Castle: Episode 1x01 Flowers For Your Grave
│ EPISODE 1x02 >>>
ACT ONE
A landscape. Sand colored, stretching to a horizon of black. Very serene. And then we see a bead of red, rolling like a teardrop, and we realize this is no landscape. It’s a body. Rose petals tumble slowly through space, landing on naked skin. Gloved hands place sunflowers on the victim's eyes, a young woman in her early twenties. And we hear a woman’s voice:
GINA (Voiceover)
Murder...Mystery...The macabre.
--
[00:35, EXT. ROOFTOP, PUBLISHING PARTY - NIGHT]
This is not your Daddy’s publishing party. Waiter dressed as murder victims serve drinks, while hardcore hotties mingle with middle-aged men. Around the room, giant placards advertise Richard Castle's latest potboiler, “Storm Fall.” The woman, standing at the podium in front of the crowd, is Gina Cowell, President of Black Pawn Publishing.
GINA
What is it about a hard-boiled detective, a femme fatale, and the cold steel of a gun that keeps our bedside lamps burning into the wee hours of the morning? However the spell is cast, tonight we honor a master of the form and celebrate the launch of “Storm Fall,”
[Castle holds a sharpie at the ready as one giggling young beauty pulls her dress top aside. Castle grins and signs his name just above the bra line.]
CASTLE
Call me when you’re ready to wash that off.
[Gina glances over in time to witness this. A fleeting glimpse of disapproval crosses her face.]
GINA (CONT’D)
the stunning conclusion to his best-selling Derrick Storm mystery series. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Master of the Macabre... Rick Castle.
[The audience applauds. Rick poses for pictures with fans and autographs copies of his novel as well as various body parts.]
--
[01:43, INT. HALLWAY AND APARTMENT, DINING ROOM - NIGHT]
Beckett heads up the hallway, past Uniforms interviewing neighbors, to apartment 217. A couple of plainclothes are going over their notes. They are Detectives Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan. Crime scene techs photograph the body of Alison Tisdale. She lies on the dining room table, nude, but covered head-to-toe in rose petals. Covering her eyes are two sunflowers. Beckett crouches to look over the victim's body.
BECKETT
Who are you?
ESPOSITO
Alison Tisdale. 24. Grad student at NYU, part of the Social Work program.
BECKETT
Nice place for a social worker.
RYAN
Daddy's money.
ESPOSITO
Neighbors called to complain about the music. When she didn't answer, they had the Super check on her.
BECKETT
No signs of struggle. He knew her.
[A woman in her mid-thirties walks in. This is Lanie Parish. The M.E.]
LANIE
Even bought her flowers. Who says romance is dead?
BECKETT
I do. Every Saturday night.
LANIE
Well, lipstick wouldn’t hurt. I'm just saying.
BECKETT
So, what’d he give her besides roses?
[Lanie tweezes away flowers petals revealing the gunshots.]
LANIE
Two shots to the chest. Small caliber.
BECKETT
Does this look familiar to anyone?
ESPOSITO
No, but I'm not the one with a thing for freaky ones. Just give me a Jack shot Jill over Bill so I can get my call and go home.
BECKETT
Oh, but the freaky ones require more. They reveal more. Look at how he left her: covered modestly.
RYAN
So?
BECKETT
So, despite all of the effort, all of the preparation, you won't find any evidence of sexual abuse.
ESPOSITO
You really get that from just this?
BECKETT
This, plus I've seen this before.
RYAN
You've seen it before? Where?
BECKETT
Roses on her body, sunflowers on her eyes? Don't you guys read?
--
[03:23, ROOFTOP, PUBLISHING PARTY - NIGHT]
Flash. Flash. Gina and Castle stand for the photographers. Gina speaks through her gritted smile.
GINA
What kind of idiot kills off his bestselling main character?
CASTLE
Are you asking as my blood-sucking publisher or as my blood-sucking ex-wife?
GINA
Oh, is that what you’re doing? Punishing me by killing the Golden Goose?
CASTLE
Oh, come on. I may be petty and short-sighted, but I’m not that petty and short-sighted.
GINA
Really? Then why?
CASTLE
Writing Derrick used to be fun. Now it's like work.
GINA
Mm. God forbid you should work. I mean, you could’ve retired him, you could've crippled him, you could've had him join the frickin’ circus. But no. You had to put a bullet through his head.
CASTLE
Yeah, real messy, too. Big exit wound. But don't worry, Derrick Storm is not the Golden Goose here. I am. I wrote half a dozen best-sellers before him. What makes you think I’m going to stop now?
GINA
Oh, I don’t know. The fact the new book was due nine weeks ago?
CASTLE
You can’t rush genius.
GINA
Genius, Richard? Try blockage. I heard you haven’t written in months.
CASTLE
That’s ridiculous.
GINA
My sources are very reliable.
CASTLE
Well, they’re wrong.
GINA
They better be. If I don’t have a new manuscript on my desk in the next three weeks, Black Pawn is prepared to demand the return of your advance.
CASTLE
You wouldn’t dare.
GINA
Try me. Just try me.
[As Gina walks away, Castle calls after her.]
CASTLE
You know, I already returned that advance. I spent it divorcing you!
[Gina smiles with a shrug.]
--
[04:51, EXT. ROOFTOP PUBLISHING PARTY, BY THE BAR - NIGHT]
Martha Rogers (60s), a classic broad in the Broadway mold, a former actress on the Great White Way, Martha never made it nearly big as she thinks she did. Alexis Castle, 15, sits at the bar in a party dress, studying from a physics text book. She’s a natural beauty, the kind of old soul more at home with adults than kids her own age.
MARTHA
Really, dollface. Who does homework at a party?
ALEXIS
I have a test next week.
MARTHA
So do I. Liver function. You don’t see me studying. Alright. Gimme a hit of the bubbley.
CASTLE
Make it two.
MARTHA
Hey, kiddo. Sales must be slipping. They’re only serving the soft stuff.
ALEXIS
Hey Dad.
CASTLE
Hey sweetie. So, Mother...
MARTHA
Shh. Not so loud. I’m still hoping to get lucky.
CASTLE
Did you tell Gina I was having trouble writing?
MARTHA
Oh, I told her nothing of the sort. I... I may have said something about spending your days moping in your underwear waiting for post time at Belmont, but hey, you’re an artist. It’s expected.
CASTLE
We had a deal. I let you live with us, but you don’t talk about my work.
MARTHA
What’s to talk about? You haven’t done any since I moved in.
ALEXIS
Gram!
MARTHA
Well, he hasn’t.
CASTLE
Whatever I have and haven’t done, I would just appreciate it if you wouldn’t share it with my ex-wife.
MARTHA
Oh, what’s the big deal? Hang on, sweetie. I just got a hit on my Greydar.
