Chapter 20
Kate thought back to five minutes ago after they left his loft. She is wondering if there is a way she could keep Rick safe. In reality, she knows that there is no way that anyone would be able to predict the future. She just hopes she would solve this case quickly. While he gathers some clothes and personal effects, she thinks about how she would accomplish this feat. In her mind, she has already fallen for him. He is the only one she visualizes herself being with for the rest of her life. But also in her mind, there is only one place she knows where he would be safe. By her side.
He has everything he needs for about a week. She pulls out her phone and makes a call. Sitting in her unmarked she speaks with the uni's she has checking up on Alexis and Martha. For the time being, they are fine. Hanging up, she starts her car and pulls into very busy traffic. Dialing the 12th she talks to her Captain. The conversation is very much back and forth.
"Sir, I understand that this request is not an ordinary one. I am going to keep him safe at any costs." Kate is heard to say.
Since Rick is only hearing the conversation from one side he is a bit worried. There might be something she is keeping from him. He sits in the passenger seat and gazes at her.
"Yes, sir, I agree. I will bring him to a secure safe house." Kate says then ends the call.
She looked over to Rick and his face is filled with worry. She needs to reassure him that everything would be fine.
"Rick with all that's happened since this case started I am going to keep you safe. While I am positive that this suspect won't try anything in a private setting he seems to want to make his murders a public event." Kate says slowly.
"Okay, Kate, what did you have in mind? Did you mention a safe house? I think that my loft is state of the art. I have a security system in place that's second to none, bullet proof windows, hell I even have a panic room on the first floor." Rick retorts.
"Rick while I don't doubt that the loft is a fortress you need to understand that this nut just might have your address. I would not put it past him to try again to kill you. I just found you. There is no way that I am going to lose you. Rick, you're it for me." Kate earnestly states before she realized what she has said.
Rick's eyes alight from her confession. Kate thinks she has overstepped. They're boyfriend/girlfriend, though, before their talks have been never this serious. Rick locked eyes with her.
"Kate, What are you telling me exactly?" Rick asks seriously.
Kate glances over at him, then takes his hand in hers.
"Rick, we should not be having this conversation in the car. I want to see your eyes when we discuss this. But know this, I do love you. I do not love easily. However, it is easy to love you and your so called crazy family. I vow to keep you and your family safe. So please wait to make any comment otherwise I may not keep us safe due to overwhelming emotions. Have I made myself clear?" Kate states.
Rick mutely nods. He is so consumed with love for this woman. Though, he wants to profess his love as being final too. He realizes his personal safety takes precedence over his thoughts.
"Thanks, Rick, for understanding." Kate says as she drives up to the safe house.
She is met at the safe house by 3 other uni's and arranges the patrolling of the apartment. As she discusses Rick's safety, Rick looks around. The safe house apartment is quaint but utilitarian. There is a touch of the whimsy too. He stows his bag in the back bedroom away from the street. He wanders through the various rooms. He sees the kitchen and looks in the refrigerator. He sees it is mostly empty.
Kate walks in to observe him. She takes a breath. Her other team members have yet to arrive. So it was a good enough time to finish the discussion delayed earlier from the car.
"Good, I see you are getting acquainted here. I think now is a good time to continue our car discussion." Kate says.
Rick looks up, hearing her voice.
"Yeah, Kate I would like that very much. Why don't we sit down on the couch?" Rick says.
"Rick I love you. You have changed me in so many ways in such a short time. You have opened my eyes to something that I never thought possible. The way I see you is not what I have originally thought. You are a son who cares deeply about his mother. You would without question protect your daughter till your death. I have seen this firsthand how devoted and protective you are towards her. So I think that you have a heart as big as the world and I'd love it if you would accept me as just a little more than your girlfriend." Kate says again holding his hand and gazing into his bluer than blue eyes so filled with love.
His thoughts were all over the place. He really likes her… no, if he is, to be honest with himself he is deeply and totally in love with this woman. She is dynamic, down to earth, and very, very caring.
"Rick when I told you that I was not letting you out of my sight I meant it. After clearing it with my Captain I decided that we would use my apartment." Kate explains.
He looks at her with a twinge of want. He needs to get that thought out of his mind before he has thoughts that would have her killing him.
"Rick we won't be here too long. We will just drop off your bag and then we need to head over to Queens to interview Agnes Falco."
"Agnes Falco… Who is Agnes Falco?" Rick questions.
