Title: The Penelope Papers
By: greygoose70
Day One, Monday
7:30AM, Riverside Park, Manhattan
"No, we can't keep this a secret any longer. People have to know. Look, I have to go. I'LL call you later." The man then disconnected the call. Behind a tree some ten feet away from where he sat a hand appeared holding a gun. Suddenly the gun was fired with barely a sound sending its projectile into the back of the man's head propelling him forward to the grassy turf.
8:45AM, 12th Precinct, Homicide
"Dead body" Detective Ryan cried out hanging up his phone.
"Address" Detective Beckett replied retrieving her badge and gun from her desk drawer.
"Riverside Park" Ryan answered.
Castle was just stepping off the elevator a cup of coffee in each hand when he was nearly run over by the three detectives. "You're right on time Castle, we got a case" Beckett said grabbing the cup with her name on it from him.
"Good morning to you to Beckett" Castle responded performing an about face getting back on the elevator.
9:35AM, Crime Scene, Riverside Park
"Good morning Detective Beckett, Mr. Castle" Officer Ann Hastings greeted while lifting the yellow crime scene tape so they could pass through. "Good morning, Ann" the duo replied in unison.
"You take the detectives exam yet, Ann" Castle asked in passing? "Saturday" she answered. "Well good luck I have confidence in you."
"Thanks" she said.
"Morning Lanie, whatta we got" asked Beckett as the duo approached the dead body, M.E. Lanie Parish kneeling beside it.
"Paul Booth, SGW to the back of the head, TOD about two hours ago" the spunky M.E. replied handing Beckett the man's wallet.
"Anything else" Beckett asked beginning to go through the wallet.
"From the looks of the entry wound I'd say it was a large caliber weapon and fired from fairly close range, ten feet or less. Will know more once I get him back to the lab.
"Who found the body" Castle enquired?
"Check with Officer Hastings, she was first on the scene" Lanie told them.
"Okay Lanie, thanks" Beckett said as she and Castle returned to where Officer Hastings was keeping a growing group of onlookers at bay.
"Hey Ann, I understand you were first on the scene." Beckett stated.
"Hey Castle" someone shouted from the crowd, "I understand you and Detective Beckett are an item now!"
Castle peered over the crowd trying to see who had made that comment finally spotting that sleazeball reporter Jeff Jones from that rag of a newspaper 'New York Now'. "That's right Mr. Jones and this a crime scene so stay back unless you want to get arrested again."
"What was that all about Castle?"
"Remember that reporter that crashed the 'Halley Blue' crime scene trying to get a picture…"
"From New York Now…"
"Yeah, wanted me to confirm we are together."
"What did you tell him?"
"Yes, then reminded him this is a crime scene, to keep his distance. So, we done here?"
"Yeah, his workplace isn't that far from here, let's go pay it a visit."
10:55AM, Offices of the Tellis Research Group
"John Westfal, President of the Tellis Research Group, how can I help you detective…"
"Beckett" she interrupted, "and this is Mr. Castle. We want to ask you some questions concerning an employee of yours."
"Who would that be Detective Beckett?"
"Paul Booth."
"Paul is a scientist works as an analysis in our R&D department. Would you like to talk to him?"
"Afraid we can't…" Beckett began.
"He's dead" Castle finishing for her.
"Ho…how" Westfal stammered.
"Murdered this morning"
"But I talked to him earlier. He told me he was going to be late that he had a personal matter he needed to take care of. I figured it had something to do with Lenora…oh my god does she know?"
"Who's Lenora" Beckett instantly enquired.
"His wife, she's pregnant."
"We didn't know he was married." Castle added.
"Mr. Westfal" Beckett stated, "we'll be back later. We still want to talk to you."
11:35AM, The Booth Residence
Beckett knocked gently on the door, a few moments later the door was opened but only far enough so that Lenora Booth could see and ask who was there. Beckett introduced herself and Castle asking if they could come in.
"What is this about" Lenora asked after letting them in.
