A friend of Perry's, Frank Halloren, asked Perry to represent a mobster who was being charged with murder. Frank was the man's corporate attorney and had no experience in criminal defense. Perry rejected the idea. "Look, I have a wife and daughter to consider. I can't put them in harm's way."
"He won't do anything to them."
"What if things don't go his way? What if he's found guilty? I can't take that chance."
"Will you at least consider meeting him?"
"Alright, I'll consider it."
The man left, and Della told Perry he should take the case while Ken said he shouldn't. Perry went to his daughter to break the tie. Joy told him to go for it.
Perry did decide to represent the man, but Ken wasn't crazy about it. One night, Perry and Ken were leaving his clients home when shots were fired. Perry had been hit and was taken to the hospital. Ken had to make the call to Della. "Hello?" Della answered the phone.
"Della, it's Ken."
"Everything alright?"
"Perry and I were leaving Sorrento's when a car drove by, shooting."
"What? Wait, why are you calling me? What happened to Perry?"
"He's going to be fine, but he was hit."
"Oh my God."
"Della, are you okay to drive here, or should I come to get you?"
"I can drive."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," the woman said before hanging up.
"Mom," Della turned and saw her seventeen-year-old daughter, "what's wrong?"
"That was Ken. He and your father were leaving Mr. Sorrento's when someone started shooting. Your father's going to be alright, but he was hit. I'm heading to the hospital if you want to come."
"He's going to be okay?" Joy asked, worried.
"That's what Ken said."
"Let me get my shoes and we'll go."
Della and Joy rushed to the waiting room and up to Ken. The young man held Della tightly knowing that she was trying to hold it together for her daughter's sake. "He's awake," Ken said. "Want me to take you both back there?"
Della pulled away and nodded. Ken led the ladies to Perry's room and chose to return to the waiting room. Della walked up to her husband. "Go ahead," Perry said, "lecture me." Della leaned down and kissed her husband, "aren't I in trouble?"
"I'm just thankful that you're alright. I know that I was one of the ones who talked you into taking this case, but next time, don't."
"Yes, dear," Perry said.
"I'll call in the morning and ask for a postponement."
"There's no need for that."
"Perry, you were shot. I think the judge will be very understanding."
"Oh, I have no doubt, but I can appear in court. I'm perfectly fine."
Joy could tell that Perry was stressing her mother out. "Why don't we plan for court tomorrow and if anything changes, then we can contact the judge?"
"Fine," Della said. The two stayed for a few more minutes before heading home.
It was Frank. He had killed Sorrento's wife. He had tried to kill Perry. That fact devastated the defense lawyer and angered his daughter. Joy watched as Della comforted Perry. The teen had decided that her father had suffered enough and wasn't going to unleash her anger. "Joy," Della called her daughter, "we're going to head to dinner."
"Oh, okay," the teen said.
The three headed for dinner. At the restaurant, Joy was quieter than usual. "You can say it," Perry said.
"Say what?" Joy asked.
"I know that you're angry with Frank."
"He tried to kill you," Joy said gently, "of course I'm angry with him."
"Well, you can talk about it if you want."
"What's to talk about? What's done is done."
"You were awfully quiet with this case. Usually, you're begging to help."
Joy shrugged, "I just didn't feel like it this time."
Della looked at her daughter, "Joy, is something going on?"
"No," the girl answered.
"I feel like you've been hiding from us."
"I was just staying out of the way."
"Okay," Della said, "like your father said, you can talk to us if you want or need to."
Joy didn't talk to either of her parents about what had been bothering her. She just didn't feel that it was the right time. She also didn't know how to tell them. This was going to take time.