TCOT Garrulous Gambler Chapter 10
Perry Mason's eyes were on what he thought to be the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. Della Street was lying on a chaise on the balcony of their suite. She was dressed simply in a pair of light brown pants, a silk crème colored top and a pair of bronze sandals that showed off her perfectly red manicured toes. An understated watch graced one wrist and on the other was a slim gold bangle bracelet with small diamonds. The bracelet was new, a gift from Perry given to her just that morning.
The attorney had awakened early, leaving Della to sleep. He left a long stemmed red rose and a note on his pillow in case she woke and didn't find him in the suite. The rose was from the dozen he had gotten her the day before….the day he had rescued her from the man that held her prisoner….the man that was about to "sell her" to the highest bidder. Now as Perry watched Della, he felt his whole body tremble. He had come too close to losing her and the mere thought that at this very minute she could have been in a foreign country, far away from him shook him to the core.
When Perry had returned to the hotel with Della they were met by Ben and Julia. The Kramer's were thrilled to see her and all but smothered her with hugs. After escorting Perry and Della to their suite and speaking to them for a few minutes they returned to the business of running the hotel. Julia, giving Perry a smile, handed him the "Do Not Disturb" sign. Ben took Perry aside and let him know he had put his entire staff at their disposal when and if they wanted or needed anything. Otherwise he said, the couple would not be bothered and would be left alone.
After getting Della settled in bed, Perry called down to room service and ordered brunch for the two of them. When the food came, Perry carefully kept his eyes on his secretary. Della ate, although slower than she normally did and halfway through, pronounced herself finished. Perry thought she should have a little more, but after what she had just been through he didn't want to press the issue.
When they finished eating, Perry slid into bed next to Della, wrapping her up in his arms. The pair spent the rest of the afternoon snuggling quietly and watching a little TV. Della dozed off a few times, each for a few brief moments, but couldn't sleep. She would close her eyes for a little while and each time Perry thought she had fallen asleep. Then she would open her eyes, turn to Perry as if to make sure he was still there, smile and try again. Perry just held her, speaking to her in soft low tones, rubbing her back, stroking her hair and caressing her face. After her third attempt at sleep, Perry lightly kissed her eyelids closed and stroked them with his fingers. His voice was very soft and he kept repeating the kisses and the motion.
"You're so tired baby. You need sleep. Come here." Perry moved slightly and tugged Della even closer to him.
"Mmmm…that feels so nice Counselor but what are you doing?"
"I'm kissing your eyelids closed and, my dear Miss Street, you have to keep them closed until I tell you otherwise."
"And what happens if I don't?" Della's voice was beginning to sound drowsy but it held the familiar tease that the attorney loved.
"Then I will just have to keep kissing them until you do. I might even pick something out from my magic bag of tricks. See, very simple…..very easy."
"Uh huh….very easy…..always know what to do….make it better….magic." In another minute he heard Della's breathing change and felt her body completely relax against his. She was finally asleep.
Sometime later Agent Bradford phoned. Della was still asleep and Perry hurried to answer the call so as not to wake her. The agent inquired about Della and was pleased to learn that she was resting, had eaten and was more herself. The other girls were all safe and had been given food, clothing and a place to stay. He said the Bureau would be working with immigration to try and help the women obtain legal paperwork so they could all stay in the United States. He let Perry know that Hernandez and his cronies had been captured and the money returned to the bank. He explained to the attorney about the contents of the box. It had contained a list of women who worked in various hotels in and around Coronado and San Diego. It also contained around $300,000. They still hadn't found Mike, the bellman but Bradford let Perry know they would not give up. Perry questioned him as to Nora's punishment and Bradford told him that it would essentially be up to Della, him and the Kramer's. He said she was somewhat culpable but it was because of her that they were able to follow the leads, rescue Della and the other women, capture Hernandez and successfully put an end to the trafficking ring. Perry said he would talk to Della and the Kramer's and would get back to him in a day or two. The men said goodbye, Perry hung up the phone and returned to sit on the bed next to Della. He was reading a magazine when he felt her stir a bit then heard her call out.
