A/N ... I appreciate the great response to the story. There are consequences to all of life's decisions. Examining the consequences of a seemingly innocent decision, what happens in part because of the decision will it change the future? Set as an A/U in the minutes, hours and days after Headhunters.
Alexis is not a screaming out of control emotional teenager. Throughout the show she has been wise and mature beyond her years. There are things yet to be learned about her knowledge of what her father's wishes are. They will come out in time.
If you do review, please do not give away plot points or surprises. There will likely be some. Thank you, for taking the time to write a review.
As always, I do not own the characters just taking them out for a spin. Reviews are encouraged and helpful. To the 135 plus who have alerted the story … Thank You.
Repost to fix a key mistake. I apologize.
~ Running ~
Chapter 7 of Consequences
Previously ...
"Code Blue, T.I.C.U. 214 … Dr. Davidson T.I.C.U. 214" The call is repeated for three minutes. Not only does the code team race to the room, the family rushes to be as close to Rick Castle as possible. All except Beckett, who can't take it any longer. She immediately leaves for the precinct, the one place she can still be in control. Her mind screaming at her to run, while her heart begs her to stay, her mind won.
The choice by Beckett to flee to her safety zone would prove to be bittersweet. Alexis, Martha, and the others all noticed and each had their own perspective. Minutes later, it would prove for the time being to be fortuitous, as Detective Ethan Slaughter showed up. He was unaware of the overall situation. Only learning an hour earlier of Castle's rush to the hospital, Slaughter came to make sure his "friend" with connections would still be able to testify at his review board hearing the next week.
Hospital Cafeteria
An hour later Captain Gates has been brought up to date on Castle's condition. She has met with Martha and Alexis. She is finally able to sit down over lunch with Esposito and Ryan. Jenny and Lanie stayed with Martha and Alexis in the private waiting room.
"Detectives, I met with the Chief of D's. He wants answers on this and so do I. Have you located Beckett yet?"
"Sir, I've tried, so has Ryan and Lanie. She's not answering."
"Ryan, when we finish lunch, you stay here with the family. Esposito and I will head to the Precinct. I sent uniforms to her apartment. They will report in soon. Ideas?"
"Esposito, Ryan can run a trace on her cell. It's on. She's just not taking calls."
"Okay. Esposito, I have the Techs working on pulling all video of Castle in the precinct going back to March 15th. Should I have them go back further? His behavior has been different for a while now, perhaps that may lead us to what happened."
"Sir, let's see what the video gives us. Castle was not around much in early March. He had that trip to California. Umm … Mrs. Rodgers wants to talk to Beckett as soon as we find her. She says it is important that Beckett hear it from her. Mrs. R won't tell me what it is, just something she knows, and well, Sir, permission to keep that off the record unless it proves to be related to Castle's assault and material information?" Esposito was skirting the edge of the truth. He truly did not know what Martha would say, though he knew what it was about. His nervousness could be explained by stress and lack of sleep. Gates decided to give him a little leeway and benefit of the doubt.
"Esposito, Ryan, I trust your judgment. For now, proceed with discretion. If whatever Mrs. Rodgers has to say is just something personal, then it can remain off the record. However, if it is in any way pertaining to an active case, report it immediately." Gates caught the brief flashes of concern and question in their eyes. They suspected something. She would have to keep a watchful handle on the investigation.
"I'm going to find Jenny and visit Castle. I should have Beckett's phone trace soon. Unless there is anything else?" Ryan, looks a bit anxious to leave Gates realizes. Another check falls into the "there is more than what they have told me" category.
"Ryan, thank Jenny for me, for the department. You have a wonderful wife. Esposito will let you know if you are needed at the precinct." Gates thinks back to the Chief of Ds comment. That it is okay to let the regular members know you care, respect them.
She wonders when she became so hardened that she had walled that off. Her thoughts drifted to Beckett and she recognizes the traits they share. Most of them good, but some, well, they were difficult.
"Ryan, find Beckett's location, I'll go get her." The message in Esposito's eyes is clear, they have to locate Kate. The partners shared their unspoken concern, their fear that Kate is in trouble. She had run off just like during the sniper case in the fall. Gates' phone rang while they were preparing to leave.
"Gates. Okay, keep checking once an hour until you hear from me or she shows up." … "Beckett's not at her apartment. No one at the precinct has seen her."
