The Case of the Careless Kidnapper

This episode in the series aired in April of 1964. At the conclusion of the show, Perry and Della arrive together at a party, but never make it inside. Instead the following conversation (more or less) takes place between them. My story picks up when the camera stops rolling:

Della: Are we or are we not going into that party?
Perry: Della, when was the last time you went out dancing and drinking champagne all night?
Della: That, dear boss, is a memory so far back in time, I can't even drag it back to look at and enjoy in retrospect.
Perry: All right...how about we go make some new memories?
Della (smiling at Perry): You're the boss.

The episode ends as they turn to leave the party via a garden walkway.

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As Perry and Della walked away from the party and headed down the cobblestone path leading back to the driveway, Perry took her left hand in his and brought it softly to his lips. She smiled and moved closer to him...bringing her free hand to rest on top of his hand as it held hers. Her fingers lightly stroked it and the innocence yet promise of that small touch caused his heart to swell with love for the woman walking next to him. Della then leaned in and nestled her head against his shoulder. He slowed their pace and rested his head against hers. No words were spoken and no words were needed. The clear night above them was illuminated by a full moon. Its backdrop couldn't have been more perfect: cloudless and the blackest of black in color with a peppering of tiny bright stars. A gentle breeze caught the scent of the various rose and carnation bushes that lined the quaint path and a small shiver went down Della's back as the breeze played across her bare skin and the heavy perfume of the flowers filled her senses. She stopped, let go of Perry and brought her fur wrap back up around her shoulders. Perry turned and studied her features as she did this. Their conversation, specifically her answer to his question about the last time she stayed out drinking champagne and dancing until dawn, bothered him a little. They had been out dancing many times during their relationship, but these outings had slowed in recent years. Now, they almost always made it home by midnight. She had not complained about the slowing of their social activities and he knew in his heart she was very content and happy with their life. Still, he loved her very much and felt a little guilty that it had been so long since they'd had a romantic evening that lasted into the wee hours of morning... even though he knew she was only teasing him earlier.

He took a step closer to her and ran his fingers down the side of her face. Time and age had not changed his sheer infatuation with her beauty. When she looked up at him, he spoke in a barely audible tone. "I'm so sorry darling."

"What?" she replied half smiling yet half serious. "Perry, what on earth do you have to be sorry for?"

"To quote the very beautiful woman standing in front of me, `That is a memory so far back in time, I can't even drag it back to look at and enjoy in retrospect.'"

"Oh Perry, really...I wasn't serious."

"I know you weren't, but I want you to know: Just because we don't do those types of things as often as we used to, I am as much in love with you at this very moment as I was the first day you set foot in my office. Love at first sight, Della... and those feelings have only strengthened over time."

Della wrapped her arms around him, looked into his eyes, and whispered, "Love at first sight." As their lips pressed together, it felt as if time were standing still just for them. Perry pulled away and looked down at her. "Now,about those new memories...where would you like to go?" He looked at his watch. "It's only 9 PM. The night is very young and tomorrow is Saturday. We have all day to sleep."

Della laughed. "All day to sleep? Another example of something that is so far back in time I can't pull it back out and enjoy in retrospect."

Perry leaned his head back and laughed so loudly that it echoed across the garden and yard of the home they'd just left. He kissed her again, took her hand, and they made their way to the car. As he unlocked and opened the door for her, he said, "So,what's your answer, my dear? What kind of dancing are you up for tonight?"

She turned and, pressing her body into his, responded, "Something with low lights, cozy private tables in darkened corners, and slow jazz music. I want to feel you tightly up against me all night." She raised her eyebrows with her last words and looked him seductively in the eyes. Perry allowed his gaze to travel the extent of her body,then took his fingers and trailed them across the diamonds in her necklace and down her chest. The move sent goose bumps all over her skin.

"I know just the place" he said in low voice that did not mask his increasing longing to have her out of her dress and in his arms. He then opened the car door. Della slid across the seat and Perry climbed in next her. He put his arm around her and pulled her into another kiss before backing out of the driveway and cruising off down the quiet suburban street.