"Well, without going into specifics we think that she might know the whereabouts of her son, Sam Berkowitz, who we think might be involved in your attempted murder 3 weeks ago and the suspect in 3 other murders." Kate says.
"So you think taking me to see his mother is a good idea...why? I thought exposing me to a place a suspected killer might visit might be bad for my health. Aren't you trying to not to expose me to any other risk? I mean what if the suspect just might be visiting his mother as we roll up? Are we going to get into a shoot out?" Rick asks.
"Rick, you're right. What was I thinking bringing you into such a risky situation? I am so sorry Rick. I need to get my thoughts in line, Kate says to herself. I will get Espo and Hastings to conduct the interview. In the meantime, why don't you look around? I know you have never been here before." Kate says.
Rick gets up, then starts looking around. Kate gets on the phone.
"Espo, something has come up. I need you and Hastings to conduct the Agnes Falco interview. I need to stay here for the time being. Keep me informed on what you find out." Kate says.
"Right boss, the canvass is proceeding. Several people reported seeing a park worker in the area. However, none can identify the person behind the uniform. Ill call you with the outcome of the Falco interview" Espo reports.
"Okay, Espo let the uni's finish the canvass then get over to our suspect's mother's house on the double." Kate orders.
"I'm on it boss" Espo replies as Kate hangs up her phone.
While Kate is still on the phone Rick notices that she collects Hummel figurines. She has some of the most desirable pieces on her shelves. Looking at her bookshelf he notices her book collection. She had all of his books he had ever published even his ones that are written under a different pen name. He wonders. How has she made that connection? Very few have recognized it is he who wrote this, but none the less there it is sitting there as proof.
She notices Rick hovering near her collection of books as she gets off the phone. She moves to intercept him.
"So Rick, are you done looking into my life?" She said with a smile.
"Kate, I am amazed how you were able to get a hold of some of my books that're so obscure." Rick says with amazement.
He knows she is good, but that good is a bit scary.
"Remember Rick, die hard Castle fan girl here." She says sadly looking downward.
"There's a story there and while I want to know this about you I won't push." Rick says gently raising her chin up with his hand.
"Thanks Rick. I won't keep anything from you. I just need time. Soon, I will tell you about it." Kate sadly says.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The ride to Queens is a fairly quick one considering the time of day. They both walk up to the door. Ann knocks on the door and a gray-haired woman answers. She looks to be about in her mid sixties.
"Mrs. Falco?" Ann asks being a bit unsure.
"I have never been called Mrs. Falco. Falco is my Maiden name. My name is Mrs. White. So what can I do for you?" She answers.
Kate had told them that this woman might be younger than what she was seeing in front of her. However, Ann just chalked it up to bad intel.
"Excuse me, Mrs. White. We must have had poor information. My name is Detective Ann Hastings with the NYPD. And this is my partner Detective Javier Esposito. We would like to ask you a few questions." Ann says like a seasoned pro.
"Alright Detectives, what can I do to help you?" She says.
"May we come in Mrs. White?" Ann respectfully asks.
"Certainly, where are my manners?!" she says as she invites them inside.
The detectives enter her house. She seats them in her living room. Espo looks to a small table where there are photographs of what he thinks are her son with his father then other pictures without him. He looks to be in his mid-thirties in the last one.
"So detectives, what's this all about?" she asks, hoping it is not a repeat of the horrors her brother caused her family.
"Mrs. White, we have reason to believe that your son is a person of interest in a three murders and an attempted murder of another man." Espo says.
Agnes looks down at her clasped hands together and wonders.
"This day she hoped would never come?"
She and Ed did their best to raise Sam right. In her mind, he was never the ideal child. He so idolized his uncle. She looks up at the two detectives.
"Detectives, what leads you to believe that Sam is involved?" She slowly asks.
"We have witnesses which indicate he had left work earlier today. It just seemed a little too suspicious to us, especially in the area of a crime scene. We need to know. Do you have any idea of where he might be located? We need to ask him some questions." Espo says.
"I am not too sure, detectives. Sam has not been under my roof since he moved out almost a decade ago. His contact with me is non-existent." She says.
"I see… Would you please give us a little history on him?" Ann asks.
