Chapter 8 Direction

Monday

With the ADA

Ron Davis's first order of business this morning was to gather his assistant and go see his boss, Arthur Doyle, the DA. When he had finished the DA asked. "Do you believe them?"

"Yes Sir I do. The dead assassin in the doorway is one heck of a prop."

"If it's true then we have a hit for hire operation being funded by the State's Lottery Commission. If it's true and word leaks out no one will ever buy a Lottery Ticket again and the State's finances would be in a pickle. What we need as a way to get the data without attracting attention."

Punching an intercom button, "Sara get me Tom Klampton in the State's Comptroller's office please."

"Tom, Art. When was the last time you guys did an in depth audit of the Lottery Commission? ….Last month good. Any chance we could get that snapshot of their books? …. Yes it's fairly hot and I want to keep the lid on until I'm sure….I promise you are on the need to know list. Thanks. I'll be sending one of my ADAs, Ron Davis and his second Elsa Medina, up to personally get the data. …Yes I think it's that important. "

"Scoot," he said waving them out of the office, "and no waves."

"Sara get me Captain Gates, CO of the 12th."

"Captain Gates, Arthur Doyle. I've just had a talk with Ron Davis and I'm sending him up to get the information you need. How many people are involved in the case and are aware of the possible linkage to the Lottery Commission?"

"Just Beckett's immediate Team, maybe Dr. Parrish, and my LT. Why?"

"If it leaks that the State is funding a murder for hire firm and using them to kill Lottery Winners the backlash could be astronomical."

"I can see that, what is it you are really asking for?"

"Do your job to find the guy in the Commission and the head of the Murder for Hire ring, but try not to mention the linkage. Also send the dates of the killings to Ron. When they get back I'm going to have a forensic accountant go over the material with a fine tooth comb."

"Sir, I protest. This is our case."

"And it will remain so. I'm just trying to contain the spread of the information. When we know something you will know it, if you need a warrant, you are on the fast track, if you need help with the AG, and from Ron told me we will, I can help. And when I say 'I' I mean me. I'm taking a personnel interest in this case."

"I understand Sir"

When Ron and Elsa returned from getting the data from the Comptroller's office and stepped off of the elevator they were surprised to find Arthur and Mike Armstrong waiting for them.

"Log it in and give it to Mike," said Arthur.

"Mike you have the dates? Let us know when you find anything."

"Yes Sir, I've also completed the other project the guys from the 12th sent over. I really don't believe in co-incidences."

"Soon ok?"

"I know what I'm looking for sir. If it's there we'll find it."

Esposito and Ryan

The only things on the body were a fob for a BMW, an electronic key card probably used to defeat the alarm system and lock picks. It took the uniforms till almost tern o'clock to locate the car, and CSU had not finished processing the vehicle yet.

Lanie called with an ID and some additional information. The man was definitely a martial artist. The callus on his hands and feet suggested a fanatic. Also there was a trace of a solvent on his shirt sleeves that most garages use to degrease engine parts, and he had pizza and beer for dinner around midnight.

When Esposito called up the name Lanie had given him he whistled under his breath. "No wonder Castle got his ass kicked. This is guy is a heavy heavy hitter. Ex Special Forces, member of various special mission teams, marksman, recognized expert and instructor in unarmed combat, and recently separated from the service for medical and psychological reasons. A person like this does not retire easily."

"I've got a home address from the DMV and a billing address from the Electric Company, and they both match," said Ryan with a smile. "Let's order the usual phones and financials and get permission to pay his place a visit."

When he entered the modest house in Queens Esposito thought, assassins must get paid well. The house was simply but elegantly furnished. His toys were the latest and greatest. The sweep found no indications of a house guest. They did find an assortment of wigs and tinted contact lenses. They bagged his computer for Tech to process. In the wall safe they discovered over a hundred thousand dollars in cash and travelers check and several passports with various names and his picture. In the gun safe they found five Glock 20's and two Glock 29's. In the garage they found a five year old Ford Taurus, a Hartley Davidson motorcycle and a small 'Go Bag' hidden in the trash can.

"This guy is definitely a pro," said Esposito.

"Between the clothes we saw in his closet and his disguise kit he could fit in anywhere," added Ryan.

"The BMW allows him to hide in plain sight in affluent areas, and the Taurus everywhere else."

