TCOT Garrulous Gambler Chapter 5

Perry Mason sat in the visitor's room of the Coronado Police Department. He was waiting to see Maxwell Taylor. The night before, Ben and Julia had tried to arrange bail but were told they would have to wait until morning and the arraignment. They returned to the hotel and Perry and Della could see the frustration on their faces and how upset they were. They, along with Suzanna had implored Perry to represent the young man and of course Perry had agreed. Now as he waited, he thought back to when he first met him. In reality Perry knew nothing about him. This was sometimes the case, with other clients Perry had represented but this case was personal and Perry was worried.

Before Perry could think any further, the door opened and Max walked in the room, accompanied by a guard. Perry took note of the young man's appearance. He looked tired and disheveled and Perry thought how it was in marked contrast to the two other times he had seen him. Max took a seat across the table from Perry and took a deep breath.

"Mr. Mason, thank you for coming to see me. I know you're on vacation and I'm sure this is the last place you want to be."

"That's alright Max and please call me Perry. You know, there's one unhappy young lady back at the Del. So let's get right down to business. The faster we get through this the faster I'll be able to get you out. You know that the arraignment will be in about an hour. I'll ask for you to be released on bail. The Kramer's have offered to put up the money. Then we'll get you out of here. Now suppose you tell me exactly what happened."

"Mr. Mason…..Perry." Max was somewhat hesitant. "I….can't tell you what happened."

Perry was stunned. "What?"

"I can't tell you anything. It would be bad for me if I did."

"Young man, you had better dam well tell me or you're right. It will be bad for you…very bad. Look, I don't know you but Ben and Julia and Suzanna asked me to take your case so I am doing it for them. I've know them a long time, and I've known Suzanna her whole life. I love her like my own and if anyone tries to hurt her, they'll have to go through me first. She's a wonderful young woman and she deserves the best. She deserves a life filled with nothing but joy and happiness. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes sir"

"Alright, I will ask you again. What happened to make the police so sure they have a case?"

Max closed his eyes and rubbed his hand over his face. He then sat up in the chair and gave Perry a direct look.

"They made me take a paraffin test."

"And?"

"It came back positive."

Perry let out a long whistle. He paused a moment then spoke in calm but stern manner.

"So you're telling me that you really did shoot the man?"

"No, I'm telling you that I touched the gun….well I did shoot it but I didn't kill him."

"Do you know how absurd that sounds? No jury would believe that. Now, start from the beginning and tell me everything and I mean everything. Do not leave anything out. It's the only way I'll be able to help you. "

"Do you have paper and a pen?"

Perry thought that was an odd request. He half smiled as he answered Max. "Della is the one who usually has all those things. However, she always makes sure I'm prepared in case she's not with me." Perry reached into the inside of his suit jacket and withdrew a small pad and pen from the pocket. He gave it to Max.

The younger man wrote a few lines and then handed the pad back to Perry. The attorney read the note, his eyes growing dark, his expression turning to granite. When he'd finished, he looked back again at Max and said, "I don't know if this will make a difference but I am going to see the D.A. Then we'll go see the judge"

"Perry, you can't. That would ruin everything."

Perry held up his hand. "Max, it's the only way. During the arraignment, this will have to come out or there is a distinct possibility that the judge won't grant bail. I'm going to enter a plea to have the charges dropped and to get you released. I'm going to need some proof to show them."

Max took the pad and pen and again wrote something. Perry gave it a cursory glance, then stood up, walked around to where Max was seated and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

An understanding smile crossed Perry's face. "I'll see you in about an hour….and Max, try not to worry. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll let you go without any formalities, although I doubt it. As far as I know, they don't have any other leads and no matter what we tell them, you're looking good right now as their number one suspect. I've never known a D.A. to let things alone….at least the D.A. I know." Perry chuckled, thinking of Hamilton Burger and just how unrelenting and stubborn he sometimes could be.

The two men shook hands and Perry called for the guard to take Max back to his cell. As he stepped out into the warm sunny day, a thought came to him which made him shiver. He only hoped he was wrong.

