CASTLE THE INHERITANCE

CASTLE: THE INHERITANCE In the time since Senator Castle had been removed from the budget sub-committee, Kate had spent her time, meeting with groups, from all over New York state. While Kate may no-longer have been an "advocate", for ending the invasions, of the Middle East, she, still, felt that she could serve New York, in other ways. Nowadays, thanks to Martha Rogers, Kate had just as full of a schedule, as ever. Martha Rogers had used her knowledge, and skills, from auditions, to encourage people to meet with the senator. This, while Alexis, and her college friends, worked on the internet, both browsing information, for Kate to review, and to post CORRECT information, about the senator. While no police officer makes it to retirement, without making some enemies, it would seem that Kate had an enemy, who was "out for blood". A reporter, who felt that his "status", with the media, gave him "special priviledges". "Priviledges", such as double-parking, not paying meters, dis-obeying police line tape, and so on. His worst offense, to date, was when Beckett caught the man urinating, at a crime scene. When the man asked "Whats your problem (as he zipped his fly), Kate had said "You are under arrest." When the man asked "Whats the charge, this time?" Beckett had said "contaminating a crime scene." Beckett, still, remembered being called into the captains office, after the man filed charges. When the captain asked "What is it, with you and this guy?" Beckett would say "Sir, he was contaminating a crime scene." When the captain asked "How? By passing by? That is what his claim suggests." Beckett would say "Sir, he was not "just passing by", he was urinating, on the crime scene." Even though two other officers admitted to seeing the "event", neither wanted the publicity. Result, Kate had stood, alone, in court. On the way into court, the man had vowed "I WILL get even." Kate had, only, said "Get in line. There are dozens, ahead of you." While Castle, and Beckett, had solved some amazing cases, together, Beckett had kept coverage to a minimum. This is why the "dirt bag", had nothing to say, about the detective, for years. Now, however, Kate Castle was a U.S. Senator, and the man felt like "my ship has come in." When Kate, and Castle, had gone undercover, to verify if a sex club was, in fact, using high schoolers as hookers, Castle had taken along enough money, that rumor said could get him a girl as young as thirteen. While Castle was busy ogling the 18-21 year olds, while asking for something "newer", Kate was busy, in the office, e-mailling copies, of club files, to the 12th. Kate knew that Castle had over-stayed his welcome, when he went as far as to ask "Got any fresh-women?" This is when the club owner would say "Mister, unless you leave, rigth now, I will have my guys throw you out. Then, if you are LUCKY, we will call the cops." While Castle tried to stall, for more time, asking "Whats wrong with wanting a young girl?" The owner would say "Dip-squat, in case you haven't heard, high schoolers are illegal." Castle was wondering if he needed to stall, for more time, but only until Beckett came to the door, saying "Come on, dear, I am getting restless, for some action." Before dumping Castle out the door, the manager told Kate "Your man, here, is a pervert." Kate would think "Dont even get me started." In the car, away from the club, when Kate would ask "Did you have fun, in there?" Castle would ask "Was my acting job good enough?" Kate would say "Gave me all the time I needed. The crew are going over the records." Within two hours, and a delivery order, of spaghetti, and sauce, Garlic Bread, and so on, the members, of the 12th, would have to resign themselves to saying "Just an urban legend". This, due to the fact that the club listed its "female companions", on-line, by face, as well as age, and other information. There was not a single female, under 18, asociated with the club. (Castle would put the money away) When the vengeful author got wind of the story, they changed the truth to "Senator Kate Castle working in a strip club. How bad can federal salaries be?" The "dirt bag" even created a profile, using a decade old photo, to show that Kate was into lesbians, rape fantasies, torture, and so on. Problem was that Alexis teen friends knew more, about computers than every American, over the age of thirty-five. Instead of just deleting the file, the college kids made the file a joke. They fixed the file to alternately, show Kate as a grade schooler, high schooler, a senior citizen, and even as a mummy. When the reporter demanded that the file be repaired, the judge had asked "Sir, I believe that you have posted in-correct material, yourself. Information, which shows Senator Castle as the alleged employee, of a sex-for-hire business." When the reporter went to argue the point, the judge ordered "Both parties will remove content, at the same time." When Kate told Alexis "I dont know how..." and Alexis would say "Dont worry, mom. My friends built in a fail-safe. Just enter "No more Kate Beckett", and press enter." While the reporter THOUGHT that he would be "cute", saving a copy, he was ready to roar, with rage, when the young