CLEANING LADY
Chapter 6
Alexis looked up from her book. "Kate hasn't called?"
"No, I've heard nothing." Rick sat there and sulked. He thought he had made progress, but still, she hadn't contacted him.
"It's only been three days. Maybe she's busy," Alexis suggested.
"Yeah, doing a job she won't talk about at all," he grumbled. "Even my imagination can't come up with whatever she's doing."
"There's nothing you can do about it but wait for her to contact you." Alexis knew patience wasn't one of her dad's virtues. Shaking her head, she took her book and went upstairs to her bedroom.
"Yeah," Rick muttered to himself. If he got the chance, he would ask for her phone number in order to be able to contact her instead of waiting.
~oo0oo~
Kate woke up to the glow of a red light in her room. At first, it didn't register. Then it did, and she scrambled out of bed, grabbing her weapon with the silencer. She retreated to the bathroom, the most defensive room in the place. It was the only place.
She knew what the red light meant: someone had done business in the hotel. It was outlawed, and she knew whoever it was would be hunted down. But that didn't guarantee her room was all that safe.
She kept her eyes glued to the door to the hallway in case someone tried to gained entry. Then she kept an eye on the window in her bathroom. It was inconceivable that one would come from there, but she couldn't discount it either.
What she didn't know was how long the red light had been on already.
She risked it and went for her cell phone, which was on the table next to her bed on a charger. She unplugged it and retreated to the bathroom again.
She paid attention to what time it was. She thought about calling the front desk, but they would be busy hunting down who did it, so she didn't.
Forty-six minutes later, the red light went off, telling her the coast was clear. She couldn't help but wonder what idiot was stupid enough to do business in the hotel. Whoever it was, they had to know they were going to die.
Kate chose to use her cell phone to call the front desk. "What can I do for you, Miss Beckett?" He was at the desk. She felt safe with him there.
"Just checking to be sure it's safe."
"Completely. Our apologies for the event. The issue has been resolved. Have a good day, Miss Beckett." And he hung up on her.
Kate decided to get dressed. She went downstairs, sat at her table, and waited for a while. Then went to the bar area; she needed a drink.
The bartender smiled at her. "What can I get you?"
"Vodka, please."
"With pleasure." He got out a small chilled tumbler and filled it. Like everything here, it was the good stuff. She took it, looked around the room, and saw the Administrator, who was sitting alone.
"May I join you?"
He motioned for her to sit. "Please do, Miss Beckett."
Kate sipped her vodka, noting it was good stuff. "We had an event, I see."
"We did. It was nothing for you to worry about, and I apologize for the inconvenience."
"It was a first for me since I've been here. Does it happen often?"
"Thankfully, no. We were able to respond quickly and dealt with it." Then to her surprise, he offered her a job. "Perhaps you would be interested in cleaning it up. I would offer you a coin for your trouble."
Kate thought about it. "I accept. Let me get changed and grab my stuff, and I'll be right with you." She drank what was left her drink.
"Very good. Please check with the front desk as to where to go." He watched her leave. His men could handle it, but it pleased him to give the job to her.
~oo0oo~
Shown to the body, she looked around and saw there was nothing to clean up. It was a simple job of disposing of a dead body. The man from the front desk presented her with a coin.
"Thank you, Miss Beckett."
Kate took the body to her building, carried it inside, and put it on the lift. Then she warmed up the incinerator, and eventually, the body went into it.
It took all of four hours of her time from beginning to end, and she earned a coin, the easiest she had ever earned. She didn't even get dirty.
She parked her van and took a taxi to reach Castle's place. She felt like another date.
Kate took the elevator up, boldly pressed the buzzer, and waited. This time it wasn't Alexis, and neither was it Castle who answered the door. It was an older, somewhat thin woman with obviously dyed red hair.
She tilted her head and looked her over. "Yes?"
"I was looking for Castle."
"Ah, you must be Kate. I've heard a lot about you. I'm Martha, his mother. Come in." She stepped aside to let her in.