"Is there someplace you can sit down" Beckett asked upon seeing Lenora's condition.
"It's about you husband, Mrs. Booth" Castle iterated gently leading her over to a sofa, setting her down.
"What about Paul, is he alright" she asked nervousness in her voice.
Mrs. Booth I'm sorry to tell you this but your husband was found dead this morning." Beckett had no sooner got the words out when a resounding, elongated squeal of "Noooo" came from Lenora.
After several minutes of crying uncontrolledly, her face buried in her hands Lenora Booth began developing 'the hiccups'. Castle had sat down next to her whispering comforting words to her. He signaled Beckett to get her some water. Returning she handed the glass to Castle he then placed it to Lenora's lips telling her to drink.
As her hiccups subsided and her crying reduced to sniffles Lenora asked, "what happened."
Beckett squatted down in front of Lenora, took her hands in her own "I'm afraid he was murdered". Again tears welled up in Lenora's eyes. Castle took out a clean hanky from his pocket handing it to her. "Paul was afraid something was wrong; thought he was being followed. I thought he was being paranoid but one night when he came home late I was watching from the window saw a dark sedan pull up and park just as he got home."
"Did you see who was in the car" Beckett enquired.
"Couldn't tell, too dark but it was there again the next night also."
"We are so sorry for your lose, Mrs. Booth. Is there someone you can call…"
"Felicia, my next door neighbor. She will come over till I can get hold of my brother."
"Again we are so very sorry" Castle said, "we'll let ourselves out."
Let's go back and talk with Westfal again, see if he knows why Paul Booth was murdered" Beckett said as they rode down in the elevator.
"Whatta ya say we stop and get some lunch first; there's a Five Guys burger place up the street on Broadway."
1:32PM, The Tellis Group
"Thanks for taking the time to see us again Mr. Westfal" Beckett said as she and Castle entered his office.
"Whatever I can do to help" Westfal replied.
"You said you talked with Paul earlier this morning, what time was that?"
"A little after seven, he called me on my cell. I was on my way to the office."
"What was Booth working on, Mr. Westfal?"
"Not sure Detective Beckett, we have multiple projects in progress. And we do a lot of work for the Department of Defense are bound by a confidentiality agreement. If he was working on one of their projects then I couldn't tell you much if anything."
"But you can find out what he was working on" Castle injected.
"Of course." Westfal pressed a button on his phone, told his secretary to call R&D. A few moments later she called back.
"Thank you Miss Goodson" He said hanging up, "I'm sorry Detective Beckett but Paul was currently working on a highly secret project, there is nothing I can tell. Now if there is nothing else I need to get back to work. I am sorry to hear about Paul's death, he was a valuable employee and will be missed.
"Mr. West…"
"Thank you Mr. Westfal" Castle said cutting Beckett off when he recognize she was going into interrogation mode. "Let's go Beckett."
Standing in silence waiting for the elevator and staring at a life size picture of Maxwell Ellis, founder of the Tellis Research Group, Beckett blurted out, "Why'd you cut me off like that, Rick" disgust in her voice.
"Because you were getting angry, Kate. You weren't going to get anything more out of him; besides that he was lying."
"How do know that" she asked once the lift arrived, and they got on.
"He's the president of a multimillion dollar company, does top secret projects for the government and he has to call down to find out what projects are currently in process; I don't think so."
"You think he is involved somehow?"
"Not sure at this point, but I think we need to take a closer look into the Tellis Research Group and Mr. John Westfal."
2:47PM, The 12th Precinct
"Espo, I want you find out everything you can on the Tellis Research Group, what they do, government contracts, et cetera. Ryan, have Booths phone records come in yet?" Beckett ordered as she neared her desk.
"Should have it within the hour as well as his financials" he replied.
"While you're waiting on them start digging into John Westfal."
"On it Boss" he replied.
Instead of sitting Beckett went straight to her whiteboard started setting up a timeline and other info. She was perched on the edge of a desk staring at the picture of Paul Booth when her thoughts were interrupted by Ryan.
