Title: Dead Body
By: greygoose70
Summary: He hasn't been that person in years but upon seeing the dead body he knew it was time to resurrect him. DISCLAIMER: Own nothing pertaining to the show.
Part One
"Morning Lanie, whatta ya got," Detective Kate Beckett asked as she arrived to where M.E. Lanie Parrish was knelling next to the dead body.
"Male, I'm guessing between 30 and 35 years of age; shot 4 times in the back, once to the back of the head,"
"No ID I take it." Beckett commented.
"No, I'll have CSU run his prints once I get him back to the lab."
"They won't find any, he's CIA." Mystery writer Richard Castle spoke upon getting a good look at the dead man lying there.
Beckett spun around giving Castle one of her killer glares. He has been following her around for research for seven weeks each time spouting one of his ridiculous CIA theories and she was tired of it. "Cas…" she started angrily but he quickly interrupted her.
"But for the record his name is Marshall Tucker. He is Martha' sisters' son." He then turned and walked away. Once out at the curb he hailed a cab, gave the driver his SOHO address then sat back for the ride thinking he knows what he has to become.
Beckett and even Lanie watched in utter disbelief as Castle walked away. Never in a hundred years would they have thought one of Castle's CIA theories would have some validity to it.
The Precinct
"No New York driver's license," Espo spoke. "No voter registration card either," Ryan said right afterwards.
"What about a Metro card," Beckett cried out. "This is New York, the best way to get around is via the MTS."
Ryan immediately typed away on his computer, "Nope doesn't have one of them either."
"Wait, Castle said Marshall was Martha's sisters' son. Look up Martha see if we can find out her sisters name."
This time it was Espo that typed away," Came up with three, Martha V. Rodgers, an actress, Martha E. Rodgers, a nurse and Martha Rodgers, author and teacher."
"Martha V., does it have a bio?"
Espo clicked on the Martha V's name, began reading what came up. When done he told them, "Nothing here except how she got into acting, her most famous roles, her awards, no mention of a sister."
"Okay, maybe Castle's theory is right about this guy being CIA. Guess we'll have to wait and see if Lanie and CSU come up with anything."
The Loft
"Mother!" He shouted as he walked into his loft apartment. "In here Richard," he heard her reply from the kitchen.
Martha stepped out from behind the cabinets where she has been pouring herself a glass of wine. The instant she saw the look om his face she knew something was wrong. Leaving her wine where it sat, she hoofed it around the counter to where he stood. "What's the matter Richard," she asked.
"Marshalls dead," he replied.
"Wha…what happened," she instantly inquired. "Shot. Five times in the back," he answered.
Martha looked deep into her sons' eyes saw the transformation taking place in them. "Richard…" she began but was interrupted.
"I need to find out who did this mother. Marsh is family. Nobody kills a member of the family and gets away with it. I will make them pay."
"You are going to evoke HIM again aren't you," she said a sadden look in her eyes.
"I'm afraid so mother. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to pack; I have a plane to catch." He then pulled her in to a hug whispering, "I'm sorry."
"I know," she replied as he released her and headed for his bedroom.
Two hours later, CIA Hdqts. Langley
CIA Agent Robert Rodgers (aka Richard Castle, writer) sat across from Director Thomas Benson telling him one of his agents has been murdered. "And you want to know who killed him," the director responded.
"Damn straight I do Tom," Rodgers clamored; "he was family!"
"Here you'll need this," Tom said handing him a slip of paper with a series of letters and numbers on it.
Rob took the offered paper, stared at it for a moment then handed it back, got up from his chair telling Tom "He'd be back" turned and left. Tom watched him leave as he put the paper in his shredder.
Rodgers sat down at the desk in the ultra-secure file room. The room where all field agents and NOC agents (Non-Official Cover) are kept. He typed in the password Tom had given him then in the search box entered Marshall Tucker and waited while it brought up Marsh's assignments. The first one listed is Operation Lenovo was an investigation into the Mendez drug cartel in Bogota.' His report indicated Carlos Mendez had something for sale. Rodgers began reading: From my observation location I spotted the CNP (Colombian National Police) tactical unit. They were there believing a drug deal was going to take place. I returned my surveillance back to the house just as two SUVs pulled up, four men getting out, one I recognized right away, Elijah Clarke. This was no drug deal; Clarke didn't buy drugs. This was something bigger. Suddenly I heard gunfire coming from inside the house. The CNP squad must have heard it also as they went rushing inside. I saw Clarke come running out jump into the rearward SUV, the driver instantly putting the vehicle in reverse and speeding back out of the drive. Later when the CNP had left and I was able to go in, I ascertained what took place. In the gun battle that had ensued two of the buyers' men were killed, Carlos's men, and Carlos himself were killed. During my search of the house, I discovered a laptop it had a cord attached to one of its USB ports but whatever had been connected to the other end was missing. Because of the type of connection, I figured it had to be some type of drive but what was on it I still needed to figure out. Two days later the CIA was contacted by a person saying he was in possession of the item and would sell it to the Americans for three million dollars. The exchange to take place in Paris France. The sale was approved, and the money drawn from the Red Sea Trading account (a slush fund account the CIA used for such transactions). A team was put in place to make the trade. EOR (End of Report), it was then signed Marshall Tucker.
Once again Rodgers is perched in front of Director Bensons' desk. "Who were the agents assigned to make the exchange in Paris,' he asked.
"Nick Fowler and Mason Brown," the director replied.
"Fowler? Since when do directors go on exchange missions?"
"Fowler felt that due to the high value placed on the item it must be really important. He also selected Mason Brown as his partner."
"What was their cover?"
"Married couple on their honeymoon."
"So, what was Marshall's role in the exchange?"
"Didn't have one, he was trying to find out what was on the drive."
"Where are Mace and Fowler now; I want to talk to them."
"Mace is down in the gym; we don't know where Fowler is he never came back from the mission."
"You think he is involved?"
"Not sure. According to Agent Brown's report when she got back from chasing the woman who snatched the backpack with the money, the pack that was supposed to contain the item was still there, however when she searched it the only thing in it was shredded newspaper."
The CIA Gym
Director Benson and Rodgers entered the gym where they found Mason Brown engaged in a fight with an opponent twice her size. She had just escaped from a grappling hold, kicked him in the midsection then flipped him. "Thought direct contact was forbidden," the director said.
"Just letting him know who's better," Brown replied walking over with a smile. "So, who's your friend, another opponent."
"Somebody you don't want to fuck with," Rodgers spouted. "Now get cleaned up and meet us in the director's office." He then turned to leave.
