TCOT Confusing Colours

by StartWriting

Someone sends a present to DS. And another. And another. And the sender is not PM. Now, of course they can't be seperated. Can they? Chapter 23 added.

10. Chapter 9

This took me a long time, also because I had to read all the other fanfics posted recently of course, aren't we all in a writing mood and producing (DNPLC!) - thanks for all the joy!

I took some liberties with the story of a TVmovie, humour me a little please. Thanks for reviewing, and Michelle - thank you so much for beta-ing.

I've been on for almost a year now, mainly because I took the challenge someone offered me to improve my English by writing on this site. My English skills were tested last week. TCOT Confusing Colours, and another short story I will be posting soon were looked at and my efforts have been rewarded, to say the least. I'm so pleased … Thanks again. You're the best!

Chapter nine

In the unvoluntary, forced absence of Della Street, there were all kinds of practicallities to be dealt with. Proper coffee turned out to be the issue. All three of them had a problem, as Ken, Paul and Perry himself had tried to produce a decent cup of coffee. Finally, after three days of drinking the worse "mud" they had ever tasted and out of sheer desperation, they decided in unison to pick up coffee from the little bistro across the street, until Della was back.

'Perry Mason without Della Street' had occured before in the last six years, and though it had been for brief periods only, it eventually always made him gruff and grunting. This time had been no exception to the rule. The last week had been the worst and the younger men had spent as much time as they could outside the office, avoiding Perry's sighs and outbursts.

Both Ken Malansky and Paul Drake junior had noticed the change in Perry, as he had entered the office this Tuesday morning, with coffee and freshly baked rolls. They suspected something was up, because this quiet attitude was usually the harboger of a storm of unexpected things. It usually meant there was a new plan. It usually also meant, they were part of that plan.

Perry Mason had sat down patiently to answer mail, and after that they had talked about Brock's progress in the investigation of the dresses and the escape of Frank Halloran. As expected, Frank Halloran had indeed killed the officer on the night he had visited Della, and though his weapon had been found, there was still no sign of him.

The start of the storm arrived unexpectedly. Between two sips of his coffee, Perry announced he had cancelled his lectures at Denver University that were scheduled for the next week.

" You cancelled your lectures ? " This astounded Ken Malansky. Lecturing at Denver University was usually a treat for Perry Mason. It gave him full opportunity to extensively talk about his cases in detail to an enthousiastic, eager and knowledgeable crowd. He was an entertainer in front of his audiences. He didn't just read his lectures, but performed them, sometimes turning the college room into a courtroom, to replay a complete trail. The students would rise to applaud at the moment when the judge, usually a part Perry Mason played himself with full abandon, banged his gavel emphatically, agreed with the defense, and granted a dismissal.

But he had cancelled these lectures now? Just like that ?

" Why did you cancel them? "

Perry Mason mumbled, as he was writing on his notepad. " Well, my co-writer isn't here … "

" Della writes your lectures ? "

Mason shook his head. " No, not really, I write them myself. But she edits them, adds examples and cases to underline my statements, she embellishes the content, replaces words, rearranges sentences. " He continued in a soft voice, musing to himself " That's basically how she does everything in my life, isn't it? She embellishes it, adds, rearranges and makes it better… "

But Ken was not convinced. " Honestly, Perry, I think you should reconsider your decision. These students will be so disappointed. Are you sure you want to cancel? I can edit your lectures, if you want. "

" No, no. I really don't want to do them this time. And I already cancelled them. You see, Ken, these lectures, they need a female touch, just a … " he fumbled with his fingers, looking around in the room as if the word he was looking for was written on the wall somewhere, " … some … some … 'Dellaness'. I don't have another word for it. "

Drake looked up from his notes. " And, you sure as hell don't have Dellaness, Ken Malansky. "

" Oh, shut up, Drake. "

Mason chuckled.

Drake mentioned the next item on their 'to do list'. " And, what about you fiftieth law-anniversary, Perry ? "

" Oh, yes. " Perry scratched his neck. " When is that? "

" 'Bout three weeks from now. " Paul continued. " Della was preparing a lot for that you know. I found a list of things she was going to do this week...whew."

