Mick sat on the back of the fire truck, looking blankly at Beth as they waited for Talbot.
"It was Ryder?" She whispered harshly. Mick nodded as he looked at his hands, still feeling the sting of the silver that was on Ryder' body. Beth sat next to him, suddenly realizing that he was going into shock. She looked at Mick's face again, and then noticed that he was rubbing his hands on his pants. "Mick what's wrong?" Pulling one hand up, she examined the blisters and rubbed at something shiny that was all over his palms. "What is this stuff?" Seconds passed before she made the connection between his condition and the substance he was trying to wipe away. "Oh, my God, this is silver!" He didn't respond and she shook his hand frantically. "Mick your hands."
"We need to leave, I need blood." Mick mumbled as the poison continued to seep through his skin. Beth touched his shoulder and desperately looked around for Ben, finally spotting him near Ryder's body. She gave Mick a concerned look and headed for Talbot.
"Mick needs to leave; can you question him now or later?" Beth said a little urgently. Ben looked around the scene, then at Beth and nodded, making his way over to Mick.
"You don't look so hot." Ben commented as he came up to Mick. Ben pushed his jacket back, putting his hands on his hips. "I'll call you in the morning." He nodded to Beth and went back to the scene. Beth pulled Mick up and they headed for his Benz.
Beth glanced over her shoulder at Mick as he followed slowly behind her. "Give me your keys. You're in no condition to drive." She held out her hand as he caught up to walk beside her.
"Who says I can't drive?" Mick's eyes started to fill with panic. No one has ever driven the Mercedes but him, not that he didn't trust her. Ok maybe, just not with his car.
"You don't trust me?" She paused at the driver side door, smiling playfully. He gave her a lopsided grin as he shifted back and forth on his feet.
"I trust you." He still held the keys in his hand as he quirked an eyebrow at her persistent stare. He looked around and shook his head, relinquishing his keys. Beth bit her lower lip and gave him a triumphant smile, quickly getting in before he changed his mind.
Mick sat on the bar stool in his kitchen, watching Beth as she poured him a glass of blood. She looked nauseous and Mick started to chuckle.
"What? Was I making a face?" she said as she handed him the glass. He just smiled and nodded his head.
"Once bitten, twice shy?" He smiled as he started to drink from the glass.
"Something like that." She said, grimacing as she watched him down the thick crimson liquid. "Better?"
Mick nodded and slowly stood to wash his hands for a second time. Taking Beth's hand, he guided them both to the couch.
"Do you think this was related to Josef's Garage?" Beth asked as she sat next to Mick, pulling her legs under her and resting her head on her hand.
"Maybe, maybe not, Josef has a lot of enemies. And it could be something specifically aimed at Josef. Letting him know he isn't untouchable. I still have to call him and let him know. I don't want to assume anything yet." Mick smiled softly at Beth, lifting the arm that he had fed on in the desert. The marks on her arm were completely gone, but the memory remained. He places a soft kiss where the mark had been, causing Beth to shudder.
"How 'bout whenever you're ready we go check out Ryder's apartment?" Mick's voice was soft as he spoke, holding Beth's blue eyes with his. Standing, he pulled her to her feet, his hand resting on the small of her back and they headed out of the apartment.
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Josef sat at his desk as he watched the ticker go by, his frustration at Ryder's disappearance compounded by watching his stocks fall. He threw his pen down on his desk and rose from his chair standing in front of the large picture window with his hands forcibly pushed into his trousers. He heaved a relieved breath as his phone began to ring.
"Better be good news." Josef voice was deadly and cold as he waited for Mick to speak.
"It isn't, Ryder's dead." Mick's voice had an edge of sorrow to it. Josef released a low growl; his eyes faded from their warm brown hew to its deadly silver. "Beth and I are headed to his apartment now. Anyone in particular wanting some under lying revenge against you, or just the vampire community as a whole?" Mick said as he concentrated on the road.
"Oh I don't know, we would have to go back at least 100 years or so, and I'm not sure who I might have pissed off in the last couple of days." Josef's voice carried a bitter tone that Mick wasn't expecting.
"Anything at Ryder's I need to be aware of, security codes?" Mick said as he pulled off the freeway and into Hollywood Hills.
"No I'll meet you there, give me 15, 20 minutes." Mick hung up his phone releasing a heavy sigh as he went up Ryder's street.
As Josef arrived in his red Ferrari he saw Mick and Beth sitting on the steps into Ryder's apartment. Walking up to the door he punched in the security code.
