Getting What You Deserve
Summary of story: This is an alternative take on the ending of 'The Case of the Reckless Romeo'. Perry is asked a question which really makes him think...
A/N: Thank you again to everyone who has left a review for my earlier stories – they are all very much appreciated. I also want to give another big thank you to my fabulous Beta RBHDPSMMK4EVER who has encouraged my writing and cajoled me into finishing & publishing this story!
This had been a strange case for Perry Mason. Not that his cases were ever straightforward, but for a long time, he had really been unaware of the identity of the real murderer. Ted Mayne had truly been a loathsome man when alive, and once Perry had started to investigate his death, he had found no shortage of suspects. This was a man who openly professed to love women, numerous women, but in actual fact, had loved no-one but himself. He had mistreated and used these women for his own pleasure while the relationships – most of them very brief – had lasted, but he had then betrayed and used every one of them for financial gain and publicity by featuring them in a tell-all book.
Perry knew that in many cases, he disliked the actions of the victim in their lifetime, nevertheless, he would never accept that their death was 'acceptable' or 'necessary'. He seethed when the killers tried to justify their actions to him or the court. In the case of Ted Mayne, he was the kind of man that Perry had always despised but he didn't want to see him dead.
Perry Mason had been raised to be respectful of women at all times. In fact he had been raised to be respectful of everyone – but particularly women. Because of this, he was the image of the perfect gentleman without it ever being 'an act'. He was disgusted at how Ted Mayne conducted his show, believing that he plumbed the depths of 'journalism', but more than that, he felt ashamed of how a man could treat all of these women. It was as if he felt that they were there on earth just for his gratification. He felt that as a man, that attitude reflected badly on him and other men. Simply put – Mayne had been a disgrace.
Finding the real killer was always the best method of clearing his client; best for justice, and best for the client so that they didn't have the cloud of suspicion upon them for the rest of their lives. On this occasion, he was surprised when he realised that the real killer was Ted's fiancée Laura Rand. Yes she had put on a great performance of outrage when he had questioned her earlier about their relationship, but there were no real warning flags for him. When the pieces finally came together, it seemed so obvious that he wondered if he were losing his touch.
As always the circumstantial evidence would not be sufficient – he needed a full confession, but from reviewing that evidence, he knew that would be difficult. Laura had been very wily and calculating. Long ago in law school he had learned the valuable art of courtroom performance , which could be more influential than just relying on the law – and he used it to marvellous effect against her – presenting the evidence so quickly, and hammering away at her vanity and pride – that she finally cracked.
His cross examination of Laura was relentless. She had held out as long as she could – she was no fool. She knew he had to prove his case and tried to call his bluff, but eventually he won the battle of wills between them. He had 'pressed her buttons' in the absence of much actual proof and used a lot of circumstantial evidence but his gamble had again fortunately paid off. Getting her to implode on the stand was not necessarily something to be proud of, but it did at least serve the ends of justice
As she finally confessed, Perry could afford to look at her with sadness at what she had become, and at how delusional she was to think that her wounded pride justified murder. She had also compounded this dreadful action by framing an innocent person; a person who had also been hurt by the same man who had inspired that murderous rage in her.
Perry watched as her tears ran freely, and she kept rubbing her hand over her face to wipe them away – her mascara and lipstick became smeared across her face yet she didn't care. They were not tears of remorse, or sadness for what she had done – they were tears of frustration and rage. Frustration that she was caught, and rage at Ted for driving her to it.
In Laura's eyes, Ted's death was his fault, not hers and Perry could see that she really believed it. She leaned forward and it was as if she was confiding in him over a drink – trying to justify her actions as if they were the most reasonable in the world. She really believed what she was saying and that saddened him. Perry could certainly understand her anger, hurt and betrayal when she realised that she had not 'tamed' the notorious Ted Mayne – that he had cheated on her and had been careless or thoughtless enough to include that affair in his book. Of course he could understand that, but as reprehensible and disgusting as Ted's behaviour was, she had no right to kill him over it. Her pride was not worth the taking of a life, not even Ted Mayne's.
He had heard similar justifications in the witness box before – how the victim 'asked for it' or deserved it, or had it coming to them, or how it was better for everyone to have them killed. He heard the same excuses in different cases, and so he almost stopped listening. What did grab his attention was when Laura Rand said calmly "I think men get what they deserve. Don't you?"
Those words gave him much to think about...
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"I think men get what they deserve. Don't you?"
Perry knew Laura was referring to Ted, and he had to disagree. As unpleasant a person as Ted Mayne had been in life, he didn't deserve to die. He deserved the scorn and hatred of the women he used. He deserved a different kind of revenge by them collectively. He deserved to be disrespected by his public for his attitude, and he deserved for his book and career to suffer. He deserved his fiancée to walk away from him.
Realistically, Perry knew that they were unlikely to have happened to him, but that is what the man would have deserved. Did men in general get what they deserved? He really didn't know and didn't think he was in any position to speculate on such a generality.
Thinking about himself - did he get what he deserved? Now that was something to consider.
