Chapter 16
Rick wants so badly to call Kate to see if she has received the flowers he sent earlier. The idea of her being busy makes him change his mind. He thinks about the last time she was here. They had a great time on the last family night. He wishes they would do it again and very soon. He does know she has promised another night. It should be in a few days. He just does not want to wait that long.
Moving back to his office, he sits at his desk brooding. He is thinking about a new plot twist for the book's characters. He is happy that after 6 books that make up the series so far to date that his fans would want more. Just about 3 hours pass and he is ignoring the rumbling in his stomach. He is deep in thought that he doesn't hear Alexis enter his office.
"Dad... Dad... Daddy!" Alexis calls sternly.
"Pumpkin, I'm sorry I'm trying to come up with another plot for a book." Rick replies, looking up from his laptop.
"I know dad. It's like you were in outer space. I just wish you would think up plots without leaving earth." Alexis complains.
He looks at Alexis. He knows that there is something on her mind. After a minute or two he has guessed that she is having trouble asking him.
"Alexis is there something that you want to talk to me about?" Rick gently coaxes.
She just stands there. He knows that she has something on her mind. Alexis is far more intellectual than your average 10-year-old.
"Dad, do you like Kate? I mean like really, really like her?" Alexis asks finally blurting out what she is thinking.
Rick is taken aback by her question. How she notices things about his feelings is beyond him. He needs to be truthful with her, especially now. Since, he has always been since the first question she had ever asked him. Nothing would change that ever.
"Alexis, the relationship between Kate and I is a little complicated. While I know that I have feelings for her. I really hope they blossom into a long and healthy relationship. I am not too certain of the depth of her feelings toward me. Somehow I think deep down in her mind, she still sees me as the person on page six you know that playboy mess that Gina and Paula dreamed up." Rick laments.
"Dad, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. While you were in the hospital, Kate was truly worried about me. I mean it is not like the type of worry, you get from some of the girls, especially the type you have dated in the past. She seemed more concerned about my feelings more than anything else. She says if I ever need to talk to her, I can call her at any time. Dad, does that sound like a person who believes that you live your life on page six?" Alexis queries.
"Not really. So miss smarty pants what do you think I should do about this little problem I seem to have?" Rick challenges.
"Well, I have an idea, Dad. You need to promise me that you won't be upset okay?" Alexis says being a bit gun shy.
"Alexis, I would never be upset with anything you need to tell me." Rick consoles.
"Dad, I was thinking that with Gram here, Kate seemed to be more at home with our family dynamic. I think that we should have another family night. This time make it more about her. We should try to include her in every aspect of family night. What do you think?" Alexis asks hopefully.
"Alexis, actually she did agree to another one when she has her break in about two days. I think that's a great idea to totally include her." Rick says.
Rick thinks back to his thoughts on calling her and that she might be busy. He won't interrupt her during the course of her duties, but now that he needs to know if their second family night is still on? He feels justified that sending a quick text is the right method. It's personal where a call might put her on the spot to prying eyes. He pulls out his phone searches her contact information and starts to type.
Rick: "Kate, I'm wondering if you still have Saturday night free?"
He waits patiently for her reply, hoping it was the right thing to do.
Kate: Hey Rick, I am working the day shift, but after 3, I am off duty until Monday. Are you texting to see if family night is still on track?"
Rick is pleased that she is still anticipating in coming.
Rick: "You have me, detective… This is exactly what this text is about."
Kate reads the Rick's reply, then laughs to herself. The task force is running a bit smoother. Everyone has been working hard on those leads she has discovered from the last Castle meeting.
Kate: "Well, you can quit worrying I am coming, so inform Alexis and Martha too. I anticipate we will have another good time… Hopefully there will be less crying than the first family night."
Rick is surprised Kate responses so quickly. He scans the texts, then smiles. Alexis looks at him with much hope in her face. Rick quickly sends another text.
Rick: "Kate that's great news… I'm telling Alexis now… She is very excited… I am too… See you then bye."
Kate reads and her eyes light up.
Kate: "Bye Rick… tell Alexis I'm excited too…"
Rick thinks for a moment, then decides to continue texting. Kate is surprised by seeing another text.
Rick: "BTW Kate, did you find something on your desk this morning?"
Kate: "Yes, I did! Thank you for the flowers it is totally unexpected... They are beautiful. They brightened my day too."
Rick: "Kate, you deserve the world!"
Kate: Rick I need to get going, but I will call you later. Thanks again for the roses!"
He sits at his desk still holding his phone.
"Dad, what is happening?" Alexis asks.
"What... Oh, I'm sorry Pumpkin. She is still planning on being here, Saturday. Also, she loves the flowers… great call on those!" Rick says congratulating both he and Alexis.
"Well dad, we have our work cut out for us. We need to get a few things done. I will make a list so we can do this right." Alexis says taking charge of this project.
He thinks to himself
"What a great daughter, I have. She is always thinking about the happiness of other people."
