Thanks for your reviews and sorry about the cliffie, it just seemed like a good place to stop. But, here is a new chapter and I hope you enjoy~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 14
Since he'd become a vampire, Josef Kostan had always appreciated the abilities that allowed him to be superior to humans. Unfortunately, this day showed him he was lacking and needed to be two or three people to deal with all that was going on.
Josef swore when heard Guillermo's description of Mick's arrest. On one hand, he was immensely relieved that Simone and Beth had been found unharmed, but now he had to get Mick out of the hands of the authorities. He checked his watch. Guillermo said they had both fed well this morning, which meant Mick could probably be without blood for at least 48 more hours. Josef grimly hoped it wouldn't be that long. They couldn't have another incident like Emma Monahan.
Earlier, after they found Simone's signal and relayed the information to Guillermo and Mick, they landed at a municipal airport outside the park. The plane refueled and Josef instructed the pilot to take Logan and Rider back to Los Angeles. A large amount of cash changed hands, and the happy pilot left with the two vampires.
Josef had arranged for a limo to pick him up at the small airport, and he planned to get to the freezer truck and see Simone when Guillermo arrived. One of his security vampires from the office was driving him. They found the old gas station and two of Josef's other guards were with the truck which they had outfitted it with cots and quantities of fresh blood. Josef was thankful their wives were safe, but now he had another problem to contain. First, he had to take care of the ladies.
While he waited for Guillermo, he started to make phone calls. After almost an hour, a black SUV pulled into the back of the buildings where the truck was parked. Guillermo jumped out and Josef met him, shaking his hand in relief.
"How is Simone?" he asked with concern.
Not wanting to sugarcoat the situation, Guillermo replied, "They're still unconscious, but we gave them some blood and I think if I can start an IV, they should be fine in a day or two."
Josef closed his eyes for a moment, glad there was no one else there to see his weakness. If anything had happened to Simone, he would have torn the world apart to avenge her.
"Were there any injuries?" Josef growled.
Knowing what he was asking, he replied, "No, they were just staked. We couldn't smell anything else on them, and Mick thinks he can identify the vamps responsible."
"Good," Josef said, his tone like ice. "We'll be looking for them shortly."
"Let me know if you need help," Guillermo said, just as coldly.
"Thank you, my friend."
Pleased at Josef's response, he said, "I'll ride in the truck. We can't start the IV's because they'll freeze, but I'll give them both more injections. You'll find Mick?"
"Don't worry; I'll take care of it."
"Right," Guillermo said. He helped the two security guards move Beth and Simone carefully from the back of the SUV to the cots in the truck. One of the guards would drive Guillermo's car and follow the truck.
Before they left, Josef jumped into the open truck and knelt down next to Simone. She looked so fragile, unlike the dynamo she was when awake. He took her cold hand and kissed it. "Come back to me, baby," he whispered. He'd seen vampires in worse shape, but he hated to see the woman he loved that way. After a minute he got down and said to Guillermo, "Look after our girls. I'll see you back at the house."
With a nod, he got into the truck and the driver pulled down the back door. There were a couple of battery lights in the back, and Guillermo was glad of them. Even with vampire vision, doing the injections would be difficult enough. He concentrated on getting blood into the young women, hoping the ride wouldn't be too bumpy and the trip back to Josef's compound wouldn't take too long.
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It was a dreary Thursday in Los Angeles. The overcast skies promised rain, but all it did was raise the humidity. DA Rob Hemmings was grateful for the office air conditioning as he reviewed the current cases he had on his desk.
His assistant buzzed him. "Yes?"
"A Mr. Kostan on line one for you. Do you want to take the call?"
"Yes." Rob replied and hesitated a moment. "Amy, anytime Mr. Kostan calls, please put him through." Rob pressed the button on his phone.
"Mr. Kostan, what can I do for you?"
"It's good to speak with you again," Josef said, with an internal smirk. "I need to ask your help with an issue."
Rob gulped, trusting it wasn't audible to the vampire on the other end. He hadn't had contact with Mick St. John or Josef Kostan for months and assumed he had been forgotten. Obviously not. "What can I do?"
"Mick St. John is being detained by the state police."
Rob frowned. "On what charge?"
"Not much, really. He was in a park up north and they found some weapons with him. They can't prove anything, but I need him released as soon as possible. You realize he can't be in custody too long."
Rob got the implication and asked, "You say the state police have him? Where?"
"I'm not sure. The park police supposedly turned him over to the state police and I presume they would take him to the nearest police post, possibly Bakersfield. I need you to use your influence to get him released. Say he was working on an undercover case for you."
By Josef's tone, Rob knew that he had to get St. John cleared and failure was not an option. "I understand. First, I need to know the circumstances. Where was he, what was he doing and anything else you know.
"It's our business," Josef warned.
"Those are my terms," Rob said, his tone just as steely.