" Fifty years … "

" It's ridiculously long, isn't it? "The attorney's eyes held a far away look.

" Yeah. Time to quit. " Drake said, glaring at Perry.

Mason just snorted, as Ken stood up and started pacing.

" With everything going on, I am just wondering now, what if Della can't be in public with you safely before the anniversary? Brock and his men are still in the dark about Frank Halloran's whereabouts, and they aren't even close to solving the puzzle about the communicating colours and the dresses. Chances are that Della can simply not be there with you yet. I mean, you can't really celebrate without her, can you ? "

" No. "

" We have to think about that possibility. If Brock doesn't solve this on time … "

" Oh … " Mason grinned. " We'll ask for a suspension. "

" Hahaha … " Drake was not amused " … you really like your own jokes don't you? "

" Well, it'sn't really my jokes Paul. You know, it is what Della always says … I don't have to ask for a suspension, I am a suspension. "

" What? "

Ken explained. " Della says Perry is a suspension. What she means is, that he is clearly old enough to have his pension, but has postponed it until whenever … "

Paul laughed out loud. " That is a good one, I never looked at it that way. You are your own suspension. "

" So, guys " Mason took their list of tasks, " There are no cases due in court this week and I think most of the celebration of my anniversary is taken care of, so we'll just have to work to make sure that my favorite girl will be there to attend. "

Ken and Paul exchanged a look of anxiety, while Mason continued. " So, this is the schedule for this week. Paul, you are going to find out where exactly the packages with the dresses were sent from. Ken, you have to go and see Brock about the white dress we received earlier. After that I'll have some research tasks for you about the Sorrento family. I've already made an appointment with Jeffrey Sorrento for this Wednesday. "

" Jeffrey Sorrento? " Ken walked to Perry's desk, and stood still in front of his desk.

" Yes, Johnny Sorrento's son, remember? I'm quite sure that the Sorrento's know a lot more about Frank Halloran's escape and where he is right now. After all, Frank had been their lawyer for over thirty years before he went to jail. Now, I couldn't reach Johnny Sorrento himself, so I decided to talk to his son first, and take it from there. " He sat back and watched Ken. " I'll make sure to give you some specific researching tasks about the Sorrento's before I fly to Los Angeles this afternoon. "

" Los Angeles? This afternoon ? " Now Paul stood still in front of Perry's desk too.

" Yes, I'm going to visit the Domenico's today, and I'll be back tomorrow. "

" The Domenico's? "

" I've spent my time in the library yesterday to find out more about the communicating colours, but I haven't found a lot. And so far, I haven't been able to find any information whatsoever about the Domenico family and the communicating colours. I feel the need to talk to the head of the family myself. I need to know for certain if and how Della was involved in this. "

Ken protested. " But Perry, I'm sure Brock is already on that. "

Paul agreed. " Yeah, and Perry, they told you not to interfere. "

Mason threw his pen and glasses on the desk. " Now, look, I'm not going to sit still here and do nothing. You know I can't. I've tried that for a week, and, well, you probably noticed I'm not at my best at it. You don't have to agree with me, and if you don't like it, or if it doesn't feel right, you're free to go. But I'm taking charge again, and I can not be stopped. " His face held a self-confident and determined grimace. " Not a million Brocks can tell me to back off, not now. "

" Now, about these dresses Paul … Have you already figured out where the packages came from ? "

" Yes, I had that checked before. They were sent from some P.O. Box in New York. "

" A Post Office. Box? In whose name? "

" It turned out to be in some old grandma's name. "

" And? "

" And what, Perry? One of my guys went to see her, and she didn't remember any details. She just said that some guy had asked her to post the packages, and paid her to do it. "

"Phone her again and ask her what she remembers, if anything at all. A description, a name, a car. As a matter of fact, I think you should go there. "

" To New York? "

" To New York. " Perry's low voice and words gave no room at all for any arguing. He looked up at Paul. " Why are you still here? "

" Right. Why am I still here … " Paul Drake just stared for a few seconds, before he grabbed his documents and headed for the door. " So long, guys. I'm off to New York, I guess. "

" I'm off to the police station to see what they've found on the white dress, Perry. "

" Yes. " Then Mason thought of something else, and yelled after him. " Oh, and while you are there, Ken … "

" Yeah, yeah, I'll ask if they know Della is all right. "

" Thank you. "

####

He humoured himself. He had bought sun glasses at the airport, and now thought he looked quite all right with them on. With the hat, the dark suit, his white shirt and the sun glasses, he considered himself dressed in that stereotypical way of the mafia.

