"Look, I've got to go. I think you should drop whatever devious story you have planned. There was no foul play, no murder. It was just an accident."

He nods, and steps back. She slams the door in his face. He turns, and walks away. He slowly walks back to his car. He climbs inside the car, and stares out the window for several moments.

He looks around the neighborhood. It could be any street in any neighborhood. The mailman walks up the opposite side of the street. A gardener plucks weeds out of a bed. Cars sit against the curb, at rest. He takes a deep breath, and tries to clear his mind. He tries to picture the neighborhood before all of the houses. He tries to erase the trees from his line of sight. He tries to picture it... but he stops himself.

Of all of his outlandish theories, sometimes he doesn't want to be right. On one hand he wants to hold out hope that there is some fairy tale ending to this story. At the same time he realizes that in order for that to happen something completely sinister would have had to occur.

He puts the keys in the ignition. The engine turns over, and he reaches for the gearshift. He sees a few young kids riding down the street on their bicycles. He exhales as the children pass his car, and he pulls away from the curb. He heads to the end of the street, and escapes the feigned bliss of the neighborhood.

Javier sits behind his desk, at his computer. He hears a distinct set of footsteps. He listens for a few seconds, and realizes he can only hear one set. He looks up, and finds detective Beckett waltzing towards him. He furrows his brow.

"Where is Castle?"

She shrugs, "I don't know. He's probably on some secret mission that I don't know about."

"Meaning what, exactly?"

"He left early this morning."

"And went where?"

"I don't know."

"You didn't ask?"

"He left before I woke up this morning," she admits.

"That's not like him, is it?"

"No."

"Where do you think that he went?"

"I told you, I don't know."

"Haven't you talked to him today?"

"He won't answer his phone."

"Aren't you worried?"

She shoots him a look, "No. I am not his keeper. He is probably just doing some research for his next book."

"You two are inseparable."

"Sometimes we need space."

"And that never ends well for anyone."

"Javi, just drop it."

"Fine. Forget that I said anything."

When she gets home that night she finds that the apartment is empty. She takes a seat on the couch, and grabs a book. It's nearly midnight when she hears the front door open. She's fallen asleep with a book in her lap. She opens her eyes, and finds Castle sneaking in.

"Hey, you."

"Hi," he smiles.

"Where have you been all day?"

"Just doing research."

"You haven't answered my calls all day."

"Sorry, I just got so into what I was doing that I didn't even hear my phone."

"What were you doing?"

"I told you."

"What kind of research were you doing?"

"I was just doing some research for my next book."

"I thought that I was your muse."

"You are, but I still need fresh material every now, and then."

"Murder isn't fresh material?"

"I just wanted to do something a little fresher this time."

"Okay."

"Why are you interrogating me?" He queries.

"You just seem a little bit distant today," she admits.

"Even I need time to be introspective sometimes."

"Okay."

"Do you want me to make dinner?"

"No. I had Chinese. I think I am going to grab a shower, and head to bed."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," she nods.

He kisses her, and she leaves the room. He heads into his office as she heads into the bathroom.

He takes a seat at his desk, and flips on his laptop. He stares blankly at his screen trying to make sense of his day. The phone rings as the welcome screen on his computer pops up. He pulls the phone out of his pocket, and glances at the caller I.D. Without a second thought he rises from the chair, and crosses in front of the desk. He closes the door, and answers the call.

"Castle."

"Where were you today?"

"Working."

"You work with us," Javier reminds him.

"I was busy."

"Doing what?"

"Does it matter?"

"Castle please tell me that you are leaving the detective work up to me."

"I would love to tell you that."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing."

"Castle," he groans.

"Will you meet me for lunch tomorrow?"

"It's Saturday."

"It's important."

"Fine," he agrees.

Castle disconnects without another word. The lack of conversation throws up a red flag for Javier.