And that's when she went to strike. She spun; leg raised for a well place swat to the arrogant SOB's head. What she didn't expect is what happened next. He spun back, caught her leg with his hands, rotated underneath it sending her to the mat, raised the leg up higher positioning her more on her shoulders then placed his foot on her throat, saying, "move and I press down harder." She figured the best thing to do was let him know she surrendered so she tapped the mat three times. He dropped her leg, removed his foot from her throat and walked out.
Fifteen minutes later Mason Brown walked into the director's office and took the chair next to Rodgers while giving him a suspicious look.
"Since I didn't get to properly introduce you earlier Agent Brown; I'd like you to meet Special Agent Richard Rodgers." The moment Agent Brown heard his name her eyes got wide in amazement. The Rodgers name was legend in the Company, he is the best the Company ever produced, never failed to complete a mission.
"Tell me what happened in Paris, Agent Brown," Rodgers inquired.
"It's all in my report," she replied.
"I doubt it," Rodgers retaliated a hint of disbelief in his response. "I want to know everything from the time you set down at the airport in Paris till you got to the meet. I want to know why a sittig director is missing and I want to know how you managed to lose the person who stole the money…and don't lie to me."
For the next twenty minutes Agent Brown related the events that took place in Paris. As she finished Rodgers asked, "are you and Fowler in a relationship?"
"No!" she answered. "I said don't lie to me," Rodgers spat out.
"We were at one time," she finally admitted.
"I'll need use of the five-fifty, Tom," Rob said. "No problem, I'll see that it's fueled and ready."
Paris France, 1 day earlier
Luis Rojas plopped down on his bed at the Hotel Paradise his thoughts going back to the events of the past few days. The raid at the Mendez house, finding the device, determining what it was and what it could do, contacting a few intelligence agencies hoping to sell it, the CIA being the only one to agree to his price, him setting up the exchange location here in Paris. And then the exchange going straight to hell thanks to that woman from the streetside coffee café and that agent that chased him halfway across the city before losing him in that alley.
Suddenly there was a knock on his door. Believing it was housekeeping he shouted, "my room doesn't need servicing." Again, there was a knock this time whomever it was said, "open the door Luis it's Graciela." Getting off the bed he went and opened the door seeing his friend Graciela Rivera. "What are you doing here?" He instantly asked.
"I'm here to help you, the real you" she answered brushing past him. Luis took a quick check up and down the hall then closed and locked the door. "Why do you think I need help," he inquired seemingly playing the innocent.
"Because what you did was wrong. It's not who you are and from what I know the item you stole can be dangerous. You still have it, don't you?"
Somewhere over the Atlantic, present day
Rodgers had just sat down a fresh cup of coffee in his hand when she came forward taking the seat across from him. "I'm sorry about earlier," she began while watching as he peered at her over his cup; "in the gym."
"Well next time you go to attack from the rear make sure the room isn't surrounded in mirrors."
Brown let out a snicker from his response that's how he saw her. "So, tell me Agent Rodgers…"
Rodgers held up his hand silencing her, "if we're going to spend the next few days together you can call me Rob, this agent/agent thing gets a bit redundant."
"Then it's Mace, Rob," she replied. "So why is this op so important to you?"
"Because I believe it ties into the murder of a relative of mine who was also an agent."
"Oh," was the only thing she could express. She was well aware of how serious the Company took the murder of an agent. She could only imagine how Rob would take the murder of a relative who was also agent.
Heathrow Airport, London
She was already waiting for him as he stepped from the plane. She ran up to him wrapping her arms around him telling him how sorry she was to hear about Marshall. Rob engulfed the dark-skinned woman to him iterating to her that he knew how she felt.
Separating Rob turned to face Mace saying. "Agent Brown, I'd like you to meet Lupita Adamyer, MI-6, Cyber Division, and nobody better with what she can do."
"Please to meet you, agent Brown," Lupita said in greeting holding out her hand for a shake. "Mace," Brown responded taking the hand. "Lupi then," Lupita answered.
"Come ladies we have a ferry to catch."
Hôtel Regina Louvre, Paris
Following a light dinner Rob, Mace and Lupi gathered in Rob's room. "What have you been able to find out, Lupi," Rob asked then taking a sip of the scotch he had taken from the in-room refrigerator.
"Going on the information Mace supplied I was able to access the cameras around the sidewalk espresso location where the exchange was to take place. Here's what I found," she said projecting the scene to the 42-inch TV screen each suite possessed.
"This first scene is the snatch and grab," she explained tapping enter on her laptop keyboard. They all watched as the blond waitress dumped the coffee (supposedly by accident) on Fowler then during the confusion reach down and grab the backpack next to him. She then took off running through the café, Mace taking off after her. The seller sprang from his seat began running leaving his backpack behind. Fowler immediately picked it up began sifting through it but the item he was looking for was not there, so he sprinted after him.
Lupi took the video back to the beginning started through it in slow motion till she got to the point where the blond arrived, paused it, focused in on her face enlarging and enhancing it. "Do we know who she is," Rob inquired.
"Marie Schmidt, BDN (German Intelligence)," Lupi replied.
"What do we know about her," Rob was quick to ask.
"Mother lives in Stuttgart, father dead. Killed when it was discovered he sold classified information to the Russians. No boyfriend, lives alone, works alone."
"Okay, what about the seller?"
"Luis Rojas, he's CNP," Lupi began bringing up his picture. "Part of a special drug enforcement task force."
"His last assignment?"
"A drug raid at the Carlos Mendez compound."
"That solidifies it," Rob spoke just barely above a whisper but loud enough that the others heard him. "Solidifies what," Mace posed?
"According to Marsh's report the CNP raided the Mendez place in what they thought was a drug deal, but Mendez and his men were killed along with a few of the buyers' men, the buyer himself got away. Whatever Mendez was selling had to do with computers. It was assumed the buyer got away with it but then a day or so later the CIA received a call the caller saying he had the item, would sell it for three million."
"The exchange to take place here in Paris," Mace responded.
"Correct. Do we know where Rojas is staying?"
"He booked a room at the Hotel Paradise at the same time he made his flight reservation," Lupi answered.
"Cameras?"
"Working on it," she said as she typed away on her laptop. "Got um," she responded a few minutes later. "Inside," Rob asked.
"Let's see." Again, typing away. "One at the check-in desk but don't find any in the hallways."
"Looks like we'll have to do this the old fashion way," Rob stated picking up his phone requesting a vehicle be delivered to the hotel the next morning by 7:00AM. "Okay ladies, let's call it a night, early start in the morning."
Next Morning
Rob, Lupi and Mace have been perched across the street from Rojas' hotel for the past two hours waiting for something to happen. And at last, it finally did. Rojas exited the hotel accompanied by a woman and two men. Rob immediately snatched up his phone, focused in on the woman and snapped her picture. He then handed the phone to Lupi who began searching through a multitude of databases. .
