Chapter 10: Key Witness

Jean swiftly got into the Benz with Mick and Beth and rode to Danielle and Coop's place with the back of the SUV filled. Her mind was spinning with questions on the ride over there wondering who this Allie was and what her reappearance would mean for her. Having an idea Jean leans forward to talk to Mick and Beth, "So did you know Alyson?"

Mick turned slightly, "No never heard her mentioned before."

Mixed emotions filled her at that, good if she wasn't important enough for Mick to have even heard her name in passing but then again Josef didn't talk much about his feelings. This also meant that Mick could give her no information or back-story to prepare her. She sat back and watched the scenery the rest of the ride to the new house on 'insert street name'.

David backed the SUV up into the driveway before he put it in park and popped the back open. He got out and met Candice around the back and they were already starting to sort through the items deciding what to bring in first. Coop helped Danielle out who had to make a quick dash inside before she could try to help. Everyone insisted she relax and let them work but she was feeling energetic but knew she would never win the argument and agrees to simply sit in the beautiful rocking chair Josef and Jean had given her and start directing where she wanted things placed.

Jean pushed all thoughts aside but helping her friend laughing at the men as they worked on arranging furniture from the garage from earlier this morning going back and forth between helping the guys lift heavy items with no effort at all to helping Danielle, Beth, and Candice hang clothes and hang pictures. Before anyone knew it was well after 8. Mick looked at his watch after they had unloaded the bed into the master bedroom for the girls to make up.

"Beth have you called Ben back yet?"

Beth shook her head, "Not yet. Are you guys done?"

Mick looked around, "I think they can manage without us."

Beth nodded and turned to Danielle who had overheard, "Go see what the DA wants. Thank you for all of your help, both of you. And those gifts…" Danielle started to tear up.

Pulling her into a hug Beth laughed, "Oh its our pleasure. I happen to know for a fact David loves helping people move in." She caught David's glance as he watched by end table in hand stopping dead in his tracks.

Danielle laughed as she wiped her tears away, Candice snickering as well striding over to place a kiss to David's lips. "I know you're my favorite mover," she patted his ass as he walked by giving him a sultry grin.

Beth pulled back from Danielle giving her a big smile, "I had a good time. Call if you need anything…and I mean it anything. I'll come back tomorrow or so and help with anything else, got to get this place ready."

Mick wrapped his arm around Beth as he lead her out of the house and to the Benz shutting the door for her before climbing in behind the wheel while Beth started dialing Ben on speaker phone. "Ben it's Beth. We're finished for the night if you still need to meet with us."

"Thanks for calling me back Beth. Can you and Mick come to my office?"

"We'll be there in about fifteen minutes," Beth disconnected the call as Mick pulled out of the driveway.

"What do you think this is about?"

Mick reached his hand over to take hers, "We're about to find out."

*****

Everyone had gone home for the day and the building was pretty dead, but Mick pulled Beth closer seeing the ample supply of guards placed on the floor. Beth could feel Mick's unease rising, "What is it?"

"I don't know what this is but there are at least 6 men guarding this floor."

Beth kept walking entwining her fingers in Mick's around her waist. In the room across from Ben's office Beth saw a beautiful woman holding a small child playing what she thought was peek-a-boo and made her smile hearing the child's laughter. The two men who appeared to be guarding the door had looks of complete focus. Ben met them at the door and pulled them inside, "Thank you for coming."

"What's this all about?" Mick looked around the floor.

Ben heaved a heavy sigh, "I'm sorry about the secrecy but this is important." Ben sat leaned against the front of his desk and Beth took a seat and Mick stood beside her.

"Beth you remember the case I've been working on, the Carpov case?" Beth nodded, "That woman in the other room is his wife. She's been in protective custody for the last few months waiting to testify against him."

"What are we here for? What do you need our help for?" Mick looked from the woman in the room across the hall to Ben.

"The little girl, Kayla, she's their daughter. Sweet little girl, she's the reason her mother Mischa came forward. Carpov would beat Mischa now and again for years. She was like many who think they can't leave that it will get better, he doesn't mean it. Only the truth is given who he is and what she knows he is capable of a few bruises now and then isn't too bad."

Beth cringed at the idea of the woman being beaten by her husband, husbands were supposed to love and protect their wives. "One night," Ben continued, "Kayla saw Carpov walk past her room, she went to go see him calling to him but he didn't answer. Mischa was taking a shower and the nanny was changing a load of clothes in the basement, so Kayla was alone."

Ben closed his eyes and ran his hand down his face, "She ran into him while he was making a business deal and set him off. Mischa came down just in time he was yelling and pulling her to her room, she was crying and when he went to smack her, she threw herself in front of it. She told him it was her fault for not watching her it wouldn't happen again. He beat her in from of Kayla and left."

"The next morning when he went out she packed a bag for them and slipped out. We…I promised her protection. She's the key to the case against Carpov, she has information, things he would say and do in front of her never doubting her."

Mick felt Beth's hand squeeze his, "What can we do?"

*****

To Be Continued…

Evilous