Chapter 7
Captain Victoria Gates is a skilled interrogator. Her years with Internal Affairs have given her the skills to weed out the truth from any dirty cop or murder suspect. As she looks at the two-way mirror, then at Martha Rodgers her mind is racing in a thousand different directions. There is so much riding on her next move. She quietly thinks to herself about which tactic to use on the elder woman. She has her doubts about her actually committing this crime, but she could not show her cards just yet.
Victoria knows that Rick is observing. Would this be a problem for her, she did not know she hoped that he just observed. She knows that Rick is one to always pick up on clues and facts that most everyone else overlooks. The thing she does not understand is that while he is very intelligent, he almost always makes himself look like he is the person who seems to be the last one to put the puzzle together.
Maybe he wants to make his wife look good? She thinks to herself.
She glances back at the mirror, then recalls the conversation in her office.
"Sir...Captain please I can promise to keep my observations to myself and not in any way interrupt what you are about to do." Rick says hoping the Captain would not hold anything against him.
"Mr. Castle, I need to know that there will be no outbursts from behind this mirror." Gates says.
Just as he was about to agree she adds, "That means not a peep. As well as rapping on the mirror also. Do I make myself clear?" She asks.
"Yes, Sir...crystal clear." Rick replies being glad that he could at least be able to observe.
Entering the interrogation room she brings her eyes to Martha. She feels bad for her in a way. She is still trying to put the scene together in her mind. The answers would come if she asks the right questions.
"Mrs. Rodgers, since your legal counsel has arrived. Have you have had enough time to confer?" She asks.
Jeffery her attorney looks at his client who nods, then he turns to the Captain.
"Mrs. Rodgers is ready for any of your questions." Jeff says.
"Okay, let's start. Are you familiar with or do you know a woman by the name of Helen Diaguardi?" The Captain asks
"Captain, I know of no one by that name." Martha honestly replies after talking to Jeffery.
"Thank you, Mrs. Rodgers, now, does the name Walter Papadakis mean anything to you?"
"Well, yes it does." Martha states sadly after Jeff coaxes her.
"Would you please elaborate, Mrs. Rodgers?" The Captain asks.
Again Martha confers with her attorney. He nods, then she looks at the Captain.
"He is my ex- husband. I divorced him over 7 years ago. He defrauded me of over 3 million dollars. However, I forgave him for being who he is. He actually did me a favor. Before when it was just him and me, I unfortunately did not pay much attention to my beautiful son and granddaughter. I was too self-absorbed. However, after I was left destitute, my son, whom I am so proud of had allowed me to move in even though I have neglected him for so long. I bore no animosity toward Walter at all." Martha states.
Rick is amazed. His Mother never acknowledged her imposition before. He feels good that she has admitted it to the Captain though he would have preferred to have her tell him herself. Rick listens more closely.
The Captain is jotting down notes. She knows now that she is not guilty at all. However, to flush out the killer the interrogation must continue.
"Okay, Mrs. Rodgers so we have established that you knew the deceased. So when did you have contact last with him?" The wily Captain asks.
Again Jeff confers then nods his head. Rick is worried that Jeff will never object.
"I have not had any contact with my ex-husband until he appeared today on stage where I was running through my lines for the new play I will be appearing in." Martha replies.
"Okay, so did he tell you why he has suddenly appeared?" the Captain asks.
This time Martha just answers without Jeff's input.
"He did" Martha says.
The Captain is surprised. She thinks that given Martha's other lengthy explanations this short one is very unusual.
"I see. Would you please give me the reason?" the Captain asks.
"He said he was in trouble that someone is coming to kill him. I did not believe him. Then he then commented how good I looked and how he wishes things were different between the two of us. I too wished things were different also. Together we had a lot of fun until we didn't. Then he told me he was going to do the right thing. He was going to the police to turn himself in through my son. At that point I heard a door slam the lights went out a felt a hand shove something into my own. It felt slick. I spoke out Walter's name. He did not respond in the dark. Someone pushed me and I fell on my knees. This is when the lights return and I was unable to see. I heard Katherine, my daughter in law's voice. As my vision cleared, I see I am kneeling next to Walters body. There is a knife in my hand. I assumed it was the prop knife I had been handling before the blackout. I arose in horror once I saw it was clearly his body now coating the blade. I was in shock until I heard my daughter in law's and my son's voice. I dropped the prop knife, then I heard the metallic clang as it hit the stage. It should not have done that. The prop knife should have thunked when it hit the stage. The prop knife is made out of plastic painted with prop paint to look real." Martha explains.
The Captain smiles Martha has confessed to means, motive and opportunity.