Rob watched as Rojas and those with him got into a taxi. He instantly fired up his vehicle so when the taxi pulled away, he could follow it.
"Graciela Rivera, DIC (National Intelligence de Colombia). She's a psychologist," Lupi told him once she found the correct database and Rivera's picture.
Rob continued following the taxi finally seeing it pull over in front of a sidewalk café. "That's the same café where the exchange was to take place," Mace spouted.
Rob continued on past the taxi till he located a parking space then watching through his side mirror kept an eye on what was to happen next. What he saw was Rojas, the woman and two men exit the taxi, cross Rue Danton heading for Saint-Michel Metro Station. "Let's go; I don't want to lose them in there," he ordered as he swung his door open getting out, Lupi and Mace following.
"Cameras Lupi," Rob said once they entered and headed down the stairs. "Way ahead of you," she responded. "Found them. Looks like they are headed for the lockers."
"Okay let's split up. Keep a lookout for Agent Schmidt. I can almost bet she's here, somewhere."
"Found Rojas," Lupi said; "he just pulled a backpack out of a locker. They're headed for the exits."
"Yeah, and Schmidt is right behind them and she just pulled out her gun," Mace stated. "She's getting ready to do something, she's moving in closer. Oh shit!" Mace saw the rear security pull out a knife then saw Schmidt sprint forward. When she was right behind him, she stuck her gun in his side and pulled the trigger then shoved him into a small coffee kiosk sending him and it crashing to the floor.
Hearing the commotion Rojas and Rivera turned to see what it was all about. Seeing their security man down Rojas shouted, "man down!" Their escort in front suddenly turned with his gun drawn and shot Rojas in the chest twice, the noise from his unsuppressed weapon sending the crowd of people into a panic rushing for the stairways leading to the exits or down to where the trains are located. During the rush he reached down grabbed the backpack, joined in the scramble getting lost among them.
Graciela Rivera dropped down next to Luis Rojas shouting for help in both English and Spanish and begging for him to hold on. Rojas waited till she finished then peering into her moistened eyes said, "trust no one." He then reached inside his jacket, took out his phone. He pressed his thumb to the lock/unlock icon. He then took her hand pressed her thumb on the same icon then shoved it into her hands again saying "no one." With his last words he said "I'm sorry" just as his head lolled to the side and he took his last breath.
"Lupi, find that lead security man; he took the backpack. I'm going to help Miss Rivera. Mace, find Schmidt," Rob ordered his two companions, he then rushed up to where Luis Rojas lay, Miss Rivera kneeling next to him, tears streaming from her eyes.
The first thing Rob did when getting there was check Rojas' for a pulse. Finding none he placed a hand on Rivera's shoulder saying, I'm sorry Miss Rivera he's dead."
"How, how do you know my name," Rivera proclaimed through her sobs.
"Not important right now, what is important is I get you out of here. Come on." Rob took her by the hand helped her up then joined the crowds. "Okay, meet us upstairs."
"Who were you talking too," Miss Rivera asked. "Just one of my associates. "Lupi, did you find our guy yet?"
"Another associate," she asked?"
"Yeah," he answered as they stepped out onto the street where they were instantly joined by Mace and Lupi. "Where'd he go Lupi?"
"He hopped into a taxi once he hit the street. I was able to follow it till it veered onto Rue Hauntefueilli, where I lost it, no cameras."
"What about Schmidt?"
"She ran after it. Lost her on Rue Hauntefueilli also."
"Do we know where she is staying?"
"The Hilton Opera-Paris"
The Hotel Hilton Opera-Paris
Marie Schmidt entered her room instantly plopping down in one of the fabricated cushioned chairs. Twice now she has had the item within her reach and twice it has escaped her. Of course, the first time was her own fault having grabbed the wrong backpack thinking the exchange had already taken place. The intel she had been given was right on, the location of the café where the swap was to happen, where she had no problem subduing the server, taking her place, then finding out later the swap was with CIA operatives.
A noise suddenly caught attention; she sprang to her feet pulling out her weapon in the process while taking a shooting stance aiming for the door. The door flung open a man with a gun poised to fire entered followed by three women two of which were also armed. "You have to the count of ten to drop your guns!" Schmidt shouted. "Nine!"
That's when Rodgers fired, a well-placed shot to Schmidt's gun arm, a shot that didn't penetrate but grazed the skin enough so that she yelped out causing her to drop her gun. In two quick steps Rodgers was on her a hand clasped to her throat having her pressed against a wall. "Your turn," Rodgers began; "tell me what you know about the drive."
"Probably as much as her," Schmidt replied hoarsely nodding at Graciela Rivera. "She doesn't know anything," Rodgers replied.
"That's not exactly true," she answered meekly.
"Why didn't you say something earlier?" Rodgers asked angurly.
"I didn't think I could trust you."
"And now you think you can," he replied more like a statement than a question.
"You just saved me from the woman who probably wants me dead, so yes."
"Is that true," Rodgers asked turning to face Schmidt watching as she nodded her head in a confirming manner. "What is it with you Germans anyway. The war is over, we're supposed to be allies." He then released the hold he had on her. "What is it you know Miss Rivera, Lupi asked?"
"Please call me Gracie,' she said; "Luis told me he put a tracker on the device." She then took a phone from her bag. "Let me have it," Lupi instructed reaching over to take it. "It's locked, needs a fingerprint to unlock it."
"Here," Gracie said positioning her thumb over the icon on the phones screen pressing it, the phone instantly unlocking. Lupi retrieved the phone, called up the home screen, found the icon for the tracking program activating it. The screen changed into a map a small triangle appeared moving south. "Where's it going," Rob inquired keeping an eye on the screen.
"Africa," she answered then after a brief pause said, "Marrakesh."
Rodgers pulled his phone from his back pocket, waited for someone to answer saying "Get it ready, be there in about an hour." He then disconnected the call. "Time to go ladies," he stated bending over picking up Schmidt's weapon tossing it to her which she caught handily. "You coming Marie," he asked walking out the door.
"Who the hell is this guy," Marie muttered picking up her bag following him out shutting the door afterwards.
Marrakesh Morocco
"Okay Lupi find him," Rob gently ordered from their rooftop location atop the Narcisse Hospital.
"Well, we know where Baker spent last night. If I can pick up there, we should be able to follow him wherever he goes…and there he is. He just got into a cab."
"Okay ladies, you're up, Lupi can help direct you," Rob stated to the three women waiting in an SUV in the hospital parking lot.
"He's heading for Mohammed Boulevard," Lupi said.
Mace turned left out of the parking lot toward the boulevard. "I see him," Marie stated from her front passenger seat.
