A/N -Hi Everyone! Thanks again for your patience as I wander around this increasingly complex story. Your reviews and comments have made me smile, I appreciate them. Thanks for all of them but special thanks goes out to wendykw, TORONTOSUN, hfce & 41319fan for being serial reviewers. (See what I did there? ;-)) There have been a few of you that have written that they know who is responsible for all the murders. A huh. Also, has anyone noticed what a lot of the incidental characters have in common? Thanks for making this so much fun. & Thanks so much for reading

Cheers & Enjoy!

The Castle Wall

Chapter 8

I May Be Crazy

Alex Tully glanced in his rear view mirror to his passenger. He had picked him up on Central Park West and was currently taking him to Broome Street in Tribeca. This guy was messed up. The woman who had given him the address asked Tully to see that he got home and had given him a generous tip in advance for his trouble, but now the guy was singing.

"Hey…Mister…" He tried to get a word in between the verses and choruses of a heartfelt rendition of Billy Joel's 'You May Be Right'. He was not having any success.

Rick was feeling good. He was in a cab and had a vague recollection that he was going home, but he would have rather gone to the precinct. Didn't they have a case? Oh wait, the chorus was coming around, "You may be right, I may be crazy, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for…" Now, where was he? Somebody was trying to talk to him. Oh, it was the driver. "Hey, um…" he sat up next to the back of the front seat and looked at the driver's I.D., "Um, do you know that your I.D. is blurry?"

Tully looked at him in the mirror. He had seen some drunk, drugged or otherwise inebriated happy bastards in his four years driving a cab in New York City, but this guy took the cake. The chick said he just got out of the hospital. "Yeah, I hear that all the time." He smiled as the song switched to 'New York State of Mind'. At least he was getting quieter.

"Rick," he stuck his arm over the seat back, "Rick Castle."

"Hi Rick," Tully shook his hand, "nice to meet you. I'm Tully. Are you okay?"

"I…um…I'm feeling fine."

Tully smiled again. "It looks like you had a rough night."

"You should see the other guy." A self-satisfied smile on his face.

"I'm sure. Just a couple of minutes more until we get you home." He heard muffled thanks from the back seat but couldn't see Rick anymore. He pulled up to the curb of the building. Nice place. He got out and waved at the doorman.

Eduardo came out. "Can I help you?" Tully gestured to the back seat.

Castle was lying half on the back seat and the floor of the cab. "Oh. Mr. Castle, hang on, I'll call his apartment." He went back inside and emerged a few minutes later. "His daughter will be down in a minute." Tully nodded. A couple of minutes later a beautiful red head came out of the door. Tully appreciated her for a moment and then assessed her height and build. She wasn't going to be able to get her father home by herself.

"Miss? Can I help you get him upstairs? The woman who was with him asked me to make sure he arrived safely, I guess that means all the way." It was a good tip.

Alexis looked at the cabbie, "That's okay. Eduardo and I can take care of it."

Eduardo interrupted, "Ah actually, Miss Castle, I can't leave the door. Henry's on his break."

Alexis wasn't sure what to do. She knew she couldn't handle her six foot two father herself. She looked back at the cabbie; he looked trustworthy, kind of cute even. "Well, okay. Thanks for your offer."

They got him out of the cab and into the elevator. Rick was fading in and out of lucidity in the elevator. There was an awkward silence until the second floor whenRick at the top of his lungs sang "Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood…," Alexis was embarrassed and began to blush. Tully smiled at her and said, "Don't worry about it. I see it all the time. At least he can sing."

They arrived on the top floor and Tully helped her get him into their apartment. Rick spun around and offered Tully his hand again, "Rick Castle."

"Yeah, we've met." Tully looked around as they got him to the couch. Really nice place. Maybe he should have held out for a bigger tip. "Well, I've gotta get back to work." Alexis was trying to get Rick to take off his shoes when he suddenly got up and headed back to Tully.

"You're great," he pulled out his wallet after spinning around a couple of times. Like a dog chasing his tail, but he was chasing his wallet. "Here" and he put some cash in his hands.

"No, the woman you were with already paid." Then he tried to give it back.

"Yeah, but she wasn't there. Best cab ride ever!" With that, he collapsed back onto the couch.

Tully thanked him and Alexis and headed out the door. He was on the elevator when he discovered that his tip was two hundred dollar bills. He shook his head and said, "Best cab ride ever!"

