"A Run for Their Money"

Chapter One

Author's Note: This story is a sequel to my previous story, "Safe Haven." Beta Read.

It had been almost a month since Seth found himself behind bars.

Soon after being placed in the Witness Protection Program, given a new identity and temporary shelter at a safe house in Hackensack, New Jersey, he found himself framed for murder. Seth recalled the night his new life turned upside down: An officer at the safe house found blood smeared on the wall in one of the rooms, which led him to the bloody body of his partner, forty-two-year-old Jack Irons, who had worked there for ten years.

The officer quickly reported the situation to his supervisor, and a search was begun. While no weapon was found, there was blood found on the wall of his room and on his clothes. It was all circumstantial, but that hadn't mattered: he was their prime suspect. Because of that he'd been incarcerated. Once on the inside, Seth was able to acquire friends to help him escape and prove his innocence.

On the run, his mind swirled with questions: should he call his ex-wife, Susan, or attempt to reach Captain Kate Beckett of the 12th Precinct to explain his innocence? He breathed a sigh of relief, at least he had two people who might be in his corner. He didn't know why the guard had been killed, and he wondered if it might have to do with the deal he made with the authorities to hand over the journal and other key files.

/*/*/*/*/*/

What was there to lose in trying to clear his name? he thought. There was little to do except look for a place to hide, but one thing was imperative: he had to first find some clothes to change into. He'd be easy to spot in his present attire.

Fortunately, it was night, and he could still hide in the shadows, as he made his way from the facility. God, am I freezing! he thought, forcing his tired body to move on.

His luck seemed to be holding. They'd not picked up his trail, and he had stumbled into someone's backyard, where he found some clothes that just might fit hanging on the line.

As he quickly changed, he reached instinctively into the pants pockets and almost discarded what he thought was a wad of dirty tissues that someone forgot to remove when doing the laundry. Seth thanked whoever was watching over him, when he discovered it was cash - a couple of twenties, some singles and a few coins. Now, at least, he wouldn't have to walk all the way to the city.

/*/*/*/*/*/

Seth was lucky enough to catch a bus to the Hackensack train station, where he'd take a train bound for New York City. The money he'd found would just about cover both fares.

Thank god it's not rush hour, he thought. He was in need of privacy, if such a thing was even possible on a New Jersey Transit commuter train. He shut his eyes for the moment.

His thoughts were a jumble of past regrets, when he wasn't a three-time loser.

When he had first met Susan, she was a very vibrant woman, full of zest, but he changed that when he wasn't able to control his temper and gambling urges. And by the time he tried to figure out what had happened, it was already too late to change his ways.

At every stop, he quickly opened his eyes, making certain no one had taken notice of him. It was a relief to finally arrive at his destination of Pennsylvania Station.

/*/*/*/*/*/

A loud knock at the door startled Castle from what had been one of the most peaceful slumbers he'd had in awhile. He was mostly annoyed. His wife had already left for work to supervise two new cases for Ryan and Esposito. He had gotten a newly teething Reece to sleep earlier, and had just fallen asleep until the knock. He was unsure whether or not to answer it, but he did. In a groggy voice, he called out, "Just a minute!", while walking slowly to open the door.

There were two men holding badges. "Mr. Castle may we come in?"

Castle rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He was exhausted from the physical exertion of the past month. With all that had been going on from his P.I. business, writing, Reece, and keeping his marriage intact, it was taking a toll on him. He felt that soon something was going to give.

"I am Detective Jose Barrows and this is Detective David Weller of the Hackensack, New Jersey Witness Protection Safe House." The detectives showed Castle their badges. "We needed to come in person instead of by phone to advise you that Seth Hutchinson has escaped the program. We have reason to believe he might be heading to New York to look for help - he's a prime suspect in a murder investigation."

"And what makes you think, Detective Barrows that Seth will be traveling to New York?" Castle opened the door further to allow them in, and closed it behind them. No sense discussing this out in the hallway of the loft.

"Because he has a tracking device on him that he doesn't know about. We know he's somewhere near a church over by Rockefeller Center. The problem is: will it help us to know just who the real murderer was. Or will they follow him and just wait until he makes the wrong move."

In regard to the tracking device. Thank god Seth hasn't realize that he's being tracked, since the device was placed inside of his glasses that he wears for up close reading and computer work.

"Meaning Detective, leading them to Susan and Angela for revenge."

Explaining further: "Mr. Castle we actually need to speak with Captain Beckett. We tried calling her cell, but she's not picking up."

"From what I know," replied Castle, "she is in the field supervising two cases, and probably hasn't had a chance to look at her messages or calls."

The detective seemed sure of his facts. Hopefully whoever was behind the murder, Susan and Angela would be safe. However, she was going to be quite upset when she did find out what was going on with her ex-husband.

/*/*/*/*/*/

Susan was getting ready for work at Chase. Her mother was in the kitchen making early morning coffee for her. Jolene stopped her daughter before sitting down. She made sure she was all right. The past month she hadn't said much to her, since coming home from the hospital.

"Are you all right Susan?" she murmured, waiting for her daughter's response.

Susan thought about it for a moment or two, then shook her head. "I'm still worried about Seth, Mom, and the whole Witness Protection Program. He gave up a great deal of whatever life he did have left."

"Susan," Jolene cleared her throat before continuing, "Look, you need to stop thinking this way. Seth made his decision; I suggest you do the same. If you can't, I don't know what else to say to you." She placed the coffee on the table.

After a moment of silence. "Mom, I'm very sorry," she replied, taking a sip of her black coffee.

"It's fine, Susan." She smiled tiredly.

She left her daughter alone at the table while she went to get her granddaughter, Angela, ready for the school bus that would soon be coming.