peoples computer skills wiped out ALL mention, of the file, and the case. The mans worst screw-up, to date, however, was when he forgot to check Kates calendar, before posting a video. Using video, of a look-a-like actress, and dubbing Kates voice, from recordings, the reporter created what looked like a video of Kate, cheating on Castle. Problem was the date/time stamp. At the time, when Kate was, supposedly, having sex, with another man, the senator was, in fact, meeting with families, at a group meeting, to discuss school funding. The opposition was calling for parents to "If you want your children to eat, at school, PAY for the lunches, yourselves. Stop making taxpayers pay for your children." The problem was that, in the worst area's, even the "highest paying" jobs did not pay halfway up to minimum wage. That is, for those who could FIND work. Since being a detective had taught Kate how to LISTEN to people, she asked the attendance "How would YOU cover this cost, if it were your decision?" While some people suggested "Let the filthy rich pick up the cost.", while others would suggest "Why not bring back manufacturing jobs? This way, we could AFFORD to feed our children." Kate listened, and promised "I will do what I can. Lets just TRY to get more people interested. The more voices, the more power we have." Local television went "wild", mocking the fake, sex, tape, while saying "While this phony was being uploaded, here is where Senator Kate Castle REALLY was, at that time." Just as Alexis friends had predicted, when the phony sex tape went over like concrete, the reporter created more dirt. Phony passports, drivers licenses, even a birth certificate, for Alexis, claiming that Kate was the girls true mother. (All Alexis would say was "I wish") Senator Castle would be back, at work, while Richard went to work, on his next novel. That is, until Richard received a letter, addressed "To the Castle Family". The envelope held the return name, and address, of an attorney so everyone had to wait until the appointment, with the attorney. At the meeting, when the attorney read the name "Ashby", everyone looked at one another. When Castle would say "I dont know any Mrs. Ashby. Why would she leave me anything?" The attorney would say "While you may not know her, I can assure you that MISS Ashby knew you, very well. You, Derek Storm, and Nikki Heat. You will understand when you see the inside of the house." When Martha would ask "Pardon me, but where, in New York, is this property, located?" The attorney would say "It is not IN New York. It is deep, in the forest, beyond New York." When Castle would say "Great, road trip. I call "shotgun"." The attorney would say "Mr. Castle, I am afraid that you do NOT understand. I said the property is located OUTSIDE of New York, and DEEP in the woods." This is when Kate would ask "How bad can it be?" The attorney would just look at Kate. Hours, of driving, later, and the Castles would find out just how remote this place was. Kate would be the one to point out "No need for locks, or gates. No one would want to stay here." Martha would add "This must be some kind of joke. Not even a ghost would be caught, dead, in this place." When Richard turned to his mother, asking "Did you just..." and Martha would say "Forget I mentioned it." What Kate noticed, even in the way in, was the fact that the place was so over-grown, with weeds, that it was impossible to determine where the property line was. Who knew how much cleaning that the fountain, in the middle of the drive, needed (or if it even functioned.) Alexis would be the first to nominate herself, saying "I will be glad to sleep outside." While Kate, and Martha, took to investigating the bedrooms, Ricks first choice would be the library. After all, the attorney had mentioned that the woman had been a huge fan. Entering the library was more like entering a crypt. Cob-webs, everywhere. Dust, thick enough, almost, to eat. While Castle DID find all of his works, on display, it looked like the display had not been touched, in years. Still, Richard went on another of his "secret passage" hunts. This, while Kate and Martha, agreed "This place needs more than airing out. Its a good thing we brought our own supplies." When Kate would ask "Who can LIVE like this?" Alexis would ask "Who said anyone lived here." When Kate would say "Alexis, honey, the attorney said..." and Martha would say "Alexis is right. The attorney never said that Miss Ashby LIVED here. All the man said was that the woman loved Richards books, that Richard would love the library, and that she collected his works." Kate would say "You are correct. Both of you. The man never said she LIVED here. I wonder why?" It was at that moment when a call of "Kate, Alexis, Martha, anybody. Help, in the library." went up from the first floor. When the women rushed down to the library, they found Richard being "crushed" by a panel. When Kate asked "How did you get in there, anyway?" Castle would say "Help, first. Answers later." Alexis would be dumbfounded, but only for a moment. After that, she thought back on her school courses, and this is when the memory returned. This is when Alexis asked her father "What did you