CH60
After talking with Martha, Rick went off to figure out where to put the money where they couldn't easily get their money back from.
Rick considered buying Gold, but the weight alone made that impossible. Even if he had gems he would still need someplace to put them that didn't place him or his family in danger. Then he found something that caught his eye.
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO
Price: $32 million
From year 1962 till 1964, only 39 of Ferrari 250 GTO cars came out of the manufacturer's factory, and ever since then, these exclusive and rare cars commanded hefty prices at the auctions.
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Price: $12.2 million
There are only 21 other cars like the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, but none of them was quite so expensive in the year it was sold in. While the 1957 Testa Rossas won 10 of the 19 international races that they participated from 1958 and 1961, this particular vehicle never finished better than fourth. However, the car's finest quality is not its speed but its sheer beauty that gets highlighted from its body made by Sergio Scaglietti, the famed Italian automobile designer. The car boasts pontoon fenders, which is said to have been one of Scagliettis favorites.
1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza
Price: $6.7 million
This fabulous sports racing car first hand is regarded as one of the most rewarding cars to drive as it is extraordinarily tight and responsive and reacts like an extension of one's own thoughts. This factory-built 8C Monza is among the top tier of car collectors, and in nearly 60 years, only three men have had the pleasure of owing the Alfa Romeo and only the last two have really had the opportunity to campaign with it.
This still left some money in the account however Rick had about a month to find something to do with it. And even if he didn't get all the money back when he sold the cars, it was never his money in the first place.
It just meant he would need to be stingier as a Secret Santa later this year.
Now he needed someplace to store the cars that had security but if they were stolen, if they found them, would be a very public event. Bringing very unwanted attention.
All of this would need to take place under an assumed name or maybe a dummy corporation.
Northeast Classic Car Museum24 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY 13815
Two weeks later all three cars were purchased and two weeks later they were on display at the museum.
Rick was very satisfied with the results. Let's see them do something about that!
Kate arrived home to find Castle at the kitchen counter again doing something on his computer so she left him alone. Though she would need to be back soon to start dinner if he was still at it.
Kate found Martha in the living room where Rick had left her earlier.
"Katherine dear, sit down." And Martha pats the area next to her.
Kate sits next to her. "Can I help you with something Martha?" Kate is wondering what is on her mind.
"I was wondering something. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I just ,..." Martha is stopped by Kate.
"Martha I'm sure I can answer whatever question you have, so just ask me." Kate takes her hand.
"We went to that alley that one day with the intent of you getting to talk to your mother. I'm not sure I really understand, but you tell me you can so I'm willing to listen. I wanted to know, …." But Martha stops.
"If I ever did get to talk with her? …. And yes I did. It was the night before I asked Castle to marry me. She was kinda shocked that I was with Castle. … Castle was her favorite writer and was pestering me to read his books, but I wouldn't.
She told me she had seen me fight off Meredith to protect Alexis and that I should never, ever let go of her, for any reason.
She didn't tell me to marry Castle but told me not to lose either of them essentially. And that I should let this family love me because I deserved it.
She also wanted me to go easy on my father. We had both taken losing her badly.
And I got to say goodbye." Kate finishes with tears in her eyes.
"Katherine dear I'm so happy that you got to talk to her. You have been given a very rare gift my dear. There are people that would pay dearly to get a chance to talk to their loved ones one last time." Martha tells her with a tear running down.
"That's part of what scares me actually. If it gets out I can do this I'll have people all over the planet trying to get to me." Kate confides.
"I'm sure you'll know what to do when the time comes dear. You're parents have raised a brilliant and wise woman. Even if your mother didn't get to help you lately.
You'll do fine dear. And you're already a great mother to Alexis.
I wonder if your mother guided you to us." Martha speculates.
Kate opens her mouth to refute that possibility. But she knows her mother had been watching her. Did she have the ability to affect that kind of change? She made a mental note to talk to her mother the next time she found herself in a church somewhere.
Kate moved in and hugged Martha tightly. "Thank you Martha. I think you've done a wonderful job with your son also.
Castle hasn't talked about his father." Kate tells her.
"You might want to start with what he knows dear. If you still have questions you think you need answers to, you can come ask me." Martha tells her.
"Do you know where Alexis is?" Kate asks her. It was a big house after all.
"Last I knew she was in her room dear." Martha tells her.
Kate gives Martha another hug and heads upstairs to find Alexis. Today's little girl had her thinking of hers and needed to see her to re-assure herself she was ok.
Rick got off his computer satisfied with his results and noticed the time so he started dinner. He never saw anyone until it was ready, and even then he had to go find them to tell them.
Kate told them she had the coming weekend off work. "Alexis doesn't have school. Any suggestions for two days?" Rick asks.
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is simple, sea-centric bliss: a natural beach destination with miles of rugged shoreline dotted with summer homes and sailboats. In town, local fisher- and lobstermen deliver the morning's catch to the open-air cafés while artists open up shop on the wharves of Dock Square. Even the beaches are unassuming and quiet, with secret footpaths leading you from the road. Here, you might have literally found the place where you can get away from it all.
LOON COTTAGE is a luxurious vacation hideaway. The largest of The White Barn Inn Wharf Cottages, Loon Cottage features two bedrooms, each with its own entrance, two baths with showers, two wood-burning fireplaces, coffee maker and cathedral ceilings. Restful and spacious, Loon Cottage is roomy and comfortable for up to 4 persons. At the far ends of the cottage, each private water-view bedroom is furnished with a down-topped queen sized bed.
Loon Cottage also features private outdoor space.
Martha was told she would be coming with them this time, no excuses. It was going to be just a touch cool but not bad yet.
