The hesitation gave Conan a moment's pause -- yes, it was gross but what detective didn't like getting their hands on the evidence themselves? A second glance at Castle's attire answered that question.

"You can relax! Detective Beckett's recommended you for helping her with the interviews -- ah, that is if you don't mind helping us out! We're a little short-handed right now ..."

((ooc: just going to pretend the timeline of these threads makes sense!))