Watching as the girl left in a hurry; without running; Beckett turned to her husband and said, "Something we talked about during breakfast." She then proceeded to tell him what they'd discussed until finally they were at the bottom of the stairs.
"So our daughter seems to want to be a mystery writer," Castle said, surprised but smiling at the idea.
"I kinda do," Julia said shyly, hiding behind the newel post at the bottom of the staircase.
"Are you sure? This isn't just because we do that right?" Castle asked, taking her hand and bringing her around to them.
"It is, it's… interesting to do that," Julia said.
"Are you sure you want to write about murders though," Beckett said, having waited until then to ask as she'd wanted her husband with her when she did.
"Yeah," Julia said. "I…"
"It makes sense, you want answered after what happened Sunday night," Castle said. "The same thing happened to me."
"It would have happened to me too if I'd thought I could write," Beckett commented as he'd looked to her then.
"Love," Castle said, slightly irritated. "You can."
Beckett smiled and said, "If you ever need some kind of help then let us know okay?"
"I will, thanks," Julia said, beaming at them. "Do we need to go?" she asked then as she watched Castle looking at his watch.
"Yep, come on," Castle said, making a broad gesture towards the front door. "Are we that late?" he asked since his mother, father in law and Eliza were in the foyer.
"Oh! Mommy, Daddy I almost forgot," Julia said as she was picking up her backpack after she'd put on her shoes.
"Your lunch money," Beckett said, turning to her purse in the closet.
"I've got it love," Castle said, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. He handed enough for her lunch and said, "There's your dessert too."
"Actually," Jim said, handing over a sandwich bag with four sesame seed balls in it to his granddaughter. "Katie asked me to get those ready," he said when he saw that Castle and Martha were looking at him in surprise.
"I did and please share those with your friends," Beckett said, smiling at her oldest.
"Oh I will, thanks Mommy," Julia said, putting the dessert in the pocket where her pencils and pens were. "But I forgot this, the permission slip for the botanical gardens tomorrow."
"A little last minute kiddo," Martha commented.
"The trip was last minute; they didn't get permission until then," Beckett explained. She signed the paper and then handed it to Castle who did the same next to her name. "Hopefully you'll have fun there."
"I think so," Julia said with a smile, knowing her mother was joking as she'd been there already with them.
"Okay, out the door because a couple people might be late," Castle said, smiling at Eliza who during that time had been petting the dogs goodbye.
After Julia had said goodbye to Macca and Rita as well the family headed out to the driveway and the door in the wall. They walked two by two to the Foster's home, finding all four family members where there and waiting for them as they approached the group.
"Eliza," Beckett said when the little girl was going to walk with her sister and Mari. "Come walk with us."
"Kay," Eliza said, immediately leaving the two and going to her mother who was walking with Rebecca who held Dani. "Hi," she said to the baby with a smile.
"You're tired?" David asked his friend as he and Castle were walking at the back of the group.
When he'd managed to stop yawning Castle replied. "Sort of."
Glancing around them David asked, "How long were you two-"
"Not for that long," Castle interrupted him, looking ahead to their wives as his mother and Jim were with Julia and Mari at the front. "It was this morning," he then mumbled under his breath.
"Nice," David said absently as for some reason Rebecca and Beckett were looking back at them momentarily.
"Yeah," Castle said before he found himself yawning again. He saw his friend was looking at him and said, "And then… in the shower," in slight embarrassment as David's expression was questioning.
Holding Castle back slightly to allow their wives to get a little more ahead of them David said, still in a low tone, "I think next time we have a drink with Brad we're comparing our average for a week. Though I know already you're going to be winning that."
"Not a competition," Castle said with a sigh.
"But I'm right," David replied. When his friend began to glare at him he just gave him a look and then smiled as Castle looked away. "Which is good of course if you think about it. Usually couples are… together less and less as the marriage goes on and the kids start arriving."
"How're you and Rebecca?" Castle asked him.
"Good," David said. "So since we're almost at the school, the case?"
Ahead of their husbands Rebecca watched as Beckett stifled a yawn and she asked, "So you had a good time going out for a ride with Julia?"
"Oh of course," Beckett said. "We didn't ride for too long but we did jump a little," she began to say before she looked at her mother in law who walked back to them. "What is it?"
"The girls want us to take them into the school," Martha said. "And for some reason Dani as well."
"Okay," Rebecca said with a slight laugh as she handed the baby over to her. As soon as Eliza was with the others in front of them she took Beckett by the arm asking, "Well?"
Groaning under her breath Beckett quickly said almost the same that her husband had told David though she wasn't aware of it. "It's not as if you and David haven't been that way," she said as her friend was smiling widely at her.
