Chapter 10
The jet stream had dipped down from Canada, bringing plunging temperatures with it and frosting the windows of the loft. The thermostat in the loft was still on its night setting, making indoor temperatures chilly as well. Beckett pulled up the covers and snuggled against the warmth of Castle's body. She shivered with the memory of being trapped in subzero temperatures, while only the warmth of his body had shielded her from freezing to death. Castle shifted and pulled her close. "Cold?" he asked.
"Mmmm," she answered, pressing herself into his chest and propping her feet on his legs.
"Oh, cold toes!" Castle yelled. He caught her feet between his and started run his hands up and down her arms. Soon they were warming up. Castle wove his fingers through Beckett's hair and pulled her lips against his. Not wanting to remove their clothing in the chill air, they reached underneath, finding and touching, finally pulling obstructions away just enough to meet. There was less freedom but more friction, until they had to kick free of sheets and blankets as a sheen of sweat formed on their skins. The finish came and they felt the coolness again on their bodies. Castle pulled a blanket up over them and held Beckett tightly, until the rays of a sun bright against the blue sky of the ice clear day caused them to rise.
It was to be another morning of separate tasks, with Beckett going to the 12th and Castle looking after arrangements and taking the Moons and Alexis wherever they needed to go. Castle decided to make a breakfast that would fortify them for the day. There were no marshmallows in the loft, so mercifully smorelets were off the menu. Castle went for pancakes with eggs and turkey bacon on the side. Alexis prepared fruit, as well as a youth promoting smoothie for Martha. Beckett started the coffee, but as she had yet to learn how to make hearts, Castle finished it.
As they gathered around the table. Alexis said "I don't know if I can do this, Dad." I want to be strong for Pi's parents, but his father is so much like Pi, I want to cry every time I see him."
Beckett gave Castle a look that said "Let me take this."
"Alexis," she said, "from one strong woman to another, I can tell you that it's all right to cry. No one will think less of you for it and they'd probably think you were strange if you didn't. Your Dad, your Gram, and I, we're all here for the Moons. We're going to make this work."
"Thank you Kate," Alexis said, and they exchanged hugs.
After Beckett left, Castle used his laptop to look for funeral homes that offered the kind of services the Moon's required. He found out that New York State is actually one of the most progressive places for green burials, offering green cemeteries, biodegradable coffins, and formaldehyde free preparation of bodies. He downloaded brochures from several funeral homes specializing in eco-friendly services, to take to the Moons.
Castle also called Beckett to see if there was any news. She told him that Jonah Bright had called and reported that he had collected multiple samples which he was prepping for analysis as they spoke. She had also put a team on Bob Eichler to make sure he didn't disappear. They had enough on Jennifer Berkley for arraignment, which she had been, and was in custody.
Before leaving, Castle searched several environmental sites to see if he could get some kind of idea about a memorial to Pi. A plan formed in his mind.
Alexis had another concern. Coming straight from the Amazon and Africa, she doubted that the Moons had clothing for the freezing temperatures. Castle suggested that they could just buy something at the hotel, but Alexis felt that might make the Moons uncomfortable. The price of a coat at the Four Seasons would probably be more than enough to set up one of Margot's clinics. Alexis had a coat to lend to Margot and Martha had one for Dotty. Anything belonging to Castle would probably be way too big for Fred, but Alexis proposed that they go by the apartment and get one of Pi's jackets, since he and his father were about the same size. "Alexis," Castle told her, "if you think you can handle it, I'll take you."
Castle's BMW was big enough to accommodate the Castles and the Moons, so Castle drove it. Alexis unlocked the door of the apartment she and Pi had shared with shaking fingers, but was able to retrieve the jacket. Castle drove to the Four Seasons.
Castle presented his brochures to the Moons and they picked a couple of possible funeral homes and services they wanted to use. When Castle tried to usher them to the car, they asked if they could use the subway instead, as it was greener. He agreed, although several changes of trains were involved and it was likely that much of the morning would be spent in transportation. Castle was also concerned that Beckett would be unable to reach him while he was underground and checked in with her immediately, whenever they emerged from the tunnels. They spent all morning and a good part of the afternoon interviewing providers of green burial services, with a quick lunch in between, until the Moons were satisfied, but details of a memorial service were yet to be addressed. Castle suggested that Alexis take the Moons back to the loft on the subway to start working on it. He would go back to the Four Seasons to pick up his car and meet them there.
On his way back to the loft, Castle picked up several quarts of fresh soup and some fresh baked bread for a simple but comforting meal. When he arrived, Alexis was in deep discussion with the Moons around the table. Castle lit a fire and joined them.
Alexis had suggested St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia, but the Moons wanted some place outside, despite the cold weather, feeling it might be more appropriate to Pi's passions. Castle volunteered the grounds of his house in the Hamptons and showed the Moons some pictures he had on his I-phone. After seeing the view of the water, they agreed. The Moons wanted to conduct the service themselves, with Alexis making contact with friends that she and Pi had made.
Around six, Beckett arrived, reporting that she expected to get results from Jonah Price sometime tomorrow that would enable her to build a case against Bob Eichler that would allow her to convince him to roll on Jennifer Berkley. She had also been checking out other customers of Montstrose, finding that some of them had extensive holdings around the city, but she hadn't uncovered anything illegal.
Fred Moon snorted. "Everything Montstrose does should be illegal. Soon there won't be any bees left to pollinate our crops and there won't be any small farmers left to grow them. If that's not a crime, I don't know what is!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Moon," Beckett said, "I can only work with the laws we have, but that will be enough to get justice for Pi. That's the best we can do right now."
"No I'm sorry, Kate," Fred said. "We're very grateful for everything you've done."
After a quiet dinner, the Moons announced that they would take the subway back to the Four Seasons. Alexis double checked with them to make sure they were sure of their route and hugged them goodbye.
Castle retired to his office. Beckett spent some time going over her case notes and then joined him to see what he was working on. Castle was just hanging up the phone.
"Who were you talking to?" Beckett asked.
"My lawyer," Castle answered. "I'm working on something to honor Pi. He's going to get back to me on it."
Beckett put her arms around Castle, "I'm sure whatever it is, it'll be great."
Castle stood and cradled Beckett's cheek in his palm. "You're great," he said. "I can't imagine being without you."
"Well I'm not going anywhere, Castle, except..." Beckett said, posing in the doorway of the bedroom. "Coming Castle?" she asked, moving toward the bed.
Castle quickly followed her, slamming the door behind him.
A/N We were reminded by "Get A Clue" of the power of words to hurt. "Like Father, Like Daughter" showed how difficult it can be to undo the results of that kind of hurt. I deal with that theme somewhat here. In the last 24 hours it has been my misfortune to read malicious words sent to a gossip site from an anonymous source. I just want to remind you all that just because something is on the internet, that doesn't make it true. I don't know why some people seem to get such a kick out of saying mean things about celebrities, but they do. I certainly hope no one supports that kind of activity.