The Other Path

Chapter 57

Rick's jaw drops as Kate emerges from their bedroom. "You look incredible!"

Kate smooths her sheath over her still-flat belly. "Enjoy it while you can, Babe. I don't think this dress comes in maternity sizes."

Rick pulls his wife against his tux-clad body. "Do you think I'll find you any less beautiful as our child grows inside you? You would be irresistible to me in a Canal Street knock-off or a potato sack. The dress is just a fancy wrapping for the treasure – treasures – inside."

Kate burrows into her husband's chest. "I doubt Nico felt that way about Lou-Anne."

"We don't know that. You've said it yourself – several times – that we have no proof he did it. And we have no idea if Nico or anyone else even knew she was pregnant. She wasn't showing any more than you are. But we do know that he wasn't committed enough to marry her. Maybe he didn't even love her. But I love you, Kate, and will even if you blow up like a Macy's parade balloon."

"The Pillsbury Dough Boy?"

"More like Hello Kitty, with an unfathomable but undeniable appeal."


The fundraiser has no red carpet, but several attendees arrive in limousines. Kate figures that Rick's Ferrari fits in or even does the limos one better. The security man checking invitations only gives the couple a quick look, most of which lingers on Kate's curves. She sighs. That distraction won't last much longer.

Rick wears the smile he usually displays at book readings and PR events. If Kate didn't know him better, she'd think he enjoyed the crowd. But she's learned to distinguish the exuberant Castle persona from the man with the unquenchable thirst to know the whole story, no matter how dark. And right now, that man's on the hunt as much as she is. They're both attempting to scan the faces of everyone in the cavernous historic dance hall.

After a brief stop at the bar, Rick hands Kate a club soda with a cherry and sips one himself. She is one of the few who knows that however devil-may-care her husband may appear, he won't get behind the wheel of the Ferrari if he's been drinking. "Spot our target?"

"No sign.

"Well, it's early yet. Sometimes people show up at these things in time for the auction."

"You're not putting yourself on the block, are you?"

"I never did. That was all Mother's doing. And anyway, I'm about as thoroughly taken as a man can get. But I did make a donation."

"Signed first editions?"

"A sword. I'm paring down my collection, and traditional weapons are always popular. The Phantom of the Opera used his magic lasso, but who knows? A bloodthirsty suspect might bid on something sharp."

The opera company's bass takes the podium, his resonant tones claiming immediate attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of New Opera of Manhattan, I thank you all for coming. And I'll also remind you that we accept cash, checks, and credit cards."

As polite laughter ripples through the gathering, Kate notes that several guests work their way to the front of the crowd. "Nico's here," she whispers to Rick.

"And he brought his mother," Rick returns. "Or maybe she brought him. As a shrink would say, they have an interesting dynamic, don't you think?"

"Yeah," Kate replies thoughtfully. "They do."

The bass skillfully runs through the various items for sale, including Rick's sword. The writer watches Nico for a reaction but doesn't see much interest. Nina Rafaelli, however, takes a step forward and starts to raise her hand before pulling it back. After a bidding war, the fierceness of which surprises Kate, the weapon goes to a rotund bidder sporting a handlebar mustache. "I will remember the winner of this one to use as a character," Rick whispers. "I might make him a murderous barber."

"I think Sweeney Todd pretty much nailed that down," Kate opines.

"True enough," Rick concedes. "But I'll use him for something. And speaking of characters, have you been watching Nina Rafaelli?"

"I was watching Nico. What did you see?"

"I'll tell you when we're out of this mass of humanity," Rick promises. "I think the auction is winding down."

"I can't believe you bought that opera graphic novel."

"Are you kidding? Operas weren't meant for the elite. They were initially written for the hoi palloi. No microphones back then. They needed singers with natural amplification. The stories have a lot in common with comics: colorful characters, lots of angst, and fantastic plots. It's a marriage made in geek heaven. That book may be the star of my collection. And there's a Spiderman musical. Maybe someday someone will write an opera about Loki, a god who's evil but tortured. He'd be perfect!"

"I wouldn't hold your breath, Babe. But you're right. People are beginning to drift out."

Rick regards the thinning assemblage. "They'll all be out the door as soon as our hosts shut down the bar."


"So," Kate asks as Rick pulls his sports car into late-night traffic, "what about Nina Rafaelli?"

"She's the bloodthirsty half of the mother and son pairing. She wanted that sword. I could see it. But she knew how it would look if she bid on it, so she held off. And I saw one of the regular circuit piranas trying to come on to Nico. He didn't pay much attention to her, but Nina gave her a look that could have eviscerated a Bengal tiger. Nina is very possessive about her little boy, possibly violently possessive. I may have to modify my theory about Lou-Anne's murder. I don't think Nico did it."

"You think Nina is the murderer?"

"Maybe not hands-on. Lou-Anne might have been able to fight her off. But I think Lou-Anne's death was under Nina's control."

"Based on how Nina looked at a sword and a woman hitting on Nico? That's quite a stretch, Babe. And even if you're right, we don't have any more proof against Nina than we do against Nico."

"But you told me Nina's a Scarpelli, with business overlapping with the family. Is that enough to get her financials?"

"It might be. From the OCU's report, they have them. Maybe I can get a copy."

"Then it's crimebusters 101: follow the money. If Nina had someone doing her evil bidding, it should turn up somewhere in her transactions."

"That's possible. But tomorrow's Sunday. I'd need a lot more than we have to disturb the CGU captain on the weekend. I want to keep on her good side. We may need more CGU intel. I'll request Nina's financials on Monday. Then we'll see what we get."

"Which leaves us a Sunday to kick back and enjoy."

"What did you have in mind?"

"A picnic in the park would be nice."


The tall windows of the loft rattle with the thunder almost immediately following the flare of lightning that penetrated the bedroom blinds. Groaning, Rick sits up, propping himself against the backboard. "I should have never said the words picnic or park."

Kate draws herself up beside him. "At least this system didn't come in while we were driving home. It would have flooded the Ferrari before you could put up the top."

"Good point," Rick acknowledges. "Convertibles do have their drawbacks." He involuntarily flinches at another clap of thunder. "I suppose we'll have to work out some indoor activities."

A saucy smile lights Kate's face. "We'll think of something."