Chapter 6
The Break-Through
"Josh, what are you doing here? I thought you were working."
"I've been here since 7:30 and it's now," he looked slowly at his wrist watch, "9:30...you haven't been answering your phone." His tone was curt.
"Yikes, it's in my purse, the ringer must be off."
"So, back to my question, Kate! Where have you been?" Anger seeping into his voice.
"Last Saturday I helped Alexis Castle pick a dress for her first formal dance. The dance was tonight, so I went to see how she looked before she and her date left."
"Your telling me you were at the bookkeeper's, Castle?"
"Yes."
"Let me just...just get something straight." He stood up and was walking in circle, his hands fisted at his sides.
"So you go to another man's house, to see his daughter off to a dance, but you get home at...what...a 9:30?" He stopped pacing.
Kate said nothing in response, Josh huffed.
"What time did his daughter leave Kate?" Now his tone was weary.
"A couple of hours ago." She said flatly.
Kate looked at the floor and then out the window. Maybe he was forcing her to see something she didn't want to look at, something she'd been ignoring.
In a calm, analytic voice, like a diagnosis, "I guess I asked the wrong question."
"What does that mean Josh?"
The question should have been, "Where is your heart Kate?"
"It's right here, that's were it is." Now sounding defensive and angry.
Josh shook his head, "You need to be honest with yourself. We've had two conversations in the last 12 hours, and both were about this Richard Castle guy."
"Once is fine, you're working with him, but twice is just a little too strange. The probabilities don't work out."
"Think about it, I get a called into work, and where do you go? Home? No!"
"Kate, where did you go? Sounding incredulous.
"You go straight to his place and spend two or three hours...with him Kate! Do you get it? With him!" He glared at her with angry eyes.
She said nothing, because she knew Josh well enough to anticipate what was coming. He'd pick up his keys and be out the door, but first, a brief lecture.
"You, need to figure out what you want Kate!" He paced some more.
"You need to figure out what your heart wants."
She remained silent. There was nothing to say. She knew something was shifting in her. She wasn't sure what is was, or even what she wanted. She studied her hands and felt the sagging of her heart. It was happening again, she was pushing another man away.
She jumped when she heard the front door slam, he was gone.
XX
She knocked lightly on the front door, it was 10:45. She knew he was awake.
The door swung open and there he stood, a surprised look spreading across his face.
"You told me not to make myself scarce." She said and smiled weakly.
They retreated to the sofa. He provided the second glass of wine he had offered earlier. She didn't refuse it this time.
He watched her. There was a sadness that hadn't been there when she left, but he didn't think he had any right to ask why, so he made small talk.
She was soon smiling and even laughing again. He'd told her his favorite Alexis growing up stories. She repeatedly accused him of embellishment. He steadfastly denied her charges. They laughed some more.
At 11:45 the front door burst open, Alexis was still beaming, "Dad, Detective Beckett! Oh! What a night." She bubbled with excitement.
Beckett jumped up and hugged Alexis. "Tell us all about it."
Castle sat on the sofa with a giant grin on his face. He was elated when Beckett had returned, and now they were about to receive the post-dance blow-by-blow story. He watched these two women, laugh and talk over one another, it had been a wonderful day. Life was good.
XX
It took Ryan a few days to do the digging on the computer classes. The time spent was not wasted.
"So! Ryan, what did you find out?" Beckett drilled her partner before he even got to sit.
"Some interesting stuff. The bank offered its employees classes to upgrade their skills. Some can be done on-line, during business hours.
"Really Kevin, that's interesting?" Esposito growled.
He glared, " You wanna talk or learn something?"
"Espo, zip it!" Beckett shot him a look. But he decided to have some fun.
"So Beckett, haven't seen doctor-boy lately, how is he?" Beckett frowned.
"Oh, no! Tell me it ain't so?" Espo taunted.
"What? Tell you what?" she asked with another stabbing glare.
"That you traded doctor boy in for...the nerd?" Esposito laughed.
Beckett said nothing for a second, Ryan looked at Esposito and shrugged.
"Focus gentlemen!"
"So what's interesting Ryan?" Her tone was flat, like she'd been deflated.
But Esposito interrupted sounding apologetic, "Yo Beckett, I'm just pulling your chain."
She just looked at Ryan who continued, "If the employees take a certified course, and pass it, the bank will pay for the class, and our girl Lilly did just that."
Both Beckett and Esposito, continued to wait, both looking impatient.
"Fine, she and a few others took a class from a guy named Mark Wade."
