Chương 2: Ch 2
"Hello dad," started Alexis
"Hello sweetie, so mo-" he stopped realizing I was also there, close to his daughter, he had to investigate
"And who might you be?"
"Ah hello sir, my name is Jack Philips" I extended my hand and he was about to shake it until I talked again. "But you might know my aunty, she is called Gina Collins," I enjoyed looking at his expression for all intent and purposes freezing completely at the mention of the accursed name
"Aunty?" he asked carefully while finally shaking my hand
"Yes, long story short she took me in three years ago, may I please ask for an autograph? I have always wanted to meet you in person" at that is mood does a 180
"But of course, surprised she lets you read my book at all" he joked taking Alexis's pen and signing my book of Stormfall
"Oh trust me, she did not want to but in the end, she had to relent" I joked to myself "Have to help around the house tho"
"Ouch" he laughs "There you go, now if you will excuse me, I have a conversation to finish with mother dearest"
"Shhh, don't ruin my chances," says Martha while cautiously looking around
I and Alexis completely tuned it all out in favor of exchanging some small talk
"So, how is life with Gina?" asks the curious redhead
"Ah well, as you would expect, really" I start shrugging and taking a sip from my drink "Strict and unapologetic but we have our fun, reading, cooking, and doing all kinds of outings"
"Gasp, you cook?" she asks
"Oh yes, you gotta taste my lasagna, what about you?"
"No way," she chuckles, "Dad never let me try again after I burnt an egg" she pouted
Conversation flowed smoothly until Castle interrupted us, I noticed he was looking at us weirdly but I did not care one bit.
"This drink is great kid," he says looking at his glass with wonder while passing the contents to Alexis
"Dad, you know I'm only 15, right?" said the girl shaking her head"
"You're an old soul," he answers drunk af
"Yeah, well, I and my "soul" can wait." I chuckled at that, just which teenager ever rejects alcohol
"When I was your age...I can't tell that story. It's wildly inappropriate, which, oddly, is my point. Don't you want to have wildly inappropriate stories that you can't tell your children?"
He then continues, "Do you want to know why I killed Derrick?" he was asking us waiting for an answer, and so I delivered
"I think I know," I told him getting them to look at me
"Boredom?" I only had that "You killed him trying not to let him kill you, the character was becoming too heavy for you to write kind of like Hercules Poirot for Agatha Christie, there was no more stimulus in writing him, his story was already laid out, he was too well known, and even if I don't doubt you could have written another 2 or 3 successful books on him, he probably got boring"
"I must say, pretty close" he took a sip from his new drink and continued
"There were no more surprises. I knew exactly What was going to happen every moment of every scene. It's just like these parties. They've become so predictable."I'm your biggest fan. Where do you get your ideas?" And the ever-popular" will you sign my 'chest'?" That one I don't mind so much though"
"I know I wouldn't" I quip
"Yeah, well, f.Y.I., I do," said Alexis
"Mr. Castle?"
"Where would you like it?"
"Detective Kate Beckett, NYPD. We need to ask you a few questions about a murder that took place earlier tonight."
"That's new" I chuckled at the sass
After Castle was taken away I and Alexis started discussing the reason for this blitz
"So, what do you think?" she asked me placing her elbow on the counter and leaning her head on her fist, a small smile adorning her face
"Want my funny answer or my serious one? I quip making her smile a bit more
"Both?"
"Well maybe he was taken away charged with murdering the hearts of millions of young women worldwide" I paused letting her roll her eyes "but there are actually three reasons I can think of, one, they think he might be involved in a murder case however he wasn't arrested, so that doesn't seem to be the case, two they may think he is a witness or was somewhat related to the victims, three is a way more exciting answer"
She was listening with rapt attention "Uh, Uh, let me guess, he got called in to help solve the mystery" I smiled
"A detective is too prideful to call a writer to help them on a random case, no, the murder needs to be related to him, so, either he might know the victim or he might have found himself an admirer" her eyes widened.
We kept talking about the wildest stuff, she could hold her own in a conversation about literally anything. To be fair I don't think I have ever had a better time talking to an adult, but everything has to end.
"I think I need to go, Grandma wants to spend some time with her newest catch at home," she said bitterly, I am guessing it was the first time she talked so much with a male and not gotten bored soon after.
"Uh, don't want to take precious time from your grandma, fish is best grilled fresh after all" I wink gaining a chuckle from her
"Well, Alexis, I didn't think I could have such a great time at a party like this, "I paused "So could get your number?"
"Sure!" she answers a bit too fast. Getting a bit embarrassed she tried to talk it out "We could meet to study, or do some stuff..." she rumbled a bit stopping awkwardly but I didn't mention anything about it while exchanging phone numbers.
"See you then!"
"See you, Alexis, good night" I waved while she was dragged away by her by Martha
The party went along even without Castle for some reason, I could see Aunty going back and forth talking to people trying not to let exhaustion show on her face.
---
Finally at home Castle decided to pay his mother singing with her new catch no further heed
"You're missing the late show," he said picking away one of Alexis's earphones
"I saw it in previews."
"Looks like we got a new lead." she smiled at that
"His name is Burt. He does magic."
For his part Castle took a can of whipped cream and did his best to sound impressed "Wow."
" Yeah."
"Let's hope he disappears by morning."
"C'est apres minuit dans une school night.
Don't you turn into a pumpkin or something?"
"Not when your dad's been escorted away by cops. How was the slammer? Anyone made you their bitch?" faking stupefaction Castle looked at her daughter as if looking at an alien before answering
"Sorry, switchblade. Still belong to you. Baby bird?" he asked holding the cream can to her, practically asking if she wanted to eat it directly from the can.
"I already brushed."
"Your loss." shrugging he proceeded to down a good part of the cream, all a diversion to try and avoid the elephant in the room Alexis made sure to point at.
"So are you gonna tell me about it or do I have to look it up on the fan sites?"
"No, we had a deal. Surf all the internet you want, but stay off the fan sites."
Castle was literally pushing Alexis in the direction of her room but she made effort in trying to not budge failing miserably, in the end however they ended up in Castle's study.
"Seriously, dad, are you in some kind of trouble?
Despite my best efforts, no. They want my help on a case."
"A case?" she asked now completely serious
"Apparently, someone's been killing people the way I kill them in my books."
"That's horrible. So he was right!"
"Yeah." he answered before frowning "Who was right?"
"Jack, the guy I was talking to this evening, I will need to call him and tell him he won"
"Uh..." answered Castle a bit dazed "What were you betting on?"
"The reason for you being taken away. We exchanged numbers and he asked me to message him as soon as I found out why"
"That's smart of him" Alexis rolled her eyes at the implications
"Come on dad, let's not get distracted how many were killed?"
"Two so far."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. It's just so senseless."
"Murder usually is."
"No, murder usually makes a great deal of sense-- Passion, greed, politics. What's senseless here Is the books that the killer chose. Hell hath no fury," "Flowers for your grave"-- My truly lesser works." he said contemplatingly while taking out said books from his drawer, his expression extremely crossed "Why would a psychotic fan pick those?"
"Maybe because he's psychotic. Come on. It's bedtime you can figure it out in the morning. I will also ask Jack tomorrow about it, he wants to be a criminal psychologist you know?"
"Criminal psychologist uh?" said Castle rubbing his chin "You talked a lot with him then, did he tell you anything about gina"
Alexis visibly rolled her eyes while getting away and shouted "DAD!
"What, I'm curious!" he answered trying to follow his daughter
---
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