TCOT Deadly Toy Ch.10

Perry Mason sat at his desk, listening intently as his friend, Paul Drake, continued to tell him the information he had in reference to Mike Carter's case. The attorney and the detective had been in conference for the better part of an hour and Perry wanted to make sure he had all of the facts correct. He was completely focused on what Paul was telling him. Perry always gave a hundred percent to everything he did … totally immersing himself in every aspect of whatever case he was working on. This case, however, was personal and, for that reason alone, Perry wanted every "I" dotted and every "t" crossed. He wanted no stone left unturned. Yes, that had always been his way in his professional life, and, now that he had Della to love and care for, he was the same with her as well.

"So, as I was saying Perry, it seems that the person behind everything is this Domenico guy."

"Well, that would certainly would explain a lot of things. It seems to me that for some reason, this man is trying to set up Mike to take the blame for the Adams girl's murder. What still puzzles me, though, is the whole thing about Cavanaugh and how Mike wasn't supposed to know him." Perry paused a minute then continued. "You and your contacts did a great job Paul. We still need to get some more information. I really want you to dig deeper and see what else you can come up with. It definitely is a set up and the answer has got to be out there … Is there something wrong with your watch?"

"Huh? Oh no, Perry. I was just thinking about Della. Shouldn't she have been back by now?"

Perry laughed. "Paul, I swear. Sometimes I think you have a one track mind. However, now that you've mentioned it, you're right. Della should have been back by now. She probably got distracted. She's been so upset these last few days. She hasn't been sleeping all that well and she hasn't been eating that much either. You heard her say that all she was going to have for lunch was a salad and tea. Maybe she decided to eat at Clay's or maybe she went to that new boutique that just opened a couple of weeks ago."

Paul smiled at his friend. "Boy Perry, you got it bad , don't you?"

"Yeah, I do," said Perry, "and I wouldn't want it any other way. I love her so much Paul. I guess I just worry about her. I hate to see her upset or unhappy. Come on, let's go see if we can track down my girl."

The two men stood up and went through Perry's office into Della's office. They stopped and looked at one another with a puzzled expression on their faces. There on Della's desk was a tray. On it was the food and drinks from Clays, along with dishes, silverware and napkins. A teapot and saucer and cup stood beside it.

"Well, she has to be around here someplace," Perry said. "Let me go ask Gertie." He walked into the reception area, but Gertie was not there.

"She's probably at lunch, Perry." Said Paul. For some reason, the detective had a strange feeling in his gut, but said nothing to his friend.

They checked the law library, thinking that perhaps Della had decided to take a nap and use the couch in there instead of the one in Perry's office. They also checked the rest of the suite of rooms, making up Perry's entire office, but Della was nowhere to be found.

"I'm going to check some of the other offices Paul. Maybe she is down the hall talking to one of the other secretaries."

"Perry, why don't we wait a little while? I'm sure that most people will be at lunch. Della will probably walk in any minute and tell us how foolish we are for worrying. Then she'll really let us have it for being so over protective and treating her like a kid."

At that, Perry had to laugh. "You're probably right Paul. She'll think we're crazy because we made such a big thing over this … and I for one do not want to be on the receiving end of her wrath."

Paul was looking in the closet. "Perry, did Della wear a coat this morning?"

"No, she didn't. I wanted her to because it was chilly and I knew it would be cool when we left tonight but she didn't want to … she said she would be fine. I'm learning not to press the issue with her." Perry gave Paul a rueful smile.

A few minutes later, Gertie returned from lunch. Perry and Paul heard her come in and walked back to the reception area to speak to her.

"Gertie, have you seen Della?"

Gertie's normally big saucer eyes seemed to get even larger. "Oh gosh, Mr. Mason. I haven't … I mean I saw her this morning when you both came back from court and then I saw her for a little while after that, but then she was busy, you know, and everything and then I went to lunch … " Gertie sensed that Perry seemed to be more concerned than was normal. "Is something wrong, Mr. Mason?"

Perry smiled at her and patted her hand. "No dear. It's just that Della was supposed to be back by now. I'm sure she'll be back any minute. If you see her before I do, please tell her to come into my office."

