TCOT Sunbathers Diary Extended Chapter 7

At 10 A.M. Perry and Della arrived at the office, using his private entrance. While Della busied herself opening the drapes, turning on the lights, and going into her office to situate herself with her regular morning tasks, Perry phoned Paul to let him know they had arrived. He then walked into Della's office, went around to where she was sitting and leaned against her desk. Della looked up at him and gave him a brilliant smile. Taking hold of her hand, Perry brought it up to his lips and tenderly kissed it. In a soft voice he asked, "How are you feeling sweetheart?"

Her hand still in Perry's, Della leaned back in her chair. Gazing up into Perry's eyes she let out a soft sigh and said, "I feel wonderful but how could I not?...The most wonderful man in the world takes care of me, protects me, keeps me safe and loves me. With all that attention I can't go wrong. Now counselor, as nice as it is sitting here with you like this, don't you think it's time we get some work done?...and, if I know Mr. Drake like I think I do , he should be here any minute."

Perry smiled at Della and was about to say something when Gertie came bounding in, breathless, her large round eyes filled with her normal excitement. "Della I….oh gosh…hello Mr. Mason…I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."

Perry and Della both smiled at her. Even though she seemed to always be in a state of perpetual motion…somewhat like a whirling dervish, and even though she was always the one person who always seemed to know the comings and goings of mostly everyone in the Brent Building, Gertie was in fact, a very responsible and reliable person. She was always willing to do whatever Perry or Della asked of her and when the need arose, became surprisingly tight lipped. Both Perry and Della always remarked that she was a God send and they would be lost without her.

Gertie knew her employer's routine. Now she stood in front of Della's desk, waiting for either one of them to ask her, as they always did , what, if anything had taken place before their arrival. It was clear from the look in her eyes and the way that she had come into Della's office that she had something to tell them. Knowing her as well as he did, Perry smiled at her and asked her in an easy manner, "Well, Gertie, what's going on this morning? Anything exciting? Anything that needs our immediate attention?"

"Nothing exciting exactly, Mr. Mason, but something did happen that was sort of strange."

"What exactly was it?" Perry asked, his intuition immediately going into overdrive.

"It was the oddest thing. After you called this morning and said you and Della would be in a little later, I went to the Post Office like you asked to mail those documents and letters. Then I stopped at Sam's market to pick up some coffee …Della asked me to get some because we were all out and then I came back to the office."

"…And?" Perry asked patiently; trying to extract the information.

Gertie took a breath and continued, "I had just gotten off the elevator and was walking down the hall when the phone started to ring. I tried to hurry and unlock the door so I could get to it before they hung up but I didn't have a chance. Then, about twenty minutes later the phone rang again. I picked it up and said hello but there was no answer. I said hello two more times and heard breathing on the line but no one said anything and then whoever it was hung up. A half hour later, it rang again and I answered it. Whoever it was sounded funny…like he was trying to disguise his voice…and Della… he…he asked for you. He didn't want to talk to Mr. Mason…just you. I told him that you hadn't come in yet…" Gertie stopped, finally took a breath and looked at Perry and Della who by now knew exactly what she was talking about. She momentarily hesitated as if instinctively knowing that what she was about to convey would not be good.

Perry put his arm around Della's waste, pulling her to him as he felt her body stiffen. Gertie noticed this and she also noticed Della's face turning pale. Perry looked at Gertie and in a voice as calm as he could manage asked, "What did the caller say next Gert?"

Gertie's eyes darted back and forth from Della to Perry, then back to Della. In a low voice, that was uncommonly unlike her, she said "Listen, toots, whoever you are you tell Mason to stop making excuses and stop hiding that pretty little secretary of his. They know what I want and when I want it and I better get it. If I don't me and my friends won't be happy and if they're not happy, by the time we're through, Mr. Mason is not gonna be happy either. It's no secret that Miss Street is more than just his secretary so if he doesn't want anything to happen to her then he better make real sure that she cooperates with me. Ya got all that toots? I'm gonna call back in three hours and they better be ready to do what I tell em…" Then…then he… hung up." Gertie's eyes filled with tears and her voice was one of deep concern. "Della, I'm so sorry…I don't know what else to say….I tried to get him to tell me who he was but he hung up too fast…and that call, it came in just before you got here."

