Part 9*

Mick and Beth were eager to start their life as a couple but being blood mates didn't make moving in together any less complicated. It also didn't help Beth decide what she wanted to do now that she was no longer working at the D.A.'s office. While Mick was old fashioned enough to want to support her, she had never been the type to be content simply staying at home. For the moment though, moving in with Mick took precedent.

Though it took several days of hurried packing on Beth's part and some serious rearranging on Mick's, at last she was moved into the loft. But neither of them was prepared for the huge delivery that awaited them when they arrived with the last of Beth's belongings.

In the master bath, Mick's utilitarian freezer had disappeared. In its place now sat a king-sized ebony monstrosity that took up most of the room. Gone was the simple glass of the old unit. The new one had two large brass doors complete with a decorative etched glass pattern and ornate Victorian style handles. Yet, these embellishments paled in comparison to the padded scarlet silk interior trimmed in a gold embroidered border. But it was the monogrammed "M" and "B" pillows that had Beth howling with laughter.

"I guess we don't have to ask who sent it!" Beth wheezed. "No one but Josef could come up with something like that."

"Oh really?" Mick teased. "What makes you so sure it wasn't me?"

"That thing is so ostentatious it's almost tacky. If that doesn't scream Josef Kostan, I don't know what does!"

The note attached to the side confirmed her suspicions.

Beth,

I know how Mick revels in his Spartan no frills existence but I thought you might appreciate more comfort and some style. Enjoy.

J.

Right on cue, Mick's phone rang. She knew instantly who it was since she could hear the gloating smirk in the caller's voice.

"So did you find my little surprise?"

"What surprise would that be, Josef?" Mick winked as he deliberately baited the vampire on the other end.

"Did Blondie like it? If you two are trying it out, I can wait. Just put the phone down. I've got five minutes!" His gleeful goading was too much for Beth and she grabbed the phone.

"Yes, Josef, we did get it and I think you have been watching too many of those bad vampire B-movies from the Sixties. This thing looks like a bad movie prop. The only think missing is the coffin shape!" She opened a door and ran her hand over the seductive interior. "Red silk? Really, Josef?!"

Mick abruptly took the phone from her hand and mumbled "Bye Josef" as he disconnected the call and carelessly tossed it over his shoulder. Taking her into his arms, he ground out. "Forget him. I want to try out this thing out. No banging my head tonight!." Neither of them paid any more attention when the phone rang again and again.


The rest of their week was taken up by Beth getting settled in and it wasn't long before she felt at home in the loft. But she still hadn't made any choices about her future and soon she grew restless. When Garrett Duncan called with information that the suspect he hired Mick to find had been spotted back in Los Angeles, she jumped at the chance to join him on the hunt.

"So the guy decided to come back to Los Angeles even though he embezzled all that money? That doesn't sound very smart. Why isn't he on a beach somewhere? And what was he doing in Las Vegas?" Beth questioned when Mick returned from meeting the bail bondsman.

"Garrett's information is that the suspect has been moving around since he left Los Angeles. They think he hid the money with someone but his accomplice double crossed him and he's been looking for her ever since. She was in Las Vegas but she gave him the slip."

"Her?"

"Yeah, his secretary was in on it but she decided to keep the money for herself. He got a tip she's been seen at a local club and he thinks we might be able to catch her and the executive there tonight. You up for a night on the town and some old fashioned sleuthing, Ms. Turner?"

"Ready, willing and able! Count me in, Mr. St John!"

Once again, Mick waited patiently for Beth as she dressed for them to go out to a club on an investigation. But when she appeared on the stairs of the loft, this time he positively tongue tied and it took several gulps to get his voice back. The night they'd gone to Lola's club he'd thought her seriously hot, but tonight she was positively sizzling in the little black dress and stiletto heels she'd worn later that evening when she paid him a visit.

Noticing him staring, she turned around in a circle. 'Well, do I pass the vamp perpetual coolness test?"

Mick's face lit up with that mischievous grin she loved so well. "Umm , I don't think coolness is the word I would use to describe you in that dress, Beth. I'm going to have a hard time keeping my eye out for the suspect with you looking like that."

"Then it's a good thing you'll have me along to help you." She beamed back.

* Author's note: I would like to thank my readers for their patience. A recent prolonged illness left me unable to write for some time but I am back and hope to finish both my current stories shortly. Many thanks!

Nefereu