Castle and Cape

By Michael Weyer

Orwell

Surveillance work was a hard thing for a detective. It was harder when you were just a crimefighter. It required patience, something Kate would be the first to admit she never possessed in abundance. Doing it while crouching in the complicated get-up she was wearing made it harder. But Kate did her best to handle it as she adjusted the pair of small binoculars in her hands to study the scene below her.

It was a familiar sight in many ways: A group of thugs in various outfits moving boxes around, each toting guns under their coats. They were good at the job, not talking back at one another, obviously efficient and on a clock. That was no doubt due to the presence of the man with them, the leader of the gang. He was a tall and well-built man in a grey suit, his thick knuckles encased with gold rings. But what got the attention of those around him was his skin. Instead of regular flesh, it was greenish resembling nothing less than the appearance of a lizard. One look and it was no wonder why Dominic Raoul had earned the name of "Scales."

Beckett was careful as she adjusted her place on the upper reaches of the warehouse. Her first instinct was to leap in and try to take down some of these guys but she was smart enough to know she wasn't ready for that yet. Scales had a reputation as a major tough guy, a man more than willing to get his own hands dirty and liked it too. He wasn't the type Kate wanted to mix with, at least not quite yet in her crime-fighting tenure.

She shuffled in place, easing some of the aches in her knees and back. Comic book artists made these poses look so easy but there was nothing nice about spending nearly an hour on end in one position. She recognized the crates being moved as the same on the rail car she'd been investigating weeks before when this whole nightmare started. Which meant the mysterious e-mail was right, Scales and Chess were in business together. There were still pieces missing but that's why she was here, to get some intel before figuring her next move.

Kate had never realized how much she'd taken police work for granted before she no longer had their resources. It was hard trying to track down leads when she couldn't use any old snitches or a computer. She did, however, have access to the large criminal network the Carnival used to move their ill-gotten gains. As much as she hated to do it, Kate needed to use it in order to gain information on Scales' operations. She'd gotten used to compromise as part of her new life. She had to compromise her ethics, her judgment, even her life in order to hit back. She also had to compromise some ego as she'd quickly learned that wearing mascara before putting on a sweaty face mask wasn't a smart move. She'd been doing her best to take on street crime and had gotten notice for it, although one part was bothersome. Some reporter had referred to her as "the Cape" from the eyewitness reports and before she knew it, the name had stuck. It wasn't what Kate would have chosen but she figured it was better than other picks and good enough for what she wanted to do.

A flash of movement caught Kate's eye and she pulled her binoculars up to look at the catwalk on the other end of the warehouse. It was another figure dressed in black with a dark hoodie on, smaller than Kate with a bag thrown over one shoulder. The figure was aiming a camera down at the central warehouse, taking photos as Kate stared at her. As if sensing the other woman, the figure looked up, the camera aimed right at Kate. They stared at one another before the other black-garbed figure turned and started running off.

After a split second, Kate followed, leaping across the short chasm to a gangplank and rushing to the other figure. Her long strides quickly let her catch up as the shorter person was trying to keep the pack on their back straight. Reaching, Kate grabbed the figure, who she could now see was a woman under the tight outfit. She yanked on her shoulder but the woman spun to kick at her gut. Kate rolled with it to grab the hood and yank on it. It fell to show a mane of long brunette hair framing a pretty face of a young woman who appeared in her early twenties. As she stumbled to the floor, her bag fell open to spill out a dozen cards, each marked with a familiar eye-shaped logo.

Kate stared at the cards, then at the young woman. "You're Orwell?" she gasped out.

In reply, the woman lunged forward, jamming a taser to Kate's chest. She hissed as she felt the shock but the padding she wore managed to block its effects. She grabbed Orwell, yanking the woman around as she held her tightly, taking in her youthful appearance. "What are you, twelve?"

Orwell's voice was surprisingly steely for her age. "You're the one going around in long underwear and a cape."

