Chapter 13
"Well Kate, we have reached the part of the story where the redoubtable and most fair Detective Kate Beckett and the ruggedly handsome Richard the Minstrel finally confront the real murderer of Alison of Tisdale..."
"...Before emerging from the court house, the fair Detective Beckett collared a dispatch messenger and sent a message to the police house summoning a troop of uniformed constables to assist in the search of Harrison of Tisdale's dwelling. In the same missive she sent to the police house was a summons to Detectives Ryan and Esposito to join her.
Upon emerging from the court house the fair Detective and the Minstrel climbed aboard their mounts and set off. Once more the fair Detective Beckett was flying like the wind through the streets with Richard the Minstrel keeping pace along side her.
On this particular sojourn the Minstrel kept his lips sealed. Though he had a jocular quip or two on the tip of his tongue which he wished to share with the fair Detective, one look at the determined look upon her fair face was enough to tell him it would be best to keep the jocular quips to himself for the time being.
Without bothering to inform the Minstrel the fair Detective Beckett took a detour through Central Park. The Minstrel watched as the fair detective rode furiously through the park. The Minstrel figured that the fair detective was going through the park as a short cut to Harrison of Tisdale's abode. They had to dodge and weave low hanging tree branches or hurdle over low bushes and small hedges. The Minstrel was mightily impressed at the way the fair detective and her mount leaped over the hedges, there was a certain grace to it as if horse and rider were as one. The fair detective did not bother to call out to people strolling on the riding path, the thunder of approaching horses hooves was more than enough warning for the people to clear a path for the riders.
"Foorsooth, my dear detective, why such haste?" Richard the Minstrel called out finally, unable to keep silent any longer.
"Would you prefer the miscreant to escape our clutches, Minstrel?" The fair Detective Beckett retorted.
"Nay, my dear detective."
"Would you prefer the miscreant was allowed to destroy the evidence that we both know shows him to be the vile murderer of his sibling and the two other victims?"
"Nay."
"Pray tell what then?" The fair detective demanded with some irritation.
"I would take it as a great kindness if we both arrive at our destination safe in limb and body, my dear detective." The Minstrel confessed.
The fair Detective Beckett glared across to the Minstrel, however it did not escape the Minstrel's keen eye that she had eased back a little and slowed down.
Soon enough the fair Detective Beckett and the ruggedly handsome Richard the Minstrel arrived at the apartment building where Harrison of Tisdale dwelled. Out the front of the building were a troop of six of uniformed constables and the steadfast detectives Ryan and Esposito.
The fair Detective dismounted quickly and tied the reins of her horse to the hitching post. The Minstrel did the same though his dismount was done with far less a flourish than he had done on previous occasions. He had the distinct impression it would not be well appreciated by those who witnessed it.
The fair Detective surveyed the uniformed constables assembled before turning her attention to Ryan and Esposito who approached her.
"Pray tell what have we got, gentlemen?" The fair Detective said.
"Harrison arrived about ten minutes ago." Esposito reported.
The fair Detective noted the grin upon Ryan's face.
"You are going to enjoy this, boss." Ryan said, his grin deepening. "Tisdale junior's business is going under. He is millions of dollars in debts."
"With his sister's share of the family fortune, he stands to pay off all his debts and still have enough left over for a life of high living for the rest of his days." Richard the Minstrel remarked with some heat in his voice.
The fair Detective Beckett nodded her head, she removed her weapon from her belt and noted all the others were doing the same. She motioned to the detectives and uniformed constables to start moving into the apartment building. Everyone was about to move off when the fair Detective paused and turned to look at the Minstrel.
"Minstrel if you are coming in with us it would be well you are armed." She said.
"Alas, my dear detective, a weapon I do not have." The Minstrel replied, a frown starting to crease his brow.
"Fear not, Minstrel." the fair detective replied, a small smile appearing upon her face. "You may use my back up weapon."
