THE CASE OF THE SORROWFUL SOUL Chapter 20, a perry mason fanfic

Chapter Twenty-Epilogue

A week later Perry, Della, Paul Drake, Mildreth Faulkner, Arthur Tragg wearing a sling, Hamilton and Patti Burger, and Gertie, thrilled to be included, were gathered in the law offices.

Della looked at Mildreth, who seemed to have recovered from their ordeal. "Alright," she said to Perry, "you go first and telll us what happened and how you found us"

"Yes," said Mildreth, "Arthur has been very stingy in explaining what happened."

Looking at his wife Mason explained, "he isn't the only one who has had pressure put on him for explanations. We wanted to get all the information together and wait until we could all be together."

Tragg said, "I have to say this was a group effort. It was a matter of pulling all the information together and analyzing the data as it came in."

"Enough stalling," Della told them.

Perry inclined his head toward her as he said, "you can see what I have to live with."

She gave him the look until he held his hand up in surrender. "Alright, alright. Once we realized you two had disappeared we went into action."

Paul informed them, "Yeah after he almost killed me for letting you stay at the hospital alone."

"Peerrreee, you know he couldn't have changed my mind." Della stated.

"Boy do I know those words," Burger said. "Ow!" He exclaimed as his wife's elbow met with his ribs.

Trying to ignore the asides Mason went on explaining how Tragg set up a command center in his hospital room. The District Attorney put all the facilities of his office at our disposal. Paul had men everywhere looking for clues, and Gertie and the office staff worked on straightening the office to see what might be missing."

"It was mighty frustrating," Tragg added, "being incapacitated and having so little to go on."

Mildreth unable to stay quiet any longer asked, "So what finally happened, that helped you to find us?

Arthur spoke up, "It was a combination of things and it was truly a group effort. Della gave us a starting point with the file she found, out of order."

Looking at her husband Della said, "remember that when you tell me I am too picky."

They laughed when the usually garrulous attorney said quietly, "yes dear." She just gave him that look again.

"That's right," Paul began, "with that information I went to work checking the file. Mrs. Tump really gave you false trails to follow. It was after getting in touch with the warden at the woman 's prison that led us to information about the daughter and granddaughter."

Hamilton Burger took up the tale. "Once we found out, thanks to the excellent work from Drake's operatives, there was a granddaughter at UCLA I used my influence, and got everyone I could out of bed to look at the records. We found where she lived off campus. Since Arthur was incapacitated I took his place."

"I wasn't thrilled he might be in danger, "Patti Burger interjected "but he also knew I would be very upset if he didn't do everything in his power to find my friends."

Burger looked at her and said quietly, "yes dear." The men looked at each other and just shook their heads.

"Well don't just sit there what happened next?" Mildreth and Della asked at the same time.

Perry picked up the thread of the story, "In our last conversation Della you mentioned Christmas, and I figured out it was a clue since it is July. Knowing what Paul had found out about Holly, her mother, and grandmother, we figured out our best bet was getting Holly. However, she wasn't there and the roommate said she hadn't been there for several days because her mom was in town."

Paul continued, "her roommate said we might go where she was working at the Golden Horn. We were getting discouraged again, but as we started to leave the girl remembered the mother had sent Holly the address where she would be staying, and she thought it was in the girl's desk. You can bet we went through that desk and found the letter."

Looking at the district attorney, Mason said, "Tell them what happened next Hamilton."

Looking a little surprised Burger said, "well we promised Tragg we would let him know what was happening. He got a squad of police to head for this address and we would meet them there. It just happened the mother was driving into the garage soon after we had arrived. We grabbed her, and by the way it was a red wig. Once we had her, all we needed to do was check out the house."

Paul took up the narrative. "We didn't know how involved the daughter was and we didn't any anyone hurt. Perry wasn't waiting. He kicked in the door, of course against our advice."

Defending himself, Mason went to explain, "The mother was screaming like banshee. Everyone was already warned. I didn't want to give her time to do anything more harmful."

"We were very lucky," Burger remarked.

There was a silence, in the room, as they all took in the facts and tried to understand what had happened. Perry finally asked, "so tell us what happened to you girls."

Mildreth said, "I can't say much because I was drugged most of the time. I do remember getting in the elevator to leave and the nurse being the only one in there. Then she pulled out a gun and led us to a van. I think the daughter was driving while she gave us hypodermics."

"I agree with Mildreth. It all happened very fast and we had no idea why she was targeting us. We couldn't see the driver well, she was pretty much covered up. The next thing we knew we were tied up and lying in a dark room. They did let us go to the bathroom and clean up a bit, and fed us." Della added.

"When did she start making demands?" Hamilton asked.

Taking time to try and get it straight in her mind Della answered. "It is hazy, it was hard to tell what time it was or even what day. The first thing I really remember her saying was I was going to have to call Perry and makes demands. At first I had no idea what she wanted or why. Poor Mildreth, she had no idea why she was targeted."

