Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. And I keep repeating this because I don't own Moonlight.

Thank you so much all my reviewers. I'm so pleased that the writers are back. Not they will replace the fanfic writers. But it will be wonderful to see where they take the show.

Chapter 10

Mick glanced quickly at Josef and then back at Philippe.

"And what could I possibly assist you with?" Mick asked suspiciously.

"You are a private investigator, yes? You find missing persons, correct?" Mick nodded. "I wish to find Cynthia Davis."

Mick was surprised. With everything that had happened since Lance took Coraline away, Mick had forgotten all about Cynthia. She had been working on the cure with Coraline and she might be working on it still.

"She didn't return to Europe after Lance took Coraline?" he asked Philippe. "So is she in hiding?"

"I believe she is," Philippe confirmed. "Neither Lance or Darius want her continuing Coraline's project. She has no compound to work with, but that may not stop her. She's very resourceful. They wish to keep a close eye on her."

"So you want me to find her and hand her over. I'm not sure that's in my best interest. I've never been friends with Cynthia, but I don't like the idea of giving her to Lance," Mick informed him.

Philippe sat down, watching Mick. He didn't know how much he should tell him. He wasn't sure he trusted him but he was sure Mick would not report any of this to Darius.

"I want to find Cynthia before Lance does," Philippe said quietly.

Now Mick was really surprised. A delighted chuckle had him looking at Josef.

"Still, Philippe?" Josef asked, grinning.

"Off and on," Philippe admitted looking only slightly embarrassed. "I've never gotten her completely out of my system. She was my first turning after all."

"That drove Coraline crazy if my memory is correct," Josef smirked. "You stole her thunder."

"I know. She sulked for two months. But she forgave me, she always does. Cynthia has not been speaking to me ever since she and Coraline started this last project," Philippe said looking a bit annoyed. "I might be her sire but Coraline has always had her loyally."

"And what will you do with her if I find her?" Mick asked.

"It's not easy to oppose Lance and Darius," the french vampire confessed. He looked from Mick's accusing eyes to Josef's sympathetic ones. "I will do what I can to protect her from their anger. I do not want her punished. She follows my sister's lead. Will you help me?" he said directly to Mick.

Mick found it hard to resist the first human emotions that Philippe had expressed. He wasn't sure of the vampire in front of him. He couldn't tell his true feelings, but he sensed Philippe's concern for Cynthia was real.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do," Mick agreed. "I'm sure she's left LA. Would she return to anywhere in Europe?"

"No, not Europe. Darius has too many contacts. I am sure she has remained in the Americas."

Mick shook his head slightly as he moved toward the fireplace. Turning back to the others, he stopped and thought for a moment.

"I have contacts and sources, but not nationwide. I'll do what I can. We can see if she left a trail."

"I have nationwide contacts," Josef interrupted. "We can put Rider on it. Cynthia would never hide in some little town. She'd lose herself in a big city."

"She'll change her name," Mick said. "Does she have any aliases that Lance wouldn't know about?" he asked Philippe. "Preferably something Coraline wouldn't know."

Philippe thought for a moment and then smiled.

"Yes, Camille Deverall," he told them. "It is a secret between us. That was the name she used when she didn't want Coraline to know we were meeting. My sister has never been good at sharing any of her interests as you well know. Cynthia liked the intrigue of occasionally fooling Coraline. She enjoyed clandestine meetings and she didn't have to change her initials on her luggage. I would not be surprised if she has money under that name."

"That's helpful," Mick approved. He went and seated himself on the arm of Beth's chair. "So what city would our girl hide in? As I remember she wasn't fond of the States." A slight movement caught his eye and he fixed his gaze on Demont standing at the door.

"Philippe, our silent friend there," Mick said nodding toward Demont. "Does he report to Lance and Darius?"

Philippe glanced at Demont. The silent man stood there expressionless.

"Demont is an old family retainer. But he has no love for either my brother or my sire. They destroyed his family for a minor act of disobedience. They believe they have taught him a lesson. All they've managed to do is drive his hate deep within him. His loyalty is with me," Philippe said with confidence.

"Really?" Mick said. He studied the silent servant.

The stocky man nodded.

