When the grave silence ended following her halting announcement, it did so with all the suddenness of a dam bursting its seams. Suddenly, every rictus mask of distress was sluiced away before a deluge of questions or comments. Voices raised to be heard over the others. Tempers crackled and chaos flared.

"So many," Lanie said with her kind eyes still wide and glassy. "My God, how—

"—it possible this is some kind of hoax?" Gates asked Tory. "Photoshop or something?"

"CSU in Queens pulled these straight from the memory card, sir. Something like this, I-I suppose you might be able to stage it, but—

"—a serial killer," Kirkland was theorizing uneasily at the other end of the table, "with an unimaginable bodycount."

"No way one person did all that damage," Dickson sneered. "Get your fucking head on straight. Who says they were murdered anyway? Maybe it's some kinda dumbass cult that rowed out there to share a tub of funny-tasting kool-aid."

"And then what?" Alvarez asked contemptuously. "They decided to amass themselves into a tidy pile for easier clean-up before the poison took effect? Don't be foolish. I observed several different stages of decomposition. More likely, we're looking at a succession of mass killings spanning several months, maybe even—"

"—need to get a preliminary forensics effort out there right now," Lanie was explaining agitatedly to Rendell.

The older chief shook his head immediately. "Impossible. There's not enough time."

"We're talking about shifting serious amounts of equipment and personnel, Chief. That could take weeks. By the time we get organized..."

"—six-man team my ass," Kirkland fumed at Gates. "You can't expect me to keep a response group safe with that. What'd he say the surface area was—twenty acres? We need to wait, call Captain Glassman in on this, and get at least three or four full teams. I'd take an army if I could."

"—began in my jurisdiction," Dickson railed to their superiors, "and it damn well ought to stay my game!"

"This is a crime," Alvarez bellowed back, red-faced and jabbing a finger at Ethan from across the table. "A lot of people have been killed. It's a tragedy, you mongrel, not a window of opportunity for you to pander to the press!"

"—already have one civilian to look after," their ACD was rebutting to Lanie. "I'm not putting anymore people on that island until I know it's safe."

"—listening to what I'm saying? It can't be done, Captain!"

"It's going to have to be, Lieutenant!"

Castle, already shaken by the slideshow, worsened noticeably amidst the tumult. Kate could feel him quivering lightly with the strain of combating the noise and the terrors of his own imagination. Both of his hands were curled into fists against the glass.

"You guys. Hey!" The boom of Kate's voice must have been audible beyond the sound-dampened confines of the war room. For a long, unnerving moment the sight of several ranking officers staring at her was overwhelming. A quivering palm came to rest against the middle of her back when her partner reclaimed a supportive connection. The protective anger unsheathed on his behalf seared through her trepidation.

"We're going," Kate began with a level stare at Kirkland. "I don't like it either, John, but the backlash we'd get from sitting on our hands would be unreal. No one's going to give us points for playing it safe. We'll be crucified in the press if we don't act on this immediately."

Kirkland grimaced. He didn't concede but he didn't argue the point.

She focused on the M.E. and continued, "We're talking about a sweep-and-clear operation, Lanie. It's not only suspects we're worried about," she preempted when her best-friend's lips parted to protest. "Just because all we see are corpses doesn't mean there might not be other victims in jeopardy." The other woman's eyes widened. She winced in seeming embarrassment for having overlooked a living, breathing component. "That being said, I'm in admittedly reluctant agreement that we need to get some kind of an investigative advance team out there." She looked at Rendell. "One or two people and a few packs of gear won't cost us as much as waiting might, Chief."

Their ranking officer in the war room frowned deeply. He looked at Alvarez.

"You know my stance," the Forensics supervisor said. "She's right, Mike. They both are. Those bodies are in a swimming pool. We have two hurricanes lined up. There won't anything left by the time we're able to organize a concentrated forensics effort."

Beckett set her sights squarely on Dickson. "As for you, I'm betting North Brother Island falls under the jurisdiction of the Bronx, not Manhattan or Queens."

"Those would be my old stomping grounds," Gates told Ethan coolly. She had the grace not to expound upon which of them would be more likely to win by appealing to the Bronx brass for control of the case. Her dark eyes flicked to Beckett afterward as if puzzled she'd known that detail.

What? I do my homework. Mostly.

