Chapter 2
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Kate and Castle are in Kate's car driving back to the precinct and Kate begins to try and figure out what is going on with Rick, and why the sudden dinner invitation.
"So Rick what is going? You've been acting odd all day and now you invite us all including my father to dinner tomorrow, its odd." Kate asks worried about how he is acting ever since they saw each other that morning.
"I want to spend time with my friends, have some fun." He explains then adds in his head "And tell you all I'm from the future."
"You sure that's all it is?" Kate asks.
"Yes"
Kate accepts the answer but realises that she isn't going to get any more out of him to the dinner so lets it go for the moment.
"So any ideas on a suspect?" Castle asks wanting to get the subject off of him.
"Not really hopefully we'll know more when we talk to the husband." Kate responds and the two spend the rest of the ride back to the precinct in comfortable silence.
Firefly/Castle Firefly/Castle
Once they arrive at the precinct Castle and Kate head straight into the conference room to interview they husband. Mr Aaron is a man who looks like he may be a few years older than his wife he has short dusty blond hair and a small amount of stubble.
"Mr Aaron, I'm so sorry for your loss I'm detective Kate Beckett and this is Richard Castle." Kate introduces as both Kate and Castle sit down opposite Mr Aaron.
"Do you know what happened to my wife?" Harrison asks in a tone Kate recognizes all too well the voice of a broken heart.
"You wife was found in the park this morning the ME says that time of death is estimated between 11pm last night and 4am this morning do you have any idea where she was last night?" Kate asks.
"Um she called me about 9 last night saying she may have to pull an all-nighter working on a appraising a new exhibit so that the museum knew how much it was worth in case of something happened to it." He explains then says suddenly "Lisa."
"Lisa who?" Kate asks confused.
"Lisa Winicca she works with Prue if Prue was pulling an all-nighter then most likely Lisa was two, Lisa would know what happened." Harrison explains.
Kate nods "Has your wife been acting out of character lately? Has she mentioned anything odd?" Kate asks..
"No, were the happiest we have been we were talking about starting a family. Who would do that to her?" Harrison asks before breaking down in tears.
"I don't know Mr Aaron, but I attend to find out." Kate tells him.
Firefly/Castle Firefly/Castle
By 2 o'clock Kate and Castle have finished interviewing the husband and don't feel like he is a suspect at the present moment in time. They are just finishing putting the information on the murder board when Ryan and Esposito walk up.
"Got anything?" Kate asks the pair.
"Red commodore entered the park at 3:30 am heading in the general direction of the body it's too far to see the license plate though." Esposito tells Kate.
"Ok, you two try and see if you can get a better angle or get the car on another camera Castle and I will go talk to the people she works with as that is where she was meant to be last night." Kate explains, then adds "And follow this down it's the husbands alibi." She says handing them a piece of paper with the name of a business associate he claimed he was having dinner and drinks with. Just before Kate and Castle are about to leave to head to the office they get interrupted by Gates.
"Got anything detective?" She asks crossing her arms.
"Our vic was meant to be working all night were on our way there now to see what happened, the boys may have found our car on the security tapes there cheeking the other cameras of the park to see if they can find any other angels and maybe get a license plate." Kate explains to the captain.
"I would like this case solved quickly detective." Gates says simply before heading back to her office.
Kate and Castle look at each other and head to the elevator.
"So Castle you sure that you're ok coming to the museum you did get cursed last time." Kate teases.
"Very funny detective." Castle says smiling back "I'll be fine I'll just make sure not to look in any mommy's coffins." Castle jokes back.
Kate smiles at his lame joke.
Castle/Firefly Castle/Firefly
Arriving at the museum castle and Kate head straight up to the appraising floor to talk to Prudence's colleagues. Arriving at the desk to the office space Kate pulls out her badge as she walks up to the receptionists a young woman with dark blond hair who looks like she is still in collage and says "I'm Detective Kate Beckett this is Richard Castle were here about the murder of Prudence Aaron, we want to talk to the people she worked with"
"Of course detective, I'll take you to Lisa Winnica she worked with Prue on just about everything." The receptionists tells her.
"Thank you." Kate says as both she and Castle follow her.
The follow the receptionists down the hall and into the third office on the left side.
"Thank you." Castle says as they both enter the office.
"Lisa Winnica," Kate says the woman who looks like she is about the same age as Prue and has long curly strawberry blond hair.
"Yes" Lisa responds.
"I'm detective Kate Beckett this is Richard Castle, were here to talk to you about Prue." Kate says.
"Yes, I assumed so please take a seat." Lisa says shaking both of their hands then pointing to the two seats opposite her.
"According to her husband Prue was working all night last night were you here as well?" Kate asks.
"No."
"Is that unusual her husband lead us to believe that when Prue is working late you usually are as well?" Castle asks remembering what the husband said.