"Well, he was a great child. His childhood was a normal one. That was until he turned 12. His father was killed by a drunk driver driving in the wrong direction on interstate 495. My husband was heading home from work. He worked the swing shift from 3 PM to 11 PM. He was not feeling well that night and left early due to a stomach virus. The woman that hit him head on was celebrating her upcoming wedding the next day. She also was killed in the accident. Mind you I was bitter that he was taken from me, but it took me a long time to forgive her, even though she was killed in the accident too." She says.
"I am so sorry for your loss." Ann says. "Please continue."
"I think that's when Sam became withdrawn from reality. It was not until he had observed the next door neighbor torturing their family dog almost to its death. That neighbor would do unspeakable things to this poor animal. Shoot it with a pellet gun, set it on fire, and leave it outside in the coldest of temperatures, or the most sweltering heat." She said wrapping up her recollections.
"Mrs. White, is there anything else that you remember?" Espo asks.
"Well, I saw that he got involved in those animal rights groups. That is only after I recognized him on TV. He threw red paint over one of my favorite theater actresses. Poor Martha Rogers she really did not deserve what he did to her...Her fur was a synthetic fake! After that, I have never heard from him again. Do you think that he is capable of committing these crimes Detectives?" she asks.
"You say you recognized him as the man throwing red paint? Did you know you have identified Sam Berkowitz as your son?" Ann asks.
"Yes, Sam hated Ed for dying and idolized his uncle. I guess that is why he changed his name." She sadly said.
"What was your brother's name?" Ann asks.
"My brother was Richard David Falco also known as David Berkowitz the son of Sam who was also the murderer of many people. I tried to forget I was ever a relation to that man! Now my son has followed in his footsteps!" Mrs. White breaks down to cry.
Ann holds the older woman until she is able to compose herself.
"Mrs. White I am so sorry for the tragedies in your life. However, can you think of anywhere Sam might go?" Ann asks.
"Well, there was one place when we lived on the island. Both Richard and I would go to our special place. I told Sam about it when he was young." She says.
"So Mrs. White where is this place?" Espo asks.
"It is off of 14th St and the East River. It is an old Con Ed warehouse. It is never used, but it was our playground." She says.
"Mrs. White, Thank you for your help." Espo says.
Ann and Espo rose, then departed, leaving a ruined woman in their wake.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Getting the phone call from Espo Kate decides to take Rick to the precinct. There are some things that only she could do from the precinct.
"Rick, get up we are moving out." Kate says.
"Where are we going?" Rick asks.
"You will see" Kate says cryptically.
Rick shrugs, then get into the car. They pull up to the precinct. Parking the car they both head up to the homicide floor. Kate pulls over a standard cushioned chair.
"Rick, would you sit here please I'll be right back." Kate sweetly says as Rick nods his head.
Rick drinks in the excitement which is the bullpen at the 12th precinct. He watches Kate walk over to Ryan's desk. He is trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. He is startled when Captain Iron Pants appears.
"May I ask who you are and what you're doing in my precinct...sitting in that chair right next to my most decorated detective's desk?" He asks sternly.
Seeing Rick being questioned by her Captain, Kate quickly moves back to intercept before Rick can say anything to the contrary.
"Captain, this is Mr. Richard Castle. He is the first victim that the killer had attempted a strike on his life. He has as been threatened by email again." Kate explains.
"Okay, Lieutenant, but answer me this, why is he sitting here at your desk?" he asks perplexed.
"Logistics Sir" Kate answers matter of factly.
"How is that so Detective?" He asks thoroughly confused.
"Sir, I am going to do everything in my power to ensure his safety. He is not leaving my sight. If that means keeping him close, then that's exactly what I am going to do. He is not going to affect my job performance in this task force. We have several leads we are working now. I need to be here to coordinate." Kate states.
Her Captain is on the skeptical side, but he lets it go... for now. There's something going on between them more than to do with the case.
"Okay, Lieutenant, keep me updated me on this case." He orders.
"Well, Sir, we have a possible suspect. Plus thanks to Detectives Esposito and Hastings, we could have a second location where this suspect might hole up. I phoned in getting the warrant and permission from Con Ed. I am just waiting for the call backs." Kate states.
The phone rings at Kate's desk. Rick looks at her with her back towards him. He thinks it might be important. He starts to reach for the phone as Kate turns to see him reaching.
"Rick don't…" Kate warns as she retrieves the phone from him.
Rick looks like a spanked puppy.
Kate hangs up the phone.
"Rick, what did I say?" Kate admonishes him.
"Look but don't touch. But you were in a conference with the Captain. I thought I…" Rick says.