[She’s locked in on a Silver Fox (70s) across the room. Country club looks, spray-on tan. As he lifts his glass of champagne to his lips Martha scans his fingers.]
MARTHA (CONT’D)
Bingo. No ring. Stand back, kids. Momma’s going fishing.
CASTLE
You should have me committed.
ALEXIS
For what? Letting her move in? I think it’s sweet.
CASTLE
Won’t be sweet when I strangle her.
[The bartender puts the two glasses of champagne on the bar. Castle sets one of the champagne flutes in front of Alexis.]
ALEXIS
You know I’m only fifteen right?
CASTLE
You’re an old soul.
ALEXIS
Yeah, well, me and my soul can wait.
CASTLE
When I was your age... (he stops himself) I can’t tell that story. It's wildly inappropriate. Which, oddly, is my point. Don’t you want to have wildly inappropriate stories that you can’t tell your children?
ALEXIS
I think you’ve enough of those for both of us.
CASTLE
Life should be an adventure. You want to know why I killed Derrick? There were no more surprises. I knew exactly what was going to happen every moment of every scene. It’s just like these parties. They become so predictable. “I’m your biggest fan” “Where do you get your ideas?”
ALEXIS
And the ever popular, “Will you sign my chest?”
CASTLE
That one I don’t mind so much.
ALEXIS
Yeah, well, FYI - I do.
CASTLE
Just once, I’d like someone to come up to me and say something new.
BECKETT (O.S.)
Mr. Castle?
[Castle turns around and pulls out a pen.]
CASTLE
Where would you like it?
[Beckett approaches and holds up her badge.]
BECKETT
Detective Kate Beckett. NYPD. We need to ask you a few questions about a murder that took place earlier tonight.
[Alexis takes the pen.]
ALEXIS
That’s new.
--
ACT TWO
[07:03, INT. POLICE STATION, INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT]
Castle sits in an NYPD interrogation room. Beckett enters holding some files.
BECKETT
Mr. Castle... You've got quite the rap sheet for a bestselling author. Disorderly conduct, uh, resisting arrest.
CASTLE
Boys will be boys.
BECKETT
Says here that you stole a police horse?
CASTLE
Borrowed.
BECKETT
Ah. And you were nude at the time?
CASTLE
It was spring.
BECKETT
And every time the charges were dropped.
CASTLE
What can I say? The mayor is a fan. But if it makes you feel any better, I’d be happy to let you spank me.
BECKETT
Mr. Castle, this whole bad boy charm thing that you’ve got going might work for bimbettes and celebutantes. Me? I work for a living. So that makes you one of two things in my world. Either the guy who makes my life easier or the guy who makes my life harder, and trust me, you do not want to be the guy who makes my life harder.
CASTLE
K.
[Beckett slides a photo of Alison Tisdale across the table. Castle looks at it.]
BECKETT (CONT’D)
Alison Tisdale. Daughter of real estate mogul Jonathan Tisdale.
CASTLE
She’s cute.
BECKETT
She’s dead. D'you ever meet her? Book signing? Charity event?
CASTLE
It’s possible. She’s not in my little black book if that’s what you’re asking.
BECKETT
What about this guy?
[Beckett slides over a photo of a man in his 40s.]
BECKETT (CONT’D)
Marvin Fisk. Small claims lawyer.
CASTLE
Most of my claims tend to be on the, um, large side.
[Beckett rolls her eyes.]
CASTLE (CONT'D)
So, what’s this got to do with me?
BECKETT
Fisk was found murdered in his office two weeks ago. I didn’t put it together until we saw the Tisdale crime scene tonight.
[Beckett slides him a photo of the Tisdale crime scene. The roses and sunflower covered body.]
CASTLE
Flowers for Your Grave.
[Beckett pulls out another photo of Martin Fisk lying face down in a pentagram.]
BECKETT
And this is how we found Marvin Fisk. Right out of Hell Hath No Fury.
CASTLE
Looks like I have a fan.
BECKETT
Yeah. A really deranged fan.
CASTLE
Oh, you don’t look deranged to me.
BECKETT
What?
CASTLE
Hell Hath No Fury? Angry wiccans out for blood? C’mon. Only hardcore Castle groupies read that one.
BECKETT
Do any of these g-groupies ever write you letters? Disturbing letters?
CASTLE
Oh, all my fan mail’s disturbing. It’s an occupational hazard.
BECKETT
Because sometimes, in cases like this, we find that the killer attempts to...
CASTLE (interrupts)
Killer attempts to contact the subject of his obsession. I’m also pretty well-versed in psychopathic methodologies. Another occupational hazard. And do you know you have gorgeous eyes?
BECKETT
So I take it that you won't have any objection to us going through your mail.
CASTLE
Knock yourself out. (off the gruesome crime scene photos) Can I get copies of those?
BECKETT
Copies?
CASTLE
I have this poker game, it's mostly other writers. Patterson, Cannell, you know, best sellers. You have no idea how jealous those would make them.
BECKETT
Jealous?
CASTLE
That I have a copycat. Oh my gosh, in my world, that’s the red badge of honor. That's the criminal Cooperstown.
BECKETT
People are dead, Mr. Castle.
CASTLE
I’m not asking for the bodies. Just the pictures.
BECKETT
I think we’re done here.
[Beckett heads out of the room. Castle watches her go, a little bit pleased he’s gotten under her skin. We hear the flourish of a piano.]
--
[09:32, INT. CASTLE’S PENTHOUSE APARTMENT - NIGHT]
Castle enters his Penthouse apartment. From the living room he hears the sound of his mother belting out “I Can’t Say No” from Oklahoma!
MARTHA (O.S.)
I'm just a gal who can't say no. I'm in a terrible fix. I always say come on, let's go...
[Castle checks a clock (12:45am). At the piano is the silver haired fox tickling the ivories and drinking a Martini. As Castle crosses the living room, Martha notices him.]
MARTHA (CONT’D)
just when I ought to... Hey, kiddo! I'm just showing Burt here how we did it at the Palace.
CASTLE
Does he know it’s your theme song?
[Martha laughs.]
SILVER HAIRED FOX
Ready to bring it home, Ducky?
MARTHA
Hey! Yes.
SILVER HAIRED FOX
Five. Six. Seven. Eight.
MARTHA
I'm just a fool when lights are low...
[10:04, INT. CASTLE’S KITCHEN - NIGHT]
Martha can be heard faintly in the background as Castle enters. He notices Alexis at the kitchen table doing homework.
CASTLE
You’re missing the late show.
ALEXIS
I saw it in previews.
CASTLE
Looks like we got a new lead.
ALEXIS
His name is Burt. He does magic.
[Castle crosses to the fridge to grab a can of whipped cream.]
