Chapter 21
Kate awakes from her short nap. She opens her eyes slightly. She becomes fully aware of the events that happened last night. She slowly looks at Rick then begins to contemplate everything. In her thoughts, the one blazing item is to quit endangering the people she loves. To do that she must put this case to rest.
She needs to get on with her life. This case interferes with that. It has been the driving force in her life for far too long. She thinks of all that has happened in the last month. It starts with Robert's sudden disappearance, to the murder of Javi's friend then ends with the killing of the nurse that gave the ultimate sacrifice. It is just a long parade of bodies associated with this case. It needs to end. There would be no more loss of life over this case.
She slips off the bed as her bladder is bursting. She goes to the bathroom to relieve the pressure. Coming out of the bathroom she walks over to stop at the foot of the bed. She stands there watching his chest rise up and down. He is alive. She means to keep him this way. She grabs her phone then quietly leaves the room. She nods to Officer Charles on her way out. He gives her a mischievous look. She just smiles back at him. Walking to the waiting area she pulls out her phone. She hit her speed dial for contact #2 then waits for the call to connect.
"Esposito" he answers.
"Espo…It's Beckett." She replies.
"Boss…? Why are you calling me at 0630?" He sleepily asks.
"Listen, any word yet from that tech on those recordings?" She asks.
"Boss the tech was still working on them until 2 this morning when I brought in our ghost. He is not going anywhere I promise you that. Montgomery told that tech to leave and not come back before Noon. So if you will excuse me, Boss, I have a pillow calling my name." He says sleepily.
Kate does not say anything but hangs up so her best detective would get more sleep. Kate yawns then realized she only has had 3 hours herself. Espo was right she needs more sleep too. Though, she calls Montgomery to leave a message. She finishes the message yawns again then retreats to the dark cool room.
She gets in as Officer Charles is relieved by Officer Hanson. He appears in shock as Officer Charles informs him on what happened last night. Officer Charles leaves as Kate enters the room. She crawls up next to Rick then returns to slumber.
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Kate awakes when the nurses appear to check on Rick. She carefully watches the nurse as she flits around the room. Soon she leaves. Kate looks at the time. It is 11:45 am. Kate still feels a bit groggy. She looks around to see Rick's piercing blue eyes looking at her.
"Morning, Kate…" Rick says with a slur.
The sedative is slowly leaving his system.
"Morning Babe, How are you feeling today?" She asks.
"Lousy…I feel like a garbage truck ran over me. I hurt all over." Rick whines.
"That is to be expected. The team worked on you for awhile before they were able to revive you." Kate says with a shudder.
Rick notices then wraps his good arm around her shoulder then allows her to break down.
"Oh, Rick I thought I lost you then I heard your voice calling me. I was so scared." Kate blubbers.
"Oh, Babe I did not mean to scare you. Do you know what happened?" He asks wanting the gory details.
"Not really the doctor should be by soon," Kate says.
"Oh ok so are you going somewhere?" Rick asks.
"Well, Rick I'm not going too far only to the waiting room to call Espo. I'll be right back." Kate says leaning over to kiss him then exit.
"Hurry back…" Rick forlornly says.
Kate moves past Officer Hanson who seems to want to talk.
"Detective, is it true that Sargent was killed on the John?" he asks as he hands her a cup of coffee.
"Thanks" Kate brightly says taking a big gulp. "Yes, it is true."
"Oh I see," he says as he seems to have something else to say.
Kate keen eye notices his dilemma.
"Officer is there something bothering you?" Kate asks.
"Well yes, I have a phone belonging to the Sargent. I think we swapped somehow. I want to give it back but…" he states.
"Yes I understand give it to me and I will see that CSU gets it." Kate says.
Kate walks down to the waiting area paging through the Sargent's. Phone. She thinks she might call some of these numbers. So she hit a number which seems to be called frequently. She listens to the phone to ring. Kate feels a bit foolish when a voice she recognizes answers.
"This is detective Esposito of NYPD who is this?" he officially asks.
"Espo whose phone are you answering?" Kate asks being so surprised.
"Boss is that you? Whose phone do you have?" Espo replies being equally surprised.
"I have the dead Sargent's phone. It was mistakenly given to Officer Hansen. So you tell me Espo" Kate reports.
"Boss this is the phone found on our ghost murderer. It seems like the Sgt knew our ghost. His prints are not in the system. I'm at the crime lab when his phone started ringing." He says.
