CH31

Kate and the boys had made it up to the top. They were meet by some uniforms who guided them to the site. Seems someone had broken open the access to the light held high above. The only access was to climb up thru the arm to the lookout that still existed but was closed to the public.

Only one person was allowed to climb and be up there at a time. Even then they had to understand the risk(s) they were taking when they did.

Kate of course had volunteered. Once up there she easily found the site where there Vic had been hung. Part of what was used was still present. Kate bagged a sample of it and took pictures using her phone.

When done looking around she took a moment to enjoy the view. She had never even been here before. Even though she spent so many of her years here. This would be her one and probably only chance to stand where she was now.

After taking a few more pictures like any tourist would, Kate headed back down to the others. Linking up with Ryan and Espo and comparing notes, they walked back down. When back down they found that McCarthy and the body had already left.

Kate and the boys headed back to the 12th. The boys went to their desks, while Kate went down to talk to her about the information that was coming her way. Kate found that Lanie was excited about hearing from McCarthy again. She had not heard from him for some time and was happy to hear that he was close by.

Kate had given Lanie what McCarthy had given her and told her. Lanie convinced Kate that she did understand the code that McCarthy was going to be using. It was a personal code that only her, McCarthy and his boyfriend knew. They had used it a lot in the past. Lanie had not used it for a long time. But she still knew it.

Kate went upstairs and set up her murder board. And started writing in what little information she had. She needed McCarthy to come up with something and share it with Lanie.

Without it, Kate and the guys were left with a ghost still.

Castle had received notification that his package had been delivered and signed for by Gina. The clock was now ticking before he heard from here again. Wondering to himself a little if he even wanted to hear from her again. He was still WAY mad at her for what she had done.

What he really wanted but had not demanded was a why? Just what did she think she was doing? If he had wanted her in his life beyond being his publisher he would have asked her something about it. But he hadn't, she was, to be blunt, NOT HIS TYPE! And he was more than happy how things were working out with detective Beckett.

He could sense she was coming out of her shell. And the REAL Kate Beckett was someone he liked a lot.

Like? Did he just like her? Or was it something more? No it wasn't more just yet. Too soon for that. But maybe someday. Maybe someday.

But he had things to do to get ready for the card game tonight. Like a fool he still needed cards, chips, food and drink. It was time to go shopping. He needed some groceries anyway. Most of his perishables where mostly gone now. Banana's, tomatoes, onions, spinach leaves, a few spices, milk of course. Yea, time to go shopping.

Suddenly it hit him. He had a thought. What type of car did Kate like? He if she had a choice what would she pick? Not that he was going to buy one right now for her. But if things progressed far enough as he hoped. He was definitely going to get her one. Maybe a little research for the future after he was done shopping and setting up for the game.

Yea, that would keep him busy. OH, now, new or a classic. Like the ones Barrett Jackson sold in an auction. There were phone bids allowed, so he didn't need to be there. When was the next auction anyway?

A quick search for him to think about while shopping, got him, late September in Las Vegas and early January of 2014 in Scottsdale. Now he had something to think about while shopping.

Rick finally settled on the following choices while shopping.

BBQ Wings

Little Smokies baked in BBQ sauce

Peanut Brittle

Stuffed jalapenos

Turkey wraps rolled up and cut in bite size pieces

Margaritas

Virgin Mango Daiquiri

Guinness Extra Stout

George Killian's Irish Red

He put the BBQ wings together first and then placed them in the fridge for later on the grill on the roof. He made the Turkey wraps next and placed them in the fridge also. Then made the stuffed jalapenos and placed them in the fridge also. Then the smokies on a cookie sheet to put in the oven and cooked them now and left the over on warming.

Next came mixing up a pitcher of Margaritas and placed it in the fridge.

He set up the table and got chairs for five, and put the peanut brittle on the table for anyone to munch on when they chose.

He put 3 sets of cards and all the chips he had bought on a side table. Making it the bank for the night.

Happy with himself he had an hour to kill before taking the BBQ Wings up to the roof. When he was done he would put half of the Stuffed Jalapenos in the oven to warm them up, along with the little smokies.

Alexis had come home from school almost a couple of hours ago, and Rick had sent her to her room to read or something. He was doing MAN cooking and didn't need a woman's help. Alexis had pouted but went to her room anyway.

