TCOT Long Range Repercussions Chapter 14
The pounding on the door and the ringing of the bell woke Perry from a sound sleep. Della was sleeping so deeply she didn't even stir and for this he was grateful. He threw on the robe he kept at Della's and went to the door almost at a run. He couldn't imagine who was banging on the door at four a.m. and the last thing he wanted to do was answer it but from the sound of it, he knew whoever was there was not going to leave. He opened the door and was about to give the person on the other side a piece of his mind when he came face-to-face with his best friend who looked worse than he'd ever seen him. Paul looked like he aged twenty years since the day before, his face a sickening ash color, his eyes painfully bloodshot and Perry could have sworn he'd been crying. Without saying a word Perry took Paul by the arm, led him to the sofa and poured him a drink. When he handed it to him, the detective's hands shook so badly that Perry had to hold the glass of bourbon for him until he had taken the first two swallows and could manage to hold the glass himself. The attorney knew something terrible had happened but he remained calm and kept his voice even as he spoke.
"Paul, whatever happened, however bad it is, you know you can tell me. I'm here for you buddy. No matter what it is, I promise we'll get through it together. Just sit here, finish your drink and tell me what I can do to help."
Paul Drake looked at the man he loved like a brother and for the first time in all the years they'd known each other, he did something either man never thought would happen. The tall, handsome man with the irresistible smile and personality to match, who worked hard and played hard, who took crazy chances as part of his job, who loved Perry's girl like a little sister and his wife even though their marriage was in trouble, who was devoted to his son and loved him more than he'd ever thought possible, collapsed in Perry's arms and cried like a baby.
Perry was so shocked that all he could do was to remain silent watching his friend have a meltdown. At length, Paul gained control of his emotions and took a shuddering breath. Perry sat silently, waiting for Paul to tell him what had occurred. Finally Paul spoke, his voice filled with anguish.
Perry…I already called the police. I tried to call you last night. One time the phone just rang and rang and when I tried again, all I got was a busy signal. I would have come over sooner but by the time Tragg and some of his men got to my house, and Nina's parents and sister came a couple of hours had passed. On top of that, the police were dusting for prints and checking the house and you know, they asked a million questions and…"
"Paul! Stop! What the hell are you talking about, man? You're not making any sense."
"Oh God Perry, I'm sorry. I'm so crazy with fear and worry, I wasn't thinking." Paul paused momentarily and took a deep breath. "It's the baby, Perry. It's P.J. My son's been kidnapped!
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There were a number of cars at the Drake home, both marked and unmarked. After getting cleared by the police, Perry parked the Cadillac in the driveway behind Paul's rental and quickly got out of the car. He went around to the other side and opened the door for Della, whose pale face and worried eyes told of her fear and concern for their friends. When Paul had arrived at her apartment she'd been sleeping but woke at the sound of the men's agitated voices. They weren't loud but Della had turned over and not feeling Perry next to her went in search of him. When she saw Paul, her stomach clenched and she knew that something was very wrong. Perry went to her and as gently as he could, told her what had happened. Without saying a word, she walked over to the P.I., put her arms around him, and hugged him. Her only words to the men were spoken in a whisper. "Perry and I will get dressed."
It had taken her but a few minutes to pull on a pair of slacks, a cotton sweater, and to slip her feet into a pair of flat sandals. Not bothering to comb her hair or put on make-up, she made sure her steno pad and pencils were in her handbag and started for the door. Perry had stopped her and put a light jacket around her shoulders, reminding her that it was cool this time of night even if though it was summer. There was no conversation in the car, none was needed. Della snuggled next to Perry, needing his comfort and warmth. Perry had one arm around her as he drove, needing her just as much. When Perry helped Della out of the car, he took a minute to pull her close and hold her tight. He kissed her lightly on the forehead then pulled away and gently touched her face, the small tender gestures letting her know how much she was loved.
They entered the Drake home, and made their way quickly into the living room where they found Paul sitting next to Nina with one arm around her, the other holding her hand. Nina's parents Louis and Beatrice Parker and her sister Julia Taylor were also there. It was abundantly clear that Nina was panic-stricken although she was subdued. It was also obvious that she had been crying and Julia was doing her best to keep everyone as calm as possible. Della was about to go to Nina to comfort her when the stern voice of Louis Parker could be heard, announcing his feelings about the situation for everyone to hear.
"This is all your fault, Drake! I told Nina not to get involved with you. Right from the start I knew this was a bad match. It's all because of your work and your lifestyle. You put her in danger and you put my grandson in danger. Now he's been taken by some nut who wants revenge and will stop at nothing to get it. First my daughter was almost poisoned, then your accident, and now this. So, Mr. Big Shot Private Eye, what the hell are you going to do about it? You have all these so-called resources at your disposal and I'll bet none of them is worth their weight!
