Utter shock had fallen on the unorthodox family. In their own way each was silently asking what more they could take. First there was the tragedy that brought them together, one that eventually nearly tore them apart, the murder of Johanna Beckett. When her daughter Detective Kate Beckett had been shot right in front of their eyes, each a witness to her near death it had rocked them to their core. Almost to the day a year later Kate had been thrown off a roof managing to hang on by her fingertips before finally losing her grip. No one really spoke of just how close that was, Ryan having just reached over to pull her up, had to lunge to catch her … he never showed anyone the deep marks left when her fingernails tug in while she grabbed on for dear life.
All of that finally led to the discovery of who was behind Johanna Beckett's murder. Yet he remained free, a deal cut, but no justice … one day. Then the worst week of their lives, even Kate's, when the innocent Alexis was abducted, whisked away as a pawn, in a game of death between the grandfather she never knew and his old arch enemy from a bygone era. They nearly lost Rick Castle, only Alexis, Martha, and Kate new the true details. Well of course Jackson Hunt, but he supposedly didn't exist or did he? Well he did, but apparently under a different name.
Now, just weeks later, he might be their only hope.
"Dr. O'Sullivan do you have any news?"
"Ms. Rodgers, Alexis, Detective Beckett, please have a seat." He watched as the three ladies sat down in the small private waiting room. The rest of their family stepping in to hear and to comfort.
"There's no easy way to tell you this. I'm sorry but none of you are a match. You are all incompatible as donors. Are you sure there are no relatives who would consider being tested?"
"Doctor, Richard was an only child and we have no way to contact his father. We aren't sure if he is even alive."
"Ms. Rodgers even if he was I assume his father is what late sixties or early seventies?"
"Seventy give or take, I'm not quite sure."
"He would have to be in excellent health to even be considered. But try to find him."
"Thank you doctor. We will."
"Doctor, I know it's urgent, but how long do we have to find a match?" The scared yet pragmatic Kate forced her question out, fear was a powerful motivator.
"Detective the honest answer is I don't know. Of course the sooner the better."
"Thank You."
The doctor has left and everyone is silently wondering what to say or do. Alexis speaks first, "We have to find him. I think I know how."
Everyone turns, Ryan asks, "How?"
"Grams the book. We put a note in the original copy … the one they don't let you check out."
Esposito shakes his head, "I'm sorry what?"
Alexis looks to Kate and then to her grams (Martha Rodgers). Seeing nods of agreement she continues, "Javi, Ryan, Jenny, Captain Gates, when I was kidnapped the story in the press about Interpol and the French police … it was a lie. It was a cover, my grandfather he's an intelligence asset. He's been watching dad, grams and I for a long time. Dad met him at the New York Central Library years ago, grandfather helped dad find a book."
"You met your grandfather? That's … that's …." The excitement in Ryan's voice screams hope.
"No, but dad did."
"What are you trying to say about a message and a book?" Straight and to the point, Captain Gates brought the focus back to the current crisis.
"The book my grandfather found for my dad is still at the library. They no longer check it out as it's an original copy. Casino Royale. It's very valuable, but dad told me grandfather told him to put a note inside the back cover if he ever needed grandfather's help."
Martha looks at Alexis, searching to see if this is real. "Oh my. Alexis when did …?"
"When we were flying home. Dad wanted to make sure I knew how to get help should anything happen."
"Let's do it." Esposito is already heading for the door as he speaks.
"Detective Espositio, hold on. Alexis this book is part of the rare book collection, correct?" The tone was friendly, but clearly still an order from the Captain.
"Yes it is."
"Okay, Martha I can call the Mayor or do you want to? They don't let anyone handle the rare books any longer."
"Victoria do you mind?"
"Consider it done. Alexis your grandfather is well a spy in laymen's terms. Is the message supposed to be coded?"
"Yes. We use the first Derek Storm and Nikki Heat books. Page number and then word number, something dad learned back on that stalker case. You remember Kate?"
"Yes. Espo hand me my bag I need my Kindle. I have all Rick's books on it."
The speed with which they had been able to get the note composed and delivered to the library gave them hope. No one expected a fast answer, but with Castle's sudden illness being news they were hoping that just maybe it would come in time. When Martha's cell phone rang just minutes before midnight it startled everyone from their attempts at sleep … well everyone being Alexis, Kate, and Martha. They got an answer in just under twelve hours.
"Hello Darling. It's Jackson." Any attempt at composure was quickly lost as Martha recognized instantly the voice, the one she had given up all hope of ever hearing again.
"Say something."
"Jackson. … How?" Nearly breathless and yet despite being a whisper both Alexis and Kate understood. They both watched anxiously.
"Not now, put us on speaker please. I assume Alexis and Kate are there."
"Yes … you're on speaker."
"Alexis honey I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you. Kate thank you."
"What?" The stereo voices asked in bewilderment.
"Richard knows. I've been watching. Alexis you are truly beautiful. Kate you gave Richard purpose, a North Star to his reason for living now that Alexis is grown.
"Hang on just a minute …." They can hear muffled talking as if the phone has been covered. "Sorry, we'll be arriving at JFK in five hours, executive terminal."
Martha is first to inquire, "We?"
"That's right. I'm afraid I have not been completely forthcoming. Richard has a half-brother he's agreed to be tested as well. I have to go for now, we are rolling for takeoff." The absence of sound tells them he has cut the connection.
Relief and confusion reign supreme. Kate looks to Martha and asks, "Want a ride to the airport?"
"I'm coming too." Both ladies look to Alexis and nod, there was never any doubt.
An A/U look at a plot that just smacked me in the head. A reunion of sorts, and "new" family members. That is if reviews indicate readers want to see more. It won't be a long story. At least that's not the plan, and if by some chance it was to grow it won't take precedence over my other stories: "Consequences" or the badly neglected "Silent Boom"
If it grows to more that this, it will not stay dark. The cavalry really is coming.
Thoughts?