Life Goes On 2

Chapter 29

When Kate returned to the Castle castle, Rick engulfed her in his arms. "What did you find out?"

"It was just like Jenny said," Kate replied. "I checked everything in my office, the only thing missing was the files. I checked the history on my computer. As far as I can tell, no one downloaded anything."

"They might not have been able to," Castle pointed out. "Hayley taught us well. Your password is completely random. It would be hard to crack with any speed. Taking the files would only take a few seconds."

Kate's brow furrowed and lines bracketed her mouth."What I can't figure out is why anyone would want them."

"You're using that information as justification for the legislation you're pushing, right?" Castle questioned.

Kate nodded. "Yeah. We're also using it as an example of the type of industries involved. People think of coal mines and chip factories as massive polluters. They don't think of all the little sources of pollution that can still touch lives. Those files help to paint the picture of many small releases contributing to widespread problems."

"And what if the existence of those problems was discredited somehow?" Castle mused.

"What are you getting at, Babe?"

"If I were writing the story, those files would have been stolen so someone could dig up dirt, or invent some, on the families voicing complaints. The right kind of information or invention could even be used to silence them. Then where would the Aid to Victims of Toxic Exposure legislation be? Where would your campaign be? It would be the perfect weapon to strike at the fearless crusader for justice, Kate Beckett."

Kate exhaled slowly. "You're right, Castle, it would. And I think we know who'd want that kind of weapon."

"Or that kind of revenge." Rick added. "Tony Colson. He's lost his credibility with the Spillanos. We should look into what he's up to now - and who's working for or with him. Castle squared his shoulders and put his hands on his hips in a superhero pose. "This sounds like a job for Richard Castle investigations!"

Kate couldn't help the upward pull on her lips."You may be right, Castle, but it's late, if the gang from RCI isn't home, they should be."

"True," Castle agreed, "I'll call Alexis in the morning and find out who's available to be on it." He consulted his watch. "But it's not too late for a little Delorca, if you'd like to join me."

Kate took his arm. "A little kicking ass would be good right now."

Castle grinned. "With Delorca, it will be a lot of kicking ass."


Ryan slowly sipped his coffee as he sat in his car, down the block from Croton, Magnus, and Fields, Tony Colson's new legal home. It wasn't surprising that Colson had left Legal Aid. If it no longer served his ambitions, there was no point in his staying. He was way too selfish to work for a pittance if he could do better. Ryan had checked out the law firm. They didn't work for little guys, like the businesses cited in Kate's stolen files. Small business could never afford them. However, the associations of which those businesses were members, could. Croton, Magnus, and Fields were on retainer with several of them. That alone might be a motive for Colson to have someone raid Kate's files, but Tony could score a twofer and strike at Kate at the same time. Ryan imagined that would appeal to the scheming attorney very much. But as Kate had pointed out, all they had so far was conjecture. Ryan hoped that following Colson, he' be able to get more.


As Bernard toddled across the floor, Alexis seriously surveyed the safe room at RCI. It might have been safe before her son was walking, but it wasn't safe now. The outlets were covered and nothing sharp or poisonous was within easy reach, but there was too much glass and too many of her father's old toys. Bernard could still sleep in the crib, but when he was awake, she would have to watch him every second. She couldn't do that and get much work done, even sitting with a laptop across her knees, as her father did when keeping track of Reese and Jake. There were very few sharp edges or dangerously scalable shelves in Castle castle, or in her apartment. There were, in the office retreat. If she was going to continue to bring Bernard to work, the hidden room would have to undergo considerable changes.

There was another obvious solution. Alexis could get a sitter, or even a nanny. She and Sergei both made decent money. They could afford one, at least part time, until Bernard was old enough to join his aunt and uncles at Latu's trails. But that was the last thing she wanted. Her Dad had managed to raise her without a nanny, and the bond it had forged between them was indestructible. Even with the amount of time and energy he dedicated to his second family, he was still always there for her, and she would always be there for him. She wanted a relationship that enduring with Bernard and whatever other children she might have someday. That meant being there.

She would have to transform RCI into a reasonably toddler safe environment. That didn't mean she wouldn't still have to pay attention, but she would be capable of being more productive. She remembered the firm that did the first remodel on the office well, since she had been the one who had been responsible for supervising the construction of her father's fantasy. She decided to give them a call. But she would check in with Ryan first. If someone was after Kate, it was definitely a family affair.


Colson was on the move. It was possible that he was just taking a walk or picking up a sandwich, but Ryan doubted it. Every move Colson made was efficient, planned, and purposeful. His stride was also too determined for someone just taking a stroll. But fast as his stride was, he was still moving too slowly for Ryan to follow him in a car, without giving himself away. He would have to follow the man on foot. Ryan would also need to look like he belonged in the exclusive Upper East Side neighborhood. He was already wearing a tie, fortunately not one of Jenny's Christmas jokes. He shed the comfort of his sweater vest and retrieved his sport coat from the back seat. Hanging back as far as he could and still keep his quarry in sight, he began to tail Tony Colson. Tony walked for several blocks before turning into a building marked only with a number, the minimum requirement by the post office and the fire department. There were few windows, and they were high and covered by blinds. Ryan pulled out his phone and googled the address. The only entries he could find were the listings for the property the last time it had been up for sale, some five years before. He knew he could find the present ownership in public records, but even those would likely reveal little. He reported to Alexis, who, grateful for a now sleeping Bernard, went to work at her keyboard.