After the Vows

Jim Beckett's Journal

Chapter 20

Dear Johanna,

I'm sorry that it has been almost two weeks since I last wrote to you. I was putting out fires with my suit. Some of the women became fearful and wanted to withdraw their statements. I had to convince them that the company was in no way responsible for Artemiz's death. It did make it easier to say that I was sure of my facts because my daughter is a detective on the case.

Katie has had another milestone in her life that had nothing to do with being a detective. As I've written before, I was hopeful that Katie would turn her apartment over Martha and give the kids more personal space. That didn't happen. Katie has, however, given up the place. She leased it to Theresa's daughter Sofia. Sofia was very young when you left us, but she has grown into a beautiful woman. She graduated college with honors and works downtown, so Katie's apartment is pretty convenient for her.

The move was pretty wrenching for Katie. She was able to bring the things that were important to her to the Castle loft, but she has had her own space for so long, it may be difficult for her to cope without a place of retreat. Maybe Rick can build a little office for her in the loft. He's been talking about doing some renovations.

Speaking of Rick, he's back from his tour and he looks, to put it politely, exhausted. Some days you could pack a week's clothes in the bags under his eyes. Between doing appearances, writing, and rushing back to Katie when he could, I think he's been living in, as Alexis would put it, "a caffeine induced haze." Alexis keeps nagging him to get some rest and I think this time she actually has cause to be concerned. I think Katie may be worried too. She's mentioned how hard he's been working, a couple of times. He's still trying to catch up on his writing but he keeps getting calls from reporters. The romantic angle that popped up on the tour has gotten Rick and Katie declared "Most Romantic Couple," by several publications. Paula and Black Pawn have both run with that. Their picture is now on the tops of cabs and the sides of buses. I think it may be a long time before either of them will be able to do anything that is even remotely undercover again. In my view that may be a good thing. Aside from their honeymoon out west, the last time Katie had a serious undercover assignment she was almost killed. I could happily live with her not getting any more of those and I'm sure Rick could as well.

Katie's investigation of Artemiz's case has bogged down. DNA of Katie's principle suspects has now been tested and there have been no matches. She, Esposito, and Ryan are continuing to look for women or small men with motives, but have been coming up empty. Katie, as you might guess, is extremely frustrated.

One happy note for Katie and Rick, now that he is home again for a while, planning has picked up again for the couples retreat they were talking about with the Ryans and Esposito and Lanie. Katie still won't have any vacation until the new year, so they are talking about January or February. One of Ryan's sisters has stepped up to say she'll take Sarah Grace. Esposito and Lanie seem to be on uneasy ground. I haven't seen them together much lately, but when they have been, there seem to be some subjects, like children, they make a pointed effort to avoid. They clearly have some things to talk through, either on a retreat or before they ever get to one. They are wonderful people and I hope things work out for them.

Martha's play is in previews. As I understand it, so far reactions to it have been quite positive. She and Collier are still together although right now they don't have a lot of time for each other. She is at the theater almost every night and working at her school. He has his TV work and a restaurant to run. I think this may be just the way Martha likes things to go. She likes to keep her options open.

I did have a chance to ask both Martha and Alexis about the mysterious white haired man I saw. Martha told me that he was an old beau of hers, who even though they hadn't been together in many years, still likes to look in on her. She doesn't consider him dangerous to her. When she was talking she put some stress, unintended I think, on the fact that any danger was not to her, as if the man might be dangerous to others. I believe she was telling the truth, but not the whole truth. Alexis told me she didn't know him at all, but she had the same sort of look on her face that people have when they're lying in a deposition. I'm pretty sure that she knows exactly who the man is and for some reason feels she can't tell me. That is very strange. Alexis is usually upfront, sometimes too upfront, with me about almost everything.

Alexis has certainly been excited to talk on another subject: Declan. He has been tagged to be part of a group of young musicians that will be playing at Carnegie Hall between Christmas and New Year's Day. His participation in rehearsals for the performance have given him less time to be with Alexis, but she is so proud of him that she doesn't seem to mind much. She has already gotten seats up front for herself, Rick, Katie, and me. Martha will be on stage and won't be able to make it, but otherwise it should be a nice family affair. Of course that depends on whether Katie gets called out on a case too. Rick would probably go with her, sticking Alexis with the closest thing she has to a grandfather.

I've been getting more and more used to the idea of grandchildren and I've really started to like it. Katie and Rick, especially Rick, talk about having children soon. Katie's clock is ticking. I don't know if they're actively trying now or not. They certainly have more than enough on their plates at the moment, but I don't think it will be long before they get serious. I wonder sometimes how you feel about Katie being a mother. Somehow, I think you approve.

Forever love,

JB