The days past quickly Martha was teaching Alexis the fine art of deception! Alex in the meanwhile played his part of angry and confuse jilted lover filled with UST! He spent his days working with the boys and tracking down Kate's shooter. Until that fateful day. Max sent him an text stating there was a new sheriff in charge of the `12th hand picked by the OM himself! Oh great Alex thought as he approach the precinct to confront this new horror.
Alex walked into the precinct and immediately started working with the boys. The weapon was clean and we got a break on the financials. Esposito was closing the file when a average height mature African American Woman stood over his desk.
Alex looked up at her and stood his full height so he towered over her sticking out his hand
"I am Richard Castle I am pleased to meet you Ma'am."
The Woman narrowed her eyes at Alex and with a very condescending tone said,
"A civilian I see Well Mr. Castle I know Roy ran a loose shop but that will not happen on my watch! A civilian will not be tolerated! This is a Police Precinct. I am Captain Victoria Gates. You will address me as either Captain or Sir! Do I make myself clear! Also your services are no longer required! Good day to you Sir! Detective Ryan Escort the civilian out of my Precinct!"
Alex stood there stunned at the new Captain. Esposito closed the file and handed it off to Ryan under the table while the Captain stood there fuming! Ryan hid the file under his coat and got up.
Come On Castle...Er Rick? Come on she has the authority. If do not get you to move soon I am sure she will get some Uni's to throw you out! I am sure the Press outside would love to get that picture! Besides today was your last day Right the book launch Your Real J O B."
Alex turned and looked at both Esposito still seated and Ryan now standing,
Right Right Book launch yes it is today... You all are invited it will be held at the Plaza this time I know you all have your invitations Right? Good. Ok Kevin lets go.
Alex slowly surveyed the precinct one more time under the watchful eye of one Victoria Iron Gates who was standing in the precinct Captain's office door way.
Alex then turned and said, "As the immortal words of Gen. MacArthur, I will Return."
With that statement Alex headed out of the precinct followed closely by all the eyes from detectives on the floor and Ryan tagging behind. Once safely in the elevator with the doors closes Ryan spoke.
"Gee Rick could you been any more cheesy?"
"What don't you like historical figures?"
I like historical figures fine! Why did you have to rub her nose in it? I have to work with that witch!
Alex grin faded off his face
"So Sorry Dude I guess I did get a bit melodramatic!"
"Do you Think?"
"Ok so sue me I was mad! Here I am a bona fide Hero of NYC being thrown out like some yesterday fish wrappings!"
"Yeah man I feel for you! But you have other places to be."
Ryan exited the elevator and escorted Rick to the door passing the smuggled file to him. Alex hid the file under his coat and shook Ryan's hand.
"I will see you at the book launch? Good see you there!"
Ryan turned and walked back into the building feeling it was the ending of another era. Lucky Beckett was not here to witness it! Thank Goodness for small favors. Ryan entered the bullpen to have Gates call both him and Esposito into her office.
"Gentlemen, What is the status on the case for the shooting our Detective Beckett?"
Esposito started first,"Er Mam ER Captain we have exhausted all avenues there are no trace or DNA or useable prints on the weapon. It fired only once. The weapon used to belong to a Marcus Wright a Navy seal killed 7 years ago in Afghanistan. The weapon was never recovered until now."
Ryan piped up. "The shooter was dressed as a gardener and in the confusion he got away. There was no trace of him after he left out the east gate of the cemetery."
"So Gentlemen you have nothing correct?"
"Yes Sir" ,they both stammered.
"Ok we are closing this case! This is my final decision and if I find you working on it in any way Gentlemen Insubordination will not be tolerated! I will have your badges! Dismissed!"
Both Esposito and Ryan looked at each other silently thinking Ut Oh Just wait until Beckett returns!
Alex wasted little time and headed straight to Max's location.
Max was waiting upstairs as usual.
"Max, you could have warned me she was like this!"
"I could not the order for any info on her was not to be leaked before she arrived!"
"Man Does that Guy hold a Grudge!"
