Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. Still missing this show, but learning to deal with it. Writing helps.

Thanks for still being here and reading and reviewing. You do help to motivate me.

Chapter 26

Mick looked at Carl blandly when the detective challenged his actions.

"I had no idea that I would encounter Ms Montgomery's killer when I came to the studio. Beth had told me she was here to re-interview Ms Wilson so I came here to see what she learned," Mick said mildly.

"That's right Carl; Mick had no clue what Darla wanted to tell me," Beth added stepping in to defend Mick. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he positioned himself behind her.

Carl nodded, uncomfortable to have had to bring the subject up in the first place. He had called Ben Talbot as soon as he had received the news of Mick's call to the police. The ADA had been adamant that Carl was to learn just how much the PI had known before he called the police to report in. Not liking being stuck in the middle of Talbot's seeming vendetta against St. John, he had no idea what the ADA was hoping to accomplish. But he might discover soon enough since Ben was on his way to the studio.

"So Beth, why didn't you call us?" he asked in a gentler tone.

"And tell you what? I had no idea what Darla wanted to tell me," Beth said innocently. She felt Mick's fingers tighten slightly on her shoulders. "I had no new information to report to you."

Seeing how stressed Beth was, Carl decided not to pursue it further. Talbot could play bad guy if he wanted to, Carl would not add any more pressure to someone he considered a friend. He could see the concern for Beth in St. John's eyes as he protectively moved his hands from her shoulders to wrap his arms around her and held her close, against him.

"Okay Beth. Stay close for a bit, Talbot is on his way and he will have questions I am sure."

"Sure Carl," Beth responded softly.

"Hey, why don't you get cleaned up a little," Carl suggested to the couple. "Get out of the blood soaked coat St. John, you'll be more comfortable."

"Thanks," Beth said then a thought hit her. "Carl, please go easy on Darla, this really shook her up. She was only trying to save me."

Carl nodded, he had seen how shaken the actress had been. She had not been able to control her tears and the detective was pretty sure she wasn't that good an actress to fake her distress.

"Seems like Masterson actually killed him," he commented.

"That was to protect Beth and me," Mick said indignantly as he removed his coat. He frowned at Carl as he laid the blood soaked garment over a cart holding some drink bottles. "The only villain here was Simmons and he's dead. Come on Carl, we got the bad guy."

"And he's dead so he can't argue that point, can he? Isn't it convenient that he can't speak for himself?" a voice cut into their conversation. Ben Talbot strode over to them, his expression not at all pleased. Mick cursed himself for being distracted and not sensing the ADA's arrival.

With anger sparking in her eyes, Beth stepped in front of Ben. He looked at her in surprise.

"He spoke very clearly Ben and we have it on video. Simmons confessed to the killing and then took me hostage," she retorted angrily.

Mick did his best to hide his amusement at the sight of Beth going toe to toe with Talbot. God he loved this woman, she was constantly amazing him.

Ben Talbot was surprised as well by the impassioned statement Beth presented. His jealousy of St. John grew some as he realized she was attempting to protect the PI. He knew he had to back off somewhat and be careful of his accusations until he learned what had really occurred at the studio. He had been told there was a video confession to the girl's murder and that the man had been killed after holding Beth hostage. It seemed that the filmmaker and not St. John who had actually killed the man. It now appeared that this was all neatly wrapped up and that seemed a bit off. It was too neat.

"Okay….calm down Beth," Ben soothed. "I plan to get the details after I see this video," he added as he looked at Carl. The detective signaled one of his men to bring the camcorder over to him. While Talbot viewed the recording, Mick guided Beth over to where the actor's chairs were and had her sit down. A policewoman handed him some damp towels and Mick gently wiped the blood from Beth's face.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"Yes, I am, thanks to my guardian angel once again," Beth answered with a smile. Reaching up she took a towel from him and proceeded to do her best to clean the blood that coated his neck and face. It was obvious that only a shower to remove all the blood from his hair. "I had no idea that Calvin would overhear what Darla was going to tell me. I didn't think there would be a problem."

"I know," he answered with a small smile. "But then you just seem to attract trouble." He took the towel from her and tossed it on a nearby chair, then took both her hands in his. "Next time I ask you to wait for me, please wait. Okay?"

