Chapter ten

The atmosphere after the ceremony was close to cozy, maybe even nice. Though Michael Domenico had been murdered, and nobody had any doubt about that, people joked about him, laughed and drank as if they were at a party. As if they were attending a wedding.

Perry had kept his distance during the day, not really able to place himself in the circle of her old friends and old bonds. Della had seemed to enjoy the attention very much, he could tell she was having a good time, telling and listening to the stories of old times.

In the hours just before dusk, they had visited the orphanage, a place where Della had loved to work during her engagement to Michael, and in the years before. She had once explained to Perry how she had found this work soothing and so very rewarding. The emotions of the day had finally caught her as she stepped into the quiet bedrooms of the young sleeping orphans, and she'd shed quiet tears in Perry's arms.

Back at the house, Michael's father had swung one of his large arms around her to squeeze her to him, and had said " You don't have to go back to L.A. tonight, Della. You and your Mr. Mason are very welcome to stay here, if that is what you want. "

As Perry turned to Della and watched her eyes gleam, he understood that that was what she indeed wanted. She had wanted to stay here, not ready to leave the memories yet, not prepared yet to go back to her normal life.

And now, in the quietness of the dim lit guest room, he felt more relaxed, but still hesitant. Was there still something to talk about ? Hadn't they said it all, and hadn't they decided to let time heal the wounds ? Were they 'on touching terms' again completely ?

" Are you all right, Della ? "

" I don't know if I am. Today was a constant reminder of my younger self. When I just checked the mirror, I couldn't believe how old I actually am now. "

" Old ? No … " He shook his head and smiled at her softly. " But I'm a bit predetermined, maybe. I think you are more beautiful every time I get the chance to look at you, no matter how young you are … " He walked through the room slowly, brushing the deep-pile carpet with his feet.

" It's just so odd to be here. To be in the orphanage, as if nothing ever changed there. " She stroked the bedspread with her slender hands. " This used to be our room, when I stayed here. I'm reminded of Michael wherever I look. All through this house, but especially here, in this room. "

" Do you need to be alone for a while ? Do you want me to go ? " He knew how Michael had fully initiated Della in all aspects of his physicalness, and her own. She had told Perry about it, at the start of their relationship, as they were practising whatever she had learned before, and much more. Was it jealousy that made him feel so awkward now, so insecure? What was it? Was this how she felt if they talked about his affair with Laura Parrish, or 'the other Laura' ?

" No, I don't want to be alone anymore. " She sat on the bed, holding her face in her hands. He went to stand in front of her and watched her, his hands thrust deep in his pockets, just to make sure he wouldn't touch her automatically. Because maybe she wouldn't want him to. Not here, not now.

" I want to wash away memories, and replace them with new ones. " She looked up into his tired face, and the sight of him like this made her weak. He had come to her, right away, leaving his teaching duties and students in Georgetown. To be with her. Without another word, she reached out for him. He leaned down, placing one knee on the bed next to her, as she slowly lay back, and pulled him down on top of her. He studied her face, thoroughly, while her fingers stroked his. He leaned down and kissed her lips, lightly, once. Hearing her sharp intake of breath, his stubbled cheek brushed the soft skin of her face towards her ear.

" I love you, Della. " He whispered to her.

" Tell me again … " she sighed, bringing her arms around his neck.

" God only knows how much I love you. "

" I need you, Perry … It's been too long … " She moaned as the warmth of his hands reached her skin, even through the fabric of her shirt. " And I need new images … I need just you and me … No Michael, no Laura's … "

" I wish erasing the images was as easy as making love to you … " He kissed her longer this time. " But, please let me love you, baby … "

" I want you … " Her hands pulled his shirt out of his pants, and roamed over his naked skin, trailing her nails over his back.