"Josef is there any place in a LA you don't just walk into?" Beth asked
"Only if I don't own the building," he said smiling smugly at Beth.
"You don't own mine do you?" Mick gave Josef a questionable look and got the same smug smile that Beth did. Mick stood pulling up Beth as he turned toward the door.
"I thought that you didn't like investigating this sort of stuff?" Mick said smiling at Josef.
"That's only if it's in a poor neighborhood. I have my standards." Mick chuckled as he guided Beth in.
Once inside the apartment Mick became serious and focused. Something was off, the only scent he was picking up was Ryder's and it was mixed with fear. He inhaled twice and saw only bits and pieces, but he could make out voices and there was more than one. Beth wandered over to Ryder's computer and took a chance hitting the enter key. The screen came up without a password. Beth gasped her hand going straight to her mouth as she looked at the screen. Ryder on the couch and 2 masked men behind him holding a blade close to his neck. Mick and Josef both release a low growl as they turn, taking in the image on the screen. Mick smiled and rubbed the back of Beth's neck for once thankful for her curious mind.
"Well, one thing is for sure, you trained Ryder well." Josef leaned into the screen, his jaw tightening and his eyes narrowing at his enemy.
Mick made a quick call to Logan wanting to keep the image and find a way to get it to him. He heard his phone ring two times then Logan picked up.
"Yes Mick?" By the way he answered the phone he was more than a little annoyed.
"I need to know if there is a way to send an image to you that is on Ryder's computer." Mick said as he switched seats with Beth.
"Sure let me talk to Ryder and I'll tell him how to do it" Logan smiled to himself shock that Ryder didn't know how.
"Um… Logan … Ryder's dead. I need for you to tell me how to do it." Mick said quickly. Logan swallowed hard at the news that Ryder was dead. He could feel fear rise in his gut at the very thought, let alone reality. If Ryder could be gotten to things were serious.
"Give me the IP address of his computer." Logan said solemnly. Mick read him the numbers and Logan soon took over Ryder's computer pulling the images that Mick needed. Mick hung up his phone and looked at Josef and Beth.
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A lone white SUV sat outside Ryder's apartment the driver watching 3 individuals walk out, checking to see what might have been found or left behind. Mick helped Beth into her seat looking around and inhaling the air. He could sense something, more of a feeling than fact, he knew deep down they were being watched. He sat in his driver seat and watched as Josef sped away. As he started his car he glanced into his rear view mirror and noticed two men sit up in a white SUV. He got his answer, that gut PI instinct still good. Mick smiled smugly to himself and kept track of the tail that was now following them, not saying a word to Beth, just seeing how far they would go. Mick didn't go to Beth's office or his apartment. Taking instead a different course, to the beach.
Beth watched as they came into the Santa Monica pier and looked at Mick, her expression filled with confusion and concern.
"Mick what are we doing here?" She said as she watched him get out and go to her door. She took his extended hand and felt him place it protectively to the small of her back. "Mick what's going on?" Her voice on edge.
"I want to see the ocean with the woman I love." He said as they continued down. He looked quickly behind him noticing the 2 men getting out of the SUV and leaning against it.
"Mick its midday, what about the sun?" Her voice laced with suspicion. She wasn't completely convinced by his response.
Mick guided Beth to the pier and pulled her to him, lowering his head to her ear. "We're being watched. Don't turn around." Beth instinctively placed her hands on his waist as her pulse took a sudden spike.
"How long?" She whispered back.
"Since Ryder's apartment?" Mick placed a caressing hand behind her neck and guided her forehead to his chin, acting as if he was embracing her.
"Are they still watching?" She said as her hands went up his back from under his duster, pulling herself closer to him.
"For now," his eyes kept the two men in site. Mick's gentle touch continued from her neck to her shoulders, he wanted to calm her, reassure her.
"And being at the pier is supposed to do what?" She could feel her body tremble from a combination of fear and Mick's touch.
"They are less likely to do anything in a crowded place, and I'm not going to draw them a map to where you work or I live." He looked down into her eyes already smelling her fear. He kissed her lips softly and winked at her. Beth laid her head against his chest, letting her guardian angel do what he did best. Keep them both safe.
Mick watched as the 2 men got back in their SUV and pulled away. He released a sigh of relief and pulled Beth completely to him, holding her a little tighter, a little stronger. Beth closed her eyes tight as she felt Mick's breathing even out, letting her know that the danger had passed for now. He didn't like being placed in the snipers hairs, and he wanted the tables turned, and quickly.
