Chapter 6

"Wow. This would be my ex-wives' vision of Nirvana," Castle said as he entered the large room that was like a high end boutique specializing in the best of everything.

"This is the Closet," Betty said gesturing broadly. "Everything that's used in a photo shoot for Mode is stored here including clothes, shoes and accessories, and this is the person in charge of it all. Rick Castle, may I introduce Christina McKinney, famous designer and my best friend."

The stylishly-dressed blonde Scotswoman scoffed. "I'm not famous."

"You were one of Mode's 10 designers to watch two years ago," Betty said.

"And look where it got me," she replied rubbing her pregnant belly.

"You're Wilhelmina Slater's surrogate," Castle said remembering a news item about her being pushed down a flight of stairs after a Mode party a few weeks earlier. "Sort of like The Devil Wears Prada meets Rosemary's Baby."

"Pretty much," Christina replied ruefully then turned her attention to her friend. "Don't forget I'll be cleaning the Closet next week."

"Cleaning the Closet?" Castle asked.

"Four times a year everything that's stored in the Closet is cleaned out to make room for the next season's items," Betty explained.

"So what happens to the previous season's stuff?" he asked.

"Christina posts a sign-up sheet. First come, first serve," she said.

"It's like Black Friday four times a year," the designer added with a shudder. "Now, I've been told not to play favourites, but if you just happen to be passing by, say around 9:15 Monday morning when I may be posting the sheet, and you happen to be carrying a pen. Well, the world's full of coincidence."

"Christina," Betty said in a gently admonishing tone.

"Why should the sticks with heads get all the good stuff, hmm? I happen to know that those Jimmy Choos from last month's issue are in your size."

"Christina," Betty sighed rolling her eyes.

The blonde turned to Castle. "Now if I can just get her to wear them without socks."

"My feet get cold," the young assistant explained weakly.

Christina smiled then winced. "Oh. The wee one's decided to play football with my bladder. If you'll excuse me."

As she left, she put the camel-brown fedora she had been holding on her friend's head. Betty tilted it at a rakish angle then asked, "Do I look like a lady detective?"

"A regular female Derrick Storm," Castle laughed. "So what was your first swag?"

"The 'It' Gucci bag from two years ago."

"Do you still use it?"

Betty's bright expression dimmed. "No. See, my dad has a heart condition, and the HMO wouldn't pay for more medication so I made a deal with the pharmacist. The bag for 15 refills."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry," Castle apologized contritely.

"That's okay," she shrugged. "In fact, that's not the end of the story. I was going through a rough patch with my boyfriend at the time. He saw me make the exchange at the drug store and gave me a knock-off version of the bag as a present."

"You brought a knock-off here to Mode?" Castle asked surprised by the risky move.

"Here's where things get a bit complicated. Fashion is currency here so I made a deal with Marc. I exchanged the bag for a knock-off from around the corner and a huge favour to be named later."

He was stunned by her audacity. "So you traded a knock-off for another knock-off, and no one knew?"

Betty smiled mischievously. "It even took Christina a couple of months before she realized it was a fake."

"I gotta say nicely played, Ms. Suarez."

"Thank you."

ooOoo

Author notes: The Ugly Betty episodes reference in this chapter are 3.3 "Crimes of Fashion" and 1.11 (a.k.a. 1.4) "Swag".