Chapter 10 - Peeling a family layer
The phone on her desk rang. "Hello?"
"Lilli? It's Jack."
"Jack? How's the task force coming?"
"It's going well. Your man Gabriel has given us some good info and Rick has several mini operations running to get other things. I expect it won't be too long before it all comes together. But that's not why I'm calling."
"Oh? Why are you calling then?
"I want to ask you about a certain email."
"Ah."
"Lilli, he doesn't know me very well."
"Why didn't you tell me that?"
"I didn't expect you to reach out...well not yet anyway."
"Damn. I thought he knew everything and that's why you told me."
"He's on his way to see you. The plane lands at Dulles in about twenty minutes."
"Well, Jack, what do you want me to do?"
"Actually, I have a plan. Here's what we'll do..."
TCOP
Work was proceeding well on the painting of the Senator's office. The crew that had been hired was the best at what they did, even if they provided more services than painting.
As fixtures were removed to avoid being painted, state of the art listening devices and cameras were added before they were put back in place. Also, a few extra 'gifts' were left behind for a surprise at some point, compliments of a certain FBI agent. As the supervisor of the CIA's painting 'crew' finalized the last touches, servers were spinning up less than a mile away and a monitoring room was in place at the FBI building with feeds direct to the New York office already completed. If a mouse farted in those offices, Garcia would know.
Locking the door and moving down the hall, Jackson Hunt ended the call to his niece and smiled with satisfaction for a job well done.
TCOP
Rick and Kate exited the taxi just outside the FBI building in DC. Rick turned to tip the driver and looked across the street into the eyes of the CIA liaison. He nudged Kate and she looked over to see the older man give a quick wave before he pulled his phone from his pocket and hit a few keys. Rick's phone buzzed and he looked at the text received before grinning and nodding to the man across the street.
Rick turned to an inquisitive Kate. "He wants to meet us for lunch at one PM. He said he has some information for me. And get this...he wants to meet us at Elephant & Castle's...that is so cool!"
Kate laughed. "Only you would go from FBI agent to six year old in a few seconds. Come on, Rick, let's see you wow them and get out of here. This building is daunting and gives me the creeps."
"Daunting?" He wipes a pretend tear from his eye. "That was an excellent use of the term, detective." She rolled her eyes at him as she grinned and followed him into the building.
After going through security, he headed for the elevators. Raising an eyebrow when she saw him hit the down arrow, he grinned at her. "I want you to meet someone."
They entered the elevator and Rick had to swipe his ID into the scanner. He pushed the B2 button and they rode silently as they descended. As they got off the elevator he whispered "Welcome to the batcave..." and led her off to the right to a set of double doors. She grinned at him as he placed his face to a retinal scanner. After it finished, she heard a click and followed him inside into a room full of analysts and computers.
"Ricky Rodgers? Who the hell let you in?"
Kate looked over to see a man in a wheelchair coming over. "I take it back, Ricky! You bring her in and you can stay as long as you like."
"Down, boy! Didn't we get you neutered?" At that they both burst out laughing.
Kate shook her head. "Any chance of introductions, Ricky?"
Rick winked at her. "Kate, this insufferable geek is Andrew McIntyre. Drew, Kate Beckett. And watch your paws...she's an NYPD detective."
Kate smiled. "Nice to meet you. How do you know Rick?"
"Rick and I go way back...even before the Bureau. I met him when he was four and I was five. His mom and mine were in a revival of Death of a Salesman together."
Kate smirked. "So you have some good stories then?"
Rick groaned. "Drew, be nice or I will tell about that time in Queens..."
"Whoa there, Ricky! Enough said. Why don't you follow me? I'll show you the battle room."
They followed Drew across the floor and into a hallway until they had passed two doors. Drew turned around and looked at Kate. "Ricky, does she have the clearance?" At his nod he continued. "Okay then. Kate, beyond this door is what we call a battle room. It is the main base of technical operations for a task force. We monitor feeds and do data searches as well as work with the field tech ops team. You guys were lucky to be able to pull Penelope in; she's one of our best. We are just bringing up live feed from his office now as the painters just left. Come on in." With that he opened the door and wheeled in with them right behind.
