AN: And now we see things coming together. I've been asked why this isn't longer. Firstly, this is the first successful attempt I've had at writing something of any moderate length for several years. I do love Castle and am a Caskett shipper, so this was something to whet my own appetite for writing. I also like to explore the 'What If' scenarios. As in this case, what if Rick was much more than he let on? I am also trying to stretch myself beyond my comfort zone. What if Caskett were a bust? What if 3XK were not really dead? These topics are started im planning stages. We'll see what I can come up with. For now, let's continue our journey and I hope you continue to enjoy my musings...

CHAP 13 - Peeling the final layer

Rick and Kate were just finishing lunch when his phone rang. He answered and put it on speaker. "What do you have, Jordan?"

"Is Kate with you?"

"She is...why?"

"You two need to get up here ASAP. We may have something."

"We're on our way." They cleaned up the table and threw away their trash.

As they came up to the elevator, Rick turned to Kate. "The next twenty four hours are going to be crucial and I will warn you I will be acting less like Rick Castle and more like Rick Rodgers, but that's out of necessity. I love you and I cannot wait to marry you; I hope you know that."

"I do, Rick. I am so ready for this bastard to be gone from our lives."

"Me, too. Let's get through this and we'll grab the folks we need and get married. I don't want to wait to plan a big wedding...do you?"

She smiled softly at him. "All I need there is me and you. I love you, Rick."

They entered the empty elevator and pushed the floor button. He kissed her gently. "I love you, Katie. Let's do this." He turned back to the front and she watched him change into Rick Rodgers. She nodded and steeled herself to get through the next few days.

They stepped off the elevator looking as if they were two different people than got on. The staccato of her heels echoed off the walls. JJ leaned over to Jordan and grinned. "Don't look now, but Hell's a-comin'."

Jordan took in the demeanor of the two approaching and straightened in her seat. She thought she knew everything about Richard Castle aka Rodgers, but she had never seen this version. Gone was the lighthearted man she'd met and in his place was the legend she'd heard about most of her career. Here was the man that had put away dozens of serial killers; and he was ready for battle.

"Shaw, you said you've got something?"

"Let's talk to Garcia." She got up and they headed for the Tech area. "Garcia, tell us what you all have found."

Penelope looked over and nodded. "Gabriel decoded Mrs. Beckett's planner. She had made some notes that we think may have some significance. I'll put them up on the screen and Gabriel can decipher them."

Gabriel started explaining. "On December 27th she had a meeting with Joe Pulgatti. Her notes indicate that he questioned how McAllister was able to find a witness when only he, Armen and the three masked men were in the alley. She thought it was good enough to pull the records for a look. She also noted that the shooting was an accident and that the shooter was a young black man; he could see the skin through the eye holes of the ski mask." Kate's eyes glistened as she hears Gabriel speaking. She saw Rick's jaw tighten, but that was the only indication that there was any emotion from him.

Gabriel continued when Garcia brought up a new image. "On December 29th she noted that she had gotten a hold of a tape that indicated that her life might be in danger. There were some men on the tape discussing the fact that she had been to see Pulgatti and that she had requested a copy of the arrest records from the clerk. She knew she had to do something about the tape so it would be safe if something happened to her. She had gotten a gift from her husband for Christmas...a family of elephants."

Kate grinned. "Elephants were her favorite animal. The families stay together and she thought that they were majestic."

Gabriel smiled. "She found that the bull elephant came apart and she slipped the tape inside of it and glued the halves together. The last entry was from January 9th." Kate gasped. "She had left a note in her favorite book and said that Kate would know the one. That note told the hiding place of the tape."

Kate thought back. "I don't remember any note. The book she would be referencing is in our bookcase at the loft. She had a paper she was using as a bookmark..."

Rick was already on his phone. "Alexis...are you at home? Good. I need a favor; can you get Kate's copy of my first book? Thanks." About thirty seconds later he resumed. "You have it? Great! Can you look through it and see if there are any papers in it? None? Hang on a second." He looked to Kate. "Did your mom have a favorite part of the book?"

She nodded. "She loved at the end when he was taken away in handcuffs."

Rick nodded and pulled the phone back up. "Lex, page 189. Okay, now is there any written there? Underlined? Hang on a second let me grab a pen. Okay...read them to me." He wrote down letters and then read them back. "KIfUgtthsIded...vlsimno...brckn...pdklr...tpinbll...lvulwys."

Gabriel closed his eyes. "Kate, if you get this, I'm dead. Vulcan Simmons is not the boss...bracken...paid killer. The tape is in the Bull. I love you, always."