"Lou please," Bea Parker's voice was soft but admonishing. "We all know you're upset dear…all of us are…but you certainly can't blame Paul. He's just as destroyed as we are and it's unfair to treat him this way."
"Don't tell me how to feel Bea! Need I remind you that Nina and Paul's marriage is all but over? For all we know he could have arranged this himself."
"Oh for God's sake, Daddy! How could you even think that?" Nina jumped up from the sofa and stood in front of her father. "First of all, it's not anyone's business what happens between Paul and me. That's only for us to decide! Furthermore, Paul would never do something so heinous. Finally, this is our house, mine and Paul's, and if you can't show him more respect then you can leave. I have enough to deal with. I don't need any more stress."
"I'm sorry Princess. I'm just sick with worry."
"I'm not the one you have to apologize to." Nina again sat down next to Paul, putting her hand in his.
Louis Parker walked over to Paul. I'm sorry Paul, it's…"
Paul held up his hand. "It's all right Lou. I understand. We're all worried."
Perry decided to say something, hoping he could deflect some of the stress. "Mr. Parker, all of us want the same thing…and that is to find P.J. and bring him home safe and sound. Right now, we have to stay calm so we can act and think rationally. I can understand how you feel and while I don't have any children, I hope to one day and I would be devastated if something like this happened. Della and I are his godparents and we couldn't love that little guy more if he were our own. This is no time for acrimony or blaming anyone in this room. The only one to blame is the nut who took the baby, and let me say that Paul and I are very lucky that we do have the resources we have. Believe me, these men are the best at their job and I can assure you that they will do everything in their power to bring your grandson back home safely where he belongs."
Before Nina's father had a chance to answer Lieutenant Tragg walked into the room and over to where the Drakes were sitting. "Paul, Nina, I'm so sorry about what's happened. I hate to bother you but I need to ask you some questions."
"Thank you Lieutenant. And we understand about the questions. If you don't mind, I'd like Perry to stay as well."
"That's perfectly all right. Now, let's get started."
Della, knowing the need for privacy turned to the Parkers. "Mrs. Parker, why don't we go into the kitchen and make some food. These men are going to be hungry and you and the rest of your family need to eat as well. And if your husband and daughter wouldn't mind coming too, that would be really helpful."
Perry looked at Della and smiled. Mouthing a silent 'thank you' he was once again amazed at her ability to assess the situation and make things easier for him and everyone else.
Nina's family followed the brunette and Tragg turned his attention back to the Drakes. "All right Nina, let's start at the beginning. Just take your time and try to remember as much as you can. I need to know where you were today, if you saw anything that looked different…if you maybe thought someone was following you, that sort of thing."
Nina took a deep breath and began to speak. Her voice quivered a bit but she didn't break down. "Lieutenant, I pretty much had a normal day. P.J. had a doctor's appointment so after breakfast I cleaned him up, changed and dressed him and went to the appointment. I was there about an hour then I went to the market, the cleaners, and finally the drug store. After that, I came straight home, played with the baby, gave him lunch and put him down for his nap. While he was sleeping, I took care of some housework, prepared dinner and even had a little time to rest myself. When P.J. woke up, I was busy with him until Paul came home. He fed the baby dinner, spent some time with him…even gave him his bath…and we put him to bed."
"What time was that?"
"About 7-7:30"
"And after that?"
"And after that, we didn't do anything. I read and Paul was in the library working on this Astrid case. Astrid", Nina spit out bitterly. "I'll bet she's the one who did this. She's the one who took my little boy!" The tears she had been holding back finally came, falling down her face faster than she could wipe them away. She put her face in her hands and sobbed as her body shook in anguish.
Tragg, never comfortable with women's tears, squirmed in his seat while Paul did his best to try and comfort the mother of his child. He looked at the Lieutenant in a silent plea for him to stop.
"Paul, I only have one more question to ask right now. Did either of you hear anything…anything at all that sounded out of the ordinary?
Nina, still too overwrought to speak just shook her head but Paul spoke up. "No we didn't Lieutenant but I'll tell you this. You and your men better pray that you find this insane, revengeful woman before I do because if you don't, you'll have to arrest me for murder."
An eerie silence descended over the room. There was nothing left to say. Tragg stood up and a look passed between him and Perry, who had remained silent during the short questioning period. At that moment both men had the same thought. Paul's threat was straight forward and heart-felt and if Astrid was not found soon or if anything happened to his son, Perry's best friend would indeed be in serious trouble.