Chapter 35

Kate Beckett was about to close the lid of the suitcase when she paused. She glanced in the direction of the bedside table and saw a number of books sitting there. She bit on her lip nervously as she considered whether to take some of those books with her.

They had brought several suitcases each when they arrived in Casablanca but tonight they would be leaving with only a single suitcase each. Space was at a premium. She had packed several sets of clothes and underwear as well a few odds and ends that she knew she would need. There was very little room left for anything else in the suitcase. There was stuff she had to leave behind which she understood and did not mind. Kate had gotten used to travelling relatively light over the past year or so. Yet she continued to gaze at the bedside table.

Reaching a decision Kate moved around the bed to the table. She picked up the books and began to sought through them. It pained her to leave any of the books behind but she knew she could not take all of them. She finally selected three books and put them on the bed and returned the rest back to the table. Not surprising all three books were by her favourite author, Richard Castle.

The three books she had chosen were her favourites. These books had travelled with her through most of her journeys while being chased by the Germans. These books had sustained her late at night when nursing Josh back to health or when she was waiting for him to return from a meeting he had gone to in the dead of night. These books had been a steady burning flame of hope lighting up those moments when her life looked the bleakest and darkest. She could not bare to part with them, not now or ever.

Gathering up the books from the bed she brought them over to the suitcase. A frown creased her brow when she looked down at the case, considering how they she would fit them in the case. With a bit of rearranging she managed to find room for the books. With a sigh of relief she closed the lid of the case and secured the buckles.

Kate let out a gasp of surprise as she tried to lift the suitcase off the bed. It was far heavier than she expected. Quickly she set the case down on the floor beside the one Josh had packed on his return to the hotel after being released by the police.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and glanced at her watch. A flicker of concern crossed her face as she saw that it was getting late. Josh had not yet returned from his meeting with Will Sorenson. All she could do was wait. Kate had gotten pretty good at waiting for Josh.

Kate had wanted to tell Josh that she would not be flying out with him tonight but she had not gotten the chance. Josh had returned to the hotel room all excited that he had been released by the police. He had told her that Castle was going to sell him the letters of transit and was also organizing their departure from Casablanca.

Kate had been surprised by that revelation. Truth be told Castle had not exactly told her much about what he was going to do except to say that he would get Josh out of Casablanca. She trusted him enough to know that he would come up with something.

She had wanted to tell Josh there and then that she was not coming with him but he was too excited as he started packing his suitcase. As he was packing he had told Kate that he was going to step out to go and see Will Sorenson to get the money that he would pay Castle for the letters of transit. He finished packing and then was out the door.

That was a couple of hours ago. Kate rose from the bed and made her way to stand by the window. She peered out and saw a light drizzle was falling. She found it a little incongruous to find rain falling in this part of the world. Then again she had never thought that the nights in Casablanca could get so cold. Well she had learned a thing or two about the climate in her time here, she mused to herself.

Kate shifted her gaze to the line of shops on the other side of the street. A man in a cream colour suit and grey hat was standing under the awning of one of the shops. A cigarette was dangling from the corner of his mouth. He seemed to be waiting for some one but Kate knew him for one of the police informers that had been tailing them ever since they had landed in Casablanca. She saw the man discard his cigarette. He glanced up at the window before he fished out another cigarette and popped it in his mouth then lit it up.

The door to the room opened, startling Kate. She turned around to find Josh walking in. Kate felt a small wave of relief sweep through her on seeing Josh had returned from his meeting. He was late and the thought of him being arrested by the police again had not been too far away. Certainly she would not have put it past the police or their German puppet masters. Josh had returned and looked unscathed.

Josh flashed her a brief smile after closing the door.

"The meeting with Sorenson went well?" Kate inquired.

Josh nodded his head. "Yes." He said. "I got the money."

Kate nodded her head.

"His people will meet us once we land in Lisbon." Josh added.

Kate smiled faintly and turned her attention back to the window. Her eyes widened a little when she found that the watcher had gone.

Josh noticed Kate's demeanour.

"What's the matter, Kate?"

"Nothing." Kate replied, a little too quickly.

"Kate."

"It's nothing, Josh."

Kate turned away from the window. She forced a smile to her face as she left the window.

"It's getting late, maybe we should be going?"

"Yes, I think you're right." Josh agreed. "I'll get a porter to come up and get our bags."

Kate watched as Josh left their room. She bit on her lip, silently chiding herself for not telling him what she was planning to do. There did not seem to be a right time to tell him. She had been half expecting Castle to do that for her but it was obvious to her that Castle had not done so. She would have to tell him and soon, she reminded herself.

XXX

Castle felt nervous as he sat at his regular table in the empty cafe. As usual he was facing the entrance. He managed to grab a handful of hours of sleep and while feeling a little rested he could not shake off the nerves that were growing with each passing minute.

