TCOT Sunbather's Diary Extended Prologue
For storyline purposes, the synopsis of this episode and the last scene pick up at the beginning of Chapter 1
With much thanks to Lauren for taking the time to edit this for me and for her suggestions.
Della Street sat at her desk trying to concentrate on the work at hand. She had several contracts to type up, three briefs Perry had given her to look over and files to put away. However work was the last thing on her mind. At that very moment, Perry, her Perry of all people was sitting on the stand at the courthouse testifying in front of the Grand Jury. The more Della thought about this, the angrier she became. Hamilton Burger, the D.A., was probably enjoying having Perry be put on the spot and being in the palm of his hand. Della knew that Perry was innocent and he could take care of himself but she still was seething at the absurdity of the whole situation. The idea that anyone thought Perry to be anything but honest, moral and have the greatest of integrity was beyond comprehension. To Della, Perry was the most wonderful amazing man in the whole world. Those he defended were forever thankful and in his debt, his friends, loyal and true and then there was Della….Della… who loved him and had fallen in love with him almost right at the beginning. From the day she became his confidential secretary Della had seen all of these qualities and more. She had watched as he delighted in every win…more for his clients then for himself. She had seen the frustration and the weariness on his face and in his eyes when things looked hopeless or he felt that a client was being less than honest…and she saw another side of him…the one that only she knew…the soft, gentle, protective, caring, loving side. The side that came out when it was just the two of them. The look and the smile he kept only for her, the way his arms felt when he held her…so incredibly strong but at the same time so incredibly gentle. How his touch was so tender and his voice so soft when he spoke to her. Even that morning, with all that was on his mind, he had told her not to worry…that everything would be fine. She had brought in his coffee and set it down on his desk. Usually they had their morning coffee together at the round table by the slider, while going over the mail and the day's schedule. This morning, however, she had thought that perhaps he would just want a quick cup so he could leave. She also thought he might not have felt like making small talk. None the less, when she put the coffee down in front of him, he looked up at her with those mesmerizing blue eyes and said teasingly, "Well I guess my secretary doesn't want to have coffee with a boss who's about to get convicted of perjury." When he saw Della's face pale and tears pool in her eyes, he immediately stood up from his desk, walked around to where she was and gathered her up in his arms, holding her close. He put his face next to hers and said softly, "Della, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. You'll see everything will be fine. It will be over before you know it. Then I'll be coming right back. Don't worry darling." He had pulled back to look at her, tenderly caressing her face. "Come on, let's have that coffee. I want to look at your beautiful face before I leave." He had kissed her then, a sweet tender kiss that had let her know just had much she was loved After finishing their coffee, he had given another small, sweet kiss on the lips and a smile, then turned to leave through his private door. Della went into her office, sat down behind her desk and tried to get some work done. Sometime later Gertie, the receptionist, came into Della's office and asked her if she wanted to go to lunch with her and some of the girls from the temp agency downstairs. Della thanked her but declined, saying that she wanted to stay in case Perry called and needed something. A short time after Gertie left, the phone in Della's office rang. Coming out of the law library and hoping it was Perry, she quickly ran to answer it. Still standing she was about to say his name when she heard an unrecognizable voice on the other end
"I want to talk to Della Street," the voice said, sounding horse and muffled.
"This is she."
"I have something of yours that you might want back."
Della was puzzled. She couldn't think of anything she had lost or misplaced. "What is it?" She asked cautiously.
"I happen to have a little book here Miss Street…a little blue book…with a lock on it. Does that sound like anything you have…anything that's missing"?
For a moment, Della couldn't speak or breathe. Her face lost its color and her body began to shake. She knew that she had to compose herself and be calm if she were going to get anywhere with the caller and get it back. She took a slow deep breath then began to speak. "Yes that sounds like my…"
"Like your diary", the caller said interrupting.
"That's right, where did you find it? If I may ask?"
"Let's just say, I just recently became in possession of it and if you want it back, you can have it…for $100,000 dollars."
"What?" Della said incredulously.
"You heard me sweet cheeks…. $100 grand. You have three weeks, then your time is up and I'll go to the rags with it. Just think how happy they'll be to be able to print all that stuff you wrote. What do you think your "wonderful loving Perry" would think of you then…huh? Remember three weeks…and don't worry, I'll be calling you again."
