Private Eyes – Chapter 13

It started with a flare of light, followed by a bang, and then a searing pain in her chest. Everything turned upside down, only the sky before her… above her? She couldn't really tell; it was all so muddled. Breathing was difficult. It was a struggle to inhale and exhale. Her heart was screaming within her chest, and all she wanted to do was cry, but she couldn't find her voice. A cloudless sky loomed above her, a pleasant azure color taunting her with its brightness. Using all her strength, she heaved in a deep breath, fighting to remain conscious, but the terrible ache in the center of her chest was too much. She surrendered to the relenting pull, and slipped into darkness.

When she opened her eyes, Kate was sailing through a swirling void, gray mists obscuring her path. It was dark. She couldn't see anything ahead of her. Arching her neck, she squinted her eyes as she attempted to ascertain the path she'd taken to get here. Nothing. It was just more of the same, just an overwhelming darkness devoid of light. Her head was heavy, thoughts muddled. She tried to recall what had come before, what had lead her to this void of swirling gray mist, but she was coming up blank.

The memory of her shooting was vivid in her mind, the pain as fresh as the day it happened. Her jaw tensed and her eyes clenched shut as her body contorted in agony. Her breath was expelled from her lungs as she struggled against its overwhelming presence. Her heart pounded profoundly beneath her breast and a wave of anguish rolled over her.

Forcing her eyes open, determined to meet her fate head on, Kate let out a gasp as she caught sight of a face in the mist. The jaw, the nose, the brow, those lips… she knew that face, had grown to adore it, despite the brief time in which she'd known its owner. It was Castle. His lips were moving soundlessly, as if he was talking to her, reassuring her that everything would be okay, that all she had to do was accept it, embrace the darkness.

But Kate didn't want too. She couldn't.

Castle murmured something she couldn't quite make out. But before she could respond, his mouth was on hers, and she felt a moan rise up through her throat. His presence engulfed her, surrounding her with its security and reassurance. She sighed, melting into his embrace and closed her eyes, accepting his advice.

She surrendered to the void.

XXX

Two hours. It had been nearly two hours since the outside consultant had called her, asking for orders, and… nothing. Sophia Turner was growing restless. She didn't like being kept waiting. It was one of things about her job that she hated most.

Danberg standing behind Agent Riley, watching as the younger agent scourged through the files on Detective Beckett's desktop computer. So far there wasn't much of note except for what appeared to be an extensive digital collection of evidence, witness reports, and other such documents all pertaining to the murder of Johanna Beckett, the detective's deceased mother. It bordered on obsessive.

As she waited for a return call from the outside consultant, Turner leaned back against the wall in the small office niche, one of R.A. Rodgers's books in hand as she leisurely flipped through the pages. She was curious to see just how much of the man she knew could be read in the words he'd written so long ago. He'd clearly changed a lot during the intervening years since the book had been published, less idealistic and more jaded in some respects, but despite all that, there was still an optimist buried deep inside him. Turner had always admired that about Castle. Despite all the shit he'd seen and done, somehow he'd remained a romantic at heart.

She furrowed her brow, and tenderly stroked her fingers over the words on the page, reminiscing of a time where he was hers. It hadn't been an ideal relationship, if you could even call it that, more like an exclusive 'friends-with-benefits' arrangement that had lasted almost six years before their supervisor found out about it during a nearly botched assignment in Morocco. Had things ever progress beyond the physical? No. Not for her. But Castle was an emotional man, and he'd invested. She'd been hoping to use that to her advantage, but York finding out about them had derailed that plan.

The generic ring of a cell phone interrupted her thoughts. Turner snapped the book shut, replacing it on the shelf, before reaching inside her jacket to pull out her phone. No. It wasn't hers. She glanced up to see Danberg answer his phone.

Sighing, she crossed her arms and strolled out from the office niche, needing to do something. Turner let her eyes wandering around the bohemian living room again. Standing in the middle of Kate Beckett's apartment was a strange experience. The feel of the apartment contrasted with what she'd read about the NYPD Detective in the profiles and dossiers that the CIA had on the woman. Turner felt like she now understood the woman a little more than she had before. There was definitely more to Kate Beckett than the hard-nosed, kicking ass and taking names detective that she'd seen on paper.