CASTLE
Wow.
ALEXIS
Yeah.
CASTLE
Let’s hope he disappears by morning. C’est apres minuit dans un school night. Don’t you turn into a pumpkin or something?
[He shakes the whipped cream can and sprays a mound of it into directly into his mouth.]
ALEXIS
Not when your dad’s been escorted away by cops. How was the slammer? Anyone make you their bitch?
CASTLE
Sorry, Switchblade. Still belong to you.
[He holds the whipped cream above her mouth, offering.]
CASTLE (CONT’D)
Baby bird?
ALEXIS
I already brushed.
CASTLE
Your loss.
[He gives himself another squirt.]
ALEXIS
So are you going to tell me about it, or do I have to look it up on the fan sites?
CASTLE
No. We had a deal. Surf all the internet you want. Stay off the fan sites.
ALEXIS
Seriously, Dad. Are you in some type of trouble?
CASTLE
Despite my best efforts, no. They want my help on a case...
ALEXIS
A case?
CASTLE
Apparently, someone’s been killing people the way I killed them in my books.
ALEXIS
That’s horrible.
CASTLE
Yeah.
ALEXIS
How many?
CASTLE
Two so far.
ALEXIS
Are you okay?
CASTLE
Yeah. It’s just so senseless.
ALEXIS
Murder usually is.
CASTLE
No. Murder usually makes a great deal of sense. Passion, greed, politics. What’s senseless here is the books that the killer chose. Hell Hath No Fury? Flower For your Grave? My truly lesser works. Why would a psychotic fan pick those?
ALEXIS
Maybe because he’s psychotic. Come on, it’s bed time. You can figure it out in the morning.
--
[11:21, INT. POLICE STATION - DAY]
Beckett comes in carrying a box full of Richard Castle books.
RYAN
What are those?
BECKETT
Castle's greatest hits. You're going to familiarize yourselves with all of his murder scenes so we don't miss any.
ESPOSITO
Got any on tape? (laughs)
BECKETT
First victim: male lawyer. Second victim: female social worker. Somewhere in these books, those two are connected.
[Det. Kevin Ryan reads the inside cover of one of the novels she handed out.]
RYAN
"From the library of Katherine Beckett."
BECKETT
Do you have a problem with reading Ryan?
ESPOSITO
Yo, check it, girl. You're totally a fan!
BECKETT
Right. Of the genre.
RYAN
Right. The-the genre. That's why you're blushing.
BECKETT
What are you, twelve? Profiling indicates a perp with low intelligence. Someone who has, or thinks he has, a personal relationship with our author. So that's where we start.
[Beckett sits down at her desk. Esposito follows and sits in the chair next to it.]
BECKETT
What?
ESPOSITO
I work dead bodies all day. The last thing I want to do when I go home is read murder books.
BECKETT
Aren't you curious?
ESPOSITO
Curious?
BECKETT
About how people can do
[Beckett picks up a photo of the flower covered woman.]
BECKETT (CONT'D)
these kinds of things to one another? Whoever did this read Castle's books, and somewhere in those pages is the answer to where he'll strike next.
ESPOSITO
Okay.
--
[12:45, INT. POLICE STATION - DAY]
Beckett comes in with Uniforms carrying the boxes of mail.
MCNULTY
Is all that Castle's mail?
BECKETT
His fans love him
[Beckett hands McNulty the box she's carrying.]
BECKETT (CONT'D)
almost as much as he loves himself. Can you take that back to briefing, please?
[Beckett turns to speak with Esposito.]
BECKETT (CONT'D)
Did we hear back from the lab?
ESPOSITO
Yeah. Scene was negative for DNA and prints, just like Fisk. Guy's careful.
BECKETT
What about Tisdale and Fisk? Any connection?
ESPOSITO
Other than your boy there? No.
[Esposito nods across the bullpen. Beckett sees Castle across the way, talking with Captain Roy Montgomery -- African-American, mid-fifties -- Beckett’s gruff, but paternal boss.]
BECKETT
What’s he doing here?
ESPOSITO
Maybe he likes you.
MONTGOMERY
Detective Beckett.
BECKETT
Captain?
[Beckett enters his office.]
BECKETT (CONT'D)
Yes, Sir?
MONTGOMERY
Mr. Castle's offered to assist with the investigation.
BECKETT
Really?
CASTLE
It’s the least I can do for the city I love.
MONTGOMERY
Considering the nature of the crime scenes, I think it’s a good idea.
BECKETT
Sir, can I talk to you a minute? In private.
MONTGOMERY
Nope.
--
[13:40, INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - HOURS LATER]
Castle and Beckett pan over stacks of letters. Beckett looks up and catches Castle looking at her.
BECKETT
What?
CASTLE
Nothing. No, it’s just, uh, the way your brow furrows when you’re thinking. It’s cute. I mean not if you’re playing poker. Then it’d be deadly, but otherwise -
BECKETT
Can I ask you a question?
CASTLE
Shoot.
BECKETT
Why are you here? You don’t care about the victims, so you aren’t here for justice. You don’t care that the guy's...aping your books, so you aren’t here 'cause you're outraged. So what is it, Rick? Are you here to annoy me?
CASTLE
I’m here for the story.
BECKETT
The story?
CASTLE
Why those people? Why those murders?
BECKETT
Sometimes there is no story. Sometimes the guy is just a psychopath.
CASTLE
There’s always a story, always a chain of events that makes everything make sense. Take you for example... Under normal circumstances, you should not be here. Most smart, good looking women become lawyers, not cops. And yet here you are. Why?
BECKETT
I don't know, Rick. You’re the novelist. You tell me.
CASTLE
Well, you’re not bridge and tunnel, no trace of the boroughs when you talk. So that means Manhattan, that means money. You went to college, probably a pretty good one. You had options. Yeah, you had lots of options, better options, more socially acceptable options. And you still chose this. That tells me something happened. Not to you. No, you’re wounded but you're not that wounded. It was somebody you cared about. It was someone you loved. And you probably could’ve lived with that, but the person responsible was never caught. And that, Detective Beckett, is why you’re here.
[He can see by the look on his face that he’s right.]
BECKETT
Cute trick. But don’t think you know me.
CASTLE
The point is, there’s always a story. You just have to find it.
[Beckett looks down at the letter in her hand. Scrawled on is a very disturbing childish picture of the rose petal murder.]
BECKETT
I think I just did.
--
[16:02, INT. HOMICIDE BULLPEN - DAY]
Controlled chaos. Ringing phones. Homicide detectives working cases. Beckett’s at her file-covered desk on the phone. Castle’s chats with Esposito. Beckett hangs up the phone.
BECKETT
Lab's got lifts off the letter.
CASTLE
Whose?