Della walked over to Gertie, put her arms around her and gave her a hug. When she pulled away, she looked at Gertie and said softly, "It's okay Gertie, really, it's okay. Everything will be fine. Per…Mr. Mason and Mr. Drake are taking care of everything. Thank you for worrying but don't…and thank you for being my friend."

Perry took both of Gertie's hands in his and said sincerely. "Yes Gertie, just like Della said, thank you for everything. You were wonderful, Dear, and you handled that call and the caller perfectly…just right. Now, how about if you take the rest of the day off…get your hair done or go shopping…whatever you would like…and have the bills sent to me…just a little token to show you how much we appreciate everything you do around here…how much you mean to us."

Gertie started to protest… "Oh Mr. Mason, I couldn't, I just couldn't…I mean thank you…that is so nice of you and Della but…"

Perry put his hand up to stop Gertie from going on. Smiling he said, "I insist Gertie, it's our pleasure…really. We'll be fine…we'll manage. We're going to take care of this and then the rest of the day should be a piece of cake. Now you go on dear…get going. After all, you don't want to waist such a beautiful day, do you?"

"Well, no…alright if you're sure you really don't need me to stay. Thank you." She put her hand on top of Perry's, then turned and hugged Della tightly…as if to let her know she understood everything that had taken place. She then began to walk out of the office but when she reached the door she stopped. Turning around, she looked at Perry and Della very intently. In that same low voice, that was so unlike her, she said, "If you need anything…anything at all just ask." She then turned back around, opened the door and quietly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.

The minute Gertie left, Perry turned to Della and looked at her with love and concern. He drew her into his embrace, holding her close to him. Della held on to Perry and as he rubbed her back and stroked her hair in an effort to sooth her, she said in a barely audible voice, "Don't let me go…please don't let me go." Perry put his face next to hers and said in a soft, calm voice, "It's alright Della, I'm right here honey…I'm right here. I won't let you go…I 'm going to be with you all the time, OK? We're going to get to the bottom of this. I promise you, this all will be over soon." He bent down and kissed the top of her head, then left a soft kiss on her lips. Pulling back to look at her, he smiled and said, "Come on, let's go into my office. Paul should be here any minute."

As if on cue, at that moment they heard Paul's coded knock on the door. Before Perry could tell Paul to come in, Della put her hand on Perry's cheek. Her other arm went around his neck and she pulled his face down to hers, leaving a sweet kiss on his lips. In a soft voice she said, "I'm alright now Perry, really…you always make me feel better." She gave Perry as bright a smile as she could manage and taking a deep breath, walked into Perry's office and opened the door for Paul.

The tall handsome detective came through the door and was about to say something to his friends when he stopped short. Looking at their faces he realized that a new twist had occurred. Curiously, he asked them "Well, now what happened?" Perry told him about the phone called and all that it entailed. Paul let out a deep breath and said, "This just keeps getting more serious doesn't it?"

"Yes, Paul, it does." Perry answered. That's why we have to find the answer…or rather the person or persons that are behind this mess."

Paul smiled at Perry and Della and said, "Well, in that case I think you're going to like the information I have for you."

"Let's have it then," Perry said as he went around to the back of his desk and sat down in his chair. Della watched him as he did so. She was amazed at the comfort and security that flowed through her. It was something she'd seen him do a thousand times and that small bit of normalcy made all the difference in the world. Paul then sat down in the chair next to the desk and Della, of course, made herself comfortable on the corner of it closest to Perry.

"Okay guys, this is what I have. It seems that Bill Emory has a brother Frank who is pretty well healed. He used to live here but he moved to Colorado a few years ago. Apparently, he owns some businesses…a nightclub, some department stores and a couple of hotels. It also appears that he is not the sole owner. Some time back, Bill needed money and he wanted Frank to lend him some. Frank wouldn't do it because they were at odds…some kind of family trouble. At the time Bill was working for that armored car company that, as you know, was the one the bank used. He became friendly with Dowling and Ballard and well, you know the rest. Now, here's where the story really gets interesting. When Frank first wound up in Colorado, he met a group of big wheelers and dealers and started to hang around with them…going to parties…bragging…throwing money around like it was nothing. At the time, he was living in Colorado Springs. Then, all of a sudden, he left there and moved. My men are still working on that part…where he moved to and why. I'm just waiting for Faulkner and Henderson to come back from there. They should be back tonight, tomorrow at the latest. Like I said before, I think somehow there's some kind of connection between this guy and this whole thing. As soon as Faulkner and Henderson get in, I'll meet with them and then I'll let you know everything. Oh, by the way, the guy who's keeping that extra eye on you, Beautiful, is Baker. He's one of my top operatives and he knows exactly what to do. Right now, he's in my office going over some reports for me. If you would like, I could bring him down here so you and Perry can meet him."

