Thanks to everyone that has reviewed, favorited and/or followed this story. It means a lot! So, without further delay, I give you chapter Four…
Chapter Four - Missing
The next day, Kate was back at work bright and early, energized and determined to find something that they had overlooked. The morning sun peeked in through the windows of the precinct, long after she had arrived and taken her place at the murder board. Time and again, she played out the scene in her head. She reviewed each bit of information on the board, trying to look for any connection that they might have previously overlooked. This is how Ryan and Esposito found her when they arrived.
"Oh no, she's gone all "beautiful mind" on us again!" Kevin exclaimed in mirth, loudly enough for Beckett to hear.
"No, but I figure since the two of you are sleeping in late and generally lost, that somebody had to do all the heavy lifting." Kate joked back, as the boys traded amused looks with the senior detective.
Curiosity got the best of Javi. "So, what ya got?"
Kate said, "Nothing new, but we have to be able to put the pieces together from what we know and the witness statements. Something we've overlooked, maybe. So, let's go through it again. The trio started again from the beginning. Leann and her cameraman set up for a live shot. She teased the grumbling cameraman, promising the next bit to be a piece on Brazilian runway models. Leann said 'roger that', then removed her earpiece and began the broadcast. At the same time Bobby was sneaking around looking for easy pockets to pick. He ran into Andrew Hayes, who was harassing the crowd of protestors. He took his phone with ease, faking an accidental collision. They both continued on with their business. Bobby then spotted another opportunity - a backpack just sitting there. So, he snapped it up, not knowing the contents.
"So the protest organizer, Jessie Friedman tried to stop him, but Bobby took off and he grabbed a guy in a black sweatshirt, thinking it's Bobby," Ryan supplied, to keep the momentum going.
"Right, but it's Andrew Haynes, instead." Kate answered. She thought a bit more, then added, "So Bobby decides to lose the backpack and keeps running, and manages to bump into the women, knocking the coffee out of one's hand, and the drummer sees the action."
Espo, caught up in the discussion, supplied, "Jessie was frantically trying to get a hold of the trigger man, to stop the explosion since the bag was in the middle of a crowd. He tried to call, but the phone was off, and then the explosion goes off in front of him."
Ryan is wracking his brain, trying to think of a new angle. "So who is the person on the other end of the call?"
"Obviously the same person he called to tell them it was good to go." Kate supplied.
Thinking for a second, Kate's face lit up as she spoke. "I know who did it!"
Hard work and general determination eventually paid off for the team of detectives. Leann West was arrested and taken into custody by the FBI. The shocked look on the reporter's face when her throw away cell and remote detonator had been found was classic - she was caught and no manner of deflection was going to help her now. Her greed and ambition led her to kill five people who were innocently in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Once the prisoner was booked and transferred to the FBI, Captain Gates called everyone into a group to thank them all for their hard work. Standing in the middle of the bullpen, Gates offered, "The officers and detectives at the Twelfth showed their dedication to finding justice for the victims and their families." Turning slightly to face Kate, Captain Gates continued, "Such drive for justice could never be upheld or appreciated by those who aren't cops. I am proud of each and every one of you here today." She then told them all to head home and get some much needed rest, and spend time with those closest to them.
Kate knew that the pointed comment about dedication was aimed directly to her about Castle. She could feel her hackles rising. This will be wonderful fuel for Gates to use to try and fight Castle's presence in her precinct.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Gates called her name. "Detective, a word, please?"
Kate followed her into her office. Gates began immediately. "Detective Beckett, first off, let me say a personal thank you to you and your team for heading up our side of the investigation. Your leadership helped break this case wide open. There will be a commendation from the Mayor's office for you, personally, Detective. I'll let you know when it will be."
"Thank you, Sir. That's not really necess.." Kate began, until Gates interrupted, her hand raised to stop the junior cop's deflection.
"Nothing of the sort, Detective. You, Esposito and Ryan put in quite a few hours on this case. As a thank you, I want you and the team to pack up and take the rest of the week off. I don't want to see you until next Monday." Gates instructed, then added, "And if Mr. Castle is done with his writing by then, tell him that I am disappointed in his lack of participation. All hands on deck should have included him, as well."
"Thank you. Sir, about Castle..." Kate began, to be interrupted.
"I don't want to talk about Mr. Castle any further. Go home, Detective. That's an order." Gates stated, her raised eyebrow projecting a semi-stern look on her face.
Walking back to her desk, Kate collected her things, shared Gates' instructions with her team and then left. She decided to head to the morgue and say hi to Lanie before going home, since she hadn't seen much of her friend in the past few days. Stepping through the doors of the morgue, there was no one in the exam area, the cold stainless tables sitting unoccupied in the middle of the room. She could hear stirring in the next room, and before she could move any closer to the sound, she was slightly startled when Alexis entered the room. The young woman looked so eager to please in her crisp scrubs, her red hair pulled back and so intent on whatever was on the clipboard she was holding, she did not see the detective standing there in front of her.
"Alexis? What are you doing here?" Kate asked, seeing her here was like a breath of relief. If something were wrong with Castle, she wouldn't be here.
The redheaded girl startled at her name. No one was supposed to be in the exam area, and so she wasn't expecting to hear her name called. "Oh! Detective Beckett, sorry you startled me."
Kate studied her expression before speaking, looking for any signs of trouble. She found only slight fatigue. "Sorry," She apologized, "I was looking for your father. Is he at home?"
Alexis furrowed her brow at the woman as she replied, "Isn't he with you?"
Kate shook her head as she responded, "No, he's not been here for over 3 days."
"What?" Alexis asked, her face full of confusion. "How can that be?"
Kate was confused, as well. "Haven't you seen him?" Kate felt that this was quite odd-he wouldn't just not talk to his daughter.
Alexis shook her head, then spoke, "No, I was staying over at a friend's house, trying to decompress from all this for the last couple of days. I'm supposed to be home when I'm off this afternoon, though." As she spoke, she pulled out her cell and dialed, waiting for a response. Identical to Kate, she got voice mail immediately. At the tone, she stated, "Dad, call me. Detective Beckett and I are looking for you. Call me, please?"
Kate could see the concern on the young woman's face, and heard her reply, "I need to go home and see what's going on, but I'm the only one here right now, and I have to catalog these items today."
"I'll go." Kate heard her voice make the offer. "I'll talk to your grandmother, and look around. I can let you know what's happening, alright?"
The young woman's face had a small glimmer of relief spilling over it. "Thank you, Detective."
"It's Kate, ok? You can call me Kate." The detective offered as she touched the teen's arm for comfort. "I'll be in touch soon."
Alexis did not respond, save for a small smile. If anyone could get to her dad, it would be Kate Beckett.
Kate had tried multiple calls and texts, none were returned. The case kept her and the boys so wrapped up, that they had no time to check on him. But he was at the precinct, and left on his own accord. However, that didn't stop the guilt she began to feel rise up in her gut. The thought filled her head - I should have made the time...
Her thoughts were so rapid, so direct, What was it that he wanted to talk to her about? The way he was acting, he seemed so passionate, so intent. Perhaps he was going to tell her again that he loved her? She needed to speak with him, and tell him everything, finally. It took a lot of work on her part both alone and with Dr. Burke, but now she was ready. If only she could tell him.
She was determined to speak with him, and get to the bottom of this. She had to fix things that were long broken, and inwardly, she knew there was no more time to put it off.
But she had to find him first!
To be continued in the next chapter….
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