THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND WONDERFUL REVIEWS. I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS FANFICTION AS MUCH I HAVE ENJOYED WRITING IT. I HOPE IT HAS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The women were quarreling again, and Della heard the sound of a slap and then weeping. Doors were slammed and then silence as an engine started. The smaller figure in the big coat opened the door. "Are you alright?" the voice was a whisper.

"PLEASE, help us," Della pleaded. "If you do I will let the authorities know what you did."

Again, the whispering voice came, "I can't. I'm so sorry, so sorry, but I can't.

"You know this cannot end well for any of us," the brunette reminded her. They will find us no matter what and they will never stop looking for you."

Sniffling, the outline came a little closer, "it is too late for me to turn back, but I promise you will be released when our demands are met."

"What are these two women to you?" Della inquired.

Mildreth groaned. Concerned, her friend asked, "are you alright?"

"I'm stiff and sore and have a cramp in my left leg. I need to move around. Ugh..it is so painful."

Shuffling her feet around the figure in the voluminous coat whined, "I can't help you I will get punished if I do."

"We can help you. Let us at least sit up. We are tied up. How could we possibly get away? Della cajoled.

Moving toward the beds uncertainly the disguised figure seemed to think things over. "I…ah..um…guess I could move you to a more comfortable position."

As she leaned forward the huge coat with the long sleeves got in her way. Struggling to move Della to a more upright position, the scrappy brunette brought her hands down on her jailer's head. The person was stunned, and she was next hit with a knee. Her hood fell back, and Holly Davidson's face was revealed. Della was stunned.

Her eyes huge Mildreth watched the scene. Breathing hard she reminded the secretary they had to find a way to get untied before the girl came to.

"If I could get to the phone and call Perry they could trace the call. It is just too far away." Della looked around frantically. "If I could get something sharp to cut these ropes."

Mentally and physically exhausted Della could see nothing near them to cut their bindings. Years of typing and taking shorthand had made her hands very strong and she began working on the ropes. It wasn't enough Holly was coming to as the cords began to loosen.

Rubbing her face, the young woman groaned, "why did you hit me?"

"Just why did you lie to us?" The secretary wanted to know.

Holly dropped her head and said in a small voice, "I didn't really lie. I do go to UCLA and I am studying journalism. I just couldn't go against my family."

Sounding incredulous Della asked, "You are related to the Tumps?"

"She is my grandmother," she admitted, "and Bryl is my aunt."

A harsh voice interrupted, "just what is going on here?"

Expecting the woman to punish her for what she did to the girl Della was shocked when Holly said in a small voice, "Miss Street needed to go to the bathroom, badly, and I tripped over my coat and fell."

As she came into the room the redhead commented, "well now she knows who you are and our connection."

The young girl hung her head, "I'm sorry mom."

Della tried to sit up again, "this is your mother?"

"Don't play dumb with me Della Street!" the woman exclaimed. "You had it all figured out and were ready to tell your boss or should I say lover."

The brunette started to open her mouth and say he was her husband but decided they didn't need any more ammunition.

"Ah, you have nothing to say? The woman taunted. "Well let's get you cleaned up a little so you can make that phone call to Mr. Mason. Then we will see just how much you two mean to these gentlemen."

As she was untied Della tried to reason with them, "You know this won't do you any good. Perry can't get your family out of prison. All you're doing is laying the foundation for joining them there

"Well you see Miss Street, I really have nothing to lose. My husband, who was President of his bank embezzled a million dollars and got caught. He killed himself last month. All I have left is my daughter. My mother's money, and there is plenty, is stashed away in a foreign country, when we get them free we are all going there."

Della looked at the woman and realized she really was crazy. There was no reasoning with her. As she headed for the bathroom she did a lot of praying. Glancing at Mildreth she saw tears running down her cheeks. There had to be a way out, but things were looking bleaker and bleaker.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Paul in?" he inquired but didn't even wait for an answer as he headed for the office in the back.

The detective was surrounded by four phones, a cigarette was hanging from his mouth, a bicarbonate of soda was on the desk, and he was frantically taking notes on the pad in front of him as he said, "Ugh huh, when was that? And okay keep me posted."

Both men looked at each other and started to say, "you look awful."

Dropping into a chair in the little office mason asked, "what's new? I just couldn't stand being in the office alone."

"Things are starting to pop. I was getting ready to call when this latest news came in."

As he ran his hands through his wavy hair the lawyer said, "I hope it is good news."

Flipping through his papers Paul read to the anxious lawyer, "the warden called me back and they found contact information and letters from A.E. Tump to a Lorraine Stephenson and letters from this Stephenson woman. It is her daughter and she lives in St. Louis."

Perry scratched his head and said, "I thought she said her daughter was from Denver."

"I don't know Perry the warden said the letters were to and from St. Louis. I called a colleague in St. Louis and that is who just called back. We got lucky because it just so happened this Stephenson family has been big news in the last few months."

"How so?" the attorney wanted to know.

"Well it seems that the husband Arnold, was the president of one of the big banks there. He embezzled a million bucks. Then he killed himself, but the money was not recovered. My man told me now the wife has disappeared and there is a daughter out here going to college."

Perking up slightly Mason asked, "do they know her name and where she is going to school."

"My man is checking on that now. As soon as I get that information I am contacting Tragg and Burger and ask them to use their clout to find this kid. I told Jim how important this was, and minutes counted," Paul assured him.

Getting out of his chair Perry said, "why the hell don't you get a bigger office. I can't pace here."

As he tried not to grin his friend answered, "you just answered your own question. I don't need you pacing down here too."

"Dammit, Paul all I can think of is how Della and Mildreth must feeling. They probably know we don't have a clue how to find them."

"Listen Buddy, Della knows you will turn the world upside down to find her and that you have plenty of help. I was worried too, but I feel good about what we are finding out."

With his hand on the doorknob Mason agreed but added, "I am going back to the office in case they let Della call back. Call me the second you know anything."

Paul opened his mouth to speak as the phone rang. He grabbed the receiver. "Yes, great Jim wonderful news, thanks so much. You may have just saved two lives. I'll let them know. Talk to you when we know more. Thanks again."

"What? What? The lawyer asked impatiently.

Excited the detective said, "The daughter's name is Holly Stephenson and she is studying journalism at UCLA. It seems she won a scholarship and it was in the papers because of the prominence of the family."

Perry wrinkled his forehead. "Wait a minute, wait a minute. There was a Holly who was in our office recently and she went to UCLA, majoring in journalism. In fact, Della had run into her several times over the past weeks."

"Let me get hold of Tragg and get the official ball rolling." Drake told him.

"I want to go….."Mason began but just then Gertie came running into the room.

"Mr. Mason! Mr. Mason!" she said breathlessly. "I couldn't find you and Della is on the phone!"

They took off at a run and Perry was out of breath as he grabbed the phone and said, "Sweetheart, how are you?"

"I'm tired, Perry. Have you heard from the parole board?" She wanted to know.

"They are meeting tomorrow in emergency session," he lied.

"Please hurry Darling we want to be home by Christmas time." She started to cry.

In the background he heard, "enough of this sentimental sniveling you tell him I want an answer by 8 tomorrow night or he can look for a new mistress."

"Tell that person," he said every word carefully, "We should have the answers by that time tomorrow. I promise you that. She needs to be prepared to release both of you unharmed or we HAVE no deal."

"She can hear you. Are you alright? I miss…" The phone was slammed down.

Perry slammed down his phone just as he heard Paul's knock at the door. They both started to speak at once. "You first," Perry told him.

"I just talked to Tragg and they are getting in touch with the officials at the university and tracking down this girl. They will contact us as soon as they know something. Arthur is having a fit because the doctor won't release him. He has a slight fever and they are afraid of an infection." Paul filled him in

Moving over to his desk as Paul lit a cigarette and took his usual position in the big client's chair Perry was sympathetic, "I am sure Arthur is frantic too, especially since he can't get out there and search. It's driving me crazy and I am at least able to get around. Oh, what is wrong with me, Della tried to give me a clue.

Sitting up straighter Paul inquired, "What was it?

"She said please hurry we want to be home by Christmas time. It is only July. I think it was a clue that this Holly is involved."

Drake smiled at his best friend, "Della is amazing. She is trying to help us even as upset as she must be."

"She is one in a million, that is for sure." Perry agreed. "Do you have number to a direct line into Tragg's room?"

Fumbling in his pocket Paul pulled out his notebook, "It is Empire 6-2365."

"We need to let him know that this Holly is the girl we want." Perry said as he dialed.

After inquiring about the lieutenant's health and giving him the information Perry Mason tried to sit still. Of course was impossible, and he said to Paul Drake. "I'm going to the hospital I can't just sit around and do nothing. I'll tell Gertie to let you know if anyone calls while I'm on my way, and you call Tragg's room if you hear anything."

Untangling himself from the chair as Mason went out into the outer office Paul was waiting at the exit door as Perry headed toward him to get to the elevators. He wished his friend the best of luck as he went into his office.