Chapter 32: Just Like Everyone Else

David woke from his slumber with Candice's back pressed to his front. They had made love until they had literally passed out. David felt the pangs of hunger and knew when Candice woke she'd be hungry as well having worked up just as much of an appetite. Reaching up he slid the freezer lid open and slipped out careful not to wake her.

Before slipping out of the freezer room David watches Candice sleep peacefully. The hunger redoubled reminding him why he got out of the freezer and he headed downstairs. He drank two glasses one after another before pouring himself a third to sip as he walked to his phone to check if he'd missed any calls.

Sure enough there was a missed call and message from Ashton asking him to call when it was convenient. He dialed Ashton's number quickly so he didn't forget to return it later.

"Good morning," Ashton whispered.

David grinned, "I just got your message is now a bad time?"

"Now is fine," his voice returned to normal. "I just didn't want to disturb Kimberly."

"I know what you mean they are so beautiful when they sleep."

"They are," Ashton agreed. "The reason for my call was to simply inform you that I will be heading back to San Francisco for a while. I need to set some things up with my business so that I can better work from here."

"Have you told Kimberly yet?" David knew this wasn't something you didn't mention to the woman you love and wanted to spare his sire any problems if he had not done so yet.

"I did and she's going to accompany me. She is going to call that Seth fellow today and confirm she can be absent from work."

David grinned as he sipped his drink, "Sounds like things are going well for you."

"They are going very well my friend. In fact I should tell you that if this trip goes well, and I don't see why it wouldn't, then I hope to ask for her hand in marriage."

"Marriage? Really?" David was shocked they'd only been together a short time really.

"Why not? I love her, she loves me." David shook his head as he tried to wrap his head around it. "If she says yes then I would of course ask you to stand at my side."

"Of course I will. Congratulations man I hope this trip goes well for you both."

"I will keep you informed but I must go she is waking."

"Have a safe trip."

David disconnected the line and stared at the phone. His thoughts drifted to the previous night and what he'd overheard. Everyone was married or engaged it seemed. He loved Candice with all that he was and she knew that. He didn't see her wanting some piece of paper to say they would spend their lives together but he'd been wrong before. Should he ask her?

"I'm starving." David nearly dropped his phone hearing her voice from the top of the steps.

Pushing his thoughts aside he smiled up at her in her satin robe and moved to the kitchen to pour her a glass of blood. "I bet you are."

At the station Mick walks at Beth's side carrying a copy of everything they had in one hand the other on the small of Beth's back. "He doesn't look like he's slept any."

Beth looked Carl over and saw it was true. She had a soft spot for him. "Hey Carl," they approached. "Have you been here all night?"

Carl raised a tired eyebrow, "We can't all look as put together all the time as you Beth."

Mick smirked and handed over the papers, "Everything we have. How did things go last night?"

Sighing heavily Carl leaned back in his chair, "We took Nolan into interrogation and got him to give up everything. He had nothing to lose. Oh by the way you know he claims to have shot the guard in the head. Guess he wanted to add murder to his jacket before going inside."

"What about the acting DA and the other one?" Beth was beyond curious as always.

"Both are being charged as accessories to Nolan's crimes as well as some other charges for fraud. Wilkerson won't do much time, we can't connect him to having any actual knowledge of the kidnapping so it's more of an ethics thing. He won't ever practice again though."

Mick squeezed Beth's waist, "So what can we do to help finish this up so you can head home?"

"Come to interrogation with me and put your statements on the record."

Beth steps forward, "Let's go then. I think someone needs their beauty sleep."

Carl chuckled as he stood up grabbing his empty coffee cup, "I'm taking a few days off once this is cleared up."

"Much deserved," Mick followed as Carl lead them first to the break room for a refill which he offered them both and then to interrogation.

Mick and Beth gave their statements separately in full detail and then signed the papers. Beth had been first and was sitting waiting on Mick. She'd been surprised that Nolan was still alive and kicking knowing Josef had planned to have him taken care of. She'd have to call Jean when she got out of there and tell her Nolan wasn't getting out and that right now the police really needed him for their case, perhaps he could have his accident after he was of no further use.

Mick came out of the room with Carl behind him and another empty cup. "That's it from you too. Thanks again for your cooperation in this."

"Anytime Carl," Beth gave him a small smile. "Go home though, everyone needs sleep."

Carl looked at his watch, "I will. Ben should be back in town now so I'll brief him and let him know I'm taking some time off."

Mick wrapped his arm around Beth pulling her close, "We're going to go close our files out and pick up our little girl. If you need anything else you know where to find us."

To Be Continued…

Evilous