The Push

Chapter 35

"Castle you were right," Kate greeted him as he arrived at the precinct just in time to bring her a late lunch. "The canopic jars are stored in a closed off section of the museum until the traveling Egyptian exhibit opens. One of the staff members said things had definitely been disturbed in there. CSU went over it. They pulled some fingerprints and some DNA. They're running the DNA, but the prints aren't in the system. I had the unis start a canvass asking about any religious zealot who might have been hanging around the museum. We're re-questioning the staff, too."

So, does this get Ashley off the hook?" Castle questioned.

"It's a start, but he was the only one seen arguing with Neila, so he's still a suspect until we get something more solid. But your theory has put us on a whole new trail."

"Not entirely what Alexis would want to hear, but it's something," Castle allowed. "What can I do to help, besides feeding you?'

Kate grabbed for the bag Castle carried. "We can talk over lunch."

Kate bit into a thick corned beef sandwich and closed her eyes as the savory spice danced on her tongue. "Klutz's is the best, isn't it, despite the unfortunate name?" Castle offered, dishing out mustardy potato salad.

"They are wonderful," Kate agreed, her mouth still full.

"You were going to tell me what else I can do to solve this case," Castle prompted.

"Right," Kate agreed. "Castle, if we're looking for some kind of hyper-religious freak, where would he go besides the museum?"

"Hmm," Castle considered, picking up a pickle spear. "He's into enforcing the rules, or at least what he perceives as the rules. Leviticus and Deuteronomy are the books for those, at least the Old Testament ones. You've got the dietary restrictions, the dress restrictions, and the verses people use to go after the gay community, but I think that crazy church that shows up at funerals, has a corner on those. Then there's the cutting or marking of the body. Tattoo parlors maybe. Wait, no! Kate, there's that new movie about tattoos, Tattoo Nation, playing at The Nitehawk. I was thinking about seeing that until I read the reviews, and realized it was mostly about bikers and prisoners."

"Not enough tattooed boobs, Castle?" Kate teased.

"Not of the superior gender," Castle replied. "But unless our guy gets the museum newsletter…."

"We're checking on subscribers," Beckett interrupted.

"I guess that makes me a suspect too, or it would have if I hadn't been with you during most of the kill zone, but to continue, unless he gets the newsletter, he must have read a blurb somewhere about the upcoming Egyptian exhibit. There's a chance he might have read about the movie too."

"Feel up to a trip to The Nitehawk?" Kate inquired.

"That depends," Castle replied, "can I have your pickle?"

"It's all yours, Babe."

"I was assigned a new vehicle this morning, Castle," Kate reported, as she and Castle walked into the elevator. "Just what kind of a bribe did you give The Support Services Bureau?"

"A month of Bagelicious deliveries," Castle confessed. "I still want to look into getting you something truly worthy, but they promised me that the seats would at least be comfortable."

Kate found a parking spot across the street from The Nitehawk and Castle stretched contently in his seat beside her. "Seems like old times, Kate, you and I on a stakeout."

"It is nice, Castle," Kate agreed, smiling saucily. "Didn't you have a doctor's appointment this morning?"

"I did," Castle acknowledged.

"And what did she say?" Kate asked.

"She said I'm healing okay and that I should keep up the physical therapy for a while."

"Anything else?" Kate prodded.

"Like what?" Castle asked, batting his eyelashes.

"Come on, Castle. You know," Kate gritted out.

"Oh, are you talking about sex?" Castle queried.

"Castle!"

"She said I could do anything that didn't make me uncomfortable. So, I guess it's up to you to make sure I'm comfortable. Think you're up to it?"

"I know a few tricks," Kate responded. "I just hope this is a short stakeout."

Moviegoers filed into The Nitehawk without incident. "Maybe he'll show up for the next showing," Castle speculated.

"Guess we'll have to wait," Kate sighed.

Creflo Botts surveyed the line for the next show at The Nitehawk. He hadn't had much luck saving souls there so far. He had a few bruises from when a biker had not appreciated his attempts to turn him from sin. He was also still sore where the demon possessed servant of Satan at the museum had struck him with her knee. After that, it had taken all his perseverance to continue in his mission to do God's will. But his wounds were far less than those the Savior bore. Compared to that sacrifice, Creflo's burden was light, and he would continue to bear it. He mouthed the words to Leviticus 19:28, preparing himself again to witness to the assemblage of evildoers.

Castle pointed. "Kate look at that guy going up and down the line."

"He doesn't look the part much, Castle. I was expecting long hair and sandals. Maybe a sandwich board."

"Well he might be going by a verse that was in the top ten for our chaplain at boarding school, First Corinthians 11:14: 'Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him?' The school wanted us all closely shorn. It looks like he's wearing the kind of suit and shoes they would have required for worship at boarding school too. Someone took their indoctrination way too seriously. Bet that suit's 100% one kind of fiber. Mixing of types of thread is another biblical no no. Although I admit, God may have had a point about 100% cotton shirts. Definitely more comfortable without the polyester. I think sandwich boards have been replaced by Twitter."

"We should get in line and listen to what he's saying," Kate suggested.

"Alright," Castle agreed. "But if you're going to make me sit through this movie, I'm going to need candy, popcorn, and maybe nachos too."

"I don't think we'll have to go in, Castle. We could even pretend to be convinced and see where it gets us with this guy," Kate proposed.

"Ah, undercover work. I didn't think schmoozing a suspect was the kind you had in mind for tonight."

"It wasn't. But first things first, Castle." Kate ran her hand up his thigh. "Then we'll see what happens later."

When Kate heard "You are not to make incisions in your flesh on account of the dead nor submit to cuts or tattoos. I am the Lord," come out of the street preacher's mouth; she accepted that Castle might be on the right track. Despite the Bible pounder's neat appearance, the look in the man's eyes was spooky. Nevertheless, she smiled, inviting him to continue. Kate and Castle were treated to a recitation of a large portion of the 613 Old Testament statutes and ordinances before the theater doors opened and the queue began to move.

Declaring that he no longer had an interest in watching such a sinful movie, Castle invited their new found counselor to break bread with him and Kate at a nearby restaurant. The man accepted, with the proviso that he couldn't eat anything that was biblically prohibited. Castle agreed, thinking to himself that it was going to be a very long meal.