Title: Castle – Star Witness

Summary: While still struggling to come to terms with the assassination attempt on her life, Detective Kate Beckett is challenged to reassess her life and discover some stability.

Pairings: Kate Beckett & OFC; Richard Castle & OFC; Javier Esposito & Lanie Parish.

Rating: MA for Mature readers 15+.

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction that has been constructed using characters from a television series and a few original ones to add to the story. No profit is gained and no copyright infringement is intended to creator Andrew W. Marlowe or Production Companies ABC Studies, Beacon Pictures, Experimental Pictures and Milmar Pictures.

WARNING: This tale features consensual sexual interaction between two females. If this is not to your liking, please wait at the next bus stop and ride to another site.

A/N: Please take the time to review and nourish the Muse.


Chapter One

Friday 23rd September, 2011.

"Ooh, I think they died from blood loss."

"Gee Castle," quipped NYPD Medical Examiner Doctor Lanie Parish. "What was your first clue Genius?"

Missing the sarcasm entirely, the bestselling crime novelist and consultant with the 12th Precinct's Homicide Squad, Richard Edgar Castle forty, replied, "The fact the bathtub has at least six quarts of blood in it and that my friends, is not healthy for the body."

"Well done Sherlock," muttered Senior Homicide Detective Katherine Houghton Beckett, a thirty one year old hazel eyed brunette.

"Initial COD is exsanguination, but I'll know more once I get back to the Morgue," remarked Doctor Parish while inspecting the underside of the wrist on the face down, long haired blonde. "There are no lacerations to the wrists, arms, neck or legs. Except for the ligature marks on both wrists, I can't see any other abnormalities at this stage."

"So how the hell did the blood end up in the tub?" pondered Castle with an arched right brow.

Detective Beckett scanned the bathroom before asking, "Is it possible the killer drained the blood using a device Lanie?"

"They could have Kate."

"And removed all evidence after the procedure," suggested Castle.

"Wow Castle," sniggered Beckett. "Don't stop, you are on a roll."

"There's no need to be snarky Detective."

With an eye roll Beckett and Castle observed Lanie as she rolled over the petite, slim body.

"Oh my god, it's Sasha Allen!" exclaimed Castle in surprise and borderline hysteria.

"So we can't discount the fact the name used to register the room is fake?" posed Beckett. "And who is Sasha Allen?"

The six foot two Castle shook his head, "Jesus Beckett, you need to get out more. Sasha was the manager of the biggest selling rock queen in the world, Torri Wingate."

"Never heard of her either," confessed Beckett sans emotion.

With a shrug, Castle scoffed, "That statement just proves my previous point."

It was Lanie's turn to roll her eyes at her friend, "Even I know who Castle is talking about. I have all ten of her albums, she's totally brilliant and sexy as all hell."

"She's in town right now. In fact, she played Madison Square last night and that may account for Sasha's presence," explained Castle. "I tried to get tickets for Alexis, but they were sold out months ago."

Beckett looked at the goofy smile on Castle's face, "Are you going to be okay or do you need to step out of the room and take a moment?"

"I will be if I get to meet Torri during this investigation; she's awesome."

"She may also be our one and only link to the dead body."

"I've found a puncture mark on the right inner thigh," declared Lanie, putting an end to Castle's school boy exuberance for the moment.

Detectives Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito walked into the large bathroom; ready to disclose information they had acquired from questioning reception staff.

"What do you have?" inquired Beckett.

Ryan looked down and referred to his notebook, "The name the victim registered under is a fake."

"We know," countered Beckett. "Thanks to Castle's obsession with a rock star he's identified her as Sasha Allen."

"No shit!" expressed Esposito with shock. "She used to be Torri Wingate's manager."

Ryan got in on the act, "Man, I love her music and she's so unbelievably hot."

Castle smirked at Beckett with his usual self-righteousness, "See, you gotta get out and live a little."

"Shut up Castle," snapped the five foot nine detective; not in the mood for a personal valuation while on the job. "Ryan, find out where we can find this Torri Wingate and bring her into the station for questioning."

"You got it Boss."

"Lanie, can you get back to me as soon as you have a positive ID?"

"Sure Kate."

"I'm telling you Beckett, it is Sasha," reiterated Castle smugly.

"Officially I need a little bit more than your word."

"Fair enough, but fifty bucks says I'm right."

"Keep your money; you'll need it for your next poker night. Let's search the other rooms."

-0-

The suite offered up no evidence or clues, so Kate drove Castle back to the Precinct. When she reached her desk on the fourth floor, she opened the bottom right drawer and retrieved a bottle of aspirin. Going into the break room, she grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and nearly bumped into Castle as she turned to leave the room.

"Jesus Castle, can you move out of the way?"

In reply, the blue eyed Castle shoved his iPhone in front of Beckett's face, "See, I love it when I'm right. That's a picture of Sasha Allen at last year's Grammy Awards."

