I'm so sorry for the long lull in between updates! I was away fpr a bit. Sadly, school starts soon and I'm going away again for a couple of days. I'll write as much as I can but updates will be slower. I apologise in advance. Thank you for your reviews! I love you all so much. Hope you like this chapter! You all inspired me to write. :)
Reason: Chapter 6
"I don't know, let's find out."
Oo..oO
Colten Albeni lived in a two story walk-up apartment over a convenience store. It was small and chocked full of stuff. I manoeuvred my way through the mess to Beckett. Or I attempted to. I had become stuck between a freezer and couch surrounded by old newspapers.
"Geez, this guy belongs on an episode of hoarders," I said as I turned to go back and knocked over a stack of papers.
"Try not to blaze too large of a trail of destruction, kay Castle?" Beckett said turning to look at me, amused. I was trying to fight my way over to her now and was doing quite the dance.
"Well, I don't possess your ninja skills of manoeuvrability and reflexes so," I paused as I concentrated on jumping over one last pile to her side, "I have to make do."
She put on a face of mock thoughtfulness. "Or maybe you're just clumsy,"
"Me? Clumsy?" I knocked over a pile of books. Beckett smiled in a self-satisfied manner and continued searching the room. I bent down to pick up the books I'd misplaced. Good selection. Carroll, Dickens, Wilde, Verne, Castle... I held up the copy of A Deadly Storm.
"Guy has good taste," I called to Beckett, waving the book in the air. "Looks like it's been read recently too. No dust,"
"You and your ego," Beckett said. I opened the book and a piece of paper fell out of it. Huh. That was interesting.
"Hey Beckett, look what our guy was using as a book mark!"
"Is it a picture of you, Castle?" She said, not turning around.
"No. But it could be important to the case." That got her attention. She scrambled over (Yes, that's the right word) only knocking one stack of papers over. Not to mention she was wearing her heels again. So not fair. But really hot, too. And just like that, mind in the gutter. It took me a couple seconds to realize she was standing over me, quite impatient.
"Castle, did you call me over here to mess with me?"
"Huh?" I said, looking up. "Oh, here." I stood up and extended the paper. She took it and rolled her eyes. I smiled.
"Better start picking out a dress, detective."
"This could be totally irrelevant!"
"Or it couldn't be..." I looked at her, eyes wide and she made her little frustrated dang-it-Castle-may-win face.
"A pirate exhibit opening in the museum the night of our murder, detective? Come on. See the story,"
"I'm fine story-less, thanks,"
"Either way, we should check it out," I smiled slightly at her. She looked at me steadily for a moment.
"Fine!" She burst out. "We'll go look at it." I smiled wider. "But only to see if he was there!"
If possible, my smile widened. The exhibit was in a privately owned museum near central park. Oh yeah, I would be going to dinner with Beckett.
Oo..oO
"Oh, this is so cool!" I muttered studying a cannon from an old pirates vessel.
"Yes, it's authentic, over 150 years old." I turned to look at the woman who had spoken. She was around mid-thirties with shoulder length black hair and pretty facial features. Her name was Debra Sanson. She was not my type. No chestnut locks or vibrant green eyes. No beauty marks or perfect cheekbones. Not Beckett.
Aforementioned Detective stood beside me, looking slightly less than pleased. Sanson, the owner of the museum, had remembered seeing our victim the night of his murder. That was also the night a few tidbits of real pirates treasure had gone missing.
My mind was screaming a victory song. It was a mixture of praise for pirates, thankfulness to Sanson and pure excitement about taking Beckett to dinner. Heck, I was even thanking the victim. I kept looking over at Beckett and smiling widely. She ignored me resolutely. Debra Sanson looked confused and a little amused at our antics.
"Could you tell us what went missing, Ms. Sanson?" Beckett was trying to steer me back into thinking about the case. She also wanted to prove that the museum and missing treasure were a coincidence. Good luck with that, sunshine. Actually, no, no good luck! Bad luck!
Ms. Sanson thought for a moment. "Three gold bracelets, two broaches, 5 diamonds of varying sizes and cuts and well as a decorative dagger and some gold coins." Beckett handed Ms. Sanson a picture on Colten's diamond.
"Is this one of the diamonds?" Ms. Sanson studied it for a moment before smiling and nodding.
"Yes, that's one of them!" She looked between Beckett and myself hopefully. "Have you found the treasure, then?"
"No, this was found with a body in central park," said Beckett. Ms. Sansons hopeful expression turned to one of shock.
"Oh my gosh," she muttered, paling, "That's horrible."
For some reason, her reaction reminded me of fear. Maybe it was the way her fingers were worrying each other, or the way her gaze wouldn't settle on one spot for too long.
"Is there something wrong, Ms. Sanson?" Beckett asked. Of course Beckett had noticed, she was a detective. If she hadn't asked, I would have.
Debra Sanson looked up at us, like she had forgotten we were there. She got her bearings together in a few moments. "Oh, no. I was just," She looked around for the right word. Then she shook her head slightly. "I didn't expect that the robbery would kill someone."
Something about her words was causing a little bell to tinkle in my head. I didn't know what bell exactly, but one was going off.
"Do you remember anything else about Mr. Albeni? Was he with anyone?" Beckett had sensed something as well and was hot on the trail.