"Booth's phone records just came in" he stated, "looks like he made three calls this morning, one at 7:12 to a John Westfal…"
"His boss" Castle butting in.
"The second a minute later to his wife and the last to a Penelope Langston."
Hearing the name Penelope Langston Castle leapt from his chair spouting "Gotta go see someone."
"Who" Beckett shouted watching him head for the stairs. "Grandmother" she heard him shout back. "Ryan, go with him" Beckett ordered.
3:53PM, The New York Botanical Garden
Penelope Langston was standing in front of a group of students discussing the importance of insects and plants when she heard a voice from behind her say "grandmother." There was only one person who called her that. She turned around instantly recognizing the boy who has grown up into a handsome man "Ricky" she said walking over receiving a hug from him when they met. "What do I owe the pleasure this visit since it's been over a year since…"
"Since Charlies funeral. I know and I'm sorry, but somethings come up that you may be involved with. Do you know a Paul Booth?"
"Paul is my great grandson, a good boy, what could he possibly be involved in.?"
"He's dead Mrs. Langston" Ryan said.
"Oh no" Penelope responded tears welling up in her eyes, "I…I told him to let it go but he was adamant."
"Told him what" asked Ryan?"
"I can't tell you" she answered.
"Beckett is going to want to talk to her" Ryan said to Castle in a whisper.
4:47PM, The 12th Precinct, Interrogation
Beckett stood outside the door to Interrogation Room One, she knew she needed to handle Mrs. Langston delicately, this was Castle's 'grandmother' (actually his Nanny for ten years). She took a deep breath letting it out slowly then opened the door "Thank you for coming in Ms. Langston" she said going over to take the chair across from her.
"Like I had a choice, I'm surprised your Detective Ryan didn't cuff me" Langston replied somewhat sarcastically.
"Please Ms. Langston,,,"
"Penelope, call me Penelope, everybody else does, well except for Ricky."
"Okay Penelope" Beckett started, her lips curving into a small smile when the woman referred to Castle as Ricky. "You were employed by 'The Tellis Research Group' from 1968 to 1972, correct?"
"Actually it was 'The Waverly Group' a division of Tellis."
"What did you do for this 'Waverly Group'?"
"I wrote analytically papers, some not very flattering, about the Viet Nam War. It's where I met Charlie, my husband. He was a dashing Marine lieutenant, worked in Intelligence."
"You talked to Paul this morning, what did you talk about?"
"The Weathermen."
"The weatherman" Beckett replied back.
"No detective, 'The Weather Underground' commonly known as 'The Weathermen', a radical left wing militant organization in the sixties and faction of the SDS."
"What the hell is the SDS" Beckett was getting a little perturbed, this interrogation was getting way off track.
"My god Detective Beckett what did you do skip history class in school; Students for a Democratic Society."
"How the hell does any of this have to do with the killing of Paul Booth´ Beckett shouted.
Castle who had been in the observation room came bursting through the door yelling "STOP!" Beckett jerked her head around shooting a glaring look at him, but Castle was not intimidated by it. "Out! Now! Each word having definite emphasis that he wasn't going to stand for anymore.
Beckett got up, walked out anger in her eyes directed toward him. Once the door was closed she turned speaking angrily "don't you ev…"
"Quiet" he returned before she could go further his anger toward her just as real if not greater than hers. Kate was in shock, never has Rick spoke to her in that tone of voice. When he spoke again it was softer but still with a bit of venom. "That is not some scumbag criminal in there, it's my grandmother, and if you would have been patient, listened for a change she would have gotten to what you wanted to know. As it is you've ruined it, she won't tell you anything, but she will talk to me." He then opened the door and went in.
Kate entered the observation room joining Ryan and Esposito who probably decided to see what was going on after hearing Ricks tirade, they didn't say anything though for which she was grateful. She flipped on the interrogation room speaker switch in time to here Rick speak.