Rick pulled Kate to him as she burst into tears. "Shhh, I've got you. Jordan, go to the 12th and take Gabriel with you. There is a family of elephants on Kate's desk. Get them and come straight back here. I'm going to get Kate out of here for a few." They scrambled to perform their duties as Rick pulled Kate out to find some coffee.

TCOP

Jordan stepped off the elevator onto the 4th floor of the precinct and headed straight towards Kate's desk. The floor was mostly empty except for the man going through Beckett's desk. Drawing her gun, she walked up behind him. "Lose something?"

The man turned around and froze looking down the business end of her gun. "Umm, yeah. I thought I left my favorite notebook here in Kate's desk. Uh, why the weapon? I'm Detective Demming from Robbery. Kate and I used to date."

Gabriel moved from behind Jordan. He looked off in the distance. "Ah, Tom Demming. Interesting...you and she dated a few years ago." Gabriel smirked. "Funny that you should want your favorite notebook years later."

Jordan shook her head. "Stand slowly, Demming. And put your hands on your head. We're going to have to ask you to come with us."

Demming stood up, knowing that he was well and truly caught. Gabriel kept his weapon on him as Jordan cuffed him and read him his rights. They started towards the elevator as Gabriel put the elephants into a bag to take them back to Rick and Kate. He was sure Demming was going to hate life once Rick got ahold of him.

TCOP

Tom Demming knew he was in trouble as soon as he saw Jordan Shaw. He remembered the FBI agent from when she had worked with Kate and writer monkey and knew she was not one to take chances. He did not know the other guy but he was definitely not one to be trifled with. He found himself sitting in the back of a black SUV with a gun on him. He looked up when he heard Shaw on the phone as she drove.

"We have it. Tell Rodgers that we are en route; we just have to drop off some trash at the dump. Have the Reaper meet us at the dump. I'm sure he will be happy when he sees our gift." She turned around to Gabriel. "Bag him, please."

"My pleasure." Suddenly a black hood was placed over his head and he lost consciousness. Gabriel laughed. "He's such a lightweight...I think he fainted!"

Jordan laughed. She turned the SUV around and drove straight back the way they came until she had passed the precinct; she drove several blocks and turned into a parking lot. She passed a few buildings and stopped next to a silver Mercedes. She got out and talked to the driver. She opened the back door and got Gabriel to help her carry Demming to the back seat of the other car. They got back into the SUV and drove towards the office.

Gabriel looked over at Jordan. "What the hell was that all about?"

"The CIA wanted to ask him a few questions."

"Who the hell is the Reaper?"

"Rick's father. I will fill you in more later."

TCOP

Jordan and Gabriel walked straight to Kate. "Here are your elephants. They do feel heavy."

Kate looked up at Jordan. "These have been on my desk since I made detective in 2006. I had the answer right there."

Jordan put a hand on her shoulder. "And now it's here. Let's see what your mom left for us, okay?"

Kate nodded and cracked open the largest elephant. Out fell a micro cassette. Kate held it up in her hand and almost cried...she was so close.

Rick came up with a small recorder and took the cassette that Kate handed him and inserted it in the player. He turned the volume up and pressed the play button.

The audio was pretty clear for being quite e few years old. A sound like someone was scooting a chair was followed by the familiar voice of Bracken. "Thanks for coming in you three. I need a couple of things and you are just the people to make it happen."

A second voice that sounds like John Raglan replies. "Well, you got us here Bracken. Now what do you want?"

Bracken replies. "That lawyer Beckett is snooping around. She spoke to Pulgatti...and I know you all don't want anyone talking to him."

A third voice that must be Gary McAllister replies. "Yeah we get it. What do you want us to do? If we push too much we'll get fingered."

Bracken: "If you know of anyone that was willing to get their hands dirty I would make it worth their while."

Raglan: "I heard of a guy...he isn't cheap. He goes by the name Rathbone."

Bracken: "Contact him. Leave my name out of it. Have him make it look like a gang attack." There is a few seconds of silence. "You're awful quiet tonight. Is there a problem?"

A fourth voice is heard that is familiar to them. "I really don't want any part of a murder. I know what we did was bad and I am sorry every day for what happened to Armen, but I really don't want a part of this." There's the sound of a chair scooting again and footsteps fading away.

Bracken: "Will he be a problem?"

McAllister: "No sir...Roy's problem is that he wants to be a Detective soon and he would rather keep a low profile."

