Thursday 10:07 am

NYPD 3rd Precinct Conference Room

Beckett began to speak in a monotone.

"We received the call Tuesday evening at 8:42 pm. A John Doe was found in an alley near a construction site down in the Warehouse District. Cause of death unknown. My partner and I arrived at the scene at 9:50."

Robinson interrupted. "Which partner, Detective? Was that Detective Esposito or Detective Ryan?"

Beckett was still staring at the empty water glass. "Neither, sir. They were both already at the scene, having arrived at 9:15 pm. I arrived with my partner, Ri…" She hadn't spoken his name yet, since yesterday's cluster fuck. Her eyes welled up in record time. She tried to take another deep breath, but it felt like a giant invisible hand was constricting her lungs, strangling her heart. A tear escaped down her cheek.

The attorney, Miller, leaned forward and spoke into the microphone. "Her partner's Richard Castle" he said.

"Detective Beckett, Mister Castle isn't a member of the NYPD, so he can't possibly be your partner. Unless you're discussing something outside of the job?" The Lieutenants' tone of voice couldn't be more snide. Beckett just stared at him, at a total loss. Everybody knew who her partner is. Was. Another tear escaped. C'mon, Beckett, pull yourself together.

Beckett's attorney surged to his feet. "Lieutenant, allow me to educate you on ..."

"HOLD IT! Everybody just CHILL OUT!" It was the Chief of Detectives, Ted Cavillo, looking seriously pissed off. Miller slid back into his seat as the C.O.D. continued, "I'll handle this Counselor. Lieutenant, I think we need everyone to calm down, and get some background for everybody here's benefit. In order to make a decision about my people, you need to learn about my people." He looked over at the Personnel Captain. "Chris, could you please review the Alpha Homicide Team's service records for us? Just the highlights."

"Glad to, Ted." Captain Basso opened the top file. "Detective 2nd grade Javier Xavier Esposito. Exceptional military record in Special Forces. 5 years as a beat cop, 5 years in ESU, and 7 years in homicide at the 12th precinct. A cop's cop. Kind of a bad ass. Several commendations for bravery. Also a couple of 'excessive force' complaints. Sterling reviews." Basso picked up the next file. "Detective 3rd grade Kevin Patrick Ryan. Family man. IQ off the charts, and 1st in his cadet class. 3 years as a beat cop over in Brooklyn, 2 years in Narcotics down on Staten Island, and 6 plus years in homicide at the 12th. 3 separate commendations for Meritorious Conduct. Will probably have your job someday, Ted."

"He's welcome to it now."

Basso picked up a thick file. "Katherine Houghton Beckett. Almost 15 years on the job. 1st in her cadet class. Four-point-zeros across the board for every review she's ever had. One of the fastest to ever make Detective 3rd Grade. The fastest ever to make Detective 1st Grade … in the 170 year history of the department. Commendations at every level, from patrol woman to now. Stints at the 34th as a probie, at the 23rd, in vice, and for the last 8 years in homicide. A Combat Cross, three separate Citations for Valor, three more for Meritorious Conduct, a couple of awards from the feds, and one unexplained award from the Syrian Government. Spent 3 months with the feebs, and another 3 months on medical leave after being shot at Roy Montgomery's funeral. In short, the most impressive working officer currently on the NYPD. Bar none."

The HR Captain opened another, much thinner, file. "Richard Edgar Castle. Civilian Consultant with the 12th's Homicide Alpha team. Unpaid. Mystery Novelist. For a dilettante, this is pretty impressive…a medal and two awards of Valor from the mayor's office, a Distinguished Service Award from the DIA, and something called the NIAM from the State Department. I don't read that much, but I have two grown kids who love his books."

Lieutenant Robinson jumped in. "I don't know how much stock I'd put in Castle's medals – he throws around his money a lot, and is close friends with the mayor. You also neglected to mention a couple of 3 month suspensions for 'disregard and disobey' handed out to Beckett and Esposito. Last but not least, those Nikki Heat books are an embarrassment to the department."

The C.O.D. stared down the IAD man. "Robinson, if you have an ounce of career self preservation, I suggest you sit there and shut the fuck up!" He looked around at the rest of the table. "Let me tell you a little about the Alpha Team at the 12th Precinct. They were all trained by Roy Montgomery. Within a year of forming the Beckett-Esposito-Ryan team, their close rate was one of the best in the city. Then, during the Tisdale investigation, Richard Castle joined the team. Since then, their solve rate doubled.

"Doubled! No one else is even close. For the last three years the commissioner and I have gone out of our way to send them the most difficult cases in Manhattan whenever we can. It doesn't seem to matter. They find out who did it and they get enough evidence to convict. If I knew how they did it, I'd bottle and sell it.

"As of yesterday, that team doesn't exist anymore. I, for one, want to know how and why. However, this is NOT a witch hunt." He looked over at Beckett. "Detective? Detective Beckett? Kate!"

Beckett's voice wasn't much louder than a whisper. "Yes, sir?"

"I am so sorry for your loss. Losses. If you could, we'd like to hear about the Crane Case." His look of sympathy was pitiable. "Just start at your and Castle's arrival."

Beckett had to look away from the Chief of Detectives. "Yes, sir." She hated his look of concern. She deserved contempt. Loathing. Certainly not sympathy. That asshole IAD Lieutenant was easier to deal with than the C.O.D., 'cause that what she had earned. Hatred and enmity. She looked at the empty water glass again. The lawyer next to her picked up the pitcher of ice water and filled the glass. She nodded her thanks and took a sip. She cleared her throat, and began her testimony in a deadpan voice.