TALES FROM THE CITADEL CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Truths and Temptations
(Witchy Woman Four)
Author's note: There will be a couple of twists in the story that I hadn't planned on. Instigated by parts of a couple of reviews. We'll see if the reviewers catch them.
The team awoke early so that they could eat breakfast together. Beckett's idea, expressed just after Rick got back last night. She wasn't sure why, but over the years, she'd learned to trust her intuition. For once, Kate decided to eat a hearty breakfast. Beckett, Esposito and Ryan all ordered bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast and coffee. Castle ordered corned beef hash, eggs, hash browns an English muffin and coffee.
As soon as they walked into the precinct, Kate's warning radar went off. Instead of the expected pants suit or slacks, shirt and a blazer, DuPres was wearing a pleated skirt that ended just above her knees, a fitted blouse and a waist length Bolero jacket in her signature colors of scarlet and black. Patterned black stocking and pumps. Again, nothing that Beckett could call out as unprofessional but a look that definitely sent a message One that Kate liked, not at all.
It seemed that the rest of DuPres' team dressed a little nicer today.
After giving the morning briefing, including the information from the DEA, Du Pres said;
"Today we're going to operate a little differently. We're going to do a little inter-team bonding. That is. I will be partnering with Castle today. Detective Beckett, you'll ride with Detective Rivers. Detective Esposito, you'll go with Detective Carver and Detective Ryan with Detective Flanders. It will give each pair a different perspective than they're used to.
Beckett protested. "You can't break up our team."
"Actually, Detective I can. I'm the lead detective and your orders are to cooperate with us, but don't worry, it's only for today. You really don't like that, do you Detective. You won't have your partner today, I will. And I'll have him tonight too. Maybe I'll HAVE him tonight. I'll have a good use for those big strong hands and the long thick fingers. Du Pres shivered, almost imperceptibly thinking about that,
Although Beckett had her face under control, DuPres could see the anger in her eyes, reflected in her body language. Du Pres said;
"Okay everyone, grab a cup of coffee if you want one. We move out in fifteen.'
Esposito smirked. "What does she think this is, the army?"
Beckett took two mugs and poured coffee for Castle and herself. Handed him his and said, quietly; "Be very careful Castle, I don't trust her." Not with you, at any rate.
"I'll be careful Beckett, the dynamic is bound to be off, somewhat."
Just before they paired up, DuPres received a phone call.
"You and Selene may have your work cut out for you, cousin, I tried my best to get him to come on to me, last night and he wouldn't."
Well, Sharon, you aren't me. Or Selene, for that matter. Out loud she said;
"Thanks for the heads up. I'll take it under advisement."
"Don't worry about being with new partners for the day. We're just investigating. We won't be confronting suspects or making arrests. If the situation looks dicey, back off and call it in we'll rendezvous. We'll all start at the first scene, go over that again then split up. Rivers and Beckett go to scene two, Esposito and Carver to scene three. Ryan and Flinders at scene four and we'll meet again at scene five. For timing purposes, give it .an hour at each scene. Then meet back at scene five in an hour and a half." Each pair had a packet of crime scene photographs of their scene five."
Either DuPres had a lot of pull, or the department considered her job very important. She had a new Ford Police Utility with all the bells and whistles. The small SUV had stereo radio, three police radios and a on board computer station. Both a shotgun and a rifle were in racks. Whether deliberate or not, (Castle was sure that it was deliberate) DuPres' skirt was hiked fairly high on her thighs, giving Castle a good view of her legs, including flashes of the creamy skin above her stocking tops. Castle was finding it difficult to suppress his reaction.
At the crime scene, Castle was closely looking at all the symbols scrawled on the walls, some of them in blood. DuPres pulled out the photo of the woman's body.
"Somebody really hated this woman, to do all this to her. It had to be personal." DuPres said.
"Maybe not. Castle said. Both this woman and the woman at scene five were Asians. Some of the Asian gangs are brutal enough to use this as a way to send a message. Castle pointed to a symbol on the wall. That's not a Voodoo sign, that's a Yakuza clan sign." He took out his phone and snapped a picture.
"How do you know that Castle?"
"I'm a mystery writer. Research, remember?" Actually, Castle's familiarity with that symbol was a lot more direct than research. DuPres smirked.
"I can see why Detective Beckett has you as a partner. You think outside the box." I need you to be thinking about my box. Castle wondered about the predatory look that fleeted across her face.
She thought, briefly., about while pretending to look at something low on the wall, squatting in such a way as to expose her sheer red panties that left nothing to the imagination. She decided not to. That was the kind of ploy that worked on a teen age boy, or a hick. Not on someone as sophisticated as Castle. Flashing her legs while driving could be considered accidental. That never would.
While she couldn't pull something like that, she stayed as close to Castle as she could, without invading his personal space. Letting her subtly erotic perfume waft over him, occasionally brushing his hand.
As they left the scene DuPres said;
"We've got about twenty minutes to spare. Care for a cup of coffee?"
