Summer Mix

by CheerfulChemist

This is a unified collection taking place in S7 beginning after the S6 finale. It will feature multiple voices and styles including Jim Beckett's Journal, writings from Richard Castle, and Mop and Broom, somewhat like Moment in Time, with both angst and humor, but with everything in order,don't own Castle Summer Hiatus Ficathon 2014 entry Follow me on Twitter @CheerfulChemist

10. Chapter 10

Summer Mix

Chapter 10

Journal of James Beckett

June 9, 2014

Dear Johanna,

Things are still rough for the kids. Katie picked up another murder case, which, except for someone being killed, should have been a good thing. It would have been nice to see things get back to normal. Unfortunately the victim was Max, a boyfriend of the closest thing we have to a grandchild, Alexis Castle. Rick and Katie, as well as the people from the security agency that Rick hired, suspect that the murder was for the purpose of drawing Rick and possibly Katie out. There is some evidence of that. Max's apartment was bugged and Katie and a security operative captured a suspect at Max's building. Katie tried to get something out of him, but he was murdered, right at the 12th Precinct. The murder took place in holding. The surveillance system had been temporarily disabled and the shooter is still a mystery. Katie suspects that the shooting took place to keep her suspect from talking. From what I've been told, Rick's security people agree.

So far I've only met one one of the security people. Her name is Maya Lee. She's been assigned to guard Martha. Martha and I had lunch yesterday, in part so she could give me her view on what's been happening. Maya was along. She's actually a former movie actress and a martial artist. She and Martha were taking turns telling stories about their adventures in movie making. I think Martha might have felt that her place as star was being challenged. She kept trying to one up Maya. It was actually pretty funny. Maya was talking about how she choreographed a fight with five men armed with nunchuks. She told us that one of the men lost control and gave her a black eye. He felt so guilty at the failure of his skills, that he took her to fancy restaurants for a week. She ended up gaining five pounds and had to beef up her already vigorous workouts to lose them again.

Martha told a story about being menaced by bears when she was shooting a scene where she was kidnapped and confined in a cave. She gave a dramatic description of bears getting so close that she "could feel their hot breath on her face." I am afraid that I laughed and she was furious. We almost had a baseball moment, you remember that story, but Maya distracted her with a recital of the dangers presented by bears. Martha heartily agreed with her and calmed down. If the other operatives of the firm are as adept at handling people as Maya is, Rick picked the right firm. I expect to meet Alexis' watcher soon. I'm taking Alexis to a baseball game and fortunately she is not allowed to go anywhere without her shadow. Katie told me that the owner of the security agency, Henry Jasper, was recommended by Detective Esposito. They served in the special forces together. I find that comforting. From my observations, Katie and Rick do too.

I am both proud and scared that Katie is continuing to work on plans for the wedding. Katie and Rick have chosen a venue, but they are keeping their choice close to their vests. I understand that it is outside and very meaningful to both of them. Other than that, I know nothing and can't even hazard a guess. The attendants haven't been changed and Katie still intends to wear your dress. She had to get it cleaned. She was wearing it when she ran out on the road at the sight of Rick's burning car. The cleaner was a genius. It looks perfect. You'd never know it bore witness to that much trauma. I'll be walking Katie down the aisle or whatever passes for an aisle at whatever the venue is.

Martha is desperate to help. Katie and Rick have kiboshed the idea of having her handle the flowers, because of her behavior the first time. In any case, they said marriage venue would not accommodate decoration. They have picked somewhere indoors for a reception. Martha has been sworn to secrecy but she did tell me that it is a place that doesn't normally serve that function and is within walking distance of the wedding venue. With assistance from Alexis, I suspect a lot of assistance from Alexis, Martha is in charge of obtaining tables, chairs, and decorations appropriate to the location. In her usual fashion, she has made it into a grand production.

It is a very good move on Rick's part to get Alexis involved with the preparations. Doing something positive should help distract her from Max's death. She has experienced so much fear and sadness for one so young. In a way I believe it is bringing her closer to Katie. They have both had to grow up before their times. I sincerely hope that her troubles, as well as Katie's and Rick's, will soon be at an end.

Forever Love,

JB

June 10, 2014

Dear Johanna,

There is a little more information on the suspect who was shot at the 12th. Lanie found the same Eastern European connection that Dr. Murray found in the body in Castle's car. She is still running DNA to compare to Dr. Murray's results, but she suspects that she may find the men were relatives.

Now to happier news. It has been agreed that I am in on the secret of the location of the reception. It is going to be in a bookstore. The store is significant for a couple of reasons. The most obvious one is that Rick has sold a lot of books there. There are more important reasons stemming from Katie and Rick's history. The first one is that it is the store where Katie waited in line for an hour to have Rick sign her book long before that actually met. She knew how much you loved those books. She felt closer to you when she read them. Eventually she came to love them as much as you did. I think she came to love Rick then too, even if she wouldn't admit it. The second reason is that the store was part of Rick and Kate's reconciliation. You probably remember how I told you about Katie pushing Rick away after she had been shot. Katie came to see Rick again at that very store. Rick was still hurt and angry at Katie, but it was the beginning of the reforging of the bond between them.

From what I understand, the strongest bonds were formed and solidified at the venue they have chosen for the actual wedding. The guests will be told the general area in advance and the actual location as close to the ceremony as possible. Rick and Katie have said that doing it that way will make the experience more special for them.

I suspect there is another reason. They are concerned about security and are afraid that if the actual location of the wedding is leaked somehow that they will be putting themselves and their guests in danger. God knows that they don't need any more unease. A wedding should be a celebration. Nervousness should be about marriage, not about armed assassins. I truly hope that the occasion will be celebrated with nothing but hope and joy.

Forever love,

JB