BECKETT
The system’s backlogged. It’ll take a week to run a match.
CASTLE
A week?
BECKETT
Welcome to reality, Superstar.
CASTLE
Well, I never did much like reality.
[Castle pulls out his cell phone and dials.]
RECEPTIONIST
Mayor's Office.
CASTLE (CONT’D)
Hi Denise. It’s Rick Castle.
RECEPTIONIST
Hi.
CASTLE
Is he in?
RECEPTIONIST
Hold on.
CASTLE (to Beckett)
Like I said, Mayor’s a fan.
MAYOR
Rick!
CASTLE (into phone)
Yo, big cheese! It’s Rickie.
MAYOR
Doing okay?
CASTLE (into phone)
Yeah. Of course!
[He walks away as he continues the conversation.]
CASTLE (into phone)
Well, I don't know where you went. We took-- we looked all over for you. You took off with that girl.
ESPOSITO
Man’s got the Mayor on speed dial. The rich really are different.
BECKETT
You want him? He’s yours.
ESPOSITO
A control freak like you with something you can’t control? No, no. That’s going to be more fun than Shark Week.
[Castle hangs up the phone and crosses back.]
CASTLE
OK. You will have your prints in an hour.
BECKETT
Mr. Castle. Half of the guys here are waiting for prints. You don’t just jump the line.
CASTLE
Oh, I think somebody feels threatened.
BECKETT
I am not threatened.
CASTLE
No. I get it. I can call the mayor and you can’t.
BECKETT
We have procedure. Protocol.
CASTLE
Yeah, and you always come to a complete stop at a red light and you never fudge your taxes. Tell me something, you ever have any fun? Y’know, let your hair down. Drop your top. Little Cops Gone Wild.
BECKETT
You do know I'm wearing a gun.
[McNulty nearby hangs up the phone.]
MCNULTY
Beckett. Midtown. They just found another one.
--
[17:25, EXT. ROOFTOP, POOL - DAY]
A WOMAN floats face down in a pool. She wears a yellow evening gown and a tiara. A knife sticks out of her back like a dorsal fin.
CASTLE
Death of a Prom Queen.
UNIFORM
Maintenance found her an hour ago. Kendra Pitney. She lives in the building.
BECKETT
Alright. Let’s get her out of the water. (to Castle) Um, you just stay here and don’t touch anything.
CUT TO:
The woman’s body is on the ground on blankets, lying face down. Lanie examines the body. Castle approaches and crouches to examine the body.
LANIE
Ahem.
CASTLE
Hi, I'm Richard Castle. I’m consulting.
LANIE
Richard Castle, the author?
CASTLE
On my better days.
LANIE
Lanie Parish. Medical Examiner. I love your books. Y’know, you have a real gift with the details of death.
[Beckett joins them.]
BECKETT
I thought I told you to stay over there.
CASTLE
I got lonely.
[Beckett turns to Lanie.]
BECKETT
You got a C.O.D?
LANIE
Not until the full exam. But this wasn't a stabbing.
BECKETT
She’s got a knife sticking out of her back.
CASTLE
Lack of blood around the wound suggests she was dead before it was inserted. no foam around the mouth, so we know she didn’t drown.
LANIE
Oh, you’re good.
CASTLE
Yeah, yeah. She was killed first and then posed. Just like the others.
BECKETT
Yeah. I know. Can I have a word?
CASTLE
Something wrong?
BECKETT
This is a homicide investigation, not a day at Disneyland. If I give you an order I expect you to obey it.
CASTLE
Then you don’t know me very well. Y’know, in my book the dress was blue.
BECKETT
Don’t try to change the subject.
CASTLE
Did Tisdale and Fisk know each other?
BECKETT
We haven’t found a connection, why?
[Beckett’s phone rings.]
CASTLE
What about motive?
BECKETT
He’s a serial killers. He doesn’t need motive.
(answering)
Beckett... OK.
(hangs up the phone)
They got a match off the print. Kyle Cabot. He's in Brooklyn. We got him.
--
[19:09, EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY]
Beckett’s car pulls up followed by SQUAD CARS.
BECKETT
Stay here.
CASTLE
Scout’s honor.
[And Beckett is out of the car, moving with the cops. Castle waits until they pass him and then rushes out of the car.]
--
ACT THREE
[19:27, INT. HALLWAY - DAY]
Cops with weapons drawn flank a door. Beckett knocks.
BECKETT
Kyle Cabot! NYPD! Open up!
[No answer. Beckett steps back and kicks the door in. She enters, weapon at the ready.]
ESPOSITO
Kyle Cabot! NYPD!
[Moving through the apartment, the cops break off into different rooms, yelling “Clear” as they clear the rooms. Beckett looks down and sees pictures of Alison Tisdale scattered among newspaper clippings and childish drawings of scenes from Richard Castle's books. Beckett turns to see a bookcase. It’s filled with Rick Castle books, and only Rick Castle books. Most are dog-eared from multiple reads. She takes one off the shelf. The pages are colored over with childish scribbles.]
RYAN
You should invite him to join your book club.
COP
Beckett. You gotta see this.
[Beckett approaches a closet. Inside is a psycho mural collage of Rick Castle photos and crude childish drawings just like the letter Beckett found. It’s a veritible shrine.]
CASTLE
Oh, that’s creepy.
[Beckett turns around to see Castle right behind her.]
CASTLE (CONT'D)
I was never a scout.
ESPOSITO
Hey, Beckett.
[Esposito pulls out bloody clothing. The blouse has two bullet holes in it, like the Tisdale murder.]
BECKETT
Alison’s blouse. I'm guessing he kept trophies.
[And then Esposito pulls out a gun.]
ESPOSITO
22 caliber.
[They hear a noise nearby, someone banging on a closet door. Beckett approaches, gun at the ready. She opens the closet to find a geeky looking kid sitting on the floor, rocking back and forth.]
KYLE
Get out of my house. Get out of my house.
BECKETT
Show me see your hands!
[The Uniforms move in to cuff him.]
UNIFORMS
Let me see your hands! Let me see your hands! Let me see your hands!
[Kyle starts to freak, screaming as the Uniforms subdue him.]
--
[21:24, INT. OBSERVATION ROOM - NIGHT]
Kyle Cabot rocks back and forth in the interrogation room as Beckett leaves. Castle and Montgomery watch Kyle from the other side of the glass as Beckett enters.
BECKETT
He's still not speaking. State medical records indicate he’s got pervasive developmental disorder.
CASTLE
Well, that explains his fixation with me. PDD sometimes manifests in an obsession with a single subject.
BECKETT
Yeah, well your superfan also has a history of delusions. Guess who his caseworker was?
CASTLE
Alison Tisdale.
BECKETT
Yeah. Her files indicate that he was on pretty heavy anti-psychotics.