The line went dead and Della leaned against her desk, trembling with fear….a sick feeling in her stomach. "Oh God, someone has my diary…all those pages….all my thoughts and feelings. Why? Why are they doing this? What do they want? And the money…where am I going to get it? And… oh God, all of those things I wrote about Perry and his cases… his clients. The stuff between us would just be an embarrassment. But the logistics of his cases- the thin lines he's sometimes walked. He'll be ruined if all of that comes out. I can't go to Perry…oh God, this will destroy him…it will destroy us…what am I going to do.?" Still shaken, Della went around behind her desk and sat down in her chair. Putting her head down on her desk, she began to cry as she thought back to what she had written in her diary…
May 10, 1952
Dear Diary- I have been working for Perry—Mr. Mason for two weeks now. He is so wonderful. He is everything a boss…and a man should be. Kind, caring, respectful, patient, and he has a wonderful sense of humor. He and I even laughed when I mistakenly assumed Mr. Drake was a client and told him he had to use the front door. Mr. Drake, Paul, seems really nice too, but Perry… he's oh so handsome and an incredibly amazing man.
Dear diary, I think I'm in love. More soon. Della
May22, 1952
Hello dear diary, I wanted to write sooner but we've been so busy. Perry is wonderful as usual. Today, we were walking back to the car from seeing a client. He put his hand on my elbow and walked so close to me, I felt like I couldn't breathe. He took me to dinner at this little out of the way restaurant. I don't even remember what I ate. I was so busy looking at him and those eyes….those gorgeous blue eyes. He's so considerate and caring….and handsome. When I look at him, I can hardly breathe. I never felt this way about a man before. Oh my goodness dear diary, I'm in love with him. Della
July 3, 1952
Dear Diary, I am home because of the holiday. Perry has closed the office for two weeks so everyone can have a vacation with pay…he's so generous. I was planning on going over to Gertie's but Perry just called and asked if I wanted to take a ride up the coast tomorrow to have dinner and watch the fireworks. I told him I would love to. I want to tell him how I feel but that wouldn't be right…I have to remember that he is my boss and I'm just his secretary. We have such a wonderful working relationship. I can't let anything ruin it. I'll just have to keep my feelings to myself but it's so hard. Oh, I had better go call Gertie. I hate to lie but I can't tell her the truth. I'll just tell her something came up. I hope she understands and doesn't start asking a lot of questions. Have to go now and decide what I'm wearing. I want to look really nice for him. I'll let you know how it turned out Della
July 5, 1952
Dear Diary, what can I say? It was perfect. Perry picked me up in the morning and we drove up the coast to Santa Barbara. Perry took the 101 because he said it was much prettier than the freeway and he was right. We stopped at one of the beaches there and just spent the day sitting in the sun, talking and relaxing. We had dinner at a restaurant right on the beach and the sunset was amazing. We watched the fireworks from there…they were spectacular and beautiful and so was the whole day. It's wonderful to see him so relaxed and easy going away from the office. I love to see him like this…it makes me happy…just being with him makes me happy. I love him so much. I wish he felt the same way about me but that will never happen. I just have to be content with loving him in secret. Della
August 18, 1954
Dear diary, something is finally happening! I can feel it and I know I'm not imagining it. This morning I woke up with a fever and a terrible sore throat. I went into work and tried to tell Perry I was alright but he wouldn't let me stay. He drove me home and made me change and get into bed. While I was changing he made me soup. He brought it in to me on a tray with crackers and tea and juice. He smiled and said it was "breakfast in bed." He made sure I was snug and comfy and told me that if I was a good girl, he would let me have ice cream later. He stayed all day. I told him it wasn't necessary, that I would be fine but he said he was staying and that was final. It wasn't so much what he said but the way he said it. His voice got very soft and he looked at me kind of funny. He said he wanted to take care of me himself… to make sure nothing happened to me. He said he wouldn't know what he would do if I couldn't be his secretary. I told him that it was probably just a cold or something and I had no intention of quitting. Then he got that funny look in his eye and he started to say something but stopped. He said he was going to sit right by my bed until I fell asleep I didn't think I would be able to fall asleep with him right there but the next thing I knew, it was 4:00 in the afternoon and he was walking into my bedroom with ice cream…AND flowers! He stayed till after dinner and told me I couldn't come back to work until I felt better. He said he would come back tomorrow to check on me. Then he laughed and said it was a good thing we didn't have to be in court. He said he was going to stay until I fell asleep again. Even with my being sick, everything was perfect. He made everything better… he's perfect. I wish I had the courage to tell him how I feel. Della