He groaned, and breathed to her ear, unable to hide the arousel she had always been able to ignite in him. " Oh, my beautiful Della… "

She reached for the buttons of his shirt, and undressed him slowly. His clothes landed on the floor one by one. Raking her fingers through his chest hair, she pulled him to her, his heavy bareness on top of her body felt so utterly good. He was so warm, so strong, and he was here and with her. " I've missed you … "

He kissed her so ardently deep and familiair, she moaned. His tongue was merciless on her skin, his hands were efficient and quick while undressing her, and soft but thorough, very thorough while exploring her curves. She knew that he was taking his time, there was no need to hurry.

After a long time of being completely witless, she allowed him to urge her legs apart, holding one of her thighs next to his, as he pressed down into her. She gasped, as it had been a long, long time. He rocked her slowly, kissing her pleading sounds of pleasure away in the same mesmerizing rhythm as in which his hips moved towards hers.

Images disappeared, as one after the other soothing climax built up and exploded inside her, washing away weeks of utter confusion about her feelings, about his love, about their future. He brought her back to him, her pleasure being absolutely his, and his only. He kissed her lips, swollen from desire, and her flushed heated cheeks, before he rolled her over in his embrace to kiss her spine and the back of her neck, and pulled her back to him again, to give her more and to finally have it all himself.

Her soft sighs and urgent moans held him captive for lingering moments, until he seemingly only could exhale, grunting as he bit her shoulder to muffle his loud growls.

She sniffed, tightening her grip on his hand on her belly, her free arm still pressing his head to her neck, enjoying this entanglement. " Will you be going back to Georgetown? "

Barely able to breathe normally, he waited a minute and decided to answer her question with a question. " What do you want ? " He released his grip on her and turned her to him again, moving to cover her completely with his broad form, very gently not to crush her, but all the while making very sure she felt him everywhere.

" I want you stay with me … " She whispered against his damp chest.

" Then I won't be going back. "

" But, that is not up to me to decide … And you can't cancel your lectures for me … "

He slid down her body to be able to look into her eyes, that were still gleaming. " It is, Della. It is. And I can cancel my lectures for you … "

There was just one more question.

" Are you sure the baby isn't yours? "

" Yes, " He rolled of of her, and laid his head on her chest, to hear her heart beat. " In terms of time, it's not possible. But nature has its ways … so Max wants a paternity test when the baby is three months old. "

Della sighed. " And so, there is a chance. "

" No, not really, Della " He shook his head against the damp skin of her neck, kissing his way up to her cheek.

" Are you sorry the baby isn't yours? " She asked him in all honesty.

" Would it have changed things between you and me? "

" Yes. It would have made things complicated. But I think I would have gotten used to it. "

" Wouldn't you have wanted me to leave you? "

" No. " There was no use in denying it, especially not now, not here. There was no life without him, not fulfilling enough anyway. She did love him. She hadn't told him for a while, but it was true.

" Good. Because I wouldn't have left you." He rested his head on her chest again, his hand stroking the soft skin between her breasts.

" Perry? "

" Mmmm? "

" When was the last time I told you I love you? "

" A long time ago … I can't remember exactly. "

" Perry … "

" Seventeen weeks and four days. "

She laughed silently. Of course he had been counting. He had always been counting, words, days, kisses, climaxes, glances, birthdays. Some of his ways were carved deeply in her core, as if it were her own. One day they would probably be her own. One day she would start counting herself maybe.

" I love you. You are such a pain sometimes, and so ridiculously complicated, but I love you. And before you ask, I do hate you for that … "

" I'm sorry … Tell me again you love me ? "

She pushed against him, moving him to lay on his back, and straddled him, her hands on his chest, her face inches from his. " I love you, Perry Mason. "

He stroked her cooling cheeks with the back of his hand, "I love you … there will never be anyone else ... "

" That's what you say now … But what if another Laura comes by ? "

" I'll tell her to get lost. " His face was dead serious.

