Beyond The Velvet Claws Chapter 2

Eve Belter stood at the edge of the booth, looming over Della Street who sat motionless listening to the woman's whiny voice. Della's calm serene manor belied her true feelings. She had never liked this woman, had been leery about her from the start, and had warned Perry to be careful of her. It turned out that Della was right. Eva was afraid of her husband and at the same time was involved with another man…a politician. She was being blackmailed and there were pictures of her with this other man. Perry agreed to take her on as a client and get to the bottom of the problem. She was less than truthful, had lied to Perry, frustrating him and making it very difficult for him to get the answers he sought. A week later Eva was accused of killing her husband and she trapped Perry into defending her. In her desperation to remove any presumption of guilt away from her, she even went so far as to falsify information and to try to implicate Perry in the murder.

Eventually the real killer was discovered and Eva was set free. She begged Perry to continue to be her lawyer but not willing to have a client who couldn't be honest, and knowing how Della felt, he declined.

So here she was again…..a year later. Seeing her standing there, Della felt as if no time had passed. Eva hadn't changed at all. Although her voice was that of a soulful child, Eva Belters appearance was just the opposite. She was dressed impeccably in a two piece navy blue suit with brass buttons on the jacket and cuffs. On her ears were gold circles that looked as if they could be an exact match of the buttons on her suit. Her only other jewelry was that heavy charm bracelet that covered her white gloved hands Navy pumps, a navy purse and a fur stole completed her outfit.

"I know Mr. Mason probably told you not to disturb him, dear, but he would want to see me. Be a good girl and let him know I need to see him. Shall we go upstairs?"

"Mrs. Belter, he's not here."

"Miss Street, I really don't have time to argue. This is extremely important and I need to talk with my attorney. I need to see Perry and I need to see him now. Now, do your job, dear."

"Mr. Mason is no longer your attorney. I thought he made that perfectly clear to you last year….remember? Furthermore, he is unavailable and he will be unavailable for some time to come. I am sure you have another attorney that could help you with any problem you have."

Now Eva dropped the saccharine sweet voice and her tone became sarcastic and demanding.

"Look here, Miss Street, I know you are purposely keeping me from seeing Perry. You always tried to keep Perry and me apart. If it wasn't for you, we would probably be married and you would be working for someone else. That's what always bothered you didn't it? That's what you were always afraid of.

I don't see an engagement ring or wedding band on your finger so it would seem that Perry's feelings for you are not the same as those you have for him. I don't know why he still employing you. After all isn't that just what you are?...his employee. So I think it would be to your advantage if you either took me to see Perry or tell me where he is…and I mean NOW!"

Della, becoming more and more frustrated tried to remain calm. Finally, hearing Eva's last demand, something snapped. Della pushed back her plate and got to her feet, which brought her eye to eye with the woman she had grown to despise. She kept her tone even but her voice was as cold as ice.

"Mrs. Belter, I am only going to tell you this one more time. Mr. Mason is NOT here. If here were, he wouldn't see you anyway. As for our feelings and our relationship, that's just what they are…..ours and ours alone and we intend to keep them that way. Now if you will kindly excuse me, I would like to finish my lunch so I can return to the office. I am very busy and I really can't take any more time. Good day, Mrs. Belter."

Eva was about to speak when Clay stood up from where he was sitting. He too spoke in a calm voice but there was no mistaking his words.

"Mrs. Belter, if you'd like, I would be happy to escort you outside and get you a cab."

Eva's eyes went dark and when she spoke it was as if venom dripped from her mouth.

"Listen you two, I'm leaving but if you think I am going away for good, think again. I will be back to see Perry and there will be nothing and I mean nothing that you can do about it." With that, she turned on her heels and walked out of the restaurant, her carriage more defiant than ever.

As soon as the door closed behind Eva, Della's emotions got the better of her. She was livid. Clay watched her transformation from the normally sweet, caring woman who was always calm, cool and in control to someone he didn't recognize. Della's voice was low but there was something in her tone and the words that she spoke that frightened the proprietor and later would bring terrible trouble for both she and Perry

"I hate her. I really hate her. She's nothing but a fake and a fraud. She thinks she can have anything she wants and do whatever she pleases. She's worse now that she's the owner of that horrible magazine and she acts all high and mighty just like she always did but now even more so. I thought she was out of our lives. Well, if I have anything to say about it, she will be. I wish….I wish she were dead!

