Evelyn Montgomery was the one who made the connection. She came in to find out what came of the young man she shot when he broke into her house, only to find Esposito and Beckett gone and a murder board for a man she's known for decades. Crime scene photos of his stereotypical politician's office.

Ryan found her gaping at the board. "You know him?"

"He was one of Roy's closest friends. Kevin, what's going on?" Tears brimmed in her eyes.

Ryan swore under his breath and waved for Gates to join him. The captain noticed Evelyn and softened. "Mrs. Montgomery, what can we do for you?"

"Was this done by whoever is after Kate? What does this have to do with Roy?"

Gates blinked in confusion. "What? Why would you think that?"

Evelyn tried to be stoic, she was a strong woman, but there were too many connected people being hurt and killed. Her chin quivered.

Ryan intervened. "Mrs. Montgomery. Right now, we don't know of any connections. If we find something solid, we'll let you know." He placed his hand on her shoulder in an attempt at comforting her and walked her out.

Gates went over the crime scene photos again with Ryan, hoping to find something CSU may have missed. "What the hell is going on here, Detective?" Their results came back from the lab: another DNA match to Beckett's shooter. The victim had only law books on his shelves, save for one work of fiction: Heat Rises.

Castle's cell phone number was written on the inside of the dust jacket.

Ryan schooled his features, and shrugged, but Gates could recognize his tells well enough already. "In my office," she commanded.

The door clicked shut behind him.

"Spill it."

Ryan looked out at the three empty chairs in the bullpen, then another glance at the murder board. What if Beckett was the next autopsy photo up there? Or Castle? If he'd been even one second later on that roof….

"Detective. I'm waiting."

Ryan sighed. And he told her. Everything.

Xxxx

Beckett acted like she was pulling Castle around a corner for a kiss, then they both assumed a ready stance, waiting for the man in the suit to follow, willing themselves to not panic. Castle grabbed a scrap of lumber out of the dumpster in the alley and held it tightly, ready to swing.

"Any second now…" she whispered.

He didn't follow them around the corner. He walked near the curb and looked down the alley to see where they went. They were waiting. He kept walking.

His phone chirped in his pocket. "Reese, it looks like another body has got Maddox's DNA on it. And he's connected to Beckett's late boss. I'll send you the autopsy photo."

Reese nodded. "Sound like it's time to meet Beckett and Castle."

He stopped walking and leaned against a light post.

Beckett ventured a peek. "It looks like he's waiting for us."

"I'm calling Ryan." Castle wasn't about to go it without backup. Ryan would send help.

"Castle, look."

Rick followed her gaze to the man in the suit, leisurely waiting against the post. The man smiled and gave a quick nod, then held his hands out to the sides. Empty. He raised his eyebrows as if he were asking permission. Then he started toward them.

Ryan answered the phone. "Castle. I've been calling Beckett all morning; she' s not answering. Are you guys okay?"

"I don't know. I guess we're about to find out." Castle swallowed hard.

"What? What's going on? Look, I think you're in danger. We found the body of one of Montgomery's friends."

The man had almost reached them.

"Who?" Castle didn't hear Ryan's answer – he was focused on the man in front of him.

The man held out his phone ahead of him. With a picture on it. A dead guy.

Castle gasped, "Smith."

Beckett was ready for the attack, but it didn't come. The man stopped ten feet away when Castle recognized the man in the picture.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"Your backup. You know this man?"

Beckett didn't respond.

"Same DNA on his body as from your last case. Cole Maddox got to him."

Ryan could hear through Castle's phone. "Castle!" he shouted, "Who are you talking to? How does he have that information? I just got that information!"

Reese continued, as though he couldn't hear Ryan's questions. "I knew Maddox. You're suspended, so you don't have the support of your badge. And there are a limited number of cops you can trust with this case. "

"How do you know about this case?" Beckett finally asked. She didn't correct him that she wasn't suspended, that she'd resigned; she wasn't going to give him anything without knowing who he was.

"I know a lot. But I'm here to help." Reese, as always, dodged the question. Beckett clearly didn't believe him. "If I were here to kill you, Detective, you wouldn't still be standing here talking to me, with Detective Ryan on the open line with Mr. Castle. I am here to help."

"Who the hell is that?" Ryan's voice shouted from Castle's phone.

Castle muttered, "I don't know who he is, but Smith was our insurance policy. This was supposed to be over."

Xxxx

"Let's walk," Reese said.

Beckett saw the gun behind his suit jacket. She clenched her jaw and took a step.

"You can call me John. Don't forget your groceries."

Castle was a little dumbstruck and grabbed the bag. He didn't follow.

Beckett stayed at Castle's side, so Reese smiled, attempting to put them at ease. It didn't work. He weighed his options and gave them far more information than he normally gives those under his protection.

"Look, you two. I'm familiar with your case. I know there are dirty cops involved. I know you've got a target on your back. And I know how Cole Maddox operates. Or, at least, how he worked years ago. I also know that, with him after you, you're running out of time, fast. I have two detectives who can be trusted trying to find out more. So you can let me protect you. Or you can let him kill you."

Castle's jaw worked in frustration. "Why should we believe you? He had the chance to kill her a week ago, but didn't. We are not investigating. We have no information that he would want. What motive does he have?"

Please review! They're addictive like making up all these doofy addictions just to make y'all smile.