"So…what do you think about this case?"

Castle brought the bottle of beer closer to his lips, formulating his thoughts before letting his eyes drift back to his stunningly beautiful conversation partner.

"Well, I don't think I want to catch Javier on a bad day inside a dark alley."

Beckett chuckled, her gaze dropping to what was left of her unfinished burger and side of well-done fries.

"By the sound of it, he's ready to sign you up for martial arts lessons. I'd be careful if I were you. The last thing you want is for one of your neighbors to hear you moan and groan after a guy walks into your apartment."

With a theatrical eye roll, Castle shook his head, thoroughly enjoying the conversation, simultaneously regretting that their evening together was winding down.

"Truthfully, I think that whoever was after Harrison is very used to killing, very…methodical, cold-blooded. Could be ex-military from that Veteran's Network office or even a hired killer. This was a very hands-on type of murder. Get it? Hands-on…?"

This time it was Beckett's turn to roll her eyes, when suddenly, she stopped short.

"It's a very…committed type of murder.", she proceeded deep in thought, "You see, a gun gives a killer some distance to their victim, physically and psychologically. A strangulation indicates a crime of passion and great violence, the joy of seeing suffering up close and personal. This though…this is taking things to the next level. You have the element of great violence in the act of killing, plus you have the physical interaction. This guy…this guy is as cold-hearted as it gets."

Castle nodded, subconsciously shifting his bottle of beer from one hand to the other.

"Javier said that this was methodical, planned out, like a choreographed act."

His words made Beckett look up, almost instantly tensing up as she pushed her plate off to the side.

"And because this is so well planned out…there's a chance that Harrison isn't the first, or the last victim."