MONTGOMERY
Limited intelligence. Thinks he has a personal relationship with his hero. Looks like your profile was right, Detective Beckett.
CASTLE
So, what? That-- that’s it?
MONTGOMERY
What more do you want? Evidence is in his apartment. We can connect him with the three victims. Two from the diner where he worked, and Tisdale was a social worker. Call the D.A. Get him a legal aid.
CASTLE
I-- That-- It's too easy. The reader would never buy it.
BECKETT
This isn’t one of your books, Castle. Out here, we find a guy standing over a body with a gun, he’s usually the guy who did it.
--
[22:24, INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT]
Esposito and Ryan take down the murder board while Beckett looks over paperwork.
BECKETT
You know this kid was in and out of the system for years. Doesn't seem like he ever got the proper treatment until Alison Tisdale took over his case file. She's the one who got him the job at the diner, and her notes seem to say he was doing okay
ESPOSITO
Well, we can let the D.A. worry about all that now. Our job is done.
BECKETT
Yeah. Hey, um, can you leave the box? I'll take care of it tomorrow.
--
[22:48, INT. PENTHOUSE, POKER LOUNGE - NIGHT]
A poker game is in session. We recognize some of the players - Stephen J. Cannell, James Patterson, an unspecified woman, and of course, Rick Castle.
JAMES PATTERSON
Castle, I'm kind of glad that you killed off Storm. Less competition.
CASTLE
Mm.
JAMES PATTERSON
That’s twenty to you, Cannell.
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
You’re bluffing, Patterson.
JAMES PATTERSON
Cough up some of that TV money and you’ll find out.
[Cannell tosses in chips. Castle just stares at his cards.]
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
Bet’s to you, Rickie. Castle? Castle?
CASTLE
Hm?
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
Bet's to you.
CASTLE
Oh, sorry.
JAMES PATTERSON
I know that look. Story trouble.
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
You know, you never should’ve killed off Storm. That was a big mistake. I would've retired him. Or crippled him. The man was money.
JAMES PATTERSON
You don't see me putting a bullet through Alex Cross's head.
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
And my boy, Shane Scully's going to be fueling my private jet long after people have all forgotten about Storm.
CASTLE
You know what? Just for that I am gonna call.
JAMES PATTERSON
So, what’s the problem, Rickie? Maybe we can help.
CASTLE
I’m working on this thing. It starts with a famous author. Some psycho starts staging murders like the way he does in his books.
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
That's pretty self-aggrandizing, isn't it?
JAMES PATTERSON
This is Castle we’re talking about.
CASTLE
So, crime scenes are clean. Doesn't leave any fingerprints, doesn't leave any DNA. But the psycho writes the author a fan letter with his prints all over it. Well, that leads the cops to his apartment where they find enough evidence to convict him.
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
And then?
CASTLE
That’s it.
JAMES PATTERSON
That’s it?
CASTLE
Yeah. They arrest him.
JAMES PATTERSON
That’s terrible. No wonder you’re blocked.
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
And here's another thing, the guy doesn’t leave his prints at the scene of the crime, but he sends a letter with prints on it? You lost me there. And what about a twist?
JAMES PATTERSON
Where's a twist?
STEPHEN J. CANNELL
Yeah.
CASTLE
Yeah. Right, like, uh...like maybe somebody set this kid up.
STEPHEN KING
That’s what your story needs - the character who thinks the kid’s innocent keeps digging until he finds the truth.
CASTLE
Oh, I have just the guy.
--
ACT FOUR
[24:24, INT. POLICE STATION, DETECTIVE’S BULLPEN - DAY]
Beckett enters to find Castle sitting at her desk, reading through her papers. Beckett snatches the papers from his hand and slips them back into their file.
BECKETT
What are you doing?
CASTLE
It's a novelist’s habit. Poking through other people’s mail, checking their medicine cabinets.
BECKETT
Why are you still here?
CASTLE
I just came by to give you this. It's a little something to memorialize our brief partnership.
[He hands her a gift-wrapped box.]
CASTLE (CONT’D)
Don’t look so suspicious. Go on. Open it.
[She does. It’s a copy of Storm Fall.]
CASTLE (CONT’D)
I got you an advanced copy. I even signed it to you. Not that you’re a fan.
BECKETT
Thanks. That’s actually kind of...sweet.
CASTLE
Well...
BECKETT
Well.
CASTLE
It was nice to have met you, Detective Beckett.
[He leans in and gives her a kiss on the cheek, and walks away. As she watches him go her face betrays a little emotion. She sinks down in her chair, takes a moment and then turns back to her desk. She’s a little bit smitten for a beat and then... Wait.]
BECKETT
He didn’t.
[She looks through her papers.]
BECKETT (CONT’D)
Oh, he did!
--
[25:54, INT. NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - DAY]
Castle sits in the corner of the long reading hall with the case files spread out in front of him. He picks through the arrest reports, jots some notes, and examines crime scene photographs. At the far end of the reading hall, Beckett enters with two uniforms. She crosses to Castle.
BECKETT
Richard Castle! You are under arrest for felony theft and obstruction of justice.
CASTLE
You forgot “Making you look bad.”
BECKETT
You know, for a minute there you actually made me believe that you were human. Cuff him.
CASTLE
Ooh. Bondage. My safeword is "apples."
BECKETT
Oh, there's no need to be gentle.
CASTLE
How’d you find me anyway?
BECKETT
I’m a detective. That’s what I do.
CASTLE
My mother told you, didn’t she? By the way, the rose petals in the Tisdale murder? They’re grandiflora, not hybrid teas.
BECKETT
I’ll make a note of it.
CASTLE
Yeah, you probably should since it means Kyle Cabot is innocent.
--
[26:35, INT. POLICE STATION RECEPTION - DAY]
Alexis and Martha wait with Beckett and Captain Montgomery as two Uniforms uncuff Castle.
MONTGOMERY
Thank you, Officer.
ALEXIS
Hello, Father.
CASTLE
Hello, Daughter.
MARTHA
I wish I could say I was surprised. It’s my fault. Really. He never had a father figure.
CASTLE
Oh, that’s not true, Mother. I had lots of father figures. I see you’ve met Captain Montgomery and Detective Beckett.
MARTHA
And they have agreed to drop the charges, if you agree to behave.
MONTGOMERY
No more interference with this case, Mr. Castle. Do we understand each other?
CASTLE
Yeah. But you still got the wrong guy.
MARTHA (chuckles)
Really, darling. Must you always have to play the cards?
--
[27:14, INT. HOMICIDE BULLPEN - DAY]
Beckett stares at the murder board.
ESPOSITO
Nah. Nah, nah, nah. Don't tell me he got to you.
BECKETT
Please. He didn't get to me. She did.
