Chapter 7 Hour of the Tiger

Sunday

Sunday at the 12th

The Team was feeling pleased with themselves, they had verified that 12 out of the 14 murders of the weekly for life lottery winners had been committed by a professional. They were still awaiting call backs for the other two. It had only taken Ryan an hour to discover that the Lottery Commission's Chief Accountant, Jeff Allen, had a niece that Mr. McHenry had pleaded out. Everything was coming into place. Since the Lottery Commission was closed today, Kate had decided to wait until tomorrow and ask Captain Gates help on getting the warrant.

It had been a lazy day for Castle. He had gotten up way after Kate had left, dressed got his walk in, and when the words wouldn't come stated watching football.

When Kate walked into the Loft she noticed that the Loft smelled like roast beef and Castle was asleep on the couch with football on the TV. Moving quietly into the bedroom she stowed her hardware and changed into her house clothes. Tiptoeing by Castle again, Kate went into the kitchen. There she discovered beef and beans in the crock pot with rice in the cooker and a huge bowl of salad in the fridge, along with another bowl of chopped pecans, raisins, cherries, cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Heavy or light he didn't know which way I wanted to go, so he made both, I love a man who knows his way around the kitchen thought Kate not for the first time.

After a couple of minutes of gentle kisses and tickling his nose with her hair Kate knew she was being played, but it was a game she loved to play. When Castle gently captured her, Kate sweetly surrendered and a memory was born.

Castle had to admit that waking up to kisses from Kate was unlike anything he had ever experienced, and the dinner 'after' never tasted so sweet. After dinner Castle wrangled the dishes into the dishwasher while his BG took her bath. Rendezvousing later at the couch Castle read his journals and Kate her book while the TV played some meaningless shows.

With a snort, Castle shot awake, that would make a great story!

Castle turned his head and saw Kate sprawled out across the bed and smiled. A top-ten at least, thought Castle, sleep well love. Castle picked his clothes up from the floor, and tiptoed out of the bedroom.

The clock said 3:33 AM, Hour of the Tiger; Castle yawned, stretched, turned off the computer, turned off the light, grabbed his phone and headed toward the bedroom. That was some seriously great stuff, thought Castle. What was that the front door? When the door opened the security chain prevented it from moving further, Castle speed texted 911 to Kate and moved silently toward the door. When the door opened the second time, Castle texted FT DOOR to Kate again. There was a bright flash of light and the chain fell away.

Castle waited till the gunman was fully in the room, roared "Kate" and pounced. He managed to get one swing in before the intruder pistol whipped him. Staying on his feet he managed to get both of his hands on the gunman's right hand, the gun hand and forced it toward the ceiling. Castle heard the spit of the gun and felt the assailant try for a leg reap him but only managed to kick him in the calf.

Kate heard the phone buzz, reached for it, saw it was from Castle and paused, "why would he?" '911' Turning she grabbed her weapon and sprang to the door.

Castle was in a losing position and he knew it. His adversary was letting Castle restrain his gun hand while he punched and kicked Rick. Castle was slowly losing his grip and ability to control the gun. Time, if I can hold on and give Kate time she will take the shot.

When Kate entered the room she saw Castle grappling with an intruder. Castle had neutralized the gun, but was being pummeled by his opponent. "NYPD drop your weapon," shouted Kate. Maintain your distance, her training reminded her. Opportunities will present themselves be ready, her mind whispered. "NYPD drop your weapon," shouted Kate again.

A kick in the solar plexus brought Castle's head down, the assailant followed up with a blow to the back of his head. As Castle fell he let go of his attacker's gun hand. He watched in slow motion as the gun barrel slowly tracked down toward him and he heard four terrifying explosions. He watched as the gunman bounced off the wall and slide down.

An eternity later he watched Kate come over, kick the intruder's weapon away, check his pulse then sit down on the floor with her head bowed. Castle crawled over and hugged his wife from behind, "You had to Kate," he whispered.

"I know." A long moment later, "Give me your phone, I need to call this in."

"Dispatch, this is Detective Beckett, there has been an officer involved shooting at the Loft. I will need an Incident Response Team and the Coroner. You know the drill. I will call my Captain."

