Castle is up most days before sunrise since Beckett was shot. Why couldn't today be one of them? It's rhetorical because he was up for 24 hours straight yesterday orchestrating Bracken's demise. He also hit quite a few sour notes with Beckett which tugged at his heart strings when he did finally collapse in bed.
Now he's running late. Very late. The arraignments began early and it's already 9:30. He rushes through the morning routine and automatically dons dark trousers and a shirt wondering to himself why he isn't drawn to lighter tones today. The writer part of him can't help but whisper the shades have nothing to do with a killer and everything to do with a lover. He's already got a pounding headache so he pops aspirin but skips making his morning cup of black tea with milk because of time.
He wants to send her a text as soon as the talkative cabby can be ignored. He frantically searches for the burner phone and then remembers he deliberately left it behind. It's a landmine he can't let fall into anyone's hands. He takes out his regular phone to send an ordinary text to Beckett's number. Sorry I'm late. On my way. What have I missed?
He stares at the device, impatient for an answer but also to let the change penetrate. Beckett is out of hiding. Bracken is behind bars. Oh, wait. Castle hopes Bracken is still behind bars. The question of bail is the hurdle for today. If the matter of Bracken is a hurdle, the matter with Beckett is a climb up Pike's peak.
He pushed her away- again. He did it in the precinct at the symbolic epicenter of their relationship which resulted in a very public disagreement with the new captain. Beckett emptied out her desk. She told him to go away... no, she told him to go 'do something' so people would quit staring. He broke her mother's elephants. If that's not a metaphor for their current situation, then he can't think of a better one.
He looks down at the silent phone clutched in one hand. Damn! His hands should be full. He needs to bring her coffee even if he can't stomach drinking it much anymore. Hopefully there's a coffee shop at the courthouse. She's going to see the empty hands and read all kinds of subtext into it. It'll get processed along with clues like no longer having an agreement to work with the NYPD and his threat to Black Pawn to end Nikki Heat.
The silent vibration shakes him from the depressing state of his personal life. Karpowski just made bail. Lots of press. Packed courtroom. 3rd row from back on right side. His tender heart can imagine the betrayal she's feeling from more dirty cops. Right now he needs to be by her side. Shit - a full court means no seats. He'll be standing in the back unable to read her demeanor. Why did he have to fall asleep in the wee hours and not be able to support his partner?
His self recrimination finally ends when he jumps from the cab and impatiently goes through security. He hears a hundred clicks of cameras probably aimed in his direction but he keeps his expression neutral and navigates quickly. He strides in the room and immediately spots her. There is a man's jacket beside her claiming an empty seat. Jim must have slipped out to use the restroom so Castle eases in the row.
"I'll leave as soon as your dad get back," he whispers, "but I had to see you." There is so much more that he wants to say but the positive reception eases a little of the pain in his gut.
"Dad's at work trying to clear his schedule for when the important legal proceeding begin. We used Kyle's jacket to save you a place."
Castle turns in surprise to his other side and sees Dr. Kyle Winston and a friendly smile welcoming him. Kyle retrieves the garment and sneaks a message to Castle with a silent word: 'flashbulbs.' Castle responds with a microscopic nod and settles in. Beckett doesn't need a PTSD episode triggered by flashes of light for the media to record.
The sniper is being arraigned for the attempted murder of NYPD Detective Katherine Beckett. He's the man who put a hole in her heart. Hell, he put a hole in both their hearts. Castle instinctively grasps Beckett's hand as they see another demon whither in the light of day. His hands are cold but her hands are hot so she shares her heat with him as bail is denied.
All voices are drowned out by the clicks and flashes cameras. Castle distracts her by drawing on the back of her hand: "C," a plus sign, and "B" then a heart. She shakes off the inappropriate timing of the doodles and refocuses on the proceedings. Senator Bracken has entered the arena. His entourage of legal eagles takes a moment longer than necessary to command the defense table and shake hands with their client. When enough attention has been captured, they sit and play out the predictable opening moves. Mr. Pearson confidently replies, "Of course my client is not guilty so we demand his immediate release on his own recognizance."
US Attorney Robinson calmly replies, "The government sees the defendant as a flight risk and requests no bail."
His spokesperson blusters and spouts, "Not granting bail would be a travesty of justice. This man is obviously a pillar of the community, married, and has no incentive to flee. Additionally, the Senator's safety cannot be guaranteed while incarcerated. This entire arrest is nothing more a personal vendetta obtained with tainted evidence."
Federal Judge Horace Freeman weighs in, "I'm inclined to grant bail. Make your rebuttal, Ms. Robinson."
"Your honor, deceptive appearances are at the heart of this case. Mr. Bracken appears to be a pillar of the community and not a flight risk but evidence shows otherwise. While the defense suggests the evidence is tainted, they offer no proof. The defendant is facing the death penalty which is motive to flee. In addition, I have actual proof that he plans to flee."
A cacophony of noise makes the judge bang the gavel for order. "Council, I won't allow grandstanding. Please quickly back up your claims."