Perry looked at Della and asked quietly, "What do you think, Sweetheart? Do you want to meet him?"

"I suppose that would be best." She paused a moment then said softly, "I know why you want him to be around and I love you for it…both of you, but I wish…I wish…" Della suddenly stopped talking. She was so drained she just couldn't finish what she wanted to say.

She didn't have to say anything further. As if reading her thoughts, Perry stood up and went over to her. He put his arms around her and spoke in a tender, caring voice. "I know, Darling, I know. I just think that it's important for him to be around…it's like having a little extra insurance. Della, I can't take any chances with your life…I won't. I love you too much. You're everything to me, my whole world." Perry then kissed Della lightly on the forehead without releasing her from his arms, he turned back to Paul. Keeping his voice calm even though he was frustrated and angry, he said, "This creep is supposed to call back around one o'clock. I think it's time we brought Tragg and Burger in on this. I want them here when he calls and I want that called traced. Can you take care of that for me?"

Paul maneuvered his big frame out of the chair. Putting his hand on Perry's shoulder he said, "Consider it done pal. And, Della, I know this is hard but try not to worry. We'll get to the bottom of this." He gave her a smile and a wink then turned and walked out of the office leaving Perry and Della alone. Perry led Della over to the couch. He sat down and then gently pulled her down onto his lap. As he began to tenderly caress her face, she put her head on his broad chest and closed her eyes. She then took a deep breath and said softly, "Mmmmm, this is so nice Counselor. I could stay like this all day but we haven't gotten a lot done around here lately and this isn't helping."

"Shhhhh, I know baby but I can't help it. I just want to sit here and hold you…even it's for a little while, okay?"

There was no answer. Perry looked down at Della and smiled. She had fallen asleep, curled up safely and securely in Perry's arms.

He walked down the long hallway until he came to the room he was seeking. As his hand went to the door, it opened even before he could knock. He walked through and came face to face with the person inside. Before he could speak, he was pushed into the blue flowered chair that was in the corner of the room. The voice he heard although quiet and clipped was filled with anger and impatience . "What are you doing here?", he asked

"What am I doing here? …What am I doing here? What do you think I'm doing here? This is taking too long. When I hired you to do this, you told me it would be easy. You could have it wrapped up in a few days or maybe a week. If you haven't noticed, it's been a little longer, or haven't you been paying attention? "

Now he was sweating but he wanted to explain. "Look, I didn't think it would take this long. She told him about it and… that's the problem. If she wouldn't have gone to him…said anything it would have been over by now….Anyway she's really sweet and nice…and she's beautiful. Why do you want to do this to her. She never did anything to you."

The voice became louder now, the rage seething. "You idiot, don't you get it? She has everything and I have nothing. …nothing. She has it all, and she's so naïve she doesn't even realize it. Even though she had to work for everything…for school…for the job…it didn't seem to bother her. She's always happy. She's always so sweet it makes me want to throw up. I want what's mine and if I can't have it, then either can she. Even if I don't wind up with everything I want, at least I'll have the money and she'll be left with nothing."

"How do you figure that?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer.

An evil look came into the eyes as the voice turned ice cold. "Because, this will make him see what she's really like. He won't be able to forgive her….He'll turn his back on her and she'll be destroyed…and I will have the money and the satisfaction of watching her ruination…their ruination. Do you understand now, you stupid little man.? If you want your cut out of this you better get with it. I want results. I know you told her one more week but I've changed my mind. I want it over with…finished…and I want it finished today. Now get out of here and out of my sight. Do it right and make sure there's no trail. I don't want them coming after me. Remember if I go down, you're going down with me and so is everyone else. I don't want to hear from you again unless you call to tell me that it's over and it better end the way we want."

Sweating and shaking, he stood up, turned and silently walked out the door.