Beyond The Velvet Claws Chapter 4

Perry Mason turned his attention away from Arthur Tragg and looked at his secretary. Her face was ghostly pale, she was shaking and she looked as though she would pass out any second. She swayed slightly as she stood and busied herself at the coffee pot. Perry started to go to her, to steady her and to ask what was wrong. But something told him to wait until Tragg was gone. He immediately returned his attention to the investigator, who was consulting the notes he had taken while he was at the scene of the murder. He continued to glance at the notebook for another minute then he turned his attention back to the lawyer who stood in front of him.

"Alright, here's what we know so far. We received a call early this morning. It was about 8:30. The caller identified herself as Mary Sloane. She said she was Eva Belters housekeeper and that she had just gotten to the apartment. She let herself in as she does every day during the week and after getting herself settled, went in search of her employer. Not finding her in any of her usual places, she went ahead and began her duties for the day. She walked into the kitchen and started to prepare breakfast. Needing some items she went into the Butler's pantry and that's where she saw the body…right there….on the cold linoleum floor between the crackers and the canned corn. Obviously, she was killed sometime over the weekend. The housekeeper was pretty calm on the phone but once homicide arrived, she fell apart. She was so upset no one could understand her. I left to come over here. I thought you'd want to know. When I leave here, I'm going back over there. She should be a little more coherent by now."

Out of the corner of his eye, Perry glanced over at Della to see if there was any reaction. She kept out of Traggs line of vision towards the back of the office, leaning against the edge of behind the client's chairs. She was staring into space, almost as though she was in a trance. Perry got to his feet and moved over to the table. He handed Della the empty mug he carried and surreptitiously placed his arm on her shoulders, squeezing gently. That small gesture seemed to snap Della back to reality. She moved slightly, taking the mug from his hand and letting out breath she seemed to be holding.

"Tragg had one more question he needed to ask before he left.

"Say Perry, off the record, have you seen her lately?

"Mrs. Belter?"

"No, the Queen of England…Of course Mrs. Belter. Who else would I be referring to?"

"Why would you even have to ask?" Perry was beginning to get a strange feeling and he didn't like it.

"Well, you had all that trouble with her last year. I thought maybe she would try to contact you again. You know, to help her out if she were in a jam. I mean, something must have been going on, wouldn't you say?" Tragg paused momentarily then went on. "Perry, there's one other thing. My men are going over that apartment. One of the first things they did was to examine Mrs. Belter's purse and clothes from Friday. Before she became so upset the housekeeper managed to tell them that the last time she saw her of course was Friday and she had gone out around lunchtime. They…they found a note in her purse. It said, Perry Mason, Friday, Brent Building."

Now Perry was clearly annoyed and it showed in his manor and voice. "Lieutenant, first of all, I haven't seen Eva Belter since last year. She wanted me to continue to be her attorney but I refused, and if she had contacted me recently I would have refused to see her again. I don't know anything about that note, why she had wrote it or why she had it. Like I said, even if she wanted to see me, I wouldn't have been available to her…..ever"

"Alright, alright, you don' have to be so touchy about it. I merely asked a question." Tragg picked up his hat from where he had placed it on the round table and held it in his hand. Walking over to the door, he put his other hand on the knob. Opening it, he turned and looked directly at the lawyer and his assistant. "I'll be going now, but if you can think of anything that might help me with this case, let me know. You know where to find me. He smiled the craggy half smile he always wore and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.

Perry didn't hesitate. He turned to Della, his eyes seeking hers. Putting a finger to his lips to silence her, he walked over to the door and slowly opened it, looking into Della's office. Not yet quite satisfied, he then walked into the reception area. Without looking obvious, he smiled at Gertie, told her Della was busy and gave her some obscure instruction having to do with a file.

Relieved that Tragg really had left, Perry told Gertie to hold all his calls and went back into his office, shutting the door behind him.

Going over to Della, he brought her into his embrace. Holding her close, he felt her trembling and simply held her until her shaking ceased. Leaving a soft kiss in her hair, he then led her over to the couch, helping her to sit down then took a seat next to her. Turning to face her, he brought her hand up to his mouth and pressed his lips to her wrist and then to the inside of her palm.

