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Murder She Wrote
Things have been strange lately, I've been having these bizarre dreams at night. It started happening two days ago and I have no clue why I've been dreaming about them. Maybe I've been watching too many cop dramas and hanging out at the precinct. I read online that I should write these dreams down, so that's what I've been doing. I've been writing my dreams down each day after I wake up, and try to put in as much detail as I possibly can.
Today was the same thing, I woke up from an extremely crazy nightmare, and took out my note pad and started jotting it down.
April 25th, 2013,
It was dark and I couldn't see anything, but I could hear a lady screaming. It must have been a big place because I could hear the scream echo off the walls. I heard someone else chasing after the lady, they were panting heavily and seemed determine. They must have caught up to the person because a man's voice came into focus, "Don't run, Diana."
"How do you know my name?" the lady stuttered out.
"Believe me I know a lot more than you think," he said.
"Please, just leave me alone. Please…"
There was a maniacal laugh and then he said, "Oh don't be stupid… There is nothing you can say to stop my plans."
The next thing I heard was a gurgling sound and I figured he gave her a Columbian necktie.
He huffed out a loud sigh and that's then everything went silent.
That's all that I could recall from that horrifying nightmare, but it sounded so real. Since it was early in the morning, I decided to just eat some cereal because I know I won't be able to sleep anymore. I went out to the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of cereal. As I ate, I ran through my dream once again. Even though there was barely anything visual throughout the dream, the sound was clear and frightening.
"Em, what are you doing up so early?" my aunt asked with a small yawn.
"Couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to just get some breakfast. Start my day," I said with a shrug.
She poured herself some coffee and said, "You're not having sleeping problems again, are you?"
"No, I promise I'm fine. Just one of those mornings.
"You're too young to have one of those mornings."
"I guess so," I smiled.
She chuckled and said, "Do you want to hang with me today?"
"Sure sounds like fun."
"Okay."
Just then her phone started to ring and she answered it, "Beckett… Yeah, I'll be right down. See you soon…"
She hung up and I asked, "Do we have a case?"
"Yep, so hurry up and get dressed," she said as she walked off to get ready.
I put my bowl in the sink and ran to my room to get dressed.
We arrived at a warehouse looking building and it was huge and badly rusted. Castle arrived when we did and he said, "Good morning my two Beckett's."
"Morning, Castle," we said.
We walked into the warehouse and a lady in her mid-twenties was laying on the dirty warehouse floor with her throat slit open. Dried blood was covering must of her neck and chest region. Then it hit me this, looked almost like what I heard in my dreams last night. I kept my cool though because it could just be a very strange coincidence that she died the same way.
"Wow, someone really didn't like her," Castle said.
The words bounced off the walls with ease and he said, "Cool an echo… Echo…"
"Castle," my aunt said.
"It's fun," he shrugged.
"Lanie what do we have?" my aunt asked Lanie who was examining the body.
"Young girl, twenty-five. All she had on her was her photo I'd and keys," she said handing over the girls belongings.
"Diana Miller, lied a few blocks from here. I'll let Ryan and Esposito check out her place," my aunt said.
"Diana…" I said, my head spinning with all the similar details of my dream.
All eyes went to me and Castle asked, "Did you know her?"
"No… but last night I had a dream," I said.
"Spooky," Castle said with wonderment.
"It was just a coincidence, Em," my aunt said, trying to play it off.
"I thought so at first to, but everything I wrote down was clear. It pretty depicts everything from my dream perfectly," I said.
"Wrote down?" my aunt asked.
"I've been writing all these strange dreams in a notepad lately. I have it in my backpack, in the car," I said.
"Hey, this would be so cool if she really did write this down. It's like she has premonitions or something of that nature," Castle said with a grin on his face.
"She doesn't have any supernatural like powers, Castle. It's going to be a complete coincidence if it's similar. Lanie let me know if you get anything else," Aunt Kate said.
"I will," Lanie said.
We arrived at the precinct and my aunt was flipping through my notebook at her desk. Castle was watching her with glee, he really wanted this to be something out of this world. That's Castle for you, but I agree, it would be pretty sweet. My aunt finished all three entries and asked, "Emily, where did you hear all these?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"The other two cases are both cases we've been working on for the past few days. How do you know?" she asked.
