Chapter 1

Newark, New Jersey

Alexis Castle stood by the security checkpoint of the Newark Liberty International Airport with her father, Richard Castle. Castle was sobbing loudly, which embarrassed Alexis.

"Dad," Alexis said. "People are staring."

"I can't help it," Castle sobbed. "My baby is leaving me."

"Dad," Alexis said. "I'm not a baby. I'm 25."

"You'll always be my baby," Castle sobbed.

"Dad," Alexis said. "I will call you every day."

"I just understand why you're leaving," Castle said.

"I'm moving to Santa Barbara to start my own Private Investigations," Alexis said.

"I can buy you an office space in New York," Castle said. "You don't have to go all the way to California."

"I don't want you to buy me anything," Alexis said. "I want to do this on my own. I rented a small apartment near the beach and a small office space below it."

"At least let me send you there on a private jet," Castle said.

"No, Dad," Alexis said. "I've bought my own plane ticket with money I saved and I'm flying coach."

"Coach," Castle said. "I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

"I've got to go," Alexis said. "I'm going to miss my flight."

Castle and Alexis shared an embrace.

"Goodbye, Dad," Alexis said.

"Goodbye, Alexis," Castle said. "The moment you arrive in Santa Barbara, I want you to call me."

"I will," Alexis said. "I promise."

"I love you," Castle said.

"I love you too," Alexis said.

Alexis entered the security checkpoint and found her eyes filling up with tears. Alexis then found herself running back to her father and hugging him tightly.

"It's okay," Castle said softly. "You can do this. I know you can."

Alexis sat at a window seat on the plane. As the plane took off, she looked out at the New York skyline.

"Goodbye, New York," Alexis said.

Santa Barbara, California

Tyler Hunter sat in an office talking to his literary agent, Carl Stan.

"You're new romance novel is officially a best seller!" Carl cheered. "Your fourth one!"

"That's wonderful," Tyler said. "I want to talk to you about my next book."

"Of course you will be attending book signings and doing public readings," Carl said.

"Carl," Tyler said. "Did you hear me? I said I want to talk about my next book."

"I want you to surprise me," Carl said. "Tell me when it's done, and I'll review your next romance novel."

"That's the thing," Tyler said. "I don't want to write another romance novel. I want to write mystery fiction. You know, like Richard Castle."

Carl broke into laughter.

"That's a good one," Carl laughed.

"I'm serious," Tyler said. "I want to be the next Richard Castle."

Carl stopped laughing and looked at Tyler.

"You're a romance novelist," Carl said. "You'll never be the next Richard Castle."

"Watch me," Tyler said getting up. "I'll show you that I can write more than just romance."

Tyler walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.