Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for sexual situations and language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: The lyrics in this chapter are from the songs Overkill written by Colin Hay, from the Men at Work album Cargo and Not Alone Any More written by the Traveling Wilburys, from their album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.
A/N #2: It was nice receiving the feedback I did for the last chapter, so I'll get to my thank yous for that right away! TORONTOSUN (Great to see you like how I'm writing this story still!) and
Mb (I was happy to read you thought the last chapter was an intriguing update. And not surprised you're mentioning the lack of connection between the victims, or that they're pretty obviously going to be friends since the town is so small. I also wasn't surprised you talked about the connection of the area plus the ghost legend too. And then adding to that Beckett and Skye's experience in the garden, I figured that you might mention, lol. No surprise you mentioned Castle thinking up the secret club and a possible clue with that. You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! It was great reading too that you thought the second half was a really nice update too. And I was relieved you loved the flashback to when Skye and Mary adopted Marie and Kathleen, I had a lot of fun writing it, so I wanted people to enjoy that! And I thought I mentioned at some point they were adopted from Ireland, but I don't know if it's in a story like it's further down from wherever you might be reading… it might be that. But glad you thought it was sweet seeing how Marie and Kathleen in the flashback took to everyone quickly. I wasn't surprised that you pointed out Castle's questioning was the right way to get a first foothold as you put it into the case. I also wasn't surprised that you're wondering about the teenager and if he was one of the ones filming long with what got the ghost means, you'll find out! You're welcome for the second half of the chapter too!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them all and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Help! written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, from The Beatles album of the same name.
Not Just Anybody
Stepping up to the boy Beckett said, "Where is the person who attacked you?"
"The ghost?" the teen asked. When both Beckett and Castle nodded he said, "This way." He led them down the road, going past the garden before he suddenly took off.
"It's Mercer," Castle said to his wife.
"I saw," Beckett said, having instantly recognized the constabulary and officer who were walking down the road.
"Does that mean we're done?" Mary asked, she and Skye having followed them.
"I don't know," Beckett said. "I still wonder about the symbol."
"Stay and ask about it?" Castle asked.
"See who it is that was going after that kid," Beckett said, speaking hurriedly as Mercer was walking over to them.
"Funny to see you again," the constabulary was saying as he reached the group.
"My wife," Skye said quickly as she noticed he was looking at Mary.
"Mary McDouglas," the doctor said.
"We heard him yelling about someone trying to attack him," Beckett said, nodding to the boy who was with Gorman.
"He's about to show us to him," Mercer said.
"I don't need to go," Mary said as she knew he was looking at her for a reason.
"Alright," Mercer said. He then led the way over to the officer and teenager and said, "Take us to where your attacker is."
"This way," the boy replied eagerly.
"What's his name," Castle whispered to Gorman.
"Randall Smith," the man said. "Local family, his parents own the florist shop."
Castle tensed at the coincidence of the attack and then glanced at his wife as it had nothing to do with the pub. Shaking himself when Mercer ahead of them was pulling out his baton, he stayed back with his wife while Gorman was joining the constabulary.
"Sir," Mercer was saying to the figure on the ground covered with a white sheet. "Move your hands out from under the sheet slowly."
Beckett frowned but then realized something and she looked at Smith saying, "You hit him on the head?" When the teen nodded she tried not to roll her eyes at how he'd jumped to it being a ghost though he was obviously unconscious before she turned her attention to Mercer as he was speaking.
"Ah, Cabe Nieman," the constabulary said as he took the sheet off. "Our local thief."
"What?" Smith said in shock. "He… It is him! I thought I recognized the groaning he was making." His face screwed up in anger and he said, "You wanker!" making as if to kick him.
"Take him back to the road," Mercer said as Castle had grabbed the teen to stop him. "Hold him there," he then directed to Gorman.
"You're not worried about him?" Beckett asked as they were with the unconscious man.
"Petty theft, no weapons," Mercer replied.
Beckett shared a look with Skye before she turned back to Nieman hearing him groaning as he awoke and looked at them with wide eyes before he spoke in shock.
"What… I didn't do anything," Nieman said.
"Are you badly injured?" Mercer asked the man.
Reaching up to his head and the bump that was forming above his left eyebrow, Nieman growled and said, "That w-"
"From what he's told us he acted completely in self-defense," Mercer said. "So I would watch what you say. What was it this time? His wallet? Intimidate his parents?"
"What?" Nieman said, frowning.
"Did you try to harm him to intimidate another shopkeeper?" Mercer said.
