Chapter 37

The Case Of A Death In The Family

Part 1

We all have families, some we love and some we can't stand. Some we can walk away from and others we can never walk away from.

XXX

My day had started with no call from Detective Beckett summoning me to a fresh murder scene. It seemed that New York's murderers were on their best behaviour on this particular day, much to my disappointment. I spent most of the morning working on the last chapter of the Nikki Heat book, editing and doing re-writes. I was feeling very excited about the prospects for this book. Nikki Heat was without doubt the best thing I had written in a very long, long time. I would go so far as to say that this was the best thing I had ever written.

I just hoped that my legions of fans agreed with my assessment and went out bought the book when it came out. I had a feeling they would, judging by the amount of excited chatter in the forums of my website. Still one could not be sure. Some times you can't tell about the tastes of the reading public. All the same, I had my fingers crossed.

Around midday I took a break from my work to greet a visitor. Dr Clark Murray was aged in his mid fifties, of average height, balding, and had more than a passing resemblance to the Emergency Medical Hologram from the Star Trek Voyager series. Luckily he had a sense of humour and was more than happy to autograph a photo of EMH for me a few years back. I still have that autographed photo somewhere.

Dr Murray was the best foresenic pathologist in the business and had become my go to man when it came to getting the forensic details in my books. He was more than happy to help out the first time I had met him and asked for his help. He had been working at the OCME, one of the senior pathologists, when we had first met. Not long after our meeting Doc Murray had left the OCME and gone into teaching. He now teaches the next generation of pathologists, something which he finds very rewarding. Over the years he had tutored me for which I am grateful. Also along the way we had become friends.

I had invited him over a couple of days ago because I had a job for him. On his arrival I fixed us drinks and we spent a few minutes catching up on things. After we had exhausted the pleasantries Doc Murray came out and asked why I had called him. I informed him for the reasons for his visit as I escorted him into my office.

"A stabbing, Rick? Isn't that a little pedestrian for you?" Dr Murray said with some amusement in his voice. "Usually when you call me, it's to ask what happens if you put a head in a microwave?"

"Well this one is a little less made up." I replied, as I motioned the Doc into a chair and I leaned against the front of my desk. I reached for the file that was sitting on my desk. "The victim is the mother of that detective I have been following around."

I glanced down at the file in my hand, once more looking at the photo of Johanna Beckett that was pinned to the front of the file. For the past few days I had been going over the file in the hope I could find some new clue that might have been missed by the original detective that had investigated the case. I had been on working the file off and on ever since Detective Esposito had given it to me. I had taken a look through it when I had some spare time between working cases with Detective Beckett and finishing Nikki Heat. Much to my chagrin I had drawn a blank so far.

The full ME's report was in the file, and I had not been able to get anything out of it. That was when I decided to call in EMH, sorry, Dr Murray.

Doc Murray took the file from me and immediately opened it and began to peruse it.

"The has been cold ten years." I informed him. "I just figured, since you're the best forensic pathologist in the city, maybe you could catch something they missed."

Doc Murray nodded his head as he slowly turned one page after another in the file.

"You know reality isn't fiction, right?" He said, as he paused in his scanning of the file to look up at me. "The odds of finding anyone's killer after ten years..."

"Astronomical." I interjected, nodding my head. "I know. But I'd appreciate it if you took a look."

Doc Murray nodded his head as he resumed looking through the file. I could tell from the look on his face that he was interested. He finally closed the file and looked up at me.

"Well, I'll do what I can." He announced. "Just don't go making promises I can't keep."

"Course not." I assured him. I allowed a smile to appear on my face.

I will admit that I had been a little concerned that Doc Murray might not take up the job. I was relieved when I saw the look of interest on his face when he started going through the file, and more so when he said he would take a look.

I eased myself from the desk as Doc Murray rose from the chair. I showed him out. Along the way I thanked him a few times for taking the job. I opened the front door for him.

"Thanks again." I said.

"I'll get back to you as soon as I can." Doc Murray announced, tapping the file in his hand.

"I appreciate it."

Closing the door I turned around and found Mother at the foot of the stairs, leaning against it. She was giving me one of her looks.