December 31, 1954
Dear diary, I can't believe it—HE LOVES ME!!! HE REALLY, REALLY LOVES ME!!!! He told me on Christmas Eve. We are in a beautiful mountain lodge in Big Bear. Perry said he wanted to make sure I had a white Christmas. Three weeks ago he asked me if I had any plans for Christmas. I told him I didn't and he asked if I wanted to spend it with him. I couldn't believe it. I thought I was hearing things or dreaming. I asked him, in a casual way of course, what would we be doing. He said it was a surprise but I should be prepared for any kind of weather. He also said that the office would be closed over the holidays so we didn't have to worry about coming home early. We arrived here on the afternoon of the 24th and it's been perfectly wonderful ever since. On Christmas Eve, we had dinner in our suite, which is beautiful. Then we sat in front of the fire and that's when he told me how he felt I could hardly speak but I told him that I had loved him almost from the 1st day and he said it had been the same for him. Then he took me in his arms and kissed me. I felt hot and dizzy at the same time. Perry asked me if I was happy and I said yes, I was happier at that minute then I had ever been in my whole life. Before I knew what was happening, Perry picked me up and carried me into the bedroom. He was so tender and gentle and loving. It was the most wonderful night of my life!!! Later, Perry held me in his arms. I felt so safe and peaceful. I didn't want to sleep but Perry said he would hold me all night and that I should just close my eyes and rest a little. He kept talking to me in his wonderful soft voice and before I knew it, the sun was shining in through the window. Perry woke me with a sweet kiss and his adorable smile and I have been smiling ever since. I had better tuck you away now. I don't want Perry to find you and see what I've been writing. …he might be upset or embarrassed. I'll write more soon. Della
September 28, 1957
Dear Diary, Today, Perry had an appointment with a new client. His name is Peter Cole. He came with his niece Edna Hammar who is young and very pretty. Apparently Mr. Cole wants to divorce his wife Doris, and wants to marry a woman named Lucille Mays. Mr. Cole has a business partner named Frank Maddox. Mr. Maddox went to Mr. Cole's house and told Mr. Cole that if he gives him $50,000 and buys him out then Mr. Maddox will make sure that Mrs. Cole won't block the divorce. Phillip Kendall, who is Mr. Cole's stepbrother, was also there. Mr. Maddox has an attorney named Mr. Duncan. For some reason, Mr. Cole doesn't like Mr. Duncan. Perry told Mr. Cole to go home. He wants Mr. Cole and his stepbrother to meet with these men and try and stall him until he gets there. When Mr. Cole and his niece left Perry started to tell me to make a new file but I already knew that. Perry sent Jackson to Santa Barbara to get some information about the divorce. That's where Doris Cole has been living for the past year. Later, Perry went to the Cole house to meet with everyone. While Perry was at the house Jackson called him with news about the time the interlocutory would become final. Perry also suggested that Mr. Cole tell the two men to stay at the house for the night and that he would give him them an answer in the morning. Steve Harris who is Edna's boyfriend offered to take some papers up to Santa Barbara. Perry then told Mr. Cole and Lucille that they could fly to Vegas and get married. There's no waiting time there. When he came back to the office, I could tell that something was bothering him. He said that it was turning out to be an extortion plan and he didn't like what was happening. He wasn't in a very good mood.
September 29, 1957
Dear Diary, Well, here we go again. There's been a murder and Mr. Cole was arrested. This morning, Perry went back to the Cole house to talk to Mr. Maddox and Mr. Duncan. When he arrived there Lieutenant Tragg was already there. Mr. Kendall was stabbed to death and the police think that Mr. Cole is the guilty party. Edna told them that her uncle is a sleepwalker Perry told me that Mr. Maddox and Mr. Kendall switched rooms so that would mean that whoever did this really wanted to kill Mr. Maddox.
Paul came in to see Perry with some information about the case. Perry told him that nothing was going right for him today. I haven't seen him like this in a long time and it upsets me to see him so worried. Perry was really worried because Mr. Cole didn't call him from Vegas. He asked me to charter a plane so he could fly up there and see what was going on. He is always so concerned about his clients and he always goes out of his way to help them. That's one of the things I so love about him.
