Chapter 8

The ride back to the city was a fairly quick one. Heading west, they noticed most of the traffic was heading east out to the far reaches of Long Island. Kate thought that since it was Saturday afternoon most people thought they would wait until most of the traffic had died down, boy were they mistaken. The LIE heading east was almost a parking lot.

Alexis sat in the front seat of the car again, in the seat that was usually reserved for her dad. She knew that Kate had some news about her dad's case, but she really wanted to know what she had uncovered. Knowing she could not wait until Monday she asked Kate

"Kate I know that you said you would tell me what you had discovered about dad's shooting, but could you possibly tell me sooner?" Alexis inquires.

"Alexis while I want to tell you, I really need to get all my ducks in a row before I reveal what might be a lead." Kate says while keeping her eyes on the road.

"What do you need to figure out?" Alexis innocently asks.

"Alexis, I have Kevin and Javi looking into a couple of things. I need to wait until I hear from them, Then I can give you solid proof that your Father might be still alive." Kate says glancing at the young woman.

Martha looks at the both of them with an alarmed look on her face.

"Katherine, just what are you telling us?" Martha asks worriedly.

"Martha, Alexis, I promise when I have something solid I will tell the both of you. Until that time could we just get back to the loft without any more questions?" Kate asks not realizing she sounded so cold.

Both women became silent at her request. The rest of the ride was in total silence until they reach the loft. They all have their own thoughts but don't speak about it. Parking the car everyone but Kate grabs their overnight bags. Kate closes the trunk of the car. Alexis looks at her with a questionable look.

"Kate what's going on?" Alexis asks noticing Kate did not pick up her bag.

"What do you mean Alexis?" Kate says feigning innocence.

"Why is your bag still in the trunk?" Alexis points out.

"Alexis, your dad was my friend in every sense of the word. There is no reason for me to be here with you two." Kate tries to explain.

"Katherine that is utter nonsense" Martha chimes.

"Kate we really want you to stay with us. There is no way after last night that we would ever leave you alone." Alexis states.

Reluctantly Kate decides it is for the best. Sunday rolls around and they think about the task they need to prepare for on Monday.

Kate, I know you have to work on Monday but could you take a half a day off for the reading of dad's will?" Alexis asks.

Kate looks at Alexis and mulls over the request.

"Alexis, I'd love too but I really need to get back to work. There are certain facts I need verified" Kate says as she sees Alexis' face fall.

"Kate I think it would be in your best interest to be here." Alexis retorts.

"Okay, Alexis you win, I will try to be here. I can't guarantee that I will. What is the reading time?" Kate asks.

"The reading is at 11 am." Alexis replies feeling much happier.

With that settled Kate retrieves her phone and gives Javi a quick call.

"Ola boss, what's up?" the Latin detective responds.

"Espo, I was just checking in to see if you had made any progress with the picture or the DNA samples?" Kate asks with a hopeful expression on her face.

"Wait, aren't you out in the Hamptons? Why are you calling me while on yours down time?" Espo inquires.

"Javi we returned early. I am back in the city." Kate responds.

"Oh..." Javi says.

"So Espo is there anything to report?" Kate asks expectantly.

"Well yes and no Chica." He responds cryptically.

"Come on Espo spill what does that even mean?" Kate asks exasperatedly.

"Fine Boss, the DNA is a match and Rick was definitely alive AFTER he was shot. The picture, on the other hand, is a bust. Tech had examined the picture without actually finding a match to the phony EMT." He states.

"Okay well, at least the DNA is the bright spot." Kate replies.

"Chica, I haven't told you the best part yet." Espo says delightedly he gets to gloat.

Kate rolls her eyes.

"So Espo what else did you find?" Kate cajoles.

"Well Boss, Kevin and I poured over the traffic cam footage from the hotel and found that the vehicle that came and transported Castle to the funeral home was not actually authorized to do so." Espo says.

"Really, It that all Espo?" Kate says a little miffed.

"There was a partial plate. We could not find a match to make a positive ID. So we tracked the vans movements. It arrived at the funeral home then we got a good view of the plate. We are in the process of running down the owners right now." Espo says waiting for a good boy comment.

"Javi today is Sunday, why are you doing this now?" Kate inquires.

"Kate we want him back as much as you do, he IS family." Espo says which makes her happy he is on her team.

She ended the call and went back to meet with Alexis and Martha. Walking through the loft she wanted to ask them where she was going to sleep for the night.

"Alexis where do you want me to sleep tonight?" Kate asks.

"Kate nothing has changed, sleep in the master bedroom, dad's room." Alexis replies. "It is the same arrangement as the Hampton house."

Martha and Alexis left Kate to her thoughts. As they ascended the stairs to their respective rooms, they noticed Kate just standing in the middle of the living room. They could not be sure, but it looked like Kate was softly crying. Alexis went to turn and comfort her but before she moved one step Martha gently took her arm and stopped her.

"Just give her some alone time okay Honey?" Martha says.

Alexis turns back and heads to her room. Martha lingers a little longer giving up a prayer.

"Richard, if you are alive you need to try to make your way back to us you have no idea the impact you are having on Katherine."

Martha turns slowly and moves to her room all the time keeping her eyes on Kate.