"Okay Grams, talk to me."
"As I was about to tell Detective Beckett, Maxwell Ellis and the Tellis group were major contributors to the SDS. Max also did some recruiting for them. One of the men he recruited was, Matthew Veles, who eventually became his partner at Tellis. He named Veles to head up the Waverly Group. One day Matt came to Andrew Price and me with a project titled the ANEX Principle, Top Secret, no one else to know."
"What was the report about?"
"Can't tell you. What I will tell you is that the further I got into it I realized we weren't developing something biological to help improve nature but a weapon.
"Was Westfal involved?"
"That idiot! Probably not, before his time. Why Max ever made him president though with complete control I will never know."
"Okay Grandma I think that's enough, for now anyway. I'll get an officer to drive you home."
After securing Penelope a ride home Castle went to the breakroom where found Beckett fiddling with the espresso machine. "I'll get that for you Kate" he called out to her.
"Thanks Rick" she replied, "and I'm sorry I should have been more patient with Penelope."
"Water under the bridge, and I should apologize as well for responding to you like I did; it was so unlike me."
"Well I know how we can make up for it later at my place."
"I like how think Detective Beckett," giving her a peck to the cheek before handing her a cup of her favorite vanilla latte'.
"I think we need to pay Mr. Westfal another visit" Beckett said as they made their way to her desk. "Definitely" Castle answered taking a seat in his chair as Beckett went to put more information on the murder board.
Castle was enjoying his coffee and the view of Beckett's nicely shaped derriere as she bent over to write on the board when he was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Retrieving it from his pocket he glanced at the screen. Seeing who it was he pressed 'answer'. Hey Tobias, what's up?"
"A member of your CSU unit ran a slug through our database, and something popped up."
"Tobias you mind if I put you on speaker my lead detective might want to hear this" Castle replied placing his phone on the desk, pressing 'speaker' and motioning Beckett over. "Go ahead, Tobias."
"Your bullet matched one from a killing here in DC in 2004. VP of a 'think tank' organization with several government contracts including the DOD."
"What was the name of the group" Beckett asked.
"The Waverly Group."
"And the name of the VP" Castle asked.
"Matthew Veles."
"Can you send me the file, Tobias?"
"On the way, Rick. And you might want to talk with Jethro, his people were the initial investigators since one of the contracts was with the Navy."
"Will do, Tobias, let's stay in touch." Castle then disconnected the call.
"Who is this Tobias guy besides being FBI" Ryan inquired having come over to listen in along with Esposito.
"Tobias Fornell, Supervisory Special Agent in Charge of the DC office" Castle answered.
"So who then is Jethro" queried Espo?
Castle let out a chuckle before answering, "Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Senior Agent at NCIS, DC," he told them while pressing a 'speed dial' number on his phone. "Hey to you also Jethro" he said when his party greeted him. "Matthew Veles" he said after a few moments. Castle then went on to tell him about the conversation he just had with Tobias. "Need you to find Andrew Price, he helped pen a paper called The ANEX Principle. I believe that's what these killings are about." There was another brief pause before he spoke again "okay, thanks Jethro, call me when you find him, we want to talk to him.
9:27PM, Beckett's Apartment
Okay, technically Kate's bedroom where two naked sweat laden bodies laid entangled with one another. The bedsheets a heap on the floor somewhere. "Four times, Babe, you made me come four times, and that last one with you buried so deep inside me was explosive, the way we completed together."
"Yeah it was Kate, but I think your first one was pretty special too."
"It was, wasn't it, the way you teased and manipulated my breasts till I climaxed. My nipples got so hard they hurt, and how did you know my left tit was more sensitive than my right."
"Kate, we have been going together for six months, have made love more times than I can count…"
"Forty-six" she said interrupting him.
"You keep count" he gasped.
"Twenty-five times at your place, eighteen here and three times at the precinct. Although the ones at the precinct I wouldn't classify as making love more like straight out sex especially that one in the gyms locker room."
