Chapter 30

Castle stood at the white board. He'd just finished writing the second victim's name, Darcy Cho, at the top of the board with a red maker. He underlined it twice for good measure then held out his hand, reaching to Kate's fingers as she handed him two photographs. He scanned each photo, the first one of Darcy's NY State vehicular licence, a few years old, and the other of her lying prone and dead, a few hours old. He hung them below her name. Underneath the live photo he wrote that she was a lawyer.

"Shall I write the details, Beckett?"

"Nope." She quickly replied, as she lowered her frame onto the chair. "Same as the first victim. Will save space and your fingers getting cramped up."

"True. Oh, nice reference, Beckett." He smirked recollecting the moments when he'd told her if she didn't climax soon his fingers were gonna cramp. With a glance he saw her cheeks blush.

"You liked my quick wit?"

"Yes, but you're stretching the truth there." He stood back and gazed at his work.

"Creative licence," she coyly replied.

"Smart ass." He said, "Wonder what Ryan and Espo will find out. I truly doubt these two victims knew each other leave alone crossed paths."

A phone on Kate's desk beeped. She peered over the gathering of coffee cups to see it was Rick's phone that lit up. She picked it up and handed it to him.

"Thanks." He unlocked and read the text his forehead creasing. "Fuck it." He muttered, then realised where he was and mischievously glanced about to ensure no one had heard him curse.

Kate smirked, "Put money in the swear jar."

"I owe that jar plenty."

"No doubt you do. What is it?" Kate asked, seeing he had a concerned look.

"Meredith has taken Alexis out of school."

"Meredith took her out of school?"

"Mm. Alexis has a calculus exam this afternoon. She's not impressed."

"I wouldn't be either, if she were my child."

"Oh yeah, Meredith can be a piece of work. Thankfully I have my daughter's passport locked away. At least this time, Alexis will be in the country tonight." He tapped out a reply and seconds later received another text from his daughter that caused him to swear again.

"What?" Kate asked stretching to see his phone screen.

"Meredith told the principal that her father had passed away to get Alexis out of school. Her father died years ago."

The detective's eyebrows rose, "She really is a deep fried twinkie."

"In many ways, Detective, in so many ways," he replied with a frown. "Nothing like you." He added and smiled.

Kate stared at him for a moment longer, processing that comment. They looked up as Ryan and Esposito returned to the bullpen making a racket about a game they watched together on TV last night. Castle wore the same disinterested expression as Beckett, not at all interested in ball games. They had discovered the other day however, they both shared a keenness for ice hockey.

"What did you learn, guys?" Beckett asked as they dragged their office chairs over to Beckett's desk.

"Well, Jill Button from the law firm didn't have a clue why Darcy would be murdered," Ryan advised his audience of three, "Said It doesn't make sense why would someone kill her."

Esposito continued, "The two women joined the firm at the same time, and became best friends." He got up and went back to his desk the others all watching him.

Ryan drew back their attention and said, "She didn't recognise the other victim at all. Had no idea who he was. She said she's pretty familiar with all of Darcy's friends and clients, but she's never seen the victim before. Law firm does some corporate stuff, some immigration work; but there is nothing to indicate any involvement in something like this."

The Captain who came from his office said, "So our first victim gets killed in a religious ritual and then history repeats itself with his lawyer the very same day."

Castle said, "Oh, there's a lawyer joke there somewhere. I just can't think of it."

Montgomery smirked with Castle then continued with the history of the file, "And then the killer tossed the woman's apartment looking for what? Money, drugs, what?"

Ryan said, "As far as we could tell, Darcy was clean."

Esposito interrupted as he returned to the group, "Yo. We got a hit on the first victim's prints. INS database "

Beckett read Espo's hand writing aloud, "Jamal Buoncy."

Esposito said, "Nigerian national, entered the US on a student visa eighteen months ago. Was enrolled at NYU as an exchange student."

Beckett said, "His visa expired a year ago."

Castle said, "Looks like he decided to stay."

Ryan said, "Lucky him."

Captain asked Esposito, "Any word on his last known whereabouts?"

Esposito replied, "I was able to track down the family he lived with when he was a student. Last time they saw him, he was in a cab on his way to Kennedy."

"I take it that's not the end of the story?"

Esposito said, "No Beckett, it's not. Turns out that Jamal and their thirteen year-old son were pretty close. A couple of months ago, the folks discovered that they were still in touch. Jamal's cell phone number billed to an address on East Third."