"I had that meeting at One-PP earlier this morning," Rendell said, drawing the others' stares. "ACD Gutierrez's detectives are already swamped with mopping up after all the recent gang violence across the Heights. This is the Twelfth's case, end of story. The One-Fourteenth," he added even as Ethan rose to interject, "isn't going to contest that decision. However, they've asked to stay involved. Since this started in Queens as Dickson's case, he'll remain attached to the investigation for the duration."

Beckett couldn't believe it.

"What?" Ethan spouted, evidently just as unpleasantly rocked by the announcement. He checked his volume immediately when Rendell frowned his way. "Chief, with all due respect—"

"Save it, Lieutenant. Take it up with your Captain. This was his caveat."

Ethan stiffly reclaimed his seat, his expression livid.

Captain Gates schooled her reaction better, faster, but her tone betrayed tightly reigned hostility. "That seems like a needless complication to me but, in the spirit of cooperation, I won't object to it."

"Object or not. That's the way it is," Rendell stated flatly. He met Gate's answering glare with one of his own. The latter wasn't cowed, but at length she faced forward and said nothing further. "Does that about cover the damned politics for the moment?" No one said a word. "Good. Now, Detective Beckett." Kate met Rendell's gaze and tried not to wilt where she stood under a fresh riot of concern. "Since your partner has already been shoehorned into this situation, I have no objections to you joining the taskforce headed to North Brother island."

It took a moment to speak past the wash of relief. "Thanks, Chief."

Rendell raised a palm in forestallment and continued grimly, "It isn't a sentimental concession, detective. Given your team's experience with other cases this sensitive and the fact that your case closure rate speaks for itself, I'm recommending you spearhead this investigation. You might as well get a first-hand glimpse of the crime-scene."

Holy shit. You've got to be kidding me.

"You're putting me under the command of an officer?" Dickson asked, clearly pissed.

"Yes," Rendell returned. The older man's patience was wearing thin. His shoulders were knotted again and the hands on the table before him rolled up into mallets. "Through a bit of clever maneuvering you're staying on to assist—in my jurisdiction. That makes you subject to my rules. I hope for your sake that's exactly the report I'm able to send to your precinct when all of this is over." Angry dark eyes cut across the rest of the group. No one made a peep. "Victoria?" he asked expectantly.

The captain's dark eyes were fixed on the opposite side of the table. She wasn't looking at her nominated subordinate. With a frustratingly blank expression, she studied the author at Beckett's side for a few long ticks before half-turning and nodding to Rendell. "Yes, sir. That was my intent as well."

Kate glanced aside at Castle and back to her captain. What the hell was that all about?

"Good." The ACD's attention returned to Beckett. "Send me your proposed team roster and a preliminary plan of attack for the investigation." When she lifted her eyebrows in surprise he explained, "You'll be answering to your CO as normal, but you'll be operating under a lot more scrutiny throughout this case. If you can't handle having One-PP looking over your shoulder, than tell me right now and—"

"I'll outline my initial course as soon as we're back from the island, sir."

Rendell studied her stoic features a moment longer before nodding. He looked to Tory and said, "Send her the appropriate contact list, Miss Ellis."

List, Beckett reiterated to herself with a chill. Jeez.

Kirkland cleared his throat. "Chief, if we're serious about adding more noncombatants—"

"Yes, I know," Rendell interrupted with an inaudible sigh. "Update your proposed team assignment accordingly, Lieutenant." He looked at Lanie afterward. It was hard to read the man's expression. It was either anger or pity with which he beheld her. "You'll get your glimpse, Dr. Parrish. Chief," he added to DC Alvarez, "choose one of your best and brightest to accompany her."

"I have someone already on standby. I'll get him here ASAP."

"Alright then." Their ranking officer looked around the group a moment as if contemplating what else to add. "I know you must have more questions, but that's all we have time to address like this. Kick anything else to your respective CO's. They'll be getting updates on all of this as we move forward. Most of us will be meeting again here as soon as we've dealt with North Brother Island. You have a lot to do and," he checked his wristwatch, "maybe an hour in which to prepare. Get to it."

Dickson was the first one out of the room. One look at his swift, angry stride as he extracted his cell phone from his hip was enough to know working with him wasn't going to be pleasant. Like that was ever an option.

"Thanks for the back-up in there," Kirkland rumbled quietly as he exited closely ahead of Beckett.

"Hey, I'm on your side," she replied, also at a low murmur. "I wouldn't get within a mile of that island given a choice. You know I'm right about the perceptions we'll be facing after word of this gets out."