"No, thank you. I'll wait right here."
"Come in, dear, we don't bite," Martha said, but Kate stood there. "Have it your way." She left the door and went to another room, which allowed Kate time to look inside and get the lay of the land.
Soon, she saw Castle headed her way. His face lit up at the sight of her. "Kate, please come in."
"No, thank you," Kate said politely. "I was wondering if you'd like to go on another date?"
Rick tried again. "I insist. Come in. I promise you nothing will happen."
"I understand. You're not interested; I won't bother you again. Goodbye, Castle." She turned to leave.
"Kate, wait!" He reached out to stop her, and the look he got would kill. He let go of her as if he had grabbed something hot. "Why won't you come inside? I assure you, it's perfectly safe."
"I have my reasons. If you're not interested in another date, I understand." Again, she turned to leave.
"No, wait! I'd love to go on a date with you. Just give me a minute." Rick left to pick up his wallet, keys, and phone and hurried back to the front door in case she left, but thankfully, she was still there.
"Lead on," Rick said. "Why won't you come inside?" he asked while they rode in the elevator.
"Because," Kate replied. She sighed when she realized she needed to tell him more. "Because if I do, it will mean I'm getting comfortable with you, and I'm not ready for that yet. That's why."
"I see." Rick followed her outside. "Where are we going?"
Kate didn't answer, just flagged down a taxi and gave the driver an address: 150 West 57th Street. Rick tried to think of what he knew was at the address but came up empty.
The taxi pulled up outside. Rick peered out the window. "The Russian Tea Room. Interesting."
"I've not been here for what feels like years. Come on, I think you'll like it." Kate went first.
"Nam nuzhen stol," she told the attendant.
"You speak Russian?" Rick definitely hadn't expected that and was very surprised.
"Da," Kate replied and followed the man to their table.
Since being founded by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1927, The Russian Tea Room has been a second home for boldface names and the intellectual elite – an exclusive enclave where actors, writers, politicians, and executives plan their next deals and celebrate their friends' latest Carnegie Hall performances.
"This is the time for afternoon tea," Kate said, pleased.
A server came over to take their orders. Kate looked over at Rick. "Do you trust me?"
"Absolutely!"
Kate smiled at their server. "My voz'mem dva kopchenykh lososya i dva romashki."
"Ochen' khoroshiy vybor." He nodded and left.
Of course, Rick was curious and wanted to know what was for lunch. "What did you order?"
Kate just stared at him. "I thought you said you trusted me." She watched as he swallowed hard. "I ordered smoked salmon sandwiches and chamomile tea."
"When did you learn to speak Russian?"
"During high school I spent a semester in Kyiv. I had a marvelous time, and I learned to speak Russian." Kate shrugged. "That's it."
"Why do I feel that there's more to the story than that?"
"Maybe, but that's a story for another day."
"Okay, but I warn you, I have a long memory."
"Duly noted." She turned it back on him. "So why writing?"
"I was in the library. I had escaped my mother and was looking for a book to read when this man handed me a book. It was Casino Royale by Ian Fleming. That one book got me hooked on writing. Naturally, it wasn't as easy as that, but that's what started it."
Kate turned the tables again. "Why do I think there's more to the story than that?"
Rick just smiled. "Perhaps there is. You'll just have to stick around to learn more."
Kate didn't answer him, but she did want to learn more. Then their sandwiches were delivered, as well as their tea.
~oo0oo~
"What did you think of the Russian Tea Room?" Kate asked once they were outside.
"It was nice. Maybe a little stiff, but still nice."
Kate was pleased. "I'll take it."
"Now what, since this is your date?"
"I have just the spot." And she flagged down a taxi.
~oo0oo~
"200 North 14th Street," she told the driver. Rick was ashamed to say once again that it didn't help much.
Rick read the sign
that saidGutter Bar, and followed her inside. "Bowling!" He practically beamed. "Prepare to go down."
Kate rolled her eyes. "We'll see, Writer Man."
