Once again, a big thank you to Rachel for her ideas and suggestions and being my second pair of eyes. As always it is much appreciated.
TCOT Missing Statue Chapter 1
Della Street plugged in the percolator, reached up and retrieved the cups, saucers, creamer and sugar bowl from the cabinet and set them down on the tray. While waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, she walked into Perry Mason's private office and began to take care of the daily morning tasks that awaited her attention. Moving with an elegant grace, she flipped on the lights and opened the drapes covering the sliding glass door. It was a beautiful Autumn day in Los Angles and Della smiled as the sun came shining into the room. The stunning brunette paused for a moment and thought again how lucky she was to have such a wonderful job as the confidential secretary to one of the most famous defense attorney's in the state of California, if not the country. Not only was the man tall, dark and handsome with piercing blue eyes and that beguiling smile, he was brilliant, tenacious, and had a set of values and moral integrity second to none. He would fight for his clients, many times going above and beyond and had such a commanding presence both with his voice and manner that opposing counsels and judges would wait with bated breath to see what this complex and unstoppable man would do next. Hamilton Burger, the D. A. and police Lieutenant Arthur Tragg were more often than not frustrated with trying to figure out what tricks Perry 'had up his sleeve'. Away from the courtroom, Perry Mason was every woman's dream boss. Kind, considerate, and patient, he could at times even be gentle with his clients and, Della thought, the same way with her. He was always very complimentary, telling her what a great job she was doing and that he didn't know what he did before she became his secretary. Mrs. Dobson had been very nice but she hadn't been half as good as Della and he really appreciated everything she did to make his life easier.
As Della continued to think about her boss, a deep crimson blush appeared on her face and she suddenly felt light headed. Her heart began to race and she couldn't breathe. She sat down on one of the chairs at the round table and realized what was causing her to feel this way. It was the same feeling she had every time she allowed herself to think about this amazing man. She loved him….she was in love with her him. For a minute, she couldn't move. "How" she asked herself…."how could this have happened?...when did it happen?" Della closed her eyes and the answer came to her. She had fallen in love with him almost from the start but knowing that it would be inappropriate not to mention impossible she buried those feelings and swore to herself that she would be nothing more to Perry Mason than his secretary. Even the late night dinners and running around chasing leads and clients, sometimes putting them in the most precarious of situations did nothing to change her mind. She had to be on her toes, she could never let her guard down. She thought she was doing a wonderful job….everything seemed fine….until this past Saturday night. She and Perry were on the Williams case. They needed a testimony from an eye witness and had called a few times asking for his help but so far he had eluded them. Perry decided the only way to get him to appear in court was with a subpoena and the attorney felt that the best way to serve him would be to go to the club the witness owned for dinner and dancing. That way, there would be less of a chance for Mr. Barker to avoid them. There was only one problem…they would have to appear to be a "couple" When Perry approached her with this scenario, he asked her if that would be alright. Della took a deep breath and told him it would be fine. They had been out to dinner before, they had even done a bit of dancing and Della thought she could handle it.
The attorney smiled then asked her if she could remember to call him Perry and stop calling him Mr. Mason. He chuckled softly then said she was getting better at referring to him by his first name After all they had been working together for almost a year….ten months to be exact. Della smiled and said she would try. They shared a teasing moment when Perry asked her to say his name a few times then clapped his hands and laughing, said that she "finally got it."
He had picked her up at her apartment and for a brief second she thought he looked at her differently. He was ever the gentleman, very attentive and complimentary. Perry was very different away from the office, more relaxed and easy going allowing her to follow suit. Everything was fine…..until that incident….it happened so quickly and she thought she had calmly covered it up. Perry had asked her if she would like to dance and she said yes. He helped up from her chair and led out to the wooden floor…..and then it happened. This time, when he held in his arms it was a little closer and a little tighter. She felt an electric current shoot through her. For a split second she couldn't breathe and she missed a step almost losing her balance. Perry had been concerned and asked if she was alright. After assuring him she was fine, they finished the dance and made their way back to the table. They stayed until they spoke to the owner and just as they were about to leave, Perry reached inside his jacket and pulled out the subpoena. As the startled man looked at them, Perry withdrew his wallet and removed several bills, leaving them on the table. With a terse "see you in court" Perry helped Della up and led her out of the club. Later at home alone, Della lay in her bed trying to sleep, reliving the evening…reliving the past months and hoping beyond hope that she would be able to go to work Monday and act normally.
The ringing of the phone brought Della back to reality. Picking up the receiver she heard Gertie's cheerful voice letting her know she was in and apologizing for being late. Della smiled and told the receptionist it was fine, all was quiet for the moment and she would be in her office in a few minutes. Hanging up, she returned to the work at hand. With experienced skill, she set out the paperwork that would require her employer's attention neatly on his large mahogany desk, arranging them in three separate piles. They included the client files for the day, seven contracts and four briefs. Turning to leave, Della stopped a moment and looked at the bust of Blackstone that sat on the marble stand next to the door. Perry used it as a hat rack but Della knew there was another reason that statue was there.