"Are you going to do the same surprise to Kate?"
"Yeah unfortunately it is the OM wishes to rid his granddaughter of your more corrupting influences!"
"What about operational considerations inside NYPD?"
"We have it covered another team has been infiltrating so info will still be flowing!"
"Another Team?"
"Yes and do not ask me who they are yet! You are now sidelined with your Book so get out of here so us professionals can do your job!"
"Sheesh! What is this being kicked out twice in one day? It must be one of my personal best!"
Alex left his harried friend and caught a cab. Alex noticed the team but the shadow was missing! Alex exited the cab at the loft and got ready for the best book launch Ever. Alex felt a bit melancholy because of Roy who the book was dedicated would be missed and Kate his loving wife is still laid up at an undisclosed location.
Alex was having trouble with his tie and was going to ask Alexis for some help forgetting Buster was on the other side of the door!
Opening the door Alex was hit in the head by one swipe of Buster's clawed Paw!
Alex momentarily stunned staggered back as the Cat jump on Alex front Claws out sinking into his chest! Buster was Hissing and yowling as Alex said
"Pumpkin could you... Ahhhhhhhh this Cat Ahhhhhhh!Buster her..."
Alexis coming out of the bathroom to see Buster again attacking her dad. Alexis grabbed Buster off her father but the damage was done his shirt and suit was ruined!
Alexis disposed of Buster into her bathroom and close the door on him as he continued to yowl and spit!
"Dad, Why did you not knock? You know Buster does not like you!"
"The feeling is mutual! I was going to ask for help on this tie but now I need medical attention first!"
Alexis clucked at her father then dragged him down to his bathroom where all the medical supplies were kept.
Taking off his ripped to shreds shirt Alexis surveyed the damage that cat caused to her father.
Dad this is going to hurt,
Alexis dabbed the bright red oozing scratches which crisscrossed his chest with antibiotic ointment.
Light gauze was attached to the deeper of the wounds. Satisfied with the job she had done she left and waited out in the living room. Alex quickly changed clothes donning a new outfit. Finally dressed he exited the bedroom to ask Alexis to help him with his tie.
Alexis stood and helped her poor injured father with the uncomfortable neckware.
At that time Martha glided down the stairs decked out in her finest!
"Mother, You look ravishing as ever."
"Why thank you Richard shall we be off?"
"Dad are you forgetting something?"
Alex looked over himself
"Er no I got my keys and wallet and all important credit card. What else do I need?"
"What about your trademark Sun Glasses?"
"Oh those wait I will be right back!"
Alexis rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. Martha just looked apprehensive.
Dashing into the office he noticed the burner phone with a text saying
"Knock them dead and No Chest signing this time! KC!"
Alex smiled and sent a quick text
"I will do old BC!"
Alex exited the office with a spring to his step and said to the lucky ladies
"Let's Ride!"
Exiting the loft and sitting once again together in a limo going to another successful book launch. The pre sales were 70% higher than the last one. Good bless Amazon. Com!
"Gee Dad quoting that Space Cowboy show again? Is that not getting old?"
"Hush You!" Martha scolded, "It is your father favorite show! Besides the Captain on there looks like your father when he was younger!"
"Mother, I Can fight my own battles!"
"Yeah Right I had to rescue you from Buster!"
"He surprised me he would have never had a chance..."
"Never had a chance to practice your ninja skills?"
As soon as Alexis said it her mind reminded her Yes that is true he does have Ninja skills!
"Oh, We are here Ready everyone it is showtime"
Alex placed the trademark sunglasses on his face.
Exiting out of the limo there was extra number of Press on this launch all yelling different questions.
Paula was standing on the side to escort him though the press throng.
Paula hissed at him the book is selling quite well in Japan and Australia they released it on the same day so we got those returns early. France is sell well too. England Book sellers have sold out and are awaiting new shipments. New York has not even got them on he shelves yet. You are doing great.
Alex entered the ballroom and notice the contingent from 12th precinct standing at the bar! Tom Demming towering over all of them. Alex was then guided to the table as Gina introduced him.
