CH19
The train was actually faster than taking a commercial airplane. And he didn't have TSA trying to feel him up. After renting a car he headed for City Hall where he already had an appointment.
"Time for another disguise Jack my friend." Rick tells him after getting the car. He still had a 1-1/2 hour car ride in front of him. Since it was actually a small town outside of DC that he needed to go to.
Entering the office. "Mr. Lenhart it's a pleasure to meet you." And Rick shakes his hand as he is greeted by the man he is here to see.
"I'm glad you could meet me on such short notice. I'd give you a business card however in my own haste to come here I managed to leave them behind. But not to worry my name and company are all over the paperwork I brought." Rick tells him and pulls out the copies of the paperwork Jack had put together for him.
PP&P Development Company
Ken Lenhart
"I must say your proposal you sent on-line has a number of people interested in your project. You realize there will be people who will oppose this action."
"I'm well aware of their thoughts on the matter. However I have also brought a number of court decisions that may help speed up the process." As Rick hands over some documents that Jack has also thoughtfully provided.
The Supreme Court's decision in Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005) affirmed the authority of New London, Connecticut, to take non-blighted private property by eminent domain, and then transfer it for a dollar a year to a private developer solely for the purpose of increasing municipal revenues.
"I realize all of these decisions, and you are presently looking at only one of many, are outside of your jurisdiction. However I think you will find that the Supreme Court has ruled in the matter quite conclusively." Rick points out.
"I've also brought the entire development project for you to review. I've also included the amount of money that will be required to complete the project. As well as the number of workers that will be required to complete construction.
And all of these workers will need housing, food, buy gas for their cars, purchase Christmas presents here, Birthday presents, celebrate anniversaries. All of this will no doubt make many local businesses very happy. And of course the contractor is more than likely going to hire a number of the jobs from local people.
Also they will get paid time off and have to spend it somewhere. Some may have family elsewhere and need to travel there by bus, train or by plane. Bringing still more money into the local economy."
Depending on the people required he may need to outsource some of it, like steel workers. Those types of people tend to be a special breed." Rick provides part of his sale pitch.
"Also the number of people that will be employed after the project is completed is significant. Not to mention the number of companies that will be required to pay city taxes." Rick adds.
"Do you have time to meet a few people during lunch Mr. Lenhart? I'm sure some or all of them will have a number of questions for you."
"Of course, only to happy to help. My trip back doesn't leave until tomorrow. I already have a hotel booked for the night. So I'm all yours until then." Rick answers happily. God I'm glad my mother is an actress! I couldn't say that growing up to much, but now, ….
Rick has lunch with three other people one of whom is not likely to support this project. But that was ok since it was never going to get built anyway. This was only meant to shake the tree and find out how many monkeys fall from it. So he could find out who they are and how they related to this.
It was amusing how many city government people were falling all over themselves to get more money into the city coffers. No matter whom they had to screw over. GOD he hated politics.
Kate had made it to work and it looked like she was the first one there, again. Turning on her computer she started to get ready for the day.
On her computer she found that the DMV record had come in. Opening it she found that Angela had purchased a Chevy Cruze last year. Then a thought hit Kate, a lot of GM cars have On-Star. "Please tell me she activated it and the account is still active."
Kate does a search. "YES!" Kate yells into an empty space. Taking out her cell phone she calls Espo to get him to get a warrant and meet her and not come into the office first. And have him call Ryan and do the same. Next she picked up her desk phone and called for two units and a K-9 unit to meet her downstairs.
Kate jumped up and raced down the stairs not waiting for the elevator. This forced her to wait for the others. Together they headed out with Kate in the lead.
It took a little while to get there. Downtown it was not.
"Ok everyone listen up. Road maps say there is only this one road. I want one car with one uniform to completely block the road in the best spot he can find. The other unit will lead us all in. The K-9 unit will be last. If they run that's where the K-9 unit will take charge.
Remember everyone be careful and be safe." And Kate has everyone head out.
The cars roll in and stop forming a V in an attempt to block access to the road. Quietly two of the uniforms head for the back of what looks like the main house. One uniform and Kate take what looks like the front of a barn while Espo and Ryan take the front door of the main house.