"We'll find her Captain. Ryan, half an hour?" The first part, a silent message to Gates that Esposito understands she is growing almost as scared as he is feeling. For Ryan, it was a message that they needed the trace now.
"Get to work. I have to go by One P.P. See you at the house. Call me immediately."
12th Precinct Homicide Bullpen
Meanwhile, after a hard pounding workout in the gym, Beckett arrives at her desk. The bullpen is amazingly quiet. There are many active cases, and the other teams are out running leads. She barely has time to get a cup of coffee when a young intern from the Tech Department walks in. Kate remembers him from a couple of weeks ago when she picked up her new laptop.
"Excuse me, mam? Is Captain Gates here?"
"I'm Detective Beckett. Captain Gates is not in. Can I help you?"
Glancing down at the authorized list, the young man is relieved to see her name. He is still unsure of being around police officers. Their authority is a bit intimidating. "Yes … ahhh … sorry. I have the video copies she requested. Oh, damn. Well, there are extra copies, but if you will sign here, I can leave them with you. It's evidence for the Castle investigation?" The lack of a case number confuses the intern. When Beckett signs the form, she understands it's not a case, but an official inquiry, so it is noted as Castle 3/15 to 4/19/2012.
Reading the description of what the discs contain, she is immediately thrown into the deep end. The discs have all the times Castle was in the precinct since March 15th. Beckett notices the form says five copies, thirteen DVDs. Remembering what the young man said, she checks. Sure enough, there are ten sets in the two boxes. Somehow, she feels the need to have a copy for herself. If Rick was here, he would call it her Spidey sense. She throws two of the extra DVD sets into her workout bag.
The disc marked 4/19 is the first she watches, in the solitude of the interrogation observation room. She looks through the list displayed and selects the video that ends the day. Telling herself that sometimes you really do need to know the end to the mystery before you read the first chapter. Fifteen minutes later, the tears are pouring down her face. Esposito finds her curled up in a corner, the video paused. Her face on the screen laughing at the hunched image of Castle in pain. Kate never hears his call to Lanie.
"Lanie, I found her. You need to come to interrogation ASAP. See you then." He sends Ryan and Gates a text. "I'm with her. She's okay." He's hoping they will leave it at that.
Lanie turns to Alexis, Martha, and Jenny, as she prepares the white lie and hopes they will understand. "Beckett and Javi need me at the precinct. We'll be back as soon as we take care of things." Alexis barely moves. A mumble seems to be an acknowledgement.
Lanie pulls her phone, and as soon as she clears the I.C.U. doors, she hits Ryan's speed dial.
"Go ahead Lanie."
"Kevin, are you still at the hospital and do you have your unit?"
"I'm just now heading to the precinct, pick you up at the ER entrance."
Two minutes later, Lanie was fastening her seatbelt as Kevin asks the two questions Lanie doesn't want to answer. "How bad is Castle really? What is this going to do to Kate?"
"Kevin, you need to prepare. We may well lose them both." She turns to stare out the passenger side window. Ryan accepts her need to be alone to think, to prepare. There is a robbery call close to the Precinct. After three patrol units and two detectives call in, Ryan joins the response. Lights and sirens will get them to the Precinct faster. When the other units' radio they are on the scene, suspect in custody, he keeps rolling, canceling the siren a block from the station.
Lanie is able to convince Kate to lay down in the overnight on call room. Twenty minutes later, exhaustion takes over and Beckett sleeps for the next three hours. It is somewhat peaceful. Lanie sits close by, reviewing the medical file sent over from the hospital. Captain Gates knocks and Lanie is quick to answer the door.
"How is she?"
"Exhausted of course, scared. You … well … Captain?" a gentle nudge for help.
"Doctor, off the record, until I can tell her myself. I've seen the way she looks at him. I also know things have been strained lately, with the team."
"Captain, she needs to be at the hospital. I hope to convince her to return as soon as she wakes up."
"You're quietly telling me that he's … it's that bad?"
"Yes, it may be. She needs to be there. If not, she will start thinking the worst. That distraction... "
"Let her know I need to see her. I need my best detective on a V.I.P. protective detail for what? The next five days?" A soft smile of confidence and a surprising twinkle appear as Gates sees Lanie's smile in return.
"Captain, why do you hide that side from us?"
