"TCOT Missing Statue Chapter 10
Standing on the landing of the stairwell Perry and Della felt the vibration from the bomb. If it was strong enough for them to feel the aftermath Perry wondered how much damage was caused by the explosion. 'Had it just destroyed his office or were Della's office and the reception area ruined as well…and what about the law library….was there damage to the offices on either side?'...Those questions went through the lawyers mind but he shared none of this with his secretary. Right now the most important thing was to get Della out of the building and take her home. He would phone Paul and Tragg from the lobby and then deal with everything else tomorrow. All he wanted to do was to make sure Della was alright. It was his only concern….the only thing that mattered. When the bomb went off and they'd felt the shaking, Perry leaned against the wall holding Della tight to him, almost crushing her. As soon as it stopped and Perry was certain it was alright to continue, he released his death grip and pulled away slightly so he could look at Della. He had felt her body tremble when he'd held her and now she was still a bit unsteady. She also seemed to be a little pale but Perry felt once they were safely down and out of the building and home she would be back to herself. Mason had to laugh to himself. Even as horrific as tonight had been Della was nothing short of amazing. If she was scared she didn't show it and even as upset as she had been when they discovered the board and all the pictures, once Jack appeared that indomitable spirit had shone through.
Perry bent down and softly kissed Della's lips. Rough emotion was in his voice. Are you OK baby?
"Yes, although I feel like we were just in an earthquake."
"I know, it was a little close there for a few minutes."
"It seemed like it was longer than that….it seemed like forever."
"The main thing is that you're OK. Let's go. We'll go down these set of steps and then take the elevator on the 8th floor. I want to get you out of here and into the fresh air. Then Miss Street, I am taking you home.
For the first time since everything had happened, Della gave Perry a genuine smile.
"Now that, Counselor, is the best idea I've heard all night."
The couple walked down the stairs, into the hallway of the eighth floor and took the elevator to the lobby. Knowing the evening air would be chilly and since they had not stopped to get their coats from the closet, Perry took off his suit jacket and placed it around Della. He put his arm around her, tugging her closer. She looked up at him, giving him a small smile. As they walked out of the Brent Building, they did not see Jack Hunter standing on the sidewalk watching the "fireworks."
As he stood there watching the remnants of his "handiwork," Hunter caught something out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head, he was momentarily stunned. Within a split second his shock turned to a furious rage and as he pulled out his gun he stepped right in front of Perry and Della, his voice dripping with bitterness and hatred.
"It's not possible! It can't be! You're….You're supposed to be dead…both of you are supposed to dead. I tied those ropes tight! There was no way you could have loosened them. Who the hell are you...some kind of Houdini? Jesus! You can't even die. You must have nine lives." Hunter was talking faster now. His breath was coming in gasps. His face turned beet red and he looked as though he would explode at any moment. He was bordering on insanity and his eyes burned with a hellish blaze. He made one last attempt to permanently end the life of the man he considered to be the cause of all his problems and the women he loved.
"Well at least this time I'll have the satisfaction of knowing you'll be dead. I get to see it with my own eyes. How convenient that there's no one around. After all we don't need an audience and I am a gentleman. Ladies first."
Then it happened. Hunter raised his arm and aimed the gun directly in front of Della. Perry threw himself in front of Della pushing her out of harm's way. A resounding shot pierced the night. Then there was silence and John Hunter the 3rd lay dead on the concrete sidewalk.
For a second Perry was dazed. Then he snapped back to reality as he realized Paul was standing over the body. Turning his attention to his friend, the P.I. spoke in a concerned voice.
"Looks like I showed up at the right time. You OK pal?"
Perry waved a dismissive hand. I'm fine Paul and thanks. You're right, you did show up in the nick of time." Perry turned and walked over to Della who was leaning against the lamp post. Her face looked paler than before and she seemed to be staring off into space.
Putting his arms around her, Perry gently lifted her chin with his fingers. His voice was soft and calming. "It's all over baby, it's all over. He can't hurt us anymore. Come on sweetheart, come with me. It's time to go home."