"Let me out….Open this door….open this door. Let me out. No, no, go away. I won't tell you…. I'll never tell you anything. Go away…. I'll run….you won't win…..never find me….he'll never find me….have to run…..all again….would do it all again….anything to help. He's coming back…the bad man is coming back Get away from me"
Perry realized that Della was dreaming. As gently as he could, he shook her awake. "Della, Della. Wake up sweetheart. You're dreaming. It's ok. You're safe. I'm right here. Come on, open your eyes. Let me see those beautiful eyes."
Della opened her eyes and sat straight up, clutching the quilt. Her breathing was coming in gasps and Perry could see her chest heaving up and down. Her eyes were wild with fright and she had the look of a deer in headlights.
Perry held her shaking body close to his and spoke in a low, soothing voice. "Della, Its ok baby, I'm right here, see? Can you look at me please?"
Della continued to shake. She heard Perry calmly say, "It's alright, shh shh shh….Hold tight to me. Della held onto Perry so forcefully, she almost cut off his circulation. Her nails dug into his skin and she held her eyes tightly closed as if to completely block out the dream. Perry continued to hold her and a minute or so later, she loosened her death grip, pulling away from him. Her breathing began returning to normal and she was able to speak in a normal voice.
"Perry, oh Perry, I'm sorry sweetheart."
"Della, my God, you have nothing to be sorry for. Look at what you just went through." Perry lightly brushed back some hair from Della's face and smiled. You are so strong and so brave…my beautiful brave girl. Now, do you want to tell me about your dream?"
"Uh huh" Della returned the smile slightly and took a breath. She leaned back into Perry and laid her head on his broad chest.
"It was so scary, so real. I was in the truck…the truck that took me away and it was just like it happened. The door was locked and there were no windows. Then I was in that small dirty room, the one they put me in before they took me to the other, larger room. He was standing over me and I knew I had to run away. It was my only choice. He kept wanting me to talk but I wouldn't….I wouldn't talk to him. He was awful. His smelled from liquor and tobacco and cheap cologne. He kept pulling me to him. He was laughing and saying I was never going to get away from him. No one would find me. That's when I woke up….when you woke me up….Perry?"
"Hmmm….?"
"He…he can't find me…..can he?"
Perry realized Della was truly frightened and was still feeling the repercussions of her kidnapping.
"Oh no Darling.….no…no…no. You don't have to worry about that, ever. He's locked up and he's going to be there for a long time, probably the rest of his life."
Della smiled slightly. Her voice was small. "Oh….Oh I see. That's good.
Perry's heart ached for Della. He longed to protect her, to take away her pain and fear and comfort her even more than he was doing at the moment. Perry pulled her closer and put his face to hers. Whispering low, he said lovingly, "My sweet baby. I love you. Let me help you. I'm going to help you. Don't be frightened. I never want you to be frightened again." He put his hand under her chin and raised her face to his. Their eyes met and seem to bore into one another's soul.
Silently, Perry began to caress Della, letting his hands roam up and down her sides and over the rest of her body. He began to undress her, continuing to kiss and caress her. He ran his hands lightly over her soft silky skin taking his time to gently and tenderly touch every curve and crevice of her body. She had been shaking from the dream, but now she was shaking from Perry's touch. His breath was hot on her flesh and as Perry continued to kiss her, Della responded in her own way, deepening the kisses with a warmth and desire that only her lover could draw out. Perry gently maneuvered Della off his lap and lay her down on the bed. Without stopping the tender touches or the deep kisses, Perry loved Della with great care and gentleness, bringing her back to him and making her forget the terror she had just been through. He guided her along…..touching…..caressing….loving her….delighting in the pleasurable moans he could elicit from her. They had made love many times but this time was different…..this time was special. This time, more than any other, Perry loved her from a place that they had never been to before. From a place so deep within him, he never realized it existed. He loved her with more than his whole being… more than with his soul. In his need to protect and care for Della, he knew that it would be up to him to give her what she needed most….care….protection….safety…. and most of all a deep and abiding love.
