It was finally lunchtime. Della and Perry left at 12:00 like she had said. Paul was out doing something else. Probably trying to help find out if there were children involved in any of these old cases from George.

Paul did tell Della that he wouldn't mind picking up Perry after the lunch date is over. Then this could be his chance to meet Adam Smith.

Perry saw an older gentleman outside the resturant waiting for him.

"You Adam Smith?"

The older gentleman nodded.

"Yes. You must be Perry Mason."

"Yes. Have you put your name in?"

"No. I decided to wait for you."

"Let's go in. Thanks for the ride, Della. Adam, this is my secretary, Della Street. Della, Adam Smith."

He shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you," they both said.

"I'll see you later this afternoon, Della."

"All right, Perry. Have a nice lunch."

Then Della headed back to her car.

"Now we can go in," Adam said.

So he followed Adam inside.

"Table for two," Adam said.

"What name do you want?" the young man asked.

"Adam Smith."

"Just follow me."

The two men didn't say anything after ordering a tall glass of water.

So he did and then said, "I'll be right with you."

"You said that you worked with George Mason?"

"Yes, I did."

"Do you remember what the cases were about my father reached out to you for help?" Perry asked.

"I know that was a long time ago, but let me try to think about this one."

"Were there children involved?" he asked.

"Why do you ask about children, Perry?"

"This recent case with that car accident I was involved in had children. That's why I was asking you that."

"Have you already heard about the story with the customer and the store management?"

"Just a little bit, but not the entire story. Even my mother remembers it a little, but not enough to share the entire story," Perry told him.

"Yes, now I remember a bit."

"Was that the case I heard about?"

"One of them. This case happened in a retail store."

"That's what I heard too. Now tell me about the children, Adam."

Perry saw the older gentleman looked like he was Ada's age, but only by 2 or 3 years younger. Maybe Ada would remember Adam Smith, but it wouldn't make any difference to mention it to her.

There was something wrong with his mother that they couldn't figure out. Guess that's probably why Della set up that appointment with her counselor friend.

"From what I heard this time, the children who were around are now grown up. A few of them aren't alive anymore, so there's no way you can talk with them yourself, Perry."

Perry saw Adam sounded like that type of person who had a good memory.

"There were 10 or 15 children around that time in the store, Perry. Most of them were in middle and high school. I heard one of them took over management when she retired."

Then their waiter returned to take their orders.

"Are you all set or do you need a few more minutes?" he asked.

"We're ready now. How about you, Perry?"

"Yes. You can go first, Adam."

They looked at the menu while Adam was telling him the story about that case George was involved with.

Once their waiter left, Adam continued the story. Perry had information in his head, but when he gets back to the office, he'll write it down. Maybe Adam can write down the list of names and contact information, which will be a big help.

"Adam, my investigator recently received another call from a different private investigator a while ago. He wrote her name down as well, but sounded like she knew my father too."

"What name was that? I might know her."

"Cindy McCarey."

"No, I don't recognize that name," Adam replied.

"Neither do we," Perry agreed, and then added, "please continue."

"I'll be sure to write down the names before we leave, Perry."

"Thank you. That will be a big help. Then I can get in touch with them."

"Yes, you can. From what I was told from George, he said a few of them were shot, but were able to survive, and that included himself."

"You mean my father was shot?"

"Yes."

"Why did you leave him?" Perry asked.

"Because he had trouble solving cases. Like I said when you walked in my office, I didn't work with him for very long because I like to get things done."

"I understand that. Paul is lucky he stayed with me for this long. He's not going anywhere."

"After your father had to close this case, I left and started my own detective agency. I've been working alone since. I didn't want to work for another attorney after that. Working with one wasn't going the way I expected it to be."

"That happens to all of us, I guess," Perry said as their waiter returned with the meals.

"Enjoy."

"Now tell me about the children," Perry repeated.

He somehow thought this case was connected with the Johnsons' second child they left behind.

"This is all I remember about the children, Perry. If I remember more, I will contact you."

"Thank you, Adam. Do you know how many children are still here?"

"About 5 or 6, I would guess. One of them moved to Hollywood because she wanted to be an actress. Some of them are lawyers themselves, but not in this state."

"Do you remember all the names of the children had?"

"The one who took over management at that store is named Harriana Washington. She doesn't look that old to be our age."

"What was the name of the retail store?"

"Goodwill."

"Thank you," Perry said again.

"I still don't see how this could be connected with your last case, Perry."

"I'm still trying to figure it out myself, but this is all I can remember for now. When I was in court, I thought I saw somebody that looked familiar, but I don't know the name. my guess was somebody worked with him at that time. My mother thought it could be a former classmate."

"That's a good guess. I wouldn't have thought of that one. Do you remember what the person looked like?"

"I can't remember in my head, but that was all I was able to catch when I was on that witness stand. My mother doesn't seem to agree with me when I wasn't on her side when we had to take her into court. This is why we haven't spoken in a couple months."

"Sorry it didn't end well. How is your mother?"

"She's sick, but this hasn't happened before. We're still trying to figure out what's wrong with her. I know she's older, but slowing down doesn't stop her. She's moving in my house since my father was murdered there and she thinks it's not safe living there anymore, which I understand. He was in bed when murdered."

"That's too bad to hear he isn't here anymore, Perry. Do you know the name of that person who killed him?"

"She wasn't around the house when he was murdered, and I was at the office working on a case. That person is serving 20 years in jail because of what they did to my father."

"Sorry, Perry. If he was still here, he would have been happy to give you all the information you would want and need. I'll do the best I can."

"You're already doing that now, Adam. I appreciate all the time you were able to give me and remembering some of the information."

"No problem, Perry. Don't worry about handing me the paper and pencil. I bought something with me anyway."

"I didn't think writing stuff down myself, but I'll add this to the file where he kept the names and notes in this one. That's how Paul came across you."

"Surprised George kept all of this from many years ago."

"I know. Somehow she was able to find what she could. Even my secretary helped out a bit too."

"I can't remember the name in my head, Perry, but I will write it down."

"Thank you, Adam. You've been a big help."

"Anytime, Perry. I don't mind driving you back to the office. I'll pay for lunch."

"Not necessary for you to make a special trip to my office. I was told Paul would take me back there. Let me go call him first."

Perry didn't have any problems finding the nearest phone so he could have somebody pick him up. Paul indeed was at the office, and said he would be there in 15 - 20 minutes from now.

"I'll be waiting inside, then. See you then, Paul."

Adam was finishing paying the bill when he returned.

"On the way. We can get together some other time."

"Will look forward to it. Glad to help. Here are the names and numbers," Adam said, handing Perry the bill he paid.

Perry didn't care if it was from the lunch bill or not, but really didn't care.

"Good luck with your case, Perry."

"Thank you. I'm sure I will need it. I did tell Paul and my mother I am betting you there will be a court date."

"You sound so positive about that, Perry, but it's a longshot."

"Tell me about it. Talk with you again soon."

Note: If you haven't met Adam Smith yet, go to chapter 1 and see where this is coming from. The woman will be here soon.