Kate stood at the side of the road staring into the flames. She did not even notice Espo's strong arms encircle her waist. Nor did she recognize the Fire Dept and State police vehicles. She did not even hear Lanie telling her to sit down. No the only image seared in her brain was a Car on fire. She did not even recognize the make and model. If she did she would have noticed it was not even the right make and model of Rick's car. Kate rode back to the Hampton House just numb. She was wailing to the uncaring Universe. Why her? This was supposed to be her happiest day. She was going to overcome all obstacles and marry the man of her dreams. Kate sat on their bed exhausted.
She did not notice Alexis helping her out of the wedding dress nor seeing it taken to the cleaners to remove the smoke which not tainted this dress. She did not see Martha placing her into comfortable clothing. She still could not speak without sobbing. It was as if the world had stopped for her once again. She could not think. A Dr. Sacani from Hank Med was at her side and proscribing a sleep aid. Kate's last thoughts were those of Rick.
Kate awoke a few days later. Dr. Sacani had Divya to monitor Kate's condition. Divya had just finished taking her vitals when Kate began to stir.
"Mrs. Castle? Please lie still you will remove the IV's." Divya said.
"What…Who are you?" Kate said with a start.
"I am Divya Katdare Physician Asst with Hank Med. I was taking your vitals. You seemed to be in a bit of a shock? Please lie quiet and someone will come to inform you." Divya said smiling.
Divya crossed out of the room and Lanie entered.
"Lanie what is going on?" Kate asked.
"Well Kate you have been out for two days. I thought we might not ever see you awake again." Lanie explained.
"Two days…Lanie what has happened? Why was I out for two days?" Kate said being very confused.
"Darling…Ah you are awake that is wonderful…" Martha said coming in to check on Kate.
"Martha? What is going on why won't someone tell me what is happening?" Kate said getting a bit irate.
"Oh I hear my patient is awake? Hello I am Dr. Jeremiah Sacani I am your physician. You were suffering from exhaustion and anemia. You are doing better I see. You need to eat more green vegetables and take this vitamin. It is important you stay healthy." Dr. Sacani said.
"Why should I stay healthy my fiancé is dead and I am nothing without him?" Kate sadly said.
"Has no one informed her?" Jeremiah asked.
The three women in the room all shook their heads.
"Oh in that case I have to present you with some news…You are pregnant. So that is why it is vitally important for you to have better health." Jeremiah said.
"Pregnant…? Me?" Kate said with a start.
"Yes you Mrs. Castle you are about 5 to 6 weeks along. I suppose you will want to be alone and remember take the vitamins. Jeremiah said leaving the room to Kate and the three other women.
"So who knows?" Kate whispered trying to get the idea wrapped around her head.
"Only Family…" Lanie said.
"Does that mean My Dad?...Oh my Dad where is he?" Kate asked the assembled women.
"He is downstairs Kate do you want me to go get him?" Alexis asked.
"Yes Please Alexis if it is not too much trouble." Kate said.
"So what else are you holding back from me?" Kate asked.
"Kate… the Boys determined that Rick's car is missing. The car on fire was not his. They had only switched the plates. Slaughter has been combing the chop shops of Brooklyn trying to find it." Lanie said.
"Wait if the car on fire was not his why call me?" Kate asked confused.
"We do not know Tori traced the call to a burner. It was not Hampton PD." Lanie said.
"But I saw Chief Brady at the scene…" Kate said.
"He may have been there but he was not the one to call you…" Alexis said with Jim in tow.
"Katie!" Jim said as he rushed to her side.
"Dad…Tell me truthfully is Castle alive?" Kate asked.
Jim looked at his Daughter and spoke.
"We do not know…All we know is that Tracy…" Jim said.
"You mean Tori?" Kate corrected.
"Yes Tori determined from tire tracks that his car was stopped by an SUV which was stolen in New Jersey. His car was driven away and a traffic cam caught a picture of the person driving and it was not Rick." Jim said. "So congratulations are in order…Sweetheart I am proud to know you carry within you my grand baby."
"Thanks Dad…Valdez!" Kate exclaimed.
"Lanie get me a phone and need to talk to Slaughter!" Kate ordered.
"Katie don't you get out of that bed. You need to conserve your energies." Jim warned.
"Dad I love you but I know who took Rick!" Kate said as Lanie brought the phone to her.
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Sgt. Slaughter had just turned over another chop shop and the rats were running away when he got a call from Det. Beckett.
"Slaughter here!" He said snarling in the phone.
"Beckett here Slaughter have you checked out Valdez operations?" Kate asked.
"Valdez? After the way you sicced on him he packed up and left New York like the scalded dog he was!" Slaughter said.
"Well possibly with the power vacuum caused by Bracken's organization falling. I figure he is back and taking Rick was his calling card!" Beckett said.
