The next morning, Paul and Della both arrived at the office around the same time.
"Hi, Paul."
"Hi, Della. Did you get to check in with Perry last night?"
"No, I didn't. I guess he was busy with Mrs. Mason I just feel bad for him."
"Me too. I'll go check in at the house later."
"Good idea. I can tag along if you want."
"Sure. You're welcome to. I guess you'll have to try again on rescheduling the counseling appointment from the other day or so?"
"I plan to. Maybe later when we're on break. How about you? Did you get anything done with this case?"
"So far, yes. I talked with one of George Mason's private investigators at dinner last night."
"You went out to eat?"
"Yes. He wanted to, so I said that I would be able to come along. It was Mexican food."
"What did you find out?"
"He's giving Perry a warning, Della. This is a case Perry should leave alone. I understand he wants to find out who killed his father."
"What kind of warning was it?" Della asked.
"Not to restart one of Mr. Mason's cases."
"Is it from one of the files Mrs. Mason dropped off for us to have a copy?"
"Yes. I'm keeping in touch with him too, so he's interested in meeting with Perry when the time is right."
"Poor Perry. What kind of story did you get from the investigator?"
"I think it's one of those case files that Mrs. Mason brought over with her. The investigator was interesting, but he mentioned that when working with Mr. Mason, he didn't help out with the entire case. He quit later on during the case."
"Where's the duplicate copy of the case?" Della asked.
"I think we both have a copy since Perry has the originals. I think mine is at my office."
"I think I left it at home, but I can get it when I get a break."
"Me too. Or I could go over now."
"That's a better idea. I can wait until lunch to grab it."
"I can print out another copy so you can have one at home if you forgot to bring it here."
"Why didn't I think of that? It can work. Did you write any notes on it or anything?"
"Not yet. I told this investigator Perry's already restarted the case and it wouldn't stop him."
"Of course it wouldn't. I guess we'll have to go to the courthouse and schedule something."
"Let's talk about it with Perry first, Della. I don't want him to miss out on anything."
She had to agree with Paul.
"I should be back soon, Della. I'll bring a copy of the file."
"All right. I'll just answer the phone while you're gone."
Once Paul was gone, Della gave Perry a call. It was probably too early to call and check in, but she called anyway.
"Hello?" Ada said.
"Is Perry in?" Della asked.
"I'll go find him. He should be awake by now."
"Am I calling at a wrong time?"
"You're fine, dear."
"Mrs. Mason, I just wanted to let you know we're going to try rescheduling another counseling appointment. You both need it," Della told her.
"I'll pass this over to Perry. He is still waiting for his doctor to call back about driving a car again."
"Still? It's taking a long time, Mrs. Mason. Mr. Drake said he'll stop by later today and check in with you both."
"Thank you for saying something. I'm sure you probably found out some new stuff by now with the files."
"No, we haven't. Just introduction was all. I'll check in again with you later."
"All right, dear. I'll find him."
Perry was just walking downstairs when Ada went to go look for him.
"Perry, there's a phone call for you."
"Thank you, Mom. Who is it?"
"Della."
"I'm glad you remembered her name. Anything she told you about?"
"Yes, but we'll talk about it when you're done with the call."
He went to the phone.
"Hi, Della."
"Hi, Perry. Paul said he's been looking into the case, but will check in later at your house."
"What did you find out about Dad, Della?"
"Well, mostly Paul did the work. Let him tell you, but it sounds like it's not good news."
"Did he tell you anything?" Perry asked.
"Yes. I'm letting him tell you. I told your mother I'm going to reschedule the counseling appointment."
"How did she react?"
"Fine with her. I'm sorry the first time didn't go so well."
"Della, she's sick. I think she needs to be on some sort of medication, but I'm okay."
"You already have it, don't you?"
"Yes, but only stuff from Webber was all."
"Sorry if it was a personal question, Perry."
"That's all right. I appreciate you calling. Are you sure I don't have to show up at the office today?"
"You can come back tomorrow. If your mother feels pretty lost, then you can stay for today. I think she needs you."
"Of course she does. I don't blame her for not wanting to look back when we get the house on the market. I need to schedule something for that at some point."
"One thing at a time, Perry. Paul and I were talking about something, but I'll let him tell you so that way it wouldn't be repeated more than once."
"Thank you, Della. Looks like Mom is starting to make breakfast. You didn't call too early. We were waking up."
"I thought it was too late or too early, so I gave it a shot. Just so you know, Perry, be careful."
"About what?"
"Your father's case. Maybe you should call Tragg and say something to him."
"I'll take care of him later, but thanks for the idea, Della."
"You're welcome, Perry. Just be careful."
"I think we are."
"With warnings Paul has been getting lately, I don't think so. That's why he's coming over later today."
"Sounds like you already know what the warnings are."
"Yes, Paul said something about it."
"Why was I the last to know? I should be at the office."
"No, you don't. I'll check in later."
"I'll keep an eye out for Paul."
Then they hung up.