"That is most kind of you, my dear detective." The Minstrel's face brightened.
"It can be found in my saddle bag."
Richard the Minstrel turned and moved to where the fair Detective Beckett's mount stood patiently. With his left hand on the hitching post the Minstrel used his other hand to search the saddle bag.
"Your back up weapon does not appear to be secreted within the bag." The Minstrel said as he search the saddle bag.
In that moment the fair Detective Beckett made her move. She took hold of the Minstrel's wrist snapping the handcuff over it. The other end of the handcuff she put around the hitching post.
A look of stunned disbelief appeared on the Minstrel's face as he looked at the handcuff and then at the fair detective who now wore a smug grin upon her face.
"This time Minstrel, you are staying put." The fair Detective informed him.
The Minstrel heard the sniggers of the two male detectives and assembled uniformed constables and he looked at them with narrowed eyes.
"Unfair, my dear detective!" Richard the Minstrel exclaimed, as he tugged at the handcuffs in the vain hope that it would come away from the post. The look of disbelief upon the Minstrel's face turned into a pout.
"I trust you will keep yourself out of mischief, Minstrel." The fair Detective Beckett chuckled.
The Minstrel looked up to see the fair Detective Beckett lead Ryan and Esposito and the assembled uniformed constables into the apartment building.
The Minstrel tugged at the handcuff once more only to get the same result. Slowly the pout upon his face faded away to be replaced with a grin that could only be described as cheeky. He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and rummaged around a moment and maybe more. The grin faltered when his hand found not what he was looking for. Removing his hand from the inside pocket, the Minstrel then remembered and he reached for the back pocket of his trousers. He had to twist and stretch to reach the left back pocket. He slid his fingers into the pocket and suddenly his face lit up as he found what he was looking for.
The Minstrel beamed a triumphant smile as he produced a key to unlock the handcuffs.
"Fool me once, my dear dear detective...shame on you..." The Minstrel said as he turned to unlock the handcuffs. "...fool me twice...shame on me."
The triumphant smile upon the Minstrel's face did not last long. In his excitement at having bested the fair Detective Beckett once again the Minstrel fumbled as he tried to insert the key into one of the handcuffs. The key slipped out of his fingers. As the key made its descent to the ground, the Minstrel desperately tried to catch it with his free hand. Alas as luck would have it the Minstrel was not good at catching objects. He made a swipe for the key but missed completely. The key landed on the ground and rattled away out of reach.
The Minstrel almost let out a yelp of despair as he searched the ground for the errant key. He espied it in the gutter but a short distance from where he stood. The smile returned to the Minstrel's face. He stuck out his leg and tried to snag it with the toe of his boot. Alas the key was just out of reach. He tried to reach out again but again the key remained out of reach.
The Minstrel tried one more time, straining and stretching as far as his body would allow but the key remained tantalizing out of reach. He straightened up and tried not to let the frustration show upon on his face. He prided himself upon being resourceful, he liked to boast that he was a very resourceful fellow when it came to being caught in situations of a sticky nature, just like the one he now found himself in. He had to think. As he spent a moment or two and maybe more pondering at the predicament he found himself in and how he was going to get out of it. An idea came to him. It made him smile.
While the ruggedly handsome Richard the Minstrel was struggling to release himself from the handcuffs down there on the street, the fair Detective Beckett and the two other detectives and the uniformed constables had reached the floor where Harrison of Tisdale had his dwelling. Detectives Ryan and Esposito took up positions on either side of the door and the uniformed constable split up evenly on either side of the front of Harrison of Tisdale's front door. The fair Detective Beckett walked up to the front door. A quick look to either side of her she found that the detectives and uniformed constables were ready to move. She knocked hard upon the door.
"Harrison of Tisdale, New York Constabulary." The fair Detective called out in a loud voice. "Open up in the name of the law, we have a warrant."
"Just a minute." Came the voice of Harrison of Tisdale.
