Unexpected Appearance Chapter 17

Fallon points to the screen over the bullpen, showing a blowup of Jamal Alhabi. This man, Jamal Alhabi, had his cousin fashion a dirty bomb and then killed him."

"There's no evidence of that," Rick hisses to Kate.

She puts a hand on his arm. "Ssh! You'll just make him crazier."

"He's most likely the leader of our terrorist cell," Fallon continues. "Less than 12 hours ago, he disappeared, along with the bomb. We have had a BOLO out, and every available cop is turning over rocks for his species of vermin. But we know more now. At a minimum, he'd need a van or an SUV to transport the bomb. Jamal owns a moving company. So check all his trucks. Pull traffic video. Work the financials. Folks, we live here, our families, our loved ones, our neighbors. I don't have to tell you what's at stake."

As the meeting breaks up, Rick urges Kate into the back stairwell. "Look, what Fallon's doing isn't going to work. It can't work. Whomever Jamal delivered the bomb to is the real terrorist – or terrorists. And our people aren't even looking for them. But I know who might have a handle on what's really going on."

"Castle, more of your secret spy stuff?"

"Not my secret spy stuff. Someone who's kept an eye on the Alhabis, especially Amir, all along."

"You mean Fariq Yusef ?"

"Exactly. He's been a player or at least a spectator in whatever the real game is."

"All right, but watch your ass. I've gotten used to having it in my guest chair."

"Yeah. I've gotten used to having it there, too."

Fallon gestures at an image of trucks displayed on the screen above the bullpen. "All right, listen up! Jamal bought these trucks over two months ago. They're a perfect cover for moving material without anyone noticing. Where's the list of his employees?"

"Just came in," Esposito says. "Nine guys, all Middle Eastern."

Fallon nods. "They're probably part of his cell. Let's get their 20's and then move on."

"Got a purchase on Jamal's credit card three weeks ago for a burner phone," Ryan reports.

"Run it down and see if we can pull up any recent activity," Fallon instructs.

Kate puts down her phone. "Jamal's moving trucks are parked in a lot in Queens. They're all accounted for except for one five-ton. The log says Jamal checked it out 12 hours ago and never brought it back."

"He must have used it to move the crate. Call in that alert," Fallon orders. "Let's find the truck." He strides back to his temporary office space.

"Hey Beckett, where's Castle?" Ryan inquires.

Kate tries to ignore the tightening in her chest. "I don't know. He must have stepped out."

In his favorite café, Fariq sips the Arabic-style coffee Rick purchased for him. "Mr. Castle, I agreed to meet you because my aunt is very fond of your books."

"I'm big with aunts," Rick acknowledges. "And this meeting is completely off the record."

"Off the record or not, why should I talk to you about Amir Alhabi?" Fariq queries.

"Because the last thing you want is some hothead in my country thinking your country is behind his activities."

Fariq takes another sip. "Indeed. Nothing could be further from the truth."

"Well, then, maybe you can clear this up," Rick proposes. "Amir worked in your nuclear program, so he was an asset. Did you have him watched?'

"It is my business to stay informed."

"Did you ever see any evidence of terrorism?"

Fariq shakes his head. "No, but what other answer could I give you?"

"Why were you at Amir's home?" Rick presses.

"To chat with him. I am adept at violence, but it wasn't called for. I met with him from time to time to remind him of his history."

"You wanted to convince him to return to Syria, to your weapons program. He preferred to remain here," Rick assumes.

"Surely you don't expect me to confirm any weapons program. However, Amir was a gifted engineer. He did vital research for us, but he left because he had moral qualms about his work. Normally, money can overcome such obstacles. Not so with Amir."

"What prompted your circular cab ride?" Rick probes.

"Amir contacted me. He was angry. He believed I'd placed $10,000 in his account as a way of pressuring him. But he was mistaken."

"That money originated in Afghanistan," Rick shares.

"Then you are aware we had no part in it. Amir was confused when he realized the attempt at manipulation didn't come from his native country. He was also angry. He was determined to find out what was going on."

"Which could account for him having cameras installed in his cab," Rick muses.

"A definite possibility," Fariq agrees. "It's been pleasant speaking with you, Mr. Castle and my aunt will no doubt be impressed that we met. I enjoy my post in New York and would be sad to be forced to abandon it. As events unfold, you may find yourself in need of a man with my skills." He places a card between them on the table. "If such a moment arises, this number will generate an immediate response."

"Do you understand what this means?" Rick asks Kate as they huddle in the precinct hallway.

"If Amir didn't know where the money came from, then he couldn't have been paid to build a bomb," Kate realizes as footsteps approach.

"I need to speak to the two of you. The captain's office – now!" Fallon orders. He closes the door to Montgomery's office behind them.

"Now I like to cover all my bases," Fallon announces as Montgomery fiddles with papers on his desk. "So you can imagine my surprise when I found out someone who is supposed to be tracking down a terrorist was having a non-fat latte with a suspect in this investigation. I have agents on Fariq Yusef."

"Not very good agents," Rick comments. "It was Arabic-style coffee, not a non-fat latte. And Yusef isn't a suspect. He wants to find whoever has that bomb as much as we do."

Fallon shakes his head. "I don't know how you can believe that! Maybe you're so used to creating fiction that you can't tell the difference. But you're off this investigation."

"You know that will upset some very influential people who very much value my – insights," Rick argues.

"Right now, I don't give a damn," Fallon declares. "And they'll be even more upset if a bomb goes off in this city because their boy was chatting with a man attached to a terrorist plot." Fallon turns to Kate. "Did you know about this?"

"Yes, I did," Kate admits, "but if you'll just listen to what Castle found out, I think you'll…."

"Anything he heard from Yusef is completely unreliable," Fallon insists. "And I'm very disappointed in you, Detective Beckett. I thought we were doing good work together. But now you're both off this investigation. Agent Garda will escort you out of the building. And so help me, Castle, if you revealed any secrets to Yusef, I'll have you up on espionage charges. Now get out of here, both of you!"

"Now what?" Kate wonders as she and Castle walk away from the 12th.

"The way Fallon is going, whoever the real terrorists are can set off the bomb any time," Rick declares. "I'm not going to stop looking for it. Are you?"

"I don't want to, Castle, but how are we going to continue the investigation on our own? We're completely cut off from any NYPD resources."

"We just need a new headquarters and a starting point. And," Rick continues, "I have both."