Dale watched from the fourth story of the IADC building as Diana crossed the parking lot and entered the building.

He slowly shook his head. That Diana could get into more scrapes and somehow always come out of every one by the skin of her teeth. Somehow?

There was no somehow about it. It was obvious from the start that Diana had the inside track when it had come to Wonder Woman. It wasn't necessary to read in her file the countless times she had helped both Diana and Steve Trevor out of some pretty serious jams. He had seen it enough times personally. Wonder Woman had become some kind of guardian angel to the both of them and when Diana had moved to the west coast, it seemed Wonder Woman had followed.

It was odd that... The buzzing of his intercom broke his train of thought.

He walked over to his desk and pressed a button. "Yes?"

"Mr. Hawthorn, you asked me to inform you when Ms. Prince arrived... She just came in and is now in her office."

"Thank you, Gina." Dale left his office and breezed down the corridor toward the office of Intelligence Agent Diana Prince. He found her sitting rather comfortably at her desk sorting through mounds of files and looking as if nothing had happened out of the ordinary during her morning commute. The only evidence was a slight smudge of dirt on her blouse. Other than that, nothing.

She sat with her legs crossed and her camel jacket was draped across her lap.

He looked around the room and noted with some interest a couple of pieces of new furniture. Over the past few weeks, he's noticed the change in her demeanor. She was so anxious acting and testy. He was never one to butt into someone's business uninvited and since she never invited... he instead had suggested that she redo her office to take her mind off things. But still there were no pictures of other personal effects to be seen. It was definitely strange to be working with someone as long as he had Diana and still know nothing about them. Her background was a mystery and she never spoke of family except an odd reference to an aunt or cousin when she unexpectedly had to leave town. And Dale was very curious! "Good morning," he started with a mischievous smile, over-emphasizing the good part.

Diana returned with her own trademark smile that could light up a room.

"Well, it's still early. I suspect I could get in at least two more attempts on my life before lunch!" She laughed. Dale did not.

His face became very serious as he took a seat opposite her. "Diana, I think there is something I should tell you. I have been sitting on this information for about a week waiting for either the right time or to learn that there was no reason to say anything. It's just that I know you have had a lot on your mind lately and I didn't want to add to your worries."

"Dale, I appreciate your concern, but I am fine. Really. But what is this all about?"

It did not escape Diana's notice, the deep breath Dale took before he began, "Washington called last Monday..." Washington? Did this have something to do with Steve? She braced herself for the worst.

He continued. "They informed me that an attempt had been made on the life of Steve Trevor. And they wanted to know if anything out of the ordinary had, well, had happened to you."

"What? Like almost being blown to bits on the freeway?"

"Well, that would qualify, yes. What they were looking for is some kind of link so that they could narrow down the list of possible suspects.

Their reasoning was if you and Steve had attempts made on your lives, then maybe it was someone you both had encountered in the past. Someone that you may have put away for something or another. And it would also prove that whoever it was had a bi-coastal operation."

"Whoa, wait a minute. How did they come by that? I mean, it is possible for the same person to have done both, right? Plant one bomb, hop a plane to the opposite coast and do it again." And then she saw in Dale's eye that the worst was coming.

"Diana, I want you to remain calm. After all, this has not been substantiated..."

She was slowly beginning to lose her patience. Coming out of her chair, she boomed, "What?"

"They tried again and, er, this time it looks like they succeeded. It happened about the same time as your attack and they have yet to find a body. I am so sorry..." he trailed off not knowing what to say next.

Diana fell back into her chair and all the color that had risen to her face in anger had drained away in shock. Her body was numb, but she was still aware that she was trembling all over. She had a million questions, but the words just wouldn't form on her lips. Dale thought she might faint so he rushed to get her a glass of water and remained by her side just in case.

After what seemed an eternity of silence, she softly uttered three words.

"Who did this?"

"Washington believes it is Salvatore Torentino."

"What? Because of his son, you mean? He can't possibly hold Steve and I responsible for that! He was dead when we arrived. He fired on them first. I mean, my God, he had an arsenal in a meat locker!" With every word sounding as if she were trying a case in court, she was getting louder and louder.

"Diana, you know how these mob families are. You touch one, you touch them all. You and Steve headed up that investigation into the drugs, the weapons and the money laundering. You two set him up and caught him in the act.

With Wonder Woman's help, of course."

"So, this is a vendetta?" Dale didn't answer.

"I want a full briefing and report on everything having to do with this business, and I mean everything." She started stuffing files and papers into her briefcase.

Dale's tone took a more authoritative air as he asked, "What do you think you're going to do?"

"I think you already know."