Rick Castle and the FBI Agent
Chapter 7 - Case Work and Revelations
The case was stalled. They had no leads and Julio Sanchez was nowhere to be found. So, desparate for a lead, the team has been going over what evidence they have, again, in some instances, multiple times, trying to come up with an insight. If they could not get a lead, the case was sure to become a cold case, worked only after more active cases were investigated first. Castle has been going over the witness interviews that Espo and Ryan had conducted looking for something that might pop out. Espo had asked Rick to review and see if there was something there that he and Ryan may have missed. Rick is reading the interviews for a second time trying to refresh his memory on them.
"Espo, this interview with the prep's best friend, Vargas, in response to your question about how close they were, he responds that he would die for Julio. Where's the background on that."
"Yo, pan forward a couple questions where I ask that."
Rick looks for that question, "Ok, I see it. So this best friend, Ramon Vargas, says that he was targetted by the local gang for a gambling debt. Julio saved him from the hit by keeping him hidden from the gang until eventually Vargas could pay off the gambling debt owed to them. Julio delivered the debt payment and asked the gang to call it quits with Vargas. They did that since Sanchez was tight with one of the street lieutenants and that man made it so."
"Yes, that was his statement."
"The gang controls the 'hood. They know all the comings and goings of that 'hood, so where does one hide a person to keep him hidden from the local gang? The gang is pretty much all knowing in the 'hood, and could eventually learn of the location", Rick states. His mind working like it always does on a tough case and Rick is thinking out loud now.
"Well, logic tells me you take him out of the hood, to a place the gang does not know and has no control in that place", Espo tells Castle.
"You did ask Vega where Julio hid him."
"Yeah, read on Castle."
Rick again jumps forward in his reading, "Yeah, here it is, New Jersey, at a friend's place. Did you get the name and address of this friend, I don't see it here."
"I didn't Castle, but maybe I pay Vargas another visit."
By mid-morning as the day approaches lunch, Espo gets the name and address of the friend in Jersey. He hands Rick the address written on a post-it note.
"We get the local PD in Jersey to check on Sanchez at this address", Castle says to the team.
"Captain Montgomery can call the captain there and ask," says Beckett.
"One other thing that bugs me guys, there are no charges on Sanchez's card, he has no cash, other than what he had on him at the time. There have been no transactions on this bank account also since the murder. How is this guy getting by?"
"That is the million-dollar question Castle. Maybe a credit card under another identity? How does Sanchez do that,... a stolen card?", is Espo's response to Castle.
They can see Rick's mind working. Agent Sam Armstrong is seeing Rick at his best as he works a tough case. She whispers to the team, "Is he always like this when he gets an inspiration on a lead?"
"Yeah, he is. Only one other person that can match Rick in this manner, and that's Beckett. The two are so in sync when they are discussing a case that they have this mind meld. They can answer out loud the question of the other without the question being asked. It's spooky, but spooky good", says Ryan to Armstrong.
"I see now Rick's value to the team."
Just then, Castle speaks, and idea coming to Rick, "Ryan, run Vargas's card and see what charges are coming up on it."
Kevin Ryan works his magic and is online in minutes.
"Bingo, Castle. Charges made from the Jersey location for food, rental car, burner phone. We got him."
"Past that info to Montgomery, he can use the info when he contacts the C.O. at the local Jersey PD", directs Kate to Ryan.
Kate has been silent all this time just admiring the intellect and insight her partner brings to the team. She speaks again, "Castle, you've done it again. Came up with a viable lead. Drinks are on me tonight."
"Thank you, Beckett. We go to The Haunt tonight, but the team never gets charged there. Drinks are on me!"
After Work Get Together
They are at the 12th's private stall. The usual work crowd is there, and Lanie is there on invitation from the team, but it was Espo who extended that invite. Josh is conspicuously absent, and Beckett was not being asked about him. Kate was not going to bring up anything on Josh, and likewise will ignore or deflect any questions on him. None so far had been asked.
The local New Jersey PD had found Sanchez and he was being extradited back to NYC. But curiously missing is the son. That was the team's big disappointment, but Beckett hopes to get it out of Sanchez once he is delivered to the 12th the next day.
They were on their second round of shots. Vodka was the preferred alcohol this time around. They had shot tequila the last time when they had gathered and Josh had been present then celebrating with them.
Rick and Sam were standing side by side at the bar. Their shoulders were touching as they drank their rounds. Every now and then Rick's hand would make it to the small of the back of Agent Sam, where he would give her an affectionate rub. Samantha upon feeling Rick's hand on her would turn her face to look him in the eyes and send him a message. It was sickening eye sex for Kate and she had to look away. Josh was not with her, they were still in cool down, and she had not talked to him since that last forced dinner.
Kate still wanted to do the talk with Castle, but was hesitant to do so, for several reasons. One reason was she needs to decide about Josh before she reveals her feelings to Castle. Secondly, she sees the blossoming romance between Rick and Sam and wants to know more where that is going. That knowledge would influence how she gave the talk to Rick. But last time Kate asked about Sam from Castle, he had shut her down, saying it was a private matter and Kate was getting personal.
But Kate needed to know how serious Sam and Rick had gotten. If it was turning real with them, she might just tell Rick she ended things with Josh, and then see where it went. If the answer was Rick and Sam were just seeing each other for now, but had not gotten serious, Kate would also reveal to Rick her feelings for him. The danger for Kate on this approach was that Rick, knowing about the breakup with Josh and her feelings for him, might think she is on the rebound with Josh. That may cause Rick to continue to hide his feelings from her until such time as Rick thought she was ready to move on after Josh.