"Master Philippe speaks the truth. He arranged to spare my life. I do serve the family but I will protect the master and his secrets," Demont confirmed.

Josef noticed Mick's skeptical look and chuckled.

"Mick my boy, you're too young to understand the class system," he said. "Many a family retainer wished he or she could slit the master's throat. It was the knowledge that they and their family would suffer that stopped them."

"Very true," Philippe agreed. "Lance has managed to forget this. He is sure he has beaten Demont. He is wrong."

"That's awful," Beth exclaimed.

"There's a lot you wouldn't like about the old days Blondie," Josef laughed. "It is why I prefer these days. Technology is a wonderful thing. It beats a messenger on horseback any day. And that brings us back to the search for Cynthia." He pulled out his phone. "So where do we have Rider search? All of North America?"

There was quiet for a moment.

"Maybe New Orleans?" Beth suggested looking up at Mick.

He nodded. "The French influence would appeal to her."

"Canada," Josef put in. "Montreal or the city of Quebec. French language spoken, cooler climate and not rebuilding from a hurricane. I'm betting that's her choice."

Philippe nodded, very pleased. He wasn't sure exactly what to do with Cynthia once he found her but things were looking better all ready. He had to find her before Lance.

"Time to contact Rider," Josef announced. With a few taps of the screen, he summoned his tech genius. "Rider, I need searches made for a Cynthia Davis or Camille Deverall. Look for travel arrangements made around three to four months ago. Yes, leaving LA. And Rider, I wanted this a week ago, understand?" Josef smiled broadly. "I figured you would." He hung up. "Well children, the search is on."

"Why didn't you mention Canada?" Philippe asked. He looked confused.

"I want Rider running a thorough search. If I aim him in one direction he might miss something somewhere else. Besides, the boy loves a challenge," Josef grinned.

Philippe got to his feet. He nodded to Josef.

"You have my number. When you learn anything call. I will try her phones, perhaps this time she'll answer."

"Of course," Josef answered. He watched Philippe cross to Mick. Mick rose to his feet. The two eyed each other, the distrust still there.

The French vampire drew himself up straighter. He met Mick's look squarely.

"I thank you for your help," he said formally.

Mick nodded. "We will do our best."

Philippe nodded curtly and left the apartment with Demont in his sake.

"I should call Logan," Mick said. "Two techies are better than one."

Josef got to his feet and smiled at Mick and Beth.

"You scored points tonight my friend," he said to Mick. "Philippe never let on he was looking for Cynthia last night."

"How frightened of Darius is he?" Mick asked

"It's easier to judge how much he cares about Cynthia," Josef answered.

"I think he cares a lot," Beth said as Mick walked away, talking on the phone to Logan.

"Always the romantic," Josef smirked. "He liked her enough to turn her; he's always had a soft spot for her."

"Go ahead and make jokes," Beth grumbled. "My reporter's instinct tells me he is scared he won't beat Lance to finding her."

Mick got off the phone and returned to the two.

"I've got Logan starting his search in Canada. He'll search Quebec province for any sign of her and also any research labs. He'll check if any of those French agricultural products are arriving in the area. He'll also see if he can follow any money trail."

"Sounds good. Between Rider and Logan that's a pretty wide net. Let's hope they shake something loose quickly. Call if you hear anything, I'll do the same."

"Right, thanks Josef," Mick answered. The older vampire left. Mick turned to Beth. She was out of the chair and into his arms in seconds.

"I thought I was going to have a ringside seat at a major vamp fight," Beth sighed.

"Almost," Mick agreed. "Thanks for talking me down." He leaned down and kissed her. "I still don't like his interest in you."

Beth smiled suddenly. "Mick you're free. Coraline really is your ex now."

He laughed. "I guess I owe Darius a thank you."

"Let's just send him a thank you note. I'd rather not tell him in person," Beth whispered in his arms.

"I think we should not thank him at all," Mick said kissing her again. She shivered as his kiss became more passionate. As his lips trailed down to her neck, she heard him whisper. "We need to order that bed."

End chapter.

Thanks for reading. I hope I'm not dragging the story out too long. There is a point to this. I will now beg for reviews because that is part of what keeps me posting my story here. I love your feedback. Thanks.