Title: Define
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

"This is really about a broken heart?"Javier asked the young man across the interrogation table.

Peter Jasper glared as he slumped in his chair.

"Seems a bit extreme to contaminate the whole truck full."Kate added quietly as she leaned forward.

Richard watched the interrogation from the other side of the two way mirror. To him Kate still looked too pale making the bandage on the side of her head stark against her skin. Castle knew she wanted to see this case through to the end. So he'd gone with her instead of protesting. Staying close if she needed him.

With how personal this case had become Richard felt only anger to the youth at the table beyond the two way glass. He'd put so many lives in danger. There didn't seem to be an ounce of remorse on Jasper's face. He'd been hurt and possibly humiliated so he'd gotten revenge. To Castle that seemed colder than any plot twist he'd written in his books. And he'd cornered the market on plot twists.

"You injured police officers."Kate was saying. "You're not going to see the outside of a prison again."

"Was she worth it?"Javier added.

Jasper remained silent slumping in his chair as much as he could with the cuffs.

"Let's go."Javier said as he stood. "We're wasting our time."

Kate rose to her feet and started to follow her colleague but Jasper voice halted her.

"I want a deal."Peter Jasper said confidently.

"Why?"Javier asked spinning around. "We have you; case closed."

"Killing Laura was my idea."Jasper confirmed. "But my partner expanded that. If he doesn't hear from me by tomorrow morning he'll deliver the next shipment of tainted water."

More than anything Javier wanted to physically wipe the smug smirk off the kid's face. Preferably with his fist. However, he had to reign his temper in. Had to hold things together. If Jasper was telling the truth. If there was another person involved Javier couldn't loose it now. Too many innocent people were at risk. Even with that reasoning Javier felt himself advancing forward his right fist clenched at his side. Kate placed a calming hand on her colleague's left shoulder.

"I can't promise a deal."Beckett began. "However, if you tell us your partner's name and we end up halting his plans I will talk to the D.A."

"Deal or nothing."Jasper insisted.

Kate pulled out her phone and Javier saw her dial Gates's number.

"Our captain can put things in motion."Kate continued. "But I'm going to have to give her something. What's your partner's name?"

With a smile Jasper told her.

Alexis was thankful when Kevin fell asleep. Since their phone call with Javier an hour and a half ago she'd been trying to distract him. Alexis had called up real estate listings on her tablet and tried to pull her boyfriend's attention to them. She could tell he was restless. Kevin wanted to be out on the streets seeing this case through to the end. He wanted to be there for Kate and Javier; to watch their backs. Alexis knew it frustrated Kevin that he was still too weak to do anything to help.

Alexis's phone beeped and she pulled up the text message from her father. She frowned reading it. Things had gotten more complicated with the case. A new suspect had come to light and her father would send more information when he had it. Blinking away sudden tears Alexis looked at Kevin's sleeping form. She'd thought it was over; that they'd gotten the person responsible for Kevin's illness. Now all she could do was wait. Wait and pray that no one else got hurt.

Captain Victoria Gates didn't trust the intel. They didn't have a choice but to investigate it but something didn't feel right. They'd been given two possible locations for the next outbreak. Gates had assembled two teams of twenty plus officers and detectives. Kate leading one and she the other. It was nearing midnight now and raining steadily.

"We're in position."Kate radioed from her location in Queens.

"Go."Gates ordered.

"Copy that."Kate acknowledged.

The radio went silent. Gates looked at the block of resturants that ran the length of a street two blocks from Times Square. Jasper hadn't or wouldn't narrow down the location. All they could do now was check each one.

"Move out."Gates commanded.

The team fanned out.

The hotel in Queens wasn't a big name. It was barely four stories and blended in with the neighborhood. There was nothing flashy about it. Kate wasn't sure why it was a target there were far larger hotels several blocks away. Still this was the address they'd been given. The hotel was over fifty years old it's exterior was classic brick. The lobby had been redone in artdeco 1920's style with black and white marble floor. Kate's head was starting to throb but she ignored it. They made it past the front desk and were turning towards the kitchen. Suddenly Javier was running the other way sprinting towards the small bar just beyond and to the right of the front desk.

"Got our suspect!"Esposito shouted over the radio. "He ducked into the bar."

Kate followed as she and the rest of the team broke into a run. She could only hope this wasn't about to turn into a hostage crisis.