He pulled up the sleeve of his jacket and glanced down at his watch noting the time. He then reached for the glass of bourbon and took a small sip. He had to remind himself not to drink too much, he had to keep a clear head tonight. Setting the glass down on the table he pushed it away out of easy reach, next to the telephone that also sat on the table.

He took a look around the darkened empty room. The main lights of the room had been left off so as not to attract unwanted attention from passers by. The lights that were on gave the room an air of intimacy.

He felt a little sad at having to sell the place. It held some fond memories if he was truly honest with himself. If he listened carefully he could almost hear the faint echoes of nights when the joint was really jumping, with Lanie singing up a storm and having to turn away patrons because the place was full to the brim. He could not help but think that he was going to miss this place.

He would also miss more than a few of the employees who worked at the cafe. For some of them they had become more like family than mere employees. Each with a story worthy of a novel. Perhaps he might incorporate them into a future book he would write. One of his regrets was that he could not tell them face to face of his decision to sell Rick's and leave Casablanca. He had written them letters explaining his decision and hoped they understood his reasons and would not think less of him for what he had done.

Once more he reached into the pocket of his jacket and felt the envelope resting there. The envelope that contained the letters of transit. He pulled the envelope out and took a look at the letters. Outside Castle heard the arrival of a car. Slowly he folded the letters and returned them to the envelope and back to the pocket inside his jacket. He leaned back in his chair and waited.

There was a knock on the front door.

"Come in, it's open." Castle called out.

The door was pushed open and Captain Montgomery walked in. He paused to look at the damaged front door.

"It appears my people were a little over enthusiastic." Montgomery remarked as he made his way over to the table where Castle was sitting.

"The cost of the repairs will be deducted from the usual gratuity."

"But of course, Ricky." Montgomery said with a laugh.

Montgomery reached the table.

"You're late." Castle said.

"I was informed when Davidson was leaving the hotel, so I knew I'd be on time."

"I thought I asked you to tie up your watchdogs." Castle frowned.

"Don't worry, Ricky. He wont be followed here."

Captain Montgomery reached for the bottle of bourbon sitting on the table and poured himself a glass. He brought the glass to his mouth and took a sip. He struggled not to make a face at the taste of the bourbon. He was not a fan of the liquor when a perfectly good cognac would suffice. He was not about to ask Castle for a cognac. He took another sip from his glass and turned to gaze into the empty room.

"You know, this place will never be the same without you, Ricky."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Castle reached for his own drink. He killed the shot in one gulp and set down the glass. "I've already spoken with Sabalini. You'll still win at roulette."

Captain Montgomery turned to look at Castle and smiled. He was pleased to know that some things would not change now that Rick's was under new ownership.

Montgomery took another sip of his drink before he put the glass down. He could not finish the drink. He could not help but think that Castle had brought out the poor quality stuff just to irritate him. He put aside that thought.

"So, is everything ready?"

"I have the letters right here." Castle informed him, tapping his jacket.

Montgomery nodded his head before he glanced to look at the empty room again.

"Tell me, when we searched the place, where were they?"

Castle grinned. "Lanie's piano."

Montgomery shot Castle a surprised look.

"Well that serves me right for not being musical." Montgomery laughed.

At the sound of another car arriving outside both men turned in the direction of the door.

"Looks like they're here." Castle announced. He rose from the table and pointed in the direction of the bar. "You'd better wait in the store room."

Montgomery silently nodded his head. He quickly made his way around the bar and vanished into the back room. Castle turned his attention to the front door.

XXX

Kate was the first to emerge from the back seat of the taxi with Josh right behind her. Kate glanced behind her to see that Josh was moving to the driver's window to pay his for the trip.

"Don't forget the bags, Josh." Kate reminded him.

"I wont." he replied as she reached for his wallet to pay the driver.

Kate quickly made her way into the cafe. Castle was waiting near the door. She could not contain the smile that leaped to her face when she saw him. She walked over to where he was standing. Castle pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick hug. He wanted to kiss her but he did not trust himself to stop with just one kiss. He released her her.

"Rick, Josh still thinks I'm leaving with him." Kate said. "Didn't you tell him?"

"No." Castle replied. "Why didn't you tell him?"

Kate frowned and shrugged her shoulders.

"The time didn't seem right."

Castle nodded his understanding. "We'll tell him at the airport. The less time to think, the easier it will be."

Kate nodded her head. "You were able to arrange everything?" She asked.

"Everything's in place." Castle assured her with a smile.

Josh came through the front door carrying the suitcases. He set them down beside the door and walked over to where Kate and Castle were standing. He broke into a smile when he reached them.