"That's just a few blocks from where Jamal's body was found," Castle said, glancing to Captain Montgomery who'd decided to join the group.

Ryan said, "East Third is right near Darcy Cho's law firm."

"And you said Darcy Cho's firm did some work on immigration?" The Captain inquired walking into the circle the group had formed. .

Ryan said, "Yeah."

Montgomery said, "You and Esposito take a ride down there, and I want you to look at Darcy Cho's client list. Maybe Jamal used another name."

Beckett said, "We'll get a warrant for the billing address."

"Find out what this guy wants before this son of a bitch kills again, all right?"

Beckett replied, "Yes Sir."

They were gone maybe forty minutes all up, when Beckett and Castle took a drive to Jamal Buoncy's last known residential address. It turned out to be worthwhile trip. They found the same type of flannel sheet and candles hidden under a bed. It lead to the arrest of a male named Azi for questioning. By the time the uniforms had Azi back at the Precinct for interrogation, the afternoon was getting old, creeping into evening.

Azi turned out to be a dead end again, but he did drop a name of an individual named Charles Oni, who had illegal and legal immigrants in the city running scared. He owned a store on Canal Street, and had immigrants working there for him. According to Azi, Charles Oni was looking for something he claimed Jamal had stolen. Oni had failed to tell Azi what it was that had allegedly been taken.

They let Azi go, satisfied he had nothing to do with the murder.

After completing paperwork and taking a quick break, Beckett was back at work investigating who Charles Oni was when he wasn't at home. She couldn't find much.

Beckett said to Castle, "City records show no vendor's licence for Charles Oni on Canal Street."

"Well, the guys exploiting illegals. I doubt he's going to use his own name."

Beckett said, "Clearly not. The apartment is owned by a Robert Burnett. No listing in the Tri State area, and the address is a PO box in Jersey. It's like every path I take goes nowhere, Castle."

"Something will pop," he reassured.

Esposito came from his desk. "Yo. Law firm's a dead end. They've never heard of anyone named Jamal Buoncy. And there was nothing suspicious in Darcy's client list."

Castle said, "That's perfect, because our suspect has never heard of Darcy Cho. We still have no idea what our two victims have in common."

"No, I'm not going to wait downstairs." A woman objected loudly, causing everyone in the bull pen to pause and look at each other. Rick immediately cringed. Beckett's curiosity soured when she saw Rick's reaction. She listening to the stranger's voice.

It was loud and clearly projected, "Do you have any idea who pays your salary?" There was a pregnant pause. "Me and my taxes."

Kate's eyes widened with speculation, especially when she saw Rick shrinking into his chair. She pointed in the direction the voice came from. "Is that-?"

Castle nodded and muttered, "Ah yep."

Meredith called, waving her hand to gain his attention, "Richard? Over here!"

Esposito joined the group, saw Rick's exasperated expression, "Deep-fried Twinkie?"

"Afraid so," Rick replied and reluctantly stood up off his chair. He tidied his clothes then stepped forward to greet his ex-wife and their daughter. "Meredith, what a surprise."

"I know, isn't it great? In LA, no one ever just stops by, don't you just love this town?" Meredith asked looking directly at Beckett, clearly taking in Kate from the dark hair on the top of her head to the leather boots she stood in.

Beckett gloated, loving how much Rick was suffering as she said, "More and more by the minute." She also hadn't missed Meredith's detailed inspection and shot it straight back. Meredith looked away. Meredith was as tall but older than Kate by about five or so year. She was slender, bordered on being underweight, like she hadn't eaten in days. Actress.

Castle saw the physical exchange between the women and chose to ignore it. "Ah, Meredith, these are Detectives Ryan, Esposito and, Detective Beckett." He hadn't intended to place emphasis on Beckett, but that's certainly how it had sounded. He prayed no one would take any notice.

"Oh, Beckett, your new muse." Meredith said to Rick but her eyes remained on Beckett as she added, "Alexis told me all about it. And I simply had to stop by." Her tone was chirpy, her mannerisms bordered on being intrusive and nosy. "You know I was his inspiration once?" She asked Beckett.

Beckett glanced at Rick who maintained a neutral expression, then looked at Meredith, "Were you now?"

"Still am, from time to time, right, Kitten?" Meredith cooed.

Beckett mumbled, "Kitten?"

Castle wanted the floor beneath him to fall away, "I had this dream once, only I was naked and far less embarrassed."

