Disclaimer: They still aren't mine.

Chapter 9

Before he could get downstairs to check on Beckett the woman he last wanted to see walked through the door to his room. Victoria Gates had a scowl on her face that would have made the toughest marine flinch. Castle did his best not to to cower under the sheet.

"Castle, its good to see you recovering. I wish I could say the same about my detective."

Only then did Castle even attempt to make eye contact. "Sir, I know its my fault."

"Your damn right its your fault without you to watch out for Beckett was out in a matter of minutes and probably maintains the ability to walk. With a civilian the priority of life kicks in and she wouldn't have allowed herself to go out first no matter what. So what were you two doing there in the first place?"

"Again my fault. After Captain Montgomery's death a man contacted me. He knew who was involved in Johanna Beckett's murder and would keep Beckett safe as long as she didn't continue to investigate." Gates was about to interrupt. "I know but she got shot anyway. Apparently he didn't find out about Montgomery's death until it was too late to prevent the shooting." Castle stretched the truth a little. They still didn't want to implicate Montgomery if they could prevent it. His family had been through enough.

"So why now? Why were you in the garage?"

"Judge Markaway's murder had several similarities to Johanna Beckett's murder. I contacted this guy, Smith, and he said to meet at the garage. Either he's involved or someone got to him first."

Esposito and Ryan had followed her in and Javi spoke up. "Looks like someone got to your contact. Fire crews found one other car on the fourth floor and there was a body inside. It matches the description you gave of Smith."

"Who was he?" Castle wasn't sure whether he was relieved the cloak and dagger was over or if he was terrified that there was no one left looking out for Beckett and Montgomery's family.

"We haven't identified him yet. His DNA isn't in any databases. The body was pretty damaged in the blast."

Kevin finally spoke. "We placed a call to some friends at the FBI. We figured in light of our assistance on recent cases they owed us a little. They are looking into it. But with his placement I'm doubt they'll find anything. My bets on CIA."

"What about Montgomery's family? Smith was supposedly protecting them too."

Gates fielded this question to. "They've been placed in protective custody by the U.S. Marshals. In light of potential involvement by people within the NYPD I thought it might be good to take them out of our control."

Castle looked to Ryan and Esposito for clarification. He was under the impression that they weren't telling Gates about the involvement of Montgomery.

Gates softened and pulled a chair beside his bed. "Castle look I still don't particularly think you should be riding along with Detective Beckett all the time. But I must admit that in recent cases your unique way of thinking has been of assistance. Second, I must admit that when I came in I was tough on Beckett. She took away my record as youngest woman to make detective and I held that against her. While I looked at the case of her shooting I didn't look into the cases surrounding it like I should have. Last night we threw ourselves into the cases and the guys brought me up to speed on all things Johanna Beckett."

"Captain figured we needed to lean a little harder on the military angle. I placed a few calls and the military is looking into anyone that served with Martin Holst, the Navy Seal, the rifle that shot Beckett was originally registered to."

There was a knock at the door. "Mr. Castle they are ready for you upstairs."

"Oh, sorry guys I finally got the OK to go see Beckett." The three officers agree to keep him informed and left to get back to the investigation.