77. Chapter 77

Chapter 77

When they reached the loft, Kate and Castle shared their relief at Castle's exoneration with Martha and Alexis and told them of Tyson's death…all four of them exhausted to the bone with the stress of the last two days.

"I'm even too tired for celebratory ice cream or hot cocoa," Alexis said.

"We're going to bed now, too," Castle announced. "We can barely stand, let alone hold our eyes open."

"Goodnight, Darlings," Martha answered, reaching to put her arms around his shoulders. "Richard, I'm so happy to have you free and back home." She and Alexis each gave Kate and Castle one more big hug before they went to bed.

Once they were alone, the couple stripped their clothes away and showered, hoping to wash away the day's stress, as well as the feel of the holding cell, the precinct, the crime scene, the threats, and the presence of Jerry Tyson.

"Do you think we did the right thing not telling them he held me hostage?" Kate asked.

"He's essentially held our whole family hostage since Monday morning," Castle answered. "Isn't that why you didn't tell your dad when you called him? We'll tell them in the morning before the news breaks. They might as well sleep tonight without dreaming about a madman threatening you and our baby."

"I hope we can."

"Me, too." He paused as he turned her around to wash her back. "Kate?"

"Hmmm?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For believing in me," he answered. "I mean, given my reputation and my history…when you saw those emails, it would have been real easy not to."

"Yeah, well easy isn't what got us to where we are. We worked for it, and I can't imagine either one of us doing anything to destroy the trust we've built." Turning and placing her hands on his chest, she told him, "I know you, Rick, and none of that evidence described the man I know."

He pulled her into a wet, slippery embrace, and they simply held each other for a while before they rinsed themselves and helped each other dry off. Kate dried most of the moisture out of her hair while Rick went to turn down the bed. Then they both collapsed on the sinfully soft sheets au natural, falling asleep almost as soon as their heads hit the pillows. In the early hours of the morning, Castle had a nightmare; and after Kate woke him up, the comfort she provided gradually became a mutual celebration of his freedom and their safety.

xxxxx

Castle went to see the captain almost immediately on arriving at the precinct.

"Good morning," she said from behind her desk.

"Thank you, Captain…for Kate's safety. I'm sorry Jerry Tyson's hatred for me put you in the position of having to do that."

"I saw that you had a weapon, too, and that you and I had the clearest shots right then. It had to be done; but, Mr. Castle, no matter how well you can handle a gun, shooting a man does not fall into your volunteer job description. Sadly, however, that possibility does always exist in mine. It was for the best."

"IA didn't question the need for any of the shots fired, did they?" he asked.

"No. They'll still look further into it, but experience tells me that they were satisfied that our statements were consistent with what CSU was finding." There was a pause, and then she said, "I'd like you and Lt. Beckett to write your statements for last night's situation now. And would you relay the same message to Detectives Ryan, Esposito, and Lupinski and to Detective Karpowski's team? I want this file completed and relegated to the archives as soon as possible."

"Understood, Sir. I'll do that," he promised before he left.

By one o'clock, the convoluted story of the previous night's happenings was documented by each individual involved, the paperwork necessary for Castle's legal release from police custody had been completed, and he and Beckett were waiting for the ADA.

Gates met with all of them in the conference room where everything could be spread out easily for the proper signatures.

When Ms. Gonzalez and Captain Gates had all the paperwork in its proper places, the ADA said, "It was obvious last night that Jerry Tyson had a deep seated hatred for you, Mr. Castle. Would you explain to me why?"

"Long story short, six years ago, Tyson had committed six murders. You already know that Linda Russo reported his description to the crime line; so, to keep the police off his trail, he got himself arrested on a lesser charge and spent his four years in prison planning how to escape when he got out. Another man would commit three copycat murders and then admit to being 3XK. And after four years, the first person the other inmate was ordered to kill was Linda Russo. Tyson holds a grudge, and he removes threats. But, as he was packing to make his escape, Ryan and I surprised him. His focus wavered, he made a small mistake, and Ryan and I caught it.

"Actually, Castle caught it," Beckett explained. "He's the one who broke 3XK's real identity and exposed him to the police, pictures and fingerprints and all. So, like with Linda Russo, when Tyson came back after two years, he had a plan to act on the grudge and destroy the problem…Castle.

"Why didn't he just kill you?" Gonzalez asked.

"I asked him the same thing when he was in holding that night. He told me death only takes a moment. He loves the planning and pageantry…his narcissistic bent, I suppose. He wanted me to think he'd kill me, but he had to taunt me first…be sure I knew he was the one who had ruined my life…and like before, leave me to live with the fact that he'd won again. He planned on being shot…had two layers of Kevlar and a boat and a helper waiting under the bridge. He planned for me to be there last night, too…to make me part of allowing him to live in the open and be able to kill again. Having Beckett show up unexpectedly was icing on the cake for him. It provided an additional opportunity to make me suffer. People who ruined his plans always had to pay. But again, in the last moments before his escape, his focus wavered long enough that he missed our backup coming in."

