Chapter 38 – Appreciation Part II
Previously - Now out of ICU, Rick can now officially receive visitors from outside his immediate family.
Disclaimer – even in my wildest dreams I don't own Castle or any of the characters. If I did, you'd see way more than primetime TV allows! All the other legal stuff applies too.
Room 22, Ward 16 East, Bellevue Hospital
It is six days since NYPD Consultant Richard Castle was shot. It is the fourth day since he came out of the induced coma, and it is the first day out of the Intensive Care Unit. It is also the first day that he is officially able to receive any visitors other than his close family. Obviously his status as a celebrity and also the manner in which he received his injuries has seen that rule somewhat flexed.
Right now though, Kate Beckett doesn't particularly want to share her boyfriend/near fiancé with anyone, even perhaps his daughter and mother. She remembers her own time in hospital and even if Rick's isn't as badly hurt as she was, his health is still compromised and less than an hour ago they had just had a reminder of it. One minute he was fine, almost totally lost in his online world using tablet and phone frantically catching up on five days of events, the next he was throwing up what little of lunch he had eaten. His temperature spiked and the pain too. Kate had hit the call button.
A doctor and two nurses had arrived in short measure. Checking his temperature and other vitals the Doctor had provisionally diagnosed a minor post-operative infection. It had been previously suppressed by the battery of drugs in ICU but now that he was being weaned off those there was an elevated risk of infection and fevers. After the doctor left, the two nurses had cleaned the mess and the bed-clothes changed along with the shoulder bandages and then re-strapped his right arm to his side. Before leaving they had issued calm instructions about appropriate food intake and the need to keep up fluid intake.
As the nurses had changed his dressings, Kate was for the first time able to clearly view the impact areas on his chest and shoulder where the shotgun blasts had hit. She had momentarily had to swallow back as bile rose up her throat in response to the dark purple mottling across his torso. Worse was the ugly wounds to his shoulder where the pellets had ripped through his skin and muscle, rending flesh and requiring a lot of repair work. She could clearly understand how plastic surgery might be considered for the injuries.
It wasn't the scars that concerned her, she had long moved past needing the purely physical attraction with Rick. He was the complete package and it was that metaphysical embodiment, her mind's eye mental composite of the person that focused the basis for her unshakeable love of the man before her. After all Rick had never let her scars, physical and mental, detract from his love of her. She was merely returning the sentiment from a position of complete understanding and acceptance.
What concerned her was how Rick would mentally respond to the trauma of his shooting and the challenges ahead. Her own mental wounds had festered long after her physical recovery had been assured. She knew Rick well enough, especially now in light of their mutual disclosures of recent days, to be concerned about how vulnerable he could be to a range of issues including potentially post-traumatic stress disorder. His admission that he has sought therapy after some of their more extreme situations in the past shouldn't have surprised her but it did and with that came the guilt of how selfish and wrapped up in her own world she had been.
She had been unaware quite how long she had been single-minded inspecting Rick's injuries and lost in her thoughts but when she looked up she found his cerulean eyes locked on her. His gaze was direct and yet conveyed acceptance and submission. He was hiding nothing. Here was the brutal truth of it. How close they had come, once again, to losing each other. But also how there was no more hiding, no more subtext, no more running, no more chasing. He was all in.
And so was she. But with the nurses still in the room she couldn't tell him as much directly – she was still uncomfortable showing her devotion, especially spoken, outside of their immediate family and friends - so in best Beckett style she showed him. Her own eyes, blinking back uninvited tears, stayed sharply focused on his, and with both her hands she squeezed his free left hand. Then partially dipping her body down but with eyes still locked on his, she lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed it. Mutely murmuring their word into his skin.
Martha naturally makes a fuss over her son, and they all indulge her. Rick even bites his tongue and offers not one of his library of sarcastic retorts as the senior red-head unintentionally tries his patience. Through it all, the subtext of their love, and the debilitating fear of losing that which they hold dearest, is writ large across their faces and actions. Kate finds herself crying again, and is joined by Alexis and Martha. Rick blinks back his tears, an unnecessary apology unspoken on his lips but accepted by all without the need to say it aloud.
Eventually, even the dynamo that is Martha Rodgers, diva, and matriarch of this family, needs to relent. It doesn't take long before they are all settled in and a casual air of domesticity pervades the room.
Alexis is perched on her father's bed, snug up against his left side navigating his tablet for him as they trawl through the Internet for highlights of the last five days. Frequently exclamation's from the room's sole male mark more discoveries, and the women in the room can't help smile at the glee and delight that bubbles from Rick's mouth on reading certain articles and posts.
