Chapter 28
The Case of Home Is Where The Heart Stops
Part 4
I have tried to get my beautiful, ever inspiring muse and extraordinary partner in life to spill on what had transpired at her place in the hours leading up to her arrival at the front door to Casa Castle. Steadfastly she had refused. However all was not lost.
Dr Lanie Parish was only too eager to dish on some of what transpired at Beckett's apartment, providing a near verbatim report. She had been called over by Beckett to help her get ready for the ball.
After showering Beckett was standing in her bedroom wrapped only in a towel—you have no idea how many times I have pictured that particular scene in my head—going through her collection of dresses hoping to find one that was remotely suitable for a high society fund raising event. Lanie seated on the bed dismissed one dress after another with a suitably derisive or sarcastic comment.
With time rapidly running out Beckett was steadily getting more frustrated and a little panicked. She claimed to Lanie that I was trying to humiliate her—as if I would do something like.
It was at that moment when Beckett's front door bell rang. Lanie went to answer the door with the admonition that Beckett had better not be wearing her prom dress when she returned. Beckett stood in front of her open wardrobe started at it hoping to find something that she could wear to this high-end fund raising event.
Lanie returned to Beckett's bedroom carrying a large white box that had been delivered.
"What is it?" Beckett asked.
"Delivery."
"From who?"
"Let's find out."
Lanie passed over the box to Beckett and pulled out the card from the envelope that came with the box.
"Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo." Lanie read out.
"Cinderella." Beckett said frowning. "It's from him."
"Oh, please. It's a dress. Now open it, girlfriend." Lanie demanded.
"I knew he was arrogant, but this, this is complete..."
Beckett opened the box and her words failed her when she set eyes on what nestled inside the box. Lanie let out a sharp gasp of surprise.
"Oh." Beckett squeaked.
XXX
Beckett was not the only one feeling nervous about the upcoming fund raising event. At Casa Castle I was standing in front of the dressing mirror battling with my bow tie and losing the battle. Alexis walked into my bedroom and saw my losing battle with the bow tie.
"My dad, nervous for a date?" Alexis remarked with amusement on her face and in her voice.
"It's not a date." I told her. "It's an undercover operation."
"Uh-huh."
My wise-beyond-her-years daughter of mine saw right through me. While it was an undercover operation of sorts, I was looking at it like a date. And yes I was nervous. More nervous than on my prom night when I went to pick up my date and being interrogated by her father in a manner that would have had some totalitarian secret police forces nodding their head in approval. I was going out with Kate Beckett and I really wanted to impress.
Alexis came to my assistance and did up my bow tie. There are times when I wonder what I would do without her. It did not take her too long to get the bow tie right and presentable.
Mother hovered in doorway eyeing me suspiciously.
"I don't know why you wont tell me where this party is." She said.
"Because you'll show up." I told her truthfully.
Mother nodded her head and narrowed her eyes, with a kind of look that said 'there's more than one way to skin a cat'. I should have taken heed of it but in my nervousness about going out with Beckett I simply ignored it.
When I had arrived home to the loft earlier I was more excited and nervous than a cat on a hot tin roof and I may have mentioned to my two red heads about taking Beckett out to a high society ball. That was when Mother began to pester me about the location of this said ball. Luckily I still had enough presence of mind to know what would happen if I told her where the ball was, that I remained silent about its location despite her valiant attempts to extract it from me.
At the appointed hour there came a knock on the door. Mother headed out to answer it. On opening the door Mother let out a gasp of delight on seeing Beckett standing there.
"Stunning. Simply stunning." She declared. "Come in, come in."
Beckett hesitantly entered the loft.
"Oh hang on, hang on." Mother chortled as scurried off somewhere.
Alexis helped me into the tuxedo jacket gave me a quick once over and nodded her approval and walked out into the living room over to near the front door.
On seeing Beckett standing there, I forgot how to breathe for a moment. Simply stunning did not even begin to describe what I saw. I knew that she would look great in the dress I had gotten for her but not even I with my vivid imagination realised how great she would look, did look. My 'guy' had
outdone herself. All I had done was to provide her with some of my observations of Beckett and she had done the rest. As fair godmother's go, my 'guy' was the tops.
Beckett was wearing a floor length strapless red dress with a beaded bodice that allowed for enough modesty without making it boring with an underlying suggestion of mischievousness, just like the wearer of the dress. It accentuated her curves in all the right ways much to my breathless delight. The ensemble was completed with a cream coloured wrap around her shoulders.
"You look incredible." Alexis said, smiling.
