After the Vows

Jim Beckett's Journal

Chapter 23

Dear Johanna,

They blinked! We were prepared for a huge siege and multiple delays but it looks like that's not going to happen. Perhaps the end of year accounting made it clear exactly how much our suit could actually cost the company in terms of money, man hours, and loss of good will. Whatever their reasons, they've made an offer and a pretty good one. The clock is ticking though. We've got until the court date to get approvals or opt outs from participants in the suit. Just getting that done will take an enormous amount of effort, especially if we have to chase down people who are traveling for the holidays. With all of that, I will not give up time with our new family.

Rick has gotten steadily better over the past few days. Yesterday it was Katie's day off and we all took on decorating the tree and the great room of the Castle loft. Castle borrowed a huge ladder from building maintenance and Alexis delighted in climbing it. Rick did some of that himself since he has by far the longest reach. Katie was keeping an eagle eye on him to make sure that he wouldn't get shaky, but he was just fine. I don't know if I've seen a grin as wide as his on anyone since Katie got her ice skates.

We all worked on the lower branches and Rick set up his train. He also spent what Katie insisted was an inordinate amount of time playing with it, but she was laughing as she scolded him. Much as his childlike love of play irritates her sometimes, she clearly adores him for it. It brings out so much joy in her. The Beckett lights and ornaments got places of honor and it was your special angel that topped the tree. Rick lifted Katie on his shoulders so she could put it there. I could almost see you smiling through its eyes.

Martha was unable to join us for the entire time, but she supervised with elan while she was there. She brought snacks provided by Collier, which with the spiced cider Alexis made, were excellent. Collier also sent a couple of food themed ornaments that Martha hung herself. There was something that looked like a shaker constantly sprinkling powdered sugar on crepes inside a globe and a golden bowl with cherries and apples. Rick and Katie looked at the second one and then looked at each other with little smiles. I have no idea what they were thinking, but it looked a lot like some of the shared thought things we used to do.

When we were finished, Rick ordered pizza and we all just dug in. It was hot and gooey and wonderful. I'd forgotten how much fun it can be to just share a pizza. After we ate, Rick and Katie were holding hands and leaning against each other just watching the play of the lights. Alexis announced that she had a date to go to a concert with Declan and I decided it was time to make myself scarce as well.

When I left I saw the white haired man outside the loft. Alexis was a little ahead of me and he looked at her with what I would swear was love in his eyes. He also looked at me with no curiosity, as if he knew exactly who I was. Then he just stared up at the blaze of light coming through the windows of the loft. It was not threatening but it was very strange. I got a better look at him this time. I may be imagining it, but I think his eyes are a little bit like Rick's. Martha said he is an old beau. I wonder if he is a lot more and if so, why it would be a secret. I may be putting two and two together to make six. I wish I knew more, but I suppose when the family is ready to tell me, they will.

Bracken is still keeping himself out of the media, but there has been news coming out of Washington D.C.. It's not the sort of news I usually enjoy reading or even bother to read. It concerns scandalous behavior by lobbyists. I suppose one would normally put that in the category of "dog bites man," not very newsworthy. In this case, the news is about a major hypocrisy. This particular group is heavily linked and gets a lot of money from advocates of family values. They weren't walking the walk. They had set up a house which not only housed their offices, but rooms where they could cavort with women who were not their wives. There was nothing illegal about it. It was just slimy. The lobbyists involved are not the ones McGovern went to work for, but Washington D.C. is in many ways a small town. Insiders know what goes on behind closed doors. I'm wondering if the scandal was leaked as a distraction from more serious things that might be going on.

Katie tells me she's been told that the investigation into the involvement of McGovern with super-Pacs and lobbyists continues. There has even been some progress. Using some new techniques, a cache of encrypted documents found on some hidden hard drives, has been decrypted. Katie wasn't told what is in the documents, but according to her sources, whatever it is, it's probative. One could hardly imagine anyone going to the trouble of both encrypting and hiding the drives if it wasn't.

A special forensic accounting squad has been put on the case as well. They are looking for funds that might be coming in and out of the country. It hasn't been stated, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were looking for money from drug cartels. The supplies for Bracken's drug operation had to come from somewhere and it would have been in the cartel's best interests to keep Bracken's organization in power. It is sickening to think of some kid dying with a needle in his arm because some politician wants to get re-elected. But of course you know that. You were a spearhead in the fight to keep drugs out of neighborhoods. I can just imagine what you'd be doing if you were with us today. Katie is so like you. Her fights are a little different, but she is as much the tip of the spear as her mother was. You would be so proud of her. I hope you are.

Forever love,

JB