They g
ot their shoes, and each found a ball that fit their fingers. "I think we should make a wager. If I win you tell me your phone number."
Kate mulled it over. "And if you win?"
"You tell me your phone number." Rick saw the look on her face that told him no. Not just no, but hell no. "All right, what do you want?"
"If I win. …We have sex, and afterward I never talk to you again, Playboy."
"I am
not a playboy, Kate. I was but not any longer." Rick saw the look on her face and moaned. "Fine, we make love, and you leave my life forever. …But this is going to be one really long love-making."
"Deal." Kate was risking a lot here. She needed to win. But a part of her wished she would lose.
~oo0oo~
Kate started and got a spare. Rick was next, and he got an open frame, so she was in the lead.
Kate
's turn and she got another spare. Rick got a strike and smiled at her as he walked past. "Lucky shot," Kate told him.
It was another spare for Kate. She was still in the lead. Rick got another strike. She was still leading, but it was closer.
Her turn and she got yet another spare. Rick got an open frame, putting her clearly in the lead.
Kate was up, and she got an open frame. "Damn it!" She was pissed, and she walked past a grinning Castle. Rick was next, and he got a strike. She was still in the lead, but it was close again.
~oo0oo~
They were on the last frame. If Kate got a strike, Castle would need three strikes to win.
Kate was up
, and she got an open frame. She cursed her luck. Fuming, she walked past a gleeful Castle. He still needed a strike in the first frame.
Rick was up, and he got a strike! He began to celebrate his win. Kate stood there and glared at him. "You haven't won yet, Castle. You need at least nine pins on the next two balls."
Rick got a spare and
knew he'd won. "Yes, yes, yes! I'm the conquering hero." He held his arms up high. "Fork it over. I want your phone number." Rick pulled out his phone and unlocked it, waiting for her to give him her number.
"Fine," Kate growled, knowing what she had to do. She told him her number. He immediately tried it and heard her phone ring. "I hope you're happy now. You better not use it frivolously. I don't want to be answering your phone call every hour on the hour, or I promise you, I will get a new number." Not that she would. That was also her work number. She needed it to earn coins. Why she hadn't thought to use a burner phone for work escaped her right now.
Rick was no longer fooling around. "I promise." Kate glared at him. "I promise," he repeated.
"You
'd better."
"So what now? Rick asked since this date was her idea.
"Burgers and shakes."
"Oooo, l like it." Rick could use a good cheeseburger, and where they were going had the best!
~oo0oo~
Their date was over, and they went their separate ways. Kate went to the hotel, and Rick went home.
Alexis
glanced up from her homework. "You're home early." His mother was nowhere to be seen.
"Yes, and I won!" Rick raised his arms in victory again.
"W
on what exactly?"
"Kate's phone number. I can call her now." Rick celebrated by hugging his daughter.
"
And does that number work?"
"Yes, I tried it first thing.I promised I wouldn't call her frivolously."
"You better mean it
, Dad, or she'll change her phone to a new number."
"I promised her." Rick saw the look on her face. "I did." She continued to look at him like that. "I told KateI wouldn't call her frivolously, and I won't, Alexis."
"
Okay." Alexis backed off since he sounded sincere. "So, how was the date?" She wanted details.
"I learned Kate speaks Russian. We went to a Russian tea house. Then we went bowling, where I won her number. After that, we went to this incredible burger place. They make the best cheeseburger I've ever had." Then Rick went into the kitchen to get his bottle of Scotch. He needed to celebrate his win.
Alexis
stared at him. "Bowling. Really?" She didn't believe him. "But you don't bowl."
"I know that, but I still won." Rick drank part of his Scotch and toasted his victory.
"So what now?"
"I wait to see if she calls. And if she doesn't, I'll call her. I'll give her two days, maybe three."
"That sounds fa
ir." Alexis approved of his decision. "I'm going to my room now. Don't celebrate too much." She meant to drink too much.
"I won't, Daughter. Love you." Rick kissed her cheek.
"Love you
, Dad." Alexis kissed him on the cheek and went up to her room.
