Flu
Chapter 26
Osnitz just sent over the preliminary report on the Fudgy-Bar wrapper," Kate announces.
"Did the lab find any prints?" Castle asks.
"Some partials but they didn't get a match, except to a partial on the five-dollar bill. But whoever left it wanted all his fudge. He licked it."
"So, they got DNA?"
"Uh-huh, but they didn't get a match on that either. They're working up a phenotype. At least we'll have some idea what the guy who left it looks like. Even if he's not our killer, he might be a witness." Kate points to Rick's phone. "What are you working on?"
"I'm researching SunKick, the company that makes the swings."
"What about it?"
"As Marty Feldshuh would gleefully inform you, I'm no authority on financial instruments, but it put out something called a PPM to pull in investment. Apparently, the company got the money. It released an announcement that it's expanding its facilities."
"So, an accident on a swing, especially one leading to a lawsuit, could knock SunKick's legs out from under it." Kate surmises.
"The sun would certainly lose some of its kick," Castle agrees. "What about the broken link on the swing chain? Did Osnitz say whether it was cut or not?"
"Not yet. It would be a lower priority without being directly associated with a murder. And…" Kate's phone emits a loud alert. "That's from the team on Dino Scarpella. He stuffed bags in the trunk of his car, and it looks like he's headed for Long Island."
"He could just be headed for a summer place, for the winddown of the season," Castle suggests. "If it weren't for the load around here, we might be taking off to my beach house. If anything, wouldn't being out there make him easier to watch?"
"If he's lazing by the pool, maybe, but he has to know the world could fall in on him at any moment. This could be that moment. We'll need to coordinate with Matheson and Eli, but this could be the time to pull in our nets."
"And put a full catch of Scarpella fish on ice?" Castle queries.
Kate brings up her contact list and swipes an entry. "I'm going to find out."
Dino's not sure if he's being followed. He checked his car for electronic trackers. Unfortunately, that precaution can't guarantee a clean escape. The unmarked van that had been parked down the block from his house turned off miles back, but the cops could be switching off tail vehicles. His boys use that move when they're spying on other families. Cell phones make it easy. But if all the cops are doing is keeping tabs him, he'll be fine.
He'll make it look like he's taking a pleasure trip on the boat, and by the time the authorities get a patrol after him, he'll be in international waters, ready to meet a seaplane. He'll probably be puking his guts out, but getting away will be worth it."
Castle squints at the screen of his phone as Kate takes the route Dino followed. "There it is. I thought I remembered that."
"Remembered what, Babe?" Kate asks, skillfully maneuvering her unit into a slot in a more rapidly moving lane.
"The City Council in the Hamptons had a big kerfuffle when the Cardano compound changed hands. I'm looking at the minutes of the meeting. People were complaining that the place was being occupied by gangsters again, but it was picked up by a straw buyer, and they had no proof."
"A straw buyer like the Scarpella family?" Kate wonders.
"That's what I was thinking. That could be where Dino is going now. The place is huge, about 60 acres."
Kate's fingers tighten on the wheel. "That will make it almost impossible to put a perimeter around it."
"Worse than that, it has a cove with docks. A boat can sail right in there."
"Or out," Kate realizes. "Grab my phone for me and hit the contact for Matheson. We're going to need a blockade, which means federal resources. I just hope he can get something moving fast enough."
No matter what his head says, Dino's feet don't want to climb into the boat. There's a patch behind his ear that the captain said would help, and his cousin Grace gave him some ginger she says keeps her kids from upchucking. But he's like a dog trained by one of those shock fences. He won't leave the grounds even when the thing is off. Closing his eyes, he tries to picture stepping off a curb in the city. A New York taxi driver is more dangerous than any boat. Somehow he manages to climb aboard. As the captain steers the craft toward the open ocean, Dino hears the sounds of approaching engines and klaxons. Damn patch and ginger aren't doing sh*t!
With his forearm propping up his head, Rick settles on the bed next to Kate. "How many of the Scarpellas besides Dino do you think got driven into pens at today's roundup?"
I'm not sure," Kate confides. "Last I heard from Matheson, at least 50, including all the capos and Carlucci's second, DeLonghi. But we still had people picking up soldiers. The nest won't be completely cleaned out, but the numbers will be down low enough to keep the family from doing much harm. As soon as all the story breaks in the press, the merchants will know that they don't have to knuckle under anymore. With DeNuncio out of action, they don't need to be afraid anymore of watching their families and the businesses they spent their lives building, going up in flames. It's been a good day."
"Except for the guy who died the death of many cuts," Rick points out. "In all the hullabaloo, did you get anything else from Osnitz or Lanie?"
"It's terrible, but I haven't even looked," Kate admits. She pushes up on her elbows. "Any messages would be on my phone. I'll check."
Rick lays a hand on her shoulder. "I shouldn't have asked. They'll still be there in the morning, and we both deserve a night to celebrate."
Kate shoves her hands under his T-shirt. "And what kind of celebration did you have in mind?"
Rick's fingers plunge into Kate's hair, bringing her lips close to his. "A very private, very intimate one – with way fewer clothes."
Kate traces a pattern on the firm skin beneath her fingers. "I don't know. We're getting to the end of the summer. The temperature is supposed to drop tonight. We could get cold."
Wrapping his arms around Kate, Rick rolls her beneath him. "I think we can figure out a few ways to keep warm. He catches the ribbon securing her babydoll top in his teeth and jerks the bow loose. I think I'm feeling more heat already."
Kate pulls his shirt over his head. "Me too. But," she adds, tugging on the waistband of his shorts, "it's hotter down below."
He strokes her through the wispy fabric between her legs, before easing it away. "I've always loved hot snacks." His lips replace the caress of his fingers.
Kate arches beneath him, a moan tearing free of her lungs. Her fingers quest for him. "I'm hungry too. Share and share alike?" she suggests. Desire blazing as they struggle for a desperate realignment; they find each other again. Ravenous, they can taste and feel only each other as their need grows to an irresistible force. Explosive release tops their celebratory meal, and they sink together into replete slumber.