Castle s06e13 Episode Script
Limelight
Oh, my God.
I think that's her car.
All, right, guys! Keep it clear.
Don't you have anything better to do? Mandy, Mandy! Mandy, have you have you spoken to Zach since the breakup? Do you regret cheating on him? Is there any truth to the rumor that you're going back into rehab? Castle? Hmm? Should I be worried about your commitment to our engagement? No.
Why? 'Cause it says right here that you're getting back together with your ex-wife.
- What? - Right here.
Page six.
"Castle caught cuddling with ex-wife publisher.
" No, no, this was a business lunch.
We were discussing heat and storm books.
Oh, so, um, you weren't "gazing lovingly into her eyes"? She had spinach in her teeth.
That's just okay.
I don't see, this wouldn't happen if you just let me announce our engagement.
We already talked about this.
Everyone that's important to us already knows.
Yes, and just because I'm a public figure - doesn't mean you need to be one, too.
I know.
- Exactly.
Well As long as you don't mind this sort of thing happening.
I don't.
'Cause it's not true.
And it only gives me more material to torture you with.
Mm, and the student becomes the master.
Who rings the doorbell at 6:45 in the morning? Hey, Mr.
C.
! Hope I didn't wake ya.
No.
I was just on my way to work, thought I would pick up my letter of recommendation.
Right! For your grant, uh, application.
Really appreciate you doing it.
I know I told Alexis I was finished, but I I hadn't really quite, um I'm still tweaking it.
This I'm getting it just right.
You're a perfectionist, like me.
Well, take your time not too much time.
Deadline's tonight.
I'll have it done by lunch.
Thanks, Mr.
C.
! - You're the best! - I know.
- Hi! - Hi, Pi! Bye! You haven't written a word, have you? No.
But in my defense, what am I supposed to write? - It's Pi.
- So then why'd you offer? I didn't.
Alexis asked.
I can't say no.
But no more excuses.
I'm gonna do it right now.
Unless that's a murder.
This is Harvey Stryker with celebgazer.
com.
We're getting unconfirmed reports that pop diva Mandy Sutton is dead at 22.
Mandy Sutton? Oh, no.
Alexis used to love her kids show, "Mandy Melody.
" She was a regular teen by day and a crime-fighting pop star by night.
But no one recognized her at school because she wore glasses.
Well, it looks like she could've used that trick in real life.
I mean, look at this.
No wonder she was such a mess.
Detective! Can you confirm for us that Mandy Sutton's dead? I, you know - Can you give us any details about how she died? - I gotta go.
I have work to do.
Sorry.
Oh, hey, Richard Castle.
Is it true that you're getting back together with your ex-wife? This isn't about me today.
Uh, Castle? How come you didn't deny it? - What do you mean? Back there? Are you kidding? - Mm-hmm.
Yeah, if I deny that, then they think it's true.
- I thought that stuff didn't bother you.
- It doesn't.
Hey.
- So Mandy lived in this building? - Yeah, penthouse.
Doorman found her just before 6:00 this morning.
- O.
D.
? - Given her lifestyle, you'd think.
But this is plain old-fashioned murder blunt-force trauma to the back of the head, the facial lacerations probably happened with the fall.
Okay, when did this happen? Lividity puts it between Well, we can cut that time frame in half.
Doorman said that the limo dropped her off to the lobby last night at 10:00 P.
M.
She was killed within an hour of returning home? What was she doing back here? Doorman didn't know.
But he said that she uses that door sometimes when she wants to avoid the crowd.
So maybe she was sneaking out or meeting someone? If so, it was probably someone she knew.
Gates are locked on both sides.
You need an access code to get in.
Is there any security cam footage we can pull? Not back here.
Ironic, seeing as how she spent her entire life in front of cameras.
Paparazzi was out front last night.
Let's see if we can get copies of their photos.
Whoever was behind this might've been in that crowd.
And no talking to the press, not until we know what's going on.
Where is she? Oh, my God, Mandy! - Ma'am? - Mandy! Ma'am, this is a crime scene.
You can't be back here.
I you don't understand.
I'm her personal assistant.
You still can't be back here.
But we will need to take you to the station to get a statement.
Do you have contact information for her next of kin? That would be her her manager.
I mean, her mother.
How did this happen? What was she even doing in that alley? Do you know of anyone that would've wanted to harm your daughter? Yeah.
A lot of people disliked her, who she became, her provocative clothes, and dancing.
They just wanted her to be little "Mandy Melody" forever.
Had she received any threats recently? Sure, she'd get some disturbing letters.
But any that were too aggressive, we'd turn over to the security firm.
Okay, we're gonna need to see all of those letters.
Now do you know if she was planning on meeting with anyone at her apartment last night? We hadn't spoken to her in two days.
She was missing? No, we knew where she was.
It wasn't hard to track her on social media and gossip sites.
She was partying pretty hard.
For the past few months, Mandy'd been doing really great.
She stayed clean since her last stint in rehab.
She even met a new guy while she was doing her community service.
Zach.
He builds houses for the poor.
And then a couple nights ago, she went to a club for someone's birthday, and I guess She got drunk and she started making out with an old boyfriend.
And someone took a picture.
It hit all the gossip sites.
When Zach saw It was too much for him.
They got into a big fight, and he left her.
How long had they been dating? Four months.
Which means he would know how to access the alley behind your daughter's building.
Do you know where we could find him? It's funny.
The first time I saw this picture, I didn't think I could feel any worse but now that she's gone Yeah? Exactly how bad did you feel? Look, I loved her.
I would never hurt her.
Then you wouldn't mind us asking where you were between 10:00 and 11:00 last night.
I I didn't do this, okay? I was at a lumberyard in Fairfield, New Jersey, loading up a truck with the rest of these guys.
You can you can ask them.
And the last time you saw her? Two days ago when I broke it off.
Why are you asking me these questions? I'm not the one with the attempted manslaughter charges.
Manslaughter charge? Yeah, her ex-boyfriend, Jesse Jones the one in that picture.
He's the one who got her into drugs in the first place.
And Mandy never told anyone this, but the last time they broke up, he threatened to kill her.
Weapons charges.
Aggravated assault.
That's a hell of a resume, Jesse.
How does someone like you hook up with a superstar like Mandy? Like all the other pretty little rich girls that come to me for their ink.
She was looking for a lot more than a tattoo.
I was happy to provide.
So I read online that the two of you were stormy and it didn't end well.
You trashed her apartment and made some pretty serious threats.
Water under the bridge.
Until two nights ago, when you guys hooked up.
How'd that happen? I was at a bar.
She came in, threw herself at me like old times, and I obliged.
That was the last time I saw her.
How'd you take it when right after that photo of you two appeared, she told "Celebgazer" that you were human trash and that that night was "the biggest mistake of her life"? She seemed to like it okay at the time.
Where were you last night between 10:00 and 11:00? I was at a pool hall in queens with some friends.
Names.
Lanie, what's going on? We have a little problem here.
So what's the problem? I'll tell you what the problem is.
That's not my daughter.
That's not Mandy.
Castle 6x13 - Limelight Original air date January 20, 2014 So Mandy's mom identified our victim as Claire Samuels, 25.
She was an aspiring actress.
- And Mandy's decoy.
- Decoy? Yeah, to fool the press.
It's a practice not uncommon in this age of stalkerazzi.
So she'd dress up as Mandy.
She'd put on sunglasses.
She'd let the hordes follow her so that Mandy could go about unnoticed.
Now we notified Claire's parents.
They're flying in, and Esposito's digging into her life as we speak.
So if Claire is our actual victim, then where's Mandy Sutton? We don't know.
No one has seen her, and she's not answering her phone.
Given that Claire was pretending to be Mandy when she was killed, then we need to consider the very real possibility that Mandy Sutton was our killer's intended target, and that they might be looking to finish the job.
They may already have, which is why we can't find her.
Found her.
She's checked into the wessex hotel under one of her aliases.
But she's not answering her room phone.
And she's not responding to knocks on the door.
Castle.
That's not blood.
It's wine.
Closing time already? Who are you? What do you mean, I'm dead? Claire Samuels was killed last night, and the world thinks that that was you.
Who? Claire Samuels she's your decoy.
The girl we dressed to look like you to confuse the paparazzi.
Oh.
