Part 13
“Angel, do you really think Bane will be returning to this building? He must be aware by now that you’re after him.”
“Probably not Wesley, but we have to start somewhere. Maybe we’ll get lucky and pick up a lead. Won’t know till we look.”
“Right let’s go.” Exiting the car Wesley followed Angel inside. Catching the overpowering scent of the tormenting yet tantalizing aroma, Angel froze mid-step.
Wesley grunted against the hard impact as he collided with the rigid form in front of him. “What is it Angel?”
“Blood…Human Blood…Fresh Human Blood.” Quickening their pace down the stairs, Angel led the way into the room that housed Bane’s grotesque collection. The men gasped as they took in the beauty and horror that waited patiently for their arrival.
Soft petals of velvet washed in a satiny hue of pink were lovingly scattered around the beautiful woman’s feet. Her picturesque form faintly visible beneath the sheer gown of white silk, Angel’s eyes soaked up the delicate outline of bare, feminine shoulders before his gaze floated down the flawless skin of a slender arm. Elegant fingers gently curled around the long stem of a perfect crimson dipped rose.
“Oh merciful heavens.” Wesley doubled over as his gut retched the meager contents of his stomach.
“Wesley, no! Calm down. It’s not Cordy. This is not Cordy’s blood.”
The stunning portrait was displayed atop an antique table crafted from rich cherry wood softened with a drape of seventeenth century white valenciennes lace and a carefully, hand picked array of white lilies. The final touch of perfection dripped and splattered with the glistening shimmer of crushed rubies covering Darcy Bane’s latest creation.
“Angel are you sure?” Wesley asked as he gave up fumbling for his handkerchief and wiped the back of his hand against his mouth.
“I know what Cordy’s blood smells like. I know how her blood would taste.” The last admission barely more that a whispered secret.
“You know…you’ve tast…?” Wesley questioned, a heavy hint of shock and accusation in his tone. Leaning against the wall, he willed his churning stomach to be still.
“No, of course not Wesley.” Angel’s defensive reaction was weakened by his silent confession that he had tasted more than enough to imagine the full rich flavor of her life force. Momentarily lost in his mind’s description, Angel closed his eyes as the unique, imaginary flavors wafted over his salivating tongue; sweet like sun-kissed peaches, tangy with the slightest hint of lime, ripe like a red plumb bursting with juice.
“Angel… …Angel!”
“Huh?”
“Angel, we were talking about that not being Cordelia’s blood.”
“It’s not and Cordy didn’t pose for that portrait either. The eyes are wrong. You would never miss the sparkle in her eyes. Bane painted that from memory.”
“Angel, are you sure?”
I know her eyes. I saw my salvation in her eyes. “I’m sure of it Wes but Bane has been watching her. He’s been close to her too, the intricate details he missed you only get when you spend time with her. I’ll call her, make sure she’s in her apartment and safe; then we’ll look for clues. Bane left this here for me to find; it’s one of the clues he’s left for me to follow.”
“Clues?”
Dreading an explanation to Wesley about the vulgar game he, Bane and Darla had played too many times to count, Angel gave a brief, to the point clarification hoping Wesley would not ask too many questions. “That’s how the game is played Wesley.”
***
Sitting on the cold, stone floor, Cordelia looked around at the scattered debris that cluttered the old church. Its magnificence still evident under the dirt and grime that had collected over time. She wondered why the people that once worshiped here would choose to abandon it.
The vibrating rumble of her cell phone interrupting her thoughts, Cordelia struggled to reach it before Bane realized she had it in her possession. The single rope that ran from her bound hands to her bound feet was just long enough that she could relieve her bent knees if she hunched her back forward. There was absolutely no chance of walking, her numerous failed attempts had proven that.
Her shoulder ached pressed against the hard floor as she struggled to fold and twist her body so that her snuggly joined hands could reach into her pocket. Grasping the evading object, Cordelia slipped the phone onto the floor and scooted her body until her face hovered over it. Her index finger barely reaching the button she whispered just loud enough for the caller to hear. “Hello. Who’s there?”
“Cordy, it’s me Angel. You scared the hell out of me! Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“I just did.” Cordelia’s reply almost a snarl deciding she must have purposely skipped the chapter that taught proper phone etiquette while hogtied.
“No, the phone in your apartment. Look it doesn’t matter; I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“Well I’m not alright. Nice friends you got Angel. Can’t wait to meet the family.”
“Damn it Cordy. What are you talking about? Where are you?”
“I don’t know. Me and your friend Bane took a smelly trip through the sewers and now I’m in some old church. But I have no idea where the church is.”