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Waking ever so slowly Kate wants to never leave this bed and if she finds him alive she will make her feelings known to one certain writer. She can't believe that she has pushed him away at every gesture he has ever shown her. That will all stop now. Getting up, she takes a very long and satisfying shower. Getting her outfit ready for her return to the 12th she gets dressed and finishes her hair and make-up. Looking at herself in the mirror, she is satisfied with her appearance. Retrieving her service weapon and badge from Rick's safe, she heads out to the kitchen.

It is only then as she crosses the living room she notices that the loft is silent. No early morning conversations between Alexis and Martha. So she thinks about coffee then decides instead to pick up a cup on the way into the precinct. Looking over to the kitchen counter, she sees what she needs. She writes a short note to Alexis.

"Alexis,

I went into the precinct.

I will be back for the reading by 10:45.

See you then,

Love Kate.

She leaves the note on the counter and walks to the door and leaves. When she arrives at the 12th the whole 4th floor is almost empty. She wanted to check back in with Captain Montgomery to let him know she would be back up on the 5th floor. His office is empty. Walking back to the stairwell she quickly climbs the stairs to her place of exile on the 5th floor. Upon arriving there, she sees what the boys have done. It looks like they have a location for the van that transported Rick.

Looking over all the other information, she finds out that there is an observation written in Kevin's notebook that has the name Van Groh circled many times with a question mark beside his name. If memory serves her correctly he was the range master at 1PP. Now all she can do is waits for the boys to return.

As it turns out she won't be waiting too long. She hears Kevin and Javi talking as they come up the stairs.

As they get to the top step they are both glad to see her.

"Hey guys!" she calls out.

"Hey Beckett" They both answer her in unison.

"So..." she alludes to their progress.

They both look at her with long faces.

"So Sorry Boss we tried but the van has disappeared." Javi says.

"It is like it ceased to exist." Ryan added.

"Ok guys it is ok. It was a long shot. So it did not pan out. So I've noticed this notation Kevin, you have Van Groh's name circled in your notes?" Kate asks.

"Yeah Boss…He was the Range Master at 1 PP. I thought who better than him to switch the barrels of your weapon." Ryan surmises.

Kate thinks for a second.

"This would explain a lot, I really never thought that there was someone who would do anything for cash. Espo have you ran his financials?" Kate asks.

"Waiting on them now, Boss they might be in my inbox as we speak." Javi reports.

"Boss it is dog eat dog world out there. Everyone has a price." Ryan states.

"Now guys we know there is a possibility of a mole in the department. We need to tread carefully. We do not know how many or what position either." Kate states in all seriousness.

The boys nod thoughtfully. Kate looks at the time.

"Guys, I need to be back at the loft for the reading of Rick's will. If you uncover anything then message me. I will get back to you." Kate says as she gathers her things and leaves.

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Kate makes quick time back to the loft. It's just about 10:40 am and she is standing in front of the loft's door. Hesitant to knock just as she raises her hand the door swings open and she is met with a redheaded fireball in every sense of the word.

"Kate, come in." Alexis says.

"Thank-you, Alexis" Kate says hanging up her coat.

"Dad's attorney just arrived and is setting up in his office." Alexis informs.

Kate is not too sure that this is such a good idea. She pushes that thought to the back of her head.

"I am now ready will everyone please gather in the front room?" The lawyer announces.

The three women gather on the couch as the Lawyer pulls up a chair then opens a folder.

"I am Hammond Squire chief executor of the late Mr. Castle's holdings. If you have any questions please hold them until I finish the readings. So is everyone ready? Ok, am I addressing Martha Rodgers, Alexis Castle and Katherine Beckett?" he asks

Each woman nods as he reads out the name.

"Good all are present. The reading will now commence." He says.

"I'm in Rick's will?" Kate thought then she remembered.

"Kate if anything happens to me. I trust you with my most precious thing Alexis. She is to be under your tutelage."

Kate is brought back to the present.

"Good Morning, we are here to finalize the last will and testament of Richard Edgar Castle. As you well know Mr. Castle has a vast fortune in real estate and many money markets." He says.

"The will is pretty much straightforward. Mr. Castle held the ownership on the theater where Martha taught her students. Now it was hers along with a large trust fund that she could use as she sees fit. Alexis, on the other hand, was granted a monthly allowance since she was still a minor. She was also told that Katherine Beckett had the final say on the money now and in the future until age of 21. This control also extends where she was to attend college. However, all expenses were prepaid." He states. "All other holdings will remain in a trust to be given to Alexis on her 30th birthday. Katherine Beckett will be named as the trustee as will my Money manager and Chief financial officer. All three must agree on disbursal of any trust assets."

Alexis' eyes shot up when she heard Kate was her trustee not her Grand Mother.

Kate was surprised too on hearing that clause.

The lawyer continues.

"To Katherine Houghton Beckett I leave in her care, the most precious thing I ever had. She will receive any and all rights plus proceeds from the sales of the Nikki Heat series along with any form that they should take now or in the future. And in addition to this I am leaving my So-Ho loft to her as well. It will be her home from this point forward. The only exception to her having this property is that my mother and daughter come along with the loft. It is theirs and your home too" He states.

Kate begins to cry. She never wanted his wealth only him. Now all she has left is the latter.

"She will also have access to her own bank account which has the sum of 10 million dollars." the lawyer states.

Kate sinks back into the seat and she now knows without a doubt that the truth should be told...