Disclaimer-I own nothing

A/N- Spoiler alert: if you haven't watched up the current episode of Castle, there may be spoilers.

Richard Castle- Nathan Fillion

Detective Kate Beckett- Stana Katic

Detective Javier Esposito- Jon Huertas

Detective Kevin Ryan- Seamus Dever

Martha Rodgers- Susan Sullivan

Alexis Castle- Molly Quinn

Captain Roy Montgomery-Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Dr. Lanie Parish- Tamala Jones

Dr. Clark Murray- Robert Picardo

Gina Cowel (Castle's Ex)- Monet Mazur

Josh Davidson (Motorcycle Surgeon) -Victor Webster

Agent Christina Yates- Samaire Armstrong

Dr. George Beraka- Malcolm McDowell

Jean Murray Beraka – Sally Field

Chapter 6

Beckett had just hung up her cell phone. She had received a call from Detective Esposito, filling her in on what they had found so far. It didn't sound all that promising to her, but a lead was a lead. It was more than what she had at the moment, which was not much of anything. She and Castle were headed toward the home of Jean Beraka, the ex-wife of the deceased. Their messy divorce was reason enough to make a special visit.

"You think the ex-wife is going to know anything," Castle questioned, after what seemed to him like an eon of silence.

"Mm, maybe, I want to be sure one way or the other, thought."

They had arrived in front of a ritzy styled apartment building. The doorman appeared to be sticking his nose up at Beckett's car.

"Nice neighborhood, seems real friendly," Castle said sarcastically.

"Can I help you people," the doorman huffed in his most authoritative tone.

"What do you mean by, you people," Castle questioned with a hint of anger and a dash of humor.

"NYPD, I'm Detective Beckett, this is Richard Castle," Beckett explained as she flashed the doorman her badge. "I want to know, is Jean Beraka at home?"

"Yes, yes, I believe she is in at the moment," the doorman's voice softened but he still wore the same snooty expression on his face. "My I ask what this is regarding,"

"Police business," Beckett spoke nonchalantly as she entered the building, Castle quick on her heels.

"That was so cool," Castle gasped in an excited tone, eyeing the rather upset looking doorman standing outside.

"I knew you would get a kick out of that," Beckett said with a smile.

They crossed the beautifully decorated lobby and entered the elevator, riding it up to the penthouse level. Elevator music droned from the speaker overhead, and Castle hummed along, much to Beckett's displeasure. The doors soon opened, revealing an extravagant display of artistry and shrubbery alike.

"This is kind of ridiculous," Castle explained in a weak breathy voice. "I thought my apartment was a bit on the over the top side, but I haven't even seen this one and my mind can't help but see peacocks roaming free in it."

Beckett let out a near inaudible snort of amusement, which Castle of course picked up on. They soon arrived at Mrs. Beraka's front door. Beckett knocked, and shouted "NYPD."

A soft rustling sound made its way towards them, from the other side of the door. It soon opened, and reviled Jean Beraka, wearing a kimono, martini in hand. She was a thin, dark haired, middle-aged looking woman, who had clearly let her new husband work on her, as she looked like she might be in her early-fifties, instead of her mid-sixties.

"Can I help you," the woman asked in an annoyed tone.

"Yes, Mrs. Beraka. We have a few questions for you about your ex-husband," Beckett explained, ignoring her tone.

"Clark, what about him," Mrs. Beraka exchanged tone for a worried one.

"He's been murdered," Beckett explained with empathy in her voice.

Mrs. Beraka let out a huff, "I knew that job of his would get him in trouble one of these days. Do you know who did it?"

"It's an on-going investigation, and why we're here. I need to ask you if you had any contract with your ex-husband in the last few days."

"I haven't talked to him in weeks. We had a discussion about our son and his financial trouble."

"Financial trouble," Kate queried. "What kind of financial trouble?"

"His wife, stupid girl, likes to charge up their credit like there's no tomorrow. Clark wanted to help our son out, but I told him that he was a grown man, the most we could do for him was give him advice about what to do about it."

"And he disagreed with you," Castle guessed.

"Bingo, but I talked him out of it. He still does as I tell him, after all these years."

Beckett wanted to roll her eyes, but held herself back. "You're sure he didn't loan him some money."

"No, Teddy would have told me about it. I talked to him a few days ago, he still is having trouble with that woman."

"What about your new husband, did he have any contact with your ex. A disagreement maybe," Beckett continued to prod her.

"George and Clark have had their fights, but no, as far as I know they haven't had an argument for a good while."

"George and Clark, you act like they're friends, are they?"

"Oh yes, Clark is how I met George, they were best friends for many years, I unfortunately came between them when I got involved with George, they maintained their friendship however, they just don't talk about me or even see one another in my presence."

Beckett pulled out a small notebook from her back pocket, "I presume George and Clark, hang out from time to time, do you know the last time that they did," Beckett asked as she wrote the new information that she had been given.