"I'm starting to ask myself that. I need to go talk to Esposito and Ryan. Take care of her." A soft touch of her hand to Lanie's forearm, as Gates steps back to find Esposito. "Take care of yourself too Doctor." She turns and heads over to the Observation room. The door is open, and she saw the detectives enter just moments earlier.
Forty-five minutes later, she is hanging up from her call to the Chief of Detectives, having explained what was found. The clear evidence of Detective Slaughter assaulting Richard Castle.
"Esposito, Ryan, we have our work cut out for us. I know you want to visit Castle, so let's plan on meeting back here at 8:00. We will be preparing the written notification of suspension, pending a hearing in fifteen days. Slaughter will be facing officer misconduct and reckless behavior, among other charges. Chief of Ds insists its policy, not criminal. I disagree, but he is adamant. The Mayor agrees, says Castle would not want to hurt the NYPD?" Gate's is wondering if the Mayor should be speaking about what Castle would want, considering the circumstances.
"Sir, that's … " Ryan doesn't get the chance to finish as Esposito cuts him off.
"Wall of Blue, that's bullshit. Sir!" Esposito knows that this incident should not be protected by the silent wall thrown up to protect cops.
"When Castle wakes up, if he prefers to press charges, he will have the option."
"If he doesn't wake up. If he … " Esposito breaks down. He has lost brothers before, and the memories, along with the fresh one of Castle battered, fighting to live, is too much.
Lanie and Kate walk in on a scene they never imagined. Victoria Gates, consoling a distraught Javier Esposito, and a Kevin Ryan who is barely holding on. Beckett runs to her brothers. Lanie beats her to Javier. Gates welcomes the chance to take a breath. She watches them for a few minutes as she searches for the words.
"Kate, Javier, Kevin, I should apologize. I do apologize. I hope you understand how much I value all of you. Your crazy unorthodox team is special. I'm still trying to figure out Castle, but damn him, I can't help it, he's … "
"We know … infectious, addicting, irritating and loveable." The three teammates smiled and nearly laughed as they all said the same thing.
"Almost. You forgot helpful, effective, and how much better you are with him. I need to let him know I value his contributions, to cases, and to each of you. I haven't known you very long, but you are happier when he's around." She leaves out that she's seen them brooding the last few weeks. "Beckett, you need to take your laptop. Your primary assignment will be his protection for the next few days, until we know more about what happened."
"Yes, Sir. I can review the video." Kate's grateful to be free to be near him, but also needs to contribute to the investigation.
"Beckett, Captain, I think Ryan and I should review the video." Esposito is hoping it doesn't sound overly protective. He saw where the video was paused and knows Kate feels responsible.
"Javi, I'm okay. I know what you are thinking. I was just tired and it was a shock. I feel bad for not realizing he was injured. I didn't punch him. We all know there is more. I have to help." Strong, confident, kick ass with a hint of need sells her plea.
"Kate, promise if it starts to get to you, that you will stop. I don't think there will be much. We just need to look for changes in his body language. See what we missed. Ryan and I will review it as well. Lanie, you mind watching with Kate?" Kate hugs Esposito, Ryan and Lanie to show her agreement to the terms. It's a new side of Beckett, acceptance of those who care about her.
"I need to check on a few things. As your Captain, you are ordered to eat. Personally, I would be honored if you allow me to buy you dinner at Remy's."
Lanie speaks up. "Captain, Martha has the caterers preparing Italian. She insisted we all be there if possible. Oh, need to let uniforms know that any patrol is welcome to stop as well. Crazy woman told the caterers to feed everyone. Apparently they asked for a number, I think she said 500." The laughter is a little deeper as they realize that Castle has more in common with his mother than he admitted.
Gates left to take care of some housekeeping with the other squads. Daily paperwork she passes off to the acting Sergeant, making note of the vacant command position that needed addressing soon. She returned fifteen minutes later to find the team watching the video of Slaughter's punch.
"I need to show this to Dr. Davidson. I'm confident this punch is the blow that caused the liver and spleen damage. Still a lot to figure out. Can you make me a copy?"
"Lanie, we have five copies already, oh wait. Kevin, burn a copy. These are evidence." Kate starts to speak up, but Ryan is already putting a blank DVD in the machine.
"Sorry to interrupt. Dr. Parrish, we will need you here at 9:00 A.M. Slaughter will be given written notification of misconduct charges and suspended. Before we head to the hospital, I have something for each of you detectives."
