Chapter 5
As time goes by Kate thinks about all she has sacrificed to get to where she is now. She knows that she has made the right decision to cut men out of her life. The case with Sorenson has not only proved her point but it also has strengthened her resolve. Luckily after she said goodbye to him, he finally received the message. He did not decide to pursue her any further. She never heard from him again. That had been almost a year ago.
Her career has moved forward. Currently, she thinks about the next Lieutenants test. When she actually is given the test, she will easily pass it. She knows that her arrest record and her current evaluations along with her closure rate would guarantee her the well-deserved position. The only thing that scares her is the fact that becoming a higher up would take her away from what she loves doing the most...investigating.
She is driven, honest, and is the best detective in the 12th precinct. Her Captain has seen that look in her eyes when he has taken her on as his protégé. All she needed was a good shove in the right direction. Then let her thirst for getting justice for the victim's families to take hold. She has done all the things her late Captain had asked. So now even from beyond his grave he still is trying to mentor her. She remembers the day he has passed away...
Flashback...
It's only 5 months ago. She is sitting at her desk after receiving her latest promotion to Detective First Grade only a few months prior. She is still trying to make sure her Captain's decision to promote her looks good. She is looking over a simple open and shut case. That is when she heard him call her from his office.
"Beckett, my office now...please." The Captain says.
She knows he isn't mad at her by noticing the word, please. He is a man of habits. If he was upset that please would be another word altogether different. She walks up to his office door and knocks to announce her arrival.
"Sir… You wanted to see me?" Kate asks
"Ah Yes…Kate come in and close the door." He says motioning also with his hand.
She enters then stands before his massive desk at attention. He looks at her with much pride in his eyes.
"Stand down detective and relax…Please have a seat" he says motioning again with his hand at the empty seat.
Kate relaxes then sits down. Her alert eyes are on her boss.
"I suppose you are wondering, why I called you in here?" He asks with no tell on his face to give her a clue.
"Sir that idea has crossed my mind. So Sir, What do you need with me?" Kate inquires.
"Kate, what I'm going to ask you is nothing that has to do with the NYPD rules or regulations." He says cryptically.
"Sir…What do you mean…Is this a personal question?" Kate asks again puzzled.
"Kate, I have been watching you since you started as a beat cop to a 3rd-grade detective. Now, that you have made it to the big leagues. You are running your own team. I have been observing. I know this is none of my business, but have there been any men in your life since the pumpkin eater relationship?" Her Captain asked.
"Oh, so it is personal. Then she recalls his words Pumpkin Eater like the nursery rhyme. That is a pretty clever way of saying Peter."
She thinks but lets her face remains neutral.
"Pumpkin eater, Sir…?" Kate says having fun with her boss by matching wits.
"Yeah well I knew that guy was not the right guy for you. Peter was his name right?" Roy admits.
"Yes, Sir…Peter is his name. I hear he got married to that red-headed bimbo that invaded my apartment. I wish him nothing but luck. However, Sir, I'm not too sure why you wanted to talk about my love life or should I say lack there of one?" Kate asks.
"Kate, listen to what I am going to say. It has a lot to do with this topic. Now while I can't make you see someone, hear this. Having someone in your life makes things go easier. Talking to your significant other after a long day or just being with a person does wonders for your soul." He says.
"Sir…" Kate says as her Captain continues without acknowledging her interruption.
"Kate having that kind of relationship keeps you grounded. It makes you see that you have a goal in life. So if you were asked to participate in oh let's just say an upcoming Lieutenants exam, then having someone to talk to them about it might work wonders for you." He states.
"Sir I understand what you are saying. I would like nothing better than to have someone to talk and come home to. However, I've learned that the hard way. The job that I love comes between two people. I do not want to ever be placed between the love of my job with the love of a person. So I eliminate one for the other." Kate states.
"I see your reasoning. However, you need balance in your life especially as you become a driving force within the NYPD. Now I am not saying you need a man in your life to get you there. Though, trust me it will make figuring things out so much easier for you." He says.
