278. Chapter 278

After Veritas, Again

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: It is true. I do not own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above.

Author's note: After Veritas is Chapter 102.

Richard Castle was a happy man. He was walking into the 12th Precinct, and for the first time, in years, he wouldn't have to worry about Kate being killed by Senator Bracken. That was over. He checked the two coffees he had purchased and inhaled the scent of a bear claw with cherry icing. He loved the scent of cherries and he loved Kate Beckett.

Kate was sitting alone at her desk. Ryan and Esposito were nowhere to be seen. He leaned over her shoulder and put the coffee cup down in front of her. "Hi, gorgeous. I also have a bear claw for you, if you're a good girl." He lowered his voice. "And a bear claw and coffee if you're a bad girl."

Kate quickly turned and looked up at him. She didn't look at all happy. "Kate, what's…"

She cut him off, standing up. "Not now. Not here. Castle, just take me home. Now. Please." She headed for the elevator at a brisk walk. He put the other coffee and the bear claw down and hurried after her.

He caught up with her at the elevator and opened his mouth to ask her what was going on, but two uniforms stopped and waited for the elevator. Kate gave him a slight shake of her head. Whatever it was, she didn't want anyone to know.

They rode the elevator to the garage. Kate took his hand and led him to her patrol car. Suddenly, she turned and pulled him behind a concrete pillar. Her arms went around him and she pressed her face against his chest.

"I should have killed the bastard. I should have shot him right there in the hotel when I had the chance."

Castle's heart rate shot up. "Bracken? What is it? Kate! Tell me. Is he out of jail? Did his lawyers do something? Kate, are you in danger?"

Kate didn't appear to listen to him. "But if I'd killed the bastard, I'd have had to run. I either would have had to take you away from your family and everything, or leave you behind, knowing you'd spend the rest of your life looking for me." She hugged him fiercely. "I'm so lucky to have you. So lucky that you love me. So lucky that you put up with me for all this time." She leaned up and kissed him. "But I should have killed him."

"Kate! Please? What's Bracken doing?"

She shook her head. "It's not Bracken. It's Donovan, the IA Captain."

Castle was shocked. "Kate, he can't possibly be after you for anything. You brought down Bracken. You're a hero."

"It's not me he's after. The tape that got us Bracken also proved that Raglan, McCallister and Roy Montgomery were dirty cops."

Castle didn't understand. "They're all dead. What can Donovan do to them now?"

"Not to them, but Donovan wants to prove that Montgomery didn't die heroically in a gun fight with an escaped killer, but was killed when fellow criminals fell out with him. That could mean that Evelyn Montgomery could lose her police pension. At the very least, Roy Montgomery's memory will be that of a dirty cop and not a hero."

"But he was a hero."

"And dirty." Kate said sadly.

Kate reached into her pocket and pulled out her car keys. "You drive. Take me home, Castle."

Once in the car, Kate leaned on his shoulder and put her hand on his thigh. "Thank you for everything. I love you so much, Castle."

"I love you more than anything." He said softly. "Don't worry. We'll handle this. We always do."

Once back in the loft, they tried to think of something to do, but came up empty. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Kate put her hand on her sidearm and motioned for Castle to answer the door. Standing there was a tall slender, grey haired woman. She smiled at Castle.

"Mr. Castle? I'm Detective Di Salvo, Internal Affairs. There's an investigation into the death of Captain Roy Montgomery. As a civilian, you can't be compelled to appear, but we'd appreciate it." She looked beyond Castle. "Detective Beckett already knows she has to be there. Have a good day, sir."

Closing the door, he turned to Kate. "Should I go?"

She nodded. "The more friends of Roy Montgomery there are, the better. But I just have no idea what we should do."

Castle headed for his office. "I do."

"What?"

"Like I always say, I know a guy. In fact I know lots of guys."

Kate listened in. Castle was calling a lawyer. When he hung up, she went into his office. "You're calling a lawyer."

He smiled at her. "Saying that I called a lawyer, is like saying King Kong is a monkey. Now let's go over what happened that night. They'll probably interview us separately, so we don't want to screw up our stories. Then I'll make you the best dinner you've ever had and we'll get a good night's sleep."

Kate smiled. "Shouldn't something come between dinner and a good night's sleep?"

Castle laughed.

The next morning, Castle drove Beckett to One Police Plaza, where the hearing was to be held. They were directed to a hearing room and waited outside. Kate saw Javi and Kevin in the hallway outside the hearing room, but the corridor was jammed with men and women in expensive suits who gave off a definite non-police vibe.