"Sure."
"There's a Starbucks about a block from here.' Castle chuckled.
"I think that there's a Starbucks just about a block from anywhere."
DuPres grinned, showing her perfect white teeth.
"That's probably true. This one's on me Castle. I heard about the coffee you took your muse every morning. Maybe it's time for someone to bring coffee to you. Or at least, spring for it."
DuPres orders a vanilla latte with cinnamon, Castle orders a large coffee with a shot of chocolate and cinnamon. He takes s sip, grins and says;
"Thank you DuPres, I really appreciate it." He gives her one of his genuine smiles.
She smiles back. I can give you a lot more to appreciate than coffee and I'm going to.
As they're about to leave, Castle snaps his fingers. And turns back to the barista and orders Beckett's favorite.
"I almost forgot Beckett's coffee. Thank you for reminding me. I like to keep up traditions."
"Glad to be of service." Damn it, why did I have to bring that up. I don't want him thinking of her. He's with me today. Castle totally missed the snark in her voice.
Arriving at the final crime scene, DuPres is back in professional mode, but still gives Beckett a slight glare as Beckett's soft smile and sparkling eyes as Castle hands Kate her coffee. Yes, she'd had coffee at breakfast and while it was good standard coffee, it wasn't her special coffee, Rick's offering. She was pissed at DuPres for separating her from her partner, even if it was only one day. However, her morning ritual coffee made her feel that the day wasn't a total loss.
As Castle was looking around the site, he noticed the same gang sign among the voodoo signs. He takes out his phone and snaps a photo of the sign and compares it with the one he took at scene one. He calls the group together and shows the two photos. He says;
"Let's check the other scenes closely." They do and the signs are found at each scene.
They return to the precinct and compare the various photos. Rick says,
"Those are Yakuza gang signs. This case could get a whole lot worse before it gets better. Typically, Yakuza has more fingers in the pie. Not only drugs, but weapons, human trafficking protection, you name it. If it's illegal and profitable, they're into it."
The discussion of the case lasted until DuPres said;
"Let's break for lunch. I don't know what everyone's tastes are but I'm sure that pizza is a pretty safe choice. There's an excellent pizza parlor just down the street. Let's go there. I don't like eating in the office if I don't have to." Several different kinds of pizza were ordered and shared around. Half an hour after lunch, Castle said:
"I have to head back to the hotel, for a couple of hours. I've got to take my migraine medication and rest a little." DuPres said
"Migraine condition Castle? That's not in your record."
"That's because it's not considered debilitating, if properly treated." Beckett raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. She knew very well that Castle didn't have a migraine condition, he was up to something. Esposito and Ryan were also aware that Castle didn't have migraines but at Kate's slight shake of her head, they knew not to say anything.
When Castle got to his room, he got out a device that looked like an ordinary tablet. It was, in fact, an encrypted satellite phone. He punched in a series of numbers. He heard 7069. Castle replied 2847. "Authenticate cold cypress." "I authenticate older coffee" A computerized voice said; Rodgers, Richard A. Lieutenant Commander.
"Connect me with Captain Tyrell."
"Tyrell." "Sir, this is Commander Rodgers. I've got a lead. It's as we feared. Yakuza's involved."
"Very well Commander. Keep me informed. We can have a strike team down there in four hours, if needed."
"Yes sir. Permission to bring Detective Beckett's team in on it."
"Granted but warn them that's it's a matter of national security. Tyrell out."
Castle got back to the precinct about four o'clock. DuPres looked at him, questioningly.
"How do you feel Castle?"
"I'm fine now."
"Good, I was afraid that we'd have to cancel our date."
"No worries DuPres."
"I don't think that we're going to accomplish much more today. Let's knock off for the day and start fresh in the morning. I'll see you at seven, Castle."
Back in the hotel Castle called them into his room. After locking the door, he took a small device out of his luggage and walked around the room with it.
"What are you doing? Kate asked."
"Checking for bugs, the electronic kind. The room's clean. He sighed. Everybody sits down please. There is something I have to tell you. I couldn't before this, because I wasn't allowed to. Roy knows about it. All that I've ever told you about myself is true. But there is one thing I've never told anyone outside my family and Roy. I am a naval officer. Lieutenant commander inactive reserve. I was a surface warfare officer on anti-piracy until I was wounded. When I got out of the hospital I was assigned to the office of naval intelligence. Which is highly unusual."
Rick paused for a moment. I found out that it's the way my mind works. They wanted me as an analyst. An admiral pulled strings to get me transferred. About a month after I was transferred, I found out who he is. Admiral Jackson Alexander Hunter. My father."
"I thought that you didn't know who your father was, Castle." Kate said.
"I didn't, before then. But if I admitted to knowing, that would have opened that whole can of worms. Anyway, that's not germane to what I'm telling you now."