Rick finished his one drink and went to his study to write. He was inspired and felt like writing.
~oo0oo~
Kate didn't need to go outside. She had all she would ever need in the hotel, except for some fresh air. Well, as fresh as you could get.
She walked around the hotel and saw doors she hadn't seen before. Good solid
-looking doors, at that. She went up to one of them and saw it had no handle. It was just a door. There was no keypad. There was a camera, though. She smiled, waved at it, and moved on.
She had gone around the entire hotel twice and saw the same doors. None of them were open. She tried to work out just where they were on the inside. She decided she didn't know where they were. She had never been it that part of the hotel. It was likely the staff worked there, she decided.
She walked in the front door
, opened her coat, and shook herself. The lobby was warm, and it was cold outside. She walked up to the front desk.
"Did you enjoy your walk, Miss Beckett?"
"I did
, thank you. Wait, how did you know?" He just smiled enigmatically. Then it hit her. "Oh, the camera at the door. I was only looking. Curious."
"You know what they say about curiosity."
"
Yes, that it killed the cat. But since I'm no cat, I should be fine." Kate smiled at him. Suddenly his attention was on what was behind her. She managed to turn to look just as all hell broke loose.
She saw that there were three men, and each had an automatic weapon. No sooner than Kate had laid a hand on her gun when they opened up and began spraying the room with automatic weapons fire. She dove for cover.
The
man behind the desk didn't dive for cover. If anything, he stood there, produced a shotgun, and began firing back, round after round.
Kate aimed her weapon and got off three shots. She was sure one had hit him, but he didn't go down.He just kept firing.
Of the three
, there was only one left. Kate noticed the man behind the desk had ducked down finally. He was spraying the room, hoping to hit anything that moved,which was a break for her. She came out from her cover and aimed for his head, pretty sure two of her rounds hit him.
At that point, the man from behind the counter popped up again and began firing. These rounds seemed to go right through him. These weren't shotgun rounds. No, these rounds were solid shot.
He danced from the blast of the shotgun and fell. It was over.
Kate walked up to the three, her weapon out and ready. The man behind the counter joined her. They all looked dead. She looked up at him. "You recognize any of them?"
"I do."
But he told her nothing else.
~oo0oo~
Kate still had her weapon out when the Administrator of the Hotel showed up.
"What a mess. I know these three." He turned to the man behind the desk. "Keep the hotel on lockdown for now." Just then, a small army of men, all with weapons out, showed up. "Easy, men, it's over. For now, at least." And they lowered their weapons.
"Miss Beckett, I'll pay you four coins if you'll remove the bodies."
Kate
wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly. "Four coins just to remove the bodies?"
"We will clean up the mess. I need the bodies removed, and I'm willing to pay you for that service."
"I… I… Yes, I accept." She stood up straight and went into clean-up mode.
"Excellent. Bring your van around the building to the south side, and we will load it for you."He paused for a moment. "Have you considered getting a new van? One that isn't dented and rusty?"
Kate shook her head. "No, this way I'm less conspicuous. No one remembers a rusted-out hunk of junk. I did make sure it had a good engine and transmission."
"Ah, a wolf in sheep's clothing. Very well." Then he wouldn't replace it for her. "Let's clean up the mess." Turning, he walked away, leaving the men to pick up the bodies.
Kate hurried out to her van and moved it to the side of the building where three bodies were already waiting for her. She didn't even
need to open the side door to let them in.
With three dead bodies in her van, she watched the men walk back inside through the same door with no lock on the outside. The bodies were even in body bags.
Now, she had four coins in her pocket, paid to her by the man behind the desk. Kate drove to her building and offloaded the dead bodies one at a time.
She was sitting there sipping wine when her phone rang. The caller ID said it was Castle. Sighing, she answered it. "Now is not a good time, Castle. I'm working."
Rick hop
ed she would give him a clue. "Working on what?"
