Lethal Lullaby

Lullaby in Blue (Coda)

Epilogue - 10 years later

Della pulled the brush through Katnip's long dark curls. Looking over her head at the image in the dresser mirror, she couldn't help but see the blue eyes and dimples so like her father's. But the nose and lips were all her mother. Just now, the expression her daughter wore was mixture of pain and confusion.

As Della tied her hair back with a ribbon, the little girl frowned. "Momma, why do we have to wear black to Nanno's?"

Della laid the brush down on the dresser, enfolding the girl in her arms. "Because we are very sad today and wearing black shows our love and respect for him."

Two fat tears rolled down Katnip's cheeks. Della took a tissue and wiped them away. "It's alright, darling. We will all cry before this day is over." She placed a sweet kiss on top of her head. "Okay, Beautiful! Time to collect your brother. Daddy's waiting on us."

Perry, along with his son, was waiting at the foot of the stairs for the women in his life. As he watched them descend, with Della trailing one hand along the banister and using the other to shepherd Katnip, his heart constricted at how lovely, and how alike they were.

He looked down at his son and smiled. "Okay, Benbo, I'll take the tall one. You escort Katnip."

"Do I have'ta?" his son asked, scratching at his dark auburn curls. He looked at his sister, noted the very pretty dress, and wrinkled his nose.

"Oh, you have'ta," Perry assured, then stepped forward to take Della's hand in his. He nodded approvingly at their son as he awkwardly offered his sister an arm. "Are we ready to go, ladies?"

"Yes, Daddy," Katnip affirmed, then looked back at her mother. Della only nodded, her eyes already shimmering with tears. She turned to look back to her father. "Daddy, are you going to cry today, too?"

Perry knelt down in front of his daughter. "Yes, Katnip. I'm going to cry today, too. But it's okay. Tears are more than an emotional release. Tears are prayers we can't say aloud. We're all sad that Nanno has gone from us. But, if things get overwhelming for you—" he paused, met Bennett's eyes, and added, "either of you—just hold on to Momma or me and everything will be alright."

"I won't cry," her brother informed her seriously. "And I'll take good care of you, Katnip. Don't you worry." Then, to his own profound surprise, he kissed his older sister's cheek. "You may have loved Nanno longer, but I loved him more."

She smiled. "It isn't a contest, Bennett." She slipped her hand into his crooked arm. "But if I get 'motional, I'll squeeze your hand." She looked up into Perry's blue eyes again. "I'll hold on tight, Daddy. I promise."

Perry straightened, then took Della's elbow. Before he could even ask if she needed his handkerchief, a horn sounded outside.

Della cleared her throat. "The limo is here. We'd better go."

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

The church was full to almost-overflowing. Several important dignitaries were already seated when Perry, Della, Katnip and Bennett were escorted to the front pew. They solemnly greeted Vincent and his wife and children, then Suzanne, the blonde goddaughter they had come to know, and finally, Marco, who was handling the arrangements and service. Della stood when Tony approached and gathered him into a tight hug. Once they were seated, the minister took his place and began the funeral service.

Looking around unobtrusively, Perry spotted Arthur and Millie Tragg seated next to Hamilton and his new, very young wife. Nearby sat the governor, two aides and two senators. There were other politicians, other people, who had been helped by Salvatore. And, in a sign of great respect, there were representatives from some of the other familias.

Vincent gave a short speech about his father, extolling his worth as a man and father. Suzanne sang a moving rendition of Salvatore's favorite hymn. Then the governor took his turn, praising the wonderful civic and anonymous contributions made by the generous man and his late wife. The two senators followed.

And then it was Family Mason's turn. Together Perry and Della had decided only one of them needed to speak. As Della didn't trust her emotions to get her through it, Perry did the honors. Giving a kiss to both Della and Katnip and a hair rumple to his son, Perry walked slowly to the pulpit.

He scanned the chapel, gathering his emotions and tucking them away until it was all said and done. Years before the bar had equipped him for a moment like this, but never before had he ever had to give such an important closing argument. He met the eyes of many people he had met over the course of his eleven-year relationship with Salvatore Pinelli, and forced a sad, wan smile. Then his deep dark blue eyes rested on his wife's lovely face, and he drew in a breath and began.

