A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews !! I love the guesses whether Kate is going to be a victim in this plot… And then the last reviewer threw in Kyra too! I'll just spoil that Kyra isn't in this story… but we shall see about Kate ;)
Chapter 14
Kat sat, head in her hands , unable to process what the detective in front of her said. A camera ? She's been photographed, now video taped? WHY? That's the only word that kept bouncing around her head… why would someone do this? To her, to these other women that had been killed… what did they do to this man to make him want to hurt them ? She felt the need to punch something, she could feel the anger rising up inside her. She jumped up quickly from the couch and started pacing. Rick tried to usher her to sit back down but she just shrugged him off. She had too much energy. She started to feel claustrophobic, with four sets of eyes staring at her , waiting to see what she would do. She finally spoke "I can't stay here. I have put you in danger Rick. You and your family."
Rick shook his head "No, you need to stay close. We will have a guard put on the loft. I sent mother and Alexis away as a precaution. I don't think anything will happen." He tried to reach for her hand and she quickly moved it out of the way. She couldn't let him touch her, she would have fallen apart.
"Rick you've done enough. I can't ask you to do any more."
"Then where will you go?" He was sullen she was choosing to leave, almost pouting .
The two male detectives spoke up "She can stay with me" they said together. Kate smiled. It wasn't typical for the boys to fight(not really), but she knew they were both massively protective. Either one would do a good job protecting Kat. She also figured they each had very different reasons for wanting to keep this woman close. Javier had a fierce need to look out for his partner, and Kevin… well, anyone could see the sparks between the two.
"If someone could accompany me to my apartment I would really appreciate it. I need to grab some stuff , and I still have the vase from my last delivery. Maybe your team can check it too?" Kat needed to get to her apartment, for some small shred of normalcy.
"Espo why don't you take her to the apartment. I'll call CSU and have them meet you there. We will finish up here and meet you back at the precinct."
"Rick…" Kat couldn't look him in the eyes. He stood in front of her and opened his arms , pulling her in close to him. She buried her face in his chest, as he kissed her on the top of the head.
"You don't have to say anything KitKat. I will always be here for you. No matter what…" he released her "I know the detectives will do everything in their power to keep you safe. Just because you aren't here with me doesn't mean I can't help. Anything, say the word. I'll so whatever you need. Just tell me where to bring the potato chip fudge ice cream , and I'll be there." He heard her giggle and he felt relieved.
She raised on her toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then turned to follow Detective Esposito out the door. One more glance backwards, a small wave, and she was gone.
Across town
A table crashed… a lamp broke as it was thrown against the wall... John Smith was beyond angry. His camera had been found. Now he couldn't keep an eye on his beloved Kat. Once they had removed the camera from the white card it was embedded in, his feed went dark. Damn these meddling detectives! Why couldn't they just leave her alone?? And the writer… he saw them go to bed the night before, to the same room. That was another one that would need to be taken care of. He started scrolling through the dating site, trying to find someone to entertain him… get his mind off Kat.
Kats apartment
25 Barley street apartment 2D
The car ride had been quiet. Kat had too much on her mind to make small talk with the detective seated next to her. She was curious why he had offered his place to her, when she didn't really know him all that well. They started up the stairs to her place when she finally asked "So detective, are you ever going to ask me the question you've spent the last 15 minutes trying to put into words ?"
He smiled. She was good. "Yeah, you and Castle. You a thing?"
She laughed "That's what you decided on? That question? The answer is at one time yes. Now? No. I will always love Rick, but I'm not in love with him anymore. " They were approaching her place when he put his hand on her arm to stop her , and pointed at the door. It was ajar. He put his finger to his lips letting her know to stay quiet, got out his weapon and opened the door "NYPD! Put your hands up!" Kat stayed outside until he shouted "All clear!"
She walked in to find her place in shambles. Her heart sank. Someone had destroyed her home. She glanced around but didn't notice anything missing on her first pass . Bending down she started to pick up some glass that was on the floor from a shattered picture frame but Javier stopped her. "It's a crime scene. Leave everything as is. I'll call CSU, let them know what they need to search for. " She nodded and sat down on a bar stool, so she didn't disturb anything . She realized the vase from the previous delivery wasn't where she left it.
"Detective – the vase, it's gone. I threw the flowers out a few days ago but I left the card and vase right here on the counter. Does that mean he was in my apartment?" She was starting to feel claustrophobic again. She tried a few deep breaths to help her calm down. Esposito could see where her mind was running and gently patted her shoulder.
"It will be ok. He couldn't have done this and not left some shred of evidence as to who he is. He is going to slip up. We will catch him, believe me." He was saying the words, but even he didn't believe them. This guy was good. "Listen, let's go to my apartment and get you settled. You'll feel better after a shower and a nap." He knew he wasn't being very comforting but he didn't know what to say. His partner was the soft spoken, easy going one. He almost rethought his offer to let her stay with him, knowing Kevin would be pissed, but he also knew he could remain objective when his brother couldn't .
Kat nodded , and they left the CSU team that had arrived to their work.
Castles loft
"Beckett. It was? Okay. Thanks Espo. Yeah get her to your place. I'll check in soon." Kate pressed end on her phone and turned to Kevin. "Ryan her apartment was tossed. They are on their way to Espos apartment right now. Go take her statement, see if she recognized anything missing . I'll get with CSU and see if they found anything." Kevin nodded at her and left. "Nuh uh Castle, you stay here. You can't be any more involved than you already are. Just stay put. I'll call with up dates. " she gave him a stare that made him decide to rethink his next words.
