Couples

Chapter 112

"I want to talk to Eli Douglas," Hitchcock announces after L.T. calls Beckett and the boys back into Interrogation.

"In case you haven't read the newspaper lately, Eli Douglas is trying the Flatt case," Kate retorts. "And he was just elected D.A."

"Which is exactly why I want to see him," Hitchcock returns, "the election, not the trial. He's going to be the one making the big decisions. And trials have breaks, prep time, recesses when the judge tends to other matters on the docket. You know that, Detective. Also, court is usually out by about five or so, and it's not that far from here. Douglas could easily make it over."

"And if I manage to get through to Eli Douglas, what is it your client is offering?" Kate presses.

"Not just my client. I have information as well. This case is going to pull the cornerstone that supports the Lorenzo empire. There's a good chance that when it falls, my firm will go down with it. I don't want to be caught in the crash. So, Eli Douglas comes himself. He gets what my client and I have to disclose. We both get immunity and protection."

"That's all?" Kate asks. "You're sure you don't want a suite at the Four Seasons or Rocco DiSpirito to show up with a seven-course dinner?"

"Maybe he should try out a bunk at the Tombs, instead," Esposito suggests.

"I hear they sprayed for bedbugs," Ryan adds. "They said they got most of them."

Hitchcock grinds his teeth. "We don't have time for this, Detective. The Lorenzos know you have Scalisi. They could be destroying evidence as we speak. And the shredders at Leonard and Sorrento are probably going full blast. Leonard could be feeding them himself. Either I see Douglas, or both of you watch the Lorenzos slip the net."

Kate draws a breath. "I'll see what I can do."

"Don't answer it," Lana implores when Eli reaches to check the text alert on his phone. "We still have a couple of minutes."

Eli pushes up on his elbows as he grabs his cell. "It could be the courthouse. If I'm late or screw up in any way, Andrews will jump on it. You know that. Hmm, it's from Kate Beckett. Wow! If this is half of what I think it is, I need to get to the 12th the minute I can."

"Which means no honeymoon dinner tonight," Lana assumes.

"Which means that it may be a little late," Eli corrects. "But I think we got pretty good practice at being newlyweds just now."

Lana stretches, closing her eyes. "Mmm. I can fill in some of the time after my shift by catching up on my paperwork. Let me know when you're finished with Kate. I don't want us to miss a minute that we don't have to."

Eli leans down for a kiss. "Neither do I."

With the petering out of the lunch rush, Christine has some time to think about Mr. Castle's party while she does the prep work for dinner. Chef suggested that the big boss could serve pot pies in blue and gold anodized aluminum pans. They would be hearty and vaguely suggest law enforcement. And as a side benefit, they'd hype Chef's new restaurant. She doubts Mr. Castle would mind that. As she understands it, the writer is the chef's major investor in his new venture. Still, she feels they could serve something more romantic to celebrate a wedding, even one between a cop and a lawyer.

Laying down her knife for a moment, Christine pictures a bride and groom. What? They look like her and Chef! She blinks the image away. She must really be sleep-deprived. "Romance, weddings," she murmurs to herself. "Flowers, cakes, long white dresses, rings. Rings," she repeats. "That would be a perfect theme without hitting anyone over the head. She can do food in ring-shaped molds. The cake could be two entwined rings instead of layers. With a light sprinkling of edible gold leaf, it will be perfect. She'll have to talk Chef into giving her time to pull it off. But for Mr. Castle, she can't imagine him saying no.

"Court adjourned," Markway announces.

Quickly checking the wall clock, Eli heads for the door of the courtroom. Due to the extended recess, the session ran a half-hour over. But that's not too bad. If he catches a cab, he can make it to the 12th in a few minutes. The driver insists on listening to island music, but Eli doesn't mind as long as he keeps his foot firmly on the gas. Not even waiting for his change after paying the cabbie, Eli approaches the precinct on the run and takes the stairs to the bullpen two at a time.

He pauses on the landing to draw a breath and straighten his tie. Kate waves a greeting and motions him toward the interrogation room.

As Palmer Hitchcock turns toward the open door, Eli recognizes him immediately from law school. Palmer applied for the law review when Eli was the editor. He hadn't made the cut. They've been polite to each other, even cordial, at official functions. But Palmer always seemed to retain his jealousy. If he's willing to ask Eli for a favor, he must be desperate.

As their eyes meet, Eli inclines his head toward the alum. "Palmer."

"Eli. You're about to make a name for yourself."

"Palmer, I just got elected D.A. I think the legal community knows who I am," Eli responds.

"I'm thinking beyond the legal community. You're going to be the only prosecutor to ever bring down three crime families. My client and I are going to hand you the Lorenzos on a silver platter. But tit for tat. We need protection, and we need total immunity."

"Total immunity," Eli echoes. "Palmer, if you and your client are criminals, you belong in prison. And if you aren't, you don't need immunity. I'm sure Detective Beckett has already told you that the N.Y.P.D. can protect you. Given the involvement of organized crime, I suspect the F.B.I. will lend a hand with that. But to earn total immunity, you'll have to prove that you know where all the bodies are buried – and who buried them. If you want me to believe you can do that, you're going to have to do a lot of convincing."

"I've got time," Palmer replies. "And my client has nothing else."

"Then consider this," Eli proposes. "Take the night. Get your thoughts together and figure out exactly what your proffers will be for yourself and your client. I have court at nine a.m. tomorrow, but we can talk before that at seven. I'm sure your client will be up. The holding cells here are not known for providing an inviting night's rest. And I doubt you'll be asleep. I remember you, Palmer. What you promised was more than you produced. You'll need every minute to put together something to persuade me you're not still coming up short. Judge Markway doesn't like to keep the jury waiting. So I'll see you back here on the dot, and you'd better have the goods."

Palmer resists the urge to wipe his palms against his hand-tailored trousers. "I'll have them."

Lana and Eli reach their destination at almost the same moment. She toys with the top button on her blouse as he unlocks the door. "Ready to pick up where we left off?"

Sweeping her up, he carries her over the threshold. "I should have done that earlier, but I didn't get the chance. This is an unusual marriage."

She presses her lips to his. "But it's already a wonderful one."