Moment in Time Part 3

Chapter 7

XX Part 4

"I have the location where Seward Meeker's call originated," Hayley announces as Kate and Rick struggle to awaken.

Kate sits straight up, wincing at the tug on her sutures. "Where?"

"Hudson Yards."

Propping himself up on his elbows, Rick whistles. "Even for Manhattan, that's a high rent district."

"It's also where Reed made a brief stop yesterday," Kate recalls.

"And at the same coordinates," Hayley adds, "the corner of 34th Street and 12th Avenue. Vikram's checking ownership now. So if you two will haul your asses out of bed, we can plan our next step."

"Be right there," Kate promises.

"How are you feeling?" Rick asks as Kate reaches for her clothes.

"Stiff, but better. How are you? How's your head?"

"My thoughts are no more confused than usual, and I don't have any of the warning signs Alexis has kept checking for." Rick buttons his shirt. "So, assuming Reed's mercs don't kill us, I guess we'll be OK. Might as well jump into the fray."

Vikram looks up from his phone. "The condo at 34th and 12th is listed as belonging to SMK LLC."

"SMK for Seward Meeker," Rick realizes. "Not very creative."

"Or just arrogant," Kate suggests. "So far, he's been Teflon. Maybe with Reed as a protector, he thinks he's untouchable, which will give us ammunition to flip him if he thinks Reed is going down."

"How are we going to do that?" Alexis queries.

"We'll have to run a bluff," Kate responds, "put together a story that will convince him we've got the goods." She bumps her hip against Rick. "And I think we know someone who's pretty good at making up stories."

"Pretty good?" Rick repeats. "It's a little early in the morning to start insulting me. Just give me a moment to think. Damn! I wish we had some coffee."

"Put your story together, and we'll pick some up on the way back to the city," Kate promises.

Rick closes his eyes. "Imagine what we can call 'Kate Beckett's Wish Fulfillment.' In our version, the reason Kate left the AG's task force was to pursue her secret investigation into Reed."

"Believe me. I thought about it," Kate admits.

"And with the years you spent bringing Bracken to justice," Rick continues, "an obsession with Reed would be believable to anyone checking your history. So, let's go with that. You have the goods on the money Reed stole in Iraq and on his drug business. That's why he's after you, and that's why you know about Seward Meeker. You can throw in any details Alexis can give us. Then you tell Meeker that you've left everything in a safe place. If anything happens to you, it will all be released. But you'd rather stay alive, and you can help Meeker get a break by flipping on Reed before the ax falls on you or Mr. Secretary."

"But even if we get what we want from Meeker, what's to keep Reed from taking him, and all of us out?" Hayley demands.

"Because we take a lesson from Brad Parker. We threaten to take our revelations to Reed's week spot. It's cruel, but no more than he deserves, is it Kate?"

Kate's lips thin to a tight line. "It's exactly what that bastard deserves."

With Hayley and Kate alternately standing guard, the group makes a quick stop at the loft to clean up and change before tackling getting in to see Meeker. Castle's clothes are a little big for Vikram in the chest and shoulders, but the analyst still looks a lot more presentable. Kate's things fit Hayley nicely, and Alexis has a stash of garments she left behind.

Even with the attire adjustments, the doorman at Hudson Yards still looks doubtful when Kate flashes her badge – until he recognizes Rick. "Richard Castle! I caught you on Kimmel. You were funnier than a lot of the comics he has on. Ever think about doing stand-up?"

"No. But sometimes it comes out that way at my book readings," Rick confides.

"So if you and your friends and Detective Beckett want to talk to Mr. Meeker, does that mean you're chasing down another murderer? Will it be in your next Nikki Heat book?"

"It might," Rick replies. "And I might feature an extremely helpful doorman named …."

"Gabriel," the doorman fills in quickly.

"Yes, Gabriel is an excellent name for a guardian who bids righteousness to enter. When the book comes out, I'll bring you a signed copy," Rick promises.

Gabriel gestures toward the elevator. "You can go up now. Top floor, the door is on your right."

Rick extends his hand. "Gabriel, you're a good man."

"Meek, there's a cop at the door, his bodyman, Mick, calls. She's with a bunch of people and says she wants to talk about your big shot visitor yesterday."

"Reed said something about some bitch cop after him. Damn! How did she figure out he was here?"

'Maybe she didn't," Mick suggests. "The Secret Service muscle puts it all out there. Maybe someone spotted him coming this way, and she's poking around."

"Yeah, that's probably what happened," Meeker considers. "Is she hot?"

Mick's eyes light up. "Hottest damn cop I've ever seen."

"Then invite her and her buddies in. This could be fun."

"Mr. Meeker," Kate announces after Mick waves her group to seats in the expansive living area, "we know you're a distributor for Michael Reed's drug operation."

Meeker pales but returns an indulgent smile. "If that were true, Detective, it would be news to me. I've never met a Michael Reed. When Mick told me you wanted to talk about a big-shot visitor, I thought you meant Charlie Rogo. He's got a new movie coming out, and he's an old friend."

"You must mean an old customer," Rick puts in. "He's been in rehab five times."

"Mr. Meeker, there's no reason to play games." Kate recounts the backstory Rick invented. "And," she adds, "we have evidence that you spoke with Defense Secretary Reed yesterday and that he came to this building. So we know where his money comes from and that you're a part of it. And chances are if he doesn't know already, he'll find out I was here. Which means you're blown. And you know what Reed does to anyone who poses a danger to him. So right now, you have a choice. You can wait for Reed to send his people after you, or you can tell me, and the U.S. Attorney, about your dealings with him. That's the only way you stand a prayer of surviving."

"You're nuts, Detective," Meeker retorts. "No one's ever been able to get to Reed. But if I'll be dead, you'll be dead too."

Kate pushes out of her seat. "So, obviously, you do know him. And I've managed to escape his people so far. Are you willing to bet that you'll be as lucky as I am? Right now, working with me is the best option you have to keep from cashing out."

Meeker swipes at the sweat on his forehead. "What do I have to do?"

"I'm going to call two other detectives I can trust to keep their mouths shut. They'll give you and your pal a ride to the 12th Precinct. And we'll take it from there."

"You have to give us protection," Meeker demands.

Rick grins at him. "No place safer than a police station. And you won't believe the coffee."

"So, what now?" Rick asks after Ryan and Esposito drive off with their prisoners.

"Hayley drops me at the precinct," Kate responds. "And then you all go back to the Long Island base out of Reed's reach until I get what I need out of Meeker."

"Kate, if you think I'm going to move from your side again until this is over, you're as nuts as Meeker said you are."

"All right, we'll both be at the precinct. I can use you in my box anyway."

Rick guffaws. "For now, I'll take that to mean I'll be your partner in Interrogation."

Kate grabs a handful of Rick's firm butt. "That will do for the moment."