Oh, yeah, um God, that's pretty harsh.
Do you know why she went to your apartment last night? No.
Why? Well, I mean, we're trying to figure out how she got there, and your mom said that she wasn't scheduled to work yesterday.
So Yeah, uh, the limo company claims that the car she arrived in was ordered by you.
I've never drunk dialed a limo before.
But Nope.
Wasn't me.
What about Claire? Did you call her? No.
I barely know her.
We discouraged personal contact.
It wouldn't make much sense to have a decoy if they're gonna be seen hanging out together.
Can I lie down now? Actually, miss Sutton, we still have a few more questions for you about your life.
My life? Yeah, we think you may have been the intended target.
Oh, yeah.
That does make more sense.
Okay.
So, um, do you know if anyone would have wanted to hurt you? Do you have any enemies? The press, but they wouldn't hurt me.
Without me, who would they write all those bad things about? Okay, well, the last two days when you were out Socializing, did you have any fights or did you upset anyone? Probably.
I'm a little hazy on the details.
Okay.
- Okay.
- That it? Uh, yeah, for now.
In the meantime, you should probably go back to the hotel and, uh, lay low in your room.
Shouldn't we make an announcement? Let everyone know that she isn't dead? Well, you know what? If someone was trying to kill her, it might be safer to let them assume that they've actually succeeded while we're still doing our job.
How long? She starts a tour next week.
And as her manager, I can't imagine that it's gonna help ticket sales if everyone thinks she's dead.
Yeah, wouldn't want to screw up the big comeback tour.
Sweetie, you've worked really hard on those new songs.
We're talking about staying out of sight for a day, maybe less.
Hopefully by then we'll have a lead that'll help us figure out who's behind this.
Uh, Beckett? I might have an idea about that.
We found this anonymous letter in her fan mail.
"I'm watching you, and I don't like what I see.
" Yeah, well, get in line.
Guys look around.
I get letters from creepazoids all the time.
But in addition to the letter, - he also included these.
- Oh, my God.
That's my bedroom, while I was sleeping.
Your building is supposed to be secure.
- How did he get in? - That's ink-jet paper.
- Mm-hmm.
- So? So we might be able to track it.
- How? - Most people don't know this, but the serial number of the printer that was used to make these photographs is actually embedded into the picture.
It's printed in tiny, little yellow dots invisible to the naked eye.
It's it's an FBI thing used to track counterfeiters.
I don't feel so hot.
You know, I I think someone needs a cup of coffee.
All right.
Here is your 4-shot latte.
How you feeling? Considering I'm supposed to be dead, about right.
Yeah I just can't believe that freak was actually in my bedroom.
We'll find him.
I know how tough it can be the crazy fans, the constant scrutiny, the pressure of living your life under a microscope.
I mean, I can relate.
On a smaller scale, of course, but still, it's Wh who are you? On a much smaller scale.
- Dad.
There you are.
- Hey, Alexis.
What are you doing he oh, the, uh, the letter for Pi the I just, I'm about to I just gotta make a few tweaks.
- You haven't written it.
- Not all not yet.
I thought you might need some help So I came up with some talking points for you.
Oh, good.
Okay, um "Outstanding person natural leader.
" Dad, I know you and Pi don't always see eye-to-eye.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this No, listen, hey Hey, pi and I see eye-to-eye on one very important redheaded thing.
- I love you.
- I love you, too.
Hey! Can you believe that about Mandy Sutton? - It's weird, right? - Yes, weird Remember how much I loved her show, and those secret identity glasses? If you were mad at me, I'd wear a pair of glasses to dinner, and you'd pretend like you didn't know who I was? I remember, actually But then she grew up.
And whoa! I mean, how does that happen to someone becoming such a hot mess? I Oh, my God.
- I thought you were - Yeah.
Alexis, this is Mandy.
We're just, uh, keeping her under wraps for now.
This is my daughter.
Hmm.
It's nice to meet you.
No, dad, it's not true.
Yes, I know what they wrote.
We're still engaged.
What do you mean aunt Theresa put it on her Facebook? Well, t tell her to take it down.
I gotta go.
I love you.
Bye.
Hey, Espo.
Do you believe everything - that they write in the newspapers? - Oh.
Hell, no.
I mean, except for that thing between Castle and his ex-wife.
I mean, it's Did you find anything on Claire? As a matter of fact, I did.
I went into the phone records of that limo company.
It turns out that Claire was the one who ordered that limo last night.
Why would Claire order a limo to take her to Mandy's place? I don't know.
But I just got off the phone with Claire's roommate.
Said Claire's been going through some things the last couple of days.
She's been upset crying.
Hey.
Those photos of Mandy in her bedroom I traced the printer's serial number to an electronics store in midtown.
According to the extended warranty, it belongs to a Ken Castor.
So he's done time.
For aggravated assault.
And then two years ago, he was hit with a restraining order for stalking Mandy Sutton.
Old habits die hard.
And those paparazzi photos from the night that she was killed, I went through them.
Look who was right there when Claire stepped out of that limo Same guy.
Police! N.
Y.
P.
D.
! Kitchen clear.
Bedroom clear! Hey.
Closet.
Aah! Aah! Let go of me! Let go of me! Gimme your arm! I didn't do anything! You okay? Yeah.
I think we got our guy.
No, listen.
You don't understand.
The hell we don't.
We know that you took those pictures, Ken.
We know that you were in her apartment.
Because she needed me.
Needed you? I was protecting her.
I was watching over her, and she She needed that.
Right.
'Cause she didn't have people watching her and staring at her already.
They didn't care.
Not like me.
They they They don't understand her.
I mean, they drove her to it, you know? That's why I sent her the pictures because she needed to know that someone cared.
She she needed to know that someone was watching.
Is that what you were doing outside of her apartment last night? Watching? I-I should have saved her.
But I-I never saw her.
I-I-I waited for the limo, but then that girl came out the the not Mandy, the other girl.
So I-I went around to the back alley, and I waited across the street.
When the other girl goes in the front, that means that Mandy goes in the back.
But but she didn't.
Wait, you waited for Mandy out in back? Yeah.
Did you see anything else? Did you see anyone go in or out of that alley? J-just the motorcycle.
Wait a minute.
What What motorcycle? Well, right when I was going in the back, there was a motorcycle that was going into the the alley.
What time? When? I-I-I wrote it down.
I-I write everything down.
And then at, uh, 10:12, it, uh, it left.
Did you get a license plate? I couldn't write it down.
It was going too fast.
What about the rider? Did you see his face? They were wearing a helmet.
I-I didn't know Mandy was back there.
I mean, I-I never saw her go back, you know? What about the motorcycle? Color? Trim? I wrote that down.
It was it was red.
It was, um Uh It was a red Ducati 800 Supersport.
It had gold wheels, and it had a flame decal on the body.
What do you think? He's a nut job.
But he's probably not our killer.
Yeah? How's that? Unlike the paparazzi, he knew Claire was getting out of the limo.
So he can tell them apart.
And since he's obsessed with Mandy, there would be no reason for him to go after Claire.
We'll hold him.
But if he's not our killer, he's probably our best witness.
Why don't we get ahold of traffic cam footage in the area? Let's see if we can get a plate on that Ducati.
Gold wheels, a flame decal on the body.
It's gotta be a custom job.
Yeah.
I'll check with bike shops in the area, see if I can find the place that did that work.
Where's Castle? He's having dinner with his other ex-wife, something about not wanting her to feel left out.
Good one.
He's holed up in the break room writing that letter for Alexis' boyfriend.
Thank you.
Will you stop worrying? He'll have lots of great things to say about you.
I guarantee it.
I don't know.
I'm not exactly Mr.
C.
's favorite person.
And he is taking an awfully long time.
He does have other things to do, you know.
No, Al, that's not what I meant.
Maybe he's done by now.
He said he'd text me when it was ready.
Let's see.
That's weird.
My phone's off.
That's not my ring.
Hello? You have my phone.
Mandy? Hi.
Uh, yeah, I just realized.
Funny, we must have switched.
I need it.
I'm at the wessex hotel.
Okay.
Sure.
Oh, it's not like I took it on purpose or anything, just a misunderstanding.
Room 522.
Yeah, sure.
Not a Hello? I guess I'm bringing Mandy her phone.
I-I gotta head uptown.
