Poison Pen
Chapter 35
"Even a legal aid lawyer could get me off on this one," Nanette insists. "No money changed hands, and I wasn't the one who brought up a price. It was entrapment."
"I'm not going to argue the legality of a solicitation charge with you, Nanette," Kate declares, calmly lounging in her chair in Interrogation. "I'm a homicide cop. Vice can worry about how you offer your services. But I can hold you for 24 hours, and given the price range that you quoted to my associate, the loss of that much cash could make a serious dent in your revenue. So suppose we help each other. Did one of your clients take you to Your Own Corner, recently?"
"Yeah, a guy who calls himself Hal. He said he had an important job to do that night, and he wanted to loosen up with some fun and games first. He was turned on doing it in a public place. But getting him off behind the curtains in a restaurant isn't a big deal compared to some of the requests I get. We had dinner; he shot his wad, and then dropped me off before he went to take care of his other business."
"What kind of vehicle was he driving?" Castle queries.
"One of those big cars that lower-level execs rent to drive their business pals around. Not a caddy or anything. I think it was a Kia. After I got out, it looked to me like he was searching for something he had in there, but I didn't stick around to find out."
Rick and Kate lock glances before she stands and leans over Nanette, staring down at the upscale hooker. "Here's your money question. Where is this Hal staying?"
"Corporate Suites, deluxe wing, 1C. Now, can I get out of here?"
Kate knocks her fist against the surface of the table."As soon as we confirm your story."
Lowering his night scope, Esposito points. "There's the car, parked in front of 1C. And I saw motion behind the curtains. "Lockwood is in there, Beckett."
Kate nods, breathing as deeply as she can within the restriction of her Kevlar vest. "OK. I'll have ESU cover the back and sides in case he tries to get out a window or something. You, Ryan, and I will go in from the front behind the guys with body armor and shields. Lockwood could have all kinds of weapons in there. Castle, I need you to stay back. Lockwood's been taking lives for decades; he's got nothing to lose by trying to eliminate anyone or anything in his way."
"Including you, Ryan and Esposito, Kate," Castle points out. "Your vest won't help if he shoots you in the head. Let the attack squad storm the gates and take Lockwood down before you move in." his expression softens. "I have plans for a victory party that involve chocolate as well as many other pleasures.
"Then we'll have to survive, Castle. We'll be careful."
Even without the feed from a concealed fiber-optic camera streaming into his suite, Lockwood would know he's in trouble from the activity in the parking lot outside. He has his Kalashnikov, although he prefers not to use it. Up close and personal with his favorite barbed blade is both quieter and more satisfying. He has a Browning high power 9mm as well. If he's lucky and there are minimal forces outside his bathroom window, he'll be able to take them out and make his escape. As Hal peers through the slats in a miniblind, pistol in hand, he hears his door crashing inward under the pressure of a battering ram. He empties his clip at the invaders before bullets penetrate his shoulder and thigh, and he collapses against the shower stall.
"When can I talk to him, Doctor?" Kate demands of the surgeon who extracted the bullets from her prisoner.
"It may take him anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours to fully come out of the anesthesia, while he's monitored in recovery. You might as well get a cup of coffee or something while you wait," the physician advises. "I can have someone text you when he is stable and fully conscious."
Kate drums her fingers against her thigh. "I'd appreciate that."
"So," Castle wonders after Kate passes on her cellphone number, "the cafeteria, the Java Hut cart in the lobby, or do you want to roll the dice and try the vending machines?"
"'D,' none of the above," Kate replies. "But you go ahead if you want something. And you must want to check on Alexis."
"I did that every time you were on the phone reporting to Montgomery. She ordered Chinese and decided to turn in early. She has a Lit quiz in," he checks his watch, "about four hours from now, and she's meeting her friend Paige before school, for Jolly Juice and a quick review. She'll be missing out on my 'good luck pancakes,' but she'd rather hang with Paige anyway."
"Hanging with friends is what teenage girls do, Castle," Kate points out. "And Jolly Juice is probably a healthier start than pancakes."
"Maybe, but it won't give her a chocolate chip smile. Anyway, all is well on the homefront. It's been a long night." Rick taps his shoulder. "If you want to catch a quick, pre-interrogation nap, you're welcome to snuggle in."
"Thanks, Castle. That sounds nice."
"Sonofabitch!" Coonan checks the caller ID on his phone. What the hell is his boss doing calling him this time of morning?
The voice on the phone doesn't bother with pleasantries, but Coonan doesn't expect any. "The cops shot Lockwood."
"Is he still alive?" Coonan asks.
"Yeah, which is clearly a problem for both of us. Take care of it. My source says he's under guard at Bellevue."
"It's not going to be easy getting to him," Coonan realizes.
"If it were easy, I wouldn't need you," the voice retorts. "Do it before he has a chance to talk to the cops. You don't have much time."
Coonan lays down the phone. He hates doing jobs this way. He likes to plan every detail and savor every step. Sh*t! The Dragon hasn't given him time to plan anything. If he's going to get near Lockwood, he'll need an identity the watchdogs won't question. Shifts in hospitals change pretty early. If he can grab someone coming on duty, he can obtain an ID that he can modify if need be. But he'll have to hurry.
Nurse Justin Geiger is running late. He hadn't expected to be on duty that morning and had stayed up late skyping with his fiancée, who's deployed in a medical unit in Afghanistan. She was full of plans for their wedding when she rotates home. He received the call that he'd be needed at the hospital, just a few hours later. A major accident flooded the trauma unit with patients, and it will be all hands on deck to care for them. Justin feels an arm come around his neck as he hurries from the staff parking area to the nearest entrance to the hospital. Blood flow to his brain ceases. There will never be a wedding.
Coonan smiles as he examines his victim. His choice couldn't have been more perfect. The dead nurse is almost the same size and coloring as Coonan. They even look a little alike. He won't have to alter the ID, just steal some scrubs and a syringe and locate Lockwood.