The Case of the Deadly Toy Extended Chapter 8
Rating For This Chapter---R
Perry Mason looked at Lieutenant Arthur Tragg with steely eyes. Perry was clearly aggravated. `This is just what we need,' he thought, `something else to be concerned about. I wonder what we'll be hit with next.'
"And that would concern us how, Lieutenant? Just why do you need Mr. Carter to go downtown with you?" Perry's voice was cold and he maintained an even tone despite his aggravation.
"I just would like to ask him some questions."
Perry was about to answer him when Della spoke up. "Lieutenant, as you can clearly see, Mr. Carter is definitely in no shape to go anywhere. In fact, the doctor was just here and wants him to get a lot of rest …uninterrupted rest." She smiled at him sweetly, but there was something in the tone of her voice that let the Detective know he would not be taking Mike downtown.
Perry watched what one might call a "standoff" between Della and Lieutenant Tragg. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. He knew when she took that tone with someone, they had better make a hasty retreat. She usually didn't answer for Perry, but he knew that her lack of sleep, coupled with her raw emotions, had put her on the defensive. She was trying to protect their friends.
Perry quietly walked over to Della and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. He then said to Tragg, "Lieutenant, may I have a word with you in private."
"Yeah Perry, I guess so."
Perry led him down the hallway and into Mike's study. He closed the door behind him and offered him a seat. The Detective sat down on the leather couch … his hat in his hand. Perry leaned on the desk, facing him. "Now, what's this all about Tragg?"
"A call came in this morning from the manager over at the White Sands Motel. Seems the maid tried to get into the room to clean and the key wouldn't go into the lock. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She got the manager and she tried but no luck. She finally had to call a locksmith. He came…they opened the door … and found the body. A young woman… she was shot at close range. Whoever did it must have used a silencer because no one heard anything. They jammed something into the lock. That's why they couldn't get the door opened."
"I take it you were able to identify her?" Perry asked.
"Yeah." Tragg reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a notepad. Her name is …Dianne Adams."
Perry remained stone faced
"Seems she had a card with your friend's name on it." Perry started to say something but the Detective put his hand up to stop him. "Look Perry, I know that the Carters are friends of yours and Della's… and I know there was a problem last night and Mike was mixed up in it … and the way he looks now says a lot by itself."
"Tragg, you don't know what happened last night."
"Well suppose you tell me then…"
Perry then told the Lieutenant the events of the night before. When he finished, Tragg looked at Perry wearily and said, "Alright Perry, for now, I won't take him downtown, but I do want to take his fingerprints. I'm going to call Sergeant Taylor and tell him to bring the kit over. Since Carter's card was in her purse, I have to check out every lead."
"I understand Tragg ," said Perry calmly. "And just for the record, we really appreciate your understanding with this."
The Lieutenant stood up, his hat in hand. He smiled and said to Perry with a half grin, "Just don't let this get out…might spoil my reputation."
The two men laughed and shook hands. Perry went out of the room to let everyone know what was going on and Tragg picked up the phone to call headquarters.
"Dead? She's dead? Mike asked Perry incredulously. "How did it happen?" Mike's face had turned ashen and he looked as though he was going to be sick.
"Take it easy, buddy," said Perry. "Tragg didn't tell me too much. Just that someone shot her. Don't worry about the prints. Remember, you have an alibi for last night."
"Yes, but who's going to back up my story?"
"Don't you worry about that. You have Della and me … and, if need be, I will get a subpoena for our friends. Just let Tragg take the prints. It will make him happy and then I'm sure he will leave you alone."
"OK Perry, thanks and … thanks again for everything."
Perry smiled, put his hand on Mike's shoulder, and went off in search of Della.
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Perry lay on the bed in the Carter's guest room, reading over the notes Della had taken for him. A peaceful lull had come into the house and, for the first time since the whole nightmare began, Perry thought he could finally see an end in sight.
Paul had left to go back to his office. The police Sergeant had come to the house, taken Mike's prints and left along with Tragg, who told Perry he would call him in a few hours. Mike had then gone upstairs to rest and Jill had taken Elizabeth to the park to play. They both needed to get out of the house and spend some time together.
Della was laying curled up next to Perry, in a deep sleep. Perry had one arm around her and now looked down at her. `She's so beautiful,' he thought. He couldn't resist. Not wanting to wake her, he very quietly bent over and, as softly and gently as he could, placed a tender kiss on her lips. She moved in even closer to Perry. He put the notes on the night table, turned back to her, and pulled her gently into his arms. He thought back to how he had gotten her to finally get some rest….
Della wanted to go to the park with Jill and the baby, but she knew they needed time together. So, after they had left, she had begun to straighten up the house … picking up the baby's toys … making sure the kitchen was clean. Perry had walked into the kitchen, come up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and dropped a kiss on her cheek. Della immediately felt herself go weak.
"Just what do you think you're doing Miss Street ?" he asked in a mock courtroom voice.
"I'm straightening up a little, Mr. Mason," Della said in a demure tone.