The bee pupae are emerging.
See you later? - Okay.
Bye.
- Bye.
Oh! Mwah! Hey.
Hey, so, uh Here's your phone.
Okay.
Look, I'm sorry about that whole "hot mess" thing I said before.
Sorry that you said it, or sorry that I heard it? I should probably go.
It happens when you're not looking.
Excuse me? Before you asked how it happens how someone becomes like me.
It happens when you're not looking, and by the time you realize it, it's already who you are.
Like the car crash on the side of the road everybody stops and and watches.
That doesn't mean it's who you have to be.
You can always change.
Turns out I don't do change so well.
But you steal a police car, and you set it on fire, I'm your girl.
Or if you find the greatest guy in the world, fall madly in love, and then mess it up by hooking up with my dirtbag ex? That I can do.
Yeah, I Saw that picture online.
You and the rest of the world.
Maybe if you didn't drink.
If I don't drink, then I start to feel.
And I don't like what I feel.
I wish I had those glasses from "Mandy melody.
" I'd just put 'em on and Just disappear.
I know how you feel.
How could you possibly know how I feel? Because right now, I Wish I could disappear from my life, too.
Okay, thanks.
I'll check back.
Hey.
So how's pi's recommendation going? It took me less time to write the last Derrick storm novel.
And although they both are works of fiction, at least that one was believable.
How's the case coming? Well, we got a description of the motorcycle that left the crime scene, and tech's trying to get a plate off of traffic cam footage, but so far no luck.
Our luck just changed.
We got the son of a bitch.
We found a shop that outfitted a red Ducati 800 with gold wheels and a flame decal for one Josh Greenberg.
Is that our guy? Josh Greenberg had a slight liquidity problem.
So he sold that bike three days ago for cash to This guy.
Jesse Jones Mandy's ex.
So he lied to us.
He was in that alley.
All right.
Bring him in.
We already sent a car over to his place.
He's not there.
Mandy might be able to help out.
She probably knows his hangouts.
All right, go.
The thing about my boyfriend is I thought I was being so grown-up moving in with him, getting my own place.
But now it's my whole life.
And I'm pretty sure I've made a huge mistake.
Do you know why I'm helping him with his grant application? Because if he gets it, he'll have to travel.
That is messed up.
You need to tell him.
Tell him what? That I changed my mind? I don't want a relationship? We have a lease.
That's romantic.
And he doesn't deserve it.
He hasn't done anything wrong.
Oh! And then there's my dad.
What do I tell him, huh? That he was right all along, that I wasn't ready? I wish I would have said that.
I wasn't ready for so many things.
Do you ever look back on something you've done and it's like someone else is doing it? You're kidding, right? Right.
Sorry, I Haven't had anyone to talk to.
Clearly.
"Be true to yourself.
" That's what Zach would say.
And if a situation is bad for you, leave it.
That's what we were going to do.
And that's what you should do, too.
Mandy, is someone texting you? Weird, since I'm supposed to be dead.
Oh, it's my friend Sam.
"Pretty sure you're not dead.
"Need to talk about girl who died, something you need to know"? Wait, what what are you doing? Calling him? But you're supposed to be laying low.
No one's supposed to know you're alive.
He already knows I'm alive.
He thinks you're alive.
He might be trying to find out for sure.
And what if it's not Sam? It could be the killer trying to lure you out.
Would you relax? It's Sam's number, okay? And he's not answering, which means he's probably bartending.
That place he works is really loud.
I have to go see him.
You can't go out.
What if someone sees you? You don't get it, do you? I am the one that is supposed to be dead, not Claire.
She died because of me.
And I know that people think that I don't care, but I'm not a monster.
If Sam has information about Claire's death, I need to know what it is.
I just want to do one thing right.
Mandy! You shouldn't be doing this.
Yeah, well, you're not gonna stop me.
Okay, but if you're going to do it, you can't be recognized.
Do you understand? You're going to need someone to do all the talking for you.
Come on.
Mandy's gone?! Gone where? We're not sure.
No one at the front desk saw her leave.
Are there any signs of foul play? Nah, it looks like she just took off.
Maybe she, uh, picked up where she left off on that bender.
You guys gotta come back.
We have to coordinate a search.
We'll check with the limo company, see if she called for a pickup.
And I'll talk to her mom.
I'll get a list of all the places she likes to go to.
We have to find her before Jesse figures out that he killed the wrong person.
What? What happened? Where's Mandy? Are you sure I can't talk you out of this? There he is.
There's Sam.
Are you crazy?! What are you doing? That's what I'm here for.
Sam! Hey, Sam! That's not gonna get the job done there, red.
You want to lose some layers? Take off grandma's scarf.
I have something else in mind.
So she was like, "can you believe it?" And I was like, "no way.
" I am so sorry.
Are you okay? Oh.
Oh, Sam Right? Can I please get her another drink? Oh, and, um There's someone here to see you.
Mandy? Oh, my God, girl, is that you? Can we talk somewhere more private? Yeah, um Y'all meet me over there.
Yo, I am so glad that you're okay.
You had me worried.
I saw those pictures of you and Jesse, then the next thing you know, everybody's saying that you're dead? What made you think I wasn't? That clip on the news the one of the limo dropping "you" off at your building last night, except that girl wasn't you.
How could you tell? 'Cause that same girl was in here last night wearing the same thing she had on as when she got out of that limo.
Wait a second.
Claire was here last night? Yeah, yeah.
I think that's what her name was.
You talked to her? Yeah, she came in looking for me.
She heard I was friends with Mandy.
She wanted her private number.
What for? She was trying to reach you because she thought somebody was trying to hurt you.
Who? She didn't say, but she got way mad when I wouldn't give her your number.
Yeah, I man, I thought this girl was nuts you know, a crazy fan or something.
Then she asked me how she can get in touch with Jesse.
Jesse? What does he have to do with this? I don't know, but She was pretty hot to talk to him, too.
So I called Jesse, and I put him on with her.
What'd she say? I didn't hear, but she was pretty upset.
And since she ended up dead, I thought you should know.
Hey, Sam! Hey, uh Wait here a second.
People gettin' thirsty over there.
I don't get it.
Did Claire know Jesse? I don't know.
I didn't think she did.
There's only one way to find out.
I'm calling Jesse.
Wait.
He could be involved.
If Claire thought someone was trying to kill you, do you really think it's a good idea to call anybody ever tell your friend that she looks like Mandy Sutton? Yeah, she gets that all the time.
It's a shame what happened to Mandy, isn't it? Hey, that is Mandy.
Oh, my God.
Mandy Sutton is alive.
Mandy Sutton's alive! There's still no word on Jesse's whereabouts.
Same with Mandy.
But get this when I called the limo company to see if she ordered up a ride from her hotel tonight, they said she didn't, but they told me that I wasn't the only guy asking that question.
Someone else called? Yeah, some guy who said that he was with her management company.
But I checked.
No one there made that call.
Jesse.
Maybe he found out that she was still alive.
Looks like everyone just did.
That Mandy Sutton, presumed dead, may actually be alive.
Mandy was reportedly just spotted at trendy downtown nightspot the raptor lounge.
And now he knows where to find her.
Hello? Yeah.
Where? We gotta get her out of there.
Yeah.
I'll send a car to pick her up.
And we have some footage from the raptor lounge shot just moments ago and posted by one of our viewers.
Uh Castle, I-isn't that that's ale-Alexis.
What is she doing there? Mandy! Yes, I am alive! Don't trample me to death.
Mandy! We have to get out of here.
Uh Oh! This way.
Come on.
Um, I'm gonna call my dad.
Let's get out of here first.
Speak of the devil, and she appears.
I need to talk to you.
Yeah, same here.
Get in.
I'm not so sure that's a good idea.
Get in, both of you.
Get out.
Just get out.
Out! Now! Get over here! Sorry I dragged you into this.
Well I want answers.
Answers about what? Someone is messing with me, and I know you're involved somehow.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Don't lie to me! Guys, let's just calm down, okay? I'm sure we can talk this out.
Shut up.
Hey! Jesse, look at me.
I made a mistake.
Okay, I-if you thought whatever happened the other night between us meant that we were getting back together, I'm sorry, but that's not what's gonna happen.
You know that wasn't you the other night in that photo.
What? If it wasn't her, then who was it? It's that chick, Claire.
