Chapter Text
"Good bye, and thank you!" Della Street and her friend, Linda Holders walked out of the beauty salon.
"I'm so glad you were able to take the morning off," Linda said, looping her arm through Della's.
"I am too! I've missed spending time with you!"
"We should do it again soon!"
"Of course! But I must go now. Perry's expecting me back in a few minutes," Della looked at her watch.
The two friends parted.
Della walked the five blocks to the Brent building. It caught her off guard to see two police cars and an ambulance parked out front. Paul was there, looking distraught. Hamilton Burger and Lt. Tragg were standing there, talking earnestly. Even at a distance, Della could tell something was wrong.
But Perry wasn't there.
Della's heart fell to her feet and she went into a dead run, which was no easy task in heels and a skirt. Lt. Tragg saw her coming and pointed her out to the little group. Paul turned, relieved to see her.
"Della!"
"What's wrong?" she asked when Paul caught her.
She saw two police officers putting a handcuffed man into the back of the waiting police car and drive away. She also noticed Lt. Tragg holding a gun wrapped in a large handkerchief. But Perry still was not in sight. Della grabbed Paul's coat and demanded again:
"What's wrong?"
"Della, where have you been?" Paul said.
"I had the morning off. Why won't you answer me? What's wrong?!?"
"Della," Lt. Tragg said gently, "There is no easy way to tell you this, but Perry was murdered this morning."
"No! NO!" Della screamed and tried to reach past the men to the doctors bringing down the stretcher with her employer on it.
"I am so very sorry, Della," Hamilton Burger pulled out his handkerchief, even though she was not crying yet.
"Perry!" Della gasped, clutching Paul's arm that was blocking her way.
The truth of what had happened just began to sink in.
"No! Perryyyyy!" her scream filled the air, chilling Paul's blood.
The sobs came, shaking her body violently. Her knees gave away. Paul and Burger caught her and sank gently down to the sidewalk with her. The tears flowed down Della's cheeks.
Della was completely numb. She didn't notice Lt. Tragg press a handkerchief into her hand. She didn't see Paul and Burger beside her.
All she could see was the ambulance leaving, taking her Perry away from her.
She turned and buried her face into Paul's shoulder and cried for all she was worth.