After concluding the dinner. Lugigi gave a package to take home to Alexis.
"I don't want the bambina to not experience my cooking! I know she would be so disappoint you coming here without her. So I prepared her a little gift."
Alex graciously accepted the package and turned to the detective,
"We have an appointment to make, Thanks Lugigi she will be thrilled!"
Alex and Kate left the restaurant going back to the apt to interview the Talbots.
Reaching the door, Kate knocked and introduced both Alex and herself. Mrs. Talbot brought them to the living room motioned to a couch where Alex and Kate sat side by side. Kate started the interview.
"I am here Mrs. Talbot to inquire your relations with the deceased Eliska Sokol. I understand there was some sort of incident which you were a witness?"
"Yes, there was a time where I walked in and the woman was paying attention to my son Zane. She was giving him a piece of candy. You just do not do that! Give candy to someone else child. He could have had an allergic reaction or be diabetic..."
"Could she just wanted to be nice?" Asked Alex.
"You have to understand we hardly knew this woman. She was not the regular person who serviced us." Said Mr. Talbot who just entered the room and sat next to his wife. Mrs Talbot continued,
"The more I thought about it, the more I realized this was not the first incident where she was overly familiar with him."
"Overly familiar?"
"Giving him more attention than warranted." Oh there is my pager. I am on call. I will see you later, Dear."
Dr. Talbot reached down to kiss his wife and departed.
Kate continued the interview of Mrs. Talbot.
"Did you ever think that the attention given your child was cultural?"
"Of course, but I did mention it to the manager. I suggested that someone needed to talk with her about this problem. I did not know it would lead to her death."
"It is not your fault. It is the fault of whoever killed her. This concludes the interview thank you. If we have any other questions we will be in contact."
Kate and Alex left the apt and stood in the Lobby.
It was nice of you to letting her off the hook. It is pretty obvious that Eliska blamed her for losing her job."
"Maybe so, However, making that women feel worse would not lead to the killer."
Kate flipped out her phone and called Esposito.
"Sito, got anything?"
Alex pressed his ear against Kate's so he could hear the conversation.
Kate got info that Eliska was married before and there was a complaint on the husband Teodor Hajek. She wrote down the work address of this latest suspect.
"Do you think the abusive ex-husband came back for an encore?"
Kate and Alex got in and drove to the working address. They were met by Ryan and Esposito. Kate directed them to enter from the back while She and Castle entered from the front. It was a restaurant. He worked in the kitchen. Kate asked the bus boy to point out Teodor Hajek.
"Teodor Hajek?"
"Yes?"
Kate showed him the badge and Teo begins to run. He was collared by Esposito.
"You are under arrest for the murder of Eliska Sokol"
Ryan and Esposito accompanied the suspect to the precinct and placed him in the interrogation room.
Kate and Alex walked in a bit later.
Closing the door Alex sat down while Kate was already seated.
"You have been read your rights. Do you understand them?"
Teodor nodded yes.
"So you have waived your right for an attorney to be present?"
"Yes"
We are not immigration. We are Homicide detectives. We can careless if your visa is expired or not.
We are here to determine how and why Eliska Sokol is dead.
"Eliska is dead?"
"Where were you three nights ago between the hours of 6-9PM?
"I was asleep I had just worked a double shift and I was tired."
"Do you have anyone can verify your location?"
"I don't know maybe a neighbor?"
"I understand you were married to her? There is a complaint against you about 2 years ago, What happened? "
"We were arguing and neighbor called the police."
"What was the nature of your argument?"
"She wanted to leave me. I did not want her to go. She said It was too painful for her. I reminded her of Martin our little boy who we lost 3 years ago."
"I am so sorry for your loss."
"Our boy was so perfect at first but then he got sick and wasted away. Here is a picture of our family. I had a family once now nothing both gone."
Kate ended the interview and left the room visibly shaken.
"It kind of puts a whole different perspective on this incident with the Talbot child. He must have reminded her of the child she had lost." Alex said while getting coffee in the break room. Alex handed the coffee to Kate showing herself calmed by the coffee. Alex gently brushed against her hand with his as he withdrew.
Esposito and Ryan came in to the break room.
"The suspect alibi checked out he is not the murderer."
"Ryan cut him loose"
Kate moving to the murder board started talking as looking at the board. The Boys and Alex were standing next to her.
"Ok back to square one. She was needing money. What else could she do to get it?
"The regular things: drugs, prostitution, etc..."
"No, I do not think so. It is getting late lets conclude then do another sweep of the apt building tomorrow."
Kate gather up her things and Alex step in right beside her. Kate got into the elevator and sighed. There has to be a connection somewhere thought Kate. Alex was unusually silent. Death of child always did that to him.
Kate left the building and headed home. Where she craved a bath and one of Castle's book to help her unwind.
Alex arriving at his building was stopped by Bob the Doorman.
Bob looking at the damage on Alex said,
Gee Mr. Castle, I need to warn you Buster is loose again. Mrs. Carlson has reported him out of the apt a few moments ago. Looking at you it looks like you had a bad encounter with him yesterday.
Alex groaned internally all he wanted to do is get home and relax this case was tiring on him.
"Ok I will keep an eye out for that man eater. If I see it I will inform you."
Alex slipped Bob his twenty and left for the elevators hoping a repeat performance was not in the offing!
"Alex got to his loft and opened the door Buster darted between his legs and tripped him"
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Alex rolled on his hurt leg and spun around to land on his good one. Ending up laying flat on his back legs bent and feet flat on the floor.
Hearing he noise Alexis ran to see the gymnastic of her father trying to avoid the cat which was now sitting between his legs staring at him.
"Come here Buster", she cooed, "You are such a naught cat!"
Buster looked at the floored Alex then ran into Alexis's arms and began to purr loudly.
"Well don't look at me help me up I am injured."
Martha appeared and said,
"Don't be such a big baby, Richard. You are a big boy get yourself up!"
Alex grumbled then arose from the floor.
"That cat is a menace! Alexis, call Mrs. Carlson tell her you have her cat again."
Alexis called Mrs. Carlson and a few moment later she appeared. Alexis opened the door while Alex sat in his chair awaiting for the world to quit spinning.
"I really do not know why Buster is coming up here. He has a mind of his own I guess."
Alex thought to himself, Yeah I do... he hates me and is still trying to kill me. I had Russian assassins trained by the KGB itself which were less trouble than that cat! That is it. Mrs. Carlson is ex- KGB and has trained an assassin cat!
Alexis again accompanied Mrs. Carlson to her apt. Alexis returned to see her father in the kitchen.
"I take it you got both Mrs. Carlson and Buster back where they belong?"
Yes, daddy what is in the bag? It smells good!
"Yes it does. Detective Beckett and I ate early dinner at Lugigi's. He gave me something for you."
"I love Lugigi's what did he send to me?"
Now taking over digging out the containers.
"Oh great my favorite vegetable lasagna! Lugigi make a special sauce which is so wonderfully rich."
Alex loved his little girl gave her a one handed hug and said.
"He was sad not being able to see you. I said I would bring you next time. If you would Excuse me. I need to get out of these clothes and soak my wounds."
Alexis kissed her father good night while she dug into the wonderful meal.
Martha tired of the scene bid everyone good night then went up to her room.
Alex was so tired. He got a text. It was from Max. He needs a meet. Alex sent one back for tomorrow night.
Alex also got his report from the watchers on Beckett. All was clear. Nothing to report. Beckett home at her apt.
Alex soaked his tired muscles in the Jacuzzi whirlpools and slowly his muscles relaxed. Alex then got up and got into bed after preforming his nightly ritual.