The Case of the Mystery Writer

Chapter 1

1

The line of people in front of the table went down the aisle of mystery books, around and down the next aisle, and right out the front door. From there Nick Perino had no idea how long the line was in front of the Barnes and Noble book store. This was the first of a number of book signings by his agent, Leo Dobbs.

Nick finished his latest novel four months ago. It was already proving to be another best seller for the popular mystery writer. He went to UCLA and studied creative writing. When he was growing up, Nick read everything he could get his hands on. He became obsessed with reading every mystery novel he could. The future writer would analyze the plots, trying from the beginning of the stories to figure out who the killer was. He found he was very good at it. In fact, Nick would sit down and write a summary of what he would have written differently.

Despite his mother and father, as well as other family and friends doing everything they could to discourage him, Nick made up his mind in high school that he would become a writer. He just knew he could write as well as any of the top mystery writers of the day.

He began writing stories for his creative writing class. His teacher recognized the talent he had for writing immediately. Nick excelled in the class, and he would forever be grateful to Miss Deanna Jarrett. He learned so much from her. Nick wondered what she was doing today. If things had been different, they could have been a couple. Because of his talent, they began spending a lot of time together. Nick received a lot of female attention. The problem was he wasn't interested in spending time with them. It wasn't because he didn't find the girls attractive, he did. Temptation would distract his goals of becoming a writer. He would have plenty of time for that later on. If girls were trying to get his attention then, there wasn't much doubt they would fall all over him once he was wealthy and famous.

Deanna, as he would come to call her at her request, was different from the high school girls. After a while, instead of being the inspiration he found her to be, she began to become the distraction he always feared. He had no idea she had the same problem. Before long, they were involved in an affair. She was his first. Still, he realized his attraction was sexual; it had nothing to do with love. He didn't love her, he only loved making love to her.

It wasn't long before Nick realized she had become the biggest obstacle to achieving his goals. Perino never considered her feelings in the matter. He only considered he could no longer learn from her. He made the decision to break it all off. Deana not only didn't take it well, she flew into a rage. If that had been the only problem, Nick could have handled it. It was where she did it. He made the mistake of telling her after class on a Friday afternoon. After trying desperately to change his mind with no results, she flew into a rage calling him an ungrateful predator who took advantage of her kindness, using sex to draw her in. She screamed at him and pounded on his chest.

Unfortunately, the principal was standing outside the classroom door. He was asked by the football coaches to request her not to take up so much of Nick's time. It was interfering with football practice. Stepping into the room, Nick and Deanna turned to see him standing there. They both knew they were discovered. Deana faced a disciplinary board. The decision of the school board resulted in her being fired from her job for her involvement with Nick Perino.

Nick didn't try to see her. It never occurred to him that she had fallen in love with him. After all, there was only a five year difference in their ages. Nick never saw her again. He refused to take any of her phone calls.

Thinking back, they certainly caused what was probably the biggest scandal the Los Angeles High School had ever known. Nick knew he was attractive. He stood 6 feet 2 inches tall, with blond hair, and blue eyes. He had the physique of an athlete, and he was actually a very good football player. It turned out it was how he was able to attend college. He was signed as a freshman to be UCLA's number one quarterback. Those in the football program were excited to sign him. Little did they know it was only a means to an end. That end was to study creative writing and become a writer. He didn't care how talented a quarterback he was. The average career for football players across the entire NFL was only 3.3 years. Of course, there were many players who played for years, Tom Brady was a perfect example of that.

Nick, at the time, was touted as the next Tom Brady. What would they all have thought if they knew he had no intention of playing pro football. By then, he would already produce his first best-selling novel. Everyone who knew him encouraged him to pursue football as a career. They all said he had what it took. None of them seemed to care that it wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to be a writer.

Throughout his football career, Nick was scouted by the pros. He didn't exactly lead them on, but he didn't discourage them either. He had to keep his real ambition to himself. Football was his ticket to writing, and that was all it was. What surprised him was he became the most sought after football player in the country, despite having announced he was not interested in a professional career in football. It didn't stop him being the number one draft pick of the Detroit Lions.

