Intersecting Lines Book 3
37 Lunch Guests
Richard Castle's viewpoint
The drive through the suburbs of Los Angeles was a lot more pleasant this time round. The first and only time Kate and I had been to LA together was a few years ago when we'd travelled there to investigate the murder of her old friend and mentor Mike Royce, it'd worked out in the end but had been a difficult trip for both of us. This time round we were both looking forward to a very different experience.
It was a good thing we'd had plenty of notice about this party, Kate had needed to take herself off the call out roster and we'd spent Friday afternoon at her desk in the 12th Precinct desperately praying that a body wouldn't drop before she clocked off at five. We must've been good as the phones stayed quiet, letting us head out to waves from the rest of the team, both of us just glad to have a weekend away from death and misery, bound for JFK and the early evening flight to LA.
We'd got in late and slept in late, it'd been a full week and we needed the break. After a lazy morning spent fooling around together in bed and then in the shower we'd got ready and headed out to the place that Olivia and Alex were staying at, it belonged to my old friend, the author James Patterson; he'd loaned it to them when I'd asked, temporary accommodation for Liv and Alex when they had relocated to LA a few months back.
They'd stayed there for a month and then arranged to lease it at market rates for another few months while they found a place of their own. Patterson had told me he hadn't minded, having his house rented by a cop and a prosecutor meant it was well looked after, plus they were always accommodating when he'd needed to visit, happy to put him up. He'd also confided over our regular writer's poker game earlier this month that not only was his house in good hands, the eye candy had been spectacular. One weekend he'd been there for a book tour, waking up late on Sunday morning to find half a dozen beautiful women arrayed around the pool as Alex and Liv had their friends over for lunch. He said it felt like the Playboy mansion, though any thought that they were bimbo's hadn't survived the introductions.
If anything, when he found they were all law enforcement he'd been even more impressed, he'd been sure that Kate was a flash in the pan, that there couldn't be other cops that looked like that out there. He'd been happy to be disabused of that notion, especially after sitting down for a while and chatting to Maura Isles and Alex Cabot. I was pretty sure he'd been looking for inspiration for a future book and they were both pretty inspirational. The fact that his wife Susan liked them was just an added bonus.
Now though our rented Porsche convertible, red of course, carried us through the suburbs then up parallel to the Pacific before we turned right off the coast highway and into the hills behind Eastern Malibu northwest of the city, where the compounds overlooked the Pacific Ocean, winding past high fences and closed gates as Kate navigated. We pulled up at the right gate and Alex had happily answered the intercom, buzzing the gate open for us and directing us to park in front of what turned out to be a surprisingly large Spanish-style house that seemed to have been built to take best advantage of the view. There was a diverse range of cars already parked there; from Benz's to Toyota's with plenty of unmarked cop cars, obviously the party was in full swing.
As we walked up to the door, I looked Kate over; we'd been explicitly told the dress code was very casual, mostly as we'd be spending a lot of the afternoon in the pool. Kate was wearing runners, denim shorts and a red polo shirt over a blue bikini but had wondered if she was being too casual. I on the other hand was a believer in casual and comfortable whenever possible, so I'd teamed a loose dark blue mostly-buttoned cotton shirt, sleeves partly rolled up, with tan shorts and sandals, hopefully we'd fit in fine.
The door opened as we approached and Olivia and Alex stood there, looking lovely, tanned, relaxed and happy, both of them as dressed down as we were which was a relief; Liv barefoot in an oversized blue tee shirt marked 'Property of the NYPD' and jean shorts and Alex in a peach polo teamed with cream Capri pants and ballet flats. We each got warm hugs and kisses before they led us through Patterson's massive house.
He'd told me he'd picked it up for a good price as an investment from some top studio executive who'd lost his job during a corporate reshuffle, I don't know how much he'd paid but however much it was, he'd got a bargain. Alex was explaining it as we walked through.
"Eight bedrooms each with an en-suite bathroom and walk in, more bathrooms downstairs including one down in the garage and another out by the pool, a twenty-car underground garage, parking for even more out front as you saw, a private cinema for twenty, a games room, billiards and pool room, library, a top of the line gym, a massive wine cellar, study, formal and informal dining and lounge areas, several offices, a huge patio, a private garden big enough for a massive party on its own, this place has it all" I looked round at the furnishings and huge rooms and found myself agreeing. Liv nodded.