"Last night, George wasn't home until after two."

"We need to get a hold of that Dr. George Beraka," Castle whispered to Beckett.

Beckett nodded in response to Castle's comment. "Mrs. Beraka, I have one last question for you. Have you talked to your daughter recently?"

"Lauren, no, not recently. The last time we spoke was about two weeks ago she was going to Saint Petersburg, to recruit a model to her new agency," Mrs. Beraka seemed to be beaming with pride.

"Agency, what sort of agency," Castle inquired.

"A model agency, of course. My daughter runs one of the best ones in the city."

"Do you have a number where we can reach her," Beckett asked hopefully.

"Yes of course," Mrs. Beraka reached into the end table next to the door and pulled out a business card from her daughter. You can keep that, I think I have about fifty of them around this house."

"Thank you, we will be in touch if we have any more questions," Beckett and Castle left the apartment and headed back toward the elevator.

"That was a bit anti-climatic," Castle sighed.

"What are you talking about, we have a suspect, and another lead to follow," Beckett stated as she gave Castle a confused look.

"No, there were no peacock's."

Beckett had an unrelenting urge to kick Castle in the shin, so she did.

"Ouch, okay I deserved that," Castle cried and Beckett let out a fulfilling chuckle.

"Castle some days I wonder why I keep you around," but not today. Beckett thought to herself.

They descended the complex from the elevator. Beckett pulled out her phone from her pocket and gave Epsosito's cell number a call. After a few rings he picked up.

"Detective Esposito," he answered.

"Esposito, it's Beckett. I wanted to check in with you about what you've found out so far today."

"We had a suspect but he alibied out, we are looking into more but its pretty much a dead-end on our side."

They exited the building and passed the doorman who held the door for them as they left. Castle Gave him a smug smile, but the doorman didn't respond, keeping the same stoic look on his face.

"That's okay, I have another suspect, the ex-wife's new husband, George Beraka. He was also friends with the deceased. They supposedly hung out together last night, and he didn't get home until well after our supposed time of death."

"Got it. Anything else."

"Yea, find out what you can about Lauren Murray, she was supposed to take a trip to Saint Petersburg, Russia last week, I want to make sure she made her flight."

"You got it, Beckett," Esposito ensured her as he hung up on his end.

"Castle, feel like taking a trip to the doctor."

"Now that you mention it, I am feeling a bit baggy under the eyes," Castle joked holding his left hand up to his eyes, as he got into the car.

Beckett rolled her eyes at him, started the car, and made their way to Dr. Beraka's office. As it wasn't too far from his home, they arrived at the corner of 78th and Parks Avenue, and Castle admired the building as they closed in on it.

"Beautiful architecture, you don't see craftsmanship like this very often anymore."

"Please Castle, not another rant about this, please," Beckett pleaded.

"I just like the time to appreciate the art in life, is that a problem."

"Uh, no," Beckett replied as she was slightly taken aback by Castles response.

Castle changed his sour face to a grin which made Beckett breath a sigh.

The car came to a stop, yet again. They entered the building, making sure what floor his office was on. They rode another elevator up to his office and exited to find his office empty.

"Hello," Beckett called. "NYPD, is anyone here."

"Yes, back here," a woman's voice called from behind a door.

Beckett unholstered her gun, not sure of what to expect on the other side. "Castle, stay here."

Castle, uncharacteristically complied with Beckett's words.

Beckett opened the door to see a filing room, but no one visibly in it. "NYPD, show yourself, now."

"I'm sorry, here I am," a nasally female voice reassured her.

Beckett held up her gun and turned the corner to see a small woman in a nurses uniform, a large stack of papers on the floor around her. Beckett lowered her gun.

"Where is everyone," Beckett questioned her.

"At home, except for Dr. Beraka, who is still at Lenox Hill Hospital."

"Lenox Hill," Beckett said in a concerned voice.

"Yea, that's where we preform most of our more invasive procedures."

"Thanks," Beckett hurried out of the room and then signaled Castle to follow her.

"What is it, Kate. You look worried."

"Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Beraka is there. Castle that is the same hospital Josh works at," Beckett replied, not losing her speed as they reached the elevator.

It took a moment for Castle to find a connection to the name Josh, "Okay Kate, I get you."

"I'm sure he's fine, but I don't want to take any chances."

They left the elevator and raced to the car, not taking the time to buckle their seat-belts, and sped off toward Lenox Hill Hospital and arrived in a few minutes as it was just around the block from the doctor's office. Kate parked the car and ran into the building holding up her badge to the first hospital worker she saw.

"Dr. Beraka, where is he, where is he now," Beckett shouted at them.

The worker pointed down a nearby hallway turned a corner and nearly bumped into someone.

"Josh," Beckett expressed in a happy voice. The man she nearly ran over was Josh Davidson, her boyfriend.

"Kate, what are you doing here," Josh wore a happy, yet surprised expression on his face.