"What was Dr Death doing here?" She inquired.

"Just a little consulting." I replied, trying to be nonchalant.

I started making my way over to the kitchen. Mother followed, she not buying my response.

"Sounded to me like you were looking into Detective Beckett's mother's case."

"Must you eaves drop?" I sighed.

"I wasn't eaves dropping." Mother defended herself. "I happened to walk by your office."

I nodded my head but looking like I did not believe her.

"I live here too, you know."

"Yes, I'm aware." I said tersely.

Mother came around the island to stand on the other side and looked at me.

"So, does she know you're poking into her mother's case?"

"What's the sense of telling her until I find something new?" I said with a shrug.

"Well, you ever stop to think you're invading her privacy?" Mother asked pointedly.

"I'm not poking through her underwear drawer." I replied.

And no, despite what you might think, such thoughts had never entered my head, wondering what kind of underwear she wore, up till that time. I will confess such thoughts did cross my mind in the months to come. But...I digress.

"I'm investigating her mother's murder." I reminded Mother.

Mother nodded her head.

"You are digging up her past, darling, without her permission." Mother said sternly. "Now, either tell her or leave it alone."

They were wise words that Mother imparted. She can surprise me sometimes. I should have listened to her but this was me we're talking about. Once I set my mind on something it was very difficult for anyone to change it. In other words, I did not listen to Mother's wise words.

In my defence I will say that I was determined to give to Beckett the kind of closure that she gave to many of the victims' families. It was the least she deserved. I was only too happy to do what I could, spend what was needed to hopefully find some new lead in the case. No one, least of all Mother, was going to dissuade me from that task.

Also I had already given Doc Murray the file to look over I could not call him back and tell him to forget about it.

Thankfully further discussion on this particular delicate matter had to be put on hold when Alexis came bursting through the front in such an excited state.

"Oh my gosh, Dad! Dad, Dad!" My darling daughter squealed as she came rushing over and hugged me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Dad, he asked me." Alexis gushed. "He asked me!"

"Who asked you?" I asked cautiously, still in the throes of her hug. I cast a look in Mother's direction but she offered no help to explain my daughter's excited disposition.

"Owen!" Alexis replied as she released me and then launched into a breathless monologue. "But I told him I had to ask you, but you'll say yes, right? Because I told him yes, but you have to say yes, so say yes."

"Yes?" I said hesitantly.

"Yes!" Alexis squealed and moved over to hug her grandmother.

"What am I saying yes to?" I asked.

"The junior-senior prom." Alexis informed me.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa. You're not a junior, nor a senior." I said.

"True. But Owen's a junior."

"Owen? I thought you said he was only fifteen?" I told her.

"Yeah." Alexis beamed. "He skipped a grade. But he's so cute, Dad. Please, please, please."

I looked at my very excited daughter and then cast a look in Mother's direction. Mother was looking at me expectantly.

"If I say yes," I said slowly as I looked at Alexis, "will you promise to stay up past your bedtime, have a good time?"

"Yes!" Alexis said a little too enthusiastically for my liking.

"Not...not too good a time." I hasten to add.

"Dad, all we've done is hold hands."

"Eww. Okay. Please, don't need details. Just..."

"So, can I go?" Alexis asked.

"Of course you can." I announced with a smile.

Alexis let out a shriek and hugged me again.

"Oh. I'm going to need a dress." Alexis announced after she released me from the hug.

"Of course." Mother agreed.

Alexis started heading for the stairs.

"A beautiful dress. A dress, a dress." Alexis said. "Thanks, Dad!"

I could not help but smile at the sight of my over excited daughter. Once she had disappeared up the stairs Mother turned to look at me and fixed me with a look.

"So, do you like this Owen?" She asked.

"I don't know." I replied. "I haven't met him."

Mother shook her head at me.

"You are letting her go out with someone that you've never met?" She said incredulously. "What kind of father are you?"