"Okay, Sir I will keep that in mind." Kate says.
"Kate, the test is in 6 months. I see no problem in your record preventing you from being advanced to the rank of Lieutenant." He comments.
Kate shifts uncomfortably in her seat. She really wants to move up and advance then fears she will be just another paper pusher. It would take her away from investigating.
"Sir while I am very interested in advancing. I am afraid that if I accept a promotion my detecting skills will be placed on the back burner. Using my detective skills is what I do best. It fulfills me. I believe Sir this advancement would curtail my use."
"I see would you like to further explain?" he asks interested in her point of view that he himself struggled too not so long ago.
"Sir, what I mean is that I will be in an office, taking calls and dealing with paperwork, the public, doing reports and dispatching other detectives to crime scenes, essentially a boss." Kate says. "I would not be out in the field using my wits to outsmart the bad guys."
Her Captain realizes Kate has the wrong idea about getting a promotion. He needs to set her straight now.
"Kate let me tell you something, the position of Lieutenant has many facets. You can be a Jr. tactical commander, a PR guy, and even a hostage negotiator. What I'm saying is that you don't necessarily need to give up being a detective altogether." He states.
Kate is intrigued she never considered these other exciting avenues.
"How so, Sir…?" Kate asks wanting to learn more.
"Granted becoming a Lieutenant adds more responsibilities. Though, the advancement itself won't limit your time in the field. You have the luxury of picking and choosing which cases you wish to work." He says.
"Thank-you Sir." Kate says visibly impressed.
"Think about it and let me know what your decision will be. If you decide yes then I need to add your name to the list of candidates to take the exam. You are dismissed detective." He says with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Sir." Kate says as she turns to leave.
She is thinking about what he has just told her. She walks back to her desk. She realizes that she has already made up her mind. Turning back to his office she raises her hand to knock. Before she has the chance to do so, Roy is looking at her with a stone face. Walking into the office, she steps right in front of his desk and studies him. His arms are placed perfectly in front him and in his hands is a copy of her service record. He is sitting perfectly straight in his chair.
"Sir…?" Kate asks as she gets no reply she rushes around to the back of his desk.
She tries to locate his radial pulse but finding nothing.
"Espo… Call 911…The Captain is in trouble!" Kate yells out as she starts CPR with the help of Ryan as he rushes into the office until the EMT's arrive.
They take over. After a few minutes, they stop and sadly shake their heads.
"Your Captain is gone…I am so sorry for your loss." The lead EMT says as the coroner is called.
Perlmutter arrives then the body was taken to the OCME. No foul play is found. Her Captain has died in his chair after he suffered a massive heart attack. There is nothing anyone could have done. The only blessing is that her captain died quickly with little pain. This example stays with Kate to this very day.
Even then with all her reservations she decides to go ahead and apply for the honor to take the upcoming Lieutenants exam on that day. She would do it for Roy. He had seen something in her and she would prove it.
"Boss…Are you okay?" Espo asks pulling her out of her memories.
"Yeah Espo, I'm just remembering some advice from an old friend." Kate states.
"Oh okay, boss…" He says still a bit concerned as a bigger brother would.
"Listen Espo, it's getting late and I'm going to head home. Tell Ryan to pick up the reports for that open and shut from the M.E. So we can file the final paperwork for the case and send it over to the ADA." Kate says as she gathers her belongings.
"Will do boss." Espo replies still a bit worried. "Boss I see you are reaching for your keys? Don't you remember your unit went into the garage to have some work done to it?"
"Oh yeah Thanks, Espo…can I catch a ride with you?" Kate asks.
"So sorry Boss, Ryan has our unit. He won't be back for another 3 hours." Espo says sorrowfully.
"Okay, I'm not going to wait for him to return. So I guess I'll just catch a cab Good night Espo." She says tiredly as she leaves him with a smile then turns toward the elevators.
Once on the lobby floor, she nods to the desk Sergeant and walks out onto the city street. It's a decent night out and rather than take a cab she decides to walk the couple of blocks to her home...