Confession Chapter 15
"We'll have to keep Martha out of it," Kate declares.
"Well, she wants her appearance to make an impact. What if we send her ahead in a limo, preferably a bulletproof one driven by one of Kap's people?" Castle proposes. "She could enter on the arm of her latest paramour, or she might like this even better, a hunky guardian. Then she can participate in the pre-performance festivities. We let it be known that due to Beckett's still-limited stamina, she and I will be arriving just in time for curtain up, or what they call 'grand drapes.' Lockwood can plan his attack around that."
Kate turns to Esposito. "Javi, we'll need you to figure out where Lockwood would be shooting from. We can have Kap's people keep it under surveillance. They can call you in when he's set up his shot to take me and Castle out."
"I've sent off the funds to reserve seating for my mother, as well as Beckett and myself," Castle continues. If Lockwood has any way of checking, we'll be on the guest list. Lockwood will be waiting for targets that never materialize. But we're going to have to get things in place quickly. The gala's on Saturday night."
"Which gives us three days," Ryan observes. "Javi, can you figure out Lockwood's plan in time?"
"If we were talking about Wall Street or Midtown, no way," Esposito admits. "Too many tall buildings. Too many nesting spots."
"But uptown, where the Mortenson is, there's a break in the city skyline," Castle realizes. "A lot fewer possibilities."
"You've got it, Bro," Esposito agrees. "I'll get my ass up there tonight and scope the place out. Then tomorrow evening, I'll be there when the light should match, and pinpoint the best place for Lockwood to try to take his shot."
Beckett nods. "Then we've got a plan."
"What about Vulcan Simmons?" Ryan asks.
"Let's get Lockwood," Kate says. "We get him to flip on Carmack, that gives us a direct connection to Bracken. Then we can see about building the rest of the case."
"But Simmons' funds are coming from somewhere," Castle says. "And if it's an overseas drug connection, Bracken would be in a perfect position to provide cover."
"In exchange for a cut," Ryan interjects.
"A big one," Castle asserts.
"Castle, what's going on?" Kate demands as Castle ushers a young man with weirdly styled hair and a dress rack into her apartment.
Castle gestures toward his companion. "This is Christian Cibrian, winner of Operation Runway and now designer to the stars. You need a dress for the gala."
"Castle, that wasn't the plan," Kate protests.
"I know that and you know that, but you know who, doesn't. Seeing the dresses arrive will make our plan even more convincing. And even if he manages to miss that, the paparazzi are always following Christian around. His appearance here won't go unnoticed, and it will just make our setup even more convincing."
Christian pulls a dress from the rack. "You should try this. It will complement your coloring perfectly. And it should need very few alterations – maybe none – to fit you."
"But I don't actually need a dress," Kate insists.
"Not at this moment," Castle agrees. "But when all this is over, we can go somewhere to celebrate. You will electrify the room. And I won't mind basking in the glow."
"You will look fantastic," Christian adds.
Kate shrugs. "All right, I'll try on the dress."
"I'll help you change," Graciela offers.
Graciela beams as Kate comes out of her bedroom wearing the gown. "Isn't she beautiful?"
The air whooshes from Castle's lungs. "Oh, yeah!"
Christian's eyes sweep appraisingly up and down Kate's slim form. "The dress will go best with a three-inch heel in candy apple red. And I can send someone over to do any alterations necessary before you make an appearance in it."
Kate holds up her hand. "Wait! I haven't said I want it yet."
"Come on Beckett," Castle urges. "Live a little. Hmm, interesting phrasing. But really, you look incredible. Let me enjoy seeing you in it."
Kate runs her hands over the sleek fabric molding perfectly to her curves. "All right Castle. I suppose getting the dress could make our plan more convincing."
Castle claps his hands together. "Excellent!"
"How about you, Castle?" Christian inquires. "I have a new menswear collection coming out, including an updated tuxedo. You have the shoulders for it and we can alter it to make sure it's smooth over your butt."
Kate smacks her hand against her mouth but can't quite smother her laugh.
"When I have a chance, I'll go by your showroom," Castle says. "And your people already have the number of my titanium card."
"Yes, they do," Christian confirms. "And I have other appointments. You'll kill in that dress, Ms. Beckett."
After accompanying Christian to the elevator, Castle returns to Kate. His hand explores the contours of his lower back. "Do these pants make my butt look big?"
Kate puts a hand on his arm. "Castle, your butt is just fine."
"Beckett, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." He gazes at her hopefully. "So maybe …."
"I still can't talk about that yet, Castle. While we're in the middle of the whole Lockwood thing, it's just too much to handle."
"But after we nail Lockwood?"
"We'll see, Castle."
According to plan, Martha is one of the first to arrive at the gala. Kap himself volunteered for escort duty, the glitteringly gowned diva and the well-built man with the streak of silver in his hair making an intriguing couple. As cameras snap, Martha is well assured that Darrin Stevenson will be aware of her presence. Soul-feeding roles for women her age can be few and far between, and she's not about to let any slip between her fingers.
From the roof of the tallest building within range of the Mortenson, Lockwood watches through a scope. He'd already seen the tweet announcing that author, Richard Castle and his muse, Detective Kate Beckett, would be attending, but be among the later arrivals due to Beckett's continuing recovery. That's fine with him. It just gives him more time to line up his shot and factor in any changes in the wind.
The sniper reaches into his pocket for a small baggie of pills and swallows one without water. The beta blocker will slow his heart down just enough so that he can fire between beats. He'll be taking two shots that will both have to be perfect. He was close enough to Beckett's heart so she should have died the first time. And if it hadn't been for Castle having that doctor as a goddamn fan, she would have. Well this time, she won't be so lucky. And neither will Castle. Once they're out of the way, the poking around in his employer's business will stop, and he can get back to less complicated assignments. And he already has plans for the bonus Carmack promised.
As Kap accompanies Martha to the bar set up in the theater's lobby, the chest pocket of his tuxedo vibrates. He gazes briefly at a text: "All in place. Ready to go."
"Everything all right, Isidore?" Martha asks.
"Just fine, Ms. Rodgers. Everything is just fine."