The Morning After
Chapter 4
Laura Robertson, dripping in fur and diamonds, sauntered through the Los Angeles airport, trailing the scent of expensive perfume behind her. After an airport baggage handler retrieved her luggage, she directed him outside where the driver of a shiny black town car waited with a placard emblazoned with her name.
"Where to, Mrs. Robertson?"
Her brown eyes were soft and her voice low. "I'd like to go to The Beverly Hills Hotel, please."
"My pleasure, Ma'am," The driver replied as he opened the car door. Laura extended a gloved hand to the driver as he helped her slide gracefully into the back seat.
Laura closed her eyes and relaxed as the driver weaved his way through the streets of Los Angeles. It was wonderful to be back in a city filled with memories of passionate romance. She desperately hoped to re-kindle that romance, and she intended to tempt Perry Mason until he was so drunk with desire that he would refuse her nothing. She smiled to herself at the memory of his ice-blue eyes caressing her every curve, his capable hands wild and demanding, and his lips hungry for her kisses. She loved giving herself over to his need; the feeling of satisfaction she experienced when he took her in a frenzy that would certainly not be described as making love. Yes, she had power over the famed lawyer, and she had no doubt that this time would be any different. He would give her exactly what she wanted.
The driver smoothly pulled up to the front entrance of the hotel and hopped out to help his passenger out of the town car. Dutifully, he carried her luggage into the hotel.
"I'm going to freshen up, and then I'd like to go to Perry Mason's law offices in the city. Please wait for me out front," Laura directed.
"I'll be waiting Mrs. Robertson."
Laura nodded and proceeded to the front desk. She checked in and turned her luggage over the bellboy, who accompanied her to her suite. Upon her arrival, she headed to the bathroom to wash up. After re-touching her make-up and fluffing her brown curls, she changed into a form-fitting green dress that flattered her every curve. She dabbed perfume on her wrists and behind her ears, then grabbed her fur wrap, and headed to the hotel lobby.
As she neared the front doors, she felt of rush of nerves at the thought of seeing Perry Mason after almost five years. After all, it had been Mason who broke off their romance, refusing to open a practice with her in Denver. Their relationship, already deteriorating, had fallen apart completely when Mason hired a new secretary, Miss Della Street. Laura despised Della upon meeting her, and try as she might, she couldn't get Perry to fire her. In the end, Laura recognized that her hold over Perry was failing, and he ended the relationship. Laura couldn't bear the rejection and decided to leave Los Angeles for a fresh start in Denver. Six months later, she met Glen Robertson, and following a whirlwind courtship, she found herself married. "Ugh… married," she thought to herself. It was then that she decided a quick martini would help give her some liquid courage before seeing the esteemed lawyer she had once hoped to marry. She made a detour to the hotel bar where she ordered a dirty martini and drank it straight down before strutting back toward the waiting town car.
PDPDPDPD
Laura Robertson opened the door to Perry Mason's law offices and her eyes fell on a blonde receptionist gabbing on the phone to someone who was very obviously not a client. "Cynthia, you would just die. It was the most beautiful dress I have ever seen, completely ruined by red wine! I'd have been mortified…."
Laura Robertson walked swiftly across the office and gave Gertie a threatening stare.
"Cynthia, I've got to go, someone just walked into the office. 'Bye now, hon." Gertie hung up the phone and turned to Laura Robertson, immediately sizing up her appearance. "How can I help you?"
"I'm Laura Robertson. I'm here to see Mr. Mason. Right away, please," Laura explained curtly.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Robertson, but that's impossible," Gertie started to explain.
"Believe me, Miss. If you tell Mr. Mason that Laura Robertson is here to see him, he'll make time for me," Laura interrupted.
"But you see, Mr. Mason is in Nevada on business. He won't be back until sometime next week. I can schedule an appointment for you then, if you'd like," Gertie offered.
Laura sighed audibly. "That will definitely not do. It's absolutely essential that I speak with him immediately. Perhaps you can just give me his contact information in Nevada. "
"I can't give out that information, Mrs. Robertson. It's quite confidential."
"Very well, then. I suppose I'll have to settle for talking to that dreadfully dutiful little private secretary…"
"Oh no, Mrs. Robertson, Miss Street is on vacation. She's not here either," Gertie explained.
