Chapter 41 - Season 1 Ep 9

Beckett stepped out of her car closed the door and look about to find Castle waiting in the middle of the car parking lot, with two cups of coffee. He was oddly staring at the clouds overhead his eyes squinting because of the morning glare.

"Think its gonna rain again, Castle?" She asked as she approached.

Castle's gaze went to Kate, a smile spreading over his face, "Morning again. Yes, I do. Rained last night."

"It was cold."

"Yes, you claimed my jacket," he said and held out the large coffee cup and brown paper bag, She gave him a grateful smile. "Grand skim latte, two pumps sugar-free vanilla, and a bear claw."

"Thank you, Castle. How do you know when I've only said it the once?" She used a tone that implied she was toying with him.

He smirked, "I'm a novelist. It's my job to notice things." He then quietly said, "I also know how hung over you are, so I asked for a stronger dose of caffeine for you. Bottoms up."

"Oh yeah, badly hung over," she agreed as they began to walk towards the building of the crime scene. "I bet you are too."

"Three coffees down, Honey. Cheers," he declared and they tapped their cups together, "To decent hangovers, once in a while."

Kate released a laugh. "For sure."

Once they were within hearing distance of the uniformed police standing about in wait on the side walk, she said loud and clear, "It's Sunday morning, Castle. Shouldn't you be slinking home from a scandalous liaison?"

Rick laughed joyously at her staged conversation, keen to carry on with it, "Would you be jealous if I were?"

"In your dreams." She took a large bite of the bear claw.

"Actually," he paused from walking and turned to Kate, "In my dreams you're never jealous. In my dreams, you just join..."

Beckett shoved her bear claw into his mouth. Rick had a bite, then pushed it from his mouth back at Beckett, who had a further mouthful.

"Hey, these are really nice," he commented, "I can see why you have a fetish for them." He continued to walk, staying at her side. "So, shortly after I left this morning, Montgomery called and said, come down right away. So, it must be gruesome. Why didn't you call?"

"I went to Pilates," she said. "Try not to get so giddy every time we go to a crime scene, okay?'

"Just because somebody's dead, doesn't mean you have to be grumpy, Beckett."

"Oh, do you want to see grumpy? How about the cover art for your new novel? I happened upon it this morning."

"Nikki Heat cover art? That's only available to-" He stopped as he realized something. "Oh my God! You subscribe to my website?"

"What? No." Beckett was horrified, so much so she turned and rushed off toward the crime scene.

"Wait a minute, are you CastleFreak1212? CastleLover45?"

"You do realize that most people would be creeped out by crazy anonymous fans?" Beckett suggested.

"Like you?" He swiftly flew back at her.

"It was strictly professional curiosity," she said.

"Yeah sure. So, what did you think of your alter ego, Nikki? Pretty sweet, right?"

"Sweet? She's naked, Castle!"

"She's not naked. She's holding a gun... strategically," he said giving a wave to a couple of the local uniforms they passed on the sidewalk.

"You know... I take comfort in the fact that, if they're already publishing the cover art, then your book - and our little partnership - is almost done," she smugly said and passed him the final bite of the claw that he swallowed down like a hungry dog. "You eat well after a night of heavy drinking, Rick."

"Good observation, Kate. I don't believe you went to Pilates this morning by the way,"

"Why?

"Because when I left your apartment, you were barely capable of dressing yourself." He said coming to a halt on the side walk before they got within hearing distance of the police outside the entrance.

She too stopped and had a sip of her coffee trying her upmost not to break into a grin. No matter how much she tried she couldn't succeed in making him believe her when she fibbed. She had to finish it before they entered the murder scene. "I'm okay," she said. "Perhaps a little hung over."

"Really? A little? In fact, I remember you mumbling something about wishing you could die because the thumping head ache you were suffering was quote," he managed to wave fingers of each hand in the air signalling quote signs, "Agonising. What happened? There's no way you did Pilates."

She smiled coyly, stepped in close, put a hand to the collar of his jacket, and brushed away a dark hair that she figured was hers. "My hair," she muttered, then said, "I fell asleep on the floor of the shower after you left. The water was so hot and comfy and, I woke up when the water had gone cold."

Rick smirked, enjoying every moment of watching her confession of being under the weather that morning. "Atta girl." After her mouthing off she could hold her liquor, he had put her to the test, "How long's it been since you had a night like that out on the town? Cut yourself loose?"

"A while."

"Being?"

