Perry Mason and Paul Drake arrived at the home of Jimmy Street. Perry's heart was in his throat. Something was terribly wrong. He had a gut feeling that Della…his Della ….the woman he loved more than life itself was in serious trouble. What were the circumstances which led her to leave with Michael Dominico? Initially, Perry and Paul thought she'd been kidnapped …that maybe Dominico planned to use her as some kind of leverage when it came to Perry representing Mike in the murder trial. Subsequent investigation on the part of Paul's men found that Della had not only left willingly with Dominico, but that the two had once been engaged to be married. Who was this Della? Who was this woman he'd known for so many years …whom he'd loved equally as long? Never once had she mentioned being engaged to another man. Never once had she mentioned her involvement with someone who had such obvious ties to organized crime. They had shared so much with one another. Why had she kept this a secret? Did she not trust him as much as he trusted her … or were there other, more sinister reasons? He only hoped that he and Paul would find the answer here.

Perry knocked on the door. Within minutes, Della's brother, Jimmy, opened the door. He looked at the two men and a smile came over his face. He extended his hand to Perry and when he spoke, his voice was filled with great relief. "Perry, it's so good to see you … you too Paul," he said as he shook Paul's hand as well. "Please, come in. You must be tired after your flight." Jimmy continued to speak as he led the men into the living room. "Are you guys hungry? Annie made a salad and some sandwiches before she left. She took the kids to the park so we could talk and not be disturbed."

"We're fine Jimmy, thanks," Perry stated uneasily as he sat on the couch.

"I'm really glad you called Perry. I would have called you, but Della swore Annie and me to secrecy. I've been torn though, because I know how unhappy my sister is."

Perry took a deep breath and looked directly at Jimmy. In a quiet but firm voice he asked, "Jimmy, what exactly is going on? Where is Della? Is she alright?"

Jimmy looked down at the floor and then back at Perry. He took a slow deep breath and Perry knew that the situation was indeed serious.

"Perry, Della called us last week. She spoke to Annie, but she was so upset that Annie couldn't understand her. I finally got on the phone and was able to get her to tell me what was wrong. All she would say was that she was coming home, to please not ask her any questions and that she would explain everything when she saw us. She also told us not to pick her up at the airport. That was the second strange thing she said."

"What was the first?" Perry wanted to know.

"When I asked her how long the two of you were staying, she said that you two were no longer together … that she'd quit and ended it with you."

Perry felt as if his heart would explode. "What else did she say Jimmy?"

"Nothing until late that night when she walked in here. She sat us down and, like I said, swore us to secrecy. She said that if you called, we were to tell you that we didn't know where she was. Then, she dropped the bombshell…about her and Michael."

With that, Jimmy told Perry and Paul the entire story about Della and Michael Dominico's relationship … the courtship, the engagement, the fight, the beating … Jimmy left nothing out. Perry sat quietly, taking in the entire story while also trying to resist the urge to put his fist into a wall. Paul was speechless, but the red coloring to his cheeks told Perry he was just as angry and upset. When Jimmy was through, he looked at Perry with tears in his eyes. "Oh Perry," he said sadly, "I think this is all my fault."

Perry was stunned. "Why on earth would you think that?" he asked incredulously.

"You see, I was so proud of Della, so happy about her job with you. Then, when the two of you, you know, fell in love and everything, I was the one who told Sophia."

"Sophia?" Paul asked.

"Yes, Sophia. Tony's mother…Michael's sister. That woman couldn't wait to run and tell Michael the news… and Perry, there's something else."

Perry tried to remain calm. "What is it Jimmy? What else is wrong?"

"I know my sister and I know Della loves you and just how deep that love is. I know that she would do anything for you. Something is terribly wrong. She just wouldn't leave you like this and go with that…that man. He's different from the man I used to know as a kid. There's something wrong with him…it's as if he has an agenda…it's…almost evil. I tried to talking to him privately and it was like looking into the eyes of a monster. Perry, I know how you feel about Della. Please, please help her. Please go and get her away from him. She's not there because she wants to be. I know it. She wants you…she needs you… maybe now more than ever."

Perry looked at Jimmy and then at Paul.

"Don't worry Jimmy. Everything is going to be ok. Paul and I will take care of everything."