"Ooh yeah, I remember that one."
"You should, you must have thrown me to the mat at least twenty times then when I did get you down where I was on top you ripped off my tank-top and bra in one swift move and was sucking on one breast while pinching the nipple on the other before I knew what was happening."
"Okay but when you pulled away, you grabbed me by the waistband of my shorts began hauling me toward the locker room."
"Had to, you were busy yanking down my shorts and panties almost causing me to trip and fall then once we made it to the locker room you bent me over the bench, fucked me from behind, rode me like a wild animal, and you know what Rick…I loved it."
"You did huh."
"Yes, I want more of that babe, the spontaneity, the roughness but not too rough, the forcefulness. Don't get me wrong, I love it when we make love but sometimes I just want sex."
"God, I love you Katherine Beckett."
"Did he just say he loves me; did he mean it or was it just a reaction to what I told him. No, he meant it; Rick is a man of words, choses them carefully. Do I return the sentiment, do I love him enough to say them back…of course I do. "I love you too Richard Castle," she replied back lovingly.
Suddenly she was on her back his member at her still wet vagina entrance rubbing its tip up and down against it then without warning plunged himself into her began pounding her canal forcefully. "Yes, yes, like that" she gasped as he then bent forward taking a breast in his mouth biting down softly on its nipple then swabbing it with his tongue before switching to her other breast repeating the action all while driving deeper and deeper into her.
Kate has her long shapely legs wrapped around his waist raising her pelvis up to meet his thrusts. She begins to experience the onset deep inside her loins of another orgasm, her fifth of the night. The orgasm begins raging through her entire body, she screams his name. He hears her scream, drive into her one last time and release his own load.
Day Two, Tuesday
9:00AM, The Tellis Group
Beckett and Castle are once again sitting across the desk of John Westfal, "what is it today detective? I told you everything I know yesterday"
"Not everything Mr. Westfal" Beckett replied.
"Like what 'The ANEX Principle' was" Castle added.
"The ANEX Principle" Westfal responded almost jokingly, "that project was mothballed forty years ago. From what I know it was some type of biological study. What brought that up?"
"Not important" Beckett told him then switched to something else. "We spoke with a few employees were told you and Booth got into a dispute the day before he was murdered, care to elaborate."
"Sure, it was reported to me Paul was making copies of a file without authorization from his supervisor. I called him in to confront him about it, we had a few words but nothing that I would kill him over, if that's what you're implying." His last words being said in disgust.
Castle nudged Beckett with his knee telling her in essence the interview is over, time to leave. "Well thank you again for your time" Castle said getting up to do just that.
10:12AM, The 12th Precinct
"Hey guys; got anything for me" Beckett called out to her teammates Ryan and Esposito. "Good morning to you too" they responded simultaneously. "Where you two been" they added also in unison.
"Tellis Group" Castle answered.
"Well here's everything you wanted to know about it and its owner Maxwell Ellis" Espo told her coming over handing her a file. "And all there is to know about Jonathon David Westfal" Ryan said handing a file to Castle.
"How about Booth's financials" Beckett inquired.
"Came in this morning nothing unusual in them except that one week ago Paul Booth set up a 'trust account' in his wife's name and transferred all of his assets into it, total value three point three million dollars."
"Do we know where all that money came from" asked Castle.
"All legit Castle."
12:05PM, Remy's Restaurant
Kate and Rick had just sat down in 'their' booth when Shirley approached, a shake in each hand, Chocolate for Rick, Vanilla for Kate. "Your orders will be up shortly" then turned going to wait on another patron.
"You know Rick one of these days I'm going to order something different."
"Kate I have been coming here for ten years, order the same thing every time. If I was to order something different Shirley would have a coronary."
"You're probably right. I discovered this place my second year on the force, fell in love with their shakes, their burgers and fries and the people."
I know what you mean, if Shirley knew we did a 'Five Guys' yesterday she would probably disown us."
