Psycho Killer – Chapter 9

Kate yawned, raising her arms over her head and arching her back as she stretched. She sighed, relaxing back into the mattress and pillows. The sheets were in disarray, courtesy of the nocturnal activities that she and her boyfriend had engaged in. After their tumble on the sofa, they'd taken the party to the bedroom. Rolling over, she sat up, stretching her legs, groaning at the slight soreness between them. A small smile touched her lips. It had been a long time since she'd had that particular kind of delicious soreness. Too long. It felt good. And in spite of how troubling and stressful the previous evening had been, she had somehow managed to have a restful night's sleep. All thanks to her boyfriend. Castle had been as good as his word. He'd made her forget her troubles, just as she had asked of him.

Climbing out of bed, Kate padded across to her dresser, and tugged on a pair of black cotton panties and shrugged on an oversized NYPD t-shirt. As she was pulling her hair up into a messy bun, her nose twitched, catching a whiff of a rich aroma that smelled like coffee. Nudging the bedroom door open, she walked out into the small kitchen, smiling happily when she spotted Castle standing over her stove, wearing nothing but his boxers. She shuffled into the kitchen and watched as he flipped something over in the frying pan with the spatula.

"You're making pancakes?" she questioned, furrowing her brow as she came to a stop beside him, resting her hip against the kitchen counter, watching as he flipped the fluffy breakfast confection.

Castle glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her. "Morning, beautiful," he crooned playfully, closing the small gap between them to press a quick kiss to her lips. "I was hoping for bacon and eggs, but the eggs had expired and the bacon had something… furry on it." He wrinkled his nose up in disgust and shuddered.

Kate bit her lower lip, suppressing a laugh. "Yeah, I mostly order in," she admitted. "I don't entertain much."

"I figured that from the Styrofoam temple you've got going on in there," Castle said, jerking his chin towards the refrigerator. "Oh, by the way. Coffee's brewed." Twisting his torso, he reached back to grab a mug off the kitchen countertop.

She took the opportunity to admire the view, loving the display of his muscles moving underneath his skin. Castle wasn't as ripped as some of her previous boyfriends, but he was solid muscle, toned and healthy. And he had amazing biceps. Kate loved the feeling his arms wrap around her and hold her tight. Even all the numerous and varied scars that marred his chest and back didn't diminish or take away from the glorious sight before her. He'd seen a lot of action and had a lot of stories to tell, though she'd yet to hear all of them.

"Here's your coffee," he said, handing her the mug, snapping her out of her lingering gaze. She flicked her eyes back up to his, and caught his knowing smile.

Kate accepted the mug from him and wrapped her hands around the warm ceramic, deeply inhaling the rich scent. "Smells delicious," she commented in surprise. She only had a generic store brand tin of coffee in the cupboard.

Castle flashed her a sheepish grin. "I might have called the coffee shop around the corner and paid a little extra from them to deliver," he confessed.

"Well, my taste buds thank you," Kate declared as she took a slow sip of the delicious skim latte with two pumps of sugar free vanilla masquerading as a homemade cup of joe. She closed her eyes, taking a moment to just drift, allowing herself to be free of all the worries and fears weighing on her. Sighing, she lowered the cup from her mouth and watched as Castle turned the burner off and used the spatula to deposit the final pancake upon a three-layered stack for her.

"Your breakfast is served, milady," he declared dramatically, with the exaggerated hand flourish and accompanying bow as he placed the dish in front of her.

"Looks great, Castle," she said with a beaming smile, accepting a fork. "Did you anticipate me wanting syrup, too?"

His mouth dropped. "Shoot," he snapped his fingers. "I knew I forgot something." His face scrunched up in a frown of disappointment.

Kate laughed, putting her fork down and slipping her arms around his torso, molding her lithe body against his broader frame. She kissed the pout off his mouth, and smoothed her hands up and down his back, taking great pleasure in feeling his warmed flesh beneath her fingertips. Oh, how she loved a shirtless Castle in her kitchen, making her pancakes.

"S'okay," she mumbled, softly pressing her lips against his. "Just teasing you." Kate playfully nibbled at his neck as Castle chuckled and tugged her closer. He nudged her chin back up with his fingers, and kissed her soundly, making her toes curl and coaxing out a little moan from the back of her throat.

"Actually," he said, still smiling at her as they pulled back. "I did anticipate that." He twisted his torso around and reached behind his back, producing a small bottle of maple syrup. "I'll have you know, my dear detective, that I am a highly trained CIA field operative."

Kate's stomach chose that moment to growl, and they both laughed.

"Sounds like someone's hungry," Castle chuckled, eyes crinkling with mirth.