"Okay but hang back. Does it look like he's going to get on it?
"No. Appears to be going straight," Mace responded.
"No, wait he just changed lanes is going to turn left on the boulevard," Lupi told her.
When Mace reached the intersection, she had to wait for a traffic light change before she could make a left turn but once she was able to, she accelerated the SUV hoping to catch up.
"Mase slow down," Lupi yelled. "He just took the Rue Derraq exit, went straight then turned left on Rue Rahlal.
Mace had to slam on the breaks, or she would have past the exit, made the right turn sped forward till coming to Rue Rahlal and turned left. Traffic on this rue was heavy so she just fell in behind a vehicle and waited for Lupi to give her another direction change. She didn't have to wait long.
"The cab just turned right onto Rue Qodama and stopped. He's getting out, walking toward the marketplace. Go ahead and make the turn then pull into the Kech Burger lot. We'll have to follow him on foot from there."
Mace, Marie and Gracie scrambled from the SUV in pursuit, but the marketplace was crowded, and they couldn't find him.
"He's about thirty meters in front of you," they heard Lupi tell them. "And looks he is being tailed. I see four men closing in on him."
Jamal al Hamini spotted his contact, Abbott Baker, from his concealed location. He also spotted the four mem tailing him and knew he needed to get out there and make this swap quickly. He stepped out began working his way through the crowd on a direct path that would intersect with him. As he got close, he saw Abbott spot him, gave him a small not letting Jamal know he was ready. Jamal nodded back so when they past he felt the item being handed to him. Without altering his pace he continued on till coming to cart selling caps and other items.
Gracie who been keeping track of the drive on her phone just spouted, "it's changed direction!"
"What do you mean it changed direction," Marie clamoured back!
"Just that, it was travelling east now it's heading west. Holy cow! It just disappeared!"
"What!" four voices shouted almost simultaneously. "He traded it off," Rob said. "Back up the video Lupi, see if we can find out with who."
"Here," she burst out a few moments later showing Rob when and how the exchange happened. Do we know where this guy went?"
"No, my focus was still on Baker, but let me change views. Gracie said it was moving west. Let me see what is over that way."
"Speaking of Baker; where did he go," Rob inquired?
"Not far," Marie said; "He's dead."
"The men following him must have thought he still had the drive," Mace began; " cornered him in a corridor attacked and killed him, searched his pack but evidently didn't find it as its contents are spread all over the ground."
"Okay. Lupi, you have anything yet?"
"The guy stopped at this kiosk, handed the item over to the attendant there who placed it in a metal container. That's when Gracie lost its signal. Both men then walked off."
"Come get us ladies, time to regroup."
The Four Seasons Hotel, Marrakesh
"So, what's our next move oh brilliant leader," Marie said sarcastically.
"Yeah Rob, how do we move forward to find the drive," Mace asked.
"We don't," Rob spouted; "we move back. Lupi have found you who that guy is yet?"
"Running him through DTS (Directorate of Territorial Surveillance-Morocco) hoping to get a hit. If he has any criminal activity in his past they will have a file on him," she responded.
It was another fifteen minutes before her computer dinged signifying a hit. 'Jamal al Hamini. He's a low-level runner for the Abu Sakir Cartel."
"Address."
"On your phone."
"Then let's go pay Mr. Hamini a visit."
Apartment of Jamal al Hamini
Jamal entered his apartment not expecting what was waiting for him. Walking into his dark living area a gun was suddenly placed against his temple a female voice saying, "welcome home Jamal me and my friends have some questions for you." The lights were turned on and he was led over to a chair where he saw a dark-skinned woman in a chair facing him.
Lupi got straight to the point asking, "where is the drive going Jamal?"
"What drive? I have no idea what you are talking about," he replied in Arabic.
He said, "don't hurt him, he'll tell us what we want to know,"
"That's not what I said," he responded, in English this time.
"Oh, good he speaks English," Mace said stepping forward. "Look Jamal this can go easy, or it can good hard. The decision is up to you but trust me you do not want the hard version." She stood behind him now a hand resting on his shoulder
"It matters not, do your worst, Allah will protect and save me."
Rob just stood back in the corner watching these lady's work. In the short time he has observed Detective Beckett he was amazed at how effective she was at getting a confession and these women were just as good at extracting information.
"Well let's see how good he is," Marie spouted moving forward weapon drawn then shooting Jamal in the leg.
Gracie let out a yelp almost as loud as Jamal when she saw Marie shoot him. "Don't worry he'll live," Rob said placing a hand on her raised arm. "But he will need tourniquet." Gracie removed her shawl began twirling it into a tight spiral as she heard Marie speak again.
"You have about two minutes to live Jamal, just tell us what you know, and I will have Gracie bandage your leg."
"I cannot tell you they will kill me."
"What's the difference between them killing you and us letting you die from blood loss."
"Then you will know nothing."
"True but we don't know anything now. Umph, you're starting to look a little pale. Are you feeling weak? How's you breathing?"
"Okay, okay I'll tell you," Jamal cried out while trying to stem the bleeding from his leg. "It's going to be sold at auction."
"When?"
"Three days."
"Where?"
"New York City. Please now wrap my leg."
As everyone started to leave Gracie secured her shawl around his wound telling him "You were never in danger of dying but you do need to stop the bleeding."
The 12th Precinct, Manhattan, NYC
Captain Roy Montgomery answered his phone on the second ring. It was his red line meaning the call was coming from the Commissioner's office. "Good morning, sir," he said when answering. After a few minutes where he just listened, he said, "yes sir I understand." He then wrote something down on a post-it note and hung up.
Montgomery rose from his desk, went to hos doorway and shouted, "Detective Beckett, my office - and bring your team." He then went back and sat back down.
Detective Kate Beckett swiveled in her chair when she heard her name called. She saw her captain looking her way telling her to come to his office and bring Detectives Ryan and Esposito with her. "Come on guys," she said getting up from her chair and heading for Captain Montgomery's office Ryan and Espo close behind.
Once they arrived, Montgomery politely ordered them to close and lock the door and close the binds then be seated. "Let me begin," he started, "by saying I have no idea what this is all about. I have been ordered to send you three on a special assignment. You are to go to this address (handing over the post-it note) and report to the agent there who will brief you. Now go."
The old Sanderson Textile Building, Brooklyn
Beckett pulled her cruiser to a stop in front of the address written on the post-it note Montgomery had given her. She slipped the selector in park just as her phone dinged telling she had an incoming message. Retrieving it from the center console she tapped on the message icon saw it was from an unknown number, selected it and read what it said. Pull around back and drive into the overhead door there.
