INDIRECT FIRE

AUTHOR'S NOTE: the idea for this came merely on a whim, asking myself, "How would Castle, Beckett and everyone else from the show react to this situation?" This was the result.

PROLOUGE

The Killer

Seeing me, the woman's expression turns to one of mortal dread. She turns on her heels and takes flight in the only direction that she could: up the stairs behind her. I grin for this was the part I liked the most about doing this: the chase. I pursue her all the way to the roof, where she runs to the edge.

Realizing that she had no other option but to jump, she spreads her arms wide. I pull out my pistol of my jacket. "I would discourage you from jumping, bitch. It's a long way down."

"Like hell you would care," she seethes.

Ooh, feisty. I like it when I find a woman with a rebellious spirit, even when they know their inevitable fate. I had been feeding this woman stories for days what I was planning to do. "Fair point," I respond as I take aim and squeeze of a shot.

CHAPTER ONE

Richard Castle

As I walk out of my room, the malodorous scent of something burning permeates my nose. "Oh, oh! What is that smell?" I ask in pain.

Alexis appears in front me, a worried expression upon her face. "Gram tried to cook breakfast…again," she says.

"That would explain it," I reply. Then in a more hushed tone I say, "Grab your coat, we'll go out for breakfast."

Before I can finish my sentence, my phone begins to ring. I look down and see the call is from Beckett. Mouthing the word "sorry", I answer the call. "Castle" I say.

TEN MINUTES LATER

As I approach the crime scene, Beckett walks up behind me. We walk for a few moments before reaching Lanie, who is examining the body lying in a pool of blood.

Only looking at us for a second, she begins to point out keys parts of her analysis without being asked to. "The victim was shot here," she says, pointing to a large hole in the body's right shoulder, "but it doesn't look as though that's what killed her. From preliminary analysis, it looks like she died from impact with the concrete rather than the gunshot wound."

I can't help but grin. "She died by falling due caused by a bullet, rather than the bullet itself, that it is too cool." This earns me harsh grins from Becket and Lanie. "What? It is, unless of course you're our victim," I quickly amend.

Lanie proceeds to continue her findings. "There was not any identification on the victim's person, and none fitting her in any of the area garbage bins. As far as I can tell, we have a Jane Doe."

"Any idea when she was killed?" asks Beckett flatly.

"Actually, a man across the street, called in just as she was falling. She died at 4:45 this morning."

Ryan and Esposito walk up. Beckett turns to them and says, "Find the man who called this in, and bring him in for questioning."

"Will do boss," responds Esposito.

I turn to the body one last time, before walking back to my car to meet up with Beckett up at the precinct.