"For forty-five years I don't hear from you, Olga, and now you wake me up in the middle of the night asking for my help in locating two New York Police Officers?"
Jessop Watkin's voice on the other end of the line sounded exasperated, confused- but thankfully not irritated. That was a start.
Castle had decided to stay back, leaving the talking to Montgomery and his mother, the chance too valuable to mess it up by saying something wrong.
Besides the incredible amount of respect he had for Martha in stepping up and helping them look for Beckett and Esposito; it was a strangely comforting sight having her in the bullpen during a time that tore on all of their reserves.
"I realize it's a lot to ask for, Jessop. Consider it a strange twist of fate that brought us together once again after all those years.", Martha continued, her blue eyes meeting Montgomery's intent stare, "You know I wouldn't bother you if I didn't think this was extremely important. These two people that are missing…they're good cops…good people. One is my son's girlfriend."
Upon her words, Castle gasped, ready to interrupt if it hadn't been for the Captain's stern hand held up in the air, keeping him quiet.
"Your son…?", the man stammered and there was a short pause on the other end of the line, "I keep forgetting that our romance wasn't just yesterday, Olga, that many decades have passed since I last felt you in my arms, the sweet smell in the air as we passionately made love, our bodies merging into one…"
For once, Castle wasn't the only one sucking in a deep breath, his pained grimace reflecting Montgomery's as the Captain clenched his jaws, trying to keep his expression as neutral as possible under the circumstances.
"…while the sunset kissed our naked skin, I know, Darling…", Martha continued, not the least affected by the steamy conversation, "Jessop, can you think of anybody in your organization that would work for a slime bag like Steward? Somebody who would be ruthless enough to hold two cops hostage?"
"There's only one I can think of.", Watkins replied, his voice growing somber, "Salvador Jackson. He was one of my earliest recruits, my most ambitious member. But over time, he became greedy, forgot why we formed the Shadows to begin with. He began to resent our mission and did freelance work, all under the umbrella of our emblem."
"Did you…did you kick him out pf the group?"
"I didn't. But not for the reasons you might think, Olga.", he explained, "If I'd just cut him loose, his knowledge and connections would prove extremely dangerous out on the streets. Instead, I kept him in our organization, which allowed me a greater level of monitoring when it came to his actions."
"You sly little weasel!", Martha teased, a broad smile forming on her lips, "I always knew you to be extremely smart, Jessop, but this is downright ingenious. Do you have any idea how we can get into contact with Salvador? It's important that he knows what he is doing. We need to have our people back and put Steward behind bars, where he belongs."
"You won't get a hold of him, not you guys anyways.", Watkins said hastily, before falling quiet for many long moments, "Salvador is a trained fighter and very skilled when it comes to hiding his tracks. If he doesn't want to be found, you won't find him. Allow me a day to put out some feelers, see if I can get a hold of him. I can't promise much, but I will see if I can sway him into letting your friends go. I won't lie, there might be a price associated with their release…"
"Whatever the cost, we're willing to deal.", Martha offered, flourishing in her poker player role, her stern expression never changing.
"Very well, my Olga. I will see what I can do, for old time's sake. Just leave me a phone number where I can reach you. And when this is all over with, when your friends are returned safe and sound, I hope you will find it in your heart to reconnect one last time. Forty-five years has been too long to be without you, my love."