A/N: Back again! Thanks again to everyone who has favorited, followed, reviewed, and read this story. I have to admit, I don't know exactly where this is going, so I'm happy you all have embraced it and tell me I use good words :) I hope you enjoy this chapter!

XXXXXX

Chapter 11

"So, who's this Michael Smith?" asked Ryan. "He's nowhere in my notes."

They were still at it. It was getting late and Rick was getting ready to call it a night. Martha had already gone to bed, and Johanna had disappeared to wherever the ghosts went an hour previously, and Lanie had been trying to hide several surreptitious yawns.

Only Kate, Ryan and the captain still seemed to be raring to go – though Kate was fading – literally.

"You know, I think it's fine to leave it for the night," Lanie answered him. "I'm on an early shift tomorrow and Javi has his meetings. We all need sleep too. Besides Javi and I need to see what havoc Jamal and Liliana have put Danielle through."

That brought Javier up for air and Kate brightened a bit.

Jamal and Liliana?

"Our kids," answered Javi. "Danielle's the babysitter."

"And she's been there long enough." Lanie turned to her best friend. "Girl, we need a good long – and I mean long talk about everything that's happened since…" She broke off. "Maybe tomorrow after I'm off shift and Javi's in his meeting? I know we have a long way to go to get everyone up to speed, but all of us – including you – need a break for a bit."

Lanie, I'm a ghost. I don't need…

"Kate, you told me that you get tired manifesting too long. I can see you're fading and I'm sure the others can too." Rick waved his arm around the room encompassing her friends. "Your mom has been gone for an hour, and like Lanie said, we all need to get some rest. You included. And I know you want some girl talk with Lanie, you've said as much."

Kate looked at Rick blankly, as if she really didn't realize her exhaustion. But now that Rick had pointed it out, she felt it.

You're both right. Maybe we can pick it up in a couple of days? Let all of the new information percolate for a bit?

Esposito frowned. He didn't want to stop, but he recognized they needed to.

"All right. Let's quit for now. I'm surprised Jenny hasn't called wondering where the hell you are," he teased Ryan.

Ryan looked at his watch, eyes widening at the time.

"I am too," he grinned. "I told her it probably would be late, though maybe not this late. Lanie, you and Castle are right. It's time to head out. Give me a call when we can get back to it?" He looked around at the others, specifically Castle.

"Absolutely." He turned to the medical examiner. "Lanie, tomorrow is fine for you to come over anytime to talk with Kate when she's up for it. I'm not planning on going anywhere tomorrow, and I don't think Mother is either. So, whenever you want to show up – show up." He smiled.

The three guests began collecting their things; Javier's police file – any pertinent new information copied to Rick's computer, and the original files Rick had printed off for everyone.

"Maybe I don't need one of my own," Lanie mentioned. "I mean, I can go through Javi's, but I wouldn't mind reading my own just to see if something hits me over the head – so to speak. Not being a cop, maybe something will jump out at me that might not seem important to you."

Esposito nodded. "Every little bit helps," he said. "We'll get this bastard."

Everyone nodded and left the room.

Rick bounded back upstairs after watching the group get into their cars and head out. He wanted to talk to Kate for a minute before letting her rest.

She was crying. Ghostly tears shone on her fading face.

Thank you, Castle.

"For what?"

For getting everyone here. Even though Ryan and Lanie didn't believe it at first, we convinced them. And Javi wasn't even skeptical. I thought he'd be the toughest nut to crack on Mom's and my existence.

She shook her head.

But even if he didn't believe me – or you, the fact that they came was enough for now. Just seeing them again… It brings the sadness back – I can no longer really participate in their lives – except for right now, and even then only until justice is served. But still… Thank you, Castle, for tonight.

"Always."

XXXXXX

Captain Esposito entered the bullpen early the next morning and greeted his subordinates.

"Good morning, Captain."

"Morning, Martin, anything new on that murder case?"

"I've got another interview with the vic's brother in a half hour," Detective Martin replied. "There was something off about his statement – I can't explain it, just a hunch."