touch, to open the passage?" When Castle would point, Martha would say "Not helpful.", as the three women searched the room for a release lever. Kate found it, by accident, as she, accidentally, knocked over what looked like a wooden dildo. While Kate was trying to rub her hands, of all contact, Alexis would pick up the object, saying "Mom, its not what you think. It looks more like a handle." This is when Martha would ask "What is a handle doing in a library?" It was not until Alexis brushed off the broken base, that she found the lever, turned it, and Castle was released. Being a former homicide detective, Kate decided to check the grounds, for any sign of alternate entries. After all, when Martha had asked "How do we lock the place up?" Kate KNEW, from experience, that passageways lead to concealed entrances. The Castles could lock every DOOR, on the house, yet a thief could break in, IF they knew of a secret entrance. Result, once food, and other supplies, were brought inside, Kate would re-program each of their cell-phones G.P.S., for ON-location use. This way, each memory card would store the signal, no matter which direction a phone was headed. By sun-down, the family had HOPED that the seven entrances, which they found, were the ONLY entrances. Still, evening rations were a mix of the WHO, and WHY, that Miss Ashby had willed the property to Richard. What had she hoped for Richard to find? Why was she so fond of Richard? There were plenty of mystery writers in the world. When the time came, for Kate to call the 12th, and let them know that the Castles were fine, she noticed that, although G.P.S. worked, that none of their phones had "barrs". This is why Kate was happy when the captain asked her to take a satellite phone along. "Never know when something might happen." the captain had said. When Kate called, Esposito would say "We were getting worried. You have not been answering, for hours." Kate would say "Dont worry. We are just in a cell-dead-zone. I am calling on the sat-phone, that the captain asked me to bring along." When Espo would ask "How IS the house?" Kate would ask "Remember that haunted house, at the fair grounds, a few years ago?" When Espo would say "Yeah, pretty lame, wasn't it." Kate would say "That house could take lessons, from this one. I feel like we are in a classic, ghost, movie." When Espo would ask "Color, or black-and-white?" Kate would say "Black as midnight, and more of a grey, than white." Once she signed off, and shut off the phone, the family, tired, from setting up housekeeping, went to their rooms, for some sleep. It was at about 2 a.m. when something alerted Kate, and she sat up, in bed, calling out "N.Y.P.D. Dont move." When Rick was startled awake, asking "Whats going on?" Beckett would say "There was something in this room." When Castle looked about, saying "Nothing here, now." Kate would ask "I wonder if Miss Ashby kept any weapons around, even for self defense?" Seeing that he was not getting back to sleep, soon, Castle would suggest "If there are guns, they would be in the trophy room." Kate would whisper "Show me." When a yawning Castle would show Kate the trophy room, and the empty gun-case, he would say "See, the only guns, in this house, are in..." and Kate would say "Shhhhsh!" That night, Kate placed one of her extra pieces under her pillow. This she did, since she did not remember looking at the gun case, upon arrival. It would be Alexis who, after breakfast, the next morning, had gone to the trophy room, to locate a copy of a book, for a friend. When Alexis returned to the kitchen, she would ask everyone "Is mom cleaning, and checking, the guns?" When Kate would ask "Why would you ask that?" Alexis would say "Simple. When I looked in there, yesterday, the cabinet held four shot guns, and what looked like six-shooters." When Kate would ask "Honey, are you sure?" Alexis would say "I remember since, when I found them, and e-mailled my friend, he asked about makes and models." Via sat-phone, Kate would call New York, and ask for a run-down, on Miss Ashby's family. Did any of them own guns?" Three hours later, the message arrived. The message detailed how many guns the FAMILY owned, but showed that MISS Ashby had owned no guns, nor had a permit. Her father, and brothers, though... Now, sure, ALL homes have strange sounds. Most of it was just settling. During the day, most of it was easy to ignore. Plenty of work to be done, before nightfall. Still, at lunch, Martha would ask "Has anyone else felt like we were being watched, this morning?" When Kate would ask "Why would you ask?" Martha would say "I dont know, but, when I was out front, working to clear the porch, and make it look more inviting, I had the feeling, of being watched." When Kate called the closest police department, the officers told her "Never mind the prying eyes. Out there, deep, where you are, there are plenty of wild animals. Your eavesdroppers are, probably just local animals." That evening, however, after Kate made sure the doors were locked, she and Castle were the first awakened when at about 2 a.m., there was a knocking sound, on the interior walls. When the sounds continued, Kate suggested "Castle, go see what that is." When