"Really?" Beckett said, looking nervous and self conscious. Suddenly she smiled.
"Really." I agreed, finally managing to speak. "You clean up well, Detective.
Beckett's smile deepened.
Really, 'you clean up well, Detective'? That was the best I could come up with? I Richard Castle famous author with a whole arsenal of words and compliments at my disposal and the best I could come up with was, 'you clean up well, Detective'?
In my defence I will say that I was quite besotted by the mesmerising sight that I beheld. Without doubt I was gazing upon the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.
"Thank you, Castle." Beckett said, smiling.
Mother returned from her foraging expedition and she was holding a diamond and ruby necklace.
"I was nominated for a Tony once and..."
Beckett saw the necklace.
"Oh, no, Martha, I couldn't..."
"Yes, you can." Martha told her.
Beckett with a little reluctance allowed Mother to put the necklace around her. The necklace was the perfect accessory to the outfit and made her look even more stunning, if that was at all possible. I have to hand it to Mother she does have a good eye for such things.
Once Mother had secured the necklace around Beckett's beautiful neck she stepped back to take a look.
"Oh, it looks brilliant." She declared. Then she pounced. "So where are you guys headed tonight?"
I started waving to Beckett in an effort to stop her from telling Mother where we were going tonight but unfortunately she did not see my frantic waving.
"Umm, we're going to the Warldorf." She said.
Mother shot me a triumphant look. "Uh-huh."
Well so much for keeping it secret from Mother. I had no doubt she would be gate crashing the fund raiser. When it comes to gate crashing events, Mother is quite the accomplished expert.
I set aside thoughts of what my Mother would do and focused my attention on Beckett. We had a show to get on the road. I bid my two beloved red heads a good night, took Beckett by the hand and escorted her out of the loft to a chorus of 'good nights' and 'have funs'.
I had hired a limo for the occasion but is was not one of those block-long vehicular monstrosities that could house an entire third world village in comfort. It was a comfortable set of wheels with just a touch of showiness about it. I still had to make a show of it to the public. I'm Richard Castle after all. Seriously though, I wanted to impress without going over the top and spared little cost in doing it.
On the ride to the event I found it extremely difficult to keep my eyes off Beckett. I could not help it, she was very easy on the eye. A few times my eyes did rest on her cleavage but I did not over do it. At least I hope I did not over do it. I did notice that she was a little quiet, feeling and looking nervous.
My first thought was it was because of my staring that was making her nervous. As you may well know one of my favourite hobbies is to stare at her. It's something which she has told me she finds creepy on more than a few occasions. After a little prodding on my part Beckett finally confessed what was concerning her.
I am pleased to report that this particular time, my staring had nothing to do with her anxiousness—there's a first, I know. The reason Beckett was feeling nervous was because this was the first time she was attending one of these high society fund raising soirées.
I could have slapped my forehead. I would have kicked myself, if that was humanly possible. I had automatically assumed that she had attended such events previously. She was about to enter a part of my world for the first time.
Wasting little time I assured her that she would do well. I told her that she would knock everyone dead—a poor choice of expression I concede, considering Beckett is a Homicide detective.
I also told her that she would be fine, that she would be the one who would put every other woman in the shade, that she would reduce all of the straight men in the place to gibbering, drooling idiots.
Those remarks managed to elicit a laugh from Beckett. I then turned serious and told her that she was a NYPD detective and from the moment she stepped onto the red carpet she was going to own the place and everyone in it.
I like to think the quiet smile that appeared on Beckett's lips was the results of my efforts to reduce her apprehension. I'm sure Beckett already knew that but just needed someone to remind her.
As we drew near Beckett called up Esposito to give him a heads up on our arrival and to find out if there was any news. Esposito had nothing to report.
XXX
I have walked the red carpet with a number of starlets and models over the years but I can't ever recall one single time the feeling what I was experiencing with Beckett on my arm. There were a few times I wore a smile that said to the entire world: 'I'm going to get laid tonight' or the other favourite; 'hey guys I just got lucky'. On this particular night I had the feeling like I was walking on cloud nine. I was grinning so much my face hurt.
If you ever happen to see photos of that particular fund raising event I can assure you that the smile you see plastered on my face is definitely not fake. It's the genuine article. Then again, I don't think you would be looking at my ruggedly handsome mug, I have no doubt your eyes would be drawn and focused on the beautiful woman on my arm. And honestly, I could not blame you.