"I don't know?" I shrugged.
"I knew it. She's psychic, this is awesome. This will be great for a new Nikki Heat Novel," Castle said with excitement.
"Castle, she isn't psychic. Where did you hear it?" she asked.
"I had a dream and I saw it. Well actually, I heard it more than saw it. Everything's always dark, but the sound seems to be very clear," I said.
"You must have heard it somewhere you couldn't have possibly just dreamed a very real murder up," she said.
"Well, it does explain the other two, but what about the one today. She couldn't have possibly knew about it before you guys did," Castle said, trying to help us get to the bottom of this.
"Yeah, I know. I think it's still a weird coincidence. She could have just heard something similar and conjured up something extremely close to our real murders," she said.
She handed my notebook back and walked off to go talk to Ryan and Esposito who just came into the precinct.
"Do you think this is some weird coincidence, Castle?" I asked him.
"No, I think this is really something. It might not be premonitions and psychic abilities but it's definitely something. Don't worry mini Beckett I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this, but in the meantime, what's the winning numbers going to be for the Powerball?" Castle asked.
I rolled my eyes with a laugh.
"Come on, that would be awesome."
"What would be awesome?" Esposito asked as he and Ryan came over to us with Aunt Kate in toe.
"She's been dreaming about the recent murders before they happen, so I was seeing if she can conjure up some winning numbers," Castle said.
"Wow, that's some weird stuff," Esposito said.
"Yeah, but it would be really cool to get some winning numbers Jenny and I can use some more money," Ryan said.
"Yeah, me too. I have no clue what I'd do with it," Esposito said.
"Well, you three won't be getting any numbers from her. She does not have ESP or any psychic powers," she said.
"We don't know that for sure," Castle said.
"Yes we do. Now we have cases to solve, which all seem to link together. Ryan and Esposito, find out what you can about where Diana took the subway yesterday. Castle, you're coming with me to see her boyfriend and I'm dropping Em at home," she said.
We all nodded and we broke off to do as she said.
I was at home and getting ready for bed. Maybe these dreams really have been weird coincidences and I'm kind of making these realistic dilemmas up. I went to sleep and the next thing I'm tossing and turning, having another chilling nightmare that I could only hear. I woke up with a fright and had sunlight shining in my eyes. I looked at the clock and it was around eight in the morning. I wrote everything down in my notebook and then I went out to the living room, rubbing away the sleep in my eyes. Aunt Kate was sitting on the couch, looking through some files, which I presumed was for the cases that happened.
"Morning, Aunt Kate," I said.
"Morning, Em. Did you have a better sleep last night?" she asked.
"Well… actually I had another dream."
"Another murder?"
"Yeah," I said as I took a seat next to her.
"Well we haven't gotten anything since Diana, so maybe it's a coincidence like I said," she said to me.
"I guess."
"What was it about?"
"This guy, I think it was a park because I heard squeaking chains, which sounded like a swing and wind, signaling it was outside," I said.
"Uh-huh… is that it?"
"No, I heard the guy tell the man that he didn't know what he wanted. He said he had no money. Then the killer said that he had no intention of robbing him. He just wanted Louis to pay for his actions. Then a gun shot. That's when I woke up."
"That's extremely vivid. Are you sure you're okay Em?"
"Positive, I just wish I knew why I've been having these dreams."
"Yeah me too. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you go see Dr. Lasseter."
"Do I have too?"
"No, but if this persists, a visit might not be that bad."
"Yeah, I guess that's true."
My aunt's phone buzzed and she picked it up, "Yeah, I'll be right there."
She hung up and looked at me with seriousness, "There's been a murder in the park."
We were at the park and our victim was shot in the chest. Lanie gave us a brief description on the guy and what she found on him. Turns out his name was Louis, just like in my dream. Things were looking fishy and I have no clue why I've been dreaming up these real scenarios. Lanie left and we stayed, checking out the scene before us.
"So, she had another dream depicting this murder?" Castle asked amazement on his face.
"Yes," Aunt Kate said.