For her part, Della gave herself completely over to Perry. He was the only one that could make her forget the horrible trauma she had just been through. He was, she knew, the one and only man she felt safe with….the one and only man who would protect her…..the one and only man who would love her like no other and the one and only man she could give her heart and soul to.
As Perry continued to love Della with his soft touches and endearing words, she made sure he knew what he meant to her. She matched him…. touch for touch….. kiss for kiss…. skin to skin…..soul to soul. There, in the quiet of their home away from home…..in the quiet of the bedroom, with the sun just beginning to set, the two lovers who had been apart through no fate of their own came together again as one and finally put the horrific events of the past few days behind them.
Perry came out of his daydream by the sound of a soft voice. "Penny for your thoughts Counselor, why so far away?"
Perry walked over to the chaise and sat down beside his lady. With a smile and that irrepressible twinkle in his eyes, he said, "I'm sorry Darling, I was just admiring my very own piece of art. You're like a beautiful painting or sculpture. Do you know that?"
Della laughed. "Smooth, very smooth Mr. Mason. Now how about if you tell me the real reason behind those thoughts."
"It's the truth Della, honest. I was just looking at you lying there and you looked so gorgeous…and I was thinking about last night."
"Oh, I see." A deep crimson blush began to appear on Della's cheeks.
"There's that blush I love so much. You know, as much as I love you, when you blush like that, I love you even more….if that's possible…...and if the way you look is any indication of how you feel, than am I right in assuming that you feel better?"
Della's eyes sparkled with life and light once again. A smile played at the corners of her mouth. Taking Perry's hand in hers, she softly caressed it before bringing it to her lips. Her voice was soft and loving.
"You assume correctly, my handsome attorney…..and sir, I owe it all to you. As incredible as last night was, just having you here, next to me is all I need. You always take such wonderful care of me. Somehow, you always seem to know the right things to say and do to take away all the bad things. You made my nightmares go away and thanks to you, I had a lovely dream last night."
"Is that a fact?"
"Yes Counselor, that, is indeed a fact and I know you are dying for me to tell you all about it, aren't you?"
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, yes, I'd love to hear all about your wonderful dream."
With that, the very beautiful Miss Street, told her very handsome Mr. Mason all about her dream. When she had finished, she gave the attorney a look so mysterious and so seductive that it stole his breath. All the lawyer could do was take his secretary's hand in his and whisper softly, "well, we'll just have to see what I can do about making it come true. Leaning over, he pressed warm lips to hers. Then standing up, he went to make a phone call, leaving the very gorgeous Miss Street breathless and wanting more.
In the early evening, Paul Drake knocked at the door of Perry and Della's suite. Della was taking a bubble bath in preparation for the evening. All Perry would tell her is that they were going to dinner and she should take some kind of wrap. Perry welcomed Paul into the suite, poured them both a drink then studied the handsome P.I's face. Knowing him as he did, he handed him the drink and asked, "alright Mr. Drake, I know something's up. Care to let me in on it?"
"Where's Della?"
Taking a bubble bath, why?"
Paul motioned Perry out to the balcony. Once there Paul began to speak somewhat hesitantly.
"Perry, I have the information you wanted on Suzanna."
"That's great Paul. You sure work fast Mr. Drake. Makes you worth those big bucks I pay you." Perry laughed, then stopped when he realized Paul wasn't laughing along with him. The attorney immediately knew there was a problem.
"Alright Paul, let me see the report. What am I not going to like?"
It's not that you're not going to like it Perry, it's just that you're not going to believe what's in there…..and Perry there's something else…and the timing of it is really strange."
"What do you mean?"
The investigator was momentarily silent then he continued. "Suzanna called me this morning. She said she wanted to meet with me. She needed a favor. So I met her for breakfast."
"…And?"