"Of course, Mr. Mason. I'll be sure to give her your message as soon as I see her."

"Thank you dear." Perry smiled at her, then turned and went back into his office with Paul.

An hour later, Perry was pacing in his office. Paul had gone to some of the other offices to see if Della had in fact stopped in to speak to some of the other secretaries. He had also walked over to Clay's to see if perhaps Della had decided to go back there. Paul was beginning to get worried. He went back to Perry's office to see if Della had returned.

Perry had called Jill … thinking she'd gone over to check on she and the baby. Jill told Perry, before leaving court that morning, Della told her that she would speak to her later in the day, but so far, she hadn't heard from her. Perry put down the phone and stared into space thinking … thinking about Mike, the information Paul had found out, the craziness of the whole thing and Della … where was she? Where could she have gone? He was still lost in thought when Paul walked back into his office.

"Perry?" Paul stood directly in front of Perry to get his attention.

"Something's wrong, Paul. I know it … I can feel it. Della wouldn't do something like this … she wouldn't just go off and not tell me where she was going. Not her … not Della. She's responsible … she's efficient … she's organized … she's always on time….she's…" Perry let out a deep breath and put his hands over his eyes.

Paul looked at Perry and saw the worry etching itself into his face. 'He's right,' Paul thought. 'It is not like Della to just disappear.'

"Come on Perry … let's go over to her apartment. Maybe she just decided to go home and get some rest. You said yourself that she hasn't been sleeping very well."

"I called Frank downstairs. I had him check to see if my car was still there. He said it was and that he hasn't seen her … I'm really worried Paul."

"I know, Buddy. Come on … let's go. We'll find her. Everything will be fine. I'm going to tell Gertie that we're leaving for the rest of the day."

Perry stood up, looked at Paul and silently walked out of his office.

Perry and Paul stood in the bedroom in complete shock. They'd driven to Della's, parked the car, and walked up to her door. Perry had knocked and called out her name several times. When there was no answer, Perry took out the key she had given him and unlocked the door. Before going inside, Perry closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Then, he and Paul stepped inside.

Della's closet was empty … as were her dresser draws. Gone from the bathroom was her makeup, shampoo, toothbrush, and favorite talcum powder. The perfume Perry had given her, the one she kept on her dresser, was also missing as well as her jewelry. The towels that they had used that morning were hung neatly on the towel bars. The bed had been made before they left for court and the rest of the apartment was neat and clean. The only thing that was out of place was a glass left on the kitchen table. Next to it was a bottle of aspirin and a box of tissues.

Perry shuddered and suddenly felt a chill go through him. He sat down and put his head in his hands. He looked at Paul and said in a low remorseful voice. "My God Paul, where is she? Where could she have gone and why? Something's happened to her. I know her …. she wouldn't just leave like this … she wouldn't leave me. We're in love. I love her so much and she knows it. Just the other night she told me how safe and protected she feels with me … how she feels when I hold her. She knows I would do anything for her … anything to make her happy and keep her safe Oh God … Della … Della … where are you, Angel?"

Perry looked at Paul, his eyes filled with tears. "We have to find her Paul. We just have to. If anything's happened to her …" Perry grew silent.

Paul walked over to Perry and sat down next to him. He put his hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring pat. "We'll find her Perry. We'll find her and everything will be fine. You'll see. I know that this seems crazy now and it is, but we will find Della. We'll find her and bring her back."

"Paul, do you think that maybe they kidnapped her? You know … remember when Mike was saying how they threatened him ... and us? Do you think Paloma and this other guy … do you think they are … carrying out their …their threats?"

Perry could hardly get the words out. His face lost it's color and his hands began to shake.

"I honestly don't know, pal. I just don't know. I do know one thing for sure and that is Della can take care of herself. She might be a tiny little thing, but I would never want to cross her. Something tells me that she'll be able to handle herself until we find her." Paul stood up and walked over to the cabinet that held the liquor. He poured a glass of Scotch for Perry and one for himself. As he handed Perry his drink, he thought to himself, 'OK Beautiful … this is hard enough. Make it easy and help us find you…fast.' Then, he went to make some phone calls, leaving Perry sitting on the couch … scared and shaken.

