S9 E5
A Cop Tale
Chapter 11 - Standing On That Line
Kate Castle had called Kayla Branum and updated her on the latest developments in her dad's case. She had asked Kayla not to expect too much as this was the first solid break they had and it could just lead to a deadend. Kayla said she understood and then thanked Kate for letting her know.
She had been briefed on the field work that her alpha team had done, and she directed them to look closer at Milton Cospy. He was still a minor politico, but had ambitions for Mayor. The obvious question she had was how did a humble boy from the 'hood afford to finance a campaign? First for alderman, and now he had plans of running for mayor. Even at that level of political office, it took money to execute a proper campaign for the entry level political position. Kate directed alpha team to look at Cospy's finances. Rick had suggested that they go and interview him concerning the Simmons' Gang activity in his neighborhood. Maybe that was all that was needed to make him blink and call fire on his own position.
"I don't like Rick's suggestion. It puts you out there as bait. We already know he has a watch on you, he may take some drastic action to get rid of you. Risky Captain", said Espo of Rick's suggestion.
"So maybe you and Rick should handle the interview. Make it subtle and see if it spooks him. Let's see his reaction during the interview. You both are experienced enough on interviews to spot a cloaked reaction."
And that is why Kate Beckett-Castle was such an exemplary cop. She put herself on that line for justice's sake. She went the extra mile but did not over step. She was a wife and mother now, and still she continued to do the job with the same tenacity as when she was just on her own. Back then it was her dad, but now Rick and Lily were added to her list of family. She had a lot to lose here.
Later that night, as she prepared to call it an end for the day, she saw Espo and Rick at Espo's desk working out the interview with Alderman Cospy. She trusted both men without hesitation knowing each would proceed cautiously to keep her as protected as the circumstances allowed.
"Hey you two, time to call it quits for the day. You're the only ones of the Alpha Team still working."
"Roger that Cap. Rick and I are just going over final touches for the Cospy interview."
Calling It A Day
As Kate and Rick get into her cruiser they are being monitored by Taffic Cam from the dispatch office of Rick's security team. The security team had linked to the Traffic Cam system of NYC.
The man on main dispatch sends out a radio message, "Mom and Dad departing, drone one launch."
The drone one field operator responds, "Roger that, coming into position now. Talley ho on Mom and Dad. Got them heading south, looks like they are taking alternate route 6."
"Drone 2, Mom and Dad taking route 6, go to position for the handover."
"React Team 3, route 6, are you near check point."
"Getting into check point now."
"Drone 2, React 3, ETA your positions, 15 minutes and 25 minutes respectively."
Fifteen minutes later Drone 2 comes on line, "Tally ho on Mom and Dad, monitoring their approach to homebase."
Ten minutes later, React 3, parked on the side of the road on the route 6 checkpoint, "Tally Ho on Mom and Dad, no sign of a tail, they look clear for approach to homebase."
As Kate's cruiser arrives at the Loft building, Kate opens the gate to the basement parking structure using the electronic remote in her cruiser and then enters the basement parking space to the loft.
"All teams return to dispatch, Mom and Dad are at homebase. Surveillance 2 you have the night watch."
"Roger that dispatch, Surveillance 2 is on post."
Pillow Talk
They are in bed and discussing what the future holds on this current case.
"I hope it goes as planned with Alderman Cospy tomorrow. Espo and I have prepared and practiced so much that we are as ready as we ever shall be", Rick tells Kate with some angst in his voice.
"Don't over think it Rick, I am sure you and Espo will do fine."
"The apprehension here is what the result could be from this interview. Espo is right, you are putting yourself out there to be targeted. That makes me a bit nervous. I can not lose you Kate. We finally just got together and I want to grow old with you. I want us to have grandchildren together. You mean too much to me ..., and to Lily. I will not live out the rest of my life without you. My purpose for living would be gone."
"Rick, stop being a drama queen. You have Lily to raise, and if I should somehow leave this life, I know she will be well taken care of. Look at how phenomenal your first daughter turned out, and you were a single parent. I am not making light of the matter. The last thing I want is to leave you and Lily to live on without me, but should it happen, I know she is in good hands."
"Kate, I know the risks of your job, and I have come to a realization about it. That does not mean I stop worrying or that I hide my concern. You and Lily right now are my two most top priorities, next to Alexis and mother."
"I know that Rick, and I am more cautious now. I did not make this decision on Cospy lightly, but sometimes you need to put yourself on the line. This is a calculated risk, and I have thought about it seriously even as you suggested it."
Rick is looking at Kate as they face each other in bed. She is simply gorgeous in her NYPD oversized tee shirt that uncovers one shoulder and her little boy shorts that fit almost like a bikini bottom.
"You know", she says, taking her index finger and placing it under the round collar of his Batman tee shirt, as her fingner circles his collar, "I may have something that may make your concern a little less stressful and not so anxious." She is giving Rick that look she gets when she is feeling playful.
"Really, Mrs Castle, and what exactly do you have in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking..."
She never finishes her sentence. Rick pulls her into himself and starts kissing the part of her neck that Rick knows just drives her wild.
"Rick," she says breathlessly. She does not even catch her breath when Rick gives her a deep and passion kiss to her lips.
"No more talk, just do!"
They both want and need this contact. Rick and her go at it like it was their first time, each knowing this could be one of their last times together. It was strong anxiety relieving sex as each tries to soothe the others angst. Each gives as much as they get. Thoughts of losing each other to an untimely demise at the core of their session. Afterwards, they have a deep and restful sleep as they both come down from the top of their passions. They give each other some relief that night.
12th Precinct
Both Rick and Espo review their approach to the interview. They do not want to give too much of a hint about what they know, but they need to reveal enough to judge Cospy's reaction. Both Espo and Rick have done this kind of interview before. Each will be sensitive to the others body language trying to follow and support the others actions. Much like Kate and Rick do when case solving, acting as one mind, so it must go for this interview. Both men are attuned to the others hidden signals that will mean to either back off on the current approach, or continue it with more effort.
They observe a ten minute quiet time after they finish their review of how they will conduct the interview. It is a meditative moment meant to bring calm and resolve to their task.
As they leave for the interview with Alderman Cospy, the other Alpha team members gives them encouragement with verbal pep calls wishing them success They high five each other as Espo and Rick prepare to exit the bull pen to ride to the interview in Espo's squad car.
As they head out, Kate comes out of her office to give them a departing 'Good Luck'. She gives her husband a look that only the two of them know the meaning to. She gives Espo a hand slap as he walks away from her.