12th Precinct, Present Time
To Serve and Protect
Chapter Two - Making the Case
Earlier That Morning
Alpha Lead Detective, Homicide Sergeant, First Grade, Javi Esposito, is inspecting the body and the murder scene.
"This is bad", he is heard to say.
Senior Detective, Sergeant First Grade Ryan, comes to view the body after just having crossed the crime scene tape.
"Look familiar to you Kev?"
"I'll say, ...looks like the one from our last two similar crime scenes. Nude, blonde, blue eyed, in her twenties, put on display with arms and legs in crucifixion style. Any sign of post mortem assault, like that of the last ones?"
"I'll check for sexual assault and can be more definitive when I get her on the table", says ME Parish after overhearing Ryan's remarks as she is just getting to the body.
"That last one tested positive for covid antibodies, just like the one before it", reminds Espo to Lanie.
"I'll check for that in this vic also, Javi", is Lanie's response, "still, you should call Kate on this."
Remaining alpha team members, Detective Second Grade Anne Hastings-Whitaker and Junior Detective Third Grade, Tori Ellis show up. On seeing the body, the look on their faces tells it all.
"Oh God no! ", both say in unison.
"This looks like the one from a couple weeks ago", continues Whitaker.
"And the one before it", adds Ellis.
"Yup, sure is", says Ryan.
"Guess I better call the Captain, looks like we may have a serial killer here", Espo says with some concern in his tone of voice.
"Lanie, remind us again about those last two", asks Anne Hastings-Whitaker.
"Sexually assaulted post mortem, tortured before dying, covid anti-bodies present, indicating a past exposure and cure, in early to mid twenties, similar physical appearance, no ID at time of discovery."
"Well just from physical features of this vic, a look alike for the last two. Will you test on the covid exposure on this one also? If positive the covid exposure may suggest a pattern for the prep. So, did we know from the first vic if she was treated at a hospital and if so, which hospital", says Junior Detective Ellis.
"Verdict still out on the hospital treatment. The ME office has sent notices out to all hospitals in the area on that, but we did not find the identity of the first vic till days ago. So the hospitals have a late start on our request. They are also focused on the pandemic so we'll be lucky to get a timely response back", Lanie replied.
"If the presence of covid anti-bodies for this third vic is affirmative, do you think the prep knew both his vics were covid survivors, or is this just coincidence?", asked Ellis.
Detective Ryan jumps on Ellis' comment quickly, "What have we taught you Ellis? There are no coincidences in Murders until they are fully checked out and eliminated."
"Understand that Ryan, but the vic fits the profile of the majority of covid receptors in this age group. So there is a strong statistical probability that homicide vics from this demographics could have covid anti-bodies. If this one is negative on Covid anti-bodies, that may rule out this being a pattern for the prep on selecting his vics."
"Good point Ellis, but the prep would have to know of their exposure and their subsequent cure from the covid to make that selection. So how does the prep get that knowledge? Still we can't rule it as a coincidence yet", Ryan tells the team.
"What was cause of death on the victims again Lanie?", Ellis asks another question of the ME.
"Suffocation, seems prep covered their mouths and choked the vics to prevent them from screaming. Then he assaulted both, post mortem. Prep was too strong and cut them off from oxygen. "
"Looks like COD for this vic might be same. See the bruising on her neck?"
"I'll know better when I get her on my table."
"Hate to break up the talk here, but Captain wants us all back for a quick brief on this current finding. If it looks like a serial killer is out there, she's got to brief the PC and Mayor on it."
After Alpha Team's brief, Captain Castle is seen taking two pills.
"Captain, sorry to be the bearer of bad news here. Hope those pills helped. I know this has potential of stirring up a hornets' net. I can see the headlines now, 'Vics survive covid, but murdered by serial killer'. The press will have a good time with this one", says Espo
"Thanks Espo. I'll deal with that PR nonsense when it comes to that. In the meantime, let's get Alpha hard on this case. I will give you feed back on the PC and Mayor brief and their concerns. I think, however what you said about media reaction will most likely happen with these series of homicides. We need to minimize the number of future vics. We need to find this killer quickly, otherwise the media and public will go into a feeding frenzy. We need to avoid that and all the pressure that will ensue from that scenario."
"There's going to bring even more pressure on this one than the usual push to solve a homicide, despite all the other murders out there that need to be solved."
"Your political astuteness on this case qualifies you for a Captain's slot, Espo. Want to take mine?"
"No way, Cap'n, you're doing a great job. I like it where am at."
"Good man, never give up lead detective slot on an alpha team. Now get out of here Javi, go work your team!" she humourously responds to him.
As they leave Kate's office, Ryan says to all of them, "Captain's tough, she'll be okay."
"Yeah, but how many times have we seen her like this? She's tough, but each case like this one takes it's emotional toll on her", Espo tells his team.
"That's because she cares about the vics and their families, Espo. That's what makes her a great Captain and detective", says Anne.
"Simply the best as far as I am concerned", Tori shoots back on Anne's reply.
All nod in agreement as they get back to their desks and to the case. Just another day at the 12th!
Working Late
After getting the brief from Espo, there suspicions were confirmed. They had a serial killer. Unusual on this one was that the victims so far had all been covid cured. Although if was not yet certain that fit into the prep's MO for choice of victims, everyone on the case suspected as much. Kate immediately called PC Frank Regan and he set up a meeting with the mayor. This one was longer than most briefs, given some of the circumstances for the homicides.
