Enough

Sitting in an interview room was a new experience for Della. Only Perry's presence was keeping her from jumping up and running away.

Finally the door opened and Lieutenant Tragg walked in followed by District Attorney, Hamilton Burger. Perry immediately stood and stepped behind Della's chair, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Hamilton, what are you doing here? Tragg, what's going on?"

Seeing Perry's hands on Della's shoulders caused Tragg to frown. It seemed to him an awfully familiar gesture on Mason's part, his fatherly instinct kicking in.

Hamilton took a seat at the table across from Della, offering her a smile.

"Thank you for coming in this morning, Miss Street." Looking at Perry standing behind her, he raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Mason, are you here as her boss or her lawyer?"

Perry looked from Tragg to Burger. "Both. Now what's going on?"

Just then a police stenographer entered the room and took a seat in the corner.

"Tragg, what are you trying to pull? Either you tell us now or I'm taking Della out of here!"

Della reached up and covered one of Perry's hands. "Perry, let's see what the lieutenant and Mr. Burger have to say."

Tragg also took a seat. "Miss Street, I'm going to read you your rights. I'm sure Mr. Mason will agree that we need to keep things legal."

Feeling Perry's hands tighten on her shoulders, she tried to relax.

"That's fine Lieutenant. Please go ahead."

Tragg pulled out a small card, reading the Miranda and asking Della if she understood her rights.

"Yes Lieutenant, I fully understand my rights." She turned to look at Perry. "Why don't you sit down and be comfortable."

Hearing her soft, calm voice, Perry pulled out a chair and sat next to Della. Taking her hand, he looked into her hazel eyes. He saw no fear, only complete trust in him.

"You answer only the questions I tell you to. Give precise answers, do not embellish. Understand?"

"Yes, Perry. I know how to handle this."

Tragg and Burger had watched the exchange with undisguised curiosity. Not only was Perry possibly hindering their investigation but he seemed to be acting overly familiar with his secretary.

Finally Tragg banged his fist on the table. "Mason, can we get on with this please."

It was Della who answered. "Yes, Lieutenant. What do you need to ask?"

Now Tragg turned on his police voice. "Miss Street, did you personally know Laura Cavanagh?"

Della cleared her throat.

"Not what you would call personally, no. I met Miss Cavanagh on several occasions in Mr. Mason's office."

"And what was your feeling toward Miss Cavanagh on these occasions?" Della felt Perry squeeze her hand.

"I was polite and professional. Miss Cavanagh seemed to dislike me even though I had given her no reason to."

Tragg wondered what that meant, but continued. "When was the last time you saw Miss Cavanagh?"

Again Della cleared her throat. "The day before yesterday when she came to Mr. Mason's office."

"And on that day, you left the office unexpectedly, didn't you."

Perry broke in. "Don't answer that Della. Tragg, that is Miss Street's personal business."

Tragg frowned at Perry. "Alright. Where did you go when you left your office?"

"Tragg…"

But Della stopped him. "I went to my apartment, I tidied up a bit. Then I packed a bag and left for my aunt's house."

Hamilton interrupted. "Miss Street, how long were you in your apartment? From what time to what time?"

Della got a nod from Perry. "I believe I arrived at around 10 and left just shortly before 11. Maybe a little later. I didn't really look at the time."

Tragg looked at her again. "Just one last question. After you arrived at your aunt's house did you leave there at any time, until you came back to the city this morning?"

Della shook her head. "No, Lieutenant. My aunt will verify that."

Tragg looked from Della to Perry and finally to Hamilton. Then he stood and walked around the table. He placed his hand on Della's shoulder.

"Della Street, I'm placing you under arrest on the suspicion of the murder of Laura Cavanagh."

Perry stood suddenly, his chair crashing to the floor.

"Tragg, are you out of your mind! Don't even try to do this! I'll have your badge and your job!"

Hearing the shouting, an officer entered the room, gun drawn.

Tragg raised his hand. "It's alright Officer. Mason back off, now! You know I'm not happy about this, nor do I believe Della is guilty. But I'm doing my job."

Perry looked at Della's stricken face, then to Hamilton.

"Burger, you can't believe this is right."

Hamilton rubbed his hands over his face and up through his hair.

"Perry, the ME put the time of death between 10 and noon. The only prints on the murder weapon were Della's, and the victim scrawled the initials D S before dying. My hands are tied."

Tragg helped Della stand and taking her arm led her towards the door. Della suddenly turned and looked back.

"Perry?!"

Then she was gone.