TCOT Long Range Repercussions Chapter 9

Perry and Della were enjoying a late leisurely morning, happy just to be together away from the daily grind of the office and all that it entailed. If he were honest with himself, Perry was glad Marv had been so adamant about Della's recuperation. While he was relieved that what had happened to the woman he loved wasn't any worse he knew it was serious enough to keep her home. He also knew that the only way Della would stay there was because he was there with her and she had no other choice.

He had made her the prescribed tea and toast and he was extremely pleased that she had been able to tolerate it. Now they were sitting on Della's terrace and the secretary had just been handed a glass of ginger ale by her employer. Placing the tall bronze colored glass on the small bamboo side table, Della scooted over to make room for Perry on the large chintz covered chaise. He wrapped her in his arms and cradled her against him, breathing in her scent and leaving small kisses on her soft curls. She removed her oversized sun glasses and eyed him closely.

"Your worry lines are showing, darling"

"I don't know what you're talking about my dear, I have nothing to worry about, hence I couldn't possibly have worry lines."

"All right Counselor, I'll amend that statement. You're frowning Perry. What's the matter?"

"Nothing's the matter baby. I'm with the most beautiful woman in the world who I love more than life itself. She's feeling better and minding me and being a very good girl by following her Doctor's instructions to the letter. Everything looks great from where I'm sitting."

"Do I have a choice?" Della pouted but secretly she loved that Perry took such wonderful care of her. She just didn't like to see him so worried.

"Nooooo, of course you don't have a choice, you know that but if the way you look is any indication of how you're feeling then my darling, I would say that you're well on the road to recovery."

"It's all because of my brilliant, tall, dark and handsome doctor."

Perry drew back a bit and met Della's stare with his own. "I'm glad you think so highly of Marv honey. He's the best in his field and…"

"Goose…I wasn't talking about Marv, Mr. Mason. I was talking about my own personal doctor. Like I said, he's tall, dark and oh so handsome, brilliant, has a great sense of humor…when he's not worried…and he even makes house calls."

"He sounds like an all around great fellow to me but he must charge exorbitant fees."

"I wouldn't know, he and I have a little 'understanding'. He hardly charges me anything and when he does, well let's just say it's very well worth it."

"Is that a fact?"

"Yes sir, it is." Della didn't know how much longer she could keep the ruse going.

"Well, I think," said Perry trying to remain serious "that as your employer, I have a right to know just exactly what that little 'understanding' consists of. You see, anything that affects you, affects your work so I have to make sure he's treating you fairly."

Della shrugged her shoulder and raised one of her perfectly arched eyebrows. "All right, Counselor I will be glad to show you but don't say I didn't warn you."

Before Perry had the chance for a comeback Della raised half parted lips to his, ran her tongue around them, then placed a kiss so searing on Perry's lips, the lawyer thought he had died and gone to heaven. When he could finally breathe and had regained speech he looked at Della and shook his head as if in awe.

"Yes indeed Miss Street, I see what you mean and I definitely think you're feeling better."

"I'm glad you believe me. Now, that we took care of my attraction to my 'doctor' will my attorney please tell me what is bothering him so much he didn't eat breakfast?"

"Della…"

"Perry, listen to me. When we became involved we promised each other there would be no secrets between us, work or otherwise related. I know you trust me and I trust you but now is definitely not the time to keep me in the dark no matter how you think it's going to affect me. I'm on to you sir, and I know that the only time you really worry is if you think something is hurting me or I'm frightened or I get sick. Since I am getting better and since I am neither hurt nor scared then I will assume you're worried about what happened to me yesterday and you're also worried about the Drakes."

Perry kissed her forehead and took a deep breath. He gently moved a wisp of hair out of Della's eyes. "You know me so well baby," he said in a soft, loving voice. "All right you win, I'll tell you what has me so concerned. I don't think you're getting sick was an accident."

Della turned and crawled up into Perry's lap. She was about to tell him that the thought was absurd but there was something in the tone of his voice. It was a little too serious for her liking and she noticed that his deep blue eyes that moments ago had been twinkling now held a dark expression. Despite the warmth of the day she shivered slightly as she put her arms around his neck and leaned into him, not only loving the strength and size of his body so close to hers but the safety and security that only being in the warm protection of his arms could bring.