Martha is skimming through some scripts occasionally muttering lines and wielding a pink highlighter with theatrical grace with interment stabbing of the document to highlight some terrible theatrical crime that needs re-writing.
Kate has taken the sofa and is curled up on one end with a book – not one of his. That would be too much. Too intense. Too close. She loses herself in the words periodically, escaping the moment. When her attention returns to the room, she can't help but catch Rick looking at her with such honest devotion she can't contain the slight blush that heats her face. She escalates and challenges with a flutter of her eyelids, gazing back at him before fixing him with a seductive stare all her own and biting her bottom lip. 'Evil woman' she lip reads before Rick turns his full attention back to his daughter.
If she thinks these exchanges pass unnoticed, she would be quickly disabused were she to see Martha Rodgers face and wry smile that lights upon her lips and for the first time in days the joie de vive slowly creep back into her eyes.
Dunne Residence
Clare pushed her half-eaten late lunch away from her. The spinach and ricotta cannelloni had seemed appetizing when had opened her fridge in search of sustenance and energy for the afternoon, but now sitting in the kitchen of her bachelorette apartment, she had lost the enthusiasm for the rich tomato sauce and pasta not long after the microwave had pinged. She had eaten enough to meet her immediate needs. Swigging from the water bottle, she washed her mouth out and spat in the sink.
Despite the lost appetite, she did feel better. The work out at the gym had left the pleasant burn of muscles confirming she was alive. Her impromptu house guest had declined the offer of lunch but also left some different but pleasant sensations that had left a smile to her face. It was clearly a one-time thing though with no phone numbers or last names exchanged. Still she didn't mind the honesty. No awkward moments, fumbled excuses and barefaced lies dressed up to be broken and discarded. Just two consenting adults fulfilling mutual needs.
Looking back towards her bedroom she would need to wash the sheets that sprawled from the end of her bed across the carpet. Her gym gear was still in there somewhere discarded carelessly in the drive to get naked. She thought she could spy her sport's top peeking out from under the fine cotton, most likely uncovered when her guest had gone in search of her own clothes at the conclusion.
She needs another shower. Wash the sweat and musk from her before she heads out either to the office or perhaps to follow-up another pointless lead. And just like that her frustrations with the lack of progress on her assignment are back.
Here in New York Meredith Lee had not provided much information worth evaluating let alone following up. The bugs were a wash out, the text message an obvious misdirect, although did raise questions about why the actress had done that. The LA team were currently hamstrung by over-the-top DEA supervision and also had a pressing need for their own actionable intel.
The thrum of her phone on vibrate breaks her from introspection and she strides to the kitchen bench and checks caller the ID. Hmmm, blocked. She'll take the call anyway.
"Hello." A female voice.
"This is Clare Dunne. Who is this?"
"Clare, this is Meredith." Ah.
"Good afternoon Ms Lee."
A brief period of silence reigns before Clare fills the vacuum.
"How can I help you Ms Lee?" Professional. Detached. No hint of curiosity. She'll play it deadpan.
"Well, I think it is more how I can help you." Almost teasing but an undercurrent of need.
"What makes you think you have something that might help?" Oh she's going to make the women work for anything.
"Look can we meet?"
"Why?" Deadpan again.
"Look I know I made a mess of things, but I haven't been entirely truthful with you about how much I know. I believe I have information that may help." Oh we're getting somewhere. At last!
"I'm a victim too." Oh that's rich.
"But one of my girlfriends well she's more deeply involved." Of course she is.
"What do you mean?"
"She's…." The voice on the end of the line pauses.
"She's providing sexual services for them. She got sucked in. She's hooked on coke. Really good stuff. Expensive. But she's got photos and names and dates. Even some recordings – sound and video. I've seen some."
"Meredith this is useful information for a gossip mag or the Internet. How does it help the matter we are managing for the Castles and yourself?"
"She knows who the bosses are, the players and perhaps even some of the reasons why." Meredith pauses and then continues clearly concerned that she needs to sell it more.
"Look she really knows who's behind it. Who has been providing the information on Ricky's wealth, his divorce settlement from Goldilocks. Why I'm not so sure. But you're clever people. I'm sure you could work it out."
"Look Meredith I'll meet you today but this better be on the level." Direct, even tone. Clare is direct to the point of humiliation for the other woman.