Rick arranged for the same pilot with the Cessna Citation Bravo. They would leave in the morning.
They rented a soccer mom mini-van to get around with. With the first place to go being Dock Square.
To get a feel for Kennebunkport's personality, spend an afternoon in Dock Square. This neighborhood - nestled in the center of town - bustles with boutique shoppers and art gallery-hoppers during the summer months. And the plentiful patio cafés offer sweet people-watching perches as well as succulent lobster rolls and other fresh-catch dishes.
While Dock Square is best experienced in the summertime, a handful of shops keep their doors open during the cold months, promoting sweet deals for bargain hunters.
They had a snack for lunch but decided on dinner at the hotel. It's restaurant was award winning, so they expected a lot from it.
Rick - Steamed Maine Lobster Nestled on a Bed of Homemade Fettuccine
with Carrot, Ginger, Snow Peas and Cognac Coral Butter Sauce
He was in Maine so he wasn't leaving without a taste of one.
Kate - Pan Roast New England Pheasant Breast with Mushroom and
Cranberry Purées, Creamed Savoy Cabbage and Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce
Martha - Foie Gras Glazed Beef Tenderloin, Alba Truffle Potato Mousseline,
Braised Winter Vegetables and Madeira Sauce
Alexis - Roast Loin of Farm Raised Rabbit on Celeriac Purée, Sphere of
Leg Meat and Mushroom, Bacon Braised Savoy Cabbage,
Pumpernickel Crumb and Lemon Marmalade
Wine - Cognac Hennessy Paradis
They all slept in the next day so decided to skip trying to find breakfast. Then out to the mini-van for a self guided tour.
Saint Anthony's Monastery and Retreat CenterAn active monastery, St. Anthony's serves as a popular rest stop for travelers, as well as a religious retreat for the devout. More than 66 acres of lush gardens and walking paths are open to the public year-round. And visitors are welcome to stay overnight in Saint Anthony's Franciscan Guest House next door. According to one reviewer, "The rooms are not glamorous, but offer just enough comfort …to be worth your while."
And art fans can find a collection stunning pieces here as well - including a few slabs of stained glass created by Lithuanian architect and artist Vytautas K. Jonynas nestled in the Chapel. There's even a saltwater pool by the guest house if you're up for a dip.
You'll find St. Anthony's Monastery two miles south of downtown Kennebunkport off of Beach Avenue.
Dinner was back to the restaurant at the hotel followed by the flight home.
Kate was tucking Alexis into bed. "Did you have fun sweetie?"
"Kinda." Alexis replies softly.
"Kinda? What was wrong with it?" Kate wondered what did she prefer.
"There wasn't any really good beaches to swim in and there were no rides." Alexis explains.
"I see, you prefer the nice warm beaches or going on rides." Getting a nod from Alexis.
"Well we will just have to see what we can do about that next time. How is that?" Getting a smile and an enthusiastic nod of her head from Alexis.
"Let us get downstairs and eat dinner shall we. Hopefully Castle has started something or we will be eating late tonight." And Kate follows her downstairs only to run across Castle coming up to tell them dinner was ready.
Alexis talked them into playing cards again. And Kate glared at Castle to get him to at least try to win this time. However they both lost by a large margin.
Kate was finally beginning to see Castle's point about playing cards with Alexis. However Kate didn't give up easily. She was going to beat her little card shark one of these times. So help her.
Rick tucked Alexis into bed while Kate went to her new computer and turned it on so she could set it up for when she finally needed to use it.
Kate found a cable that allowed her to plug her phone into it, and using her phone she could access the web using her phone through the satellite. It was so much faster than using the Wi-fi that was part of the house.
After she was done Kate found Castle in is still unfinished office area. "The contractor will be back in a couple of days to finish it. And the interior decorator called to tell us all the other items will be here in 2 weeks. She was having the safes shipped from someplace in California. The gaming tables will simply get loaded onto the same truck." Castle tells her.
"It'll be good to finally be finished. Maybe we can invite our friends over to show it off after that?" Kate asks.
"That'll be fun. We may both have to do some cooking this time to feed that many people." Castle tells her.
"Just how many people are you thinking of Castle?" Kate wanted a small group. Not half of Manhattan.
"Well, Roy, his wife and their two girls. Paula my publisher. Your father and anyone else you want to invite." Castle tells her.
And Kate goes back to breathing. Except for the Montgomery's and Paula it was the number she was thinking of. "Are you going to invite your publisher?" Kate asks him.
"Gina? I'm not even sure I want her to know our new address." Castle tells her.
Kate moves in and wraps her arms around him and buries her head in his chest. "Why did she think you were going to marry her?" Kate asks. Wanting to know what was going on between these two.
"I have no idea Kate. Not a clue. The only time we see each other is at meetings at her office to discuss the books. Go over book covers, discuss the dedications, what date(s) the book should come out, how to get maximum exposure for sales. That kind of stuff.
I literally have no idea where she would get such an idea. … You don't think she's a stalker do you?" Castle suddenly asks.
"Not likely Castle. Those types of people become obsessed with a person. They follow them everywhere; take pictures of them everywhere they go. Have countless pictures of them at home. … Does she have countless pictures of you?" Now Castle has her worried.
"Well there are my books all over her office. There are posters and full size cardboard cut outs on stands. It's all part of promoting the books. … You don't think?" Now Castle's gotten himself to start worrying. "You're going to look her up aren't you?" Castle asks.
Kate doesn't respond. She was going to look her up as soon as she got to her desk in the morning. Some woman who was in Castle's life had eyes on her husband. She would send the boys over there to learn on her if she thought she needed to.
But yea, she was going to find out all she could about one Gina Cowell.