ESPOSITO
Who? Alison?
BECKETT
Marvin Fisk, first murder. Kyle knew him from the diner, and then he kills Alison, his social worker. And then he kills Kendra Pitney, also from the diner.
ESPOSITO
So?
BECKETT
So, he starts with a murder of convenience, and then escalates to a murder of somebody he knows very well, and then goes back to a murder of convenience? It doesn't make any sense.
--
[27:48, INT. TOWN CAR - DAY]
CASTLE
Somebody set up Kyle to take the fall. Somebody who knew enough about his fixation with me to use it to get away with murder. That means, we're not looking for a serial killer. We're looking for a good old fashioned murderer. Someone with motive.
ALEXIS
You think the victims were somehow related?
CASTLE
Police would have found it by now. Now, if I were writing the story, the killer would've only wanted one of the victims dead. He would've killed the other ones just to cover up the crime.
ALEXIS
How do you get away with one murder by committing two more?
CASTLE
At one death, you look for motive. At two, you look for a connection. At three, you look for someone like Kyle. At three you don't need motive, because mentally unstable serial killers don't usually have one.
MARTHA
That makes about as much sense as Mouse Trap. I did that play eight times a week for a year. I still have no idea what it's about.
--
[28:36, INT. HOMICIDE BULLPEN - DAY]
BECKETT
Castle's right. If he was trying to follow his books, then the roses on Alison's body were wrong. And Fisk should've been suffocated by a plastic bag, not strangled with a necktie. And Kendra's dress should've been blue, not yellow. For an obsessive, it would've been impossible not to get the details right.
ESPOSITO
Well, if it wasn't him, then who was it?
[28:53, INT. TOWN CAR - DAY]
CASTLE
The killer had to have known both his intended victim and Kyle fairly well. The only victim that had any real knowledge of Kyle's obsessive condition would've been Alison Tisdale.
[29:08, INT. HOMICIDE BULLPEN - DAY]
BECKETT
Alison's the key. She's the one that the killer is trying to hide.
ESPOSITO
Well, as far as we know, she wasn't seeing anyone, and none of her other case files fit the profile.
BECKETT
Well, somebody had to know something about her.
[29:17, INT. TOWN CAR - DAY]
CASTLE
So if the killer found out about Kyle through Alison, then Alison must've been the intended target. Somebody wanted Alison dead. Just have to figure out why.
ALEXIS
If I have to keep bailing you out, you're going to need to raise my allowance. By a lot.
MARTHA
Mine, too.
--
ACT FIVE
[29:44, INT. BUILDING LOBBY - DAY]
Castle arrives at the reception desk where a pretty young woman waits. He walks in, hiding behind his “famous person” sunglasses.
CASTLE
Hi. I'm Rick Castle. I have an appointment to see Mr. Tisdale.
[The receptionist checks her list. Finds Castle’s name.]
RECEPTION
Yes. Mr. Castle. He’s expecting you.
BECKETT (O.S.)
Is he now?
[Castle turns to see Beckett walking toward him. She flashes her badge to the receptionist and walks to the elevators.]
CASTLE
This is not what it looks like. This-- I-- Okay, this is exactly what it looks like. But I can explain.
BECKETT
You coming?
--
[30:08, INT. TISDALE APARTMENT LIBRARY - DAY]
Wood paneling, somber, with a bird’s eye view of the world. Jonathan Tisdale, with sad and sunken eyes, holds a picture of Alison.
BECKETT
Did Alison ever mention having enemies or being threatened?
JONATHAN TISDALE
People loved her. All she wanted was to make the world a better place. I told all this to the other detective.
BECKETT
I know, sir. We’re just following up.
CASTLE
Did Alison know anybody who could've profited from her death?
JONATHAN TISDALE
Mr. Castle, I may be rich, but my daughter was not. She abhorred money. What little she had, she gave to charity.
BECKETT
Thank you, sir.
[Beckett turns to go, but Castle holds his ground.]
CASTLE
Mr. Tisdale, Fortune Magazine estimated your net worth at nearly a hundred million dollars. Is that true?
JONATHAN TISDALE
I don’t check day to day.
CASTLE
But it’s in the ballpark.
JONATHAN TISDALE
I’ve been lucky, yes.
BECKETT
Appreciate your time.
CASTLE
Wha-- what happens to all that money if something happens to you?
BECKETT
Castle...
JONATHAN TISDALE
Half of my estate goes to my charitable foundation, and the rest to my children...(painful pause) I mean my son.
CASTLE
Thank you.
--
[31:13, EXT. BUILDING - DAY]
Castle and Beckett emerge.
BECKETT
What was that all about?
CASTLE
He’s dying.
BECKETT
Who’s dying? Tisdale?
[Down the street is a Sabretts vendor.]
CASTLE
You want a hot dog? I want a hot dog. What do you take on your...
[With unbelievable speed, she grabs his nose between her thumb and forefinger.]
CASTLE (CONT’D)
OW OW OW. Apples! Apples! Apples!
BECKETT
What makes you think he’s dying?
CASTLE
Okay.
[She releases Castle. He rubs his nose.]
CASTLE
You see those pictures in his office?
BECKETT
Yeah.
CASTLE
He’s much thinner now. Like sick thin, not workout thin.
BECKETT
His daughter was just murdered...
CASTLE
And the way he kept touching his hair. Like he's self-conscious.
BECKETT
You think it was a piece?
CASTLE
It's a good one, but it’s new to him. The chemo’s relatively recent. And he was wearing makeup.
BECKETT
He's trying to look healthier than he is.
CASTLE
Doesn't want his shareholders to know.
BECKETT
So, he's got cancer. That doesn't mean that he's terminal.
CASTLE
But it’s a much better story if he is. You interview the brother?
BECKETT
There was never a reason to.
CASTLE
Well, now there is. (to hot dog vendor) You got hot mustard?
--
[32:06, EXT. WAREHOUSE - DAY]
Beckett and Castle approach the loading dock where Harrison Tisdale, late twenties, signs invoices.
BECKETT
Harrison Tisdale?
HARRISON TISDALE
Yeah. Hey Mitch! Let's get these pallets on the truck!
BECKETT
Detective Kate Beckett. Rick Castle. We’d like to ask you some questions about your sister.
HARRISON TISDALE
Yeah, anything I can do. Let's head inside.
--
[32:19, INT. HARRISON TISDALE’S OFFICE - DAY]
Strictly functional. Papers piled on desks. White board calendars with routing info on them.
HARRISON TISDALE
Last time I saw her? About a month ago at Dad’s. You know, I still can't believe she's gone.
BECKETT
Were you close?
HARRISON TISDALE
Everybody loved her. My sister, she just wanted to see the best in people. Even that kid who killed her. You know, she did everything she could to help that guy. Even brought him around here once to see if I could give him a job.
