Moment in Time Part 3

Chapter 58

GDS

Part 2

"What did Veronica Harris have to say?" Ryan asks his partner.

"That her brother was hunting a serial killer he called the Phantom. He stumbled onto him during a missing person's case. But I haven't heard of any active serial with that handle. Have you?"

"No, Ryan admits. "But maybe that's why Harris called him the Phantom, because nobody heard of him."

"Or he doesn't exist," Esposito suggests. "But according to what Veronica heard from Phillip, the Phantom has been killing in both Los Angeles and New York."

"A bi-coastal killer? Didn't bi-coastal become a thing in the seventies? Exactly how long has this guy been around?"

"Veronica said Phillip identified victims from the last few years. She found a list in some things he kept in New York. There were seven, four in LA and three in New York. And her brother told her he was close to nailing the killer," Esposito adds. "She thinks that's why he was killed. We should get Lanie involved."

Ryan rolls his eyes. "I figured you'd say that."

"It's what Captain Beckett would do," Esposito argues. "But since she's not here. I'm making the call."

Lanie sucks on a Jamba Juice with her feet up on a table. "I just finished going over the autopsy results on the Phantom's alleged victims. All seven were killed with a knife."

"Vics are killed with knives all the time. Any other pattern?" Ryan queries.

"Genders and ethnicities were all over the map. But – wait for it – each body had something removed. An eye, an ear, and a finger were all missing."

"Beckett said Harris had his heart cut out," Esposito recalls.

"And Harris was the only one who made the connection," Lanie continues.

"Phillip Harris was right," Ryan realizes. "A serial killer's been preying on victims in LA and New York completely under the radar. This guy really was a phantom."

A chauffeur pulls up to the curb near The Hungry Orchard, and the driver gets out. "Mr. Castle?"

Rick eyes him apprehensively. "Do I know you?"

The new arrival extends an envelope with a familiar seal. "I was told to give you this."

Rick breaks the seal and reads the note inside. "'Mr. Castle, your presence has been requested to join us at the GDS.' I wonder if I passed their test, and they're inviting me to join their ranks."

Kate regards the limousine suspiciously. "If whoever sent that note knew where to find you, they must have had you under surveillance. I'm not sure I like this, Babe. If you're going, I'm going with you."

"My wife's coming with me," Rick informs the driver. "We are a crimebusting duo."

The driver shrugs. "I didn't receive instructions about that. The boss can sort it out when we get there."

A balding man with military bearing greets Rick and Kate in the anteroom of a mansion reminiscent of the 1800s. "Mr. Castle, Captain Beckett, it's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Mason Wood."

Rick gazes at a document in a glass case. "Is that an original Sherlock Holmes manuscript?"

"It is," Woods confirms. "We have several of them. And we have the writings of Sir Francis Galton on fingerprinting as well. For well over 100 years, we've been following every significant development in identifying and capturing criminals. Our Society has a rich history and members on every continent, including Antarctica. Phillip Harris was a valued part of our fellowship. His unfortunate death leaves us with a hole in our ranks."

Rick's eyes widen. "And you want me to fill it?"

"We have had our eyes on you, but it's a bit more complicated than that," Wood replies. "I'll need you to come with me, Mr. Castle. And I'm very sorry, Captain Beckett, you'll have to wait here. But you are free to explore our displays of forensics treasures while you wait. We shouldn't be keeping your husband long."

Wood leads Rick to a meeting room, where a group is assembled around a long table. He spots a familiar-looking face. You're a cop. I saw you at the crime scene."

"I'm not a cop," the attractive woman replies. "But I wear the hell out of the uniform."

"This is Kendall Frost," Wood explains. "She's a private detective out of San Francisco."

"I'm confused," Rick admits. "What exactly are we doing here?"

"Phillip's death was a tragedy but also an opportunity for you or Ms. Frost," Wood declares. "Whichever one of you solves his murder will be invited to join the GDS."

Rick scrubs a hand over his face. "I'm flattered to be asked. But I came to LA with a personal mission."

"I'm aware that you are attempting to fill a hole of your own – in your past," Wood responds. "But as I pointed out, the GDS spans the globe. If you achieve membership, you might find our resources helpful."

Kendall smiles and bats her eyelashes. "But if you'd like to pull out of the contest, I would be glad to claim your spot, Castle."

Wood scowls at her. "It doesn't work like that, Ms. Frost. Membership in the GDS must be earned. If Mr. Castle isn't interested, you'll have another competitor. But I hope, Mr. Castle, that you'll give the contest your best for your own sake and that of the GDS."

Images flit through Rick's mind. Worldwide resources could be what he needs. "Ms. Kendall, I would be delighted to serve as your opponent."

"Then," Wood proclaims, "let the investigation commence."

A text dings Kate's phone as she and Rick settle into the limo for a ride back to their hotel. Silently, she shows him her message from Esposito.

Rick nods. "The game's afoot."

As soon as she and Rick are in their hotel room, Rick studies Esposito's report. "From what Javier got from Veronica Harris, Phillip was working undercover at Zenith Studios. He must have thought the Phantom was based there. And from the way the executives from Hell eviscerated the Nikki Heat movie, I wouldn't be surprised if someone there gets off carving up bodies. Also, the head opus-destroyer was aware of Phillip's true vocation."

Kate grabs her purse. "Let's go talk to him."

Trevor Nigel extends his hand from behind his desk in an over-decorated office. "Mr. Castle, we finally meet face to face. We've only talked on the phone."

Rick grasps the surprisingly firm fingers. "It's interesting to put a face to all those notes. I appreciate you seeing us without an appointment."

"Are you kidding? This is fate, Rick," Trevor insists. "Your name just came up in a story development meeting."

Rick's eyebrows jump. "It did?"

"No. But look. I know this studio did a poor job producing Heat Wave, but believe me, I fought for your vision. And now that I'm running Zenith, it's time to get back in the Richard Castle business." Trevor holds up his fist for a bump.

Rick's knuckles meet it half-heartedly. "Thank you. I'm flattered, but we're not actually here about taking another book to the screen. We're exploring a new mystery, the murder of Phillip Harris."

Trevor looks distracted as a series of alerts trumpet from his phone. "Yes, I heard about that. Phil was a great guy. He saved my ass a couple of years ago. He got photos of my wife having an affair with her personal psychic. Those photos saved me a fortune in my divorce settlement. So when Phil asked me for a favor, I let him work undercover here."

"Do you know who he was investigating?" Kate asks.

"He wanted access to Austin Electra."

"The director?" Rick queries.

"Yeah. He's shooting Gladiators over on stage one. It'll go straight to video in this country but make a fortune in China. Hold on! You don't think Austin had anything to do with Phil's murder."

"Was Austin filming last night?" Kate questions.

Trevor settles thoughtfully in his chair. "He was supposed to, but for some reason, he shut down production and took off early."

As Trevor checks his phone, Rick and Kate exchange looks. Austin has no alibi during the kill zone.