Confession Chapter 14
Castle hands Kate a multipage report. "This is my update from Kap. He's had a guy on Lockwood. I mean, not that he knew the guy is Lockwood, but the suspect met the description. He's kept him under surveillance whenever he's been anywhere near here. Kap says it looks like he's been trying to set up a nest, a place he can get clear shots, probably at both of us."
"But to shoot into this apartment or your loft, the angles would be completely different. We wouldn't even be in the same line of sight," Kate realizes.
"That's true," Castle agrees. "So if he's going to take both of us out, he couldn't do it while we're in our abodes. He'd have to wait until we leave."
"We left yesterday, Castle. You left twice."
"Right. But the first time we went straight from the garage. He couldn't have known my car would be exiting – at least not when. And he wouldn't have had any idea about a return trip either. He also couldn't have predicted I'd hop into a cab to see the boys or take the subway back."
"Uh-huh," Kate picks up, "it would have taken separate shootings to get both of us. And his chance of capture would be much higher. He's going to try to predict when we'll be together and he can take off before anyone knows what happened. He could bide his time for weeks or months. But we have no actual proof that he's the guy who shot me in Chicago. And any defense attorney could dig up statistics on just how many tall dark haired guys with blue eyes there are. An arrest probably wouldn't even make it as far as arraignment. There's no way Montgomery or any captain in the NYPD would OK the resources for going after him with what we've got. We have to make him show his hand."
"Kate, there's no way you can give him the opportunity to shoot you again. This time he might be that half-inch to the left."
"Castle, we don't have to give him the opportunity to shoot either one of us – just make it look like we are. Did you want to use the media? Well, we can start now. Plant a story that you and I are going to go to – I don't know, something. And Kap's guys can watch him set up to take his shots and grab him in the act of attempted murder."
"That still sounds like you're setting us up as targets."
"Not if he's going to set up a perch somewhere. If we release the timing of our supposed arrival, he'll be lying in wait. That's more than enough to pick him up and charge him."
Castle grins. "And we both know the perfect person to figure out where that perch would be."
"Esposito would love to strut his stuff," Kate agrees.
"And we can use Kap's people to make sure that Lockwood is falling into our trap, then call the boys in to make the collar. They said they're hitting the precinct before Montgomery gets in this morning and seeing what they can dig up on Vulcan Simmons. When they have a chance to contact us with what they've found, we can share our little plan."
"If we're going to pull it off, we'll have to figure out where we're supposed to be going, Castle," Kate points out.
"Indeed. And it should be to an event press-worthy enough that a public announcement won't raise any suspicions."
"Like what?" Kate asks.
"Right now I've got nothing," Castle admits. "But maybe by the time we get with the boys, I'll think of something."
"Richard," Martha calls, descending the stairs in the loft, "I need you to write a check."
Castle emerges from his office. "To whom do you need me to write a check and for what?"
"To support Evening in the Round, the gala promoting avant-garde theater. It's at that charming little uptown theater, the Mortenson."
"Mother, I already made a healthy donation to the American Theater Wing. I thought that was your cause."
"It is. It is. The Wing does marvelous work. But Darrin Stevenson will be hosting the gala and if I'm going to have a prayer of getting a role in his next play, I need to make an appearance."
"So buy a ticket," Castle suggests.
"I would, but all the general seating is sold out. Luckily there is still premium seating for special patrons and their guests."
"And just how much will it cost me to become a special patron, so you can be a guest?"
"A trifle for this kind of event, $5,000. And Richard, this year's presentation is right up your alley. It's all about the influence of murder and mystery on the theater. You'd really be doing yourself a favor getting your name out there. I can't imagine why, but there's been some talk about a play based on Heat Wave."
"And this thing gets well publicized?" Castle asks.
"Of course, Darling, it's the theater. See and be seen."
"Or let people think you'll be seen," Castle muses. "I'll consider it, Mother. How long do I have to offer my patronage?"
"The seating closes at the end of business tomorrow, Richard. The gala's this weekend. So think fast."
Ryan and Esposito join Kate and Castle around a table in her temporary digs. Esposito distributes copies of a file. "Montgomery made it in earlier than usual this morning. We had to run these off at the FedEx store so he wouldn't catch us at the copier," Ryan explains.
"I'll reimburse you," Castle promises. "It looks like it was worth it." He starts flipping through pages. "This Vulcan Simmons has quite a history, busted on numerous occasions, and somehow each time D.A. Bracken decided he didn't have enough to charge him." He pages to the end of the file. "So now he runs a car repair shop in Washington Heights?"
"That's his official business address," Esposito confirms. "But it's got to be a cover for something. The man owns a fleet of Lincolns! That takes a big chunk of change."
"More money than a car repair shop would generate," Ryan adds. "He's got to still be involved with drugs somehow. Maybe he's an importer. But he knows how to cover his tracks."
"He may be getting help covering his tracks," Castle suggests. "But right now we have something more pressing than nailing Simmons. Esposito, the Manfred Joot you mentioned goes by Hal Lockwood now, and he works for Carmack. We think he was Kate's shooter – and he's been watching this building."
"Castle, we'd pick him up," Esposito says, "but we don't have anything to charge him with."
"We know," Kate acknowledges. "And you'd be tipping him and his boss off that we know who he is."
"We're going to have to make sure you have enough to charge him," Castle says.
Esposito pushes out of his chair. "Castle, if this is one of your crazy ideas, I don't want any part of it. Beckett really could get killed this time."
"Relax, Javi," Kate urges. "No one is going to get killed. But we have to make Lockwood think he's got an edge. And we're going to need your help to do it."
"Help to do what?" Esposito demands.
"To figure out how Lockwood would shoot someone attending a theater gala in uptown Manhattan," Kate replies. "And to nail him before he can pull it off."
"But there will be an extra complication," Castle warns, "glamorous attendee Martha Rodgers."