AGAIN: I have no ownership, rights, connection of any kind to Castle. I also have no ownership rights to The Human Target, Suits, Numb3rs, Bones, Blue Bloods, The District, Justified, or their characters.
All reviews welcome. I only ask that you be polite and constructive. Feel free to point out grammatical, spelling, or factual errors. I do a lot of editing so sometimes cut and paste errors may slip through. Please let me know.
AN: First, I would like to thank everyone for all the great reviews over the past week. If I knew it could get this level of reaction, I would have thrown Sorensen and Deming into a psych ward a while ago. :-)
Second, Sideways has over 200 reviews (206 currently). Thanks to everyone who got it there.
Third, about this week's Castle 'Belly of the Beast'. No comment.
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January 5, 2004 Monday
"Anyone!" she said through gritted teeth, crushing the paper in her hand, "I'm not just anyone Castle, I'M YOUR WIFE!"
A heartbeat later, she realized what she had just done.
There were shocked expressions on the faces of everyone, especially Will Sorenson and Tom Deming.
"Did I just say that out loud?" she asked with a shock expression.
"Actually you screamed it," Rick nodded, "And it gets worse."
"What can be worse than this?"
"Katie?" a voice said from behind her.
"That," Rick said pointing behind her.
She turned around slowly and shyly.
"Hi Dad."
"You're married?" was all Jim Beckett could utter, likely in more shock than everyone else.
Jim Beckett is a slim, handsome man in his early fifties with salt-pepper hair, pale blue eyes, and distinguished aquiline features. The years of alcohol abuse had left him somewhat gaunt, but he seemed to be bouncing back well.
"Yea...um...what are you doing here, dad?"
"Two State Troopers asked to come down here with them."
"For the record sir, that was my doing. I am Lieutenant Richard Castle, New York State Police," Rick said extending his hand.
"And my son-in-law from what I heard," Jim said shaking his hand, "I recognize you from the dust jackets. My wife was a big fan of your books."
"Thank you, sir."
"Dad, could you just give us a minute please," Kate said dragging Rick towards the conference room.
"Why the hell did you have my father brought down here," she asked in an angry whisper, once they were just inside the room, while crossing her arms.
"Oh, I don't know, it's always been my dream to tell a man that I married his only daughter behind his back in a room full of guns!" he said in the same angry whisper, "Of course you beat me to it. What the hell happened to not wanting to tell anyone?"
"Stop trying to change the subject Castle. Why is my father here?"
"I was going to fill you both in on the developments in your mom's case. As her husband, he is the primary next of kin. And maybe, just maybe I didn't think your father should hear about your mom's case on the news, while he's alone. You two should hear this together."
"You're right...damn it...it's just that he's worked so hard to…"
"I know, Kate," he said trying to put his hands on her shoulders but she shook them away, "I know you are beyond angry with me right now. I know you just want to lash out, but one way or another your father is going to hear about this today. He's going to need you. And believe it or not, you're going to need him."
"Fine, but if he tries to kill you, I'm not going to stop him."
"Imagine my surprise," and then turning and speaking in his normal voice, "Mr. Beckett, would you please join us in here."
Then Rick looked at Colin, nodded his head followed by a quick tilt to the side. Colin understood this meant that Rick wanted him to take the lead and move forward.
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE BULLPEN
"Mr. Beckett?" a familiar voice called out to him as two women walked up.
"Hello Lanie, and I told you before, call me Jim," Jim Beckett gave the ME intern a quick hug, "Camille, good to see you."
"Always a pleasure Jim," Camille said shaking his hand, "Outside of a legal setting that is."
"You two know each other?" Lanie said in surprise.
"I'm not strictly speaking a criminal attorney, but I've had to depose Dr. Saroyan on a couple of occasions. No hard feelings I hope."
"Oh, I'm a big girl Jim. Takes more than a cross examination to rattle me, even one as skillfully done as yours."
"Are you alright, Jim?" Lanie Parish asked somewhat concerned, "You just got a pretty big bomb dropped on you."
"I must admit of all the things I expected to find out today, nowhere on the list was Kate got married."
"Tell me about. I found out at the exact same moment you did."
"You mean she didn't even tell you?"
"Yes and after you're done, I have a few choice words for her. If she made Serena the maid of honor, she'll never hear the end of it. I promise you that."
"Serena?"
"Rick's surrogate twin sister."
"How do you have surrogate twin sister?"
"They were born on the same day of the same year at the same hospital, within an hour of each other. Their mothers where even in the same hospital room. They've been inseparable ever since."
"I see, so they're not really related."
"Ah, Jim I would not say that around Rick or his other siblings," Camille said in a low voice, "It tends not end well."
"Other siblings? How many of them are there?"
"Well, you see those four talking to the guy in the cowboy hat," Lanie said
"It looks like an Old West posse about to go looking for Billy The Kid?"
"Those are his surrogate brothers. Left to right, that's Colin, Roland, Ethan, and Justin."
"And the guy in the hat?
"He's a friend of theirs, Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens," Camille answers.
"And they're all wearing NYSP badges and guns. All his siblings work with him?"
"Only the boys," Camille answered, "The girls all have different fields of interest."
"The girls?"
"In addition to Serena, he has four more sisters who aren't here, Vanessa, Elise, and Isobel. Their baby sister, Mary Rose, passed away several years ago."
"I have to say, it's very unusual family structure."
"They all went to boarding school together," Lanie responded, "Their busy parents would usually leave them at school over holidays and vacations. They bonded. I've seen lots of large families. No blood related siblings could be closer."
"So, Lanie, what do you think of Rick?"
"Well, I think you should do everything in your power to make sure your little girl does not screw this up."
"You seem very approving Rick Castle."
"Well, I may be a bit biased," Lanie grinned, "I may have more than a passing interest in his brother, Roland."
That's when Rick requested Jim Beckett join him and Kate in the conference room.
