Shared Obsession Chapter 55

"Ah, how is Cheney?" Castle asks Anne.

"Oh, I hear she's a great scandal in San Moritz. How about you?"

"Diving into darker waters than San Moritz scandals."

Anne quirks an eyebrow. Oh?" She eyes Kate. "And who's this?"

"This is Kate Beckett, Detective Kate Beckett."

Anne studies Kate appraisingly and waves them to a table. "I heard that Ricky had a new muse. Or are you something more exciting than a muse?"

"It depends on whether you view brutal murder as exciting," Kate returns. "Ricky is assisting me on a homicide investigation, and it involves your organization. All the victims were M.A.D.T. donors."

Anne draws herself up indignantly. "I'm sure no one associated with M.A.D.T. could possibly have anything to do with something awful like that. And all of our employees go through a background check."

"We're still going to need a list of employees who had access to your donor list," Kate insists.

"Of course, Detective, but I'm sure any connection you think you've found to M.A.D.T must be a coincidence."

"Unfortunately, I'm not," Kate rejoins. "So I'm going to need a copy of your donor list as well."

Almost sticking a perfectly manicured fingertip in her mouth, Anne pulls it back at the last second. "That may be a problem. The people who give publicly aren't an issue. But some of our donors cherish their anonymity. We're contractually obligated to protect that."

"What about their lives?" Kate demands. "Do your donors cherish those as well?"

"I assure you, my office will contact each and every one of them and alert them to the situation."

"I believe the gravity of the situation would be better communicated by contact with the N.Y.P.D.," Kate replies.

"These monsters have already killed your donor, Susan Delgado," Castle adds. "Do you and M.A.D.T. really want to be responsible for more death?"

Anne rises from her seat. "I'm sorry, my hands are tied. If you want a list of confidential donors, you'll need a court order. Now you'll have to excuse me. I need to finish supervising the staff. But enjoy your evening."

"She really doesn't get it," Beckett mutters as Anne walks away.

"She's been sheltered in stratospheric circles all her life. She can't grasp the reality of what happened to Susan Delgado. But she wouldn't have anything to do with it, either. We're looking for someone hungry for money, not raised with it. And we need someone intense enough to scrutinize the guests and dig out the information the invaders need, not someone worried about the color of flower arrangements. Can you call in for that court order?" Castle asks.

"I'm going to try, but after how long it took for us to get the financials, who knows when we'll get it?"

"While you call, I'll get us some drinks. What would you like?"

"Vodka, lots of vodka."

"I'm a scotch man myself, but I can't say I blame you."

"I was kidding, Castle. I'm on duty. Sparkling water – with a twist."

"Everything we do together seems to have one. Coming right up."


After doing the best she can manage, leaving a message on a judge's clerk's voicemail, Kate wanders into the buzzing crowd at the edge of the dancefloor. While she waits for Castle, one of the women touches her arm. "You came with Rick. Good for you. Half the regulars on the circuit have been trying to land him since he split with Gina. We call him the white whale. Always just out of reach. I don't recognize you. Are you new on the circuit?"

"First time," Beckett admits. "And I'm Kate."

"Ruth. So how do you know Rick?"

"I've always loved his novels. We met at his last book party. It turned out we had a mutual interest in solving crimes."

"I guess he would find that intriguing. I'm surprised no one thought of it before. But good luck around here. I can think of at least a half dozen ladies who'd still like to get their harpoons into him."

As she spies Castle approaching with their drinks, Kate starts sidling away from Ruth. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

"Sorry I took so long, but I was buttonholed by Rachel Maddox, the fundraising coordinator. It was weird, Beckett." Castle gives a little shudder. "She thanked me for an autographed first edition I donated to the auction. But then she asked me about other events that might interest me and Alexis. She said M.A.D.T. likes to learn as much about its donors as possible, so it can meet their needs. But asking about my daughter was creepy."

"Castle, if she has access to that kind of information, do you think she might be feeding it to the invasion crew?" Kate asks.

"If she is, she was too obvious at her intelligence gathering to be an effective operative. But someone might be able to access it through her." The band starts playing a new number. "Hey, I like this song. Want to dance? We can move around and survey the crowd less obviously."

"All right," Kate agrees. "Just let me put my drink down."

"Ditto."

Despite her reflexive resistance to being led, Castle guides Kate around the floor with surprising expertise. "You took ballroom dancing?" Kate inquires.

"I had no choice. Mother needed it for a stage production of 'Queen of the Stardust Ballroom.' She was between husbands and beaus, so I was elected her practice partner. Fortunately, it was after my growth spurt, or we never would have been able to make a decent frame. But I actually enjoyed it. And it's come in handy."

"Sounds like a lot of things you had to learn for your mother came in handy."

"Yeah, too bad that neither one of us learned how to spot danger signals in a potential spouse. But you can't have everything."

"Twice bitten, even shyer? I've heard that the women in this crowd have been trying unsuccessfully to hook you. Did you know they call you the white whale?"

"Not Moby…?"

"No."

"Mm, a room of Ahabs in disguise. Hey, Beckett! There's a guy over there taking pictures of the crowd, especially the women wearing notable baubles."

"It's a social event, Castle. The press covering it would take pictures."

"With a camera yes. They'd want high enough resolution for good-quality reproduction. But he's using his phone and looks like he's trying to avoid being noticed. Here, I'll dip you so you can see."

"Castle, wait!" Kate suddenly finds herself head down supported only by Castle's arm and staring at a man holding a phone, just as a woman approaches and pecks the photographer on the mouth. "Castle, do you know who she is?"

Castle eases Beckett back upright. "That's Rachel Maddox, the creepy woman who was asking about my daughter. And those two look close – too close."

"Can you get a photo of them? I had no place to put my phone in this dress."

"OK, turning you around to obscure his view of me and – got it."

"Good, let's send it to Esposito and see if he can get anything on that guy. We won't need a court order for that and…."

As the band plays a fanfare, Martha takes the stage. "Good evening. Get out your checkbooks and credit cards. We're about to begin the auction."

"Mother!" Castle exclaims. "How did she find out where we were going?"

Powell materializes out of the crowd. "I believe I might have suggested it when she called. It is the only event in town where you two would be pursuing your investigation. And Martha said she had a little surprise for you."

Castle presses his hand to his mouth. "Oh, no!"

"Ladies, I have a special treat for you," Martha announces. "In addition to a signed first edition of the very first Derrick Storm novel, you'll also be bidding on a date with the author, my son, Richard." Castle forces a smile as a spotlight catches him. "Oh, isn't he handsome? Let's start the bidding at $500."

As the bids rise, Castle glowers at Powell. "This had to be your idea. More revenge?"

"I assure you, Dear Boy, the notion was entirely Martha's. I just thought I'd have a little fun too."

Castle turns to Kate. "Bid on me. Whatever it costs, I'll pay you back."

Kate's eyes sweep over the bidders. "Are you sure you don't want to give one of your Ahabs a chance, Castle?"

He stares at her, beseechingly. "Please, Beckett."

Thrusting her hand high, Kate shouts a higher bid.