*Back at the precinct*

Esposito and Ryan are at their tables, working through some evidence and following some leads. JJ and Rossi are nearby. They have already added another board next to the murder board used by Beckett's team and used an empty table to set up some laptops to connect to Garcia. JJ picks up a couple of crime scene photos and pinned them up on their 'murder board'. From afar, both boards looked pretty much alike. Same photos, same names written and almost similar notes jotted. Look closer and you would find that the only difference was that the murder board by the BAU team had profiling notes. Something that the BAU team are really good at. They would gather enough evidence to create a profile for their unsub (unknown subject) before they can even know his or her name. Certainly, one of the best teams in the FBI.

"So, Agent Rossi, what is it like working with the feds? With all that constant travelling," Esposito asks, all of a sudden.

Rossi took a moment to think before answering, "It's definitely tiring but it makes it worth the while when we solve a tough case. And we do get sent to some of the most disturbing and emotional cases in around the country."

"What about family back at home? You can't have a life in one place then," Esposito asks in curiosity.

"You can make it work," JJ answers. "We have to be committed when we're out here in the field but I have a son back home, waiting for me. He's the reason I want all of our cases to be solved, so I can see him again," she adds.

Esposito nods in acknowledgement. Meanwhile, Ryan sitting next to him wonders why he was suddenly so interested with the FBI life. Something has got to be up, Ryan thought. All these while, it was like an unspoken thing that Beckett, Esposito and him had; a dislike for the feds. They always came and took control, leaving them unnecessary. They made the detectives feel like they were one class below them. As if the title 'Agent' made them feel superior. Thinking of the last time the feds came working on their case angered him. He is certainly not going to let that happen again this time.

Ryan heard a couple of people coming into the precinct. He looked up and saw Beckett, Castle, Morgan and Hotch walking in. With them was a young lad in custody. Beckett passed the lad to an officer to be brought into the interrogation room.

"Found our C. Smith at his apartment, I'm going in to question him," Beckett told the rest.

Morgan steps up and asks, "Detective, may I be present in the interrogation? I can profile him and may be able to tell if he's our killer."

"Sure… Of course," Beckett glances at Castle. As if I couldn't tell if he's our killer, Beckett thought to herself, hiding her annoyance. Castle always interrogates the suspects with her.

Castle looked a little disappointed, "I think I'll sit this one out. I'll let the big boys handle this," Castle faked a smile and walks towards the viewing room with Hotch and Rossi. Beckett felt a little pity for him, or was it disappointment she felt? Disappointed that he wasn't there? She wasn't sure but pushed all that thoughts aside. She had to focus on the case, has to prove that she can handle this case without the feds.

*In the interrogation room*

Beckett took a seat across Connor. Morgan chose to lean against the door, listening in first. She took out a photo of the victim, Elliot and pushed it towards Connor, "Do you know him?" Beckett asks.

Connor took one look at the photo of a live and smiling Elliot, "Nope," he shook his head.

"Really? Are you sure?" Beckett eyes him.

"Yeah, don't know him," he shrugs.

Beckett took out another sheet of paper and starts to read off it, "Two DUI's and a shoplifting, that's quite a rap sheet."

"I did my time," Connor says defensively.

"So you want to pretty up that rap sheet with a murder now?" Beckett slams a photo of the dead body in front of Connor.

"MURDER? What? No way! A couple of DUI's and a shoplift, that's as far as it goes man!" Connor starts to panic.

"Then why did you lie to us?" Beckett raises her voice.

"Lie? What lie?"

Morgan who was quietly studying the suspect earlier, walks towards the table and slams his hands down in front of Connor, "Then explain how your name ends up in this guy's planner in his apartment!" Beckett showed a photo of the planner just as he said that.

Connor looked at the photo, seeing his name scrawled across yesterday's date. He starts to panic, his face all pale and lost for words. "Okay, okay, I admit that I know the guy but I didn't even know he's dead 'till you guys told me! You gotta believe me!" he finally spoke.

"How can we believe you when you just lied to our faces?" Beckett questions.

"Look, I'll tell you why my name is there but I did NOT kill him alright?" he said regaining more will to speak. "I won't even hurt that stray cat in front of the apartment," he added, hoping it might ease the mood but to no avail. Both detective and agent still does not look impressed.

*Meanwhile in the viewing room…*

"So she's your muse…" Rossi said, watching the interrogation. "I see why you picked her."

"Oh, she hates it when I call her a muse," Castle smiles, as if he were showing off his prized possession. "But yes, the character in the book is based on her."

"So how did you get her to let you follow her around?" Rossi asks. "I presume it wasn't all that easy to convince."

"Well…my good ties with the mayor certainly helped speed things up," Castle smiled cheekily.

"Mayor huh?" Rossi looked impressed. "That's one way to get things done."

"It sure is."

*Back in the interrogation room*

"Talk," Morgan ordered as he took a seat next to Beckett.

"Okay, I met the guy at the bar across my apartment. I was performing there one night and after my act, he came up to me and said that I was really good. He said he had this big project to start up a band. Gonna make it big and all, you know. So that got me really interested. He told me to meet him at 3 o'clock yesterday," Connor starts explaining.

"Did he show?" Morgan asks.

"No, waited about an hour and then I left. Thought he was fooling around about it."

"And that's it?" Morgan eyes him. Connor looks a little shifty and wasn't making eye contact.

"Connor, if you are not telling us something and we find out, I WILL arrest you on obstruction of justice. You don't want that in your rap sheet do you?" Beckett warns.

Connor looked down, deciding whether to speak or not. Finally he says, "Alright, when I was leaving the place I saw Elliot. He was across the road, talking to some…guy."

"Do you know this guy?" Beckett leans forward.

Connor hesitated to answer, "No."

"Can you describe him? What was he wearing?" Morgan pushes on.

"He was wearing… a dark blue baseball cap and a black jacket. I couldn't see his face. That's all I know." Connor said. "Am I free to go now?"

Beckett turns to Morgan. He nods and then Beckett said, "Don't go far."