"Today you've heard Salvatore's oldest son tell you about the man and father he was. And you've heard others talk of his generosity. I'm not sure what I can add, except to say that Salvatore Pinelli was the father my wife and I loved dearly, and the Nanno—grandfather—that my daughter adored, that my son emulated. Even though we were not related by blood, Salvatore took us into his family. At the time, I was skeptical that a man of his reputation could be so willing to blindly trust me and could so graciously love my wife and me so freely.

"When you consider that he lost his youngest son so soon after meeting me, it is amazing I was so warmly welcomed. But Salvatore's legacy goes beyond himself. His two oldest children accepted my family just as openly and immediately. I am proud to claim Vincent and his family as mine, as well as Marco. And, of course, when Salvatore remarried, we well and truly became family in every sense of the word.

"We will truly miss this great and gentle man. I will miss him. But his memory will stay with us always."

As he left the pulpit, Perry touched his fingers to his lips, then placing them on the casket. "Riposa in pace, padre mio."

Returning to his seat, he felt Katnip's small hand slip into his. Looking down into her blue eyes, so like his own, he felt the lump in his throat.

"It's okay to cry, Daddy. I'm holding on tight."

Perry gathered her to him, settling her on his lap, and, not caring a hoot what anyone saw or thought, buried his face in her dark curls, let the tears flow. Della, feeling Bennett trembling with the effort of keeping a straight face, drew him to her side and leaned her cheek against his dark auburn curls.

"Momma," he whispered, "I've never seen him cry."

"Benbo, your Daddy is the strongest man I have ever known. If he can cry, so can you."

And with that permission and reassurance given, the youngest Mason gave in, too.

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

After the funeral and graveside service where Salvatore was laid to rest next to Mae Kirby Pinelli, the family returned to the mansion. A buffet had been set up, with tables arranged around the room. On the wall behind the buffet table, the large painting of Salvatore and Mae on their wedding day looked down on the gathering. Della stood looking up at it, when Perry came up and slipped his arms around her, bringing her back against his broad chest.

"Are you okay, Sweetheart?" he murmured into her ear.

Della leaned her head back, sighing deeply. "They were so happy together. Mae had been unhappy in her first marriage, and then lonely for so long. I wish it had been longer than nine years before Mae's heart gave out."

Perry nuzzled his wife's ear. "But think of how great those nine years were, for both of them."

Turning in his arms, she tilted her chin up and found his lips. "Yes they were. Perry, I want you to know I've never loved you more than I do right now. And I've never been prouder of you."

He smiled into a second kiss. "Because of the eulogy?"

She shook her head. "Not just that. It's—well, it's everything. You never shut me out of your thoughts and feelings, and you always make sure we as a family are good. But today you let hundreds of people see you vulnerable, and you were never more sexy."

He arched an eyebrow. "Sexy? At a funeral?"

She bit her lower lip, then nodded at him. "But I managed to control myself." She tucked her head under his chin and sighed. Then, as though just realizing they were enjoying a quiet moment alone, she asked, "Where are Katnip and the Rapscallion?"

Perry chuckled. "With their Uncle Tony, checking out the hidden passages."

Della just shook her head. "This is your influence, you know. Katnip gets more like you every day, and where she goes, her brother is sure to follow! Between you, Paul and the rest of the 'uncles,' Katnip will grow up to be either a lawyer or a cat burglar."

Perry grinned at her. "Nope. Katnip will take over the office, and the Rapscallion will handle Paul's dirty work. All in the family."

"It might be the other way around," his wife informed him. "Katnip is leaning more toward the adventurous side of things."

Hamilton's voice sounded beside them. "I see her as a cat burglar, for sure. And Bennett can definitely take over for Lieutenant Anderson. He could use the help. If he brings me one more innocent defendant . . . And besides, one Mason lawyer is enough for me."

Della left Perry's arms to give Hamilton a kiss on his cheek. "But Hamilton, you might stand a chance at besting Katnip."

Perry frowned at the kiss. "Never happen."

Della laughed, grabbing each man by an arm. "Let's go eat, shall we? We can discuss cases later."

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

A week later everyone was gathered in Salvatore's office. Because Perry was considered family, he could not act as Salvatore's lawyer for the will. Instead, Dominic Caruso, the family lawyer, now sat at Salvatore's desk. Crowded into the formal space were amongst others, Vincent, Marco, Suzanne, Tony, and the Masons.