He was modest about his own abilities and achievements but he did know that due to his work and dedication, he had made a positive difference to some other peoples' lives. Saving them from the gas chamber or life imprisonment was proof of that, and his conscience was clear about what he charged for his services. He would never exploit a client and would never charge what they were unable to afford. He prized justice above payment and if he could facilitate that justice at a cost to himself, then he would – he didn't feel that he was in the law business primarily to make a profit. He took the fees he needed to pay his staff and his other expenses and was also more than happy to quietly donate his own money to charity for those less fortunate than himself.
Those could be seen as points in his favour, but he knew he was not perfect. He had not won all of his cases, and by focusing on his clients, other incidental people in his cases had been affected as he unearthed and exposed secrets. They would not think so kindly of him. He had also been guilty of occasionally causing hurt and sorrow to those closest to him over the years. It was never intentional and was always swiftly followed by regret, but did that really matter to the person who was hurt? The chief person was sadly Della.
He had seen so many women over the course of his career; the many defendants and the even more numerous witnesses. He would often inadvertently compare them with each other – and also with Della. She has always been so completely different to these people – the innocent and the guilty. Della had been by his side since the early 1950s and her loyalty and devotion both to their joint endeavours, and to him personally, was without question. In turn, she has always been the one person he can trust completely. From the beginning, there has always been a deep bond between them and she would – and had – done anything for him. She's helped him out of scrapes when his hunches didn't work out as planned; bending the law to help him, testifying in court for him and his client even at one time being branded a perjurer by the DA. She has been willing to take risks and chances for him and with him when out investigating – with her only demand being that he feed her!
So he has Della in his life, but does he deserve her? She is one in a million: a lady and a friend and a love that he would never want to be without – but again, does he deserve her?
Her smile and laughter brighten up his day and he knows she loves and thinks highly of him. Even now, she is so evidently proud of him because Roxanne Shield, their newly-freed client exclaimed "isn't he wonderful!" to which Della smiled and proudly replied "I think so!."
She has so much love for him and does so much for him professionally and personally, and yet his lady demands, or requests so little from him. She doesn't stick to her contracted terms of employment. She doesn't just leave after office hours are ended. She has never refused to follow any of his often curious schemes. At one time they had even given the distinct, yet misleading impression that they were eloping, just to further a case!
Della had only ever asked him for help twice. The first time was when her friend Janet was in deep trouble and she had likewise become seriously involved. She had needed money and he knew that despite her best appearance at the time, she was embarrassed and ashamed to be asking him without disclosing the full story. But it was just like Della to be doing this on someone else's behalf – not for her own benefit. He knew that Della had always been able to manage her life and her money.
The second time was when she was charged with Arthur Gordon's murder. And even then, she had only asked for his advice and a good attorney – she had never pleaded with him to represent her himself. She had been stunned that he had resigned his judgeship immediately to take her case – she had never asked him to do anything that would affect his career just for her. His career had been of equal significance to them both and she often told him that she was always careful that their friendship and later their romantic relationship would not harm his career. She has always been protective of him.
He hopes that he deserves Della, because she seems to be very happy with him. Perhaps he does have more than he deserves but he would never be complacent. He strives to remain the man that his love can be proud of.
This then leads him to another important question. Forget about whether men get what they deserve – he can't honestly answer that for himself and is not prepared to consider it on behalf of the millions of other men out there. The most important issue for him now, is whether Della really gets what she deserves...
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Does Della get what she deserves?
Perry has already catalogued Della's many virtues and her most endearing qualities. He has known them for years and there is no lady whom he has ever been more awe-struck or captivated by.
If he were to look at this with the clinical eye of an outside 'appraiser', he would judge that over the years, Della has always been very well paid – and with bonuses. Unlike some employers, he recognised and rewarded staff for their value, and Della was never just 'confidential legal secretary' as it would have appeared on her resume. Her value, work and dedication exceeded that, and he had to almost force her to accept her new title as head of the office, and her new status as an Associate. Della was never a subordinate, and when he resumed his legal practice in 1985, he insisted upon those changes.
She had always run his office and held a lot of responsibility, but now her scope had extended. There were fewer staff to manage, but she was also his chief researcher, managed the books, paid the bills, plus everything else that a confidential secretary would do.
But those things were just professional benefits and rewards that a good employer should give to their very deserving employee. They did not and would not reflect what Della deserves as a person. And they would also not reflect what value she brings to him personally. After all these years of being so close professionally and personally, he thinks he knows her and what she wants, both materially and on a personal level.
He would give her anything she asked for, but he knows she won't ask. She has never been capricious and has never wanted him spending money on fancy presents to 'show off'. They have both seen other men do this when they want to impress someone, or buy forgiveness for a sin. Della doesn't really want a lot materially – something his accountant is probably relieved about – but years ago, that had really frustrated him. He did quickly come to realise that spoiling her was not what she wanted. When he understood that, he found that it was much more fun for him to use his imagination. He could tease her, and prepare surprises for her – not mindlessly shower her with gifts that didn't show a true appreciation of her character. Memories of the year he had led her to believe an 'admirer' was sending her gifts, still made him smile.