Stepping out of the limo I took Beckett by the hand helping her out. We were greeted by a barrage of camera flashes. Tucking her arm through mine we started down the red carpet. I nodded to some acquaintances who were standing around the red carpet before they too headed inside. I glanced at Beckett I noticed that her nervousness had faded and she had a bright smile on her face.
Standing by the red carpet were the boys, Esposito and Ryan. You should have seen the looks on their faces as we approached. Their jaws dropped to the ground when they saw Beckett and her dress.
"Nice dress." Ryan remarked as we passed.
"Yeah, what there is of it." Esposito added.
"I'd let you borrow it, Esposito, but you stretched out the last one." Beckett retorted as we swanned passed them.
Pow! Zing! Take that Esposito, I thought to myself. I cast a grin in her direction and was met with a smile in return.
Inside the ball room we waded through the high society world that I was well familiar with. I introduced Beckett to a few people but as I wanted her to myself we did not stop to chat for too long. A quick word here, a fast hello there, and we moved on. Then I spotted someone I really wanted Beckett to meet.
We approached a tall African American man who was talking to a couple of people.
"Big Cheese!" I called out.
Mayor Robert Weldon excused himself and turned around and broke into a big smile on seeing me.
"Ricky! Ricky! Hey, why didn't you tell me you were going to be at this shindig? I would've given you a ride." Mayor Weldon said as we shook hands.
"Oh, a last minute thing." I explained.
I glanced at Beckett and noticed that her nervousness had returned as she realised who I was speaking to.
"Mr Mayor, I'd like to present to you Detective Kate Beckett." I said. "Kate Beckett, you know the mayor."
"So this is Detective Beckett." Mayor Weldon said with a bright smile.
"It's an hour to meet you sir." Beckett replied as she shook his hand.
"Oh, please call me, Bob." Mayor Weldon looked at me. "Rick, she's even prettier than you said."
"Mmm-mmm" I said in reponse.
Beckett gave me a wide-eyed surprised look.
Mayor Weldon excused himself and moved off to speak some other people who had caught his attention. Beckett stepped up to me.
"You talk about me to Bob?" Beckett narrowed her eyes at me.
"Well, we play cards together." I explained. "Well, that and you are the subject of my next book."
The subject of Detective Beckett and my next book was brought up by Bob one night when we were playing poker. He would be interested of course because he was the guy who had pulled the strings to get me to tag along with Beckett and her team. And, I may have waxed lyrical about her. And yes, I may have mentioned that she was pretty.
"Ah." Beckett said nodding her head. Her eyes were looking over the ballroom.
"Can I get you a drink?" I asked hurriedly, wanting to change the topic of conversation as quickly as possible.
"Yeah, vodka." Beckett replied. "Lots of vodka."
Suddenly she turned to look at me. "But I'm on duty, so water."
"Yeah." I said. "Vodka."
I left Beckett to survey the people in the ballroom while I made my way over to the bar and ordered two stiff vodka martinis, telling the barman not to shake them but swirl them around a little. While the barman was getting the drinks I looked back to see Beckett standing where I left her. I could not help but think that she looked so beautiful. I noticed a woman had sidled up to Beckett and started a conversation with her. I turned back to see what was taking the drinks so long.
Thankfully the barman did not take long to make the drinks for me and he placed two glasses on the counter before me. I gave him a nod of thanks, picked up the glasses ready to take them back to Beckett. I turned and stopped in my tracks when perky looking young woman approached me. She was with a man.
"Richard. Hi, Rachel Maddox." She introduced herself. "We spoke on the phone."
"Oh thank you very much for getting me the tickets." I said with a graceful smile.
"Thanks for the signed first edition for the auction." Rachel replied.
It had been Anne Green who had given me Rachel's telephone number and before I had joined Beckett who had been waiting for me in her car, I had made a call to Rachel to see if she could get me tickets for this event. The offer of a signed first edition Castle book soon had the requested tickets materialising at the front counter at the 12th Precinct.
"I had my eye on it but it's a little too rich for my blood." The man standing next to Rachel said with a laugh.
Rachel introduced me to her boyfriend Paul Reynolds, adding that he was a huge fan. I replied that it was always nice to meet a fan. Rachel then said that the company was having a little gathering next month for their top donors because the company was going to unveil plans for a new rehearsal space and she wanted me and Alexis to attend.
"You know my daughter?" I asked with some surprise.
"We make a point to know as much as we can about our potential donors." Rachel explained. "So we can match their interests with our programs."