After hanging up with Della, Perry got curious on what warning signs Paul was getting. Maybe he got in touch with a private investigator that worked with his father? Maybe that's why Paul wanted to come and check in on him and Ada.
Perry hoped there weren't too many danger zones like there is now. Always something.
"Mom, I got something from Della. It was about him."
"What about your father, Perry?"
"Paul's coming over later to check in later, so he has all of the information. She's not talking, Mom. I think there's something you need."
"What's that?"
"Medicine. You're sick. It would make you feel better. I am a little bit from what the doctor gave me. Speaking of which, I still need to call this one."
"The one from the courtroom?"
"No."
"I didn't care for him. What is he doing now?" Ada asked.
"In jail where he belongs. I need to make a couple of calls after breakfast."
"To who?"
"My doctor and the police department. I should set something up with your doctor and see what he thinks about trying some medication."
"Perry, I don't need any of that stuff."
"I think you do, Mom. What's the name of your doctor and phone number?"
Ada found a piece of paper and a pencil so she could write down the information.
"Are you saying we have to share the same doctor?" Ada asked.
"Not unless you want to. He takes care of me. How about yours?"
"He's okay."
"When was the last time you've been to the doctor?"
"I don't remember. Probably a year and a half ago. I guess I do need to set up something for a physical."
"Then we can talk with the doctor about medication. I'm not sure how much longer Webber wants me on this prescription he wrote up before taken into jail. I can ask my doctor."
"Those are only pain pills, right? Webber didn't say anything about being on them for a while longer, did he?"
"No," Perry answered, and then added, "I am not addicted to those."
"Which is good," she said as she made bacon and scrambled eggs.
Good thing Ada is still active in some areas. He thought of trying to get more involved with something to do, but couldn't think of anything. Right now he's just focusing on medical stuff.
After finishing eating breakfast, Perry and Ada both heard the phone ring.
"I'll get it," he told her.
She went ahead and did the dishes.
"Perry, I should be back soon."
"Where are you going?"
"Just for a walk. I always do that after breakfast."
"All right. I'll take this call. Hello?"
"Perry?" he heard a voice say on the other end of the phone.
"Yes. Who is it?"
"i received a phone call from you a while back. Sorry it took me so long to return the call."
"I was about to call you, Doctor."
"I was able to check out the records from that accident you've been in. I was able to talk with the other doctor you had. I was on vacation, so that's why it took me a while to return your call."
"Mind if we set up something for that?"
"That's one of the reasons I called, Perry. Are you available later?" he asked.
"Yes. I am still waiting to hearing if I can drive anytime soon. I haven't been since the accident."
"That's why I was calling. How about if we try 12:15?"
"That works. I'm not at the office today, but will be tomorrow. I'm just taking care of my mother today. She is sick."
"You can tell me the entire story when you get there. Just find someone to give you a ride."
"I'll do that after this call, Doctor. Thank you for returning my call."
"You're welcome. See you at 12:15."
It was a good thing Perry had passed the contact information from Webber gave him to pass over to this doctor. That's why he now has the records from the accident that recently happened.
After hanging up with the doctor, Perry made a call to his office and talk with Della and Paul to see if they were open to take him and Ada to see the doctor.
"Hi, Perry. How are you and your mother today?" Paul asked.
"We're doing okay. When do you know you'll be over here to share with me about my father's case?"
"Is now good?"
"Yes, it is. Mom is out of the house right now."
"I'll pass this over to Della."
"Thanks, Paul. It's only at 12:30 appointment. Either one of you can take us."
"I'll be happy to, Perry. So would she. We are right behind you."
"I know. We'll be home."
"Let me talk with her now."
Paul talked with Della about the appointment Perry mentioned.
"Perry, she's available too. Either one of us will drive you and your mother."
"See you soon, Paul. I appreciate it."
After getting off with Paul, he finally decided to call the police department. Maybe Tragg knows something about George Mason and his cases.
"Hello, Perry. Wasn't expecting to hear from you. What do you want to chat with me now?"
"I can't stay on very long, because Paul Drake is coming over. I wanted to know if you looked at the copies my father worked on back then."
"I looked at them. We have contacted everyone on the list in the cases. Some of them are long gone, Perry. The others are longshots."
"What do you mean longshot?"
"I looked through one of the files about the retail store having a shooting. I talked with the manager who's retired now. She wasn't surprised about George's son taking over the case."
"Even Paul Drake has something for me too. Did the manager say anything about him?"
"I think we need to get together, Perry. Maybe the next twenty - four hours or so. Would that work?"
"I think so. Then you can tell me everything you looked at. I'm off today. Paul and Della Street talked me into having today off."
"They thought smart. Have you heard anything about driving a car again?"
"Not yet. I have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon. I think my mother needs medication as well."
"I do have some more news, but in person would be better."
"Thank you, Tragg. Let me know what time we need to get together."
"I will. The news is about the car accident case."
"An update?"
"Yes."
"See you then."