With his eyes intent on hers and in his softest and most gentle voice he said, "Della, angel, now will you tell me what's wrong? I know something's bothering you. I knew it all weekend. I had a feeling you were keeping something from me but I thought you would tell me when you were ready. I just don't think you have that option anymore. Come on, you know you can tell me anything. We don't have any secrets but if you don't tell me, then I can't help you. So please, just say whatever it is…whatever has you so obviously upset"

Della's eyes filled with tears and her voice was so low Perry could hardly hear her.

"You're going to be so angry…so upset with me."

"Sweetheart, I could never be angry with you. Where would you get such a crazy idea? I mean yes, sometimes we have a difference of opinion but…"

"I saw her Perry….I saw her and I didn't tell you. Now she dead and….and I didn't tell Tragg ….and….and…."

Perry didn't like where this was going but he knew he had to stay calm if he wanted to help Della and get to the truth.

His voice remained soft….his questions carefully formed in order to illicit the information without upsetting Della any more.

It's OK….It's Ok. Take it easy. "Where did you see her, honey?"

"At…at Clay's?"

"I see….when was that?"

"Friday"

"This past Friday?"

"Yes, you had that lunch meeting and I went downstairs because I didn't want to spend a lot of time. I wanted to finish everything so…so we could leave early….and …and…"

"Take a breath baby, you're doing great. Just take your time. I'm listening."

Della paused, breathed in deeply, then continued.

"Clay and I sat down to have lunch…in our booth. It was nice because even though you weren't there, I still felt like you were. We were just talking about things, you know, the weekend and Valentine's Day. He showed me Nancy's gift…it was beautiful….almost as beautiful as mine." Della's hand went to her throat and she lovingly fingered the locket that now lay against her chest. "Anyway, we were eating and talking and that's …that's when she walked in. She marched herself right over to the booth and demanded to see you. She wouldn't take no for an answer. First she used that voice, you know that voice she does….it's all sweetness and light and innocence and fake. She acts helpless and nice…..and then those claws come out….those velvet claws. When she realized I wasn't going to give in to her stupid demands, her real side came out. She accused me of trying to keep you apart. She said if it wasn't for me the two of you would be married. Then she said I…..I had better take you up to see her…because….because I was just your….employee. That's when I sort of lost it. I told her off. I mean I didn't scream or anything but she knew I was really angry. Then Clay offered to escort her outside and get her a cab. That's when she left….you know how she gets. She left in a real huff. That's when I said it…..I was so tired of her tirade and the nerve of her coming here…..just the nerve of her to think she could see you…..to have her way."

"What did you say?"

"I said….I said that I hated her….and…..and I wished she were dead."

Perry let out a slow whistle. This was bad….very bad. He sucked in a deep breath, then continued.

"Exactly who did you say it to?"

"Clay"

"Just Clay?…no one else?"

"No, no one else."

"Did anyone hear you….was anyone close by?"

"I don't know…I don't think so. I was so angry. I wasn't paying attention."

Perry got up, went over to the tray on the table by the slider and poured Della a glass of water.

Returning to her, he handed her the water and reminded her to sip it slowly which she did.

Some minutes passed and silence enveloped the room. Della moved closer to Perry and he put his strong arms around her pulling her tight to him. She lay her head on his big chest, her next words sounding muffled.

"Perry, I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking. I should know better. I shouldn't have let her get to me like that." Della leaned back against the couch, completely drained. Perry leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips, his hand nestling her chin. Somehow, even with this mess she now found herself in, she felt safe and protected and very loved.

Pulling away slightly, Perry began to speak. His voice was still gentle, but now it took on his professional timbre.

"Della, it looks like we're in serious trouble. We really have our work cut out for us."

"Why? You didn't see her."

"Yes, but you did, and you didn't give that information to Tragg. You know what he's like. Don't think for one moment, he won't start asking questions. He'll come back here and start nosing around. All he has to do is ask the doorman if he saw her here on Friday. Joe isn't going to lie, I wouldn't expect him to. He'll say yes, she went into Clay's. That's all we need. From there on in, everything will bust wide opened. I just wish you would have told me this when it happened or at the very least over the weekend. I…we….could have been prepared. Now we have a lot of work to do in a very little time. I'm going to have to find a way to do some damage control. Are you sure you're telling me everything?"

Della hesitated for one second too long and Perry knew his intuition was correct.

Now Della was overcome. She put her hands in her face and wept. Perry again held her close, trying to give her some measure of comfort

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I know this is hard for you. Della, look at me."

Della kept her head down.

Perry put his hand under her chin and raised her face to his. Holding it gently but firmly so she couldn't move away, he said again, "Della, look at me."