Della was shaking. Clay, speechless, could only take her arm and help her to sit back down.

For a few moments, neither spoke. Then Clay put his hand over Della's and asked with concern, "Della, are you alright…..can I get you anything?

Della took a deep breath and gave her friend a small smile. "No thanks Clay. If you don't mind, I think I'll just go back to the office. I really want to finish and….."

Clay interrupted her. "Don't you think that you should eat a little more?"

I can't Clay, I just can't. I suddenly don't have an appetite."

A thought came to Clay. "Della?"

"Hmmm?"

"What are you going to tell Perry?"

"I'm not going to tell him anything…at least not yet. I am not going to let anything spoil this weekend. Monday will be here soon enough."

Alright honey, you just take it easy….and have a wonderful weekend with that guy of yours."

For the first time since the run-in with Eva Belter, Della flashed Clay a genuine smile and she answered him in her usual warm voice.

"Thank you Clay and yes, I do intend to have a wonderful weekend. You do the same and say hello to Nancy for us."

"Will do"

As they both rose and went their separate ways, returning to their tasks, someone else was finishing lunch in the next booth. Someone that neither Della or Clay had noticed. The gentleman's name was Joe Hennesy…..Sgt. Joseph Hennesy of the L.A.P. D…and his boss was none other than one….Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.

"

Perry Mason watched closely as Della Street finished clearing their dinner dishes from the table. As she went into the kitchen and put the dishes in the sink, he followed her in. Always keenly aware of people and their habits, Perry was concerned. There was something bothering Della. Of this Perry was sure. His meeting went on longer than he'd originally thought and he'd returned to the office later than he had wanted. Della was at her desk, busily typing away. She had greeted him with a smile, given him a few phone messages and went over his appointment calendar for the following week. All of this seemed to appear perfectly normal…but it wasn't. Della was quiet…a little too quiet…..and there was something else. Perry couldn't quite put his finger on it but something was off. He was about to ask what was troubling her but then Paul stopped by, one thing led to another and before they knew it, the afternoon as well as part of the evening had come and gone. They had closed the office and headed to Della's and the anticipated weekend.

Driving home in the rain, Perry noticed that Della snuggled even closer to him than normal. He wasn't sure if this had anything to do with what was troubling her, the weather or both. He wanted to get to the bottom of this and get it out of the way so they would have nothing hanging over them.

While driving, Perry realized that Della had fallen asleep. Smiling, he thought of another time…..another rainy night.

Della did not like thunderstorms. She never had, even as a young girl. She had told Perry this about a month after they'd admitted their feelings to each other. It had been raining then, complete with thunder and lightning. Perry, knowing how strong and independent she was started to tease her but then a huge clap of thunder roared through the heavens and streaks of lightning pierced the darkness of the night sky. They had just returned home from dinner and were taking off their coats. Della shrieked and jumped into Perry's arms, shaking. He'd held her close, murmuring comforting words, realizing that she was truly frightened. Gently, he led her over to the couch, waited until she had calmed down, then gone into the kitchen and made hot chocolate. As they sat cuddled up on the couch, Perry spoke to her in hushed tones, telling her she needn't be frightened, he would protect her always. "The rain" he said, "could be beautiful. After all, it made flowers grow, there was more often than not, a rainbow after a storm and then there were the drops that fell against the windows. If you listened very closely, you would swear you were hearing a beautiful song. Della had raised her head, pressed warm lips to his and given him a look, so sultry and seductive that Perry had lost all control. They had made love then, right there on the couch…their bodies and minds melting together, so infused with need and desire that everything around them was shut out. Later, as Perry held her, Della feeling safe and drowsy with sleep, told him he was right, the rain was like a song and she wouldn't be afraid any more. Perry, lightly running his fingers through her hair and caressing her face was about to answer her but never had the chance. Slumber had already claimed Della. She didn't so much as stir as Perry picked her up, carried her into the other room and put her to bed.

The sound of breaking glass and Della's "damn it" brought Perry out of his reverie. With one long stride, he crossed the floor of the small kitchen and bent down next to Della, helping her to pick up the pieces of glass. He then went to the utility closet and retrieved the broom and dustpan. In a matter of minutes, the mess was disposed of, the rest of the dishes done and the kitchen cleaned once more.

