Mr. Wang was true to his word. Martha arriving at precisely 7:30 intercepted him as he stood at the entrance to the building.
"Mr. Wang good morning…Are those Katherine's things?" Martha asks.
"Yes this is for Mr. Rick. Wang did light starch like Mr. Rick wanted. You going up to see Mr. Rick?" Mr. Wang stated.
"Yes I am heading up…Please allow me to carry them up. Katherine will be well pleased with your marvelous work." Martha says as she stretched out her hand.
"Ok. You give to Mr. Rick with compliment from Wang." He says as he hands over Kate's freshly laundered uniform.
Yes Mr. Wang I will most definitely give him your regards…Thank you Mr. Wang. Martha says bowing to him.
Mr. Wang returned the bow then departed. Martha did a little wave then proceeded into the building having Eduardo hold open the door.
"Good Morning Ms. Rogers" Eduardo says as he smiles.
"Good Morning to you too Eduardo…" Martha says smiling back.
Eduardo pressed the button for the elevator then resumed his doorman duties.
Martha waited for most of the other residents leave the car. Last to leave was that mean Buster the cat who was on a leash. He was cat that Rick complains about loudly. His owner was a sweet older lady. The Buster sniffed Martha then satisfied she was not Rick purred. Martha reached down to stroke his fur. Martha greeted the older woman then entered the vacant car to be deposited on the 4th floor.
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Kate was up at the kitchen table reading from her tablet. There had been another murder.
Rick was at the stove creating breakfast. Alexis had just appeared and shuffled toward the coffee machine.
"I need Coffeee!" Alexis moaned.
"Oh the zombie has awoken…What would you want for breakfast, Pumpkin?" Rick quips.
"Coffeeeee…!" Alexis intones as if it was a magical spell.
"Rick, leave the poor girl alone she was up half the night studying. I swear she is so devoted to her studies." Kate says.
"Yes I know…I still do not know where that devotion comes. It certainly did not come from me. I was not that academically inclined." Rick says as he expertly flipped the pancake.
"Yes Rick we all know your position on that topic." Kate says then noticed Martha entering.
"Good Morning Mother…" Rick says. "May I interest you in some breakfast?"
"Hello Martha…Is that my uniform?" Kate asks.
"Yes Katherine indeed it is I met Mr. Wang downstairs. I unburdened him of it. Since, I was already heading up. There was no need for him to accompany me." Martha says as she hands off Kate's uniform.
"Thanks Martha" Kate says as she retrieves the uniform then disappear into the bedroom to get dressed.
It was a big day. Kate was being field promoted to Lt. then she was going to be the interim Captain of the 12th.
Rick set a breakfast feast down in front of Alexis. He glanced at Kate's tablet.
"Oh would you look at that…My favorite action hero has been murdered. It looks like the 12th caught the case. I guess I need to get to the precinct and help the boys." Rick says.
"Dad, aren't you going to witness Mom's promotion at the 1PP?" Alexis asks now that he had mainlined coffee she was much more coherent.
"Oh yeah well I guess I should do that Kate is more important than some old murder investigation. I'm sure the boys will not solve it before we get there." Rick says walking into their bedroom.
Kate noticed Rick enter the bedroom.
"So are you going to get dressed…Rick this is my big day." Kate asks.
"Of course my dear…" Rick says reaching over to kiss her.
"Stop it Rick if you continue I will be late and all of Mr. Wang's work will be in vain." Kate expresses as she breaks their embrace.
Rick just smiles then gets dressed.
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Kate gets a limo ride next to Rick who was looking very good indeed. She loved gazing over her ruggedly handsome husband. Rick looked lovingly at his wife. The ride to 1PP was relatively short. Rick got out and escorted by Kate enters the building. They navigated the phalanx of security and soon found them both waiting outside the Commissioner's office. They were a bit early. Kate sat ramrod straight with her hat between her knees. Rick's hand was gently placed on her thigh. Kate looks at him.
"It will be alright Kate." He whispers.
Kate looks down at her hat. She never wanted this promotion. She knew she could not refuse it as her fictional counterpart did. No, she would continue the legacy of two legendary Captains, Montgomery and now Gates.
"Well I am for one glad it is you…I hate to see an Irons rule over the twelfth." Rick quipped.
Kate giggled over her husband's reference to the media hungry Capt in Rick's books.
Soon the rest of the brass had assembled. Kate was called into the office. Rick and Kate both stood up then enter the room.
Commissioner Reagan would be doing the swearing in. He had a short speech prepared as a few members of the press were present to document for posterior this event.
"It is a solemn occasion to promote one so worthy in a manner unlike most. It is the replacement of a fallen comrade. Let us take a moment to reflect on her dedication." The Commissioner says.
All assembled bowed their heads then after the moment the Commissioner resumed his speech.
"We are here to witness the rise of a worthy replacement." He concludes.