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
After Jim Beckett entered the room, he and Kate stood on one long side of the table facing the door while Rick closed the blinds and moved to stand on the opposite side. Then they all sat down.
"Are you pregnant?" Jim Beckett asked his daughter.
"What?" Rick and Kate said in unison.
"You're suddenly married to a man I've never met but whom I've heard plenty about on page 6."
"Those stories are rather exaggerated," Rick defended himself. Great father-in-law issues already.
"No, I'm not pregnant dad., and I can't believe you even went there."
"What am I supposed think? I was not as clueless during your childhood as you may have thought."
"So?"
"So, I know about Richard Rogers and Drake's magic shop when you were five and how you've had a crush on him ever since. By the way, I never got a chance to thank you for sticking up for my Katie-bug."
"Katie-bug," Rick said chuckling, "I'll have to remember that one."
"Don't you dare," she said glaring at him.
"So, are you aware she stalked me for a time?"
"I did not!"
"Katie, you stole his high school hockey jersey and slept in it for years, you still might for all I know."
"Dad, I was nine."
"Actually, she does. She's worn it out so badly that I gave her the other one. I haven't put it on in years so it's in much better shape."
"Well, that's a very sweet gesture."
"Dad!"
"What, honey, it is."
"Thank you," Rick said, "And is it true she would scratch out the face of any woman who appeared next to me in newspaper or magazine photos."
"Oh, yeah. One time she went straight through the picture and scratched the table."
"Why are you encouraging him?"
Rick tried to suppress his laughter.
"And then there was the time when you when you were 16."
Rick and Kate's faces went ashen.
"You knew about that too?" Kate said mortified.
Her dad just nodded. Jim then turned to Rick.
"Thank you, son. Johanna said that without you we might have lost her forever," Jim paused for a second, "But I wasn't aware you two had met up again. When did that happen."
"You want to take this one?" Rick said to Kate.
"My hero," Kate said giving him a look and turned to his dad, "Last Monday."
"You married a man you've essentially known less than a week," he then turned to Rick, "I don't know son. I like you, but you're going to have to say something good here."
"I told your daughter I wouldn't sleep with her until after we were married."
"Oh God," Kate said slamming her head on the table.
"He did?" Jim Beckett's eyes grew wide, looking at his daughter.
With her head still on the table, she nodded.
"Oh, he's a keeper."
"See, I'm a keeper."
"You realize I'm wearing a gun," Kate said lifting her head to glare at him.
"You realize I am too and I'm faster draw."
"You two always like this?"
"Yes," they said in unison.
"Sounds like true love to me," Jim Beckett said completely serious.
"Dad!"
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR BREAK ROOM
"OW!" Justin cried out as Lanie punched him in the arm, "What was that for?"
"Why didn't you tell me Rick and Kate got married?"
"Shouldn't you be taking this out on Roland? He's your boyfriend," In the immortal written words of Wile E. Coyote...Yikes!
"Roland has been careful not to be caught alone. Wait," she said with a big grin, "Did Roland call me his girlfriend? What else did he say?"
Justin looked out the window and found his brothers smiling and waving. Oh, come on. I spray sewage on them one time and they never let me hear the end of it.
"Focus Dr. Parish. I'd like to know some details too," Camille Saroyan said walking in the door.
"I'd like to know too," Lt. Colonel Hollis Mann said coming in right behind them.
"I guess we're all in agreement," Jordan Saw added as she walked in the door and closed it behind her.
"So spill, Math Boy." Lanie said giving him a glare that would make Kate proud.
"What makes you think I know anything?"
"Because there are no secrets in your family," Camille answered, "Don't you all say it gets in the way of survival."
"OK, that's valid point," Justin said getting more and more nervous, "But they have an exception in my case because they know I'm the weak link."
"This, I believe," Lanie said nodding her head, "But somehow, I still think you know something."
"Look, wether I know something or not, this is between Rick and Kate. It's their story to tell to whomever they want to tell. All I know is that it happened really quickly and they're still figuring it out."
"Is she pregnant?" Hollis asked, glaring at him.
"What?"
"Did they get married because she's pregnant?"
"No, no. I can definitely say they did not get married because she's pregnant."
"How can you be so sure?"
"They only met last Monday. Even if she was, there's no way to tell that fast. Seriously, didn't your parents give you the birds and the bees talk? For God's sake, two of you are doctors and Jordan is a mom."
"I don't get this," Lanie said, "Rick I can understand. He falls in love with random women on the subway, but Kate Beckett doesn't do anything like this."
"Have they told Alexis?" Camille asked.
"What?"
"Have they told Alexis?"
"No they haven't."
"Why haven't they?" Jordan asked, "Does Alexis not like Kate?"
"Are you kidding? She thinks Kate is the greatest thing ever." OK, by the glares I'm getting from Camille, Hollis, and Jordan, that answer was a bit too enthusiastic.
"So, why haven't they told her?" Jordan asked.
"That's their call. It's up to them when they tell their daughter." OK, referring to her as 'their daughter' got me more glares. Maybe I should hide behind Lanie.
"Alright ladies, I think you're tortured by baby bro enough," Ethan said walking in.
"Maybe we should focus on you?" Lanie said.
"Well, I can't stop you, but I can call Elise down here."
"No, I think we're good," Lanie said.
The other woman nodded in agreement.
"I'm surprised you didn't think to use the Elise option earlier," Ethan said as they left the break room.
"I didn't want to be accused of a war crime."
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
"As much fun as teasing your daughter can be," Rick said suddenly taking on a more serious demeanor, "We need to get to the reason I asked you down here?"
"I guess it's not about marrying my daughter."
"No, sir," Rick took a pause.
Jim Beckett felt his daughter take his hand. She then nodded to Rick.
"Mr. Beckett, there is no easy way to bring this up. Sir, your wife's case has become active again. They Mayor will shortly be addressing the situation at a press conference. I obtained permission to give you and your daughter a private briefing half an hour before," Rick then waited for the information to sink in.
