Okay, back to the suspense and mystery. Hope this keeps y'all interested.
A Blast From the Past
Chapter 4
Perry dropped the phone receiver back on the cradle. He just stood silently until he felt Della's hand on his arm.
"Perry, what's wrong?"
He gave her one of his biggest smiles, showing the deep dimples. "Nothing's wrong. Paul just wants to run a few things by me."
She put her hands on her hips. "Don't give me that Perry Mason. I know you better and every time you give me the dimples, it means something is up that you're trying to keep me out of for my own good. So what is it?"
Perry just looked into her eyes, now so fierce, and realized it would be no use to lie. She had always had the ability to see right through him. Considering her stubbornness and determination, he also knew there was no way she was going to stay behind. And after what had happened between them this morning, he wasn't going to leave her here unprotected. Giving a resigned sigh, he pushed his hand through his hair.
"Paul just said I need to get to the office. He'll be here in a few minutes." Again giving her a smile, he asked half-heartedly, "I don't suppose there's any way...?"
"I'll stay here?" She finished his sentence. "Not a chance Chief. And if Paul is on his way I get the bathroom first." With that, she disappeared down the hallway and Perry heard the bathroom door shut.
Well, Perry thought, at least that solves one problem. Whatever is going on at the office, we don't have to discuss what happened this morning. But they would have to...
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He opened the door to a very worried looking Paul Drake.
"C'mon pal let's..." Seeing Perry's face, Paul let out a laugh. "She's coming with us, right?"
"Yes." He walked to the kitchen, taking two coffee cups from the cabinet, and poured one for each of them. "Why don't you sit and fill me in while we wait for her."
Paul took the offered cup. "Couldn't we just sneak out quickly and quietly?"
Perry looked at him with a smile. "If you really want to deal with a furious Della, be my guest. I value my skin a little more."
Paul sat in the chair, sipping the coffee. "I guess you're right. So how is she this morning?" Perry choked on his swallow of coffee. "Perry?"
"Sorry, just swallowed wrong. She's okay."
Paul looked at his best friend and immediately knew something was up. But he wisely didn't press the issue.
Perry took another sip of coffee. "So what's all the hurry to get to the office?"
"Tragg called me just a few minutes before I talked to you. They were checking the office again and it seems there was some vandalism."
Perry turned at a startled gasp from Della. "What!"
Both men got to their feet as she walked toward them. "Morning, Beautiful. How's the head?"
"Fine. Now what kind of vandalism? I thought the police were watching the office."
Perry looked to Paul, giving a gentle shake of his head, indicating the detective should keep his mouth shut.
"Hey, Beautiful. I don't know. Why don't we just wait and see."
Della turned to Perry. "Let's get going boss." When he started to say something, Della just glared at him.
"Okay. Let me freshen up just a bit." With another warning look to Paul, he headed down the hallway to the bathroom.
Della turned her gaze to Paul. "Okay Paul, what are you two keeping from me."
"Del..."
"Spill, now!" Her crossed arms and flashing eyes told him he better talk.
He walked to her kitchen to place his cup in the sink. He stood with his back to her, trying to figure out what to say that wouldn't upset Della but wouldn't get him fired by Perry. Thankfully, Perry returned at that moment.
He looked from Paul in the kitchen to Della's stubborn stance. Perry knew they better go before things turned ugly.
"Paul, let's get going shall we." He helped Della into her coat, grabbed his jacket and followed Paul out the door.
Once in the car, the silence was deafening. Perry wondered what on earth had happened in the short time it had taken him to get ready. But the old adage his father taught him, 'discretion is the better part of valor', made much better sense right now. Besides they needed to figure out who was behind this attack.
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When the trio stepped off the elevator on the 9th floor, they were surprised at the number of police outside of Perry's office.
Once they were cleared through and entered to find more police, they were all on edge. Finally getting into Perry's office, they found a forensic team, photographers and Lt. Tragg overseeing everything.
When Tragg saw Perry enter followed by Della and Paul, he hurried over, taking Della's hands in his. "Miss Street, how are you feeling?"