"Wouldn't you like to know? Gotta go. Bye, Castle." She hung up on him, grinning at the call. She touched her lips with her fingers to make sure she really was grinning and wondered why she was. Was she falling for him? For Playboy Castle? "NO, out of the question. I'm not falling for him. …I'm not." Except for the little voice in her head that told her she was. She did her best to ignore the voice.
It took her ten hours to get rid of the bodies. Some of that was transportation time. Another part was waiting for the incinerator to warm up and cool down.
~oo0oo~
She parked the van in the usual spot in the hotel parking, walked around to the front, and walked inside. There were a couple of people wandering around. She looked in both directions as she headed for the front desk. She was looking for bullet holes, but she didn't find any.
She greet
ed the man behind the front desk. "Hi. You know, I don't actually know your name."
He handed her key to her. "It's Michael, Miss Beckett, and welcome back."
Kate use
d his name. "Thanks, Michael. I don't see any bullet holes." There had to be a lot, given they sprayed the entire area with automatic weapons fire.
"No, there are none," he said. "Thank you for the help." Kate noticed that all this time, he stood ramrod straight. Not an inch of bend in him. Even now.
"Well
, it was that or getting shot. And I prefer not to get shot," Kate joked with him.
"As do I, Miss Beckett."
"Are you going to tell me who those three were? They were stupid enough to come in her
e with guns blazing."
"I'm afraid not, Miss Beckett."
"Pity. Still, I'm glad to see that you're not hurt."
"As am I
, Miss Beckett. Have a pleasant evening."
Kate shoved the key in her pocket, headed for the elevator, and went up to her room. Waiting for her just outside her roomwere clean clothes packed in plastic.
"Best Hotel Room Ever
," she proclaimed and took everything inside.
She stripped, put everything in the hamper, and took a long, hot shower. Stepping out of the bathroom, she put on a pair of panties and a sleep shirt and closed the drapes, plunging the room into darkness. So tired, she got in bed after putting her phone on the charger.
She couldn't sleep
; there was too much on her mind. She reached over to turn on a light and looked at her phone. It was 1:12 AM. She picked up the phone and called Castle. She needed to hear his voice, just for a minute.
Still half asleep, Rick answered his phone without looking at the caller ID. "'Lo?"
"Hi
, Castle." She bit her lower lip.
"Kate? …KATE!" He was wide awake now. "How are you? You're not hurt, are you? You're not in the hospital? Or dead. No, of course, you're not dead. Forget I said that. It's…"He blinked and stared at the clock. "It's 1:12 in the morning, Kate." Rick knew he was rambling, but he couldn't help it.
Kate laugh
ed at him a little. "No, I'm not dead, and I'm not hurt, nor am I in the hospital. I'm in bed."
"That's good. …What are you wearing?" Rick grinned at that question.
Kate
rolled her eyes and decided to tease him. "I'm not wearing anything. I sleep naked." The grin on her face was wider than his, even if she didn't know it.
She heard Castle moan. "That's mean, Kate, totally mean," he complained.
"You're so easy
, Castle." Then Kate told him the truth. "I'm wearing a sleep shirt and panties."
"That's not much better." His imagination was in overdrive now.
"It is for me. I'm sorry I was brisk with you when you called earlier. I really was working."
"And you can't tell me what it is you do. I get it. I'll get it out of you eventually."
"I doubt that
, Castle." To be honest, Kate didn't see the day that she would tell him.
"I have an idea. How about you come over for dinner? I can show off my cooking skills. I'm a pretty good cook, even if I do say so myself."
"I don't know
, Castle." She would be breaking her own rule. Except that little voice in her head was telling her to do it.
"Come on, Kate. It's just dinner." Rick tried to sweeten the deal. "I have an ice cream machine and I'll serve homemade ice cream for dessert. Your favorite."
"I'll think about it. Good night
, Castle." She hung up and rolled over, trying to get some sleep.
Nam nuzhen stol – We need a table
Da – Yes
My voz'mem dva kopchenykh lososya i dva romashki – We'll take two smoked salmon and two chamomile teas
Ochen' khoroshiy vybor– A very good choice