"How? Why? The Mayor is making an announcement about Johanna's case?" Jim Beckett said confused.
"You wife's case is only part of it, sir. It involves a lot more. I think it would be best if I stared at the top. I'm in charge of the Studies and Analysis Section of the New York State Police."
"I've never heard of it," Jim replied.
"No one has," Kate said in snarky tone but realized she was out of line, "Sorry."
Rick nodded and smiled warmly at her. Kate, I love sparing with you but not today.
This made Kate blush. What is wrong with him? I'm trying to provoke him and he just...he just...ahhh...why can't he act normal and be provoked?
"My team uses mathematical disciplines to analyze data collected by different government agencies to create models to better help deploy law enforcement resources and analyze results of their efforts."
"They do crime statistics." Kate said still trying to provoke her husband.
"That's only part of it. We also use data for housing, education, healthcare, transportation, employment, food and nutrition, and even sanitation. And that's just a short list, we keep adding different sources to improve our models."
"Katie, your mom suggested something like this to help reclaim decaying neighborhoods from gangs and drug dealers."
"I know," Rick said, "It's where I got idea?"
"It is?" father and daughter asked in unison.
"Your wife spoke to our community service club during my senior year," turning to Kate, "Surprised I was in that club."
"Of course not. I often thought community service was the perfect place for you, court ordered community service," she said smirking, "Sorry, you walked right into that one."
"Of course I did," he said giving her a smirk that suggested he set himself up on purpose so she could have a moment.
"Oh, your mom would have loved him and not just for his books."
"Dad!" Great, their bonding. Mom, somewhere, somehow I know you're behind this. Stop it.
"Thank you, sir," Rick said smiling. Poor guy, I think he's doing all he can to delay talking about this. Alright, we'll go at his pace. Least I can do.
"What I don't understand is why your team is investigating my mother's case?" Kate asked trying to take the offensive again.
"Katie, stop badgering him and let the man explain," Jim Beckett said to his daughter.
She just nodded.
"Anyway Mr. Beckett, part of our mandate is to use our unique capabilities to work with other government agencies when they need extra help on special projects. One request was from the Medicaid Inspector General in the Department of Health for our help…"
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE INTERROGATION ROOM
Roland went into the observation room and made sure all the electronic recording devices were totally unplugged. He also disabled all any other equipment that Internal Affairs or others must have placed.
Knowing Roy and Kate were in the middle of this, Roland studied the 12th Precinct surveillance layout, standard tradecraft. He now knew the electronics of the place better than anyone who worked there.
Through the two-way mirror that took up most of the wall, he saw Colin and Raylan Givens enter. He tapped the glass so Colin knew he was ready.
"So, what are we doing here?" Raylan asked.
Colin brings up his index finger in a quick 'hush' signal. He then places a cell phone sized device against each of the three walls.
"OK, it should be safe to talk for a bit," Colin said in a low speaking voice.
"What are those," the Marshal asked, emulating Colin's low speaking voice.
"New toys from Roland. They generate white noise in the wall which makes it hard for anyone to hear if they try to listen through the walls or doors."
"The room is fairly soundproof so isn't that overkill?"
"Just extra precautions. They also send out an electronic pulse that combined with the white noise will screw with any electronic microphones in the walls and even in the room. You're cell phone mics will not work while we're here."
"Alright, what're you boys up to?" the Marshal asked.
"Well, what have you been told?"
"Nothing beyond my initial briefing. I'm supposed to put together a Special Operations Group for the next couple of weeks. Apparently there's been a whole shitstorm hitting the Southern District of New York. Though, personally, I never bought the whole Army CI involvement in that little dust up in Southampton. Who the hell are boys after?"
"It has to do with the mastermind behind all this. The man behind the curtain."
"Yeah?"
"Senator William H. Bracken."
"You're kidding," Raylan face went serious very quickly.
"To fund his rise to power, he's stole money from dirty cops. Now he's gone into business with a heroin importer, and along the way ordered the murders at least four innocent people who accidentally got too close to the truth."
"Fuck."
"Trust is a big issue here, Raylan. He has people everywhere. You need to make sure you know every Marshal on your detail personally."
"Oh, this just gets better and better."
"There is a bright spot, however. A Senator can't just go up and start talking to the rank and file on a regular basis. It looks weird. He has to limit his network to people who he would be expected to contact, bureaucrats."
"And they'd know people lower on the food chain could be flipped."
"Exactly."
"Any ideas who his contacts in the Marshal service might be?"
"That's another bright spot. It seems the Marshal Service isn't worth him worrying about."
"Oh, gee thanks."
"It's a good thing, Raylan. Prisoner transport, court security, Witness Protection, seized asset management, and fugitive pursuit have not been of very much concern to him. So, he's left the Service alone."
"OK, I'm in. What do you need from me."
"After we leave, for purposes of this operation, never refer to him by his name again. If you absolutely have to talk to us about him, refer to him as the chief unsub or Chesnut."
"Chesnut?"
"I'll explain later."
"So, here's what we need to do."
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
"In our investigation, the name of Doctor John Brinkley came up as double dipping," Rick said looking at Kate.
"Why is that name familiar?" Jim asked.
"He's the ME who did mom's autopsy," Kate said squeezing her father's hand.
"Because Dr. Brinkley worked as a city employee, we had ready access to all his information which is why he was pegged so early."
"This is a defense attorney's dream," Jim Beckett said, "Every conviction that relied on his testimony or work could be appealed."
"Even if he did every autopsy by the book, everything he's done becomes suspect because his credibility is obliterated."
"Is this why Johanna's case is being reopened?"
"All the cases Brinkley handled have to be reexamined, including acquittals and unsolved cases not just convictions."
"Wouldn't acquittals would be covered by double jeopardy?" Kate stated.
"If he was bribed to do so, they could at least get the them on that. If the acquittal was due to incompetence, they could at the very least keep them on the police's radar," Jim answered
"Exactly, sir. For the unsolved cases, they need to be reexamined for both incompetence and bribery."
