561. Chapter 561

After Veritas

Episode 6.22

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Truth conquers not owning Castle. Does that even make sense? Rating: K Time: See above.

In spite of being the daughter of two lawyers, a former pre-law student and a cop, Kate Beckett was nervous. She was facing four lawyers across a well polished conference table. She knew what they were going to say, and she didn't like it.

"So, is there any way out of this?" Castle asked calmly.

The older of the four attorneys, Mr. Mohl, shook his head. "You've got to be kidding me, Ricky. We can't even think of any way to limit the damage on this issue."

"Does everyone else feel that way?" Rick looked at the other three attorneys. They all nodded and assured him that there were no other options.

Kate spoke. "So, Roy Montgomery will be known as a dirty cop." It wasn't a question.

Mr. Mohl nodded. "Detective Beckett, we can appreciate your feelings, but Roy Montgomery was a dirty cop."

The only other woman there spoke. "And he was more than just your common, garden variety dirty cop. He didn't steal some drugs from a dealer for his own use, or rob a suspect of some dirty money. He and McAllister and Raglan were kidnapping mobsters. No one, as far as we know, knows how much money they made, but it was certainly in the millions. When they went to kidnap Joe Pulgatti, an undercover Fed named Bob Armen went for Montgomery's gun and got killed. A death as a direct result of the commission of a felony is first degree murder. First degree murder of a Federal agent."

Mohl spoke again. "There's nothing we can do to change that."

Kate shook her head sadly. "But for twenty years and more after that, he was the best cop he could be. I saw that. I lived it."

"The evil that men do lives after then; the good is oft interred with their bones." Castle quoted softly.

Mohl nodded. "Mr. Shakespeare did have a way with words, Rick."

Rick stood. "Thank you all for looking into this for us. I think that'll be it."

Once outside, Kate leaned against him. "In all the years that I thought about this, thought about how it would end, I never thought about this."

"It's out of our hands, Kate."

The Palermo Social Club was open again. Kate Beckett walked through the door only to be stopped by two very large men. "This is a private club, officer. No admittance without a club ID." One said.

The other laughed. "Or a warrant. Now get lost before we toss your skinny ass out of here." They both moved towards her.

"Hey! Hey!" A voice called from the back. "Don't you morons know who this is? This is Detective Kate Beckett. Her mom got whacked for trying to help me. And she took down that bastard Bracken who framed me. You dickheads ever lay a finger on her again, I'll take you both out to the Jersey wetlands. Capisce?'

Joe Pulgatti offered his arm to Kate, who took it. "Sorry, Detective Beckett. Some people…Back in my day, we were polite to ladies." He shook his head sadly. "Some people just don't know how to behave." Pulgatti yelled to someone behind the bar. "Dominic! Some red wine. The good stuff. The very good stuff."

Kate shook her head. "Mr. Pulgatti, thanks, but I'm on duty."

Pulgatti laughed. "Detective, you can't talk to an Italian without wine. It's a physical impossibility. Besides, who here is going to tell the cops?" He laughed at his own joke. "And, please, call me Joe."

Kate sat with Pulgatti at a table in back. "Then please call me Kate."

"So, what can I do for you, Kate? Name it."

"Roy Montgomery was a friend of mine. More than a friend, he was my mentor, he made me the cop, the person, that I am today. And he gave his life trying to save mine when Lockwood came after me. What are you going to say at the trial about him?"

Pulgatti nodded. "I'm out on parole right now, to testify at Bracken's trial. The DA is supposed to be reviewing my case. Either getting me a new trial, or deciding to recommend to the judge that they vacate my sentence. My lawyers are also asking about a pardon. But that seems to be going a lot slower than it should. That bastard Bracken is the reason why. So, I'd love for any chance to do him like he did me. That said, Roy Montgomery was no friend of mine. Him and his crooked cop pals are the reason I was sent to prison. But, I've told the cops and the Feds what I know. I was jumped by three guys, two white guys and a black guy. The black guy was the one who shot Bob. But they all wore ski masks. Maybe it was Montgomery, maybe it wasn't. I looked at pictures of Montgomery, I listened to a recording of his voice, but I don't know. That's what I'm going to say, and it's the truth."

Kate nodded. "That's all you can do, Mr. Pulgatti."

"Who?"

"Joe." She smiled at him.

The next morning at the loft, Kate sat at the breakfast island, drinking her coffee and waiting for Rick to wake up and come out. The morning paper was by her side.

Rick walked out, yawning and stretching. "Any coffee left?"

"Of course." She nodded towards the pot.

"Something wrong?" He asked, picking up on her mood.

"The morning paper. " She pushed it towards him. He could see a photo of Roy Montgomery on the front page.

"Oh, shit. What did they write?"

"They're questioning whether Roy was killed stopping a bunch of hired killers from killing me, or whether it was just a falling out among thieves. Guess what their conclusion was?'

"Good news doesn't sell papers, does it?"

"Roy Montgomery, dirty cop, is all over the front page."

"We knew this would happen."

Kate nodded slowly. "We did. I did. But I hate it. I really do." Kate finished the last of her coffee and stood up.

"Going to the precinct?"

She shook her head. "I have to go see Evelyn Montgomery."

She rang the doorbell and waited for several minutes. She was about to ring again when Evelyn opened the door a crack and looked out at her.

"Mrs. Montgomery, can I talk to you?"

Evelyn stood there. "I lived with a man that I thought was a hero. I thought he died a hero. The girls and Evan thought their father was a hero. That helped them deal with the loss. And now we know he wasn't." Kate opened her mouth to speak, but Evelyn kept right on talking. "I can understand the loss of your mother. I can understand what pushed you, what drove you. I know that you did the right thing. I even think that you did what Roy would have wanted you to do. But right now, Detective Beckett, I just can't talk to you." She closed the door.

"I'm sorry." Kate whispered. "He was a hero."

The trial dragged on, but the end was inevitable. Deserted by family, friends, colleagues and co-conspirators, William Bracken went to prison.

Kate and Rick sat on the couch. "Do you want to celebrate?" He asked. "It's over."

"Yes, it is. But I'm not in the mood to celebrate. But I have been thinking. You said once I hid in my mom's case and I did. Once, it was my whole life. And now that part of my life is over."

"There are a lot of people out there that need your help. They need justice, too."

"Do you remember saying that you needed fun and uncomplicated?"

Rick closed his eyes and shook his head. "I have said way too many stupid things to you, but that was the stupidest of all. I need you. I need Kate Beckett and no one else."

She kissed him. "And that's who you have. But, I was fun and uncomplicated once. Well, maybe not all that uncomplicated, but definitely fun. I was Rebel Becks in high school, and K-Becks at Stanford, the girl who loved cosplay and dressing up like Lieutenant Chloe. And all of a sudden, that was over when my mom was murdered. I know I can never go back to being nineteen again, and I'm not going to stop being a cop, but I'd like to try to be fun and uncomplicated for just a bit, now and then." She smiled at him slyly. "Do you know anyone that might help with that?"

"Kate, have you ever come to the right place."