Castle blinks open his eyes, surprised to see it actually qualified as morning, not just past daybreak. A second night of decent sleep. He scrubs a hand over his beard and grabs the burner phone. Nothing dire on the list. It is now a waiting game to see what shakes itself out.
He goes through the morning routine and feels like he can tolerate eating. He still shuns coffee opting instead for black tea with milk. By the time Alexis appears, cheese omelettes seasoned with fresh herbs are ready.
"No smorelettes? No bacon? Who are you and what have you done with my father?" She's beaming at him.
He brandishes a utensil at his offspring. "You're in training. How's it going?"
"Good. Really good. The coach brought in a special consultant who is teaching us more about the strategy of the game. She said to think of it like a chess match at warp speed! She shows an attack and possible counter moves. She wants us to know likely parries, so we anticipate how to turn it to our advantage. We need to be thinking ahead - not just reacting. She also shows us stuff on screen at twice normal speed so when we see in real time it seems slow by comparison! It's so neat!"
"Do you want to cross swords with me later today or would that be over-training?"
"That would be helpful. Going up against someone with a longer reach will make me think more about moves. Thanks, dad!"
She's gone and his mother isn't home so it's into the office to check on the battle plans. He's thankful electronic security is a way of life. The computer he uses for writing has an encryption program from his shadowy days with the CIA. He focuses on the checklist and sees he needs to make a money drop for the hacker. Two invisible drudges were able to steal the dummy manuscript from Black Pawn but only one of them refused to wipe out the charity account. That's the person he wants on his side. His/her tag name is Hail. Not only was this hacker super fast, but Black Pawn is clueless about the breech. Maybe when the dragon is slain he'll ask Hail to steal Patterson's NYPD Red manuscript. Castle could have it leaked so his rival won't publish it. Then again, the competing story would be a good excuse to end the Heat series. One minute he wants to fight for Nikki Heat (KB) and the next minute he wants to walk away from both of them. Regardless, he's got a corrupt politician who thinks he got away with murder and Castle refuses to let Bracken win.
A new message arrives and the mastermind quickly studies a photo of the guy who broke in to a canary trap site. No surprise, it's the same guy who visited the forger that alerted everyone that they were coming after Beckett. Castle sent a text last night alerting one of Z Lot's guys to be ready. Some clues were already planted at each site to make it look like Beckett was there recently but had an appointment in the city. He can keep this animal chasing his tail while Beckett sits safely at a location surrounded by the unbreakable loyalty of the security team. They can also start doing some discreet reconnaissance on the man who gave assassin the information. It feels good to have new leads to follow instead of relying on Montgomery's old files. Jim's coworker is dirty.
What was the barrister's name? Castle shuffles papers in his safe and pulls out the affidavit. Ben Moss. Rolling stones gather no moss. That's what this guy does for Bracken - he makes sure nothing sticks to the senator. The next task for Hail-the-wonder-hacker can be nosing around the attorney's computer. Lawyers love to keep files.
Castle has a decision to make. He has only one resonance device left. He was keeping it in reserve in case one failed (they have been sitting on shelf out of service for about a decade which is why his guy was able to make them disappear.) It is also reasonable to assume Bracken has an underling who goes between himself and the henchmen. Listening in to that guy could reveal great intel, but listening in to Bracken's legal eagle could also net information of a much higher level. It could also net a ton of info to sort through that has nothing to do with the conspiracy. What to do...
Decision made. He reaches out to his favorite burglar again. Powell can plant another bug but it's going to cost him - the man does not work for peanuts. Castle scratches his fledgling whiskers. They itch but he can't be bothered to shave. He's going to need more cash and he is too much of a wuss to ask Tayrisha because she'll scold him! He needs that check from Black Pawn.
His cash flow problem is interrupted by the house phone ringing bringing another lawyer in the mix. Theodore Milmar the third is calling him before 9 a.m. He has an understanding with his contract attorney never to call before noon. "Theo, tell me straight up: is it good news or bad news?"
"Good news and so-so news. Which do you want first?"
"Save the best for last."
"After you left I went around in circles with Black Pawn. They assert you breeched the marketing clauses and we assert that you have met them. They were wasting my time just to run up the billable hours. Bottom line is that they don't expect you to write that garbage into the story, but it was a ploy to make you more agreeable to their real demands. Go ahead and to the edits for the current manuscript, but that doesn't resolve this contract dispute. They are worried about getting ahead of the publicity game with Patterson's new series coming out. They want to put you on a parade of publicity events."
"What happens if I refuse?"
"A clause kicks in for 'Irreconcilable Differences' and it goes to binding arbitration. That will take time to play out and all money due to you goes into escrow until the dispute is resolved. It's a way to try to wear you down, teach you a lesson, and make you an example that the other writers need to do more or suffer the same fate."
