Chapter 27
Angel went immediately through the side door and straight to the front, looking for an angry Cordelia waiting to be let in.
He frowned at the empty driveway. He turned back into the living room.
Angel’s hands came together in a tight grip, slowly taking deep breaths trying to stall the wave of frustration and anger. He wasn’t going to lose her again.
He strode through the atrium to the run-down stables. He didn’t hesitate as he got into his Plymouth. In the three years that he had been in Sunnydale he could count the times that he needed it to get around. Once because of Cordelia. And now he would need it again. Because when he found her, he didn’t want to argue about keys, he just wanted to toss her in his trunk.
***
Angel gripped at the steering wheel. The closer he got to Riverside Street the greater his rage built. Images of Cordelia forever locked in the mansion flashed through the angry haze.
He swerved the car into the parking lot of the motel then jumped out into the dusky night. His face angled up. He didn’t smell Cordy’s scent but he couldn’t take the chance. He went straight for the main office. He didn’t see Bob behind the counter and he didn’t have the patience to wait for him. Instead Angel turned to the staircase and started up, taking the steps three at a time.
He banged on the door. His fist was in the air, when the door slowly opened.
“Yeah?” A suspicious Sandy peeked up and then turning away when the baby in the cheap playpen started to cry.
The cry of the baby managed to get through to Angel. He took a deep breath and waited.
“Look, I don’t know what beef you have with Bruno, but if it’s about money, I don’t have any and I don’t know where Bruno is. He didn’t come home last night.” Sandy carried Tommy in her arms to the door, not waiting for Angel to speak. “Check, The Lone Star, on 13th.”
“I’m not here for Bruno.” Angel forced a courteous smile on his face. “I’m looking for Cordelia Chase.” His smile became a concerned frown. “I’m a friend of hers. She wasn’t in school or in her room.” He gestured around the hall. “I was wondering since you are neighbors, whether you have seen her. I’m worried.”
Sandy bit her lip. “Cordy? Shh, baby.” She bounced Tommy. “Cordy?” She repeated, running her hand through her stringy hair. “I haven’t seen her since last night. Bruno couldn’t have…No. Cordy went out last night. I don’t know where she was going but Bruno wasn’t here and he hasn’t come back. Did you try The Dress Place? She works there in the evenings.” Sandy looked up hopefully.
“The store’s closed. But she hasn’t been here?”
“Oh God, she’s really missing? I told her she didn’t belong here. She always would come and go alone. I told her it was too dangerous. I wish I could help you. We weren’t really friends but she was nice to me…nicer than anybody has been in a really long time.” Sandy reached out to touch Angel’s arm. “Please, find her. She shouldn’t be out there all alone. She puts on this brave front, but she doesn’t know how bad it can really be out here.” She looked down to her baby, who had started to cry again. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” She moved to close the door.
The baby and the realization that Sandy couldn’t lead him to Cordelia kept him from lashing out. “I’ll find her —,” he promised the closed door.
Angel strode around the walkway. The door of Cordelia’s door was still broken. He walked into the room, scowling at the presence of the same unidentifiable human scent in the room. It was too fresh to be from last night.
He turned and looked over the railing. A grin slowly formed as a Trans Am pulled up and Bruno hopped out.
Angel vaulted over the railing, landing in front him.
His grin got broader as Bruno recognized him. Angel let the man run a few feet before he grabbed the back of his shirt.
“Going somewhere?” Angel asked, yanking Bruno off the ground by his throat. Immediately, Angel sensed that Cordelia’s scent was nowhere on the man, but that didn’t stop him. Right then he was angry and a deserving target fell in his lap.
“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” Angel didn’t fight the rage that brought his demon face forth.
“Whh — Aaat?” Bruno choked.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.” Angel pulled Bruno closer as he squeezed. “You need to speak up.”
“Arggh.” Bruno clawed at Angel’s arm.
“Still can’t hear you,” Angel tsked as he slapped Bruno’s head. “Can I tell you how upset I am that you threatened Cordy?” Angel smiled. “I told you she was mine, right?”
Angel cocked his head at the gasping man. “I don’t think you quite understood.” Angel’s fist smashed into Bruno’s stomach. Only his firm grip on Bruno’s neck kept him from falling.
“Now.” Angel grabbed Bruno’s shirt getting a handful of flesh in the process. “I’m just not getting the understanding vibe from you,” Angel said, tossing Bruno through the air.