"Okay, Mrs. Rodgers you are being held on suspicion of murder. Counselor… your client is guilty and she has confessed to motive, means, and opportunity. I am charging your client with murder in the first degree. Officer Velazquez, take this prisoner to holding!" The Captain says smiling.
"Wait, I must protest Mrs. Rodgers is innocent. Martha, don't say another word without me being present. I will get a judge on this. You will get bail I promise you!" Jeff retorts.
"L.T. escort Mrs. Rodger's lawyer out of the station!" The Captain says.
Rick burst out of the observation area to argue loudly with the Captain.
"Captain, what's going on? My mother is innocent. If NYPD can't see it, I will have to prove it myself!" Rick says showing visible anger toward the Captain.
"Mr. Castle I said no outbursts and you violated that condition. Get him out of here!" the Captain orders her two detectives Ryan and Esposito.
Rick is jostled a bit by the boys then is led down the stairs since the elevator is heading toward lock up on the 1st floor. However, Rick smiles after he is out of sight.
"So did I nail it or what?" Rick crows knowing he sold the role he was playing.
"Yeah, Castle you were very believable." Espo says avoiding getting nailed with Rick's flying elbows.
"It sure fooled me" Ryan added.
"Come on guys we need to beat the elevator to the parking area." Rick says as they run down the stairs to meet the elevator.
Xx
Kate likes the booth, she is sitting in. It is an old fashioned diner the kind that is made out of a old rail dining car. There is just something that this place brings a flavor of an era back to the city. She nurses a cup of lukewarm coffee waiting for her guest. She has been there for about 20 minutes already. She knows he is going to be late since he did call to tell her.
Hearing the door open and close she looks up from her coffee. She spies the brightest smile appearing on his face as he sees her and walks over to her booth.
"Hey, Dad…!" She says, smiling at him as bright as the one he has on his face.
She rises to hug him.
"So Katie, this must be serious. Are you in any trouble? Is Rick the cause? Did he do something I need to be concerned with?" Jim asks in rapid fire like he is grilling a client on the stand.
"No, Dad, please have a seat. It is not what Rick did. Dad, it is something I had to do. It is my job. Dad, sometimes I hate my job…" Kate sadly says.
"So how bad is it Katie?" Jim asks.
"Dad, it involves Rick's mom. I had to arrest her for murder. She was caught red-handed standing over the body. I'm banned from the precinct. I feel so helpless. But I had to do my duty. I can't look the other way. I still have another murder to solve in New Jersey too." Kate blurts out.
"Wait, Katie, say no more. We need to leave here now." Jim sternly says.
Kate immediately became silent as Jim pays for her coffees then takes a to go cup.
"You're lucky I found a close parking spot. Now get in we are going home. Drink this coffee we should be home soon. Then you going to tell me what's going on." Jim orders.
Kate mutely looks at the cup as Jim drives to his home.
Jim escorts his daughter into the house as he opens the door.
Kate looks around the room there is so much of her mother still around. She feels her loss very acutely right now as Jim hugs his daughter, then guides her to the sofa.
"So you had to arrest Rick's mother? Why did you have to do it Katie bug?" Jim asks.
Kate took a gulp of her coffee, then with tears in her eyes she speaks.
"Dad, I've been temporally assigned to the FBI over a murder and a fraud case. Rick has been banned from the precinct. So he has gotten his P. I. license. He ends up being on the same case as I am. He is protecting the suspect" Kate says.
"So how does this end up with Martha being jailed and accused of murder?" Jim asks.
"Dad, please wait, I had a hard enough time to get this far." Kate morosely says.
"Katie I'll try to be more patient but there's a story here." Jim promises, however, he hopes she would be quick about the explanation.
The longer she delays the longer the hurt will be.
"Dad, that's just the problem." Kate says, shaking her hair so it hides her face.
Jim notices the trait as she did when she was very little. Jim wrapped his arms around her then the floodgates open as she weeps. Jim keeps holding her until she is all cried out, well mostly. During the breakdown Jim pieces together the full story. She is convinced her marriage is over and that Rick hates her and she would not blame him.
"So what are you going to do Katie bug?" Jim asks.
"Dad, I still have another murder to solve. I have to do my job. Dad, I know that this is asking a lot, but could I stay here tonight. I don't think Rick wants to see me." Kate asks in a very small voice.
"Katie, of course, you may stay here, though, do you want my opinion as a lawyer?" Jim asks.
"I'd take any insight that you might offer dad." Kate earnestly says.
Jim chuckled, knowing that he is no longer the lawyer that he once used to be. Though, he did have an idea for her.
