Castle Investigations Box Set

by Dee Bridgnorth

  "Hopefully, I'll have a few minutes to get the program loaded before she returns."

  "Just hurry," she said, frantic with worry that she'd be caught.

  "Trust me."

  She glanced at the screen and gasped.

  "What is it?" Zach asked.

  "A picture of Tariq and Haney together. It's open on the screen. Haney knows Tariq? But how?"

  "I'll figure it out."

  Cate heard Christy's voice in the hall outside.

  "She's coming," she hissed.

  "Close the screen down."

  "How do I do that?"

  There should be a button on the back, left-hand side. Just push it once, and the screen should fade to black.

  Cate felt for the button, found it, and pushed it just as Christy opened the door. She didn't have time to remove the thumb drive but plopped in her chair just as Christy turned around.

  "Sorry about that. Now, where were we?"

  Cate felt as if the black thumb drive was a flashing beacon just begging for Christy's attention. She tried to act normally and not look at the damned thing.

  "You told me to be careful."

  Christy sat down and crossed her arms on the desk.

  "Haney is dangerous, Cate. He knows people. Has connections."

  Cate wondered if she could get Christy to open up.

  "What do you know?" she asked.

  Christy cleared her throat.

  "It's not important what I know. What is important is that you keep yourself safe. Go away for a few days. Take cash. Get out of town."

  With those words, Christy directed her attention towards the computer screen, her hand hovering just above the mouse.

  "Wait!" Cate cried, then realized she sounded like a crazy person. "I mean, thank you. I know I lied to you. Deceived you. And yet, you're still being so kind. What do I owe you for the clothes and the stylist?"

  "Nothing. Haney paid for it all. It's not like he can take me to court for a refund." She laughed, throwing her head back. Cate realized how young she looked when she did that.

  "Why? Why do you do this?"

  "At first, I had no choice. Then I realized I could take care of these girls. The ones that are here willingly, that is—and maybe help those that aren't." Her cryptic words made Cate realize that Christy knew more than she was sharing. She guessed it was fear that kept her silent now. But maybe if they could get some evidence, they could get her to testify.

  Cate stood, hoping that the ten minutes Zach needed had passed. She walked to Christy’s desk, leaned forward as she grabbed the thumb drive and slipped it into her pocket, and reached out her hand to Christy, who took it in a firm handshake.

  "Thank you again. For everything," Cate said.

  "You're welcome."

  Cate walked towards the door, feeling her phone vibrate with a message. She reached into her pocket and saw that it was Zach.

  Done.

  Cate sighed in relief, but it was short-lived as Christy said, "Cate?"

  Fear crept up Cate's spine. Had she seen the program running before Zach had had a chance to complete the upload? What would she do?

  Cate turned around slowly. Christy stood, a look of determination on her face. Not anger or outrage.

  "Take these bastards down."

  The words were said softly and with a resolve so powerful, Cate felt courage steel her spine.

  "I will."

  Chapter 24

  Cate waited until she’d pulled up in front of her house to take her phone out and call Gabriel. She wasn't sure how he would receive her. He'd been angry when he’d left. Not at her, per se. She knew that. But maybe at everything—life, his mother, all the people in his life that had let him down.

  She knew the feeling, but she also knew that she didn't quite understand the level of betrayal that it took for a mother to try to kill her own son. She couldn't fathom it. Mothers were supposed to love their children. Protect them. Encourage them.

  Gabriel's mother had not done any of those things. And then, he’d thought that Cate had betrayed him five years ago. Even though she'd done nothing to make him think that, his own insecurities and the words of his mother had filled his mind. Her heart broke for him.

  Gathering her courage, she dialed his number. It went to voicemail.

  "Hey, Gabriel. It's Cate. I, uh, just wanted to say thanks for distracting Christy. And, uh, just wanted you to know that I'm home. Ok, talk to you later. Bye."

