Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, until the captain confirms your position with British police you\u2019re technically a civilian.\u201d The case file firmly wedged between her splayed palm and the conference table, Kate threw LA\u2019s visiting detective a cautious glance.<\/p>\n
\u201cA mere formality I assure you Detective Lockley.\u201d Wesley quickly assured, silently threatening to skewer Reggie if his cover wasn\u2019t properly set up.<\/p>\n
Having grown up the daughter of a beat cop, the British gentleman was more reserved than the men Kate was accustomed to. His slim, lanky form stretched up well over six feet, making her own stature seem demure in comparison. Looking into steel blue eyes, warm and kind, she wondered if her small social circle might have room to grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cCall me Kate,\u201d blurted out before she had time to consider unprofessional behavior, and Kate flashed a small smile hoping to conceal her discomfort.<\/p>\n
Had pressing obligations afforded him time to look sooner, Wesley would have realized the young woman was quite beautiful. Her features were slightly angular, but soft. High cheekbones and green eyes, large and inviting; they reminded a man of the little things that deserved appreciation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright…Kate.\u201d Thin lips stretched into a boyish grin; and clearing his throat, Wesley gave his head a mental slap. \u201cAnd please, call me Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate slowly opened the folder and peering inside lifted the top photo. \u201cJessica Halpren was the first victim. Well as far as we know. Jenny Markem just started high school.\u201d Her lower lip slightly pushed out, she blew a hard puff against the strands of hair falling into her face and slid the folder to Wesley. \u201cEmily Stiles was found early last night. We\u2019re still gathering background.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s attention remained fixed on the evidence in front of him; and not sensing a reaction, Kate continued, a creased brow displaying her confusion. \u201cSo far there haven\u2019t been signs of sexual assault.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere won\u2019t be. This isn\u2019t about sexual domination, or even women for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley studied the photos more intently. Perhaps it was mere coincidence the victims had been female. Angelus\u2019 history dictated gender was unimportant when selecting his prey. Only youth and innocence were crucial elements in his criteria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tabloids are calling him The Pope. Why would this guy think he\u2019s doing God\u2019s work?\u201d Taking a sip of coffee, her face twisted into a grimace. \u201cCoffee?\u201d Kate asked, heading off in search of a fresher pot.<\/p>\n
On the contrary, this is about mocking God.<\/i> \u201cAh yes, thank you. Coffee would be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is exactly why I didn\u2019t tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s exactly why I\u2019m mad.\u201d Cordelia spun around, her anger shooting through Angel with the charge of a lightning bolt. She might be prepared to rethink her plans of fame and fortune, but she refused to make decisions based on half-truths. \u201cYou\u2019ve been dreaming about these killings and you didn\u2019t tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stopped in his tracks, the heat of Cordelia\u2019s glare as enticing as it was warning. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to scare you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you thought it\u2019d be better for me to think you might be a homicidal monster?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Angel defended for what felt like the hundredth time. Patience wearing thin, he briefly considered showing Cordelia a more pleasurable way to pass the time; but that would only lead to another debate over rash decisions. \u201cI thought it was better not<\/i> to give you a reason to think I was a homicidal monster.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust so you know, it didn\u2019t work.\u201d Cordelia grabbed her purse, furiously digging inside for an evasive tube of lip-gloss. Her search not nearly the therapeutic distraction needed; she gave up, and instead, whacked the secret-keeping vampire with her small, over-priced bag. \u201cI thought we already had this policy in the company handbook, but obviously I was wrong. So new rule, we don\u2019t keep secrets.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d Angel threw his arms up in feigned surrendered. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
His smile, Cordelia noticed, taunted just a little too much. Angel was an expert at concealing his emotions. It was irritatingly obvious, he wasn\u2019t trying to hide his enjoyment of her anger.<\/p>\n
Even more aggravated than before, Cordelia turned her attention to their only upstairs mirror and began a diligent scrutiny of her make-up. Concentration focused only on her, and with Angle\u2019s lack of reflection, she never saw him coming. His arms slipped around her waist, hands pressing against her stomach and bringing her backside flush with his form.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApologizing.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Look Angel, you need to understand I need a little normalcy in my personal life; at least once in a while. If you\u2019re looking for a weird imitation of you know who, then look somewhere else. Because normal means when I\u2019m pissed you don\u2019t touch without permission. Besides, until we\u2019ve figured out what\u2019s going on with these dreams, we should keep touching to a minimum.\u201d Twisting around inside the arms banded tightly around her, Cordelia jabbed a menacing finger into his chest. \u201cAnd that includes you plastering me to the wall of your choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia was probably right, Angel inwardly conceded, purposely ignoring her reference to his previous failed attempt of a relationship. Caution and slow would ensure that control remained in the forefront, but control was both an ally and an adversary. He had spent decades cultivating discipline into a fine-tuned art form. Cordelia had slept in his arms, innocent and unsuspecting, and control had protected her from the demon that wanted to ravish her. Discipline was always within Angel\u2019s reach, and always under his command.<\/p>\n