Just as Espo and Ryan kick open the front door what looks like Frankenstein's monster comes out the front door of the barn. The sight of him shocks Kate and causes her to hesitate. He was exactly like what she saw in the vision from Angela that Jill gave her.
"NYPD you're under arrest. Get down on your knees." Kate yells at it.
It however just continues to walk towards her and the uniform. "I said down on your knees, NOW!" Kate tries one more time.
The monster reaches into a large coat it is carrying and pulls out what looks like a medieval two handed sword.
Kate immediately opens fire followed a fraction of a second later by the uniform.
Inside Ryan and Espo can hear gun fire out front and they both turn towards it. However at that time they hear running and a door slam open.
"I'll take the back, you take the front." Espo tells her partner and takes off toward where he hopes the back door is located. While Ryan runs out the front.
Out back the uniforms are shocked when two kids, pre-teens come running out the door. Even with their weapons drawn they both decide to tackle the two of them.
Kate and the uniform have both emptied their entire clip into the torso of Frankenstein's monster and he is still coming. Kate and the uniform start backing up while ejecting their empty clips and slap in a fresh one and slide the rail to re-arm them and start firing again.
Ryan is stunned when he exits the front door. Before him is Frankenstein's monster with a honking huge sword while Kate and the uniform are emptying round after round into him. Off to his left is the uniform holding onto his Doberman which is straining against its leash barking madly.
The uniforms out back are down to hand to hand combat. One of them has his down and is trying to get his cuffs on him. The other however has lost his fight and the kid has his gun and has just managed to point it at the officers chest (flack vest), when a shot is heard.
The kid with the gun suddenly vaults off to his left side as his left shoulder explodes. The down officer takes this advantage to take his gun back and roll the kid over onto his stomach and pin him there.
Both of the officers turn to see Espo standing on the back porch with his weapon raised and has a very serious expression on his face.
Kate and the uniform with her however have just emptied their last magazine they each have into Frankenstein's monster and he is still moving.
Kate and the uniforms mouths are hanging open. This isn't possible. They have both put 14 rounds from each magazine into this guy and he is still on his feet. He shouldn't be much more than Swiss cheese by now. He steps up and is about to take a swing on Kate that should easily take her head off on one swing, when Ryan empties his magazine into Frankenstein's head.
They can all hear what sounds like a grown as he falls over and crashes to the ground. Dropping his sword along the way and lands on the blade burying it under him.
Kate, the uniform and Ryan step up to it and all are breathing heavy and a little shaky. "What the hell is that thing?"Ryan asks. Not sure he wants an answer.
However their rest is interrupted when something small, pale looking and just a little yellowish comes rushing out of the barn. Just before it reaches any of the three the Doberman Pinscher intercepts it and grabs it's left arm and starts to shake it for all it's worth, growling menacingly.
It's handler comes rushing in and takes control of his dog while Ryan moves in with his cuffs.
Kate turns to the uniform that was with her. "We are going to need a medic. And call in CSU and some searchers." Kate tells him while looking around at the amount of ground to cover. "We're going to need it."
The uniform talks into his mic at his shoulder. Soon there are 5 more NYPD cruisers, two ambulances, two local sheriff's vehicles and not long after Roy Montgomery.
Kate and Roy are talking when Espo comes out the front door. "Beckett, Captain, I think you're going to want to see this."
They all enter the house and Espo points to a now open cellar door in the floor. "We found it under a rug that was under that chair." Espo tells them.
Kate heads for the door. "You're going to need this." And Espo holds out a flashlight. And one of the uniforms hands his to Roy.
Once downstairs they shine their lights everywhere and start poking around. Kate's mouth is hanging open but no sound is coming out. She's not even sure she is breathing.
Roy finds his voice first. "MY GOD! There has to be at least a dozen sets of women's clothes down here. Purses, jewelry, rings (some engagement rings), shoes, boots, …. cell phones."
Roy can't take it anymore and goes back up followed by Kate. Once back up Kate turns to Espo not believing it. "Yea, my thoughts exactly." Espo tells her.
Kate suddenly heads for a room she can see in her mind. Espo is right behind her. Inside Kate heads for a window and looks out. In her mind she can see a woman nailed to a cross being set on fire. She can hear her screams. Turning from the window she moves away to a spot almost tripping herself on a loose floor board.