"I think he was alone. But," She paused and her eyes widened slightly. "He argued with a man by the replica ships!"
"Could you describe him to us?"
Oo..oO
An hour later, we were back at the twelfth with a sketch of the man Albeni had argued with. Typical looking thug. We didn't know his face so Ryan and Esposito searched though mug shots. No one thought they'd get a hit.
And to everyone's surprise, they did.
Jayne Cobb.
Name sounded familiar. Couldn't place it though. Ah well.
Cobb's file had an address listed on it. Now, we knew chances were slim of him actually being there but we had to try.
Beckett wound expertly through the traffic, muttering under her breath whenever someone cut her off. I however, was yelling and gesturing wildly at other drivers. None were moving.
So I yelled that my wife was having a baby and, like magic... no, nothing happened. Beckett just hit me.
"It was worth a try," I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms and leaning back in the seat.
We arrived at Cobb's address without much fuss. We didn't want to spook the man. He was known for his affinity for guns.
Ryan, Esposito and Beckett were strapping on their vests and priming their weapons. I moved to grab mine but Beckett grabbed my wrist.
"Castle, I don't want you in with us this time." She was looking at me steadily, unyielding.
"But I have a vest and I promise to stay behind." I gazed back at her gently, pleading. I wanted to go in. I was her backup. She seemed to sense what I was thinking.
"Rick," She called me Rick. My brain froze. "I have the guys. It's safer if you stay here."
I moved in close to her.
"Kate," I began softly, "You'll have to hand cuff me to the car again."
She leaned in closer and smiled. My eyes widened. She scoffed lightly and patted my hand.
"Done," She said, beaming at me evilly. Kate Beckett is the only woman I've ever encountered who can beam evilly. It's quite the talent.
My mouth gaped open.
"Wha- when did you do that?"
She beamed again.
"I have many skills," she said coyly.
I squeaked involuntarily. Her smile widened and she turned back to Ryan and Esposito. They were both smirking at me. I started to reach for my wallet and my key but a hand stopped me. Esposito snatched my wallet and put it in a pocket of his vest.
"Sorry, bro," he said with a shrug, "Boss's orders."
"Pretty sure thievery's illegal," I told him, slightly disgruntled.
He grinned at me.
"I'm a cop, bro. I just confiscated it."
"Abuse of power!"
All three of them laughed at me.
"Sorry, man," whispered Ryan as he passed me. "This guy's dangerous."
I let out a breath in a humph. Today was the one day I didn't have my spare key on me! I usually kept two but I forgot this morning. Of all the rotten luck...
Ryan lead the way into the building, completely focused on his task. Beckett looked back at me once, giving me an apologetic half smile before turning away and entering the doorway. Esposito gave me nod and I knew he would look after Beckett.
As if she needed it.
Two minutes passed and I felt my anxiety growing. I wanted to be up there. I needed to know what was going on! I fumed silently. Then I heard something. Yelling! I could hear them! But which window...
I pulled at my hand cuffs and craned my neck. Yes! In the top window, all the way on the right I could see lots of movement. The yelling seemed to be coming from there as well.
The mixture of 'Drop your weapon' and 'N.Y.P.D' was overwhelming and I wasn't even in the thick of it! I heard a male voice yell, "I don't think so, sweetie, I ain't got no clue who you are."
Then more yells of 'NYPD' and a shape flew across the window to tackle another. I braced for gunshots but heard none. It had gone quiet.
Tension mounted as minutes ticked past. I did Beckett's thing and chewed my lip. What had happened up there? Were they all okay?
My writers brain flooded me with worst case scenarios. Beckett, Ryan and Esposito lying lifeless on the floor, blood pooling from them. Beckett, shot and unable to help the others. Kate's funeral...
Just as I was about to chew my arm off and go save Beckett, there was a scuffle by the door.
"Hey, watch where yer puttin' that thing! It's a delicate piece a machinery!" The man who had spoken was tall. He had brown hair and looked kinda tough. He was talking to Esposito who was carrying a huge and complicated looking gun. Ryan was leading the man out of the building while Beckett walked over to me and pulled out a set of keys.
"Thank you," I said as she unlocked them. I had pulled a little too hard and my wrist ached. I rubbed it gingerly.
"You okay?" Beckett asked in concern, taking my wrist and studying it closely. "I didn't put them too tight, did I?"
I didn't answer immediately. Her hand was warm and soothing on my skin and I could feel the pain receding. I cleared my throat quickly.
"No, just," I lost my train of thought again as she looked at me "I heard yelling and I just..." I trailed off. Ever since the time Lockwood had almost shot her, I was paranoid about something happening to Kate. I felt the need to be there and protect her.
Crazy, I know. But it helped me.
Beckett smiled slightly and let go of my hand. Ryan and Esposito had managed to get Jayne into the cruiser but he could still be heard voicing his complaints loudly.
"Let's get back," murmured Beckett. "We have to interrogate the ray of sunshine."
We both entered the car.
"Think he did it?" I asked Beckett as we pulled into traffic.
"The guy has a wide enough array of guns. I'll have to get a warrant for them then CSU can have a long night checkin' em."
I laughed lightly. "Lucky them."
Beckett smiled.
Oo..oO
A/N: Yes, I did make a not-so-subtle Firefly reference. Love it or hate it, let me know! Next up, Jayne's interview and a twist that upsets Beckett.