Meeting again, 3

Octobre 12th, 1990

And so, as it turned out, there were other ways indeed. The grin had trouble leaving his face this morning.

She had left his warm and tight embrace at daybreak, to go home and dress into other clothes. She had told him she had an early appointment at her hairdresser, and she would be at the office afterwards, at nine. Just before leaving, she had slipped back in between his sheets to kiss him sweetly, and to warm her cold hands shortly where she had done that the night before too. Her actions had left him speechless, and more.

The big man in the mirror had smirked at him, before he started to shave very carefully. Laughing about her eternally repeated order to never, ever shave off the beard. Ever. Laughing at her, but merely at his own very fierce inability to keep in check the night before.

His composure had been smashed to pieces, the moment he had become aware of the garters. Of course he hadn't been supposed to see them, and she had hid them carefully. While she was brushing her teeth and changing into his shirt for the night, his bathroomdoor had been ajar just enough for prying eyes, but he had behaved. He hadn't even glanced.

His determination to ignore the close to uncontrollable stirring that drove his behaviour, was completely eradicated by just the little imprint of garters, barely visible, but indeed visible on both her long legs, leaving everything else to his vivid and utterly tested imagination.

But then again, as he admitted now, even if she had been wearing a gunny bag, it would have torn him apart.

She had noticed the devious stare in his eyes, had crawled onto the bed towards him, and had kissed him lightly with a sly smile. Pushing her forehead to his, she had whispered 'goodnight, Perry', as one of his hands purely accidentally and of course by its own record pulled up his own shirt from her back. Her temperature there, the sweet smell of all of her and the promise in her lustful eyes had formed the final trigger.

In one swift movement he had pulled her alongside him. She had smiled wickedly, reminding him of the doctor's orders. He had respected them, but had thoroughly explored their boundaries, had allowed his own hands and mouth and hers to uncontrollably linger and touch everywhere within the limits that were set, had panting sighs envelop them both until … until what?

'Earth-shattering' was probably the right word to describe what had happened. The reminders were still clear and evident on his upperarms and shoulders.

Postponed need. Time could be a friend if approached properly.

Now, in the back of his mind, there was a vague memory of a phone that had kept ringing, his swearing when he yanked the connecting plug out of the wall, and their uncontrollable laughter when it turned out he had yanked the wrong plug out of the wall. Another memory of her sultry chuckle afterwards. Another one of her vulnerability when he touched her again. Another one of her heated skin. Another one of her ecstasy. Another one of his own.

He inhaled deeply.

The reason his phone hadn't stopped ringing until he had put an end to it was all over the newspapers.

Glenn junior had confessed he killed his father. The person that had kept calling to him, must have been his stepmother.

His name was again on the frontpage today, written next to Laura's. He was 'the famous lawyer' and was said to have taken the defense of the late Mr. Robertson's son. Printed next to the article, there was a small picture of them together. 'Them', as in 'Laura Martin and Perry Mason', young an invincible once as a promising couple, both criminal defense lawyers, both smart. Both handsome. Engaged…

The famous lawyer himself now snorted annoyed at the suggestive tones and false, far too easy conclusions in the article. This wasn't just background information. Old stories were just dug up to fill these pages. His relationship with Della Street was mentioned as an 'open secret', but there was nothing secret about it, and nothing open. He took a sip of his cold coffee. The disgusted grimace this caused on his face was seen and humoured by Della Street who had apparently been watching him.

" Goodmorning again. " Her soft voice reached him. His gaze softened immediately.

" Goodmorning, Miss. "

" Coffee? "

" Yours, please. Warm. Yes. " Her coffee was so much better than his own.

They worked through the schedule of the next two weeks, preparing depositions, and of course the preliminary hearing of Glenn junior next week. This happened automatically, the fact that he was taking junior's defense just went without saying. But he was still having second thoughts about this. It kept nagging that he shouldn't. It was as if he had Ken Malansky yelling at him in the back of his mind.

A pensive smile tugged at his lips. There were other ways in this respect too. As his decision started to form into a solution that would work out to be better for all of them, he watched Della from aside. Her mind obviously working on the schedule and her tasks, she was writing a list of things to do.