"Evidence collected from the search warrant at Mr. William Bracken's residence includes a real passport issued from a foreign country under the name of Brandon Williams although the photograph is a 100% match to the defendant." She holds up the evidence bag with two green passports inside.
"Who is the second passport for?"
"It is issued under an alias of Mrs. Connie Williams but the photo is of a woman who is not his wife." Everyone erupts again two raps of the gavel are needed to restore order. "I will clear the courtroom if order cannot be maintained. Continue."
"Brandon Williams owns property in a non-extradition country." She holds up a deed beside the passports. "Interpol has confirmed that several bank accounts exist under that name. I also have affidavits from two pilots stating that a condition of employment is to be available to fly Mr. Bracken at a moment's notice. It was further discussed that despite whatever flight plan was filed, he wanted the freedom to change his mind for the destination. There was also a discussion about turning off the transponder that allows a plane to be tracked on radar."
US Prosecutor Robinson hands are full of documents. "I submit that the many years of illegal activity has allowed the defendant to prepare for possibility of this moment and that this defendant can and will evade our legal system if allowed out on bail. The magnitude of drug profits suggest that bail set at any amount can be met. Finally, to suggest that he can not be incarcerated safely insults the men and women who work on behalf of the federal penitentiary system.
Pearson pops up, "We object to this evidence. We have not been able to interview the pilots or review the methods used by a foreign agent to gather the banking information that belongs to a mythical person which in no way implicates my client."
"Bailiff, please bring the evidence to me." Judge Freeman takes a few minutes to go through the stack. Additional documents include the search warrant for the house, the CSI log detailing the opening of a small hidden safe, the chain of custody for the passports, and the FBI report about the facial recognition match. He raises an eyebrow at the balance of the foreign bank accounts. The judge is very aware that every move he makes will be highly scrutinized. He motions for the bailiff to return the evidence to the prosecutors table.
"I'm not going to pretend this case is ordinary. The magnitude of it has thrust us into a fast track for all proceedings. I see that several motions have jumped to the front of the line about exclusionary rules. However the purpose of this proceeding is weigh the potential harm of both sides concerning bail. The legitimate passports with fake names were found in the defendants residence and seem to be handled correctly by law enforcement. An overwhelming preponderance of evidence currently suggests the flight risk is valid. Bail denied. Next case!"
A collective gasp erupts just before the din of voices. Castle waits for it...
Bracken turns around and searches the courtroom. He finally catches sight of Beckett and Castle. He can't hide the loathsome glare directed at Castle. Curiously, no part of it is directed towards Beckett. A flurry of clicks tells them enough pictures of the expression will be frozen for all eternity.
The bangs of the gavel lessens the noise only enough to hear "30 minute recess" announced. Everyone stands and starts the tedious process of trying to exit. The trio glance at one another in an unspoken agreement to wait until the rush is over and hopefully fewer photographers remain.
Beckett and Castle stare at one another. They used to be very good at unspoken communication, but even the spoken words these days are giving them problems. She looks tentative and he looks haggard.
"I wasn't sure if coffee was allowed in this courtroom, but I'd be happy to go in search of one."
'One' cup of coffee? That's some sort of message. She shakes her head and offers a him another chance, "I know you suggested my dad and I have dinner together tonight since we haven't seen much of one another, but you're welcome to join us. He sounded disappointed when I told him you couldn't because of eating dinner with Alexis."
"My little ninja is attending an awards banquet tonight. Her fencing club has completed its rankings and has earned an invitation to a prestigious regional tournament. Despite the appeal of spending an evening with two Becketts, I really do think your dad needs some time with you." He's making the refusal as polite and sincere as possible because he knows how hard of a time Jim has had.
"Good! Then I can claim you. I insist on taking you to dinner since I don't really know anyone else here." Kyle is waiting on Rick's answer with a genuine degree of hope that it is accepted.
A multitude of emotions and thoughts flit through Castle's mind. Kyle wants to take me to dinner? To warn me off Kate? To talk about Kate? Does he want something from me?
Kate reaches out, touches her partner and encourages them, "Rick, I think you would enjoy his company. You guys have a lot in common: both devoted fathers, both collectors of comic books, both avid fans of that space cowboy movie, both..."
Rick interrupts, turns to the other man, "Wait, you like Serenity? Joss Weldon's movie?"
"'Dear Buddha, please bring me a pony and a plastic rocket.'"
"'Hell, I'm gonna grant your greatest wish. I'm gonna show you a world without sin,'" he replies with glee.
"'Everything's shiny, Cap'n. Not to fret.'" Kyle is beaming at his kindred spirit.
The look of mutual admiration is solidified by a nod inspired by something deeper. The new bromance is hidden only when Candace Robinson bustles up to them. "I've just seen the subpoena list for tomorrow. You're on it. I need to go over testimony today. You," she points to Castle, "I need in my office with your attorney from 1:30 to 2:30, and you," she points to Beckett, "I want with to see with the other detectives from 4 to 5. Any questions?"
Beckett's worried, "What's this about?"
"They're claiming all the evidence is 'fruit from the poisoned tree.' If the motion carries, all charges will be dismissed. All the work is for nothing. Bracken goes free."