"Of course but you need to tell Lily," Rebecca said. When Beckett looked at her in confusion she said, "Why do you think we talk about this? She's worried about you after we talked about your past boyfriends."
"True," Beckett said. She was relieved though when the school came into view and they went across the street as a group, ending hers and Rebecca's conversation to go into the elementary school.
"Oh Julia," Martha said then. "I nearly forgot we were talking about what your grandfather and I were going to do today. I told them I'd be working on your mother's bodice; and I need to talk to her about that; and it won't take me very long to finish."
"No?" Julia asked, a little confused as to why she was telling her about that.
"Just getting the pieces together," Martha said. She smiled at her daughter in law and told her, "We'll talk about that on the way home. But I realized I have some costumes to make."
"Ms. Grey asked her," Julia said. "But… you don't have a lot of time… wait you're gonna make two?"
Very rapidly Martha told the others, "The teacher asked if I'd make her Waltz gown and if I'd consider making all of her costumes."
"That's not a lot of time Mother," Castle said, not surprised that Julia was looking at her grandmother with wide eyes.
"She has one already," Martha said, smiling at her granddaughter.
"The one I wore for the hop?" Julia said slowly. "Oh! For the Viennese Waltz, that's a great idea. Thanks Gram."
"Actually," Martha said slowly. "Your teacher warned me that you might be dancing a seventh time."
"The Quickstep?" Julia asked. When her grandmother nodded she said, "Ms. Grey told me and Peter we might dance that one; she'll know today."
"Are you going to be okay dancing that many?" Mari asked her friend in concern.
"Yep but that'll be a good dress for that one," Julia said.
"Now isn't the best time to discuss this," Martha then said. "So we'll talk about it later after your class because I think your teacher will have everyone help figure out what your scenes will be."
"Mommy can you take me inside?" Eliza asked Beckett.
"I will, say goodbye to the Fosters, they're going to take Mari up to her class now," she told her daughter with a smile as she'd come over to her.
After Julia and Eliza had said goodbye to Mari and Dani they said a quick goodbye to Rebecca and David before the Fosters were going upstairs to Mari's classroom. The two girls then hurried to their grandparents to say goodbye to them, Eliza making them promise they'd pick her up.
"We will," Jim said as Martha looked to him since she'd be at home that day. "And we'll see you at your class after school Julia."
"It might be planning," she warned them.
"We won't mind and I'll of course need to hear," Martha replied. "We'll need to go to the fabric store after," she told Jim.
After her grandfather had nodded Julia watched her sister hug their grandparents before going to their father. "I shouldn't say goodbye now?" she asked Jim and Martha.
"We'll go up… unless you don't want us to," Martha replied.
"You can," Julia said with a smile.
"So listen and all of that," Castle told his and Beckett's youngest. "We'll see you," he promised her. "As soon as we can."
"Kay, stay with Mommy," Eliza told him firmly. She shared a kiss with him after he'd begun to laugh and then walked over to her mother as soon as she was set down.
"If it's not too late," Beckett said once they were inside the classroom. "Want to go on a walk with the dogs?"
"With Jules?" Eliza asked.
"No, just me and you," Beckett replied. "We can stop at the playground but just to go on the swings."
"Kay but Jules has to say we can go too," Eliza replied.
"She doesn't but since she got to go with me riding I think she won't mind us walking," Beckett replied with a smile. After she had Eliza's backpack put away she hugged her youngest tightly and said, "Have a great day and listen to your grandparents when they pick you up."
"I will, be careful Mommy," Eliza said, smiling up at her.
Beckett nodded and then leaned down, sharing a kiss with her before she watched Eliza rush to her friends at one of the tables. Satisfied that she was alright she then walked outside where the others were waiting and she said, "Did David and Rebecca leave?"
"With Dani, we said bye," Julia told her, going to her and taking her hand. They then started to walk to the stairs and up at her room she said goodbye to her grandparents, begging her grandmother to show her what she could get done of her mother's costume later. After letting Martha and then Jim kiss her cheek goodbye she hugged her father and said, "We should do something Daddy."
"I'm planning on taking your sister on a walk with the dogs," Beckett commented.
"Then we can get some work done practicing with your bow and arrows," Castle told her with a smile.
"Great I can't wait," Julia said excitedly.
"But before that school," Castle said. He smiled when Julia laughed and wrinkled her nose at him before they hugged and he let her go to Beckett.
"I'll pay attention," Julia promised her mother. "And if I have homework I'll tell you."
"I know you will," Beckett said, embracing her. "So I'll just say have a great day too."
"I will," Julia said then, waving to her grandparents and father once she'd let go of her mother.
"So," Martha said as soon as they were outside the school. "I need to ask how tight do you want the bodice to be for your costume Kate?"