Della didn't answer him. Perry felt her go limp and as he went to catch her, she felt everything spin around her. The last thing she remembered as the darkness overtook her was being in Perry's arms.
Della struggled to open her eyes. Her lashes fluttered and she thought she heard Perry's voice but it sounded very far away.
"Della?...Della, can you hear me baby? Open your eyes for me please. Come on honey, open those beautiful eyes." Della felt her hand being patted and a cool cloth on her head.
Perry's soothing, loving voice brought Della out of her fog. She opened her eyes and looked into his worried face.
"Mmmm…..Per….Perry? What happened?" Della started to sit up but a wave of dizziness came over her and she swayed against Perry. He gently laid her back down on the bench and spoke softly, caressing her face. "You fainted sweetheart. One minute you were standing and the next you weren't."
"How you feeling beautiful?" Paul Drake walked over and handed Perry a Styrofoam cup of water for Della in case she wanted it.
Della gave the detective a small smile. "Just give me five minutes and I'll be ready to go out on the town." Her smile disappeared and she looked at Perry as realization took hold. "Perry, the shooting….Jack...he's….he's dead isn't he?"
"Yes darling he is."
Della's eyes filled with tears as she realized just how perilously close she had come to losing the man she loved more than her own life. This night had ended badly enough with someone dead. It could have, she knew, ended much more tragically…too tragically and she didn't want to even think about it.
"Paul, thank you…..thank you for saving us. If you hadn't been there….if you hadn't come when you did…." Della couldn't finish. The emotions of the night overcame her and her tears fell silently down her face. Paul kneeled down in front of her. His usual teasing banter was replaced by kind words, a solicitous manor and a gentle hug.
"You know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you and Perry, beautiful. I'm just glad I was here."
Flashing lights from the outside caught Della's eye and she sat up leaning against Perry for support "The police are here?"
"Perry took her in his arms holding her close but gently. "Yes sweetheart, someone…the janitor or the night security must have called them. The fire department is here too. Lieutenant Tragg is here. He wanted to take our statements but Paul told him it would have to wait until tomorrow."
"I can talk to him now."
"I'm afraid not Miss Street. I am taking you home, waiting on you hand and foot and you, my beautiful girl are going to get uninterrupted rest…and that's an order.
"I guess it won't do any good to object will it Counselor?"
"Nope, I'll just have overrule it." Not caring that Paul was there, Perry leaned down and left a tender kiss on Della's lips.
Breaking away from Della, the attorney turned to the Detective. "Paul, how did you know to come back here"?
"I didn't. I was on my way back to my office to get some work done. I parked in the garage and then went to Malone's for some dinner. Mike said you two had been in just an hour or so before me. On the way out he asked you if you were headed home and you told him you were going back to the office. So I figured I would stop by and see what you were up to. I left Malone's and when I turned the corner I saw Hunter with his gun and…well you know the rest."
Perry stood up and put his hand on Paul's shoulder. He tried to keep his voice even. "Paul, I owe you buddy. You saved our lives. I'll never forget it."
"Ah forget about it pal, after all you're always there when I need you. Just returning the favor. By the way, when I spoke to Tragg and Captain Wells, the Captain said they would probably have a better idea of the damage tomorrow.
"That will be great Paul, thanks. Right now, all I want to do is take my girl home."
"You do that, buddy and I'll talk to you tomorrow."
The two men shook hands and Paul kissed Della lightly on the cheek. As Perry helped her up, he put his arm around her and led her away. Watching them leave and walk toward the garage, Paul thought how lucky his best friend was….in more ways than one.
At nine A.M. the next morning, the phone in Della's apartment rang. Perry was in the kitchen and picked it up on the first ring. Della was still asleep and Perry did not want the call to wake her. He had called Gertie, Jackson and the rest of his staff the night before. Giving them only minimal information, he told them to take the time off with pay and that as soon as the office was ready they could return.
