It was midnight—yet Perry was still in his office. He sat on the couch in the reception area. He read a magazine and frequently glanced at his watch.
At 12:15AM, Della came in. "Hi, Chief!"
"Della!"
"I'm sorry I'm so late. Janet's a real talker!"
He smiled. "And a drinker, too!"
"We had a couple drinks together! But I learned quite a bit from her!"
"Did you?"
"She had a fling with the victim!"
"John Smithson?"
"Yep!"
"This will really help my client!"
"An' tha's not all! She was threatened by his wife!"
He was reverted by this. "Great work, Della!"
"I gotta go home, now."
"Not in your condition, Della! Follow me."
He led her into a small room in the office. It had a couch and a table with a radio on it.
"You can sleep here tonight. I've slept in this room on several all-nighters. There's a sink in the break room, and the refrigerator has several snacks in it. And of course, the ladies' room is down the hall."
"Thanks, Perry—I mean Chief!" She giggled. Then she sat on the couch, slipped her shoes off, and lied down. "Are you upset with me for getting drunk?"
"Not at all, Della! You did great work, tonight. In fact, I'm really proud of you!"
"Thanks, Chief! This couch is almost as nice as my bed."
"I agree."
"How do you know? You've never slept in my bed-yet!"
He smiled. "Well, just in case I do! Good night, Della."
"Good night, Perry."
He waited for her to fall asleep, then he turned the light off, left the room, and closed the door. He left the office, but didn't lock it.