CASTLE THE SUB COMMITTEE

CASTLE: THE SUB-COMMITTEE While Kate returned home, concerned over a rumor, which she had heard of, in Washington D.C., she had promised her father, Rick, Martha, and Alexis that the U.S. Senator would NOT bring her work, home with her. Kate was determind to keep this promise, now that she had a real family. Had life turned out, as one of Richard Castles books often did, her three week recess would have been peaceful, and quiet. Time, with her husband. Time with Alexis. Time with Martha. Time, with her dad, and time, with her old pals, Ryan and Esposito. Kate had been looking forward to this, nearly since the moment when she had left behind the last case, and returned to Washington D.C. When Laney, finally had Kate admit that "Yes, I miss visiting crime scenes. I miss figuring out the who, what, where, when, and why, of homicide cases." When Laney would say "Girl, the world moves ON, as in forward. If you dont catch up, you WILL be left behind." When Kate had asked "What if I dont want to move on?" Laney would say "Girl, you have a grown daughter, now. Alexis will have questions. Questions only her mother can answer. Martha needs another woman, to help support her. Castle needs..." Kate would say "I KNOW what my husband needs." Still, after all of her years, as a police officer, Kate Castle looked around New York, as if seeing it for the first time. The time, when real life "hit" Kate, the most was when she visited one of the oldest, remaining, buildings, in New York. Over its more than 150 (+) year existance, the building had been everything, from an immigrant processing center, to a records storage place. A bordello, a hotel, a speakeasy. In fact, it would be easier to list what the place had NOT been. Kate remembered the building as the cheapest place that New York could find, for holding school dances. Kate had good, and bad, memories, about the place. The best was the day when a boy lead her to this place, kissed her, and asked her to be his girlfriend. For nearly a month, Kate Beckett had been "walking on air", thinking that she was the young mans "one, and only". It was not until the day she THOUGHT she lost her mothers locket, that Kate had re-traced her steps, to this, very, building. Here, he found the young man making the same promises to another girl. Kate remembered her father saying that he remembered the building, from his own childhood. This is why, when Kate learned that the building was facing demolition, she had made inquiries, and made a point, as did others, of being present, when a very well-known building was being demolished. While Kate had felt silly, taking Castles camcorder to the scene, she did not feel so silly, once among up to 100 people, all taping the demolition. Somehow, watching that old place being reduced to rubble, was like having an organ ripped out of her body. While Kate had heard stories, about why the old place was being taken down, she checked on the real story. Turns out that, due to age, and neglect, the building was becoming a danger to the public. The price, of remodelling, would be 100 times more than rebuilding, from scratch. It was the demolition, however, which drove Laney's point home. "Life does not stand still. Savor memories, but live life, for today." Still, Kate had her position, as a U.S. Senator, to think about. Her state needed her support. In more ways than one. Even before the flight, to Washington D.C., Kate knew she woluld be flying back, into a "firestorm". To put it simply, the American people were tired of the endless invasions, of the Middle East. The public was worn out, on watching tax dollars being used to support pro-western groups, in the Middle East. Groups, which ONLY held power, as long as backed up, by American tanks, machine guns, and regiments, of soldiers. No matter how "secure" an area MIGHT be, while the U.S. was present, "Democracy" vanished with the last, of the invasion forces. At last count, the United States government had placed atleast 23 democracies in power. ALL 23 had abdicated, once American weapons began to withdraw. Kates concern. The one she did NOT want to share, with her family, was the fact that someone was spreading rumors that, what America needed, to "breathe new life", and "support", into the invasions, was another September 11. Even before leaving, for recess, Kate had warned as many people as possible "We must SILENCE all rumor, of another Spetmber 11, as fast as possible." When someone asked "Why? Rumors spread, around here, ALL the time. Why should September 11 be any different?" Kate had said "Even in New York City, there remain rumors, that George Walker Bush, NOT