BECKETT
But you didn’t.
HARRISON TISDALE
I can't afford to, all right? My employees mess up, I lose my bond. I don’t know... Maybe if I'd helped him, things'd be different.
BECKETT
How'd your sister react when your Dad told you he was dying?
[We see Harrison’s surprised they know but he covers.]
HARRISON TISDALE
She was upset. We both were.
CASTLE
Now that she's dead, your inheritance stands to double
HARRISON TISDALE
What are you suggesting? You already caught the killer.
BECKETT
Yeah, we did. But the first thing his lawyers’ll do is shift suspicion to someone else, someone with motive. And then they’ll stick me on the stand and ask me why I didn’t investigate, and then the jury'll have doubts. And we don't want them to have doubts, do we?
HARRISON TISDALE
No.
BECKETT
So, you'll have to excuse me for asking, but where were you the night of your sister's murder.
HARRISON TISDALE
I was traveling on business. Actually, I was out of the country for all three murders.
[Harrison opens his desk drawer and pulls out a passport. He hands it to Beckett.]
HARRISON TISDALE (CONT’D)
Here it is. Check the stamps in that if it's useful.
--
[33:31, EXT. STREET - DAY]
CASTLE
A U.S. Passport.
BECKETT
Absolutely unassailable.
CASTLE
I was sure it was him!
BECKETT
Oh, don't take it so hard. After all, you're just a writer.
CASTLE
What?
BECKETT
Nothing.
CASTLE
What?
BECKETT
Oh, come on. He's lying. I mean, I get him knowing where he was the night of his sister's murder, but the other two victims? He didn’t pause. He didn’t ask for dates. He didn’t even check his calendar, but he was ready with an alibi. In my experience, innocent people do not prepare alibis.
CASTLE
So I was right.
--
[34:08, INT. POLICE STATION - DAY]
Det. Ryan on the phone while Castle, Beckett, and Esposito wait.
RYAN
Okay, give me the dates and flights.
CASTLE
Why can't you just admit I was right?
BECKETT
Because he totally fooled you. (to Esposito) He totally bought the alibi.
ESPOSITO
Yeah.
CASTLE
I had a fleeting moment of self doubt.
[Ryan hangs up.]
BECKETT
So?
RYAN
His credit card company confirms he paid for three roundtrip tickets. Dates coincide with the three murders.
ESPOSITO
So, according to his credit card, Tisdale was out of the country.
CASTLE
Wait a minute. So now I'm not right?
BECKETT
Which means the passport stamps were forged.
ESPOSITO
I’m gonna call passport control and have them check the logs.
CASTLE
That’s, uh, not how he would’ve done it.
BECKETT
You got a better idea, Rickie?
CASTLE
Second passport.
BECKETT
And how would he get one of those?
CASTLE
Oh, with his money? Trust me, on the black market it'd be a piece of cake.
BECKETT
So he leaves the country on his own. Comes back with the other passport, commits murder, flies out, and then comes back in on his own.
CASTLE
Perfect alibi. Perfect murder.
BECKETT
But almost impossible to prove.
CASTLE
Unless you find the second passport.
RYAN
Got to be freaked after your little meet and greet.
BECKETT
Keep eyeballs on him. If he moves, I want to know.
[Beckett takes off down the hall, followed by Castle.]
BECKETT (CONT'D)
The things that people will do for money.
CASTLE
This guy killed his own sister in cold blood and two more people to cover it up. He's either a world-class sociopath, or there's a lot more to this story than just money.
[Beckett makes a call on the phone.]
BECKETT
Judge Markway, please.
CASTLE
Oh, Markway. Tell him I say hello.
--
ACT SIX
[35:23, Courthouse]
MARKWAY
No, seriously. They're redoing the entire back nine.
CASTLE
Oh, man, I love that course! When are they gonna reopen it?
BECKETT
Judge, I hate to break up Golf Digest, but I have an exigent situation here.
MARKWAY
Very well, Detective. Play through.
CASTLE
We need a search warrant. (off Beckett's look) She needs a search warrant.
BECKETT
For the home and office of Harrison Tisdale.
MARKWAY
Harrison Tisdale? As in, Jonathan Tisdale's son?
BECKETT
Yes.
CASTLE
Yeah. He murdered his sister, killed two more people to cover up the crime.
MARKWAY
Murder? The Tisdales? You better be long and straight on this one, Detective.
BECKETT
Harrison's father is terminally ill, sir.
MARKWAY
What? I just saw him at a benefit.
CASTLE
Hope you took a picture.
BECKETT
With the sister out of the way, the son will inherit all of it. (cell phone rings) Excuse me.
CASTLE
There's also a twisted emotional angle in there. I don't want to bore you with the details. But family and vengeance, it's Shakespearean.
BECKETT
Harrison just left work.
CASTLE
He's probably headed home to destroy the evidence.
MARKWAY
Are you sure you can tie him to the other victims?
BECKETT
Through a patient of his sister's that he was trying to frame.
MARKWAY
It's days like this I wish I was back in Civil Division.
BECKETT
Thank you, sir.
CASTLE
Thanks. (Castle makes a golf swing motion) Soon.
--
[36:30, EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY]
A taxi pulls up outside an apartment building. the doorman open the door for Harrison Tisdale.
DOORMAN
You're home early, Mr. Tisdale.
--
[36:36, INT. HARRISON TISDALE’S APARTMENT - DAY]
Harrison pulls out a wooden box and unlocks it. Inside - cash, a gun, and another passport. He tucks the gun into his waistband and pulls out the passport... A French passport. he flips though it, then sticks it into his shredder.
--
[36:53, EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY]
DOORMAN
Got a list inside.
MCNULTY
Yeah, thank you for your help.
[Beckett’s car and two squad cars pull up. Beckett gets out of the car, followed by Castle.]
BECKETT
What do we got, guys?
MCNULTY
Get this. Junior's business is going under. He's tens of millions in debt.
CASTLE
But with his sister's share of the Tisdale fortune, he stands to pay off his debt and then some.
BECKETT
Castle, if you're going in, you should be armed. My back-up's in the glove compartment.
[Castle reaches back into the car and opens the glove compartment.]
CASTLE
I can't find it. It...
[Beckett grabs his wrist and handcuffs him to the grab handle above the car door. She smiles.]
BECKETT
This time, you’re staying put.
CASTLE
Oh, okay. Beckett. Very funny. Joke’s over! Come on!
[She rounds the corner and is gone. Castle slides his other hand into his pocket and pulls out his wallet.]
CASTLE (CONT’D)
Cuff me once, shame on you. Cuff me twice...
[He opens his wallet, fishes inside. Pulls out a handcuff key.]
