Hi guys, It's time for Chapter 2
I would again like to thank momandwife33 for this prompt, This takes place after 05x21 'Still', But goes AU from there.
I hope you all like this.
Standard Disclaimer: Not mine, Never will be. Belongs to the fantastic AWM and the guys and girls at ABC Studios.
Chapter 2
Frustration
Just one of the emotions that Detective Kate Beckett was feeling at the moment, As she leaned against the side of Ryan and Esposito's red charger. At this moment both the former and the latter where currently talking to a bodega owner located close the most recent crime scene, who said he saw a man running down the street in a grey hoodie carrying a gun of some kind.
Having just spent the last two hours stuck in absolute gridlock she let her mind wander knowing this was just another dead end, just another false start on the hunt for a very dangerous killer. Her thoughts shifted to that of her partner who hadn't even called her since she left the precinct, She was starting to worry as crazy as they sounded.
She was shaken from her thoughts as Ryan and Esposito joined her "What will that was a waste of time" Said the young Irish Detective.
Esposito huffed and folded his arms "I could of told you that Bro"
Beckett smirked at her boys both exceptional Detectives and exceptional partners, Her thoughts again drawn to her own partner.
"Have you two heard from Castle at all?" She asked
The boys shared a look but both shook their heads in the negative, "No sorry Beckett, Why is something wrong" Asked Ryan
"No...It's fine, What's the next location?"
Ryan handed her a sheet of paper showing the next location, She climbed into the drivers seat as Ryan and Esposito followed and set off into the early afternoon traffic.
It was as if a cloud of fog surrounded his mind his body heavy his hands tugging against the bindings the secured him to the chain, The fog cleared suddenly as a sharp electric jolt raced through his body being him back to the real world. His eyes focused on a man stood in front of him standing 6ft 2 dressed in all black and black ski mask covering his face, The white of teeth clearly visible a sickening smile made him more menacing.
"Ah Detective I see your awake..." Said the man Castle didn't reply his body still shaking from the electrical charge that had just raced through his body, his eyes wide in reflex as the man got closer and grabbed a handful of his hair "...Now Detective your going to tell me what i want to know, Or i start making things very uncomfortable for you and if you don't tell me what i want to know I'll start on your partner"
The man forcibly turned Castle's head forcing him to look at the still unconscious form of the Captain, He tried to speak his mouth wouldn't move breathing quickly through his nose in fear he nodded his head "Please leave her out of this" Said Castle turning his head back to the man
The masked killer stepped back as he took a seat on a wooden stool in front of is captured victims, With one foot touching the floor in his hands a gleaming silver M1911 Colt and a large cattle prod.
"I'll think about it but that was good excellent even, Now Detective talk"
Castle didn't say anything his fogged mind unable to think of an appropriate response, He grunted in pain as the man shoved the end of the cattle prod into Castle's chest as another electrical jolt passed through his body.
Shaking off the effects of the latest attack Castle finally managed to find words and expel them from his mouth, His breathing laboured from the electrical currents that had passed through his body were starting to make him breathless.
"What do you want to know?" Castle rasped
The man narrowed his eyes "I want to know where the investigation is?, I want to know how close the esteemed members of the NYPD are in finding me?"
Castle pondered his answer very carefully, This man was a deranged serial killer who had ruthlessly murdered cops in broad daylight and in front of witnesses. He clearly would have no issue with dispatching with him or the Captain in quick order.
"How close they are to finding you I'm not sure, I discovered your hide out through the dust on your footprints left at the scene, A search of abandoned or derelict cements works led us here" Castle explained shifting his body slightly finding a more comfortable position standing secured to the chain over head.
The masked man clapped the sarcasm rolling off him waves "Very good Detective, I have to say I'm impressed..." Castle again didn't reply but kept a careful eye on the man stood in front of him. "...But now you know of my hide-out I can not let you leave here alive, But that doesn't mean we can't have some fun before you go"
Castle lowered his head, The killer words were sincere and filled with menace making Castle believe them. He then a heavy impact to he side of his face a the man unleashed a vicious right hook snapping the authors head to the side a thick stream of blood ran down his cheek from a cut under his eye.
The Captain her head in a haze between awake and unconsciousness heard the sounds of grunting and fists being thrown, Peeking from behind her almost closed eyelids she could make out the shadow of Richard Castle secured to chain above his head as another man landed several punches to his mid-section.