Friday came and went. Nothing new has produced anything new in the cases. Her Captain had called her into his office and he wanted an update.
"So Lieutenant Beckett, what do we have so far?"
"Captain we have run down every possible lead. We keep coming up empty. This suspect evades whatever camera, he faces. He leaves no prints, no DNA and not one trace of physical evidence at the crime scenes. We found a connection to a dog walker, seeing that the dogs are missing after each murder. So far we cannot track him down. I've got Detectives Espo and Hastings tries to locate anyone who might know him."
"Lieutenant Beckett, What do you mean about a dog walker… how do you think this person is involved? And for that matter how was Richard Castle tied to these murders he has no dogs only his daughter was with him the night he became a victim." The Captain asks.
"Well, it is only a theory… both victims were avid dog lovers… There is a website… I know it's a long shot, so I have our IT specialist trying to get information from this site." Kate says.
"Wait, what are you talking about a website?" The Captain inquires.
"Well, Sir, I was giving condolences to Mr. Castle and a website cropped up. It is one of those celebrity sites… It is a real sleazy operation… however, this site specializes in placing celebrities in unflattering positions." Kate says.
"So what does that mean Lieutenant?" he asks totally confused.
"Well, we have a theory that this website shows fake pictures of celebrities beating their dogs. Since Ric… er, Mr. Castle has complained about the fake picture of him beating his dogs." Kate explains.
"Wait a minute… Celebrities beating dogs leads to death of the celebrities? Mr. Castle complains about a picture being posted of him and that made him a target?" Her Captain asks.
"Yes Sir, We think this is how the victim's are chosen… Rick...I mean Mr. Castle was attacked because of the 12 pictures that were false posted of him beating a doberman and a German Shepard. He owns neither. I believe this dog walker is a bit deranged… He has been seen throwing red paint on other celebrities wearing which he thinks is real fur." Kate explains bringing up the dog walker named Sam video on her phone.
The Captain looks at the video.
"Lieutenant, I need this person caught! The brass is breathing down my neck." The Captain exclaims.
"Captain, this is easier said than done. This suspect is so hard to track. Even having his picture broadcasted by every TV station, there has not been one sighting. He is like a ghost." Kate answers angrily.
"Kate I know that you're fighting an uphill battle. Keep at it, we need this guy found, dismissed Lieutenant." The Captain says.
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Kate heads back to her desk and sees Espo and Hastings and calls them over.
"Javi, Anne anything on that dog walker?" Kate asks hopefully.
"Negative Boss… No one has seen him for quite a while… We canvassed the area around his last apartment. There were only a few who remember him… unfortunately, no one has much to say about him nice or otherwise… other than he once worked at a kennel… he was fired… he drew a gun on a client… then he fled. No one has seen him since. I mean this guy is a real whack job." Javi says.
"Okay guys, time to call it a night. I am on duty in the morning. Go home and have a great night." Kate says.
"Okay Boss, see you on Sunday." Javi says.
Kate goes to check with Ryan and the IT specialist to see if there is anything linking that website.
"Hey Boss," Ryan greets as Kate enters the area.
"So Ryan what do you have?" Kate asks.
Well, this is a real sleazy site… unfortunately, it is in the Grand Cayman's so getting records from the admin rights are impossible… however, Tori and I have a different plan… this site does have a user forum… there is a person. Dog Killer 16 who intentionally antagonizes other users. There is one vicious battle between him and another user. I've been able to use FBI techniques to capture IP addresses once he gets into chat with our computer. It is a back door approach. We have an address of this user. I'm not sure how that would help?" Ryan says.
"Ryan gives me that address… you guys need to go home… You have been at it way too long... do not come back before Sunday… I'm sorry I know it is only 1 day off." Kate orders.
"Boss, right now anytime away from a Computer Screen is heaven to me, good night." Ryan says.
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Now that Kate's team was off, she returned back to her desk and decided to give Rick a call before heading home.
"Hello, my Detective. So what reason do you have for calling me tonight? Could it be that you want to hear my deep rich voice?" Rick answers knowing it is Kate.
Kate smiles… She sure loves to hear his voice.
"Well, Rick, I am at the end of a crappy day… would you like to meet me here at the precinct?" Kate asks with a bit of a whine to her voice.
"Lieutenant, I would love to have a clandestine meeting with you. Where would you like to go?" Rick answers.
"Rick please call me Kate. Why not back at the loft… I did not get to see the whole tour before?" Kate says.
"The Loft would be okay for you? We could go out to eat at a little bistro just around the corner from the precinct… just the two of us?" Rick suggests.
"Actually the loft is just fine… I want to see Alexis too." Kate explains.
Rick has called in his car service while still on the phone with Kate. She too is walking down the stairs to exit. Kate continues the conversation after exiting the building.
"Just talking with you is help enough." Kate confides.
"I'm happy my dulcet tones are soothing your frazzled nerves." Rick says as the driver pulls up next to the precinct.