She smiled tenderly at the older man. "I'm fine, Lt. Thank you for asking. But what on earth has happened here?"
Tragg glared at Perry, clearly upset at Della's presence. Still holding her hands, he led her to the couch. "Why don't you have a seat and we'll talk in a minute."
"Okay, but..." It was then she looked to where sheets of plywood covered the balcony doors. "Oh my." Della abruptly sat on the couch, covering her face.
Perry and Paul were still standing in the center of the room, staring at the plywood.
In block letters, obviously done with red paint, the words 'Strike One' were emblazoned across the panels. As if the ominous warning itself wasn't enough, the heavily applied paint had run lines down the board before it had dried, causing the effect of dripping blood.
Perry was the first to speak. "Tragg what the devil is going on? Weren't your men supposed to be here?"
Tragg's head snapped around to glare at Perry. "Mason don't try me right now! The man I had posted is on his way to the hospital with a head injury. If he dies, I'm going to be
considering charges against you for...for...". He shoved his hat back on his head. "I'll think of something."
Perry smiled. "I'm sorry about your man, Tragg. This just has me frustrated. I didn't mean to take it out on you."
Tragg walked to Perry's desk. He picked up an evidence bag, containing a sheet of blue paper. "You need to take a look at this. Maybe you can make sense of it."
Perry took the bag from Tragg and examined the paper. The words were in the same block letters as the warning on the window panels, and were printed in red ink.
Sorry to have missed you last night
But I look forward to our next encounter
I'm sure I won't miss again
BK for MK
Paul had joined him and read the note over his shoulder. Tragg just stared at them. No one said a word. Finally Della rose from the couch and, keeping her eyes averted from the balcony door, walked over to take the note from Perry. After reading it twice, she looked from Perry to Paul to Tragg. She handed the note back to Perry.
"What do we do now?"
As if her question had suddenly broken a silent spell, Perry threw the bag with the note on his desk. "Paul, I want you to take Della back to her apartment. Lt. Could you please have a few of your men stationed around there for protection."
When Della started to protest, Perry took one of her hands in his, looking into her eyes. "Della I need to be here with the police to try and figure this out. I can't do that if I'm distr...if I'm worried about your safety. Please just go with Paul."
"But I can help. And who's going to protect you? That note..."
Tragg stepped over to her and patted her arm reassuringly. "Don't worry Della. I'll make sure he stays out of trouble. Can't afford to lose Burger's favorite nemesis, can we?"
Paul took her arm. "C'mon Beautiful. You can make me some lunch."
Della fought with her raging emotions before Perry finally turned her and gently shoved her towards the door. "Go on Della. I'll call you soon." He motioned for Paul to stop.
"Be there in a minute Beautiful." He watched as she entered the outer office then turned
to Perry.
"She doesn't leave your sight, for any reason." At the tone in his friend's voice, Paul once again wondered if something had changed between Perry and Della. But he decided that now was not the time.
"Of course, Pal. I'll guard our girl with my life. But don't go getting yourself into any trouble until I get back."
Perry clasped his friends shoulder. "Not planning to. Call when you get her settled."
As he watched Paul and Della leave, Perry heard Tragg ordering three of his men to stakeout Della's apartment. He nodded his thanks to the older man.
Tragg picked up the note again, studying it carefully. "Any idea who BK or MK might be?"
Perry lit a cigarette and sat on the edge of his desk, staring at the letters on the plywood panels. "No idea at all." Looking at the cop, Perry frowned. "I don't suppose there's any reason to think you'll find prints on that note?"
Tragg chuckled. "You know the answer to that. I'll let you try to figure out this puzzle. I need to check on my man and get this to forensics for all the good it will do."
As the Lieutenant started to leave, Perry called after him. "Arthur?" Tragg stopped but didn't turn. "If there's anything I can do for your man just..."
"Thank you Perry." With that he left the office, his team following after.
Perry stubbed out his cigarette and rounded the desk, past Della's empty seat, to slump in his own chair. BK and MK. Who from his past, he wondered, could they possibly be?
One thing for sure, he had to find out. And find out soon. Before strike two.