"Don't knock your gut," Esposito told the man. "Keep me informed."

"Will do."

The captain nodded and entered his office.

After flipping on his computer, Esposito moved around the office as it booted up. He placed his briefcase next to the desk and pulled a few files from the cabinet.

Unexpectedly his computer pinged. It wasn't an e-mail notification; it was something far more insidious.

"Shit!"

He pulled open the office door.

"Has Lieutenant Ryan gotten here yet?" he said sharply.

"I haven't seen him yet, Sir," replied one of the uniforms.

"Send him in as soon as he gets here."

"Yes, Sir."

The door shut with a bang, leaving the detectives and officers looking around at each other.

"You think Ryan's in trouble?"

"Dunno, but the captain's clearly pissed about something."

Just then the man in question walked off the elevator.

"Hey, Lieutenant," Martin began.

"Hey, Martin, what's up?"

"Cap wants you in his office. He sounded like he was out for blood."

"He didn't say what it was about?" Ryan asked.

"No, it just happened," the uniform said. "But, yeah, he seemed mad."

"Better see what's going on, thanks guys."

He knocked on the door and entered at Esposito's bark.

XXXXXX

"Hey, Cap, what's going on?"

Esposito stood and moved around his desk, shutting the door, locking it and pulling the blinds.

"We may have a big problem."

"What's going on?"

The captain sat back down and gestured for Ryan to come around the desk.

"Someone hacked into my computer last night."

Ryan gaped at him.

"Are you sure?" He waved his hand dismissively. "Of course you're sure. But why? Do you have any idea what they were looking for?"

Esposito glowered.

"Oh, yeah, I have an idea."

He wiggled the mouse and the computer came to life.

"I have all the usual safety measures on this, but there's one file I have extra security on."

He pushed a button and a familiar file opened.

Kate Beckett's file.

"Somebody got into this file?" Kevin said in surprise. "Who and why?"

"Well, we gotta find out the specifics, but it's gotta be…" he cut off.

"What?" asked Ryan.

Instead of answering, Esposito pulled out his phone and began writing. He hit send and sat back looking at his friend.

Ryan's phone pinged. He took it out, checked the message and frowned.

3 guesses and the first two don't count. We may be being watched or listened to. Text Castle, get him to buy the best bug sweeper he can. I'll pay him back. It probably won't be very high end, but that's okay. He can play it off as research for a book.

"Son of a bitch."

Esposito continued texting.

Have him get 2 or 3. I want to sweep this office, the bullpen and our cars. Maybe even our homes. Explain what's happening, and tell him to keep it on the down low.

"You got it, Sir. I'll also keep a lookout in case we're followed."

"Good plan. I hope we haven't said too much, I gotta call Lanie."

"All right, I'll get on this," Kevin held up his phone. "Remy's?"

"Perfect. I'll have Lanie meet us there if she doesn't have a body."

Ryan nodded and left the office, furiously texting as he went.

XXXXXX

Rick clicked off his phone in annoyance. He missed his flip phone at times like this; the snap of closing it would be more satisfying than the nearly silent beep the smartphone made.

This was not good.

Intellectually, Rick understood there was corruption in many police departments; the NYPD included. But for whatever reason, he'd hoped the 12th precinct was exempt from that.

He liked the cops he'd met yesterday. Even their skepticism wasn't malicious – though if he had been faking Kate and Johanna, it would have become so, and he knew it. But once they'd been convinced the ghosts were real, they all worked together like they'd been doing it for years – Rick included.

But this…this was going to put a damper on everything.

Kate hadn't called to him yet this morning, so he didn't know if she was up – so to speak. He climbed the stairs anyway. Maybe she'd hear him from wherever she went, or maybe Johanna was there, manifesting or not.

He felt a little silly when he knocked, it wasn't as if either of them could answer the door – well, Kate could, but he wasn't sure if her anger was what gave her the strength to do so. Not to mention it was technically his – or rather – his mother's house so he could go wherever he liked.

