Paul and Hamilton came to the house shortly after speaking on the phone with Della, but but Paul beat Hamilton to it.
"Hi, Della. How's Perry?"
"Fine."
"Is he still awake?" Hamilton asked.
"Yes," she answered.
"That's good. Maybe he can come down here instead of us up there."
"I'll go see if he wants to do that. I'll be back."
"What do you think Perry wants to talk with us about?" Hamilton asked.
"I don't know. I know as much as you do."
Perry followed Della downstairs. It was good he didn't have to come downstairs in his pajamas.
"Hi, Perry. Looks like you're doing better since the other day," Paul said.
"I feel better a bit. I'd still like to see and drive my car."
"Not yet. We'll have to see what the doctor says first."
"It's still the same for him, but still wants to reschedule the date."
"Not a chance. What do you have to tell us that made you want to talk?" Burger asked.
"You remember that case with my father, Paul?"
"Yes, I do. What about it?"
"I was telling her I might reopen it."
"Why do you want to do that, Perry? I thought you didn't want to find out who killed him," Paul said.
"I do, but I haven't said anything to my mother yet. I think she doesn't want to know who did it to us. It's hard on us since she's lonely and I didn't get to say good - bye."
"We understand, Perry. We can start it when this case is over."
"My mother stopped by earlier. She didn't care what I look like now, butt he doctor said no visitors for a while, but I did come up something during court the other day."
"What's that, Perry?" Burger asked.
"Some of those questions I had to answer didn't sound necessary. I thought I saw somebody in there in the courtroom who could have murdered my father."
"WHAT!" Paul said.
"That's what my mother said when the doctor told her not to see me for a while longer."
Della was already in the room.
"What made you yell, Paul?" she asked.
"Perry, tell her."
"I thought I saw the person who could have murdered my father," Perry repeated.
"No way. I had the same feeling you wanted to reopen the case anyway."
"This time no kids with a talking dog. I don't know how they came up with the idea of accusing me and my mother when we didn't do it. This is why she stopped talking to me. There's no telling how my father would have reacted if he was still alive when Mom and I aren't talking from a couple months ago."
"That makes sense. She wouldn't have been lonely," Della said.
"Of course not. Maybe when we come up with something, I can say something to her about restarting that case. I'm not sure how her reaction would be like."
"Maybe she's already thought about that, Perry," Burger said.
"Probably not, but I don't know what she thinks these days."
"Things will get better, Perry. Just give it time."
"I think Mom wants me to make the first move."
"What makes you think that?" Burger asked.
"I had her on that witness stand, Hamilton, but I didn't accuse her of murder. She knows that."
"Maybe you two should return those phone calls I had with her," Della told him.
"I will. Paul, do you think it's worth restarting that case again?" Perry asked.
"That's up to you, but I am not going to contact those kids and their dog this time. Sorry you had to do this, Perry, especially with your mother and father."
"I know. He's in a better place," he said.
"Yes, he is, Perry."
"Is this all we have for now that you wanted to talk with us about?" Burger asked.
"I think so. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know."
"I'd better get back to the office," Burger said.
"Thanks for sharing with us about restarting the case, Perry. Della and I have been taking good care of the office since you've been recovering from this accident."
"Who do you think is the suspect here?" Perry asked.
"I'd hate to say it, Perry, my guess could be crazy Dr. Webber guy. I never liked him," Paul answered.
"How about you, Della? What's your guess?"
"I don't know what to think Perry. If I had to guess, I would be on Paul's side. We still don't know the Johnsons enough to think they did it because of hitting your car."
"Della, do you want to take over the office?" Paul asked.
"Sure, I can do that."
"Then that means I will be by myself for a while, then. Hey, Paul, do you know how my car is doing?"
"I'm not answering that question, Perry. Maybe you'll get the story when this whole thing is over."
"That means you know something."
"Yes, but I don't want to share it with you, but you do look like you're a bit better."
"A little, yes. Just want to be able to have my mother back."
"I'm sure you'll work something out. Why don't you call her now like Della's been saying?"
"Maybe I will. See you later, Paul."
"See you, Perry. If you need anything, just let us know."
"Will do."
After Paul and Della left, Perry did what he promised Della - call Ada.
She was home.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hi, Perry. We do need to talk."
"Yes, we do. I heard you talked with her over the phone."
"Yes, Perry. Do you want to talk now?"
"That sounds good to me. When do you want to do it?" Perry asked.
"How about now? Is there anybody with you at the moment?"
"No, Mom. It's just me."
"I thought the doctor said no visitors for twenty - four hours."
"True, but I'm alone now, so you can come over whenever you can."
"All right. I'm on my way now."
"Thanks, Mom."
When they hung up, Perry would let her start talking first. It felt good to hear her voice again after not talking for a couple months. Della is done staying with him for a while, so he'll just pass this over to her and Paul so Mom can take over from them since there's a lot to talk about.