Driving his rental car through the immensely wide Domenico properties, he hummed softly. It felt right, now that he was investigating this whole issue in his own way.

Sooner than he had expected, he reached the family graveyard, where the deceased members of the Domenico family were burried. The last time he had been there, he had been together with Della. Twenty-four years ago they had been surrounded by hundreds of people that wanted to pay their respects to the late Michael Domenico.

" You could have lived here, if you had stayed and had married Michael," he said while he drove them through the wide meadows. In the far distance were the outlines of the mansions and the orphanage, all belonging to the Domenico family.

" Oh, yes, and how I would have loved to be in the middle of all these overly large estates every day, don't you think?" Her voice was filled with sarcasm. " And besides, I would have been a widow right now, I'm not so sure I would have liked that. "

" No you probably wouldn't. But it is beautiful here. "

" Yes, it is. " She watched him from aside and fumbled with her purse. She hadn't seen him since he had gone back to Georgetown four months ago. He had rushed into her appartment that Saturday morning, because he had an urge to tell her something that made her heart stop beating. She had yelled at him, and had told him to leave. Their phone calls afterwards and their long hours of discussions had not really cleared the air, though they had helped and they had decided to let time heal the wounds he had caused her. But she had declined every time he asked her to come to Washington so they could be together. He had a right to consider her physical and emotional distance to him a reason not to run to her now that she needed it. And yet, only yesterday, he had come to her right away when she had phoned him to tell him Michael Domenico had been killed in an accident, and she needed him to go with her to the funeral.

" Can you stop the car, Perry ? "

He glared at her, pulled over and stopped the car.

" Perry … " she turned towards him and stroked the sides of his face gently. " Thank you for coming back so quickly from Georgetown, thank you for joining me here. I know it must be awkward for you to be here with me, especially for the funeral of someone who once was my fiance'. "

" It's all right, baby. " He turned his head to kiss her palm, and brushed his face into her hands. " We should be going. "

" No, we shouldn't. Not yet. " Her hands reached out for his, and stopped him from starting the car again. " We haven't had the chance to really talk since I picked you up from the airport. How are you really? How are we really? "

There was no answer, so she decided to be blunt. " And how are the Parrishes? "

He sighed deeply, and she was immediately sorry for making him feel this pain, that was in all honesty, her own.

" They're fine, I suppose. They're living together again now, trying to get things right. I do think they are on the right track. They are preparing a room for the baby, musing about if it will be a boy or a girl. " His eyes smiled, the rest of his face hid whatever he was feeling right now.

" Is she still in love with you? "

He sighed. " Yes, I think so. But it is not important anymore, Della." His hands toyed with the steering wheel.

" But it still makes you feel good. "

He nodded slowly. " Yes. She's half my age. It's good for my ego." She gasped. She really wanted him to be honest, had ordered him to always tell her the truth, but his truthfulness was so harsh sometimes.

" Are you … " Della shook her head, looking for words.

" No, as I told you before, I am not in love with her, I believe I never was. But her struggle touched me. " He glanced at her, a sly smile covered his face. " She reminds me of you in a way … "

Della shrugged and sniffed.

" I know we can't just move on, as if nothing happened between me and Laura Parrish " He reached out for her hand, but she pulled it away. " But I am sorry, Della, for hurting you … I've told you before … "

" I know you are. I just … I know you're not sorry for spending that night with her. "

" No," he said truthfully. He was not sorry for spending a night with Laura Parrish, even though it had been a mutual mistake, and she had been married at that time...and still was. But that night had taught him he did not belong to another woman, didn't fit to someone else's ways, did not want another body. He had not enjoyed the warmth of that night, it had been suffocating him. He had craved for Della Street, before making love to Laura Parrish, during and afterwards. When she had fallen asleep he had left her bed to go to his own appartment. He had not wanted her to sleep in his arms, he had not wanted to wake up in her presence. He had yearned for another woman, who waited for him on the other side of the country, and who craved him as much as he did her.