She laughed a throaty chuckle. " Yes, well, then she'll get lost and then I'll probably tell you to go and find her again, won't I ? "

He roared with laughter. " Now, who is the complicated person here? "

" Maybe that's why we fit together so well. "

" Let's fit together, Della. I like it better that way. Permanent. Forever. "

" Forever? As in eternal? "

" Ah, eternity … " He pulled her into his embrace to let her mold her body against his. One of her legs, the one that had felt so firmly enticing while being wrapped around his waist before, was now placed on his thigh, one slender warm hand on his private parts, her head on his heaving chest.

" Yes, eternity, for now? "

" For now. " He kissed her hair.

Her hand, so very well placed on his groin, moved and he enjoyed it immensely, it made him feel warm and cold at the same time, causing butterflies to flutter in his stomach. Not because of the sexual tease, he knew she did not do this because she wanted more of him. It was a habit, one she had developed and practised during all their years together, eightteen years now. Her own explanation for this gesture used to be it was her possessive nature that made her do this. Stupid mistakes be damned, he was hers. Permanently.

He felt reassured. She was back in his arms and so were her ways.

" For now, until you can get me eternity forever … " She smiled.

But he had already drifted off to sleep.

####

During the short flight back to Denver, Mason prepared for his appointment with Jeffrey Sorrento. Frank Halloran had not just been the Sorrento's family lawyer, he had been significantly mandated to represent them in all kinds of matters. Because of this strong connection and mutual interests, Perry believed the family had something to do with Frank's escape.

And, nowadays, nobody could escape from prison single-handedly, just like that. Though there were different opinions, it was more than likely, someone had bribed one of the guards, or maybe even the prison director to let Frank just walk out. Mason snorted, and continued writing. Escaping from prison, having dug a tunnel, or by using a disguise was just another romantic notion, just like the communicating colors.

Maybe this was also part of the smokescreen, as Robert Domenico had suggested? And maybe Jeffrey knew something about it. The young man was already waiting for him in his office, when Perry Mason walked in.

" Jeffrey. " He took off his top coat and suit jacket and sat his overnight bag on the couch.

" Just what exactly am I doing here, Mr. Mason? " He seemed nervous. " I'm not going to stay here for very long, now you just have to tell me what you want from me … "

" Sit down, Jeffrey… "

" No, thank you. "

Mason placed his hands on Jeffrey's shoulders and pushed him on the chair in front of his desk. " Sit down. It wasn't a question. "

Perry sat down behind his desk and decided to communicate in a plain and simple way. " Where is Frank Halloran, Jeffrey? "

Jeffrey shrugged.

" You don't know? "

" No, I don't know, Mr. Mason. All I do know is that he is not where he is supposed to be. In jail. "

" I don't believe you, Jeffrey. " He pointed at the man with his pen. " But I do believe that you know how he escaped from prison, and that you maybe even helped him. "

" You'd have to ask my father … "

" You don't see eachother anymore ? " He didn't wait for Jeffrey to react. " What has your father got to do with this? And why can't I reach him? "

" I really don't know. "

Mason sighed. " What has he got on your father to blackmail him about ? "

" How do you know Frank Halloran is blackmailing my father ? "

" Ah… is blackmailing … present tense. So, what is it about? " Mason watched the young man being annoyed, moving back and forth in his chair like an impatient child.

" Money, Mr. Mason. "

" Yes, I figured that much. "

" Ninety million dollars to be exact. Frank has my father's money, and my father can't get to it. To get to his money he does what Frank is asking him. Can I go now? "

" No." Perry snorted, shaking his head, pursing his lips. " Ninety million dollars … That is an awful lot of money, it has to be in a bank account, right ? So, if your father can prove the bank that the money is his … "

Jeffrey shook his head. " You know better than that, Mr. Mason. That money isn't in bank accounts. It's black money, it was earned with drug transactions, real estate deals, that sort of things. You are not a fool, are you? "

" Well, but still, Jeffrey … " Mason rubbed his beard slowly. " It is a lot of money. You are not really telling me he keeps it in cash? "

" Yes, that is what I am telling you. In cash. "

" Ninety million dollars, in cash? " Mason stretched the syllables, as if to underline he couldn't believe this. Jeffrey just nodded and shifted in his chair.