Mildreth added, "I do remember her saying she was getting even wth Perry and Arthur for their work in getting her mother and sister arrested and convicted. So they took hostages they felt meant something to each man and that they would want to get back. With the drugs they were using it was hard to keep things straight."

"As you know," Della continued, "I made the calls and they had to leave me sounding coherent which gave me time to try to find a code word to give Perry."

"You also knocked that your girl out, Della." Mildreth added.

All the men looked shocked. Paul had a grin on his face as he asked, "You knocked that girl out?"

Smiling Mildreth said, "she sure did. Della begged the girl to help us, once she realized who she was and when she came close to Della, she hit her with her legs and arms. It knocked her out for a while, but we couldn't get the knots loose."

Perry put an arm around her and looked so proud he could burst. Embarassed, Della explained, "it didn't work the mother came back too soon. What turned the tide was when I realized the girl was burining up with fever. The was no medicine, and the mother left to get some. That is where she was coming from when you caught her."

Arthur spoke up, "from what Holcomb told us she put up quite a fight and she has some mouth on her. He says he still has scratch marks on his face and arms."

"Holcomb helped out?" Della asked amazed.

Arthur grinned at her, "You may not know it, but quite a few people are very fond of you. Now your boss over there is another story."

Squeezing Perry's arm she looked at Tragg, the Burgers, Paul and Gertie, and said, "yet you were all here for Perry and you will never know how much I appreciate that."

Burger laughed, "We are counting on you to make him more mellow."

Della looked at her husband, "I not sure about that he works at pretty high speed. I'll tell you what, I'll work on him being more cooperative by reminding how well you worked together on getting us back safely."

Backing up his wife Mason said, "I will never forget your help. That doesn't mean I won't fight for a client, but never doubt if you really need our help we are both here for any of you. As you have said so many times Hamilton we are here to serve the ends of justice."

"I couldn't have said it better counselor. I'm just happy we now have many more years with those we love and will be able to spend them working to those ends." Hamilton remarked.

"Alright," Della began, "what happens next to Holly and her mother?

They looked at the District Attorney. "Well the mother, whose name is Velma, is being indicted for posing as a nurse, where she wasn't employed, giving out medications illegally, kidnapping, having an unregistered weapon, resisting arrest, attacking an officer, destroying property, your cars, and shooting Arthur and Perry. There may be a few other charges. The federal auhorities are pretty sure she knows where that money is her husband stole. We are tracing the money she used to set up the kidnapping and paid her daughter's expenses".

Arthur added, "She will be joining her mother and sister for a long time. The sister will not get parole either, for a long time."

With concern in her voice Della questioned, "what about Holly?"

"She is a vey confused young lady," Perry explained, "there haven't been charges brought against her, yet. She really has no family, although Paul did say the roommate mentioned a boyfiend she seemed pretty serious about. She does need some psychiatric care."

"I would like to help her. What about her schooling? Della asked.

Sitting back in his chair the lawyer smiled at his wife, "why am I not surprised. I think maybe the District Attorney and I can come to some agreement."

"Well I want to help her." Della was insistent.

Getting up Mildreth said, "me too, but if this answers all your questions for now, I think I need to get Arthur home so he can rest."

Arthur Tragg got up slowly faoring his good arm. He looked at Della and said, "This should interest you. We have information about your ex-suitor."

She looked at Perry who was frowning. "Go on."

The police officer seem to be enjoying Mason's reaction a little too much but went on, "He really did want to see you again. In fact, in our investigation, we came across one of your neighbor's who saw him at your apartment door rattling the doorknob. When the woman asked what he wanted he made up a name and said he thought it was their apartment. The lady thought it was just a case of mistaken identity, and of course you weren't there very often.

Della looked alarmed and Perry tried to reassure her it would be taken care of.

"Well you don't have to worry about him, he is in jail and we will see he doesn't bother anyone for a long while. He had anger problems, that is why he broke up Mildreth's store when he couldn't get any more credit. He has lost his job, we are going after him on a unregistered weapons charge, non-payment of support, and resisting arrest. The policeman he attacked is in the hospital with a broken jaw, ribs, and missing teeth."

Perry spoke up, "The story just gets crazier. An insane woman kidnapping two women, she doesn't even know, to pay back men who brought her family to justice after they murdered someone. A crazy man who thinks he can have any woman he desires and coincidentally uses a woman's business to get even when he feels they are thwarting his desires. Even I couldn't have made up these scenarios."

Hamilton added, "well the girls are back safely. The justice system will take care of the perpetrators. I think we have all done a very nice job with a happy ending."

Mildreth picked up her purse and said, "I think that about wraps it up. I can't thank all of you enough. Now it is time for your medication, and some rest and relaxation."