"OK, Bro! If we're at the interesting part, you need to wave a hand or something, because I might take a desk nap if things don't pick-up soon." Esposito folded his arms on his desk and laid his head on them.
"Just shut-up and listen." Ryan was also growing impatient.
"I figured we could question this Wade guy about Lilly, so I ran a search and..."
"You're killing me Ryan, and what?"
"He's dead!" He just sat back and folded his arms across his chest, and waited.
"Wait!, what do mean dead", Beckett yelped.
"You know, like assumed room temperature."
"Yeah, I get dead, but when and how?" Now Beckett and Esposito were both interested.
"He died one week after Lilly. But his end came in, get this, Delaware."
"Why would a guy from Delaware be teaching classes in New York?"
"Actually, he's lived in the Bronx until his untimely death at 31."
Beckett was at the board, adding a name. "So, Lilly takes a class from Mark Wade and they both end up dead?"
"Yeah, it gets worse. They died five days apart from each other." Ryan's face had the told-you-it-was-good-look on it.
"There's no way that's a coincidence. Good work bro," Esposito chimed in.
"Actually, it's good work Castle, he's the one that got us here." Beckett offered up, as the three looked at each other, knowing that if it was a collar, this one would likely go to Castle.
"OK, genius nerd." Espo responded.
XX
The nurses were huddled, "oohing and aahing "over something. Dr. David Parker walked up, in his causal manner and asked, "Somebody have a baby?"
Samantha Enn responded, "No baby...my son Tom went to the Winter Dance at school. It was semi-formal thing and since he's only 15, I was the chauffeur. She spun her iPad towards the Doctor, and flipped through her pictures and a couple Alexis had sent Tom.
"Sam, can you backup to the picture of you and the girls parents?"
"Sure, but that's not her parents, just her Dad and a friend."
The doctor looked at the screen, it was not hard to recognize the woman. Most of the doctors in the hospital would remember the dark-haired beauty that occasionally called on Josh Davidson.
"Hey, can I show this picture to someone?" The crowd had dissipated which left just the doctor and Samantha.
"Sure, I'll be right here, lots of paperwork to do,." Samantha replied handing him her iPad.
"It'll take just a couple of minutes."
Dr. Parker walked down the hallway to the office of Dr. Davidson. The door was open, Josh was sitting behind the desk. Parker knocked on the door frame.
"Hey Dave, what's up?
"Ah, I just wanted to show you something."
"Gee man, you look like you're delivering some bad news."
"Hope not, maybe I 'm wrong. Thought you should see a picture." He passed Davidson the iPad.
Josh Davidson, looked down at the screen, it was in crystal clear Apple quality. The lighting was perfect. Starring back was Beckett and the jerk, Castle.
He was silent as he looked at the photo, it gave him pause and made his stomach sour, instantly.
Beckett wore a face he'd never seen before. Her eyes were shining, almost dancing. Her smile was dreamy. She clung with both hands to the subway rider he'd made fun of just a few weeks ago. She was leaning into the man suggesting both friendship and closeness. Josh knew Beckett to be somewhat affectionate but this was over the top for her.
Parker, inwardly groaned as he watched his friends face fall. "Sorry Josh, I just didn't want you to get blind-sided." He paused briefly, "Sam had this on her iPad and I thought I recognized her."
"Thanks for the heads-up. Do you think Sam would email the picture?"
"I'll sure ask." He turned and headed back down the hall.
Josh stood up and flicked off the lights in his office. He closed the door and returned to his desk. He slumped slightly in his chair, put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. "Kate, Kate...why Kate?"
The pictures confirmed what he already knew. He had hoped against hope that he could capture her heart. But he knew, early on, that door was never opening to him. She was like dating a beautiful actress, the expression always perfect, the smile pleasant and convincing, but the eyes. The eyes couldn't contain the secret, for her it was just all make-believe.
One time, months ago, he'd stopped by her office, she was working at something and without knowing he was there, looked up and met his eyes. He knew then that there was nothing between them. She hadn't had the time to prepare for the scene, the welcoming of him to her world. Instead it was just flat recognition. It killed him. He wanted her to be his, he wanted her to love him, but it just wasn't in her.
When saw the photographs he knew the stranger had captured what he had never been able to do. He'd won her heart.
After explaining what happened to Sam, she said she didn't feel right about emailing the picture, but she'd print a copy. "You know, I thought I recognized her, but she and Alexis' Dad seemed so close I thought I was wrong. "
"I even asked Alexis if she was her Dad's girlfriend. She said no, but the vibe between them was...well anyway...a picture is worth a thousand words."
XX
At 4:55 on Thursday Castle arrived at the precinct, ready to dive into the banks records again.