One thing she did remember was a single statement the author had told the killer
"Please leave her out of this"
She knew as a cop she didn't need protection and could mix it up with the best of them, But he was just an author why would be say something so stupid to a man who took joy in taking the lives of others. Over recent months her impression of writer had been on the rise the Valentines debacle swiftly lowered it, But he was sacrificing himself to save her and she had done nothing but treat him with contempt since she had arrived at the 12Th precinct.
Guilt washed over her something of a foreign feeling to a former IAB Detective, If they made it out of this dire situation she would endeavour the treat him with respect even if tightly controlled.
After five minutes the masked Killer stepped back and shook his hands as drops of blood flew towards the dusty ground, Still secured to the chain was a battered and bruised Richard Castle who promptly spat a glob of blood to the ground. Bruises had started to form around his eyes and mouth as a deep ache settled in his chest his breathing laboured, He was in bad shape to put it mildly.
'Damm this guy hits like a freight train' Thought the author
"I'll give you a break Detective, But when i come back I'll finish you off and then get to work on your partner" The Masked Killer walked away back into the building disappearing from view.
Secured by her Chain bindings Gates turned as best she could to get a better look at the injured writer "Mr Castle, Stop this you don't have to protect me at the expense of your own life" Gates pleaded she knew that the loss of the writer would affect Detective Beckett on a profound level and as Captain would try everything to avoid that from happening.
Castle smiled wincing at the pain that simple action caused "I wise Detective once told me you never abandon you partner and stay with them until the wheels fall off" he said
Gates looked pained "Wise words but i hope you have a plan to get us out of here in that case?"
"I was hoping you would say that sir"
The pair then started to formulate a plan.
Back at the 12Th precinct, The elevator dinged as Beckett, Ryan and Esposito walked with a purpose towards there desks. The department was still empty but their was no sign of the Captain or Castle, Beckett began to worry as she took a seat at her desk her eyes scanning the open manilla files spread across it.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and tried to call Castle, Much to her disappointment and worry she only reached his answerphone. Next she tried the Captain's phone again receiving the same response, Her nerves were increasing by the second as Ryan stepped over to her and the murder board always to the left of her desk.
"Hey Beckett, I've just got off the phone with dispatch..." Ryan said pinning two photo's to the board, Pictures of Captain Gates and Richard Castle "...They've not heard over either Castle or the Captain for over four hours, Attempts at contact have failed and the the low-jack system on the Captain's car has been disabled"
Beckett's eyebrows knitted together folding her arms across her chest, "Ryan get back in contact with dispatch, Send the word that both Captain Gates and Castle are missing we need to find them"
The young Irishman nodded before walking back to his desk, "Hey Espo" She shouted as the Latino Detective jogged over to his seniors desk.
"What's up Beckett?"
She then handed him the large stack of manilla files that had collected on her desk, probably from Castle's research of the material contained inside. "Castle was looking through these before he left, See if their is anything we can use to find a location on them"
"I'm on it"
As Esposito walked way Beckett took a seat and just stared at two recently pinned photo's, One of her Commanding officer and the other the face of the man she loved with all her heart. He had to be OK, He would be OK she chanted in her mind the mere thought of losing him unthinkable.
she just needed a lead, Just one lead.
Which is what she found when a middle aged woman with short dull blonde hair dressed in a red coat was escorted to her desk by a uniformed Officer.
Beckett turned and stood to greet the new arrival "Ma'am how can i help you?" She asked
The woman took a deep breath "I'd like to report a murder Detective" Said the woman, Beckett nodded and asked the woman to follow her to a nearby meeting room each taking a seat Beckett facing the somewhat nervous woman.
"A murder Mrs..."
"Jenkins, Sally Jenkins. Yes a murder i think my husband might of killed someone" Sally explained.
Again Beckett nodded "Who was the victim Mrs Jenkins?"
Taking a deep breath composing herself "I believe my husband is responsible for the recent murder of NYPD Officers"
Beckett's eyes widened "Where are you getting this information Mrs Jenkins" She had to ask, But her insides soared this was exactly what they needed.
A lone tear ran down the woman's cheek as she handed a long hand written note, Beckett took the note her eyes scanning the information.
"...I'm so sorry Sally, But this needs to be done..."
"...They failed to catch the person who took our precious daughter away from us..."
"...I hope you can find it in you heart to forgive me someday..."
"...But the NYPD must be punished...