Doing as the text instructed, she drove to the back of the building, saw the open poor and pulled in, the door automatically closing afterwards and the elevator doors sliding open. Standing there Beckett saw a tall blond maybe a couple of inches shorter than herself. She was waving them forward so the three detectives exited the car and proceeded to the elevator where the woman pressed the button for floor number six.
As the doors opened to the sixth floor they were introduced to a different environment, it was like a luxury apartment. There was a tall broad-shoulder man standing with his back to them talking with a dark-skinned woman. When he turned to face them, they got the surprise of their lives…"Castle," the three of them clamoured out simultaneously.
"No," he replied, "I am Special Agent Robert Rodgers, CIA, and you three are currently under my command unless you decide not to be in which case you may return to your precinct, report to your captain who will dismiss you from the NYPD."
"Nice try Castle," Espo blurted out.
"You think this a joke, Esposito."
"Yeah, I do."
"Then you are free to leave. There's a car downstairs that will take you back to the precinct."
As Esposito got up to leave Beckett ordered him to sit back down telling him she was anxious to hear what this is all about. Espo did as his boss requested and returned to his seat.
Rodgers gave Beckett a nod of appreciation for her decision then began to speak. "Let me make some introductions first. You've already meet Marie your elevator operator, she is German Intelligence. Mace here to my left is CIA also. Our dark-skinned beauty is Lupi, she's MI6 and finally we have Gracie who is Colombia Intelligence. Ladies meet Detectives Kate Beckett, Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito of the NYPDs 12th Precinct, the best team in the city. Now lunch is in the kitchen so let's go chow down and you all can mingle, get to know each other.
An hour later he called everybody back into the main room, waited for them to get comfortable then began speaking. "Let me begin by reiterating to our new attendees that I am an agent with the CIA although semi-retired. I only come out of retirement when the situation calls for it and this situation did. Four days ago our three detectives here were called to a murder site. I as their tag along observer recognized the body as being an agent and relative of my family. I decided to make it my mission to find out who killed him. My first stop was Langley where I obtained access to his last mission report. He believed he was going to witness a large drug deal but when he saw who the buyer was to be he knew better, this guy didn't buy drugs, he had minions for that…"
"Who was the…" Detective Ryan started to say but Rodgers held up his hand to silence him. "Patience," was all he said then continued with his narrative.
"A short time after the buyer entered the house shots were fired, the CNP special task force rushed in, and a fire fight ensued allowing the buyer to escape. And now to answer your question Detective Ryan, the buyer was Elijah Clarke."
The look Rodgers saw on the three detectives was one of pure amazement. Every NYPD officer from the top down knew the name of Elijah Clarke. He controlled most of the illegal activity in the city. Their problem was nobody knows where he resides. To most he is a ghost.
"How did the agent know it was Clarke, very few even knows what he looks like," Beckett asked.
"Marsh has been working undercover for a number of years. Without realizing it one of the gangs he infiltrated was a faction of Clarkes' organization, Clarke showed up at one of their meetings."
"So, what was Clarke there to buy," Beckett then inquired.
"Didn't know at the time, Marsh figured it had something to do with the internet. He found a laptop with a USB cord attached to it but nothing on the other end."
"How did these women get involved," Esposito asked wanting to know, his eyes trained on Graciela.
"The person that took what we believe was some type of drive began contacting intelligence agencies trying to sell it, asking price three million dollars. Ours being the only one willing to meet his price. What the others were willing to do was send agents to find him try to get him to turn over the drive without having to pay for it, both in different ways. I'm going to turn the next phase over to Mace. Go ahead Mace." Rodgers then took a seat on the sofa next to Beckett.
Mace took over, telling them about the exchange, how it went wrong and how she chased after Marie but eventually lost her in the metro train tunnels then returning to the café and not finding the drive when she searched the sellers backpack.
Marie stepped up, related how she discovered where the exchange was taking place, her plan for stealing the pack with the drive, how she finally eluded Mace's pursuit then finding out she had the wrong backpack but was three million dollars richer at least for the time being which got a few snickers from her audience.
Graciela then told them how she knew Luis, how her organization located him, how as a psychologist she appealed to his better side, convinced to return to Colombia and turn over the drive so it could be examined and if need be, destroyed. She then went on to tell them how he was killed but before dying telling her about the tracker he had installed on it.
Lupi took a turn, told them about the swap in the marketplace, the killing of Abbot Baker, the transfer at the kiosk then the loss of the signal when the drive was put in a metal box. She went on to tell them how she located one of the swap men through the DTS, how they got him to talk and tell them where the drive is going.
"Which brings us to the here and now," Rodgers said rising up from the sofa. "The drive is here in Manhattan. It is to be sold at a private auction in two days and we need to find out where. You three know this borough better than anyone so we need your help."
"Can you tell us more about this drive, like what it does to make it so valuable," Beckett questioned.
"Let me," Lupi said coming forward. "I cannot be exact, but I can think of only one reason. It has the capacity to infiltrate any closed system on the planet. No one's information will be secure, it can create chaos with the typing of a few keys strokes, it can crash the stock market, it can bring down governments from across oceans."
Lupi saw the astonished looks from everyone when she had finished. She knew if what she had told them was even close to being correct, they would do everything they could to locate where the auction was to be held, find and retrieve the drive then destroy it.
"Okay everybody let's get started, call your contacts, give any locations they might give you to Lupi, she can check them through my communications room," Rodgers ordered politely.
As they got up to begin making their phone calls Beckett was approached by Ryan and Esposito, Ryan telling her she needed to talk with Castle/Rodgers, why he never told them about his past.
"Because he's still classified as an active agent…and can't," a voice said from behind them.
The three detectives jerked around to see whom it was that had spoken, seeing a short man standing there. "Who are you," Beckett instantly asked.
"Agent Gray Detective Beckett; I am Rob's handler."
"What can you tell us about him," she inquired.
"Just this, He is exactly who he says he is although he did change his name to Richard Castle when he began writing. He can speak six different languages fluently, carries a black belt in four of the martial arts including Krav Maga. He is the best the agency has ever produced and the only one to have the word 'Special' in front of his title of agent. How he got there is his story to tell, not mine." Agent Gray turned and walked away.
Eight hours later
"Think I got one," Detective Ryan shouted out while rushing into the communications room. "Millennium High School," he added speaking directly to Lupi. Lupi quickly entered the information, Rick coming up behind her to check it out himself. When seeing its location he said, "Perfect. Pull up everything you can find on it."
"What make you think it's perfect, Rob," Beckett stated as she and the others entered the room. "This," he answered pointing to an area labelled South Street Pier. "The bidders can come in by boat, ship or yacht go through the tunnel under the FDR then it's a three-block walk to the school."
"There is also a parking garage a couple blocks from the school, on Williams Street," Esposito added.
