Papa Jack Chapter 24
Kate scowls at her screen in frustration. "I'm checking an online directory for suppliers of Cypriot sienna, but the computer's really slow. The NYPD is supposed to upgrade the system, but …."
"Budget?" Richard inquires sympathetically.
"Montgomery deals with that." Kate shrugs. "But probably."
Arching in his chair, Richard tugs his cell phone out of his trousers pocket. "I just got a new plan. I'm paying enough for it. Maybe it will work faster." He speaks into the phone's microphone. "Suppliers of Cypriot sienna. It's working on it," he reports to Kate. "And there it is! Georgiou Distributors, suppliers of rare and treasured pigments. There's a New York City number and address here."
Kate grabs Richard's phone. "Let me see. Damn! I wish I could get out of here! Georgiou's only about ten minutes away."
"Did Montgomery say when you are expected to meet the world as Beckett Unchained?" Rick queries.
"He was supposed to have a meeting about it first thing this morning at 1PP." Kate consults her watch. "Actually, he should be back any minute."
Richard holds up crossed fingers. "Hopefully, with good news." He observes as Kate taps her fingertips against the large dial of her timepiece. "Why so big a watch, Beckett? It looks like it's sized for a man's wrist."
"It is," Kate confirms. "It's my dad's. When he and I were waiting for my mother to show up for the dinner we were supposed to have together the day she was killed, he kept looking at it. But you know what happened. She never showed up. After that, he couldn't bear looking at it anymore. But Mom had given it to him as a gift for their 20th anniversary, and he couldn't throw it away or even put it away. So I told him I'd wear it for him."
"That's a sweet, if heartrending story, Beckett. So far, I've only talked to your father about the law, but he seems to be a good guy."
"He is a good guy, Castle, a very good guy. I haven't met many men who measure up."
"Tough shoes to fill and…. Ooh! Montgomery's getting off the elevator, and he's heading this way."
Kate lunges out of her chair. "Sir?"
A smile brightens Montgomery's often severe features. "As far as the NYPD is concerned, Beckett, it was a totally clean shoot. As yet, no one has tried to sue the city over it."
"It would be hard for John Doe to sue if he won't even reveal his name," Richard inserts.
Montgomery chuckles. "Good point, Castle. The matter also just made it past the Civilian Review Board. The public sentiment generated by the video made it hard for them to question Beckett's actions. So, as of now, Detective Beckett, you are authorized to return to full duty."
"How about my weapon, Sir?" Kate queries.
"It's secured in my office. Come on in and get it."
Moving across the bullpen with a more confident stride than Richard's observed since she shot John Doe, an armed Beckett returns to her desk. "Ready to go check out Georgiou Distributors, Castle?"
"With wings on my feet."
A receptionist behind the desk at the entrance to a small warehouse looks up as Kate and Richard enter. Her eyes widen. "Richard Castle?"
Richard grins. "Guilty as charged. And this is Detective Beckett. I'm observing as she investigates a case."
"Your books are so real! I know you must do a lot of research," Richard's fan enthuses.
"I endeavor to make my readers happy, Ms…?"
"Swedlow, Thelma Swedlow, but are you sure you're in the right place? There weren't any murders or anything around here. We just sell colors for paint and stuff."
"One of those pigments might figure prominently in my case," Kate explains.
"Wow! Really?" Thelma responds. "Can I do anything to help you solve it?"
"Maybe you can," Kate allows. "Does this company sell a sienna pigment from Cyprus?"
Cradling her chin on her hand, Thelma thinks for a moment. "That sounds like one of our specialty items. Mr. Cory handles those." She picks up her telephone receiver. "Let me see if he's available. Mr. Cory, there are people here with questions about a sienna pigment. Uh-huh. Sure." Thelma looks up at Richard. "He said to tell you he'd be right out."
Richard flashes his brightest smile. "Thank you, Thelma. We appreciate it."
A slim, balding man in a business suit appears a moment later. "I'm Brigham Cory. How can I help you?"
Kate lightly taps the badge on her waistband. "Mr. Cory, I'm Detective Kate Beckett. This is Mr. Castle. The Cypriot sienna pigment your company distributes may figure into the investigation of a case."
"Can that pigment be used for coloring wax?" Richard asks.
"It can," Cory confirms. "But why would that matter to the police?"
"It may have been used for that purpose by murderers," Richard explains.
"I'll need the names of any of your customers who have purchased it," Kate adds.
Cory frowns. "Our company isn't in the habit of releasing our client list."
"Did you hear the part about murderers?" Richard inserts. "The information you give Detective Beckett could prevent another death, maybe more than one."
"And I assure you that we don't release information concerning investigations, Mr. Cory," Kate says. "Whatever you can give me won't be available to your competitors or anyone else. And you will be helping to get killers off the street."
"I suppose it will be all right to give you the list," Cory hesitantly agrees. "It's a pretty short one."
"Which will make it even more helpful," Kate says.
"All right. Wait here," Cory instructs. "It will take me a few minutes to generate it. I'll send it to Thelma's printer."
Kate nods. "Thank you, Mr. Cory."
"Yeah. You're welcome."
As Kate starts her unit, Richard studies Cory's printout of Cypriot sienna customers. "There are only four companies here. It looks like two of them make specialized paints, and one makes powder coatings."
"How about the fourth one?" Kate asks.
"The name doesn't indicate a product. The pigment was shipped to WH Enterprises out in Montauk. Hardly an industrial area, but the location on the tip of Long Island would make for easy access to and from a boat. So, are we going to Montauk?"
"Not without checking out WH Enterprises first. If it is a criminal front, we can't go in blind," Kate declares. "I'm going back to the precinct. But if you have writing or something to do, I can drop you at your loft."
"Are you kidding? Just when we're starting to get somewhere on this case? But are you sure you want to go back to the precinct? My phone was faster than your computer system. The computer at my loft is even faster than my phone. It's the newest system and connection available. No bureaucratic budgets. And it isn't slowed down by having a bunch of other people trying to use it, either. We can dig as deep into WH Enterprises as an electronic shovel will go. I also guarantee that I have better snacks than the stale cookies and staler chips in the breakroom vending machines – not to mention my own blend of premium, freshly ground coffee."
"Enough, Castle. You've convinced me. We can work at your loft, just as long as we get the dope on WH Enterprises as quickly as possible."
"Detective Beckett, our fingers will fly."
A/N Just a reminder that these events are taking place in 2005. The NYPD actually upgraded and expanded its computer usage some years later.