"I'll come to your hotel. You better not be screwing us around." She almost said 'again' but managed to stop herself.
"We don't appreciate it and it won't help you and your increasingly dire situation."
"I understand. I really do." Meredith sounds sincere, even for an actress of moderate ability.
"Shall we say 7.30 pm then Clare."
"That will be fine Ms Lee. See you then."
Plenty of time to clean-up, make the bed, shower, find something appetizing to eat and check in with local and LA field offices. Before she had to go and face Meredith Lee again.
Room 22, Ward 16 East, Bellevue Hospital, 6.15 pm
Rick had made it through the rest of the afternoon with no more apparent nausea or at least that he shared with Kate. The pain had spiked a bit but the nurse, a chirpy senior named Wendy, had advised him to try to last beyond the dinner that was due shortly before having more pain relief so that he might actually eat some of it.
Sure enough his dinner had arrived and been tasted but barely touched beyond a few mouthfuls reluctantly swallowed down at the unspoken behest of his posse of women. It had actually not been too bad. Baked chicken breast with a faint tang of herbs and steamed vegetables – no potato – followed by a rice and diary pudding with mango. He had done better with the isotonic sports drink. Watching him chug the bottle down all three observers independently noted to buy him some more of his own.
The dinner tray had not long been cleared away and the pain medication – in liquid state as Rick still had issues swallowing - delivered but not yet imbibed when Jim Beckett arrived.
He had greeted all three woman and had of course been hugged by all three. Jim had even managed doing a half-decent job of not appearing too gun-shy during the experience. Still it didn't stop him moving out of reach as soon as he could.
After chatting briefly to Kate, he had approached the bed to somewhat awkwardly shake the left hand of the man. After that Jim had relaxed and with his tension eased it hadn't taken long before he and Rick fall into an easy conversation about anything and everything unimportant.
Kate secretly loves the burgeoning relationship between the two. They appear totally contrasting. Her serious, guarded father but with a sly, dry humor, and occasionally self-deprecating wit, not to mention his – now – stoic love for Joanna Beckett. And her writer, the giddy, larger-than-life man-child whose words have entranced and entrapped her for so long, first on the page and now in person.
But now than this it is their shared traits that ties and bind them – how much they love their daughters, and their shared love of her. That she can even acknowledge the latter without hours or introspection and anguish shows how deeply in love she is.
Now the Rick has drawn her dad into his business affairs, or at least the charity side of them. That reminded her that they had a long overdue conversation about finances to cover. She smiled wryly. Not long ago she would have delivered a lecture on how she didn't want any of it, that was of course if they had discussed it at all, or she was running away from the issues. Now she was willing to discuss and negotiate. Even with the infuriating man she had chosen to spend her life with. Gently shaking her head in bemusement at herself, Kate decided to settle herself back into her book for a few minutes and so she pushed any serious thoughts away and once more lost herself in the mystery on the pages in her hand.
6.40 pm
Jim announces to the room that he is leaving. Alexis and Martha pipe up at the same time that they should go too.
Kate inserts the bookmaker by her page – she values books too much to ever turn the page down, a trait she learnt from her mom, and one she was pleased to discover she shares with Rick and Alexis - and puts her book down and rises from the couch to hug her dad. Martha and Alexis are saying their good-night's to Rick. Kate can't help but watch the three together and feel the pull to join them. She even takes a half-step, her body stuttering, but she doesn't encroach further.
"You should you know." Her father's words are quiet in her ear.
"They're his family and yours too." She wonders what it costs him to say that.
"You're mine too, and they can be yours as well." She responds equal volume but just as deliberate with just the hint of challenge for her dad.
"Well perhaps you can give me some time to get used to that Katie. They can be quite overwhelming."
"I know that, but somehow I wouldn't change a thing."
"Goodnight Katie. I'll around tomorrow to visit but it may be several days before I can come visit again. We're busy at work and I need to help Val with something." Kate nods in acknowledgement. Whilst not keeping the hours he used to, she had grown up in a household where both parents had a strong work ethic and commitment to seeing their jobs done. She's also aware of the gentle, cautious friendship her father has with Valerie Woods.
"Thanks Dad. I'll let Rick know." She leans in to kiss his cheek and then as her father steps back she is briefly engulfed in a red maelstrom of farewells.
It's almost 7 pm and she is expecting a text anytime from the Boys to confirm their arrival at the hospital.
7.06 pm
There is a knock at the door but it doesn't open.
"Hi, you can come in." responds Kate. But there is no movement from the door.