Della was so engrossed thinking about the statue she didn't hear the back door open. Perry walked through and saw his secretary standing in front of the bust, staring at it. She looked as if she were lost deep in thought and Perry had to smile at the very organized and efficient Miss Street appearing just the opposite.
Walking over to his secretary, the attorney gently placed his hand on her shoulder and quietly said "good morning Della."
Momentarily startled, Della turned and gasped. The color seemed to leave her face and Perry realized he had scared her. Taking on an apologetic tone, he said "I'm sorry Della, I didn't mean to frighten you."
Taking a deep breath, Della looked up at her boss and smiled. "I'm alright Perry. I just didn't hear you come in."
"I know. You looked like you were a million miles away. Care to tell me what you were thinking?"
"I was just looking at the bust. It's very fascinating you know."
"Really?" Perry was surprised that Della would be so taken with the sculpture.
"Yes, it….he seems so strong and commanding. If he was anything like this statue, he must have demanded a lot from those who he knew him….they must have respected him and his intelligence. After all, didn't you tell me that a lot of his rulings were what modern law is based on?"
"Yes, he was known to be quite brilliant and quite the litigator. It's said that many lawyers feared opposing him. At times he even gave lectures in the town halls and even in the town squares. He would be fierce about defending himself or anyone else that he thought was not treated fairly."
Della smiled and cocked her head to one side. Raising one of her perfectly arched eyebrows her voice held admiration as she spoke. "Sounds like someone else I know."
Perry's mesmerizing blue eyes locked onto her warm hazel ones. For one brief moment, before he answered her, Mason thought he saw something in Della's beautiful eyes. His breath caught and he froze, wanting to say something but not quite sure what it was. Then the moment passed and in his clever way, he deflected the comment and took the conversation in a different direction.
"Coffee smells great, just what I needed this morning. Thanks for making a pot Della, you're a lifesaver."
"No problem. Everything that you need for today is on your desk. I'll get you a cup of coffee and then I have some things to take care of. We do have to go over the mail. Do you want to do it now or wait till later?"
"If you don't mind let's do it sooner than later. Tell you what, give me about 30 minutes just to look over what you so neatly and efficiently put on my desk and make a call to Paul and then we can get to the mail."
"Sounds like a good idea to me. Alright then, let me go and get you that coffee." Della turned to leave then turned back to Perry. With a tease in her voice she said, "after all we wouldn't want Mr. Blackstone to see you falling asleep at your desk." Not giving Perry a chance for a retort, Della turned on her heals and went to get the coffee.
Mason finished his phone call with Paul Drake and was about to hit the buzzer to let Della know he was finished when it hit him. He suddenly remembered what he had wanted to tell his secretary. Again, his breath quickened and his pulse raced. He felt sweat on his forehead and had to loosen his tie. He hadn't slept well the past two nights and now he knew why. He was in love with her….with Della. He knew when it had happened…it was the day she had come in for her interview. He knew she would think he was out of line and she would probably run for the hills so he squelched those feelings and worked alongside this beautiful woman strictly in a professional manor. As time went on, Della became more to him than just his secretary. In these last months he had come to rely on her more and more. Now he felt she didn't work for him, but instead worked with him. Her instincts were right all the time and he trusted her implicitly. She had a special way with his clients and he relied on her to know the ones to take on and the ones to refuse. She was bright, kind, caring and compassionate and wonderfully charming and funny. Nothing seemed to frighten her and she always was ready to accompany him anywhere in any situation without a moment's hesitation. Not to mention she was exquisitely beautiful. Yes, Della Street was all things and more and Perry now realized that the dance on Saturday night was the defining moment in his feelings for her. He had taken her in his arms and held her just a little closer and a little tighter. Her skin was smooth and soft and the perfume she wore invaded his senses and made him feel weak. For one exhilarating moment while they danced he felt a stirring within him. He knew Della felt something too but she tried to brush it off. Della thought he hadn't noticed but he did. After dropping her off at her apartment, he went home to his and, try as he might found that sleep eluded him that night and the previous night as well.
Now as he sat at his desk, he knew he would have to tell her how he felt. It would be impossible to go on as if nothing had changed. The lawyer was having a conversation with himself. "How do I tell her? When do I tell her? I can't do it here. It's not the place…not romantic enough….besides, someone could walk in and that's all we would need….and if I tell her what will she do?...will she stay or will she think I just want her because she's my secretary and that's what some guys do? You better plan this right Mason or it could all blow up in your face."
The knock on the door brought Perry back to attention. Hearing his invitation to enter, Della opened the door and said, "Perry, it's a little past 9:30. Are you ready to go over the mail? Mrs. Harper will be here at 11 so if we start now we should be finished by the time she's here."
Mason looked at his secretary. It was all he could do not to lock the door, go to her, take her in his arms and make love to her right then and there. To himself he said, 'easy man, don't rock the boat. Just ask her out for Saturday night. It will give you all week to plan something special.' To Della, he smiled and said, "great minds think alike. I was just going to let you know I was ready."
Alright just let me get the coffee pot and we can get started."
As Perry watched her leave he sucked in a deep breath. In a whispered voice, he said "soon, my beautiful girl, soon."
