Finding the Fit Chapter 52

"Mr. Coonan wants to sit down with someone from the DA's office and get an agreement in writing before he discloses anything," Coonan's lawyer announces.

"I can arrange that," Kate says.

"And Mr. Coonan wants a meal of his choice while he's waiting," the lawyer adds.

"The regulations say we have to feed anyone we're holding according to current nutritional guidelines," Kate responds. "He'll get the meal that anyone in our cells gets. If he thinks he deserves special privileges, you can discuss that with the DA's representative."

"How long until you can get the DA's representative over here?" the attorney asks.

"That office is very busy," Kate replies. "However, I'm looking forward to hearing what Mr. Coonan has to offer. I'll get someone over here as quickly as possible."

"Beckett, you're not going to just turn over Bracken's journals to nail Coonan, are you?" Rick asks as soon as he and Kate are behind a closed door.

"No way, Castle. But I have pictures on my phone of the pages relevant to Coonan, and I can sign an affidavit that the images are accurate. That will be enough for a deal contingent on completely truthful testimony from Coonan."

"And how soon do you actually think you can get someone in here?"

"I don't know. But it will be good watching Coonan cool his heels in a holding cell and have to eat the prisoners' special for the day."

Rick quirks an eyebrow. "Which is?"

"Usually something with spam, food service mashed potatoes, and canned peas or green beans."

Rick grins and rubs his stomach. "Yum!"

Kate's landline rings. She glances at Rick before putting it on speaker. "Detective Beckett, we just got a call," the desk sergeant reports. "The Coast Guard is turning over Petrovich. A marked unit with two others as escorts are bringing him here for questioning."

"Thanks, Sergeant. I'll be ready."

"It doesn't rain, it pours," Rick comments, "but in a Spring showers bringing May flowers kind of way. Looks like you've got a twofer."

"Maybe a threefer or fourfer if Petrovich flips on Speelman and Bracken. And he should be able to give us Velda Brown, too."

"The DA's going to have to send a task force down here," Rick asserts.

"Castle, for something this big, Waterhouse might even come himself. And he'll probably bring someone from the SDNY with him."

The 12th Precinct's conference room is filled to capacity and then some. Waterhouse sits at one end of the table, and U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Weston at the other. In between are Kate Beckett, Captain Montgomery, lawyers for Coonan and Petrovich, and a representative from the Russian Consulate. As an unofficial observer, Rick is excluded, as are the less senior Ryan and Esposito."

"I think we all understand where we're headed here," Weston asserts. "We are up against a huge operation dealing with drugs, money laundering, and murder. The situation is complicated by ties to a Russian national."

"Alleged ties," the consular rep interrupts.

"There's nothing alleged about them, Mr. Gorski," Weston retorts. "We have hard evidence of a connection through Re-emergence that includes drugs smuggled from Afghanistan. But that is not our primary concern here. We need to dismantle the operation by convicting the man at the top."

Resolve hardens Kate's tone. "We need to get Senator William H. Bracken."

"That is our goal," Weston confirms, "and everyone in this room and those they represent will contribute to it or face the harshest possible indictments and sentencing recommendations. I hope that is firmly understood. Mr. Addison, as Mr. Coonan's counsel, I assume you will transmit the implications to your client. Mr. Gorski, you will ensure that your government understands that interference with these ends will not be to its advantage. Mr. Waterhouse, we will cooperate to decide what local and federal charges will be brought and their priorities. Captain Montgomery, I trust you will provide Detective Beckett with every resource she needs to bring an airtight case, and Detective Beckett, you will avail yourself of those resources to do so." Weston surveys the acknowledgments around the table. "Good. Mr. Addison, Mr. Gorski, Counsel for Mr. Petrovich, there is no longer any need for your presence here. You will be escorted to meet with Mr. Coonan and Mr. Petrovich, respectively."

Weston leaves the table to consult with aides and officers outside the room. She retakes her seat after the three civilians are led out.

"Right!" Waterhouse declares. "Now we can get down to the real work. Detective Beckett, Ms. Weston, and I will need a complete description of every piece of evidence you have, how you acquired it, and who can attest to it."

"Then, Mr. District Attorney, this is going to be a very long meeting," Kate warns.

"Castle did say something about having food brought in," Montgomery says. "I'll give him the go-ahead."

"And he should join the meeting now," Kate adds. "The major evidence in this case could never have been gathered without him."

Waterhouse shifts his gaze to Montgomery. "Is that true?"

"It is," Montgomery says.

"Fine, bring in the writer," Waterhouse allows, "but if anything discussed here finds its way into print before this case goes to a jury, he'll be putting out his next book from Rikers."

Kate rises from her seat. "I'll make sure Castle understands that."

The evening shift is well underway when Rick plops into his seat beside Kate's desk. "Well, I guess the snowball is rolling downhill now. Hopefully, Bracken will be buried under the avalanche. Your doughnut might even still be edible."

Kate reaches into her drawer and pulls out the paper-napkin-wrapped pastry. As she peels away the paper, most of the chocolate drizzle comes with it. "I think it's a lost cause."

"The bakery won't start a new batch until the wee hours of the morning. However, I keep my promises. I'll have a dozen sent to you as soon as they're available. But what are your plans for tonight? After that massive flow of legal jargon, can you finally kick back and relax a little?'

Kate swivels to face Rick. "Are you offering me another massage, Castle?"

"Are you asking?"

"Maybe. And you were stuck in that meeting almost as long as I was. Maybe I could return the favor."

Rick pulls back to stare at Kate. "What are we talking about here, Beckett?"

Kate swivels back toward her desk. "Hey, if you're not interested, just forget it, Castle."

Rick leans in. "Who said I wasn't interested? I've been interested since the second we met. And I've never made a secret of how incredible I think you are. But you made it clear that you had a one-track mind – nailing your mother's killer. You weren't ready for anything else. So are you telling me you're ready now?"

Kate cups his face. "I'm telling you that I'm ready to find out."

"Fair enough," Rick agrees, covering her hand with his own. "I hate to spout a cliché, but my place or yours – keeping in mind that mine actually has a well-stocked refrigerator and a fair collection of wine and spirits."

"How's your bed?"

"King-sized with high thread-count sheets over a self-warming mattress. But then it is nothing compared to the heat your hotness could generate."

"How about you? Are you heating up, Castle?"

"Beckett, you have no idea."

"Then you'll have to show me. Let's go."