"Enter" louder this time. Still nothing.
Huffing mostly to herself, Kate rises from the edge of bed where she had been talking to Rick and strides to the door.
She opens the door to see her partners and friends in a cluster seemingly arguing about something. Rolling her eyes she coughs loudly to attract their attention and then proceeds to invite them in.
"Guys, it's really good to see you all. Come on in. Rick will be really pleased to see you all." Then firming up her glare she hardens her tone. "Look you don't need to hang around in the hall for NO good reason."
"Please come on in." This in a more conciliatory tone.
Busted the four troop in led by Lanie Parish, followed by a seemingly subdued pairing of Detective's Esposito and Ryan with quite determined looking Jenny Ryan bring up the rear or more accurately shepherding the two sheepish looking men in before her.
Seeing his good friends file into the room Rick perks up, the increasing tiredness of the long day temporarily put aside. Kate knows Rick will take considerable pleasure in the new company. Whilst he is perfectly capable of being alone, especially when writing, he much prefers the company of others. His gregarious nature and inquisitiveness make him predisposed to want to seek out people to converse with. In turn he charms those he interacts with. Mainly through his attentive nature, his all-too-apparent honesty – sometimes just a little too truthful - and the knack he has for making people at ease whilst he is patently listening to them talk, are key tenets of the man.
Seeing his friends and partners enter the room is a welcome boon for the author whose stamina was indeed flagging after a busy day. He knows they won't stay long – official visitor hours ended at eight o'clock - but the mere fact that they are here visiting is more than enough to re-energize him.
"Um sorry we're a little late. We had trouble parking. Guess there must be lots of visitors." This excuse from Esposito as they come through the door.
Once they are all in the room and Kate is closing the door again, there is a pregnant silence.
Lanie breaks the muted atmosphere by cross over to hug and kiss Rick on the cheek.
"Castle, I have to say you are looking considerably better than the other day. More color, and more awake too. I won't ask you how the pain is. But I will check out your charts before I go tonight." Her direct look to both Rick and Kate leaves them in doubt that the ME will be pushy if necessary.
"Thank you Lanie. It's good to see you too." Rick is more than gracious in reply and as he finishes speaking he turns his gaze to his two best (male) friends and partners.
Oh Christ they're embarrassed. They shouldn't be. It's just them in a room, no need for falsehood or bravado, although the latter is always a strong possibility especially with the machismo former soldier.
Castle had saved their lives five days ago and they are only now coming to say thank you. Whilst it is not the first time the Boys or Lanie has seen Castle the previous visits had been under adverse conditions either with Castle still heavily medicated or the possible threat from the Silva family clean-up operation. Still it makes for a strangely obstinate barrier to overcome.
So silence reigns.
Jenny Ryan is staring furiously at her husband. Kevin Ryan knows what is good for him. He opens his mouth to speak. Of course at this moment so does Esposito wilting under the physical intimidation of the resident ME who appears to have his left forearm in some form of death grip.
"Umm. Castle." Ryan's voice collides with Esposito's "Look Bro."
With that they crash to an ungraceful stop their words already entangled. The two partners stare at each other and after a second or two Ryan steps closer to the bed. Apparently Beckett and Castle aren't the only ones who do mental communication.
"Castle, I…. umm…We wanted to say thank you." Ryan stutters into his opening but finally hits his straps.
"What you did last Thursday went above and beyond, not just what anyone could expect from a civilian consultant, but or indeed what we reasonably could expect from our partner regardless of whether they were a cop or not. You don't have a badge, but we consider you one of us. Regardless, we're both really grateful for what you did for us. I got to go home to my wife, and well Espo…got to go home….eventually."
Rick catches the glare from the Latino to his Irish partner but chooses not push for the tale just now. He also spot's Lanie Parishes tell – her eyes widen slightly and she shifts her feet nervously. Oh there's a story there. He's sure he can get it later. Perhaps Kate knows already, girl code and all.
"Hey guys I was just doing what you would have done for me. Or Beckett. What you have done for us. No thanks necessary."
"Look Bro. Ryan pretty much said everything that needed saying. We owe you but we're not ones to make a fuss about something, even when it is as important as this. So we just wanted to say thank you." Esposito responds to Rick magnanimity.
