Rick was on the phone with his best poker pal Bob the Mayor of NYC.
"Hey Big Cheese!" Rick said.
"Rickie is that you?" Bob replied.
"Yes it is I. I'm back from the hills of Afghanistan" Rick replied.
"So you found the acid killer then I take it" Bob said he was always interested in Rick's exploits.
"Yeah my old knees are not used to chasing a rat down a cave complex! Suffice it to say I was on my knees several times" Rick related.
"So you cornered the rat and brought him to justice?" Bob asked expectantly.
"Well cornered but then the cave in buried the guy so I guess he did not see the light of day" Rick said.
"So I take this is not just a social call" Bob said,
"I suppose not. If you have not heard by now but My Daughter Alexis's roommate was brutally murdered last night. And I want in on this investigation" Rick said.
"Ok Rickie I'll pave the way. Since you are back, Poker on the 14th?" Bob asked.
"Yeah that sounds good poker on the 14th. I will alert the old players. I might want to bring to the table some new blood too! You can never tell" Rick replied.
"Fine Rickie I will arrange you to meet Victoria Gates. She is the Captain of the 12th now!" Bob said.
"Really old Montgomery retired?" Rick asked.
"No and Yes. He retired Rick but he is no longer with us" Bob solemnly said.
What happened?
"He was shot in the head. Detective Miller from the 17th was told by New Jersey PD it was random gang violence!" Bob said.
"Poor Evelyn! I need to see her since I got back! I need to see if she needs anything. Roy was a good partner! I am so sad to learn of his death. When did it happen?" Rick said.
"In New Jersey of all places! About year ago, just after you left!" Bob said.
"In New Jersey? I thought he swore he would never venture on the other side of the Hudson!" Rick exclaimed.
"Yeah me too! I guess he ventured too far from home!" Bob said.
"I guess so anyway Thanks for this favor." Rick said.
"What favor? NYPD needs you Rickie! It will be like old times!" Bob said.
/
"Agnes get me Chief of Detectives!" Bob said.
"Hey Tim this is Bob! Listen we need help on that serial killer case the 12th is working on so I got me a ringer! Rick Castle is interested in lending a hand!" Bob said.
"Rickie? Why?" Tim Abaron asked.
"Who knows with him? His rep of solving every case is enough! Don't you think?" Bob leaned on him.
"Ok if it is good enough reason for you then it is fine with me" Tim said. "I'll call Vickie to tell her to expect him and me" Tim said.
\\\\\
Victoria Gates was one to never giggle but when she heard the news of her favorite Author who had sterling crime fighting credentials too was just too much! She even looked in the mirror to see if she was looking professional enough for this most welcomed addition.
"Mr. Castle welcome to the 12th I am Captain Victoria Gates I am delighted to meet you." She said out loud practicing her line over and over in front of the mirror which hung in her office.
Kate after having a terrible night sleeping got up and got ready for the day. There was a murderer to catch and feeling sorry for herself would not cut it. Kate took a shower and got dressed and headed to the precinct. It was 5 am getting to the Precinct Sgt Peters was at the desk. She smiled as she flashed her badge and Peters acknowledge her. She got in the creaky elevator to take her to the 4th floor. Her mind was racing on the several dead bodies this serial killer has claimed already. 4th floor opened up and she headed directly to the break room to make coffee lots of coffee. Her brain was just too sluggish without that magical elixir. She looked over the ME report while waiting for the old coffee machine to dispense that most needed of fluids.
The coffee machine was old and not putting out very good coffee. Why did I not wait an hour to get some good coffee? Kate pondered. Finally the machine did its job and Kate got the most welcoming of sights a cup of Mud! Kate took a drink of the bitter brew but shuddered at the taste but the taste was not important what was important was trying to find the key to all 4 murders. Kate having coffee cup in hand went to her desk and turned her chair to face all four whiteboards. This man had a type. Blonde Hair Blue eyes, all College kids Kate faced each victim individually.
