(This Chapter has lots of suspense, a tiny bit of romance and a definite cliffhanger. Oh and another clue. Many, many thanks to my collaborator Karen B. for her contributions to my story and helping it make sense.)

Chapter 8

Paul was transported from LA County General Hospital to the suite at the Biltmore Hotel after midnight to keep the number of observers at a minimum. Perry and Tragg agreed that the pared-down night staff at the hospital and empty city streets reduced the chances of someone catching wind of the move. Paul was smuggled in through a service entrance and then through a series of Prohibition era secret passages, one of which opened directly into the Presidential Suite. The concierge, well-compensated for his discretion, arranged for a hospital bed to be delivered and set up in the dining room, since all the bedrooms were upstairs.

Unfortunately, the redhead from General was unavailable for a round-the-clock private assignment. But to keep his friend happy, Perry had found an equally buxom blonde who had just passed her RN exams, to look after Paul. Once Paul had been settled in and introduced to Nurse Andrea, Perry and Della each retired upstairs to their separate bedrooms. The arrangement was at Della's insistence, until they had a chance to explore their feelings more.

Perry's opinion that sharing a bedroom would give them that chance was met with crossed arms and an icy glare. She did agree that a goodnight kiss would be welcome. A kiss that sent Perry straight to the shower for a dousing with some extremely cold water. Both the shivers and the lingering memory of Della's lips on his made for a very restless night.

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Perry slowly walked downstairs and into the kitchen the next morning, where Della met him with a steaming cup of coffee.

"Oh my, Chief. You look terrible. Rough night?"

Perry set the cup on the counter and pulled her into his arms. "Yes Miss Street. I had a very rough night. But I'm sure I'll get over it. Now how about a good morning kiss?"

Della put her hands on his chest, looking up into his eyes. "Is this something new that has been added to my other duties as your confidential secretary, Mr. Mason?"

Perry bent to kiss her neck. "I think that is an excellent idea."

Despite her moan of pleasure, Della pushed away from him. "Perry, please."

"What's wrong Sweetheart?" Perry was concerned that he had hurt or upset her.

"Nothing's wrong. But we need to get to work. We still haven't found anything that even remotely links to those initials. It doesn't seem Lt. Tragg is faring any better." She hesitated, looking down at the tile floor. "And even the most beautiful prison is still a prison."

Perry once again put his arms around her. "So you're saying you feel like you're in prison?"

She just nodded her head. "Oh Perry." Then the tears started. All Perry could do was hold her and let her cry.

When at last her sobs subsided, he grabbed the only thing handy, a dish cloth Della looked at the kitchen towel skeptically, but dabbed her cheeks with it anyway. "I'm sorry Perry. I guess things just finally caught up to me."

He grasped her chin, smiling down at her. "How about if you go check on our favorite detective and I'll make you a gourmet breakfast."

She stood on tiptoes and kissed him. "I love you Mr. Mason." Then she hurried from the kitchen, leaving Perry staring after her.

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After verifying that Andrea was indeed taking very good care of the patient, then devouring Perry's delicious quiche (which Paul pronounced 100% better than the hospitals fare), Perry and Della got down to business sorting through files looking for any connection to the initials signed on the ominous notes.

After four hours in the office, they were still no closer to a solution. Perry could tell that Della was close to breaking. And knowing how strong a woman she really was, Perry knew he had to do something before that happened.

Reaching out and taking both her hands in his, he pulled her into his lap. "I have an excellent idea Miss Street."

Della rested her head on his shoulder. "Oh, and what would that be Mr. Mason?"

Perry loved the feeling of holding this exquisite woman in his arms. He wanted to do something special for her. "Why don't you take the passageway down to the Gold Room. Then do a little shopping. Maybe buy a new dress, something for an extravagant evening out. And anything else that you might see. Have them put everything on the room bill."

"No, Perry..." She sat up, intending to move, but he only tightened his hold.

"Yes. Please do this for me." At the look in his eyes, she nodded and then pulled his head down to kiss him.

"And just what will you be doing while I'm gone?"

He smiled and kissed her nose. "I'm going to be picking Paul's memory. Maybe he can think of something that we haven't." He helped her stand up and gave her a gentle pat on the butt. "Now please go. And take your time and try to relax."

Della placed her hand on his cheek. "Thank you." As she headed for the secret panel behind the spiral staircase, he called to her. She looked back over her shoulder to see his eyes sparkling.

"I love you Della." She nodded, opened the panel and stepped through the opening, letting it close behind her.

Perry turned and headed into the dining room see what he and Paul could try to remember.

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The saleswomen in the hotel boutiques were used to catering to movies stars, presidents and the elite of Los Angeles. Della felt so pampered as she tried on evening gowns, shoes and even lingerie, that she completely lost track of the time. She had just asked the clerk to make sure her purchases were delivered to the suite and was signing the bill when a police officer entered the shop and approached her.

"Excuse me. Are you Miss Street?" Della looked cautiously at the officer, remembering what the lieutenant had said about impostors. When the saleswoman started to leave, Della signaled her to stay nearby.

Using her secretarial voice (polite but authoritative, she liked to think), Della asked, "May I see some identification please?" The man smiled and reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a police badge and ID. Della took it and examined it carefully. "Officer Robert Kendall, Homicide Division." She handed the case back to him. "Yes, I'm Miss Street."

"I didn't mean to scare you, ma'am. Lt. Tragg asked me to find you and escort you back to the suite. He's has some news about the case." He lowered his voice. "If you'll come with me, I'll take you back through the passage to your room."

Della knew that if Kendall was aware of the suite and the hidden corridor, Tragg must have sent him. She thanked the sales clerk again and followed the officer from the shop. She allowed him to get a few steps ahead of her, and he walked straight to the disguised panel in the Gold Room. Now she was sure she was okay. He opened the panel and she stepped through.

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Perry was in the kitchen getting coffee when he heard the knock on the door. Thinking Della had forgotten how to get back through the passage, he went to open the door, intending to tease her about getting lost in a hotel.

Just as he was about to grab the doorknob, he looked through the peephole and saw one of the hotel bellhops standing there. He smiled to himself. She must have decided to do more shopping.

He opened the door to the young man. "Yes?"

"This note was left for you at the desk, Sir." Perry looked at the envelope the boy was holding out to him, a sudden sense of dread washing over him. Reaching into his pocket for a generous tip, he took the envelope. The bellhop, seeing the large bill, beamed a smile at Perry. "Thank you Sir, thank you."

Perry ignored the boy, closing the door, and just stared at the envelope for a moment. Then, slowly, trying to hold it by the edges, he opened the flap and slid the folded blue paper out. Again taking care how he handled it, he unfolded the sheet and read.

Suddenly his legs would no longer support his body. The big man literally sank to his knees, as the full intent of the red-inked words registered.

I have not missed this time

You took her from me

Now I have taken her from you

STRIKE THREE

BK for MK