Maureen continued to help out at Perry's office. Both could see Della's health quickly deteriorating. Three days later, court was back in session. Perry ended up reluctantly allowing Della to go to court with him. Maureen went too because she hadn't seen her father in court. Perry was questioning a witness. When he turned towards the defense table, he noticed something wrong with his wife. He rushed to her side, "Della, what's wrong?"
"Can't breathe," she wheezed.
"Call an ambulance!" Perry yelled. The judge dismissed court until the next day. Burger, Tragg, Paul, the judge, and Maureen stood near the table. Paul put his arm around Maureen. At the hospital, Della was diagnosed with double pneumonia in both lungs. She was going to remain in the hospital until they were positive her breathing had stabilized.
Della spent a month in the hospital. She was sedated for one week and need a little physical and respiratory therapy right before leaving. The kids were all thrilled to have their mother home. Della noticed a change in Maureen. Before, Maureen would tell Della everything just to get a rise out of her. Now, she was more secretive. Della returned to work a week after leaving the hospital, but things would only get worse.
"I'll kill her!" Della said as she stormed into Perry's office.
"I know you're probably not being literal, but I'd watch it if I was you. How many times have I defended someone who said that and then ended up on trial for murder?"
"Your daughter ditched school."
"Why is she my daughter when she's in trouble?" his wife glared at him, "never mind."
"I don't know what to do with her. She's out of control."
Perry stood and walked over to his wife, "first, you need to calm down. You can't get yourself worked up right now. Now, I thought the two of you had been getting along?"
"Well, she's been lying to me. I'll catch her and she continues to lie right to my face."
"Look, I'll have Paul see if he can track her down. Okay?"
"Okay," Della conceded. An hour later, Della looked at her husband. "Have you heard from Paul?"
"No, and I'm starting to worry." Just then, Paul Drake walked in, "Paul, what did you find out."
"I think the two of you better sit down."
"Why?" Della began to panic.
Perry took his wife by the arm and led her to the couch where they both sat. Paul sat facing them. "I've talked to your kids and Maureen's friends. The kids said that she left for school at the same time as always. I guess she usually meets her friends in the same spot before school starts, but she didn't today. They assumed she was sick. They haven't seen or heard from her. I've called Tragg and he's heading to your house."
"We'll meet him there," Perry said. He helped his wife up and held onto her as they walked to the car.
Lieutenant Tragg questioned the other Mason children while Della and Perry sat deep in thought. Once Tragg was finished, he joined the couple. "I've tried to give you both a moment to collect yourselves, but I need to talk to you."
"Go ahead," Perry said.
"Now, these questions are typical questions we ask in these situations. I'm not making any accusations or assumptions."
"Okay," Perry said.
"Has Maureen ever run away?"
"No," Perry answered, "she has snuck out before, but she always came home."
"Della?"
"Yes, that's correct," Della said. Her voice was thick with emotion.
"Did Maureen ever mention a boyfriend?"
"No," Perry answered.
"She hasn't been very open with us lately," Della added.
"Why's that?" Tragg asked.
"She's just being a teenage girl," Della answered.
"Have you all been getting along?"
"No," Della answered, "Maureen and I fight on a regular basis."
"About what?"
"Rules, clothing, typical stuff. We were okay when I got really sick, but things changed after I got better."
"Has she threatened to run away?"
"No," Della answered.
"Have either of you been threatened recently?"
"No," Perry answered as Della shook her head.
An officer walked into the living room, "lieutenant, we found this." He held up a purse and bag.
"That's Maureen's," Della said in a panic.
"Where did you find it?" Tragg asked.
"In a bush, about four blocks that way," he pointed in the direction.
"That's halfway to school," Perry said.
"So we can assume that she was heading to school," Tragg said. "Look, Perry, I can't begin to imagine what you're both going through, but I really need you to stay out of this. If you or anyone else can think of anything that would help, then call me. You can have Drake search, but you and Della need to stay away."
"All I can promise is that we'll do our best," he said.
"That's more than I thought you'd promise. Listen, I'm going to post a couple of cops outside your house. Just to make the kids feel safe. They seem a bit frightened."
"Thank you," Della said.
"I know it'll probably be impossible, but try to get some rest. Especially you, Della. We don't need you ending up in the hospital again."
When Tragg left, Perry sat next to his wife and held her as she sobbed.
