Afterglow, part nine (PG-13) - TEASER
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:37 pm
Title: Afterglow
Author: redwinter101
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight or any of its characters
Note: I had hoped to get chapter nine finished before the site move, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen now. So here's a little teaser in the meantime...
*******************************************************************************************************
--- Afterglow, part 9 ---
Previously:
"Because, Beth, whatever stones you've turned over, you've alerted someone to what we're up to. Carlyle changed his security when he got back to LA and that's what got Mick so badly injured. Carlyle knew we were coming and he was ready. Mick took six silver bullets and, if I'm honest, he nearly died. I'm not trying to scare you... What am I saying, I am trying to scare you in the hope that, for once, you'll listen to my advice and just stop." He waited for her response. "Beth? Are you still there?" He could hear her strained breathing, a strangled sob. "Beth, I'm sorry to be so brutal, but you have to understand what's at stake. You can't just steamroller through this. We have to quiet and careful."
*****************************
Beth winced at the squeak and crunch of fresh snow underfoot as she sidled into the alley. The snow was a mixed blessing, reflecting enough light from the heavy, sallow moon to ensure Pete could get some usable footage without night-vision, but to Beth's heightened senses, it announced her presence like a klaxon. Flattened against the humming brick of the rear of the Excelsior Hotel, heart pounding, adrenaline coursing, she peered through still-falling flakes to the third floor fire escape. She could barely make out Pete's dark-clad form, crouched, camera poised.
She checked her watch again, shielding the luminescent glow. 2:57am. If Carlyle were true to form, he would exit the hotel on the stroke of three o'clock. Beth could barely contain her anxiety as she moved deeper into the alley, desperate to see who would be waiting and what the purpose of this night's meeting would be. She craned her neck to peer round the final corner. The wide brim of the man's hat popped into view. Another inch, an arm, a gloved hand clutching a large envelope. One more step, a shoulder, the edge of a profile. She took one tiny step to the side to bring him into full focus just as the service door to the hotel swung open, spilling a pool of stark fluorescence into the moon-bathed alley. Carlyle, picked out in relief against the pale interior before the door swung shut behind him. A puff of his usual cigar smoke spiralled through the still air. A voice, too faint to make out, friendly, flowing with easy familiarity.
Another step forward. A glance up to Pete, intent, focused. She hoped he was getting this. Her jacket snagged against a rough shard of wall, drawing her attention as she pulled it free, a curse under her breath for the tiny tear.
She started to turn back.
Pete heard the clatter as her falling flashlight bounced against metal pipe.
That was all he heard, her scream stifled by the arm snaking round from behind, clamping across her throat, another hand to her mouth. She struggled, looked in vain to Pete for help, saw a flash of metal, heard the crash as his camera fell.
They never saw them coming.
Author: redwinter101
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight or any of its characters
Note: I had hoped to get chapter nine finished before the site move, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen now. So here's a little teaser in the meantime...
*******************************************************************************************************
--- Afterglow, part 9 ---
Previously:
"Because, Beth, whatever stones you've turned over, you've alerted someone to what we're up to. Carlyle changed his security when he got back to LA and that's what got Mick so badly injured. Carlyle knew we were coming and he was ready. Mick took six silver bullets and, if I'm honest, he nearly died. I'm not trying to scare you... What am I saying, I am trying to scare you in the hope that, for once, you'll listen to my advice and just stop." He waited for her response. "Beth? Are you still there?" He could hear her strained breathing, a strangled sob. "Beth, I'm sorry to be so brutal, but you have to understand what's at stake. You can't just steamroller through this. We have to quiet and careful."
*****************************
Beth winced at the squeak and crunch of fresh snow underfoot as she sidled into the alley. The snow was a mixed blessing, reflecting enough light from the heavy, sallow moon to ensure Pete could get some usable footage without night-vision, but to Beth's heightened senses, it announced her presence like a klaxon. Flattened against the humming brick of the rear of the Excelsior Hotel, heart pounding, adrenaline coursing, she peered through still-falling flakes to the third floor fire escape. She could barely make out Pete's dark-clad form, crouched, camera poised.
She checked her watch again, shielding the luminescent glow. 2:57am. If Carlyle were true to form, he would exit the hotel on the stroke of three o'clock. Beth could barely contain her anxiety as she moved deeper into the alley, desperate to see who would be waiting and what the purpose of this night's meeting would be. She craned her neck to peer round the final corner. The wide brim of the man's hat popped into view. Another inch, an arm, a gloved hand clutching a large envelope. One more step, a shoulder, the edge of a profile. She took one tiny step to the side to bring him into full focus just as the service door to the hotel swung open, spilling a pool of stark fluorescence into the moon-bathed alley. Carlyle, picked out in relief against the pale interior before the door swung shut behind him. A puff of his usual cigar smoke spiralled through the still air. A voice, too faint to make out, friendly, flowing with easy familiarity.
Another step forward. A glance up to Pete, intent, focused. She hoped he was getting this. Her jacket snagged against a rough shard of wall, drawing her attention as she pulled it free, a curse under her breath for the tiny tear.
She started to turn back.
Pete heard the clatter as her falling flashlight bounced against metal pipe.
That was all he heard, her scream stifled by the arm snaking round from behind, clamping across her throat, another hand to her mouth. She struggled, looked in vain to Pete for help, saw a flash of metal, heard the crash as his camera fell.
They never saw them coming.
You are such a TEASE!!! Now my curiosity has been piqued and it is going to fester and brew until we get the whole thing. 
I really am looking forward to the rest. I am scared crappless for Beth now 
Thank you Red! 
.
Woll!!! Delighted you found this story again! BTW, whenever I update, I also update my index, so I'm fairly easy to keep track of!!
<Beth
... now I also wanna read THAT fic...