I got paid 25 grand to show up and suck face with her for a couple minutes.
You're telling me that you really don't know? No! I was messed up that night.
I don't remember anything.
I don't even remember getting messed up.
Maybe you didn't.
Maybe somebody drugged you so you wouldn't remember.
And then I-I would see the photos and assume that it was me? Jesse How could you do that to me? This isn't about you, not anymore.
What happened, Mandy? Hmm? Who killed Claire? I don't know.
What do you care? I care 'cause the cops are trying to pin it on me.
Someone must have seen me in the alley that night.
Wait a minute.
You were there, when she was killed? I had to talk to her.
Now we were supposed to get another 25 grand for staging that photo, if we kept our mouth shut when the story ran.
Only bitch got a conscience, felt bad about everything she had done, especially 'cause the pictures broke up you and what's his name Zach.
She just had to set things right.
That's why she was trying to get in touch with you last night.
She called me and said she was going over to your place to tell you everything.
Only that means I'm not gonna get my money.
So I go over there to talk her out of it, that's it! And when I get there, she's dead.
Jesse, if you didn't kill Claire, then put the gun down.
We can go to the police together and figure this out.
I promise you're trying to confuse me! Now shut up before I do something I Turn around right now, Jesse! Drop that gun, Jesse! Show 'em! Show your hands! Down! Now, now! Dad.
Hey.
It's okay.
It's over.
If Jesse's story is true, then Claire was about to reveal that those photos were fake and someone killed her for it.
So maybe Claire Samuels was the intended target after all.
If Jesse's story is true.
That's a big "if.
" All right, thanks, bill.
So Jesse was telling the truth about this much he deposited $25,000 cash in his bank account five days ago.
Any more on who paid him? No, we got a typewritten note that told him when to meet Claire at the bar and where to find the money at a dead drop.
Why would someone pay that much money to stage a photo in the first place? And what was so important about it that someone would kill Claire in order to keep it from being exposed as a fake? I don't know, but I could think of someone who might.
Guys, did Jesse tell you where in the club that photo was taken? Somewhere in the back hidden from view.
Couldn't be any witnesses, or the gag wouldn't work.
So that photographer didn't just happen to be there.
He was in on it.
So who's the photographer? James Lockhart.
How you doin'? N.
Y.
P.
D.
We gotta ask you some questions, bro.
Listen, can you guys come back a little later? Excuse me? There's an actress in this cafe, Reese Wellingford? I've been waiting an hour for her to come out.
Listen, fool, this is a criminal investigation.
Who paid you to take those pictures you sold to "Celebgazer"? The ones with Jesse Jones and the girl who wasn't Mandy Sutton? Nobody paid me.
Oh, really? So you just ended up in that backroom, in that bar when those two hooked up? Yep, just lucky, I guess.
Here she is.
Where? I don't even is she over where is it? Did you see her? I don't even see her.
Is she am I am I in the way? Oh, you can't, uh, um Oh, hey! Oh, there she goes.
She's right there.
Oh, no.
Oh.
She got in a cab.
All right, look, I got a tip, okay? They said show up at such and such time, go in the back.
I got a few shots before security threw me out.
So who gave you that tip? I can't tell you that.
I thought we were cool.
Oh, come on.
You think I'm gonna rat out my sources? This is my livelihood.
How do you think your livelihood's gonna go with me and my boy here following you around all day? Harvey stryker from celebgazer.
com tipped him off? He didn't just run that photo on "Celebgazer," he set the whole thing up.
But why? Doesn't this dirtbag have enough scandals to report on without having to make up his own? Because it wasn't just about the one scandal.
For years, Mandy has been drawing millions of eyeballs to "Celebgazer," with her public meltdowns, or drunken escapades, the, uh, trips to rehab.
But in the past few months, she calmed down, got her life back in order.
Because of Zach.
Which was no good for business.
So Harvey staged the photo, turns Mandy back into the train wreck that he grew to love and exploit.
And it worked, too, until Claire was gonna ruin it all by calling the photo out as a hoax, destroying Harvey's reputation.
And that's why Harvey was at the apartment.
He wasn't waiting for Mandy.
He was waiting for Claire.
He was waiting to silence her.
Fake? No, no, no, no.
celebgazer.
com doesn't do fake.
And yet you ran that one.
Come on, Harvey.
We know you set the whole thing up.
You paid Jesse, then you paid Claire.
I didn't pay anyone.
And who is Claire? The girl in the photo.
The one that you killed right after she threatened to expose you? Wait a minute.
I had nothing to do with any of this.
So then how did you get that photo? I bought it from a freelancer.
We spoke with him.
He said that you sent him to that bar, which means you knew Claire and Jesse were there.
How did you know? The same way I always know.
I was tipped! Do you actually expect us to believe that? It's true! I swear.
I remember exactly when it happened.
They called my cell.
I can show you.
Yo, that phone call Harvey got came from a burner phone paid for with cash.
So they were covering their tracks.
Yeah, only they didn't do a very good job of it.
They forgot to disable the G.
P.
S.
We were able to track the G.
P.
S.
data.
Yeah.
That phone was in the alley behind Mandy's building the night of the murder.
So then whoever bought that phone is our killer.
Thank you for coming in.
We, uh, we just wanted to keep you up-to-date on the investigation.
So there's been a development? Yes, we have a lead.
We've identified the cell phone of the person that set up that fake photo.
And we believe the same person killed Claire Samuels.
Who is it? Well, actually, it was a burner phone.
A burner phone? So it's not traceable.
Uh, normally, it wouldn't be.
But the person who bought this phone made one crucial mistake.
They didn't get rid of it when they were done.
Matter of fact, it's still on right now.
Mom? Mom! You set up that photo? You did this to me? Why would you do that? Why do you wanna ruin my life? It was Zach who was ruining your life.
I was saving you.
Wait a minute.
Wait.
You did this to break me up with Zach? He was the best thing that ever happened to me.
He was gonna take me away from all of this.
That's right, away from everything we'd worked for your tour, your career, he was gonna cost you millions.
You mean cost you millions? And for what? A chance to be normal! Normal.
You're special.
Zach didn't understand that.
And neither did Claire.
So you killed her? She was gonna tell you what I'd done.
She was gonna make you hate me.
I couldn't let her drive a wedge between us.
I couldn't.
Marilyn Sutton, please stand up.
Turn around.
You're under arrest for the murder of Claire Samuels.
Mandy, sweetie, you understand, right? I did this for you, Mandy.
Everything I did, I did for you.
No, mom.
You did it for you.
Let's go.
Just when I thought life couldn't get any more messed up, right? And the train wreck continues.
The press is gonna love this.
Sorry.
I'm gonna go.
Thank you.
Um, hey, Mandy.
Sorry, um, not to pry, but, uh, it would be really easy just to run and hide from all this.
But don't.
Thanks.
Thank you for all you guys did.
Um, could you thank Alexis for me, too, please? I will.
Yeah, she was here.
Actually, I don't know where she went.
There's, oh I'm back, and I've brought someone with me.
Hey, Mandy.
Zach.
Once we realized Mandy hadn't really cheated on him, I tracked him down.
I thought he needed to know.
Good.
I hope it works out for them.
Mandy needs something good in her life.
They've got a shot.
They seem to really love each other for all the right reasons.
Oh, um, speaking of boyfriends Pi's letter of recommendation.
He did get the deadline extended, right? No, he did.
Good.
How did I spell "pi"? Did I put it like the dessert? 'Cause that was just no, dad.
You got it right.
Okay.
I'm just not sure I did.
Where where you off to? There's something I need to do.
Hey, Castle, looks like your love life made the paper again.
Ah, what? All right.
All right, who am I hooking up with now? "Novelist Richard Castle and New York police detective "Katherine Beckett, both native new yorkers, are pleased to announce their engagement.
" No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I didn't I did I didn't do this.
Actually, I did.
I thought you I know, I know, Castle.
I like my privacy.
But I do realize that you're somewhat famous.
Somewhat? I yes.
And if we're gonna be together, I have to come to terms with that, and if they are gonna write about you, I want it to be the truth.
I want it to be about us.
Well, there's no one I there's no one I'd rather share a headline with.
But just for the interest of accuracy Does it say we're getting married in space? No, it's not gonna happen, babe.
