Castle After 4x23 / FW
AN: Many thanks to Patricia Louise and Gwynne for their help with this, and for their incredible patience mentoring a new writer.
I own nothing. But I sure enjoy playing with the characters that are owned by the Castle TV series. Marlow and company have done a marvelous job of developing the characters.
Chapter 12 Explosions, Thrill Rides, and Promises
With Maddox dead, Kate looked up astonished to see SWAT and HRT operatives all over the men on the ground. She couldn't believe the lack of discipline. She shouted, "Cuff them, then one-on-one only. The rest of you get back in there and clear that warehouse right now! Jarvis, I need you to clear that building. Do it now. I want every nook and cranny looked at by at least two sets of eyes. Move!" She keyed her radio and said, "All but those who are one-on-one with the prisoners clear the warehouse. Leave no place unsearched. If you see a paint spot look under it. Captain Davis, you and Gates still watching the far side?"
Davis responded, "Yes, we are. I've been watching, and nobody has tried to leave here. Captain Gates is here with me."
Back on the radio, Kate continued, "Please stay there. Jarvis, Cane, get people to clear the stairwells first; I'm concerned they are booby trapped. I'm also concerned about the office space and cold storage in the middle of the warehouse. This feels odd to me,(;) something doesn't add up. Wouldn't surprise me if they left one or two behind to distract us with an explosion. Could be planned to help them escape or to cover up some shady activity in this warehouse. These guys are ruthless pros, and they like to blow things up. We're going to stay put and lock it down 'till daylight."
Jarvis replied, "10-4, WILCO, hadn't considered the distraction angle. We're on it."
Cain replied, "10-4, WILCO."
Kate keyed the radio again and said, "Castle and I will watch this side of the warehouse. Agent Shaw, please read these guys their rights and arrest then on whatever charge comes to mind."
Shaw said, "10-4, officers, cuff the suspects with their hands behind them and bring them to the command center. Do not let them get closer together than 20 feet from each other. Do not get close to them yourselves, one-on-one. If you have a second pair of cuffs, cuff their wrists to their belts in back as well."
Kate saw the officers pair up to put the second pair of cuffs on the suspects. She thought that was a very good idea. They were fit and flexible; normally, they could get their cuffed hands in front of them with no trouble. Then she saw one law officer from each pair break away and walk to the building where they formed up around Jarvis and Cain prior to a tactical deployment through the door.
Kate keyed her radio and said, "Command Center, please arrange for transport, I'll give you a destination in a few minutes. Agent Shaw, when you get a minute, please call me on my cell phone. To all on this frequency, I do not, repeat do not, want the prisoners' destinations broadcast on the air under any circumstances."
She finished her transmission, and her phone rang. It was Shaw who said, "There are nine of these guys. More than I thought we'd have. I don't have any place to take them that holds this many."
"Can you call Quantico and arrange to air ship them to a federal pen someplace?"
"Yes, but that will take time."
"Can someone rent a place where we can stand guards around them while that is arranged?"
"I think we need to take them to Rikers. The other prisons are too far away and offer too many escape opportunities. I don't know how big an army Oxley has, but I'd think we have most of the local talent in hand at the moment, and at least one of them is dead."
Kate thought a moment, then said, "Okay, I'll have Davis set up transport to Rikers, but I'm going to do it by phone."
Kate broke the connection and dialed Gates who answered, "Detective?"
Captain, "Would you please put your phone on speaker. I need to talk to both of you."
"You are on speaker."
"Captain Davis, I need you to arrange for transport of the prisoners to Rikers. I need it done without a single radio broadcast. I'd prefer if it was done using landlines. I don't want the route published. It will be given to the drivers about thirty seconds before they leave, and all cell phones but yours will be turned off. Batteries removed. Strip search and sweep the prisoners for locating devices of any kind. Pay special attention to shoes and in the hair. Shave heads if you have to. All jewelry is to be removed. None of them were wearing glasses, so if you find any glasses take them away. Nothing removed from the prisoners is to go in the convoy. It can be taken from here by chopper and meet you at Rikers."
"I agree. It sounds extreme, but at this point, I wouldn't put anything past them."
"Thanks. Out." Kate broke the connection.
She was about to key her radio to ask Jarvis how it was going when he came on, "Heads up," he said. "I saw a movement on the top of the structures in the middle of the building. Yup, there it is again. Take cover, I'm heading up there."
