SCENE SEVEN
Scene opens as the previous scene ended. Captain Victoria Gates, Agent Will Sorenson, and Detectives Kevin Ryan, Javier Esposito, Tom Demming are in the conference room, waiting to hear what Richard Castle has to say. Kate Beckett is sitting next to Castle, arms crossed, with an amused look on her face.
Castle takes a deep breath and looks from Esposito to Ryan.
Castle:
Remember the first year that I was here, there was that string of jewelry heists and home invasions?
Esposito and Ryan nod.
Castle:
The thieves didn't get their information from a sponsor list. They went to the charity events that all the donors would be at, and that's how we caught them. (He smiles.) We just have to do that again.
Esposito smirks at Castle.
Esposito:
What? You gonna get in a tux, and Beckett'll be in the leftovers of a dress again?
Demming and Sorenson both raise their eyebrows, evidently curious. Beckett crosses her arms and frowns at Esposito. Castle smiles, slightly amused, and continues what he was saying.
Castle:
Not exactly. But there is going to be a campaign party on Senator Jones's behalf, hosted by his cousin Mark Jones at his home in Queens. It's just an afternoon tea, nothing too formal – but every New Yorker close to his campaign is going to be there.
Gates raises an eyebrow.
Gates:
And how exactly do you know this?
Castle:
Because I was invited.
Gates frowns. Castle gives a little shrug.
Castle:
Well, I'm a friend of the Mayor's, and he appreciates my support. (Beat.) Of course, looks like I might have to decline, seeing as I'm under Precinct-arrest.
Castle glances towards Gates, who glares back at him.
Gates:
And rightfully so. (She glances towards Esposito and Ryan.) All right, see what we can find out about the guests at this party.
Beckett smirks.
Beckett:
That's not going to work.
Gates raises an eyebrow.
Gates:
Excuse me?
Castle and Beckett exchange looks. Castle takes a deep breath, puts his hands on the table, and looks at Gates.
Castle:
That party is invitation-only. Not to mention, the place is going to be filled with VIPs: celebrities, politicians, businessmen, even judges. No one is going to give a bunch of cops the clearance to freely investigate – especially not for a murder charge.
Gates frowns.
Gates:
Then what, Mr. Castle, are you suggesting?
Castle:
It looks like I'm the only one invited, so really, I am the only one who can go.
Gates:
And let me guess: you want to take Beckett with you.
Castle shrugs slightly.
Castle:
Well, I can't exactly go to these kinds of things alone.
Beckett nods.
Beckett:
He would need some backup.
Castle glances at Beckett.
Castle:
Not to mention – the scandal if I showed up without a date?
Beckett smirks.
Beckett:
Like what? Your mother might set you up again?
Castle frowns. He opens his mouth to argue with Beckett when Gates interrupts them.
Gates (sternly):
Focus, you two.
Castle and Beckett snap their attention back to Gates. Both of them bow their heads slightly, trying not to aggravate Gates anymore. Gates takes a deep breath. Her eyebrows crease, as though she's thinking about something. After a moment, Gates shakes her head.
Gates:
No. I still can't allow you two to go to this campaign party. It's too risky.
Castle leans back in his chair and shrugs.
Castle:
Then I guess we're stuck.
Gates frown.
Gates:
And there's no chance any of us – (She gestures to the cops in the room) – can get in?
Castle shakes his head. He glances at Beckett, who is evidently amused but tries not to show it to Gates. Beckett turns to Gates and shrugs.
Beckett:
I'm sorry, sir, but our hands are tied.
Gates frowns. She glares at Beckett for a moment, who smiles back sweetly. Gates then storms out of the conference room without a word. After Gates leaves, Ryan turns towards Beckett with a mixed look of awe and concern.
Ryan:
You really got her going now.
Beckett:
What's she going to do? Take my badge? Arrest me? (She smirks.) Too late for that.
Esposito looks behind him, checking to see if Gates is within earshot, before turning to Beckett.
Esposito:
You know, if you think this campaign party'll help solve the case, then just leave Gates to us. We'll distract her. You and Castle can sneak out of the Precinct and go.
Beckett:
Thanks, Esposito. (She looks out the door of the conference room and smiles.) But I don't think we'll need to.
Esposito turns around to look out the door as well. Gates walks back into the conference room, still annoyed, with a couple of small objects in her hand. She walks up to the table and drops the objects – a badge and an ID card – in front of Beckett and Castle.
Gates:
I'm putting you both on the case. Officially.
Beckett sits up in her chair and takes the badge. Next to Beckett, Castle takes the ID card. Castle, reading the description on the ID card, becomes absolutely giddy. Beckett, however, clenches the badge tightly in her hand and keeps looking forward at Gates.
Camera shifts to Gates, who has her arms crossed and is looking very serious.
Gates:
Because if we're going to do this, then we're doing it my way. (Beat.) You put those on, you join this investigation, then you report to me. Understand?
Castle and Beckett (simultaneously):
Understood.
Gates:
You better. You two go to that campaign party and find everything you can on Randall Jones's connection to the case. The rest of the team will be waiting on standby. Everyone is to keep communication lines open – if you find anything, make sure to inform the rest of the team as soon as possible. Are we clear?
Gates glances around the room. The rest of the team nods. Seeing this, Gates smiles slightly in approval.
Gates:
Good. Now get to work.
Gates leaves the conference room. Once Gates leaves, Beckett and Castle smile mischievously at each other.
Castle:
Looks like it worked. (He holds up the ID card, which reads "NYPD CIVILIAN INVESTIGATOR: RICHARD CASTLE.") I even got an official ID out of it. Finally.
Beckett smiles.
Beckett:
Seemed about time.
Castle nods and starts bragging about his ID to the rest of the team. His voice gets muted with time, as Beckett gets distracted and turns away from Castle.
Beckett looks down at the badge she's holding in her hand and traces the numbers written on it. Camera zooms in to show that it is Beckett's old badge. Beckett smiles slightly before clipping her badge to the inside of her jacket. Once it is secure, Beckett looks back up. Camera shows Beckett looking forward, calm and in control of the situation, her eyes burning bright with determination.
End scene.