Shattered Lies

Chapter 10

That Francesca (Frankie) Figluzzi is upset, is an understatement. When Don Dominic asks for a favor, you don't say no, and vouching for someone seemed a pretty easy thing to do. She never thought she'd get picked up by Feds. And Murphy is as scary as the Don - maybe more.

The family hasn't even sent a lawyer. With what's been happening, they're probably all tied up. Or maybe they decided it would be better to work for the Cardanos. If no one shows up soon, she'll have to take matters into her own hands. For sure, she's not putting her ass on the line for the Don's stupid vendetta against some two-bit detective. Proving a cop can't hide from the Spinellis isn't worth ending up in a hole. And that the Don asked her personally to vouch for someone who was dumb enough to get himself caught; well, that piece of information should be worth something.

Castle wonders how it's possible to feel better and more miserable at the same time. His home health aide has assured him that his wound is healing nicely, and he's moving better with less pain. All that would be wonderful if it meant he'd have an easier time getting his arms around Kate - or have a chance to see her at all.

According to what she's said that Murphy's told her, the FBI's on the edge of a breakthrough. But it's been on that edge for days, and it feels like years. What Rick needs is something to take his mind off Kate. His fallback has always been to retreat into his writing, but penning the adventures of Nikki Heat just makes things worse.

He tried a movie marathon, but sitting in front of the TV for that long just made him more uncomfortable. In any case, it takes something creative to occupy his mind effectively. He shuffles across the loft. If he can't create on the page, he can at least ply his inventiveness in the kitchen. When Kate does return, he can offer culinary titillation to her senses.

U.S. Attorney Susan Beeman fixes special Agent Murphy with a stare. "You're telling me that this Francesca Figluzzi can make a direct connection between Dominic Spinelli and the attack on Katherine Beckett."

"She's willing to swear to it in exchange for protection. And we've flipped a Luca Santone who has added details about the operation. He's looking toward a cushier stay on the government's dime."

"So, if Figluzzi proves to be the real deal, how long before you can close in on Dominic Spinelli and the rest of his operation?"

Murphy rubs his thumb over the crown of the Fedora in his lap. "We're all set to go. Hours."

Susan leans back in her chair, turning her eyes toward the ceiling of her book-crammed office. "All right. You check every element of Figluzzi's and Santone's stories. And if they track, you have a green light."

"Richard," Martha trumpets from above, "what is that enticing aroma? I could feel my chakras tingling from my room."

"Are you sure that isn't a holdover from your assignation with Burt, or whatever his name is?"

"It's Kurt, and that may well be, but what are you cooking?"

"Pasta Carbonara de Castle. I've been tweaking my recipe to make something special for Beckett."

"Oh, is Katherine due to burst the bonds of her confinement?"

"Very poetic, Mother. She thinks the Spinelli nightmare will be over soon. It couldn't be too soon for me, and I'm going to be ready. I'll have the pasta on the menu. Now I just need something for dessert."

"Richard, I've had the impression that you were well versed in appetizing endings for an evening."

That his mother is assessing his abilities in that arena makes Castle shudder. "Mother, I meant something edible. Eww, that just makes it worse. I was thinking about profiteroles with a filling surrounding fresh strawberries and topped with mocha sauce."

"Sounds delightful. I've always found strawberries stimulating to the senses."

"Again, Eww. I still have some bugs to work out. If the strawberries aren't perfectly dry, they make the cream filling watery. I'm considering dipping them in chocolate, but I haven't decided between dark and extra dark."

"By all means, the extra dark. More anti-oxidants."

"Not exactly my primary concern, Mother."

"I would think after all of this Spinelli mess you'd want to keep her healthy. But in any case, Katherine seems to appreciate intensity."

"Yes, she does. Extra dark it will be. Now, would you like to taste test the pasta?"

"I was afraid you'd never ask."

"And get Alexis to sample it too."

Susan Beeman has finally given Murphy the thumbs up he's been awaiting. He has not only his own team ready, but he's also pulled in every available agent and piece of equipment from 10 states. He just has to give the operation the go."

Kates ringtone emanates from Castle's phone at midnight, but he is instantly alert. "It's done, Castle. Dominic Spinelli is in custody, along with most of the Spinelli family. Murphy's forces are just doing mop up now, making sure there's no one out there with a finger on the trigger."

"And how soon can the mops be returned to the janitor's closet?"

"Murphy thinks it will be any day now."

"Ask him to tell his people to swab the decks faster."

"I doubt I'll have to ask."

Usually, Jackson wouldn't give a damn about organized crime unless it threatens national security. That's the FBI's domain, and they're welcome to it. But a Spinelli shot Richard and that makes it personal. He's been keeping his eyes on the FBI operation to take down the family and was impressed with Agent Murphy. If the man wasn't such a throwback, he might consider trying to recruit him for the company. In any case, the agent has been doing a good job, pulling the Spinellis in.

The whole scenario centers on Detective Katherine Beckett. Jackson has looked in on her from time to time, ever since Richard became her shadow, but he never expected her to become the subject of a vendetta. He never expected Richard to throw himself in front of a bullet for her either. If he had, he would have been paying more attention, but his son has never been that devoted to a woman before, not even the one he married. He was caught up with the Blaine girl in college, but he let her go. Stupid move in Jackson's opinion at the time, but it could be in the genes. Jackson has never seriously attached himself to a woman either. If he'd known Martha would get pregnant, maybe - but the water splashed over that dam almost forty years ago.

That Richard was willing to put his life on the line for Beckett has turned his view of his son upside down. More family suddenly seems a possibility. He shakes his head. He doesn't know if Richard's even had a chance to sleep with Beckett yet, but it doesn't really matter. Jackson's slept with his share of women but never cared even close to that deeply. But if Richard cares that much about Kate, Jackson will watch out for her. He already took out a couple of the Spinellis that the FBI failed to spot. They're resting in the Jersey Meadows. Jackson enjoyed the irony of using the Spinellis' favorite disposal spot to disappear a couple of their own. As long as he's stateside, he'll keep his eyes on things, especially when Beckett finds her way back to the Castle loft. His granddaughter and Martha are there, and if he can help it, nothing is going to happen to them either.

A/N I have a new The Rookie one-shot called "Filling Holes." Jessica Russo tries to help John cope with the aftermath of Captain Andersen's death.