Genre: Crime, Drama, Family, Romance, Humor
Rating: M for violence, language and sexual situations
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: Loved the feedback for the last chapter, a lot, so want to say thank you for everything I got! Beckett-Castle4ever (Glad you liked the last chapter. And not surprised to see you're looking forward to the blind date. I thought readers might find Julia's reaction to Castle talking about the blind date funny, so wasn't surprised to get that confirmation in your review!), tt520438 (Happy to see you thought the last chapter was interesting, do like seeing that in reviews I get. Was nice to see you like that Pete Best theory, lol, thought that would come up if there was a case like this on the show. And I'm surprised to get another reader wanting to see the blind date… well, I should say to get a mention of it in another review, but glad to see it of course!), vetgirlmx (Thought I might get a mention about the next two murders, and glad that you don't quite get the murder of the Paul look alike, exactly what I wanted, lol. And happy to see you mention too when Castle talked about the date, but you're right, he should have known better to say that around Julia, lol. Had to laugh too at what you said about Beckett shutting down Castle's theories, agree too, would have been great to see his face at that! And was interesting seeing that you are torn about the case and the date, actually nice to see that. And I think back in a past story I'd mentioned Julia spending the night there before, so it's not her first time going out, so they won't be getting worried about it. So great to see that you want to read more, and now you can here!), pcol22 (So glad seeing you enjoyed the last chapter of course. And had to kinda laugh at what you said about the murderer being busy, but you're right, they are. Really happy you want to read the next chapter, and now you can!), life's a mystery (As I've said before to other reviewers, glad that you too enjoyed the last chapter! And so nice seeing you're thinking this case is getting interesting, exactly what I want readers to think) and sammysgirl78 (Also happy that you liked the next chapter, was hoping you would. Thought you might like the beginning, lol, and I was glad to see I was right, so happy to read that! But you are right, lol, a great way to start the day. I was happy to see you mention the way Castle woke up Julia, lol, and yeah, had to be a Beatles song. And thanks for mentioning Castle and Beckett taking turns getting breakfast ready and Julia ready for school, 'cause I prefer to write that so it's not the same routine for them. And again, glad to see another mention of when Castle told Julia about the date, not surprised you liked Julia's relief at hearing it was with Beckett. Interesting to me still to see you're so interested in the blind date, lol, but a good thing of course. And actually, I had mentioned Julia spending the night at a friend's before, so this isn't her first one, just to correct that. Really happy seeing you're looking forward to the graduation and Father's Day too! And yay, lol, so happy the case is being twisty turny as you put, lol, great that this one is doing that. And love seeing that you want to read some more, and now you can!). So thanks so much to all of you who reviewed, I loved reading each and every one of them, as well as appreciate the time taken for them to write them and send them my way!
An Unpleasant Scene
"I wouldn't lift that if I were you," Lanie said quickly to Castle as he reached for the sheet covering the vic on the stretcher.
"She was hit on the back of the head," Beckett said, looking at her fiancé.
"Multiple times," Lanie replied. "But…" she trailed off before nodding up to the ceiling.
Looking up and seeing the massive amount of blood splatter, Castle whistled slightly saying, "So I'm assuming it's not pretty."
"Not in the slightest, your killer struck her hard enough to break her skull into pieces essentially," Lanie said. "I don't think I'll even be able to figure out how many times he hit her."
"Then he's getting more violent," Beckett said, turning to where the body had been. "Ryan?"
"Yeah, she was found by the landlord, neighbor of hers called him, saying there were screams and she wanted to check on her friend," he said, coming over from where a member of the CSU team was looking at photographs strewn on the floor. "That was about eleven, so a half hour ago. And they found her there, in the middle of those pictures."
"Did they hear anything specific, or just screams?" Beckett asked.
"No, just the screams," Ryan said, shaking his head. "Oh, but I asked, preceding the screams, if she heard running; she's in the apartment directly below; and she did, but only one set doing that. Which would be-"
"The killer's," Castle and Beckett finished for him.
Walking over to the windows, she turned to her fiancé as he walked up to her and said, "What's confusing me is the murder of Sunderland."
"I know, a gun when they've been using the hammer this entire time," Castle said. He paused then and turning to Lanie asked, "How easy is it to get one of those hammers?"
"You'd have to order it specially," the doctor replied. "But there are a couple of suppliers of autopsy tools; I could give you their sites if you need them."
Shaking her head Beckett said, "It would be next to impossible to track it, it could have been bought at any time before these murders started; and I get the feeling they're just using one. So these pictures are all of Sunderland."