After turning down an offer from the Lions, Nick took on a temporary job working for a grocery store gossip tabloid. Due to his high profile in football and his credentials in writing, he was paid a much higher salary than he could possibly earn elsewhere. Unfortunately, the job meant smearing famous people. The truth was Nick wrote sensationalism. In other words, he made most of it up, adding just enough of the truth to keep the magazine, Peoples' Secrets, out of legal trouble. As it turned out, he was extremely good at it. It wasn't what he wanted to do though.

He only intended to write for the magazine until the first best seller sent him on his way. That turned out to be 'A Host of Murders'. The novel was about a man who dined and entertained a serial killer and his victims. In the end, the man ended up the serial killer's next victim. The book was a sensation. It topped the New York Times Best Selling List for 26 weeks. Nick quit his job with the trashy magazine and never looked back.

That brought him to this day and ten successful novels later. Looking out over the crowd, he saw the stardust in the eyes of the people. Judging from those in line, most of them were women. Nick thought murder mysteries were read more by men then women. Then again, he didn't care who bought and read his books, as long as they did.

Nick noticed a couple walking into the book store. He recognized the man immediately. He was Perry Mason, the lawyer. The woman with him was beautiful. Nick's days of ignoring women came to an end a while ago. He dated several beautiful gals, but got out of dodge as soon as they got serious. He wasn't sure whether it was because he was afraid of commitment or gold diggers. He worked hard for what he had and he wasn't about to split it with some woman looking to live the easy life off of him. For that reason, marriage was out of the question.

Then again, he just might take the chance with a woman like the one who came into the book store with Perry Mason. She was the kind of woman a man could settle down with. What he didn't understand was why weren't they in the line to have him sign a copy of his book?

"What is going on here?" Mason said. "I just wanted to pick up a couple mystery books for pleasure reading. This place is packed."

"You mean you don't know? Don't you recognize the man sitting there signing books for those people?"

"Am I supposed to? Della, of all people, you know how much time I spend in the office. When we do have some down time, I like to read a mystery or two and spend it with you. I don't have time to know what every author looks like, let alone know when they are having book signings. Now, can we go to the mystery section and find a couple paperbacks?"

"I have heard Nick Perino's book is a very good mystery. We have read his books before. Why don't we pick up copies of his latest novel?"

"Della, I am not standing in that line to get a book. I am not the autograph collector type."

She grinned. "I have read all of his books but this one. And I would like to have it signed."

Mason groaned. "Do you see the length of that line? We don't have time to go to the back of the line. We have work to do. The mail is a couple days behind."

Della raised an eyebrow. "The mail? Since when are you anxious to do the mail?"

Mason felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned to see who it was. Nick Perino grinned at Mason. "You're Perry Mason."

"In the flesh," the lawyer said.

"And this beautiful creature?"

Mason saw the way he was looking at Della. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised. Della turned the heads of most men. "This is my secretary, Della Street."

"Is there something I can help you with?" He didn't take his eyes off Della.

"Thank you, but we are just going to pick up a couple books for pleasure reading." Mason took Della by the elbow and attempted to move her in the direction of the mystery section of the book store. She stopped and pulled away from him.

"Mr Perino, we don't want to keep you from the signing," Della told him.

"You're not keeping me. They scheduled regular breaks for me. If you are looking for mystery books, I can make a recommendation," he said with a smile.

Perry felt like a fifth wheel. Perino didn't seem to know he was even there. Della had him mesmerized.

"And who's books do you recommend?" Della asked.

He grinned. "Mine. I'll even autograph a copy for you." He grabbed one of his books from the display table, opened it up and wrote something in it. Closing the book he handed it to Della.

"Thank you," she said with a smile. "But what about Perry? If we are reading it at the same time, we will need another copy."

Without taking his eyes off Della, Nick reached behind him and grabbed another book. He pushed it into Mason's middle. The lawyer rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Della, let's go pay for these."

"There is no charge," Nick told them. "It is in my contract that I can give away a number of books. Those two are on me."

"In that case, let's go, Della," Mason said.

Nick stepped in front of them. He couldn't let the most beautiful woman he ever saw walk out of the door and his life. He made a quick decision. "I need legal advice. I think my manager is stealing from me. I would like to hire Mr Mason to protect my interest."

"I think that can be arranged. Mr Mason is available at 1:00 tomorrow if your schedule allows," Della said. Perry turned and frowned at her.