Osama Bin Laden, had ordered the attack." When the worker asked "Why would Mr. Bush order an attack, on American soil?" Kate would say "Some of New Yorks "underground" groups believe that Mr. Bush ordered the attacks, to SILENCE all question of his taking office, in 2001." When the worker would say "SO?" Kate would say "Think about it. There has been suspicion, ever since September 12, 2001. What do you think our supporters, and voters, would think, if word got around, that ANOTHER attack was being planned, or even rumored, in order to restore the rage, which caused the United States to invade the Middle East?" As Kate flew back to her D.C. office, that conversation, still, "haunted" her. Kate was concerned over just how FAR the weapons industries would be willing to go, to keep military contracts alive, and flourishing. How much "collateral damage" would be considered acceptable, to stoke the fire, of revenge, and keep the weapons contracts coming in. While Kate was prepared for there to be open debate, on the Senate floor, as to whether or not the invasions were worth the COST, what Senator Castle was not prepared for was what she would fly into. While Kate was, slowly, becoming accustomed to having a driver, and an assistant, meeting her at the D.C. airport, to update her on the latest, in the capital, what Senator Castle was NOT prepared for was what she was entering. Instead of a waiting car, an assistant, and her driver, Kate would find herself being escorted from the plane, by a fully-armed, tacticle team. Kate knew better than to ask questions. She knew that tactical teams only knew their orders. This is why she did not resist, when escorted from the plane. What she thought a bit ridiculous was the fact that, instead of her regular car, Kate would be hustled into an armoured car. In the rush, all that she had time to see was the science fiction "barrier-crash" cars, which would "remove" any obstacles from the intended route. Those, stupid cars, which had been modelled after science fiction movies, about a post-apocalytic world. Kate knew, from briefings, that George W. Bush had ordered those transports, at the same time that he ordered the "Beast" (Limo One). While the original, Hollwood, design, had been created to hold just four combatants, George was so certain that his life was in constant "danger", that he had the design revised. Kates escort vehicles, each housed a minimum, of 12 soldiers, surrounded by eight inches, of black painted, armour plating. Kate knew that Barrack Obama had kept the vehicles ready for use, but never used them. He saw no point. The nation had not contested his inauguration. The vehicles came back into regular use, with Donald Trump, but, now, with a democrat back in the White House, the vehicles were just kept at the ready. Kate was positive that something was not right when her armoured escourt did not drive her to her Capital Hill office. Instead, Kate Castle would be delivered, via an underground tunnel, to a bunker, where the government would meet, in the event of emergency. Kate knew the bunkers reputation. It was buried, deep enough that even the most powerful, nuclear warhead would not penetrate it. Not even a direct hit would phase this place. It had multiple levels, including sleeping spaces, fully cafeteria, infirmary, everything the government would need, to survive the worst that man could "throw at it". The question was "Why am I here?" When staff seemed calm, as they offered her a drink, it was obvious that no nuclear attack was underway. When Kate called up the crisis board, thinking that someone was attacking the East Coast, all of the lights were green. Kate would watch, in astonishment, as four, of her fellow senate, members were all but dragged into the bunker. All while saying "I demand to know why I have been dragged here." It was not until all five senators were in seats, that a C.I.A. man came forth, with the news. "We KNOW that someone is spreading rumors, that another September 11th, is approaching. We KNOW that the media has been alerted." This is when another senator would break into the briefing asking "Son, are you trying to tell us that someone is telling people that another 9/11 is at hand? If so, WHO is spreading the rumor?" The C.I.A. could only say "We have been working on this, throughout your recess." When the senator would ask, again "Son, just WHAT have you got?" The C.I.A. man would say "We are tracking the rumors as we speak. THAT is why you are here. A precuation. In case the threat is REAL." The senator would summarize "Let me see if I understand this. You have a RUMOR, that some unknown person, or group, is