Angel’s long strides ate up the several feet to where Bruno landed. “Ow. Did that hurt?” Angel picked Bruno up by the scruff of his neck. “Do you think that the women you hit hurt like that? Did Sandy? Would Cordy?” Angel cocked his head. “I don’t know.” He backhanded Bruno and laughed as blood spurted from Bruno’s mouth.
“Let’s try it again, just to be sure.” Angel’s palm smashed into Bruno’s face breaking his nose. “Hello? Anybody home?” Angel pulled the limp man back up, smacking at the side of his head. “It’s always the bullies – no stamina, just bluster.” Angel said disgustedly to the unconscious man.
He hoisted Bruno over his shoulder and looked around, spotting the motel’s dumpster.
He yanked back the sliding door ready too toss Bruno into the trash. He jerked back at the smell that was set free. He dropped Bruno’s body on the pavement. He reached into the dumpster, feeling for the source of the scent. He pulled at the leg, yanking it until the body it was attached to came to surface. Chuck.
He pulled the dead body closer. His skull had been smashed to pulp. Angel flung Chuck’s dead body back into the garbage. He stared up at the motel, his focus on Cordelia’s old room, then back at the dumpster as he remembered Cordelia’s words about Chuck and his watch-dog habits.
Angel growled. The unidentified human scent in Cordelia’s room had suddenly become a real threat. Angel directed his rage into a solid kick into Bruno’s midsection.
Without a backward glance, Angel ran to his car.
Chapter 28
All the known possibilities flashed through his mind. Maybe, just maybe she was back at the mansion. He would go and if she weren’t there he would search every inch of the Hellmouth.
As he turned on the main thoroughfare of Sunnydale, he saw the red convertible brazenly parked in front of Starbucks. He slammed on his brakes, squealing into the parking lot.
He was worried and she was drinking coffee. He was locking her up. Trunk, bedroom – either or both – she wasn’t leaving him again. He looked again. Cordelia was at a small table with Miss Twittle.
He turned his head quickly. He didn’t see any police. He narrowed his eyes at the blue Escort hidden in the shadows across the street from the parking lot.
He waited sixty seconds. When Barney didn’t shoot him, he strode into the coffee shop. He kept his eyes on Cordelia has he headed to the restroom. It took less than a second to wash Bruno’s blood off his knuckles.
Then he headed straight to their table.
#
“You see, Miss Twittle…” Cordelia paused, then jumped as she caught sight of him. “Angel.” She squeezed his hand. “We were just talking about you.”
“You were?” Angel raised his brow.
“Yes. I told you I would explain to Miss Twittle.” Cordelia turned to the older woman. “Miss Twittle this is Angel, Angel this is Miss Twittle.”
Angel was at least glad that Cordelia had shown a tad bit of apprehension at his sudden presence. Her nails stabbed into his hand, begging him to go along. He was tempted to ignore her and just throw her over his shoulder. But, since he hadn’t been shot, he would give her a chance.
“We’ve met.” Miss Twittle tapped her manicured fingernails on the plastic table.
Angel let Cordelia’s hand urge him down next to her. “Yes.” Angel said simply.
“Angel, I explained to Miss Twittle that you had to lie under the circumstances.” She released his hand, but patted it as she talked.
Angel grabbed her hand back. “You did?”
Cordelia bit her lip, glancing down at his clenched fist. “Um, yes, I explained how you just recently found out that you had a twin.” She discreetly tried to tug her hand away.
“Yes, Angel, Cordelia told me how you didn’t know about Damien until your father died. I am sorry for your loss. I’ve seen the documentaries about the hardships that both the patient and the surviving family have to endure.”
Angel shifted in his seat. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry, I know you hate to talk about your father’s death, but I had to explain. I told you how kind Gladys was once I told her about Damien.” Cordelia said sweetly as she tugged again at her hand.
Angel merely nodded and held on, giving her a smile, when she finally gave up her struggles.
Cordelia stared at Angel for moment then turned back to Miss Twittle. “See, Miss Twittle it was Damien that I met in LA.”
“Yes, dear, you told me that.”
Angel frowned. The woman was hesitant to believe Cordelia. Not that he was surprised. Twin?
Cordelia nodded. “I know but I didn’t tell you that the reason that Angel didn’t know about Damien was that they were babies when their parents divorced and neither were told by their parents that the other existed.”
“Ah.” Miss Twittle nodded, leaning toward Cordelia. “I’ve never approved of that. I was very disappointed that Walt Disney promoted that type of solution.”
Angel turned to Cordelia, noticing the slight release of tension in her shoulders.