"And she wanted me to dig into her past….more directly, her medical history. That is, her biological medical history. I mean she knows all about being adopted but you know, adoptions are sealed. Once a baby is placed with a family and once that adoption becomes permanent all records and information are sealed up tighter than a drum. Suzanna tried to find out because since she's getting married she wanted to know if there was anything health wise in her background she should be aware of. I told her I would be happy to help but just out of curiosity I asked her why she didn't go her parents or you. She looked me straight in the eye and said she asked her parents but they had very little information and it wasn't because she didn't love you or trust you, it was because she did. You're too close to her and she wanted to keep everything on a business level. She even asked what I charged. When I told her I wouldn't charge her, she said that was unacceptable and unless we came up with a monetary amount, she would go to someone else.
"Well I'll give her credit. At least she went to the best. You're right, the files are sealed. So let me ask you Mr. Drake, just how did you come into possession of this information?"
Paul grinned sheepishly. "Let's just say that I have friends in the records department in the L.A. City Hall. But let me tell you pal, from the day I met her there was something else in Suzanna's manor that raised my radar. There was something in the way she looked at me and in the way she spoke that gave me goose bumps. I couldn't quite figure it out, then the report came through. After I read it, I understood. All I can say is when you read it, you're going to understand everything too. Just remember about Della. If I were you, I would wait until you go back home. I think it will make it easier."
Now Perry was worried. "My God Paul, what the hell is in that report that has you so spooked?" Mason took the file from Drake and began to read through it. When he got to the second page he stopped. His face paled and his hands began to shake. He took a deep breath to gather himself, then meeting Paul's eyes he said, "Thanks Paul, thanks for everything and I think you're right. I think it would be best if I waited till Della and I were home."
"How do you think she'll take it?"
I don't know Paul. I mean as well as I know her, this is going to take her completely off guard. She's just getting over the whole kidnapping ordeal…now this. We're going back in a few days. When we got Della back, I called Jackson and Gertie and told them to close the office for another week. At least it will give me time to think how I want to handle this. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to see how my beautiful girl is coming along…..and Paul, thanks, thanks for everything."
"You bet pal, you bet. Anytime, you know that, anytime."
The two men shook hands. Perry walked Paul to the door and patted him heartily on the back. When Paul left, Perry closed the door, took the file the detective had given him and walked into the bedroom. Taking out his suitcase, the lawyer placed the folder inside…..in the hidden compartment where he knew Della wouldn't find it. He always hid her gifts and trip brochures there. All the wonderful surprises he always loved to spoil and indulge her with were always put there. Now he hid the file there….the file that would give Della the answer to the puzzle. After he told her the information and after she read it, her questions about Suzanna would finally be answered. Then they would have to tell Suzanna. Perry closed the suitcase and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he put a smile on his face and went in search of the woman he loved. He only hoped the outcome of this new development would be a happy one for her as well as his God daughter.
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The night air was warm and a soft breeze came up over the ocean and settled on the attractive couple sitting in the gazebo. The round table held covered trays of food, and a crystal vase filled with pink, white and red roses. Rose petals were strewn about and candles were encased in hurricane lamps. Two glasses were filled with wine and a silver bucket on a stand sat next to the table, holding the bottle with the remainder of the delicious liquid. White twinkling lights hung down from inside the top of the gazebo and more lights had been placed around the perimeter. A trio off in the corner softly played the romantic music of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett.
Perry was watching Della who was dreamily watching the candles. Mason noticed tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes. Tenderly he took her small delicate hand and held it between his strong, large ones. In a soft, loving tone, he asked, what's wrong sweetheart?"
Della looked at this man whom she loved so and who was her whole world. She smiled as she quietly answered him. "Oh Perry, I can't believe this. This is exactly like my wonderful dream. It's perfect, just perfect. Tell me, counselor, how did you manage this?"
Perry smiled, happy to have been able to give Della "her dream." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it so lightly, it sent shivers up and down Della's back.