"Tight enough," Beckett said, glancing at her husband as they were walking hand in hand together a bit behind their parents. "Like my dress was last year." She rolled her eyes when her husband coughed once though she was pleased he appreciated her suggestion.
"You don't know what they'll be doing for Julia and Peter's dances yet?" Castle then asked his mother as they were nearing home.
"You heard what Julia said, they'll be planning today," Martha answered. "I'll need to wait for then so until I know I'll get started on your costume again." They were soon walking into the front yard and she said, "Are you going inside?"
"I haven't gotten anything from Brad," Castle said as he and his wife looked at their phones.
"Neither have I," Beckett replied, shaking her head. She frowned and then said, "We should still go in. Are you taking the other car Dad?" At his nod she said, "We'll head out then. We'll let you know when we're finished."
After he'd said goodbye to their parents with her Castle followed Beckett over to the garage when his mother called out, "Tell her about measuring Richard," which made him freeze.
"Come on," Beckett said, smiling at the look on her husband's face. She pulled him into the garage with her and when they were in the car putting on their seatbelts she said, "You can tell me now."
Sucking in a breath of air Castle said, "I; don't kill me; I asked Mother about your sizing when she was talking about the bodice… how tight you wanted it to be. She told me you weren't skin and bones and basically if I wanted to know I should measure you myself."
Beckett merely smiled before she was out on the street and then finally said, "You can if you'd like."
Trying not to let out the breath he was holding in a strangled manner Castle failed miserably and said, "You'd want to?"
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett said simply. To change the subject she said, "What do you think they have?"
"Not Wilson," Castle said. "Not if he didn't call us."
"Or," Beckett began, glancing at him.
Knowing what she meant Castle looked out the windshield and nodded saying, "They have something; his car's gone."
Seeing the chief's civilian car was in its spot but his squad car was in fact gone Beckett nodded and parked next to Brad's car before they began to walk to the building. Before they could get there though she heard a horn and turned with her husband to see the chief pulling up to them. She did her best to look into the back of the car and then said at the same time as her husband, "False lead."
"Looks like it," Castle said before Brad was getting out, slamming the door behind him. "Don't say anything," he whispered to her.
"What did you get?" Beckett asked, glancing at her husband out of the corner of her eye.
"Inside so I can calm down on the walk," Brad replied as they then went after the man. He gave a few orders to Wade, Bernier and Hill before taking Castle and Beckett into his office. "Alright we got a tip that Wilson was north of here but that was a false lead," he told the two once they were sitting. "And then I got called in by the Radcliffs."
"It didn't have anything to do with me talking with Mrs. Radcliff was it?" Beckett asked then.
"Not exactly," Brad answered. "They want to keep quiet that their daughter was gay."
Castle gave a sideways glance to his wife, not surprised at the way her jaw clenched while she was silent. "And why exactly do they want to do that?" he asked, wondering if it was a mistake to inquire that.
"Because they're concerned about their son," Brad replied.
"Rudolph?" Beckett asked. "So he hasn't come out," she said absently as she already knew the answer before Brad could speak.
"He was there," the chief told the two though he was looking at Beckett. "He was standing behind his parents and he closed his eyes when they said that."
"Do you think he'll tell them?" Castle asked.
"No because after I told them that I wouldn't go public with what had nothing to do with the case," Brad began. "Was where the conversation ended since I had nothing else to say to them. And as I was leaving I noticed Rudolph doing the same through the door next to that huge gate. I gave him a ride to the hotel while he hid in the backseat." He sighed and then said, "That's what made me angry… I can't imagine having to do that and with their daughter dead."
Castle wasn't surprised when his friend trailed off before he said, "Do you have anything else?"
"What about Brockson?" Beckett asked.
"She hasn't left the city yet," Brad said. "But we do have something," he said as he saw a piece of paper on the top of the pile he had on his desk; his voice becoming rapid.
"What?" Beckett said as she and Castle leaned towards the desk at the same time.
"It looks like there was more than just cyanide in the glass," Brad said. He looked up at the couple and said, "Remember we got the glass."
"You're so lucky the dishwasher was watching a baseball game," Castle commented.
"Believe me I'm thinking of that constantly," Brad said. "But CSU finished the last of their testing on it and they found something weird in it. The plant Atropa Belladonna."
"Nightshade," Castle and Beckett said at the same time, looking at the chief with stunned expressions.
"That's the same plant we used for our second book," Castle said.
"I read the book," Brad said, looking at Beckett.
"I want to say coincidence," she replied as she noticed that the chief was looking at her.
"Not very convincingly," Castle commented. "But we haven't had much connection to the family."
"He's right, we knew of them and have talked to them but we were never around them that much," Beckett said.