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Mick held Beth's hand as they walked down the corridor into the Morgue. He wanted to see if Guillermo was able to find anything on Ryder's body that would help. Since they left the beach Mick was quiet, his mind working. He didn't like being followed and he wasn't sure if Beth was a target now as well. This was the part of their relationship that he had always feared; because of what he was she would be hunted too, always in harms way. He knew he loved her and was sure, now more than ever he never wanted to be without her.
Beth watched as Mick frowned. She knew he was scared; she didn't have to be a vampire to tell. Ever since the night they declared their love, their bond seemed stronger, each more connected, more attuned to the other. She could tell when he was happy, playful or even worried. She tugged his hand and gave him a warm smile. He squeezed her hand
back and gave her a quick wink then rapped on Guillermo's office door.
"I had a feeling you would be coming by. I held off on calling the cleaner. I figure lots of John Doe's get lost in the morgue." Guillermo said as he guided them to Ryder's temporary tomb.
"So you didn't tell Ben who he is?" Beth asked looking at Mick and Guillermo.
"No, as far as Talbot knows I found a body, no name." Mick stood next to Guillermo and nodded for him to remove the sheet. Guillermo lifted it back and Beth took in a deep breath, closing her eyes and turning her head into Mick. "You ok?" He asked as he felt her squeeze his arm. Beth nodded quickly and slowly turned back to the body opening her eyes.
"Silver around his wrists from the handcuffs and traces along his neck. There were also traces of silver found on his jacket and trousers. There might have been some on the floor. The trauma to his neck, it was a clean cut. He didn't feel anything." Guillermo rested his hands on the table as he looked at Mick.
"I had a really rough reaction to the silver at the scene." Mick said looking at him.
"There wasn't enough on him that should have caused it. Becoming human again probably made you soft." Guillermo said with a smug grin. Mick quirked an eyebrow and gave him a disgusted look. "No other clues nothing else?" Mick said as he guided Beth back to the door.
"Not yet. I'll let you know." Mick nodded at Guillermo and then headed back out to the car.
As Mick started the drive home he took in a nervous breath and looked at Beth giving her a lopsided smile.
"I don't think you should go home to your apartment especially after the beach." Mick shifted nervously in his seat as he spoke. "After being followed and all. I think it's just too dangerous." He turned and started to concentrate on the road smiling to him self as Beth's
pulse spiked and she fought a nervous smile.
"If you want me to stay the night all you have to do is ask. You don't have to have an excuse you know." Beth smiled and turned to him, her cheeks already a soft red. Mick smiled wide again and shook his head.
"It's not an excuse, it's a real reason." A boyish grin appeared on his lips.
"And I know I don't need a reason that is I just like being with you." His smile softened as he turned and looked at her. He extended his hand to Beth. She laced her fingers into his as he guided it to his lips placing a soft kiss. Beth smiled and continued to hold his hand as they headed to her apartment to pick up a few things.
Mick buzzed them into the apartment. As he stepped in he gave the place a quick scan, more out of habit than anything else. He sat Beth's overnight bag under the stairs and then looked over to the kitchen.
"I'll get you a plate for your food." Mick gently stroked Beth's shoulder his hand drifting down her arm to her hand. He reluctantly pulled away and went to the kitchen. Beth put her purse by the couch and then walked over to the counter sitting on one of the bar stools.
"So how did you know about the warehouse?" Beth asked as she watched Mick get her food ready.
"I got an anonymous phone call. The person on the phone said that there was a 'person of interest' at a warehouse over on San Pedro."
He handed Beth her plate and a fork then went back to his hidden freezer grabbing his own dinner. "Before that Josef called telling me that Ryder was missing." His back turned he poured his dinner into a tall glass. He turned facing Beth and leaned against the counter. He had already downed half the glass before he realized that Beth was watching him with her eyes wide. She had a little bit of food in her mouth and she was chewing slowly. Mick swallowed hard and gave her an apologetic grin and started toward his office to finish his dinner.
"Mick wait," Beth said as she stood. He stopped and turned toward her as she stood next to the counter leaning on her hand. "It's going to take time for me to get used to. But you don't have to leave. Really, it'll be ok." Mick looked back at his office then at Beth.
"You need to eat; I have to check a few emails anyway. Come join me when you're done." Mick winked at her and then continued on to his office. Beth gave a disgusted sigh and flopped back down in her chair.
"Smooth Beth, really smooth." She put another fork full of food in her mouth and quietly ate her supper.
Mick went over his emails that he had received from Logan. There were no strange calls into Ryder's cell phone and most of the security cameras didn't pick anything up. The only thing they had was a video captured by Ryder's computer that showed 2 men placing a blade to Ryder's neck and taking him out of the apartment.