"Kate, before you call Captain Gates please do me a small favor. Put some clothes on."

"Katherine dear," chimed in Martha, "Richard is right you are not properly dressed to receive company."

A blushing Kate realized the state of her undress, and started to laugh hysterically. When she looked at Castle she stopped. "Dispatch Detective Beckett again an update to the incident, a civilian was hurt please send the EMTs."

Helping Castle up and to his normal seat at the countertop Kate said, "Martha could you get some ice for Castle, and perhaps start some coffee, we are going to have a lot of cops over soon, while I get decent and call Captain Gates."

"Sure."

"Captain Gates? Detective Beckett I just shot and killed an intruder at the Loft…. Yes Sir I have called Dispatch and have requested an Incident Team. … Yes Sir I sure he came to kill us. He had a silenced Glock 20. The weapon is the caliber as the weapon used on the other two murders. "

When Dr. Parrish got the call she bolted upright in fear. "What! Say again the address. ….Javier," she yelled while speed dialing Kate, "there's a dead body at the Loft!" "Kate, thank God, you ok?...Castle?... I'll be right over."

"Take your time," replied Kate, "The body isn't going anywhere. I'll have tea waiting for you."

"You sound too calm Kate."

"I'm too pissed and scared to be calm Lanie," answered Kate. "And Lanie could you bring up a bottle of the stuff you use to clean up. I've got blood all over my walls."

"Kate, take a deep breath and tell me you're ok."

"I'm not, but I will be. I have to be. Someone just tried to kill my husband!"

"Bro," said Esposito to Ryan, "Kate just shot and killed an intruder at the Loft. I'm heading over now…..I found out when they called Lanie…..See you there."

When Captain Gates arrived she saw a Uniform Officer standing guard outside the apartment. Just inside the threshold was a medium height male dressed mostly in black with a Glock 20 just out of reach lying in a pool of blood. Entering the apartment she saw blood on the wall on the other side of the door, Castles she thought? She found Beckett and Castle sitting at the counter holding hands with coffee cups in front of them. Pouring herself a cup of coffee she sat down next to Kate and said, "Don't say anything yet, wait to the Team gets here, that way it will be your first time through and the details will be clearer."

A few minutes Commander Jackson and Captain Perkins arrived. "Captain Gates," said Commander Jackson ,"I know she is under your command, but do you think you can be an objective third for this proceeding?"

"Yes, Sir"

With Kate physically supporting Castle, they reenacted the scene.

ADA Ron Davis, normally an early raiser was surprised to see the large number of police vehicles in front of the building just down the block, two command vehicles, and the Coroner; something must be up he thought. Using his credentials he easily found out that there had been a shooting at the Loft. He knew of Castle. He also knew Detective Beckett and her Team well. He hoped they came through this ok. He entered the Loft in time to see the first re-enactment of the shooting. My God, he thought they are lucky to be alive.

Mid-way through Esposito and Ryan arrived and asked Martha what happened.

"When I heard Rick scream 'Kate' I got up to see what was the matter. On the way I head Kate yell 'NYPD something'. When I got to the top of the stairs I saw the horrid man hitting Richard, I head Kate yell again. When Richard finally let go I saw them man point his gun at Richard, that's when Kate shot him. After she called it in Richard told her to put on some clothes."

"You mean she was…," asked Ryan.

"Yes, and if you tell her that I told you there will be no Swedish Meatballs for the next several Poker nights. "

"Mrs. R," said Esposito, "You drive a hard, but fair bargain."

"Practice, dear boy practice."

"Are you going to bring it up," whispered Ryan?

"Am I suicidal," replied Esposito?

After the first retailing the EMT's arrived and started treating Castle. On the second retelling the Team focused on why Kate kept her distance and what prompted her to shoot.

After a very brief caucus, "Detective Beckett," said Commander Jackson, "Detective Beckett," said Commander Jackson again. When Kate's eyes snapped back to him he smiled because he knew she had been watching the EMTs treat her husband, "It was a good shoot."