His head tilted down, cool lips brushing across her collarbone. \u201cI think we should keep denial to a minimum. You like me grabbing you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re impossible!\u201d Cordelia snatched the second of lax in the steel bands holding her in place and pushed her way free. Heels clickety-clacking double time, she scurried across the floor, stopping only when the flimsy barrier of her desk stood between them. \u201cWhere\u2019s my introverted vampire that broods in a dark corner every chance he gets?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel leaned against the wall, seemingly content to allow Cordelia her coveted space. Dark brown eyes held a glint of playfulness, and the wicked smirk contradicted his hands slipping casually into his pockets. \u201cYou won\u2019t be seeing him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure what to make of that. And in a creepy sort of way, I\u2019m not bothered by it either.\u201d Her finger resumed its menacing poke, slicing through the air as it jabbed in Angel\u2019s direction. \u201cStill\u2026 keep your extroverted hands to yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown faded under a black hue, flecks of amber glinting through the dark clouds in his eyes. Angel had spent most of his souled existence in a chokehold. Cordelia\u2019s safety didn\u2019t require shackled restraints, which meant the demon no longer needed a watchdog.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re virtue is still intact.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s because we slept<\/i> when we slept together, as in no fondling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, there was fondling.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a simple admission, matter-of-fact even, and held just enough tease to make Cordelia\u2019s blood boil. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAhem. Am I interrupting?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia whipped around, her glare landing on the source of interruption. Wesley\u2019s eyes were stretched wide, a finger awkwardly tugging at his snug collar. Cordelia seethed, a heated breath sizzling through lips locked in two thin lines. How much had Wesley overheard? Does he know Angel fondled her in her sleep? Does he know she enjoyed it?<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley! Angel, Wesley\u2019s here!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see that.\u201d The Watcher had a knack for inconvenient timing. A habit Angel would have to help him break. Folding his arms across his chest, Angel nodded, and offered a slightly growled greeting. \u201cWesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Approaching the same chair as his last visit, Wesley deposited his briefcase on the desk. \u201cCordelia, I must say, I was most pleased to receive your call.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re happy now, but lets see how you feel after Angel drops his bomb.\u201d Her arms flailed out, panicky hands flapping at one man and then the other. Cordelia was embarrassed and her best recourse was pointing an accusing finger at someone else. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a big one too-bigger than anything else you might have heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBomb?\u201d Wesley gulped, raw nerves heedless of his efforts to appear calm. \u201cThen I suggest we get down to business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been having dreams.\u201d Angel deadpanned, enjoying Wesley\u2019s discomfort more than he should.<\/p>\n
\u201cDreams?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe victims.\u201d Angel paused when Cordelia cringed at the cold and barren delivery of his confession. Only moments ago she had insisted on total honesty. He could either protect Cordelia from his dark past or trust her with the truth. \u201cI stalk them, toy with them, mark them while they\u2019re still alive. And before they can die from their fear, I feed on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley cawed against the dry, hard lump blocking his air supply, determined to stop the squeamish reflex threatening to rise up. \u201cYour knowledge of the victims may be more than just dreams. You could be committing these crimes while in some sort of hypnologic state.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not possible!\u201d Cordelia yelled in protest and marched across the room to stand by Angel\u2019s side. Angel was quick to share because he wanted to scare Wesley, and she would deal with her homicidal-acting vampire later. Her anger would first be directed to their guest, because no one had the right to accuse her friend. \u201cTell him Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure that Wes is wrong.\u201d Denying Cordelia the reassurance she deserved was harder than accepting he might be killing again, but nothing was worse than the fear piercing his soul. He could lose her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s response was immediate, shock and anger over Angel\u2019s easy acceptance of Wesley\u2019s assumption compelling her to stand firm. \u201cThen you get<\/i>sure damn it! Because I am.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The squad room was abuzz with activity. Emily Stiles, The Pope\u2019s latest victim had a message carved into her back. According to the lab report, the coroner believed the woman had been alive when her tormenter penned his sadistic tribute.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d Kate called out. \u201cWhat\u2019s this about unidentifiable DNA, and where\u2019s the evidence sheet on the perp?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all there is.\u201d The lab technician answered back. \u201cJust like the others, all the identifiable DNA collected belongs to the victim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not possible. Not this time. No one can be that careful.