Kate Beckett, Investigator Chapter 13
"I'm sorry it took me so long to meet with you, Kate," Dr. Scott apologizes from behind a paperwork-filled desk. "And Rick, I'm glad Kate wanted you to join us. Kate, I know you understand this, but I'm going to stress the point for Rick. I don't have a crystal ball. I can quote the odds, but they can't be used to predict any individual's outcome. Still, I can tell you this. Kate's labs indicate that her organs aren't being unduly stressed. Her kidneys are working fine, which is something we always watch in a pregnancy. Her heart isn't sending out any distress signals, and her normal blood pressure this morning is a great sign. At this particular point, Kate, if you choose to continue your pregnancy, I don't see any increased risk in waiting while watching carefully. So, if that is your choice, I'll want to see you every two weeks or whenever you have any doubts about what you're seeing or feeling from your body. Do you want some time to think about it?"
Kate squeezes Castle's hand. "No. Every two weeks. I can do that."
"Or more often if you find anything the least bit disturbing," Scott cautions.
"All right," Kate agrees.
"And call if you have any questions at all," Scott adds. Kate nods. "All right, then. You can set up an appointment schedule at the counter on your way out." He hands her a card. "This is my cell phone number. Don't be afraid to use it."
Castle's fingers tightly entwine with Kate's on the way back to the car. "I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't for you to decide so fast."
"I've only decided for the next two weeks, Babe. Something could come up that would change things. But I could just sail through the next seven and a half months under Dr. Scott's watchful eye. I think I should try."
"Kate, I'm sounding like a broken record, but I don't want you taking any risks on my account."
"I'm not, Castle. I have another reason. There's a life growing inside me, one that came from both of us. I never expected to feel attached to it the way I do. But I love it already. And I'm going to give it as much of a chance as I can."
"Then I'm right there with you – but put Dr. Scott on speed dial."
Kate chuckles. "Fine."
Silver-haired Nick Nakkos leans back in a leather upholstered desk chair long molded to his stocky body. "Ms. Beckett, my jaw hit the floor when I got your call. Nakkos and Family has been fighting a bidding war with Nesgadol for over a decade. We've sent multiple complaints to the building department about unfair practices. I even called into a radio program Gambitto was on when he was running for mayor and told him what they've been up to. He promised he'd look into it – but nothing happened. The Beckett Law Office is the only place that's ever been the least bit interested in what Nesgadol's been getting away with. So you tell me what you want me to say and where you want me to sign, and I'll do it. My nephew, my son, and my daughter are all part of the business. They'll do it too."
"Mr. Nakkos, all we'll want you to testify to is the truth exactly as you've experienced it, and the same with your family. We've done considerable investigation into Nesgadol. The truth should be more than enough to pursue a case against them. But we will be keeping your name under wraps until the law requires it to be revealed. We have reason to believe that Nesgadol's tactics may be escalating, and we don't want to expose anyone to undue risk."
"Escalating, huh? You're talking about the building that blew up from a," Nakkos makes air quotes, "'gas leak?' Nes Tower?"
"I'll just say we have our suspicions, Mr. Nakkos."
"Suspicions. Hah! The building trades are like a guild, Ms. Beckett. We have our own language, our own communications. We may not be able to prove a lot of it, but we know what's going on. Look, I'm gonna give you a list and make some calls. Could be some closed mouths will start opening up. You talk to them, Ms. Beckett. Talk to them all. Then you go kick Nesgadol's ass."
"That, Mr. Nakkos, is exactly what I had in mind."
You look immensely pleased with yourself," Castle notes as Kate lays down her briefcase and yanks the refrigerator door open.
Kate pulls out an already hulled bowl of strawberries. "I am," she confirms, popping a berry into her mouth. "I had a great interview today that opened a lot of doors. And my tutor says I shouldn't have any trouble with the LSAT. I sent in my application to take it in April."
"Outstanding! And I have a little news of my own. The second of my stories in the New Yorker came out today. Black Pawn tracked the response. If this one does as well as the first one, it's going to bundle them into a book on an accelerated schedule. Adley Rains could be making her debut in bookstores – or what's left of bookstores, in time for next Christmas."
"That's great, Babe. And knowing you, we're celebrating."
"With your news, it should be a double celebration. Unfortunately, Ashley is coming over to watch a movie with Alexis tonight, and I don't want to spend the evening out and leave them together on a comfortable couch and within easy reach of an even more comfortable bed."
"You don't trust Alexis?"
"Of course, I trust Alexis. But I don't trust teenage hormones – hers or Ashley's. Especially not Ashley's. When I was his age, I … never mind. Still, there is nothing to keep us from celebrating here. It just so happens that I already put in an order for Binsky's to deliver some freshly cut prime rib. Pregnant ladies should always get their iron. The meat should be arriving any time. And we can have all the trimmings – baked potatoes, asparagus, horseradish." Kate gags. "What? The baby doesn't like horseradish?"
"Horseradish is great. Love it. Just lose the asparagus. That smell!" Kate sticks out her tongue. "Ugh!"
"Noted. No asparagus. How do you and the baby feel about green beans?"
"We'd rather stick with a salad."
"A salad it will be."
Ashley's learned not to pay too much attention to the looks he gets from Richard Castle. Despite the writer's enthusiastic demonstration of his new bat'leth the last time the teen picked up Alexis for a date, he hasn't actually threatened Ashley with harm. Not really. And Alexis pulled her father aside for a "little talk" when he brandished the bat'leth. Ashley's been on the wrong side of one of Alexis's "little talks." He has no wish to do it again.
Castle grins as he brings in a giant bowl of popcorn and puts it on the couch between the teenage lovebirds. "Enjoy! But not too much," he adds over his shoulder as he walks away.
"When we're in college, spending time together is going to be easier," Ashley whispers to Alexis.
She moves the popcorn to the coffee table and lays her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. "I hope so."