"It's actually a bit intimidating with just the two of us, the place is so damned big we kinda rattle round in here" Kate looked round, a little wide eyed, before glancing at me.
"I thought your place in the Hampton's was big Castle, but this place is amazing" Liv just chuckled.
"If you think that's good, wait till you see the formal area" I raised an eyebrow but they both just smiled, before throwing open the doors to a room that was bigger than my entire loft with a dining table that could seat at least twenty, That wasn't what drew a gasp from both of us though; one entire curved wall was nothing but floor to ceiling glass, giving a spectacular view over the ocean and the beach side suburbs.
"Oh my god" It was Kate, standing there with wide eyes and a stunned expression on her face though I was no better. Alex chuckled softly.
Yeah, that was our first reaction too. It's pretty impressive at night too, the lights look amazing" Liv turned to take us in.
"You walk in sometimes, even after being here for a while and it just kinda hits you. I don't think I could ever get tired of the view here" At her words Kate looked over at them.
"Are you going to miss this place?" she said. Liv nodded slowly.
"Not the size, but the view, the peace and quiet, yeah, that's going to be hard to leave behind" Alex nodded as well.
"It was a great place to come to, when we first arrived, this place was such a break from New York. We owe you and Mr Patterson both for this" I laughed.
"That's not how he sees it, he told me you guys are paying a fair rental and he knew it was in good hands" Alex just smiled.
"Well, this place is wasted with just the two of us here; it really deserves to be used for parties all the time. Speaking of which, let's get out to everyone. We've congregated around the kitchen" I smiled at them as I spoke.
"Let me guess, big kitchen?" I asked, getting an eye roll from Alex and an answer from Liv.
"You have no idea"
Shortly after I found myself whistling, she was right, the kitchen would have been right at home in any high-end restaurant, all massive marble benches and stainless steel German appliances.
It was also busy, with several people working away in the kitchen proper while the rest had been banished to the other side of a truly massive island bench where they were busy socialising.
I stopped by the bench and looked round, seeing a few familiar faces there, Maura Isles and Anastasia Romanov were working in the kitchen and both came over to give us a welcoming hug. They were busy cooking, together with an older, dark-haired woman who was still gorgeous despite an age I'd put in the very late-forties or early-fifties. She looked us over and smiled politely.
"Hi, I'm Sharon" I smiled and turned to include Kate.
"Kate Beckett and Richard Castle" She nodded, taking us both in, her smile widening.
"Ah, the friends from New York" We nodded as we shook hands. I looked round and smiled even wider. The aromas in the kitchen were something else.
"How can I help?" I found myself being appraised by a set of deep green eyes.
"I'm not sure; do you know your way around a kitchen Mr Castle?" I smiled easily, something about all of this felt easy and relaxed.
"It's Rick and yeah, I do ok" She smiled and turned, indicating the working side of the kitchen.
"Feel free to jump in" I shared a smile with Kate as I handed the wine cooler off to her with a kiss and looked towards the cooking areas.
"Something smells fabulous, what's cooking?" Sharon smiled widely.
"Maura's doing her divine lasagne plus a tortellini dish, both apparently to Jane's mother's traditional recipe. Ana's got linguini in clam sauce and fettuccini carbonara cooking while I'm doing spinach and ricotta ravioli and tuna risotto" she explained, I smiled as Kate laughed then spoke up.
"Who needs to go to Italy when we have food this good here?" I nodded as my eyes roved the bench and stove-tops.
"If it tastes half as good as it smells then it was worth the trip just for the food" I stated, Sharon chuckling happily at the praise as Maura and Anastasia looked up and smiled. "Now what can I do to help?"
"Can you please keep an eye on the ravioli and the risotto while I take a look at the cannoli?" she said, drawing a smile from me.
"Of course" I got another quick kiss from Kate before she headed off to where Liv was standing, leaving me to the cooking, not that I minded to be honest, I like cooking, I love Italian food and it all looked and smelled wonderful. For the next twenty minutes the four of us worked side by side, happily chatting about recipes and ingredients; I love to cook; Kate constantly complains that I'm fattening her up so no one else will look at her; something that always makes me laugh. Kate will always be stunning, no matter what and people will always look, no matter what.