Rick hops out to hold open the door. Kate relaxes immediately seeing Rick is standing next to the town car. Kate enters the car as the driver gets out holding the door for both of them. The driver returns, then whisks them back to the loft.
"Well, you sure got here fast." Kate says pleased.
"I aim to please Lieutenant, I am to please!" Rick replies.
Kate smiles, then changes the subject.
"So are you ready for family night tomorrow?" Kate asks.
"Actually, I can't wait for it or make that we cannot wait… Alexis is so excited she banned me from knowing anything she has planned" Rick replies.
"That must be driving you up a wall… poor Rick" Kate says laughing.
It makes her feel so much better to be in his presence. Rick glances at her laughing. It makes him feel good that this conversation is all she needs to feel better at the end of a tough day. It sort of gives him a bit of pride.
"Alexis is that way sometimes." Rick replies.
"I can't wait to see what she has planned." Kate says.
"Me too…" Rick adds.
"This should be interesting. Do you need me to bring anything?" Kate asks.
"Only yourself… everything else is supplied." Rick says with a twinkle in his eye.
"Okay, Rick I just need to get through my shift tomorrow. I will see you after I finish." Kate responds as the car stops the driver exits and opens the door then they get out.
Kate is escorted by Rick to the loft. Both Alexis and Martha were happy to see her. However, they do not stay. Alexis is off to her friend's Paige house for a sleepover. Martha is taking her then going to a Broadway opening night for a friend. After everyone leaves Rick orders pizza and gets out a bottle of wine. Kate kicks off her shoes, then curls up on the couch. They both eat the pizza.
"Rick, I need to tell you something." Kate says, feeling very relaxed after downing the first glass of wine.
Rick looks at her waiting for her to continue then he refills her glass and hands it back to her.
"I know you need to know the story behind the person. I want you to know the reason I swore off men. The fact is that I was hurt in the past." Kate says.
"Kate, I'm so sorry that this happened to you, but I'd never purposely hurt you. That's not who I am. Do you want to talk about it? You don't have to but it would help me understand what's going on in your heart." Rick replies so compassionately.
Kate thinks about spilling all of her insecurities to him. If she is serious about where this might go this there is no one she can be more serious about it with. She sees the way he looks at her and decides that she will.
As they eat another slice of pizza she begins her story.
"I was hopelessly in love with a man who decided that he needed something extra besides me in our relationship," Kate says quietly.
Rick knows now why she is so reserved when it comes to matters of the heart.
"Kate, I'm so sorry you had to deal with a man who could not commit to you. No one who cares about another person should have to deal with that. I'll promise you that what you read in the papers are nothing what I am like in real life. However, I can relate to your situation. I have been where you have been. I have been just as heartbroken as you have too." Rick confides.
Kate looks at him with a sincere look. Before she can continue with her story Rick tells her why he is able to empathize.
"I was living in California and I was married to Alexis' mother. I had some news about my first book and I had to tell her the good news. Alexis was only 6 months old and when I walked into the house all I heard was Alexis crying. No one was taking care of her. I got worried that something has happened to my wife. It was not until I got Alexis calm that I heard the hushed voices coming from my bedroom." Rick says reliving that event.
"Let me guess, she had a man with her?" Kate asks.
"Bingo. She plays it off as if what she is doing was to further her career. She cared nothing about our vows. She actually has the guts to confront me telling me that is the way that things are in Hollywood." Rick says sadly.
"So what happened next, Rick?" Kate asks with the walls around her heart starting to crack a little.
"I left LosAngles that night. I packed up most of my stuff and Alexis' then went back to New York. I moved in with my mother. I started fresh once more." Rick says.
"Rick, I'm so sorry." Kate says "I had no idea… you are so successful and vibrant."
"Kate, I do not dwell on what happened back there… that's in the past. It does show you how I am able to relate to your experience. May I ask why you swore off men? I know it has to be a hard thing to do." Rick asks.
"Yes, it is. I had the need to forget about him and what he did to me." Kate says.
"Kate, I promise that if what whatever might happen between us I would never do anything like that to you. Even if we remain just as friends" Rick states.
She wanted more that just being friends with this loving and caring man. She is just a little hesitant about what exactly his intentions are.
Rick makes them known so quickly her mind races.
"Kate I like you… I want us to be exclusive." Rick says.
"You mean like boyfriend / girlfriend?" Kate giggles.
"Yes, exactly, that is if you would want me… we can go as slow as you want, or whatever your comfortable with. What do you say Kate. Would you want to take a chance on me and my crazy family?" Rick asks.
"Rick, I would be delighted…" Kate says as all of a sudden her lips were pressed against his.
Kate enjoys this very much. They cuddle together on the couch and watch a few movies. Kate relaxes into his strong arms. She melts into him. This sure beats going home to stew after a hard day. Soon it is time for her to leave. They kiss at the door once more, then she turns and Rick watches her leave…