Be pretty fun.
Space.
I think that's her car.
All, right, guys! Keep it clear.
Don't you have anything better to do? Mandy, Mandy! Mandy, have you have you spoken to Zach since the breakup? Do you regret cheating on him? Is there any truth to the rumor that you're going back into rehab? Castle? Hmm? Should I be worried about your commitment to our engagement? No.
Why? 'Cause it says right here that you're getting back together with your ex-wife.
- What? - Right here.
Page six.
"Castle caught cuddling with ex-wife publisher.
" No, no, this was a business lunch.
We were discussing heat and storm books.
Oh, so, um, you weren't "gazing lovingly into her eyes"? She had spinach in her teeth.
That's just okay.
I don't see, this wouldn't happen if you just let me announce our engagement.
We already talked about this.
Everyone that's important to us already knows.
Yes, and just because I'm a public figure - doesn't mean you need to be one, too.
I know.
- Exactly.
Well As long as you don't mind this sort of thing happening.
I don't.
'Cause it's not true.
And it only gives me more material to torture you with.
Mm, and the student becomes the master.
Who rings the doorbell at 6:45 in the morning? Hey, Mr.
C.
! Hope I didn't wake ya.
No.
I was just on my way to work, thought I would pick up my letter of recommendation.
Right! For your grant, uh, application.
Really appreciate you doing it.
I know I told Alexis I was finished, but I I hadn't really quite, um I'm still tweaking it.
This I'm getting it just right.
You're a perfectionist, like me.
Well, take your time not too much time.
Deadline's tonight.
I'll have it done by lunch.
Thanks, Mr.
C.
! - You're the best! - I know.
- Hi! - Hi, Pi! Bye! You haven't written a word, have you? No.
But in my defense, what am I supposed to write? - It's Pi.
- So then why'd you offer? I didn't.
Alexis asked.
I can't say no.
But no more excuses.
I'm gonna do it right now.
Unless that's a murder.
This is Harvey Stryker with celebgazer.
com.
We're getting unconfirmed reports that pop diva Mandy Sutton is dead at 22.
Mandy Sutton? Oh, no.
Alexis used to love her kids show, "Mandy Melody.
" She was a regular teen by day and a crime-fighting pop star by night.
But no one recognized her at school because she wore glasses.
Well, it looks like she could've used that trick in real life.
I mean, look at this.
No wonder she was such a mess.
Detective! Can you confirm for us that Mandy Sutton's dead? I, you know - Can you give us any details about how she died? - I gotta go.
I have work to do.
Sorry.
Oh, hey, Richard Castle.
Is it true that you're getting back together with your ex-wife? This isn't about me today.
Uh, Castle? How come you didn't deny it? - What do you mean? Back there? Are you kidding? - Mm-hmm.
Yeah, if I deny that, then they think it's true.
- I thought that stuff didn't bother you.
- It doesn't.
Hey.
- So Mandy lived in this building? - Yeah, penthouse.
Doorman found her just before 6:00 this morning.
- O.
D.
? - Given her lifestyle, you'd think.
But this is plain old-fashioned murder blunt-force trauma to the back of the head, the facial lacerations probably happened with the fall.
Okay, when did this happen? Lividity puts it between Well, we can cut that time frame in half.
Doorman said that the limo dropped her off to the lobby last night at 10:00 P.
M.
She was killed within an hour of returning home? What was she doing back here? Doorman didn't know.
But he said that she uses that door sometimes when she wants to avoid the crowd.
So maybe she was sneaking out or meeting someone? If so, it was probably someone she knew.
Gates are locked on both sides.
You need an access code to get in.
Is there any security cam footage we can pull? Not back here.
Ironic, seeing as how she spent her entire life in front of cameras.
Paparazzi was out front last night.
Let's see if we can get copies of their photos.
Whoever was behind this might've been in that crowd.
And no talking to the press, not until we know what's going on.
Where is she? Oh, my God, Mandy! - Ma'am? - Mandy! Ma'am, this is a crime scene.
You can't be back here.
I you don't understand.
I'm her personal assistant.
You still can't be back here.
But we will need to take you to the station to get a statement.
Do you have contact information for her next of kin? That would be her her manager.
I mean, her mother.
How did this happen? What was she even doing in that alley? Do you know of anyone that would've wanted to harm your daughter? Yeah.
A lot of people disliked her, who she became, her provocative clothes, and dancing.
They just wanted her to be little "Mandy Melody" forever.
Had she received any threats recently? Sure, she'd get some disturbing letters.
But any that were too aggressive, we'd turn over to the security firm.
Okay, we're gonna need to see all of those letters.
Now do you know if she was planning on meeting with anyone at her apartment last night? We hadn't spoken to her in two days.
She was missing? No, we knew where she was.
It wasn't hard to track her on social media and gossip sites.
She was partying pretty hard.
For the past few months, Mandy'd been doing really great.
She stayed clean since her last stint in rehab.
She even met a new guy while she was doing her community service.
Zach.
He builds houses for the poor.
And then a couple nights ago, she went to a club for someone's birthday, and I guess She got drunk and she started making out with an old boyfriend.
And someone took a picture.
It hit all the gossip sites.
When Zach saw It was too much for him.
They got into a big fight, and he left her.
How long had they been dating? Four months.
Which means he would know how to access the alley behind your daughter's building.
Do you know where we could find him? It's funny.
The first time I saw this picture, I didn't think I could feel any worse but now that she's gone Yeah? Exactly how bad did you feel? Look, I loved her.
I would never hurt her.
Then you wouldn't mind us asking where you were between 10:00 and 11:00 last night.
I I didn't do this, okay? I was at a lumberyard in Fairfield, New Jersey, loading up a truck with the rest of these guys.
You can you can ask them.
And the last time you saw her? Two days ago when I broke it off.
Why are you asking me these questions? I'm not the one with the attempted manslaughter charges.
Manslaughter charge? Yeah, her ex-boyfriend, Jesse Jones the one in that picture.
He's the one who got her into drugs in the first place.
And Mandy never told anyone this, but the last time they broke up, he threatened to kill her.
Weapons charges.
Aggravated assault.
That's a hell of a resume, Jesse.
How does someone like you hook up with a superstar like Mandy? Like all the other pretty little rich girls that come to me for their ink.
She was looking for a lot more than a tattoo.
I was happy to provide.
So I read online that the two of you were stormy and it didn't end well.
You trashed her apartment and made some pretty serious threats.
Water under the bridge.
Until two nights ago, when you guys hooked up.
How'd that happen? I was at a bar.
She came in, threw herself at me like old times, and I obliged.
That was the last time I saw her.
How'd you take it when right after that photo of you two appeared, she told "Celebgazer" that you were human trash and that that night was "the biggest mistake of her life"? She seemed to like it okay at the time.
Where were you last night between 10:00 and 11:00? I was at a pool hall in queens with some friends.
Names.
Lanie, what's going on? We have a little problem here.
So what's the problem? I'll tell you what the problem is.
That's not my daughter.
That's not Mandy.
Castle 6x13 - Limelight Original air date January 20, 2014 So Mandy's mom identified our victim as Claire Samuels, 25.
She was an aspiring actress.
- And Mandy's decoy.
- Decoy? Yeah, to fool the press.
It's a practice not uncommon in this age of stalkerazzi.
So she'd dress up as Mandy.
She'd put on sunglasses.
She'd let the hordes follow her so that Mandy could go about unnoticed.
Now we notified Claire's parents.
They're flying in, and Esposito's digging into her life as we speak.
So if Claire is our actual victim, then where's Mandy Sutton? We don't know.
No one has seen her, and she's not answering her phone.
Given that Claire was pretending to be Mandy when she was killed, then we need to consider the very real possibility that Mandy Sutton was our killer's intended target, and that they might be looking to finish the job.
They may already have, which is why we can't find her.
Found her.
She's checked into the wessex hotel under one of her aliases.
But she's not answering her room phone.
And she's not responding to knocks on the door.
Castle.
That's not blood.
It's wine.
Closing time already? Who are you? What do you mean, I'm dead? Claire Samuels was killed last night, and the world thinks that that was you.
Who? Claire Samuels she's your decoy.
The girl we dressed to look like you to confuse the paparazzi.
Oh.
Oh, yeah, um God, that's pretty harsh.
