American Crime Stories

Arc two, Chapter twenty three

NEW YORK CITY

Despite Rick's earlier plans, the Castle's had come back to the city before the investigation into Bracken had been concluded. They had stayed in the Hampton for a few weeks after the Shaw's had gone home. Due to their respective works, Jordan and Rick hadn't much time to meet up and continue their little dalliance, but they had been able to meet for a coffee and or dinner a few times. Alexis and Lacey had been in constant contact. Today, all four had plans to go to the movies together. "Hey Alexis, I think you should check this out. It seems the press got pictures of mom and Rick. And look at the headline. Mom's definitely not going to like this," Lacey said and pointed to an article on her tablet.

"What? Show me, please." Lacey and Alexis immediately checked the report and the pictures of their respective parent together. Underneath the headline, 'Mystery writer moves on with Fed', various shots of Rick and Jordan were pictured. The images showed them at a restaurant and walking down a street laughing. It was clear that they were having a good time together.

"Scroll down, maybe the article won't be that bad," Alexis said to Lacey.

"Well, let's see. 'Sources say that famous author Richard Castle has been spotted multiple times with FBI Special Agent Jordan Shaw around town for the last two weeks.'" The two continued to read the article.

"It's nothing concrete until now, they're just speculating. That's nothing new, in fact it happens pretty often," Alexis said.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, dad has a reputation as a womanizer. Sure, some of it he has earned. However, despite the fact that I really don't like to think about his sex life, I know for a fact, that most of what was reported in the past was false."

"Yeah, I don't like to think about mom's sex life either. It was bad enough when she and dad were still married, but now… ewww," Lacey said and Alexis laughed. "How do you know that most of the reports were false?"

"Oh, that's easy. A few years ago, I read something about him spending the night with some starlet. But I knew that the report couldn't be right because he was at home with me. I took some time and checked back other reports and found out the same thing. So, I decided to talk to him about that. That was an awkward conversation," Alexis mused. "Anyway, there are not many things dad doesn't talk to me about. He told me that his agent and the people from Black Pawn had come up with the idea of giving him a reputation as party-loving womanizer. That's why he would go to events with different women all the time."

"Huh, wasn't that difficult for you?"

"At first it was. Especially before I had this talk with him. After that it got easier."

"Okay. So, what about mom and your dad? Do you think the report is correct? Wouldn't they have spoken to us?" Lacey asked. Alexis could see that her younger friend was unsure how to react. Lacey had told her that her mother didn't have any relationships since her divorce, at least not that she knew of.

"I don't know, Lacey. I guess, it's possible. Remember our talk in the Hamptons. I told you that my dad seemed to like the both of you. He normally doesn't invite somebody to stay with us for longer than a day or two. And they seem to enjoy spending time together. Look at the pictures!"

"Yeah, I haven't seen mom laugh so much in a while as when she is around you and Rick. So, we think it is alright for them to date?"

Alexis thought about it for a moment. Her dad a rough few months with Gina's death and his problems with the detective. "Sure, why not."

Nearly an hour later, all four were sitting together, talking about the report. The girls had been surprised to hear that their parents had decided to start dating back in the Hamptons without them realizing it. However, they weren't angry, as Jordan and Rick explained to them the reason for not telling them: they simply wanted to wait for a while and see whether a relationship would be something that could work.

"We think you two are great together, and we want to see this work out," Alexis said as she pulled away from Jordan to look at her dad.

"Alexis, you're old enough to realize that we can't promise you that anything will be alright. What we will promise 'though is to do our best to make this work," Rick said. And he did want it to work. Although, their relationship was in the early days, he had realized that Jordan was the woman he didn't know he needed. She was tough, smart and sexy. She laughed at his jokes. She was unaffected by his fame and had no problem to put him in his place. He was looking forward to find out how their relationship would turn out. For now though, they had to get ready or they would miss the movie. "Alright, let's go."

A little while later they got out of their car in front of the movie theater. As usual, they had taken Rick's car service. A car service that he co-owned and that was operated with Marcus' people. They may be back in the city, but until the investigation into Bracken was over, there would be 24/7 security around them, and everyone involved in the case in any way. He didn't mind spending the money to keep his family, his friends and their families safe. Rick was sure that Jordan had realized that their driver was armed and was glad that she hadn't said anything.

