When Jack and Beckett returned to the crime scene, the body had already been placed on a stretcher, waiting to be zipped into a body bag.
"Earlier, this handsome FBI agent noticed strange abrasions on the victim's back. I re-examined them and, referencing the marks on the victim's neck, I've come up with a bold hypothesis," Lanie said.
She walked over to Jack and gestured, "May I?"
Jack nodded, understanding her intent. "Of course." He turned and squatted slightly at her direction.
Lanie reached over from behind, looping an arm around Jack's neck. Her ample chest pressed against his back with noticeable elasticity. The significant height difference made the pose awkward and somewhat comical.
"See this?" Lanie asked, struggling to maintain the position as she looked toward Beckett.
"What?" Beckett asked, still distracted by Castle's unexpected reunion with his old flame, Kyra, and failing to follow immediately.
"Here!" Lanie gestured toward her chest, leaving it unclear whether she was genuinely demonstrating or teasing Jack.
Beckett blinked a few times before realization dawned on her. "Ah, you're suggesting that the abrasions on the victim's back were likely caused while the killer strangled her from behind."
"Thanks, handsome," Lanie said, releasing Jack and patting him on the back to show her appreciation for his cooperation.
"The abrasions were probably caused by an accessory or something the killer wore on their chest during the act of strangulation," Lanie explained.
Beckett nodded in understanding. "So, if I find this accessory, you can match it to the abrasions on the victim's back?"
"Maybe," Lanie replied. "I'll need to perform more detailed sampling at the office. Microscopic analysis isn't really my specialty, and my lab lacks the necessary equipment, so..."
Jack immediately understood her unspoken request. "Got it. Let me know if you send the samples to the CSI lab or the FBI forensic lab. I'll expedite the process for you."
Lanie nodded with satisfaction and casually asked, "So, how are things on your end? Did you meet the bride and groom? Not being able to hold the wedding must be devastating for the bride, right?"
"Hard to say. After all, someone turned out to be a surprise guest at the wedding," Beckett said with a sour tone. When Lanie looked puzzled, she elaborated, "Apparently, Castle and the bride have a history."
"Ancient history, modern history, or something more… intimate?" Lanie's pitch rose slightly as she glanced at Jack, clearly revealing her status as a seasoned gossip enthusiast.
"Seems like all of the above," Jack replied with a wink and a grin.
"And you're okay, sweetie?" Lanie asked, turning her concern to Beckett.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Beckett feigned surprise, nervously glancing at Jack. She seemed unaware that anyone familiar with her and Castle had already figured out the special chemistry between the two.
One played the part of a carefree charmer falling unknowingly for someone, while the other acted as a cold and aloof ice queen secretly captivated yet too prideful to confront her feelings. Meanwhile, all the bystanders quietly savored the drama.
"If you get any updates, let me know," Beckett said, using the excuse to flee under her best friend's probing gaze. Behind her, Jack and Lanie exchanged smiles and a celebratory high-five. Message received: everyone loves a good spectacle.
Over in the bar, Kevin and Esposito were busy cross-referencing the guest list and taking statements from wedding attendees. Beckett stood at a table, seemingly inspecting digital cameras handed out to the guests for capturing moments of the wedding. In reality, she was eavesdropping on Castle and Kyra's conversation.
Jack, in contrast, made no effort to hide his amusement. He headed to the bar and prepared two Margaritas, one in each hand, sipping leisurely while standing in front of Beckett. The cocktail, also known as "Lover's Tears," felt appropriately ironic.
The conversation between Castle and Kyra wasn't particularly dramatic. Castle joked about Kyra's past commitment to remaining single, teasing her about now getting married.
Kyra replied that she had grown up, spoke highly of her fiancé, and appeared genuinely happy. Castle, for his part, seemed sincerely glad that she had found true love.
However, as Kyra lamented the tragedy that had marred her wedding, Castle naturally placed a comforting hand on her shoulder—just as the groom walked in.
The groom was taller than Castle by half a head, strikingly handsome, and younger. His demeanor suggested wealth, which made sense given the upscale venue for their wedding.
Fortunately, they were all adults. Despite the slightly awkward atmosphere, they exchanged polite greetings. The groom, Gareth Murphy, was evidently aware of Castle's reputation and unabashedly used the term "ex-boyfriend."
As Gareth put an arm around Kyra and led her away, he deliberately placed his hand where Castle's had been moments before.
Jack coughed lightly and handed Castle the untouched Margarita.
"Kyra Bryan. Wow..." Castle was still staring after Kyra, lost in thought. He took the glass from Jack absentmindedly, sipping as he let out a sigh of admiration.
"I guess she must have been special to you," Beckett remarked acidly. While she knew Castle had two ex-wives, this was her first time seeing him look at a woman like that.
"She's the only one who ever left me," Castle replied wistfully. His words, however, made Beckett instinctively clench her fists.
"Kevin and Esposito seem to be finishing up the interviews," Jack interjected, eager to shift focus. He would have enjoyed watching Beckett put Castle in his place, but the case took priority—even if it had nothing to do with him.
"Done with the interviews?" Beckett set down the camera she had been fiddling with absentmindedly and looked toward the pair approaching them.
Esposito checked his notebook. "I asked some guests about Sophie. Most didn't know her well, but someone mentioned that she almost didn't make it to the wedding. She called Kyra at one point, saying she couldn't be a bridesmaid, but later seemed to change her mind."
Beckett nodded. "I knew about that. Before you arrived, I spoke with the bride and groom. Sophie was a mutual friend of theirs, but they weren't particularly close in recent years since she moved to Los Angeles.
"However, she was the one who introduced them. During their engagement party last year, she was invited to be a bridesmaid."
(End of Chapter)
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