Slaying the Beast

Chapter 14

Kate looks up from her laptop at their improvised workstation on the table in the loft. "Castle, did you find something in that yearbook?"

Castle strokes the stubble forming on his chin. "Could be, or it might be a coincidence. This guy was a couple of years behind Bracken at Michigan State, but he had the same major, and he was in the same frat. They had to have known each other. The name rings a bell, but I'm not sure from where - or maybe it's just the implication. Are you familiar with a Justin Flake?"

"I don't know him, but I know of him. He was a captain in Narcotics before he hand-picked his successor and moved on to a post at 1PP. He's still there, working as a coordinator between divisions." Kate presses her fingers to her mouth. "Castle, if Flake's tied up with Bracken that means that bastard is receiving information on everything the department does. And when Flake was in his old position, he could have provided cover to any drug dealer in the city, including Vulcan Simmons. His replacement might still be doing it. You may have just found a linchpin of Bracken's operation!"

"But how do you grill someone from 1PP? You can't just call him in on the basis of a blurb in an old yearbook, can you?"

Kate rakes her fingers through her hair before her eyes brighten. "No, I can't, Castle, but you're pals with the commissioner. Isn't he a regular at your Gotham Gang poker nights? He was there one of the times you invited me to play."

"Semi-regular. Your boss can be a sore loser. Weldon, Montgomery, Markway, and I have an informal understanding to let him win a pot every so often to keep him from pouting. It also prevents him from consoling himself with too much of my best scotch."

"Still, do you think you could convince him to give us any background the department has on Flake?"

Castle shakes his head. "I couldn't. You've heard Montgomery complain about him enough. The man's a hardass. But Weldon could. I think the only reason the commissioner comes to the games at all is to stay on Bob's good side. Bob appointed him; he can fire him."

"Can you call Weldon?"

Castle checks his watch. "It's almost midnight, Kate; not a great time to ask for a favor. And shouldn't we both be getting some rest? If I recall, we have the daytime shift at Goodlatte's safe house tomorrow, and we'll need to get to Brooklyn pretty early. But I can call Weldon from there. He usually has a mocha latte and a cruller at about nine-thirty in the morning and is feeling pretty magnanimous."

Kate rubs her eyes and rotates her shoulders. "I am beat. I left my unit at the precinct. The subway will only be running every half-hour this time of night. I wonder if I can snag a cab?"

"Why don't you just stay?" Castle suggests. "The trains start running more frequently again around 6:30. You can grab a quick shower and a change of clothes at your apartment, pick up your unit at the precinct, and we should make it to Brooklyn in time to relieve Espo."

"Castle, I don't think…"

"Kate, the couch pulls out to a bed - one that's actually comfortable. Alexis' friends use it all the time when they stay over. Or you can take mine, and I'll bunk down there. I can even make the coffee you like in the morning - with stevia and real vanilla extract."

"Castle, I can't take your bed. The couch will be fine, but won't it bother Alexis or Martha?"

"Why would it? Alexis knows you and I are working together here at night. No reason you can't sack out for a while. And as for Mother, assuming she makes it home herself tonight, she is in no position to throw stones. It'll be fine Kate."

"All right, sure, Castle. I can use the extra sleep."

Kate might be getting extra sleep, but Castle isn't. Knowing that she's just a few steps away isn't conducive to slumber. He's wondering if the old standby of hot milk will help, maybe with a few drops of brandy in it. He doesn't want to turn on the lights and wake her, but he can take the flashlight he always has handy for blackouts. Just zapping a glass in the microwave for a minute shouldn't make much noise. He can be back in his room in two minutes, tops.

Kate is barely drowsing and immediately snaps alert at the sound of footsteps and the intense beam of a Mag-Lite. Her gun is in her holster on a chair only a few feet away, but she judges she doesn't have the time to go for it. The shadowy figure is too close. She hurls herself at it, knocking it to the ground and jarring the light out of its hand.

Castle's forehead, followed by his chin, smack against the hardwood floor, momentarily stunning him. There's a knee in his back and the faint smell of - cherries? "Kate?"

"Omigod! Castle! What the hell were you doing sneaking around? I could have shot you!" She steps back and holds out her hand to help him up. "Are you all right?"

His fingers gingerly explore the tender spots created by the impact of her flying tackle. "I think so — just a little woozy. You could use the flashlight to check my pupils for concussion. I always did that when Alexis took a tumble."

Castle seems pretty with it to Kate, but she grabs the light anyway, to make them both feel better. "They look fine; equal and reactive as they say on Grey's Anatomy."

"And every other medical drama ever made," Castle adds. "I was just going to the kitchen. I didn't want to disturb you, Kate. That's why I was using the flashlight. Cop instincts?"

"Yeah. How did you know it was me Castle?"

"The smell of your shampoo. It's very distinctive. You know, cherries. I noticed it when we were hunting the stake-wielding stepmother. I know the scent of the soap you use too. What is it; cucumber melon?"

"It is, Castle. I had no idea that you paid that much attention."

"Kate of course I do. As a writer, I study every detail. Actually, what just happened reminds me of when Nikki thought Rook was an evil lurker in Heat Wave. At least you didn't kick me in the jaw. That would have given me a concussion for sure."

Kate brushes his face with her fingertips, tracing the lines of his mouth. "But later she found a way to soothe his pain - and hers. Page 105."

"Kate that was just my imagination."

"You're not the only one with an imagination, Rick. Lying here, I kept thinking that with Bracken out there, every minute could be the last one that I'll ever have. And you were in just on the other side of a wall. You've done nothing but try to help me, even when you had to fight to do it. And I've done nothing but push you away, even when I had to fight to do it. Except for my parents, I've never known anyone who would do that for me before. And I know I don't want to push you away anymore. I – we – might never get the chance to…"

"Page 105?"

"And a lot more."

Castle plunges his fingers into her hair, bringing her face an inch from his own. "You said I had no idea. Maybe now is the time to show me."

Kate fights to draw air into her lungs. "Maybe it is."