" Will that be all? " she queried.

" Uhm. Yes. For now. " The next file she had prepared was about the Robertson's Law Firm. He pretended to start reading it. She stood up.

" Oh, and Della … "

" Yes. " She turned and leaned onto his desk again, writing down another task. A typical hairdressers scent waved to him, combined with a hint of her perfume.

" I forgot to mention something important. "

" Yes ? "

He cleared his throat to pause and to give his voice the suitable tone and softness for the words he was about to speak. " I love you. " Despite his efforts to sound solid, it had become a whisper. Feeling a weight being lifted from his shoulders and the tension in his jaws subside, he moved his hand over the desk to touch hers.

The matter of factness in her eyes left and was immediately replaced by a look that matched how he felt exactly. She stroked his hand. The answer to his gentle smile was a swooning gaze.

" Perry Mason, I'm so in love with you, it's unhealthy sometimes. " It was a whisper too.

She shook her head and sighed deeply. Then she added playfully " And I can still feel you everywhere. "

A boyish grin reached his eyes. " I'm sorry. "

" For what? " She glanced at him.

He just watched her from aside. She stroked his cheek with the back of her hand as an answer to his stare.

The slamming of the outer door of the office pulled them out of their reverie. Ken yelled at them. " Junior confessed. " He ran into the office, his face excited in a strange way. " He confessed. Turn on the television. "

They watched the news together. He touched the small of her back, and she looked up to him with questioning eyes.

" Could you phone Laura and ask her to come over here? "

" Sure. "

When she came back to watch the news with them again, she leaned against his arm. He watched her again and took in the scent that was Della Street. He was convinced he had made the right decision.

After Ken's excitement subsided, she left him with Perry to discuss what could happen now, and to set the strategy for the preliminary. Though Glenn junior had confessed, he needed to be protected and defended against the D.A.'s strong charges. Perry ordered Ken to phone the D.A.'s office and to make arrangements to meet the youngster.

The late Mr. Robertson's wife arrived at the office at noon. But he hadn't noticed. As he hadn't noticed Miss Street wasn't at her desk when he opened the door between his office and her desk.

" Della ? " She wasn't there. " Baby ? " He looked around.

The woman that was seated on the other side of the room closed her eyes for a moment. How she loved the sound of this word pronounced by him in his deep voice, although it wasn't meant for her.

" She is not here, Perry. "

" Oh. " He was taken aback. Still, wanting and expecting to see Della Street, and seeing Laura Robertson-Martin instead, caused a short-circuiting sensation.

" Can we have lunch together somewhere? I'm starving, and I don't think I will have enough time to eat this afternoon, preparing Glenn's funeral. And I want to go and see junior. I have a lot of paperwork to do. " She sighed. " It's a drag, Perry. " The worn out look on her face underlined her words.

He hesitated and gave her proposal some thought. This office was probably not the right place to tell her what he was going to tell her. He didn't know what his message would bring on, and how she would react on it.

" I have to make two more phonecalls, and I'll come with you. "

She smiled at him. " I'll wait. "

It was almost one and a half hour later, when Della found his scribble at her desk.

HD

At "C" . Ask KM pick me up 1.30 T

DM P

Sometimes he used 'L' voor 'lovely', or 'D' for 'dear', or 'B' for 'baby' or 'beautiful'. Today he had chosen 'H', which usually meant 'honey'. 'T' was 'thank you'. The "C" made her laugh. "C" referred to their old times in Los Angeles, it was an abbreviation for real insiders. It meant 'I'm having lunch' , 'C' was short for Clay's. And in scribbles like this, it meant 'lunch in a particular restaurant'. She knew which one.

But the 'DM' before 'P' was new. She frowned in thought, musing about the possible meaning of it, while she walked to Ken's office and tell him to leave to pick up his boss. It was 1.20 already.

At ten minutes distance from her and his office, Perry Mason stared out of the window, his fingers fumbling with his napkin ring. Laura had excused herself earlier. He had made her cry. He knew that she was going to before he had said what he had to say. It had not been difficult at all to say it. It was difficult to acknowledge now that the tears he had caused had moved him this time. Her vulnerability had made him remember why he had loved her once. Their conversation during lunch had made him remember why he had stopped it once.