"What are their chances of being successful?"
"95% of the time the outcome of arbitration is both sides compromising. Your publisher has a lot to gain and very little to loose. The worst outcome for them is that we beat this and their legal fees are up. The expense will be more than offset by the extra publicity the rest of the authors will do, and higher book sales means higher revenue for everyone. The most likely outcome for you is you will need to be a good puppet and let them pull your strings. This tactic is coming from the new CEO and your editor had to get in line or get replaced."
"Wow. I'm ready for the good news."
"Rick, I've always appreciated that you support the little guy. We were both just starting out when you took a chance on me and it made all the difference to my future. You never cast me aside when you got to be a best selling author, and I appreciate that more than I can ever say. As you know my legal practice has remained modest but I can and will devote everything I have to oversee your best interests." Theo draws a breath.
"Hey, where are you going with this? I'm waiting to hear my good news." Rick values loyalty and lets the teasing reassure his friend.
"You have an amazing opportunity to be represented in this matter by a premier legal firm. Mr. James Beckett called me first thing this morning. He offered the full resources of their firm."
Oh, okay, Jim was serious about helping. And this help is evidently a big deal. Wow. "What did you tell him?"
"He made it clear that he was not soliciting your business but following up on an offer he made you last night?" It comes out like a question because Milmar can't help being a little in awe of the legal mind of James Beckett. "I told him I needed to consult with my client and I would get back to him immediately."
That explains the early call. Castle chuckles, "You have consulted me. Fight Black Pawn; I'm no one's puppet anymore. I don't care how long it takes and what people or methods you chose to employ. I trust you to take care of it. Any more questions?"
"No questions. And Rick - thanks."
Castle hangs up with a smile. Those Becketts are full of surprises. They're quiet and unassuming and reticent but woe to the person who underestimates them.
Beckett... He can't help himself. He reaches in the desk drawer and pulls the precious pieces of paper that are his proof of life. She didn't call and he's been picturing her recovering in the arms of the hero surgeon. Maybe it's time to hear what she has to say. The letter Sorenson gave him was illuminating - once he got over the sting of her reaching out to someone other than him.
With a little time and distance Castle sees her actions in a new light. She didn't ask her team to investigate so Ryan and Espo were in the dark about the veiled threats just like he was, so maybe it wasn't personal. At the time they were all focused on finding her shooter. Sorenson showed up and figured out the ongoing plot. If the emotional baggage is removed, logically she had very few people she could trust who knew the case. She picked the only other person who had the resources to investigate yet not be an obvious ally.
Supposedly she's made a rational decision to stay away from her mother's case. She backed up the words with action because she hasn't pestered the boys for information. Yes, he is out of the loop but how is it different from what he's doing? He agreed to Smith's demands when he first called to keep her from investigating without letting her know. They're both going behind each other's back.
Beckett said she'd call but didn't. His wounded ego believed he was being ignored, yet he's holding four letters that prove otherwise. If he's honest with himself, he just couldn't take seeing her with a man like Davidson because the contrast makes him feel like an inadequate playboy. He can barely cope with what happened and it's the motivation behind changing his own behavior. He wants his cocky, entitled image to be replaced by more noble motivations.
He caresses the letters. Jim gave him the first one when he was fighting his demons alone and the only reason he ventured to see her father was they didn't know where to find the detective. He wants to rip the note open like a gift wrapped present, but he forces himself to savor the earliest connection.
It's a small paper folded in on itself and sealed with a piece of medical tape. He eases it open and studies the blocky print. This goes against her tendency to write in cursive, but as he studies the words, anyone can see shakiness of the hand and unevenness in the lines. It's dated the day after he saw her in the hospital. The day after she said she'd call but wrote to him instead.
Castle,
Do not let the words from motorcycle boy - also known as my former boyfriend - get to you. You are NOT to blame for any of this. Once I heard about him throwing you up against a wall in the waiting room and the shit he said, I told him we were over. I seem to say that a lot lately, only in his case, I'm not going to change my mind.
This is all I can manage right now, Castle. I hope it's enough. - Beckett
Oh! How much heartache could he have saved himself if he'd had this then? If he had gone back to the hospital instead of giving her space - (he never listens to her when she tells him to stay in the car. Why did he listen then?) If he'd only gone to check on Jim. If only... He shakes his head in shame. He lets the implications wash over him.
He rereads the letter she gave to Sorenson to give to him. It stings, but it's not nearly as bad as he was portraying her in his mind. She was trying to protect him and Alexis. He'll forgive a lot when someone looks out for his daughter.
He reverently picks up the letter Ike Thornton passed to Lanie. 'Hey Castle' is scrawled on the front with a lighthouse logo and rehab center name on the envelop. The letter taunts him waiting to reveal more circumstances that contradict his grudges. He mans up and opens it up.