"Darn straight I would" they heard Shirley spout, "so don't ever do that again. You call in your order and it will be here waiting for you, fresh and hot just like you like it, got that."
"Yes ma'am" the duo shamefully replied.
"Good I'll forgive you…this time."
"Thanks" they again replied just as Rick's phone rang. Retrieving it from his pocket he instantly recognized the number. "Director Vance" he said greeting the caller. "That's correct sir" he spoke a minute or so later. "We'll be there, thank you" he then disconnected.
"Who is Director Vance" Kate inquired munching on a French fry.
"Director of NCIS; now eat up we have a plane to catch."
"Rick we're in the middle of an investigation we…"
"This is about the investigation, Kate. They found Price."
"Where?"
"Bali."
"In Indonesia."
"I see you know your geography."
"So we're what flying to Bali to interview him." She replied sarcastically.
"No detective we are flying to DC where we interview him through MTAC."
"What is MTAC?"
"You'll find out when we get there. Now eat up we have to pack.
5:22PM, NCIS Hdqrs, Washington DC
"Thought I'd give you a small tour first, introduce you to the people, never know when you might their assistance." Rick said as the doors to the morgue slid open.
"I don't have anything definite for you yet, Jethro" the man hovering over a body spoke aloud.
"Not Jethro, Ducky" Rick replied.
"Then who…" the man started to say as he turned instantly seeing Rick and Kate approaching him. "Rick Castle, I heard you were coming but nothing about you bringing a companion and such a lovely one at that."
"Ducky I want you to meet Detective Kate Beckett, NYPD. Kate, Medical Examiner Donald Mallard, Ducky to his friends and co-workers."
"Of which you are now one," Ducky said removing his surgical gloves shaking her hand. "Pleased to meet you Dr. Mallard" she returned grasping his hand firmly.
"Oh please call me Ducky."
"Then you may call me Kate."
"What are working on, Ducky" Rick inquired.
"Yeah Ducky whatta ya got" another voice iterated from behind.
"Aah Jethro. As I was just about to tell our friends here, I'm just getting started, but what I do know is Mr. Tatopoulos probably didn't drown. I believe this bullet hole in his chest is a major factor in his demise. I sent the bullet to Abby."
"Who's Abby" Kate blurted out drawing a snicker from the other two men.
"You must be Kate" Gibbs said taking her hand in greeting. "And you must be Agent Gibbs" Kate iterated.
"It's just Gibbs or for you Jethro, Kate."
"You know it's funny that Castle has never mentioned any of you people before" she explained giving Rick one of her questioning stares.
"We're some of his 'I know a guy' people" Gibbs explained snidely.
"Or a gal" Ducky added, "has she met Abby yet?"
"Going there next" Rick said.
Abby's Lab
"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs" Abby excitedly shouted when she saw him enter her lab but seeing who was following him she cried out "Rick, Rick, Rick" running over enveloping him in a hug. "Good to see you again Abby" Rick replied wrapping her in his arms.
"Abby, meet…" he began after they separated only to be interrupted by Abby.
"Detective Kate Beckett, I recognize her from the picture you have on your phone. Abigail Sciuto, detective but you may all me Abby."
"Then it's Kate, Abby."
"Good" Abby proclaimed instantly giving her a hug as well.
"Abby is the forensic scientist, is as brilliant as they come" Rick said.
"Abby, you able to match the bullet yet" Gibbs asked. "Yeah" she answered, "It came from the same weapon that killed Mathew Veles.
"Hold on a second" Rick said pulling out his phone producing a picture of the bullet that killed Paul Booth. "See if this bullet is a match also."
Abby took his phone, transferred the image to her computer screen set it up against the others then pronounced it was a match.
"Thanks Abby, come on guys" Gibbs ordered.
After Rick introduced Kate to Gibbs team he led her upstairs to the director's office. He knocked on the door receiving an "enter" from the person inside. "I wondered when you going to get around to me, Rick" NCIS Director Leon Vance said getting up from his desk coming around to greet Rick with a handshake and man-hug. "Detective Beckett I presume" offering her a handshake also.