But meeting these women, these people – and they were people, ghosts or not. Meeting them and more to the point, getting to know them, made Rick want to treat them with respect. And that meant knocking.

Come in, Castle.

He opened the door and walked into the hallway.

You know you don't have to knock. Mom and I will know you're here whether we're here or not.

"How?" Rick was curious.

Kate had been moving toward him, but that made her stop in her tracks – if that was the right phrase, she thought.

Good question. I don't know. I just know when you're here. Mom, don't start.

Johanna manifested with a smirk on her face.

I don't know what you mean, Katie.

Kate just eyed her mother with a disgruntled look on her face.

"Um, could we lay off the teasing for a minute?" Rick asked. He knew what Johanna was thinking – he was too, to be honest, but now wasn't the time.

Kate turned a frown on him.

What's up?

"Someone apparently hacked Captain Esposito's work computer last night while they were all here."

What? How did he find out?

"He had an alarm of sorts on one particular file. It went off when he turned the computer on this morning."

A specific file?

"Yes. I assume he'd get some kind of notification if the computer was hacked no matter what file it was, but this one was special."

What file?

"Yours."

XXXXXX

At Remy's, Esposito explained to Lanie what had happened.

"So whoever hacked the file – " Lanie said, " – I'm going to say you know who is behind it." She gave a sardonic smile. "God, I sound like I'm talking about Voldemort."

That got a dry chuckle from her husband.

"Maybe the comparison is apt," returned Kevin with a grin.

None of this was funny, but a little levity helped with getting their heads in the game.

"How do we find out who did this?" Esposito leaned forward and looked at Ryan.

Ryan sighed.

"That's a good question. We need to find someone we can trust – ideally within the precinct, but at least somewhere within the NYPD. The problem is…"

"The problem is, who can we trust?" Esposito finished.

"I wonder…" Ryan continued.

"Lieutenant?"

"Well, I don't know that she can help, especially since she has no idea we kept up with the case after you killed the sniper. She might think it's all a fool's errand."

"Kevin, who…wait," Esposito realized who Ryan was talking about. "Captain…er…Assistant Commissioner Gates?"

"I think she proved herself after Montgomery retired."

"Well, as to that," interrupted Lanie, "Can you talk to Montgomery himself?"

She looked at the others.

"I mean, I know he's retired, but surely he wouldn't mind hearing from his detectives. I know what Kate said about what he did, but surely that means he's got to know who's behind it all."

"Yeah, we should reach out to him," Esposito began. "But we need to find this leak. The 12th has gained a lot of new blood since Montgomery left, and we don't know how far our killer's reach goes."

Lanie nodded.

"Javi's right," Kevin interjected. "We do need to contact him. He never told anyone what went down at McCallister's trial – probably because he didn't think he could trust anyone."

"Yeah, you mentioned that at Castle's place," Lanie said.

"So," Kevin continued thoughtfully. "I think we should get in touch, but will he talk to us about Kate/McCallister/You know who? I mean he stayed on for a while after we lost Kate, but I know that took a lot out of him. He was never the same – though as far as I know he didn't make the connection – just thought it was the sniper."

"Well, we won't know until we talk to him," Esposito said. Lanie, his number is in my desk. There's an old school address book in the right hand top drawer. Could you call him after you get off?"

"Yeah, I can do that. How should I put it – 'do you want to get together to catch up,' or 'we need information about a certain senator'? I haven't spoken to him since the wedding; I think it would be damn cold to just spring Kate's case on him, but I would love to see how he and Evelyn are doing."

"Agreed," said Kevin. "I'd say tell him it's a working visit, and have some questions for him, but don't spook him." He looked at both his friends. "Do you think we should bring him to Castle's?"

Esposito looked thoughtful.

"Let's wait until we know where he stands," he said slowly. "I'm not suggesting he's still in contact with the senator, based on my reading of the file, he broke ties with Raglan and McCallister years before he even met Kate and realized who her mother was. All three made a deal with the devil, and Montgomery never outed said devil, but I have a hard time believing he's still working for – or with him."