Beckett glanced at the constabulary, wondering at that theory, but she set it aside as Nieman was shaking his head.
"Just needed some money for the pub," the man mumbled with a shrug.
"And yet you dragged him off the road," Mercer commented.
"I didn't," Nieman nearly snarled. "Bloody… sod dragged me here before he hit me."
Glancing over at Smith, keeping in mind how sleight Nieman was, Castle could believe that and he glanced with his wife at the constabulary wondering what he'd say to that.
"Do you need to go to hospital?" Mercer was saying.
"No, no I'm fine," Nieman said.
"Then stand up slowly, we'll be detaining you," Mercer said, reaching down to him.
"For what?" Nieman said angrily.
"Besides the fact you attempted to attack an unarmed child?" Mercer asked.
"He's enough on his own," Nieman grumbled. But he didn't protest until the constabulary was speaking again though that was after he'd stood and was placed in handcuffs.
"You're under suspicion of assaulting three men as well," Mercer continued.
"What!" Nieman said angrily. He jerked around; trying to look at the constabulary; when Beckett hurried over to stop him. "Let go of me."
"Do anything to her and you'll have another charge," Mercer warned him. "I'll see if you can prove to me you weren't around but that's to be done at the local station. Gorman," he called over to the officer. Once the man had taken Nieman from him he said to the others, "We'll take care of this here. I had thought there was something about the businesses but I suppose that made little sense."
"You think it's as simple as an attempted theft?" Skye asked. "Nothing was taken."
"Because none of the men had anything on them," Mercer said easily. "They have tabs at the Squire, so they have no need to take anything important with them." He wasn't surprised at the confusion on the faces of the four. "Their wives had them do that; according to Gorman."
Since she knew she could ask her cousin and Clara about that, Beckett said, "You think you have your attacker."
"I think," Mercer replied. "It's up to the local officers and I to check and see if he used a partner for this; the 'ghost;' or he's the ghost. I'll tell Brennan if he's the attacker so you all can head back to the estate if you'd like. Thank you now for your help; it was greatly appreciated."
After they'd shaken the constabulary's hand and said goodbye to him Castle turned to the other three and said, "Does anyone else feel like they were just dismissed?"
"It did have that vibe," Mary said. "So… at this point you guys just go home?"
"If they need us to help again they'll contact us," Beckett replied with a nod. "And I'm sure he will call us again."
"More than likely," Skye said. They were looking around them for a moment before they headed back to the road and she asked, "What do you think?"
"He's convenient," Castle said. "And it was an interesting idea about threatening the owners of businesses but I wonder at the actual motive."
"So did I," Beckett said with a nod. They had paused on the road and looked back to where Nieman had been found before they started walking through the town. As they were passing people, she wasn't surprised to hear some mentioning the word ghost and was about to comment on that before the investigator was first.
"I suppose gossip does travel fast here," Skye said. She then smiled and said to Beckett, "Hopefully it won't be too much walking through to the other end."
"It won't," Beckett said, trying not to roll her eyes though she knew why her friend had said that. When they'd walked through town and were on the path to White Mount she took her husband's hand and said, "What do you want to do when we're back?"
"What time will we eat?" Castle asked.
"Six," Beckett replied. "In about two hours," she added, looking at her watch.
"I think we can swim," Castle said. "To decompress."
"I almost thought you were going to suggest we have a drink," Beckett said, smiling at him.
"Later, with dinner," Castle said quickly. They continued in silence for a while before he said, "I'm guessing we're eating with the Ellistons."
"Probably," Beckett said with a sigh. "But I'm hoping that seating will be taken care of like before."
"I'm sure Skye and Mary will help us," Castle replied, squeezing her hand. When she nodded he squeezed her hand gently before they continued to the house and he couldn't help hoping that the guests wouldn't be at the pool once they'd reached it.
Diving into the water, Beckett went down as deep as she could before she arched her body up to the surface where she broke out into the air. "You're not coming in?" she asked her husband with a smile.
"I was debating," Castle said, standing on the first step. "If I should go in this way, dive like you just did or the slide."
"Bull," Beckett said. She smiled when her husband looked startled before she told him, "You were staring at me."
"Yes," Castle said easily. He then held up his finger and said, "But I wasn't leering."
"No," Beckett said with a smile, going up the steps. "Come on," she then told him. "Let's go to the slide."
"Oh, thanks for deciding for me," Castle said quickly. "I wouldn't have been able to decide."
"Pervert," Beckett commented.
