Richard Castle, Watcher: New York, August 2009 - Part 3
Richard Castle, Watcher
Author: Starfox5
Rating: FR18
Crossover: “Castle”
Written for: TtH August Fic A Day Challenge
Disclaimer: BtVS/AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy. Castle Characters belong to Beacon Pictures and ABC Studio. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.
Summary: A demon vigilante. This might be a first for Castle.
New York, August 2009
Beckett arrived right on time at Castle’s that evening. Castle checked the mirror, then opened the door.
The detective entered, then remarked: “You know, not inviting anyone into your flat will take some time to get used to it. some people might consider you rude.”
“I’m rich, so I’m not rude but eccentric,” Castle grinned at her, then proceeded to help her out of her coat.
“I thought we’d chase down leads.”
“We will. But Vi’s a bit delayed,” Castle explained. “Can I offer you a drink?”
“Water please. And what did she do? Break a nail playing with her swords?”
“Oh, snark! Well done! That’s so going into the book!” Castle grinned, and went to fetch her a glass of water, as well as a beer for himself.
“You’re actually writing a book about me? That’s not just some cover?” Beckett sounded as if she was actually surprised.
“Of course not! Why would you think that?” He might have not told her that demons and magic were real, and that he had been hunting vampires for 20 years, but why would she assume he lied to her about his plans for his next book?
“Because so much else about you is a lie,” Beckett answered in a flat tone.
Castle chuckled, though the accusation stung more than a bit. “I’ve been a paragon of openness. Even my fiction books are based on true stories.”
“You play the eccentric author, but you’re actually a veteran demon hunter. You play the fop and hide your skills and experience with the help of Vi… oh no. Please don’t tell me you’re imitating Bruce Wayne.” The detective stared at him.
“I’m not wearing a bat costume at night. Unless you want me to in the bedroom!” Rick gave her another ruggedly handsome smile. “But I can assure you: I am neither as rich, nor as neurotic as Bruce Wayne. And, sadly, not as built either.”
“He’s a comic character, Castle,” the detective said sighing.
“I know! That’s an unfair advantage right there!”
“Can you be serious for once?”
“You started with the Batman meme,” Castle grinned at her. “But… if you think I am not serious, then you’d be horrified by the Council’s leadership, Well, apart from my ex-wife and Rupert. They are as stuffy as it gets.”
“And yet Mary Wilkinson married you.”
“That she did. I think that was due to my ruggedly handsome charm.” And his persistence. And probably the lack of handsome british Watchers who didn’t think she should be a housewife after marriage.
“And you ran out of that during the marriage?” Beckett sounded far too sceptical there for his taste.
“I regained my mojo once I was free of the tweedy clutches of that woman!” No need to mention Gina the money and soul stealing bitch.
“You’re no Austin Powers either.”
“I might not be an international man of mystery, but I write mysteries, and I am far better looking than he is.”
“Can we focus on the case now?” The detective rolled her eyes at him. He’d mark that as admitting defeat.
“Of course.” He pulled a few files up on his laptop and turned it towards her. “We found a few leads. Or leads to leads, to be precise. There was a local historian, Dr. Burton, who had been writing a story about the “Noose Murders”, before his untimely demise. His estate was bought by a man named Andrej Miller, apparently a collector of old texts.” Beckett was staring at him for a second, then started to read the files.
“Did this local historian actually die of old age?” She looked up from the laptop and met his eyes.
“His heart gave out during intercourse with a woman 60 years his junior.” Castle sighed. Once, that would have been his favorite death. Beckett rolled her eyes again, but didn’t comment further until she had finished reading the file. “Does Mister Miller expect us?”
“He didn’t answer his phone all day.”
“So we’re going to see if he answers his door?” Beckett sounded incredulous. “That’s not really… wait. You’re planning to enter his home no matter if he’s there or not.”
“Ask me no question, hear no lie?”
“Castle!” She stood up from her seat and looked down at him. “You can’t just break into a man’s house!”
“Actually I could. But I won’t,” he stated as sincerely as he could.
“I am glad to hear you have some sense left!” She shook her head at him, muttering something under her breath he missed.
Just then the door opened, and Vi walked in, dressed all in black, from skin-tight top to leather pants and ankle boots. “Hi detective. Ready to join us on our little fact-finding mission?”
Beckett took one look at her, and turned back to Castle. “You lied! You’re having her break in!”
“Technically, I didn’t lie. And for the record: I am not saying Vi will break in either.”
Before she could answer that, he continued. “Anyway… let’s be on our way. It would be rude to arrive too late at the man’s house.”
“Not as rude as breaking into his home,” Beckett retorted, but she followed him and Vi without trying to arrest either.
Castle smiled. They’d make a Scoobie out of her yet.
