Kate Beckett, Investigator Chapter 3
Kate watches from nearby as a Customs inspector breaches the seal on the shipping container holding Nesgadol's drywall. They both fit respirator masks over their faces to protect them from toxic drywall dust that may have built up inside the container. Kate is actually surprised that the agent decided to look inside since only about three percent of the shipments face actual inspection. Usually having the proper documentation is enough. But it's fine with her that Charles (Check-it) Griggs takes the first look. Not only will Customs be responsible for breaking the seal, Check-it will have to cope with opening the container.
Tugging open the door releases the expected cloud of dust – or maybe even a bit more than Kate expected. The liner could have had a rough voyage or the quality of the drywall could be questionable – or both. Check-it is satisfied that the container holds drywall as opposed to contraband or human cargo. He moves on, leaving Kate to take her samples. After making sure that her mask is still firmly in place, she pulls a battery-operated saw from her bag and begins to make her cuts. The lab won't need much to check for the material's sulfur content, but Kate makes sure to get more than should be required. She's coped with her share of lab reports claiming "quantity not sufficient" or "results indeterminant," over the years. She doesn't need that kind of screw-up while she's trying to work her way into Gidon and an ear to whisperings about Nesgadol.
When she's satisfied, Kate manages to shove the container doors shut again and applies her own seal. She'll hand-deliver her drywall cuttings to the lab contracted to do all of Nesgadol's analysis. It will be a good opportunity to pick up more information – especially if she brings doughnuts. Castle really is rubbing off on her.
Normally, anyone dropping off samples at Marley Technical Services signs the appropriate paperwork and leaves them at the reception desk. But Velma Dinkley's large box of doughnuts gets her directed to the nearby breakroom to stow them on the counter. As she leaves the box, she hears snippets of a complaint about jobs from the Nesgadol companies acing out work from other clients. Wondering if she can pick up on anything more, she ducks into the ladies' room across the hall.
Kate's just settled into a booth when she hears two sets of footsteps on the tile. Two voices follow soon after. "We're supposed to be getting more drywall in from Gidon to run sulfur testing," the higher of the two says.
"Uh-huh," the second voice agrees. "I ran the last batch. Whoever's turning that stuff out in China is pushing it really close to the line. The max allowed is 10 parts per million. I got 9.8."
"I know what you mean," the first voice chimes in. "I've run lead, mercury, and PCBs on their materials. They always come in just below allowable limits. And Gidon and the other Nesgadol companies send in most of the jobs."
"Right," the second voice confirms, "we used to get tons of jobs from the smaller builders, but now it's down to a trickle. Seems like Nesgadol is beating them out all over town."
The first voice takes the booth next to Kate's. "Yeah. When they use sh*t like that, it's no wonder they come in with the lowest bids. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in any building they put up."
"Me either," the first voice agrees. "Damn! I'm early. Just what I need. And my emergency supplies are in my desk. Have you got a tampon on you?"
Kate pulls up her feet as Voice Two passes the item under the door of Voice One's booth. "Here you go."
"Thanks. You're a lifesaver," Voice One says.
Kate silently muses that both women just might be lifesavers.
"So, if I understand what you're telling me," Jim Beckett responds to Kate's early evening call, "Nesgadol's companies may be pushing the margins of safety to the limit to put in cheap bids to get construction all over the city. And there's a good chance that Mayor Gambitto is helping them along. That would mean smaller, and possibly safer builders are getting pushed out of the market."
"You've got it, Dad," Kate confirms.
"Then we may have a basis for a suit from the builders they're forcing out of business. We could be hitting Nesgadol on two fronts, bribery to exclude the competition and questionable building practices that do the same. But we'll need a lot more information to be sure. You could have to stay with Gidon for a while, and we'll have to check out Nesgadol's other companies as well. Assuming that we get enough to build a solid case, we'll have to convince the other builders to sign on to it. That could take years and a lot of effort. Are you up for that?"
"You made sure I knew what I was getting into, Dad. And I don't mind hanging around Gidon for a while. They assigned me a pretty nice cubicle."
Jim chuckles. "Katie Beckett in a cubicle. I never would have believed it."
"Mm-hmm," Kate agrees, "me either."
Castle presses a kiss into the tender flesh at the base of Kate's neck. "It sounds like Velma's had a very busy day."
"It has been interesting," Kate says. "Babe, do you know anyone in Customs?"
"Yeah, I used a guy there as a consultant when I had Storm go after a drug smuggling ring."
"Right. The smugglers figured out the algorithm the Customs Service uses to decide which shipments to inspect and worked around it. So Storm started watching the supposedly lowest-risk shipments and nailed them. Your customs guy didn't give you the actual algorithm did he?"
"He couldn't have if he wanted to. Apparently, it's more heavily guarded than Fort Knox. But he was able to give me a jumping-off point."
"And Storm did love jumping off things – buildings, boats, cars," Kate teases.
Castle's brows ripple. "But he had more fun jumping on, especially if he was invited."
"And how about his creator?"
"Depends on who issues the invitation."
Kate sniffs the aroma wafting from the kitchen. "How about if you invite me to sample your Pasta Carbonara and then we'll see what kind of an invitation you get."
"Sample? I'd invite you to eat the whole thing, but it is Alexis's favorite, and she's loading up to study for a Lit exam tomorrow. We'll both be lucky to get any at all. Still, there is dessert. And I have a whole new can of whipped cream."
"And what are you planning to put it on?"
"Well, the first strawberries of the season are out. I have a fresh basket of them in the fridge. And anything else you want – lady's choice. Whatever you feel like getting your mouth around."
"That does open up a lot of possibilities," Kate considers.
Castle runs a fingertip over Kate's lips. "Care to share what's on your mind?"
Alexis bounds down the stairs. "I could smell the Carbonara from my room. Is it ready?"
"Just about to call you," Castle responds.
Kate wraps her arms around his waist. "We'd better get our pasta while we can. Then we can build whipped cream theory together."
He leans in for a quick kiss. "Sounds perfect."