With a smile, Nick offered his hand to Della. She took it and shook it. Perino nodded at Mason, but didn't offer his hand. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr Mason." The writer turned and went back to his table to continue to sign books.

Mason took Della's elbow. They left the book store under the scrutiny of those still waiting in line to get a signed copy of Nick Perino's book.

Perry and Della reached his vehicle. He opened the passenger door and Della slipped into the seat. He shut the door, walked around, and got behind the driver's seat. Della could see he had a slow burn going on. He was most definitely upset.

"Okay, Perry, out with it," Della said.

"Out with what?" Mason said. He started the Cadillac and pulled the vehicle into the road.

"What's wrong? Are you upset because I wanted a copy of Nick Perino's book."

"No, why in the world would I be upset about that?"

"Then what is it?" Della demanded.

Mason was silent for a moment. He cared about Della more than he ever cared about anyone in his life. That was not something he wanted to endanger. He wasn't sure he was angry for the right reasons. Was it really because he didn't like Della setting up an appointment with Nick Perino without asking him? "Della, why did you set an appointment for him to meet with me?"

She smiled. "How many clients do you take on which we make very little money?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"It has everything to do with it. Nick Perino is a very successful writer. I have no doubt he is a millionaire. He would be an excellent client for you to have. It would mean regular fees coming in."

"Della, did it occur to you that he only wanted to get into my office just to see you?"

His very loyal secretary smiled. "You're jealous."

"I am not jealous," Mason insisted.

"Oh, yes you are." She reached over and ran a hand down his cheek. "You have nothing to be jealous about."

"You mean you didn't notice he signed your book, but not mine. And, he shook your hand, but not mind. He never even looked at me. I doubt he will even recognize me when he comes into my office tomorrow."

She couldn't help but chuckle. "First of all, you don't collect autographs, so you wouldn't have sought him out to sign a book. Secondly, you missed nothing by not shaking his hand. He has a weak handshake, and I know you prefer a firm one. You are probably right about him coming in to see me. Don't underestimate me, counselor. My decision to have him come in for an appointment was strictly business. We will land him as a client, and the money will flow in. Besides, we will probably get free copies of his books from now on."

Mason chuckled. "Okay, you win. I'll see him tomorrow."

"Of course you will, since I am the head of your office. Now what do you say since it is already 4:00, that we have a romantic dinner and go back to your apartment." She reached over and put her left hand into his right one.

Mason attempted to suppress a smile, but failed. "Ah huh, you do feel guilty!" His mood changed. He lost his anger. Perry could never remain mad at Della.

She laughed. "No, I do not feel guilty, but you will if you don't take me to dinner."

"All right, Miss Street, dinner it is, but you are going to pay up later on," he responded with a twinkle in his eyes.

Della knew all too well what he meant by that. She said nothing. She just smiled. It seemed she was the one being paid.

2

The air was thick. Even though it was 7:00 in the evening, the temperature hadn't gone down. It was not only warm, but also humid. Nick supposed he shouldn't question the humidity, after all, they were close to the ocean. Most of the year Los Angeles weather was perfect. He simply didn't like the extremely hot weather. Even though he lived in Los Angeles all his life, hot weather wasn't his preference. He wondered why he stayed here. He should try New York and the winters.

The only time Nick was in cold climates was in the summer. The one place he knew he could never live was Florida. They didn't have cold weather, but their summers were horrid. The humidity was far worse than Los Angeles ever was. He also had been to Michigan in the summer. The lake was a major draw for him. Fresh water, which meant no sharks. He had a fear of being attacked by a shark, so he never went in the ocean. Lake Huron was altogether different. There weren't any sharks in the lake. Nick was able to go for a swim and lay on the beach. The people in Michigan didn't know how lucky they were to have a body of water with no sharks in it.

Again the experience was spoiled by the humidity. It wasn't as bad as Florida, but almost. He decided he would never live in Michigan either. He wondered what the weather was like in New York in the summer. Did they have high humidity? He could handle hot weather, just not the humidity. Besides, his publishers were in New York City.

None of that mattered at the moment since he was in Los Angeles. Right now he had to go home. Nick had an office in his residence. That was where he wrote his best-selling novels. It was also where he did business from. Connected to his office was another room where his agent worked occasionally. Dobbs had other clients, yet Nick was certain none of them made as much money for him as he did.