The week flew by. It had been hectic as usual with clients, depositions, papers that had to be filed at court and by late Thursday afternoon, the wind up of the latest case. Of course Perry had won and the client and his family were effusive in their praise for Perry, Della and Paul. They had invited the trio out to dinner but Perry declined saying they had to finish some work but if it was alright they would be happy to take a rain check. The family told them they would be looking forward to it and with a last thank you good bye's were said and everyone left the courtroom. Perry, knowing that reporters and photographers would be waiting, took Della by the elbow and together with Paul guided her out the back door and to the rear elevators. On the way down to the parking garage Paul said, "Man, I'm beat. These eighteen hour days are taking its toll me. I must be getting old."
"A little less all night poker games and nightlife with the ladies might help" said Perry nudging his friend in the elbow."
Della's giggle and twinkle in her eye was not lost on the men.
"If I may ask, just what do you find so amusing beautiful?"
Teasing, Della said, "Oh it's nothing Paul. It's just that you're such a tall, handsome, strong man I wouldn't think that the long hours and late night's would bother you so much."
"Well, some of us are mere mortals. I guess I'm not as long lasting as your boss. He seems not to let these crazy hours affect him." Paul's next comment was accompanied by a smile. "You don't look like it bothers you either. You look just as gorgeous now as you did at 8 this morning. Care to tell us what you're secret is?"
Della eyed the men. Batting her eyelashes for all it was worth and taking on a saucy tone said, "Now Mr. Drake, I can't tell you that. After all don't you know a woman never reveals her secrets. There has to be some mystery now, doesn't there?"
"Beautiful and mysterious….that's a lethal combination. Should Perry and I be worried?"
The elevator stopped and the door opened. Perry moved aside so Della could exit first. As she stepped out, she turned to the men. In the voice and look that drove Perry crazy whenever she used them, she said, "what do you think?" Smiling, she started to walk away leaving Paul Drake laughing and Perry Mason feeling weak in the knees and trying to keep an even breath.
Back at the office, Perry and Della were wrapping up some last minute work, hoping to finish at a decent hour. Della was in her office when Gertie buzzed her to let her know the electrician was there. Della told Gertie to send him in. Cal came into Della's office and the secretary gave him a slip of paper showing the rooms and the lights which needed repair. With a smile Della let him know she would be in the law library if he needed anything and left the electrician to his own devices. He had worked for them before so the need for Della to walk him through everything was not necessary. Not wanting to disturb Perry, she headed for the library through the hallway connecting the other offices that made up the rest of the lawyers suite. As she left, Della didn't notice her keys laying on the desk…those same keys which she never left unattended. Someone else had also noticed those keys and before Della would be back at her desk the key to Perry Mason's office would be in that person's possession.
Upon returning to her office, Della found a note from Cal letting her know everything had been taken care of. Attached to the note was a bill that Della would take care of the following day. Sitting down at her desk, she noticed her keys on the floor. Picking them up, she admonished herself. 'Now how did they wind up here?...Good job Della. Nothing like leaving these around where anyone could find them…..you better get it together…where is your head today?" As soon as she asked herself that question, Della knew the answer. She had been distracted all week, ever since Perry asked her to dinner the coming Saturday night. Perry said they had been working so hard he thought a night out would do them both some good. Della was about to decline, remembering what had transpired the Saturday before but Perry looked her with those piercing blue eyes and that charming smile, saying he would not take no for an answer and any thought of a refusal went completely out of her head. Instead she accepted his office with a brilliant smile and a soft thank you. Della had to admit she was looking forward to the evening and a few times caught herself daydreaming, snapping out of it by the ringing of the phone or Perry buzzing her on the intercom. At home she went through her closet numerous times searching for the perfect dress and accessories to wear. Later, in bed, she thought again what it would be like to tell Perry her true feelings. She imagined herself being held in those strong arms, lying side by side and being touched and loved by this wonderful man. Wanting nothing more than to make him happy she would return that love with every part of her being. These thoughts made slumber almost impossible and only by sheer will did she allow sleep to take over for however many hours she had left till daylight and the ringing of her alarm clock.
Just as Della finished those thoughts and dropped her keys back in her purse, she realized that Perry was standing in the doorway. Looking up at him she smiled and asked, "is there something I can help you with Mr. Mason?"
The attorney returned the smile and said, "why yes there is Miss Street. I was wondering if you were finished for the day. I'm through and since there's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow I was going to see if you wanted to have a casual dinner downstairs at Clays."
"That's sounds wonderful Perry but..."
"But you're tired and have things to take care of at home. I promise Della, it won't be a long evening and I'll make sure you leave in plenty of time. I'm bushed myself. What do you say? I'd really love the company."
"With an offer like that, a girl would be crazy to refuse. Alright, you win. I'll be ready to go in a minute. Just let me freshen up a bit. I must look awful."
Perry was about to tell his secretary that she could never look anything but beautiful. Instead he smiled, grabbed both their coats and minutes later was escorting the very lovely Miss Street out of the office and downstairs to Clay's all the while desperately wanting to hold her close and hoping against hope that Saturday night would be the beginning of a wonderful future together.