planning another 9/11, yet you do NOT know the who, what, when, where, or why." Kate would supply "I think that I can answer the why." When C.I.A. would say "Please. Proceed, Senator Castle." Kate would say "Before going home, on recess, my staff heard rumors that another attack MIGHT be in the works. My STAFF had heard it suggested that the next attack will come from within the U.S. government." When the Senator would say "Absurd! No American would attack his own nation!" Senator Castle would ask "Are you so sure, senator? The last poll numbers, that I know of, show that less than 10% of the American public still endorses the invasions, caused by September 11. The people are worn out on empty promises, of bringing democracy to the Middle East." When C.I.A. would ask "Senator Castle, WHAT are you sugegsting?" Kate would say "I am only saying that, with support, for the invasions, at an all time LOW, my staff is hearing rumors of another September 11. The goal would be to re-infuriate the American public, by drawing blood, just like 2001." When C.I.A. would ask "Has your staff been able to verify this information?" Kate could only say "I suggested discreet inquiries, before leaving, for home. I have not even SEEN my staff, since then." C.I.A. would say "Then, Senator Castle. It seems that we have a problem. Your staff members have, indeed, been asking questions. This is why the F.B.I. had them taken in. The charge is "Incitement to Riot". When Castle would ask "But why?" C.I.A. would say "Word got around, on the street, that YOUR own people are the ones, behind the rumor, of an attack." Castle would say "Ofcourse, there is talk. The capital is FULL of talk. That is what my staff was working on. FInding out what is RUMOR, and what is real." When C.I.A. would ask "Senator Castle, WHAT would you suggest?" Kate would say "Let me speak to them. Clear this up, in five minutes." Once the secure link, with the F.B.I. was established, Kate would no-sooner sit before the monitor when C.I.A. would whisper in her ear "Remember, we WILL be listening." Kate would mutter "Oh, please." When Kate asked the staff "Update, on rumors?" Her staff would say "Sorry, senator. The F.B.I. arrested us before we could get farther than putting out a handful of feelers." When Kate would ask "What is your feeling, so far?" Her staff would say "As far as anyone would say, it seems that there is FEAR, of another attack. No one seemed to know where the rumor was coming from." One man would say "While I was visiting family, some neighbors asked me if they should be preparing. They are afraid that the rumors are real." When Kate would ask "What about other members, of the Senate." The C.I.A. would cut her off, sayin g "Thats enough." then cut the connection. When Kate would ask "What are you doing?" C.I.A. would say "Dont play coy, Detective Beckett, of the N.Y.P.D." When Kate would ask "Just WHAT is THAT supposed to mean?" C.I.A. would say "I am sure that, by now, you know that most of the Senate members have vanished." When Kate would ask "How? When? Where was their security?" C.I.A. would say "I think you know, as well as I do, that the senators were, each, abducted, from their family homes." When Kate would ask "And just WHERE was your "precious" Homeland Security, when this was going on?" C.I.A. would say "Homeland was busy tracking your staff, after hearing your people talking of another attack." Kate would state "Correction! My staff was trying to find out if the rumors had any basis." C.I.A. would say "Sure. Any answer, for every question. Just like your husband. Him, and his "precious" Derek Storm, and Nikki Heat. I Do have to wonder. Since his daughter, Alexis, has taken to you, like you are her mother..." Kate would get "that look", in her eyes, as she whispered "Dont you DARE!" The very look that, when Castle, Ryan, and Esposito saw that look, they would find other places to be. Back in New York, the Castle family would face another dilema. It would seem that Alexis school was having a "parents night". A chance for parents to meet one another, in order to understand young peoples choice of studies, in college. To Castles surprise, when he suggested Alexis own mother, Alexis had asked "Dad, do you think that Beckett could make it?" Richard was about to remind Alexis of her true mother, when he saw Martha waiving, behind the young woman. This is when Castle would promise "I will ASK Beckett if she has time." This is when Alexis would kiss her father saying "Love you", then departing. Once the youngest Castle was gone, Richard would ask his mother "Alright, WHATS going on? Alexis HAS a mother." This is when Martha Rogers