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By midnight, Perry and Della had danced their way through numerous sets of light jazz at the Fox Fire Room in North Hollywood. When the local band took a break, the couple made their way back to their secluded corner booth. Illuminated by only one floating candle in a large crystal container, they were well hidden from any prying eyes. As Della sipped her glass of champagne, Perry placed his arm around her and kissed her exposed shoulder. She sat the flute down, rested her cheek against the top of his head, and stroked the side of his face as his kisses moved upwards towards her neck. He also brought his free hand just under the hem of her dress and caressed her knee. When he tried to go higher, she gently placed her hand over his and gave him a reprimand. "Now, now Counselor...don't you go getting too carried away in public. There's no use in starting something you can't finish."

Perry pushed his hand past hers and made his way to her thigh. His kisses to her neck became more pressing and he whispered in her ear, "You told me earlier I was the boss and the boss says your legs are under the table cloth,well out of sight." She felt his tongue swirl just under her earring and find the tender part of her lobe. He squeezed her thigh tightly and pulled her closer to him. "And, for the record, this boss has every intention of finishing what he starts."

"I see" she replied. "Well then...I call your bluff."
"What?" Perry stopped his barrage of kisses and sat back to look at her. He felt a strange combination of amusement and arousal at her challenge.

She did not look at him, but continued to look out across the room at several couples who were slow dancing to an Etta James recording of "Sunday Kind of Love."

"You heard me,Boss" She picked up her champagne flute and took a very slow sip. Perry never took his eyes from her lips as they touched the glass. She sat her drink back down, turned, and looked down at his lap. Carefully and methodically, she studied her hand as she firmly ran it over his thigh, across his pants zipper, and up his stomach...finally resting it at his chest where she proceeded to smooth out his tie. Staring at the tie and tracing her fingers over it, she said, "I call your bluff. How do you plan to finish what you've just started while still making good on your earlier plans to drink champagne and stay out all night dancing?"

She then looked up at him briefly and turned back to again enjoy the view of the dance floor. Perry loved the direct challenge she posed to him and laughed at this very calculated move she had just introduced into their little banter. He leaned into her and placed his lips just inches from her ear. She could feel his breath upon her skin and it took every inch of will power she could muster not to turn and kiss him. He ran his hand down her arm slowly as he spoke.

"I think you will find I am more than capable of rising to the occasion. I need to make a couple of phone calls. Why don't you freshen up...maybe drink some more champagne while I'm gone...because," He took his hand from her arm and brought it back under the hem of her dress where he squeezed her knee. "I am going to take you some place quiet, hold you closely to me, and dance with you so long that you collapse from exhaustion in my arms."

"Is that so?" she said nonchalantly.

"Hmm-hmm...then I will have my way with you...my hands and lips will roam wherever they wish to go. You will not protest because, I am, as you pointed out earlier this evening, the boss and you will be too weak from the dancing and champagne." Della bit her bottom lip to stifle the giggle which tried to escape her lips.

"Furthermore," Perry whispered this last part,sending shivers down her spine. "you will know a different kind of exhaustion when I am done satisfying myself with you, my dear."

Barely keeping her composure, she replied coolly, "I see...and will I be satisfied too?"

Abruptly, Perry got up and slid out of the corner booth. Della looked a little surprised. He motioned for the waiter to bring over the check. Next, he leaned in and whispered something in the man's ear which Della could not hear over the music. The man smiled broadly at him and shook his head affirmatively. Perry smiled back and handed him five one-hundred dollar bills. "If this doesn't cover it, tell your manager to let me know."

"Yes, Sir Mr. Mason" the man responded happily.

Perry returned his attention to Della who was still sitting in the booth. Enjoying the look of bewilderment on her face, he leaned down and said, "The car's being brought around. I'm gonna make those calls now and then we'll leave so you better go get freshened up." He took his index finger and tweaked her nose lightly.

"Perry...what...I don't..."

Perry interrupted her with a parting statement and wink that caused her cheeks to flood with a warm, red color. "Yes Della...I believe you will be satisfied many times over."