CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

They had picked Mario's, which turned out to be their favorite Italian restaurant. Once they were seated at their table and looking over the menus Mildreth said under her breath, "Don't look now, but that girl is watching you."

Trying to look without seeming to look, she glanced at the young girl sitting with an older woman. "She looks familiar, but I don't think she is a client."

Just then the two women got up and headed for their table. The young blond said, "I hate to interrupt your dinner, Miss Street, but this is my mother, and I told her how nice you were to me, the other night at the Golden Horn."

"I remember you now." Della admitted. "Wasn't your name…..ugh…Holly?"

The mother said, "I am impressed Miss Street. I'm Mrs. Davidson. This is the first time my daughter has been away from home. I came yesterday, from Denver, to see how she is doing. I wanted to thank you for your kindness to her."

"It was my pleasure, I'm sure Holly doesn't want to hear this, but I thought she was about 15. So naturally I was concerned with her working in a nightclub."

Smiling at the two women, Holly explained, "I hear that a lot. I had to show Mr. Maggard, my birth certificate to get the job. I am 21, and finishing a journalism degree at UCLA. I am working on an independent study about girls trying to break into the movies. You know a lot of them work as waitresses or hostesses."

Agreeing Della told her, "well you have come to the right place. You know Holly. Mr. Mason and I know a few people in the business. If we can help you let us know."

Her face shining the young girl asked, "do you mean it?"

"I sure do. Just call the office and ask for me."

Beaming the blond thanked her over and over. Her mother gently took her arm and commented, "I hate to break this up, but I have to get you to work young lady. Thanking them again the two women hurried away.

"Well that was nice of you." Mildreth commented.

Leaning back as the waiter brought their entrees Della explained, "We always like to help enthusiastic young people. You do the same at your shop."

Looking rather surprised Mildreth admitted, "I guess I do. I'm so glad you and Perry are coming to the ball with us. How long have you worked for him?"

"About six and a half years." Della told her.

"It must be really exciting work, but he seems awfully intense. I know Arthur really admires him even though they are often on opposing sides."

Answering thoughtfully the secretary commented, "Perry is brilliant, intense, hard-working, stubborn, completely devoted to his clients as you know, and very focused. Yet, there is another side not everyone sees. He can be gentle, caring, thoughtful, mischievous, and he had these great dimples that are hard to resist."

Looking at her companion the florist spoke, "You sound like a woman in love. I've seen the way he looks at you. I'm surprised you two aren't married."

Taking a deep breath Della explained, "If we married, I would be put in a beautiful house, have my own car, maybe even children. His life is this work, and he would be off with Paul, and a new secretary doing all the things I love about working and being with him."

"Now why couldn't you keep working at least until there were children," her friend wanted to know.

Laughing Della admitted, "You, sound like Perry. I'm afraid the clients wouldn't like that situation, and you know the old story of the boss and secretary marrying. I would do nothing to ruin his reputation."

"That's silly Della. Look, you two have been together long enough people won't think you took the job to catch him. You two are never out with anyone else, he depends on you for everything, and I notice you wear matching pinky rings."

Blushing and knowing she was caught she just couldn't admit yet they were married. "I will admit we have made a commitment to each other with the rings. I'm just not ready to take the next step."

Smiling Mildreth said, "I don't think you have anything to worry about, but a lot of women don't know he isn't on the market. You may find you have competition."

"I am aware of that. Some clients are VERY grateful. I'll take your words under consideration." She promised.

Looking at her watch Della suggested they ought to head out to their cars. They thanked Mario for the delicious dinner, and complimentary bottle of Chianti. They had parked next to each other, and were saying goodnight when Della felt something whiz past her and ping on her side door.

Whirling around she said frantically, "that was a bullet." There was another ping and she grabbed Mildreth's arm and pulled her to the ground. "Lie still."

Three more bullets hit the car, then three more in Mildreth's car, and the two women were afraid to move. A dark sedan went screeching out of the parking lot. Della told her friend to just stay down a few more minutes, when a man came up to them shouting.

"Are you alright? I heard bullets and ran back in the restaurant to get help and have them call the police. That black car almost ran me down as I was coming back out."

Della felt sick as she looked at her smashed windshield, and the bullet holes in the side of her car. Just then Mario came running out.

