CASTLE THE UN-INTENTIONAL BLUNDER

CASTLE: THE UN-INTENTIONAL BLUNDER United States Senator Katherine Castle was in an impossible situation. On the one hand, she had Congressional opposition, who were, as ever, demanding more, draconian reductions, to social programs. This, while making no effort to provide alternatives. Each time Senator Castle would ask "What are the needy supposd to do, without a support system?" The response was "Not my problem". On the other hand, New York was not too happy, with the video, of New Yorks history. The problem, most often cited, was the fact that too much history was just being HINTED at, yet not really shown/produced. New Yorkers did not want a video, which only said "Yes, there were bordello's. There were subway stations. There were statues." New Yorkers wanted a video, which SHOWED New Yorks gritty past. On top of all of this, members, of Congress, wanted approval, for more hundreds of millions, of dollars, to continue financing the most un-popular wars, of the 21st century. When the senator mentioned "I am going home, to mention this situation, to my supporters", the opposition had said "Make SURE that they know that the wars WILL go ON, no matter what." When Kate asked "Are you threatening New York?" the opposition had said "We have invested far too much, in this project, to let go, now. We WILL DO whatever it takes, to continue this work." Senator Castle would depart Washington D.C. wondering just how FAR these people were willing to go. Aside from controlling the worlds oil supply, even Senator Castle could see no reason for the United States to continue the invasions, in the Middle East. The senator decided. No, I am NOT going to order New Yorkers to continue supporting which they do not agree with. She had enough real trouble to deal with, back in New York. While Kates message had Castle, Martha, and Alexis, all working on a revised version of the "History of New York City", Kate knew that, upon return to town, HER first stop would be the mayor's office. Ironically, the mayor had not thought much, of the original cover story, yet had gone along, to help solve a murder case. In fact, the mayor had not thought that New Yorkers would even pay attention to that video. Now, Kate was on her way, to the mayors office, to promise the mayor that the Castles were working, full time, on the new, new, video. The deliberate video. What would help the Castles out was the fact that long-time friends, Ryan and Esposito, were out, gathering information, as well. The N.Y.P.D. had leant the detectives out, to the visitors bureau, as part of the new effort. When Kate arrived, at the mayors office, prepared to say that everyone was "on-board", the mayor would suggest "Senator, I know you are under stress, enough, as it is. I want you to know that city hall is behind the new effort. After all, the first video was not yours, or your family's, idea." When Kate would say "Thank You, mayor. I know that my family will do their best." (After so many years, alone, with just her father around, Kate was, still, getting used to saying that she had a family.) The mayor would remind her "Kate, I KNOW that you will do your best. Just let my staff know if you need anything." After this meeting would come the welcome home, from her new family. Martha felt so much like Kates real mother, Joanna Beckett, that Kate had to remind herself of the truth. Now, sure, Kate did not give birth, to Alexis, nor attend kindergarten, or aid Castle, but, Kate felt that, if Alexis could accept Kate, then Kate would do the same. As for Rick, himself, what could she say. He was the one part, of her life, which was as constant as her father. Annoying as he was, yet even Mr. Beckett had welcomed Richard to the family. What Kate did not expect to walk into, was the pacing, and half-conversations, which seemed to "flood" the family home. When Kate called out "Guys, whats going on?" Ryan, and Esposito, would turn to Rick, saying "You tell her." When Castle asked "Why me?" the guys would say "She's YOUR wife. It will sound better." This is when Martha would join the group, saying "Kate, remember those subways Montgomery was talking about. From the Old Haunt case?" When Kate would ask "What about them?" Ryan would say "It seems we FOUND one of them." When Kate would say "Great, more video material." Espo would say "Not quite." When Kate would say "Okay, OUT with it.", Ryan would say "We have something which we cannot explain." Espo would add "Neither can Laney". Kate would ask "Dont tell me you found a body." Ryan would say "Not really a body, body." When Kate would say "Spill! Before I revoke your pensions." Rick would jump in, saying "Better than a body. A mummy." When Kate would say "A mummy. A real mummy. Tell me this is not a joke." Ryan and Esposito would slouch as they said "NO joke." It would not be until actual arrival, at the "site", that Kate, and Castle, could "come to grips", with what had happened. As the site foreman told the police "Since this is to be the tallest building, in the city, once completed, we were required, by zoning law, to dig deeper than usual. That is the ONLY reason why we found it." When Kate would ask "Found what?" When the construction cage came to rest, on the platform, the foreman would direct the police forward, towards the remains of an old platform, then to a double set, of stairs, leading even further down. While the stairs seemed almost slippery, with construction debris, what the group found, at the bottom, would make any archeologist proud. While the area was covered in dust, there, in front of them, stood a two century old cable car. Complete with the nearly intact remains, of what had once been a commuter station. Since Kate did not see her friend, she called out "Laney!" Laney would answer "Inside." Upon entering the cable car, when Kate would ask "Any idea's?" Laney would say "This one will take awhile." When Kate would ask "Why?" Laney would say "Mummified skin. D.N.A. MIGHT be possible, but dont hold your breath, waiting." It would be Espo who would ask the next question "HOW could a body be left behind?" The construction foreman would say "In this day, and age, it would be impossible. We do a safety head-count, at the end of every shift." Laney would only say "Dont bother with this one. I would say that they were dead LONG BEFORE you (the foreman) were born." When Espo would ask "How is it that no one knew this was here?" Kate would remind him "As Montgomery had said, there are many stations, which were not linked in, to the modern lines, which were just bricked up." When Ryan would ask "Should I check for missing persons?" Kate would say "As long as the vic has been dead, I doubt notification would be possible. Even if family still lived in New York." Kate would add "The question is: Why was the person never reported, before now?" The answer would come from the city hall Records Department. At the time of death, modern record keeping did not exist. Even computers were science fiction. Besides, workers died, on a regular basis. Safety equipment did not exist, nor did telephones. Result, unless the vic was part of some, rich, family, who can say? Kate, soon, found out why the 12th had been called in, on the case. City Hall wanted the case resolved as quickly as possible. The coming building would mean BILLIONS, in revenue. The one suggestion, which Senator Castle had to question was "How do we move the station out of the way, for the foundation?" When Kate suggested "crime scene", she was told "Century old crime. We cannot prosecute a corpse, even if we find the murderer. As far as we can tell, even the victims family has moved away." Since Kate had no answers, she went home to her family. Atleast at Casa Castle, things made sense. Well, sort of. It would seem that, while city records showed some information, on four properties, that the city information did not match with locals memories. The property, which caught Kates attention, first, was one she knew, so well. It had been an ice cream shop, in the years before her mothers murder. Mother and daughter stopped by, regularly, for a few scoops. Now, decades later, Kate was looking at information, which she was hesitant to believe. City Hall thought that an ice cream shop was a front for drug dealing? HOW was this possible? Senator Castle would find herself juggling two problems, at the same time. Trying to keep a contractor from destroying evidence, to get a building built, while figuring out why historic buildings were being accused of being drug distributors. This is where Richards past experience came into play. The senator would have her husband "make his rounds", and find out what anyone knew, about New York City, of 150 years ago. Almost everyone laughed, when asked "What can you tell me..." and the response was "150 years ago? I could not even tell you if we lived in New York, at that time." Still, from council members, to mob bosses, everyone agreed to make phone calls. Three weeks later, with the opposition, in Washington D.C. telling Kate "Senator, get BACK here, WITH those votes!", Kate was visiting about the only, living, person, from the old days. A widow, living in a home. After a three hour conversation, Kate was even more un-sure, than ever, of just how "accurate" city hall records were. Ryan and Esposito, would agree with this. Especially after their own investigation showed that the SAME, 300 year old church, where both boys had taken Catechism, had, about a century ago, been a whore-house. When the guys asked "How can a church be a whore-house?" The clerk would only say "I am only repreating the record. It says, "Former liquor warehouse converted to bordello, then to office building." This is when Ryan remembered something. He reminded Esposito "Remember that old garage. What was his name?" When Espo would say "I remember. Everyone called him Chuck." Ryan would add "I remember him saying, a few times, that HIS place started out as a liquor warehouse, then turned into a bordello." Espo would say "Yeah, thats right. Only one problem. The Deed says that the place turned into an office building. I remember Chuck saying that, before he moved in, he had to clear a bunch of old files." Ryan would ask "I wonder just how much, of New York history, is just as "reliable?" Back at Casa Castle, the mood was not much better. So many contradictions. Even life-long residents, of a given area, did not remember the use, of many buildings. At three locations, where the feds said that M-16's, and A.K.