With that, Perry and Paul stood up. They both shook Jimmy's hand as he led them to the door, giving him a determined look. It was then, that Jimmy Street realized something. He knew at that moment that Perry Mason would move heaven and earth…he would stop at nothing until his sister was back, safe and sound, where she belonged…. in the arms of the only man she had ever truly loved.

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Della Street was sitting alone in the formal living room of Michael Dominico's home. Although dressed beautifully in a yellow floral dress and canary colored cardigan, she felt hollow and ugly. When she heard the doorbell ring and loud voices coming from the front foyer, she wondered what all the commotion was about. "I demand to see Miss Street now!" she heard a familiar voice shout out. She barely had time to stand up when a very angry Perry Mason and Paul Drake busted through the doors followed by two of Dominico's men.

Perry and Della's eyes found each other and it was as if everyone else in the room disappeared. He walked towards her and she took in a slow deep breath as she prepared for what must be done. It was time to let him go. Perry stopped a few feet in front of her, but resisted his instinct to reach out and take her in his arms. Unable to contain her emotions, she quickly turned away from him and walked over to lean against the mantle of the fireplace.

Perry didn't have the words to express what he was feeling as she turned away from him. For a man who'd built his professional life on words … who had honed his abilities to read people … read situations and then ask questions that would illicit every piece of information he ever needed from them, the frustration of not being able to read Della was overwhelming. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but this was not his Della. She looked pale, thin, and extremely tired. Was it his imagination or was there a brief spark that lit up her eyes when he entered the room? He was sure he saw it before she turned away.

Paul walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She winced in pain. Upon seeing this, Perry took a quick step in her direction, but Paul held up his hand to signal him to stop.

"Della … what are you doing here with this man? Why did you leave so abruptly? You left no word … no note letting us know where you'd gone…" Paul said softly. "Then, we stop by and talk to Jimmy who tells us you said you quit your job and have broken up with Perry. We've been so worried about you? We first thought you'd been kidnapped, but instead we find you here … moved into this man's home … making no attempt to leave … what did Dominico do to you to make you come with him?"

"I need to speak with Perry alone." Della's voice trembled as she spoke.

"Okay, beautiful … whatever you say …"

"No." Perry walked towards the fireplace. Della and Paul turned to face him.

"Anything you have to say to me, Della, you can say in front of Paul. You don't want to work for me anymore? Fine. You want to call us quits? Fine, but, damn it Della, you will give me an explanation. Do you understand? After all these years, you owe me that much." It tore him up to speak to her like that, but something drastic needed to be done to snap her out of whatever fog she'd drifted into.

"Perry, listen … if she wants to talk to you…"

"No Paul!" Perry shouted at him. Della's eyes filled with angry tears. She had not expected this type of reaction from him…some anger, maybe, but more sadness and this was definitely not sadness.

"Whatever she has to say can be said in front of you," Perry snapped as he shot an angry look in her direction.

Della took another deep breath and looked Perry directly in the eyes. With all her courage, she spoke. "What we had Perry … what we shared … will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm sorry I left so abruptly. You see, I overheard Paul tell you in the office that Michael was behind all the problems with Mike so I called him. I wanted to reason with him … to ask him to stop … to not hurt Mike, Jill, or Elizabeth. When he opened the door and I saw him for the first time in eighteen years, I realized I still …." Della had to turn her back to Perry again and lean on the mantle for support. A fresh wave of nausea washed over her and she felt lightheaded, but she continued, "I realized I was still in love with him and had made a monumental mistake in not marrying him."

Paul's expression was one of complete and utter surprise. He ran his hand through his hair. He looked over at Perry expecting to see devastation, but instead saw anger. Perry's face was flushed and, without warning, he grabbed Della by the shoulders and swung her around to face him. Again, she cried out in pain as her eyes met his. His eyes filled with hot tears as a slow realization swept over him.

"I don't believe you Della. I don't believe you at all."

"I'm telling you the truth. I love Michael." She choked out the last words before pulling away from him.

"No, you don't … you love me." Perry gently took her by the shoulders this time and turned her to face him. Tears ran down her cheeks and her chest heaved up and down. Perry looked at his hands on her shoulders and then pulled away the canary yellow cardigan which covered her sleeveless floral dress. When he saw the finger shaped bruises and red marks on her skin, he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. As he kissed her neck and held her tightly to him, he whispered, "My God, Della. What did he do to you?"

When he saw Della's wounds, Paul looked away and wiped his eyes lest angry tears spill from them.

