A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates - October's been crazy. And look, I know Beckett told Dom they'd put their arrangement on hold, but he's smart enough to deduce that it was OVER between them. And feel free to share your thoughts about my story, but the least you could do is to log in so I'd at least be able to reply you. You know, instead of hiding behind guest reviews.

As usual, Beta by Diana :) And the amazing Cover Art was done by Angie (Dtrekker)

Chapter 11

"Hi, I'm Special Agent Kate Beckett and this is Richard Castle. We're currently investigating an active case and we'll need access to your records from last week. We believe this man here rented a van of yours, an old Toyota model." Beckett authoritatively pushed a mug shot of Tyson over the counter.

Taylor, the nametag read, reached for the photograph, his other hand reaching for the reading glasses in his pocket. Putting on his glasses, he looked closely at the photograph as his hand rubbed the bald spot on the top of his head.

"Yeah, I remember him. Hold on, I have the record right here." Taylor turned around and reached for one of the box files sitting in the cabinet behind him. "The guy asked for the cheapest model available for a white van with no markings," Taylor confirmed, flipping slowly through the records.

Beckett could feel Castle's impatience rolling off of him in waves as they waited for Taylor to hurry up with his work. Transferring her weight to the other foot, Beckett gestured for him to continue with his narration of the transaction.

"I showed him a few models, but he didn't want to wait for me to go into the specs, you know? Just asked for the cheapest one available for the week. Here we go," he proclaimed, pleased with himself for locating the appropriate form.

Beckett quickly thanked him as she took the form. She snapped the relevant pictures with her cell phone, forwarding it to her team. Putting her phone away, she took a closer look at the form as Castle crowded closer for a better look as well.

The handwriting on the form was neat – it was filled out in its entirety in upper case, with each stroke definitive and precise, corroborating 3XK's meticulous nature. He'd rented the van under the pseudonym Alex Castle.

If the photocopy of his driver's license was anything to go by, 3XK had somehow managed to procure one that was authentic looking. Beckett speed-dialed her team while she continued her quick perusal of the rest of the form.

"Hey Cooper, you guys received the pictures I've sent?" she greeted, pausing for only a second for their affirmation before she continued. "Run the phone number and address listed – they're probably bogus, but who knows, he might be leaving us a clue. We have the license plate of the van, so put a BOLO out on that. At the same time, tap into the city's traffic cams to see where he has been or where he is. It might help us anticipate his next move."

Beckett remained silent for a while as Cooper relayed some information over. She muttered a string of expletives under her breath before telling him curtly, "Fine, we're returning to the precinct now. I'll call the AGs office from there."

As she hung up, Beckett caught the curious look Castle was shooting at her.

"My boss wants a thorough update on the investigation, and maybe discuss strategy," she explained to him. Beckett had to break some other bad news to him, so might as well do it fast, just like ripping off a band aid.

"Without the original driver's license Tyson used, we won't be able to trace back to where he obtained the card, or at least, not easily. It's a lead that we can chase, but it's going to take time."

Time that we don't have, Castle's brain supplied.

Beckett seemed to understand that he caught onto the context she was implying, so she continued. "The other bad news is that the address listed on the form was Jill's B&B. We've had a detail stationed there since we found Hanna's body, so there's no way he's gone back there to leave us a new clue."

All Castle deduced from what she had said was that their leads were either getting cold, or would eventually lead to dead ends. "He's just toying with us now, making us go round and round in circles," he told her, frustrated with their lack of progress.

No matter what they did, it seemed that 3XK was still always one step ahead of them.

When they got back to the precinct, Beckett spent only ten minutes getting updates and giving new instructions to her team, before she fit in her earpiece and called the AGs office.

Castle pulled up a chair and took a seat next to Ryan and Esposito, keeping a discrete eye on Beckett who had walked over to a corner with her notes, waiting patiently as she was put on hold.

He overheard Beckett greeting her boss, diving into business right away. She was professional and efficient, giving her boss a thorough update on the events in New York. She remembered all the details, reciting them by memory – the notes in front of her an unnecessary prop.