Rob was the first to arrive. "RICK, it's good to see you. How have you been. You haven't spent any of my money have you?"

"HA, HA, VERY FUNNY. IT IS TO LAUGH!. And I'm doing fine Rob, thanks for coming. Your the first so make yourself at home. Beer is in the fridge and glasses if you want them are on the counter. Make yourself at home."

Rob opens the refrigerator and takes out a Guinness. "OOOHHH, a pitcher of Margaritas! You trying to get us all drunk so you can win?"

"I don't need alcohol to beat you and make you cry, Rob."

Rob just laughs and pours his beer into a glass, and heads for the living room.

Maximo is next to arrive. "Max, glad you can make it. Rob is in the living room nursing his beer. Yours if you want one is in the fridge."

Max walks towards the kitchen while taking in the place having never been here before. "Nice place Rick. Suffering in squallier I see."

"Only the worst for you Max. Only the worst." To which Max only chuckles and pulls out a Killian's and heads for Rob.

Roy is next but Kate is walking up right behind him. "Detective's it's good to see you. Come on in. The others are already here.

The beers are in the fridge, help yourself."

Roy followed Rob in his choice and Kate had followed Max in his choice.

Rick had offered up dime, quarter and dollar for the chips. They could change it later is they liked.

No one objected. It was meant to be fun not loose your shirt. They could always go for the throat later.

They had played 2 hands with Roy winning one and Max the other. It was at this time that Alexis made her entrance to the living room.

"Hi daddy. Can I watch?"

"Sure pumpkin come on up here." As Rick pats his lap for her to sit on.

"Alexis, this is Max. He's a captain of NYPD. This is Roy. He's also a captain of NYPD." Rick leans down and whispers in her ear. "He's Kate's boss."

"This is Rob." And leans down to whisper in her ear. "He's the mayor."

"And you know Kate."

"HI." Alexis says shyly. With a "HI KATE!"

Everyone takes their turns to say "Hi Alexis."

"Are you your dads good luck charm?" Rob asks her.

Alexis just nods her head. "He can't do anything without me. Is dad feeding you later?

You need to watch him. He puts some weird stuff in food sometimes."

This gets a snort and a giggle from a knowing Kate. And a look that could kill from Rick in Kate's direction.

"We'll watch him. Never fear."

It's Roy's turn to deal and he decides on five card, no wild.

After done everyone looks at their cards. Rick picks his up. "WOW DAD, You've got five hearts! Is that good?"

FOLD, FOLD, FOLD, FOLD.

"Did you wind daddy?" Alexis asks innocently.

"Yes, pumpkin I did. Thanks." And Alexis just smiles. Thinking that she just helped her dad.

Rob is next to deal. He keeps the same game as Roy.

Everyone looks at their cards. Rick looks at his. "You have 3 three's daddy. Can you go fish?"

FOLD, FOLD, FOLD, FOLD.

"You won again daddy." Alexis is catching on to the winning part.

Rick deals next. He also decides to keep the same game.

Everyone looks at their cards. Rick looks at his. "That doesn't look good daddy."

RAISE, RAISE, FOLD, RAISE. And Rick folds.

Kate is next to deal and decides to keep the same game since it seems to be working out. Well everyone but Castle anyway.

Everyone looks at their cards. Rick looks at his. "You need another clover daddy. Those are lucky."

RAISE, FOLD, FOLD, RAISE. And Rick folds. "You sure you're not tired pumpkin? It is close to your bedtime?" Rick asks his daughter. She's killing him.

Alexis just shakes her head. "You just stay right there sweetie. Your daddy needs you." Kate tells her. Gaining a stare of daggers from Castle directed at her.

Back to Roy to deal, and of course keeps the game the same.

Everyone looks at their cards. Rick looks at his, but attempts to hold them in a way that Alexis can't see. But Alexis has none of it. She just grabs his hand so she can see.

Everyone waits for Ricks lucky charm to say something. But this time she says nothing. But the look on her face tells everyone what they wanted to know.

FOLD, FOLD, FOLD, FOLD.

"You won again daddy. You must be pretty good."

"He's the best Alexis. You just stay right there. You are the only reason he is winning." Rob tells her. Getting a giggle out of Kate. And more daggers from Rick.