Kate quickly broadcast, "Negative. Do not proceed up there. Get your squad together and plan an assault on that area. Work out lines of fire and approaches. Switch frequencies before the assault starts."
"10-4, HRT Squad 3 south end of the structure. It isn't visible from the roof. Squad 2, maintain watch, back-to-back."
Cane came on and said, "Jarvis, we'll cover you from the perimeter and keep them pinned down."
"Thanks."
Someone said, "I wonder how long we will be?"
Kate snapped, "Tactical traffic only." She thought, whoever that was needed to stuff a dirty sock in it. Non-tactical radio traffic was amateur discipline. It could also be the bad guys trying to communicate with outside bad guys. How many were in there anyway? she wondered.
The radio went silent again.
Jarvis came on the link and said, "Tac channel 3."
Kate checked the frequency card on her radio and saw it was actually just one down from where they were. She switched and heard Jarvis coordinating the assault of his squad on the structure in the middle of the building. The operation took them about ten minutes, and they had the bad guys cornered behind some refrigeration equipment. Kate keyed her radio and said, "Cane, do you have the path down the outside below them covered?"
"Yes, Detective."
"Can you get two people into the room directly below them to be sure they don't get away by cutting through the roof they are standing on into that room?"
"No, but two are on the way now coming up from the opposite direction." Kate looked out through the open side door and saw two figures in uniform heading towards the structure in the middle of the warehouse.
What was she missing? Something didn't feel right. She said, "Martin, if you hear this call me. Find out who owns this warehouse. There are too many people here. Something isn't making sense. ... Oh crap."
She keyed her radio and said, "Jarvis, how are you doing up there?"
"We have them pinned down but can't get any closer. Tear gas won't work, too open."
"Got a flash bang?"
"One."
"Use it if you can. Go in immediately after it goes off. We need to get you out of there ASAP."
Kate heard and saw the effects of the flash bang from where she stood, followed by two pistol shots and a short burst of screaming.
"Jarvis, talk to me. He answered, "We have one wounded, not badly; both are cuffed. That seems to be the rest of them."
"Grab them and get out of there as fast as you can. Cane, retreat out of the building now. Jarvis, talk to me, give me continual updates."
"I have one over my shoulder – little guy. Jones has the other. Going down ladder now." Kate heard sounds of heavy breathing followed by, "Heading down stairs ... Double timing for door."
"I see you," she said as they emerged from the warehouse, moving surprisingly rapidly. "Keep coming all the way over here. Davis, Gates, get back inside that other warehouse. Cain, your men all ou-"
There was a big explosion in the central storage area of the warehouse just vacated. Kate and Castle reflexively ducked as pieces of shrapnel and debris fell on the concrete between them and the other warehouse. Kate dashed out to see Jarvis on the ground and sprinted in his direction. She got him up, helped him lift up the wounded man and walked backwards covering their rear as she followed them to the warehouse. She keyed her radio, "We need a paramedic at my location ASAP. There might be another wounded man some place. Castle can you see him?"
"Yes, I'm on it ... I've got Jones and the other guy. We'll be there in a few seconds."
Kate wasn't worried for Castle; she thought the excitement was probably over. "Captain Davis, Captain Gates, I think the tactical situation is over. I'd highly recommend a team of CSI's, an explosive expert, and some narcotics officers. That final explosion was to cover up something. There has to be a reason this warehouse has a heliport and none of the others around here do. My guess, it's owned by Oxley or related to his illegal activities in some way. Most likely the opium trade. Would one of you please take over so I can get out of here?"
Captain Gates replied, "I'll take command. Captain Davis needs to get his crew cleaned up and ready to respond to the next event, whatever that might be."
Kate said, "Thank you. Captain Davis, Captain Gates, thank you both for the support. Beckett out."
She removed her headset and helmet camera, looked at Castle and said, "Rick, we need to get to the MCC, get the gear off and get back to the loft before they can scramble any assassins in our direction." She turned and jogged in the direction of the MCC.
She met up with Shaw at the Mobile Command Center, nodded to acknowledge her and said, "Get a chopper here. We need to get back to the loft ASAP."
Shaw said, "Already done. It's inbound now, ETA two minutes."
With no pause Kate asked, "Did Martin learn anything about the warehouse ownership?"