" Are you all right, Jeffrey? "

" Yes. "

" No, you're not. Look at me. "

Mason snorted and wondered why he hadn't seen it before. The pupils of Jeffrey's red eyes were wide, and he tried to hide the tremble of his hands.

" What is it, Jeffrey, heroine ? "

" Cocaine …"

" Son of a … " He hit his desk. " Damn it! I told you to stay away from that garbage. "

Jeffrey Sorrento just shrugged and sat back.

" So, ninety million dollars, in cash ? Where does Halloran keep that kind of money ? That has to be noticed by someone, it's a lot of bank notes to be just kept somewhere. " He mused to himself.

" Well, where the hell do you think Halloran keeps it, Mr. Mason ? " The young man suddenly snapped.

" Well, how the hell would I know, Mr. Sorrento ? " Mason snapped back, not impressed at all, merely getting more angry with every minute the young man just sat there pretending.

The devillish grin on Jeffrey's face annoyed him immensely. This boy was not going to tell him anything he knew, even if …

Then it suddenly hit him. He slowly put his hand on his mouth, as he felt the blood draining from his face. " No. Oh, Lord … no … " Standing up from his chair, he scanned Jeffrey's face to see if he suspected right.

" Yes. " A soft smile played around Jeffrey Sorrento's lips.

" Frank Halloran's private getaway ? "

" Yeah. It was quite senseless of you to accept the deed of that house from Frank, just like that. And I bet, you never checked the cellar while you were there with Miss Street … "

" There was no cellar. " Mason said it slowly, absentmindedly.

" Oh yes, there is a cellar, and there is a big safe in that cellar. But you were too … busy to even explore the house. " Jeffrey grinned widely now.

" Oh, damn it, no. "

" Yeah. Can I go now, Mr. Mason? "

But Perry Mason was quiet, very quiet. How the hell did he get into this? Why had he not seen this before?

" Mr. Mason ? " Jeffrey tried to get his attention.

Mason made a dismissive gesture. " Yes, get lost, Jeffrey. And tell your father to phone me. "

" Yeah, sure. Whatever … "

Perry watched the youngster leave his office as he pressed the intercom to Ken Malansky's office. " Ken? "

" Perry, are you back already? I didn't see you come in. How are you ? Do you know Paul has also arrived just now? He is on his way here from the airport, he'll be here any minute. How were the Domenico's ? Did you get any new information? Have you already spoken to Jeffrey Sorrento? He seems like a nice guy to me now, he has … "

" Shut up, Ken. " Perry grunted. " Get Brock on the phone and tell him to come over here. Now. And come into my office. Now … "

####

They all sat quiet for a moment. Even Paul Drake, who had arrived at the office just in time to listen to Perry Mason's newly obtained information, was silent.

Ed Brock was the first one to speak. " Well, Mason, that is quite something you are telling me. So, you have stayed in that house, and it has a cellar supposedly full of black money, sir? "

" Yes. "

" Do you have the address of the house, Mason? I want to have it checked, to see if the money is indeed there, sir. "

Perry opened the top drawer of his desk and took out a big envelope. " The address is right here, on the deed. "

" You have a deed of the house in your name ? " The disbelief shattered from Brock's face.

" Yes. " Mason sighed.

Ed Brock scratched his neck and shook his head. " I don't know what to say, Mason. Other than that you were quite out of it, when you accepted this as a token of Mr. Halloran's regret. "

" I know, Brock. " His voice was low and soft.