Everyone told him he should fire Dobbs and get a better agent. Leo Dobbs wasn't exactly known as a great agent. Nick was his highest profile client, of that he had no doubt. The other writers he worked for never wrote best sellers. They sold books, but would never be top selling authors. Nick took the time to read some of their work. In his opinion, he could see why they didn't sell much. They were terrible. No one was going to pay for stories that were disjointed with very little plot. He wondered why Leo was even their agent. Why didn't he tell them they didn't have the talent to write novels, and find other writers that did? Actually, he knew why. He really wasn't a very good agent.

Dobbs didn't do much for the money he was paid. Nick had to keep after him about setting up book signings. Furthermore, he was constantly trying to do it in small cities where Nick got little publicity. In fact, Nick had set up this latest book signing himself. The only reason he kept Dobbs as an agent was he didn't charge much, and it didn't seem to hold back his career as a writer. Otherwise he would be gone.

Nick arrived at home. He waved at the guard in the booth at his gated residence. The man pressed the button, and the gate opened. Nick drove down the long entrance and parked in the circular driveway in front of his home. He shut off the engine of his Corvette and got out of the car. Standing there he admired the vehicle. Owning a Corvette was his dream when he was in high school. Although he loved the vehicle, maybe it was time to move up to something with more prestige. Maybe a Lamborghini, or even a Porsche. After all, he was making more money than he could possibly spend on every day living. Why not own a really expensive car? He would keep the Corvette. He would always have a Corvette. It represented his dream coming true. He was a best-selling author!

Nick entered his lavish mansion and headed straight for his office. Using the keys that were still in his hands, the writer unlocked the door. He purchased the very best locks and security system in the business. Turning off the alarm, he went directly to his desk. Some people would have found it strange that he protected his office with an alarm, but not the rest of the house. Nick owned a lot of expensive things he bought over the years, but all of it could be replaced if he were robbed. What he couldn't do was take a chance someone would break in and steal the manuscripts of his latest novel.

He began working on the new one just as soon as one was finished. He wanted to keep the flow of money coming in. Someday, he would be just as successful as James Patterson, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz. He wasn't kidding himself. He wasn't there yet, but he was certainly on his way. Right now, he was selling as many copies of his books as they were. He just hadn't been in the business as long as they had been. His goal was to be the number one fiction writer in the world. A high standard to set for himself, but one he knew he had the talent to reach.

Nick turned on his computer. He didn't normally bother with checking on his finances. That was Leo's job. Nick knew the money was coming in by the size of his bank account. It was up to Leo to see to it everything was in order for the accountant. Nick actually never met his accountant. Leo selected the man to get his affairs ready and file his taxes with the IRS. Nick didn't have time to be bothered with that. Besides, he hated working with numbers. Math was not one of his strong suits when he was in high school. He only took what required courses he had to to graduate from both high school and college. As a result, he couldn't possibly handle his own finances. That was fine with him, he didn't want to anyway. He just wanted to make the money and spend it when he got the itch to do so.

The computer booted up. Nick pulled up the program which held his financial records. It was on the network so Leo could access everything he needed in order to handle all of the writer's finances. He smiled when he saw the regular deposit from royalties from his ten novels. At least Leo had the sense to make sure he collected royalties on every book sold, besides the lucrative amount he was paid for writing each book.

He stopped suddenly. Looking at a line in his checking account, he said, "That can't be right." Dobbs was spending money he hadn't authorized. He certainly hadn't bought a Chevrolet Camaro. His taste in vehicles was more prestigious than that. He started scrutinizing his accounts further. There were all sorts of expenses going out of his account that made no sense. Dinners eaten out he knew he didn't do. And what was this? House payment? House payment for what? Nick owned his mansion free and clear. He paid cash for it. He didn't need a mortgage with the ton of money he was making.

Obviously, it had been a mistake to allow Leo free reign to handle everything for him. He was spending HIS money on himself. The salary Nick was paying him was obviously not enough for him. Dobbs took it on his own to buy whatever he wanted with Nick's money! Nick loaded the printer with paper and began printing out his financial records.

He told Mason and his secretary his agent was stealing from him. He only said that to get into Mason's office in an attempt to seduce Della Street. He hadn't believed for a minute that he really would need Perry Mason's services. Now, the entire reason for an appointment with the lawyer changed.