"Okay, I get the point," snarled Beckett before digesting two tablets. "You have already given me a headache from ranting on about her in the car."

Swiping his right index finger across the screen, Castle started to read out loud, "Sasha Allen was reportedly fired as Torri Wingate's manager for breach of contract on January 12th 2011. Unconfirmed reasons include illicit drug use, release of unauthorised photos and misappropriation of funds. Sources close to Allen suggest there was a falling out between the two women over a request for more money. Wingate's new manager, Clive Hillary declined to comment on the matter."

"Thank you Castle, that sounds like a motive to me."

Shock register on the author's face and he objected, "A motive, what now?"

Beckett rolled her eyes, "It's otherwise called reason."

Castle ridiculed the suggestion, "Oh, bad blood between Sasha and Torri is hardly a good enough reason for murder."

"It's been plenty for other cases and you know it."

The bantering ceased when Esposito and Ryan walked into the bullpen and Beckett asked, "Did you two forget something?"

Esposito shook his head, "No Boss, we turned up at Torri Wingate's apartment and got no response, so we went to her office over on Fifth Avenue and was told by her manager she wasn't there."

"And?" demanded Beckett impatiently.

"He wouldn't say where she was."

"Did you happen to mention he could be arrested for hindering a homicide investigation?"

Ryan scrunched up his nose at the suggestion, "No, but Clive Hillary informed us he'd personally deliver Torri here at one o'clock." He pulled a small envelope from the inside pocket of his overcoat, "He also gave us tickets for tonight's concert."

"Jesus, you let him get away with that?" objected Beckett at the two grinning detectives.

Esposito withdrew two lanyards from under his jacket, "Well, it was hard not to when he gave us backstage passes and an invite to the end of tour party tomorrow night."

"Get out of here!" cried out Castle excitedly as he high fived both men.

"You people have no shame," declared Beckett as she sat behind her desk.

Castle chuckled momentarily, "Wow, you guys rock and if you happen to have trouble deciding on who to take with you, don't forget about yours truly"

"Sorry Castle," said Ryan. "I'll be taking Jenny."

Esposito grimaced, "Lanie has my other ticket dude."

"Name your price gentlemen," offered Castle while withdrawing his cheque book.

"No way man, we are talking about Torri Mighty Glory here," protested Esposito with a shake of his head. "No amount of money can make me part with these babies."

Beckett tuned out of the conversation when Lanie called.

"I've got TOD Kate."

"All right, give it to me."

"Between four and four fifteen this morning and the blood was drained via a cannula inserted into the inner left thigh. I also found a large dosage of GHB in her system. The abrasions to her wrists suggest your victim was tied up at some stage."

"Could she have been suspended above the bathtub?"

"It's possible, but there were no signs of blood on her feet or legs to indicate she was standing in the tub or hung above it."

"I didn't detect any rope at the scene."

"Neither did CSU."

"The killer was extremely well organised and may have brought his own instead of using items in the room."

"They were meticulous Kate. The body was washed post-mortem hence the absence of fibres or fluids and would definitely explain the absence of blood."

"Was there any indication of sexual abuse or activity?"

"No and what is all that noise going on in the background?"

"The children are fighting over concert tickets."

The Medical Examiner's voice rose an octave, "Oh hell no, you tell Castle his money is no good and Javier is taking me and Kevin is bringing Jenny."

"You guys are double dating now?"

"We are and if you'd loosen up, you and Castle could join us some time."

"Lanie, I told you that will never happen and I have to go."

"Girl, when are you going to stop running from the truth?"

"Goodbye Doctor Parish."

"This conversation isn't over and I'm two minutes out."

In reply Beckett hung up and moved over to the large whiteboard with a photo of the victim attached to a magnetised clip at the top. Glancing at her father's wristwatch, she interrupted the tête-à-tête going on behind her, "Are you three gentlemen ready to do some actual police work?"

Esposito was the first to respond, "Yo, sorry about that Boss."

Beckett's desk phone rang and she picked it up, "Beckett."

"Detective, Sergeant Brooks here at the front desk; I've got a Clive Hillary downstairs asking for Ryan."

"I'll send him down and thanks." Putting the receiver back into the cradle, Beckett turned to Ryan, "Clive Hillary is in reception. Can you go get him and put him in Interview Room 2?"

"I'm right on it K-Beck."

"He's an hour early," pointed out Castle. "Esposito, final offer one thousand dollars."

A wide eyed Javier asked, "For each ticket?"

"If that is what it will take to complete the transaction, then yes?"

"No deal Mister Moneybags."

"Two thousand," offered Castle without hesitation.

With a steely glare, Beckett remonstrated, "Castle, give it a rest."

Esposito chuckled at the remonstration and returned to his desk.

In response, Castle raised his hand at him, "Five, for the two."

