Singing Wolf-I've been waiting for someone to ask about the setting. I've been trying to avoid mentioning a specific year, but I think of this as a modernized version of the Perry Mason series. I've been actually picturing a young Raymond Burr in modern day, but the older Raymond Burr would probably work just as well and make even more sense.

When Perry Mason returned to the estate of Bill Anders, a young police sergeant at the door met him. Mason introduced himself and quickly explained that he had a court order authorizing him to inspect the premises.

"What are you looking for?" asked the sergeant.
"Anything that might help clear my client," answered Mason simply.

The sergeant led Mason into Anders' study.
"Don't touch anything," the sergeant barked hastily.
"Don't worry, officer. I know the routine," said Mason. He quickly glanced over the office. A computer on a hard oak desk. An issue of the Wall Street Journal. A heavy paper weight. Several business papers. Nothing that seemed important at the time.

Mason's examination of Anders' bedroom turned up just as much. A king-size bed. A nightstand. A couple of dressers. Mason was looking for something that would lead him to believe his client was either wrongfully accused or guilty after all. Nothing in the room pointed to either conclusion. Mason thanked the officer and exited the house.

> > > > > >

An hour later, Mason was standing at the door of a much smaller house. Mason rang the doorbell and heard the chime echo through the small house. A few minutes later, the fair-skinned, dark-haired Kay Silvers was standing at the door in a black tanktop and tight jeans.

"Miss Silvers?"
"I'm sorry," said Kay. "But whatever you're selling I'm sure I already have."
"I'm not trying to sell anything," said Mason. "My name's Perry Mason. I'm the attorney representing Helen Carmichael. May I come in?"

Kay held the door wide open, permitting the lawyer to enter. He stood in front of a chair in Kay Silver's living room and admired Kay's figure as she walked into the room and took a seat on her sofa. After she was comfortably seated, Mason took a seat as well.

"You've heard about the murder of Bill Anders?"

"I have," replied Kay. "I was Helen's one phone call. And she told me to pass the news on to Natalie and Susan."
"And did you?"

"I did."
"You know of the details of Bill Anders' murder?"

"Basically, yes," said Kay. "He was killed in his sleep. In his bed. Someone came into his house and stabbed a jeweled letter opener through his heart."

"Just like Helen Carmichael threatened to do," said Mason. Kay looked at him in shock. "I was on the same train as the four of you were."
"And you heard us talking about killing Bill Anders?" Kay asked. Mason nodded. "Are you going to bring that up in court?"

"I don't see how that would do me any good," said Mason. "I'm the attorney for the defense."
"Then why did you bring this up?"

"Somebody went through the plot to kill Bill Anders exactly like you girls discussed," said Mason. "Don't you find that a little bit odd?"

"Helen didn't kill Bill Anders, Mr. Mason," said Kay.
"I wouldn't be defending her if I thought she did," said Mason. "How about you? Do you believe Helen killed her ex-lover?" Kay shook her head emphatically.
"Not Helen," she said. "She could talk about it, but I don't believe for a minute she could actually do it. She didn't have it in her."

"Apparently someone did," said Mason.
"You've lost me," said Kay. "I thought you just said you didn't believe Helen was a killer."
"I don't believe Helen Carmichael killed Bill Anders," said Mason. "But did you?" Kay laughed.
"Are you accusing me of murder?"

"I'm just considering the possibilities," said Mason. "You discussed the plot with Helen."
"So did Natalie and Susan," Kay quickly added.
"Any one of you could have gone through with that plot, then."
"Bill broke up with Helen, not me," said Kay. "Why would I want to kill him?"

"To get revenge for Helen," said Mason. "The way I see it, you're such close friends that if one of you hurts, you all hurt. It occurred to me that you might kill Bill Anders to make Helen happy."
"Why does it have to be someone who knew about Helen's plot?" asked Kay. "It could just be one big coincidence."

