As 9pm approached fast, Beckett was longing for a hot shower and a warm, comfortable bed, feeling the many question marks associated with her case drain her reserves more than usual.

Next to her, Castle had nodded off a few times, putting on a brave face but losing the battle against the exhaustion that had befallen all of them.

From her spot in the bullpen, she watched Ryan and Esposito chitchat for a while, before grabbing their coats and disappearing behind the elevator doors to head home, one man on a journey to pick up a birthday gift for Jenny, the other one…well, she wasn't so sure about that anymore.

At least it seemed as though all the wrinkles had once again been smoothed out, allowing them to continue their investigation undisturbed.

And any moment now, the sketch artist should be done with their witness, waiting for her to take over with an interview to see what else the old lady had seen.

As it turned out, her wish came true a lot faster when her phone rang, showing an internal number.

"Beckett?"

The voice on the other end was tense, unsure, as he relayed his information to her, the words making her heart beat faster with each second.

As he listed all the facts and eventually fell quiet, the awkward silence threatened to tear her apart.

"Ok…hold on Sergeant, I'll call you right back."

With her hands shaking, she got up off her desk and headed for the elevator, causing a worried Castle to yell after her.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll be…I'll be right back. I think I am gonna be sick."