"Every one detective," the CSU team member said, picking up the last one.
"We'll have to try and find out if there's any kind of connection," Beckett said. "Between her and Sunderland. Has your team found anything of interest besides out here in this room." When the man shook his head, she nodded and then turned to Castle saying, "It was a quick attack-"
"And she knew her killer because there was no forced entry at the door again," he continued. "But there's something about this vic that makes him angry-"
"Angry enough to strike her more than he's done before," Beckett said. "What if she's been the intended target?"
"I have to wonder why the connection to the band," Castle began. "It could be," he started slowly. "That they know who the killer is. We never asked Porter about the song you know."
"I told you, I was hoping to hold off on that," Beckett said before she turned to see Esposito walking into the apartment. "Did you find anything?" she asked as she walked over to him.
"Not much, but there was this," he said, handing his phone to her. "Took a picture so you could see."
"A… box?" Castle guessed, looking at what looked like a square of a shelf that was not covered in dust.
"Something in that shape," Esposito said. "Contacted the landlord, but, it wasn't the best building, no cameras anywhere but the lobby. They're sending the footage to the Precinct."
"Okay, so talk to Ryan, he'll update you on what we have right now," Beckett said before starting to walk past him.
"And you?" Esposito asked.
"We're going hunting for the rest of the Players," Castle said simply.
"Alright, thank you Mr. Colton, we'll see you soon," Beckett said before she hung up the phone.
"And?" Castle asked as she turned to him.
"He's gone to New Jersey with his wife; to shop; before the rehearsal. When I told him about Sunderland though, he insisted he'd be back as soon as possible," Beckett said, looking at her watch.
Frowning, Castle said, "That's going to be a while, traffic should be starting up now."
"I know, but at least we found him and the last two band members as well," Beckett said before her cell phone rang.
As she spoke with Bryan Yates, Castle went to the murder board, looking at everything they had so far. The board was crowded with pictures of victims and he frowned as they took over most of the space there. "There's something that really bugs me about this case," he said when he felt his fiancée coming to stand next to him.
"The fact that we don't have much?" Beckett asked him. When he nodded she said, "I don't blame you, but we should go over everything again until the boys get back."
"Right, oh, what'd Ringo say?" Castle asked.
"He's coming in," Beckett replied, shaking her head. "Please do not refer to them as Ringo and John when they get here."
"I won't," Castle said simply. "So, should we get started?"
"Our first vic was our student," Beckett said. "Then the teacher and the judge. Which follows the song, but our latest victim was a teacher."
"Oh, I thought you'd focus on each crime scene first," Castle said. "That's one of the many things that bother me actually; this song is where the killer is getting his inspiration, but killing Sunderland? And then going out of order? Obviously he's trying to throw us off, but do you think we'll get yet another murder? A student or a judge?"
Looking at her watch, Beckett said, "We got the first three vics in pretty rapid succession, and the space between the last two was pretty short too. But something tells me, she was the last."
"Me too, but we'll see," Castle said. He then turned to her and said, "I didn't know you had spidey senses too."
"It's a hunch," Beckett said simply, rolling her eyes. "For all we know the other two vics haven't been discovered yet. Now, we've looked at the first three and their only connection was being fans of the Abbey Road Players. Victim number four was Paul in the band and…"
"That's where I'm confused, who is she to these guys?" Castle asked.
"We can find out right now," Beckett said, taking the picture of their last vic down and going over to the break room where Porter was for protection and to wait for the rest of his band and manager to arrive. "Mr. Porter," she said to the man. "I'm wondering if you know this woman."
Taking the picture, Porter looked a little surprised and said, "Wow, Eva, I haven't seen her in years." He then looked up at Beckett and asked, "She's, please don't tell me she's dead."
"I'm afraid so," she replied. "How do you know her?"
"Before we formed the band, Jace and I were in another Beatles tribute band, but the guys we had as Ringo and John weren't exactly the best. But Eva was our manager, and if my observations were correct, Jace's lover," Porter said.
Looking at Castle who was standing in the doorway, Beckett said, "So that band split up?"
"Yeah, but it was amicable, believe me, Joey and Trace were both perfectly fine with it," Porter said quickly. "Joey Richman and Trace Cocteau."
"Do you know anyone named Jerry? Or whose nickname might be Jerry?" Castle asked.
"No," Porter said, thinking for a moment. "Why?"
"Just wondering," Castle said quickly.
"Did you call Eva's family yet?" Porter asked.