It was really late tonight when Perry finally came back to the office. Mr. Cole was arrested at the airport in Vegas. Somehow, Lieutenant Tragg found out where he was and flew up there. Perry talked to Mr. Cole and then told him he would have to go with the Lieutenant. When Perry walked in, he saw me and said that "he thought I'd be gone." I asked him if he "really thought that" and then he smiled and said "not really." He's knows I would never go home without waiting for him. He looked so tired. I felt so badly for him. He practically fell into the chair and he didn't even take off his coat. I rubbed his shoulders and he told me how good that felt. It makes me happy when I can make him feel better or cheer him up. I thought we could have left then. All I wanted to do was to take him home and take care of him. Then he asked me if Paul heard anything about a call that Mr. Duncan made to Doris Cole. I told him he hadn't but that I had heard from Doris herself. I didn't want to tell him but I had to. Perry grabbed my wrist and looked at me. I told him that she's in town and wanted to talk to him but he wouldn't be back until after 10. Perry asked me where she was staying and when I told him he stood up to leave. I tried to stop him. I told him he needed sleep but he was too concerned about Mr. Cole. He said that he wouldn't be getting much sleep. He didn't kiss me goodbye but he gently squeezed my arm like he sometimes does. He said he would see me in the morning but I went over to his apartment. I made coffee and sandwiches because I knew he probably hadn't eaten and he would be hungry. When Perry came home, he was surprised to see me there. I asked him if he was upset that I was there and he took me in his arms and kissed me. He said that I was so sweet to do this for him and of course he wasn't upset. He said he loved me and didn't know what he would do without me…and that as tired and worried as he was, he was so glad that I was there. After we ate and talked a little bit, we went to bed. Perry held me in his arms and told me again how wonderful it was that I was there and how much it meant to him. He was so tired he fell asleep almost right away. I got out of bed to write this and as soon as I'm finished I am going to crawl back into bed, snuggle up to him and go to sleep. It's been a long, hard day. Goodnight Dear Diary. Della
October 2, 1957
Dear Diary, The case is finally over and of course my brilliant, amazing Perry won. It turns out that Steven Harris, Edna's boyfriend was the murderer. Perry tricked him into admitting it, after Paul came back into court with some pictures. Steven said he did it so Edna would get all of the Cole fortune when her uncle was convicted. Perry was just incredible. I knew things would work out and that Perry would prove Mr. Cole's innocence. He is just so wonderful and I am so happy that it turned out alright. Della
October 3, 1957
Dear Diary, Today was a beautiful day for a wedding. Mr. Cole and Lucille got married. It was in a little church in the valley and there were only a few people there. It was so nice of them to invite us. They were very grateful and Mr. Cole said that if it wasn't for Perry, he wouldn't be getting married. Lucille looked beautiful and after the ceremony we all went to a wonderful restaurant for lunch. Even though Edna is just devastated about Steven Harris, she was Lucille's maid of honor. After the luncheon, Perry and I drove them to the airport. After the plane took off, Perry and I were walking back to the car. We talked about how nice they were and then Perry said something about Mr. Cole walking in his sleep while he's on his honeymoon. I laughed and asked him if he thought he would do that after waiting 15 years to marry Lucille? Perry laughed and held on to my arm until we got to the car. Once we drove away from the airport, Perry put his arm around me and I snuggled up close to him. He said we didn't have to go back to the office and I could choose whatever I wanted to do. I told him as long as we were together I didn't care if we just went home…so that's where we went and that's where we are now. Perry is making dinner…he loves to cook. He told me to go relax. I took a bubble bath and then put on one of my nightgowns. It's his favorite. I have to go now Dear Diary. Perry is waiting for me. Tonight it's just us. It's going to be wonderful. Della
December 22, 1957
Dear Diary, Perry is taking me away for Christmas. We are going to Big Bear again. I am so excited and so happy. We haven't been there in a long time. It's one of our favorite places especially because that's where we admitted our love for each other. I will never forget that night and Perry said he would never forget it either. I am all packed and am waiting for him to pick me up. He should be here in just a little while. We have been so busy these last couple of months. The only places we have been are the office and in court. Perry had a few really tough cases. One had to do with a young girl and her family fortune. Another was about two women that somehow were married to the same man. It turns out that one had amnesia for two years and had just gotten her memory back. Perry and I even spent almost a whole night on a small boat. The last case we were on had to do with Morey who owns one of our favorite restaurants…a steak house. Morey needed Perry's help because one of his waitresses was hit by a car!! She also had a mink coat and even though it was slightly moth eaten, it was beautiful. This case was really scary because it involved a cop killer. The detective involved was a Sergeant Jaffrey. He killed a cop named Claremont. He was his superior. He also killed a man named George Fayette who was a bookie. The last day of the trial was three days ago. I saw Perry talking to Lieutenant Tragg in the courtroom. When we adjourned for lunch, Perry told me to go have lunch and then go shopping. Then I knew that something was up but Perry wouldn't tell me anything. All he said was that everything was fine and he would see me back in court in a couple of hours. When we came back to court and Perry told me what happened, I couldn't believe it. Sergeant Jaffrey was going to shoot Perry!!! Perry had him come to the office and then he told him that he knew he had killed those two men. When Sergeant Jaffrey went to shoot him, Lieutenant Tragg came in and shot him. He and Perry had planned it that way. I didn't say anything in the court room and I was very quiet on the way home. As soon as we got there, I went into my bedroom and cried. Perry came in and held me and told me that everything was fine and he wasn't worried because the Lieutenant was right there. Then he promised that the next time he plans something dangerous like this he'll tell me. We promised each other there wouldn't be any secrets between us. I told him I worry so much about him when he takes all these risks and that I get so scared. I told him it was because I love him so much. He told me he loves me too and worries about me. He said that's what happens when you love someone. I told him how wonderful he is and how I love how he takes care of me. And makes me feel so safe. As long as I'm with him, I never worry. Then Perry kissed me and that's when he said we were going to Big Bear. He had already made the reservations and he was going to tell me that night at dinner. Oh I have to go now, I just heard Perry come in. I can't wait to leave so we can be alone together. It's going to be a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Will write more soon. Della .
