Penthouse Prison
Author's Note: Takes place sometime earlier in season 3
Detective Kate Beckett rubbed the back of her neck, trying unsuccessfully to ease the stress of four solid days of an incredibly challenging case with only a few hours of sleep each night on the break room sofa thrown in when she could. It didn't help that Castle was out of town on a book tour. He would have brought her food, made her go home and sleep in her own bed, or whatever else she needed.
Okay, she admitted it. She had missed him. But, she and her team had solved the case, so once she finished and turned in this last file, she was planning on grabbing some Italian and a bottle of wine on the way home and sleeping at least ten hours.
"Beckett, there's a double at 151 West 54th. Get down there!"
"But Sir!"
"Is there a problem, Detective?" Captain Montgomery asked pointedly.
She knew that look, and arguing with a superior officer, especially one who was obviously in a bad mood, was never a good idea.
"No Sir, I'm headed over there now." She tried to push the thought of the creamy carbonara she had planned to splurge on out of her mind and headed toward the stairs only stopping when she ran full force into a familiar face.
"Castle? I thought you weren't back until next week?"
The author stepped back and surreptitiously scanned his partner for damage, then smiled in greeting. "I, uh, wrapped it up early. What's going on?"
"We have a murder in Midtown, did you just get in?"
"Yes, I thought I'd see if anyone wanted to grab dinner but I'm up for a crime scene instead."
"Well, let's go."
Castle turned to follow Kate and smiled. He loved it when a plan came together.
-o-o-o-o-
"Detective Beckett?" A clean-cut man in a dark suit greeted the pair as they walked into the lobby of the posh boutique hotel.
Beckett showed her badge and gave a brief smile to the man. "And you are?"
"John McAdams, Manager on Duty, at your service. Come right this way."
Castle and Beckett followed him to the bank of elevators but once they entered the privacy of the elevator cab, Mr. McAdams shared, "We've done our best to keep our guests unaware of the goings on in the suite."
Kate smiled politely, too mentally and physically exhausted for anything more. Though, that did explain the lack of uniforms. It was unusual not to see them all over the lobby and corridors, particularly with two bodies.
"Right this way," the manager encouraged, after opening the door to the suite.
As usual, Kate walked into the scene first, but before she noticed the bodies, she was entranced by the view from the wide expanse of 12-foot high windows that made up two full walls of the living area of the suite. The décor of the room featured tan and cream fabrics, drapery and rugs, all very upscale compared to her usual surroundings.
She ran a hand over her face, trying to get herself mentally geared for the murder scene. Yes it's beautiful, but you're here for work, not wishful thinking. She looked into the first door on the right, which was a bedroom, but there was no activity or bodies. The bathroom in the hall with its enormous walk in shower also was clean.
At the end of the hall must be the master bedroom, she assumed, but after a quick peek into that room's adjoining bathroom, she realized they must be in the wrong suite.
"Mr. McAdams—"
But Mr. McAdams was leaving, and she was pretty sure she just witnessed Castle tipping the man multiple bills.
She watched as Castle, who did not look in the least guilty, turned to shut and lock the doors.
"There aren't any bodies here, Castle," she said warily, heading toward the door herself since he didn't seem to be moving.
Castle caught her at the door. "Yes, there are. There's your body, that's one. And my body, that's two. These two bodies will be staying in this room for the next 48 hours with no interruptions."
"What about the case?"
"There is no case, Kate. Here," he said, handing her a small envelope.
She read the brief note written in the Captain's distinctive scroll. Rest! That's an order!
"So you're holding me against my will?"
"No, I'm making sure you get some sleep, food, and relaxation, not necessarily in that order."
"Okay," she mumbled and let her body fall into the sofa that faced the windows and the incredible view.
"Okay?"
"I'm too tired to argue. Did you order food?"
"Yes, it will be here in a few minutes."
She nestled her head back into the sofa cushions. "Wake me when it gets here. I'll wait to kill you until after we eat.
To be continued…
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