  She hit the end button and exited the car. Her mind was filled with images of Gabriel as a young boy, broken and abused. Determination steeled her spine as she realized that everyone, besides his friends at Castle Investigations, had left him. No one had ever proved to him that he was worth fighting for.

  Well, damn it, she was going to fight for him. Fight for them.

  A smile broke out on her face, and she dug around in her purse for her house key. She was going to show Gabriel that he was worthy of her love and that he deserved it. That they deserved each other.

  Hope filled her heart.

  She put her key into the door and pushed it open.

  "Legs! I'm home!" she called out. Blinding pain pierced her skull, and she fell to her knees. A set of black boots stepped into her line of sight as she struggled to remain conscious. A face, covered with a black beard, one she recognized from the night before, filled her vision.

  "Hello again, Cate," he spat, his rancid breath and the ache in her head making her nauseous. Another sharp pain sliced through her skull, and then everything went dark.

  * * * *

  Gabriel's talk with Isabel had gone well. Since she was his friend and a female, she'd recommended a therapist he could see on a regular basis that would be better suited for his recovery. Talking with her had finally given him hope that he would recover from this and have a fulfilling life. A life with Cate.

  Isabel had listened as he'd shared with her the details of what had happened all those years ago. He'd needed her to know. Needed to exorcise his demons.

  She'd listened. And then she’d said something that Gabriel hadn't even known he'd needed to hear.

  "You're normal," she'd said.

  Tears had filled his eyes and finally spilled over. Sobs had built in his chest and been expelled with such force that they had wracked his whole body. He’d sat shuddering and crying for longer than he realized. Once he was done, Isabel was there by his side.

  "It's ok," she'd said.

  "I'm sorry."

  "For what? Being human? I imagine that was long overdue."

  He'd nodded and stood.

  "Please don't—" he’d started.

  She'd made a motion like she was zipping her lips. "Not a word."

  Now, Carlotta took him towards Cate's house. He had gotten the message that she'd left several hours ago, and now he couldn't wait to hold her in his arms.

  Isabel had encouraged him to tell Cate how he felt about her. She had said that he was underestimating Cate's feelings for him. He hoped she was right.

  Gabriel drove around to the back of the townhouse and pulled into the garage. He knew the black sedan had been there that morning, and he figured subtlety was still a good practice. Although there was little about Carlotta that was subtle.

  When he entered the house, he immediately felt that something was off. Rounding the corner of the kitchen into the living room, he stopped, all the air leaving his body as if someone had punched him in the gut. On the floor, lying in front of the door, was Cate's purse, with blood puddling nearby. The door was standing open, and Cate wasn't there.

  Gabriel rushed over, looking around for any clues that might have been left behind. Nothing.

  He dug his phone out to call Zach.

  "Have you heard from Cate?" he asked.

  "A few hours ago. Right after she'd left Christy's. Why?"

  "She's not here. The door's wide open. Her purse is on the floor, and there's blood."

  "I'll gather the team. Get here as fast as you can." />
  Gabriel ended the call and grabbed the door to shut it when he saw Legs sitting in the tree in front of Cate's house.

  He moved closer to the tree, knowing he couldn't leave Cate's beloved cat out here alone.

  "Legs? Whatcha doing up there?" he crooned.

  The cat meowed, started down the tree, and jumped into his arms. He stroked her fur as she cried out to him about all that had happened.

  "Where's your mama?" he asked.

  Legs continued to meow, struggling to get closer to him and perching herself on his shoulder.

  "It's ok, girl. I'll find her."

  He set the cat down on the couch and ran down the steps to his car. He would find her. If it was the last thing he did.

  Chapter 25

  Cold. So cold.

  Water splashed against her face again, and Cate gasped.

  The shivering was so bad that she thought she'd convulse to death. Opening her eyes, she looked around the dimly lit room. She was strapped to a chair in only her bra and panties. There was a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling, and the man who'd taken her, Tariq's thug, was standing in front of her with a bucket.