"We're aware her parents are deceased, is there anyone else we need to talk to?" Beckett asked.
"Her foster mother," Porter replied. "Her name is Joyce Yamamoto, I don't know how to get in touch with her, but she raised Eva until she was eighteen."
"We're they close?" Beckett asked.
"Kind of, Jace told me once that she was kind of a wild child, so they might have been estranged, but she should know," Porter said. "Detective," he called when Beckett turned to leave. "Are Bry and Bob alright? And Colton?"
"They're coming in right now," Beckett said with a nod. Leaving the room, she went to her desk and was able to find the woman in question. She spoke to their last vic's foster mother briefly, and shook her head when Castle turned to her from the board. "They were estranged, and while she was upset, she had no idea what Kellogg was doing after she left at eighteen."
"So a dead end," Castle said. "I just wish Porter had been able to tell who this was," he said as he tapped the one picture of the killer. "Or that he'd turned his head enough for the FBI to help us out with some kind of scan."
"I know, but maybe we'll get something now," Beckett said as she saw the elevator open and Ryan and Esposito step out. "Anything?" she asked.
"Yeah, you know the woman who lived the next floor down from our vic? Well, she came up as we were finishing up our canvas and said that she had seen our vic before her; Sunderland; coming out of her apartment a few days ago," Ryan said.
"Did she find out why he was there?" Castle asked.
"It took her a little bit of cajoling, as she put it, but finally she got out of Kellogg that Sunderland was upset about something that had been taken from his apartment," Ryan said.
"She said that our last vic said it was a box," Esposito said.
"Any idea what was in this suddenly vital box?" Beckett queried.
"No, just something important, and apparently something to do with hammers," Esposito answered.
Looking at each other, Castle and Beckett walked over to the break room as fast as they could, seeing that Porter was on his phone. Sharing another glance, Beckett was the first to speak saying, "Mr. Porter?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry, I'll see you later, tell me if you hear from her at all, I need to talk to her," Porter said, hanging up the phone quickly. "What?"
"What was the name of your former band?" Beckett asked.
"We were called the Silver Hammers, why?" Porter said, looking perplexed when the two suddenly left.
"It's someone dealing with the band before the Abbey Road Players," Castle said quickly when they rejoined the boys. "Sunderland and Porter over there were in a band previous to this one, and their manager was our recent vic."
"Ryan, can you talk to Porter, I want him to speak with someone who didn't try to interrogate him. Ask about this so called box, and if there was anything negative within the band that someone would start killing in the name of the song the band was named for," Beckett said quickly.
"And ask whose favorite song was Maxwell's Silver Hammer," Castle called as their partner went over to the break room.
"Espo, I need you to take a look at the lobby footage, from both buildings for the last two murders, from about seven to the time the body was discovered," Beckett said.
"I'll see what I can find, but the lobby might be crowded with people going to work," he replied.
"Whatever you can find I will be grateful," Beckett said. Turning to Castle then she said, "We need to find the other two members of the band."
"You guys get anything?" Esposito asked as Castle and Beckett walked into the room after he'd called to them.
"We found Trace Cocteau," Castle said. "And he's living in Albany now; a realtor; he hadn't had any contact with Sunderland or Porter since the band broke up. He admitted he and Richman weren't that good, so the break up was amicable like Porter told us."
"And Richman?" Esposito asked.
"Richman committed suicide about three years ago," Beckett said. When Esposito looked at her she quickly said. "In November of 2011."
"Oh," the detective said.
"We were hoping too," Castle said. "Why'd you call us in? She was about to call Richman's sister."
"Alright, I've been through this footage of the last vic's lobby twice, just making sure I didn't miss anything, and second time around, I caught sight of this," Esposito said before playing the footage that was on pause.
Looking at the screen closely, Beckett frowned when she saw a person in a baseball cap and sunglasses, head turned to the side, striding through the lobby. "That's him," she said, before the m caught in her throat as the man's coat opened slightly and a flash of silver was seen.
"The hammer, is he coming or going?" Castle asked, since he wasn't sure which direction the killer was walking in.
"Coming, this was just before eleven, right before the murder," Esposito said. "And I'm not sure when he leaves; I wasn't able to see him around that time."
"He went down the stairs," Castle and Beckett said at the same time.
"More than likely, no cameras there of course," Esposito said simply.
"So he's taunting us, walking through that lobby without a care to hide his weapon better than the pocket of his coat," Castle said. "But he didn't want to bring attention to himself as he left."