Meredith said, "Anyway, we were in the neighbourhood, and I have a dinner tonight so I thought I'd drop Alexis here instead of schlepping all the way downtown." She explained as she gazed over the murder board that was quite busy with information. Her eyes fell upon a photo of something she recognised, "Is that SJP's purse?"

Esposito eyes followed Meredith's, "SJP?"

Meredith pointed at the photo of the purse, "Sarah Jessica Parker. She carried one just like it to the Armani show on the lawn, it was on Fashion Scoop Daily last week."

"Well, actually this purse belongs to one of our victims," Beckett replied trying hard to see what Meredith apparently did.

"Oh, that is so tragic," Meredith remarked, "More tragic of course if it had been the real thing, but still."

"Are you saying this one is fake?" Esposito glanced to the others, wondering if they were thinking what he was.

Meredith pointed at the picture, "Well, look at the leather and the stitching," she ran her finger along the picture of the stitching, "It's totally a knock off. I mean, it's good enough to fool the untrained shopper, but I have a retail eye."

Beckett's face lit up, "Canal Street."

Ryan smiled at Beckett, "Canal is where they sell all the knock-off watches, luggage."

"And handbags," Castle added.

"Darcy's office is right near Canal. If she was going to buy a designer knock-off—"

"You're right, Ryan," Castle said, "She might have got it on the stall where Jamal works."

"Oni's stall." Beckett said, "That's what connects our two victims." Kate looked over the photos, ending on the one of Azi, "Guys, get Azi back and get a sketch from him, maybe one of the other vendors will be able to ID Oni's stall."

Esposito said, "You got it, boss."

Meredith smiled at her ex-husband, "See, I always was your lucky charm. Just think of the things we'll do once I move back."

Castle said, "Ha ha ha ha." He stood up and stepped towards Alexis. "Let's go home."

"Great idea." Alexis replied her expression told him she was seeking refuge from her mother.

Ricked turned about to the Detectives. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Kate wriggled her fingers waving him goodbye as the guys waved their farewells. The two women left with Castle.

That evening, Castle quietly relaxed on Kate's couch with a glass of wine sourced from the bottles they had bought when they went away, which Kate thought was unusual for him. Unusual of him to be quiet that was. It was like he was lost in his own thoughts.

Perhaps his writer's imagination had him on an internal journey to an alternative universe somewhere. It was also possible he was hiding out at her place to avoid Meredith. He had unexpectedly knocked on Kate's door earlier with an overnight bag over his shoulder and grocery bags carried in his arms. What was left of the food was spread out over the kitchen counter. He had nominated to cook dinner and had chosen steak and steamed vegetables. It had been a delicious meal. He was a little thirsty too with the wine tonight. They were on their second bottle. She cleaned up the kitchen and loaded the dish washer, while he had a break.

When she was done in the kitchen she joined him on the couch with a bowl of crisps. Using the remote, he flicked on the TV to watch the cop show she really enjoyed. She was aware his eyes surveyed her bare legs as she crossed the living area. She plonked down beside him folding her legs on the seat. She was glad he was there tonight. He had planned to remain at home but had changed his mind. Alexis was studying for the exam she had to do the following day, and Martha was at the loft. She placed a hand on his large firm thigh and held the bowl of chips towards him.

"You're awfully quiet, Castle."

He grabbed a few chips and said. "Thinking."

"Wanna talk about it?"

Rick shrugged his shoulders, "When I took Alexis home?"

"Mm."

"My mother bailed me up."

"And that is odd how?"

"True." He smirked, "How fast you figured her out."

"No brainer really," she said with a laugh.

"Well, she had to bring up Meredith, you know, kidnapping Alexis and taking her out of school."

Kate smirked this time, dipping her hand in the chips. "Kidnapping? She is Alexis' mother."

"I know. The red hair kind of gives it away."

"Mm. A lot of that in your family."

"Yes, one of the things I admire about you is your complexion. Nice change."

Kate laughed. "I could always dye my hair."

He smirked, "No. I like it just the way it is."

"What did Martha say?" She asked as she stretched out to the coffee table to set her drink down.

"In her dramatic manner, that it was outrageous," he said, "Then I had to go and remind her about how I nearly failed fifth grade because my mother was in the touring production of a Chorus Line?" He gave her leg a soft rub. "They're actors, both of them, and the same. They despise each other. Alexis must have told her that Meredith is going to live in New York. That is dramatically threatening the Martha Rogers show too. Real actors."

