Psycho Killer – Chapter 19

He couldn't take his eyes off her. The disheartened and crestfallen look on her face was almost too much for him to bear. He wished there was more he could do to encourage her that it wasn't the end, that there was still more to do, but from his experience—both of which happened to take place in Istanbul—Raymond Kilmer would most likely disappear into thin air. The only lead they had was Johann Kriedt. The arms dealer had agreed to talk, but only if the government could guarantee his safety. Castle wasn't sure how much Kilmer would have revealed to Kriedt. He suspected it wasn't much. He could only hope that it would be enough to provide them with a few more leads.

Any and all sense of righteous vindication at having been proven right about Ray Kilmer's intentions at the campaign rally had been wiped away and forgotten the moment they heard the news from Agent McCord once they'd made it back to the Windmark Hotel.

The Vice President of the United States was dead.

He had been struck in the head and chest. Both shots had been fatal. Even though he had still been semi-conscious when the Secret Service had rushed him out of the building, he had been lost the moment the first bullet hit.

Senator William Bracken had been wounded. Though, unlike Vice President Russell, he had been lucky. If you could call being shot lucky? It was a clean shot, through and through. He would have to stay in the hospital for a week or more, and then he'd have to suffer through several months of physical therapy to be able to use his arm normally again, but he would survive.

The pundits and talking heads were already calling him a hero. Apparently footage from the campaign rally showed the Senator trying to save the Vice President by diving in front of him when the shooting started. Castle had to give it to Bracken, not many senators would willing take a bullet for a fellow politician, especially one that was a rival for the party's presidential nomination. There already seemed to be a strong sense amongst the national media outlets that with his heroics today, William Bracken had all but locked up the nomination. Castle wasn't too sure, but then again, he'd never really followed politics as much as he should, considering his career.

The elevator chime dinged, and the doors rattled open on the 4th floor of the 12th Precinct. Beckett stepped out first, and Castle followed. Her back was straight and stiff. She walked almost as if in a daze. He moved up beside her, matching her stride, and gently placed a hand along the small of her back, trying to ease the tension in her muscles with a soothing caress. Beckett turned her head ever so slightly to acknowledge the comforting touch and offered him a weak smile in gratitude for his support.

Castle wished there was more he could do. He wanted desperately to pull her into the hallway, away from prying eyes, and hold her close in a fierce hug. He wanted to reach up and cup her jaw in his palm, soothe away the stress lines along her face with his tender touch and kiss away her worries.

But he couldn't do that. At least not at present. Later, when it was just the two of them alone in a hotel suite, they could decompress together.

They turned around the corner and entered the homicide bullpen. The room was buzzing with activity: Uniformed officers were escorting witnesses to interview rooms, detectives were taking statements and making notes, and civilian clerks were busy manning the phone lines. It was like organized chaos in action. Castle came to a halt at the entrance to the bullpen, letting Beckett proceed ahead without him. He took a step back, observing it all. He arched his neck and glanced up towards a television set mounted on the wall. The breaking news program was reporting on the shooting at the Windmark Hotel.

Glancing back down, Castle caught Beckett's shoulders slumping in defeat as she stood by her desk, alone in the sea of activity. She dropped her head, and closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Castle sighed, and stepped back up behind her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Beckett startled at that unexpected touch, but when she turned her head to see it was him, she relaxed just a little bit and eased into his touch.

"Beckett!" the irritated voice of Captain Gates snapped them both back to reality.

"Captain?" Beckett inquired, stepping sideways to put a professional distance between her and Castle.

Gates flicked her eyes between Beckett and Castle, before settling back on the detective and pointing her finger at her. "I'd like a word with you in my office, now," Gates stated, turning around without waiting for a response and marching into her office.

Beckett bit her lower lip and exchanged a look with Castle.

"Good luck," he murmured softly.

"Thanks," she mouthed, slipping her hand down between them to squeeze his hand in gratitude.

Castle offered her a supportive smile, squeezing her hand back, and then let her go. He sat on the edge of her desk and crossed his arms over his chest as he watched her walk away, head held high as she entered the captain's office and closed the door behind her.

XXX

The cellphone buzzed as it vibrated on the glass tabletop, making the sound reverberate throughout the silent conference room. NCS Director Samson York turned around from his view out the window at the inner courtyard of the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. He contemplated letting the call go to voicemail. Everything seemed to spiral out of control. The mess in New York was only half of it. There was a leak within the Agency. Someone was providing information and resources to Kilmer. And if his suspicions were right, then they were facing a dangerous foe with powerful connections. The cellphone continued to buzz. He rubbed a hand across his bald crown, and stepped back over to the table, snatching the vibrating phone up.

"This is York," he answered the call.

"Castle and Beckett were right," came the voice of Martin Danberg.

"I know," York said, scrubbing a hand down his tired face. He had never really doubted them. He had known Rick Castle for a long time. He had been the one to recruit him into the Company. York knew he was trustworthy and his intel genuine. "I just heard." He sighed, thinking again of the clusterfuck that was New York. "What about Kilmer?"