Unfortunately, her love of food doesn't extend to actually cooking much, as the temple of Styrofoam take-out containers I found in her fridge the first time I'd visited her place had proven. Since then I'd made it my mission to ensure she eats better, given the stress of the job she eats too much take-out for my liking.
I'd chatted to both Maura Isles and Anastasia Romanov before, back in New York and gathered that they both liked to cook, but seeing their work, smelling it and surreptitiously sneaking a taste confirmed that they were both very good at it. Their friend Sharon, she wasn't any slouch in the kitchen stakes either, her ravioli and risotto were both to die for, plus the canolli looked mouth watering, I was only sorry we hadn't arranged to arrive earlier so I could cook up something special too.
I was exchanging recipie suggestions with Sharon when a willowy blonde with sparkling brown eyes and a generous mouth just made for smiling wandered into the kitchen, sliding an arm around Sharon and snuggling in. She looked over and smiled; her voice a soft southern lilt.
"Hi, I'm Brenda" She held her hand out and we shook. This would be Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, confirming my assumption that Sharon was Commander Sharon Raydor. We'd heard about them of course, both Liv and Alex had nothing but good things to say about them both, which was as good a recommendation as anyone could ask for, plus I'd recognised them from the TV coverage of the trial a few weeks back.
"Hi, I'm Rick" She smiled.
"That would be Rick Castle?" I sketched a small bow.
"That would be me"
"I have to say Mr Castle..." I smiled as I interrupted.
"Please, just Rick" She smiled happily.
"Well then, just Rick" she teased… "Liv and Alex have been really looking forward to your visit, its good you made it" I smiled happily at them both.
"And miss this cooking? Perish the thought" I said, making Brenda look to her partner and grin.
"I have to say I'd travel a long way for Maura's or Ana's cooking too, add in Sharon here and well, it's definitely worth the trip"
"Do you cook Brenda?" The laugh I got from her was a joy as Sharon chuckled as well. Finally she subsided.
"I'm sorry; I'm pretty much a danger to life and limb in a kitchen, mine or anyone else's. Someone who shall remain nameless…" She shot a fond look at Sharon. "…claims I have an altogether unhealthy dependency on take-out. Given the amount of take-out containers that occasionally found their way into my fridge back when I was single she may be right" I smiled happily.
"Sounds like someone else I know" I glanced over to where Kate and Liv were happily catching up, each wearing a broad smile. Brenda followed my gaze.
"Is that your partner over there, Kate?" I looked back over to see the love of my life casually chatting to Olivia, her expression telling me everything I needed to know, she was happy, relaxed and having fun.
"Indeed it is" Brenda nodded and looked back to me.
"When I found out you were coming, I looked up you, there's plenty of material, as you'd expect for a best-selling author" I nodded gently in acknowledgement as Brenda arched an eyebrow at me. "Stealing a police horse and riding around Central Park naked?" I looked a little sheepish, that was not me, not anymore.
"In my defence I was much younger then" I said, a little ruefully, Sharon laughing at that.
"Weren't we all" she said as Brenda smiled at us both.
"But Detective Beckett, a very impressive record, more so in the time you've been working with her I have to say" I deflected the attention to Kate, she was the one who deserves it after all.
"Kate is extraordinary; I just tag along as the comic relief and coffee delivery boy" Sharon narrowed her eyes at me.
"Really, that's apparently not the story that Kate's told Liv" I tried not to let what she'd said affect me, though I made a mental note to chase down what they'd discussed, later, for now I contented myself with a shrug as I replied.
"She's the one who deserves the credit; I just follow her around and use her for inspiration for Nikki Heat" I was suddenly aware that both women were looking at me, really looking.
These weren't just two attractive older women, they were both very experienced senior cops and would probably be very intimidating in an interrogation; god knows I'd seen enough of that in recent years to know. I'd seen Kate at work and had no doubt both of the women in front of me would be formidable, especially Brenda, apparently she'd been a CIA-trained interrogator before joining the police. I didn't know all that much about Sharon Raydor, but Brenda Leigh Johnson was another story; she was something special, with a string of high profile cases closed behind her.