As he approached Beckett's desk, she saw him and jumped up. She rushed toward him, he reacted and turned sides ways just as she smacked him with an open hand on the upper arm.
"Beckett! What's that for?" Wincing slightly.
"Castle!", she turned her head to look around the office, which was thinning out at the end of the day, "I could kiss you."
"Beckett are you losing it?" Castle wondered what had gotten into her.
"Your idea, it paid off." She told him of Ryan's report and that now it was looking like there may have been a second murder.
"Lilly took an advanced class, and passed it. The bank reimbursed her the cost."
"So she did get better?" He smiled, pleased his hunch had been right.
"Yeah you hit that right on the head."
"But this is the interesting part. The instructor, his name was Mark Wade..."
Castle interrupted, "Was?"
"Yeah, was. He was found in northern Delaware in campground, dead."
"Obviously not natural causes?" Castle sat back on the edge of the desk.
"No, a gut-shot is not a natural way to go."
Castle asked, "So why do both the student and teacher end-up dead? Can you explain that to me?"
"As you know the probability of two unrelated people being murdered at or near the same time, is not that big of a deal. But, when you add in that they were in the same classroom and it was taught by Wade, the statistics probabilities run off the chart."
"These two have got to be connected and, your finding in the records, along with the change in Lilly's notes, proves, or suggests it came from her computer class...we might have blown this case open." Castle liked the way Beckett was beaming over this turn of events.
"So what's next?" Castle asked.
"If you stay on the records paper trail, we'll focus on the connection between the parties. This is a great break Castle, thank you."
He began to work again on the records of Lilly, she was highlighting some small changes in the accounts and then noted the refunding. What was not clear was how the charges got into the system and why some were later taken out, but others were left charged against the customer. Still the changes involved were mere pennies.
At 6;00 pm he heard footsteps approaching, without looking up he said, "Hey I think I found another blip."
When no answer came he looked up from Beckett's screen. Standing at the desk was the Beckett's boyfriend, Josh.
"Where's Beckett? And what are you doing at her desk?" His tone had an accusatory ring to it.
"She's in the restroom, I think." Castle's answer was matter-of-fact. He thought to himself, she's a big girl, I don't need to keep tabs on her.
Just then Beckett walked around the corner, "Josh what are you doing here?"
Castle continued to work, but sensed the edge in Beckett's tone.
"I need to talk to you! Now, and away from him," pointing at Castle.
Castle looked from the screen to Beckett, "Do you need your desk? I can..."
"No Castle! You're fine."
She pointed to the break-room and Josh followed.
XX
As he entered she spun and glared, "So Josh, why are you barging in here like you're on some sort of mission?"Beckett stood with her hands on her hips, shoulders back. He didn't respond immediately.
"What's he doing here?" As he turned and pointed to Castle.
"He's working, but what's that got to do with you?"
Josh tossed a folder on the table, "Look at that, and tell me if that was work."
Beckett leaned over and picked up the folder. She flipped it open and she saw herself and Castle. She was holding onto his arm, it was the one Alexis text-ed to them about, Mom & Dad. She tried to suppress a smile, forgetting she was being interrogated by her, her whatever.
She looked up into his reddening face, "You're upset about this?"
She waited but he said nothing, "It was his daughters high school dance!"
"We were all laughing and excited about the big night for her."
"Was I suppose to have my gun drawn Josh?"
He still said nothing. Just stared angrily at her.
She continued, "Either Alexis, Castle daughter, or the young man's Mother took this picture. But what does it matter? It was simply a send-off for the kids to have a great night." She sounded exasperated and a little weary.
"You just smiled, almost laughed when you looked at that picture. We're having...a disagreement, and you're smiling at a photograph of you and another man."
"Do you get that Beckett?" He now seemed weary and suddenly spent, like he'd come to the end.
"Get what Josh?" Now she was the one confused.
He closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair, his voice came out low, defeated, "Kate...I've never seen you that happy. I've never seen your eyes dance like that for me...the person in the picture is someone... I don't even know."
Beckett stood there, nearly in shock. She didn't know what to say, because he was right. She'd never had as much fun, never felt so light of heart as she had around Alexis and Castle. She liked him coming in to work with her, she liked his humility, his kindness and his unabashed love for his daughter.
Beckett heard the sound of metal, a light clink, it brought her back. Josh had tossed the key to her apartment on to the table beside the picture.
"We're done Kate!" He shook his head, again appearing spent.
"I can't compete with that!" Pointing at the picture.
"You won't open up to me! You've never opened to me."
"Josh..."