The Lieutenant grunted aloud, once again not agreeing or arguing. He stopped in the main hallway where it branched and stepped out of the path of passing bodies. "Who are you figuring for the investigative team? Are you adding anyone else?"

"Hell no. Can I subtract one?" she asked with a glance at her partner as he was strolling towards her desk. He moved slowly, chin bowed in private musings. God only knew what was going through that man's head.

Kirkland followed her gaze and frowned. "How does he perform in the field?"

"He doesn't, John. That's not his place."

"Clearly," the other replied dryly while facing her again. It was a passing blip of annoyance. "Can he handle himself under pressure if it comes to that?"

Beckett reluctantly nodded. "He's seen far more excitement than a civilian should."

The ESU agent studied the author for a few seconds more before regarding her again. The slight furrow at his brow cleared. "Hey, relax. He's gonna be attached to my hip the whole way through."

"Yeah," she agreed with a brief, wan smile. "That is some comfort."

"What about you? What kind of liabilities are you working with?"

"Me? No, I'm fit for duty. I'm not frontline material, granted, but I'll keep up."

"Roger that. Just between us, I'm glad it's you on this. With limited personnel available, I'll take every experienced hand I can get. That Dickson guy looks like someone who deals with papercuts more than field work."

"He's a piece of work," she muttered. "Anyway, I can't imagine any perp dumb enough to hang out at their crime scene with a hurricane bearing down on the city."

"We're dumb enough to go," the Lieutenant pointed out. "I'll get in touch with you again as soon as the logistics are ironed out. My guys are gathering equipment as we speak. I'll have them leave you two some gear downstairs. You need anything special?"

"Got a comfy sports bra? Something that matches my eyes, preferably."

John shook his head, not smiling outright, but his shoulders relaxed some of their tension for a moment. "Sure. You can borrow mine."

Kate grinned and nodded in parting when his path continued on down the main hall towards the elevators. She slanted left through rows of desks towards her team's area. The tickle of humor waned while fixating upon Castle seated beside her desk. What should have been another, bolstering token of familiarity was soured by the way he sat; hunched, arms and legs crossed. Deeply inward.

Ryan and Espo weren't dogging him for details about the meeting, thankfully. Their sights were set on Lanie at the moment, who was receiving their pleas for information with nothing more than a wryly perched eyebrow and bored purse of her plump lips.

"Thank god," she issued wearily as Beckett approached. "Feed your dogs."

"You're in," Beckett assured the pair of detectives without preamble.

"You might wish you weren't once you hear the details," the medical examiner observed and wrinkled her nose in a show of disgust as the pair high-fived anyway. She faced Beckett with a cant of her head and the two of them stepped over to Kate's desk for a modicum of privacy.

"What's up?"

Lanie glanced aside at Castle and hesitated. Beckett arched her eyebrows slightly at the unease which invaded her best friend's posture. What the hell? The woman's dark eyes returned to the detective. "Uh. I need to know what I can bring."

"In terms of gear?" When the other nodded Kate said, "Make a list. I'll send it to Kirkland once he tells me which mode of transport we're using and let you know where to have your office drop everything off. I can tell you this much: prioritize to the extreme. Oh, hey, before you go. Do you know who Alvarez is bringing in from Forensics?"

"Hawkins, I'd guess. That's his golden boy."

"Who?"

"Joseph Hawkins. You've met him before. Skinny kid, ridiculously thick glasses."

"Oh yeah. That's good. He's sharp."

"He gets awkward just standing in his own skin."

Kate rocked with wordless mirth. That waned swiftly when she watched Lanie frown aside at her partner again. The man was unresponsive. He hadn't even twitched as the two had spoken, much less looked up to take part in the discussion.

"What's this then?" Beckett asked, perplexed and amused by the M.E's. behavior.

"Huh?" The dark-skinned woman had a poker face to rival Captain Gates. Her cherubic features made a flawless show of incomprehension. "I have to get packing. I'll send you my list, honey."

"O-okay."

She watched the M.E. move away to find an unoccupied desk with an open phone. A glance at her partner afterward showed no change. Jeez. You really freaked her out with what happened at the cemetery. Kate was about to get started on cracking that nut when Ryan and Espo sidled on up and started probing for the lowdown. The only good part about not knowing many details was that it made bringing the boys up to speed a relatively quick and painless process. By the time she was finishing up, her partner had found his way out from whatever grim chambers of imagination he'd been wandering through and interjected a few details of his own.