"What about the bike?"

"Maybe it's personal, or maybe he uses it as a cover at the local biker bars to recruit muscle?"

"We didn't find a phone," said Ryan.

"Hopefully he left it in his car," said Esposito.

"While you drive I'll fill Beckett in," offered Ryan.

At the precinct Esposito read the CSU work up on the car and Ryan the financials. CSU had found the car to be highly modified, engine, transmission, and suspension. They also found guns, plates, money and passports concealed behind the door liners. This was custom work, everything held in place by brackets and Velcro. The guns were disassembled and distributed among the doors making it almost impossible to detect using a fluoroscope.

The financials revealed that the assassin was pretty well off. He was drawing bi-weekly pay checks from Woodman Garage Number two, and other substantial payments from Woodman Research LTD. "They aren't even trying to hide it," said Ryan.

"I guess that don't want to go to jail for tax evasion," quipped Esposito.

Turning a page on his report Esposito continued, "They also found his phone. The last text message was the address of the Loft."

At the Loft

"Thanks guys," said Kate "I'll tell Castle what you found out on our walk."

Martha had been right; the home computer had all the contacts she needed to get her house back to normal. Her first call had been to the Alarm Company requesting immediate assistance. The face to face conversation was brutal. When Kate told them that the door had been breached, all of the locks picked and the chain melted by a single intruder they told her it was impossible. When Kate pointed to the dark spot on the carpet and said, "That is where the man I shot this morning died. That is where he bled out, so don't tell me it's impossible. Tell me how you are going to prevent it from happening again, or the next time this happens I'll come looking for you."

It took a couple of hours, but the electronic lock had been upgraded to require three distinct actions and additional non-keyed restraints had been added to the door.

Kate found it therapeutic to wash the blood off the walls, and the stuff that Lanie had gave her worked great. The handyman arrived at 9:30 and was done by 10:45. By 11:45 the carpet people had left. Captain Gates was right, Kate thought, getting the place back to normal certainly helps the sprit. I think I'll join Castle in the shower, fix us some chicken noodle soup and drag him on a walk.

Castle was stiff and sore on the walk, but the cool fresh air of autumn helped revive him somewhat. Kate told him what the Boys and CSU had uncovered. His silence worried her for a while, but when he squeezed her hand and tried to smile she knew that they both would be all right. The EMT was a genius she thought, who would have ever thought that one walk could help cure two patients. The afternoon wore slowly on. When Castle queued up the Mark's Brothers Kate knew that Castle was still feeling off.

As soon as Castle fell asleep watching TV Kate called Ryan for an update. Ten minutes later she found herself reaching for the phone. This isn't going to work she thought, and out of desperation she grabbed one of the magazines that Castle normally reads and started through it. This isn't bad she thought. The next time she looked up it was 5:30 PM.

"Castle," gently shaking Rick, "Castle time to walk up. We need to take another walk."

"What am I a cocker spaniel," groaned Castle as he stood up, "that needs to be walked before he has an accident?"

During the walk Kate confided that her vision of Castle was that of a Siberian Tiger. But a Tiger that had been born in the zoo, and must learn to fight. "Castle work out with me at the station," said Kate. "I'll teach you some hand to hand combat and we can practice more at the Loft. OK?"

When Castle nodded Kate continued, "I'll have LT assign you a locker and we can start tomorrow."

"Let me heal first," laughed Castle.

"No the stretching will do you good," retorted Kate.

"About the locker, why can't I just share yours? I know it's on the woman's side, but I'm willing to sacrifice in the name of space conservation."

"Castle," groaned Kate.

The proprietor at the Chinese restaurant was ecstatic that the Castles had decided to eat in instead of taking out. They didn't know it but they were two of his favorite customers. When they came in he was concerned because Mr. Castle wasn't his normally smiling joking self. When they smiled at each other and held hands while they were waiting for their food he was sure the trouble was not between them. Whatever it is he thought, it had better give them a wide berth.

When Castle started complaining of back pain, Kate rushed them along. Once inside the Loft she joined him in the shower. Afterwards she had him lie done on the bed as she rubbed a muscle relaxing sports cream on his lower back. Castle had started snoring before Kate had finished. Looking at the clock she thought, looks like we won't be watching our favorite program tonight, but that's what DVRs are for.

