Papa Jack Chapter 58

The bell over the door of Daltrey's Steakhouse has been ringing steadily as a flow of customers follow their noses to red meat nirvana. None of them, however, has the slim but muscular build or peculiar stride of a man trained in multiple martial arts. Richard is beginning to believe that, except for a hearty meal, his stakeout with Ryan and Esposito is a bust. Then the bell tinkles again.

Cedric, aka Cole Maddox, is immediately recognizable, not just by his features, but by his arrogant expression. He has the appearance of a man who considers himself in control and even privileged. Richard throws a look at his detective companions but immediately sees that they have spotted their quarry as well.

"Got him, Castle," Esposito whispers, "but we can't do anything in here."

"He's armed," Ryan adds. "He's got a bulge under his coat."

"And he could have other weapons on him," Esposito continues. "But he'll have to wait for his steak, and it will take time for him to eat it. We've got a window to set up to grab him when he leaves."

"That's what we thought about the matches at Owl's Head Park," Richard groans.

"But this time, we have eyes on him," Ryan interjects. "We'll get him."

"Let's get out of here," Esposito urges.

Richard pulls several bills from his wallet, weighs them down with a steak sauce bottle, and hurries after the departing detectives.

In light of many New Yorkers either using public transportation or walking, the parking area in front of Daltrey's is small but well illuminated. "I don't see Cedric's car, Castle says.

"It's not here," Ryan confirms. "We're only 20 blocks from his hotel. He must have come on foot."

"That should make grabbing him easier. We know which direction he'll be going to get back to his room. We pick a spot to wait him out and grab him before he can reach for a weapon," Esposito offers. He points down the sidewalk. "See that clump of trees? There's no light shining over it to cast shadows that could give away our positions. We hide in there, and Ryan and I can grab Cedric before he knows what happened."

"What do I do?" Richard queries.

"Stay hidden and out of the way," Esposito instructs. "The minute we have Cedric, you call the precinct and report it. They'll send a marked unit to haul him in. But don't move until we have the cuffs on him. We don't need any more paperwork about civilian injuries."

Richard isn't sure whether to be upset or relieved at being kept away from the actual takedown. Still, he figures Beckett would have said pretty much what Esposito did. "Copy that. I shall huddle in the cover of stout vegetation until my services are required."

Esposito starts striding toward their hiding place. "Let's move it! Guys with Cedric's training learn to eat fast."

Either the service at Daltrey's was slow, or Cedric decided to take the opportunity to savor his meal. By the time Beckett's would-be assassin shows up, Richard's cheeks are almost numb. With his distinctive long-legged gait, Cedric's approach is unmistakable. He's almost directly in front of Ryan and Esposito when they rush out to grab him. Using their momentum to evade their grasp, Cedric downs Ryan with a hard kick to the chest and, almost casually flicking a foot to Esposito's groin, doubles the detective over in pain.

Grinning over the two cops, Cedric pulls a gun from beneath his jacket. "You guys can't take a hint, can you? I can't just leave you to call in the troops before I have time to relocate."

Jack's lessons plow their way out of Richard's memory. "If you're in trouble, there's always a weapon. You just have to find it." Even in the gloom, Richard can make out a thick branch broken off under the weight of ice from a late Fall storm. Grabbing it, he dives from the dark shelter of the trees and smashes the branch against the back of Cedric's head. The gun clatters from Cedric's grasp as he crashes to the sidewalk. Esposito grabs it and, rising painfully, points it at Cedric's head. "You all right, Ryan?"

The slim detective pushes himself up from the ground. "I'll live." He snaps handcuffs on the wrists of the semi-conscious prisoner. "That was one hell of a hit, Castle. You must have had a great Little League coach."

"I never played baseball," Richard confides, "but I have had some great coaching."

Kate waves enthusiastically as Richard enters her hospital room. "Hey, Castle! Ryan called me a little while ago and told me what you did last night, going after Cedric. It sounded amazing!"

Richard feels heat creeping into his face. "Try desperate. But with that asshole Cedric standing there with a gun over the guys, I didn't have much choice. He probably would have come after me next."

Kate shakes her head. "That's not the way Ryan tells it. Even if you were desperate, it was still impressive. And hopefully, with Cedric handcuffed to a bed in the prison ward at Belleview, you won't have to do an encore."

"That is a relief," Richard confides. "But speaking about being handcuffed to a bed, when are they supposed to let you out of this place?"

"The doctor said if everything stays on track, it's going to be a couple more days. Lanie talked to him and I gave permission for her to look at my chart. She says that's about right. They had to remove my spleen to stop the bleeding. Normally, that would only take a couple of small incisions, but the bullet made kind of a mess. They had to cut more, so it will take longer to heal. But if no complications pop up and the department shrink signs off on it, I should be able to go back to work in a few weeks. I'll have to requalify on the range to carry my weapon, too."

Richard pulls up a chair beside Kate's bed. "So what are you planning to do during all that time?"

"As soon as the doctor OK's a trip upstate, my dad and I are going to spend some time in his cabin. This was the first year he didn't retreat up there for the whole holiday season to get away from his memories of Mom's death. In a way, going there together, we'll both be healing."

"How long will you be staying away from the city?"

"I don't know, Castle. My dad and I have a lot to talk about that we've never been able to talk about before. But the cell service is spotty up there, and there's no internet connection. I don't think Dad or I will be able to deal with that for too long. He has a suit scheduled to go to trial in a couple of months. He'll want to be fully prepared."

"And you'll be anxious to get back on your crimebusting horse?"

"Among other things. Castle, the night we had together, I haven't forgotten a minute of it. And I'm not trying to hide from it or from you. I want us to be together. I'll just need the time away to get everything straight in my head – and my body – first. Can you understand that?"

Richard forces a smile. "Sure, Beckett. I get it. And while you're gone, I can write ahead of my deadlines and get some fundraiser stuff out of the way. We'll be free to forge full speed ahead when you return."

"Sounds good, Castle, but while I'm still stuck in this bed, can you do me a favor?"

"Anything. What do you need?"

"I don't really need it, but I'd love to see a picture of Cedric handcuffed."

"Ah, the bloodthirsty Beckett rises again. I wouldn't mind having a picture like that to put up in my office. I'll see what I can do – for both of us."