CH 1
Rick was in his office trying to write his next chapter. However his mind was on the last 3 years of his life. There had been some very sudden and life changing events in those last 3 years.
Most recent was the completion of his Townhouse that had taken just over 2 years to build. With some help from a local realtor, he had found an old abandoned building on a street corner that was in an "up and coming neighborhood" of New York. It took just over 4 months to demo the old building and clear the site for the new construction that was to come.
A specialized team came in and dug out the basement, installed the specialized equipment that he was going to need, and then cover it all up and pour the foundation and footings for the upper floors. A local general contractor came in and over saw all of the other trades as the building began to take shape.
Castle was on site every day for hours at a time watching his home being built. He tried not to interfere with the contractor, but he had a lot of questions. All of the important decisions had already been made and were on the structural and architectural drawings that the general was following. He had never seen a local group build anything before and the mess they made and left behind while it was under construction was the one thing that bothered him most. That and the security of the construction site after all of the workers had gone home for the day. "Up and coming", looked more like "COMING" in his mind then the "UP" part. However just a few blocks down were buildings that most cost a small fortune to build, so he had hopes for the area, and kept his mouth shut and prayed a lot. He had hired a local security firm to maintain security over the job site. This company was driving him mad with their lack of detail on what to do and how many people were needed to be involved. He had argued for hours about who was to be on site, how long, where they would be, what they would do while they were there. They seemed to think that just a single person at night was sufficient and that the loss of construction material was something that was just going to happen, and he should live with it.
He eventually got his way. He had every security person pre-screened, made sure that there would be three (3) security people on site during the day and at night. He gave them 2 different "huts" that they could use on site for when the weather turned bad and it rained, or when it got cold and it snowed (more trailer than hut. They had heating and air conditioning, indoor restrooms, refrigerator, microwave, coffee machine). Not quite the comforts of home, but they were meant to be temporary anyway. He spent a lot of time talking with the construction workers and the security people on site. He got to know all of them personally. Talked to them about their family, where they were from, what other projects they had worked on. He had two different food trucks (not roach coaches, real food) come to the site each day to feed all the workers (all at his expense).
All of this caused him to be quite popular with everyone. He heard and told a lot of stories. Listened to everyone about anything. Found out that during construction that the General Contractor was having a little trouble with someone from the local "Mob?" who was based in this part of town. If it was not for his good terms with everyone on his building site he might never have found out about it.
The General Contractor had given him a name and a location where he could talk to someone. He had decided he wanted to make an entrance, something this guy would not forget. He decided to arrive at Sparks Steakhouse on 46th street in style. He had arrived in his new Jaguar F-Type V8 S Convertible and parked out front for everyone to see. He got a number of looks he was looking for and stepped inside. It looked like a very nice place. Dark wood floors, a similar dark wood ceiling, wood accents on all of the walls. A very old intricate dark wood china cabinet that had a display of glass works and hand blown glass items (probably worth a small fortune, all of which looked exquisite. And the cabinet did not appear to be locked, which also told him something). He decided this guy had good taste in the finer things.
One of the lovely young ladies at the reservations desk just inside the door intercepted him. "Can I help you with something? Do you have a reservation?"
Rick took a moment to look her over and see if there was a story about her that he could use. Not tall, about 5'-4", slim build. Maybe a little too thin. Way too much makeup (hiding something?). No engagement or wedding ring on her left hand. She was dressed softly, partly see thru with a camisole underneath with no bra. It was a little chilly inside and he could make out her nipples under the material. He guessed a 32A if she were wearing a bra. Not that chest size mattered to him. He only cared that she had not seen the need to go under the knife to make them bigger. So she was not vein. Oh, what he could do with those nipples! 'Focus Rick, focus'.
"I hope so. My name is Richard Castle, and I'm looking for Vince. I would like to have a few minutes of his time."
"Richard Castle, the author?" One of the other young ladies squealed, a little too high pitched for his taste, as she spoke up.
