883. Chapter 883

After Dressed to Kill

Episode 6.14

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Owning Castle would be to die for, but I don't and I won't. Rating: K Time: See above.

"Mom, that's ridiculous."

Johanna Beckett raised an eyebrow. "Okay, Katie, if you say so. But just remember how much you hate to hear me say, "I told you so."

Katie Beckett raised her own eyebrow. "I am not giving up Stanford and a career in law so that I can become an anorexic model, always stressed out and taking all kinds of drugs to stay skinny."

"You say that now, but once you get into that life, Katie, your perceptions can change. I've seen it happen."

Katie came over and hugged her mother. "You know that all I want in life is to be exactly like you. That means going back to Stanford in the fall, completing my undergraduate degree and going on to law school. Matilda King saw the ads I did when I was seventeen and decided I can be a model. I'm tall, slender and have great cheekbones."

"Just remember that you also have a brain."

Kate nodded. "Yes, I do. And I'm using it. Stanford is expensive, and law school will be even more expensive. I can make enough money in a couple of months of modeling to pay for a year's worth of tuition and fees, and make a real dent in my living expenses. I have no intention of becoming a model for any longer than a few months. I am going to be a lawyer. In fact, I'm going to be the first female Chief Justice of the US Supreme court. And you will be so proud of me."

Johanna smiled at her daughter. "Katie, I'm already so proud of you."

The very tall blonde looked down at Kate. "Welcome to Modern Fashion. Now that the pleasantries are over, get your ass to work. I'm Joyce and I'm Matilda King's personal assistant. You will do exactly as I say. Understand?" Without waiting for a reply, Joyce went on. "You need to get your hair done. You need to lighten it up. That'll be Marcus. Then to Andrew, he'll do your makeup. Trevor will then photograph you. Don't worry about having to undress in front of him, he's gay. Do worry about undressing in front of Madeline. She's also gay." Joyce scowled at Kate. "Well, are you going to just stand there like a dummy? Get going."

"Um, but where do I find Marcus?"

"Ask someone!" Joyce yelled. "Do I have to do everything for you?"

Matilda King sat behind her office chair and looked at Kate Beckett, who was standing nervously in front of her.

"You're quitting." It was not a question.

Kate nodded. "I'm going back to Stanford. I do want to thank you for the opportunity and the money I made. It'll pay for a year of school and then some, but I'm going back to school."

Matilda looked at Kate for a long time. "Normally, when I run across a woman as perfect for modeling as you are, I'd do anything I could to keep her. But, as I've noticed, you have a brain, so I really think that modeling isn't for you." Matilda got up and came around her desk. She hugged Kate. "I think you're making the right decision. But if you're able to come home for Christmas, I would like you to do some more work for me."

"I'll definitely be home for Christmas. I wouldn't miss Christmas with my family for anything. I'll be happy to do another photo shoot for you."

"And if I ever need a good lawyer, I'll know who to call."

"Call me if you ever need a great lawyer." Kate shot back.

The phone was ringing again. Kate was so tired of all the people who were calling to ask about her mother. The worst calls were from people who really wanted to help her in any way they could. It was all Kate could do to keep from screaming that the only thing that would help would be to bring her mother back to her. After a while the phone stopped ringing. Then, five minutes later, it began again. Kate decided she should answer it.

"Kate Beckett! Where the hell are you?" Matilda King demanded.

"I'm at home." Kate said angrily. This was the last conversation she needed to be having.

"Are you coming in for the photo shoot?"

"No!" Kate barked.

"What do you mean, no?"

"No!" Kate said and hung up. Then she turned her phone off for the rest of the day.

Once Julian Bruckner had been arrested, Kate sat with Matilda King in her office, explaining the case to her. When she was done, Kate got up to leave.

"Before you go, Detective Beckett, may I ask you a question? When last we met, you were going to be a lawyer. How did you end up as a detective?"

Kate didn't like to discuss her personal life, but so many people knew about her past that there was little sense in keeping it a secret. "It was my mother. She was murdered in January 1999. The police seemed to have little interest in the case. They thought it was random gang violence and just wrote it off. That changed my life. I quit Stanford and entered the police academy. I became a cop and now I'm a homicide detective. "

"Did they ever find out who killed your mother?"

"Yes. He's dead now." There was no point in telling her the rest of the story, since Kate had no proof.

"And the gentleman you were with is your fiancé?"

Kate smiled happily. "Yes. He's my one and done."

Matilda smiled back. "Well, if you have daughters, send them to me when they reach eighteen or so. With parents like you two, I'm sure that they'll be top flight modeling material. "Matilda then frowned. "Although, I'm sure any offspring of yours will be too smart to want to model."

Kate laughed. "They might want to make enough money to pay for a year of college, though."

When the door to the loft opened, Matilda King instantly recognized who had opened it.

"You're Martha Rodgers, the actress."

Martha smiled. She always loved being recognized. "Yes I am. And you're Matilda King."

"Yes, I am. And I have something for your daughter-in-law." She gestured to a young man carrying two large garment bags. "I've had both of Kate's wedding dresses completely cleaned and repaired. I imagine she'll be wearing her mother's dress for the renewal of her vows, but I had both done just in case."

"Would you like to come in? Perhaps have some wine?" Martha offered.

As they sipped their wine, Matilda looked around the loft. "The photo of you and Kate over there. Who is the young lady?"

"That's my granddaughter, Alexis."

"She's gorgeous." Matilda's eyes lit up. "Have you ever modeled, Martha?"

"Never, and at my age, it's too late now."

"I don't know. You have to be bold and daring these days. Models from three generations of a family might be….interesting."

"Do tell me more."