TITLE: EVEN I HAVE SECRETS 10

AUTHOR: SHARI MOONEY

Rating: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: The Characters in this Story are used strictly for the
purpose of entertainment only. With the exception of Frank Smith, Stanley Cody, Matthew (Hart) Mason, Marlesa Carlton, (The Captain) Evan Michaels, and the Bus Boy at the hotel, all other Characters belong to the Estate of Erle Stanley Gardner and his Wife Agnes Jean Bethel Gardner. No profit or copy write infringements are intended at any time during the writing, producing or reading of this story.

SUMMARY: An old rivalry causes Perry and his friend's trouble almost
beyond repair. Involves Perry's dearest friends.

(In the last chapter**** 9 **** Perry received a phone call from his friend Stephen about his son and his mother that were involved in a severe car accident. It interrupted his special time with Della.)

An hour later, Mason and Della Street were sitting side by side on the Boeing 747 Airplane that headed for Atlanta, Georgia. Della could see the worry in Perry's eyes. She reached over and caressed his hand very softly. He broke his concentration, looked at her and smiled.

"Perry, I know that you are worried, but until we get there you should get some rest. This will be very trying and tiresome when we arrive. Why don't you lay back and sleep a little while"?

"Della, I can't rest until I find out what is going on with Hart and Marlesa, until I know the shape that they are in, I can't relax."

Della gave him a motherly caring look and squeezed his hand. She leaned into him and gently placed a soft kiss on his lips to let him know that she cared about him and loved him. She would go to the end of the world for him if needed be, because she cared for him and loved him deeply. She thought to herself, he just doesn't know what I would do for him and how much I truly love him. He is the most amazing man that I know. She moved closer to him and leaned her head on his chest. He gently caressed her arm and ran his fingers through her hair. He knew that she loved him and would stand by him no matter what the outcome of this was going to be.

"Della," he hesitated, she looked up at him. "You don't know what this means to me by you coming to check on Hart and Marlesa with me. You are so strong you are my strength, my world. You don't know how much you mean to me. I don't think I could live without you. I love you sweetheart." He smiled at her.

"I love you too Perry."

They leaned in to each other and sat quietly knowing that their love was growing stronger by the moment. Della knew that what had happened to Hart and Marlesa would somehow bring Perry and her closer than ever.

The plane finally landed. Perry and Della exited the plane, gathered their luggage, picked up their rental car and wasted no time driving to the hospital where Hart and Marlesa were being treated. Perry parked the car, went around and opened the car door for Della, took her elbow and led through the front entrance of the hospital. Stopping at the front desk Mason inquired as to what room they were in. The assistant point them out and told him to take the elevator to the second floor and follow the signs. Mason took Della's hand and held it firmly as he needed her support for what he was about to see. They exited the elevator on the second floor and followed the room numbers until they found room 212, Hart's room. Mason hesitated at the door, looked at Della with a worried look. She ran her palm across his cheek.

"Perry, I am here with you through whatever happens. I Love you. I know that you are worried, but you just wait and see, things will be alright. Now, let's go in and see your son." She gave him a tender smile while squeezing his hand.

He gently knocked on the door and slowly opened the door. He and Della slowly walked in. He saw his son lying in his hospital bed talking to Stephan. His son looked over and saw his dad and got excited.

"Dad!" excited. "Uncle Stephan told me you were coming. I've been waiting on you."

Mason walked over to his son's bed and leaned in and hugged him and placed a kiss on his forehead. "How do you feel son?"

"I'm a little sore, but I am ok. How's mom? Have you seen her yet?"

"Not yet son. I wanted to see you first."

Hart Mason glanced over at Della and looked at his father puzzled.

"Hart, I would like to introduce you to Miss Della Street. She works with me."

Della moved over to his bed and gently took Hart's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Hart. You can call me Della if you would like. I'm sorry about your accident."

"Thank you Della. It's a pleasure to meet you too. My Dad has said some really wonderful things about you. (He smiled) He said that you keep him in line."

She smiled back and then looked over at Perry. "Someone has to take care of this very busy man! Sometimes he does quite a few tricks that almost gets him into deep hot water. I have to see that he doesn't get burned." She smiled at Perry and then Hart.

Mason just chuckled. "Alright you two, I do believe that you are plotting against me and are getting ready for the kill. Just what are you two up to?" smiling.

They both looked at him innocently. Della spoke up. "Well, whatever gave you that idea Mr. Mason?" jokingly.

Mason once again chuckled. He then turned to Stephan. "Stephan, can I speak to you out in the hall?"

"Sure Perry."

Out in the hall, Stephan knew that his very good friend was a little relieved to see that his son was alright.

Perry hesitated. "What is the prognosis on Marlesa?"

"At the moment she is in ICU being monitored. She is banged up severely. Perry, she has slipped into a coma."

Mason looked up at him very quickly. "A coma?"

"Yes… they are running tests as we speak."

"Does Hart know any of this?"

"I didn't want to tell him. It would have scared him and made him worry. He's a strong little man, just like his father, however, I thought it might be best if it came to you telling him."

"Maybe you are right. Alright, you go on home now that Della and I are here. Get some rest, and Stephan, I can't thank you enough for what you did."

"Anytime pal." Stephan headed for the elevator to leave and Mason stepped back into his son's room.

"Son, can you tell me what happened, tell me about the accident?"

"Dad, we were driving into town to pick up a few groceries at the market. We came to a stop sign and when mom tried to stop for it, our brakes were not working. We went through the intersection off of the road and hit a huge tree. The next thing I know is we were here in the hospital."

"The brakes failed?" Mason asked.

"Yes sir. Dad, no one has told me anything about how mom is doing, is there something wrong that they will not tell me?"

"Son, I am about to go and check on your mother. Della will wait here with you if that is alright."

"Yes sir and dad please tell mom that I love her."

Mason winked at his son. "I'll do just that! I'll be back as soon as I can."

Mason walked to the door, turned to look at his son and then Della. He smiled and winked at Della. She smiled back."

Mason entered Marlesa's room. She lay in her hospital bed with wires, tubes, and IV's hooked to her. He looked down at her and began to get frustrated. It was hard for him to accept what was happening to his family. He heard someone behind him and turned to see who it was.

"Hi, I take it that you are Mr. Mason. I'm Doctor Franklin."

Mason shook the Doctor's hand then began to ask questions.

"Dr. what is her prognosis?"

"She took a pretty bad beating in that accident. Cuts, bruised, broken ribs, then he hesitated…"

"There is something else?"

"Yes, we took a MRI of the skull and it shows that there is some improper action going on in there. She has a brain injury at the moment and that is why she is comatose."

"Will she wake up? What will happen to her?"

"We have got her pretty sedated so that she won't wake up and move around any. If the brain swelling and the injury will decrease, she would have a great chance at a recovery. Right now, I think what we are doing is the best for her."

"Alright Doctor, keep me updated and Doctor, spare no expenses…. I want the best for her, no matter what it costs."

Mason headed back to his son's room where he and Della Street were awaiting his return. He slowly walked in and Hart instantly began the questions. Mason looked to Della then back to his son Hart.

Chapter 11 coming soon.

"TRY TO LIVE YOUR LIFE
THE WAY YOU WISH OTHER
PEOPLE WOULD LIVE THEIRS!"

Raymond Burr

In Loving Memory of my best friend Angel and our friend Kirby, And a wonderful friend, Denise.