, Vic, you are wasting your time and mine."

Vic shook his head. "I am not here to gloat, Chief. Just the opposite. I was in town on business and I wanted to stop and say I am sorry for what happened between you and Barbara. I thought I could help since we have the same thing in common."

Ironside looked at Vic Richards. He read people extremely well. The man was being sincere. "Thanks, Vic. I guess I should have known it would not last."

"If it is any consolation, she still loves you."

"Not much," Ironside said, taking a sip of coffee.

"You know when she left me for you, I was devastated. But, I finally moved on. I have met someone. I never thought in a million years that would happen. You will too."

"Huh," Ironside grunted. "I think I'll just stick to police work."

Vic smiled. "I thought the same thing… well not police work, mind you… but work."

Ironside took another sip of coffee. "Why the hell could you not have waited until this evening to drop by? Then we could be sitting here drinking bourbon instead of coffee."

Vic laughed. "I'll tell you what, if you have nothing to do this evening, we can go over to Eddy's and I'll buy the first round." Vic smiled. "We both said if things had been different we could have been friends."

Ironside lowered his chin and stared at Richards. "You're on and you buy the first two rounds."

Richards grinned. "As long as you buy the rest."

"It's going to be an early evening," Ironside said.

"So the rumors about you being cheap are true?"

"Who's cheap? I'm frugal." Ironside continued sipping his coffee.

"The girls are very upset. They love you. They are afraid they will never get to see you again," Vic said.

"They can see me anytime they want to. I am hoping you will allow me to see them."

"You're allowed as far as I am concerned. You have earned the right. You have saved their lives and mine and Barbara's for that matter.**** I have already assured them you will want to see them but I think a phone call to them when they are with me at the end of the month will better convince them."

"I'll call them," Ironside said.

"Good. I have to get going. I'll pick you up at seven?"

"Why don't we make it dinner as well?" Ironside asked.

"As long as I get to pay the check," Vic responded.

"By all means."

Vic laughed. "See you at seven."

1.4

Perry spent the rest of the morning completing two briefs. When he had completed them, he carried them into the outer office. "Let's get some lunch."

Gertie stepped into Della's domain and said, "Miss Street, Mr. Drake is on the line."

Before Della could say anything, Perry said, "Tell him to meet us across the street for lunch." Perry took Della by the elbow and led her out of the office.

While in the elevator on their way down to the lobby, Della said, "They did a good job with fixing the hallway after the fire, don't you think?"

"What? Oh, yes, you would never know there was a fire."

"Perry, you are a million miles away," Della said with a smile.

He smiled back at her. "No, just a few hundred miles away." The door to the elevator opened and the couple stepped into the lobby of the building. Paul Drake approached them.

With a smile, he delivered his customary greeting to Della. "Hi, Beautiful."

"Hi, Paul, are you hungry?"

"I can't believe you asked that question," Perry said with a laugh. The three friends left the building together and crossed the street to Clay's. After selecting a table in a remote section of the restaurant, Perry held out a seat for Della and sat down beside her. Paul dropped into a chair on the other side of the secretary.

"So are you two all packed for your trip to the mountains?" Paul asked.

"Della handles the packing. I forget things," Perry said.

"Like what?" Paul asked.

"Like underwear!" Della smiled.

"You have forgotten to pack underwear?" Paul asked in disbelief. "Really, Perry?"

"I don't expect you to understand, Paul."

Paul picked up the menu and began reading the selections. "Now why would I not understand?"

"Because you don't have Della," Perry said.

"And what has that got to do with you not packing underwear?" Paul asked.

"With Della around, I don't need underwear," Perry said with a grin.

"Perry!" Della scolded him. Paul just laughed with Perry as Della blushed.

"Well, you are actually going to take another vacation with Chief Ironside," Paul said.

"Looking forward to it, too," Della said.

"So am I. It means that I get a vacation as well," Paul said with a grin.

"You have earned it after Washington and Seth Palmer's trial.***** So what are you going to do with the time? Are you going to get away or just stay behind and work minor cases?" Perry asked.

"Minor cases?" Della questioned.

"Perry thinks any case I work is minor if it is not for him. For your information, I borrowed a page out of your book. I asked Commissioner Randall if I could use his cabin for a few days. I am taking a lady up there with me. With you two on vacation, I should not be interrupted."

"Who is she?" Perry asked.

