Authors Note: This story is a trilogy to Gemini and Orion. I have used plot points and characters that will overlap in this story, so if you have not read Gemini or Orion, you may be confused as to who Detectives McKenna, Johnson, and Caliver are. If you do not want to read, those three are basically antagonist characters who can be classified as jerks.
A big thank you goes out to my beta reader, Tanya Reed. I appreciate you looking over my story and giving me your feedback. Thank you.
I hope whomever reads this enjoys.
SYNOPSIS: Detective Jason Caliver was the number one homicide detective in Detroit, closing murder cases at a very fast rate, and putting people behind bars. He was transferred to work the 12th Precinct in New York City, where his cousin, Detective McKenna, also works, while Beckett was missing. When Detective Beckett returns, the Police Commissioner asks Caliver to stay in New York and become Beckett's partner, despite her and Castle's protest. It becomes evident that Beckett and Caliver do not mesh well working together.
Detective Caliver soon realizes that if he wants to be the number one homicide Detective in New York, he is going to have to take out his greatest competition, who doesn't believe that murder cases should fit in a box. He decides to take matters into his own hands, and begins to mess with Beckett's head, leading her to lose her badge.
With the help of Castle, Beckett begins to look into Caliver's life, leading the two of them to go on a road trip that put them both in a precarious position.
CHAPTER ONE
BECKETT pushed her back against the cornered wall, holding her gun close to her chest. The room was mostly dark and every so often, there would be flashes of light, allowing her to see who was coming and what lay ahead of her.
She kept herself perfectly still, and if her police training had taught her anything, it was the she had the perfect advantage spot. She could see out, but others could not see in.
She took a breath upon hearing two sets of distinct footsteps making their way towards her, and she put her finger on the trigger. When she no longer heard the footsteps coming, she jumped out of her hiding spot and quickly fired twice at her enemies. Their vests turned red in defeat.
"Game Over," An automated female voice said, as the lights in the lazer tag arena came back on. Beckett smiled triumphantly, realizing it was Caliver and McKenna that she had hit.
"Nice shot, Beckett," Esposito said, making his way down from another section of the arena, followed by a disgruntled Johnson.
"I can't believe we got taken out by a woman," McKenna said distastefully as he removed his vest and handed it to one of the employees on his way out.
"We could still win," Caliver reassured him, once the two teams of four had made their way into the lobby as they awaited the final tally count.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Castle said confidently. "I am, after all, an avid player."
Ryan nodded his head in agreement. "Castle's good."
The automated voice came back on over the inter-com. "The winner with the most kill-count is Team Heat."
"Yes!" Castle said excitedly as he gave his team mates a high hive all around. He looked over at his competition, Team Doom, which consisted of McKenna, Johnson, Caliver and a rookie cop that was placed on their team to even out the players. By the looks of it, the three detectives were giving the younger rookie a hard time for losing the game.
Beckett turned to Castle and said, "This was a good idea, Castle. Holding the police fundraiser here, I mean. Usually it's just a bunch of us gathering around a barbecue. Nothing this...fun."
Castle smiled at Beckett, then said, "I thought you might like it. And besides, since this is my first police fundraiser, I thought I'd make a suggestion and see if people would like to do it my way." He then got Ryan and Esposito's attention. "How about some beer and pizza to celebrate? "
"They serve beer here?" Ryan asked, a little skeptical.
"Well it is Adult Lazer Tag," Castle reminded. "And the food isn't bad at all."
Beckett just smiled and shook her head as she followed the three men in her life toward the dining area where all the other officers were now sitting. At first, when Castle suggested they hold the fundraiser here, she thought the idea was a little childish, but almost everyone in the Precinct had thought it was a brilliant idea - even Captain Montgomery was excited for it. In fact, there were more officers here than there had been at any of the other fundraisers. Castle was even generous enough to pay for everyone's food and drinks. Even though she thought she looked ridiculous in the blue coloured vest she put on, she had been surprised by how much she had gotten into the game...and how good she was at it.
"I must say, Castle sure knows how to throw a party," Esposito said as he and Beckett sat down at one of the tables that was slightly secluded from the rest, while Castle and Ryan went to get the food and drinks. "I overheard one of the officers say that we raised more then our targeted goal."
"That's Castle for you," Beckett said with a hint of admiration in her voice for all that he had done, not just for the Precinct, but for her as well.
Castle and Ryan made their way back to the table. Castle was holding a pizza box, and Ryan was holding four bottles of Rickard's White, which he placed on the table.
"I don't think your 'partner' is going to be happy with you," Castle said to Beckett, after he swallowed a bite of his pizza. "You did kind of go after him the whole game."
