Chapter 8: The opposite problem

Thankfully because they knew exactly who to send the translation to it didn't take nearly as long as the first. Gates reappeared with the translation for the new phrase just before midday. "The man works fast." Castle said, pinning the email to the board and stepping back.

Gates examined their new evidence over her glasses. "Do you have anything new?" She demanded.

Beckett felt like kicking something. "We have almost the opposite problem this time sir."

"In what way detective?" Gates pressed.

Beckett nodded to the board and started to explain. "Our second victim is Danny Avery. He's a known drug dealer, been arrested a dozen times for everything from breaking and entering to assault."

"He's the type of scumbag that someone who considered themselves an avenging angel would definitely focus on." Castle said happily. It was still their only halfway plausible theory and it still hovered on the edge of serial killer.

Beckett nodded in agreement. "Ryan and Esposito are looking into his current associates, but we don't know what he was doing in the church. It certainly wasn't one of his known hang outs." Laney had called earlier to say that the body hadn't been moved post mortem and the method of death and blood-letting had been the same as the first victim.

Gates pursed her lips and nodded slowly. "But no suspects?"

"Lots of suspects for Avery, but none that we can connect to Graves. We're still working on the list." Beckett said. It sounded exactly like the amount of work that it was, but they still had a lot of information that didn't fit together. Linking the two victims was proving the stalling point.

Gates nodded. "With no reflection on your ability to cope with this detective I think you all might benefit from some additional help."

Beckett tensed, surely Gates wasn't thinking of handing the case over to the FBI? She could see Castle thinking the same thing.

The Captain gave her a knowing look and shook her head. "I'm not calling the feds Beckett. I know you and Mr. Castle better than that. I am putting in a request to the LAPD to send over the civilian consultant who translated those phrases. They're our killer's calling card and he seems to be the only person who can understand them. He may have some insights we haven't had yet and it will be faster and more efficient if he is the in same room."

Castle looked surprised. "You can transfer a consultant interstate?"

Gates glared at him. "Only if requested and only if the consultant in question is agreeable, which many of them are not. Believe me, in the unlikely instance that someone specifically requested your help Mr. Castle I would drive you to the airport myself." With that Gates spun on her heel and returned to her office.

Castle stared after her for a minute before turning to Beckett. "I think I'm really growing on her." He said hopefully. Beckett sent him a 'you're crazy' look and shook her head.

If they were getting a new consultant in then she wanted to make sure all the legwork was done when he got here.