Her voice startled him. " I guess I have to go back now. I have some more paperwork to do. Now that you … " she sniffed.

He watched her thoughtfully. There was one more question. " Did you know he did it before you came to see me? "

She shook her head quickly, sitting down again at the direct bluntness of his question.

" My God, Perry. " She rolled her eyes. " No. I … "

" No ? "

" I didn't know. I really didn't. " He couldn't tell if she was lying. But there had been a schedule, of who was to visit the unfortunate Glenn sr. at what time. There were camera's in the hospital. He could investigate if she was lying to him. She could have not known junior did it, when she came into his office the first time, but the chances were she had known all along. So, she was innocent of the crime this time, but had she lied to him again ? And if she had, why ? His suspicion and confusion was driving him mad. He had definetely made the right decision.

He took his cane and top coat. Outside the restaurant, Ken Malansky's car pulled up the parking lot at exact 1.30. He leaned both his hands on his cane.

" Think about it. " He pursed his lips. " And do something about it. " He left without saying goodbye.

" Think about it. Do something about it. " The words echoed through her tired, confused mind. The carefully build composure threatened to burst. Why was he so damn real, honest, pure ? What was the right word?

Genuine. That was the word she was looking for. Genuine. As genuine as his Miss Street.

" My help is always available. " Instead of giving her reassurance, these words had hit her, one by one and very hard. The best way to deal with this, was to go away, to just ignore again. But he had just told her to stay, hadn't he? To clean up her own mess this time.

" How was it ? Did she confess she did it and set junior up ? " Ken tried to joke to break the silent mood. Although he thought it was a nice pun, Perry just snorted at him.

" Did you let her in to the office, Ken ? "

" You mean this morning? "

" Yes. "

" No. I was on the phone with the D.A.'s office until way after twelve. It must have been Della who let her in. Why do you ask? "

" Never mind. "

" Sure, Perry. "

" What, Ken? "

" I mean, I don't know anything, but I heard the stories. "

" That's what they are. Stories. " The glance sidewards irritated him. " What, Ken? "

" I still think you shouldn't do it. You're too personally involved. Both of you."

He wasn't going to tell Ken yet. Not yet. " I'm not. I've made myself very clear to her. "

" Yeah, but Perry … " The typical insecure worry crossed Ken's face.

" What are you saying, Ken? " The annoyance was clearly audible.

" Well, Perry, she phoned from our office to the restaurant where you just had lunch with her. "

" So? " he grunted.

" I heard her make the reservation. She used her maidenname. " Ken glanced sidewards to his boss.

" What? " The utter disbelief surprised Malansky.

" Yes. She said 'Miss Martin'. I mean, of course that's who she is right now, but Mr. Robertson is not even burried yet. The funeral is the day after tomorrow. "

Perry Mason stared out of the window, while touching the handkerchief that was with him in the insidepocket of his suitjacket. It was still there. He took it out automatically, watched it, brought it to his face and put it back to hide it again.

The clouds of confusion were disappearing. He had definetely made the right decision. He only wondered when the phonecall would come.

It came three hours later.

" Della, I … "

" Yes? "

" I … Can I speak to Perry please? " Her voice was about to break.

" Sure, Laura. "

" Yes. " He had been gruff since he came back from lunch.

" Laura for you … "

He didn't answer. This silence was awkward.

" Perry? "

" I'm here. "

" Laura for you. She doesn't sound right. " There was a silence again. " She's not okay, Perry. " Della added.

I know.

" Thank you. Put her through, please. "

An hour later, the line stopped being busy. Della waited fifteen minutes before stepping into his office. He was on his couch with his eyes closed, his fingers laced behind his head.

" Perry? " She whispered.

" Come in, baby. " This sounded better. He was more relaxed now. She still wondered what had happened, but decided not to ask him.

