Perry Mason and the Case of the Meddling Mrs. Mitchell

This story is written more in the style of the novels rather than the TV show.

Chapter 1

"Della, there's a new Italian restaurant that just opened downtown. What do you say to getting all dolled up, dining with style, and then soaking up some night life?" Perry Mason asked his secretary as he drew her close.

"I'm sorry, Chief. I can't tonight. I promised my girlfriend Ginny that we'd go out to dinner tonight. I've barely seen her since she got married. A girl's got to take advantage of the time she can with her friends after a husband enters the picture," Della explained with a wink as she straightened his tie.

"But darling, I was hoping to sweep you quite off your feet tonight. I'm feeling rather sentimental!"

"Save it, Chief. I'm not giving in tonight, no matter how you may tempt me with your charms." She raised red, half-parted lips to his and allowed his eager mouth to devour hers for a long moment. It was Della who broke the kiss. "I've got to go, Chief, or I'm afraid you may break my resolve."

"Baby, that's just what I was trying to do!" He grabbed her hand as she walked past him, heading for the door to her office. He pulled her quickly back to him in a close embrace. She threw her arms around his neck, pressing her body even closer to his, so he could feel her every curve against his chest. Her hands ran seductively through his wavy hair as she pulled his face close to hers.

"One last kiss, Chief, then I'm gone." She kissed him tenderly, allowing her lips to caress his softly, sucking his bottom lip and giving it a gentle nibble before forcing his lips open and allowing her tongue to slide into his mouth. She eagerly tasted him, moaning aloud as his mouth became urgent on hers. She could feel his body responding, and his hands started to roam as he pulled her even closer to him. His eager hands found her breasts, rubbing them tenderly until he felt her nipples grow hard at his touch. She could feel his growing need pressing into her, and she delighted at his arousal. He lifted her onto his desk, enthusiastic hands pushing up her skirt. And then suddenly, she pulled away, breathless. "Chief, I have to go. I'm going to be late!" Her voice was husky, reluctant. But before he had a chance to beg her to stay, she had disentangled herself from his arms and hopped off the desk, leaving him quite dazed and electrified by her ardent kiss.

PDPDPDPDPD

Della Street answered the door to her apartment with a smile and greeted her friend with enthusiasm. "Ginny! It's so nice to see you! Come in! Can I get you a cocktail before we head out to dinner?"

"Please!" Ginny looked a little flushed, and as Della took a closer look, she noticed her eyes were red.

"Ginny, have you been crying? What's the matter, dear?" Della asked tenderly as she led her to the couch to sit down.

"It's Henry. He's been so distant from me lately, and we've only been married just a month. I know he's been having trouble with the partners at work, but I just don't know what to do. I hope this isn't indicative of what the rest of our married life is going to be like."

Della patted her friend's shoulder. "Let me get you a drink. I'm sure Henry is just getting adjusted to having someone else in his life to think about. Give him some time. Things will work out." Della got up and poured Ginny and herself a glass of scotch. "Here. Drink this. It will help take the edge off."

The two women drank in silence. "Thanks, Della. I feel a little calmer already. Things are bound to get better, right? I love Henry."

"Absolutely. Now, where shall we eat?" Della asked, smiling.

"Gino's. I'm in the mood for Italian. Aren't you?" Ginny responded.

"Sounds perfect," Della answered.

PDPDPDPDPDPD

Della and Ginny were enjoying a glass of wine with their dessert when Della noticed Ginny's face turn pale and saw her hand start to shake as she put down her wine glass. "What is it, Ginny? What's the matter?"

Della turned around and looked toward the entrance of the restaurant. A beautiful blonde woman wearing a fur coat was standing at the entrance with a handsome older man. "Who are those people, Ginny?"

"That's Mr. Vincent Russell, one of the partners at Henry's advertising firm. And the blonde is Vivian Grant, Mr. Rex Grant's wife. He's another one of the partners." Ginny explained.

"Well why on earth is Vivian here with Mr. Russell if that's not her husband?" Della asked. "And why does any of it make you so damned uncomfortable?"

"Oh, Della. It's a long story. But the bottom line is that Mr. Russell and Mr. Grant promised Henry a partnership at the firm. He's been working there for years and doing everything they could ever ask. He's brought in account after account and they just won't give him what he deserves. That's why Henry's been so upset lately. I got pretty upset with the whole situation and talked with Mr. Grant last night. Unfortunately, it didn't go very well. He made a pass at me, and I high-tailed it out of there. I'm sure Henry will be furious with me if he finds out I tried to talk with him at all. Not to mention that Mr. Grant is already sore because it's pretty obvious that Vincent Russell is making a play for his wife. It's all a sordid mess, and I wish I hadn't gotten mixed up in it at all."

"Ginny, that's just terrible. I don't blame you for being upset. But surely Henry will understand that you were just trying to help," Della offered.

"I don't know, Della. I just wish I hadn't spoken to him at all. Will you excuse me, I want to go splash some cold water on my face." Ginny got up swiftly and left the table.

A few seconds later, Della heard a thump on the hardwood floor of the restaurant. Della looked under the table and noticed that Ginny's purse had fallen. "She must have forgotten it in her haste to get to the rest-room." Della thought as she leaned over to pick up the clutch. It was slightly heavier than Della expected. She quickly looked around before opening the purse. Della Street swiftly opened the clasp with efficient fingers and gasped at the contents. Among the typical feminine effects, Della's astonished eyes spotted the blue steel of a handgun. Turning away from the restaurant and leaning over surreptitiously in the booth, Della opened the barrel of the gun and sniffed it. It had recently been fired. Her heart beating fast, and without really thinking, she took the gun and replaced it in her own purse, closing Ginny's purse and replacing it on the seat of the booth across from her.

Ginny arrived back within seconds of Della replacing the purse. "Della, I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid I'm going to need to call it an early night. I just seem to have gotten a headache and I'd like to go home and rest."

"Ginny, perhaps you should come to Perry's office with me tonight before you go home. It might be helpful to talk over Henry's situation with a lawyer. I'm sure Perry would be willing to come in to talk with you."

"Thanks, Della, but I'd really like to go straight home tonight. Maybe I can stop by tomorrow. Do you think he'd fit me in for an appointment tomorrow morning?" Ginny asked.

"Absolutely. I'll rearrange his schedule. Be there at 9am and he can see you first thing. Dinner's on me tonight. Go-ahead home, Ginny. I'll see you in the morning."