CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Unable to sit still Perry waited impatiently for the phone to ring. Paul chain smoking commented, "Will you please sit down, you are driving me crazy."

"Paul, I can't relax, I am so worried about Della and Mildreth too. Having no idea where to start is driving ME crazy."

Drake was sympathetic. Della and Perry were his best friends and he was also worried. If they didn't find them in time the lawyer would never be the same. "I think something is about to break. Della will do her best to try and help when she calls."

"I hope to God you are….." before he would finish his sentence they were interrupted by his receptionist, Gertie."

Her eyes wider than ever, her voice shaky, as she said, "I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Mason, but I am going crazy waiting. Miss Street didn't have time to finish her filing could I straighten her office? I have transferred all the calls to both of your offices."

He waved his aimlessly unable to really concentrate on what she was saying and said, "Go ahead, Gertie, we are all on edge."

With tears in her eyes, voice choking she responded, "I'm praying they will find her very soon."

Perry, stopped his pacing and walked over and patted her shoulder, "I know we both appreciate your loyalty Gertie. Thank you so much."

"You have always been so….." Then the private number telephone rang and they all jumped. The lawyer raced to his desk snaked his arm out to grab the receiver, only Paul and Della had that number.

His voice sounding hoarse he asked breathlessly, "Della, are you alright?"

Her voice was choked and raspy, "Perry, we are fine."

"Where are you, sweetheart?" He asked

"I don't know?" she answered shakily.

Perry heard the words, "get on with it."

Della spoke hurriedly, "Perry these people have ransom requests. You have got to do what they say. It is the only way we get out of this alright."

"Just tell me what we need to do." He said quickly.

"There is a file, under the pad, on my desk. When you see it, you will see what is involved. The kidnappers want these convictions overturned. That is their price." she explained.

Again, he heard the voice say, "That's enough, tell him you'll call back in a couple hours and he better have some answers."

"I love….." the phone was disconnected. Perry slammed down the receiver.

"Gertie, get any files under the blotter on Della's desk." He ordered.

The blond ran to Della's office and came back just as fast holding the file. "here it is Mr. Mason."

Looking at the file tag he said, "By God this is the Baited Hook file. This is where the mother and daughter killed the man. The mother actually did the killing and the daughter was the accessory. I got notification the daughter is coming up for parole. I can't do anything for the mother."

As the lawyer perused the file Drake asked, "Is there anything I can do to help from the information you have in the file. Does it give you any idea of who the people are who would be holding Della and Mildreth?"

The mother came in and claimed the girl, who turned out to be her daughter, was just a friend's child she had sort of fostered. It turned she was actually HER daughter. Wait a minute she also told us she had a daughter in Denver married to a prominent banker. The last name was Stephenson."

Jumping up Paul told him, "Great! That is a starting point. I'll get some people in Denver working on it right now." He was out the door before Perry could reply.

Pacing nervously the lawyer waited for the phone to ring, for anything to happen not just this deadly silence. Suddenly, throwing himself into his chair, he closed his eyes and visualized the day Della Street had walked into his office. Beautiful, self-assured, organized, and just plain adorable. He had been smitten, even though he was seeing another woman at the time. In the ensuing years she had proved herself indispensable in every way. His love for her just grew and grew.

Paul gave his code knock, but didn't wait for anyone to answer because his "Hi Beautiful" would have no answer. Mason was up out of his chair in a flash. "What did you find out?"

Your client, Mrs. Tump, lied to you all along the way. There is no one there in Denver by that name involved in the banking business. I do have men looking into everything I can on the Tump woman and I hope it is her right name."

"Well, in the file is several receipts made out to her from this orphanage that took the child after she was born." Perry informed him.

His hand on the door knob the detective explained, "we are examining this woman from day one. I also am getting in touch with the prison to see if they have any information we can use. Don't worry buddy we will find the girls if we have to canvass all of Los Angeles."

Perry's face showing his worry said, "Thanks Paul, and when I hear from Della again I'll let you know. I am going to check with Burger and see what is happening.

"I'll be looking forward to hearing from you and try to take it easy." Paul said as he walked out the door.

Mason picked up the phone receiver and said, "Gertie get me the district attorney, please."

"Right away, Mr. Mason, "she said quickly. "Good luck."

When he had Burger on the phone he asked, "What's the latest Hamilton?"

"Well they saw the van that took them way and there were definitely two people involved. Unfortunately, the license was smeared with mud. We are checking rental places to see what we can find out. They are having a rough time keeping Tragg in the hospital, but it looks like a command center there now. So, for now, we are able to keep him in the hospital. What is going on there?"

"Della called, and did say they are all right, but she doesn't know where they are. I got the impression from her voice they are keeping them drugged. Their demand is getting the kidnapper's mother and sister out of prison. You remember the case where the mother, Mrs. Tump, and her daughter, Bryl, killed her financial advisor. The daughter is up for parole.

The was a short silence and Hamilton finally said, "How could they possibly think you could get them released? If you told the parole board the reason why you were interfering, they would never give these women their freedom."

"You and I know that they are delusional, but they are also desperate."

"They also know you would lay down your life for Della." The district attorney remarked.

Perry said to his friend and nemesis, "She is my other half and I never thought I would find that."

Hamilton confided, "I feel the same about Patti. You know I proposed the first week-end after we met. She thought I was crazy."

The lawyer reminisced, "Originally the cruise we took was supposed to be just me, taking a vacation. Then I realized I didn't want to be away from her and made up the excuse that I needed her to take down the jurisprudence in other countries. We did that, but mostly it was just being in her company. I never tire of being with Della."

He laughed, "I proposed to her every chance I got until she finally gave in.

"You know Patti asked a number of times about the two of you. Everyone knew there was something there, but we were afraid to get too nosy." Burger commented.

Perry admitted, "that was all Della. She was always, and still does protect me. She isn't worried about her reputation but is afraid of what clients, the press, etc. will say."

"I think they would say it is wonderful. People love Della." Burger told him

Before he could say anymore the other phone rang. "I've got to go Hamilton a call is coming in. I'll let you know what is happening. Thanks for all you are doing."

It was Paul Drake on the phone. "Perry, I think we have a break. The warden at the prison says they have a list of visitors and mail that prisoners receive. They are getting a list together. I should get it in the next hour. You will have it as soon as I can get down there."

The tightness in his chest lifted a little bit as Perry Mason saw a glimmer of hope. He thanked his friend and began pacing again. The silence is the office was oppressive. He grabbed his coat and hat and headed for Paul's office.