#Castle episode 18 recap - At Close Range

"Castle" Episode 18

CASTLE - "At Close Range" - Detective Kevin Ryan is on the security detail of a charismatic congressman attending a charity event when shots suddenly ring out. Driven to apprehend the killer, Ryan must revisit the events that led up to the shooting, with the help of Castle and Beckett, on "Castle," MONDAY, MARCH 23 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/David Moir) SEAMUS DEVER

Castle stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Penny Johnson Jerald as NYPD Captain Victoria Gates, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

In addition to David Conrad as Frank Kelly, the guest cast of "At Close Range" includes Maya Stojan as Tory Ellis, Reiko Aylesworth as Mia Lopez, Ricardo Chavira as Alex Lopez, David Andrews as Carl Shelton, and Annie Little as Carolyn Decker.

“At Close Range” was written by Jim Adler and directed by Bill Roe.

Recap:

Ryan in a restroom with blood in his shirt. He punches the mirror.

6 hours earlier. Castle and Kate and Ryan and Espo. Coming from a crime stat briefing. Castle complaining about the 3 hours wasted. Ryan has a security gig tonight with his brother in law. And he's not allowed to say who he's guarding. Espo and Castle guess. One Direction! LOL.

Ryan and his brother in law. Security is a better way of life, Kevin. There's a permanent spot with me. Ryan says that's a hell of an offer. Charity event. Threat level is low. House congressman. Alex Lopez and Ryan are introduced. Chief of staff tells Lopez who to talk to. She tells him the schedule and give him his speech.

And on the red carpet into the hotel. Ryan looking around. Lopez with Carolyn Decker of the Clean Water Project. Ryan spots a guy on the no entry list. Stops the guy from splashing the Congressman with a bottle.

Inside the benefit. Lopez mingling. Ryan still keeping an eye out. Listening. Chief of Staff tells Lopez to go backstage before his speech. He talks with Carolyn. Shots fired! Lopez and Carolyn hit! Ryan didn't get them down in time. His brother in law comes over. Then Ryan chases after a running man. Into the stairwell. to the lobby. The man gets out the doors and cops run in and make Ryan put his gun down and hands up. Guy got away.

Ryan punches the mirror. Leaves the restroom. Finds his brother in law. Lopez will be alright. Carolyn is still in surgery. No one saw the suspect's face. They run through what happened. Frank tells Ryan to think about details. The suspect had a press pass. Kate calls Ryan. He asks to talk later. She says it can't wait. Carolyn Decker died in surgery. Kate read his statement. Ryan asks her to talk to Lopez, who might have seen the shooter's face.

Ryan looks at the blood pool on the floor. Carolyn's father comes over. Why her?! Frank says last minute passes were kept on hold and the shooter got one.

Kate and Castle. State Party Chair says he's glad Kate is handling the case. You have an outstanding reputation. Lopez with his wife and Chief. He wants to establish a foundation in Carolyn's name. Kate asks questions. Did you notice something suspicious? Did you see someone in the background? Lopez says there was a guy in a gray suit. Can you describe him? Definitely.

Eric Chambers. A political activist. Espo says his print was on the wall, so he was definitely there. Kate tells him to take Ryan to pick Chambers up.

They head out. Tactical is 3 minutes out. Espo says we're gonna get this guy. A man leaves the building. Sees them. And runs. They chase. Ryan grabs him. Espo says you're under arrest.

Castle and Kate interrogate Chambers. Who says he's innocent. Found the press pass along with a floor plan of the ballroom. Chambers says this is a set up. Castle says wouldn't this be the proudest moment of your life? Take credit for what you've accomplished? Chambers won't talk.

Espo says a gun was found a block away from the hotel. Kate says we need to reconstruct Chamber's movements. Tori examines the photos. She and Ryan go over the path. And see a door wasn't locked that should've been.

Julian Bailey? What were you doing in the storage room? Ryan shows him the photo. Julian says he was trying to hook up with a girl that didn't show. Chambers talked with a guy in there. Did you see his face? For a second.

Carl Shelton. Castle and Kate on speakphone with Espo and Ryan. Kate says let's find the connection between Chambers and Shelton. Shelton says he's not acquainted with Chambers. Lawyer says get a subpoena. Kate says you put Chambers up to this and I intend to prove it.