“Angel what’s happening? Where is Cordelia?” Wesley was too anxious to confirm Cordelia’s safety to wait until Angel hung up.
“Bane has her and I don’t know.”
“Good Lord Angel, we have to do something.”
Angel purposely avoided looking at the idiot that was the master at stating the obvious for fear that he would snap the man’s neck. “I know that Wes. I don’t need you to tell me we need to do something. Right now, I need to talk to Cordy and figure out where she is. So stop interrupting!”
“Cordy, look around and tell me what you see.”
“It’s a church Angel; I see pews and a podium, a lot of old wood and some red thrown in for color.”
“Cordy this is serious, focus.”
“Alright, don’t get you panties in a wad. I need to roll over.”
“Roll over?”
“Yes, roll over. All tied up here. Yea, that’s right Angel, all tight up on a dirty, hard floor and I’ve got to take the phone with me when I roll over, so stop yelling at me and give me a minute.”
Where’s Bane?”
“I don’t know. Evidently, not here since I’m on the phone. OK, got a different view now. Oh, pretty. It’s definitely Catholic…I think. I see chalices, urns and lots of candles. Some of these paintings remind me of the one my father bought when my parents vacationed in Europe a few summers ago.”
“Cordy, Europe is a pretty big place. Did your parents go somewhere in particular?”
“Well I don’t know but I know he bought the painting in Spain. Come to think of it, this place does have a Spanish feel to it, maybe even Mexican. One thing I know for sure is it’s huge and it hasn’t been used for a really long time.”
“Baby, listen to me. I’m going to find you. Just try not to worry and don’t antagonize Bane. He’s got a really quick temper and he’s mean when he’s angry.”
“OK, I’ll be good but hurry Angel. I don’t like it here and I don’t like this Bane character. He talks funny. Kind of like Wesley.”
“Cordy…I love you. You believe me; don’t you?” I love you and I’m going to get you back. I need you baby. I can’t lose you.”
“I love you too Angel. I don’t want to lose you either. And I *really* don’t want you to lose me.”
Large cold hands snatched the phone before she could say anything else. “Hey, we’re having a moment here.” Cordelia barked at the rude interruption before remembering she wasn’t supposed to make the evil vampire angry.
“Angelus, so good of you to join the festivities. As our honored guest, we were waiting for you to begin the game. I take it that you have uncovered the first clue.”
“This is between you and me. You know you’re no match for me Darcy, so let her go or I’ll rip your heart out and feed it to you before you turn to dust.”
“Ah, there’s the Angelus I remember. And your Miss Chase, such a tigress Angelus. I look forward to getting to know her better.”
“OK, getting a little tired of being referred to as something from the feline family. What is it with men and cats? Gees.” Again, Cordelia bit her tongue cursing herself for not knowing when to keep her mouth shut.
“No wonder she is so important to you. What a rare find in this day and age. Flesh so hot it could melt the coldest winter snow. Skin, soft and supple; so pliant under skilled hands. Tell me Angelus, how long did you tease your senses with the erotic bouquet of her virgin blood before you took her innocence for yourself?”
“Damn you Bane, if you hurt her; if you even touch her I will keep you alive for years before I tire of torturing you.”
“The sooner you finish the game Angelus, the less time I will have to enjoy your lovely toy.”
“Toy?” Angel heard Cordelia’s indignant shriek before the call was disconnected. Angel concentrated on sending Cordelia a stern warning. So desperate at this moment, he begged The Powers that their bond would allow him to make the connection.
***
Angel knew that Bane had never met anyone like Cordelia Chase. There was only one Cordelia Chase and Darcy Bane would be drawn to her fiery spirit just as he had been. Angel’s demon had stood at attention the moment he met Cordelia in Sunnydale. Her luscious, sensual beauty laced with the innocence of a young girl would arouse the beast in any man, human or demon and Darcy Bane had no soul to restrain that beastly hunger.
“Now Angel, can you tell me what the hell is going on?”
“Bane has Cordy in an old, abandoned church.”
“I gathered that much Angel; what else?”
“That’s all I know so let’s go we have to find this church.” Angel headed up the stairs leaving Wesley to follow or be left behind.
“And how do you propose we do that Angel?” Wesley almost shouted to the back of the vampire’s head as he hurried to keep up.
“By getting out on the streets and looking for it. Now get in the car or I’ll go without you.”
“Angel listen to me. I know you’re upset, but that’s why you need to listen to reason. You’re not thinking straight. You’re not thinking like a detective. Hell Angel, right now you’re not even thinking like a vampire.”
