Della's Dream Job
When they arrived at Clay's, Hamilton held the door for Della. After they were seated at a table and had placed their orders, he looked across at her, inquiring, "Well, Miss Street, what did you think of your first court experience?"
Della gave him a dazzling smile. "It was wonderful. I really do appreciate you allowing me to stay. I was wondering if you would..."
Hamilton returned her smile. "Of course you may come back this afternoon. I'd very much like your opinion of the proceedings."
"Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Burger."
"Listen, Della, one of the things that I appreciate about you is your professionalism. However, we are currently outside the office and courtroom. Do you think, just for a little while, you could call me Hamilton?"
Della blushed a pale shade of pink, embarrassed by both the compliment and her boss' request. She looked down at her hands. "Of course, um … Hamilton," she replied, cringing a bit at the awkwardness in her own delivery.
Della was relieved when the waitress interrupted them with their lunch plates. While they ate, Hamilton filled her in on the morning's testimonies. Della listened carefully so that she wouldn't miss any important detail, even scribbling surreptitiously into the small reporter's notebook that she always had stashed in her purse.
In his usual booth, Perry Mason sat watching the couple from across the room. His legal assistant Carl Jackson sifted through papers, preparing for the afternoon session. Paul Drake, Perry's best friend and private investigator, wolfed down a sandwich, fries and a beer. Noticing his friend's intent gaze, he followed Perry's line of sight. Draining his beer, he purposely banged his empty glass on the table.
"Hey pal, what gives? Trying to read Burger's lips?"
Perry answered without breaking his stare. "Who's the lady sitting with Burger?"
Paul looked again at the table where Burger sat. He was a little surprised at Perry's use of the word 'lady.' He had seldom heard his friend use that term, especially when referring to Paul's dates.
"No idea."
Jackson answered without looking up from his papers. "Her name is Della Street. She worked for a year at Davidson & Younger, filed numerous harassment complaints against the lawyers there. Excellent reference from the HR Director. Takes shorthand at 85 words per minute and types 75 words per minute, obviously above average. She's acting as Hamilton Burger's secretary while his regular assistant Mabel is on maternity leave."
When Jackson finished, both Perry and Paul just stared at him for a few stunned moments. Finally, Perry shook his head. "Jackson, I'm afraid you're going to get in trouble someday for your snooping."
Jackson blinked and looked back down at his stack of papers, which apparently still needed shuffling. He answered in a slightly defensive tone. "I always do a complete background check on anyone new at the DA's office in case you should need the information. I can also give you any information you might require on Hamilton Burger or Mark Simmons." He finally looked over at Perry. "I believe in being thoroughly prepared, Sir."
Perry and Paul looked at each other, then both laughed. "Well. Thank you, Jackson."
Perry's attention was drawn back across the room as Burger and his companion stood to leave. He noted that Burger pulled her chair back for her and then held the door as they left the restaurant. He was surprised at Burger's gallant attention since he had not observed this behavior before from the DA. He also noticed Ms. Street movements, which reminded him of the grace and precision of a trained dancer.
"Hey? Perry?" Paul rapped his knuckles on the table. "Pal, seriously, you were looking at her like she's a medium rare steak and you're starving."
Perry looked over at the detective and laughed at himself for getting caught again. "It's just unusual to see such an attractive lady with Burger." Paul narrowed his eyes and scrutinized his friend's face. There was that word again…lady.
Jackson chimed in. "Mr. Mason, we should be getting back to court."
Perry dropped some bills on the table, his mind already back on the trial.
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Back in the courtroom, Della again took her seat behind the prosecution table. She knew that Mr. Burger's last witness was a neighbor, who had been confident and consistent in her pre-trial interview. She had recognized the wife enter the home shortly before the murder and then had seen the same woman running down the sidewalk a few minutes later.
