Paul Drake Jr., walked into his office to find Della organizing things. The two talked about the case for a bit. "So, how's Joy?"
"I wouldn't know," Della said.
"She putting on a brave face?"
"No, she's not with me."
"I don't understand."
"She begged Perry to take her to a hotel. She's upset about all of this and scared out of her mind. I tried to keep things normal and now she hates me."
"I doubt she hates you."
"She didn't even say goodbye when she left."
Paul hugged Della. That's how Perry found them, "everything okay?"
"Just a little support," Paul said.
Della looked at Perry, "give me two hours and you won't recognize this place."
"I don't recognize it now."
After sending Paul out, Perry sat down. "So," Della hesitated, "how's Joy?"
"She's picking up some breakfast. She'll be here in a minute."
"You got her to agree to come with you?"
"It took a little convincing. I had to bribe her."
"With what?"
"A new outfit and breakfast."
Joy walked into the office, "here, daddy," she said as she handed him a bag.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
The girl put her bag on the table and hesitated. She took the other bag and walked over to Della, "here, mommy."
Della took the bag and looked inside. It was what she always got when she took her daughter out for breakfast. Della smiled at her daughter, "thank you, sweetheart."
"I'm sorry about yesterday."
"You're just scared and that's understandable. I'm sorry for trying to act like nothing happened."
"Daddy explained why you did it. That you thought it would be better for me. It's okay," the girl hugged her mom, "I love you, mommy."
"I love you too."
"Can me and daddy come home?"
"Of course, you can."
"Good, cus we already checked out."
Della smiled and then Joy did, "what would you have done if I had said no?"
"Try to bribe you with lunch," Joy answered.
Della looked at Perry with a smile, "does our girl know me or what?"
"Mommy, will you eat with me?"
"Oh, well, I have to..."
"Della, you have time," Perry said, "we all do."
The three sat at the table and started to eat. They let Joy lead the conversation. It was obvious that the young girl was nervous. Perry and Della agreed to let her stay at the office and go to court. That way she could see what was going on and hopefully feel better. She was warned that the prosecutor would not hold back and to not let what she does or says, get to her.
Joy could tell that her mother was hiding her nerves and her fear. No one else really could, but the twelve-year-old knew her mother well enough to know. Towards the end of the preliminary hearing, Perry had Braddock on the stand. "Isn't it true that if Della Mason took over the directorship of the foundation, she'd have discovered your secret? So you had to get her and Gordon out of the way. Isn't it true you killed Lynch with Katherine's revolver, then tried to use her as an alibi for your whereabouts that day? Isn't it true that murder was going to be the solution to all of your problems? That you'd have the money, the girl, and no one would ever know? Isn't it true, Mr. Braddock? Isn't it all true?"
Braddock sat silently for a moment, "yes," he said quietly.
Shock and relief washed over the courtroom. Braddock was arrested and the charges against Della were dropped. Paul offered to take the three Masons out to lunch. He and Joy went to get the car while Perry and Della talked. "I'm sorry," Perry said.
"For what? You just basically saved my life."
"I never should have left you in the first place."
"Perry, the deal was that you would marry me so I could adopt. You never wanted that life."
"That's not true. Not a day went by that I didn't regret leaving. I've always wanted to be with you. I just figured if you had wanted to be with me, you would have said something."
"You mean to tell me, this entire time, we could have been living happily together as husband and wife?"
Perry looked at her and smiled, "I guess so."
"Well, better late than never, I suppose."
Perry and Della left the courthouse. He helped Della into Paul's jeep and then climbed in. Joy sat in the back with her mother. "Oh, by the way," Perry said to Paul, "nice work."
"You too," Paul said before everyone started laughing.
The four had a great time at lunch. Paul took them back to the courthouse to get Perry's car. Perry drove his little family home. They all sighed with relief when they walked inside. Everyone went to change into more comfortable clothing. Perry and Della were on the couch when Joy walked down. She went up to her mother, sat right next to her, and nestled herself into the woman's side. Perry smiled when he saw the look of happiness on Della's face.