Castle didn't say anything, instead slipped his hand from hers before he reached up and cupped her ass with his hand. When she stopped he quickly told her, "I won't do that again. Ach ní féidir liom cabhrú liom féin," the end being the words 'but I can't help myself.'
Beckett didn't say anything at first before she then turned to him with a smirk and said, "Tá an t-ádh ort nach miste liom," which meant he was lucky she didn't mind. When her husband was staring at her with widened eyes she added, "Agus ba mhaith liom níos fearr níos déanaí."
Literally gulping; as his wife had said she would like better later; Castle found he was only able to nod and he stepped back from the ladder up to the top of the slide. He watched her going down before he started up the slide himself and once he was at the top, he waited for her to get out of the way enough before he was going down.
Standing on the bottom of the pool towards the middle, Beckett smiled as her husband let out a brief yell on the way down. She then heard someone laughing and looked behind her over her shoulder, frowning when she saw it was the younger Elliston.
"Sorry, I could hear-" Brenton started to say.
"We're a bit late," Skye was calling out walking inside with Mary just behind the judge's son. "Sorry but I needed to check on something from work. I brought over one of their kids' volleyballs to play with."
"Is Erin here?" Castle asked, joining her to send a subtle message to the man to leave.
"She is but she had homework and her parents don't really want her to swim yet," Mary said. "Luckily she went along with that."
"I think she's waiting for our girls," Beckett said with a smile, which was also for the fact that Brenton had left the pool room.
"Nice of her to do that," Skye said absently.
"Work or the time?" Beckett asked as she watched her friend looking at her phone.
"Time, we have to wait until eleven to call them," Mary said. "It's frustrating."
"To say the least," Skye said in a mock growl. She then glanced around and said, "Well that worked."
"I appreciate the ruse," Beckett said then, getting out of the water. "But you know he might come back here. Dressed to swim."
"If that's the case then we've been swimming long enough," Castle said, looking at his wife to see her reaction.
"We'll see if he does that," Beckett replied after a moment's hesitation, inclining her head slightly. She waited for him to get out of the pool with her and they went to the slide together, her going first again at his instance.
"You know," Skye said as her friend swam over to her. "Though I do wonder about the case it is nice to be able to do this."
"I agree," Beckett said. "But I am missing my daughters."
"I can sympathize with you there," Skye said, nodding her head. She then smiled slightly and said, "I'm torn about tomorrow."
"So am I, but we didn't really have anything planned," Beckett said, watching as Mary started to swim back and forth in the pool next to them. "If we don't need to help with the case, I think we might do this at some point again and then go for a ride." She watched her friend nod, though her eyes were firmly on her wife, and she did her best not to smile visibly as she was aware what was on the woman's mind for the next day already. Shaking herself she recalled her husband and looked around the room for him before she saw he was sitting on one of the chez lounge chairs before she went over to get out of the pool.
"Hey," Castle said, seeing his wife was coming over to him. "Just seeing my phone."
"I really don't think Mercer is going to get in touch with us today," Beckett said.
"Not just that," Castle was quick to say. "To see if the girls got in touch with us."
"I doubt they would," Beckett replied. When her husband nodded she then said with a smile, "Come on, we'll take care of the situation if he does come back," as she stood. As he looked up at her she said, "And since he hasn't yet I'm sure he won't."
Castle nodded, looking at her before he stood and breathed out saying, "You are a stunning woman Kate."
"Thank you, but for now let's go ahead and play against them until we need to get ready for dinner," Beckett said, nodding over to the pool and the two women there.
"Sure," Castle said. "We're on the same team, right?"
"Yes," Beckett said, rolling her eyes playfully before they went into the water with the bouncy ball. They began to play together across the pool for some time until her husband was looking at his watch and she asked, "Time?"
"Did you want to take a shower?" Castle said. When his wife nodded he said, "Okay, then it is time."
"Great, we'll play after dinner if possible," Skye said as they were getting out.
"She mentioned something about playing a game of pool," Beckett explained to her husband when he looked confused.
"Oh… fun," Castle said. "But when?"
"Probably after we talk to the girls," Beckett told him. She wasn't surprised when he nodded and they went left with the McDouglases once they were dry and had their covering clothes on. They were going upstairs to their rooms and once she and Castle were in theirs she said, "Will we be able to take a simple shower?"
"Sure," Castle said swiftly. He wasn't startled when she looked surprised and he told her, "You said something about better later."
"Though I know I should call you that, I think this time it's not so much you're a pervert but attentive," Beckett said with a smile before she cupped his cheek. As he nodded rapidly she laughed softly before she went over to the bathroom while he was locking the door behind them. Inside the room she checked to make sure that they had enough towels before her husband was joining her. "Ready?" she asked him.