"Well isn't that quaint. The Boss and his Girl Friday, conveniently out of town at the same time. Apparently the gossip columns aren't too far off base," Laura retorted with venom in her tone. "I obviously underestimated her appeal."
Gertie could feel her face turning red with anger. Taking a deep breath she attempted to respond to the vile woman's insult. "Mrs. Robertson, surely you know you shouldn't believe everything you read! Mr. Mason and Miss Street…"
The office door opened, interrupting Gertie's fierce defense of Perry and Della. "How's my favorite receptionist this morning?" Paul Drake announced as he came sauntering into the room. "Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss."
Laura turned and leveled her hard brown eyes on Paul Drake's surprised face. "Paul Drake. It's been a long time." She extended a gloved hand toward Paul.
"Laura." Drake stared at her extended hand but made no move to take it. "What are you doing here?"
Laura dropped her hand and turned on a brilliant smile. "Paul, is that any way to greet an old friend?"
"You're no friend of mine, and as far as I'm concerned, you're no friend of Perry Mason's. If I were you, I'd clear out of this office before I have you thrown out."
"Watch your tone, Mr. Drake. Perry Mason has loyalties that you know nothing about. I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate your discourtesy to me," Laura responded frankly. "Now, I have been informed that Mr. Mason is in Nevada. I'd like his contact information right away. I'm certain you are aware of his location."
Paul Drake laughed out loud. "Laura, I know for a fact that Perry Mason has absolutely no desire to see you. Therefore, I have NO intention of telling you anything about where his business has taken him."
"You bastard. How dare you…" Laura started.
"Mrs. Robertson, I think it would be a wise decision to high-tail it back to your HUSBAND in Denver. That is, unless you're here to beg Perry to get you a divorce…"
"My business with Perry is none of your damned business Mr. Drake, and if you won't tell me where he is, I'll find him myself. You should know I'm not a woman you should oppose." Laura blazed past Paul and slammed the office door behind her.
Gertie's eyes were as wide as saucers. "Paul, Who was that woman? I'm glad you put her in her place, but are you sure that was a wise idea? She strikes me as the type of woman who could cause Mr. Mason a lot of trouble. Maybe we should have just called him in Nevada."
"Believe me Gertie, that woman IS nothing but trouble, and connecting her with Mason would have been disastrous . She had Perry completely bewitched about 5 or 6 years ago. Their relationship was explosive. You wouldn't believe the bric-a-brac that woman smashed in this office during their fights. It took him a long time, but Perry finally saw the light and cut her loose."
"Funny, it's hard for me to imagine Mr. Mason as anything but completely serious. He doesn't seem like the type of man who would engage in screaming matches at the office," Gertie said. "Miss Street never would have let that type of thing go on if she had been here."
"Well Gertie, you hit the nail on the head right there. Perry ended his relationship not long after Della started working here, and Laura resented her for it. Della brought order to this office."
"Oh, I know. That's why Mr. Mason always says she's the one in charge!" Gertie laughed out loud.
"How true. Well, I'm going to head back to my office, Gertie, but call me right away if Laura Robertson comes back. I don't like knowing she's here in Los Angeles."
"Sure thing, Paul."
PDPDPDPD
Laura slammed the door to her hotel suite and threw her purse across the room. "Damn that Paul Drake." She was seething. How did he know she wanted a divorce? Yes, she had planned to rid herself of Glen Robertson and be back in the arms of Perry Mason within the week. Drake's suggestion that Perry would have no desire to see her had cut her to the quick.
Surely she still had the power to seduce him, to draw him into her arms again. Yes, she had seen the gossip columns and heard the rumors, but it was impossible that the proper Della Street could compete with her own glamour and allure. She was merely a secretary making puppy-dog eyes at her employer. Della Street wasn't a threat. She couldn't be.
If only she knew where in Nevada she could find him! Then she could throw herself into his arms, declaring that her marriage was a mistake, and that he, Perry Mason, was her one true love. He could never say no. He always let his desire take over. She would have him again.
But, it would probably be wise to find out just how much Della Street factored in his life. Yes, his week away would give her plenty of time to hire a private investigator to dig up plenty of dirt on Perry Mason and Della Street.