Just some set up. We should have a nice murder fairly soon
Vacation…
That is a foreign word for Katherine Beckett. A word that was used by other people and not by her. It was an action done by others.
Over the last thirteen years, Katherine Becket has never taken more than a few days of vacation back to back. She normally used one or two days when she had business to take care of or taking a little time for her and her dad that they might spend time away together. But before now, Kate Beckett has never had reason or even a desire to be anywhere away from her work for an extended time.
Detective Beckett did not take vacations
How her world has changed
This plan is different. It is not exactly the honeymoon getaway that he wants for her. He promised her that they were going to a romantic secluded tropical island getaway and spend days upon days doing nothing except enjoying the warm sun, the sandy beaches, and the other one's presence.
The only thing different in this is that they are going to go away just not to the deserted island and definitely NOT alone.
Instead of a fast flight from New York to the isolated island, they are going on a ship. A cruise ship sailing at a slow 22 knots. And instead of alone, they would be with 2000 of their closest traveling companions and friends including the members of the mystery club along with a crew running the ship
There would be an island involved, except, instead of being a private island, the island is Puerto Rico.
Not exactly what she wanted but he promised her that there would still be plenty of alone time for just her and him to do whatever honeymooners do.
After finding out that her and Castle were definitely going to host this Mystery Murder club tour she has been getting herself ready. The next two days were filled with locating passports and getting all the travel documents ready so they can leave. The trip technically did not require a passport since all stops are United States Territory but having the document is always a good idea. Fortunately she did update her passport soon after they got married with her new name so she her paperwork is ready for them to go.
The schedule for the event is part of a Black Pawn Mystery Tour. It begins in Florida. This leg of the event is a cruise out of Orlando and then thru the Caribbean with the first stop in St. Thomas in the US Virgin islands then the last leg to Puerto Rico.
Now for her next task, she needs to pack for the trip. As she stares at the back placed on the stand in the closet she is staring at her clothes. As thought about before, she has not taken an extended trip in over a dozen years. Her mind is trying to decide exactly what she must pack
First she looks at her outer wear. They will be on a ship in a very warm climate, so shorts, tank tops and light blouses are acceptable. She does feel that at least one or two dressier shirt and slacks would be needed.
Shoes… Sandals and flip flops are the required footwear needed aboard ship. But she does think at least one stylish pair of high heels and another, lower heels would be appropriate. None of her favorite stiletto boots will be joining in on this trip however
She moves over to her lingerie dresser and slides open the drawers. Carefully placed here are all the special items she has purchased over the last few months to be used on her husband in keeping his interest alive. Looking at the items in storage, she wonders if how much, if any, of these things have been needed. Especially when she does wear them, they do not stay on her very long.
He told her once that she could wear a flannel floor gown and he would still get excited in the same way just thinking about her
A warm feeling rushes up her body because she knows that he really does care about her. All of her and not how she dresses for him although she enjoys the outcome herself
Once she has finished packing all the necessary items she looks back to the itinerary that her husband was given for the trip. This is when it hits her.
There is a formal night. A formal night where she needs to wear a nice, special dress. Gloom rushes over her. She needs a dress for the formal evening. She walks into her closet and begins going over all the dresses there on the hangers.
The dress she wore to his Derrick Storm reading when they first met…no
The dress Castle bought her for the undercover charity ball right after they met…no
The dress she wore to the Nikki Heat release party…no
The dress she wore to the dinner with the fireman…no
The dress she wore to the male strip club…no
Her eyes travel on down the line to the group of dresses that were her mother's dresses. Her mother was a beautiful woman. Built exactly like Kate. Long legs on a slender frame. A sleek woman who would capture the room from the moment she stepped in. And now Kate possessed all the wonderful attire her mother once wore
But Kate is not feeling like she should even consider taking any of them for her trip. Her mother was always such a beauty when she and Kate's dad went out, she is feeling like she would be disrespecting her mom.
She still walks down the line looking at these dresses then stops abruptly at one. It just seems to catch Kate and will not let her go. She reaches out and takes the dress off the rod and holds it up in front of herself then turns to where she can look at herself in the full length mirror on the wall. She sees just how striking this dress will be once she puts it on
She closes her eyes and can swear she hears her mother's voice saying to her
'Katie. This dress is perfect. You are beautiful. You will take this one'
All the arrangements for the trip were handled by Black Pawn and the cruise line. Rick did, however, had their seats upgraded from business class to first class but otherwise they were traveling just like any other guest on the cruise.