"Castle?" She vacantly said, playing with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Mm?"

She looked over his face before she carefully asked, "Will it affect us, Meredith living here?"

In surprise, he asked, "Why would it?"

"I don't know. We're so new." She felt awkward asking but she was thinking about whether Meredith being around more would have an impact on her relationship with Castle's daughter. Castle and Alexis were very tight and she understood that she would most likely always walk a fine line with Alexis.

"That doesn't matter. I care about you a helluva lot more than Meredith." He said and placed his hand on her knee.

She looked down at his large hand on her. "I guess Alexis will get to see her mother more."

"True, but that will wear off fast." He unconsciously played with her knee. "I also told Meredith this morning I couldn't have sex with her because I was seeing a girl."

"Oh."

"She mentioned that to Alexis, tried to pry information out of her."

"Oh. And?"

"Alexis wants to know who I'm dating, but before I responded, I reminded her of the deal we struck some time ago."

"Deal?"

"Mm. She's getting to that age when she wants her privacy so it goes both ways."

"Fair enough." Kate responded, paused, then asked, "Should we tell Alexis about us?"

"We will in time. She is accustomed to me dating because I've been single longer than married, and she is not interested in poking around like my mother is. It disgusts my daughter that her father still has sex."

Kate smirked, "I can relate to that. But your mom is onto us." Kate passed him the bowl and reached for her wine.

His hand over her knee felt nice. His hand stroking unconsciously along the inside of her thigh was arousing. He did it while he talked, sometimes squeezing his fingers lightly on the supple flesh or her knee cap. He had no idea how much it was turning her on. He had the hands of a man who didn't use tools but he was strong and used his strength when he needed to. Like when he picked her up. His fingers were well padded, smooth and warm.

"She's certainly on to us." He quietly said, looking down at his own hand on her fair skin, "She is encouraging me to pursue you but hinting she knows it's you I'm staying with. She's stabbing in the dark but perhaps she hopes it's you. She says I need a strong independent woman."

"I'm not that independent." She lightly objected.

"You are extremely independent, but don't change how you need me." He set the bowl down on the table no longer interested in the crisps. "C'mere." He patted her right thigh.

She looked at him, smiled, took another mouthful of wine and put the glass back on the table. She then got up on her knees, placed her hands to his shoulders and stretched her right leg over his lap. Facing him she sunk herself astride pressing her groin against his.

He growled at her taunting grin. "Babe," he moved and when her hands went about his head, he tilted his head up and kissed the woman.

"I wanna keep us a secret a while longer," Kate said moments later.

Rick gave a nod, "Me too." He watched as she sat back, their fingers weaving together, both hands. "I would also love to be able to take you out on dates."

She smiled, "But you do already."

"How so?"

"Spontaneous lunches, breakfasts. You take me to some of the best tucked away eateries in New York, Castle."

"Those croissants were the best ever."

"They were great." She waved their hands slowly from side to side, measuring how long her arms were against his. She could extend almost as far as he was able to. "I would like to hold your hand in public." She murmured.

"Have our photo in the Ledger together." He brought their arms back to him and pressed his lips to the inside of her wrist.

"Arr yeah, not so keen about that."

"You love your photo being taken. Quite the little model." He replied seriously but then smiled and squeezed her right hand.

She smirked, thinking about how much she did love modelling. "My mom loved taking photos of me. The cabin my Dad has at the lake, is full of photos of us as a family."

"I like to take photos," Rick said. "Next time we go away I will bring my camera too."

"Instead of turning mine on me." She teased, reminding him of how much he'd used her camera in LA. "Like a gun," she said struggling to hold in a yawn.

"You loved it. You're tired."

"Mm." She combed her fingers through his hair. "Are you staying tonight?"

He glanced at his watch. "Mm. Its late. Shall we turn in?"

Kate gave a nod. "Finish the wine, then yes."

"Once we have the warrant we'll be on Canal St early."

"Yes. So to the precinct first." She climbed off his lap and flopped her body to the couch, "You have fresh clothes. I washed your shirt and underclothes with my stuff. I hope that …."

Rick smiled, leaned over and placed his thumb softly over her lips hushing her. "Thank you. I will now have clean clothes for tomorrow."

"It needs to be pressed." She mumbled then smiled. "Like me."

"Well then, Beckett, drink your wine. We're going to bed."