The Time of Our Lives (Editing)

Chapter 13: It's a go.

I rub my right temple and lean on my desk. It has been exactly 10 hours since I have slept, and I just want to close my eyes. Just, for five minutes.

I have spent most of my time at the precinct, trying to figure out where Castle could be. Alexis said all of his things are still at the hotel, including his birth certificate. Also all of his clothes and his computer, so he hasn't left the state. Unless, of course, they took him illegally. She also tracked his phone, and found it inside of his rental car that was parked at the bookstore.

So, I have no leads. No way to figure out where he is, and no idea if he is dead or alive.

I choke back tears as I study the murder board. Castle's name and his picture are in the middle, and around his picture, facts about the case and pictures of possible captors sit. But none of them make sense. How can we have no leads? How are we at a dead end?

My phone rings and I answer it right away. "Kate," Lanie's voice says when I put it to my ear. "Yeah," I say, but my voice sounds weak and I look away from the board. I need to calm down before speaking any more.

"Look, I think I have an idea of where Castle is." She says and I perk up. She tells me to come to the morgue and we hang up. I ride the elevator down to the morgue, too anxious to feel sick. The doors open and I rush down the short hall. I burst in. "Where is he?" I say before she can even look up and greet me.

"Calm down, Kate. I don't actually know where he is, but I think it had something to do with the murder in Orlando." I put my head in my hands. Of course! Why didn't I think of this before?

"Lanie, I need Detective Cordero's number." She nods and checks her phone for the number. When she finds it, she hands me the phone and I transfer the number to my own phone.

"I have to go. Thank you for your help, Lanie." I say and she smiles. "Of course," She says and I rush back up to my desk.

I sit down and dial the number. I put the phone to my ear and wait. He answers the phone on the fourth ring. "Detective Cordero," He says and I grab a pen, just in case I need it. "Hi, this is Kate Beckett. I am from the NYPD." I pause before continuing. "One of our own has gone missing, and we have reason to believe he is being held hostage in Orlando, right now."

"I'm sorry, Detective Beckett, but how does this pertain to me?" He asks, his tone short and annoyed. I  sigh and set the pen down. He seems like he isn't going to be much help, after all.  "Richard Castle. His name is Richard Castle. And he also happens to be my husband. So, detective, I would like it very much if you would be a lot more helpful and look for him." He sighs on the other end but says nothing. I roll my eyes. "My medical examiner is Lanie Parish. She autopsied Lila Patterson. I was informed that there was a murder down there that tied into the murder of Julian Snow." He pauses for a second. "I can get a search out, but that is all I can do for you at the moment."  He says and I smile. At least he is willing to look. "Thank you." I say sincerely and he hangs up.I feel much better.

But not better enough.

I stand up and walk into Captain Gates' office. I knock on the door frame and she waves me in.

"Detective, make this quick. I am busy." She says and I nod. I sit in one of the chairs. "Sir," I say. "I would like permission to go down to Orlando." She looks up at me and stops. "And why is that?" She asks. I sigh. "I need to find Castle. And, they are working on an extension of our case. I believe I could help." She nods.

"Very well then," She says. "I'll see what I can do. But you are pregnant, detective. I can't guarantee you will go, and if I must admit, your chances of going are slim to none." I nod. If I am not allowed to go, as a police officer, then I might just have to take a vacation.