I had a decidedly uncomfortable feeling all of a sudden. I did not like that she knew anything about my daughter. I have always gone to great lengths to keep Alexis out of the limelight. I have always tried to make sure that she have a normal childhood. Well, as normal a childhood having a famous and successful mystery author for a father would allow.
Where did Rachel get this information? How did she get this information, were a couple of questions that raced through my mind. It felt creepy.
"So many places just ask you just to write a check. We want you to know that your money is making a difference." Rachel added with a bright sunny smile.
"Would you excuse me?" I said hurriedly, forcing a smile to my face.
"Sure." Rachel replied.
I set down the to martinis and quickly rushed off. I went off in search of Beckett. She had moved from where I had left her standing but a quick search I managed to locate her and zeroed in on her. Beckett was on the phone probably speaking to one of the boys outside getting an update from them when I reached her. Without warning I grabbed her and drew her onto the dance floor. I extracted the phone from her hand, killed the call and deposited it in my jacket pocket.
We started dancing, thankfully the band was playing and there were other couples moving about on the floor. Beckett shot me a look as we swayed together.
"Castle, what are you doing?" She asked.
"Sorry, this is the only place I knew where we could talk and not be overheard." I explained.
"Sure it is." Beckett replied, rolling her eyes.
If I had not been freaking out little over my conversation with Rachel it would have registered that my hand on Beckett's back was touching skin. Her skin. Her dress had a plunging vee down the back and laced together. I ignored her disdainful remark and continued speaking.
"I was talking to the Head of Donor Development over there."
I twirled Beckett in the direction where Rachel Maddox was standing allowing Beckett to take a look at the woman. A couple of heart beats later I pulled her back into my arms.
"She seems to know an awful lot about me." I told her.
"She's not the only one ." Beckett said. "Did you know they call you the White Whale?"
I pulled back a little so I could see her face. "The White Whale?"
"Mmm-mmm."
"Not Moby...?"
"No." Beckett said firmly.
I later learned that the origins of the moniker White Whale. The name had come up when she had been standing there waiting for me to get the drinks and had struck up a conversation with Ruthie. Beckett had been watching me while I was talking to Rachel and Ruthie informed her who Rachel was and not to sweat it. Ruthie observed that Beckett had landed a big one on the line, and told her to settle in because I was known as a fighter. Ruthie then added that most of the single women on the register had tried to land me, Rich and handsome, and that's when the moniker of 'The White Whale' was mentioned. Come to think of it I haven't learned what Beckett thought of the moniker.
"She's in donor development, It's her job to know about you." Beckett reminded me as we moved about the dance floor. I have to say that we moved quite well there on the dance floor. If I Had not been freaking out about Rachel and what she knew about me and Alexis I would have enjoyed the dance a lot more.
"Besides she doesn't strike me as a criminal mastermind." Beckett added.
"Still, I think we should take a second look." I said. "Two, three...dip."
I dipped Beckett and I should have brought her back up after a moment but I froze as my eyes took in the sight of a dapper looking Powell move through the crowd and slide up beside to Anne Greene and strike up a conversation with her.
"Castle? A little help." Beckett said.
"It's Powell." I hissed.
Remembering that I was holding Beckett in a very awkward position I brought her up to her feet again.
"The jewel thief?" Beckett asked.
My eyes were still focused on Powell and anger bubbled up. I stormed off the dance floor heading directly for Powell leaving an embarrassed looking on the dance floor with many eyes on her. Slowly she started to follow me.
I reached the pair, barely able to contain my anger.
"I don't believe this." I said. "The two of you were in on this?"
Both Powell and Anne turned around startled by my angry appearance.
"Don't look at me." Anne said, she glanced at Powell. "It was his fault."
I faced a grinning Powell. "You really had me going, didn't you? The wine, code of conduct." I said. "And here you are, making me look like a fool."
"I just wanted to have a bit of fun." Powell chuckled.
"Fun? You call what you are doing fun?" I hissed.
"Castle, what's going on?" Beckett asked as she joined me.
"They're in on it together." I said glancing at her. "They've all but admitted it."
"I'm sorry. I had no idea it was such a big deal." Anne said.
"Big d...?Two people are dead!" I said with barely suppressed anger.
Both Powell and Anne look confused.
"Dead? What are you talking about?" Anne asked.
"God lord, Rick." Powell said, still looking shocked. "You didn't think...?"
Now I was confused. I looked from Anne to Powell and saw the looks on their faces.
"Then...what were you two whispering about?" I asked hesitantly.
