Moment in Time Part 3

Chapter 103

Dead Again

Part 8

"Cops can't search the herbalist's shop, but an inspector can walk in anywhere, anytime. So we send in an inspector," Rick suggests.

"I just put Alan in a safe house. I'm not sending him into the lion's den," Kate protests.

"He'll be walking into a front," Rick argues. "The triad can't have their guns and knives guys just standing there. But you can surround the place in case there's trouble. And I can be with him with a camera and a com. I went into triad territory before, remember? That's how we nailed a murderous Russian."

"And I had to go in to keep him from nailing you," Kate reminds her husband.

"I'm a lot more experienced with undercover now," Rick insists. "Hell, Kate! I went in to rescue you from 3XK. That was a lot more dangerous than a store full of roots and berries."

"Hold on!" Esposito interjects. "The Spate-triad thing doesn't make sense. According to the intel we just got in, the triad sees Horatio as a threat to their territory. They're gearing up for war."

"So if the triad were after Alan, there would be no way Horatio could guarantee his safety," Ryan realizes.

"But Horatio said he just started taking ginkgo," Rick recalls. "What if the two empires are hammering out some kind of alliance? If Spate is horning in on Family business, he'd need an army behind him. The triad's got one. But he'd need something to offer. What if Alan unknowingly messed with a shared interest that put him in the triad's crosshairs?"

"What shared interest?" Ryan wonders.

"If I take Alan into the herbalist's shop, we just might sniff it out," Rick replies. "Ooh, and if there's something to sniff out, maybe we should have a canine handy."

Kate smiles as she nods. "The triad deals in drugs – big time. And an alert from a drug dog would give us probable cause."

"So you'll let me go in with Alan?"

"If he agrees. We'll put Kevlar under your shirts and monitor you every step of the way. But if there's any kind of a threat, I'm pulling you out of there. Right now, I need to check in with the safe house. I'll use the secure line in my office."

"Hey!" Caleb Brown calls as Kate leaves the conference room.

"Mr. Brown, what are you doing here?" Kate demands.

"I hate to bother you," Caleb claims. "But I really could use your help with a client. Can I borrow you for a quick minute?"

Kate gestures him into her office. "So, who is this client?"

"I think you're familiar with him – Peter McCaffrey."

"The name doesn't ring a bell," Kate lies.

"No? Then let me fill you in," Caleb offers. "There's this overzealous cop. You know the type. She never knows when to give up. And she has her tech guy look into McCaffery's recent travel."

"So? Cops look into travel records all the time, Mr. Brown," Kate returns. "It's standard operating procedure."

"Well, Mr. McCaffery's a very private person, so he set up some unexpected digital tripwires," Caleb reveals. "That's bad news for this tech guy and his boss. This cop is marching into the kill zone. And unless she makes an about-face, it is not going to end well."

"Well, you've put it all out there, haven't you, Caleb?" Kate shakes her head. "But I have to admit, I just don't get it. You served a full term in the Peace Corps. You worked for the EPA. You brought legal action against corrupt corporations. You defend guys who can't afford a lawyer."

Caleb shoves his hands in his pockets. "What's your point, Kate?"

"What happened? You were trying to make a difference. Why did you sell out?"

"I didn't. You saw that when I kept you and your husband from railroading an innocent man into prison. But my client's had a few stumbles and got pulled in by some of the wrong people. And now he's tied to a man he can't fight. And take my word for it, Kate. Neither can you."

"Then let's help each other out," Kate proposes. "Reed's not invulnerable. I've managed to close down some of his operations. You can still make a difference. Together we could bring down his whole network."

Caleb sighs. "Captain, just do yourself a favor and heed my warning."

"No, you heed mine. You have until eight tomorrow night," Kate threatens.

"Then what?"

"I'll expose your ties to a drug syndicate. Then we'll both be looking over our shoulders, waiting for Reed's mercenaries to come after us. Because once he knows your cover is blown, and I'm on to you, you'll be as dead as I am. We both know he's got Brooks. And he probably has a lot more mercs that he recruited from Afghanistan and Iraq, everywhere he had control over pallets of cash."

"Maybe you're willing to let Reed come after you, but what about Castle? And your tech? You expose me, and they'll have targets on their backs."

"Reed already knows about them, Caleb. But he also knows that when I saved Rick from a deadly toxin, I also saved Mrs. Reed. She may be the only person in this world he actually gives a damn about. And he knows that no cop in the country will give quarter to someone who takes out a cop or a cop's family. But a crooked lawyer? Killing him might call for a round of applause. So, think about it. We take Reed down together, or you go down alone."

Caleb turns to leave but looks back. "Kate, you have no grasp of what real power is. But if you go through with this, you're going to find out."

"I think you're the one who's going to find out, Caleb. Tomorrow night at eight," Kate reiterates as the door closes behind him. She takes a cleansing breath before picking up the phone. "Yes, I need to talk to the officer in charge of the watch."

Kate re-enters the conference room where Rick, Ryan, and Esposito are waiting. "We're all set for operation Dragon's Den. We go tomorrow morning."

"What did Alan say?" Rick asks.

"That he found seven safety hazards at the safe house, including two in the wiring. He claims the place is a death trap and that he's safer going to the Happy Dragon with you."

"Is he going to fine the NYPD for the violations?" Rick inquires.

"I don't know," Kate admits. "If he does, we'll probably hear the heads explode at 1PP from here. But listen, I want everyone rested and ready for tomorrow. If we're going up against the triad and Spate, we can't afford any slips. So get out of here."

Ryan immediately pushes away from the table. "It will be a great night to get home on time. Jenny's making shepherd's pie."

"You're a lucky man," Castle notes.

"And I can catch the early show at the Pole Barn," Esposito announces.

Rick searches Kate's face. "I guess we can have a quiet night in."

"Yeah, sure."

"OK, Kate, out with it. What happened?" Rick demands as soon as they're crossing the precinct's parking lot. "I know that look. You're worried about something, and I don't think it's our little gambit tomorrow."

"You're right, Babe," Kate admits. "Caleb Brown came to see me. He knows what Vikram found."

"Did he threaten you?"

"Yeah, but I threatened him back harder. I think I've got him cornered."

Rick wraps his arms around Kate, pulling her close. "Cornered is when a quarry is most dangerous."

She leans into his chest. "Yeah, I know."