Hi guys. Here's one more ;) Have a lovely day!

- "I'm sorry about that" – she apologizes for Castle – "but you have to listen to me" – she asks.

- "I don't have to do anything! And if you force me, I'll accuse your friend there of police brutality" – he threatens.

He's a smart kid, Beckett thinks, despite the way he's dressed and the rebellion he carries with him she can tell he's educated.

- "I don't think that would work" – she says lightly, Simon looks at her confused – "you see, the thing is, he's not actually a cop."

- "You said he was your partner" – he says in an accusatory tone.

- "He is" – the detective confirms – "he follows me everywhere, he helps me with cases, so in the truth meaning of the word he is my partner, he's just not a cop."

- "So, what is he?"

- "A writer" – she answers and getting the confused look on his face continues – "he writes mystery books, so he rides with me to get inspired" – she explains.

Simon stops talking for a moment to process the information – "Still, he's with you it's your responsibility" – he argues – "I didn't do anything wrong, I'm not going back there to I can be attacked by him."

Beckett sighs letting her body rest against the toy store window behind them – "He was out of line." – she agrees – "I know none of this makes sense to you, but he's a nice guy, you just have to cut him some slack" – she asks.

- "Why?" – he challenges her.

Beckett hesitates for a moment, knowing that she doesn't have enough information to trust this kid yet, but feeling that their only lead is escaping between her fingers she tells him – "Because that girl on the picture is his daughter" – they boy opens his mouth but doesn't' speak – "and last Monday she was attacked by the same guy who killed and raped 3 other girls" – she says not to shock him but to try to get him on their side.

- "Oh…" – he mumbles – "I'm sorry…"

Beckett can tell that he means it, so she smiles softly – "It's okay, but we could really use your help" – she tries once again.

He nods, changing his route and walking towards the dinner again – "Okay."

Castle is still sitting at the dinner's table, his face buried on the palms of his hands, fear, anger, frustration, everything taking over at the same time. He's startled by the sound of an incoming message on his phone. It's Beckett, she's letting him know she managed to convinced the boy to come back and she wants him to behave, or else. He looks at the door and he only has to wait for a few seconds before watching them come in. Her eyes met Castle's as soon she passes the door, he knows it's because she wants to be sure he got her text, so he gives her an almost imperceptible nod and she gets it. When they reach the table he makes an effort to relax his face and comments – "You should eat, it's getting cold".

The boy looks at Beckett, who nods, and eventually he sits down and starts to enjoy his burger.

- "Okay, now that we're all calmer, why don't we try this again?" – Beckett suggests. Both men stay quiet, so she takes it at as an agreement to continue – "We already established that you've seen Alexis on Monday," – the detective says – "do you mind tell us what exactly you remember, Simon?"

- "I was settling on the stairs, I usually prefer to stay there if it's not too cold, I like to stare at the stars" – the boy explains – "that's when I saw her entering the station. The red hair got my attention, and the fact that she was really beautiful"- the boy confesses hesitantly, afraid of Castle's reaction, but this time he doesn't move. Maybe it's because the way Simon said it this time, or maybe it's because Beckett slid a hand under the table to hold his own, that rest on his thigh, he's not sure, but this time he doesn't feel the need to.

- "What time was that?" –

- "I don't know, I don't own a watch" – he says and Beckett is almost embarrassed she asked – "but I would say around 9.30 pm to 10 pm because the streets were already pretty quiet."

Beckett notes down the information and continues the questioning – "Did you see anyone else entering the station?"

The young man shakes his head and Castle can't prevent a frustration sigh – "But I did see a guy getting out" – Simon tells them, hoping that that will do.

- "Did you get a good look at him?" – Beckett asks hopeful.

- "Yeah, he was kind of short for a guy, brown hair, dark eyes and a goatee" – the boy recalls.

- "Do you think you could describe him to a sketch artist?" – Beckett takes a chance, knowing that she's probably pushing too far.

- "You mean, going to the station?" – Simon asks to be sure.

- "Well, I could try to find someone to come here, but it would take longer" – she tries to compromise.

Simon bites his lower lip and glances at Castle that, despite all his efforts has a desperate look on his face, the man must really care about his daughter, the boy thinks. Then he looks back at Beckett – "I'll do it."

Beckett's smile instantly broadens in relief – "Thank you, Simon" – she says appreciated, giving Castle's hand a light squeeze.

They finish their coffee while Simon finishes his meal and Beckett takes the opportunity to ask Simon a couple more questions. When they finish they head to Beckett's car, it's almost 4 pm now and Beckett suggests that Castle heads home to check on Alexis. Castle fights her on that, of course, not that he doesn't want to be with his daughter, but he doesn't want to leave the weight of the investigation on Beckett's shoulders. Still, she manages to persuade him, so she drops him at the loft before heading to the precinct with Simon.