XXI

Rick listened as Mike told him about the hired muscle that followed Kate. Coming up with a plan that they both liked Rick cautiously walked over to the set of swings that Kate was on.

Calmly and quietly he called out her name. If she heard him she never acknowledged it. She just sat there thinking. Whatever bad news she was given must have really shook her. He had an idea about what it was, but he would not assume until he heard it from her. He tried calling her again only, this time, a little louder.

"Kate, babe, I'm here."

She turned and he instantly noticed the tear tracks that ran down her cheeks.

"Oh, baby! Rick said.

Within the blink of an eye, he was covered by one Kate Beckett. He was amazed at how fast she was up off the swing and into his arms. He just held her. Soothing her by caressing his hand up and down her back. After a couple of minutes, the gentle weeping had subsided.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"Rick, my mother is alive. She has betrayed me for the last decade. And the most pathetic thing about this whole charade was that I believed that she was gone from my life."

"Kate, she might have a reason that you are in the dark about. Have the two of you talked since you found out about her secret?"

"Rick, whatever lame excuse she has I don't want to hear about it. Me and dad went through hell after we were told that she was murdered. Oh, my god… my dad! What will he do now that she is back among the living.? He will be devastated."

"Kate I really want to help you settle this. But right now there are more pressing matters that we need to deal with. When you left the loft you were followed by two thugs. They're at my eight o'clock hidden by the shrubs. Just take a short look, but don't look that long."

Kate gazed over his shoulder and noticed two male figures partially hidden by some short shrubs near the exit of the rink. Then she rested her head on his chest and asked him,

"Rick, are they after me? And how do we get out of this? I'm so stupid. I never thought about checking my six." She said frustrated.

"Kate, Mike's had your back. He's been following them almost since you left the loft. He's on the park bench acting like a bum."

"Well, that's a first. He plays the part well!"

"He does at that. We need to get out of here. Now, very simply we are going to walk around the kid's rides where there is a car waiting on the other side."

"What about Mike?" Kate wondered.

"He will make sure that they follow us and then once we are back at the car and clear, he will beat feet out of the park and meet us back at the loft."

Kate nodded her affirmation. He turned her into a sideways embrace and they started to walk back to the Lincoln. Mike sat up and watched as the thugs broke their cover and followed. Once he observed that they were back in the car and they drove away the thugs started to run after them. By the time they got to where the car was, Rick and Kate were gone. He got up off the bench and walked out of the park using the Center Drive entrance. Hailing a cab, he gave the cabbie Rick's address.

Gigi was waiting for them. Rick had never told her to wait, but he's glad that she did. He stressed the fact that they needed to leave in a hurry and she pulled a U-turn in the grass to head back to the 65ht street traverse exit. When they were back on 7th Rick took the chance to look out the rear window. They were clear.

"Where to Mr. Castle?"

"595 Broome street. And this time take your time!"

Kate gave Rick a curious look and he told her,

"Kate it's a long story. I'll tell you when we get back to the loft."

She again nodded.

Rick knew that the thugs would track down where he lived it was only a matter of time. Their time at the loft will be short. He needed to talk to his mother and he needed Johanna to be there as well. He only hoped that Kate could understand what he was going to do. He had information that Johanna was unaware about. Taking out his cell phone he called his mother.

"Richard? Please tell me that Kate is safe and unharmed!"

"Mother she is. There are things that we need to discuss, very time sensitive issues and I need Johanna there when we do. So please make sure that she is there at the loft within the next 20 minutes."

"Richard, are you sure about this?"

"Mother I am. This has now become a matter of national security. So please get her there!" He ended the call without wanting to hear her protests.

Kate looked in his direction with a glower written all over her face.

"Rick why?"

"Kate, I realize that you are upset with what your mother has done to you, hell I'd be pissed off too. But right now we need to take care of the assets that are in play. We or I should say the CIA, FBI, and Homeland need to address this and stop them. If we don't a major attack will be carried out in 4 major cities in the US with New York being one of them."

"Rick, while I am really mad, I think that I will be able to deal with her lie after we settle this crisis. I still hate her a little right now."

"Kate that's normal. You were given life changing news. I hope that you lean on me what you need to, Kate, I'm here for you… always."

"Mr. Castle we've arrived." Gig told them

Rick pulled out his wallet once more and this time, he took out 5 one hundred dollar bills. As he got out and Kate followed. He walked up to the driver's side of the car and handed Gigi the cash. She looked at her tip in shock.

"Gigi, if you agree to it, I'd like for you to be my personal driver. You'd still work with the limo company you're with, but you'd be exclusively assigned to my needs."

"Mr. Castle I think that can be arranged." She said with all honesty.

As their car pulled away, Mike pulled up in the cab. As he paid the driver Rick and Kate waited. They had a lot to talk about.