Chapter Nine
Diversions and Distractions

Special Agent Richard Rodgers' superiors were overjoyed that he had come to his senses and was finally getting with the program. They saw it as a positive step that he had elected to accept the two months paid leave he had been offered the previous November to get some perspective on the death of his mentor and friend.

He had even elected to take on a small PR job for the Bureau at the request of Black Pawn Publishing, to work on the forthcoming Derek Storm movie as a special consultant. This project would do wonders for the Bureau's image, and it didn't hurt at all that they could claim a PR coup at the expense of the CIA, who had declined to become involved in the project. It was well worth granting Agent Rodgers an extra month on detached assignment for him to be able to rub the DDO's face in it when they played golf on Sunday.

He had been a valuable asset to the Bureau in the past few years, and he was well on his way to becoming one again, the Director of Operations was greatly relieved that he had finally worked through his issues with his friend's death, and had decided to put an end to the self destructive behaviors which had led to his censure and reassignment.

The positively glowing reports the Bureau had been getting both from Captain Montgomery of the 12th Precinct, NYPD as well as the Mayor of New York City, (both of whom sang his praises for his hard work and dedication) were a welcome bonus. It wasn't easy to find field agents who could integrate well with local or municipal police departments without causing friction or stepping on toes. Perhaps Rodgers could be convinced to give a seminar at the Academy, to teach the next generation of agents how he managed it.

As it turned out the little girl he had saved, Rose Tyler was the daughter of one of Mayor Weldon's most influential cabinet members not to mention his Goddaughter. Having established such a good rapport with the Mayor of New York City and the NYPD, his tenure in the pilot program might only need to last another year or two before he was back on the promotion grid. Especially if he kept making such good impressions in the right circles.

….

A file clerk in the Director's office copied the file and report on Agent Rodgers and had it transmitted via secure link to his shadowy political boss. The clerk breathed a sigh of relief, for the time being, killing a second FBI agent in less than a year would not become necessary. It would be difficult to replicate the last one since Mr. Rathborne had dropped off the grid. He may be in the pocket of a dirty politician, but the idea of murdering honest, upstanding agents still bothered him considerably, this wasn't what he'd signed up for when he took this job.

The organization had to be careful how many tasks they assigned to Lockwood. The man wasn't getting any younger, and he had more than enough on his plate keeping Roy Montgomery, and by extension, Detective Kate Beckett in line and out of their employer's hair. For the time being, Lockwood's job would be a bit easier, since that same Agent Rodgers had invited her to join him in Los Angeles for the summer. As it turned out she is a fan of the books the movie was based on.

If both Rodgers and Beckett were actually finding "outside interests" then his boss might just be able to relax, at least for a while. They might even be able to convince Rodgers that it was in his, and Detective Beckett's best interest to keep her attention focused elsewhere, thus eliminating the need for the services of Roy Montgomery. Provided of course they could get their hands on the blackmail information he was holding. It would be good to be able to tie off that loose end.

Montgomery knew far too much for his own good, which was way too much for "the Dragon's" liking. The chance that he might weaken in his resolve to keep her in the dark for her own good, or reveal what he knew to the press on a slow news cycle was simply far too great a risk for him to entertain for long. Permitting Detective Beckett to live had thus far kept him in line. But that situation would never be tenable in the long term.

….

Richard Rodgers was waiting for Kate at LAX, he felt silly holding a sign with her name on it, but he wasn't sure she'd recognize him dressed as informally as he was in a pair of jeans a solid blue polo shirt with the FBI logo on it, and a pair of low cuff hiking boots. His gun was nowhere in sight. (his Sig Sauer was in the glove box of his rental car) He didn't feel like himself without it on his hip, but he didn't want to deal with the issues of bringing it into the airport considering he was supposed to be on vacation.

He had been in Los Angeles for a month already working with the actors at the studio and on location. He had come highly recommended "by Richard Castle himself" who was rumored to be actively involved in writing the script and keeping track of the movie's production while still living in seclusion. As a result, everyone was very respectful to him on set. Paula had gotten him a summer rental beach house in Malibu near the studio with an incredible view of the ocean and he almost understood why Meredith had liked living on the West coast. It didn't feel as cramped or as dark as New York City could at times. The sun and the waves were very soothing.

He hadn't been sure at first about Nathan Fillion, who had gotten the role of Derek Storm, but the man had impressed him with both his knowledge and his focus on the job. Obviously he had prepared himself quite well to play the role of a private detective turned CIA covert operative. Jennifer Beals, who was cast as Clara Strike made him do a spit take the first time she was in costume. She so closely resembled Sophia Turner that it was scary, since nobody in casting had actually met or even knew she existed. He secretly wondered if Sophia had ever played up the resemblance to her advantage whilst undercover.

Ms. Beals (she was constantly asking him to call her Jennifer, but it felt weird) was constantly peppering him with questions about his knowledge of counter terror and counter-espionage which he had done a lot of work in before getting assigned the Serial Killer task force. She even emulated how he carried his gun, (a quick draw hip holster instead of the stereotypical shoulder rig) She seemed to be utterly fascinated about his work, at least from a professional standpoint, and he even found out she was a fan of his mother's stage work. He'd make a point to tell Martha, she'd be thrilled.

He would later find out that, as in the precinct, his daughter's death had made the rounds without his knowledge among the cast and crew which generated a massive donation to leukemia research and a significant number of flower arrangements delivered to the loft in New York. Martha had had to get help from Esposito and Ryan to deliver them to the cemetery. She told him over the phone later that evening that they were both so moved by the generosity of the cast, that they had to excuse themselves to "get something out of their eyes" several times while they were helping her arrange the flowers.

...

It was probably a good thing that Rick had been carrying the sign, because when Kate emerged from the baggage claim area, he barely recognized her. She had grown her hair out to shoulder length and had added red highlights to it. She was also wearing flowing purple sundress, aviator's sunglasses and ballet flats, a massive departure from her usual attire. He liked this look on her, she seemed much more relaxed than she did at the precinct.

He could tell from her body language when she saw him off at the airport a month ago, that she had wanted to ask him something important, but was afraid to for some reason. He knew about her unofficial ongoing investigation into her mother's murder. Her censure for it when she was still a uniformed officer (which had nearly ended her career) was in her file.

A few rather disturbing parallels between her investigation and his did exist. He hadn't yet determined a direct connection yet, but he was certain that one existed, and so had Jake. She seemed very like him in temperament. She would want to attack this directly, like he did. She would get slapped down, directly if she was allowed to do that. It was the reason he had stepped back for a while, and the reason he asked her to take a large portion of her vacation time to come out and visit. Out here in comparative safety, perhaps they could compare notes, come up with a game plan on how to attack this without getting both of them killed.

He was really beginning to have strong feelings for Kate Beckett, and he didn't want her to end up dead in an alley, like Jake, or her mother.