SCENE FOUR

Scene opens with Detective Kevin Ryan, Richard Castle, Kate Beckett, and Detective Tom Demming in the conference room, working on the case. There are papers spread out across the table. Ryan is the only one standing up, but he seems a bit jittery and nervous at leading the investigation. Castle and Beckett are sitting on one side of the table, while Demming is sitting on the other side. Castle seems to have relaxed but will every now and then glance over towards Demming with a frown.

The door opens, and Detective Javier Esposito walks into the conference room.

Esposito:

So I heard we're finally putting this bastard where he belongs.

Ryan, Castle, Beckett, and Demming all look towards the door. Castle, Beckett, and Demming smile widely and rush up to Esposito, all happy to see him. Ryan, on the other hand, seems a little more reserved at Esposito's appearance.

Beckett:

About time!

Beckett goes in for a hug, which Esposito accepts.

Demming:

Hey man, good to see you.

Demming and Esposito bump fists in greeting.

Esposito:

Yeah, man, you too. (He turns towards Castle, ignoring Ryan.) Hey, Castle! Still playing detective, huh?

Castle smiles.

Castle:

You know it.

Esposito nods. He turns away, still ignoring Ryan. Castle, Beckett, and Demming make their way back to their seats without a word.

Esposito:

All right. So what have we got?

Camera shifts away towards Ryan, who's standing at the head of the table. Ryan frowns slightly at Esposito before he begins to speak.

Ryan:

Well, uh, Castle and Beckett found these files that led us to the person behind all this. Senator Randall Jones. Now we just need to find proof and figure out who is part of this whole thing. The files indicated some persons of interest – Mike Yanavich, Ron Halsted, a dozen other NYPD officers from over the years – but it's likely that this list is incomplete. So we'll need to compile a list of possible suspects as well as talk with the ones we already have. See if any of them break. (He looks to Esposito.) Espo, you and I'll talk to the people we already know–

Esposito frowns, finally looking at Ryan.

Esposito:

How about Demming and I'll handle it?

Demming (interjecting):

I already said I'd go through the database and compile suspects.

Esposito turns to Demming.

Esposito:

Well, how about Ryan does that, and you and I see if anyone cracks?

Ryan's eyes widen, clearly upset.

Ryan:

Look, Esposito. We already decided that you and I–

Esposito whips his head back towards Ryan.

Esposito:

Who decided? You decided? No way. I'm not doing it.

Ryan frowns, his voice getting louder and more upset as he speaks.

Ryan:

We're partners, Javi. And I'min charge of this investigation–

Esposito sneers.

Esposito:

Doesn't get in trouble, and the rookie thinks he's better than the rest of us.

The room goes quiet. Ryan frowns, at this point nearly fuming. Castle, Beckett, and Demming look at each other, evidently not wanting to get involved. Castle blinks and stands up.

Castle:

I think I need a coffee. Does anyone else want coffee? I'll go get us some coffee.

Castle heads for the door. Beckett looks at Demming.

Beckett:

Demming, you said you wanted to look over the old case files, right? How about we go do that?

Demming glances quickly at Ryan and Esposito, who are still very upset.

Demming:

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Beckett and Demming get up and leave the room. Once they have left, Ryan lets out a sigh.

Ryan:

Come on, man. Can't we work this out? I know you're still mad at me–

Esposito:

Damn right, I'm still mad. I nearly lost my badge because of you. (Beat.) I thought you had my back, man.

Ryan:

I did – I still do. (Beat.) I just couldn't risk you and Beckett getting hurt. Yeah, I called Gates. But what would have happened if I didn't? Beckett nearly got killed out there.

Esposito frowns and crosses his arms.

Esposito:

You don't need to tell me – I was there, remember?

Ryan:

Then why can't you see I was trying to help you? That I still am. I'm trying to get this case solved, so we can put it all behind us. But that's hard to do when you keep ignoring my calls and putting me off like this.

Ryan looks at Esposito, who won't look Ryan in the eye. Ryan exhales, frustrated but clearly wanting the argument to stop.

Ryan:

Look, let's just work this one case together, okay? If you're mad, fine: don't do it for me. Do it for everyone else. You said you had Beckett's back – then do it for her. (He sighs.) After this is over, Gates said she'll put you back on homicide. Then you can request a new partner. Work with whoever you want.

Ryan turns away from Esposito with resignation. When Ryan's face is turned, however, Esposito looks towards Ryan. The look on Esposito's face suggests he feels bad about how things turned out. Esposito gives a small nod.

Esposito:

Okay.

Scene shifts to just outside of the conference room, where Demming and Beckett are leaning against a wall to give Esposito and Ryan some time alone. As the conference room has windows, Demming and Beckett can keep an eye on what's going on through the window shades. Demming turns towards Beckett.

Demming:

So what happened between them?

Beckett sighs.

Beckett:

Esposito and Ryan had different ideas on what it meant to have my back. It didn't end well.

Demming:

Worse than you ending up on the side of a building?

Beckett:

Espo got demoted. I don't think he's forgiven Ryan since.

Demming:

They'll work it out. Esposito's always had his rough spots, but he's fiercely loyal.

Beckett nods.

Beckett:

Ryan too. It'll just take some time.

Demming and Beckett look forward. There is a moment of awkward silence where the two of them aren't sure what to say to each other. Then Demming turns to Beckett.

Demming:

By the way…you look good.

Beckett smiles.

Beckett:

Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself.

Demming smiles. After a moment's pause, he takes a deep breath and glances forward, avoiding Beckett's gaze as he pops the question:

Demming (casually):

So…Did you find you were looking for?

Beckett blinks, taking a second to remember what Demming meant. When she does, Beckett blushes and dips her head slightly. She smiles and gives a small nod.

Beckett:

Yeah. Yeah, I did.

Demming glances to the side. Camera follows Demming's view to just outside the break room. Castle is approaching the conference room. He is holding a tray of four coffees in his right hand and one in his left, all the while trying hard not to spill any of it. Camera shifts back to Demming and Beckett. Demming nods.

Demming:

Good.

Castle appears next to Demming and Beckett. Castle hands the coffee in his left hand to Beckett and tilts his head towards the conference room.

Castle:

You think it's safe to go in yet?

Beckett accepts the coffee from Castle and looks towards the conference room. Seeing that Esposito and Ryan seem to have calmed down, Beckett turns towards Castle and gives a small nod.

Beckett:

I think we've waited long enough.

Beckett stands up straight and starts walking towards the conference room. Castle follows her lead. Demming stays where he is for a moment. Camera follows Demming's view to show Beckett heading towards the conference room, coffee in hand, and Castle trailing after her, holding the tray of coffees. Camera shifts back to Demming, who smiles slightly. Demming stands up straight and walks after Castle and Beckett to the conference room. Scene ends.