The precinct was eerily quiet, and not only because it was 5 am.
Kate stood where she was at the murder board in horror. She couldn't remember the last time there was a case like this, if ever. A 15-year-old girl was left with murdered parents. What if her dad was murdered? She would feel lost.
Ryan was sitting at his desk. The pain he was feeling evident on his face. What would Grace be like when she found out her dad was murdered?
Castle swallowed the bile building up in the back of his throat. He couldn't imagine how Alexis would feel if he was ever murdered.
Esposito was pissed. The son of a bitch who did this was going to pay. He hadn't even met Grace yet, but he wanted to help reduce her soon to be pain.
Beckett broke the silence. "I normally advise someone to stay here at the precinct, but I feel like we should all talk to Grace."
The three men nodded. They all needed to be there to tell the 15-year-old. They all needed to give her support.
"I got the address to the apartment here," Esposito said.
The four of them made their way up to the apartment. It was 5:30 and Grace was sure to be on her summer break, so she was probably still sleeping.
Beckett approached the door first and knocked. Hearing no movement inside, she knocked once again. Preparing to knock a third time, the door swung open, revealing a very tired looking Grace Wilkins. She was about 5 foot 6 and slim built. She did not have the appearance to take such horrible news they were bringing well.
"Good morning. Can I help you?" Grace asked politely but tiredly.
"Good morning Grace. I'm Detective Kate Beckett. To my left is my partner, Rick Castle. To my right is Detective Javier Esposito and Detective Kevin Ryan. We're of the 12th precinct. Do you mind if we come in?"
"Of course not, do come in?" Grace smiled, opening the door far enough to allow the four adults in. Once Ryan was in the door, she closed it and turned to face the adults.
"Grace, is there somewhere we can talk?" Esposito asked.
"Yes, here please take a seat." Grace said, gesturing to the two couches. She sat on the recliner.
"Grace we have some bad news. It's about your father." Beckett said.
"What'd he do?" Grace asked.
"It's not what he did, it's about what happened to him." Ryan replied.
"I'm sorry to sound abrupt, but can you please tell me what happened to him? I'm confused as to what happened. Is he not home? Because he usually doesn't come home until 11:30 and I'm normally asleep by then. He always stays late at work."
"Grace, your father is dead." Kate said after a short period of silence.
"Wh- what? How?" Grace stammered, the shock taking over her features.
"He was murdered." Ryan said silently.
"Murdered? My mom was murdered!" Grace practically yelled.
"Yes, we know. We are so sorry." Castle said.
"Oh God. First my mom, now my dad. Detectives, Mr. Castle, I have no family. My dad was the only thing I had left. And now he's gone!" Grace sobbed.
The four adults sat in silence while the young girl broke down in front of them. They were all going to do whatever it took the catch the sick bastard who took Grace's only family.
"Grace, is it okay if we ask a few questions? It's alright if you aren't ready. We can come back another time." Beckett asked, whispering.
Grace sniffled. "No it's okay. Now's a good time."
"Actually it's basically one question. Can you start with your mother's murder and work your way up to now?" Beckett asked.
"It's easier if I start before. My dad was a businessman, always making trips between India and Manhattan. One day on one of his trips to Manhattan, he met my mom, Elizabeth Wilkins. Fell head over heels in love with her. They dated a year before they tied the knot on August 11, 1995. They were both 23. A year later on that same day, I was born. I was their one-year anniversary present. 6 years later on that same day in 2002, my mom was murdered. She was coming home to celebrate my 6th birthday and my parents' anniversary. She just had to pick up the cake on the way home. That's when she got pulled into an alley and got raped and murdered. They never caught the guy.
"After I finished my first grade year, we moved down to Florida. We changed our name from Patel to Wilkins. My dad wanted to honor my mother's name somehow. He worked as a real estate agent. In 2010, we moved back here to Manhattan, right before my freshman year of high school. My dad was finally ready to face this city again. He sent me off to a good private school, the one that's about 5 blocks from here."
Castle recognized the school she was talking about. It was the same, small private school he sent Alexis off to for a great education. He made a note to ask his daughter about Grace later.
"My dad got a job at some hot shot real estate company. Here's his card," Grace said, handing the card on the coffee table to Ryan. "He's been working hard lately to get a promotion, that's why he doesn't come home until 11:30. Or should I say did. He's dead now." Grace finished off, trying hard not to cry again.
"Thank you Grace. I think you told us everything we need. We'll keep you updated." Beckett said, rising up from her spot next to Castle. The three men followed suit and headed towards the door.
"Detective Beckett, is it okay if I speak to you in private for a quick second?" Grace asked nervously.
Beckett was a little surprised, but nonetheless she answered, "Um okay sure." Addressing the boys she said, "I'll see you guys outside."
Beckett made her way over to where Grace still sat in the recliner.
"Detective, are you the one in charge of the group solving my dad's murder?" Grace asked, her eyes not leaving the floor.
"Yes I am, Grace."
"Then can you do me a favor?" Grace asked.
"I can try my best," Beckett answered honestly.
"Please solve this one for me," Grace requested timidly, her voice shaky. Her eyes met Beckett's and Beckett could see the great sorrow in them.
"The guy who did this will be caught. I will not let this case become cold." Beckett answered firmly, for the girl's sake. Deep down inside, Beckett felt like breaking down. Grace's pain matched her own when she found out her mother was killed all those years ago.
"Thank you, Detective. I'll show you out," Grace said, standing on shaky legs to let the Detective out.
Beckett had a feeling she was going to see more of this girl; more than any other family member of a victim she had previously encountered.
This case hit close to home.