Josef scowled, knowing this human wasn't going to be intimidated. He reminded Josef of Beth Turner, always wanting to know why. With a sigh, he said, "Mick was in the state park trying to find our wives. They had been abducted and he was looking for them."
"Are they all right?" Rob asked.
"Yes, we found them, but the park police came upon Mick and found some, uh, unauthorized weapons and decided to arrest him. They said he would be turned over to the state police."
"What kind of weapons? Guns, automatic rifles, that sort of thing?"
"No, no." Josef responded. "Knives, machetes, silver stakes. No firearms."
Rob's eyebrows raised with surprise. Apparently, vampires didn't rely on normal human weapons. He was silent for a moment, then said, "Anything else?"
"When they were taken, the abductors put our wives in wooden crates. They were staked so they couldn't move. The park police thought the crates were being used for drug trafficking."
"Ah," Rob said, thinking quickly. "All right, I can call the State Police Commissioner. I don't know him, but I can be persuasive. If that doesn't work, I've got a good relationship with the Police Commissioner of LA. He would help."
"I'm going to have Mick's attorney, Ben Talbot on standby in case Mick needs legal counsel," Josef said.
Now Rob felt like a fool. Of course, Ben Talbot was also a vampire. He should have known. Talbot was partners with Kostan's wife, Simone Walker. He wondered how many vampires were infiltrated with the city government. Focusing on the conversation, he said, "I'll let you know as soon as I have anything."
"Fine. I'm in the Bakersfield area and I'll wait for your call. I want to be able to get Mick as soon as possible."
"I'll be back to you shortly. I presume your people will be looking for the perpetrators of the kidnapping? No need for our involvement?"
"We'll take care of that," Josef said, grimly. "It will stay off your radar."
"Fine," Rob replied, and hung up. He reflected on Kostan's comment and was glad he would not be on the receiving end of Kostan's rage. He buzzed his assistant. "Amy, get me the State Police Commissioner."
When he hung up, Josef was more impressed with the DA than he wanted to admit. He hoped it wouldn't be too long before he could get Mick and make their way back to the house and see their wives.
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Mick sat in the small cell provided by the California State Police. It had only been a couple of hours before he had been picked up from the park ranger's headquarters. They had taken him to their facility in Bakersfield, about twenty minutes away. They were still processing the paperwork and had not offered him his mandatory telephone call. Fortunately, he'd drunk enough on getting out of the water that morning and could last a couple of days without blood.
He desperately wanted to be with Beth, but knew Guillermo would protect her with his life. He also knew that his friend would tell Josef about his situation immediately. So his only option was to wait. They had to let him make a call at some point, and planned to contact Ben Talbot. That would be less suspicious, since Ben was an attorney. He knew Ben would also be in touch with Josef.
Settling back against the cold wall (which felt good) he reviewed what he had found at what he called the crime scene where they had found Beth and Simone.
He had been able to see two other vampires who had carried the wooden crates into the ravine. He concentrated on their features and committed them to memory. In the privacy of his cell, Mick's fangs lengthened and his eyes glazed to silver. If he ever found them, he would rip their throats out.
Calming himself, he spent his time putting himself into the mindset of the kidnappers. What would they do? How would they get away? He immersed himself and thought of the different scenarios for their escape after the kidnapping. When he was free, he was going to hunt down those vampires and make sure they paid for their actions.
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After cancelling his afternoon appointments, Rob Hemmings was still on the telephone, trying to get information from the State Police Commissioner. The Commissioner was out of his office, so Rob started with the Deputy Commissioner, but didn't have much luck. While on the phone, the Deputy Commissioner checked their online database, but didn't have any record for a Mick St. John. He said it was probably because St. John had not yet been processed into their system.
Rob thanked him, and hung up. He got up and paced his office, frustrated. He felt he needed to be on the scene and was thinking of going up to Bakersfield, even though he didn't know if St. John was really being held there. His cell rang and he answered. Finally, it was the Commissioner of State Police.
"This is Tom Barnett, I understand you've been trying to reach me."
"Yes, thank you for calling me back," Rob replied relieved and trying to get his thoughts in order. "I need your assistance. We've been working on some gang connections with drug trafficking in LA County. Because we're involved with so many cases, I'm using confidential informants as well as select private investigators to help with the case."
"Yes?"
"Apparently, one of our private investigators was checking on some activity in the Sequoia Park earlier today and a couple of the park police thought he was suspicious. I spoke with your Deputy Commissioner earlier, but he said my PI hadn't been input into the system."
"Why haven't we heard about this investigation?" Commissioner Barnett asked, a little miffed.
Rob was prepared for this question and answered, "We had info from two of our confidential informants, but no other evidence. If it panned out, we would have notified anyone involved. The park police did a good job, and I'm sure your people are on top of things, but I need to get my operative released. I don't want his cover blown and an active arrest would cause problems. I think he might be at the Bakersfield post."