Bracken: "Well so that he doesn't. I have to get back to the office. Keep me posted."

The tape ended and the room was silent. Each person that heard the tape was mulling over their reaction.

Kate was angry at what she heard, but she was saddened to have confirmation that her Captain was involved, even though Jacobs had told her previously.

Jordan was happy that the bastard had basically been caught red-handed.

Rick watched Kate and knew that she was agonizing over both Roy's involvement and that they planned her mother's murder.

Gabriel was silently using his chip to validate voice samples to people so that it was admissible in court.

Tom Demming was about five miles away and was waking up realizing that he was tied to a chair and naked.

TCOP

"So good of you to join us."

Demming's heart almost stopped. He looked around and it was totally dark except for a bright light right in front of him.

"I do so hope you are comfortable. How was your flight?"

"My flight? What are you talking about? I want my lawyer!"

The laugh that he heard almost made him wet himself. "I'm afraid, Mr. Demming, that a lawyer would not do you much good. Now, I know that you want to save yourself, isn't that right?" Demming nodded. "Good...good. Now, here are the rules. You talk and tell me the truth, we move on. If you don't I will remove one hair at a time from you. Do you understand?" Another nod.

"Then let's begin. We shall start easily and move up. That is the correct way to do these things. First, a very easy one! What is your name?"

"Tom Demming."

"Very good! See? Easy! Next question: Who is your employer?"

Demming looked confused. "The New York Police Department."

"See? Again, very easy, next: Who is your other employer?"

Demming's eyes widened. He decided to play dumb. "What other employer?"

There was a sigh, "Now see, Mr. Demming. Wrong answer." The lights went out and he felt excruciating pain in his groin. The lights came back up and showed tears running down Demming's face.

"I did not say where we would be pulling the hair from, did I? Ah, at my age I do forget some things, I do apologize. Now let us return to the question. Who is your other employer?"

Demming could not answer fast enough. "Senator Bracken. His chief of security paid me $25,000 to try to find some tape that Kate supposedly had."

"Very good. See? You told me what I want and now I will insure that you will no longer be tortured."

"Thank you."

"Oh, Mr. Demming you are so welcome! I am sure we shall see each other again. We will give you a room to rest up in and something warm to eat. Have a pleasant evening!"

The light went out; Demming felt a sting in his arm and knew no more.

Once they removed him and carried him to a holding pen, Jackson Hunt stood up and stretched. He looked at his agents. "Good job, everyone. We'll hold him here until we collect his bosses and then we'll send him to Gitmo. Maybe he can share a cell with someone who doesn't think it's the end of the world when one pubic hair is pulled out! I'm heading out to report in. Carry on."

Hunt chuckled at the way Demming cried like a baby when they had plucked that hair. He climbed into his Mercedes and headed uptown to report in.

TCOP

Rick and Kate went home and spent the evening cuddling. He knew that she would need some time to collect her thoughts. She cried herself to sleep and he carried her to bed, tucking her in and kissing her forehead. He knew it would be some time before he would be able to sleep, so he went into the office and started writing. He had just completed the fourth Nikki Heat book, but this one was just flowing. He had three chapters written before he heard the ringing of his phone. He picked it up and saw that Jordan was calling.

"Hey Jordan."

"Hi Rick. How's Kate?"

"Okay. She was upset and I let her get it out before I put her to bed. She's been asleep a couple of hours."

"And why aren't you in bed?"

"Well, I never could sleep before a big op. And I know what's riding on this, not only for Kate but for all of his other victims."

"I can understand that. I was calling to make sure you were okay. I know how much pressure is on you as the SAC. You've been such a good friend to me and I care about you. If you need anything, you let me know, okay?"

Rick could tell something was wrong. "Jordan, what's wrong?"

Jordan sniffed. "Nothing. Just feeling down and needed to hear a friendly voice."

Rick sat for a moment. "You know, I have heard tell that I am a decent storyteller. Are you comfy and in bed?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Do me a favor. Lie down and relax; put the phone on speaker. You ready?"

Jordan giggled. "Yeah…all tucked in and everything."

"Good. Let me tell you the story of the bard and the princess."

"Will I like it?"

"I think so. There was once a kingdom called New York. The ruler of the kingdom was Princess Jordan; she was very beautiful and wise. All of her kingdom loved her. She was great friends with the castle bard, Sir Rick, and they often went on adventures together…"

Thirty minutes later he crawled into bed and pulled Kate close. "That was a sweet thing you did."

Rick leaned back. "I thought you were asleep."