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

Perry turned the key and opened the door. Before he even had a chance to walk in, Della met him, a smile lighting up her face, a gleam in her eye. She was dressed in light blue slacks that were rolled up at the bottom and a striped light blue, yellow and white blouse. Her hair was pulled back at the sides and fastened with barrettes and she was minus her sandals. She put her arms around his neck, standing on her tiptoes in order to give him a kiss. There was always a definite height difference between the lawyer and his lady especially when she was without her three inch heels.

Perry gazed down at her and smiled the smile that was hers alone. No matter how long a day, no matter how hard the case or how many problems they were faced with, Perry could always count on Della to take away his cares and make everything right. It always amazed him that with just a touch or a glance or the warmth of her lips on his or her body next to him, she could make his troubles vanish. In an instant she could work miracles….on his body and his mind. She always seemed to know just what he needed and when he needed it. She was the perfect match for him, both professionally and personally and there was not a day that went by that he didn't know it. He only hoped she knew how much he loved her…what she meant to him…He would do anything….give anything for her happiness and well being.

Perry kissed the top of her head then in one quick motion put his hands on either side of her tiny waist and picked her up, bringing her face to face with him. With her still in his arms, he walked over to the couch and sat down. Keeping Della in his embrace, he tenderly brushed her check with the back of his hand. Della undid the knot in his tie, slipped it off and unbuttoned the first three buttons on his shirt. The she gently massaged his shoulders and chest, kneading away the tension she knew the morning had brought.

Perry closed his eyes and rested his head on the back of the couch. "Mmmmm….you sure have a magic touch baby. Just where did you learn to do that?"

"That, counselor, is my secret. Now, tell me how everything went. Did you get Max out on bail? Did the Judge and the D.A. drop the charges? Is he alright? Does he need anything? Have you spoken to Ben? Did you see Suzanna?"

Before Della could ask another question, Perry put his fingers on her lips. Laughing slightly he said, "whoa there, Miss Street. Take it easy. In answer to your questions, let's just say that Max is out. Yes, he's fine and he doesn't need anything at the moment. I did talk to Ben and Julia and Suzanna. They were at court. They dropped Max and Suzy off at his place so that he could shower and change. Then they were going home for a bit themselves. I think they're all coming back here later. Now that I answered your questions can you answer mine? Did you get in touch with Paul?"

"Yes, Mr. Mason I did. He'll be here by tonight. He was just finishing up on a case and had to go over a few last minute instructions with some of his men. So before you tell me what you want me to do, why don't you tell me the rest of it?"

"The rest of what?"

"Perrrry….."Della cocked her head to one side, gave the attorney "the look" and Mason knew he didn't stand a chance.

"Alright, I'll tell you but first let me tell you what I would like you to do. Later, when everyone is here, I would like you to take Suzanna and have a look around Simms's office. I would like you to do this little bit of sleuthing after five. That's when most of the staff leave. Although Simms office is off limits, the other offices are open and running. I don't want a circus and I don't want a lot of people asking a lot of questions so that's why I would like you to do it when there's no one around. You could even do it after dinner. See if you can find anything out of the ordinary. You know, maybe there's a discrepancy in the books or anything that seems out of place. Just get a feel of the place, you know what I'm talking about. Suzanna should be a big help because she knows that office like the back of her hand. There shouldn't be any trouble. I already had Sergeant Walker talk to the officer. He'll let you in."

"Fine, now that I have my assignment…."

"Yes, I will tell you the rest of the story but…"

"I know counselor, it's confidential. Now spill."

The next few minutes were spent with the attorney telling his very private confidential secretary the very private confidential story of how he was able to get Maxwell Taylor released. When he finished the story Della extricated herself from Perry's lap and went to make coffee. It was, she knew going to be a very long day….and a very long night.