Lanie walked up to Beckett and handed over a folder, "There's your official autopsy report." She turned to a grinning Castle and asked, "Did you just offer up five hundred dollars for Javier's tickets to Torri Wingate's concert?"

With a schoolboy smile, Castle leaned in, "No, it was five thousand."

Lanie leered at Esposito, "That's a lot of money."

"It is, but I really want to go to the show."

Taking a pen out of the inside pocket of his jacket, Castle bent over and placed his cheque book on the desk and started to write, "Who do I make it out to?"

Raising her left hand, Lanie remarked, "Hold on Richie Rich, not so fast."

Beckett rolled her eyes yet again and went back to her desk and sat down.

"We are only talking about the tickets, right?" inquired Lanie.

"Well, I was kind of hoping the price included the end of tour party tomorrow too."

Tilting his head to the side, Esposito pleaded, "No way Lanie."

"Javi, you told me on the phone Torri would be here in an hour and you'd meet her, isn't that enough?"

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch her perform."

Kevin joined the foursome and announced, "Hillary is nice and cosy and Torri will be here in ten."

Standing, Beckett picked up the ME report and said, "I'll go talk to him while you lot haggle."

"Haggle?" questioned Ryan while staring at Castle.

Lanie scowled then pursed her lips, "Oh no you don't Mister; Javi and I are in the middle of negotiating."

"What are we up to?"

"Five thousand for the two tickets, back stage passes and party invites," answered Castle.

Kevin pulled out his two tickets, passes and lanyards, "I'll take that deal. I have a wedding to pay for next year."

"Sold!" cheered Castle triumphantly.

"Ahh come on," whined Lanie.

"Snooze you lose," quipped Ryan as he was handed the cheque.

Walking away, Beckett headed for the interview room and Castle raced after her. She opened the door and introduced herself to the good looking blond in his mid-thirties seating behind the table, "Mister Hillary, I'm Detective Kate Beckett and this is my colleague Rick Castle."

Standing, Hillary extended his right hand, "Mister Castle, I'm a huge fan of your work."

"Why thank you and I happen to be very fond of your client."

Seating back down, Hillary replied, "Torri is a fan of your books too. Did you know she was contracted to write the soundtrack to the Nikki Heat movie?"

"You don't say? I wasn't aware of that tantalising bit of news."

"Yeah Torri is so talented and it's not her first soundtrack. She was hoping to meet you once filming wraps up in November. She'll be thrilled to find you here. By the way, why do you want to speak with her?"

Beckett took a seat opposite Hillary and began, "Mister Hillary, why did you arrive here without Miss Wingate?"

"The other two detectives said they needed to talk to her about Sasha Allen and at the time my client was in Brooklyn. I contacted her immediately and she advised me she would meet me here. As Torri's lawyer I'll be present for any questions you have for her, not that she would have done anything wrong."

"While we wait Mister Hillary, maybe you can help us with a few issues?"

"Sure."

"What was your relationship to Sasha Allen?"

Hillary relaxed into his chair and his eyes were cast upwards as if recalling the information, "We didn't have one. I'd only dealt with Sasha a few times when she was cleaning out her office after she betrayed Torri by stealing money. Then there was another time when she was visiting Torri at her apartment and I happen to be there discussing business."

Beckett flicked open the A4 sized black leather notebook in front of her and queried, "The apartment in Upper East Manhattan?"

"Yes."

"So Miss Wingate continued to see Miss Allen on a personal basis after they were no longer manager and client?"

A tiny smirk formed at the corners of Hillary's mouth, "It wasn't what I would call friendly."

"How so?"

"Sasha only spoke to Torri on two separate occasions that I know of and they argued both times."

"Were you present during the disagreements?"

"Yes. I was in the conference room at the office and the kitchen of the apartment when their conversation became heated. Sasha begged for her job back, but that was never going to happen. Torri deserves better loyalty from her employees and so called friends."

"How long have you known both Miss Wingate and Miss Allen?" enquired Kate while making notes.

"Since 2009 when I signed on as Torri's lawyer."

"You said before you only dealt with Miss Allen a few times, surely you spoke to her on a business level on occasion?"

"No. When I had dealings with Torri, she would come to my office on her own."

"Isn't it unusual for a manager not to be present during business discussions?"

"By the time my services were retained Torri already had suspicions regards Sasha's behaviour and trustworthiness."

"How did Miss Wingate happen to choose you as her counsel?"

"I introduced myself to her at a WildChild Records function in 2009 after Torri won four Grammys. I represent several artists for WildChild and handed my card to her. A month later, Torri called and placed me on retainer."

"How did you become her manager?"

"When Torri discovered Sasha had stolen over one million dollars from the business account in January, she ripped up Sasha's contract and asked me to take over."

"There is no record of the theft with NYPD?"

"Torri didn't want to create a scene and asked me to handle it in-house rather than involve the police."

There was a knock on the door and Esposito opened it, "Boss, Torri Wingate is here."