Putting his good arm around her Tragg told them, "she wants me in good shape for this week-end."

Blushing the florist said, "I think you are delirious."

When he said, "yes dear." They all laughed. Perry added, "get used to it."

As they were walking out she reminded them they were coming to Vegas for the wedding that week-end. Looking at Gertie she said, "You too Gertie, you worked as hard as anyone else."

The Burgers and Paul decided they needed to go also. After lots of hugs and thank yous when the door closed behind them Gertie said, "I can handle things here, you need to get Della home. She still looks tired."

Standing up Perry Mason said, "I agree with you Gertrude. It is time for a nap.

Gertie walked out on a cloud of happiness as the lawyer held out his hand to his wife. Making sure the door was closed he pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. When they broke apart he said, "Do you know what I think?"

Trying not to smile Della answered, "well I know your idea of a nap, but is there anything else?

"Yes, young lady, there is. I think we should get married again in Las Vegas."

Arching an eyebrow at him she asked, "why?"

Pulling her close he explained, "There were moments I was afraid I might have lost you. By saying our vows again it will remind me of the happiest day of my life. A day I never thought would come and as a reminder to treasure every day and moment we have together. Also you would have to divorce me twice."

Lovable and practical what more could any woman ask for. What if you get tired of me?"

"Never!"

"Never?" she asked.

Brushing back her curls he told her, "I told you that whatever part you want in our lives is yours, but I've changed my mind, you are by my side forever. What have you told me, we are a team. So prepare for the ride of a lifetime Mrs. Mason."

Tears glistened in her eyes, "As I told you when you hired me I was looking for a career, not your bankroll. Yet you have made all my dreams come true and it is beyond anything I could imagine. So Mr. Mason, I have changed my mind, I also want to be your wife and secretary forever and ever. You can take me home now."

He looked down into her beautiful eyes as she snuggled up to him and said, "you're the boss."

Well we come to the end of our mystery. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope it answers questions people had. BTW the ex-boyfriend was a red herring I put in to see if I could confuse things. I want you to know your reviews were wonderful and I appreciate each and every one. If I had had my own computer back I would have thanked each of you personally. Thanks for reading.

Chapter Twenty-Epilogue

A week later Perry, Della, Paul Drake, Mildreth Faulkner, Arthur Tragg wearing a sling, Hamilton and Patti Burger, and Gertie, thrilled to be included, were gathered in the law offices.

Della looked at Mildreth who seemed to have recovered from their ordeal. "Alright," she said to Perry, "you go first and telll us what happened and how you found us"

"Yes," said Mildreth, "Arthur has been very stingy in explaining what happened."

Looking at his wife Mason explained, "he isn't the only one who has had pressure put on him for explanations. We wanted to get all the information together and wait until we could all be together."

Tragg said, "I have to say this was a group effort. It was a matter of pulling all the information together and analyzing the data as it came in."

"Enough stalling," Della told them.

Perry inclined his head toward her as he said, "you can see what I have to live with."

She gave him the look until he held his hand up in surrender. "Alright, alright. Once we realized you two had disappeared we went into action."

Paul informed them, "Yeah after he almost killed me for letting you stay at the hospital alone."

"Peerrreee, you know he couldn't have changed my mind." Della stated.

"Boy do I know those words," Burger said. "Ow!" He exclaimed as his wife's elbow met with his ribs.

"It was mighty frustrating," Tragg added, "being incapacitated and having so little to go on."

Mildreth unable to stay quiet any longer asked, "So what finally happened that helped you to find us?

Arthur spoke up, "It was a combination of things and it was truly a group effort. Della gave us a starting point with the file she found, out of order."

Looking at her husband Della said, "remember that when you tell me I am too picky."

They laughed when the usually garrulous attorney said quietly, "yes dear." She just gave him that look again.

Hamilton Burger took up the tale. "Once we found out, thanks to the excellent work from Drake's operatives, there was a granddaughter at UCLA I used my influence and got everyone I could out of bed to look at the records. We found where she lived off campus. Since Arthur was incapacitated I took his place."

"I wasn't thrilled he might be in danger, "Patti Burger interjected "but he also knew I would be very upset if he didn't do everything in his power to find my friends."

Burger looked at her and said quietly, "yes dear." The men looked at each other and just shook their heads.

"Well don't just sit there what happened next?" Mildreth and Della asked at the same time.

Looking at the district attorney, Mason said, "Tell them what happened next Hamilton."

Looking a little surprised Burger said, "well we promised Tragg we would let him know what was happening. He got a squad of police to head for this address and we would meet them there. It just happened the mother was driving into the garage soon after wqe arrived. We grabbed her and by the way it was a red wig. Once we had her, all we needed to do was check out the house."

