I really need to finish this so I can go back to the other fun story.
I think after this there will only be one more chapter then an epilog
Present Day
Jim Beckett's Cabin in the Woods
"So what happened on the road?" Kate finally asks while propping her head on her hand looking at the man beside her.
"A Black SUV pulled up next to me and began moving into my lane. It was evident that he was going to force me off the road. That's when Agent Paul pulled in"
"Who's Paul...Oh yeah the lead agent that Jordan sent. Was he the only one there?"
"I think so. He had been following me all day. He or one of the others was there every time I looked up all day long. I felt like I was in a fish bowl and the cat was perched on the edge of the table ready to pounce and grab a bite. I must say it was a little unnerving to wonder when and where Tyson was going to strike"
"I guess he was the witness the police interviewed at the scene then disappeared?"
"That was him. He brought me here later. Then I just waited for you to show up. Everything went per plan"
Kate wraps herself around Castle again and puts her head into his chest "I was really still scared even after Lanie came to car and gave me the A OK signal. When she said the body looked like you I screamed for real"
"That made it real for the driver of the Rolls. She thought I really was burned to a crisp"
"How did the FBI know the driver was involved?" Kate wonders
"Any change in plans was assumed to be Tyson and Nieman so when a different driver showed up than the one scheduled we knew it was them"
"Rick the boys, Lanie, Gates, everyone helped. Even Permutter"
"Don't forget Chief Brady letting our guys pretend to take the body"
"We got some great friends"
"Yeah we do"
"What was done in the morgue to fool her. I know Permutter was great?" Kate asks
"Shaw was able to get a body from somewhere and they placed a dental implant in the front of the mouth exactly like the one I really have. Since the body was burned beyond recognition that was the only evidence needed to fool her. Perlmutter would not let her touch the corpse but the implant was evident and she saw it"
"Rick, all our friends pulled this off. I mean really pulled a magic trick from the top hat"
"I thought you didn't believe in magic"
"I do now" She whispers as she pulls herself closer again
"Are you OK Kate?" Castle asks
"I'll get there" She responds without even moving from his side
"I lost my mother and was afraid of ever loving anyone like that again. Until you came along I had made up my mind I would never love anyone ever again"
She finally looks at his face. "Then you showed up"
"Hey, wait a minute. You came looking for me remember? Not the other way around"
"I'm glad I found you" She says
"Yeah, me too"
"So where do we go from here?"
"They are setting up a wake for me. Paula is handling that at the Old Haunt. Jordan believes that Tyson will show up there, in disguise of course, and gloat over his success in killing me and hurting you in the process"
"Why there?"
"All my friends will be there and Tyson thinks he has done me in and he will bask in the stories and pain all my friends will tell. You know how much they well all miss me and how much they all loved me…"
"Oh Really?" Kate giggles as she pokes him in the chest "You really think all these people are going to be singing your praises?"
"Oh course. They all love me and will tell how much they will miss me"
"Right!" She laughs again "Maybe Patterson and some of the other mystery writers, glad to get rid of the competition"
"Easy girl. I thought that at least you loved me?" Rick pulls Kate tighter
She stops struggling "I do love you. You don't know how much I love you"
"I think I do, actually. Because if it is anywhere near how much I love you…"
The two become silent as their thoughts of how close they came to loosing each other begins to sink in
The Wake
The Old Haunt
A small crowd has formed outside of the bar consisting of fans and others who were not issued invitations but wanted to pay their respects .to the family anyway.
The inside of the bar has filled with a large number of people. People here to honor a friend, a co-worker, a competitor, and as the uniformed police officers standing honor guard seem to consider him a member of the force
Every few minutes someone steps up to the microphone and wants to say a few words in memory for the fallen writer. Each speech ends, naturally, with a toast. The more speeches the more intoxicated some guests become.
As the evening progresses more and more people stand at the podium with tears in their eyes. The one person though that has been absent from the festivities is Katherine Beckett
The evening grows slightly longer and the door finally opens to see the widow arrive.
The tall graceful woman is wearing a mid calf A-line Black dress High bodice and back. Very dignified. Low heels and no jewelry except for the engagement ring given to her a year ago by Richard Castle
She is immediately surrounded by friends and family. No one is letting her out of their sight. They are all so very concerned over her mental state and well being. She had sequestered herself in her father's cabin for the lat three days and refused to even take phone calls. Being alone like that had many concerned about her mental state.
After a few minutes Lanie finally convinces her to go and get a plate of food. The two women step up to the buffet table where the two caterers are ready to assist Kate in her selections.
After she finished her time in line Kate and Lanie go to the booth that was cordoned off and they sit down. After a very few minutes Kate begins to act as if she is not feeling well. Lanie stands up and speaks loudly toward Esposito and tells him to get Kate some water. Lanie thinks Beckett is probably dehydrated
Without warning the two caterers appear at Lanie's side offering to assist with the evidently ill woman. Lanie thanks them and points in the direction of the secret doorway leading to the basement office
"Take her to the office and I will be down as soon as I go to my car and get my medical bag".
The man and woman assist Beckett in standing. Kate is wobbly like she is drunk, but she has had absolutely nothing to drink tonight
The opening to the lower level is small and only one person can go through at a time. The man enters first then Kate then the woman follows. As soon as the woman enters the stairs, she turns and pulls the lever that closes the upstairs door.
Kate and her two helpers stumble into the office where Kate moves to the couch and begins to lay down
"Well Ms. Beckett we finally meet again"
Kate looks closely at the woman and recognizes Kelly Nieman
"Dr. Nieman" Kate begins with a slurred speech "What are you doing here?"
"Oh I am here to finish something I started"
"What is that?" Beckett struggles out
"Taking you and your late fiancé out of the picture. My friend here has been waiting for this day for a very, very long time" She points to the man standing beside her
Kate sits up slightly looking at the man who has begun to remove his false beard, wig, and other make up revealing his true identity
Kate is shocked by the revelation of who is actually standing in the room
"You're not Jerry Tyson"
"No! I am not"
WHAT?