Chapter 11
Home Alone
The return to work on Friday was not pleasant for Beckett. She'd enjoyed the time off, the hours alone with him. She didn't want that to stop. Didn't want them to be interrupted. She knew that was foolish, no relationship can be 24 hours a day, but she wanted as much of it as she could have, at least for a awhile.
She wanted to bask in the glow of the new friendship. She smiled to herself, that was a lie. It had gone past the friendship stage by the second week. She thought she was slipping down a slope, one with no return. She laughed at herself and her hedging, again, she was in love, for the first time in her life. Before it had been words and ideas of what love should be. This time her heart was finding its home. It scared her. With love comes desires, and needs, and she was being hammered by both.
As she walks in the precinct the boys were glad to see her. She was anticipating the jive they'd lay on her.
"Hey boss."Ryan said smiling.
"Hey Beckett, back from your duties as head-nurse?"
"Did the patient die? Or did you shoot him?" Esposito added laughing at her frown.
"I can't believe you took time-off for a black-eye Beckett, you're losing your edge." He couldn't stop, he was on a roll.
"You look almost normal, but your eyes are still a little dark." Ryan interjected.
"Ryan thank you for your concern, unlike Mr. Wise guy there!"
"So Beckett," Esposito choosing to ignore her comment, "How 's the other patient?"
"What patient?" Giving him the best deadpan stare she could muster.
"Beckett how long are you gonna play that card?"
"What card?" She tried sounding innocent.
Esposito turned to his partner, "Ryan, ask her how the bookkeeper's doing, maybe you can pierce this wall of BS."
She didn't wait, there was work to be done, "He's doing better, and...and he has an idea."
"So what is it?" Esposito shot back, thinking she was just sparing with him.
"Castle thinks there has to be an intermediary step in the stealing process."
"Like what?" From Ryan.
"Like setting up accounts within the bank, to hold the funds temporarily. Once done then a wire request would be made to pull the funds from the account."
Neither Ryan or Esposito said anything, just looked at her.
She continued, "In fact he thinks it may be a number of accounts. Since the smaller the transfers the less likely they'd raise any flags."
"So how do we find the accounts? Isn't that like finding a needle in a hay stack?" Esposito asked.
"That's what makes his idea so good." She smiled, proud of his idea, and anxious to share.
"We use the NYSIF, they may be our best source."
Both men stared at her like she's speaking in a foreign language.
"The New York State Insurance Fund? Come on." Ryan asked.
Esposito stood up and walked to the board and waived his hand like Tom Cruise in Minority Report, moving information, "What's disability insurance got to do with this?" And then pointed at the murder board.
Beckett smiled, "What do you need to apply for disability?"
Ryan stood and paced towards the board. He stopped and with a confused look, "A social security number?"
"Exactly, but it's suppose to be a valid number. Castle says there are some numbers that pop-up over and over, and NYSIF knows they're bogus."
"Beckett where are going with this?" Ryan asked, still looking confused.
"I'm lost too! So whats this got to do with our case?" Esposito plopped back down in his chair.
"To open a bank account you need a social security number. The thief's would not use their own. They have to come up with a SSA number that lead to, nowhere."
"I got it!", Ryan now starts pacing, " They find a few of these bogus dead-end SSA numbers and use them on the accounts. The bank would never know they were bad numbers."
"That's it! But in order to find them, we'll need someone who knows what the most likely numbers are, we'll need a list from the NYSIF."
"You think we'll need a subpoena?"
"No, this is probably general knowledge within the NYSIF."
"Either of you know someone over there?" They both shook their heads.
"If you can find a supervisor, they'll probably have them written down."
"Remember these are phony or sold numbers, they don't belong to anyone so there's really nothing to subpoena."
"And when we get the numbers, we'll compare them with the bank's data base on their account information." Esposito smiled.
"I'm going to go see a judge for yet another subpoena for SSA information on all accounts."
"You two should go to the main office of the NYSIF, I think if it's done in person you'll get more information, and faster."
"Will do", and they headed out.
Beckett returned to the her desk and picked up the phone. She dialed her friend.
"Hey Lanie, how are you today?"
"Well girlfriend I see you're back at your desk, your number just popped up on my screen. I thought Espo was using your desk at first."
Beckett laughed, "I'll make him read financials for a week if he does."
"I thought your accountant buddy does that for you." There was silence on the other end.
"Kate are you there?" her voice now concerned.
"Yeah, I'm here?"
"Is everything OK girl?"
"If I told you, you'd just laugh."
