Chapter 12: Good Investment

"Where are you taking me Josef?" Jean had been quite for the first few minutes but now she was anxious to know.

"You will see my dear, soon we're almost there."

Jean sat looking out the window trying to figure out where he was taking her. Before long they were pulling up next to a building across from the hospital she used to volunteer at. He parked and got out opening her door for her as he pulled out a set of keys and guided her to the office building.

"Josef…what's this?"

Josef kissed her cheek before unlocking the door and pulling her inside. He quickly hit the lights before turning to face her to see her reaction. Jean's mouth opened as she looked around at the simple and beautiful waiting room, comfy chairs and small tables with magazines of all sorts two flat screens hanging on opposing walls, potted plants arranged in a way that welcomed you. What made her eyes water was the reception desk and the sign behind it, 'Women's Support: Aid and Counseling'.

"This building was vacant so I bought it and had it fixed up. It's not opened yet but when it does it will work along side the hospital as a non-profit organization. I have a small board already assembled working on fund raising and such."

"Oh Josef," Jean ran her hand along the reception counter.

Josef grabbed her hand, "Come with me."

Josef pulled her down the hallway of doors until he came to one, the only one with a name on it. 'Jean Larter' was in the middle of the door on a plaque. "I figured you could work on organizing the way things will work better than anyone but you needed an office."

He pushed the door open and inside the room was spacious and comforting, soft blue on the walls with a long 'shrink couch' as Josef would teasingly call the chase with some matching chairs on one side and a nice desk on the opposite wall. "Josef, this is…" Her words failed her as she took in the beautiful space that just exuded comfort.

She walked around her desk and noticed one side instead of draws it had a door with a lock, she tested it and it was open, a mini fridge. She smiled as she looked up and found Josef's eyes, "You did all this."

Josef took her hand in his pulling her to him as he placed a soft feathery kiss to her lips, "Does that surprise you?" He stroked her jaw, "I knew how much you loved this, how you wished to do more. This building being for sale I just thought it would be a valuable opportunity to give you something to look forward too."

Josef let out a small laugh, "I had planned on you seeing it sooner but construction was held up for a bit, permits and such then with all that happened…I figured it would take a while for you to be ready anyways so no rush."

Jean buried her face in Josef's neck hugging his body tight as soft tears fell from her eyes. She couldn't believe he had done all of this for her. She knew he loved her and he had a way of giving gifts, making her feel special, but this, this was so much more. This was him taking everything she had said some of it even before they were together and putting it together in a way that gave her something but also the community. He held her tight breathing in each others scents and enjoying the feel of love that encompassed them.

"This is beyond words Josef," Jean sighed into his neck her mouth finding words once more. "Thank you."

Josef leaned back enough to look down giving her a smile, "So I take it you like it."

Jean moved her arms from his waist to his shoulders, "I love it Josef; almost as much as I love you."

"Then it was a damn good investment," he leaned forward and kissed her. Jean pulled him closer losing herself in the kiss letting everything fade to black everything but her and Josef.

When he pulled back she whimpered, "That's got to be one of my favorite sounds." Josef kissed the tip of her nose, "How about I give you a tour?"

Jean nodded and took his arm, "Sounds wonderful."

"St. John," Mick answered his phone as he pulled into the garage.

"Mr. St. John, my name is Ned Ayres. I would like to met with you about a case, my daughter is missing. She's 21 and I know what you're thinking she's just living her life but I know it can't be that. She does have a crazy streak but she always calls her mother and me. No matter how screwed up her life is she calls us every couple of days. I tried calling the police but they don't think there is anything they can do."

Mick looked up and saw Beth open the door connecting the house to the garage with Kayla right beside her, "I'd like to meet with you to discuss this further. Can you meet me tomorrow at 10:30 at the café on 1st and Marion?"

"Yes of course. Thank you so much Mr. St. John."

"Let's just see what we have. Bring anything you have with you, pictures and anything about the last time you heard from her."

"I'll bring it. See you then Mr. St. John."

Mick disconnected the phone and got out of the Benz leaving the box to go straight to his girls, "Mr. Mick we made snicker doodles."

Mick leaned in and gave Beth a kiss before leaning down to give Kayla a hug, "Sounds yummy."

"We made them for Ms. Danielle…I mean Aunt Danielle…right?"

"Whichever you feel comfortable with," Mick assured her.

Kayla smiled, "We made them for Aunt Danielle and Uncle Coop because the baby is too small to eat them."

Mick smiled as they walked into the kitchen, "They smell delicious."

"Do you want one? It'll be okay if you get one."

Mick smiled as he looked at the plate full of cookies; he saw a small piece of one that had broken and picked it up and tossed it in his mouth, "They will love them."

Kayla giggled, "I'm going to go plan in my room."

"Okay sweetie," Beth watched as she made her way up the stairs before turning back to Mick.

"We're going to have to think of something to say about why we don't eat Mick. She's too bright sometimes, at lunch she asked if I was going to eat. I told her I was still full from my pancakes; that I'm not as hungry as her because her body is still growing." Beth shrugged, "I tried one of the cookies, I couldn't not she was too cute asking if they tasted good. God I hope they do because I can't taste them; but I feel fine."

Mick frowned, "We'll think of something. I don't want you to make yourself sick though."

"I'll do whatever I have to. How did Josef and Jean do it? It's so strange we never thought of this part, the freezer yes, the blood hidden away where she can't find it yes but our lack of eating…how did we miss that?"

"We'll think of something tonight. If we can't we'll call Josef and Jean see what they did." Mick kissed her softly, "How was your day?"

"Good we had fun; it was so nice teaching her to write Kayla St. John."

"My mother would be proud, my ladies."

Beth smiled as she wrapped her arms around Mick and kissed him. "Did you get everything you needed?"

"Yeah I have everything to set up shop here for the time being. Which reminds me I may have a case, I'm meeting with a man tomorrow."

"Spill," Beth wanted details.

Mick kissed her softly before letting her go to go retrieve his box from the backseat, "I don't know anything just yet. I have to meet with the client first, then I will fill you in."

"Sounds good; you want to help me make dinner?"

"What are we making?"

"No idea, that's why I need your help."

Mick chuckled as he set his box down on the table. He went over to the cabinet and grabbed a cook book and started to flip through it with Beth reading at his side.

To Be Continued…

Evilous