Chapter 10

It was growing dark in the early evening when Perry Mason finally returned to La Place de Della. He shrugged out of his jacket, and undid the straps of his bib overalls then collapsed in exhaustion on the sofa in the small living room. Della heard him come in and stood in the bedroom doorway, leaning against the doorjamb. "Tough day at the office, dear?"

He blew out his breath and ran a hand through his thick dark hair. "You could say that, yes."

Della closed the distance between them and sat down next to him. She sat upright with her hands folded together in her lap. "I know hearsay evidence isn't admissible in court, but Paul gave me a full report of today's activities, Counselor."

Perry's hand strayed to Della's hair; his fingers intertwining with her soft curls. "He did, did he? Say…where is our wandering boy?" He turned his head towards the guestroom. "I lost track of him this afternoon."

She took a deep breath and gave him a subtle look which signaled annoyance. "The way he explained it to me was that a certain client of the Mason Law Firm made it abundantly clear the "two's company—three's a crowd" axiom applied to him. He came in earlier, changed for dinner and left for brunettes, blondes and redheads unknown."

"I see," he acknowledgement in amusement.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Mister?" She poked his shoulder with her finger.

"I plead nolo contendere, Miss Street. Our client did monopolize my time today. I thought a few courtesy ski runs would make her happy. But she managed to shanghai me into a hastily arranged board meeting of the primary investors on site. There went the rest of the afternoon and part of my evening. I'm sorry, Della."

"Board meeting? Whatever for, Perry?"

"Oh," Mason was now tracing his finger along the side of her jaw and stroking her chin with his thumb. "They want to re-negotiate contracts with some of the vendors."

"Already?"

"Yes, also discussed at length was adding an 18-hole golf course in the near future. They want to meet again tomorrow morning. Doesn't matter, I could use a break from the slopes and we'll bill them for the hours from the two sessions. Anyway…," he leaned closer and left a soft kiss on her nose. "I'm home, I'm starving and what's for dinner, hon?" He groaned in stiffness as he stood up.

She smiled and looked up at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I made a tuna fish sandwich for lunch, there's some leftovers. Will that do?"

Mason shook his head in disgust. "No, it will not." He extended his hand to help her stand as well. "Please order us some dinner and I'll go take a shower and get changed."

Della wrapped her arms around his waist possessively and tilted her chin to look into his beautiful eyes. "Want anything special?"

Mason smiled tenderly and pulled her against him in a tight hug. "Just you."

Her cheek was pressed against his chest. "You do spoil me, dear boss."

"You've got your job—I've got mine, Miss Street." He then released her from his embrace and headed towards their bedroom. Della would later tell herself it was just her imagination…but at that moment she could have sworn she caught the scent of Houbigant's "Chantilly" perfume linger in the room.

It was a French fragrance she had never cared for and did not own.

PERRYMASONPERRYMASONPERRYMASONPERRYMASONPERRYMASONPERRYMASONPERRYMASON

Della rinsed the last of their dinner plates and placed it on the drying rack, then wiped her hands on a dishtowel. She watched as Perry placed the trash of cardboard boxes and small containers their evening meal had arrived in into a large garbage bag. He hustled coatless out to the critter-proof bin located at the end of their lane and tossed it in and double-timed it back inside. Della greeted him with some whimsy. "Good, once more you evaded a raccoon ambush." She then reached for the evening edition of the Tahoe Daily Tribune which had been delivered with their meal. She settled herself on the sofa and then propped up her still-aching knee on the matching ottoman. Once comfortable, she unfolded the newspaper to read the day's headlines.

Perry had his back to her as he used fireplace tongs to open the hatch on the pot-bellied stove. He then loaded two more chunks of split oak into the firepit. "Yes, I did," he agreed. "But it's the bears I worry about." She did not respond to his comment and was instead intently staring at the newspaper she held in her hands. Mason replaced the tongs to the holding hook on the pine-paneled cabin wall and turned to join her on the sofa. He sank down heavily next to her, his right hand resting casually on her thigh. "I wonder when Paul will get in tonight?" he mused aloud. Della remained preoccupied with her newspaper. "I wonder if Paul willget in tonight?" he chuckled to himself. Miss Street was obviously not listening to him at the moment. "Della?"

