CHAPTER TEN: MORE COMPLICATIONS
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The sound of the telephone, on the private line, startled them all for a moment. Della grabbed the phone and listened for a minute. "I know it is awful, but try to calm down," she soothed. "Perry is right here. You need to speak to him."
She held out the phone with her palm over the receiver, "it's Claudia and she is hysterical."
He quickly took the phone and said to his sister-in-law. "we just heard. I know it is very difficult, but I'll do all I can."
Sobbing she managed to choke out, "they arrested him at work. Oh…God…Perry..this..ugh, oh God…what a mess!"
"Where are you? Della and I will leave right away."
She was sobbing, "he didn't even know her." Gulping she went on, "it is a terrible mistake."
"Are the boys home?" he needed to know. "Who is with you? Where are you now?"
"I'm…I'm ah alone at home." Her voice cracked with emotion.
He looked at Della. "I am hanging up and Della is calling your neighbor Grace, to stay with you until we get there."
She started to protest but he was firm in telling her she needed someone with her. Della was already on the phone with the neighbor quickly explaining the situation and that they would be leaving there momentarily.
Tragg had been sitting very uncomfortably through the whole conversation. As Mason hung up he got out of his chair and approached the lawyer. "Look Perry," he began, "I hated like hell to bring this news to you, but I felt it might be easier coming from me and not a reporter."
Perry held out his hand, "I truly appreciate it Arthur but what evidence do you have? As far as I know James didn't even know her before they met at the wedding."
"I can tell you this because it isn't confidential information. We found his fingerprints all over her office and he was driving fast and erratically when he left the studio and the officer at the gate took down his license number. He was there within the time frame we have for the murder."
The lawyer just shook his head. "Hopefully after I talk to him I'll have a much clearer idea of what is going on. I appreciate you being so considerate. Della and I will go see his wife and then I'll be down to the jail."
Putting on his hat Tragg told him, "I'll make sure you are cleared to get in. Good Luck."
Della was coming back into the office as Tragg left. Perry looked up and raised his eyebrows. "Well," she began, "I got hold of Grace as she was on her way over to Claudia's she said she saw her out in the yard crying. She thought maybe something happened to one of the boy."
"What did she say when you filled her in on what happened?" He wanted to know.
"She was shocked," Della remarked, "Grace told me she knew James was very intense but not violent. What are we doing now?"
Getting their coats he told her, "We will go and see Claudia and then if you think you want to stay you can do so, or you can come to the jail with me."
Della slipped into her coat and replied, "let's play it by ear."
They closed the office and he took her hand as they headed for the car. She squeezed his hand so he knew she was there to back him all the way. He and his brother didn't have the best relationship, but she knew her husband was worried.
A little more than half hour later they were pulling into the driveway in Manhattan Beach. They had been there once before when the family moved in and had a housewarming. It hadn't been the most pleasant experience especially for Della since James had not been that welcoming to either of them. She had been excited thinking he would be glad to see his brother. When that happened, Della was upset, especially, because they both really liked Claudia and the boys.
His girl was always loving and hoped things would improve and that is why she pushed him to have James in the wedding. As they knew it hadn't worked that well in the end.
Claudia must have been watching for them because she was out on the porch before they got out of the car. By the time he got to her she was sobbing in Della's arms. They managed to get her into her kitchen where her neighbor was fixing some food.
Helping his sister-in-law to sit down he handed her the glass of water Della had poured. As she started to calm down he finally asked, "Take your time but can you tell me what happened?"
"I…ah…oh God!" she choked out, "I don't know. Gulping the water she finally set down the glass and took a deep breath. "He…James…he called me from the jail. It doesn't….it just doesn't make sense."
Claudia was getting agitated again when Perry put his arm around her. "Take your time. What did he say exactly?"
She scrunched up her forehead, "It is hard to remember exactly, when he told me he had been arrested my mind seemed to start to spin. I had to sit down. I did ask him why and when he said they accused him of murdering Crystal I was stunned. I swear to you Perry he doesn't know her."