What the fair Detective Beckett and her constabulary companions did not know as they stood before the threshold of the front door of Harrison of Tisdale's apartment was that Harrison was hurriedly shredding documents. Truth be told the moment Harrison had reached his dwelling he recovered documents relating to his framing of Kyle Cabot in the murder of Tisdale's sister and the two other victims. He had been shredding documents as fast as he could using a new fangled hand cranking shredding machine. Hundreds of paper worms were falling into a Hessian bag.
Harrison glanced in the direction of the front door at the sound of the heavy knocking. Quickly he grabbed the Hessian bag and shoved the remaining documents that sat on his desk into the bag. Grabbing the bag Harrison also picked up the hand held double crossbow from his desk and made for the large door windows behind his desk.
Having waited long enough, the fair Detective Beckett gave a curt nod to Detective Esposito. The man rose from his crouch at the side of the door to face it. With one swift kick, the door flew open. He rushed in first with the fair Detective Beckett right behind him. Behind the fair Detective Beckett came Ryan and then the uniformed constables. The constables quickly fanned out to search the dwelling of Harrison of Tisdale. Of Harrison there is no sign of him to be found.
As the detectives and uniformed constables were pouring through the front door of Harrison of Tisdale's apartment down on the street below, Richard the Minstrel let out a triumphant laugh. He had to remove his boot and used his bare toes to reach out to the errant handcuff key. His toes grasped the key. Laughing excitedly he hoped on one foot as he transferred the key from his foot into his hand.
The now triumphant and pleased Richard the Minstrel inserted the key into the handcuff and unlocked it. As he was doing that, he heard a loud sound emanating from the alley way beside Harrison of Tisdale's dwelling. Looking down the alley the Minstrel was surprised to espy none other than Harrison of Tisdale climbing down a ladder down towards the alley hastily.
"You there!" The Minstrel shouted. He released himself from the handcuff. "Hey!"
Harrison of Tisdale paid no heed to the Minstrel's shout as he climbed down the ladder, his need to flee the constabulary fuelling his actions. The Minstrel watched him caught in two minds. Should he go after the miscreant or should he run inside to inform the fair Detective of the new development? A frown creased his face as he quickly debated what to do.
Richard the Minstrel espied a young lad standing close by and watching him. An idea immediately came to the mind of the Minstrel. His face brightened. He called the lad over and instructed him to make haste inside the apartment and seek out the fair detective and inform her of what the Minstrel had espied. To ensure the message was delivered the Minstrel handed the lad a gold coin. The lad nodded his head and ran to carry out his errand.
The Minstrel set off after the fleeing Harrison of Tisdale but not before he stopped to gather up his discarded boot. On reaching the alley the Minstrel saw that Harrison of Tisdale had landed on the ground, the Hessian bag that he carried with him had spilled open scattering paper worms all about. Harrison of Tisdale dropped the bag when he saw the approach of the Minstrel. Harrison turned the other way and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. With a look of what could only be described as a look of glee the Minstrel tossed aside the boot he had been holding in his hand and raced after the fleeing Harrison of Tisdale.
Meanwhile in the apartment of Harrison of Tisdale the fair Detective Beckett stood in the middle of Harrison's study watching as some constables ransacked it in search of evidence.
"He is not here, boss." Detective Esposito reported to the fair detective on his return from searching the other rooms in the apartment. Detective Ryan also arrived and a shake of his head told the fair Detective he had found nothing.
"Detective Beckett?" The young lad said in a hesitant voice.
The fair Detective Beckett turned around to confront the young lad sent by the Minstrel.
"Yes?" The fair Detective said.
"The Minstrel has asked me to tell you that Harrison is making his escape down the alley way and he is going after him."
The fair Detective Beckett's face clouded with a look that those looking upon her could not fathom. She nodded to the lad, dismissing him and turned to the door windows behind Harrison's desk. Standing on the balcony she peered down to see the Minstrel throwing aside the boot he held in his hand and chasing after the fleeing Harrison of Tisdale.
