Jumping to Conclusions by Oldest Man
Part 3
New York
Word of the death of Richard Castle splashed across the television, internet and print media. Kate was deluged with calls requesting interviews, accosted by reporters outside her apartment demanding answers to shouted questions and her photograph was plastered all over the tabloids.
They were still trying to get word to Martha and Alexis but they were on a river safari in the Congo and communications were spotty at the best of times and this was not one of those times.
A delegation from TransCon airlines came to visit her at Castle's loft where she was staying more to be away from the press than to be 'near' him. She would mourn him as a friend and co-worker but his betrayal wouldn't allow her to do more than that.
"Ms. Beckett, the TransCon family extends its deepest sympathies for your loss. A check is being prepared and will be delivered by registered mail to Mr. Castle's attorneys. Is there anything we can do for you?"
"When will you be releasing – the remains? His family will want to have – I don't know what arrangements they wish to make but I'm sure knowing his remains have been recovered will bring them some comfort."
"Um, well, you see, the sudden cessation of horizontal flight and the onset of near vertical acceleration and impact have made the recovery and identification of remains – difficult."
"You mean that you can't separate one body from another because your aircraft left a huge gouge over 300 yards long and then exploded, don't you?"
"Several sections of the aircraft cabin have not been located. The debris is spread over several square miles because the aircraft began breaking up soon after horizontal flight ceased. The terrain is difficult and just getting to the impact zone has required – "
"Cut the crap. Have you found his body or not?"
"As I said – "
"Here's my card. Contact me when you have something definitive to offer rather than corporate platitudes."
She pointed to the door and told them to get out.
She walked upstairs to his bedroom and pulled out the shirt he last wore from the clothes hamper, tore off her own clothing and put on the shirt and then crawled into his bed and tried to sleep.
This was going to be our bed. He promised me. He told me he'd changed. He told me I was the only woman he ever wanted to wake up with, to make love with and to grow old and die with.
He lied.
God, how was it possible to love and hate the same person?
Los Angeles
Castle's death made the news, of course. The cast and executives of the movie, Heat Wave, were all contacted for interviews. Only one of the stars refused any comments to the press, Natalie Rhodes. Hollywood being Hollywood, the press immediately smelled blood in the water and pursued her for comments regardless of where she went or with whom she was with – her son.
"No comment. Talk with the studio. No comment." It became her mantra. The studio PR people loved it. It smacked of something sordid and unsavory and in Hollywood that translated into big bucks. Everyone loved someone else's pain. The supermarket tabloids were proof of that.
Natalie was devastated and felt responsible for Castle's death. She was the one who answered his phone. She made the snarky comments and now she carried the pain of her own guilt. She cried almost all the time and her son didn't know what to do.
She had finally admitted to herself that she'd fallen for Richard Castle. It made working with him day in and day out difficult but she treasured the private moments they had together. It was a hopeless love but she loved him anyway. It made her guilt all the harder to bear.
Did I subconsciously try to undermine Rick's relationship with Beckett? Did I cause his death?
She didn't know the answer. She only knew one way to get her answers. She glanced at her watch and frowned. Maybe it was too early to call. Maybe she was finally getting some rest. Maybe she was out celebrating her liberation.
She dialed a number from her contact list and listened to the phone ring and ring. It finally went to voice mail. She called it again. And finally she answered with her short 'Beckett, what the hell do you want, Natalie?'
"Hello, Beckett. Don't hang up on me. You owe it to Rick to listen to what I have to say and then you can hang up and continue hating him for something he didn't do. Are you willing to listen?"
New York/Los Angeles
Kate listened without doing more than grunting in response to Rhodes' questioning whether she was 'still listening?' She couldn't do more that grunt because if she did, she'd end up screaming in anguish.
"That's it, Beckett. That's the sordid truth. The man was a friggin' saint and you made his last hours on Earth – well, y'know he said something once that really made an impression on me."
Natalie heard the grunt. Again.
He said 'I have one woman in my life and I'm going to marry her if I have to wage war on Heaven itself'. Y'know, I think he would, too. So, that's it. I'm flying out to New York for the – funeral and I'll see you then. I – I can't help thinking that if things had been different – " She hung up.
She couldn't listen to Beckett's breathing and that disgusting grunt that seemed to say 'I'm listening but couldn't care less'. She couldn't even share the silences with her.
Castle was better off wherever he was now. She couldn't imagine a man so full of life shackled by love's fetters to a woman who didn't love him back with the same fire and passion.
Yeah. He was definitely better off.
New York
"Lanie, can you come over to Castle's? Please? I need to talk to my best friend."
"I'll be there in 20 minutes. Want me to bring Esposito?"
"No. The fewer people who know, the better. Please come."
"In 20."
Lanie's mind was full of questions. Beckett's attitude, even after her collapse at hearing the news, was not what you'd expect of someone who'd just lost her 'one and done'. She was cold and almost indifferent, making all the right noises and doing all the right things but she seemed detached from it all.
The loft
Kate threw open the door to the loft almost before Lanie's knuckles had struck it a second time. She didn't even have time to focus on the blur at the door before it attacked her, wrapping itself around her and sobbing "He's gone, Lanie, and I was so hateful to him."
Lanie sighed and waited out the emotional meltdown. She couldn't understand a word Kate was sobbing into her shoulder but figured she'd hear it later when Kate calmed down.
Poor Lanie's curiosity was piqued but an exhausted Kate slipped into a deep sleep, emotionally empty and exhausted from the past 24 hours.
Well, there you have it. A fertile plain for the almost last chapters. Anyone seen a body lying around?
OM