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Chapter 16

"Oh, I do like your hellos," Beth said with a happy shiver as she stood in his embrace. "How was your day?"

"Lots of dead ends and very little information," Mick said in frustration as he released her. "I have Logan doing a search for me. How about you?"

"Much the same," Beth admitted, her frustration level was as high as Mick's. "Tammi didn't share much about her big break. All I've got is that she was making a horror movie."

"Christa was too. I think we have found what ties these cases together," Mick sighed. "I've got Logan searching for any vamp who is making horror films."

"Would that information be out there for him to find?" Beth asked curiously. "How would he know?"

"There are some ways that Logan knows to trace vampires. And I did have a name to give him. Christa mentioned a Laslo to her brother," Mick replied.

"That's it, just Laslo?" Beth asked.

"Yes. Now why don't you eat your dinner before it gets cold? We can talk while you eat," Mick encouraged. He pulled the empty chair around for her to sit in. "Have your dinner Beth."

Beth took a seat and retrieved her food from the bag. Mick sat behind his desk and smiled as Beth hungrily attacked her food. Her enjoyment of eating was one of the things he loved about her humanity.

"Maybe Josef knows someone in the film industry. We should ask him," Beth suggested as she dug out an egg roll.

She saw the frown that flitted across Mick's face.

"I all ready asked. Josef "claims" he doesn't know anyone."

"You don't believe him," Beth stated. That fact surprised her; it wasn't often that she heard Mick question Josef's integrity.

"Let's just say he was clearly ducking the question and that tells me he is hiding something. That is why I have Logan doing a search," Mick explained.

"Why would Josef lie to you?" Beth wondered in confusion.

"With Josef there could be numerous reasons," Mick told her. "He always feels he has a reason for withholding information. He does love to play games."

"I would think he would want someone who might expose your secret to be caught in a hurry."

"Normally he would," Mick agreed. "And that means that there is someone he is shielding for a reason only he knows. And he will only tell me when he is good and ready."

"Would Kira know?" Beth enquired with a small smile.

"If she does, she will never tell," Mick answered as he leaned forward in his chair. "You know her; she keeps the secrets especially Josef's secrets. Although, Kira really didn't seem to know what Josef was hiding."

Mick's phone ringing interrupted them. Mick grabbed it off the desk and answered it.

"Yes Logan? Good, that sounds like the guy," he said as he began to write on a pad of paper. He nodded as he wrote. "Okay, Dark Nightmare Pictures, I'll check that out. Thanks Logan." He clicked off his phone and looked at Beth, his eyes alight with satisfaction. "Laslo Masterson is the owner/producer/director of a small, independent film company that makes horror films that go straight to DVD."

"And a vampire," Beth stated.

"And a vampire," Mick nodded. "I'm going to talk to him."

"You mean we are," Beth said dumping the remains of her dinner back into the bag.

"Uh….Beth, I don't think…." Mick began.

"You aren't telling me it's too dangerous, are you?" Beth asked as her eyes narrowed. "I'm coming along Mick, this is my case too," she added strongly.

"Beth, he's a vampire. Tammi was around several vampires and one of them killed her. I don't know what this Laslo character is like but I can't risk you being there," Mick patiently told her.

"I can take care of myself," Beth stubbornly insisted.

"Beth….no. Remember Anders? Let me check this out first, please," Mick pleaded, hoping she would be reasonable.

"Let me ride along. I'll wait in the car," Beth offered.

"Yea, like that ever works," Mick muttered, unable to repress his grin.

"I promise I will, this time," she swore raising her right hand with a giggle.

Mick came around the desk quickly and took Beth in his arms. He hugged her as tightly as he dared.

"Beth please, let me do this alone and I promise I will come right back and share everything I've learned." He could see the stubborn set to Beth's mouth and the frown that was forming between her eyebrows. "I swear I only want you safe."

