Chapter 9

Show Up For The Showdown

He felt no emotion as he walked toward the large industrial sliding doors at the back of the warehouse. In only minutes he would know if the plan would unfold the way it was supposed to or not.

A tense silence fell over the entire area. It was so quiet, the sound of the approaching aircraft reached them well before the plane was ready to land.

With a quick look back to see if the guys were ready, Jerry Tyson released the switch that opened the large metal doors. The old rusty mechanics hadn't seen much use in recent years, therefore creating an almost deafening metallic screech.

As they opened slowly, sunlight flooded in causing Jerry to squint. At first he thought his eyes were playing tricks with him, but no, that damn author didn't listen to instructions. Several yards away on the other side of the entrance stood Richard Castle along with his two cop buddies.

Tyson raised his gun and aimed for Castles chest.

"I said no cops Castle. I thought you were good enough with words to understand that!"

Ryan and Esposito also raised their weapons but otherwise didn't move or speak.

Castle lifted his hands slowly. "Today they aren't the police. Today they are my business associates. This is a business deal isn't it, Tyson?" Castle took a quick look behind him and Jerry knew that he'd see Detective Beckett, the doctor and Ryan's fiance in a group, kneeling on the floor, with his three men towering over them, weapons in hand.

Tyson felt a small thrill at the fear in the macabre writer's eyes.

"I can see you brought your associates as well," Castle stated with forced casualness.

On the runway behind Castle and the detectives, the private jet taxied to a stop, briefly drawing Tyson's attention.

"How do I know you don't have more associates on that plane? This whole deal is starting to smell. I don't think I can trust you."

Castle took a single step toward him but the sound of his gun cocking, kept him from taking a second one.

"I give you my word. I only arranged for a private plane, nothing else, and I never alerted the authorities."

Jerry mulled it over while watching the plane out of the corner of his eye. The door opened revealing a flight of stairs. A man in a flight uniform appeared for a second and then vanished out of sight, triggering a panicked thought. What if he saw what was going on and called the cops?

Suddenly all of his normally calm nature melted away and was quickly replaced by anger and fear. He wracked his mind for options but found very few that ended in his favor.

"No! I said no cops. Just you! You didn't listen and now you will pay!" Jerry tilted his head back toward the women. "Pick one!" he shouted.

Ryan's eyes darted to the people in the warehouse behind him and Esposito tightened his grip on his weapon. Castle didn't move but narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly. "What for?"

Jerry tilted his head and smirked. "To live."

"No."

"C'mon Castle. I've read your books. You love to decide who lives and who dies. This should really stroke your ego."

One of the women behind him, who he assumed was Beckett, called out and began to struggle but was soon muffled. Another one was crying softly.

"So who is it? Do you pick one of your friend's lovers? Or do you let your own love live?"

Watching the smug author pale only stoked the fire within him. "Are you surprised I know so much about you? You shouldn't be. Don't forget that besides Detective Ryan's badge and gun here," Tyson winked at Ryan, "by the way, thanks friend, they've come in real handy!" he turned back to Castle, "I took your phone and wallet too. You know, you should be more careful with what you keep in those things, it's amazing what you can find online about a person these days, especially when you have such helpful resources. It's really given me a great opportunity to get to know you. I almost feel like we're old friends."

Richard Castle's face went from pale to flushed. "Let me take their places."

"That Sir, is very valiant. And here I thought chivalry was dead, but no. You have one choice, you can pick who lives, or I will."

Esposito cocked his weapon and took a step to his left.

"Freeze or they all die. Shoot me and they all die. Shoot one of my men and they all die. If anyone of you or them tries to be a hero, THEY ALL DIE. Do you see a pattern here?"

No one moved or spoke.

"Now, all of you, put your weapons down, slowly."

Ryan and Esposito carefully put their guns on the black top and the unholstered the ones from their sides and put them down as well. Castle followed suit soon after.

"Good. Now kick them out of the way and take a couple steps back." Tyson was a little surprised that they obeyed.

"Smitty!" he called without turning around. "Mr. Castle here doesn't seem to be able to make a decision. So I will. Why don't you bring me the future Mrs. Ryan? It's her lucky day. I'm going to give her an early wedding gift; a chance to actually see her wedding day!"

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A/N: Well, admittedly this wasn't a long chapter, but I warned you about the length at the beginning of the story. I'm hoping you still found it exciting and enjoyable.

What did you think about getting a chapter from Tyson's POV? Were you expecting it? Was it too much? I'm just wondering, for any possible future fics. I like to know what you like.

Tomorrow, at some point, I will post the last two chapters back to back, because I think I might get angry emails and possibly menacing threats for leaving you hanging between the two. As is, I think I might get some for leaving you hanging here, but I'm doing it anyway.

Until tomorrow,

DeBo81