"What did you find, Lupi," Rob inquired?
"Millennium High, grades 9 through 12, enrollment 528. There are four main entrances but only two that lead directly to the auditorium. It has a seating capacity of 550, 400 on the main floor, 150 in the balcony. There are multiple cameras throughout the building and yes it has wi-fi."
"Which means you will be to hack into it, correct," Ryan spoke, Lupi just gave him a 'you got to be kidding look.'
"How are we going to get in, I'm pretty sure they have a guest list," Marie asked?
"The best way in is through these two front doors," Lupi answered projecting a picture up on one of the big screens. "If there using the schools wi-fi I'll be able to get us on the list."
"They'll probable have photos so we'll need to alter your appearance, only slightly," Rob stated. "If you check in the bedroom, you'll find everything you'll need. You'll be going with me Kate as my guest."
"What about us," Esposito asked pointing between himself and Ryan.
"Right," Rob replied. "Well, there's not much we can do about your looks, so I think we'll send you in as Federico Trujillo, representative for the Torreon Cartel. And Ryan you can go in as Fenton O'Connell."
"How do you know about Fenton O'Connell, Castle," Ryan fired back in a raised voice.
"You people vetted me as Richard Castle so I thought it only fitting that I returned the favor only I took it one step further, had the entire homicide department vetted. Why do you think Bortelli was transferred, he was a snitch for the Spillano family."
"We will have one small problem, Rob," Lupi said, interrupting his conversation;" the actual bidding for the drive will be taking place on the dark net. I will need to be inside and honed in on one of the bidders to find what dark website they are using."
"Guess our ladies will need to practice up on their social skills."
Millennium High School, the next evening
"Richard Castle and guest," he said stepping up to the security person watching as he scrolled through his tablet. "I see here you were a late entry, Mr. Castle."
"Yes, I didn't find out about the auction until last evening."
"I will need the name of your lovely guest for our attendance list."
"Katherine Haughton," Rick replied then spelling it out for him.
"You may proceed, Mr. Castle, and have a good evening."
"Okay ladies let's socialize," spoke Rodgers while leading Kate over toward the bar.
Meanwhile while the other girls went to mingle with the guests and bidders Lupi found a secure hiding place where she could access the auditoriums cameras. Scanning the crowd, she spotted Mace; she was talking to a man in a gray suit. Lupi snapped a picture of his face, ran it through her facial recognition data base, produced a name. "Pyotr Khazanov, Russian Mafia, Moscow" She spoke; definitely a possible bidder, doesn't have his phone turned on yet."
Lupi did a rescan, located Gracie who also has met up with someone but seemed to be having trouble communicating with him. "What's the problem Gracie," Lupi asked seeing her turn to walk away from him. "I don't know how to do this."
"Gracie, you're a psychologist, you talk to people all the time. Now turn back around and talk to him, ask him questions, pretend he is a patient."
Watching as Gracie turned back to talk to the man Lupi was able to get a good picture of his face and identity. "Sebastian Roltini, Italian, appears to be just a collector; wrap it up."
Just as Lupi prepared to do another scan a voice came over the speaker system, she instantly scanned the room for a camera that gave her a view of the podium. Finally finding one she saw a tall woman of maybe Chinese descent.
"Good evening, everyone," she had said, now introducing herself. "My name is Lin-Mi Sheng; I will be your host for this evening's activity. Mr. Wong." She added addressing a young gentleman that was approaching.
"Our first item up for auction is from the first century, it is a self-portrait by the renowned artist and poet, Sappho. We will start the bidding at fifteen thousand dollars.
Castle waited till the bid reached fifty thousand then raised his numbered board but was outbid at sixty thou. He flagged it again at seventy-five and one-hundred thousand but held off till the bid was two-hundred and the auctioneer called "going once," that's when he raised it again shouting five-hundred thousand. The room suddenly went quiet, the auctioneer waited a few second seeing if there were going to be any further bids then slammed down his gavel and shouted "sold!"
By the time Castle returned to his seat after paying for his purchase the next item up for bid was under way. "Really Castle, half a million for a self-portrait," Beckett whispered into his ear.
"I take it you don't anything about the woman, Beckett."
"First I heard of her was tonight."
"Remind me to give you a history lesson when this case is over."
"Look forward to it."
Just then they heard the next item being announced, a large vase from the Ming Dynasty period. "This is it," Castle whispered, "the drive is hidden in that vase. Lupi…"
"Got it and the bid is already up to five-million and rising fast."
The bidding for the vase just reached four-hundred thousand when a voice shouted "one-million dollars."
"I can't let it go for that, Kate." He then raised his number shouting "two-million."
When Mace heard the bid for one-million she was sure she recognized the voice and began working her way through the maze of people. she heard Castle's bid then the other voice outbid him. She was sure now, but she needed confirmation. She was bottlenecked and couldn't get through any further. "Lupi, who is that bidding against Rob?"
Lupi focused in on the man, recognized him instantly. "Nick, it's Nick." Mace went into a daze, what the hell was he doing here and why was he bidding against Rick. Was it his plan to steal the drive, return it to Langley where it could be analyzed, and he would be the hero. It would be just like him.
"Sold for five-million dollars," the auctioneer shouted slamming his gavel down thereby ending the bidding. Immediately a group of men came out rolling the vase into the back.
Nick Fowler checked his phone saw that his last bid of half-a-billion dollars had been accepted as the final bid. The drive was his.
"Why did you stop bidding, Castle," Beckett asked.
"Because the vase had reached the point where it wasn't worth anymore. The description says it has several scratches and a minor crack in the bottom. The scratches don't do much to devalue it, but that crack does, without it the vase could go for ten to fifteen million. Our opposition probably knew that also. I had to see how high he'd go but at the same time let him know I knew the real value of it. Lupi, where'd they go with it."
"An office at the rear of the scenery storage area and there are two guards at the door."
Inside the office the drive had been retrieved from its hiding place and was connected to a laptop where Mi-Lin Sheng was running through the commands required to by-pass the many encryptions within the program.
Back in the auditorium
"Lupi, you have the vials," spoke Rodgers a look of knowing she did on his face. "Dah," she answered.
"Kate, you play any sports in school," he then inquired turning to face her. "Baseball," she responded. "What position?"
"Shortstop. Why?"
"Need to know if you can throw. Now go meet Lupi backstage but stay hidden."
When Kate arrived at the backstage area, she found Lupi already there. "What are we doing back here, Lupi?"
"Nullifying those two henchmen."
"And how are we going to do that?"
"With these," she said taking two vials from her pocket. "Triacetoneoxide," she stated holding out one vial, "fifty percent Hydrogen Peroxide," she added holding out the other.