Alexis closed the door and turned back to her father. She hadn't had to deal with this type of fallout for a while now. Thankfully, this episode wasn't due to excessive partying. He was dozing on the couch, his head lolled back and eyes slightly open. She assessed his condition and concluded that tomorrow he would feel every bruise and cut. She fleetingly flashed anger. It was not the first time he'd been in danger since he began working with the police. However, he had explained to her that he felt like he was helping, that he was doing something that made a difference and that it was well worth the risk. She sighed, and then walked over to him. She gently put her hand on his shoulder. "Dad?" No response, so then she got louder. "Dad!"

"What?" He startled from his nap and looked around.

"Time for bed." She went over to him and put his arm over her shoulders.

"Yeah, I think you're right." He let her guide him and then pulled away. "Beckett! I need to call." He dug into his pocket but then had trouble removing his phone packed fist from his pocket. After considerable effort, he finally freed the phone. It took several mis-dials before he hit Kate's number.

"Beckett" He heard her say. A silly smile came to his lips.

"Jeez, shees so sexy…" Castle was grinning from ear to ear.

"Dad?…dad,…dad!" Alexis was trying to get him focused

He nodded his head to her and put a shushing finger to his lips. "Kay, I…um, I'm home."

"Good. Can I speak to Alexis?" He looked around for her. She was behind him. He seemed to be turning around a lot tonight.

"Shuuuure." He sang the answer.

"Kate?"

"Hey Alexis, sorry for not bringing him home myself. Just get him settled down, he's gonna be hurting tomorrow."

"It's okay, Kate. I'm glad he's not worse off."

"I'll be there as soon as I can. Let me speak to him please?"

"Okay…Dad!"

"Goodnight."

"Night, Kate." Alexis began to steer him through the loft towards his bedroom as she handed him the phone.

"Lo?"

"Castle, you need to go to bed."

"But what 'bout th'case?" He stopped in his office.

"We'll take care of it tomorrow. Go to slee..." She heard a crash and a thud. "Castle?...Rick?"

"Kate, it's okay," Alexis grabbed the phone, "he passed out in his office. I'll do what I can for him. Goodnight."

"Bye."

Alexis looked down at her father. He was lying on the floor just outside of his bedroom door. She took a deep breath, bent down and tried to rouse him. "Dad!" He mumbled and opened his eyes or rather just one eye.

"Lexisss, what's behind you?" Alexis spun around to nothing. Rick, however got to his feet and was backing up, alarmed. Great, she thought, hallucinations. What did they give him?

"Come on, Dad, we've got to get you to bed." He was still retreating.

"Whaddayou want?" His words were all running together now.

She raised her eyebrows. "Dad, there is nobody there. It's just your imagination." She turned behind her to show him. "See? Nothing there."

"No, Lexisss, someone was dere." Rick was still trying to get to his feet, his slurring getting so bad that Alexis was having difficulty understanding him.

She tightened her lips and then sighed. "Come on." She led him through to the bedroom while he kept trying to investigate whatever he thought he saw. He was so insistent that Alexis did a double take, too. He sat down on the bed and she helped him take off his shoes. She took off his socks and went to his closet to put them in the hamper and when she came back out, he was sprawled across his bed. She went over to him and gently shook his arm. "Dad?" She leaned over and kissed his cheek, turned off the light, covered him with a blanket and closed his door behind her.

Kate was happy about the connection that Espo had found between Gina and Wagner, but frustrated that she had to wait to question him. She went to the break room to fix a cup of coffee. She was letting her mind wander the ins and outs of the cases, the possibilities and probabilities swirled like the steamed milk in her latte.

"Beckett? We got the footage from Garrett." Ryan's excited voice brought her out of her musings.

"Great, I'll be right there." She put her spoon in the sink feeling awkward. Why? She realized it had been a while since she got her own coffee. She missed Castle. She walked out to the bullpen and over to Ryan's desk. "You're not gonna believe this," Ryan said.

She sat and said, "Go."

Ryan started the digital playback from the alley in the village. He had already searched for the assault and cued it just before for Beckett. It began to play. A jogger ran past and then no one. Gina made an appearance around the corner coming from the direction of Jo Jo's Diner where she and Castle had had lunch. She was checking her phone and then apparently was making a phone call.

Ryan said, "Now watch this."

As he did, they saw a figure come around the same corner at a full run, tossed something to the pavement, and ran right into Gina. She knocked her down to her knees. The assailant stopped, turned around to get behind her, and fisted her hair. The attacker pulled her head up and smashed it into the pavement. Gina was unconscious, but the perp did the same thing twice more. Beckett and the boys were wincing every time Gina took a hit. Beckett was staring at the screen. It was deliberate and brutal.

