He could have easily lied and just said that the jewelry was for Alexis, a graduation present. Knowing what great detectives he was dealing with likely is what stopped him, he mused while idling away time in the holding cell. Still, if he was honest with himself, he could not lie about anything to do with Kate, not anymore. Not after the pain that both of them had gone through earlier this year.

As for withholding his alibi? Well, Kate was his alibi. She knew it and he knew it but he'd be damned if it was going on record due to an interrogation for a crime he did not commit. There had to be something else that would clear him of all of this suspicion. After all, it had been years since he had spent any kind of intimate time with the victim. Find him guilty of never completely severing ties with any of his former lovers, OK. Guilty as charged. The woman in that jewelry store was his 'go to person' for exquisite and unique pieces of jewelry, which was exactly what he wanted to present Kate with to celebrate six months of togetherness. Ha. Now that togetherness was on hold with him under arrest and in a holding cell, and Kate doing her best to be cold and professional about everything. Besides, he had bought Kate's jewelry weeks ago, and paid the $20,000 that he thought nothing of with a credit card. He had no explanation for the footage from the security camera that was part of the evidence against him.

Kate refused to look at or be in the interview room with Castle, sending Esposito in to ask the questions. Sure, Castle understood why. At least he thought he did. If Kate could stay on the case, she could work tirelessly to exonerate him. Not leave the finding of his innocence to chance or to anybody else. Of course, a little communication would be nice, would be a great comfort right about now.

Castle's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a clanging of a door and a scraping of shoes on the cold floor. He looked up to see Detective Ryan moving in his direction. Ryan stopped in front of the cell, slid right up next to the bars so that he could speak quietly with Castle.

"Say, Castle, how are you holding up?"

"I've been better"

"Oh, I'm sure. I saw your Mom upstairs, posting bail. I imagine you'll be out pretty soon."

"Ryan, what about suspects for this murder? You have to know I didn't do this."

"Well, Castle. That's what I'm here about. It's not a good thing that you would not give us an alibi for the time of the murder. And..." Ryan hesitated for a moment, wondering just how much of his thoughts he should reveal.

"And what?" Rick looked with expectancy at Ryan.

"Well, eh, I'm wondering if you do have an alibi, maybe a girlfriend, that you don't want to talk about..." and Ryan's voice trailed off as he struggled to complete his thought.

Castle scrubbed his face with his hands and moved up close to the bars. He and Ryan were just inches apart, blue eyes connecting with blue eyes for several moments of silence. Finally, Castle spoke.

"If you know anything or think you do, Kevin...then you know that I need to rely upon you and Espo and Beckett finding evidence that points to the real killer rather than to me."

Ryan sighed. "Yeah, that's what I thought, Castle. Well, we're definitely gonna be pulling an all nighter. But the other thing I need to tell you, once you get out on bail, is that you have to stay away until we can sort though things..."

Castle backed up a step, shocked by this latest demand, even though he really did see it coming. "Ryan, I'm part of the team! And I'm motivated to get to the truth."

"That's just it, Castle. Can't risk you muddying any waters and jeopardizing any evidence, or even the appearance of it..."

Castle sighed. "OK, but I don't have to like it. Where is Beckett?" Then, as an afterthought, Castle added "and Esposito?"

Ryan explained to Castle that the other two members of the team were working to trace the victim's activities for the past months, looking for anything that might point to others to interview or possibly a person of interest. Castle still could not help but wonder when he would next see Kate.