She looked down then back up. He always thought she looked awfully cute when she did that. Caused his heart to flutter. "Minimum of two years."

"Lanie said at least five," he retaliated maintaining a serious expression in order to drag out her pain. "She said last night she hadn't seen you have so much fun."

Kate stopped smiling. "Yeah? I went out before I met you."

"Mm," he agreed and saw her smile.

She murmured, "I had a ball last night, Rick. You kept me safe and let me have fun."

"Let you go wild, lift your shirt up, dance on the table and make out with me in public. That part was the most fun."

Then she grinned, "Did they see us?"

"If you mean Espo, Lanie, Ryan and his girlfriend, the Captain. Yeah. They cheered. You bowed proudly"

She blushed. "Ok. I can deal with that later."

"It's done. I told them you get fresh with me whenever you have a few. You know, get all fangirl and that. Joked it off."

"Oh yeah, I recall you saying that in the cab."

"Ok, we'll discuss last night later today. Well I'm gonna get giddy over this murder scene we're about to step into, so remember to be Detective Beckett again."

"Oh, I will, Castle." Beckett placed the empty coffee cup in the holder that Castle carried. They continued along the pavement until reach an apartment foyer. Beckett nodded to a Uniform and entered, going in the direction the height of activity was. She walked inside a ground floor apartment. A uniform guarding the doorway, stopped Castle for a moment.

"No coffee in here, sir," the uniform said, so Castle passed him the tray then followed Kate inside the home. The apartment was bustling with Uniforms and Techs taking crime scene photos. There was a sense of urgency in the air which was unusual for a murder scene. The Detective and writer barely found their orientation in the home when Captain Montgomery approached them.

"How's the head of yours, Beckett? Are you right to work?"

"Yes, Sir. The head is fine." She glanced between the men who shared a smirk.

Rick said so only the Captain would hear, "She's full of caffeine. She'll be good for a while."

"Amazing what happens with a few drinks." Montgomery remarked glancing from Castle to Beckett. "About time too."

Kate tried not to sound flustered by her Captain's teasing remark clearly about her kissing Rick last night, "Sir? What's going on?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Detective," Montgomery waved his hand between Beckett and Castle, "What was going on with you two last night?"

Kate stood still hoping this agonising moment would pass quickly, "Sir, I have no idea what you're…"

The Captain hissed, "C'mon Beckett. You were virtually having…"

Rick cleared his throat, "Arr. Captain, she doesn't remember much about last night." He gave a sign she was totally written off. "I tucked her into her apartment-"

"Rick." Beckett intercepted.

"I've lost a lot money on you two."

Beckett closed in the space on the two men and looked her Captain in the eyes. She whispered, so no one in the room would hear their conversation, "With all due respect Sir," she momentarily gritted her teeth, "Why is everyone betting on whether Castle and I are fucking?"

"Because we as humans feed of that sort of stuff." Castle replied on behalf of the Captain, aware Kate was sensitive about this betting thing they all had going. Rick was having fun with it, but a few times now Kate had had little outbursts about it. He touched her arm, "It's okay. We know what's going on or should I say not going on, between us."

"What is going on here." Kate asked, making the decision to move on. She wanted to go back to bed.

"Two year-old girl, Angela Candela, reported missing by her parents about eight o'clock this morning."

She searched the room, "Where'd they find the body?"

"They haven't found her," the Captain replied, "She was abducted. Father was in the other room, painting."

"Kidnapped from her home?" Castle's appeared a little astounded that a child would be snatched from their home.

"I don't understand, sir. If this isn't a murder, why am I here?" She wanted to add, with a hangover and Castle, but she kept that to herself.

The Captain nodded over his shoulder, "The Feds requested you to be on the task force."

Castle got interested, "Feds?"

Kate answered, "FBI has jurisdiction over child abduction cases."

Confused, Castle asked, "Then why call me?"

"Because I like pissing off the FBI. And because you think outside the box. That's something the FBs rarely do."

Kate was curious as to who had requested her, "Sir, who's the Special Agent in charge?"

Montgomery held up a hand warning his Detective, "Beckett, it doesn't matter who—"

She persisted, "Sir, who?"

He said with resignation, "Sorenson."

Rick asked, "Who's Sorenson?"

Beckett ignored Castle, "I thought that he was in—"

"In Boston? Not anymore. He's here."

Castle repeated, "Who's Sorenson?"

"This isn't gonna be a problem, is it, Detective? I mean, we're all professionals here, right?"