Alex stood up and started his prepared speech.
"This book is dedicated to Roy Montgomery the Late Captain of the 12th Precinct. He was a great mentor to all who worked with him and greater man to all that knew him.
At this Alex raised his glass of champagne high in to the air!
After the toast Alex continued...
To my muse the injured but not forgotten Detective Kate Beckett who taught me the ropes at the 12th precinct and makes sense all the songs. She also said she would break me out of Jail!
The rest of the crowd laughed politely!
Alex continued
To my brother's at arms Detective Kevin Ryan and Detective Javier Esposito May their partnership last the test of time.
To Dr. Lanie Parrish the person I go to for most comprehensive medical knowledge on dead bodies!
To my punisher oops Publisher Gina Griffen who without her tireless pursuit this book would never be finished on time!
To My Publicist Paula Hass who works long hours so you all can enjoy my exploits.
And of course to you the fans who buys my books! Thank you!
Alex left the stage and the party got into swing
Alex sauntered over to the Bar Being first accosted by Esposito then Ryan
"Whats with the dedication Bro?"
"Yeah it made it sound like we are a old gay couple! Not cool Bro!"
Lanie took this opportunity to grab Esposito and say
"Quiet you two do act like an old married couple! Leave the Writer Boy alone he has suffered enough!"
"Besides I want to dance with the more Handsome you two!"
"Right beside ja chica" Esposito leans in only to have Lanie grab Ryan!
"What was that about?" as Ryan was being dragged out on to the dance floor.
"What oh nothing Him I am mad at but I wanted to dance anyway!"
Jenny sitting at the table watch the exchange as Alex slid in next to her.
"You want to rescue your man? Come on I ' ll take you out there!"
Alex gracefully bowed and lead Jenny on to the dance floor and proceeded to dance over to where Lanie and Ryan were. Rick ask to switch partners and both agreed. So Alex chose Ryan and danced off leaving both Jenny and Lanie standing there!
"Not cool Man! I get to lead",Ryan grumbled!
The two women looked at each and shrugged and started dancing together following Alex and Ryan. After a few steps Ryan separated and started dancing with Jenny!
Jenny said, "Finally I thought you had switched sides!
Nah, Jenny I had to play a trick on Rick he thought I would not accept!"
Lanie was dancing with Alex and said
"I know you are putting a brave face on tonight but I can see you are missing her."
"Lanie you are as perceptive as you are wise! True, I do miss her very much!"
"Oh so why do you not tell her?"
"I did while she was dying in my arms she says she did not remember!"
"Oh you poor Man!"
About that time Esposito has had enough and stomps out on the dance floor and separated Alex from Lanie!
Lanie graciously bowed as Alex kissed her hand then handed her off to a fuming Javi!
"Yo Chica what was that all about!"
"Javi I was mad at you! You been ignoring me all day what is up with that!"
"Oh Chica it was not on purpose we have a new ball busting Captain. Personal calls are to be done on our lunch break or not at all! Boy do I miss Montgomery!"
"Oh you poor Man I will let you make it up to me tonight!"
"Oh my place or yours?"
"Yours it is closer of course Rick has generously reserved rooms for all of us here so we just need to slip away!"
"That man is too generous but I would hate to snub his generosity"
"Me too! I like how you think!"
Lanie and Javi plus Jenny and Kevin danced the night away. Alex ended up being swarmed by eager fans.
Alexis met up with Ashley and a few of her friends for a small party happening in the rented rooms.
The people started to depart the party was all winding down when Alex announced the after party that will be going on in one of the smaller suites. All the guests who were left then gathered into that room so that the clean up crew could start to reassemble the main ballroom.
Alex had a good time but still missed having Kate not being here. This was the first one she had missed for 4 years, Oh well she is injured and the Dragon is still out there.
Alex followed his wife's edict and not one chest was signed but a few arms were though! Plus the shoulder blade of one Sumo Wrestler. He said he is going to get it inked in for his lucky tattoo!
Alex went to his room alone and got into a shower then went fast asleep.
