Perry walked into an apartment building. He walked up to the clerk in the lobby.
"Hi, may I help you?"
"Certainly. I'm here to visit your tenant Miss Brigette Lawson."
"And may I say who's calling?"
"I'm Perry Mason."
His name brought respect to the clerk. "The famous lawyer?"
"In the flesh."
"Just a moment, please." He consulted a directory and made a phone call. "Miss Lawson?...Mr. Perry Mason is here to see you...Thank you." He hung up. "She's waiting for you. 4th floor, number 412."
"Thank you."
He went to the elevator and called it. It came, and he went to the 4th floor. He got out and walked down the hallway. Finding 412, he knocked on the door.
Miss Brigitte Lawson was a very attractive woman in her early 30's.
"Perry Mason?" she asked.
"That's right. I'd give you one of my cards, but I guess that won't matter so much!"
"Actually, it will. You see, I can 'read' raised letters with my fingers."
"Oh, ok."
He pulled out his wallet, grabbed one of his business cards, and gave it to her. She scanned it with her fingers.
"Please, come in. I've just brewed coffee, would you like some?"
"That'll be very nice, thank you."
"Sit on the couch. I'll be right there."
"Thank you, Miss Lawson."
"Please, call me Brigitte."
"Ok. And you may call me Perry."
He sat down and she went into the kitchen.
"Sugar, cream?"
"Cream and two sugars, please."
"Ok."
As she was making the coffee, he noticed something about her: She was barefooted.
She brought the coffees into the living room.
"Here, you go."
"Thanks."
She sat next to him.
"Forgive my curiosity, Brigitte, but I notice you're not wearing shoes."
"I'm more comfortable when I'm barefooted-especially here in my apartment. You see, I feel that I can 'read' my environment with my bare feet."
"Interesting!"
"I'll put shoes on, if you disapprove."
"No, that's fine. I was just curious, that's all; stay barefooted!"
She smiled. "I'm beginning to like you, Perry!"
He also smiled. "Why, thank you!"
"Before we begin, I have a special favor to ask you."
"Ok."
"May I rub you face with my hands? I can get a pretty good idea of a person's character when I do this."
"Sure, go right ahead."
"thank you. Stand up, please."
"All right."
He stood up, and so did she. She rubbed her hands over his face, for a few seconds.
"I can understand why you are considered one of the best lawyers in Las Angeles. You have the face of an honest, intelligent man."
"Well, I hope I don't disappoint you!"
They both chuckled. They sat down and drank their coffee.
"You're representing Tommy Newcome, right?"
"That's right. You were in the room when John Petrie was murdered, weren't you?"
"Yes, I was. The murderer probably feels that she can get away with it because I'm blind-the bitch! Forgive my language, Perry!"
"That's quite all right-SHE?"
"I think it was a woman."
"And what leads you to believe that?"
"Two things: First of all, it was the sound of her shoes. They sounded more like the type of shoes a woman would wear."
"And the second thing?"
"I had a whiff of her perfume, as she ran by. Definitely a woman's."
"You're good, Brigitte! You could work for Paul Drake."
"Who's he?"
"He owns a detective agency. I hire him to help me on various cases."
"I see. Thank you!"
"As a matter of fact, I'll probably have you meet him. He can help with the identity of the shoes and the perfume."
"Sure, I'll do that."
"He's in the same building I work in. I'll set up an appointment for sometime next week."
"I hope you can free Tommy."
"I believe I can-with your help."
They talked small talk and finished their coffee. Then they got up and he assisted her washing the cups.
"As I said, I'll call you and arrange an appointment sometime next week. You'll also meet Paul Drake."
"That sounds fine."
She walked him over to the door."
"See you again soon, Brigitte."
"Strangers when we meet, friends when we part."
He smiled. "I like that!"
They hugged, and he gave her a light kiss on the cheek. He left.
