Chapter Text
“I’m sorry. We have to do what now?” Esposito asked, confused.
“You and Ryan have to go undercover at the couples’ cruise where our latest victim was killed.” Beckett repeated.
“And why exactly do we have to do that?” Ryan asked. He didn’t sound so amused either.
“Because Castle and I have already been there, talked to some of the crew. They know we are cops.”
Ryan took a deep breath.
“Okay, talk us through.”
***
"What've we got?" Beckett asked as she arrived at the crime scene with Castle on her heels.
"The victim is female, late twenties. She was found in the pool." Lanie told them as she kneeled down next to the victim. They'd already pulled her out of the pool to examine her.
"Her name is Kira Darlyn, 28 years old. She's part of the crew. One of her coworkers, Ollie Molet, found her." An officer told them, pointing at the coworker with her pen.
"Thanks, officer Tahlia." Beckett answered and she walked towards the coworker.
"Hi, I'm detective Beckett and this is my associate Mr Castle. Were you the one who found our victim?"
"Yeah. I came out for a smoke around 2 am and she was floating in the pool." He told them. "I jumped in the pool to help her, but it was too late."
"Did you know Kira well?" Castle asked.
"Not really. We didn't organize any activities together."
"Are there tourists on the ship right now?" Beckett asked.
"No, we're in between travels. It's only crew at the moment. Our next trip starts tomorrow."
***
“So why do we have to go undercover? Can’t you solve the murder the normal way?” Esposito asked.
“No. There are rumors about smuggling in the cruise industry. We don’t know whether this particular cruise ship covers a smuggling ring, but we can’t be careful enough.” Beckett explained. “A new trip begins tomorrow. They think they’ll be in the clear once the boat is back on the sea. Castle and I will get as much information as possible in the next 12 hours, but then it’s all on you.”
“But we can’t arrest anyone while we’re out at sea though, right? Our jurisdiction ends when we leave the port.” Ryan commented.
“I’ve made a deal with Gemma Wise, who is responsible for safety on board. They have a holding cell, so when you have eyes on a suspect, she”ll bring them in and let me talk to them over skype.” Beckett explained. “If someone is a serious suspect, we’ll get them off the ship when they’re back in the port. They don’t want to have a killer on their crew either.”
Ryan and Esposito sighed in unison after a short silence.
“I think it’s time to pack.” Ryan mumbled.
“Oh, I have something for you.” Castle said quickly before the two men could leave. He took a little box out of his bag and opened it. In it were two golden rings.
“Wedding rings? Seriously?” Ryan asked, at the same time silently remembering Castle he had been on the verge of marrying Jenny before she broke off their engagement only a couple of months ago.
“Come on, you’ll get all the perks of being a ‘just married’ couple. Believe me.” Castle answered.
Both Esposito and Ryan sighed, but they took the rings nevertheless.
“Oh, by the way, I heard from the coworker who found her that everyone of the crew have their own hiding places on the boat. Remember that when you're there.”