Perry turned her around to face him and gazed into her eyes. The smile and the look she returned stole his breath away. He put one hand on her waist and began to rub her back with the other … first in small circles, then in larger ones . She leaned into him and put her head on his broad chest. He then lowered his hands and brought them down along her sides, finally resting them on her hips.
Della felt herself grow warm and her heart began to race. "Per…" She didn't have a chance to finish. Perry bent down and kissed her so long and so deeply, she felt as if she were suspended in space. When he finally released her, she could neither breathe nor speak.
Perry picked her up and carried her into the guest room. He laid her gently on the bed and sat down next to her. He began to stroke her hair. He took her hand in his, brought it up to his lips, and kissed it.
Della put her arms around his neck and pulled his face down to hers. She began to kiss him, slowly at first, but then the kiss went deeper, her tongue searching for his … his taste consuming her.
Perry heard her moan, then began caressing her. He heard Della's voice … begging him … pleading with him not to stop. His hands gently went up to her face, then down to her neck and throat. He tenderly brushed his lips across her breasts. He felt the blood rush to his head. He was lost in a different world … a world belonging just to them. The last thing he thought of, before he divested them both of their clothes, was he was glad he had remembered to lock the door.
Afterwards, Della went to the bathroom to shower and came out wrapped in a robe she'd borrowed from Jill. Perry had gotten dressed and was sitting on the bed. He smiled at her and held out his arms. She went to him and he encircled her, pulling her in as close as he could. She looked up at him with a contented smile. He bent down and lightly kissed the top of her head.
"How do you feel, Angel?"
"Hmmm… I feel wonderful … and it's all because of you, counselor. How about you?"
"I have to say … I feel like a million … thanks to all your attention. By the way, you look radiant, but you also still look tired, darling."
"I'm fine," Della said, trying to stifle a yawn. She buried her head into Perry's chest, hoping he wouldn't see. "We really put this room to good use," she said mischievously. "Where is everybody anyway?"
"I checked while you were in the shower. Jill's next door neighbor came over with dinner for all of us for tonight …which I thought was very nice. Then, Faith took the baby back to her house. Jill said her kids love to play with Elizabeth . Jill and Mike are upstairs. I think they are sleeping …which is just what you should be doing. I caught that little yawn. It's nap time for you my baby."
Della looked up at him and smiled. "I'm not even tired Perry," she said drowsily.
"Alright then, how about if I just hold you a little?" Perry covered Della with the quilt while gently massaging her forehead.
"That feels so nice." She looked up at Perry, her eyelids growing heavy.
Perry tenderly continued to caress her face. He leaned over and whispered softly, "Have beautiful dreams, darling."
Della's voice was very soft. "I love you Per…." Her eyes closed and, in a minute, her breathing became slow and steady.
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By six o'clock, Della and Jill were in the kitchen. Della was feeding Elizabeth and Jill was making a salad. The casserole that Jill's neighbor had brought over was in the oven. Perry and Mike were watching the news. So far, nothing had been reported about the murder. Perry knew that Burger and Tragg probably wanted to keep it as quiet as possible. This was mainly due to the fact that Dianne was Paloma's ex-girlfriend.
Perry stood up and went into the kitchen. He smiled to himself as he watched Della with the baby. She really loved her and the feeling was mutual. `Look at her,' Perry said to himself, `she's a natural. She would be a wonderful mother.'
A few minutes later, Della finished feeding Elizabeth . She cleaned her up, then gently lifted her out of her highchair. As she turned around to take the baby into the other room, she found Perry looking at her, a tender smile on his lips. She went over to him and handed the baby to him. He winked at her, then took the baby in to sit with Mike.
A short while later, Jill called from the kitchen. "Dinner is ready."
Mike put the baby in her playpen and the four of them sat down at the dining room table, where they had a direct view to Elizabeth .
As they began to eat, Perry spoke up. "Mike, if you and Jill don't mind, I think Della and I will leave after dinner. You've both had a very draining couple of days. You deserve some quiet time alone. Also, Della and I need to go home. We have to go into the office tomorrow and there are some things I still want to talk to Paul about … some things we have to go over. Your hospitality was just great. We really appreciate it."
"Perry," Mike said, "Jill and I have to thank you for everything that you've done. We are so grateful. I don't know what we would have done without your help…and your friendship."
"That's what we're here for," Della said softly. "You know that Perry wi…."
She was silenced by the ringing of the doorbell.
"Perry, would you mind seeing who that is?" asked Mike.
Perry stood up and went to the door. He opened it to find Lieutenant Tragg, another detective, and a police officer he did not recognize. As soon as he saw them, he had a sick feeling in his stomach.
"Come in Lieutenant … gentlemen."
The three men walked into the dining room. Tragg looked at Perry, then looked at Della, Mike, and Jill. "I'm sorry to interrupt your dinner, folks. Unfortunately, I have some unpleasant news. The prints that were found on the murder weapon were a match." He looked straight at Mike and said, "Mike Carter, you are under arrest for the murder of Dianne Adams. I'm afraid you'll have to come along with me."