"Point," Kate had to concede. Orwell slipped out of her grasp with surprising skill, facing Kate with an angry expression. Before either could move, they heard the loud voices from below as their struggle had attracted the attention of the thugs below. "Come on," Orwell snapped as she took off running and Kate was quick to follow her. The two raced down the ladder on the outside of the warehouse, hearing more voices behind them. Kate had come though the rear entrance to the area but Orwell led her past the main gate, slipping through a thin gap with ease. Kate had to squeeze a bit more but was able to follow as she saw a gleaming silver sports car parked nearby. Orwell was already opening the driver's door and slipping behind the wheel. Kate moved to the seat next to her as the young woman threw the car into gear and took off fast.

"Nice car," Kate noted.

Orwell just glared as they pulled out of the warehouse lot and roared down the streets of Manhattan.

Richard Castle couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain as he walked back into the familiar precinct. He hadn't been there since that fateful day and he felt that ache for the brunette that was long gone. He took a moment to steel himself, forcing a smile as he walked into the main squad room. Esposito and Ryan were at the board, going over notes when they saw him. "Hey, Castle!" Javier grinned. "Good to see you, man!" He moved to actually hug Castle, something the author wasn't expecting.

Ryan shook Castle's hand warmly. "We were getting worried, hadn't heard from you in so long."

"I needed time to myself to…deal." Castle didn't need to say more, both men nodding. Castle looked around, trying to appear nonchalant. "So, what are you guys up to?"

"Ah, haven't had much excitement lately," Esposito shrugged. "Just the run of the mill murders, gang fights, stuff like that."

"Same old, same old," Castle noted. "Any of them involve this Cape person?"

"Man, Castle, tell me you're not following that nut," Esposito groaned. "Some lunatic reads too many comic books and thinks they can be a crime-fighter?"

"Now, now, don't run down the lovely romance of the vigilante," Castle said, wagging his finger. "The lone hero standing against the darkness of crime, sacrificing their safety to protect those in need. It's a very long lineage, Zorro, Lone Ranger, Scarlet Pimpernel…"

"Lannie dragged me to that musical once, hated it," Esposito interrupted.

Rolling his eyes, Castle went on. "I'm just saying, they're trying to make a difference."

"Then he can just join a group like anyone else." Castle looked up to see a quite attractive brunette walking up in tight jeans, dark shirt and jean jacket. "The famous Richard Castle. Read a couple of your books, not bad, prefer Patterson."

"I'm a much better poker player," Castle easily answered.

"Castle, meet Detective Sara Pezzini, our new partner," Ryan introduced them as they shook hands, each instantly sizing the other up.

Sara sat at her desk, going through a file. "If you're here to get inspiration for another character, you're barking up the wrong tree. I've got enough drama in my life without being made into a book star."

"Sure?" Castle pressed. "A hot female P.I. could be…"

"I know people who can have you shot."

Castle just chuckled. "Relax, sort of giving the novels a break for a while."

"We heard," Ryan said soberly. "Sorry."

Castle waved it off although it was clear he was still thinking of it. "Ah, it's okay. Been getting offers for other things. It's why I was looking into this Cape guy, it's so fascinating to wonder what makes a person dress up like that and fight the good fight and-"

"Oh, God, you want to write about him," Javier groaned.

Castle held up his hands. "Hey, come on, comics are a growing field for major authors. And a real-life costumed hero? That's just too good to pass up."

Sara rolled her eyes upward. "We are not giving you carte blanche to just follow us around on any case involving this Cape."

Castle gave her a bemused look. "You really are new here, aren't you?"

"Look, Mr. Castle…"

"Just give up, Pezzini," Ryan smiled. "Trust me, he's working with us, one way or another. Just easier to go with it."

She glowered but sighed as she went through the folder before her. "Fine, fine but I'm not putting you in my speed dial." She held the folder out to Javier. "Here, ballistics got a match on the parking lot shooter, you two start running names." They nodded as they moved off. Sara turned her head to look at Castle, her expression softening. "Listen…I didn't know Kate Beckett but from what they tell me, she was a good cop and a better person."