would ask "You mean, your second "wife"?" When Richard would say "She may not have been perfect but..." And Martha would stop him, right there, asking "How much has that woman contributed to Alexis life?" When Castle would ask "Compared to what?" Martha would say "Richard Castle, you know EXACTLY what I mean." Castle would admit "Yes, mother, Beckett HAS been around, when Alexis had questions." Martha would add "How many times, did Beckett call, when you were in danger?" When Richard would say "But, mother..." Martha would add "In fact, while that woman DID carry Alexis, for nine months, how much TIME, and effort, has she put into Alexis?" Castle did have to admit that, since barging in, on Becketts life, Richard had noticed that his daughter was confiding, more and more, with Kate. The women were more like mother and daughter, the longer that Castle hung around the 12th. In fact, it had been Beckett who, when Alexis wanted to make some questionable choices, Beckett had asked Alexis, softly, yet face-to-face "What is it that YOU want? After all, any decision you make will impact your future. Be sure you are comfortable, with your decisions." It had only gotten "worse", since the marriage. Alexis was sharing, with Kate, the kinds of things that Alexis mother was not capable of understanding. This is why Kate had promised "I am NOT trying to take her mothers place. I am just open, when she needs a woman, to speak to." Still, Richard asked Martha "Should I ask Kate? I mean, Kates name is not on the birth certificate." Martha would say "Stop being so mideaval. This is the 21st century. If you just show up, and act natural..." then, after a dramatic pause, say "...or as normal as you can get. I dont see a problem." Richard just hoped that Alexis own mother did not find out, show up, and make (more) trouble. It was not long, after Alexis had listed Richard, and Kate, as her parents, at school, when her mother would make the most outrageous appearance, at the loft. Looking Richard straight in the face, the actress would say "How DARE you!" When Richard would ask "How dare I what?" the actress would say "Dont bother acting innocent, Richard Castle. You know what you did." When Richard looked confused, the actress would say "You REPLACED ME, at our daughters function! How could you!" This is when Alexis, backed up by Martha, would say "**I** am the one who posted the listing." When her mother would say "Dont be funny dear." Alexis would say "I was not trying to be funny." When the actress looked at Martha, saying "A little help here." Martha would say "Leave me OUT of it." When the actress would tell Alexis "I gave BIRTH to you. How can you do this, to your own mother?" Martha would say "OH, puh-lease." Whe the actress would ask "Just what is THAT supposed to mean?" Martha would say "So, you gave birth to her. Big deal. It was Richard and I who raised Alexis." When the actress would insist "I WAS there, for the important times." Martha would say "Dont get me started." When the woman turned to Rick, asking "A little help here?" Rick would ask "Tell me, where were you when..." then list off the normal, childhood, problems. When the actress would say "So I wasn't there, every time she was sick. Still, I..." and Alexis would say "Dont you dare say "I gave birth". Kate has been much more a mother than you have, ever, been." Realizing that she was "losing", the actress would make a most dramatic exit. After this, the family sat down, to rest. This is when Richard would say "I hope Beckett agrees to come." Martha would say "Trust me. That woman loves the two of you, more than anything. It would take a Revolutionary War, to keep her away." This is why, when the C.I.A. saw "that look", in the senators eyes, at the mention of Alexis, the agent knew to back down, FAST! The only problem, that Kate saw, at that time, was that there were rumors, on the street, yet the best investigators, in D.C., were under house-arrest. To the F.B.I., nothing superceded national security. To Homeland Security, every person was a "domestic terrorist", until cleared. Since the C.I.A. could not, LEGALLY, operate on American soil, the whole government was in trouble. This is why Senator Castle would suggest a compromise. LINK the N.Y.P.D., with the D.C. police, in a joint task force. The "cover" would be the same used in the previous case. The cover would be "gathering information, for a video, of the nations capital." It was not until after the federal agencies agreed to take part, that Kate would contact Castle, asking "How soon can you write a documentary, about Washington D.C.?" When Castle would ask "How soon do you need it?" Kate