Ryan staring at the board. Espo says we have the shooter. But what about Shelton? Espo says Chambers will roll on him. Ryan says he should've already. Something doesn't sit right about this, Javi. Espo tells him to get some sleep and it'll become clear.

Kate gets a call that wakes her. Castle and Ryan set up a mock-up of the shooting in the hotel. Castle says Eric Chambers is not the shooter. "When you have a crazy theory, don't call the voice of reason." LOL!

They tell Gates. Chambers couldn't have shot Carolyn in the back. Gates asks Kate if this is plausible. Yes, sir. Ryan says Chambers was set up to be the fall guy. Gates says we need proof. Ryan wants to take another run at him.

Talks to Chambers in lock-up. We know you're not the shooter. And you're not the focus of a government conspiracy. Someone is very interested in you, whoever set you up went to a significant amount of trouble and now.....you know too much. You're a loose end. I don't see a bright future for you. Chambers says I don't believe you. Ryan asks about how you got backstage, and I'll keep you safe. Just think about it, but not too long. Wait.

Ryan tells Kate and Castle what Chambers said. Shelton tried to talk Chambers out of making a scene. An anonymous person left Chambers the pass and instructions where to wait backstage. Why would someone set Chambers up? Espo says the shots came from behind the lighting. Good spot to hide. Carolyn Decker was blocking Lopez....or not blocking. Maybe she was the real target. Tori says there's something you should see.

A video from Chambers building. A man at the mailbox, leaving the press pass. Tori enhances the face. Ryan says that's my brother in law. That's Frank. Ooooooooo.......

Kate says this hard, but, where was Frank during those shots? He went into the ballroom. Did you see him? No. So you don't know where he was. How long did it take him to arrive? 10 seconds maybe. So Frank killed Carolyn Decker? Maybe. We have to bring him in. Ryan says there's no way he's mixed up in this. Espo says Rank ran from the police. Gates says issue an APB. Ryan wants to get Frank. Espo wants to come. Ryan says this is family. I have to go alone.

He goes to the apartment. Gwen says Frank isn't here. What's Frank in to? I need to know the truth. She says things were tight last year, and then some money came in. Frank picked up extra work. In cash. Close to $50,000. Frank wouldn't hurt a soul. Then tell me where he is before he gets hurt.

Castle says maybe Frank isn't in as deep as we think. Kate goes through Carolyn's purse. She calls it intimate. Carolyn was a workaholic. And a really good person making a difference. Castle says you make a difference, too. Kate says not like her. Kate finds a second phone. With motive for murder.

Ryan walks through a tunnel. Waits. Frank meets him. What'd you do, Frank? You hired me because you knew I'd never suspect you! Frank says it wasn't like that. No one was supposed to get hurt. I got into something and I can't get out. Ryan says look me in the eyes and tell me. Frank says I didn't kill nobody. Where'd you get all that cash? Frank says times are tough and I made some cash by selling access. Passes to concerts and journalists. Just trying to provide for my family! Frank says that's all I have to say. I ain't turning myself in. Ryan pulls his weapon when Frank tries to walk away.

Frank is arrested. Kate tells Ryan she's sorry. Ryan says it'll be a lot harder on my sister. Frank isn't the shooter. He was contacted anonymously. No luck tracing the money so far. Partial print off the envelope. Castle and Kate says there's one person to check based on the phone.

Mia gives a press conference on Alex's behalf. Kate and Castle show her the envelope. It's her fingerprint. Where were you doing the shooting? You killed Carolyn Decker. These are texts going back 3 years, when their affair started. So you created a narrative where Chambers was the patsy. Mia knew about the affair. Carolyn was his adviser. Alex and I have an agreement. I was in Room 717. I can give you her name if it's necessary. She says this envelope is from Alex's office.

They tell Alex and the Chief of Staff. The money came from your bank account. Only Megan and Alex have access. You killed Carolyn. Carolyn didn't think you belonged on Alex's team to the presidency. Your coat tested positive for gunshot residue. Alex is shocked. Megan says I do everything for you! And I've done it well. That should count for something. Ryan arrests her.

Kate hates politics. They should be honorable and trustworthy. She has study materials for the captain's exam.

Ryan brings Frank home. Tell Gwen the truth. Frank says she'll hate me for lying. Ryan says she's stronger than you think. Gwen opens the door and hugs him. He apologizes. She says we'll get through it. She takes him inside. Ryan leaves.

Next ep - a devious attorney dies with a secret. Next Monday.