Very Castle Celebrations

Chapter 8

Castle stares at a profile on his screen. He knew that Cary Edelman came from a family of physicists, but he'd had no clue about the details of the young man's heritage - or his financial situation. Cary's grandfather was one of the early pioneers in electronics, patenting several advances which were licensed to bigger companies. Grandpa Morris Edelman's name never adorned any edifice but a small workshop, but the royalties he collected were enough to provide sizable trusts for his grandchildren. And Alexis's boyfriend had earned more than a few bucks in his own right, winning a substantial if obscure prize for a theoretical multidimensional construct. At least it is unlikely that Alexis will starve or live in squalor.

Nevertheless, Castle expects that his daughter will do her best to contribute as much as she can to a shared household - he just hopes she won't push herself to the point of exhaustion. He'll still look for any chance he can find to help her out, but for now, he'll just have to put his mind to the Bloomingdale case.


Gathering information Ryan and Esposito don't already have on Patience Conroy is not proving to be an easy task. Castle decides to concentrate his efforts on checking out Caspar. As a Bloomingdale, even a lesser one, there's just more written about the murder victim's cousin than has been penned about an undiscovered actress. Caspar is a member of an all-male club, known for employing beautiful women both as serving staff and decoration. Having seen the way Caspar leered at Kate, that's hardly a surprise. Castle occasionally kicks himself for it now, but it's not as if he wasn't part of an organization that objectified women, at one point in his own life. He'd joined a "gentlemen's society" after his break-up with Kyra and never dropped his membership until he discovered that his former mentor and fellow member was a piece of murderous scum. Castle had patronized the place between his first two marriages but since Kate had firmly taken possession of his heart, had only returned while investigating a murder.

He'd has never been to the institution Caspar appears to frequent. While perusing the membership list for a possible contract, something catches his eye. One of the members is a Patton Conroy. Patience's brother? No, what public information there is on her doesn't list any siblings. Castle recalls what his mother said about Patience's uncanny ability to impersonate men. And Mother did say that Patience is gay. Could Patton be an alter ego that Patience used to join the group to scope out fulsome figures? Is it possible that she became acquainted with Caspar there? The scenario is intriguing, but he can't find a damn thing to back up his theory.

As far as Castle can tell, there's only one way he can gather intelligence - join the club himself. He hasn't been married to Kate long enough to completely dispel his public playboy image. He wouldn't be playing the first man seeking an escape from a wife and squalling infant either - although he's personally never had much use for married men who use a stressful home life as an excuse to philander. Richard Castle, best-selling author, will buy an introductory membership. He just hopes Kate will be willing to go along with the idea.

Kate warns him that if he shows up with lipstick on his collar or the scent of any perfume but hers on his clothes, he will suffer severe if yet unspecified consequences, but she goes along with his plan.


Castle discovers that the Eloquent Gents offers more than a chance to ogle double Ds. The members actually pride themselves on their oratorical skills. That feature of the organization provides an additional reason why Caspar might seek the place out. It's not a problem for Castle. He has no difficulty with turning a phrase, and in addition to his debating experience, he's given more than a few speeches in his time.

Once Castle's had his new members' tour, he settles into the main room where several lively discussions, as well as some enthusiastic downing of intoxicants, is going on. He's glad he arrived in a cab. If he's going to fully participate in the goings-on, he'd better not even think of getting behind the wheel of a car.

Caspar is not in attendance. That's just as well. Castle would rather not have to explain his presence to the Bloomingdale. But he notices another member who looks vaguely familiar. Any feminine curves have been well disguised, and the voice is lower by a good octave, but there is no doubt in Castle's mind that Patton Conroy is indeed Patience Conroy. Another member tells Castle that "Patton" is staying in a room at Eloquent Gents because "his" apartment is being remodeled. "Patton" flicks a couple of nervous glances at Castle, but the writer suppresses any signs of recognition. After a few moments, she seems to relax and join in a nuanced analysis of whether Ryan Reynolds should have split with Scarlett Johansson to marry Blake Lively. Castle couldn't care less about celebrity marital maneuverings. And as far as he's concerned neither of the actresses can hold a candle to Kate. Still, to keep up his cover, he weighs in on the side of Scarlett Johansson, citing his reason as how she looked in black leather as an Avenger.


Kate's brow takes on its most Sharpei-like appearance. She wants to tell the boys where they can find Patience so they can bring her in for questioning. Castle wants to wait. To his mind, Ryan and Esposito can pick up Patience at Eloquent Gents anytime. She hasn't been charged with a crime, and there's no warrant for her arrest. If he establishes that Patience was working with Caspar, then they can blow the whole case wide-open.

Kate reluctantly agrees to give him another few evenings at the quirky club, unless a want goes out for Patience. Then she'll have to let the boys know where their suspect is immediately. Castle can't help lifting her off her feet to press his lips to hers. "You won't be sorry!"

Kate rolls her eyes. "I hope you're right."


Even if the rent won't be an issue, Castle is hesitant to tour Alexis's prospective new abode. He can't fault the neighborhood near Columbia. Many young couples enjoy the facilities of Morningside Park, and he's patronized the farmers market there himself. He just prefers to think of Alexis enjoying her student years carefree and unencumbered.

On the other hand, the apartment Alexis opens with a shiny new key is a damn sight nicer than a dorm room. There are even enough built-in bookcases to accommodate all her tomes. When he was a student, he had to make do with grungy crates the produce markets tossed in their dumpsters. There's even some decent closet space, something that is rare in most New York City flats. The place is unfurnished, but his daughter informs him that she and Cary have arranged to rent some functional things until they find pieces they really like.

Castle is working hard to keep an appreciative smile pasted on his face. The words coming out of Alexis' mouth are sounding too reminiscent the chirps of birds in early spring as they gather bits and pieces to build their nests. This is all going too fast, but he can't think of a way to try to slow it down that won't boomerang and put Alexis in even a bigger hurry to establish her independence. The only useful thing he can think of to do is give her the contact number for his interior decorator. At least Mindy knows how to get a good deal on a couch.

Damn! He needs to go back to concentrating on solving a homicide. It's a heck of a lot less complicated.