"You know how crazy that sounds, right?" the ADA commented.

"I do. But you heard him…saw him. What better way to get the police to stop looking for you than to die…publicly and dramatically…shot and falling off the side of an open bridge? Can you really say it isn't plausible for a psychopath of his caliber?"

Ms. Gonzalez stood and said, "If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't even consider it; but having been there, I believe I can admit to the possibility. Mr. and Mrs. Castle, you have my apologies for any part I played in making this ordeal more difficult for you than it needed to be. And Captain Gates, I apologize for any lack of trust I expressed. In spite of my actions and suspicions, in all of yesterday's events, I never saw anything unprofessional or questionable in anything you did. Your leadership last night and the conduct of your detectives was exemplary. I admit that before then I had far less understanding of what goes into gaining all the information you provide us."

"My detectives and I appreciate that." Gates answered.

Gonzalez paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and then added, "I've read your novels, Mr. Castle, and anyone familiar with your creativity could easily have doubts as to whether you did get away with the perfect murder. After some soul-searching, I've decided that I shouldn't let Jerry Tyson's efforts to discredit you become a successful part of his legacy. He's dead. There won't be a trial, so the audio and video from last night won't affect any ongoing legal process. In the hope that it can help both you and the department, unless you or Captain Gates have objections, those will be released to the media so Tyson's intent and state of mind will be obvious to the public. I'll clear it with IA as well. We have a statement prepared for the press, and I'll be speaking to them at four this afternoon. All of you think about what the recordings encompass, and call me if you have concerns or prefer that I don't release them. Consider it a part of my apology."

"We will; and whatever we decide, we appreciate it," Castle answered.

After shaking hands with all of them, the ADA left, and the three remaining in the room breathed a sigh of relief. Castle and Beckett discussed the recordings with Captain Gates, and after considering everyone's concerns and points of view, the three of them agreed to allow the release to the media.

"Mr. Castle, enjoy your fully documented freedom," Gates said as she gathered the paperwork for her records.

"Yes, Sir. Looks like I may get to cook that Thanksgiving turkey after all."

"I hope it's fresh, or at least thawing," Gates said as she left the room. "Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Time is running out."

Castle stopped with a surprised look as he picked up the folder with his copies of the paperwork for his own records, and pulled out his phone.

"Mother, I need you to do something for me."

Martha called the butcher they had done business with for years; and he managed to find and deliver a fresh, or at least thoroughly thawed, turkey. Martha didn't ask too many questions, since the one they had bought earlier was still solidly frozen. She just thanked the butcher profusely. The very large bird arrived shortly after Castle and Beckett came home, and Castle enthusiastically went to work preparing for their Thanksgiving gathering.

xxxxx

In her public statement, Ms. Gonzalez admitted her original difficulties with the general situation of the case. She then gave a full accounting of Tyson's cunning ways and his painstaking attention to detail, starting with the murders before Ms. Russo's. That was followed with Castle's part in identifying Tyson as 3XK and Tyson's ensuing obsession with making Castle pay. With his revenge motive and the evidence explained, the recordings supported his hatred of Castle and the extent of his madness. And in the space of an afternoon, it seemed that the media's opinion of Castle moved from fury at a perpetrator to sympathy for a victim.

The Castles opted to have Paula speak for them, conveying their appreciation of the support they were receiving, as well as their need for quiet time with their family.

xxxxx

Meagan's brother and one of her sisters were on the in-law rotation this Thanksgiving, and her other sister was teaching overseas, so she was invited to join the Castles. Lanie's parents were in New Orleans, and she didn't want to go and deal with the family's constant boyfriend questions; so she told them she had to work…and she was also invited to the loft. Since Dr. Franklin Stokes's family was on the west coast and his newbee status in the department didn't gain him any holiday priority yet, Lanie was told to bring him along as well.

Frank Stokes offered to say grace and improvised, including everyone's safety and Castle's presence among them in his words. It seemed appropriate, even for a family who didn't make saying grace a habit. Lanie looked at Frank and told him her father said grace like that. He smiled and said his did, too.

Thanksgiving felt like a bigger than usual celebration at the loft. As Castle carved the turkey, he asked everyone at the table to say what they were most thankful for; and when it was his turn, he said," "Freedom, a wife and family who believes in me, and a son we'll all meet before next Thanksgiving."

After that, food was served, conversation flowed easily, and the easy atmosphere of people who enjoyed each other's company flourished. The offer of dessert brought groans and questions of how they would find room for it, but no one turned it down. Then there were groans because they were so full. The hosts put the food away, packaging leftovers for the four who wouldn't be staying at the loft and promising more of everything later for anyone who wanted it.

Someone suggested they should walk off some of their meal, and surprisingly, everyone agreed. The eight of them trooped through the lobby talking and laughing, and Castle told the surprised doorman, Jason, "We decided we should be thankful for a warm, sunny fall day and sidewalks."

"That and the fact that any of us can still walk after the size of that meal," Jim added.

