The paper sits upon the table depressing him. There upon the front page is his wedding photo, the one they released to the public. Above it the headline makes his head hurt.
Murdered Muse: Wife of Richard Castle found murdered at work.
The words hurt him as if they were knives but still he soldiers on, the peace he found last night is all but gone as he checks in on his children. Jo sleeps soundly unaware of her loss while Alexis is awake, her big eyes red from crying. She stares at him like she has always done, desperate to ask him to fix everything but she's not a child any more. She knows that no matter how hard anyone tried, Kate was gone.
He holds Alexis close before telling her about his conversation with Lanie the night before; he imparts his own strange wisdom but neglects to mention his vision. The last thing his daughter needs is to be worrying about his sanity.
"Honey, we'll be fine. Sure we will miss her like crazy but she's with her mom now, and she won't forget us. And look at it this way, every time an important even happens she'll be there, watching."
"So, she's watching now?"
"Probably, why?"
"If I talk can she hear me?"
"I think she can"
When Alexis next speaks, it's not to Rick but to the sky, to the angels.
"Kate, Dad says you can probably hear me and I just want you to know that I'll miss you and I love you. You are basically my mom; I'll look after them for you, Dad and Jo. I know you'll always be there and I appreciate it but don't forget to spend time with your mom too. We don't mind."
Rick holds his daughter close as she stops talking, her tears restarting but as he looks into her eyes, he can see that she too has found a little bit of peace. Not wanting to ruin the moment but needing to get going he untangles himself from her, shifting her back into bed. He speaks before turning and leaving.
"I've phoned mother, asked her to come round, I'm going to help catch her killer and then I'm done. I'll help if they need it but I'm not risking my life anymore. Kate and I have already agreed on it. We knew that one day this could happen. I'll be there for Jo every step just as ordered."
He arrives at the precinct at nine o'clock sharp, everyone's drinks in hand. Setting them down on what was his wife's desk he takes the ME into a hug before people begin to speak. Lanie is the first as she returns to Esposito's side and recounts what she found. Her voice quavers often and twice she has to stop but with her hands shaking she manages it.
"So basically we got enough to id him and narrow down where he's been lately. I found traces of an element found specifically in the soil at the botanic gardens, it's used in the special compost that they spread on the roses."
Esposito talks next, he tries his best to sound normal, almost succeeding but his eyes give away his pain and anger.
"CSU found traces of glass and mortar, looks life they came from him during the fight, specifics say he's been in quite an old building, probably is major disrepair, an outhouse or something."
Something in Castle's mind clicks.
"There's an old abandoned outhouse near the gardens, they used to keep stuff in it until half of it collapsed and they closed it off. As far as I know barely anyone still remembers it's there. I can only remember because I told Kate about it last time we were there."
He can see her again. It's the first time he's seen her with others around, he tries not to react, knowing that she'd understand but he cannot help the staring. His friends don't comment, they believe he's gone off into the memory.
She smiles at him and nods encouragingly before raising an eyebrow at Lanie and Esposito who now stand hand in hand talking. A smile reaches Rick's face as she fades, her smile lingering longer than all else.
Turning to Roy, he speaks while rallying his emotions.
"So, can I interrogate him once he's brought in?"
"Rick?"
Roy can't understand it, the man before him has eyes that speak a million stories, love shines bright in his face but there is no trace of the anger that any would expect. Rick can see the man's confusion and decides to explain.
"We knew that one day she could be gone, we spoke about it in depth, I thought I would be angry at the world but I'm not. Kate has taught me a lot and she showed me that being angry like that isn't the way. I want to interrogate the man because I need to. Have Esposito or Ryan take the lead but just let me do what I've always done. We were partners; she's done her half now I need to do mine."
"Your halves used to be different, but then you became one. I understand that this is your last case, and it's fitting. I will see if one of the boy's will let you in but please don't develop your anger while in there. And maybe try to hold theirs too."
"I'd suggest Ryan, as much as I admire Esposito I can see his anger and he's best off with Lanie."
"I agree but I've just got a better idea. You're coming in with me. They boys can bring him in and we'll make him weep."
"Right then, we'd best start making her proud."
"That we must, RYAN, ESPOSITO, GEAR UP AND GET HIM."
As Rick watches them go he catches Kate in the corner of his eye, she follows them, a mischievous smile upon her lips. Standing alone in the Bullpen, he fights back a chuckle, justice is about to crack its whip upon the ass of the murderer.
Ok so the next one should be the last,