"That's my team is still involved. Brinkley was involved in thousands of cases either as the ME of record or in an assisting role. The investigation needed a way to prioritize, try to determine which cases were better candidates than others for review."
"What about Brinkley himself?" Kate asked, "Where is he?"
"In a coma."
"What?"
"He's the suspect Colin, Roland, Ethan, and I were sent to arrest in Southampton."
"Those others are…" Kate began.
"Rick's brothers. Lanie gave me a full rundown on his unique family tree."
"Brinkley was flying his personal plane back from a ski trip in Quebec. The powers that be decided that the number of people who were aware of the situation should be kept to a minimum. As State Troopers, we could just pick him up with jurisdictional issues.
"I assume something went wrong," Kate's father said.
"Lou Karnaki decided act on his own and ask Commissioner Grey to have him picked up first. Grey decided to go himself with press entourage."
"Does the Commissioner even have jurisdiction to do that."
"No sir. Also, there was a leak which meant we were all headed into an ambush. I tried to warn Grey, but we couldn't make contact. I contacted local police to look for him. One thing led to another, and I may have gotten him arrested."
"YOU WHAT!" Kate yelled.
"And he's really mad at me right now, but I'm sort of outside his reach. So, he implied / threatened to take it out on you."
"Wonderful," she said deadpan, "When were you planning on telling me this?"
"When you didn't have your gun."
She just rolled her eyes.
"So, let me get this straight. On Saturday, you throw the head of my department into a jail. On Sunday, you throw two guys I was seeing into a psych ward."
"I only allegedly threw your ex boyfriends into a psych ward and I didn't throw the Commissioner in jail. I just had him stopped to warn him. It was his big mouth that got him arrested.
"Why are you smiling?" Kate said looking at her father.
"I'm sorry, I know I should be focusing on the news about your mother, but I don't think I've ever seen you this much in love."
"Dad! Why can't you hate him like a normal father-in-law?"
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HOME OF SENATOR WILLIAM H. BRACKEN, WASHINGTON D.C.
"Good day, Special Agent Sacks," Bracken put on his bet fake politician's smile and extended his hand.
"It's an honor to meet you Senator," the agent responded as he took the Senator's hand.
"This my Chief of Staff, Tom Alderton."
"Good to meet you sir." and another round of handshakes.
"Where is Agent Fornell? He usually briefs me."
"He's flown to New York City to personally check on a new development. I'm here to brief you on it."
"Excellent, have a seat."
Ron Sacks sat on the couch across the coffee table from the Senator while Alderton remained standing behind the Senator. Sacks took out a folder from his briefcase.
"Sir, over the weekend, eight men entered the country using false identities," Sacks began. The number he mentioned sent chill through the two other men that they tried hard not to show, "They came through at various entry points and were picked up."
"And you think they're tied to the threats against me?"
"Once we started to run their fake names, we started seeing all sorts of intel linking them to Rampling. "
"Where are these men now?" Alderton asked.
"We brought them to New York because the identities they used were from an operation we recently raided in New York. After discovering their possible links to Rampling, we will be sending them to Guantanamo Bay until we figure out who they are.
"Is that legal?" Tom asked.
"Well, sir, all their IDs are fake. They aren't claiming to be American citizens or citizens of anywhere else for that matter."
"I see," the Senator said, "Have they tried to contact a lawyer?."
"That's another suspicious connection. They all asked for the same attorney, Daniel Hardman, who is a highly prestigious attorney."
"Yes, we know," Bracken answered, "Daniel and his firm have handled several estate planning issues for my family. Do you think he's involved personally?" Might as well be honest and upfront. It'll come out sooner or later.
"We don't know sir. It is more likely that this Rampling character retained Hardman through a third party. Using your own lawyer to cover his hit squad might be his idea of sick joke. Even so, DHS was going to contact Mr. Hardman, but that stopped before it could go through once we realized the possibility of a Rampling connection.
"These are photos of the eight men," Sacks said placing them on the coffee table, "Do you recognize any of them? Even if you may have saw him in passing at a rally or something."
"No I don't think so," the Senator said doing a very good job of acting cool.
"I think I do," Alderton replied.
"You do?" the Senator snapped his neck around.
"Yes. You wouldn't know them Senator. They were part of our advanced security detail. You see agent Sacks, we often send advanced security teams to major public appearances to look over the venue for possible security holes. They're gone by the time the Senator arrives.
"At least some these men were supplied to us by Palmetto. We haven't used them in quite a while. I'll have my staff dig up what we have on them, and send it over to your office. Of course it's likely the information they gave us was fake as well."
"Thank you, sir. We'll still check it out. Now, if you'll excuse me, I won't take up any more of your time."
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
"So what really happened at the airport?" Kate asked trying to take control of the conversation.
"I can only give you official line since everything that happened there is now the responsibility of Army Counterintelligence."
"Army Counterintelligence?" Kate asked, "Is that why the Lt. Colonel with the killer body is doing here?" Oh God I just went into jealous mode again. What's wrong with me.
"Lt. Colonel?" Jim asked.
"The attractive blonde in the tight jeans," Rick answered.
"She seemed to know you fairly well," Kate said glaring at him, What did you call her, Holli?"
"I call her Holli because I think Hollis is a terrible name for a woman."
"I suppose it makes it easier to get into the mood if you call her Holli?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Are you sleeping with her?"
"No, I'm not sleeping with her."
"But you used to because she looked at me like I stole her favorite rifle."
"We dated a bit this past fall."
"Oh, did she make salute before getting into bed?"
"No, but she saluted me quite a number of times afterwards. Where is this coming from? I had, past-tense, relationship with her. There are two of your ex's out there right now."
"Hey, I don't care. Sleep with whoever you want, the more the merrier."
"Ahem," Jim cleared his throat and Kate remembered her father was in the room. She turned crimson with embarrassment.