Susan Blake age 19 from Mount home Id. Sister to 3 other siblings. Under Scholarship at NYU History major. Parent James and Ida Blake. James a roofing contractor. Ida a stay at home mom. First time away from home. Boyfriend Eric Hammon. A College senior. Major Electrical Engineering. Lived in the Dorm. Surveillance cameras showed no intruder. Strangled in the Dorm room. She must have known the victim. Kate thought.
Next Victim Erica Strong from Elkhart Age 19. Sister to 4 other siblings. Under scholarship at Hudson University History Major. Parents Kent and Jane Strong. Kent a Unemployed plumber. Now working as a checkout for a fast food place. Mother Jane Scientist. Employed by Genetech. First time away from Home. Boy friend Eric Dancer Junior, Anthropology Major. Lived in the Dorm, Surveillance cameras show no intruder. Strangled in the Dorm room.
Next Victim Mary Ester from Dalhart Tx. Age 19. Sister to 3 other siblings. Under scholarship at City College of New York. And MOMA Played the violin. Parents None. Both Dead. Car Crash with a of Kin Paternal Grand parents. Irving and Marjorie Ester. Living in a Apt on south east side. Strangled in the apt. No surveillance in the building and open access.
Now the last Victim. Rebecca Case from Milton, Mississippi. Age 19. Sister to 4 other siblings. Under scholarship for Columbia undeclared major. Parents Art and Eunice Art owns a successful Tire Company Eunice stay at home mom. Boyfriend Eric Small Junior, History major. Lived in Dorm Room Surveillance Cameras show no intruder.
Kate looked at each picture trying to focus on the similarities which there were many. Small town girl alone in the big city. All have Boyfriend named Eric, Under scholarship. Have many siblings. The killer is known to all victims. They welcome him into the Dorm willingly, Crime scenes pretty much the same. Struggle and victim strangled. Kate was deep in thought when the rest of her squad came in.
Javier Esposito was the first to appear. It looks like he had his late night rendezvous after all. Kate thought. Hickey on neck Lanie was a biter by the looks of him. He had a very slovenly look like he did not have time to get a change of clothes. Well good for him Kate thought.
Next was Ann Hastings the Rookie she was looking very sharp and well rested. She grimaced at the taste of the bitter brew and sat down at her Desk.
Last of her Crew was Kevin Ryan married to Jenny has a kid on the way. Good guy and very sharp dresser. Kate now turned her attention to her Captain's office. Her Captain was now Victoria Gates came from IA. Tough but fair enough for Kate's tastes. By the book veteran of NYPD recently added. Her old Boss Roy Montgomery she loved like a father brutally murdered in New Jersey. Random Gang Violence attributed to that Great man. Too many people were gone. Her Mother brutally murdered with random gang violence too. No do not go there Kate warned herself! That way was the way of madness and she could not afford another trip down that rabbit hole.
Kate noticed the Chief of Detectives in her office and someone else. She knew that build she just saw it last night. No it can not be Kate thought.
\\\\\
Victoria Gates was in her office at 7 am she noticed her head detective doing what she always does stare for hours at the pictures of the victims. It was an unusual way for a detective to work but she did have a darn high closure rate. So the Captain allowed this unconventional method to continue. Her thoughts were broken when there was a knock at the door.
"Come In" Victoria said trying her best to look professional.
The door opened and Chief of Detectives Tim Abaron and a Man which Needed no introduction since Vickie had everyone of his books! The Veteran of NYPD and a Pulitzer Prize winning Columnist too.
"Mr. Castle Thank You for Coming I am Victoria Gates Captain. I want to welcome you to the 12th. Your reputation precedes you. I am glad to have your expertise on this case. I need you to sign some forms then I will get you acquainted with the rest of the team." Victoria said trying her best to keep her fangirl locked away.
Tim now left the room several eyes tracked his progress across the Precinct.
"Hey Bro what is up?" Ryan asked.
"Was that the Chief of Detectives?" Espo asked.
Yeah Man and did you see who he had with him? Ryan asked.
Yeah Man its Little AC's old man! What is he doing here? Was he not in Afghanistan or something? Espo said.
Ann Now added to the conversation. "That person, guys is Richard Castle. He has caught over 104 criminals all around the world." Ann gushed. She had been studying his techniques. If she wanted to be the best detective she could be why not study from the best!
