Chapter 8
Kate untangled her legs and swung them to the edge of the bed. Sitting cross-legged is a thing that little kids do not so much for adults. Now her legs just ache. She leans over to the nightstand where her phone sits idle while charging. Unplugging her smart phone, she swipes the face and it comes to life. Her hand scrolls through the contacts, then after finding what she is looking for she pauses.
She is amazed at the conversation that has taken place not more than three minutes earlier. She has no idea that Rick actually did spend 7.9 million dollars for that hideous art creation. A whole bunch of used and old televisions? Who'd have thought? But, she totally spaces out now that she is now handling Rick's larger purchases. Her thumb hovers over his contact info. She hesitates for a second trying to find a way to apologize to Rick for her dumb actions regarding his mother. She needs to do this. Dropping her thumb on the number, the phone makes the connection.
It rang just about 5 times before an out of breath Rick answered.
"Castle" He answered.
"Rick, it's Kate." She says as she strains to hear what exactly was going on during the call.
"Oh hey, Babe… What's going on?" He asks, sounding genuinely happy to hear her voice.
"Rick, we need to talk. Where are you?" Kate asks with her radar going up.
"Kate, I can't talk right now. But, I promise I will call you when I'm free." Rick says.
Kate is puzzled at his reluctance to tell her where he is. Whatever it is it can't be good.
"Sure, Rick… Why won't you tell me what's happening?" Kate asks.
"Kate love, I would really like to tell you, but it is still PI business. Once I get the client to sign off I promise, I'll tell you everything." Rick explains.
"Okay, Rick I understand. You'll find me here at my Dad's just come as soon as you are able Okay babe?" Kate says wistfully.
"Yeah, Kate I got it you're at your Father's, I got it don't worry. Hopefully, I will be there soon. I love you. I want you to know that I have to go…Always Kate." Rick says meaning every word he just said.
"I love you, babe, I'll be waiting for you. Bye husband." Kate says as she thinks she hears Espo's voice in the background as he hangs up.
Rick ends the call saying to her "Bye wife."
Xx
Rick pockets, his phone. As he looks up at Espo and Ryan they ask in unison,
"Beckett?" They ask with eager faces.
"Yeah, Guys we need to wrap this up. I want to get to her as soon as possible Ok?" Rick points out.
"Man, Castle I sure hate to be in your shoes when you have this talk." Espo says as Ryan nods in agreement.
"Yeah, tell me about it." Rick replies.
Rick takes a look at what they have already accomplished. He looks around. The elevator has just opened and his mother has tears rolling down her cheeks. Ryan and Espo have stationed themselves on each side of her.
"Richard…What's happening…?" Martha begins to say except her voice dies out as both Espo and Ryan put their fingers to their lips.
Rick smiles at her as the boys shuttle her quickly into a rental car. They sit on either side as Rick gets in to drive. He has programmed his phone to go directly to the safe house. Rick uses the back way to exit the parking plaza away from the precinct. Looking around they act like their heads are on swivels.
"Is everything clear LT?" Espo asks to the radio in his sleeve.
"Detective it's 5 by 5 here. Good luck." He replies.
They shut down the radio. They are going radio silent from now on. Once they are clear of midtown they move north into White Plains.
"I know where we are!" Martha exclaims. "We are going to Burberry farm."
"Mother that is Blue Berry farm and yes we are. It is off the beaten path and under everyone's radar and it is still listed in Great Aunt Ethyl's name. There is no connection between you, me or even NYPD." Rick says as he turns onto the gravel drive. "There is no neighbor in any close vicinity either."
Rick pulls the car around back and under a hedge. The rental GPS is already disabled, but just on the off chance, it is able to send a signal the metal shed which is covered in blue berries will prevent that.
Rick ushers Martha into the farm house as the boys clear the rooms. Rick starts a fire in the main fireplace. It will be a bit cold still seeing that they are north of the city. The boys start at unpacking the dry goods and food for the refrigerator. They have stocked it for at least 8 to 10 days.