What the hell am I doing? This is about my mother's murder and I'm acting like jealous teenager about a man I don't even want...hell a man I can barely stand at the moment.
"Rick," Jim Beckett said while Kate was trying to get a hold of herself, "Maybe you should continue. What is the official statement?"
"Army CI got intel that Dr. Brinkley was going to be ambushed by hired assailants. A rapid response team engaged and eliminated them."
Still not technically lying. I just didn't mention that we were the ones who contacted Army CI and it was after the fact. We did coordinate. There was a response team. Just didn't mention it was us too. Yup...I lied through my teeth.
"What happened to Brinkley," Kate asked.
"Commissioner Grey had sent one of his men on ahead as an advance man, a detective Gary McCallister."
"McCallister? He was one of the detectives on mom's case.""
"Evidence is starting to show that he leaked the information about Brinkley. Anyway, when it looked like the hit team was done for, McCallister opened fire on Dr. Brinkley. He managed to hit him, but Brinkley survived, barely.
"So, the ME who performed my mom's autopsy is in a comma, and the man who tried to kill him was one of the investigating officers," Kate said solemnly, "Where's McCallister now?"
"Dead," Rick said simply.
"Is he the one who…" she said looking at him.
He just nodded.
"What?" Jim Beckett asked confused.
"McCallister stabbed him in the arm," she answered. He was stabbed for my mom's case. He could have died for my mom's case. Alexis could have lost her dad. I could have lost...
"Stabbed?" Jim Beckett said rather shaken.
Damn! I should have known that stabbing would be a still sensitive topic.
"It's barely a scratch sir. McCAllister tried to escape. I chased him. He was out of ammunition so he tried to jump me with a knife. Colin killed before he could try again."
"Did you get any information at the airport?" Kate asked.
"No, but we got major break from a different source."
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HOME OF SENATOR WILLIAM H. BRACKEN, WASHINGTON D.C.
"What were you thinking?"
"You mean admitting to recognizing your eight friends," Alderton said sitting where Agent Sacks formerly did.
"What else?"
"We have public records of those men as security consultants. It could come out. They were never around you so it's plausible you never met them. As your Chief of Staff it's plausible I did. Gives you cover. Also we've given them someone new to investigate."
"Palmetto?"
"Exactly. Your stance on private military contractors is well known."
"But I've never come down on Palmetto."
"True, but considering their recent scandals, the FBI may believe that Palmetto thinks that it's only a matter of time until you do. Isn't that what you have planned for after the election?"
"Do you think Palmetto actually believes that and they hired Rampling."
"They do have the resources and the connections to contact Rampling. That's no easy task. He doesn't exactly have offices in midtown."
"This is so damn confusing. Every time I think I have a handle on things something new pops up."
"Maybe not Senator. I think we're still right about Rampling's goals. He knows way too much about our operations, but he doesn't outright expose you."
"That's because he doesn't have any proof, and even if he did, it's not like he can walk into court."
"He doesn't need to. Politics isn't about proof. How many of your opponents have I removed with well placed story. None of it ever ended up in court, but they were out of the running anyway.
"Short term, at least, he doesn't want to kill you. Everything Rampling has done has been aimed at crippling you, getting you out of office. Killing you maybe a last resort in case none of that works."
"If it is Palmetto, killing me or getting me out of office. Other Senators are after them too."
"True, but I can think of two possibilities. First, they want to make an example of you. If someone takes their money, they better be loyal.
"And second, they may not want you dead or out of office at all. They want you so weak that you can't afford to turn on any of your friends. If it is Palmetto, and it's still only an if, they likely want you to remember the servant part of the term Public Servant."
"And that's exactly what's happening. The way things are, I'm going to need every friend I've ever had. If Palmetto is behind this, then they're getting exactly what they want."
"And if not, they need to send Rampling and his real employer a big thank you note."
"What about Lockwood and others. If this is Palmetto's game, can we trust them?"
"Until we figure it out, we have to make sure they don't go Gitmo. Once there, even you won't be able to get them out."
"Do you think they'll talk?"
"Luckily, only Lockwood and Maddox know anything. However, they will not take it well if we abandon their friends. That aside, they have a perverse professional pride in not talking. Unlike thieves, there seems to be some honor among mercenaries.
"Still, in Gitmo, that may not last. And if they are sent for extraordinary rendition, well, even they have a breaking point."
"What do you suggest?"
"Call one of our friends in the U.S. Attorney's office. As a former prosecutor yourself, suggest that the investigation might run more smoothly if the suspects remain in New York. That should buy us a few days."
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
"Another source?" Kate asked.
"Justin created what he calls the incompetence recovery algorithm. Yeah, we're still working on the name."
"Justin designed it to be used in cases of incompetent or corrupt professionals such as police officers, judges, engineers, and even doctors. We put in the failings we do know, builds a behavioral model, and tries to see if he or she has made any similar mistakes in past cases.
"At first it was not suited to what we were doing. Our knowledge of Brinkley's actions were too limited. While discussing it with Jordan…"
"Jordan knows too?!" Kate blurted out.
"Who's Jordan," her dad asked.
Kate's eyes suddenly went side. Please don't tell him about Jordan me. Please...
Rick smirked as he looked at her. Oh so want to tell her dad. Oh you're so going to owe me for this.
"Special Agent Jordan Shaw, Sir. Jordan is the attractive, well endowed brunette you saw out there in the dark blue power suit. "Rick answered, "She's a top profiler with the FBI."
"From Kate's reaction, I judge it's been more than a professional relationship."
"Actually, Kate worked under Jordan years ago when she was still in uniform," And out of it, "Jordan and I have also worked together and we've had a casual relationship, on and off."
"I see."
"Before meeting your daughter again, I had asked Jordan to be my date for New Year's Eve. By the time that evening had rolled around, I was so taken by your daughter that I proposed to her. Kate responded by calling me some unflattering names, and left with her date."
"I assume that's one of the men you allegedly had thrown into the psych ward."