As the woman took the stand and Burger began his questions, Della's couldn't stop herself from looking across the aisle to the defense table. The handsome lawyer appeared to be doodling circles on a yellow legal pad. Despite his attempt to appear disinterested, Della somehow sensed that he was listening intently to every word. Then, suddenly, as if he felt her eyes on him, he turned his head. The deep blue eyes met her hazel ones, and he smiled at her. To Della, it seemed like the sun coming out from behind a dark cloud. Even though she tried to hide her blush and look away quickly, she caught his slight nod before he resumed his scribbles.
Della pulled her attention back to the testimony only to find that Mr. Burger had just concluded his questioning of the witness. As he returned to the table, he gave her a satisfied smile and she knew that he was pleased with the testimony.
Della's attention was once more drawn to the tall lawyer as he strode toward the witness stand. He began his cross-examination in a pleasant voice, one hand in his pocket, the other resting on the frame of the witness box. But within a matter of minutes, his posture had changed dramatically. Mason now gripped the rail with both hands, leaning forward and towering over the petite woman. With rapid-fire questions, he deftly impugned the neighbor's story and then took a step back as she admitted in an outburst that she was the real killer. She slumped forward into a heap, sobbing into her gloved hands.
Even before the judge had announced "case dismissed," Mason was back at his table, closing his briefcase and accepting a hug from his grateful client.
As for Della's boss, he simply turned and watched, in confusion and shock, as his key witness was led away by the bailiffs. Della reached forward and laid her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Burger."
Without turning around, he acknowledged her with a small smile that was more of a grimace. He stood and haphazardly shoved his folders and notepad into his briefcase. "Thank you, Miss Street. Let's head back to the office, shall we." Without meeting her eyes, he pushed through the railing gate and together they walked from the courtroom, leaving Simmons to gather the paperwork that still lay on the table.
Neither of them noticed the blue eyes taking in every detail of the exchange between the DA and his secretary.
PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD
The next month was fairly routine for the DA's office. Although now, Della was asked to attend many more court proceedings, where she found even the most mundane cases exciting, and always a learning experience. Fortunately for her boss, there had been no cases involving Perry Mason, so Hamilton was on a winning streak.
Upon returning after the latest case had wrapped up, Hamilton asked Della to step into his office. Della grabbed her pad and pencil, and stood in front of his desk, ready to take notes. But Hamilton waved away the notepad and gestured for her to take a seat.
"Is there something wrong, Mr. Burger?" Della was nervous. She had been keeping track, and knew that Mabel would be due back from her maternity leave in just a few weeks. Della was certain that she was about to be informed that her assignment at the DA's office was complete.
Hamilton opened his mouth several times to say something, stopping each time and rearranging papers on his desk.
Finally taking pity on him, Della spoke up. "Mr. Burger, if it's about Mabel returning, I understand. It's okay. I knew this was a temporary job when I accepted it."
Hamilton looked up at her in surprise. "No, Della, no, that's not it. Although I do expect to hear from her with the next couple of weeks. I, uh, wanted to ask you something personal. It's rather unusual and I'm not sure..."
Della smiled at him. "It's okay, Sir. I don't embarrass easily. Ask away." Her curiosity wiped out her previous apprehension.
Hamilton cleared his throat, leaned forward and said stiffly, "I would like to ask if you'll accompany me to a social function."
For a few moments, Della simply looked at him. This was definitely not what she had expected from her boss. "Oh," she stalled. Even though Hamilton's question made her a little uneasy, at least it wasn't the kind of innuendo or directly lewd proposals she had gotten used to fending off at Davidson & Younger.
Hamilton rubbed a hand on his forehead, then grabbed a cigarette with the other and lit it. "I'm sorry Della. I did that very badly. Please let me start again." He took a deep breath. "Next Saturday is the Annual Bar Association Dinner. I normally go alone, which is fine. But I thought since you have taken such an interest in the legal field that you might like to come with me. It's not a date or anything. Just friends, er, co-workers who...darn." He sighed and his shoulders slumped noticeably.
Della gave a small laugh and let him off the hook. "Mr. Burger...Hamilton, I would be honored to accompany you. Thank you so much for the invitation."
Hamilton flashed a broad smile. "And thank you, Della, for accepting."