"Show her in," directed Beckett before turning back to Hillary. "Thank you for your time."

With a flirtatious grin, the blond replied, "My pleasure Detective."

Castle got to his feet as did Beckett. He moved to just inside the doorway when a five foot ten stunning brunette with smouldering blue eyes stepped into the room. She was wearing faded boot cut denim jeans, black biker boots and a black tee shirt. Her golden highlighted hair fall well past her broad shoulders and settled on the middle of her back.

"Miss Wingate, it's an absolute honour," Castle gushed while shaking the svelte and toned woman's hand.

A beaming smile preceded her greeting, "Awesome, Rick Castle, I'm a big fan."

"Likewise, please sit down." He gestured to Beckett, "This is my partner Detective Beckett."

Losing the grin, Wingate enquired, "Detective, how can I assist you?"

"We have a few questions regarding your relationship with Sasha Allen."

Taking a seat, Wingate glared at Hillary, "Why didn't you tell me that Clive?"

"I didn't know at the time."

Beckett noted the obvious lie from Hillary and uneasiness between the two people before asking, "Miss Wingate, how would you describe your relationship with Sasha Allen since she ceased working for you?"

"We barely spoke to one another."

"Why is that?"

"Sasha and I became friends at school as ten year olds and when I was signed to WildChild Records, I employed her as my manager."

"When was this?"

"In February of 2006. Chase Ramsay the owner of WildChild attended a gig I was playing at Wilson's Bar in Brooklyn when he approached me after the show with an offer and I required representation to handle my interests."

"Did Miss Allen have experience in the field?"

"She studied business practises at NYU and understood what was essential."

"Tell me about her dismissal."

Light brown eyebrows knitted together, "Why are you asking me? Has Sasha been arrested?"

"No Miss Wingate. Miss Allen was found murdered in a hotel room at eight fifteen this morning."

Wingate went pale before she asked, "You think I had something to do with it?"

"At this stage we are only speaking with known associates of Miss Allen and gathering background evidence."

With tears filling her eyes, Wingate turned to Hillary, "Your services are no longer required Clive."

Shock registered on the man's features, "Torri, I'd advise against you not having legal representation present during questioning."

"Let me say it again so you fully understand, you are no longer my lawyer or manager, so leave."

Angrily, Hillary rose from his chair, "You can't do this?"

"Read your contract, paragraph twenty one, line two and you'll see I can."

Beckett looked to the glass partition behind her and Esposito and Ryan entered the room seconds later. "Mister Hillary, Detectives Esposito and Ryan will look after you."

With a parting salvo, Hillary snarled at Wingate, "I won't protect you."

"I'll return the favour Clive, you were warned." When the door closed, Wingate wiped her eyes with the back of her left hand, "I suppose you'd like an explanation for that little scenario?"

Castle reached across the table and patted Wingate's right hand, "Take your time, you are clearly upset by this tragic event."

Straightening her shoulders, Wingate replied, "Thank you for your concern Mister Castle, but I am fine."

"Please call me Rick," offered Castle with a warm smile.

Beckett shook her head at her associate before asking, "Miss Wingate, when was the last time you spoke to Miss Allen?"

"I went to see her at the Astoria last night."

"What time was that?"

"I finished at Madison Gardens just after midnight and caught a cab to the hotel, so around twelve thirty."

"What was the purpose of your visit?"

Teardrops dripped from the corners of Wingate's eyes as she struggled to answer, "I went there to apologise and discuss personal issues."

"For what purpose?"

Wingate took a deep breath then answered, "It turns out I falsely accused her of embezzling from my company and unfairly terminated her employment."

"Are you referring to her dismissal in January of this year?"

"I am."

"Were you aware your allegation was wrong at the time?"

"No and I think you should instruct me of my rights before we go any further."

Brown eyebrows rose and Castle audibly gasped.

Beckett's phone rang and she pulled it from the pocket of her black leather jacket, "Excuse me.' She stood and moved towards the window, "Beckett."

"Sergeant Proctor CSU, Detective."

"Go ahead Sergeant."

"We've matched fingerprints lifted from the hotel to a Torri Wingate. We also located a ball of rope, bottle of bleach, latex gloves, plastic tubing and a rubber tourniquet at her office. The section of rope has been sent to Doctor Parish for comparison as has the sedatives we found inside a black bag containing all the other items."

"Good work Sergeant. I'll wait for your full report." Beckett ended the call and pocketed her phone. Returning to her chair, she focused on the case's main suspect and began, "Torri Wingate, you are under arrest for the murder of Sasha Allen. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights as they have been explained to you?"

Fresh tears fell from Wingate and she stared at Beckett, "I gather that was your forensics unit informing you they matched my fingerprints to those taken from the hotel suite."

"You are correct. They also found evidence at your office."

"I don't need a lawyer and am willing to answer all of your questions. When I left Sasha she was upset, but very much alive."

Castle removed a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and passed it to Wingate, "What time was that?"