"Yes, sir."
"Nice touch."
"Dad!"
"Well, it is. Do you have any idea how many of your mother's other suitors I wish I could've thrown into a psych ward."
"Dad!"
"Anyway, sir, I was angry and I went back to Jordan. For the record, I did inform Jordan I proposed to Kate before anything happened."
"How did she take it?"
"She punched me in the arm a few times. During our date, I mentioned Justin's algorithm and she was interested professionally."
"I bet she was?" Kate suddenly blurted. Great, I'm jealous of my ex-girlfriend sleeping with my husband. There are so many things weird with that statement.
"She is evaluating the algorithm for use in detecting serial killers that might have been missed by sloppy police work and the like."
"And I assume her involvement gave you the major break you mentioned?" Jim asked.
"Indirectly. While discussing it with Jordan, Justin got the idea to use part of the system with other algorithms were concurrently running. We don't run one algorithm or even one at a time. We run dozens simultaneously which we feed into other algorithms.
"Anyway, the idea was to examine any of Brinkley's cases were unsolved or resulted in acquittals for similarities, and group such cases. A large group with enough similarities might give us a good place to start."
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CORNWALL ACADEMY CEMETERY
Vanessa walked by herself to the grave marker carrying a bundle of 10 roses. By the time reached the grave, she already had tears in her eyes.
She got on her knees at the grave and placed the ten roses in one of the nine flower holders built into the base of the marker.
She then lowers her head and takes off her gloves presses her hands into the grass and dirt while she says a silent prayer.
"Hello, little one," she begins, "I miss you so much baby sister."
"You know it's creepy to stare, Mark," she said.
"How'd you do that?" a voice behind her says.
"Do what?"
"See 360 degrees like Daredevil."
"Just good tradecraft I suppose. How did you know I was here?"
"You told me. First week of the spring semester, you each place 10 roses at her grave, one rose for each of you."
"How did you know I was here, now. I could have come at any time today."
"You told Father Ambrose what time you'd be by and he told me me. I just waited."
"I could have been late."
"I would have waited."
"I could have been early."
"I would have tried something else to see you."
She smiles.
She gets up and faces him. They are inches apart and then she just falls into his arms, crying against his chest.
"Hey, hey...it's alright...it'll be alright."
"No it won't. She's my baby sister. I'm not supposed to outlive my baby sister. It's been close to four years and it hurts as much as the moment we lost her."
"I know I have no right to ask, but would like to talk about her over a cup off coffee? After you're done here of course. I'll just wait."
She just smiled and nodded.
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
Rick took the folder he brought in with him and pulled out three head shot pictures.
"Diane Cavanaugh, Jennifer Stewart, and Scott Murray. Recognize them?"
"They all volunteered with Johanna at the Justice Initiative," Jim answered.
Kate just nodded her head.
"Diane Cavanaugh and Scott Murray were murdered on March 7, 1999. Jennifer Stewart was murdered on Friday May 21, 1999," he then looked Kate right in the eyes, "They were murdered the exact same way as your mother. The final forensic report will likely show that it was the same weapon.
'That doesn't make any sense. When I made detective, I looked up any similar cases around the same time. None of these came up.."
"You went down into the archives and looked at every case file?"
"No, I searched the NYPD database."
"Yes, that nice search tool that makes Yahoo! look like self-aware artificial intelligence."
"The entire department uses that everyday. Are you saying it doesn't work."
"No, it works for most tasks. It's a simple boolean search interface. You enter a bunch of fields on a form. It looks up against database fields. Now assuming the fields you need are on the form and you have some skill in constructing the search you need, you also have to assume that no one fiddled with the data itself."
"Fiddled?" Kate asked suddenly getting a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"Yes, fiddled. There are all sorts of mistakes that look innocent enough on the surface that can throw off search. Hell, someone could simply put in a command to limit your access so your search never comes up with anything. There are endless possibilities for someone on the inside to hide any connections between the cases from a certain meddling junior Detective."
"Did you just make Scooby Doo reference? Wait, what do you mean someone on the inside."
"Actually, two someones. All four murders were not only handled by the same ME, they were also investigated by the same two detectives."
"John Raglan and Gary McCallister," Kate said softly, her stomach churning worse than ever.
"There may be more victims linking them and Brinkley. We are waiting for verification."
"Are we talking about a serial killer?" Jim Beckett asked.
"It's a possibility that we are keeping open, but it's more likely we are dealing with a professional, a contract killer. It would explain the use of cops and an ME to help bury it all."
"Where's Raglan?" Kate asked.
"He's being held at our station on Wards Island. Jack Buckley is questioning him. He'll be taking the lead for the Manhattan DA's office.
"I know Jack," Jim said, "He's a good man and top flight prosecutor."
"I agree," Kate added, "I need to know something, Castle."
"You're married and you call him by his last name?" her father asked.
"She does it because she knows I hate it. Being called by our last names is how bullies used to rub in the fact that my siblings and I weren't legally related. Even knowing that she won't let it go."
"Don't take it too badly, son. She's had this stubborn streak in her ever she was a little girl.
More bonding. I have to do something about this before these two start discussing names of future grandchildren.
"You know how much my mom's case meant to me. How could you not tell me as soon as you knew something?"
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CORNWALL ACADEMY CEMETERY
Elise Cantrell walked up walked up to the grave marker. She saw the impression made by her old sister in the ground and knelt in the same spot to place the flowers in one of the holders. She too took off her gloves rubbed her hand in the earth as well.
"Hey baby girl,." she started, "First off, I've met someone. His name Kevin. He's gentle, sweet, and cute. I wanted to bring him today to meet you, but I chickened out. I promise to bring him around as soon as I can. He's wonderful and I'm sure you'd approve if you were here."
That last statement brought the tears.
"If you're watching, you know that I played a trick on Rick that went way over the line. I just want him to be happy. He takes so much onto himself. I know what I did could go really wrong. I hope, wherever you are, you can help it go right.