Assessing the room with trained eyes, Turner already knew that there wouldn't anything that would lead them to Castle, Spyglass, or Mockingbird. The information on the computer might be useful in the future, but it was hardly worth her time. Maneuvering around the sofa, Turner headed for the only room she'd yet to personally survey. Glancing over her shoulder to check on Danberg and Riley one more time, she pushed open the door and slipped into the bedroom.

Beckett's private space was just as artsy and bohemian as the living room. Little trinkets littered any available flat surface space. Turner shuddered, having an instant dislike for it, just as she'd had with the décor in the living room. The closet was ajar, and several drawers on the antique dresser were half opened. It was as if someone had been in a haste to pack. Turner's eyes dropped to the roller case lying lopsided by the foot of the bed. She lifted her gaze up to the rumpled and disheveled bed sheets, the pillows lying haphazardly against the wrought iron headboard.

She frowned, finding herself wondering if it was possible that Castle had already seduced and bedded the woman. She made a mental note to have the crime scene techs check the sheets for fluids.

When Danberg and Riley checked on Beckett's previous online history, they'd discovered that she had a profile on some website similar to , but for blind dates. Turner chuckled to herself. The woman must have been desperate for companionship. She was probably putty in Castle's hands. Oh… and what good hands he had. It undoubtedly hadn't taken much work on his part to get the detective into bed.

Turner was snapped out of her musing when her phone buzzed. A devilish smile tugged at her lips as she read the text message. The outside consultant had come through. And he'd managed not only to snag Castle, but Beckett as well.

Oh… this was going to be fun.

XXX

Kate was brought back into the conscious world by a sudden lurch, only to find herself still in darkness. She blinked her eyes slowly, allowing the fog of whatever sedative they'd used on her to gradually fade away. From what she could tell, she was lying on her side with something warm and heavy draped across her waist. Squinting her eyes, she arched her neck in an attempt to examine what it was. Yet it was too dark, it was impossible to see. Just as she pulled her head back, deciding it was a futile endeavor, her entire body was suddenly lifted off the floor, before then immediately slamming back down.

A muffled grunt came from behind her.

Her eyes went wide. Gritting her teeth, she contorted her torso around, suppressing the jolt of rippling pain as the scar down her left side twisted and pulled. Kate blinked in the darkness, willing her eyes to adjust. But it was no use. There just wasn't any light to cast shadows. She settled back onto her side, and moved to stretch her arm out in an attempt to search her surroundings. But before she could move her hand too far, it caught on something. She frowned, tilting her head down in the blackness in a futile attempt to see what was trapping her hand.

"Oh, we're handcuffed," came a familiar male voice from behind her. His warm breath brushed across the nape of her neck, causing a pleasant shiver to dance down her spine. "Kinky."

"Castle?"

"The one and only," he declared, no doubt with a smug smirk.

"Where are we?"

"In the trunk of a car, I believe," he answered with a slight chuckle.

"This isn't funny, Castle," Kate growled in the blackness. If she could see him, she would most definitely have graced him with one of her patented glares that she usually reserved for suspects.

"I didn't say this was funny," he defended, lifting his arm up to rattle the metal handcuffs linking them together. "I said it was kinky." Castle shifted, and Kate's eyes went wide as she felt his pelvis brush against her ass, suddenly realizing that in this position they must be spooning, or at least as best as they could while trapped in the trunk of a car. Castle hummed low, as if in approval. Jackass. She could feel his chest vibrate with it against her back, and she tried with all her might to stifle her body's instant reaction. "Oh, isn't this cozy," he proclaimed, nuzzling up against her back.

"Shove it, Castle," Kate groused, not in the mood, even if the warmth pooling in her lower abdomen attested differently.

"Don't mind if I do," he purred into her ear, resting his palm comfortably low against her stomach. "Just shift your hips a bit and we'll be in business."

She opened her mouth, but her retort was cut off when the car hit another bump, sending Kate colliding back into Castle. His larger frame caught her, and she couldn't hold back the loud gasp when his front molded deliciously against her back. She swallowed down a moan.

Castle coughed, covering a groan, as he helped her right herself, his hand "You okay?"

"I'm fine," she answered, a little too quickly.

