Chapter 11: First Pieces

Beth rode with Mick following Carl to Graces address with a crime scene team behind them. They had filled each other in with what they both had found out. "I hope with us being first on scene we can get something from the house."

Mick reached over and squeezed her hand, "We will work this like any other case."

Beth squeezed back, "Right. I just…that woman doesn't deserve whatever happened to her."

The rest of the ride was in silence. As they pulled into the driveway of the home Beth noticed how everything looked perfectly normal and quant. The lawn was well maintained and looked professionally done which fit with the neighborhood of higher income homes. Mick parked and quickly walked around opening Beth's door for her and helping her out which Carl noticed.

Carl went to the door first and knocked with no answer. He tried again, "Police is anyone home?"

With no answer again Carl turned to Beth and held out his hand. She handed over the key that Grace had given her when she had her sign the consent forms. Carl opened the door gun drawn looking at Beth he sternly said one thing, "Stay Beth."

Beth frowned but Mick pulled his gun out of his waistband and smirked at Beth kissing her cheek as he moved behind Carl and entered the front door slowly. Beth rolled her eyes as she watched them entering already knowing no one with a heartbeat was inside. After they were in a few feet she joined quietly.

Looking over to see Beth Carl looked at her, "I thought I told you to stay."

Beth looked at him and put her hand on her hip, "I don't take well to orders. Besides it doesn't look like anyone's here."

Carl could sense that she was right but wasn't about to let her off that easily, "How do you know they aren't hiding?"

"I know the lock doesn't appear to have been tampered with and the husband isn't home. The mailbox here has a notice from the delivery company saying they came by to drop something off but no one was home time and date stamped over 4 hours ago." Beth held up her gloved hand holding the green UPS slip.

Mick tried to suppress a chuckle but Carl looked to him, "She's you're wife. You open doors for her but find it okay that she walks into possibly dangerous situations?"

Mick shrugged slipping his gun back into the back of his pants, "I learned a long time ago telling her to stay put doesn't work. I'd rather she be behind me than on her own."

Carl just sighed, "Well I have to clear the house before I can have the techs come in. Will you please both wait here?"

"Fine," Beth agreed.

As soon as Carl was out of sight Beth took a step forward but Mick held onto her arm shaking his head no. In vamp tones he whispered, "Let Carl do this. He's helping us out remember best to listen to him occasionally."

Smiling at him she nodded, "I suppose."

Keeping his hand on Beth's but changing from a hold to a caress he closed his eyes and scented the room. He saw two men carrying Grace who appeared to be unconscious from the house. The men were about 6 feet tall and had a bunch of tattoos on their neck and arms.

Carl came back towards them with his gun put away just as Mick opened his eyes, "House is clear. I'll bring in the techs have a look see what you see."

Beth made a b-line for the kitchen which is the last thing Grace remembered and found a smear of blood on the floor. She did her own scenting and could tell it was Grace's but as the scene played out she saw why. Grace was drinking from a glass that still sat on the counter and as she stood there she started to sway, rubbing her eyes before she fell to the floor hitting her head and falling on her wrist. Then the scene changed and two men came in and picked her up carrying her towards the door.

Opening her eyes Beth locked eyes on Mick, "She was drugged and taken."

Mick nodded as Carl came in with the tech team telling them to find something of the husbands for DNA test. The blood at the scene matched same blood type as the husbands but it was O positive which didn't confirm anything.

"Carl we got something," Beth called.

As he came over Beth pointed to the blood on the floor and the glass on the counter. "The last thing she remembers is having a drink. You should get a sample from the glass to confirm but it looks like it knocked her out and she fell hitting her head. That would explain the cut on her forehead as well as her wrist if she landed on it."

Carl whistled for one of the techs to come photograph and bag the glass. As they moved about Mick and Beth stepped back out of the way. Not seeing anything else they could gain from the place Beth stepped up to Carl, "Would it be okay if I packed a bag with a few things for Grace. I could take one of the team up to photograph everything I'm taking just to be sure."

Carl nodded, "Go ahead." He sent a small woman with her to go document what was being taken for the record while Mick stayed and watched them process the kitchen.

Having gotten Grace somewhat calmed down Jean excused herself to call Josef. She looked at her phone and saw he'd text that he was finished with the meeting but still at the office and to call if she needed anything. Dialing his number she hoped he would be okay with this.

"How are you?" He answered quickly.

"I'm fine," she assured. "How was the meeting?"

"It went as well as could be expected. How is Grace?" He didn't want to talk about a meeting when she had more immediate issues.

"Still scared to death but I've got her calmed down for the most part." Jean took a steadying breath, "Josef…she can't go home tonight it's a crime scene and she has no family or friends here. The police would keep her here but I'm afraid that would just make things worse for her…"

Josef listened intently hearing the way Jean's voice went up ever so slightly whenever she was going to pitch him something she wasn't sure he'd agree too. "…I was wondering if you'd be okay with her staying in the guest house?"

"That's fine," he said but she was still talking.

"She wouldn't be in the main house so she wouldn't be at risk of seeing anything she shouldn't—" She stopped, "What?"

Josef smiled as he replied softly, "I don't mind Jean. It's our home baby and if you think it's what is needed then I support you. Thank you for asking me first though."

"Oh thank you Josef," Jean wanted to wrap her arms around that man and kiss him right now.

"Anything for you Jean you know that. I'll even call David and have him send over a guard so she will feel safe and secure."

"I love you. See you at home?"

"I love you too," he assured. "I'll be waiting for you."

To Be Continued…

Evilous