The Case of the Dangerous Dowager (Perry Mason #10)

by Erle Stanley Gardner

“Confusion to our enemies,” she toasted. Drake gulped down three big swallows of the light amber drink. “You don’t need to wish any confusion on them. The whole case is worse than a jigsaw puzzle.” He slipped his arm around her waist and said, “Gee, Della, you’re a good kid! I wish I could get someone who had just one percent as much loyalty for me as you have for Perry. How does he work it?” Della laughed. “Take your arm away, Paul. Experience has taught me that when a man sticks around my apartment about daylight, drinking Scotch and soda and talking about my wonderful loyalty, he’s getting ready to go out of control.” Drake sighed. “I see you’re a good judge of character as well as a darned efficient secretary. Going to kiss me good-by when I leave, Della?” “No. If I did you wouldn’t leave.” “Well,” Drake said, “there’s no harm in asking. I’ll drop in at the office later on and give you all the dirt I can dig up. So long, Della, and thanks for the drink.” “Don’t forget that bottle of Scotch,” she told him as she closed the door behind him.