"Okay, Espo so sorry for calling you earlier." Kate apologizes.
"Boss, that's okay. Wait one…" he says as the phone goes dead.
He returns to the line.
"Boss, that is the tech. We have a 100% match plus our ghost is on that recording too. He brags about the killing of…Boss, are you there Boss?" Espo worriedly asks.
Kate is stunned. The voice of the ghost is her Mother's murderer. She finally has the errand boy, but the one called the Dragon…That is her target now.
"Yeah, Espo this phone needs to be analyzed immediately." Kate says.
"Ok LT is in the area he will swing by with an evidence bag. Watch your back Boss, make sure Castle is safe." Espo says hanging up.
Kate waits in the waiting room then downs a cup of coffee. LT appears then he retrieves the phone then leaves. Kate is numb as she returns to the room. Rick quickly notices as she collapses on the bed.
"Kate darling what is wrong?" Rick asks as he comforts with his good hand by stroking her hair as she cries into the covers.
Kate pauses crying long enough to speak.
"We have the man that murdered my Mother in custody…He speaks on the FBI recording. He is the one who tried to end you last night." Kate says.
"So these are happy tears?" Rick cluelessly asks.
"No, Rick…I'm crying because of the frustration of not understanding the cost for this knowledge. Rick, there has been a trail of bodies attached to this case. You could have been one. I feel that it is my fault they are dead." Kate says.
"Kate these deaths while regrettable are not your fault. It is the fault of the criminal only!" Rick implores.
Kate looks at him with watery eyes then sniffles a bit too. This makes Kate so adorable in his eyes. She continues after staring at his lips.
"Montgomery will not let me in the precinct. I want to face this killer to beat him into submission then make him confess the man's name that holds his collar." Kate says.
"How did you learn that?" Rick asks.
Kate explains how she called Espo early this morning and later today.
"So you have not heard from Montgomery directly?" Rick asks.
Kate shakes her head no.
"Well, then how do you know he has banned you?" Rick asks.
"Well, when LT came to get the phone he let it slip that the Captain would interrogate the suspect alone. That is about 2 hours ago. Don't you think that the Captain would have contacted me if he wanted his best interrogator on this case?" Kate retorts while grabbing the covers in her fists then twisting.
So what does that prove? You and I are still in danger…Two people were murdered in this hospital. I am sure if he places his own nephew in harm's way would he not expect you to abandon my security just to interrogate a possible murderer and maybe not the only one?" Rick asks.
Kate stops then thinks maybe clearly for the first time since this whole mess started. Rick has a point. No matter what sort of information she would drag out of the suspect. Would she compromise Rick's security? The answer is a resounding 'NO'. She would not budge from his side before. She would not do it now either.
"Thanks Babe for being you." She says as she leaves a kiss on his lips.
Just then the harried doctor arrives. Kate slips off the bed then goes to wash her face in the bathroom but leaves the bathroom door ajar so she can observe by looking in the mirror. She watches the doctor check on Rick's bandages then his range of movement. Then he returns the arm back into the sling. Kate exits just in time for the discussion.
"Hello doctor how is Rick?" she asks.
"Oh, good Afternoon Detective…It looks like the clot removing medicine is working. The ultrasound shows no permanent damage. Though, it was touch and go for you, Mr. Castle. If we were not alerted right away we would not be having this conversation." The doctor says.
"So that is a relief exactly what did happen?" Kate asks.
"Well, there is a blood clot that detached from one of the surgery sites to lodge in your heart. Luckily it was dislodged with our emergency procedures. We should have put more clot reducing medicine in your drip." He admits.
"So will Rick have a chance of this happening again?" Kate asks worriedly.
"Well I do not think so but we need to monitor his condition carefully. Though it will extend Mr. Castle stay with us." He says.
"So how much of a setback are we talking about doc?" Rick asks.
"Well, I suspect it will hold you back for about 2 or 3 weeks before we can clear you for physical therapy. I know this is a disappointment but look at it this way…You get extra time to see my smiling visage and sample this hospitals fine cuisine." The doc quips.
"Hey Doc a comedian you are not…I think you should stick with your day job." Rick retorts while Kate swats at his good arm.
The doctor leaves then Rick turns to her.
"Babe, what is that for? I am still injured…" Rick protests.