CHAPTER EIGHT

Della was having a difficult time sitting still. "I wish we would hear something."

"Paul should be checking in any time now." Perry tried to reassure her.

"I guess this eliminated Bill Cassidy as a suspect. He wouldn't have any connection to Mildreth." As she spoke Paul came through the door.

Crossing to the chair he began, "As a matter of fact he does."

She looked up her eyes wide, "He does?"

"It seems Mr. Cassidy, got all his flowers for his ex and his many lady friends from Miss Faulkner."

Looking confused she wanted to know, "he must have liked her work. Why would he damage her store?"

From what I could glean," Paul went on to explain, "he wanted more flowers but owed her money. He became quite testy. Guess who he wanted to send flower to?"

Afraid to look at the lawyer she asked quietly, "not me."

"You got it beautiful, to Miss Della Street."

The brunette sighed and said, "this makes no sense. Why trash the offices or the shop?"

Perry shook his head. "It seems to make less and less sense. What does Tragg say about this?"

Looking again in his notebook Drake informed them, "he has been taken down to headquarters for questioning. Of course, he is protesting his innocence."

Della got up from her chair and said, "I'll calling the whole office in and we are going to check everywhere for files, loose papers, anything out of place. Once everything is refiled I'll get my master file and see if anything is missing."

"How long do you think that will take Della?"

From the doorway she explained, "I think with everyone working we should have some answers sometime tomorrow."

It was late afternoon and Della was exhausted. The office was in some semblance of order. The carpet people had been there, and she had ordered new office furniture. It was difficult keeping her mind on her tasks. The intercom rang, and she pressed and asked, "yes Gertie?"

"There is a young girl out here who says she was supposed to stop in and see you," Gertie informed her.

Eyes closed and rubbing her neck she asked, "what is her name?"

After a moment the receptionist announced, "she says it is Holly Davidson, and it is about some school project.

It took the secretary a moment or two to focus on the identity of the girl. "Tell her I can see her for a few minutes and send her into the law library. It is clean."

The redhead greeted her with a big smile, "thank you so much for seeing me Miss Street."

"I 'm sorry to rush you," Della explained, "but we are swamped today. I have a folder with the information you wanted. My friend Dana Montgomery, is a talent agent. I spoke to her about you. She should be able to help you get in touch with some aspiring actresses."

A look of excitement on her face the young girl gushed, "I can't thank you enough. This will be a great help to me."

Getting up and escorting her to the door the brunette said again, "I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but we are swamped. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you."

"Oh, I just know it will work out just the way I want it. Thanks again so much." Perry came up behind her as she watched the young lady walk away.

"What was that all about?" he wanted to know.

As she turned and put her arms around his waist she explained, "It was the young woman who is writing the article for her journalism class on aspiring actresses. I got her in touch with Dana."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You are always helping someone. How about your quality time for your husband?"

She moved her hands to his shoulders as he pressed his lips to hers. It was a long soul-searching kiss. She opened to his probing tongue and they became lost in each other. As he pulled her closer and she felt his growing need the realization came back they were in the middle of the law office.

"Darling as wonderful as this is," she conceded, "we have an office full of personnel who could wander in here anytime."

Rubbing her back he suggested, "we could be their afternoon's delight."

As she pulled back slightly there was a puzzled look on her face. "What's wrong?" He wanted to know.

"You never cease to amaze me. You can be the most conservative man so careful to give nothing away, and other times you are like a naughty little boy. You are half man giant and half kid."

He grinned, and his blue eyes sparkled. "This is your fault. I can't resist you."

"Ugh huh, nice try counselor," she observed.

Trying to look innocent he explained, "you do have to admit Della, we haven't had much time for us, just us, lately."

"That's true, once we figure out what's going on let's plan a long week-end in Carmel or Napa Valley." She suggested.

He sighed as he kissed her once more and replied, "that sounds like a perfect idea. What an incentive to conclude a case."

"As much as I would prefer to stay right here with you," Della remarked, "the girls have got a lot of the files straightened. I think tomorrow morning I can get to that master list."

"When are we getting the new carpet and furniture? He asked.

"Mel, promised by the end of the week, barring no more incidents."

As he settled back behind his desk, a very serious look on his face Perry Mason told her, "Well the sooner things are back to normal, the sooner I can get to spend time with my favorite woman."

"I'll be sure to tell her that," his secretary told him as she closed the door to her office.

She could hear his laughter, but she knew him too well. He was worried, about her, why they were being targeted, and where to start looking for the answers. Her husband did not like fumbling in the dark. There needed to be a break soon. Looking for her master file it was time to find the answers.