The offices of the hotel were dark except for the lights in the hall. Della and Suzanna stepped off the elevator, turned and walked down the cool hallway until they reached the General Managers office. After identifying themselves to the officer standing at the entrance the women walked into the room. Suzanna switched on the light and they began to look around. Under Della's guidance Suzanna looked through the files finding nothing of any great importance. They examined the books and here too, came up empty handed. Going through the desk, all seemed to be in order till they came to the bottom draw. Finding a rectangular locked metal box they looked around for a key but couldn't find it. Della told Suzanna to take it anyway thinking her Dad or Max might have a copy of the key. They were just about to leave when something caught Della's eye. There in the trash can, lying on top was a piece of crumpled paper, charred at the corner. Della removed the paper and looked at what it said. There was a date and time and place. Della thought a moment then looked at her watch. She gasped and then said to the younger woman. "Suzanna, come on, we have to leave right now. I need you to drive or I'll drive and you give me the directions. I think this is something that would help Perry."

"Why don't we go and get him."

"No, there's no time. We'll see him later. Now let's go."

Carrying the box, Suzanna followed Della out of the office and through the double doors to the parking lot. With Suzanna at the wheel and Della reading the address the two women drove through the night to the other end of town hoping this would lead them to the proof they needed. Little did they know it was leading them straight into trouble.

Suzanna drove down the dark empty street. They had come to the worst part of town. The part of town that still had to be refurbished. The buildings were decrepit, peeling and run down. What little lights were there came from shattered street lamps and some of the windows on the buildings were broken as well. The car stopped at the address written on the paper that Della held in her hand. Looking around the girls didn't see anything. Suddenly, loud voices could be heard from around the corner. Della looked at Susanna and put her finger to her lips. As quietly as they could, they got out of the car, went around the building and hid behind a large dumpster. Crouching down low, they waited to see what would happen. They didn't have to wait long.

There was a truck parked in front of the building. It looked to Della like some kind of moving van. Before she could whisper anything to Suzanna, two dark shadowy figures came out of the building shouting something either girl could understand. Because of the clouds going in and out of the moonlit sky, Della couldn't make out the faces of the men. They watched as one of the figures opened the door to the truck and they both held their breath as the acrid musty smell permeated the night air. From their vantage point, Della and Suzanna were just a bit too far away to get a clear view of what was happening.

Della whispered, "Let's move up a little more."

"What exactly are you hoping to find?"

"The note said something about a delivery."

"What kind of delivery?"

"It wasn't specific, just something about a delivery and money and three names."

"Who names?"

One was Roberto Hernandez and one was…..Nora Herrera."

"Nora?...housekeeper Nora?"

"I guess that's who it was. Who's Roberto Hernandez?"

"I don't have any idea."

"Della, who was the other name?"

Della didn't answer

"Della?" Suzanna repeated her question.

The secretary took a deep breath. "It was Max." When she saw the expression on the girls face, Della took her hand. "I'm sure there's a very good reason. When we get back I know we'll get some answers."

Della and Suzanna started to inch closer. Hearing the men say something about a metal box, Della whispered to Suzanna."When we get back to the hotel, I think it would be a good idea if you turned that box over to the police. Now I'm certain that whatever is in there has something to do with what's going on tonight.

"I think you're right Della." Suzanna's voice was just as low.

"Come on, let's move a little closer. Just be careful….and quiet." The women turned away a bit from the dumpster and were shocked at what they saw. A group of about a dozen young women, dressed in torn clothing and looking as if they needed a shower emerged from the building. Their hands were tied behind them and their eyes held a frightened look. One of the men shouted to them as they walked, grabbing them and pushing them roughly into the truck, not caring if he was hurting them and paying no attention to their cries. The other man held what appeared to be a shotgun or rifle in his hand. Della and Suzanna didn't see the broken glass on the ground. As Della took a step, the glass crunching under her feet made a sound loud enough to attract the attention of the men. Turning around they saw the two women running away.

One of the men called out to his partner. HOMBRE, ANDALAY! ANDALAY! PRONTO! PRONTO! Don't let them get away!

As Della and Suzanna took off in a quick pace, Della tripped on a piece of glass. She fell, twisting her ankle and cutting her leg on the glass. Suzanna turned to go back to her but Della shouted out to her.

"Run Susanna run! Get out of here. Go…Go now! Get help! Get Perry!"

For a split second Suzanna froze in panic. Then, she turned and ran towards the car. The last thing she saw was her friend being carried away amid the men's loud voices and Della's cries of anguished protest.