Castle would ask "Me? I dont even have a gun." Kate would say "Fine, I will go." Just as she found her spare gun, under the pillow, Alexis, and Martha, would enter the room, asking "Did you hear it, as well?" It sounded like someone slamming a fist on the wall, to try to hear hollow sounds. With her family behind her, at a safe distance, Kate made her way to the stairs. Funny thing was, she had been up and down, these stairs, several times, just that day, yet she did not remember the spider-web, which she had to brush from her face. Once downstairs, and as close as she dared to get, Kate would draw her gun, cock the hammer, then , softly, say "N.Y.P.D. Hands were I can see them." In a flash, of movement, something struck Kate, then the family saw something, like a shadow, fly past. Rushing to Kates side, the family did not even see what she was hit with. When Martha said "The shadow must have taken it." Kate would say "What shadow?" Alexis would say "We heard a noise, which was you, being struck, then we saw what looked like a shadow." When Kate asked "Did you get a good look?" The family asked "At what. all we could see was something, which looked see-through." Kate wondered "A see-through attacker? That does not make sense." Three times, the following day, the Castles would hear "noises", and find things "out of place". When each "event" was followed by the sighting, of something "transparent", Kate became suspicious. This is why Kate decided to call in "re-inforcements". With a call, to the 12th, and asking the captain if Esposito, and Ryan, were available, for some work, the captain would tell Kate "IF you can arrange it, with the governor, I will be happy to send your pals for a visit." When Kate would say "This will not be a social call. It may be actual, police, business." The captain would say "As soon as the paper-work is submitted, you can have them." After thanking the captain, Kate would call the governor, who wanted a trade. The governor wanted permission, for three, new, gambling, boats. If Senator Castle agreed to drop her resistance, then Espo and Ryan would be granted a "special assignment" voucher. While Kate Beckett-Castle, like her father, was opposed to the idea of operating an economy, based upon gambling, Kate made her decision, based not just on her family's safety, but the safety, of the general public. New Yorkers needed to know that ALL land was safe to travel near. While Kates request, for Ryan, and Espo, to join in the property search, was being processed, what Kate did not know was what Laney was doing. When the three arrived, at Miss Ashby's home, and Kate asked "Laney, what are YOU doing here?" Laney would say "Nice to see you, too, sister." Kate would back-track, saying "Ofcourse, its nice to see you. Its just that all I requested was the guys." Laney would ask "So, I guess that you dont WANT to know what I found." Espo would say "The woman has skills, that we can use." When Kate would mention "With the dead, there is no one better." Then Kate would say "Sorry, came out wrong. What have you got?" Laney would say "Unless I am mistaken, your killer is local. From the samples you sent to the guys, I found a variety of samples, indiginous to this area. Samples, of grass, pollen, and so on. What I did NOT find, however, were traces of pollution." When Kate would ask "Meaning what?" Laney would say "Unless I miss my guess, your intruder is a local person. Probably never been outside this area." Kate would say "Thats fits. How else would they know the house, so well." It would be inside the house, that Ryan would say "What I dont get is why the lady left YOU (Castle) this house? You have what you need, in the city." Espo would cut in, saying "I think that what Ryan means is "Why would a woman leave you so much, when you have all that you need?" Castle would add "A woman I never remember meeting? Why?" Kate would add "If it was a burglary then why wait until we were all here? Why not break in, while we were at work?" When the others turned to Laney, she would say "Dont y'all look at me. I just joined the case. I know even LESS than you do." It would, however, be Laney, would would discover the "hidden" hatches, that the intruder had used. This, based upon samples, collected, "randomly", from around the house. For the Medical Examiner, these samples were like a "highway map". There were just three problems. Two were some kind of tunnel, which Espo, and Ryan, followed to places, off of the property. When the guys returned to the Ashby house, they would report "At one time, it WAS a tunnel. Problem is, it is boarded up, from the OTHER side. My guess is that someone did not want visitors, in the night." As Kate, and Rick, would have to report "Our tunnel seemed to lead to a doorway, of sorts. We did not go through since we could see some kind of writing, on the frame. For all we know, it could have said "Do not enter. Hazzardous materials." While the new arrivals made a point of being seen, during the day, then drove off, an hour before sun-set, a new plan was placed into effect. AGAIN, at 2 a.m., a figure began poking the walls (not minding that it was loud enough to wake the house), and Kate would whisper, to Laney "Show time." While Kate was preparing for an ambush, Laney was collecting fresh samples. When Kate found a figure, in the shadows, and said "Step into the light, hands in the air." The figure hurtled something, and Kate had to duck. Since Laney was, already, down, looking for samples, the object flew over her head. This, as the ladies watched as a near-transparent figure rushed out the door. Kate knew the boys had seen it, from their hiding place, since she heard three shots ring out. While Kate had HOPED that the boys would bring in a wounded suspect, what she received was "We fired three rounds." from Ryan. Then, from Espo, "I swear, those shots went right through the perp, yet they did not slow down." Ryan would add "Took off, towards the property line." When Kate would ask "Did you pursue?" Espo would say "Pursue what? That thing just vanished." Laney would add "Whatever that was, it was solid enough to throw this at Kate and I." When Espo would ask "Did you get a look at the perp?" Kate would say "It was too dark. I hoped to catch them in the light, but they bolted. All I can say is that the perp is maybe, three inches taller than Rick." Espo would add "What I dont get is WHY? I mean, this place is not exactly prime real estate. What could anyone want?" Kate would say "Get some sleep, guys. Fresh start, in the morning." Still, Kate would fall asleep, beside Rick, wondering "How did we miss an entrance? How does this perp gain entry into the house?" The next day, as the house became cleaner, and more live-able, the main question was "What is so valuable, in this house, that someone has tried, three times, to break in?) Except for the area's which the 12th were working on, this place could be a classic haunted house. It was late afternoon, when the group had stopped for a break, that Espo had just said "I wish we had a pattern to look for." This is when Kate realized that there was a pattern. When she pulled the group close, Kate spoke, softly, as she said "Our perp, always strikes the first floor. WHY?" Ryan would suggest "Easiest to access?" Espo would add "Back when this place was built, people could trust neighbors. No one locked doors." When Ryan would mention "What about the passages?" Espo would remind him "The passages are blocked, from the OTHER side. How do we know the blocks are permanent?" Kate would ask "Concealled doors? But why?" Rick would suggest "Maybe, someone got too "frisky", with a neighbors daughter?" Martha would ask "In that case, WHY would they knock on the walls. And, always at 2 a.m.?" Kate would suggest "Martha, that may be the clue, that we need." When Martha would ask "What clue?" Rick would say would say "In every movie I have seen, the ghosts walk at midnight. Why would our "ghost" wait until 2 a.m.?" Kate would say "One, of two possibilities. One: the "ghost" is on duty, until 2 a.m., or they have to wait, until 2 a.m., not to be seen." Laney would say "I, still, say it is a local. All of the evidence points to a local person." Espo would add "But where does this get us? On the way in, I saw atleast four companies, which might have a graveyard shift." Still, this left such questions as "WHAT could they want, in this old place" and "WHY wait until now. The house had been vacant, for years." Also, what was that thing, that they were seeing, and how could bullets pass through it?" Two nights later, a major storm drove the people inside the house, while proving that the roof was sound. One of the tree's, down the lane, was not so lucky. A lightning bolt ripped off one side, cleaner than a saw. When Ryan, Espo, and Laney, went out, the next morning, to check the drive way, they learned why the "ghost" had not responded to gun-fire. There, partially hidden, in the tree's, was a roll of plastic. About the right size, and all but see-through. When the line was traced, both ways, one end lead to the Ashby house, while the other was anchored just beyond the property, on another tree. The New York Police also found out how the intruder gained access to the house. It would seem that a water-proofed hatch had been installed, yet the intruder had not shut it tight enough, before the storm. Based upon what both Laney, and Kate, could figure out, the intruder must have secreted into the house, during the day, gone to the attic, and slipped the nylon rope down the side of the house. After hours, the intruder returned, acting like some kind of restless spirit. It would turn out that it would be Alexis, NOT the N.Y.P.D., who would provide a necesary clue. As Alexis explained "I was just in town, trying to learn more about the property, when some locals asked me to a party. It was when I asked if it would be NEAR The Ashby property, that I found out why this place is so abandoned, and run-down. Dad, even Miss Ashby has not LIVED here, in a-LOT of years." When Kate would ask "Honey, what did they want, for the information?" Alexis would say "Dont worry, mom. Nothing like that." This is wehn Rick would say "In that case, continue." Alexis would say "Word, around the area, is that no one will live here because of the "ghost-thing", that we found. Local legends say that it is, actually one of the Ashby's. Anyway, dad, you were way