She might look casual, relaxed and lovely here in flip flops, denim shorts and a tied shirt covering a black bikini top that showed off a still-nice figure, her hair up in a ponytail, but she'd put enough high profile murderers, serial killers, corrupt cops and gang bangers behind bars to be worthy of my respect. Brenda's eyes narrowed for a moment, before she smiled.
"Perhaps we might convince her to stay here in LA" She shrugged. "Given how good she is, I'd be happy to have her in my squad" Before I could say anything Sharon gave her a playful elbow in the ribs.
"No Brenda, you're not allowed to poach any more detectives from the east, especially not gorgeous ones. You know what they call your squad already, adding Kate would just make it worse" she said as I looked between them, wondering about the joke.
"Oh? More?" At my question Sharon just laughed as Brenda playfully rolled her eyes. Finally Brenda mock frowned at Sharon before turning to me and smirking.
"Well, we managed to convince Jane and Maura to stay after their secondment, then we got Liv and Alex out here on secondment and I hope they'll stay too, they're both great additions to the team. My squad also includes Mikki Mendoza over there" She nodded towards a striking Latino woman chatting with Natalie Dearing and another blonde who I recognised from the trial, she'd been the other prosecutor, Andrea someone I recalled. "So Major Crimes has three attractive female detectives and works closely with the department's medical examiner, FBI liaison, media manager and two of LAs top Deputy District Attorney's, all of whom just happen to be attractive women"
I recalled some of the slurs the defence in the WitSec case had thrown their way; it seemed as if there might have been a kernel of truth in some of the claims about Brenda's team. Sharon nodded at her lover's words then glanced at me as she replied.
"Hence the term Amazon squad" she said, drawing a smile from Brenda at the description, before looking back at me.
"That's when their being polite. I've heard a few less complimentary names, especially given we have a number of gay members, but after we sorted out a few particularly obnoxious specimens, most people keep their opinions to themselves" Sharon shrugged as she replied.
"Unfortunately too many male cops have a juvenile sense of humour" Brenda looked back at Sharon and smiled as I chuckled in agreement then replied.
"Well Brenda, given both beauty and brains seems to be essential prerequisites for your squad I can see how Kate would fit right in, but I kind of like my muse with me in New York, plus given you've already stolen one of the NYPDs best detectives and a top prosecutor, they might be a bit annoyed if you stole Kate too" Sharon smirked as she turned to wave a finger at Brenda in an admonishing gesture.
"Listen to the man Brenda, he's right. You can only poach one east coast cop a year and Liv's this year's quota" Brenda pulled a face at her, before breaking out in chuckles.
"You're probably right sweetie, so no offer to Kate this year. Next year however..." I raised my eyebrow before we laughed together, Brenda and Sharon seemed good people and I knew both Alex and Liv liked them a lot. Sharon smiled and looked to me.
"Brenda could probably find room for a 'civilian consultant' if we needed to" she said with a teasing glance at her lover. I have to say the idea was an intriguing one, if only for a second, before I shook my head.
"Like Sharon said, only one NYPD detective per year" She sighed a little wistfully.
"Pity, from what Liv and Alex tell me she's damned good at her job" I smiled over at where Kate was laughing with Liv and Alex.
"You won't get an argument from me" I said. With food almost ready we bustled around getting everything plated and onto a couple of heated trolleys then moved everything into the dining room where people could serve themselves at the table. We chased everyone into the dining room and got them seated, good red and white wine available, before we started helping ourselves. For a minute or two it was quiet chaos before everyone settled into enjoying lunch.
Coming up for air from what was absolutely delicious linguini and fettuccini, I looked around. Kate sat to my left flanked by Ana with Natalie beyond, while I had a striking African-American woman named Amy Sykes next to me, apparently she was part of Sharon's team, as was the smaller Asian woman next to her, Lucy Kwang.
With the initial rush of the meal slowing conversations started around the table, I chatted to Amy and Lucy as Kate chatted to Ana, then responded to a question from across the table from Brenda, asking about her career. The rest of the dinner was really pleasant, good food, good people and good conversation, with plenty of happy stories, including the almost obligatory one about how Kate and I met; the answer, 'she arrested me' getting a good laugh.