"Clothes?" Castle asked. "Or are we striding around naked?" He wasn't surprised when she rolled her eyes and they went together to the shower. He took little time to take off his clothes so he was first inside the stall, turning on the water and reaching for his wife as she was stepping in.
"Rick," Beckett said simply as her husband held her close to him. She took his kiss then, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and they were gently dueling together for some time until they slowly parted. She wanted to tell him they needed later when he was suddenly kissing her neck before murmuring to her.
"I know I shouldn't but I can't help it," Castle told her.
Gently making him move away, Beckett smiled and said, "Neither can I but I don't really want to be the last ones at the table for dinner."
"True," Castle said after thinking that over. "Okay, we should get started."
Beckett couldn't help smiling and she moved to stand underneath the water so she could wash her hair. She wasn't surprised when he helped her, though she was a little startled he wasn't doing anything more than that. After they had washed their hair they were taking turns washing each other's bodies with washcloths before they were stepping out. She dressed with him in the closet before saying, "I'm really confused."
"About these attacks?" Castle said. He thought for a moment before he said, "Me too. But I wonder about Mercer's original idea when he was talking to Nieman."
"The weird thing about that," Beckett said while they were going into the bathroom. "Is why different businesses? If that is the motive."
"Should we ask Brennan and Clara?" Castle said, starting to comb his hair.
"Probably," Beckett said.
Since he was finished before his wife, Castle watched her finishing up and he said, "I really hope it's just the elder Ellistons at dinner."
"I agree but you do realize that it's unlikely," Beckett told him.
"At least everyone else wants to help us out with that," Castle. "Or you," he added.
"I think they're trying to help us both," Beckett said with a brief smile to him. She finished with her light makeup and then turned to her husband and said, "Let's go." She watched him looking at his watch and said, "We have a while to go."
"Just checking," Castle replied, putting down his arms before he went to her. He took her hand and they walked together out of the bathroom and then their room before they went to the stairs. He'd half expected to meet up with the younger Elliston but they were only meeting Skye talking with Raj at the bottom of the staircase.
"Hey," the investigator said with a smile at the two.
"Are we the last ones here?" Beckett asked.
"Your cousin and his wife are still upstairs," Raj said before looking at the investigator questioningly.
"They're probably finishing up with Ella," Beckett said quickly.
"And the Ellistons aren't down here yet," Skye added.
"It's just the band here?" Castle asked as they started to walk over to the room.
"It is," Skye said with a nod. "And we're waiting to see where you will sit."
Castle wasn't surprised when his wife glanced at him but didn't say anything before they went into the dining room. He let Beckett go to a chair before he sat next to her and watched as the band sat around them before the Ellistons were walking in. He glanced at the son to see his reaction, not surprised the man rolled his eyes before the family was sitting down by the band.
Beckett took her husband's hand as it appeared Brenton was going to speak but she heard footsteps coming up to the doorway and she smiled at Castle, knowing who it was already.
"Sorry about that," Brennan said with a smile at the group around the table. "We wanted to make sure the kids had all eaten."
"I left your seat," Beckett said with a smile at Erin as she was joining them for that dinner.
"Thanks," the girl said with a smile. She sat down before Paul and Nancy were suddenly coming in and she looked at the two with the others before the former was speaking first.
"We were just in touch with Ringo," Paul said. "He's unable to join us for the ball."
"We're sorry to hear that," Clara said with a smile. "Is everything okay?"
"It is, a family member is expecting a baby any day now," Paul said. "So they want to stay with them."
"That makes sense," Skye said. "Though a shame for them not to get to join us."
"He said they were disappointed in not coming," Paul said with a nod. "But he and Barbara thanked you for the invitation."
"We were happy to extend it to them," Brennan said. "And if we have another ball we'll invite them again. And of course you two are invited as well… your family too."
"Thank you, Stella will appreciate that," Paul said with a nod.
"And so do we," Nancy added quickly.
Clara made a motion with her hand and the workers then brought in the plates with their dinner on them before she said to the singer and his wife, "I hope you'll enjoy your food."
"It looks wonderful," Nancy said to be reassuring as their meal was spaghetti and vegetables in it.
"It looks great," Paul added. "Your cook is very good at vegetarian dishes," he then said after he'd eaten a bite.
"She'll be glad to know," Clara said with a smile.
As they were eating then Castle glanced at his wife before he then said to Brennan and Clara, "Do you know of anyone who would be against the business owners in town for any reason?"