"Minstrel, no!" The fair Detective Beckett screamed. However her command was ignored by the Minstrel as he continued chasing the fleeing Harrison of Tisdale.
The fair Detective Beckett ordered the two other detectives and the unformed constables to head out the front door to cut off the fleeing miscreant. As the detectives and uniformed constables poured out of the front door of Harrison's apartment the fair Detective Beckett climbed down the ladder to the alley and set off after the Minstrel and the fleeing Harrison of Tisdale.
Much to her chagrin the fair Detective lost sight of the Minstrel when he turned a corner in the alley. Raising her weapon she ran even faster till she reached the turn in the alley. Pausing in her chase she peered around the corner and on finding it empty she moved forward but this time with more caution in her steps. A flatbed wagon filled the way and she moved around it.
Suddenly from around another corner Harrison of Tisdale made his appearance. With him was Richard the Minstrel. Harrison was using the Minstrel as a shield and was pressing the hand held double crossbow against the Minstrel's neck. The fair Detective Beckett stopped suddenly while aiming her own weapon at Harrison. Her finger rested upon the trigger guard. She knew full well she could not fire at Harrison for in all possibility she might hit the Minstrel instead. That she did not want to see happen.
"Stay back, detective." Harrison said desperately.
"Whoa, whoa." Richard the Minstrel said as he was dragged from away from the corner.
"Do not approach any closer!" Harrison shouted.
"Put the weapon down!" The fair Detective shouted.
"Stay back!" Harrison shouted back.
The fair Detective Beckett remained where she stood fearing that any move towards the captor and and captive might agitate the captor into doing something foolish and rash. As much as she wanted to apprehend Harrison at this moment in time she feared for the Minstrel's life. His safety was the first priority.
"Let him go, Harrison." The fair Detective commanded.
"I do not think so, detective." Harrison replied. He had a small smile upon his face. He glanced behind him to see the gate there behind him, and his smile grew as thoughts of escape grew stronger within him. He dragged the Minstrel slowly towards the gate.
"Easy, easy..." The Minstrel said.
"Don't move." Harrison said to the Minstrel.
The Minstrel was looking to the fair Detective and could not help but be impressed by the look of determination upon her face.
"Let the Minstrel go, Harrison." The fair Detective Beckett demanded.
Harrison of Tisdale let out a humourless chuckle.
"I can not do that, Detective." Harrison of Tisdale said as he backed towards the gate.
"Minstrel, are you all right?" The fair Detective said, turning her attention to the captured Minstrel.
"I am well, my dear detective, thank you for asking." Richard the Minstrel replied with a grin on his face. His grin grew a little more at the sight of the fair Detective Beckett rolling her eyes. Only he could find levity in such a dangerous situation, she thought to herself.
"Though I would hasten to say that this gentleman here would do well to chew some mint leaves." the Minstrel added. "His breath could fell an ox."
"Keep your mouth shut, Minstrel." Harrison said angrily. He pressed the crossbow harder against the Minstrel's neck.
"Only if you do the same with yours, Harrison."
Harrison grunted a reply and took another step towards the gate.
Richard the Minstrel knew that an impasse had been reached. He knew that Harrison was not about to release him, and the fair Detective Beckett was not about to shoot at the miscreant fearing that she might shoot him instead. The Minstrel knew he had to do something to change the situation.
"Harrison answer this query of mine." The Minstrel said after some tense silent moments. "If you were wallowing so deeply in debt why did you not ask your father Lord Tisdale for the money?"
"Minstrel, you are not helping!" The fair Detective called out.
Richard the Minstrel shot the fair Detective Beckett a reassuring grin and continued talking to Harrison.
"Do you know what I surmise, Harrison?"
"No, what?"
"I envision you did ask, you did ask him but he said no. I believe he always said no, a self made man such Lord Jonathan of Tisdale. I'd wager he thought you weak just for asking."
