BEEP…. BEEP…. BEEP…. BEEP…. The incessant noise was enough to rouse Kate from her exhausted state. Uhh, what now? She groped blindly for her cell in the dark, prolonging the moment when she would have to open her eyes.
"Hello?" She spoke into the mouthpiece.
"Detective Beckett, please respond to a homicide at 4300 Jefferson St. Apt. Suite #305." Oh God, Castle.
"I'm on my way. Any word on who the victim is?" She replied crisply.
"Negative. All we know so far is it's a white Caucasian male, late 30's to early 40's." Oh God, oh no. Please no.
"Understood. Stand by till I get there." She was too scared to say more. She flipped her cell shut and jumped out of bed. With lightning speed she got ready and was out the door in less than 5 minutes. Her thoughts went back to a few hours ago….
"So what are your plans for this lovely Friday night Beckett?" Castle queried as they were leaving the office.
"I've got a date." Kate replied with an impish grin playing across her face. He turned quickly, surprise evident in his features. He got his face under control before she noticed the look of hurt.
"R..Really? Wh..Who with?" He asked, waiting for the worst. She laughed lightly, enjoying the way he assumed the worst.
"With my two best friends, rocky road and lifetime. What about you?" He looked relieved for a moment, then answered,
"I got a call from an old acquaintance who wanted to catch up. It was weird actually. He sounded off."
"Off? Do you know him that well? What do you think he wants?"
"Not well, no. He was an informant a while back. And I don't know; guess I'll find out, huh? See you tomorrow." He replied, leaving with a little wave and that trademark smile of his.
Now it was echoing in her mind over and over, 'He sounded off….guess I'll find out…..see you tomorrow…see you tomorrow….see you…' No, she wouldn't go there. Best to just wait and see. She turned the engine over and peeled out of her parking spot, breaking protocol for the first time and running the sirens all the way to his apartment.
Tires squealing, siren blaring, Kate blew onto Jefferson street and double parked, killing the sirens but leaving the lights flashing. Attaching her badge to her belt so she wouldn't be stopped by uniforms, Kate walked up to the building, running into Esposito and Ryan on the way in. Knowing the situation, they remained silent, knowing that talking wouldn't help the situation any.
DING. The elevator announced their arrival with a loudness that seemed inappropriate considering why they were there. As the doors slid open, they revealed a scene from one of Kate's nightmares. CSU were walking around and in the middle of the madness were Alexis and Martha with one of NYPD's finest trying his best to calm them. Martha looked catatonic and Alexis could barely communicate, so heavy were her sobs of despair. Hearing the elevator, Alexis looked up. When she saw Kate she shouted out and ran to her, throwing her arms around her. Not allowing herself to comprehend what the situation said, Kate asked Alexis.
"Alexis, I need you to tell me what happened. Where's Cas...Where's your dad?" Fearing for the worst, she tried to prepare herself. Alexis clung to Kate as if she was her lifeline, and amid choked sobs, she uttered,
"Inside. Th...The police officer won't let me see him. They won't tell me what's going on. What's happening? Where's dad!" Reaching near hysteria, Alexis broke down. Shutting down for the moment, Kate did her best to comfort Alexis, but knew that she couldn't put it off forever. Letting the officer coax Alexis back to Martha, Kate walked to the open door, her feet feeling like they were in molasses. Pausing in the open doorway, Kate looked up and saw blood.