Finding the Fit Chapter 84
Rick lines up two crystal flutes, iced Champagne, and a bowl of washed and hulled strawberries on a low table in front of his large-screen TV. He holds up his phone. "Ossie, I've got YouTube up here. Are you ready to stream?"
"Ready, Ricky. The Witzenbergers' limousine just pulled up, and I'm with Julia and her nurse."
"Start it now," Rick requests. "I want to watch Julia as she sees her parents come through the door."
"Streaming now, Ricky. Enjoy the moment. You deserve it."
"So do you, Ossie. Hey, Beckett, look! The Witzenbergers are coming in now. And there's Julia!" Rick and Kate grab each other's hands as the little girl, first unsure, then joyful, runs to Khalia, who catches her in a hug. Norman lifts his daughter to snuggle between them while tears flow freely down their faces. The reunion continues for several minutes until Julia says goodbye to her nurse and Ossie, both sniffling. Norman carries her to the door out of the range of Ossie's phone.
"That's it, Rick," Ossie says after the stream terminates, "but the Witzenbergers said they'd be in touch with me about my work."
"That can't be bad, Ossie," Rick offers. "Beckett and I are going to lift a glass now, but let me know how all that works out."
"You've got it, Ricky. And I think I'll lift a glass or two of my own."
As Rick's phone goes dark, he lays it on the table and picks up the Champagne bottle. "That was one video I'm going to download to keep."
"Me too," Kate agrees as the Champagne cork releases with a gentle pop. Rick fills her glass and his own. "Too bad most kidnapping cases don't end that well."
"The Lesar family never meant Julia any harm," Rick points out. "They were just trying to do their best for their own family, and this won't end nearly as well for them."
"That is the other side of the Lesars' story," Kate agrees. "But with some people, there is no other side. There will never be any justification for what Bracken did."
"With you a hundred percent on that," Rick agrees. "And it won't be long now until he finally gets what's coming to him."
Reporters' fingers poise over their laptops as Judge Michaud's clerk announces the matter before the court. In response to the judge's order, a shackled Bracken and his lawyer get to their feet. "William H. Bracken, we have heard testimony from those impacted by your crimes. I have taken that testimony, as well as all the evidence in this case, into account. Do you wish to make a statement before I pronounce sentence?"
"Your honor, I served this city and this country for many years. I pushed to make our planet a cleaner and healthier place to live. Despite what may have been said in this court, I have been a force for good."
As murmurs rumble through the courtroom, Kate lunges from her seat. As Rick grabs her wrist to pull her back, Michaud pounds his gavel. "I'll have order. No commentary or outbursts will be tolerated when I give my ruling. Violators, regardless of motive, will be removed." Rick tugs Kate back into her seat and tightly grasps both her hands. "William H. Bracken," Michaud continues, "the jury has found you guilty on each count for which you have been charged. I have taken into consideration all circumstances presented to this court, as well as sentencing guidelines. On that basis, I sentence you to five life sentences to run consecutively with no opportunity for parole. You will be remanded to the Attica Correctional Facility to immediately begin serving those sentences."
"Notice of intent to appeal. Request bail during appeal," Bracken's attorney responds.
"Intent noted," Michaud acknowledges. "Request for bail denied. Court is adjourned."
As the final fall of the gavel echoes through the courtroom, Rick pulls Kate to her feet. "Come on, Beckett. Places to go, things to do."
Kate stares at him. "Castle, where are we going?"
"I promised you a very special date after Bracken was sentenced. Well, he's sentenced. And you could see by the expression on Bracken's lawyer's face that appeal is going nowhere. We celebrated Ossie's and my success in returning Julia to her parents' loving arms. It's time to celebrate Bracken entering the closest thing New York has to the gates of Hell. I have everything all set."
"Where?"
"You'll see."
As they join the flow of press and spectators away from the court, Rick points to an orange SUV parked in the nearest available lot. "That's our ride. It was the closest thing to a pumpkin that I could find." A uniformed chauffeur emerges from the driver's side as the couple approaches the car and opens the door to the back seat. "All set, Mr. Castle?"
"Ready to go, George." Castle holds Kate's hand as she gets into the vehicle and walks around to enter through the far door, which George also opens.
George sits behind the wheel and expertly guides the SUV out of the parking area and into traffic. "The trip should take about twenty minutes, Mr. Castle. We have a reserved parking spot as close as we can get to your destination, and your cargo is in the back."
Rick settles back in his seat and takes Kate's hand. "Excellent, George."
Kate notes the route as George drives uptown and into a private garage. "Castle?"
"Just wait, Beckett. George, I'll give you a hand with some of that," he adds as the driver begins unloading the rear of the SUV.
George hands Castle a traditional picnic basket. "I'll carry the rest, Sir."
"I can take something," Kate protests.
"Not necessary," Rick responds. "Just enjoy the experience, Beckett."
Kate looks up as they enter Central Park. "This is the way to Belvedere Castle."
"It is indeed, " Rick confirms. "Where else would a pumpkin and a coachman take you but to a castle?" George leads the way to one of Belvedere's pavilions. "This had crumbled to practically nothing but was restored in the '80s," Rick says. "But then, all castles have their stories. Now it is almost perfect."
George puts down his load on a bench at the pavilion's table. "Will you be needing anything else Mr. Castle?"
"You're free to wander about for now, George. I'll call you when we need our coach again."
George touches the brim of his cap. "Very good, Sir."
Castle opens the picnic basket, removes a white linen cloth, and covers the table with it. China, crystal, and silver place settings soon follow."
Kate's lips flatten in frustration as she looks on. "Castle, can't I do anything?"
"You've always been great at fanning my flames, Beckett." Rick puts out two candlesticks holding tall white tapers and gives Kate a box of long matches. "You can light the candles."
When Castle fills the sparkling goblets, the flickering light dances in the ruby liquid. He lifts his glass. "To the banishment of evil, or at least its secure confinement." The crystal rings as he and Kate touch glasses.
Kate sips the full-bodied Cabernet. "A toast in a castle, Castle. Now what?"
Rick kisses the wine from her lips. "Ah, our celebratory feast has only just begun."
Kate glances at the picnic basket. "Good, because I'm starved."