How Long is Forever
Chapter 1
The Los Angeles Times headline was in 2-inch block letters:
MICHAEL DOMENICO FOUND MURDERED
NOTED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR ARRESTED
MARCH 11: Noted businessman and former husband of lawyer Perry Mason's confidential secretary, Della Street, was found brutally murdered at the Pussycat Club early Monday morning. Evidence at the scene led police to the home of private investigator, Paul Drake. Mr. Drake was arrested and booked on a charge of first-degree murder. Mr. Drake had no statement. Perry Mason, Drake's employer, is set to defend. Mr. Mason had no comment when….
Now Paul sat in prison, convicted of the murder, and sentenced to death. Perry had not been able to clear him, even though he knew Paul was innocent. Of all the cases for Hamilton Burger to win, it had to be the circumstantial one involving the two people he loved best. And because of this, he was going to lose his friend. And the one person in his life… the woman who was his whole life… was gone… forever.
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Sitting at the wide, expansive desk, Perry ignored the soft knock on his door. He had been staring out at the city through the balcony doors, his thoughts near enough to touch, and far enough to chase. As he did a hundred times a day, he wondered where Della was, if she were okay, and if the ache in her heart matched the hole in his.
When a second knock went unanswered, Claire opened the door slowly, peeking in.
"Mr. Mason—? I'm sorry to intrude, but—"
Perry didn't even glance at the woman, his voice gruff at being disturbed. "What is it?"
Before she could answer, Hamilton Burger, the District Attorney, pushed past her, stepping into the office.
"Forgive the intrusion, Perry. I needed to talk to you about…" He turned to look at the secretary still standing in the doorway.
Perry at last looked toward the door, only half-registering Burger's presence. Then the mechanics years of practice produced kicked in and he managed a brief smile as he dismissed the woman. "That's all, Miss Adams."
"Yes sir."
Once the door was closed, Hamilton crossed the room, dropping into Paul's chair in front of Perry's desk. Perry looked curiously at the D.A.
"What do you need Hamilton? I'm pretty busy."
Looking around at the usually neat office, now littered with papers, open law books, full ashtrays and empty coffee cups, Hamilton almost laughed out loud.
"So I see."
Perry slammed his fist down on the desk. "What the hell do you want, Burger?"
Hamilton took a closer look at his courtroom adversary. Dark circles ringed his eyes. His usually dapper suit appeared wrinkled. It looked as if he hadn't slept or if he had, it wasn't much. Hamilton knew losing the two people who meant the most to him was taking a terrible toll on Perry.
"It's about Paul Drake."
Perry's heretofore listlessness vanished as a wave of fury surged through him; he stood leaning on his desk, the old chair behind him shoved with some force against the credenza behind him.
"WHAT! You want to kill him sooner! Get out of my office, Burger, before I tear you apart!"
Hamilton merely stared back at the attorney. Reaching across the desk, he took a cigarette from the ornate box, took his time lighting it, leaned back in the chair, blowing a stream of smoke toward the ceiling. Whatever else could be said about him, Hamilton Burger knew how to handle a hostile witness.
Perry managed to retake his seat, cradling his head in his hands. He drew in a shaky breath, then pleaded in a voice that showed just how vulnerable he really was, "Just leave, Hamilton. Leave me alone."
Now Burger sat forward. "Listen to me, Perry. I may have found a way to clear Paul. But—" he didn't leave the sentence dangling so much as he deliberately cut it off.
Momentarily shaking off the pity party he had nursed for weeks, Perry looked intently at the man, the person who had helped put Paul in prison. He didn't hate Burger, not really. He hated himself for failing his best friend. So if Hamilton believed he had a way to help get Paul cleared, who was he to let his stupid pride spoil what might be the answer?
Now Perry imitated the D.A., pulling a cigarette out, lighting it and blowing out a stream of smoke.
"Talk. And it better be good."
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Burger's plan was an intricate one. It would take some serious work and, in Perry's mind, a whole lot of luck. But he would do anything to save Paul.
The first order of business was to get in touch with one of Paul's operatives. Carolyn Ames was beautiful, sexy and extremely smart. At 25, she could almost pass for a high-school senior when she wanted to. Tall, with dark red hair and green eyes that flashed in excitement, she listened intently to the plan Perry and Hamilton presented. When Perry explained the dangers she would face, she only smiled.
"I'll do anything to get Paul back."
Perry looked at her, concern in his eyes. "You do realize we can only give you limited backup?"
Carolyn laughed in return. "Mr. Mason, short of committing murder, there's nothing I won't do for you…or for Paul."