This is generally Castle and Caskett-focussed fic (though the latter will be more dealt with it in the next chapter), but through Castle's eyes and features Beckett in absentia. Very heavy on dialogue (deliberately) so if that bothers you stylistically, sorry! Reviews are my addiction of choice, please leave one if you liked it.
She'll admit, she's a little nervous. Three months since she got hired as a journalist, working in the Arts and Entertainment section of the paper, and finally her boss has sent her out for an interview. It's not going to win her a Pulitzer, but Richard Castle is not some no-name up-and-comer hungry for fame, but a long-time resident on the bestseller's lists and with his own legion of adoring fans who will no doubt lap up any publicity he gets. She fiddles with the buttons on her recorder, checking for the umpteenth time the battery is fresh…and suddenly he's right there at her table, ushered by his publicist.
"Richard, this is Claire Wu from the Herald." The clipped tones of dark-haired Paula are pre-empted by Castle himself, extending a broad hand.
"Ms. Wu, delighted to meet you."
"Mr. Castle, so happy you could spare some time in your schedule." She's glad to note her voice never cracks, and her palm isn't too sweaty. The handshake is quick and firm, and a smile twinkles in his blue eyes, making seem much younger than he is. He's tall and handsome but perceptive enough to seat himself quickly before he looms over her too much. She appreciates that. The publicist excuses herself with a quick nod, and a firm reminder she only has 30 mins.
"Before we start, do you mind if I grab a quick coffee. I need it to jump start my days, especially on these book tours."
"Of course, Mr. Castle."
"Please, call me Rick."
"Only if you call me Claire." He gives her that dazzling smile again as he flags down a passing waiter, and she can see why he was always more popular with the society pages than many other authors, not to mention single women. That was his more notorious past though, one he has left behind.
"Anything for you, Claire?"
"No…I don't drink coffee." She's setting up her recorder and notebook, all set to go as soon as the waiter departs. "Shall we start?"
"Of course."
"So first of all, congratulations on the release of Deadly Heat, once again atop the bestseller's charts on release. Is it as thrilling this time around as it was the first or the second?"
He takes a moment, pauses to think.
"I think it's better. I think I'm humbled that people enjoy reading what I write, all these years on, that it hasn't grown stale, that I still have stories to tell and characters to flesh out and worlds to build. I think the first few times it is sort of a sense of disbelief, you know, that it is happening, that your book is successful, but at the same time you don't really appreciate what a gift it is that you are able to reach and touch your readers through your words. Even now I'm deeply, deeply grateful that so many readers, old and new, have allowed me to become part of their lives through my books and I can honestly tell you that it gets better with every book."
She had expected a rote answer, the usual fluff delivered in a semi-bored tone, not to be taken aback by passion and genuine enthusiasm.
"Philadelphia is right in the middle of a gruelling book tour you've got yourself on. Are you going to have any time to take a moment and catch any of the sights?"
Before he can answer, the coffee arrives, and he notably perks up at its sight and scent, taking a break to gently savour the first couple of sips.
"Big cheesesteak fan. I've got book signings in the afternoon and evening before I catch a late flight to Chicago, but I'm definitely going to find myself a cheesesteak before I leave. There was a case I was working on last year where we had to question a man who claimed his place had the best cheesesteak in this city. Maybe I'll go investigate his claims. Turns out he wasn't lying about not having done the crime, maybe he wasn't about this too."
"I'd give you recommendations, if I could, Rick but I've only been living here for a few months myself." Still, the story offers an excellent segue into one of the most intriguing aspects of Castle's own backstory and history, and she'd be a fool not to take it.
"Since you mentioned the case, I have to ask. You've been working with the NYPD now for five years. Originally doing research, but…most writers only stick around for a few weeks, or a month. I think we can call you a consultant these days. How did you manage to get accepted into a community, a fraternity notable for its closed ranks and lack of acceptance of outsiders? Do you feel like you belong there now?"
He grins at the question, broad writers fingers gripping the coffee.
"Not shying away from the tough questions, I see." His eyes narrow a little, obviously searching for the best way to tackle this. "I think the secret to most successful relations, personal or professional, is simply to keep showing up. A wise man told me that once, and it is advice I've definitely taken to heart. I'll admit that in the first few days and weeks and months, I leveraged my contacts with the Mayor's office to get the access I initially needed. But then, I just kept showing up. In the rain, in the cold, in the dark…the only thing I used to beg out of was the paperwork, generally because they wouldn't accept my name on it anyway. And I think the folks I worked with began to respect that. Also, you know, not to blow my own trumpet, but I think I brought something to the homicide team I work with…a little insight earned from many years of writing about murder, about people and their motives, about how it isn't just the evidence that matters, but also the story. Our case closure rate became pretty good, that helped."
He shrugs, clearly somewhat uncomfortable about talking about the topic any more, and she decides not to press, right now at least, scribbling down notes for further research. There was that funeral, where his partner had gotten shot. He'd been a pallbearer. That spoke strongly to how much a part of the brotherhood he'd become. But she wasn't doing an in-depth psychological piece. Or at least not yet.