"Detective First Class Beckett please come front and Center." The Chief of Police announces.
"Here we go" Kate whispers as Rick squeezed her hand.
"Detective First Class Katherine H. Beckett is reporting, Sir." Kate says as she stood at attention.
"At Ease Detective…" The Commissioner said then read off all of Kate's achievements.
Rick was impressed about some of her illustrious career before he had appeared in her life. Once the Commissioner was done citing her laurels then the oath of office was recited which Kate did perfectly.
"Rick would you like the honors of pinning the Lt. Bars on your wife?" The Chief of Detectives asks.
"I would" Rick replies then takes the symbols and places them on her collar.
The Commissioner now finishes the ceremony with a handshake then pronounces.
"I hereby appoint you Commander of the 12th precinct. Congratulations Lt. Castle." He says.
Rick was stunned he was not sure he heard that right. They had discussed her keeping her last name at work at least. Now he was confused but proud.
Kate had a big smile as she ended her salute and handshake. There were photos taken then the ceremony was over. Kate had to go to HR to officially change her name, address and all the other necessary paperwork.
They left together both giddy.
"Rick, you might as well go ahead and help the Boys on the case. I have to stay her to do a few meetings and attended to things. I will be coming back soon. Hopefully, it will before lunch." Kate says then kissed him goodbye.
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Rick enters the 4th floor alone. Everyone was there and was disappointed Kate was not with him. Rick apologizes.
"Damn, it is only you Castle." Espo says.
"Yeah, it is only me…Kate got caught doing Captain-y things at 1PP. However, it was a beautiful ceremony. Lt. Castle will be here shortly." Rick says.
"Lt. Castle? You mean Lt. Beckett?" Ryan asks.
"No Guys it is official it is Lt. Castle." Rick responds.
"Really, I thought you two had settled it would be Beckett at the precinct?" Ryan recalls.
"Yeah so did I Rick confessed. However, at the swearing in it came out Lt. Castle. I've not even had time to learn of why she changed her mind…So I hear we have a doozy of a case?" Rick says rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"Yeah we do…Meet the victim…Lance…" Espo says.
"Lance De Lorca Rick Gasps. I had such a fan crush on him…How he could drop kick that baddie El Jefe!"
"Yeah him…he was killed outside a theater where they were playing a retrospective of his action movies at about 11 last night. There were no witnesses." Espo says.
"Get this he did not even have a cell phone with him. Talk about old school…There is no record he ever did have one." Ryan adds.
"So a famous action star was gunned down besides a theater. It was playing his movies? Talk about being Meta? Do we know why he was there? Rick asks.
"At this theater, no…In New York, yes…He was here to film a new action movie with his old friend Brock Harmon." Espo says.
"So what are we waiting? We need to investigate…I mean we have to visit where Brock Harmon is shooting his next movie…Come on Boys…This is going to be great!"
"That is good Castle why don't you take Ryan…I have to interview the widow. It is a tough job but someone has to do it" Espo says as LT escorts the ex wife into the conference room.
"Is that…Kat Kingsley" Rick asks as his fan boy-ism kicks into a higher gear.
"Yeah it is…Now run along with Ryan, Castle." Espo says with a smirk.
"Aw man, I wonder if she would sign my poster? I only have to run back to the loft to get it. Will she be here later?" Rick asks. "Please, Ryan can we stop at the loft?"
"I don't know, Castle." Ryan says.
"Ryan, hold out for a week with the Ferrari." Espo says as he ducks into the conference room then shuts the door then he closes the blinds to keep Rick from gawking.
"Ryan, whatever it takes please get me to the loft…Pretty Please." Rick begs.
"Nah Castle we don't have time to indulge in your pre puberty fantasies right now. There is a murderer to catch." Ryan says.
"You are right, Ryan there is a murderer to catch…I don't see you moving." Kate says stepping off the elevator.
"Kate, you are back!" Rick says.
"Yeah I am it looks like just in time too. So Ryan what did he promises you this time?" Kate asks.
"Well, Boss, we have not got him groveling yet." Ryan confesses.
"Ok so catch me up…" Kate says walking toward her desk then corrects herself to enter the Captain's office.
Rick tags along.
"Well Capt… The Victim is an 80's action star named Lance De Lorca whose star had faded. How he was killed is still a mystery. Lanie is doing the autopsy now. However, TOD was 11 last night. Espo is about to interview the ex wife widow Kat Kingsley." Ryan reports. "Castle and I were about to interview the people who had seen the victim last at the set of the 'Indestructibles'. It is a new movie featuring all the old 80's action stars."
"Ok Ryan please continue…Please take this lug by the loft…Believe me you do not want to be trapped in a car with a whiney Rick." Kate says as Rick jumps for joy.
"Thank you Thank you, Kate" Rick says kissing her then runs off to follow Ryan.
Kate smiles then she enters the interview room to join Espo.