Working for the Enemy 16

Della woke with a thumping headache and a pain in her jaw that for the first few seconds of consciousness couldn't quite understand. Pushing herself to a sitting position, she suddenly recalled her last few moments before the dark had descended. Feeling gingerly along her jaw she winced in pain when her fingers brushed across a tender part just below the ear. Manipulating her mouth, she decided there were no broken bones but as soon as she could find a mirror she was in no doubt that there would be a discolouration there.

Looking around she saw a light airy bedroom with a large set of French style doors that opened onto a balcony. Della prayed the balcony was a lower level one and easy enough to jump from but climbing from the bed and towards the doors, she realised there would be no such luck on her side. Without even going onto the balcony, she determined it was at least one storey high and currently had no clue as to what the terrain was below it. She had to think and think fast.

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Perry spent most of his day pacing his office and periodically growling like a caged lion at anyone who dared enter his den. He was angry and felt utterly useless at his inert actions so far. Paul dipped in periodically with updates but so far there had been nothing of any value. Every time they had spoken, Paul had reiterated his advice to stay put and not tip any advantage they had towards Leopold and his cronies.

At six that evening Paul reappeared and saw as the day had worn on Perry had become more of a wreck both physically and mentally. The jacket and tie had been discarded long before the afternoon had become old, his hair was uncombed through repeated fingers tracing through them, the sleeves rolled up on his shirt, Paul concluded if Leopold were to walk into the office right night, the large lawyer would rip his heart if he had one, out with his bare hands.

'Leopold hasn't moved,' he announced as soon as he had closed the door. 'We know he's been on the phone for most of the day.'

'How do you know that?' Perry ceased his pacing by the balcony doors and stared onto the city as people made their way home from work.

'Wire tap,' Paul answered without ceremony.

'How the hell did you get a warrant for that?'

'I didn't. I'm not a cop remember.'

'But your licence?'

'Damn the licence right now. This is Della's life we're talking about. I'm sure if I were to lose it, you'll keep me gainfully employed. Besides I'm keeping Burger and Tragg up to date and I did ask Burger to get a legit warrant for Tragg but under the circumstances and with the people involved, he thought it might tip them off. Let's just say Burger doesn't know exactly what I've done so can't shoulder any blame should it go wrong.'

'Any information come from it?'

'Nothing concrete. We know she's still alive.' Paul released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding until that moment. He was beginning to grow weary of having no solid update despite half the city on the look out for the secretary, and he was also beginning to shoulder the added worry of the emotional state of the lawyer. Paul had known from the off Perry Mason had fallen in love with Della Street early into their working relationship but until now the enormity of that emotion the big lawyer had was just beginning to dawn on the lanky detective.

'I'm going stir crazy here Paul,' Perry finally sighed. 'I need to do something and make myself more useful. I'm all for not tipping Leopold off but my energy is being drained not doing anything constructive.'

'What are you thinking?'

'I'm thinking of paying an unannounced visit to my own private information source on this matter. You up for it?'

Paul smirked at the spark of life that reignited in Perry's eyes.

'Count me in pal whatever the plan, always count me in!'

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Della found a small mirror on the dressing table. Carefully moving her neck from side to side, she saw the large welt across her jawline that had turned a myriad of blue shades. It hurt of that there was no doubt, but after Leopold's outlining of the fate that awaited her, she was somewhat slightly surprised but enormously relieved of course, she was still alive and for the most part in one piece.

The doors to the balcony windows were unlocked and Della took the opportunity to step out onto the balcony into the warmth of the day. They were close to a beach because she could smell the ocean as well a hear the gentle waves hitting the rocks. Just as she assumed, she was a number of feet from the ground which made a straight jump down impossible without injury. No wonder the doors were left unlocked, she mused to herself. The house was expensive she derived that much, and it seemed to be set apart from other property. Maybe it was in it's own grounds, that would make sense if they wanted to keep nosey neighbours away for what they had planned for her. Near the beach, possibly Malibu but she didn't want to bet on that. No telephone within her reach, no way of communicating with the outside world. Damn it, she thought.

The door opened and the man who had been in the driver's seat of the car appeared carrying a tray.

'I've brought you some tea,' he said quietly setting the tray on the dresser. 'You hungry? I can whip up some waffles or a sandwich,' he offered.