"Next time," Beth nodded smiling back up at him. Neither of them was paying attention to the others around them and didn't notice at first that Laslo and Darla were back on the sound stage. Darla had become ill and an officer along with Laslo had taken her to the bathroom. Now one of the other vampires on studio crew, who Mick had interviewed the day before, accompanied them. It appeared that Laslo had found someone to confess to being the video cameraman. Mick couldn't help grinning, knowing that somewhere Neville Trask was having the last laugh.

Carl Davis hovered behind Ben as the ADA finished watching the video a second time. Finally Talbot handed the camera back to the detective, a skeptical look on his face.

"So this is on the level?" he asked. "No tampering?"

"There wasn't time," Carl responded. "There was a car here minutes after St. John called it in. The camcorder was in his possession, in plain sight until he handed it over to me. I asked the uniform cop about it specifically. There is no reason to believe this isn't accurate."

A small sigh escaped Talbot but he nodded and looked over at Laslo, who had a comforting arm around his actress.

"I don't suppose there is any point in charging either of them for killing Simmons. The video makes it pretty clear they were only trying to help Beth. And we do have a confession in Ms Montgomery's murder," Ben finally said. He glanced over at where St. John stood holding Beth's hands. Talbot knew he had no valid reason to accuse the PI of not following proper procedure. The man only reacted to an unforeseen situation and almost was killed trying to save Beth. "Let's finish up here and then let these people go home," he added and then headed over to Beth and Mick. They watched him enquiringly as he approached.

"Are you okay Beth?" he asked in concern and then met Mick's eyes directly. "How about you St. John?"

"We're fine thanks to Masterson and the young lady," Mick answered as Beth nodded. "Do you need anything more from us or can I take Beth home?"

"I think we're done," Ben conceded. "Go home and clean up. If we need anything more we will call you in. Beth, why don't you take the day off tomorrow, recover and rest up. I'll see you Monday morning."

"Thank you Ben," Beth said, surprised by her boss' concern.

Ben saw gratitude flash in Mick's eyes, it was clear that the man was concerned about the ordeal Beth had gone through and was thankful for Ben's gesture. No matter what Ben felt about the PI, there was no denying the fact that St. John had risked his life for Beth.

"I need to speak to Mr. Masterson, the girl and the guy who shot the video but that should only be a formality. You do not need to stay, go home," Talbot instructed.

Mick kept his grip on Beth's hands as he assisted her out of the chair. He nodded to Talbot as he slipped on arm around Beth's waist. Guiding her towards the exit, Mick met Laslo's gaze and was reassured that the filmmaker had the situation under control when the vamp murmured, "Ted knows what to say. Everything is cool." He was aware that insisting on the staying on the lot to keep an eye on things would only arouse Talbot's suspicions. Mick knew that Laslo was very aware of the need to keep their secret and he seemed to be able to handle any questions that came his way. It was also very clear that Beth's strength was beginning to fade after the ordeal she had been through.

"I will follow you to your place to pick up enough clothes for the next few days. Then we are going back to my place to clean up and recover," Mick told her as they stopped by her car.

"Pretty bossy Mr. St. John," Beth answered but her eyes glowed with pleasure.

"I need to keep an eye on you," he said leaning down, his face close to hers. "And…."

"And what?" Beth whispered, her heart fluttering with excitement.

"And tomorrow we need to do some serious shopping for the bedroom," he finished with a smile and a quick kiss.

"Oh, I like that idea," Beth sighed, her hands framing his face.

"Then let's get moving," Mick said opening her car door for her.

He followed her back to her apartment and waited while she gathered things together for a long weekend together. Then they headed back to Mick's apartment, leaving her car behind. He glanced over at her as he drove, seeing the exhaustion etched on her face as she rode with her eyes closed. It had been a stressful day and relief flowed through him to see her riding safely beside him. He had what he wanted; he was taking Beth to his apartment and would be able to hold her close until it was time to go to his freezer. The awareness that by keeping her close to him and involved in his world he was denying her a chance to move on and have the mortal life she deserved nagged at the back of his mind. But right here, right now he would hold on to her and enjoy the peace that only she could give him.

End chapter.

I hope that this is wrapping up the murder properly for everyone. Talbot can't fight with a video confession. Thank you for reading.