The Other Path
Chapter 54
Rick almost bumps into his wife as she wanders vaguely into the precinct. "Hey, Kate, are you all right?"
"Oh Babe, yeah, fine."
"You don't look fine," Rick argues. "The last time I saw you staring into empty air like that, you were having flashbacks to being shot. Are those coming back?"
"No, it's just… can we talk about it someplace private?"
"Of course. Rick follows Kate as she leads him to Gates' empty office. "The captain has meetings at 1PP all day." Kate closes the door. "No one's going to come in here."
"OK, so what's going on?"
I have a new case."
"Which is usually grounds for enthusiasm, or at least determination. So what's hit you about this one?"
"The body was dumped down the street from the loft – and the victim was pregnant. From what Lanie's been able to tell me so far, she was smacked around and strangled."
Rick draws Kate against his chest. "Whew! Do you know who she was?"
"No. We got nothing from her prints. Her DNA's in process. The boys are still canvassing, but so far, no one's ID'd her."
"Do you have anything to work on?"
"She was wearing Manolo Blahniks – one Manolo Blahnik."
Rick whistles. "That will take a sizable bite out of the old credit card. Clothes?"
"High end, but not couture. I think the shoe will be easier to trace. You want to help?"
"Of course. But that's not why I came."
"You picked out an OB for me."
"I picked out impressive possibilities. I can't tell you who can go messing around in your lady parts, present company excepted. Even if I tried, you wouldn't let me. But I ran down the stats. And Kate, your victim is the embodiment of my worst nightmare. Not what she spent on clothes. I survived that with Gina. But the death of mother and baby is beyond terrifying. I don't know if I could survive something happening to you and our child. I don't know that I'd want to. So, accept one of my candidates or find one you like better, but Kate, I need you to take care of yourself and the baby."
"All right, Rick. Give me the rundown on the docs you found, and I'll make an appointment with someone. But can we find out who was wearing those Manolos?"
"Absolutely. You said the crime scene is near the loft, didn't you?"
"Northeast corner of Broome and Greene."
"Much to my bank account's distress, The Wexler on Greene is a purveyor of Manolo Blahniks along with other siren calls to the high credit limit shopper. If your victim lived in the neighborhood, it's as good a place to start as any."
A saleswoman's eyes sparkle as she spies Rick entering the exclusive boutique. "Mr. Castle! It's been a long time."
"Myrna, nice to see you," Rick responds, doing his best to sound sincere.
"And?" Myrna continues looking at Kate.
"Kate Beckett. Detective Kate Beckett."
"Oh yes, you and Mr. Castle were married last year. The announcement caused quite a stir around here." Myrna's eyes sweep appraisingly over Kate. "No need to find garments that hide flaws for your figure. Size 4, Right? May I show you something? We have a cocktail number that just came in for the summer collection. It would look devastating on you."
"Actually, Myrna," Kate explains. "We came in to show something to you." Kate displays a picture of the Manolo pump on her phone. "Could you have sold this?"
"I didn't, but someone here might have. That is a shoe we carry."
Kate flicks to a picture of the Jane Doe. "Do you recognize her?"
Myrna slaps her hand over her mouth. "Oh my God! Is she dead?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, she is. Did you know her?"
"Yes, Lou-Anne Bartlett. She was a good customer. I don't know if she bought the Manolo or not. I work mostly in dresses. But I can look it up for you."
"Thank you, Myrna. And I'll need any contact information you have for Ms. Bartlett."
"Yes, of course," Myrna agrees.
"And Myrna, I'd appreciate it if you keep this to yourself until it comes out in the press," Kate adds. "Out of respect, we try to notify the next of kin before releasing any information to the public."
"Of course. I understand. I'll get that information for you, Detective Beckett."
As Kate looks over a printout Myrna gave her, Rick pulls the saleswoman aside. "Would you happen to carry a line of maternity clothes?"
Myrna smiles knowingly. "You asked at the perfect time, Mr. Castle. Our buyer just made a deal for a line of Hatch. Are congratulations in order?"
"That's something else to keep under your hat, Myrna, particularly if you'd enjoy a fat commission. But I'm hoping for good news."
"So," Rick inquires as he and Kate leave The Wexler, "who do we break the news to about Lou-Anne Bartlett?"
"Maybe she shopped around here, but she had a shipping address in New Hampshire, in care of a Dolly Bartlett, probably her sister or her mother."
"You want me to sit with you while you make the call?"
"No, I think I do it better one-to-one."
"Fine, but what time's your OB appointment? I want to take you."
"Four o'clock tomorrow with your number one, Dr. Nora Drake."
"And in the meantime?"
"Lanie has to finish her autopsy. The boys may get something to follow up from their canvass, and CSU may have a print or DNA."
"A print on what, the body?"
"No, a button I found."
"You didn't tell me about a button."
"We were discussing other things. I don't know what you can get from it, but I have a picture." Kate holds up her phone. "This is it."
"I do recognize that. It's from the blazers alumni of Saint Thomas of Aquinas Academy wear. I was on a public speaking team up against them. The students sported coats like that, but so did the coach and a couple of the parents who showed up. Some of the guys on our team were crowing because our jackets were cut better. Kind of stupid. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of academia. For tailors, they would have had to go for Homobonus, Matthias, or Quentin. Not that I've ever thought much of Tarantino's wardrobe. But isn't Homobonus a great name? He'd never have the same labels in his clothes as any other kid. If it's a boy…?"
"Homobonus? Oh, God, Rick, don't even go there," Kate warns. "Let's get back to the case. You were telling me about the button I found. So if it came from the killer, he could be connected to Saint Thomas of Aquinas somehow."
"Obviously connected to the Academy, not Aquinas himself. I doubt the saint would approve of murder."
"No, and I doubt that Dolly Bartlett will want to hear that Lou-Anne is dead. But I've got to call her now. So, meet you later at home?"
"I'll be waiting. Anything you want me to have ready for you? Pickles? Ice Cream? Four-alarm chili? S'morelets?"
Retching sounds rasp from Kate's throat. "No thanks, please. But how about a hot bath?"
"As I recall, it's best to keep the temperature of a pregnant lady's tub no higher than 100 degrees. But I shall have your favorite bubbles and warm fluffy towels close at hand. Vanilla candles?"
"Cranberry."
"As you wish."
