Perry was able to pay a visit to somebody under the name of Adam Smith. He was one of the names that came up in a file his father, George Mason kept when he was working. He was happy to hear Paul was able to track him down, but one of the names he hasn't heard back from yet. George Mason happened to be his father.
Mr. Smith's office was about a couple blocks away from Perry, and he was able to make some time to spend with him. Adam Smith was a private investigator that George worked with before he stepped down.
"You Adam Smith?" Perry asked, closing the door behind himself.
His office wasn't as big as his, so Adam invited him to have a seat.
"Yes, I am. How did you find me?"
"A private investigator named Paul Drake. I'm sure you remember meeting him."
Adam thought back to the time when he received the call from Paul.
"Yes, I do remember him. Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm George Mason's son. I am sure you remember him since you both worked together."
"Why did you reach out to me for?"
"Because there are some questions I want to ask you."
"About what, Perry?"
Even Adam had known Perry's name since he followed his cases on TV and the newspapers.
"What he did before he quit. By the way, I'm representing Ada Mason."
"You said Mason? I do remember him a little bit. I didn't know him very well. Why are you asking?"
"Well, his wife was accused of murdering him. Even I was accused. This is why I was having my investigator reach out to you not very long ago."
"Would you like to get lunch with me sometime?" Adam asked.
"Just name it and I'll try to set something up. I can't stay long. I have a counseling appointment in forty minutes."
Perry had a ride with Della, so she offered to drive over to his house and pick up Ada. He was busy trying to recover from a car accident that happened not long ago. He's still waiting to hear when he could start driving a car again. The answer is taking a while, but waiting to hear what the doctor has to say about it.
The counselor they were seeing was a friend of Della's.
They were seeing a counselor because since learning George was murdered, mother and son haven't spoken for a couple months until recently. They were able to reconcile, but still have a long way to go from grieving.
"Perry, those people who hit your car. Have you learned anything since?"
"Why are you asking me this question? Of course I know what happened in the end."
"I saw the case on television and read about it in the newspaper. This is why I asked you. I followed your case recently, Perry. I'm sorry to hear what happened."
"Thank you. I just wanted to know what he did before quitting when I was born."
"Like what kind of cases?"
"Yes, Mr. Smith."
"I can't remember at the moment. How did your investigator find me?" Adam asked.
"George kept his files, so I had Ada print a couple of copies for everyone of us who want to know what happened to him. Mostly my mother and myself."
"I was starting to work with him when he was opening up a case."
"What kind of case was that?"
"I'll have to look that one up. He was on his fourth case when I met him and he hired me."
Perry saw he was an older gentleman, but looked like he was almost getting ready to retire.
"Before I passed out, I remember seeing two small children, but one was a toddler. I heard that the couple who hit me are back home from their vacation time. They forgot about the second child, but is now in a foster home."
"Are they coming back to pick up the child?" Adam asked.
"I doubt it. They probably forgot about their second child since they were in court half the time," Perry answered.
"I will try to help you as much as I can about your father. Sorry he died."
"So am I. He did well with children like myself."
"And look where you are, Perry. You can stay in touch with me. Tell that to your investigator as well."
"I'll pass it to him, Mr. Smith. I must be getting ready for the ride to the counselor's office. It was nice talking with you."
"Same with you, Perry."
On the way outside, Perry saw Della and Ada waiting for him.
Perry didn't know what to think about Adam Smith.
Perry let himself in the backseat since Ada was in front next to Della.
"How did it go with Mr. Smith, Perry?" Della asked as he put the seatbelt on.
"Okay, I guess. He looks like he might retire. We're keeping in touch," he answered.
"Good. I don't know much about the people your father worked with," Ada replied.
"That's okay, Mom. Thanks for keeping those files, Dad. Really helped us when you walked in the office so they could have a couple copies."
"I don't think I can do anything else, Perry," Ada said.
"You're good for now. Since you found a few of his files, we can get as much information we can get. Right, Della?"
"Of course. What's this investigator like since you went in there?" Della asked.
