Title: The Collector
By: greygoose70
Chapter Eleven
"Well the only thing I see other than they were all written by the same person is that they were all entered into evidence by the same person, a Detective Carl V. Suskin."
"Not that unusual," Jordan replied.
"True," Rick said glancing down at the detectives signature. That's when something caught his eye.
Castle switched his attention to the detectives signature then back to the signature on the postcard then back to the detective signature again. He then gathered up the three pictures and moved over to the table and the overhead projector. Switching it on he placed two of the postcards on it moved them comparing them then switched one of the postcards again doing a comparison finally switching them one more time.
Jordan and Kate watched him in anticipation of what he had discovered. It was Jordan who finally spoke "What did you find Rick?"
"Miller's partner is a cop, a detective to be more precise, one Carl V. Suskin."
"You sure Rick?" Kate asked disbelief in her voice.
"Positive. It's his writing on these cards. Come here I'll prove it."
"See here" he explained when they had gathered behind him and he showed them how the 'C' in Carl matched the 'C' in Casanova, the 'V' matched the 'V' in Vatsyayan and the 'S' in Suskin matched the 'S' in Shappho. "Come on we need to see Montgomery. I want a protection detail on these girls."
After explaining the situation to Captain Montgomery who then made the required phone calls. Making one to Missing Persons discovering Detective Suskin has taken a weeks' vacation time that began today.
"What now Castle" Beckett asked as the three of them headed back to the conference room.
"If he's smart he runs, as fast and far as possible," Castle responded.
"Who runs" Espo' voice rang out from behind them.
"Detective Carl Suskin" Beckett answered.
"From Missing Persons" Ryan suddenly clamoured having joined their entourage.
"Yeah" Beckett replied stopping to turn around to face her two team members. "And I need you two to get busy digging up anything and everything you can on him. And I mean dig deep, include family members, relatives, friends, associates. I want phone records, financials, medical records, NYPD personnel file everything so let's get on it."
"On it" the two men replied in unison returning to their desks.
"What about the girls" Jordan asked, "they're scheduled to be released in a couple days. The NYPD can't be responsible for twenty-four hour protection after that. And what about therapy?"
"They're scheduled for group therapy with Dr. Burke beginning today," Kate told her.
"And I'll take care of their protection" Rick added. "So who's up for lunch, I'm buying."
Currently on Interstate 287, North of New York City
He had prepared for this; he knew there was always the possibility he could be discovered. The news that the hide away had been found that the girls rescued that Miller has been killed travelled quickly through the precinct, probably the entire force as well. He took a quick glance at the passenger seat where his backpack lay with his few change of clothes but more importantly carried his new credentials that included a passport, drivers license, credit cards all in the name of Clayton Victor Smithton, a Canadian citizen travelling home after visiting relatives in the Big Apple.
Later that evening at the Loft
It was after dinner Rick, Kate and Jordan, who had been invited to spent the evening before heading back to DC the next day, were seated in the living room discussing, of all things, sports; when Jordan suddenly asked, "how would you do it Rick?"
"Do what" he replied confused as to what she was referring to.
"Get out of the country. How does your creative mind see him doing it?"
Rick sat there thinking before opening his mouth to speak. "First I would be prepared for such an eventuality, second I would head for the closest international border which in this case is Canada. I would have Canadian credentials. I would have a vehicle with Canadian registration then cross the border saying I had been visiting friends or relatives."
Jordan and Kate stared at him in awe at his explanation not realizing how close to the truth he was.
Rick rolled over glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table the red luminous numbers telling him it was 3:32AM. He had been awake for some time his mind going over the escape plan he had told the girls earlier. How close to being factual was it and is that where it ended? No his subconscious told him. Miller would then catch a flight to some foreign country probably somewhere in Europe. He needed to make a phone call.
Rick slowly extracted himself from the bed being careful not to disturb Kate so as not to wake her. He slipped into his study closing the door quietly behind him went and sat at his desk. He picked up his phone found her number wondered if she would be at work yet, "of course she will be" he spoke softly then pressed 'call'.
Interpol Director Emily Prentiss turned her head to where her cell phone lay ringing on her desk saw his name appear on the caller ID a smile appearing on her face. She pressed 'answer' then 'speaker' and spoke "a bit early in New York to be calling isn't it, Rick."
"Good morning to you too Director" Rick replied.
"Oh, a profession call then, what is it that Interpol can do for you Special Investigator Rodgers?"
Rick let out a chuckle when she called him by his former name and title then said, "how about a professional favor for a friend." He then went on to tell her his thoughts pertaining to Detective Siskin's evasion. "I will send you the complete file on him," he finished with. It was less than a minute after disconnecting that she received it.
"Who you talking to," came a sleepy voice from behind.
"Emily' he answered spinning around in his chair seeing a bed headed Kate standing there.
"From Interpol?"
"Yes" he replied standing and going to her wrapping her in his arms then placing a kiss to her cheek. Leading her back to the bed he stripped her and himself of their nightwear laid her down explaining he would tell her and Jordan all about it later. From that point on there was no more talking just the oohs and aahs of their love making.
One week later
Anticipation was high at the precinct. Everyone was waiting to see if Detective Carl Suskin would be returning from his vacation. If he did he would immediately be taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and murder. If not then an APB would be issued to every law enforcement agency in the country.
During the previous week, the decision had been made to get IA involved and because a NYPD Detective was suspected Chief Reagan was notified and included in the decision making process. That's why the weeks wait. It was assumed if Suskin thought he was in the clear he would return to his job as usual, if not it he would be assumed he was on the lam. It was a calculated risk giving Suskin a week's head start if he was on the run but one everyone agreed to.
Detective Carl Suskin was a 'no show' for work that day.
TBC