Kate chuckled. "I woke up about half way through. I especially liked the part where the bard kissed the princess on the forehead and said that he would always be her friend because he cares about her so much."

Rick looked down. "You're not mad?"

She smiled. "No, Alex, I'm not. Two years ago I would have been. Now I know how much you love me. And I know that you are aware of Jordan's feelings for you and I know that you care about her. And that's okay."

"I was afraid you would misread it, Katie love."

"I didn't and I can bet you she didn't either. Now let's get some sleep."

Rick kissed Kate softly and snuggled in. Minutes later he dropped off and was asleep.

A few miles outside the city, Jordan wept as she thought of how wonderful Rick was and that she had to stop thinking about what could have been; maybe just caring about him as a friend would do. She settled in and drifted off, saying good bye to the image of him and her walking hand in hand through the park.

TCOP

The next morning found all three at their desks before 8 am. Rick was pulling together data collected over the past several days as Kate and Jordan went around gathering the last of the Intel from their sources. JJ had been tasked with making the contacts within the other agencies and departments. Rick had told her to make sure that Ryan and Esposito were called; they needed to be a part of this.

Gabriel and Garcia were printing of reams of documents and data to support the arrests. The list had grown to over 150 including the Senator, Congressman and Vice President and added two more high profile individuals: the Majority Whip and a sitting Supreme Court judge.

Rick looked up when his father walked in. "Morning." Hunt just handed him a report, Rick's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Schlemming? Really?" He shook his head and handed the report to Kate.

Kate read the report and busted out laughing before handing it to Jordan to read. "Schlemming, Rick?"

Rick rolled his eyes. "I never did like the guy." Jordan shook her head as Rick went back to work. "Hunt?"

"Yes?"

"Can you run Operations from here for me? I am going in with Kate to arrest Bracken."

"Sure. When are we starting? You told POTUS tomorrow night."

"I know…that was misdirection. We are going to brief in two hours…the whole team will be assembled and will be ready with vests and weapons. We move out tonight at right after. A little birdie told me that Bracken was going to announce his candidacy for President at 2 PM. I figured we'll give him some more free publicity to insure the voters have the information they need to make the right choice."

Jackson Hunt grinned; his son had Martha's flair for the dramatic after all. "Got it. I'll call up the teams and have them here in 90 minutes."

"Sounds good. Coordinate with JJ as she has already started. Oh and Hunt?"

"Yeah?"

"Just in case…take care of Mother and Alexis for me?"

"No worries, son. See you on the other side." He walked over to JJ.

The next two hours were spent getting warrants ready and making sure everything was set. A few minutes before they were due to start, Kate pulled Rick into a conference room. They spent the next ten minutes inside; when they exited they looked much calmer than before.

Rick walked over and spoke quietly to Jordan. He looked up and only Kate was near, so he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Come on, Princess. Time to slay the Dragon."

He pulled up the blushing agent and winked at Kate. Together they once again entered the briefing room for what Rick hoped would be his last time as an agent.

TCOP

Rick looked around the room at the team gathered there. NYPD, CIA, FBA, CyberCom...all professionals, all ready for whatever dangers may take them down as they do their jobs.

He had never felt prouder in his life.

"I have so many things to say...so many. It's been said that the sun must set before it can rise; we stand here surrounded by night, waiting. But we stand...together, watching as the sky lightens. Together we will bring back the Light." He looked over at Kate. "A wise man once said that there are no wins or losses; you just have to make a stand. So many people have lost their lives to our target. We take this stand not only for Johanna and so many others…we take this stand for those of us here that knew them, that loved them; that respected them. Individually we could not stand against this but together we will let them know that evil has no sway."

He took a moment and looked around and locked eyes with Jordan. "Many years ago I stood where you are on another task force. We all knew what we should do, and we had others around us that we respected or that we had become friends with. We went out knowing that we had the law on our side. We left 25 strong and came back two less, one which we buried four days later. We knew though that the bad guys had taken a heavy blow. We knew that justice had been done, but we also knew that a father would never again hug his children nor kiss his wife."

His eyes once again shifted to Kate. "I know that we face danger this morning. I know that there are chances that any one of us may not see the setting of the sun tonight. But I know...I know that I am proud to be a member of this task force and I know that what we do today will not only potentially save hundreds of lives, but will provide closure for those that have been wronged by our target. So let's end the reign of terror that the target has wrought; let him know that the end of his tyranny is today. Good hunting!"

With a nod to everyone and a smile at Kate he walked to the door. "And now we get to be the bogeyman's bogeyman."