FOURTEEN

"This doesn't make any sense," said Gunn. "Why would Wolfram and Hart be involved in a vampire dispute?"

"From what we know of them, they wouldn't," said Wesley. "And even if they were they would know that violating the Mustadi Covenant would cause even them more trouble than it's worth."

"Here's the information you wanted," Cordelia said, coming back into the room. "It was pretty easy to find. Tidewater Industries is a locally traded commodity and all the relevant information was listed on their website. Although I'm not sure what good it will do."

"You never know," said Angel, looking over the papers she had handed him.

When Angel discovered that Wolfram and Hart were connected to the Dhampir he had asked Cordelia to see what she could find out about the company. Even though he was familiar with a computer, he still found them a bit intimidating. She was much more comfortable with them than even Wesley was. It was, he decided, probably because unlike most of the rest of them, she had grown up in a culture where computers were commonplace and not a recent invention.

"It looks like any ordinary company," said Angel, handing the papers to Wesley after he had scanned them. "There doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about them. Maybe Daphne has some connection to it."

"That's hardly likely," said Nick. "She would be considered a Stryx Dhampir. It's not very likely she would hold any interest in a company in Vetala territory."

"Angel," said Wesley, in his "this seems confusing" tone of voice, "didn't you say that this Tannara lives on Ocean Avenue?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Look at one of the members of the board of directors of Tidewater. His name is Stephen Gripple. And his address is listed as Ocean Avenue."

"That seems more than coincidental to me," said Gunn, looking at the address over Wesley's shoulder. "And the number of the house is right near Santa Monica Boulevard."

"Well, now, that's interesting," said Nick. "It would appear that someone with Tidewater Industries is paying for Daphne's stay here in Los Angeles. But why would someone in Vetala territory be helping a Stryx? I can't believe a vampire would be involved with it. We all know how high the stakes are. And if he's human, he must know that it's just as dangerous for him. Once the wars began he'd be seen as a source of food for either side."

"You think this Daphne has someone from the other side helping her?" Gunn asked.

"LaCroix didn't mention it," said Nick. "And I hardly think that's something he'd neglect to tell me."

"You did say he could be subjectively honest," said Angel.

"Yes," said Nick. "But why send me here to stop her and not tell me about any confederates she might be working with?"

"Maybe LaCroix doesn't know she's getting inside help?" suggested Cordelia.

"That's unlikely," said Nick. "LaCroix has a way of knowing things no one else knows. If he knows about Daphne I'm sure he'd know about anyone she's working with."

"Well, this still doesn't get us any closer to finding her," said Nick. "From the looks of this company they have buildings all over the city. It would take too long to search them all."

"Maybe we don't have to," said Nick. "If I were going to kill an elder and start a war, I'd want some place near my target so I could keep an eye on them. Learn their movements and any security they might have."

"That's not a bad idea," said Angel. He quickly scanned the pages again. "According to this Tidewater has an office very near Tannara's house. The next nearest one is about 3 miles away. That would be too far away for someone to keep watch on the house."

"You think Daphne is staying at that business?" Wesley asked.

"It's possible," said Angel. "We'll need to check it out as soon as it gets dark. Even if she isn't there at least we'll be near Tannara in case she attacks."

"Gunn and I can check it out now," said Wesley. "We don't have to worry about the sun."

"And if she is there and she spots you she might run," said Nick. "It's too risky."

"Not for me," said Cordelia. "This Daphne doesn't know me. I could go check it out and see if she's there."

"No," said Angel. "Nick and I are barely a match for her. You wouldn't stand a chance."

"Only if she suspected who I was," said Cordelia. "I can go there and pretend to be checking into having some things moved. As far as she would know I'd just be another customer. Assuming she's even there at all."

"She does have a point," said Wesley. "Daphne has never seen her."

"Well," said Angel thoughtfully, "just be careful. Wesley, you and Gunn go with her. You can wait outside in case she gets into any trouble. But if there is any trouble you get out of there right away. Don't try going up against Daphne. She's much too powerful even for all three of you."

"I'm just going for some information," said Cordelia.

"Here," said Nick, tossing his car keys to Gunn, "take my car. She might recognize the van if she sees it. She's unlikely to recognize my car."

"Thanks," said Gunn, smiling. "Been a while since I drove a classic like that."

"Just be careful with it," said Nick. "I've had it a long time. I'd like to keep it a lot longer."

"No problem," said Gunn. "I'm a really safe driver."

"Since when?" Angel asked sarcastically as the three humans headed out the door. He looked at Nick and smiled. "I was just kidding. He's usually a pretty safe driver."

"I hope you're right," said Nick.

* * *

It was nearly dark when Cordelia and the others returned to the hotel.

"What did you find out?" Angel asked as they came in the door.

"The office was closed," said Gunn.

"From the looks of it, it's been closed for quite a long time," interjected Wesley. "The doors were locked and the windows had been boarded over. We were able to get inside, however, and checked it out. There was no sign that anyone had been in there for months."

"Well, so much for that lead," said Nick. "Any other ideas?"

"Not at the moment," said Angel, just as the phone rang. Cordelia went to answer it. "She has to be holed up somewhere. The problem is Los Angeles is a very big city. She could be just about anywhere. And our time is fast running out."

"Angel," said Cordelia, "it's Lorne. He says he has to speak to you right away."

"Yeah, Lorne, what is it?" Angel asked, taking the phone from Cordelia.

"You asked me to let you know if I heard anything," said Lorne.

"Yeah. Do you have something for me?"

"Well, I have a vampire who came into the club a few moments ago. It seems he had a run in with a Dhampir that nearly killed him. He says he was only barely able to get away from her. My club was the closest place so he came here to get out of the sun."

"Is he there now?" Angel asked.

"Sitting at one of my tables nursing a lot of cuts and bruises. He's all ready gone through a pint of blood and is asking for more."

"Keep him there," said Angel. "Nick and I will be there right away."

"I don't think he's going anywhere," said Lorne. "He's had the bejesus scared out of him and I think he's afraid to leave the club. Afraid that whoever attacked him might be outside waiting for him."

"We're on our way," said Angel. He put the phone down on its cradle.

"We might have a break," he said. "Come on. We have to get to Caritas right away. The rest of you wait here. We'll call you if we need you."

Together he and Nick headed out of the hotel just as the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the distant buildings.