-47's were manufactured, the senator would ask investigators "According to records, this gun shop was in operation, between 1795, and 1855." When the feds would ask "So?" the senator would ask "If A.K.'s, and M-16's, are 20th century weapons, then HOW were they manufatured, and sold, nearly a century before being created?" The feds had no answers. At the next property, Senator Castle would nearly fall over, laughing, when the feds said that a public school had, in the days before the New Deal, been a place people sold daughters to. The young girls had, according to sources, been "trained" as prostitutes. What made team Castle laugh was the fact that federal "records" showed that the building had been producing prostitutes, since the 1850's. When the feds asked "Whats so funny?" It would be Richard Castle, who informed the feds "The New Deal was not even passed, by F.D.R., until the early 20th century. IF this building was a training house, for whores, it was not built as a public school." This is when Ryan and Esposito would waive everyone over, saying "Here is even more proof that this was a grade school, not a "training center". Sure enough, the corner stone, for public school 17, was placed during the New Deal. When the feds said "It is easy enough to replace a corner stone. This proves nothing." Ryan and Esposito would say "Wannabet?" While public school 17 was closed down, while waiting for remodelling money, the "junior" detectives would point out where various classes had been held. The men even reminiced about how LOUD the cafeteria was. When the fed asked "If this building is, truly, as old as you say, then why arent the two of you in an old age home?" Beckett would add "Sir, my detectives never said they went to school, under F.D.R. They said they remembered attending." When the fed looked confused, Beckett would say "This school has only been closed, for two months. Once funding is approved, and the building is updated, it will return to being a grade school." Meanwhile, back at the Castle residence, the family was trying to verify a rumor, about a certain building. Even with the help, of the mayors office, "records", for that time, were little more than faded notes. Alexis had even sent parts, of some old notes, to her university, to see if the computers could draw out writing. When Alexis had mentioned "Didn't anyone ever think of using a typewriter?" Martha would remind the young woman "In those days, most people did not even know how to READ, or WRITE. A typewriter would not even come along, until many years later." Soon, even Laney would give up, on the mummy. Whoever it had been, there was no record. The bones fell to powder, and, without any records, to go by, Laney could only say "This mystery person will remain a mystery." When the senator would ask "The body is wearing mens clothing. Does that mean it was a male?" Laney would say "You would THINK so, however, when I contacted some public works departments, I confirmed that, just like today, men AND women, wear the SAME uniforms. I would only call it female, IF it had signs, of having given birth. In its current form, it could be an Egyptian Pharoah, or a street person, who found some clothes." While plans, to move the mummy, to a museum, were underway, Richard was making plans of his own. A plan, to save the old station, by using private funds to move it, piece by piece, to a secure location. Even with this going on, in New York, Senator Castle was placed on notice. "Get back to D.C., and prepare to vote in FAVOR of more funds, for the invasions, or be "locked out", of the process." On her way back, to D.C., Senator Castle would remember a request, made by a New York group. A playground, whose plantings were cared for, by, locals, needed new equipment. While Kate could tell that the place needed modernization, the question was funds. Even back, in her Senatorial office, Kate was considering where, and how, to ask, for playground funds. That is, until the vote came up. Kate was not shocked when her request, for a couple of hundred thousand dollars, was denied, what left her speechless, was the next funding request. The Pentagon, and the White House, wanted ANOTHER $975 BILLION, for the invasions. Kate Castle became the "center of attention", when she asked the sub-committee "We just voted down maybe $300,000 for updating a playground. I have just been told that the budget will NOT accept this. How can we be voting for $975 BILLION, in overseas spending, if we cannot afford a new park, for our children?" When told "It is National Security", Senator Castle would say "I dont care if it is presidential security. If we cant afford play areas, then HOW can we afford the invasions?" This is when an opposition member would inform security "Senator Castle is departing the session. See her to the door." Well, Kate Castle might have been removed from the room, but this only "lit the fire", in her soul. Senator Castle was determined to find out HOW a nation, which could not afford the needy, or the young, could spare BILLIONS of dollars, to invade other nations. Back in New York, Alexis would start a project, which would make her "mother" (Kate), proud. While Richard, Ryan, and Esposito, were comparing "official" history, with peoples memories, Alexis would adapt an on-line game, called "City Maker", for project use. Wiping away everything that city hall said was correct, Alexis would begin using the information, gathered from New Yorkers, to "re-build" New York. The only information, which Alexis did NOT use, was the information, wherein some people claimed that ships had been coming, for centuries, to collect, harvest, groom, and tag, New Yorkers. The information, which the young woman DID use, was information such as who lived where, when, and where they worked. It did not take long for a new version, of "old" New York, to take shape. With Rick, and Martha, as well as internet friends, submitting not just photo's, but locations, and even plaque information, Alexis began re-building New York, back to its very roots. Un-like the previous video, this version would tell people where to look for information. This, however, became a new problem, as a few people were accused of having homes built on grave-sites. One family was accused of having a three story home, which was built on the grounds of a St. Vincents Cemetary. While the family held "Thats impossible. Our great-great-grand-parents BOUGHT this lot, at auction. Who would auction off a grave-site?" When Team: Castle reviewed the scene, both real, and virtual, the most that anyone, including city hall, could find, was a few, vague, references. As far as anyone could verify, St. Vincent had only travelled this area, a few times. He never settled. When protestors suggested "Dig down, 12 feet. If you find graves, then this was a grave yard." Thankfully, New Jersey made the digging un-neccesarry. This, since Jersey had brought in some Ground Penetrating Radar, to map some old pipes. New Jersey LOANED the equipment, to New York, in return for a stake in any "riches" found. All that the radar found was the remains of some villages, from centuries past. Thankfully, Alexis computer friends had found a way to make the model multi-dimensional. Now, the team could look back, over the centuries. To their pride, the team did locate atleast four "distillaries", which had made moon-shine, during Prohibition. Atleast, the REMAINS of the distillaries. These, and other locations, however, were withdrawn, before the map was published, and for good reason. While many had collapsed, with age, others were ruled un-safe, by building inspectors. As some retired inspectors would inform the police "Your modern day codes did not exist, back then. Even fire escapes were not made of steel. With the telephone only in rich peoples homes, code compliance just did not exist." When Alexis found that one location had burned down, nine times, and she asked "Why did people keep re-building?" Martha would say "There is a sucker born, every minute. I remember hearing that some people claiming that they wanted to re-build, to fight whatever monster had attacked the previous home." When Alexis would ask "Did any succeed?" Martha would ask "Does it LOOK like they did?" (Most of the properties were donated to churches.) It was THIS time, that Richard played the role of master composer. Since the public wanted what they could SEE, FEEL, and ACCESS, Richard decided to limit the documentary only to the time since Manhattan had been founded. The G.P.R. had been great, at verifying that no ones homes were built, on grave sites. Aside from finding some pre-columbian caves, the unit had done its job, and was sent back. New Jersey would be thanked, in the credits. As for the subway car, the benefactors found an old, abandoned, factory building. Just the right size for the exhibit. With the exception of the mummy, the subway car, and the station, were moved, rather effortlessly. (The construction firm even provided what help that it could. Being civic minded, never hurt business) What concerned Laney was the fact that no missing persons reports were found. It was as if the body had been dumped. WHO could have warranted such treatment? Being a licensed M.E. meant that the woman would not stop, until she had some facts. The problem was that this "man" had been from a time, when the closest thing, to family records, was the family Bible. Still, this left the question of "Why wall them up, inside an underground station?" Why not dump the body in the river? It would be the Castle family which would discover the reason. This, they found, completely, by accident. While "climbing up, and down", mountains of data, the family found a man. Not much for the 9-5 lifestyle, the man sent money home, to a woman. A woman, whom the media suspected was his wife. All anyone actually knew, of the man, was that he loved trains. He loved them so much that he drew up, and sent, to the woman, sets of drawings, showing how a subway system would benefit the growing village, of Manhattan. The Castles found a series, of telegrams, between city hall, and the woman. All saying "Manhattan does not need a subway system. We have all we need, on the surface." With some hours, of manual searches, the letters, and telegrams, were dated about 50 years before the first subway was dug. Tragically, the man would be returned to New York, after an injury left him nearly paralyzed, on Mount Ararat. (Yes, the supposed