"Did her friend go straight up to the apartment after she heard the screams?" Beckett asked.
"No, she tried calling her first, thinking it was a movie the vic was watching," Esposito said. "She wasn't able to explain the running she'd heard, so guessed it was a movie since it was loud enough for her to hear."
"Alright, I'm wondering if we might be able to ask one of the sketch artists to work with the two pictures we have now," Beckett said. "Ask if they could make a sketch even though we don't have much. And also, I'd like to see if we can't track where Porter's car went after it left the hotel's parking."
"I'll get on that," Esposito said before leaving the room.
"The band's here," Castle suddenly said.
Turning to him, Beckett looked out the window, seeing two men looking around them; two men who looked like John Lennon and Ringo Starr. "Mr. Yates, Mr. Basingstoke?" she said as they walked out towards the two.
"Yeah, are you Detective Beckett?" Yates asked.
"I am, please, follow me," she said, motioning them into the room behind her.
"Is Wes okay?" Basingstoke asked.
"He's fine, another detective is speaking with him right now," Beckett said. "Please, sit," she said once Castle had closed the door behind them.
"Any idea who killed Jace?" Basingstoke then asked.
"I'm afraid not at the moment," Beckett said. "I'm wondering though, could you tell me about how Mr. Sunderland was when you reached the warehouse where you were dropped off this morning?"
"Oh, he was fine, he was in a rush to leave, but I would assume it'd be to see his longtime lover," Yates answered.
"We have no idea who he was with though, or if it was a dude or a woman, you never could tell with Jace," Basingstoke said. "But he seemed a little… anxious to go didn't he?"
"That's true, he was first off the bus, but then took off at a run, looking around him as he went," Yates agreed with a nod.
"Do you two recognize this writing?" Beckett asked.
Looking at the photograph of the note that had been on the vic, Basingstoke and Yates both shook their heads before Castle said, "Do you know any reason why he'd be at the Boxer?"
"No, is that where he was?" Basingstoke said. When both Castle and Beckett nodded, he looked at his band mate and said, "A hook up maybe?"
"That would explain why he was so anxious," Yates said with a shrug. "Never even heard of the Boxer."
"I have," Basingstoke said. "He, Jace, used to go there to meet his lover once in a while. They were together for a long time, which is why we called him or her that," he explained. "They liked to shake things up by pretending what they did was taboo."
"And who else knew about this?" Beckett asked.
"About the Boxer? I think just me, but that was because I was with him when he got a text from the person," Basingstoke said. He jumped suddenly then, and at the others' looks said, "A text… can I… can I read it?"
"Go ahead," Beckett said.
"Oh, it's Colton, he's stuck in traffic," Basingstoke said. "On the turnpike."
"Don't tell him you're here," Beckett said quickly, looking at Castle.
"We were told that he and Mr. Sunderland had a pretty big fight not too long ago," he said, understanding her gaze quickly. "About him wanting to leave the band."
"Wes told you that? He forgot to mention the fact too that they would have that argument all the time, Jace liked to threaten Colton; keep him on his toes," Yates groaned. "Jace was a big pull for the band, he looks a hell of a lot like Paul, so women are pretty crazy about him."
"He's right, it also helped that he was left handed too," Basingstoke said. "Men were crazy about him too. But lately he seemed to want to stop touring actually. Like we said, something was making him jumpy, we didn't know what."
"Mr. Porter mentioned letters that he would get," Beckett said, pulling out pictures from her file she'd brought into the room with them.
"Oh yeah, forgot about those, he tried to find out where they were from, but when he couldn't he threw them away," Yates said. "Got them for a while, and then they stopped, so we didn't really think much about it. Since Jace didn't really share about them, we figured they were from some stalker chick."
"Or dude," Basingstoke said.
"Do you know these people?" Beckett then asked when the two men didn't say anything else. She held out the four pictures, watching them look through them closely before they began to nod.
"Yeah, these two were winners of a raffle," Yates said, holding out the pictures of the first two vics.
"This one asked for a kiss from Bry," Basingstoke said. "But the guy, no, and the other woman… she looks familiar."
"I know, the hell did we see her at?" Yates said before snapping his fingers. "She was hanging around Jace for a while when we first started out. She tried to become co-manager with Colton, but he pretty much chased her off. Haven't seen her since then."
"Did Colton say someone was trying to edge him out of his position?" Basingstoke said.
"Was it serious?" Castle asked as Yates nodded to his band mate's question.
"Colton kept things quiet, especially concerning financials," Basingstoke replied.