Castle had forgotten how good she was at this. Holding onto the details, putting the pieces together to form a larger picture. It was much like his storytelling process, only less flamboyant and more structured. She was in her element, and it was a marvelous sight to behold.

He caught himself observing her a little too closely, and it reminded him of the early days of their partnership. Standing abruptly, Castle excused himself to make a cup of coffee in the break room.

For a while he was sufficiently distracted – his hands busy tinkering about, most of his actions a result of muscle memory. He tamped down the espresso beans, slotting the filter back and tightened it to the right. He turned on the hot water to let it warm, heading off to get a cup and the milk.

This routine was familiar to him, grounding and comforting at the same time. Pouring some milk into the pitcher, he began steaming it with the wand. Soon enough, the milk began climbing on one side of the pitcher. The rich, creamy smell filled the air as Castle flipped the switch to start pouring the shot of espresso.

The whiff of caffeine hit him hard, a contrast to the creamy scent of the milk but soothing in so many ways. His eyes wandered, seeking for a glimpse of Beckett through the blinds. Even now, his subconscious mind still associated coffee with Beckett no matter how hard he'd tried to stop it.

She was pacing now, her head downcast – she was probably staring blankly at the floor. She nodded at intervals, presumably receiving her instructions down the chain of command. He could practically picture the little frown on her face, the one that appeared whenever she was focused or paying attention raptly.

Castle startled as he suddenly felt a burn on his hand. Instead of paying attention, his mind had wandered and as a result, the milk foam had climbed over the rim of the pitcher, and onto his hand.

He flicked the switch on the espresso machine before running his hand under some cool water. His skin was a little pink, but the scald wasn't that bad. Castle quickly finished putting together his coffee. He walked back to the meeting room, greeted with the sight of Beckett bent over, jotting something down as she said goodbye.

Sipping on his latte, he was reminded of his mild mishap in the break room once more. Better stay focused, Ricky, his brain supplied. You don't want to get burned again.

Beckett hung up with the AG office, plucking out her earpiece as she pondered how to go about this next part. Turning to face the room, she saw Castle entering, sipping on a cup of coffee. She sure could use a cup of coffee right now.

"Alright guys, change of plans," she said to the room in general. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Beckett commandeered their attention easily, a natural leader. "The AGs office isn't happy with the progress of this investigation, and due to the time constraint set by 3XK, our priorities have to diverge at this point."

Up until then, Castle's mind had let slip that his priorities and the Federal task force's priorities may not be the same. He was in this, first and foremost, to ensure Alexis' safety. They were here to catch 3XK and follow up with the investigation, bringing justice and closure to the other families.

Beckett continued, cutting Castle's train of thoughts short. "From this point forth, we're going to be splitting into two teams. Tyson's always been one step ahead of us; he's always had an upper hand on this game. So, we're moving Alexis to a safe house."

She paused, letting them absorb her words. "We take away his next target so he'll have to come to us. He'll be coming onto our turf; meeting us on our terms, and we'll be able to prepare our defenses. Best-case scenario: he comes to us and we take him out. Either way, we can at least ensure that Alexis gets to see next week."

Picking up her notes from the table, Beckett continued. "In the meantime, the second team will continue working the investigation. Cooper, you'll be leading the investigation from here on with Dom and Grey. We'll work out communication once DC gives me the details for the safe house. Lee, we'll be going to the safe house with Alexis sometime this evening, so be prepared."

Her team had their instructions, so Beckett turned to Castle, Esposito and Ryan. "I'll talk to Captain Gates and let her know of the changes. Do you guys want in on the investigation or the safe house?" she asked, trying to keep them involved.

"I go wherever Alexis goes," Castle told her easily. That was a given, so she turned to the boys. Ryan and Espo glanced at each other, silently communicating through looks. A second later, they nodded at each other. Ryan told Beckett their decision.

"Safe house."

A/N: Please review! :)