"Rick!" A well dressed older man with a white goatee called to Rick. He took Kate's arm and led her over to him.

"Detective Kate Beckett, this is my attorney, Bernard Temple."

Mr. Temple held out his hand and Kate shook it. "Bernard Temple? Of Temple, Ross and Cleland?" Kate was impressed. Bernard Temple was easily the best lawyer in New York. Maybe in the US.

Temple nodded. "Please Ms. Beckett, call me Bernie. We'll be representing Rick, you, and Detectives Esposito and Ryan. And anyone else who needs our help."

Kate looked around. "How many attorneys do you have here?"

"Only seventeen are here, but I have a good many more back at the office doing background work. I think we have enough."

Kate looked at Rick. "Rick…"

"Hey, nothing is going to happen to you, Espo and Ryan, or Evelyn Montgomery."

"I wouldn't worry about anything, Ms. Beckett." Temple added.

The hearing room door opened and Captain Donovan walked out and did a double take at the sight of all the people waiting. "Who are all you people?"

Temple walked over and shook his hand. "Captain Donovan? I'm Bernard Temple. I'll be representing Mr. Castle, and Detectives Beckett, Ryan and Esposito. Are we ready to go?"

"This is rather irregular…" Donovan began.

At once, three lawyers were at Bernie's elbow, explaining the law, regulations, NYPD's own rules, and precedents to Donovan.

Eventually Donovan waved them away. "We'll start with Mr. Castle."

After initial introduction of who was there, etc, Donovan began. "Mr. Castle, on the night Roy Montgomery was killed, did he telephone you?"

"Yes, he did."

"Could you tell us the nature of that call?"

Castle explained the nature of the call and the actions that Montgomery had asked him to take.

"Didn't it occur to you to call the police and report this, Mr. Castle? You do have some familiarity with police procedures, do you not?"

Temple put his hand on Castle's arm to stop him from talking. "Excuse me, Captain Donovan, but I thought it was clear from Mr. Castle's testimony that he was in contact with the police, Captain Roy Montgomery being a duly sworn police officer at the time. Surely Mr. Castle can't be faulted for helping a police officer in a difficult situation?"

One lawyer after another spoke up, citing similar cases. Two hours later, Castle left the hearing, happily noting that the waters were muddier than ever.

He winked at Kate. "Just let Bernie guide you, and remember I love you."

By four o'clock, the hearing was over and Bernard Temple was a happy man. He put his arm around Rick and smiled at Rick and Kate. "I could really work up a dislike for Captain Donovan if I cared enough about him. See you two for drinks later, Rick?"

When he left, Kate looked at Rick. "Drinks?"

"First I'm taking you to the best Chinese restaurant in New York, then drinks with Bernie."

After dinner the two met with Bernie at a small, but very expensive bar. They joined Bernie at his table.

"I talked to the police commissioner over dinner, Rick. I let him know who he was dealing with."

Rick smiled. "You're the best, Bernie. That's why I called you."

Bernie laughed. "I am the best, but I told the commissioner he'd be dealing with Rick Castle and Detective Kate Beckett. I said you could write quite a best seller based loosely on how the NYPD screwed this case up and almost let a sociopath become President. Not to mention how a gorgeous detective, the inspiration for Nikki Heat, wouldn't let hired guns, a bullet in the chest or a powerful senator stop her. As you can imagine, the commissioner hated hearing that. We'll have no problems with Internal Affairs."

"Bernie, I'd never write a book like that and Kate would never go head to head with the NYPD."

Bernie shrugged. "You two know that, I know that, but the commissioner doesn't, does be?"

The next day the hearing concluded that there was insufficient evidence to change the ruling that Captain Roy Montgomery had died heroically, in the line of duty.

As the crowd of lawyers and police dispersed, Kate suddenly came face to face with Evelyn Montgomery.

"Evelyn. I'm so sorry. I'd have done anything…."

"You did what you had to do, Detective Beckett. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see about my children." She pushed past Kate and Rick and left. Kate could just see tears forming in the woman's eyes.

"Why didn't I shoot that murdering bastard when I had the chance?" Kate whispered. "Now everyone knows what Roy did."

"Because you're an honest and honorable person who will always do the right thing, no matter what." He kissed her quickly. "It's one of the many, many reasons I love you."

Kate returned the kiss. "Just when I think I've found all the reasons I love you, I find more."

"Let's go home, Kate."