Cordelia nodded. “Me too. I thought it was just fiction. That no parents would be so…”
“Selfish.” Miss Twittle shook her head in knowing disappointment. “I know dear, but it does happen.” Miss Twittle’s sincere gaze centered on Angel. “It must have been a shock when you found out.”
Angel slowly lowered his head in a nod. There was no way Miss Twittle could believe that story. .
Cordelia took a dramatic breath. “It was worse than that, Miss Twittle.”
“Gladys, dear.”
“Gladys.” Cordelia gave a smile. “You see, the papers Angel found after his father died told where Damien and his mother lived. Of course, Angel went. But when he got there,” Cordelia paused and patted her free hand over Angel’s. “He learned that his mother and her husband had been killed. He also learned that Damien had been a suspect, when, well…” Cordelia turned to Angel. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“Yes.” He settled back in his chair. “Cordy has been so understanding about everything.” Angel sighed, squeezing her captured hand.
“Yes, well, he found that there was a very strong possibility that Damien had been abused,” she held Miss Twittle’s gaze, ” really abused.” Cordelia took a deep breath, and let her voice drop. “By his mother.”
Miss Twittle sat up straight. “Oh. Oh.” She looked sympathetically towards Angel. “Oh dear, I know what that kind of trauma did to Ryan Chamberlain and Kevin Collins, they were twins, too.”
Angel shouldn’t have doubted. He had the feeling that Cordelia could now tell the woman that the world was made of cheese and she would believe it.
Cordelia shook her head. “Angel never was raised by his mother. The divorce, but….”
“Oh. Yes of course.” Miss Twittle tapped her fingers on the table. “Therefore, Angel has been able to avoid the psychological effects of that horrible trauma. Good.” She patted Angel’s hand. “I am so glad. And you must not feel any guilt over acts that you had no control over. Your mother was a sick woman, and your brother a victim. But you cannot let that deter you from doing what is right. Your brother is dangerous.”
Cordelia leaned towards Miss Twittle. “Angel knows that Damien is dangerous. That’s why he’s tried to track him, but he lost him in LA. But he did hear that I…. well, that Damien was showing a lot of attention towards me. So, that’s why he came to Sunnydale in case Damien does show up. To protect me.”
“Very admirable.” Miss Twittle leaned back in her chair, looking towards Angel. “Perhaps, Angel, you could get me another coffee?”
Angel frowned. “Huh?”
“Coffee? That’s a dear,” Miss Twittle smiled.
Angel frowned as the woman’s actions became clear, she wanted him to leave. He looked towards the counter, measuring the distance from it to the table and then to the door. He got up. He could get to either before Cordelia got up from the table. “Of course.” Angel went to wait in line though his attention was focused on the table he just left.
“Honey, I’m not sure about this,” Miss Twittle said.
“But, when he came by the school, I immediately checked with the private investigator Daddy had hired before- he confirmed that Damien did have a twin – and about their parents’ divorce.”
“Oh no, dear, I’m not doubting that. But, it has been my experience that the evil twin masquerades as the good one, not only to avoid detection but also to get close to their victims. Just look at Ryan and what he did to Kevin – had him locked up in a mental institution under the subterfuge that he was Ryan. How can we be sure that,” she leaned in closer, ‘Angel isn’t Damien?”
Angel willed the cashier to move quicker. He wanted to be at the table when Cordelia explained that concern away.
“You are going to think I’m so foolish.” Cordelia sighed.
“Never, dear.”
“It’s well … I told you how charming Damien was.”
“Yes as most psychotic serial killers are. You can not be faulted for that.”
“Well.” Cordelia leaned in closer. “Angel’s not.” Cordelia leaned back in her chair.
Angel threw some bills at the young girl behind the register. He shrugged away her attempt to give him change, as he thought about what Cordelia had said.
Not Charming. He could be charming. He was charming, tons of…. Angel’s thoughts slammed to a halt. Tons of Angelus’ victims thought he was charming before he ripped the life from their bodies. He took a breath. Thinking about the past wasn’t what he needed to do. He pushed aside his earlier thoughts and concentrated on the conversation between Cordy and Miss Twittle.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s brave and nice, but he’s pretty klutzy and not charming at all. It’s not Damien. I really do trust Angel. I think it’s in the eyes. His are warmer than Damien’s. Damien was gorgeous and all, I mean look at Angel, but his eyes, now that I see Angel’s, I realize just how cold Damien’s were.”
