Castle sat back as Alexis clicked off the sound on the TV and turned to him. "That's a good picture of Emma and Kate but I look terrible, need a shave."
"Dad! Gina will be furious and Kate really will kill you this time."
"Alexis you of all people should be used to the press. They can print anything they want. Retractions and corrections are stuck at the end of the show or on the last page of a magazine. This will go away!"
"I know that, Dad, but Kate doesn't! She was so angry at all the publicity after Heat Wave. She won't be able to do her job with an army of reporters following her everywhere trying to get a comment."
Rick's cell began to ring. "Hi Gina, I was just about to call you...so you've seen it. Gina, you know that Emma isn't mine. I barely knew Kate sixteen months ago. We found the baby at a crime scene and think she was the victim's daughter. I offered to watch the little girl until Social Services can find her next of kin. Gina listen, I have an idea that can fix both our problems. Can you bring over a video crew to my loft? Yes now, I'll explain it to you then."
"What are you doing to do, Dad?"
"I'm going to take a quick shower and shave. I have to look good for my close up. Can I use your bathroom? Kate and Emma are sleeping in my bed." Alexis looked totally confused but nodded.
Fifteen minutes later Castle came down the stairs looking good in a blue oxford shirt and jeans. "Do I look OK?" Before Alexis could answer, the apartment bell rang. "Quick, run and hide Alexis, the Wicked Witch of the Westside is here." Castle walked over to open the door for Gina and her cameraman.
"This had better be good, Richard. I am trying to finish final edits on "Naked Heat" and co-ordinate the release party. I really don't have time to bail you out of your latest romantic mis-adventure."
"Thank you Gina, it's always lovely to see you. Since you've made so much money off my writing and in our divorce, it is about time that you paid me back a little. Especially since negative publicity might hurt book sales."
"So you want to make a public statement that the baby from pictures in the park isn't yours and..."
"Among other things! You can set up in my office. I just need to run upstairs to get something." A few minutes later, he came down carrying a still sleeping Emma. "Quiet Gina, I don't want to wake her. Can you get some close-up shots of her?" The cameraman nodded and shot film of Emma. "Thanks now let me put her back upstairs. Kevin should be here in a few minutes with another picture we need for this story."
Gina was pacing and glaring at Castle as he returned to the living room. Before she could open her mouth there was a quiet knock at the apartment door. "Gina, this is Detective Ryan. Do you have it? Great! OK, now we are ready to do this. Follow me." Castle sat behind his desk, cleared his throat and nodded to the cameraman to begin.
"Hi, Richard Castle here! I love a great mystery and my fans have told me they do too. We all love to try and find out who did it. When mystery readers can't solve the puzzle, they know if they just keep reading the mystery will soon be solved."
The camerman came in closer. "As you know I have had the privilege of shadowing the members of the 12th precinct of the New York Police Department for the last year or so. They solve most cases they are given quickly with intelligence, hard work and dedication to the victims and the victim's family. As an outsider, I get frustrated sometimes by all the rules they have to follow. They have great respect for the law. Sometimes when they follow these rules thay can't find or convict the guilty party. So they do have cold cases but the detectives try to go back and review these cases when time permits. I was involved with the latest unsolved death."
Castle reached for the picture Ryan brought. "When a mystery involves the death of a young girl and turns an innocent child into an orphan, then I have to break some rules. I stole this picture! This young woman lived under the name of Susan Meyers in New York City but that may not be her real name. She was found dead in her apartment and we discovered a sixteen to eighteen month old little girl hiding in her bedroom. We think the little girl is her daughter, Emma. We also think Susan might have come to New York from Pennsylvania. If anyone recognizes Susan or Emma, please call NYPD and ask for Detective Beckett, Esposito or Ryan. Without your help this little girl will never find her family."
"Got it and in one take. Let me take a close up of that picture. I'll insert the shots of the baby and have this ready in half an hour."
Castle nodded and turned to Alexis. "Well, do you think that will get picked up by TMZ?"
"I'll make sure of it." Gina left with her cameraman without another word.
Castle handed Kevin Ryan back the photo. "Thank Lanie for me! It's probably going to make a lot more work for you guys but Beckett has a bad feeling about the grandfather."
"I'd trust her gut feelings any day. I'd better get to my desk early tomorrow, something tells me I'm going to be busy."
After everyone had gone Castle pulled Alexis into his arms. "Dad, I really hope this works because if it doesn't Detective Beckett will kill you and she is so good your body parts will never be found. This could get her in real trouble with Captain Montgomery, showing photos of the victim and Emma even though you said you stole them...Dad, did you make that video to get back at the idiots at TMZ or did you do it because you want to show social services that you really tried to find Emma's family? Are you going to try to adopt her?"
"Alexis, I won't lie to you. Holding Emma and taking care of her made me very happy. It reminded me of the best time of my life, when I was taking care of you. You're all grown up now and I liked feeling needed again."
"And maybe Kate would help you take care of her?"
"It's hard trying to fool such smart women as you and Kate. What I didn't tell you is that a man came forward claiming that our victim was his granddaughter, Rebecca Schuler. Kate has her doubts about his story. As you've recently discovered it's not easy taking care of a toddler. So, if he is Rebecca grandfather, he would be in his sixties. Even if he is telling the truth and can take care of her, he claims that Rebecca ran away from home after she got pregnant."
"So you don't want him to get Emma."
"No but it's not up to me...or Kate. If he was Rebecca's grandfather, then he will be Emma's legal guardian. That's the law! Social Services will decide what is best for Emma. However, that doesn't mean I can't express my opinion and make sure that they have all the facts before deciding."
"I love you, Dad!"
"Love you too pumpkin! We are probably going to have company for dinner, what should I make?'