The group of detectives arrives at the main dining room to find two couples already seated at a large table. There are place cards at each seat indicating where everyone is to be placed.
Naturally the head of the table is marked for Castle himself. The chairs immediately next to him going down each side begin with Captain Montgomery to his left .Next to the captain is Sally Everson with her husband directly across from her. Then beside her in order are Esposito then Betty Riddle, Kevin Ryan, then Martha
Mrs. Montgomery is to Castle's right. Followed by Thomas Everson then Lanie Parish, Ernest Riddle, Jenny O'Malley then finally Alexis. Since Beckett is alone, she is placed at the opposite end of the table from Castle
The seating is arranged so each spouse or partner is directly across the table from the other and then alternating male female. This arrangement is designed to allow the guests to meet one another and get acquainted.
After everyone has arrived at the table and are seated. Richard Castle stands, takes his water glass and speaks.
"I want to welcome everyone here tonight."
Castle holds his glass toward the captain "Thank you Captain Montgomery for allowing the finest detectives in New York to come here today."
Then toward his nearest neighbor "I also want to welcome my neighbors, Ernest and Betty Riddle. They live just two houses down from us and Thomas and Sally Everson who hare just next door"
"Thomas and Sally are the owners of Pro-vista Distributors back in the city and Ernest is a retired attorney with the firm of Riddle, Clark, Emerson and Andrews"
Castle then speaks to the members of the 12th that are seated around the table and introduces each one to the other two couples. As he gives each one's name, he makes some positive comment about them or their accomplishments. Castle does seem to spend a little extra time telling the accomplishments of Kate Beckett causing her to blush a little. This little extra time in admiration does not go unnoticed by Alexis.
"Now that the introductions are done welcome to our home away from the city. I hope each and every one of you have fun, go shopping in town or just relax and do nothing at all"
After Castle finishes his remarks, the staff begins to serve the guests by starting with the appetizers. This is followed up by soup, salad, then the main course. The meal is topped off with a delicious dessert.
Coffee is offered to whoever wishes. Also after diner cocktails and fine wine is brought out and served.
Conversations around the table focus on nothing important. The Beckett asks the retired lawyer asking him what type law that he was involved in. Ernest tells the detective not to worry, he did not defend criminals He was involved in corporate law. Things such as acquisitions, corporate maters and not drug dealers or murders
Captain Montgomery asked Sally Everson what they did and she told him that they were distributors of consumer electronics such as televisions, satellite receivers, and other electronics for home use. She tells the captain that they are the largest supply company in New England.
As everyone is finishing their after diner drinks, Richard speaks again.
"I certainly hope everyone enjoyed your meal. We are not normally this formal in this house, so don't expect this for the rest of the holiday."
This brings a few chuckles "We will revert to casual dining from here on out. In the morning, just come down here or out to the porch and the kitchen staff will prepare you whatever you wish for breakfast and the other meals of the day. You can have whatever you want whenever you want."
Castle points around the house "Now, please spend the rest of the evening out on the deck, walk the beach, play in the game room. There is a pool table and card table, or pick put a book from the library. Tomorrow, if any of you decide you might want to go into town. I have a car at your disposal. The shopping in town is wonderful. My credit card has been abused by my mother and daughter many times there"
This brings a "Richard" comment from Martha
Smiling at the assembled group. "Please just relax. I want everyone to enjoy the week end"
Castle stands and the other guests do also.
Ernest and Betty tell Castle that they have another engagement to be at so they thank their hosts and bid farewell. Martha walks them to the front door and sees them out.
Evelyn, Jenny, and Lanie step out to the deck and sit and enjoy the setting sun.
Montgomery, Ryan and Esposito and Thomas Everson all head for the poker table for a few hands.
Alexis tells her dad that she needs to study for a calculus test she has on Tuesday and she retreats to her room
Beckett looks at the red head "Test on Tuesday? This is summer vacation, why are you having a test on Tuesday?"
"Oh. I am taking some college courses between semesters so I can advance in the fall."
"OH! I see" Beckett says back more of a question than a statement
"I'll see everyone tomorrow" Alexis comments as runs to hug her dad and grandmother and she disappears upstairs
Beckett smiles to the daughter and she proceeds to walk back down the corridor in the direction of the study
Castle then joins the men in the game room
The men have only been playing a few hands when Thomas Everson's cell phone rings. He excuses himself for a moment while he answers the call.
Castle offers to get a round of drinks for the men. They all decline and tell him that they want to be fully awake when they kick Castle's ass at poker
Castle tells them that "It's on you three. We will see who gets kicked and who does the kicking"
Everson returns to the group "Rick, I have an emergency back in the city and I must go back to the house. Thank you for the wonderful meal and hospitality. Next weekend we need to have another game with your Gotham City Crew and these three too. I need them to give me your secret tell so I know when to fole and when to call your bluff"
"You got it, Tom. I'll call you next week"
Tom steps out and tells his wife they need to leave. Thomas and Sally tell everyone goodbye as they leave the Castle house
After the couple exit, Richard Castle tells the three detectives at the card table he really has something he has to finish this weekend and please excuse him. Montgomery, Ryan and Esposito stay at the table while Rick heads toward his home office
Castle walks down the hall into his study. He is planning on trying to start on his new book or at least get the outline worked out. In the new book he is working on, he plans to base it on the detectives of the 12th precinct. He just hasn't pinned anything down yet on character development. Leads players or their backgrounds. He barely has an outline started.
When he enters his study, he comes face to face with Detective Beckett. Castle smiles toward her then he sits down at the desk where he writes, takes out a note pad and returns to the outline he started several weeks ago.
Kate has been looking at the extensive library that surrounds her and wonders 'just how intelligent is this man?' She knows his books very well since they have been her crutch from the time of her mother's death. His crime scene details are perfect. He doesn't seem to miss any detail.
She has glanced over the shelves packed with literature, science, fiction, biographies and medical textbooks. He has several shelves dedicated to forensic reference and crime scene investigation.
H seems to have en extensive reference library here. One that would rival many other learning centers.
Beckett picks one of the mystery novels from one of Castle's competitors and sits down in a comfortable chair near the fireplace. She considers for a moment how nice it would be to sit here on a cold winter's day and read in front of a warm fire.
She glances up repeatedly toward Castle then finally she closes the book and speaks
"OK! Who are you and what have you done with Richard Castle?"