"I miss you so much baby sister. I love you."
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
"Well, Castle, are you going stick with that mayor's orders story," Kate asked crossing her arms and arching an eyebrow, "Did you tell your sisters?"
"Yes."
"They're not even cops."
"I prefer the term police officers. However, I did get permission to read them all in. Serena's an experienced investigator with contacts who normally won't speak to police officers."
"Vanessa runs a major security firm that has its own private forensics lab. Considering this was all triggered by a corrupt ME, that might come in handy."
"And you well know that Elise is a brilliant programmer who NYPD uses on regular basis. And Isobel is a doctor. Her medical would come in handy."
"And I'm an NYPD detective," Kate said slamming her hand on the table, "Are you saying I don't have any necessary skills."
"Skills aren't the issue, per say. It's that we think in a different way than you do. How do you read a book?"
"What?"
"How do YOU, Katharine Houghton Beckett Castle, read a book? It's a simple question."
Kate sighed in frustration.
"I start on page one and read until end. How do you read a book?"
"I read the dust jacket. If I like it, I will read the last few pages. If I like that, I'll read the entire last chapter. If I'm still interested, I'll read the first chapter. By this point, I've usually figured out the entire story. I may skip around a bit, but I'll commit to reading the whole thing."
"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Just like with a book, you have singular, linear way of doing things. You collect evidence. You build a timeline. You question suspects. You get warrants. You can't think of going another way."
"It's called police procedure."
"Kate, who are you up against?"
"Other cops," she said softly as the realization fell on her like the Chrysler Building.
"That's right. You became the youngest detective in NYPD history. You've solved very tough cases by mastering police procedure. Yet, in five years, you haven't made any headway at all in your mother's case. You didn't even find things so blatantly obvious as these other murders.
"You weren't just up against criminals who studied police procedure. You were up against those who practiced it, longer than you have. Two decorated detectives, a Medical Examiner, and God knows who else.
"They know what you will do, and they know exactly how to nudge you to a dead end. They can make the evidence lie, they mess up timelines, and they can make witnesses disappear. They don't even have to kill them. They just lose their names and your searching among 12 million people if you know to search for them at all."
"Chapter VI, lesson 1 and 2. Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
"Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him."
"What the hell does that mean Castle."
"It's from the Art of War, isn't it Rick?" Jim Beckett said breaking his silence.
"Chapter VI, lessons 1 and 2."
"Kate, before you walked through the door, they were ready for you. You've been trying to fight them on their ground where they know every nook and cranny," Jim said to his daughter then turning to Rick, "They've been using that advantage to make you dance to their tune, right?"
"Yes, sir."
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CORNWALL ACADEMY CEMETERY
"I'm sorry I made you walk around so much," Serena said to Zalman as they walked towards the grave, "This is not very easy for me. I tend to procrastinate."
"I know," he replied putting his arm around her, "I know you and Rick normally do this together. I'm flattered you invited me. Thank you."
"You're welcome," she said leaning into him.
"I'm not too clear. Is this her birthday or the anniversary of the day she passed away?"
"Neither, though we put flowers then as well. Because of the accident that took her parents, she came here in the spring semester rather than the fall. It's the anniversary of the day she came into our lives."
They finally arrived, and Serena repeated the same ritual as her sisters. She got on her knees in front of the grave and put the roses in an empty holder. Then she took off her gloves and grabbed the Earth in her hands."
"Hey baby rose. I'm here," she said as the tears began, "Rick couldn't be with me this year. He has a big case, but he promises to be by or I'll know the reason why."
She then motioned to Zalman to come stand next to her and took his hand.
"This Zalman," she continued, smiling and looking quickly up at him, "The guy I was always going on and on about when we were kids. I think you met him a couple of times. You said he was sweet and he'd grow up to be really handsome. You were right, you were always right."
Then she looked up at Zalman again and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a man with bright red hair walk up, unzips his jacket, and reach into his belt for a pistol.
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
"So, the way you read a book makes you the person to deal with them?" Kate asked defensively.
"It's was an example, Kate, to help illustrate the difference in our thinking."
"Which is?"
"You fuse the objective with the methodology. The objective of reading a novel is to get the story. For you, the only real methodology is beginning to end. I look at it a different way. As long as I get what I need, there are other options."
"You cheat?"
"Call it what you will. Father Ambrose told me about your little talk."
"Whose Father Ambrose?" Jim Beckett asked.
"He's the Anglican priest who is the headmaster of their old boarding school. Helped raise them."
"Remember how he described us as children?" Rick said looking at Kate.
"Nine little super villains in the making," Kate said softly, "I thought he was joking."
"Hyperbole perhaps, but humor no. We think like criminals. That's our edge. We also follow the teachings of a great and wise philosopher who said 'If at first you don't succeed, don't be an idiot, try something new'."
"Sun Tzu, Castle?"
"Oscar The Grouch."
"Who?"
"From Sesame Street Katie," Jim Beckett said, "You used love him."
"There's a surprise," Rick said under his breath which caused Jim to chuckle.
Suddenly she lunges for him across the table. He simply uses a quick push of his foot to send his chair rolling back out of reach and another quick action stops it before he hits the wall."
"You know, I could have you arrested for assault and attempted battery on a State Trooper."
"Why don't you?"
"Alexis would never forgive me."
"Whose Alexis?" Jim asked.
"Our five year old," Rick replied.
"Five year old...when did that happen?"
"Almost six years ago."
"Not funny Castle. Alexis is his five year old daughter from his first marriage."
"And where's her mother?"
"Last I heard, servicing every director and producer in Hollywood."
Kate's dad raised his eyebrows at Rick.
"Sorry, still a little bitter. I caught her in bed with one of them."
"Sorry," Jim Beckett said sympathetically, "And does Alexis approve of you and Kate?"
"Are you kidding? She made clear in no uncertain terms that Kate is the only acceptable choice."
"Really?"