"I really don't know how to thank you, Castle." Josh said.

"Save it, we've still have a few things to do." Castle said as he turned and walked to his table. Kate and Josh followed.

"You wont have any trouble in Lisbon, will you?"

"No. It's all been arranged." Josh assured him.

Captain Montgomery slowly opened the door of the store room and peered out. From his hiding spot he could see Castle, Kate and Davidson but they had their backs to him. He opened the door further watching and listening. He could not help but smile. The capture of Dr Davidson would without doubt earn him a promotion.

Castle reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the envelope and held it up.

"Here are the letters of transit." Castle announced. "All you have to do is fill in the signatures."

Josh reached out and the envelope gratefully. He glanced at Kate and flashed her a triumphant smile.

"Joshua Davidson!" Captain Montgomery called out in his most authoritative voice.

All three people turned around to see Captain Montgomery came from around the bar and approached. He had a triumphant smile on his face.

"Joshua Davidson you are under arrest." Montgomery announced as he reached Davidson. He took the letters of transit from Davidson's hand. "You are under arrest on a charge of accessory to the murder of the couriers from whom these letters were stolen."

Davidson had a shocked look on his face. He looked from the triumphant smile on the captain's face over to Castle. He opened his mouth to say something but no sound came from his mouth. He was too stunned to speak. He closed his mouth as his face began to darken with anger.

"You are surprised about my friend, Ricky?" Montgomery said, enjoying himself in this moment of triumph. "The explanation is quite simple, Dr Davidson. Love it seems has triumphed over..."

Captain Montgomery's voice trailed off when he glanced in Castle's direction and saw a gun pointed at him. The smile on Montgomery's face vanished.

"Not so fast, Roy." Castle announced. "Nobody's going to be arrested."

Montgomery turned fulling towards Castle. There was a look on his face that Montgomery had never seen before. A hard, flinty look of a determined man. A man not to be trifled with.

"Have you taken leave of your senses?"

"Maybe." Castle shrugged. He motioned with the gun to the table. "Sit down."

"Put that gun down, Castle." Montgomery ordered. He started to move towards Castle.

Castle raised the gun a little higher.

"Roy, I wouldn't like to shoot you." Castle warned. "But take one more step, and I will."

Montgomery stopped and regarded the hard look on Castle's face. He looked for all the world like some one who knew how to use the weapon he was holding. Being the betting man that he was, Montgomery was not about to gamble on whether Castle would pull the trigger, friend or not.

"Under the circumstances, I think I will." Montgomery announced.

"A wise decision, Roy."

Montgomery moved over and sat down at the table.

"Keep your hands on the table." Castle said sharply.

Montgomery slowly placed his hands on the table where Castle could see them.

"I suppose you know what you're doing, Castle?"

"Yeah."

"But I wonder if you realise what this means?"

"I do." Castle replied. "But we can discuss that later."

Captain Montgomery cast a glance in the direction of Davidson and Kate and saw the shocked expressions they wore on their faces. He shook his head and almost laughed. He looked back to Castle and saw that the gun was still pointed at him unwaveringly.

"Call off your watchdogs you said." Montgomery muttered with a shake of his head.

Montgomery had been a little suspicious about what Castle had proposed in his office this morning but he had allowed his friendship with Castle to override his cop instincts.

Castle walked up to the table and collected the letters of transit pocketing them back inside his jacket. He stepped back but continued to watch Montgomery.

"Now call the airport and tell them." Castle ordered.

Montgomery raised an eyebrow at him.

"Go on." Castle prompted. "And remember this gun's pointed right at your heart."

Captain Montgomery smirked. "That's my least vulnerable spot."

Montgomery picked up the phone and dialled. He waited for the call to be answered.

"This is Captain Montgomery." He announced in an officious tone of voice. "There will be two letters of transit for the plane to Lisbon. There is to be no trouble with them, is that understood? Good." Montgomery put the phone down and looked up to Castle.

Castle nodded his head. He then turned to look at Kate and Davidson and flashed them a reassuring smile.

XXX

At the German consulate, Major Dahl had been working late. There had been reports to be completed for his superiors back in Berlin which meant working back late. He was sure they would be pleased to learn that Davidson was back in custody. His work was forgotten when he received the telephone call.

His turned a shade of red as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. He slammed the phone down and pressed the buzzer on his desk. A moment later the door to the office swung open and an officer marched in.

"Have my car brought round immediately." Major Dahl commanded.

"Jawohl!" The officer saluted and rushed out.

Major Dahl picked up the phone and dialled.

"This is Major Dahl, have a squad of police meet me at the airport at once." Major Dahl ordered. "At once!" he did not wait for a response as he put the phone down. He grabbed his hat and rushed out of the room.

XXXX

What do you think, dear reader?

Con