Perry felt her tremble and tightened his hold. "I'm sorry Della. The last thing I want to do is frighten you. I'm probably over reacting a bit."

Della pulled back and shook her head in disagreement. "I don't think so. You normally don't get spooked so something's up. Just tell me and maybe I can help. I don't remember a lot after Nina and I left Carver's but I do remember one thing. It's not much but…"

"But it will be a start. That's one of the reasons I love you so, kid. You always come up with something that's important even if you don't think it is. Do you know how many times you've helped me crack a case? You're remarkable, simply remarkable."

"Flattery will only get you everywhere, darling. I'm glad I can be of service, but getting back to yesterday the one strange thing I can think of was that we had two servers."

"Della, I hate to burst your beautiful balloon but that's not strange. They were probably busy."

"They weren't that busy and Perry, there's something else."

"Go on, I'm listening."

"It took almost thirty minutes to get our food and a waiter brought it over. He apologized and said that one of the waitresses had called in sick so they hired a fill in."

Honey, I'm sorry but I don't see the connection."

"Perry, he told me that the waitress for our table was in the kitchen but he was the one who had taken our order and finally brought it to the table. I felt bad for her because I figured she had to be running around like a maniac so I gave him an extra tip for her."

"And?"

"And as we were leaving, the waiter came over and returned the extra money. It appeared that the fill-in waitress, Alice, had disappeared into thin air."

"That's some clue Miss Street. As soon as Paul calls I'll give him this information. Knowing him, he probably has the whole thing wrapped up as we speak." The attorney tugged Della to him once more and felt her completely relax against him. As he held her, a thought went through his mind. 'Alice the waitress' needed to be found and fast. She was, Perry knew without a doubt, the key behind Della's food poisoning escapade.

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Paul Drake steered his sporty white convertible through the winding road of the Hollywood Hills on his way into the city. As she drove, his thoughts were not on the investigation he was carrying out for Perry but on Nina and his son. It seemed that Nina was making an effort to at least meet him half way and the last few days had been free of the strife and tension of the past months. The handsome P.I. smiled to himself as he pushed in the car lighter and waited for it to pop out so he could light up. He took a couple of puffs then as an afterthought crushed the Winston into the ashtray.

'Ah, the hell with it. Maybe Nina has a point and I should stop. I smoke too much as it is anyway. Perry cut down because of Della, maybe I should at least try. We still smoke too much. When I get a chance I'll talk to him and maybe we'll quit altogether. Now, wouldn't that be something?'

Paying more attention to his thoughts then to the road, he didn't see the piece of large metal lying in the center until it was too late. He swerved to avoid it and turned the wheel so the car would end up on the shoulder…then he hit the brakes.

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Perry gently moved Della's sleeping form to the side and as quickly and quietly as he could slid off the chaise without waking her to answer the phone. Thinking it was Paul and that he would him give him the information that Della had told him, he was surprised to hear Marv Kramer's voice on the other end of the wire. Mason listened then grew pale as Marv gave him the terrible news. Feeling like he was moving in slow motion, he hardly remembered hanging up or his feet carrying him back out to the patio to a peacefully sleeping Della. Perry stood next to the chaise, unmoving, feeling like his feet were planted in cement, trying to think of the words to tell Della. What seemed like an eternity but in truth were merely minutes Perry sat down on the edge of the chaise. Della felt him beside her and without opening her eyes knew he had changed positions. She turned, saw Perry's face and instantly knew something was terribly wrong. Sitting up, she took her hands and held Perry's face between them.

"What happened? Who was on the phone?"

"I'm sorry the call woke you darling. It was Marv."

Della's smile returned and she let out the breath she'd been holding. "And here I thought something was wrong. You scared me Perry. You looked so serious. So, what's the good word from Doctor Kramer? I know, I am miraculously cured. We can go dancing tonight right, can we, please can we?"

Perry didn't know what else to do but take Della in his arms and hold her tight, almost crushing her. He kept his voice as even as he possibly could.

"Baby," he said gently, "Marv…Marv wasn't calling about you."