Close

"Kate." Castle called as he headed towards the car. She looked up, shielding her eyes from the late afternoon sunshine as he walked towards where she was stood with Mair.

"You ok?"

"I think Alexis was right. Obviously the headshot was the fatal wound but he was also shot in the gut. What if?"

"Go on." The Welsh woman folded her arms across her chest.

"There are no signs of Jamie staggering into the corridor. No second gun shot. What if firing the gun in the corridor outside Mother's dressing room was to draw attention? What if it wasn't even a real gunshot?"

"Is e for real?"

"Just let him go with it." Kate spoke calmly, knowing her husband well enough to let him run with his theory. "How to fake a shot?"

"A recording. It all happened in a theatre. Sound effects have to be fairly commonplace. I think Jamie was shot. Bled out and died elsewhere. I don't know where but his dead body dumped and Mother finds him after she heard what she thinks is a gun shot." Castle looked at both women.

"Great theory." Kate smiled slightly. "Only we have four hundred witnesses including your mom and us that saw Jamie get a standing ovation minutes before his death." She watched as Castle shrugged.

"Yeah so we know time of death." He nodded. "What we don't know is why he was killed and who." He rocked back on his heels. "Cmon it explains why the second shot wasn't heard."

"It's certainly an interesting theory." Mair smiled as he got into the car. He had a feeling he was right. He just had to workout how and where Jamie had died.

Xxxxxx

Lainey sat on the overstuffed black sofa as Javi brought two steaming mugs of coffee from the kitchen. She smiled slightly, she had always loved his apartment. There was something about it that just made her feel welcome. Taking the mug from him she sighed as he sat next to her.

"You think I should tell the others?"

"Yes."

"Ryan and Beckett. Castle?"

"As they are the others - yes. Ryan will be worried. Castle will say something silly and Kate will hug you. Then normal service will be resumed." She sipped her drink before setting the mug down on the coffee table. Javier nodded. His eyes heavy with unshed tears as Lainey reached out; resting a hand on his cheek. Before she could process what was happening she was in his lap, kissing him as his hands slid under her shirt. He gasped as his hands found her skin. Lainey pulled back as he made to stand.

"You want this?" He whispered. "Me?"

"Yes." She looked him in the eyes, knowing neither had any clue how it had happened but it felt right. Javi smiled at her for a moment before leading her to his bedroom.

Xxxcc