Poison Pen
Chapter 57
As her cellphone buzzes, Kate looks up from a drawer of small carved animals. The text from Toni Gonzales is only a few words, but it's enough. The jury is coming back. Castle quirks a questioning eyebrow, and Kate nods. "There may be a verdict. You want me to go with you? I'm not finding anything else that Stanford asked for anyway."
Rick reaches out for her hand. "Please."
"Looks like we're just in time," Kate whispers as she and Rick arrive in court. While they stand behind the back row of seats, the bailiff takes the document bearing the jury's decision from the forewoman and hands it to the judge.
Mencas quickly scans the contents before giving it to the bailiff to return. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?"
"We have your honor," the forewoman confirms.
"How say you?"
Kate interlaces her fingers with Rick's as the forewoman reads each charge and declares Badcock guilty.
"So say you one, so say you all?" the judge queries, receiving instant affirmation from the jury.
"I ask that the jury be polled," Kirby requests as Badcock stares defiantly at the people who condemned him.
Castle holds his breath, waiting for the answers. While some of the voices tremble, the jurors pronounce their responses with surety, even as Badcock's eyes blaze."
Mencas quickly thanks the jury for its service and sets a date for sentencing. "Someday you'll burn in hell on a pyre of your books," Badcock shouts at Rick as uniformed officers lead him out of the courtroom.
Castle's eyes glint icy blue. "I'll see you there first."
Kate can feel the stiffness in Castle's body as they leave the courthouse, and she steers him toward the bench where they enjoyed their hotdogs. "That's it, Babe. It's what you wanted."
"I guess. Somehow, it doesn't seem to be enough. Putting Badcock in prison won't bring Connor back, or the other Poe winners we couldn't prove he killed. And he may not be legally insane, but he's sick or just plain evil. I find it hard to imagine how a loving God puts people like Badcock, Lockwood, Coonan, Bracken, or Springer on this earth. It just bewilders me."
Kate leans her head on Rick's shoulder. "That makes two of us, but at least none of those men will be able to do any more harm. That's the best we can hope for. You want to go back to the museum?"
"No, what we found for Stanford already, should do the trick, and I can't work up much fascination for exploring ancient mysteries right now. Let's just walk for a while. I want to see regular people doing ordinary things."
"Sure, Babe, whatever you need."
Kate surveys the artifacts for sale set up in cases and on pedestals in the front of the large hall. The potential buyers are at tables covered in snowy linen cloths while servers circulate, offering appetizers and directing guests to the bar. "This is good," she judges, taking a sip from a glass of Riesling Rick brings to her. "But the museum could be running up quite a bill for wine."
"It's donated," Castle explains. "It's from a winery upstate that wants to get its name in front of the disposable income crowd. There's a nice blurb on the back cover of the program. The museum should make out fine on this little soirée. I hope we do as well. I haven't spotted Adom Gamal yet."
Kate inclines her head toward the main entrance to the hall. "Isn't that him coming in with Oakes, now?"
"It is. Stanford should be leading Gamal over here so you can charm him. That way, you can collar him later without making a scene. The museum wants to keep everything as neat and tidy as possible. Personally, I think a little publicity about stolen artifacts could bring in the crowds, but the board can be pretty conservative."
"Which explains why you're not on it," Kate teases.
"The reason I'm not on it is that the museum receives my largesse on the proviso that I don't have to sit through meetings where people find all their adventure on spreadsheets. I'd rather count dinosaur bones than beans — except for magic ones."
"Number crunching aside, this place is good for you," Kate asserts. "This is the first time I've seen fire in your eyes since Badcock's trial. Oh, here comes Stanford with Gamal."
"Let the games begin," Castle whispers.
Kate sets her mouth in a welcoming smile as Stanford introduces her as Richard Castle's intended, Kate Beckett. For now, her badge can stay beneath the frilly garter hidden by her gown.
Stanford Oakes ascends the steps of a portable stage and takes his place behind a podium. "Ladies and Gentlemen, you are here on an extraordinary night. This auction is a once in a lifetime event. The items offered by the museum are both rare and beautiful. I will also remind you that every dollar you bid will go toward the museum's mission of giving the public a chance to see and experience the richness of histories that would otherwise be beyond its reach. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce a man who is generously giving of his time and talents, our auctioneer, Mr. Anton Pickering."
Pickering's shock of white hair and walrus mustache contrast with his spotless and perfectly fitted tuxedo. He signals to a young woman in a sleek gown to bring him the first item up for sale. "Some of the best things come in small packages, " he informs the audience. "We have here a lapis lazuli puma carving. The gem may be semi-precious, but the archeological worth of this figurine is immeasurable. Who will start the bidding at $1000?"
Castle takes a gulp of wine as he watches Gamal's admiring glances flick between Kate and the objects displayed onstage. It could be a long night.
"Now for the pièce de résistance," Pickering announces. "We have a Mayan jaguar mask. As you can see, the condition is excellent. You can clearly make out the lines of the muzzle, the flared nostrils, the scrolled eyebrows, and the pointed teeth. The carver was a masterful artisan. We'll start the bidding at $50,000." Gamal raises his hand, and Pickering encourages spirited bidding around the room until Gamal eventually triumphs. "Congratulations to bidder #1 on the acquisition of a truly rare and exquisite piece of art. Now on behalf of the museum, I bid you eat drink and be merry, but not too merry to remember to write your checks.
Kate leans in toward Gamal, nodding at Castle to be ready to block the enthusiastic collector's exit. "I would like to offer my congratulations as well. It isn't often that a man can acquire incredible art like that — legitimately." Kate reveals the badge now hiding in her hand. "We need to have a little talk about some other pieces of art whose provenance may not be quite as well documented. I'm sure Mr. Oakes will allow us to use his office unless you'd rather discuss the matter at the 12th Precinct."
Gamal pushes away from the table. "Mr. Oakes' office will be fine, but I intend to leave this country with my purchases, Kate."
"Detective Beckett," she corrects, "and whether you can do that or not will depend entirely on your cooperation in the investigation of the murder of William Medina."