Della looked at Perry with a tear stained face and red eyes.

"This is what I want you to do. Take my car and go home. Pack a bag for a couple of days. You're staying at my place. I don't want you to be alone. I'm not letting you out of my sight. I want to talk to Paul and see if he can't get started on some things right away. Someone killed that woman, it wasn't you and I sure as hell don't want us to be caught up in this. I'll be by a little later to pick you up. Paul will drop me off." Perry tugged Della to him for a moment, then stood and helped her up.

"Everything will be alright. Don't cry darling, please don't cry. It's going to be fine. Go on baby, I'll be right behind you." Pressing warm lips to hers, Perry watched as Della went into her office, gathered her coat and purse and a few other things and walked back into his office. Before she left, she moved into Perry's touch once more, needing that safe secure feeling she felt she'd suddenly lost.

She opened her mouth to speak but Perry silenced her by placing his fingers over her lips, then leaving her with one more kiss. Walking her over to the door that led out to the back corridor, Perry caressed her face, and smiled as she walked out. Closing the door, the smile immediately left his face and he picked up the phone. He dialed Paul Drakes number. As soon as he heard the detective's voice, he spoke, not waiting to make idle conversation.

"Paul, drop whatever you're doing and get in here fast. I need you. It's an emergency. I have feeling a feeling that Della's in terrible trouble."

Hanging up the phone, Perry had a thought which shook him to his core. He was sure Della had left something out….something that would make the situation even worse.

An hour and a half later, Della sat on the comfortable couch in her apartment, trying to read. She was having a difficult time concentrating on the article in The Ladies Home Journal. She kept picking the magazine up, leafing through the pages and a moment later placing it back down on the end table next to the couch.

Perry had called a short while before, telling her he had one more thing to take care of and then he would be on his way. Just hearing his voice made Della feel better. She closed her eyes and thought again, how wonderful he was. Throughout all the questioning, he had remained gentle, loving and kind. There was no anger, no lost patience, no frustration. In his caring, concerned way, he had asked her what he needed to know, extracting the information necessary in order to take the next step. He was like that with all his clients. It was one of the reasons she had fallen in love with him. This big, powerful, strong, man, who was larger than life and so complex. This man who could be so fierce and unstoppable and who, with his booming voice could be so unyielding and unrelenting when faced with a difficult witness in court or a problem that seemed unsolvable. This man, who could be just as patient with his clients and oh so gentle and tender and loving with her. This was the man she had given her heart to….the man she knew who loved her and would protect her and keep her safe always…the man who would do anything to make her happy…..the man she would do the same for. This amazing man who she loved with her whole being.

Suddenly, an unpleasant thought invaded her consciousness. Perry had asked her if she had told him everything. Della hadn't told him everything. She had left some information out…..the most important information. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. He had to know, he had a right to know. He was trying to help her. Della knew what it was like when a client would lie or withhold information. It would make things harder….harder for Perry and harder for the client. She realized that she had to tell him. He would probably be angry but he needed to know….before Tragg found out. That would be the worse thing possible. Della made a decision. She would tell Perry as soon as he got here.

The sound of the doorbell interrupted her thoughts. That must be Perry. She rushed to the door, anxious to see him….to talk to him….to hold him and be held by him.

Della flung the door opened and was about to jump into Perry's arms and confess everything. She stopped dead in her tracks and the smile which had been on her face only a second before disappeared.

Standing on the threshold was not Perry but Lieutenant Arthur Tragg.

"Hello Della, may I come in?" The Lieutenant sounded calm but business like

"Y…yes I suppose so."

Tragg stepped into the apartment and looked around. Noticing the suitcase by the door, he raised his eyebrows and gave Della a quizzical look. "Going somewhere?"

"I really don't think that's any of your business Lieutenant."

Tragg took a breath. This was going to be hard.

"You're right, it's not my business…at least under normal circumstances it wouldn't be."

"Then why are you asking?"

Tragg put his head down for a moment then raised it and looked Della directly in the eye.

"Della, this isn't easy for me….I….uh…I"

"Lieutenant Tragg, please, just say whatever you came here to tell me."

Tragg again gave Della an intense look. It was beginning to worry her.

The next words Tragg spoke seem to Della to sound as though they were coming from very far away. It was almost like he was speaking under water.

"You better call Perry. I'm afraid you're going to have to come downtown with me….Della Street, you're under suspicion for the murder of Eva Belter."