"He was the one that was weak!" Harrison shouted angrily. "I was trying to make something of myself and my life but all he cared about was her!"
"So that is why you killed her." The Minstrel said, his eyes focused on the fair Detective. "It was not just for the money. You wanted to punish him be fore he died, to take from him the only thing he loved. Gadzooks, tis a pretty good story."
"Who says, gadzooks any more?" Harrison said, perplexed.
"I'm trying to return it to everyday vocabulary." The Minstrel replied.
"Who are you?"
"Harrison, let him go! It's over." The fair Detective shouted.
"It's not over." Harrison shouted, looking over to where the fair detective was standing. "It's not over. Drop your weapon or by God I will..."
And so it came to pass in that very moment Richard the Minstrel made his move. The Minstrel brought up his fist and struck Harrison of Tisdale in the face. That the Minstrel was holding in his fist the handcuffs that the fair Detective Beckett had used to secure him to the hitching post made the impact of the blow all the harder. It stunned Harrison of Tisdale. He staggered backwards as the crossbow he had been holding flew out of his hand only to be caught by the Minstrel. Harrison of Tisdale fell face first to the ground.
"Pray tell me you saw that!" The Minstrel exclaimed excitedly.
The fair Detective Beckett holstered her weapon as she moved quickly leaning over the fallen Harrison of Tisdale pulling both his arms behind his back.
"Surely you will make mention of this in your report, my dear detective?"
"May I have the handcuffs, please?" The fair Detective held out her hand to the Minstrel.
Richard the Minstrel passed over the handcuffs to the fair detective and watched as she handcuffed the unconscious Harrison of Tisdale. With Harrison secured and bound the fair Detective Beckett turned her attention to the still excited Minstrel. Her anger surfaced and she pushed the Minstrel roughly against the wall.
"Forsooth Minstrel, what in Hades were you thinking?" The fair Detective Beckett said heatedly, glaring at the Minstrel. "He could have caused your demise."
"There was little chance of that happening." The Minstrel chuckled.
"Little chance...?" The fair Detective Beckett spluttered.
"Fear not, my dear detective, I was in no danger." The Minstrel said with a smile. He held up the weapon for the fair detective to see. "The safety was on all the time."
She snatched weapon from him.
The fair Detective Beckett stared at the smiling Minstrel. She was stunned by this piece of news the Minstrel had imparted. She rolled her eyes and shook her head as she reined in her anger. Truly she was much relieved that the Minstrel had come to no harm in this incident.
"Truly Minstrel," She said after a moment's pause. "You could have told me."
"Forsooth, my dear detective, where is the fun in that?" The Minstrel laughed.
The fair Detective Beckett stared at the smiling face of the Minstrel. Much to her chagrin the fair detective found herself returning his smile. She shook her head as she took a step away from the man who had diffused a situation of the most dangerous kind in his own unique way..."
Castle felt a hand squeeze his shoulder. He turned to look up and saw his mother standing beside the him.
"I think the doctor would like the room, dear." Martha said gently, nodding in the direction of the door.
Castle looked from his mother to where Dr Chan was standing, a nurse at his side. He did not want to leave Kate's side but he knew they would not let him remain. He nodded his head in understanding. Reluctantly he released Kate's hand but not before he gave her hand a gentle reassuring squeeze. Slowly he hauled himself out of the chair and shuffled towards the door, nodding a greeting to the Doctor and nurse as passed them. Ryan and Esposito had left the room earlier and were now standing in the corridor.
"Great story, dude." Ryan said with a grin on face.
"Yeah, ever thought of doing it professionally, bro?" Esposito chuckled.
Castle gave the two detectives a tired smile.
"Gentleman, why don't you take Richard to waiting room?" Martha suggested, having emerged from the room.
"Yeah, good idea, Martha." Ryan said.
"No I want to stay here." Castle protested.
