Chapter 14
After setting up the murder board Kate makes a few calls as the rest of the team is still out in the field. Her phone calls turn up nothing. It has been a few hours so she decides to visit the OCME. Perhaps Perlmutter has finished the autopsy. Besides if he hasn't she could always visit with Lanie.
She leaves the bullpen then goes to the OCME. Kate enters autopsy then jumps up on the table. Lanie enters and notices her friend swinging her legs back and forth while she is sitting on the autopsy table. She knows there is only one reason Kate was here. Perlmutter was working on her latest victim's autopsy. She would just wait until she is ready to tell her whatever she needs to tell her. Lanie walks back to her computer to enter the latest information on the last victim on her slab. Kate thinks back to lunch a week ago with Rick and how easily it is to talk with him.
"Lane, I have some news." Kate says after a few moments of silence.
Lanie looks up from her computer screen.
"You do? Well, what's this news, don't hold out on me Kate Beckett." Lanie asks with growing excitement.
"I did invite Rick to Remy's for lunch a week ago." Kate says looking at her friend.
Before Kate could get another word out Lanie has bolted from her desk and rolled her chair in front of Kate.
"Kate, tell me that you did not go all career orientated on him again?" Lanie asks worriedly.
"Lanie, I certainly did not. Actually, I think that we had a great time. I stole his fries and he stole my tomatoes and pickle." Kate grins.
"So Kate, are you thinking of arresting him?" Lanie asks seriously.
"Lanie be serious." Kate admonishes.
"Kate, I am being serious! Tell me do you see a great love story in your future?" Lanie asks.
"I am not sure but I did promise to have another family night soon." Kate says proudly.
"Another Family night…?" Lanie questions looking like she could not place this idea.
"Yeah, I told you about this last time. It seems that Martha has the comforting touch. There's something about her that seems to comfort me." Kate says wistfully. "It is like she understands me"
"Okay, what did the two of you talk about at that lunch?" Lanie asks impatiently.
"Well, I had to tell him that old Iron Pants decided to shelve his attack as a cold case." Kate says sadly.
Lanie smiles when she hears Kate call her new Captain 'Iron Pants'.
"Well, how did Rick take that news?" Lanie asks.
"Actually surprisingly well, I guess I have tried my best that is enough for him." Kate says.
"Okay, so what else did you discuss?" Lanie asks knowing how hard it is to tell a victim there are no new leads.
"After the shock of the bad news, Rick talks about his recovery and what he needs to accomplish with his physical therapy." Kate replies.
"So to say it went fine is a good thing I gather?" Lanie asks.
"Yes, you could say that…So what I the verdict on Mr. Walker?" Kate asks.
"Ah, I knew you had an ulterior motive." Lanie says as scoots over to her computer to pull up Perlmutter's chart on the victim. "Well, it says here two 9 mm slugs were recovered then sent to ballistics for comparison. Other than that the victim age 33 died of blood loss in about 15 minutes after shooting. Hmmm…TOD about Noon… So I say you should be getting the ballistic report on your computer soon." Lanie replies.
"Okay thanks, Lane I owe you." Kate says leaping off the table as her phone ring.
Lanie listens intently to the one-way conversation hoping that it is Rick that is calling. However, she soon realizes it's an official call.
"Beckett" she answers now in a professional tone.
"Detective I need you back at the precinct ASAP!" Her captain orders.
"Sir what's happening?" Kate responds.
"I may have been a bit too hasty in shelving the Castle case." He says.
"Sir…what do you mean being premature?" Kate asks on what cause old 'Iron Pants' to change his mind.
"Beckett, there has been a possible new development in the Castle case." He cryptically replies.
"What sort of new development? Can you explain Sir?" Kate asks.
"Not at this moment…detective, I need you back her right now, drop whatever it is your doing and get back here NOW!" he orders.
"Yes sir, I'm on my way." Kate says hanging up.
Lanie looks at her.
"So sorry Lane I have to go…I'll see you later?" Kate says as she exits.
"Oh Girl I know you are busy but please can you afford your old friend, at least, a phone call once and awhile?" Lanie asks.
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As Kate gets herself together she really wants to tell Lanie her feelings toward Rick. This is not the time. As she gets to her car she wonders.
Why now is there a 'development' in this case? It has been shut down and packed away on his orders. Now it is being reopened? Why?
Arriving at the 12th she heads up to the 4th floor. Getting off the elevator she walks off and gives Espo a tight-faced look.
"Boss, what's with that look?" Espo innocently asks.
