Castle Episode 4.04 Kick the Ballistics

When Castle casually brings up the time his partner in crime-solving was shot, Beckett sticks to her claim that the entire day is a blank. We know that's not true. Now we're starting to believe that perhaps Castle may be thinking that, too. But there’s no time for further speculation, as a pesky murder mystery has just popped up.

College student Jane Herzfeld was shot to death and buried in concrete. A crucifix is found clutched in her fist. It's as if she was praying, as she knew she was going to die. Jane’s ex-boyfriend, Finn McQueen, did time for drug possession. This may explain traces of cocaine residue found on the victim’s body. The guy also works in construction. Sounds like a concrete lead! Too bad Finn alibis out.

Beckett is beyond frustrated when ballistics reveals that the bullets used to kill Jane came from a gun that's in their system. That's the good news. The bad news is that the weapon belongs to one of the cops investigating the murder: Detective Kevin Ryan.

The gun in question was taken by Jerry Tyson; better known a serial murderer dubbed the Triple Killer in "3XK." Castle tries to tell Ryan isn't responsible for Jane's death just because it was his gun. The detective doesn’t buy it. Ryan’s anguish has Castle believing that he's been "play-acting" as Beckett's partner. In truth, he doesn't really know what it's like to be a cop.

When Castle casually brings up the time his partner in crime-solving was shot, Beckett sticks to her claim that the entire day is a blank. We know that's not true. Now we’re starting to believe that perhaps Castle may be thinking that, too. But there's no time for further speculation, as a pesky murder mystery has just popped up.

College student Jane Herzfeld was shot to death and buried in concrete. A crucifix is found clutched in her fist. It's as if she was praying, as she knew she was going to die. Jane's ex-boyfriend, Finn McQueen, did time for drug possession. This may explain traces of cocaine residue found on the victim's body. The guy also works in construction. Sounds like a concrete lead! Too bad Finn alibis out.

Beckett is beyond frustrated when ballistics reveals that the bullets used to kill Jane came from a gun that's in their system. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the weapon belongs to one of the cops investigating the murder: Detective Kevin Ryan.

The gun in question was taken by Jerry Tyson; better known a serial murderer dubbed the Triple Killer in "3XK." Castle tries to tell Ryan isn't responsible for Jane's death just because it was his gun. The detective doesn't buy it. Ryan's anguish has Castle believing that he's been "play-acting" as Beckett's partner. In truth, he doesn't really know what it's like to be a cop.

Ryan and Esposito dress like college students to question Ben Lee at his school's library. Their outfits are a far cry from their typical detective attire. Whatever works, right? Ryan wants Ben to step up to help get justice for Jane even though it'll mean going against his family. Believe it or not, the kid finds the courage to do just that.

Ben Lee wears a wire trying to get a confession out of his brother. Philip suspects something is up. He is holding Ben at gunpoint when the team storms in to take him down. Then Ben pulls out a gun. The police have no choice but to shoot him. Ryan's attempts to revive him appear to be unsuccessful. The gun Philip had on him is the distraught detective’s missing firearm. Case closed.

Philip offers to give the police info on the Triple Killer to avoid a life sentence. Castle believes anything Jerry Tyson would have told Philip would be a lie. There should be no deals. Castle says they'll get 3XK and they’ll do it right. Beckett says, "Damn, Castle, look at you...thinking like a real cop." Nice.

Ryan is pleased to see that Ben Lee back on his feet after the act they set up to make it look like he’d been killed. Ben is headed for Witness Protection. Ryan makes a nice toast to this murder victim's bravery. It comes on the heels of an equally poignant toast the team gives in tribute to one of their own: Detective Kevin Ryan.