"I know already," Brad replied. "They're at the country club so I knew you've talked with Mr. Radcliff already. And Lily's had the same contact you have with Mrs. Radcliff since you've been together when that happened. And Rebecca too."
"David's been with me at the club," Castle said quickly. "But with Mrs. Radcliff… does that mean she's closeted gay?"
"I would say no, not after as many children as they've had," Brad commented. "But then again you never know."
"So what about the nightshade?" Castle asked. He watched his friend get up, walking over to the bullpen and he said to his wife as she stood, taking the picture of the flowering plant, "There's something behind this. What about the people there?"
"I'm not sure how you'd find out if they have any connection to a plant," Beckett replied slowly as that question had made her pause. "Here," she said, handing the picture to her husband as he stood up. She went to where the list of guests for the party was and she said, "Look."
After tossing the picture with its magnet clip haphazardly on the murder board Castle went to his wife and saw the name she was pointing at. "No," he said.
"Yes, why the hell didn't we see that before," Beckett said with a frown.
"See what?" Brad asked as he walked into the office then.
"Do you know Harlan Bridges?" Castle asked the man.
"No," Brad replied. "I'm guessing you'll let me know who he is though."
"He's a local botanist," Beckett replied.
"And you talked to him about your book?" Brad said when the two were quiet, looking at each other.
"No but we're aware that he's a fan of that one," Castle said. "We had a book party here in town and he was there; how we don't know. And he literally was gushing as if he was a fan girl."
"About the plants the killer used?" Brad filled in for them.
"And he said he loved that our climax was nightshade though we took too much liberty in allowing Moor to recover from it," Beckett said simply. "We don't know if he can get a hold of the plant but it's a possibility."
"I'll be right back," Brad replied as he jogged out into the bullpen.
"How would we be able to prove it?" Castle said to his wife.
"I thought of that," Beckett said with a sigh as she picked up one of the markers on the tray of the board. "And I don't think we could, not without a confession."
"Did they test any of the other cups for nightshade?" Castle asked, watching his wife writing on the board.
"They had taken some," Beckett said with a nod. "To compare." She looked over at Brad as he walked in and said, "What did they find in the other cups?"
"Minute traces of nightshade in one of them," Brad replied. "And not the vic's cup."
"They don't know who the cup belonged to do they?" Castle asked after he and his wife shared a glance.
"They do," Brad said. "Paige Newton. And judging by the looks on your faces you know who she is."
"They were engaged about… ten years ago," Beckett said. "We know Paige from parent-teacher nights; Eliza is in the same class as her youngest."
"And why would she be at the party?" Brad asked.
"Her father was friends with Mr. Radcliff," Castle answered. "And I guess Mrs. Radcliff thinks they're friends too."
"Can you call her?" Brad asked Beckett. "See why nothing happened."
"I think we can answer that already," Castle said, glancing at his wife quickly. "Bridges is a very… I guess meek man you want to say."
"He'd slip someone poison instead of outright killing?" Brad asked. When both his friend and Beckett nodded he breathed out and said, "This is going to be very difficult."
"Unless you get a confession," Castle pointed out. "Should we go visit him?"
"Sir?" Wade said, coming up to the doorway then.
"Were you able to call Bridges?" Brad asked the officer.
"No answer but he has a message for his voicemail saying he's at the botanical gardens," Wade said. "And in his information it says he works there."
"Alright," Brad said. "Is Gordon free?"
"She is sir," Wade said with a nod before he left to get her.
"Are we going with you?" Castle asked as Brad went to get his jacket on.
"I was planning on it," the chief replied. "I don't see this becoming a problem," Brad then said to Gordon as she appeared in the doorway. "But we need to bring in Hayden Bridges."
"I'll follow," the officer said with a nod.
"Do you want us to talk to him?" Beckett asked as they were leaving the station.
"I'll lead," Brad told her. "But once I get his attention; if I need to; I'll let you start," he said.
"Why her?" Castle asked since he'd been looking straight at his wife.
"I get the feeling he's like most of the straight men we talk to," Brad said before nodding his head to Beckett.
"Yes but you honestly think he would be if he was trying to kill his ex?" she said, not annoyed since the chief was right about that.
"If he's psychotic he could recover quickly," Castle said from the back as they were getting into the car.
"I'll just talk to him," Beckett said in slight exasperation. "Not attract him."
On the way to the gardens Brad asked, "Isn't Julia coming out here later this week?"
"Tomorrow," Beckett said with a slight smile.
"Oh…" Brad started to say before he trailed off.
"I'm fine," Beckett said quickly as she knew what he was thinking of. "I told Julia what she'd said when I was talking to her… Mrs. Radcliff."
"And how did Julia react?" Brad said slowly.
"She was horrified but I assured her I was angry with the vic's mother for that," Beckett said.