3

Perry Mason entered the private entrance to his office. He and Della almost always rode to the office in separate vehicles. He would quite often stop and purchase a paper, or buy a cup of coffee to allow Della to arrive at the office before he did. Mason knew she felt it wasn't necessary for them to go through the charade every morning. Certainly their closest friends knew they were living together. Gertie, his receptionist, knew they were more than boss and secretary. She would have to be blind not to see it. Even though Gertie was known for her love of gossip about people, she was very tight-lipped regarding the lawyer's business and private affairs. She could be trusted with any secret regarding Perry and Della. Still, Perry was of the old school. He believed in protecting the reputation of the woman he loved. The tabloids were always writing and speculating about him, and he didn't want Della's name appearing in them.

Mason set his briefcase on his desk and opened it. After leafing through it, he decided there wasn't anything in it that needed his attention. He knew Della would check it anyway to make sure nothing was missed. The door to his office opened and Della stepped in.

"You have an appointment with Mrs. Gladys Kent. She wants her will rewritten. Shall I show her in?"

"Before coffee?" Mason said.

"You arrived after me. Didn't you stop for coffee, Perry?"

"No, I picked up a paper at the news stand. I have not had any coffee yet."

"May I remind you that you had coffee with your breakfast, Mr Mason," she said with a smile.

"Della, you know fully well one cup of coffee is not enough to make it through the day."

"Well, I am afraid you are going to have to wait until after your appointment with Mrs. Kent." She left his office and returned with Gladys Kent in tow.

"Good morning, Mr Mason," Gladys said. She was a woman in her 80's, short, stout with a head of thick white hair.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kent," Perry said with a smile. Della smiled at the charm he always turned on when little old ladies were involved. They always fell for that charm. "Please sit down. What can I do for you?"

"I want my son cut out of my will?"

"Is there a particular reason you want this done?" Mason asked.

"Yes, he refuses to come and spend any time with me this summer. He said he is too busy. Mr Mason, didn't your mother teach you any manners? Why haven't you offered to serve me a cup of coffee?"

Mason looked at Della with a twinkle in his eyes. "I am sorry. Miss Street will get you a cup of coffee." He raised his eyebrows at Della, hoping she would get the hint that he wanted one himself. She left his office promptly to accommodate his client.

"Now, it is my understanding your son runs a summer resort, is that right."

"It is, but it is no excuse for not visiting me," the old lady complained.

"Mrs. Kent, I have had some experience with resorts. I have a couple clients who run them, and they don't leave theirs either in the summer time. It is when they are the busiest. Don't you think you are being just a bit hard on your son. After all, he just visited you for Mother's Day."

"I miss him, Mr Mason. I don't understand why he had to move to the other side of the country."

"Don't you do video calling with him?" Mason asked.

"Of course, but it is not the same."

"I have no doubt he will either visit you in the fall or fly you to the east coast. You really don't want to cut him out of your will, do you?"

"I guess not. You are right, Mr Mason." She stood up. "Well, I will be going now. Just have your secretary bill me for your time."

As she was walking out the door, Della was coming in with two cups of coffee. She turned her head and watched her leave. Della walked over to the desk and set a cup of coffee down in front of the lawyer. "You talked her out of changing her will, I take it?"

"I did," he said with a chuckle. "How many times a year does she come in wanting to cut her son out of her will?"

"About two or three, and every time you talk her out of it," she said, taking a sip of the coffee that was intended for Mrs. Kent.

"She's lonely, Della. She would be in here a week later wanting to change it back. No sense in changing it to begin with. It already contains her wishes. When she gets lonely for her son, she always decides to change her will if he can't come visit. So, what's next on the agenda?"

"Lou Wilson. He wants you to check over the contract of the sale of some property. If it isn't satisfactory, he wants you to rewrite it for presentation to the prospective buyer."

"All right, send him in."

4

Nick Perino stopped at a diner for lunch. He hadn't eaten anything and he was extremely hungry. His discovery of what his agent was doing had him really upset. His stomach was so sour this morning, he didn't dare eat anything. He didn't think it would have stayed down. Now, he was famished, and he had to eat before meeting with Perry Mason.

