Enough
Since Tragg had been busy with the forensic team, Paul had been able to make the call in relative privacy. Now he just had to figure out a way to keep the homicide cop from being too nosy. Maybe he could…
"Drake?"
Paul's head jerked up to look at Tragg. "Huh?"
"I said, 'did you get in touch with Mason?'"
Noting the exasperated tone in the lieutenants voice, Paul thought fast.
"Yeah. He's going to drive to Bolero Beach to pick up Della. He said she'd be pretty upset and didn't want her trying to drive herself back here. You know it's a long drive, so Perry will probably spend the night at a hotel and start back in the morning."
Tragg gave Paul his best interrogation face, but Paul just smiled back.
"Okay. I guess that makes sense. But Mason better show up in my office the minute he gets back tomorrow, with Della, or I'll be forced to issue a warrant for both of them."
Paul stood and headed for the door. "I'm sure you won't have to do that. Don't worry, Lieutenant. Perry knows his duty." With one last look at the bloodstained carpet and the two glaring initials, Paul closed the door.
Tragg watched as the last of the officers left the apartment. He looked around the tastefully decorated apartment. It was feminine but classy, just like Della. Then he stood looking at the bloodstained carpet and the initials he knew only too well.
Tragg had always had a special place in his heart for Della. He thought of her as the daughter he never had and his instinct to protect her was very strong, especially from a man like Perry Mason. Shaking his head sadly, he thought to himself, Please, dear Lord, don't let Della be part of this mess.
PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD
Perry and Della sat on the porch staring out at the ocean. They watched the waves breaking on the shore, not willing to voice their thoughts. Knowing that neither of them could sleep, Mae had put a pot of strong coffee on the stove for them before finally retiring to her room.
A cool breeze swept in, blowing across the porch. Noticing Della shiver and wrap her arms around herself, Perry stood and took a blanket from a bench and draped it across Della's shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
As he resumed his seat and lit a cigarette, Della reached out to touch his hand.
"Perry, I'm so very sorry. I know how you must feel and…"
Perry tossed his cigarette over the rail and took her hand, turning to face her. "No Della. You don't know how I feel."
At the anger in his voice, she tried to pull her hand away, but he held tight. "Perry…"
He softened his voice. "Della, listen, please. I want you to know. I feel…I guess I feel…nothing. Well, that's not right. I feel pity. I'm sorry she's dead. No one deserves to die this way…..even Laura. And I want to find out how this happened. But whatever was once between Laura and me, ended long ago. She was a client. When she came to the office it was because she was scared. She wanted my help."
Della only continued to watch him, thinking of the laughter coming from his office. It surely had not sounded like a scared woman to her.
Perry dropped her hand and turned to look out at the waves.
"What I'm feeling right now is worry and concern…and anger, that even in death she has managed to involve you."
Without thinking, Della reached out to touch his cheek, feeling the slight stubble.
"I'll be fine Chief. I'm sure Lieutenant Tragg doesn't think I'm responsible. We both know I didn't do this and once we talk to the lieutenant everything will be straightened out. And besides, I happened to know a very good lawyer."
Perry put his hand on hers, holding it against his cheek, not wanting to lose the sensation it created. He marveled at her calm demeanor, the lack of fear. Once again he thought that Della was everything a woman should be. Everything he wanted in a woman.
"So, Perry, what do we do now?"
Perry stood and taking both of her hands, pulled her to her feet.
"You, my dear Miss Street, are going to try and get a little sleep. It wouldn't be good to appear in front of Tragg looking somewhat the worse for wear. You know how our favorite cop just loves to jump to conclusions."
Della gave a small laugh. "Okay. But if you're not going to sleep, neither will I."
Now Perry laughed. "Mae has already made the couch up for me. So yes, I will get some rest.
Entering the house, Perry turned her towards her bedroom. "Now go get some sleep."
Della turned to him. "Perry?"
"Yes?"
She stood on tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for coming to get me." Then she turned and hurried into her room, quietly closing the door.
Perry crossed to the couch, slipping off his shoes, and lying back. He brushed his fingers to the spot where Della's hand had rested and her lips had touched him. He didn't think he would be able to sleep but the moment he closed his eyes, dreams overtook him, beautiful dreams of a beautiful woman.