And he had told that woman right away...had taken the five hour flight just like that, to see her the next morning. He had told her what he had done, and that it would never happen again, and now, four months later, he still was not sorry. He didn't want to pretend either. Sometimes, one had to approve of the means because of the goal. He believed this night had shown him the love of his life was Della Street … there was no other woman for him.

" I'm not sorry for that night, you know that. But you hurt, Della … I know I hurt you, and I am sorry for that. "

She looked the other way, as the tears ran down her cheeks " You are right, it is beautiful here. "

" No … " he shook his head at her sudden change of subject " … now you have to talk to me." He cupped her chin in his hand and turned her face to him. " We have been talking about this over and over, and I am sorry I have hurt you, and I am going to tell you time and time again until you tell me to stop telling you. "

" I just can't rid of the image of you in bed with another woman. " Della sighed.

He reached out for her hand again, but she didn't pull away this time.

" I have told you before, you are the only one fitting in that image … " He stroked her cheek gently. " I had to learn it the hard way, baby, there is really no one else but you, in my life, and in my bed. " He leaned towards her, to kiss her cheek, feeling her soft smile against his lips. " And you know I am sorry for hurting you. " He kissed her cheek again. " I am so right, you do know that ? " He murmured to her ear. " You are the only one for me … And I am sorry. " He nuzzled his face down to her neck. " I am really sorry, darling. "

Unable to resist his courting and his continuous atonement, she closed her eyes, and sighed deeply. " Maybe I should believe you. Maybe I should just be glad that it was not that other Laura. "

" Maybe you should … " He halted his minstrations for a short moment to take in her harsh remark, but smiled because he felt she was melting against him.

" And maybe you should indeed stop saying you're sorry. " She took his face in her hands, to look deep into his eyes.

" What do you mean? " He pulled back a little to be able to read her face.

" Maybe you should start just showing me how sorry you are. " A sly smile had reached her eyes, and the way she tilted her head made his heart skip a beat. " Maybe you should help me to get rid of the images of another woman in your bed. " He leaned closer to her face to see if her full lips were ready to be kissed. They were. She breathed into his mouth when he did, moaning, as it had been a very long, long time since they had shared this passion.

They were thrown out of their private moment, by the noise of a passing car.

They had quite a funeral to attend.

He smiled anyway.

####

The hallway of the Domenico residence was incredibly high, light and white as was the adjoining impressive staircase. Mason had been asked to wait here for Tony Domenico's father Robert. He was the eldest brother of the unfortunate Michael, whose pictures were on the wall along the grand staircase. Perry quickly noticed two pictures of a young Della Street between the dozens of other photo's that filled the walls from top to bottom.

" Mr. Mason ? Perry? "

" Robert … " He stopped and stared at the man, before shaking hands with him firmly. He hadn't changed a lot since the last time they had met eachother, at the trial of Tony Domenico. " Thank you for agreeing to see me.. "

" How was your trip, Perry? "

" Not bad, actually."

" Let's sit in the dining room. We can have coffee there and talk quietly. Come with me. "

Mason followed him. " And thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

" Oh, Perry, but that's because we actually were expecting you to come to us earlier. You should have been speaking to us, instead of consulting people that only know just a little about our family. "

" What do you mean ? "

" See for yourself. " Robert Domenico sighed, pointed at a paper on the dining table, and allowed Mason to take a moment to read the article, which had a photo of a very young Della Street printed next to it. Palms flat on the table on either side of the paper, Mason snorted deeply, now more irritated then before.

" McNama … " Obviously the eager professor had seized the opportunity to exploit his knowledge about mafia families and their so-called communicating colours. In the article, he mentioned the conversation he had had with the great Perry Mason and his assistent, and the sudden absence of Miss Street the day afterwards. Journalists had apparently not had any scruples at all to follow the suggestion of the professor who linked Della's dresses to her engagement with the descendant of the Domenico family. The fact that she was hiding now, was also mentioned, making it clear that it was connected to the escape of Frank Halloran. A short timeline about the Sorrento trial from last year completed the article.