"Okay Mother, as you may have suspected you are not actually under arrest. However, if you cause any sort of trouble that will become a reality very quickly." Rick warns. Martha nods in the affirmative. "Good, now that I have your attention follow Ryan, and he will give you a tour while I will prepare us some lunch."
"Okay Mrs. R, let's set some ground rules. First, there is to be no contact with the outside world. No emails, phone calls or texts or skype. Either myself, Castle or Javi will be here at all times. If you need anything, ask either of us. So, you have nothing to worry your pretty little head about just try and relax." Ryan says.
Just as Ryan had finished, Rick came out of the kitchen with grilled cheese for Ryan, a BLT for his mother and ham and cheese sandwiches for himself and Espo along with drinks for everyone. They sat at the dining room table and ate in silence.
"Rick, we have her here we are good. You need to get back into the city, Pronto." Ryan says.
"Yeah, your right, Ryan… Thanks you guys!" Rick says.
"Please be extremely careful out there Richard. Please return back to us safely." Martha implores.
Rick exits the farm house, then goes across the field to find the other car waiting for him.
Rick drives back to the city wondering what to say to Kate.
The drive back to the city is uneventful. Rick believes he has thought of everything. Now, what is left is to collect Kate then start back at the beginning.
He drives up to the house and notices Alexis' car is in the driveway.
"Why didn't Kate tell him his darling daughter is here?"
Xx
Kate has some time before Rick arrives. So, she decides that since she has time to kill she would run financials on Helen Dioguardi. Since her laptop is synced her desk computer at the 12th it won't take long at all. She would run the search of the records right here. She would need to pull her laptop out from her bag which she left conveniently downstairs. She heads for the stairwell where she hears her father and Alexis having a conversation. She stops to listen intently to the conversation that was going on between her dad and Alexis in the living room.
"Alexis, this is a very big opportunity for you. But why do you think that you need to make a decision so quickly?" Jim asks the young woman.
"Well, the offer only has a 48-hour shelf life. I mean, if I really want to pursue this line of work I need to act quickly, but part of me, call me silly, part of me wants to follow in Kate's footsteps." She admits.
Jim thinks about her last statement. He can't believe that she wants to become a cop. He has a lump in his throat because he knows Alexis is so much wiser beyond her years he's seen it in the way she acts and carries herself. He has an idea of what she is not telling him, but he needs to confirm it.
"Alexis did you know Kate had the dream of becoming the first female US Supreme Court justice in the country?" he asks.
"And that's my point exactly. I want to make a difference in my life and if I can do so by attending Stanford and becoming a lawyer, I could carry her dream to its farthest." Alexis points out.
Jim is at a loss right now. He now sees the conflict that is presented before her. While taking the internship with Lanie would mean she could be close to home, with family around to give her the support she needs. However, enrolling at Stanford, she might possibly follow Kate's dream. Anything is a possibility for Alexis. She has the drive and compassion to achieve whatever she puts her mind to doing.
"Alexis, I'll be right back, " Jim says, patting her hand.
Kate is discovered by her father on the steps.
"So, Katie-bug you have decided to join the land of the living?" Jim teases as she accompanies him to the kitchen.
"Dad, I can't believe Alexis would do this." Kate confides.
"Kate you need to understand whatever choice she makes, you have been such a positive influence on her. It will only be a positive choice. She looks up to you for the hard choices in her life. I've seen the two of you together many times before talking about everything from boys to your wedding plans." Jim says.
Kate takes this information to heart. She reaches into the bag, then pulls out her laptop. She sets up her search parameters, then look lovingly at her dad once more. He returns that look. Kate's laptop pings with the results from her search. As she looks at the results she catches a glimpse of Alexis swiftly returning to the living room. Kate knows she is eavesdropping.
Xx
Rick stands unsure of himself at the front door. He wants to knock, but he really does not want to face the wrath known as Kate Beckett, this will not end in his favor. Mustering all his courage, he knocks lightly. It takes a while, but the front porch light comes on and the door opens revealing Jim.
"Rick, it's a pleasure to see you. How are you?" Jim asks as he moves to let Rick enter the house.