"Yeah the old timers say he could solve most cases in about half a day. His closure rate has never been surpassed and that was what 20 years ago? That was before modern techniques too" Ryan added.
"Ok people we all know the stories but the Man is not a crime solving god. So get back to work" Kate snapped.
The conversation was ended Espo was going over the financials and finding nothing to link any of the victims.
"Beckett the financials are clean. They were just kids with bright futures and then this guy comes along and snuffs it out." Espo said.
Kate was frustrated all their promising leads were heading nowhere fast. The press was having a field day and NYPD's rep while not that good was suffering.
"Detective Beckett a word" Came from the powerful voice of her Captain.
"Yes Sir. I will be right with you" Kate said while the rest of the crew tried to look busy no one wanted the Captain's attention.
Kate got up and used a cleansing breath to steady her nerves then she knocked on the door.
"Come In Detective" Gates said while seated. Kate entered the room seated was her Captain and in the corner filling out all paper work was one Richard Castle.
"Detective Beckett Meet your new Partner. Richard Castle." Gates stated.
Rick rose and placed his hand out.
"Mr. Castle has graciously agreed to assist on this case with your serial killer. You will afford him all courtesies of the NYPD. Am I understood Detective." Gates said with a menacing voice.
"Yes Sir." Kate said with butterflies growing in her stomach. Kate had never seen her Captain smile but she did when her "new partner" rose to leave the room. Kate shook her head as she was dismissed Rick trailing her like a long lost puppy. Wondering why Kate did not shake his hand.
"I would like to see the evidence and You might want your crimelab to look at this" Rick said.
It was the missing Cell Phone.
"How did you get this?" Kate asked accusingly. He had brought in the lead which might break this case open.
"It was slipped into my overcoat when I was attending to the victim. The perp must have been in the room with me" Rick said.
"Ryan! Get this over to the Crime Lab quick!" Kate barked.
Ryan rose from his chair and looked at Little AC's father with cross eyes. How could he abandon his child to go on these "adventures" Ryan would never do that to his child when that child arrived. Of course Ryan wouldn't ever leave NYPD either which this man in front of him did too! Ryan just did not like him.
"Right away Boss" Ryan took the phone and took it to the CSU techs in their own building. Getting to the CSU building he handed it off to a CSU tech in trace.
\\\\\
"Here this phone is a rush job. The Mayor wants this case solved pronto!" Ryan said.
"Ok Ok hold on. Fill out the forms you know the drill" The CSU tech said. "So is it true the brass brought in the big guns on this case?"
"What do you mean?" Ryan asked.
"I mean they brought in the only legend of NYPD history!" The Tech gushed.
"Yeah he is here" Ryan acknowledged glumly.
"You do not seem too excited in working with a legend" The tech observed.
"Well it is not just that I think he has been a lousy father to his daughter who I know very well. I just don't trust him that is all. He is nothing but a glory hound!" Ryan said
"Yeah but a Glory hound which gets results I will get right on this and you should get an email from me later today." The CSU tech said.
"Great at least that will get the Boss off my case!" Ryan said as he left the CSU to discover what he could on the phone.
\\\\\
Back at the precinct there was no desk so maintenance brought up a standard issue gov't chair and placed it next to Kate's desk. Rick looked at the object disdainfully. Then he sat down and observed the different white boards.
He noticed that one victim was an artist she played the violin. His daughter did too. It was ages since he heard her play though.
"Detective did you notice that one victim was an artist?" Rick innocently asked.
"Yeah? what of it?" Kate said dismissively.
"Well it was something my darling daughter told me about your 4th victim. She thought of herself as an artist too. She was taking random pictures and creating different collages. So I am wondering were the other two victims also Artists? Since you do not have that information on your board" Rick said.
Kate yelled at Esposito who interviewed the people closest around them.
"Espo your notes any one say that either of these other two victims were artists?" Kate asked.
"Becks I will have to look over my notes hold on" Espo said.
"Another similarity I have noticed was they were all on scholarship. How was that arranged?" Rick asked.
"Hastings did you follow the scholarship angle?" Kate asked.