The car made a sharp turn. She couldn't hold back a yelp as they both shifted around in the trunk. Castle's hands latched onto her, holding her as steady as possible, trying to take the brunt of the impacts caused by the car's sudden movements. Her body twisted awkwardly when the car swerved again, and she couldn't hold back a small cry as the scar along her side pulled uncomfortably.

"Kate?"

She gritted her teeth, breathing heavily through her nose. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not," he insisted, using his skillful hands to shift her around until they were facing one another. Kate thought it was ridiculous, because they couldn't really see one another, but she relented. If it made him calmer, then so be it. She was not going to argue. "Please, Kate… talk to me. I want to help."

She sighed, the pleading edge in his voice getting to her. It was difficult to say no to him. Maybe that's how she had ended up stuck in the dark trunk of some car instead of lounging comfortably in her clawfoot bathtub with a good book. Kate licked her lips, feeling a sudden wave of nervous energy ripple up inside her, causing her doubts to rise up to the surface. She wanted to tell him, she really did. But she couldn't. She wasn't ready.

"I… I can't," Kate dropped her head in shame, feeling her cheeks warm with it. She moved her hand up in the darkness, blindly searching for him. Finding him, she cradled his face in her hand. "It's not that I don't want to tell you… I do. I… I'm just not ready." Kate paused, rubbing her thumb against the stubble along his jaw, feeling her heart clench with emotion. She narrowed her brow in determination. "But I will… later. I promise."

"Okay," he agreed, his tone leaving no doubt in her mind that he was going to hold her to that promise. Kate sighed, feeling her heart calm beneath her chest. It was reassuring too, that he believed that they would have a later to discuss things.

Castle rotated his cuffed hand around and gripped her hand, slowly interlacing their fingers together. He gave her a gentle squeeze of understanding. Kate pursed her lips and let the tension in her body release, relaxing as best she could into the hard lining of the trunk. They stayed quiet for some time, listening to the sounds of the wheels on the pavement. Kate didn't know what to say, if there was anything to say. She was so confused and conflicted over everything. But one thing was certain, despite how dire their situation was, Kate found herself believing they could make it through it. She couldn't explain it. It seemed almost irrational, yet there it was.

A sudden thought came to her. "Have you tried the inner latch?" she asked. "Perhaps we could pop the trunk and—"

"Already tried it," Castle asserted before she could get any further. His tone was defeated. He let out a sigh, and she felt his free hand come up to brush her hair back from her face. It was a gentle and tender gesture that caused her heart to flutter with feelings she'd been trying hard to suppress ever since he'd barged his way into her life. "They hit you with a stronger dose of the sedative, so you were out longer."

"How long?"

"About an hour," Castle said. "If we haven't left the city limits, we probably will soon."

Kate nodded, absorbing the news. Knitting her eyebrows together, she flicked her head back up. "Castle? Who's this Clyde?"

Castle groaned. "South African merc," he said. "He used to work for a warlord, running guns through Eastern Europe, which was how we ran into each other in Brussels. He was attempting to purchase a batch of AK-47s we—the CIA, I mean—had put on the black market to snare the gunrunners. Almost worked too, but he managed to slip through our fingers."

"Do you think…? I mean, could he be working with the mole?" asked Kate, part of he amazed at how much he'd revealed just now. So far it was the most detailed answer she'd ever got about his past.

"It's possible," Castle concurred. "Though I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone else. Believe it or not, some news in the intelligence community travels like wildfire. I'm sure most of the world's top agencies knew I'd taken Spyglass before we even bumped into one another in DC." He chuckled. "Whoever's paying him, I'm sure it's a fortune. Clyde doesn't come cheap."

The car made another turn, and they rolled with it. Castle gripped her forearm with one hand, turning serious. "Look, Kate, I don't know what's going to happen when we reach our destination and they open the trunk, and you really don't have any reason to trust me, especially now, but…," he trailed off. Kate held her breath, feeling her heart pound beneath her breast, the anticipation killing her. "I need you to know—to understand—that though we've met under unusual circumstances and still have a lot to learn about one another, everything between us… our attraction, this connection we share… has been real. I haven't been faking. Sure, at the start, I might have considered trying to seduce you to get to the flash drive, but that's change. I swear. I know my word probably isn't that good, but… Kate, it was never my plan to get you mixed up in all this, let alone develop—"

"Castle," she growled, interrupting him.