Shaw answered, "Yes, it's owned by a shell corporation that was originally chartered under a different name back in 1993 about the time the ransom money would have become available. This shell corporation owns Custody International. But you figured that out; that's why you had them get out? Why did you have them take the last two guys?"
"Oxley knew the agents on the roof were FBI. He wasn't going to blow them up, but he wasn't going to wait long either. If Jarvis and Jones had tried to run they'd have been shot. That he would have been okay with. It was a gunfight and shit happens. The explosion on the other hand would have been murder of a federal agent, and he didn't want to do that."
"Isn't going to help him anymore."
"When he figures he's going down, which will be very soon, he is going to lash out in every direction and try to leave the country. At this point I hope you have enough with what Maddox said to me to take him into custody and get a warrant for everything."
"We have enough for the warrant and passport revocation."
"I'd bet large he has several passports under several identities. He has to. He has to have been out of the country a lot more than his travel records as Oxley would lead us to believe. Look for times he was out of the news. Cross correlate travel records at that time, look for names that repeat, check death certificates. My guess is that you will find names traveling only during those times that are from people who died at or near birth."
Shaw looked at Beckett and said, "You are something else, Detective. I'm on it."
Kate looked over at Castle who had just finished turning in his gear, walked over, opened her arms and walked into his hug. She turned her head up for a kiss, and it turned out to be more passionate than she intended. Shaw cleared her throat, finally said, "Hey you two, I don't mind being right, but this is over-kill," and walked away chuckling as the helicopter descended to land.
Shaw called out, "Beckett! Castle! The ride to the bedroom has arrived, get in!"
Kate pulled back reluctantly and said softly, "Thanks for having my back out there."
Rick said, "Always. Now let's run to that machine and get out of here before they bring in stinger missiles."
Kate said, "Race you," and took off at a dead run that Castle had no chance of matching, so he didn't try, but he was there a few seconds after she climbed into the helicopter.
They got their harnesses fastened as the she heard the blades accelerate. Kate gave the pilot a thumbs up; he nodded, and they lifted off almost immediately. He tilted the chopper forward and accelerated between the warehouses just below the roof line till he was over the Hudson. Then stayed low, turned violently right, leveled out and ran down river for a mile or so before he climbed out and arced toward the loft. He said, "I was told you guys are targets; figured I'd make it difficult for them." Kate gave him a double thumbs up. He continued, "I picked you up from in front of the loft. Is there another way in?"
Castle said, "Yes, the garage entrance on the other side of the building."
The pilot nodded, pulled his microphone closer and started a conversation they couldn't' hear. A couple of minutes later he said, "I'll let you out right in front of the garage entrance. Move smartly, I don't want to be on the ground for more than thirty seconds. Hang on because this is going to be a rather hairy approach."
Kate thought, 'he's flying higher than I'd have thought we would.' She turned to Rick and said, "Rick, hang on with both hands. I think I know what he's going to do, read it in a book, and it's going to be a wild ride."
It was. The pilot rolled the chopper almost inverted as he pulled it around into a dive that arced down between the buildings with the blades shuddering up against being supersonic. He began hauling it out half a block away, flashed across the intersection, hauled it back and down with the tail rotor just off the street to touch down exactly in front of the garage door. Kate saw people dive for cover on both sidewalks. Castle was out almost before it finished settling; Kate was right behind him; the rotors had not really slowed down. They slammed the door, and as soon as they were clear of the rotors, the pilot lifted it off, flew down the street, lifted just enough to clear the traffic and lights. Last Kate saw of it, it was rising like a rocket; then she was inside the building.
They ran for the elevator. The rest of the trip to the loft was over before they knew it. When the elevator door opened they were lost in a major meltdown of a kiss. The officer guarding the floor said, "Detective Beckett, you have got to get through that door … Detective … the door … over there."
Kate jerked back, turned flaming red, and then in a 'the hell with it' moment planted another quick kiss on Castle's lips. When that was over, she turned to the officer, whom she knew, and said with a grin, "Killing bad guys turns me on. Come on Castle," and tried to open the door.
They unlocked the door but couldn't get in because of the chains. Alexis said, "I'll get it Dad. Hang on a minute." She pulled the door open against the chains, looked to be sure it was them, closed the door to release the chains, opened it to let them in, then reclosed and locked it slipping the chains into place.
