Kate Beckett, Investigator Chapter 39

"Ready to go see Nia Parelli?" Kate asks, grabbing her things for law school.

Castle finishes washing out his coffee mug. "As soon as Alexis arrives. She said she'd make it by eight, so she has a few minutes left to get here." He glances at his younger daughter in her high chair. "Our little one couldn't wait to get up this morning. She'd wanted her wookie in the crib with her, but of course, I couldn't allow it. How do you explain to a toddler that a toy is a possible suffocation hazard?"

"That Darth Vader might come looking for the wookie?"

Castle slaps his palm against his forehead. "I should have thought of that. Nice one, Beckett! If your pleadings in court are that good, you'll win every case."

"I think my head is into out-of-the-box arguments right now. Dad is looking into a possible suit against the Metro-North Railroad. Since the crash happened before the law required full implementation of PTC, we will have to figure out other grounds. I'll be researching them in between my classes."

"Could Nia Parelli be your plaintiff in a suit like that?"

"If we can bring a suit, it's possible. But even if she is, unless the railroad decides on a quickie settlement, she might not see any money for years."

"And I imagine that however much it would be, couldn't make up for the loss of a brother. Did you ever wish you had siblings, Beckett?"

Kate picks up her tote. "Sometimes. Most kids' games weren't designed for single players."

"And you do so love to compete," Castle notes.

"But my cousin Sophia and I hung out sometimes, and when I was older, my friend Maddie was kind of like a sister. You?"

"There were a lot of times I could have used the company. But then my writing became my companion, and I could take it along wherever Mother dragged or sent me. Still, it would be nice to have someone who remembers the things I remember – especially when Mother starts rewriting history."

"Uh-huh, It would have been nice to have someone to remember my mother with, especially during the time Dad was hiding in the bottle. But he and I can remember her together now."

"And kick enough ass to honor her," Castle adds as a key turns in the loft's door. "Oh, that must be Alexis. Prompt as always."

Kate hefts her heavy bag onto her shoulder. "Have a good trip, Babe."

"Fight the good fight, Beckett."

Nia's smile lends scarce light to a weary face. "It's so nice of you to come, Mr. Castle."

"Rick."

"All right, Rick. And you know I'm Nia. Come in and sit. I've got fresh coffee and some muffins from the bakery that supplies the restaurant where I work."

Castle takes the offered seat at a well-worn table. "That's very thoughtful, Nia. But I came to see what I could do for you. When Barney and I were at school, he tried his best to do something for me."

"He was very proud of knowing you. He read all your books. I'm not much of a reader, but he talked me into reading a couple of them – Nikki Heats. I liked them."

"I'm glad if they could give you a sunny moment or two. But I'd really like to know what you need now. I haven't seen anything about a remembrance for Barney."

"That's because I haven't put one together yet. The funeral homes all want so much money – even if I just cremate him with no service. And I'd like to do better than that. He deserved a lot better than that."

"Yes, he did," Castle agrees. "You tell me what you want – what you think he would have wanted – and I'll take care of it."

"Are you sure, Mr. Castle – Rick?"

"It's the least I can do. But I understand there may be an outside possibility of eventually getting the railroad to cough up something for you, the victims of the crash, and their families. My wife Kate Beckett, who is the model for Nikki Heat, and my father-in-law may be involved in bringing a legal action. Would you be interested in going up against the railroad?"

"Rick, if those assholes could have prevented what happened to my brother and the others and didn't, damn right, I'd be interested."

"Good for you. I'll pass that on. Now, can you tell me exactly what kind a memorial you think Barney would have wanted?"

"Rick, do you know if anyone ever does Star Wars-themed funerals?"

Castle nods. "Nia, you would be surprised. I believe I know just the people to pull it off. Barney will be delivered into the Force in full Jedi style."

"So, how did the research go?" Castle asks as Kate's heavy tote drops with a clunk against the loft's hardwood floor.

"Could have been better. There was a previous crash in the same area, but there were no fatalities. That one was caused by rail gauge problems, which were fixed. Since the Metro-North Railroad wasn't over the deadline for PTC, we can't sue for that. So, we have to look at whether the railroad could have done anything to prevent driver error. It could be a hard case to make. But the railroad did change his shift two weeks before the crash. Apparently, they didn't determine how the change would affect his sleep patterns. I'll be digging into that more and see if it created a dangerous situation we can prove. But I also have an exam to study for, and I have to get through that first."

"Fortunately, the boundless energy of Eleanor's older sibling has managed to tucker her out somewhat. Right now, she's content to spend time at her activity table. Alexis remembered to shove the roast I prepared into the oven at the proper time. So you should have ample protein to fuel your brain while I get Eleanor through what's left of her waking hours."

"I'm surprised Alexis didn't stay for dinner."

"She said that she and someone named Max have plans for the evening. Any remnants of the Ashley malaise appear to have dissipated."

"I'm happy for her. But Max isn't another economics major, is he?"

"Alexis told me they met in her marine biology course, so somehow I doubt it. But she did say something about wanting to take scuba diving lessons together. I'm not sure I like that."

"Castle, knowing you, you'd have an ex-SEAL ready to go to the rescue, just in case."

"And what's wrong with that?" Castle demands.

Kate chuckles. "Not a thing. I'm going to go wash up so I can enjoy your roast."

"In the mood for horseradish?"

"Absolutely."

Kate stares at herself in the mirror as she runs a washcloth over her face. She looks tired. She feels tired. But there's nothing she can do about that – except down one or two of Castle's super-strength espressos. She knew it would be hard to work around all the studying she has to get in, but she's determined. She's also lucky. She suspects that more than one of her fellow students will be trying to energize their studies with ramen, not roast beef. And Castle didn't exactly idle the day away either. A sigh rises from her chest. She hasn't even asked him about Nia Parelli yet. She'll do that – over dinner.