"Oh no, I am not telling you, pal! You'd call her and tell her not to go with me."

Perry smiled and winked at Della.

"What about you two? What have you got going for the today and tomorrow?" Paul asked.

"Perry has to be in court this afternoon. We are taking tomorrow off to get ready for the trip," Della answered.

They talked about their respective trips for the remainder of their lunch. Perry picked up the check, leaving a very generous tip. The three left the restaurant and headed in different directions. Paul headed out to get ready for his trip. Della and Perry went back to the office. After handing Perry his briefcase, Della watched him leave for court.

Della sat at her desk. She contemplated calling Katherine. She knew Perry would be upset with her but it might be worth it. Eve had told her about the incident in Robert's office when Barbara Jones, Jeanine Duvalier and Katherine DeNureve all showed up in his office.****** She had learned that Katherine had found excuses to stop at Robert's office to see him. Eve thought if he had not been seeing Barbara that Robert definitely would have been interested in Katherine.

Della reached for the phone. "Operator, can you give me the phone number for the DeNureve Vineyards in Sonoma County? Thank you, I will dial it myself." She dialed the number and waited for an answer.

" DeNureve Vineyards," a feminine voice answered.

"Is this Katherine DeNureve?"

"Yes. May I help you?" Katherine asked.

"Katherine, this is Della Street, Perry Mason's secretary."

"Oh, yes. Mr. Mason is Robert Ironside's brother."

"That is correct. I called... well I am not sure how to tell you," Della said.

"Usually the best way is straight out," Katherine suggested.

"Alright. I am calling you about Robert."

"Is he alright?" she said a bit alarmed.

"He is fine... well not really."

"I don't understand. Is Robert alright or not?" Katherine asked.

"Physically he is fine. But... well... he and Barbara have called it quits," Della informed her.

Katherine tried to contain the surprise and the glee of the news she had just heard. "How do you know that and why are you telling me?"

Had Eve been wrong about Katherine's interest in Robert? No, Della did not think so. After all, Katherine did ask how she knew. "Robert contacted Perry this morning. You see, we were supposed to be taking a vacation with him and Barbara to the Sawtooth Mountains but he informed us that Barbara would not be going. They have spilt up. Robert is still going though. I was wondering if you might be interested in coming up and visiting. He sounded like he could use a friend along. Perry and I will be doing some things on our own. I am sure Robert would enjoy your company." Della waited for Katherine to reply.

"I just can't show up. What reason would I give?" Katherine asked.

"Then Eve was right. You are interested in Robert?"

Katherine blushed. She was happy that Della was unable to see it. "Was I that obvious?" she asked.

Della chuckled. "Probably not to Robert. For a detective that notices everything, he certainly can't tell when a woman is interested in him."

"Della, I have not known him very long and I certainly have not had the opportunity to spend that much time with him. How do you know he would even want me there? He probably is not ready for that yet."

"I am not suggesting a wedding... just a visit. You can get to know each other better. It will be good for Robert and you will get a jump on the other ladies that are going to be interested when they find out Robert is available."

"Well, I have enjoyed the time I have been able to spend with him but I have no idea how I will explain my presence."

"You just leave that up to me," Della told her. "I suggest you get packed and arrive there ahead of us. Give me your cell phone number and I will call you with your cabin arrangements."

1.5

"Did you or did you not violate the terms of the agreement you and my client signed?" Mason hammered away at Peter Thornson.

"It is not a yes or no question. Jorden knew there was oil on the property. He bought it from me knowing he was cheating me."

"Do you have proof he knew that there was oil on the land?"

"No, but I know he knew."

"Did Mr. Bakersfield offer you one hundred thousand dollars more than you were asking for it?"

"Yes, he did but…"

"And you accepted it, is that correct?"

"Yes, but that was before I found out there was oil on the land."

"And you signed it, is that correct?"

"Well, yes… but…"

"No further questions," Mason said and turned around.

"You may step down," the judge said.

"Your Honor, I would like to call Mr. Jorden Bakersfield to the stand."

Bakersfield took the stand. Mason walked up to him and asked, "Mr. Bakersfield, did you know that there was oil on the property when you made the offer of an additional hundred thousand dollars?"

"No, Mr. Mason. I did not. I wanted the land really bad. You see, I have investors to develop it into a multi-million dollar mall. It will be three city blocks long. I don't care about the oil. I have no intentions of drilling on that land. The paperwork for the mall has already been signed."