“The eyes?” Miss Twittle tapped her chin. “Yes, the eyes. I can understand that.” She leaned back in her chair, her finger continuing her sure tapping against her chin. “Eyes are the windows of the soul.” Miss Twittle leaned in, cupping Cordelia’s hands. “I understand, but I think it would be best if we talked every day. If you are in trouble – ask about Fluffy.”
“Fluffy?”
Miss Twittle brought her finger to her lips as shushed. “My dog,” she whispered.
“You have a dog?”
“No, of course not, I have cats, but if you ask then I’ll know something is wrong—it’s a code.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Your coffee.” Angel stood at the table. Angel refused to show his admiration. Cordelia did it again. God. If she had been at his side in his soulless days, there would’ve been no home barred from them.
“Thank you, dear,” said Miss Twittle. “Angel, what steps have you taken to ensure Cordy’s safety?”
Angel slid back into his chair beside Cordelia. “I’ve moved her out of the Sunnydale Inn. I understand why she was staying there, but that motel was dangerous in and of itself.”
Miss Twittle looked over to Cordelia. “The Sunnydale Inn? You said that you would find a dingy hotel- I assumed you were staying at the Economy Inn.”
“Um.” Cordelia shifted.
“No, it was the Sunnydale Inn.” Angel shook his head.
“On Riverside?” Miss Twittle sat up straight in her seat. “Cordelia Kelley Chase, that street is infamous for its debauchery and danger. No place for a young lady. I AM disappointed in you.”
“I —” Cordelia ducked her head at the other woman’s pointed stare.
“That’s what I said,” Angel nodded quickly, cutting into Cordelia’s attempt to speak. “I don’t care if it was the only place she could find a room on such short notice—“
“Cordelia,” Miss Twittle interrupted sharply. “You should have told me right away. You could’ve stayed with me. I understand your concern for the safety of your friends, but that was just reckless and stupid.”
“I said that, too.” Angel joined in, leaning back in his chair. . “So, I took her to my place. I’ve rented a house for the time being. She’s safe now.”
“Well, thank God for that. Really, Cordelia, to go into one danger to escape another is not something I’d expect from a girl with your intelligence.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Twittle.” Cordelia said meekly as her shoulders drooped.
“Yes, well. Be that as it may, you are safe now.” Miss Twittle shook her head.
“She is,” Angel said firmly, pleased with Miss Twittle’s’ lecture. But his feeling of satisfaction waned as something occurred to him. “Miss Twittle, you didn’t know where Cordelia was staying.”
She frowned. “Of course not. I would never—“
Angel held up his hand. “It’s just that I thought I saw the security guard that was here the other night at the motel when I moved Cordelia.”
“Barney?” She pursed her lips. “He must have taken it upon himself to make sure that Cordy stayed safe. He was very concerned when I told her that Cordy was being stalked. I’d better call him and tell him that the situation has changed.”
“Please.” Angel bit back his scowl even as he stood. “Miss Twittle, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take Cordy home. She didn’t eat breakfast this morning and didn’t have much lunch.”
“Yes.” Miss Twittle said, getting to her feet. “Of course, a well-balanced diet is very important.”
“I’m not hungry,” Cordelia grunted.
“That wasn’t very lady-like.” Miss Twittle tsked. “Honey, breakfast is the most important of the day and if you missed it you at least should have a well-balanced dinner.”
***
Miss Twittle stood on the sidewalk her eye settling on the Plymouth. “Would you look at that? How rude. I’ll have to go tell the manager that some one is blocking us in.”
“That’s me,” Angel said, offhandedly, as he scanned the area. The blue Escort was gone.
Miss Twittle eyed the car again. “I must say that looks like just the car for a dashing private investigator.”
“I liked it. Cordy,” he said as he pulled her to his car.
“I have my car.” Cordelia dug in her heels.
“Yes, and I told you that I didn’t want you out by yourself.” He looked to Miss Twittle. “Please tell her that while Damien’s whereabouts’ are unaccounted for, she shouldn’t be alone. She’s so stubborn.” He shook his head.
“Angel, you are absolutely right.” Miss Twittle’s gaze zeroed in on Cordelia. “Go with Angel,” she said firmly.
“But, my car—“
“Cordelia, your safety is of far more concern than a vehicle,” Miss Twittle interrupted.
“Your car will be fine. I’ll pick it up later. Let’s go Cordy.” Angel cupped Cordelia’s elbow and ushered her to the Plymouth. “Good night, Miss Twittle.”
“Good night, Angel dear. Take care of Cordy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