"I don't think so," said Mason. "The police received an anonymous tip-off a week before the murder was committed. It described Helen's plot in detail. I think whoever gave the police that tip-off went through with the plot for his or her self, planning on leaving Helen to take the blame."
"First, you suggest I might have killed Bill Anders' for Helen's sake," said Kay. "Now, you're suggesting I'm trying to have Helen arrested for killing Bill Anders. You can't have it both ways."
"You do have a point," Mason admitted. "Perhaps the writer of the letter really was a concerned citizen, though. You could have written the letter to warn the police Helen was considering murder, and then someone else might have killed Bill Anders. Is that what happened?"
"I wouldn't waste my energy," said Kay. "I'm not so sure I'd be that upset if Helen did kill Bill Anders. If anyone deserved to die like that, it was Bill."
"Perhaps it happened the other way, then," said Mason. "Perhaps a concerned citizen wrote the letter, and then you killed Anders."
"I said he deserved what he got," said Kay. "I didn't say I had strong enough feelings against the jerk that I'd kill him. It's just that I wouldn't stick my neck out to save the guy. But, seriously, what would my motive be for murder?"
"You have me there," said Mason. "Mind giving me some ideas?"
"I can't think of a single one, Mr. Mason," said Kay. "I'm just not that kind of girl."
"What kind of girl aren't you, Ms. Silver?" asked Mason. "A kind that suggests psychotic plans? A kind that talks about poisoning goldfish?"
"No fair!" said Kay. "You are taking a piece of a conversation you had no business hearing, and you are taking it way out of context!"
"But whoever killed Bill Anders had to have taken part in that conversation," insisted Mason. "The killer had to know all of the details of the plot Helen Carmichael talked about. Now, I have to ask you one more time, Ms. Silver, did you kill Bill Anders?"
"I didn't kill Bill Anders," said Kay. "And neither did Natalie. And neither did Susan. And certainly neither did Helen Carmichael. You might want to talk to Natalie, though. If anyone can tell you about Bill, it's Natalie. They used to date. Now, do you have any more questions?

"Just one," said Mason. "The coroner puts Anders' death somewhere between 6:00 in the afternoon and 9:00 at night. Where were you during that time?"
"Do I really need an alibi?"
"It might be helpful." "If I need one, I can just say I was at the Red Hotts Club. And so can Natalie and Susan and Helen if it will help."
"Perjury has harsh penalties, Ms. Silver," said Mason.
"What do you mean?"

"Perjury. Lying under oath. I am not going to let any witness for the defense commit perjury."
"Then what kind of lawyer are you?"

> > > > > >

Natalie Culp was wearing a similar outfit to Kay's when she answered her door.
"My name is..."
"Perry Mason," said Natalie. "I know who you are. I've seen you on TV and in the paper. Come in."

Once Mason had entered, Natalie asked him, "So, what are you doing here?"

"I'm defending Helen Carmichael."
"I figured that," said Natalie. "How is Helen paying for you? A much cheaper lawyer could get her off just as well. She didn't kill Bill Anders."
"I don't think she did, either," said Mason.
"It's not think, Mr. Mason," said Natalie. "It's know. I know Helen Carmichael didn't kill Bill Anders."
"And how do you know?" asked Mason.
"Because, Helen Carmichael's like a baby sister to me," said Natalie. "I know what she is and isn't capable of. She's capable of getting very, very angry. She's capable of throwing tantrums and shouting curses at people that offend her. But she isn't capable of murder."
"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" said Mason. "They may help me build my defense."
"Make it quick, Mr. Mason," said Natalie. "I may have more important plans."
"Such as?"
"Actually, I just think saying that sounds better than telling you the truth. And the truth is I was either going to go out shopping or stay home and turn on a soap opera. So much for helping destroy stereotypes of the modern woman."
"I'd really appreciate it if you'd talk to me, Ms. Culp," said Mason. "It will be a big help to Helen."
"I'm talking to you right now," said Natalie.
"I'm glad," said Mason. "This is our situation. A week before Anders was stabbed to death, the police received an anonymous letter. The letter described in precise detail how Anders was going to die. It mentions Helen Carmichael by name. That is going to be the prosecution's biggest help."
"But it's obviously a frame," said Natalie.
"That's going to be my defense," said Mason. "The only problem is, I know the details in that letter were true. I heard you and Helen discussing that plot on the train ride from New York to California, along with Susan Cook and Kay Silver."