"I'm doing fine, Jim. How are you doing?" Rick asks, entering the living room to spy his daughter sitting on the sofa.
"Pumpkin, I didn't expect to see you here." Rick says a bit surprised.
"So, since the family is all here except poor Martha why don't we all break bread? I have a roast in the oven just waiting for us to dig into?" Jim inquires.
"Jim… That is an excellent idea. Kate, are you up for something to eat?" Rick asks addressing his wife.
"Yes, I think I am able to eat something." Kate says.
"Wonderful, pumpkin, are you joining us?" Rick asks.
"Sure dad, I'm getting hunger pains just smelling that wonderful aroma." Alexis confides.
"Great, why don't you set the table while I'll get the drinks and Jim will plate the roast." Rick suggests.
Kate removes her laptop off the table. A new table cloth is draped, then the rest of the settings are placed. Rick returns with the drinks as Jim brings out the roast.
The family eagerly digs in after saying grace. The conversation now turns to Alexis.
"Rick, first I need to tell you that your daughter is an amazing person. She somehow seems to put everyone first before her own needs." Kate begins as Jim listens.
"Ooookay" he says drawing out his reply.
"You see, Rick, Alexis has an opportunity to become something great. She has a hard decision to make and Katie wants you to understand that this decision has been thought through. Katie has told Alexis her thoughts and now they want to tell you." Jim says picking up the conversation.
"Pumpkin, talk to me, I won't judge you." Rick says as he turns to talk to her being very supportive.
Alexis looks to Kate, Jim and then faces her father. Kate nods, giving her the okay.
"Dad, I kinda have been doing this behind your back. Please don't be mad or upset but I admire the way Kate wanted to become a lawyer before her mom was taken away from her. After giving this a lot of thought I have decided to follow Kate's path. I want to attend Stanford and study to be a lawyer." Alexis says.
Rick is stunned. He had never seen that coming. He wonders why she has decided not to talk to him before now. He just sits there trying to gather his thoughts from the bomb that has just been dropped on him.
"Alexis, you know that I will support whatever you want to do with your life. So, while I'm a little hurt that you could not and come and talk to me about it... I think that this will suit you perfectly." Rick looks at Kate then he sees a slight smile on her face.
"Dad, are you mad?" Alexis asks.
"Pumpkin, I am a little hurt, but how could you think that I'd be mad? Why did you not want to talk to me about it?" Rick asks.
"Rick, actually she confided in me. She was just asking about different law schools about 2 weeks ago, and I gave her what I knew. At the time, I never put it together until now." Kate says holding his hand.
If it is possible, he is now even more deflated upon hearing this than before.
After the meal is over, Rick and Kate move to her old bedroom for privacy. Rick moves over to kiss her.
"Oh, I have been aching to do that since I laid eyes on you" Rick confides. Kate, it's not your fault. We have proof Mother did not murder anyone."
"So what happened during the interrogation?" Kate asks.
"Well remind me never be in the box with your boss. She could convict a ham sandwich and make the sandwich want to commit suicide by mustard." Rick says as Kate lightly laughs.
"Yeah, I've seen her in action. So, if Martha is not in a holding cell where is she?" Kate asks.
"Well, somewhere safe and out of the way. That killer is very smart. He had to be convinced we are not on to him." Rick says.
"Oh, that's interesting. So, what are our plans now?" Kate asks elated that Rick is such a forgiving guy.
"Well, I figured that since you are still assigned to the NJ case we would go investigate there. You still are assigned to it, right?" Rick says.
"Oh, that is good Rick and I am still working that case. By the way, I chased down the financials on Helen. I think that I've found a lead in this case." Kate says.
"Well, let me see what you have." Rick says impatiently.
"Well, Rick, it is on the laptop downstairs." Kate says.
"Well, why are we waiting? Let's go downstairs." Rick says as they exit the room then once again are at the dining room table.
"Here's what I found. Rick, the son will inherit a large stock option she had purchased about 10 years ago, it's worth millions. I'm thinking that with Helen out of the picture. With Walter being murdered too I think the son looks good for all of it. I think that we should go and run his background." Kate says.