"Are you absolutely sure?" he wanted to know.
Tears started running down her cheeks again as she choked out, "at the rehearsal and wedding he said hello politely and the only other comment was about her clothes."
"What did he say about her clothes?" Della asked softly.
Looking at her sister-in law she said, "he thought she looked kind of trampy. You know your brother Perry he has strong opinions."
Della raised her eyebrow and looked at her husband knowingly. They had been the subject of one of his diatribes.
"Are you…are you going to see him?" she asked haltingly.
"When are the boys due home? He wanted to know.
She looked at the clock and said, "In about an hour. They went to a movie and for pizza with Grace's son."
He looked at Della who nodded. "If you want, while I go to the jail, Della can stay with you. Then you can tell them what happened, and I'll come back for her and tell you what I found out."
"That would be wonderful, but I can't imagine what they are doing arresting him," his sister-in law confessed.
Perry took her hand and began slowly, "Lieutenant Tragg came to the office and told us what happened. He was there when you called. He told me they found James fingerprints all over her office and he was seen at the studio near the time of the murder."
Her eyes were wide. "What does that mean?"
"It means he is their chief suspect," Perry explained. "I need to know if you remember anything James might have said, anything about Claudia, that would give a clue as to what is going on."
She grasped his hands like he was her lifeline, "Perry!" she sobbed, "Perry he…never said…a…a….word. I…I..swear."
Della came over put her arms around her sister-in-law. "Come on sweetie I think you need to lay down and rest. Grace and I will stay here and wait for the boys."
Reluctantly Claudia got up and they led her to the bedroom. A few minutes later she came out and told Perry, "Grace is going to sit with her and hopefully she can rest."
He pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. Whispering in her ear he said, "What would I do without you?"
Kissing him quickly on the lips she replied, "I don't want you to find out." Then pushing him away she told him, "go see your brother. We'll handle things here."
He grinned at her and remarked, "I'll thank you properly later."
As he walked out the door, she smiled at him and commented, "I'll look forward to it."
It was over an hour later that he finally was facing his brother across a table in the municipal jail. He could tell immediately it was not going to be an easy interview and James was not happy to see him.
"What are YOU doing here?" His tone was surly.
"After getting a visit from the police and a hysterical call from your wife I thought maybe you could use an attorney." Perry informed him
"I don't need you here," James told him belligerently.
Perry tried not to grit his teeth. "Lieutenant Tragg is a friend and he thought I might want to hear about this before I heard it on the news. Claudia is scared to death and Della is with her, so someone is there when the boys get home. If you want me to recommend another lawyer just say the word."
It became evident his brother was not giving an inch when he said, "So you think with your courtroom tricks you can sway a jury to get me off?"
"Obviously you have been listening to the district attorney's opinion of me."
Unwilling to meet his brother's eyes James said, "yeah well the newspaper guys write up your antics too."
The attorney took a deep breath, "evidently you have formed your own opinion so I will write down the names of a couple lawyers you can contact."
"Oh the great Perry Mason isn't going to help his big brother get out of trouble for something he didn't do?" James questioned sarcastically.
Getting up from the table leaning his arms on the tabletop Mason said savagely, "I don't know what your problem is, but it is quite obvious you don't want MY help. So, you can call either of these lawyers and hope for the best. I'm wasting my time!"
He gathered up his briefcase and was halfway out the door when his brother called him back. "Wait a minute, you can at least hear my side of it."
Perry came back into the room and slammed his briefcase on the table. "If I come back you are just another client and I do what I do for each of them, my very best. Now if you are going to talk to me start now. Claudia says you didn't even know Crystal."
James looked at his brother, his baby brother, becoming one of the most famous lawyers on the west coast. It was going to be hard taking orders from him. "Wait! Sit back down," he said grudgingly.