Beckett, Esposito and Ryan are curious. Kate nibbles on her lower lip, while Esposito is ready to slap Ryan, who looks like a kid on Christmas morning. It's Kevin's nervousness about the unknown coming from Gates.
"A sealed copy is already in your personnel file, and per Roy Montgomery's instructions, there were copies sent by him to undisclosed recipients. Let me read you the letter Roy left."
"To: New Captain
12th Precinct Homicide Division, NYPD
From: Captain Roy Montgomery
12th Precinct Homicide Division, NYPD
Captain:
When you find this letter and the attached envelopes, I pray you have the decency to use this information wisely. I have already ordered sealed copies of these documents to be placed in the personnel files of Detectives Katherine Beckett, Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan. I have little doubt that I will not survive the day ahead, certainly not the night. Unfortunately, you may be part of the hornet's nest.
I have prepared for that possibility. In order to do so, I sent copies of the documents and other information to a number of people that I know I can trust. The copies included instructions to keep the information sealed, unless harm comes to the detectives, Richard Castle, or their families.
The recipients range from friends, to media, trusted colleagues, and even a few elected officials. All of them are fine upstanding people. If you are a puppet for the Dragon, be sure he knows of this. I may not have the information to bring him down, but if any harm comes to the detectives, Richard Castle or anyone close to them, it will trigger the fail safe. The corruption and crimes will come out. The dragon will be destroyed.
I pray that it will not come at the cost of any more innocent lives.
For my role in all of this, I can only offer my regrets and apologies. I tried to do things the right way once I was able to move beyond the terrible mistake I made. The attached documents and written orders to the detectives confirming the verbal orders given one hour ago are my final step in that process.
Please, take care of the detectives.
Sincerely,
Captain Roy Montgomery,
12th Precinct Homicide Division, NYPD"
"All of you are looking at me like you have no idea what he is talking about. Either you are bluffing, and I do not want to play poker with any of you, or he covered your butts. The orders are for an undercover ongoing investigation of corruption within the department. Specifically, it orders you not to disclose his involvement or that of John Raglan and Gary McAllister, or anyone, until you have the evidence to take to a grand jury. I do not know how he got this authorized, but our Commissioner, City Attorney, three Judges, the F.B.I., and the U.S. Attorney for New York approved the orders. In short, not reporting what you know was covered, immunity from prosecution … so what have you not told me about Montgomery's death?"
Beckett starts to speak, "Captain …"
After realizing the day has already been overwhelming for all of them, Gates decides to delay learning what was held back about Roy Montgomery's murder, "Wait, tell me tomorrow. We've all had enough for one day."
New tears, this time for the man they admired. Even now nearly a year after his death he was still protecting them. When they made their pact to keep his secret, to protect his name and pension, they were emotional and failed to think about the ramifications. Once Beckett was shot, the boys and Castle kept the silence. A big roll of the dice. Obstruction of Justice, Tampering with Evidence, and for the three detectives, Dereliction of Duty, were some of the possible felony charges.
Beckett asked with a simple one word implied question, a nervous one … "Sir?"
"We need to deal with Castle's case first. Though, I suspect that it may tie to whatever you have been secretly investigating. Tomorrow detectives. We will meet here at 9:00 A.M for Slaughter and then you will fill me in on this confidential investigation. Let's go see Mr. Castle."
Lennox Hill Trauma I.C.U.
Thirty-five minutes later they approach the Trauma I.C.U. Martha is consoling Paula and Gina, neither of whom remotely resemble the powerful poised professionals they are. Kate starts to feel nauseous and finds it difficult to breathe. "Lanie?"
As Kate whispered her name with her shaking voice, Lanie felt Kate's grip on her arm tighten. "Kate, let's take you back to the waiting room. You should probably eat first. You'll feel better."
For the second time that day, Alexis watches as Kate turns around and walks away. She wants to understand, but it hurts to see Kate refuse to visit, especially after she argued so Kate was allowed to visit.
For Alexis, the belief that her Dad had to be mistaken about Kate not loving him was starting to fall apart. She was not ready to give up on the love she thought they shared, but Kate needed to step up soon.
If you do review, please do not give away plot points or surprises. There will likely be some. Thank you, for taking the time to write a review.