"I was back at my apartment by one thirty, so I guess it was around ten past one."

"Did you call a taxi?" he inquired, essentially taking over the questioning.

"Yes."

"May I look at your phone?"

"Sure," responded Wingate as she stood and withdrew an iPhone from the back pocket of her jeans. "I suppose you have heard this before, but I'm being set up."

"By who?" questioned Castle while flicking through the phone files. "Oh, here it is. A call was made to NYC cabs at 01:09."

"That doesn't prove she took a taxi Castle," pointed out Beckett in a no-nonsense tone.

"No it doesn't Detective Beckett," remarked Wingate. "But I'm sure when your technical unit review the security footage of the Astoria it will show me waiting outside on the sidewalk."

"We'll be sure to check that out," countered Castle in a smooth tone.

Beckett looked at her notes, "You told Clive Hillary you had warned him, what did that mean?"

"Three months ago I was notified of a substantial amount of cash being deposited into my business account. The bank called and informed me the transaction had been made by Clive."

"How much money was involved?"

"It was one million dollars."

"The same sum Sasha was accused of stealing," noted Castle with a sardonic grin.

"Yes and when I queried him about it, I was told he had received the money from Sasha."

"Did you discuss the matter with Miss Allen?" asked Beckett.

"Not right away, not until two weeks ago when we ran into each other in Los Angeles. She was at one of my shows and I was informed by a crew member she was in the audience. I text her after I got off stage and invited her to a late dinner once I was done with an interview."

"What did she say when you brought up the subject of the money?"

"She was genuinely dumbfounded and disavowed all knowledge of the deposit."

"Did you doubt her word?"

"No and that was when I took a hard look at the circumstances surrounding Sasha's dismissal."

"When were you aware the money had gone missing?"

"It was December thirtieth when I reviewed that month's bank statement."

"You didn't have an accountant to handle your finances?"

"No, Sasha took care of that side of the business before Clive took over."

"What gave you cause to look at the paperwork?"

"Clive suggested I should because he felt something hinky was going on."

"Had you any reason prior to that, to suspect Miss Allen was stealing from you?"

"No never, I fully trusted her."

"When you first met Mister Hillary at a record company gathering, did he give you his card and you called him a month later to put him on retainer?"

"No."

Beckett turned to a forehead furrowed Castle, "Then how did he become your lawyer?"

"Sasha introduced him to me at a party after the 2009 Grammy Awards. A few weeks afterwards she suggested I hire him and free up the time I personally spent on legal matters."

"How did Miss Allen come to be associated with him?"

"They literally bumped into each other at a café and had been dating for several months prior to her approaching me with the idea."

"Oh really, how convenient for him," noted Castle satirically. "And it was her recommendation you retain him?"

"Yes, but I only used his services once before my world tour began back in July."

"Why was that?"

"There wasn't any need to employ him until then and the only other work he was scheduled to handle was the new contract WildChild had offered."

Castle asked the question ahead of Beckett, "So you're coming off contract?"

"Yes. The current deal expires at midnight Saturday and Clive has been going over it these past two weeks."

"You still haven't explained why you cautioned him," pointed out Beckett.

"After the missing funds showed up I hired a Private Investigator to deal with the matter then I informed Clive. He acted strange during the conversation so I started to suspect he was behind the incident. I warned him he was out on his ass if I found out he was involved."

"How long ago was that?"

"It was on Monday when I arrived home from Buffalo."

"Did Mister Hillary accompany you for the tour?"

"No, he only attended last night's concert."

"What did he mean by the comment about not protecting you?"

There was a rap on the door and Beckett got up to answer it. Esposito was on the other side and frowning. Beckett stepped into the hallway and closed the door.

"This Hillary guy is full of shit," explained Esposito.

"Have you Mirandised him?"

"Yeah, two seconds after he opened his lying mouth. He has no alibi for TOD and is waffling on about Torri trying to frame him because he was banging Sasha."

"Did he explain why he lied about knowing her?"

"He said we'd suspect him of the murder if we knew he was her boyfriend."

"For a lawyer he's not that bright."

A smirk graced Esposito's smile, "Ahh, there's where we come across another lie. Background check found one Clive Hillary was tossed out of Harvard Law School for cheating during his first semester exams. He doesn't have a degree let alone a licence to practice."

"What about his claim of having other clients?"

"There's no record of him working for anyone besides Torri. He's been living at Sasha's apartment in Queens since 2009 and by all accounts, has no other legitimate income."

"Put him in a holding cell until I finish speaking with Miss Wingate. In the meantime, organise a search warrant for the Queen's apartment and see what you and Ryan can find. I have a hunch Hillary used Allen to get closer to Wingate and a big pay day. Wingate is off contract in less than thirty six hours and Hillary has the new document somewhere. I believe that may be the key to the murder."

"Hillary is definitely hiding something and that's a decent theory."

