"Are we there yet?"
He'd said that half-mockingly, hoping to break up the oppressive silence that had befallen the experienced team of detectives on their way to close in on an unscrupulous killer.
Stuffed into the back seat of the Crown Vic with Kevin by his side, the writer had endured the stillness for several minutes before speaking up, knowing well enough that sometimes, loosening that tension could help his friends think clearer in an emotionally charged situation.
As expected, he met Beckett's stern eyes in the rearview mirror, seeing that beautiful face turn a shade grayer as they approached the neighborhood in question.
No lights and sirens, not even radio traffic had been her preferred method to deal with this.
Part of him could understand her hesitation in sharing what little valuable information they had about their killer's latest whereabouts. Too much was at stake to let him seep through their fingers again.
But the other part of him just worried.
Wondering what all a young man who grew up on the streets surrounded by god-knowns-what sort of thugs would be capable of. Surely, he'd already committed four atrocious deeds.
Who was to say he would shy away from adding three cops and a writer to his list of victims, coming up with cunning ways to lure them into his deadly trap? After all, what better way to rid himself of his followers than by killing them?
It just seemed weird that their illusive suspect had chosen this particular time to show up, doing so right after sending Beckett that taunting text about being next.
And naturally, she had swallowed the bait, mobilizing her team to put an end to the witch hunt that had turned an ounce too personal for her liking. Approach risk head on, that truly was her motto. And he admired her so much for it. But there had been times when this courageous trait had caused for things to backfire.
God, if only Gates knew what was going on here. She'd have the whole department on suspension.
"We'll park half a block away. In case he recognizes this car…", Beckett said, receiving an approving grunt from her likeminded stubborn friend in the passenger seat, while Castle exchanged a worried glance with Kevin who seemed to share his feelings on the matter.
"If he's as good as we think he is, he might be watching us already.", he tried and looked out of the window, greeting the countless windows and hiding spots along the busy road with solemn affirmation.
"Or he is growing careless, wanting to play with us.", she countered as though his words had posed a challenge to her authority that had to be squashed.
Who is growing careless?
He wanted to say it out loud but knew that at this stage, nothing would change her mind. He might as well stop a tornado with his bare hands and wager for a better outcome.
The car came to an abrupt halt and she turned around to face them, lips pursed to a thin line, those brown eyes full of raw determination.
"I want to check out that apartment complex first. Ryan, Espo, you guys cover the front, Castle and I will cover the back in case he tries to sneak out."
"Cover the b…", he began, shaking his head, "You mean the fire ladders?"
"The fire ladders, alleys, neighboring building, everything it takes.", she replied curtly, "If he just killed, it might have happened in this building. Let's remember that he always likes to move the body. So if all goes well, we'll catch him red-handed."
Her brazen plan received more or less determined nods and the team got out, bridging the distance at a fast pace.
With his injured hand resting against his stomach, Castle followed suit, his gaze moving back and forth between both sidewalks, nearby buildings and cars. He didn't want to say it out loud for fear of stirring Beckett up even more, but he could sense that nefarious gaze upon him, following the team around as they headed for the apartment complex in question.
They were being watched alright, their plan not quite subtle enough for the individual who was trying to stop them.
As the boys disappeared through the front entrance of the building, their chests puffed out in authority, Castle couldn't help but shudder at the thought of who'd be left standing by the time this whole nightmare was over with.