"Kate" she responded taking the offered hand.
"Leon when it's just us, Director or Mr. Vance when among the troops. Okay?"
"Okay" she answered.
"Well we better get going our interview with Price is set to begin shortly." He then led them out taking them to the MTAC door where he scanned his eye unlocking it allowing them to enter.
The first thing Kate saw as she went in was the size of the screen, "wow you could show movies in here" she whispered to Rick. "Sometimes we do" The Director answered with a wry grin.
Continuing down the ramp she looked around saw a row of smaller screens to her left along with two computer stations, Agent McGee sitting at one, Agent David at the other. Standing in front of the enormous screen stood Agent Gibbs and another man. As she approached the screen the man came up to her introduced himself as Special Agent Tobias Fornell, she instantly recognized his voice from the phone conversation he had with Rick the previous day.
"Agent McGee, bring it up" Director Vance ordered. "Coming up Director" McGee replied typing in a command on the keyboard and the screen came alive with a man sitting in front of some palm trees. "Mr. Price glad you could join us."
"Not much choice in the matter Director when two of your agents came knocking on my door insisting I go with them."
"What can you tell us about The ANEX Principle" Kate blurted out.
"And you are young lady" Price retorted.
"Detective Kate Beckett, NYPD."
"And you want to know about The ANEX Principle because."
"Because we have three dead bodies associated with it" Gibbs clamoured.
"Alright. Jesus, I wish I never got involved with that project. The ANEX Principle is a biological weapon, uses specially bred caterpillars as the basis for a genetically engineered/Biomechanical plague. The military rejected it as being inhumane, had it shutdown where it has been for forty years."
"Mr. Price do you know Nico Tatopoulos" Gibbs asked.
"Yes" Price answered, "he is a scientist with the NRC I consulted with on the project. Why do you ask?"
"He's our latest victim."
"Oh god, is somebody resurrecting the project? Agent Gibbs you said Nico is the third to be killed, who were the other two?"
"Matthew Veles" Gibbs replied. "And Paul Booth" Beckett responded immediately afterwards.
"Don't know Booth. Matt was head of…"
"The Waverly Group a division of The Tellis Group" Castle said spontaneously interrupting Price.
"Booth worked for Tellis also as, an analysis" Beckett added.
"That only leaves me and Penelope Langston that know the details about the project, and maybe John Westfal. You need to find Penelope she could be next."
"Already have" Castle told him, "tell me Price how long have you lived in Bali."
"Thirty-nine years" he answered just before the large screen went blank.
"What now" Fornell asked?"
"We find whoever is doing these killings and right now our prime suspect is Westfal" Gibbs replied, "Director I'd like to go to New York and talk to this guy."
After some deliberation Director Vance agreed but only if he took someone with him. "Ziva, you're with me" Gibbs resounded instantly.
As the group went to leave the Center Castle's phone rang. Seeing who it was he answered then listen intently at what he was being told before speaking. "No Grandma I don't want you going alone. Stay where you are I'm going to call Ryan and Espo have them go with you and for your information I don't like this."
Disconnecting that call and placing another took him less than a nanosecond before he was speaking again "Ryan, I want you and Espo to pick up Penelope…" He then went on to tell Ryan where she was, where she wanted to go and why…Ryan didn't like it either.
9:55PM, Underground Garage of the NY Times
Daniel Craig Senior Editor for the NY Times waited by the elevator for the person who is to deliver a report on some super-secret weapon developed for the military by the Tellis Group. He knew about the Tellis Group, a hardnosed organization, did analytically and development projects for the government. He has been trying to get something on them for years, in particular their asshole leader John Westfal.
"Good, she's on time" he spoke out loud when he saw the black sedan coming down the ramp. He walked out to greet it as it got closer before coming to a stop, then just as he reached the driver's door the window was lowered but instead of a file being handed to him he saw the barrel of a gun, heard a pop-pop as whomever was inside squeezed the trigger and felt the impact of two bullets enter his body.
