"If I go, she's going down with me boys, so make a choice" he watched as they lowered their guns slightly before he continued "Wise choice" He had noticed that all the people in the cafe had managed to evacuate themselves as soon as they saw the gun.

He couldn't blame them, he would have done the same but it didn't matter, they weren't his main target. If they were, escaping wouldn't have been so easy.

"The cafe is surrounded Tyson. You won't get very far" spoke the Latino cop, he had realised was called Esposito. Silly little boy Tyson thought. Was he really trying to reinforce his non-existent authority into the situation? They all knew Tyson had the upper hand here but he would indulge in their little formalities. He had seen them do it enough times.

"Let Beckett go and we'll put in a good word for you to the DA" Lies he smiled to himself. Did they really think he was that stupid? They clearly didn't know who they were dealing with. Pathetic Cops he smiled as he pretended to lower the gun in submission they haven't a clue what I'm capable of.

"And they'll treat me nicely?" he questioned. He did enjoy playing the innocent victim. The white less-bold out of the two men, stepped forward, his hand raised slightly.

"Put the gun down slowly and we'll do our best" He was so tempted to hand – Ryan, he believed his name was – the gun over but that would be easy. He wanted to tease and taunt them with the idea that Beckett was in his control.

With one slip of his wrist, they could watch her die. It was a satisfying thought but again, too easy. He began to lower the weapon as he could almost hear their sighs of relief before he sprung it back up to her neck

"Just joking guys, I wouldn't do that even if I was feeling nice"

"Stop playing games Tyson. It's me you want not her?" Oh and here was the hero to the rescue he smiled. He had wondered when the silent lamb would speak up.

"Oh my dear Richard, I didn't see you there. Do you mind it if I call you Richard? I know you seem to be known as Castle these days" He could see the tension in his bones. His face was stern like he was trying to prove that he was scared but Tyson could see past that. He could see his blood pumping in his veins and his heart trying to leap out of his body.

He was nervous.

Of course he would be.

Tyson was standing there with his fancy piece at death point. Oh he did enjoy these precious family moments.

"I'm not here for small talk, Tyson"

"Oh feisty today aren't we? I've always had you pinned for a big friendly giant. You know all hardcore on the outside but nothing but a big softie on the inside with nothing to show for" a smirk rose on his face "Pity, I thought using you in my little scheme would have been a good idea. Turns out I was wrong"

"Why did you pick me?" he heard the question like it came out of thin air. Tyson wasn't a man of coincidence. He didn't believe things 'happened' for a reason, whether it was fate or coincidence. It didn't exist. There was a reason behind everything.

"It was a spot of genius on my part. I figured it is so unrealistic that such a nice reputable man as yourself would commit a murder. So unbelievable that it could become believable. It wasn't expected, giving you the perfect opportunity to do something out of the ordinary and out of character. I knew you wouldn't have the guts to do something so remarkably genius yourself, so I thought I'd help you out. No need to thank me"

He should have won award or something. He was getting away with so many things and no one could catch him. He was like the invisible man. He could slip in and out as he pleased. It was all going well until well this very moment.

Was it a mistake that he picked Castle?

Maybe but then again this very exciting may not have happened.

Maybe this was his plan all along and maybe this was what he wanted from the situation. He revealed himself to them, laying out tracks so they could find him. His reasoning behind this was a mystery – to them anyways – but he wanted to disappear.

"Thanking you? No I should be applauding you" Castle paused as Tyson suddenly became very intrigued – for the first time – in what he had to say "Applauding you for all those years you spent killing innocent people and congratulating you on all those many years you'll spend in prison paying for it" he couldn't help but laugh; a loud sickening memorable laugh. He hadn't heard anything as funny in his life.

Maybe he was wrong about what he said before?

Castle was quite the entertainer. He needed that in his life.

He couldn't complain, his life was pretty awesome but laughing never hurt anyone and he did like hurting people.

"Oh bravo Richard Bravo, I see why you're a writer -" his smiling face had suddenly faded "because humour's the only good quality you possess and it's all you'll ever be Richard, a comical writer. Don't get me wrong, people will always laugh but never with you" He spoke slowly to let Castle linger on his every word, absorbing his wisdom. That shut up him up he thought as he could feel Kate tightened under his clutches.

He looked down at her. "What's the matter sweetheart? Don't like the way I described him? Well listen good because I'm never wrong" The gun was back at her neck, pushing her skin slightly as all eyes were on her. "Okay so here's what's gonna happen" they were all lingering on his every word. He could see their brains ticking away, thinking of a plan and fast to outdo him but he was one step ahead.

He had already played every possible scenario in his head and figured out an outcome to every single one, all of them leading to him winning of course. "I'm going to escort dear Kate here out of the cafe. You're going to call off you're lovely friends outside and I'm going to leave, never to be seen again. Kate will be fine through all this, granted that you don't try and funny tricks"

They all looked hesitant. He didn't care for an answer. That was the plan he was going for. He gave a farewell nod as he began backing away from them, still keeping his eyes on them.

"Wait" shouted Castle as Tyson came to a stop. Superman needs to retire he thought as he rolled his eyes. He was getting fed of him getting in his way. He wished now he picked a different identity. Castle had one of those infuriating personalities. Tyson wasn't sure whether he liked him or not but right now, he was sticking with hating his guts.

There was silence before Castle spoke.

"Let me speak to her"