The Other Path

Chapter 1

The pop echoes through the loft as Rick opens a bottle of Dom Perignon. Grinning, he fills two crystal flutes and hands one to Kate. "To killing it on your captain's exam. Kate Beckett: number one on the list. You'll have your own precinct in no time." He studies her face as she takes an unenthusiastic sip. "Would you rather have your favorite red? We've got a case."

Kate sets her glass on the counter. "It's not the wine. I didn't expect to make the top score when I took the exam. I was spending too much time on my cases to get in much studying. And I don't have the feel for paperwork that Gates does. So I thought I'd have at least a year to think about what I really wanted to do. But I heard that Captain Greenblatt at the 23rd is retiring in a month. That means a slot will be opening up, and I'll be in line to fill it. And I'd hate to leave the boys behind."

"Can't you take them with you?"

"Not unless the 23rd loses two detectives. And I'm not sure they'd want to leave. They're pretty settled."

"So when would you have to make up your mind?"

"I haven't received the formal offer of promotion yet, but when I do, I doubt the department would hold the position open long. I'd have to accept pretty fast, maybe within a day or two, or they'll go to the next cop in line."

Rick puts his glass down next to Kate's and drums his fingers on a nearby stool. "Would it help to make a list of pros and cons?"

"I did that," Kate confesses, "in my head, anyway."

"And?"

"The pros outweigh the cons."

"But you don't like how you feel about the answer. Kate, maybe this isn't a matter of pros and cons. I know you hate it when I remind you that the money doesn't matter. But it doesn't. Except when you go on a shopping spree with Lanie, or you're buying gifts or something, your salary just sits in the bank. And if anything happens to me, you, Alexis, Mother, you're all fixed for life. So you should concentrate on what will make you happy – besides, you know."

"What makes me happy is knowing I've gotten the bad guys off the street, that I've given victims' families some measure of justice."

"And would you feel that as a captain?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure."

"You could talk to Gates. Ask her why she wanted to be a captain and what she gets out of it."

Kate sighs. "I have a pretty good idea of that from what she's already told me. She and her sister, the one that's US Attorney for the Southern District, have a competition thing going. Gates is ambitious anyway, but that just gives her an extra push. And I think she already has her eye on being Deputy Chief and after that Chief. She comes from a family of cops, and she wants that to mean something honorable. I believe that she thinks she can do the best job of keeping the department on the straight and narrow by climbing the ladder."

"But that's not your thing." Rick prompts.

"I hate dirty cops. They smear their mud on all of us. But I don't think cracking the whip from on high will solve the problem. We all have to make sure good cops don't look the other way."

"Anyone else you can talk to?"

"Yeah, maybe. Roy Montgomery told me once that he had a mentor, his captain when he was a lieutenant, Eric Johnson. He's still around. He teaches a course at the academy. I saw him the last time I was there. I can go see him tomorrow."

"Want some company?"

"Not to see Captain Johnson. I think it's better if we talk cop to cop. But I wouldn't mind some now."

Rick's eyebrows ripple. "What kind of company did you have in mind?"

Kate reaches for the buttons on Rick's shirt. "The kind you're wearing way too many clothes to give me."

Rick tugs her top out of her slacks. "It would appear that you are as well. I can fix that. How about if the first one naked gets to be on top?"

Kate immediately pulls her blouse over her head. "No chance you're going to win this one."

Rick slowly unfastens his belt buckle. "But I'm going to love the ride."


White-haired but with ramrod posture, Captain Eric Johnson gestures Kate into his tiny office. "This was actually a broom closet," he confides, waving her to the only guest chair. "As I recall, the last time you were here, you were demonstrating hand-to-hand maneuvers that give women the advantage. Planning on teaching the recruits more tricks, Detective?"

"Not today, Captain Johnson. The results of the captain's exam just came out."

"I saw them. Congratulations."

"Thank you, but I'm not sure congratulations are in order."

Johnson leans forward in his seat. "And why is that? Second thoughts about taking on the mantle of power?"

"Exactly," Kate admits. "So I was wondering, Sir, why did you become a captain? And do you think it was the right decision?"

"What was the right decision for me would not necessarily be the right decision for you, Detective Beckett," Johnson cautions. "Last time I looked, you had the highest closure rate in the city. And on more than one occasion, you've given some of the credit for that to your civilian partner. Did he deserve it, or were you just satisfying the fragile ego of the male?"

"He deserved it."

"And given that your partner is also now your husband, I take it that assist would not be available to your successor as a lead detective."

"I'd have to ask Rick, but I suspect you're right, Sir."

Johnson nods. "Then, if you moved up to captain, there's a good chance that the homicide closure rate in the city would go down. So tell me, Detective, do you believe that the value of your service as a captain would compensate for that loss of justice for the victims?"

Kate blows out a breath. "No, Sir, I don't believe that it would."

"Then it doesn't matter what I, or Roy Montgomery, or anyone else accomplished or will accomplish as a captain. You already know where you can make your largest contribution to the welfare of this city. So go do it."

Kate rises from her seat. Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir."

"No, thank you, Detective, for the job you do. Oh, and give my thanks to your other half."

"Yes, Sir, I will."


Victoria Gates jabs the air with her reading glasses. "You're turning down a promotion?"

"Yes, Sir. I believe my place is here."

Gates sinks back in her chair. "You understand that you may not get another shot for years, if ever."

"Yes, I do, Sir. But I won't be wanting another shot."

Shrugging, Gates shakes her head. "I can't say that I understand your decision, Kate, although I suspect it has something to do with Mr. Castle. I've always believed you have the talent for greater things. That's why I supported your move to the Attorney General's task force. But if chasing murderers is what you want to do for the rest of your career, I'm not about to stop you." A hint of appreciation flashes in the captain's eyes. "And I would miss the crullers that Mr. Castle brings in. So, all right. Get back to work."

"Yes, Sir."