"Wait!" His anger returning, "Do you realize that in two years... I've never seen that side of you."
"Think about that!" He paused looking for words.
"Yet, that stranger out there," again pointing at Castle, "Gets a side of you...full and happy...a bubbling Kate...in just two weeks." She looked at the sorrow and hurt in his eyes, "So, there's no point in us going on."
"Josh, I'm sorry...it's not you, it's me." She didn't feel like inflicting pain, it was never her goal. But she could not explain, she could not discount the connection with Castle. They just clicked, at least for her.
The doctor did not say another word, just turned and walked out. She didn't try stop him. Instead, she stood looking at the picture and the key. She'd done it again.
She returned to her desk, Castle appeared absorbed in the screen, Esposito was on the phone.
"Castle, how about we knock off early tonight?" He looked up into her sad face. He'd never seen her look this before.
"Esposito is still at it, if it's OK, I'll stay and work until he leaves? I can't come in tomorrow, or at the beginning of the week. I'd like to get through as many of these as possible."
"Sure, that's fine." She answered but clearly distracted, "I just need to go."
"You OK?" Finally giving her his full attention.
"Yeah, I...I just need to take care of somethings."
"I'll see you next week, Beckett."
"Thanks, Castle. For all your help." She grabbed her coat and headed to the elevator.
XX
She walked to the subway in a daze. She was upset about the confrontation but also about what Josh had said. She didn't have a good defense to having fun and enjoying herself. She wasn't trying, it just happened. She stared at the tracks as she waited for her train.
The doors opened and she glanced left and right, there were several seats at the front of the car. She sat down but did not look up again. The train should have been filled, but it wasn't. She let the rocking of the car, lull her away.
Beckett was startled when someone touched her shoulder but before she could look up, a weathered dark hand landed softly on her knee.
"Katie, dear." A tear slipped when she heard her name. She felt herself let go, knowing she couldn't fool Orletha, nor would she try.
"Hi Orletha," the voice was small, battered.
"Oh sweetie what's troubling that heart of yours." Orletha's soothing voice brought more tears.
She didn't speak immediately. She wasn't sure why she was so sad. "My boyfriend just broke up with me."
"The Doctor? Well then he's a fool!" Orletha snapped.
Beckett let out a small laugh. "Orletha you don't hunt for words do you?"
"Katie," now with a softer tone, "I never really saw you and the doctor as...you know, as a couple."
"There was just something off for me...at least when it came to you two."
"Why did he break-up with you dear?"
Beckett pulled her purse onto her lap, "Over a picture, sorta."
"And who or what was in the picture."
"Me and..." She stopped.
"You and who else, Katie?"
"Castle."
"What were you doing? Something you shouldn't have been?"
"Yes, and no." Beckett stopped again, trying to make it, she didn't know what.
"No we're not doing anything we shouldn't have been doing."
"So. what was the yes part of your answer?"
"It was me! I was happy,very happy and Josh said my eyes were dancing and that I'd never looked at him like that and that Castle got a part of me, he'd never gotten in two years." She took a breath realizing she'd answered Orletha in one long sentence.
She handed Orletha the photograph.
Orletha smiled at it, "O my, you do look happy."
Due to Beckett's mood, she restrained herself and put on her best sad face. In truth, she wanted to jump up and dance. She was so happy. She knew there was something for Beckett and Castle. She'd never felt that way about her and the Doctor.
"Katie, I can't tell you he's wrong." She waited, let that sink in.
"Were you as happy as looks? Does this photograph lie?" Beckett shook her head.
"Orletha, it's so strange. I didn't think of myself as being unhappy at all. Every things been good. Then Castle came along and started helping me on the bank case. I was thankful for his help...when I volunteered to help pick out a dress for his daughter Alexis, I thought nothing of it."
"That was two Saturdays ago that we found the dress. I spent the day with them. Then last Saturday was the dance and I was over there again, to she her off. I was there when she got back. It had been great night for her. Castle was so happy or proud." Beckett decided to skip the part about the fight with Josh.
"I won't lie, I had the best two days...in just ages. It was so much fun. It was like...like I was the one going to the dance. I felt like I was 15 again Orletha. Castle and I laughed like kids and we just had a great time together."
"He told me all about his painting, showed me a piece he's working on...I could hardly believe his ideas, his work. I wondered, where did this guy come from?...it was...it was wonderful."
"Katie, I hate to say this..." She paused for a few seconds, "But it sounds like your old boyfriend was right. How could he ever compete with that?"
"Orletha, I don't know what to do."
She took Beckett's hand, "You'll figure it out dear...you'll figure it out."