"Thank you Sir."

"Now find out why he tried to kill you and take care of your husband, not necessarily in that order. We will see ourselves out. Captain Gates I'll have the paperwork to you by noon."

"Thanks Commander."

"You have good people here," nodding toward the Boys as well as Beckett and Castle, "take care of them."

"Yes Sir"

The EMT explained to Kate that there was nothing seriously wrong with Castle that rest and exercise couldn't cure; he had just experienced a pretty serious beating. He told her that she should put Castle to bed now because he had just given Castle something that would put down a horny bull elephant in the middle of his herd of in season females. He also advised her that Castle needs to get out of bed today around noon perhaps and take a walk and take another walk later in the day. If he doesn't get the exercise in today then tomorrow could be very bad from a stiffness and pain point of view. As Kate walked towards Castle she heard ADA Ron Davis ask "Do you have any idea of who's behind this?"

"The Lottery Commission," replied Castle.

"You are seriously telling me that the Lottery Commission is behind this?"

"Yes," said Kate. Grabbing Castle and gently lifting him. "Come on love, I need to put you to bed."

"Mr. Davis we need your help. If you got the time my Team can tell you a very scary story. If you want some coffee it is over there and the cups are in the cupboard. Excuse me, but I need to take care of this one."

Kate took Castle in and put him to bed, as she was waiting for Rick to fall asleep she thought to herself I need to get you on the mat and teach you some things. I think you see that now. Meredith called you a kitten, to me you are a Tiger, a big bad Siberian Tiger, and I'm going to teach to act like one. Sleep well darling. When you wake we are going to find the guys responsible and rip their heads off. With a gentle kiss on the forehead Kate tiptoed out.

When she emerged she saw the ADA, Captain Gates, Esposito and Ryan all perched on stools at the counter and Martha in the background doing something at the stove.

"Martha?"

"Katherine I am going to listen to the story," said Martha in a very parental voice, "And as long as I am here I might as well do something useful. Scrambled eggs, bacon and toast ok for everybody?"

When the Boys chorused,"Yes Mrs. R.," Kate knew she was outgunned, she filled up her coffee cup and sat down.

The Teams presentation was short, to the point and factual. Esposito explained that there have been fourteen murders of weekly cash for life lottery winners, all of them had been professional hits, the Team had caught two of the cases there were several more in the city and the rest distributed around the state. Ryan explained the linkage between Jeff Allen and the McHenry case. Kate explained what she and Castle heard at the card game and explained the Castle had contacted Mr. Allen's office to get the data that her team had analyzed.

"… and that she said," pointing to the corpse, "is the result." What we need," continued Kate," Is a look at their books to see if there are any payments processed around the murder dates and to understand their structure, and who authorizes and approves the payments."

"My God," exclaimed the ADA, "This sounds like something out of one of Castle's books."

"I hate to admit it," said Ryan, "but when Castle first brought up the linkage I thought he was crazy."

After breakfast, ADA Davis said, "I believe you guys. What you really need is the data without them knowing about it. Let me work on that. If I can't find a way, then I will get you your warrant. "With that the group stood up and started to leave.

"Let me clean up and I will meet you at the station."

"No," said Captain Gates.

"Captain you can't kick me off this case," pleaded Kate.

"No I'm not. We both know that if I gave you that order you would disobey it and I would have to suspend you again. What I'm saying is not today. You have a home to make right," nodding toward the blood stained walls and carpet," and a husband to take care of. Esposito and Ryan can follow the body and I'm sure they will keep in touch. I expect to see you and hopefully Castle tomorrow fully rested and ready to go. Am I clear?"

"Clear Sir," said a dejected Kate.

"Until we resolve this, I'm assigning a detail to the Loft," added the Captain.

After they had left Kate stood looking a bloody spot on the floor. She was startled when Martha came up and put a hand on her shoulder. "Your Captain's wise. We need to fix this. Come Katherine on the home compute we have a list of contacts that can help, we have used this handyman many times in the past, he will be able to fill the holes then touch up the paint, and this carpet company will come cut out the carpet, replace it and the padding. We've had accidents here before."