"And she was in awe of her too," Castle said. "Julia in awe of Kate," he said quickly.
"I got that," Brad said. "So she's gay," he said, slowly again.
"Oh god," Castle said as Beckett looked back at him. "Damn it," he swore. "We're so used to talking about this between ourselves."
"Don't worry, I'm not spilling the beans," Brad assured the pair. "Ow, stop it," he said slightly jokingly after his friend flicked his ear lobe with his fingers since he knew Castle hated that phrase. "But Lily-"
"She wouldn't ask you," Castle said.
"And we're not really sure if she is we just think she could be," Beckett explained.
"Got it," Brad said. He then realized after a bit that the car was silent and he then said, "Don't worry; I don't care if she is. I liked Skye remember and everyone else I've known that was gay. Well, I never had a problem if they were."
"So you didn't like all of them?" Castle asked.
"Ethan from junior year?" Brad reminded his friend. "And I didn't not like him he was just annoying."
"He was a little bit of a know it all," Castle told his wife. They were parking at the gardens then and he looked out saying, "They're making a poison garden."
Beckett glanced back at him before she looked forward and saw that he was right. There was a sign advertising the garden opening later that fall and she said, "He might not have had to go far for the nightshade."
"Any reason why you picked that poison?" Brad asked as they got out of the car.
"We liked the flowers," Castle said. "And it just seemed to work."
"I think he also just liked the name belladonna," Beckett commented.
"So did you, you suggested-" Castle began to say.
"Guys," Brad interrupted. When Castle mouthed an apology he then walked up to an employee that was coming to them and said, "I'm Chief Davis I'm wondering if you can direct me and my colleagues to Mr. Bridges."
"Oh of course, he's over in the poison garden," the man said. "Just go down that path and it'll take you straight to him. You can't miss him; he wears a bee keeper's hat."
After thanking the man Brad said to Castle and Beckett, "How many eccentrics does the town have?"
"A number, doesn't every town?" Castle suggested.
"I guess so," Brad said, looking back to make sure that Gordon was following. He then paused, making the pair behind him do so as well, and said, "I'm foreseeing more trouble than we thought there'd be initially."
"I think we all were," Beckett said. "And if it doesn't end up happening it's better you're being safe. Lily will appreciate that."
"Also the bee keeper hat kind of threw us all for a loop," Castle commented.
Beckett looked at her husband as they continued down the path and then shook her head before she looked at the plants and trees they were passing.
"She'll enjoy it," Castle said in a low voice, following his wife's gaze.
"I know," Beckett said with a slight smile.
"She'll be able to bring her camera right?" Castle asked.
"She will," Beckett said. "At least I'm hoping."
"You don't think so?" Castle asked.
"I didn't get a chance to read the permission slip," Beckett said. "Did you?"
"Not really," Castle replied before he then looked ahead to see that they were approaching a new garden. "There he is," he commented as they easily found Bridges in his distinctive hat.
"I think so," Brad said. He then turned to Gordon and said, "Stay back but keep close enough that you'll help us if we need it."
"Got it sir," the officer said with a nod, going over to the beginning of the side path that Bridges was working on and staying there as she watched her superior lead the way to the suspect.
"Mr. Bridges?" Brad called ahead to the man. When he looked over at them he was slightly startled at the huge glasses on his face but quickly recovered and said, "I'm-"
"Chief Davis," the man said. "Yes, is this about the Radcliff party?"
"It is," Beckett said.
Turning towards her and Castle, Bridges snatched off his glasses and said with a wide smile, "The writers… why are you here?"
"We consult with Chief Davis," Castle reminded him. He glanced at Brad and when his friend slightly inclined his head he turned back to Bridges. "So could you tell us about that party?" he then asked.
"Specifically was there anything that stood out to you that night?" Beckett asked.
"Just the butler stopping the… I guess the cook or something from serving the drinks," Bridges replied.
"So you noticed that," Beckett said.
"Oh sure, he lectured her and those of us near the drinks could hear," Bridges said. He then slipped his glasses back on and said, "Glad I could help."
"Bridges!" Brad said as the man was turning his back on them. "We know what you did."
Turning around Bridges looked back and forth before he tore off his glasses a second time and then began to run down the path before he was abruptly sliding to the ground. "No! No!" he screamed out as the chief and Beckett picked him up. "Ms. Beckett please you can't let him do this, this was for you!"
At that Castle took his wife by the arm to get her out of the way of Gordon who was helping Brad. "Okay?" he asked her.
"Fine," Beckett said simply with a quick nod. They then looked together to Bridges who was yelling to them that he had done everything for them and to understand before he was pulled past them. She sighed and said, "I have to wonder what Brad's going to do now."