Della wants him. She wants his time, his attention and his company, and he is more than happy to deliver, especially as that is what he wants too. Today is her birthday. It's a ritual that she says she's stopped counting her birthdays, but he would never forget to honour it. He would never miss such an opportunity, and each year he has striven to find something 'perfect' for her. He could pretend indifference or disinterest in some of things that she did or said during the year, but his memory retained it all – ready for use when needed.
This year he had decided upon the black pearls. Many months ago they had been in a jewellery store getting his ring resized, and before he went into the back room, he surreptitiously asked another assistant to watch for anything that Della was interested in while she waited. He knew she would never come out and ask for something, but he wanted to really know what she secretly liked.
He was delighted when he was informed that Della had quietly admired some black pearls and he made detailed plans for a necklace to be created from black pearls so that they would complement her graceful neck. In Chinese tradition black pearls signified wisdom – and Della was as wise as she was lovely; and in Polynesian legend, it signified eternal love. His mind was made up. He knew she would love them for their beauty, and she would also truly understand and appreciate the personal message behind them.
But Della deserved more than that. This was why he had decided on the holiday for them to the home of those beautiful pearls. Della deserved to relax and unwind. She deserved to have time away from the courtroom, from prying eyes, from Ken, from reporters – they both did.
They did both deserve a special vacation together so that they could just be themselves instead of 'Perry Mason, Attorney at Law' and 'Miss Della Street, Confidential Secretary'. For decades, Della always liked being in his company above everything else, and this is what made her happy. He made her happy.
This was his way of showing his love, appreciation and affection for the woman he adored. It was not about buying a material gift with a heavy price tag, which they both knew he could afford. It was about spending quality time with her and deliberately making time for 'them'. He also lived for those times when there was no-one around; when court had ended and they were at home or somewhere quiet. He could loosen his tie and be less 'Perry Mason' as seen in court, and be more Perry Mason the man – a man who could be tired, emotional, anxious, relaxed – and just be a man in love with his lady.
He takes a very quick glance around and notices that they are sufficiently on their own for his pre-arranged plan to proceed. Ken had planted Perry's gift in Della's briefcase as he walked past, and Perry had placed a mysterious package beside their cases. Now the rest of his plan could be unveiled...
Filled with anticipation but wearing his usual impassive mask, he waits for her to find the package on the desk
"What's this?" she enquires
"A present"
"For whom?"
"For you"
Affecting nonchalance, he watches from the corner of his eye as she opens the plain brown paper to reveal a copy of Mayne's book. He was amused whenDella appreciatesd the joke, saying sarcastically "Thank you...!"
"Put it away" he chuckles and waits...
All his planning and anxious hopes were worth it when Della found the slender box in her briefcase, opened it and gasped in happy surprise "Oh! They're...they're gorgeous!"
It was a supreme effort not to smile at her stunned delight because her smile was always infectious.
"Next Fall, we'll take a trip to where those grew up" he said very matter-of-factly, allowing her the time to understand the full scope of her birthday present. He then gently nudged her to turn around so that he could take the necklace and fasten t around her neck. He had thought earlier that fate had smiled on him because her smart black outfit needed a necklace to fully complement the graceful look.
"You got it?" Della whispered with emotion, and he nearly smiled again as he considered the years of practice he had in fastening and unfastening necklaces from her neck.
"How did you know?" she was curious to know, but Perry had decided not to reveal all of his secrets. He liked to maintain an air of mystery at times, so he countered with a rhetorical question "Who's the greatest detective in the world?" As he spoke, he took his time with the necklace, deliberately allowing his fingers to linger longer over her neck and shoulders than would be required – relishing the close proximity they were in. He was so close and breathing low on the back of her neck, which he knew from experience gave her tingles.
Della entered into the moment by teasing "Sherlock Holmes" and although she couldn't see him, he pulled a face and shook his head. They had good-naturedly argued about this years before, when Paul Drake Senior had been fishing for a compliment and had been rebuffed in this manner. Paul had pretended to be offended at coming second to a fictional detective with a bad hat, but Della had rewarded him with a kiss as compensation. The exchange and the joke had been a standing joke between them for years, but this time, it would be Perry bestowing the kiss.
He gently placed his hands on her arms to pull him back to his broad chest, and planted a very tender kiss to the side of her head – her dark chestnut curls tickling his nose. Holding her like this, he could feel her happiness radiating from her.
"Happy Birthday" he murmured in his deep voice, redolent with love and controlled passion. He could see the beaming, delighted smile creep across her face and, close as they were, she wanted to be even closer as she reached up to caress one of his hands – squeezing tightly.
He was overjoyed to see how truly happy his lady was, and so while they were still in their tight embrace, he could not resist placing another loving kiss to her forehead as she turned her face to him.
That look of pure love Della gave him – that look and smile meant everything to Perry Mason. Perhaps what he and Della deserved was the same – each other. He knew they certainly shared a deep, mutual love and respect. Regardless, Perry knew he would continue to make it his privilege, joy and duty to keep Della this happy for the rest of his life. That would be his reward and greatest accomplishment in life.
The End