Shattered Lies

Chapter 53

In Brooklyn, Castle points up at a brownstone that has seen better days. "This is it; the address for Gerard Bielman."

"Castle, stay behind Esposito and Ryan," Kate instructs. "We know this guy committed one murder. We have no idea what else he might have done or what weapons he might have in there."

Bielman's apartment is on the third floor, but there is no elevator. Holding her service pistol Kate leads the way up the worn staircase to a scarred wooden door, stepping around the refuse spilling from a torn bag onto the floor of the landing.

Like most doors in New York, this one features a peephole, but the scratched glass is unlikely to afford a clear view. With Judge Markway's no-knock warrant in her pocket, Kate nods to Esposito to kick in the door. She clears the hallway, with Esposito and Ryan checking the kitchen and the front bedroom. She finds Gerard Bielman in the back bedroom, desperately trying to force open a jammed window to reach the fire escape. He falls to his knees at her command.

Winston Bergeron stands shoulder to shoulder with Castle, looking through the glass into the room where Kate is questioning Gerard Bielman. Though not a small man, the hunching of his body brings Gerard's eyes to a level below hers. Kate gazes down on him. Like most bullies, he cowered in the face of genuine strength.

Once she had a name, Kate was able to check his employment history. At the time he raped and murdered Jada Bergeron, he had been a shelf stocker for years at the supermarket where she went seeking cake and ice cream to reward the achievements of her children.

"Why did you Kill Jada Bergeron, Gerard?" Kate demands.

Bielman doesn't lift his gaze from the bare tabletop in front of him. "Who's Jada Bergeron?"

"Jada Bergeron was a mother of two children, a boy, and a girl, who was working two jobs to support them. She went to Shop-a-lot to try to buy something nice for them, and you raped and murdered her. Your DNA is all over her clothes. You were there that night. We have you cold. The only way you can help yourself now is to tell me what you did and why you did it."

Bielman's shackled hands curl tightly into fists. "Stupid n****** bitches! They come to the city. They steal our jobs and get government handouts for their bastard children. Then they get promotions while real Americans get left behind. I busted my ass at Shop-a-lot. They got moved up while I was shoved down. We should have sent them all back where they came from - or to Hell."

Castle puts a hand on Winston's arm as his friend goes rigid. "He's an asshole, blaming others because he didn't have what it took. Your mother wasn't a person to him, just a symbol of his own failure."

Winston slams his fist against the glass. "I just want to punch his face in until nothing else can come out of his mouth."

"Yeah, I know - more than you would believe. But with what Kate is getting out of him, she can make sure he's put away for good. And trust me, with the abominations he spews, he will regret it - excruciatingly."

Castle flicks off the intercom and Winston turns his back on the view. "Castle, I wish I could be there to watch that happen."

Rick throws his arm around Winston's shoulders. "Yeah, Buddy, I know exactly what you mean."

The aroma of the savory meat sauce she is simmering drifts in from the kitchen as Kate props her chin on Castle's shoulder while he studies the image on his laptop. "An Ohio newspaper?"

Rick reaches up to caress her cheek. "I set an alert for mentions of Don Epstein. He's dead, Kate, but before he died, he sent a letter to the Beacon Journal. It's an admission of his crimes, the ones he can remember. No names - not even mine - but times, dates, places."

"Maybe that was his way of trying to redeem himself."

Castle closes his eyes, shaking his head. "Redemption should take a lot more than a deathbed confession. But I'll make sure this is publicized across the country. His words may give some of his victims a measure of peace."

"Are they giving you any?" Kate asks.

A hint of a smile twitches Castle's lips. "If I picture him being jabbed you-know-where by a loathsome demon with a barbed pitchfork. At least now I can be sure that he'll never hurt anyone again. That's worth a lot."

"Ready for an early dinner?" Kate asks. "The florist you hired for our wedding is supposed to be here in an hour for our final approval of her arrangements, the bouquets, and the boutonnieres."

Castle checks the time at the bottom of his screen. "Bring on the pasta! And we can share the cannoli with our authority on blooming beauty - if between you, me and Alexis, there are any left."

Kate pushes the start button on the dishwasher as Castle comes through the door of the loft following a joyful Custos. "Looks like you two had a good time."

"We did. I think all the scents that drifted around our floral guru when we introduced her to him made him long for a good romp on something other than New York sidewalks. I took him to the park. The kids there, catching the last of the sun, were in awe of him. They couldn't keep their hands off all that fur, and he reveled in it. Their parents were a little wary until they were sure he wasn't going to hurt their offspring but big as he is, the little ones weren't afraid at all. All the literature said as much, but it was wonderful to see how gentle he is with tiny children. If we ever have any rug rats, he'll be great with them. And they'll be the safest kids on the planet."

Grooves bracket the bridge of Kate's nose. "Babe, you're thinking about children? We aren't even married yet."

"We will be soon enough - almost soon enough. Now would be fine with me. But Kate, I said 'if.' That's a decision for you. I have the most incredible daughter in the world, and the love of my life is about to become my wife. I couldn't ask for more than that. But children who are part of you would be amazing, magical. Bringing them into the world would be miraculous. And the last time we had dinner with your Dad, he did say something about how great it would be to be able to take grandchildren to a Yankees game. Personally, I would prefer a crew of mini Princess Leahs and Han Solos, to lead through the wonders at a con, but to each his own. So have you thought about it?"

"A little bit," Kate confides, "since we started talking about Out of the Cold. I couldn't see being able to do my job as a homicide cop and still having enough time to give children the attention they deserve. I know how hard my mom and my dad both worked on arranging their schedules around me, and they didn't have to follow the rules of the N.Y.P.D. But working with Out of the Cold should be more flexible."

"And there is room in the building for a childcare center." Castle points out.

Kate grins at him. "Yes, there is. But before we worry about that, let's get through our wedding ceremony first."

Rick draws her against him kissing her hair. "Can't wait."