I would have to say that I have been a pretty good father. I prided myself on being the 'Cool Dad'. Mother, of all people should know that. After all she had borne witness to my efforts at raising Alexis pretty much on my own with the occasional titbits of advice from Mother. Yet her questioning of my parental duties had given me cause for some concern. I had already given permission for Alexis to go to the Junior-Senior prom, I could not turn around and bar her from going. What kind of Dad would that make me?

The Universe must have taken pity on me because my phone started ringing. On answering it I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was Detective Beckett's dulcet voice on the other end of the line. She was calling to inform me was she coming to pick me up. She had just landed a case.

On the ride to the murder scene I told Beckett about Alexis being invited to the prom and the fact that I did not know who this kid Owen was. I kind of requested that she do a background check on this kid. This request only brought a roll of her eyes in response. I was not ready to give up and pestered her until we drove into an impound lot.

We got out of her car and head towards a blue Mercedes that was swarming with CSU techs.

"I'm not running a background check on your daughter's date." Beckett said with a degree of exasperation. I'll admit I might have nagged her a little bit too much during the car ride. Still I was not ready to give up.

"Oh, come on. She says he's quiet." I said. "He keeps to himself and he lives with his parents. Tell me that doesn't sound like a serial killer to you."

We approached where Esposito and Ryan were standing near the blue Mercedes.

"Who's a serial killer?" Esposito asked.

"Castle's daughter, Alexis got invited to the prom." Beckett explained.

"It's her first real date." I added.

"And you're worried he's a serial killer?" Ryan chuckled. "You should be more worried he's a teenage boy."

"Oh, he's only fifteen." I said.

"Between satellite TV and the internet, fifteen's the new twenty-five."

This piece of news from Ryan did not make me feel any better. Beckett had moved towards the car to inspect the scene at close quarters not wanting to listen to the guys rag me.

"Dude's right." Esposito added, fixing me with a look. "I was fifteen once."

"Still are." Ryan said with a laugh.

"Thanks, guys." I muttered.

If I had been a little concerned that my little girl was going to the prom, Laurel and Hardy here had me feeling really worried. I even began to contemplate revoking my permission for Alexis going to the prom. I had been fifteen once as well—I know there are one or two of you out there who think I have not reached fifteen yet, that I'm still stuck at age nine—and I knew quite well what fifteen years olds thought about girls at that age.

We approached the car. I noticed the number of parking tickets stuck on the wind shield of the car. Beckett was crouching by the open door of the driver's side and inspecting the body sitting behind the wheel. I stood behind her and leaned in for a better look. Even from where I was standing I could see that the body was in the early stages of decomposition, and certainly it smelled a little ripe.

The Medical Examiner, Dr Lanie Parish was on the other side of the car conducting her examination of the body. She was making notes on her clipboard.

The body was slumped to the side and had a clear plastic bag over the head.

"The car was towed in a few hours ago. Parking violation." Ryan informed us. He sat down in the back seat of the car and resumed his briefing. "When the attendant went to look for the VIN number, he found the vic slumped over with the bag on his head."

"Six parking tickets and a tow sticker, and no one bothered to look inside?" I remarked with some surprise.

"Tinted windows. Sunshade on the wind shield." Esposito informed me.

"You'd think someone would try to look inside." I said.

"Yeah, welcome to New York." Beckett remarked as she continued to inspect the body. "You got an ID?"

"Yeah. Dr Joshua Leeds, 37." Esposito said. "According to the business cards in his wallet..." he paused a moment and pulled out one of the doctor's cards which he passed down to Beckett to take a look at. "...He's a plastic surgeon. Car's also registered to him as well."

"Any money in the wallet?" Beckett asked.

"Yeah, a couple of hundred bucks." Esposito said.

"Well, I guess we can rule out robbery." Beckett stated.

"Plastic bag and duct tape. Not a very efficient way to kill someone." I remarked.

"No. But it's very personal." Beckett replied. She studied the body for a moment before she spoke.

"Alright, find and notify next of kin. Let's see how long he's been missing." She ordered.

Lanie finished making a note on her clipboard and looked across the dead guy.

"From the state of decay, I'd say about a week." she informed us.

"That matches the date of the first parking ticket." Ryan pointed out.

