Agent Grey finds himself once again setting in the waiting area just outside the director's office. He is holding in his hand the after incident report file for the group's actions in New York and the additional after action documents form the other offices that were participating in the simultaneous raids around the nation

The intercom station on the desk signals that the officer is ready to receive the agent

Agent Grey steps through the outer door in steps up to the director's desk

"Here are all the after action reports, sir" Grey states as he places the manila folder on the desk top

Without looking up from his desk, Director Jones begins "Agent Grey, please give me the Cliff Notes"

The junior agent takes one step from the desk before beginning "It appears that Webster had bean the hit quad while in Chicago. He spent the first couple of years doing his own assassins. He then moved up to operating a company for hire to take care of situations and persons who were problems to higher ups. After he moved to New York, he got found out by then, District Attorney, William Bracken"

"So Bracken and Webster go way back?" Jones asks again without looking up from the file on the desktop

"Yes sir. But instead of arresting him, Bracken began taking payments to look the other way. Later as his political future became brighter, Bracken began using the services of Mr. Webster and his team of killers. He later added a few of his friends to the Murder Inc customer base"

Grey pauses a moment then continues "Bracken also formed a technology company to set up a special firewall to protect his circle of influence. The software kept Bracken, all his colleagues, and their escapades hidden safe from the prying eyes of law enforcement".

"So what happened? How did we track him down" Jones asks not letting his subordinate know that he knew it occurred just not how it happened

"Mr. Castle's children's science fair project accidentally poked through the firewall and set off all kinds of alarms in the upper room"

Jones stops what he is doing and under his breath states "So that's it…"

Grey continues "Evidently Bracken was planning on reaching for higher office and believed that Webster and his team were a danger to him. Webster knew all about Bracken's history and how he got there so Bracken brought Terry Addison on to his personal payroll and after time spent getting into Webster's files and finding out all of Webster's contractors, Addison began cleaning house. He started with Webster himself, Webster's wife and then on down the list"

"Too bad for all those" Jones comments

"Yes sir. But it is over. Bracken and all his henchmen are incarcerated and they will not be threats to anyone for a long time" Grey responds

"Thank you agent Grey that will be all"

The younger agent stand but before he walks out he asks one more question "Sir, I understand that you are planning on retiring"

"Yes. When I finish wrapping this case, I will be pulling the plug"

"Are you planning on moving to Tropical Island and spend the evenings basking in the sun and drinking pina coloda's?"

"No actually, I have been seeing a lady in the city. I am planning on spending my time in her company. Anyway how did you know I was retiring?"

"Sir everyone knows"

"How?" Agent Jones questions

"Sir, we are the CIA. We know EVERYTHING"

Agent Grey steps out of the senior agent's office for the last time

Richard Castle has just finished making a nice dinner for just him and his wife. He had prepared a lite meal including a green salad. Baked fish breaded with crushed corn flakes. New potatoes roasted in olive oil and basil along with steamed green beans and a mini dessert cup of Key Lime pie

As he was cleaning up the kitchen afterwards Kate sent and showered and dressed for lounging. She comes back into the living room just as Rick closed the pantry after putting away all the utilized utensils

He looks across the space so he can watch this lady as she passes through the doorway. She is framed in the light from his study making her appear to glow like the morning sun.

He is not sure how but he believes she is more beautiful today than she was yesterday or the day before. He has made he a cup of hot chocolate and brought a bowl of air popped popcorn for their evening snack, He places them down on the table and waits for his partner in life to join him on the couch

"What are you looking at?" Kate asks

"The mother of my children"

Kate sits down beside her husband, reaches out and grabs a few kernels of popcorn.

"We are really doing this aren't we? Having children"

"Yeah we are. Are you scared?"

"I was before" Then she pauses before continuing "And I would have still been had we not settled my mother's case. I have been worried that some day the killer might come after me or someone I love. But now…"

She looks into Castle's face

"I will not be afraid. Not as long as you are here with me"

"Always"

The Castle July holiday celebration begins as usual with the arrival of all the friends and coworkers form New York.

The captain and his wife, Kevin Ryan and Jenny along with Lanie and Javi all arrive early. In s short amount of time the rest of the group from the 12th have made their appearance.

As before, the girls are in charge of the housing arrangements and perform their duties with perfection. After the guests have had an opportunity to settle into their respective rooms the crowd arrives on the lawn

The dinner buffet, again, is a feast of the finer foods for everyone's consumption. The entertainment is from a local boy band that the Castle girls have become familiar with.

In a corner away from the main crowd sits Martha along with her male companion. Rick has only met the man once just after he and his mother began dating. Although Rick knows very little about the gentleman he has accepted him as his mother's latest suitor.

Martha had asked Rick to please be gracious when it comes to the man and that she would appreciate it if Castle would be accepting of the person. Rick agreed especially after his mother told him that they were in a serious relationship and that she would probably be joining this man from now on. Therefore prompting Castle to assume there was going to be a family related announcement today

After most everyone had had their meal and some have decided to move to the dance floor Rick steps up to the microphone

"Welcome everyone to the third annual Castle July 4th celebration. The first one of these did not go very well but the last one went very well. At lease for me"

Castle smiles at his wife

"No for today, we had some announcements to make but they mostly got overshadowed by Kate's pregnancy and the closing of her mother's case. But I will give you the other news anyway. First. Kate and I bought a bar near the station. The Old Haunt. It holds a lot of history for me. I wrote most of my first Derrick Storm Novel there. So please come by"

"Second our girls have been accepted to Stanford. All three are going to go together...And finally my mother…"

Castle smirks as he looks her way "She has decided to become an honest woman. She and her boyfriend are getting married. She tells me that they are moving to a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. I am waiting to see that"

Some laughter comes from the group.

"But I do wish them all the best" Castle raises his glass to the pair "The real fireworks will begin shortly"

Rick moves back to his table and joins his wife and their three daughters

"So grams and Greg are really getting married and leaving?" Alexis

"Yes Alexis. They are. But I don't think they will move very far away" Kate responds and the group at the table look in the direction of the couple

"Martha" The man speaks "It has been too many years"

"Yes it has. About forty years too many. I have to say to hear from you this way was a shock"

"I am sorry. But the life I have lead in the past kept me away. But I did watch after all of you" Gary Jones comments

"I appreciate that. And especially you watching out for Kate"

"She is too important…" After a short pause Martha finishes her sentence "to our son"

Time to close the doors on this one. Thanks to all who read and reviewed.
Until the next one.