Lethal Lullaby
Rock-a-Bye Baby
Perry pulled the big Cadillac to stop in front of the church. Hurrying around to the passenger side, he helped Della from the car. Katherine was very soundly asleep in her mother arms. She looked up at the imposing structure and smiled tranquilly. There, silhouetted by the sun, stood Paul Drake. He was standing at the top of the church steps, a large grin nearly splitting his face.
His footfalls as he quickly descended to meet them broke the stillness of the midmorning. "Hello, you two. We'd almost given up on you."
Della smiled in return, climbing the few steps to where he was. "Well, it seems your goddaughter was unusually cranky this morning." She glanced at Perry over her shoulder. "And so we had to have a discussion about her behavior."
Paul laughed at the comment. "I wish I could have been there for that, hearing you laying down the law to your daughter."
Perry joined them, slipping his arm around his wife's waist. "Actually, it was her father who laid down the law. I informed my daughter her obstinate attitude would not be tolerated. She was keeping people waiting—a social faux pas, especially on this special day—and that was a chargeable offense before the court."
Now Paul threw back his head and roared. Della punched his shoulder with her free hand to quiet him.
"Paul, be quiet or you'll have Reverend Mitchell out here."
The stern expression on Perry's face was priceless. "And if you wake the beast, I swear I'll knock your block off. Let Katherine sleep while she will."
Paul sobered quickly. "Sorry, Beautiful," he apologized to Della, "I'll behave. But we better go . . ."
Just as Perry was about to lift his daughter from Della's arms, the sound of an approaching automobile stayed him. He turned to look as a long black limousine eased to a stop behind the big Cadillac. He touched his wife's elbow and tilted his head to indicate the visitor's arrival.
Paul, never one to miss details, frowned as he saw the black limo pull to a stop in back of Perry's car. The back door opened, and Salvatore Pinelli stepped out onto the sidewalk. He was alone, immaculately dressed, and looking more angelic than he had a right to.
"What is he . . ." His words died at Perry's warning look.
Salvatore climbed the steps, beaming at the proud parents. He shook Perry's hand, then gave Della a hug and a kiss on both cheeks.
"I hope I am not late."
Della smiled. 'Of course not. Your goddaughter was a little late this morning."
Paul once again started to say something, but the almost imperceptible shake of Perry's head convinced him it was neither the time nor the place.
Salvatore looked down at Katherine "Mia dolce ragazza. You must not give your beautiful mother troubles."
Della beamed at Salvatore. "I think we should go in now before everyone decides to go home."
With Perry on one side and Salvatore on the other, and Paul following behind, they entered the sanctuary.
Reverend Mitchell, a handsome man with faded blue eyes, a slight paunch, and curly blond hair carefully combed into place, was standing at altar, as were Hamilton Burger, Arthur Tragg and Della's aunt, Mae Kirby. They all turned as Perry and Della entered. Burger and Tragg stared open-mouthed at the sight of Salvatore Pinelli walking alongside them.
When they reached the group, Della made the introductions to the reverend and her aunt. Mae, always gracious in any circumstance (unless her niece was threatened), extended both hands to Salvatore in greeting. Tragg arched his eyebrows. Having known her for several years, he had never witnessed Mae Kirby blush at anyone other than Perry Mason.
Reverend Mitchell's attention was focused less on the Italian and more one the infant. He smiled at the sleeping baby. "Mrs. Mason—Della, your daughter seems like a perfect little angel. Most babies are usually crying or worse."
Perry puffed out his chest, the proud dad. "Of course, she is."
Della gave a small cough to hide her laugh. "So shall we proceed?"
The reverend's smile widened. "By all means." He led them to the first pew, waited for them to slide into place, and then said quietly, "Since you have already told me you want to name all four men as godfather, and your aunt as godmother, I am going to do a slight variation to the usual service. First, the two of you—and Katherine, of course—will come forward and stand in front of the altar. I will read some scripture, then address the gathered friends and family here. That's when they will first hear Katherine's Christian name."
Perry exchanged glances with Della, who was listening attentively. She was glowing, as only a new mother could, with pride and love and peace and joy. He didn't know how he looked, but he was confident it wasn't stern or forbidding. He was in much too good a mood.
"Perry," Reverend Mitchell said, effectively ending his private moment as he placed a hand on his shoulder, "as Katherine's father, it will be you saying your vows first. All you have to do is answer in the affirmative to everything I ask."
"I can handle that," he grinned. "Affirmative means 'yes,' right?"
Della elbowed him. "Be serious, Darling. You'll never forgive yourself if you blow this."
"So, we're all clear?" the reverend asked, looking first at Perry, then Della. "Any questions?"
Della shook her head, but Perry asked, "And when are the godparents called up?"
"Just before the baptism."
A few minutes later the muted strains of Ode to Joy were faintly heard throughout the sanctuary. Reverend Mitchell took his position and addressed the assembly. As he had mentioned to Perry and Della, he read several passages of Scripture. When he finished he looked to Perry and Della.
"Ladies and gentlemen, at this time I am going to ask for Mr. and Mrs. Mason to come forward with their daughter."
Perry rose, helped Della to her feet, and took his daughter from her arms. Together they walked as a family to the place Reverend Mitchell had indicated. For some unaccountable reason, the head of the Mason household had tears blurring his vision. He couldn't wipe them away, not with his hands full with the most wonderful cargo he had ever carried. Beside him Della seemed to be suffering from the same malady, but she had a handkerchief at the ready for her eyes.
The reverend led the assembly in a prayer, then invited the godparents to join the Masons.