Powell turned on a full smile and nodded in the direction of the stage. I turned around and saw Rachel Maddox standing before a microphone. Rachel thanked everyone for coming tonight. She told the audience that the time had come to open their hearts and support one of the city's finest causes. And to start the bidding she introduced...wait for it...my mother.
As Mother was greeted by polite applause from the audience with a sinking feeling I slowly turned to face Powell, the smile on his face had deepened.
"What have you done?" I asked warily.
"Just a little payback." Powell informed me, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Beckett came to stand beside me and I noticed that she had an amused look on her face. I drew my eyes in the direction of the stage where Mother was thanking the audience for the warm welcome she had received. She held in her hand a copy of my book Storm Season, and informed the audience that it was the first item up for bidding. Mother made a point of it to single me out in the audience. The hot spotlight fell on me and I forced a smile to my face and gave a little wave.
Now you would probably be thinking that was the end of my embarrassment, a moment in the spotlight, pointed out by your mother. Well, you don't know Mother. I knew there was more to come. And guess what? I was not wrong.
Mother breezily reminded all the women in the audience that I was still single and as as special bonus, the winning bidder of my book would also be receiving an enchanting evening in my company.
Did you hear that? That was the sound of the other shoe dropping. That other delightful sound, was Beckett laughing at my predicament.
Mother's special bonus unleashed a furious bidding war as a number of women began putting their hands up to place a bid. Mother continued to stoke the bidding war. Ordinarily I would have been flattered having a roomful of women bidding furiously for an evening in the pleasure of my company but not this night. I didn't need this and I certainly did not want this.
I glanced over to Beckett and I saw her looking like she was having more fun than she had in a long time. Her smile was beaming. I would have remarked to her that it was nice to see that my misery brought her so much delight but that thought died as I gazed at her smiling face.
The bidding continued with amounts bid rising higher and higher. I was astonished when a guy put in a bid. I struggled to maintain the smile on my face. There was one woman, dark haired and rather attractive who bid four thousand dollars for me. She gave shot me the kind of predatory look that left me thinking in no uncertain terms exactly what she intended to do with me if she was the winner of the auction and restraints might be used.
Powell leaned into me and continued to smile, his eyes focused on the stage.
"Now, we're even." he said.
For a moment he had me wishing he had slit my throat for forcing him into retirement. This was one of those moments when I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole. There was my mother up on the stage auctioning me off as if I was a side of beef. I could not believe it. Had she no shame?
As the bids rose higher and higher, my panic rose right along with them. I turned to Beckett with a pleading look.
"Look, I have money." I said desperately. "Anything you pay, I'll pay you back."
Beckett shook her head, still smiling. "Oh, not a chance in hell, Castle."
I could not believe how much she was enjoying my misery. Looking over Beckett's shoulder I caught sight of Paul Reynolds in the distance. My embarrassment of being auctioned off suddenly evaporated as I watched Reynolds as he snapped photos with his camera phone of the women standing near him, in particularly of the jewellery they wore.
"Hey, whoa, look." I said. "There's Donor Girl's boyfriend."
"So?"
"So, he's taking pictures."
"So? I would, too, if I had a camera." Beckett chuckled.
"Of the crowd?" I questioned.
That got Beckett's attention. She turned around and also saw Reynolds snapping away with his camera phone. She turned back to look at me. The delightful smile that she had been wearing just moments ago was gone. Kate Beckett had gone and in her place was Detective Beckett. She motioned me to follow her and we headed out of the ballroom. I could not get out of there fast enough.
I'm sure you are curious to find out what the winning bid was. An evening with yours truly went for the considerable sum of seven thousand dollars. And yes, I did honour the commitment that my mother and Powell had made for me. And no, it was not Predatory Girl.
XXX
Beckett and I were outside standing on a near deserted red carpet. Just a little a way from us stood Esposito and Ryan. Esposito was on the phone getting Paul Reynolds checked out.
I was trying to convince Beckett that Reynolds was our guy, the inside man.
"It's perfect." I told her. "He IDs the jewels and then uses his girlfriend's research to build profiles on the victims."
From the look on Beckett's face I could see that I did not need to try too hard to convince her about my theory. She was ready to buy it. A moment later she was sold on it.
"Yo, Yahtzee." Esposito announced as he and Ryan approached. "Paul Reynolds, AKA Chad Nichols. He served time on check fraud, embezzlement, forgery and grand larceny."
Beckett nodded her acknowledgement of the information. She cast a glance at me and I saw the glint in her eye that always saw when she was about to arrest someone. She turned on her heels and started walking back into the hotel. Beckett did not need to order us to follow, the boys and I saw the look and we were already right behind her.