Beckett took a sip of her beer and just shrugged. "I was hoping he wouldn't notice."
The four of them simultaneously turned their heads to look over at the table where McKenna, Johnson, and Caliver were sitting. The three of them still didn't look happy about their loss, and they were probably trash-talking Team Heat. Having them become sore losers was ironic for Castle, considering the three male detectives were boasting how great they were at lazer tag before the game had started.
"Castle," Captain Montgomery's voice rang, causing the four of them to turn their attention away from 'Team Doom' and towards Montgomery. "Excellent turn out. Everyone is having a great time. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure, Captain. And what better way to pay all of you back for putting up with me these past two years than to show you my gratitude in a way that helps the NYPD?"
Beckett joked, "It's going to take a lot more than lazer tag, beer, and pizza to pay us back."
Castle only turned to her, with a smile matching her own.
"Well, I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the NYPD. The Police Commissioner is really happy."
"It was my pleasure, Captain," Castle said.
"I'll see you all tomorrow," Montgomery said before turning to leave.
Once Montgomery left to join the other police Captains from different Precincts, the four of them raised their beer bottles and toasted to a successful and fun night, all in thanks to Castle.
THE call had come in just after seven in the morning, giving Beckett barely an hour to get ready and be at the crime scene for eight. She cursed at herself for staying later then she wanted to at the lazer tag arena, but the four of them, with plenty of beer to go around, had gotten so engrossed with swapping funny stories. Between Esposito's time in the army, Ryan's days as a rookie, even her own experience as a rookie, and especially Castle's stories ranging from all times of his life, that they had plenty of stories to share with each other to the point where they were actually asked to leave (politely) by the Management. Now she was coffee-less and basically running on empty to a crime scene in the Upper East side of Manhattan.
"You're late, Detective," Caliver said once Beckett crossed the yellow tape that made the beautiful Brownstone home stand out from the rest on the block. There was already a group of civilians gathered behind the tape, gawking, before they had to make their way to work.
Beckett ignored Caliver and made her way into the house. She smiled at Esposito and Ryan, while envying the coffee they held in their hands.
"Beckett," Castle said, from the other side of the room. He held out a cup of coffee for her, and she took it gratefully. After she had a couple of gulps, she turned toward Esposito and Ryan, who were making their way towards them, and asked, "What do we got?"
"Three victims," Ryan began. "Two females, one male. Ranging in age from late twenties to early 30s." Ryan pointed over to the living room, where CSU was busy collecting evidence.
The four of them made their way into the living room where Beckett was able to get a good look at the bodies. She noticed the male had defensive marks on his arms, and that there was an awful lot of blood for a single gun shot wound.
Lanie looked up from the female body she was examining to call Beckett over.
"Cause of death?"
"All three of them were shot to death," Lanie said, and then looked down at the body she was examining. "This one was a through and through." She pointed to the two other victims. "Those two had their bullets carved out of them."
"That took a lot of work. Whoever did this really doesn't want to get caught," Castle said.
"News flash, writer, no one ever wants to get caught," Caliver said.
"I think what Castle is trying to say is that not a lot of people would go through all that trouble to collect bullets," Beckett added in Castle's defense.
"And it's not just that," Esposito said. "We combed the house and found two bottles of bleach that are empty. Whoever did this did their best to clean up."
"Do we have any ID?"
Ryan nodded. "The two females are sisters. Kristen and Dani Myles, with Kristen being the eldest, and this home belonging to her. The guy's name is Cameron Drew. Don't know his relation to the two sisters."
"Myles? Why do their names sound familiar?" Beckett asked.
"Their socialites," Castle responded. "Their father owns a very successful, and very pricey, private jet and chauffeur company, Myles High. I used their service a couple of times."
Beckett nodded her head, and then turned to Lanie again. "Any idea on the time of death?"
"I'd estimate anywhere from 10:00pm to 12:00am last night, judging from the rigor mortis and their liver temps."
"Thanks Lanie," Beckett said before looking at Castle. "I guess we should go notify the family."
"I don't think so," Caliver said. "That's not protocol."
"If you have a problem, you can sit this one out, Caliver," Beckett said.
"I'm your Partner, Katherine. Not him," Caliver reminded.
"Look if this is going to be a problem"- Castle began to say, but was interrupted by Beckett who put her hand up.
"The Police Commissioner may have twisted Captain Montgomery's arm into making you my partner, but the Mayor is the one that has allowed Castle to be here and sit in on our investigations, and the last time I checked, the Mayor has more authority. Castle is coming, whether you like it or not." With that, Beckett brushed past Caliver, Castle following behind her.