Kate's jaw dropped. Several people sat at workstations while three people watched a wall full of monitors. She looked over to see Drew wheel into a station obviously meant for him. He looked back and waved them over. As they approached, Kate saw a murder board similar to the one she had built about her mom's case. She watched as details were being added, but not in a language she understood. It looked like shorthand.
It was a bit overwhelming to think that all of these resources were being used to go after one man. She looked up at one of the larger monitors to see a local DC TV station showing the story about Bracken that they had seen yesterday. Once the show was over she chuckled as the room broke out in laughter. Drew shook his head. "Okay, children...back to work. We've got an butthole to catch." At that the laughter got louder.
Rick winked at Kate. "Drew, quit being so anal!" More laughter.
Kate smirked. "That was pretty crappy, Rick." Groans and laughter this time.
Drew rolled his eyes. "Now I know why she is so perfect for you, Ricky."
Rick smiled at Kate. "One of a million reasons, Drew. Now...are we about ready?"
"Oh, Ricky, You know it! We got the authorization from the AG and have fully wired the office for video and audio. We are processing the information that you received from your plant on his protection detail. I am collating the data into a usable brief and should have you some light morning reading by this time tomorrow."
Rick nodded. "That sounds good. Kate and I have to go; I've a meeting upstairs and she is going to keep me company. Jordan will most likely call you tomorrow evening after we've seen the data so that we can make sure we are heading in the right direction."
Drew waved as they left and turned around to make sure he had what Rick Rodgers needed. He owed the man his life and he would not skimp on repayment.
TCOP
Jordan Shaw walked into her Bureau office and sat behind her desk. She had been in New York for the task force but needed to keep abreast of the other cases she had been working on. She took a couple of hours to answer emails, follow up on items and clear her phone messages. Once she had that done, she picked up her phone and dialed.
"Hi. We need to talk." She waited for the other party to respond. "Yes, I am working with him. I actually worked with him a couple of years ago as well."
More responses came from the other caller. "No, he isn't. He just got engaged to his partner. No, partner does not infer gender. She is perfect for him."
Jordan snickers. "No, I am not sweet on him as you say. But I do care about him...he helped save my life and I feel like he's a brother to me. Listen let's just cut to the chase here. Are you really his cousin or is someone playing him?" At the positive response she received her shoulder relaxed. "Good. Now Lillian...please be careful with him. He is really a great guy. Talk to you later."
Jordan smiled. Rick Castle had made an impression on her and she wanted to make sure everything was on the up and up. Now that she was sure, she turned around and finished up her casework so that she could head back to New York.
TCOP
Lillian shook her head as she hung up the phone. Who knew that so many lives would be intertwined by one man's duplicity? So far her path had crossed her uncle, her roommate from college, her agent and her cousin. She looked down at her screen and saw his background; he had been an impressive agent and then disappeared. And to see his success as an author...he was an enigma, to be sure. She blushed when she remembered that she had seriously given thought to seducing him...but she found out that he was married so she didn't.
She wondered why Jack hadn't let him know about their relationship. What was the deal with that? Rick's daughter was almost eighteen now...man, where had the time gone? Sighing, she looked over at the clock on the wall and saw that she needed to leave to make her appointment. She logged off and grabbed her purse before heading out the door.
TCOP
Kate and Rick headed toward their lunch meeting with Hunt after briefing Director Thorne and the AG. Walking hand in hand in the warm sunshine, they looked every bit the part of Federal agents dressed in dark suits and sunglasses. Nearing the restaurant, they saw the older man waiting. He was watching their surroundings cautiously. As they came close he nodded and started walking away from them. They followed appearing to not even notice the man. He ducked into the CVS pharmacy and they followed a minute or so later.
Hunt walked up to them. "Go to the back of the store and wait for me. You've got a tail." He watched as they appeared to be browsing as they made their way back. He pulled out his cell and sent a text before walking towards the entrance. As a large man entered the store, a Metro police car pulled up with its lights on and grabbed the man and threw him to the ground. The commotion caused everyone in the store to come closer and that included Kate and Rick. They saw as the man was escorted to the car and then drove off.