There was a pause. "He got away," Danberg informed him. "Beckett and Castle gave chase… but Kilmer was just one step ahead of them. However, we did get Johann Kriedt."

"Well that's something, at least," York stated with a sigh, knitting his eyebrows together and staring down at the table as he thought. "How was he captured?"

There was another pause. "It was Detective Beckett," Danberg asserted. "She spotted him the crowd trying to gain access to the hotel lobby, and tackled him. The AG's people were on scene as well, and they took him into a backroom behind the hotel's front desk to question him."

"And where is he now?"

"Being transported back the Federal Building as we speak," Danberg said. "I have Chu and Evans with him. Thought it best to keep him in our hands for now. Don't want the AG's 'special' task force messing this one up again."

"A sensible precaution," York agreed. He glanced up when there was a slight tap on the door and he spotted the tall, distinguished figure of Jackson Hunt leaning against the doorframe.

"Any change to mission parameters, sir?" Danberg inquired.

"Not as yet," he answered. "Continue the deception with Kovaks. We want him to think he has all the cards." York narrowed his eyes as Hunt raised a hand and motioned him over. "I have to go. Keep me informed. And Agent Danberg… good work."

York ended the call and pocketed his cellphone as he hurried around the conference table to meet Hunt at the door.

"Any news?"

"The boards lit up half an hour ago," Hunt spoke in a flat tone, face devoid of emotion as he retrieved a folded piece of paper from his inside jacket pocket.

"I don't understand," York said in a hush voice as he unfolded the paper to see a printout of a data spreadsheet. "This spike in chatter was expected, especially given the nature of the event."

Hunt shook his head, his expression remaining impassive. "Not like this."

York raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What do you think it means?"

"The Knave is not done yet," Hunt said. "You should probably alert my son and his detective to expect more." He paused, and glanced back out into the hall. "The Director's furious. He's already called an emergency meeting of department heads. He'll be looking for someone to blame."

"He has only himself to blame," York grumbled, frowning. "If he listened…"

Hunt placed a hand on York's shoulder, his expression grave. "Be careful, Samson," he said. "And watch out for Kovaks. The ball is still in play. And if he's going to make a move… it'll be soon."

York narrowed his eyes. "Then we'll be ready for him."

XXX

"What the hell were you thinking, Detective!?" Gates demanded, leaning forward on her desk as she fixed Beckett with a disapproving glare.

Beckett clenched her jaw and unflinchingly met her captain's fierce gaze. "I was doing my job, sir," she ground out through clenched teeth.

"Oh, you were doing your job? Is that it?" Gates echoed, shifting back and folding her arms across her chest. "Need I remind you that you offered your resignation the other day?"

Her mouth dropped to protest, but nothing came out. There was nothing she could say to that. There was no way to argue out of a stupid rash decision made in the heat of the moment. "Sir, I…," she fumbled. It was all she could manage before the captain silenced her with a raised hand.

"I was warned about you before I took this command," Gates said. "You have a history of reckless behavior and disobeying orders. Now… I know Captain Montgomery forgave it because he was your mentor and you got the job done. He might have even encouraged it a bit. I, on the other hand, don't." The captain paused, shifting her stance behind her desk, the tension in her shoulders relaxing just a tad. "That being said, you're a great detective, maybe one of the best in the department, and it would be a shame to lose you."

"Sir?"

"I never filed your resignation," Gates explained.

"Sir… I… thank you?" Beckett knitted her eyebrows together, and shifted her weight, unsure how to really respond.

Gates offered her a small smile. "You're still suspended, but you still have a job here… that is, if you still want it."

"I do," she answered without hesitation. "I do, very much. Thank you, Captain."

Gates inclined her head in a brief nod of acknowledgement. "Then I'll see you in a month."

Beckett opened her mouth to protest, but Captain Gates held up her hand.

"I don't want to hear it, Detective," the captain said. "The FBI and Homeland Security is handling the case now. And you're still on suspension. So, please… for once follow orders and stand down."

Beckett let out a breath and with great reluctance inclined her head in acceptance. "Yes, sir," she said, knowing full well she had no intention of following orders. She couldn't let Kilmer get away, not after everything he'd done. Despite what Gates said, it was still her case. It would always be her case. Beckett move to leave, but hesitated for a moment, turning back to look at her captain. "And again… thank you, sir," she spoke sincerely, grateful for the reprieve from her rash decision to resign. She didn't know what she'd do if she couldn't be a cop.

Gates dismissed her with a nod of her head, and then answered the phone ringing on her desk. Beckett turned away and opened the door, closing it behind her as she stepped out of the captain's office and into the bullpen.

She found Castle right where she'd left him. He was sitting on the edge of her desk that old flip phone of his in his hand. He was staring down at the screen, eyebrows knitted in concentration. Beckett stepped over to him and lightly touched his arm to gain his attention.

"Hey, what's up?" she asked.

"Huh? Oh… just a message from Danberg," he said, flipping the phone shut and shifting his weight on the edge of her desk to return the device back to his side pocket.

