Safe Loved and Wise: Always
Tyger In New York?
New York City dispatch patched in the homicide to the 12th precinct early Saturday morning. Detective Kate Beckett was woken up as per usual by her cell phone ringing. She shifted out of her fiancés arms and picked up her phone.
"Beckett. Yeah Espo. Yes I was asleep. We got a body. When is it not strange. You mean Castle strange? Great. Yeah we'll be there. Canvas the area, you know the drill. Yeah. Bye. "
She turned around and shook Castle awake." Rick, wake up we got a case. "
Castle opened his eyes." Already? "
Kate rolled her eyes." Yeah I wish murderers were more considerate as well. "She got out of bed. "You can stay a little longer while I shower."
He was instantly up. "I can't sleep without you."
She rolled her eyes again. "Don't be so dramatic." She looked to the bathroom and back at her cell. "Alright," She said smiling cheekily. "How about, since we're so rushed for time we think about the environment and save water."
Castle got out of bed in a heartbeat, considering he was only wearing his boxers Kate couldn't help but laugh. He came slowly close to her probably thinking he was stalking her like a predator which only caused her to laugh more.
"Do you mean my dear detective that we shower together?"
All Kate could do was nod." Well then, if it's you desire to see my strong lean body lathered up with soap under the spray of hot water then I will be happy to oblige."
Kate had stopped laughing when he started describing his body under the water. While not a GQ model Castle still had a very attractive body. The situation had become less funny and more sexually charged by the second.
She grabbed Castle's hand and dragged him into the bathroom. As a result they were half an hour late arriving at work.
Esposito had a knowing gleam in his eyes as they arrived; it probably had something to do with their still rosy cheeks from staying in the hot water too long. Beckett tried not to blush as she asked for details.
"What'd we got?"
"Victims name is Amy Winchester she's not from here, but on a business trip."
"Oh? Where is she from then? "
"Driver's license says Palms Springs, California. Ryan's running it now. "
"California. That's a long way from home. You contact Palms Springs PD."
"Yeah, they're okay with us running point for now just keep them in the know."
Esposito shifted a little nervously. Beckett caught it. "You said this was a strange one? What did you mean?"
"It's a serial Boss."
"A serial killer? How do you know?" She asked. She could actually feel Castle getting excited.
"It's better if you see for yourself. "
He led them into the building. It was an expensive hotel. They took the elevator up-to the seventh floor. The victim's room was 706.
Kate saw it as soon as she entered the room. There was a fireplace and over the mantle on the wall was a large and elaborate smiley face painted in what she assumed was the victim's blood. She couldn't take her eyes off the grotesque picture the killer had painted. She forced herself to look around for the body, she didn't have to look long. On the loveseat by the fire her body was laid down completely naked posed with both her hands on her chest as if in prayer. The woman was possibly in her mid-forties with brown curly hair. Her eyes were closed but what was done to her was even more grotesque than the smiley face. Her body was covered in numerous deep cuts made by a very sharp blade; the cutting was very precise no hesitation by a person who knew what he was doing.
She had been mutilated and her throat had been slit, the question was what was done first. Kate's eyes were irresistibly drawn to the sign on the wall once again. Before she could ask who the serial killer was Castle spoke from behind her.
"Red John." He said solemnly. She rarely heard that tone of voice coming from her fiancé and grew immediately concerned.
"You know who did this? How? "
"Well of course I don't know who Red John is, no one does but I know who kills like this, leaves a smiley face in the victim's blood and also paints the toe nails of his victims in their blood. This is Red John."
She turned to look at Amy's toes he was right they had been painted in the woman's blood.
"Castle's right this is Red Johns MO." said Esposito. "The problem is this is very far from where he operates he usually confines himself to California."
"So a copycat? Kate suggestedhopefully.
"No this is definitely him."
"How do you know?"
"I just got off the phone with Palms Springs PD. They just closed a homicide case that had the killer try to emulate a Red John murder. Apparently Red John considers himself an artist so hates anyone who tries to copy him. The guy's name was Linus Wagner. Amy Winchester, Wagner's ex-wife. "
Castle spoke up again. "Well that fits. Red John is easily offended. One time a fake psychic insulted him on national TV; he killed his wife and eight year old daughter as punishment. "
Kate closed her eyes momentarily as she imagined the cuts on Amy's body on an eight year old girl. She couldn't help but imagine the girl as a younger Alexis, it was enough to make her hurl; it was a good thing they didn't have time for breakfast this morning.
She turned to Castle. "How do you know so much about this Red John person?"
