Continuing on with the News on Castle and Beckett. Spoilers for 8x22 Crossfire and earlier season 8 episodes are contained within.

Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters are the property of Andrew W. Marlowe and ABC television. All others are the product of my imagination. Any resemblance with any person, living or dead is purely coincidental.

All mistakes are mine. I have no beta for my story.

"Good afternoon, I am Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Toomey. With me today is District Attorney for the State of New York, Ms. Marion Whitehead. Also with me is Ms. Angela Green, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joseph Williams, the New York Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, NYPD Deputy Chief Victoria Gates and NYPD Captain, Katherine Beckett of the 12th Precinct."

"Today the Office of the Attorney General is announcing the unsealing of an indictment charging a total of eleven defendants with committing various narcotics and firearms offenses as part of an organization known as "LOCSAT" operating in New York City and the surrounding boroughs."

"These defendants allegedly pumped large quantities of heroin primarily into the streets of New York City. Those who traffic in these dangerous drugs destroy communities and fuel a cycle of drug-induced violence. Working with our partners at the FBI, ATF, and the NYPD, we seek to stamp out this type of drug trade."

"These defendants also allegedly conspired to commit murder and committed murder of multiple individuals including the late, former Senator William Bracken. These defendants allegedly committed fraud and money laundering. The defendants allegedly used these fraudulently obtained moneys to set up a political action committee slush fund, known as 'Future Forward', to fund select candidates for public office in the express purpose of hiding their criminal activities."

"We are also charging two of the defendants with the additional counts of kidnaping and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and a NYPD civilian consultant."

"We believe the formal arrests today will make a significant dent in the heroin drug trade that has been plaguing New York City. The actions of the FBI, the ATF, and the NYPD should also serve as a warning to others that we will continue the fight to keep our streets safe. If other groups or criminal organizations choose to fill the void left behind today, we will be there to protect the law abiding citizens of New York City."

"I want to praise the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, ATF and the NYPD. Without the cooperation of these dedicated law enforcement organizations, we would not be standing here."

"While the US Attorney's office is filing federal charges against these defendants, and some of the evidence was collected by the FBI and the ATF, the NYPD was the leader in collecting evidence of the alleged "LOCSAT" criminal organization given that much of the activity occurred in their jurisdiction. Captain Beckett and her NYPD team at the 12th precinct was the lead law enforcement unit collecting that evidence."

"At this time we will entertain questions."

"Mr. Toomey, when do you think this will go to trial and how long do you expect it to last?"

"That is the presiding judge's determination. However, given the amount of evidence we have and the statements by some of the defendants, we do not expect to go to trial until the fall. Also, it is expected to last into next year."

"Mr. Toomey, will all the defendants be tried at once?"

"Again, that is up to the presiding judge. I would hope that one combined trial would be his decision."

"Mr. Toomey, when were the defendants taken into custody?"

"The evening of Monday, May 17th."

"Was that at the time of that massive raid on a midtown office building?"

"Yes, it was."

"Captain Beckett, reports say that members of the 12th precinct were part of that raid. Can you confirm that?"

"Yes. About a dozen uniformed and plain clothes NYPD members were part of that raid."

"Captain Beckett, were you part of that raid?"

"I was in the building at the time, yes."

"Were you taking part in that raid?"

"Actually, no."

"Captain Beckett, were you the law enforcement officer that was being kidnapped? And the person or persons in the LocSat organization attempted murder?"

"Yes."

"Were members of the 12th attempting your rescue?"

"No. They were attempting to rescue the kidnapped NYPD civilian consultant from the alleged defendants."

"Captain Beckett, who is the civilian consultant?"

"Richard Castle."

"Was Richard Castle part of the investigation?"

"He consulted with members of the 12th precinct and made suggestions for paths of the investigation."

"Captain Beckett, is this investigation in anyway related to Mr. Castle's and your shooting the morning after that raid?"

"Yes, documents seized during the raid indicate that the assailant, Mr. Caleb Brown, was part of the LocSat organization."

"Deputy Chief Gates, is it normal for a civilian consultant to be working on such a high profile case?"

"No. Not usually. In fact this is rather unusual. But, with that let me further explain. I was formerly the Captain of the 12th precinct. At the beginning of my tenure as Captain of the 12th I was not a fan of Mr. Castle's involvement in the 12th homicide operations, but, the twelfth's homicide case closure rate speaks for itself. Mr. Castle has proven that he is a capable investigator and an integral part of the homicide division of the 12th precinct."

"Captain Beckett, I notice your arm is in a sling. How is your recovery?"

"The doctors have indicated that my recovery is progressing well, but not as fast as I would like. But they expect a full recovery on my part."

"And Mr. Castle?"

"His recovery is progressing also, but slowly. His wound was more serious than mine. And he doesn't like the physical therapy or physical torture as he calls it."

"Captain Beckett, Mr. Castle is a best-selling author and your husband, isn't he? Will he be able to continue writing? Is another book forthcoming?"

"Yes, he is a best-selling author and my husband. He does plan to continue writing once his recovery is complete. He is chomping at the bit to write again. As you can imagine, this case has inspired a number of ideas for his books, so yes, I expect another book from my husband in the future."

"Captain Beckett, will you continue to serve in the NYPD?"

"That is somewhat up to Chief Gates and the Commissioner. I am currently on medical leave. My future with the NYPD has not been discussed. I am here because Assistant US Attorney Toomey specifically requested me to come and I thank him for allowing me to be here to represent the NYPD and specifically the 12th precinct."

"Any other questions? Then thank you for your time."

A/N: I used a press release from the office of United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York as a basis for this press conference.

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