" What does 'DM' mean? "

" 'DM' ? "

" Yes. It was on the note you left me this afternoon. "

" Ah, yes. It has something to do with us having dinner tonight. "

" Oh. At your place? "

" Yes. Dinner at my place. 'DMP' "

" Ah. I'll remember that for next time. "

" I have to do some groceries first, or I might eat you again. "

He stood up, and walked around her to his desk to pick up a pile of files. It were the files she had been working on yesterday and today.

" Send these to Laura, please, will you? "

" But … you haven't even read them. And I haven't made copies yet. "

" You don't have to. "

" But, Perry … "

" I'm not doing it, Della. "

She was silent for a brief minute.

" But … "

" No. I withdrew this afternoon. I'm not taking it. Will you please send them back? "

" But, Perry? Why ? "

" Because she is going to do it herself. "

She just stared at him, repeating his words in her mind, becoming aware of the meaning of them slowly. She opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off.

" Do you trust me? " His low voice asked her.

" I do. You know I do. "

" Then don't ask. " But a range of questions was listed in her eyes. His stare answered all of them in the right order quickly, and apparently, to her complete satisfaction.

She pressed one delicate hand to her chest. " Okay. "

As she was taking the files from him, he watched her seriously. As he had expected, a very heavy weight seemed to be lifted from her shoulders now as well. He sank down on the couch again.

She decided to make copies of the files anyway, just in case. By the perfect order in which they still were, she could tell he had indeed not read them at all, which kind of relaxed her in a strange way.

Now, one of the files was different, and had a different colour. She hadn't made this one herself, it was probably Ken Malansky's. Taking it out of the pile, she watched it curiously and started to read the information inside. As she parted her lips in utter surprise, her eyes widened. She laughed without making noise, trying to stop her shoulders from shaking.

Steadying her composure, she walked into the office, and tried a steady voice. " You know Perry … "

" What? " he murmured, his eyes still closed.

" … I was thinking, now that you have some time left, you might want to find out about my doctor. He might be related, you know. Doctor Bart Robertson. "

" No, he is not related. It's double 'b'. Robbertson. " It had just come out of his mouth without thought. He glanced at her, hiding his annoyance that he was found out by her this way.

" Oh, so you really checked him out … " She bit her lowerlip to stop herself from laughing, but she couldn't, and burst out into laughter anyway. " Why? "

" Well, I ran some checks on him. "

" No, you didn't. Perry, please. He is a doctor for goodness' sake." The disbelief shattered from her eyes.

" He is your gynaecologist, Della. He sees parts of you that … " Looking away from her, he inhaled deeply. How he hated to get caught like this. It had been a ridiculous action to investigate the background of a doctor, but he had felt the urge to do it too strongly to refrain from it.

" … finish your sentence, please, Mr. Mason … "

" No. " he stated. " You know what I mean. "

" Since when do you not trust doctors? As if you are the one to decide who sees … parts of me. "

" Well, call me oldfashioned, but yes, you're mine and … well … you're mine. " His pout made her laugh. " I just don't want you to be touched by someone with indecent intentions. "

" He is a doctor ... "

He shrugged.

" Perry, the only man touching me with devious intentions, is you … "

" Hey, I didn't say 'devious'. I said 'indecent'. " His amusement was evident. She laughed at him.

" U-uh. Well, I did say 'devious'. Your intentions aren't just indecent, Perry Mason, sometimes they are downright wicked. I often wonder how you can be so eminent and so very devious at the same time. "

" So eminent? "

" Yes. An eminent and decent laywer, old, grey, very well educated, three piece suits, neat ties. "

He nodded. " Mmm-mmm. You see. That's exactly what I mean. That's what they also say about doctors, don't they, very well educated, eminent, decent. "

" Oh, you. Mister Attorney. Using my own words against me. " She pointed her pencil at him, before standing up. " But uhm … I guess you're right. " She straightened her skirt and pursed her lips.

" What? "

" It takes one to know one … " She narrowed her eyes at him, giving him the look she knew made him very vulnerable, eminent or not. He inhaled audibly.

" Have you spoken to him? " He asked her.