“No? Then just how am I thinking Wesley?”
“Like a man desperate to find the woman the he loves.” The engine revving as he jumped into the car, Wesley puffed out his almost breathless answer.
“I can’t lose her Wes. Not when I’ve just found her. She’s it, she’s the one. There’ll never be another after her, not like this.”
“Then listen to me Angel. Let me help you.”
“What do you suggest?”
“First we head for the nearest location with a large data base of Los Angeles statistics, perhaps a library. Then we go over every piece of information, no matter how trivial, from your conversations with Bane and Cordelia.”
It may not be the closest but I have a friend at the police station downtown. I’m sure she can get us access to their database. She grew up in LA so she might be able to give us some leads on any churches that have been abandoned.”
“Very good Angel. We should head there immediately. What is your friend’s name?”
“Kate Lockley.”
“Hopefully this Detective Lockley will possess some hacking ability in case we have need of it. How much further?”
“Not much, a left at the next light and we’ll be heading downtown.”
Wesley frantically searched for a shoulder strap knowing that Angel did not intend to stop simply because the light was red. Damn older vehicles, it’s a lap belt or nothing. Thank God for whoever invented the lap belt. I’m sure we’d be much safer if the top were up. Wesley considered suggesting to Angel that they stop long enough to put the top up and risked a caution glance at the vampire’s pensive face. Perhaps if we reach the police station in one piece I will suggest to Angel we put the top up.
***
“Kate!”
“Angel, what’s up? Who’s your friend?”
“I need your help. Cordy’s been kidnapped. We need access to your data base so we can locate any old churches that aren’t being used anymore.”
“Whoa Angel, slow down. If Cordelia Chase has been kidnapped we need to file a report so we can get an APB out before the kidnappers have time to get her out of the city.”
“There isn’t time for that Kate and none of that will help Cordy. Trust me Kate…please. I know what I’m doing. The data base Kate; we’re running out of time.”
“Fine. Follow me and keep your voice down.” Kate led the two men into a small, private room shutting the door behind them. After entering her personal code, she motioned for Wesley to take her place in front of the computer.
“This isn’t working Angel. These lists don’t indicate the current state of the churches. It would take far too much time to check out every location.”
“Damn it Wes, you said this was the best way.”
“It is Angel; we just need to narrow down our search. Detective Lockley, we’re looking for a church located most likely in an older section of the city that’s no longer in use; perhaps a historical landmark.”
“I heard a couple of the uniforms talking a while back about some historical property the mayor is trying to buy. But I’m not sure where it is.”
“We need to get into those files. That could be what we’re looking for Angel. Detective Lockley, do you know how to hack into the mayor’s personal files?”
“The mayor’s personal files? Hack? No way Angel, this is going too far. You can’t ask me to be a part of this.”
“Willow.” The name flew from Angel’s lips directed at no one in particular.
“Willow Rosenberg?” Wesley questioned, not understanding why Angel would think now was a good time to be remembering old acquaintances.
“Willow.” Angel repeated in the same matter of fact tone. “From what Cordy’s told me, Willow is getting pretty good with the hacking and can sprinkle a little dust on it when she needs to. You know Wes, her special dust.”
“Dust?” Kate questioned more to herself than the two men that were ignoring her.
“Right. Angel, don’t use your cell phone; use this. We can put the call on speaker mode once you’ve explained to Willow exactly what we need.”
“Willow, it’s Angel.”
“Angel hi, Buffy’s not here. Do you want her to call you?”
“No, I need to talk to you. Willow, I need you to stay calm and concentrate. Cordy’s been kidnapped and we’re using the police database to find an old, abandoned church. We think that’s where the kidnapper is keeping her.”
“Kidnapped! Oh my goodness. Angel, is she alright?”
“Don’t know Willow. We’re trying to rescue her but we need to find her first.”
“Oh…right…sorry. What do you want me to do?”
“I need you to help Wesley hack into the LA Mayor’s private files. We thought you could sprinkle a little of your special dust on it. Ah, Willow…just so you’ll know, Detective Lockley is with us.
“Wesley? Buffy’s watcher Wesley? He’s with you?”
“Yea, he’s helping me find Cordy. I’m going to put you on the speaker phone now.”
“Miss Rosenberg, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce here; ready for your instructions and as Angel said we’re at the police station. Detective Lockley has kindly offered the use of her database.
“Oh, OK, I gotch ya; you’re with the detective now. Wesley, ah, I’ve never done this long distance before so unless you’re sure this church is inside the mayor’s files don’t confine the search to that one source.
