3.

The Panic

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

Edgar Allan Poe

Gina confirmed the signing, saying he left around 8:00 that evening, mentioning nothing about going anywhere out of the ordinary.

Calling the boys, she alerts them to Castle's MIA status, asking them to run a trace on his other phone, the one he uses only for business, hoping he might have it on him since he was at a book event not long before going missing, but it was a waste of time. The trace showed the signal to be originating from within his loft, likely in the pocket of the jacket he was wearing, the one Alexis mentioned lying across his bed, meaning he did make it home so what could have happened after that?

Around 7:00 a.m. a package about the size of a standard photo mailer is delivered to the precinct, Beckett's name clearly displayed on the front as it lands in her inbox, an officer apparently having signed for it while she was away from her desk.

Her head is beginning to spin as she rubs her temples for relief. No leads mean they are no closer to solving their case or Castle's whereabouts, the latter, she's ashamed to admit with regards to the victim's families, is her biggest concern. His daily use phone, having been left in his office was the first evidence to be tested, but it contained no foreign fingerprints. Another dead end…oh god, don't say dead. She can imagine, taking into account his actions of late, he might ignore her, but he would never ignore his daughter. Things are very wrong and every fiber of her being is screaming that fact over and over, creating a constant throbbing in her skull as she rubs her temples in what should be soothing circles, but offers no comfort.

Ryan approaches her desk with more bad news, nothing else has panned out and they are stuck without anything further to go on, the few strands of hope she was grasping onto, now dissipating along with her strength. Forcing the heels of her hands into her eye sockets, she rubs, urging her brain into gear, a thought, a direction…anything. Looking up she sees Ryan staring at the pile of mail she has neglected for the past two days. His brow is furrowed in thought until his lips form a slight grin, asking who is sending her mail with smiley faces on it. She frowns as she follows his line of sight to the package on top. Equally curious of that fact she lifts it from it's resting place, turns it over, examining it with intense eyes. Grabbing a box cutter from her drawer she splits the thick cardboard, pulling out a single sheet of paper containing little square letters.

I hope you got a chance to say

Before this time came, good day.

Because he is soon gone

No longer for you to fawn.

Such a finely shaped skull

Soon to be an empty hull.

Don't bother wasting the time

Not to be found before the crime.

I claim him now to be mine

Oh this day, so very divine.

Her and Ryan's eyes snap to each other's, matching looks of horror meeting one another.

The loud and forceful, "Shit!" pulls Esposito's attention from his file, staring at his partner and boss, eyes flashing between their faces, immediately recognizing the terror within.

"What is it?"

They both remain frozen, their distress preventing them from speaking temporarily until Espo's raised voice brings them out of their daze. "Guys, what's going on?"

Turning to face his partner, Ryan stammers, "The Bone Collector….he's…ah….got…Castle."

Espo looks more white than they have ever seen the normally brown detective as the color blanches from his face, the meaning hitting him all at once, anxiety and despair overtaking his features as Beckett's look of revulsion sends her straight for the restroom, heels tap, tap, tapping as she goes, one hand covering her mouth, the other clutching her stomach.

The slamming of the door pushes the boys into action, Espo pulling on latex gloves, sliding the note and mailer into the clear sleeve evidence bag Ryan holds open. Grabbing it, Espo rushes off in the direction of the evidence lab. They aren't expecting the analysis to yield anything, but at least they feel as though they are in motion once again.

Entering the bullpen, looking a little damp at the forehead and peaked around the edges, Beckett starts… "Get the letter to…"

Ryan's voice breaks in, "Already on it, Beckett."

"Thanks and sorry about that. I just…"

"No worries, Beckett. We're going to figure this out. Just wish Castle was here to help."

Realizing what he said he drops his head as he heads to the murder board, afraid to say anything more, but needing to be doing something.

So quiet he almost misses it, "I agree, Ryan. It would make it better in so many ways."