"What do I do with them? Something like this was never covered in my high school science class."
"You pour the TAOX into the H2O2, shake it up mixing the two, then throw it. when it lands it will explode. Tom and Jerry there will concuss from the explosion, we will then relieve them of their weapons rush inside and take out who's ever in there."
"Wait," Kate clamoured silently; "you said take out as in kill."
"Correct. Kate, you need to put aside you police training and go in there knowing they are going to try and kill you so you need to better and faster and get them first; can you do that? If not, I need to know now."
Kate gave her a nod, Lupi nodded back. Let's get closer and when you throw the mixture toss it more like a lob."
Inside the office
The second they heard the explosion Fowler jumped from his chair went and snatched up the drive while yelling, "Let's get out of here!" Then heading for the door that led to the corridor. "What about her?" One of his henchmen asked. "Grab her she's coming with us," Fowler replied.
Outside Kate and Lupi had moved closer, were now only fifteen feet away. Kate shook the vial mixing the two components then tossed it high in the air towards where the two guards stood then immediately covered her ears.
The second the vial hit the floor it exploded loud enough that the two sentries collapsed to the floor. Lupi and Kate instantly ran to them searching and taking their guns. "You go left I'll go right," she shouted as she kicked in the door rushing in right afterwards, Kate right behind her, both of them quickly scanning the room, shooting when they saw two men that had remained to protect the backs of any others. The two men fell to the floor as the women's shots were straight and true striking them in the chest.
Lupi ran to the door stepped over the dead men went out into the hall looking for the others but not seeing anyone, she quickly pulled out her tablet accessing any cameras spouting, "they're out front," when finding them.
Rodgers and the others joined the onrush of people that were heading for the exits when they had heard the explosion, Mace finally spotting them getting into a couple of Mercedes SUVs, Fowler taking a look back supporting a wry grin just before getting in himself closing the vehicles door behind him.
As Lupi and Kate joined them Rodgers said, "find out where they're going."
"Way ahead of you," Lupi answered as she began to access the NYPD street camera system. "They just got on the FDR."
"Okay Lupi you ride with Espo and Ryan, the rest of us need to make a stop first."
As Espo continued on the FDR Rodgers turned right on to the Williamsburg Bridge. "Where we going, Castle," Beckett asked from her spot in the shotgun spot. "To get geared up," he responded just as he crossed into Brooklyn. He drove on taking the Roebling Street exit then took a right on Broadway then another right into a storage facility pulling to a stop in front of unit 417 where he got out, unlocked the doors padlock and opened the overhead door. Walking in he switched on the lights went to the back wall and lifted the lids on three steel job-boxes. "Gracie grab enough vest for everyone," he ordered pointing to the box on the far right. "Kate, I want everybody to have a Max-10 and extra magazines," pointing to the far-left box. "Mace, Marie load up and don't scrimp."
Once they had everything they needed Rodgers had them back on the FDR when he received a call from Lupi that their prey was at the Marriott Courtyard/Residence Inn, Room 5525. "Is the room above it available?"
"Yes," she replied after a few moments. "Good, secure it, we'll be there in ten."
Rodgers parked in the back by the freight entrance, the girls retrieved the equipment from the rear began lugging it inside. Rodgers offered to help but was turned down being told they could handle it. The freight elevator doors slid open the instant he pressed the call button and everyone got on. The ride up to the 56th floor was slow going since it didn't have to bypass the Courtyard floors, numbers one through thirty-five. It was another long trek when they reached the 56th floor to room twenty-five.
"What's going on down there," Rodgers immediately asked upon entering. "Ms. Sheng has started debugging the encryption code in the program."
"Can we get something in there; I'd like to hear what they are saying," he inquired.
"Got just the thing," Mace said producing a half inch ball-like device suspended on a three-foot-long wire. "Lupi find someplace where it won't be readily noticed. Gracie hand me the drill and a three-quarter inch hole saw.
After selecting a spot by the sliding doors Mace went to work drilling a hole, inserting the microphone through it then slipping the other end into the auxiliary connection on her phone and activating it, the voices below started coming through immediately. The first being that of Nick Fowler asking Ms. Sheng how long whatever she was doing going to take. "The program has many encryptions; it will take time."
"Time you don't have, so speed it up," a different voice spoke.
"Look mister…" Ms. Sheng began before he interrupted her.
"Clarke, Elijah Clarke," he finished for her.
"As I was about to say Mr. Clarke, If I get any of these wrong the whole program will lock up and I don't know if I have the expertise to unlock it. Bypassing these codes only needs to be done once, after that the program is always active."
"We need to get in there," Marie spouted; "and I think I know how," she added reaching in her duffle of goodies pulling out several bricks of C4 and a spool of detonation cord. "Gracie give me a hand here; start cutting these blocks into thirds," doing the first one herself then handing her knife to Gracie.
Gracie took the knife, tentatively picked up a brick of C4. "Don't worry Gracie, Marie told her seeing her reluctance, nothing's going to happen till I attach the blasting cap."
When completed Marie placed the cord in a circle approximately six feet in diameter, a small block of the C4 every three feet, with a ten-foot tail. "Okay everybody stand back and turn around, she then hit the percussion type cap with the butt of her Mac-10 and threw herself flat on the floor.
The resulting explosion was instantaneous, the section of the floor separating crashing to the room below. The floor section had no sooner hit when two sections of rope appeared and in true commando fashion Marie and Mace came sliding down firing their Mac-10s, spraying their shots around the room. Upon landing they spread out allowing room for Kate and Lupi to come sliding down repeating the action of the first two.
At the sound of the explosion Mi-Lin Sheng dove to the floor and crawled under the table. Looking around she saw the man that had been keeping watch over her as she disabled the encryptions on the floor, dead. She scooted over to him, located his weapon, a nine-millimeter Clock, removed it from its holster'
"The drive, I need the drive!' She heard someone yell. She recognized the voice as being that of the asshole Clarke. She spun around saw a pair of legs running toward the table, fired the Clock hitting him in his right knee, he instantly fell, rolled so he was facing her, shock on his face. She fired again sending a round through his forehead.
Bullets were flying like a hoard of bees. Fowler who had been thrown by the explosion began to get up. Mace, fuming because of his traitorous actions, dropped her weapon, ran at him began throwing punches to his gut, his face. Fowler was finally able to repel her punches, was able to grab an arm and fling her out to the balcony. He rushed toward her as she went to get up pushing her down against the railing. Mace stomped on his foot causing him to loosen his hold. He grabbed her again his time around the throat slammed her against the glass wall. With two sharp elbow thrust to his midsection she broke his hold again. This time when he came at her she sent a forward kick to his groin then a left and right hook to his jaw sending him to the concrete floor. As he began to get up she kicked him in the face knocking him unconscious. She then ran back to where she dropped her weapon to help her comrades in the fight.