Looking surprised, Brennan said, "Not really. Clare?" turning to his wife.
"Well…" Clara said after she thought that over. "I suppose if we were honest we've heard from a few store owners about vandalism."
"But that's been spread across years," Brennan pointed out to her.
"What about the Squire and the florist's?" Beckett then asked, glad that Jackie and Barry were talking with the Ellistons.
"I don't think there's been anything against them," Clara said once her husband had looked over at her.
"Are any businesses doing badly?" Beckett asked.
"Not that I know of," Clara said. "But nothing's really come in either lately."
"That one pub?" Brennan asked her.
"There's space for another pub," Clara reminded them.
"And you'd said no one was interested in opening a new one in the building there is," Castle said.
Shaking her head Clara said, "Not as far as I know. I had heard about Nieman though; we heard."
"We were going to tell you," Brennan added. "And he's the suspect," he stated, watching as his cousin and her husband exchanged a look.
"We don't really think he is," Castle said first.
"It feels like he was just using the idea of a ghost as an advantage for his robberies," Beckett said. "And his plan backfired."
"We were guessing gossip travels quickly?" Castle asked the two.
"Very, so there's no surprise he was using that idea," Clara said wryly.
"Did you ever tell her about the Hellfire Club connection?" Beckett then said to her cousin.
"Hellfire?" Clara asked before her husband could say anything. "That sounds like Mr. Dale. It's not him is it?"
"Clara's teacher for Year 5 was Mr. Dale," Brennan explained to them.
"He was a wonderful teacher," Clara said.
"Year 5 is when you're around 10?" Castle asked.
"Nine or ten," Clara replied with a nod.
"It must be about fourth grade for your education system," Brennan said.
"It's not him," Beckett then said before she started talking about what they'd done concerning the club.
"Oh," Clara said when they'd finished. "It sounds like the plans Dad had in the library," she directed to her husband. "He sold them to Mr. Dale."
"He had that and a map," Castle said.
"That one I remember Mr. Post; from the Squire; having," Clara said. "His grandfather had found it in a book he'd bought in Wycombe."
"Where the club was," Castle told his wife who soon after nodded. He then turned back to the pair and said, "I would have said he might be a suspect but the three men are good customers."
"And Basil is a great draw; people enjoy his playing," Brennan said. "Tourists love him as well."
"What about the other pubs?" Beckett asked.
"I'm not surprised you thought that," Brennan told his cousin. "But no, they have their own draws. The Windmill has an amazing chef, their tikka masala is the best in town. And the Hive has some wonderful specialty brews and they do a special cider liquor drink in the fall. They all do well and I can say with some certainty since I visit them all."
"I think we might have to throw out the shops theory love," Castle told his wife.
"I know," Beckett said with a nod. "Which isn't really a surprise." She then looked at Erin and said, "How're you doing in school?"
"Good, will you be able to solve your case?" the girl asked.
"Sorry," Beckett said to her cousin.
Shaking his head Brennan said, "It's fine. She was bound to hear about it."
"Yeah, Mr. Worths is the uncle of one of my friends at school," Erin said. "He's come to play at the school to show."
"And to possibly teach lessons," Clara added.
Beckett thought of Alexis then and was going to mention her when her husband was talking about it before she could.
"Did Alexis ever mention to you that she knows how to play?" Castle was asking the pair.
"She played for us one night," Erin answered before her parents could say anything.
"When they were at Oxford still," Clara explained. "She's very accomplished."
"It looks like Eliza may be the same," Skye said, smiling when her two friends looked at her.
"She's right, she's been learning the piano," Beckett said, smiling herself. "But Julia isn't that bad either." She debated if she should turn the conversation back to the case but decided it wasn't that necessary. She turned her attention back to her food until she finished and she watched the maids taking away plates.
"We don't really have any plans for now," Brennan said as they were standing up at around the same time. "So whatever anyone would like to do go ahead."
"But we have desserts available to anyone who wants them," Clara added.
"What should we do?" Castle asked his wife as he looked at his watch.
"Play pool," Beckett said with a smile when she saw that Skye was trying to get her attention. Since they were ahead of everyone she and her husband reached the billiards room before the others and they waited for Skye and Mary.
"I hope it's alright," the investigator said as she walked inside. "We're not the only ones who want to play."
Smiling, when she saw that Paul and Nancy were there, Beckett said, "It's not our pool table."
"And your cousin doesn't mind this?" the singer said as they were getting the pool cues off the rack.
"Of course not," Beckett replied.
