Another Chance

Chapter 47

Sergei Agripov is doing his best to look confident under the penetrating gaze of the leader. "You are sure that Mikael Kilimnik was assassinated by this Jackson Hunt?"

"Yes, sir. As you know, I spent many years as Volkov's lieutenant. Unfortunately, I was not in Paris when he and many of my compatriots were blown up by Hunt; I was supervising a cleanup operation in the U.S. But I recognize Hunt's methods. More than that, Kilimnik had an operation going that involved Richard Castle. That is similar to the situation with Volkov in France. That cannot be a coincidence."

"And you can assure me that you can take this Hunt out once and for all without leaving a trail that will lead back to me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well. You will have the resources you need for your mission. But be aware, Sergei, I do not tolerate failure."

"Ya ponimayu."

Sergei swipes the sweat from his face as he leaves the Kremlin. The leader was clear enough. Hunt will meet his end, or he will.

Aletha wants out, and Kate is desperate to push, but Lyra has ordered her not to. The cord is around the baby's neck, and she has to clear it, or the baby will be strangled on its way into the world. Castle is taking every breath with his wife as her grip on his hand welds his fingers together. He doesn't even feel the discomfort of her grasp. She and the baby are all that is important now.

Triumph paints Dr. Lyra's face. "Got it! All right Kate, with the contraction, push now!" Once Kate can use the muscles she has spent so much effort strengthening, Aletha's entrance into the delivery room is swift, but apparently not too pleasing to her. Her yowl of protest at the intrusion of light and sound is clear and strong. Lyra examines Aletha quickly. "Everything looks good. Size, weight, and color are fine. Everything is where it should be. We'll have the pediatrician check her out, but now," she says, laying Aletha in Kate's arms, "I think it's time for her to get to know Mom and Dad."

Castle stares down at the tiny bundle already bonding with Kate and with one finger, strokes the delicate strands of dark hair on Aletha's head. Lightning really does strike twice. The jolt of love he felt at his first touch of Alexis, is every bit as strong with Aletha, and he would die before he'd let any harm come to his new daughter.

Martha hears a voice behind her as she hurries toward the entrance of the building. It's been more than 40 years, and his hair is white, but she could never fail to recognize the towering figure that is Richard's father. "You're surprised to see me."

"Why would I be surprised to see you? Just because you disappeared after you told me you loved me and didn't show up again for decades? Richard told me about Paris. He said that you were keeping an eye on us but would be keeping your distance."

"That's right. He understands why - or at least I hope he does. But I wanted to check on my new grandchild. Has she been born yet? How's she doing?"

"Yes, she's - her name is Aletha - been born and according to Richard, she's perfect. But you could come with me and see for yourself."

"I can't do that, Martha. Please believe me; it's more for Aletha's safety than it is for my own. But I'll be around. I'll always be around."

"I wish I could believe you, but there have been times, times when Richard needed a father; when he almost died, that you weren't there. But I will tell Richard that you asked about the baby."

Hunt turns to leave. "I suppose that is the most I could expect."

Kate could use less company - and fewer balloons. For some reason, half the Twelfth Precinct seemed to think they would be cheery, and the colorful floating greetings are taking up half the room. At least her father didn't bring one, just a tiny Yankees cap, and a Yankees onesie to go with it. Martha arrived with a smile that didn't match the steel in her eyes before tersely informing Castle that his father had materialized and asked about the baby. Unlike his mother, Castle didn't seem perturbed by his father's appearance, but then, they had been comrades in arms. After the dark turn Castle took when they were trying to find a kidnapped Alexis, she suspects that Rick understands his father better than Martha does. Alexis and Micah showed up with another prototype of Thera, but this one has been inserted into a giant Teddy bear. After Castle had monitor speakers installed in every part of the loft, along with triple checking the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, Kate doubts the device will be necessary. But after the miraculous save the last one managed, she's not about to say no.

Mostly Kate just wants to go back to the loft. Unfortunately, putting it as diplomatically as she could, the nurse told Kate that she can't be discharged until after she poops. So far, that hasn't happened. She's hoping that the nonhospital food Castle ran out to get, will speed matters along. At the very least a thick burger, steak fries and a shake will satisfy in a way that whatever the institution's dietician dictated should be on Kate's tray, can't.

There are grease stains on the bags Castle is holding when he bounds into the room. That's promising. "The manager at Remy's asked about you. When I told him Aletha had arrived, he threw in some of those monster cookies, the ones with the M&Ms and the cherry chunks - on the house. Kate's mouth waters as the smell of the savory meat wafts toward her, and she reaches out to grab her lunch.

"I heard a news broadcast in the car as I was driving back here," Castle mentions as Kate takes a healthy bite of her burger. "It seems no one has spotted Vlad the Impaler for a couple of days. The Kremlin claims that the leader is busy with state business, but as yet they've refused to explain just what that business might be. Apparently, the Russia-based reporters find that suspicious. If Vlad is working on what he would tout as some mighty new accomplishment for his country, RT reports it all over the world, and Pravda trumpets it on the front page. There's been nothing."

Kate shrugs and grabs one of her fries. "Maybe he has a love nest somewhere. Or maybe he's jacking off in front of his nuclear arsenal."

"That does paint an interesting if slightly nauseating picture." Kate rips open a packet of ketchup and dips her fry into the sweet condiment. "Whatever he's doing will come out eventually - for better or for worse."

Castle considers reaching for a fry but thinks better of it. "My guess would be for worse."

The support Sergei was receiving in his search for Hunt has suddenly disappeared. Together with the silence from the leader, that is disturbing. Nevertheless, he is determined to carry out his mission. He owes that to Volkov and the men who died with him. And if he doesn't succeed, he will no doubt join them in the grave.