She turned and, face filled with emotion, opened her arms wide and dragged them both into a hug. She said, "I'm so glad you are back safe in one piece. I'm glad I could see what was happening, or at least what you could see. I'd have gone crazy not knowing. I saw that guy raise his rifle to shoot you; my heart literally stopped beating, and then you shot him first. Kate, you were awesome. It was amazing to see and hear you in action. I had no idea you could do what you did. Dad, you knew?"
"No, I didn't know she could do all that. I knew she had some tactical training, but I didn't know she was a tactical profiler, and if there isn't such a term I just invented it to describe her. I learn something new about this amazing woman every day." Castle placed an affectionate hand on Kate's shoulder. "She's right you know, Kate; you were freaking fantastic. You knew what they were going to do before they did it. It took me several minutes to catch up even after I saw what happened. I was no help at all."
Kate turned to him, tears running down her face, and said, "You have no idea how much help you were. I needed you there. You had my back the whole time. You left me free to focus, and you spotted those ropes coming out the windows while I was focused on the door across from us. I knew if I missed it, you would catch it. It gave me a huge advantage over them, Rick. We succeeded. The two of us. We are a team."
Alexis said, "Special Agent Martin and I have been working the board between being completely distracted by the reality TV show you guys provided. She has some interesting searches going but says they probably won't yield any results for several hours yet. There are just the four of us here now. She says the board will work unattended. Detectives Ryan and Esposito left a few minutes ago. It's after ten, how about we have a bite to eat and hit the sack?"
Kate leaned into Castle's arms and said, "I think that sounds like a heck of a good idea."
Alexis said, "Mom, a hug?"
Kate stepped forward to give her a hug. As they parted, Alexis pulled her head gently down and whispered in her ear, "I have the most awesome-kick-ass-tough-chick-ninja-mom on the planet!" and gave Kate a kiss on the cheek.
Kate replied in her ear, "And one of these days, Lex, I hope to have the most kick-ass-scary-smart-and-talented red-headed step-child on the planet."
Alexis gave her a final squeeze, backed away just enough, held up her hand for a high five, which they did, and said, "Bring it on! But feed me first," turned and almost ran to the kitchen.
Castle said, "What did she say?"
"That she hopes we get married."
"What did you say? "
"That I hope we get married."
Castle looked at her and said, "Katherine Beckett, will you marry me."
She looked at him, suddenly emotional with the magnitude of the moment washing over her so spontaneously and said, "Yes. Yes, Richard Alexander Rogers Castle, I will marry you and be your wife."
They looked at one another for a few seconds while what had just happened settled in on them. Their promises to each other had been spoken. They were now open, and real and forever. They simultaneously eased forward to share a tender, but extremely meaningful kiss.
Rick pulled her in and said, "Wow. I'm engaged to the extraordinary Katherine Beckett. I know this is real, but it is almost too good to be true."
"It's true, Castle. And I'm engaged to the most amazing man I've ever known. I love you, Rick Castle."
Rick looked at her and said, "We've got to catch these guys, I want to go buy a ring without having to wear a bullet proof vest or have a fighter escort."
Kate said, "Oh yeah. We'll get this done, Rick. We've got them on the run now. We need to track Oxley's other ID's, which gives me an idea - I need to talk to Kim. Come on, you help Alexis fix us something to eat. I'm going to see if I can find out a little more while I'm lean, mean, and hungry. This son-of-a-bitch is between me and my engagement ring. Bad place to be, Oxley. Be afraid; be very afraid."
Rick chuckled, gave her a final squeeze and turned toward the kitchen.
# # #
Kate went over to join Martin at the board; Castle followed Alexis to the kitchen.
She said, "Hi, Kim, how are you holding up?"
"I should be asking you that. You go girl! You were all kinds of awesome. I couldn't predict your next move one time during that. How did you know what to do?"
"Truth be told, I almost screwed it up. It took me way too long to figure out what was special about that warehouse, and I nearly let them off the hook when I didn't stop Jarvis from coming out of the warehouse after we took down the first bunch."
"Detective, you told him to stay inside and clear the warehouse. He disobeyed and followed those guys outside to help take them down. I was surprised you weren't all over him."