“What do you suggest?”
“Type in a general search but be as specific about what you’re looking for as you can. The more detail, the easier the dust can scatter, if you know what I mean.
What the hell is this special dust they keep talking about? I’m sure I don’t want to know. Kate shook her head trying to dislodge the notion she would be better off leaving the two men to the criminal activity pretending their brief encounter had never happened.
“Ah, let’s see…abandoned…” Wesley spoke out loud as he wrestled with the words to best describe their objective. “…no, ah…yes, historical churches no longer in use. That should do it. Ready Miss Rosenberg.”
“Hi, I’m home.”
“Buffy, quick in here. Angel, Buffy’s home.”
“Great.” Angel rolled his eyes annoyed at yet another hindrance to finding Cordelia.
“What’s up Will? Who you talking to?”
“Angel.”
“Angel? Let me talk to him.”
“Buffy wait. He’s looking for Cordelia. She’s been kidnapped. I’m helping Wesley hack into the LA Mayor’s files.”
“Wesley? My stuffy ex-watcher Wesley? Give me the phone Will; I want to talk to Angel.”
Snotty Bitch.
“Angel? It’s Buffy. What’s going on? Willow told me Cordelia’s been kidnapped. Why is Wesley there? Do you want me to come to LA?”
“God no…I mean, God, no time. We have to act fast Buffy. Cordy’s in danger and we have to save her.”
“Angel calm down. It’s not your fault.”
“Buffy it is my fault. She’s my responsibility. Cordy trusted me to keep her safe and I didn’t do that.”
“You’ll save her Angel and Cordelia will be back to driving you crazy before you know it.”
“Damn it Buffy, you don’t understand. Cordy and…”
“Angel, the list. It’s up.”
“What am I looking for Wes?”
“Anything that might strike a cord with any clues Bane gave you. Bane’s clue might reference an artifact that you will use to locate the church. Think man. You have to clear your head and concentrate.”
“No wonder she is so important to you. What a rare find in this day and age Angelus. Flesh so hot it could melt the coldest winter snow. Skin, soft and supple; so pliant under skilled hands. Tell me Angelus, how long did you tease your senses with the erotic bouquet of her virgin blood before you took her innocence for yourself?”
Virgin. “Willow are you ready to…ah sprinkle? What we’re looking for is the name of any church that contains the word virgin or named after a virgin saint in Spanish history.”
“Virgin? What does virgin and Cordelia Chase have in common?” Buffy asked thinking Angel should know the question was meant for him.
“Because Cordy was a virgin before…when…Buffy, not now! I’ll explain everything later. I’ll call you in a few days.”
“A few days?”
“Willow now, we’re running out of time!”
“OK Angel, I’m ready. I just need everyone to be quiet for a minute while I concentrate.”
The seconds ticked like hours for Angel. He thought he might reach through the phone and gag Buffy if she spoke before Willow completed her spell. Closing his eyes, Angel stood in stiff silence giving consideration to praying to a God that might look beyond his undeserving existence and see the innocent heart of a girl who’s only sin was to be loved by him.
Wesley watched as the magical dust of Willow’s spell floated across the screen swirling around the menagerie of meaningless words and names. Finding it’s target the twinkling sprinkles settled in row of starry clusters. “I’ve got it! ‘Santuario de La Virgen del Carmen’ it means ‘Sanctuary of the Virgin of Carmen’. It’s a church and Angel; it’s only a few miles from the building Bane is using to house his collection.”
“That’s it. Get the address and let’s go.”
“Angel, what the hell is going on? Shouldn’t the police be going after this guy?” Kate Lockley wasn’t even sure why she was still trying to involve herself any more than she already was. She had been reprimanded more times than she cared to remember since meeting the mysterious private detective.
“Yea Angel; what the hell is going on and since when do you call Cordelia Cordy? Angel? Angel!” Kate listened as the confused voice sounded into the almost empty room noting the heavy coat of jealousy.
“Buffy, what’s happening?”
“I’m not sure Will but I know two things. Something weird is going on and I need to go to LA.”
“Buffy do you really think that’s a good idea? Angel said he would call you.”
“Of course it is Will; you heard how upset he is. Angel needs me. He’ll be glad to see me.”
Only a few hours into her shift and Angel had already involved her in yet another case he refused to explain. Kate hoped she wouldn’t have to fill out the paperwork on this one but knowing she was not likely to be so lucky she cleared the history log from the computer before signing off.
With an aggravated smirk and a hard roll of her eyes, she flicked the button disconnecting the call. Kate released a tired sigh as the chatter of the two women fell silent.
