(This one has a little romance and a little angst. I didn't do too much blood but if you're squeamish be warned. And this one deserves more than a little thanks to my friend and beta Karen B, for making more sense of my ramblings.)
Chapter 6
The scene inside Della's apartment was even worse than Perry imagined. Glass and bits of wood covered everything. Furniture lay overturned. But it was the two bodies on the carpet that held Perry frozen in a state of shock.
Paul lay on his back, blood oozing from the glass cuts on his face. His right leg was bent at an unnatural angle. But it was the long shard of splintered wood sticking out of his left shoulder and creating a pool of blood on the floor that caused Perry's breath to catch in his throat.
He turned away from the horrific sight. And then he saw Della. She lay crumpled on her side, one arm and hand outstretched out in Paul's direction. He couldn't tell if she was breathing or not. As he started towards her, he felt Tragg's firm hand on his arm, holding him.
"Damn it Tragg, let me go!" Perry tried to pull out of Tragg's grasp, but the older man only tightened his grip as he widened his stance slightly and dug his heels into the carpet. In a surprising display of strength, the lieutenant was able to keep the much larger attorney from taking another step.
Tragg shook his head. "Let the emergency guys do their job. Please."
Knowing Tragg was right, Perry stopped struggling and stood still as the orderlies rushed in. He watched as they examined Paul and Della. When he heard Della moan, he again took a step forward. "Perry." Tragg's soft but authoritative voice, and the hand that still rested on Perry's arm stopped him again.
The orderly attending to Paul signaled for a gurney. Once it was brought in, Paul was gently lifted and placed on the stretcher. The orderly looked over at Perry and Tragg. "He's got a concussion, cuts and abrasions, a fractured leg. But we need to get him to emergency to see what this piece of wood has done. He's also lost quite a bit of blood. We need to transport him immediately."
Tragg nodded his head and motioned for one of the officers. "Make sure they clear the way and get a police escort."
The officer gave a quick nod and hurried out the door.
As they started to wheel the gurney out, Perry placed a hand on Paul's limp arm. "I'll find them pal, I guarantee it." Then his best friend disappeared down the hallway.
Perry snapped his attention back to Della. She was sitting up and pushing at the orderly. Seeing Perry, she reached out for him. He hurried across the room to kneel beside her, looking questioningly at the orderly. "She's okay. A couple of bumps from the fall and..."
Perry didn't let him finish. He gently scooped Della up in his arms, carrying her into the bedroom, shutting the door with his foot. He sat on the bed, cradling her on his lap. "Are you alright? Where are you hurt? What..."
"Oh, Perry!" Della put her arms around his neck, pulling his head down and kissed him. After a moment of shock, Perry deepened the kiss, never wanting to stop. When they finally broke apart, Della kept her head on his shoulder. Perry nuzzled her hair, his hand stroking her back.
"Della, my Della." He felt her shudder. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"
She looked up into his deep blue eyes. "I am now. Perry...Paul!" At the panic in her voice, he smoothed a finger down her cheek.
"He's on his way to the hospital. He's going to be fine. You know how tough he is. We'll head there in a little while. But I need you to tell me what happened here. Can you do that?"
She lay her head back on his shoulder. "As long as you hold me, yes."
Perry chuckled. "I'm never letting you go now. So..."
Della slowly told him what had happened, only omitting her confession to Paul about their kiss. She had just described the blast when there was a knock on the door.
Della tried to move, but Perry held her firmly in place. "Come in."
Lt. Tragg entered slowly, surprised at what he saw. Ignoring Perry for a minute, he smiled at Della. "How are you Della?"
Della smiled back at him as she scooted from Perry's lap. "I'm fine Lieutenant. I'm very worried about Paul."
Noting that Perry had not moved, and was keeping a protective arm tight around his secretary, Tragg raised an eyebrow. "Yes. I can see you both are."
Perry stood then and took a step toward Tragg. "Yes Lieutenant, we are. Now if there's nothing else, we should be getting to the hospital."
"As a matter of fact, there is something I need to discuss with you, Perry..." He looked pointedly at Della, then back to Perry, signaling with his eyes that they needed to have this talk alone.
Perry took Della in his arms, giving her a gentle kiss. "Why don't I see what the Lieutenant has and you go make sure the medics have cleared you."
Della looked between the two men, then smiled up at him. "Okay. But if it's anything important, you're going to tell me."
Perry laughed at her serious tone. "Of course. Now go on. We'll be waiting for you in the hallway."
With that, he turned and took Tragg's arm, walking him into the living room. "Okay, what's so important?"
Tragg stood scowling at him. "Mason if you hurt her I'll..."
"Take it easy Arthur. I love her." Perry smiled at his own statement. "I love her."
"Well I'll be." Tragg just shook his head. "But I repeat...Don't. Hurt. Her."
Perry nodded. "Understood. Now what have you found out?"
Tragg nodded to where the balcony doors used to be. "The bomb boys say it was a small, timed device, placed against the railing. Luckily, it was hidden behind a heavy planter which actually deflected most of the blast. Drake took quite a hit, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been."
"It was bad enough. I need to get to the hospital soon."
"And…Perry?" Tragg's soft voice sent a shiver of fear through Perry's body. He didn't answer, just stared at the cop.
"They just found another note. It had been shoved under the door. In all the excitement, no one noticed it."
Perry still didn't say anything, but his eyes narrowed and darkened. He held out his hand for the note. Tragg passed him the evidence bag holding the blue sheet of paper with the now-familiar red-inked block letters.
Once again I missed you
Such a shame about your friend
But that happens to those who are closest
Until we finally meet
BK for MK
"Oh no Perry!" Neither man had noticed that Della had joined them quietly from behind, and was looking over Tragg's shoulder at the note.
Perry turned and put his arm around her. "It's okay Della." He turned back to the lieutenant. "Do you suppose you can get us a ride to the hospital?"
"Sure. C'mon. I'll take you myself. You know, I'm worried about Drake, too."
Perry, still keeping his arm tightly around Della, followed Tragg out of the apartment. The words from the note were still turning over in his head. 'Until we finally meet'.