resting place of Noah's Ark.) The man claimed that he had found the boat, and camped inside, for two weeks. It was only on his descent that the man was injured. Since his woman knew of his love of trains, she had him buried, with a train. The question was: Could the story be proven? Still, it was delightful reading. What neither Martha, nor Alexis, could believe was how SOON the public wanted the new video. The Castles, and their helpers, worked, almost non-stop, yet the public wanted the new video, yesterday. Martha would console Alexis "Take heart, darling. When you have been around as long as your father, and I, you learn that even yesterday is not soon enough. People think that the great works wrote, and produced, themselves." Alexis only response was "If I work on this project, anylonger, I will graduate with a degree in film." Senator Castle was relieved that she had been removed frrom budget negotiations, over the cost of the Middle East. Invasions, which had become so un-popular that many states were asking "What ARE we, STILL, doing there?" (No one was buying the excuse: We are keeping America safe, by attacking the attackers, in their own, front, yard.) Senator Castle had learned that "Stop-Loss", the program to force soldiers to remain in the army, was closer than ever, to being overturned. This is why, when "new" rumors, of pending attack, began circulating, even the senators staff would say "Let them come. We can deal with them." Military appropriations were being reduced, by millions of dollars. Forces were being reduced, from the Middle East. Arms manufacturers were reducing staff, to keep profits up. While the Castle family had been focused on the HISTORY, of New York City, what no one had ever even thought about was WHO would HOST the documentary. In order to quiet rumors, Richard, and Alexis, would post messages, saying "Unless anyone has a better idea, we suggest the following..." The Castles were not so much into casting, at this point. They were creating a classic crime board. The same kind that Beckett had used, for YEARS, at the 12th. The difference was that this was not a "murder board". This was the life history, of a city. The problem, with "designing" the board, was Prohibition. During those "dark", "law-less" years, Not only was New York Governor James (J.J.) Walker, openly defiant of Prohibiton, and who went by the "monicker" "Beau James", a bootlegger, but, as the Castles were learning, Mayor Walker was not the only person producing moon-shine. He was only the most well-known. Running down clues, from retiree's, Ryan and Esposito would pursue dozens of clues. Clues, secret rooms, and staches of enough, illegal, liquor, to sink a navy ship. Places, which city hall denied, ever, existed, could be accessed by people, whose great-grand-children were approaching middle age. Most, of what the detective found, smelled like diesel fuel. Test strips showed that the product was VERY similar to diesel fuel. When a shipment was sent to the police garage, to finds out if motor vehicles actually COULD run on this stuff, the detectives were just as surprised as the mechanics were not. When a tank was attached, and the key turned on, the motor did, indeed, run. Esposito would be the one to say "Just think, if a motor could run on that stuff, WHAT could it do to the human stomach." This was a question, which Laney COULD answer. "Its simple. With what they used, to make the stuff, it would eat up stomach linings, bladders, and, given enough time, would lead to bladder collapse." Still, none of this helped to clear up the time line. What DID help was expanding the time-line, for Prohibition. Instead of the four inch, original, space, teh time line was expanded to four FEET. Now, there was room. While the mayors office would have preferred to have New York drawn as a sober, church-going, tea-totalling, god-worshipping, city, the fact is that history, REAL history, just did not support this. Not anymore than the idea that whore-houses were on every corner. Eevn Richard Castle knew, from his research that, during Prohibition, that the best was for a club to "spotlight" the evenings entertainment was by having rented vans drive around the city. The entertainers would play, as the truck drove, and banners, on the side, of the truck, would mention which club the band was playing at. This is why Richard nearly spit out a drink, at a bar, when he heard some, young, person, asking about advertising, that the response was "They ran television ads." Richard thought this hilarious since, during those times, RADIO was the "hot", "new" tech. Families, with A.M. radios, were considered "royalty". While, on the surface, the first Great Depression, of the 20th century, had lead to wide-spread job-lessness, if a person was able to land a job, working for a moon-shiner, then money was not so scarce. While city hall had ASKED Senator Castle to cover only the most historically-relevant, gang-style shootings, Senator Castle would only promise the mayors office "We will only use what we can PROVE." The problem was that New York was proving to be far less "puritan" than it would like to admit. Now, granted, even Castles underworld contacts held to the code, of the day. A code which stated "Stay AWAY from schools, churches, and hospitals." A few, of the cheapest hoods did do business. (They were "rubbed", when located) While it was an old, urban, legend, that Mayor Walker even used a private train, not just to show guests around New York, but that the same, subway, had ben used as a mobile speakeasy, no one knew that this rumor had any truth, until, following yet another rumor, Ryan, Esposito, and some tunnel workers, actually FOUND the old relic. In its day, it would have been considered "pristine", even "elegant". Four cars long, and with a steam-piston, engine. If not for the dust, this place would be considered a four-star car. Later, over plenty of take-out food, Ryan, Esposito, Laney, and the Castles, all had the same question. Since starting the new video project, the team had gathered enough information to fill a six hour mini-series, the question was "How much history did the city want?" Some would argue that Alexis was "tricked", into becoming the host of the series, but this was not true. The very first choice had been Martha Rogers. She seemed natural enough, especially with her background, as an actress. Martha was just about everyones first choice. That is, until Martha, herself, reminded people that it was Alexis who had been doing so much, of the coordinating. It was Alexis who had been working on scheduling permissions, for visits. It was Alexis, who was working to compile a correct time line. When Alexis would ask Richard "Dad, YOU are much better, at public appearances." all Richard would say was "You have put so much into this. You have earned the spotlight." While producers wanted to widen the field, to attract more viewers, the other actresses had to take time to study the material. (Material, Alexis knew by heart.) Result, Alexis university would alter her records, to show that she HAD passed these course requirements. Three months, out of her life, to film a six hour mini-series. While Kate was proud, of Alexis, she did wish that the girl could handle congress, FOR her. Kate was in no hurry to return to that inferno, of back-stabbing, and double-dealing. Her ofice had informed her that, the more the invasion budget was reduced, the more "threats", to "National Security", began emerging. Even worse, as the United States pulled out of the Islamic world, the very "holy men", whose "power-bases" the United States had blown off the map, were returning to power, even as Sharia Law returned to being the "law, of the land." As American tanks, machine guns, and rocket launchers, were cycled over, to Germany, for re-asignment, the cleric was returning to power. It was at times, like these, that Kate wished she could speak, to the "time traveller". She wanted to know "What is it that I am to do, which will be so special?" Atleast one fact came to life, about a year later. It involved the case of DeChile, and his new tech. It came to the senators attention, that DeChile had submitted an overview, of a tech project. DeChile had the idea that, with the proper application, of mathematics, that interstellar debris, which could have devastating effects, on the Earth, could be deflected, by an energy shield. Senator Castle would accept a position, on the review board, especially after reading military applications for the tech. (The military actually thought that the tech could be used to destroy in-bound missiles.) The problem was that, like "Star Wars", the detected and destroy tech, would be usefull on only one missile, out of dozens, at a time. It was only when DeChile, himself, came forth, for testimony, that Kate realized how she would affect history. While there were dozens of articles, all explaining why "Star Wars" would have been a waste of money, Kate would ask the committee chairman "How can it hurt America, just to research the mans theory. After all, it has been admitted that targetting only specific rockets will only eliminate maybe ten percent of the threat. Why not test the idea, of a national shield?" When $2 million, in grant money, went into the research, yet could find no problem, that could not be fixed, another $5 million would go into establishing the shield, beginning with Washington D.C. Not, it was back to New Yorks business. The government needed massive funds, for the work, that the public wanted done. As a direct result, of the loss of funds, for the invasions, D.C. had closed its purse tighter than ever. This is why the senator asked her husband for some help. When Castle would ask "How large a check do you want?" Kate would correct him, saying "It is NOT your MONEY, that I want. Its your endorsement. I want you to get your friends involved. Lets see how many of them would like some free publicity, for helping the city to clean up some dirty spaces." Seeing the possibility, of free publicity, Castle would, still, be the first to write a check, for the project. The family would, then, make the JOINT decision, that profits, from the REAL video, would go toward the fund. Senator Kate Castle would begin to see the "light, at the end of the tunnel". The "light", which the time traveller had said Kawte would follow. IF the "time traveller" were correct, Kate Castle would have some remarkable experiences, coming her way, in the near future.