"Not talk with us," Castle said as they walked after the three. When his wife looked at him with her brow furrowed he said, "I'm putting my foot down on this one, he's insane."
"Alright," Beckett said as she could tell by his tone that he was serious. She then walked a little faster, hurrying to catch up to Brad before they returned to the station.
"Rick is right," Brad said as he stepped into observation. He paused when he saw his friend was yawning widely and then cleared his throat. "Better you two sit out on this one and I get the feeling there was one attempted murder and one full murder Sunday night."
"Ask him-" Beckett began to say, a little annoyed that she wasn't going to be going in with him.
"I know, the cup," Brad said reassuringly. "Don't worry Kate and wake your husband up."
When they were alone in the room Beckett said, "At least he let me talk with Newton."
"Of course, the best person to talk to," Castle said, glancing into the box as he knew Brad was making a cup of coffee for Bridges who'd they'd ended up discovering was drunk as he was brought into the station.
"Rick-" Beckett said in slight annoyance.
"I'm sorry but he scares me," Castle admitted. "Do you remember Norton?"
"Yeah," Beckett said, her tone of voice becoming quiet as she couldn't help see what her husband did; the fact Bridges looked a lot like the man.
"By the way I don't think you're weak it's just he's a big guy," Castle said since Bridges was three inches taller than him. "He's insane as we've established so if he hurt you… I'd never forgive myself."
"You're also forgetting the fact that it's better we're not there to distract him," Beckett said, turning to her husband. She smiled slightly when he nodded rapidly and said, since Brad still wasn't there, "We made a mistake."
"He's our friend," Castle said firmly since he knew what she was referring to. "He won't tell Lily about this especially because Julia's still a kid. He's not going to risk hurting his niece."
Beckett smiled briefly and said, "You make a great point," taking his hand before she squeezed it tightly. She then noticed that he was looking past her and she turned to see that Brad was walking in with two cups of coffee. Turning around swiftly she sat on the edge of the table where Castle was and they watched together as Brad set the cups down on the table inside interrogation, Bridges watching him closely.
"So Mr. Bridges," the chief began.
"Where are they?" the man asked.
"They're busy with-" Brad began.
"Bull," Bridges said, jumping up and going to the mirror. "Ms. Beckett please, please listen-" Before he could finish that the door flew open and he began to beam as she stepped inside though he wasn't able to complete that.
"Sit down Bridges," Beckett told him harshly. "Now," she said, her tone becoming even sterner when she saw his gaze flick to her husband and become a little irritated. "Sit," she said again, slightly louder. After Castle had closed the door behind himself she nodded to Brad who shrugged and then said, "It took us a while but we managed to figure out how you did it."
"You… you did?" Bridges asked, appearing to be cowed.
A little startled that the man wasn't trying to protest that anymore Castle looked at his friend before his wife got their attention.
"The commotion with the drinks and the lecture by the butler was the perfect cover wasn't it?" Beckett asked, beginning to pace.
"We wonder though why you risked another death," Castle commented.
"I… Paige was going to take the drink!" Bridges nearly yelled. When he got no verbal reaction to that he groaned and rubbed his face with his hands and then slammed them onto the table. "She was just going to reach the one glass sort of outside the circle of cups but then the butler ruined everything!"
"Were you trying to kill her?" Brad asked.
"Kill… no just make her sick," Bridges replied. "Look I put the nightshade into the glass while I was holding it for the lady who brought it."
"You took the tray from her," Beckett said in surprise.
"Yeah," Bridges said simply. "I knew Paige was going to be there so I just ducked into the bathroom, got the nightshade ready and there she was… the lady. Like a gift from god with the glasses and Paige herself was close to where she'd go out to serve. So I took the tray as that lady was trying to fix the glasses but almost dropping it. And that was it."
"Then you're under arrest for attempted murder since you put the nightshade into the wrong drink and nearly killed someone else," Brad said, standing. "Better hold off on drinking that coffee," he told the man. "You're going to need it writing out your statement." With that he left with Castle and Beckett and said to her, "So he spilled into Newton's drink accidentally so he still poisoned her. And you're lucky."
"He wasn't going to hurt me; not when he was begging me," Beckett replied simply. "Get his statement and we'll call Newton again and hope that she remembers who was around her."
With that the three separated and then hurried to work with the new lead that they had as much as they could before they regrouped inside the chief's office, standing together in a row in front of the murder board.
"So I think we can agree that she poisoned the glass before Bridges got to her," Beckett began.
"And likely right after she'd left the kitchen," Castle added. "Small window of time, did you talk with Bridges just now?"
"I did and luckily he gave me the time window of the poisoning," Brad said. "His lawyer is going to get here soon by the way. But anyways he told me it was around seven thirty, seven thirty-five when he went to the bathroom," he told them as he was writing it down. He then stepped back and tapped the end of the marker on his chin before he said, "Want to go through this up until she crashed into the store?"