She reached her hands up to his cheeks and kissed him, "I was worried about you," Beckett expressed.

"So I am guessing this is not a social call," Josh replied as Castle turned around the corner and stopped when he saw Josh and Beckett. "Definitely not a social call, unless you have something kinky on your mind."

Beckett turned to see Castle had caught up to her, slightly out of breath. "No not a social call, and ew, that will never happen," Beckett gave him a disgusted smile. But then she looked at Castle and blushed.

Castle tried his best to stay out of ear shot of their conversation as he still couldn't shake this feeling of utter dislike for Josh, yet he couldn't place the reason. "Beckett, don't we have a suspected murderer to catch," he interrupted.

"Good point Castle, Josh where is Dr. Beraka, we're looking for him," Beckett resumed her stressed tone.

"He's just finishing up here, let me take you to him," Josh said helpfully.

"Thanks Josh."

They continued down the hallway and made a right at the third door in.

"Josh, you stay here, Castle come with me."

Castle gave Josh a smug smile that he meant to be a thank you but turned into a 'she picked me and not you' smile. Josh returned the gesture.

"Dr. Beraka, I'm Detective Beckett with the NYPD."

A man, who was dressed in scrubs, turned from the sink he was facing and greeted Beckett.

"I was told to contact a Detective Beckett when I got out of surgery, it seems I wasn't quick enough for you. I would venture a guess that you are Detective Beckett then. So what can I do for you detective," Dr. Beraka said in a slimy voice.

"Can you account for your whereabouts last night."

"I had plans with an old friend but he canceled on me, told me that something had come up. I decided to take a walk for a few minutes until I saw that they were playing a late showing of Les Miserables at the drama theater down the street from my clinic. I was there quite late."

"Can anyone corroborate that story," Beckett asked.

"Not that I can think of, but I would check with the theater, maybe someone remembers seeing me there."

"Your friend, you know what those other plans were," Beckett pressed.

"Not that I remember him mentioning. Is something wrong, is Clark okay," Beraka's slimy voice turned to be more concerned.

"I'm sorry to tell you, but Dr. Murray was murdered last night," Beckett's voice grew more tender with each passing word as she could see that the news had truly shook the man.

"Murdered, by who," Beraka choked.

"Police business," Beckett replied. "Thank you Dr. Beraka, I have nothing further, but do me a favor and don't leave town until we can get your story checked out.

Beckett and Castle left the doctor and returned to Josh in the hall.

"Learn anything," Josh asked them.

"Nothing solid, we have more leads to check."

"Okay, so you think you're going to be getting off anytime soon."

"I'll go wait in the car," Castle said nonchalantly as he passed them.

"Okay, be right there," Beckett shot him a worried look. "Probably," she answered Josh, got to stop by the precinct and see if there's any new information, but otherwise I am all yours tonight. I'll call you."

They kissed goodbye as Beckett left to join Castle at her car. She saw him leaning against the car.

"Hey," Castle said as he saw her leave the building.

"Hey," Beckett replied to him. "You okay, you left kind of abruptly."

"Just wanted you to give you two a moment alone."

"That was sweet Castle, thanks."

They stared at one another for a moment, until Castles phone rang. It was Gina.

"Hello beautiful," Castle answered.

Beckett shyly looked away, unlocked the car and stepped inside.

"Tell Detective Beckett that she needs to let you go tonight. We have to celebrate you finishing your book."

Castle too opened his car door and got in. "I'll try, but you know how Beckett is, she needs me to help solve this case."

Beckett jerked the wheel a bit, causing Castle to nearly drop his phone. Beckett grinned.

"No excuses Richard, be here," Gina came back in her most authoritative tone.

"We will see Gina, I can't make any promises," Castle hung up the phone. He looked at Beckett and said simply, "Sorry."

"Let me guess, she wants to celebrate your finished book, both as your publisher and as your girlfriend."

"On the nose Detective Beckett, am I really that predictable to you."

"No, I guess I just have a read for such things, I knew your book was done, so I suspected Gina would have something planned tonight. Just some basic detective work. Besides, I think we're done here for the day. I will swing by your place and drop you off, then go back to the precinct and finish up anything there. If anything new develops, I will let you know."

"Wow, tied up in a neat little bow and everything," Castle retorted to Beckett's rant.

"You want to help me with paperwork instead of being with your family tonight, that's fine I don't have to drop you off," Beckett said sarcastically.

"No, please, I'll do anything but that," Castle returned her sarcasm.

Beckett pulled her car around toward Castle's place, and dropped him off. Castle got out of the car but turned before he shut the door.

"Thank you, Detective Beckett, and I don't just mean for the ride."

"I know Castle, and your welcome."

Castle shut the door and stepped back. Beckett pulled away, her eyes fixed on Castle in the rear-view mirror. He waved to her until she was out of sight.

Kate Beckett let a single tear fall from her eye, its appearance unknown to her, all she knew is she missed him already.