CHAPTER 9
Castle arrives at the book signing at the Borders Books in the Westgate Towne Centre. He is scheduled to be there from 1:00 until 3:00. Then next stop from 6:00 till 8:00 at the Borders Books on the east side of the city. At least they stayed away from the strip for these book signings. Castle doesn't mind the strip except trying to navigate it can be frustrating sometimes. But he thinks why am I worrying? I'm not driving.
At both of these stops today, he experienced the same new adventure as he did in LA. as far as the fan base is concerned. He saw that there were many more men than had been in the past. That's good. This way he knows he is succeeding in his efforts of expanding his base. Nikki Heat is a real winner for his books. She is bringing more readers to table while at the same time Kate is bringing more happiness to his personal life. He sits back in the cool air conditioned limo while they ride to his next and final stop for the evening, another cocktail party this time at the Mirage Hotel.
Richard Castle goes inside and is greeted by the usual press. At least this time he sees that Paula has decided to be present.
"No nice you could join us this time, Paula"
"Rick, give it a rest. I have been busy getting you set up for all your promotion stuff. Hey, one change, Denver tomorrow had to cancel, so you will fly out in the morning for Dallas. This is cutting your tour down by one day. I'm sure you don't mind, do you?"
"No, Paula. That is wonderful"
"I'm sure Beckett won't mind either"
"What do you mean?"
"OH Rick! Everyone knows that you and Kate are an item now. So just don't even bother trying to deny any part of it"
"Who knows?" Castle is suddenly showing some concern
"All of the people in your publishing arm know. I can't speak for her co workers. However, I do think they know. They aren't stupid. The two of you are just so adorable together"
"Wow! You know how to start off a conversation. So, where do you need me?"
"Just go mingle" her cell phone rings "let me get this and I will be find you later"
Castle walks away and smiles and shakes hands and speaks to everyone he comes by. In the mean time, whoever Paula is talking to it is causing her to panic. She starts looking around for Castle but he has been cornered by the local television station's entertainment reporter.
Castle has reached the point he can almost see the questions in order, just like yesterday in Los Angeles.
"Where do you get your inspiration for your stories? Is detective Beckett still involved in helping you get your facts correct about crime scenes? Is she traveling with you today?
"Well, the real word provides me with plenty of inspiration in man's inhumanity with man. I really don't have to look further than just down the street"
"Yes detective Beckett is still very much involved in my research"
The final questions he answers "No, she has a job to do keeping New York safe from the criminal element" When his real answer was "NO! But
I wish she was here next to me right now!"
Except this time the last question is not the same one as yesterday. Instead of asking if detective Beckett came with him on this trip the questions is:
"Well, Rick, what do you think of detective Beckett's new boyfriend, Marcus Simmons? Have you met him yet?
Castle looks at the reporter and says "Excuse me? Who?"
At this moment Paula finds Castle and interrupts the interview. "Sorry everyone! I need to speak to Mr. Castle real quick" Paula grabs Rick's arm and pulls him out into the corridor.
Castle is visibly shaken. "Paula, what is going on? What are these people talking about? What boyfriend of Kate's"
"Rick! I don't know any details, but it seems that Beckett was spotted and photographed with another man last night at a restaurant in Bed-Stuy. They seemed awfully friendly. But this photographer got several pictures of them holding hands and hugging. Right now, that is all I know!"
Castle leans back against the wall in the corridor. "Where are these pictures?"
Paula produces one on her phone. Castle immediately recognizes the man from the crime scene.
"Get me to my hotel! I need to go to my room, Paula. I don't want to talk to anyone else tonight! OK?"
"Sure Rick. I'll get the driver to take you to your hotel. What do you want me to tell the press about this man?"
"Nothing, No Comment. I don't want us to say a word about him. Nothing. Nothing at all"
Paula steps out to get the driver then re enters the meeting room and tells the reporters that Mr. Castle has fallen ill and needs to return to his hotel room. And thanks everyone for coming.
Castle's ride to the Suite is nothing short of hell. He arrives at his hotel and checks in. The desk clerk tells him that there have been dozens of messages left for him to pick up. Castle looks at the notes. There are at least 20 messages from Beckett. Without reading them he does see the words "Sorry", "Not What It Seems", and "Please" written on most of them. He wads them all up and drops them into the trash container in the lobby.
There is one note from Alexis. It contains only one word. Castle understands it is the password his daughter used on his phone
ALWAYS