Curling up in bed with her husband she hoped they could find the link between the Commission and the Hit for Hire Company.

Tuesday

Tuesday Morning in the Loft

Having your wife hug you from behind while you're in the shower is always a pleasant experience, thought Castle, as he ducked on the shower head to rinse the shampoo from his head. After he had turned and given Kate a kiss he was dismayed when he saw her smile fade into a frown.

"I didn't think I was that bad kisser," said Castle.

"You're not. It's…"

"I look that bad?"

"Yes. No, Yes. You know what they say about the day after for bruises?"

"That's when they really show up. Pretty bad?"

"You got this raccoon thing going. How do you feel?"

"If I said fine, you'll do the 'Italian Job' thing. So I'm going to say I'm easy."

"I know you're easy Castle, but what does it mean?"

"Extremely Achy, Sore and Yours."

"Extremely Achy, Sore and Mine," repeated Kate while giving him a gentle hug.

Yes, thought Castle, getting a hug from your wife while in the shower is an excellent way to start the day. "Breakfast?"

"Just cereal."

When Kate had arrived at the counter top she had resolved to ask Castle to stay home today. When she looked into his eyes she felt that old familiar telepathic connection. Don't ask Kate…. Castle's it's just… I Love you too. If things get bad I'll come home, but I got a feeling we are going to get some answers today… Me too.

"Partners," Kate said tentatively and reaching out?

"Partners," confirmed Castle capturing her hand in his.

Tuesday Morning at the 12th

Kate was livid when she found out that the DA's office had collected the material they needed and had not provided either a copy or any hint of result. "Detective Beckett for ADA Davis please…. Ron we need the data you brought back last night."

"Yes, we are still working it. I thought the Woodman data would interest you."

"What Woodman data? We've received nothing."

After a moment of silence," Oh, my fault, it's on the way. Detective Ryan did us a favor by sending over his suspicion."

"Detective here is what we know."

"Can I put you speaker? The only people present are Esposito, Ryan, and Captain Gates."

"Last night we found payments to a local Advertising Agency that occurred three to five days after each of the killings. It took us a little while longer but we got a copy of their contract with the Lottery Commission. That contract has an interesting Contract Line Item. It allows the Commission to pass money through to a third party for various services, like market research, spot assessments of advertising etc."

"And paying for hit men," offered Ryan.

"Exactly," continued the ADA," the agency has no real knowledge of the service provided and pass the money through. Since they can directly bill four hours for each event and get to take on all their expenses and fee, they are not inclined to look too hard. For them it's free money."

"But there has to be some kind of paper trail," stated Esposito. "There has to be a record of the service requested and proof that the service was performed."

"Exactly. This morning I called them and asked those questions. They refused to answer. Right now Elsa is on her way over there with a warrant asking two questions. One: do they know the identities of any the firms they passed money to, and Two: was one of the firms named Woodman Research LTD. If she calls back with a yes I'll get another warrant compelling them to tell us everything we want to know. That warrant is the one I want you to serve. I'll be along of course, but when we extract the information from them you guys need to know it immediately."

"Are you going to have any problems getting the warrant?"

"Nope. MY boss is writing them personally. Judge Bannerman knows the score and the potential fallout and he has signed them quickly. It helps when the boss writes them and there isn't anything questionable that we are asking for. Wait one, its Elsa on another line."

"Detective how about we meet in the lobby of the Mayflower Ad Agency in forty-five minutes?"

"You bet," said Kate.

"Esposito and Ryan you guys dig through this Woodman data. When we get back we'll share notes."

ADA Davis was surprised to see Castle arrive with Detective Beckett. "Mr. Castle I wasn't expecting you."

"It's not going to cause you a problem is it," said Kate in a voice that sounded more like a statement than a question? "I've found Castle to be very persuasive most of the times, and since this is his theory it only seems appropriate."

After the introductions had been made and Kate had asked for their cooperation on identifying the people they passed money to on their 'pass through' clause, the payment dates, and how it generally worked. Mr. Thomas, the CEO of the company, said, "I can't see how we can turn over this information without first knowing what this is all about."

"Mr. Thomas," said Castle in a voice as dry and as cutting as a desert wind, "We believe the Lottery Commission is using your firm to fund a company that specializes in Murder for Hire, and this firm is currently is currently murdering Lottery winners."