"Perry … it's over between us. Please let me go now," Della sobbed as she tried to pull away. Perry would not let go of her instead whispering again in her ear, "What has he done to you?"

"Take your hands off my fiancé, Mason." Michael Dominico entered the room followed by his two henchmen.

Della broke free of Perry and ran towards Michael.

"Michael … he was just leaving. He just came to say goodbye …that's all. There's nothing more to it."

"Like hell there isn't!" shouted Perry as he moved in the direction of Dominico. "Did you hit her you son of a bitch? Is that why she's here with you? You've threatened and beaten her … just like eighteen years ago?" Perry gave a knowing glance at Della who covered her mouth with her hand…too in shock to say anything. Paul quickly grabbed Perry from behind as he stepped towards Michael. Dominico's two men stood in front of him to block Perry's advance.

"Mason … you heard the woman. She's done with you. She's going to marry me just as she should have all those years ago and you will be nothing more than a memory to her … so just go back to your little law office in Los Angeles and find some other secretary … I'm sure there are others who would jump at the opportunity to work for you …and share your bed." Dominico cast an evil smile towards Della, walked over to her, and put his arm around her shoulders. Both Paul and Perry noticed she again winced as he tightened his grip on her shoulder and pulled her in the direction of the door.

Without warning, Perry lunged forward and grabbed Dominico from behind. He spun him around and hit him flush in the mouth. Before he could land a second punch, one of Dominico's men grabbed him in a choke grip. The other held a gun pointed at Paul. Dominico stood up, pulled a gun of his own, and pointed it at Perry…the henchman stepping away in anticipation of a shot being fired. Della screamed, "No," as she grabbed Dominico by the arm. He shook free of her and then slapped her across the face. She fell backwards into a chair. Both Perry and Paul tried to move towards her at the same time, but his men grabbed them and Dominico shouted, "Enough!" and pointed the gun at Della with a sinister smile. Both men instantly stopped their struggle against Dominico's men.

"Michael, please," Della sobbed…oblivious to the gun he pointed in her direction. She stood and rushed over to Perry … throwing her arms around his neck. Perry shook free of Dominico's man and held Della tightly to him.

"Della," Dominico stated very firmly, pointing the gun at both she and Perry.

Della pulled away from Perry. "Goodbye," she whispered and then she walked back to stand with Dominico. Paul stood in complete disbelief at the scene which had just unfolded in front of him.

"Get out of my house," Dominico growled at Perry and Paul. He forcefully took Della's arm and pulled her out the door and upstairs. The henchmen motioned for Perry and Paul to head towards the door.

"This isn't over Domenico!" Perry shouted up the stairs as he and Paul were being forced at gunpoint to leave the house.

Dominico turned around and gave him another sinister smile. "Go to your room now, Della." She walked quickly up the stairs and disappeared around the corner and then raced down a back staircase so she could get back to living room and listen to Perry and Dominico's conversation. Dominico slowly transcended the staircase and stood face to face with Perry. Della stood with her back to the wall and held her breath to escape detection.

"Yes, Mason. It really is over. There has never been any other woman for me but her. You leave here, go back to Los Angeles, and I assure you she will be safe. If you stay, I will make her life a miserable existence."

"Maybe you haven't noticed pal, but she's already living a miserable existence," Paul broke in hatefully. One of the men pointed the gun straight at his chest.

Perry stepped closer to Dominico and spoke in a barely audible tone. "I know why she left you before. I know what you've done to her now. I'm not a man who bows down to threats and I'm certainly not intimidated by some two-bit hoodlum or his street thugs. You lay another hand on her and there won't be a hole deep enough for you to crawl into that I won't find you." Dominico smirked at these words, but, for a split second, Perry thought he saw something… maybe a little hint of doubt or fear in his eyes. It was all Perry needed to continue. "As for getting on a plane and heading back to Los Angeles," Perry stepped directly up to Michael, allowing the gun he held to press firmly against his chest, "consider me a permanent fixture in your life starting right now, pal, because I'm not going anywhere without her. Got it?" The two men stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity. Paul held his breath almost the entire time as his eyes moved from Perry, to Michael, to the gun Michael held to Perry's chest, and then back to Perry again.

"Well then…her pain…her misery will rest on your shoulders. She'll never leave with you. Get them out of here." Dominico dropped the gun to his side and turned to walk away, but Perry grabbed him by the arm.

