How Long is Forever

Chapter 5

Perry and Hamilton Burger sat together on the opposite side of the glass, staring at Paul Drake. Perry noted the ashen pallor of his friend's face, the way the gray of the prison uniform underscored the changes in his physique. It hadn't been too long since he was a vibrant, thriving man with an appetite for anything red and anyone wearing a skirt. Now he appeared to have shrunken in size, weight and height. Paul was not cut out for prison, and Perry was grieved to see it.

Paul and Perry picked up the phones that allowed them to speak.

"Hey, Pal. How's the outside world? And what's old sour puss want?" His eyes heated when he looked at Burger.

"Easy, Paul. We're both here to help."

Paul looked at his best friend. "Yeah, well, the only help he wants to give me is a faster route to the chamber."

Perry's fist tightened on the telephone. He didn't blame Paul. Not one bit. But some of the fault belonged on his shoulders. Beside him Hamilton started to rise, but Perry put his hand on the man's arm. Hamilton resumed his seat.

Turning his attention back to his friend, Perry said, "Paul, I want you to know he came to me with a plan. It's very involved, but—believe me when I say, he's trying to help."

Paul looked at the District Attorney, seeing he really was sincere. "Put the joker on."

Perry handed the phone to Burger. "Your turn, Counselor. Sell it."

"Okay. So what's this plan?" Paul asked.

Quietly they explained what had been put into place and asked him if he had any suggestions that could help Carolyn more.

Paul seemed to consider the plan before he spoke. "Tell Carolyn to be careful of Gina Anzellmo. She not only has claws, she has fangs. And warn her that Rocco Anzellmo is a skirt chaser. He always likes to 'try out' the new girls."

"Thanks Paul. Try and keep the faith. We'll be back as soon as we have more news.

"Thanks Pal. And…thank Burger too."

As Hamilton walked away, Perry was about to terminate the connection but at the concern on Paul's face, he lifted the phone to his ear again.

"Perry…ah…have you found her?"

Perry frowned and dropped his head. "No."

His voice held sorrow, pain and something Paul had rarely heard…defeat.

"Perry, you know my men will do whatever you need them to do to find her."

Perry looked up at his best friend. "Paul, right now the most important thing is getting you cleared and out of here. I can't concentrate on anything else."

"Have you tried Mae. I'm sure she…"

"PAUL!"

Two of the guards stepped forward but stopped when Perry looked and quietly said "Sorry."

Perry hung up the phone and turned to follow Hamilton. Paul stared after him, wondering just how much longer his friend could hang on to his sanity.

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Perry sat in his office after returning from the prison. Paul's appearance had really hit him hard, but his worry about how he himself was holding up without Della nearly devastated him. Making a decision, he informed Gertie and Miss Adams to close up the office and go home. There would be no more clients right now, not until he carried out the phone call.

Six times he lifted the phone to call, and six times he replaced the receiver. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he mentally cursed himself for his nerves and weakness. Mae had answers she wasn't going to give him, and she had a sharp way of cutting through all of his charm to hit him in his vulnerable breadbasket.

"Damn," he whispered to himself as he reached into his desk drawer for a bottle of Scotch. "What are you doing, Mason? That won't solve anything." He shoved the drawer shut with a hard push.

Standing, he abandoned his desk and went into the small kitchen to start a strong pot of coffee. His mind traveled back to the first time he tasted Della's coffee. It wasn't as strong as he liked it, but she convinced him it was better for him. He had come to look forward to that coffee every morning. It set him up for his entire day! But more than the beverage itself, he looked forward to the smile she gave him with his cup and saucer. She knew just how much sugar to add and he learned she took hers with the same amount of sugar, plus the smallest amount of cream.

Making up his mind, Perry went back to his desk and picked up the phone. Dialing the number, he waited. After ten rings, he was about to hang up, when she answered.

"Hello, Mr. Mason." The second-most beautiful voice in the world.

Perry almost laughed in his relief. "Now Mae, how did you know it was me?"

Her deep sigh went straight to Perry's heart.

"Because it's been a month since you last called."

He clutched the phone and drew a ragged breath. This had been a mistake. "I'm sorry, Mae. I shouldn't have bothered you. Have a good day."

"Perry, wait!" At the tone in her voice—a waiver of indecision—Perry hesitated.

Cradling the phone between his shoulder and ear, reaching out to grab a cigarette and light it, Perry waited until the tension was too much. "I'm still here, Mae."

"Oh, hell."

Now Perry did laugh. He knew Mae must truly be frustrated when she uttered a curse.

"Perry, she's fine. She calls me at least once a week. She always asks if you're okay. I think she thinks she left you a second away from being a drunkard. I tell her the same thing I tell you. You're both 'just fine.'"

Perry sighed. "But that's…"

"Not the truth." Mae finished his sentence. "I know that, Perry. You're miserable and so is my lamb. And I'm stuck in the middle of the two people I love."

"She's a stubborn mule, and so help me, when we see each other, none of it will matter. I love our girl, Mae. Right or wrong, day or night, fun or serious, I never walked away. I never will." He cleared his voice and finished, "Will you do me a favor?"

"No Perry. I can't tell you where she is."

"Not that. If… When you talk to her, tell her Mr. Burger and I have put a plan into motion to save Paul."

"Oh Perry! That's wonderful news. And yes, I will tell her."

"And tell her…"

Again Mae finished his sentence. "…how much you love her."

Perry laughed. "Not as much as I love you, dear Mae."

Mae returned his laugh. "Oh you. Goodbye, Perry."

After he hung up the phone, he returned to the kitchen for that cup of coffee, actually humming one of his favorite songs.