Perry Mason . . . well at least he couldn't have a better attorney representing him. How lucky he was that the famous attorney entered the bookstore when he did. He got the feeling he didn't want to meet with him. If it weren't for the secretary, he probably wouldn't have. Thinking back on it, it was probably his own fault. He nearly ignored the attorney. Then again, how could he expect anything different, showing up in the bookstore with a beautiful woman. Still, it was no excuse for ignoring the man the way he did. If he recalled, he didn't sign his book or even shake his hand. He hoped it wouldn't interfere with Mason representing him. He needed a good lawyer and Mason was the best in the business.

Choosing a booth in the back of the diner, he sat down and looked at the menu which was posted on the stand at the wall. He had to decide whether he wanted breakfast or lunch.

On the other side of the room, a woman sat staring at him. She couldn't believe it, it was actually him, the man who ruined her life. After being fired from Los Angeles High School, Deanna Jarrett was never able to work in the education system again. She had gotten involved with a high school student, and as soon as any school district found out why she left the Los Angeles School District, she never heard from them again. Her degree was rendered useless. All that time and money to go to college to become a teacher was wasted, and why? Because some young punk led her on and then left her high and dry when the going got tough. She never forgot what he did to her. After everything she did for him and he wouldn't even accept her calls when it all went down.

Now, he was a big-time novelist and making a ton of money. Deanna was working as a receptionist in a dentist office, not making anywhere the salary she made as a teacher. She could barely make ends meet. It was time she got a bit of that money from him. She had dreamed of getting revenge for years now. After all, she knew something about him no one else did. Now was not the time. Deanna had to make plans, and she knew just the man to make them with. She got up and left the diner, making sure her face was turned away from him.

5

Leo Dobbs loved the horse races. He couldn't stay away from the track. He also loved to bet on the horses. The problem was he wasn't very good at picking winners. If the truth be told, he was terrible at it. However, it didn't matter. He had an endless supply of money to work with. What a windfall it had been to land Nick Perino as a client. The man was making tons of money. The best part about it was he didn't want anything to do with his finances. He left it entirely up to Leo. He hadn't checked his books in the ten years Leo worked for him. If left his account wide open for Dobbs to do whatever he wanted with his money. He made so much of it, that Nick never even looked at the books. Leo could put papers in front of him, and he just signed them without reading them.

Thanks to the stupidity of Nick Perino, Leo paid off his house and car . He spent most of his time at the race track betting on the horses. When he needed something, he would simply buy it and record it as something for Nick's office or home. Or, he would chalk it up to expenses for Nick, despite spending the money on himself. He'd been doing it for years. Nick had no idea what was going on. He was just a dumb hack who was in love with himself. Actually, if he had to admit it, Leo couldn't stand his employer. Why was it that a man was allowed to earn the kind of money Nick Perino did? People were starving in America and jerks like Perino earned millions of dollars every year. What really burned him was Perino never donated any of his money to charity. He kept it all to himself. It never occurred to Dobbs that he was in charge of Perino's money. He wouldn't donate to charities unless Dobb took the initiative to do it for him. Then again, the only charity Leo would donate to was himself.

Leo had other clients. The problem was none of them were much as writers. He did have one other client that made him some money. Danielle Murphy was actually a very good writer. Leo was able to get her books on Amazon, but so far no publisher picked her up. A lot of would-be writers would use Amazon to sell books. If their books sold well, publishers would pick them up. These authors would charge a measly $2.00 a book. A lot of readers would check out those books because they were so economical to buy. Danielle actually sold a lot of books. It was just when they went for $2.00 a book, there wasn't much to be made for him. If only a publisher would pick her up, she could be another source of income for him.

Even if Danielle was picked up by a publisher, Leo knew he would never be able to dip into her funds the way he did Nick's. She was entirely too smart for that. He knew a smart woman when he saw one. Dobbs didn't know much about her. She was very mysterious. The woman never talked about herself or where she was from. He tried to get her to open up on several occasions. She simply refused to do so. He gave up trying to fish for information from her. It was impossible to get anything out of her. What he did know was she was writing under a pseudonym. He was unable to find out who she really was or what she did for a living. It certainly wasn't writing. She didn't make anywhere near enough money for that.

It didn't matter right now. He was making plenty of money off Nick Perino. He would be his cash cow for years to come.