Then a thought comes to Kate. Castle might not want to talk, but Samantha Armstrong might be another story. Just then Brian, the bartender, tells Rick he has a call from Alexis on his office phone wanting to know when Rick was coming home. Castle excuses himself to answer the call in his office and leaves Sam to herself. Kate takes that opportunity of Rick's absence from Sam's side to join Sam for a round.
"So Sam", Kate begins, "you and Castle?"
"Me and Castle, what?", Sam asks and is intentionally being coy.
"Just wondering how the two of you are getting along. Seems you are well on your way to a newfound relationship."
"If you are asking if Rick and I are getting serious, the five-date rule is in play here. We are just seeing where it goes for now, but by the fifth date, we might commit."
"I see, that is good for Rick. He is my partner and I want him to be with someone. I have his back on that, he deserves someone who cares for him."
"Wouldn't expect anything less. How are you and Josh by the way? Why's he not here?"
Kate responds with a half truth, "He's on duty so could not make it, but we are doing fine."
"Kate, personal question, if I may."
Kate radar comes up immediately, what is the federal agent fishing for with her question. Kate answer, "Sure, if it is not too personal, I may answer."
"Why have you and Rick not gotten together after three years?"
"Wow, what a question", Kate replies and takes time to respond.
After a brief moment considering how she will respond, Kate answers, "Well, one, because we are both professional and an office romance would put our professional life in an awkward situation, and secondly, I was intimidated with his playboy image, at least initially."
"You and I both know that is all for show to promote book sales. Rick is a far more dependable and caring man than this image."
"Well I know that now, but there is always the thought that he is a twice divorced man."
"Do you know the circumstances of those divorces, Kate?"
"No, that is a personal matter, I have not chosen to ask him about it."
"Well, his first wife, Martha, cheated on him with her director."
"OH!", says Kate quite surprised by that reveal, "I did not know that. What about Gina, his second ex-wife?"
"Rick admits that was a mistake on his part. Wanting to give Alexis a mother to relate to, he decided Gina was the one who could be that. Turns out once they married, Gina suggested they send Alexis to a boarding school. That started them downhill."
"How is it you know this?"
"Did you ever ask Rick?"
"No, again, as I said, it is a private matter, so I did not want to bring it up. Did you ask him about it?", Kate probes.
"No, he volunteered it after I told him that his twice divorced status made no impact on how I was interested in him."
"So, you told him up front you were interested?"
"Sure did, he is a good man and checks all my boxes. Anyone could see having a relationship with Castle is worth exploring. Anyway, you have Josh I am sure he checks all your boxes."
"I do and yes, Josh is also a keeper ", Kate tells her but not disclosing anything more.
"Kate, with all your great detective skills, you must know that Castle is holding back because you are with Josh. Rick won't do anything to damage that for you? You may not know it, but Castle's being your partner goes beyond just the professional for him. But you've kept him at a distance, and he is held back by that. He respects that distance you established, particularly as it relates to Josh."
Sam's comment hits a nerve with Kate. The agent just stated what Kate subconsciously was trying to deny. She was interested in Castle, more than she would admit to, but she, like Castle had been holding back thru their three-year office partnership. Both had not revealed their feelings for one another, but for different reasons. Those reasons conspired to keep them apart, romantically, privately, and intimately. Kate is a little annoyed that Sam has learned things of Castle which she had not. Then again, it was Castle who always probed for info on her and not the other way round.
Just then Rick returns from his phone call with his daughter.
"So, you two getting to know each other better?"
"Oh just some girl talk Castle. Sam was trying to pump me for personal info on you, which of course I did not disclose."
"You know Agent Sam, you can always ask me, I am an open book for you."
"Don't believe a word Kate says, she is trying to cover for me. Kate and I were comparing notes on you?"
"Oh, should I be worried Sam?"
"You better be, I have all the details on you now."
"Kate, what did you tell her?"
"Oh come on Castle, you know that as your work partner for the past three years, there are things I know about you that Sam does not."
"And what might those be?", Rick asks, clearly concerned about what the two may have discussed about him.
"Rick, that would violate the Girl Code. Besides, that is for Kate and me to know, and for you to figure out." Both women giggle at that remark.
Rick is dumbfounded, thinking his two worlds, private and professional, might have just ran into each other.
Once Rick and Sam are now back drinking together, Kate joins Lanie. Espo had started a pool game with Ryan.
As Kate comes into Lanie's personal space, the ME says, "So what were you and little Ms. FBI Lady talking about?
"Lanie, how many people have figured out I am more interested in Castle than I let on?"
"That is a small group for now. The larger group has no clue? Although there is suspicion from them that your partnership goes beyond just the professional."
"And who is in this smaller group?"
"Aside from myself, Espo, Ryan, and Montgomery. Anne Hastings might suspect and same with Tori Ellis and Kowalski. A few I may not know of, but, otherwise it is a small and exclusive group."
"Well now you can add to that list one Ms. Sam Armstrong."
"But of course, probably came up in her pillow talk with Writer Man."
"No, she hasn't slept with him yet, they're doing the five-date rule."
"So how many dates have they had?"
"Two, maybe three by my count", responds Kate to Lanie.
"Well then Girl, you got some time to stop them knocking boots before that fifth date. Go do the talk with him."
"Lanie, I'm with Josh, I need to take care of that first."
"Then do it Kate. You still have some time; otherwise little miss agent gal is gonna hook your man?"
"He not my man Lanie."
"Not yet, but he could be, if you just took the jump, and there's no time like the present!"
Kate did not have a good sleep after that night's case celebration. She is however happy that the two had not yet gotten physically intimate. That was one piece of good news from her conversation with the FBI Agent.