CHAPTER SEVEN
Della Street felt grimy by the time she finally got on the plane to Las Vegas, but it couldn't be helped. For the first time in hours she could relax and not look over her shoulder expecting to see her father or Michael come marching up to her. Somehow her aunt had made all the right arrangements and she was away from the whole ugly situation. People had tried to talk to her on her journey, but she had tried to rest as much as possible, now she was on the home stretch.
It was with a glad heart she saw her aunt and a tall sandy haired man waiting for her at the Las Vegas airport gate. She flew into her aunt's arms and breathed, "I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life."
Seeing her niece's disheveled appearance Mae took her in hand as she introduced her to Liam Sullivan. "Now young lady we are going to get you a room, some food, a good long bath, and you are going to sleep until you wake up."
The Chief of Police had a ready smile and hurried her to the baggage claim, out to his car, and to the El Rancho Vegas Casino and Hotel. They were all registered and before she knew it Dela was ensconced in a luxury suite.
A nice long hot bath in lavender bath salts, some warn chamomile tea, a clean nightgown, a soft bed with silk sheets was all Della Street needed to drift into the most soothing slumber she had in days. It was after 11 in the morning when she resurfaced to face what the new day, in a new place, would hold.
She was just dressing when there was a tap on the door. She hurried to answer it and saw two smiling faces. "So, you are up at last," her aunt said, "How about some brunch?"
"I'm starving!" Della exclaimed.
Liam took each of the lovely ladies by the arm and escorted them to the hotel buffet. When they were settled Della asked, "is there any news?"
Taking a long drink of her mimosa Mae explained, "I called and talked to your mom. I wasn't sure how it would be received, but she is of course upset. They haven't gone to the authorities even though they have not found anything with the exception that some of your suitcases and clothes are missing."
Wrinkling her forehead Della asked, "did I do the right thing? I am not happy with my folks, but I am worried about mom."
Touching her niece's arm Mae replied, "Del, you really had no choice. They are still doing what Michael and your grandmother want. It seems if you are not found they are going to blame you for calling off the wedding and running off with some mystery man. If you stayed they would have tried to force you to marry Michael to save face."
Della was near tears. "What a mess in what is supposed to be the happiest time of your life."
The police chief looked at her seriously, "Della, it is a good thing you found out before you married him. You have no idea how many women are battered and there is little we can do, or they do not even report it."
"I know you're right," she acknowledged. "I am so grateful for all the help you have given to me at the risk to yourself. I just wonder where I go from here."
Her aunt's eyes sparkled as she announced, "I have some ideas and you will stay with me until we work things out. No one knows of my Bolero Beach address, so you will stay there. I usually stay in L.A. during the week for work. As I recall you have been to business school and graduated top of your class."
Della flushed slightly as she acknowledged Mae's words. "I did enjoy what I learned."
"Well, I might just have a job for you. My co-worker, Elise, has a husband who just finished law school and is joining a firm, Meyers, Meyers, and Jacoby, in Huntington Beach. They do a variety of work and one thing he wanted was a secretary of his choosing. I think you would be a perfect fit. Also, Elise would know she didn't have to worry about him hiring anyone looking for a husband."
With her hazel eyes aglow Della answered. "it seems too good to be true. I feel like I am in a dream." Suddenly she remembered, Perry said he was a lawyer and he was from California. Oh, it was such a large state what were the chances she would ever even hear of him again.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" her aunt inquired.
Smiling Della admitted she was just daydreaming about what the future might hold.
Mae looked at Liam with a sparkle in her eye too. They had discussed Della and her problems at length. They both wanted the best for her and would do all they could to help her along the way. "By the way dear, we have solved the Andrea problem. Your friend is quite good at a little espionage herself."
Her eyes wide her niece asked, "what happened? Is Andrea okay?"
Liam laughed, "Mae got a Chicago paper thinking we might put a personal ad in there hoping Andrea would read it. To our surprise she had put in one of her own. Here it is." He handed her a paper with an ad circled.
It read, "Use, Some, Options to get things in order. Let us know when everything is settled, same time, same place."
"Oh, this is wonderful, so she is able to get out and do some things." Della was ecstatic. "Leave it to Andrea."
Mae handed her another piece of paper. "We replied this morning. "Package(s) will arrive on time. Keep to your time schedule. Using, Some, Options for successful conclusion."
"Maybe she can contact me when she is on the vacation she plans to take in a few weeks, if I can get contact information to her." Della suggested.
Liam asked, "do you know her itinerary? If you do, we can get some information to her."
"Well I know she is headed to relatives in Miami and Louisiana. I just don't know where they live. She was supposed to let me know. It may be hopeless."
"How was she traveling?" he wanted to know.
"I think she was flying to Miami, then a train to New Orleans." Della said. "She wasn't quite sure."
The chief thought for a moment, "maybe we can get a message to her if she takes the train. I'll see what I can find out in the next couple weeks."
Della threw her arms around him. "I just can't thank you enough. You are taking such chances for me."
Looking suddenly shy the police officer admitted, "your aunt is a very special lady to me."
Giving them both a big smile the young woman acknowledged, "I am so lucky to have both of you on my side."
Clearing his throat Liam started to get up and said, "It's time to let you get out by the pool and get some sun."
Picking up her purse Mae told her niece, "we need to get you a nice bathing suit and sandals. I love to shop."
"Me too," Della said enthusiastically. She got up and hoped for a few hours to leave her troubles behind.
