Moment in Time Part 3

Chapter 40

Dead Red

Part 3

The mirror in Interrogation reflects Jurgen Kass' smirk as he preens. Then, when Kate sits opposite him, he shifts his focus to her breasts. "I haven't seen a 5-0 like you before. What's up – besides my, um, interest."

Kate stares unamused. "Jurgen, I don't think you realize what trouble you're in."

Jurgen slouches in his chair. "Oh, please. I ain't trouble. I am trouble."

Kate rolls her eyes. "Oh, yeah. You're a regular Scarface. But he didn't end up too well, did he? So you'd better start paying attention."

Jurgen snorts. "Hell, I could put my little man on the table right now, and nothing would happen."

"If your man's so little, that explains why you have to drive a Lamborghini," Kate taunts. "Is that the only way you can make your engine roar?"

"Bitch!"

"We have your ride on tape popping off at an abandoned warehouse where Grigory Mishkin was killed last night. You met Grigory there to sell him drugs. And when he stiffed you, you killed him."

Jurgen guffaws. "You said it yourself. I drive a Lamborghini. So I confess. I'm rich. I don't need drug money. But," he pulls out his phone. "I could use a record of this little encounter. I have diplomatic immunity. That means your government has to ask my government for permission to prosecute. And my government is not about to give it. Say cheese." Kate glares as he snaps a picture. "Nevermind, I'd rather have one of your tits. This has been awesome, but I'm out."

Kate joins Vasily as their suspect saunters toward the elevator. "I'm sorry. Sometimes things just don't work out as quickly as they do in Castle's books."

"But Nikki Heat doesn't give up."

"And neither do I. So I'll have my people keep digging until we find some hard evidence on Jurgen. Anyone with an overblown ego like that is bound to make a slip. But it may take a while to find it."

"You're worried that I'm here to make trouble," Vasily suggests.

Kate shakes her head. "No, of course not."

Vasily leans in. "Captain, do you really want to start off this friendship with a lie?"

"OK. Fine. The truth is a young man was murdered, and I don't want politics to get in the way of catching the bastard who did it."

Vasily's face lights up. "Your passion is very Russian. I admire that. And rest assured, I do not intend to interfere in your case. In fact, during the time it will take for your detectives to pursue their leads, I would enjoy taking in the sights of your most amazing city. Mr. Castle said that he would be returning. Perhaps he could serve as my tour guide?"

Kate can think of no one better than Rick to steer Vasily to the best tourist attractions to keep him out of the way. "Of course. I'll slip in my office and give him a call right now."

Rick smiles at Kate's caller ID. "Calling so soon? I thought we were putting off playtime for later."

"I need you for a play date, all right, but not with me. Vasily wants to see New York, and if you keep him out of our hair, I will definitely show my appreciation tonight."

"Spend time with a man who worships my work and be rewarded in the bargain? How can I turn down an offer like that? I will be there ASAP to take our Russian visitor into my charge."

"I have a confession to make," Vasily admits as he slides into the passenger seat of Castle's Ferrari.

"Is there something you didn't tell Beckett about the case?" Castle asks.

"Oh, no, no! Nothing like that. You see, I'm a writer, too."

Rick wishes he had a dollar for every time a fan told him that. "Of course you are."

"I have an idea for a Nikki Heat novel."

Rick can feel his jaw tighten. "Of course you do."

"Can we stop for coffee?" Vasily asks. " There is a place I've heard about that I want to see. And I can tell you all about my idea."

Looking forward to Kate's reward for his patience, Rick smiles his indulgence. "Wherever you want to go."

"The title of the book will be Heat and Ice," Vasily explains as he and Rick find a table at an outdoor café. "And Ice is my codename for a Russian superspy who will be Nikki's nemesis."

"Nikki is a cop, not a spy," Rick points out. "It sounds like Ice might be more suited as an opponent for Derrick Storm."

"Yes, but that would produce no fire to melt the ice. The sexual attraction between the two will burn through the pages."

"Nikki is already in love," Rick reminds the Russian. "She and Rook are together – like Kate and me."

"This I know," Vasily insists impatiently. "But Heat and Rook were headed for a break, were they not? Rook took off to teach classes."

"That is only temporary. Rook and Heat are soulmates, yin and yang, two halves of the same whole."

"Of course," Vasily hurriedly agrees."But temptation only makes the Heat hotter, yes?"

"I suppose that's possible," Rick concedes.

Vasily claps Rick on the back. "Good! Good!"

"Vasily, I have to admit you are not what I expected," Rick offers.

"You thought I would be like Red Heat?"

"Yeah."

"That is old Russia. I am new Russia," Vasily proclaims.

From the corner of his eye, Rick notices Jurgen sitting a few tables away. "Isn't that our suspect?"

Vasily flashes an innocent look. "What a coincidence! Your wife is a brilliant questioner, but she had to stay within NYPD rules. Perhaps we could have better luck."

Rick considers Kate's wrath if he oversteps. "Or maybe we should leave it alone."

Vasily pats Castle on the shoulder and strides to Jurgen's table. Castle reluctantly follows.

Jurgen looks up. "Who are you?"

Vasily leans in, getting in Jurgen's face. "You should pick up a book. This is Richard Castle, one of the great mystery writers of our time. And he has a few questions for you about the murder of Grigory Mishkin."

"Buzz off, Ivan," Jurgen retorts. "If the cops can't touch me, what are you going to do?"

Vasily grins knowingly. "Ah, diplomatic immunity. It is like a fur coat that keeps you warm and cozy – in America. But, little Diplo-brat, Russian justice plays by different rules."

Jurgen gulps. "What is Russian justice?"

Vasily strokes his chin thoughtfully. "How shall I describe it? How about this? When you take a nap on your favorite beach in Ibiza next month, you may wake up without your feet."

Dark stains bloom under Jurgen's arms. "All right, I didn't tell this to the cops because my father doesn't like it when I hang with Russians."

"Poor taste," Vasily comments, "but continue."

"I dropped Grigory off at that building after we took care of a little business. But I never went in."

"What kind of business?" Rick questions. "Drugs?"

"No. Grigory owed me a ticket to a reception at the Russian consulate. It will be wall-to-wall Russian models."

Vasily nods. "Yes, I understand. Russian women are devastatingly beautiful. But what did Grigory give you for that incredible opportunity?"

"A manual on how to hack the computer of a Jeep Cherokee."

Vasily stares down skeptically. "That's a strange request."

"What did he want with it?" Castle probes.

Jurgen trembles under Vasily's eyes. "He didn't tell me. I swear."

"Who was he meeting?" Rick presses.

"Really, I have no idea."

Vasily moves back a step. "Very well. Have a nice day."

"So we're cool?" Jurgen calls as Vasily and Rick stroll away.

Vasily looks over his shoulder. "If you lied to me, don't invest in shoes."