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Chapter 11: Flexing Muscles

After a night in the holding cells, I can honestly say that I've slept on harder cots already. The holding cell is way better than what I had on my camping trip last year.

The one thing I didn't like during my 'jail time' was the solitude. Sometimes it's not that bad to be alone, and you should be really picky about your company in a cell anyway, but I'm a people person. I like to talk. Although, to be honest with myself, I should be glad I'm not in the same cell as a real criminal who might be partial to shutting me up permanently after suffering my rambling for a while.

Alas, it's no use to dwell on the past. The night's over and with luck I'll be working with the NYPD after today. If Beckett is truly considering my offer, that is. The move was a little desperate, I admit. Those work, too, though. From time to time. I enjoy what is left of my stay by dozing on my cot and awaiting the decision.

"Hey, boy-o!" a voice tears me from my thoughts. I know that voice. There's only one Irish in homicide, at least only one who would say boy-o.

"Good morning, detective Ryan," I answer him from my cot without even bothering to open my eyes, although I would have him right in my view, thanks to the cot facing the entrance.

"How did you know that?" he asks. "You know, I don't even want to know. From what I was told about you, the less I know about you, the better."

I snort at that. I'm pretty sure Ryan heard that from Esposito. They are both superstitious. To various extents, of course, and Esposito denies it more vehemently than Ryan (it's bad for his macho image), but they can't fool me. It's kind of adorable.

"Space magic, what else?... Just kidding, I'm an information broker. It's literally my job to know the people I'm dealing with. It's quite interesting what you can find out about someone if you dig a little. Detective Esposito's past with the Special Forces, detective Beckett's mom's murder, your undercover stint on the other side of the river..."

I open my eyes and see Ryan pale until he's ghostly white. "No one here in New York is supposed to know that," he mutters.

"Don't worry, I'm the only one who knows," probably, "I deal with secrets everyday, I know how to keep one. And no matter how today turns out, I will never sell you out."

"Why?" he asks.

"Never met a criminal with honor before?" I joke. "I'm not a bad guy. I want to help you guys." I add more seriously.

At that, he snorts with laughter. "As if Beckett hasn't enough on her plate with that writer Richard Castle following her like a lost puppy."

I sigh inwardly. At least something good came of it. "You arrested the brother for the Tisdale murder yet?"

"How did you... Never mind, the week was weird enough as it is. Yes, we did, the writer helped us actually, he solved the final puzzle with Beckett and was held at gunpoint by Tisdale at one point. Dumbass had the safety on though," he tells me with a chuckle, and I chime in for a few seconds before sobering up again.

"Not to be rude or anything, but did you come here for a reason maybe? I still have to hear from the DA's office if they want to make a deal with me or not."

"Oh, they don't," he tells me with a dismissive wave.

"What," is all I can bring out. Suddenly I can already see my house of lies crashing in around me, which ends with me spending some quality time with my new friends I'll make in jail, who will probably pimp me out in exchange for protection. I swallow nervously. Sometimes, I really hate my imagination.

"They don't want to make a deal," he explains.

I exhale loudly. 'They don't want to' doesn't necessarily mean 'they won't'.

"Actually, I came to take you to the captain. I think he wants to talk about that."

Not everything is lost then.

"Shiny," is all I say when Ryan opens the cell door and takes me with him.


Captain Montgomery looks up from the files he's working on when Ryan and I walk into his office.

"Is this the young one?" he asks, which Ryan answers with a nod. The captain motions for me to sit. "Thank you, detective Ryan. That would be all."

"But, sir..."

"You. are. Dismissed," the captain adds with a mild, admonishing look on his face. "Please wait outside, detective."

Ryan nods dejectedly and closes the door on his way out.

"Now, son, what I will say will not leave this room, understood?" I nod silently. "I believe it's a little improbable that a fifteen year old boy gets involved in two murder investigations, but as much as I believe that you're innocent, the DA needs a scapegoat, and you are at the wrong place at the wrong time. We can push for a deal, but that little party trick that scared one of my top detectives won't get you there. I'm willing to give you a shot if you can convince me."

Huh, didn't know it was both the Harper and the Tisdale case they want to pin on me. I guess it's understandable, at least. Who would know that much about a case and not be involved? I do have alibis for time of death in both cases, so I'm not accused of murder, but of accessory to murder. Anyhow, despite Montgomery's activities in the past, he's a respectable man who stands by his word. And there have been enough lies already.

"How secure is this room?" I ask.

The captain leans back and has an amused smile on his lips. "We're in the captain's office in the middle of a precinct. It doesn't get much secure than that, not counting jail, that is."

I resist the slight urge to roll my eyes before answering. Either he didn't get it or he toys with me. "I mean against bugs. My information is a potential powder keg, so I won't risk either of our lives by speaking of it with potential listeners."

Now his eyebrows shoot up almost to his former hairline. "What could you possibly have what is that hot to handle?"

Stiffening up in my seat, I fix him with a cool stare. "Don't let my age fool you, captain Montgomery. My network was working well already before I even took it over from my predecessor."

Montgomery steeples his fingers and mulls it over a few long moments before finally nodding. "Alright. Let's say I believe your intel is good, and dangerous. Room's not secure, though. Now what?"

Is he testing me? I have no idea, but I'd not be me if I back down in case he is. I take a few moments, too. I allow a little smirk to show on my face once I figured out what to do.

"Now we do this the old fashioned way. We use pen and paper."

He stares at me incredulously. "How would that work? We can't have a conversation that way."

A soft laugh escapes my mouth. "A, it worked with our friends in school, so why not now? And B, you don't have to write anything, anyway. I write down a few notes about it, you read it, stay silent, decide whether or not to make me a deal, burn the paper and dissolve the ashes in water whether you take it or not."

Montgomery doesn't reply with words but tosses me his notepad and a pen instead. Bet he's curious as hell. I know I would be.

'Pulgatti - Armen - Jo. Beckett - Sen. W.B.' is all I write on it.

I toss it back and keep the pen on my armrest.

Once Montgomery has looked the names over, his face drains of any color.

"Know this: The youngest of the trio that's not on that list and I have similar goals. Safekeeping." I shift my gaze towards the bullpen for a moment, hoping it doesn't go unnoticed. "I will use my network to that goal, too, if you let me."

"You'll get your deal," the man behind the desk mutters hoarsely.


I really wanted to upload sooner, but I had no idea how to write Montgomery. I kept rewriting their talk, and I hope my portrayal of him did him justice. The rest was done on Monday morning already, so I'm on a good way to go back to updating on "Castle Monday". Yay! :)

Please let me know what you thought of this chapter. :)