Hamilton jumped up first, followed by Paul and Tragg. Salvatore rose with great dignity, offering his arm to Mae, and followed the others. Together they formed a semi-circle around Katherine and her parents.
The godparents-in-waiting watched the little family as the reverend concluded the invitation. Paul was grinning like a gorilla, too eager and proud to rein in his emotions. Tragg was calm and placid on the outside, as though he had done this a thousand times over his lifetime. Hamilton Burger was nervous. And Salvatore Pinelli, looking like a member of the family, was practically vibrating with joy and pride. For her part, Mae Kirby studied the men gathered around. Four men, all invested in the little family, all ready to lay down their lives for the infant in Perry Mason's arms.
"I invite Katherine's parents, Perry and Della, and her godparents, Hamilton, Paul, Mae, Salvatore, and Arthur, to make the following affirmations. Are you yourself following Christ, trusting in God's gracious promises?"
Don't blow this, don't blow this, don't blow this! Perry's mind repeated like a mantra. Just say yes, just say yes, just say yes! In his arms Katherine cooed, but did not open her eyes. He looked down at her. I promise you that, like your mother, I will do everything in my power to love, protect and support you. All I have in this world is yours.
He lifted his head and followed through with the correct response. Della glanced up at him, her love and trust in him absolute. He was tall, handsome and strong, and she adored the way he looked with their daughter in his arms. She heard her own voice, rich with emotion, say "I am."
The godparents around them also affirmed.
The next series of questions, dealing with the sponsoring or rearing of little Katherine, were also affirmed. Then the reverend led the small group through a recitation of the Apostles' Creed. Paul stumbled over the unfamiliar words, but Salvatore spoke them with confidence. Burger glanced at him, frowned slightly, then remembered where he was and cleared his face of all emotion. Tragg was simply beaming at the cherub resting in her father's arms.
The minister moved the group to the baptismal font, said another prayer, then took a small, silver chalice, dipped it in the waters, and brought it up to Katherine's forehead. At the unexpected chill, she squalled, writhing a little in her disquiet. Perry rubbed her back soothingly, as Della laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Katherine Mae Mason, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. I sign you with the sign of the cross, to show that it is to the crucified Christ that you are to be faithful until your life's end."
Everyone said, "Amen."
Reverend Mitchell bowed his head for another prayer, concluding with a petition for the parents and godparents to have wisdom and love and joy, then closed with another amen.
Perry dabbed at the water which had run down his daughter's face with his pocket handkerchief. She was fussing now, undone by the cold, rude awakening of the baptismal water. Della sighed in blissful contentment as they retook their seats.
"That went better than expected," she murmured in a whisper as she scooted close to her husband.
"Umm," he agreed, his eyes bright and shining, the color of a cloudless sky in Carmel.
After the reverend closed the service, they were surrounded by their friends and family. Mae Kirby beat the men to the honor of scooping Katherine into her arms. The unabashed delight on her face as the baby lifted a hand to her nose was undeniable.
As they exited the church, Salvatore turned to the group, but addressed Della. "I have arranged for a small reception at my home here. I am hoping you will give me the great pleasure of attending. A goddaughter is only baptized once!"
Della responded immediately to forestall any arguments the others might have. "Of course, Salvatore! I know all of us, including her other godfathers," a pointed look at them cemented her meaning, "would be very pleased to attend."
Burger, Tragg and Paul nodded their heads, knowing it was better than facing an angry Della. Perry coughed a little to disguise his laugh.
"Della, bella, may I offer you, Perry, and of course mia Katherina a ride with me?"
"That would be delightful, Salvatore. I would love my aunt to come with us as well."
Salvatore smiled. "But of course." Looking over to where Mae was still holding Katherine, making small kissing noises at her, he whispered to Della, "It looks as though it may be the only way we will have sweet Katherine with us, no?"
"I do believe you're right. I should tell her."
Salvatore placed a hand on her arm. "Allow me."
Perry grinned as he and Della exchanged glances. They watched as Salvatore walked to where Mae stood, now surrounded by the other three men. Bowing to her, he lightly touched her arm.
"Senora Kirby, your niece and her husband are accompanying me to my home. Would you do me the great honor of joining us?"
Mae, blushing at the smooth, gallant speech, smiled up at the handsome man. "Well, I don't know—a strange man's home . . ."
His eyes swept her in an appreciative wave. "Am I so strange? Are we not united by a vow before God? Brought together by love and devotion for these two young ladies? Surely that makes me less of a stranger."
She blushed furiously. Della, still watching from a distance, remarked to Perry, "If this keeps up, she'll be in love with him before we reach his estate!"
Perry, equally amused and wary, commented, "And now I know where all your lovely blushes come from."
"Should we say something?"
"Like what? Mae knows the particulars. You told all before we had the ceremony at his Sacramento home. Besides, it's good for her to be tossed in love every once in a while."
They fell silent as they heard her say, "Why of course, Mr. Pinelli."
Putting his arm around her shoulders to guide her to the limo, he smiled at her. "Please, you must call me Salvatore."
Della and Perry just shook their heads.
"I not only have lost my daughter, but I think I may have just lost my aunt as well," Della said as Perry took her elbow in the familiar grip, his thumb rubbing small circles at the bend.
Holding her back only the span of a few seconds, Perry placed a gentle kiss on top her head. "You'll always have me, old mum!" That produced the desired chuckle. "Darling, you will never lose your daughter, either. Mae, on the other hand . . . well, that may be another story."
Della's sweet smile was in place and her hazel eyes were magnificent as they glistened with those unshed tears. "C'mon, dad, before they leave without us."
Both were laughing as they climbed into the limo.
