A/N : Here's the second chapter today. As I mentioned there may be a break in the release of chapters while I'm on a trip but rest assured there is more to come. Many thanks again to all that have reviewed, faved and followed. It's good to know people appreciate this.
Disclaimer : Castle is all Marlowe's, ABC and the other great writers of the show. Having fun with their creations is just that, fun.
Beckett and Castle are standing in Captain Gates' office as the Captain, sitting at her desk, looks through the report of the shooting. She looks up from her reading at the couple in front of her and asks sternly, "So, Detective Beckett, can you explain for me how it is Mr Castle had your back-up weapon and that you both get involved in shoot-out that makes the OK Corral look like a Sunday school picnic?"
"Sir, we were following a lead to a property rented by our victim. While we were there two armed men appeared and started shooting. We took cover and as we were trapped I decided that Castle should be able to defend himself," responded Beckett totally confident in her position both professionally and personally.
"And what about the man you killed?"
"Ahh, are we sure that I didn't get him because I'm….," trails off Castle at the death glare he gets from Gates.
"Oh, I'm sure ballistics show that it was Detective Beckett's primary weapon that killed the man. If, you, a civilian, were responsible for killing a man with one of my detective's guns you would be having a much more intense conversation with detectives from IAB."
"I don't know if that's possible," responds Castle under his breath.
To cover Castle's comment, Beckett jumps in, "According to his prints the dead guy was a Gregori Motaravich a Bulgarian national who'd been here for two years. A preliminary search shows he had quite a sheet, assault, possession with intent to supply, auto theft and a lot more. He even had an outstanding warrant out for attempted murder."
"So do you think he was responsible for your victim's murder and that's why took that shot at you both? And what about the one that got away?"
"It's the most likely explanation. We think that the computer equipment we found at the scene has information on it that will point to Carmody's killer. We think they might have followed us there to try and stop us getting that information. As for the other man, Ryan and Esposito are running down his known associates now," replies Beckett keeping the information clear and to the point. She'd found that to be the best way to deal with her abrasive Captain.
"All right, sounds like you've got some work to do. I suppose I do agree that these were circumstances that warranted you arming a civilian. Just try not to keep making a habit of it," in an imperceptivity softer tone Gates continues, "I'm glad you're both OK, now do what you can to find that other guy and close this case. But think about going home first and getting some sleep, you've done enough for today."
Both Beckett and Castle nod at the order and leave the Captain's office. On the way back to Beckett's desk Castle, so as not to be overheard, asks softly, "Is it me or did she seem a little concerned for our welfare? Maybe she's finally warmed to me?"
"Maybe Castle. I expected to be hauled over the coals more than that," responds Beckett.
They reach Beckett's desk and together collapse into their respective seats. Beckett stretches in her seat, throwing back her head, closing her eyes and running her fingers through her hair. Castle sags in his seat, chin on his chest, his eyes also closed and sighing heavily and long. Both were tired, wrung out. After the adrenalin rush of the shoot-out and then the afternoon spent dealing with its aftermath both needed a break. The early night of winter had fallen outside and both were thinking of Castle's loft, sitting on the couch, fireplace warm and bright, their stomachs full from take-out Chinese, glasses of red wine in hand and resting in each other's arms. They both opened their eyes and looked at each other, their shared thoughts plain to the other without a word needing to be spoken. Their thoughts are banished by the arrival of Ryan and Esposito.
"Yo, you two OK? You look beat," asks Esposito sympathetically.
"Yeah, it didn't sound like Gates beat up on you that bad?" adds Ryan lightly trying to ease the stress from his friend's faces.
Beckett sits up, leans forward in her chair and looks up at them both, "Only got a couple of bites on our asses this time, she must have already eaten. So where are we with associates of Motaravich?"
"Plenty! We got a list of about eight known associates all with records. We've got teams from the precincts closest to their last know addresses checking them out," informs Ryan.
"Even more interestingly we got a hit on Motaravich from the Feds and Interpol. Apparently he was a suspected member of a Bulgarian human trafficking gang. They think he might be here with a group running kidnappings in the Tri state area," adds Esposito.