Rick decides to change tactics. "Pumpkin you want to go get some of the food out of the fridge over so we can eat something?"

"OK!." And Alexis gets down and heads for the refrigerator.

"Deal." says Rick.

"OH NO. I'm waiting for the food." Max tells him. "Me too says Roy." "Me three says Rob."

This gets another snort and giggle from Kate. "You guys are soooo going to get yours." Rick tells them.

"Not so long as you have your 'Lucky Charm' we're not." Max tells him. Gaining another snort from Kate.

"You are going to get yours later Detective." Looking directly at Kate.

"I look forward to it Castle." Both speaking with ulterior motives.

What they both don't know is that Roy has already deciphered the meaning behind the words used. And is smiling. That no one notices as Alexis chooses that time to return with the Turkey wraps.

After eating the Turkey wraps it was back to cards, and Rick had to suffer for another 15 minutes when it would be Alexis's bedtime. And Alexis continued to be his 'Lucky Charm'.

At Alexis's bed time everyone said goodnight to her. And gave Kate a heart attack. "Are you going to tuck me in Kate?" Alexis asks innocently. Leaving Kate with her mouth hanging open and her cheeks turning red.

"Go on Beckett. You don't want to disappoint her now do you?" Roy tells her.

Looking totally embarrassed. "Yes sir. I mean no sir." And Kate walks Alexis down to her room. Where she had to stay long enough to answer a couple of questions and sing her another song. And tuck her in with a kiss to her forehead.

Castle had taken the time to go into the kitchen and get the warm food out of the oven and put it on plates to bring to the table.

"There something going on here Roy?" Rob asks.

"I certainly hope so. I certainly hope so."

"Anything we can do to help?" Max asks.

"Not unless you can come up with something that will keep those 3 getting together more often. Kate is the best. But until Rick and that little girl came along, she wasn't having any fun."

While looking at Rick in the kitchen. "We'll work on that and let you know." Rob tells him.

They remain silent until Rick returns with food and then takes beer orders. Kate returns with her cheeks still red.

Castle never really recovered from his luck having his daughter sitting in his lap. He wasn't loosing big, but he was down.

When the game ended Rick was the main looser, Kate was just in front of him, with Roy just in front of her. Maximo turned out to be the biggest winner. Rob seemed to about break even.

Everyone thanked Rick for hosting, and agreed to come back same bat day, same bat time, next month.

Kate followed out behind Roy and got in her car and left first since she was blocking the early arrivals. Instead of going home however, Kate went around a few blocks and drove back to Castle's house.

Kate spent the night in Castle's bed, making love to him. As had become habit for them, Castle had done his best to make sure Kate had as many orgasms as he could get her to have. Followed by sex in the shower in the morning and breakfast with a very happy to see her Alexis. For the first time Kate got a kiss from Alexis before Kate left for work. Alexis did not have school since it was a Saturday.

"Oh Castle, do you have plans for Sunday. I have the day off." Kate asks and tells him with an excitement in her voice.

"No, no plans. Not yet anyway. But since you have the day off i may have to think of something."

"No need. I already have plans for us."

"You have plans for us? What are we going to be doing?" Castle is really interested now.

"That is a surprise."

"What is the surprise, Beckett?" As he strokes his hand up and down her arm softly.

"It's a surprise. Bye Castle." And is out the door.

And as had become common lately, Kate went into work with a huge smile on her face. That did not go unnoticed by Ryan and Espo.

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Barrett-Jackson dot com in Las Vegas 2013

car auction numbers

120 2001 PLYMOUTH PROWLER CONVERTIBLE

3000 2012 SHELBY GT500 "SUPER SNAKE" 2 DOOR COUPE

376 2006 MASERATI QUATTRO PORTE 4 DOOR SEDAN

419 .1 1999 DODGE VIPER CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE

728 1941 WILLYS CUSTOM ROADSTER

Sorry, but this website hates anything that looks like a link. So you will need to be creative to view the cars in question. Good Luck!

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE AND THE WINNER WILL BE USED IN A CHAPTER LATER.

Also be sure to vote for the new car selection and then vote for the run off between the two.

What car do you think says I'm Kate Beckett best?