Castle would never be too old to watch an animated movie. They walked up to the ticket window and Rick said, "Four adults for Madagascar 3, please."

After buying the tickets, they made their way to the concession stand. "Who wants popcorn?" Jordan asked. Rick looked first at Alexis, then to Lacey. They simultaneously raised their hands. "Okay, let's get two big tubs. Anything else?" She asked the group.

"I want a Coke and Sour Patch Kids," Lacey said.

"I'd like a Coke and a box of Milk Duds," Alexis said.

"And I want a Diet Coke and a box of Muddy Bears," Jordan told the guy behind the counter.

"Oh good choice, I'll have the same thing, only with a regular Coke," Rick said.

The guy started handing them stuff. "I'm sorry to say but we only have one box of Muddy Bears," he told the group.

Ever the gentleman, Rick offered Jordan to take them. "Don't be silly, Rick, we can share them," Jordan replied and turned to the guy. "Can you give us a box of Goobers, too?" The guy nodded. Jordan paid and they made their way to the theater room.

After the movie let out they walked out of the theater and the women were all talking about the movie, but Rick was not. "What's wrong Dad?" asked Alexis.

"Well the movie was good but instead of sharing, somebody," he looked at Jordan accusingly "ate all of my Muddy Bears and the Goobers," He said dramatically with a little kids pout.

"What can I say? I'm guilty as charged. We had a late breakfast, so we didn't eat lunch before coming here," Jordan replied not faced at all.

"Yeah, you're right. What about this: I know this great little pizza place a few blocks from here, we can have an early dinner," Rick suggested. He got his answer when Jordan's belly grumbled. All of them started to laugh. "I guess we're in," Jordan said with a blush.

PRIVATE SHOOTING RANGE

NEW YORK CITY

A few days later, Jordan and Rick had gone to a shooting range. Castle was excited to have an actual date at a shooting range. He didn't know anybody who would have enjoyed that, not even Beckett. She didn't even want to go with him to a range after the one time early in their working relationship. He was pretty sure that she hadn't liked him showing her up. He was interested in how Jordan would react.

"Okay, I have seen you shoot on the bridge, so I know that you're a really good shot. But how much shooting experience do you actually have?" She asked him.

Castle thought about the question. They hadn't talked about what kind qualifications and skills he had since their first date in the Hamptons. "I've been a member of a shooting range for nearly two decades, and I try to go there regularly to practice."

"Alright. What calibers have you shot before, Rick?"

"I've shot various calibers, like 9mm, 40 S&W, and .45 ACP," he told her. "But I mostly use my P226 X-FIVE."

Shaw had the feeling that there was more behind the story. She really wanted to know more but knew better than to push Rick about answers.

"Okay, why don't you go first?"

"Cool." Rick picked up his gun and took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He sighted up and slowly squeezed the trigger multiple times until his magazine was empty. When he stopped, Jordan pushed the button to call the target back. Together they looked at the target with one big hole in the 10 ring.

Jordan wasn't surprised at his competency. "Wow, that's very impressive, Rick." And she really meant that. She knew that despite her years of practice, she would be hard pressed to do the same.

"Thanks, Jordan. Now, it's your turn. Show me what a bad-ass Special Agent can do?" Rick said interested. Jordan looked down on the paper target and then back to Rick.

"I have a better idea. Why don't you do one of the tests agents and other law-enforcement officers need to do to get qualified for the field?"

Rick looked at her. "Alright, which one?" That question told Shaw that Rick had far more knowledge about procedures when he should have. Sure, she could chalk it up to his research, but she was smart enough to know better. "Speed and accuracy."

Rick nodded. "Rick, reload your gun and put it on the table in front of you. Then, on my mark, pick up the gun and put ten shots into the target as fast and as accurately as you can." Shaw told him as she got out a stop watch. "Sure, sounds like fun," he said with a smirk and did as requested while thinking. He knew what Jordan was doing. She was fishing for information without asking questions. He didn't mind giving out a bit more information. He also thought about letting her know what she suspected, but didn't really have evidence for: Tyson's shooting. He put that thought out of his mind for the moment as he concentrated on the upcoming test. He nodded to signal Jordan that he was ready.

