151. Chapter 151

After Flowers for Your Grave, Again

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I've written so many of these things I'm starting to lose track of how many I've written and what I've already covered. However, I'm sure that Castle belongs to some large, gray, anonymous corporation or another. I just don't know. I don't own it. Do I? (No.) Rating: K Time: See above.

"But he was a help in solving the case, wasn't he?" Lanie asked.

Kate took another sip of wine before answering. "Sure. He's an expert on all things Richard Castle, believe me. And this case was all about his book. It was all about him. Naturally, he was a help. But what am I going to do with him when we get a case that isn't based on one of his books, and his vast knowledge and interest in Richard Castle is useless?"

"He chased down the killer, didn't he? Otherwise, Tisdale would be long gone and any evidence tying him to the murder would have been destroyed."

Kate glared at her best friend. "Whose side are you on, anyway?"

Lanie shook her head and smiled. "I'm on your side, sweetie. I'm just trying to figure out what's going on so I can help you. Okay?" And getting you a date with a rich, good looking man would help you enormously, in my opinion.

"He ran after an armed murderer. And the only reason he did that is that he's too arrogant and egotistical to believe that he can be killed. If I made a list of all the stupid, self-centered, idiotic things that one person could do in a murder investigation….I'd call it Richard Castle."

Lanie laughed. "Still, he's cute, rich, lots of fun, and you turned down a date with him. "

Kate was shocked. "You're not suggesting that I should have gone out with him, are you?"

"Sure. Sweetie, it's not like your social life is so full that you wouldn't have room to fit Castle in, you know. A nice dinner, maybe a show or a night club, then maybe a little romance. Would that be so bad?"

"With Castle, yes. The only reason he's the least bit interested in me is to try to get me in bed. I'm not interested in a one night stand, a little fling, or being another notch on his bedpost. That's not what I'm looking for."

"Then what are you looking for?"

"You know damned well what I'm looking for. And I don't have time for a social life. Lanie, I became a cop because…" Kate was starting to get upset and she turned away from Lanie so her friend wouldn't see the tears starting to form in her eyes. Damn! Damn! Damn! I'm a failure! A complete failure. And I've failed the most important person in my life.

Lani put her hand on Kate's shoulder. "Okay. You're driven. Everyone knows that. But even driven people have social lives."

Kate managed a smile for her friend. "Lanie, can we just skip this for a while? I'm upset about the Tisdale case. Yes, I was wrong and Castle was right. We arrested the wrong man and if it weren't for Castle, Kyle Cabot would be going to jail for a crime he didn't commit. And Harrison Tisdale would be a wealthy murderer. But that does not make Richard Castle a homicide detective. Now, I have to put up with that arrogant ass for…God! I have no idea how long. He could be hanging around, getting in my way for forever!"

"Oh, really, Kate. Aren't you exaggerating just a little bit?"

"Oh? You've suddenly become an expert on writing mysteries? You know how long he's going to be in my hair?"

"Do you remember when they shot that movie, Death in the Bronx? They had the cooperation of the NYPD for the film and there were actors all over the 70th Precinct for about a week. Oh, there was this one really method actor who hung around for two weeks. And what about that old TV series…The one about the cop who was unjustly fired and went all rogue? He had a buddy who was an ME. That actor who played the ME came to see a friend of mine for some tips. Was there for all of a day."

"So?" Kate asked, puzzled.

"So Castle will follow you around for a while seeing how a real detective works, he'll pick up on some of the jargon, see how a real homicide team works, and eventually, he'll get bored. He'll want to go back to the bright lights and Page Six where he belongs."

"Yeah. Except he'll still want to sleep with me."

"Katie, you are really, really good at letting men know that you're not available. Too good."

Kate blushed slightly. "Lanie…"

"Not that you aren't sexy and desirable, but Castle has a million other women he could bed. If he's only interested in a conquest, he'll be gone inside a month."

"You're sure?"

"I guarantee it."

Kate gave a sigh of relief. "You're right. I've been over reacting. After all, I deal with murderers every day. I can handle one obnoxious writer for a short while."

"That's the spirit, Kate. Now, how about we go out? There's a great little jazz club I want to take you to. I've seen some really cute guys there."

Kate sighed again. "What part of "I don't want a one night stand." did I fail to get across Lanie?"

"Sweetie! You really should…"

"I'm going to go home and go to bed, Lanie. It has been a really long day."

"Maybe next week?" Lanie asked.

Kate left without making any commitments.

Once home and in bed, Kate picked up her autographed copy of Storm Fall. She stared at the book jacket. Just my luck. I finally meet my favorite author and he's a jerk. No, if Castle was a jerk that would be an improvement over what he is. She sighed and opened the book. At least he'll be out of my hair in a little while.