"Do you still think it's a coincidence?" he asked.
"I'm not so sure anymore," she said.
"There has to be something going on," Castle said inquisitively.
"What, no more theories on psychic powers?" my aunt asked with a small smirk.
"Well, that is definitely my top theory, but why now. What's your sleeping habits like mini Beckett?" Castle asked me.
"I don't know, normal. I just listen to my iPod and fall asleep," I said.
"Hmm… Seems normal," Castle said.
"Yeah it does. What are you listening to on your iPod, Em?" Aunt Kate asked.
"Just my music," I said.
She nodded and said, "Maybe we should watch you sleep."
"It could get to the bottom of things," Castle said with a shrug.
"Yeah. Are you okay with that Em?" my aunt asked.
"If it gets to the bottom of things, then I'm all for it," I said.
"Okay," she said.
We went to the precinct and we filled Captain Gates in on the situation. She wasn't too happy that Aunt Kate shrugged it off, but she's glad that they might be getting closer to solving these murders that are terrorizing New York. So, we gathered a team and went to Aunt Kate's apartment. Castle and Aunt Kate were going to stay in my bedroom, watching me sleep, while Esposito and Ryan were going to stay out front in case anything suspicious happens.
I got ready for bed and laid down to go to sleep. I grabbed my iPod and put on the playlist I usually listen to when I go to sleep.
"Are you ready to do this Em?" my aunt asked.
"Yeah, I think so," I said.
"Okay once anything seems out of the ordinary we'll wake you," she said.
"All right," I said.
"Night mini Beckett. Good luck," Castle said.
"Thanks," I said.
"Night Em," Aunt Kate said.
"Night," I said.
I tried to fall asleep, but I could feel their eyes on me. It was kind of awkward and unnerving, even with my rock music blasting softly in my ears.
"Guys, I can't sleep," I said.
"Why?" my aunt asked.
"I can feel you watching me," I said.
"We can turn away if you'd like. Stand by the door," she said.
"Yeah, that would be cool."
They did as I said, even though I could faintly see them with outside lights shining through my window. Once I felt a little more relaxed, I closed my eyes and started falling into a peaceful sleep.
I don't know how long I was out, but I felt someone shaking me awake. I bolted straight up and my aunt's face was illuminated by my bedside lamp. I heard a voice coming through my earbuds and it definitely wasn't my music.
"Em, what's going on you were tossing and turning. Were you dreaming?' she asked.
"Listen," I said handing over my iPod.
She took it and put one of the earbuds into her ear. She listened closely and she had a stark look on her face.
"What is it?" Castle asked by her side.
"It's the killer and he's murdering again," she said.
We were all down at the precinct trying got get answers. My iPod was pretty much the main evidence in all these murders. Who would have thought that my iPod would be in the center of an investigation?
"So you're saying that Emily's iPod has been picking up the murders from the past week," Captain Gates said.
"Yes sir, it seems to have picked up some type of transmissions somehow," Aunt Kate said.
"Did you have the IT guy look at it?" she asked.
"I did sir, he's going through it right now. He doesn't know if he'll be able to locate the signal, but if he does, we could catch our killer," Aunt Kate said.
"Okay, keep me posted. If any calls come in for this new murder, have Detective Esposito and Ryan check into it. I want you here if the IT guy finishes with her iPod," she said.
"Yes sir."
Captain Gates went to her office and we all waited around the desks. Just a few minutes later, the phones started to ring and people were reporting suspicious activity in their area. Esposito and Ryan left soon after the calls came in, while aunt Kate, Castle, and I stayed put. Aunt Kate's phone started to ring and she answered, "Detective Beckett."
There was a slight pause before she said, "Thanks."
"What did he say?" Castle asked once she hung up the phone.
"He got a hit off of the other transmitter. Turns out it was a cell phone and he was able to locate the owner of the device. His name is Franklin Guard. He's 24 and lives a few miles from here. He could be the killer," Aunt Kate said.
"I hope he is. I just want this over with," I said.
"Yeah me too. Em, you stay here. Castle and I are going to go bring in Mr. Guard," she said.
"Okay, be careful," I said.