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?

THE FITNESS CHALLENGE

THE FITNESS CHALLENGE That was the challenge that our state government made. The start, of the challenge, actually, began with a stalemate. State agencies were complaining that, with tax cuts, there just was not enough operating capital, to continue providing services. Even to current clients. While one side, of the "aisle" was more than ready, to increase taxes, to provide financing, for agencies, the opposite side remained adamant. "Taxes MUST be CUT, NOT increased. The state MUST learn to live on a budget." This is what lead to a full week, of food, and drink, deliveries. Gallons of coffee, and cold drinks, as well as vans, full of food. Everything from glazed, and frosted, donuts, to pizza, pasta, beef stew, and chili. By the end of the stalemate, while eyes, on both sides, were blood-shot, it was bellies, which an adult fitness group, was looking at. Since members, of the legislature, are given routine physicals, there was current data, to measure by. The opposition opposed the weigh-in, but only until the governor volunteered to step on the scale. This, after reminding the media "I dont think that I have had a high quality meal, in a week." While the governor had gained just over 20 pounds, other members had gained between 30, and 40 pounds. It was not until after everyone had a good nights sleep, that the governor called a meeting. Once rested, the governor had weighed in, again, with the same results. Calling a meeting, of the legislative leaders, the governor would ask "Are we "fit" to serve this state?" When leaders would say "Sure, thats why the people elected us." The governor would correct the mistake, asking "Are we "fit", as in physically fit, to serve the people?" Both sides would agree "After impasses, we, ALL, have to hit the gym." The governor would ask "Why? If we work, for the people, they pay our salaries, and we are accountable, to them, should this not be in every situation?" While the one side said "Governor, once we hit the gym..." and this is when the governor would say "THAT IS the problem. We should not have to "hit the gym", after time in the chamber." When the opposition would ask "What are you saying, governor?" The governor would say "The STATE is getting FAT, on the taxpayers backs. I think its time for a change in habit." When the new program was unveilled, it was not state agencies, which were the first to cry "foul". It was healthcare workers. The people, who claimed that, after certain procedures, patients need time to heal. The governor would, again, correct the misunderstanding. "I am NOT referring to those who are sick or injured. I am referring to those who have "lost their way" since high school." After this, and this time, publicly, the governor stepped on a scale, announced "While I may claim that I was performing the tasks, which I was elected for, I make NO excuse, for having gained over 20 pounds." After the governor listed the types of food, that had ben consumed, during the impasse, the governor asked "Is your government REALLY setting a good example?" This is what lead to the start of the fitness project. Once the governor announced "From this time, until I leave office, there will be no more buffets, during government work. From now on, we are going to practice fitness, both physical, and dietary. I want to make sure that the voters get what they deserve." Soon, adults, from across the state, were measuring in. When some adults scoffed at the program, when asked "What example are you setting, for your children?" The adults were silent. The largest weight gain, however, was not where it was expected. No, the largest amount of weight gain, was in office workers. Federal, state, and local, office workers, were weighing in at almost twice what they began adulthood at. As for me, when I stood, in line, for my weigh in, the director had a problem. They were accustomed to men with saggy arms, thick legs, and "spare tires", for bellies. Men, of about my size, who weighted in, at 300(+) pounds. Then, there was me. Even at 225 pounds, the doctors noticed my fitness. Un-like the other men, whom trainers were suggesting changes to, I was one of the only men, not to be given such advice. As for the women, it was fifty/fifty. With the governor leading the way, the state began moving from being over-fed "couch potatoes", to being more active, in life. It would seem that the governor was no stranger, to dieting. In fact, he took to it like an expert. He set his goal at losing twice as much as he had gained. While, for some people, the weight control plan began, and ended, with the weigh-in, there were those, of us, who stayed with it. What shocked the legislature, more than the next impasse, was the fact that, instead of buffets, full of lunch, and dinner, food, the legislature found itself "dining" on salads, and fruits. Coffee, and soda, were replaced with vegetable juice, and other, healthy, choices. The media was able to report that, for some reason, this impasse did not last as long, as previous ones had. Was it due to "public mandate?" Was it due to having to eat healthy food? All that the public knew was that, after the healthy budget impasse was completed, the legislature began working out details, for the following year, before the current budget was even passed. (Were they really so opposed to eating healthy?) On the negative side, atleast twelve men, who had been warned, about weight, and how much their legs could stand, went into wheelchairs, when legs gave out. This, while atleast 24 other men came OUT of wheelchairs, when weight was reduced to what their legs could carry. Men, who could, now, play, with either teens, or grand-children. As part of the weight challenge, men, who, normally, wagered on national games, were encouraged to wager on local events, instead. This way, instead of just watching, from a sofa, the men were interracting. While the governor ended up losing a few EXTRA pounds, other men saw bellies return to "normal" position. This, and men, who, normally, sat on couches, during games, were "burning calories" by participating in the games. The reason why the fitness program received only mixed reviews, was because only, maybe 250, to 500, men remained with the program. The othet 5,000, to 10,000, men returned to their regular lifestyle, long before the challenge was completed. Both the governor, and I, were given Awards, for Achievement. The governor WANTED to penalize the state workers, who bailed on the challenge. Union contracts, however, forbade the governor from ordering peoples private lives. What the media reported on was the fact of the seven men, ALL over-weight, died, within six months. The coroners report would read "Organ failure, due to excess weight." IN the coroners office, the M.E. would confirm that each victim had died, due to pressure, on the heart. The victims had died since their hearts could not beat fast enough, or hard enough, to supply nutrients to the body. What was, also, reported was how, those, of us, who stayed with the challenge, were adding years to our lives. We were no-longer pre-Diabetic. Those, who "bailed out", were asked "What type of coffin would you want?" Yes, GOOD weight meant an active lifestyle, and freedom of movement. BAD weight meant watching life, from the "side-lines". When asked, I informed the governor, "All I want to do is be able to go out, when asked, and not have to make excuses." Did I expect to live longer? NO. I just wanted to be active, in this life. What was wrong with that? Those, who lost even tiny amounts, of weight, were given ribbons, for effort, while those who "bailed", and returned to being "couch potatoes", were listed, in the local media, as "Quitters". I know that, when I was asked, about the program, I corrected the speaker, saying "A healthy life-style is not a content. It is a life-STYLE. Something which ends only in death." The media expanded upon this by saying "Research shows that people, with healthy life-styles out live others, by as much as two decades. Fit parents can be more active, with children." All that I knew was that I continued to become some sort of state-wide figure. More people, than ever, wanted to know me. While I used my "notoriety", to aid in dis-mantling the new Berlin Wall, replacing this with state-hood. I was invited to address many groups, on the subject of health and fitness. Like I, always, said, fitness must be a personal decision. No one can force it.

