CBs
Chapter 18
Castle made a face with raisins on Kate's bowl of oatmeal and pushed it to her across the counter. "Going for heavy fortification for the CB case wrap up meeting?" Castle asked.
"Not so much fortification as staying power, Castle," Kate explained. "You're not bringing me snacks at the precinct as much anymore now that your Nussbaum case is finished and your other P.I. business has picked up.
"And you miss me?" Castle interrupted.
"Oh course I do, Babe," Kate confirmed, leaning over the counter for a quick kiss. "But the point I'm making is that so much more came out of the case, including the boost to your other work. The CBs have uncovered so many aspects of the Demachi operations it will affect every division in the city. Actually I can't wait until you hear about all of it."
"I look forward to it. But then why did you schedule it so late in the morning?" Castle wondered. "I would have thought you'd have gone for bright and early."
"I'll be at the precinct bright and early and so will Ray Edelson. He's out of rehab and has been approved for limited duty. I need to get him up to date and bounce some ideas off him before I meet with the CBs. So I'll see you later?"
"Count on it," Castle declared.
Even though Esposito sat closer to Angela Lopez than should have been necessary, no space remained at the conference table with all the members of the CBs present. "You've all been copied on everyone's reports, but I'd like each of you to summarize," Kate requested. "We can just go clockwise, if Sergeant Seacrest would start.
"While this case was not deeply involved with sexual violence," Sylvie explained, "one aspect of it was. Davud Demachi was more than slightly into kink. The building at 900 Lydig where he mysteriously spent so many late night hours was outfitted as his private sexual playground. A number of women who resembled a younger Rita Carcani were forced to work there, acting as dominatrices for Demachi. Unfortunately, he was not the only one to feel a lash. If the women didn't play the role to his standards, they were beaten as well. Those women have been given counseling and entree into a support system."
"Eww," Castle exclaimed with a shudder, "that's worse than something I'd put in one of my books."
"I don't think anyone's ever accused Demachi of being a nice guy, Castle," Esposito commented.
"Let's continue with Sergeant Lubens," Kate advised.
"Demachi presided over a sizable robbery operation. He had gangs raiding both residences and businesses in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. There were warehouses full of stolen goods, many of which are being claimed by the victims," Carl reported.
"And Detective Chekov?" Kate continued.
"We've recovered the records of the gambling operations. We were able to close down a number of games, although I suspect the Triads may try to reopen them. We'll have to keep eyes on that," Sergei related. "We also seized a great deal of cash."
"Detective Morano?" Kate prompted.
"My report ties in with Sergeant Seacrest's. Some of the women forced into sexual service for Demachi had been reported as missing. Those cases are now closed."
"Garrett?" Kate inquired.
Bill smiled in satisfaction. "Demachi was compulsive about documenting his activities. Computerized records were recovered from the Carcani estate in Forest Hills Gardens. Through those, we were able to track down a number of properties used for illegal purposes and not listed under Demachi's holding company, some of which were the warehouses Carl described. Those buildings have been seized by the city. Those records will also hammer the final nails into a lot of coffins. Neither Demachi or any of his lieutenants can expect to see anything but prison walls for the rest of their lives."
"Detective Lopez?" Kate queried.
"The gangs are relieved to have Demachi's crews out of their territory, but they're also viewing their departure as an opportunity to fill the vacuum. That's especially true of the Westies. Finn Roarke is still staunchly opposed to running drugs, but he has his eyes on the gambling that's not in the Triad's territory, as well as protection. That is something we'll have to monitor."
Esposito had to pull his eyes away from the woman next to him when Kate called his name. "ESU cooperated on a number of the raids on Demachi operations. There were no injuries on the N.Y.P.D. side, but some of the dirt bags who chose to resist will be serving part of their time in the prison ward."
Ryan observed his partner's fascination with amusement and was slightly startled when Kate called on him. "Large amounts of drugs, particularly the new cheaper heroin, were recovered, as well as considerable cash generated by drug sales. The drugs will be in evidence until the cases are adjudicated, then they're pegged for disposal. But as Detective Lopez pointed out, the other gangs are eyeing moving in where Demachi operations have been closed down. My contacts on Staten Island have noticed activity in that direction. Narcotics will be maintaining close surveillance on the situation."
"Castle?" Kate invited.
"The Nussbaums are using the threat of a lawsuit to force the hospital to tighten their controls and better vet their employees. They've also started a foundation to aid other families with children in need of transplants. They're determined to see something positive come out of their tragedy."
"I have an update for you all as well," Kate announced. "Due to the large seizures involved with this case, the purse strings of the N.Y.P.D. have been loosened. That means the restrictions on overtime have been reduced, over-delayed maintenance will be performed, and some of the holes in our force due to attrition can be filled. You should all be very proud of yourselves. The efforts of this group have benefited the whole department and the whole city. I hope that is the sort of accomplishment that will encourage you to bring any other potential cases to the attention of the team."
"While it's a little early in the day for a congratulatory drink," Castle added, "for you and your friends and partners, drinks tonight at the Old Haunt are on the house." Castle handed out stacks of chits as the members of the team left.
Kate still sat at the table thoughtfully. Castle caught her gaze. "What?"
"I was just thinking about my meeting with Ray Edelson this morning," Kate confided.
"What happened?" Castle asked.
"Obviously Ray's duties are going to be purely administrative for a while, maybe permanently. That will take a lot off Carl Lubens' plate, but Ray wants to handle as much as he can. The problem is with his leg, not with his head. He's willing to take paperwork like requisitions off my desk. He's also going to be working with a cadre of retired officers to brainstorm on streamlining procedures. That will give me more time to keep my boots on the streets, where I can keep a handle on what my people are facing day to day."
"Or maybe even put those boots between the sheets?" Castle suggested hopefully.
Kate caressed his cheek. "Babe, I think I can take then off for that. But yes, more time with you too."
"I'll drink to that," Castle replied enthusiastically, "so can you make it to the Old Haunt tonight?'
"Wouldn't miss it," Kate replied.
The revels were in full swing at Castle's bar when he and Kate made their entrance. Ryan and Jenny were crooning a love duet at the karaoke machine while Esposito and Angela Lopez danced. Castle offered a hand to Kate to join him on the floor. Kate happily laid her head on his shoulder, swaying gently to the music, but another sound intruded. The insistent bleating of Kate's phone signaled a major emergency.