Four hours later, having received less than nothing from the letter, her phone rings. She almost jumps from her seat when Castle's face flashes across her screen, but then she remembers, it's likely Alexis calling from their home phone. Making a mental note to change the photo to something distinguishing his home from his cell, she answers.

"I'm such an idiot." Lex's high-pitched, exasperated voice comes across the phone line.

"Alexis, I can't imagine a world where that would be true so you're going to have to explain that statement in a little more detail so I can catch up." She doesn't bother mentioning their most recent discovery to the girl with only one true parent.

"The watch he wears for special occasions, signings, promotional events etc…It's missing from his drawer and since he was just at a public event he may still be wearing it."

"Ok, but I'm still not following, Alexis." Brows furrowed in confusion as she attempts to decipher the girl's meaning.

"Detective, it's outlandishly expensive. When he bought it the clerk said losing it would be unbearable and it's one of the most commonly sought after by thieves because it carries such a high resale value. Would be muggers look for items of great value to be fenced before choosing their targets or something like that. He paid extra for the locator chip just in case. I'm saying it has a tracking device in it." Audibly gasping for air by the end, Beckett is pretty sure the girl relayed all that in one long sentence without taking a breath.

"Alexis, you're amazing. Can you fax me the paperwork?"

"Right away, just send me the number and it will be on it's way within seconds. Please hurry, detective. Please find my dad and bring him home."

Getting a warrant in record time for the company handling the tracking information, hope flares in her gut as she does the math, he's only been missing for a little over 40 hours and their evidence shows the other victims were kept alive for three to five days after being taken. His arrogance reveals no regards of capture so he likely won't accelerate his game. However, his little poem also mentioned this day, which pushes her forward with a greater urgency than ever before, those two little words leaving no delusion of the potentially deadly outcome should she be tardy to this lunatic's most lethally planned finale.

Pulling up to the curb in front of the dilapidated old house, Beckett is practically out of the car before it comes to a full stop, running, hoping she's not too late. Esposito and Ryan are at her six, making sure she keeps her training ahead of her fear. They feel the concern for their friend as well, but understand Beckett is feeling it ten-fold. Although refusing to admit it, they know she cares for her partner deeply, a friend to all, but much more to her, despite the recent strain between them.

Knowing they are dealing with a serial killer they go for the stealthy approach rather than the loud kick-the-door-in procedure as not to send the killer into a panic and force his hand early… that is, if it's not already too late. Looking through the windows they can see the interior is in much better shape than the exterior, which is mostly in ruins, likely an effort to lessen the risk of drawing attention, but it was obviously once a grand estate. Twisting the knob it turns easily, swinging open with only a slight squeak. Stepping across the threshold they fan out, eyes searching, ears straining, but nothing comes. The entry area is immense, looking onto a double staircase leading to a stately landing overlooking from above. Pushing on with inaudible steps, a crystal chandelier comes into view, hanging from the center on a drop chain, producing subdued light, indicating the resident might be home. The foyer opens into 3 other spacious rooms, but it's the décor that earns their scrutiny… and trepidation. In the middle of the dining room to their left sits a glass top table, the artistically sculpted legs appear to mimic a colossal amount of osseous matter, perhaps that of an elephant or other large species. The glass top covers a recessed shadow box center with various bones spread out in circular formations. The centerpiece sits boastfully, a glass vase containing what appears to be a conglomerate of smaller bones, brightly painted and glowing from within as if embedded with a dozen fireflies. The color and lights reminding her of an old lava lamp might be pretty if not for the knowledge of what it really is and who it belongs too…not to mention the people who died in order for it's existence to come into being. The chandelier above is made of antlers…keeping with the theme of bone decor…wired together to form a circular design tapering downward and displaying a grouping of brightly shining lights. The wallpaper depicting fight scenes, swords and blood, she finds odd for a dining room, but, of course, they aren't in any aspect dealing with someone of rational thinking.

