[May 12th] [Perry Mason] I Won't Back Down

[insaneladybug.livejournal.com]

Title: I Won't Back Down
Day/Theme: May 12th - Do not choose sides yet
Series: Perry Mason
Character/Pairing: Hamilton Burger, Leon
Rating: K/G

Part of the "Missing Scenes from The Broken Ties" series.

Takes place during the gap between chapters 7 and 8, most likely.


By Lucky_Ladybug

Hamilton trudged into his office, weary and disconsolate as he placed his hat and coat on the rack.

He should be grateful for some things, he supposed. Perry and Della had finally re-met and were hitting it off quite nicely. But they did not remember each other. And while Della, not remembering Hamilton either, had been kind to him, Perry was still distant with him.

Tragg still thought he was out of his mind. Mignon was still cold.

And he was still trying to work with Paul, which was becoming increasingly difficult. Paul did not trust him. As the days wore on Paul was snapping with increasing frequency and regarding him with suspicious looks. Hamilton’s tolerance was unraveling.

Here at the office, Leon thought Hamilton was out of his mind, too. Oh, he didn’t say as much, but his worry was obvious from his eyes, wide behind his glasses.

Hamilton sank into the chair and closed his eyes. The only place where he did not have to be around people who treated him strangely for whatever reason was at home. And that was lonely now, not really a haven. Not that he had not lived alone before, but at least he had known he had friends to stand by him.

And the neighbors had been friendly then. These days they were not. They had been shooting him all manner of glowers from their homes. Vivalene was winding down his resolve in every way she could.

She wanted him to descend into complete and utter hopelessness. Maybe she even wanted him to give in, to go to her and admit defeat. But that was something he would never do.

Nevertheless, he could feel that his spirit was cracking. She was skilled when it came to her knowledge of how to break people. And he honestly wondered how much of this he would be able to take. There was pressure from all directions.

“Mr. Burger?”

He opened his eyes at Leon’s worried voice. His secretary was standing in the doorway, one hand on the knob.

Hamilton sighed. “What is it, Leon?”

Leon still lingered in the doorway. “May I speak with you for a few minutes, Sir?”

“Come in and shut the door.” Hamilton gestured as he spoke. His voice sounded resigned, even to him. He was certain that Leon was going to start in asking questions to the effect of thinking that his boss was quite nuts. And that was not what he needed right now. Not at all.

Leon obeyed, briefly leaning against the closed door before moving closer to Hamilton’s desk. “Mr. Burger, a strange man came to see me this morning, before I left to come here.”

Hamilton raised an eyebrow. Now that was not what he had expected. “What did he want?” he frowned.

“That was what was so outrageous, Sir.” Leon looked nervous as he continued. “He said that surely I could see you weren’t fit to be the district attorney any longer. And that if I wanted to do right by you, I . . . I would see that you were removed from office and given the medical treatment you need.”

Hamilton sat up straight. “What?!” He stared at the younger man. “How would he even know what I’ve been saying?! I haven’t broadcast it.”

“I asked him the same thing, Mr. Burger. And he just said it wouldn’t be long and the entire county would know.”

Hamilton glared at nothing in particular. Obviously it was someone sent by one of their enemies, Vivalene or the crooked Judge Heyes or the mysterious Mr. Vann. But he would not say that just yet. Leon would not believe it anyway.

“What did you tell him?” he queried instead.

“I said I wouldn’t go behind your back like that, Sir.” Leon stood tall. “I said I’d tell you everything I’d been told. He shrugged and told me to go ahead, but it would be a grave mistake. He said you . . .” Leon’s gaze drifted away. “He said you weren’t sane. And he also said . . .” But he trailed off.

Hamilton frowned. “What, Leon?” he prompted.

Leon pushed up his glasses. “He said I didn’t have to choose sides right then. He said he’d give me twenty-four hours to make up my mind.

“I said I didn’t need them; my mind was already made up. I stand by you, Sir.”

Hamilton stared at Leon in amazement. Was this . . . could this be true? Leon did not detest him, as everyone else who remembered him in any way seemed to? Only Della and Andy, devoid of all memories, had been kind to him. Even the neighbors, whom he did not know well, had been cruel. Why would Vivalene make such an oversight with his confidential secretary, someone he saw and worked with closely every day? Could this be a trap, a trick?

He hated going on guard, not knowing what to believe. He longed to simply accept Leon’s words as the honest truth. But he had been kicked far too many times during this disaster. He did not know what to think or do.

“But . . . you do think I’m crazy, don’t you, Leon?” he finally spoke.

“I thought you were overworked, Sir,” Leon said.

Hamilton noted the usage of the past tense. “And now . . . ?”

“Now I know that Mr. Drake carries these same memories you were talking about, Mr. Burger. Forgive me, Sir; I overheard the two of you talking in the parking garage.” Leon sighed. “I don’t know what’s going on. I’ll admit that. But I trust you, Sir. I always have, even before I heard your conversation.”

Hamilton swallowed hard. There was not a catch. He could see it in Leon’s eyes and hear it in his voice.

Maybe Vivalene had made a mistake and had simply thought that Hamilton and his secretary were not close. But that would not explain the neighbors. Maybe Leon was not one of her direct targets for another reason. Whatever the case, he was being focused on in some way or that stranger would not have approached him.

At age thirty-two, Leon was fifteen years younger than Hamilton. He was a quiet, gentle man, someone who had never been in serious danger. He was generally in the office, protected and secure. He was rarely even in court, since Hamilton always took one of his assistant district attorneys for training purposes. Hamilton did not want to be the one to expose Leon to the very real dangers of this current horror. He wanted to keep Leon safe.

“Thank you for telling me, Leon.” Hamilton’s voice was quiet, but deeply moved.

Leon nodded. “What do you want me to do, Sir?”

“Just get back to work,” Hamilton said.

Leon blinked in surprise. “But . . . I know something’s wrong. I want to help.”

“That’s how you can help me right now,” Hamilton returned. “Please, Leon.” He looked into the dark, confused eyes.

At last Leon nodded. “Alright, Mr. Burger. If that will really help. . . .”

“Yes, it will.” Hamilton stood. “We have to keep this office running like normal. If there’s any variation in what goes on, we could attract the worst kind of attention.”

Leon smiled, understanding now. “Of course, Sir. I’ll get right back to work.” He turned, heading for the door.

Hamilton watched him go. Hopefully, if he kept Leon away from the fight against Vivalene, he would stay safe and out of her sight.

And then maybe at least one thing would go completely right.