Enough
Paul spent a lot of time getting what information he could from friends in the police department and other contacts he had acquired over the years. What he found out was not good news.
Apparently Laura had been killed sometime between 10 and noon and she had been killed in Della's apartment. The only prints on the knife were Della's. Also, the apartment door had not been forced, leading to the conclusion that she either had been let in by someone or had a key. The only other prints in the apartment were Perry's. While he was not surprised by that revelation, Paul was sure when Tragg heard, he'd be very upset.
He hoped Perry and Della got back early in the morning and could put all of this behind them. Then maybe they could find out who really killed the witch.
PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD
The drive back to the city was a quiet one, Perry and Della each with their own thoughts.
Della was wondering how on earth Laura had gotten into her apartment. Why had she been there? And who had been in the apartment with her that could have killed her? The only one besides Gertie and herself who knew Laura was in town was Perry.
The moment that thought entered her mind, she pushed it away. Perry was no more capable of murder than she was. Of course when Della had left the office, she could have cheerfully strangled the woman. Better not mentioned that to Tragg.
She was hoping by the time they arrived at Lieutenant Tragg's office, most of the questions she had would be answered.
"We should be at the police station in about 20 minutes. Are you going to be okay?"
Perry's calm voice intruded on her thoughts. "I'll be fine, just fine."
Perry reached across the seat and grasped Della's hand. "Yes, you will be. I promise you, Della, we will figure this out."
She smiled at him. "Thank you, Perry."
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He took a quick glance at her, hoping she believed him.
He had been asking himself a lot of questions too. What on earth was Laura doing in Della's apartment? How had she even gotten in there? But the one question that worried him the most - was Laura the actual intended victim? Or had someone mistaken her for Della?
Entering the city and stopping for a traffic light, Perry realized he was still holding Della's hand. It gave him a sense of comfort and calm. Like everything else about Della, her hand was delicate, yet he could feel the strength of her fingers as she unconsciously gripped his hand tighter. It seemed to Perry that each day brought another facet of his beautiful secretary to light. And he found himself looking forward to each day with her.
"Perry, the lights green."
Perry chuckled, released her hand and stepped on the accelerator. "Sorry. Just wondering what Tragg has found out."
Pulling into the police department parking lot, Perry parked next to what he knew was Tragg's vehicle. He turned to look at Della.
"Are you ready for this?"
This time Della took Perry's hand, smiling at him.
"As long as I have my lawyer with me, I'll be just fine."
Perry smiled back. "Okay Miss Street. Let's go."