Perry spoke into the phone. "Mason"
"Well good morning to you too, counselor and by the way, you sound like hell."
"Thanks Lieutenant. You sure know how to start someone's day. Need I remind you that Della and I had a rough night?"
The Detective's normally gruff voice softened a bit. "No Perry, you don't have to remind me….and for what it's worth I'm really sorry you and Della had to go through that. It must have been awful. I'm glad to know that you two are alright. How is she by the way?"
The lawyer realized that Tragg's concern for them was genuine. He was very fond of Della and Perry could hear the relief in his voice.
"She's still asleep and I want her to stay that way….at least for a little longer. She had a restless night. I also want her to do nothing but rest today but I may have a hard time convincing her. You know Della. She's not one to just sit and do nothing. She loves being right in the heart of things."
"You're right about that Perry. Listen, I won't keep you. Captain Wells will probably call you a little later and give you the damage report. Also if you want, we could go over to Hunters apartment and see if that's where he's been keeping your statue. It should be there or maybe it's at his office. I ran a check on him earlier this morning. Did you know he was an accountant at Miller, Carter and Banks? He's been working for them in their firm for the past seven years. His Father got him the position a year before he died. They were his accountants and old man Hunter used his influence. Before that it seems like our boy was working at several different finance companies courtesy again of Daddy but he couldn't seem to stay in one place. No wonder he was so good getting into the accounts."
Perry let out a deep breath. "I wasn't aware of any of this Lieutenant. Before last night I hadn't seen Jack Hunter in 18 years. It's sort of ironic to find out he lived and worked so close to me…All these years. Imagine that. It could have been so different….if only…." Perry sounded almost wistful.
"Anyway, that's the news for now. You can call me back later and let me know what time you want to go over to Hunter's place. I'm going to get a search warrant just in case. We shouldn't need it but I don't want to take any chances. Oh, by the way, I'll need statements from both you and Della and from Paul as well but we can wait on that. They shouldn't take long. It's pretty cut and dry."
"Thanks for everything Lieutenant. I'll call you back after I've spoken to Della and let you know about meeting you and I'll let you know about taking our statements."
"OK Perry, talk to you later."
Perry hung up the phone and went into the bedroom. Quietly he sat down on the bed, putting his feet up. As gently as he could he pulled Della into his arms, tenderly stroking her hair and caressing her face. Closing his eyes his thoughts drifted back again to when he and Jack were in law school, their falling out, Jacks resentment, all the havoc he caused and finally the tragic turn of events that led to his death. Perry sighed and kissed Della on the forehead. He thought again how his life and Jacks had taken such a different road and how blessed and lucky he was for all he had…especially Della. He had forgiven Jack Hunter years ago. It was clear that the man had not forgiven him.
Opening her eyes, Della looked up at Perry giving him a sleepy smile. Moving slightly, she languidly stretched her long slender legs and yawned. Turning into him, she pulled herself up onto Perry's chest, splaying herself across his body, her head over his heart. Perry leaned down and kissed her forehead then brought her face up to his and kissed her eyelids, nose and her lips. Lightly, his hand stroked her back causing her to shiver. "Good morning gorgeous" he said softly. "How do you feel?"
Della saw the concern in Perry's eyes. "I'm fine Mr. Mason, just fine and good morning to you too."
Perry brushed the hair away from Della's face. "I'm sorry you had such a rough night. You finally fell asleep around four."
Della reached up and gently put her hand on Perry's face. She sighed deeply. "All I want to do is to hide away in your arms and never leave. I want to shut out the rest of the world."
"You can do that any time you want to baby, you know that. I'll always be here for you…always." Perry pulled her closer. "As a matter of fact you could hide in my arms right now. It's just you and me." Perry put his face next to Della's and whispered in her ear. "I won't tell anybody where you are." She smiled up at him and his voice then took on a more serious tone. "Della, you know that what happened last night was unusual. Thank God things like that don't happen every day. I mean we do take risks and sometimes I think maybe we shouldn't but…."