Esposito turned his red Dodge police cruiser into the entrance of the underground garage, was headed down the ramp when he saw the black sedan come barreling up the exit side, its passenger side window being lowered as it came closer "get down" he yelled just as the sedan sped past a flash coming from inside it then the sound as the projectile struck the side of his vehicle.
Espo stopped the car asking his two passengers if they were okay, getting a "yes fine" in return. "Stay with Mrs. Langston, bro, I'll go check the body" he said getting out walking forward to check on the condition of Craig.
11:45PM, The 12th Precinct
Gathered in the large conference room were Beckett, Castle, Penelope, NCIS agents Gibbs and Ziva David, along with FBI agent Fornell, even Captain Montgomery came in for the late night meeting. They were waiting on Ryan and Esposito who were dispatched to round up John Westfal, haul his ass in for interrogation by Gibbs.
Thirty minutes later they were all crammed into the observation room with the exception of Agents Gibbs and David who were in the interrogation room with John Westfal laying out the case against him for the murders of Paul Booth, Matthew Veles, Nico Tatopoulos and Daniel Craig. They have already linked the black sedan to the Tellis Group as well as the specially designed .45 caliber weapon that killed Veles, Booth and Craig (thanks to Abby).
Gibbs was now leaning across the table getting in Westfal's face saying "it's all about the power with you, the power you feel being able to control the situations. You may not have pulled the trigger, but you know who did."
Westfal slumped back in his chair, defeated. "I don't have the power, Agent Gibbs; never did. That was always his. I just did as I was told. I didn't kill those men, didn't have any part in it, but yes I know who did."
"I need a name, Westfal; give me a name" Gibbs calmly said sitting back in his chair. So Westfal did.
Day Three, Wednesday
9:41AM, Strawberry Field, Central Park
Penelope Langston was roaming through her favorite section of Central Park, Strawberry Field (named for the John Lennon song Strawberry Fields Forever.) She gazed up through the trees and other foliage where she could see the building where him and Yoko resided. Standing there remembering the one time she met the man she heard the rustle of some bushes up ahead, "is somebody there" she shouted. Slowly the bushes parted, out stepped a man she recognized. He was older now, by twenty plus years, but she would know that face anywhere "Max, Maxwell Ellis", she said more as a statement as opposed to a question.
"Sounds like you're not too surprised to see me, Penelope."
"Well everybody has thought you've been dead for the last twenty years, Max."
"Yeah, people believing I died in an avalanche on K2 was a pretty ingenious way to go, my body never being found."
"So, why you here, Max?"
"I think you know Penelope" he replied reaching for his gun but then feeling a hard object at the base of his skull and a voice saying, "except that's not going to happen today."
Maxwell Ellis was weighing his option when suddenly six other figures appeared, all with guns drawn pointing at him. Reluctantly he let the person to his rear relieve him of his pistol, handcuff him then turn him over to the short balding man with the FBI identification.
Epilog
With Maxwell Ellis and John Westfal in federal custody Penelope was able to deliver 'The ANEX Principle' paper to the new editor-in-chief of the NY Times who after reading it immediately got his best investigative reporters digging into 'The Tellis Group', its officers and employees. By the time the Sunday Edition came out the front page was filled with the illegal activities of The Tellis Group. A shortened version of 'The ANEX Principle' was printed, retitled 'The Penelope Papers' (with Ms. Langston's permission) and all government contracts had been pulled ultimately causing The Tellis Group to close its doors.
"I want to propose a toast" Penelope began rising from her seat at the Castle dinner table, a glass of wine in her upraised hand. "To Kate and her team for helping find who murdered Paul; and to Ricky and his contacts for helping flush out that murderous Maxwell Ellis and putting an end to his organization."
"Here, here" everyone responded by raising their own glass.
THE END