As Della started to walk out of the room, Perry's hand on her arm stopped her. Looking up into the attorneys deep blue eyes, Della knew what was about to happen. He was about to question her, to ask her if everything was alright. She thought she'd been doing a good job of hiding her feelings. She should have known better. Della took a deep breath and prayed she wouldn't have to tell him any of it…..yet. She hoped she could pull it off.

Perry circled her waist with his long arm and pulled her into him. Lifting her chin and bringing her face up to his, he asked softly, "Sweetheart, is something bothering you?"

Della smiled. "No counselor, there's nothing bothering me. Why makes you think that?"

"For one thing, this afternoon, when I came back from my meeting, it seemed as though you were preoccupied. You've also been quieter than usual. Did anything happen while I was gone this afternoon...anything I should know about?"

Della sighed deeply. For your information Mr. Mason, nothing happened that you need to be concerned about. I may have been 'preoccupied' as you put it but that was because I was having a hard time concentrating. The only thing I could think of was this weekend and spending it all with you without any interruptions. Now, I know that you are the greatest defense attorney in the entire world, not to mention the most handsome, wonderful, amazing, loving, caring ,man and you happen to be all mine, so would mind taking off your lawyer's hat and…"

Della didn't have to ask again. Warm lips pressed against hers for a deep, lingering kiss, then Perry led her into the other room where they sat down to relax in front of the roaring fire.

Gently pulling Della onto his lap and wrapping strong arms around her, Perry began to caress her body, first slowly, then with more desire….more hunger. Della responded with a desire that had been building all evening and although she wouldn't admit it, part of it stemmed from the encounter with Eva Belter. Her kisses became hotter….harder…..as though she was branding Perry, making sure he and everyone knew he belonged to her.

When they broke the away, both struggled to regain normal breathing. Perry pulled back, brushed an errant curl from Della's face and said, "my my Miss Street, THAT was some kiss. What did I do to deserve it?" Perry ran his fingers over his lips, than brushed them lightly over Della's

"You were just being yourself darling and I want to make sure you know how much I love you."

Perry smiled and nestled Della's chin in his hand. Locking his eyes onto hers his voice took on a husky tone. If I ever had any doubts baby, which I don't, believe me that kiss told me all I need to know."

"Good. Then let's not waste any more words."

Perry answered her with a grin. Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried her to the bedroom.

Placing Della gently on the bed, Perry began the task of undressing her. He removed her clothing slowly, turning it into a sensual experience. With each article of clothing he took off, he kissed and caressed her body, the taste of his kisses and the movement of his hands so enticing, Dell was left wanting more. All she could do was shiver and moan and blissfully give herself over to Perry, body and soul.

For her part, Della loved Perry with a passion and a wild abandon she had never shown before. Even though she knew Perry loved her and only her, it was as though she needed reassurance…that nothing was ever going to change. She clung to Perry, shutting out everything but him…loving him….protecting him…..protecting them both.

Much later as the storm continued to rage outside, Della snuggled in Perry's arms as he tenderly held her close, the touch of his hands and the sound of his voice erasing the memory of the afternoon's unpleasant encounters.

"Perry spoke quietly, almost in a whisper. Turning her face to his, he said, "That was beyond incredible darling. You are something else."

Della's voice was drowsy as she looked up into Perry's eyes and softly stroked his face.

"I aim to please sir. After all, I can't have you be unhappy. That would just not do at all."

Perry pulled back and gazed down at the woman he loved. He was about to ask again if she was alright but thought better of it. Instead he made sure she was covered, kissed her forehead, then her lips and said, "Well, I am definitely happy, but then I am always am because I have you in my life. You make me happy every minute of every day and I wouldn't want it any other way. I love you more than you can imagine. Now, suppose you close your beautiful eyes and sleep for me….hmmm? Tomorrow is Saturday, we get to sleep in and it's Valentine's Day. You never know what surprises might be in store for you."

"Mmmmm…..sounds wonderful counselor. You know those surprises goes two ways. And just so you don't forget, I….I lo….love you…too…."

Della could hardly finish her sentence. Her eyes closed and she fell into a peaceful sleep in the arms of the man she loved more than her own life.