"She's right, Brennan doesn't play that much," Castle added with a nod. "But Clara does and she doesn't mind us using the table." He walked around the table and then added, "Just don't rip the felt."
"Á la Inspector Clouseau," Skye quipped.
"I don't think your cousins have that type of cue," Paul said, looking back at the different ones offered.
"Too bad," Castle said, looking at the rack as well. He felt as if someone was looking at him and turned to find that it was the others. "What?" he asked.
"Were you going to do that?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"No," Castle said in mock annoyance. "Just test and see how exactly you might use it." He started opening his mouth to speak before he paused and then said, "What order are we going to go in?"
"Wait," Beckett told Mary as she'd been about to speak. "I know what you wanted to ask," she then directed to her husband with a smile. "And I'm not sure if Patrick knows how to use that cue."
"Does anyone know the name of it?" Castle asked.
After the others had shaken their heads Nancy asked, "Why didn't you ask her about her friend?"
"He's of the opinion that she misses him too much to talk about him," Skye said, rolling the triangle of pool balls a few times. "Though of course she doesn't," she finished with as she took away the frame. "And we'll see him very soon I'm sure."
"We will," Beckett said with a grateful smile to her friend. "They're joining us through Spain," she told Paul and his wife.
"Should go in order of age," the singer then said. "Skye?"
Playfully grumbling, the investigator took her shot before she stepped aside for her friend to go next before Paul was asking about their trip.
"How long are you staying?" the singer said.
"The Tuesday after our girls finish school until our anniversary," Castle answered since Beckett was taking her shot. "Two months."
"Is that long enough?" Nancy asked.
"It will be, our kids need to get rid of jet lag before they start school," Skye commented.
"What grade will your children be?" Nancy asked.
"Eighth and second," Beckett answered.
"Seventh and fourth," Mary said. "They're getting too old."
"Josie hasn't even started yet," Beckett reminded her.
"That's true," Mary replied. She then said, "How is it for you guys writing with her there?"
"We tend to do it when she's taking a nap," Castle replied, finishing his shot. "We get long enough to discuss or write and we're getting close to the end of this book."
"And then we move on to the twenties series," Beckett reminded him.
"I loved your first book from that," Nancy said, hurrying with her shot.
"Thanks," Castle said before they watched Paul take his shot.
"What about this past life?" the singer said once he'd finished.
"We're not mirroring it," Beckett replied as they'd told the couple about it already.
"But you're having them have the same number of children," Nancy said with a smile.
"That was at my insistence," Castle commented, smiling himself then. He took his shot at that point before he said, "But you said three the first time Kate."
"I did," Beckett admitted. "Either way it doesn't matter."
"When are they having those children?" Paul asked. He laughed shortly at the way the pair looked at him and told them, "I read the book as well."
"We're not totally sure yet," Castle said, not surprised when his wife looked at him. "But it may be within the next two books, we'll see how things go with the next one."
"It'll be interesting," Mary started to say. "How you handle her pregnant and them solving cases."
"We'll move them to Mill Valley I think," Beckett said.
"It makes it a little easier to have them involved," Castle said, nodding to her gaze. He then smiled and said, "But then again we'll have time to figure all of this out."
"And since you have time," Paul said. "What were you talking with your cousins about so seriously?"
"We need to know," Skye commented, stepping up to the table after he'd gone. "Eight ball, corner pocket," she said as that was the only pool ball left.
Waiting until the investigator had sunk her shot, Castle and Beckett then explained what they'd talked to Brennan and Clara about as the others were listening.
"Well," Skye said slowly once the two had finished. "You've set aside the theory of the shops right?" When the two nodded she then said, "Then it's between two things; either the Posts or the group of friends."
"What about the reverend?" Mary asked. "Any problems with him?"
"No," a voice said behind them. Clara smiled when the others looked at her and her husband and said, "We know him, we know all three men and there's nothing wrong with them."
"Then it's the Posts," Beckett said.
"We've never heard anything negative about them," Brennan said.
"Would anyone tell you?" Mary asked.
"We'd hear about it from our employees," Clara said. "And they're a family of six, they live above the pub though at this point their eldest is living at an apartment with other people at the other end of town. The pub has been in the family since 1902 and their daughter will take over."
"Daughter?" Castle, Beckett and Mary said.
"Yes, their eldest has plans to go to London and buy a pub from a friend," Brennan said. "But their daughters and other son want to work in the pub."
"How old are they?" Skye asked.