OFF, when you suggested the passages were closed off, due to a frisky man. Word is that Miss Ashby's MOTHER had atleast one, maybe more, affairs, with men, from neighboring properties. This is why the tunnels are closed off. Mrs. Ashby was one, wild, woman." Laney would say "Castle, sounds just your type." When Kate would ask Alexis "What else does word say?" Alexis would say "As far as I can find out, before that party, tonight, it seems that there is word that Miss Ashby has a brother. A man, dis-owned by his family, since he was, supposedly, born to Mrs. Ashby. Locals think that our "intruder" is the young man. He is looking for PROOF, in order to claim all of this (Alexis would make a grand, and sweeping, arm, movement, around the room) is, actually, his." When Alexis mentioned "I will learn, more, at the party." Suddenly, Rick, Kate, and Laney, would look right at the girl, saying "NO, you are NOT." When Alexis would say "Its just a party." Laney would crack the joke, saying "And I am Mrs. Obama." While the family was agruing Alexis safety, over gathering information, Espo would have an idea. He would ask "Alexis, you KNOW where the party will be?" Alexis would say "At an old barn. Two miles from town. Old place, covered in." When Kate would ask "Okay, Espo, what have you, and Ryan, got in mind?" Espo would say "Simple. Alexis wears a wire. We listen in, and find out whats going on." When Kate would ask "What if..." and Espo would promise "Kate, if things "go south", we will be inside, in less than five minutes." Ryan would add "Less than two." then look at Alexis, saying "Sorry, no offense". Alexis would make her terms simple, as well. "As long as you dont come in, unless things really get out of control." That night, Alexis never felt more humiliated than when she saw the adults opening trunks, and placing bullet-proof vests, while passing out rifles. When Alexis would ask "Why not bring in a S.W.A.T. team, and attack helicopters." Kate would promise "Honey, this is to keep you safe. We trust YOU. Its the people you will be with. We dont know them so, better safe than sorry." Covering each of the exists, the N.Y.P.D. would listen in, hoping for clues, to the case. Kate could not help feeling proud, of Alexis, as the girl went about the party, engaging those who spoke of the property. Most of it was harmless. Who built the place. When. Who was born, lived, and died, in the house, and on the grounds. In the cases of death, the speakers promised that all were accidents. As for Miss Ashby's family, word was that the family had to move, once Mrs. Ashby gave birth to another mans son. When Alexis asked "When did Miss Ashby LIVE on the property?" The party-goers laughed as they said "She never LIVED there." Someone else said "To afraid of the "ghosties", with a huge laugh. When Alexis would ask "Dont tell me you think the house is haunted?" A round, of laughter, then, as if a switch had been flipped, the barn went dark. The detectives might have thought it an teenage prank, but only until voices, inside the barn said "Hey, we got permission, to be here, until 3, if we want to. Turn the lights back on." While in the dark, and listening, Espo, and Ryan had donned thermal vision, and noticed something fleeing the scene. The "perp", however, was not showing up as human. Size, maybe, but body heat. After losing it near a humidification plant, the detectives would return to the group. This is when Kate would say "I think I KNOW who the "perp" is, and how they evade us." While Rick suggested breaking up the party "Just in case", Kate would remind him "Our daughter is old enough to handle herself. If she needs help, she will call. Besides, I think that our perp did not want someone talking. I want to know why." Kate had to smile at how Alexis handled the information, that she received. The real information, she would whisper "Follow up?". To the fake stuff, she would whisper "Dis-regard". When a couple of boys got more than a bit fresh, Alexis would remind them "While my mom is no-longer a police officer, she does have friends, with the police." When one, fresh, boy, would ask "Who is this big deal mom of yours?" Alexis covered herself by saying "My mother is a U.S. senator." When the boys backed off, Kate whispered "Thats my girl." Alexis had given just enough information. While even Kate had listened as early arrivals had been told "We have this place, until three a.m.", to which some party-goers said "Cool." The N.Y.P.D. noticed that the party began to thin out, at eleven. It was when Alexis offered to help, with party clean up, at midnight, that Kate heard what no mother should hear. This when a boy got so close, to Alexis, that Kate could hear the boy breathing, in Alexis mike. Within seconds, of hearing Alexis saying "Get OFF of me." The doors, to the barn, burst open, with Kate, Espo, and Ryan, calling out "N.Y.P.D. Let me see your hands!" from behind automatic rifles. When the boy backed off Alexis, saying "Hey, guys, just having some fun." Espo would say "In New York, we dont call that, fun. We call it.." and the boy would ask "You cops are from New York. You got no right, in local." When Alexis went to stand by Kate, Kate would ask "Tell