Natalie was silent for a moment, softly nodding her tanned head up and down and digesting the information.
"I see," she said at last.
"Here's the point, Ms. Culp," said Mason. "If Helen didn't kill Anders, someone else who knew about that plot did."
"Then you have to include yourself as a suspect," said Natalie. "Because you heard that conversation without any of us knowing about it..."
"That's not exactly true," interrupted Mason. "I commented on the plot to Helen shortly after I overheard it."
"And you are more likely than Kay, Susan, or I to have revealed that plot to the police," finished Natalie.
"Why is that?" asked Mason. "Because," said Natalie. "Kay, Susan, Helen, and I are really close friends. We all understand that what's said between us, stays between us." Mason thought back for a moment, remembering hearing Helen Carmichael say the exact same thing. "But I have no motive for killing Anders," said Mason. "What does that have to do with anything?" asked Natalie Culp.
"I thought we agreed that letter to the police was part of a plot to frame Helen for murder," said Mason. "If that's the case, whoever wrote that letter also stabbed Anders to death."
"Fair enough," said Natalie. "But I don't have a motive to kill Anders, either."
"Yes, you do," said Mason. "You and Bill Anders used to date."

Natalie was struck silent again for a moment. She quickly laughed, a breathy, seductive laugh, to cover the awkwardness of the moment.
"Almost every woman in California has dated Bill Anders at some time or other," said Natalie.
"Does that include Kay Silver or Susan Cook?" asked Mason.
"No," said Natalie. "That didn't stop Anders from flirting, though. Man, did he make passes!"
"Before or after you dated him?" said Mason.
"Before, after, and while," said Natalie. "I can't believe I dated him as long as I did before realizing what a creep he was."
"I take it it wasn't a friendly break-up, then," said Mason.
"I would have sooner killed him than look at him again, if that's what you mean," said Natalie. Then she thought about what she had just said. "I want you to know that I didn't mean that literally."
"I didn't take it literally," said Mason.
"Then by the same token you shouldn't take the murder plot Helen, Susan, Kay and I contrived literally."
"Whether or not you meant that conversation literally," said Mason, "somebody really did put that plot in to practice, in a very literal way."
"Are you trying to suggest that it was me?"
"I did consider the possibility."
"I'll admit, right after I broke up with Bill, I had dreams of killing him, in all sorts of ways. Once or twice, I did consider taking some sort of long, sharp object, and inserting it into his heart. If only he had one. I even made jokes about it, just like Helen did. It helps with the healing process."
"Then you no longer harbor any ill will against Anders?"
"I wouldn't say that," said Natalie. "I had the dreams right up to when he died. Especially since I knew he was going to treat Helen the same way he treated me. In fact, when I first heard someone had finally put the S.O.B. out of his misery, I would have celebrated if only Helen hadn't got herself involved in all of this."
"Did you kill Bill Anders?"
"No!" cried Natalie. "And you've got some nerve even asking!"
"You have two very good motives," said Mason. "You suffered a nasty break-up with Anders. And you had a close friend that you didn't want to see go through the same pain."
"A little late for that," said Natalie. "Helen and Anders already suffered a nasty break-up before the creep had a knife crammed through his arteries."
"But it still might have helped Helen's suffering if someone took revenge for her," said Mason.
"But if that was the case," said Natalie, "I wouldn't try to frame Helen for the murder. Even if I was killing Anders for my own personal reasons, I would never consider doing anything that would leave Helen with the blame."
"Then perhaps you did kill Anders and someone else wrote the letter," said Mason. "Someone who was concerned for Bill Anders. Or concerned that Helen might do something she'd later regret. Either way, the letter had to be written by someone who knew of Helen's plot. The murder had to be committed by someone who knew of Helen's plot. I'm not sure yet whether or not the murderer and the letter writer were the same person."
"I didn't write the letter. And I definitely didn't kill Bill Anders," said Natalie. "Like I said, what was spoken between Kay, Susan, Helen, and I stays between Kay, Susan, Helen, and I."
"Just one more question, Ms. Culp," said Mason. "That is, if you don't mind answering it."
"That depends entirely on the question, Mr. Mason," said Natalie.
"Where were you between 6:00 and 9:00 on the night Anders was killed?"
"I was having dinner at LeFontaine's," said Natalie. "The whole time. Susan and Kay were with me. And so was Helen."
"Ms. Culp," said Mason. "You're an awful liar. I'll see you in court."

> > > > > >

When Susan Cook answered the door, Mason was embarrassed to see that Susan wasn't dressed at all like Kay and Natalie had been. In fact, Susan wasn't dressed at all. She was merely wrapped in a bath towel.
"I'm sorry," said Mason. "My name is Perry Mason. I'm..."
"You're Helen's lawyer," said Susan. Mason immediately recognized the voice as belonging to the other woman he had overheard on the train that fateful night. "I know already. Come in, Mr. Mason."