"Well, try me."
"Lanie, I'm..." She stopped, the words were stuck.
"You're what, Beckett?' Whining a bit.
"Come on, stop this...what are you?"
"I think I'm in love...no that's wrong,." With only a momentary delay, "I know I'm in love."
"Are you having a hot-flash or something? You better start talking to me Detective."
"And Beckett, I'm not trying to be the voice of caution here, but you are the... love'm and leave girl, so what's different with this single dad?"
Beckett was surprised at Lanie's question, normally she was pushing the opposite direction.
Now in a serious tone, "There are things about him, about me that I'd never even given thought to in the past."
"Such as?" Lanie, growing impatient.
"This will sound, I don't know, so...everyday, logical..." She paused again.
"What struck me was his blindness to how he respected women. First his daughter. What man carries Macy's ad's to hunt for a dress, and reads it on the subway?
Lanie laughed out loud, "None I've ever met!"
"And then Orletha, my friend on the train, that both of us know."
She was quiet for a moment, "You should see the way he looks at her, like they're the only two people on the subway...she probably works for someone his age, he's white, she's African-American...but those things mean nothing. He respects... no more than that, he honors her for her life and what she's seen...he listens to her."
Beckett went quiet again. She was lost in re-runs of the times she'd watched him with Orletha. She felt guilty over her own blindness. The fact that love was only twenty feet away, and she almost missed him.
"Hey, girl you there?" Lanie's voice interrupted her drifting mind.
"Yeah, sorry. Lanie, he's just swamped my heart. He treats me like a...the most special person in the world..."
"So where is this love-thing going Detective?"
"Well, I kinda told him I..."
"What? You've already told him you loved him?" Lanie added, sounding shocked.
"No, not that...I told him...I was going to marry him."
"You told him, what?"
"Marry him...did you say marry Beckett?" The ME's voice was sliding up in volume.
"Yeah!" Both women were now silent.
Beckett started tentatively, "Also...I've spent most of the last week at his apartment, with he and his daughter."
"I've tried to sleep on the sofa..."
"You've tried? Whoa girl."
"How do you try that? Sounds like, you're not on the sofa? "
She pressed her friend for more, "Don't tell me you're in his bed?"
"He doesn't like it when I'm not with him." Kate moved the phone away from her ear as Lanie squealed on the other end.
"Girl what planet do you think I'm from? You're telling me you've proposed and you've taken the week off to sleep with..." Beckett cut her off.
"I didn't propose and I didn't take the week off to sleep with him. I took it off to help him."
"Lanie, he really took a beating for me...he didn't have to do that."
"OK, OK, so you're taking care of him..but...that includes sharing a bed with him?"
"You make it sound bad, it's not like that. We're in the same bed, we're not sleeping, sleeping together."
"Now that does sound bad Beckett. Like Bill Clinton not inhaling, like why the hell not?"
Beckett just laughed, "First he's broken, it hurts for him to even move, so he's in no shape for...you know rigorous activity."
"Beckett, you're blowing me away, I cannot believe what I'm hearing."
"What has happened to the Kate Beckett I know, has she been kidnapped?
"And explain how you tell someone you're going to marry them, but not propose? And he doesn't even know you're in love with him...I am so confused...you need to help me here."
So she tried, although she was not certain she understood it all herself.
XX
"Beckett, how are you?"
"I'm fine Castle, did you take a snooze?"
"No, my nurse abandoned me!" Sounding like a pouting child.
"Shut up, you know I have work." Clearly teasing him.
"What about me, I need to work, I've got a child to support."
"You're in much worse shape than me."
"What you need is rest, Castle."
"I don't want to rest, I want to..."
"Maybe you can get back to work next week."
"I can't sleep without you here." He sounded a bit glum.
"What am I your blankie?" She laughed at him, and this lame conversation they were having, she loved it.
"Oh Detective, I've had a ton of blankets, none hold a candle to you."
"So I'm really just a heater blanket to you?
"No, not by a long shot. You're much more than that."
"Pray tell?"
"I can't encourage you! Your declarations of intent have already taken my breath away." She laughed knowing exactly what he was talking about.
"Hey, how about I pick-up Chinese food for dinner?
"That would be great, you know I love Chinese."
"It's just you and me, Alexis is with a girlfriend tonight."
"OK, I'll see you by 6;30"
"Thank you Detective!"
"Mr. Castle, New Yorks finest are here to serve."
"Great, can I have you for dessert?" Humor tinting his voice.