The room directly across from their current position appears to be an office as it draws them towards it, a masculine desk in the center, bookcases covering the walls, but the shelving around the top is what heeds their interest. Stationed about 18 inches down from the ornately carved ceiling tiles hangs a line of shelving containing consistently spaced skulls…human skulls…surrounding the room, colored light emitting from each orifice, creating an eerie scene as if decoration for a haunted house. Some with eyes glowing red, some green, others blue, but no power cords seem to connect them, indicating the room was designed with individual power outlets to meet each station. Well that's premeditation at it's best. She can't even bring herself to count them right now. The whole scene sends a chill up her spine as she spots the final piece of decor. Standing in the far corner, the only corner without book shelves, contained within an array of glowing black light, is a mostly erected skeleton, the kind you would see in an anatomy classroom…except this one consists of real bone…oh, and it's missing a key piece…the skull.

Curved walls lead to the entrance of the forward room, the staircases on either side opening onto the landing situated above the door. Stepping through reveals a kitchen, dried blood speckling the marble countertops, more drops marring the 18-inch tiles arranged in a diamond pattern covering the floor. A blender rests to one side of the sink, full of…god, let's not go there…The hair on their necks stands at attention, a warning to most, telling them to back away, but their job and Castle's life hanging in the balance forces their next step forward.

Officers checking the outbuildings find a table saw covered in blood and flies. Radioing in you can hear the disgust in their voices as they pass the news to Esposito who shares with Ryan and Beckett.

"Sounds like we have the right place." One of them states.

"Looks like it too," the other follows.

Approaching the counter they can see the sink is filled with a clear, but caustic smelling solution, a pile of bones soaking within, turning brighter white by the minute. Lying on the counter is a really nice watch, matching the description of Castle's. The band is severed and covered in blood.

Ryan's nose scrunches up in disgust, "Can I get an… ew?" Hand's indicating the sink in a Vanna White manner. "This guy could be the poster boy for any number of obsessive disorders."

"Yea bro, I'm gettin' some serious bad juju here. Nodding towards Castle's watch, Isn't that…?

He's cut off by Beckett who can't stand to hear the rest of that sentence, Castle's name being mentioned in conjunction with a blood soaked watch, his prized watch, the watch that led them there, possibly too late, is more than she can take.

A shredding pain rips loose within, something she hasn't felt before, but understands immediately. She loves him, she's in love with him and she's possibly waited too long… what if…it's too late, not only because of his withdrawal from her, but because he's…? What if he's gone, taken from her before she could find the courage to follow her heart? Knowing he was already pulling away only adds to her torment. Even if she's too late to claim his love she can't imagine her life without his bright smile, his constant attempt to comfort or help her even when she pushes him away and his friendship, at least his friendship. She needs to see the devotion and love he tries to hide behind his eyes, but often fails to accomplish. She just needs him, in every aspect. She has to find him, bring him back safe to his daughter, to her, and make things right.

Off the south end of the kitchen sits a recessed door, possibly leading to a walk-in pantry, but they've already cleared one pantry. With a silent twist of the knob, a staircase is revealed, each step leading downward, perhaps to a basement. With silent footfalls they descend, darkness encompassing them as they go. A chilly hallway with 2 doors, both steel, meets them at the bottom, lit only by wall sconces on each side, also made of bone, but with flickering candle light instead of colored incandescence.

The smell of death in the air raises the bile in their stomachs, acid burning their throats.

The first door is opened quietly, revealing a restaurant grade walk-in freezer, but the entry is padlocked. They will need bolt cutters, but honestly not in a hurry to find out what it contains they decide to see what's behind door number two. Sliding the lock on the adjacent door, an audible squeak reverberates around them. Looking to one another they silently count to three then nod, stepping through the opening, quietly, but with urgency.

Thanks for sticking with me. I promise the next chapter gets better. Love to hear from you, as always.