Thursday 10:43 am

3rd Precinct Conference Room

Beckett took a tiny sip of water before continuing in her monotone. "With the last remaining suspect captured and restrained, and Detective Esposito stabilized, I proceeded to check the scene of the explosion. It was … chaotic."

Between the smoke, the internal rain from the sprinkler system, and the dust, it was hard to see anything distinctly. There were small fires still burning, broken and upended boxes, bits of smoldering tarp and cardboard floating in the air, unexploded ordinance, scorched concrete and metal, and the acrid stench of chemical explosives and burning rubber. It reminded her of a Hieronymous Bosch painting of Hell.

"The tarp had either been blown or burnt off the armored car, and I could see two corpses in the cab. It has since been determined those bodies belonged to the Gotham Security personnel Ennis and King, who had been killed in the initial robbery by the pressure wave of the anti-tank round."

She felt a hand cover hers, and looked down. The attorney, Miller, was showing her his cell phone screen. She had to focus on it to make out the words. It read:

Fingerprints a match. Be there in 10.

V. Gates

Beckett nodded. She returned to staring at her microphone, content to sit in silence until Gates showed up.

After half a minute, Lieutenant Robinson broke the silence. "Something interesting on your phone, Counselor?"

Miller leaned forward, calmly stated "Yes" and leaned back in his chair again. This prompted Assistant Commissioner Hayes, Chief of Detectives Cavillo, Captain Melrose, and Captain Basso to check their phones. Seeing the activity of his superiors, Robinson asked, "Anything you'd care to share with the class, Mr. Miller?"

Miller repeated his forward lean, and replied "No".

The big Lieutenant's red face got redder. "Fine. Although Detective Beckett's report is not yet complete, I have several questions I'd like to put to her. Detective Beckett. You have reported that you left a trained member of the NYPD, Officer Hernandez, outside the building HOLDING A STICK while you took an untrained and unarmed civilian with you on a dangerous raid. Do you think that was smart?"

Beckett replied, "No sir."

Robinson waited for her to elaborate. When she didn't, he asked, "What would you call it then?"

"Selfish." She added, her voice bitter, "The manual requires, when attempting to apprehend dangerous felons that are considered a danger to the community, that NYPD personnel are to use any and all resources at their disposal." For the first time since her testimony began, Beckett showed a little emotion. It was self-contempt. "What resource could be better than a man who loves you, and has proven he'd give his life for you? Sir."

Robinson renewed his attack. "You know, Detective, that we only have your word for these events. By your own admission a civilian, Richard Castle, your boyfriend, shot and killed Detective Andy Kauthman, a decorated NYPD veteran and a personal friend of mine. How do we know it was to prevent him from shooting you? It could be…"

Miller put a restraining hand on Beckett's wrist, leaned forward, and snapped, "Robinson. You are crossing a line you're going to regret. If you were a halfway competent investigator, you would have already viewed the video, and wouldn't be wasting everybody's time."

Robinson sneered, "Like I need some defense shyster to teach me how to do my job."

Miller's smile had no humor in it. "Lieutenant Robinson. Allow me to fully introduce myself. My name is Gary Miller, and I am the lead investigator for the Department of Justice here in New York. I am going to make certain that you remember it. It's too bad stupidity isn't a federal crime, because you'd get life without parole."

The Assistant Commissioner, Allison Hayes, spoke up for the first time. "Shut-up, Robinson. I don't care who you're related to, you're an embarrassment to this department." She looked at Miller, worry creasing her face. "Counselor, you mentioned a video. What video?"

Miller explained, "As Detective Beckett testified, Officer Hernandez was using a camera that was streamed to an internet site. Hernandez continued to film as he was calling in back-up once the fireworks started. It was the only way he could see what was happening inside."

"So where is this video now?" the Assistant Commissioner asked.

"The video from the raid is still on the 'Nikki Heat' website."

"What! Why? Can we take it down?"

Miller shook his head. "Richard Castle was the only one we are aware of that had the administration rights. He's also the owner and host. We would need a Federal Court order, which we probably couldn't get, and anyway we've had higher priorities today. So, in a word, no." Miller added maliciously, "On the brighter side, it only has 30,000 hits since yesterday."

The Assistant Commissioner put her head in her hands. "Oh, my dear God in Heaven."

The double doors opened behind Beckett and Miller, admitting Captain Gates, a very haggard looking Tom Demming, and several other plain-clothed and uniformed cops. Gates stopped next to Beckett and rested her hand briefly on her shoulder.

Robinson, after risking a peek at Hayes, said, "Excuse me Captain, but we're still in a meeting here."

"No you're not." She turned and greeted her friends and superiors. "Good morning, Commissioner Hayes. Ted. Mike. Chris." She then stepped around the big table and stood behind Cavillo. "Detective Demming. Would you care to do the honors?"

Demming stared at the man at the end of the table. "Andrew Boling, you are under arrest for conspiracy, armed robbery, assault, and six counts of murder in the first degree. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you."

Boling had stood up. "What is this, Tom?"

"Do you understand these rights?"

"Come on, are you …"

"DO YOU?"

"Yes, I understand my rights. Why are you doing this?"

Demming shook his head. "Boling, we found your prints."

Boling said hotly, "Where? At the armored car raid site? We were ALL there until midnight last night, processing the scene. I may have taken my gloves off on occasion, but it was hot in there."

Deming shook his head, his voice cold. "No, Boling. On the forklift at the Red Hook warehouse. On my badge in my desk drawer. And on two shotgun shells INSIDE the drum magazine."

"That's nothing. Those can all be explained. You're crazy if …." Boling suddenly went quiet, a look of terror on his face.

Demming wheeled around. Beckett had stood and was staring at Boling, her face contorted with rage. Her right hand was moving slowly and inexorably towards her holster in the small of her back. As she grabbed her Glock, Demming on one side and the attorney Miller on the other side grabbed her wrist, keeping down pressure on her arm as she tried to draw her weapon. She didn't say anything, didn't struggle, just continued to try to pull her weapon. Demming started to whisper to her, "Not now, Kate. Not like this. He wouldn't want this, Kate."

The only thing that could be heard in the room was Beckett's labored breathing, and Demming's murmuring voice. After a full minute of futilely trying to draw her weapon, Beckett finally let go. She sat down and buried her face in her trembling hands.

The COD, Cavillo, asked, "Detective Demming, are you still on assignment with Homicide Team Alpha?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Mr Boling. These officers are going to take you to an interrogation room here in your own precinct. However, if there isn't a complete confession written out in your own hand and signed within one hour, I'm asking Detective Demming to transfer you to the 12th precinct. I'm sure they'll be able to entertain you better."

As Boling was being cuffed, he was still staring at Beckett, and still looked scared. "You can't do that!"

"I just did."

Boling was led away by a couple of the uniforms. After several minutes Beckett finally looked up, and saw Gates had Robinson in the corner of the room. She must have been reading him the riot act, because the big Lieutenant's head was bobbing like a schoolboy's. The energy was practically crackling off of the Captain, and Beckett wished she could just tap a small portion of that electricity. She felt so tired, so listless. In another minute, Gates broke away from the IAD man and walked over to Beckett. Her eyes were kind.

"Detective Beckett. Kate. Lieutenant Robinson has graciously volunteered to complete any and all paperwork for your entire team. He's insisting on staying until it's all done perfectly, no matter how long it takes. Why don't you go take care of yourself for a change?" She motioned over Detective Hastings, now posted here at the 3rd. "You are officially off the job for as long as you need. Detective Hastings will take you wherever you want to go."

"Thank you, Sir." Beckett stood and escaped the room.