"Oh oh! Now you've crossed the line!"
"I'll see you soon." She smiled at his comment. If only he knew.
XX
Esposito and Ryan returned with a twenty-five or so, commonly used and traded SSA numbers. The NYSIF had been very cooperative. They have seen a list, what they called the "dirty two-dozen." These were numbers that were sold, traded or passed around by illegals. Ironically, the money placed in these Social Security accounts could never be claimed, but since social security benefits were not what the users had in mind, no one cared.
After her call to Lanie and Castle she'd worked on the request for a subpoena of the banks' accounts based on SSA number tracking. She had to make it clear to the Judge that she did not want to access private information of depositors. The search was purely for a broad net to snag any bogus SSA numbers used to open accounts. It seemed simple to her, but she knew Judges breathed a different air than the masses, you could never tell how they'd decide on an issue.
The day was pretty well spent. They were still waiting on the record they'd subpoenaed early in the week. She was certain the bank was becoming weary of this but reasoned, aside from privacy issues, they wanted answers just like the police. At this point no one suspected an inside job had led to the killing of the employee, but Beckett was confident at least one person in the organization was feeling the noose tightening. It could be getting dangerous.
"Hey guys, I'm heading out. I think we've done as much as we can today. I'll meet with Judge Mavins on Monday and see if we can get this new subpoena signed."
"Beckett, you wanta have a drink on the way home? Lanie, Ryan and I are going to stop for a quick one."
"No I told...I mean I need to get home. This first day back has rung me out."
They both laughed at her fax-paux, Ryan said, "Yeah you go get some rest."
"Oh Beckett!" she turned back to Esposito, "Kiss the bookkeeper for me," He smirked at her scowl.
XX
She was anxious to get to his place. She'd picked up the food and now just wanted to kick off her shoes, have some dinner and sit nearer to him than she should.
She knocked and walked in, her purse in one hand, the bag of food in the other. Castle came walking out of the bedroom. She sat down the things and made her way to him. He extended his arms, she stepped into an embrace.
"Castle, I'm still mad at you about the, "not-my-league" crap." But held tightly to him.
"So, please don't ever say that again. It makes me want to smack you." He remained silent.
"You have a lot of angry issues Detective." But held her tightly.
She didn't know how long they stood there. It was quiet and lovely. Just to be enveloped. When he spoke he changed subjects.
"So Detective, I take it you missed me today?"
She rocked her shoulders gently back and forth, being careful not to put pressure on his right side. "A little."
"Really, a little is how you'd describe it?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Well, more than a little." Silence and contentment ruled for the next minute or so.
"We need to eat before the food gets cold." She said into his neck.
As they ate Beckett told him about the case and the work on his idea to trace SSA numbers to identify phony accounts. He was pleased to hear about the results from the NYSIF and her work on the new subpoena.
He mused, "I don't have it all figured out yet, but since the bank is one of the top 15 banks in New York, if they did what we suspect, it could account for a lot of money. "
"Yeah enough to murder for, thats for sure."
They talked some more and Beckett started telling a story of a couple on the subway whose discussion escalated into a shouting match. She made it clear, she never even looked in their direction, she'd learned her lesson. By the end of the story and the wine she'd drank she had slipped into the giggles. Which was unlike her. Castle did not want to laugh, but everything he said only tickled her more. During yet another round of laughter there was a knock at the front door. Beckett laughed her way to the door and opened it and immediately stopped laughing.
"Hi, is Rick in?" The tall blond purred.
"Ah...can I help you? Beckett said coolly.
"I'm Linda Gallo, I work with Rick and wanted to see how he's doing."
"Come in." Beckett stepped back and made room.
"Hey Linda what brings you out to the Bronx?" He stood carefully and walked toward her. She closed the gap between them and gave him a hug.
He looked over at Beckett as the other woman embraced him. He'd never seen her hate stare before, it was vicious.
Linda released him and stepped back, "Tell me Rick how did you get so banged up? I understand you were with a police woman?"
"Linda this is Detective Beckett, Kate this is Linda Gallo, one of the managing CPA's at my office." The women nodded to acknowledge one another.
"Are you the woman he was with?" But before Kate could speak she added, "or did you two do this to each other?"
"No Linda, we walked into a gang brawl, Detective Beckett tried to break it up and...and it ended with us getting a little banged up."
"Well, there's a lesson in that isn't there? You need to pick your company a little more carefully." She smiled, half teasing, but half serious.
"It's one of the risks of the occupation, it comes with the territory." Beckett remained stone faced.
