Papa Jack Chapter 16

From her seat on the stage at her gold shield award ceremony, Kate recognizes some of the reporters, particularly the female ones. They had shown up to do stories about her and Castle after the attempted bombing at Madison Square Garden. Her father, looking both proud and uncomfortable, sits in the front row with Captain Montgomery, Mike Royce, Castle, and John Raglan. Kate's relieved that the other men buffer the space between Raglan and Jim Beckett.

Castle even appears to be engaging Raglan in friendly conversation. But then, Castle seems to be good at that, drawing people out for bits and pieces of dialogue and plot he can use in his stories. Considering all the time they spend together, maybe he's too good. The artful prose he could spin of busting up spy cells and thwarting bombings is fine, but she wants none of her personal business rendered in print.

The Chief of Police takes the podium, clearing his throat into the microphone to quiet the crowd. "This is a proud day for the NYPD. Though only a patrol officer on routine security duty, one of our own, Officer Kate Beckett, averted what could have been a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. That outstanding police work on Officer Beckett's part was no fluke. Throughout her time in the NYPD, she has consistently acted beyond the call of duty, contributing to significant arrests. And if that were not enough, she achieved one of the highest scores ever recorded on the detective exam. Thus, it is not only my honor but that of the entire NYPD to award Officer Beckett the gold detective shield. So, Officer Beckett, come forward and receive the symbol of your next step in what we expect will continue to be an impressive law enforcement career."

Kate rises from her seat to approach her smiling superior. The chief hangs Kate's gold shield around her neck. As they exchange salutes, the gathering applauds. The chief turns back toward the audience. "You will have the opportunity to congratulate Detective Beckett personally. We have refreshments set up for a small reception in the next room. The NYPD's publicity officer is there with copies of an official statement and fact sheets about the duties of an NYPD detective. You newshounds should have plenty of time to make your deadlines."

Kate meets Richard at a table holding a tray of traditional police pastries: doughnuts. "Unlike the ones in the 12th's breakroom, these actually look fresh," Richard says, picking up a doughnut drizzled with chocolate. He takes an exploratory bite. "They are fresh! Try one, Detective Beckett. Hmm, Detective Beckett. That does roll trippingly off the tongue."

"Save me one with sprinkles," Kate requests. "Raglan's over by the coffee. I want to go talk to him. And do me a favor. Try to distract my dad. He's the one who's been stirring a cup of black coffee ever since we came in here."

"Yeah, I recognized him from a picture of your parents that was in your mother's file. OK, he's a lawyer, right? There's some legal stuff I can ask him about."

"Good. Just keep him busy as long as you can. And, thanks, Castle. I know the chief didn't say a word about your part in the Madison Square Garden thing. That wasn't fair."

"It's fine, Beckett. It's his job to grab all the glory for you and the NYPD. Black Pawn's PR department didn't exactly let the incident go unnoticed."

An unbidden smile tugs at Kate's lips. "No, I'm sure it didn't."

Jim Beckett's eyes are still fixed on his swirling coffee as Richard joins him near the urn. "Mr. Beckett?" His reverie interrupted, Jim looks up. "Mr. Beckett, I'm Richard Castle."

"I know who you are, Mr. Castle," Jim replies. "Katie told me what happened at the Garden. And your picture was on the front page of The Ledger. Katie thinks this wouldn't have happened without you."

"Oh, she would have made detective easy without me," Castle says. "She's a great cop. But she probably would have gotten her shield without the hoorah – and the doughnuts. Still, she's very grateful that you could be here for this. And I understand that you share her love of good works."

"I've supported some worthy causes in my time," Jim agrees.

"Excellent! So, I was wondering what, from a legal standpoint, I'd have to do to organize a charitable event. Not like what went on for Katrina, something smaller but sufficient to significantly support artistic endeavors."

Richard can see Jim's expression change as he dons a virtual attorney's hat. "Well, that depends. First of all, does the charity or charities involved have official status as non-profit?"

From the corner of her eye, Kate can see her father expounding to Castle. Good. Now, she can get down to it. With as casual a stride as possible, Kate approaches Raglan. "Detective, I appreciate you being here for me today."

"Not a problem, Officer, uh, Detective Beckett. I'm actually on the clock, and this is a lot easier than trying to find new leads on the four outstanding cases I'm investigating."

"Homicides?" Kate inquires.

"Robbery homicides," Raglan clarifies. "Two jewelry stores and two electronics stores. They shot the owners and took off with everything they could carry."

"High-value merchandise, easy to sell," Kate considers. "You check out all the pawn shops?"

"First thing I did – nothing."

"Do you think the murders might be connected?"

"Right now, I'm still looking at the cases as random. There are rumors of a new fencing operation that takes the stolen items and ships them out of state to sell, but I haven't been able to get anything solid on it yet. So unless I have some connection that I can prove, they're random."

"Like my mother's murder," Kate says, studying Raglan for his reaction.

Raglan's Adam's apple bobs above a new tie. "Yes, I'm sorry, Detective Beckett, like your mother."

"But her case is still officially open," Kate points out. "What if some evidence were to come to light that it wasn't random, that it was a professional and highly skilled hit?"

Raglan pulls at his collar. "I don't know where you'd get evidence like that, Detective. There was none in the autopsy and none at the scene. There are thousands of unsolved murders in this city, some going back decades. Random crimes happen." Raglan makes a show of checking his watch. "My captain expected this to be a quick stop. I really have to get back on the job."

"Of course," Kate acknowledges. "We all have a job to do."

"Hey, I don't know what you told my father, but he seemed excited about the project you were discussing," Kate tells Richard as she drives them to the 12th Precinct.

"I'm kind of excited about it myself," the writer declares. "But while I was piquing your father's interest, what did you get out of Raglan?"

"I don't know how I'll be able to use it, but he got really nervous when we talked about random killings. I believe he knows what really happened to my mother and covered it up. He was too nervous to have pulled the strings on an operation like that, but I think he knows who did. It had to have been someone with access to enough money to hire a mercenary and enough power to keep Raglan and anyone else who knew silent."

"And the power to hang a murder on Joe Pulgatti?" Richard queries. "Like a DA?"

"Public service isn't a gold mine, Castle. DA's don't make the kind of bucks it would take to hire a skilled killer."

"Unless salary isn't the DA's only source of funding. I checked. That DA, Bracken, got himself elected to Congress. Financing a campaign isn't cheap either. Where'd he get the funds?"

Kate's fingers drum on the steering wheel. "Castle, that's a damn good question."