This story was started before I wrote "The Anniversary". There were questions asked about elements of that story that I decided to finish in this FF and include answers to the questions using flashbacks. I hope this helps clarify what happened previously. I hope everyone is having wonderful hoidays.

REFERENCES TO: TCOT Lame Canary, TCOT Substitute Face, TCOT of the Baited Hook, TCOT Silent Partner. (Mildreth Faulkner was a florist in that book not on that TV episode she was left out completely.)

THE CASE OF THE SORROWFUL SOUL

"It was late that night when Della Street snuggled up beside Perry Mason in the lawyer's car and said, "Well that's one thing about Lieutenant Tragg. When he promises to co-operate, he co-operates."

Mason nodded.

She wrapped her fingers around his right arm, a gentle reassuring touch. "Did it occur to you, Chief, that Lieutenant Tragg is falling pretty hard for Mildreth Faulkner?"

"I'd have to be blind and deaf not to have had the thought occur to me."

"She seems to be interested in him."

"Why not? He is a pretty shrewd individual."

She goes on to note that having Tragg around is not going to be the cinch it was when Holcomb was their nemesis. Perry tells her the orders from headquarters is to keep a sharp eye on him. He tells Della they are going to be having a lot of fun from now on.

Her reply is, "Says you, I don't like it."

"'I'll appoint you my legal guardian if you'll take the job, Della."

"No dice," she said, "You don't want a guardian any more than you want domestic ties-but try and get out of my sight, after this, for very long at a time….."

He interrupted her to remind her she is his wife. "So that means I am legally responsible for what you do?" She asks.

"Correct me if I am wrong young lady, but you have been taking care of me since we met."

Ugh Huh. That's why you always listen to what I say." She raised her eyebrows at him.

"I'm always listening," he countered.

"Well, I'll remind you of that the next I am trying to get you to do something you don't want to do." Della remarked.

"It seems to me, Mrs. Mason," he said, "You know how to get what you want."

Yawning his head of office suggested, "Let's leave this discussion for later. I'm starving."

Under his breath he muttered, "just what I was telling her."

"Did you say something sweetheart?" she asked innocently.

"Not at all darling, I just want to tell you about what I learned about driving from Tragg. She leans back contented as she watches her man/child explain about something that excited him. This is the Perry Mason few people ever see, the person reserved for their downtime together.

Here was a man considered one of the brightest legal minds in the country. His unorthodox methods were legend. Yet when he desperately needed help with this case he put her on the firing line, and then was so worried when she returned to the office he was frantic. He had pulled her into his arms kissing her over and over and promising to never let her be vulnerable again. Of course, it was all talk, and as she told him if he had asked anyone else she would never have forgiven him.

Della Street loved Perry Mason and had, almost from the day she interviewed for her job, if you could have called it an interview. They had resisted their attraction for a while, but the chemistry was so strong. Even then their relationship moved forward and back until they were both going crazy. It was their trip to the orient that gave them opportunity to truly explore their feelings and then there was no turning back.

He had proposed over and over during that trip. In a perfect world, she would have loved to openly be his wife, and bear his children, but that meant giving up their ideal working relationship. She did not want, and would not be happy staying home, and letting him go carousing around with a new secretary. So, for now they would keep their marriage secret and stay with the status quo. Life was wonderful and amazing, why change it now?

They were definitely headed for the Golden Horn nightclub where the events for this case had begun. A little champagne, dancing, maybe some appetizers were called for as they would begin to unwind from the all tension of the previous weeks. The valet opened Della's door as Perry handed him the car keys. As they walked through the doors Della straightened her black suit jacket with velvet cuffs and collar. "Do I look alright?" She asked him.

Putting his arm around her waist and admiring the curve of her firm breasts under the champagne colored silk blouse he whispered in her ear, "Darling you always look beautiful.

She squeezed his hand, "Sometimes you say the nicest things."

Looking down into her laughing hazel eyes he wondered, "Just sometimes? I always notice. You're the one telling me to be sensible. Now if you would just let everyone know you married me in Bali…."

Giving him that look she inquired, "Did anyone tell you, you have a

one- track mind?"

As they were seated near the orchestra he acted like he was thinking hard; trying to remember. "Ah yes, I believe it was my secretary."