Beth started to protest but he lowered his head and kissed her. That kiss wiped the fight right out of her. She could feel the protective tenderness in his hold. This was not a searing, desire driven kiss that made her knees weak but a gentle, warming one that made her feel safe and loved. She didn't want to fight with Mick and maybe he was right this time. They really had no idea what type of vamp this Laslo Masterson was or how many other vampires he surrounded himself with. She knew Mick was being sensible, even though she didn't like it.

"All right," she gave in grudgingly. "Why don't you drop me off at Dusk to Dawn and I can visit with Kira while you check this guy out. Maybe she will tell me something," she grinned.

"I love you," Mick said before kissing her again.

*M*M*

Josef strode into Laslo Masterson's business office in Century City, with a stern look on his face. His sudden entrance startled the vampire who was relaxing behind his desk going over a script. Masterson didn't look a day over thirty with almost black hair and startling blue eyes. He possessed the good looks of a male model and had a flair for the dramatic.

"Josef, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you to my office?" he asked setting the script aside and getting to his feet. "What can I get you? Blood or scotch?"

"This isn't a pleasure call Laslo. I'm here for answers," Josef said stiffly.

Laslo paused, confusion written all over his handsome face.

"Answers to what Josef? Is something wrong?"

"Are you using your little starlets as freshies Lenny?" Josef asked, reverting to the name Laslo was using when Josef first met him in New York in the 50s.

"What?" Laslo asked in shock. "What do my freshies or actresses matter to you Charles?"

"An aspiring actress is in the morgue, sporting bite marks. The humans are investigating," Josef told him.

"And that makes you think I'm involved? Why?"

"How many other vamps are running studios that make horror films?" Josef pointed out. "I just stopped by to warn you that this is being looked into. My friend Mick St. John is searching for a missing girl and he's going to end up here sooner or later. Either you cover things up here or clear out of town Laslo," he advised.

"I haven't done anything Josef," the dark haired vampire growled. "I don't kill my freshies and I'm very selective of which girls I ask to donate. I take good care of my girls, they are loyal and I reward them with starring roles," he said as his temper rose. "How dare you accuse me of murdering anyone."

"The girl in the morgue is named Tammi. Does that ring a bell?" Josef asked calmly in the face of the other man's anger.

"Tammi?" Laslo said in shock. "She didn't show up for filming on Monday morning. I thought she was sulking about script changes. We had to switch the shooting schedule these last two days to cover her absence," he grumbled. "Are you sure? Is she really dead?" It was clear that this news shook him.

"Yes and the humans are digging around Laslo," Josef stressed again. "So you are saying that you really had nothing to do with her death?"

"I really didn't Josef. I liked Tammi and she actually could act. She was a big part of the film I was shooting and I'm going to lose time and money having to reshoot her scenes. I could lose a bundle if I don't get "Summer Road Trip to Death II" out in time," Laslo complained.

Josef chuckled in spite of himself.

"Lenny my friend, these straight to DVD flicks are not the way to win an Oscar. Why aren't you aiming higher?" he asked with a shake of his head.

"I'll have you know that I make good money with these films. I like the horror genre, it suits me," Laslo said indignantly. He went to the bar and poured two glasses of scotch and handed one to Josef. "I have everything I need to live comfortably and I don't want the spotlight. I don't need anyone looking too closely at me or my habits. I would prefer to stay off TMZ and Buzzwire's radar. I just want to make my movies."

"Well something has gone wrong my friend and the spotlight is shifting your way. Mick will not back off until he gets his answers," Josef warned and took a drink, nodding his approval over the quality of the scotch.

"If he's your friend then call him off," Laslo said in irritation. "You owe me."

"Don't threaten me Lenny," Josef snapped. "I helped finance this little venture when you moved out here. I got you established in the industry. I have paid my debt; do not throw it back in my face."

"Okay Josef, okay," Laslo said holding up a hand in surrender. He took a quick swallow of his drink. "I know you've helped me, we're even. But I swear I haven't killed anyone. You need to tell St. John that."

"Tell me yourself Masterson," Mick's voice came from the doorway. He was leaning against the door jam, his arrival unnoticed because of the argument the two men were having. Mick looked over at his best friend. "Still keeping secrets from me Josef?"

End chapter.

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