Rick said, "Actually, I'm not. Who's Sorenson?"

"No, sir. Not a problem." Beckett replied.

The Captain addressed Beckett, "For what it's worth, that missing little girl doesn't care about your history, nor do her terrified parents. They just want their baby back alive." His cell phone rang with an incoming call.

Beckett ignored Castle's impatience and the ringing phone, "Where is he, sir?

"He's over there, talking to the parents." He accepted the call, "Montgomery."

Beckett turned to see a small circle of adults talking, whom she guessed were the parents, Alfred and Theresa Candela. Then she laid her sight on the tall, attractive, charismatic FBI Agent Will Sorenson who was looking very fit and well. He happened to look up and saw Beckett. They locked eyes.

Castle saw it and immediately knew there was a history between the Fed and Kate. He felt a pang of jealous somewhere deep inside. The guy was handsome, exactly the type of man he'd imagine Kate would like. Oddly, not much different to himself.

The FBI agent glanced between Alfred and the detective. He then crossed the living room stepping around a few people to get to Castle and Beckett. "Hello, Kate."

Kate smiled, a little reserved, "Hello, Will. How long you been back?"

"A couple of months," he said.

Beckett nodded and repeated with a semi tight jaw. "Couple months." The guy could have called, but then again, they did break up and she had been dating Rick for more than a few months, "Something wrong with Boston?"

"Fresh lobster gets old fast." He smiled as he looked her right over, "You look good."

"Thanks. I feel good. Agent Sorenson, this is Richard Castle" She spoke as neutrally as she could possibly be when she considered she was standing side by side to old boyfriend and new boyfriend. Old boyfriend knew a lot about her personal life and new boyfriend's instincts were working quite well with the look he just three at her.

"The famous novelist." Sorenson commented with a coy tone in his voice that Beckett comprehended. Her cheeks caught fire. Castle seemed to Sorenson as being a bit smug but Kate realised he also saw the blush in her cheeks. Uncontrollably, she bit her bottom lip. He damn well saw that too.

"Writer of wrongs." The writer said.

Sorenson turned back to Beckett, "So, Captain Montgomery filled me in on your little arrangement. And I have no problem with it, as long as it doesn't interfere with the investigation."

"Oh, don't worry about me. Quiet as a mouse." Rick commented, starting to mentally connect the dots. Kate had slept with this guy. More than that. They'd been an item. She was fidgeting.

Sorenson showed Beckett a photo of an adorable 2-year-old girl clutching a stuffed bunny. He said "Angela Candela. Two years old. Abducted this morning between 7:30 and 8 am. Parents were home at the time."

"How do you get abducted when your parents are home?" Castle asked looking about them then back to his group, catching the look from the agent, "Yeah."

Sorenson continued, "Dad got up with the kid about seven, let the Mom sleep in. He planted Angela in front of the tube with a juice box and some cereal, then headed into his art studio." They walked into the art studio. "Obviously, he's a painter."

"He just left his kid?" Rick asked in surprise.

Beckett continued, "Did he hear anything at least?"

"He was listening to his iPod," Sorenson replied.

"Nothing like a little quality time with Daddy," Rick muttered.

"Okay. Well I need to have a chat with the parents," Kate said mainly to Sorenson. He led Castle and Beckett to Theresa and Alfred Candela who were in the kitchen and commenced with formal introductions. They all remained by an open window in the kitchen with.

Alfred said, "When I couldn't find her, I looked everywhere for her, and then I saw the window."

Sorenson said to Beckett, "The lock was jimmied from the outside.

Alfred said, "I…. I ran outside. I looked for her."

Beckett said, "Mr Candela, you live on a ground-floor apartment with windows facing the alleyway. Most people have bars."

Theresa said, "We were going to. We just..."

"… I never got around to it," Alfred finished avoiding looking at his wife.

Beckett stepped to the window and peered out to the ground outside then inspected the dirt on the floorboards below the window.

Sorenson who had been watching Beckett, said, "We think the dirt's from outside."

Alfred asked to anyone, "How could this happen in our own home?"

Beckett ignored the father, focussed on what she was seeing as the parents were too in shock to be of much value, "So, our suspect climbed in through the window, grabbed Angela and probably walked out the back door." Beckett summed up as the three of them moved out of hearing range of the parents, The stood close enough to hear each other and be discreet.

"Just like that?" Castle asked in surprise.

Sorenson said, "We have her photo on the wires and are issuing an AMBER Alert to Port Authority and the Tri-State Area."