"That will be all," Mason said.

The attorney for the plaintiff asked a few questions trying to trap Bakersfield into admitting he knew about the oil on the land but Bakersfield was not to be trapped. He left the stand and took a seat beside Perry Mason.

Judge Poole addressed both parties. "With the evidence that has been presented today, I see nothing that indicates the defendant tried to defraud the plaintiff. The plaintiff accepted one hundred thousand dollars more than his asking price and signed the property over to Mr. Bakersfield. If there was any question that the defendant was trying to defraud him, the plaintiff should have questioned why the defendant was offering so much more money than the asking price. Yet he did not. All of the paperwork registered by the defendant's attorney, Mr. Perry Mason, was in order and legal. Therefore, it is the judgment of this court that the transfer of property is legal and the plaintiff received a fair price for what was known at the time. The court rules in favor of the defendant. Court is adjourned."

Bakersfield jumped up and grabbed Perry Mason's hand. "I can't thank you enough, Perry. This would have cost me a lot more than the property if we had lost this case."

Mason smiled. "My pleasure. I didn't think he had much of a case. Good luck with the shopping mall."

"You will be invited to tour it as soon as it is up. Thanks again." Bakersfield got up and left the courtroom.

Attorney Joshua Colbert walked over to Perry Mason. "I still think he knew about it, Mr. Mason."

"There is no proof of that, Mr. Colbert," Mason responded as he put his papers back in his briefcase.

"What are you doing defending a case of this sort? A big-shot lawyer like you, known for his criminal work."

"I hope that was meant my legal criminal work," Perry said with a smile.

Colbert chuckled. "Of course. I just was a bit surprised when I found out you were Bakersfield's lawyer."

"I handle many other cases. I only specialize in criminal law. One has to pay the bills," Perry said.

"Huh, from what I have heard you have to turn down more cases than you accept."

"Don't believe everything you hear." Perry smiled as he picked up his briefcase. "Good day, Mr. Colbert."

"Good day, Mr. Mason." He watched Mason leave the courtroom. He shook his head and mumbled, "Just call me Hamilton Burger."

1.6

The bartender brought the eighth round of drinks and set them down in front of Vic Richards and Robert Ironside. "This one is yours, Chief."

"I bought the last one," Ironside slurred his protest.

"Ah… but I bought dinner."

Ironside lowered an eyebrow and pulled out his wallet. "I don't buy this many drinks for Ed and Mark and they're my friends."

Vic laughed. "Here's to old enemies." He held his glass up.

Ironside clanged his glass against Vic's and said, "To new friends."

Both men drank to the toast. "So when are you headed out?" Vic asked.

"We fly out on Sunday," Ironside answered.

"Barbara was supposed to go with you?" Vic guessed.

"Yes, but that has changed. I enjoy my brother's company but I have a feeling I am going to feel like the fifth wheel. He and Della are quite the couple."

"I am sure you will have a good time. If you don't, come up to my place and we'll go fishing."

Ironside chuckled. "Here we are, two men who both wanted Barbara and now all we have is each other!"

"On that note," laughed Vic, "I think we better call it a night before either of us is too drunk to drive," he slurred.

"We are already too drunk to drive. I'll call a cab and send Mark in the morning to pick you up and bring you back here for your car. I don't want tomorrow's headline to read Ironside pulled over for driving his wheelchair under the influence." He grinned. "There are some advantages to being in a wheelchair. No one sees you stagger out of the bar."

Vic laughed with Ironside. "Come on, Chief, I'll wheel you outside but don't expect a straight line."

Ironside allowed Vic to wheel him out where both of them caught a cab and headed home. While sitting in the cab, Ironside thought about his upcoming trip. He was afraid he would spoil Perry and Della's vacation. Maybe something would happen to liven up their trip.

*Refers to Ironside Episode – Tom Dayton is Loose Among Us

**Refers to Ironside Episode – Due Process of Law

***Refers to incident in kaleen1212's fanfiction – Checkmate and Terror

****Refers to Ironside Episode – Good Bye to Yesterday and kaleen1212's fanfiction – Moonlight in San Francisco.

*****Refers to kaleen1212's fanfictions - The Case of the Politician's Wife

And The Case of the Neglectful Fireman

******Refers to kaleen1212's fanfiction - Checkmate and Terror