"Usually that is correct but I had a class last night it started at 9 ended about midnight but I stayed to about 1 getting some help on an assignment then I caught a cab home, I'm taking a course in business as I want to start up a small appraisal company someday, I offered to stay and help Prue with the exhibit but she said to go that she could do it by herself, when I left at 7:30 she was happily working she loved what she did." Lisa explains and Kate and Castle can tell that she is upset about what happened to her friend.
"Sorry to have to ask you this but do you have the details of your class we need to make sure." Kate asks wanting to make sure that she isn't a suspect.
"Yeah I should have it somewhere." Lisa says digging around in her bag and pulling out a piece of paper.
"This has my tutors details on it, he'll be able to tell you I was in the class." She says and even though she is trying to sound polite anger can clearly be herd in her voice.
"Thank you for your time Ms Winnica." Kate says as she and Castle get up to leave.
"Detective." Lisa says stopping them before they can leave.
"Yes."
"Find out what happened to my friend." Lisa says and Kate nods.
Kate and Castle head to the elevator and once the doors close Castle asks "What do you think?"
"I think that she is innocent though she is acting a little suspicious, being so specific about the time of her class and where she was at each time without me asking , but I don't think it's because she had anything to do with the murder, I just don't know why." Kate tells Castle but before he has a chance to respond Kate's phone goes off "Hey Lanie, um, ok, we'll be right there" Kate says before hanging up.
"What's up?" Castle asks.
"Lanie wants to see us." Kate says before pulling out her phone to make another call "Espo I need you to check an alibi Prue's work college, her names Lisa Winnica she said that she was with her tutor from 9 pm last night to 1am then caught a cab home, yeah he did thanks." Kate says then turns to Castle "Harrison was with business associates from 8pm to 2am at which time he was put in a cab." Kate says.
"He could have still done it her two Lanie said the time of death was between 11-4." Castle reminds her.
Firefly/Castle Firefly/Castle
"What you got Lanie?" Kate asks
"Narrowed time of death to between 11 and 2:30." Lanie tells them.
"The husband is defiantly out then." Castle realises, the notes Kate has an odd look on her face.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"Even if she was killed at 2:30 that's still an hour before she was brought to the park, why did it take so long." Kate explains and Castle can tell that she is confused by the action and annoyed that she can't figure it out.
"I can help with that." Lanie says and both Castle and Kate turn to her.
"When I removed her clothes I found an address for an address in Queens and a cab receipt, if she was in Queens that could explain why it took so long for the person to get her to the park." Lanie explains.
"What time is the receipt for?" Castle asks.
"The cab picked her up at 10:45 she got dropped off at 11:30." Lanie explains.
"45 minutes that's about normal for that time of the night." Kate notes and Castle nods, they turn to leave but Lanie stops them
"So writer boy what do I where to this mysterious dinner of yours?" Lanie asks and Kate becomes more interested wondering if she will get anything out of him.
"Casual is fine Lanie." Castle responds then he and Kate leaves
"Casual? So you do just want us to all hang out." Kate says looking at Castle beginning to slightly believe him.
"Finally the woman gets it." Castle jokes and earns a slap on the arm from Kate for the 'the woman' comment.
Firefly/Castle Firefly/Castle
Kate and Castle are standing at the murder board they have just added the information they have gotten from Lanie and they are talking about what she would have gone to Queens.
"Why would she catch a cab out to Queens at that time of night?" Kate asks confused.
"Maybe she got a call from an arts thief saying that if she didn't meet with him he would kill her, so she went but had a recorded so he killed her." Castle says giving a true Castle theory.
"Killer Art thief really?" Kate asks sarcastically.
"It could happen." Castle responds.
Before Kate has a chance to respond Ryan and Esposito walk up to them "So Lisa Winnica she was dropped at her upper west side apartment a 2, and there in no way she could get to queens in half an hour to fit with our kill zone and it doesn't look like she left after that so she alibies out." Ryan explains.
Kate looks at the murder board annoyed at the fact that they have no suspect "Ok I want everything on Prue Harrison, financials, phone records anything I want to know why she was going to Queens." Kate tells Ryan and Esposito who hurry off to get the required warrants.
"I'm sorry Castle but we're not going to be able to make our date tonight." Kate says sadly as she was looking forward to their date.
Castle is confused for a second as he forgot that they had a date today then says "It's fine Kate how about I go and get us some Chinese and bring it back here were we can enjoy it why were waiting for the warrants to come through." Castle suggests.
"That would be perfect, but you know you will have to end up getting some for the boys." Kate points out walking over and standing right next to Castle suitable grabbing his hand.
"Yeah I know." Castle says then looks around making sure Gates isn't anywhere near before kissing Kate on the cheek. "Be back soon."
"Castle not where Gates can see." Kate hisses at his retreating figure.
"What's life without a little risk detective." Castle says with a charming smile before getting on the elevator.
Castle/Firefly Castle/Firefly
Within an hour Castle manages to go to his favourite Chinese restaurant order in fluent Chinese, something he does miss speaking time to time, and get back to the precinct.