"Before I met you I was researching serial killers for my book and his name popped up more than once so I read up on him. He is not someone I would want to meet ever. "
Kate nodded and turned back to the body. It sounds just like what Castle would do. She shook her head. 'Researching serial killers.' She thought to herself, 'Only Castle.'
Ryan came in looking haggard. "Captain's here. Hey Beckett, Castle." He nodded at them.
Kate looked at him. "Captain Gates? Why would-"
She shut up as Captain Victoria Gates walked in the room. She looked once around the crime scene. "So it's true."
Kate blinked. "Sir?" She asked.
"I just got off the phone with a Virgil Minelli. He is the Director of operations of the California Bureau of Investigation, the CBI. He just informed me that we will be working this case in cooperation with them. The Red John case is in the hands of their Serious Crimes Unit and they are already on their way. "
As the team went to protest she put up a hand. "I know this is inconvenient but we have no choice and besides they know more about this killer that anyone else. They have been chasing him for years now. "
"Their team is comprised of Agents Rigsby, Cho, Van Pelt and Lisbon who is the head Agent and they will also have a consultant," She looked sardonically at Castle. "Patrick Jane." She smiled at that.
Kate spoke up. "But Capt-"
"I know this team personally. I had a situation a couple years back in Sacramento and they were in charge of the case; the only team that I have seen work as well as they do is yours Beckett. I mean that. Mr Jane is a good friend of mine. That being said I doubt you will take to him immediately he is shall we say an acquired taste." She said with a fond roll of her eyes.
Castle butted in. "Wait a minute. Patrick Jane? The Patrick Jane? The fake psychic who's wife and-"
"Daughter was killed by Red John yes. He stopped being a psychic and helps the CBI team catch murderers. I expect full cooperation from this unit. Agent Lisbon has already assured me that they understand that this is not their jurisdiction. She asked you to personally okay them to agree to their involvement. "
Beckett was stumped. She was used to other government agencies insisting on taking lead on her cases but since she was being asked for permission she didn't know what to do.
Castle nudged her. "Say yes" He whispered. She rolled her eyes at him; it was obvious what Gates wanted her to say. She couldn't say no even if she wanted to.
Kate nodded. "Sir I'm okay with this team taking part in our investigation but I wish for this to be an equal partnership. No hiding details and no classified or privileged information. "
Gates nodded. "Lisbon insisted on it. Full disclosure as long as this case is going on." She looked at her watch and back up. "Well they will be here in an hour to see the crime scene so you'll meet them then. I'll see you back at the office." She turned on her heels and left.
Kate turned to Esposito and Ryan. "You ever heard of the CBI?" They both shook their heads." Yeah me neither. Let's hope they play nice. "
She tugged on Castle's coat. "Come on we've got an hour to kill, let's go get our coffees."
Castle looked at his girlfriend in surprise. It was unusual for her to want to act unprofessional.
Kate looked furtively at Castle as they walked to the elevator. "This case gives me the creeps, coffee with you can help center me."
It was rare for Kate Beckett to ever show any form of weakness even to him. It was a huge leap forward if she was willing to admit that she was scared. He took her hand as the doors closed and didn't let it go until they reached the coffee shop. Kate didn't mind the contact one bit.
Half an hour later they saw a black SUV Park outside their crime scene building. A tall man in a black suit jumped out of the driver side and went on open the back hatch. From the back door facing the building climbed out a beautiful red head wearing a power suit her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Two more doors open and closed. The detectives standing in the front of the hotel waited to see who got out.
From behind the vehicle walked out two people; the first a short brunette, shorter than anyone else on the team, and yet from the way she carried herself it was clear that she bowed to no one if she could help it. Her shoes strangely enough were not to compensate for her lack of height, it was more for comfort. She walked in sync with a blonde man who wore a three piece suit complete with the vest and the jacket.
The brunette walked up to Beckett and offered her hand. She could tell that the woman was trying to muster up a smile but was at the moment a little troubled with something. "HI I'm Agent Teresa Lisbon this is Patrick Jane. Am I to understand that you are okay with the arrangements?"
Kate smiled. It was obvious that she knew what it was like for another agency to interfere with their case. She felt that giving these people a hard time without cause would be a little amateur of her. "Detective Kate Beckett," she said introducing herself. "These are Detectives Ryan and Esposito and this is my consultant Richard Castle."
They shook hands and Lisbon turned to call the others. "These are Agents Rigsby and Van Pelt. Agent Cho took the other SUV to the precinct to drop of our nanny and Harry."
Beckett blinked and Castle was the first to ask. "Nanny?"