\u201d Kate insisted, staring down the young man as he shifted from foot to foot. \u201cCheck again, and if you don\u2019t find anything check again. Not even this guy can wipe clean a crime scene after this kind of brutality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate stared at the letters sliced into the girl\u2019s flesh, unable to comprehend the depth of perverse depravity required for such an act. For You Father.<\/i><\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re agreed.\u201d Wesley offered, gathering the scattered material and nitpicking over each piece until perfectly aligned at a right angle before sliding them back into his briefcase. \u201cUntil the culprit is identified, Angel will be chained to his bed from sundown to sunrise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we\u2019re not.\u201d Angel\u2019s dissent snarled across the metal surface, making its way up Wesley\u2019s spine until his body recoiled from its slant against the desk.<\/p>\n
Her face twisted into a scowl, Cordelia jerked her head toward Angel. Wesley had apologized for jumping to conclusions and had appropriately begged for her forgiveness. He didn\u2019t deserve the growls that were rattling his nerves, unlike the intimidating vampire that deserved to be punished.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop growling at the poor man,\u201d flared from angry lips as her small fist smacked against Angel\u2019s shoulder blade. \u201cHe\u2019s only trying to help.\u201d Cordelia leaned in until her lips whispered against Angel\u2019s ear, the move causing her breasts to brush across his arm. \u201cKeep it up and next time I\u2019ll punch you where it\u2019ll really hurt. Got it?\u201d Cordelia finished as she straightened in her chair. Then turned to Wesley and flashed a comforting smile.<\/p>\n
The brief intimacy might have been unintentional, but it was the first time she had touched him since Wesley\u2019s arrival. Angel sucked the air into his lungs, revelling in the scent wafting between them. Cordelia wore anger like rare perfume. A sweet ambrosia that roused Angel\u2019s passion, daring him to taste.<\/p>\n
\u201cGot it.\u201d Angel answered, and leaning in, followed Cordelia\u2019s retreat until his lips brushed against her neck. \u201cDo it and I\u2019ll make you kiss it better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s breath hitched, the loud gasp sounding into the room. Her back stiffened, each vertebrae snapping into a straight line and bringing her head up with a jerk. A dark, reddish hue spread across her cheeks, flowing down her throat until it disappeared behind her blouse. Ignoring Angel\u2019s hulking presence as well as the warm flush of heat simmering through her body, trembling fingers fidgeted, pressing out imaginary wrinkles in her skirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Wesley, any other bright ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to make it tight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for the tip Wesley; but working for a vampire, I\u2019ve learned more than how to make bad coffee.\u201d Cordelia huffed, then yanked on her end of the chain and flashed a satisfied smirk.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s right, Cordelia. You have to make sure I can\u2019t get loose.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh goody, more bondage tips. Good grief, I feel like we\u2019re getting ready for an M & M threesome. Thank God, I\u2019ll be in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cM & M?\u201d Wesley asked, his brow rumpled in confusion. \u201cLike the chocolate?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel squirmed within the confines of his chains. Now wasn\u2019t the time for erotic fantasies, especially with Wesley in the room. However, the demon didn\u2019t seem concerned about The Watcher watching. He was a vampire after all, and the object of his obsession was chaining him to the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe means S & M.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a dry, raspy husk; and Angel\u2019s eyes gleaming with what Wesley could only assume to be demon passion, he tactfully ignored the sensual but vulgar reference. \u201cAh, too bad. I was feeling a bit peckish.\u201d Recalling Angelus\u2019 bestial activities was sufficient reason to employ aversion, but envisioning Cordelia as a participant was enough to send him running back to boring council duties.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell if you\u2019re hungry, you should have said something before we shackled the cook.\u201d Her pursuit of fame, fortune and worshiping fans was quickly being replaced by less glamorous but more personal and important aspirations. Acceptance would be easier, Cordelia mused, if it came in smaller doses. \u201cCome on, we\u2019ll order Chinese.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat! You\u2019re hungry too? Why am I mommy all of a sudden?\u201d Cordelia barked at the two men who were more or less useless at the moment. \u201cFine, I\u2019ll warm some blood; but we\u2019re not redoing those chains so you\u2019ll have to suck it through a straw.\u201d<\/p>\n
The kink in her neck was tightening into a hard knot, and since proving Angel\u2019s innocence required his hands to be tied, she wasn\u2019t expecting a pampering massage anytime soon. Cordelia hoped they caught the sadistic serial killer before the police. That way she could make sure Angel gave him the punishment he deserved.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The scissors sliced into the newspaper with meticulous care and accuracy; every edge a perfect, straight line. He admired his latest work, basking in the fear he had infused throughout the city. Angelus had taught him well. The pleasure is in the hunt. Only then can one experience pure joy in the kill.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a lifetime Angelus, but soon that will change.\u201d Penn whispered as he taped the third newspaper clipping onto the wall.<\/p>\n
It hung in perfect alignment with the first two, a space to the right lovingly prepared for the fourth. The letters scrawled across the dingy plaster, written in his own blood.<\/p>\n
TBC…<\/b><\/p>\n