"The eldest is twenty-four, the next is Fiona and she's just turned eighteen, their second son Jordan we saw that night is next and is seventeen and the youngest girl, Pansy is ten," Brennan replied.
"What about Mrs. Post?" Beckett asked.
"She left," Clara said. "When the youngest was two she left her husband and they got a divorce."
Seeing the glance between his two cousins, Brennan said, "She left custody to him and went to the Continent. But where she is at this point I don't think anyone knows."
"I don't know that she would want the children back," Clara said slowly.
"She was unfit?" Paul asked.
Shaking his head Brennan said, "The little I saw her I could tell she didn't want to be; after four of them."
"She may have had a hard time the last pregnancy," Clara explained. "But she might have come back to speak to the kids, you never know."
"How did she feel about the pub?" Castle said.
"As far as we could tell she was fine with it," Brennan said.
"It brought money in for their family," Clara said. "And she was always friendly and outgoing."
"I guess we just leave things to Mercer now," Skye said.
As the investigator was studying herself and her husband Beckett nodded and said, "With Nieman in custody and the main suspect there's nothing we can do."
"But if he asks you'll help again right?" Brennan questioned.
"Of course," Castle said.
"As long as he wants our help," Beckett said.
"And will let us help a little more than we have so far," Skye said. When the pair looked at her she said, "Oh please, you were thinking the same." She smiled when the pair shrugged before she said, "But we'll see. Let's have another game."
"Actually I'd like to sit this one out," Mary said. "Come on grá," she told her wife.
"Have fun," Skye said with a smile as she and her wife were giving their pool cues to Brennan and Clara.
"I think we should have some tea… or coffee," Paul said to his wife.
"You know the weird thing?" Castle said when he and his wife were alone with Brennan and Clara. "Skye and Mary asked us to play."
"I guess one game was enough," Clara commented with a smile while her husband was setting up the pool balls.
"It looks like it," Beckett said.
"That and Skye won, so she wanted to go out undefeated," Castle said.
"That's what I was going to say," Brennan said, laughing with him as their wives were rolling their eyes. "So what order?"
"You can go first," Beckett told her cousin. She glanced out the doorway of the room and said, "The rest of the band?"
"With the Ellistons as far as I know," Clara said after her husband insisted she took the first shot. She watched the triangle break before she stepped aside for her husband and told him, "You're sure you don't want to go over to see them?"
"Erin needs to go to bed soon," Brennan said once he'd taken his shot.
"We'll need to call the girls," Beckett said after she'd checked her watch. She smiled and then said, "I feel so sorry for Skye and Mary."
"I was surprised they agreed to come," Clara said.
"They hadn't a vacation alone for a while," Beckett explained.
"Is that why you two agreed to come here?" Brennan said.
"Partially," Beckett said with a smile. "We told you our girls told us to come."
"Very odd they did that," Clara said in amusement.
"You know that's how they are," Castle said in the same tone. "And that lets me ask is Erin the same?"
"A little," Clara said first.
"She wants to make sure she told us," Brennan commented. "And I think a little more so now that we have Arthur and Ella."
"They're asleep?" Beckett asked.
"Of course, well past their bedtime," Brennan said exaggeratedly.
"Are you ready for your photoshoot?" Clara then said to Beckett.
"As ready as I can be," she replied, shrugging. Beckett took her turn and a second before she said, "What is it you'd like to know?"
"It's nothing," Brennan said, since his cousin had been looking at him.
"No it is," Beckett replied. "Tell me, I wouldn't mind."
"This you might," Brennan said. He then started to tell both his cousin and her husband when his wife swiftly interrupted him.
"Just tell them Bren," Clara said.
"Calm down," Brennan said teasingly. "I was going to just now."
"Oh," Clara said. "It seemed like you were dragging your feet," she explained apologetically.
"It's alright," Brennan replied. "I was just wondering about any memories," he then directed to his cousin and her husband.
"We were talking about that with Paul," Castle said. "Well," he corrected himself. "More about our book series."
"I was thinking of actual memories," Brennan specified.
"That's not a surprise," Beckett said.
"That's not what he means," Clara commented. When the couple looked at her she said, "He's wondering about undergoing hypnosis."
"To see if you can recall a past life?" Castle asked. When Brennan nodded he said, "That makes sense. But I've read about it and I'm not totally sure about it." He saw his wife was looking at him in obvious surprise and he told her, "I know, but not everyone handling the… sessions are really that reliable. You'd have to really look into them first."
"It was just a thought," Brennan said. "I guess I wouldn't really it's just amazing at what you can recall."
