Shattered Lies

Chapter 41

With a hand at the stiffness in the small of his back, chief gemologist Winston Rickman Ph.D. straightens up from his microscope and winks. "Whoever your friend is was right. These are Columbian emeralds that appear to have formerly resided in Madame Archambault's necklace before they were recut. May I ask what you paid for the detective's necklace?" Rickman's eyebrows rise when Castle names the figure. "Originally the stones alone would have sold for at least three times that much. If these gems could not be assumed to be stolen property, I'd say you got a deal."

"We believe that was the point, Dr. Rickman," Kate replies. "To sell high-end jewelry at bargain basement prices yet still make a killing - unfortunately, quite literally."

Rickman picks up the reading glasses he'd doffed before using his scope. "Well then, Detective, I wish you luck in apprehending whoever is responsible. Emeralds are the best investment gems. It is a shame to see the market disrespected."

"Disrespected," Castle repeats as he and Beckett return to her unit, parked in the visitor's lot at Hudson University Annex. "I love the way Rickman put that. The man is obviously acquainted with Powell. He must figure that our favorite master thief gives the multifaceted loves of his life the proper obeisance."

"We all have strange attractions," Kate notes. "I am marrying you."

"Considering that you are comparing me to stones that have been valued throughout the ages, I'll take that as a compliment," Castle responds. "So now that we've found an outlet that thieves are using to cash in on their booty, what's our next step?"

"We have proof that Jerrold's Gem Galleria is dealing in stolen merchandise. That gives us enough cause to request their financials and dig into every aspect of their business. A connection to the thieves will have to pop up somewhere, and we can trace it to the murderer of Callie and her parents."

Castle flexes his fingers. "Sounds like I'm in for more papercuts."

"I'll kiss them and make them better," Kate promises.

Castle grins. "Then let me at those files."

Jackson doesn't dare get too close to the Castle loft. He's familiar with Central Asian Shepherds. The bad guys have used them to guard some of his targets. Rather than shooting the animals with bullets, he used anesthetic darts, but it was not easy. They'd pick up his scent if he didn't keep the maximum distance at which his weapon would be accurate. He's not about to drug his son's dog except in a case of a severe threat, and right now there doesn't appear to be any threat at all.

Hunt has other ways to keep tabs on his family. He knows where Alexis goes to school and some of her favorite spots to congregate with her friends, including an ice cream parlor that serves up her favorite ice cream, Rocky Road. Richard can usually be spotted somewhere around the 12th Precinct, often at the hamburger joint Remy's. The place is a dream for fattening cardiologist's bank accounts, but it does have the best pickles outside of a kosher deli. Jackson has been able to take a seat where his son, and from her ring, his fiancée, have shared meals, noting Richard's weakness for cheeseburgers and Kate's for strawberry shakes. Jackson has been in the back row of the balcony for several of Martha's performances over the years, and also caught her appearance in a soap opera with an impossible storyline but where she shone nevertheless.

Rita hasn't been shy about warning Jackson not to get too involved. He's careful, never getting close enough to make physical or even eye contact except for the time in the library when Richard was only ten. He'd never expected to have a family, but since he does, he has no intention of letting anything happen to them. Richard is still young enough that marrying Kate Beckett may lead to more grandchildren for Hunt to watch over. That idea is equally disturbing and appealing.

From what Jackson has been able to gather so far, Richard and Kate are pursuing a homicide case that is entangled with a group of jewelry thieves. What Jackson doesn't believe they realize is that the syndicate is international in scope.

The CIA doesn't care about criminal enterprises as long as they don't impact national security. Catching crooks is the FBI's domain. But Jackson has run up against tentacles of this particular organization now and then when it was involved with funding terrorist operations. They are very efficient at obtaining and selling their goods, but blunt in their methods of covering their tracks.

Hunt does not doubt that Kate and Richard will be able to dig up at least a branch of the business. That could be dangerous or even fatal. Despite what Rita says, he'll keep a careful eye on the situation. And even if it makes things more complicated for him, Hunt applauds Richard's choice in a canine guardian. The dog will complicate the lives of would-be invaders even more.

Castle rubs his knuckles against his eyes. "It looks like a lot of the finer gems, including emeralds, that Jerrold's uses to craft their pieces, come from a source referred to as MGS. I checked. The address of MGS Headquarters is one of those buildings in Delaware that is a mail drop for hundreds of companies. Payment is sent to a numbered account in Cypress, but the bank there is associated with Metro Corp. in downtown Manhattan."

Kate eyes the printout that Castle hands her. "Textbook money-laundering. The funds are sent overseas, cleaned up, then rerouted back to the U.S. We need to locate MGS's operations in New York. Any idea what MGS might stand for?"

"Murderous gem sellers? Kate if MGS has people in the city committing homicides, they must have some way to pay them, most likely through Metro Corp. Can you access the records?"

"I probably can't, but Murphy can. Since Callie's murder has suddenly taken on interstate and international components, that puts it right into the purview of the FBI and possibly even the task force, since an organization is involved."

"Which will allow you to avail yourself of the services of the bespectacled boys with the ink-stained fingers and heads for figures."

Kate rolls her eyes and punches his arm. Not all of them wear glasses, and some of them are women, but yes, I can use the forensic accountants again. And since there may be tax evasion involved, the IRS could be interested as well."

"This investigation is beginning to sound like alphabet soup." Rick presses his hand above his belt. "Which reminds me. I'm starving. You must be too. You grabbed one piece of turkey bacon and didn't eat your eggs at breakfast this morning. Even the indomitable Kate Beckett needs sustenance to make her eyes sparkle and her hair shine."

"That sounds like a variation of a line you would have used on Alexis."

"It is - when she was six - but it worked. She finished her oatmeal and drank all her milk. It was chocolate milk, but that was a small concession. So, is it going to work on a more sophisticated audience?"

"Sure Castle, but no oatmeal, and tea instead of milk. I'm in the mood for Chinese, especially the spareribs."

"Ah, you want to get your teeth into something. Good to know. Silver Moon or Dragon Garden?"

" After what we've found, I'm definitely in the mood to face a dragon."