"Yes?"

She let out a huff and rolled her eyes. "Will you just shut up and kiss me."

He was caught off guard by her directness, as was she. But she couldn't take it back, and within moments, he complied to her demands, tilting his body into a better position as he slanted his mouth over hers, finding her in the darkness with ease. Kate pushed back, returning the kiss with all the emotion she felt swelling up in her beating heart. Castle was correct when he'd said that they hardly knew one another, but what they did know was enough. He cared for her, and she… she cared for him. They mutually cared for each other. And for now that was enough.

It was a staggering revelation to realize while stuck in the trunk of a car, being carried off to some uncertain future. But Kate embraced the moment, unwilling to let any doubts she might still harbor intrude. Her lips moved passionately over his, and she grinned when she coaxed a moan from deep within his throat. His free hand moved down her side, sprawling wide low along the small of her back, teasing the curve of her ass. Kate closed her eyes, ignoring the cutting pain as the metal cuffs dug into her wrist as she pivoted her body even more into his, needing to be closer to him. Neither of them knew what was to come. And if these were to be their final moments together, she wanted them to be memorable. Her whole body tingled with electric energy as his hand gripped her hip, nudging her onto his back as he moved over her, deepening the kiss.

So absorbed in one another, neither felt the car come to a halt or heard the low rumble of the engine cease. It was just them, alone in the dark, the rest of the world nonexistent. But that blissful ignorance was soon dashed, when the trunk popped open and a bright light assaulted their eyes. Kate grimaced, squinting as she pulled back to shield her eyes.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" groaned Castle.

"Sorry to interrupt," came Clyde's cruel voice, not at all apologetic. "But my employer wishes to talk with the lovely lady."

"What!?" Castle gasped out, clearly baffled. He arched his torso around to glare up at their captor. "Why?"

"None of your concern, old friend," Clyde replied with a sly grin. He raised his hand, and swiftly knocked Castle out with a small rubber cudgel.

Kate cried out when Castle's body jerked from the hit and slumped back against her. She squeezed her arms around him, attempting to rouse him. Flicking her eyes up at Clyde, she glared at him with undisguised hatred.

The mercenary ignored her disdain, reaching inside his pocket to produce a key. Two of his thugs materialized from behind him, and they twisted Castle around to grab at their linked hands. Kate struggled against them, but they were too strong, and the effects of the sedative hadn't yet fully diminished from her system.

"Play nice, now," drawled Clyde, grinning sickeningly, his evil eyes enjoying the entertainment. Kate fought out, earning an elbow to stomach. While she gasped for breath, Clyde moved in and unlocked the cuffs that linked her and Castle together. He grinned as he stepped back, nodding to his men.

The two thugs returned and big hands reached out for her. Gathering all her strength, Kate fought them off as best she could, but they were two and she was just one. She managed to kick one of the men in the nose, grinning triumphantly when she heard a loud crack. The brute cursed, jerking his head back as he spat out blood. Clyde stood off to the side, a displeased expression working its way onto his face.

"Fools! Stop messing around!" he shouted.

Her gloating cost her, and Kate was unprepared for the punch to the gut. She coughed, doubling over, and when the men reached in to grab her for the second time, she was unable to resist. The thugs hauled her out of the trunk and she stumbled onto the concrete floor. One beefy hand gripped the back of her neck and yanked her back onto her feet. She gritted her teeth and glared at Cracked Nose, blood smearing his ugly mug.

Clyde stepped in front of her, grinning. "Now, play nice, pretty lady."

Kate flicked her stare to him, and curled her lips in disgust. But before she could respond by spitting in his face, a black canvas bag was being shoved over her head.

XXX

Castle groaned as he gradually fought his way back to consciousness. His head was throbbing, and a major headache was brewing. As awareness returned to him, his first thoughts were of Kate. Snapping his eyes open, he found himself in a dark dank room, retching of blood and sewage. The concrete floor was cold, hard, and wet. He struggled against his bonds, but couldn't free himself. He attempted to shout out for Kate, but soon learned that his mouth was gag with a filthy cloth. Clenching his jaw, he contorted his body around, ignoring the ache along his side where he'd bruised his ribs that other day, arching his neck as he scanned the room for Kate. There was no sign of her. Wherever they'd taken her, it wasn't here.