We swept through the lobby and straight into the ball room. It was amusing to see people move out Beckett's way like the parting of the sea. I had been right when I had told her earlier that she would own the place.
I spotted Paul Reynolds, he and Rachel were talking to an old lady who was wearing at least a quarter million dollars worth of diamonds and other precious gems around her neck. At least that would have been my estimate if I had been asked my opinion. I pointed Reynolds out to Beckett and all four of us approached.
"Now it does no good to be coy." Reynolds told the old lady with a laugh. "I've seen the looks you've been throwing me all night." The old lady laughed coquettishly.
"Shopping are we?" I inquired once we reached him.
Reynolds turned to look at me confusion covering his face. Rachel also looked confused.
"Paul Reynolds," Beckett announced flashing him her badge, " you're under arrest on suspicion of theft and conspiracy to commit murder."
Esposito and Ryan moved in quickly and cuffed Reynolds and then led him out of the ball room.
Suddenly I was struck by a thought. I glanced at Beckett with a curious look on my face.
"Where was the badge?" I inquired.
"Don't ask." Beckett replied and rolled her eyes. She turned around and headed out. I quickly followed her.
You should know me well enough by now to realise that I had to know where Beckett had kept her badge. In the limo ride back to the precinct I pestered her with that question. What? Did you think I would allow Beckett dressed as she was to ride back to precinct in an ordinary Crown Victoria? The belle of the ball had arrived in a limo and she left the ball in a limo. I must say Beckett did not put up much of an argument when I suggested we ride back in the limo.
As I said, on the ride back I did ask her about the badge. Beckett true to form refused to disclose where she had kept her badge. Questions about the location of her badge were quickly forgotten when she brought up the auction and where was I going to take the lucky winner. Beckett can be no fun sometimes.
XXX
In the bullpen I was sitting in Beckett's chair, relaxing. I had untied my bow tie. I was talking to Ryan, filling him in on some aspects of the ball, some of the A-listers that were there. He seemed rather interested in some of the stories I knew about these people. Some of the escapades that they had gotten into but which had not made it into the papers, magazines or celebrity websites. One or two of the stories I recounted were eyewitness reports but I did not tell him that.
Esposito returned carrying with him a rap sheet. He came over to us.
"Yo, B & E, firearms." Esposito informed us. "Definitely a step up for this guy."
"He's just a foot soldier." Beckett announced, having suddenly appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "We're looking for the general."
I looked up at Beckett and found that she had changed out of the red dress, had washed off the party make up, combed out her hair do and was back in street clothes.
"W...what happened to the dress?" I stammered.
"You didn't think I was going to interrogate him in it, did you?" She replied.
"We were kind of hoping."
Ryan nodded his head while Esposito gave her the once over. Beckett rolled her eyes at us.
Well duh! Of course we wanted her to interview the suspect in that very hot dress. I know if I was on the wrong side of the interrogation table and she was wearing that hot dress I would be willing to confess to any crime she wanted me to, while at the same time asking her out for a drink or dinner or something else, or all of the above.
Still, the vision of Kate Beckett in that dress was indelibly imprinted in my head. Little did I know at that time there would be a far better vision that would be permanently imprinted in my mind and in my heart, one that not even my vivid imagination could ever conjure up. It would be several years before I discovered that particularly delightful surprise.
"Out of my chair, Castle." Beckett ordered, shaking me out of my reveries. I vacated her chair quickly.
Beckett interrogated Paul Reynolds alone. I was in the observation room watching the proceedings. As it turned out Beckett did not need to resort to wearing the red dress to get Reynolds talking. He was more than happy to talk.
Beckett showed Reynolds the artist's sketch of the guy Mitchell had supplied and Reynolds said that he knew the guy. He said that they had met in Green Haven prison. Reynolds said that he would have been eaten alive in there but he said the guy looked after him in the prison yard. Reynolds said that everyone was afraid of this guy, even the prison guards. When Reynolds had been released the guy eventually tracked him. How the guy did it Reynolds did not know.
In answer to Beckett's question if it was the guy's idea for Reynolds to infiltrate the charity, Reynolds confirmed it. He said that he was already seeing Rachel and he was trying to go straight but the guy told him that he owed him.
Reynolds said that everything he needed was already in the dossiers, names, addresses and so on. All Reynolds had to do was take photographs of the donors' jewellery and put all the information on a flash drive and then pass it on to the guy. But the guy wanted more and more.