"Go!" Shaw called out. Rick picked up his gun, sighted up and shot. Less than five seconds later he put the gun down and turned to Jordan. She called the target back and was floored by what she was looking at. Of the ten shots, he made eight in the in near the center of the 10 ring and the other two into the 9 ring, barely missing the 10 ring.

"How did I do?" Castle asked, knowing that he wouldn't have done very badly. He done that test for years and always succeeded to get a high number of points.

"Well Rick, I've seen the results of some of my colleagues and I'm pretty sure that you did better than 80 percent of them," Shaw said absently as she looked at the target. Castle wasn't surprised either. He did hold his own in the yearly competition of SSI. Sure, he never won or ranked in the top ten. However, his competitors were pretty much all former members of military or LEOs, many of them sharpshooters and snipers. They were all highly trained, as SSI only took the best. That meant, that he knew that he was a better shot than the average Joe, and even better than the average LEO.

"Thanks. Now it's your turn. Show me what you've got." He said with a smile and took the watch from her. Then he loaded a target and sent it out to where his had previously been. Shaw prepared for her test and looked back at Rick, signaling that she was ready. She turned back to concentrate on the target. When Rick gave the signal, Jordan drew her Sig and lined up her sights. Six seconds later she re-holstered her gun. She called the target back and was disappointed. Of the ten rounds six hit the 10 ring, only three of them near the center. Three others hit the 9 ring, and one the 8. "I think I'm going to have to spend more time on the shooting range again."

"How many times do you go?"

"Oh, when I was younger, I went regularly. But now I'm so busy with cases that I don't have the time to go as much as before."

"But you're still a pretty good shot," Castle said and gave Jordan a kiss to the head.

"Yeah, but you still won the round."

"It wasn't a competition, Jordan," Rick said, hoping that Jordan wouldn't take her 'defeat' too bad.

"I know, but I can't help it. My pride is a little bit hurt that a civilian out-shot me," Jordan said and nudged him in the site. Although she said it with a teasing tone, Castle could see that there was a little bit of truth in her statement.

"Don't worry about it, I won't tell anybody about," Castle said and paused a moment for dramatic effect. "Aside from Alexis, Lacey and mother of course."

"Hey…"

"Oh, and maybe Marcus and the boys."

"Don't you dare!"

Rick took Jordan in his arms and kissed her. "Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me."

"Oh, how magnanimous of you, Mr. Castle."

"Hmmm. Come on, let's shoot some more." They did so for the next thirty minutes, both on separate lanes. When Jordan lost interest for the day, she packed her things and went to Castle. She waited until he had finished his current round and l laid his gun down. He turned to Jordan. "Hey, you done for today?"

"Yeah, it's enough for me for today. As I said earlier, I think I'm going to go to the range more often again. I forgot how much fun it was to just shoot without someone shooting back. It's very soothing for the soul to just let go and put round after round into the paper target."

"Yeah, I know. I mean the last part, of course. Although, I did get shot at when I worked with Beckett, you have obviously more experience with it."

They were both silent for a moment, thinking that they didn't like the fact that their respective other was put in danger in the past.

"Alright, let me go one more round than we can go. I'm getting hungry anyway," Castle said, reloaded his gun and laid it before him on the table. He knew that what he was about to do next could change his relationship with Shaw. But he had decided to do it anyway. She deserved the truth, at least some of it. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Jordan watched as Castle prepared, but was surprised when Castle picked up his gun with his left hand and began shooting. Only a few seconds later he put the gun down and turned to Jordan. They looked at each other for a moment before Shaw called the target back. She took the target and stared at it for a while. Of the ten rounds six hit the 10 ring and three hit the 9 ring. And the last round Castle had shot through the targets head. With his left hand. Like he had done on the bridge. Thinking that she immediately turned back to Castle who had stood by silently, letting Shaw process her thoughts. Jordan looked Rick straight in the eyes. She was surprised that he didn't look nervous at all. Of course, she realized what he wanted to 'confess' without saying the actual words. Looking at him she knew that he would not answer anymore question about what he had done. She could make a big deal about it, and maybe she should. She was a federal agent after all. She thought back to that night, and to what Tyson had done not only to Castle but to all his victims. She made her decision. "So, what do you think about a big juicy burger?"