CASTLE (CONT’D)
... Shame on me.
[But the key slips and with one hand cuffed he can’t catch it. It hits the ground. Because he’s cuffed his hand can’t reach the ground.]
CASTLE
Hmm.
[37:48, INT. HARRISON TISDALE’S APARTMENT - DAY]
Harrison is shredding the Cabot files in his home shredder. He tries to feed too many sheets in, and the shredder jams. He switches his shredder between forward and reverse, trying to get the papers to shred. Beckett knocks on the door. Harrison looks up from his shredding.
BECKETT (O.S.)
Harrison Tisdale. NYPD. We have a warrant.
HARRISON TISDALE
Just a minute.
[EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY]
Castle tries to reach for the handcuff key. He takes his shoe and sock off.
[INT. HARRISON TISDALE’S APARTMENT - DAY]
Harrison grabs the papers, shredded and unshredded and shoves them into a garbage bag. He grabs the gun. Beckett knocks on the door again. No response.
BECKETT
Open the door, Harrison! Open the door. It's NYPD, we have a warrant.
[The door opens. Beckett enters the apartment followed by the cops. But there’s no sign of Harrison.]
[38:20, EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY]
Castle’s toes squeeze the handcuff key, and gently lift it up to his hand. He snatches it from his toes. As he goes to unlock his cuffs, he spots something strange - down the alley he sees Harrison Tisdale quietly descending the building’s fire escape, clutching a trash bag. No one seems to be following him.
CASTLE
Hey... Hey!
[Castle quickly uncuffs himself and grabs his shoe.]
[INT. HARRISON TISDALE’S APARTMENT - DAY]
Beckett bends down and puts her hand on the shredder. Still warm. Her cell phone rings. She answers.
[EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY]
Castle dodges traffic as he runs across the street, cell phone in one hand, shoe in the other, racing to the alley.
CASTLE
He’s coming down the fire escape.
BECKETT
He's out back. Cover the front.
[EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY]
Fire escape - Beckett climbs out the window and spots Harrison below her.
BECKETT
Stop! Police! Don't move!
[Harrison hits pavement, but the bag snags on the fire escape, ripping open. Evidence spilling everywhere. Harrison sees Castle racing toward him and Beckett descending from the fire escape. He turns and runs down the alley, with Castle chasing after him.]
BECKETT (CONT’D)
Castle, no!
[Castle’s still holding his shoe as he runs. He finally tosses it aside.]
CASTLE
I got him! I got him.
BECKETT
Castle!
[She finally gets to the bottom of the fire escape. She chases after them both, gun drawn. She sidles down the side of a van and tilts the mirror to see around the corner. Harrison jumps out in front of her using Castle as a shield, holding a gun on Beckett.]
HARRISON TISDALE
Stay back! Stay back!
CASTLE
Whoa! Whoa!
HARRISON TISDALE
Don't come anywhere closer!
BECKETT
Put the gun down!
HARRISON TISDALE
Stay back! Stay back!
CASTLE
Hey, easy, easy, easy!
HARRISON TISDALE
Don't move!
BECKETT
Let him go, Harrison!
HARRISON TISDALE
Come on!
[Harrison backs away, pulling Castle with him.]
CASTLE
Easy, easy! Okay. Okay, don't...
BECKETT
Castle, you okay?
CASTLE
Yeah. Except psycho here needs a breath mint.
HARRISON TISDALE
Shut up!
CASTLE
Okay! Hey, Harrison. You know what's bugging me? If you were that deep in debt, why didn't you just ask your father for the money?
BECKETT
Castle, you are not helping!
CASTLE
You know what I think? I think you did ask. I think you asked and he said no. I think he always said no. A self-made man like that, I bet he thought you were weak for asking.
HARRISON TISDALE
He's the one who was weak. I was trying to make something with my life, and all he cared about was her!
CASTLE
That's why you killed her. It wasn't just for the money. You wanted to punish him before he died, take away the only thing he loved. That's a pretty good story.
HARRISON TISDALE
Who are you?
BECKETT
Harrison, let him go! It's over.
HARRISON TISDALE
It’s not over! It's not over! Drop the gun or, I swear to God, I'll...
[And with that, Castle punches his elbow into Harrison’s nose, and snaps his gun away. Harrison slumps to the ground.]
CASTLE
Tell me you saw that!
[Beckett holsters her gun and puts Harrison's hands behind his back.]
CASTLE
You're gonna put that in your report, right?
BECKETT
Can I see the cuffs, please?
CASTLE
Yeah, yeah. Okay.
[Beckett cuffs Harrison and then gives Castle a shove.]
BECKETT
What the hell were you thinking? You could’ve gotten yourself killed.
CASTLE
Well, the safety was on the whole time.
BECKETT
You know, you could have told me.
CASTLE
Where's the fun in that?
--
[LATER. Uniforms hold Harrison. Castle approaches Beckett and clears his throat. She turns around.]
BECKETT
Well, guess this is it.
CASTLE
It doesn’t have to be. We could go to dinner, debrief each other.
BECKETT
Why, Castle? So I can be just another one of your conquests?
CASTLE
Or I could be one of yours.
BECKETT
It was nice to meet you, Castle.
CASTLE
It's too bad. It would’ve been great.
[She leans in and whispers in his ear.]
BECKETT
You have no idea.
[Smiling, she turns and walks away. Castle watches her go. There’s a look on his face... something... He smiles.]
--
[41:48, INT. PENTHOUSE - NIGHT]
Castle typing a new story in his study.
--
[42:01, INT. MONTGOMERY’S OFFICE - DAY]
Beckett taps on the open door.
BECKETT
You wanted to see me, sir?
MONTGOMERY
Yeah. I just got a call from the mayor's office. Apparently, you have a fan.
BECKETT
A fan, sir?
MONGOMERY
Rick Castle. Seems he’s found the main character for his next set of novels, a tough but savvy female detective.
BECKETT
I’m flattered?
MONTGOMERY
Don’t be. He says he has to do research.
BECKETT
Oh no.
MONTGOMERY
Oh yes.
BECKETT
No way.
MONTGOMERY
Beckett, listen. He...
BECKETT
Sir, he is like a nine-year-old on a sugar rush, totally incapable of taking anything seriously.
MONTGOMERY
But he did help solve this case.
BECKETT
Oh.
MONTGOMERY
And when the Mayor’s happy, the commissioner's happy. And when the commissioner's happy, I’m happy.
BECKETT
How long, sir?
[Montgomery nods over Beckett’s shoulder to Castle.]
MONTGOMERY
Well, that’s up to him.
[Beckett turns and Castle grins.]
----------------------------------
Note: Some of the transcript descriptions are based off of these scripts, which are possibly early drafts of the episodes.
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