As Susan led Mason inside, Mason took the opportunity to admire the girl. She was extremely tall and thin, and she had long, curly, blonde hair. Tiny droplets of water were streaming down the long, curly strands and running down Susan's soft, delicate skin.
"Excuse me one minute, Mr. Mason," said Susan, disappearing into the hallway. She appeared a brief moment later, this time wearing a bathrobe so thin and sheer that it was more revealing than the towel.

"How did you know I was defending Helen?" asked Mason.
"I just got off the phone," said Susan. "With both Kay and Natalie. They warned me about you. They said you were on your way to grill me as a suspect."
"That's not quite true," insisted Mason. "I'm just trying to get my facts straight. The prosecution's main tool is..."
"An anonymous letter to the L.A.P.D.," said Susan. "I know. Kay and Natalie told me all about it."
"Then they gave you a brief description of what was in that letter?"
"A detailed account of the conversation Natalie, Kay, Helen and I had on the train from Illinois to California. It mentioned that Helen had said she was planning on letting herself into Anders' house Saturday night, sneaking in on him as he slept, and shoving a letter opener she had given him as a birthday present through his cheating heart."
"Did Kay and Natalie also happen to warn you that I had overheard that conversation?"
"In so many words," said Susan. She then added, "Natalie thinks you wrote that letter."
"Natalie's wrong," said Mason. "If I had written that letter, there's no way I'd be acting as an attorney for the defense. That letter's going to be my biggest obstacle in court."
"You think I wrote that letter?"
"I think you might have."
"Well, you're wrong, Mr. Mason. I didn't."
"It had to be someone that knew all about the conversation you girls had on that train. That leaves either you, Natalie Culp, or Kay Silver."
"Or Helen herself." Mason tried not to show his shock. The other girls had denied this possibility immediately. "Don't get me wrong, Mr. Mason. I love Helen. You don't have to worry about me saying anything incriminating against her in court."
"But you think Helen might have actually committed this murder?"
"She probably did," admitted Susan. "She's a nice girl, but she can be such a self-important priss at times. I mean, she can get really nasty."
"Even capable of murder?"
"She said right out that she was planning on stabbing that stupid playboy. She sounded really nasty about the whole thing. I wouldn't be surprised if she was finally pushed over the edge."
"But what would she have gained from warning the police about what she
was going to do ahead of time?"
"I didn't say she wrote that letter," said Susan. "It could be just what it seems like. Somebody was worried about Bill Anders and sent that letter so that when Helen struck the murder could be prevented. But apparently the police failed."
"Do you have any idea who wrote that letter?"
"None."

"Yet you still deny writing that letter yourself?"
"I do," said Susan. "That conversation was a secret between Kay, Natalie, Helen and I. You know. Girl talk. I know when to keep my mouth shut, Mr. Mason."
"Then that leaves Natalie and Kay. They're the only other two people that knew about Helen's plot."
"And Jack Anderson," Susan quickly added. "As soon as we arrived in California, Jack offered to take Helen out to dinner. She told him all about our conversation then."
"She told you about this?"
"She told all of us," said Susan. "I told her she should have just kept her mouth shut. That's Helen's problem. She's a big-mouth. And she'll trust anyone. Her relationship with Anders shows that."
"You weren't happy about Helen's seeing Bill Anders?"
"No," said Susan. "None of us were. But unlike the others, I didn't try to tell Helen she shouldn't see Bill. She needed to learn a lesson for herself. She can't just keep throwing herself at any man that buys her a flower or two."
"I take it Helen and you haven't always got along the best."

"We haven't," said Susan.
"Then is it wrong for me to suggest you might have sent that letter and then killed Anders yourself just to frame Helen?"
"It is wrong," said Susan. "Helen and I might not always see eye-to- eye, but we're still friends, and I still love her. I did not betray her secret, and I would not do anything to hurt her. Is there anything else you have to ask me?"
"Yes," said Mason. "Where were you between 6:00 and 9:00 the Saturday
night Bill Anders was murdered?"
"I was in bed," said Susan. "You aren't going to ask me who with, are you?"

"Just tell me it wasn't Kay Silver, Natalie Culp, and Helen Carmichael," said Mason.
"It wasn't," said Susan. "But I can say it was in court if the need arises." She smiled wickedly. "That would be kind of funny actually. I bet it would embarrass the heck out of Helen."