"It wasn't hard. After you told me about your dream, I just called Ben and told him what I wanted. He and Julia were more than happy to accommodate me and so viola…." Perry snapped his fingers. "You have your dream. Now we can dream together."
"Just like magic huh?"
"Yes baby, just like magic."
"Well, it's a good thing that this is what I dreamt. What would you have done if I said I dreamt that I was on a magic carpet?"
The lawyer threw back his head and laughed. Then, with a caring tone and a somewhat serious expression he said, I would have gotten you that carpet my dear. I just don't know how we could have gotten up in the air. You do know that I will always get you what you want. I always want to make your dreams come true."
Della's voice was barely audible. "I know. You spoil me so Perry." She got up out and came around to the big man's chair. Sitting down in his lap, she put her hands around his neck and pulled him close. Meeting his mesmerizing blue eyes with her spectacular hazel ones, she whispered low. Her voice was soft but her words were clear….direct…purposeful. "I never knew it could be like this."
"Be like what?"
"This way…..so wonderful and so full. My life….. our life together….working together….being together. I never thought I would ever meet a man like you. I'm so happy. You've made me the happiest woman in the world."
Perry smiled and brushed back a wisp of windblown hair. "I feel the same way darling. I…I just hope I never do anything that would hurt or upset you."
Before Della could ask him what he meant by that statement, Perry asked, "now would you do something for me?"
"I'll do anything for you Counselor, what is it that you need?"
"You darling, you're all I need. Are you up to dancing with me? It will be a short dance I promise. Remember what the Doctor said about keeping off that foot."
Della's voice was low and silky as she answered her handsome attorney. "I remember Perry and yes I'd love to."
The couple stood up and walked to the middle of the gazebo. Perry took Della in his arms, cognizant still of her healing ankle and her leg but gently pulling her as close as he could. They began to sway more than actually dance, breathing in the sea air and the fragrance of the flowers. It was an unusual blend but it had quite an effect on the lovers. As Perry led Della around the makeshift dance floor, he put his face next to hers and sang along in his baritone voice.
Love is a many-splendored thing,
It's the April rose that only grows in the early spring,
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living,
The golden crown that makes a man a king.
Once on a high and windy hill,
In the morning mist two lovers kissed and the world stood still,
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing,
Yes, true love's a many-splendored thing.
When the song finished, Della looked up at Perry and said, "That song, that's the song they were playing the night…."
"The night we went to dinner and then instead of taking you home I took you to the beach."
"I remember Perry. They were playing that song on the radio. That's the night we told each other how we felt. I'll never forget that night."
"Neither will I. Now, my beauty, is there anything else I can do for you?"
Della snaked her arms around Perry's neck, bringing his face down to hers. Her voice was breathless, seductive and sultry.
"There certainly is sir."
"What….what…what would that be?" Perry had a hard time forming his words.
Della didn't hesitate. "You can take me back to the suite."
A short time later, the attorney and his secretary were once again ensconced in their suite. Della headed to the bedroom to change. Perry went to his suitcase and removed the file Paul had brought him hours earlier." Scanning it again, he was about to put it away when a thought came to him. Momentarily forgetting Della was so close by, he said aloud to himself,"how will I ever tell her?"
"Tell me what?"
At the sound of Della's voice, Perry froze. The turning to face her, he slowly walked over to where she was standing. Forcing a smile, and taking a deep breath, he summoned the courage he knew he was lacking. Taking Della by the hand, he led her to the sofa and sat her down, then sat down beside her. With a loving and caring voice, he tenderly brushed her face with the back of his hand.
"My Della….you've been through so much. I love you. Never ever forget that."
Della began to have a strange feeling. Her voice almost quivered as she asked, "Perry, what is it? What's wrong?"
Silence from the attorney
"Perry, Perry? Please darling, you're scaring me."
The lawyer's face was ashen. "Della, I have something to show you but before I do, I want to tell you something. It's actually a story…a true story about a girl and the family that loves her….and….and…you.