Kate offered him a mild version of her glare, before then deftly snatching the bottle of syrup out of his hand. She stepped away, almost immediately missing the warmth of his body. But right now hunger was winning. And those pancakes did look so very fluffy and delicious.

Castle put his hands on her hips and maneuvered around her in the tight space between the kitchen table and the counter. "Now, you eat and drink your coffee," he said, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips. "I'll grab a quick shower, and then we can head into the precinct."

Kate nodded, picking up the fork and using it to cut up the pancakes. Flicking her eyes up, she watched as Castle jogged into the living room, locating his pants from the where they'd ended up tossed on the sofa last night. Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, she stabbed her fork down into a piece of pancake and brought it up to her mouth as she observed him retrieve his flip phone from his pants pockets. Her eyes followed him as he walked towards the bathroom.

She released a breath, and chewed. The pancake was excellent, fluffy and delicious, just the way she liked it. But Kate couldn't help but recognize the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that something wasn't right. Last night she may have written off his remarks about checking in with his boss as the truth because she was distracted and needy, but now, fresh and clear in the morning, Kate was beginning to doubt whether or not her boyfriend—whom she really did trust more than anyone else, which in and of it self, was scary as hell—was actually telling her the whole truth.

He was definitely hiding something from her. They might not have spent a lot of time together since becoming an official couple, but Kate liked to think she knew Castle enough to know that. She did not doubt his feelings for her, or his determination to help in her quest to bring in the man who shot her, especially considering the same man had tried to kill him two years ago. But something had changed since last she'd seen Castle. His admission of seeing Kilmer again whilst on his recent assignment may have something to do with it. The encounter had clearly affected him, much more than he was letting on. She just wished he'd trust her enough to tell her the whole truth and not just part of it.

However, as she heard the shower kick on, Kate decided it could wait. For now they had much bigger fish to fry.

XXX

Castle waited until the shower was running until he flipped opened the TCD-74. His heart clenched briefly as a twinge of guilt rolled up his spine as he punched in the number and pressed the call button. He felt terrible for keeping Kate in the dark, but it couldn't be helped. He'd seen how she was when it came to this case, and he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. He needed to help more than he already was, even if he did so by not discussing it with her. Castle had no doubts as to the explosive nature of what he was doing. He had already mentally prepared himself for the consequences.

He just hoped it didn't cost him Kate.

After three rings, his contact answered the call.

"Castle?"

"Is this a secure line?"

"Yes."

Castle turned his back to the locked bathroom door, and lowered his head, carding his fingers through his hair. "Did you get a chance to look over the case file I emailed you?"

"Yes. Interesting read. Seems like the original investigators were part of a conspiracy to cover up the murder, had it labeled as 'random gang violence'. Though I'm curious as to your interest in the case. Weren't you ordered to end your association with her?"

His lips quirked up in a smirk. "Since when did I ever follow orders?" Castle's smile faded, replaced with a scowl. "Besides, York and some suits from upstairs already read me the riot act on that."

"Point taken," his friend said. "Honestly, I don't care what you do with your personal life, that's none of my business. Just don't let it interfere with your judgment like it did with Turner."

"Kate Beckett is nothing like Sophia Turner," he growled. "Any comparison between the two is insulting."

"Alright, alright," soothed his friend. "No need to get angry." He paused for a beat, letting Castle's emotions simmer down. "So I looked over the addendum report, and I couldn't help but notice that the killer had already been caught, or rather, should I say, brought to justice by means of a bullet—two bullets, to be precise. According to the attached notes by Detective Beckett, Richard Coonan was using the alias of Rathborne at the time. I've done a search on known associates, but haven't come up with much. The bastard was smart."

"Well, I got another name you can run and see if there is a connection," Castle said, pausing to swallow heavily.

"Yes?"

"Raymond Kilmer," he almost spat the name out.

"Shit. He… he's alive?"

"Unfortunately," Castle grumbled. "I ran into him on assignment in Istanbul. He helped Johann Kriedt escape."

There was a long pause while his friend absorbed the new information. "I'll create a search algorithm to include all of Kilmer's known aliases, see if there's any connection between him and Coonan."

"While you're at it, run a check on Kriedt as well?"

"Already on it," he hesitated for a moment. "Now, tell me, have you told Detective Beckett about this yet?"

Castle sighed, knowing he was in for a lecture. "Yeah, about that…"

XXX

Ray Kilmer woke early, like he always did, before the sun even crested the horizon. After a vigorous workout, he showered and shaved. He dress quickly, all black. He went back out to the kitchen, stretching his muscles in anticipation for what the day would bring. If everything went according to plan, Kate Beckett would be dead. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed the orange juice, taking a deep gulp straight from the carton. Wiping his mouth on the back of his sleeve, Kilmer returned the carton to the refrigerator, and stepped over to the kitchen table.

