Unexpected Appearance Chapter 80

It took Hunt some effort to find a suitable spot for a nest to watch the wedding. The extensive properties of the beach houses in Richard's area require considerable spacing between the dwellings and consist primarily of open ground. Fortunately, the grove on the far side of the pool has a tree tall and sturdy enough to accommodate him. Through his scope, he should be able to see the ceremony well enough – assuming it doesn't rain. Even if it moves to a tent, he'll be able to pick up the sound on the microphones he planted. The same goes for the reception. He would like to be able to publicly stand up for his son, but of course, that's impossible. Peeking and eavesdropping is the best he can do, and still keep himself and his family safe.

"Dad, you need to stop fidgeting," best person Alexis orders, "or I'm going to have to do your tie all over again."

"I just want everything to work," Rick declares.

"It will," Alexis soothes. "I already checked on the caterer. Mr. Beckett's band is all set up to play the processional and recessional before they move to the reception tent, and he joins them. We have plenty of chairs and I just talked to Judge Markway. He is on his way – although he told me you owe him for the round of golf he's missing today."

"I'll make sure he gets the best foursome at the club for his next round. How about Kate? How is she doing?"

"Dr. Parish is with her in the guest room, and Gram went in there too. She said she has something special to give to Kate before the ceremony."

"Whatever it is, I hope it brings Beckett more luck than Mother had with her marriages. Are Ryan and Esposito here to usher?"

"They're here, and Captain Montgomery already threatened them with extra duty if they screw up. Everything's going to be all right, Dad."

"I hope that three's the charm," Rick agonizes.

"It's not the number, Dad, it's Kate. I've seen the way you look at her. You never looked at Mom that way – Gina, either. And neither one of them looked at you the way Kate does. Gram thinks so too, and she says a study of expressions is the essence of her craft."

"Which unfortunately doesn't account for husbands one and two. But oh, what's that?"

"It's Hard Case warming up, Dad. They, even Mr. Beckett, are gonna play for the guests until the ceremony starts."

Rick listens for a moment. "They sound pretty good. And jazz always makes Kate happy."

"You make Kate happy, Dad. And she makes you happy. That's why we're here."

Rick smiles at his daughter. "How did you get so smart?"

"Not from you and Mom," Alexis teases. "It must have been a mutation."

"Just don't grow a second head."

"Keeping you in line is enough trouble for the one I have. Oh! Do you hear that?"

"Hard to miss it. It's a helicopter. They bring weekenders back and forth from the city sometimes."

Alexis shakes her head. "That one sounds like it's hovering right on top of us. I'm going to go see what's going on."

With his scope aimed at a copter that's flying way too low, Hunt tries to make out what's going on. The letters painted on the side say BzzFeed. "Damn! Press! I thought Richard and Beckett wanted to keep this private." He considers firing a warning shot at the craft but immediately dismisses the idea. Even an obviously wide shot would turn a minor story into a major news event. He pulls a camouflage cover over his nest. At least they won't be able to spot him.

"Alexis, why the hell is that copter still over our heads?" Rick demands.

"It's BzzFeed, Dad. I brought up its live feed on my phone. They got a tip that Hoss Seeton is here, and they're trying to spot him."

"Their tip is two weeks out of date. Hoss is still up in Maine, working on some personal business. There must be some way we can let whoever is in that copter know that he isn't here."

Alexis shrugs. "I don't know, Dad. Most of their stuff is clickbait. I don't follow it."

Martha marches into the room. "For heaven's sake! No one out there can hear themselves talk. You would think BzzFeed would have more press-worthy people to cover than your father. We need to get rid of them now. Alexis, can you do one of those direct message things?"

"Whoever is up there would have to look at their phone. Also, I'd have to be registered and accepted to do that. And I'd have to be on a list. It could take hours or days."

"Try anyway," Martha urges. "This is impossible."

Hunt regards the helicopter hovering over the stretch of Richard's lawn set up for the ceremony. Other than shooting it down, there has to be a way to get it out of there. Once before, he had to…. He may have to make it up to the director, but it could work. Picking up his phone, he punches in a restricted number and taps out a message. "Need emergency air space closure over the Hamptons, Long Island, New York."

An alert sounds from the radio in the helicopter. "Air space closed! All craft must evacuate immediately."

The pilot glances back towards reporter Leeza Gideon, who is harnessed to shoot video from an open door. "Sorry, Ma'am. We have to leave now."

Leeza settles disconsolately in her seat. Hoss Seeton got away again. She sighs and gazes toward the pilot. "Fly back to the city. Maybe I can catch De Niro shooting off his mouth again."

"Yes, Ma'am. Right away."

"I don't hear anything!" Martha exclaims. "Maybe your message worked, Alexis."

"The band is starting to play again," the teenager notes. "And it's almost time to start the ceremony. I'll go check on Kate."

"See, Richard," Martha declares. "Everything is going to work out fine. I knew it all the time."

As Hard Case begins to play "Our Love Is Here to Stay," Lanie starts down a petal-strewn aisle. Jim Beckett offers Kate his arm, and they follow. After delivering Kate to her place next to Rick, Jim Beckett takes his seat next to a smiling woman in the front row. Also smiling, Judge Markway greets Kate and Rick as they stand beneath an arbor, looking out at the ocean. A light breeze, mercifully not from a helicopter, dances over the assembly, and the sun peeks out from behind fluffy clouds. "We are gathered here," Markway announces, "to celebrate the union in matrimony of Katherine Houghton Beckett and Richard Edgar Castle."

From his nest, Hunt watches. He can't see the faces of the bride and groom, only Markway, whose bald head is reflecting the sunlight. Still, he could see Richard's expression as Kate approached. He wonders if he has ever looked at anyone like that – maybe Martha on the night their pairing served to bring Richard into the world. Whatever happened later, he'd like to believe that he did. Still, this is the closest he can ever come to sharing in a love like that again. And even if he'll have to shoot down another damn helicopter, this wedding will be a memory that he, Richard, and Kate can always treasure.