After checking their bags at the ticket counter at LaGuardia they were told the cruise line took care of everything else and the next time they would see their bags would be in their stateroom aboard the ship
Once settled in their comfortable seats on the plane, Kate and Rick were able to discuss more about the upcoming events
"Castle, I have never been on a cruise before. Mom and dad talked about going on one after I graduated from Stanford but, of course, that never happened. Everyone I ever spoke to about it told me it is a lot of fun, so what can I expect?"
Rick has taken Kate's hand into his own lap and intertwined their fingers "First off, all the food and entertainment on the ship is free. Alcohol and soft drinks are extra but all the meals are included. And let me tell you the food is unbelievable. Each evening meal is special in itself. There are stores on the main level where you can buy gifts and clothes. Even jewelry"
Looking deeply into his eyes "Do they have any special items? You know, about more personal, intimate items?" she chides him a little. She loves to watch him go slack jaw when she does this. She reaches out her hand and pushes his mouth closed "Looks like we need to talk more about that later"
He mumbles something in response
She snaps him out of his thoughts "Castle"
"Yeah?"
"Tell me about this Murder Mystery Club thing?"
Regaining his composure "This is a club that formed a few years ago. Black Pawn along with a couple of other publishing houses sponsor it. They have a murder mystery get together about twice a year. Sometimes at a hotel or vacation getaway destination. This time it is this cruise"
"So what? They meet and visit and compare stories and get to visit with a famous author…" she wraps her fingers around Rick's arm "like my husband?"
"Actually there is a murder that they all get to solve. They split up in teams, usually no more than 6 or 8 to a team. The host sets up a murder story and they try to figure out who did it and why"
"How do they do the story?"
"It is set up like a Alfred Hitchcock movie. Actors play guests who are invited to a mansion for dinner. During the course of the evening meal a storm knocks out the lights and when the lights come back on then someone is found murdered"
"Is there a prize?" Kate asks
"I think they have a cash prize. It is not much. Doesn't even pay for the trip, but everyone has a fun time"
"So why are you here?"
"They always have a guest mystery writer as the host. I did it several years ago"
Kate continues her questions "Do you know all the story of who dies and who the killer is?"
"Not everything. Gina e-mailed me the script I am to read. It tells me who will be the victim but even I don't know who the killer is or how the victim is killed. I won't know until I am given an envelope after the game starts"
He looks at Kate who has still has a question written all over her face "So did you do this more than once?" she asks
"They asked me to go last year but I did not want to do it then"
"Why not?" she truly wonders
"It would have taken me away from you"
"We weren't…together then"
Castle smiles at Kate and responds softly "Weren't we?"
She lays her head over on him. He leans over and kisses her hair. It is too bad he doesn't see the happiness spreading on her face
Upon arrival at Orlando airport they were picked up by the cruise line and shuttled to the ship where they received VIP boarding. Once they stepped across the gangway and boarded the ship they were greeted by one of the staff and escorted to their room
Kate has been treated like a queen all day today and she is not wanting it to end. This entire time she is thinking that if this is not the special vacation planned by Castle then the real one will be unbelievable
When they finally arrive at their cabin the escort advises them that their cabin steward will be coming by shortly and that the bags should arrive shortly. She then leaves them alone,
Castle and Beckett explore the room. It is larger than she expected. Since he was the honored host for the mystery tour they were given a larger stateroom with a full balcony and separate seating area and larger bathroom complete with a wet bar
The pair open the door and walk out to the balcony where she can feel the warm sea air across her face Kate wraps her arms around her husband "WOW!" and she gives him a sweet kiss
"You know how to get a girl in the mood, don't you?"
"That was not planned but I will enjoy the benefits" He pulls her to his chest
A knock on the door interrupts their brief make out session
A tall, dark haired man wearing a stewards uniform is standing outside "Mr. Castle, Ms. Beckett, I am Carlos and I am your cabin steward. I will be taking care of your room during the cruise. I have brought fresh towels for the bathroom"
After completing the briefing about the features of the ship, Carlos tells the couple that a buffet is set up on the fifth deck with some light afternoon fare and will be available until sailing.
After thanking the steward Kate and Rick leave the room and head down to the lunch area. As soon as they walk out to the deck and turn toward the lunch bar they encounter a table filled with women. This is when several familiar voices call out
"HEY RICK!"
Sitting together are several woman Castle recognizes from the Hamptons. Including
Joy Mason and Sara Green
"Hello Ladies" Castle speaks to the group
He can feel his wife's nails digging into his arm
I know Marlow once said that them being together did not mean they could go on a Princess Cruise and solve a murder, but he is not in charge any more