Papa Jack Chapter 115

Near the apartment on 74th Street, Kate settles in behind the wheel of the car she borrowed from Castle. She briefly had a car of her own when she was at Stanford. In California, it's almost impossible to get around without one. But she sold the vehicle before transferring to college in New York. There are very few places in the city that can't be reached either by public transportation or a simple walk. Parking a car is difficult and expensive. Later, as a member of the NYPD, she was assigned a vehicle for official purposes, and her apartment was within walking distance of the 12th Precinct. Now, she can easily take the subway to SUSI's offices, but staking someone out requires a car.

Castle was casual about lending Kate his sedan. He said that in an emergency, he could always drive the Ferrari he'd purchased in the exultant rush when he'd made his first million. He'd quit driving it very often upon discovering it was no faster in midtown traffic than a Volkswagon bug would be, and the women it attracted weren't the kind he really cared to see – other than at a distance. So mostly, the Ferrari sat under cover in the underground garage at his loft.

Although still partial to motorcycles, Kate wouldn't mind taking the Ferrari out on the road outside the city where she could feel the sun on her face and the wind in her lengthening hair. When she has the time, maybe she will. But at the moment, the sedan is what she needs for surveillance purposes.

Linton, as he calls himself, has been in and out several times without taking the Fusion. Kate followed him on foot, watching him patronize a small deli at the corner of 76th and Columbus, a restaurant, and a bakery a few doors down. The man clearly likes to eat but apparently not to cook. Watching him at the restaurant, she realizes that he has indeed replaced the gold tooth that sparked his former nickname. Kate attends to her urgent needs while Linton dines. Still, she wonders when he'll resume his duties for Beetson. She doesn't get her answer until mid-afternoon.

Kate's target slides behind the wheel of his Fusion and heads uptown. Suspecting that he's on his way to make collections in Harlem, Kate is able to hang a few car lengths back and avoid the danger of being spotted. Linton makes his first stop at Hattie's Chicken and Waffles, where even between the lunch and dinner hours, there's a good crowd. From the tempting mingling of sweet and savory in the aroma reaching the street, Kate can tell why. Linton doesn't stay long, and as full as his stomach must still be, Kate didn't expect that he would. There's no lump under his jacket, but he carries a leather satchel that can easily accommodate wads of protection money.

During the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening, Linton makes stops at 19 more businesses. Kate has a very good idea of his destination when he finally heads toward Washington Heights and is able to stay well back on the route to 2200 Jackson.

Unlike on his previous visit, Linton only stays a few minutes before returning to his vehicle and driving south again, almost to the border of Harlem. With his satchel tightly in hand, he makes the rounds of twenty businesses there before taking another drive up to Jackson Street. After a second rapid dropoff, he finally returns to his apartment on 74th Street.

Kate watches, wondering if he's in for the night. Finally, stopping along the way to fill the gas tank, Kate drives Richard's car back to the underground parking at the loft. She takes the elevator upstairs.

Just as Kate comes in, Richard is closing the laptop balanced across his thighs as he sprawls on the couch. "Perfect timing. I just finished roughing out another chapter. Have a good day at the stakeout?"

Kate shoves her hair behind her ears. "Once he finished stuffing his face, the former Flash was a busy bagman. He made two runs in two different neighborhoods and dropped his take up at Jackson Street both times."

"And, of course, you took careful notes on all the businesses he leaned on."

"Believe it! I'll start talking to the owners tomorrow and see if I can get any of them to admit they're being squeezed."

"That's not going to be easy," Richard guesses. "While you were out I did some checking on Beetson. The Metro reporters at The Ledger put out some stories about his alleged rackets. He's called 'The Beater' for a reason. There have been a lot of his victims admitted to ERs for what they claimed were injuries from falls. The doctors suspected otherwise, but none of the injured were willing to talk to the cops. So, there was nothing the NYPD could do. But you think they'll talk to you?"

"Maybe. I'm no longer a cop, and if I explain that an innocent man is trapped in prison because of Linton, I may have some luck. Anyway, I've got to try. If I can't get something I can use to put the screws to Linton, Bert Josephson could die behind bars. I can't let that happen if there's anything I can do to stop it."

Setting his laptop aside, Richard heaves himself from the sofa and wraps Kate in his arms. "I know you can't. That's one of the reasons I love you." As Kate stretches up for a kiss, her stomach rumbles. Richard barely suppresses a laugh. "Mmm, hungry for more than love?"

Kate smiles, stroking his cheek. "This time, I didn't have anyone to make a snack run."

"Ah, perhaps you should take a bag lunch with you tomorrow. However, aside from how to make sloppy joes, my dad taught me to appreciate the virtues of a Crock Pot. I thought you might be in the mood for something substantial. I've had a roast slow cooking all day."

Kate finishes delivering a kiss. "That sounds wonderful!"

"Glad you approve. The coffee is almost fresh, and we've still got some brownies for dessert."

"You know," Kate says, grabbing Richard's hand for the short walk to the kitchen, "I really should marry you."

"Last time I checked, you're going to do that on March 30."

"Right, I am. And considering that, can I borrow your car again tomorrow?"

"Mi coche es tu coche. Ooh," Richard exclaims, "that sounds sexier than what it means."

Kate bumps her hip against his. "We should investigate that, but before we do, let's eat."

"As long as that roast has been cooking, it should slide down our throats. Whoa! That sounded sexy, too."

Kate's eyes stare questioningly at her fiancé. "Castle, something's been heating up around here besides that roast. What was in the chapter you were writing?"

"Um, Nikki and Rook go to Coney Island."

"Coney Island? What were they doing at Coney Island?"

"Exploring the boardwalk, or more accurately, what was under the boardwalk – some very personal exploration."

Kate grabs a handful of Richard's firm behind. "I'm all for very personal exploration. The more personal, the better. But let's eat first."

A grin splits Richard's face. "Indeed. I'm all for seeing your mouth around warm meat."