As before, the Moonlight characters do not belong to me, CBS gets the credit for that.

Chapter Three: Meeting Place

Mick strolled from the elevator towards Josef's office waving at the guard as he passed by. Damn Josef and his paranoia he thought. Well, the sooner they dealt with this problem, the sooner he could be with Beth. Beth. Just the thought of her made him shiver with excitement. He longed to be in her embrace, to have her lips sealed to his in a kiss that felt like it would never end, to lose himself in the passion and comfort that only she could give him. These thoughts brought a smile to his face and an urgency to deal with the matter quickly.

"Alright, what is it Josef?" Mick called impatiently as he entered the door.

"It's about time you showed up." Josef grumbled. "So how's the missus? I hope she didn't wear you out too much." He teased. "So who broke the rule, you or her?" He asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

"Actually, I did. I told her I loved her." He chuckled at his friend's flabbergasted expression.

"Didn't see that one coming. I figured Beth would be the one to break down the barrier you insisted was necessary." He smiled teasingly.

"Well, it wasn't much of a fight."

"Yeah, I feel sorry for any vamp who tries to take her on." He winked. "Well, I am happy for you. You deserve some pleasure in this 'worthless existence' as you like to call it." He paused smiling devilishly. "So, did she let you?"

"Let me what?"

"Bite her, of course. I have heard that it can be a very erotic experience. I should know."Josef wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. "Don't tell me you haven't thought of it."

Mick opened his mouth to respond to Josef's abhorrent suggestion when a knock sounded at the door. Josef called to the person to enter. "That would be either the cleaner or Logan. Guillermo will not be able to attend for a while. He is trying to fashion a body for us. I'll explain in a sec-" His words were halted when Talbot walked through the door. Mick watched as a look of surprise came over his friend. "Welcome Talbot," Josef said trying to cover his shock. "How can I be of service?"

Talbot looked around as he entered the room. His gaze paused on Mick. He wasn't expecting to see him here, although he shouldn't be surprised. Mick never was predictable. "Mr. Kostan, I came to ask you a few questions about some people you may know." He paused wondering how much information he should give away. The person on the phone said the list was for his eyes alone. Would he know, or care, if he showed it to someone else? Probably. Would it be better if he kept the information to himself? Was it worth the risk to keep it a secret? "Do you know any of these people?" He pulled out the list deciding that it would be better to be outright, especially with someone as powerful as Josef.

Josef took the pages that Talbot offered and quickly perused the names. Shock came over him as he realized that all of the people listed were vampires living in Los Angeles, he and Mick being the last names on the list. He handed the list to Mick. Although he expected Talbot to figure out what they were sooner or later, he didn't figure it would be handed to him on a silver platter.

"Who else knows about this?" Mick asked as he too realized the gravity of the situation.

"I have only shown it to you. No one else in the department knows about this, not even Beth."

Suddenly Josef was across the room pushing Talbot against the wall. "Who gave this to you?" he growled his hand squeezing around Talbot's throat lifting him off the ground.

"I don't know, I swear!" Talbot gasped out. "I found it slid under my office door. I came straight here to find out what it meant." Talbot was frightened by the murderous glint in Josef's eyes. He was glad he had decided to be forthright. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if Josef just discovered that he had this information.

"Josef," Mick said trying to calm down his friend. "I don't think he knows anything. Let him go." Josef stared at him for half a second before releasing Talbot.

"My apologies, Talbot, the information you unknowingly uncovered is very sensitive material. If anyone else were to discover that you have this, it could be very risky."

Beth! If any of the other vampires discovered this information, Beth and Talbot were in incredible danger. The entire vampire community would be hunting the person responsible for jeopardizing their way of life, or un-life as some chose to call it. "Josef, I think it's time that we tell him. His life is going to be in danger anyway, and we are going to need all the help we can get."

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Josef asked glancing at Talbot, daring him to make a move.

"What choice do we have? He's going to be asking questions anyway."

"Fine, but if this turns sour, don't say I didn't warn you." Of all times for this to happen it had to happen now, and with Talbot no less. He glanced again at Talbot before shaking his head in exasperation.

"I need to call Beth. This involves her as well." Mick continued. Meanwhile, Talbot was glancing quickly from one vampire to the other in confusion. "All will be explained in due time, just be patient." Mick said softly trying to give him some measure of comfort. "Excuse me for a moment." He said as he walked from the room pulling out his phone as he went.

"Hello lover," Beth purred in greeting, surprised to hear from Mick so soon.

"Beth, I need you to come to Josef's office immediately."Mick blurted.

The urgency in Mick's voice was not lost on Beth. "What's wrong?"

"I'll explain later, just get here as soon as you can."

"Okay, I'm leaving now. I can be there in twenty minutes." She grabbed her keys and purse off the coffee table and headed out the door.

"Oh, and Beth…" Mick called.

"Yes," she said worriedly, surprised by his tone.

"Be careful."

"I will. See you soon." Beth hung up her phone puzzled by the way Mick was acting. It was almost as if he thought she was going to get hurt, or worse. With that thought she quickened her step toward the elevator anxious to find out the reason for Mick's strange behavior. Something had happened in the vampire community, something big.

That's all for now. Next up, Talbot finds out…

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