would say "In progress, now. Contact Ryan, and Esposito. Coordinate, as much as possible." Beckett would, never, admit it, but, when she went to bed, that night, she felt comfortable, being involved in another case. Still, before bed, Beckett would write down the "facts", as she knew them. Someone was either spreading rumors, OR maybe, just MAYBE, they were asking "What would happen if...?" What was the best way to find out? A glass, of wine, later, and Kate drifted off to sleep, her final thoughts, of the night, were of her family. Days later, and with nothing more than rumors, to work with, Richard Castle was just trying to figure out the best way to ask Kate to the school gathering, when Kate would come, along with Alexis, to say "Of course I will go. I would not miss it." When Castle would ask "How did you know?" Alexis would say "Dad, if I waited for you to ask her, I would be in a retirement home." The one thing, about "Parents NIght", which did not surprise Kate, was the fact that Castles ex had been absent, for so much, of Alexis life, that no one thought to ask if Kate was Alexis mother. The former detective knew how to "get around" questions. Sometimes, finding the truth was not about face-to-face confrontations. Sometimes, it was the "little things" which mattered most. Slips of the tongue. Sudden change of habit. While the senator was enjoying Parents Night, the N.Y.P.D. was having just as little luck as the D.C. police. In both New York, and D.C., there were stories, and legends. September 11th was remembered, just as vividly as the Freddy, and Jason, horror movies. A September 11th survivors group had evolved into a place where people could come, and support, one another. Share drinks, and memories. Laugh, at memorable mistakes, and respect what people had achieved. Nowadays, September 11th was more like "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". It had a life of its own. In fact, it was at one, of these meetings, that Ryan, and Esposito, would receive their first lead. According to club membership, there had been two guys, and a woman. None were happy with how the government was running, since 9/11. While the three had been hoping for public trials, and executions, it seems that, when D.H.S. was created, to be the modern S.S., the three had not been happy. According to club members, it seems that the three had plans, of their own. Plans, which included the fact that, the next time someone tried a repeat, of 9/11, the three were prepared to do things, which other survivors found disgusting. As a table, full of survivors, would tell the detectives "We meet, to console, and support one another. We want to get on with our lives, while respecting the deceased. We dont want more blood. We want healing." By the time the detectives left the club, Ryan would say "I can think of about a dozen weapons manufacturers, who do NOT support this healing process. Not when they are making BILLIONS, selling arms to the federal government." This is when Espo would add "Atleast we know that we are dealing with a SMALL group, which is advocating violence. Beckett will enjoy hearing this." Not only was Espo correct, about Beckett, but, when the information was shared between New York, and D.C., the same three names began showing up, in all of the places, where rumors were starting. As far as anyone could tell, it would seem that the three, in question, were stockpiling weapons, ammunition, and rations. No question: They were preparing for action. No need to ask their "manifesto". They had been ejected from support groups, all up and down the East coast. Their manifesto was clear. When the next September 11th happened, these people were prepared to attack. What concerned Senator Castle, as well as the F.B.I., and C.I.A., was that someone was posting messages, which stated that, in order to keep the invasions viable, that UN-specified Republicans were calling for a new attack. One posting claimed that the government was prepared to blast the Statue of Liberty, while another promised that, this time, the government was going to, completely, blast apart the Empire State Building. The third message was the most disturbing. This message claimed that D.H.S. had access to enough nuclear material, to blast the Pentagon off the map. While the C.I.A., and F.B.I., wanted to pull the messages, immediately, Senator Castle would meet with Ryan, Esposito, and Castle, to suggest an alternative. It was after this "pow-wow" that Senator Castle would suggest that the messages be left on-line. The goal being NOT to give America's enemies "oxygen", but to find out how much support, for such a revolution, that