"You're food arrives." Castle says happily as soon as walks into the bullpen.
"Finally." Ryan and Esposito say grabbing the food from each of his hands.
"Finally, I was gone an hour that is a record." Castle objects annoyed.
"Relax Rick you know what those two are like when they're hungry." Kate says putting her arm around him.
"What happened to not where Gates can see?" Castle asks.
"She went downtown for a meeting" Kate explains.
"We better get in there before those two eat it all." Castle reminds her.
"Good point." Kate says as they walk together into the conference room.
The four partners laugh and enjoy their dinner together.
"So what's the deal bro, you inviting us all over tomorrow because you discovered an government secrete that you want to tell us so where accessories." Esposito jokes.
Rick unfortunately puts noodles into his mouth as Esposito says that so he begins to cough and choke slightly. "No nothing like that, I just felt it was time we all spent time together away from her." He explains simply but admittedly a little shocked as Esposito joking is close to the truth.
Kate looks at him a little suspiciously but they are interrupted by Ryan's phone going off .
"We'll have her phone records within the hour." He explains reading the text message he just got.
The four enjoy the rest of their dinner Castle is positive that Esposito and Ryan didn't find anything suspicious about his behaviour but is positive that Kate did. Just as the four are finishing dinner Ryan gets another text message saying that the phone records have been emailed to him.
"Let's go." Kate says and the four all crowd around Ryan's computer.
Ryan logs on to his computer then onto his emails and opens the attachment of the records.
"Ok she received a call from a payphone in queens at 10:30 last night that was the last call she made or received." Ryan tells the others.
"So she received a call from Queens at 10:30 then she catches a cab out there at 10:45 that can't be a coincident." Castle points out.
"Your right, we've got to talk to the husband again see if he knows the significant of Queens." Kate says.
"That's going to have to wait to the morning its nearly 10." Esposito informs them.
"You're right go home I'll see you in the morning." Kate says looking at the boys.
"Don't need to tell me twice, Castle what do I tell Jenny to where tomorrow night?" Ryan asks knowing how angry Jenny would be with him if he didn't ask.
"Casual." He says to the boys who then walk off. "Why do people keep asks me that?" Castle asks Kate confused.
"Because it's you, when you have a party its usually costume or fancy." Kate reminds him.
"This isn't a party though it's a quite get together of friends." Castle says to Kate then follows her to her desk.
"Whatever you say Rick." Kate responds and Castle can tell that she still doesn't believe him. "So you heading home two?" Castle asks knowing that she doesn't always go home when the boys do.
"Yeah just got to make a few nots first, I wold asks you to come but judging by how tied you have been all day you should go home and sleep." Kate tells Rick.
"Your right, I'll see you tomorrow though." Rick says giving Kate a kiss goodbye. Then walks over to the elevator "Remember asks you dad about tomorrow night," He adds just as the elevator doors close so she doesn't have a chance to respond.
Firefly/Castle Firefly/ Castle
As soon as Rick walks into the loft he notices Alexis and his Mother both sitting on the couch reading different books, so he walks over and sits down between them.
"Hey dad." Alexis says giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey Pumpkin, Mother." Castle says looking at his mother.
"So is everyone coming tomorrow?" Martha asks hoping that he didn't chicken out.
"Yes Mother, the boys and girls are defiantly coming and Kate just has to ask her dad." Castle responds.
"What's going on tomorrow night dad? What's with the out of the blue dinner?" Alexis asks feeling like does Kate that there is something suspicious about it.
"I invited everyone over so we all can have a nice evening together." Castle explains to his daughter.
"You're not planning to propose to Kate are you? Because as much as I love her, its two soon for both of you, despite how much I know you love each other you've only been dating a month." Alexis asks trying to figure out a reason why her father has organized a sudden dinner.
"What no, I'm not going to propose to Kate tomorrow night." Castle responds in complete shock about his daughters assumption.
"Good, like I said I wouldn't be against it in the future it's just too soon at the moment." Alexis says with a smile then closes her book "Night Dad." She says giving her father another kiss good night then hugs her Grandmother "Night Gram." And she heads up stairs.
Once he hears his daughters door close he turns to his mother "Proposing that's what she thinks I know it's too soon, not just for Kate but for me two I wouldn't propose this quickly." Castle says in horror.
"I don't know kid you do get married to a psychopath that you just met that night." Martha reminds her son.
"That was a completely different situation, Hang on how do you know that?" Castle asks in confusion as he knows that he has never told his mother what happened with Saffron.
"Think about it my boy, who was I spending most my time with in the time between you rescuing me off of Whitefall and coming here." Martha asks her son.
"Inara." Castle says a look of horror realisation coming to his face worried about what else she told his mother.
Seeing the look on her sons face Martha can't help but laugh though to Castle's ears it sounds like an evil cackle.