"Katie, while I know that you seek justice for every victim that you come across in your cases, I am inclined to believe that the case with the woman in New Jersey and the case with Walter in the theater are somehow related judging by what you have already told me."Jim explains.
"Dad, what do you mean?" Kate inquires.
"Katie, look at the similarities between the two cases. Both victims lost their lives to a knife attack. They knew each other, and they both have for the most part do not have any witnesses to the crime." Jim says.
Her phone vibrates indicating a call.
"Dad, give me a minute, I need to get this." Kate says getting out her phone.
"Alexis?" She asks.
"Kate, do you have a second to talk?" Alexis asks.
"Now is not a good time Alexis." Kate replies.
"Where are you right now?" She asks being very worried since Kate did not sound like herself.
"Actually, I am at my dad's house. Alexis, I'm in no condition to go anywhere." Kate slowly responds
"Kate, Are you sick?" Alexis asks worriedly.
"Yeah, Alexis I'm coming down with something" Kate says with a yawn.
"Oh well, it's good that grandpa Jim is taking care of you. Are you sure I can't bring you something like chicken soup from Won's?" Alexis asks.
Kate's stomach rumbles at her suggestion which Alexis can easily hear.
"Okay, Kate I'm coming over. I won't take no for an answer. Tell grandpa Jim hi for me." Alexis says as she hangs up.
Kate looks at her Father.
"What am I going to do now? That was Alexis and she thinks I am sick and is bringing chicken soup from Won's." Kate asks.
"Katie bug, let her come. I think she might know more than you. Besides chicken soup from Won's is too heavenly to pass up." Jim says smiling. "You will see something good will come of all this. Why don't you lie down in your old bedroom? I will wake you when the soup arrives."
Kate follows her father's advice and soon she is fast asleep.
Soon Kate is awoken by a tap on the door and the smell of the soup instantly sets her stomach rumbling. Kate looks up to see a familiar red head carrying a bowl plus two sandwiches. Kate suspects her father made those sandwiches to complement the soup. Alexis brings the tray closer then places it on the bed. She smiles at her stepmother.
Kate quickly devours the food. Once sated, she looks at Alexis as she gazes around her stepmother's room. Alexis finds everything about her stepmother's early life so fascinating.
Alexis notices the food has been consumed. She moves the tray.
"Thank you, Alexis, I appreciate your kindness." Kate sadly says.
"Kate, cheer up. I know you have a job to do. You should be proud." Alexis brightly says.
"Why should you be glad that I had to arrest your grams?" Kate asks being very perplexed.
"Oh, so dad didn't tell you then?" Alexis asks.
"He did not tell me what exactly? Alexis, what are you trying to tell me?" Kate asks. Then she thinks about all of his called that she ignored earlier.
"Well, didn't you talk to Dad? When I talked to him, he says he was not angry and was supposed to call you. Have you been avoiding dad's calls?" Alexis inquires.
"Yeah, I guess I have been avoiding him. I guess I'll call him now. I need to apologize." Kate says.
"I guess you might but before you call him I do have a few questions." Alexis asks.
"Okay, Alexis I'll answer them as best as I can." Kate says being honest.
"That's fair…Kate, I received the autopsy photos from Lanie. She says that unless grams grew a foot taller and put on at least 100 pounds, she could not inflict the damage that was done to Walter. Grams is innocent. Also, I've been helping dad. I saw the autopsy photos and notes of the first victim. I have a pic here on my phone. Do you notice anything?" Alexis asks.
"No…It can not be…I killed him!" Kate gasps.
"I don't understand who did you kill?" Alexis asks.
"Rathbone er Coonan…he killed my mother. Alexis these wounds are an exact match." Kate says, still not believing the pictures of both victims.
"Rathbone…? Who is Rathbone…is he the killer dad paid 100k for several years ago?" Alexis asks.
"Alexis, how do you know that?" Kate asks.
"Kate, I know so much about what my dad spends his money on. Like the 7.9 million he spent on an art exhibit?" Alexis says.
"7.9 million…? He never said it cost that much!" Kate says.
"Well, he never would. However, all large purchases have to be okay-ed by me. I'm sort of his insurance policy so he won't over spend. You will have that dubious honor for now on. Surely you have spoken to the accountant and have signed all the forms?" Alexis asks.
"Yeah, but honestly those meetings just bored me. I guess I need to read up on those papers. I would not want to be slacking in my duties." Kate says.
"I suppose you are going to call dad now. I'll be downstairs talking to grandpa Jim" Alexis says as she takes the tray out of the room then closes the door leaving Kate to think about her next move.