March 20th Bay city Florida FDLE Station 800
Jim had just gotten his coffee and was sipping it slowly. The phone rang.
Head Detective Jim Longworth how may I assist you?
"Oh hi chief. How are you? Are you coming for the wedding? No not Kate's Mine and Callie? Ok well what was this call about? Admin stuff great! What file is missing now?
No file? So what else? Ok a form is coming over the Fax you need signatures and fax back. Ok there is a badge in the drawer. What drawer? My old desk? Oh my drawer. Sorry Chief, I am not awake yet. Long night Yeah it is best not to describe it. So what form? Ok civilian consultant form. Ok Chief well that was fast Kate will be very happy to learn of that. Yeah a whole month of April she will be back on duty on May 6th. It is her standard rotation. Ok Manpower will be supplemented with temp placement of a Tallahassee detective. Great Chief, I will let Kate know when she arrives."
Kate was in her office the first day without Rick in about 2 weeks. She was feeling a bit lonely. She got on the phone and wanted to hear those dulcet tones of her soon to be husband.
"Hey Detective miss me already?"
"Yeah I do."
"Save those words for the wedding Honey. Are you practicing? Oh course I can practice along with you I do I do I do …."
"You are being silly! Oops wait Jim is at the door "
"Maybe it is a case?"
Rick's voice rose in excitement.
"Jim what do you need?"
"I need your almost husband to get here at the station."
"Really I am on the phone with him right now."
"Then tell him to get down here quickly."
"Oh that not a good Idea he would get Ferrari out. He does not know the roads yet. I prefer to go pick him up?"
"Ok Kate, go get him."
"Ok Honey You heard yeah I am coming to get you. Be there in 20 bye smooch!"
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Kate got in her car and rushed to the compound. Rick was waiting for her with a hot tea in the "to go" bag.
Kate kissed Rick hard.
"Boy you must have missed me."
"Pregnancy Hormones"
"I like slutty Kate!"
"Later Lover boy "
They get back to the station.
Rick and Kate were holding hands as she leads him to Jim's office.
"Great you are here I need you to look over the form and sign when you are ready."
"Is this what I think it is?"
"Yes Kate it is the civilian consultant form."
Rick the speed reader asked a few questions and signed the form.
"OK Rick repeat after me."
"I Richard Edgar Castle do foreswear to defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies foreign or domestic and you will defend the Great State of Florida against all enemies foreign or domestic and will follow the recommendations of the chain of command to the governor himself. I will faithfully execute and enforce all laws of the state of Florida so help me God!"
"I do"
"On behalf of the FDLE I congratulate you civilian consultant grade 5."
Jim now shook his hand and gave him a badge. Daniel was watching the swearing in ceremony.
"Congrats Rick! Grade 5 Wow there is only 2 higher grades. I am a grade 3 myself."
"Daniel do you not have some files to report?"
"Right Jim, again Congrats."
Kate whispered in his ear, "I will congratulate you better tonight honey."
Rick's eyebrows rose.
Kate now kissed softly on his cheek and said, "congratulations."
"Guess what I am Grade 6. You have to obey me!"
"Pulling rank huh Grade 7 out ranks you all", Jim Laughed!
"But Kate I always obey you! It will be in the contract too!"
Just then Chris his lawyer called.
"So sorry I have to take this. I will just be a moment.'
"Ok I am back since I have land in Florida I am considered a resident so I get a break on my NYC taxes! Is that not great! "
Both Jim and Kate are underwhelmed.
"Ok honey I am proud for you." Kate says.
"No you do not understand I get a break on 5 million dollars. Chris just told me."
"So you have 5 million dollars more to spend?"
"How much were your taxes in NY?"
"Oh about 30 Million a year I can call Chris back and he can tell you exactly if you want."
"I knew you were Rich Rick but paying 30 million a year just for Taxes?"
"Yeah. The Federal was worst but there is no getting out of those."
"What is that amount or do I not want to know?"
"Well around 100 million with all the company assets included."
"100 million you pay to the IRS?"
"Yeah but I have 20 to 30 on the payroll too so I have all those taxes to pay."
"Oh Yeah the Yacht. Forgot about that, it is heading south from it's berthing in South Hampton. It should be here right in time for the honey moon. It is being retrofitted in South Carolina. Yeah it is getting those new more efficient biodiesel engines."
"How rich are you Rick?"
"Oh I guess around 2 Billion a year in assets after taxes and other things. I give much to charities."
"2 Billion a year?" Kate stammers
"I guess it will be 1 billion a year since you get half. This is a community property state!"
"One Billion for myself", Kate now stammers further.
"No wonder you wanted the compound. You needed the write off!"
"No Kate I wanted my family safe!'
"Really do you need to discuss your finances in my presence?" Jim asks.
"Jim do you need a loan?"
"No I am fine but Callie has racked up 100,000 in student loans."
