I think Brandt did let her out

Ditto. I love the idea that when he heard genuine fear and panic, he wigged out.

I got irked at Paul when they were doing the reinactment thing and he said Rebecca fought back -- like he was trying to protect her from Web. Or he thought that she fought back, which made no sense, it would have been a major turn on to see her fighting back (if Brandt was who they thought he was) and Paul should have, at least, gotten that.

Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean by "skills,"

Perhaps skills is the wrong word. I'm thinking of those people who lift up cars under extreme duress to save someone because it's needed, the adreneline gets going and shit just happens. You don't necessarily know how you did it, you just know that you did.

However, I think I have to agree with you when I think back over some of the dialogue and what you say. Brandt had never seen real fear, it scared him and he really didn't want to hurt Rebecca. I think he thought she could handle it because "FBI cookies" (but she's still cookie dough), but then it turned out she couldn't and he freaked.

Now that you mention it, SailAweigh, I am wondering what Brandt's motivation there was. Did he think she was there for that? I suppose he might have, even without prior negotiation (which is neither safe nor sane nor consensual, but makes sense if he was banned from the club). Was he really trying to scare her but didn't bargain for her response?

Finished now.

So, I'm thinking I'm not going to join the FBI, lest I end up carving myself to bits, turning sex criminal, or becoming a Professional Victim.

Good one!

Damn you, Tim.

My house is really dark.

I think Brandt just wanted to make Rebecca squirm, he was doing a good job of unnerving both her and Paul in the interview room. Plus, he was innocent, so it would just be a little head game. Put her in chains, watch her squirm, then let her go. Figuring that there's no way she'd run to her boss and say she let the nice murder suspect get her in chains. There's no way he could have known she'd have such an intense reaction.

and Paul should have, at least, gotten that.

Nah. He was in such foreign territory here, he wasn't getting anything.

I loved the dynamic of Rebecca's understanding of the S&M scene. To the point where I've written and deleted three paragraphs trying to explain it, but I can't. It was just...good.

This may actually be the first time I've ever found any fictional story abut S&M interesting. Normally, bondage stories either bore or annoy me. (Which comes from knowing too many people in the scene who won't shut up about it. Other people's kinky sex is boring.)

Also, I live in the woods.

Note to self: watch Tivo'd Inside eps during the daylight.

Did I mention my house is really dark?

I think he assumed she had experience as a submissive, and thought he was baiting her into admitting it. He was playfully testing her.