"We should," Beckett replied. "But you don't want us to tell you what Newton said?"
"Since you didn't say anything I'm guessing that she doesn't recall," Brad said simply.
"She does," Castle said. "It was Rudolph, the vic, Mr. Saul and a Mrs. Roller."
"Rudolph moved away," Brad commented instead of asking it. When Castle and Beckett nodded he sighed and said, "Then it may have been for him… or just any Radcliff would do."
"Yeah that's the annoying part; no clear motive on this one," Castle said. He then looked at his wife and said, "Do you want to show him the map we drew?"
"Map?" Brad said, looking at them in surprise.
Beckett didn't say anything, merely turned around the board to show what they'd drawn. "It's rough because we only had Newton's word on where the doorways were but it's about right for the time of poisoning."
Nodding Brad said, "It looks good to me… she recalled where Rudolph went?" he asked when he saw the dotted blue line on the x labeled as the man.
"She had noticed because the vic squeezed her brother's arm and they shared a kind of look," Beckett told him. "So they knew what each other was."
"You can tell from that?" Brad said interestedly.
"I can," Beckett said simply. "They were siblings, they knew."
When his friend looked at him Castle shook his head slightly; since his wife was busy turning the board around; and he said, "We forgot to say that Newton thanked you too; for getting Bridges."
"Part of the job," Brad said, shrugging his shoulders. "So I have Hutchinson, Gordon and Hill all looking into everyone except for Bridges again and we're getting security footage from the front door of the house."
"And is that really going to help?" Castle asked.
"No but we have to check," Brad replied easily. He then looked over at Beckett who'd walked away from them to the windows behind his desk.
When the chief looked to him Castle went to his wife and said, "Kate?"
"We can't interview the Radcliffs can we?" Beckett said, directing that to Brad as she turned back to the room.
"You're suspecting them?" the chief said. "Because we did look at their financials and we're not seeing the money that Trainor had."
"Any sizeable withdrawals that stood out?" Castle said, knowing what his wife was thinking. "Within the time that the vic had been poisoned?"
"You're thinking that they could have taken money from that?" Brad asked. When the two nodded he went to his computer and to the pages where the financial records where there. "No they seemed to take out money at the beginning and end of the month and the amount never varied."
"Unlikely the money for Trainor was there," Beckett said. She sighed and then said, "If she hadn't been there since the poisonings started…"
"Yeah," Brad replied. "Alright since we're not going to be recreating the party obviously we need to make a list."
"Of who knew Trainor that was also at that party or could have gone to the house?" Castle asked. When the chief nodded he gestured with his head to the back of the board and watched as Brad turned it around.
"I guess I took longer than I thought," the chief said, seeing the three names that were there. "You're sure about this?"
"No because you realize that it may have nothing to do with the party which we've already talked about before," Beckett replied.
"Alright let me take these names," Brad said, going over to his computer. He read the information though he'd already seen it before and he breathed out saying, "Coffee?"
"Got it," Castle replied, knowing the chief needed to make some phone calls. He was pleased when his wife came after him and he smiled at her saying, "Okay?"
"Sure," Beckett replied easily.
"You want to talk to her again," Castle said.
"No, no I don't," Beckett said firmly. "I've had enough interaction with her."
"I really wish we had our hands on Wilson," Castle said. "You know something I thought about?"
"No," Beckett said, wondering what theory he'd have.
"The rumor that the baby is actually Clementine's and Wilson's," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when his wife's eyebrow raised slightly and he continued saying, "What about the other kids?"
Beckett opened her mouth to speak before she stopped and said, "You think that'd be a motive?"
"Let's go back to the map and tell this to Brad," Castle said before his wife nodded. He was going to leave with her when he made a sound of frustration and said, "Wait, the coffee."
Waiting in the doorway Beckett looked out into the bull pen, seeing the officers that were there were all working in some form and she turned back to her husband. "How-" she began to say as he handed her a cup of coffee.
"A guess," Castle said simply. He then took the lead over to Brad's office and said, "The kids," when he saw his friend turn his attention to him.
"The kids?" Brad asked, furrowing his brow.
"What if Mr. Radcliff isn't the father," Beckett said at the same time as her husband.
"Okay," Brad said slowly as he stood. "You know you may have a point, none of those kids have anything from him." He then looked up from his desktop and said, "But what does this have to do with the murder?"
"It could go one of two… three ways," Castle began to say before he paused and then corrected himself, looking at his wife.
Nodding Beckett said, "It could be Mr. Radcliff discovered what happened; poison is possible for him to do or he got Lawson to help him."