"Miss Street, I called the police they should be here any minute. Should I call Mr. Mason?"

Della hesitated, and her companion said, "call Lt. Tragg, they are together tonight."

Starting to shake, her knees feeling as if they were about to buckle she said, "Perry is with Paul Drake too. Here is his phone number. I think we both need to go sit down."

A crowd has started to gather now and a man and woman, who had been in the restaurant helped the women back inside. A waitress appeared with a glass of wine for each of them.

Time seem to pass in a blur as two patrolmen rushed in and said they would be outside looking at the scene and a message had come in that Lieutenant, and Mr. Mason were on their way down to the restaurant.

Taking a sip of her drink Della looked at Mildreth and asked, "how are you holding up?"

Holding her glass in both hands the other woman said, "as good as you can, I expect, when someone tries to shoot at you. I just wish the men would get here."

As his secretary was saying, "me too" the men rushed through the door. Not caring who saw them Perry Mason gathered his head of office in his arms, "Oh my God Del, what happened?"

Looking at her companion and shrugging her shoulders she admitted, "I don't know. We had a nice evening and went to the cars. As we were saying goodnight I felt something go past me and shatter my windshield. Then more pings and we dropped to the ground.

Arthur Tragg had an arm around Mildreth Faulkner's shoulders. He asked, "Honey, are you alright."

Leaning up against him she started to shake, "Oh Arthur, I have never been so frightened in all my life. Della was so calm and collected though."

Laughing nervously Della admitted, "It just seemed that way. I was scared to death too.

Rubbing her arms, the lawyer inquired, "did anything unusual happen tonight Della?"

Shaking her head, she told him, "No, we had an enjoyable time and we were nice and relaxed."

Just then an officer came up to his superior and leaned down and whispered in his ear. Mason looking at him inquiringly. "Well?"

"Both cars were hit Perry. Bob said there were seven bullets holes in all. One shattered Della's windshield. Three more in the side of her car and three in various parts of Mildreth's car. Witnesses said they thought at first it was backfires, but they came in rapid succession. The man who was leaving at that time, saw the girls drop to the ground, and almost got run over by a dark colored, late model sedan, with tinted windows."

Mason looked at his wife's chalk white face and remarked, "Well, we don't know who the target was then. I'll get hold of Paul Drake and we'll go over all our recent cases, and see if we can come up with any reason we should be a target. Della have we had threats recently from disgruntled clients, or their families?"

Della shook her head. "No, it has been quiet. Unless you turned down a case, and someone became angry. I can't think of anything."

Turning to the florist Tragg asked, "are you having any problems Milli? I know that guy who wanted to take over your business backed off. Would he do something like that?"

She shook her head. "No, Perry took care of that, and Peavis backed off. In fact, I heard he was moving to San Francisco. I don't think he wants to tangle with Mr. Mason again, after all he could have landed in jail."

"That doesn't give us much to go on. I hope Drake can be of some help."

Squinting, Perry asked, "are you having any problems Arthur?"

"Not that I am aware of Perry." The policeman said thoughtfully. "Besides I can't think if I was, why they would go after Milli. We have only been seeing each other a month or so."

Putting her hand on his arm Mildreth added, "I will check with my assistant, my sister, and check my mail and records to see if I've overlooked anything."

"I'll do the same tomorrow Perry, or maybe we should stop by the office tonight." Della was shivering.

Feeling her tremble against his arm the lawyer said, "I am taking you home, you need a hot shower, some aspirin, and a warm drink."

Looking into those gorgeous blue eyes she told him, "I don't think I could relax."

Winking at Tragg, Mason told her, "I'll think of something."

Grinning Tragg told them, "I like your style, and idea Mason. Let's head for home honey."

After giving his remaining officers their orders, ordering a tow truck for Della and Mildreth's cars, thanking those who helped the ladies, the couples said their goodnights, and headed for their respective cars.

Snuggling up next to her husband, Della Street Mason, wrapped her hand around his right arm. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Where to my love? Your place or mine?"

She raised her eyebrows at him, "Your place or mine?"

Squeezing her arm, he said, "Your wish is my command.

He laughed, "After all that has happened tonight I thought we should stay in town."

Leaning against his shoulder she said, "you choose, as long as we are together."