"Intuition is telling me Wingate is about to tell us invaluable information."

The door opened and Castle joined the duo, "She didn't do it."

"Is that assessment based on your hormones or evidence?" questioned Beckett with a sly sneer.

"Come on Beckett, you have to admit she is extremely beautiful and one can't help but be mesmerised."

"Need I remind you we've dealt with good looking killers before?"

"Walk away Castle, just walk away dude," advised Esposito as he departed.

"Her looks don't come into it Castle, but I don't believe she is a murderer."

"See, the evidence pointing to her involvement could have been planted and she doesn't come across as dumb."

"No she doesn't and Hillary is claiming he is being framed. Let's go find out what else has been going on in the music world."

Opening the door, Castle allowed Beckett to enter first before the pair took up their respective chairs.

Wingate's blue eyes locked onto Beckett's hazel orbs and she asked, "Have you discovered Clive is a fraud and knew Sasha on an intimate level?"

"Get out of here!" responded Castle before putting his hand to his mouth and effectively stilling his shock.

"We have and I gather your PI also found out the truth."

"He did and I was informed yesterday morning during the sound check at the Gardens. Frank also told me Clive purchased a one way ticket to Madrid two days ago with an open departure date. I can give Frank Webster a call and ask him to attend the station with the information."

"Thank you for the offer, but we can make that call."

"As you wish and I phoned Sasha after the performance last night and she suggested we meet at the Waldorf. Apart from having dinner in LA, I hadn't seen her since January."

"You didn't have any contact with her at your office or apartment since that time?"

"No. I thought it best to keep my distance and not complicate matters. When I arrived at the hotel Sasha was worried Clive had followed her."

"Why was she concerned?" inquired Castle.

"Sasha had put one and one together after I had spoken to her about the cash and she evidently confronted Clive. He denied any wrongdoing and they argued heatedly. She tossed him out, but he kept phoning her."

Beckett made a notation then asked, "She told you all this last night?"

"Yes."

"What else did you discuss with Miss Allen?"

"The WildChild offer and the fact Clive was history once the last gig ended and I made an official complaint to police."

"Why wait until then?"

"I didn't want him running off to the media and cashing in on an exclusive story."

"You've lost me?" admitted Beckett.

"I'm not resigning with WildChild Records and didn't want him blabbing to the press if he found out too soon. I've been keeping my distance from him and purposely left him out of the loop. Tomorrow night I'll be debuting the new single off my next album and it will create a fair amount of publicity. Again, I didn't want Clive to announce details beforehand."

"Was Miss Allen aware of your plans?"

"Yes, I explained everything to her. I asked her to return as my manager and she accepted. She forgave me and apologised for trusting Clive and bringing him into the office."

"If you hadn't found out the truth about Hillary and signed with WildChild, how much would he have made out of the deal?"

"Ten percent of fifty million dollars."

Castle whistled, "That's some serious moolah."

"He already stood to receive substantial earnings from the tour, but I guess he got greedy," reasoned Torri. "I think you will find the one million he put into my account came from Sasha's bank. That was the one thing that didn't make sense about Sash's supposed theft; she had no reason to take money. Over the years I've made two hundred and forty five million dollars and ten percent of that was hers." Taking a moment to hold back more tears, Torri continued, "When I looked back at how Hillary manipulated the whole allegation, I am ashamed for having been blind to his lies and scheming."

"At least you had the opportunity to make peace with Sasha," noted Castle in a soothing voice.

"I guess," replied Torri sadly.

"Excuse us for a moment," announced Beckett as she got to her feet. "Can I get you a drink Miss Wingate?"

"No thank you."

"Castle, you want to join me?"

"Oh yeah, please excuse me Torri."

The detective and writer walked out of the room and directly to the bullpen. Beckett approached the evidence board and viewed the updates Ryan and Esposito had made to it. Both Torri and Hillary had been added to the display.

Castle stood next to Beckett with an index finger pressed to his chin and arms folded across his chest, "Hillary, the outcast lover is in danger of having his carefully planned scheme of a huge pay day come to a screeching halt. When he discovers his only source of income is about to evaporate and his lies revealed, he panics and follows his ex to the Waldorf."

"I'm with you so far Castle. When he observes Torri enter the suite, he waits for her to leave and out of desperation comes up with a plan B."

"My thought precisely. We need to find out if Sasha has a life insurance policy and who is the nominated beneficiary."

"I'll make the call and also invite Frank Webster to share his evidence."

"I'll go keep our witness company."

"You are hopeless Castle and at this stage she is still a suspect."

"Okay, I will concede that point and on the former part of that statement, I remind you that we have established the fact you and I are never going to be more than work partners and close friends, so I am moving on."

With rolling eyes and a shake of her head, Beckett countered, "I thought you'd managed to do that with the stripper in Vegas a month ago."

"Exotic dancer and she was research for my next Nikki Heat masterpiece."