Dom Caruso offered his personal condolences, then said, "I see that all concerned are here, so we'll begin. I'm going to skip over all the preliminaries as each of you will receive a copy. So. To Lincoln Paterno and the rest of my staff, I leave ten thousand dollars each."

The lawyer paused, looking at these individuals. "There is more to the bequest concerning you, but I need to finish first."

Linc nodded. He had been expecting the addendum.

Dom continued, "To my most loyal friend, Anthony Anzellmo, I leave five million dollars, after estate taxes. Again, there is more."

Tony appeared on the verge of tears, but he nodded. His eyes flickered over to Della for a long moment, then back to the lawyer.

"To my son, Vincent, and his family, I leave my house in San Francisco and all my holdings within that city to do with as he pleases. In addition, to my grandson Michael, I leave all of my sheet music, and both grand pianos."

Vincent lifted his eyes toward the ceiling. "Grazie, Padre."

"To my son, Marco, I leave my Italian villa and the yacht, to do with as he wishes, on the proviso that for two weeks each year, Perry Mason is allowed to sail."

Marco looked like he was going to faint. Perry's eyes widened in surprise. "Where does he think I'm going to go?"

"Fishing?" Vincent asked, his eyes sparkling.

Perry grinned down at Della. "But I've already caught the only fish in the sea for me."

Everyone groaned and Della rolled her eyes.

"To Hamilton Burger, my esteemed enemy and friend, I leave my collection of aged scotch, knowing how much he will appreciate and enjoy."

Hamilton let out a huge laugh. "That crafty old son-of-a-…gun."

Della patted his arm. "He certainly knew you well." Perry snickered and she punched him. "And you, hush."

Dom cleared his throat. "If I may continue? To Arthur Tragg, a truly worthy adversary, I leave Five thousand dollars a year to the Policemen's Retirement Fund in his name. Hopefully he'll be able to make use of it someday."

Tragg frowned and started to respond when he saw Della trying to hide her laugh. He growled but then smiled, knowing Salvatore's gift would do a lot of good.

"To Paul Drake, a dedicated investigator, fine gentleman and good friend, I leave my collection of first edition Sherlock Holmes novels, knowing how much you will love them."

"And finally, to Katherine and Bennett Mason, I leave the remainder of my fortune, with Perry and Della Mason acting as guardians until their twenty-first birthdays, respectively."

Della gasped. "Oh no. Surely Vincent, you should…"

Vincent smiled, taking her hand. "Perry, Della do not worry. Father and I discussed this many years ago. He knew that I was content in my business. Now with three restaurants here and the properties in San Francisco, my family and I will be safe for life. I knew what was in the will and I concurred."

Caruso once again cleared his throat. "There is a provision. Perry, you must insure any or all staff who wish to remain, are allowed to do so. They are free to leave with their endowment if they choose. Also, you do not have to live at this address, but the property cannot be sold until Katherine and Bennett come into their inheritance."

Perry was about to respond when Katnip spoke up. "Daddy? Daddy, does this mean we can live in Nanno's house with Uncle Tony and Uncle Linc, and Benbo and I can play in the tunnels and run on the grounds, and . . ."

Perry tilted her face up to look at him. "Whoa there, little one. There's a lot to discuss. And Momma needs to agree, and then there's your brother, so let's—"

Katnip dashed out of his reach and stood in front of her mother. "Oh Momma! What do you say? Please, please, please, may we live here? I'm ten, so time is fleeting! In only eleven years, I might have to let Benjy have the house!"

"My name," her brother protested, "is Bennett, rapscallion, or Benbo. Not Benjy! And Momma, I want to move here, too."

Della shook her head. "I don't—"

Katnip smiled, flashing her own signature dimples. "I'll be a good girl, eat all my vegetables and say my prayers and—and just be so good."

"Me, too!" her brother chirped, his wide, earnest hazel green eyes hitting Della right in the heart.

Della, looking over at her husband, stared deeply into his blue eyes and deep dimples knew it was a lost cause to refuse. Perry nodded in agreement.

"I'll be very, very good too."

Tragg choked on a laugh, while Hamilton opened and then, seeing Della's glare, closed his mouth.

"Well, I guess we'll have to put the Sherman Oaks house up for sale."

Tony came forward. "Perry, Della. I'd like to stay on as household manager, if I may."

Before either of them could respond, Linc stepped forward. "And I'd like to stay on as head of security."

