Chapter 13
Vale - Be well
Sacramento Marina,
Saturday, 1st December 1973
The postcard, with the beautiful picture of the marina in Sacramento, in her handbag, carried only the most necessary pieces of information: "Quo Vadis", the current date, and Paul Drake's familiar signature.
Della had no idea why a simple phone call wouldn't have sufficed, but as long as she could remember, Paul had been the dramatic one of the trio. The boat was quickly found and, with it, two very familiar figures. Both men were sitting on deck, enjoying the bright sunlight, a bottle of bourbon and two glasses between them.
"So this is what you do, when you think no one is watching you?" She asked amused when she greeted them from the jetty.
Paul took off his sun glasses and hit Perry's arm. "I told you she would come when I asked her. You owe me ten bucks!"
"I'll pay them when you return your share for the rent of this little nutshell," Perry said and took Della's hand when she climbed up on deck.
"What am I doing here?" Della asked Paul, suspicion clouding her voice.
"You pay Perry a visit," Paul answered and leaned back in his deck chair. "I'm the watchdog. Woof."
"I've seen more convincing dogs," she returned amused.
"Let's go inside," Perry suggested.
The cabin downstairs was a cozy, paneled room with a table and a bench along the wall. Della sat down and Perry poured them some coffee.
"Don't blame Paul for luring you here," he said when he sat down next to her. "It was my idea."
"And why did you go through all this trouble just to see me?"
"I would wander the whole world to see you," Perry said softly. Della gave him a tender smile and placed her hand on his.
"Why?"
"How are you?" He asked. "We haven't talked since that day at the police station."
"I'm fine, Perry."
"How are things with Richard?"
"We are fine. He played the wounded eagle for a few days, but he's just glad it's all behind us now." She noticed how a shadow crossed his eyes.
"I heard the file on Rebecca Powell has been closed."
"It is..." Della confirmed. "As if nothing ever happened."
"Will they send anyone to trial for her death?"
Della shook her head. "It doesn't look like it. No one saw what happened to her or at least that's what they claim." She paused and then she changed the subject. "How's Laura?"
"She's fine," Perry answered. "She's taken on a new job."
Della was surprised. "A job?"
"Do you remember the man she met in the club here in Sacramento?"
"Yes."
"He's working in real estate and offered her a job in his new branch."
"I see... do you believe he's just giving her work?"
Perry smirked. "Even if not... what does it matter? Right now, she's angry with me, because I've broken a promise to her. That's her way of repaying me, which makes us even."
"What promise?"
"I told her, when she wouldn't play ball when it came to your alibi for the night of Smith's murder, I would defend you in court, if necessary."
"Oh Perry!"
He raised his hand to silence her. "And two weeks ago, I told that I've decided to drop out of the midterm elections. I'll quit politics once and for all. I plan to open a new office in Los Angeles." Della answered his announcement with a bright smile. She leaned in and wrapped her hands around his lower arm. "So, you'll go back into the courtroom where you belong."
"Yes."
"I'm glad to hear it. But what about Laura and you? I mean..."
He shrugged and avoided her eyes. "Nothing. We have our arrangements and they work."
"Did she ever tell you why she came to see me at the hospital?"
"I have a hunch, but she denied it when I asked her." He reached inside his jacket and pulled out the photo Laura had found in his desk.
"She found this in my desk."
Della blushed and turned it around. "Did you steal that from the package Rebecca gave you?"
"No. I'd never seen it before. Laura beat me around the head with it. My guess is it was Rebecca who planted it there before she gave me the other photos, but I never found it."
"Can I have your lighter?" she asked.
He grinned. "A pity, but I think it's better in this case to be safe than sorry." He finished his coffee and then Della set the photo on fire and put it in the empty mug.
"Let's hope this was the last one," she said.
"If not, you know where to find me and..." He took her hand.
"And?" She asked, her eyes fixed on his.
He hesitated, before he placed a kiss on the back of her hand. "In case you ever need anything else... a friend, a lover, a job..."
Touched by his offer, Della leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. "Careful, Counselor, I may take you up on it sometime."
"Any time."
With her thumb, she wiped her lipstick from his mouth. "Goodbye, Perry," she whispered and broke away from him. "And be well - for me."
~~~~The End~~~~
Before you gang up on me for not giving Della & Perry a happy end, let me tell you this: when I was halfway through with this story I realized that I couldn't wrap it up without messing it up. So I decided to write a follow up story that will be called "Vita Brevis - Life is short".
I want to thank Nora B. for her outstanding support and patience and I want to thank you for reading and reviewing. You are amazing.
See you soon,
GraceBe