me, smart guy. How far does a United States Senator's reach extend?" After the semi-drunk chugged down three coffee's, Kate would suggest "Unless you want to down, for trying to assault my daughter, you better start talking." When the boy asked "About what? Being a man?" Espo would suggest "We heard that you were talking about the Ashby house. Now, tell us what you know, or face charges, as an adult, for sexual asault." The boy would say "I know what everyone knows. The place is spooky. We see things. If we use binoculars, we can see THROUGH things." When Kate would ask "Who has been baning on the walls, for how long, and why?" The boy would say "Nothing new. There have been sounds, for YEARS, from that place. Thats why not even cleaners will touch the place. You know whats really weird?" When Espo would say "We are waiting?" The boy would say "You know how the ghost rules say that ghosts haunt, from miodnight, until dawn." Kate would say "I have heard of something, similar." The boy would say "Thats whats weird about that place. The ghost does not show up, until 2a.m. Vanishes, by 3 a.m. Is that weird, or what?" Ryan would suggest "Almost like it is on its lunch hour." The young man would ask "Why do ghosts need a lunch hour? They are dead, right?" Kate was beginning to wonder, about the spook. It had attacked her, by hurtling objects. This is something that HUMANS would do. Why would a ghost need to throw things, to make an escape? Castle was off, in fantasy land, trying to figure out why a ghost would have such a severe schedule. He even thought, out loud "If we are dealing with a ghost, then WHY would it act so bizzarrely? Do ghosts have to obey rules? How would you punish a ghost, for breaking rules." Kate would have gone to the local police, except that she realized that they were content to handle poachers, litter-bugs, and so on. Simple, human, crimes. This is why Kate had Rick turn to his writers group, for suggestions. In each case, however, the first question was "Why do the hauntings start at 2 a.m.? Why not at midnight. The "Witching Hour"? When this was connected with the physical attacks, on Kate, and Laney, everyone asked "If it was a ghost, why not just vanish?" Laney would suggest "What if the ghost is NOT a ghost, at all?" When Rick would say "All that leaves are the living." This lead all of the authors to the same conclusion, which the boy, at the party, and others, had suggested. Someone was searching the property for something they want. Something of great value, to them. Idea's, such as photo albums, birth certificates, wedding photos? These, and other suggestions, were tossed out, when the group was reminded that copies can be found, in archives, nowadays. All that the group was left with were four, delivery, men, who drove the "grave-yard, for higher pay. Then, there was the fact that a still-living woman had willed a property to Rick. Why to HIM? Why was she so afraid of the house?" The delivery men had alibi's, for the time window. Their trucks tracking showed the men were nowhere near the house. The only one not accounted for was the mystery shadow. It HAD to be human, since it attacked Kate, twice. When the N.Y.P.D. checked for birth records, for a male, maybe a couple years older than Miss Ashby, no luck there. Several records, of boys births, but none to a Mrs. Ashby. Espo and Ryan would suggest "That is, IF she used her real name. Remember that security was not like it is, today." This set Kate to wondering. "A woman gives birth, to the son of a man, she is NOT married to. Then she gives birth to her husbands daughter. Doesn't add up. Why would the man want a child by an un-faithful spouse?" When Ryan would suggest "Less Scruples, back in the day?" Espo would say "Wrong. Ethics, and Scruples MORE in use, than today. Back then, even a rumor could ruin a marriage." When Ryan would ask "Without D.N.A.? Lab testing? How could it be proven?" Espo would say "Who said anything about "prove". Even a rumor..." Kate would ask Laney "Tell me, by todays standards, how close could you come to telling if two people are related?" Laney would say "With D.N.A. testing, I would say 90%, or more." Ryan would whisper "Too bad they did not have D.N.A. testing back then." Kate would suggest "Why dont we obtain a sample, from Miss Ashby, and compare it to what we have found here." The man had thought that he was so smart, hiding out, near a river, aned eating rations, while preying on the house. The senator, and the police, found the man luxuriating by the stream, his pole cast. When tested, the man kept to the normal "You cant PROVE anything", line. That is, until D.N.A. came back, positive. This is when Kate would ask "Okay, you are too young to be Miss Ashby's brother, who are you. His son?" The man would say "Wouldn't you like to know." When Kate mentioned "By the way, since you attacked a U.S. senator, you are looking at federal charges. Unless you cut a deal, and tell us what you are after, I will make a point of dropping you into super-max." When the man would say "I never attacked nobody. I only go into the house, when you idiots are away." From behind the one-way mirror, Espo would ask "Who does he think he is dealing with? We