This fic takes place in the future the events of Veritas accrued (so if you haven't seen it yet there will be spoilers). Castle and Beckett are married but the season finale is not part of this the wedding will be mentioned but it will be the way I image their wedding. Everything else is as is on the show.

Disclaimer: Me own Castle yeah right! If I did Nathan, Stana and I would be bffs and there would so be a Caskett baby on the way. Andrew Marlow is the lucky owner of Castle, lucky bastard lol. How ever I do own all 6 seasons of Castle on DVD, all 6 Nikki Heat books, a calendar and a t-shirt!

Chapter 16: Unlocking The Truth

Castle takes the paper studying it. He gasps "I know where the key goes"

All eyes were on him waiting to hear where the key went and what it opened"

"Babe where does it go" Kate asks

Castle says nothing he goes upstairs with the key in his hand.

Kate frowns looking down at the book in her hands

"It'll be okay Katie I'm sure Rick knows what he's doing" Jim puts his arm around his daughter.

"I just want it to be over dad" she lays her head on his shoulder "I want Bracken gone for good, I want my kids to be safe" tears filled her eyes.

"Don't worry chica we're gonna nail Bracken for good this time" Esposito tells her.

He' right Beckett we'll get him" Ryan agreed

Kate hugged her dad hoping they were right.

Castle comes bounding down the stairs with something in his hand.

"What are you doing with my jewelry box" Kate asked seeing the special jewelry box she stored her mom's ring in.

Castle turns it upside down causing her mother's ring, her dad's watch and a few pieces of jewelry that were gifts from him to tumble out.

"Castle! What are you doing! My jewelry!" she pulls away from her dad and starts picking it up.

"I'm doing this" he inserts the key in a hidden key hole on the bottom opening a small drawer on the side.

"Oh my God" Kate gasps "All these years how did I not know that it had a drawer"

"Your mother was very secretive she liked to keep things to herself hell when I first started dating her it took awhile for her to open up to me but I never gave up she was the love of my life" Jim smiles

"Hmm sound's oddly familiar huh Kate" Castle teases his wife.

"Alright" Kate rolls her eyes "Just tell me what's in the drawer"

"There's a tiny cassette tape and a note addressed to you" he shows her.

"Th..That's mom's handwriting" she takes it from him opening it reading her mom's words.

My dearest Katie

If you're reading this I'm probably dead and either you our your father went through my Richard Castle collection finding the key. I'm so sorry baby girl you know I would have never left you or your father willingly. Try to be strong and look after your father. You're a beautiful intelligent woman capable of doing great things. Don't let my death rule your life I'll always be with you in your heart and in the pages of those Castle books I love so much. You should read one Katie his stories are amazing and he's pretty cute he has these blue eyes... Anyway I don't know if you can do anything with it but if I'm dead my killer's confession is on two copies of a cassette tape a friend made them he gave them to me, he told me to keep them safe. The other copy is in the elephants the ones on my desk that I say are a family just like us. Maybe you can take one to the NYPD, just be careful baby the man responsible for my murder is very dangerous. I bet you'll make an amazing wife and mother. I'm so sorry I won't be there the day you marry the man of your dreams or have your first child. Just know how much I love you baby girl. You were my greatest gift.

Love always.

Mom

Kate had tears steaming down her face. She moved into Castle's arms burying her face in his chest."Sh..She knew Rick" she cried into hi chest.

"Knew what" he asked rubbing her back in slow circular motions.

"Sh..She knew sh..she was going to d..die" she shows him the letter.

Castle reads his mother in law's words. "Friend? Does she mean Montgomery?"

"Y..Yes" she nods.

He grins "Your mom though I was cute, she liked my eyes huh just like her daughter"

"Now that we have the tape what do we do with it, how do we keep it safe" Jim asks

"Well Mr. Beckett this time I will demand it stays in the 12th with me" Gates answers

"Please call me Jim, will you having the tape mean my Katie will be safe" he questions.

"Well even with the tape we still have to find Bracken but I think with Detectives Esposito and Ryan, myself and especially Rick having her back she'll be safe" she explained.

"Will it ever really be over" Kate whispers still holding on to Castle.

"Why don't we put the tape away and forget about Bracken for tonight and all go out to dinner on me" Castle suggested.

Everyone agreed it would be nice to get out for a little bit so they headed to a cute little restaurant with an ocean view. Everyone was laughing and having a great time. Castle was never happier to see Kate smile. "If you'll excuse me I have to hit the little boy's room too much Dr. Pepper" he kisses Kate on the cheek as he stands up.

In the men's room Castle is washing his hands when he see's the man standing behind him "Bracken" he says with no feeling "What the hell do you want"

"I want that tape writer" he snarls

"Too bad you aren't getting it" he snaps back.

"Oh but I will" he grabs Castle roughly "You'll be my bargaining chip"

Castle tries to free himself from Bracken's grip angering him "Stop it boy!" he shouts smashing Castle's head into the mirror cracking it. Bracken grins dragging the stunned man out.

Kate starts to worry "Guys Rick has been gone a long time" she frowns.

"Don't worry Chica we'll go check on him" the two detectives go to the men's room.

Ryan frowned when he saw the cracked mirror with a little blood smeared on it. "Espo I think Castle's in trouble" he points to the mirror.

"Come one lets go" Espo sighs heading back to the table they see Kate holding her phone crying, her father's arm around her. They both knew what this meant she already knew about Castle and they were pretty sure who was behind it. This just got even more personal Bracken had no idea who he was dealing with but he'd find out soon enough.

Chapter 17: Search and Rescue…Coming Soon!

Author's Note: OMG Caskett lovers I'm sooo sorry I haven't updated in so long! I'm bad girl maybe Castl should spank me lol. Anyway here's the next chapter I hope its okay. Positive reviews and constructive criticism welcome. Enjoy! Caskett hugs for all!