Chapter 11: Taking the Case

Candice and David had headed home after Coop caught them making out in the hallway upstairs. Busted they took their leave both all over the other promising to come back and help again. Jean was the only one left still helping Danielle put movies and books on shelf laughing with Danielle.

After they finished for the night deciding they had made major progress Coop brought Danielle another glass of water while they relaxed on the couch just talking. Jean loved how tender he was over her making her laugh about the water and keeping her hydrated, her countering it also kept her in the bathroom, to which they both laughed. Feeling she should leave them alone Jean got up to leave.

"But you rode here with Mick and Beth, how are you getting home?" Danielle looked to Coop.

Coop started to get up, "I can run you back home."

Jean waved her hands, "No stay here and take care of these two. I'll be fine. I think I'll go for a walk, when I'm ready to get home I can call and have a car come get me."

"Are you sure?"

Jean smiled, "I'm sure."

As they opened the door Danielle chuckled, "Looks like that won't be a problem." Outside in the driveway was one of Josef's black town cars with driver in the front seat reading a book.

"See I have my own ride. I'll see you later okay. Get some rest."

She gave Danielle a big hug and headed to the car. The driver jumped out and opened the door for her, "Mr. Kostan sent me to wait for you."

"That was sweet of him," Jean got into the car and leaned her head against the cool glass window. She was getting hungry, "take me home please."

"Right away," the driver buckled up and pulled out of the driveway headed for the mansion with dinner and the promise of cold oblivion called to her.

*****

"I hate to bring the two of you into this but I needed people I trusted and to be honest it's a short list." Ben smoothed his hands over his pants as he looked through the glass to the woman and child in the other room, "They've been staying under tight security for two months. No problems…until today. Somehow Carpov found out where we were hiding her and he sent a hit man."

Beth instinctively jerked her head to the mother and child as if to make sure they were okay for herself. "What are you asking us?"

"She knows she has to do this, that she will never be safe again. Mischa isn't concerned for herself, only her daughter. She will run if she feels her daughter is in danger here, but the truth is I don't know where they could go and be safe. She trusts me, she asked me to find a safe place for her daughter, someplace she can stay until this is over, not in some crappy hotel locked inside all day and night waiting for the impending danger. She wants her daughter away from this for a while, until she can testify next month and put Carpov where he belongs."

Beth looked up at Ben trying to understand what it was he was saying, "What are you saying? You want us to protect them?"

Ben shook his head but Mick answered, "Not them, just the girl. Just Kayla."

Ben nodded, "That's what I'm asking. I know it's not the kind of case you handle, and I have no right to ask but I told her I would find someone I trust. There are some people here I could ask but I need somewhere safe, someone not affiliated with this office, someplace he won't think to look."

"Oh Ben…" Beth thought about the little girl, the mother and all they were going through, "…I don't know."

Before they could say any more Mischa was at the door holding a sleepy Kayla against her. "Are these the people you told me about?" Her voice was soft but Beth picked up on the accent, not sure what it was.

"Mischa, why don't you come lay her down on the couch. We can step outside and talk."

She was unwilling to let her child go but her arms were getting tired as the events of the day could be felt in the fatigue of her muscles. She slowly walked over to the couch and laid Kayla down softly covering her with the blanket. Ben lead her out of the office leaving the door open so she could watch her.

Beth watched the little girl on the couch turn on the couch pulling the blanket tighter to herself, "What is Ben telling her?"

"He's telling her that if she runs now without protection he can't protect her."

Beth let out a sigh, "What do you think Mick?"

Mick looked down meeting Beth's eyes, "I don't know. Do you want to do this?"

"Mick look at her she's so small, so…I can't believe what they've been through. I want to help…but tomorrow…We've been planning this Mick. I'm scared to wait…but I want to help."

He smiled leaning down and kissing her lips softly, "I love you Beth. Ben says she testifies next month. Do you want to wait, help them, our plans won't go anywhere."

"I think I do Mick. Do you?"

Mick gave her a side grin, "I want whatever makes you happy. But yes I want to help them."

"Can we really do this though, I mean you do sleep in a freezer and we don't have a child friendly place. I know nothing about looking after kids the last time I had to babysit I was 16."

Mick chuckled, "I think I have an idea; if you're sure about this."

"I want eternity with you but seeing them…"

"I'm not going anywhere Beth. Eternity will still be here in a month," he leaned down and kissed her lips again softly as her hands moved to his neck. Beth pulled back when she felt the small hand on her leg. Kayla had gotten up from the couch and came to them, Mick squatted down to her and gave her his charming smile, "Hi Kayla, my names Mick and this is Beth."

"Hi," she rubbed her eye. "Are you a good guy?"

Beth smiled as she knelt down and joined them, "Yes we're good guys. Are you tired sweetie?"

She nodded, "I had a bad dream. The bad man came."

"It's okay, no bad man is here. Why don't you lie back down, we'll sit with you and keep the bad man away. How does that sound?"

She reached for their hand and pulled him to the couch with her, both Mick and Beth sat down. Kayla crawled up with her head on Mick's leg he covered her up. She was out in no time as Beth leaned her head on Mick's shoulder.

Mischa came in with Ben right behind her as she took in the scene before her. "We'd like to help."

Ben let out a breath clearly happy they decided to help, "Mischa this is Mick and Beth St. John."

Mick extended his hand careful not to move little Kayla. "You have a sweet girl. Please know I will do everything in my power to keep her happy and safe until you can take her somewhere else for a new life."

She took his hand and then Beth's not saying a word just looking them over, sizing them up. She saw how Beth sat so close to Mick, his one arm resting around her waist, they were both at ease and clearly in love, he wasn't a man like her husband who beats his wife. "Thank you Mr. St. John. She is the only reason I do this."

*****

To Be Continued…

Evilous