CASTLE: THE BEDROOM KILLINGS

CASTLE: THE BEDROOM KILLINGS While Richard Castle would be busy, researching his latest work, Senator Katherine Castle would be busy as well. In her case, trying to make sure that New York received its fair share, of housing money. How the senator was coming to long for visits, to crime scenes. Nowadays, she only knew what the media was told. That is, until Ryan and Esposito would bring back the memory, of an unusual crime. From e-mails, sent to both Beckett, and Castle, Ryan and Esposito had been assigned a new case. One which was just as bizzarre as a classic case, which the group had investigated, years before. Specifically, the case of a woman, found, murdered, in her own bed, along with an un-conscious attacker, whose first question was "She's dead?" What linked the two cases, beyond this, was the fact that the alarm system had been activated, all night long. When Castle asked "Did you check under the bed?" Ryan would type "After that last case, of course. NO traces." By the time Senator Beckett would ask "tox-screen?" Esposito would respond "In the works. The strange thing is, the man is acting like he was ruffied. Disoriented. The works." When Beckett would send "What about the time of death? Has Laney established it, yet?" Ryan would say "Working on it." After the detectives signed off, Castle would send "Just think of it. Another murder, just waiting for team "Castle/Beckett." Beckett would send "Dream on. This is a police matter. Neither of us are with the police, any longer." Castle would send "Spoil sport." It would not be until two more bodies showed up, with the same M.O., that Beckett and Castle would become involved. According to the newest captain, of the 12th precinct "Senator, I need your experience, and insight, on this case. With each new body, the pressure is growing, for public disclosure. If that happens..." Beckett would say "I understand, completely. I will make a few phone calls. Buy you as much time as I can." The captain would turn to Richard Castle, asking "I know you are considered un-conventional, but you may be able to help, anyway." Castle would say "Anything, for the city that I love." By the time Castle was reviewing evidence, with Ryan and Esposito, Beckett was negotiating a deal, with some major media. This is how she learned "Senator, our outlet has a source. For a price, they are willing to tell ALL of us what they saw, at two of the crime scenes." When Beckett would ask "What is their "price"?" the senior negotiator would say "Drop all narcotics charges, against Enrique Mendoza. Do this, and our informant talks." Beckett would say "I am a U.S. Senator, not a D.E.A. agent. I cannot speak for them. You have to speak, directly, with them." This is when the senior negotiator would say "The D.E.A. is not cooperating. Maybe you can help." When Beckett would say "I will check it out. Now, WHEN may I speak to you witness?" She was left slack-jawed when the negotiator would say "As soon as the charges are dropped." After the media departed, Beckett asked Ryan and Esposito "What do you know about Enrique Mendoza?" Espo would bring forth a file, saying "Easier for you to read, than to tell you." Sure enough, Enrique Mendoza was NO Pope Francis, for sure. Mendoza was in federal custody, after "various drugs" were found on his person, when he returned from Mexico. Mendoza had other charges, and had served time, in the past. Despite being in his twenties, Mendoza was just millimeters from life in prison (under three strikes and your OUT). Beckett had to wonder What KIND of information might Mendoza have, which could be traded. Could it be the mystery killer? Still, Beckett called the D.E.A., and received some information. When she called the media execs into the 12th, again, the men seemed cool, and collected, but only until faced with hard facts. When Beckett mentioned "Enrique Mendoza has been in custody, awaiting arraignment, since BEFORE the first killing. What information COULD he have?" When the media asked "Are you SURE he was in custody?" When Beckett would mention "I have reports, and video. Mendoza was in custody, BEFORE the killings started." The senior negotiator would ask "What if we told you that the killer spoke to Enrique, BEFORE Enrique's arrest?" When Beckett would ask "WHEN did they talk?" Media would say "They spoke maybe a month ago." This is when Beckett would produce a flight log, showing that Enrique had been in Mexico, at that time. When Media would ask "Excuse me, but did we say, or even MENTION, that the talk was in New York?" When Beckett would realize that she was being had. She was being fed false leads, to try to get a drug mule off of a conviction. This is when she said "I think we are done, here." As she left the room, the media called out "Detective, excuse me, senator, we can, still, make a deal." Beckett would look at some officers, whom she knew, saying "Please escort these people from the building." The media would depart, while insisting "We have evidence." By this time, Castle had been reviewing notes, with Ryan, and Esposito, about the new crime scenes. In each case, the bedding, and frame, had been thoroughly checked. When Castle asked "What about secret compartments." Espo would ask "Why would anyone risk being discovered, hiding in a secret compartment?" Castle would say "Why, indeed?" Castle would, then, add "You know, in most of the best crime novels, of the past few centuries, hiding places, and secret panels, have played a part, to the point where audiences get more excited about WHERE the secret is, than about the murder." When Ryan would say "Thats just sick. Its like saying that the prize, at the end of a game, is more important than those, who died, trying to win the game." Castle would say "Last time I checked, the world was not a very rational place." When Beckett would add "Add in the media frenzy and the world is even LESS rational." Ryan, and Espo, would ask "Do you really expect us to go over the crime scenes, again, looking for "magic portals", and disappearring cabinets." Beckett would say "Unless you have a better explanation for how people, ALONE, in their locked rooms, are being murdered." Ryan would add "So long as we dont have to try and call the Enterprise, and ask Mr. Scott about un-authorized beam outs." Ryan would realize that this had been a mistake, from the moment when Castle would say "Not a bad idea. Beam in, committ murder, then beam out. No traces." Ryan would say "Sorry I mentioned that." At one address, the manager would say "Sure, there are spaces, under the floor. How else do you expect us to keep heat, and air conditioning working?" What surprised the detectives was that the maintenance hatches had no locks. When this was mentioned, to the workers, the workers asked "What do we need locks for. No one knows these spaces are here." This is when Esposito would reach inside the space, pull out something, and ask "When was the last time a worker was in here?" After reports were checked, and it was verified that no one had been logged in, for three months, the evidence showed that someone had been in, within the past, few, days. Now, if nothing else, the detectives knew how ONE murderer got in, past the alarms. At another crime scene, a more thorough check, of a wardrobe, showed that a rear panel was loose. When slid aside, there was found an ancient, and forgotten, path way, to another room. In THIS case, it was the modern sole, of a work-boot, which was found inside the passage. In the third crime scene, the manager would say "This unit has no UNDER spaces, or secret panels." When Esposito would ask "How do you work on electrical, plumbing, and so on?" the manager would say, "From the room above. It HAS an access port. It just does NOT connect, with this room, as you can see" (The manager would say as they pointed at the ceiling.) From the upstairs room, however, once the hatch was open, and a length of silk rope was found, coiled up, Ryan would ask "Let me guess. No one has, officially, been in this space, for months." The manager would say "Not since the last department of health and safety inspection." By the time Ryan and Esposito, would return to the 12th, Laney had verified causes of death. When Beckett would ask "Laney, what have you got?" Laney would say "Something I am hesitant to believe, even with the facts right in front of me." When Beckett would say "Just dont give me one of Castles "famous" "The C.I.A. targetted them, for termination" theories". Laney would only say "I dont THINK that the C.I.A. would kill, like this." When Beckett would ask "How were they killed?" Laney would say "Based upon stomach contents, each victim was given just enough drugs to cause un-consciousness. The fatal dose was delivered AFTER each victim was asleep." When Beckett would ask "HOW can you KNOW that?" Laney would say "The drugs, which caused death, were designed not to reach the stomach. They dissolved, in the digestive tract." When Beckett would ask "How can you know that?" Laney would say "You have your husband to thank. Him, and a theory that Klingons might have hidden some micro-bombs in the victims food." Laney would say "I wanted to dismiss this theory, as fast as possible. We have enough crack-pots in this world. We dont need aliens to make things weirder." When Beckett would say "GO on, WHAT is it you found?" Laney would say that, "When I checked each victims digestive tracts, I found residual irritation, from the poison." Espo would suggest "So the victims were ruffied, then poisoned, once asleep.?" Laney would say "Makes a very quiet, and submissive, victim, easier to control." When Beckett would ask "Who HAS this kind of tech?" Laney would say "You are looking for someone, who is very knowledgeable, and adept, with drugs." Beckett would say "That narrows the field to every doctor, nurse, interns, and who knows who else, for the suspect list." Laney would say "Dont forget. While Medical examiners dont, normally, deal with the living, we, also, have the skills, and knowledge." The very LAST thing, that Beckett wanted to do was suspect a co-worker (even a former co-worker), of such crimes. Still, Laney had been correct. M.E.'s DO have the knowledge. On the other hand, there was the boot print, freshly made, and the nylon rope. Were they clues, or were they planted? By the time Beckett was ready to suggest a trip, to city hall, for Ryan and Esposito, the new captain would assign the detectives to examine the same documents, for any sign of recent access. When Espo had asked "How far back should we go?" the captain had suggested "Maybe