"Espo, you were supposed to be here covering for me… what's happened…?" Kate asks.
"Boss, I don't know, hell Iron Pants has not even briefed us yet either. He wants me to tell you to report directly to him once you arrive." Espo says. "Consider this your warning."
"Really Javi, Old Iron Pants is not that scary!" Kate chides as she places her purse in her bottom drawer of her desk.
Once that is done she turns to the Captains office. She knocks on the door frame.
"Sir, you wanted to see me?" Kate asks.
"Detective Beckett, please have a seat." The captain says "Also would you please close the door?"
Kate enters uneasily. Not knowing where this conversation will be going. She sits and waits for him to start.
"Detective, I have reviewed your service file. You have numerous awards for valor, the police combat cross and let's not forget 4 honorable mentions. Hell, there's even an award from the President of the United States and from what I see I am not too sure for the life of me why waited so damn long to take the Lieutenants exam." He looks at her directly expecting an answer.
"Sir, it was not until recently after keeping a promise to my former Captain that I had made the decision to participate in the exam." Kate explains.
"Well, I hope that you really don't hesitate when the next exam comes along Lieutenant Beckett." The captain reports with a smile.
Kate was about to say that she would try studying harder for the next exam, but she stopped herself after hearing the last words out of his mouth.
"Sir…Would you please repeat what you just said?" Kate asks not believing she has heard him correctly.
"I see that you picked up on the obvious, congratulations Lieutenant. Of course, there will be an official swearing in down at 1PP when you will receive your bars, but from this minute forward you retain the rank and pay of Lieutenant." The Captain says. "You need to get with HR right away to get them up to speed."
"Sir, I don't know what to say." Kate says with a smile on her face as wide as she can make it.
"Well, that brings me to the other business I need to discuss with you. Lieutenant." He says getting the good business out of the way.
"Sir…What would that be?" Kate asks warily.
"Lieutenant, we are now going to re-open the Richard Castle cold case." He says.
"Are there any new leads, Sir?" Kate asks confusedly.
"Well, It seems ballistics has made a match. You newest case victim is murdered with bullets from a weapon that matches the bullets recovered from Mr. Castle. As of now there are facts that we need to look into to make sure this does not get away from us. I want you and your new team to look into this murder with a fresh start. Start from the beginning, I want this person caught am I clear?" The captain says.
"Yes, Sir. Though, I have a couple of questions." Kate asks.
"Go ahead Lieutenant, ask away." He replies.
"Sir…You mentioned a new team and new team members, why?" Kate asks.
Yes, Lieutenant, you are to head this new task force for these cases. Hopefully, we will find this guy before he becomes a full blown serial killer. You have at your disposal 3 detectives and you need to select one uniform to join your team to take your slot. Do you have anyone in mind?" the Captain asks.
"Sir, I'd like to request Detectives Esposito and Ryan for 2 of the three detectives. And I'd like to bring up Patrolman Hastings." Kate informs her Captain.
"I knew that you'd select Ryan and Espo but why Hastings?" He asks.
"Sir, I have worked with her before. She has skills that can be useful in the field. Also, she has a great knack for putting the pieces of a puzzle together. These cases so far are very puzzling indeed." Kate replies.
"Okay, Lieutenant. I agree with your reasoning. This is your team. I'll file the paperwork for Hastings's transfer. She will report to you in the morning. Is there anything else Lieutenant?" He inquires.
"Sir I will submit my selection for the third detective by the end of the day and if possible, would you know my final score for the exam?" Kate asks.
The Captain opens her service file once again and reads the results.
"You scored a 98 on the exam Lieutenant. But the essay was the best the personnel at 1PP have seen in a while. May I ask why you chose Richard Castle to write your essay on?" The captain asks intrigued.
"Sir even though I have only known him for a short while, what I have seen in the way he conducts his affairs is nothing like what the papers portray him being. He has a way about him and I just wrote about how he influenced my life." Kate replies.
"Okay, Lieutenant. Again congratulations on your promotion, it's been a long time in coming." The captain says.
"Thank-You Sir." Kate responds.
"You are dismissed Lieutenant, after speaking with HR of course…take the rest of the day off. You will have a full day tomorrow, with a lot on your plate." He says.
Kate leaves his office and motions to Espo and Ryan to follow her to the break room. She wants to let them know that receiving her promotion will not change the way they work together.
"Yo Beckett, what's with the meeting with Iron Pants?" Espo asks.
"Yeah Boss, what is going on in there?" Ryan asks.