"So did he find anything?" Beth said as she leaned against the door frame. Mick leaned back into his chair and shook his head.
"Nothing we can use. We'll have to wait for Logan to analyze the images on Ryder's computer. Hopefully that will help a little." Mick rose from his chair and crossed his office toward Beth. He took her hand and they went back toward the couch. He sat next her about arms length away only touching her shoulder with his fingertips, leaning his head against his hand.
"Were you and Ryder close?" She asked finally. Mick shook his head no.
"First time I met him was at Josef's, only a day before you met him. He helped me find Cherish's address." Beth nodded and gave a shy smile remembering the case very well. How she had helped Mick, acting like one of the escorts to catch the killer. Mick smiled as he sensed Beth's embarrassment and heard her pulse accelerate. "Its still unsettling to see someone that close to Josef so easily killed." It reminded him how unsafe Beth really was.
Beth began to feel his uneasiness, Beth felt the need to be near him to feel his comforting arms around her so she leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. It took Mick a few minutes to realize what she had done. He slowly brought his arms around her and held her close. He closed his eyes taking in her scent and held her tight to him. Feeling her even breaths her steady heartbeat seemed to sooth him completely. Beth listened to his chest rise and fall his embrace comforting her from the day's events. She knew their differences still threw up obstacles to their future but she wanted to work around them. Mick kissed her hair letting the days events roll off him, comforted that she was safe at least for now.
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Mick slowly rolled to his side and smelled a soft fragrance filling his nostrils and a slow grin started on his face. He felt warmth press against his chest and as he moved on the air mattress, Beth's hip pressed tight against his. Her arms draped across his chest, and her hair on his shoulder. He started to close his eyes again when his phone began to buzz. He leaned over the side of the mattress and found his jeans then pulled his phone from his pocket. It was 4:00 in the morning and the call was unknown.
" St. John ." He said as he rested his arm on his forehead covering his eyes, feeling Beth move to the side.
"Did you find what you were looking for Mr. St. John, or do you have more questions than answers. If I were you I would return to the warehouse, be there before 8:00 a.m. Evidence can disappear rather quickly." Then the line went dead. Mick closed his eyes already disgusted with the call. His morning had been going so well to.
Mick rolled over to his side pulling Beth to him, stroking her hair and placing soft kisses to her forehead. He felt her heart rate change and smiled as she started to wake up.
"What time is it?" Came her muffled question.
"Early for you late for me." Mick kissed her hair again as he rested his hand on her hip.
"How early?" Beth rolled from one side to the other, snuggling close to his chest. Mick's grin slowly returned back to his face as he lightly touched her shoulder with his fingers.
"4:00 a.m. early." He said through a chuckle. He felt Beth groan against his chest and he couldn't help but laugh again. "Sleep well?" His voice filled with wonder as she stretched beside him only wearing his pin striped button down shirt, the same shirt he placed her in the night she had taken the Black Crystal. When she arrived having walked to his apartment wearing a number that left little to the imagination.
"Hmmmmm ya I did. Who was on the phone?" Beth craned her neck so she could see into his eyes. She couldn't help but smile as his hair was tussled everywhere and he genuinely seemed content.
"Caller unknown, I think it is the same person that called yesterday." Beth looked at Mick. Now she was worried. She felt Mick's hand caress her back through his shirt as he rested his head on his arm.
"What did he say?" She shifted so that she was able to prop her head on her hands staring back into his eyes. Mick toyed with her hair trying to decide what to say. Taking in a deep breath he released it as he spoke.
"He said that I needed to be at the warehouse before 8:00 a.m., something about evidence not sticking around. I have to check it out to make sure." Beth's chin rested against Mick's chest as she looked at him. He knew she didn't like the idea. Her reporter instincts were telling her that this was off, it was too easy. In the back of Mick's mind he was bothered by the tip, knowing just as Beth did, things weren't as they seemed. "I'll be careful." Mick gave her another soft grin and pushed forward finding her lips with his kissing them thoroughly till she was breathless. He pulled off the sheet and tightened his pajama pants strings. He gave another quick smile and headed upstairs to take a shower.
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Mick looked at what was left of the warehouse where he had found Ryder. He was early, having beaten the 8:00 am deadline. Police tape was everywhere and you could still smell the smoke lingering around the almost completely destroyed building. Mick scented the air and then quirked an eyebrow. As he pushed debris aside he noticed someone standing in the middle of the warehouse where the damage was minimal, his hands in his trouser pockets looking rather lost.