Reynolds assured Beckett that after that guy had been beaten to death, he wanted out but the guy said that if Reynolds quit, the guy would do everything he had saved him from in prison. He would do it to Rachel as well.
"Tell me where I can find him." Beckett demanded.
Reynolds was only too happy to provide the address where the guy lived. The guy's name by the way was Karl Nadir.
XXX
It was early the next morning when Beckett swung by and picked me up. I was waiting for her out the front of my building. There was no way I was going to miss this arrest. Beckett pulled up shortly and I jumped into the passenger seat. I noticed that she was already wearing her protection vest. Esposito and Ryan were in another car behind us. The detectives must have gotten in very early to the precinct before setting out for Nadir's apartment. I dare say they must not have gotten much sleep. I had left the precinct the night before well after midnight Beckett and the boys were still there working after I departed.
Our two car convoy pulled up in front of the apartment building where Nadir lived. It was a three storey walk up I noticed. Esposito and Ryan were already out of their car and tooling up with Esposito hefting a mean looking shotgun.
Beckett switched off the engine of her car and turned to look at me.
"Castle, as a friend, I'm asking you not to leave this car." She said. "Because your Hardy Boy act..."
"...is going to get me killed, I know." I interjected, nodding my hyead.
"More like get them killed." Beckett retorted, nodding to where Esposito and Ryan were standing. "And I don't want that on my conscience. Understood?"
"What if I have to pee?" I asked in a low voice.
Beckett looked to the dashboard of the car and she picked up an empty coffee cup which she passed to me.
As I looked at the cup Beckett got out of the car and motioned to the boys to get going. They disappeared into the building.
Holding the empty coffee cup I finally came to understand why a lot of cop cars look like portable garbage containers with empty coffee cups strewn all over the place. If you're sitting in a car on a long boring surveillance stint and have been drinking endless cups of coffee to stay awake, the need to pee can become overwhelming and unfortunately they can't leave the stake out. Empty coffee cups come in very handy when you desperately have to go. I set the cup back on the dashboard.
I suddenly recalled something that Beckett had said before getting out of the car. She had called me friend. That brought a smile to my face. I guess we had become friends, not just a writer and his muse. Friends. I liked that. I liked that a lot.
While I was sitting in the car wondering what was going on upstairs and rapidly getting bored, Beckett and the boys had reached the front door of Nadir's apartment. My beautiful, ever inspiring muse and extraordinary partner in life gave recounted to me what had happened up there.
Esposito had taken up position on one side of the door and Ryan the other. Beckett was beside Ryan. On a signal from Beckett Esposito pounded on the door.
"NYPD! We have a warrant." He shouted.
When there was no response from inside the apartment, Beckett nodded to Ryan. The Irishman rose from his position and gave a swift kick at the door. The door flew open Beckett burst through the door with the boys right behind her.
They found themselves in a small one bedroom apartment. They found the place empty of Nadir but what they found were maps of the city, dossiers, alarm system schematics, photographs of jewellery, press cuttings of the recent home invasions. There was some equipment sitting on a table as well a gruesome keepsake. A severed finger in a glass jar.
Ryan moved over to a bench and touched a half filled coffee mug. He found it warm to touch.
"His coffee. It's still warm." He announced. "We must have just missed him."
"Looks like we got the right place." Esposito remarked surveying the apartment and what they had found in there.
Beckett too had been surveying the apartment. As she was looking around she turned in the direction of the open door. She spotted Nadir holding a grocery bag. On seeing Beckett Nadir dropped the grocery bag turned and fled.
"Stop! Police!" Beckett shouted then set after him.
Beckett chased Nadir down the hallway and out to a small outdoor area. Nadir dashed through an iron gate and closed it behind him. Beckett reached the gate only to find it had been locked. She turned to look at the approaching Esposito and Ryan.
"Follow him out back!" She ordered them.
The boys skidded to a halt, changed direction and started running. Beckett followed them.
I had become bored sitting in the car and decided to amuse myself to while away the time until Beckett and the boys returned with Nadir in handcuffs. I shifted over from the passenger seat and settled myself behind the wheel. All of a sudden I let my imagination have a bit of free rein. I picked up the radio handset and pretended to key the mike.
"This is Detective Castle to all units." I said in a voice that sounded like Dirty Harry. "That's a negatory on the back up. This dirtbag's all mine."
For a few minutes I was pretending I was in a car chase and I provided my own action-hero theme music. I have to admit I was having a bit of fun as I chased the suspect's car speeding ahead of me. You should have seen the grin on my face.