Castle sobered. "She was. She truly was."

"I know I can't be her," Sara said. "And frankly, not crazy having someone trailing us around on cases." She shrugged. "But, if you promise not to be too obtrusive, we can share some information. But no ride-alongs."

"I have my own jacket."

"Answer is still no."

The mood in the car was tense between the duo as Orwell drove the car toward down several side streets before entering a high-scale section of town. Kate had decided to just study her, marking the woman as in her early twenties but looked younger. While attractive, her face was serious, her eyes gleaming with an age that belied her appearance. She was also skilled, as seen by her ability to drive while also looking at the pair of laptop computers set on the dash. One was scrolling through a series of numbers with ease.

"Are those credit card numbers?" Kate asked.

Without warning, Orwell spun the wheel, the car screeching as it turned into an underground parking lot. Orwell was still calm as she kept driving, Kate tensing in her seat. The woman finally pulled the car into a large freight elevator, skidding to a stop.

"Flip the button for your window," Orwell commanded.

Behind her mask, Kate frowned but did so. Instead of the window lowering, the freight doors shut behind them and the elevator began to rise. "Cool," Kate had to acknowledge but Orwell didn't give any sign of hearing her. The elevator stopped and the doors opened, Orwell immediately throwing the car into reverse. She spun it about as she finally pulled into a massive area that appeared to be an entire floor of the building above them. Putting the car in park, Orwell opened the door and exited, taking one of the laptops with her. She briskly walked as she typed on the keyboard before her, Kate following with curiosity.

Orwell led to an area past some construction sheets, the area as bare-bones as could be imagined. A small bed was on one side with what appeared a mini-kitchen but the majority of the room was empty. The exception was a large computer center at the middle of it all, dozens of screens and keyboards set about with wires spreading across the floor. A large window showed a fantastic view of the city that anyone would pay through the nose for.

"Someone's been naughty with those cards," Kate noted.

Orwell threw her leather jacket onto the bed as she marched to the computer center and sat down before the screens. She began to type as she spoke over her shoulder. "Who do you work for?"

"I don't work for anyone," Kate said as she took in the room.

Orwell sniffed. "Please. You're just another mindgame to squirm out of Peter Fleming's twisted brain." She typed as the main screen showed the image of a fingerprint on it, the image popping out of the 3-D imager.

"What are you doing?" Kate asked.

"Running your prints."

"You don't have my prints," Kate smirked, holding up her gloved hand.

"I do," Orwell intoned. "That button had a scanner on it, able to cut through cloth, read your print as easy as anyone's." Her eyes scanned the data flowing as the print was run through various databases both criminal and law enforcement. "I'll find you."

Kate's eyes widened as she moved forward. "Turn it off," she hissed.

It was too late as her face popped up on the screen along with her police file. Orwell blinked in confusion as she saw it. "Kate….Beckett?"

Kate grabbed her, yanking her out of the chair and pushing her mask to the younger woman's face. "Kate Beckett is dead," she snarled. "You put this on your blog, people I care about are going to get hurt and you won't need a freight elevator to hit the street."

Orwell shoved her back, her own surprise giving way to anger. "We're on the same side, Kate!"

"Oh, really?" Deciding the time for hiding was done, Kate undid the clasps and yanked her mask off. She took a moment to breathe in the fresh air before continuing her tirade. "How many cops did you rat out on? I lost count!"

"Dirty cops!"

"Says you!"

"Says the money trails, the evidence they covered up, the people they beat up and framed!" Orwell snapped. "I always made sure of their guilt first. Every cop I named deserved it!"

"I didn't," Kate hissed, pointing at her. "You ruined my life."

Orwell spread her hands. "I thought you should know who it was you were dealing with."

"Thanks," Kate sardonically said. "I found out on my own."

There was a moment of silence as Orwell's face turned from suspicion to amazed understanding. "This…this is for real?" she whispered. "You're fighting back?"