"You might be right on that…I've been having a conference with some good citizens and they told me there was a new player in town." The Sgt. said. "I have no beef with Rick Castle…Shoot he was instrumental in me getting promoted! If he is in trouble I will find him!"
"I am sure you will…" Kate said.
"Well nice chatting with you Beckett but I have to go and knock some heads around!" Slaughter said hanging up.
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Rick was coming to but could not see anything. His head hurt and he felt his wrists restrained and so was his feet. There was something covering his mouth and he felt a bit like twisting in the air. Twisting his head he heard muffled voices in a language he barely could make out. It sounded like some one was arguing. Then black ness over took him again.
Rick awoke the next time and he still could not see anything. His limbs hurt and he could feel movements. Rick again tried to flex his muscles but they screamed in pain. Rick's head still hurt too. Again Rick saw nothing but darkness as he blacked out again.
Finally Rick was awake and being carried into a dusty place. He could smell the dust and maybe the smell of chickens? Definitely chickens he could hear them clucking and pecking at him.
Rick was finally awake. He coaxed the chickens to peck at his wrists. Soon the chickens had torn through the bindings. Rick stretched is muscles in the first time since he had been abducted. The first thought was of Kate. He was able to see her forlorn figure standing on the roadside as he was being driven away. That was his last image. Now he was in a chicken coop. There was nothing in here for him to use as a weapon. He sat in the pile of hay mixed with Chicken droppings. He had ripped off the bindings as soon as blood returned to his hands.
Looking around he was still in the dark. There must have been several hundred Chickens around him. Rick felt around the chickens until he found the wall. He groped in the dark along the wall. He finally saw a glimmer of light. It was Moon light shining through a crack. Rick could smell water nearby. Getting orientated Rick found the door. The coup was unlocked and there was a pen nearby for the chickens to run. In the moonlight he could see a larger building a way off. He could hear Cattle moving around too. Rick carefully ducked behind the cattle as he made his way to the side of the pen away from the building. Rick squeezed through the bars and found he could run but what direction?
He surveyed the sky he certainly was not in New York. His astronomical knowledge then kicked in. He was far to the south. Mexico if he had to guess. How he got down here he had not clue. He was still dressed in his wedding Tux which now as filthy with chicken crap. Rick figured he should take a bath. So he crept down to the smell where the water was. It was a big river. Rick decided to take his shoes off and tie them around his neck.
Rick waded into the water and let the current take him away from the chicken ranch. Rick sat in the warmer water for a couple of hours. Then he saw lights…Many lights and voices. As he scrambled up on the bank he saw smugglers taking bundles across the river. Rick hid in the reeds along the bank fascinated by the drug operation. Finally the lights were extinguished and heavy trucks were heard to start to drive off. Rick swam across the water. And ran and caught the tractor trailer. It was a bumpy ride and dusty but eventually the truck was stopped at an ICE check point but surprisingly enough the truck was waved through.
Rick moved to sit behind the cab for the rest of the ride. He dozed for awhile as the vehicle headed North. Then the truck stopped for a light in a city. Rick determined it was OK City. Rick jumped off the truck as Daylight was appearing.
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The FBI had been called in. Rick's car had been dismantled in a chop shop in Jersey. It was Valdez. However, the big man was not in the state. He had gone back to Mexico.
Sgt. Slaughter called Kate who was awaiting news.
"Beckett…Slaughter here. Yeah we found his car…He was here…You were right it was Valdez! He is not here now though. The gang members gave up that Rick was transported by truck to Mexico. There has been no word of any ransom demands have there?" The Sgt said.
"No Slaughter…There has not been anything…" Kate said. "Wait I am getting a call. I will talk at you later."
Kate hung up with the detective.
"Hello?" Kate said switching lines.
"Kate is that you?" Rick said.
"Yeah It is me My G-d Rick where are you?" Kate asked.
"Well I am at the airport in OK City… Harold has sent me some money via Courier. I'm coming home babe." Rick said.
"No Rick wait. Don't come here…It is too dangerous. I will come to you." Kate said getting out of bed.
"Ok Babe I will check into a Hilton and have a concierge get me some new clothes. These are pretty bad." Rick said.
"Ok Rick I understand do not talk just listen…I love you and I want to get married before I lose you again. I've got your wallet. It must have slipped out once you were abducted. I will find you. Do not leave your room until I get there? Ok" Kate said throwing on her clothes. She disconnected the IV and hung up her phone.
Lanie jumped up.
"Girl Friend have you lost your mind?" Lanie said.
"Lanie I love you but I have to go. Tell Martha and Alexis after I leave." Kate said.
"Ok Girl Friend but be careful." Lanie said.
Kate crept out the back of the estate and found the shed where her Motorcycle was left. She was soon on her bike riding like the wind to the nearest airport. She called Rick's service and had the bike taken back to the Hampton as she boarded a jet bound for OK city.