Note: Do you think there will be a court date? We shall see what the story looks like at the end, so enjoy the next couple updates.
Once they arrived at the office, Paul and Perry saw Ada was chatting with Della when they walked in.
Della looked and saw both of them.
"How did the lunch date go?" Della asked.
"It was fine. How are you, Mom?"
"Okay. I'm going to leave now and go see Staci. I need to return her book."
"Did you read the entire thing?" Della asked.
"I quit after 40 pages. I'll see you tonight, Perry."
"All right. See you then."
Once Ada left, he said, "What brought her here, Della?"
"We just talked about the counselor you both are seeing. I called her, and not the other way around. She did talk about your father for a bit," Della answered.
"I'm sure I missed out. Even Paul said something. Didn't you, Paul?"
"Yes, I did. Should we tell her?"
"Of course."
"Tell me what?" Della asked.
"I did have an interesting lunch date with Adam Smith. We did talk about him, but mostly about that case involved with the customer and store manager. He gave me some information, so I'll be sure to look at it tonight and contact tomorrow."
"Tell me what they told you, Perry."
Della was interested, and both of them saw it.
"Della, do you remember when the other investigator reached out?" Paul asked.
"What one? Adam Smith or a different person?"
"Different person. His name is Alexander somebody. He said like father, like son. Wasn't surprised Perry was taking over one of his cases that didn't get solved."
"I think he's right, Perry. Even I got something out of your mother as well, but I'm leaving it to her and share with you tonight."
"Thanks, Della. Adam Smith also said something about that case involving children around when the shooting started at the store where Dad was shot."
"What did he say, Perry?"
"He gave me the name of the store, which was Goodwill. He even knows about some of the children who were around at that time. Some of them are lawyers like myself, but they don't live in this state. One of them is now the store manager since the original one retired."
"That's interesting. What else does he remember?" Della asked.
"That's all he told me. Would you mind looking up that store so we can set up an appointment to talk with that manager at Goodwill from what Adam Smith told me?"
"Do you have the information?"
"It's right here. Good thing we're getting somewhere with this case Dad left behind to get it done for him."
"Your mother shared some stuff too, but I'm letting her tell you instead."
"All right. Thank you, Della. Let me know what you come up with for meeting the manager."
Della took the information from Perry and looked at what Adam Smith had written down.
"Thank you, Perry. I'll let you know when something comes up."
The phone began to ring.
"Perry Mason's office."
She listened to the caller.
"He's right here."
He took the phone from her.
"Thank you, Della."
She left so he could have privacy with whoever called and chat.
"Perry Mason speaking."
It was a woman on the other end of the line.
"I'm glad I caught you. I don't know if you got my message from somebody else who talked with me."
He didn't understand what she meant.
"Who is that somebody?"
"An investigator by the name of Paul somebody."
"You mean Paul Drake. Who is this?"
"Cindy McCarey. I'd like to get together with you soon, if that's all right with you. I've heard you took over a cold case from somebody under the name of Mason."
"Yes. Are you available to chat?"
"No, I'm not. Maybe tomorrow if that works."
"I'm open, so I should try to be here."
"How about me coming to your office? That could work better for you," Cindy said.
"It does. Tell me what time and I'll pass it over to my secretary."
"How does noon sound?"
"I'm fine with that. Thank you for calling, Cindy."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
End of conversation.
"Della, there's a meeting tomorrow at noon."
"Who called?"
"Somebody who used to work with him. Sounded like she remembered him a bit. She's coming over here."
Della looked at the calendar.
"I don't see anything there, Perry. You look good for tomorrow's schedule."
"What did she say her name was?" Della asked.
"Must be that woman Paul mentioned he talked with Cindy somebody."
"I'll try to remember her name when she comes over tomorrow."
"Thank you, Della."
Paul wasn't around to hear about this conversation since he was already gone.
Now it was time to return the Pattersons' call.
Della left again so that way he could have privacy with Barry Patterson.
"Hello, Perry."
"Hello, Mr. Patterson. My secretary said you called."
"Yes, I did. We would like to talk with you soon."
"About what?"
"The child."
"I was thinking of having a meeting in person. I have one tomorrow."
"All right. We can meet tomorrow at lunch if that works, Perry."
"I think it does, but we can meet for breakfast instead if that works."
"I'll have to check with Bella first. I'll be back."
Perry had a feeling this news about the child might not even be good, but it looked like he would be right unless Barry says something else.
"Perry, how does 8:30 tomorrow sound?"
"That can work. I will see you tomorrow, Mr. Patterson."
"Just Barry will be fine."
"All right. There's a case I am working on, and you might have some answers to the case."
"Save it for tomorrow, and we'll see what we can do about it. See you tomorrow."
Before hanging up, Barry gave Perry the place he and Bella wanted to meet.
"Thank you, Barry."
"Have a good rest of your date, Perry."
"Same with you."
So Della peeked in to see if Perry was finished with Barry and Cindy.
"Are you done?" Della asked.
"Yes, I am."
"How did the phone call go with the Pattersons?"
"I don't know. We're meeting for breakfast tomorrow. He said it was breakfast but I think it could be something to do with their church that I was invited for breakfast."
"What time do you want me to take you, Perry?"
"He said 8:30."
"We can leave your house sometime after 7:00."
"The works, Della. I wouldn't tell Mom to stay up when I leave the house tomorrow."
"Good idea."
"Speaking of church, Della, the last time I saw them in person, they invited me to a church service sometime. I had to turn them down."
"Perry, why not go sometime? Maybe until this case is over."
"Let me think about it, Della. They know not everybody is religious."
"I know, Perry. It wouldn't hurt to try."