As he looked at his brother, Perry realized he had always tried to be in charge, especially after their father died. His mother probably had babied him he was only 12 at the time to his sibling's 16. They had both made mistakes, but there could be no mistakes this time, James life was at stake. He pulled out his legal pad and waited.
It took a few minutes before James began. He couldn't help but wonder if his brother was as great as they said or if it was all hype. For a kid who seemed to spend half his life with his nose in a book he had come a long way. Now his life was in the balance, so was it the devil you know or the devil you don't know. Which was the best choice? James wondered.
"What is your decision do I stay or go?" Perry asked impatiently
Reluctantly he began, "I didn't do an anything there were plenty of men in line to do in that little tramp."
That statement really threw Perry. Yes, she did dress suggestively but anytime they were around her she never acted cheap. "Just what do you mean by that? Let's start with how you knew her."
It was obvious James didn't want to talk about it but finally he shrugged his shoulders and revealed. "It was about five years ago I was doing some part time coaching up here before I got hired full time. They were trying me out. Crystal Madison, the name she was using then, and her cousin, Tiffany, started coming around training camp. They were real lookers and the boys were impressed. Tiffany became a cheerleader and got involved with our star receiver. Crystal went with anyone and everyone. I used to see them a team parties and they even followed us on road trips. About a year after I first noticed them Tiffany took off and left Jeff Meyers for someone else. He was devastated and it really affected his game. We tried talking to Crystal, but she blew us off. Jeff was booted from the team. I hadn't seen her until your wedding."
"Did you talk to her?" Perry needed to know.
James shook his head, "I wanted to at the rehearsal, but I didn't want your buddy Paul getting mad or Claudia either. Oh, she was watching me I knew that. She was probably afraid I'd let Drake know what a little adventuress he was involved with."
Perry was perplexed, "why did you go to the studio? Your fingerprints were all over her office."
"Well, when all the bridal party was dancing, I took her out on the patio. We got into an argument," James confessed. "Then on my office machine yesterday was a message to go to the studio she had to talk to me. I wasn't going to go but then I foolishly wanted to tell her how she and her cousin ruined Jeff's life."
"What happened next?"
"I drove out there and there was a pass for me using just my first name, but I had to say I was there to see her. When I got to her office, I didn't see her, and I was nervous and paced around the room. Then I thought I heard a groan and it was coming from the next room. I went in and there she was on the floor. I checked her and she was dead. It must have just happened. She was beaten badly Perry. I couldn't be found there Claudia would think the worst. So, I panicked and got out of there as fast as I could."
The lawyer was silent for a moment, "I have to ask this question James. Did you have an affair with Crystal?"
James was up out of his chair his fists clenched shouting, "I love my wife I never cheated on her ever!"
The guard was on his feet starting to open the jail door. Perry waved him back. "It's okay officer. Calm down James, I had to ask."
"I know what you think of me Perry, just a has-been jock livin' out his fantasies. I'm not a big-time rich lawyer who…"
Perry held up his hands, "whoa, let's get something straight I've worked hard and I've been lucky with clients who were not guilty. I would have worked just as hard if they hadn't been. If I decide to take this case, you will get the same effort."
His voice was shaky as he said, "I swear to you Perry I didn't kill her. I wanted to tell her off but nothing more."
Brother sat looking at brother for a few minutes. Finally, Perry decided, "alright James I will defend you if that is what YOU want."
Swallowing his pride James Mason replied, "I would like you to defend me. Do it for Claudia and the kids."
The attorney knew that was as close to an answer as he would get. Getting up he squeezed his brother's shoulder. "Fine, please just try to go over what happened at the studio step by step. If you think of anything new tell me when I come to see you tomorrow. Don't answer any questions without me present."
"Fine," his brother said as he got up and headed toward the cell door, "I'll go over it and let you know."
It was a very weary Perry Mason who walked out of the jail into the late night air. "He knew this was going to be his most important trial yet."