"You don't want us on the island?" Esposito asked, clearly put out. "I should be going at least," he stated while ignoring his partner's mute gape of protest for being excluded. "I've got experience with ESU and homicide. This is right up my alley."

"No," Beckett answered curtly. "Look, I'm already sensing the vibe we tend to get when cases like these come along. The more press coverage involved, the faster everyone overlooks the people who were initially swallowed up by the crime. This one is going to be international news. I don't want Finch getting lost in the shuffle."

She paused when Castle looked at her, blue eyes clasped with gratitude.

"It sounds like he stumbled onto something unexpected and got the shock of his life," Ryan said. "I might have a heart attack too if I came across what he did."

"I don't think it's that simple," Beckett replied with a shake of her head. "He took pictures. Clearly he survived the initial shock of the discovery. It could still be death by misadventure," she was willing to hedge. "The medical examiner's findings seem to support as much. He was an older guy and apparently made quite an effort out of clearing away debris in the hospital not long before he died. That's all well and good, but considering what he found, I'm for damn sure not ruling out the idea of him stumbling across whoever—"

"Whoever killed a hundred people or more," Esposito concluded quietly.

Ryan shook his head, similarly subdued. "This is unbelievable."

"You said it." She assessed Castle again. He looked poised to tumble right back into whatever nest of musings were clawing at him. "Uh. Just focus on Finch for now, like I said. Build us an image of his final days to work off."

"What's your thinking?" the blue-eyed detective asked.

"It's thin," she preempted, "but my concern is that someone who knew Finch was a regular visitor of the island might've dropped a hint that led him to the pool. Maybe someone involved in the crimes," she expounded mildly, "who had a guilty conscience but wasn't keen on calling the police or newspapers instead."

"Thin," Espo agreed dubiously.

"Worth covering our bases, though," his partner added.

"See if you can find any information on his boat at his apartment," Beckett said. "We don't even have a description of it yet. I wanna know where that thing ended up. Finch sounds like he was an experienced hand at coming and going from NoBro. The water was as calm as it gets around the hellmouth from what I saw in the pictures he took the day he arrived there. I don't think his vessel was damaged or sunk."

"Any perp who was there would've had their own boat," Espo noted. "No reason it would've been stolen."

They all turned when Castle spoke up, "Any victim who was present would've snatched an unattended boat in a heartbeat to make their escape." He looked at Kate. "That's good thinking. We could have a witness loose in the city somewhere."

She smiled wanly. It felt like a thin sliver of hope at best. She looked at the boys again and said, "Harbor patrol is going to be slammed, but do what you can. Use Riker's as a resource too. Castle said our vic was caught trespassing on NoBro before. The prison's security staff were probably the ones who spotted that and called it in."

"That's likely," her shadow agreed. "Augustus is—er, was a local fixture. Manhattan even, I think, based on our limited conversations. Beyond that, I can't say."

"His wallet was on him when they pulled him from the river. Get his deets from Dickson." Kate couldn't suppress a brief scrunch of her nose. "He's going to be attached to this case for the duration, purportedly as our liaison with Queens."

"Man. Dickson," Esposito muttered while regarding her. "You must be loving that reunion."

Beckett could see Castle and Ryan staring at her inquisitively at either peripheral. She shutdown the unspoken urging for show-and-tell with a succinct, "Thrilled." With a glance at the clock on her desktop screen, the team leader said, "I gotta find Karpowski. I'm thinking about folding her team into this case too if Gates approves the shifted manpower. For right now, though, it's just us. Keep it that way." Ryan nodded grimly. Espo mimed zipping his lips. "When I'm done, we need to head downstairs and gear up," she told Castle. "Once we get rolling, we're probably going to be locked into this mess for a good span. If there's anything you need to tend to before that—"

"My usual concern is beyond my reach," he reminded her. He hadn't said it with any melancholy in his tone. Not even the clasp of his eyes yielded any crinkles of pain.

"Okay," Kate murmured. "Back soon." She looked at Ryan and Esposito pointedly before stepping apart. Don't leave him alone with only his imagination for company right now. She didn't know if they understood the purpose behind the mute prompting but a backwards glance revealed the pair engaging the author regardless. They were good guys—good friends. We could use a few more of those where we're headed. She sighed and pulled her thoughts back to business.