She had to laugh, in this mood it was hard to deny him anything. After they had ordered their drinks she took his hand and said, "Let's dance."

Perry escorted her to the dance floor with his arm gently holding hers, then he pulled her into his arms and they began moving in perfect tandem. They both felt it seemed like they had danced together forever. Squeezing her hand, he said, "Look over my shoulder and see who just walked in the door."

Moving her head from where it had been pillowed against his broad shoulder Della saw Arthur Tragg enter with his arm around the shoulders of Mildreth Faulkner. "Well, well, well, this is an interesting development."

"Should we ask them to join us?" Perry inquired.

Della thought for a moment, "Are we going home to Malibu tonight?"

Kissing her behind her ear he breathed, "What do you think?"

"By all means, let's ask them to join us. I can have you all to myself later."

Teasing her he asked, "are you sure you won't be too tired later."

She gave him a look that said we'll see who is too tired, took his hand, and led him over to where the other couple was waiting.

"What are you two doing here?" Tragg asked.

Mason replied, "we could ask you the same thing. Why don't you join us?"

Tragg looked at his companion who nodded her head. They moved to the table. "So Perry, are you and Della relaxing?"

'We always do at the end of a case. It helps us to unwind. With the hours we keep, when everything is settled, the letdown is tremendous. You are just too wired to sleep."

Tragg smiled, "Tell me about. I got Mildreth and myself out of there as fast as possible. I thought she was ready to collapse."

She put her hand on his arm, "It wasn't that bad Arthur, although you have been such a dear about everything."

Della and Perry smiled at each other knowingly. They ordered champagne, exchanged a few dances, and talked about anything but business. Finally, the ladies got up to powder their nose.

Looking at Della as they freshened their make-up Mildreth said, "I hope you won't think me rude, but I suspected you and Mr. Mason were more than friends."

Blushing slightly Della admitted, "We try to keep business, business, and our private lives very private."

Grinning the other woman said frankly, "Then obviously you two don't realize the way you look at each other. He is tough, but when he looks at you there is a softening. It reminds me of Arthur, so professional when he has to be, but he has been very gentle with me."

Patting her arm Della remarked, "Perry and I were saying that we noticed the same thing about you two. I hope it works out. Despite being adversaries at times, we really admire Arthur."

They both looked up as the bathroom door opened. A young girl who looked about 15 entered the room. Her hair had come down from the way she had piled on top of her head. Her make-up was smeared and the cocktail dress she had on did not fit her right. As she tried to repair the damage she kept glancing at the two women.

The restroom attendant came over to the distraught young lady, "Miss Holly, you best get back out there you know Mr. Maggard don't like his hostesses lolly gaggin' in the bathroom."

Sighing the youngster replied, "I know Maggie, but that big buffalo I had to dance with couldn't keep his hands to himself. I'm hurrying."

Feeling sympathetic Della asked, "Can we help in any way?"

Scrunching her face up the girl answered, "thank you but no. By the way are you Della Street, Perry Mason's secretary?"

Puzzled Della answered, "Yes I am, are you in trouble?"

"No, I've just seen your picture in the paper with HIM." She explained.

Maggie pulled on the girl's arm, "You scoot now and don't bother the customers."

Reluctantly the girl agreed and left as Della asked the attendant, "Is she in trouble?"

"Oh no ma'am Miss Holly is just young and new. She will adjust, they all do, if they last."

Mildreth added, "She looks about 15."

"She has to be over 21 to work here" the woman told them.

Leaving her a tip the women finally headed back to their table. The men stood up and Perry remarked, "We thought you got lost."

Della smiled, "No we just ran into another one of your female admirers who asked about you."

Tragg grinned, "I don't know why you put up with this guy, Della."

Thinking about her answer Della finally admitted, "He can be a trial, but the benefits he offers are hard to turn down, for a working girl."

Perry looked at her and said, "I think it is time to get you home, before Tragg gives you anymore reasons to dump me, for a better offer."

Taking hold of Mildreth's hand Arthur said, "That's fine with me, we don't need chaperones."

Helping Della from her chair, and sliding his arm around her waist he told the officer, "We might say the same." Bidding them goodnight they headed home.