"Surely you can't be serious," said Mr. Thomas.

"Mr. Thomas, the best response to that ever has already been made. We have ample evidence. The only question now is perception. Are you going to be perceived as helping the authorities in the investigation, or allowing innocents to be killed?"

"Ron", said James Martin, the attorney for the Agency, "You have a warrant in your pocket don't you?"

"Yes, do you want to read it? My boss wrote it and Judge Bannerman signed it off."

"You mean Arthur wrote it personally?"

"Yes, for this case he is the writing DA."

"Mark," said James," I recommend you let Peggy tell them everything they want to know. The cut outs that are in place will protect us."

"OK, Peggy why don't you go ahead and tell them how this particular line item works." The contract manager Peggy O'Malley proceeded to tell them everything. "This wasn't in our original contract," said Peggy. "Sally Farmer, the Administrator for this contract by the Commission said it was added by Mr. Allen."

After Peggy explained the history and the operation, "Let me get this straight," said Castle," Someone in the Lottery Commission sends you a letter and an envelope through contracts. The letter essentially authorities Woodman Research Limited to perform a task and you are to expect an invoice from them. The specific instructions are in the envelope that you never open. You messenger the envelope to Mr. Woodman. Sometime latter you receive a letter invoice from him stating that the task is complete and the 'study' was sent to the Commission under separate cover. You pass the invoice with your mark-up on to the Commission and a couple of days later you receive the money and you pass it on to Woodman Research."

"Yes Mr. Castle, that's the process."

When they examined the request for services, the murder dates and the request for payment dates, a clear pattern emerged for all fourteen murders. "Counselor Davis," asked Castle, "If once is happenstance, twice a co-incidence, and three a pattern, what do you call a fourteen long sequence?"

"Right now Mr. Castle, only a person of interest."

"Cutouts in plain sight and protected by contract law," said Castle. "It's brilliant. Also the sealed orders absolutely allow Mr. Allen to sever all ties with the murders. We may be able to get Mr. Woodman, but not Mr. Allen."

"I don't understand," said Mr. Thomas.

"I'm sure his copy of the sealed orders spell out perfectly the tasks to be executed. He will challenge that someone here changed out the orders. Why would they originate with him? His job is to sell tickets, not kill people. It doesn't make sense for a Lottery official to kill off winners. It makes more sense for an employee of this firm who is jealous, maybe envious of the lottery winners, to make the switch. He also might argue that it's in the company's interest. If there is a furor, then the Commission will need a firm to hand the PR disaster."

"That's preposterous," said Mr. Thomas.

"His documents, your denials, and if Mr. Woodman does back you up…" continued Kate

"…then we could be in serious trouble," agreed Mr. Thomas.

After a moment of silence, "Has there ever been any exceptions," asked Kate?

"Last Friday we got a Fax."

"May we see it?"

Essentially the fax read 'Investigate and correct a problem with a vendor in the Manhattan District'.

When Kate read the Fax her face went white. It said nothing and everything. It was perfect.

"Beckett," said Castle, "If there were no instructions…"

"…then they must have talked, texted, emailed or meet," added Kate.

"And if they did then there is a chance we can find out how and what they said," continued Castle.

"ADA Davis do you think you could get a warrant for Mr. Woodman's phone? We are specifically looking for a communication from a Lottery Commission member on Friday or Saturday," said Kate.

"If it's GPS equipped we would like that too," added Castle, "It could be handy later."

"I don't think it will be a problem," said ADA Davis.

"We got another envelope this morning," offered Peggy.

"We are going to need that," said Rick and Kate together.

It was well after seven o'clock when Detective Beckett dropped off the envelope at CSU and drove back to the station in the cruiser. In the cab on the way home Kate felt Castle start to crash. It's my turn to cook tonight she thought. Tomorrow you will be back to your old self and I will be glad. After dinner, dishes, mail, and messages Castle declared he was going to bed. Kate accompanied him long enough to rub the muscle relaxing cream onto his back, neck and shoulders. Like the previous evening, Castle was asleep before Kate finished. Twice in a row I must be losing by touch Kate laughed to herself. Kissing him on the check, "Good night love," she whispered. Retreating to the counter top, Kate worked through another lesson in the Lieutenant's Exam Preparation book.