"...Love always...Simon"
Beckett looked up at the older woman who was wiping tears with the cuff of her sleeve "Mrs Jenkins, I need to ask what happened to your daughter?"
"Two years ago our daughter Lisa, She was murdered on her way home from a night out" Explained Mrs Jenkins "The killer was never found and still hasn't to this day"
Beckett nodded "Mrs Jenkins, I want you to understand that if your Husband is the man responsible for killing NYPD officers he will be shown no quarter, But I want you to know i will try and bring him in alive" Beckett explained
"Thank you Detective, Simon is good man but grief has a way of taking hold i know nothing will bring out daughter back to us but life moves on" Said Mrs Jenkins standing to her feet
"Please take my card if you remember anything please give me a call"
Taking the card Mrs Jenkins nodded before she was escorted away by a Uniformed Officers, Beckett then rushed out into the bullpen her heels clicking against the hard floor. Rushing over the Boys her quick arrival caught their attention.
"Yo Beckett, What's up?" Asked Esposito
"We have a suspect, Simon Jenkins i want everything we have on him five minutes ago" Beckett ordered, The boys set to work as again Beckett turned her eyes to the board by her desk.
'Where are you Castle?' she thought
Back in the warehouse, Castle struggled as he manoeuvred his fingers nails digging into his wrist. Since his capture he had felt a sharp pain something was digging into skin. Finally finding purchase he pulled as a long thin piece of metal was pulled out, It must of become embedded in his skin when he was dragged across it.
"Dammit that hurt" He said
"Mr Castle what are you doing" Asked Gates
Castle immediately went to work on his cuffs shoving the stiff metal sliver into the keyhole "You know book research can help you develop many useful skills including lock picking" He said as one cuff was already off as he got work on the second, He knew from experience with the NYPD working and being arrested by them these were older style cuffs ones that could be picked easily.
Within a minute he was free he stood a minute the ache that had settled in his body from the beating was starting to increase, His breathing was laboured as he wobbled before making his way over the Captain.
"Just hang on Sir, I'll have you out in a second"
Gates stood shocked at the abilities the writer had shown to pick the locks of of his own bindings, Then suddenly a noise was heard in the distance but had them both turning in that direction.
"Mr Castle he's coming back, You need to get out and get back up" Gates ordered.
"No Sir, I will not leave you here to die" Castle replied
The Masked Killer then reappeared staring into his phone for moment before he placed it back into his pocket, He raised his head eyes widening in shock one of his captives had escaped he immediately pulled his gun and looked around.
"Where are you Detective?" He shouted "Come out, Come out where ever you are"
A noise was heard in the distance as the killer raced off in the direction, his gun trained a head of his him.
Captain Gates still secured to the chain could only listen to what was about to unfold, sincerely hoping the the writer didn't get himself killed just when she was starting to like him.
Castle had raced off disappearing between the pallets of cement the warehouse held, He backed up as she listened in the relative silence as he heard footsteps approach. He reached into his pocket and by some kind of miracle had found his phone, He quickly typed out a text of their location and sent it before placing his phone away as he waited for his pursuer.
Back at the 12Th Beckett leaning against her desk chewing on her thumb nail, The boys were going flat out pulling everything they could on Simon Jenkins. By now news of Captain Gates and Richard Castle's disappearance had brought more officers and more detectives back to help in the search.
Suddenly her phone vibrated behind her blindly reaching for it her eyes widened as she saw who the message was from.
"...MacKay Cement Works in Brooklyn..."
A message from her Love, Richard Castle
"Guys, Get me everything on the MacKay Cement Works in Brooklyn" Beckett said racing over to the desks.
"You got something Beckett?" Asked Ryan as he furiously typed on his computer
"I received a text from Castle, Have you tried the GPS again" The GPS on both phones had been disabled the first thing the Detectives tried in their search.
"Yeah, It's still disabled" Ryan said as he pulled up all the information on the Cement Works
Looking at the screen Beckett pointed "Right run a comparison does Simon Jenkins have any connection with this place"
Ryan again furiously typed Esposito appearing on his other shoulder, After several minutes Ryan looked up. "Simon Jenkins worked here for five years before being layed off when when they closed the works due to safety concerns"
"Right fantastic work Boys, Let's get ESU to meet us at the location let's move"
Every Detective then grapped their Shields, service weapons and coats before all marching towards the elevator.
Ready to bring back two of their own.
