Chapter 5

(Operation cover-up)

Ashley had learned to keep a secret and that was a very good thing. Mick couldn't just have her tell her story to the DA's office. After confirming that the body was her sisters, Ashley was determined to have whoever had done it taken care of in return. Mick could promise her that.

Telling the DA enough to keep them working the case but not actually "working" on the real case was a little more tricky. Of course, Beth came up with the perfect solution. Mick loved how she always did that.

First, Megan's ID was planted at the crime scene in a place that could have been over looked the first time through. Then the DA took the same steps as Mick and Beth had. Went to the address, talked to Ashley, then had her identify her sisters body. The only difference was that Ashley had no idea where her sister had gone. Only that she told her she was going out for awhile. When Megan didn't return in the morning she just assumed she had stayed with a friend, but after she had repeatedly tried to call her and got no answer she started to worried. That was when the officers had came to her door.

With that taken care of and the call to Logan out of the way Mick and Beth headed to Josef's. Beth had only ever been to Josef's office and never to his house. It was beautiful. Josef really knew how to live, she thought. They were shown to a large living room to wait for Josef. Mick sat next to Beth on the couch.

"What a nice surprise." Josef said as he entered the room.

"Hey Josef, I'm sorry this isn't a social visit. I need to ask you some questions about the house you own north of town."

"Why? Thinking of moving out of the apartment Mick?" Then, in a voice so low Beth couldn't hear it he added, "You want Beth to move in and your place isn't big enough. Oh how sweet."

Mick decided not to answer that last part and keep asking his questions.

"No, I was wondering what you know about any parties that have been going on there recently.

"Well, Mick I really don't know. I have been letting a friend use that place for a few months now. She pays me rent and always keeps the place clean. What more can I ask for?"

"Her name wouldn't happen to be Elizabeth Bradley would it?" Beth asked.

"Yes, it is actually. If something is going on with her or my property, I would like to know about it."

Mick quickly filled Josef in on the freshie parties and the dead girl. The parties were nothing out of the ordinary. Josef had many himself every week. Also, if there was a danger that their secret would be reveled by Megan, it had needed to be handled. What was upsetting was how the girl was disposed of. And now the human were involved.

"I will call Elizabeth and find out what is going on." With that Josef headed to his office to make the call.

That left Mick and Beth alone on the couch.

"So, I was wondering if you would like to have dinner at my place tonight. I would really like to cook for you again."

When Mick looked at her with those eyes how could she really deny him anything? "That sounds great. Do you think we will have this taken care of by then?"

"Well, if Elizabeth tells Josef the truth of what happened then it shouldn't take to long. The person that left Megan's body the way they did will be the one punished. But Beth," Mick didn't know how to explain to Beth that what happened to Megan was something he had seen before.

"I know Mick. This is part of your world. I know what must be done to keep your secret." She was trying to really make him understand. She did get it. She had done things she never thought she was capable of to keep his secret. That included going to Josef about the paparazzi Dean. But, she couldn't tell him about that.

"I love you. It's ok. I understand." She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I would love for you to cook me dinner."

Beth had a smile the could just warm him all the way through. He was leaning in to take Beth's lips with his when Josef came back into the room.

"Don't start that kiddies, the fun is only beginning." Josef said as he sat across from them.

"Elizabeth said that Ashley or Megan neither one came to the party last night. She had called Ashley but she told her she wasn't feeling well and couldn't make it."

"So then something else had to have happened to Megan before she got there." Beth said looking at Mick.

"This just got a lot more complicated." They three started to talk and plan out there next move. Mick had promised Ashley he would find the person responsible and that is what he was going to do.

………………………………...

Things were working out far better than she ever could have imagined. Not only was her sister taken care of, but they thought the girl in the morgue was Megan. How could this get any better?

She was so lucky for that. Her only concern were the two people that had come to see her first. She knew right away that Mick was a vamp, but Beth was not. With the bite mark on her wrist, she must be his freshie. She smiled to herself. She wondered what Mick's fangs in her would feel like.

"I might have to find out." She said out loud. If he was able to find out who had killed her, then she might offer herself to him for free.

Megan laughed to herself. She wondered how long it would take for her to get used to people calling her Ashley.

(To be continued)