"Preliminary cause of death indicates asphyxiation, but I'll run toxicology just in case." Lanie added.

"That bag is pretty thin." Esposito said. "Why wouldn't he just rip it off?"

"He must have been restrained." Beckett surmised.

"That's only half the story." Lanie said. She lifted up one of the dead guy's hands. The hand and fingers were bent and misshapen. "His fingernails were removed. And each finger presents signs of having been broken pre-mortem."

"Broken?" Beckett questioned.

"If I had to guess, I'd say our doctor was tortured before he was killed."

I must say that piece of information sent a little shiver down my spine. What I was not sure whether it was out of fear or excitement.

XXX

Beckett, Esposito and I were standing in the hallway out the front of the viewing room down at the morgue. We were looking through the window where a young blonde haired woman was standing beside a table where the body of the victim lay covered by a sheet. Dr Lanie Parish was standing on the other side of the table. On a nod from the young woman Lanie lifted the sheet and pulled it back revealing the victim.

The young woman stared down at the face of Dr Lees and I could see her shoulders shake with emotion. Lanie replaced the sheet over the body and turned to look where we were standing and gave a slight nod of her head. We had just gotten a positive ID for the victim. Lanie moved around the table to console the young woman.

"His fiancée, Courtney Morantz." Esposito informed us. "She reported him missing about a week ago."

"CSU have any luck with the car?" Beckett inquired.

"We're running prints, testing fibres. We should have results by tomorrow." Esposito reported.

"Alright, thanks."

Lanie escorted Courtney out into the hallway. Courtney looked devastated on discovering her fiancée was dead. She was making a concerted effort to fight back the tears. She looked up to find the three of us looking at her.

"Ms Morantz. I'm Kate Beckett, the detective working on your fiancee's case." Beckett announced as she held out her hand to the young woman. "I am very sorry for your loss."

Courtney shook Beckett's offered hand and nodded her head in acknowledgement.

"I was wondering if I could take a moment of your time?"

We could have conducted the interview down at the morgue in one of the rooms that are provided but Beckett felt it would be a better idea to take Courtney back to the precinct. I could not disagree with her on that. It was a short and relatively quiet ride back to the 12th. I had tried to strike up a conversation with Courtney but for obvious reasons she was not feeling up for it so I gave up on it pretty quickly.

We took Courtney to the interview lounge. She declined the offer of something to drink. Beckett sat down opposite the bereaved fiancee, and I sat down beside Beckett.

"I knew it." Courtney announced with a sigh, still struggling to keep back the tears. "When he didn't come home, I just felt it."

"How long were you engaged?" Beckett asked in a gentle tone of voice.

"Almost a year." Courtney replied. "We were going to get married next month. At the gardens."

She offered up a weak smile to us before she brought up a sodden handkerchief to her nose.

"What did they want? Money?" Courtney asked.

"It doesn't appear to be a robbery." Beckett informed her.

A look of confusion appeared on the young woman. "Then, why?"

"Was Josh involved in anything that might have brought him into contact with criminal elements?" I asked gently.

"No, no, no not my Josh." Courtney said emphatically. "That's not who he was."

"On the day he disappeared, did you notice anything different about him?" I continued.

"Different?" Courtney looked even more confused than before.

"Did he seem worried or scared or distracted?" Beckett added.

Courtney shook her head before she looked at Beckett.

"He was fine." She said. "I mean, we were going to meet because we were going to go taste some cakes." She smiled weakly at that last remark. I offered a comforting, understanding smile in return.

"When he didn't show, I called the office." Courtney continued. "They said he'd left, so I called his cell phone, but he did not pick up."

"If his office was in Midtown, do you have any idea why his car would be found on 133rd Street?" I asked.

Courtney was shocked to be told that Josh's car was found on 133rd Street. She assured us that Josh would never venture that far north. She added that he always took the Midtown tunnel to the L.I.E. And if he was going to be late he would always call and let her know.