I got a call, just before we came down here. Asking me to come out of inactive reserve to active duty until this case is solved. Or ninety days, whichever comes first It is believed that not only are drugs and murder involved but illegal arms sales and human trafficking. One thing was made clear. We are assisting the locals. We are to stand back and let them make arrests. If needed, a Federal strike team will be dispatched.
"I'm sorry about not telling you before now, but I thought that it was all in my past and wouldn't matter. But if it changes how you feel about me, or our team dynamic, I'll resign as soon as this case is over." Kate studied him for a moment, then said;
"How much service have you had, Castle?"
"Six years active service and another six in the active reserve."
"After this case is over, Castle, you will resign….from the Navy!"
Castle looked at his watch.
"Damn, look at the time. I'd better get ready for my date."
Rick was more than a little surprised at the snark when Kate said;
"Yeah Castle, you'd better get ready. You wouldn't want to keep a beautiful woman waiting!" She accompanied the words with an eye roll.
As they started down the hall, Esposito and Ryan heard Kate mutter;
"Damn Cajun bitch, trying to get her hooks into my Castle." The two men barely heard her, but they did. Neither one said anything. They wanted their family jewels left right where they were.
Rick took a quick shower, shaved and dressed in a pair of dark blue Levi's, a lighter blue shirt, black western boots and a black leather jacket.
He was waiting on the sidewalk when DuPres pulled up, right on time, driving a 2002 Cadillac El Dorado convertible obviously perfectly maintained or restored, Painted deep space black with a custom designed crimson leather interior with burlwood accents.
DuPres got out of the car before Rick could open the passenger door. She was wearing what was apparently her trademark black and crimson. A pair of black skinny jeans that looked sprayed on and a crimson silk blouse with a deep vee neckline that displayed a generous amount of cleavage and black knee boots. Her long black hair framed her face, then cascaded over each shoulder. Deep green eye shadow accented her eyes and made them appear larger crimson lip gloss finished her look. Her smile was dazzling.
"Wouldn't you like to drive Rick? She asked. You drive and I'll give directions. I feel so much more feminine when my date drives."
Kate watched them through the window. Damn that Cajun bitch! That's classic seduction 101. God, I hope that Rick doesn't fall for it. He was more Rick, in her mind, now, than Castle.
Castle open the passenger door for DuPres she slid in and smiled up at him.
"I do love a gentleman." She said.
Castle got behind the wheel happily. He loved the look of the big car. It still had the "American" look before the compromise with "European look." He pulled smoothly into traffic and after a few minutes felt Chantelle's hand on his thigh, stroking it. Making a joke of it, he said;
"Easy there Chantelle, I never put out on the first date." She laughed, a full throaty laugh.
"Not exactly living up to the New York playboy image, are you Rick? That's okay, stated that way means there will be more than one. Anticipation adds a little spice to the culmination."
Following her directions, they arrived at a small, restaurant just off Bourbon street. The Creole Connection. She took his arm as she got out of the car. The restaurant was dimly lit, subdued chandelier lights and candle lit lamps at each table. She spoke to the head waiter. "A table for two Louie."
"Of course, Chantelle. Right this way please."
"My uncle owns this place, I've known Louie since I was a child." When they were seated, she said; "Will you follow my lead please? I promise that you won't be disappointed."
When the server appeared, she said;
"Two Sazerac's please, followed by shrimp cocktails. Shrimp Creole, two glasses of Merlot, New Orleans pralines for dessert, with Café Au Lait to finish. As promised, the meal was superb and much to Rick's surprise, no overt efforts at seduction. Instead, the conversation was light, focusing on New Orleans history and Chantelle's family history. She was a true Creole a combination of French, Irish, Seminole and Creek native Americans.
When they stopped at Rick's hotel, he said;
"Thank you for a delightful evening Chantelle." She smiled.
"There can be more if you wish, Rick. In fact, there will be more. Now, at the close of a date, this girl wants a goodnight kiss. She didn't wait to get it, but leaned over and kissed Rick.
Rick watched her drive off, somewhat bemused at the woman's confidence and wondering about why she was so deeply interested in him. He knew that he was handsome, but so were countless other men. Oh well, he thought, she was beautiful and her high intelligence was obvious. Although she was an almost a perfect physical specimen, what defined t true sexiness lay between a woman's ears. He wasn't in a relationship at least not yet, so what was wrong with a little fun? As that thought him, why did he feel uneasy about it?
Chantelle DuPres was extremely frustrated. Her conquest of Richard Castle had not proceeded beyond that first date. The past few days had been hectic. The case was even more complex than she had anticipated. The teams had been working long difficult hours, running down leads, questioning suspects and interviewing potential witnesses. Also, the differences in the two team's procedures caused some clashes. Minor, but still clashes. The faint hostility between the leaders wasn't helping. Tomorrow was Saturday. Chantelle intended to ask Rick out again. This time for dinner at her home to show him some "True southern hospitality." She chuckled at the thought. With the help of her twin sister, Selene, she was sure that she couldn't fail. Few men could resist two beautiful women coming at him. Threesomes were a lot of fun.
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