When You Find Me
can't you see
that when I find you
I find me
...
One for each book.
...
"Each book?" Castle groaned, mostly to himself, as he paced tirelessly in the break room.
They were alone. For now.
"Tell me he's only talking about the Nikki Heat books and that this is the last one, Kate. 'Cause I can't..." He trailed off, unwilling to finish the thought, trying in earnest to shake it from his head. His hands pulled at his hair in frustration.
Kate tugged on his wrist, stopping him, and pulled him to her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, her nose against his neck, and just breathed. She didn't know what to say, not that words would really help him. She'd only be placating him, because right now, she wasn't so sure that Tyson wouldn't just slip through their fingers again. But she could do this. She could hold him. Even if it wasn't enough.
Castle sagged against her, his arms coming up around her shoulders.
"Hey. In a few minutes we'll know which woman is missing and we will find her," Kate said with far more confidence than she felt, pulling back so she could see his face. He didn't look convinced, but he didn't argue.
"Jenny?"
"Ryan just called her, she's fine," Kate said softly. He'd been asking about Kevin's wife every few hours since they found out about the first body. Ryan had put her on the first flight to Florida once they confirmed it was Tyson.
Castle nodded, looking at least a little relieved.
At least it wasn't anyone he knew.
Castle's phone was currently with tech. They were attempting to enlarge the photo Tyson sent, give them any sort of clue where he might be keeping the her. The woman they had yet to identify.
...
"They're both fine."
"Wait, what?" Kate choked, turning toward Ryan.
"Kathy Bradsky and Katie Brown. They're both at work. Perfectly fine. And both brunettes."
"I thought they were on the list."
"They were. They both changed their minds. Got their hair dyed back, each at a different salon."
"Then who the hell is that?" Castle yelled, pointing to the grainy cell phone photo taped to the board. He looked like he was going to be sick. She didn't feel much better.
They were back to square one. Kate just hoped that there was something in that photograph. Because if there wasn't, she didn't know how this was ever going to end. And it need to end. Now.
"Call Alexis," Kate said, not helping the look on his face. Tyson was going off his plan and she didn't like the implications. He could have anyone in that chair. All he'd need is a box of hair dye or a good wig.
"Kate..." he keened.
"Just...just call her. And your mom."
...
An hour later Castle had his phone back and they were pouring over the much improved photograph, crowded in around the computer. Kate slipped her hand into Rick's, threading their fingers. She had a bad feeling about this.
Alexis was safe. Both her and Martha were still holed up in the loft, plenty of security outside the door and in the lobby. A patrol car was still parked on the street. It wasn't either of them.
But still, something was off.
The phone that sent the photo was, of course, untraceable. A burner phone, probably already dumped.
The woman was clothed, but barely. Her legs dirty and bruised, strapped to the chair. Her arms were wound behind her, head hanging. Her hair was long and in a perfect curtain over her face, hiding any chance they had at facial recognition. The room was non-descript. Dark, dingy, and poorly lit. And the photo was tightly cropped. There were no windows, nothing to give away a location.
They had nothing.
"Wait," Castle, said, pointing at the woman's leg. "What's that? That mark. Can you zoom in?"
Ryan maneuvered the mouse, blowing up the image until you could clearly see that there was in fact a mark on the woman's knee. A birth mark, most likely.
Castle went rigid beside her, his fingers squeezing hers. Hard.
"Castle," she prompted, tugging on his hand. His face was white, adams apple jumping, eyes wide and glued to the screen. "Castle," she said a little louder, startling him. He turned to her, blinking, his eyes swimming, wet.
"Gina. It's Gina."
...
"Gina Griffin. That's who we believe Jerry Tyson has abducted. Ms. Griffin is not picking up her phone and she's not at Black Pawn Publishing, where she works. She's also Mr. Castle's ex-wife."
Jordan Shaw briefed the team, while Kate literally held Castle upright. She could see he was trying to keep it together, but he was failing miserably. Kate was trying to pay attention to the FBI agent. They finally had a solid lead. Assuming that Tyson's original plan included either Kathy or Katie, meant he was being impulsive and was more likely to make a mistake. He might have something behind.
But, she was having trouble focusing on anything but Castle.
The room cleared as quickly as it filled, leaving Castle and Beckett alone with Shaw.
"You're sure it's her?" Shaw asked him. Again.
"Yes," he sighed, exasperated. "She was my wife," he glanced sideways at Kate, looking uncomfortable and apologetic. She squeezed his hand, tried a smile. "I know what she...looks like," he said through his teeth. Shaw nodded, giving him a sympathetic look before striding out into the bullpen.
"We'll find her, Castle," Kate murmured, leaning into his side.
"I just feel so..."
"I know."
...
a/n: I'm sorry for the delay in updates these past couple chapters. I'll try and be a little more consistent and quick. Thanks for sticking with it. :)
