He leaned closer looking at the open wound, the grey skin a stark contrast with the deep burgundy of the flesh opened up in front of him.
'Have you got a COD?' Beckett asked
'Stabbing would be my guess!' Castle answered smirking
'Yes I concur Dr Castle' Dr Parish said 'Can you give me a weapon Dr?'
'Ooo I've always got a weapon ready, all you have to do is ask.' He glanced at Beckett to gauge her reaction and thought he saw something flicker behind her eyes but then she looked away. He was waiting for her to say something but she was focused on the body, too intently he thought.
'I'm sure you have' Dr Parish said 'I may just do that!' She smiled also looking at Beckett who was pretending not to listen.
'Time of death, sometime between 6 - 10pm yesterday taking into account the stage of livor mortis.'
'Livor mortis' Castle giggled 'I'm sorry but there just can't be enough mortis jokes, rigour mortis being my personal favourite. Inappropriate remarks are also good, I used plenty in my Derek Storm books.' Beckett was still trying to ignore him so he thought he'd push a bit harder.
'Most of them only really work in the presence of a dead body, comments mostly about stiffs.'
'Hey Castle, you're not one of those weirdo's who is excited by dead bodies are you?' Dr Parish asked 'Stiffs for stiffs?' she smiled
'No, but if I may say you are looking particularly beautiful today, it's very distracting, that white coat could do with one more button being undone though, can I help?' he replied
'Hey I've told you before, leave the girls alone!' she laughed
'Just a suggestion.' he said rubbing his hands together.
Beckett had walked away from them and was busying herself with her phone, praying for it to ring Castle thought. He couldn't play this game anymore, he could see what it was doing to her and as much satisfaction as he was getting from winding her up he couldn't carry on.
He saw her take a deep breath and then turn around.
'Anything else you can tell us?'
'Not yet, toxicology is due back later and I still haven't got a more positive id for the murder weapon, I will let you know when I do.' She felt the tension from Beckett and decided to leave it at that, her plan seemed to be working and Castle had fallen in to step perfectly.
'Thank you Dr Parish.' Beckett said 'Come on Castle.' She turned to leave.
'Are we still on for later Beckett?' Shouted Dr Parish
'Sure.' Was all she got back and they were gone.