"I have a choice in the matter?" Kate shrugged.

For the first time, a light smile came to Orwell's face. "Why the get-up?"

Kate shrugged. "Going straight up didn't work for me. I figured it's time to get unconventional."

Orwell licked her lips. "I want to help."

Kate stared at her. "Seriously? You were just about to relate my real name and now you want to help?"

"Kate-"

"It's Cape in this."

"Fine, whatever," Orwell went on. "Look….you're a cop, you can get intel in ways I can't. But I can make you better. Accurate. I can help you hit Peter Fleming hard and fast from his blindside. Where he's weak. Together, we can scare him. And when he's scared, he'll overreact and overreach." She brought herself up straight. "Together, we can stop him. Together, we can take this city back."

Kate just stared at her for a long moment. "Do you by any chance know Rick Castle?"

Orwell sighed. "I'm serious, Kate. We can do this."

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want Fleming taken down so badly?"

Orwell looked away. "I have my reasons."

"I need more than that."

Orwell snapped her head back to her, eyes narrowed. "You think you're the only life he's destroyed? I hate him more than you can imagine, Kate. Enough to do anything to see him taken down once and for all. We can help each other, Kate." Her face looked truly earnest. "We can do this. I know we can."

Kate was quiet, looking around as she slowly tried to take in the bold offer being made to her.

The Carnival was quiet at night, the evening's performance done and Max was unwinding as he usually did. He was seated in his trailer, sipping wine as he went through the proceeds of the day. He would finish the books before moving to the plans for the gang's next robbery. He was about to pour another glass when a pounding sounded from the door. He frowned as it continued, rising to his feet. "Dammit, this is my private drinking time! This had damn well better be-"

He opened the door to see a group of men in dark uniforms and masks, each carrying the embalm of ARK Security on their shoulders and each holding a gun. Max took them in calmly as he held up his glass. "Gentlemen? Care for a glass?"

Max's other hand reached over out of view to tug on a curtain rod set right below the door. It activated a series of wires running down the trailer to the tunnels lying underneath the Carnival, the true heart of their operations. Rollo and Ruvi had been playing poker when they heard it, their heads both shooting up. With the air of experience, they began moving to gain info on what the latest threat to the carnival was.

"You're stealing people's credit cards to pay for this." Kate had been trying to come up with reasons why working with Orwell was a bad idea.

"Only from criminals or those who can afford it," Orwell fired back as she'd done to every argument Kate had.

Kate frowned. "If you know Fleming is Chess, why haven't you told anyone?"

"He's too good covering his tracks," Orwell sighed, sitting back in her chair. "Every time I think I'm close, he hides the evidence, kills or pays people off, has an airtight alibi. He's too careful. That's why we need to rattle him up, get him to make a mistake."

Kate was about to reply when a beeping rang out from her tunic. She reached in, fumbling for the small cell phone inside and opening it. "Not a good time, Max."

"Kate? It's Rollo," came the excited voice on the other end of the line. "Some ARK guys just came and grabbed Max!"

"Do you know where they took him?" Kate blurted. Orwell was turning to the screen, tapping on the keys.

"No but we got a glimpse of the car."

"Hold on." Kate held up the phone. "Okay, give me the license number."

Rollo rattled it off and Orwell typed it into the computer, a dozen databases whirling away at once. With a practiced ease, Orwell brought up a satellite view of New York that zoomed down at a specific location. "The GPS is at the docks, the ARK warehouse branch."

"You get that?" Kate said into the phone.

"Yep," Rollo said. "We'll be right there."

Kate hung up and looked to Orwell. "Okay, you want to help? Get me some layouts of that place."

"Here," Orwell handed her a small earpiece. "That will keep us in contact." Kate slid it into her ear as she lifted her mask and fixed it up. She took a deep breath before moving to the elevator exit, prepared for her latest mission. She felt the same tension and worry about going out there in her costume. But the fact she wasn't going in alone this time somehow made her feel much better as she took to the streets.