Chapter 8
They were on their way to Accounting when they heard a voice call out.
"Richard! Daniel mentioned you'd be by."
An older, fashionably dressed blonde came to them and gave Castle a quick hug.
"Mrs. Meade, acquittal looks good on you," he replied with a grin.
"Thank you. It's all because of Betty," Claire said putting her arm around the young assistant's shoulders and squeezed.
"Mrs. Meade," she blushed lightly.
"If you hadn't burst into the courtroom with that evidence, I'd still be in jail."
"That was you?" Castle asked her clearly impressed causing the pink in her cheeks to deepen. "My mother said that was an entrance worthy of her, and that's saying something."
"Feel free to use anything from the trial in a book," Claire said, "or better yet, make it into a play. Your mother could be me."
"Oh, Jamie Bamber could be Daniel," Betty suggested.
"Hmm, I wonder if Tricia Helfer would consider portraying Alexis," Claire mused. "She did a Mode spread a few years ago. Lovely girl."
"I don't know if the theater is ready for a project like that," Castle commented then turned to Betty. "You think Daniel, Becks and I were bad? Our exploits are nothing compared to those of Claire Meade and Martha Rodgers."
Claire laughed. "Now don't exaggerate."
"I remember a certain road trip that ended up in a Mexican brothel."
The older woman shrugged. "Your mother wanted some tequila. Speaking of your mother, is that sorry excuse of a husband still around? What number was he?"
Castle grimaced. "I gave up keeping track, but, no, he's finally out of the picture."
"Well, should she wish to make it a bit more permanent, let me know. My circle of acquaintances has grown since my time in prison," Claire said.
"Mrs. Meade," Betty said shocked.
"Thank you for the offer, but I don't think she cares enough about him to take that step," Castle said, but it did give him some ideas. High society matron brokers for a hit squad or maybe a cross between Strangers on a Train and The First Wives' Club.
ooOoo
Author notes: The Ugly Betty episodes referenced in this chapter are 2.12 "Odor in the Court" and 1.15 "Brothers"