"Beckett?" Espo said, "Watch what she does."

"Wait, she?"

"Yeah, you'll see in a second."

"Mmm" she hummed and turned her attention back to the screen. The woman stood up, fixed her hair, and stooped to pick up what she dropped. Beckett's shoulders slumped. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me." Ryan had frozen the image. The woman was looking directly at the surveillance cam holding a copy of Frozen Heat, smiling. "Shit!"

Ryan shuddered, "Creepy"

"Yeah, it kind of confirms it was about Castle."

"Really? Espo?"

"Whoa, don't shoot the messenger."

Ryan's phone rang and he answered it.

Kate sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry. I just really wanted this not to be about him." She sighed again and took a gulp of her coffee.

"Espo, tomorrow, take a picture of the woman to the bookstore Castle was at yesterday, see if the manager or employees recognize her, also find out whom his rent-a-cop security was. Castle said that a couple of people were loitering and were asked to leave. Also, take it to Jo Jo's. Maybe she's a regular in the neighborhood."

"As you wish."

Ryan broke into their conversation. "Wagner's awake."

Beckett grabbed her jacket. "Ryan, bring a picture of the suspect. Let's go find out what Mr. Wagner knows. I'll pick you up out front." Ryan printed the picture. Just as he was leaving, Esposito grabbed his arm. "Bro, nobody messes with one of our own and gets away with it. You nail the bastard."

Ryan turned to his partner and said, "I'm on it, for Castle." They fist bumped and then he headed after Beckett.

The ride back to Mount Sinai Hospital was uneventful, but emotionally charged. They both wanted to make sure Wagner was put away for attacking Castle. They made their way to the secure ward and showed their shields to the guarding officers. They were just about to go into the room when someone called to them. Kate rolled her eyes and sighed. It had been a long day already. She didn't need this.

Ryan was the first to turn and speak. "Demming." Kevin appraised the approaching detective coolly. Nobody messes with one of our own. Nobody.

Kate composed herself. She was still angry about the treatment Castle had received. "What do you want, Tom?"

Demming grimaced. "Look, I'm sorry about earlier."

"It's not me who you need to apologize to."

He looked at his shoes. He knew it too. "Where…, where is Castle?" he asked looking around.

Beckett unclenched her teeth, and then took a deep breath. Ryan answered. "He's at home. He's recuperating after being treated at the hospital."

Demming was still staring at the floor. "Oh. Well, the other thing is, this is my prisoner, and I think I should be allowed to observe your interrogation."

"Seriously?" Ryan began, but Beckett cut him off.

"No, it's okay, Ryan." She turned a cold steely look towards Demming. "Just to observe, right?" She threw back his earlier condition that she just observe when he questioned the witnesses at his precinct.

A look of resignation crossed Demming's face. "Fine."

All three entered Wagner's room. He was an average sized man, about five ten, but stocky. He was muscular, not overweight. He was twenty-seven and had been in and out of the system since he was a teenager. Kate had checked his record and found that he had a long list of prior arrests and convictions, small-time B and E, larceny, forgery, and various other misdemeanors to his credit. He had not been arrested for assault before today.

"Mr. Wagner, I'm Detective Beckett, this is Detective Ryan and Detective Demming." The man in the bed feigned sleep. Beckett had no time for this. She picked up the metal clipboard at the end of the bed and smacked the footboard with it. Wagner opened his eyes and practically jumped out of bed.

"Holy shit, lady!" He looked imploringly at the other men, but he found no sympathy there.

"Wagner. We know that you attacked Richard Castle in Central Park today. We know that you struggled to retrieve a box cutter that you dropped. We know that that was the same box cutter you used to slit Mandy Griffith's neck this afternoon."

He looked at his hands, the ceiling, the door, back to his hands. Anywhere, he'd look anywhere except at Beckett. She continued. "Why did you attack Mr. Castle?"

"The guy jumped me." It was barely audible.

"What?" Beckett was louder than necessary, Wagner startled in his bed.

"I said he jumped me." He still hadn't made eye contact. Kate noted that Demming looked hopeful.

"Really? Because we have several witnesses who say otherwise. They all say you initiated the fight. Why?"

"I don't know what…"

"I really don't have the patience for this." Beckett cut him off. "Wagner, you're going to prison for a long time. We have your prints on the murder weapon. We have video of you in the area." She paused to let her words sink in. "The only thing that might help you right now is cooperating with us." Ryan stepped forward with the file he was carrying. Beckett laid the photo of their suspect on the rolling table and pushed it in front of Wagner. Wagner looked down, but then averted his eyes to anything but the photo. Kate watched him and then she narrowed her eyes. He recognized her!