"Research my ass," mumbled Beckett while retrieving her phone.

"Is that an offer Beckett?"

"No, now go charm your rock star."

"Ooh, I just love my job some days," countered Castle with a chuckle.

-o-

Beckett re-entered the interview room fifteen minutes later carrying her notebook. She noticed Castle had gotten a bottle of water for Wingate and she couldn't miss the woman's eyes as they followed her every move. Unsettled by the scrutiny, she sat down and began, "Did Sasha ever discuss her insurance policy details with you?"

"Are you referring to life insurance?"

"Yes I am."

"No she didn't."

"Then you will be surprised to learn she had you listed as sole benefactor of a five million dollar policy from 2007 until 2009."

"I am because we never talked about it. Sasha didn't have any surviving family members, so I can understand way she chose me. I made provision in mine for her and I suppose she recently changed hers to Clive."

"She did and your PI is on his way in. I spoke to our techs and they found footage of you arriving and leaving the Waldorf by cab, so you are no longer under arrest or detained for questioning."

Standing, Torri shook Castle's then Beckett's hands, "Thank you and I believe Clive gave your colleagues tickets to tonight's show."

"He did, are they fake?" answered Castle apprehensively.

"No, they are genuine and I'd be honoured if you both attended tomorrow's concert. I'll have six extra tickets, backstage passes and party invites couriered over when I return to the office."

"Awesome and thank you for your generosity," blurted out Castle with unashamed glee.

Looking on, Kate tilted her head to the side, "CSU have finished with your office and apartment Miss Wingate."

Nodding Wingate enquired, "Detective, just how was Sasha murdered?"

"I'm not at liberty to say, but she was sedated at the time and wouldn't have felt a thing. Hillary was captured on camera entering the office building at five twenty this morning. He was dressed in black and carrying a black bag."

"Thank you for telling me that and unless I can help you further, I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Torri, I truly am sorry for your loss," remarked Castle while placing a hand on her forearm.

"Thank you and I appreciate your understanding."

The tall brunette inched towards the open door and Castle offered to walk her out. Beckett collected her notebook from the table and made her way to the Squadroom.

Homicide Captain Victoria Gates entered the room and barked, "Beckett, where are you on the Allen murder?"

"All yours Partner," whispered Castle as he and Torri walked towards the lift.

Turning around, Beckett explained, "Sir, we have several solid leads and a suspect in custody. At this stage I'm waiting on forensics before reinterviewing him."

"All right then and was that Torri Wingate I just saw with Castle?"

Torri stopped walking and pivoted. She left Castle standing at the elevator doors and strolled up to the African-American woman in her early fifties dressed in a black pants suit. "Yes it is and I image people around here are too afraid of the possible consequences to inform you, but you are loud."

Affronted by the comment, Gates asked, "I beg your pardon?"

"You don't have to yell to be heard and Mister Castle and Detective Beckett are a credit to your Squad, so you might want to pull back on the rudeness." Turning, Torri sauntered away and avoided making eye contact with Beckett or Castle when she pressed the call button.

Gates huffed, squared her shoulders then went back to her office, leaving behind a grinning Beckett.

-o-

Beckett looked up from her desk when Esposito and Ryan returned two hours later. "How did you go?" she inquired while putting down her pen.

"CSU found a listening device in the bedroom and we located property belonging to Hillary in the apartment's crawl space," answered Ryan.

Esposito nodded and continued, "She threw him out two weeks ago, but he must have kept a set of keys and planned on staying until his flight to Madrid."

Ryan added more, "We also discovered an insurance policy in Sasha's personal papers and dropped it off for handwriting analysis. Sergeant Proctor suspects it's a forgery and we tend to agree."

"You are more than likely correct. Did you guys see Castle on your way in?"

With a chuckle, Ryan replied, "Yeah, he's out front talking to Torri and after introductions, handed me back the tickets."

Beckett smirked briefly at Ryan, "He's been out there for over two hours putting on a show."

"He's working an angle."

"What, the horny one?" asked Beckett amusedly while getting to her feet. "Okay, back to the case. We have means, motive and opportunity; I just don't get the letting of blood business."

Castle joined the trio and announced, "My guess is it is significant to how Hilary viewed all women. I'm sure we'll find some serious mother issues when we reinterview him."

"That's a reasonable theory Castle, but you get to sit this one out. Espo, you're up when the CSU report arrives."

"You got it Boss."

"Hey, not fair," protested Castle with a drooping bottom lip.

"Neither is leaving me with all the paperwork while you try to talk your way into Torri Wingate's pants."

"You know I hate all those forms and on the second matter, I am only human."

"I seriously wonder about that sometimes Castle," volleyed Beckett before entering the break room for a much needed coffee.

-o-

Esposito entered the interrogation room ahead of Beckett and took up a seat opposite Hillary while the other detective flopped her notebook and a folder onto the table.

Hillary smiled at her with all his charm and she stated deadpan, "Save it for the Jury. We have all we need to send you for an injection."