*****
“He’s not at home. And don’t try to sneak off, Vi. We’re not breaking into a house,” Beckett stated, after ringing the doorbell for five minutes.
“We’re not.” Vi had stopped halfway to the corner of the wall.
“Don’t try to mince words!” the detective hissed. “I’m not going to let you… what are you doing?”
Vi was sniffing the air, frowning.
Castle knew that face. “Demons?”
“I smell decaying flesh,” His Slayer answered.
“Could be a zombie then.” Castle nodded. “Enough of a reason to check it out. Legally,” he added with a glance at Beckett.
“What?” she was gaping at him.
“If there could be a demon or zombie, we’ve got enough of a reason to enter the house and check it out. Like the Police, just for demons.”
“The Police is following the law!” Beckett put her hands on her hips and pressed her jaws together.
“So are we. Our law’s just a bit older. And our jurisdiction bigger.” He smiled apologetically at her. Behind her, Vi added “Just think of us as the Feds for demons!”
“The Feds don’t do such things.”
“Well, they should!” Vi stated, then disappeared around the corner, leaving Castle alone with an angry, armed cop. Sometimes his Slayer really didn’t know her priorities.
“Are you honestly claiming that just because Vi smelled some rotten meat, you can legally enter a stranger’s house?”
“Yes?” Castle didn’t see the problem there.
“This is crazy. I am not smelling anything.”
“Well, neither am I, but Vi’s got the nose of a bloodhound,” Castle smiled and held up his hand. “Please, no bitch jokes.”
“Not everyone is fond of teenage humor, Castle.”
Before Castle could answer, the door opened. Vi stood there with a grim expression. “The owner’s at home. Kind of - he’s hanging from the ceiling.”
*****
“So, we got our second victim. Or first, since he died before the park guy,” Detective Esposito shook his head. “How did you notice the corpse?”
“We were looking for the writings of a man who had been about to write a book about a string of murders like this, the ‘Noose Murders’, back in the 19th century. Mister Miller was the current owner of them. When he didn’t answer the door, and Vi saw something hanging through the windows, we grew suspicious and entered.” Castle wasn’t about to go into more details. He was pretty certain this case wouldn’t see a courtroom.
“Wow, that’s creepy. A copycat killer, a 150 years after the original!” The detective shook his head.
“Well, maybe the ghost of the murderer returned. Or he woke up from suspended animation. Or it was an immortal demon, killing criminals who escaped the law.” Castle lowered his voice.
Esposito sighed and exchanged a glance with his partner, detective Ryan. “Yeah, sure, Castle. Did he have what you were looking for?”
Castle ignored the look. He had expected that - he had made the comment to get that reaction, after all. “Yes. That man has had a very big library, focused on the occult. Almost as big as mine. Detective Beckett is currently reading the notes we came for, together with Vi.”
“Those two are working together?” Ryan sounded incredulous.
“Should we take cover?” Esposito added.
“They’re not that bad. We drove here together,” Castle frowned at the two men.
“Well, that was the truce of the road,” Esposito said, nodding slowly. “You can’t afford to distract Vi when she’s driving, or you might cause a crash.”
The way he said it… “She invited you for a quick drive, right? What was it, a doughnut run?” Castle asked, suppressing his smirk.
“Coffee,” Esposito confirmed his guess.
Castle chuckled. He’d have to ask Vi if she had made any pictures. You never knew when you needed some material for blackmail.
*****
“So… those were extensive notes. The author Dr. Burton had researched the murders very thoroughly. He even had a suspect identified, and found his grave,” Beckett summed the notes up she and the Slayer had studied.
“He researched the man’s grave?” Castle asked, with a sinking feeling in his stomach. That didn’t sound well.
“Yes,” Beckett answered, her puzzlement giving way to growing comprehension. “You expect he raised the dead?”
“Or set free a demon trapped in a corpse. We’ll have to check the grave.” He didn’t like that - it took a lot of effort to make Vi dig, even though she was far more stronger than he was.
“Great. Breaking and entering, and now grave robbing.”
“All in a day’s work!” Castle smiled brightly at the woman. “Though we’re not robbing the grave. We’re just checking if the owner is still there, or went walkabout.” Although anything that looked dangerous or useful might go missing, of course.
“And if we go right now, we might catch a fledgling vampire at the cemetery!” Vi sounded eager. No surprise there. All Slayers usually were spoiling for a fight. Some just hid it better.
Castle nodded. “She’s right. With a bit of luck, you can stake your first vampire tonight!”
“Hey! I thought of that first, so any vampires we find are mine! She can get her own vampire to stake!”
“Don’t be greedy, Vi! We don’t even know if there will be a vampire or not.”
The two had reached his car when Castle noticed Beckett hadn’t been following them, but was still standing where they had been talking, staring at them. “Aren’t you coming?”