Paul took up the narrative. "We didn't know how involved the daughter was and we didn't ant anyone hurt. Perry wasn't waiting. He kicked in the door, of course against out advice."

Defendiing himself, Mason went to explain, "The mother was screaming like banshee. Everyone was already warned. I didn't want to give her time to do anything more harmful."

"We were very lucky," Burger remarked.

There was a silence, in the room, as they all took in the facts and tried to understand what had happened. Perry finally asked, "so tell us what happened to you girls."

"When did she start making demands?" Hamilton asked.

Taking time to try and get it straight in her mind Della answered. "It is hazy, it was hard to tell what time it was or even what day. The first thing I really remember is her saying is I was going to have to call Perry and makes demands. At first I had no idea what she wanted or why. Poor Mildreth, she had no idea why she was targeted."

"As you know," Della continued, "I made the calls and they had to leave me sounding coherent which gave me time to try to find a code word to give Perry."

"You also knocked that your girl out, Della." Mildreth added.

All the men looked shocked. Paul had a grin on his face as he asked, "You knocked that girl out?"

Perry put an arm around her and looked so proud he could burst. Embarassed, Della explained, it didn't work the mother came back too soon. What turned the tide was when I realized the girl was burining up with fever. The was no medicine and the mother left to get some. That is where she was coming from when you caught her."

Arthur spoke up, "from what Holcomb told us she put up quite a fight and she has some mouth on her. He says he still has scratch marks on his face and arms."

"Holcomb helped out?" Della asked amazed.

Arthus grinned at her, "You may not know it but quite a few people are very fond of you. Now your boss over there is another story."

Squeezing his arm she looked at Tragg, the Burgers, Paul and Gertie, and said, "yet you were all here for Perry and you will never know how much I appreciate that."

Burger laughed, "We are counting on you to make him more mellow."

Della looked at her husband, "I not sure about that he works at pretty high speed. I'll tell you what, I'll work on him being more cooperative by reminding how well you worked togther on getting us back safely."

"I couldn't have said it better counselor. I'm just happy we now have many more years with those we love and to be able to spend working to those ends." Hamilton remarked.

"Alright," Della began, "what happens next to Holly and her mother?

Arthur added, "She will be joining her mother and sister. The sister will not get parole either, for a long time."

With concern in her voice Della questioned, "what about Holly?"

"She is a vey confused young lady," Perry explained, "there haven't been charges brought against her yet. She really has no family, although Paul did say the roommate mentioned a boyfiend she seemed pretty serious about. She does need some psychiatric care."

"I would like to help her. What about her schooling? Della asked.

Sitting back in his chair the lawyer smiled at his wife, "why am I not surprised. I think maybe the District Attorney and I can come to some agreement."

"Well I want to help her." Della was insistent.

Geting up Mildreth said, " Me too, but if this answers all your questions for now, I think I need to get Arthur home so he can rest."

Arthur Tragg got up slowly faoring his good arm. He looked at Della and said, "This should interest you. We have information about your ex-suitor."

She looked at Perry who was frowning. "Go on."

Della looked alarmed and Perry tried to reassure her it would be taken care of.

"Well you don't have to worry about him, he is in jail and we will see he doesn't bother anyone for a long while. He had anger problems, that is why he broke up Mildreth's store when he couldn't get any more credit, he has lost his job, we are going after him on a unregistered weapons charge, non-payment of support, and resisting arrest. The policeman he attacked is in the hospital with a broken jaw, ribs, and missing teeth."

Perry spoke up, "The story just gets crazier. A insane woman kidnapping to women she doesn't even know to pay back men who brought her family to justice after they murdered someone. A crazy man who thinks he can have any woman he desires and coincidentally uses a woman's business to get even when he feels theyare thwarting his desires. Even I couldn't have made up this scenarios."

Hamilton added, "well the girls are back safely. The justice system will take care of the perpetrators. I think we have all done a very nie job with a happy ending."

Mildreth picked up her purse and said, "I think that about wraps it up. I can't thank all of you enough. Now it is time for your medication, and some rest and relaxation

Putting his good arm around her Tragg told them, "she wants me in good shape for this week-end."

Blushing the florist said, "I think you are delirious."

When he said, "yes dear." They all laughed. Perry added, "get used to it."

As they were walking out she reminded them they were coming to Vegas for the wedding that week-end. Looking at Gertie she said, "You too Gertie, you worked as hard as anyone else."

Standing up Perry Mason said, "I agree with you Gertrude. It is time for a nap.

Trying not to smile Della answered, "well I know your idea of a nap, but is there anything else?

"Yes, young lady, there is. I think we should get married again in Las Vegas."

Arching an eyebrow at him she asked, "why?"

Lovable and practical what more could any woman ask for. What if you get tired of me?"

"Never!"

"Never?" she asked.

He looked down into her beautiful eyes as she snuggled up to him and said, "you're the boss."