"Richard." Martha said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Ryan came over and took hold of Castle's arm. The writer offered no resistance and allowed himself to be led away. Esposito followed.
Martha watched the three men as they walked down the corridor with a smile on her face. When they disappeared around the corner Martha turned and made her way back into the hospital room
Castle slumped into one of the chairs in the waiting room. Ryan moved over to the coffee pot and poured a good measure into a cup and brought it over to Castle. The writer accepted the cup and brought it up to his lips without bothering to check to see if it was hot or not he took a big sip.
"Castle, you know Beckett is going to be all right." Esposito said.
"Why doesn't she wake up?" Castle said in a low voice to no one in particular. His gaze was fixed into the distance.
Castle was getting worried that after all this time she had not opened her eyes.
"Hey maybe she just wants to hear how your story ends?" Ryan suggested with a chuckle.
Castle turned to look at the detective with a blank face.
"Well you're a good storyteller, dude. I know I want to hear the rest of the story." Ryan offered a grin but he got a blank stare in return.
"Why aren't you two at the precinct?"
"Late start, today." Esposito informed him.
Castle nodded his head and turned his attention to the coffee cup in his hand. He stared at the dark brown liquid. For a moment he wondered how many cups of coffee he had consumed in the time he had been in the hospital. He could not think of a number and stopped trying.
He brought the cup to his lips and took another big sip.
Ryan sat down beside Castle. A look of genuine concern on his face.
"Listen, Castle you look like crap."
Castle nodded his head.
"You really need to get some sleep."
"I will sleep when Beckett wakes up." Castle replied automatically.
"It's not good, dude."
"I will sleep when she wakes." The writer said firmly.
Ryan looked up at his partner for help and saw Esposito offer a shrug of his shoulders.
Castle swirled around the coffee in the cup and then brought it up to his lips. He drained the contents in one gulp. He passed the empty cup to Ryan and rose from the chair.
"I heading back." he announced.
Returning to the room Castle found that the doctor and nurse gone. Martha was sitting in a chair beside Kate's bed. Castle sat down in his own chair.
"What did the doctor say, Mother?"
"He is pleased with her progress, dear."
"Why hasn't she woken yet?"
"Kate will wake up in her own good time." Martha told him.
Castle opened his mouth to say something but Esposito interrupted.
"Will you look at the time?" He said looking down at the clock on his phone. "Ryan and I have to get going."
"We do?" Ryan replied looking puzzled.
"Yeah we do, Bro." Esposito insisted, giving his partner a look.
"Oh yeah, we do." Ryan replied hurriedly. He looked to Castle. "Sorry man but we have to go, love to stay to hear the rest of the story but..."
"Martha would you like a ride?" Esposito offered.
"That is awfully kind, Javier, thank you." Martha rose from her chair.
Castle looked at his mother and at the two detectives not understanding why all of a sudden they needed to leave. He had expected another round of being told by one or all three of them that he needed to get some rest. He watched as the two detective moved up to the bed to say their good-byes. Esposito leaned down and kissed Kate's forehead, whispering something to her. A small grin was on his face as he stepped away.
Martha also placed a kiss on Kate's forehead before she turned to look down at her son. She gave him a warm smile.
"Now finish the story, dear." She said, kissing Castle on the cheek. "You never know, this time it might do the trick."
"Yes mother." Castle sighed.
Once more Castle turned to look at the sleeping Kate. And again he took hold of her hand. He noticed some strands of hair had fallen across her face. He rose from the chair and with his free hand gently brushed it aside from her face. Once again he saw the smile on her face and could not help but smile down at her.
And once again the tiredness he felt ebbed away as he summoned the story.
"Well Kate we come to the part of our story where the fair Detective Beckett and the ruggedly handsome Minstrel having captured the heinous Harrison of Tisdale, come to a parting of the way of sorts..."
Author's Note: To Miekkkk, you guessed right! Well done.
As always your thoughts would gladden the heart of this minstrel.
Con