Della shook her head. 'No. Why am I here?'

The man in the black suit shrugged his shoulders. 'No idea lady. I was just told to drive you here.'

'Where is here?'

'I'm sorry, I can't say just yet. Pretty soon they'll be sending word to Mr Mason.'

'Why haven't they done that yet?'

'Beats me, but I figured they want him to squirm a little knowing that Leopold has you where he wants you.'

'I thought I was supposed to be strangled by now?'

'Not by me you won't be.' Black suit started back to the door. 'Listen I'm sorry that psycho Kaye hit you. He shouldn't hit a lady and especially not like that. Can I get you some ice for your jaw or anything like that?'

Dell again shook her head. 'No, no thank you.'

'Look I'll make you a bowl of soup, will make it easier on your jaw to get down.' Without a further word he left slipping the door back into the latch softly.

'A thug with a heart!' Della bit out sarcastically before letting the tears she had been holding back begin to fall.

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The shock on Laura's face could not have been more pronounced if she had been back handed across her cheek. On swinging the door of her apartment open, Perry Mason loomed in the doorway ready for answers and angry as the very devil. Laura fell back at the sight of the hardened look of the lawyer and put her hands up as if to stave off any physical aggression the enraged man would offer her. She had never seen him like this even at his maddest moments.

'Perry!' she gasped out. 'I didn't….I mean… what are you doing here?' Laura ran back into the apartment and put the sofa between herself and Perry. Paul entered quietly behind and closed the door but remained in place standing guard.

'Where is Della?' Perry bit out through gritted teeth.

'I don't know what you mean. How should I know where your little whore is?'

Perry took an ominous step forward. 'Don't! Don't test my patience Laura, it's ready to snap at any moment and if it goes, so does that pretty neck of yours that you prize so highly.' He folded his arms across his massive chest and spread his feet in a challenging posture.

Laura hesitated. 'She's at a hotel in the Valley,' she offered but looked down and didn't meet his glare.

'Try again.'

'I've told you where she is.'

'No you haven't, you're lying.'

'How dare you call me a liar!' Laura spat out indignantly.

'That's the most polite word I can think of right now and nothing compared to what I've called you over the last few hours. I'm sure your…erm …delicate sensibilities wouldn't like they names I've been using to describe you! Now where is Della?'

'I've told you!'

'Stop! Stop these games, this is her life and mine we're talking about. Doesn't it mean anything to you you're mixed up in a murder here and more than one if Leopold gets his way. Think about how dispensable you are to that maniac when the debt to society has to be paid in full. Do you think for one minute he won't use you then throw you to the wolves!'

The look across Laura's face changed imperceptibly for a moment and both men knew reality was beginning to dawn on the corporate lawyer.

'She's at a rented property on the coast near Malibu.' This time Perry knew it was the truth as Laura sagged against the back of the sofa defeated. She was well aware of this relentless side of Perry Mason and knew whatever ploys she had used in the past any further delaying tactic when he was on a mission like this wouldn't work. In fact if anything, Laura knew it would stir his rage and that made him unpredictable.

'What are they planning?' Paul interjected from his place by the exit door.

Laura turned her back to the men in defiance and refused to speak any further. The silence in the room stretched for a few minutes before Perry strode over to Laura and grasped her firmly by the elbow pulling her to face him.

'That's the second time today you've hurt my arm,' she spat. 'I should have you arrested for assault!'

'Go ahead and try, there's the phone!' Perry nodded towards the telephone and pushed her slightly towards it. 'Call Hamilton Burger, call Lt Tragg, I'm sure they'll be all ears.'

Laura slipped a short distance away eyeing her two unwanted and unwelcome visitors wearily. 'I suppose you have your reasons for acting like a common ruffian.' Perry snorted in almost amusement.

'Get ready,' he ordered.

'Why?' I've told you where the little tart is.'

'Laura,' Perry rumbled darkly, 'I have never hit a woman in my life but I am coming very close to it with you. Stop calling Della names. She is not my mistress, my whore or my tart. Now get dressed!'

''What the hell is she to you then?' Laura didn't wait for an answer but went into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

'She's the love of my life,' Perry answered to the closed door in a whisper.

From his position by the door, Paul heard what the lawyer had whispered and for the first time that day, allowed himself a contented smile.

TBC