"And?"

"They've got nothing yet on Kilmer," Castle replied after a long sigh. "We'll know more once they get Kriedt into an interrogation room. He's got our people escorting him to the Federal Building."

"By 'our people' you mean CIA?" Beckett inquired with a raise eyebrow.

Castle hummed out an affirmative. He shifted and flicked his gaze towards Captain Gates's office. "How'd it go in there?"

Beckett sat down next to him on the edge of her desk, and smiled. "Surprisingly well," she answered with a soft laugh, still slightly amazed by Gates's understanding. "I'm not fired."

"Still have a job then, eh?" Castle chuckled.

"Yep," she answered with a bob of her head. "Though still suspended… for a month."

"A month, you say?" Castle lowered his voice and leaned closer. "Now what might you do with a month off work?"

"Hmm, that's a difficult question," Beckett bit her lower lip as her eyes flicked down to his mouth before flirting back up to meet his gaze. "Got any suggestions?"

"Oh, yeah, a few," Castle chuckled, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

She pursed her lips together, and dropped her head, letting her hair fall down to shield her smile and blushing cheeks. It felt wrong to feel like this after what had just happened. The Vice President was dead, and his assassin was still out there. Technically it wasn't her job to find him, but she felt irrationally responsible. Heaving in a deep breath, she jerked her head back up and met her boyfriend's curious gaze. He smiled back at her. And she could tell by just the way he looked at her that he loved her with every fiber of his being. It stole her breath away, and made her feel extremely grateful to have him by her side.

"Thank you," she said, finding his hand with hers.

He curled his fingers around hers, and their palms kissed, sealing their connection. Without the need for any other words, she could tell that Castle knew exactly what she'd meant. His smiled at her, and squeezed her hand in support.

"We'll get him," Castle said. "Me and you. Together."

She pursed her lips together and swallowed, nodding her head in agreement. "Together."

Castle smirked, a wistful look coming into his eyes. "And afterwards, we'll go away. Just the two of us. Take advantage of your month off. I think it's safe to say after all the shit we've both been through we deserve a vacation."

"Yes, we do," she let out a soft chuckle. "Somewhere with sun and sand."

"And fruity drinks with little colorful umbrellas."

"And no clothes," she added with a playful smirk and saucy wink.

"Oh yes, definitely no clothes," Castle concurred with a low chuckle. He bumped his forehead against hers. "I like the way you think, Detective."

She smiled back at him, and pressed a soft kiss to his lips before pulling back and putting a professional distance between them. She exhaled slowly, finally letting the little bubble they were in pop, and reluctantly allowing reality back in. The playful sparkle in her eyes dimmed, replaced with fierce determination. "But first we need to get Kilmer."

Castle leaned back and inclined his head. "We'll get him," he asserted confidently, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting go. "We'll get him."

Beckett inhaled deeply, milking in his confidence. She'd never grow tired of seeing his faith in them as a team. They had worked well together when they went against Sophia Turner last year, and she had little doubt they'd continue to do the same in the future. She offered him a brief smile, before standing up and walking around her desk. She opened her bottom drawer and took out a bag she'd kept there with a pair of backup clothes. She had never expected she'd ever need to use it because her apartment had blown up.

"Hey guys, you're here!" Ryan came rushing into the bullpen from one of the side halls. "Wait up!"

Beckett stopped what she was doing, noticing the troubled looked on her colleague's face. "Kevin?" she questioned. "What is it?

Castle stood up from his perch on the side of her desk and stepped aside to let the younger detective in. Ryan sucked in a deep breath and held up his phone.

"The car transporting Kriedt to the Federal Building," he started, pausing to catch his breath. "It got shot up. Kriedt's dead, as are the three Feds escorting him."

"Shit," Castle groaned. His face fell. "I knew two of those agents. Good men."

"You think it was Kilmer?" Ryan asked, still working at catching his breath.

Beckett nodded. "Without a doubt. Either it was him or someone else. Either way, we just lost our best lead."

The three of them stood there in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Beckett couldn't help but feel that sense of hopelessness and defeat start to creep back in. Kriedt had been their only hope at finding out what Kilmer's plan was and where they could possibly find him. With Kriedt now dead, she didn't know what else they could do.

Ryan shook his head. "What do we do now?"

Beckett opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a new arrival.

"We get that son-of-a-bitch, once and for all."

They all turned to see Javier Esposito marching across the bullpen with a determined look on his face. He strolled over, joining them in their huddle around Beckett's desk, purposefully standing as far away from Ryan as he could. It wasn't lost on Beckett that the two partners avoided each other's gaze. She narrowed her eyes and shook her head at the stubbornness of men.

"And how do you suggest we do that?" Castle asked, giving the other suspended detective a quizzical look.

Esposito held up a slip of paper. "I called in a favor with an old army buddy."

"Javi… that's… wow. Okay, what have you got?" Beckett asked, feeling her heart rate pick up with anticipation for some forward momentum on the case.

Esposito offered a pleased smirk. "An address."