[May 27th] [Perry Mason] No One Else Cared

[insaneladybug.livejournal.com]

Title: No One Else Cared
Day/Theme: May 27th - Sleep, she will not linger
Series: Perry Mason
Character/Pairing: Perry Mason, Hamilton Burger
Rating: K/G

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

Takes place between chapter 16 and the epilogue (with a flashback to the break between 7 and 8).


By Lucky_Ladybug

Perry had been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling for what seemed hours. Over and over, the events of the past few hours were turning over in his mind. How could he think of sleeping when so much had happened?

They had fought Vivalene and the others. The spell had been broken. Everyone’s true memories had been restored.

Hamilton had nearly died.

Perry’s eyes narrowed. Of course he had not meant it—no one had—but it felt like they had all betrayed their friend. They had fallen for Vivalene’s false memories, believing in the fictitious lives she had crafted. And one thing in common among almost all of the memories was that they had been given some reason to hate Hamilton Burger.

“Oh Hamilton,” he whispered sorrowfully. “What you must have gone through these past days! If only I had been there for you more, instead of balking at everything you tried to tell me. I am so sorry.”

Words seemed cheap, particularly at a time like this. But they were all Perry had. As soon as possible, he wanted to have a proper conversation with Hamilton. Tonight it had not seemed to be an option; Hamilton badly needed rest from his injuries.

He gripped the quilt. Hamilton had been greatly blessed. The fall could have killed him regardless of what happened with the spell. What if he were not so lucky another time?

No, Perry vowed. He did not want to see anything such as this happen ever again. And it would not, if Perry could prevent it.

There would always be some danger. Angry suspects, ex-cons, family members and friends of prisoners. . . . Any of them could decide to go after Hamilton at any time. But black magic boxes and spells. . . . Surely the usage of those could be controlled.

Would Mignon Germaine be able to arrange for the destruction of the Forbidden Box? Perry wanted to believe so with all of his heart. But a part of him feared. Could it truly be destroyed? If so, why hadn’t it been done years ago? Maybe locking it away was the only thing that had been able to be done.

He sighed. This was one of the strangest experiences they had ever had. No, it was most likely the strangest.

Would Hamilton be able to sleep? Maybe he was lying in bed gazing at his own room. There was certainly a lot for him to be bothered about—the apparent existence of magic as well as Vivalene’s deliberate cruelty in turning everyone against him.

Unbidden to Perry’s mind came a conversation they had shared the day after he and Della had re-met. It was a conversation that he would sooner forget, and yet he never could. The same was likely true of Hamilton.

Then

Perry had expected he would see Hamilton once he and Della had a chance to get acquainted. So when Vivalene very coolly announced Hamilton’s presence the next day, Perry was not in the least surprised. “Tell him to come in,” he requested.

Hamilton entered Perry’s office in the next moment. “Hello, Perry,” he greeted. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re already here. Even though I heard that you and Della were out late last night.” He took off his fedora, holding it by the brim in his hands.

“Oh? And where did you hear that?” Perry grunted.

“Paul saw you leaving the nightclub,” Hamilton said.

“I see.” Perry leaned back. “Well, I have to thank you for prompting me to look for Miss Street. She’s a wonderful woman. But if you’re hoping I’ll say that I remember the wild stories you and Paul have been telling, I’m sorry, I don’t.”

Hamilton let out a disappointed but not entirely unexpected sigh. “I’m sorry too,” he said. “But maybe it will just take time.”

“Maybe.” Perry hesitated for a long moment. “I still find it hard to believe that we’re friends in your world.”

Hamilton flinched. “It’s our world,” he protested. “And I know it must sound strange, with the memories you’ve got, but it’s the truth.”

“It’s more pleasant than what I recall as the truth,” Perry said. “I’ll acknowledge that much. But until I can remember something of it, as far as I’m concerned it’s your world. Yours and Paul’s.”

“Perry . . .” Hamilton was still desperate, struggling with a case he had already lost. “You don’t really think we’re both off our rocker, do you?”

Perry gave him a long look. “That is hard to believe,” he said. “That’s almost as odd to think about as what you’ve been saying.”

“If we’re not insane, and we aren’t deliberately lying to you, then what’s left?” Hamilton stared into Perry’s eyes. “We both know the answer to that.”

Perry had to turn his attention to the files on his desk. Even with the cold attitude he remembered from Hamilton, the last thing the district attorney would do was to lie. And Paul certainly wouldn’t. He wouldn’t dream of associating with Hamilton at all, the way Perry recalled it. Now in this world, Hamilton was not cold and he and Paul seemed quite able to work together. Neither of them behaved as Perry remembered.

“. . . You could also be impostors,” he said at last.

Hamilton gaped. Perry glanced up and immediately wished he had not. The stunned shock and hurt on Hamilton’s face was as good as a knife.

“I don’t believe this,” Hamilton said. “Now you’re grasping at straws. What reason would anyone have to impersonate one or both of us?”

“I didn’t say anyone would have a reason,” Perry said. “I’m just pointing out that it is a possibility.”

“Anything to put a wall between you and what we’re saying,” Hamilton said. He sounded both disgusted and bewildered. “You said last night that you absolutely couldn’t believe the idea that we’re friends. Is it really so terrible to think about?”

“It’s not terrible at all,” Perry responded. “Just unbelievable.”

Hamilton sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Alright then,” he said in resignation. “Nevermind that.”

Now Perry felt bad again. There had been bad feelings between them, on both sides, but he was not a hateful person. Seeing Hamilton as he was now just hurt. It hurt to the core.

And what if they were friends and this Hamilton honestly didn’t have any idea about the memories Perry held?

“I’m sorry,” Perry said. “Allow me some time and maybe I’ll be able to see it.”

Hamilton nodded. “That’s fair enough.”

He turned and walked out.

Now

Fair! Perry thought to himself in dismay. He had treated one of his dearest friends like dirt. And the way he felt now, it could provide for many more sleepless nights like this one.

He rolled onto his side, pulling the quilt higher.

At least he had come to feel that they could be friends. And he had told Hamilton before they went in to that final battle.

The memory of the light and joy in Hamilton’s eyes finally succeeded in easing Perry’s troubled mind enough that sleep seemed a distinct possibility. There were still pieces to pick up and wounds to mend, and the day would likely bring them in full force, but at this moment there was only the welcome light of hope and redemption.

Hamilton was still alive, thank God. And he was understanding of the mess that Vivalene had caused—despite not quite being able to conceive of the weapon she had used to make it. There was time to start over, to begin repairing the damage that had been done.

And Perry was determined to do all that he could towards that end.

Slumber descended over him as a blanket.