"Ah ok well when you get married I will help you out with a clean slate how does that sound?"
"Thanks Rick. We were waiting until she got finished with College since the balloon payment was due at the end. But I can call her and tell her the good news. With that debt removed we can get married right away."
"Kate want to make it a double wedding? We have everything needed."
"I want to hear from Callie first. I think it is a wonderful Idea."
Rick gets a long slow Kiss from Kate in Jim's office.
"Hey Hey Hey keep it professional! Do it in your office both you and Rick have to share it!"
"In that case let's adjourn to my and yours office Rick."
"Lead the way Kate!"
Kate grabbed his hand and went into their office and closed the blinds.
Jim just shook his head. Having those two in the office will be much fun!
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Jim called Callie right away.
"Hey did I catch you between classes? Do you have the time to chat?"
"Great"
"I just chatted with Rick when we get married as a wedding present he wants to clean off your student loans. Yeah clean slate. Yes he offered. No, I did not coerce him in any way besides Kate standing next to him. Paying off your loans would be a tax break for him.
Yeah he is for real. You want to talk to him yourself? Well let me check if they are available. Yeah I said they. Rick is now a Civilian Consultant attached to Kate. Yeah I know too funny. Honey. Just wait."
Jim buzzes their phone Rick answers it
"FDLE Civilian Consultant Rick Castle speaking…."
"Rick very professional would you talk to Callie she has some questions."
"Sure"
"I will conference you in."
"Ok Callie what? No I want to do this. Everybody should have a clean slate when starting out. Ok Here is Kate."
"Hi Callie, Yes that is correct, no coercion. He is offering. He is just that kind of guy. Yes I love him much! Oh what I wanted to know would you like to make this a double wedding. Yes it is a bit of a short notice but it would be fun. The stuff is already being bought it can be changed you know. Ok well let Jim know and we will go from there any family you want to attend out of state just call Alexis and she will get you in touch with Rick's travel agent. Yeah Rick pays for the travel. She works for his company. Ok bye Callie"
Jim now unconferences them
Ok honey it is just me now. No ok then call Alexis I will tell them the good news.
Jim thought he should do this in person. So he got up and knocked on the door.
"Enter Jim", Kate yelled out.
Jim opens and enters then closes the door.
"Callie has agreed to the double wedding!
"That is fantastic Man congrats!"
"Jim, I am so happy for you!"
"Yeah I will have to delay the Honeymoon until after Callie gets out of school but it is what she wants."
"That is great you gave her Alexis's number?"
"Great I expect a call from my darling daughter any second 3 2 1… and the phone rings."
"Hi Pumpkin I guess Callie told you the good news? Right a double wedding. It was just a lark but we can swing it. Ok Honey what? You did what? Ok we will talk about that later. OK I will not be late Yes I am a civilian consultant I will work with Kate again Thanks Pumpkin ok see you later."
"Well Rick what is the verdict?"
Two pairs of eyes were looking at him expectantly.
"Alexis is fine with the double wedding plans. She is preparing wake for William if you want to bring anyone Jim it will be mostly family."
"Tonight?"
"Yes it is tonight"
"Let me call Callie it is Friday we can get a flight."
"Ok Callie it is me again look you do not have classes until Monday how about flying home. Since we do not have to worry about that payment and you and Kate can go dress shopping. Great see you at the compound Later."
"She should be at the compound before we get there."
'Great now we have to wait until 4 o clock.'
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"It is lunch now I am springing for Pizza any takers?"
"Go and tell the station."
"Ok hi I am Civilian Consultant Rick Castle I want to know if anyone wants pizza today for lunch. Oh Great contact Daniel he handles the orders."
"I think I need to buy the pizza place or give them a standing order."
"Do you think that is wise Rick?"
"Sure everyone likes their pizza."
"Better yet I will open a corporate account with them I think 20,000 is good. I will get Chris right on it."
"Hi Chris I want a corporate account set up at Pizza Haven on rt 5 in Bay City Florida. Yes 20,000 yes month. Ok whatever you feel like. Right talk to you later Chris Bye."
"Ok that is done so everyone give the order to Daniel."
Daniel thought having a Billionaire work at our station may have some advantages.
40 pizzas arrive and the owner shows up too.
"I am Look for Rick Castle? I understand he works here?"
"I am Rick Castle."
"Ok I am Francisco Dulli I am the owner."
"Yes Mr. Dulli what can I do for you. I take it Chris called you? Is there any problem?"
"No problem I just like to shake the hand to whom I am doing business."
Mr. Dulli places his hand out. Rick grasps it and shakes.
"Ok anything else."
"Well with the recession we had to cut back to the bone but with your standing order I can expand again!"
"Wonderful I love helping out in my community. If you may excuse me I have pizza waiting for me."
"Thank you Mr. Castle."