"Mr. Wagner? Who is this woman?" She got no response. "Mr. Wagner!" Wagner was in a tough spot and his mind was spinning. He was caught between two women: the detective in front of him and Patricia. The detective looked formidable but she was an unknown quantity. Patricia could hurt him. She had in the past. He asked himself, not for the first time, why he stayed with her. The answer was always because he loved her. He would do anything for her, anything she asked or demanded. He looked at the detective. She looked like she could hurt him too. Wagner sighed and answered, "I...I don't know her." He looked down at his bed sheets.

"Wagner, you do realize that she will not come back for you, don't you?" Kate saw his recognition and fear and she determined to use it against him. Wagner looked even more fearful as he considered her words. He was so confused. Patricia would come. She did not love him. He knew that. She loved the author. She always had. Wagner was just glad to be in her presence. She would reward him from time to time and that was enough for him. No the detective was wrong. She would come for him, but what if she didn't.

"You're wrong! Patricia needs me!"

Beckett smiled. "Patricia loves Castle, not you. She uses you. You're a loose end now."

"She doesn't use me. I help. I am valuable to her. She respects me." The desperate plea for acceptance and respect was evident in his shouts. He looked like a caged animal, pulling against his restraints.

"How do you help, Mr. Wagner?" Beckett remained calm but relentless.

His eyes wild, Wagner screamed "No! I won't." He looked at Beckett and finding no solace, to Demming and Ryan. "She'll hurt me! I…I can't!" he pled.

"Was Patricia jealous of Mandy Griffith? After all, she was in her way. Right? Mandy liked Castle, just like Patricia, but Patricia needed her out of the way." Beckett kept up the pressure and placed the picture of Mandy Griffith's dead body in front of him. He looked at her lifeless form; his eyes held a hint of remorse.

Beckett pounced. "Did you know Mandy?"

He shook his head and almost inaudibly said, "I just met her today. She was nice."

"Why did you kill her?"

He looked Beckett in the eyes. "I had to."

"What do you mean?"

"She…she'll punish me. I had to."

Beckett looked at Demming and Ryan. They were staring at Wagner. Ryan had a mixture of pity and disgust playing across his features. Demming looked bored.

Beckett continued to press, her voice quiet. "Wagner, the only way to keep Patricia happy is to help us find her."

He looked at her, considering. Beckett could see that he could fall either way, maybe just a little more pressure.

Then Demming spoke. "You might as well tell us, Patricia will only kill you next."

Kate wheeled around at him, incredulous at his stupidity.

Wagner, fear overcoming him, screamed, "No, no, no. I'm not saying anything. I get a lawyer. Don't I get a lawyer? I'm not talking." His heart monitor spiked at his apprehension and set off an alarm. A nurse entered the room and demanded that the three detectives leave immediately.

The three detectives, having no choice, exited to the hallway.

Ryan spoke as Beckett fumed. "Demming? What the hell was that?"

Demming defensively said, "I was just trying to get him to cave."

"Tom," Beckett's voice was controlled and low. "You may have lost us that lead." She shook her head and walked down the hallway leaving Demming there. Ryan followed, shooting Demming an angry glare.

Ryan caught up with her at the elevator. She was calling Esposito. "Yeah, Espo…not good. Run everything on Thomas Wagner again, but specifically look for someone…"

"Boss?" Ryan cut in pointing at his watch. It was nearing eleven. "I want to nail the guy too, but we'll start fresh in the morning." He would follow her anywhere, but she had a tendency to forget about things like sleep and food.

Kate resigned herself to the fact of the lateness of the hour. "Espo? Go home. We'll pick it up in the morning."

Ryan heard the "Got it."

I can't believe we're coming away empty after being so close." Ryan sympathetically stated. "We'll get him to roll, without Demming in the room."

"What the hell? It's just so frustrating." She sighed and it turned into a yawn. "I'll drop you back at the station and then you go home. I have to check on Castle anyway."

They left the hospital and got into her cruiser.

Patricia stood on the stoop of an old brownstone in the shadows. She watched the cops get in the car and drive away. How much did the fool tell them? She needed to find out. She had to find a way in. She would take care of Thomas herself. The idiot had hurt him even after she specifically told him not to. She put her trust in Thomas, even though she knew better. No man could be as good as Richard. She didn't know why they tried. Why was nothing ever easy?