there was. In a best case scenario, people would respond, asking where to sign up. As they did, their I.P.'s would be "tagged", and then the police could let new recruits lead them to the leaders. The problem was that, for both the D.C. police, and the N.Y.P.D., most of those, who were registered, turned out to be people, who wanted to know how to prepare for the alleged "attack". Their stock-piles, of explosives, and ammo, was just enough to defend their homes. It was the mysterious "leaders", of the group, who were proposing taking action, to prevent Washington D.C. "power-brokers" from trying to launch a new attack. When rumors began circulating, that Congressional families were being evacuated, from D.C., "as a precaution", Kate was un-certain of whether to fear, for her daughters life, or to be proud, as Alexis went public, saying "My mother, Senator Castle, is not "buying" these attack rumors, and neither am I. This is why, until the rumors are silenced, I am going to help my mother, in anyway that I can. Who is with me?" Suddenly the assembly came "alive", with cheers, and shouts, of confidence. This is when Senator Castle would say "In that case, people, we have a LOT of work, before us. We need information. We need details. We need to know what the "street" knows." Un-like McCarthy-ism, and the days of "Better dead than red", with neighbors turning one another in, for the slightest suspicions, the Castles would give the public a much tighter range of what to look, and listen, for. The "net" might have gone, even wider, had it not been for the un-expected, but welcome, help, from the survivors clubs. Soon, Kates "net", of spies, was five times larger than even what Homeland could put on the streets. Of course, Kates net was much more effective, since Kate instructed people "Dont ask what people might be planning. Listening, is much more important. Dont engage, unless the other person becomes more detailed, such as who they might attack, when, or where." The captain, of the 12th precinct, would even have federal printers supply basic pamphlets, of what to watch, and listen, for. Still, just before leaving, for the re-opening of the Senate, in session, Alexis mother burst into the loft, holding aloft sheets of paper, and accusing Kate of adopting Alexis. When no one, in the Castle home knew what the actress was talking about, the actress produced a news printed copy, and read, aloud. "Alexis Castle, daughter of Kate, and Richard Castle, has declared un-wavering faith, in her mother, Senator Kate Castle." While the Castles tried to gather their wits, the actress would state "I DEMAND satisfaction. I DEMAND that this FAKE test with me, over who knows more about Alexis." Castle brewed some coffee, while Martha brought out some muffins. AS the actress went over the information, Kate found herself saying "Castle, you never told me that. Alexis? Didn't we TALK about this?" Since Alexis was of the most sound mind and body, when the actress would ask "Katey, "darling", I thought you said you knew "your" daughter." This is when Alexis would say "Enough." then turn to Kate, saying "Mom, the reason why I never told you any of this was because I never did any of this. Yes, we talked, and that is why I never." When the actress would say "Oh, please child. I remember, distinctly..." Alexis would interrupt saying "The reason why you remember all of this is because this is what YOU did, before you married my dad." This is when the coffee brought Richards memory back, as he said "Thats right. You DID have those habits. Habits, you promised to drop, when we got married." It was as Kates memory was returning, from the booze that, when Alexis asked "Mom, do you remember when I asked you about that party?" When Kate would ask "Remind me which party." Alexis would say "The one, where I was working on that egg project?" When the actress would ask "What egg project? When did you go into cooking?" Kate would tell the woman "It was a class project. Alexis, and a friend were given an egg, to watch over. Its name was Fagen." When Alexis would ask Kate "Do you remember what happened to Fagen?" Kate would say "Sure, after you brought your friend home, drunk, and your father called her parents, over her objections, she destoryed Fagen, and both of you got an "F", on the project." To Castle's surprise, he would learn, that morning, that his daughter, and Beckett, had been meeting, and doing "girl things", for quite some time. This is why the "little girl", who came to daddy, for everything, had grown into the young woman, who wanted Beckett's stability, to guide her. Both Alexis, and Martha, had known, for quite some