A friend at Court
Chapter 1How did she let herself get into this position? Somehow she was sure she could find a way to blame Castle, but that wouldn't do much to change the situation. She knew it was wrong. She knew she didn't want to be here. She knew if she didn't do something then things would only get worse. So what was she going to do? The way she saw it she had two choices. She could A: Stay on the safe course. Live her life merely for work with the occasional weekend off. All she had to do was get on the plane. With a man she cared for, but would never love. She could almost convince herself she would be happy. Almost. Or B: Take a risk. Let herself love and be loved in return. Give herself the opportunity to really live. Have more to look forward to then just a bath and a glass of wine. All she had to do was not get on the plane. Okay, so maybe there would be a little more work to it then that, but she could do it. If she can stand up to hardened criminals twice her size, surely she could walk up to the man she loved and tell him that. Simple. Three words. That's all.
She turned to face the companion at her side. She really did like him. He was nice. He understood her job and the crazy hours it involved. Then again, he was always gone. She couldn't blame him for that. He cared about his work as she did hers. Nonetheless, she had made her decision. "Listen, Josh, I..."
The sound of her name being called interrupted her words. She knew that voice and the desperation, pain, and fear she heard in it nearly broke her heart in two. She spun around scanning the crowds looking for the face that went with the voice. Josh grabbed her arm and asked who that was.
"It's Alexis. Castle's daughter." She said as she started walking towards the redheaded girl. However Josh's' hand tightened around her arm.
"We don't have time for this. Our plane is leaving soon."
"Alexis is hurt Josh, I'm not going to just leave her here." She shook her arm free and went to Alexis' side. Before she had a chance to question what happened to her Josh had hauled her up to face him.
"Kate, they're boarding the plane now. Just call her dad and lets go."
"I'm not leaving her Josh so drop it."
"Oh, come on Kate. She's fine. Castle probably put her up to this so you wouldn't come with me."
Before he knew what was happening, a resounding smack was heard. Kate got in his face and hissed in his ear. "Alexis is the most honest, compassionate, and kind person I know. She wouldn't pretend to do something that would knowingly hurt someone else. And Castle? He has too much respect for Alexis and me to do something like that. Now get out of my way so I can help her."
By this time Josh himself was frustrated. He didn't understand how she could put so much faith in the author. He was fed up of Kate always putting Castle ahead of him. "It's me or him Kate. I'm tired of him always messing with our plans."
"Him." The answer was simple and she didn't hesitate to give it. She didn't look back as she picked her carry-on up and carefully guided Alexis to the nearest exit. Once she had her safely tucked into a cab Kate was able to get a good look at the quiet girl next to her. Her hair was tangled and the sleeve of her shirt was partially ripped. Bruises were beginning to appear on her upper arms. The girl looked up and she noticed that her eyes were glassy.
"What happened Alexis?"
"I think he put something in my soda."
Kate hurriedly gave the cabbie instructions to take them to the nearest hospital.
"Do you know who it was?"
"He said his name was Daniel Starrk. He was so nice, Kate. We were talking on the couch. Neither of us had wanted to go to the party in the first place, but Paige had been planning the party for ages and we worked so hard on the ballroom in the hotel so she said I had to go, and he said one of his friends made him too. He told me about the classes he was taking and what he wanted to do with his life. Then he got me a drink. After I drank it I started feeling woozy and he started getting handsy. I pushed him off me, but he wouldn't leave me alone. I hit him. Hard. I think I broke his nose. I tried calling Dad but he's in a meeting with his publishers. Then I remembered that he said you where flying to up to Maine and the hotel was across the street so I came here."
"Good girl. Can you tell me what he looked like?"
"Umm a couple inches taller then me. Sandy hair, brown eyes. I think he had a small scar by his eyebrow." She pointed above her right eyebrow to indicate exactly where. "Kate, I want my Dad."
Kate wrapped her arm around Alexis. She pulled her phone out and called her friend. "Hey Espo, I need your help."
"What did Writer Boy do now?"
"Alexis was attacked." She heard some mumbling and some rustling on the other side of the phone.
"What do you need Boss?"
"Kid's name is Daniel Starrk. I want him brought in and put into holding. Also have Ryan get Castle from Black Pawn. Make sure he tells him that Alexis is okay. We are going to Providence. And tell them to bring a change of clothes for her. You might want to look for the perp at hospitals and clinics. He could have a nose injury."
"You got it. We will meet you at the hospital."
"Thanks Espo."
Only a few minutes later they had arrived at the ER entrance.