"Kim, when you are in a fight to the death with bad guys, there is a lot going on. Your adrenaline is up, heart rate near 200, bullet waiting around every corner; what he did was perfectly normal. That is what I was there for: to guide them back on mission when the exigencies of battle pulled them off course. That's why I had to be outside to lead it, not inside the warehouse. Perspective is everything when the shit hits the fan."
"I haven't ever been in a fight like that," she said. "And I hope to never be. You had to shoot that guy that was running at you. That can't have been easy."
"It was easier than it usually is. A year and four months ago that guy, Maddox, shot me through the chest with a .308 sniper rifle while I was giving the eulogy at my Captain's funeral. I went through hell because of that till two days ago. Then he beat the crap out of me; threw me off a roof and left me hanging from a ledge. He looked at me, smiled, and walked away leaving me to fall to my death when my fingers gave out. Detective Ryan caught my arm and kept me from falling at the last fraction of a second."
"My God."
"That's the man I just killed. I don't like killing people, but I'm relieved Cole Maddox is dead. I also don't feel bad it was me that ended Cole Maddox's reign of terror. That said, I didn't go there to do that. If he'd stopped and dropped his weapon, he'd be alive now. His choice. He lost.
"Kim, change of subject, can you use some sort of image software, like what they use to age missing kids, to put Oxley in various disguises. Then run his face against airport security footage from Washington DC area and New York airports. I think he's been traveling out of the country on fake passports. I have two reasons for asking: first, I want to make sure we pick him up if he uses any aliases after Shaw pulls his passport; second, I want to see if we can use that to find any other trips he might have taken."
"Yes, I can, but to do that in any reasonable time I'm going to have to suck up one of NSA's big parallel processor farms for 8 to 12 hours to do image analysis. That's going to be a big expense. I think Shaw will definitely want to do it, but she's going to have to go upstairs to get permission. Let me give her a call."
"Okay, I'm going over to the kitchen; I think Rick and my future daughter are getting ready to celebrate our engagement."
"Your what? You just got engaged? Richard Castle asked you to marry him?"
"Richard Alexander Rogers Castle did. I said yes."
"Oh my gosh," she jumped up and gave Kate a hug that made Kate flinch.
Kim jumped back, and Kate said, "It's not you. The idea of the hug is okay. I'm just still really sore and bruised from the beating Maddox gave me. Then I didn't help it any when I grabbed Jarvis and helped haul the other wounded guy to shelter."
"Kate, do you need a doctor?"
"No, but," she stepped toward Martin and gave her a gentle hug, "That's for caring. Wanna join my engagement party?"
"Heck yes. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. How are you so calm?"
"I'm not, but if I let myself go, we'll miss the party if you know what I mean."
"I do. Hang on, girl. I'll call Shaw and then come celebrate."
Kate walked to the kitchen to see a bottle of champagne and some sandwiches taking shape. Alexis said, "I managed to get some corned beef to make sandwiches with while you were gone, some fresh bread, too. The meat guy got the bread for me, and Jenny picked it up and brought it by. Esposito and Ryan already had a sandwich." Then unable to contain herself any longer she squealed, ran to Kate, remembered just in time, and gave her as much hug as she dared. "You really are going to be my Mom. Officially. I love you. I love how happy you made my Dad. And I think you are freaking awesome in so many ways I can't count them. Grams is going to think this is wonderful."
Kate couldn't stop tears of happiness and said, "Thank you Alexis. That means more to me than you will ever know."
Castle said, "How about a toast?" And a little louder, "Kim, please come and join us for a toast." Kim joined them; Rick handed out flutes of champagne including one for Alexis saying, "Alexis, neither of these good officers of the law will arrest you for having a real toast to our engagement."
Kate said, "Absolutely right."
Rick held up his glass and said, "Kate, here is to always. Because that's my commitment."
"Always, Rick."
With that they all clinked and had a sip.
The toast seemed to break all the tension of the day; it washed out of Kate with the first sip. She felt the peace of being with him all over again.
The snack was enjoyable. The sandwiches were delicious. They only drank half the bottle because neither of them wanted to dull their senses. About half-an-hour after the toast, Rick and Kate took their leave. Alexis and Kim were chatting about the murder board and cleaning up the kitchen when they left.
Kate said, "Rick, I need a quick shower, then I want to snuggle and fall asleep in your arms. You up for that?"
"Is the shower co-ed?"
"So is the snuggle."
06/08/2012
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