After several weeks, the Task Force 'Dragonhunter' had finished its secret investigations and nation-wide raids were bound to happen.

Washington, D.C.

In Washington D.C., Supervisory Special Agent Mark Fallon with the Department of Homeland Security and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tobias Fornell led the team that arrested Senator Robert Kinsey, the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Oversight Committee. They also arrested Henry Wilcox, CEO of Lexington Global Consulting, a private security agency, and former CIA Director of Clandestine Affairs, and two of his people, former CIA Special Agents Mark Snow & Kara Stanton. After being part of the previous investigation, Special Agents Annie Walker and Auggie Anderson were more than happy to lend a hand.

Sacramento, CA

In Sacramento, Supervisory Special Agent J.J. LaRoche of the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Internal Affairs Division, and Supervisory Special Agent Dennis Abbott from the FBI headed the team that arrested CBI Director Gale Bertram as a key figure in the so-called "Blake Association". The Blake Association was the equivalent for the California area what HR was for New York: a criminal organization which involved state and city officials and agents of multiple federal, state and local government agencies of various ranks and public servants. The members were involved in various criminal activities such as murder, drug trafficking and money laundering. The same way as HR worked in various circles, the structure of the Blake Association was divided into small cells. Most of the members of these cells only personally knew and were in contact with members of their own cell. Among those arrested members of the Blake Association were California State Senator Richard Wilkins III., who had ascended from being a Mayor from a small town approximately two hours' drive north of Los Angeles, to the Senate; CBI Forensics Lead Agent Brett Partridge, as well as CBI Media Relations Officer Brenda Shettrick; Bret Stiles, the leader of the Visualize Self-Realization Center Church, a philosophic and spiritual cult; and Thomas McAllister, the Sheriff of Napa County.

Los Angeles, CA

In various locations in Los Angeles, a joint team of FBI agents and LAPD officers, led by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Fritz Howard and Deputy Chief of Police Brenda Leigh Johnson, arrested various people. Those arrested included FBI Senior Special Agent Paul Bodner who liaised with the Department of Homeland Security, LAPD Deputy Chief of Special Operations Bureau, Jack Reese, and his former SWAT team member, Michael Rayborn, who after his retirement became a highly-influential philanthropist. They also arrested Kevin Tidwell, Captain of the Robbery/Homicide division of the LAPD. Tidwell had transferred from the NYPD, where he had worked with Arthur Lynch at the 51st Precinct.

In another part of the city, a LAPD SWAT team led by Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson raided a club owned by Roman Nevikov, a ruthless Russian mobster who was involved in pretty much anything shady from human trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering and murder for hire.

The 'Dragonhunter' Task Force had also been able to find a connection to Vulcan Simmons. The evidence of their collaboration helped the investigators to find connections to other criminals who got arrested in separate raids. One of them was Mason Wood, a former college room-mate of Senator William Bracken. Wood also was a former CIA analyst who used his position in the CIA not only to cover up the illicit operations run by Bracken and Simmons, but also to help foster relations to other smugglers like Nevikov.

In yet another, unknown, location in L.A., Senior Special Agent Cabe Gallo with the Department of Homeland Security, and Special Agent Martin Danberg, arrested Patricia Thornton, aka Chrysalis, Director of the Department of External Services, for treason, terrorism, drug trafficking and many other charges. It turned out that Thornton had been a partner of the late CIA Special Agent Sophia Turner.

San Francisco, CA

Nash Bridges, Captain of the Special Investigations Unit of the San Francisco P.D., and Lieutenant Joe Dominguez, led the team that arrested Cole Turner, a former D.A. in San Francisco and now San Francisco's Deputy Mayor, and Senior Special Agents Reede Smith and Craig O'Laughlin from the FBI San Francisco office as well as Judge Thomas Manchester.