Jason laughed and opened the door for them, wishing them a nice afternoon.

"I'm surprised the coffee shop is open," Kate said as they passed the store on the corner of their block. "They're usually closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas, aren't they?"

"The younger generation of the family is gradually taking over. Max and Ada always wanted their employees to have the holidays with their families," Castle answered. "They were talking about it when I stopped in to pick up our coffee last weekend, but they're ready to retire and willing to let their children see how it works." Turning his head to speak to his son, he said, "Your mommy gave up most of her coffee habit for you, Peanut. You have no idea how much you're loved."

Lanie laughed from behind them. "No he doesn't. I'm surprised all of you don't have gray hair by now…including Alexis."

"Some of us just know how to hide it," Martha answered with a mischievous smile.

"And just Katie's natural self gave some of us gray hair years ago," Jim stated with a smile. "Caffeine had no part at all."

"Hey, it's Thanksgiving, not give-the pregnant-woman-a-hard-time day," Kate shot back.

As they walked, Castle let go of the hand he'd been holding, reached out and put a comforting arm around his wife's shoulders, and kissed her head; and she wrapped her arm around his waist.

Conversation shifted from group to group as they leisurely walked around a couple of blocks before returning to the loft and plopping down on Castle's comfortable furniture.

"I kind of feel like Esposito and Ryan ought to be here," Alexis said.

"Both of them have big families close by," Kate answered. "Javi's mom has all his sisters and their families over and starts cooking two days ahead. Kevin's folks have the entire family, too. With all the brothers and sisters in Kevin's family, and all their spouses and children, I don't know how they fit them all in the house anymore. But even if they're squeezed in like sardines, they always seem to have fun. We'll have those two another time."

After a little more conversation, the guests began to leave, all being given enough leftovers for another good meal the next day. Frank said he would see Lanie home. Meagan left next, and Jim stayed a little longer before he also bowed out.

On his way home, Jim decided to stop for coffee at the shop they had passed that afternoon; and as he was going in, he met Meagan, who was on her way out.

"Looks like we had the same idea," she said with a smile, lifting her coffee in salute.

Jim held the door for her and said, "I was going to take it home, but company to enjoy it would be nice. Would you want to come back in?"

"Company does sound nice. You order your coffee, and I'll claim us a table," Meagan answered.

Jim got his coffee and sat down, and they sipped their drinks and joked about Kate's months long caffeine shortage.

"How many of those gray hairs did she really give you?" Meagan asked mischievously.

"More than half…at least. The so called distinguished graying at the temples probably started when she took the money she'd saved and bought the Harley when she was seventeen…and the disgustingly scruffy boyfriend who turned up about the same time didn't help. Then there's her job, and that's contributed considerably more. I suspect I'm responsible for the rest. But gray or not, I do still have hair. She reminds me of that when I complain."

"I'm with Martha. I know just how to hide it."

"They talked through random topics and each had a second cup of coffee before they left.

As they reached the street, Jim asked, "Do I remember that you live on the next block now?"

"The other end of the next block. It's not in the same class as Castle's loft, but it's nice enough. Safe building, reasonable amount of space."

"I'll walk you to your building and catch a cab from there."

When they arrived at her building, Meagan said, "Thanks for the coffee, Jim," waved, and went inside; and Jim waved back and hailed a taxi for home."

xxxxx

Martha looked at the stack of dishes and pots and pans in the kitchen as if they were toxic. And Castle rolled his eyes at Kate behind his mother's back.

"Don't worry about them, Mother. I'll take care of it," Castle promised.

"I'll help," Kate volunteered.

"Me, too," Alexis agreed.

"Thank you, children," Martha answered. "I'm exhausted," she said with a deep sigh, and then she went upstairs.

"Do you think she's okay?" Kate asked, looking concerned, and both of the other Castles gave her the blue-eyed, "Oh, please" look.

"How long have you been living here, Kate?" Alexis asked. "Exhaustion is standard after a dinner party. It's brought on by the specter of having to wash pots and pans. She'll be fine by morning."

Castle agreed. "We'll just be thankful she helped prepare the meal and helped put the food away."

"Speaking of food, did you see how much was left even after four people took home enough for meals tomorrow?" Kate asked.

"That just means we won't have to cook for the rest of the week," Castle answered and kissed her cheek as he rolled up his sleeves.

"I can live with that," Alexis said.

"I'll take the pots and pans. You two empty the clean dishes and reload the dishwasher," Castle told them, and they all worked until their jobs were done.

"I'm going to take a shower and read a little while before bed," Alexis told them.

"'Night, Pumpkin." Castle finished drying the last pot and put it away. "Shower and bed for us, too?" he asked his wife.

"I couldn't be more ready," Kate answered.

"And celebrate my being safely back at home?" he suggested with his charming smirk.

"Again?" She asked flirtatiously.

"Well, it's worth celebrating, isn't it?"

Kate laughed and leaned against him when he slipped his arm around her waist and repeated, "I couldn't be more ready."