Beckett glared at him, as if he had said something wrong.
Author: Starfox5
Rating: FR18
Crossover: “Castle”
Written for: TtH August Fic A Day Challenge
Disclaimer: BtVS/AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy. Castle Characters belong to Beacon Pictures and ABC Studio. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.
Summary: A demon vigilante. This might be a first for Castle.
New York, August 2009
Beckett arrived right on time at Castle’s that evening. Castle checked the mirror, then opened the door.
The detective entered, then remarked: “You know, not inviting anyone into your flat will take some time to get used to it. some people might consider you rude.”
“I’m rich, so I’m not rude but eccentric,” Castle grinned at her, then proceeded to help her out of her coat.
“I thought we’d chase down leads.”
“We will. But Vi’s a bit delayed,” Castle explained. “Can I offer you a drink?”
“Water please. And what did she do? Break a nail playing with her swords?”
“Oh, snark! Well done! That’s so going into the book!” Castle grinned, and went to fetch her a glass of water, as well as a beer for himself.
“You’re actually writing a book about me? That’s not just some cover?” Beckett sounded as if she was actually surprised.
“Of course not! Why would you think that?” He might have not told her that demons and magic were real, and that he had been hunting vampires for 20 years, but why would she assume he lied to her about his plans for his next book?
“Because so much else about you is a lie,” Beckett answered in a flat tone.
Castle chuckled, though the accusation stung more than a bit. “I’ve been a paragon of openness. Even my fiction books are based on true stories.”
“You play the eccentric author, but you’re actually a veteran demon hunter. You play the fop and hide your skills and experience with the help of Vi… oh no. Please don’t tell me you’re imitating Bruce Wayne.” The detective stared at him.
“I’m not wearing a bat costume at night. Unless you want me to in the bedroom!” Rick gave her another ruggedly handsome smile. “But I can assure you: I am neither as rich, nor as neurotic as Bruce Wayne. And, sadly, not as built either.”
“He’s a comic character, Castle,” the detective said sighing.
“I know! That’s an unfair advantage right there!”
“Can you be serious for once?”
“You started with the Batman meme,” Castle grinned at her. “But… if you think I am not serious, then you’d be horrified by the Council’s leadership, Well, apart from my ex-wife and Rupert. They are as stuffy as it gets.”
“And yet Mary Wilkinson married you.”
“That she did. I think that was due to my ruggedly handsome charm.” And his persistence. And probably the lack of handsome british Watchers who didn’t think she should be a housewife after marriage.
“And you ran out of that during the marriage?” Beckett sounded far too sceptical there for his taste.
“I regained my mojo once I was free of the tweedy clutches of that woman!” No need to mention Gina the money and soul stealing bitch.
“You’re no Austin Powers either.”
“I might not be an international man of mystery, but I write mysteries, and I am far better looking than he is.”
“Can we focus on the case now?” The detective rolled her eyes at him. He’d mark that as admitting defeat.
“Of course.” He pulled a few files up on his laptop and turned it towards her. “We found a few leads. Or leads to leads, to be precise. There was a local historian, Dr. Burton, who had been writing a story about the “Noose Murders”, before his untimely demise. His estate was bought by a man named Andrej Miller, apparently a collector of old texts.” Beckett was staring at him for a second, then started to read the files.
“Did this local historian actually die of old age?” She looked up from the laptop and met his eyes.
“His heart gave out during intercourse with a woman 60 years his junior.” Castle sighed. Once, that would have been his favorite death. Beckett rolled her eyes again, but didn’t comment further until she had finished reading the file. “Does Mister Miller expect us?”
“He didn’t answer his phone all day.”
“So we’re going to see if he answers his door?” Beckett sounded incredulous. “That’s not really… wait. You’re planning to enter his home no matter if he’s there or not.”
“Ask me no question, hear no lie?”
“Castle!” She stood up from her seat and looked down at him. “You can’t just break into a man’s house!”
“Actually I could. But I won’t,” he stated as sincerely as he could.
“I am glad to hear you have some sense left!” She shook her head at him, muttering something under her breath he missed.
Just then the door opened, and Vi walked in, dressed all in black, from skin-tight top to leather pants and ankle boots. “Hi detective. Ready to join us on our little fact-finding mission?”
Beckett took one look at her, and turned back to Castle. “You lied! You’re having her break in!”
“Technically, I didn’t lie. And for the record: I am not saying Vi will break in either.”
Before she could answer that, he continued. “Anyway… let’s be on our way. It would be rude to arrive too late at the man’s house.”
“Not as rude as breaking into his home,” Beckett retorted, but she followed him and Vi without trying to arrest either.
Castle smiled. They’d make a Scoobie out of her yet.
*****
“He’s not at home. And don’t try to sneak off, Vi. We’re not breaking into a house,” Beckett stated, after ringing the doorbell for five minutes.