a month before the first murder." This is when Beckett would suggest "Sir, I know I dont work here, any more, but I would like to suggest that the search not be limited to such a recent time." When the captain would ask "Your reason, senator?" Beckett would say "These killings are not random. Each was well thought out. Everything, from alarm access codes, to hiding places. While I dont know what the message is, yet, I am certain that someone is trying to send someone a message. A message which has taken time to assemble." When the captain would say "This sounds very much like one of your husbands conspiracy theories. Lets try to keep this proffesional." Beckett would say "I AM keeping it proffessional. These killings took TIME to plan. This is why I suggest that the guys look further back. We need to find out who accessed those plans." When the captain would ask "So, you think that these were executions? Something someone PLANNED?" Esposito would ask "Why not? They took the time to study the plans, learn the buildings lay-outs, and prepare hiding spaces. Sounds planned, to me." The captain would say "Fine, go back, but no more than a century." Espo would turn to Beckett, asking "How should we play this, to avoid media attention?" Beckett would suggest "I will put a request in, at the next session. Say that we are compiling a history of the city. Emphasis on famous hiding places. I will even request funds, for a video. This way, the media will be stuck, watching the process, while we search for clues." Both Castle, and the captain, would be astounded at how well the "historical video" story went. When Castles fan began e-mailing the author, about the script, for the video, Castle went to work on what started as a phony script. Problem was, like the detectives, Castle found so much information, that he ended up writing a REAL script. Since the video would be a documentary, Ryan, and Esposito, would share research, with Castle. Research which would include the fact that similar videos had been tried, MANY times, over the years. The problem was content. While New York City is well-known, from the era, of Prohibition, Racketteering, and other vice, the problem is that many, of the film-makers were under pressure, to make a "sanitized" video. A video about families coming to the nation, to make new lives. Video's, which focused on how the church had aided in the effort, to make a success, of Prohibition. Basically, all had wanted a cross between "Little House of the prairie", and "The Life and Times, of Grizzly Adams". Each project was terminated once researchers showed financiers the real, and rugged, history, of New York. The tenements. The cons. The bordellos. Now, author Richard Castle had decided to make his own wifes "con" seem more real, by writing about the city's darkest days, as well as Liberty's light. In a three way effort, Castle, Ryan, and Esposito, worked the case, while doing research, for the video. To everyones surprise, people, who did not, normally, talk to cops, talked to Ryan and Esposito, when they used the cover "We are doing research, on the history of the area." While the 12th's captain had hoped for a list of as few as a dozen, potential targets, the problem was that hundreds of buildings, all across Manhattan, had passageways, and ducts, which the public had forgotten about, over the past fifty years. Even Richard Castle could not believe how many buildings had whole corridors, buried behind plaster, and drywall. As Senator Beckett would suggest "What we dont know, about New York, is buried, like a crypt. The question is "How do we narrow down the list, and find the killer?" Ryan and Espo, would comment "Unless someone is willing to permit the general destruction, of Manhattan, to find the perp, this will make "Where's Waldo" seem like childs-play." As Beckett would point out, "The only way, that I can see, to reduce the number, of targets, is by having potential victims vacate spaces. This SHOULD restrict the number of places, to strike." When the captain would ask "HOW do you plan to do that?" Beckett would turn to Castle, asking "Any idea's. None that would make sense, anyway." The captain would say "Senator, Mr. Castle, FIND me a way to save some lives." While the 12th was working on this problem, Beckett was relieved that Castle was, actually, writing a script. Now she remembered why she fell for the "child". When the Senate Finance Committee asked for a copy, of any alleged overviews, of the project, Castle printed off what he had, so far, and Beckett turned this over to the committee. When the committee chairman responded "This is not a completed work." Senator Beckett would say "That is true, Chairman. This is a work, currently, in progress." When the chairman would ask "You expect this committee to approve funds, for an in-complete work?" Beckett would say "I believe that, based upon the time it takes the committee to review, and approve, such requests, that the script will be prepared, for presentation, by the time the vote comes up." When the chairman would ask the treasurer "How long before this comes up for a formal vote?" The treasurer would say "Three months. Maybe four." Senator Beckett would say "BY that time, I am certain that I can have a fully reviewed script, for your review." When Beckett returned home, she asked Castle "Tell me you can have a completed work, for committee review, within three months." Castle would say "If Ryan and Esposito, assist me, I can have the script completed, in one month. I am just waiting for the details." As Ryan, Esposito, and the rest of the New York police continued their "research", Castle had just taken Beckett out, for dinner, when a drive by shooter, emptied their weapon, into the glass front, of the restaurant. Out of sheer habit, Beckett reached for her gun. Then she remembered "I am not a cop, any more." This is when she took out her phone, ran out, into the street, and tried to make the license, on the car. By the time Ryan, Esposito, and the captain, arrived, at the scene, restaurant staff were busy cleaning up the mess. When the partners asked "Why shoot up an upscale restaurant?" Beckett would say "Because Castle and I were here. This was a message. We are closing in. They are getting worried." While three more murders would take place, people, with money, and power, began leaving New York, as quietly as possible. Within one week, the police had cleared more than a dozen buildings. Management had placed locks on doors, which had not been locked, for seventy-five years. One week later, two dozen, more, buildings, were cleared. This while more than 200 people left New York. While the police commissioner was not happy, with all of the projected loss of income, the commissioner agreed. Better to lose some income, than to lose customers. Beckett figured that this is why someone TRIED to deliver a large package, of explosives, to the 12th. The bombing had failed since the city was bringing in a new breed, of police dog, to train for sniffing explosives. New Yorkers KNEW the old breed, even by name. The police needed dogs, which were not people-friendly. It was as the dogs were being trained, to sniff out explosives, that the dogs, nearly, went out of control, as a courier tried to deliver a package to the 12th. After the courier was arrested, pending verification of identity, the bomb squad suited up, and opened the bomb. It contained enough high explosives to level the 12th. (Now the police understood why the dogs had "gone beserk".) Using an armoured car, the police took the bomb to the river, and dumped it away from boaters, or swimmers. Still, when the timer went off, the water spout did rise fifty feet into the air. Between the drive by, at the restaurant, and the bomb, being delivered to the 12th, there was no quetion. The police were making someone very nervous, and desperate. This is why the captain ordered that all patrol cars be switched. If there was a bounty, of either Beckett's, or Castle's heads, the killers might strike their cruiser. By switching cruisers, daily, it would be impossible for anyone to know which car, they were using. Still, the city's mechanics pulled some extra over-time, by doing nothing more than a thorough inspection, of each car, before, during, and after, each shift. Some might call this paranoia. Both the captain, and the patrolman assigned to the car, from Beckett, were relieved when the officer brought the car in, for switch over. Sure enough, bomb disposal was called in, once maintenance verified that an explosive was wired to the engine. Thankfully, the officer, assigned to the car, was paranoid enough, as well, that he kept a log of all movements. UN-fortunately, the footage only showed a male, of in-determinate age, using a special "bump key" to un-lock the hood, and place the package. The bomb was designed, only to destroy the car. This meant it was small enough for the blast chamber. While Beckett would say "This proves my theory. We are getting close, and someone does not like it." Castle would ask "Yes, but WHO? Who would risk jacking a police cruiser, on the open street?" The only news, that Ryan had to report, was "Most of the well-to-do have left the city. Nearly half of the units are vacant." Beckett would say "That MUST be the reason. They are coming after us, since we are removing their potential victims from their sights." Esposito would ask "Okay, but that, still, does not answer the question of WHO are they? and Why strike now? What is so special about right now?" No one had any answer. Upon special request, of the police, atleast three, hotel, managers called the police, when sensor-mounted doors indicated that someone was using the old shafts, without management awareness. While management, as quietly as possible, "sealed" the buildings, until the N.Y.P.D. arrived, the bad news was that the perps had fled. At atleast two, of the locations, when asked about staff, managers would say "Impossible. These people have been working here, for YEARS. I trust them, 100%." It would seem that the killer may have known the lay-out of the next building. They just did not count on deterioration. Based upon the EAR-witness statements, the victims room was locked, yet neighbors had heard what sounded like a fight. Someone was punching, and throwing things at, the wall. The panel was easy for detectives to find, since the noises had been from the killer, trying to escape, through an ancient passage. A hole had been pounded in the wall, where a dusty, and rusted, handle hung. The best theory was that the killer used the handle to open the