Beckett said, "I'll have my guys run down any registered sex offenders and residential burglaries. What about the parents? Anyone they can think of?"

Sorenson said, "No, not that either of them can think straight right now."

Castle said, "This thing goes south, they'll never think straight again."

Sorenson saw the expression on Beckett's face and stepped closer, a little too close to be professional. She looked at his eyes as he reassured, "This one'll end better. I promise."

The conversation during the drive to the Precinct centred around the subject of their new case, being the kidnapping. It was also a quick 101 lesson for Castle while Kate explained the procedures and policies the NYPD had to adhere to when situations came up like this kidnapping. The thing was, Kate wasn't a seasoned abduction cop. Even at the Police Academy, Kate had intended to become a detective in homicide and once she achieved her goal, had never even thought of transferring out of the department. Why would she with a Captain Montgomery leading the squad at the 12th. Castle asked questions a few of which she responded vaguely, telling him she was unsure of the details. The car was parked in the basement garage and they caught the elevator to the bull pen falling silent during that short ride.

Castle was aware Beckett avoided mentioning Sorenson and assumed they had history but he let it go. The silence in the elevator was deafening. Beckett stewed on Rick's query. Rick stewed on her reluctance to share her history, her life before he came along. They were entering new waters in their relationship.

"Six months." Beckett said.

"Six months, what?" Rick asked, pretending he had forgotten it.

"We dated for six months," she confirmed.

"I didn't ask."

"Yeah, I know. You were not asking very loudly." She replied looking at him looking at her.

"I know," He smiled, brightened up and said excitedly, "I'm like a Jedi like that."

Kate rolled her eyes.

The elevator doors opened. Beckett and Castle exited the elevator and walked to the bullpen. On their way, Rick asked casually, trying not to sound jealous or possessive.

"So, how'd you meet?"

"Kidnapping. A 6-year-old boy."

"How'd it end?"

"We got the guy," she answered, but the way she said it, Castle knew there was way more to the story than what she was willing to share presently. He dropped it for now because Esposito and Ryan were at their desks ready to report to Beckett. Prying wasn't something he wanted them to hear.

As the team leader, she immediately scanned the clean board and asked as she put down her stuff on her desk, "What we got on the parents?" She looked at the single photo of Angela holding a soft toy giving a silent pray that the board wouldn't become a murder board.

Ryan turned to face Beckett as he replied, "Theresa and Alfred Candela. Married ten years. One child: Angela Candela." Ryan wore a particularly loud tie that caused Castle and Beckett to do a double take. They shot a look at each other, then Rick typically reacted.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed with a start, "Sorry. Sorry about that. That tie took me a little by surprise.

In the background, Esposito snickered.

Ryan dropped his notebook to his lap, "Okay. Get it all out. This is a gift from my girlfriend." Ryan said gazing fondly down upon his new bright pink tie.

Surprised, and now interested, Esposito said, "Girlfriend?"

Beckett who found herself more inquisitive than usual, managed to keep it casual but had to ask, "Already giving gifts, huh?" She glanced to Castle who caught her eye and her expression.

"Today's our two-week anniversary," Ryan informed them.

All of them respond with a collective, "Oooh."

"Two weeks! Is that paper or silk?" Esposito inquired.

"I believe it's whipped," Castle commented.

"Good one," pointed out Espo with a chuckle.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah." Ryan muttered, then focussed on his job. He read from his notes again, "One child, Angela Candela. Age two. She's adopted."

"Adopted?" Beckett echoed.

"Yeah, two years ago. Mom, Theresa, she's a fund manager at Keller Stanton. Dad's a small-time artist. Shows at the Grayson Gallery in Chelsea once in a while. Neighbour says he stays home with the kid."

Beckett pulled out a piece of paper and held it up, "Alright, here's a list of all the people who had access to the apartment: babysitters, cleaning lady, super. Let's cross-reference that with any registered sex offenders in the area, see if anyone had a thing for little girls."

"'You thinking there's some creepy-crawly probably scouted from the inside?" Esposito asked.

Beckett's desk phone began to ring. She said, "Well, the father said what he did this morning was part of a routine. So, either somebody got lucky, or they already knew it." She reached over her desk to pick up the phone. "Beckett. Yeah, we'll be right there." She hung up with a heavy drop in its cradle, "Looks like it wasn't a creepy crawler after all. Candelas just got a ransom call," she announced.