"You know we don't make a big thing of it. Maybe a few drinks at a bar – when you get cleared for if of course. Anyway, I know a place where the drinks are cheap so us poor cops won't be impoverished with your expensive tastes." Esposito has a smirk of his own. In all likelihood Rick knows he'll be paying indirectly for his own thank you drinks but it doesn't bother him in the slightest. If he didn't already own a 'cop' bar he'd go out and buy one just for the occasion. Not to flaunt his wealth, but to treat his friends.
Kate has silently watched the stilted yet heartfelt exchange between the three men but now can't resist teasing the Boys.
"You know if you had waited any longer, Gates would have beaten you to the punch. I think she is planning on coming to visit tomorrow. We've also got the Chief of Detectives coming, the Mayor, and Evelyn said she would come round. You're lucky we could fit you in to his busy schedule." She's smirking at both of her partners and challenging them. All the time unaware, or perhaps uncaring, that her words confirm just how deep her partnership with Rick runs.
Neither take the challenge up.
Jenny Ryan clears her throat and despite all the other occupants of the room turning to gaze at her she keeps her courage
"Mister Castle. Thank you."
"Rick" the author corrects. "You know me well enough now, Mrs Jenny Ryan. You can call me Rick.
"Rick." She hesitates, tentatively testing the name on her tongue before continuing. "I've always known that Javier would do anything for him. Detective Beckett too. But for you to do what you did. Look I'm going to say this and I know it is not going to come out right but please don't judge me immediately."
"Richard Castle, you're not a cop. You haven't had the training, all the years of experience, and the practical lessons, sometimes painful. And yet, I know my husband idolizes you. At first because you were Rick Castle, millionaire author, ladies' man and all round witty guy. Plus you had a Ferrari. But over the years I know that Kevin's view of you has changed. That he now trusts you not only with his life but that of his partners. There is nothing more sacred to Kevin than his family including the one at the Precinct and I'm sure that he considers you an integral part of that group." Jenny pauses again. Even more nervous she continues.
"I know Kevin doesn't tell me everything but sometimes he's had nightmares. Plus I've read the papers and the Internet. I've heard other cops and emergency services talking. I've seen it in his eyes and his stoic suffering through physical and other injuries. I know you've played your part. So thank you for doing your best to ensure he comes home to me. Not just this time but all those other times. And Javier and Kate too. Thank you with all my heart." As Jenny draws to a close her husband pulls her into his arms and enfolds her gently sobbing form in his protective embrace.
"Guys, Jenny. Look there really is no need to thank me. You are all my friends. In many ways, my best friends. It is I who should be thanking you. For letting me participate and be part of your work. Contribute in some small way to the important tasks you do." Rick is picking his words carefully here.
"You've saved me." Looking towards his partner he continues "Saved Kate. Saved both of us. We've done the same. It's what partners do. There really is nothing more needs to be said." Both Esposito and Ryan nod in agreement.
"I'm the one who should be thanking you. Hell even Gates. You're the ones that let a civilian tag along. Especially given the frequency that I get myself and too often you into trouble." Rick falls quiet suddenly pensive. Kate instinctively strokes his left arm.
Lanie Parish had been unnaturally quiet throughout the time since their arrival. It was never going to last.
"Rick, I do know that you are the dearest person on this planet to my girl. I've known Kate for more than a decade and I have never, ever seen her in this deep, this totally girlie before. In fact I don't think I've seen her girlie before, not truly, ever! Sure she had moments but they really were moment, seconds not even minutes. Nothing like this. So I hope you know how special you are and how lucky the both of you are."
"We all know how affected you were when Kate was in this position. She's been the same this time too. What we all want for you both is for you to stop ending up in these situations." Strong nods of confirmation come from the two male detectives and Jenny Ryan.
"Now, I will take a moment to lecture the both of you on how long it took you to FINALLY see what pretty much everyone else has done for years. You are both so right for each other." More nods of affirmation.
"Oh pish, I know you'll argue, and tease, and wind each other up, that's what you do. But what you have been through in these five years, is more than most successful marriages survive in a lifetime."
Castle is actually struck dumb and Kate's jaw temporarily unhinged as she near panics about the direction her friend's speech is taking. Neither of them are ready for more publicly. Lanie know this. Oh, and Lanie Parish is smiling straight back at them. The shark smile. She is so into this. But how far will she go?
Fortunately for both that is where the ME draws the line. For now.
Stepping in the hug Kate she whispers "Girl's night. Soon! I have not forgotten you owe me, Katherine Beckett." Kate mutely nods in acknowledgement.
After the anxious and awkward start, the room is soon occupied with conversation tinged with friendly banter. Before long it is nearing eight pm and the end of visiting hours.
