Let's add some oil to the fire... thanks for Molly who editing this!
The new Mrs. Robertson – Ten
In general, Della rarely questioned Perry's decisions. Most of the time she followed him, no questions asked, but this time every fiber of her body sensed something was just wrong with him. Although there was nothing, absolutely nothing, that kept him in Denver (aside from Laura), he refused to leave town. He came up with lies and excuses to stay. And though being able to bluff to perfection in court, he was the worst liar in private life. Maybe even worse than she was.
In the afternoon he had told her Stefan had called him, asking him to check some contracts he was drawing up with a company that was sponsoring a new orphanage.
It was news to her that Stefan asked Perry for advice in something he had his own experts for. Her first instinct had been to call Stefan to confirm the story, but then her hand had frozen around the receiver. She had realized that she was going down a dangerous path of mistrust and had decided to forget about the idea of calling the Archbishop to ask him if Perry was being truthful with her.
She had also decided not to accept Glen Robertson's invitation for another meeting. Their conversation at the party had been enough for her taste and she didn't want to risk to being caught red-handed again. She had noticed the disappointment in Glen's voice, but it had only convinced her she was doing the right thing.
Feeling a little restless, Della checked her watch. It was after 5 p.m. now and she had no idea when Perry would be back from his meeting with Stefan. Since she had nothing to do, because there was no case they were working on, she had nothing but time on her hands and she was bored to death. She had brought several books along, but now she had read each of them, twice, and she had no intention to go out to buy another. She wanted to pack and go home. Full stop.
The knock at her door came as a release. Maybe Perry had come back early and wanted her to get dressed for one last dinner in Denver…
Her hopes were smashed when she opened the door and found someone she didn't want to see on her doorstep.
Perry sat in Archbishop Corro's private study reading a file the priest had prepared for him.
"You watched over her longer than you needed to," Perry remarked, as his eyes roamed the last sheet. "But some things in here make no sense."
"I know… some of the gaps are unusual. You see I had my reasons for keeping an eye on everything– and I had the right contacts," Stefan said, his face unmoved. "So what is this about?"
"Have you read the society section of the papers lately?"
"Not recently."
The lawyer opened his briefcase and took out a piece he had cut from the morning paper. He gave it to Stefan and said: "Do you know that face?"
Stefan looked at the article and the photo. His eyes widened when he realized what Perry was getting at. "She married Laura Robertson's step-son?" he asked almost breathless.
"Yes, so now you know why I needed to know who she is."
"But are you sure it's she?"
"Not yet."
"Does Della know?"
"She has no idea." And other things on her mind right now, he added silently.
Stefan exhaled and returned the newspaper article to him. "There's someone in town who could help you. He used to work in the orphanage she's still supporting with some respectable sums every year."
"And who is he?"
"His name is John Silver."
"A priest?"
"Yes, now Monsignor John Silver. We can have dinner with him, if you want."
Perry checked his watch. He thought of Della and that she would disappointed if he didn't show up for dinner.
"Can't we think of another time to talk to him…"
"Of course. I'll call him to make an appointment. But Perry…" Stefan said and waited until Perry had established eye contact with him.
"Yes?"
"You have to tell Della. She deserves to know it."
Della and Glen Robertson sat in the hotel bar and had a drink together. At first she had been reluctant to join him for a drink, but then she had realized he was standing in her hotel room and when she imagined Perry might arrive and find Glen there, she had given in. Glen looked quite unhappy with himself, as he told her about his reconciliation with Laura.
"I don't know what will happen when she sees tomorrow's newspapers. It won't make things easier for any of us."
Della gave Glen a long, estimating look. She had problems following his logic, because as far as she could estimate it, things were developing in the right direction. The world couldn't stop turning because Laura Robertson wasn't ready for it.
"Well, you should tell her before she learns it from any other source. She deserves a chance to deal with this beforehand."
"You know her… I doubt she'll be happy about it."
"Probably not, but what is the alternative?"
"There's none… I guess my son has made his point clear," he sighed again and looked at Della. In a way she felt sorry for him. The man had been pushed around for some time now. No wonder he was just tired of it.
"I don't know, but all this feels wrong and it makes no sense. I thought once the trial was over everything would be fine, but instead things have turned for the worse."
"Do you think things would be easier if she had gone to jail?" Della asked doubtfully.
"No, of course not."
Silence fell and then Della asked something she had always wanted to ask him, but never had, because she felt it wasn't part of her business. "Why did you forgive her?"
He raised his head. "Pardon me?"
"Why did you forgive her when she allowed the police to arrest you for a crime she had committed?"
She knew relationships weren't easy. She knew damn well how hard it was to keep a relationship alive over the years and there had been a time when she had separated from Perry, because she felt it was time for a break, but what Laura had done to Glen was completely different. That trial had threatened his life and his career while Laura had hired Perry to pick up the pieces she had left.
"Love doesn't ask why," Glen said without looking at her.
"Maybe it should from time to time."
"Why do you stay?"
"Because that's what I do… and because I know he loves me, maybe in a different way than Laura, but he does love me and he wouldn't lie to me or let me rot in jail…"
"Touché." Glen emptied his glass and nodded pensively. "You're quite fortunate."
*tbc*