"We only knew that we were doing pretty well," Yates said. "And that we kept getting more and more gigs."
"Did Mr. Sunderland have a favorite song?" Beckett then said.
"Oh yeah, Maxwell's Silver Hammer," Basingstoke said.
"And I'm wondering, do you mingle with the audience at all?" Castle asked suddenly.
"A little bit before the show, those with tickets for the first five rows to our shows," Yates began. "They can come in a half hour before the others are let in, chat with us a little as we're setting up."
"Okay, I'm wondering if it's possible for you two to remain here for the time being," Beckett said then, knowing why her fiancé had asked that. She too had been wondering how the killer had known the first three victims fit the song, and it likely had been at that extra half hour before the shows. "As a precaution I want to send security details with you, to watch out for you."
"You think we're in trouble?" Basingstoke asked.
"Then where the hell is Wes?" Yates said.
"He's fine," Ryan said from the doorway he'd stepped into without the others hearing him.
"I'll send in Mr. Porter, just stay here please, and I'll let you know when you can return home," Beckett said, standing up with Castle. As they stepped outside, Porter came up to them and she told him, "Your manager is stuck in traffic, but your band mates are here."
"My remaining band mates," Porter said bitterly before he disappeared into the room.
"So what did you find?" Beckett asked as she and Castle followed Ryan over to his desk.
"He confirmed about the song, said Sunderland was crazy about it, would play it on the guitar constantly," Ryan replied. "And that he was the one to choose the name Silver Hammers. But he didn't really have much else to tell me besides that, at least, nothing you don't already know."
"When you went to Sunderland's place, were there any letters? Threatening letters?" Castle asked.
"And I'm wondering, is there a gun registered to him?" Beckett said absently before Ryan could reply.
"No gun, and no letters like that," Ryan said. "Nothing much except for that missing box."
"Alright," Beckett said with a sigh. "I'm going to get some coffee," she said, looking at her watch. "Well, I was going to call Julia, but it's too early. So I'll just take a very quick break and then we'll take another look at the case again from the beginning." She left the two and went into the break room, getting a cup before she paused.
"Was just asking Ryan about if he had a little black book," Castle said when he'd come in.
"Who, Ryan?" Beckett asked.
"Oh, nice," Castle said. "Was a nice set up."
"It was," Beckett agreed. "But anything Sunderland had like that?"
"No, but a lot of protection, so at least he was careful in that respect… though of course it didn't keep him from getting shot," Castle said, shaking his head as he began a cup of espresso. "Sorry about not getting to this until now."
"I don't know when you had the chance," Beckett said. "It's been pretty busy, though we seem to be walking in a long circle that has no end at the moment," she commented as she turned around to lean against the counter next to him, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm surprised Esposito hasn't said anything to you."
"I get the feeling he's just relieved he got me to agree," Castle said. "He won't worry until it gets closer to six." Watching her look at her watch he said, "Still too early."
"Yeah, she's in dance class now, they just started," Beckett said. "Is this case reminding you constantly of her?"
"I don't see how it couldn't," Castle said as he handed her the finished cup of coffee. "Especially since we were just talking to nearly mirror images of John and Ringo. George too. But I think," he said. "What helps us out is that we never took her to see them."
"I think I want to wait to do that," Beckett said. "Well, to see a tribute band…"
"What?" Castle asked, watching her as he was making a cup of coffee for himself.
"No, just thinking that we've told her about these bands, but she doesn't seem to want to go," Beckett said.
"Oh good, you noticed that too," Castle said as they sat down together at the table. "I think though, she doesn't want to see imitators."
"So she'd rather see The Beatles, and not the Players," Beckett said, smiling when he nodded. "Well, we'll see."
"See what?" Esposito asked, coming inside then.
"If Julia and I will take any vacations once she's done with school," Beckett said quickly. "Speaking of school, are you and Ryan able to come at all?"
"Depends," Ryan said, coming into the room himself. "On if we get a case."
"Lanie said the same thing," Beckett said with a nod. "I leave it up to you guys." She opened her mouth to speak again, when she heard a yelled, "Detective Beckett!" Jumping up from her seat, leaving behind the nearly empty cup of coffee, she went to the doorway with Castle, the boys behind them.
"Detective Beckett!" Porter was saying, turning from her desk to the break room. "Detective," he said as he ran to her.
"What is it?" Beckett asked quickly to get him to stop saying her name.
"I need to go to the hospital, my mom was almost killed, I think by the same guy who killed Jace," Porter said so fast he was nearly stumbling over his words.