"Please call me Rick since we are in business together!"
"Ok Rick'
"If you want good terms on any loans contact Chris he will get you the best rate on anything you need."
"Again thanks Rick."
Rick just shrugs and heads where the pizzas are.
Jim now tells the patrol officers
"When you are in here who is manning the streets? Grab your stuff and go. Crime does not stop for lunch people!"
After chasing out approximately 100% of the patrol officers he went back to his office to wait out the clock.
Rick was mesmerized by Kate's sensual way of eating the pizza. Rick looked away and started looking for bottled water and crackers. He started stashing them in the small frig and file cabinet behind his desk. He knew and about 20 mins later Kate was at the toilet. Rick was ready this time with cold Bottled water and crackers.
Kate recovered then thanks her almost husband for his quick response.
"Well it is 4 now lets get out of here."
Kate and Rick got into her cruiser.
"I guess now that I am official attached to the FDLE I can drive?"
"Keep dreaming Rick. These roads are treacherous and I know them well. You do not. I am looking out for your welfare Rick and the welfare of my children!"
"Ah yes when you tell it that way drive on Kate."
Kate and Rick were back at the compound with nary a scratch.
"Great driving Kate I thought that truck was sure going to hit us."
"See what I mean about treacherous?"
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Jim and Callie stepped out of their cottage.
"Kate!"
Callie ran to hug her
"I heard another one Huh?"
Jim looked sheepish.
"Yeah Callie another one."
Rick looks proud.
"Well getting sick like clockwork 20 mins after you eat lunch it is not hard to deduce the reason Kate. Besides I have seen it before Remember?"
"Yeah I remember being so sick with Holly."
"Right and Who was there?"
"You Jim", Kate says.
"Correct amundo"
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They all enter the great room to see the spread Alexis had prepared for the Wake.
"It is a traditional Irish wake for William. Eat and dance I have entertainment later."
"Hi Pumpkin, You sure been busy."
"Yeah Dad. Oh Callie Congrats again!"
"Thanks Alexis"
The rest of the family now eats and Toast William's life.
There was a new comer at the gate.
Rick looked at Alexis.
"She is my mother. I read her diaries she loved William too it is fitting she is family."
"Ok "
Rick sighs and allows her to enter.
Soon Meredith was standing in the great room.
"Hi Meredith Let introduce you to Kate's Boss Jim Longworth and his almost wife Callie this Meredith the mother of Alexis."
Meredith was on her best behavior. She did not even try to flirt with Alex.
Once the drinking, singing and dancing were done it was time for stories.
Meredith now laid the bombshell.
"I loved William you know before you Rick. I know I was not a faithful wife but you looked like him and sounded so alike. I married you because at the time I thought William did not live."
Rick motioned to continue.
"I was told by the Admiral that William was sick from Radiation poisoning. That he needed a bone marrow transplant for him to live. I guess our families were sufficiently interbred that I was a match for him. They took the core from here. Meredith now showed the scar. I was hospitalized for a few weeks. After I got out William's father told me it was unsuccessful. I cried my eyes out then after Kyra left I married you Rick trying to forget about William. Then when Alexis came all I could think about how William would never enjoy our daughter. I am so sorry Rick it consumed me. I am so sorry Alexis you just reminded me so much of him. So I left to LA. Then something wonderful happened He found me. The Admiral had lied. William recovered but was sterile. It did not matter to me. He was in my arms again. It was about this time I was going to tell you about him Alexis but he told me he was dead and that is the way the world needs to believe."
Alex now looked down knowing what would happen next.
"I learned that William had a partner. When I met the partner I thought it was you Rick and I tried to explain about me and William. I find out it is not you Rick but Alex acting like you. I was very surprised learning about Alex. He was also affected by the Admiral's lies. I took in stride. I had my William when he was able to be there for me."
The whole group now sat there stunned by Meredith's confession.
.
Kate and Rick were in a whispered discussion. Rick now turned to Meredith.
"Meredith How would you like to stay for the wedding? The Admiral will be here and we can ambush him and get the answers we all deserve! I have discussed it with Kate it is her invitation too."
Meredith was overcome with emotion it provoked Alexis to Hug her poor misunderstood Mother. That triggered a Group Hug! Everyone in the family had some grievance with the Admiral and they were going to get their answers!
Meredith was given the keys to the cottage next to Alex.
Rick kissed Kate and said, "You are extraordinary."
"How you forgive my ex wife is amazing."
"Rick look at that poor woman her love of her life is gone twice. The man responsible is coming here. It is only fair she gets a shot at him. Everyone in this family needs resolution. Except for Holly but she is too little to have been messed with yet."
Kate pulls Rick to the bed and says
"I Think I owe you some gratitude tonight?"
"Oh lead onward Ms. Longworth soon to be Castle!"
Kate and Rick made extraordinary love to each other all through the night.