Part 5
“Okay, so Cordelia got called up for a meeting with some universal big shots?” Xander began. “They tell her she’s outgrown this plane, and she’s got work elsewhere. But some shape shifting assassin that they just fired is on the loose killing off everyone that double crossed him?”
“Apparently,” Angel answered.
“Wow, that’s…impressive,” Dawn said.
“So he’s going after this Congressman Doyle? Why?” Gunn asked.
“Doyle was a member of the operation. The funds he received from selling the drugs went a long way to finance re-election campaigns,” Angel explained.
Fred continued with the story. “But without the drug money coming in, he has to get contributions the old fashioned way. That’s why he’s coming back to LA. The California Democratic Party is having a fundraiser for all its congressmen up for election this year.”
“Okay,” Buffy said. “This dude is getting revenge on those who screwed him. Fred looked online and found that Doyle is the only one still alive. Ramius is a major bad ass and a shapeshifter, so that brings us to the important point. How the hell do we recognize him? If he can take on any appearance, then how do we stop him?”
“Hecate’s Essence,” Angel said.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a powder consisting of various herbs. From what Cordelia tells me, it’s supposed to reveal a being’s true face. For a short time, Ramius would lose the ability to shape shift. About five minutes, Cordelia said.”
“But you can’t just go around spraying everyone with some powder,” Dawn pointed out. “Not without making people angry.”
“True,” Angel said. “So we’ll just have to use our instincts and senses to try and home in on the right man.”
“But how do we get close enough to even sense him?” Gunn asked.
“We’re going to the fundraiser.” Angel made the answer seem like it was obvious.
“Okay, call me crazy,” Xander said, “but don’t we need tickets or passes to get into an event like this?”
“We do,” Angel agreed. “Which is why I have a source wrangling up tickets for all of us.”
“Even me?” a surprised Dawn asked. “I get to go and help out?”
“This guy could be tough to stop,” Angel told her. “We might need all the help we can get.” Dawn grinned widely at the chance to finally be included in a mission, although she wondered if Buffy would object.
But the reassuring look her sister gave made Dawn’s confidence grow.
“What about Cordelia?” Buffy asked. “When will she be released?”
“The doctors want to run some tests on her. So basically, if she acts like a good girl and behaves, she should be released tomorrow,” Angel said.
Gunn, Fred, and Angel all grinned at what the vampire just said. It was Gunn that asked the question. “So, uh, what you’re saying is that Cordelia’s freedom all depends on her cooperating and doing as she’s told?”
The three of them broke out in laughter. “We’re not holding our breath on that, right?”
“Now Charles,” Fred giggled. “Cordelia is more than capable of acting like a mature adult when need be.” That comment only renewed the laughter.
“We missed something very important,” Xander stated.
“Yeah,” Buffy agreed. “Like the last three years.”
***
Purple Crackle Bar
Los Angeles, California
Hannah Morse took a long sip of her red wine, hoping the liquor would loosen her up after a long day. She reached up and unbuttoned the top button of her business suit, glad to have the material off her neck.
“Hey Ralph,” she called out. The bartender turned around and smiled at Hannah. She waved her nearly empty glass. Ralph grabbed the bottle of red and filled her back up. “You’re a God, Ralph,” Hannah declared.
“Just remember that when it comes time to tip,” Ralph joked. A call from another patron sent him scurrying to take the order.
Hannah immediately took another sip from her drink, and then she removed a clip from her long blonde hair. “Need to loosen up,” she mumbled to herself.
“You know,” a voice said behind her, “studies have proven that alcohol is a poor way to relax. Most researchers agree that aerobic exercise is a far more effective stress remover.” The man sat next to the obviously amused Hannah.
“Is that right?” Hannah asked. The man nodded in confirmation. “Well, it’s a little late to be doing jumping jacks.”
“Maybe so,” the man commented as he ordered a beer. “But there are other activities that are great stress relief, activities that are much more engaging and enjoyable.”
Hannah grinned slyly at the man. “Are there now? How come I’ve never heard of these activities?”