The lunch wrapped up with the cannelloni followed by really good Italian style coffee, apparently Ana, Maura and Alex all knew a thing or two about running an espresso machine and soon had a production line running, as we ended up sitting around drinking coffee and chatting..
After everyone turned to and helped clean up and stack the multiple dishwashers; I have to say this place was built to host big parties, we ended up wandering about the house for a while, just taking it all in before ending up back in the dining room, looking out over the ocean. I stood for a moment, looking out over the amazing view, just soaking it in when I saw Kate step up next to me. I could tell she was happy and relaxed; something that always makes me smile.
"Hey Castle, having fun?" I smiled gently.
"Always and you look like you are too" She nodded slowly, eyes on the view. I saw movement out on the level below as Natalie and Ana walked out, both in flattering swimsuits, an extraordinarily tempting view in its own right, even before Ana started spreading lotion across Natalie's back. That reminded me.
"Kate, is it a prerequisite that you have to be gorgeous and gay to be here?" She gave me that teasing smile I'd grown very, very fond of.
"Why Castle, feeling a tiny bit intimidated are we?" I shrugged, smiling as Mikki Mendoza walked past, two glasses in her hand, she nodded and smiled back before walking up to the woman I'd been introduced to as her partner Andrea Hobbs, and handing a drink across, my earlier recollection had been right, she was a Deputy District Attorney who had worked with Alex on the trial. I turned my attention back to Kate.
"I feel like I'm the sole standard bearer for testosterone here" Kate's grin was quick and wicked, her voice teasing.
"Don't worry Castle, I'm sure half the women here have you beat on that score too, besides, I always thought you had a feminine side, so you fit in amongst a room full of girls"
"Thank you so much Detective Beckett. Anyway, who said you were the guy in this relationship" Her eyes danced as she smiled that teasing smile, the one I love.
"Well I am the one with the gun, badge and handcuffs…" I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help the smile.
"Something I am painfully aware of" I got a gentle shoulder to shoulder nudge at that.
"Oh stop complaining Castle, besides, you don't seem to mind when I'm the one cuffing you, in the bedroom at least" she said, drawing a smirk from me as I heard the humour in her voice.
"Apples Beckett, remember my safe word" Her laugh was quick and light and I loved hearing it.
"Oh Castle, where's the fun in that" I threw her a mock-leer.
"The fun, my delightful detective, is getting a whole pile of photos of this afternoon. Can you imagine the looks on Ryan and Esposito's faces when they see who we spent our weekend with?" I got a mock scowl from Beckett, before she smirked, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.
"Should be good for a little payback" I nodded, Espo in particular had been a little cocky lately on the back of a couple of dates with an Instagram model, so we'd agreed he needed to be taken down a peg or two. I saw Brenda and Sharon walking out onto the patio in swimsuits, sharing a laugh with Maura and Jane, despite their age they really were very attractive, well worth a second look, even in a pool party with people like Natalie, Alex, Maura and Kate.
"Brenda and Sharon weren't quite what I was expecting in the LAPDs two most senior female cops" I said as Kate nodded slowly, making a little Jedi gesture.
"These are not the senior officers you're looking for" I flicked a quick grin at Kate, lots of people saw different facets of Kate, but only I got to see the geeky side of her and I loved it, she only let it show when we were alone and she was happy, another reason to look forward to seeing it. She made another Jedi gesture. "You can go about your business, move along" I chuckled and shook my head before looking down at the pool area which was filling up, Kate following my eyes down to the pool deck.
"You being a pervert again Castle?" I smiled at Kate's sly tone.
"Just admiring all the beautiful women here Kate, you fit in perfectly" She ducked her head, I could tell she was a little embarrassed by my honest praise, for all her looks and accomplishments Kate remains modest, she really didn't see herself the way I did.
"Yeah well, I'm looking forward to hitting the pool; I can work on my tan" I swallowed as I remembered Kate working on her tan at my place back in the Hamptons, the memory stirring a few delightful memories. It wasn't the only thing stirring either, which reminded me…
"Um, I probably won't be joining you there Kate" She looked across at me, one eyebrow lifting.
"What, why not?" she asked.