Back at the edge of the doorway she kneels down and searches the floor that is discolored. "That's blood Beckett, and a lot of it." Espo points out.
"Angela died here." Kate tells him with tears in her eyes.
Kate has one more place to go. She goes outside to an open space in view of the window. Here she finds several burnt crosses. Espo steps up to Kate and sees them. "KKK?" Espo guesses.
Kate shakes her head. "Salem witch trials." Kate corrects him.
Espo can only stand there shocked and can't think of anything to say, nor can he seem to move. This just isn't happening.
"Go get the Captain Espo." Kate tells him. It takes a moment for Espo to get his feet to move.
He is soon back with Captain Montgomery where he finds what Kate has found. After the three of them talk, Roy walks away pulling out his cell phone. Kate just stands there looking at the burnt crosses.
Two hours later four (4) blacked out SUV's arrive and take over. The FBI was here.
Roy ordered everyone home for the day. They would come into the precinct in the morning and give the FBI all the help they needed.
Kate left the site and headed straight home. Suddenly finding herself out front of Castle's front door. Not having a key she knocks. Not having a clue how she got here.
After the door opens. "Katherine dear." Martha tells her happy to see her. "Katherine?" Martha suddenly notices that Kate is not really noticing her and looks white as a sheet.
"Oh Katherine come on in and sit down." As Martha grabs her and escorts her over to the sofa after closing and locking the door.
Martha forces Kate to sit which isn't hard since Kate isn't resisting. "Oh dear tell me what happened? Katherine?" Martha strokes her face.
Martha turns her head. "Alexis." Martha calls out.
Alexis enters the room. "Grams?" Then Alexis sees Kate. "Kate!" And rushes over to her only to see her face.
"What's wrong with her grams?" Alexis moves over close to Kate. "Kate?" Alexis tries.
Kate's head turns to face her but her eyes look past her.
"Alexis dear sit here with her, I'll be right back." And Martha gets up and goes into the kitchen.
"Kate?" Alexis tries again with tears starting.
Martha soon comes back with a shot glass. "Katherine dear drink this." Martha tells her. Getting no reaction she lifts it to Kate's lips and tries to get her to drink it. Kate does open her mouth slowly and allow Martha to pour it in.
"What happened Katherine?" Martha asks scared for her.
"She has had a traumatic event Martha. Kate is in shock." Jill speaks up.
"What happened?" Martha asks her.
"There was a case involving a woman who was found killed. Kate found the people responsible. However those same people had been burning women at the stake for some time. Witches if you prefer. And because of me Kate was able to live a part of that thru the dead woman. It has affected her profoundly. She needs peaceful uninterrupted rest Martha." Jill explains.
"Oh Katherine dear." Now Martha is starting to cry which isn't helping Alexis's tears any.
"Come on Alexis help me get her to bed." As Martha stands up and pulls Kate up who follows like some robot.
Martha takes her down the hallway and turns for the guest bedroom. "No grams my room." Alexis stops her and pulls Kate towards her room.
"Alexis dear this is the guest room." Martha is confused.
"My room grams." And Alexis continues to pull Kate.
Martha relents and helps Kate to Alexis's bed. Once there she starts taking Kate's clothes off to get her into Alexis's bed.
However Alexis stops her. "I can do it grams." Alexis gets Martha to stop.
"Alexis dear?" Martha questions.
"Please grams, I can do it." Alexis tells her between her tears.
Martha relents. "Alright dear, I'll be out in the living room if you need me." Martha gets up and stops at the door. "Katherine dear!" And Martha closes the door as she leaves.
Alexis begins the process of removing all of Kate's clothes. She has done it before and has picked up a trick or two doing it alone. Once Alexis has all of Kate's clothes off she removes all of her own clothes and climbs into bed with Kate and pulls the covers up over them.
Then snuggles in close and wraps her arms around Kate. Whispering into Kate's ear. "You're ok Kate, I'm here. … I love you. I love you."And sniffles and wipes her nose.
Kate's only response is to slowly wrap her arms around Alexis and squeeze her tight. Which gets a smile out of Alexis.