Slaying the Beast

Chapter 33

Briggs looks up from the brief he's editing to see Lynn Neuwirth standing in front of his desk. "Something happen with the Collinwood case?"

"The investigation is just about wrapped up. Everything Beckett and Castle passed on from Bracken, as well as their corroborating evidence, has proved out. And Sir, Collinwood is scheduled to be in town today, at a conference at the Marriott, the one that overlooks Strawberry Field. Do you want me to field a team to pick her up?"

"Just double check that everything we have is a lock first."

"Yes, Sir."

"And Neuwirth, there's bound to be press around. Collinwood would never miss an opportunity for a photo op. So make sure our people are on their best behavior. We don't want to face any challenges on technicalities."

"Yes, Sir. I'll take care of it."

Kate's face glows as she listens to the call on her desk phone. "Castle, Collinwood is in New York, and the D.A. has a warrant for her arrest. We're going to be taking her in."

Castle springs out of the chair next to Kate's desk, clapping his hands. "Outstanding! Do I get to go along?"

"We're playing this by every chapter and verse in the book. I can take you to the scene with me, but you're going to have to stay back while we collar her."

"Hell, Kate! I'll watch through binoculars if I have to, but I want to see you snap the cuffs on her. Ooh, and maybe shackles too."

"I think the cuffs will do. The shaking hands and trembling voice make her look pitiful enough. We don't want her to appear any more sympathetic in front of whatever cameras that might be there. You know she's going to fight this."

"I'm sure she will, Kate. But Briggs was determined to have her dead to rights - and we've got Colby to counter any story she might con some members of the Fourth Estate into believing."

Kate's eyes flash with mischief. "Right, Jameson Rook, just when we need him the most.

Castle finds Susan Collinwood's arrest almost disappointingly uneventful. Kate and four other officers approach their quarry in the hotel lobby where she's talking with executives from two seafood companies, a writer for a trade magazine and a reporter for the business section of The Ledger. Other than declaring that she's a senator and that her arrest is a terrible mistake, Susan is taken in without a struggle. Kate doesn't even cuff her until they are outside the hotel and out of the view of what press there is. Still, seeing a large N.Y.P.D hand pressing on the top of Collinwood's head while she is loaded into the back of a marked unit is extremely satisfying. And the light in Kate's eyes says it all. The plug to the remaining juice behind Bracken's operation is being pulled, and they can smugly observe Collinwood's arraignment together, whenever Briggs is ready to make his triumphant entrance into court.

While Kate slices tomatoes and mini-cucumbers and he tears lettuce for a salad for their celebratory dinner, Castle decides that it's as good a time as any to broach the subject he's been silent about ever since she brought it up. "Now that Susan Collinwood is ensconced in the unloving arms of the Department of Corrections, have you come to any decision about the sergeants' exam?"

Kate lays her knife on the cutting board. "I'm going to take it."

"Even if being a sergeant will mean more paperwork?"

"Even with that. Castle, Montgomery's been supportive and sometimes even fun. He hasn't interfered too much in our cases, and he's helped our investigations along when he could. I don't know what my next boss will be like, but I do know that I don't want to lose any control."

"From control freak Kate Beckett, that's hardly a newsflash."

Kate looks down and plays with the handle of her knife. "I know I've behaved that way Castle it's just that…"

"Since your mother was killed, you don't want anything else to slip away from you. And taking the sergeants' exam will help ensure that it won't."

"Yeah, that's right."

"Well, you know I'll be pulling for you all the way, but there's something I couldn't bear to lose either."

"What, Babe?'

Castle wipes his hands on a towel. "I'll be right back." Quickly striding to his office, he pulls back the painting on the wall behind his desk to reveal a safe. With unsteady fingers, he punches in the combination and withdraws a tiny box sheathed in Tiffany blue. He had pictured a more romantic setting than the kitchen, but the time is right.

With his fingers curled tightly around the ring, Castle falls to one knee in front of Kate. "Katherine Houghton Beckett, the thing I could never bear to lose is my relationship with you; waking up beside you, building theory with you and making our home together. Will you marry me?"

Kate's eyes widen as her jaw drops. "Babe, I had no idea you were thinking…"

"The question is, what were you thinking? When you talked about your mother's wedding dress and told me how your parents worked together to take care of you, I believe I saw something in your face. I thought you might want a partner for more than crime-busting and rolling between the sheets. I'm offering you a partnership in life, Kate, if you'll have it - if you'll have me."

"You were right, Castle. When my father told me about my mother's dress, I remembered the life the two of them had together. With the shadow that was hanging over us, I pushed that vision away. But now that shadow is gone, and I want the kind of love that my parents had. And I want it with you, Rick. Yes, Richard Castle, I will marry you."

Castle slides the ring on her finger, but the buzzer on the oven goes off just as their lips meet. He smiles wryly. "I guess this is starting to be like married life already."

Martha examines the large diamond encircled by amethysts in Kate's ring. "Quite a rock, but then Richard has always believed in going big." She glances back at Castle. "Does Alexis know yet?"

He shakes his head, "She said she was going to take Owen out for burgers and sundaes to celebrate his birthday, and that she'd be back by nine. We'll tell her then."

"Just do it right away, Richard," Martha advises. "You don't want her discovering that her father is getting married again on her own. You remember what happened with Gina."

"A month of one-word sentences, slammed doors, and silent suppers. My little girl likes to stay informed."

"Not such a little girl anymore, Richard, or she wouldn't be plying her young man with ice cream. You involve her, she'll be behind you all the way, but if she thinks she's being left out, you'll be hitting a brick wall."

"And how about you, Mother? Are you behind us all the way?"

"Richard, if you're happy I'm happy." Martha shifts her gaze back to Kate. "And Katherine, dear, somehow I think my son has finally found the right woman. I believe this just may work."

Castle wraps an arm around each of them. "I love you both."

Martha winks. "Right back at you, kiddo. And now, Katherine, just what kind of wedding will fill your heart with joy? There are some wonderful magazines you can turn to for ideas, and I know a set designer whose visions are pure perfection."

Castle had forgotten this part. He and Kate will have to hunker down until Hurricane Martha blows herself down to a tropical depression.