The man now identified as Simon Jenkins had removed his ski mask, revealing his sharp cheeks bones and cold dark eyes. His short brown hair was filled with dust having spent so much time in his hide out of sorts, he had worked here before they closed the works and the loss of his job had left him to wallow in the grief of his daughters murder.
That placed him on this course to punish the NYPD for their failure to catch her killer, He didn't want to do it but they left him no choice.
"Come on Detective, It's not nice to hide from company" shouted Jenkins
Up a head Castle still backed up against a pallet, slowly reached down grabbed a large stone which he threw in the opposite direction as it clattered to the floor alerting Jenkins. As the killer turned gun trained to the noise his back to Castle, The writer struck with a heavy punch to the kidneys sending Jenkins down to one knee as he grunted in pain.
Castle wrenched the gun from the killers grasp and threw it away, Jenkins responded with a low kick knocking Castle off of his feet as the killer crouched a top the fallen man and clamped his hands around his chocking the life out of him.
Castle fought against the vice like grip around his throat, his hand grabbed at the hard floor before his fingers found a pile of cement dust grabbing a handful and pushed the powder in the killers face. The dust covered his head as he cupped his face the dust penetrating his eyes as he screamed pain
'This is my chance' Castle thought
The writer then pushed the screaming man off of him before grabbing a handful of the mans clothing, Before he landed haymaker after haymaker to the mans face blood splattered to the floor. Castle's fist never stopped hitting the mans face until blood was smeared across the dusty skin of Jenkins face, Satisfied he was done Castle dropped him to the floor and again wobbled on his feet his knuckles split and bleeding. H
After searching the killers pockets, He obtained a key to free the Captain he stumbled towards her location.
Gates still secured to the chain could only listen to what was going on, She heard shouts and grunts but she had no idea who was doing what. She would get her answer soon a figure moved out the shadows he closed her eyes resigned to her fate, But swiftly opened them when she felt her cuffs being opened as he eyes fell on the beaten, bruised and bleeding Richard Castle.
"I think it's time we get out of here Sir"
Gates nodded "I agree with you there Mr Castle"
The pair stumbled towards the warehouse exit carefully avoiding the bleeding form of Jenkins, Who with the help of the Captain was secured with a pair of cuffs. As they stepped into the afternoon sunshine eyes straining against the bright lights, Only to be met with blaring sirens and screeching tyres as a red Charger busting though the gate.
From the front seat Beckett opened the door before Esposito had a chance to fully stopped as the boys soon joined her, As fast she her legs could carry her she jumped into the arms of her love whispering in his ear.
"I'm glad you OK"
Castle smiled his arms tightening around her lifting her off the ground as he smiled against her shoulder "Me too"
The boys smiled at the scene as they joined the Captain "Sir are you OK?" Asked Ryan
"Absolutely Detectives, No get inside and secure the suspect he's going to need medical care" Gates ordered as the boys nodded and rushed inside.
Minutes later in the back of an ambulance Castle was receiving treatment by having his knuckles bandaged, He had already had the two broken ribs wrapped and secured he winced at the last bandaged from applied as they paramedic said he would be back in a moment.
The form of Captain Victoria Gates then appeared at the door and stepped inside taking a seat across from the writer, she looked nervous something that Castle had never seen on the Captain before.
"Mr Castle, I would like to thank you for saving my life"
Castle nodded "Think nothing of it Captain, I know that i haven't always been the easiest person to have in your precinct but i just want to you know the job comes first"
Gates smiled "Well if you repeat what I'm about to say to anyone else i will deny it, But having you around is good for all us, Myself, The team, The precinct and especially our case clearance numbers."
Castle laughed and winced the action pulling on his broken ribs "Glad i could help Sir"
Gates nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed before stepping down from the back of the ambulance, As she walked off she turned to catch the sight of Beckett, Castle, Esposito and Ryan all smiling and laughing happy to be together again.
'Yes an orthodox team indeed' She thought
She knew that whatever faced them in the future, be it killers, be it criminals, anything that tested the rules of justice, She had the team that could beat it.
Three Cops and a Writer keeping the streets of the New York City safe.
For as long as they were needed.
The End
I hope you all have enjoyed this short little journey, Again my thanks to momandwife33 for the prompt
Fans of Champions of Justice will get a chapter soon, I promise
So you all know what to do, I'll leave that to you guys
Until next time
Knight Rider Alpha