"Awful late in the day for you to be up isn't it?" Mick said as he approached Josef from behind. Josef turned and looked at Mick giving him a tight grin.
"Well, silly me was dumb enough to answer a phone call at…" Josef didn't finish.
"4:00 am?" Both Mick and Josef turn to see Ben Talbot standing behind them. "I got a similar call. I can assume that goes for the both of you?" Ben placed his hands in his trouser pockets and began to slowly make his way to Mick and Josef. Ben turned to Mick as he spoke. "I understand St. John being here. But a hedge fund trader, that's a bit of a stretch. I don't think we have been formally introduced. Ben Talbot, I work for the DA's office." As Ben finally reached both Mick and Josef he extended his hand to Josef. Josef turned to Mick and quirked an eyebrow and then looked back at Talbot.
"Josef Kostan and you seem to have me at a disadvantage." Josef said as he looked at Talbot's extended hand. Ben sighed and pulled his hand back and then crossed his arms over his chest.
"Your reputation Mr. Koston precedes you. Care to explain why you're here?"
"I own the building." Josef said as he looked at Ben. Mick jerked his head around to look at Josef.
"Really?" He folded his arms across his chest giving his friend a quizzical look.
"Who knew? Since I had a much larger building as of yesterday I decided to come and check out the damage for myself. Of course there was that phone call that said 'there would be evidence'. You two are supposed to know about this sort of thing, care to point me toward the evidence? Not sure what kind of evidence we are looking for." Mick unfolded his arms and snorted as he looked around, his vampire senses only picking up burned debris and nothing more. He remembered that Guillermo had stated that Ryder's jacket was covered in silver and he wondered if there was more silver under foot and how much of a set up was this.
"Well CSI was here all day yesterday, if there is any evidence they should have prepared some kind of report by now?" Ben looked around, hearing the building creak from the wind and was a little worried as to exactly how stable the place really was. Mick felt this was a set up, but why set up the ADA? It didn't make sense to him. Just as Mick stepped away from Josef and Ben, he heard it, the loud groaning of twisting metal. He jerked his head up and watched as the top of the last remaining part of the warehouse came down, right over Josef and Ben's head.
"Look out!" Mick shouted. He dove for Ben shoving him into the clear. Josef bolted for the opposite end just as the last of the ceiling came crashing down. Mick and Ben slowly rose, dusting themselves off and looking up to expose rafters and the sun above. Mick covered his eyes from the intruding sun and felt the sting of the rays. Ben looked at Mick and then yelled for Josef.
"Mr. Kostan, you ok?" He said as he looked over the debris that now separated them.
"Oh yeah perfect, who gets the bill for my 500 dollar suit that is now ruined?" Josef said as he took off his jacket that was covered in grease and mud. Mick smiled and shook his head, looking at Ben who had a smile on his face.
"Well since you do own the building?" Ben retorted back. Josef raised his head and gave a disgusted look toward Ben's voice.
"Well I guess that provides at least one answer, why we all got a phone call." Ben turned to Mick as Mick looked up at the roof. He was beginning to believe that there was more than one target.
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Beth set her purse on her desk with coffee in hand. She was exhausted. She had a late night with Mick and then the early morning phone call, interrupting her comfortable sleep. So far her morning had been rough, to say the very least. She looked up to see Ben's office still dark, that he wasn't in before her was unusual. She shook her head and started her computer only to be startled once again by her phone.
"Beth Turner, District Attorney's office." She said half enthused.
"I have information," hearing a frantic voice. Beth sat down, her mind trying to catch what the caller was saying. "I have information about a recent murder that happened in little Tokyo." Beth realized the caller sounded scared, really scared.
"What kind of information?" She was already headed into reporter mode.
"What do you mean what kind, do you want it or not?" He said more than a little defensive.
"Ok.. Ok calm down. Is it related to the actual murder or what you might have thought you seen?" Beth grabbed her pen and waited for the answer.
"I saw the murder, I was in the warehouse. Then I saw the bomb and I ran." Beth was hoping this wasn't like the call Mick got; she was really hoping this was a lead. "I need protection; I don't want my head cut off like this guy. They didn't even blink." Beth knew she had a viable lead.
"Where are you, are you near the scene or somewhere else?" Beth asked.
"Near.. Near the scene. Are you going to help me or what?" The voice was still filled with panic.
"We'll help you; just tell me where you are." Beth bit her lip as he gave her what she needed. She pulled her piece of paper from her pad and grabbed her purse.