"No Detective I did not I believe Detective Ryan was doing that." Ann replied.
'Great and he is gone I guess we will have to wait on that line of inquire until he comes back" Kate said.
Kate was thinking. He just sat down and has already given two separate lines of inquire! Maybe his rep is deserved.
Rick was observing the head detective and noticed her coffee cup was empty.
"Detective I am going to get some coffee would you like me to get you some too?" Rick politely asked pointing at the empty cup.
"Yeah fine I like mine with 2 sugars and Vanilla flavoring which is labeled in the refrigerator" Kate said.
"Good to Know" Rick said filing away into his brain under things Kate likes.
Rick entered the break room and looked at the sad device which was supposed to dispense coffee. Rick was appalled. This would not Do! Since he was working here these hardworking men and women Need better than this he thought.
Rick got on his phone to Larry. He serviced coffee machines and sold them too.
"Hey Larry Rick here I need your top of the line espresso machine right away! Deliver it to the 12th precinct 4th floor break room! I want it installed today if you can! You can? Great! I will be waiting! Good see you then Larry!" Rick hung up the phone content that better coffee was soon on its way.
Rick brought the coffee back to the waiting detective.
"Here you go thick as Mississippi Mud!" Rick said handing the coffee cup to Kate's eager hands. Their fingers just brushed and electricity between them was off the charts. Kate jerked back as if she was burned. Luckily Rick had not let go of the cup so it was not all on the floor. Rick surmised if it did get on the floor it would eat through it.
Rick was scared of the taste but he had had worst in Africa. That was barely coffee!
Rick seated left her cup on the desk then he sat and took a sip!
"This is a cross between a Monkey Pee and Battery Acid" Rick grimaced "Good thing there is a coffee shop around the corner."
"This is terrible I am going to get good coffee" Rick said as he rose. "Would anyone else like better coffee?" Rick questioned.
Rick was given at least 15 orders. He was busily writing down each and every one' orders to his phone. Then he sent a text to the Coffee Lady who owned the store. Grace another of Rick's myriad of contacts sent a text back the coffees were ready. So with 3 other volunteers Rick traipsed to the coffee shop.
"Rickie Castle I do declare!" The lady behind the counter was a short African American with light complexion and a big smile and hugged the author.
"Grace doing well I see!" Rick said with a smile on his face.
"Well thank to you Rickie! You see the place has grown!" Grace said enthusiastically.
"Indeed it has" Rick admired.
"So Rickie, Are you back for awhile or you're still under that wanderlust spell?" Grace asked.
"I am back for good I think Grace so you will be seeing more of me. Now what about a bear claw! I think a certain detective might just enjoy that!" Rick said.
"Your daughter will enjoy seeing more of you too!" Grace said.
Paying for the 15 coffees and one Bear claw Rick exited the shop and returned to the precinct. Ryan had arrived and was busy looking at his notes to see if he followed the lead on the scholarship angle.
Ryan was ashamed there was nothing in his notes on that at all.
"Er Beckett I have nothing! I guess that did not occur to me So Sorry." Ryan said.
"Well get on it right away" Kate stated.
"We need to know how the money was allocated and whether there was a central clearinghouse for such things" Rick said.
Ryan grumbled to Espo "He's been here only 50 Mins and he thinks he runs the place!"
"Detective your coffee and a Bear Claw I figured you were that kind of gal" Rick placed on her desk he certainly did not want a repeat over what happened earlier.
What kind of gal Castle? Kate narrowed her eyes at him.
Rick gulped he did not want to make the wrong impression.
"The kind of person who would enjoy a sweet pastry I figured you to like Apples so Viola a Bear Claw" Rick demonstrated again how perceptive he was of her.
"Oh Thanks Castle" Kate said with thoughts of stroking his broad chest with her hand Then straddling him and riding him like a rented mule! Kate shook her head! She needed to get laid! It has been way too long!
"Try the coffee I hope you like it!" Rick said he noticed the detective undressing him with her eyes.
Kate took a sip! It was the best coffee she had ever tasted and it was perfect!
Kate moaned when the coffee hit her palette. Rick was so entranced by that sound. He wanted to be the one to make her do that again and again.