Hunt looked over. "Oh, good! I think our table is ready. Shall we?"
Kate and Rick looked confused but nodded as they followed Hunt back towards the restaurant. Kate leaned over to Rick. "What the hell was that about," she whispered.
He whispered back. "I've no idea."
They followed him into the restaurant. It was decorated like a British Pub and felt like one. Rick had visited a few during research for one of the Derrick Storm books. He followed the older gentleman towards a booth near the back. Rick noticed that someone was already seated and he slowed, making sure his weapon was ready if he needed it. Kate, sensing his change of demeanor, followed suit. As the came to the table, Hunt took a seat next to the other occupant, leaving the seats across open for Kate and Rick. They cautiously entered the booth and sat down.
Rick took stock of the redhead. Ah, so this was Lillian Strand. She did look familiar. He nudged Kate's hand beneath the table and she relaxed. "So...fancy meeting you here, Cousin Lillian."
Hunt audibly groaned. "Son, we need to talk. But let's order first." Rick nodded and looked at the menu. The server came and took their orders and they sat quietly until their drinks arrived.
Rick took a sip of his water and looked up. "It seems we have a few things to talk about. First though, what was that about over at CVS?"
Hunt looked up at him. "You were being followed. I tagged the guy about a half block behind you on the other side of the street."
Kate looked over at Rick. "I didn't see him. Did you?" Rick shook his head.
Hunt smiled. "No reason that you would. He was ex-military...one of the Dragon's goons. I had seen a picture. My people are chatting with him as we speak to see why he was following you and what he has reported."
Kate's eyes widened and she leaned into Rick. "I didn't think with him heading to New York that there would be an issue."
Hunt's phone rand and he stepped away to take the call. Rick took the opportunity to talk to Lillian. "Look, Strand...LilIian…I don't know how you think we are related. Although you and my mother have similar hair color I don't see any resemblance to the Rodgers family."
Lillian thought for a second. "I was told by a reliable source that we were cousins. It is actually a little embarrassing; I remember flirting with you when we worked together before I found out you were married."
Rick chuckled and winked at Kate. "I do kind of remember that. I was in a bad place as my marriage was ending and I had my daughter to think of. I guess if we really are related it worked out for the best, eh?"
Lillian chuckled and nodded. "I suppose so. Oh, here comes lunch." The server loaded the plates onto the table as Hunt returned and sat. They ate for a while and chatted about inconsequential things.
Once the plates were cleared, Hunt spoke up. "Well it seems our friend recognized Detective Beckett and was following you on his own. He was trying to see what she was doing in DC. He had not reported to anyone yet so there will be no repercussions."
Kate looked confused. "But if he saw us won't he report back to the Dragon?"
Hunt smiled grimly. "Don't worry about it, Beckett. He won't get a chance to before it's too late. He has graciously decided to go for a trip south for a few weeks. I'm sure he will be too busy to contact anyone."
Rick raised an eyebrow and then smirked at Kate. "All we need now are Ninja assassins and aliens."
Lillian looked at Rick. "Ummm, Ninjas ARE assassins." Rick groaned and Kate laughed.
Hunt kept his face straight even though he was smiling inside. It seems that Lillian and Rick would get along quite well. But he knew he had to confess. "I hate to end the laughs here, but I think I had better say what I came here to."
The others quieted and looked at him.
He looked at Rick. "Rick, as you know I am your father. I had a sister and she married Leland Strand. Lilli here is indeed your cousin as she is my niece. Unfortunately, your aunt passed away a few years ago. I know that this is a bad time to lay this on you with everything going on, but I wanted you to know in case something happened to me."
Rick looked at his father angrily. "When this is done, I think you and I had better talk. For now, we work together. We'll see what there is to see when this op is done. Kate?" He helped Kate out of the booth and they left the pub.
Hunt looked over at Lillian. "Well, that could have gone better."
"You think?"