Jane and Lisbon looked at each other. "Looks like Minelli forgot to mention some things." said Jane.
Lisbon looked a little nervously at them." We usually try to warn the cops that we help that Jane and I are a married couple, like to get that out of the way."
Castle and Beckett looked at each other and then at the couple in front of them in complete surprise.
"We also have a two year old son who comes along with us when we have an out of town case. We assure you that we try to be as professional as possible in our methods and we don't let our personal matters dictate our behavior at work. "
Jane was at this time looking at Beckett and Castle's reactions. He put his hand on Lisbon's shoulder." Save your breath love you're preaching to the choir. These two are a couple too am I correct? "
Kate and Rick looked at each other once again and back at Jane. Castle knew Kate would be a little reluctant to say it so he spoke up. "Yes we are. How did you know? "
Jane nodded. "Yes engaged to be marred if I'm not mistaken." Lisbon was in the meantime running their interactions in her head.
She turned to Jane. "I can't believe I missed that. This Red John case is messing up with my concentration; they are a couple they can barely stand apart from each other. "
Jane spoke to Kate this time." So I gather you won't have any problems with us working with you? "
She shook her head. "It's fine. We try to keep our interaction as professional as possible. "
"Jane? Why don't you and Mr Castle here lead us to the crime scene?" She turned to Kate." if that is okay with you?"
Kate nodded. "It's fine. If you run your unit the way I run mine, you don't like to be too formal with them. So as long as you don't order them around you can ask them to help you in anyway. "
Jane and Castle started walking side by side in front of Lisbon and Beckett. The girls clearly heard Jane say to Castle. "She is making you take me so she can explain my emotional state to the lovely Detective."
"Jane stop winding him up," Lisbon said from behind them."Mr Castle please don't let him get to you, if he harasses you tell me and I'll take care of it."
Jane turned to Lisbon. "Love Mr Castle is the last person I would want to harass. We're kindred spirits, we are. Both devoted to fighting crime alongside beautiful female law enforcement agents. Both with the good sense to make both beautiful women fall in love with us. Both non-violent people. I could go on."
"Yeah don't, and stop trying to make Detective Beckett blush, you succeeded the first time." She turned to an indeed crimson Beckett. "I'm sorry about him he is just a little worked up about Red John I can usually get him to behave better."
"No its fine." She turned to Jane. "Thank you Mr Jane for your compliment, you're not what I expected."
Jane smiled back at her. "I never am, Detective Beckett."
Beckett shook her head. "Just Beckett is fine. "
Kate was intrigued by this character Patrick Jane. She was not one to blush at compliments but perhaps it was the obvious devotion to his wife in his eyes or the matter of fact way that he said it but she couldn't help but feel appreciative of his praise.
Jane tapped Castle's shoulder. "Let's give the girls a little time eh. I really need some tea could you take me to the nearest place I can find some."
Castle nodded and looked to Beckett. "Yeah it's fine," she said, and sent them on their way.
Lisbon and Beckett looked at each other for a moment. Lisbon broke the ice. "I really hope you're being sincere about allowing us to help with the case. I know it can be frustrating."
Beckett smiled at the woman. "I was skeptical at first but seeing as you're not all over us for jurisdiction and claiming the body and everything I think I can give you the benefit of the doubt."
Lisbon grinned. "My husband's sweet talking didn't hurt I would imagine."
Kate grinned back a little self-consciously. "No it didn't. He's…something else," she looked apologetically at Lisbon. "Castle told me what happened with him, I imagine it must be tough for him."
Lisbon's mouth thinned a little at the reminder. "It is, used to be a lot more difficult before we got married. I like to think I help him through it. He claims to believe he would be lost without me." She shook herself free of her thoughts. "He is going to be a little difficult at times; I can handle him at those times so it will be under control."
Kate nodded. "Okay, I'll leave him to you then."
They rode the elevator up to the seventh floor and waited for the boys to arrive, which they did five minutes later holding two paper cups in each of their hands. Castle handed one of the cups to Beckett and Jane handed one of his to Lisbon. The girls thanked them for the drinks.
Lisbon turned to Jane. "You ready?"
Jane nodded solemnly and entered the room ahead of everyone else. Everything was as it had been before, Jane didn't glance at the sign on the wall. Instead he went over to the body which had been covered by a crime scene tarp.
Lisbon stopped everyone at the entrance wanting to give Jane time to look.
