"Her step father died, one of her step brothers is missing, another one is dead, one is in prison, and Elna Rance wants to throw a party? I don't think her head is screwed on tight," Paul's sigh could be heard over the phone.

Perry chuckled, "They're a strange bunch."

"What are you hoping to find out at the party?"

"I'm trying to find out more about this family. Elna Rance invited me and a guest, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity," Perry explained.

"And you're taking Della?"

"Why not? Having a female companion would look less suspicious."

"I didn't mean anything by it!" Paul defended himself, "Say, aren't you going to be late? Where are you?"

"I went home and dressed and I am at the office waiting for Della to come back."

Paul hit his palm to his forehead. What did this guy know about dating?!, "Aren't you picking her up?"

"No, we are meeting back here. She should be here any minute."

"Well, while you're waiting, don't forget to keep an eye out to see if that guy who punched Della is there, and if he is, don't you dare let him get away until after you call me and I'm there!"

"Got it. If that hap- hi!" Paul heard his friend's voice change to a softer tone, "Are you ready to go to the party?" Perry asked someone in his office.

Paul wished he could see what Perry's facial expressions were. He heard a voice, but could not tell what was said.

"Sorry, Paul, but we have to leave or we'll be late," Perry said.

"Don't forget what I told you!"

"I won't!"

Perry hung up the phone.

~~~~~PM~~~~~

The party had already started when they got there. The front door was partially open, and the loud music inside told them that they would not be heard if they knocked. Perry pushed the door open and let Della step in first. No one was there to take their coats for them, but a young man from the crowded living room called,

"Just drop your coats any old place and come on in!"

They laid their coats over the banister and went into the next room.

"Mason! You came! And you brought a friend!" Elna Rance made her way over to them, "Honey," she spoke to Della, "You don't mind if I kidnap him for a few minutes, do you?"

"No, not at all," Della smiled.

"Great! I have a few people for you to meet," Elna Rance tugged Perry's arm.

"I'll be right with you," Perry told her, then, in a low voice, he told Della, "Remember what I said: keep an eye out for anything suspicious."

"Right," Della nodded, and Perry followed Elna Rance.

A young man immediately struck up a light conversation with her, and an older lady offered her a drink. There was a tap on Della's shoulder, and she turned with a smile to greet the person. Her smile froze when she recognized the person as the man who had punched her.

"Well now, if it ain't my old friend, Della Street!" the man boomed in a semi-friendly tone, "It has been too long!"

Della did not know what to do.

"Say, maybe a dance would loosen your tongue," the man grabbed Della's waist and pulled her out onto the dance floor.

The man had a firm grip on her, not at all friendly, and he was a lot more muscly that she remembered. She tried to wriggle from his grasp, but he held on tighter.

"I see now that you covered that eye of yours up," the man hissed into her ear, "I suggest that you play along as if we were old friends and not tell Perry Mason who I am."

"Why shouldn't I?" Della demanded, trying to pull her hand from his.

"If I hit ladies, just imagine what I can do to a man," he pressed her hand against his side and Della could feel a gun hidden underneath his dinner jacket, "If you keep quiet, everything will be just fine, but if you happen to tell Mason about our former acquaintance, I think both of you will be sorry," he gestured towards the gun, "You got it?"

Della nodded, terrified. She had no doubt in her mind that this man was telling the truth. He was huge, made almost entirely of muscle, and he was threatening to use a gun if she told on him. She would keep quiet and not endanger her boss.

"Good," the man smiled, "I will be keeping my eye on you to make sure you keep up your end of the bargain," he lead her off of the dance floor and turned his attention to another woman.

Perry Mason was suddenly at her side. He turned to her, "Having a good time?"

"Oh, yes," she lied.

"Is everything all right?" Perry frowned, noticing how nervous she was.

Della was very aware of the man who hit her standing right behind her, so she merely nodded and tried to act casual.

"Want to dance?" Perry asked.

"I'd like that," and Della was relieved to get away from the other man.

Perry asked her again if everything was all right. Della turned at that moment and noticed the other man sitting in a chair, just on the edge of the dance floor, his hand dangerously near his armed side.

"Why do you keep asking me that?" she asked.

"You just seem a little... disturbed? Was some guy getting fresh with you?" Perry demanded.

Della laughed the best she could, "Not at all! The music is just a little loud in here."

"I know. We'll get out of here just as soon as we can," Perry promised, and they finished the rest of the dance in silence.

Perry talked with several people, learning a bit of helpful information for the case. Della tried to appear casual, but she was painfully conscious of the man who was never too far away. She was beyond grateful when Perry asked her if she was ready to leave.

"Yes, I am," she said in such a way that made Perry chuckle.

"Aww, are you folks leaving?" the man (you know who I am talking about, even though we do not know his name) sauntered over.

"I'm afraid so," Perry told him as he picked up their coats.

"Please, just one whirl around the dance floor?" the man caught Della's arm and looked at her so pleadingly that Perry would never have guessed that anything was wrong.

"No thank you-," Della tried declining.

"Please?" he gave her puppy dog eyes and tightened his grip on her arm.

"I'll be right back," Della told her employer, who was looking a little suspiciously at the tall man.

The man pulled Della onto the dance floor. He held her rather close as he hissed into her ear,

"I'd watch it carefully if I was you. Any word about who I am to Mason or the cops and Mason gets it, not to mention what I'll do to you for squealin'!" and he nodded to his side, where the suit coat bulged from a pistol hiding underneath.

Gee, I have no idea where I will actually end the story! I keep thinking of things to add, which is a small reason of why it has been taking me awhile to publish each chapter.

Thank you so much for reading, and please leave a review! The reviews are one of the only reasons I post fanfic (because it means that you guys are actually reading it).