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Della Street disappeared for several days during this case after their trip to the Orient. She didn't really want Perry Mason to take the case and she did not let him know she was going away. He was apoplectic while Paul Drake tried to find her. After she is found she must testify against his client. This missing moment takes place that night after her testimony. This is book Perry Mason.

He looked across the table at her. The chestnut curls, the heart shaped face, incredible lips, and sparkling hazel eyes took his breath away. She wasn't just beautiful to look at, but had a figure of a Miss Universe candidate. Her long legs and being the best and most efficient secretary in the world made her one woman in a million.

The smile she gave him melted his heart. If he had lost her his life would have never been the same. Now he could breathe deeply, he might get a good night's sleep, and his appetite was back. Della Street was back by his side where she belonged.

It had been a miserable few days after she had mysteriously disappeared. He had been desperate trying to imagine why she had left him without a word. It didn't help that his best friend had suggested she might have met someone on their cruise. That someday she might just leave him.

Because of the promise he had made to Della to not reveal the vows they made in Bali he couldn't tell Paul Drake just how wrong he was about their relationship. She wasn't worried about her reputation, but for him and the fact that his career was taking off in all directions. They had argued about that, because he never cared what people thought. As usual she got her own way.

The first thing he did when they found her was open his arms to her. If Paul had not been there he would have done more than that, but he did implore her to never leave him again. Then the police had taken her away and she had to testify against his client.

Paul sitting down in the chair Della recently occupied looked puzzled, "what the hell was that all about?"

Sitting across from him Perry put his head hands. "Why didn't I trust her. I should have known she wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

"Alright Perry now you have me even more confused. You drove me crazy trying to find Della. You were beside yourself with worry and took it out on me. Now you should have had faith in her. WHAT IS GOING ON!

Looking at his best friend the lawyer said quietly, "Don't you see Paul she is the missing witness. She actually saw the murder."

"You don't have to worry about Della she won't do anything to hurt your case," the detective told him.

The lawyer was up and out of his chair as he said belligerently, "No one! No one is going to make Della Street lie so I can win a case. Don't you forget it.

Holding up his hands Paul said, "calm down, let's get out of here. You have to be back in court soon."

Perry gathered up Della's belongings and as he was shutting the door he looked around the small room and was once more reminded of everything that Della did for him.

When they brought her into the courtroom he was afraid to look at her. He was sure she was terrified of what her words might do to his case. It hurt his heart as she practically begged the judge to understand why she had disappeared.

After she was done giving her evidence she had fallen apart and he once again took her in his arms not caring that photographers were snapping picture after picture. He whispered in her ear, "Baby we need to get you out of here."

Clinging to him she responded, "Oh Perry I am so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. Have I ruined the case?"

Placing his arm around her waist he told her as he hurried her from the courtroom amid flashes of cameras, "you have nothing to be sorry for Sweetheart. I know that your actions were in my best interests." The lawyer didn't want her to realize he couldn't take a deep breath until they were in the car heading back to the hotel.

A couple hours later they were having dinner in their suite and discussing what should be done next. Paul, lighting a cigarette, looked at Della, "You should know that at one-point Perry had us convinced that Ives had kidnapped you. We went with a group of detectives, guns blazing, to rescue you."

Della looked at these men so important to her in awe. "You did? What happened when you got there?

Paul didn't want to upset Perry too much and replied, "there was no one there. They had cleared out."

Looking at Perry closely she was sure he had not been happy, but she also didn't want to distress her boss. "I'm sorry I put you to so much trouble."

The detective smiled at her, "you are never too much trouble Beautiful. It is Perry who drove me crazy."

Mason decided to ignore their conversation. He was concentrating on a way to get the district attorney and police looking for Ives and his wife, the nurse. In a daring plot he suggested to Paul they go to Ives apartment and leave fingerprints, so the police would fingerprint the whole place. Paul was very very reluctant, but finally agreed. Della was more than happy to go along and participate.