  The scariest thing of all was the drain that her chair was sitting on top of. She had a feeling that the drain wasn't there for water.

  A shiver ran up her spine, and it mixed in with the other trembles wracking her body. Cate didn't know if she'd ever been so cold.

  She tried freeing her hands, which were tied behind her, but the restraints were too tight, cutting off the circulation to her fingers.

  "It is good you have finally joined us," he said in heavily accented English.

  "Thanks for rolling out the welcome mat," she deadpanned.

  The thug threw his head back in laughter. "You are funny. That smart mouth will only cause you more pain."

  Cate could taste the bile rising up the back of her throat, and she swallowed it back down. These guys thrived on weakness. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

  "More painful than looking at your ugly face?"

  She didn't even see it coming. His fist flew out so fast that she didn't have time to flinch. The blow hit her squarely across her cheekbone, the pain so bad that her head lolled to the side. She'd never been hit like that before. And she instinctively knew that it wouldn't be the last time. Consciousness loomed around her as if it were this ephemeral thing she couldn't hang on to.

  The cold water hit her face, and she yelped, the movement causing her injured face to throb as if she'd been punched again.

  "I have plans for you. I need you awake," he said. The nausea was almost unbearable, and she struggled to stay awake. The pain in her head and face were a constant companion, an unwelcome one that followed her around and wouldn't leave her alone.

  "Oh, that matters? I figured you for the kind of guy that needed his women unconscious in order to get some action."

  She could see the color rise in his cheeks and knew she'd pushed him too far. Calling him ugly was one thing, but questioning his manhood and his ability to get laid was a whole different ballgame. Damn. Whatever he had in store next was sure going to hurt.

  He stalked towards her, his eyes roaming over her body in such a way that it made her want to cover herself. Only, her hands were tied behind her back, so she lifted her chin in defiance.

  His hand moved to his pocket, and he flipped out a switchblade. Cold fear washed over her like the bucket of ice-cold water he'd thrown on her earlier.

  "Told you that mouth would cause you more pain," he said, his face right next to hers, the blade against the side of her face.

  He tilted the point of the knife to the corner of her mouth. Her breaths came rapidly, and she trembled so hard that her body was uncontrollable. Small whimpers escaped her mouth, and he grinned. A grin that knew she was scared. Slowly, he dragged the knife from the corner of her mouth to the side of her face, slicing through the flesh.

  Hot, searing pain followed its path. Tears leaked from her eyes, but she held back the sobs and cries that threatened to escape.

  He moved the knife from her face down to her breasts. He circled each one with the blade, not cutting. Taunting her. When he reached the valley between her breasts, he flipped the knife over, drawing the blade up, slicing her skin and her bra.

  Unable to control it any longer, she cried out. Hating herself for being so weak. Hating him for causing her such pain. When he was done, he walked back to the table set up in the corner.

  She wanted to scream at him. Wanted to curse him. But she was afraid of what else he might have in store for her.

  "Now, I will ask the questions, and you will answer them. Are we clear?" he asked her, not bothering to turn and face her.

  "Yesh," she said, her mouth uncooperative where he'd cut through the skin.

  He laughed, turning to face her then.

  "Not such a smart mouth now, eh?" He laughed again. When he turned back to her, she’d seen that he held an iron rod in one hand and a blowtorch in the other.

  Cate had thought that she knew what fear was. She'd thought that things had gone so far, they couldn't get any worse. She was wrong. So wrong. Her heart beat so hard in her chest that she thought it would burst through. Her head felt too heavy. Her skin clammy. Nausea overwhelmed her. And then there was nothing. Just blessed, pain-free nothingness.

  * * * *

  Carlotta raced down the side streets of D.C. Gabriel's aim was the warehouse, but as he made a quick turn, he realized he was headed towards Christy's office. As he parked his car in front of the office, he dialed Zach.

  "I'm at Christy's. I need to see what she knows."

  "Gabriel, that's not a good idea. You'll blow your cover."