"So Castle." Esposito opens.
"Your Ferrari?" Ryan's turn.
"Yeah?" Castle's tone conveys a considerable volume of caution, probably well-merited.
"It's stick isn't it?" Esposito again.
"Of course!" Ugg who would owe an automatic supercar?
"So with your shoulder injury and rehab….." Ryan.
"You're not going to be able to drive it for a while." Esposito.
"Perhaps you could loan it out to some good friends to look after and keep the engine, umm, ticking over." Ryan finally gets to their point.
"Really? I know other people. Perhaps they might want to drive my Ferrari. What about Kate?" Actually he knows all about Kate and his Ferrari after a date night some months ago. She had demonstrated remarkable talent with her mastery of his car and him.
Castle has fallen silent and Kate suddenly has alarming intuition about the memories that are currently distracting her lover. If he mentions her and stick control in a sentence he is dead. Fortunately for all Ryan unwittingly prevents any revelations that Lanie might love.
"Um not just for me Castle. The wife too. She's never been in a Ferrari."
Jenny Ryan actually bats her eyelids at Richard Castle. Kate laughs.
"Hey, so you guys come here to thank me. And in appreciation for the thanks I loan you my Ferrari? Am I missing anything?"
At least both of the detectives have the good grace to look slightly abashed. But at the same time expectant.
"Oh wait I am. Apparently it is also to be used to allow Ryan to get lucky with his missus." Ryan's eyes go wide but apparently his misjudged his wife's reaction because from where Castle and Beckett are they can see the excitement of all kinds in Jenny Ryan's eyes.
"Hmm. What about you Esposito. Hoping to use my Ferrari as an inducement for a lovely lady?" Whilst speaking Castle's gaze has not strayed from looking directly at Lanie Parish.
"Well I do appreciate fine things." Lanie's voice is slightly breathless and she doesn't back down from Castle's stare cum challenge.
"Well it is a piece of art. Look guys I am sure I can work something out. Alexis can't drive it yet, and well Mother should never drive – any car, she is a born passenger. So I'm sure we can work something out so you can both exploit the fruits of my labor."
Both Esposito and Ryan nod in appreciation. Jenny Ryan is almost bouncing on her toes.
"Actually that reminds me. Talking of art, guys I have a question."
Alexis and I were checking all the web news stories" About him and the shooting was unspoken "and we couldn't find anything about what happened to the paintings. Is it being kept on the quiet?"
"The paintings?" echoes Ryan.
"Yeah, you recovered them from the false wall. Right?"
Suddenly Castle gets the distinct impression that he had left both detectives dumb-struck. Indeed it takes almost a minute before Esposito responds.
"Bro, look to be honest with you going down and everything, we weren't focused on the paintings. But afterwards CSU swept the scene and didn't find anything."
"The pictures were, are, hidden either side of the false door that hid the stair case. You are seriously telling me no one checked?" He actually rolls his eyes Beckett-style.
"Look I've got an image on my phone of the plan I downloaded. Looking at the city plans you can see how Jussic Senior built a false wall not only for the hidden doorway but also because he wanted space to hide something. The dimensions are more than suitable for housing the paintings."
As her passes his phone to Kate so she can see the image and his calculation of the internal cavity inside the wall either side of the vertical door.
But as she looks down at his phone screen she spies the discoloration at the bottom of the phone in the grill. Suddenly she realises what it is. His blood. Rick's blood from when he was shot. The phone had been recovered and returned but any cleaning had missed some of the blood embedded in the grill. He's recovering. He will be okay. She's not okay with it. Him getting shot. Nearly losing him. She's so not okay with that.
Channelling her years of training and her own experiences she doesn't give anything away as she passes the phone over to the Boys to look at. She makes a mental note to seek out Alexis and arrange for a new phone. At least one more reminder of how close it was can be banished. She has enough that won't go so easily.
Ryan and Esposito look at the image and then shake their heads.
"Oh crap. Thanks Castle. We better get straight on it. I don't think there is still a guard on site and police tape isn't much of an impediment to anyone." Passing Castle's phone to Ryan, Esposito pulls out his own and hits speed dial as he heads for the door.
"Good Evening Captain." there is a pause for a response and then Esposito continues "Sorry to bother you at home Sir but…
Author's Note
Real life is a series of challenges for my time at the moment but the end is in sight.
I do have at least 5 more chapters planned out (some further along than others) and I will do my best to post more frequently.
Thank you for all those that favourite, follow and review.