Castle,
This won't come as a surprise to you, but sometimes I can be my own worst enemy. I'll tell you the story next time we connect, but the short version is I set back my own recovery. Lanie stepped in and pulled some strings to get me in a place that can patch me up. Besides my physical rehabilitation being carefully monitored, I am being forced to examine my behavior. I'm not happy about any of this, but Lanie is not holding back on her opinion of what a mess I've made of things. (My god she can be scary!) Truth be told, it's the nudge I needed to reach out to you.
I need you to know how huge it was, how much it meant to me when you were standing beside me at Roy's funeral even though I had been so rotten to you. All you were doing was trying to keep me safe but I lashed out and said things that aren't true. I broke us and it is vitally important to me that I fix it.
I'm sorry for throwing aside your concern for my safety and our partnership. You were right, and I repaid your feelings with contempt. I'm sorry, Castle. You gave me an honest apology after you looked into my mom's murder, and I remember how much your words, the sincerity, healed me. I want to give you the same respect with this humble offering of regret at the pain I caused you.
I hurt more than just you with the sequence of events my recklessness set into motion. I am so very sorry no one got to hear the beautiful eulogy you wrote for Roy. You were sweet to insist I give mine first. I'll admit now that I didn't want to follow you because I know your words would have rendered me a puddle of mush. It's one thing to hear a cop like me praise my mentor; it is something else to hear about the man you knew and how much more there was to him than being in law enforcement. The laughter and poignant memories you were going to share would have touched everyone present - especially Roy's family. I'm sorry, Castle, that you didn't get a chance to say those words and give a proper sendoff to your friend.
I am sorry for so many things, but some of them will have to wait until I am stronger. How are you? At least tell me how Nikki is doing (yes, I'm fishing for spoilers. Go ahead and gloat!)
-Beckett
Oh dear god, Roy is dead. It hits him all over again. He carried Beckett out of that setup only to stand by as Roy was gunned down. If he hadn't pushed into Beckett's business, Montgomery would still be alive. Kate wouldn't have a hole in her heart. He wouldn't be masquerading as a knight on a mission to thwart evil.
His mind is tangled by the images and his body feels like he's trapped all alone in a cold and dark desert after the sun went down. He lets it wash over him and feels the weight of it. The stark understanding of his role is overwhelming. He's been wading around death like it's a playground except the reality is soul crushing. He accepts the burden and nods to himself. He's been a cocky adolescent masquerading in a man's body who doesn't deserve the bounty of good things that he takes for granted. This crusade has to be successful so he can make amends.
His eyes have blurred - it must be fatigue and that's why the words have faded away. He comes out of the fog and debates whether he is strong enough to read more. He swipes at his eyes and they magically clear. Everything changed because of this nightmare. Kate has changed. He's changing. He forces himself to quit avoiding her, and opens the most recent letter Jim pressed into his hands last night.
Dear Rick,
I'm finally healed enough so I can admit how much I value having you in my life. The timing is rotten because I know sitting on the sidelines is hard on our partnership. There is a lot I need to make amends for, but this next part is the most important. Bear with me, this is harder than writing the acknowledgment notes after mom's funeral. In case you are too mad to speak to me after this, I want you to have the words on paper so we won't pretend it didn't happen...
I'll just rip the bandage off (something I have literal experience with) and just say it: I heard you. I am so very sorry I lied and said I didn't remember my shooting. I remember every second: the searing burn of pain, you trying to push me out of the way, and I remember what you said.
I'm walking a fine line and not using a certain word because something that big deserves more than this letter can convey. Despite how terrified I feel, I'm going to put my heart out on the proverbial sleeve. You mean everything to me. If I say more, it seems like I am trying to force grand declarations, and I would rather speak of it when I can look into those beautiful blue eyes.
It's only fair I give you some time and space to sort out your reaction to this. Meanwhile I'll be waiting to give you my heart felt apology for lying. I am holding out hope to believe in the possibility of magic. Please contact me. Even if it is just to say you are pissed as hell at me. Please don't cut me out of your life when the danger is all around. Rick, please give us a chance... Please let me know how you are... Something... anything... always, -Kate
A tsunami threatens to drown him. The letter blurs again because of the moisture in his eyes. Rick doesn't know how long has passed before he is able to catch his breath after the torrent of implications. She was right to put the words on paper; he needs to hold them, touch them and reread them so he might be able to believe them. His heart is pounding and his feelings are all over the place. He lets it all wash over him and gives the flood of emotions time to rinse away his assumptions and settle what is actually being said. Does this really change things? Do they really love each other? How can he possibly respond when they are looking for her?
Damn William Bracken to hell.
A/N: This is the halfway point. I wanted to thank the readers - especially those that review. I also wanted to say the virus is spiking and I hope you are all staying safe and sane! The Castle fans are a great bunch so take care.