time, that Richard and Beckett, were MORE than "partners", the problem was that, after two, terrible, marriages, that Richard did not want to blow this time. He respected Beckett, far too much. Still, since Richard never asked, the women never mentioned meeting. The more the actress tried to mention, about Alexis youth, the more Alexis would say "That was YOU." The time, when the actress stormed from the loft, was when the Castles began remembering the times that the four had shared. These were the times, which added up to Kates "death stare", as the C.I.A. "threatened" Alexis. IF the Secret Service was correct, the members, in the bunker, were all that remained, of the U.S. Senate. The government was not going to wait for a ransom demand. They were going on the offensive. The main question, for Beckett, was "WHERE were the members of the Senate?" Were they captives, or were they in "hiding"? What really annoyed Beckett was the fact that, just as the government would do, in the event of a threat, of nuclear war, the public was NOT being informed of the POSSIBLE, attack, threat. Beckett was only allowed access, to Castle, since he worked, so much, with the 12th. It was as the investigation dragged on, and people lost interest, that Beckett noticed that a new set of rumors was coming to light. These included a rumor that a highjacked jet was to be flown into a grade school. When the C.I.A. asked "Options?" Beckett would be the first to ask "AM I the only one who is suspicious, of the latest threat?" When Homeland would ask "Senator, what do you mean?" Beckett would ask "Come on, guys, a new threat "just happens" to come to light, right when we are beginning to doubt that the original threat was real?" When C.I.A. would ask "What do you suggest? That we ignore threats, to national security?" Beckett would say "Any threat, which can be confirmed, should be investigated. So far, all we are investigating is rumors. Be honest, with me. WHERE IS the rest of the Senate?" Homeland Security would only say "They are in secured locations, until the threat is neutralized." When Beckett would ask "What threat? All that I am hearing is kitchen, or alley, gossip." When Homeland Security would say "Fine, Senator. Know this: Once you leave this bunker, you are abandoning your post. Homeland will NOT guarantee your safety, once you step outside this chamber." (Homeland would not know what to do, when Senator Castle would say "I think I will take my chances, outside.") When Beckett would step outside, into the REAL world, the first thing she noticed was that life, in Washington D.C., was the same as usual. When she went to her office, this is when her staff would be told "Simulation ends, now." When Beckett would ask "Simulation?" The F.B.I. stated "This has been a simulation, to guage your reactions, to a real emergency." When Beckett would ask "You mean that there never was a threat?" The F.B.I. would state "All, new, members, of Congress, are presented with this same test. We need to know who will take control, and who will fold." Beckett would, then, be informed that there were, in fact, some "factions" which felt that a new attack would bring public attention back to the need to continue the invasions. While Senator Castle would, never, mention it, publicly, she KNEW who the "factions" were. They were NOT in the Middle East. They were stationed right here, in the U.S. The very people who kept making more and more, budget requests, for ever-more money, to continue the invasions. The factions were the military-industrial complex. Now, Beckett had a new mystery to un-ravel. That of how to bring an end to the rumor cycle. The invasions could not continue, much longer. Not with the public losing support. The question would be "HOW, WHEN, and WHERE", would big money attack the nation, in order to spark such public outrage, that the invasions, and the profits, would continue? This is why, returning to New York, Beckett would bring Castle, Ryan, and Esposito, together, for a strategy session. The question, posed, was: How FAR would billionairres be willing to go, to keep profits at record high levels? How many LIVES were profits worth? A sub-question would be "How do we know REAL threats from "simulations"? Sure, there were anti-government factions. There had been, since the United States was founded. Most were just loud mouths, wanting their five minutes, before the camera's. (Even Ryan, and Espo, noticed how alive Kate was, when involved with a mystery, or homicide.) Give Kate Castle a mystery to solve and she was as happy as a child, on Christmas morning. HOW could she shut down a multi-billion dollar, rumor, mill?