Jane peeled of the plastic to reveal Amy's mutilated body. He looked at the systematic cuts along her collarbone the neat single slash to her throat, the obvious thin but deep cuts that was made by a carpet knife, the painted toe nails and then he looked up at the sign painted with Amy's blood.
He looked back at Lisbon. "It's him." The emotion in his eyes always hit Lisbon when Red John killed again. But this time there could be no doubt even to the two who did not know him to understand the magnitude of the situation.
Lisbon let out the breath she was holding. "Okay. Okay." She whipped out her phone and called Cho. "Cho you're done? Yeah it's him. No Jane's sure. I don't know. Listen have Minelli provide Captain Gates with the Red John files. Make sure they get everything. After that come up here and secure the area. You know which questions to ask. Have Van Pelt check all the cameras around the crime scene, I know it's a long shot but he is out of his comfort zone maybe he didn't account for something. Yeah fine, tell Nicole we'll be there soon. Thanks ." She cut the line and looked at Jane.
"You okay? "
Jane looked into his wife's eyes. She knew he wasn't okay but a long time ago in some sort of unspoken understanding they had agreed that those two words meant all the things they couldn't say to each other at work.
He nodded. "Yeah I'm good." He looked at Beckett. "I'm done here you can wrap up your crime scene now."
"Our crime scene," said Beckett." I understand the circumstances Mr Jane. I know when a case gets personal, not anywhere near what you have experienced but I will not deny you your involvement in this case."
Jane nodded. "Thank you." He looked at Lisbon." Let's go love, I need to see Harry."
Lisbon nodded. "Yeah me too." She thanked Castle and Beckett for their understanding and left with Jane.
When the elevator doors closed Jane pulled Lisbon in holding her tight she hugged him back knowing he needed the contact to ground him. She soothed him as much as she could. From the outside Jane seemed normal, unflappable but Lisbon knew he was screaming on the inside and she knew that at this time he needed her the most. Not the CBI Agent Lisbon or even the mother of his child. Right now he needed her, Teresa Lisbon-Jane his wife and that was what she was going to be for him, professionalism be damned.
The Jane's and the soon to be Castle's arrived at the twelfth almost together. Castle and Beckett met them in the lobby and led them to the elevators. As they ascended Kate asked a question that had been bugging her ever since they met.
"Teresa, umm may I call you Teresa?" Lisbon nodded her approval. "Well you said that you take your three year old son with you on out of town cases. Isn't that dangerous I mean he is just a little boy. "
Lisbon nodded but Jane hastened to answer. He didn't want anyone thinking that his wife was in any way a bad mother. "Ever since my family was murdered I have been in Red Johns cross hairs. I understand that if I didn't actively pursue him for revenge then he may not care what I do but I believe that my family deserves justice."
Beckett knew a thing or two about vengeance and she felt his pain.
"I was prepared to die for my family. My thoughts were that if I died while avenging my wife and child then I had served my penance for getting them killed."
He looked to Lisbon with obvious affection. "What I didn't count on was Agent Teresa Lisbon entering my life. It all happened so fast that I still don't believe how we got here. I had never imagined that I would fall in love again after Angela. And because of my history I never thought anyone could ever love me again. Teresa here proved me wrong on both counts and then we had Harry and the deal was sealed. As foolish as it might have been for me to start a family with a serial killer after me, I could never bring myself to regret marrying Lisbon or having Harry. But that doesn't change reality, Red John has gone out of his way to contact and let me know that he means no ill will towards my new family, but I'm hardly going to trust the word of the man who mutilated my family because I insulted him. So we keep Harry near us at all times. We figured what's safer than the CBI where we can keep an eye on him and when we're out in the field then the guys can watch him. The nanny is new though; he is growing so fast that he needs constant supervision."
Kate watched Patrick Jane look down at Teresa Lisbon with a look that she saw directed towards her every day; it was only when looking from outside that she realized what it was. Devotion. It was clear that his family was everything to him. The words he had spoken in regards to his family struck a chord in her, he had unknowingly mentioned many of the doubts she had everyday about her engagement and even her relationship with Castle; Was it smart to be involved with him when she was putting him straight in the crosshairs of William Bracken? Marrying him? Wanting to start a family? When she had this target painted on her back? But looking at Jane and Lisbon and what he said she realized that he was right; she could never regret falling for Castle or saying yes to him. She was stronger with him than without and she wasn't going to be frightened by 'what ifs'. She smiled at the hugging couple across them in the elevator and took Castles hand in hers; she silently said that familiar mantra that she remembered whenever things got tough for them. She looked into his vibrant blue eyes and thought to herself both as an acknowledgement and as a promise. 'Always'.