Perhaps he should be grateful for that, because his quick survey of the room quickly explained the reason for the foul stench. A single table and chair furnished the room. The tabletop was littered with a variety of knives and other heinous tools of torture. He'd seen them all before, had endured worse. In the center of the room a rusting chain hung from the ceiling. It swung slightly, evidence that it had been lowered from its original height.

A deep mental click sounded and Castle rolled over just in time to see the gray slab of a door open. Clyde appeared, flanked by four of his men. A henchman with two white bandage strips over his bruised nose folded his arms and stopped in the doorway, blocking any escape. Clyde casually walked over to the table and examined the instruments on it. He picked up a knife with a wicked curve and one serried side before placing it back down on the table. He looked over at Castle and grinned.

Two of the thugs came over and grabbed him, violently hauling him up onto his feet. One looked to Clyde for instruction. He gave a curt nod, and the man removed the gag from Castle's mouth.

"Where's Kate!?" he demanded in a hoarse voice.

"Your pretty lady friend?" Clyde's lips morphed into a sadistic grin as he exchanged a look with his bodyguard. "She's being entertained by some of my… less civilized associates. They were quite thrilled with the opportunity, especially once I told them she was a police officer. It's awful. Many of these men have been unjustly punished by your countries legal system."

Castle controlled his anger. His past experience with Clyde telling him to be cautious with what the man said. Most of it would be fabrication, meant to cause a reaction in him. Castle was determined not to play the game. Instead, he remained silent, simply glaring at Clyde.

The man chuckled, shaking his head. "You doubt my words?" he challenged. "My word is my bond, Rick. I would be nothing without my word. After all, I have a reputation to maintain."

Castle curled his lips in a snarl. "I'm going to kill you."

"Ha," Clyde laughed. "When? If you haven't noticed, I'm in complete control. Plus there are five of us, and you're tied up."

Castle shrugged, stretching his neck slowly as he glanced around at all the thick-necked goons. "I've seen better."

Clyde ignored him, returning his attention back to the table of torture instruments. "I've acquired some new skills since last we met, old friend," he said. "Perhaps I should show you?"

"Whatever floats your boat." The retort earned him a punch in the gut. He suppressed the groan, not wanting to give his captors the satisfaction.

Clyde smirked, shaking his head at Castle's temerity. "My employer has certain questions that require answers," he informed Castle. "And I, for one, intend not to disappoint." Taking off his jacket and depositing it on the back of the chair, Clyde unbuttoned his cuffs and began to roll up his sleeves. "Prepare him," he ordered.

Clenching his jaw, Castle summoned up his courage, knowing he'd need it for the next hour or so. He was dragged over to the chain that hung down from the ceiling. He didn't resist. Resistance would be pointless at this juncture. His white polo shirt was cut away and his arms were hitched up to the back of the chain. This was going to be brutal. Clyde wasn't exactly known for his mercy. But this wouldn't be the first time he'd been tortured. Castle had experienced far worse than Clyde, and he felt confident in his ability to take whatever the man could dish out.

Finished securing him to the chain, the men backed off and Clyde gave a signal to his bodyguard, who turned the winch. The chain rattled, and Castle closed his eyes as his arms were tugged up above his head; his muscles tensing at they were stretched and strained. He thought of his daughter… and Kate. The kiss they'd shared in the dark of the trunk was going to be a safe haven for him during this. He'd never had something like that. Before, when faced with similar situations, Castle had just let his mind go dead, numb to the pain that would be inflicted upon him. He'd never had a memory to rely on to get him through it. With that settled, he nodded to himself, determined to survive this for them… for Kate and Alexis. They could do whatever they wanted to him, he'd never surrender. As long as Alexis was safe… that was all that mattered.

Opening his eyes, Castle glared at the smug Clyde as the man played around with the various tools on the table, attempting to taunt him. He made a silent vow that somehow, someway, he'd make good on his threat to kill the bastard.

Having finally decided on an instrument, a strange looking curved knife with two barbed prongs, Clyde slowly strolled around the table to stand in front of Castle, waving the instrument menacingly in front of him. "Shall me begin?"