"Guys listen…I have just been promoted to Lieutenant. I want you to know that this in no way changes the way we work. We will be part of a task force led by me. We will be welcoming a new member in the morning." Kate explains.
"Who is that, Boss?" Ryan and Espo say together.
"I requested Officer Hastings to join us. Will that be a problem?" Kate asks hoping that it won't be.
Immediately they both understand her choice.
"Hastings is a good cop. She'll have our backs" Ryan says.
"Espo, what about you…Any problems with my selection…?" Kate asks.
"No Lieutenant. Officer Hastings is fine." Espo says.
"Good well, that is all you guys finish up then head home." Kate orders.
"Congratulations Kate. You deserve this bump up the ladder." They both state.
"Thanks, guys, we'll need to hit the ground running tomorrow. We have a lot to do in the morning. So go home and come back in the morning, refreshed. I will look into this new murder tonight. I'll see if I can find a direction to go in by the time you get back in the morning." Kate says.
The boys leave for the night grateful for the time off. Kate heads back over to her desk and gathers her things up to head out taking the latest murder file home with her. She stops briefly at HR. There is always paperwork. Kate sighs and she wonders what Rick is doing at this minute.
Kate finishes with HR. She glances at her phone. One text message would not possibly hurt. She decides against a text message. This needs to be done in person.
Kate jumps in her cruiser then heads to Casa de Castle as Rick calls it.
She parks and meets Eduardo at the door.
"Good Afternoon Detective Beckett, Mr. Castle is expecting you."
Kate is momentarily perplexed by his comment but shrugs it off. She hurriedly enters the elevator which takes her to his loft. The elevator opens to see Rick standing in the center of the doorway like a little kid.
"I see I have been anticipated?" Kate asks.
"Well maybe…I did leave word with Eduardo that you are to be allowed entrance at any time." Rick sheepishly says. "So, what brings you to my door, detective?"
Kate looks into his eyes. She is falling for him and she can't help it.
"Richard is that Katherine? Well, let her in… I swear you sometimes you men have no manners!" Martha says.
Hearing his mother's voice he breaks the connection with Kate then step aside.
Rick takes her coat then notices the official police files in her hands.
"So is this a business call Detective?" Rick inquires.
"Well yes and no, Martha, Rick, your case is being reopened." Kate says.
"Wonderful news darling…I told you NYPD was going change their minds." Martha says "You definitely must stay for dinner."
Rick does not look that pleased not as much as Martha does.
"Rick, you do not look happy…what's wrong?" Kate asks taking his hand in hers then pulling him towards the sofa and then sitting next to him.
That same electric shock reappeared in force. They both feel it when she takes his hand.
"Detective…" Rick starts.
"Rick, please, it is Kate." Kate protests.
"Okay Kate, what caused this reopening?" Rick asks concerned.
"Well as you know I can not comment on the evidence that NYPD have or does not have for an active case. However, I can tell you it has a lot to do with my promotion to Lieutenant." Kate says with glee.
Rick whoops as he hears this news.
Kate is a bit startled with his over exuberant reaction.
"Lieutenant. huh, well congratulations are in order…We must go out to eat to celebrate this…I know of a quiet place just the 4 of us to go." Rick says.
"Congratulations darling I agree with Richard we must go out and celebrate!" Martha says as Alexis comes down the stairs wondering why her Dad was whooping like a madman.
"Dad, what is going on around here? I'm trying to study." Alexis says then she notices Detective Beckett. "Oh hello Kate…Are you the reason my father my father is whooping like a man possessed?"
"Hi, Alexis…I suppose I am…Your dad is reacting to the news his case has been reopened…Also my promotion to Lieutenant." Kate says matter of factly.
"Oh well congratulations, Kate. We really need to go out and celebrate your promotion." Alexis says.
"Thanks, Alexis…yes it has been brought to my attention this must happen from your Grams and your overeager father." Kate says rolling her eyes at Rick.
"Okay, I got the reservations made… for 3 at this nice Italian bistro…" Rick says getting off the phone.
Kate smiles and agrees. Everyone rushes off to get ready for dinner.
Kate sits on the couch reviewing the files while everyone is gone. There are a few odd things that she notices. Two of the victim's names are Richard Walker and Richard Castle. Two Richards what are that odds? Hmmm, both are rich too…Walker is a wealthy internet banker and hedge fund manager. She reads the report. She recalls him walking his dogs Brutus and George when the murder happens. The uniforms found no trace of the missing dogs. She makes her notes and reads them over once more. The dog walker has not returned her call. Tomorrow, she will send Espo and Hastings to check him out. Tonight is for her to celebrate…