There was silence on the other end, but finally Commissioner Barnett said, "I'm not happy Los Angeles is running around in our territory, but in the interest of intra-departmental cooperation I'll get the charges dropped. I hope we can count on you for the same consideration if necessary?"
"Of course, that goes without saying," Rob replied, trying not to let relief show in his voice.
"Right, now give me the particulars."
Rob quickly gave Mick's name and information, asking to be notified when the Commissioner had any information. Thanking him for his help, Rob sat back. Checking his watch, he realized it was almost six pm, but he knew he wasn't done. He had to wait for the call regarding Mick's release and relay that to Josef Kostan.
His stomach grumbled and thought he'd head to one of the nearby cafes for something to eat. The Commissioner would call him on his cell. Gathering his things, he left the mostly deserted office.
A half hour later, he was finishing a sandwich and ice tea, when his cell rang. Hoping it was the Commissioner, he answered quickly. "Hello?"
"Mr. Hemmings? This is Ben Talbot."
"Uh, yes what can I do for you?"
On the other end, he heard Ben chuckle. "I'm calling to see there's anything I can do for you. Josef asked me to be on standby."
"Oh, I see," Rob replied. "I think it will be all right. I've spoken to the State Police Commissioner and he said he would get Mr. St. John released. I'm waiting to hear back."
"That's great," Ben said. "You'll contact Josef when you hear anything?"
"Of course. He'll be the first to know. I'll be happy to call you as well."
"I'd appreciate it," Ben said. "Josef may not have mentioned it, but we have unlimited resources. If you need anything, just let me know."
"Yes I will," Rob said. Even though he knew Ben was a vampire, he had liked him when they met and he felt Ben was someone he could trust. They hung up, and Rob was contemplating going back to his office when his phone rang again.
He saw it was the Commissioner, and answered eagerly, "Yes?"
"Mr. District Attorney," the Commissioner said, somewhat pompously. Rob rolled his eyes and answered, "Yes, Commissioner?"
"I've found your missing investigator. He's at the Bakersfield police post. They haven't finished processing him through the system." There was a pause. "I called the post Captain and arranged for his release."
Relief swept over Rob. "Thank you, sir. when will he be out of custody?"
"Within the hour," the Commissioner said. "If he is so important, I'm sure he'll have transportation to take him out of our jurisdiction."
"Yes, it's been arranged. Thank you for your cooperation, my department is grateful."
"I've no doubt, Mr. District Attorney." The line went dead.
With a relieved sigh, Rob dialed Josef Kostan. The phone answered, "Kostan," with a bark.
"Mr. Kostan, this is Hemmings. I just spoke with the Commissioner of State Police and Mick will be released within the hour. He's at the Bakersfield police post. Do you know where that is?"
Josef said "Yes, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"Earlier, Ben Talbot called me and asked to let him know about Mr. St. John. Should I inform him?"
In a happier mood, Josef replied, "Yes, if you would. We need to get back to our wives as soon as we can."
"Of course. I hope they'll be all right after the recent incident."
Josef was surprised at his feeling of gratitude toward this human. Maybe too much of Mick was rubbing off on him. He said, "Your assistance is most appreciated, if we can be of help to you, please let me know."
On the other end, Rob's eyebrows went up. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
After hanging up, Josef instructed his security guard driver to go to the Bakersfield State Police Post. He had a 100 year-old single malt in the back of the limo to break out when he and his friend were on their way back to Los Angeles.
Mick was drawn out of his thoughts by footsteps. They came closer and he scented two humans. Stopping outside Mick's small cubicle, they unlocked the door. He felt they were disgruntled and wondered why.
"You're free to go."
He stood, but kept his indifferent manner. "I'm not being charged?"
"No," the trooper said with a disgusted expression. "I got a call and for some reason, you get a pass. Follow me."
They went to a caged-in desk where an officer pulled out an envelope that contained Mick's watch, cell phone, wedding ring and poured out the contents on the counter.
In a bored voice the man said, "Please check to make sure all your possessions are accounted for and sign here." A form was pushed toward him.
Mick saw everything was there and signed the form, gathering up his things. The other trooper let him to the lobby and waved at the door. Without waiting for a second invitation, Mick stepped out of the police post into the cooling dusk.
He walked away from the building, debating whether or not to hike up the road. Hearing a car, he turned. To his surprise, it was a long, black limo that pulled up next to him. The door opened and Josef's voice issued from the interior. "Get in, Mick."
Gratefully, Mick clambered into the welcoming darkness of the vehicle. The leather seats were a comfort after the hardness of the wooden bench of his cell. Turning to Josef, he said, "What took you so long?"
TBC
At least Mick is out of the clink, and they can see to the ladies. But now that Simone and Beth are safe, it might be time for revenge. I appreciate all who are still reading Moonlight and hope you are enjoying the story.