"We will," she said and planted a short kiss to my head.
About an hour or so later, Aunt Kate was hauling in who I assumed was Franklin Guard. He looked kind of dorky looking and didn't have the physicality of a killer. Looks can be deceiving though. I decided to watch from the observation room.
"Franklin Guard, do you know these people?" my aunt asked as she placed photos on the table.
"Nah, never seen them," he said, pushing a few of the pics away.
"Come on Mr. Guard, we have a lot of evidence on you that you were at the same place at the time these people were murdered," she said.
"Look, I don't know what you got on me, but I didn't kill those people," he said getting irritated.
"Looks like you're getting a little irritated there Franklin. Something you're not telling us?' Castle questioned.
The kid rolled his eyes and fiddled with his black glasses on his face. He looked between them and said, "You don't understand."
"You killed five people, Franklin. I think I'd like to understand," my aunt said.
"I'm in my last year at NYU. I was going to transfer somewhere, so I can get my masters in computer science. I thought I was done with all this high school drama, but a few weeks ago, I was picked on by those five people. One was my professor, and you'd think he'd be nice to me, but know he laughed right along with them," Franklin said.
"What about the rest of the class?" Castle asked.
"It was just me and them. We stayed after class to get some extra work in. I stayed behind to chat with the professor and help tutor a few of my classmates. I made a remark and one of the guys, J.D., got offended. Next thing I know I'm pinned against the desk and no one seems to care. Then the next couple of days they just kept picking on me. I had enough and was tired of their antics," he said.
"So you killed them," my aunt said.
"Yeah, and the sad part is, some of them didn't even know who I was when they were begging for they're life. They went out of their way to pick on me and they didn't even know my frigging name," he said.
"How did you know where'd they be?" Castle asked.
"It was easy, they leave their phones in the most open spaces, and I got a few codes, then hacked into their phone system with ease. I got some tracking information and hunted them down," Franklin said with a shrug.
"That's how it picked up the signals," Castle mumbled.
"What?" Franklin asked.
"Don't mind him. If it wasn't for technology, you could have gotten away with this Mr. Guard. Good luck in prison, you're going to need it," Aunt Kate said.
I met them out at Aunt Kate's desk and I said, "I'm glad that's all over. I don't think I'll be listening to my iPod when I sleep anymore."
Aunt Kate smiled and said, "Yeah me too. Now you can get some good night's sleep. Maybe I'll get you a new iPod, after that experience."
"Not for a while. It'll be weird," I said.
They chuckled and we headed home, so I could finally get some sleep.
A few days went bye and it was Wednesday. That night we were sitting on the couch, watching TV and Castle said, "Hey, just for kicks. Give me your numbers for the Powerball, mini Beckett."
"Seriously, Castle," Aunt Kate said from beside me.
"Come on, it's just a little fun. Maybe she's special," he said.
She rolled her eyes and I said, "Okay, let's see if I have some psychic abilities."
"Cool, here write them on this," Castle said, handing me a notepad and pencil.
I wrote down the numbers: 13 56 42 8 12 Powerball 10
"Hmm… interesting numbers," Castle said looking at them.
"Her odds are one in 292 million. She'll be lucky if she hits just one number," Aunt Kate said.
He shrugged and said, "Well maybe she's that lucky one. Man, I wish I played," he said.
"Don't you have enough money?" My aunt asked.
"Well yeah, but think about everything you could do with that amount of money," Castle said.
"All I can think about is all of the people I haven't seen in years, trying to come and get some of my winnings," Aunt Kate said.
"Yeah, I guess that's is one of the downsides," he said.
The power ball started coming on and Castle got excited, turning his television up a little louder.
"Good evening everyone. Today is Wednesday and here are your winning Powerball numbers, 13 56 42 8 12 and the Powerball number is 10. Good luck to you all," the announcer said and then a commercial came on.
Castles mouth was agape and Aunt Kate just quirked an eyebrow at me. I just shrugged and said, "Lucky guess."
Castle groaned and flopped into the couch, while Aunt Kate and I laughed at him until we all went to bed. Maybe I'm just extremely lucky or maybe I do have some kind of psychic abilities.