Moment in Time Part 3

Chapter 39

Dead Red

Part 2

"Mr. Mishkin, I'm so sorry for your loss," Kate offers.

"Thank you, Captain Beckett. But please," Sergei asks, "can you tell me what happened with Grigory?"

"My best people are on it, but I'm sorry, we're not exactly sure yet. Do you have any idea what your son was doing in an abandoned building?" Kate queries gently.

"No. I wish I did. Grigory's behavior has been unpredictable since his mother, Anya, passed on. We lost her in a car accident."

Kate leans forward in sympathy. "I can't even imagine what a tragedy it must be for you to lose your wife and then your son. So Grigory took her death hard?"

"Very hard. For the last few months, he'd been in a downward spiral – drinking and drugs."

"So it's possible he might have been meeting a dealer?" Kate proposes.

Sergei shrugs. "I wouldn't know. But Grigory was spending a lot of time with a new crowd. They might."

"Do you know who the new crowd was?"

"Diplo-brats."

"I'm sorry," Kate apologizes. "I don't recognize the reference."

"Spoiled children of foreign officers who flaunt the law with diplomatic immunity," Sergei explains. "I'd always thought that Anya and I brought Grigory up to know better. But Grigory got caught up in their world. They do whatever they like, and no one can stop them. So perhaps my son believed he could as well. But we have a saying: 'Appetite comes with eating.' The more involved with grabbing what he wanted Grigory became, the more he desired."

Ryan finishes clipping photos to the murder board. "This rogues gallery is the notorious Diplo-brats of New York City. As fast as we arrest them, we have to let them go."

Esposito snorts. "Sounds like catch and release without the cooler of beer."

"We don't even have anything to catch," Ryan complains. "I've been going through all their files for anything that connects them to Grigory. But so far, I haven't got sh*t."

"Guys, you're going to need vodka instead of beer," Kate announces. "The Russians are sending a 'diplomatic officer' to join our investigation."

Castle pops off the elevator carrying a gift basket. He offers it to Ryan. "For the baby shower. I have readings that day, so I can't go. But I wanted to make my presence felt. So this is a starter kit for the new little one – all except the Macallan 25 and the earplugs. Those are for you."

"You are a kind and thoughtful man, Castle. And you never have any problem making your presence felt."

"Thank you, I think. But did I hear something about a Russian diplomatic officer?"

"You did, Kate confirms. "But come in my office for a moment, Babe. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

Rick wriggles his eyebrows. "Sounds like fun."

Kate locks the door behind them. "Unfortunately, the fun will have to wait until later. The officials at the consulate didn't know I understand Russian. And I heard mutterings about an intelligence officer. What do you think is going on?"

Rick drops down to the couch. "Maybe nothing. Spies make up most of the population of Russian consulates. It's kind of a joke in the CIA."

"Supposedly, our vic's father works there writing economic forecasts for commodities."

Rick whistles. "That's not even a good cover. Anyone could do that from anywhere with internet access. And my guess is he could monitor the markets better from St. Petersburg. He's a spy, Kate. The whole place is a nest of spies, and they're sending one to keep an eye on your investigation. But if your vic…."

"Grigory Mishkin."

"If Grigory's death had anything to do with intelligence matters, I would have thought the killer would do a better job cleaning up. Do you remember how fast my father made Gemini's body disappear? Where wiping out trails is concerned, the Russians operate from a similar playbook – unless someone wanted it to look like a garden variety murder."

"Or a drug killing. Sergei, Grigory's father, implied as much."

"Classic misdirection. The Russians may want you to go deep but not too deep. And they're sending their watchdog to make sure you don't go down the wrong road."

As Rick leaves Kate's office, a hearty man lunges into the bullpen and throws his arms around him. "I am Vasily Zhirov, and you are Richard Castle, yes?"

Struggling for breath, Rick considers why Russia is portrayed as a bear. Zhirov hugs like one. "I am," the author responds, trying to disentangle himself without angering the visitor.

Vasily pulls back, kissing Castle on both cheeks. "Such an honor! I love your books. I've spent many a flight from Moscow in the company of Derrick Storm, and of course, Nikki Heat, based on your beautiful wife. Is she here?"

Kate steps out of her office. "Captain Beckett, Mr. Zhirov. I was told to expect you." As Zhirov moves in for a hug, Kate steps back and extends her hand instead. "Welcome to the 12th Precinct."

Vasily's gaze flicks between Rick and Kate. "Ah, both members of the famous crime-solving duo. It will be a pleasure to watch you work."

"Well, actually," Kate explains, "since my promotion to captain, I have administrative duties that keep me from being in the field as much as I'd like. So Rick also works with my detectives."

"And I take cases as a private detective as well," Rick interjects.

Vasily claps his hands together. "How exciting! But I hope I'll get a glimpse of the two of you working together to solve Grigory's murder. So, what do you have so far?"

Esposito noisily clears his throat. "Traffic cams weren't able to catch the car a witness heard driving away, but the engine noise tripped a spot shotter."

"I love the colorful American terms!" Vasily exclaims. "What's a spot shotter?"

"An audio surveillance system designed to detect gunshots," Castle explains.

"And noises over 120 decibels can also activate the system," Esposito continues. "So we have a recording." Esposito opens a laptop to play the sound of a car accelerating. "We can bring in an expert to identify the make and model."

Castle waves him off. "No need. That is a Lamborghini Huracan. Its V-8 is notorious for sounding off like Snap, Crackle, and Pop."

Vasily slaps Castle on the back. Excellent! Excellent!"

"Jurgan Kass," Ryan inserts.

Vasily stares at him in confusion. "Who?"

"Jurgan Kass, he's one of the Diplo-brats I looked into, the son of the Finnish ambassador." He points to a photo on the murder board. "He has the very same car. He also has a history of drug and assault charges. But they were dropped due to diplomatic immunity."

Kate turns to Ryan and Esposito. "Well, that won't get him a pass on murder. Go pick him up."

Vasily grins at Rick. "Mr. Castle, you have already broken open the case!"

"Well, you know, I'd love to stick around and bask in the glory. But I actually have some writing I need to finish up," Rick claims. "You wouldn't want my next book to come out late. And when the boys bring in Kass, you can witness Kate's genius at interrogation."

"I can't wait!" Vasily declares, appearing about to burst with excitement. "But you will be returning, Mr. Castle?"

"Of course," Rick assures him. "I can't stay away from Kate very long."

Vasily winks. "I understand. You are a very lucky man, Mr. Castle."

"You don't know the half of it."