Della wasn't really awake.

The pounding in her head kept consciousness at bay. It was a curtain, heavy and dark, and its weight smothered her. As the pain became sharper, it honed her awareness and the curtain began to lift.

She still felt the smothering weight. She could barely breathe and panic gripped the edges of her mind. Her wrists, elbows and shoulders burned and throbbed. A heaviness, something on top of her chest, moved. Hands skimmed over her body. A mouth, hot and wet, pressed against her neck.

A flash of light exploded in her head.

"No!" she screamed. In her mind she screamed, but in reality the sound was barely more than a gasp. Her lungs couldn't take in enough air for anything more.

"Oh, good. You're awake."

Della's vision focused and Frank Livesey's features coalesced before her. The grin that curled his lips wasn't remotely humorous. "Your...stimulating participation will make this much more enjoyable. How's the head?" He moved off of her while talking and sat on the edge of the couch where she lay. He reached out and ran a hand around the back of her head. She winced sharply when he touched the lump that had formed there. Livesey smiled too widely - his capped teeth gleaming from between taut lips.

"Works every time," he said. "I was worried I'd hit you a little too hard. You stayed out longer than most. But, as you'll notice, the time wasn't wasted." There was an insane nonchalance to his words, as if they were friends, chit-chatting over coffee.

Della strained against the ropes that held her arms securely behind her. She yelled again, but still made almost no noise, even though Livesey was no longer lying on top of her. A gag - something stuffed into her mouth and held in place with adhesive tape - muffled any sound. Panic rising again in the back of her throat, Della struggled to sit up. Livesey pushed her back down.

"Don't try it, doll," he sneered. "You're not going anywhere. We're just getting started." As he spoke, he grasped her jaw and turned her head towards him. "I have to admit I was surprised when I followed you from the courthouse. Do you always buy your groceries on Friday afternoon? Then just come home? You're lucky I came along if that's the most excitment you can come up with on a Friday night. What were you going to do with the rest of the evening? Play Scrabble with your cat or something?" he ridiculed. "With that face and your body, I figured your big shot boss would want to do his celebrating with you. I guess I was wrong about the two of you, eh?" Livesey laughed and patted her cheek. "What's the matter? Maybe he likes blondes? Or are you good enough for a little fun in the office, but not the arm candy he wants when he's out for a night on the town?"

Della jerked her head away from him.

"Temper, temper, sweetheart. I guess I struck a nerve there, didn't I? You got a thing for your boss?" Livesey leaned in closer and dropped his voice a notch. "Don't worry, baby. One night with me and you won't want any other man. Not for a long, long time."

Hot tears stung the corners of her eyes, but she blinked then back, unshed. Frenzied thoughts tumbled over one another in Della's mind. She still wasn't sure what had happened nor how long she'd been unconscious. He followed her from the courthouse? How did he get into the apartment? If she could get off the couch - make some noise - would anyone hear? The door - she couldn't remember locking the door when she got home. And Perry? He said he would pick her up here. When? How much longer before he arrived? Why hadn't she seen Livesey - sensed him - following her?

Livesey curled his finger's around Della's chin, turning her towards him once more. She flinched at the look in his eyes. Noting her reaction, Livesey chuckled. "I've got plans for you, doll." He released her chin and drew his hand down Della's throat to her chest. He slid his hands under the lapels of her suit jacket and pushed it back off her shoulders, exposing the silk blouse she wore underneath.

Running his fingers lightly over the material covering her breasts, he smiled and licked his lips. "Once the DA figures out what your boss did in court today, they'll put a warrant out for me. The police are probably out searching for me right now. They won't think of looking for me here! That means we've got all night, baby. All night long." Livesey leaned in and kissed her neck, just below her ear. "If I'm going to end up in prison thanks to Perry Mason," he murmured, "I might as well have some good memories to take with me, thanks to you!"

Della twisted her shoulders in an attempt to push him away. His response was to wrap his fingers around her neck. He held her there, tightening the grip and cutting off the air supply until she stopped fighting. As Della fell still, Livesey released his hold and began to open her blouse.

"You made it clear how you felt about me when I was in Mason's office." He leered at her. "I'm going to enjoy wiping that condescending look off your face. We could've done this the easy way then. I like to show a girl a good time. But when a dame gets all uppity with me, I teach her a lesson. Now you're going to have to lie there and take it - whether you like it or not." Della blinked at him, her eyes questioning. "You're not the first woman I've had to "educate", but it looks like you'll be the last." He grinned. "I blindfolded the others. They never knew who I was."

Livesey had slowly worked the buttons of her shirt as he spoke. Now the top of her blouse fell open.

"Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Very nice."

Powered by desperation, Della pushed with her legs as hard as she could, trying to find leverage against her attacker. Cords bound her ankles and Livesey had only to reach behind him and grab hold of her thighs to still her movements. The shift in his attention gave her a chance to sit up and try to roll off the sofa. Livesey laughed and simply leaned back, using his body weight to hold her down. Della fought hard against him, but her bonds held fast and he restrained her with minimal effort. Finally, realizing the futility of her resistance, she collapsed back on the sofa, chest heaving as she pulled air into her lungs.

"Are you finished?" he asked.

Malevolence flamed in her eyes. He smiled humorlessly and released his hold on her legs.

.........................................................................................................................................................Then someone knocked on the door.