"Hey," Mary said, appearing in the doorway to the room then. She smiled at them and said, "We're going to perform a bit in the ballroom; until nine; if you want to watch."
"Let me get Erin," Clara said hurriedly before she left the room.
"What brought this on?" Beckett asked the doctor as her husband and cousin were starting to put away everything.
"We just decided to," Mary said. "I think Skye wanted to since the Elliston's son came over while we were having dessert."
"I don't blame you," Beckett said, knowing with that that the man had been pushing about her. She turned to her husband when he took her hand and she smiled at him before they were leaving together and walking after the others to the ballroom where Mary left them to go to her instrument.
"What're you playing?" Beckett asked Skye as she walked up to her.
"Just random songs," the investigator replied. Skye then grinned a bit and said, "It's more up to the app Raj has on his phone."
"I have the first one," the keyboardist said, holding up his phone.
"Alright, go on then," Skye told him.
"Overkill," Raj said.
"Fantastic, but are you ready for that?" Skye asked.
Not saying anything, Raj held up what he would need for the saxophone in the song and the rest of the band started to prepare before Skye was counting them in.
Turning to her husband, Beckett had been intending to tell him to film the performance when she saw that he was already holding his phone. She smiled at him and reached for his arm, gently squeezing it before the band was beginning to play. She smiled at Raj playing the saxophone, appreciative of him playing it though it wasn't a saxophone itself. She wondered then about him being able to play an actual one but knew she would need to wait to ask about it as Skye was starting to sing. She continued to smile then, knowing how much her friend enjoyed that song as she could feel that in the way she sang each lyric.
I can't get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know will be alright
Perhaps it's just imagination
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Alone between the sheets
Only brings exasperation
It's time to walk the streets
Smell the desperation
At least there's pretty lights
And though there's little variation
It nullifies the night
From overkill
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day
As Jackie was playing the lead guitar at the instrumental, Beckett shared a look with her husband knowing he was impressed as well with her skills though they'd known already she was good. She turned back to the band and watched Skye walking around before she went back to stand between her wife and Jackie to sing again.
I can't get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Especially at night
I worry over situation
I know will be alright
It's just overkill
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Castle stopped recording so he could applaud with the others, smiling as Skye nodded her head in thanks to them before she turned back to the others. Watching them talking quietly he couldn't help asking, "Are you going to sing another one?"
"We were thinking about it," Barry said, spinning one of his drumsticks in his fingers. "Would you all mind?"
"No," Brennan said first.
"He's right, but we don't have much time left for Erin," Clara added.
"Mum," the girl said with a sigh.
"Go ahead," Brennan said quickly.
Laughing Skye said, "Alright, Raj?" She was startled when the keyboardist sucked in a breath of air through his teeth and she said, "Raj?"
"Not Alone Anymore," the man answered.
Surprised when the investigator groaned, Beckett was about to ask what was wrong when Skye went over to Raj. She watched them whispering to each other before the rest of the band came over to them and they were all together. She frowned when it appeared like Skye and Raj were playing Roshambo before the band went back to their places and she asked, "What's wrong?"
"We do this every time we're going to perform the song," Jackie answered though she was looking at her guitar as she spoke.
"She's right, they do," Barry said with a nod.
"They wanted me to perform but I think it would work better if Raj took it," Skye then said. "Since he's more suited to Roy Orbison's vocals."
"But she's as good," Mary said, glancing out of the corner of her eye and her wife who was rolling her eyes. "And since she won the Roshambo…"
"Yes, yes, I'll sing," Skye said in mock annoyance. She then smiled and said, "Willingly." She laughed when the others in front of them did so and she then turned to the band to check if they were ready. Since she herself was she counted them in again before she was singing after the brief intro, the rest of the band joining her for backup.
You always said that I'd be back again
That I'd come running to you in the end
I thought that you were on your own
And now I find you're not alone
(Not alone)
I'll see you through the rain
(Not alone)
Through the heartache and pain
(Not alone)
It hurts like never before
You're not alone anymore
You always said that I would know someday
Just how it feels when your love walks away
I let you down I let you go
I lost you, how was I to know
(Not alone)
I'll see you through the rain
(Not alone)
Through the heartache and pain
(Not alone)
It hurts like never before
You're not alone anymore
I never know I could feel this way
I never could see past yesterday
You feel that everything is gone
I feel it too, you're not alone
(Not alone)
I'll see you through the rain
(Not alone)
Every heartache and pain
(Not alone)
It hurts like never before
You're not alone
You're not alone
You're not alone anymore, anymore, anymore