Confession Chapter 24

"How's the writing going?" Kate asks, motioning Castle through her apartment door.

"OK. I sent another chapter off to my editor at Black Pawn. That should keep Gina at bay for a while. How are you doing with the info Ryan and Esposito are digging up on Vulcan Simmons?"

Kate's front teeth dig into her bottom lip. "It's all outdated, stuff Ryan's been able to get off his old pals from Narcotics or Esposito's dragged out over beers at Joe Nepo's. I still have no idea what Simmons is up to now. And the boys say they may have to hang back from any outside investigation. After Montgomery's memorial service, the 12th's going to be getting a new captain. That means everyone's going to be watching their step until they figure out how things are going to run."

"Do they have any idea who it's going to be?"

"No. Apparently, 1PP's keeping a lid on it, supposedly out of respect for Montgomery."

"The way he kept complaining about budget cuts and case closure demands, it didn't seem like the brass had any before," Castle notes. "But then it's always easier to say nice things about the departed – in public anyway." He checks his watch. "If we're going to make the service on time, we should leave pretty soon." His eyes sweep over her dark-blue-clad frame. "Mike Royce showed me a couple of pictures of the two of you in uniform together, but I've never seen you in the dress version before. It's very commanding."

"It's too big. I've lost weight since the last time I wore it."

"That happens when you get shot. But it's got to be better than the cops who will swear the dry cleaner must have shrunk their uniforms rather than admit to consuming too many doughnuts."

"And whose fault is that, Castle? The boys tell me you're still having dozens sent into the precinct every day. You're an enabler."

"Mea culpa. I just can't abide the stale chips and cookies in the machines. I think the department gets them cheap because they're expired."

"It's possible," Kate agrees, her eyes falling on her own watch. "We really should get out of here."

"Ready any time you are."

Castle gazes around the gathering. He's never actually been to a police funeral, but he researched them for a book. They tended to be outside with a solemn procession bearing a flag-draped coffin. The flag was presented to the widow or next of kin who were given the seats of honor in the front row. This service is nothing like that. It is indoors, in an auditorium. But there is no coffin – flag-draped or otherwise. Everyone knows there isn't a body. No signs of Roy Montgomery or his family were ever found. Castle fervently hopes that's because somehow, somewhere, the Montgomerys are starting a new life. He knows that Beckett shares that hope, but they're keeping it to themselves.

The commissioner, chief, and deputy chief occupy the seats closest to the podium. They'll make speeches about what a fine member of the force Roy Montgomery was. But the true sharing of Roy's foibles and triumphs won't take place here. Castle is closing the Old Haunt for the evening to accommodate a celebration of Roy Montgomery's life by occupants of the bullpen and any other of Roy's friends and co-workers who care to show up. Drinks and snacks will be on the house – meaning Castle of course. He'll be there, with Beckett, toasting her mentor, and his friend. Wherever Roy Montgomery may be, Castle believes he'd approve.

"Tired?" Castle asks as Kate flops on the couch in her apartment when they return from the Old Haunt.

"Not as much as I thought I'd be. I really loved some of the stories about Montgomery. When Sergeant Harry talked about how his son and Evan Montgomery had been at camp together and he and Roy hid in the woods outside the tents to make sure their kids were all right, I thought I was going to fall off my chair laughing."

Castle grins. "Really? It sounded like perfectly reasonable behavior to me. Roy made some bad mistakes, but he cared about people, his family, other cops, and the citizens of this city. And they obviously cared about him." He notes Kate's yawn. "It's been a really long day. I should leave you to get some sleep."

"Didn't you say Alexis is staying with her friend Paige tonight? Do you have to go back to the loft?"

"Kate, what do you want from me?" Castle asks, taking a seat beside her. "I thought you're not supposed to…."

"I'm not, yet. But I really don't want to be alone tonight, Castle."

He pats the cushion next to him. "I guess this thing could be pretty comfortable. Or I could just hold you."

"Can you do that without wanting to…."

"Without wanting to, no. But I'm not sixteen, Beckett. Believe it or not, I have plenty of experience with having to wait for what I want."

Kate runs her fingertips over his stubble-darkened face. "I know you do, Castle. And I can't imagine a place I'd rather be tonight than in your arms."

"All right then. Just try not to wiggle too much."

"I promise."

Castle wakes up surprised that he was actually able to sleep. But having Kate snuggled into the hollow of his body brought warmth and satisfaction he hadn't expected. He was there, with Kate Beckett, because she wanted him there. What could be better than that? Well, one thing. But it will come. Before, he hoped it would. Now, deep in his gut, or wherever, he knows it will."

Kate rolls over to face him. "Good morning. How are you?"

"Pretty damn good," he answers honestly. "How about you?"

"Pretty damn good, except I have to pee."

Castle chuckles. "Yeah, me too."

Esposito is about to bite into the doughnut he brought back to his desk from the break room when Ryan nudges his arm. "Hey, Bro, look who's coming."

The deputy chief is making his way from the elevator, accompanied by a woman Esposito doesn't recognize. The deputy finds a spot in front of Montgomery's old office, from where he can address everyone in the bullpen. "May I have your attention, please? This is Captain Victoria Gates. She will be taking charge of the 12th Precinct. Captain Gates?"

Gates' voice carries well throughout the room. "Now I'm sure you must feel that no one can replace Captain Montgomery. But I believe the best way to honor him is to carry on the business of this precinct in the best way that we can. None of you know me. You have no reason to trust me. You may find I do things a little differently than Captain Montgomery did. But I'm hoping that in time you'll realize that we're all working toward the same goal, to make this city a safer place for civilians and cops. I'll be meeting with all of you individually to discuss your cases and whatever steps forward will be appropriate. But until then – as you were. We all have a lot of work to do."

As soon as the Deputy Chief gets on the elevator and Gates disappears behind the door of Montgomery's former office, Ryan's fingers fly over his keyboard. "What are you doing?" Esposito asks.

"Finding out what I can about Captain Victoria Gates." Ryan points at the screen. "Uh-oh."

Esposito pushes in to see. "What? Oh, Man. She's from IA. Damn!"