Hawaii

In Honolulu, FBI agents joined some members of the Hawaii Five-0 Task Force in arresting Governor Pat Jameson on charges of accessory to murder, drug trafficking, weapon smuggling, obstruction of justice, bribery and extortion. Ironically, it had been Jameson who had established the elite state police task force as a means of ridding Hawaii of crime and corruption.

Other members of the Five-0 Task Force supported Vince Fryer, Captain of the Hawaii P.D. Internal Affairs, in arresting former Honolulu Police Department homicide detective Frank Delano and his crew who were involved in a variety of crimes, including murder, extortion, money laundering, drug smuggling.

Blue Cove, Delaware

In Blue Cove, Delaware, FBI Deputy Director Bailey Malone together with Senior Special Agent Jarod Mills from the DHS led the team that raided a think tank called The Centre. They arrested The Centre co-heads Theodore Parker and his brother William Raines, born Able Parker, on charges of terrorism, kidnapping, illegal black ops and murder. Several high ranking individuals from the management were arrested, too.

New Orleans, Louisiana

In New Orleans, FBI Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Raymond Isler asked NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Dwayne Pride to join him in arresting Mayor Douglas Hamilton on charges of smuggling, money laundering, extortion, bribes. Pride and his team were more than happy to oblige.

Miami, Florida

In Miami, Senior Special Agents Marc Lane and Brandon Harris led the team that arrested a group of dirty Miami Dade P.D. officers, led by Detective Rick Stetler from the Internal Affairs Bureau in the MDPD on charges of drug smuggling, extortion, stealing old evidence and evidence tampering.

In another part of the city, Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens led the team that arrested infamous Michael Smith. Castle had been more than happy to let the LEOs know Smith's whereabouts. The group was observed by Michael Westen, Sam Axe and Fiona Glenanne, the SSI team working in Miami, who had kept Smith under surveillance.

New York

In New York City, all members of HR were arrested. Also, arrested were Robert Keller, CEO of Virtanen Pharmaceuticals, and Russell Morrison, former General in the U.S. Army and now CEO of Orantis Solutions.

On the steps of the Capitol Building Senator William Bracken (GOP) stood on the podium, facing a rather large crowd of his donors and fans. "When I was 14 I got to be friends with this boy in the neighborhood, Lamarr Dochs. Sweet kid. I used to help him with his homework after school. Well one day he didn't come to school. So I went by his apartment and the door was open. I walked in and I found Lamarr lying on his mattress, dead. His little sister was the same way, His mother was in the bedroom, and she had hanged herself. I thought, how could a woman be so desperate to kill her own children? Now, she left a note: she lost her job, she was being evicted. So without hope and faith that things could get better, she crushed up pills, put them in hot chocolate, and gave them to her kids. And that was the moment. The moment I knew I wanted to help make people's lives better. And I have. And every time you, the people of New York, elect me, I'm humbled. I strive harder to live up to that ideal, I want to be that man. But it is a tough challenge, a hard fight, to reach those goals. And I'm tired. The backroom deals, the corruption, the waste? I'm exhausted, frankly, and I know the American people are, too. Look, this country deserves a leader who won't back…" Bracken broke of when he saw several people wearing FBI and NYPD jackets walking into the room. He tried to continue his speech. "People– who – who won't fight - back down from a fight. Who has a proven record of taking on of special interests and believes a government can still be a force for good. These are the…" Bracken couldn't finish his speech when Special Agent Isobel Castille and Detective Danny Reagan stepped on to the podium.

"Senator William Bracken, you are under arrest for accessory to murder, criminal conspiracy, leading a criminal organization, racketeering, extortion, obstruction of justice, bribery, money laundering, drug trafficking and many more charges. You have the right to remain silent…" Castille continued to read Bracken his rights, while reporters and cameramen were trying to get a scoop on the breaking story.

On the right side of the podium, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, stood Castle, Esposito and Ryan. They were watching the arrest with glee in their eyes. Bracken's downfall was completely public, there was no way he could get away.

A/N: So, this is the end of the second arc of this story. In the third and final arc, I will focus more on parts of TheBlackHand724 original trilogy.