"So our victim's name is Shannon White, age 18," Kevin Ryan informed Beckett and Castle. Behind him, Detective Esposito was speaking with the man and girl. Ryan continued: "Shannon has been living at an apartment just off campus of NYU. It was her first year."
Detective Esposito stepped forward to speak. "This is Shannon's father, Bill White," he gestured to the man behind him who was crying silently. "And this is Shannon's sister, Mikayla." Mikayla looked up at the sound of her name, eyes streaming.
"I'm very sorry for your loss," Kate said. At this, Mikayla started to cry again and sat down on the couch. Her father joined her and tried to comfort her.
Beckett and Castle sat in the chairs across from the disheartened pair. "Mr. White, when was the last time you saw your daughter?" Kate could feel another cough growing in her throat.
"Shannon was just home last weekend," Mr. White replied. "And I heard some noise this morning that woke me up. I figured Mikayla might be getting water or something, but then I... I found Shannon." He began to say more, but the sobs he had been holding back finally sounded.
Mikayla continued for her father. "My birthday was last Sunday, and Shannon came home as a surprise."
Kate nodded and had to cough again. She found her voice, which was declining rapidly, "Was there anything strange or different you noticed about her?"
Mikayla answered, "No, I don't think so."
Kate needed to know more. "Alright. Did your sister―" with that, Kate's voice cracked. She tried to repeat her words, but her voice was
gone. She opened her mouth and closed it as Castle stepped in for her.
"Mikayla, do you know if your sister had any enemies?" Castle asked. He had known exactly what Kate was thinking. Either he was psychic, or had just heard the investigations so many times. Kate decided on the latter.