The enormity of what had occurred finally became too much for Courtney Morantz. She finally allowed the tears to start flowing. We let her compose herself in her own time and then Beckett asked her a few more questions, like the name and location of the cake shop. I don't think Courtney even had an idea that was considered a suspect in this investigation until her alibi checked out. When the questions were completed I accompanied Beckett as she escorted the bereaved fiancee from the precinct.

XXX

While showing Courtney out of the precinct, Beckett had made a detour over to Esposito's desk to give him some things to follow up. So on our return to the bullpen Beckett and I found the boys putting items up on the murder board.

"Anything on the canvas?" Beckett inquired as we approached the boys.

Ryan turned away from the board to look at Beckett. He had been given to he job of canvassing the area where Joshua Leeds' car had been picked up from.

"Nada." Ryan replied succinctly. "The locals only remember seeing the car after the tickets. No security cameras on the street."

"Fiancées' story checks out." Esposito reported before he was asked. "Cake shop confirms she was there waiting."

"Heading to meet his fiancee at a cake shop in Great Neck. How'd he wind up dead on a street in Harlem?" Ryan mused aloud.

"Well, maybe he had secrets even his fiancee didn't know about." I ventured as a theory began to build in my mind. "Like, maybe he secretly made a living out of using his surgeon's skills to harvest organs off tourists for the black market trade?"

I stopped suddenly and quickly thought over what I had just said. I could not help but break into a smile.

"Whoa! That was a good one." I announced happily. "I'm writing that down."

I turned away from the murder board and pulled out my notebook and started scribbling, a potential plot line for a future novel. As I making a note I caught Beckett and Esposito exchanging a look. Esposito even shook his head. I did not mind their silent mocking because from these specs of gold have best-sellers been written.

"So, instead of making up stories, we are going to establish a time line." Beckett declared. "When did he get his first ticket?"

"Last Wednesday morning." Esposito supplied.

"Okay. So, you guys take the Midtown garage where he kept his car, and we'll hit his office." Beckett ordered.

I quickly finished the note I had been scribbling shoved the notebook away and quickly set off after Beckett who was walking out of the bullpen. There had been something on my mind ever since I had spoken with Mother. The opportunity to raise it with Beckett had not eventuated because of the case. Now as we were heading towards the elevator, I thought it was as good a time as ever to bring it up.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" I asked as I caught up with her.

"Since when do you ask permission to ask a question?" Beckett chuckled.

"It's about your mother's case." I said. Beckett stopped walking and slowly turned to face me. "Have you ever thought of reopening it?" I asked.

Beckett's expression darkened as she regarded me.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing." I said with a shrug of my shoulders, trying to look innocent. "I just thought if we worked together..."

"No." It was firm and it was final.

"I have resources." I countered.

There are times when I just don't know when to take a hint. This was one of them. Beckett was hinting to me in no uncertain terms but fool that I was did not take it.

"Castle, you touch my mother's case, and you and I are done." Beckett warned. "Do you understand?"

Beckett's expression was a mixture of pain and anger. I'm not sure but I suspect there may have been a hint of disappointment in there as well.

"Okay." I said carefully.

We resumed walking toward the elevator. Beckett's attitude had me very curious and when I'm curious I ask questions.

"Why don't you want to investigate it?" I asked.

Beckett stopped and turned to face me again. This time there was less anger and more pain in her face, in her eyes.

"For the same reason a recovering alcoholic doesn't drink." she said she said slowly. She looked away for a moment before turning her eyes to me again. "You don't think I haven't been down there? You don't think I haven't memorised every line in that file? My first three years on the force, every off duty moment was spent looking for something someone missed. It took me a year of therapy to realise, if I didn't let it go, it was going to destroy me. And so I let it go."

Beckett turned and stepped into the elevator which had just arrived. I followed her in and took up station at the back of the car. The take away from this moment was that the subject was still very raw and painful for Beckett and that she did not like discussing it. I had not realised that she had investigated the case herself and the affect that it had on her. I began to have second thoughts at having called in Doc Murray to take a look at Johanna Beckett's file file.

"Sorry." I said in a low and contrite voice. "I didn't know."

"Yeah, well know you know." Beckett said tersely.

XXXXX

Your thoughts on this latest effort would be most gratefully accepted.

Con