The tenth round was so much better. Now as they finally decide to start their day Kate gets up and heads to the shower…alone!

Rick is still asleep. Once she has finished her shower is his very large shower built for three, she dries her hair applies her make-up and gets dressed. She promised him that she would tell him where she was with her investigation. And that's exactly what she'll do. She makes a beeline for the coffee maker. She has watched him enough times to make a decent cup of coffee. Putting the machine through its paces she is rewarded for her efforts.

Setting up all her findings in his study she steps back and checks everything out. Taking a sip of coffee, she's startled when he pulls her close to his body from behind.

"So, it looks like you're going to be explaining a lot." Rick says as he looks at all the information laid out on the desk.

"I am. And before we start you are going to need caffeine, so let's get you a cup before we start."

They both could use a cup. Rick smells like Rick. He has showered and has splashed on the cologne that she loves so much on him. After making two more cups she walks back over to the desk. He follows, but for some reason he is slow in doing so. They stand before all her files and notes.

"Rick, we know that Finn and Coonan have been talking to each other. We can prove that with the audio clip from Finn's website. Now what we don't know is the identity of the third voice that is on the tape. We can make a case against Coonan for killing my mom, and we can also charge him with the murders of the night nurse, the Sergeant, and the attempt on your life."

"Kate there is something that we're missing. Coonan was just a pawn, a hired gun at best. There has to be somebody pulling his strings. Have you made any progress on who could be that third voice on the tape?"

Actually I have. I have it narrowed down to two possibilities. And I don't think that you're going to like either one of them."

"Enlighten me then."

"Well I think that the first voice is…."

Kate's phone rings interrupting her big reveal.

"Beckett" Kate answers as she listens to the caller.

"Kate, it's Javi. I have some bad news."

"Javi, just tell me! Whatever it is it can't be as bad as your letting on."

"Yeah, it can be. Coonan is dead. He was taken out by a pro. I can't figure out when since the cameras were disabled in holding, but I have a definitive window and you're not going to like who I think it is."

"Yeah I have an idea, it's Montgomery. And you're right I don't like this."

"Kate, how did you know?" Javi asks stunned.

"Javi, his voice is the third one on the surveillance tape. He was talking to Coonan and Finn the night my mother was murdered. He's involved in this. Hell, he killed Coonan to shut him up and tie up any loose ends."

"But that does not get us any closer to who is keeping him on his leash."

"Javi, run his phone and financials. Dig deep into his life. Go back as far as you need to. Where is he right now?"

"He told me he has a meeting at 1PP. He left about twenty minutes ago."

"Track his car. See where he is exactly, then get back to me. In the meantime, Rick and I will dig around here and see what we come up with."

"You got it Kate." Javi ends the call.

Kate just holds her phone not bothering to look at Rick. When she does she sees the hurt on his face. She starts to say something but before she can a quiet whisper leaves his mouth.

"Montgomery?"

"Babe, I know. I did not want to believe it myself. But there is someone controlling him. We need to find out who that is."

"Kate, why are you so sure that there is someone controlling him? Could he be acting on his own?"

"Rick, he can't be. It takes a lot of money to be able to sidetrack NYPD, and FBI investigations. So we need to look for someone in an untouchable position. Someone who needs to stay behind the scenes, but still be able to order his minions around."

"Kate, wait a sec, I think I might have an idea of who this could be."

"Rick? What do you know?"

"Do you remember the last tape that we never had the time to listen to? You were busy saving my life remember." He looks to her hoping she understands.

"Well, there were 4 tapes. I listened to three. Do you know what was on the last tape?"

"Kate, I was shot remember, so I never listened to it. There has to be a clue on that last tape giving us some direction as to who this is. Did Robert say how long it was? I know the first three were well over an hour long each."

"The fourth tape he copied was only about eight minutes long."

They both head over to the table and insert the fourth tape into the player. Headphones are not needed because Kate wants the both of them to hear what is said.

The tape starts off with dead space. Nothing is heard. Then the tape comes alive.

"Raglan, shut the door." Montgomery said

"You've got a lot of balls coming here."

"Look we just want to make sure we're all on the same page. You took us for a lot of money Bracken, we want assurances.

"Hey, be happy I haven't busted the three of you for your little mafia extortion ring!"

"Whoa, relax…"

"No, no you want assurances? Here you go. I assure you that as easily as I pinned Bob Arman's murder on Puglatti, I can just easily pin it on the cops who actually did the deed.

"Bracken a lot can go wrong, Pulgatti knows he's been framed, what if someone gets onto this?"

"Then I'll handle them.

"You…how?"

"I know people Roy, dangerous people. Anyone gets to close like that bitch lawyer Johanna Beckett who's been poking around, I'll have them killed! I've had people killed before and for a lot less.

"She's becoming a liability. I will have her eliminated."

Rick looked at Kate and she was just looking at him as tears were tracing paths along her cheeks. He pulled her into a hug wrapping his arms around her keeping her close to him knowing that she wants to run at Montgomery and Bracken head on. They stay like that for what seems like an eternity. When in reality it's been a little less than ten minutes.

"Babe, we need to be smart about this. You can't go up against Bracken. He is untouchable."

"Rick, he gave the order to Coonan to kill my mom. I need to do something!"

"I have an idea. It might not be a good one, but it will get you the closure you need."

"I'm listening." Kate says as she dries her tears.

"Bracken is holding a rally for his second run for his senate seat. If we can get this tape admitted into evidence and get a warrant to arrest him, we will still be able to give your mom the peace she deserves. Then you would be free of this burden that has been a driving force in your life for the last ten years."

"Rick do you think that we can really get this done?" Kate asked him unsurely.

"Kate, I promise you. We will finish this!"

Senator Bracken talks to his supporters at the rally in a mid-town hotel. He promises them that if he is re-elected his new platform will be one that will embrace family values. Something the state of New York has been missing for a while now.

Kate Beckett is standing in the crowd listening to him spew his line of bullshit. Rick nudges her with a gentle elbow to her side. She waits until he has answered the questions from the reporters. When they are finished she walks up to him.

"Senator Bracken, do you have a minute to talk?"

"Detective actually I do have another speaking engagement to get to."

"Senator I don't think that will be a problem. You see that event has been canceled."

"What, why?"

"Oh I can assure you there is a good reason."

Kate reaches behind her back and pulls out her handcuffs. Rick just watches as events unfold and smiles widely.

"I heard the tape. You're on it."

"Senator Bracken, you are under arrest for conspiracy, fraud, and the murder of my mother Johanna Beckett."

Rick now sees how much this arrest means to Kate. She will finally be able to move forward with her life. Bracken still can't believe he has been taken down, and by a detective no less. He will get even somehow. First he will drag Roy down with him. He won't get away from him.

Roy Montgomery sits on a beach in Punta Arenas, Chile drinking a margarita.

"Roy, come on or we'll be late for dinner." His wife tells him.

His children splash in from the water and stand before him dripping wet.

"Come on you three it's time for dinner." Roy tells them.

Xx

"Kate, is there something that you want to ask me?"

"No I don't think there is…wait, is today the day your new book comes out in the stores?"

"Kathryn Houghton Beckett!"

"Yes, what is it Richard Alexander Rodgers?"

"Kaaaaate come on you promised me!"

"Rick, don't be such a baby."

"Oh alright."

Kate knows what he wants and he has been her rock throughout this whole experience. She will not make him suffer anymore. She lowers herself to one knee and looks him directly in the eye.

"Richard Alexander Rogers, would you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"

"Kate, I'd thought you'd never ask!"

~Fin~