CHAPTER SEVENTEEN-1

Della Street was exhausted after the last phone call to Perry. She didn't want to be tied up again. She was afraid she would have trouble walking but asked to go to the bathroom. Holly came over to help her and she realized the young girl was burning up.

She looked at the mother and said, "Your daughter is burning up. She needs medical attention."

The woman acted like she didn't believe Della. Slowly she came close to them and announced, "This had better not be a trick. Holly come over here. Are you feeling alright?"

Looking at her mother, she said, "I do have a bad headache, but I thought it was from everything that was happening."

"Alright, let's get her in the bathroom, lock the door, and I'll get you some aspirin."

0

After Della was safely locked in the mother began looking for some pain medicine, but could find nothing. "Let's get Miss Street back in bed and tied up and I'll run out and get you some medicine."

Once they were alone Della looked over at Mildreth who was still asleep. She begged Holly to help them, "I can't go against my mom, she has had so many problems lately."

"They aren't going to get any better. If Mr. Mason can't get your grandmother and aunt freed what is going to happen to us? You can't let us go."

Mom promised me you would be free." Holly explained.

"If you help us I will do everything I can to help you. This can only end badly." Della was desperate since she was afraid Perry couldn't find them in time.

The girl started to cry, "I wish I could, but I can't go against my family."

Della looked at her, "We can get help for your mom. Obviously, she is under a lot of pressure. There is help out there for her."

"I don't know," the girl hesitated.

Looking around the room, realizing she hadn't heard the mother come back, she suggested, "Just untie me and let me get in touch with Mr. Mason. I know he will do whatever he can to clear things up."

Holly jumped at the sound of the door being slammed against the wall. "My mom is back." She said nervously.

They heard screaming and Holly looked terrified. 'Not quite," came an ominous voice. "Come out of that room with your hands up."

The young girl jumped up and ran into the bathroom. There were running feet. "We are here," Della called frantically.

Men started running into the room. Della told them to look at Mildreth first she wasn't waking up. Perry came through the door and pushed his way to her side. "Baby are you alright."

Before she knew what was happening he was untying her feet and hands pulling her into his arms. "She sobbed, "I am now. Oh, Perry thank God, thank God. How did you ever find us?"

He was shushing her and saying, "Later, I am just so glad you are alright. He held her so tightly she thought she couldn't breathe.

They were calling for an ambulance for Mildreth, and Perry insisted that Della go with her. She wasn't leaving him unless he rode along with them to the hospital. He told her he was calling Tragg to tell them they were leaving for the hospital.

Brice had to drag Holly from the bathroom after he found her huddled in a corner. He mother had been arrested as she came back with the medicine for her daughter. Holly would also be going to the hospital, but in a different ambulance.

Burger was on the phone calling his wife and then the newspapers with news of the rescue. "I'll see you at the hospital," he told Mason.

As they were helping Della into the ambulance, Paul Drake had the biggest smile on his face. "You sure had us worried Beautiful. I have never seen a prettier sight."

She squeezed his hand. "I am sure glad to see you too, Paul. Thanks for watching over Perry for me."

"When you are feeling better I'll tell you how he really reacted." Drake grinned at his friend and kissed her cheek.

Getting into the ambulance Mason said, "Alright enough talk. These ladies need to see a doctor."

The ambulance attendant said, "This lady is starting to come around, but she is very disoriented. We need to be on our way."

It was a wild ride to the hospital and Della wouldn't let go of Perry's hand. He looked at her with tears in his eyes and she mouthed, "I love you counselor."

Swiping at his eyes, the lawyer grinned at her and whispered, "I can't wait to get you home and show you how much I missed you Mrs. Mason."

They came to a sudden stop and the doors were thrown open as she said, "promises, promises."

Arthur Tragg, was sitting in a wheelchair waiting for them as they came through the emergency room doors. "Seeing Mildreth on the stretcher he asked anxiously, "Is she alright?"

He was told she was coming too. He rolled his chair over, awkwardly with one hand, and took hold of her hand. "I'm so sorry, so very sorry."

Half asleep Mildreth Faulkner reached out her hand and mumbled, "is it really you Arthur?"

His voice was choked as he told her, "I was so worried about you and I couldn't do anything to help. Please forgive me."

Her eyes were tender and her voice low as she replied, "I was so afraid I would never see you again, after I had just found you."

Tragg took her hand and kissed her palm. "Marry me, right away. I want you by my side forever."

With tears in her eyes she said, "Just as soon as they release you, and Perry and Della can go with us, we are headed for Las Vegas. Is that soon enough?"

Wheeling his wife into the corridor Perry said, "I think this is our exit line. They need some time to themselves. Besides young lady I want to make sure you get a clean bill of health."

Taking a deep sigh Della agreed, "I know you won't be satisfied until the doctor says you can take me home."

The emergency physician came up behind them, "I will look you over Mrs. Mason, but I also am going to check out your husband and make sure he is doing alright. After all he signed himself out of this hospital against doctor's orders. Mr. Mason isn't good at following orders"

Paul Drake was laughing, "Tell me about it. Don't worry Perry I can always take Della home." If looks could kill Paul would have been in the morgue a few minutes later.

The always impatient Perry Mason just wanted to be told they could go home. Everything had happened so fast. It had seemed like forever before they had found the ladies. Now if they could just be released he could get her home where she belonged. He vowed to never let her out of his sight again.