Ink and Intrigue

Chapter 7: Fancy

☽Season 1, Episode 7☽

"Dad, I need you to please let it go," Avery sighs, mixing her cereal into the milk she's freshly poured, as Martha plays the piano and Alexis and Richard fence.

"No," He grunts, narrowly missing Alexis' swing, "How could you go out with Ryan and not tell me anything?"

Avery walks through the living room, easily dodging the blades flowing through the air, "Because I'm a grown woman? You don't ask Gram about her dates."

Richard groans, "That's because that sounds like hell. You are my baby girl and I want to know all about the boys my daughters decide to date."

Smirking, Avery sits on the couch, "So you've questioned Alexis about the boy she likes?"

"Traitor!" Alexis turns to her sister.

"Oh, so both daughters are holding out on me? You like a boy? Who is he?"

Alexis sighs, "His name is Owen. He's in my poetry class. Very shy and very sweet," Richard is able to get a sneak attack in, "Hey!"

"Keep your guard up," Richard lifts his helmet as he stands on the stairs.

"Then don't distract me," Alexis does the same as Avery reclines on the couch.

"Does he know how you feel about him?" Richard asks.

Shaking her head, Alexis reattacks, "No!"

Richard blocks with ease before jumping over the side of the stairs, "Why not? Ha!"

Alexis follows him, "Because I don't even know how I feel about him."

As Alexis lands a hit on him, Richard nods, "Yes! Very nice!"

Both Avery and Richards phones ring, Avery seeing Kevin's name and face, "Well hello. Murder or date?"

"Unfortunately, murder."

☽☽☽☽

At the crime scene, Avery and Richard follow Beckett into the scene where Kevin greets them with a red nose, "No sign of forced entry, same as the others."

"Looks like our home invasion crew went for a 4-peat," Beckett says.

Kevin moves to stand next to Avery, away from a glaring Richard Castle as he says, "They're stepping up their game, becoming more violent," Before he sneezes.

"Bless you," Richard and Beckett say at the same time as Avery puts a hand on Kevin's back.

Richard quickly comments, "Jinx."

Beckett turns to Esposito, who's joining the group, "What's wrong with him?"

Avery answers for him, "Must be goose down pillows. He's allergic."

"I'm sorry," Richard slightly glares at Kevin before turning to Beckett, "Under the time-honored rules of jinx, you're not allowed to speak until I release you."

Kevin sneezes again causing another round of, "Bless you."

"Reverse double jinx," Beckett smiles at Richard.

"I-just-I-"

Beckett shakes her head, "Unh-unh, Castle, mouth shut until I release you. Thank you, Ryan. So what do we have?"

Esposito points to a young woman, "That's Joanne Delgado, daughter of Susan Delgado, the victim. She called to say good night to her mom. Only tonight, mom doesn't pick up. She calls the doorman, the doorman comes up, finds the door ajar and..."