As Robert noticed Perry's annoyance, he spoke softly. " Yes, your professor McNama seems to think he knows a lot about us, about the family and about our history. "

" I am now even more grateful you were willing to talk to me. "

" Well, you did an outstanding job helping Tony a couple of years ago, when he was accused of murdering his wife Suzanne. I thought it only logical to return the favor. Maybe we can do something to help."

" I did come here to ask for your help, but, how is Tony ? "

" He's fine, he's fine. He married another woman last year and he is very happy. " Robert offered Perry a cup of fresh coffee and continued. " He told us he was impressed by the way you handled the media during his trial. I can't say you're doing a good job with that now. "

Perry nodded. " Yes, I know what you mean … It feels as if it is out of my hands. As if I can't control this somehow. "

" And you see what happens? You just read it, huh ? Now Della is presented as a silly mafia sweetheart, as if she has never achieved anything. As if she is not a grown up woman, with an impressive background and with an equally impressive boss." Robert grinned. " How is Della today, by the way ? "

" I saw some of her pictures in the hall way just now. "

Robert Domenico noticed how his guest was avoiding his question, smirked on the inside, but ignored it on the outside. " Yes, her pictures are still there. You know, she is part of our history, and my brother loved her. We all loved her. We still do. The orphanage still has her name on it. "

" The orphanage, yes. I noticed it on my way here. Did I see it correctly that it is closed now? "

" Yes, a shame really. Due to regulations and law enforcements we had to close it down. But in the near future we will open it up again. My youngest daughter wants to run it. "

" I remember Della used to work there a lot. "

" She did. And she loved it. "

There was a silence, as both men were momentarily absorbed by their own thoughts. Perry stared at his cup of coffee, as the same doubt filled his mind, that had haunted him in the past. Had he given her the life she wanted? Was that a question he really knew the answer to? If she had been here, she would probably make fun of him now to get him out of his nostalgically darkening state of mind. That was her effect on him.

It was obvious. He missed her. Like hell.

Robert's voice brought him out of his thoughts. " Perry, do me a favor, please. "

" Yes ? "

" Please have dinner with us tonight. I want you to meet the family again, … the whole family, the way we are now. Afterwards, we can talk about whatever you want, but I don't want to miss out on dinner with the family. "

Perry accepted the invitation. Part of the reason to agree was that he knew he was going to have a very good time. The Domenico family was large, and when dinnertime arrived, all members seemed to come from all over the estate. They shook hands as if they hadn't seen eachother for days, even if it had been for just an hour

Especially the grand children made him roar with laughter, when one of them asked him if he was Santa Claus. He knew he had made a new friend for life, when he told the little boy, Santa Claus was actually his brother.

Four hours later, silence took over again. Robert and Perry sat down together in the den to drink their wine, and talk.

" So, Perry, what can I do for you? "

" What do you know about the communicating colours ? "

" Well, unlike all the information you probably gathered until now, it's child's play, Perry. It is really nothing."

" Child's play? But McNama told me people were killed. "

" That … " Robert hit the table " … that was caused by a whole lot of jealousy and misplaced possessiveness. It had nothing to do with the colours. It was the usual story, Perry, boy meets girl, boy loves girl, girl finds another boy, boys fight over the girl, boy and girl die. "

" Is it that simple? "

" It's that simple. And it had nothing to do with colours, in whatever way. "

Perry took his time to let the words sink in. Could this all be a charade? A game?