  "I don't give a damn about my cover. If she knows something, I want to know what it is."

  "Based on what I'm finding on her computer, Christy knows a lot of somethings. Looks like she's been building a file on everyone. Whether to turn them over or blackmail them, I have no idea."

  "Son of a—"

  "Be careful, man."

  "Roger that."

  Shoving his phone in his pocket, Gabriel exited Carlotta and took the steps two at a time. He passed by the receptionist, barely registering her voice telling him to stop. Thrusting the door open with all his might, he entered as it banged loudly against the wall.

  Christy stood at her computer, while a short, wiry guy sat at the desk, his fingers pounding the keys.

  "What the hell, Gabe?" she cried.

  "What do you know?" he asked, stalking towards her. He'd get the information out of her one way or another.

  "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "Don't give me that load of crap. Cate Bradshaw. Who has her?"

  Christy's eyes widened with shock, and, for a moment, Gabriel wondered if she truly didn't know anything. Then the look of shock was replaced by guilt, and Gabriel closed the distance between them.

  He wrapped his hand around her throat and pushed her up against the wall.

  "Tell me what you know!" he yelled. The guy at the keyboard jumped up and ran out of the room like the scared little mouse he was.

  "I don't know—" Christy sputtered, clawing at Gabriel's hands.

  A red rage clouded his vision. He wanted to squeeze until she told him what he wanted to hear.

  He pressed harder. "You do know. You know something. You've got a crap-ton of information on your computer saying you know something. Now where the hell is she?"

  "It was you?" she tried. "No. It was Cate. What did she do?"

  "I’m asking the questions here, Christy. Where is Cate?"

  He squeezed more tightly, knowing that her air supply had dwindled to the point where unconsciousness was hovering at the edge, waiting to take over her.

  "Ok, ok! I'll tell you what I know. Just let go. Please," she cried, gasping for air and desperately pulling at his hand around her throat.

  Gabriel released her as she sank to the floor, pulling in great gulps of the pre
cious oxygen he'd deprived her of.

  "Haney." Her voice was hoarse and ragged. He hadn't hurt her, though. Not really. Just applied enough pressure to scare her, but not enough to bruise her.

  "What about him? Does he have her?" he asked frantically.

  "I don't know, exactly. I called him after Cate came in and quit earlier today. Told him she didn't work for me any longer." She stood up as gracefully as she could in a tight pencil skirt, and sat in her chair. Exhaustion was etched all over her face.

  "Go on."

  "He was angry. Really angry. Started screaming about how she hadn't delivered. Then rambling about some guy that was going to take her away, and he'd never get to her."

  Fear like Gabriel had never known washed over him like waves in the ocean.

  "I asked who was going to take her, but he wouldn't say. He hung up the phone. I think he was talking about Tariq. Or—" She paused, as if she wasn't sure whether or not to continue. Whether or not she should continue.

  "Or what, Christy?"

  "Or The General."

  The ice-cold feeling of fear and dread that had begun when Christy had started talking, now felt like icicles in his veins. The General. Surely it couldn't be—it was impossible.

  "Who's The General?" he asked, trying to keep his composure and not strangle the information out of her.

  "I don't know who he is. He owns this place. Blackmailed me years ago to become who I am today. I've been trying for years to figure out his real identity."

  "And you think he has Cate?"

  "I'm not sure. Haney has been acting crazy the last few months. I paired Cate with him since I knew she was an investigative journalist."

  Gabriel raised one eyebrow, and she quirked hers right back.

  "You don't garner the reputation I have in this business without a good dose of street smarts and common sense. I knew who she was the minute she came to me for a job. I also knew that, if she was here, so was a story."

  "Dammit," he said, under his breath.

  "Anyway, Haney has been ranting about someone breathing down his neck. They were the ramblings of a madman, or at least that's what I thought at first. Then I realized that someone must have something on him. Must be blackmailing him. When The General called, wanting to know more about Haney's 'dates,' I figured he must be the one hot on Haney's tail."