“Maybe you’ve not joined the right gym,” he suggested. “Perhaps if you give me your name, I might be able to refer you to someone.”
“I’d appreciate that. My name is Hannah Morse.”
The man smiled at the name. “Hannah. Quite a lovely name.”
“Do you plan on telling me yours?”
“Ramius. John Ramius.”
***
The Hyperion’s offices had basically been converted into a laboratory. Bunsen burners warmed glass beakers on metal stands. Various colored herbs were chopped up on the counters, and different powders in plastic bottles were littered about.
“Okay now,” Fred read. She was turned to chapter 17 of Fredrick Cooper’s book “Mystical Herbs: Effects on Demon Physiology”. “According to this, when we mix the Flava Weed and the Sumetran dust, it must be done slowly. If done improperly, it could result in…oh.”
“Oh?” Xander’s head shot up at that. He was currently chopping up some Flava Weed. “What oh? I don’t like oh. What happens with oh?”
Fred shrugged off the questions and set the book aside onto the counter. “Don’t worry. You wouldn’t even know you did something wrong.”
Dawn reached over the counter and peered at the book. Her eyes widen in surprise at the diagram presented. “Oh,” she said. “Well, she’s right. You wouldn’t know.” The drawing certainly was…graphic.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Xander warned, “my confidence isn’t exactly being boosted here.”
“Xander, just cut the damn weed,” Buffy ordered.
“Fine,” Xander huffed. “But if I end up growing tentacles or something, there will be hell to pay.”
“Actually,” Dawn pointed out. “You wouldn’t have to worry about growing anything.”
The basement door swung open, and Angel appeared carrying an envelope. “I got them,” he said proudly. “Seven tickets to the Democratic Fundraiser. Hey Gunn, you remember Benny?”
“Benny?” Gunn thought for a moment. “You mean that Rhoner demon with the skin problem and the flippers?”
“Yeah. Turns out he has a cousin that lives underneath city hall. He was able to confiscate them for us.”
“You mean stole them?” an amused Buffy asked.
Angel cast a mock annoyed glance at her and sighed. “Stole is such a harsh word. Think of it as commandeering for a greater good.” He tossed the envelope to Fred. “How are we doing on making the stuff?”
“It looks like we have most of what we need,” Buffy said. “There are a few ingredients you didn’t have here. Stryner wine, Vogner root, and Peacock dust.”
“That’s no problem,” Angel said. “We can make a run to an herbalist shop later. There is still two days before the event, so there’s still time.”
“How can we be sure that Ramius will try to kill him at the fundraiser?” Dawn asked.
“From what Cordy said, Ramius is an arrogant man. The Powers think he will try to make a statement by killing him in full view of the public.”
“Well,” Buffy said. “Let’s finish this powder and make sure he doesn’t get the chance.” Everyone voiced their agreement and went back to work at preparing the ingredients.
***
Hannah stepped from her shower blindly, her wet blonde hair covering her eyes. She gasped in surprise as another nude form pressed against her and began to towel her down. “You surprised me,” she said as she took the towel.
“Why?” Ramius grinned. “Because I’m in the bathroom with you, or because I didn’t leave as soon as we finished?”
“Both, actually,” Hannah smiled back. She dried her hair and then tossed the towel aside. She pulled Ramius close and the pair kissed passionately. “Mother would be so disappointed if she knew I brought a strange man home. She was pissed when I brought home that beagle pup when I was twelve.”
Ramius pulled back from Hannah’s embrace. The blonde woman gasped in surprise as the man before her morphed into…her.
“Perhaps I should go then,” Hannah’s voice spoke to her. The figure that used to be a man grabbed Hannah’s head and jerked, snapping her neck instantly. “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble,” the feminine voice said.
Ramius, still in Hannah’s form, dropped the body in a heap and turned back into the bedroom. Searching around, he found Hannah’s purse. He grabbed it and rooted around until he found what he wanted. It was an ID badge.
HANNAH MORSE
PRESS SECRETARY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
LOS ANGELES BRANCH
“Sweetie,” the still feminine voice spoke. “You gave me the two things I needed. A good lay, and an invite to the party.”
