Castle's calculated move worked like a charm. Espo and Ryan, who previously didn't fully understand who the charming Neal really was, were astounded when they realized that he was none other than the infamous art thief and con artist, Neal Caffrey. Suddenly, it all made sense why Castle often pulled off these wild schemes. With such a brilliant "think tank" backing him, it was no wonder.
Unlike Bob Lee Swagger, Espo and Ryan, who had spent years with the NYPD, were all too familiar with Neal's legendary reputation in New York. They knew this was a guy who had evaded the FBI for years before being captured, and even then, he only received a four-year sentence. The feds could only pin a securities fraud charge on him. The fact that Neal had now become part of Castle's "think tank" was mind-blowing. With the help of a criminal mastermind like Caffrey, Castle's plans would be unstoppable.
Then there was the bald, unassuming Mozzie. Though Espo and Ryan had always thought of him as Castle's legal advisor, today, as he acted as Bob's lawyer, it was clear he wasn't just some harmless lawyer. His close relationship with Castle and Neal revealed that Mozzie, too, was no ordinary character.
Castle didn't care what Espo and Ryan thought. This was exactly what he wanted. As long as they believed that his brilliant schemes were all thanks to Neal and Mozzie, they would report this to Beckett back at the precinct. That way, his seemingly "prophetic" abilities would be explained, and it wouldn't trigger Beckett's sharp instincts.
So, while Frank Moses was on his way to the estate, Castle gathered everyone except Mozzie and Neal, casually chatting about how to handle the aftermath of the situation.
Castle knew that even if he didn't remind Bob, the former sniper would likely take matters into his own hands, much like in the movie he had seen in his previous life. Bob might quietly eliminate the mastermind to avoid any future threats. However, this time, Bob hadn't been framed as a fugitive, nor had his spotter's girlfriend been kidnapped and held on a mountain to coerce him. So it was uncertain whether Bob would still choose to take such drastic action. Even if he did, the timing was unclear. Castle decided to give him a little nudge, just to ensure Bob had the motivation to carry out the deed.
In front of the shocked Espo and Ryan, Castle recounted the origins of the current situation in great detail to Bob. He also explained the current political landscape, including how Senator Charles Hahn of Montana had orchestrated this entire mess to bring down Vice President Andrew, who belonged to the opposing political party. Hahn had even sent people to impersonate Andrew's team to attack the retired CIA operatives, all as a backup plan in case the assassination plot went wrong. Castle laid out everything he knew.
Bob remained calm throughout, but Espo and Ryan were both floored by the revelations. "Our Vice President did all this terrible stuff in his youth? Massacres? Is this real?"
"Not just in one country either? Africa and then South America? Is this guy nuts?"
Bob, however, was unphased. A seasoned warrior, he was well aware of the misdeeds carried out by his country's military. For years, in the Middle East, Africa, and every other hotspot around the globe, American soldiers had been involved in countless unjust wars. This was the main reason Bob had chosen to retire after being abandoned by his superiors. And, of course, the man who had betrayed him mysteriously disappeared before Bob retired. That wasn't a coincidence, was it?
Seeing Bob's expression, Castle didn't hold back, even with two active-duty cops in the room. "Bob, you should know that your sniper skills make you the perfect scapegoat for these people. I don't think they'll let you walk away easily after this is over. You should be prepared."
Bob, convinced by now that Castle truly had his best interests at heart, forced a faint smile. "Thank you. Can I call you Rick? I get what you're saying."
Castle burst out laughing. "All my friends call me Rick. If you need any help, just say the word."
Mozzie and Neal watched with amusement as Castle openly discussed questionable topics in front of two cops. They had a newfound respect for Castle's boldness and recklessness, as well as his deep connections within the police force. The two officers didn't seem to bat an eye, even when Castle all but explicitly suggested Bob take matters into his own hands.
As Castle and his crew plotted how Bob might exact revenge, Frank Moses finally arrived at the Long Island estate. After getting precise directions from Castle, Frank parked his car at the gate of Castle's new estate. Ivan, who had been informed beforehand by Castle about the VIP guest, stood at the entrance, respectfully greeting the bald-headed man who clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Frank was slightly surprised when he saw Ivan's Slavic features. "Russian?"
Ivan, already briefed by Castle about Frank's formidable reputation, smiled warmly. "Yes. Former major of the Interior Ministry's Signal Flag Special Forces. Now, I'm just Mr. Castle's head of security."
Frank, sensing that Castle's connections were more extensive than he had expected, said nothing more and followed Ivan into the lively main house.
Castle, knowing his "Uncle Frank" had arrived, was already waiting at the door to welcome the legendary retired operative, still as formidable as ever. Meanwhile, Mozzie and Neal were continuing to humorously pitch questionable ideas to Bob, with Espo and Ryan sitting awkwardly, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned. However, despite their best efforts to be helpful, neither Mozzie nor Neal suggested Bob use outright violence against the mastermind, Senator Charles Hahn, or his lackey, Colonel Johnson. Bob simply smiled, keeping his thoughts to himself, while Espo and Ryan quickly realized how dangerous it could be to get on the wrong side of these two.
Castle didn't introduce Frank to everyone, as he knew Frank preferred to keep a low profile. Instead, he led his idol straight to the second-floor study. It was Castle's first time using the room, and he hadn't expected his first guest would be none other than the legendary Frank Moses.
Once seated in the study with a glass of whiskey that Castle had poured, Frank reminisced, "I actually met you and your mother, Martha, years ago. That was over thirty years ago when I was heading to the Soviet Union for a mission. I came to New York for guidance from your father and met you then. You were very young; you probably don't remember."
Castle hadn't expected that Frank had met him when he was a child, but what really caught his attention was the mention of the Soviet Union. Thirty years ago? Wasn't that around the time Frank and Marvin had gone to Moscow to rescue Dr. Bailey and place the red mercury bomb in the Kremlin? No way! Should he tell Frank about this now, or stay silent and let events unfold naturally?
After a brief moment of deliberation, Castle decided to keep quiet. There was no way to explain how he knew about the highly classified "Nightshade Project." His limited skills wouldn't hold up under scrutiny from these Cold War veterans, who had survived in an era of extreme danger. Any slip could land him in serious trouble. Besides, the details of the "Nightshade Project" wouldn't surface until Dr. Bailey, currently locked up in a psychiatric ward beneath the Tower of London, smuggled out a phone and posted the information online. With so much on his plate already, there was no need for Castle to stir up more trouble for himself.
Instead, Castle smiled and politely responded to Frank before steering the conversation to the real reason for the visit. "Uncle Frank, I know you're here to find out if Vice President Andrew was really behind the attack on you. I can assure you, he wasn't. The truth is actually this..."
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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