panel, hoping it would open, just as easily, from the inside of the room. Problem was that, with the building being 150 years old, the pieces were out of allignment. Since the panel did not close, completely, the switch, inside the room, would not work. This is why the perp had knocked a hole in the wall. They had to force the inside handle. Problem was that the perp forgot that "getting physical" leaves marks, including D.N.A., and finger prints. Now, Laney had something she could work with. Just one problem. When the finger-prints were run, through the database, the closest match was an elderly man. A man, whom the prisons had to release since they were just not set up for people, needing such personal treatment. Besides, the ex-con had died, within a month of release. The next, closest, match, was a great-grand, son. This match, however, was just 80%. Not so odd when it is considered that the two were four generations apart. Still, this left motive. What would a great grand son have to gain, by killing people, over something which had happened long before the man was born. What were the police missing? It was the very PUBLIC WAY that the next VICTIM would be killed, that made everyone question the case. Sure, the woman considered herself far more beautiful than Vanna White, Paula Abduhl, and others. This, however, was not her only "claim to fame". She had a very rich daddy. A man, who came to her rescue, every time she was arrested. He had the money, to buy her way out of convictions, for everything in the book. This is why, when compalints came in, about a very expensive sports car, rocking like it was being usedd as a bedroom, even Ryan, and Esposito, would say "Shes at it, again." While uniforms taped off the area, whe Ryan and Esposito arrived, asking "What has she done, THIS time." Uniforms would say "You need to see this." The young woman was in the car, throat slit, yet seeming almost peaceful. It would not be until Laney got the body on the table, and the suggestion was made that she had sex, Laney would say "She did not just have sex. She must have ROCKED it." When Beckett would ask "How?" Laney would say "Her is so full of a man, that they must have gone at it, for who knows how long." Beckett would say "That explains the nuisance calls. Has her father been called?" Ryan would say "His office says he is out of the country. Wont be back, for days." When Beckett would ask "Anything else?" Laney would say "I think that this is related to the bedroom killings." When Beckett would ask "How?" Laney would say "Our killer left behind more D.N.A. Its a match." When Beckett would ask "Why would a killer change their M.O. like this?" Laney would say "That is YOUR department." The great-grand-son came OFF the suspect list once he was located, in Europe. He was enrolled in school, studying 18th, and 19th, century, design. While the school verified that the man had been prompt, and present, the great-grand-son would say "I remember, about six months ago, I think it was. Some guy began asking me all kinds of questions about my past, and New York." When Beckett would ask "Why New York?" The man would say "He said he was doing a comparison paper, on how decorative Europeans made their passages, while American passages were nothing but "holes in the wall." When Beckett asked "Did he give you a name?" The man would say "Edgar Poe. Dont worry, I did not believe it either. I just showed him where, and how, to look up the constructon method." When Beckett would ask "Any thing more that you remember?" The man would say "It may be nothing, but I recall him saying "They got away with it. several times. I thought he was just thinking out loud." When Beckett would say "Thank you for your time." then switched off the line, Espo would be the one to say "Swell, now this seems to be about vendetta's. WHO are we looking for, and WHAT is the MESSAGE?" The captain would say "People, it is the "Message" which is scaring people off of Manhattan. We need to know this persons manifesto. Who are they trying to contact?" Beckett would suggest "Maybe, it is not about contact. Maybe its about saying "I KNOW what you DID." Espo would say "Not those old movies." Beckett would ask "Why not? Maybe they are a movie buff. Trying to re-create..." When the captain would ask "Senator, what is it?" Beckett would ask What if our suspect is an old movie buff. What if they are trying to re-create the granduer, of the days of black-and-white movies." Ryan would ask "If you are right, HOW doess this explain the girl, in her car?" Beckett would say "Copy cat. They hope the death will be blamed on the person hitting the high rises. They kill, on the street, then walk away." Espo would add "While we are looking for the other killer." It would, however, be Castle, who would provide the conclusive information. Inviting the investigation, to his loft, Richard Castle would let the police choose the movies, based upon crime scenes. While the N.Y.P.D. had dreaded the thought, of watching hours of old film, looking for particular scenes, Castle saved some time, by finding an internet review site. One, where the site creator had substituted the classic movies list, with a space, wherein people could TYPE in what scenes they were looking for. While under the subject heading "Victim, poisoned, in bed, by killer, who left (object) in crawl space, beneath bedroom floor" Too many movies, for the entire state to check, when Castle entered the subject heading "Victim poisoned, in bed, by killer, who used passage, inside wall, to gain access, then depart, un-seen. Only clue left behind was a bnoot print." Beckett had just told Castle "Dont be so descriptive. The killer may be watching, for such searches, themselves." Still, only a list, of five movies, came up. When Castle asked about crime scenes, which included crawl spaces, in which nylon rope were found. Only four movies showed this critera. Un-fortunately, no one had gotten around to creating "chapter/scene selection", for the movies. The N.Y.P.D. ended up watching HOURS of black-and-white movies, even as taxpayers were billed for orders of MORE pizza, and garlic bread. This, while Martha, and Alexis, would spend plenty of time fixing more than a few salads. When the captain burst in, asking "WHAT is going on, here?!". When Beckett would say "We are watching old movies." When the captain would say "Watching movies?! At taxpayer expense?!" Beckett would say "We are not watching, for enjoyment..." This is when Espo would call out "Hey, Beckett, come take a look at this." When Beckett lead the captain to the Castles living room, Espo would re-start the video, and say "Watch how the killer enters the room." Both Beckett, and the captain, would watch the restored, but still black-and-white, films, as, on-screen, the villian would watch the victim going about their routine. Un-aware that they were being watched. Once the killer had the victims routine down, they struck at the moment, when the person would be most vulnerable. After the killing, the murderer would be methodical enough to erase all evidence, then slip back into the panel. Before departing the crime scene, the killer would spray something on the floor, then leave only one scrap, of evidence, behind. When Beckett would ask Ryan "Remind me, what is the title, of this movie?" Ryan would check his notes, then state the name. When the captain would ask "Are you suggesting?" Castle would suggest "Captain, why dont you join us. Maybe YOU can spot some clues, that we, "juniors", have missed." What astounded the N.Y.P.D. was how, in each feature, the killer took the time to PLAN their actions. These were not some rawndom killers, looking for some "booty", or to kill women, with large chests. No, in each of these features, the killer waited, watched, and planned. Since the movies were all made, on less then shoe-string budgets, most features werfe just over one hour. Still, when an officer called out "How lame is that. They dont even show the blood, or guts." The captain would say "We are not here for a movie critique. We are here to solve murders." By the time film time was completed, Beckett would say "I am willing to wager my position, as U.S. Senator, that we have just watched our crime scenes being invented." The captain would say "NO, need. Senator, you may not know this but, when my family got tired of the blood, and gore, of the 1970's, and 1980's, my grand-father pulled out some copies, which he had, of old movies. We used to have the old fashioned sunday matinee's, right in our living room. This is how I fell in love, with the classics." Ryan would be the one to ask "Now that we know HOW the crimes were committed, the question is "How do we identify the killer?" Beckett would say "Check the cast list. Find out if any of those actors appearred in more than one movie." This is when Castle would mention "Beckett, in those days, ALL performers were under contract. The people were in every movie, that they were TOLD to be in." When Beckett would suggest "The place to check is not the credits. It is the old records." The problem was that all of the old records were lost, just as many old films had been lost. This is why the Actors guild was the next stop. This, also proved to be a "dead end" since the actors were dead, either of alcoholism, or old age. Many had been dead, since the 1960's. The next break, in the case, came when Castle would ask "We know that the dead girl, in the car, was a copy cat. What if someone is trying to draw attention, to classic film-making?" Beckett would ask "How? By staging murders, like old movies?" Espo would ask "Why not?, there have been cons, regarding the Fugitive, the Shadow, and both Star Wars, and Star Trek. These are fans, having fun. I doubt any of them is planning a murder." Beckett would say "No, we are not looking for a regular fan. Someone, who just loved a show. We are looking for someone with a deeper interest. Someone, lonely enough, to fixate on the lives, of the cast. Someone, who may not have felt it was fair, to cancel a show." Espo would say "Swell, you just narrowed our suspect list to most of North America." Ryan would say "Not quite. We are looking for someone who has a real fascination, with OLD MOVIES." A check, with New York fan clubs, would narrow the list, from dozens, to just a few. According to more than one, club, president, "Yes, we have had some rabid fans. It is terrible to say that we had to eject some of them." When the detectives would ask "For what reason?" The presidents would say "We gather, to enjoy memories. to share drinks, and tell tales. We even encourage