"She's a stronger woman than you can possibly imagine. She may be scared of you now, but you will not break her. I know her too well … as far as love… she'll never love you and I will NEVER give up on her. Do you understand?"

Della smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. Perry's words gave her renewed strength. She turned and headed towards the back staircase quickly.

"Suit yourself, Mason, " Dominico replied hatefully.

As they reluctantly left, Perry felt a stab of physical pain followed by extreme hatred shoot through his body. When the front door slammed behind them, Perry turned to Paul and said, "I want you and your men following her 24 hours a day … him too. When the opportunity arises, I want her forcibly taken back. If he tries to lay a hand on her before such an opportunity arises, I want your men to intervene and then you to personally take her back. She's strong and she's proud, Paul. She won't give in or back down from him. You and I both know that … and that's why she's in the most dangerous situation imaginable."

"Understood, Perry." The men walked down the front steps. "My God," Paul continued, "did you see how she threw herself between you and that gun? Incredible … she loves you pal, that's for sure…not him…you… and you're 100% right … she is strong, stubborn, whatever you want to call it. I just can't believe she's here with him. What's he got on her? What did he do that caused her to leave with him?"

Perry looked him in the eye and did not hesitate with his reply. "I would think the answer's obvious, isn't it? She's protecting me. She's throwing her whole life away to protect me."

With that, Perry thrust his hands in his pockets and walked towards the car.

*************************************************

Dominico smoked a cigarette and watched from an upstairs window as Perry and Paul talked on the street below. When their car pulled away, he took one final drag on the cigarette, put it out, and then casually took off his belt as he walked out the door and down the hallway to Della's bedroom. "Della!" he bellered out as he moved down the hallway, hitting each door ferociously with his belt as he moved along. Just above the staircase, he passed a console and mirror. "Oh Della!" he yelled again, watching his reflection in the mirror as he called out her name a second time. He took his fingers, ran them through his hair to straighten out a piece that was mussed from when Perry accosted him earlier. Then, he drew his arm back with the belt in hand and knocked everything on top of the console onto the floor. Glass from a large vase of flowers shattered on the floor sending glass, petals, and water around him. A small, but heavy marble sculpture also hit the ground and broke into several smaller pieces. He dropped down, grabbed the largest piece of marble and hurled it into the mirror in front of him. He stared at the splintered image of himself, wiped beads of sweat from his forehead, and turned to continue his path to Della's room.

From within her room, Della heard Michael calling out to her. She continued to toss her clothing into an open suitcase on the bed. The shattering of glass and the loud crash of something being smashed in the hallway caused her to scream out. She quickly slapped her hand over her mouth. She stood motionless, listening to his footsteps as he walked down the hallway…knowing he was coming for her and she looked around the room for a weapon. She'd made a grave error in coming here … in thinking she could make things better by giving into Michael's insane plot to reclaim her. 'Reclaim me? Like I'm a piece of property,' she thought as she looked around for something, for anything she could use to fight him off.

When Michael reached Della's bedroom door, he tried to open it, but found she'd locked it from the inside. He pounded his fists upon it, including the hand holding the belt, and then rested his forehead against the cool, antique white wood. "Della baby, come on. Open up."

"No Michael," she called out, "Not when you're like this…not again."

He took a deep steadying breath. "I just want to talk to you. That's all. Now, be a good girl and unlock the door."

"Go away Michael. I don't have anything to say to you. It's over. Do you understand? It's over. I'm calling Jimmy to come get me. I can't do this." She walked over to the door and leaned up against it. Softly, she spoke through the door to him, "I don't want to do this. Please let me leave…just let me go."

It was quiet for a couple of minutes except for the sounds of a few birds chirping outside her bedroom window. Thinking he'd left, Della turned to walk away, but was stopped in her tracks by a soft voice on the other side of the door. He sounded almost like a child.

"No … no … I can't let you do that."

With one swift kick, the wood splintered and made a crackling noise. Della ran across the room to get away from his wrath. With a second kick, the doorknob and lock was busted out of the door. One last kick and the door flung open. Panting … sweating…red faced …and holding his belt tightly in his hand, Michael Dominico stood in the doorway to Della's bedroom … looked at the suitcase on the bed … looked at her… and slowly closed the busted out door behind him.

Right here … right now … he would make good on his threat to Perry and show him and Della too, the cost of insubordination.

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