Valkyrie, Skulduggery, Ray-Roy and Sanguine watched to footage multiple times, trying to find some hint of where Frost was. So far, all they knew was that it was somewhere most likely in a castle or underground. Valkyrie took a deep breath then let it out. "Okay, I give up. There is nothing on there. We may as well go out with the others and track down another one of Frost's people."

"Actually," Ray-Roy said. "Maybe we don't."

They all looked at him.

"What do ya mean?" Sanguine asked his son.

"I mean," Ray-Roy continued. "When ya called me and told me to come back to the Sanctuary, me and Shoe had caught one of Frost's buddies. He's down in the holdin' cells right now and unless someone broke him out or he's an escape artist magician, he's still down there right now."

"Well then what are we waitin' for? Let's go."

….

Skulduggery sat on one side of the table in the interrogation room. The man, Valkyrie knew now as Gary Dare, sat across from him. Sanguine and Ray-Roy were leaning against opposite walls next to Skulduggery while Valkyrie was next to the door.

"Hello Mr. Dare," Skulduggery said cheerfully. "I am, as I'm sure you know, Detective Skulduggery Pleasant and that is my combat accessory, Valkyrie Cain."

"What does he mean by 'combat accessory'?" Ray-Roy leaned over to whisper.

"I'll tell you later," Valkyrie whispered back.

"Of course I know who you are," Dare looked at Valkyrie. "You're very powerful for a girl your age aren't you?"

"I suppose I am," Valkyrie responded evenly. "Now Dare. What is your connection to Simon Frost?"

Dare laughed. "You actually think I'm going to tell you? Why would I?"

"Because otherwise," Skulduggery spoke up. "We'll leave you alone in a room with these two nice criminals. Maybe even bring in the other ones we've befriended during this."

Dare's eyes narrowed. "You can't hurt me."

"We can't," Skulduggery gestured at himself and Valkyrie. "But the other's all have a green light."

Sanguine grinned as he flicked open his straight razor. "Yeah Funny Bones, let us have him for a few minutes. I can promise ya he'll be squawkin' like a chicken in no time."

"Yeah," Ray-Roy added. "It's been a while since I got to interrogate someone and since this fella here is the cause of my nose bein' broke earlier today I think I owe him a few slaps."

"I want to as well," Shoe agreed. "Let him have what's comin'."

Dare looked at Skulduggery. "You don't scare me."

And then suddenly Sanguine had Dare pressed against the wall, Ray-Roy held a straight razor to his throat while Shoe stood next to him.

"Okay," Ray-Roy snarled. "No more threats. This time it's real. You do what we say or," he sliced his razor along his arm making Dare hiss in pain. "You get that. Understood?"

Dare gave a small nod.

"Good. Then let's get started."

Now, Skulduggery and Valkyrie were the ones standing to the side watching the bad guys take over. Sanguine sat in Skulduggery's seat. Ray-Roy was standing behind Dare, his razor pressed to his neck. Shoe paced along the length of the room.

"Okay," Sanguine said. "First question. What is your relationship to Simon Frost?"

Dare licked his lips and glanced at the straight razor that began to dig into his skin. "I'm his informant," he said. "I go out and get information for him, bring it back and he makes plans around it."

Sanguine nodded. "How long have you been working for Frost?"

"Over three hundred years."

"Ah, so you're pretty experienced."

"I like to think so."

"Then tell me," Sanguine leaned in closer. "Why didn't you tell him about the plan to invade Wreck's warehouse? You had plenty of time and many of opportunities. So why not?"

"I did," Dare looked at him. "Don't you think I tried? I told him, repeatedly, 'Sanctuary officials including Cain and Pleasant are going to be raiding Wreck's warehouse. What are you going to do?"

"And what did he do?" Shoe asked.

"Nothing. He said that he wanted them to attack. To find the warehouse and Wreck."

"Why?"

"So that he could show that he wasn't afraid of you. That even if you found one of his bases, he wouldn't be shaken."

"Do you think it worked?"

"You don't look very changed so I guess maybe. I don't know."

"Where is Frost now?" Ray-Roy asked.

"You think that I'm going to tell you that?"

"Son," Sanguine gestured and Ray-Roy slid his blade along Dare's arm, making him gasp in pain.

"Now will ya talk?" Sanguine asked.

Dare glanced at him and sighed. "Down in an abandoned building at that ghost town south of Dublin. Biggest building. Can't miss it."

"Is that where we'll find Ode?" Valkyrie asked.

Dare looked at her. "Yes. Now are we finished? I would much rather be sulking in a Gaol cell rather than share space with any of you for another minute."

…..

After Dare was taken to a cell, Valkyrie walked outside. She needed some fresh air. The sky was slate grey, looking like it was going to rain at any moment. No one was out on the deserted streets. A few cars were parked on the curb, along with the Motor-Bike-of-Doom. Valkyrie walked over and ran her hand over the body work. It was obvious Vendetta had taken good care of it, the surface only slightly dinged and nicked. Valkyrie sighed. She supposed Dusk would probably take it with him when he left. She wondered vaguely what he was going to do with it but couldn't make up her mind so she abandoned the puzzle.

"Hello Valkyrie."

Valkyrie spun and saw Caelan walking over. His hands were in his pockets and his dark eyes stayed on her as he made his way over. Valkyrie realized she was pressed tightly against the Motor-Bike-of-Doom. "Oh, hi Caelan."

Caelan glanced around. "So where's Vendetta? I wanted to see her."

"Um, right." Valkyrie's heart jerked as she remembered that she had set the two vampires up. The one chance she had to get rid of the creep and the girl had to go kill herself. Great. "Well, Caelan. There's something I need to tell you…."

Caelan frowned. "What? What's wrong?"

"It's Vendetta. She….. kind of killed herself earlier today."

Caelan's beautiful eyes widened. "What? But how?"

Valkyrie took a deep breath. "She was captured by the enemy and, when faced with the fact he was going to try to get information out of her, drank a vial of salt water."

There was a moment of silence as this sank in.

"Are you sure?" Caelan asked.

"Yes I'm sure, I saw it on camera."

Caelan gave a small nod. Another pause.

"Are you alright?" Valkyrie asked.

"Yeah," he said. "I-I'm fine."

"I know she must have meant a lot to you," Valkyrie continued. "But you know what? There are other female vampires out there. Don't let this bring you down."

Caelan nodded again. "You're right. I'll find someone else."

Valkyrie gave him a small smile. "Good boy. I'm going inside now."

…..

Valkyrie walked back into the Council room and found everyone else there. Skulduggery walked over. "We're going in tonight. Are you ready?"

Valkyrie nodded. "Yep. Is everyone here?"

"Yes, we are also taking a couple dozen Cleavers with us as well. Hopefully it'll be enough. It has to."

"So when are we-

Valkyrie was cut off at a sharp gasp.

"Vendetta?" Scratch said.

Everyone looked over and saw Vendetta standing in the doorway.

ValCain(Guest): Thank you so much! I'm glad you like this that much. Seriously, means a lot to me. :)

Review! XD