He moved around some of the papers scattered across the table, narrowing his eyes as he located a set of building blueprints. He had examined them last night, but he wanted to review them one more time before heading out. Shifting through the papers, Kilmer started planning out each task he needed to accomplish this morning.

The buzzing of his phone pulled his attention away from the blueprints. He pulled the device out of his pocket and answered.

"Yes."

"They're leaving the apartment," came the voice of his informant. The phone buzzed again, and Kilmer pulled it away to see a text message with a photo attachment showing Beckett and Castle exiting the building.

"Good," he said. "Keep an eye on the place. I'm on my way."

He hung up, and pocketed his phone as he stood. Grabbing a pair of gloves, he tugged them on, and then went into the meager living room to retrieve the rucksack with the wired explosives he'd assembled the previous night. He shouldered the bag, and walked towards the door, a sadistic smirk tugging his lips up.

The day might have started off slow, but it was definitely going to end with a bang.

XXX

The drive from her apartment had been silent, almost awkwardly so between her and Castle. And Kate hated that. Since acknowledging their shared feelings, they had yet to spend enough time together, at least beyond the consummating of those feelings—numerous and multiple times—to really understand and know every nuance of the each other. Though, Kate had to admit, Castle was an excellent observer, and he seemed to have little trouble reading between the lines. Her, on the other hand, sometimes found it difficult to get a read on him.

The light banter and playfulness from their morning had disappeared after he'd finished his shower. He had avoided her eyes for a millisecond too long after emerging from the bathroom, and though she might not have known every single one of his ticks and tells, Kate Beckett felt confident in her belief that he was hiding something from her.

Which was what led to the awkward silence.

Swallowing past the tightening in her throat, Kate glanced over at Castle as they stepped into the precinct elevator. His usual jovial features were marred by a slight frown. Sighing, Kate pressed the button for the homicide floor, and forced an end to the silence.

"What's up with you, Rick?" she asked, startled by the sound of her own voice.

"What… what do you mean?" he stammered, brow furrowing further.

She bit her lower lip and glanced down at the coffee cup in her hands. They'd stopped by the local coffee shop, and Castle had purchased another large skim latte with two pumps of sugar free vanilla for her.

"Kate?"

Releasing a breath, she lifted her head and locked eyes with her boyfriend. "You've been acting strange since your shower," she stated. "What's going on?"

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes staying on hers. "I'm just worried about Kilmer being out there, and what he's doing," he asserted, and Kate hated how her gut twisted uncertainly at that statement, as she couldn't help wondering if he was telling her the whole truth.

Lies were a relationship killer, and considering how young and fresh their relationship really was, she did not like that it was already making an appearance. She must have let her displeasure show, because the next moment Castle was stepping closer to her, licking his lips nervously as if he was considering coming clean with what was really going on. She had a pretty good feeling that it didn't have to do with anything top secret or confidential. Though it did seem to be linked to Ray Kilmer's appearance, but it definitely went beyond his former partner being out there. Kate just wished he could trust her with all of it, and not just part of it.

She shifted her weight on her feet, and pursed her lips in anticipation of her boyfriend finally telling her the whole truth. But before he could open his mouth, the elevator doors were opening up on the homicide floor. Kate sighed, and gave him a pointed look, letting him know that he was off the hook, at least for now. Whatever worries and concerns Beckett had about what her boyfriend was trying to conceal from her was going to have to be pushed aside until later. Right now, she needed to focus on the case, and on finding Ray Kilmer. The bastard had a lot to answer for.

Beckett marched in the bullpen, all business, ready to get to work. Castle followed behind her like a chastised puppy. She was pleased he was contrite, and hoped that this small bump would ultimately result in a strengthening of their relationship. Because although it was still relatively new, Kate Beckett was already determined that this relationship would be her last and final. Rick Castle was it for her. If she was certain about anything in her life right now, it was that. He was her one and done.

Turning to approach her desk, Beckett noticed that Esposito was already there. He was standing by the white board, hands on his hips, and brow furrowed in contemplation. And judging by his rumpled shirt, unshaven face, and his disheveled appearance in general, she would guess he'd been there all night. She put her bag down on her chair and turned to Esposito, noticing the rings around his eyes, and the overall weariness in his features, confirming her suspicions. He looked tired.

"Stay up late?" she asked with a disapproving frown, feeling a twinge of guilt for having rested so well, despite indulging in some passionate nocturnal activities with Castle.

"Yeah, I was reviewing the security footage from the church," he informed her, holding a hand up over his mouth to stifle a yawn. He shifted back to rest his backside against the side of her desk.

"Espo," she choked out, shaking her head apologetically as she approached him, placing a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "You didn't have to do that."