Do you know why she went to your apartment last night? No.
Why? Well, I mean, we're trying to figure out how she got there, and your mom said that she wasn't scheduled to work yesterday.
So Yeah, uh, the limo company claims that the car she arrived in was ordered by you.
I've never drunk dialed a limo before.
But Nope.
Wasn't me.
What about Claire? Did you call her? No.
I barely know her.
We discouraged personal contact.
It wouldn't make much sense to have a decoy if they're gonna be seen hanging out together.
Can I lie down now? Actually, miss Sutton, we still have a few more questions for you about your life.
My life? Yeah, we think you may have been the intended target.
Oh, yeah.
That does make more sense.
Okay.
So, um, do you know if anyone would have wanted to hurt you? Do you have any enemies? The press, but they wouldn't hurt me.
Without me, who would they write all those bad things about? Okay, well, the last two days when you were out Socializing, did you have any fights or did you upset anyone? Probably.
I'm a little hazy on the details.
Okay.
- Okay.
- That it? Uh, yeah, for now.
In the meantime, you should probably go back to the hotel and, uh, lay low in your room.
Shouldn't we make an announcement? Let everyone know that she isn't dead? Well, you know what? If someone was trying to kill her, it might be safer to let them assume that they've actually succeeded while we're still doing our job.
How long? She starts a tour next week.
And as her manager, I can't imagine that it's gonna help ticket sales if everyone thinks she's dead.
Yeah, wouldn't want to screw up the big comeback tour.
Sweetie, you've worked really hard on those new songs.
We're talking about staying out of sight for a day, maybe less.
Hopefully by then we'll have a lead that'll help us figure out who's behind this.
Uh, Beckett? I might have an idea about that.
We found this anonymous letter in her fan mail.
"I'm watching you, and I don't like what I see.
" Yeah, well, get in line.
Guys look around.
I get letters from creepazoids all the time.
But in addition to the letter, - he also included these.
- Oh, my God.
That's my bedroom, while I was sleeping.
Your building is supposed to be secure.
- How did he get in? - That's ink-jet paper.
- Mm-hmm.
- So? So we might be able to track it.
- How? - Most people don't know this, but the serial number of the printer that was used to make these photographs is actually embedded into the picture.
It's printed in tiny, little yellow dots invisible to the naked eye.
It's it's an FBI thing used to track counterfeiters.
I don't feel so hot.
You know, I I think someone needs a cup of coffee.
All right.
Here is your 4-shot latte.
How you feeling? Considering I'm supposed to be dead, about right.
Yeah I just can't believe that freak was actually in my bedroom.
We'll find him.
I know how tough it can be the crazy fans, the constant scrutiny, the pressure of living your life under a microscope.
I mean, I can relate.
On a smaller scale, of course, but still, it's Wh who are you? On a much smaller scale.
- Dad.
There you are.
- Hey, Alexis.
What are you doing he oh, the, uh, the letter for Pi the I just, I'm about to I just gotta make a few tweaks.
- You haven't written it.
- Not all not yet.
I thought you might need some help So I came up with some talking points for you.
Oh, good.
Okay, um "Outstanding person natural leader.
" Dad, I know you and Pi don't always see eye-to-eye.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this No, listen, hey Hey, pi and I see eye-to-eye on one very important redheaded thing.
- I love you.
- I love you, too.
Hey! Can you believe that about Mandy Sutton? - It's weird, right? - Yes, weird Remember how much I loved her show, and those secret identity glasses? If you were mad at me, I'd wear a pair of glasses to dinner, and you'd pretend like you didn't know who I was? I remember, actually But then she grew up.
And whoa! I mean, how does that happen to someone becoming such a hot mess? I Oh, my God.
- I thought you were - Yeah.
Alexis, this is Mandy.
We're just, uh, keeping her under wraps for now.
This is my daughter.
Hmm.
It's nice to meet you.
No, dad, it's not true.
Yes, I know what they wrote.
We're still engaged.
What do you mean aunt Theresa put it on her Facebook? Well, t tell her to take it down.
I gotta go.
I love you.
Bye.
Hey, Espo.
Do you believe everything - that they write in the newspapers? - Oh.
Hell, no.
I mean, except for that thing between Castle and his ex-wife.
I mean, it's Did you find anything on Claire? As a matter of fact, I did.
I went into the phone records of that limo company.
It turns out that Claire was the one who ordered that limo last night.
Why would Claire order a limo to take her to Mandy's place? I don't know.
But I just got off the phone with Claire's roommate.
Said Claire's been going through some things the last couple of days.
She's been upset crying.
Hey.
Those photos of Mandy in her bedroom I traced the printer's serial number to an electronics store in midtown.
According to the extended warranty, it belongs to a Ken Castor.
So he's done time.
For aggravated assault.
And then two years ago, he was hit with a restraining order for stalking Mandy Sutton.
Old habits die hard.
And those paparazzi photos from the night that she was killed, I went through them.
Look who was right there when Claire stepped out of that limo Same guy.
Police! N.
Y.
P.
D.
! Kitchen clear.
Bedroom clear! Hey.
Closet.
Aah! Aah! Let go of me! Let go of me! Gimme your arm! I didn't do anything! You okay? Yeah.
I think we got our guy.
No, listen.
You don't understand.
The hell we don't.
We know that you took those pictures, Ken.
We know that you were in her apartment.
Because she needed me.
Needed you? I was protecting her.
I was watching over her, and she She needed that.
Right.
'Cause she didn't have people watching her and staring at her already.
They didn't care.
Not like me.
They they They don't understand her.
I mean, they drove her to it, you know? That's why I sent her the pictures because she needed to know that someone cared.
She she needed to know that someone was watching.
Is that what you were doing outside of her apartment last night? Watching? I-I should have saved her.
But I-I never saw her.
I-I-I waited for the limo, but then that girl came out the the not Mandy, the other girl.
So I-I went around to the back alley, and I waited across the street.
When the other girl goes in the front, that means that Mandy goes in the back.
But but she didn't.
Wait, you waited for Mandy out in back? Yeah.
Did you see anything else? Did you see anyone go in or out of that alley? J-just the motorcycle.
Wait a minute.
What What motorcycle? Well, right when I was going in the back, there was a motorcycle that was going into the the alley.
What time? When? I-I-I wrote it down.
I-I write everything down.
And then at, uh, 10:12, it, uh, it left.
Did you get a license plate? I couldn't write it down.
It was going too fast.
What about the rider? Did you see his face? They were wearing a helmet.
I-I didn't know Mandy was back there.
I mean, I-I never saw her go back, you know? What about the motorcycle? Color? Trim? I wrote that down.
It was it was red.
It was, um Uh It was a red Ducati 800 Supersport.
It had gold wheels, and it had a flame decal on the body.
What do you think? He's a nut job.
But he's probably not our killer.
Yeah? How's that? Unlike the paparazzi, he knew Claire was getting out of the limo.
So he can tell them apart.
And since he's obsessed with Mandy, there would be no reason for him to go after Claire.
We'll hold him.
But if he's not our killer, he's probably our best witness.
Why don't we get ahold of traffic cam footage in the area? Let's see if we can get a plate on that Ducati.
Gold wheels, a flame decal on the body.
It's gotta be a custom job.
Yeah.
I'll check with bike shops in the area, see if I can find the place that did that work.
Where's Castle? He's having dinner with his other ex-wife, something about not wanting her to feel left out.
Good one.
He's holed up in the break room writing that letter for Alexis' boyfriend.
Thank you.
Will you stop worrying? He'll have lots of great things to say about you.
I guarantee it.
I don't know.
I'm not exactly Mr.
C.
's favorite person.
And he is taking an awfully long time.
He does have other things to do, you know.
No, Al, that's not what I meant.
Maybe he's done by now.
He said he'd text me when it was ready.
Let's see.
That's weird.
My phone's off.
That's not my ring.
Hello? You have my phone.
Mandy? Hi.
Uh, yeah, I just realized.
Funny, we must have switched.
I need it.
I'm at the wessex hotel.
Okay.
Sure.
Oh, it's not like I took it on purpose or anything, just a misunderstanding.
Room 522.
Yeah, sure.
Not a Hello? I guess I'm bringing Mandy her phone.
I-I gotta head uptown.
The bee pupae are emerging.