"Okay Kate. Whatever you say." He retreated to his office and she let herself out of the loft.
Javiers apartment
"It's not a loft, but it's not bad for me…"Esposito lead Kat inside, shutting and locking the door behind him.
Kat smiled "It's cozy Detective. I see you play ?" pointing to the gaming system sitting near his tv. "What's your poison?"
He grinned at her "You play? This I gotta see. Kev and I have Madden nights...Maybe we can play a game later ? Shower and extra clothes are that way . You hungry? I can order Chinese."
Kats eyes lit up at the mention of food, so he went ahead and got ready to order delivery from his favorite spot. She padded off to the bedroom, and he heard the shower start a few minutes later. As he was ordering he heard something come from the bathroom… a voice. It stopped him on his tracks. She was singing…
At last my love has come alongMy lonely days are overAnd life is like a song
Holy wow… she could sing! He was jolted out of his thoughts by the voice on the other end of the phone. He shook his head and finished the order, ending the call. He listed as she continued her song .
Oh yeah yeahAt lastThe skies above are blueMy heart was wrapped up in cloverThe night I looked at you
He heard the water turn off, and her humming. He made himself look busy until she popped her head out from his bedroom. "Clothes?"
"Oh yeah I have some extra sweats in my closet. Help yourself. "
She smiled and disappeared again, only to emerge a few minutes later dressed in baggy sweat pants and a shirt 2 sizes too big for her. She had knotted it to make it fit . "Thank you, I feel a million times better already. " she sat down on the end of the couch. "What? You are giving me a funny look…"
He shook his head "I heard you singing. You were fantastic!" He didn't try to hide his enthusiasm. "Where did you learn how to sing like that?"
Kats cheeks turned red. "Martha. She gave me singing lessons from when I was 12 all the way through til I started college. Thank you that was sweet of you to say." She never did take compliments well, and felt a little embarrassed at the attention he was giving her.
Before the conversation could continue there was a knock at the door. "Foods here" he jumped up to greet the delivery man and set the food down on the counter . "I wasn't sure what you would want, I just ordered a variety." He got plates and utensils out and set them next to the cartons. They deposited what food they wanted on their plates and returned to the couch.
12th precinct
"DAMMIT!!" Kate slammed her desk phone down hard. Hard enough for the bull pen to cease it's dull roar. No prints . CSU found nothing in her apartment, nothing on the vase from the delivery to Castles place… this guy was REALLY pissing her off. They hadn't found one shred of evidence. Nothing that would lead them to an actual person, just the web site connection to John Smith. Kate pinched the bridge of her nose. If only Castle could offer some crazy insight right now. She felt bad benching him, but he was too emotional. He couldn't be rational, not where Kat was concerned . No she did the right thing…
Javiers apartment
Kevin had his hand poised to knock when he heard his phone buzz in his pocket. Checking the caller is he saw it was Beckett. "Ryan. Damn. Ok I'm here now I'll see what we can get. Thanks." Hanging up he rapped on the door. A moment later Esposito opened it.
"Hey bro just in time. I ordered food. Come in." He stepped out of the way so Kevin could enter.
Kevin saw Kat sitting on the couch, in too large clothes for her… She had wet hair and looked...content. He walked in and sat his jacket down on the counter, picking up a plate and helping himself to what was in the containers . "How are you doing ?" he asked Kat.
"I feel a lot better after a shower and food. Did they find any prints or anything at my apartment?"
He shook his head . "No unfortunately, and not on the other vase either. We need to figure out a different approach to this. This guy doesn't seem like he's going to slip up at all. What else can you tell us about this John Smith ?"
She tucked her legs up underneath her and sat for a moment, thinking back to her experience with him. "Nothing stands out that I can think of…"
Esposito spoke up "How did the first conversation go? Did anything seem odd ?"
She thought back "Well, it was a bit strange because he messaged me almost immediately after I joined… he said something like I've been waiting for you… I just thought he was trying to be clever or something, but now … "
FlashbackThe night had gone exactly as he planned . The decoy was having dinner with HER… and he could see everything. Her perfect smile, how her blue eyes twinkled under the lights. He needed to be careful though, she seemed to sense someone was watching her. But she didn't seem to mind, she just continued on with the date, so he continued to watch. He could see the decoy hold her hand as he escorted her out of the restaurant … something he wished he could experience. Instead he followed them out, close enough to smell her perfume, then he quickly went the opposite direction. He was obsessed with this woman… and it was driving him to think bad thoughts…End flashback
Kat shuddered at the thought that this man might have been following her for some time. "We talked about my profession, my hobbies… but it was like he already knew what they were. He asked me where I learned to sing… I didn't think I had mentioned that to him before. He asked how my cases were at work…it was all pleasant enough. Just… odd."
"You sing?"
"You're a lawyer?"
"Oh yeah dude she is great you should hear her!" Esposito didn't pass up the chance to let his partner know he had heard her talent.
Kat could feel her cheeks flushing again. "To answer your question Detecti—Kevin… yes. I practiced with the great Martha Rodgers. I sing at a club near Broadway on the weekends. And to answer your question Detective Esposito, yes I am a criminal attorney. I was studying criminal justice in college when I suggested to Rick that he write crime novels. And Richard Castle was born soon after." She smiled fondly at the thought of when she saw his first book dedication to her.
"That's why he dedicated his first books to you! You launched his career? That's amazing! " the boys were impressed.
"That's not how Gina saw it."
A/N: sorry for the abrupt cut off but couldn't stop writing this one... wasnt sure where to cut it off so I figured that was as good of place as any. please enjoy!