"Hmm?"

"Something interesting happen today in the greater South Lake Tahoe area?" He hooked his index finger on the paper's edge and gave it a playful tug.

"Why yes, now that you've mentioned it." Della snapped the paper in half and folded it over. "It seems movie maven Sandra Larsen enjoyed a day of exhilarating skiing at the newly opened Big Blue Basin Resort with her new love interest." She shoved the paper at him. In the "Out & About Today" column there was a photo of the actress playfully snuggled up against Mason. "Care to explain, Counselor?" The room temperature started to rise as did his secretary's temper.

Mason sighed in exasperation. "Well, she got the publicity shot she wanted, that's for sure."

"Perry—she wants more than a photo of you."

Mason tossed the paper aside. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her against him once more. "Well, she can't have me—because you have me."

Della tucked her head under his chin. "Trying to tell me possession is nine-tenths of the law?"

Mason kissed her forehead gently. "Mm, hmm. Now can we forget her and make some plans for tomorrow? Any chance I can interest you in a night on the town? We could head down the road to Stateline. Sinatra's playing at the Cal-Neva. I could try to get us some dinner reservations. If you're feeling up to it, perhaps some dancing? What do you say?"

Della sighed wistfully. "I do love men with blue eyes…but I don't know about the dancing, Perry. I still feel light-headed and dizzy if I move too fast. The bruising is starting to fade on my legs and the swelling has gone down some on my knee but I'm still leery of putting all my weight on it."

"Okay," he reasoned. "so, you'll just sit on my lap and we'll sway in rhythm to the Bossa Nova."

Della giggled softly but then her tone turned to one of regret. "It sounds lovely. But Perry, I can't be seen in public."

Mason started in consternation, "Della, how many times have I told you I don't—"

"No, it's not that," she interjected. "Perry. Honestly, I look like a frumpy housewife dressed the way I am in these clothes. My current wardrobe consists of the "Wreck of the Hesperus Collection."

"I think you look adorable."

"Thank you, but an evening on the town requires something a little more along the lines of sophistication and elegance…not to mention these Hush Puppies. Comfortable and casual, yes. But they'd hardly go with a black cocktail dress.," she knocked her feet together as they rested upon the foot stool.

Perry Mason had his mind made up. "Not a problem, Miss Street. Big Blue Basin has on premises a fully stocked and equipped beauty salon and several clothing boutiques await your arrival. Use the office charge card."

"Perry…my purse?"

'I forgot. I'll give you my card. Get whatever you need."

"Perry…I don't know…"

"No arguments, Miss Street…and don't forget to buy an evening gown for the big soiree Saturday night, the grand finale of this grand opening. It's supposed to be quite the party."

Della smiled and let him win. "Okay boss, okay. Now…Mr. Mason," she lifted her face and left a feather soft kiss on his cheek. "I think it's time for bed."

"Tired?

"No, I'm not…are you?" Her hand had slipped to his upper thigh and she began to stroke his leg with strong fingers, her intentions clear. It had been too long since the last time they were able to make love.

Perry's voice barely registered above a whisper as his body reacted to her intimate touch. "Honey, are you sure? I don't want to hurt you."

She calmly dashed his concern. "It'll be fine, we'll just take it slow and easy." She managed to get to her feet without his assistance. "If you'll tend to the fire and leave the porch light on for Paul—I'll go slip into something a little less frumpy."

"Like my pajama top?"

She shrugged and stood on tiptoes to brush her lips to his. He responded eagerly and their kiss deepened and their passion flared. When they finally needed breath she whispered, "Get in here and find out, Counselor." She gave him a sexy wink and then spun abruptly to enter the bedroom. Perry did not see the grimace of pain on her lovely features caused by the sudden twisting of her damaged knee.