“We’re not.” Vi had stopped halfway to the corner of the wall.
“Don’t try to mince words!” the detective hissed. “I’m not going to let you… what are you doing?”
Vi was sniffing the air, frowning.
Castle knew that face. “Demons?”
“I smell decaying flesh,” His Slayer answered.
“Could be a zombie then.” Castle nodded. “Enough of a reason to check it out. Legally,” he added with a glance at Beckett.
“What?” she was gaping at him.
“If there could be a demon or zombie, we’ve got enough of a reason to enter the house and check it out. Like the Police, just for demons.”
“The Police is following the law!” Beckett put her hands on her hips and pressed her jaws together.
“So are we. Our law’s just a bit older. And our jurisdiction bigger.” He smiled apologetically at her. Behind her, Vi added “Just think of us as the Feds for demons!”
“The Feds don’t do such things.”
“Well, they should!” Vi stated, then disappeared around the corner, leaving Castle alone with an angry, armed cop. Sometimes his Slayer really didn’t know her priorities.
“Are you honestly claiming that just because Vi smelled some rotten meat, you can legally enter a stranger’s house?”
“Yes?” Castle didn’t see the problem there.
“This is crazy. I am not smelling anything.”
“Well, neither am I, but Vi’s got the nose of a bloodhound,” Castle smiled and held up his hand. “Please, no bitch jokes.”
“Not everyone is fond of teenage humor, Castle.”
Before Castle could answer, the door opened. Vi stood there with a grim expression. “The owner’s at home. Kind of - he’s hanging from the ceiling.”
*****
“So, we got our second victim. Or first, since he died before the park guy,” Detective Esposito shook his head. “How did you notice the corpse?”
“We were looking for the writings of a man who had been about to write a book about a string of murders like this, the ‘Noose Murders’, back in the 19th century. Mister Miller was the current owner of them. When he didn’t answer the door, and Vi saw something hanging through the windows, we grew suspicious and entered.” Castle wasn’t about to go into more details. He was pretty certain this case wouldn’t see a courtroom.
“Wow, that’s creepy. A copycat killer, a 150 years after the original!” The detective shook his head.
“Well, maybe the ghost of the murderer returned. Or he woke up from suspended animation. Or it was an immortal demon, killing criminals who escaped the law.” Castle lowered his voice.
Esposito sighed and exchanged a glance with his partner, detective Ryan. “Yeah, sure, Castle. Did he have what you were looking for?”
Castle ignored the look. He had expected that - he had made the comment to get that reaction, after all. “Yes. That man has had a very big library, focused on the occult. Almost as big as mine. Detective Beckett is currently reading the notes we came for, together with Vi.”
“Those two are working together?” Ryan sounded incredulous.
“Should we take cover?” Esposito added.
“They’re not that bad. We drove here together,” Castle frowned at the two men.
“Well, that was the truce of the road,” Esposito said, nodding slowly. “You can’t afford to distract Vi when she’s driving, or you might cause a crash.”
The way he said it… “She invited you for a quick drive, right? What was it, a doughnut run?” Castle asked, suppressing his smirk.
“Coffee,” Esposito confirmed his guess.
Castle chuckled. He’d have to ask Vi if she had made any pictures. You never knew when you needed some material for blackmail.
*****
“So… those were extensive notes. The author Dr. Burton had researched the murders very thoroughly. He even had a suspect identified, and found his grave,” Beckett summed the notes up she and the Slayer had studied.
“He researched the man’s grave?” Castle asked, with a sinking feeling in his stomach. That didn’t sound well.
“Yes,” Beckett answered, her puzzlement giving way to growing comprehension. “You expect he raised the dead?”
“Or set free a demon trapped in a corpse. We’ll have to check the grave.” He didn’t like that - it took a lot of effort to make Vi dig, even though she was far more stronger than he was.
“Great. Breaking and entering, and now grave robbing.”
“All in a day’s work!” Castle smiled brightly at the woman. “Though we’re not robbing the grave. We’re just checking if the owner is still there, or went walkabout.” Although anything that looked dangerous or useful might go missing, of course.
“And if we go right now, we might catch a fledgling vampire at the cemetery!” Vi sounded eager. No surprise there. All Slayers usually were spoiling for a fight. Some just hid it better.
Castle nodded. “She’s right. With a bit of luck, you can stake your first vampire tonight!”
“Hey! I thought of that first, so any vampires we find are mine! She can get her own vampire to stake!”
“Don’t be greedy, Vi! We don’t even know if there will be a vampire or not.”
The two had reached his car when Castle noticed Beckett hadn’t been following them, but was still standing where they had been talking, staring at them. “Aren’t you coming?”
Beckett glared at him, as if he had said something wrong.