Kate arrived at the loft late, having given the PC and Major a heads up on their current case. The case had the potential to become a political weapon against the PC to support the Defund Police Movement. It would be used to show the ineffectiveness of police to find a serial killer and keep the police in the sights of the defund movement. It spoke to the current political climate that had arose in recent times to re-allocate police funds for more social welfare programs believed by this movement to be more effective in preventing and thus reducing crime.
When Kate had finally finished briefing the commissioner and mayor, there had been an extensive Q&A afterwards by the PC. That extended her time there, so her kids were already in bed sleeping when she finally arrived at the loft. Rick had seen to them and then waited up for her arrival. Her husband then made sure to reheat her dinner in the microwave so it would be warm and ready for her when she started her evening meal. They talked during her dinner, and as she is eating, she finishes telling Rick of how her day had been.
"Kate, take a hot bath, you deserve it. I know it relaxes you. I have placed a bottle of wine and a glass on the stool next to the tub, along with the latest novel you are reading. Go, I will finish cleaning up here."
And there it is, his concern for her well being and Rick's need to ensure she was safe and well cared for. It was always there for her, and he had anticipated her every need to include such items as a hot bath, a glass of wine, and a good book to read. These were the kind of little thoughtful acts of affection that keep her grounded, that made her feel loved and secure; that gave her the strength to carry on despite all the current challenges in her life.
Finishing her bath, she comes out of the bathroom, towels wrapped around her head and body. When Rick sees her, his libido rises. He had been in bed typing on his laptop a chapter that came to him for his latest book. On seeing Kate, he turns off his laptop and puts it away. Kate comes up to her husband with a look in her eyes that says it all, she wants him tonight. As she comes to his side of the bed, she takes off the towel wrapped around her head, releasing and revealing her beautiful long curls, smelling of cherries from her shampoo.
As she gets within arms distance of her husband, he reaches out for her, and then pulls off the towel hiding her seductive body. She is now standing totally nude in front of him, on his side of the bed. She bends down to touch his lips in a tender kiss, which Rick returns with lots of emotion. He holds open the bed cover while sliding to her side of the bed and invites her in to get under that cover. They face each other on the bed once Kate gets in.
Rick, looking into her eyes, as they lay face to face in their bed, starts their pillow talk, "How do you do it Kate? Remain focused on the case through all the ugliness and collateral nonsense going on around you."
"I have a secret weapon."
"Really, and what, pray tell, is that?"
"My family, particularly my husband. They keep me on track and keep me sane."
They kiss with lots of passion in their kiss. That starts their session.
Rick pulls her in, his hands roaming all over her body, going to intimate places so familiar to them both. They embrace and relish the feel of their bodies pressed together. In all their years as a married couple, their sessions were always intense and their desire for one another had not diminished. If anything, their sessions had grown more passionate. Kate often needing to keep their union fresh while also relieving stress. That was a side effect of their carnal joining. However, the fact she loves the man she is with, made the sessions so much more than physical. She had never experienced this sense of union with any of her past paramours. It was only Rick that could do that for her.
With Wil it was always quick and lackluster, ending their sessions in most instances with her being left wanting and unfulfilled. With Joss, there was affection, but never to the heights it went with Rick, it always seemed not enough with him. Rick had never left her unsatisfied, quite the opposite, she was always physically and emotionally sated. But it went way beyond, with Rick she felt physical joy and emotional security afterwards. With all her past boy friends, she had never had a mutual climax. They were the ones who normally came first, leaving her to fend for herself. It was always their needs before hers and she was lucky if she got hers first.
Josh on the other hand had always tried to cater to her wants, despite times when she could not climax with him, even when Josh tried so hard to please her. So she would fake it then, just to have it over, and also to shield Josh from a bruised ego. At times Kate felt guilty she could not respond to Josh, no matter how sweet he would be to her. Josh simply was not enough, though she always gave him credit for trying. That is how she knew Josh was not her one.
Rick, however, is the only man she had ever shared a simultaneous climax with and it had happened with regular frequency for them. Try as much as she could to deny Rick in the past, he was the one always there for her. Even that summer when she had lost him to Gina, Rick was in her thoughts and dreams. She would wake in a cold sweat from dreams of being with him and Rick making passionate love with her. She knew his touch even before it had happened. She knew this from her dreams of him, but the reality had been so much more!
She had thought for a while that Josh might have been her one, but he had never achieved that status. Still, Josh had been the closest before Rick to make her respond beyond the physicality of the coupling. There had been an emotional connection there and she thought at one time she might be in love with him. It had lasted almost a year with Josh, but in the end, it was lacking. She had broken up with Josh when she ultimately realized that Castle was the one who had her heart, and there was no room for anyone else there; Josh included!
That night Rick and her go for two rounds, each one ending in mutual shared climax. Their evening might have lasted longer, if not for a work day later, and they both needed their rest. Rick had always managed to keep their love-making fresh and new. For her, the honeymoon is still happening, and she knows it is the same for him. This, even after more than eight years of marriage!
Rick is the only one who could make her whole. She had learned from him the true meaning of being as one, of going beyond their own expectations. During their past crime solving days there had been hints of their overwhelming bond. Each could tell what the other was thinking on a case. Many a time each would complete the other's sentence; before it was spoken. That mind meld had become typical for them. But this sharing became so much more when they were carnal and had simultaneous orgasms. It spoke of a deeper intimacy, one that amazed even the two of them. She had wondered for some time now why it had taken her so long to be with Rick. But she was with him now and nothing would ever keep them apart.
So, lost in her thoughts of Rick, Kate doses off to sleep: relaxed, happy, and sated from their love-session. She is in awe of how it always ends like this. Soulmates they were, but in so many ways, it went beyond that! The two could never give words to it. It was just there, always. That thought lulled her to a peaceful rest.