Mason admired Susan's gorgeous figure one more time before heading for the front door. As he reached for the knob, he suddenly thought of something and whirled around.
"Ms. Cook," said Mason. "Bill Anders has had several girlfriends before Helen Carmichael. Isn't that right?" Susan nodded. "Ms. Cook, how do you feel about gossip?"

> > > > > >

Mason greeted the familiar receptionist at Anders & Anderson before being permitted to Jack Anderson's office.

"I'm planning on keeping the Anders in the business title," Anderson was saying over the phone. "Of course. As a sort of memorial to Bill. But I think we should change the title to Anderson & Anders now. Never mind. I'll call you back later." He hung up the phone and then turned to face the doorway. "Mr. Mason! What can I do for you?"
"I'm representing Helen Carmichael in court."
"So I understand,"said Anderson. "I know what you're going to ask. Let me save you the trouble. Helen did tell me she was planning on murdering Bill."
"She did?"
"Yes," said Anderson. "She told me all about it. Well, at least the basic details. She told me she wanted to wait until he was sleeping and then shove the letter opener through his heart. And while he was in those stupid, royal blue pajamas of his. She got a real kick out of that."
"When did you have this conversation?"
"About a week ago," said Anderson. "Helen and her girlfriends had just arrived back in L.A. Since Helen was a close friend of Bill's, I met her at the train station and offered to buy her dinner. I took her to Slam Duncan's, the sports bar and grill. She told me that she and Bill had a nasty fight and were breaking up. She then talked about how she and her friends had come up with an entire plan for murdering Bill."
"Did you believe her?"
"Not at the time," said Anderson. "Of course, not at the time. I thought she was just joking. She even laughed about it. It never crossed my mind that a beautiful young woman like Helen Carmichael could be a psychotic killer."
"How about now?" asked Mason. "Do you believe Helen really did kill your partner?"

"Now that I think about it," said Anderson, "it certainly is possible. The murder was committed exactly the way Helen said it would be. And I've certainly seen women that Bill has dated get upset. He had a restraining order put out on one because she kept following Bill around with a shot gun after they broke up."

"Can you remember a name?"

"I'll never forget," said Anderson. "Christy Kevins. Her name was Christy Kevins."

"Mr. Anderson," said Mason. "The L.A.P.D. received a letter about a week ago. It warned them about Helen's plot to kill Anders. Do you know who might have written that letter, by any chance?"

Anderson just looked confused.

"No clue," he said. "It could have been anyone around Helen and I at
Slam Duncan's. I wish I'd paid more attention to the faces at the tables around us now."
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson," said Mason. "That's all the questions I have for you right now. Except for one. Where were you between 6:00 and 9:00 the night your business partner was murdered?"
"I don't remember doing anything special between 6:00 and 7:00," said Anderson. I think I might have gone for a walk. But all the time from 7:00 to 9:00 I was at an important dinner convention for the company. I gave a speech that lasted from 7:30 to 8:00. I'm sure everyone there remembers it. Does that help you any, Mr. Mason?"
"It might," said Mason. "Thank you again."

As Mason turned to leave, he was stopped by Anderson's voice.
"Mr. Mason," said Anderson. "Just supposing Helen did kill my partner. I still hope you get her off. Anders deserved what he got. I'm the best friend Anders ever had. We were like brothers. And even I think he deserved what he got."

> > > > > >

Mason collapsed into his most comfortable chair when he arrived back at his office.
"How did it go?" asked Della.
"They all deny writing that letter," said Mason.
"And who wouldn't," said Della. "Considering your theory that the same person that wrote that letter killed Bill Anders."

"I think we're going to need more suspects," said Mason. He pulled out a list of names he had made while talking to Susan Cook. "Della, you've heard of Anders' unique relationship with women, haven't you?"

"Of course I have," said Della. "He's dated women ranging from top movie stars to the poorest girl in L.A.'s poorest slum. Many of his relationships, and his subsequent break-ups, have made the front page of super market tabloids."

"Then all of these women had motive to kill Anders," said Mason, looking again at the list. Della peered over his shoulder.

"You're not going to question each one of those women yourself. Are you, Chief?"

"Of course not," said Mason. "I'm going to need..."

"Right on it, Chief," said Della. "I'm dialing the Paul Drake Detective Agency even as we speak."