"Human trafficking? Kidnapping?" exclaims Castle, his fatigue temporarily forgotten, as he sits up straight in his chair.
All three of those around him, his best friends and fiancé, know where this reaction comes from. From that time a year ago when Alexis was kidnapped. The time when they had all seen Castle at his most vulnerable and distraught, but also his most determined.
"Have the Fed's got any leads on where this gang might be?" asks Beckett with a concerned look over at Castle.
"Maybe, an Agent Trent from the FBI's human trafficking taskforce will be here in the morning to brief us on what they've got," answers Ryan.
Castle stands and goes to look at the picture of Julie Carmody on the murder board, "So this might not be about Julie's modelling but that she was taken by human traffickers."
"And Sam found that out and had gathered information on their operation," adds Beckett, joining him at the board.
"Information which is on that SD card that Sam hid on his body when he was killed," continues Castle.
"Which is what got Sam killed and why his apartment was searched," adds Beckett.
Castle and Beckett turn to look at each other as Castle finishes, "And they thought that the information was also at the garage which is why they followed and attacked us."
Ryan and Esposito had seen this back and forth between them so many times before they knew not to interrupt until they were finished.
"Attacking cops is a big step," raises Ryan.
"Human trafficking is a multi-million dollar operation. I..ah..looked into it recently. There are gangs all over the world. They bribe, intimidate, kill. Do whatever it takes to run their operations with impunity. Attacking cops to keep the details of their operation hidden is nothing for them," answers Castle turning to look at Ryan and Esposito with that determined look from the year before in his eyes.
"So what about the equipment from the garage? Has CSU been able to use it to access the SD card?" asks Beckett in support.
"The techs are working on it. Like the SD card there's some heavy encryption on it. They think they can get access by the morning," answers Esposito.
"So it looks like the morning is when we'll get some answers. I think we should all call it a night," suggests Beckett.
"But if these guys took Julie, she might be out there somewhere, having god knows what done to her. We can't just wait until morning," protests Castle desperately. The emotions of Alexis' kidnapping driving all the thoughts in his mind.
Beckett grabs one of Castle's hands and turns him to look at her, "Castle, if they took Julie they've had her for almost a year. You know I hate to say this but even if she's alive she could be anywhere in the world and without more information we just don't know where and we're not going to get that information tonight. After today we're both tired. If pulling an all-nighter staring at the murder board would do it I'd be the first one in you know that. But if we're going to find these guys we need to be on top of our game and for that we need rest."
Castle looks down at his feet, sighs and replies reluctantly, "OK, you're right," he reaches into his jacket pocket for his cell phone, "I need to call Alexis." Beckett releases his hand as he walks out of the bullpen, phone to his ear.
"He going to be OK?" asks Esposito moving to stand next to Beckett as they watch him disappear around a corner.
"He's not going to go all Liam Neeson on us again is he?" adds Ryan standing on the other side of Beckett.
"No, he'll be OK. Something like this will always be raw for him you know," responds Beckett.
"I know we're still in the middle of a case but after a shooting like today it's usual for the shootees to be plied with liquor by their squad mates, Old Haunt?" raises Esposito with a look at Beckett.
"Sounds good, but raincheck OK. We're both wired and I think we need just to be at home and normal for a night. You guys go home and we'll pick it up first thing."
"Rodger that," replies Esposito.
"Sure thing," adds Ryan and they both head to their desks as Beckett moves to Castle who is returning to the bullpen, hanging up his cell phone.
"How's Alexis?" asks Beckett as Castle re-joins her.
"She's fine. Surprised I called. She asked if everything was OK. I didn't want to worry her. I just told her I wanted to hear her voice. I don't think she believed me," replies Castle.
"Smart girl. Come on, let's get some Golden Palace and head home," says Beckett as she picks up her jacket and keys from her desk.
"Sounds like just what we need, HOME," responds Castle as he falls in step beside Beckett and they both walk out of the bullpen towards the elevator.
A/N : So now we get to Castle's investment in the case and it will be a bit more involved than Beckett's. I always thought that after Alexis' kidnapping that Castle being Castle he wouldn't be able to let it go and that it would be a trigger for him.