"Anyone for that matter," Brad said. When he saw the questioning look the two were giving to him he said, "With his money he would likely think it smarter to hire out of the house."
"Good point," Castle said. "Or it could be something has spooked Mrs. Radcliff and she decided to kill one child right now."
"One child?" Brad asked.
"I know it's the weakest one," Castle replied.
"And then there's the father of the baby," Beckett said.
"You think it was Wilson," Brad said.
"No, whoever the actual father is," Beckett said, not surprised he said that as Wilson was at least ten years younger than Mrs. Radcliff.
"Big problem with that is finding out the father," Brad said.
"We had that same thought," Castle said. "But what can we do about the idea?"
"First is find Wilson and talk to him about if he knows any of the other lovers," Brad replied. "If this rumor is true of course."
"I think it is," Beckett said. When the two men looked at her she said, "It's a hunch and seeing the kids it's hard to refute it."
"Can we get pictures of them up on the board?" Castle asked, going to it and turning it around.
"Hold on," Brad said before taking a sip of his coffee and then hurrying out to the bullpen and to Hutchinson.
"The baby," Beckett said, looking at her husband.
"Yeah," Castle said slowly as he glanced at her.
"I'm fine Rick," Beckett said with a slight sigh. "We just can't mention this to Julia."
"Of course," Castle replied.
"Any of it," Beckett then added firmly. "This theory… any theories because she'd want to know more. I don't want her to know we…"
"You're right," Castle said, going to her as she trailed off. He gently touched her arm and said, "Absolutely right, we said no details and we told her enough with how the vic was killed."
"Did you tell her about the second and third murders?" Brad said, coming inside then.
"No," Beckett said, though she hadn't thought of that the night before. "She just wanted to know about our first vic."
"Good to hear," Brad said. He went up to the murder board and set the pictures of the Radcliffs whose mother was Clementine on the empty space. "You're right," he commented as they were studying the photographs. "None of them look like their father in the slightest."
"But they look enough like their mother," Beckett pointed out as the oldest children had Mrs. Radcliff's blue eyes among some of her other features. "That I think he might not have suspected anything."
"I'll agree," Castle said. "And it's a little late for Mrs. Radcliff to really try to cover up her children not being their father's."
Brad gave a heavy sigh and then said, "This is a little ridiculous though we have no proof."
"I think we're looking at it Brad," Castle told his friend.
"Okay then we'll add this to the possible motives," Brad commented. "I'm still looking at the vic herself."
"Where's Brockson?" Beckett asked then.
"I was thinking the same," Castle said. He watched with his wife as Brad went to his desk and began to dial a number. He glanced at her then when the chief began to nearly yell at the person on the other end before he calmed down and spoke again.
"Sorry Ryan, I know you've got your own case now," Brad was saying, not surprised when Beckett shot him an angry look. "But I'm just wondering how the hell she was lost."
"It turns out she slipped away," Ryan said, not realizing the chief had put him on speakerphone.
"So she caught the officer watching her," Beckett said.
"Yeah," Esposito said. "But we didn't get any sign of Wilson out here Chief."
"It was a long shot," Brad said simply. "Did you look out in the city for Brockson at all?"
"As soon as we discovered she was gone," Ryan answered. "We looked for her."
"We caught her car going out to the island so if she's anywhere in the state, it's near you guys," Esposito added.
"Thanks," Brad said. Once Castle and Beckett said goodbye to the two he hung up and said, "I'm a little concerned."
"You think she might be a vic?" Castle asked.
"I think Beckett does," Brad said, looking over at her.
"No I don't," she said before giving him a look. "Stop thinking you can read me."
"Sorry it kind of looked like that," the chief replied. "So what are you thinking if not that?"
"Brockson isn't the murderer," Beckett began. "And she's not-"
"Chief!" Wade said, running into the office. "We found Wilson."
"Where?" Brad asked.
"In Southampton, nearly in the next town," the officer replied.
"Alright," Brad said. "You two-" he began to say.
"We'll stay and wait for you to bring him in," Beckett said, not looking at her husband though she could sense his gaze on her.
"Right, we'll be back as soon as we can," Brad said. Walking out into the bullpen he called for Hill and Bernier to follow not realizing what the two were talking about in his office behind him.
"Why are we staying?" Castle asked, referencing his wife's seeming acceptance of them doing that.
"I know where Brockson is," Beckett said as she stood from leaning against the side of the desk. "And since she's skittish right now around cops it's better we go to her; try to bring her in."
"Do you think you can do that?" Castle asked, following her quickly as she left the room.
"I can," Beckett replied simply, taking the keys to their car.
"Are you sure you know where she is?" Castle asked.
"I know," Beckett said before they stepped outside and she strode to their car, knowing he was keeping pace with her as they neared it.