"Rick, I appreciate that I do, but it could compromise our case. So please jusyt observe and let the phone go to voice mail. You can inform me after I am finished that there is a message okay? You would not want your attempted killer to go free from a scumbag lawyer who found technicality?" Kate says then returns to the captain.
"I'm so sorry about that Captain it will not happen again. That was legal we have warrants. As soon as detectives Hastings and Esposito get here we are rolling to both addresses." Kate says.
"Good work Lieutenant; whatever you do the writer here stays here with you or at the safe house when you are away from here. Under no circumstances is he to tag along with you when you conduct your execution of said warrants...is that understood?" the captain says.
"Yes, sir." Kate responds.
Kate looks at Rick with a concerned look on her face. She really hates to keep him at her apartment alone, but orders are orders. Ryan calls out the suspects address and he along with Officer Velazquez get ready to leave.
"Rick, I am afraid that you won't be able to come with me. As soon as Espo and Hastings get here we are about to conduct a raid. So I will drop you off at my place." Kate says.
"Kate, it's just as well that I don't go with you. I don't want you to have to worry about me while you are out there doing a very dangerous job." Rick says.
She looks at Ryan as they leave. She waits until Espo and Hastings arrive.
Kate directs Officer L.T. to take Rick to her apartment. Rick watches in awe how Kate is in her element. So commanding and there is something poetic about her. His musings are broken when L.T. appears. Rick looks up and up and up to crane his neck to see the bottom of this officer's throat.
"Are you Mr. Castle, " he asks in as a deep coal mine voice.
Rick just nods looking so impressed by the sheer size of the officer in front of him.
"I'm L.T. I am to escort you back to the safe house. Please come with me." LT says in very curt and precise sentences.
Kate stops to stand next to Rick.
"Rick, Officer L.T. will take you back to my apartment. He will keep you safe." She says as she quickly gives him the key to her place.
"You also need to be safe as well Kate." Rick says with much concern.
Kate smiles and speaks to L.T.
"L.T., make sure you do a complete sweep of the complex, including inside too." Kate orders
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ :)
Rick is led away as he sees Kate getting prepared for the raid as the elevator door closes. Rick tries to talk to L.T. on the way there but he is tight lipped. He is not one for conversation. Rick looks out of the window of the marked car as the neighborhoods pass by. In no time, L.T. is making his sweep of Kate's complex and then up by the doorway to her apartment. Everything is clear and L.T. turns to leave.
"Excuse me... Officer L.T. is it?" Rick asks.
"Yes, sir, what is it?" L.T. answers.
"Well, I am not too sure, but aren't you supposed to stay here with me?" Rick asks confused.
"Sir, I have completed my job and contrary to what you might think I do have a job I must return to doing. I am not paid to be your babysitter. Remember, keep this door locked and secure. Let no one enter and you do have Lieutenant Beckett's phone number correct?" He warns.
"I do." Rick responds.
"Then I will let her know that you are safe and sound at her place." He says.
"Officer L.T., thanks for bringing me here safely. You have a tough job. I don't want to make it any more difficult for you." Rick states.
L.T. softens just a little. He knows that Rick is in a position where his life is in danger.
"Mr. Castle, my sister loves your books. She always goes on and on about what you write." He says.
Rick is a bit surprised. He thinks that LT is a hard ass and incapable of showing any type of emotion. He did not say one word on the entire way to Kate's place.
"Thank you for your help, Officer LT." Rick says, then files this encounter away in his mind for future reference.
LT leaves and Rick is left to his own vices. He knows Kate. He wants to know more about her. So what better way to get to know her better than snoop around?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Ryan and Officer Velazquez arrive at Sam's last known address. They come up empty. No one has been here in quite some time. They canvas his neighbors and find that he is somewhat of a loner. He only makes small talk and nothing else. Not many see him leave or enter his apartment. After fruitless results, they head back to the 12th to check in with the Lieutenant hoping that the raid would be more successful.
Ryan did not realize they were being observed the entire time. Sam is spying on the officers from his nearby apartment. While he was living there at one time, he has moved across the street and down an alley, but from where he was he could keep an eye on his old place. He did this precisely for this reason. He knew that the cops would try to find him. Since his last encounter in the alley, he really wants to take out that pain in the ass detective Beckett. They will get their due. There is just one more act he needs to take care of before he makes the writer's life a living hell...