"The one and only, last I knew". (maybe this would be easier than I thought)
"Oh we love your books!" She squealed. "Can we get your autograph?"
"Of course, anything for a fan. Do you have one of my books with you?"
The one who had been silent thru all this, now steps up and pulls the front of her top down to expose the top of her left breast for him (just short of showing nipple he noticed) Always ready, Rick reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a sharpie to write with.
"Whom should I make it out to?"
"Marsha, Marsha Mann"
To Marsha, Love Richard Castle. She giggles while he writes. After he is done he gives her a little ' you are a naughty girl wag of his finger and a little smile'.
The next girl steps up and does the same with her top, and tell him "lisa, Lisa Timber".
To Lisa, Love Richard Castle. She has a huge grin on her face of 'I don't believe this is happening' look.
"And you, beautiful, what's your name?" He asks the one with the perky nipples under the camisole.
She is hesitant at first to pull her top down. Rick is guessing it is probably because she is shy about her chest size compared to the other ladies. He gives her his best smile and a little puppy dog eyes and tells her "please".
She finally relents and pulls her top down just enough for Rick to write. "Jessica, Jessica Adams". She says.
To Jessica, Love Richard Castle. He adds his cell phone number just below his name. (He has a guess that she could use a good friend to talk to. One who does not beat her on a weekly basis (if he is right about all the makeup). He really would like to help her. She does not deserve the treatment she is presently getting. Too young, shy and obviously sweet to put up with this treatment).
"Thank you Mr. Castle" Marsha and Lisa say in unison. While Jessica just smiles at him and blushes.
"So, Ladies, Jessica, if I could talk to Vince?"
Marsha is the first to respond, "Vince is in the back". Her and Lisa have a look of 'We are not supposed to interrupt him' written all over their faces.
"Jessica, if you could tell him I'm here. I would be very grateful"! He leans in to whisper in her ear "Call me later", and gives her another of his Richard Castle smiles.
She looks at him and debates what to do, then turns and leaves and heads into the kitchen area. She comes back a few minutes later and tells Rick, "If you will follow me Mr. Castle". Marsha and Lisa are left standing there with their mouths hanging open, and the look of 'That was not suppose to happen' written on their faces.
"Please, lead on Jessica", while giving the other two a 'and all you get is my autograph ' look as he follows Jessica into the Kitchen area.
Jessica leads him off to the side of the back kitchen and up to a door that she opens to reveal a staircase leading down. She softly tells him "This is the wine cellar with a tasting table. Vince eats all his meals down here".
As they wind their way down the stairs they stop at an intricate iron gate with what is obviously a bouncer kind of guy just behind it. He, unlike Jessica is NOT shy. He is big, bulky and overly muscled like a stereo typical kind of mobster, and is obviously carrying a holstered sidearm. Rick is quick to look the gun over and is mildly impressed that it is a SIG SAUER P226, stainless steel, and engraved. With 2 extra clips attached to the holster. 9mm with three clips that hold 15 rounds each. If it is well balanced for him (and Rick has little doubt that it is), the SIG P226 is a durable, reliable and accurate weapon. If he is any good with it could probably produce a nice tight grouping. Not someone you want to piss off if you did not want to end up looking like mangled swiss cheese on a Medical Examiners table in the Morgue (or lying at the bottom of the East River more likely). 'What did Scotty say on that show? Something about Concrete Galoshes'?' Just beyond him he sees 3 rows of wine racks leading into the distance. There are a number of empty spaces. Without seeing them he does not know how good they are. Still the volume is mildly impressive.
"Vince, this is Richard Castle. He wanted to talk with you" says Jessica, before she turns to start to walk away.
Rick stops her with his hand touching her arm, and leans in to whisper in her ear, "My number is on your chest". And gives her another smile.
She blushes a very bright crimson red and walks back upstairs without saying a word. Holding her breath Rick notices.
Turning to look at Arnold (Ricks new name for this guy), he hears a voice that is out of sight, "Search him!"