Henry, after composing himself, spoke seriously to Castle, "Rick, your suspicions about these cases might be correct. I don't know why the detective and the medical examiner at the time concluded these were random robbery homicides, but from the forensic reports and autopsy photos, the discrepancies are glaring to me. Particularly, the cause of death in the forensic report does not match the wounds in the photos. I can't speculate about the detective's motives, but the medical examiner who concluded this definitely had issues."
Of course, there were issues! Castle had known that all along; he just used this excuse to convince Henry to team up with him. Nonetheless, he admired Henry's sharp eye for details, even if it only took a short while to spot the inconsistencies.
Feigning curiosity, Castle asked, "What discrepancies do you see? Can you explain them to me?"
Henry, immersed in the joy of potentially helping Castle and Beckett uncover the truth, didn't notice Castle's feigned ignorance. He quickly switched to professional mode, opening Johanna Beckett's file and pointing at the forensic photos and wound pictures. "Rick, look. The original medical examiner classified this as a random robbery homicide. I don't know why, but see this stab wound? It's a low-angle thrust aimed directly at the kidney. The wound dimensions indicate that the angle of the thrust caused the victim to go into shock immediately upon being stabbed."
To prompt Henry to reveal more, Castle asked, "What about the other stab wounds?"
Henry took the bait and continued, "Look at these other wounds. The angles indicate they were inflicted after the victim was already on the ground and immobile. They're all just a cover-up for the actual cause of death. The only lethal wound is the stab to the kidney. So, Rick, your suspicion about Detective Beckett's mother's case might be correct. At the very least, the medical examiner's portrayal of these four similar deaths as random robbery homicides doesn't hold up."
"By the way, what happened to the medical examiner who concluded this?"
"He died. Four years ago," Castle said, pretending to be dejected to avoid raising Henry's suspicions, even though he knew the truth.
Henry, not doubting Castle, began to strategize, "What about the detective who handled the case? Is he still around?"
"He retired."
"That's good news, Rick. Finding this detective could provide a breakthrough in these cases!"
Henry was relieved there was still at least one person who might know the truth.
"Henry, we can't just go directly to that detective. We're doing this behind Beckett's back to verify my suspicions, and neither of us is a cop. We have no reason to approach him. Plus, if Beckett finds out I'm secretly investigating her mother's case, do you think she'd hesitate to tear me apart and throw me in the river?"
"Are you really afraid of Beckett tearing you apart? Getting thrown in the river would be convenient. You'd have clothes on when you reappear, so no one would call the cops on a streaker," Henry joked, amused by Castle's complaint.
Castle didn't take offense, instead seriously replying, "I'm not afraid of Beckett tearing me apart, but I am afraid she'll sever ties with me in a fit of anger. So we can only quietly verify my suspicions for now. To reopen the investigation, I need to gain more of Beckett's trust first. So, Henry, you mustn't let this slip, especially in front of Detective Martinez. She and Beckett have become close friends since the Adam case. If you slip up in front of Martinez, you'll see just how terrifying Beckett's wrath can be."
Henry smiled and reassured Castle, "Don't worry, I won't tell Jo. By the way, since you took these original files from the precinct, we should copy them and return the originals. If someone notices they're missing, it won't be good for you."
Henry's thoughtfulness struck Castle. He had completely forgotten that he had stolen the files from the precinct. If Beckett went looking for them and found them missing, she would certainly investigate thoroughly, and Castle would be in deep trouble.
With Henry's help, Castle made two copies of the forensic reports and all the crime scene and autopsy photos related to the four cases. He kept one set and left the other with Henry, who planned to use the autopsy photos to try and replicate the murder weapon.
Although Castle already knew the killer, Dick Coonan, used a serrated knife, he pretended to agree with Henry's plan to keep up the charade.
Once they were done, the two men relaxed and chatted. With no bodies needing his attention, Henry listened as Castle introduced their team's other member, John Wick.
"Wait, Rick. Are you saying we have another teammate who's a former top assassin? And he's preparing to become a father?"
Castle, ever the surprise, grinned and elaborated. "Yeah, Henry. You have no idea. He's quite the legend..."
Henry listened with keen interest, not knowing much about John's exploits due to his long self-imposed isolation.
"Henry, before I go into detail about John, let me ask you something. Do you know about the 'High Table' and the Continental Hotel?"
"Rick, I actually do know about the High Table and the Continental Hotel. I haven't dealt with them much, but a long time ago, I had a chance to join them. I wasn't interested in the underworld, so I declined. But I know the High Table governs part of the underworld, and the Continental is like a franchise. By the way, the current manager of the New York Continental, Winston's father, was a friend of mine. Winston doesn't know this, though. He was just a kid when I met him."
"Wow, this old guy was friends with Winston's father? So he's my elder? Living long sure has its perks," Castle thought, dumbfounded.
"Great, Henry. Since you know about the Continental, it makes it easier to explain. John is famously known as the 'Baba Yaga.'"
"Baba Yaga? Is he that formidable?"
Henry, having been out of touch with the modern world for so long, was curious rather than scared upon hearing John's nickname.
"Yeah, he's extremely formidable..."
Castle continued regaling Henry with stories about John Wick, completely losing track of time until Alexis called to ask if he'd be home for dinner. Only then did he realize he had been in Henry's office until nearly five in the evening.
Henry enjoyed Castle's stories, finding them a useful way to catch up on the modern world, even though he had to filter out Castle's exaggerations.
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter