Chapter 17

He felt better after yet another container of fresh blood. Thankfully, Guillermo had the forebearance not to say anything at the morgue last night. Just pulled every single silver pellet out, handed him a six pack and sent him home. Where Beth had seen the beast. Oddly enough she hadn't said a word. Just left him cringing in shame.

Somehow he knew she'd be back for her answers soon. Exactly how much should he say? He wasn't going try to deny anything. Let's just see what she can handle to start with?

There she was. Two days later. It had taken her longer than he had guessed. She looked confused, embarassed at first but that sharp curiosity got right to the point asking impertinent questions. He tried to keep it light, almost a banter. He loved seeing her blue eyes widen and that mouth ... what?

No, she had asked him the question he couldn't -- wouldn't -- wasn't about to answer. He flashed on Coraline and his wedding night. He had said he would love her forever. She took him at his word and made him into the monster.

He had to get Beth out of there. She was too astute, too persistent. "Another time." He closed the door on her.

He'd head over to Josef's again now that the cops had figured out there would be no more answers about Lee Jay. Beth's killing of him was justifiable, self defense, and the whole world outside of Josh's inner circle believed Mick was in custody at the time of his death. They and the cops knew better, of course, that he had saved the woman and taken a bullet but he pretended a graze wound and they soon left him alone.

Josef was back to teasing him, but now there was a tinge more of sarcasm because of Beth. He deflected it, not ready to reveal -- even to himself -- any future with her.

A news item took his interest. Store clerk killing looked odd. Beth was back on the job, reporting the murder for Buzzwire. He watched her from the shadows, once again fearful that she would use her new knowledge to expose him.

You think you can avoid them but there she was at the morgue. She must have good contacts since she already knew something was different about this murder. Not, of course, what he and Guillermo now knew. A newly turned, feral vamp was on the loose.

Beth had gotten her spirit back and was once again charging ahead. Mick, fearful at first, watched her as she seemed fascinated, and not the least bit afraid, of his world. He made a quick decision and told her a basic version about the turning process. Her investigative approach, so different from his, might just pay off with information he could use.

He had told her he worked alone. But that was before she knew and now? Now that she had seen him dispose of the Doctor's body. Her reaction had been totally understandable as a human.

For such a long time, he had held his own counsel, keeping to himself out of guilt, and fear. Allowing few in. But here she was and she wasn't afraid.

Josef had told him it was time to let Coraline go.

He found himself at Beth's door.