" Yes. "

" So, what did he say ? "

" The doctor ? "

" Yes, your dr. Robbertson. "

" He wanted to know when he can have dinner with me. "

He playfully brought his hands up. " Woman … " Yet he noticed she avoided the subject. Yesterday's phonecall from the doctor had obviously not brought the news she was waiting for. He would wait with her. No need to hurry.

She changed the subject. " Where is Ken by the way? "

" I have sent him away for some errands, to help Laura. "

" I think that's the right thing to do. She does need help, Perry. She sounded so lost on the phone."

" I told her our help is available. But we won't take the defense. She can do that herself, she still has her license. The only moment I'll have to be there is at junior's deposition tomorrow night. I have promised I would sit in. "

" So, I'll be on my own at the Charity Ball tomorrow night ? "

" Yes, I'm sorry. I feel obliged to junior. " He titled his head to her. " Walter will be attending the Ball, and Vi will. Judge Haroldson will be there. You'll have a great time. "

" I guess I will. "

He stood up from the couch, and stretched his back and arms. " Do we call it a day, Miss ? "

" I have to finish a brief for next week, so I might need another hour. Can you stay until I'm finished? "

" No, I have to do some groceries. I'm having someone for dinner tonight, you know. " The double meaning of what he had just said, made them both smile.

" Oh, could you pick up my dress for tomorrow night from the drycleaner? " She dug a small piece of paper out of her purse. " This is the receipt. "

" Sure. Do I want to know which dress it is, since I won't be seeing it on you? "

" The red one. "

" The red number? You're wearing the red dress tomorrow night, while I'm not there? "

She kissed him lightly. " I'll make you a promise. "

" Please do. "

" I won't wear garters tomorrow night. "

He watched her with squinted eyes. " Are you … ? "

" Don't worry. I'm also not wearing them now … "

He moaned anyway.

" I have my driver pick you up here in an hour. "

In the silence he left behind she chose to make the phonecall. Listening to the whining tone while she was put through to the doctor, she urged herself to calm down. The testresults just hadn't been in yet yesterday, that didn't mean something was wrong. They were just late.

" Miss Street?

" Yes? "

" It's all right, Miss Street. We found no malignant cells. However, I do want to see you for check-ups every two months. "

The weight of six weeks was completely lifted from her shoulders now.

She made herself comfortable after dinner, and listened to him clearing their dishes. The big couch with the soft cushions embraced her like the owner would do that in just a few minutes. She dwelled in the pillows in anticipation, and moved to the side for him to settle himself comfortable with her in his arms later.

She moaned softly. " I love this … "

" Me too … And I love you. "

She propped herself up against the backrest to look at him.

" I do. " He affirmed.

" What did you say to her? " It seemed appropriate to whisper this question.

He played with her hand. " Well, basically, what I said was that it might be wise for her to clean up after herself this time. It will be difficult, but it is the least she can do, for both senior and junior. And for herself. To take responsibility. "

" But, you could have done it, Perry. As a friend. You told me she offered you friendship. "

" She did. "

" So why didn't you take her offer? "

" It wasn't friendship. "

There were no words needed for a while, and so they were both silent, listening to the sounds of the city outside and taking it in. Resting was such an underestimated notion. He would never underestimate the joy and soothing, maybe even healing effects of holding her close to him.

She adjusted her slender frame to his broad body again, as he laced her fingers with his. Had she … ?

" Della … ? "

" What is it? "

" Did you make the phonecall? "

" Yes … "

" And … "

" It's all right. "

" All right? "

" Fine, just fine … "

He sighed deeply. 'Fine, just fine.'

" Della? "

" What is it? "

" Can we ... ? " He paused there. The memories of last night's boundaries were still there. What if the boundaries were gone? And, what if the boundaries weren't gone? Their entangled fingers were a welcome distraction for his eyes now, giving him something to concentrate on.

He felt the soft skin on his cheek before he realised she had moved on top of him. The hand he hadn't watched, had travelled downwards and now rested on a bulge that had developed in the blink of an eye. Of her eye.

" Oh, yes, Perry … " the moan that accompanied the whispering sigh tingled through bodyparts he didn't even know existed " … we can ... "

'Meeting again' now gained another connotation.