Clarke's henchmen were dropping, only a couple remaining. One of them sprinted from his location heading for the doors, he was met by Gracie who had finally joined in on the action, she put three rounds of her Mac-10 into his chest. The last one stepped out his hands raised as if to surrender…Mi-Lin pulled the trigger on her Clock twice putting the rounds squarely in his chest.
"Re-enforcements are coming," Rodgers said from his spot on the 55th floor. He had set himself, Ryan and Esposito on this floor just in case of such an eventuality. "I count eight maybe ten coming down the hall."
"Girls," Mace spoke. She has more or less assumed the role of leader. "Put in a fresh magazine." As they locked and loaded they placed themselves in a skirmish line facing the double entrance doors. "When the doors open, fire, and FYI you don't get points for having any ammo left," she reminded them.
When the doors were flung open a flash/bang grenade followed. As it rolled at them Gracie stepped forward kicking it back out. It went off as soon as it reached the hallway temporarily blinding those on the outside. Rodgers, Esposito and Ryan moved in placing well placed shots to those not affected by the grenade. The barrage of gunfire from inside the room taking care of the others.
With the fighting over Marie went to look for the drive. Mi-Lim at some point during the earlier melee dropped it. She finally found it on the floor behind the bar. I've got it," she said, "I've got the drive."
Suddenly a shot rang out and Marie dropped to the floor grabbing her shoulder. Mace immediately ran to her, squatted down next to her placing her own hand over the wound. Lupi suddenly showed up with a towel giving it to Mace who put it over Marie's wound.
Mace turned her head up, saw Fowler standing there pointing a gun at her hate coming from his eyes.
The next shot was silent, but it was true as the bullet went into Fowler's chest. He staggered for a second or two then fell backwards.
Mace spun her head back around surprised to see Gracie standing there, a silenced Clock in her hand. "Gracie, for a psychologist you're one hell of a shot…thank you.
"Any time," Gracie replied knelling down next to Marie to exam her wound. "It's a through and through,' she told Marie. "You'll be fine, but you will need some PT and probably some therapy," saying that last part with a giggle as Marie shot her a pursed lip smirk.
All of a sudden, a multitude of police came rushing in led by a NYPD SWAT, team the leader yelling, "everybody drop your weapons!"
Beckett instantly dropped her weapon to the floor, pulled her ID from her hip pocket and shouted back, "Detective Beckett, 12th Precinct!"
In rapid succession Captain Marvel heard, "Agent Adamyer, MI-6; Agent Brown, CIA; Agent Rivera, DIC; Agent Schmidt, BND; Agent Sheng, HKSS.
"Captain John Marvel lowered his M4 carbine, ripped off his mask, directed his attention directly at Beckett and spoke, "would one of you agents like to tell me what the hell happened here."
While all this was going on Rodgers managed to sneak back away from the confusion and down the stairs to the 51st floor where he accessed the freight elevator for the remaining descent.
Ryan and Esposito just mingled with the other officers as if they had been part of the original troops that stormed the room.
Lupi in the meantime went to check on Marie who was now lying on a gurney waiting to be taken to Mount Sinai Hospital. Fowler had already been removed when it was discovered he still had a pulse.
Lupi felt Marie tug on her arm. She lowered her eyes to see what she wanted, saw her holding the drive. "Destroy it," she said. Lupi took the drive from Marie's hand, dropped it on the floor then drove her four-inch spiked heel into it several times. Marie gave Lupi a wide smile as she felt her gurney beginning to move. "Till next time," Lupi said watching as Marie was wheeled out the doors.
"Where is this drive everybody is so anxious to get their hands on," Captain Marvel was asking as Lupi rejoined them. "Right here," she replied showing it to him.
"Doesn't look very useful now," Marvel commented. "No, it doesn't," Beckett responded.
"Well, looks like CSU just arrived as well as the M.E. so my work is done here. I look forward to reading your report Beckett," Marvel said turning to make his exit.
Three Months Later
Agent Leo Grady knocked on the door of Covert Operations Director Fowler's door but didn't wait for an official invite, just entered handed him the schedule for their up-coming op. "Everything in place, Leo," Nick asked glancing through the report. "Yes sir,' Leo replied, "the plane will be ready in three hours. And may I say I'm still amazed you got your position back after the fiasco with the drive."
"Benson didn't have a choice especially after he reviewed my report and couldn't find anybody to refute it. What about Mace and her friends?"
"Nothing yet but they will need to show themselves at some point, they can't stay hidden forever."
"You don't know Mace."
Helis Beach, Cephalonia Island, Greece
Mace is lying face down on her lounge chair, the ties to her bikini bra undone so they wouldn't interfere with the body tan she was working on. On the lounge chairs adjacent to her lay Lupi, Marie, Gracie and at the far end their benefactor Special Agent Robert Rodgers.
For the most part they have all been indefinitely suspended by their organizations for their rogue covert actions except for Rodgers, his "Special" classification allows him special privileges. And he is paying for the three-bedroom apartment he got for them which is only a block away from this fabulous beach. Noone, not the CIA, MI6, Columbia Intel or German Intel will think to look for them here.
Two weeks later, NYC
"Dead body," Detective Ryan spoke as he replaced the receiver of his phone back in its cradle. "Address," Detective Beckett stated retrieving her weapon from her desk drawer.
"64th Street and Riverside Boulevard," Ryan replied.
"Why does that location sound familiar," Beckett uttered.
"Same place we found Marshall Tucker," Espo told her.
The crime scene
Beckett ducked under the yellow tape Officer Hastings held up for her. She saw M.E. Lanie Parrish kneeling next to a dead body lying face down. "Whatta we got, Lanie," she asked, her normal first response when approaching her BFF.
"Male, shot four times in the back once to the back of the head."
"Just like Marshall Tucker," she muttered; "any ID?"
"Not that I've found, will probably have to run his prints."
"They won't find any, he's CIA," a voice from behind said.
Beckett immediately turned around having recognized that voice, his voice. "Castle," she spouted upon seeing his smiling face.
"And for the record his name is Nicolas Fowler."
THE END
POSTLUDE
Castle sat in his chair as Fowler's name was run through every database available to the three detectives, every time coming up empty. Beckett had even placed a call to CIA Headquarters in Langley, got a "nobody has ever worked here named Fowler." Just as she hung up her computer pinged advising her of an incoming email. Opening the program, she saw an email from CSU. She read it then said, "this is interesting."
"What is," Espo and Ryan inquired simultaneously.
"CSU says the five bullets from Fowler's body were all nine-millimeter but all came from different weapons."