" Did your family ever communicate through dresses in that way? "

" No. " Robert shook his head frantically. " No. Our family didn't. We knew about it, but we never used it seriously. Actually, I don't think any of the families used it for real serious purposes. Nobody actually used these colours in the way McNama described it to you. "

" Was it just a fable ? "

" No, not really, I wouldn't say that … Well, you know how it works with us. We develop a smokescreen, so we can do whatever we want, trade and develop whatever we want in the way we want it, without people watching. Because they look at something else. "

" It's a smokescreen? "

Mafia is mafia …

" No, well, our family used the colour of writing paper to indicate if there was something serious going on, but it never went any further than that. In my opinion, the colours were used to distract attention from what was really going on. "

" I have a hard time believing you. "

Robert stood up and started to pace. " Now listen, Perry, if I go along with you in this… in McNama's perspective, the girl that used to be subject of the communicating colours was either the eldest son's girlfriend, or the mistress of the father of the family. Now, you know Michael wasn't the eldest son, and Della and my father were not involved in any way. I'm sure he loved Della like she was one of his daughters, but there was never a romance. "

" So? "

" So, you can be quite sure, Della was never subjected to this. It was not our style, Perry. That, and … " Robert turned to pour more red wine in Perry's empty glass " … Della was not the type of girl that could be told to wear dresses of a certain kind or with a certain colour. But, I guess you already know that. "

Perry nodded, as he tried to stiffle a yawn.

" Do you want to know what I think ? "

" Yes, I do, Robert. "

" I think, Perry, someone is playing games with you. These dresses, the communicating colours, it is all ancient history. I think, someone just wants her to look bad, as if she is receptive to bribery, as if she has a secret past that nobody is allowed to know about. Remember how the press dove into her engagement to Michael at Tony's trial? They wanted to find filth. Maybe that is what this is about. Creating filth to ruin her reputation. And yours. "

" That has crossed my mind, yes. But still, Vicento Nardone was attacked on the night Della wore a red dress in public. A very nice one, especially made for her. How do you explain that ? "

" Maybe that was part of the plan."

" You mean, as a setup? "

" Maybe. You know, the idea of these communicating colors is of course a very nice romantic one, but no, I don't think you should consider it as serious. " Robert watched Perry's frown. " Do you know who you are dealing with? Who could be involved in this ?"

" Frank Halloran, the lawyer of … "

" … the Sorrento's, yes. I would go looking in that direction if I were you. "

" I'm meeting with Johnny Sorrento's son tomorrow afternoon. "

" Good. Now, I know it isn't much, but did my information help you in any way? "

Perry sighed. This was certainly helpful, but it didn't really bring Della back to him, did it? " I really don't know, Robert. So far I think it's all just very confusing. I agree with you the colours seem to make no sense, but I simply can not take any chances, can I? Not where Della is involved … "

" So, how is she? " Robert Domenico leaned forward. " Or do you want me to believe you really don't know where she is, like the press is suggesting ? "

" Actually, I … "

" You thought she was here, hmm? "

Perry smiled softly, and watched the wine in his glass. " I had hoped she'd be here … " He mused " I for one, wouldn't know a safer place for her to be … "

" Well, she is not here, Perry. But she still is welcome here, like you. As a matter of fact, I had the same room prepared for you, the one you were in together the night after Michael's funeral. So you can stay here tonight … "

" Thank you. " Perry smiled. " Have you ever found out who killed Michael ? "

" No. But I still hope that one day we will. " Robert said quietly.

They finished another bottle of red wine together, talking about the alledged accident of Michael Domenico, his inheritance, the ordeal of having to close the orphanage, and of course, about Della Street.

" I was so sorry to see her go to Los Angeles, Perry. But I was glad to find out she moved on with you. I still think you gave her the life she wanted. "

" I'm not so sure I did … " Perry crinkled his nose. " But she sure gave me the life I wanted. She still does. "

Robert stood up. " Well, I know you haven't found the answers you were looking for here, so the least I can do now, is just provide you with a good bed and a healthy breakfast before you go back to Denver tomorrow. "

Robert gladly showed Perry the way to his room, as if he had ever been able to forget about it. It was indeed the same room they had been in together twenty four years ago. He stepped inside and breathed deeply.

" Yes. " Did he say that out loud? And was this the 'Dellaness' he had yearned for?

He sat down behind the old desk in front of the window, and opened the drawers one by one to find what he needed.

In the silence of the night, he started to write the speech he had been wanting to compose for a long time and was needed, just two weeks from now on his fiftieth law anniversary. The sentences flew across the page. This room, its memories, and the red wine he had consumed formed an ingenious elixer to summarize fifty years of law life into perfection.