members, who say "I wish they had done this, with the show" to set pen to paper, writing out the stories. This is what we do. Keep the memory alive, by enjoying memories, and good company." When the detectives would ask "You said you had to EJECT some members?" The presidents would say "We are non-violent. If a member becomes so much a part, of a cancelled show, that they speak, of bombings, and shootings, of producers, we either "talk them down, or, if that does not work, we remove their membership. Tragic, but necessary, to keep club members safe.. FUN is our goal. Not violence." When the detectives met back at the precinct, the notes were like a single person wrote each. When the detectives went over the notes, to find out who had been ejected, for threatening violence, most of the names turned up in a search, of local, psychiatric, wards. Those had been secured BEFORE the killings began. For a short while, the police thought that a female fan was responsible. This, because of her mail, to a show producer. When the producers assistant would bring forth the "nut-case" file, the asistant would hand the detectives a series, of notes, penned by the woman. She, actually, offered to be either the producers mistress, or to give him a family. These on the condition that the show was brought back. The asistant would say "Not to worry. When the producer declined the womans offer, she took pictures, of his car, in the parking lot. After taking the first pictures, she broke all the glass, slashedd the tires, and ripped out the electronics. After that, and before security detained her, she took pictures, headlined: Next time, it will be your head!" The assistant would say "Last we knew, she was in intensive care, at a psych ward." When Beckett put in a call, the hospital verified "Yes, she has been here, in her cell, for over a year. She cannot accept that the show was cancelled." Castle would say "That leaves only a couple of men." Beckett would interrupt asking, "WHY would people become so "invested" in a show, that it is like watching a relative die?" Castle would ask "Why did people read Derek Storm, like a letter from a long silent relative. Why did people wait in line, for the Nikki Heat books? For some people, it seems that a "bond" grows to the point..." Beckett would add "...that the fan feels like they are part of the performers life. A part of their family." This is when Ryan would say "I hate to say it, folks, but you seem to be talking about my wife. She has that one show, that she NEVER misses. Every week, she is in front of the television. She even writes letters, suggesting plot-lines." Beckett would say "I dont know whether that would make her a fan, or a stalker." When Beckett would ask "Has your wife even written suggestive letters, or commented on plot-lines?" Ryan would say "I HOPE not. I would hate to think of my own wife, as being this delusional." For the 12th precinct, the case went from bad, to worse, as they sought out two, seperate, men, and ended up chasing one man, with dual identities. One identity was that of a man, in deep regret over the fact that his favorite show had ben cancelled. The other was, truly, the opposite. Under hypnosis, the aggresive personality would say "They HAD to die. They KILLED the characters." When the psychiatrist would remind the patient "ONLY the show was cancelled. The performers are alive and well. They are working new jobs, now." When the aggressive said "They HAD to DIE. They murdered the show." (From the observation room, Castle, Beckett, Ryan, and Esposito, would watch as the seperate personality would give a confession) I followed the directions, from the movies. Did exactly what they did. I made the murderrers PAY, for killing the show." When the psychiatrist would ask "So that is the reason why you killed the producers?" The man would growl "YES!" Now, their families will feel the pain that I feel." When the psychiatrist asked "What will you do with the other man. The one filled with sorrow?" The aggressive would say "If I could, I would KILL him, as well. All that whimp wants to do is cry over the loss." After the psych eval, when the team would ask the psychiatrist "What do we do, with him? He just admitted multiple counts, of murder." The psychiatrist would say "I dont know how you can imprison the murderer, without taking an innocent man along." When Beckett would ask "Are you saying that there are two, SEPERATE, men inside there?" Ths psychiatrist would say "Basically. Two, seperate identities. The shy man has no idea of what the aggressive man is capable of." When Castle would ask "How do we seperate them?" The psychiatrist would say "Mr. Castle, we are talking about the human brain. One of the most complex machines, in the known universe. It is not like baked goods, where you can cut away any spoilage." When Beckett would ask "How do we help the innocent man?" The psychiatrist would say "You CANT. If you destroy one, the other goes along. If you imprison one, they both go." Castle would say "Too bad we cant just "build a wall, and cast the evil behind that wall." The psychiatrist would say "That, Mr. Castle, would be a wonderful idea, IF we could be sure that it worked. The problem is that the human brain is self-repairing. In time, the identity would re-emerge." When Espo would suggest "Too bad we cant just cast the evil out." The psychiatrist would say "I want you to understand that I am NOT sponsoring, or supporting this next suggestion. I do, however, have a friend, who has helped people, before. MAYBE she might help you." When the captain was informed of the proposal, they all-but freaked, asking Beckett "Have you lost your mind? Taking a suspect for an exorcism? If the media got wind of this..." Castle would but in, saying "...excuse me, captain, but this caqn play into the history video. We can say that we ASKED for a demonstaration, to show the range of beliefs, which have existed, in New York, over the centuries." When the captain would ask Beckett "Can you sell the fedds, on this?" Beckett would ask "Why not, I have promised them a HISTORY of New York City. Why NOT include spiritualism?" The problem was that the plan had been to exorcize the EVIL, which was killing people. While the medium called upon the forces of Light, and Wicca, to cast out the evil presence, somehow, the whole thing went wrong. While the man raised his face, to Heaven, and a thick mist rose, through the ceiling, just as the man calmed, and Beckett would ask "Did it work?" The man would smile a demonic smile as he growled "Yers, you helped me send that whimp to what you call Heaven. Now, **I** am in complete control. Just TRY to stop me." Again, Beckett, instinctively went, for her gun, forgetting that she was not a cop, any longer. When the "man" rose from his chair, and snapped his cuffs, like they were tin-foil, then laughed, saying "This world is now, MINE!" He would look behind him, as Esposito would say "Guess again." When the creature turned to Esposito, the detective emptied his gun, into the body, before the creature could react. While Esposito pulled the trigger, until the hammer clicked, on used cartridges, when Beckett would ask "Espo, are you all right." Espo would say "Sure, I just wanted to make sure that it was dead." Ryan would say "If six rounds at close range, did not take him out, NOTHING will." Espo would say "Better safe than sorry." While everyone, at the 12th would say that seven rounds was a bit excessive, no one questioned Espo. They knew he was right. The murders would be ruled "serial killings", with the commissioner promising "The suspect has been put down. There is no more danger. The 12th, and the N.Y.P.D., as a whole, have eradicted the threat." When the innocent mans body was laid to rest, Beckett nudged Castle, saying "Tell me what you see, just to our left." When Castle would say "NO way." The spirit, of the innocent man, would approach, as casually as any other observer. When Beckett would say "We apologize, for sending you away, by accident." The man seemd at peace when he said "Not a problem. I was no good, in this world, anyway. Now, I am at peace." When Beckett would ask "What will you do, now?" The man would say "I leave that in the capable hands, of the Divine." Castle would say "In that case, the best of luck." As the man walked away, the humans watched, as he dissolved, as gently as the wind. Beckett would say "Castle, I am warning you. DONT say it." Soon after the funeral, the families would be told a version, similar to the truth. Then it was Castles turn. With the ending now written, he could provide Beckett with a completed work, on the history, of New York City, to date. When Beckett would ask "Why "To date", Castle would say "I cant write the City's ending until Manhattan ceases to exist. Until then, there is MORE history to be written." Senator Beckett would be surprised at what happened when she submitted the "completed" script, to the committee. When the chairman would ask "Why does this title have a sub-title of "to date"? Beckett would remind the committee would say "Unless New York has been wiped from the map, since I left, it, earlier today, there is still the future to be written. How can my husband write an ending, when New York City still exists?" Three weeks later, all verification showed that all evidence, presented, in the video script, was based upon genuine evidence. Congress would approve the video filming, and New York City would face the camera crews. Another Richard Castle first. A series, of murders solved, and a new video, in the works. Before leaving, for Wshington D.C., Beckett would admit "While I like the title, of "Senator", I miss the crime scenes, and the challenge, of solving cases. Placing the guilty in prison, and giving survivors solace." When Espo would ask "Beckett, tell us the truth. Would you rather be a homicide detective, or senator?" Beckett would say "If either of you mentions one word, of this, to Castle, I will have your badges." Then she would say "I do miss the "old days". After this, Beckett would share a dinner, with her family, then prepare to fly back to D.C. Before departing, Martha would come to Beckett asking Was it worth it?" When Beckett would ask "What?" Martha would say "Reaching for the bird in the bush? Was it worth it?" When Beckett would just stare, Martha KNEW what the answer would be. (What Beckett would, NEVER, dare telling Castle, was how much she adored Martha's embraces. It reminded Beckett of all of the embraces, which she missed out on, with her own mother.) As to what the future would hold, who can say?