He gave her a soft smile. "It's okay, chica," he assured her with a shrug. "I had nothing better to do. Besides, we need to get this son of a bitch off the streets as soon as possible."

"Here, you need this more than me," Castle said, stepping forward and handing Esposito his cup of coffee.

"Thanks, bro," he said, accepting the proffered cup with a grateful nod. He took a big gulp of the hot liquid. Licking his lips, Esposito looked back up at them with more focused eyes. "Anyways, my time wasn't wasted. I found something." He stood up from the edge of Beckett's desk, and gestured towards his own. They followed him over, and Esposito leaned down, punching a few buttons on his keyboard to pull up the video feed.

Beckett stared down at the image of Ray Kilmer walking down the aisle, wondering what it was that her colleague had seen. Esposito cocked his head to give both her and Castle a sideways glance.

"Tell me you see it?" he said.

"Nope."

"Sorry."

Esposito rolled his eyes, and rewound the footage. He paused it just as Kilmer was stepping out from behind the pews. "There," he pointed towards the screen. "You see that? He's holding something in his right hand."

Beckett squinted at the grainy image. "No. Still don't—Wait! Yeah, I see it." She nodded, exchanging a look with Castle, before turning back to Esposito, a hopeful look brightening up her face. "Rental car keys!"

This might be the break they were looking for.

Out of the corner of her eye, Beckett spotted Castle reach for his phone. He was about to flip it open when he noticed her disapproving gaze. Offering her a tight smile, he slipped his phone back into his pocket, and she turned back to Esposito.

"I'm assuming you already did a check on all rental cars in the area?" Beckett asked.

Esposito nodded, scrubbing a hand down his face. "Eastway rented 700 cars last Wednesday."

At the moment, Ryan appeared, hustling in from the hallway. He looked flustered, but offered them all a cheery greeting, before nudging Esposito aside to take over the computer. Esposito grumbled, but stepped aside when he noticed the look on his partner's face.

"I found him!" he declared excitedly.

"What!?"

"How?"

Ryan heaved in a breath, and tapped his fingers across the keyboard. "Oh, sorry. No, I didn't mean it like that. Sorry," he grimaced, flashing them all an apologetic look.

"Then what did you find?" Beckett asked, trying hard not to get irritated at the false hope.

"This," the young detective asserted, punching one last button on the keyboard before gesturing theatrically towards the image that popped up on the computer monitor.

"Oh yeah, that's him," Castle said with a nod, craning his neck around Beckett's shoulder to get a look. "I see he still has that smug smirk."

"That's a Kansas driver's license," Esposito noted, squinting at the screen. "Seems he's going by Cole Maddox."

"Obviously it's a cover," Beckett said, exchanging a glance with Castle. "Has he used it before?"

Castle shook his head. "It must be one of his new aliases."

"I doubled checked the name with those the car rental company provided and I got a hit," Ryan continued with his report. "According to their records, he rented right out of JFK. Arrived there under the same name on a flight from Atlanta."

"Did he return the car?" Beckett asked.

"No," Ryan shook his head.

"Damn," she hissed under her breath, her shoulders tensing with frustration. Without hesitation Castle placed a comforting hand on her back. She closed her eyes, and heaved in a deep, calming breath as he continued to rub soothing patterns along her back.

Feeling more composed and relaxed, Beckett pursed her lips and turned her head to lock eyes with Castle, silently thanking him for the support. They may have some crossed wires at the moment, but despite all that, she knew that she could trust him when it mattered most. Castle gave a subtle nod of his head, telling her with just the small gesture that he knew what she was thinking, and was confirming her unspoken impression.

"You've got this," he murmured softly, for her ears only. "You're not alone. I'm right here."

She swallowed thickly, and nodded, offering him a small smile, which he reciprocated. Her heart unclenched, and she breathed easier, feeling some of the awkward tension between them that had been building since the morning fade away. Beckett was still curious over what he was keeping from her, but she no longer saw it as something ominous and destructive. The emotions in his eyes were genuine and sincere. Castle was going to stand by her, no matter what. She would do the same in his place. She had. There was no reason for her to start doubting things now. Their love was stronger than the shadow of her mother's death and her own tragic shooting.

"Actually, this is good," Esposito said, interrupting their moment.

Beckett snapped her gaze back to him. "What?" she gasped, eyebrows knitting together in confusion, not following his reasoning.

"Eastway maintains GPS tracking on all of its equipment," he explained. "So we can get a trace and find out where he parked the car."

"And there's a good chance that where we find the car, we'd find him," Beckett nodded, finishing his explanation herself. She allowed herself to smile, just a little. She didn't want to get her hopes up too much. But it was hard not to, especially when they were so close. She pursed lips, and gave a quick jerk of her head. "Do it."