Della placed her delicate fingers on Perry's lips. "But we do it so you can get to the truth and defend your clients. I don't want you to be any other way. I can take anything…do anything you want as long as we're together. Look, last night was awful. It was awful and terrifying and scary as hell and I'm not going to tell you I wasn't afraid because I was. I hate Jack Hunter for what he did to you. I hate him for all those years ago and I hate him for last night. I never thought I'd be saying this but that's how I feel. I'm glad Paul shot him because he would have….he would have shot you and that I couldn't have taken. I swear if I could have, I would have shot him myself."
Perry took hold of Della's hand and gently kissed her fingers and the inside of her palm. His voice held wonder as he tenderly caressed her face. "My beautiful girl, you are something else. You may have been scared but you could have fooled me. You were so brave. You're the bravest, strongest woman I know."
Tears began to form in Della's eyes and her voice became softer. I love you so much Perry. You're everything to me….my whole world and I don't know what I would do without you."
"You will never have to worry about that my girl. I'm not going anywhere. We'll be together for the rest of our lives." Perry leaned over and put his face next to Della's nuzzling her and breathing in her scent. Pulling away slightly he nestled her chin in his hands and lovingly gazed into her eyes.
"My Della, let me tell you something. You are part of me…the best part and without you I am nothing. You are my life…my soul. I love you Darling. Always remember that. Perry tenderly wiped away the tears that were starting to fall down her face."
Della's voice was soft….loving. "I'll always remember. You, Mr. Mason are the most amazing man in the world and you're all mine. Always remember that."
Perry smiled his boyish grin. "As if I could ever forget it." He leaned over and kissed Della sweetly on the lips. Pulling away he said, "now, as much as I hate to change the subject, Tragg called me a little while ago. He said we could meet later at Hunters apartment to see if the statue is there. I told him I would check with you and get back to him. I thought I would go over there sometime this afternoon. Also I'm expecting a call from the fire Captain. Maybe he'll even let me go up to the office to see the damage. I thought I would take care of that as well. You could stay home and rest. How does that sound?"
Della gave Perry the look which made him realize he had said the wrong thing. She answered him quietly but her words were very clear.
"If you think you're going by yourself and leaving me here guess again. You can call Tragg back and tell him he can expect the both of us…and you can give Captain Wells the same message. By the way what else did the good Lieutenant have to say?"
"He said he was sorry for what happened last night and he specifically asked about you."
"That was very nice of him."
"Yeah it was. I think he has as soft spot for you."
Della smiled and raised an eyebrow, the teasing very evident in her voice. "Jealous Counselor?"
"Nooooo…Miss Street, I am not jealous. Only stating the facts. Tragg definitely thinks very highly of you which doesn't surprise me. You can work magic on the toughest people. I don't know how you do it but it always astounds me. It's like having my own little secret weapon."
"Thank you for the compliment sir but there is only one person who I want to work my "magic" on."
"Oh really?"
"Yes handsome, really." Della then sat up on Perry's lap and put her arms around his neck. Her voice was smooth and silky and the look she gave Perry made him forget anything else but her.
"Della…what…what are you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing?" Della had begun to unbutton Perry's shirt and rub his chest with the tips of her fingers. "We can take care of everything later. Right now, I want to work my "magic" on my boss. After all, isn't that what a good secretary does?"
There was no answer from Della's boss. He was too busy capturing her lips with his own and making sure she knew that very soon he would be working his own magic on her. He wanted to love her…to take away her fear and uncertainty and make her feel safe. He wanted to shelter her and protect her and let her know how much she meant to him.
There, in the privacy of Della's bedroom, with the sun's golden rays streaming through the widow signifying the warmth and beauty of the day, the lovers came together, sharing wondrous love and pleasure, remembering the wonderful moments of the last few weeks and the beginning of their lives together and allowing themselves to put the terrible events that had occurred during that time behind them.
Epilogue To Follow