See you later? - Okay.
Bye.
- Bye.
Oh! Mwah! Hey.
Hey, so, uh Here's your phone.
Okay.
Look, I'm sorry about that whole "hot mess" thing I said before.
Sorry that you said it, or sorry that I heard it? I should probably go.
It happens when you're not looking.
Excuse me? Before you asked how it happens how someone becomes like me.
It happens when you're not looking, and by the time you realize it, it's already who you are.
Like the car crash on the side of the road everybody stops and and watches.
That doesn't mean it's who you have to be.
You can always change.
Turns out I don't do change so well.
But you steal a police car, and you set it on fire, I'm your girl.
Or if you find the greatest guy in the world, fall madly in love, and then mess it up by hooking up with my dirtbag ex? That I can do.
Yeah, I Saw that picture online.
You and the rest of the world.
Maybe if you didn't drink.
If I don't drink, then I start to feel.
And I don't like what I feel.
I wish I had those glasses from "Mandy melody.
" I'd just put 'em on and Just disappear.
I know how you feel.
How could you possibly know how I feel? Because right now, I Wish I could disappear from my life, too.
Okay, thanks.
I'll check back.
Hey.
So how's pi's recommendation going? It took me less time to write the last Derrick storm novel.
And although they both are works of fiction, at least that one was believable.
How's the case coming? Well, we got a description of the motorcycle that left the crime scene, and tech's trying to get a plate off of traffic cam footage, but so far no luck.
Our luck just changed.
We got the son of a bitch.
We found a shop that outfitted a red Ducati 800 with gold wheels and a flame decal for one Josh Greenberg.
Is that our guy? Josh Greenberg had a slight liquidity problem.
So he sold that bike three days ago for cash to This guy.
Jesse Jones Mandy's ex.
So he lied to us.
He was in that alley.
All right.
Bring him in.
We already sent a car over to his place.
He's not there.
Mandy might be able to help out.
She probably knows his hangouts.
All right, go.
The thing about my boyfriend is I thought I was being so grown-up moving in with him, getting my own place.
But now it's my whole life.
And I'm pretty sure I've made a huge mistake.
Do you know why I'm helping him with his grant application? Because if he gets it, he'll have to travel.
That is messed up.
You need to tell him.
Tell him what? That I changed my mind? I don't want a relationship? We have a lease.
That's romantic.
And he doesn't deserve it.
He hasn't done anything wrong.
Oh! And then there's my dad.
What do I tell him, huh? That he was right all along, that I wasn't ready? I wish I would have said that.
I wasn't ready for so many things.
Do you ever look back on something you've done and it's like someone else is doing it? You're kidding, right? Right.
Sorry, I Haven't had anyone to talk to.
Clearly.
"Be true to yourself.
" That's what Zach would say.
And if a situation is bad for you, leave it.
That's what we were going to do.
And that's what you should do, too.
Mandy, is someone texting you? Weird, since I'm supposed to be dead.
Oh, it's my friend Sam.
"Pretty sure you're not dead.
"Need to talk about girl who died, something you need to know"? Wait, what what are you doing? Calling him? But you're supposed to be laying low.
No one's supposed to know you're alive.
He already knows I'm alive.
He thinks you're alive.
He might be trying to find out for sure.
And what if it's not Sam? It could be the killer trying to lure you out.
Would you relax? It's Sam's number, okay? And he's not answering, which means he's probably bartending.
That place he works is really loud.
I have to go see him.
You can't go out.
What if someone sees you? You don't get it, do you? I am the one that is supposed to be dead, not Claire.
She died because of me.
And I know that people think that I don't care, but I'm not a monster.
If Sam has information about Claire's death, I need to know what it is.
I just want to do one thing right.
Mandy! You shouldn't be doing this.
Yeah, well, you're not gonna stop me.
Okay, but if you're going to do it, you can't be recognized.
Do you understand? You're going to need someone to do all the talking for you.
Come on.
Mandy's gone?! Gone where? We're not sure.
No one at the front desk saw her leave.
Are there any signs of foul play? Nah, it looks like she just took off.
Maybe she, uh, picked up where she left off on that bender.
You guys gotta come back.
We have to coordinate a search.
We'll check with the limo company, see if she called for a pickup.
And I'll talk to her mom.
I'll get a list of all the places she likes to go to.
We have to find her before Jesse figures out that he killed the wrong person.
What? What happened? Where's Mandy? Are you sure I can't talk you out of this? There he is.
There's Sam.
Are you crazy?! What are you doing? That's what I'm here for.
Sam! Hey, Sam! That's not gonna get the job done there, red.
You want to lose some layers? Take off grandma's scarf.
I have something else in mind.
So she was like, "can you believe it?" And I was like, "no way.
" I am so sorry.
Are you okay? Oh.
Oh, Sam Right? Can I please get her another drink? Oh, and, um There's someone here to see you.
Mandy? Oh, my God, girl, is that you? Can we talk somewhere more private? Yeah, um Y'all meet me over there.
Yo, I am so glad that you're okay.
You had me worried.
I saw those pictures of you and Jesse, then the next thing you know, everybody's saying that you're dead? What made you think I wasn't? That clip on the news the one of the limo dropping "you" off at your building last night, except that girl wasn't you.
How could you tell? 'Cause that same girl was in here last night wearing the same thing she had on as when she got out of that limo.
Wait a second.
Claire was here last night? Yeah, yeah.
I think that's what her name was.
You talked to her? Yeah, she came in looking for me.
She heard I was friends with Mandy.
She wanted her private number.
What for? She was trying to reach you because she thought somebody was trying to hurt you.
Who? She didn't say, but she got way mad when I wouldn't give her your number.
Yeah, I man, I thought this girl was nuts you know, a crazy fan or something.
Then she asked me how she can get in touch with Jesse.
Jesse? What does he have to do with this? I don't know, but She was pretty hot to talk to him, too.
So I called Jesse, and I put him on with her.
What'd she say? I didn't hear, but she was pretty upset.
And since she ended up dead, I thought you should know.
Hey, Sam! Hey, uh Wait here a second.
People gettin' thirsty over there.
I don't get it.
Did Claire know Jesse? I don't know.
I didn't think she did.
There's only one way to find out.
I'm calling Jesse.
Wait.
He could be involved.
If Claire thought someone was trying to kill you, do you really think it's a good idea to call anybody ever tell your friend that she looks like Mandy Sutton? Yeah, she gets that all the time.
It's a shame what happened to Mandy, isn't it? Hey, that is Mandy.
Oh, my God.
Mandy Sutton is alive.
Mandy Sutton's alive! There's still no word on Jesse's whereabouts.
Same with Mandy.
But get this when I called the limo company to see if she ordered up a ride from her hotel tonight, they said she didn't, but they told me that I wasn't the only guy asking that question.
Someone else called? Yeah, some guy who said that he was with her management company.
But I checked.
No one there made that call.
Jesse.
Maybe he found out that she was still alive.
Looks like everyone just did.
That Mandy Sutton, presumed dead, may actually be alive.
Mandy was reportedly just spotted at trendy downtown nightspot the raptor lounge.
And now he knows where to find her.
Hello? Yeah.
Where? We gotta get her out of there.
Yeah.
I'll send a car to pick her up.
And we have some footage from the raptor lounge shot just moments ago and posted by one of our viewers.
Uh Castle, I-isn't that that's ale-Alexis.
What is she doing there? Mandy! Yes, I am alive! Don't trample me to death.
Mandy! We have to get out of here.
Uh Oh! This way.
Come on.
Um, I'm gonna call my dad.
Let's get out of here first.
Speak of the devil, and she appears.
I need to talk to you.
Yeah, same here.
Get in.
I'm not so sure that's a good idea.
Get in, both of you.
Get out.
Just get out.
Out! Now! Get over here! Sorry I dragged you into this.
Well I want answers.
Answers about what? Someone is messing with me, and I know you're involved somehow.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Don't lie to me! Guys, let's just calm down, okay? I'm sure we can talk this out.
Shut up.
Hey! Jesse, look at me.
I made a mistake.
Okay, I-if you thought whatever happened the other night between us meant that we were getting back together, I'm sorry, but that's not what's gonna happen.
You know that wasn't you the other night in that photo.
What? If it wasn't her, then who was it? It's that chick, Claire.
