Too Close
Chapter 92
"Just breathe, Dad," Alexis advises as they step off the elevator at roof level. "I checked three times. Everything is all set. There's plenty of seating for the guests, and the food looks great. My friends in the string quartet are going to start playing as soon as Lanie is ready to lead Kate down the aisle. That should be in about five minutes."
Castle forces air through his lips. "I'm breathing. And I know you have everything under control, but with Kate and me, there always seems to be another shoe to drop."
A tall man with an I.D. badge and an earpiece approaches the Castles as they enter the wedding venue. "Excuse me. I'm Ken Bruderlin, I've been assigned to provide your security."
Castle stares upward. The face is unfamiliar, but there is something about the jawline. "Have we met before?"
"I've never met you in my capacity as security staff," Ken replies truthfully.
The voice is lower, but last time Rick heard that cadence, it was coming from a radio in Paris — a radio that blew up a second later. "Hunt?"
"Ssh, Richard, I'm Ken Bruderlin from now on. It's the only way that I can be here that's safe for you, Alexis, Martha, and all the rest of the family. Just know that I'll be watching, and I couldn't be happier for you and Kate." Ken tilts his head toward the flower-covered arbor at the end of a short aisle. "Get over there. Go get married. I'll find you again after your honeymoon."
"Come on, Dad," Alexis urges, grabbing her father's arm. "The minister and Ryan and Esposito are waiting."
Castle lets Alexis lead him to his position, before gazing back at Bruderlin, who nods.
The door to the roof opens, and Lanie moves into position at the head of the aisle, followed by Kate on Jim Beckett's arm. Alexis signals to the musicians, and Lanie begins her slow procession, with Kate and Jim keeping pace behind her. Lanie takes her place on the temporary altar, opposite Alexis, while Kate lets go of her father and joins hands with Rick.
Gesturing at the sky, the minister clears his throat. "It is fitting that we should be standing here beneath God's heaven to join Kate and Rick in holy matrimony. The coming together of two people in love is the most sacred and blessed of occasions. As most of us have, I've learned something of their lives from the media, and they've also shared challenges with me, that the world will never know. Rick and Kate have both overcome many obstacles to reach this time, this place, and this fulfillment of their promises to each other. Their words will carry more meaning for the journey to come than mine ever could. So Rick, Kate, I invite you to say your vows. Rick, whenever you're ready."
Rick turns to Kate, the fingers of both of their hands entwining. "Kate, I was lost; my inspiration gone. I didn't know if I would ever write again. I never thought I'd love again. But from the moment you flashed your badge at my book party, I knew I found the one I'd been waiting for all my life. You are my heart, my soul, my present, and my future." His eyes flick to Alexis, who hands him a simple gold band. With an almost steady hand, he slips it on Kate's slim finger. "I promise that I will love you, treasure you, and be your backup, whatever this life may bring, always."
The minister nods to Kate, as Jim Becket sends her a reassuring smile. "Rick, I knew you only as a face on a book jacket and a man I stood in line for an hour to see for the seconds it took to get your autograph. Even then, your stories gave me comfort and strength. You made your case that no matter how evil the world seemed to be, there was enough good to overcome it. I needed to believe that, and after working with you and getting to know you, I was sure of it. You are the hands that reached out to pull me from the depths. You drag me into your joy, and you enfold me in your love. I can't imagine living a life without you." Kate looks to Lanie, who hands her a wedding ring for Rick. "I promise to love you, treasure you, and be your backup, whatever life may bring, always."
"Then, Katherine Houghton Beckett and Richard Edgar Castle by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minister proclaims. You may now — oh, you're doing it already."
The audience applauds as Rick and Kate's lips meet.
Martha's eyes sweep up and down the figure surveying the merrymakers at the reception. There is something familiar about him. It's not his face. She's sure she doesn't recognize that, but there's an economy to the way he moves she's only seen once before. It couldn't be, could it? After 40 years, there's only one way to know. "Mr., uh," her gaze falls on his badge, "Bruderlin, I have the oddest feeling we've met before."
Emotions roiling through his brain, Ken gazes down at his son's mother. "Maybe in a past life."
"She looks up knowingly. Yes, maybe we did. Perhaps we'll even cross paths again in this one."
The corner of Bruderlin's mouth quirks upward. "Recently, I've come to believe that anything is possible. We can't know what the future will bring, can we Ms. Rodgers?"
"No, we can't," Martha agrees, "but we can always hope that things will work out for the best. Will you be assigned to New York for a while?"
He nods slightly. "I'm home for good."
Ken watches from the dock as a small boat takes Rick and Kate out to the ship, which will transport them to a private island in the Caribbean. He's familiar with the place. It's been the location of several unannounced meetings of diplomats and the odd world leader or two. The facilities are comfortable and readily defensible. Except for a small harbor, the rocky coastline resists invasion by sea. An attack by air is always possible but easily spotted either from the ground or by satellite. They should be safe during their most intimate moments. He still has ways of making sure of that.
None of the Descoines took any notice of him. Except for Richard and Alexis, possibly Kate and, of course, Martha, his cover is intact. Now he'll have to figure out how to keep it that way while still maintaining contact with the New York branch of the family.
His security job should work out fine. If anything, he's overqualified. Using the history the CIA techs created, and the hazard pay he's accumulated over decades, he could start a company of his own. Given the genre of his writing, Richard could claim Ken as a consultant. That would afford opportunities for meetings without raising any questions. In time, Rick could introduce him to the Descoines as a friend or at least a colleague. The more Ken thinks about the idea, the better he likes it. He can start the ball rolling while Rick and Kate are gone. He might even find a way to spend time with Martha.