The pretend car chase was suddenly interrupted by the very loud thump of a body landing on the hood of the car. The car rocked at the impact. It made me jump let me tell you. Staring out the windshield I came face to face with Karl Nadir. I knew it was Nadir because a copy of the artist's sketch was pinned to the dashboard.
As Nadir struggled to recover from the fall and impact with the car hood I found myself wondering what to do. I was still startled by Nadir dropping in on me. I turned on the wipers, thinking it might slow him down. It didn't, it only made the guy angry.
Nadir rolled off the hood and came around to the driver's side of the car and he pointed a gun at me.
"Out of the car!" Nadir shouted as he waved the gun at me.
"I...she...told me, actually, I have to stay in the..." I stammered.
I was trying to stall for time to allow Beckett and the boys to arrive. Nadir was not in the mood to play along. I had to resort to Plan B.
"Out of the car now!" Nadir roared angrily.
"Okay! Okay, okay. Here I come. I'm coming." I replied.
Nadir started reaching for the car door. I was quicker. I opened the door and slammed it into Nadir knocking him back. I flew out of the car and tackled him to the ground. We began rolling around on the ground. Nadir ended up on top of me. Before I could get a chance to recover he punched me right in the face. I saw stars for a few moments.
Nadir scrambled over me and reached for the gun that had fallen from his grasp when I slammed the car door into him. Just as his fingers curled around the weapon a high heel boot landed hard on his wrist making him cry out in pain. Looking up Nadir found himself staring down the barrel of a police issue Glock 9mm automatic being held by an angry looking Beckett.
"Go ahead, I need the practice." She told him coldly.
Nadir released his hold on the gun. Esposito and Ryan fell on him. Esposito brushed the gun away while Ryan quickly cuffed him. Once Nadir was secured he was heft to his feet and hauled over to their car.
Beckett picked up the other gun and slid it into the waist band of her jeans. Holstering her own weapon she walked over to where I was sitting on the ground. I wiped away the tears from eyes and looked up at Beckett.
"I tried to stay in the car." I explained, sounding like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar knowing he is going to be punished. "I really did."
Beckett did not seem to be too upset I had disobeyed her yet again if the small smile on her face was anything to go by. She held out her hand down to me. I took hold of her hand she helped me to my feet.
"He hit me in the face, you know." I added. I was going to have a real shiner come tomorrow.
"Yeah, I saw that." Beckett said, the smile remaining on her lips.
"That, uh, 'Go ahead. I need the practice', that was classic." I said eagerly.
Beckett rolled her eyes and shook her head but her smile deepened.
On the ride back to the precinct the excitement of having helped to capture the bad guy allowed my inner nine year old to reveal himself. I started up the action-hero theme music I had been humming earlier on. To her credit Beckett did not call me out on it for a few minutes but eventually it got on her nerves and warned me. I pipped down immediately only to start it up a couple of minutes later. Nine year old Castle quickly returned from whence he came when Beckett glanced at me and threatened to give me another black eye so I could have a matching pair.
XXX
The following morning I was holding court in the kitchen making eggs for my two favourite red heads. There was a knock on the door which Mother went to answer. She returned a few moments later.
"Darling, we have a visitor." Mother announced.
I looked up from the stove and was delighted to find Beckett standing there.
"Oh, pretty butch, Castle." Beckett said smiling.
"I know, right?" I replied smiling. "Come, grab a chair." I motioned to her.
"Oh no. I just came to return your mom's jewellery." Beckett protested.
"You saved my life." I told her. "The least I can do is make you some eggs."
"No, really, I have to get going." Beckett said hesitantly.
"Nonsense. You sit down right here." Mother insisted. "Tell us about the other night. We have only heard his version."
Mother gently eased Beckett onto a stool and Alexis quickly poured her a cup of coffee. My two red heads can easily persuade anyone when they set their minds to it. Beckett slowly relaxed and smiled brightly as she settled in.
"Shall I start at the red carpet?" Beckett asked.
My two red heads said yes.
As Beckett began to tell her version of what happened the other night at the ball to an eager audience of two I moved to plate up some eggs. I turned to look at the scene before me. All of a sudden there appeared a vision in my mind's eye.
It was set not too many years into the future and was almost identical to the one before me now. It was of my mother, my daughter and my wife deep in conversation. It took my breath away. I quickly shook it off and brought over the plate setting it down in front of Beckett and then joined in the storytelling.
XXXXX
There you have it the end of another case. As always your reviews are greatly appreciated.
Con