I got paid 25 grand to show up and suck face with her for a couple minutes.
You're telling me that you really don't know? No! I was messed up that night.
I don't remember anything.
I don't even remember getting messed up.
Maybe you didn't.
Maybe somebody drugged you so you wouldn't remember.
And then I-I would see the photos and assume that it was me? Jesse How could you do that to me? This isn't about you, not anymore.
What happened, Mandy? Hmm? Who killed Claire? I don't know.
What do you care? I care 'cause the cops are trying to pin it on me.
Someone must have seen me in the alley that night.
Wait a minute.
You were there, when she was killed? I had to talk to her.
Now we were supposed to get another 25 grand for staging that photo, if we kept our mouth shut when the story ran.
Only bitch got a conscience, felt bad about everything she had done, especially 'cause the pictures broke up you and what's his name Zach.
She just had to set things right.
That's why she was trying to get in touch with you last night.
She called me and said she was going over to your place to tell you everything.
Only that means I'm not gonna get my money.
So I go over there to talk her out of it, that's it! And when I get there, she's dead.
Jesse, if you didn't kill Claire, then put the gun down.
We can go to the police together and figure this out.
I promise you're trying to confuse me! Now shut up before I do something I Turn around right now, Jesse! Drop that gun, Jesse! Show 'em! Show your hands! Down! Now, now! Dad.
Hey.
It's okay.
It's over.
If Jesse's story is true, then Claire was about to reveal that those photos were fake and someone killed her for it.
So maybe Claire Samuels was the intended target after all.
If Jesse's story is true.
That's a big "if.
" All right, thanks, bill.
So Jesse was telling the truth about this much he deposited $25,000 cash in his bank account five days ago.
Any more on who paid him? No, we got a typewritten note that told him when to meet Claire at the bar and where to find the money at a dead drop.
Why would someone pay that much money to stage a photo in the first place? And what was so important about it that someone would kill Claire in order to keep it from being exposed as a fake? I don't know, but I could think of someone who might.
Guys, did Jesse tell you where in the club that photo was taken? Somewhere in the back hidden from view.
Couldn't be any witnesses, or the gag wouldn't work.
So that photographer didn't just happen to be there.
He was in on it.
So who's the photographer? James Lockhart.
How you doin'? N.
Y.
P.
D.
We gotta ask you some questions, bro.
Listen, can you guys come back a little later? Excuse me? There's an actress in this cafe, Reese Wellingford? I've been waiting an hour for her to come out.
Listen, fool, this is a criminal investigation.
Who paid you to take those pictures you sold to "Celebgazer"? The ones with Jesse Jones and the girl who wasn't Mandy Sutton? Nobody paid me.
Oh, really? So you just ended up in that backroom, in that bar when those two hooked up? Yep, just lucky, I guess.
Here she is.
Where? I don't even is she over where is it? Did you see her? I don't even see her.
Is she am I am I in the way? Oh, you can't, uh, um Oh, hey! Oh, there she goes.
She's right there.
Oh, no.
Oh.
She got in a cab.
All right, look, I got a tip, okay? They said show up at such and such time, go in the back.
I got a few shots before security threw me out.
So who gave you that tip? I can't tell you that.
I thought we were cool.
Oh, come on.
You think I'm gonna rat out my sources? This is my livelihood.
How do you think your livelihood's gonna go with me and my boy here following you around all day? Harvey stryker from celebgazer.
com tipped him off? He didn't just run that photo on "Celebgazer," he set the whole thing up.
But why? Doesn't this dirtbag have enough scandals to report on without having to make up his own? Because it wasn't just about the one scandal.
For years, Mandy has been drawing millions of eyeballs to "Celebgazer," with her public meltdowns, or drunken escapades, the, uh, trips to rehab.
But in the past few months, she calmed down, got her life back in order.
Because of Zach.
Which was no good for business.
So Harvey staged the photo, turns Mandy back into the train wreck that he grew to love and exploit.
And it worked, too, until Claire was gonna ruin it all by calling the photo out as a hoax, destroying Harvey's reputation.
And that's why Harvey was at the apartment.
He wasn't waiting for Mandy.
He was waiting for Claire.
He was waiting to silence her.
Fake? No, no, no, no.
celebgazer.
com doesn't do fake.
And yet you ran that one.
Come on, Harvey.
We know you set the whole thing up.
You paid Jesse, then you paid Claire.
I didn't pay anyone.
And who is Claire? The girl in the photo.
The one that you killed right after she threatened to expose you? Wait a minute.
I had nothing to do with any of this.
So then how did you get that photo? I bought it from a freelancer.
We spoke with him.
He said that you sent him to that bar, which means you knew Claire and Jesse were there.
How did you know? The same way I always know.
I was tipped! Do you actually expect us to believe that? It's true! I swear.
I remember exactly when it happened.
They called my cell.
I can show you.
Yo, that phone call Harvey got came from a burner phone paid for with cash.
So they were covering their tracks.
Yeah, only they didn't do a very good job of it.
They forgot to disable the G.
P.
S.
We were able to track the G.
P.
S.
data.
Yeah.
That phone was in the alley behind Mandy's building the night of the murder.
So then whoever bought that phone is our killer.
Thank you for coming in.
We, uh, we just wanted to keep you up-to-date on the investigation.
So there's been a development? Yes, we have a lead.
We've identified the cell phone of the person that set up that fake photo.
And we believe the same person killed Claire Samuels.
Who is it? Well, actually, it was a burner phone.
A burner phone? So it's not traceable.
Uh, normally, it wouldn't be.
But the person who bought this phone made one crucial mistake.
They didn't get rid of it when they were done.
Matter of fact, it's still on right now.
Mom? Mom! You set up that photo? You did this to me? Why would you do that? Why do you wanna ruin my life? It was Zach who was ruining your life.
I was saving you.
Wait a minute.
Wait.
You did this to break me up with Zach? He was the best thing that ever happened to me.
He was gonna take me away from all of this.
That's right, away from everything we'd worked for your tour, your career, he was gonna cost you millions.
You mean cost you millions? And for what? A chance to be normal! Normal.
You're special.
Zach didn't understand that.
And neither did Claire.
So you killed her? She was gonna tell you what I'd done.
She was gonna make you hate me.
I couldn't let her drive a wedge between us.
I couldn't.
Marilyn Sutton, please stand up.
Turn around.
You're under arrest for the murder of Claire Samuels.
Mandy, sweetie, you understand, right? I did this for you, Mandy.
Everything I did, I did for you.
No, mom.
You did it for you.
Let's go.
Just when I thought life couldn't get any more messed up, right? And the train wreck continues.
The press is gonna love this.
Sorry.
I'm gonna go.
Thank you.
Um, hey, Mandy.
Sorry, um, not to pry, but, uh, it would be really easy just to run and hide from all this.
But don't.
Thanks.
Thank you for all you guys did.
Um, could you thank Alexis for me, too, please? I will.
Yeah, she was here.
Actually, I don't know where she went.
There's, oh I'm back, and I've brought someone with me.
Hey, Mandy.
Zach.
Once we realized Mandy hadn't really cheated on him, I tracked him down.
I thought he needed to know.
Good.
I hope it works out for them.
Mandy needs something good in her life.
They've got a shot.
They seem to really love each other for all the right reasons.
Oh, um, speaking of boyfriends Pi's letter of recommendation.
He did get the deadline extended, right? No, he did.
Good.
How did I spell "pi"? Did I put it like the dessert? 'Cause that was just no, dad.
You got it right.
Okay.
I'm just not sure I did.
Where where you off to? There's something I need to do.
Hey, Castle, looks like your love life made the paper again.
Ah, what? All right.
All right, who am I hooking up with now? "Novelist Richard Castle and New York police detective "Katherine Beckett, both native new yorkers, are pleased to announce their engagement.
" No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I didn't I did I didn't do this.
Actually, I did.
I thought you I know, I know, Castle.
I like my privacy.
But I do realize that you're somewhat famous.
Somewhat? I yes.
And if we're gonna be together, I have to come to terms with that, and if they are gonna write about you, I want it to be the truth.
I want it to be about us.
Well, there's no one I there's no one I'd rather share a headline with.
But just for the interest of accuracy Does it say we're getting married in space? No, it's not gonna happen, babe.
Be pretty fun.
Space.