"Well, he's still a loose end if he knows about Senator…" Ryan frowned. "He's kept his mouth shut, probably to protect Evelyn and the kids, but with this leak, the guy might have someone go after him."

The group was silent after that sobering thought. While the relationship with their former captain wasn't much more than Christmas cards anymore, they all missed him, and would have liked to have more with him. But they also recognized that Montgomery had cut himself off for a reason; and not just because Kate Beckett's death had taken the heart out of him.

Esposito broke the silence.

"We need to get back to work. Ryan – head over to Castle's and see if he's got those bug detectors yet. He's probably told Kate about the hack by now, you talk to her too and see if she may have any insights. Probably not much, there's been a big turnover at the precinct since she – passed, but ask anyway."

"Right," Kevin stood and picked up the check. "I should be back in about an hour." He went to the cashier and paid, then left.

Lanie and Javi stood and hugged.

"Are you going to contact Gates?" she asked.

"I'd like to talk to Montgomery first," Javi answered. "But I think it's a good idea as well."

Lanie nodded and kissed him on the cheek.

"I'll see you at home baby,"

"See you later, chica."

XXXXXX

Kate was pacing.

Back and forth she floated across the room.

Castle had left after telling her about Esposito's computer being hacked and the possibility listening devices being placed in his office.

"He doesn't know that he's been bugged, but he doesn't want to take any chances. So, I'm heading out to see if I can find a bug detector. I'll get one for myself too – though I doubt anyone knows about us – unless they're following Javier."

Kate nodded at that possibility and Rick left to run his errands.

Katie, pacing won't help. He'll probably run by the precinct after he gets them.

I know, Mom. But I can't help but think…

Think what?

It's all coming to a head, isn't it? Bracken's got to be worried that Javi's got something on him – that's why the hack.

Johanna was thoughtful, she had to ask.

Now, are we 100% positive it's Bracken behind this? Playing devil's advocate, it could be someone else looking for information.

Except it was my file that got hacked into, Kate pointed out. Castle didn't say if anything else was broken into, but apparently Kevin just mentioned mine.

We'll need to clarify to be sure, Johanna was all lawyer now. It could have been anyone looking for anything to harm the NYPD. Or even done by some teenager for laughs.

You don't really think that, do you?

No, Katie, I don't. I'm with you, I don't see how it could be anybody but the senator and his minions, but if – when – all this comes to a head – like you just said – his lawyers will ask these questions.

So we need to ask as well.

Johanna nodded.

Let's mention it to Castle when he gets back, and if he talks to the others before they come back here, he can ask them.

Isn't Lanie coming over sometime today?

Kate brightened.

I think so, before all this Castle said he wasn't planning on going anywhere, but I'm sure Martha will let her in. I hope this doesn't put a damper on her visit. I just want something normal for a change – even though it won't be normal for either of us because I'm a ghost.

Then make it as normal as you can, Katie. I'm hoping I can get the same closure with your father.

She smiled sadly.

I won't listen in, and I won't hound you about it, but please, Katie. Get some news about him for me.

Absolutely, Mom. And I'll see what she says about getting him over here.

Thank you, Katie.

XXXXXX

"Have you discovered anything more?"

"Not really, but something a little odd happened this morning that might be relevant."

"What?"

"The captain came in in a seemingly good mood, but once he got into his office he went – not ballistic – but he got extremely angry about something. He called Lieutenant Ryan in and 5 minutes later Ryan left the precinct in a rush, texting somebody."

"Do you think you left a footprint?"

"I don't know. Sir, I was extremely careful, but perhaps I didn't know all the protections the captain has. I tried to listen through the office door, but they got quiet all of a sudden. They may suspect listening devices."

"Well, let's assume for now it was something else. But keep your eyes open for anything. And whatever you can find out about the person the lieutenant was texting. If this has anything to do with that file, someone on the outside is involved. Keep me informed, good work."

"Yes, Sir, Thank you, Sir."

XXXXXX

A/N2: I'd love to hear your thoughts!