"Um, it's just that I'm surrounded by a whole gallery of women almost as pretty as you, in bikinis, watching you in a bikini. I may have a few wardrobe malfunction issues to deal with" Her chuckle was low and throaty as she leaned in.
"Need some help with that Castle?" I gave her a smirk and a come-on.
"Why detective, are you offering?" Kate took it in her stride.
"I might be able to take matters in hand, but on the other hand you'd be more than ready for me later" I gulped.
"Not helping Beckett" I was trying for stern but it didn't quite come out that way, something that amused the hell out of Kate as she smiled at me, that gorgeous little smile she saves just for me.
"Don't worry Rick, I'll look after you"
"I'll hold you to that detective, amongst other things" She shrugged.
"It won't be the only thing I'll be holding…" she sassed, making me smile as she continued. "Besides, given most of the people here are gay I doubt they'd care, Lucy Kwang's apparently married with two kids and I think the only other straight one here is Amy Sykes" I remembered the striking woman who'd sat next to me, then made a joke about it.
"Sounds like you're more in danger here than I, after all it's obvious all these gay girls have an eye for a beautiful woman…" I got an eye roll at that, followed by a smile.
"Then I'll just have to rely on you to keep reminding me why I'm straight and why it's not in my interest to fall prey to their advances"
We shared a smile before wandering over to chat to Mikki and Andrea for a while, then headed down with them to hit the pool; as it turned out we wore ourselves out with all sorts of dumb horseplay, including an 'everyone pile on Liv' wrestling match that didn't go so well for us, that woman was super strong and slippery as an eel, what with all that wrestling training, before Kate and I ended up intermittently dozing on adjacent sun lounges, idly taking part in the back and forth banter, something that was a lot of fun
Dinner was a relaxed affair, plenty of salad and cold cuts, a perfect match to the afternoon as we mingled happily. Unfortunately Lucy Kwang had to leave; her husband had been watching the kids and as he had to fly up to Sacramento tonight for a work-sponsored charity golf day tomorrow, she headed off to a chorus of well-wishes.
I'd noticed Amy Sykes had been looking a bit down and maybe drinking a little more than she should and I wasn't the only one to notice, Sharon and Liv chatting to her in the kitchen. Apparently whatever they'd said had worked because she ended up staying the night, something that hadn't been on our agenda either, until Alex had told us we might as well stay, they had plenty of bedrooms and it meant we didn't have to drive all the way back to our hotel late at night. Truth be told I was kinda glad not to, it meant I could relax a little, something Kate agreed with.
Alex showed both us and Amy to the bedrooms we'd have for the night, I have to say it was bigger than the suite in the hotel we were staying at with a bed that had to be a king size, it was that big.
Heading back down we messed about for another couple of hours, including playing pool and then snooker on their full competition-sized table for a while; I'd learned the game in England years before, as had Brenda, Ana and Alex. Finally we called it quit pretty late, heading to bed.
We'd had a quick shower to get the chlorine out of our hair and off our skin, drying each other off and climbing onto that massive bed. We'd snuggled in close, just happy to be together, idly chatting.
"I'm really glad we got to be here Castle, this was fun" I nodded. I rarely got to see Kate as relaxed and happy as she'd been here today, without all the cares and stress and the chance of a call out she'd been more rested than I'd seen in a while, add in a day of fun with our friends, well she'd smiled more easily than I'd seen in a while and looked years younger than the kick-ass detective persona she showed the rest of the world.
"We have to do this again, soon" I got a nod and a happy smile.
"That'd be fun" Anything I was going to say was cut off by the low moan from the bedroom next door, I don't know who was in there but they were obviously wasting no time, even as I got a snigger from Kate. "Someone's in a hurry" I raised an eyebrow and gave her a smile.
"Can't say I blame them" That drew a wider smile as I continued. "And you did say you'd take things in hand tonight" I got a slow, considering nod.
"That I did" Her hand slid down my body and grasped a rapidly hardening piece of my anatomy. "Now whatever will I do with this?" she mused. I gasped as she ran her fingers teasingly over the head, concentrating my mind wonderfully.
"I'm sure you'll think of something" I said as I leaned in for a hot, wet kiss.
And she did.