"I don't know. Mr. Smith says we should keep in touch and get together for lunch sometime," Perry said.
"Did he remember George?"
"He sounded like he wasn't so sure, but could help as much as he could. He remembered me since the followed the case with the accident, but did ask a couple of questions about it, though. I don't want to give away information. I mentioned I'm representing you, Mom. Remember what we agreed on?"
"Yes, Perry. I just don't like the idea of being on the witness stand."
"I know, Mom. I did it, but not in a good way. I still wish I could pay more attention who was in the courtroom that could have murdered Dad. Maybe later in this case we'll figure it out."
"Perry, I'm not sure how your father would react if he heard you were taking over one of his cases that never got solved."
"I'm sure he probably would have given me more information that wasn't in those files. Good thing his son is picking up that case where he left off.
"Della, would you mind telling us why you made the appointment?" Perry asked.
"Because of what happened a couple months ago with no communication, Perry. Don't you both want to get better?"
"I'd feel better if I solved one of Dad's cases that didn't get finished."
"How about you, Mrs. Mason? What would make you feel better?" Della asked.
"More safety and my husband back. I know he won't come back. That house isn't safe for me to keep living alone," Ada told Della.
"Mom, we talked about this several times, remember? I never accused you of murdering Dad in the first place."
"Perry, once that house is on the market, I am not going to look back. Maybe visit with Staci once in a while."
"Who's Staci?" Della asked.
"One of my neighbors I'm close with. She understands our issues, Perry," Ada said.
They made it to the office.
"Is this the place?" Perry asked Della.
"Yes. I'll go in with you both since I was the one who made the appointment."
"I said this once, and I'll say it again, Della. Thank you for your support."
"You're welcome, Perry. We had a chance to know each other a bit when you went to chat with that investigator of your father, Perry.
"Have you heard anything from your primary doctor about driving again anytime soon?"
"Not yet, Della. Still want to drive again. I remember Dr. Webber said when I'm in a better condition, then I can, but have a long way to recovery from the accident.
"Since that court date, I hope this case I'll be taking over from Dad will be better. Remember it didn't go so well?"
"Yes, I do, Perry. This time you won't be on the witness stand and Hamilton won't be your attorney."
When the three walked in, the receptionist recognized Della.
"Della Street! What a surprise to see you here. What brings you here?"
"I made an appointment with you about Perry here and his mother to meet Patti."
"Just wait a minute, Della. I'll see if she's ready to see the three of you."
When she left the front desk, Perry said, "Mom, when I talked with Mr. Smith, I introduced myself as George's son and your attorney."
"That was a good introduction, Perry. I don't understand why you want to solve one of his cases. Those are very old."
"I know, Mom. I just wanted to do it for Dad. I think I remember Dr. Webber telling me the story about a customer and store manager had to close for a month. I want to solve this one."
"It's a longshot, Perry. What did your investigator say about this case?" Ada asked as the receptionist returned.
"Della, she said she'll be ready in a few minutes. She's almost done with a client," the receptionist replied.
"Thank you. We can just wait here."
After Della said that, the phone at the desk rang.
"Della, what do you think she would want us to do since this is only an introduction?" Perry asked.
"I don't know, Perry. Just tell her what is wrong with you both and we'll go from there. I don't know what Patti wants to do about treatment and all that. She has done this job for almost thirteen years."
"Of course not. Just warning you, Perry. Some of these cases your father worked on were very dangerous. Mostly this one."
"This car accident was dangerous, don't forget, Mom."
"No, I haven't. I don't want to lose you like I did with your father."
"You're not going to lose me. You're in a safer place now since you feel lost on your own."
"Of course I do."
"Aren't you happy you kept the paperwork from the file cabinet to bring to my office and print out copies?"
Ada nodded.
"I just don't like that you were telling me what to do."
"I know none of us like to be told what we should do. I only told you stuff since I can't drive yet, even though I could have done it myself. Distraction is good for you. And you had the chance to meet Della and Paul."
Note: In case you haven't looked at The Case of the Car Accident, feel free to do so and that way you won't feel lost when looking at this one.