Disclaimer: The characters in this story don't belong to me, they are owned by Erle Stanley Gardner's pen. I don't receive any economic good for them. I only write for the pleasure of doing it.
Many thanks to the incredible of tengland2, for continuing to support me in this adventure with all their advice.
All the errors are only mine.
Chapter Eleven
After Paul left in search of more information about Tom's accident, Perry leaned back in his chair, frustrated and angry over the situation. Taking a deep breath filling his lungs, he let the air out slowly. The image of Tom laying in the ICU bed, because of an accident, that wasn't his fault, scared Perry. Ten years ago, they had brought Tom back to Los Angles, after the death of his mother. He was having a very difficult time with the loss and having to adjust to a new home, a new way of life. Perry realized that even though Tom had difficulty showing him affection, Tom had stolen his heart the same day he had stolen Della's.
At that moment the intercom sounded, taking Perry out of his thoughts, "yes Gertie."
"Mr. Mason, Mr. Kevin Williams is on the line and wants to talk with you." Gertie replies
"Gertie okay, put it him, through to me." Says Perry, "Mason."
"Hello Perry, how are you? I found out from Caroline, about your son's accident. How is he doing?" Asked Kevin.
"Not very well, Kevin, he is still in a medically induced coma, had surgery to repair a lung and has a couple broken ribs. Della is taking it hard." Perry sighs. "I suspect there is more to this call than just to check on Tom. Need I ask how Caroline found out?"
"It started with a phone call from Max Parrish, who wanted to meet with both of us." Kevin smiles. "Seems he was in search of information or at least confirmation of what he already knew."
"What was he told?" Asked Perry.
"Nothing he did not know, it seems that Laura told him about her indiscretion with you. She apparently returned to LA telling everyone here, she had an interview with you, about becoming your law partner." Said Kevin.
"She got here, made a scene with Della. I tossed her out, she claimed she was off to see a realtor." Replies Perry.
"Well, here's something that should ease your mind a bit. Max apparently decided to travel by train to San Fran for a couple days than on to Hawaii for a second honeymoon.
"Then Laura has not been in LA last week or so?" asked Perry.
"That's right. Do you think she may be involved with Tom's accientt somehow?" Asks Kevin.
"I don't know what to think, except my mind is working overtime. Thank you. Greetings to Nicole." Says Perry.
"Goodbye Perry, please tell Della that I'm very sorry about your son and I hope things will be improving soon."
Hanging up the phone, Perry wondered if his imagination was running wild. Could there be more to Kevin's phone call, just what kind of information could be out there on Caroline and Della's grapevines. He was tempted to talk to Della about his suspicions and have her call Caroline.
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Laura had gone up to their room, claiming to much sun and wanted to lay down for a cause she felt tired. Max sat back in his chair ordering a salad and ice tea, instead of one of the fancy bar drinks. Figured he would order those later when they went out to supper. Max starred out across the pool, towards the ocean beyond. His thoughts drifted back over the last six months and Laura's obsession with Perry Mason. He did not understand what Laura could see in that older man.
Max knew she needed help. She had been working with a prestigious law firm, which she quit without notice, to work as a research law clerk secretary for Perry Mason. Laura was obsessed with the famed attorney and had convinced herself, they were having an affair, that her termination was an attempt to cover that affair. She was convinced Perry Mason, was going to divorce his beloved wife and business partner. Convinced that they were to become law partners, a power couple in California. If the matter were not so serious, it would have seemed comical. Anyone who knew the lawyer, knew he would never leave his beloved wife or the business they shared.
Finishing his salad and drink, he signed off on the check and walked towards the pool. He figured he would move to the small circular sitting pool at the opposite end for a while longer.
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In the room, Laura had taken a shower, sitting on the bed, she called the hotel operator. She needed to make another call to LA and didn't need it to appear on the room bill. The operator dialed the number for her, promising to get the time and charges for her when the call was over.
The phone was finally answered, Laura asked, "Did you get the jobs taken care of?" Pausing, "You've had over a week to get it done. How difficult can it be to get rid of two kids and the mother?" She asked, then she sighs, "I know that pathetic little-time detective named Paul Drake, has put his people to take care of that woman and her daughter, but that's why I hired you because you know very well how to do the job with certain difficulties."
The person who had answer the phone was a former cop, turned mercenary, with extensive ties to the LA gangs and mobsters.
Laura takes a deep breath as she listens. One accident, involving that adopted son, and he was still alive. "Fine, you've got two more days to complete this, otherwise you won't be getting a dime of the money owed. I want to see that woman cry when her adopted son, does not wake up anymore. " She smiled to herself, "Go ahead call the police, they certainly aren't going to believe you over an attorney like myself or my fiancée Perry Mason."
She hangs up the phone, going into the living room area of the suite, she sighs. One more phone call, she repeated the process with operator.
When the person on the other side of the line answers the phone, she just asks one question, "Are you sure, that the work is finished?" She smiles.
Hanging up the phone, she realizes Max had returned. "What work?" Asked Max. "Who are you talking Laura? I thought you had left everything arranged in Washington before going to LA."
"It was just a small pending issue. I just wanted to make sure everything had been solved." Replies Laura, smiling at him. She knew he would believe anything she told him right now. The thought of Max finding out she had hired someone to get rid of Della Street and those brats scared her. Max could ruin all her plans. Laura knew she had to continue playing the happy wife, that this was the marriage she wanted. She flashed him another smile as her robe slipped off one shoulder.
Max moved to hug his wife, kissing the bare shoulder. He suddenly noticed her waist and breasts felt bigger. Could she be pregnant and not told him yet? Perhaps if he had the chance he would call her doctor.