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"Perry, Perry, wake up … come on man… wake up." Perry felt himself being shaken. He grunted and opened his eyes. The room was dark except for the light coming through the curtains. For a minute, the lawyer didn't remember where he was. Then, he looked up and saw Paul standing over him. In a flash, everything came back ... the morning at court… Paul telling him everything he had found out and Della … oh God … he felt sick. His head was killing him and his stomach wasn't doing much better. He was in Della's bed … his head was on her pillow. He breathed in her scent and somehow that seemed to calm him. Then, he heard Paul more clearly.

"Come on, Perry, get up. One of my men just called. He's at the airport. I think he has a lead."

Perry jumped out of the bed, grabbed his jacket, and flew out the door with Paul right behind him.

***************************************

Mason and Drake stood in line at the Eastern Airline Ticket Counter. There were several people ahead of them and Perry's patience was wearing thin. Finally, after what seemed an insurmountable amount of time, the two men found themselves in front of a young, yet experienced ticket agent.

"Good evening, gentlemen. May I help you with something? The young woman was attractive, pleasant and could sense that the two men in front of her were not there to purchase tickets. She smiled at them. Her name tag read Erica Scott, Assistant Supervisor.

Perry managed a smile and addressed her in his politest courtroom manner. "I hope so, Miss Scott. I need to find out if a certain person was booked on one of your flights that left today."

"I'm terribly sorry sir. We are not at liberty to give out that information."

"Yes, I understand and, normally, I would never ask someone to go against policy, but you see this is different … you see it's vitally important."

"I would really like to help you uh… Mr…."

"Mason," Perry filled in, "Perry Mason … and this gentleman is Paul Drake."

"As I was saying, there really isn't anything I can do. You see it's…." The young woman did not have a chance to finish. Perry's patience snapped. He leaned over the counter and looked directly into the girl's eyes. His voice was low but hard and it was beyond anything that Paul had ever heard.

"Miss Scott, this is a matter of life and death. There is a young woman missing and we believe that she did not get on that plane of her own volition. Her life may be in danger even as we speak and furthermore," Perry took a deep breath to steady himself so he wouldn't lose control. "…furthermore, I love her more than life itself. She is everything to me….the most important person in my own, little happy world … and I will stay here and talk to anyone I have to in order to get what I need. Do you understand ?"

The woman looked at Perry, then at Paul, then back at Perry. Something in this man's tone and manner told her that this was serious. She looked at Perry and said, "If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment. I will be right back." She disappeared into a small room and returned a minute later with a large binder. The cover read: Flight Arrivals and Departures, May 17 –24, 1959.

"Mr. Mason, who is the person you are trying to find?"

"Her name is Street. Miss Della Street."

Erica quickly turned to the day and looked through the pages of the flight log. It seemed to Perry that it was taking an extremely long time. Finally, she looked at Perry and Paul and said, "I think I found what you are looking for. There was a 4:30 non- stop flight to Chicago—Flight 647 It looks like there was a ticket bought for Miss Street. Her seat number was 7A. That's actually in our 1st class section."

Perry and Paul looked at each other with a puzzled expression. Chicago? A thought came into Perry's head. "Her family is in Chicago. Even if she wanted to see them, she wouldn't have gone without telling me." He looked at Paul and a dark shadow clouded his eyes.

"Paul, Della wouldn't buy herself a 1st class ticket. Furthermore she hates to fly. She certainly wouldn't fly alone. Miss Scott… Erica, do you know if she got on the plane by herself?"

"Actually, Mr. Mason, there were two tickets purchased at the same time. We keep a detailed record of all our transactions. The two tickets that were bought together were paid for in cash. The seat numbers are next to each other. 7A and 7B."

"Who has the other ticket?" Paul asked.

"Let me see," said Erica. "Oh yes, here it is. Miss Street had one ticket and the other belongs to … a Mr. Domenico … Michael Domenico."