So I know I started a similar story elsewhere but people can forget about that one – I've lost all interest in it. Hopefully my tiny attention span will work better on this one.
Would love any feedback.
One
She was drowsily watching the hourly news bulletin on one of the TV stations when the call came through. They'd had a tough day on a case and when Gates had told them to go home at around 4 o'clock no one had argued.
Castle had given Alexis a call to see where she was. Her hopes had dropped slightly when she heard him say he'd meet her in half an hour. She had hoped she might have been able to convince him to come for a drink with her so they could talk. Their relationship had been strained over the last few weeks and she knew she needed to fix that as soon as possible if she wanted him to remain in her life.
He'd bid them all goodnight quite amicably but the usual warmth that radiated from his eyes when he looked at her was missing. 'Goodnight Castle,' she'd said softly before stalling her exit in order to avoid an awkward elevator ride.
Now she was sat at home. Lanie had been suspiciously busy when she'd called soon after Castle had left and her detective side couldn't help but think that she and Espo were back on but not telling anybody. She smirked to herself. Maybe that was the way to have a relationship in this job.
She groaned loudly when she heard the phone but her interest was more than piqued when she saw Gates number show up on it rather than Ryan or Esposito's. She answered it in her usual professional tone.
"Detective Beckett, I know I gave you the evening off but you might want to get over here'" the Captain said in a brusque tone. In the background Beckett could hear sirens and shouting.
"Why? What's going on?"
"Arson case. But firemen found a body on the top floor and we're investigating." Beckett couldn't help noticing how jittery the captain sounded on the phone.
"Ok. What's the address?" she said, picking up a nearby pen and scrap of paper. She was ready to write when she realised Gates hadn't said anything.
"Sir? The address?" she asked, a cold feeling creeping through her stomach now. Iron Gates was calculating, she barked orders. What the hell had spooked her? If it was something to do with her mother's case she would have said it straight out. She was about to ask again for the address when Gates replied quickly.
"Broome Street. Get here quick." With that she hung up and Beckett felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She swallowed hard. The address, and the fact that Gates had been so reluctant to talk on the phone was all the confirmation she needed.
The building on fire was Castle's.