" And, sir, how do I know you didn't know about the money ? "

" Well that's just it, Brock, isn't it? You don't know if I didn't know … I could have been bribed from Los Angeles to New York and back, and you wouldn't know … "

" I do believe you are an honest man, Mason, but things sure look pretty damn bad for you. And for your Miss. "

" I know. "

" How could you let this happen to you? "

" I guess I still am too tempted to believe in people's good nature. " He watched his hands, very aware of his precarious situation.

" You know you will look like a very corrupt attorney, but I will work on it to not let that happen. And, sir, Mr. Mason, you better get lost for a while, until we have found out exactly how much money it is and where it came from, and what it means that this house is in your name. " He sighed " And I really hope we can keep the press from finding out about this. "

Paul Drake sat down in front of Perry's desk, as Ed Brock left the office. " Now you are a very corrupt lawyer, involved in dealing with corrupt mafia money, with your sweet mafia darling lady wearing wrong colours on your arm ? " He laughed softly about his own joke.

" Shut up, Drake. " Perry grunted. " Have you found anything in New York? "

"Nothing you didn't suspect already. The P.O. Box was listed in the old granny's name, because a very nice guy she wrote to in prison had asked her to do this for him. She is a member of one of those clubs that write to prisoners on death row, or guys that have been sentenced to life. "

Ken snorted. " Let me guess, this guy she wrote to was Frank Halloran? "

" No. Another prisoner, but in the same block as Mr. Halloran. We're now trying to find out how they were connected, and who made the dresses, the red one and the white one. But, I'm pretty sure the maker is also connected to Frank somehow. " Paul watched Perry, frowning, rubbing his palms together. He was restless. " This Mr. Halloran has got you stuck between a rock and a hard place, Perry. "

" Yes. A rock and a hard place. You can say that again. "

" I know a place … " Paul Drake started his sentence.

" … where the music is soft … and the dancing is slow … " Mason added without thought. Della. Where was she now? Did she know about this ? And when was the last time he had seen her? Had it been that Monday night, a lifetime ago, before he had spoken to that damn Rudi McNama, and he had gone to the hospital to find Nardone? He had sent Ken to their home with Della, and Paul … " Hey, wait a minute, Paul. Where were you, on the night they brought Della to that so-called safer place ? I was at the hospital looking for Nardone, Ken was at home … " Mason emphasized the last word. Ken lowered his head, and pretended to be writing down something very important. " … but where were you ?"

Paul shrugged and shook his head, very unconvincingly looking the other way for a moment.

Perry's voice was low as he stated. " They asked you to take her there, didn't they? You brought her to that safer place … "

" That certainly took you a long time to find out … Sherlock … "

" Where did you go, Paul ? … Watson ? "

Paul grinned. " Well, let's say, I went to see a sister. "

" You went to see a sister? That's ridiculous, Paul, you don't have a sister. "

" U-uhm. " Paul nodded as he was stared at by the big blue eyes, ice cold, arrogant, yet he knew this was not directed at him personally. The owner of these eyes was thinking, the process clearly visible on his impressive face.

I went to see a sister …

Slowly, the mind of Perry Mason became aware of the whereabouts of his favorite girl. Paul Drake silently enjoyed to see the awakening on the face in front of him, and sat still, until Perry finally spoke.

" I'll be damned. "

" Not really, Perry. I'd say, quite the opposite."

" And you knew all along, hmmm? "

" Yeah. "

" And, you didn't tell me? "

" No. She's my only mother, Perry. And you are … " Drake swallowed hard " … well, as far as I knew, you would both be in danger, if seen together. And, I promised Brock not to tell anyone, especially not you. So, I haven't told you, and I am certainly not telling you now. "

" Well, thank you very much for not telling me anything. " Perry stood up and stretched his back.

Paul asked him a question he already knew the answer to. " What are you going to do now? "

" I'm going to do as Brock told me. I'm going to get lost for a while too. And … " he raised his index finger to both Paul Drake and Ken Malansky " … don't try to find me … "

With that, Mason grabbed his keys, suit jacket, his overnight bag, and left.