Chapter 13

"Holy –"

"I know," Betty said as they descended the short metal staircase to the building's gravel-covered roof and followed the ventilation ducts.

It was a graveyard of mannequins. Some were still wrapped in plastic with the "Fragile" labels still on, but most were dismembered with limbs strewn all over. It was like Neimen Marcus meets the train yard scene in I, Robot.

"How did you find this place?" Castle asked as he tiptoed around various arms and legs lying on the roof.

"About a year and half ago, my dad was deported to Mexico. It was just before Wilhelmina and Mr. Meade's wedding," she began as the breeze ruffled her hair. "Long story short, Wilhelmina found out that I found out that she was having an affair with her bodyguard. She invited me up to the roof to talk."

"She couldn't find a creepier place to meet?" he asked.

"I don't think she knew about the love dungeon yet," Betty said with a small smile. "Anyway, if I didn't say anything about the affair to the Meades, Wilhelmina would ask her dad, the senator, to help with my dad's case. Papi was back home by the end of the week."

Having heard how close she was to her family, Castle wasn't too surprised by her choice. It was likely the only thing that might cause her to betray Daniel's trust. He also knew that Betty did end up confirming his friend's suspicions though it resulted in her dismissal. Once he found out the reason for her actions, Daniel immediately asked her to come back to Mode, but she declined. Fortunately for everyone, she reconsidered and returned.

Castle looked down and saw a baseball bat and a mannequin's cracked head then noticed similar damage to other dummies. His imagination instantly created a scene. A young woman receives a note from her boyfriend to meet him on the roof. Expecting some kind of romantic gesture, she instead stumbles upon the body of his ex-girlfriend partially wrapped in plastic with her head bashed in.

Castle was so caught up with vivid imagery that he practically jumped when two pigeons took off from the roof and flew away. His reaction startled Betty who was caught up in her own memories. They looked at each other then laughed.

"What do you say we get outta here?" Castle suggested.

"Yes, please," Betty said.

ooOoo

Author notes: The Ugly Betty episode referenced in this chapter is 2.2 "Family/Affair".