"So you and Beth are already finito? Oh, come on, Mick. Really? Betrayal. Now that's just way harsh on the poor girl." Josef looked up from his putter with a hopeful look on his face. But of course, he was on the phone so Mick didn't see it. "So if not the fair Beth, what about this Morgan the dark who you say looks so much like Coraline? She's a comely one and familiar, too. No, huh? Yeah, yeah, I'll meet her tomorrow after you've been to the cemetery to find that Hank Mattola character and unmasked her little ruse.
So what about tonight? Tim's got the poker table set up and we're just waiting on you, Buddy.
No. You know, Mick, you really take things way to personally. You need to let it go. Yeah, yeah, like me. Do you see me mooning around after some human? No comment. The ladies love me, you know that, but only as much as I allow them to on a very limited basis. You should try it sometime ... soon.
Gotta go. If you change your mind ... (sound of a canister hitting the floor, rolling and then an explosion."
Towards dawn.
Mick had finally made it to his penthouse hallway, reeling from the thought of Josef's demise. He saw a figure sitting prone on the floor. Beth's shining blonde hair bobbed up at the sound of his elevator opening. She tentatively got up, not sure what kind of reception she would be given so she started with an apology. But he got to her side then enveloped her in an all forgiving embrace.
"I just heard about Josef. Mick, I'm so sorry."
Emotion welled from him and he told her the enormity of losing Josef was still incomprehensible to him. They held each other for a long moment, then Mick suggested she come in for a drink. Quickly, she accepted.
They opened the door and there was Josef, apparently making himself at home in Mick's bathrobe.
"What happened, Mick? Did I get nuked or what? Oh, hello, Beth." Josef motions to Mick as if to say, see she's back!
"Josef, make yourself at home."
"I always do. Listen, I couldn't find any fresh blood around here. Just that morgue stuff which tastes horrible. Ah, Beth, I don't suppose you'd ... oh, come on, Mick. She's an adult. She can decide who she wants to mercy feed! No?"
Beth shook her head not believing how casual he was about what she was led to believe was a very special thing. She'd have to get Mick aside one of these days and find out.
Meanwhile, Mick was well into his investigation of the bombing. He had already gotten video from Josef's security head and had his friend Logan check it out. The guy was a mercenary and he was packing military grade incendiaries.
Josef knew he had enemies but couldn't think of anyone who would have used that kind of firepower.
Beth had to go but she told Mick to call her if he needed any help. She, and the whole District Attorney's office, would be there for both of them.
Wiseacre Josef couldn't help himself.
"Somehow that's so comforting, knowing that, isn't it, Mick?"