Della smiled at both men. "We would be very pleased with those arrangements. Thank you."

Bennett began jumping up and down. "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! And can Uncle Paul and Uncle Hamilton and Uncle Arthur all come and stay with us? I can show them how to play hide and seek and . . ."

Perry laughed. "Steady, son! Mr. Caruso hasn't even finished reading the will! You need to slow down. All of this is going to take time. But yes, we can have guests over. Now, why don't you and Katnip go outside and play and let the grownups finish?"

After bestowing his mother with a kiss and his dad with a hug, Bennett bolted from the office. Katnip, reversing his actions, smiled sweetly at everyone in the room. Then she ran full tilt after the rapscallion. Linc nodded to Perry. "I'll look after her."

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

Six months later, everyone was gathered on the large backyard patio for Katnip's eleventh birthday party. All of her uncles and their wives sat watching the girl play Red Rover with her brother and their school friends.

The table that had been set up with cake, ice cream and assorted other goodies was also piled high with gifts. Della had shaken her head at how spoiled her child was, but also grateful for all of the love their friends gave.

As the children finished their game, Katnip came running up to her mother. "Momma, is it present time yet?"

Della smiled, tucking a stray curl behind the girl's ear. "I suppose so, darling."

Perry stood, motioning to Tony and Linc. The three of them disappeared around the side of the house. Della looked at Hamilton and Tragg, but both men shook their heads.

"I swear, if he got her a pony, I'll kill him," Della muttered under her breath. Tragg hooted, then schooled his features into a straight face.

She sat Katnip in a chair and set the first of her presents in her lap. Her friends sat on blankets in the grass, eagerly watching to see what the package held.

Katnip had just finished unwrapping a beautiful ballerina doll when Perry, Tony and Linc appeared, a large, brightly wrapped box between them. Setting it on the ground in front of the girl, they all three chimed in unison, "Happy Birthday, Katnip!"

The box appeared to be moving. The girl excitedly tore at the paper, revealing a furry head and pert ears. "Oh, Daddy!"

Tragg coughed. "Definitely not a pony. Yet."

Katnip lifted the German shepherd puppy from the box, snuggling her face into the soft fur. "He's perfect!"

Perry knelt beside his daughter. "Close, but no cigar. This is a girl puppy, and you need to give her a name."

Katnip continued to stroke the soft fur. Bennett came up and allowed the puppy to sniff his hand, just as his dad had taught him the day before. Keeping the secret had been one of the hardest things in his life. He looked over at his sister and grinned expectantly. The other children all seemed to lean forward, anxious to hear her decision. Then putting her finger to her cheek in a perfect imitation of her mother, Katnip looked at her father. "I think I will call her Salamae."

Perry looked from his daughter to Della. "Why that name?"

She looked at her father and in a serious tone said, "because like Nanno Salvatore and grandma Mae, she will look after me and protect me."

Perry hugged his child, watching as Della swiped at the tears that were falling.

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

Everyone had left, and the presents were put away. Katnip was in bed, Salamae at her feet, already aware of her duty as guardian.

Perry and Della stood looking out over the lights of the city, wrapped in each other's arms. Della put her head on Perry's shoulder.

"Cold, darling?" he asked tenderly, rubbing her arms.

She shook her head. "No. You know, they really are up there watching over us. After everything we went through over the years, I believe we are finally where we are meant to be."

Perry pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Yes, we are."

Turning in his arms, Della kissed him, stroking a hand down his firm jaw. "What would you say to scaling back on our cases? That two-week cruise a year sounded heavenly. Just the two of us, or the four of us. Just learning how to relax and enjoy our lives and our children?"

Perry smiled down at her. "Yes, Mrs. Mason, I like that idea very much. I wish I knew how you always manage to read my mind."

Della chuckled. "It's one secret I'll never reveal, Mr. Street. But right now, I'm interested in getting to that relaxing part."

He gave her a cocky grin full of dimples and adoration. "Any particular reason?"

She wrinkled her nose at him. "Mothers have to keep their strength up. Fathers, too."

Laughing, Perry swung her up into his arms, carrying her into the house.

Neither noticed the lone figure, sitting on the darkened patio. Tony leaned his head back in the chair, staring at the stars. "Riposa bene amici miei. Salvatore e io veglieremo su di te."

He smiled as he saw one of the stars wink back at him.