"As I told the other Detective and this one, I've been set up."

Opening the file, Beckett splayed four enlarged prints of Hillary on the metal surface, "That's you entering Sasha's hotel room then leaving the Waldorf building an hour later. As you can plainly see, you are carrying a large travel bag, the same one you were captured with on security cameras at Torri Wingate's office."

"Okay I admit I followed Torri to the hotel and after she left, I went in to talk with Sasha. I wanted to make sure she was all right. I'd overheard her and Torri arguing on the phone earlier that morning and when I walked into the room I found Sasha on the floor of the bathroom. Torri had left everything behind, so I grabbed one of Sasha's bags and packed up the rope, bottle of pills and the rest. I took them to the office so you guys would find them."

"There's just no stopping your lies, is there? First of all, you had the bag with you when you entered the hotel suite. Look at the time stamp; you arrived two and a half hours after Torri departed.

Hillary calmly noted, "Time codes can be altered."

"Yes they can, but the process leaves behind a ghost trail and there wasn't one. The other part of your fabricated story involves the removal of evidence. We would have found it the second we arrived on the scene and you moving it, didn't automatically guarantee we would suspect Torri. The lack of fingerprints on the items doesn't marry with the fact Torri's impressions were found in the hotel. You overheard Sasha arrange a meeting with Torri after the concert finished at midnight and not in the morning. Phone records indicate there were no calls between them until 12:07 and armed with the knowledge Torri had an interview to attend; you had plenty of time to put your kill kit together."

"And that gets you the death penalty bozo," added Esposito with a satisfied smile.

"Prove it," snapped Hillary smugly as he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest.

Esposito responded, "You see, we figured out your little plan of sucking up to Torri after discrediting Sasha and cashing in big time when Torri resigned with WildChild Records."

"You know nothing."

Beckett glanced at her notebook, "We found your hiding place in Sasha's apartment and we have you on camera in the right place at the right time. Lastly, we know all about your expulsion from Law School and found the forged signature on an insurance policy taken out in Sasha's name along with your plane ticket."

Esposito raised three fingers and declared, "Strike three, you're out."

A sinister sneer formed on Hillary's face, "She drove me to it with all her nagging and constant disapproval. I'll plead diminished capacity and walk free from a mental institution within twelve months."

"How the hell did you ever get accepted into Harvard?" posed Esposito. "You're as dumb as they come. This interview is being recorded. The microphone on the table isn't for decoration numb nuts."

"I want a lawyer," demanded a stone faced suspect as his eyes glanced at the aforementioned technology.

"That's the best idea you've had in the past twelve hours ass hat," stated Beckett as she collected the picture, folder and notebook. "We are done here."

Standing, Esposito followed his Senior Detective out of the room and a uniformed Officer stepped inside. Beckett turned to address him, "Organise a phone call to the Public Defender's Officer Galen."

"Yes ma'am."

The two detectives met ADA Trevor Walker, Castle and Ryan as they exited the adjacent observation room. Balding fifty two year old Walker grinned at Beckett, "Nice work Kate and thanks for the prompt paperwork and the statement from Webster."

"You're welcome and the prick is all yours."

Captain Gates joined the group and inquired, "Did you get a confession?"

"As good as Sir," answered Beckett.

"Right then; a word in my office please Beckett."

"Yes Sir." Beckett followed her Commanding Officer down the hall and stepped into the room.

"I want your honest opinion Detective," instructed the Captain while sitting behind her desk.

"Yes Sir."

"Do the Squad Detectives dislike me?"

Taken aback temporarily by the unforeseen question, Kate nevertheless answered honestly, "Yes."

"I see. Do you care to explain why?"

"They find you unapproachable and rigid. Everyone is under the impression you are only here due to your desire for career advancement and have no intention of bonding."

"Do you feel that way too?" inquired Gates without the slightest display of emotion.

"Yes I do Sir."

"For the same reasons?"

"Yes and the fact you speak down to me, the Squad and particularly Castle. You make us feel we have to justify everything we say and do. This Squad has one of the best clear up rates in the Department and you don't show any respect for the work we do."

"Why hasn't anyone told me that?"

"The Detectives respect your rank."

"But not me?"

"Yes Sir."

"Is that because I used to be with Internal Affairs?"

"Being with the Rat Squad is not an issue, but the way you seem to have this need to prove yourself is."

"So a complete stranger can walk in here and find the courage to tell me to be better mannered while the Squad choose to ignore my behaviour."

With a smirk, Beckett conceded, "Torri Wingate was pretty ballsy Sir."

"She was and it prompted me to take a hard look at the way I've been conducting myself. I owe you an apology Detective Beckett. I should never call you out in front of your peers or disrespect you like I have."

"Yes Sir."

"So bring me up to speed on the Allen case before you have to transport Hillary to Central Booking."

"Yes Sir."

-o-