"He's a bookkeeper, it doesn't come with his territory." Her tone was accusatory.
Castle decided he could either stand there, and end up in the middle of another fight or intervene. " Linda thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful."
"Well I thought with your, artsy side, you'd appreciate some beauty in your current state." Another cold smile.
Beckett thought, "what a bitch, what am I chopped liver?"
"Well they are beautiful." He said pointing to the vase of flowers on the coffee table.
Seething again, but silent, Yeah and they're going in the trash as soon as you leave, you witch.
Linda noticed their dinner on the table, "Oh I see your having dinner, Did you have to order in?"
"Detective Beckett was kind enough to bring me dinner." He smiled at Beckett, who only frowned back.
"Well, if you like a home cooked meal, just let me know, I'm a gourmet cook."
Before either Beckett or Castle could respond, "Well I must be going. Hope you feel better." She stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek.
"Detective Brown, nice to meet you.'
Beckett just nodded her head, "It's Beckett, not Brown."
"Oh, I'm sorry for the mistake Detective." And then she was out the door.
Beckett locked the front door and leaned against it, her eyes closed for what seemed like an hour to Castle.
"Beckett are you OK?" He said tentatively.
Finally she turned to face him and in a whinny voice, "Oh I'm a gourmet cook! Gag me."
Then she glared at him,"Why did you let her hug you for so long?"
"Beckett, what are you talking about?"
"The rule Castle!" Her face still red with anger.
"What rule?" Now looking confused.
"The three-second rule!"
He shook his head, he was not going to talk her down, "Beckett come over here please."
She walked over to him, he pulled her into his arms again. "She's just jealous of you...of us."
"And I think you're much more beautiful than the roses." He kissed the side of her head.
"You know, I could shoot that …."
"I know, I know...I thought you showed great restraint by keeping your weapon holstered."
"I was so proud of you." He smiled broadly at her.
"You have no idea how hard it was for me." Still huffing.
"Thank you for not shooting one of my bosses Beckett."
"Castle, you want to talk about leagues, well you're way out of hers, she's a bottom-dweller."
"Wow, you are feisty tonight Detective."
She leaned against him and gently held on. Then in a soft low vice, "Castle, can I ask you a favor?"
"Anything?" he whispered.
"Those flowers, they bother my nose, can I throw them out?"
He just smiled, "Of course Detective."
XX
The evening was uneventful after the visit by Ms. Gallo. They decided to watch a movie and just relax. Beckett had wine, Castle only water. He was still taking a couple of Norco every four hours.
She sat on his left side and listed slightly into him. She was surprised at how angry she had been with his boss. Every word out of her mouth was a jab at Beckett. The witch was working it hard to demean and discredit her any way she could. What made it worse was her insinuation that she had some right to Castle, which just fried Beckett's circuits.
"Castle you need to get to bed, you so look tired, we can finish the movie later."
He stirred and leaned heavier against her. "I am tired."
"Anyway I need to get home." Which was not the truth, but sounded reasonable after her outbursts.
"Beckett...you don't need to go home and you know it."
"Castle, I've spent most of a week here, day and night. You need some space."
"I don't need space from you." He kissed her forehead.
"I don't know that!" She protested.
"Well, then you do now."
"Tell you what, why don't you put me to bed. Chat with me for awhile. If you still think you need to go, then ..."
"Castle, every time we tried that, I end up with you all night."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"Apparently we're not very good at, separation." She laughed.
"Tell you what, I'm not even sitting on your bed without a shower. Let me clean up after dinner, then I'll take a shower and tuck you in."
"OK, I shower now, it take me awhile, I 'm pretty slow." He winced as he stood again.
She finished the kitchen and picked-up things in the living room. She took the fast food bags and flowers, out to the trash.
As the flowers hit the back of the dumpster she mutter, "Take that you tramp."
She checked on Castle when she returned, he'd situated himself in bed. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
When she returned Castle was dozing again. She dropped the robe and slid into bed beside him. When she wrapped her leg over his, his eyes popped open.
"Beckett!" He spit out in a breathless voice, " You don't have anything on."
"Castle, I'm sorry, I knew I forgot something." Her voice conveyed nothing like sorrow.
"Beckett are you trying kill me?" Still breathless.
"Actually just the opposite." She snugged even closer, ran her hand across his chest and kissed his ear.
"Detective, should I assume you're not leaving, and...and sleeping has just been postponed."
"You are so smart Mr. Castle!"
"Even when you're loaded."