have his D.N.A., from the scene. We KNOW he was there." Just as Kate was asking "What were you doing, camping so near the property?" It was at this point when the captain would call Kate, out of Interrogation, saying "Miss Ashby's attorney wants to speak to you." When Kate would ask "What for? Castle inherited the land, not me." Inside the captains office, the attorney would inform Kate "Senator, you have the wrong man." When Kate would ask "Is this a joke? We have D.N.A." The attorney would say "Nevertheless, that man is no relation, to Miss Ashby." When Kate would ask "Her mother came to town..." The attorney would say "Yes, that part is true. Mrs. Ashby DID come to New York, to "dispose", if that is not too crude a term. What you do NOT know is why you have been un-able to find a birth certificate." Kate would promise "Given time..." and the attorney would say "No, you wont. The reason is simple. There is no birth certificate, since there is NO brother. Family records show that, while in the city,m for "treatment", something happened, and Mrs. Ashby aborted. The details are foggy, at best. What I can promise you is that the man you are holding is NOT an Ashby." This is when Kate would return to Interrogation, only to have to ask the duty officer "Where is the suspect?" When the officer looked into the room, then whispered "What the?" Kate would go to Ryan, saying "I want the security footage, from that room. I want to know HOW, WHEN, and WHO, helped the suspect escape." Ryan would say "On it." A short time, later, however, Ryan would have to call Kates attention, saying "You have to see this." When Kate would ask "What have you got?" Ryan would play back the video, which seemed to show Kate speaking to an empty chair. Wehn Kate would ask "How is that possible?" Espo would return, asking "How is what possible." When he viewed the footage, Espo was like "Amazing." When Kate asked him "You remember seing the perp, in the rooms." Espo would say "Ofcourse. Question is, WHERE did he go?" It would be later, when Kate would inform Rick, that she would add "BY now, if we went back to the stream, all opf his gear will be gone. He is a real pro." When Rick would ask "What did you find, in the fingerprint database?" Kate would say "Nothing. Its like the man, truly, does not exist." Shortly after a family meeting, about the property, the decision was made. Rick would notify the attorney, then the family would return to the property, to pack, and say a final farewell. Martha would add "If only rthe family had kept it up, it would have been glorious. It waas as the family was finishing packing, that one of Alexis new friends would stop by, saying "Wanted to catch you before you go. Nice trip. Oh, and, if you want a really safe trip, why not stop by the river bank, and leave a token, for Steve." When Martha would ask "Who is this Steve? A local heart-throb?" The young woman would say "More like a resident ghost. Excuse me, Steve HATES being called a ghost. He prefers "spirit". Anyway, leave him something special, and he will watch over you." When Martha would ask "Young lady, how do you know this?" The young woman would say "When I was younger, I fell, and Steve brought me to dry land." When Rick would ask "I wonder how much he knows, about this area?" The young woman would say "Steve seems to know everything, about this town. Rumor has it that his family was among the first settlers." Kate would add "Any chance you could take us by his place?" The girl would say "Doubtful" When Kate would ask "WHy is that?" the girl would say "He only appears, when people need him." Kate would suggest. "You know, thats really too bad, since we were hoping to learn more about this property." The girl would say "While Steve is big, and powerful, he only helps those in distress. I dont think that personal appearances are his thing". When Kate would suggest "The next time you see him, would you give him my thanks, and those, of Doctor Parrish." The girl would say "Glad to." On the car ride, back to New York, Kate would wonder, out loud. "What would anyone have to gain, by posing as a local legend? Unless?" Suddenly, Kate was relieved that she had found some pieces of this and that, formed an image, of happiness, then left it where the girl had said to. The entire report, on the Ashby house, was so full of holes, that the captain would say "No way am I filing this. I dont care if you are a senator. Dont you, ever, bring me a piece of swiss cheese, like this, ever again." This, after the Castles had spent over six hours, writing up something which people would not laugh at. Who was Steve? Who was the shadow? All that Kate knew was that, being back, from "vacation", was just as exhausting as being at work. Kates current problem was that an assembly plant needed rom, for expansion, and the only place, in the property, for expansion, was the childrens play area, at a grade school. If the expansion was approved, the only way to kep the children safe would be to pour a concrete wall, between the two. Senator Castle was willing to chair local groups, to help the states children. As for Castle, he would leave a question mark, at the end. He had no pat ending. On to the next case....