THE CASE OF THE CARELESS KITTEN MISSING MOMENT

For anyone who has not read the book or has seen the series this missing moment is only taken from the book where Della Street is the defendant. She is not being accused of murder but Obstruction of Justice and you can be sure Hamilton Burger is right there to prosecute her. Here is a synopsis of what happened. Perry is approached by a young woman who claims to have heard from her uncle after a ten-year disappearance. They would be met by a middleman who would take them to her uncle. The man ended up dead. The young woman had a young kitten who was poisoned. Della ended up with kitten. The police want the uncle so they can find out about the murder and his disappearance. Through a certain set of circumstances Lt. Tragg thinks Della is hiding the Uncle, a material witness. There is no man there, but the kitten gets in trouble and Della has to recue him with Lt. Tragg right behind her. Therefore, since as Burger said to Perry, if he keeps having her pull his chestnuts out of the fire he and she have to deal with the consequences. So, Della is in jail. In the book we go from that situation to the courtroom. There is nothing said about what happened between this time and when they are in court. That is what this short story is about.

CHAPTER ONE

Perry Mason was furious as he left Hamilton Burger's office and he was mumbling to himself as he ran into Paul Drake. Drake knew from the look on his best friend's face it was not good news.

"The damn District Attorney is taking his problems with me out on Della and he is going to be so sorry." The lawyer had explained to the detective what had happened so far, in this case, on the way over to the city offices. He was now on his way to find out about Della's bail. Perry told Paul about the DA's attitude and what had happened in the office.

Patting the lawyer on the shoulder he said, "I'll go get the car and you go get our girl,"

"Thanks Paul," he said gratefully as he turned toward the women's section of the county jail.

Usually waiting for a client, he would go over the information on their case but waiting for his secretary he paced the waiting room. As the Matron opened the door Della rushed toward him but he held her off as he noticed the matron watching them closely.

"How are you?" he asked softly.

Della felt confused she thought he would look relieved to see her and take her in his arms. "I'm fine, just fine."

Glancing at the matron he took hold of her arm and told her, "Let's get out of here."

Choking back tears she turned from him and headed out the door. As they picked up her belongings, she was even more unhappy to hear Paul was outside waiting for them too. She loved Paul but it was so important to find out why Perry was acting so cold to her.

It was a little better when she saw Paul's smiling face and he said, "you don't look too bad for being a jailbird, Beautiful." He could always make her smile.

Getting in the backseat Della told him, "I guess every nice girl has to go through this sometime."

"I told you this would happen working for this guy," the detective told her as he glanced at his friend.

She answered in a small voice, "I know you did."

Perry said nothing but she saw his shoulders stiffen. He had never mentioned being upset or God forbid jealous at the way Paul teased her. He, more than anyone, should know she thought of Paul as a big brother. The rest of the ride to her apartment, so she could change clothes, was done in a tense silence. When they turned down her street the attorney finally spoke. "Drop us off here. Della can drive us to the office."

Rather than create more tension Paul dropped them at the front door and watched as Perry took hold of her arm, but he did not look relaxed at all. He honked and he drove off.

Not a word was spoken between them as they waited for the elevator, and walked down the hall to her apartment door. She searched through her purse for her keys with tears filling her eyes. Finally, he took the purse from her, took out the keys, and opened the door. She walked quickly into her apartment ahead of him.

He followed more slowly taking off his coat and helping her off with her coat. After they were hung up, she stood by the window with her back to him. "Della…..," he began.

She interrupted him saying in a choked voice, "you're angry with me."

There was astonishment in his voice as he put his hands on her shoulders turning her to face him. "Baby what is wrong? Why would I be angry with you?"

"But….but Perry you didn't want to look at me, touch me. I just assumed…" she admitted reluctantly.

Perry put his finger under her chin and made look at him as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Della, I was mad at myself for getting you into this situation."

Choking on her words she said, "I'mm pa..aa…rt..t of…ugh…th..is..tee…mmm!"

He took his fingers and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, "you are, but that doesn't mean you have to be responsible for my mistakes."

"Oh Perry!" she sobbed as he pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I would do anything for you, anything."

Letting her cry on his chest he ran his hands up and down her back. He soothed, "It will be alright Sweetheart. It will be fine. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

Gradually he moved her to the sofa and sat her down. Della leaned against him and started to relax as he stroked her hair. When Mason felt her finally cuddle closer and fall asleep, he lay her down taking off her shoes. Keeping an eye on her he went quickly to a closet and brought out a pillow and afghan.

She was watching him when he came back. "I'm fine." she told him. "I'm needed at the office."

"You need to get some rest. I want you to stay here and try to relax," he explained.

His secretary tried to sit up and he told her firmly, "I am going to the office, I will talk to Paul, check on the office, and then I am going to get some food to bring back here and then we will discuss what has happened."

"But…I"

He smiled at her and said, "no buts, you get some rest young lady and that is an order."

As he went to get his coat Della stuck out her tongue at him, but as he turned and came over to kiss her gently, she lay back down acting obedient. Once she cleaned up and changed clothes, she would show up at the office and he couldn't stop her.

Perry turned at the door and looked at her once more. "Don't even think about it," he warned, "if you show up at the office, I will personally carry you down to your car."

She saluted him as the door closed, she knew he meant it. Throwing the blanket off she decided to take a quick shower and then just lie down for a few minutes.

*Special Thanks to my BETA, Andrea, who is always there with advice as I write and does such a wonderful job of editing. She also makes great suggestions that make these stories even better. I couldn't do it without you.

TBC

*Special Thanks to my BETA, Andrea, who is always there with advice as I write and does such a wonderful job of editing. She also makes great suggestions that make these stories even better. I couldn't do it without you.