"If your daughter does end this marriage, Alexis will likely file for custody of Kate. She can be very stubborn."
"Like mother like daughter," Jim Beckett said motioning his head to Kate.
"Dad, why do you keep encouraging him? Why aren't you more upset? He's been keeping information about mom's case from us."
"To be fair Katie, he's informed us fairly quickly considering. I think you're angry because he didn't let you work the case."
"Dad…"
"Katie, he's brought us more answers in three days than the NYPD gave us in five years. Not to mention he's done so by using a system inspired by your mom and he got stabbed doing so."
"Yeah!"
"For the last time dad, stop encouraging him," she said glaring at her father, "And I'm not buying all this 'different ways of thinking' crap!"
"Oh yeah, you have a real open mind," Rick shot back.
"I have an open mind to things that are based in logic, not some mumbo jumbo mind game you're running!"
"You can see Kate why I have issues with the way you think." Rick continued, "Of course, if you didn't think the way you did. You'd likely be dead."
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CORNWALL ACADEMY CEMETERY
As soon as she saw the gun, Serena, who was still holding Zalman's hand, pulled him down and rolled them down onto the ground and behind another grave marker.
The gunman's first two shots missed completely. He tried to aim again.
Luckily for Serena he'd unzipped his jacket. She took a small throwing knife she keeps strapped to her wrist and nails him in the midriff through the think material of his t-shirt.
He drops the gun and takes off running.
In a pure rage, Serena picks up the gun and chases after him. This slight delay gives the gunman a short but critical head start.
He's on pure adrenaline and makes it to the cemetery entrance where an old Chevy Impala was waiting for him with the engine running.
One guy was behind the wheel while another was outside of the passenger seat, leaning back having a smoke. Then he sees his friend running holding his belly.
Then he saw the blonde woman with a gun chasing him. He takes out his own 45 Glock and tries to take her out.
Serena sees the gun and dives for cover
The wounded gunman climbs into the car while his friend covers him.
From behind the grave markers, Serena looks for her chance to fire back.
There's no need.
From another angle, Mark Fallon takes out the second gunman.
The Impala takes off as Fallon fires at it trying to disable the car but to no effect.
Serena comes out of her hiding spot. Filled with rage and still on adrenaline, she screams in impotent rage and collapse to her knees.
From behind Mark, Vanessa runs to Serena and kneels next to her trying to hold her.
Still pumped up, at first Serena shakes her off, almost fighting her off until she realizes who it is. Then, she lets her sister hold her.
"Serena...Serena," Vanessa said, "Are you hurt? Did you get hit?"
"No, I'm fine...I'm fine," she said panting, "They did this on her grave Nessa. ON HER GRAVE. I want them. Do you understand me. They don't walk away from this."
"I know...I know…"
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12th PRECINCT HOMICIDE FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
"What do you mean I'd be dead?" Kate asked angrily.
"If you had come anywhere close to figuring things out, those two and whoever else may have been working with them, would have set you up to take a bullet in a bust gone wrong. Their pet ME would have backed up the findings. And you likely never would have seen it coming."
"You don't know that, Castle," she said not believing what she was actually saying but not wanting to admit her husband was right.
"You think you know your mom's case better than anyone."
"I do know it better than anyone else!" she pounded her fist on the table, "I've been looking at this case for five years."
"Three of your mother's colleagues were stabbed to death within a four months of her. Two on the same day, and you never made the connection."
"No…"
"You didn't even realize they were dead did you?"
"No…"
"It never occurred to you it could be a conspiracy, a coverup."
"No…"
"If I came to you with a theory that someone conspiracy of cops and other law enforcement officers were involved in committing and covering up your mom's murder, what would be the first words out of your mouth?"
"I don't know…"
"Yes, you do Kate."
"I would've said where's your evidence?"
"I would say that's what conspiracies and coverups do. They hide the evidence or make it lie."
"What would you do, Castle, go on wild theories."
"Oh," Rick said, "What was your conclusion on why Raglan and McCallister never came up with so much as a person of interest?"
The anger and fire suddenly went out of Kate's features.
"I thought it was sloppy police work," she answered.
"The logical, straight forward conclusion. You would still discount my conspiracy theory."
"What should I have done instead Castle?"
"Look at human nature and numbers."
"Meaning what?"
"Raglan and McCallister were both Detective First-Grade. They had high clearance rates and commendations galore. Yet, on your mom's case, they half-assed it like they never did before.
"That would have been borne out if you looked at their case files for let's say 6 months before or after. Did you look into their past cases. I mean look at actual their case files."
"No, I didn't." she knew where he was headed with this.
"If you had?"
"The other three murders would have shown up. I would have found that the same ME worked all four cases. I would have seen that they missed the connections even though two cases where on the same day."
"You're dealing with people you're not prepared for because you don't believe they exist. You think that conspiracies like this only exist in books, movies, and TV. You think they are myths and fairytales used to entertain and scare. Like vampires, werewolves, and ghosts, you think they can't possibly exist.
"Kate, you're like the beautiful girl in the monster movies who refuses to believe there is a monster until the monster is right on top of her and it's usually too late."
"OK, that's dumbest thing you've said so far."
Suddenly, Colin bursts in.
"Someone just took a shot at Serena."
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AGAIN: I have no ownership, rights, connection of any kind to Castle. I also have no ownership rights to The Human Target, Suits, Numb3rs, Bones, Blue Bloods, The District, Justified, or their characters.
All reviews welcome. I only ask that you be polite and constructive. Feel free to point out grammatical, spelling, or factual errors. I do a lot of editing so sometimes cut and paste errors may slip through. Please let me know.
AN: First, I would like to thank everyone for all the great reviews over the past week. If I knew it could get this level of reaction, I would have thrown Sorensen and Deming into a psych ward a while ago. :-)
Second, Sideways has over 200 reviews (206 currently). Thanks to everyone who got it there.
Third, about this week's Castle 'Belly of the Beast'. No comment.
