Another Chance

Chapter 15

On a monitor, Castle watches the smoke seep into the Swinson apartment, just a few thin streamers at first, attracting little attention until Marnie begins to cough. "What the fuck!"

Lt. Moore uses his walkie-talkie to signal one of his men to activate the fire alarm. The hidden camera catches both Marnie and Larkin whitening and stiffening. Marnie grabs the front of Larkin's shirt. "The hell with keeping the girl here for as many days as you tried to get justice. I'm not going up in flames so that you can get your revenge."

Larkin's attempt at a deep breath is shortstopped by a coughing fit of his own. "All right grab anything you can, especially money and credit cards. We'll leave her here. If she burns to death, it will be easier than killing her, and that bastard will still lose his precious granddaughter."

Merri springs from her chair and sprints for the door. Larkin catches up and puts his knife to her throat. "Either you stay behind and hope that you don't fry, or I end your life right now. Move it, Marnie!" Marnie comes running with a stuffed tote bag. "Let's go," Larkin orders. They quickly leave the apartment, locking the door behind them. Merri begins to scream for help.

Moore and his men crash through the door, with Kate and Castle close behind them. Kate tries to calm Merri as the group takes the front stairs to exit the building where more cops and the paramedics are waiting.

The squad that captured Larkin and Marnie in the alley, marches them to the front of the building in handcuffs and they are loaded into a vehicle to be transported for booking and interrogation.

Marked units carrying the commissioner and his wife and Merri's parents come screaming up as Merri is being checked out. Merri burrows into her mother's arms before a caravan forms to follow the ambulance for the girl's precautionary trip to the hospital. Castle and Kate are at the end of the convoy, in Castle's car.

Alexis hates to say goodbye after Micah walks her to her dorm from the subway. It's a no-brainer that they'll see each other again, but not as soon as either of them would like. They both have full class schedules until the weekend and Micah has his job at a hobby and collectibles store as well. He's living with his parents, but he is paying room and board and needs to make every cent that he can. He works Saturdays, but is off after 8 p.m., so they decide to get together then.

They've been together for less than 24 hours, but Alexis feels like she's known him all her life. The kiss that they share before he leaves her at the door of her room is tentative at first but deepens until she has to remind herself to breathe. She has no idea how she'll get through the next few days without him. Now she understands how her father felt when Kate was in DC. She and Micah can Facetime and text until they can be together in person, but it won't be the same.

The commissioner locates Kate and Castle drinking coffee in the waiting room. They rise from their seats when they see him approaching. "How's she doing?" Castle asks. "My daughter was kidnapped about a year ago. I got her back safe, physically, but there's a lot of trauma that doesn't bruise or bleed."

The commissioner nods his understanding. "There's already a crisis counselor talking with Merri now. And she'll be getting whatever help she needs for as long as she needs it."

"And Larkin and Swinson?" Kate queries.

"Locked up tight - separately. They won't get the chance to coordinate on their stories or do anything else together - unless it's to stand trial. But I don't think it will get that far. Even a wet behind the ears public defender can tell either one of them that it's best to plead out. Juries aren't sympathetic to suspects who kidnap little girls and leave them in burning buildings, even if the fire threat was manufactured. Lt. Moore told me that you two came up with that gambit. That's twice I owe you. Once for finding Merri and again for helping to get her out safely."

Kate shakes her head. "Sir, we're both just glad that we could help."

"Believe me, I understand how you and your wife, and her parents felt," Castle adds.

"I'm sure that you do. But what's obvious to me is that the N.Y.P.D. needs both of you. Ms. Beckett, I'm going to see that you are reinstated as a detective in homicide, with all the seniority and benefits you earned before your brief sojourn in Washington, DC. I'll dig up the money somewhere. And Mr. Castle, I would like you to return to consulting with the department. I will inform Captain Gates that you are to be afforded every courtesy."

Castle works to suppress the grin of triumph that is threatening to erupt on his face and extends his hand. "Sir, I will do my best to make sure that I don't let Detective Beckett or you down."

The commissioner gives Castle's hand a hearty shake. "If what you did for Merri is any indication, I have no doubt that you will. I understand that the two of you are engaged."

"Yes, Sir," Kate confirms. "Is that a problem?"

"Not unless you make it one. Since Mr. Castle won't be a paid employee of the department, the rules against fraternization don't theoretically apply. But Detective, since he is not a police officer and has not trained as one, I expect you to keep him at enough of a distance from any potentially dangerous situations so that the need to protect him won't act as a distraction to you or any other officer."

"Or you could at least allow me to carry a gun," Castle interjects. "I can qualify on the range and…"

"With all due respect, Sir," Kate interrupts. "There have been multiple times when if Castle had not been backing me up, with or without a gun, I would be dead, along with about 20 members of the FBI and at least two other homicide cops. There would also be a lot of New Yorkers who would have been hit by radiation from a dirty bomb. He's been at least as effective as any member of the force, myself included."

"I am aware of some of those incidents," the commissioner admits. "Mr. Castle, if you do insist on placing yourself in the midst of the action, I'll see what I can do about getting you a carry permit. However, you will be required to go through weapons training at the academy."

This time Castle does grin. "I've always wanted to do that! And the experience will help me add even more authenticity to my books. Commissioner, you have a deal!"

"Very well." The commissioner turns to Kate. "It will take a few days for me to get the paperwork through, but I expect that you'll be able to report to the 12th Precinct next Monday morning to retrieve your weapon and your shield. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check in again on my granddaughter."

Kate and Rick are in each other's arms before the commissioner has made it to the elevator.