Harry woke again as someone pulled the chart out of the slot in the door. A hint of gardenia and sandalwood, spicy Dolce Vita perfume, drifted into the room. Even in the dusk, he knew who his visitor was. He inhaled deeply before he spoke.

�You�ll be proud of me. I�ve been working on being embarrassed. I feel positively humiliated.� Harry worked again to clear his throat.

�Spare me the drama, Denby,� she said through clenched teeth.

�I mean, it�s not every day I pass out in court.�

�Well, it served you well. Your timing couldn�t have been better if you had planned it. The judge ruled you would spend the time before trial in the medical wing. Looks like they got you scheduled for rehab.� She chuckled ironically.

�Lucky me.�

�Yeah, lucky you.� Diane�s voice caught in her throat, and she looked out the door. She glanced furtively at Denby, then again at the door. At least she could escape if she needed to. She was reasonably sure no one was listening outside.

�So, did you come to gloat about thwarting my plans?�

�You don�t know me very well.�

�Well, then, enlighten me.�

�Denby, I�m really tired of all your sick games.�

�So. You came to berate me. Now that I�m tied up like an animal, I�m an easy target. Go ahead. Give me your worst.�

�Like I said, this is your lucky day. I�m just here for information. We�ll have to save the castigation for later.�

Diane paused. Harry stared at her, and she was having trouble breathing. She began to pace.

�It�s about Don. I have some news about Don.�

�Ahhh. I see. You�re here to send me further into the abyss.�

�What?�

�Never mind. What news do you have of my former associate?